Vegmom Moments

Home Cooking Or Something Like That

When the husband and I got married, we had $400 to our name.  Our salaries combined were enough to support $240 rent in a one bedroom shack.  (I have the roach memories to prove it)   

Eating out at a real restaurant was a treat and we would make up excuses to do so.  I remember having a 2yr 4 month anniversary dinner as an excuse to go to our favorite restaurant.

Fast forward 20 Years, and we go out way too often.  

Yes, I make a lot of food at home.  Yes, our kitchen is always stocked with real whole organic foods, And Yes, I experiment a lot as seen on this blog, and always have fruity/veggie snacks at the ready, but certainly not all meals 7 days a week are made in my kitchen.

Now with our Finances getting ready to change in a big way, I have decided to start practicing Home Cooking more often. (or home preparing, since I don't always "cook" the food)   

We actually cooked/baked/prepared all meals and snacks 6 days out of this week.  BUT, what made my whole week of kitchen'ing worth while is that the Vegkid would NOT go out with his Dad last night knowing that I had his favorite soup waiting for him. (Dad was not as thrilled)

Needless to say, my trial of spending time in the kitchen went well.   I even created single serve gluten free, vegan cookies.  It was a good food week!    I'm thinking when the wallet strings are officially tied that we will survive the kitchen shock!  

{don't worry NeeNee, this doesn't include vacation weeks *wink*}

As for my trial of sleeping... Well that is another story.

To be continued....

 

Who Needs a Weather Station?

Vegkid loves loves loves his Weather station, but who needs one of those when you have this:

Yup, flip my head down, look in the mirror, and you can see very quickly that the humidity is at least 65% and rain is going to happen.

If the humidity is low on a crispy winter day, that mess would actually be perfectly straight and flat.

Sometimes, it is a little of both when undecided...

And that my friends is why I never leave home without a pony tail or clip.   In case you were wondering!

 

 

Good Bye 2011 - Hello 2012

Hubs and I sat down last night to put all our memories from 2011 in to our little book.  We basically write down everything that comes to mind from the year prior.  For some reason it was hard to remember EVERYTHING.  Thanks to this blog and my Family picture blog, I was able to piece together all the interesting events.

A lot of business travel, personal travel, several family trips to Michigan, an Awesome Florida trip where Dolphins and space shuttles were involved, An Amazing South Carolina trip where Dolphins, forts and long sandy walks were involved.  Veg learned how to swim this year.  We had several visitors at the homestead. Saw a light house, a great lake, went to Airforce Museum, Mountains, Chess club and sporting events.  We grew lots in the garden, enjoyed the Farmers market, started Juicing, and So much more!

2011 was a Great Year!!!

We drank lots of these:

And these:

Lots of NeeNee Soup:

Lots of Raw Vegan Goodness:

This one is Bananas, Pomegranate and Pecans with Macadamia Cream sauce:

First Persimmon Try:

Raw Vegan Creamy Kale Salad:

Raw Vegan Baklava:

Developed a love for Cauliflower:

I completed my First and Last Full Marathon... 

I simplified more in 2011, Made a lot more home body care products, Started my 10 Minute rule (breaking tasks in to 10 minutes so they don't seem so daunting).  I also began being happy about what I have accomplished vs. what I still have left to do.

At the end of 2011, my Accomplishments were many!! Both in the house and out of the house.  Both mentally and physically.. I even enjoyed crafts again as I prepared my self for 2012.  

Prepared myself Mentally that is!!  2012 is going to be another Big year.  I can feel it.

To start with, my Nutrition Classes will officially begin, and I'm super excited about that.  I'm going to complete another 1/2 Marathon (if my hormones cooperate that is).  But this time, I'm going to drop at least 15 minutes off my time.  I'm going to focus on myself a little more, find MY HAPPY, while being the best parent and wife I can be.  Most importantly, I'm taking back control of my happy!  The moods of others should not dictate my own.

Yesterday I got out for the first 1/2 Marathon training day of 2012.   For not running much the past few months, I was impressed with my Body's ability to jump back in.  I went a total of 4.5 miles with the first 3 running non-stop with no pain.  Powered by Greens!!!

My rest days for this 1/2 marathon training will be different! I'll be including some strength training and muscle stretching to the mix.  If I want a different result, then I must do different actions.  2012 is the year for Different and for finding my Happy!

Bring it on 2012... This will be the best year ever and I'm ready!!!!

 

Small Hiatus

Quickie, last minute, unplanned, road trip.....  Will post if I can, otherwise I'll see you again next year! 

Happy Happy Last Week of 2011

Pick Up a Nail Save a Tire

Every time I go for a run or walk where this is any stretch of road or side street, nails find me.  I don't mean to say that I find them, because I don't. 

I don't look for them, I don't search out nails, and yet they find me.  A couple years ago, when I found one, I'd pick it up and bring it home to be disposed of properly.  Being that I make up songs in my head, I would quietly sing..

"Pick up a nail save a tire"

If I see a nail in front of me and walk past it, I'm drawn to go back and get it.  I PHYSICALLY can't NOT leave a nail where it lies.  In my mind, I think of the tire that could be ruined because of that nail, the landfill that will rise because of that tire, and the family that could be stranded on the side of the road for Christmas.

I think about the Cost that a family could endure to replace the tire when they may not have the funds, or the Bike rider that has to walk the rest of the way home because their tire is ruined, or the little child that could find the nail and hurt themselves, or dog that could jet out in to the road and take the nail in his paw, or Squirrel or chipmunk, OH, you get the idea!!!

Time and time again, I pick up those stinkin nails and carry them home.  I do not know where they come from, sometimes I think there is a Nail fairy that drops them in the middle of a street then sits back to laugh at me when I stop my run mid-stride to grab it.

Sometimes I think that I'm walking/running on that road at that exact moment to be the person that finds the nail to help a family from dismay.  But regardless of the thoughts in my head, I stop, EVERY SINGLE TIME!!

Fast forward to today:

I was running along my merrily way, jogging off some steam, minding my own business, when I saw a rusty nail under my foot.  

"NO" I said... You are not stopping.. I yelled at myself.. "Don't Do it.. just keep running just keep running"

I was determined to put the nail out of my head and keep with my stride for the first time in several years, I was NOT going to stop.  No rusty nails in the palm of my hand...Then the thoughts, the nagging feelings, I couldn't take it.  Guilt started to set in.

IT IS CHRISTMAS EVE of all days... I had to do the right thing, what was I thinking??? 

So I went back to get the nail, when I realized it had multiplied.

There beside Mr. Rusty Nail was his Friend, Rusty Nail #2.. And in front of Rusty Nail #2..   A few more steps I found screw/nail #3 and while taking off, I found two more at the end of the road.

Now my stride was totally blown, there would be no more running, because I couldn't let these guys poke me.  Rusty nails and pokes are probably a bad thing!

So I walked the rest of the way home caring my bounty safely, humming that little song in my head.. "Pick up a Nail, Save a Tire, Pick up a Nail, Save a Tire"

I decided since we are so close to the New year, I would put these guys in a jar, and start a collection.

Lets see how many nails I find (that find me) in 2012!!

Pick up a Nail, Save a Tire!  It could be a campaign??  

Does anyone else find nails when walking, or does the Nail fairy only strike my noggin?

 

That Time of Year Again

It is that time of year again, when visions of Sugar Plums start dancing, bells start jingling, people start caroling and my husband starts saying things like this:

"Were not really getting each other anything this year, right?" (Translation - I got you nothing, have no plans to do so and really hope you didn't get me anything so I don't look like an idiot)

Then this:

"Even if I were going to get you something, you already have everything you want, right?" (Translation -  after 20years of marriage I still have no clue what to get you)

And my Favorite:

"I tried to find you something at Target, but they don't carry it.  Can you just go on Amazon and order yourself one"  (no translation needed)

In case you were wondering, OF Course I got him something, My Goodness!!   One of these years, I'm really not going to.  Yup, you mark my words.  

And by the way, Who really has visions of Sugar Plums Dancing?  I'm just sayin!

 

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 12 The End!

While the 12 Days of Changes have reached their 12th day, I don't consider this the end.  I have learned so much about myself the past couple weeks.  When you take time to look at what you don't like, it provides the opportunity to change.  When you take the opportunity to look at what you do like, it provides the opportunity to do more of it.

Several things I chose to change for a day, will become long term objectives.  Some may fall off, but what I learned most of all is that every day is a new beginning.  And if I didn't like something the day before, it is up to me to change it.  

Recap of the last 11 days:

1. No Coffee For A Day - This one only lasted a DAY (but hey I met the challenge right?)
2. Fire Safety - This one is ongoing.  I still need to find a place to put second fire extinguisher & think more about document storage
3. Exercise -  This is still a struggle because of less day light.   But that day of getting out made me want to do more.  So tomorrow I'll be going for another run.  And hopefully several days a week going forward.
4. Crafting - Challenging myself to easy crafting, was so much fun, that I made a few more cards.  Including a Birthday Card for Hubby.  I hope this trend continues.
5. Being responsible for my own Moods - This one is really great.  Day 5 Helped me to rethink who makes me happy.  The fact is - Its Me!!  I can make myself happy or make myself gloomy.  The moods of others should not affect my own.  Period!!  And I have since found that to be useful the past couple of days.
6. Being Conscious of my words -  Woah!  This one is hard.  I'm not talking about being mean with my words or anything, just watching what I say and remembering that silence can be better sometimes. (yes really really really hard for me)  <no comment mother>
7. Not arguing with the child - This one came in quite handy today actually.  Having that reminder by doing this challenge was a great help.   Amazing how often they try to push your buttons.  Even the best of children.
8. Reusable Bags - My plan was to immediately put the bags in the car.  But I went to sleep instead.  I MUST do this before heading to the store tomorrow. (update, I remembered them before heading to the store)
9. Sleep a full 8 hrs. - This is the only one from that challenge that did NOT happen.  Not sure who (canine or human) but someone had me up at 5am.  Always another day to try though, I won't give up trying for this one.
10. Trying new Raw Foods Again - This is one of my favorite things to do.  While there is not a 100% raw food diet in my near future, I do LOVE trying new raw foods.  The more I try, the more I can incorporate, the better I feel and the easier eating this way becomes.  A work in progress, for certain.  I tried 3 new things this week... OH MY YUM!
11. Coupons - I have to stop getting mad at myself for forgetting the coupons and just start taking them.  Goodness!  It paid off this week, and I hope to remember each week from now on.

NOW for #12 The Grand Finale -------  This one is a Doozy and goes closely with #5...  I can't believe I'm actually typing it.. but here it goes:

Thinking of the Positive in every situation, even when people are being negative around me.  Tonight, I almost caught myself engaging in a conversation with someone that was being negative toward me.  

Something in that moment struck me loud and clear.  "Be positive even when they are not"

I quickly ended my portion of the conversation, went on with my chores after a long days work, then broke out in song!

My song went like this, as I was doing laundry, making dinner and cleaning up the kitchen:

(yes, I made this song up, I know you can't tell by looking at it) hahaha!

"Think-ing of the pos-i-tive, Think-ing of the pos-i-tive - I have Dishes to clean - food to cook, laundry to wash and a happy outlook.  Mouths to feed, safe and sound, no one can say anything to get me Down"

Then I would dance around with my Thinking of the Positive chorus!  It was a site I tell you!

Mr. Negative Pants, gave me the rolled eyes look and said "What are you doing?"  As I shimmied across the kitchen singing my song, exercising and cleaning.... I looked right back at him to answer his question with this:

"I'm Thinking of the Positive of course"  And continued with my song.

He shook his head and went down stairs.  Guess he just couldn't join me!  And you know what?  That is OK!

I'm realizing more and more, that I have to make my own happy.  If people want to join me, all the better.  If not, I can't let them get me down.  By Golly By Gosh, I have too much to be happy about!

Now Join me.... 

Thinking of the Positive, Thinking of the Positive......

*Smile*  

Do you let other people get you down?

 

 

12 Days of Changes - Recap & Day 9

This 12 Days of changes has been quite fun.  Forcing me each day to think of one thing I would do different from the day before.  I'm planning that 2012 will be the year for taking control of my own happiness.  I can't change people, I can only change myself.  

Ending 2011 with figuring out how I do that has been an enjoyable challenge.  12 Days of finding my best me.  I know it sounds corny, but If I can't change from something I learned the day before, then I didn't learn anything at all!

I hear the saying all the time that people aren't perfect.   And while that is super true, I feel that we each have it in us to do better.  And if we don't at least try, then saying we aren't perfect becomes an excuse instead of a motivator.  

I'll choose the Motivator!   So here is where I stand with the last 8 days of this challenge:

Recap of the last 8 days:

1. No Coffee For A Day - This one only lasted a DAY (but hey I met the challenge right?)
2. Fire Safety - This one is ongoing.  I still need to find a place to put second fire extinguisher & think more about document storage
3. Exercise -  This is still a struggle because of less day light.   But that day of getting out made me want to do more.  So tomorrow I'll be going for another run.  And hopefully several days a week going forward.
4. Crafting - Challenging myself to easy crafting, was so much fun, that I made a few more cards.  Including a Birthday Card for Hubby.  I hope this trend continues.
5. Being responsible for my own Moods - This one is really great.  Day 5 Helped me to rethink who makes me happy.  The fact is - Its Me!!  I can make myself happy or make myself gloomy.  The moods of others should not affect my own.  Period!!  And I have since found that to be useful the past couple of days.
6. Being Conscious of my words -  Woah!  This one is hard.  I'm not talking about being mean with my words or anything, just watching what I say and remembering that silence can be better sometimes. (yes really really really hard for me)  <no comment mother>
7. Not arguing with the child - This one came in quite handy today actually.  Having that reminder by doing this challenge was a great help.   Amazing how often they try to push your buttons.  Even the best of children.
8. Reusable Bags - My plan was to immediately put the bags in the car.  But I went to sleep instead.  I MUST do this before heading to the store tomorrow.

 

And now for #9:

SLEEP.... my Change for today, will be trying for a full 8hrs of sleep!   CAN SHE DO IT???

12 Days of Changes - Day 8

This one will be quick...

I forgot to put my reusable bags back in the car and had to use Paper at the store...  so my mission to improve today was to put all my bags BACK in the car!!   I have a TON of bags.  I get them from festivals, and when I travel I pick up new ones at each new health store that I try.  So my stash has grown.

Which makes it very silly when I don't have one with me.

Paper, Plastic, No Thank You!!

My favorite bags lately are the Reusable Chico Bags.   They are easy to store, hold a lot, durable, washable, and when I don't want them for groceries any more, they make great camping/swimming/shoe/travel/dirty clothes bags for the kiddo.

But These Organic Cotton Bags look really cool too...  I may have to try them when a re-stock is necessary.  

Which won't be for a VERY long time, as long as I remember to USE what I have that is!

12 Days of Changes - Day 7

Yesterday I mentioned trying to do better at being conscious of what I say before I say it.  And today I did a lot better at that.  

So my Change for Day 7 is to take that one step further.  I plan NOT to argue with my 8 Yr Old.  

You see, he can be the sweetest, kindest most intense little person I have EVER met.  And yet he can be equally as stubborn and challenging and argumentative.   (not sure WHERE he gets that from)

Yes Mom, I know.. Paybacks!!!

But what I have learned lately by reading about parenting smarty pants kids and  watching he and his father argue until they don't even remember what they are arguing about, is that I don't need to engage in that behavior.

WHY in the world would I argue with an 8 Year Old?  Hellloooo!   While I DO listen to the child, allow his opinions to be heard and his choices to be his own.  I will not engage in an argument with him.

At least for this Day 7 Challenge... I'll keep you posted!  *wink*

PS, if you want to track the 12 Days of changes, you can find the last 6 days here!

 

Happy To Clean

Something about seeing men walk around downtown Friday with their only possessions in a Garbage bag, and watching someones house burn to the ground recently, makes me extra happy to be cleaning mine today.  

Having a home to clean is a blessing, no more complaining about that!!

Just Sayin!!

 

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 4

I used to enjoy crafting.  It was my outlet, my peace among chaos, my joy among loneliness and a time to reflect.  By working on a Scrapbook Page, I was reliving the events of those pictures.

But not just scrapbooks, looking back I did a WHOLE lot of crafting.  From Cross Stitch to painting to Silly stuff with my kiddo but at some point, lugging everything out became a chore.

I don't know when it happened really.   But one day.. It had to be just one, because I don't remember multiple days.. but one day, I just stopped.  

Until my Change for Today....  I realized that I don't have to sit for 6hrs through the night when everyone is sleeping just to work on crafts.  Or that I have to to do everything from scratch or make things complicated.  I realized it doesn't have to be a chore.  I could make crafting fun again.

Then I made a stop in to Hobby Lobby for a couple of supplies... WOAH!!  Big Mistake.. I didn't even know where to begin.  I saw sooooo much stuff.  But I kept my purchasing simple.  Things that would make my crafting life easier.

Like THIS 12x12 Calendar Kit for a certain someone that gets a calendar each year.

It has all the colors I love, themes I could relate too, and absolutely EVERYTHING you could possibly need to complete the calendar all in one handy package.  (except family pictures of course)

So my Change for Day 4 is to do something Crafty.    No more wishing I did, but actually DOING it!

As for the other Changes...so far:

Day 1 = Avoid coffee for a day (done)

Day 2 = Check house for Fire Safety (done)

Day 3 = Exercise (done)

This is kind of fun.. I should make this longer than 12 days.  Heck, it could be 365 days.   Who doesn't find one thing each day they want to do different or more of.  That is what Growth is all about, right?

It all comes down to this...

If you don't do something about it, then you got nothing to complain about!  (or so that is what I tell myself when i'm complaining)

 **Update**  I made some cards.. lots of cards.. crafting bug is back!!

Aren't these guys cute:

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 2

This one is a little more serious!  And something I hope everyone will think about!!!

I had the opportunity to talk to someone today after they just lost their home, pets and vehicle in a fire.   The more I listened, the more I thought of our own situation and became a little freaked out.  His second floor began to cave in before the fire alarms went off upstairs.  And he didn't have a fire extinguisher to stop that initial spark.  They got out by jumping and because they were awake they knew what had to be done.  But had it happened an hour later while they were sleeping, the outcome would have been much different.

So I immediately started thinking:

• Do our Fire Extinguishers work?  Do we know where they are?  Do we still have any?   Are they placed Strategically?
• Could we get out of the house if we were in the room with no windows?
• If we are upstairs and sleeping, could we hear the fire alarms in the basement in time to get out before the floor caves in?
• Do we know whats in our wallets if we had to replace them?
• Does our safety box have everything it needs in it to be able to rebuild our lives and restore our identity?

To think that in a flash, you could have no Drivers License, Debit card, bank card, insurance cards, birth certificates, social security cards... No Identity at all.  Not to mention the loss of all personal belongings, pictures and a roof over your head.

So I panicked and decided my Change for the day will be to not Panic.  Find comfort that I have protected us the best I can and the rest is not up to me.  

Make sure we have a fire plan!

I forced Hubs to humor me, and we tested the garage fire alarms.  (they are place by vents so we will hear them upstairs)

We checked the Fire Extinguishers, and they are Good!  But discovered we had two, and they were both in the same cabinet... Not so Strategically placed.  One of them will be moved.

We have 2 Fire ladders that ARE strategically placed so we could get out of a second story window and hopefully not break any body parts.

Then the Husband gave me a lesson on the fire extinguishers from his Navy Fire Learning Days.  How to use them and which to use when.  They are different ya no!!   We talked about what to do if the curtains caught fire from a spark vs. the stove catching fire while cooking.  I think I understand.. just hope I never have to find out if I understood correctly!

Lastly, I've updated the documents for our safety box to make me feel a little better. 

I'm not sure you can ever be truly prepared or know how you would react in a situation where you look up to find flames all around.   And I'm sure if that ever happened to me, I would still panic.

But at least I know the fire alarms would wake me up, the ladders could help us down, and a fire extinguisher could put out something small before it got to that point.

What about you?  Do you have a fire plan, working alarms and extinguishers?  Do your kids know where to go and what to do if they had to escape?

-----NeeNee, I'm pointing my finger at you right now-----

That is my Day 2 Change... feel comfortable with the resources I have in the house for emergencies, and if I don't have the right ones, GET THEM!!!

Anyone need to join me for this one?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 1

I'm one of those people that think Guilt is a horrible emotion.  If you did something you didn't like, then change it.  Don't feel guilty about it.  Either own it and let it be OK, Learn from it and move on, or Do something about it!

My Mom's words have been in my head since I was a teen to help me gauge this guilt factor..

She'd say, "If you think you will feel guilty after doing something, then don't do it"  those words have been my moral compass ever since.

That's not to say I don't mess up, because Lord knows I do.  But if I don't learn from my mess ups, then shame on me!

Each day there are little things that I think I could do better!

So I thought it would be fun to document my not so good decisions and force myself to think about them, to make a change.  This new series of posts is called 12 Days of Changes.  

For the next 12 Days, I'm going to pick one thing from the day before that I want to change.

That's not to say that these changes will last forever, but if I change even ONE day, then I have learned something from the day before.   So I'm going to try it and see what I learn at the end of 12 days!

Today I had two frozen coffee drinks which is very rare for me.   My taste and tired buds were pounding at me and my car was near a Starbucks twice, so I did it!  

But then reality struck and I thought, I spent $8 on Coffee today when I have a Vitamix at home!  HELLO!!! I used Two Plastic Cups and Two plastic straws when I have GLASS at home!!!  Not to mention two doses of caffeine, sugar crash and caffeine jitters. 

Instead of getting mad at myself for a poor choice, I'm just going to change it!  

12 Days of Changes DAY 1

Tomorrow, my 1st day of Change will be NO COFFEE!

Sorry frozen goodness, but I must say good bye for now!

Question:  

If you were to make a change from today, what would it be?

My Dog Wants to Blog

I came out of the shower to find Spunk curled up with the Mac.

Thinking he was going to type up a blog post but didn't know my password:

New Running Shoes and a Group Run

It is very rare when I find a new model of a running shoe that is better than the year before.  In fact, I get quite annoyed at this fact.

Find a shoe, it is good to you, carries you a couple hundred miles, you become one with the shoe... Then it shreds its tread and time for another.  Go back hoping for the same exact shoe and they've CHANGED it!

Perfectly good the way they are, WHY do they always have to change them??   The last year model made me very unhappy.  Unfortunately my feet don't like other brands either.  So I suffered through until the tread was gone, then looked for another pair and hoped for the best.

This year's model fit great in all the best places.  I was sooo impressed!!!   It is the first time that a newer model worked better for me and I wanted to buy 10 of them.

After I left the store, a newsletter found its way to my inbox about a Group run this morning.  I didn't know the people, the distance, the time, or anything about this little group run, but I knew that I was ready to step out of my shell and try something different.

Maybe meet people, try to socialize, have people to run with, and see how I do...  Well, I went this morning and had a great time.  

A little awkward at first, walking up to 25+ people and not knowing any of them.  So I decided to keep up with the second group.  The fast runners zipped ahead, and there was one group behind them.  I went with THAT group.  Being that I haven't run more then 2 miles in many months, there was no telling what I was in for.  Especially since no one told us how far we were going.   Could have been 6 or 8 for all I knew.

Turns out the group I decided to keep up with were runner/walkers.. They did 3-1 intervals with an average of 12 minute miles (including the walking) and I thought "I can totally do that!"  Of course I didn't know that when I stayed pace with them, but realized their method was kind of fun.

And the walking minutes, allowed everyone a chance to talk and catch breath.  There was another group about a mile behind us, and I thought "Worse case scenario, I will fall back and hang with them"

But it turned out, we only went 3.1 miles total, and I kept pace with no trouble.  Even stopped at a couple red lights, and stopped for one person to stretch, but still averaged the 12minute miles.  Eventually, I ended up next to a Mom of 2.  her younger son (a teen) sounded a lot like my Vegman, so it was fun chatting with her.

Everyone was warm and welcoming and supportive no matter your level or age. They are all training for different level races and at different age groups.  Some of them were at least my Mom's Age (YES THEY WERE) and just finished a 1/2 marathon now training for a full.   So inspiring.

I told one of them that people think I'm crazy for trying to distance run and I can't get anyone to go with me.  She said "We are a group of crazies here, so you'll fit right in"  Awesome!!   *smile*

Lessons Learned:

• My new shoes are AMAZING!!
• The Group runs are Pretty AMAZING!!
• I can complete 3.1 miles even if I haven't tried in a while
• Running first thing in the morning, sets pace for the whole day.. LOVE IT!
• I can chat with strangers, hold a conversation, even shake hands with people and not turn in to a lump of coal

I will say that I did NOT stay for breakfast and left as soon as the run was over... Baby Steps..

But am bummed that Saturday is not their normal run day, so I likely won't get to meet them again as they normally go week days.  But I will look for those newsletters just in case.

Did I mention this has been a pretty good weekend??  

Amazon Black Friday Deals

Check it out... Black friday from the comfort of your own home and its not even Friday yet!

 

 

And speaking of sales, the Breville Juice Fountain I have is on sale again too:

Do you brave the crowds for Black Friday?

 

Reorganizing my Days

Hi There, I'm still here Mom... don't panic, don't sound the alarms... everything is OK!!

As part of keeping my sanity  and giving myself a break, I've been trying to reorganize my time.

Sadly, Exercise and Blogging has been hit hardest by this change.  

BUT things are going well.  I'm intentionally making dinner each night, then sitting down with the Vegkid and having some good chats.  We have played countless rounds of board games, and he is mastering Chess on the computer.    

I've enjoyed some old movies via Netflix.

I've been doing at least One house thing each day after work, so I don't get so overwhelmed come the weekend.  

Getting really caught up on work too, so I can take a few days off next week and not come back to a mess.

I have much of my Christmas Shopping done (Veg's stuff is All done).

Oh, and I found out there is a Legoland in Florida, how cool is that?  I feel a quick trip being planned!

Also been looking hard for a brainiac group activity for the Veg kid to take part in.  If anyone has suggestions please send...  

Most importantly, I'm getting to bed earlier, and even more importantly, I'm spending time with my skin!  Yes, I said spending time with my skin.

It is very happy with me right now... just Sayin!  Both Face and Body care has made me feel so much better.

Here is another great recipe from Gorgeously Green and sooo easy:

Moisturizing Hand Scrub

I've been using that every day this week when I get home from the office to get rid of all the germies and grime.  But I can't believe how moisturizing it is.  Even with all the hand washing during the day, my skin still feels soft.  I'm thinking sweet almond oil is my friend!

She uses lavender for this one, and I'm not a fan of the floral scents (nor the sneezes that come with them)  So I used Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oils.

I'm hoping to get exercise back in to the fold as I need that and starting to miss it.. But I think my body asked for a break too.  So I listened!  

If we can't listen to ourselves, who can we listen to?

As for Blogging... You can see by this not very exciting post that I'm still here...  I also like to check in often on Twitter @Vegmom1.  

Oh Oh Oh, AND, I spoke with a couple people this week that are eliminating meat from their diets at least temporarily so that is exciting.

But I also found out that Veg's School is going to have a Vegetarian and mostly Gluten Free Thanksgiving meal this year!  How absolutely awesome is THAT?  I'm sure those Turkey's will be very thankful *wink*

As for me?  My Tummy has been very happy with me the past few days!  I think I have found the perfect ratio of cooked legumes, oats, veggies to Raw nuts, seeds, fruit and veggies.   Maintaining will be key!

Guess I better call it a night or I'll turn in to a Pumpkin..  I'll post more soon!

Good Night Moon!

 

 

 

 

 

11.11.11 at 11:11 Updated

Note to self, a phone picture of a phone is a bad idea!

But you get the gist!

A phone picture with a Camera... Much better idea:

How cool is this???

Yeah, I'm humored easily!!

Happy 11.11.11 Day

And don't forget to thank A Veteran, it's that day too.  Of course every day, we should thank our Veterans!

THANK YOU VETERANS and FAMILIES OF VETERANS!!!

 

 

 

Forks Over Knives Shirt - I will Never be a Model

Last week I purchased Shirts from the Forks Over Knives website.  Before the week was over, the shirts were in my mailbox.

Being that I am not a patient person, seeing the envelope so fast made me quite happy!

Of course I have to wash everything first, and hung one of them to dry... Today was the day, I got to wear my new long sleeve tshirt.  And it has a pocket... Love Love Love this shirt!!

So I told Vegkid to take a picture of me wearing the shirt... I wanted to post here and show you the pocket...

Normally he is great at taking pictures.  I didn't think to check them until getting home to complete this blog post.  Ummm, lets just say, not so great!!!

I'm not sure if he was uber excited to get to school, or if he was dancing around waiting to use the bathroom, but every one of them came out like this:

See the hands in pocket... hahaha

------insert peripheral message <ignore the thighs... ignore the thighs...ignore the thighs>-----

Ah Well, you get the idea... The shirt is black long sleeve, soft cotton, with a hands warming pocket in the front.  

Now, I must say they are made for Skinny Whinnies of which I am not!  So they run really small for people like me.  If you buy one, keep that in mind.

But make sure you check out their site if you want to see what real models wearing them look like, with a camera man that isn't doing the pee pee dance!

Forks Over Knives

So, the coolest part of wearing this today... I had one person, ask me about it that decided to watch the movie after talking to me.  

And a stranger commented on how cool the shirt was while I was leaving a restaurant as they had already seen the movie. 

Maybe I should just buy one for every day of the week...  Who knows the conversations that I could have! 

*smile*

 

What Kids Can Teach Us

I heard a little kid come off the soccer field saying with excitement:

"Mom mom mom, we won we won, it was zero to zero"

The Mom says, "you didn't win honey, it was a tie"

And the boy replied: "Ties mean everyone wins mom" And he continued his chant.. "We won we won we won, everybody won!"

I just LOVED that... Instead of saying nobody won, he felt that everybody won.  What a positive way to look at things.

Are you a glass half full or half empty kind of a person??  Or better yet, which would you LIKE to be :-)

States Game

Veg wanted to play games tonight, and we had to do something "educational" for his home learning after school.  So I grabbed some old United States flash cards and made up a game.

The cards went behind my back, I'd toss them to the front one at a time.   The first person to call out the state (from the picture) got to keep the card.  Person with the most cards wins.

Yeah well, he had 38 on the first round.  Who do you think won?  

He says "Mom, aren't you the adult here?  You should know more then I do"

Hmm, YES I SHOULD!

So then I did a web search looking for United States Quiz Games.  We found one that gave one shot to guess all the states with a % score at the end.  Kid got 98% only missed one on his first try.   

Of course he had to play again because he wouldn't settle for missing one, and got 100% on that try.

Needless to say, we had fun, but I won't try to compete using States against this child ever again.  Maybe tomorrow we will try Capitals, or Mountain ranges...  Ha, never mind, I don't know any of those either.

Suggestions?  *smile*

 

You know your a Redneck When...

Your listening to Jeff Foxworthy on Serious XM Radio and your son says from the back seat:

"Hey, That sounds like my Dad, but his neck isn't red"

Just sayin!

 

Good Night Sun

What a pretty ride home today:

 

Camp to Hotel

I went from this:

To This:

In One Day!!!

Which do YOU think I like better?  Sorry for being so spoiled rotten, but I am!   And not afraid to say so.

Tomorrow we make the rest of our journey home!   What a crazy couple weeks...

And I mean CRAZY!    

 

Vegmom Goes to Camp

Let me start this post by saying, I AM THAT kid that did not like going to camp.

They say that you have treasured life changing experiences at those childhood camps.  Ummmm NO!

I HATED CAMP... I don't use that word often but I really really really HATED camp.   The only thing life changing is that I learned I would never go back!!  What did my Mom do? 

SEND ME BACK THE NEXT YEAR!!!  Now, I don't blame my Mom as she had to do what a single mom had to do.  Back in those days, sending your kid to sleep over camp was a guaranteed baby sitter when Mom had to work.

But fast forward 27 years and guess what... I STILL HATE CAMP!!!  And I know this as I sit in a Bunk Bed in a cabin in the woods in the boonies, with bugs, creaky doors, spider webs, shared bathrooms, storms and people chatting near me..

Did I mention, buffet style food, people standing on my head (don't ask) and space bubble invasions by the country loads.

WHY am I at camp, you may ask?  Because there is a work thing, and I didn't have a choice.  I'm supposed to learn something here before it is all over.

I can tell you that I will definitely learn lots, but one thing I have already learned after 12hrs...

I STILL HATE CAMP!!!   

Can someone please send me a hotel room that contains my comfort zone, with a bed bigger than my pillow, some food that no one else has touched, a bathroom with a real locking door that no one else is currently using and a giant non-invading space bubble.

K- Thanks!

 

 

 

Stranger Things Have Happened?

A totally random post for this Wednesday!!!

--------------

Most Sundays, I prep salads for the week, this Sunday was no different.  

But most weeks those salads become mine for lunches because Hubby says the guys will Tease him if he shows up with salads.

WELL, this week he grabbed a salad.. WHY?  You ask?  Because everything else he takes already has them calling him a health nut, and apparently as of this week he is officially the Site Health Nut!  

Thinking I have done my job, when the Hubs is labeled a health nut! <she says with a humble grin>

So now he takes salads.  Stranger things have happened!

-------------------

Tomorrow the Vegkid has a presentation at school and he needs an outfit that represents Ben Franklin...

In his picture, Ben Franklin has a Ruffle thing under his coat on his chest.  I'm not going to purchase a ruffle shirt just for one presentation.. and the Kid was NOT happy with me about that!  Call me a Bad Mom!    Ok, not just yet!!  

I decided to grab an old T-Shirt, cut around the collar, so the collar will fit over the character's head.    Then use the rest of the T-Shirt to bunch up all ruffled and put the jacket over to cover up the sides of the T-Shirt. 

It worked..(look for picture soon)  Took Only Scissors, an Old rag and 3 minutes, to make the perfect Ruffle thing for our Fake Ben Franklin.  Not so bad if I do say so myself!

Vegkid says "Wow, you are a Crafty Lady, aren't you?"

Hey Mikey, He likes it!!

----------------------

I hear all the time in Blog Land about Chia seeds and how great they are for us.  Antioxidants, Protein, Fiber, Omegas, etc. Full of goodness, and filling and versatile.   Even my Friend got them after reading about their goodness in a book. 

So finally I purchased some... YUCK!  I mean, the texture alone was enough to make me gag.  When wet they get all slimy, and the taste... Ewww... I tried.  I really tried.  I really wanted to like them.   But just couldn't.  So they went on a shelf and sat there all by their lonesome.

Until Tonight:

I saw this post from Pure2Raw and realized I like Tahini... Hmm.. I have Chia Seeds, and I like Tahini.. why not?  I gave the Chia seeds one more try at life in my kitchen.

But made a single serving quick snack try from their recipe.  I only used 2 TBS of filtered water, 2 TBS of Chia Seed Mix, 1 tsp of Tahini, a Dash of maple syrup and a dash of Cinnamon.   Mix Mix Mix and sit for 10 minutes like they suggested!  Voila!

Chia Pudding, that I really really liked!!!  

Who would have thunk it?    This may now be the perfect go to snack or breakfast for this busy Mom.  I can even take it traveling and just add cold water plus toppings no matter where I am..  Sooo Excited!

Thanks Pure2Raw for another great Veghouse Try!

------------------

And that ends this very random post... OK one more... Can I just say that I really like my Juicer!

That is A LOT of juice!  Oh My YUM!

Good Night!!!  

So Much To Be Thankful For

Thank you Mr. WoodPecker for waking me up two mornings in a row, by pecking the paint off my house (directly over my bed).

Do we not have enough trees in the yard for you?

Thank you to my Tummy for tolerating Raw Green Goodness again... This Massaged Kale was quite tasty with dinner:

Thank you to Fall for officially being here, and bringing back the Honey Crisp Apple:

Thank you Eden Organic  for having BPA Free Cans of Garbanzo Beans:

And Thank you Happy Herbivore for the Hawaiian Chickpea Recipe that used up every bit of the goodness in that can!

Last but not Least.. Thank you to my collection of Glass storage that allows me to make a food tower like this for work tomorrow:

Apples, strawberries, hemp/oat/almond butter granola, Kale & HH Chickpeas

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

My First Autumn Leaf

The Air was crisp and cool today and the sky a little grey.  If felt like Fall, my favorite time of year.  So I was really excited when I came home to find a leaf of many colors.

 

Pink Skies at Night

Sometimes I love working late:

I get to ride off in to the sunset...