The year is 1986.
My hobbies include playing in the snow, baking with my mom, and trying to be just like my older sister Kristi.
![20101023-SnowPic2 20101023-SnowPic2](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101023SnowPic2_thumb.jpg)
Life is good.
It is the middle of a long winter in Riverview, New Brunswick and we have just been pummelled with a snow storm. I would stay outside all day long, hour after hour, bundled up with layer upon fuzzy layer with just my excited eyes, red nose, and big grin peeking out through my scarves and hat.
Clearly, I was born to be an endurance athlete, don’t you think?
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Don’t answer that.
The year is now 1992.
![20101022-Paris_2010_001 20101022-Paris_2010_001](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101022Paris_2010_001_thumb.jpg)
My hobbies include building the world’s most awesome snowmen, baking cakes in my Easy-Bake Oven, and rocking a wardrobe full of neon clothing and snap bracelets. Life is good.
Despite my love for the great outdoors, there was one small catch.
My mom couldn’t get me to come inside to eat!
‘Just a bit longer, pretty please, with a cherry on top?’ fluttering my eyelashes encrusted with icicles.
It is now 2010.
My hobbies are about the same, in addition to taking too many pictures of my food, writing about my day to day baking high jinks, and running.
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I am a vegan and unlike my younger self, I now understand the importance of fuelling properly for endurance activities.
This is the tale of a couple who fuelled a day of hiking with all-natural energy foods.
![20101024-IMG_8585 20101024-IMG_8585](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101024IMG_8585_thumb.jpg)
Won’t you join us?
![20101023-IMG_8358e 20101023-IMG_8358e](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101023IMG_8358e_thumb.jpg)
For the recipes, please see attached PDF document.
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In tote, was a delicious lunch brimming with healthy energy foods to fuel our 7 mile hike!
Eric observed, ‘Well at least we know if we get lost we can survive on this food for a month.’
He obviously doesn’t know me too well if he thinks I could make this delicious food last a whole month!
![20101023-IMG_8325 20101023-IMG_8325](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101023IMG_8325_thumb.jpg)
It was time to road trip and see some gorgeous Ontario Fall foliage along the way.
I had a plan. If I saw a Rattlesnake I was going to throw it a truffle and run like hell.
We searched for the perfect spot.
![20101023-IMG_8343 20101023-IMG_8343](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101023IMG_8343_thumb.jpg)
The park was packed with hikers and it was not easy to find a picnic table complete with perfect photography lighting (I joke, I joke).
Finally, it was time to feast…something I had been dreaming about all week long.
![20101023-IMG_8228 20101023-IMG_8228](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101023IMG_8228_thumb.jpg)
Our main dish consisted of Protein Power Vegan Chili packed with kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, walnut burger crumbles, and chunky vegetables.
![20101024-IMG_8484 20101024-IMG_8484](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101024IMG_8484_thumb.jpg)
I had a giggle fit after seeing Eric eat his chili with my teeny tiny spoon! What a sport.
The chili was comforting, chunky, with a bit of a spicy kick.
![20101021-IMG_7772 20101021-IMG_7772](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101021IMG_7772_thumb.jpg)
And was perfect for a chilly Fall day outdoors.
Alongside, Herbed Garlic Knots.
The garlic knots were great on their own, but even better when dipped into the chili.
![20101023-IMG_8233 20101023-IMG_8233](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101023IMG_8233_thumb.jpg)
For a side, I made Stacked Caesar Salads with eggplant bacon and homemade croutons. I thought stacking the salad was fun for a packed meal.
![20101024-IMG_8441 20101024-IMG_8441](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101024IMG_8441_thumb.jpg)
Yum!
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To wet our whistle, we sipped Pumpkin Spice Lattes made on the stovetop with almond milk, spices, espresso, pumpkin, and vanilla extract.
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The lattes were comforting, warm, rich, and fragrant with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
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To say I was excited for dessert was a bit of an understatement…
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I saw a picture of a Cake in a Jar online and I thought it was a fun idea that would pack well! I put a fun twist on them by making Cake In A Jar Parfaits.
The flavours:
- Butternut Squash Apple Streusel
- Triple Layer Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake
- Decadent S’more with homemade graham cracker crumble
![20101022-IMG_7850 20101022-IMG_7850](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101022IMG_7850_thumb.jpg)
Damn. Good. Comfort. Food.
![20101022-IMG_8187 20101022-IMG_8187](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101022IMG_8187_thumb.jpg)
My favourite was the Butternut Squash Apple Streusel. The cakes were still warm from the oven and incredibly moist unlike any other ‘normal’ cake I have ever tried.
![20101024-IMG_8491 20101024-IMG_8491](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101024IMG_8491_thumb.jpg)
Mmmmm.
After lunch, we were bursting with energy and ready to tackle the trails! We dropped off our cooler in the car and were on our way.
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We brought along homemade Raspberry Vanilla & Pumpkin Apple Spice fruit leather.
![20101022-IMG_8052 20101022-IMG_8052](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101022IMG_8052.jpg)
Can you guess what athlete’s superfood is hiding in them?
![20101024-IMG_8598 20101024-IMG_8598](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101024IMG_8598_thumb.jpg)
Chia seeds!
Chia seeds are great for hydration and contain healthy fats, iron, calcium, protein, and antioxidants.
![20101024-IMG_8624 20101024-IMG_8624](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101024IMG_8624_thumb.jpg)
I also made a ‘box of truffles’-vegan energy truffles, that is– made from dates and nuts.
![20101022-IMG_8161 20101022-IMG_8161](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101022IMG_8161_thumb.jpg)
The flavours:
- Chocolate Kissed Peanut Butter
- Brownie Bliss
- Pecan Pie Delight
I could not pick a favourite!
These would make fun and unique Thanksgiving or Christmas gifts, wouldn’t they?
My happy customer inhaled several. ;)
![20101024-IMG_8458 20101024-IMG_8458](/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101024IMG_8458_thumb.jpg)
And finally, Spiced Apple Pie Chips…
Cinnamon is not only great for maintaining steady blood sugar levels, but it also contains Iron and Calcium.
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All in all we hiked about 7 miles and had a grand old time, even despite the damp and cool weather!
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Thanks to the endurance lunch, Eric still had energy to carry me to the car!
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Life is good. ;)
This is my official entry for Project Food Blog Challenge #6. Voting begins at 9am EST on Monday October 25th. If you enjoyed this post I would greatly appreciate your votes in carrying me into the next round! Click here to vote . Thank you!
I absolutely LOVE this post (and not just because my house currently smells like apple pie as I have apple crisps in the dehydrator…)! You’ll definitely be another reader favourite here! I want to go on a hike with you!!!
enjoy those apple chips! Im obsessed with them.
Wow, this is out of this world!! Soooo many new ideas for me to try!!
Totally gets my vote!
cake in a jar! –sounds fantastic ;)
beautiful pictures, ahhh i cant believe its almost winter.
What a wonderful post. This is my favorite post to date. The new layout of photos, the writing, the subject, the whole kit and kaboodle. Thank you for the smiles and the great foods. I want the recipes please. You have my vote too!
CIAJ + a box of chocolates?!? Unprecedented! There are so many fine details packed into each and every dish, and your presentation of each is so fabulous. It’s inspiring and mouth-watering all at once!
CIAJ…haha love that. and thank you for your kind comments :)
WOW!! Those garlic knots look soooo good. I am also pretty sure I could eat those energy truffles for the rest of my life and be content:) Beautiful pictures! I am voting for you!
Angela, I love this. I loved seeing you incorporate the recipes from the past week! You’ve got this in the bag! Errr…. cooler!
Your posts are nothing short of amazing! You definitely deserve to win this competition! I’ll be voting for you tomorrow :)
what a creative picnic!! i love the ceasar bites…so cute!
Wow! Everything looks incredible! And you’re right, life is good :)
Very impressive post! I loved the pictures – they are incredible!
You totally deserve to win project food blog! Your posts continue to impress and amaze! I want to go on a hike with you and eat this delicious feast.
Truly magazine-worthy photos, AND awesome food! Can’t wait for these recipes, they look great!
lovelovelove this post!
seriously.
talk about vegan food lovin’ :)
Ange you are killing me! This is AMAZING! Just when i think you’ve done your best post you blow me away with your next post.
You deserve a standing ovation for this one :)
Absolutely amazing, as usual!! I seriously look forward to every one of your blog posts (especially the PFB ones) and I have never seen someone with such passion and attention to detail!
Wow, you totally outdid yourself this time! I hope you win!
This post really makes me miss our GTA hiking trails! There isn’t anywhere quite as good here in London.
All I can say is, WOW!
You are amazing..!!!
You did all that AND went on a 7 mile hike?! You are a TROOPER!
Those desserts-in-a-jar are going on my “to bake” list!
Your creativity in the kitchen blows me away! I love all the fall colors too.