Gardening - Okra Flowers

Since the weather's been hot, the okra plant really likes it and has been flowering and growing okra. Yay! We've waited so long with nothing happening. One of the only good things about hotter weather is the plants that love them.

Okra Flower

First come these beautiful flowers. They only last about one day and then shrivel back up.

Growing Okra

Then the okra starts growing. That larger okra only took about two days to grow. Notice the fuzzy brown shriveled up bud on the left. There should be another okra there too. Depending on how you like okra, you can pick/cut them whenever you desire. We don't like large okra because we feel the smaller ones are more tender. So you can grow okra in Southern California...just have to wait for the hotter weather (so the growing season won't be THAT long).

Yogurtland - Hello Kitty Miami cup

Tuxedo Sam spoon

Yogurtland has the new Sanrio Miami cup with Tuxedo Sam as the spoon. There is Hollywood, San Francisco, and on August 21, Honolulu.

Yogurtland Miami cup

Tried one of their newer flavors...Salted Caramel Pecan. The other two were the usual Peanut Butter and Double Cookies & Cream. I liked the Salted Caramel Pecan. Salty and sweet....good combo. Similar to salted caramel ice-cream that I've had at other stores...but much subtler flavors here which I like better. I didn't see the new Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet or else I would've tried it too. Me likes frozen yogurt treats. Nom nom nom.

http://www.yogurt-land.com/

Homemade Sweet Potato Lasagna - recipe from Engine 2

Engine 2 Sweet Potato Lasagna with cheese

This sweet potato lasagna recipe is from Rip Esselstyn. Originally this recipe was all vegan, but since I am not vegan, I added Parmesan cheese on top instead of the cashews. I also used half the recipe instead of the whole thing, and it turned out pretty well. I did leave out the bell peppers and the pan still bubbled over.  I watched The Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue and wanted to try this recipe since it looked pretty darn good.

Piece of lasagna with potatoes on the side

Like I said, the outcome was pretty good. Even The Meat-eater liked it. The pdf version of this recipe can be found here, but I will also re-post it below. There seems to be slight variations in the recipes, which is good if you don't have the exact ingredients. For those wanting to venture into something tasty and healthy, you should try half of the recipe. It really does make a lot...unless you have a large party/family. Oh, I did add a bit of seasoning salt to the veggies when sauteing to give them some flavor. Not sure what it tastes like without that. Probably still good since you get flavor from the tomato sauce. Enjoy!

http://engine2diet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Sweet-Potato-Lasagna1.pdf

Rips' Sweet Potato Lasagna

1 onion, chopped

1 small head of garlic, all cloves chopped or pressed

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1 head broccoli, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped

1 can corn, rinsed and drained

1 package Silken Lite tofu 

½  teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon rosemary

2 jars pasta sauce 

2 boxes whole grain lasagna noodles

16 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained

2 sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed

6 roma tomatoes, sliced thin

1 cup raw cashews, ground

Preheat oven to 400º. Sauté the onion and garlic on high heat for 3 minutes in a wok or nonstick 

pan. Add the mushrooms and cook until the onions are limp and the mushrooms give up their liquid. Remove them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Reserve the mushroom liquid in the pan. 

Sauté the broccoli and carrots for 5 minutes and add to the mushroom bowl. Sauté the peppers and 

corn until just beginning to soften. Add them to the vegetable bowl. Drain the tofu by wrapping in 

paper towels. Break it up directly in the towel and mix into the vegetable bowl. Add spices to the 

vegetable bowl and combine.

To Assemble:

Cover the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole with a layer of sauce. Add a layer of noodles. Cover 

the noodles with sauce. This way the noodles cook in the oven, saving time and energy. Spread 

the vegetable mixture over the sauced noodles. Cover with a layer of noodles and another dressing of sauce. Add the spinach to the second layer of sauced noodles. Cover the spinach with the 

mashed sweet potatoes. Add another layer of sauce, the final layer of noodles, and a last topping 

of sauce. Cover the lasagna with thinly sliced roma tomatoes.

Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with the cashews, 

and return to the oven for 15 minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Online version:

http://low-cholesterol.food.com/recipe/engine-2-raise-the-roof-sweet-potato-vegetarian-lasagna-362133

Corner Bakery - Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Regular drink (L), Smoothie (M), Water (r)

While at Corner Bakery, I wanted a fruity drink without going to a juice shop (Laziness ensues). So I decided to try their strawberry banana smoothie. While the taste was ok, the size was not that large. They said it included banana and strawberry puree for flavors. I don't know, I still prefer the juice places for using frozen fruit rather than a puree...seeing how it's not less expensive at Corner Bakery, and you don't get a free boost. This is what laziness gets you. Disappointed.

The Natural Cafe - Westlake Village, CA

The Natural Cafe is not a vegetarian or vegan restaurant but they offer a lot of vegetarian and vegan options. They try to use fresh local ingredients to create healthier dishes.

Interior

Apple Juice

My drink of choice was apple juice. I heart Martinelli's apple juice...yummy. Cute little bottles too.

Veggie Lasagna

The veggie lasagna consists of "spinach covered with ricotta cheese, fresh vegetables, and marinara sauce," as stated on their menu. It also includes the salad and garlic bread pictured above.

Exterior

I would say the food was ok. It depends on your palate. For me, I'm not ready for this "healthier" food and it tasted a little bland to me. I still need some salt even though I think a lot of other food places are super salty. Surprisingly, this place is not salty at all. Actually, a little more salt would be better for me. =) Interesting huh? First place I've been to where I'd like some salt. I prefer slightly bland so you can add some salt rather than most places which are too salty anyway. =) I would definitely go back to try some other foods!

The Natural Cafe

http://www.thenaturalcafe.com/

968-12 Westlake Blvd.

Westlake Village, CA 91362

805-449-0099