Foodie Friday: "Da Bahamian Vegan" - Vegan Salad and Gluten Free Vegan Wrap

It's Foodie Friday!!! (Does happy dance). 

Todays post is coming from Chef Giovan aka "Da Bahamian Vegan" 

This guy will definitely motivate you to eat clean!! 

 

It can be very difficult to live a vegan lifestyle in The Bahamas. Especially in a culture where Sunday dinners comprises of 2 meats, 3 starches and lots of side dishes.

Before switching to a plant based lifestyle it was much easier to dine at friends and family gatherings, even my choice restaurant weren’t limited. Now that Da Bahamian Vegan was created, I want people to know that living a plant based lifestyle it doesn’t need to be so complicated. With a few simple swaps and recipes you can always have something satisfying to whip up.

I’m going to share with you a few steps to run through when planning a plant based meal.

Remove the Meat

I don’t want to assume anything about your knowledge of vegans, so let’s start at the beginning. Vegans do not consume any animal products.

Look for Hidden Meat

All vegans will take offense to anything made with chicken or beef stock, even if there are no chunks of meat in whatever you’re making. Like seriously, who makes a Vegetable Soup with Chicken or Beef Broth?

Make a Swap

Vegan substitutes are almost everywhere these days. There are a wide variety of prepared vegan burgers and “chick’n” patties in the frozen food section if you’re looking for convenience (these can also be made easily from scratch). An easier way to go can be replacing meat with mushrooms in particular Portobello Mushrooms.

Don’t worry chances are you have more vegan meals in your past history of cooking than you really think. Cook up a favorite pasta dish or hearty salad. When in doubt make an extra vegetable or grain side dish. Relax and enjoy what plant based living and eating has to offer. If you have a vegetarian dish it’s not too hard to make it vegan. Vegan cheese is a readily available swap for dairy cheese (or just leave it out). Eggs can be replaced by flax eggs (1 tablespoon flax meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to “gel”.). Earth Balance makes a popular vegan “butter”. Focus on grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. If you're having a hard time coming up with a vegan main dish, make several side dishes you feel comfortable with, such as roasted squash or a rice pilaf, and there will be plenty to eat.

Vegan Salad Recipe 

2 ripe avocados, cubed

4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 small yellow onion, chopped

2 jalapeno peppers, seeds and ribs removed, diced

1 small bunch cilantro, chopped

Juice of half a lemon

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir gently to combine. Adjust salt and lemon juice to taste.

Tasty Gluten Free Vegan Wrap 

Ingredients

2 small yellow onions, peeled, halved, and sliced

1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips

1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips

1 head broccoli, cut into bite size pieces

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup coconut oil

2 tablespoons of choice taco seasoning powder

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Gluten Free Wraps

Vegan Cheese

Avocado (optional)

Lime juice (optional)

Cilantro (optional)

In a large bowl, combine the onions, bell peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms.

In a glass measuring cup, combine the oil and taco seasoning. Pour over the vegetable mixture and stir well.

Gill over high heat for 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into warmed gluten free wrap and top with vegan cheese, avocado, lime juice & cilantro, if desired.

Foodie Friday : Meet the Chefs!

I introduced foodie friday to you all a few months back. The concept is still the same but we will be getting a cluster of chefs and "Foodies" who will rotate posts ranging from the ultimate meat lovers plate to a delicious vegan treat. We will continue to introduce chefs as they come on board.
I am very excited about this venture and I have many exciting things coming along with this that my readers are sure to enjoy. So with that being said lets meet the two awesome chefs who have signed on so far.

 

Meet Chef Simeon Hall Jr. 

I met Chef Simeon about 2 years ago while he was helping a hotel that I worked at create new menus. While working with him it was clear to me automatically how passionate this guy is about food. I had never seen anything like it. The way Chef Simeon described meals he had and dishes he had created were sure to make you drool. This is part of the reason I am so excited about him coming on board. You met Chef Simeon and his awesomeness before on my blog with a few recipes he has shared .. Including last weeks sensual Molten Chocolate desert recipe. Here's a closer look into who Chef Simeon is. 

 

After traveling the world to explore the culinary landscapes of many foreign nations, Chef Simeon Hall will be returning to his native land of The Bahamas to stimulate your senses with his unique style of fusing local ingredients with global techniques.
As the Owner/CEO of ‘Simeon Hall Restaurant Management Group Ltd’ that provides restaurants and hotels many services including restaurant and menu design, hospitality management and training, food styling & prep and Culinary Business Consulting, Chef Hall strongly believes that you can appeal to international taste buds with the use of fresh, local ingredients and would like to introduce the world to explore the tastes of his native Isle of The Bahamas.
With the premier ‘Garden to Plate’ School Lunch Program for children in the Bahamas currently in development, Hall’s intention is to educate the youth about nutrition and sustenance by teaching them gardening and food preparation techniques. The first program of its kind in the Bahamas, Chef Hall is excited to share his experiences with the next generation of future movers and shakers. During his Bahamian tour, Hall will be a guest present and will be performing a cooking demo at The Minority Chef Summit this year as well as presenting a lecture on historical Bahamian cuisine. Although he has been featured in many newspapers across the country and abroad and has served as a Judge and contestant in many international cooking competitions, Chef Hall is excited to be returning to his homeland and is looking forward to the start of a new chapter that will bring modern techniques to traditional Bahamian cuisine.

This year we can look forward to some interesting blends of local ingredients, some new restaurants designed by Chef Hall, food demonstrations, the debut of the Hall Supper Club Events and more. Keep an eye out for Chef Simeon Hall, you may be tasting, dining at or reading something created by him and not even know it!

Check out Chef Simeon on facebook at "A food's Paradise By Chef Simeon Hall Jr. "

 

 

 

 

Meet Chef Gio Cooper "Da Bahamian Vegan"

I was first introduced to "Da Bahamian Vegan" on Facebook in my slow and steady race to becoming a vegan myself. When I made the decision that I was going to make a lifestyle change I went on a quest to figure out what I think many people who are not vegan try to figure out... "What in the heck do vegans eat?" I continued to follow Chef Gio I was more and more intrigued on how "good" this vegan was eating. He continued to post mouthwatering vegan dishes that made me realize, being of vegan does not mean I have to starve. 

 

 

Chef Giovan "Gio" Cooper, a 28 year old young man living in The Bahamas has the passion and desire for Vegan Cooking. Not only does he cook Vegan food for the public, but a little over a year ago he made the transition to becoming a Vegan. It was one of the best decisions he made not only for himself but also for the planet. As he began his transition last year March, Chef Gio Cooper called himself "Da Bahamian Vegan". He never knew months later "Da Bahamian Vegan" will be a brand to be recognized in The Bahamas and even in The United States. Da Bahamian Vegan brand main mission here in The Bahamas is to target individuals that eat meat on a constant. The brand wants to display to individuals that they can take at least one day of the week to dedicate their day to a plant based way of eating. With a huge population of persons in The Bahamas that have their own myths about what Vegan food is about, Chef Gio Cooper has to ensure his menu items are not only creative but pleasuring to the eyes and pallet. Over the past several months Chef Gio Cooper has made appearances on Bahamas At Sunrise, a local morning talk show where he did a live demonstration for the viewing audience, he has appeared twice in the local newspaper, The Nassau Guardian, made many appearances on radio talk shows, speaking about his business and the future of the brand, also he has been featured in two local magazines, where the most recent feature for Brutha Magazine "Man On The Rise." It was not all that easy though for Chef Gio Cooper. In the beginning of 2013, Chef Gio Cooper decided to open a restaurant because of the many individuals requesting where they can purchase his food items. 3 months later he had to close his doors because the support from the Bahamian community couldn't afford him the opportunity to stay open. Chef Gio Cooper was also the Vegan Chef for Canada's Fashion Designer, Mr. Peter Nygard and also a Raw private chef for The Atlantis Rejuvenation Center on Bimini island. Currently Chef Gio Cooper is a Chocolate Maker where he is working on perfecting his recipe for Raw Vegan Bon Bons. At present Chef Gio Cooper and Da Bahamian Vegan is taking Social Media by storm both here locally and internationally. With his Facebook Page "Da Bahamian Vegan" with over 5,000 Fans and Instagram "Da_Bahamian_Vegan" with over 7,000 followers, Chef Gio Coopers hope is to display his work to those in attendance. Chef Gio Cooper & Da Bahamian Vegan brand has a very good support system throughout The United States. There are many persons in The US, that can't wait for him to set foot on US soil to give them the opportunity to try his Vegan Offerings. It is his hope that if he is considered for being a featured Chef at the Seed Food & Wine Festival, that this will be the perfect opportunity to display to many just what he is all about. And we feel, by having a Caribbean Food influence to the Festival it will add such a different experience to all attendees. Even if Chef Gio Cooper isn't selected to be a guest Chef, he and his team will still be Vending at the Saturday's Festival event. They are all excited to travel and put on a great display!  

Check out Chef Gio on Facebook- Da Bahamian Vegan and Instagram- Da_bahamian_vegan. 

 

We will continue to introduce more and more guest bloggers as they sign on to this awesome series!

How exciting is this! Stay tuned for delicious recipes and food experiences.  

Foodie Friday: Molten Chocolate & Cayenne Pepper Lava Cake with Campari Berries and Chocolate Ice Cream!

Its Foodie Friday! We are about to take this Foodie Friday thing to the next level! You will all about our new and improved Foodie Fridays next week but this week one of our featured Chefs the awesome Chef Simeon Hall who you have seen here before is sharing one of his delectable sweet recipes. The heading of this post alone should make you salivate!

Photographer- Scharad Lightborne

Stylist- Lerielle Cole

Model- Shani Holland

Location – Valentines Boathouse Restaurant, Harbour Island, Bahamas

People often ask me why I became a chef and the truth is very elementary. I did it to meet and feed girls. Okay, so besides being genetically and socially predisposed coming from a family of cooks, that is my honest answer. I grew up feeding the women in my family and I loved to see their faces illuminate whenever I shouted, “dinner is ready!”. Fast forward 20 years later, as a professional chef nothing beats that same radiance whenever I cook for any female.

This love for food and pleasing my audience has morphed into a book that connects and follows a couple through the recipes of the first date to the night she says ‘I do.’

30 recipes every man should cook his woman™ is a cookbook novel.  The recipe below is a simple dessert that every man should have in his arsenal and it is made from CHOCOLATE!

 Enjoy this VANBLOGZ exclusive sneak peak and check me out at www.simeonhalljr.com for private cooking lessons and other amazing culinary services.

Molten chocolate and cayenne pepper lava cake with Campari berries and chocolate ice cream!

Ingredients-

1lb 2 oz bittersweet Graycliff chocolate (65%)

1lb 2 oz unsalted high quality butter

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

10 farm fresh eggs

7.75 oz table sugar

7.25 oz all-purpose flour

Directions:

First, preheat your oven to 370°F

Melt one pound plus two ounces of bitter sweet, 60% chocolate and one pound plus two ounces of unsalted butter in a metal bowl over simmering water, make sure that the butter is incorporated fully. Add one half teaspoon of cayenne pepper for the kick needed.

In a separate Kitchen Aid mixer or using a hand-held blender mix ten medium eggs with seven and three quarter ounce of sugar until the mix has doubled in volume and has a lighter color. Then measure out seven and one quarter ounce of all-purpose flour.

Very gently fold in the chocolate and butter mixture into the egg and sugar blend. Finally add the flour without deflating the mixture. This mix can be baked immediately or held in your refrigerator for up to a week. Simply remove the mix about two hours before and bake according to the baking steps.

Using a 4 ounce baking vessel, cupcake tins or silicon baking molds place three and one half ounce of the cake mix into the baking cup and bake for exactly 7 minutes. Remove and immediately serve.

For the berries, rinse one quarter cup each of quartered strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and add to a mixing bowl. Then add one cup of Campari, one half cup of cranberry juice and one quarter cup of grenadine. Set aside and allow to marinate overnight.

To plate this dessert, unmold the warm cake and add one scoop of your favorite brand of chocolate ice cream on top of the cake and finish with a heaping tablespoon of the macerated berries. The secret of this dish is the fact that the outside of the cake will be fully cooked and the inside will flow like ‘lava’.

 

Mmmmmmmm ... mmmmmmm! How is that for a hot late night dessert? Please share your photos and reviews if you give this recipe a try! Be sure to check out Chef Halls website he is truly passionate about what he does and it translates in the food he puts out ... and that's AAALLLLL GOOOOODDD!!

Celebrities are People Too

It is everywhere! Celebrity "news". I often wonder why we are so eager to know what is going on in the lives of people who are exactly like us but just better known .... and in most cases slightly richer.

We feel so entitled to know who they are dating, who cheated on who, why they broke up, what they are wearing (or what they aren't wearing), what they're driving, where they live, how they party. I mean we are literally living these peoples lives with them. Why are we so interested to know the ins and outs of their lives?

I know some of you are going to say "It comes with the business" or "Any publicity is good publicity", but I disagree. Why do we care? What value does it bring to our lives and how are we able to be so insensitive to what goes on in the lives of celebrities?

For instance at the BET awards and several other performances, Robin Thicke dedicated his performance to his wife Paula Patton. My timeline was flooded with "He so thirsty" , "He is annoying". While I am not in anyway excusing what he did I think it is commendable that he continues to disregard what people think of him bottles up his pride and expresses his love for her and regret for what he did. How many of your significant others did that when they messed up?

 

They have been together since high school he made a mistake and he is sorry for it. Come on guys that is literally the love of his life. You know how we have those songs that remind us of certain times in our life? Whether it be a happy time, a time when we were falling in love, a bad breakup. It just so happens he can make his own songs and create the playlists that we tend to use for our lives.

We continue to disregard that these are real people with real problems in their real life.

We chime in on celebrity relationships because you know everything that the media puts out is true and we are fully up to date to what's happening, so we obviously have the knowledge to express our views right? (That was major sarcasm)

How much of what we read or see on television is the truth and the WHOLE truth? We very rarely hear from the actual person when "the tea is served". But should someone comment on anything in our lives we are quick to say "Don't talk about what you don't know" or "Ask the source" or one of my favorites "You don't know me". Ahhh the irony of it all.  

Beyoncé changed the lyrics to one of her songs during a performance at her and Jay-Z's combined "on the run" concert insinuating that Jay-Z cheated on her. Do we know this to be true? Nope. But Jay-Z and Beyoncé's relationship is just too good to be true right? So something must be going on in their relationship even if we have to make up something. Like "Solange fought Jay-Z in the elevator because he beats her" ....

Will and Jada Smith allow their kids to express themselves they way they like. We criticize their parenting excessively. To the parents out their ... what is your reaction when someone tries to tell you how to raise your kids? What is your reaction with STRANGERS try to tell you how to raise your kids? ... Truthfully yes the kids dress very "different" but they seem to be pretty respectful kids. Some of the children that actually belong to us do worse things than dress weird. Get a grip!

 

You would swear I know a celeb personally but I don't. However I try to put myself in the shoes of others and try to have an unbiased view. I honestly feel sorry that celebrities sometimes have to walk on eggshells everywhere they go because if they hug someone of the opposite sex everyone is going to speculate that they are dating. Must be a tough way to live.

I hope this will help whoever reads it (including myself) to be a little more mindful of the way we make jokes and comment on peoples lives. Just like you and me some situations are hardly funny and are really tough for us.

Put yourself in a celebs shoes... Those shoes may be expensive but they are very difficult to walk in.

Friends on the Same Page

Have you ever heard the saying that goes something like "Watch the company you keep"?
I always took heed to that saying because it is true... people portray you by the company you keep. However now that I am married and the mother of a beautiful baby boy I have learned the importance of having a circle of friends who are all on the same page in life as you are.

 

Since marrying my husband we were introduced to a group of couples who are all on the same page. Either married, getting married, having kids wanting kids, building homes, creating businesses and so on. In one way or the other each couple is on the same page.

This would have never been important to me until we all starting spending more and more time together.

 

As time went on I learned that having these couples as close friends benefits my husband and I in more ways than one. Not only are they fun to hang out with but when we need suggestions or advice we have 5 different opinions to feed off of. The advice I get from this group is not just their opinions but this group has such strong relationships with God that very frequently advice is followed with scripture.

 

These people have now become more than friends but now they are apart of our lives and my child's life. These are the people that my babies will look up to and who's kids they will grow up with.

 

 

Both the guys and the girls have created what's app groups (separate groups of course, because us ladies need to speak about lady stuff and rant about our husbands from time to time) and while I cannot vouch for what goes on in the guys group besides planning impromptu guy outings ... this group for us girls has become like a sister hood of the traveling pants type of deal.

 

We share our struggles and successes ask advice, vent and chat about recent events and of course the latest on our reality TV shows. Truth is these ladies keep me calm and sane when things begin to become overwhelming. Its also good to know that sometimes you aren't over reacting ... or when you are.

 

While its important that you don't share every gripe or problem in your relationship I think there is always a time when we really need advice.

 

We all have our friends outside of this little circle but I am grateful for this group of people and I'm excited about how we continue to grow into a little family.

 

 

Be wise in your choices on who you associate yourself with and who you let your family hang around. You may not be as lucky to find a group as cool as this one but if you are wise in your decisions you may find a group that's a close second.

 

 



Tagged Tuesday: My 8 Summer Essentials

It is summer ... Wasn't it just Christmas?

It's that time of year when everywhere you go will be invaded with school children who have nothing better to do with their time ... Those were the days huh?

Although there is really no such thing as a summer break when you're living in "the real world" there are a few things I need that atleast make me feel like there is a change in season and for me to cope through the hottest time of the year. 

1. A swimsuit - Have you felt the heat? It is going to be a very hot summer and I must have a swimsuit to go on the beach at least once a week to cool off. 

2. Air Condition - DUH! Because who in the world can handle the sweltering heat every single day? Not this girl. 

3. Bright Make Up Pallets - Its summer time ... time to use some bright fresh colours and be fun! I am a culprit of always wearing the same face when it comes to make-up but I like to change it up in the summer and be one with the season. My favourite pallet right now is I-Divine Pallet Acid by Sleek Make up. Its very pigmented affordable and has loads of cool summer colours. 

Get It Here!

4. Watermelons - I know its odd but watermelons are my favourite fruit and they are the SWEETEST in the summer. I go crazy with watermelons in the summer. I can eat a whole one all by myself. Not to mention they are pretty good in a cocktail. Who doesn't like a summer cocktail? 

5. A Vacation - I hate traveling in the summer but I always need to do at least a quick weekend shopping trip mid year I.E Summer to get the edge off and do a little shopping. 

6. Summer Maxi Dress - These things are just the coolest especially in the summer. Not only is it my go to outfit when I really can't bother it is very "cool"and versatile.  You can wear it on the beach as a cover up or you can dress it up and wear it for a night on the town and not sweat profusely. (Yuck)

Get it Here!

7. Shorts .... and lots of them - Walking around in this heat in long jeans? No BUENO! 

8. A summer Jam - Summer seems to be the time that all artists put out their best hits and every year there is that one song that takes me back to a particular summer. So far my summer song is Shakira's "La La La" The theme song for the Fifa world cup. We are all Fifa World cup crazy at work so I'am hearing this song often. Summer has just begun and this can quickly change.

My essentials are not outrageous at all. I think all of have those things that make us say "Hey its summer time!" What are you Summer essentials? 

Its Tagged Tuesday! Check out my girl's Summer Essentials 

http://www.annisbubble.com

Tagged Tuesday: What have I done for myself lately?

What have I done for myself lately? Good question....

Being a new Mom I have not yet learned how to evenly share time for my husband, baby and me. This process is proving to be more difficult than I thought.

At present I am in dyer need of a visit to the salon and just a day to relax by myself of with the girls but I cant help but feel like I would be abandoning my family if I do. Does this feeling ever go away?

I know in order to keep sane I am going to have to let go and take some time for myself.

My husband and I went out together without Kaiden for the first time last weekend and while we had a great time and I loved spending that quality time with my hubby I couldn't wait to get back to my baby. During our dinner I was texting my aunt to find out if Kaiden was ok even though I knew she is fully capable of taking good care of my precious gift (otherwise he wouldn't have been there)

During this phase of my life I learning the importance of taking care of myself in order to better take care of my family and that goes for all aspects of my life.

I have learned that doing something for myself does not only mean getting my hair and nails done but it also means taking care of my mind, body and soul. I have made so many excuses about why I cant start working out and I cant make a healthy meal for myself because I have Kaiden.

There are a host of things I want to do for myself from haircuts to education but I have to learn to stop making myself handicap and learn how to live this new life with my baby.

I don't know if I will ever not feel like I'm neglecting Kaiden when I'm not with him but I am slowly learning how to deal with those emotions.


What have I done for myself lately? Not much of anything, but that will all soon change.


Tagged Tuesday: See what these dolls have done for themselves lately!

http://www.petulaw.com/2014/06/tagged-tuesday-what-have-i-done-for-me.html

http://www.annisbubble.com/2014/06/tagged-tuesdays-what-have-you-done-for.html