A Learning Lesson

So our trip so far is a learning lesson.  Our RV is lite.  Which we thought was a great thing because it was easier to tow.  Then we realized, yes it's easier to tow and will use less gas, but it will also get swept all over the highway when semi trucks drive by.  Well it was tough going, but beautiful scenery along the way.

We were on our way to Acadia, but didn't want to be rushed setting up our RV.  It was almost 6:00 so we called a place on the water in Searsport, ME and they had an opening.  I would have thought there were less people camping in the fall, but I was mistaken.  There are a lot of full timers and retired folk that camp when it's quieter.                  

There are three levels of sites here.  One was right on the ocean, but up high on a ledge, the other was one row back and then further back.  They had no more ocean front sites so we opted for the second row.  Which is pretty awesome because you can still see the ocean.  

We also got to see the almost full moon and an awesome sunrise.  We did go to bed at 8:30 and wake up a little before 6am.  And after a few hours of sleep Gary learned how to turn on the heater.  I guess it gets cold on the ocean in Maine in September hahaha!  We took the dogs for a few walks outside before going to bed.  And said hello to a few couples walking around with their dogs or alone.  Everyone here is very friendly.  But I guess who wouldn't be if they're on vacation.  Plus, I have never  met a mean or angry person in Maine.  Even if they weren't from here.  

So after a half restful sleep and a beautiful sunrise, I tried using my Instant Pot pressure cooker.  I was looking around for the instructions and realized I must have left them at home.  Thank goodness for free wifi at this campsite and being able to find anything on the internet.  I opened a few cans of vegetables and added some water and quinoa, and voila a one pot healthy protein and fiber rich breakfast that we can also have for lunch or dinner later on.

RV Cooking

I've been trying to plan what kinds of food my husband and I will be cooking on our adventure.  I've looked up a bunch of vegan and vegetarian recipes that look pretty good, but not many recipes online for that sort of thing.  I call myself a vegetarian, but am really a vegan that loves butter.  Since there are so many types of vegetarians I just thought I would add another one.  Gary is a carnivore.  He will mostly be eating vegan meals with maybe a few grilled burgers or steak in between.  I'm hoping that we lose weight on this adventure do to the fact that we will be doing a lot of walking and eating mostly healthy foods.




We will try and stop by lots of farmers markets due to the fact that Ruby has a very small refrigerator

and a practically non existent freezer. Bringing a huge bag of rice and beans which should cook up quickly in the crockpot/pressure cooker I purchased and adding fresh veggies should be easy enough.  They said that using the burners on the RV stovetop will use up a lot of propane.  This way we plug into the campsite and use their electricity.  And with the pressure cooker things will cook faster and we don't have to stay inside the camper while it's on.


As many of my family members know, I like to research anything I'm planning on doing so that I can do it the quickest and easiest way possible.  I don't like wasting time or money.
Still trying to figure out what these are on the bottom shelf of the fridge door.

I Found An Awesome Cereal

I've been eating Special K since I can remember, then I stopped for awhile because I wasn't happy with the taste anymore.  Then I found Special K Blueberry.  If you know anything about me, I will eat anything with blueberries in it.  Except a piece of meat hahaha!


Well I was eating that for awhile, but my teeth starting hurting because of the sugared blueberries, but I didn't want to stop eating their cereal.  Then I came upon their newest endeavor, Special K protein cereal.  It has a whopping 10 grams of protein per serving.  And if you're like me, one serving (3/4 cup) is not ever enough.  So I eat two servings and get 20 grams of protein.  Which for a vegan is an awesome amount for one meal.  It has a very pleasant light cinnamon taste.  And the flakes are heavier than the regular Special K so it feels substantial when eating.  There are 120 calories per serving and the regular stuff has 110.  But for the added protein, it is well worth it.

They say starting your day with protein is a great thing because it helps get you going.  Now that I have a quick and tasty way to do that I should be on my way to losing more weight.  And Special K is an awesome midday or after dinner snack.  Just enough sweetness to make you feel like you've had a treat.

(Kellogg's has not given me anything to tout there products)

You can also go online and join their site.  http://www.specialk.com/ Every time you buy one of their products you enter the code from the inside of the box and you can enter sweepstakes or get free stuff.  Since I buy a few boxes a week this will add up rather quickly.  It also has lots of other fun stuff on the site so check it out.  And you can also get coupons.

My Simple Vegan Shepherd's Pie w/Carnivore Substitutes

Ingredients:  I don't measure things.  Use as much as you see fit for whose eating it.

           VEGAN                                                  CARNIVORE substitute

Vegan "meat" crumbles                                hamburger

vegetable oil                      

onion

veggie broth                                                    beef broth

corn

potatoes

almond/soy milk                                              milk

vegan "butter"                                                  butter

pinch of salt

Directions:

Peel, cut and boil potatoes until they fall off the fork.  Add oil to fry pan and brown onions.  Add "meat" crumbles till they soften (most are frozen).  Add corn.

Add veggie broth to fry pan & let simmer for a few minutes.

Drain water from potatoes and put in a bowl.  Mash together with almond/soy milk and vegan butter.  Stir in a pinch of salt.

Add "meat" mixture to a baking dish.  Smooth mashed potatoes on top.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes.

If you like you can add vegan "cheese" to the top or mix into the potatoes.

You can also put any veggies you like in this dish.  It is quite versatile.