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« July 2010 | Main | September 2010 »
Look at my Yummy Lunch and Snacks from Monday:
Apple Chunks and Raw Pecans:
Brown Rice in the smaller container and EggPlant Jerky around the edges.
BokChoy and Romaine Salad with Apple Cider Vinegar based Dressing
All Packaged up and ready to go.... I do love my Tiffin:
I am a Puzzle snob. Yes, its true!.. Started at a young age when my Mom and I would go looking for puzzles. She would ONLY buy the best quality... Hubby gave me the label, but I'll where it proudly.
We didn't have lots of funds, but this is the one thing we did together and picking out puzzles with my Mom was the best shopping trip. We'd look for the prettiest, the biggest, the strangest...
BUT IT HAD TO BE THE Good Quality. As in, picking up a finished puzzle and it not falling apart kind of quality... I have been a Puzzle Snob ever since. The others just won't do....
Now that Hubby and Veg are on the Puzzle Train with me... we are finishing a puzzle a week... Seriously... 600 or 1000 to 1500 piece puzzles a week... Hubby said... NO MORE Expensive puzzles...
So he went off to discount store and brought home $5 puzzles.... I of course FROWNED upon the puzzles that fall apart 2 pieces at a time...The colors not so vibrant.... and well, yes... I whined!!
But we did a couple anyway:
And then...... THEN..it was my turn.. I got to pick a Puzzle!!
Look at those colors, look how pretty!!! I love Springbok puzzles.
I thought, surely it would take us a month to finish... the money would be worth the entertainment?
NOPE---- took ONE Week!
But, you know what they say? A family that Puzzle's together.....keeps husband away from video games.. (for a few minutes any way) *wink*
Now it is back to the $5 puzzles... they started a train today... *sigh*... But soon, soon, it will be my turn again...
And we are going for this 2000 piece bad whammer Jammer.... I can't wait! *smile*
Hello Sweet Honey Crisp Goodness.... Welcome Back!!! Where have you been all year??....
Crunch Crunch Crunch...... So very glad to see you back.... OH MY YUM!!
While, I try not to let things get to me, really really really I do... There are some days, where I wake up grumpy.. (specifically about once a month) and the smallest things really really really bother me...
Like today for example... Hubby spent almost $300 on the garden this week... Why? because I asked for a 4x4 raised bed... Could hubby give me a 4x4 raised bed??? NOOOO!
I got this:
$300 worth of lava rock, some wood and some dirt... Now this would all be well and fine, except you may notice the wood is not very high off the ground, and there fore, not very raised... But then he mixed the bad stuff in with the new stuff (instead of putting the new stuff on top ---- meaning raised)... and therefore my soil is not raised, and still not going to grow Diddly....
I discovered this while going out to plant my new seeds this morning, in hopes I would get a fall crop... I added some organic "nutrients" some Compost, and two more bags of left over dirt... HOPEFULLY something will grow...
But while getting the compost out of this thing:
That green Door slammed shut on my head.... I won't even tell you WHAT is on that green door (and my head).... <<<pause>>>now you may laugh... while I continue with my story....
OK, So I decided to make use of our deck pots and see if I can get any veggies to grow in them. Being they get full sun, MAYBE, I'll get something there... So I added nutrients, compost and soil.. along with some seeds..
Then watered!
All was right with the world, until my Dog decided that compost smelled quite tasty... And did THIS to my Basil.... It is the ONLY thing I have successfully grown for 5 months straight...And was my last pot...
So I had to take one of the other pots with new seeds, dump half in the big wood pot, and stick the basil in to the smaller one...
Which means I now have KNOW idea what seeds will be sprouting and where in the big pot....
Now it is evening, I've had two showers, still stink... one broken pot, $300 garden that merely looks pretty and will probably grow nothing but the Kabillion crickets that have found their way in to the rocks. One angry Husband for my opinions of the garden, a pouting dog for being fussed at, and a very Grumpy Gardening Vegmom!!
At least I still have a pretty Pepper almost ready to eat:
Disclaimer: Yes, I have a whole lot more to be thankful for, and nothing really to be grumpy about...I know this.. But I've been told by my walking friend today that I'm allowed to be grumpy once in a while... So There!
Mom, Do I have to get up???
We had Double Smoothie Days this week...
During the Smoothie Goodness, Hubby said "We need more of these straws".....
---OK--- Don't have to tell me twice...So there are a few more on order at Glass Dharma, and everyone is excited.
I got a few different lengths and diameters to accommodate all of us...
Now we have to wait for their arrival..... Come quick little Glass Straws.....
Since our Attempting a Garden hasn't done so well for about all of the following reasons:
Did I mention no green thumb...As in Nothing, Nada, Zilch!!......
Hubby has decided to try something new.. He built some boxes, very very very large boxes... His plan is to add some dirt... and hope we can grow something.
Here is his Handy Work (with compost mixed in and hay on top)... Oh and a couple carrots still attempting growth :
He still has to purchase the dirt...
Now the problem... Still very little direct sunlight. Hubby finally agreed, being that this picture was taken after noon, and still mostly shaded. I watched all day, and this area just gets very little sun.. Hubby pointed to the little circle by the carrots saying, "You'll just have to grow everything there, its had sun all day"
Gee, thanks Hubs!
Well, let me tell you... I found in my handy dandy little book that Kale can grow this time of year and doesn't require direct sun.... Hmmmm? I may just try!
But you know... Gotta give the guy credit for trying and not giving up... Next spring will be our 3rd attempt...
And you know what they say:
"3rd Time's a Charm"
The season is over for our favorite Farmer at the market.... This was my very last one....
And now it is all in my tummy!
Until Next year, my Watermelon Friend..........
My young one is having a lot of trouble getting his gigantic molars through his little face. They started about 2 years ago, and got stuck part way through. So they are now forcing the rest of their way in...
The dentist said "Now that looks really painful, if it hurts, you be sure to tell your Mom so she can give you medicine"
My Veg said all matter-of-factly... "We don't use medicine in our house, we use natural remedies" hee hee...
Those proud Vegmom Moments....
Anyway, I told him if they hurt, I had things to help him, but he didn't want any of those. And then yesterday, he looked so pitiful..... I stopped off at our local Health Food Store and found this:
I tried it on my self first.. It tastes like Spicy Pumpkin Pie... After a few moments I felt my lip a little tingly and sort of numb but not like the medicated kind of numb. Just a slight tingle. Then Veg was ready to try it....
When I first put it on, he said "Mmm, this smells good, but isn't doing anything for my toothache"
Then about 5 minutes in to our drive, I hear.. "WOW, Now its kicking" He ended up eating his dinner with out problems, going to sleep without it hurting, and waking up my happy boy!!
So I'm not sure I would use it on babies teething.. it is spicy to us, and a little strong... It more heats up to tingle and not cool down.. But for my Vegman, he LOVED IT!!
He's asked for it two more times since yesterday, and has had no pain today at all.
THANK YOU HERBS FOR KIDS.....
Veg made this Peanut Butter Banana "Dog" on a Spelt "Dog" Bun today.. We had to cut in half to fit, but you get the idea :-)
He also chose Grapes, Apple, Dried Cranberries and Pretzels.... to finish off his lunch...
I'm still feeling good about having him make lunches this year. Even though some nights, he doesn't want to do the task, I'm pleased that he pushes through and does it anyway...
Watching HIM choose what will go in his lunch just reinforces the healthy habits he has created. Sure he picked 4 fruits and no veggies, but he also has grains and peanut butter... Had Green Juice with breakfast Healthy Snacks and a healthy dinner. So it is all balanced in a day.
When he is an adult, he won't be able to say that "My Mom always made my lunch" And expect someone else to do for him... (Granted he may not be making Banana Dogs as an adult, but this is his first year ) My goal is that He'll know how to take care of himself, which in my opinion is our job as parents.
Not just drive them here and there to sports and activities, telling them what to do, when to do it, and how to act as a kid, BUT teaching them how to act when they are an Adult. THAT is what I'm trying to do.
He's only a kid for the first 18 years of his life... The other 62 +++ years, he will be an adult... And the habits he gains now will be with him many more years on the other side of 18.
If I do my job right, then its those other 62+++ years that really matter.
At age 3 he was loading the dishwasher, Last year it was check books, this year it is lunches, who knows what next year will bring.. *smile* As of this afternoon, he said will be building a solar powered car for fun...
Hey? It could happen? *smile*
My Indoor Garden is finally producing Tomatoes... The little yellow kind. I only get about 2 a day, but that is better then nothing :-)
Several people have suggested I try Quinoa. My SIL was one of them (thank you SIL) and I've seen several recipes with the Quinoa goodness on blogs, in books etc.
Finally I decided to try it...Then I couldn't find it...
I looked and looked at every store in every section.. near the pasta, near the rice, near the cereal. Even looked in the bulk bins. I searched high and low for a couple weeks!!
Finally, I found some this past weekend.
So Tonight, I tried the goodness! Hello, giant pot of goodness...
Hello yummy fresh organic veggies:
AHhhhh... and then there was this:
All mixed together with some herbs, seasonings, and awesome ACV /Olive Oil based dressing.
Yum Yum Yum Yum... Did I mention Yum... and easy.. and filling... and did I say Easy!!!
Thank you to everyone that recommended this versatile food.. The possibilities seem endless. How did I NOT know of this sooner???
As Mentioned, my young Lad is making his own lunches this year... I have applied no rules to the lunch making, as the choices he makes will be his too live with.
Aka not enough, he will be hungry... too much, he is wasteful and more to clean... As for nutrients, I think he is doing a pretty good job... But in the event, he is way off... there are still two other meals at home to make up for it.
Here are three lunches from this week (you'll notice some common themes) *smile*... and yes, processed foods, but I'm OK with his choices being that he's Seven... Can't imagine what I would have picked for my lunches at 7.... Let alone wash my lunch box and fill it with foods for the next day.
Look what I got to eat from my Deck Garden....
I've had trouble growing much of anything from the heat, our soil, bugs, birds and critters... But this guy survived the Mutiny and became mine!
Hello Yummy Pepper!!
It all started with ONE little Tiffin... Just one Tiffin to hold my lunches... That thing on the right..
But now I can't stop... I see cute little stainless containers and I must purchase them.
See.....
It's becoming a little bit of a problem... I found the three tiny bowls (pictured in the front) at Target on Saturday, and had to make them mine... My collection keeps growing...
But they are sooo cute... All the little containers.. And they hold so much goodness... for lunches, snacks...nuts, fruits, dips, desserts.... All plastic free and waste free... No baggies used in the making of my lunches...
I guess, as long as I don't find any more of these little containers, I will be OK. My wallet will be happy... but if by chance I find one more... Hmmm....
Oh Never Mind!
Another Great Raw Vegan Recipe from Ani's Raw Food Kitchen: Easy, Delectable Living Foods Recipes
I made the Garden Scramble a couple nights ago, its basically Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, and a few other things.. Sooooo easy :
Just put a few ingredients in the Food Processor:
Chop Chop Chop
Cut up some Veggies:
Mix them together and make a lettuce wrap:
I've been eating off of this concoction for a few days. It really is good. A different kind of good. Like nothing I've ever had before good.
A little like Egg Salad, but not really, and doesn't taste at all like almonds, which is weird. I'm still trying to figure out the taste. My buds are thinking hard.... It is filling and full of good nutrients...
Veg can't eat this one because of his almond issues, but Hubby had it and asked for more... He agreed.. "This is weird, but its good"
I'm loving this book though, because just about everything is unique to me, not some thing I would have tried before. And opens me up to whole new tastes that I didn't know existed.
But she also has those little tidbits of earth friendly, kitchen, body, non-toxic, health or food tips mixed in to almost every page.
Well, and the fact that just about everything takes only a few minutes to make.... Yum Yum!
With the three of us working on this bad boy, we finished in record time!!!
I was just telling my friend, how the glare of our light made it hard to see the shades of colors, and you can almost see the glare in this photo. That blue sky for example is actually like a 100 shades of blue...
So I had to wait until day light, turn off the big lights, open some windows, and it became MUCH easier.
Veg really participated in this one, so I'm looking forward to letting him pick the next one....
Friend A - Well she hasn't even started her challenge.... Phooey on friend A....She said she will, so I don't doubt that to be true.. but as of today.. NOPE! She is eating lots of veggies and green smoothies, so I must give her credit for that!!
Friend B - Has done AMAZING!!! I'm Soooo Happy for her and she looks GREAT! It is hard to explain, and she thinks I'm crazy for saying so, but her skin tone, her energy, her SPUNK! She is taking care of HER in spite of everything going on around her (and she has A LOT going on around). It is huge for a mom of many and wife and friend and relative of many to stand up and say "I'm doing this for me" ...
Then successfully do it, and be better on the other side for all those people...Amazing!!!
She has gone 3 weeks with out Meat and eating mostly Vegan Foods. Avoiding most dairy and eggs. Lots of Raw goodness as well...Finding alternatives for herself, and meals for her whole family that are meat-less. She even introduced Raw Vegan Desserts, and they liked it!
On top of all of that, she is exercising again! Nice walks (some of which I got to go with)....All good things for Friend B!!
Now, all she needs is a Vita-Mix... and some of this goodness too!
Last but certainly not least, My Online Friend who recently purchased a Vita-Mix..... I hope she doesn't mind but I must share.. Both she and her Hubby have lost some weight, SHE is not eating meat, HE is eating many meatless meals because of her.
The kids have already seen some health benefits with their Green Smoothie Goodness and she has made MORE fresh foods in her Vita-mix in a day, then I make in a month. (and that is A LOT)
She even has her parents drinking the Green Smoothie Goodness. And did I mention, she takes her Vita-Mix with her when traveling! Talk about Awesome!! I must follow her lead.... And get some of her recipes! Yum!
Big smiles to everyone that has made a positive change for their health...That of your family, And maybe even saving some of our 4 legged friends in the process!
(Pan of Vegan sloppy Joes if you were wondering)
Oh Happy Day!!
Look Look Look what I found at a local Restaurant... Not Raw but Totally Vegan... I'm a Happy Camper!
This "burger" was amazing. Lentils and Veggies mashed together with sun dried smushed tomatoes, also peppers,onions and greens on an awesome bun.
The Potato Salad side dish was made with a mustard/vinegar dressing (just like I make mine). It was sooo good!
Yes, I eat out way to much, but I also make lunches at least 5 days (when you consider weekends) and come up with dinners several nights a week and breakfast and snacks.... so the eating out, in between really doesn't seem like that much :-)
Or at least that is what I tell my self... and the more Vegan Food I find and purchase and support, the better...
RIGHT?
(just say "right!") *smile*
Enough Said!
The day before going on my trip, I made a Quickie lunch for the Vegman and his Grandma.
My goal in the short time I had with her (before I hit the road) was to make as much Vegan goodness as possible, and help her to see how easy and tasty and filling it can be. (without actually speaking about it)
Also to show how much we really eat in our house so she didn't think we settled for lettuce and grapes 24/7.
I made Pecan Pie Cookies, Smoothies, Raw Vegan Ice "cream", Dips, Kale Crisps, Eggplant Jerky and more.
For lunch I made Bean and Hummus Grilled Sandwiches...
Here is MIL's Plate:
Cucumbers, Kale Krisps (1/2 gone), Watermelon, and those delicious sandwich halves..
Here is the Vegman's Muffin Tin (that's not tin) lunch:
Pecan Pie Cookies, Watermelon, Kale Crisps, Blue Berries, Cucumbers, and Sandwich bites.
While my Mission was complete and much food goodness was had by all, My MIL is a meat eater through and through.
No matter how much food goodness she digested during her stay, I'm pretty sure she won't ever understand the reasons we choose to eat the way we do. And that is Definitely her choice.
At least a few critters were saved in the making of my meals... *smile*
After 7.5 hrs. of sitting in the car, lots of meetings, a full night sleep, and some yummy new foods, I found my way back home!
I have to Give Huge Kudos to the Hotel.... Look what I found in my room:
Haven't ever had a Recycle bin in my room before....
And my Room View... Day Time:
Good Morning Flag!!
Dusk:
Sunset:
And these cute little Soaps:
Thankfully I brought lots of fruit for my room, because I was craving these peaches big time:
And this little Juice place down the street.... Hello Green Juice!!!
And the grand Finally of this wonderful trip...
Hello there my friend:
Yes, I sat in meetings for 10-12hrs. per day Yes, I was away from my family for a few days, and Yes, the car rides were long. BUT... I found Green Juice, Cool Vegan Store, a Whole Foods, and the yummiest Veggie food... I can say without a doubt, that this was an enjoyable trip...
Talk about making the best of a situation.... Stick me in the middle of Veggie Goodness and I will find my happy place! *Smile* ..
Of course no more traveling for a while, would make me happy too...