Sunday, November 23, 2008

me?? cool??

 well we are here and mostly unpacked. Mom made a great dinner of vegetables for me,  and with the kids in bed we can rest from all the driving and driving and driving!!
I opened a comment and saw that River had sent me an award! 
Its an honor enough that I have people that consistently read my blog and leave wonderful comments.. but to get an award is always so nice!!
While I wouldnt say that I am a cool veggie mom.. I am hoping to get there so that when my girls are old enough to  make consistent decisions about a compassionate lifstyle. Maybe even some activism, which I havent really done. I am happy to say though that when I was driving my husband asked me some questions about "what if we stopped killing the cows, would they just roam free like the deer? would there be cow season like deer season?" While I dont have all the answers, its good to communicate things and talk about what can be done. If you have any thoughts on such a conversation, I would appreciate hearing them.  

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Where is clarke's house?

As we drove through Kansas (yesterday) my husband told our daughter "This is where clark lives".. Being a five year old, she wanted to know where his house was and if we could go see him. Oh if only!! we didnt actually find a smalleville or superman, but we did get to see a museum to the wizard of oz. I took a few photos, then my batteries died!!! aaaaarrghh!!
So anyhow we are about to leave and drive through St. Louis on our way through Kentucky and then West Virginia. I did a search on Happycow.com to find some vegan vittles, but I think it will be soups, salads, and sides (veggies) for the most part along the way...
Thanks to disposable aardvarks for letting me know there was vegan pizza crust at Pizza hut!!!
Pics to come soon!!
Melanie

Monday, November 17, 2008


here is a shot to remind you of the great udon noodles I bought from the asiana store....
... and here is the wonderful soup I had last night using it. This is another gem fromt the Vcon cookbook, its called "Udon with Shiitake Mushrooms and Kale in Miso broth"
1/2 pound fresh udon noodles or dried (mine were frozen)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium sized red onion sliced thin into half moons
4 oz shiitake mushrooms, stems trimmed, sliced (I just used left over cremini mushrooms)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsps ginger minced
2 tbsps mirin (optional)
2 C water
3 tbsp Miso
4 cups chopped kale
2 tsps soy suace or to taste.

Cook Udon according to package. In a stock pot, saute onions and mushrooms for 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and saute for another minute. Add water, mirin, and miso and bring to a gentle boil. Lower the heat and simmer, adding the kale. Toss the mixture around until Kale starts to wilt.
I forgot to take a picture of the tomato-rice soup with roasted garlic and navy beans. the dark bits are the onions I burned, but it was really good even though it was burned.
Here are the wonderful diner potatoes, and the french toast. Do you know how long I have been missing french toast? This was really good! This was my first time to make it and I think I can do better next time... but it was thoroughly enjoyed. You too can take back breakfast!
and lastly, here is the wonderful baby bok choy... I used peanut oil for the first time. Smelling it cooked made me feel like I was eating the yummiest peanut butter and it added so much flavor to the yummy onions. My ginger stuck together becuase I grated it. I am going to try something different next time.. but still amazing.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

I thought it was interesting, to say the least. So, here goes:

1. List the last 5 people who have commented on your blog
2. If you’re on my list then you should do the meme on your blog too. (Although this is part of the rules, this is a very complicated and time consuming meme. I loved doing it, would love to read your answers, but I won’t make anybody do it. Most of you are too busy.)

1. beauty and bread
2. river
3. miss marie
4. bex
5. jess (of get sconed!)


1: What is your favourite post from number 3’s blog?

October 16 I think. Its the first post I read and she was talking about what she felt blessed about. but then she also got her purse stolen.. and she was real about how it made her feel.. and everything between those two has been a chance to see some great things in a wonderful person.. and delicious food!!


2. Has number 5 taken any pictures that have moved you?
The house of dreams post.. She was hanging with Isa eating great food for a great cause! I wish (alot of times) that I had those opportunities.. we do have a small vegetarian group out here, but I havent been able to participate much. I was moved to see a great community getting together for something beyond themselves. I want to be part of that someday.. I am looking into food not bombs in my area...

3. Does number 3 reply to comments on their blog?

Miss Marie is very welcoming and also posts on other's blogs. She is great about following up on a question too!

4. Which part of blogland is number 2 from?

I believe River's post says midwest. I am not sure.

5. If you could give one piece of advice to number 4 what would it be?

have you seen her blog? I am sure I have NO advice that could make perfect any better.

6. Have you ever tried something from number 1’s blog?

I am eyeing a couple things. Maybe when I get a full nights sleep and can wake at bakers hours to rise knead and bake.. I havent baked in MONTH.. (aside from zuchinni bread and cakes.. not bread though!)

7. Has number 2's blogged something that inspired you?

Seeing how creative vegan food and cooking can be was awesome during Vegan Mofo. River was amazing with her little ghosts and dracula cookies. She should have printed and sold that as a BOOK for halloween to be judged by. I want to be that creative someday.. and she is so easy going about it.. like "look how fun" and not like "so how will your cookbook recipe review compare to my genuis little eyeball cupcake?"...!!! lol

8. How often do you comment on number 3’s blog?

I like to comment alot. I feel like posts are converstations (sometimes) and that people want to hear feedback. Then again, I dont want to be a stalker, so I just sometimes talk about her on my blog instead!!

9. Do you wait for number 4 to post excitedly?

Yes, because she does great little photos with captions or bubble talk.. its great!!

10. How did number 5’s blog change your life?

I guessed for a while I thought most vegans were pot smoking hippies. LOL.. I really came into this with just an allergy and was looking for a way to enjoy life without missing what I couldnt have. Its not really in a moral/ethical way.. but she just looks like she is having so much fun! Who doesnt want to live through her vicariously?

11. Do you know any of the 5 bloggers in person.

No. So which one of you is going to invite me over first?

12. Do any of your 5 bloggers know each other in person?
I dont know that one?

13. Out of the 5, which updates more frequently?

now that MOFO is over I dont know.. they are not meeting my need quota of great blogs to read!! No really, I think that when they do post its great stuff. I think maybe Miss Marie, but I could be wrong.

14. Which of the 5 keep you laughing?

Probably bex with her posts, and miss marie with our comments.. the things we have in common.. they're funny. Maybe in a "you do that too?" sort of way..

15. Which of the 10 has made you cry? Well no tears yet. but who knows!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

this post is for YOU

Hey... so
whats everyone doing this weekend?
I decided to combine the tasks of tagging and just post about it here. Later I will post about the yummy food I have made including my wonderful exciting breakfast!!!


I wanted to tag but not decide which one they will choose... Maybe 11/or 11/13????
Beauty and the bread from... beautyandbread.blogspot.com
I havent really seen her tagged but I am hoping she will do this so we can get a glimpse into her world a bit!

Lula Lee at veganbilly.blogspot.com
I really enjoy her blog, and she needs to do MORE this month.. so maybe a MEME??? Please?

Shelby at labellevegan.blogspot.com becuase she is working her butt off at school and needs to take a break and fill this out. I didnt see any other Memes on her blog either, but if you go visit her she might do this!!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

hurrah hurrah

http://www.silksoymilk.com/Images/ProductShots/silk_nog.jpg

So, today I visited the natural grocers in town. I missed seeing the friendly face of the produce manager. He always gives me way more information than I know what to do with.. but its always exciting. He has been telling me I can get my carrots and apples in bulk and save money. I should post a pic of my very small apartment and see where we could fit all those yummies!
The frozen corn and peas and mixed veggies were on a great sale so I grab what I could fit in my freezer and a few things I needed. I got peanut oil to make the Baby Bok Choy from Vcon. wow. I have a pic but I am too lazt to go through the hoops. Plus I have found Silk NOG yipppeeee!
But anyhow I have to say the kids gobbled up the bok choy even if they couldnt figure out how to say what it was "Broccoli" Bok Chips"... etc. The crunchy shallots in the peanut oil were soooo good.
I am just worried that I am making all these foods that should just be made for special occasions???
Well I am doing a test run on the "chinese take out (in) menu" From Vcon for a friend who is adopting her son from China and gets home on Sunday. I am making a meal for them and she knows I am Vegan.. I think she will at least like the Bok Choy.. I dont know about the green tea dessert..
I was tagged so I need to post about that now..


Random fact about me....
My hair doesnt stay red for very long when I dye it. I am trying to go back to natural but its was platinum blonde... so I was having fun with the red. I felt like Susan Serandon or something. I struggle with hair color envy... the kind of hair color that doesnt make people look like the havent slept for weeks and washed out.. Miss Marie has really pretty hair...


I have a pogo addiction. I play on pogo.com with my friend Mhoney.. my name is Missey 8385 and it says I am from Barcelona. I didnt make up the profile, but my friend lets me use it. The games vary from frogs jumping lily pads.. to solitare and popping balloons. It helps me get my mind off of stress and the games are so dumb at times that my mind can just defrag...


I was a stalker to my husband. He is very shy and quiet, and very handsome. I beat out millions of women who wanted him. It was like The Bachelor except we were in college and he didnt make out with ANY of us. (some of that was a joke) Our first kiss was our wedding day... and no one believed me when I told them I was engaged.. they thought I lost my mind. It didnt help that at times he would pretend not to know me.... He did ask me out once in front of 700 students. We went to a hockey game and when the crowd screamed for a goal (or a fight) He yelled "I LOVE MELANIE" but.. yeah.. I didnt hear it.. he told me later.

My desk is always messy but I am a freak about having a clean house. At night the shoe makers elves dumb loads of mail and crayon drawings and orders for products on my clean counter. If I dont stay on top of them they try to multiply the dishes in my sink. I gave away alot of dishes becuase I got tired of washing them. But that doesnt help my desk, because I would have to get rid of the desk.. not the things piled on it..


I like going and staying in hotels. It doesnt matter where we go, its just nice to get away. Bed and Breakfasts are even better but with kids they are harder to come by. I like arriving after long hours of driving the kids strip down and jump in the tub and then jump on the beds. I get a queen with Natalie and Susan either sleeps with me too or hogs the other bed. They manage to write something on every piece of paper they provide (like marking territory) and I like to surf for the movies that are on demand. Once in a while we get room service. Its fun.


Most nights I sleep on the couch. Last night my husband was snoring, the cat always sleeps on my pillow and the kids try to climb in bed about four times. If I am asleep on the couch I sleep through all of that and Jerami gets to wake up with a bed full of monkeys!!



I think that Sweet November is alot like the story of my life. Granted to some she was a loose woman who had a new boyfriend every month (and that part does NOT describe me), But she also was so impacted by the events of her life that she wanted to be an impact on others. Jerami says I have her personality, and he could see me breaking in to rescue dogs. This was even before I was vegan. I have the movie memorized and I always cry at the end. I feel at such a loss to not have Sarah Deaver for December at the end of the movie.. sniff sniff....

Okay so now I am really getting behind with the tagging. But I just dont know who is into these things too!!! I love that someone wants to read the randomness in my head.. I feel like I am in such a cool little group. So I promise to find some people that I havent tagged a bunch already and see whats in their head!!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

a feast of photos not in order....

Tada! Look its Seitan! I finally found a recipe that I thought would be good enough to fool a tough crowd and yet easy enough for me to try!! I have to apologize becuase I actually made bbq sauce and coleslaw and had this on a monster sandwich for dinner.. but only took a photo of the finished product from grilling it. I wanted to make it like "pulled meat" so I cut it thinly and small.
Susan kept eating it out of the bowl while we waited for the rest of the goodies to be made. Both girls really loved it, and though I think I could have done better with the bbq sauce this was very good. Its from Vcon I did the slaw and the bbq sauce from the book. My husband thought it was chicken!! But I couldnt let him enjoy this meal without the credit it deserved. Plus I was eating it, so he figured something was "different"... lol cant really fool a meat eater when you are eating it too.. So I am ready to try my hand at it home made. More to come on that..
More great grilling.. this is the last of my teriyaki tofu. I fell in love with this, and was so happy to find it on sale. I did use it before the date (cause I am a weirdo about that stuff) but this was my last harrah! I want to mention that this is a small shot of my vegenaise. This is the one product that SOLD me on how great eating vegan can be.. why you ask??? Well my journey started because I was getting sick all the time... and it was due to an egg allergy. It was at the beginning of summer when everyone was making potato salad and macaroni salad.. and just salad dressing in general... I had been emailing with Erik Marcus @ vegan.com and when I saw this for sale online it was like I was welcomed back into the world of eating.  ok enough name dropping..
"I'm leaving on a JET PLANE" This is our Juicer! We got it off craig's list. I love bartering. Please barter with me. I even found a good use for our glasses from our wedding.. yummy carrot apple and lettuce juice. 
This is my trip to the "asiana" store. I got veggie potstickers (I think) some great noodles (I think) and one of those mats since I roll my own sushi but didnt have one.. and green tea MACHA (I really really hope) for a recipe from Vcon about green tea cookies. My greatest sadness in life is that my brain isnt a downloadable computer so that I can speak every language.. I think this is Korean.... maybe..
And here was just a great shot of breakfast. I wanted to try something new, since I either skip breakfast or make oatmeal.  Now my brain froze and I forget what its called.. AHHHHH!!! oh mueslix! 

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Round One

1. Who did you spend at least two hours with today?
Well I didnt spend individual time.. but I spent two hours with bridal hopefuls. It was fun they were gushing about their wedding day and I was gushing about getting them a registry. Some real WORK.. which I am normally not doing..

2. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?
In order:
. The end of the class Jerami is taking. Poor guy has been studying and preparing for tests the last two weeks...
. Thanksgiving.. ME TOO!! I am going to a friends house this year, its usually family or hubby is deployed and we are alone.. and this is my FIRST VEGAN thanksgiving. I am gathering ideas and also looking into robin's cook book.. I will link it soon.
. The end of this six week fast that I keep falling off the wagon for. lol
. Getting to use the Nooch yeast and Vital gluten in a recipe..
Cant think of anything else?

3. Who was the last person you called?
a "coworker" Susie. She wanted to help at the bridal expo but we ended up going out for coffee.. cause I was packing up as she arrived.

4. What were you doing at 12am last night?
I was dreaming of Lex Luthor. Ahh he is such a lost cause but I am so hooked on him right now. That and the fact that we are watching marathons of Smallville which I used to LOATHE. There was just something hot about him when he hooked up with Lana. Maybe I could write myself in as a kryptonite freak that removes the evil from others.. and I could be his redemption... yup its an obsession!!

5. What did you fear was going to get you as a child?
the boogie man. Or the bird.. I have a weird family that gets a kick out of freaking out young children yelling words like "THE BIRD" I thought a giant owl was going to get me. But I was once afraid of robbers too, then I took a self defense class. now I say BRING IT! (But not really, esp now that I have kids..)

6. When did you last see your mom?
In July.. so sad... we live so far away. Truth be told I have like a million moms.. no not really but I have more than one set.... I saw my birth mom about a year ago at my Papa's funeral. We live out west and "all" my famil(ies) live out east..

7. What are you wearing right now?
Ha ha ha a towel.. but that info is only for LEX. (I am going to get on p.j.s now)

8. Where is your favorite place to be?
I once spent time in a cabin in York Beach Maine. It was so wonderful. But I like being most places, I bring my own weather with me so its always nice where ever I am. (ten points to whomever can tell me the book thats in)

9. Where is your least favorite place to be?
Sitting on the bed or standing in the room waiting for the kids to stop fighting and GO TO SLEEP. I feel like I could be doing a million other things but if I leave while they are goofing off I loose more time still!!

10. Where would you go if you could go anywhere?
Smallville. just kidding!!! I would like to spend a day back in time to my first year of marriage during the first winter when Jerami put lights outside on a real tree (that was laying sideways) and had made hot chocolate and played Nat King Cole for me while we sat and listened on the chair of a 15 passenger van..

11. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years?
maybe in a house with a great big yard so that the kids can play outside all day during the summer and I can have a garden. I will be having tea parties and the girls will be dressed up in all my costume jewelry. I will have a great gym IN my house and will be training with Lance Armstrong on my ipod to a picture of Michael Rosenbaum to keep me motivated. I will have a great Dane or rescued greyhound and maybe a smaller dog to dress up, and spoil.
I hope that I will still be having my spatula parties and that I will continue to develop my business skills. My husband by that point will have reached his career term and will make a full time job of playing xbox. But thats okay. I will have a teeanager by then so her boyfriend can play too!!

12. What was the last thing that really made you laugh?
Telling someone how I am always catching something on FIRE in my kitchen.. forget pampered Chef.. its PYRO chef!!

13. What cities/towns/villages have you lived in?
Oxon Hill Maryland
Montpelier Virginia
Beverly Massachusetts
Petersburg West Virginia
Pottersville New York
Newcastle Wyoming
Colorado Springs Colorado
Hudson Florida
Oakland Maryland

14. Are you a social person?
I love to be the center of attention. But not ALL attention is wanted.

15. What do you like about winter?
I love how everything gets to have a blanket when the snow first falls.
I like to drink hot chocolate
I like to decorate with snowman and get to leave them up until March in Colorado!!
Its the season when its my Birthday!!
I love how it reminds me that we all need a rest, the trees all sleep and animals hibernate and its so peaceful
I love watching my kids play in the snow and dragging them all around on a sled.
I love eating yummy soups



Round Two -
Unconscious Mutterings:

I say … and you think … ?

Coverage :: How I need to get on p.j.s
Cynical :: How I feel sometimes about getting the things I want in life
Gust :: I think Gusto and some phrase about grab all the gusto
Improvised :: This is like the word that describes my life. Maybe because I am not always prepared or because its so fun
V :: Vermont.. and an article I read about Ben and Jerry's and Breastmilk.
Guests :: Thursday and my open house!!!
Brutal :: I think of RENT and how angel's boyfriend got beat up.. going blank on his name
Grant :: Hugh Grant... idk
Pull :: persuasion
Streaming :: Christmas decor

Now for the tagging...
I am going to get back to this.. because I want to find some fresh people to tag!!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

a weighty discussion

So... I have about two more months until my next labwork appt. I wanted to see (back in July) how a few months of living (closer to) vegan would affect my levels.. you know.. compared to the levels of a 28 year old who is slinging McDeath...
Anyhow I was SHOCKED to find out I had *high* cholesterol. I guess I am one of those who produces too much genetically, and by high, it was 205 not a million. But still it must have been higher when I WAS eating meat.

So, I am just throwing this out there..
Its been since may that I have been vegan 98% of the time. You know I once ordered the kale at Cracker barrel only to realize I was chewing a piece of bacon.. etc. And I have to wonder, why I havent even lost like you know 2 pounds?
So this isnt a whiny post, but I am going to be honest about this small disappointment, I thought healthier eating and working out all the time would at least give me something..
Its not WHY I went vegan.. but I thought it would be a perk...
so thats whats on my mind tonight.. that and looking into supplements to kick my thyroid into life...
any thoughts?

Thursday, November 6, 2008

My part in this years election

Because of you, nearly 20 million animals every year in California will soon be spared the unspeakable cruelty of battery cages, veal crates and gestation crates.
Because of you, the doors of dark sheds have been opened for all to see the suffering inside. And cruelty can't stand the spotlight.
Because of you, a tidal wave of compassion that is reverberating across the world has been unleashed. And that genie will not go back in the bottle.
Because of you, we have -- for the first time in California -- meaningful unity as a movement.
Words can't express our admiration and gratitude for your efforts. You're the reason the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act is going on the books in California. You gathered the signatures. You raised the money. You built support. You got the vote out. You won Prop 2.
Celebrate. Rest. Savor your role in history.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

And soon we will all see what this change is....

John F. Kennedy.
"So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder,"

Monday, November 3, 2008

my sister is on here belly dancing... she is the blonde with the curly hair. I think I need to get one of those videos and learn this... its looks like so much fun!!
Sorry this isnt a food post... 

Sunday, November 2, 2008

finally a photo!!


I know its been a while for pictures. Sorry, I have to take the card out of the camera and then load it onto my usb and then plug that into the apple... But your worth it!!  Speaking of worth it, I was feeling like I deserved some delicious vegan ice cream since I am doing my best to leave to kids halloween candy alone. Before I can ask them to refrain I have to show them I can, and help them to do it. And have yummy things to enjoy in their stead!!  I have to say my oldest wasnt that impressed. But thats okay, we will keep trying!

Next up is some well needed reading.  I do hope some day to come up with my own recipes, I just feel that its best to go with what I know will work. I hope you'll understand my own journey... finding what I can give my kids and use to replace the meals we once ate. I guess its just a stepping stone, and I have heard about these books over and over again!! The knitting is just something I have always wanted to learn. While I can make things with crochet, I am NOT a domestic diva... I am more like the princess in the pea.. ha ha ha.. thats my facebook name!
Now onto tonight's dinner... My favorite Tofu.. Yup you heard me right, I found one I love. Its the thai flavored tofu from westsoy. I had another flavor.. cant think of it right now, but I posted on it, so there were a few marked down for sell date and I figured if I like it why not get two! So here is my LAST piece of NAAN and some lettuce, and that is IT. It was so good. Thats a big deal for me, I usually cant eat that much tofu.. I also picked up some seitan and hope to figure out what to do with it. I dont know if I need to make my own and season it in the process to really enjoy it or if I can pull something off with the store bought stuff. I will post more later.. hopefully with the help of these books. 
Today I also got juiced! I crammed a bunch of lettuce and some carrots into the Jet engine and voila.. good enough for wilma flintstone and  me!! I felt so good ALL day...
One more great pic of food!! Here is the salad my husband brought home to me last night, I was posting while eating it, but too lazy to upload the picture. It has some pecans and just a mesculine mix. It was so nice of him, since the woman I babysat for made hotdogs for her kids and I hadnt eaten!!
Lastly Here is a great video from Miss Marie. I am not really original, so dont be surprised if I nab something great off YOUR blog... Its a good message and I have to say I was almost peeing my pants at Borats inappropriate comments. 

Saturday, November 1, 2008

no mo' mofo'ers

I really debated bringing mofo to an end on my own blog.. because I started late and missed over half the month and wanted to offer a "days beyond mofo" since, I am going to cook and eat even when Mofo is gone.
But I am such a rebel, I didnt want to let go. I didnt want to lose the great ideas from river and her Halloveegan page, I didnt want to lose the great recipes, tips, and ratings on new foods sampled. But most of all I didnt want to lose the joy of seeing what new things my favorite bloggers were posting.
But I have to say, just becuase I call something a mofo post dosnt mean that somewhere (at least here) mofo is still going on.
I did decide however, that November is a great month to make up MY OWN thing!! And its a good kick in the pants to get ready for the new year and all our resolutions...
First, I need to do some research... I have been switching over to a vegan lifestyle since May of 2008.. and even though we have our "moments" we have been doing really really well with it. Even my husband (though, he is not ashamed to enjoy the things that I wont anymore, but he does support me and tries most of what I cook *no tofu*)
But anyway, I want to research more about micro or macro biotics and juices, I want to learn more about legumes (ha ha ha I really dont even know what that is!!) and also... how to make this a seamless switch so we dont have "moments" where the kids are in a tough situation with omni foods... and that I know enough recipes that I am not just doing the same old thing.
I think its great to do inventory and work on what needs strengthening.. so thats my theme.
Where do I go from here...
I wish it was a cool Mofo thing.. like "life after Mofo".. ha ha ha ha