Non-Vegan Vegan Pumpkin Muffins

Although I'm often attracted to healthier recipes, cookbooks and blogs, the word "vegan" always sounds like I'm-so-healthy-I-don't-taste-good food.  I know, that's probably wholly inaccurate and enraging some of you...and I'll be the first to admit I was wrong!

So, in search for some new and different pumpkin recipes, I came across one (okay, tons) that caught my eye. I ended up changing the recipe just slightly because I didn't have "vegan chocolate chips" and stuff like that, so maybe the flavor was altered a bit, but it was very pleasing to all my taste-testers... aka the husband's football buddies who came over for the Duck game.

Okay, totally off subject, but I sometimes wish football played every day.  Not because I understand a single part of it, but because it means PEOPLE to COOK for.  That is my favorite.

The time I spend in the kitchen is sporadic and entirely depends on a) our travel schedule for work and b) when we have people over.  It's not much fun cooking for just the two of us.  I do it occasionally of course, but it's way more fun to cook for groups, right??

I really enjoyed this recipe and would definitely double it in the future.  All that work for 12 muffins is sad!  But definitely a keeper.

Print it here.

I Like Saying "Twenty Eleven"

What can I say?  Mr. Drinkwater and I are really gunning for 2011.  I’ve never had a year that I actually wished would end, but I think I honestly say we had our fill.  Hopefully 2011 is really super boring with no serious medical scares, close family deaths, international moves, and other major events. 

Completely random picture I pulled out of early 2010 archives...we were en route to another jungle city.

 But on a more positive note, let’s all remember what this blog is actually about!  ME.  Learning.  In the Kitchen . . .

Things I’ve learned:

·         Don’t grease the sides of a loaf pan when making banana bread or it will fall in the middle

·         Desserts are a whole lot easier to photograph because most of them look good cold (hot meals have to be photographed quickly and served to the hungry husband before hungry husband turns into grumpy husband)

·         I can’t just slap a picture up without actually caring what it looks like!

·         Hot ovens do not like being touched by skin…or is it vice versa?

·         If you slightly wet the bottom crust of an apple pie, it’ll stick better to the top

·         Dishwashers are a blessing from God (and I only have one for 2 more weeks!).

·         How to roast really yummy flavors of pumpkin seeds.

·         How to burn applesauce (I haven’t retried yet!).

·         That I really like this whole blogging thing!

I have to say that I am really REALLY excited for 2011 and what it’s going to bring.  I’ve learned significantly this past year in various peoples’ kitchens so I can’t imagine all the fun things to learn next year!

Tomorrow, also known as 1-1-11, is The Drinkwater Kitchen’s first Bloggaversary!  It is also my husband’s BIRTHDAY!  So we will be celebrating the new year by eating birthday cake and watching lots of football.  Last year, we of course rooted for the Ducks in the Rose Bowl on his birthday.  This year, we will be rooting for Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl!  If I knew their mascot, I would type the equivalent of "Go Ducks" but I'm really just going along with the crowd (aka Husband).  Heh.

Awesome t-shirts mailed to us last year by Mike's mom!

 Happy New Year’s everyone!  I pray all of you are safe and having a super enjoyable night.  2011, here we come!