“The Vice-Presidency is sort of like the last cookie on the plate. Everybody insists he won’t take it, but somebody always does.” - Bill Vaughn

But I bet you Romney could convince Chris Christie to take it.  He’s a pretty convincing guy.

Speaking of Mitt Romney… don’t give him cookies that look like they’re from  7-11.  Mitt thinks those are disgusting.

Make these instead.

Raw cookie dough.

Is my favorite.

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Vegan Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Adapted from www.vegweb.com 

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup soy/almond/coconut milk
• 2 tbs. vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup instant oats
• 1 cup vegan chocolate chips (Ghiradelli semi-sweet)
• 1/2 cup almonds or walnuts (optional)

My camera got very dirty this weekend because I kept it too close to the flour when I was baking. It got antiqued!

I didn’t know how to clean it, so I just left it alone hoping it would fix itself.  It didn’t, so here are some pictures I took a while ago at It’s Only Natural of their apple-cinnamon muffins.

Also…. It’s Only Natural just got voted Best Vegetarian Restaurant in the Hartford Advocate’s 2012 Readers’ Poll!

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

from Happy Foody

(different than those pictured  as noted above!)

For Muffins:
1 1/2 cups flour (we used whole wheat pastry flour)
1/4 cup plus 2 T sugar
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground allspice
1/8 t ground cloves
1/4 t salt
3/4 cup apple sauce (or cider for more robust taste)
1/3 cup canola or olive oil
1 t vanilla extract
1/2 cup grated apple
1/2 cup chopped apple (1/4 inch pieces)

For topping:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t ground allspice
Pinch of salt
3 T canola or olive oil

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly grease a muffin tin.  or use cupcake liners.  it’s the right thing to do.

Mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon, allspice and salt for the crumb topping together.  Slowly mis in the oil and stir….with your fingertips?  they said so!

Start off the same way for the muffin mix  by mixing all the dry ingredients (not including the apple!) together and then slowly adding the oil, apple cider and vanilla.  Mix until combined and then fold int he chopped apple.

Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full, spread crumb topping, and then bake for 22 minutes.

I don’t like to categorize people, but all people who call guacamole “guac” are terrible people.

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Zuacamole has almost half the fat and calories as regular guacamole,

because it replaces half the avocado with low calorie and fat-free zucchini.

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I know people think vegans don’t have tastebuds, but they’re wrong and we do.

And this is the best (g/z)uacamole they’ve never had.

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Replacing the chips with pepper strips is genius in my mind,

although I realize it’s starting to creep into I’m-terrified-of-junk-food territory.

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Regardless, I’m going to reward the peppers for being healthy by giving them their own picture.

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I found this recipe on one of my favorite vegan blogs Healthy Happy Kitchen (she is my idol….and a much better photographer than me), and here’s how you make it!

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Zuacamole

Ingredients:
1 large avocado – about 1 1/2 cups cubes
1 1/2 cups raw zucchini, cubes
1 tbsp olive oil – for quick sauté  (I use only about a tsp. in a non-stick pan)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
pinch of sea salt to taste
1/2 cup white onion, diced
1/4 cup chopped parsley or cilantro
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 jalapeno, diced – or a few dashes of cayenne (optional)

Instructions:

1.  Quickly sautee the zucchini cubes over med-high heat until browned.  (about 2-4 minutes)

2.  Mix with the rest of the ingredients and serve!

I can’t take myself seriously carrying a lunch bag.  Especially mine, because it’s bright red and has velcro.

  Until now – I found this on Etsy today!

 It’s insulated, washable, and  most importantly, it has view masters on it.  Remember those? Me either.

Check out the Needful Wishes Etsy page for more designs.

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Easy Lunch Idea – Kale Salad

Chop up washed kale leaves into bit size pieces and mix with lemon juice, olive oil, pepper, chili powder, and course salt. Add cannellini beans (optional!).

Kale Salad