Frugal Foodie Friday: At long last, my CSA fruit share has graduated from apricots to peaches ... not that I don't have a freezer full of frozen apricots, but I thought I would shake things up by enjoying some peaches in my smoothies too. And I have to admit, I think I like peaches even better!

This is a simple smoothie recipe that uses vanilla hemp milk and vanilla hemp protein for that little something extra in the flavor and health departments. I was going for a balanced smoothie (some added protein and healthy Omega fats) with optimal taste, not a protein shake, which is why I opted to use a modest amount of hemp protein powder ... but feel free to up it if you so desire.

I'm definitely liking hemp protein powders better than the other options, the only bummer is the green tinge takes away that beautiful peachy hue. But, I guess I will have to warm up to green as a lovely beverage color since the flavor is still wonderful ...

The voting has begun for the VegNews 2010 Veggie Awards, the largest reader's choice vegan awards for people, places, and products. There are ample categories and nominees to choose from, and the winners will be announced in the November+December edition of VegNews Magazine. But if simply sharing your favorites is not enough motivation to complete the survey, VegNews is offering some major incentive with various prizes.

First, the details: Ballots must include identifying information and be at least 50% complete to qualify for prizes. Entries must be received between August 2 and August 31, 2010. Nominees are based on the people, places, and products receiving the most votes in the 2009 Veggie Awards as well as nominations made by VegNews editors, and we encourage you to submit write-in votes.

And the prizes:

The books in this week's giveaway combine knowledge and food for two informational reads and of course, some delicious recipes to boot.

The first is a fun one, Planet Lactose: The best of the blog is a neatly organized collection of featured posts from lactose intolerance guru, Steve Carper. The bits and bites (almost like reading a series of newspaper and magazine clippings) are sorted into the following chapters: Lactose Intolerance, For the Vegans, Probiotics, Dairy and Other Allergies, Babies: Formula and Feeding Issues, Food and Nutrition, Dairy and Nondairy Milks, A Hungry Person’s Collection of Cookbooks, Genetics, Product Reports, Animal Planet, and Miscellany and the Just Plain Weird.

The second, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook (you might recognize this one?) is half information, half recipe, substitutes and more. Whether you are dairy-free, wanting to cut back a bit, or simply interested in the diet, I think you will find it a good read and a good baseline for recipes. It is vegan-friendly (egg-free and meat-free options for all!). I know many of you are already Go Dairy Free owners, but I won't fault you if you want to win a copy to give as a gift.

Enter to win a copy of these books via the Giveaway Post on One Frugal Foodie.

There are very few things I miss by being dairy-free … so few in fact that I can easily count them on one hand. But at the top of that list is going out for an ice cream cone. Don’t get me wrong, I am beyond satisfied with homemade dairy-free ice cream and absolutely love sampling the ever-growing selection of vegan ice cream’s on the market , but there is something special and quite nostalgic about enjoying an ice cream cone on a hot summer day or while wandering around a new town on vacation. Yes, I can here you, “There’s always sorbet.” Seriously people, sorbet just doesn’t cut it.

So while I’m drafting a petition demanding (okay, requesting) dairy-free selections to blast to ice cream parlors across the country, let’s celebrate those shops that are already going above and beyond with cool and creamy vegan frozen desserts: