This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving. Growing up in Australia, we did not celebrate Thanksgiving, but living here, I just love this holiday.

The scenery at this time of the year is just beautiful. Where I live. in Northern Ontario, it is a vibrant mix of dark green, vivid red, burnt orange and bright yellow leaves all mixed in together and situated amongst rocky outcrops and pristine lakes.

While I joke that I hate the Fall because I know Winter is just around the corner (and I am definitely a Summer girl, give me a beach and sunshine and I am happy), the truth is, Thanksgiving weekend is truly magical here.

Last year I tried making a Tofu Turkey, which turned out OK, but not exceptional. This year I am making a Lentil Seitan Roast which is totally delicious. It is stuffed full of mushrooms, leeks, garlic and cranberries and then smothered…

Have you ever been tempted to go animal-free but wondered exactly what you’d eat or worried that you might not be able to keep it up? Well, Animal Aid’s Great Vegan Challenge could be just the thing for you. To take part, you pledge to go vegan throughout the month of November and you will receive a whole package of support, 100% free, including:

•  Advice on nutrition and vegan products
• Recipes and motivational tips sent regularly
• Access to an internet forum for swapping tips and stories
• A telephone hotline for any burning questions
• Information on exclusive events, offers and product give-aways

It’s open to anyone, anywhere in the world and last year almost 800 people took part from 17 different countries. This year, Animal Aid has teamed up with other organisations from around the world, so it really is an international event:

• Australia: http://www.veganeasy.org
• Canada: www.MercyForAnimals.ca
• Luxembourg: http://www.vegansociety.lu
• Estonia: http://www.taimetoidumess.ee/index.php?lang=en
• …….and elsewhere:…

The potato, derived from the Spanish word patata, is said to have originated in Bolivia and present-day Peru, and is the world’s fourth-largest food crop (source). A good source of Manganese, Potassium, and Vitamins B6 and C (source), baked potatoes have the potential to lower blood pressure, build cells, assist with and protect the nervous and cardiovascular systems, and even help improve athletic performance (source).

Twice-baked potatoes get their name from, you guessed it, being baked twice. Whether using the microwave or conventional oven, raw potatoes are first baked thoroughly in order to scoop out the inner flesh, mix it with various ingredients and then place the mixture back into the potato shells, baking a second time until the entire mixture is heated through. The result is a handy bowl-like potato that can simply be picked up and eaten without silverware.

Microwave Twice-Baked Potatoes

2 large russet potatoes
1/2 cup regular unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup shredded vegan cheese