Meatless Monday: Survey and Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

Cheese. Now it makes me throw up a little in the back of my mouth when I walk through the cheese department at Whole Foods. So stinky!

All things slimy. That includes bananas, tomatoes, eggplant, and okra. I still won’t get near okra, but I love all the rest!

I’m not so much into garlic and onion now, for many reasons which are explained in my upcoming cookbook. Choosing not to eat them has done wonders for my health, digestion, state of mind, and energy.

What beverage do you consume the most of each day?
Water

What dish are you famous for bringing to gatherings?
I don’t know really. I’m famous for bringing more than one thing 🙂

Do you have any self-imposed food rules (like no food touching on the plate or no nuts in sweets)?Well, I’m not the type that eats all of one thing on my plate before moving to the next dish, but I prefer each item not to touch if possible.

What’s one food or dish that you eat too much of when it’s in your home?
Those snap pea crisps or any pastry.

What ingredient or food do you prefer to make yourself despite it being widely available prepackaged?I’d prefer to make everything myself from scratch but who has the time!

What ingredient or food is worth spending extra money on to get the good stuff?
I pretty much buy the good stuff no matter what, all organic when possible for me.

Are you much of a snacker? What are your favourite snacks?
I’m not much of a snacker. I try to have 3 meals a day and make them highly nutritious and satisfying so I don’t feel the need to snack. But my snacks of choice are rice crackers and hummus or chips and salsa.

What are your favourite vegan pizza toppings?
I love to pile on the veggies of any sort, fresh basil is always good too.

What’s your favourite fruit and vegetable?
Berries and greens of any kind

What is the best salad dressing?
Hmmm…I dunno. I like ones with lots of herbs or miso ginger kind.

What is your favourite thing to put on toasted bread?
Coconut oil or almond butter with cinnamon

What kind of soup do you turn to on a chilly day or when you don’t feel well?
Miso soup

What is your favourite cupcake and icing flavour?
Gosh, they are all good!

What is your favourite type of cookie?
Chocolate chip

What is your most-loved weeknight meal?
Sometime simple with whole grain, beans and veg or eating out Thai food

What is one food or dish you enjoy but can’t get anyone else in your house to eat?
No one else in my house and if there is they eat whatever I make!

How long on average do you spend in the kitchen each day?
1-2 hours

Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
I always find that I have leftover pumpkin after Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. The perfect way to use up that pumpkin is to make this sweet and warming drink. Most of this ingredients you probably have around the kitchen already so whip it up this evening!

Half a can pumpkin (or 1/2 cup fresh pureed pumpkin)
3-4 tablespoons unsweetened chocolate (cocoa) powder
Dash of cinnamon & nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
2 cups vanilla soymilk or rice milk
3-4 tablespoons maple syrup (or more)

Directions:
Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the soy/rice milk over medium flame until all ingredients are well incorporated. Whisk in sweetener. Do not boil. Add sweetener according to your taste. Serve hot.