Vegan Banana Bread

This vegan banana bread recipe turns out a delicious, moist loaf.  It's a great choice to take to potlucks or to share with non-vegan friends!

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups vegan sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• Vegan replacement for 3 eggs (1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tbs. water = 1 egg.)
• 1/3 cup soy buttermilk (Mix 1 tsp. white vinegar into 1/3 cup soy milk.)
•  1/2 cup nuts or other add-ins (OPTIONAL)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Mix the bananas, oil and buttermilk in a separate bowl.
Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
Next, add the egg replacement mixture to the bowl and stir thoroughly.
Last, add nuts, if using.

Pour the mixture into a greased 9 X 5 inch loaf pan.

Bake for 1 hour, 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Feel free to experiment with your own add-ins for this recipe.  I hope you enjoy the banana bread as much as we do!

Please Don't Kill the Dandelions!

Have you driven by a field this spring and enjoyed the bright yellow dandelion carpet? Or watched a toddler gleefully blow the powder puff of seeds into the air?  When did the dandelion become a weed that needed to be eradicated from our lawns at all costs?  What if we still had that childlike perception of its natural beauty as a wildflower?  Maybe we could save ourselves the cost, both financially and ecologically, of toxic lawn chemicals.  At my house, we have done just that.  Nothing goes on our lawn unless it's organic.  At the moment, that means nothing goes on our lawn at all.  But many of our neighbors still spray chemicals, polluting the ground water supply and exposing children and pets to the toxins, not to mention the wildlife.  When they were younger, I had our children stay in our yard on the days the neighbors' lawns were sprayed.  We have often had a pet guinea pig who would have loved nothing better than to munch on fresh dandelion leaves.  But it was too risky.  Now you might be wondering if we are one of those families whose lawn brings down property values.  Actually, not at all.  We keep it mown so the spent dandelion stalks are kept in check, and we enjoy our bright yellow wildflowers when they bloom.  What do you think?  I'd love to hear your feedback.

Random Acts of "Green"

You've heard of random acts of kindness.  How about random acts of "green?"  I'll admit that most of my eco-friendly choices are planned.  Many are even researched.  But I think opportunities abound for spontaneous green decisions, too.  Say you're waiting to pick up your child at school and someone leaves an empty plastic water bottle on the ground.  You could leave it there for the janitor to throw away or you could be impulsively green and take it home with you to recycle. You can do the same thing when you're walking the dog or jogging through the neighborhood.  Paper seems to end up everywhere, and that's so easy to recycle!

You might need to change your mind set to take ownership of the eco-choice at hand.  Resist the urge to let someone else take care of it and actually do it yourself!  And if someone else sees you, all the better, because positive actions tend to be contagious.  The person who sees you picking up a pop can one day might do the same thing the next day, and hopefully, the chain continues.  This is especially true for children, and what a simple but effective way to model eco-conscious living for them!   Give it a try and share your experiences.  I'd love to hear your ideas!  

Two Steps Forward, No More Steps Back!

Here we are at another Earth Day.  We've all heard the saying "One step forward, two steps back."  When I look around at daily life in suburban USA, that's how I feel about our eco-progress.  Yes, I see reusable shopping bags at the grocery store, but they're still only a fraction of the paper and plastic.  Yes, I see reusable water containers, but oh sooo many more plastic water bottles.  And have we really reduced our gasoline consumption?  How do we change this dynamic?  Maybe by not becoming overwhelmed by the immensity of the problem.  Maybe by just staying conscious of the choices we make every single day.  To that end, I recommend "Do One Green Thing," by Mindy Pennybacker.  Maybe if we tackle this Earth-sized issue one green thing at a time we can take two steps forward and no more steps back!

Add Just 1 More Organic Product

What  if each of us added just 1 more organic product to our shopping carts each week for a year?  We could make a huge difference! So much less demand for pesticides and chemical fertilizers!  Every time I think I'm buying as many organic items as possible, I think of something new.  The possibilities seem endless!  So, I'm going to try it - 1 new organic purchase (in place of non-organic) each week for a year.  Join me on the journey!  Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Produce - fruit, veggies
2. Cereal
3. Canned goods - veggies, fruit, pumpkin
4. Jarred goods - pasta sauce, fruit, veggies, peanut butter
5. Pasta
6. Bread
7. Chips - tortilla, potato
8. Coffee
9. Tea
10. Baking Needs - flour, sugar, nuts, chocolate chips
11. Soy Dairy Alternative Products - soy milk, soy yogurt, soy cheese, soy butter, soy ice cream
12. Soy Meat Alternative Products
13. Cosmetics
14. Cotton products - clothing, bags, dog collars

I know there are so many more choices!  Share your ideas in the comments below.

Switch to Reusable Water Bottles Today!

Every day my two daughters each take a plastic water bottle with them to school.  My high schooler brings hers home for recycling. However, my middle schooler puts hers in the recycling bin at school.  The problem?  We recently found out that the school just throws them in the trash.  Heartbreaking and irreparable! So our family resolved to switch from single-use plastic water bottles to reusable drinking containers.  Now we needed to choose from the many available options, including BPA-free plastic, aluminum, and stainless steel.

After a little research, we decided on stainless steel.  Although BPA-free, the plastic bottles had higher recycling numbers (6,7, etc.), which might be hard to recycle in our area.  The aluminum bottles are generally lined with plastic to keep the aluminum from leaching into the drink, making those difficult to recycle too.  Thus, our choice of stainless steel.  Specifically, we chose the Klean Kanteen brand for their variety of size, color and cap styles, as well as for their commitment to the environment. But anything you do to reduce the number of plastic water bottles in our landfills is better than nothing.  So switch to the reusable water bottle of your choice! 

OMG! It's a Mouse!

OMG!  Is that a mouse?  The tell-tale droppings confirm the unmistakable truth.  A mouse, or as I later discover, three different mice, have taken up residence in the apparently mouse-cozy area surrounding our trash can and recycling center under the kitchen sink.  Now what?  I use a live trap.  It works for two of the mice, and I release them outside on our property.  But will they find their way back into our house?  Probably.  And what about the third mouse who has become wary of the "humane" trap?  The mouse is now boldly chewing the paper boxes in the recycling bin to use for nesting.  Despite my reservations, I am actually going to try an electronic repeller to see if, in fact, it makes the mouse uncomfortable enough to leave on its own.  Wishful thinking, right?  I'll let you know.

Am I wrong to be using the live trap?  Animal behaviorists point out that releasing a trapped mouse in a remote location, such as a field, subjects the mouse to stress and almost certain death anyway from predators like hawks or even other territorial mice already living there.  Many people think the instant kill snap traps are the most humane answer.  Maybe, but the instant kill part is not an option for me.  So, for now, I still have one mouse happily building its nest under the kitchen sink.  I need a solution fast, before it has babies!  Yikes!

Please let me know if you have a successful solution.  Clicking on "comments" below opens the comment box.

Update:  I have plugged in an electronic repeller and placed a different style live trap.  Wish me luck!

2nd Update:  Success and tragedy!  The third mouse entered the live trap but I didn't find it soon enough.  Even though I check the traps each morning, this mouse was nearly suffocated when I found it.  I took it outside, but the prognosis looked grim.  Humane trap?  Hardly.  The traps need air holes!

Who Is Your Eco-Hero?

Who is your eco-hero?  I have several. They are my mom friends doing little everyday things that really make a difference - like going to Target and taking the purchases home without using a bag.  I attended a swim meet where one mom put herself in charge of recycling all the empty Gatorade and plastic water bottles.  She actually collected them herself in a large box and took them home with her to rinse and recycle!  These examples show how easy it is to do something positive for the environment.  Here are a few more ideas:

1. Send your child to school with a reusable lunch box and stainless steel water bottle.
2. Shop with a reusable shopping bag every time.
3. If you are out and about, bring home your recyclable drink or food containers instead of throwing them in the trash.
4. Do the same with paper flyers.  If you receive paper items away from home, don't just throw them in the trash.  Take them home and recycle them.
5. Plan your errands to combine them into one efficient car trip.  Or, better yet, use a bicycle or walk whenever possible.
6. Use degradable plastic trash bags and sandwich/storage bags that are PVC and plasticizer-free.  One source is Natural Value, available at some Whole Foods stores and at http://www.letsgogreen.biz/.
7. Reduce your paper usage altogether and always use recycled paper products.  Refer to the "Be A Paper Frugalista" blog post on February 2nd for more ideas.
8. Lower your thermostat in winter and raise it in summer to reduce the demand for heat and air conditioning and benefit from lower utility bills, too.  Program your thermostat to use less energy when you are not home.
9. Reduce your plastic waste from daily use items like deodorant containers, razors and tooth brushes.  Buy the Tom's of Maine or Preserve brands, which you can recycle through Preserve's Gimme 5 program, or Dr. Du-More's Renew toothbrushes, made from plastic that, according to the packaging, "biodegrades without leaving any plastic residue in the soil."  Learn more at http://www.preserveproducts.com/ and at http://www.dumoreinc.com/.
10. Buy organic food products and organic cotton.
11. Unplug your appliances that glow and draw power even when turned off.  And just like your mama taught you, turn off the lights when you leave the room.
12. Is there anybody who hasn't switched out their incandescent light bulbs?  Compact fluorescents and halogens use a fraction of the energy.  So what are you waiting for?

You probably have your own fantastic ideas.  Click on the "comments" tab below to share them.

Vegan Pancakes

How about making pancakes for breakfast this morning?  It's easy to veganize your recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Cups flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/4 Cups soy milk
• Replacement for 1 egg ( I dissolve 1 1/2 teaspoons corn starch in 2 Tablespoons water.)
• 3 Tablespoons vegan butter alternative, just melted

Directions:

Whisk the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.   Prepare the egg replacement separately.  Add the milk, melted butter and egg replacement to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.  Gently fold in any add-ins.  My kids like vegan chocolate chips, but choose what you like.

Use cooking spray or vegetable oil to lightly oil your skillet or griddle.  Pour the batter into the pan and cook until brown on one side.  Flip and brown the other side. 

Serve with maple syrup, fruit jam or other toppings of your choice.  Enjoy!

Why Buy Organic Cotton?

If any of you follow me on Twitter (WabiSabiVegan), you know that I was excited to find a dog collar made of organic cotton and vegetable dye.  In all of our efforts to buy organic food products, we might overlook the need to buy organic cotton.  Why is this so important?  According to information at http://www.earthday.net/, 10% of the world's pesticides and 25% of its insecticides are used in the production of cotton.  These are huge numbers! 

By contrast, organic cotton is grown without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, insecticides or genetically-modified (GMO) seeds.  As explained at http://ezinearticles.com/, growing cotton organically requires extensive efforts by the farmers.  Crop rotation ensures that insects don't automatically find their favorite host crop.  Green cover crops, such as clover or beans, enrich the soil without the need for chemical fertilizers once they are plowed under.  Non-genetically modified seeds are also necessary to keep the cotton natural.  And if you buy a "certified organic" cotton product, you can be sure that it has been certified by an independent agency.  You guessed it! You need to be prepared to pay more for organic cotton.  But isn't it worth it?

"Ice Cream" Sundae Snack

Last night I got home craving a sweet snack.  I grabbed the quart of organic So Delicious vegan, dairy-free "ice cream" alternative in Chocolate Velvet.  I topped it with pecan bits and vegan chocolate chips. Yum!  You could choose lots of different toppings to make your own sundae!

• Sliced bananas, strawberries, etc.
• Vegan chocolate syrup
• Soy based, vegan whipped cream
• Cookie crumbs

Or how about making a cookie ice cream sandwich?  Anything (vegan) goes!  Click the comment tab and share your ideas!

Bean Dip

Today was cold and snowy and I wanted a hearty lunch.  I turned to an old standby:  bean dip with organic tortilla chips!  Want to try it?  Here's what you'll need:

• 1 Cup canned refried beans (Make sure they're vegan.)
• 2 - 3 Tbsp. salsa
• Sliced jalapenos to taste
• 1/2 Cup vegan cheese alternative, shredded

Blend the refried beans, salsa and jalapenos in a microwave safe bowl.  Cover and microwave on high for 2 minutes, 30 seconds.  Mix in the "cheese" and heat an additional 30 seconds, or until the "cheese" is melted.  Enjoy with the chips while hot!

Hotels Going Green!

Last weekend, I stayed at a hotel that had taken some major steps toward eco-consciousness.  The first thing I noticed was that every light bulb was a compact fluorescent.  While this is incredibly encouraging, they do need to ensure that all those mercury-laden fluorescent light bulbs are disposed of properly.  The hotel also offered the option of not having towels and bed linens changed every day, saving thousands of gallons of water.  Despite these giant eco-steps forward, I also noticed some missed opportunities.  For example, there were no recycling receptacles for plastic water bottles or aluminum cans. Not to mention all those tiny plastic bottles of shampoo and conditioner!  Unless guests take their recyclable items home with them, that's a lot of unnecessary plastic and aluminum headed for landfills.  Which brings me to my next point.  We, as hotel guests, can do so many things on our own to make our stay as green as possible. Turn out all the lights when leaving the room or adjust the thermostat to reduce the demand for heat or air conditioning.  And, yes, take your recyclables home with you if the hotel doesn't give you a recycling bin.  Let me know if you have more ideas, and travel green! 

Real Men Carry Reusable Shopping Bags Too!

Last night I was in the parking lot of the local Whole Foods Market and I saw a man walking to his car with a reusable shopping bag full of groceries.  "So what?" you might ask.  The thing is, I was so struck that it was a man!  After the entire "'Paper or Plastic?' Neither." campaign, this should not be unusual!  But I believe it is. Even my own husband has never used a reusable bag.  This is completely unacceptable.  So what do we do to fix it?  How do we get men on board with reusable shopping bags?  Maybe availability is key.  I'm going to put a generously-sized one in my husband's car.  That way there's no excuse.  But that does nothing to change the situation in the world at large.  How about a whole new marketing campaign aimed specifically at men?  Ad people out there, this is your call to action!  If you have any more ideas, please post a comment below.

Tell the Polar Bears It's the Volcanoes' Fault!?

What would be your reaction if you heard someone say that active volcanoes are responsible for more pollution than anything man has ever done - AND that to think "we" are responsible for climate change is "boastful?"  Mine is to be dumbfounded!  How do you respond to that?  Literally, I could use your ideas. Maybe something along the lines of  "Tell the polar bears it's the volcanoes' fault?" The next day, the same person expressed frustration that local schools are now posting information on their websites instead of distributing paper flyers.  Just when I think we might be making some progress as a society toward eco-conscious living, comments like these bring me up short.

And speaking of disconcerting events, I recently found out that my daughter's middle school has been throwing away plastic water bottles that the kids had sorted for recycling on a daily basis - for the past two years!  Help!  That truly was heartbreaking to hear.  There is absolutely nothing that can undo the overwhelming waste of that decision.  And what about restoring the children's respect and trust in the adults at school?

All the more reason to never give up. Talk the talk AND walk the walk.  Reduce, reuse, recycle, any and every time, no matter where you are!




 

Vegan Valentine's Day Treats

Roses are red, violets are blue, Valentine's Day can be vegan too! That's right, no need to sacrifice this sweet holiday.  There are so many vegan treats for the special day!

1. Chocolate candy is a Valentine's Day mainstay.  The http://www.naturalcandystore.com/ website has a great selection of vegan candy, including chocolate hearts.  But act fast, because shipping deadlines apply.
2. Make cookies, a cake or cupcakes for your sweetie or your family.  This blog has several cake and frosting recipes you can use.  For cupcake recipes, I like Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World  by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero.  Or just "google" a vegan version of your favorite recipe online.
3. You can buy vegan cookies and candy at your local Whole Foods, Fruitful Yield, or similar store or in the natural foods section of your supermarket. 
4. Flowers?  Please buy organic!
5. Kids love to get in on the act!  Help them make something special for family members.  But please be green by using recycled materials whenever possible.

And please be a paper frugalista when buying cards and wrapping your gifts or goodies.  See the February 2nd post for eco-friendly gift-wrapping ideas, and buy cards made from recycled paper stock.  Feel free to share your own ideas.  Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Be A Paper Frugalista!

I know, I've already written about my commitment to using only recycled paper products.  And I do mean for everything: printer paper, gift wrap, paper towels, facial tissue and toilet tissue.  Thankfully, all of these recycled products are readily available.  My next step is to reduce my use of paper products altogether.  Here are some ideas:

• Printer Paper:  Don't print rough drafts, documents or coupons, etc. unless absolutely necessary.  You can proofread on your monitor and send coupons, driving directions and the like to your cell phone.
•  Gift Wrap:  Whenever possible, don't use paper.  Wrap gifts in useful fabric items, such as baby blankets, throws, a pretty scarf.  Use your imagination!  You can always put your gift in a cute reusable shopping bag or gift bag made of recycled materials.
• Paper Towels:   Buy the "you size it" style, which reduces the size of the paper towel by about 1/3.  Use cloth rags for spills instead of paper towels.  When you do use a paper towel, use the smallest size possible, even if that means tearing it in half yourself.
• Facial Tissue:  The tissues I buy are 2-ply.  Clearly, if you have a nasal explosion from the cold or flu, you need the whole tissue.  But I often only need to dab a bit of makeup.  In that case, I use just one ply or a piece of the tissue.
• Toilet Tissue:  The obvious solution is to just use less, and teach your kids to do the same!
• Books:  Switch to an electronic reader and save paper.  Don't think it's worth the money?  Download Amazon's 'Kindle for PC' for free.  The book downloads are cheaper than hard copies, too!

These suggestions might seem silly at first, but give them a try.  They are simple to do and have really made a difference at our house.  Share some of your own ideas or success stories.  Green frugalistas rule!

Vegan Chili

This is a quick and easy vegan chili recipe for parties or a hearty meal at home.  As this version serves 4,  you might want to make 2 batches for a party!

Ingredients:

*   1 package of vegan alternative "beef" crumbles. (Usually in the frozen foods section with other "meat" alternatives.)
*   1 can (10 3/4 oz.) condensed tomato soup. (Read ingredients to make sure it's vegan and, if possible, organic.)
*   1 cup salsa. (Choose according to your taste.  Because of the tomato soup, you might want less tomato in your salsa.  Also, control the "heat" factor here by selecting mild, medium, or hot.)
*   1/2 cup soy milk. (I use Silk.)
*   6 flour tortillas or 8 corn tortillas torn into bite-sized pieces.
*   1 cup vegan cheddar or pepper-jack cheese, shredded.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Pour "beef" crumbles, soup, salsa, soy milk, tortillas and half of the cheese into a 2-quart baking dish.
Cover and bake for 30 minutes.  Top with the cheese you have set aside.

I hope this chili will warm you up on a cold winter day!

Recycle Your Broken Vacuum Cleaner

If you have a broken vacuum cleaner, you have a recycling challenge.  In many places it is illegal to put a vacuum cleaner in the trash, and rightfully so.  However, most local recycling programs do not accept intact vacuum cleaners, although you may be able to disassemble it and recycle specific metal or plastic parts.  Good luck with that.  My online research indicates that you can often sell non-working vacuums on Ebay, presumably for parts.  Similarly, a local repair shop might take it off your hands for parts.  All of this seems unnecessarily complicated.  According to Dyson's website, in the United Kingdom, Dyson will pick up your old vacuum for free anywhere on the UK mainland, under Europe's WEEE initiative, when you buy a new Dyson vacuum online at http://www.dyson.co.uk/.  (WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and is a law enacted in Europe in 2007 to reduce electronics in landfills.)  That does not help us in the United States.  Why don't we have such a law in the United States and what can we do about it?  Share your ideas.

Whole Wheat Tortillas Make Delicious Wraps for Lunch!

Sometimes I need a departure from the standard sandwich lunch.  Whole wheat tortillas can be the start of a delicious wrap!  The varieties are endless, but here are some ideas for toppings to get you started:

*   Peanut butter and vegan chocolate chips, melted in the microwave.
*   Peanut butter and anything: jelly, banana slices, apple slices, etc., heated in the microwave.
*   Mozzarella vegan soy cheese shreds with vegan dressing or sub sauce, melted in the microwave.
*   Vegan refried beans, salsa and soy cheese shreds, heated through in the microwave.
*   Vegan soy "mayonnaise," lettuce, tomato, and Tofurky sandwich slice of choice.

These wraps are all scrumptious and satisfying.  Share your own creations with us!

Soy Yogurt for Breakfast!

When I made the decision to be vegan, I was so disappointed to give up yogurt, as it had previously been a mainstay of my diet.  I was so excited to learn that Silk makes soy yogurt in a variety of flavors!  And just like dairy yogurt, it contains live and active cultures.  The vanilla flavor is an especially good base for add-ins, such as nuts, vegan chocolate chips, granola, crushed whole grain cereal, or even chocolate drink mix.  Try it for breakfast or a nutritious snack!

Note:  Be careful to read ingredients when selecting prepared granola, cereal and drink mixes.  Many contain honey or milk powder, which of course are not vegan.

My Top 10 Vegan Foods

 Here is a list of my top 10 go-to vegan foods:

• 1.   Silk soy milk, coffee creamer and yogurt, all in several flavors.
• 2.   Daiya soy cheese alternatives, in a variety of flavors, including cheddar and mozzarella.  (If not available, use Follow Your Heart instead.)
• 3.   Tofutti "Better Than Cream Cheese" and "Better Than Sour Cream."
• 4.   Boca Meatless Chik'n Nuggets and Original Vegan Meatless Burgers.
• 5.   Tofurky meat alternatives, including various "sausages," sandwich slices and Thanksgiving turkey replacement.
• 6.   Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread and Burger Buns.
• 7.   So Delicious non-dairy frozen dessert (ice cream alternative).
• 8.   365 Every Day Value vegan chocolate chips from Whole Foods.
• 9.   Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread.
• 10. Spectrum Eggless,Vegan Light Canola Mayo.

While this list is by no means all-inclusive, these are day-to-day items my family could not do without.  Please share your vegan "must haves."

Considering Being Vegan? Take The First Step!

Are you considering a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle?  Everyone's motivation for making that choice is as individual as you are, but the beginning of a new year is a great time to make a change. Don't worry too much about not being prepared, not knowing enough or wasting food and other products you already have.  Online resources are plentiful, books are available, and you can learn as you go, as I did. If you're interested, give it a try.

 You can start by finishing the non-vegan/vegetarian food you have at home and replacing it with vegetarian or vegan alternatives the next time you shop.  Just walking around a Whole Foods or similar grocery store will provide you with surprising inspiration. For information from acceptable ingredients and nutritional facts to recipes and current issues, try the Vegetarian Resource Group at http://www.vrg.org/.  You can use your search engine to find many more informational websites.  Alicia Silverstone's book, "The Kind Diet," is filled with fantastic information, advice, and recipes.

 Realizing that veganism involves clothing material, cosmetics and cleaning products, as well as food choices, can be overwhelming. You don't need to take on everything at once!  After all, even one baby step toward the goal is better than no step at all!  And if you have questions as you go, post them here or try participating in one of the online vegetarian or vegan discussion forums. Of course, if you have medical concerns, you should consult with your healthcare professional.  I hope you find your inspiration to take the first step, and I hope you'll share your story with us!

Vegan 7-Layer Dip

Everyone loves a good 7-layer dip, and it's really easy to prepare a vegan version.

Ingredients:
1  16 oz. can vegan refried beans, preferably organic.
1  Tbsp. vegan taco seasoning mix
1  cup vegan sour cream alternative (I use Tofutti brand.)
1  cup salsa
1  cup shredded organic lettuce
1  cup vegan shredded "cheese" (Tofutti is a good choice.)
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2  Tbsp. sliced black olives

Directions:
Mix the refried beans and taco mix and spread into the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate.  Layer the remaining ingredients over the beans.  Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Note:  When purchasing prepared foods such as the refried beans, taco seasoning and dairy alternatives, it is important to read the ingredients.  Animal by-products often appear in unexpected places.  One of the most common is casein, a milk protein, in some vegetarian (but not vegan) cheese and dairy alternatives. Be careful with the refried beans, too, as some are made with lard or beef  "natural flavors."