Home holiday thanksgiving
Category:

thanksgiving

christmasdrinkskid friendlymisc postspersonalthanksgiving

’tis the season for making memories, and homemade hot cocoa #mywestelm

by Amanda
written by Amanda

thank you to West Elm for sponsoring today’s discussion.

homemade hot chocolate recipe from sunny vegan #mywestelm

Like most families, our Holiday Season revolves around food and drink. It’s those times sitting at the table together, or maybe snuggling in front of the fire with hot cocoa that will be the moments I will forever hold on to. So will my girls, they call this homemade hot cocoa “love in a mug”  ha ha.

I say it’s time to ditch the mix and make your own hot cocoa this year. It takes the same amount of time as your mix and microwave but the taste is very different! Rich and creamy don’t begin to describe the taste, even the adults in the house freak out when I make this stuff. This year I got the girls enamel icy blue mugs and matching bowls from West Elm Market  to enjoy their warming treats.

 

Ingredients: 4 servings

4 cups vegan milk – we use soy or coconut
1/4 cup fair trade cocoa powder
1/3 cup turbinado sugar
1/4 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
dash of salt

Method:

warm milk in saucepan over low heat, gradually whisk in remaining ingredients. simmer 2 minutes, serve immediately.

 

This will be the first in a while that I won’t have a formal dining room for T-day. But I think this table set up will work out even better for us! This will also be our first Holiday in over 15 years living where it snows! So I am bringing our snow excitement front and center on the dining room table. Don’t be afraid to use something unconventional like a snow globe as your centerpiece or mismatched dishes. As long as your theme is consistent, using different items creates a more interesting table.

My mostly white set up will be accented with the enamel blue dishes from West Elm Market as well as a little shimmer,  it’s the perfect winter family table.

 

I hope you are inspired to get out there and create some great memories this year! I would love to hear about your favorite dish or tradition?

This post has been sponsored by West Elm. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep sunny vegan going! and as a thank you,
West Elm is offering 20% off all tabletop items until November 26th!!

 

I also got the Favorite Throw in gray stripe, it’s so soft and cozy. 

and the cutest salt and pepper shakers I have ever seen!

but the enamel mugs and matching bowls from West Elm Market are certainly our favorites.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
halloweenitalian inspiredkid friendlymain dishpastareciperecipesthanksgiving

Autumn in my bowl ~ pumpkin and sage pasta

by Amanda
written by Amanda

 

Think pumpkin is only for pie? Well think again!
Savory pumpkin recipes are a fun way to keep the flavors of autumn around throughout the holiday season. Pumpkin is low calorie and full of Vitamin A, C and K as well as iron, potassium and magnesium so adding more to your diet is certainly a good thing.
I ususally use whole wheat pasta but my daughter picked out the orecchiette because it reminded her of little pumpkins. It really held the sauce well which made me happy.

Fresh sage is so beautiful and flavorful, combining it with the slightly sweet pumpkin makes for a gorgeous, earthy and tasty sauce. So shake up your regular pasta routine and try this pumpkin and sage sauce. One of the best things I have ever made! ( and my daughter agreed )

 

 

Ingredients:  4-6 servings

1 pound pasta
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion – diced
3 cloves garlic – diced
1 15 ounce can organic pumpkin puree
2 cups plain almond milk
2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast  * optional
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh sage, plus more for garnish
salt and pepper

Method:

pasta  – prepare as directed on package.
sauce – heat olive oil over medium-low heat, add onions and cook until translucent or approximately 5 minutes. add garlic and heat another 2 minutes. stir in pumpkin, almond milk, sage and nutritional yeast, salt and pepper to taste.  heat over low heat for 5 minutes. serve over prepared pasta and garnish with additional fresh sage.

 

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
breakfastdesserthalloweenkid friendlythanksgiving

Happy Halloween Granola

by Amanda
written by Amanda

It’s that time again, when the ghouls appear with buckets of candy filled with carmine, gelatin and more artificial colors than I care to mention.

This also means that I spend a fair amount of time saying “NO” to said candy. I don’t like it. they don’t like it so I have to find a way to keep Halloween fun and tasty in a way that makes us both happy.

Bring on the granola! This year we added chocolate chips  making it a great candy alternative( last year was cranberries) . It’s sweet, salty chocolaty goodness you will all enjoy.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 tablespoons ground flax seed
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup plus1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
1/2 tsp organic vanilla extract
1/4 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips
1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

Method:
preheat oven to 315 degrees. in a large bowl, mix dry ingredients ( oats though salt). in a small bowl, stir wet ingredients together until smooth. gradually add wet mixture to dry, stirring continually.  spread in a single layer on non-stick cookie sheet. bake for 10 minutes, then stir. bake an additional 15-20 minutes or just until lightly browned. allow to cool slightly then add chocolate chips and roasted pumpkin seeds.

Seriously, isn’t that simple? I will be making a big batch of this to send to friends and family, a healthy treat that also travels well is perfect for gifting!
0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
christmasholidaykid friendlyside dishthanksgiving

cranberry {orange and fig} sauce

by Amanda
written by Amanda

cranberry orange and fig sauce ~ sunny vegan recipe

 

When I spy the fresh cranberries in the grocery store, I am giddy with a sweet and tangy delight! I have always been one to eat them right out of the bag and I know that doesn’t work for everyone but this recipe sure will! We have all seen the sad can of cranberry goo, and there is no way I could bring myself to eat something that looks that bad. and then there are the versions that use (gag) gelatin which is not vegan or vegetarian.

But THIS is how cranberry sauce really should be. Fresh cranberries literally bursting with flavor blended with just squeezed orange juice and crunchy figs. Simplicity at it’s finest.

 

Ingredients:

12 ounce bag fresh cranberries
1/2 cup turbinado sugar
1 orange – juiced and 1/2 tablspoon zest
4-5 dried figs – diced    *optional*
dash salt

Method:

combine all ingredients in saucepan and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
christmasdiyhalloweenholidaytable settingthanksgiving

thanksgiving table setting and diy ~ burlap runner and linen napkins

by Amanda
written by Amanda

We sure are getting close to the big day, it’s almost time to eat, drink and be merry! Are you ready for it?
If not, do not panic. Here are a few last minute Thanksgiving Table DIY’s to make your holiday great.

First is a burlap table runner which will take you all of 5 minutes to make. The custom napkins take a bit longer but are totally worth it in my opinion.  And finally, a little spray paint and fresh herbs finish the table for a perfectly affordable unique modern thanksgiving table setting.

diy napkin table modern burlab runner sunny vegan

 

Instructions for the runner:

measure width of table, cut burlap to 1/3 of total width. measure length of table and allow for 6-8 inched of overhang and fray edges if desired.
* I used white burlap at $2.99 yard , so 2.5 yards total was enough for the runner and other accessories for the house* my finished runner measures 16.5 x 83 inches

 

Instructions for the napkins: 

I used a linen/cotton blend fabric in natural, any cotton fabric will work. in order to fit 4 napkins per yard, I cut 13 inch squares. For a finished edge, cut with pinking shears. For a frayed edge, snip at desired length and pull to rip fabric. fold into thirds across length then again in half, iron well.
stamp, write on or paint as desired. I used a fabric paint and stencils, just eyeballed the placement of letters for an organic look.  make sure to allow each letter to dry before painting the next.

Instructions for the white pumpkins and candle sticks:

spray paint with low voc flat white paint. start 8 inches away and spray 4-5 light coats, allowing to dry well between coats. sprinkle pumpkins with glitter while paint is still wet. Ikea candle sticks were 3 for $4 but black. I loved the shape and decided to get them and paint them right away.

modern thanksgiving table idea white pumpkin burlap runner diy napkin

and a few close ups of the runner and pumpkins…

thanksgiving diy table runner napkins white pumpkins decor modern white brown

 

if you would like any additional information on the projects, just let me know.
In the meantime, what do you have planned for your Holiday Table? I would love to see it too!!

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
Newer Posts
Older Posts