Wild Blackberries Again

downsized_0514001531.jpg, originally uploaded by metoday.

I couldn't resist posting more photos of my wild blackberries. These gorgeous berries call to me each time I'm out on our property. I've picked so many of them but it seems like each time I return, new ripe ones relaced the ones I plucked last week. I feel a sense of responsibility to not let any go to waste. I am sure the birds, snakes and any other local wild creatures have had a fair amount of them, but still I can't seem to leave without an attempt to collect as many as possible in one day. Needless to say, I've learned a thing or two about berry picking:

1. do not pick without well fitted gloves. ( my hands are super scratched up from the last gathering without them, and stained from the juice.)
2. bring a tear-proof bag; (I lost many a berry from my first attempt with a plastic bag)
3. take time to stretch before; (my back hurt from the constant bending without taking a break.I was real focused!)
4. take time to enjoy a few right off the vine without feeling guilty and chastising said boyfriend for eating them like that and "wasting them." After all its suppose to be "fun". I know I get obsessed easily.)

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downsized_0509001658.jpg, originally uploaded by metoday.

downsized_0514001531.jpg

downsized_0514001531.jpg, originally uploaded by metoday.

Mocha Banana Bread

I followed this recipe for "Mocha Banana Muffins" from a "Girl Goes Vegan" post.(Thank You!) I usually don't have the patience for muffins, (spooning batter one by one into the little cups...) and I couldn't find the muffin baking pan so the recipe became "Mocha Banana Bread."

This fat-free bread was extremely moist and delicious. Who can pass on chocolate-chip banana bread with the added grown-up flavor of mocha/coffee? Not me!

I had two slices of this yummy bread while sitting outside by our river. Nothing is as relaxing as watching the river go by with all the birds, turtles and an occasional gator sighting, while enjoying vegan baked goods and coffee. ( I'm trying to quit the coffee...)

Here's a photo of the turtle I saw today in "our" river.

Happy Meal!

Often, I like to make what I call a "happy meal." No, not the high fat, heart sabotaging meal that a popular fast food establishment calls "happy", but a quick and simple lunch that just looks happy. Also from what I understand this meal of mine is very good for my heart, skin and other things, and its so delicious that it really does make me joyous.

Who can't see the pretty color green against the little red cherry tomatoes and be happy? Or is it just me that finds vegan food beautiful, so much so that I love taking pictures of it? O.k., I know I am a bit weird but I'm sure there are others like me out there somewhere...I hope.

For this basic vegetable soup, I threw together fresh, organic produce and seasoned with a vegan bouillon and organic dried herbs. The whole grain sandwich slices were toasted and then smothered with ripe avocado slices, sprinkled with garlic powder and lemon-pepper then topped with the tomatoes.

I'm looking forward to summer and all the local fresh produce options and all the ways I can incorporate them into my diet. How about you?

Wild Blackberry Cobbler

Once again, I'm posting a desert dish! This time though it's extra special... I picked these wild blackberries in the field in front of the home we are building. Amazing! These little morsels grow everywhere in this field. Most of them were still unripe, but I managed to get a bag full of the ones that were black and sweet. I can't wait until this Sunday when we will go back to work on the property and I'll gather much more, for sure!!

Now, what will I make with the next batch? I will probably just use them on top of my granola and eaten straight out of the field...then hopefully, wash and freeze for later use someday.

For the cobbler, I washed and cleaned the berries, then in a medium size bowl added cornstarch, agave syrup, and some raw vegan sugar, and set aside.

Next I mixed together 2 cups of w.w.pastry flour, 1 tsp. alum.-free baking powder, 1/2 tsp. sea salt, 1/2 cup of raw sugar. Then made a hole in the center and added 1/4 cup of canola oil, about 1/2 cup water and a dash of vanilla extract. Mixing quickly and just well enough to moisten flour completely, I set that aside too.

Finally after spraying a square glass baking dish with organic Pam, I added the berry mixture and crumbled the dough mixture on top. I dotted with a few tsp. of "Earths Balance" margarine, and baked @350*degrees for about 40 minutes. Yum!

Rosemary Roasted Beets

downsized_0503001934.jpg, originally uploaded by metoday.

One of my favorite meals is simple fare. Fresh corn on the cob, rosemary roasted beets, avocado salad, yellow squash and a slice or two (or three) of warm, crusty garlic bread. I never realized how much I liked beets, until having them this way... basted with olive oil, then sprinkled with coarse sea salt and fresh rosemary. Yum. I recently spent some time at my Father and step-mother's home, and she prepared this delicious meal. She told me that eating freshly prepared vegetables and salads makes up most of her and my Father's diet staples. Living in the "always humid" conditions that Florida offers, I believe this way of eating is best!

I enjoyed my time with them immensely as well as my meals too! I developed a new "addiction" also...fresh cut pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, all mixed up with a good amount of soy yogurt and a drizzle of honey. We had it for breakfast on Sunday morning, sitting out by the pool that overlooks a small lake. In between bites of this delicious-ness, we watched the great blue heron, and other local birds enjoying their morning meal. Like I said, it was a great time and I've been having that fruit dish every morning since.