Amazing Chickpea Salad

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1/4 tsp garlic granules
1/4 tsp onion granules
2 tbs nutritional yeast
1/4 cup dill relish
1/4 - 1/2 cup vegenaise
salt and black pepper to taste

Place chickpeas in a food processor and pulse several time until chickpeas are chunky but not smooth.

Scrape chickpeas into a bowl and add remaining ingredients. Combine well. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary.

Serve with crackers or as a sandwich.

Rich, Spicy, Delicious Chili-Lime Sauce

1 cup raw cashews
2 tbs nutritional yeast
1-2 clove garlic
2 cups boiling water (if you are cooking pasta, use some of the pasta water)
1/2 tsp onion granules
1-2 chipotle peppers plus 1 tbs adobo sauce
zest and juice of 1 lime
soy milk to thin as needed

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Add teaspoons of soy milk if sauce is too thick.

Serve over pasta or veggies.

Vegan Cream Cheeze Icing

1 container Tofutti Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Earth Balance
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Cream Earth Balance and cream cheese together using a hand or stand mixer. Add sugar a little at a time. Add vanilla and lemon juice. Mix well by hand or with a mixer.

Lest You Think I'm Gone for Good......

I'm not! Ever since the triathlon I have been busier than I think I've ever been. Work, family stuff, training for the next adventure, vacation, getting sick, oh, and did I say work?? Right now I'm recovering from a nasty chest cold that has worn me out with coughing.

I've been cooking but sticking to my favorite tried and true (and QUICK) recipes, not trying anything new or complicated.

So, look for me back, hopefully soon, when things have settled a bit and I feel better.

I came. I saw. I TRI-ed!

Up way before the sun!


It's a mother-daughter thing!


Swim.


Bike.


Run.

No food today. Too tired. This grandma had both grandbabies in the house from Thursday night til this morning AND my daughter and I completed our first triathlon. Now, don't hear any complaints in there, 'cause there are none! Anytime I get to hang out with my kids or my grandkids is a great day!

I have to say, in fact, that this was one of the best weekends of my entire life. I really mean that. Preparing for and completing this challenge has meant alot to me. Doing it with my daughter was indescribable. And having Emma and Jane-Claire around for the whole thing, well, there is nothing better. And I gotta brag on my husband, too. He is the true athlete of the family, but he has been so encouraging and has made such a big deal out of me and this crazy goal of mine to do a triathlon! I am a blessed woman, no doubt!

The distance - 1/2 mile swim, 14-mile bike ride, ad 5K (3.1 mi) run. How did we do? Well, my time was over 2 hours, but that was what I expected. The swim went faster, the bike ride went faster, but the run went much slower than I'd anticipated. Just couldn't get my legs back under me after I got off the bike. But we both finished and that was the goal. Next year I'll do it faster!!