Run Plant Based

Formerly The Raw Project - Running on a Healthy Vegan Diet

New Shoes & Tofu Marinara

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One of the challenges with going vegan for me has been finding vegan friendly shoes in my size that are stylish and appropriate for work. Most business casual shoes that are classy and professional looking are leather or cheap synthetics that don’t look good and/or aren’t comfortable. As my old leather work shoes die, I’ve been determined to replace them with non-leather and I scored pretty good browsing DSW last week. I love the look of boots, especially under long bootcut pants or jeans, but they’re a little hot to wear for spring and summer here. So I was thrilled when I saw these Self Esteem Sugar Snap Booties on sale made of all synthetic materials. Truthfully I don’t like that they still look like leather, but there’s not much out there in professional shoes made from alternative materials – hemp slippers just aren’t work appropriate. Anyway, so far they’re very comfortable and perfect for my collection of long pants with the slight heel.

And I found these adorable Blowfish Stella flats also made of synthetic leather and super comfortable so far too. They have a nice fabric lining and seem to breathe well which is good because I hate rocking stinky feet!

It was a long day at work, I’m feeling the long weekend of fun and running. When I got home, all I wanted was hot comfort food and spaghetti squash is comfort food for me. Blame my being a little tired, the cold weather and being just a little cranky.

I paired it with an impulse purchase from Whole Foods, WildWood High Protein tofu. Even though I’m cutting my tofu intake, it’s been months since I’ve purchased it and this ginormous, 10-serving block was on sale for $3 – I could get a lot of meals out of it for that. I like this tofu because it’s pre-pressed and fast to prepare, perfect since I don’t have a tofu press.

I steamed two squash quarters in the microwave for 8 minutes on a plate of water.

And threw together a marinara sauce in the Vita-Mix while the squash was cooking.

Then sauteed a crumpled tofu chunk in a little Earth Balance for about 5 minutes.

Then added the steamed spaghetti squash, some fresh spinach and the marinara sauce for healthy vegan spaghetti.

It only took about 15 minutes and was very tasty, the squash worked great in place of pasta. Tempeh, vegan sausage or even beans would work great in place of the tofu too.

Are you a tofu fan? What’s your favorite thing to do with it?

Comments

  1. I so hear you on the shoe thing. I spent years being a shoe/boot/handbag snob (not proud of it). Now that my appreciation for a beautifully designed vegan version of them has evolved, I’m opening my mind to what “looks good.” I wore a very unlike me pair of shoes yesterday, so clearly not leather, and I got lots of compliments on them! (http://www.modcloth.com/Womens/Shoes/Heels/-Grace-Note-Heel) By the way, I have the same strategy. I still have leather in my closet and am slowly (read: affordable way) trying to replace the items.

    I do love tofu. I finally baked some up this weekend. I found that once I started experimenting with higher raw, I hadn’t make any tofu! LOL I love to grill tofu after marinating in a simple marinade. Mmmmm.

    • I used to be a purse snob too and being vegan has changed what looks good for me too. I like those shoes a lot, wish they came in my size.

      Yum, I haven’t tried a tofu marinade in awhile, maybe I will with another chunk from that brick. :-)

  3. Nice shoes!
    I love spag squash too…
    I’m not a fan of tofu or soy products though. I guess I just have an issue with the estrogenic properties—the taste or texture doesn’t really bother me!

  4. Oh the spaghetti looks awesome! I love how in 15 mins you steamed a squash, sauteed and crumbled the high protein tofu (nice score for $3 too!) and whipped up a homemade marinara. That’s how i make my red sauces too. Whatever i have, fast, Vita. Done. :)

    And that it all ended up in the one skillet, and in 15 mins…perfect!

    Shoes. I have huge long, narrow feet. I am lucky to just be able to FIND shoes. Too big for women’s, too narrow for men’s. It’s been a lifelong problem. The curse of big feet.

    Your shoes are cute!

    • Thanks, the Vita-Mix makes throwing things together fast so easy!

      Shoes are tough for me too, my feet are also long and narrow and most vegan specialty shoes don’t go up to my size.

  5. Those shoes look really cute and really comfortable! A winning combo. That’s awesome that you found them at DSW, I always feel like I will be able to find plenty of leather alternatives there because they have such a huge selection but it can be hard because such a high percentage of them are leather. These look like great finds!
    I really like the idea of using crumbled tofu in spaghetti, especially squash spaghetti! I actually really want to be eating that right now :)

  7. Fate?? I JUST bought a kabocha, that exact tofu, and… um… I’m hungry? ;)
    Looks FANTASTIC! Love that you always make such wonderful sauces!

    And I have to mention, those Blowfish Stella flats are super cute. I like that brand… and I need some new shoes since mine are all… stinky, too. ;)