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Formerly The Raw Project - Running on a Healthy Vegan Diet

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Eats & Sacramento Vegan Chef Challenge

October 4, 2017 by christine

Fall is here, it was 42 degrees for our morning dog walk yesterday – 42! I’m not complaining and ready for October and all the amazing vegan eats to be had especially in the Sacramento area with the Sacramento Vegan Chef Challenge lasting the entire month! This list of restaurants this year is impressive with many new options, we’re going to try to hit as many as possible! And enjoy more fall themed eats at home too like this fun butternut pumpkin-shaped pasta I found at Trader Joe’s.

I cooked the package per the instructions and the little pumpkins held together pretty well and were delicious with marinara sauce and Trader Joe’s Vegan Mozzarella shreds melted in.

I also had a fun attempt at vegan brunch with hubby using Lightlife Smart Bacon.

This fun vegan bacon only has 20 calories per strip and crisp up fast in a skillet. I cooked them, chopped them up and served with Follow Your Heart’s VeganEgg and Nature’s Path Grits with kale and liquid smoke mixed in.

It was tasty – hearty, savory, smokey, and a very decadent vegan breakfast. I’m trying to have a little more breakfast fun occasionally to break the smoothie rut and this was fun.

I also scored some great organic, creamy vegan soups at Grocery Outlet from Imagine Foods Organic. I tried the sweet potato creamy soup for a lighter lunch.

And it was delicious with an impressive rich and creamy texture without dairy. And would make a great base to add beans, grains, and veggies to make more of a hearty meal.

And there was also a messy kale and sprouts salad with tempeh and a thrown together carrot, ginger, garlic, miso, and tahini blender dressing.

Last night hubby and I started our Sacramento Vegan Chef Challenge adventure by heading to Nectar Cafe for our 20 year dating anniversary (!!!).

I love the atmosphere and vibe for dinner with the nice patio and peaceful and classy dining room. Lately I have been loving their vegan baked entrees and tried the Chile Verde Enchiladas.

They were delicious with a daring level of spice. And hubby went with the taco plate with a delicious side of beans and rice drizzled with vegan cheese sauce.

It such such a peaceful and fun getaway on a weeknight and I can’t wait to be inspired by more of the creative vegan dishes offered this month for the Sacramento Vegan Chef Challenge.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: butternut pasta, plant based dining out, plant based eating out, plant-based, sacramento vegan chef challenge, simple vegan eats, vegan, vegan bacon, vegan dining out, vegan eating out, vegan soup

Comments

  1. Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says

    October 5, 2017 at 3:41 am

    The pumpkin shaped pasta is so cute! It would be perfect for the pumpkin pasta I want to try soon lol.
    The Mexican food you got looks SO good! Now I’m craving some.

    • christine says

      October 5, 2017 at 5:02 am

      Thanks and it was such a fun treat for fall.

  2. Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says

    October 5, 2017 at 4:43 am

    Love that pasta from Trader Joe’s. One just opened here a couple weeks ago so I’ll be scoping it out. And fall is here too! And I have to wash all the dog beds and blankets today, I’m sure you can relate. They are starting to smell!

    • christine says

      October 5, 2017 at 5:03 am

      Yes, I have to wash all of ours and we have a lot spread all over the house for just two dogs!

  3. Marina @ Happy Healing says

    October 5, 2017 at 7:07 am

    Wow I’m drooling now. I love that pumpkin-shaped pasta! Definitely going to get some of that for fall :)

    • christine says

      October 6, 2017 at 5:01 am

      Yes, it’s great and so fun for fall. I’ve heard it can fall apart easily if overcooked, but it did not for us.

  4. Hannah says

    October 6, 2017 at 8:31 pm

    I absolutely adore those pumpkin shaped pasta! I wish they weren’t seasonal since they’re so tasty and cute. Might just have to stock up on a dozen packages or so before fall passes us by.

    • christine says

      October 7, 2017 at 6:38 am

      Me too, I’m planning to buy more this weekend and they’re great with the Trader Joe’s Vegan Mozzarella Shreds melted in.

  5. Linda from Veganosity says

    October 7, 2017 at 4:49 am

    42! Lucky you! Alex and I are nervous about the Chicago Marathon tomorrow because the forecast is a high of 78. We’re praying that the morning is chilly and it doesn’t reach the high until after 2pm.

    Your weekend sounded like a fun one. I love the pumpkin pasta!

    • christine says

      October 7, 2017 at 6:39 am

      Yes, we’re still seeing highs in the 80s this week, but it’s so nice in the mornings so I’m not complaining. I hope the weather will be perfect for you tomorrow and I’d say good luck, but I know you’ll rock the marathon!

Hello! I'm Christine, an IT Professional in Northern California. I'm also passionate about a healthy, plant based lifestyle, running, fitness, and being eco-friendly. 40 (ack!), married, with furkids. Read More…

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