Peas and Thank You

Black Bean and Roasted Corn Nacho Bites with Avocado Crema

We took a trip to the local farm stand yesterday and the girls were in absolute heaven because I bought them fresh honey sticks.  Gigi got grape.  Lulu got strawberry.  And after sucking most of the honey out of the straws, slobbering and smacking their way through, they wanted to trade. Uh, no. Because there are some things that just don’t seem right to share. (And I’m not talking about my chocolate stash—that’s just a hoarding situation,... Read More

25 Vegan Recipes for Your Super Bowl Party

  I had to make a mad dash to the store last night for pineapple rings for our very last photo shoot for the new book: Pineapple Upside Down Muffins.  Only I forgot pineapple on my massive grocery run.  And then again on my second massive grocery run.  And then again on my mini-grocery run. I am brilliant sometimes. As I walked the aisles of the store, blurry-eyed, cranky and on a mission for perfectly round rings to top my muffins, an older... Read More

Cauliflower Rice Paella

How are those New Years’ resolutions holding up? I didn’t make any because, as I like to say, I am on a constant journey of self-improvement.  My husband wishes I would hurry up and get there already. One of the ways I’m trying to improve is by learning balance.  And not to feel guilty about it.  That’s the hard part. Would you want to punch me in the face if I said that before we went on vacation I found myself googling “How to not... Read More

Wannabe Recipea: Goldfish Crackers

Lulu might be taking her self-imposed lessons in empathy a little too far. Yesterday she sat in her baby doll stroller and rolled herself around the house, claiming to be in a wheelchair.  I was going to put a kibosh on her game as being insensitive, but it came to a crashing end all on its own.  Let’s just say our stairway is not up to ADA standards. Today she’s pretending that a pair of blue Minnie Mouse sunglasses are actual eyeglasses and... Read More

Wannabe Recipea: Chocolate Chip Zee Bars

There are lots of things I don’t get. Of course, that’s just a nice way of saying, here are some things I am going to complain about before I give you a recipe. We could be here awhile. But we won’t be, because incessant complaining is one thing I don’t get.  It’s a cruel joke of fate that I could teach a master class on it, though.  Such a wasted gift. #1 Thing I Don’t Get: Sweaters for Dogs Or rain slickers.  Or any sort of outerwear. ... Read More

Wannabe Recipea: White Chocolate Cranberry-Kissed Cake

I’m trying really hard not to be cliché. Then again, maybe I’m just lazy.  My hair for the day would confirm that.  I’m going through an awkward stage which I’m attempting to mitigate with the tiniest ponytail you’ve ever seen and a headband. I look like I either just got my wig snatched on Jerry Springer or like I’m about to film a Proactiv commercial and am poised to go in for the big sink splash.  The UPS guy came to do the door,... Read More

Gifts You Can Eat: Ranch Oyster Crackers

Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. I find myself saying this a lot.   “Look Mom, I can stick this whole Christmas ornament in my mouth!” It wasn’t a candy cane.  And the ornament hook is still missing.  That’s gonna leave a mark on the way out.   “Look Honey, I can get free shipping on a Tommy Bahama dress for you for Hawaii!” Perfect.  I’ll look lovely in it while I crochet doilies on the plane... Read More

For Santa: No Bake Snowball Cookies

I haven’t been fully working this Santa thing to my advantage. We haven’t gone and seen him yet this year, and I’d be surprised if we do.  I’d also be surprised if I make gingerbread men for our tree or mail out our Christmas cards.  The Christmas card thing would be especially surprising since I never ordered any.  So, friends and family, consider this your Christmas card/newsletter nearly every day of the year. Merry Christmas! But back... Read More

Everyday Eats: Sugar Cookie Smoothie

  It’s about to get cheeky in here. I’ve been working hard to get in bikini shape before we go to Hawaii right after the New Year. Really hard. So hard in fact that I let a friend talk me out of buying my usual safe, skirted swimsuit bottoms and into something just a tad less modest. I thought skirted bottoms were retro.  Turns out they might just be a bit more coverage than what I need.  But what a deal!  Twice the fabric for the same... Read More

Dinner Tonight: Shepherd’s Pie

Last week, I was driving down the road with the girls, doing some last-minute grocery shopping and listening to Christmas music when a commercial came on.  Lulu had just pointed out that she “hates” Christmas music.  She’s getting coal in her stocking.  Which makes shopping a cinch. The commercial was for Hellman’s Mayonnaise and the voiceover was by Mark Consuelos.  I like to say Spanish words and names in a full Spanish accent, mostly... Read More

This Thanksgiving: Roasted Garlic and Herb Smashed Potatoes and Gravy

Want to know how to make the best mashed potatoes you’ve ever had in your life? Peel and boil your potatoes, mash them with heavy cream and then stick them in a crockpot for a few hours with an entire block of cream cheese and an entire stick of butter. At least that’s what my grandma did.  I’d fill my plate half full, go back for seconds and then have another heaping bowlful for dessert.  We don’t need no stinking pie. Oh, Grandma.  She... Read More

This Thanksgiving: Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Pie

  If you are confused by the previous post “Dog,” please know that Lulu had a hold of my iPhone while I was making dinner. Imagine my surprise as I’m going through my Google Reader and see a new post from…me. I kind of have to leave that post up out of respect because I’m not even sure I know how to blog from my phone. And she’s racked up more comments with less words and photos than I have ever seen. Mad respect. And... Read More

New and Improved: Pumpkin Molasses Cookie Dough Balls

It’s not too late to carve pumpkins, is it? Please say yes. I’m not a big fan. Knives.  Slippery round buggers.  Goo.  Lots of goo. The actual requirement of some form of artistic ability. I was not blessed in that department.  Pea Daddy most definitely was, though I question his knife skills.  (Don’t ask about the time when I was eight months pregnant with Gigi and he passed out after barely nicking himself slicing a bagel.  I had very... Read More

This Thanksgiving: Cornbread Dressing with Tempeh Bacon, Cherries and Portabella Mushrooms

My house smells like Thanksgiving. Believe me, this is a vast improvement over the norm.  Actually, believe my friend Deb, this is a vast improvement over the norm. Deb and I have the kind of closeness that means we can let ourselves into each other’s homes to borrow necessary ingredients or to leave unwanted pets when the other isn’t home.  She keeps giving Pea Kitty back. Unfortunately, I have the terrible luck of Deb letting herself into... Read More

Vegan Values: Pumpkin Protein Bars & Homemade Lattes

Pea Daddy is such a diplomat. We’ve been talking a bit about our finances lately, trying to figure out the best way to set money aside for both the girls for college, pay off our school loans, and really be wise with our choices.  I have to admit, I’ve gotten a little lazy when it comes to the “being wise with our choices” part.  I blame changing seasons, seasonal flavors and sweater season.  Curse you, Fall. Enter Mr. Subtle. Pea Daddy... Read More

“Eat Cake For Breakfast” and Other Lessons I’ve Learned

  Do you need a reason to bake a cake? I’ll give you one.  Or four. The weekend is over.  Shoot. It’s Monday.  Double shoot. There’s Monday Night Football on tonight.  (Make of that what you will.) And then there’s the reason I did:  today marks two full years of Peas and Thank You.  (Can I use the “Terrible Twos” as an excuse for any forthcoming posts?) It seems like we’ve known each other so much longer than two years,... Read More

Thrive Foods in Your Future (GIVEAWAY)

I’m going to go all Back To The Future on you. Pea Daddy and I had a lengthy discussion about Back To The Future during last night’s Modern Family episode, when Mitchell and Cam were mistakenly seeing the yet-to-be-released Muppet Movie. I said, “They’re pulling a Back To The Future on us.” He replied, “Actually, it’d be Back To The Future 2.” Passionate debating ensued.  It keeps the spark alive, people. He was right. (This time.)... Read More

Postcard From the Peas: San Diego, Day 1

I’ve never taken the family on a “work” trip with me before. (Is this really work?  You’ll never hear me complain about it, promise.  But my boss…man, she’s a piece of work.) With previous trips, it just wasn’t convenient to miss school, miss work and find someone else to clean up Pea Kitty’s puke just to spend 48 hours in a different city.  But when this San Diego trip came up, it seemed like a great idea to turn a “business”... Read More

Recipeas Worth Repeating: Pumpkin Pie Smoothies

Let’s just wait a minute and take a deep breath before we jump into October.  Or as I like to call it, Socktober.   Rain and bare feet don’t mix.  Mark my words, we’re retiring the flip flops for the season. But not until we get back from vacation.  Or work-cation.  We’re taking a little trip to San Diego mid-week to attend and cook at The Gourmet Experience cooking expo.  Fabio from Top Chef is going to be there.  I want to make him... Read More

Wannabe Recipea: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

I don’t even know what a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake is.  But Lauren does.  And she emailed me and asked me to make one.  Today seemed like as good a day as any. Do you ever wake up and the sun feels like it is shining directly on you?  And there’s no specific reason, but you just feel happy to just be alive? I live for days like today. It was day six for me without coffee.  No one died.  Praise God! My child told me that she hates the cat... Read More

Recipeas Worth Repeating: My Favorite Green Juice

  There’s something I need to tell you. You probably already know. If my Tweets featuring homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes didn’t give it away, the griping about my 4:30 a.m. radio interviews accompanied by shots of my new French press surely did. I had a full-on coffee relapse. A 12 oz. cup before my interviews. A grande Americano while “working” at Starbucks during Lulu’s preschool. Another 12 oz. afternoon pick-me-up before ballet... Read More

Thinking Outside the Lunchbox: Tofu Dippers

I have goals for this school year. I am determined to have Gigi complete her homework of reading aloud for 20 minutes each night, even though it pains me considerably. She’s a great reader, she just chooses biographies that are about three levels too advanced for her.  I had to explain what both “slavery” and “horse liniments” were today.  Now that’s homework. I am committed to making sure that Gigi maintains her innocence despite... Read More

Cure for the Common Cold: Apple Cider Donuts

Lulu officially has Gigi’s cold. One week of sharing safety scissors, glue sticks, water fountains and boogered up monkey bars was all it took.  I’m throwing back Vitamin C like Tic Tacs.  Don’t jinx me. Sometimes I think the girls like to get these little colds.  They get their own personal Kleenex boxes that they decorate with markers and stickers.  Lulu’s box has a nice barrage of anti-meat messages from VegFest yesterday plastered... Read More

Dinner Tonight: Slow Cooker Seitan Carnitas

I’ve been so excited for this all day. The type of recipes I seem to get asked for most are slow cooker recipes.  I haven’t always been a big fan.  But now, I totally get it. My life is busy too, between carpooling to and from school, soccer, ballet and running to the store for the third time this week to get apple juice because nobody will drink the grape juice that I bought. Maybe it was fermented. Maybe I shouldn’t have dumped it... Read More

A Little Advice and Thai Fried Quinoa

Don’t think a gentle morning jog will stretch out an aching back. Don’t then think a few sets of power squats will loosen up a massively throbbing back. Do have exact change for the Swear Jar.  Lulu won’t break a five. Don’t think lying on the living room floor while you are having back spasms will make them go away. Don’t think about what’s been on the living room floor in the last week. Do pick up some more carpet cleaner. Don’t... Read More

Cake On a Stick

Let’s just say I walked into Starbucks one morning last week. Better yet, let’s just say I never wrote this post bragging about how I gave up coffee.  (Sometimes I should really keep my mouth shut.) So after getting up at 5 am to do a radio interview with someone in the Midwest who had unfairly already been up for hours and even more unfairly asked me on-air for a good gravy recipe, I needed a real cup of coffee.  None of this weak sauce that... Read More

Dinner Tonight: Cauliflower Cacciatore

I have to fill you in at some point on all that went down at the Vegan Vida Conference this weekend. About how star struck I was when I met Isa Chandra Moskowitz yesterday. And how embarrassed I was when the whole Pea family almost ran smack-dab into her when we came out of the bathroom today.  Yes, all of us.  In one bathroom.  We were like clowns get out of a tiny car and trampling the coolest vegan cookbook author ever. About why for some reason,... Read More

Lunchbox Secret Weapon: Sunflower Seed Butter

  It’s allergy season around here. Lulu is allergic to bedtime.  Not only does she have to say her prayers three times each night, but she has to say them in different voices for each of her stuffed animals.  About ten minutes in, I usually end up praying myself: “Dear God, let this be over soon.” Gigi is still allergic to pants.  This explains why she wore a frilly fuchsia sundress to a soccer game yesterday.  At least there’s no... Read More

It Bears Repeating: Make My Man Eat Plants (GIVEAWAY)

  I don’t speak for Pea Daddy, but I think he would say that he eats pretty well. Who am I kidding?  I constantly speak for Pea Daddy.  So I’ll say it, “He eats very well.” Even though you may have read the “meat” of this post before, I think it definitely bears repeating since the question I get asked almost daily is, “How do I get my boyfriend/husband/father to go along with a plant-based diet?” Before I get to that answer... Read More

Everyday Eats: Protein Trail Mix Cookies

I’m not a runner. I’m not even really an athlete anymore. You know I always stop doing pushups right before the workout DVD instructor says, “Three more!” She’s so bossy. But that doesn’t mean I’m not active.  Especially after I’m done cheating on “girl pushups” and my day actually starts. Today, we went to the park. We jumped down from the jungle gym to run from a bee.  Or a butterfly.  Details, details. We wedged... Read More

Wannabe Recipea: Tater Tot Casserole

I’m not one to get worked up over details. That’s such a lie. I once had a Level 6 meltdown because Pea Daddy brought home chunky peanut butter instead of creamy.  But I was the one who was going to have to serve Gigi a chunky sandwich.  And it wasn’t just chunky, it was Super Chunky.  She was Super Pissed. Still, I don’t get worked up over details when it comes to other people’s recipe requests.  Need I remind you of Nour’s recipe... Read More

Spectacular School Lunches

I don’t want summer to end. I’ll never be one of those moms that is counting down the days until school starts again.  I like to have my children near me at all times so I can take undue credit for the wonderful little people everyone around us can’t help but notice that they are.  (And since I’ve had three days away from them it’s very easy for me to say this.) But the other motivation for not wanting school to start comes from sheer... Read More

What You Should Make: Blueberry “Cheese”cake Muffins

My friend Deb has been talking to me a lot lately about the word “should.” Since she’s smarter than I am, I listen when she gives advice, even if I have to fight with ever fiber of my being not to let certain things about her affect our friendship. And by that I mean, if I didn’t love her so much, I would hate her. Because she has glossy, silky hair without the aid of flat irons and hairspray. (Guilty as charged, ozone layer.) Because she... Read More

Third Time’s a Mmmm

  You have one thing to thank for the amazing recipe I am about to share with you.  My taste buds are still screaming. You can thank Public Enemy #1, corn on the cob. Actually, you can also thank Public Enemy #2, our backyard fence and Public Enemy #3, Gigi’s really awful “beach towel” impression.  They did some damage in June, you may remember. That’s right. Corn on the cob ain’t gonna happen anytime soon. But it doesn’t... Read More

Vegan Values: Italian Style Meatless Meatloaf Muffins

“Man friendly” is not a word I would ever use to describe most things in the Pea household. We write on pink Post-Its. We blow our noses on pink Kleenex. And if Pea Daddy cuts himself shaving, he’s going to have to patch himself up with a Barbie Band-aid.  They’re pink, of course. Not that the tidal wave of estrogen doesn’t have its perks. There’s never a shortage of hair products, should he ever feel the need for a slicked back look... Read More

Just What He Wanted…Almost

Pea Daddy wanted an iPad for his birthday. I, however, did not want to spend the next 8-10 years in prison for robbing a bank to buy one, and Gigi can’t pedal hard enough to drag away an ATM with her bike. So he got a Kindle. Poor thing.   Pea Daddy wanted to go see an concert and have a nice dinner out.  Translation: he wanted a burrito the size of his head. The girls, however, aren’t as into Mexican food as sus Padre de Arvejas. So he... Read More

Vegan Values: Noodle Salad with Peanut Mmmm Sauce

I have a soft spot in my heart for Chinese food. When I was Lulu’s age, my grandmother was a waitress at a local Chinese restaurant.  It was literally a hole in the wall–not in the nicest part of town, only about 15 small tables, and the owners, their close relatives and my grandmother were the only employees. Thirty years later, it’s still in business.  And it still has the best Chinese food in town. Present company excluded, of course. My... Read More

Pea Mail: Make My Man Eat Plants

This is my man. This is my man on plants. Any questions? I’ve talked about how Pea Daddy went veg before.  In fact, he’s told you in his own words.  But I’m still getting a lot of questions, from readers, friends/ultra-fabulous food bloggers and even my own family, on how to keep a man satisfied on a vegetarian or vegan diet. Turns out, I do have some more advice to share. You know Mama always does. In the following tips, I’m using the... Read More

Wannabe Recipea: Vanilla Bean Mini-Scones

My good friend Angela and I have known each other for almost fifteen years now. I fatefully walked into her salon on her first day of work there.  She was fresh out of beauty school and I was begging for help, because I, as a flat broke college student, had let a really clumsy, nervous man at the mall dye my hair dark brown. Take it from me, never get your hair done at the place next to an Orange Julius.  Especially if the place next to an Orange... Read More

Still On The Fly

A few weeks ago, I wrote about our life on the fly. It’s yet another crazy week in the Pea Household, complete with birthday and Father’s Day celebrations, the last day of school, haircuts, Bible studies and phone meetings and culminating with what will surely be the most memorable production of Peter Pan ever. We’re busy. We’re hungry. We’re jealous that Big Sister got her face painted on the last day of school and thus are drawing with... Read More