Louisiana Sweet Potato and Pecan Spice Pound Cake: A Lesson for the New Year.

On this last day of 2010, I reflect back on the past year.  Actually the past eight.  That is how long it has taken me to perfect my vegan cakes.  I have practiced and finally found a formula that works.  So now I can apply it to chocolate cakes, vanilla, spice, etc.  You know every year people come up with resolutions that usually get kicked to curb by April.  But taking a lesson from my cake adventures, never give up.  Every flat cake helped me come up with new ideas and formulas.  When you find a formula that works, keep working and improving on it.  Every year is a great learning experience and this year has been no exception.  I started this Southern Vegetarian adventure about a year ago and I plan to keep on cooking and learning in the new year.  Check out one of my masterpiece cakes below and don’t give up on your goals and dreams in the New Year!

talldancr1's Recipes - Louisiana Sweet Potato and Pecan Spice Pound Cake

Something vegan and yummy for breakfast!

My dad makes a great bowl of oatmeal every morning with raisins, craisins, pecans, (from Louisiana of course), and uses apple juice to sweeten.  So I thought I would make his tasty oatmeal into a breakfast bar.  It's great on those late mornings when there is not enough time for cereal or anything for that matter.  I added granola and a touch of agave for added crunch.  Check out the recipe below and enjoy! 

1 cup of spelt or whole grain flour
1 cup of oatmeal
1/2 cup of granola
1/8 cup of melted earth balance spread + 2 tablespoons
1/2 cup of apple juice minus two tablespoons
2 tablespoons of agave
1/2 cup nuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup craisins
1 pinch of salt

Oil brownie pan or 8x8 baking dish.
Set oven to 350 degrees
Mix flour, granola, oatmeal, and pinch of salt into a bowl.
Chop nuts, raisins, and craisins together and add to bowl.  Add the 1/8 cup of melted Earth Balance, apple juice, and agave to flour mixture and mix with spoon,  then, use hands to finish mixing (have fun with it!).  When everything is fully incorporated press mixture into dish and brush tops with the remaining melted Earth Balance.  Pre-cut squares before baking.  Bake for 25 to 30 mins.  Let cool completely before separating and enjoy!

Helping the Community Garden. Pride in Baton Rouge!

 The other day I blogged about vegetables stolen from a community garden in South Baton Rouge.  Well, I bought a few plants to help the kids replenish their garden and my son helped them replant and clean up the space.  Here are a few pics from our adventure to your right and below.  It was so great to see these young people congregating around the garden to help replant what had been stolen.  When the kids are finished one of the ladies from the neighborhood has some of the vegetables prepared along with other good eats for everyone.  It was good to see that even though this was a temporary setback, these kids still stayed committed to their project.

Here is the link to the original story below.


Plants stolen from kids community garden

My Junior Master Chef

It's never too early to teach your kids how to cook!

Plants stolen from kids community garden - WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |

Community gardens are so important especially for areas that don’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables because grocery stores won’t set up shop there.  Let’s show these kids some support by buying a plant and bringing it to them on Thursday.  I love to see kids gardening because it can play a part in how they eat in the future.  There is a pride in knowing the food you are eating is fresh picked from your own garden.   Lets show the community that people care and that there is pride not only in that community but in Baton Rouge as a whole. Check out the article below.
Plants stolen from kids' community garden - WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |

Southern Vegetarian T-shirts: A little "Lagniappe" for the Southern Vegetarian.

Happy Holidays!  I wanted to let everyone know about my t-shirts and other items I have just in time for the holidays!  One of the reasons I started this blog is because I looove vegetarian cooking.  But then I realized, I not only like cooking but everything involved in it.  Planting my food, composting, going to farmers markets, learning how the foods we eat affect our bodies.  Everything is connected!  Let’s start a Southern Vegetarian Revolution I say!  With all of the negative news out there about the health disparities in the south let’s show people the there are some folks doing things a little different here!  Click on the Southern Vegetarian apparel link below to check out super cute t-shirts, bags, water bottles, and kids items.

Southern Vegetarian Apparel : A little "Lagniappe" for the Southern Vegetarian.

FDA will finally look at link between artificial food dyes and children's behavior | MNN - Mother Nature Network

As a Dance Therapist, I used to work with special needs kids who had either an ADD or ADHD diagnosis.  I often felt like the blue or red fruit punch and other brightly colored snacks they were eating couldn’t be good for their health or attention.  Of course this being over 10 years ago no one wanted to hear what I had to say.  Check this article out and see what I had a hunch about so many years ago. 
FDA will finally look at link between artificial food dyes and chilIdren's behavior | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Organic Mississippi farming | MNN - Mother Nature Network

This is an interesting article about an organic farm in Mississippi.  It’s from last year but still worth the read.    

Organic Mississippi farming | MNN - Mother Nature Network