I made it!!

To celebrate my return to the blogging world (well, I wasn't gone that long!), I made the much anticipated vegan krispie treats from Dreena Burton's upcoming cookbook, "Eat, Drink, and Be Vegan!" I have already pre-ordered it, but if I hadn't, I'd be rushing online to Amazon to do so, just based on this recipe!!

I mentioned to Dreena a while back that I saw a recipe in a Cooking Light magazine with cranberries and pumpkin seeds, and wondered how to veganize rice krispie treats. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the recipe and WOW~ I haven't had them in years, but these kick all the treats I have ever had, right in the ass (sorry for the language, but they do!). They are so grown-up tasting and yet so chewy and fun! The taste is incredible (I opted for some of her special add-ins). They are not burned, by the way - my chocolate chips melted - but it didn't spoil the taste or look one bit! I think they actually look quite elegant. I usually give most of my baked goods away, but this time I hoarded most of them in my fridge. The photo doesn't really do them justice. Just believe me and buy the book!!

I was gone from this blog to study for my comps exam, for my Masters in Library Science (my life long dream is to be a librarian - yay - I'm almost there!). I won't find out the results until August 27th, though - boo. It still feels like I'm in a dream, and I will wake up and have to continue studying. In fact, last night as I lay trying to go to sleep (I was a little buzzed from the wine!), I started thinking, "privacy... The Patriot Act....Lester Asheim....RSS feeds....Dewey Decimal..." I just couldn't stop! Two days of essays, nine hours of driving (DC traffic is the WORST!), and even two lost pounds due to stress (plus some MAJOR heartburn - oh wow), plus months of studying.... all worth the incredible feeling that I can now read for pleasure, spend hours at the gym or running, do not have to ignore my cats' meows to play, can eat dinner with my husband, and even do some house keeping (rats!). Best of all, I don't have to feel guilty about taking time to cook or bake!

We celebrated last night by going out to eat at probably the only vegetarian and vegan restaurant (but they also have hamburgers - yuck!) within a 50 mile radius. Sammy T's in Fredericksburg, Virginia is definitely worth the trip, if you're in the neighborhood. The prices are great, the wine and beer selection awesome (even vegan Yellow Tail!), including some locally made ones, and the vegan food - awesome! I almost always get the Spinach Fold-over, which consists of their delicious hummus, tomatoes, red onions and spinach, all cooked to melty perfection in a tortilla (folded in half, of course!). My hubby usually tries something new - this time he opted for the tempeh sandwich that he's gotten before. I don't know why he did, because he always complains that it's way too salty (and it is)! But this time, it inspired him to buy some tempeh at the store today and he's going to make his own marinade for it this week (which is a HUGE step for him - he never makes up recipes!). So, thanks to Sammy T's, I ended three years of study with smiles and a full (if still heart-burny!) tummy.