My Veganomicon Cookbook finally arrived! I have been waiting three weeks, excitedly checking the mailbox each day, and it arrived on Saturday. I was a little nervous opening it in case it was not what I expected – but it was better! So many delicious vegan recipes to try. After much consideration I decided to try the Eggplant -Potato Mousaaka with Pinenut cream.

This is a seriously delicious meal. I was so excited however that I actually forgot to take photos as I was making it, which was kind of  missing the whole point!
To be honest it took me at least an hour to prepare even before cooking, as it involves baking the veges, making a tomato sauce, and the stunning pine nut cream, – but it was really worth it.

If I had been on top of things, I would have taken  photo like this:  (Photo care of Post Punk Kitchen website)

In general, being a busy working mum, I don’t have that much time to cook after work – the family would be starving. I often resort to a fail safe in a hurry but super healthy dish – rice and vegetable stirfry. Tonight, being one of those busy nights I was able to whip one up in about 20 mins. I tend to use absolutely anything I can find in the fridge, so tonight we had

When everything was cooked (just lightly, I hate soggy vegetables), I also chopped up some sundried tomatoes, and quartered pitted black olives.

It suits the whole family, fills us up, and there are always leftovers for my lunch – yum.

It was election day here yesterday – the chance for people to really stand up, make a difference, and think about the future and how we want our country to be.
The family and I went to our lovely friend’s house for the evening to hang out, eat, drink and watch the results coming in.

Apart from my standard home made pizza, my lovely friend made us this

All organic and from her garden – topped with lime juice dressing. I never think of adding potatoes to salad – but seriously I could have eaten the whole bowl myself. I dream of having a garden that can provide enough for a salad like this – radish, salad greens, potatoes, and so much more.

What upsets me though, is that only 68 percent of eligible voters in the country exercised their right to vote! I am not a hugely political person to be honest, but what I recognise is how lucky we are in New Zealand to have that right, to make our vote count, and to have input into our government. Around the world people die and fight to have that right, and here people can’t be bothered. Now don’t get me wrong, I know for some people their lives are so tough that just surviving is their main focus, but for others I am sure it is just complacency – and that is disappointing. Come on people – others would love this opportunity!
So there is my rant fot the weekend.

On the good side – My Veganomicon cookbook arrived today – and I can’t wait to make my way through it, and show you my efforts.  

Also – tonight I am making Chelseys Overnight Oats- it’s the little things that make you happy, but tomorrow I cant wait to give them a go.

Here is what you need

• 1/3 cup oats
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tbsp flax seed meal
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 banana smashed