Over the last 24 hours, I've really been struggling with something. I woke up in the middle of the night (actually my dog woke me up) and could not fall back to sleep. Swirling around in my head the same thing.
How, as a vegan, could I justify carrying a brand new leather handbag?
For the past 11 months, I have become more conscious about what I eat, how I look at the world and the people in it, and the products I use in my house. I have tried to be mindful of the purchases I make at the grocery store and buy local when I can. And I think I've become a much kinder, compassionate and thoughtful person for it.
That said, what did I ask my husband for for Christmas? A very expensive leather handbag. Hmmm. I don't know if it was the lure of the name on the bag, or it's beautiful rich color, or how great I looked when I tried it on. Nonetheless, I asked him for it. And Mr. X, being the wonderful, amazing husband that he is, bought it for me. He tried to be slick by sneaking it in the house when I wasn't looking. But when I went into the closet to get the vacuum cleaner, there was the bag. Staring at me. Willing me to take a quick peak inside. So I did. And there she was, just as beautiful as in the department store.
But over the next two days, something was nagging at me. I couldn't figure it out. Something in the back of my mind just wasn't sitting right with me. Had I forgotten something that needed to get done? What was it?
Then at 4:00am this morning, I realized what it was. The handbag. The thought of carrying a leather handbag was keeping me up at night. Now, I realize, that if this is the biggest worry I have right now, then I'm doing pretty good. I get it. But it was still on my mind.
So this morning, I sheepishly said to Mr. X, "Um, would you be mad if I asked you to return the bag?" I explained why I just couldn't accept it, I'm vegan, it's leather, the cows, blah, blah, blah. No, of course he's not mad, but then added, "But have you felt it??" Umm, yes and it felt great and looked great and smelled great, but please return it to the store as soon as possible. Thank you.
So I've been online looking for a stylish vegan handbag. There are lots actually. So I'm happy to say that I found one and will wear it proudly! And I won't feel guilty about it.
I think it's safe to say that I will sleep well tonight. Mr. X probably will too because he gets to return that very pricey bag!
Peace and love.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
A Lesson in Compassion
A friend of mine just told me a story that has left me very upset. Her daughter, a 2nd grader, is being harassed and bullied on the bus. A bus that carries only children in kindergarten through 2nd grade. That's 5 to 8 year olds. This particular bus is the same bus where a little girl in Primo's class was bitten by another 2nd grader. BITTEN! These are not children in preschool who don't know better.
My friend's daughter has been complaining about the bus for a while now, but it recently escalated to a physical incident. A 1st grade girl kicked my friend's daughter in the chest while on the bus. In addition, her daughter has been repeatedly teased and called "fat" (she's not). Not only that, other children on the bus have been encouraging this behavior. It's gotten so bad that my friend has been driving her daughter to and from school to avoid any more confrontations.
After the kicking incident, my friend called the school and reported this child to the Vice Principal. This type of bullying is not tolerated and the child will be dealt with, but I can't help wonder...what the hell is going on?
When did kindness and compassion for others fall by the wayside? And what type of environment do these bullies live in where they think it's OK to be mean and cruel to others?
I am a true believer that being mean is a learned behavior. Babies are not born mean. Young children who grow up in a loving, supportive family are not mean. Mean is something you learn, whether it be at home, on television, in video games, somewhere.
It is our job as adults, as parents, as human beings, to teach our children kindness and to respect one another. My friend's daughter asked her mother, "Why isn't anyone sticking up for me?" That is heartbreaking. And why didn't any other child stick up for her? I only hope that if my boys were on the bus, one of them would have stuck up for her. But who knows? I hope that I have taught them the importance of kindness and compassion.
One thing is for sure, when my boys get home this afternoon, we will be having another talk. I will use this story as a teachable moment in the hope that if they are ever put in a similar situation, they will have the courage to stand up for themselves or someone else. That is my hope.
Peace and Love.
My friend's daughter has been complaining about the bus for a while now, but it recently escalated to a physical incident. A 1st grade girl kicked my friend's daughter in the chest while on the bus. In addition, her daughter has been repeatedly teased and called "fat" (she's not). Not only that, other children on the bus have been encouraging this behavior. It's gotten so bad that my friend has been driving her daughter to and from school to avoid any more confrontations.
After the kicking incident, my friend called the school and reported this child to the Vice Principal. This type of bullying is not tolerated and the child will be dealt with, but I can't help wonder...what the hell is going on?
When did kindness and compassion for others fall by the wayside? And what type of environment do these bullies live in where they think it's OK to be mean and cruel to others?
I am a true believer that being mean is a learned behavior. Babies are not born mean. Young children who grow up in a loving, supportive family are not mean. Mean is something you learn, whether it be at home, on television, in video games, somewhere.
It is our job as adults, as parents, as human beings, to teach our children kindness and to respect one another. My friend's daughter asked her mother, "Why isn't anyone sticking up for me?" That is heartbreaking. And why didn't any other child stick up for her? I only hope that if my boys were on the bus, one of them would have stuck up for her. But who knows? I hope that I have taught them the importance of kindness and compassion.
One thing is for sure, when my boys get home this afternoon, we will be having another talk. I will use this story as a teachable moment in the hope that if they are ever put in a similar situation, they will have the courage to stand up for themselves or someone else. That is my hope.
Peace and Love.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Just Rolling With It
I know I haven't been blogging much lately. I usually take to the blog when something exciting happens, or if someone or something has ruffled my feathers. But for the past few weeks, everything has just been rolling right along. Nothing has upset me, pissed me off or made me jump up and down and say WOO HOO. It's just going.
Not that I'm complaining. I would think that this busy time of year would have me up in arms about something. But no. It's a bit strange actually.
I think part of it is all the yoga I have been doing lately. I'm feeling very settled and happy in my own skin at the moment. All this deep breathing and meditating really does do a body good (not milk, though the Dairy Council would like you believe otherwise). I feel calmer, freer than I have in a while and I really think it's the yoga.
So with all that said, there's really not much more to say. Except that if you haven't tried yoga, I would highly recommend it. Particularly during this chaotic time of year.
Keep in mind what is really important. It's not getting to the stores to get ten dollars off an Xbox (if you really need the $10 bucks off, you probably shouldn't be buying it in the first place) or whether Great Grandma Peggy is going to like the slippers you bought her. Chances are, Gigi Peggy would prefer for you to simply write her a note telling her what she means to you. And the kids will only play with that Xbox for a few weeks anyway.
Take this time to enjoy one another, to tell your family how much you love and appreciate them, and take a few moments for yourself. So sit, relax, meditate and breathe.
Peace and love.
Not that I'm complaining. I would think that this busy time of year would have me up in arms about something. But no. It's a bit strange actually.
I think part of it is all the yoga I have been doing lately. I'm feeling very settled and happy in my own skin at the moment. All this deep breathing and meditating really does do a body good (not milk, though the Dairy Council would like you believe otherwise). I feel calmer, freer than I have in a while and I really think it's the yoga.
So with all that said, there's really not much more to say. Except that if you haven't tried yoga, I would highly recommend it. Particularly during this chaotic time of year.
Keep in mind what is really important. It's not getting to the stores to get ten dollars off an Xbox (if you really need the $10 bucks off, you probably shouldn't be buying it in the first place) or whether Great Grandma Peggy is going to like the slippers you bought her. Chances are, Gigi Peggy would prefer for you to simply write her a note telling her what she means to you. And the kids will only play with that Xbox for a few weeks anyway.
Take this time to enjoy one another, to tell your family how much you love and appreciate them, and take a few moments for yourself. So sit, relax, meditate and breathe.
Peace and love.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Smells Like Teen Spirit
The week before the Great October Snowapulooza, I did something that I hadn't done since 1984. I screamed like the fourteen year old I was back then and danced my ass of at a Duran Duran concert! You heard me right. Simon Le Bon, John Taylor and the rest of the group were rocking out Madison Square Garden and I was there. Don't be too jealous.
For those of you that enjoyed the 80s British Invasion as much as I did will appreciate my excitement and enthusiasm that lead up to this night. To be honest, I didn't even know they were touring until two weeks before the show, when my one and only British friend told me that she and her husband were going. I said to Mr. X, "Doesn't that sound like fun?" To which he replied, "Well if you're into that kind of thing I guess." Hmmm. Must find another former Duranie to take to the concert. Fortunately, it didn't take long (see there's a 14 year old girl still hidden inside all of us) before my friend, Legs stepped forward with an equal amount of enthusiasm.
Let's review for a second, shall we... This is what Duran Duran looked like circa 1984:
I was a John Taylor fanatic. (He's the one on the far right.) Back then you were either a Simon fan (center) or a John fan. Then of course there was always one of your friends who claimed they liked Nick Rhodes the best (second from left). But they were just saying that, no one really liked Nick the best. Then there is Roger (far left) and Andy (second from right). OK, now that we've got a better understanding of who's who we can proceed.
Legs and I took the train into the City. When we got to Grand Central we couldn't get a cab so instead opted for a more touristy and far more dangerous way of getting to MSG. We took a pedicab! As we weaved in and out of traffic, our "driver" Rene assured us he would get us there in one piece. He drove in the bus lane. He swerved around pedestrians. We screamed. We closed our eyes. And I've done something I haven't done in a while. I laughed so hard I thought I would pee my pants. Legs is yelling at him, "Hey, if you start getting tired, I can take over, I teach Spin!" She does, in fact, hence her name.
We had great seats for the concert, right on the floor, slightly to the right and not too far back. As the lights went down, the excitement and feeling like a teenager again was awesome. They blasted onto the stage with such energy and the crowd were nuts! Their mixture of new and old songs kept the audience completely engaged, happy and dancing. They sang old classics like Hungry Like the Wolf, The Reflex and of course, Rio. We stood, screamed and danced through 20 songs and it never got boring. Simon Le Bon rocked those tight, sparkly pants just like he did some 20+ years ago. His voice sounded amazing and the rest of band did not disappoint.
So you're probably wondering what they look like now. Well here they are:
They have all aged well. They are less a member now, Andy Taylor, who no one really liked anyway.
We both fell asleep on the train on the way home. Because really we are too old now to be acting like teenagers. But for one night, it was great!
Peace and love.
For those of you that enjoyed the 80s British Invasion as much as I did will appreciate my excitement and enthusiasm that lead up to this night. To be honest, I didn't even know they were touring until two weeks before the show, when my one and only British friend told me that she and her husband were going. I said to Mr. X, "Doesn't that sound like fun?" To which he replied, "Well if you're into that kind of thing I guess." Hmmm. Must find another former Duranie to take to the concert. Fortunately, it didn't take long (see there's a 14 year old girl still hidden inside all of us) before my friend, Legs stepped forward with an equal amount of enthusiasm.
Let's review for a second, shall we... This is what Duran Duran looked like circa 1984:
I was a John Taylor fanatic. (He's the one on the far right.) Back then you were either a Simon fan (center) or a John fan. Then of course there was always one of your friends who claimed they liked Nick Rhodes the best (second from left). But they were just saying that, no one really liked Nick the best. Then there is Roger (far left) and Andy (second from right). OK, now that we've got a better understanding of who's who we can proceed.
Legs and I took the train into the City. When we got to Grand Central we couldn't get a cab so instead opted for a more touristy and far more dangerous way of getting to MSG. We took a pedicab! As we weaved in and out of traffic, our "driver" Rene assured us he would get us there in one piece. He drove in the bus lane. He swerved around pedestrians. We screamed. We closed our eyes. And I've done something I haven't done in a while. I laughed so hard I thought I would pee my pants. Legs is yelling at him, "Hey, if you start getting tired, I can take over, I teach Spin!" She does, in fact, hence her name.
We had great seats for the concert, right on the floor, slightly to the right and not too far back. As the lights went down, the excitement and feeling like a teenager again was awesome. They blasted onto the stage with such energy and the crowd were nuts! Their mixture of new and old songs kept the audience completely engaged, happy and dancing. They sang old classics like Hungry Like the Wolf, The Reflex and of course, Rio. We stood, screamed and danced through 20 songs and it never got boring. Simon Le Bon rocked those tight, sparkly pants just like he did some 20+ years ago. His voice sounded amazing and the rest of band did not disappoint.
So you're probably wondering what they look like now. Well here they are:
They have all aged well. They are less a member now, Andy Taylor, who no one really liked anyway.
We both fell asleep on the train on the way home. Because really we are too old now to be acting like teenagers. But for one night, it was great!
Peace and love.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Roughing It
I am not a "roughing it" kind of girl. I never went to sleep away camp as a kid. I did not grow up with a down-filled sleeping bag. Never owned a canteen. Can barely toast a marshmallow over an open flame for s'mores. I'm just not that kind of girl. My idea of roughing it is a 4 star hotel. Take it or leave it, it's who I am.
So you can imagine my dismay this past week when a freak snow storm took out all the power in our town and the surrounding areas. On Saturday at 3:30, our power officially went out. It had flickered. I had prayed, "Please God, I'll do anything, just keep the power on." But the man or woman upstairs had bigger plans.
I knew it was going to be a bad one when hour by hour the snow kept piling up on our table on the deck. 24 hours and 12 inches later, the snow had dissipated and with the peak of sun on the horizon, we assessed the damage. A tree fell in the front and took all the power lines on the house with it. Another giant limb has nearly demolished the trampoline. And several more fell within inches of the playset. Other than that, we were left fairly unscathed. That is, until the temperature really started dropping in the house.
Now let me just say, I don't mind the no electricity thing, when it's warm outside, but the cold, snow and ice were another thing all together. Mr. X immediately got a fire going in the fireplace in the living room. We rearranged furniture, pulled all the down comforters out of the closets and scrambled to find flashlights, batteries and candles. Oh, and I did mention that my mother-in-law, B, was here visiting?? Thank goodness she is such a trooper. Much better than me in these situations for sure. But by Monday we had to send her on her way into the nice, warm, toasty City. I would have switched places with her in a heartbeat.
By day 3, I was really starting to lose it. I burst into tears. I yelled at Mr. X about why we don't have a generator like most families in this town. He kept saying, "It's not that bad." To which I wanted to punch him in the face. "It IS that bad!" I cried, "why can't you understand that?" I made him stay home from work. What if the fire went out in the fireplace and I couldn't get it started again??? We might all die of hypothermia! "Veganmama," Mr. X said, "It's 55 degrees outside." Yes, but it's only 46 degrees in the house.
Day broke on day 4 of the Great October Snowapoluzza and I was really in a funk. I had taken a shower at the YMCA (roughing it BIG time for me!) so at least I didn't stink. My friend, J, very graciously had us over to warm up and do some laundry. It was nice to be in a warm house for a few hours. And when we got home, the electric company truck was in front of my house reattaching the wires that had been ripped down by the tree. A big, warm, shining ball of light had been sent from the heavens to my small street in Anytown. Could it be true, was heat on the way? I ran up the the guys working on my house, "Oh thank you, thank you," I gushed. They laughed realizing that this suburban mom was about to lose her shit at any minute if she didn't get some heat.
A half hour later, my house suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree! I screamed, Primo and Segundo did a dance, my dogs barked at the commotion. My mood instantly brightened. We had survived the storm. And in less than 24 hours later, like childbirth, I have already forgotten the pain.
But don't be fooled, I am already on the electrician's waiting list for a generator. :-)
Peace and love.
So you can imagine my dismay this past week when a freak snow storm took out all the power in our town and the surrounding areas. On Saturday at 3:30, our power officially went out. It had flickered. I had prayed, "Please God, I'll do anything, just keep the power on." But the man or woman upstairs had bigger plans.
I knew it was going to be a bad one when hour by hour the snow kept piling up on our table on the deck. 24 hours and 12 inches later, the snow had dissipated and with the peak of sun on the horizon, we assessed the damage. A tree fell in the front and took all the power lines on the house with it. Another giant limb has nearly demolished the trampoline. And several more fell within inches of the playset. Other than that, we were left fairly unscathed. That is, until the temperature really started dropping in the house.
Now let me just say, I don't mind the no electricity thing, when it's warm outside, but the cold, snow and ice were another thing all together. Mr. X immediately got a fire going in the fireplace in the living room. We rearranged furniture, pulled all the down comforters out of the closets and scrambled to find flashlights, batteries and candles. Oh, and I did mention that my mother-in-law, B, was here visiting?? Thank goodness she is such a trooper. Much better than me in these situations for sure. But by Monday we had to send her on her way into the nice, warm, toasty City. I would have switched places with her in a heartbeat.
By day 3, I was really starting to lose it. I burst into tears. I yelled at Mr. X about why we don't have a generator like most families in this town. He kept saying, "It's not that bad." To which I wanted to punch him in the face. "It IS that bad!" I cried, "why can't you understand that?" I made him stay home from work. What if the fire went out in the fireplace and I couldn't get it started again??? We might all die of hypothermia! "Veganmama," Mr. X said, "It's 55 degrees outside." Yes, but it's only 46 degrees in the house.
Day broke on day 4 of the Great October Snowapoluzza and I was really in a funk. I had taken a shower at the YMCA (roughing it BIG time for me!) so at least I didn't stink. My friend, J, very graciously had us over to warm up and do some laundry. It was nice to be in a warm house for a few hours. And when we got home, the electric company truck was in front of my house reattaching the wires that had been ripped down by the tree. A big, warm, shining ball of light had been sent from the heavens to my small street in Anytown. Could it be true, was heat on the way? I ran up the the guys working on my house, "Oh thank you, thank you," I gushed. They laughed realizing that this suburban mom was about to lose her shit at any minute if she didn't get some heat.
A half hour later, my house suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree! I screamed, Primo and Segundo did a dance, my dogs barked at the commotion. My mood instantly brightened. We had survived the storm. And in less than 24 hours later, like childbirth, I have already forgotten the pain.
But don't be fooled, I am already on the electrician's waiting list for a generator. :-)
Peace and love.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Smile dammit!
Every year at this time I start obsessing about the Christmas card photo. I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to this yearly ritual. Do I want just the kids in the photo or the whole family? Should it be a beach shot or a "Fall in New England" shot? Should they wear matching clothes? Yes, I am that person.
You should also know that I am a wannabe photographer. I dabble, I take classes, I ponder about whether anyone would ever want to pay me to take their picture. And my poor kids are always my guinea pigs. My brother likes to say that Primo and Segundo "are the most photographed kids in the world." I would beg to differ, I'm quite sure that little Suri Cruise or the Brangelina six are the most photographed kids in the world. But anyway...
So this year I decided that only the kids will be on the card and we're going with a "I live in the middle of nowhere and my kids are on a farm" theme. Truth be told, we are very lucky to have the most amazing local farm that provides a beautiful backdrop for photos right here in the center of Anytown. So I dressed the kids in coordinating colors (not matching) and headed to the farm with my camera and two assistants (my mom and aunt). You can never have enough help when trying to get a good shot of your kids!
It was a beautiful Indian Summer day, not a cloud in the sky, simply spectacular. When we got to the farm, I let the kids run around and look at the animals for a while while I plotted my attack on the children. They knew we were there to take the Christmas card picture, and with the promise of a Starbucks run afterwards, they begrudgingly agreed.
I began snapping pictures of them, by the tree, next to the pumpkins, by a row of mums, nothing. All I kept hearing was, "Mom the sun's in our eyes." "We're bored." "When are we going to Starbucks?"
They climbed on hay bails, playing king of the mountain, snap, snap, snap. They jumped off fences, snap, snap, snap. They laughed, screamed, hugged and shoved each other, all while I'm trying to get the perfect shot. I yelled at them, "Can't you just smile and stop acting goofy??" To which they did this:
And then, this:
And finally after snapping about 250 photos, we left, and went to Starbucks, where Segundo preceded to explode his entire hot chocolate all over Primo. A perfect end to a perfect morning.
And if you're wondering if I ever got that Christmas card shot...well, I did. But you'll just have to wait until December to see it!
Peace and love.
You should also know that I am a wannabe photographer. I dabble, I take classes, I ponder about whether anyone would ever want to pay me to take their picture. And my poor kids are always my guinea pigs. My brother likes to say that Primo and Segundo "are the most photographed kids in the world." I would beg to differ, I'm quite sure that little Suri Cruise or the Brangelina six are the most photographed kids in the world. But anyway...
So this year I decided that only the kids will be on the card and we're going with a "I live in the middle of nowhere and my kids are on a farm" theme. Truth be told, we are very lucky to have the most amazing local farm that provides a beautiful backdrop for photos right here in the center of Anytown. So I dressed the kids in coordinating colors (not matching) and headed to the farm with my camera and two assistants (my mom and aunt). You can never have enough help when trying to get a good shot of your kids!
It was a beautiful Indian Summer day, not a cloud in the sky, simply spectacular. When we got to the farm, I let the kids run around and look at the animals for a while while I plotted my attack on the children. They knew we were there to take the Christmas card picture, and with the promise of a Starbucks run afterwards, they begrudgingly agreed.
I began snapping pictures of them, by the tree, next to the pumpkins, by a row of mums, nothing. All I kept hearing was, "Mom the sun's in our eyes." "We're bored." "When are we going to Starbucks?"
They climbed on hay bails, playing king of the mountain, snap, snap, snap. They jumped off fences, snap, snap, snap. They laughed, screamed, hugged and shoved each other, all while I'm trying to get the perfect shot. I yelled at them, "Can't you just smile and stop acting goofy??" To which they did this:
And then, this:
And finally after snapping about 250 photos, we left, and went to Starbucks, where Segundo preceded to explode his entire hot chocolate all over Primo. A perfect end to a perfect morning.
And if you're wondering if I ever got that Christmas card shot...well, I did. But you'll just have to wait until December to see it!
Peace and love.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A Pot Full of Vitamins
Last week I tried a new recipe that I found somewhere on Facebook. It was chock full of all kinds of veggies that I love, plus a little pasta to really make this meal a complete protein. And the best part is that it took about 30 minutes total, which is great for a busy school night. This would be a great recipe to try on the next Meatless Monday! Enjoy!
One-Pot Powerhouse Chickpeas!
1 onion, cut in large pieces
6 large button mushrooms, quartered
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. hot curry powder
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 cups water
2 can chick peas, drained
1 sweet potato, cut into small pieces (keep skin on for added fiber)
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 cup brown rice pasta shells or any other pasta you like (the rice pasta makes it gluten-free)
2-3 cups of chopped kale (or spinach or any other leafy greens you have around)
In a large soup pot, add olive oil, onion, mushrooms, spices and sea salt and saute 4 - 5 minutes. Add the water, bring to a boil and simmer. Add chickpeas, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and pasta. Simmer and cover until potatoes are done (about 10 - 12 minutes). Stir in kale and simmer a few more minutes.
DONE!
I served it with a simple green salad on the side. It was hearty, delicious and very nutritious. Plus it's packed with fiber so you won't be hungry an hour later.
Let me know how you like it, I promise you will!
Peace and love.
One-Pot Powerhouse Chickpeas!
1 onion, cut in large pieces
6 large button mushrooms, quartered
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. hot curry powder
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 cups water
2 can chick peas, drained
1 sweet potato, cut into small pieces (keep skin on for added fiber)
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 cup brown rice pasta shells or any other pasta you like (the rice pasta makes it gluten-free)
2-3 cups of chopped kale (or spinach or any other leafy greens you have around)
In a large soup pot, add olive oil, onion, mushrooms, spices and sea salt and saute 4 - 5 minutes. Add the water, bring to a boil and simmer. Add chickpeas, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and pasta. Simmer and cover until potatoes are done (about 10 - 12 minutes). Stir in kale and simmer a few more minutes.
DONE!
I served it with a simple green salad on the side. It was hearty, delicious and very nutritious. Plus it's packed with fiber so you won't be hungry an hour later.
Let me know how you like it, I promise you will!
Peace and love.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Ahhh Fall...
Fall is finally here. I look forward to it every year. I love the transition from shorts to jeans and flip flops to boots. I also love cooking with yummy Fall veggies. Who doesn't love coming home to the smell of a pot of hearty vegetable soup or veggie chili? I also love pumpkin. I love the color, the taste and the smell of baked goods with pumpkin in them.
Which is why I went to the store yesterday to pick up a few last minute items for my vegan pumpkin oatmeal cookies. I promised a friend that I would bake something for a sale going on this weekend. So as I was looking up and down the aisles of my local supermarket for some canned pumpkin for my cookies, I was puzzled. Where the heck was the pumpkin? I looked in the baking aisle, I looked in the canned vegetable aisle, I even looked in the canned fruit aisle (why do people eat canned fruit anyway??). Then I asked the manager.
"I was just having this conversation with someone else," he said. Then he said, "There is no canned pumpkin. The pumpkins got a fungus this year so the retailers are holding their shipment until the holidays." What??? This is absurd. What kind of crazy pumpkin fungus is causing the retailers to hoard all their pumpkin? I had to get to the bottom this, and fast!
So after some investigating, I found out that in fact, there are several types of "rot" that can take down entire crops of pumpkins! There's Black Rot (yuk), anthracnose, phytophthora blight and sclerotinia white mold. Who knew??
Needless to say, I left the store with no pumpkin and I am now rethinking what I will be baking for this weekend.
If you do happen to get your grubby little hands on some pumpkin, below is the best cookie recipe ever! Your kids will love these cookies and so will you!
PUMPKIN OATMEAL COOKIES
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cup, rolled oats
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
2 Tbsp. molasses
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. ground flaxseeds (optional)
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease two cookie sheets
Mix together flour, oats, baking soda, salt and spices.
In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, oil, molasses, pumpkin and vanilla (flaxseeds if you're using) until very well combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet in three batches, folding to combine. Fold in walnuts and raisins.
Drop by tablespoons onto the cookie sheets. They don't spread very much so they can be placed 1 inch apart. Flatten the tops of the cookies with a fork or your fingers, to press into a cookie shape. Bake for 16 minutes. If you are using two sheets on two levels in your oven, rotate the sheets halfway. You'll have enough batter for four cookie sheets.
Remove from oven, cool on cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. These taste best when they've had some time to cool and set. And they're even better the next day! Enjoy!
I got this recipe from the Vegan With A Vengeance cookbook. YUM!
Peace and love.
Which is why I went to the store yesterday to pick up a few last minute items for my vegan pumpkin oatmeal cookies. I promised a friend that I would bake something for a sale going on this weekend. So as I was looking up and down the aisles of my local supermarket for some canned pumpkin for my cookies, I was puzzled. Where the heck was the pumpkin? I looked in the baking aisle, I looked in the canned vegetable aisle, I even looked in the canned fruit aisle (why do people eat canned fruit anyway??). Then I asked the manager.
"I was just having this conversation with someone else," he said. Then he said, "There is no canned pumpkin. The pumpkins got a fungus this year so the retailers are holding their shipment until the holidays." What??? This is absurd. What kind of crazy pumpkin fungus is causing the retailers to hoard all their pumpkin? I had to get to the bottom this, and fast!
So after some investigating, I found out that in fact, there are several types of "rot" that can take down entire crops of pumpkins! There's Black Rot (yuk), anthracnose, phytophthora blight and sclerotinia white mold. Who knew??
Needless to say, I left the store with no pumpkin and I am now rethinking what I will be baking for this weekend.
If you do happen to get your grubby little hands on some pumpkin, below is the best cookie recipe ever! Your kids will love these cookies and so will you!
PUMPKIN OATMEAL COOKIES
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cup, rolled oats
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
2 Tbsp. molasses
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. ground flaxseeds (optional)
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease two cookie sheets
Mix together flour, oats, baking soda, salt and spices.
In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, oil, molasses, pumpkin and vanilla (flaxseeds if you're using) until very well combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet in three batches, folding to combine. Fold in walnuts and raisins.
Drop by tablespoons onto the cookie sheets. They don't spread very much so they can be placed 1 inch apart. Flatten the tops of the cookies with a fork or your fingers, to press into a cookie shape. Bake for 16 minutes. If you are using two sheets on two levels in your oven, rotate the sheets halfway. You'll have enough batter for four cookie sheets.
Remove from oven, cool on cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. These taste best when they've had some time to cool and set. And they're even better the next day! Enjoy!
I got this recipe from the Vegan With A Vengeance cookbook. YUM!
Peace and love.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Segundo Hates Underwear
He also hates haircuts. On any given day in Anytown, if you see my son, chances are his hair is in his eyes and he's got nothing on under his shorts. I have tried countless times to get the kid to wear underwear. He refuses. I don't know what the big deal is.
This is nothing new. He's never had a love affair with underwear, but he used to wear it. Gradually though, I began finding the underwear, that I would lay out with his clothes, in very strange places. Under the bed. Stuffed behind a pillow. Behind the toilet. And my favorite, in the garbage can...in the powder room! When I asked him why he is putting his underwear in these places, he stomped off and yelled, "Mom, you're ruining my life!" Please keep in mind that Segundo is 6, not 16. And my concern for his underwear wearing, or lack thereof, is hardly "ruining his life".
Ever since school started I have insisted that he wear underwear to school. And every morning, I do an underwear check on the kid. But apparently, this morning, I missed the boat because this is what I found after he left for school.
This is nothing new. He's never had a love affair with underwear, but he used to wear it. Gradually though, I began finding the underwear, that I would lay out with his clothes, in very strange places. Under the bed. Stuffed behind a pillow. Behind the toilet. And my favorite, in the garbage can...in the powder room! When I asked him why he is putting his underwear in these places, he stomped off and yelled, "Mom, you're ruining my life!" Please keep in mind that Segundo is 6, not 16. And my concern for his underwear wearing, or lack thereof, is hardly "ruining his life".
Ever since school started I have insisted that he wear underwear to school. And every morning, I do an underwear check on the kid. But apparently, this morning, I missed the boat because this is what I found after he left for school.
So if you see Segundo today, just know that he is going commando. Oh, and his hair is in his eyes.
Peace and love.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
What's in a Number?
A lot actually. Numbers are everywhere. We know what day and time it is because of numbers. We know how old we are because of numbers. We know if we should or shouldn't get more money out of the ATM because of numbers. We know if our kids have done well in school because of numbers. So let me throw out a few of my numbers.
42
The age my father was when he died of a heart attack in 1976.
5
My age at the time.
41
My age now.
6 & 7
The age of my children.
248
My cholesterol level exactly one year ago. (That number is very high for those of you who don't know.)
214
My cholesterol level today because I took all the meat and dairy out of my diet! And my ratio between the "good" and "bad" cholesterol is "excellent" according to my doctor.
Why am I telling you all this? Because it really does matter what you put into your body! Believe what you want about how bad animal proteins are for your body. But the numbers don't lie. Becoming vegan has literally changed my life for the better. Choosing fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and wholesome heart-healthy grains have made a huge difference.
If you don't know your numbers, maybe you should find out.
Here's one more...
100%
This is how sure I am that I will out live my father.
Peace and love.
42
The age my father was when he died of a heart attack in 1976.
5
My age at the time.
41
My age now.
6 & 7
The age of my children.
248
My cholesterol level exactly one year ago. (That number is very high for those of you who don't know.)
214
My cholesterol level today because I took all the meat and dairy out of my diet! And my ratio between the "good" and "bad" cholesterol is "excellent" according to my doctor.
Why am I telling you all this? Because it really does matter what you put into your body! Believe what you want about how bad animal proteins are for your body. But the numbers don't lie. Becoming vegan has literally changed my life for the better. Choosing fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and wholesome heart-healthy grains have made a huge difference.
If you don't know your numbers, maybe you should find out.
Here's one more...
100%
This is how sure I am that I will out live my father.
Peace and love.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
A Taste of Autumn
Two weeks ago I had a craving for butternut squash. Weird, right? Generally, I am not a huge fan of squash, but on this particular day, it got the best of me. I decided to try a recipe out of Alicia Silverstone's Kind Diet cookbook. I LOVE this book by the way, tons of amazing, flavorful vegan recipes to suit any taste. This recipe was great and it really felt like a taste of autumn.
Moroccan Couscous with Saffron
2 cups peeled butternut squash, cut into 1/2" cubes (you can also buy it already cut up if you're feeling super lazy)
2 cups yellow onion, diced
1 1/2 cups carrots, cut into 1/2" cubes
1 1/2 cups zucchini, cut into 3/4" cubes
2 Tbs. olive oil
Sea salt
1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
2 Tbs. Earth Balance butter
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. saffron threads
1 1/2 cups whole wheat couscous
2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place squash, onions, carrots and zucchini on a baking sheet and toss with one Tbs. olive oil, 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. black pepper. Roast for 20 - 30 minutes, turning once about midway through.
While the veggies roast, bring the broth to a boil in a saucepan. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter, remaining pepper, cumin, saffron and salt to taste. Cover the pan and steep for 15 minutes.
Scrape the roasted veggies and their juices into a large bowl and add the couscous. Bring the vegetable broth back to a boil and pour over couscous mixture all at once. Cover tightly with a plate and allow to stand for 15 minutes. Add the scallions, toss the couscous and veggies with a fork and serve. Makes about 6 servings.
Note: When I made it, I felt like it needed a bit more than 1 1/2 cups of broth, I thought the couscous was still a little dry. I would suggest having a bit more hot broth on hand to add just in case.
This is what it looks like when it's done:
Yum!
Peace and love.
Moroccan Couscous with Saffron
2 cups peeled butternut squash, cut into 1/2" cubes (you can also buy it already cut up if you're feeling super lazy)
2 cups yellow onion, diced
1 1/2 cups carrots, cut into 1/2" cubes
1 1/2 cups zucchini, cut into 3/4" cubes
2 Tbs. olive oil
Sea salt
1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
2 Tbs. Earth Balance butter
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. saffron threads
1 1/2 cups whole wheat couscous
2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place squash, onions, carrots and zucchini on a baking sheet and toss with one Tbs. olive oil, 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. black pepper. Roast for 20 - 30 minutes, turning once about midway through.
While the veggies roast, bring the broth to a boil in a saucepan. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter, remaining pepper, cumin, saffron and salt to taste. Cover the pan and steep for 15 minutes.
Scrape the roasted veggies and their juices into a large bowl and add the couscous. Bring the vegetable broth back to a boil and pour over couscous mixture all at once. Cover tightly with a plate and allow to stand for 15 minutes. Add the scallions, toss the couscous and veggies with a fork and serve. Makes about 6 servings.
Note: When I made it, I felt like it needed a bit more than 1 1/2 cups of broth, I thought the couscous was still a little dry. I would suggest having a bit more hot broth on hand to add just in case.
This is what it looks like when it's done:
Yum!
Peace and love.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Where's the Beef?
It's been a cold, wet, last few days here on the East Coast. The kids went back to school on Tuesday and I now find myself with lots of time on my hands. After my daily trek to the gym, then home for a shower, I find that I am now looking for things to do. So why not cook? Trust me when I say, I am no Julia Childs. In fact I have never really enjoyed cooking until I became vegan. To me, making a meal that is animal and dairy-free, is a challenge, and I like nothing more than a challenge.
So on Tuesday, I was looking for some comfort food. And to me, there is no better comfort food than chili! So I pulled out the old crock pot and just started throwing lots of yummy beans and veggies inside. The end result was so fabulous and delicious that I had to share it with you. I wasn't really measuring anything, but here goes:
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red pepper, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 cup matchstick carrots
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 can black beans
1 can red beans
2 Tbs. chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup vegetable broth
1 Tbs. soy sauce
1 1/2 cups TVP (textured vegetable protein) - do not be scared of this, it's what gives this dish it "meaty" texture
1. Heat broth and soy sauce in microwave until hot, but not boiling. Add TVP and let it soak up the broth (about 3 - 4 minutes), you want it to be partially hydrated, but not fully.
2. Chop everything else up and throw it in the crock pot on high or in a heavy pot on your stove. If you are doing it on the stove, I would add a little olive oil and cook the onion and garlic until soft before adding the other ingredients.
I cooked mine in the crock pot for 5 1/2 hours on high for the first 3 hours, then down to low. On the stovetop, you could probably do it in about an hour.
Serve over rice, noodles, nachos, salad, whatever, the options are endless! Makes about 6 servings.
A note about TVP: Textured Vegetable Protein is an amazing soy product. It is a complete protein and contains no fat, so it is an excellent alternative to meat. It is also a good source of fiber, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. It takes on the flavor of whatever it is cooked with.
When Mr. X got home from work he lifted the lid and said, "Is there meat in this??", so even your meat-eating family will enjoy it too! Segundo thought it was great. Primo snubbed me yet again. Ah well, I'll keep trying.
Peace and love.
So on Tuesday, I was looking for some comfort food. And to me, there is no better comfort food than chili! So I pulled out the old crock pot and just started throwing lots of yummy beans and veggies inside. The end result was so fabulous and delicious that I had to share it with you. I wasn't really measuring anything, but here goes:
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red pepper, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 cup matchstick carrots
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 can black beans
1 can red beans
2 Tbs. chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup vegetable broth
1 Tbs. soy sauce
1 1/2 cups TVP (textured vegetable protein) - do not be scared of this, it's what gives this dish it "meaty" texture
1. Heat broth and soy sauce in microwave until hot, but not boiling. Add TVP and let it soak up the broth (about 3 - 4 minutes), you want it to be partially hydrated, but not fully.
2. Chop everything else up and throw it in the crock pot on high or in a heavy pot on your stove. If you are doing it on the stove, I would add a little olive oil and cook the onion and garlic until soft before adding the other ingredients.
I cooked mine in the crock pot for 5 1/2 hours on high for the first 3 hours, then down to low. On the stovetop, you could probably do it in about an hour.
Serve over rice, noodles, nachos, salad, whatever, the options are endless! Makes about 6 servings.
A note about TVP: Textured Vegetable Protein is an amazing soy product. It is a complete protein and contains no fat, so it is an excellent alternative to meat. It is also a good source of fiber, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. It takes on the flavor of whatever it is cooked with.
When Mr. X got home from work he lifted the lid and said, "Is there meat in this??", so even your meat-eating family will enjoy it too! Segundo thought it was great. Primo snubbed me yet again. Ah well, I'll keep trying.
Peace and love.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Super Yum!
So I just have to share with you what I made for dinner last night. It was so yummy and delicious that Mr. X, my carnivore hubby, went back for thirds!! I really encourage everyone to try it, it's a perfect Meat Free Monday night dinner, the kiddies will probably like it too! And it was super quick and easy to make! Segundo couldn't stop eating the tofu. I was snubbed by Primo, however. Anyway, here it is:
Stir-Fry Udon Noodles with Bok Choy
1 8 oz. pkg. udon noodles, rinsed and drained
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 cloves, garlic
1 tsp. minced, fresh ginger (I use the kind in the jar already minced for simplicity)
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (or more if you like it really spicy!)
1/2 cup matchstick carrots
5 or 6 button mushrooms, chopped
1 medium head of bok choy, chopped
8 oz. tofu (I use the cubed, again for simplicity)
Marinate the tofu for several hours. To make the marinade, I used about 3 Tbs. tamari, or low-sodium soy sauce or shoyu, whatever you have in your pantry. 1 Tbs. minced ginger, a tsp. of dark sesame oil, a bit of agave nectar and some red curry paste. Whisk it all together and pour over tofu. Seal in a tight container and turn every once in a while for several hours.
1. Cook udon noodles as directed, drain.
2. Heat oil, garlic, ginger and pepper flakes in a pan. Add carrots, cook for a bit, then add the bok choy and mushrooms. Cook until the bok choy is tender. Add tofu and remaining marinade and heat through. Add udon noodles and toss until all the flavors blend. I added a bit more shoyu and a squeeze of lemon. Serves about 4 or 1 really hungry husband.
AMAZING!! I just wish I had taken a picture of it. I'll remember next time, I'm still new at this blogging thing.
Peace and love.
Stir-Fry Udon Noodles with Bok Choy
1 8 oz. pkg. udon noodles, rinsed and drained
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 cloves, garlic
1 tsp. minced, fresh ginger (I use the kind in the jar already minced for simplicity)
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (or more if you like it really spicy!)
1/2 cup matchstick carrots
5 or 6 button mushrooms, chopped
1 medium head of bok choy, chopped
8 oz. tofu (I use the cubed, again for simplicity)
Marinate the tofu for several hours. To make the marinade, I used about 3 Tbs. tamari, or low-sodium soy sauce or shoyu, whatever you have in your pantry. 1 Tbs. minced ginger, a tsp. of dark sesame oil, a bit of agave nectar and some red curry paste. Whisk it all together and pour over tofu. Seal in a tight container and turn every once in a while for several hours.
1. Cook udon noodles as directed, drain.
2. Heat oil, garlic, ginger and pepper flakes in a pan. Add carrots, cook for a bit, then add the bok choy and mushrooms. Cook until the bok choy is tender. Add tofu and remaining marinade and heat through. Add udon noodles and toss until all the flavors blend. I added a bit more shoyu and a squeeze of lemon. Serves about 4 or 1 really hungry husband.
AMAZING!! I just wish I had taken a picture of it. I'll remember next time, I'm still new at this blogging thing.
Peace and love.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
That Dog Looks Like Carol Channing!
Well, I am back in business! We weathered the storm (ha ha), lived through having no power and even survived five whole days without the TV or Internet. I actually didn't mind the no power thing, but not having the Internet just about killed me. I mean how's a person to survive without checking Facebook!?! And seeing as I'm the only person in the world that doesn't have an iPhone, I was really unconnected. Of course I feel pretty lucky because I have friends that still have no power, so no complaining here.
Which brings me to a funny story...
Last Wednesday, my friend D came over with her kids for a hot shower and a home cooked meal. She is one of the unfortunate people to still be without power. D is also vegan so it makes cooking for her very easy. We decided to try a new recipe for a Soba Salad with Miso Vinaigrette. It had chewy soba noodles, carrots, ginger, radicchio, some nori seaweed and other yummy things. It was a really pretty dish as well. Very colorful, a nice light summer dinner.
We were sitting on the deck with our second glass of wine when D looked over at my dog, Coco, who was sitting pretty on the chaise lounge, and says, "That dog looks like Carol Channing!" I look at Coco and we both start laughing because, in fact, she does!
Here is Coco:
Here is Carol Channing:
It was one of those moments when you realize how important it is to have good friends in your life. Ones that can make you laugh no matter the situation. We may have been without power, water, TV and Internet, but the power of friends and laughter is one that needs no plug.
So as we were finishing our glass of wine we looked over and saw Carol Channing licking the bowl.
Peace and love.
Which brings me to a funny story...
Last Wednesday, my friend D came over with her kids for a hot shower and a home cooked meal. She is one of the unfortunate people to still be without power. D is also vegan so it makes cooking for her very easy. We decided to try a new recipe for a Soba Salad with Miso Vinaigrette. It had chewy soba noodles, carrots, ginger, radicchio, some nori seaweed and other yummy things. It was a really pretty dish as well. Very colorful, a nice light summer dinner.
We were sitting on the deck with our second glass of wine when D looked over at my dog, Coco, who was sitting pretty on the chaise lounge, and says, "That dog looks like Carol Channing!" I look at Coco and we both start laughing because, in fact, she does!
Here is Coco:
Here is Carol Channing:
It was one of those moments when you realize how important it is to have good friends in your life. Ones that can make you laugh no matter the situation. We may have been without power, water, TV and Internet, but the power of friends and laughter is one that needs no plug.
So as we were finishing our glass of wine we looked over and saw Carol Channing licking the bowl.
Peace and love.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
We Did It!
Phew! Glad that's over! Yesterday was Day 5 and the last day of our Great Juice Experiment! We survived 120 hours with nothing but delicious juices, water and herbal teas (with the exception of that minor mishap on Day 4...). I am actually really proud of us. I really think it was great that Mr. X. did it with me, it kept me motivated and I felt a sense of connectedness with him. He really is a trooper. I wonder what he's eaten at work so far today??
I'm not sure this whole experience gave me the clarity I really thought I'd get, but it did teach me that when I put my mind to something, I really can accomplish it. And if nothing else, that is a good lesson for us all. We get so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we forget to embrace the most simple thing, nourishing our bodies, with good, fresh, wholesome foods. This experience has taught me to slow down and enjoy each mouthful. To take a moment and breathe in between each bite. And to honor this gift of food.
Come to think of it, maybe I did get some clarity after all.
I'm going to spend this rainy afternoon flipping through a few vegan cookbooks I checked out of the library and decide what to make for dinner. One thing's for sure, I am so glad I will be eating my dinner off a plate tonight instead of sipping it through a straw.
Peace and love.
I'm not sure this whole experience gave me the clarity I really thought I'd get, but it did teach me that when I put my mind to something, I really can accomplish it. And if nothing else, that is a good lesson for us all. We get so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we forget to embrace the most simple thing, nourishing our bodies, with good, fresh, wholesome foods. This experience has taught me to slow down and enjoy each mouthful. To take a moment and breathe in between each bite. And to honor this gift of food.
Come to think of it, maybe I did get some clarity after all.
I'm going to spend this rainy afternoon flipping through a few vegan cookbooks I checked out of the library and decide what to make for dinner. One thing's for sure, I am so glad I will be eating my dinner off a plate tonight instead of sipping it through a straw.
Peace and love.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Great Juice Experiment - Day 4
Well I'm sure you are all anxiously waiting to find out if I decided to continue this journey or if I gave in to the hunger pangs. 24 hours without food is a long time, 48 even more. I never thought I could ever go two whole days without eating food, let alone 4! The last time I ate real food was last FRIDAY! So let me just pause for a moment to take you through the day.
Actually, it was a pretty uneventful day. Primo and Segundo had a few friends over to play, I got to catch up with a friend who I hadn't seen in a month and it was a bright, warm, amazing East Coast day. I had made a particularly yummy peach, pear, blueberry juice (antioxidants galore) around 2:00pm and all was good.
Around 4, the usual I'm getting hungry thoughts started to creep into my head, but I swept them under the rug with a beet, celery, carrot, kale, collards and apple combo. No problem.
Then the kids said they wanted pizza for dinner. Now I don't eat pizza anymore because I really think that vegan cheese smells like stinky feet and I just can't get my nose past that smell to eat it. And the few times I have bought one, I have just ended up throwing it out. It's oily, it doesn't melt right and that SMELL! It smells like what I imagine a teenage boys closet to smell like, I shutter at the mere thought of it.
So the kids were eating and I very innocently opened the refrigerator, more out of habit than anything else. When that damn tabbouleh that's been taunting me like a schoolyard bully for the last two days got the best of me. I grabbed it out of the fridge, cut half a piece of pita bread and grabbed the hummus. I measured out exactly 2 tablespoons of hummus and 1/2 cup of tabbouleh and packed the pita. I looked at for a minute and asked myself if it was something I really wanted to do. Would I regret eating it? Was I a complete failure? Would the last 4 days mean anything? Did I achieve that clarity and peace of mind that I was hoping for? And in the end I decided...
Fuck it! And I ate that damn sandwich. I did it. And I don't regret it. And it was really yummy! And I didn't go and binge on anything else. It was all I ate and it was completely satisfying. So there, I admit it, I ate something. That admission was completely cathartic. I think I just achieved that clarity and peace of mind.
And at least my belly won't be rumbling at 3:00am tonight.
Peace and love.
Actually, it was a pretty uneventful day. Primo and Segundo had a few friends over to play, I got to catch up with a friend who I hadn't seen in a month and it was a bright, warm, amazing East Coast day. I had made a particularly yummy peach, pear, blueberry juice (antioxidants galore) around 2:00pm and all was good.
Around 4, the usual I'm getting hungry thoughts started to creep into my head, but I swept them under the rug with a beet, celery, carrot, kale, collards and apple combo. No problem.
Then the kids said they wanted pizza for dinner. Now I don't eat pizza anymore because I really think that vegan cheese smells like stinky feet and I just can't get my nose past that smell to eat it. And the few times I have bought one, I have just ended up throwing it out. It's oily, it doesn't melt right and that SMELL! It smells like what I imagine a teenage boys closet to smell like, I shutter at the mere thought of it.
So the kids were eating and I very innocently opened the refrigerator, more out of habit than anything else. When that damn tabbouleh that's been taunting me like a schoolyard bully for the last two days got the best of me. I grabbed it out of the fridge, cut half a piece of pita bread and grabbed the hummus. I measured out exactly 2 tablespoons of hummus and 1/2 cup of tabbouleh and packed the pita. I looked at for a minute and asked myself if it was something I really wanted to do. Would I regret eating it? Was I a complete failure? Would the last 4 days mean anything? Did I achieve that clarity and peace of mind that I was hoping for? And in the end I decided...
Fuck it! And I ate that damn sandwich. I did it. And I don't regret it. And it was really yummy! And I didn't go and binge on anything else. It was all I ate and it was completely satisfying. So there, I admit it, I ate something. That admission was completely cathartic. I think I just achieved that clarity and peace of mind.
And at least my belly won't be rumbling at 3:00am tonight.
Peace and love.
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Great Juice Experiment - Day 3
So today I was expecting to feel horrible and actually this has been the easiest day so far. Admittedly, yesterday was, in fact, horrible and I was ready to throw in the towel. But today I have a renewed sense of purpose and things have been chugging along quite smoothly.
When I started this experiment, I was thinking I would do it for 5 days. Now I'm thinking that today may be the last day. Not because I'm starving, but because I'm getting bored. I mean really, there is only so much juice a person can drink. We'll see what Mr. X wants to do (he's doing it with me). Maybe he can convince me that two more days will be worth it.
So I kind of thought that I'd drop like 5 pounds in three days or something, or at least the three I gained on previously mentioned gluttonous vacation. But just a measly 2 pounds?!? And that was probably just in poop. Not to be gross. But Mr. X has lost 7! See, this is what pisses me off about men. They lose weight so easily and never gain any even though they eat like pigs. And we women starve ourselves and work our asses off at the gym in an effort to rid ourselves of the bagel that resides on our lower abdomen! But I digress...
If I do decide to eat tomorrow, I really just want a big, huge salad with lots of crunchy veggies and hearts of palm with my favorite ginger dressing. I miss crunching. Salad on a plate is much more fun to eat than a salad in a glass.
Let me know what you think, two more days?? I promise I will take it into consideration...as I'm crunching on a carrot. :-)
Peace and love.
When I started this experiment, I was thinking I would do it for 5 days. Now I'm thinking that today may be the last day. Not because I'm starving, but because I'm getting bored. I mean really, there is only so much juice a person can drink. We'll see what Mr. X wants to do (he's doing it with me). Maybe he can convince me that two more days will be worth it.
So I kind of thought that I'd drop like 5 pounds in three days or something, or at least the three I gained on previously mentioned gluttonous vacation. But just a measly 2 pounds?!? And that was probably just in poop. Not to be gross. But Mr. X has lost 7! See, this is what pisses me off about men. They lose weight so easily and never gain any even though they eat like pigs. And we women starve ourselves and work our asses off at the gym in an effort to rid ourselves of the bagel that resides on our lower abdomen! But I digress...
If I do decide to eat tomorrow, I really just want a big, huge salad with lots of crunchy veggies and hearts of palm with my favorite ginger dressing. I miss crunching. Salad on a plate is much more fun to eat than a salad in a glass.
Let me know what you think, two more days?? I promise I will take it into consideration...as I'm crunching on a carrot. :-)
Peace and love.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Great Juice Experiment - Day 2
8:00am
Felt great when I woke up this morning. Not hungry at all, which was strange because my stomach was rumbling at 3:00am. I did sleep pretty well though. Drank a big glass of orange, grapefruit, carrot and ginger juice and headed of to a 9:30 yoga class. Yoga was just what I needed, I felt focused and strong and happy.
After yoga drove to Sunshine's house to bid her a farewell (sniff, sniff). Then drove home, crying the whole way.
12:00pm
Got home to Mr. X making an amazing green juice with collards, kale, cucumber, celery, carrot, red pepper and lemon! That was a nice surprise! It was delicious and filling and just what I needed. The kids were dressed, they had already been to the farmers' market and everyone was happily playing. Gotta love Mr. X!
3:00pm
The afternoon food cravings have officially set in and I swear I could eat every corn chip and pretzel in the basket on top of the fridge. I am STARVING here people. And officially angry. Not at anyone, more at myself for thinking this would be a good idea. Deep breathing, deep breathing. Things get so bad that I actually SNIFF the empty Frito bag that Primo left laying on the couch. I have really sunk to a whole new low. Who does that???
3:30pm
Watermelon, blueberry and lime juice! Very tasty. But veggie Pad Thai would be even tastier!
4:30pm
I decided it would be a great idea to get out of the house and go to the mall. Wrong! It was just a plethora of sights and smells that only put me in a much worse mood. As I'm sitting in the food court watching Primo gnaw his way through a Subway sandwich and Segundo smear his face with pizza sauce, I thought I might pass out. I hadn't had enough juice today and now I was paying for it.
6:45pm
Got home, ran to the juicer and threw everything but the kitchen sink in it. I really thought I might cave at that moment and grab that bag of pretzels and hummus. But instead I choked down yet another green juice. I'll put it out there right now, I don't know if I can go through another day of this. The Great Juice Experiment may be over as soon as tomorrow. We'll see how I feel in the morning.
I have nothing witty to say. I'm just too damn hungry.
Peace and love.
Felt great when I woke up this morning. Not hungry at all, which was strange because my stomach was rumbling at 3:00am. I did sleep pretty well though. Drank a big glass of orange, grapefruit, carrot and ginger juice and headed of to a 9:30 yoga class. Yoga was just what I needed, I felt focused and strong and happy.
After yoga drove to Sunshine's house to bid her a farewell (sniff, sniff). Then drove home, crying the whole way.
12:00pm
Got home to Mr. X making an amazing green juice with collards, kale, cucumber, celery, carrot, red pepper and lemon! That was a nice surprise! It was delicious and filling and just what I needed. The kids were dressed, they had already been to the farmers' market and everyone was happily playing. Gotta love Mr. X!
3:00pm
The afternoon food cravings have officially set in and I swear I could eat every corn chip and pretzel in the basket on top of the fridge. I am STARVING here people. And officially angry. Not at anyone, more at myself for thinking this would be a good idea. Deep breathing, deep breathing. Things get so bad that I actually SNIFF the empty Frito bag that Primo left laying on the couch. I have really sunk to a whole new low. Who does that???
3:30pm
Watermelon, blueberry and lime juice! Very tasty. But veggie Pad Thai would be even tastier!
4:30pm
I decided it would be a great idea to get out of the house and go to the mall. Wrong! It was just a plethora of sights and smells that only put me in a much worse mood. As I'm sitting in the food court watching Primo gnaw his way through a Subway sandwich and Segundo smear his face with pizza sauce, I thought I might pass out. I hadn't had enough juice today and now I was paying for it.
6:45pm
Got home, ran to the juicer and threw everything but the kitchen sink in it. I really thought I might cave at that moment and grab that bag of pretzels and hummus. But instead I choked down yet another green juice. I'll put it out there right now, I don't know if I can go through another day of this. The Great Juice Experiment may be over as soon as tomorrow. We'll see how I feel in the morning.
I have nothing witty to say. I'm just too damn hungry.
Peace and love.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The Great Juice Experiment - Day 1
8:00am
Woke up this morning refreshed and ready to begin what I will now call The Great Juice Experiment. Not feeling hungry yet from the night before, I jumped right in with a morning blast of vitamin C. I ran a grapefruit, orange, a couple of carrots and a nub of ginger through the juicer and it was amazing! I then jotted off to get my roots done (I'm a vegan, not a hippy for God's sake!). As I lay back getting my hair rinsed, watching the television on the ceiling playing the Food Network, I started realizing that I was getting pretty hungry and that enchilada she was making looked damn good! Breathe through the rumbling, deep yoga breathing, it's your body beginning to detoxify itself I kept saying in my mind.
11:15am
Two hours and a rumbling stomach later, I returned home, raced to the kitchen to prepare another juice. This time it was a combination of spinach, kale, celery, apple, carrot and lemon. It did fill me up for a while before I was hit with the most incredible headache I've had in a long time. It was like someone was smashing a hammer into my forehead. Remembering that I had read something about headaches being a side effect of the cleanse, I tried once again to breathe through it. Focusing my mind on calming thoughts. For the record, this calming thoughts thing may be a load of crap.
2:30pm
Headed off to a local juice bar for another round. The thought of cleaning that damn juicer again was making my head spin. Instead, I dropped $9.50 on a shot of wheatgrass and a kale, cucumber, celery and apple juice. This juicing thing is expensive by the way.
4:30pm
After a failed attempt at a nap, I realized that my headache was gone and it was time for a juice. I tried to make my own V8 with tomato, spinach, cucumber, carrot, red pepper and celery. I did throw some Tabasco in it for some spice (don't know if that's allowed) and down the hatch it went. Pretty good actually. I thought by this point I'd be in a pretty bad mood but surprisingly I've only yelled at Primo and Segundo once or twice today. :-)
7:00pm
I am officially starving. Even the chicken my kids are eating smells good, and I HATE chicken. Even when I ate meat, I hated chicken, the dirty bird. And now it smells good. I don't know how people do this.
7:30pm
Final juice of the night, orange/grapefruit. I think I needed some sugar because I'm feeling a little better.
Gonna chill on the couch and veg out. Did I really just say veg??? Until tomorrow...
Peace and love.
Woke up this morning refreshed and ready to begin what I will now call The Great Juice Experiment. Not feeling hungry yet from the night before, I jumped right in with a morning blast of vitamin C. I ran a grapefruit, orange, a couple of carrots and a nub of ginger through the juicer and it was amazing! I then jotted off to get my roots done (I'm a vegan, not a hippy for God's sake!). As I lay back getting my hair rinsed, watching the television on the ceiling playing the Food Network, I started realizing that I was getting pretty hungry and that enchilada she was making looked damn good! Breathe through the rumbling, deep yoga breathing, it's your body beginning to detoxify itself I kept saying in my mind.
11:15am
Two hours and a rumbling stomach later, I returned home, raced to the kitchen to prepare another juice. This time it was a combination of spinach, kale, celery, apple, carrot and lemon. It did fill me up for a while before I was hit with the most incredible headache I've had in a long time. It was like someone was smashing a hammer into my forehead. Remembering that I had read something about headaches being a side effect of the cleanse, I tried once again to breathe through it. Focusing my mind on calming thoughts. For the record, this calming thoughts thing may be a load of crap.
2:30pm
Headed off to a local juice bar for another round. The thought of cleaning that damn juicer again was making my head spin. Instead, I dropped $9.50 on a shot of wheatgrass and a kale, cucumber, celery and apple juice. This juicing thing is expensive by the way.
4:30pm
After a failed attempt at a nap, I realized that my headache was gone and it was time for a juice. I tried to make my own V8 with tomato, spinach, cucumber, carrot, red pepper and celery. I did throw some Tabasco in it for some spice (don't know if that's allowed) and down the hatch it went. Pretty good actually. I thought by this point I'd be in a pretty bad mood but surprisingly I've only yelled at Primo and Segundo once or twice today. :-)
7:00pm
I am officially starving. Even the chicken my kids are eating smells good, and I HATE chicken. Even when I ate meat, I hated chicken, the dirty bird. And now it smells good. I don't know how people do this.
7:30pm
Final juice of the night, orange/grapefruit. I think I needed some sugar because I'm feeling a little better.
Gonna chill on the couch and veg out. Did I really just say veg??? Until tomorrow...
Peace and love.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
I Dream of Spinach
Last night I had the strangest dream. I had bought a bag of spinach at the grocery store and when I opened it half the bag was filled with dead, crunchy autumn leaves. I kept emptying and emptying the bag, sorting the dead, brown leaves from the bright green spinach leaves. The bag was bottomless and I couldn't understand how so many leaves and spinach got into such a small bag. When I finally managed to get to the bottom of the bag, poof, the dream was over.
Now I have never been one to make too much of the deeper meaning of dreams, but I have to say, that was one of the stranger ones I can remember. So I Googled what it means to dream of spinach (I honestly didn't think anything would come up) and strangely, this is what I found out:
According to the website DreamMoods, "To see or eat spinach in your dream, indicates your need to be reenergized or revitalized. It is synonymous with strength and power. Alternatively, the dream may simply be telling you that you need to eat better and lead a more healthy lifestyle."
WOW! Probably not a coincidence, right? The whole point of embarking on this juice fast is to do exactly that, reenergize and revitalize my body and my mind.
On the other hand, maybe I've just been buying too much spinach.
Please pass the salad dressing, I'm going to bed.
Peace and love.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sunshine
As I sit here tonight listening to two best friends argue over which Harry Potter movie is the best, I am reminded why this evening is so bittersweet for me. My best friend in Anytown is moving this weekend, and I really don't know what I will do with out her. I will call her Sunshine, because that, in fact, is what she is. It is hard for me to put into words what an amazing person Sunshine is because there are not enough beautiful adjectives to describe her. She is kind, warm, bubbly, funny, generous and has a wonderful spirit that lights up a room.
I met Sunshine a few months after moving to Anytown. I had no friends yet and was struggling through a decision about what preschool class Primo should be put into. Should he be the youngest in the class or the oldest? Will he feel insecure about being the smallest boy or relish in being the biggest? While all these little things seem insignificant now, they were big decisions that were weighing heavily on me at the time.
I was coming out of a New Families meeting at the school when Sunshine came up to me and introduced herself. The next thing I knew, I was in tears, crying on the shoulder of a total stranger over a child she had never even met. She gave me a hug and we talked for a while and she told me that everything would be alright. And she was right. As it turned out, her son was in Primo's class and is the same child that currently resides on my couch.
From that night on, Sunshine and I have been the best of friends. Friendships in your 30s and 40s are complicated. It's hard to get to know people on a more-than-acquaintance basis. I find that as I get older, it's the friends I have known that longest that mean the most to me. Don't get me wrong, I have some amazing friends here in Anytown, friends that I would do anything for and that I trust completely. But it is a rare and special occasion that you meet someone that is so genuinely kind and happy that she brings sunshine into every room she enters.
So as I sit here in front of the computer and type, it is with tears in my eyes and a very heavy heart. She has a new and exciting journey ahead of her. And while I know that I will always be part of her life, it is a journey that will be moving forward without me.
So just for tonight, I will shift my focus away from this weekends endeavors and let myself feel sad -- just for a little while.
Peace and love.
I met Sunshine a few months after moving to Anytown. I had no friends yet and was struggling through a decision about what preschool class Primo should be put into. Should he be the youngest in the class or the oldest? Will he feel insecure about being the smallest boy or relish in being the biggest? While all these little things seem insignificant now, they were big decisions that were weighing heavily on me at the time.
I was coming out of a New Families meeting at the school when Sunshine came up to me and introduced herself. The next thing I knew, I was in tears, crying on the shoulder of a total stranger over a child she had never even met. She gave me a hug and we talked for a while and she told me that everything would be alright. And she was right. As it turned out, her son was in Primo's class and is the same child that currently resides on my couch.
From that night on, Sunshine and I have been the best of friends. Friendships in your 30s and 40s are complicated. It's hard to get to know people on a more-than-acquaintance basis. I find that as I get older, it's the friends I have known that longest that mean the most to me. Don't get me wrong, I have some amazing friends here in Anytown, friends that I would do anything for and that I trust completely. But it is a rare and special occasion that you meet someone that is so genuinely kind and happy that she brings sunshine into every room she enters.
So as I sit here in front of the computer and type, it is with tears in my eyes and a very heavy heart. She has a new and exciting journey ahead of her. And while I know that I will always be part of her life, it is a journey that will be moving forward without me.
So just for tonight, I will shift my focus away from this weekends endeavors and let myself feel sad -- just for a little while.
Peace and love.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
I Confess...
...that I really know nothing about blogging. The only blog I read (religiously) is Perez Hilton. But please don't judge me based on that. In fact, please don't judge me at all.
Who am I? Well, from the outside, I guess I'm a pretty typical, suburban mom with two boys, I'll call Primo and Segundo (Big Night fans rejoice!), a husband, I'll call him Mr. X and two very loud crazy dogs. We live in Anytown, CT just outside of New York City. My mom likes to say our town reminds her of a Richard Scarry children's book, where everything in the town looks just so. The lawns perfectly manicured, the mail trucks at the post office all perfectly in a row and the people perfectly coiffed. I had never really thought about Anytown this way until she pointed it out. Now it's all I can think about when I see those mail trucks.
Life is good in Anytown, why wouldn't it be? Every Saturday morning in the Fall in Anytown, mobs of high-strung, type-A parents swarm the soccer fields with their Venti lattes and L.L. Bean fleeces yelling and cheering for little Johnny to make a goal. And yelling and screaming when he does not. Anytown is a sports town. And God help you if you don't have a child that likes to play sports (like I do). During the week in Anytown, the husbands leave to catch an early train to NYC and come home after the children are in bed. The wives (myself included) spend the morning getting the children ready for school, then leap in their cars like gazelles to head off to the gym. I forgot to mention, every woman in Anytown is skinny (but more on that another day). And me, being of Italian decent (huge gasp!) am on a constant mission to keep up with the "Skinny's". You might think that I don't like living in Anytown, I do...sort of. I am a City girl, I love, love, love New York City. I lived there for 11 years prior to having Primo. I'd move back in a heartbeat, but Mr. X thinks Anytown is a much better place to raise children. Oh, and one more thing...
I'M A VEGAN!
Now, let me just say, that I have only been vegan since January of this year. It all began with a three week cleanse that I did to detox from all the crap I had eaten over the holidays. I followed Kathy Freston's Quantum Wellness cleanse. And for three weeks I gave up caffeine, alcohol, sugar, gluten, dairy and meat. Cold turkey (no pun intended). For years I had been an on-again, off-again vegetarian, giving up meat for months, sometimes even years on end, only to go back to it eventually. But this time, something just clicked. Giving up all the things that had been slowly poisoning my body was a real life-changing experience. I also began reading all I could about the industrial farming system and the horrible lives these poor animals lead only to be tortured and inhumanely slaughtered so that we, as Americans can enjoy that Big Mac. And then I look at my sweet dogs, who feel pain like we do and I think to myself, I could never eat you. So why then would I eat another animal? It just all began to make a whole lot of sense.
I watched Michael Pollen's Food Inc. to learn about where our food really comes from and how each of us has a responsibility to ourselves, our families and our beautiful planet. I read Fast Food Nation, Eating Animals and the Omnivores Dilemma. I tried to watch the documentary Earthlings, but was too devastated by what I saw and could only get through 30 minutes of it.
All that said, I am not going to try and convince you to give up meat and dairy. It is a personal choice and I have no judgements. My family eats meat and dairy, Primo and Segundo can't get enough milk, we go through a gallon every few days. But perhaps, I may write something here that will get you thinking, even if for just a moment, about where your food comes from and what it may be doing to your body.
Now, for the real reason I have started this blog. This weekend I am going to try something I have never done before. I am going to try a juice fast. I need to detox my body from a gluttonous vacation and regain my focus on health and fitness that has been waning over the summer. We purchased a juicer over the weekend and we've already been experimenting with lots of delicious new juices. So we'll see how it goes. They say you shouldn't tell a lot of people that you are doing it, but I think if a lot of people know, it will help me keep my focus. We'll see. Maybe I won't even last a day. Maybe I'll be so grumpy and irritable that Primo and Segundo will run screaming from the house. Maybe I'll faint in my Sunday morning yoga class. But maybe, just maybe I will be able to look inward and focus on the bigger picture of healing my body and clearing my mind. And maybe this journey will make me stronger, centered and more accepting. Maybe.
Who am I? Well, from the outside, I guess I'm a pretty typical, suburban mom with two boys, I'll call Primo and Segundo (Big Night fans rejoice!), a husband, I'll call him Mr. X and two very loud crazy dogs. We live in Anytown, CT just outside of New York City. My mom likes to say our town reminds her of a Richard Scarry children's book, where everything in the town looks just so. The lawns perfectly manicured, the mail trucks at the post office all perfectly in a row and the people perfectly coiffed. I had never really thought about Anytown this way until she pointed it out. Now it's all I can think about when I see those mail trucks.
Life is good in Anytown, why wouldn't it be? Every Saturday morning in the Fall in Anytown, mobs of high-strung, type-A parents swarm the soccer fields with their Venti lattes and L.L. Bean fleeces yelling and cheering for little Johnny to make a goal. And yelling and screaming when he does not. Anytown is a sports town. And God help you if you don't have a child that likes to play sports (like I do). During the week in Anytown, the husbands leave to catch an early train to NYC and come home after the children are in bed. The wives (myself included) spend the morning getting the children ready for school, then leap in their cars like gazelles to head off to the gym. I forgot to mention, every woman in Anytown is skinny (but more on that another day). And me, being of Italian decent (huge gasp!) am on a constant mission to keep up with the "Skinny's". You might think that I don't like living in Anytown, I do...sort of. I am a City girl, I love, love, love New York City. I lived there for 11 years prior to having Primo. I'd move back in a heartbeat, but Mr. X thinks Anytown is a much better place to raise children. Oh, and one more thing...
I'M A VEGAN!
Now, let me just say, that I have only been vegan since January of this year. It all began with a three week cleanse that I did to detox from all the crap I had eaten over the holidays. I followed Kathy Freston's Quantum Wellness cleanse. And for three weeks I gave up caffeine, alcohol, sugar, gluten, dairy and meat. Cold turkey (no pun intended). For years I had been an on-again, off-again vegetarian, giving up meat for months, sometimes even years on end, only to go back to it eventually. But this time, something just clicked. Giving up all the things that had been slowly poisoning my body was a real life-changing experience. I also began reading all I could about the industrial farming system and the horrible lives these poor animals lead only to be tortured and inhumanely slaughtered so that we, as Americans can enjoy that Big Mac. And then I look at my sweet dogs, who feel pain like we do and I think to myself, I could never eat you. So why then would I eat another animal? It just all began to make a whole lot of sense.
I watched Michael Pollen's Food Inc. to learn about where our food really comes from and how each of us has a responsibility to ourselves, our families and our beautiful planet. I read Fast Food Nation, Eating Animals and the Omnivores Dilemma. I tried to watch the documentary Earthlings, but was too devastated by what I saw and could only get through 30 minutes of it.
All that said, I am not going to try and convince you to give up meat and dairy. It is a personal choice and I have no judgements. My family eats meat and dairy, Primo and Segundo can't get enough milk, we go through a gallon every few days. But perhaps, I may write something here that will get you thinking, even if for just a moment, about where your food comes from and what it may be doing to your body.
Now, for the real reason I have started this blog. This weekend I am going to try something I have never done before. I am going to try a juice fast. I need to detox my body from a gluttonous vacation and regain my focus on health and fitness that has been waning over the summer. We purchased a juicer over the weekend and we've already been experimenting with lots of delicious new juices. So we'll see how it goes. They say you shouldn't tell a lot of people that you are doing it, but I think if a lot of people know, it will help me keep my focus. We'll see. Maybe I won't even last a day. Maybe I'll be so grumpy and irritable that Primo and Segundo will run screaming from the house. Maybe I'll faint in my Sunday morning yoga class. But maybe, just maybe I will be able to look inward and focus on the bigger picture of healing my body and clearing my mind. And maybe this journey will make me stronger, centered and more accepting. Maybe.
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