Back in The Saddle

I have missed my blogging world with big giant heartaches (to go along with my BIG GIANT BELLY), but I was feeling pretty strong about my convinctions not to blog. The mini-drama story can be summed up in one paragraph (which you can skip if you hate drama in your recipe box):

So about the time of my last post, with the help of my statscounter, I realized that K's ex was reading both of my blogs. Yuck. I didn't like this. I fought it for a little while, trying to shore myself up with my convictions about how the blogsphere SHOULD be an open and translucent place to share and breed ideas. But, as she trolled through pages of archived posts, and spent hours of coffee breaks reading about mine and K's adventures in our vegan wonderland, I just didn't feel like giving her anymore food for thought. I could have sent her a little email, or posted an open letter on the blog, but...K was wrapping up some legal bits and nigglies with her that needed to be put to bed before I felt that I could trust her not to call her solicitor and mess the whole thing up for a wonderful man who has had his share of non-vegan shit from her. So, I just waited and read all the lovlie vegan blogs and some of the new baby blogs I have discovered.
But - the gloves are off, the house has sold, the money is in the bank, and this VeganCowGirl wants the message to be clear - Don't read my blog. It's not cool. Of course you might have had some curiosity about his new chick, but you have read enough and seen enough Sherlock. Don't read my blogs - not either of them. Unless of course you decide to become a VeganCowGirl yourself - in which case, might I suggest you check out some of the other amazing and wonderful blogs on my blog roll!

Ok - drama over. Back to serious business - FOOD.
In my long absence I have been cooking up a storm. I have started to nest like a birdie, and spend Sunday mornings stripping the farmer of his goods, and run home to cook and bake for the entire week (though, this week I am a little behind because K's mom came to stay for the weekend and we had other journeys and adventures to undertake). It has been a fantastic foray into the world of housewifery! I am loving the pre-planning, and list making, filing my Apple desktop up with "Weekly Meal Plans" and driving Kevin crazy with my efficiency and drill sergeant "It's Tuesday - no, you can't just have baked beans, I made carrot soup!" shrills.

Through reading Half Pint Pixie's super-wonderful-breastfeeding-fun blog, I discovered that I am not the only 'crazy out there' who preplans/cooks/bakes for the week ahead. Through her blog, I found this excellent little gem of an organization haven - check it out for all of your psychosis.

Here is my Meal Plan for the week:

Monday - Carrot and Cumin Soup with Bread and Olive Oil
Tuesday - Aubergine, Spinach and Tofu Tomato Sauce with Spirilina Noodles (no, K - I will let you have your regular Whole Wheat)
Wednesday - Beanie Buddies and Baked Veg (I found that baked veg is actually pretty nummy even when made the weekend ahead).
Thursday - Quick Chickpea Curry
Friday - Marinated Tofu Steaks with White Asparagus

This new habit has also turned my fridge from a potential pit of rotting and disorganized fruit and veg into a tupperware wonderland. Love it!

In other foodly news, it was on our most recent trip to London that I truly had my vegan restaurant experiences taken to a next level of ohmygodness. I have to tell you about Saf, and I have to share the menu, though, no menu in a written format could ever illuminate the reality of this food's awesomeness.

The service is shite. I have to be honest. I was totally disappointed by the disorganized and almost rude approach they have taken to customer service at this place. We had made reservations, and had our printed out confirmation email in our hands, but they acted as though they had never heard of us and were being put upon to find us a table. Throughout the meal they were slow with drinks and sloppy with server continuity, which is never nice. But, the food made up for the dodgie service. We both had great appetizers - mine was the raw sushi (they replaced the rice with ground parsnips), K had raw beet and cashew ravioli. Both treats were divine. My main was also raw, while K went in for something a little more warm. My Swiss Chard wraps were filled with Mung Bean sprouts and some alfalfa, while the plate was made complete with a couple of Seaweed Salad piles of goodness. The raw walnut and pumpkin cheesecake was insane and I am still harbouring nasty feelings towards K for actually following through on his promise to 'share' the slice. If you are in London - you really should check this place out. Well worth the kick in the pants service.

Lots of nummy pictures and posts to follow! Happy Blogging and Eating to Everyone.