AJO

about me

I live with my hubby and three feline children in Oakland by Lake Merritt. We have our first yard, and in it our garden and three (yes three) kinds of compost. We are walking distance from the most amazing farmers' market, two health food stores, and many restaurants, bakeries, coffie houses and shops. This is really a culinary dream. I love it here! I could go on and on about the food. You can find vegetarian and vegan foods of all kinds and there is every kind of food you can imagine here. I'm 10 minutes away from Berkeley and 20 from San Francisco, but Oakland is right up there as far as cities go.

My new favorite t-shirt says "Eat Like You Give A Damn". I do follow this philosophy and try eat local, organic foods low on the food chain. We get produce from a CSA (fullbellyfarm.com) and the farmers' market and also belong to a brand new non profit co-op (thecog.org). We also grow veggies in the yard and have a beautiful and bountiful orange tree. In the garden right now: chard, kale, spinach, beets, salad greens, fava beans and tomato. We will be adding an herb garden soon!

My rating system:
5 stars if the recipe works without having to make changes (my own subs just for personal preference do not count)
4 stars if the recipe needs a minimal amount of changing because the recipe does not work the way it was written or if overall it just didn't WOW me.
3 stars and below if the recipe just does not work or if the instructions are not written clearly enough to make it.

Please know that I will change your recipe to fit my diet. I mean no disrespect, but since I have to diet I have to do it. I refuse to limit myself to recipes that already fit my diet and like the challenge of changing already existing recipes to be healthier. I will leave out the oil, leave out or replace the cheese and milk (soy or non-fat or both), and use whole grain alternatives. I will also leave out meat and broth and choose vegetarian, low sodium versions/alternatives. I still rate recipes that I make these changes to.

But, if I use a recipe as inspiration only- meaning I got a great idea from it but changed it all around- I generally will not give any stars but will put a little note stating what I did. I love to give credit where credit is due.

I don't deduct stars if I personally do not like an ingredient in the recipe. I don't make recipes that I think that I won't like, which is why you will probably notice that most of my ratings are pretty high. I think it is silly that people choose to make recipes that include ingredients that they don't like then rate them poorly saying "I don't care for..." Anyway, you get the idea.

Favorite Foods:

Favorite foods are leafy greens, seitan, whole grains, tofu, lentils, broccoli and all kinds of baked veggies. My newest find: almond milk. Yummm! I'm dieting these days, ok more of a lifestyle change, and have cut out most or all of the oil from recipes. This diet is working out great. I'd never be able to follow one that does not allow for ample amounts of cooking and creativity.

Fun veggie websites/blogs:

http://www.fatfreevegan.com
http://www.theppk.com
http://www.fatfree.com
http://veganmenu.blogspot.com
http://herbivoreclothing.com
http://www.veganlunchbox.com/loaf_studio.html
http://www.vrg.org
http://www.compassionatecooks.com
http://thevegandiet.blogspot.com/

To find CSAs, farmers' markets and local farms near you, check out:
http://www.localharvest.org

http://www.thecog.org