Vegan makeup review: Lime Crime's Venus: The Grunge Pallette

I saw this all over social networking sites and I loved the way it looked on the people who wore it. I am very pale so I wanted something cool and grunge that would look nice on my skin tone. This is definitely one of my favorite purchases this season and I love the way it looks on my skin! I am able to blend the colors perfectly and it looks so lovely. Go check it out here: Lime Crime Venus

Tofu coconut curry

I made some excellent tofu coconut curry and vegan sugar cookies for dessert. I went by the a recipe in the vegan a go go cookbook but added coconut and a few other ingredients to give it a creamier taste. The original recipe has another name. I added a side of hummus, avocado and hummus chips to dip. To pair with cookies, I made coffee out of my favorite coffee mug that I got from Stumptown coffee in Oregon. 

Vegan in Autumn

Veggie Grill one of my favorite new vegan restaurants in the Bay Area so far but I'd love to explore more delicious vegan places. They have some amazing places in San Francisco and San Jose as well. I love Fall time. Autumn is probably one of my favorite times of year. I break out my boots and warm leggings, scarves and bundle up. Make vegan sugar cookies, sip coffee and hot cider by the fire and create delicious veggie stews to warm me up. This fall I have enjoyed creating more art, hanging with friends and going for many hikes. I love hiking during fall time more than Summer because you don't get as tired from the sun. I went leaf picking with my husband the other day to find pretty maple leaves to hang by our chimney. I look forward to many more nature walks, hikes and celebrating. Winter will be wonderful and I can't wait for that. Below: some of my favorite things in Autumn. 

Delicious seasonal butternut squash soup at Veggie Grill. 

Warm up with a vegan latte' 

SO good! 

Beautiful fall leaves! 

Vegan sweet potato pie :D 

Simple vegan tacos

When I don't have a lot of time and want to make simple vegan tacos I just heat up a can of vegetarian refried beans, chop up half an avocado, salsa and tomatoes. You can heat up taco shells and add in some vegan cheese if you want but I prefer them just plain. 

Vegan pumpkin spiced latte DIY

Don't get too down about not being able to drink the pumpkin flavored coffees at cafe's if you are vegan. To be honest, most of the ones my friends have tried are far too sweet and full of junk. I personally enjoy to make my own healthier, less sugar, vegan version of a spiced latte.

What you need:

1. Pumpkin flavored coffee or if you want something sweet try regular coffee and pumpkin flavor syrup. (I warn you it does get sweet so use as much or as little as you like. I personally like a bit less sugar so I just sweeten my coffee with organic sugar. )

2. Vanilla flavored almond milk or vanilla flavored soy milk

3. Vegan whip cream to top

4. Dash of cinnamon or nutmeg


Brew espresso use one or two shots or if you don't have espresso maker you can brew medium to strong cup of coffee, warm milk up on stove top and combine with coffee. (Use as much or as little to your liking. To make it more latte' you can use more milk if you wish.) Top with dollop of vegan whip cream, throw a dash of cinnamon or spices on there and voila!

Lists of vegan options at a few shops I love to go to

Sometimes it can be a challenge to find vegan options if they don't have a vegan section. I usually will go to a list of vegan options at stores so I can write down items I'd like to get before I shop besides the obvious fruits and veggies. Here they are:

1. Trader Joes 
2. Whole Foods  (Couldn't find vegan whole foods list yet but did find vegan comfort food recipes! )
3. Starbucks  (There are many other vegan starbucks links but this one was cool and it had pics)

 This next list isn't a store but it is one of my favorites! The accidental vegan food list from PETA
4. Accidentally Vegan food List


And finally for your eyes to feast on...here area  few photos of the food I got with my hubby at Veggie Grill. If you haven't gone there yet, please go. It is amazing and sooo yummy!! Oh and EVERYTHING is vegan there :D

Summer Salad

This was a great idea for a summer spring salad. I have seen it on several blogs but my friend on her blog added kale to it. This seems like a great idea to get nutrients. 

Here is what I did to make mine: 

*bow tie pasta (make sure it doesn't have eggs)

*1 bunch of kale (chopped)

*two tomatoes (chopped) 

*tablespoon of grain mustard

*a few table spoons of olive oil

*tablespoons of vinagarrete 

*a splash of dried herbs

*2 cloves of garlic of half an onion

*chickpeas (My friend used kidney beans but you can use whatever beans you have in the kitchen for extra protein. I also added a small dash of salt. 

Directions:

Boil pasta to however soft you like it. 

Steam kale with some garlic or onion.

Throw in canned beans (drained) 

When pasta is drained add all ingredients together: chopped tomatoes, kale, herbs, kale mustard, vinegar, and olive oil. Top with vegan cheese or some avocado.