Nourishing the mind, body, and soul along the vegan highway.

Friday, April 20, 2007

I cooked today! "Meatloaf, Seitan O'Greatness , Veggies

Hi Everyone,


I want to say thank you to all of you who stopped by and posted me get well wishes and helpful ideas to help backs. I so enjoy the friendships I have made, though most of us are miles apart. This whole back thing has had me in the dumps for too long. Update: The doctor has taken me out of work for 6 weeks, I have pool therapy, spinal manipulations and adjustments along with a load of homeopathic medicines. After a week on the treatment my chriopractor has already seen disc impovement. I am keeping my fingers crossed. He has me set up with a 12 week treatment.

I was home alone today and wanted so badly to cook. It has been like 3 weeks. I figured just go for it! It took me 5 hours to make dinner, but it was finally something other than PB&J or avo sammies. DH, my omni man, called me and said he wanted meatloaf. (the real kind) Well, that is his choice, but for me I figured I would make a vegan version. I popped over to Jen at veganlunchbox.com and used her meatloaf maker. I have tried it before and the family loves it. Today I wanted millet and black bean. I used walnuts, no-chicken broth, onion, lots of garlic, celery, black beans, millet flaxseed meal, cumin, yeast flakes, vegan worcestershire sauce, and vegan chicken-style seasoning. It tastes really good. I kept tasting before it was cooked. Don't you just love how you can do that being vegan since there are no nasties. :o) This recipe stayed together so well, that I think you could make patties and fry them. I will up some of the seasonings next time. I also made some of Bryanna's Fat Free Vegan Rich Brown Gravy,(which you have to get from her newsletter) sorry I don't remember which one, along with steamed broccoli, yellow squash, frozen green peas and a baked potato to finish the meal off.


I was such a happy camper today that I didn't stop there. The simple things in life, like getting in the kitchen, make me so happy. I just love to cook.


I was visiting blogs and found many of you have made the Seitan O'greatness or versions thereof. Tex over at http://eatnvegn.blogspot.com/ made a wonderful looking Seitan O'Greatness and then I found Laura had made it too, http://myedenkitchen.blogspot.com/ . Of course my journey did not end there. I found that Susan over http://blog.fatfreevegan.com has made her version of Veggeroni (Seitan Pepperoni) http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/04/veggeroni-seitan-pepperoni.html, which I intend to make very soon. Here is the one I baked today. It seems darker in color than most, DH and I both enjoyed it. I can't wait to try it in different ways. Sorry the picture is not great, but the flavor is. I was wondering if I could change the seasonings a bit to make a "chic'n" flavored seitan log. I am gonna try. :o)


Last buy not least I want to thank Brandie and her sweetheart for being such a important part of my life. They make me smile and feel good. Thanks kids for doing all that you have done.
Here is their Easter picture that we took after church. They make a great couple!

This is Brandie's favorite picture.

This is my favorite, but actually who can pick, they make such a neat couple.

12 comments:

KleoPatra said...

Aw, what a happy couple. GREAT photos! The sweet smiles say it all.

i am so glad you are feeling better... i know only too well how sad it can feel in the heart when the body won't cooperate and work in its best natural state of wellness. My fingers and toes are crossed as well for you that you will find your way back to comfort before the 12-week program is over.

Be strong in your mind and your body will follow, i really believe that, Sheree...

Your vegan "meat"loaf looks AWEsome!! And yes, i love that when you cook or bake vegan, you can taste things "as they go" and not be concerned about salmonella, E.Coli or anything else "weird." Yet another benefit of eating low on that food chain, 'eh?

Your seitan o'greatness looks great! i keep wanting to make it... i love how you sliced like that. Looks perfect to be put inside a nice, soft pita...

It really brings a lift to my heart that being in the kitchen brings you you great happiness and that you were able to do that today. Go, you!

i send healing vibes your way...

laura k said...

I'm so glad that you are feeling good enough that you could cook again--I know it's wonderful to get back into the kitchen after a hiatus... I've recently discovered that I am happiest when I am cooking. Your seitan looks great--weird that it's darker, but the photo really doesn't show it--it looks about like mine did. Tasty stuff--I'm going to have to make it again!

Dori said...

Wow, you have really been going through it with your back. I am glad to see you back in the kitchen and I kinda know how you feel about this having been out ofthe kitchen for a short time. I have been eye balling the seitan o greatness pictures admiring how perfectly log shaped many look. I would like to make some sometime soon.

Dori said...

P.S. You daughter and friend sure do make a cute couple.

scottishvegan said...

Aaaaw, your daughter and her partner are adorable! What cute piccies!

Sorry that your back is still giving you trouble, but glad to hear that you are now managing to get a little cooking in. Your loaf sounds yummy! I must try the loaf generator…I haven’t done it yet.

aTxVegn said...

I hope you are finally on the road to being painfree. It seems the cooking you've done is therapeutic as well! I love loaves! There are so many wonderful gravies and veggies to go with them. Your meal looks heavenly! My son loved the seitan. I'm going to make him another one cuz it's just so easy.

I'm glad you're getting some family support. The pictures are beautiful.

Kate said...

I just recently found your blog. Your meatless meat loaf looks really yummy. I am so sorry about your back and pray that you will have a speedy recovery.

urban vegan said...

Glad you're well!

Seitan O'Greatness is truly the food that is sweeping the blogosphere. Everytime I hear the name, I belly laugh.

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

The happiness really shines through on those last photos -- what a georgous couple! I had my round with the seitan o'greatness and mine looks to be the color of yours -- I used Kitchen Bouquet... Glad you're feeling better -- Take Care!

Michelle said...

those two lovebirds are just too cute :)

MeloMeals said...

They are a beautiful couple!

and I am so sorry that your back is giving you so much pain. I hope so much this treatment helps.. you must be going insane!

Gardner Family said...

So I just thought to myself......I need to visit Sheree's blog! And I am so glad I did! Yeah!! Pictures of your kids!!! And Yeah for WW!!!! Dan is up to 8 1/2 pounds total loss! I am still just breaking even. Do you do core or points? Which works for you... or Brandy...or hubby? Hope your back feels better soon! Yah for Chiropractors and homeopathic medicine!!! My new thing...wheat grass shots from jamba juice...I love it!!!