Happy Memorial Day

Hoff's Cheesy Rice (Instant Pot)

Hoff's Cheesy Rice (Instant Pot)
Yields: 4-5 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Veggie Broth
• 2 cups Arborio Rice
• 1 cup unsweetened, plain plant Milk
• 1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast
• Season with Sea Salt

Directions (Instant Pot):

1. Stir Rice & Nutritional Yeast together
2. Add Broth and thoroughly combine
3. Lock lid in place and make sure pressure release valve is closed
4. Press "Manual" button
5. Decrease cooking time to 5 minutes
6. When done, use quick release method, watch for liquid splatter
7. Stir Rice, Rice will absorb excess liquid
8. Stir in Milk
9. Season with Sea Salt

Hoff Thoughts: Kick this up a notch by adding steamed Broccoli.

Soul :) Smile

Read Raju's story of rescue

Happy Mother's Day!

Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Mousse
Servings: 4
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 28 oz. Organic Silken Tofu
• 1 12 oz. bag Vegan Chocolate Chips
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350 degrees
2. Spread Chocolate Chips onto a small baking pan & place in oven for about 3-4 minutes or until melted
3. Using a high speed blender, blend Tofu, Melted Chocolate Chips, Vanilla & Salt until smooth
4. Pour mixture into individual serving bowls/cups (I use pretty, cobalt wine glasses)
5. Allow a minimum of 20 minutes to set-up in the fridge
6. Serve chilled

Hoff Thoughts: So good, no one will know it's vegan!

Healthy Hoff Broccoli Mac & No Cheese

Recipe adapted from Plant-Fueled Trucker


Healthy Hoff Broccoli Mac & No Cheese
Yields: 6-8 serving
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. Whole Wheat Pasta
• 1 15 oz. can Cannellini Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 2 cups plain unsweetened Cashew Milk
• 1 Roasted Red Pepper (jar)
• 3/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 2 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar 
• 2 tbsp. Arrowroot
• 2 tsp. Sea Salt
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1 tsp. Paprika

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta according to directions
2. Meanwhile put remaining ingredients into Vitamix & blend until smooth
3. Drain Pasta, return to pot, mix in "Cheese Sauce"
4. Heat & stir until sauce thickens; about 1 minute
5. Enjoy!

Tarte Pearly Girl Vegan Teeth Whitening Pen

For the past month or so, I’ve been using Tarte’s new Pearly Girl Vegan Teeth Whitening Pen and I have to say, not bad. :)

I’ve been applying it daily and I can’t say I’ve seen dramatic results, but my teeth have definitely lightened or rather my stains have decreased. I wasn’t expecting dramatic results (although that would have been awesome) because frankly this whitening pen doesn’t have all the chemical crap that traditional teeth whiteners have. That being said, I’m also not experiencing any of the sensitivity that is common with traditional whiteners, so I say that’s a win!

That lack of sensitivity is probably due to the fact that this pen is bleach-free and doesn’t contain parabens, mineral oil, phthalates or sodium lauryl sulfates. It also doesn’t have triclosan, soy or a synthetic fragrance. Bonus, it’s gluten-free and completely vegan!

This is what it does contain: water, glycerin, PEG-400, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, disodium EDTA, potassium nitrate, mentha pulegium and sodium saccharin. I will say that I am not happy about the sodium saccharin as I avoid all artificial sweeteners, so after this pen runs out, I won’t be buying again.  I am keeping my eye on this in hopes that Tarte sees the error of their ways and reformulates - fingers crossed.

Despite that, whitening pen is super easy to use, simply:

• Twist at the base of the pen to dispense whitening gel onto the brush-on applicator. You may need to twist it multiple times with the first use for gel to appear.
• Smile and brush onto front of all teeth and wait 30 seconds before closing your mouth.
• Allow gel to penetrate for 15 minutes before eating or drinking.
• Apply up to four times a day for best results.
• Run brush under warm water to remove trace gel after each use.

Honestly, I don’t apply four times daily, I only do it once, right before bed. So maybe with more use, you’d get dramatic results.

Check it out!