A place for us

Spring... springing back and forth between winter!

2010-03-13T18:39:00.000-08:00

Tonight we set our clocks forward an hour. Secretly I have been changing the time over the last few days and making the kids go to bead earlier in hopes to get them on the new schedule. I havent done this for myself though.. so it will be a system shock all week! Its okay though.

We have had some nice weather and my crocuses (sp?) are popping out. I can hardly wait to see what we will have in our flower beds and gardens this year. I wonder if my rhubarb will truly come back like its supposed to, and the same for my strawberries but the hope of a real bounty instead of the 4 that grew last year.

I am learning a lot about friendship right now. It seems that I make a friend and then for six months we seem joined at the hip.. and then one or both of us get busy and weeks go by. i still have one faithful friend that leaves me voicemail messages and tries to connect. It makes my heart feel good. But I am also a little saddened that one of my recent friends is just going through such a hard time that its hard for her to keep talking about the fact that things are still hard.

I know that I am talking about something that is personal and not giving details... but I struggle sometimes with the people God puts in my path and how long they are there. Unless we have a tight bond and need for babysitting life just gets so busy that friendships end up like plants you havent watered for a while.

So, as I think of spring and plants and the analogy of dying house plants and friendships.. I hope that with each new day there is a little more growth in all areas and wonderful blessings to reap.

It is what it is.

2010-02-14T00:03:00.000-08:00

So I am not sure who my viewers might be, but in this moment I am just going to take some time and talk about life.

Life is a funny thing. Mostly becuase its a good idea to have a sense of humor when going through it. I cant believe its only two months into this year, so much life has happened.

Since you've seen me post last for example, I was a temporary foster parent. I would rather not go in depth about the situation, but I am so thankful for friendships and knowing in my heart that when a friend that I love had a need, we expressed our love and reached out. I am truly grateful to my friend and will always feel that she does more for me than I can repay and have learned so much through that situation. Oh and like I said it was temporary, everything worked out. Also... I turned 30! I know I know.. we are moving right along.

I found my half sister, and was trying to get the fund together to do a test. But while all that was happening, I learned that she is so happy with her life. I learned that my news was really just a disturbance in the flow of things and almost feel like I am going to just move on and let it go. Plus its not happening for me to make the test possible right now. So while I am so impressed with the woman that she is, and delighted by both the things we have in common and the way we differ.. I am at this point going to let things be. Food blog. Where did that go? I felt that as I was transitioning back into certain foods and not 100% vegan that I couldnt post the food or talk about it. It felt unfair. I do still make quite a few things, but my family never really transitioned into it and I dont know that we will ever be 100%. I do understand what that means, I do still think vegan is the healthiest and that I am contributing to an animals demise. But since I am kinda on the fence I am going to play the card that says "I will be pro active to make changes to the best of my ability, both for my family and for the world I live in and care about". If I have lost you because I am not "hard core" than I would rather lose you than offend you. If your still here, than I think this blog will start to evolve. It will always be a place for my family and life and what we are growing and learning.. so I think this is just a natural flow. Or its an extreme and spontaneous change.. all in all thats still me too.

So I am taking the blog back, making no promise to normalcy or routine... and hoping to be more active and accountable to those that seem to find my ramblings interesting enough.

Mel

a little inspiration!

2009-10-05T16:41:00.001-07:00

FEAR OF TRANSFORMATION
From The Essene Book of Days by Danaan Parry

Sometimes I feel that my life is a series of trapeze swings. I'm either hanging on to a trapeze bar swinging along or, for a few moments in my life, I'm hurtling across space in between trapeze bars.

Most of the time, I spend my life hanging on for dear life to my trapeze-bar-of-the-moment. It carries me along a certain steady rate of swing and I have the feeling that I'm in control of my life. I know most of the right questions and even some of the right answers. But once in a while, as I'm merrily (or not so merrily) swinging along, I look ahead of me into the distance, and what do I see? I see another trapeze bar swinging toward me. It's empty, and I know, in that place that knows, that this new trapeze bar has my name on it. It is my next step, my growth, my aliveness going to get me. In my heart-of-hearts I know that for me to grow, I must release my grip on the present, well known bar to move to the new one.

Each time it happens to me, I hope (no, I pray) that I won't have to grab the new one. But in my knowing place I know that I must totally release my grasp on my old bar, and for some moment in time hurtle across space before I can grab onto the new bar. Each time I am filled with terror. It doesn't matter that in all my previous hurtles across the void of unknowing, I have always made it. Each time I am afraid I will miss, that I will be crushed on the unseen rocks in the bottomless chasm between the bars. But I do it anyway. Perhaps this is the essence of what the mystics call the faith experience. No guarantees, no net, no insurance policy, but you do it anyway because somehow, to keep hanging onto that old bar is no longer on the list of alternatives. And so for an eternity that can last a microsecond or a thousand lifetimes, I soar across the dark void of "the past is gone, the future is not yet here." It's called transition. I have come to believe that it is the only place that real change occurs. I mean real change, not the pseudo-change that only lasts until the next time my old buttons get punched.

I have noticed that, in our culture, this transition zone is looked upon as a "no-thing", a no-place between places. Sure the old trapeze-bar was real, and that new one coming towards me, I hope that's real too. But the void in between? That's just a scary, confusing, disorienting "nowhere" that must be gotten through as fast as unconsciously as possible. What a waste! I have a sneaking suspicion that the transition zone is the only real thing, and the bars are illusions we dream up to avoid, where the real change, the real growth occurs for us. Whether or not my hunch is true, it remains that the transition zones in our lives are incredibly rich places. They should be honored, even savored. Yes, with all the pain and fear and feelings of being out-of-control that can (but not necessarily) accompany transitions, they are still the most alive, most growth-filled, passionate, expansive moments in our lives.

And so, transformation of fear may have nothing to do with making fear go away, but rather with giving ourselves permission to "hang- out" in the transition between trapeze bars. Transforming our need to grab that new bar, any bar, is allowing ourselves to dwell in the only place where change really happens. It can be terrifying. It can also be enlightening, in the true sense of the word. Hurtling through the void, we just may learn how to fly.

Its that time again.. no its not next month

2009-10-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

So here it is!! Hoping the next 20 posts will be inspiring! At least to me!!

snow, sick people.. and fuax (host)ess cupcakes.

2009-09-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

Today we had our first snow fall. I felt like such a good mommy as I made sure Susan had on her rain boots and little rain coat. Its moments like these, that I know she may not understand how fortunate she is, and how there are many kids today that did have a rain coat and boots to keep them warm and dry. Sometimes I still struggle to be so different from my own mother and the upbringing I did not receive, for what ever reasons. But instead of a constant comparison, I just felt proud of the person I was able to become. And glad that it included my daughter being well taken care of.

After I dropped her off to school I came back home. Jerami stayed with Natalie since he is home sick from work today. I am really hoping its not swine flu. Not that I really have a valid reason to think it is, but these days you never know. While he was resting Natalie and I made cupcakes. Susan has told her that while she is busy at school that we should be busy making her treats for when she gets home. Her birthday is coming up and I needed to try out the recipe so I can bring them in for school.

Our school is nut free, and we have a friend that is dairy free. This works fine since I am still trying to be true to the "vegan thing" I have to be honest. I haven't been 100 percent loyal. (that's probably the reason you havent seen me lately.)

So here they are, I made mini cupcakes from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, the cake itself is just the basic chocolate.. the icing and swirls are from the hostess remakes.. no filling though.. I mean I only had to much time before she got back from school!

I am excited to say that I will be trying my very own recipe for lara bars.. this will be the first time in my vegan baking history that I am going to.. so to say "wing it" and make something not 100% out of a cook book. I am trying to gear up for VeganMofo.. and work toward my own healthier food choices. For now its one recipe.. and maybe that is all it will be, but its a start!!

I'd like to call this post "immature"

2009-09-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

What I am really talking about though, is young coconuts. Have you had one before. I saw someone from the raw community loving it.. so I bought one at the store today.

All I want to know is, what was wrong with mine? I got it open with only a little bit of trouble, but now that I have done it I know how with confidence.

But will I have it again? Mine was really yucky. I even added carob powder and a little splenda.. eek. I mixed up the coconut water and the meat/jelly and blended all I listed above.

People actually drink this water straight out of the coconut? Is this something you either love or hate?

I hope you'll post and that it will give me hope. Hope enough to try again.. with better recipes or maybe knowing if I didnt pick a good one. All I read is not to eat them if they are even a little pink. Mine was bright white.. and not very good.

Sorry for a negative post. This is just my opinion, and I usually like just about everything. Okay swiss chard and I dont mix either.. but that is another post!

What do you mean where have I been?

2009-09-18T13:06:00.001-07:00

Here is a new post with a new recipe!

Yeah yeah its september already I was really trying to hold it together since last years VeganMofo and I cant believe I lost a whole month with no post.

The truth is, I havent had much to post about. And I got a new camera for our anniversary and got sucked into scrapbooking.. which has been great.

Now that I have like oh... 1,000 pictures that will need to be printed out maybe I have a little time to get back to this.

How has your summer been? We are starting to enjoy cool weather, and my garden is just about done. Maybe four more zucchini and about 30 tomatoes and it will be time to plant cold weather vegetables like turnips.. not sure what else I will plant.. we get snow starting at the end of next month!!

School has started, and after I get a little practice I will start to post what I am sending in the lunch box for Susan's snack. She eats lunch before school so I have not been going all out on a snack!

Here is a recipe I found when googling the words "raw" and "tomato" I lucked out because it also used zuccini.

Havent tasted it yet, and will tell you how it all goes. All the credit goes to rawmazing.com and here is the recipe!

Tomato Napoleon with Basil Cashew Cheese and Basil Oil

For each Napoleon you will need:

1 small tomato

2 slices zucchini (the same size as the tomato)

Basil Cashew Cheese Spread

Basil Oil

Cut the tomato in thirds. Form a patty of the Cashew Cheese the same size as the tomato slice. Layer tomato slice, zucchini and cheese, repeat. Drizzle basil Oil over top. You can also add balsamic vinegar (highly recommended).

Basil Cashew Cheese Spread

1 C Cashews, soaked at least 1 hour

2 T. Lemon Juice

1 Clove Garlic

Pinch Salt

1 C basil leaves

Start food processor. Drop clove of garlic into processor and run until garlic is chopped. Add cashews, lemon juice and salt. Place all ingredients except basil in food processor and process until smooth (it will be a little grainy). Add basil and pulse until basil is chopped up and combined into cheese.

Basil Oil

Finely chop 4 T basil and add to 1/4 C oil

what's on the menu

2009-07-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

We have this new store in town called the sunshine farmers market. They have the most reasonable prices even compared to our commissary for produce. I am in a phase where I am not eating meat or starches.. starches being the new 86'ed item, but its just for a while.

I was able to buy a TON of stuff for only 35 bucks!!

Anyhow I found lobster mushrooms and cant wait to build a meal around them.

Our garden is doing well, I picked a handful of peas this morning and the radishes are all finished producing. There have been four zucchini and that was just the time through.

My rhubarb is not doing well. It hasnt gotten any taller and the once giant patch that I gave some stalks away from hasnt bounced back yet. I think its the baby bird that took of residence for a while and left behind some little notes.

All in all, I am looking forward for the next two weeks when the cucumber and the tomatoes (which I am just waiting for them to turn red) can be enjoyed.

Still in the market for a camera... sorry no picks today. Hope everyone has a great week!

Back again!

2009-07-14T07:31:00.001-07:00

So...

Its been a little busy. We bought a house, painted it, moved our furniture in, revived the lawn, plated our garden, had a birthday party, had reconstructive surgery, went on vacation, and finally made it back home again.

It was so good to see the beach again. I think its been three years!

Anyhow. Hopefully you havent thought me for the bermuda triangle or something. As many drastic changes outside there have been amazing things going on inside!

But there will be time for that later.

Here is what I am looking at today.

As we speak I am making wonderful Vegan french toast. I think the recipe is in Veganomicon. My book hates me, it keeps hiding and I can only find it when I am looking for other things not related to cooking.

Thankfully some blogger out there had it and I could make it. I like the chickpea flour, corn starch, and vanilla soy milk recipe. I will try to post it, so that at least I can find it again next time.

I am going to put up a picture of my garden, since that is what this blog was mostly about.. kinda.. and hopefully get back into the swing of it all.

Plus there is a new cookbook out that I am wanting to dive into and hey wont it be Vegan Month of Food again soon!!!!

Hello to all and I cant wait to see what youve been up to this summer!

Mel

Here is the side view of the peas and the cucumbers. We have radishes between the tomatoes and that pretty much (with next picture) is our garden!!
Here is a view of the tomatoes in the back you might be able to make out the row of peas, and closest to you is our squash and the trellis for our cucumbers.. I might move it for the peas instead...

welcome home

2009-03-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

Today we bought our new house!! Yay! I feel so excited and want to bring everything over and stat living there now.. and yet when I go to pack I think "what to take this time.....?"

Its all a bit much to try and write. But I didnt want to miss the mile marker.

the love of food is back

2009-03-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

So...

you cant imagine how incredibly hungry I have been, as I try to navigate through what I can eat and what will give me terrible pain...

So tonight I went back to the basics of picking a recipe and giving it a try.

If you remember I tried to make seitan and it was HORRIBLE. I mean, its bad enough I dont really like tofu all that much (I do have 2 recipes I love) but now "wheat meat too?"

Well, tonight I made the chickpea cutlets from Veganomicon. They are so FABULOUS I love them. I mean really they are so very very delicious :)

I will post picks but I just had to say that I am so glad I found something to get excited about and it was food related.

Even the girls really liked it.. though Susan had to give it a second bite to decide for sure.

so.. anyhow I think I am BACK.. so here is hoping so at least!!

tummy response

2009-03-07T09:58:00.000-08:00

Dear Melanie,

Thank you for the letter. The truth is the very first sentence in your letter was the biggest key to your issues. You see, there is this strange little sore inside of here. All of those lemons just seemed to make it angry and then it started to act up.

I think after a few more tests you can see what I am talking about, and find out what you need to do.

Does this mean we wont be vegan anymore?

rumbly tumbly

Dear tummy

2009-03-03T05:23:00.000-08:00

Dear tummy,

two weeks ago we started this fantastic liver cleanse in the mornings, warm water and half a lemon squeezed into to. With a spring in my step and a load off my body (hee hee) the days were starting out good.

Fruit for breakfast and a piece of bread with almond butter as snack.. you seemed so content and satisfied.

Then came the wonderful salads for lunch that made panera vegan envious. and the snacks of red bell peppers and carrot sticks with hummus seemed certain to please.

And now.. it is day two of this awful rebellion..

You woke me at 530 am yesterday, with pain and a train going through my system.. since I ended my cleanse. When the pain was intolerable, you made me pass out and wake up on the bathroom floor wondering "how did I get here?"

Now.. I must face the inskilled, overbooked doctors at the base clinic and here it is 5 am and you are giving me grief. Dont you know I cant make an appt until 730?

Dreams of yummy food filled my mind while applesauce and bananas and gatorade filled my growling tummy.

Why must you treat me this way!!!

signed,

disgruntled intestinal track owner

lazy days

2009-02-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

Just checking in for the week. I have the chance to teach a friend about vegan lifestyle and particular getting more protein in her diet. She isnt vegan but her diet lacks variety. One of the great things about my lifestyle is it never has to be boring. I let it get that way, but I think we all have our ruts we get in.

Tonight we are just making a pasta dish, but I hope to have some good posts, reminiscent of vegan mofo's consistent posts.

Sweet dreams :)

2009-02-01T08:16:00.001-08:00

While we were out snowboarding the kids went to the snowmobiles.
Here we are with the girls after ice skating for a few hours.
This is frosty, they were doing a movie of some kind and asked us to skate around with frosty.
But instead while frosty was skating backwards and Jerami was spinning the girls on the sled... Frosty got tripped up!
And here I am.. yes doesnt this look graceful? I fell 2 seconds later!! :)

We forgot to bring cameras during the snowboarding. But it really happened! I was able to get up on the board, not heel side like I tried last time.. but toeside instead. We went for about six hours or so while the kids were off snowmobiling with the grandparents. I had to snowboard backwards most of the time.. which I was totally fine with, I just couldnt seem to get control while going down faced forward. I started to feel that my shoes were too small, and I ended up walking down one of the longer runs.. Maybe I walke 1.5 to 2 miles? I did however stop and sit down when there was a pretty spot to enjoy the view.

We had a great trip, and some friends came out to ski while we were snow boarding. What a fun weekend! Hope you enjoyed the pictures, I found my camera!!! yay!

Where did I put my camera??

2009-01-28T05:55:00.001-08:00

I just have to gush for a minute about VeganDad. We had his winter vegetable pot pie, and this is our third time this year to have it!! I really am so impressed with his blog and the hard work he is doing making great food. I dont have the culinary ambitions that he has, but I hope to add a good collection of wonderful recipes like his to my great endeavor of cooking for the kids.
did that make sense? It IS 630 am as I write this!!!
Anyway I cant find my camera. If you know me, then you will know that in one word FLAKE describes me best. My best friend from college says my life quote is "where is MINE" since I am always losing things... ha ha ha ha
(maybe its also cause I am a little spoiled hee hee)
So today our weather is FREEZING.. yesterday though it was 12 degrees we had a wind factor of -9!
We are heading to a place called poor richards, that has a play area, coffee shop, and toy store all rolled together. Susan has been trying to spend the money in her piggy bank... so here is the chance. Its supposed to have some great vegan options, and I am feeling a bit adventurous.
This weekend we are going to Keystone and I am hoping to get up "heelside" on the snow board, I had such a hard time on that last time..
But most of all today I want to BEG you to read.. please please please... go get "the time traveler's wife" by Audrey Niffenegger.
I read it and wanted to see if she has written anything else, and when I googled it I saw they are making a movie out of it.
I think it will be like the notebook, and not just because Rachel is playing the leading woman!!
If you have read it, will you let me know what you thought??
I am still suffering from time travel envy.. lol

Where have you been?

2009-01-19T21:37:00.000-08:00

You know, I want to say.. though I may not be posting much, I do still enjoy reading your blogs! Thanks for the kind nudge to get back.
So what is new?
Well, I am 29! Yes this really is the first time being 29 and I dont feel so old that want to "be 29 again, next year."
But I did however wake up with a horrible viral thing that made me think I was on the fast track to being ninety. I had sore joints all over and a weird rash on my joints. Luckily they blasted me with prednizone for five days and I feel better.
What else is new? Well I am glad you ask... I got my cholesterol down to 170... from 205 in July. I worked really hard, you know.. making great vegan meals and cupcakes.. it was such an effort, I cant imagine how anyone could live like this.. okay so I am kidding!! Anyone could choose to live like this.
Now, its not ALL pretty here. I did try to make a seitan loaf and it was a big flop! I dont know if I did something wrong, but I know I didnt follow vegan dad's way... so I am not giving up yet.
So now I am trying to figure out what to do next. And that is why I am quiet. I am sorry. I am looking into lots of books, on arthritis, on heart disease and on cancer. All things that are in my family and I am predisposed to. I feel like after giving my cholesterol the old 1-2-punch, that I want to tackle other things.
We are also looking at maybe getting a house, and I dont know if I will blog about that... I guess it does go along with how we are growing.
Lastly, I want to say that I got a cute pair of peacock earrings that I saw on a fantastic blog I LOVE. It makes me feel a little bit connected even though I know I have been in hiding.
So here is to "more to come".

If you want help with your cholesterol with out living off cheerios I would love to help. Even if you do still occasionally eat meat, I would love to help!!

Merry Happy Chrismachanakwanzica

2008-12-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

With so many of us celebrating our diversity and individual beliefs I didnt want to leave any on out! We have been very busy here. I promise to add my photos soon. Today I just wanted to wish you well. I hope today you do only what you want and what you must and that you enjoy those that you get to be with and dont miss too badly those that cant be there. I hope if you asked Santa for something special that you got it, or if you had something extra that you could share it with someone else in need.
I hope what ever meal graces your table that it is a meal you can be proud of.

Did I steal a post from YOUR blog

2008-12-07T23:47:00.000-08:00

So often I enjoy finding great blogs and reading them. Is it becuase I can relate or because they make me feel normal, maybe they inspire me to go a little further???

This one just makes me laugh.. in a .. yeah me too isnt that funny sort of way. So I stole this from a great blog and here it is:

If I only have 30 seconds before I have to leave the house in the morning, and I have the choice of:
a. pouring a travel mug of coffee so I can function in my community
b. putting on makeup to hide the sagging bags under my eyes
c. making sure my kids are not dressed like orphans
d. making the beds

I'm choosing D hands down.
Now do you think I'm nuts? Huh? Now do ya?

http://www.confessionsofametromama.blogspot.com/

my meals cant keep up with my camera

2008-12-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Burnt cookies (set a timer why dont you!!)
How yould you like it if a house fell on you? (our trip to the Oz Museum in Kansas)
Natalie Decorating the dyed vegan sugar cookies... (Yes sadly the icing isnt vegan.. with the margarine in the background.. But the cookies were so awful we didnt mind wasting margarine to ice them.. they will just hang on the Christmas tree)
Susan doing the deco. She looks so big here. I cant wait to get a recipe we love and make this a new tradition!
the world famous vegan zucchini bread from ppk. I finally got a bundt pan and isnt it beautiful? I still had some uncooked parts, but it was dark and I didnt want it burnt. Any suggestion?

On to my regular rantings etc....
So this week (well five days) we have been hitting the gym everyday. It was kinda easy when Jerami was home on Mon Tues and Weds.. we went in the a.m. or early afternoon. I kinda got dependent on him to be there and do things like put the girls coats in the cubbies and get my towel.. so when I went in on friday I had to keep back tracking because I forgot everything. Its been a week of great work outs but I am so tired and sore.. honestly, it seems like so much work for such little reward. I will remind myself of this pity party once I go down a size or increase my weights for strength training!

Anyhow, we have been living on smoothies and steamed veggies and occasional salad. That is until tonight. We picked up our 20 pounds of apples and 25 pounds of carrots (for juicing) and had a wonderful spaghetti dinner and I had a FANTASTIC salad with the miso and tahini dressing from Veganomicon.. I will even post the recipe!!

1/4 c miso (light but I used dark)

1/4 c tahini

1/3 c warm water.... whisk and tada! It was so amazingly delicious. Maybe I was just starving.

I will be making the baby bok choy again this week and will have that posted. I have been busy with work, work outs.. and working on posting things on craigslist for sale.. that I apolgize about my posting and lack of... I have also missed reading your blogs.. I should get them delivered to my email!

Hope you are all doing fantastic, Melanie

okay so I really AM still here

2008-12-04T02:12:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Just when I was really excited about blogging more and the fact that people were reading my blog.... I went into hiding..

Fear not, I will be back.. and with newer recipes for the juicing I am want to incorporate into my lifestyle and the grueling workouts that I have been subjected to.

I got the book I can not mention.. about being skinny.. and not very likeable??? That and Erik Marcus new book so I will write about them too... Plus all the photos to make you drool and want to cook some great meals with no guilt..

But as it is 3:14 am I need to get some sleep and no more blogging at this hour!

me?? cool??

2008-11-23T19:20:00.000-08:00

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.

Where is clarke's house?

2008-11-22T06:30:00.002-08:00

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

2008-11-17T18:54:00.001-08:00

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.

2008-11-16T18:49:00.000-08:00

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!

this post is for YOU

2008-11-15T10:51:00.000-08:00

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!!

hurrah hurrah

2008-11-13T22:23:00.000-08:00

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!!

a feast of photos not in order....

2008-11-12T19:50:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-11-11T21:59:00.000-08:00

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!!

a weighty discussion

2008-11-09T22:21:00.000-08:00

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?

My part in this years election

2008-11-06T20:21:00.001-08:00

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.

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

2008-11-04T22:05:00.000-08:00

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,"

2008-11-03T22:57:00.000-08:00

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...

finally a photo!!

2008-11-02T15:00:00.001-08:00

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.

no mo' mofo'ers

2008-11-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

Tada!

(thanks Miss Marie!!)

Did you dress up as Super Woman for Halloween? I would be convinced!!

I feel so excited about my next two weeks of MOFO.. My goal is to get some recipes that arent just from another blog.. or at least not one that was featured for MOFO... I will also have more free time because our company leaves (so sad) and my business isnt at CHAOTIC the first few weeks of the month... mostly becuase I am lazy!! ha ha ha ha

Give and take

2008-10-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

Well its been said "it is better to give than to receive"....

I thought todays post would be about giving, and receiving. First this is a picture of one loaf from the zucchini cake recipe on ppk. Its Super EASY to make and so yummy. I probably have lived a month off one of these full recipes, but felt bad I wasnt sharing them. What is so fantastic about our new way of living is that it doesnt have to be "weird" food like powdered egg replacers... which just freak me out. I mean, I did go buy chickpea flour.. and arrow root powder.. But that seems like something that could be on anyones shelf. I dont want a simple stand in I want a replacement.. and through Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World, I was amazed at how there was delicousness just waiting to be claimed.. without the weird.

But you know.. its only weird cause I have used it yet.. I know there is a recipe out there that just might make me want to use it... but I dont know..

So this loaf was to share with my neighbor.

And... drum roll....

Another sweet thing happened today! No this isnt surfer talk, I mean I was really touched by an honorable mention and award (I think? maybe a nomination???)

Miss Marie.. whose blog I check immediately after my email... has given me an award of Excellence!!! (Miss universe fanning off tears.. lol)

No really, I am so touched that someone is finding a place for them.. in our little place for us.

so... if I could only figure out my Mac enough to save the little E.. I would paste it.

so keep an eye out for that.. hee hee

So... Sorry its not linked here for YOU to grab and add... yet

Here are the people I would like to award, though there are like 10 who I am always checking in on I will put it to four. In no certain order or labeling....

1. River from wingitvegan.blogspot.com What can I say, she is on everyone's award list becuase she is just SOOOO amazing. They even gave her a shout out for ppk. They will most likely have her do a holiday book with Isa and Terry (we can hope right?)

2. Jess from letsgetsconed.blogspot Her blogs are so vibrant and full of life, with great recipes.. photos and shoot from the hip humor. I may not know her personally, but I trust what she says about her food. I just might give making seitan at home a try!

3. Veganf from Disposableaardvarksinc.blogspot.com Well, the truth is.. this is the Mama that held my hand while I crossed over. My being here is a direct result from her great advice and recipes that my kids might even try. And you will be so impressed by the lunches she makes for her kiddos. I feel like I owe so much more than what this award gives.. but I HAD to include her in ANY awards I was giving.

4. Vegan.com Erik is my Hero!! I think I have written before that I just thought he had a great blog and wrote him a million questions and THEN I found out he was a WORLD FAMOUS author.. so yeah I am his first stalker too. But really you should ALL get plugged into his rss feed or whatever that is called. If Veganf brought me over it was Erik's compassionate persuasion that keeps me going.

So make sure you check out where they are, and forgive me if my links are messed up and I could copy the award symbol.. we are getting there slowly!!

Vegan Mofo Day 10 Tada!

2008-10-28T21:23:00.000-07:00

Yes there was snow just the other day..

While I THOUGHT I had uploaded a wonderful picture of the zucchini bread I made from the ppk website, I cant find it! But you can only have so many posts with out great pictures. This is the girls having their tea party!

My trip to Chicago went pretty great! Aside from the fact that pretty much I only had the food I brought to eat. Now, I did get to try four types of Lara bars (OH WOW) but thats becuase everyone noticed I didnt get much for breakfast, and I was saving the last of my food for lunch.

So my last day I ate three out of four. I dont want to think about the calories!!!

While most of you are ending your MOFO postings, I just want to say.. I am still going to keep going until I reach 20 posts about delicious vegan food. And once I figure out what the copy right laws are, I will be more willing to post the actual recipe if I get it out of a book. But the Zucchini bread from PPK can be found on the site. (I hope to learn how to LINK things.. soon, very soon....) and the loads of pictures I hope to put on here will be arriving shortly. Meanwhile this is a survey taken from Miss Marie...

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

When the family is all together, I especially like camping or staying in hotel rooms on a fun destination, but just getting to enjoy a break is nice.. the most important part being that we are together. My husband adds security, the children add fun.. and I bring lots of love!!

2. What is your greatest fear?

Being in a situation I am not prepared for.. feeling like I have no voice, being left alone.

3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I realize that they call me princess because of the princess and the pea, but in my case its cause I am so hard to make happy sometimes... and others think I am SO positive all the time!!! (meaning.. if the only KNEW)

4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I like the phrase.. anger makes your ears fall off. Some people just wont listen, or open up, or see a new point of view... even though its okay to not agree on all things.

5. Which living person do you most admire?

I guess my kids. They amaze me everyday, so giving and loving (and yes they fight with each other) But I am so proud of the people they are becoming..

6. What is your greatest extravagance?

Pampered Chef products.. and the "special" food I have to buy (says hubby)

7. What is your current state of mind?

is what I am doing going to make a difference.. and how long will that take?

8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Balance... because I think enthusiasm WINS!! ha ha ha ha

9. On what occasion do you lie?

To protect the innocent, like my kid asking me about Santa.. though, I do tell her the REAL Santa died a long time ago but people dress up to remember him and his good deeds.. and thats because she saw a Santa go on break and smoke a cig..

10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?

Well, I wish that my body would show just how much I really do work out and that vegans are healthy.. but I guess in time my body will... Unless I keep reading Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

11. Which living person(s) do you most despise?

Well, there are a few people (or many) that have done things to make life hard for women, children, animals... But I am working on my thoughts and despising people isnt really something I want to hang on too.

12. What is the quality you most like in a man?

Someone that is at the right place at the right time. Someone that is Prepared and able to step up to the crises or task at hand. Not super human abilities, but I guess lots of courage!

13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Compassion

14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

I am realizing I always say "alright" before I say goodbye???

15. What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Jerami. I really am the luckiest girl in the world. And the two kids we have only increase the love..

16. When and where were you happiest?

You know, I really had a great time at Disney this last trip. But in general, when my kids are whining "we want you" and its time for bed. It makes me feel so loved and needed, they want me to sing to them till they fall asleep.

17. Which talent would you most like to have?

Well, I would like one of the necklaces that Hermione had... becuase it would be a real talent to control time. And though you think laundry and house work would be my goal, the truth is I would do so many things.. learn to knit.. take my kids to the Denver zoo (not just the one closer to us) I would learn other languages, and learn to sew my kids halloween costumes.. I would go back in time and become Vegan WAYYYYY sooner.. and I would find a way to bring people closer that I miss so much..

But hey we can only control the time we HAVE.

18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would give myself more confidence and stick-to-itness, and I would give my right arm to be ambidextrous.. ha ha ha ha

19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Getting out of bed everyday and meeting the day head on and arriving for life with out the regret of medicating myself to slip out of hard times, or hurting others by my choices, and leading by example of what life can be like. Not that my life is perfect, but that I make the choice to live in my life and dont let the choices make me stuck in A life.

20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

I would come back as me.. but only if I could have full knowledge of the life I left behind and what I can do to give myself the things I missed as a child.

21. Where would you most like to live?

Romania, Austria, Richmond Va, or Lake Placid New York, and maybe Oregon for a while too!

22. What is your most treasured possession?

my wedding dress.

23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Those still wandering and lost and hurting, who need to find their way into the halls. Those living in the life of a recipe for destruction.

24. What is your favorite occupation?

Daycare worker, oh and my job with the pampered chef. Its just that I LOVE kiddos!

25. What is your most marked characteristic?

My singing. I guess

26. What do you most value in your friends?

Friends that have been there when it gets ugly or things seem the hardest to still offer love and search for hope until its found. To love with out judgement.

27. Who are your favorite writers?

C.S. Lewis, Hannah Hurnard, Judy Blume

28. Who is your hero of fiction?

Six from Battlestar Galactica. It was written.. so that counts right? Otherwise Much Afraid from Hinds Feet on High Places

29. What is your favorite movie quote right now?

I can open the box ~ Sara Deaver from Sweet November

30. What is your favorite blog to read?

Vegan.com

31. What are your favorite names?

Susan. Natalie. Ryan, Douglas, Christina....

32. What is it that you most dislike?

when I cant be understood. Sometimes words just cant communicate.. so I am working on understand first and then trying to be understood. Its hard

33. What is your favorite color?

Blue

34. What are you most looking forward to in life?

Every moment

35. What is your motto?

Be prepared to be amazed!!

I will miss you

2008-10-23T22:36:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I made some yummy Tempeh!!! I finally got the recipe right, it was soooo good.

I made the spicy tempeh nori rolls, I even watched the video on ppk, but have vcon...

I am sorry I didnt get to post. Its 1130 and at 430 I have to get up to catch a 5 am plane to Chicago.

I found someone to get me some food, and wont have to eat what they are catering at my seminar.

I promise to post pics on sunday am.. since I get in at ten on saturday and I am not bringing my laptop to lug around the airport.

sorry cyber world a girl needs a break.

Thanks for the great comments. I will also miss reading your blogs and commenting on them.

oh and I WON something.. (so so so happy, my invisibility wore off!!!)

Mel

more than just a recipe

2008-10-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

For todays entry I thought I would play catch up with some things I have seen in other blogs...

But first a wonderful Potato and Mushroom Blintz made from savory crepes and covered in a mushroom gravy sauce.. All from V*com. This recipe has got to be my favorite one from the book, and yes I say it with out having tried them all so.. I might change my mind...
I told the kids they could have some if they let me take their pictures...

They told me that they were so yummy! And that they loved it! I dipped the corners in the sauce and they said.. thats good but we like it plain too! They both had two and said that they would save the rest for daddy and to have them for dinner. I was out of onions, had no caraway seeds.. or white cooking wine (or drinking) and not as many mushrooms as the recipe called for... but I think this a great recession meal becuase with out those things it was STILL FABULOUS... and after I had two (and ate alot of the filling while making the crepes) I did have some to save for dinner!!
Last night my husband told me to run and look out the window.. do you see? This is SNOW!!
And onto other frosty things... this is my freezer. I am such a follower! I tried to cover any non vegan items that would belong to my husband.. but you can see we have fruit, and veggie tv dinners, frozen veggies and lots of OJ... theres some ziplocs filled with 2 cups of Zucchini shredded and 2 mashed bananas for the yummy zucchini bread recipe from ppk. I will make some this weekend!!

2008-10-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Hi! Here is another post that shows my sad photography skills. Here is the good stuff that keeps me going... I take Deva Vegan vitamins Proudly bought through Vegan.com's link which supports my fave blogger. He does great podcasts and emails back. I thought he was just another awesome patient veteran vegan and then I found out he is the AUTHOR of Meat Market (and some others things I plan to read...) He didnt mind that I stalked him, and continues to encourage me to get more active. But anyhow, back to the picture!! I take a vegan multi vitamin mineral suplement... that has b-12, a calcium and magnesium PLUS and an omega-3 dha. As Erik says, you dont leave the house with out brushing your teeth.. so it goes that you need to take your supplements... (I really really try to remember!!!)
Tonights dinner was almost a hodgepodge.. but its much more liquid so I guess its a soup with pasta. I have one oven baked potato, the last zucchini from my garden, a handful of mushrooms, and the rest of my kale... which I had such big plans for..... lastly I had some nemo pasta from the whole foods store (forget the brand) and I had homemade (mom and dad's) jarred tomato juice from the garden. The "broth" was the tomato juice (1 cup) and some veggie soup base, and a cup of water.. Voila!
This is a great picture in the last weeks of our garden season. You can see our dying tomoto plants next to the HUGE squash and zucchini plant. You can see our green peppers and the green beans and our corn in the far right... the three upper left plants were cabbage!!
Look Ma I got the squash! The kids are so happy we are going to actually feed them today... ha ha ha ha thats what Natalie looks like at least.. so giddy!
And lastly this is what my counter would look like on a good day from the garden. Notice the ONE small tomato and the way over grown zucchini.. beets beets beets... I so needed inspiration for so many of those beets. I donated most to our care and share and the zoo.

Now go visit Vegan.com and watch the monkey ride the segwey.

the rest of the story.

2008-10-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

Yummy sweet potato fries, a weird "flavored tofu dessert".. caramel (thumbs down) and a morracan (sp?) lentil dish from fantastic foods I think. This was "what is in my cabinet day"!!
Since the tofu was sadly dissapointing AND my friend forget about me and my sickly self (to bring me some yummy butternut squash) I decided to make chocolate chip cookies from v*omicon
It called for oat flour, which I probably had but thought it was neat to make my own with oatmeal...
Shockingly I was out of granulated Sugar (must have been robbed!!) so I used half of the measurement in Confectioners sugar.. cause its the same yo! I also didnt have flaxseeds.. but decided to carry on with my lack of ingredients and switcheroos... Below are the fabulous results!! I agree they are best dipped in Silk.. as they said in the book. Mine were like pecan sandies.. a cookie which idk if they are vegan but they had the similar texture. I will have to make them again, of course following the ingredient list and directions better next time! My man thought they were only a C when he tried them.. but with liquids he said an A !!! He loves the zucchini bread recipe off the ppk site.. EVERYONE should try that recipe!

And lastly, I was honored today by someone that subscribed to my posts. Now there's pressure to step up and put out some good information. I hope I have been anyway. I hope I am also showing some great ways to switch what you might be eating (carnivores) to some great tasting things that are better in so many many ways.. I read an article (among many) about someone that was at an auction and staying with the animals before they were auctioned off. I wanted to sob with her, and often wondered if they would let you give them apples or something.. I dont know... but if you cant do that you can at least stop supporting it by making these great cookies and dishes instead.. I will step off the soap box now...

from the ppk "ask a vegan"

2008-10-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

So its early morning and I dont know what I will do when Mofo is done and I have just gotten bit by the MOFO bug myself!!

Here is something from the forums this morning.. food to follow later!
Dear Ask a Vegan,

1. Where do you get your protein?

I get most of my protein from Beans. I still dont know what a legume is?? But I also live on quinoa and thats a "complete protein" the box says so..

2. I could never be vegan because I am addicted to cheese. I worship cheese, and have even built an altar to/out of it in my kitchen. How do you LIVE without it? I guess I was always into food and what it does to enhance your life, cheese not so much. When I was training for my triathlons and looking into nutrition cheese was a NO NO. So giving it up as a vegan wasnt hard. Now, they do make soy cheese and funny word cheeses like teese or sheesh.. ha ha ha I havent tried them YET but I hear they are pretty fantastic. The hardest to give up would have been eggs for me. But I kept getting sick when I ate them (or mayo or dressings for salads) so that got weeded out for me. And once I decided to go vegan I read Meat Market by Erik Marcus and that solidified why I dont want to support cheese, milk, egg, or animal meat, and all products from animal sources.

3. So, do you just live on salads or what? I actually have been hating on salads. If I were to be labeled as living on something it would be Stif fry, soup, raw veggies and juicing my wonderful produce. If you were to see my kitchen from June to Sep you would say I lived off Zucchini and ppk's zucchini bread.. my garden was so plentiful!!

4. If you have kids someday will you force them to be vegans, too? Because that seems really unfair to deprive them of their right to eat Chicken McNuggets with all the normal kids! My kids are not allowed in McDeath's. This is becuase the last time we were there to play on the gym equipment (dont yell at me) they were telling everyone that the chickens they are eating die while they are still really young and are not taken care. "Dont you know those chickens didnt live a long time or have a happy life" so.. until they can pass out leaflets and understand a bit more we dont want to SCARE potentials from joining us due to guilt.. but yes I AM soo proud of them.

They are also sick less often, spring back quicker if they do get sick, have better complexions, and have a heart to "make" (lol) other people understand just what they are doing. In such a non critical way too. My husband is supportive of what I am trying to do and thinks its great for the kids too.. but he still eats the way he always has and if the children make the decision to eat his food we talk about what it is but I let them make the choice. I know some wont agree with me for this, I invite them to move in with me and help me rather than lecture.. or just help, since we dont really have room for another body here!!

5. Not a question, but I knew someone who was vegan once and she got really sick. He doctor told her she had to start eating bacon double cheeseburgers (with a side order of liver, just to be safe) or she would DIE. Well as for media, Supersize me will tell her what that kind of eating will do, and for Books there is a study called the China study that shows quite the opposite.

While there is a debate on vitamins and supplements we do know that b-12 is one thing that you need to get into your body that you may not get from food. Since my kids cant take a horse pill, we give them lots of NORI since it has it (tell me if I am wrong PLEASE!!) and they are getting occasional foods which I would not eat, but their father does.

questions brought to you by Desdemona @ ppk forums

yesterday and today

2008-10-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

So, I am actually doing pretty well with the whole MOFO and getting recipes in. So I made two meals yesterday and one more today... Here are the photos from the panko crusted Teriyaki from Miss Marie at http://miss-mrs.blogspot.com (hers was soy sauce flavored and I didnt make the snappy sauce..) The next picture is of my tortilla soup Recipe to follow.

Tortilla Soup

2 tbs olive oil

1 medium yellow onion

2 large Roma tomatoes

3 cups water

1 can tomato sauce

2 tbs vegetable broth base

1 cup tortilla chips crushed

1 can black beans

1 cup sweet whole corn

1 tbs pampered chef chipotle seasoning

Saute onions until golden. Add water, tomato sauce, vegetable base, tomatoes.

Bring to a boil. Puree or (like me use a vitamix) and add crushed tortilla chips.

Return to sauce pan and add in black beans and corn. Simmer 10 mins and serve with tortilla chips crushed on top.

This recipe was adapted from Liz at http://www.foodsnobberyhobbery.blogspot.com

Thanks to all those that I have found great recipes from!!

2008-10-18T20:35:00.001-07:00

1. What was the most recent tea you drank?
Celestial Seasons Chai Tea
2. What vegan forums do you post/lurk on? If so, what is your username? Spill!
I usually go as mellonbaby23 and I am on Vegpeople most of the time.
3. You have to have tofu for dinner, and it has be an Italian dish. What comes to mind first?
Why does it have to be italian? I just hade some teriyaki flavored tofu with panko and dijon mustard... yum
4. How many vegan blogs do you read on an average day?
12 to a million, depend on how long nap time lasts.
5. Besides your own, what is the most recent one you’ve read?
usually disposeable ardvarks, but miss marie lately, vegan.com is my FAVE
6. If you could hang out with a vegan blogger that you haven’t met, who would it be, and what would you do?
Erik Marcus from Vegan.com.
7. If you had to base your dinners for a week around one of the holy trilogy – tofu, seitan or tempeh, which would it be?
tofu.. seitan is in outerspace
8. If you had to use one in a fight, which would it be?
Probably seitan because I just don’t get it.
9. Name 3 meals you’d realistically make with that tough protein of choice!
i tired to make spicy seitan from Veganomicon and killed it.. it was gross, and yet I know in my heart the recipe would be so much better made by someone else!
10. What’s a recipe in vegan blogland that you’ve been eyeing?
they cupcakes!!!
11. Do you own any clothing with vegan messages/brands on them?
No. I just cant afford it yet. But I am not out buying leather either...
12. Have you made your pilgrimage to the ‘vegan mecca’ yet? (Portland, duh)
No. But I AM trying
13. What age did you first go vegan? Did it stick?
When I was 17. nope but its been 6 months this time around!!
14. What is the worst vegan meal you’ve had? Who cooked it?
the spicy "sushi"... see above
15. What made you decide to blog?
to be accountable, to share what the first few steps are like getting into vegan living... something to do??
16. What are three of your favorite meals to make?
I made the potato mushroom blintzes from Veganomicon, a bruchetta recipe from Dr. Dean Ornish, my kale potato and navy bean soup.. they are things I LOVE not just.. can make, can eat..
17. What dish would you bring to a vegan Thanksgiving-themed potluck?
stuffing or a dessert..
18. Where is your favorite vegan meal at a restaurant? How many times have you ordered it?
Spaghetti squash at Food for thought in Williamsburg. So good..... so good... got it once, only there a short time.
19. What do you think the best chain to dine as a vegan is?
Whole foods I guess
20. My kitchen needs…
more space! and a personal chef... and isa!!!
21. This vegetable is not allowed in my kitchen!
swiss chard.
22. What’s for dinner tonight?
teriyaki panko crusted tofu
23. What is your Favorite Vegan (for vegan friendly if you can’t think of a pure vegan one) Restaurant?
food for thought

then end of a season

2008-10-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

So here is the recipe:

1 can white beans undrained,

3 large yukon gold potatoes- rinsed peeled and thinly sliced

1 pkg Shitake mushrooms

1 cup chopped kale

Veggie boulion and vegetable broth (one can)

1 cup water

This is alot like the recipe on Allrecipes.com but you can see the obvious differences, like the musrooms, they really flavored the broth nicely and not draining the beans did so as well. But I added water because I needed more liquid with all my goodies. This made 3 heaping bowls, which I ate MOST of.. Nattie had quite a bit too though!

Well its not been that long ago that I posted what our garden looked like before weeds and oh plants were growing (shock)!! But today we had to go "clean it out" for the next season and now it has come to an end. the last of our zucchini and squash were donated to the zoo and my poor hands have little cuts from a million splinters that a certain weed gave me. Dont know which one.

Last night we did in fact go to the zoo and I will post pics.. so here it goes..

Pics of the zoo and a semi original recipe from me... or one that was just messed with alot, sorry about the blur, one day I will have a tripod and a camera that doesnt eat my batteries!!!

My kids are on each end.. and I told them "Its halloween your supposed to be scared not happy".. lol and they took me literally....

a new challenge

2008-10-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

Well I think my lack of internet use has led me to miss 17 days of Vegan MOFO.. which is a month of food. Thankfully many other vegan bloggers have been living outside of a cave and given me LOTS of inspiration.

I have been trying to make changes more like Eat to Live by Dr. Fuhrman, and I was needing some great recipes with whole food ingredients as well.

I also found out about two books by PPK for brunch and cookies.. I really want to get in on the test kitchen club and then I will really have something to post about.

Mostly though my recipes will reflect being vegan in a recession. Here is the challenge to post at least five photos a week based on the recipes I made on those days (I need the weekends to do things like clean my house and attend to the kids.. right??)

Mel

ps why not show a picture of what vegan happiness can be?

more of the garden and the vegan cupcakes

2008-05-08T16:09:00.001-07:00

Here are a few more shots of the garden with the mountain view and what it looks like outside the garden fence. Here are some plots you can see the trenches and "walls" to separate them.

I made my first batch of Vegan cupcakes. I think they turned out really great, and the kids enjoyed helping and eating them. Even Jerami said they were good. He isnt pictured here though.

Our New Garden!!

2008-05-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

Well we took a trip down to Bear Creek Regional Park to check out the Community Garden. And after reading some forms and signing my oath to work four hours between april-october on some other part of the garden.. we have our own little piece of heaven! Jerami has already decided he wants tomatoes, corn, onions, and peppers.. I want to have lettuce and peppers, and any beans we might be able to find that grow well out here. Wanting all those things and actually doing all that work (and spending that money per plant) well, we will just have to see. But I am so excited!! Here are the girls! If only they had hair pieces!! If you look right near Natalie's head there is a stake that shows where my garden ends on the east side. A little bit in front of Susan's foot would be where they will divide my plot with my neighbors, we both decided to only go half since its our first. She didnt see Jerami's wish list though. I have more pics but I am still figuring this blog out so I have to repost to get them on..

how this week is going... or is it really wednesday?

2008-05-07T18:02:00.000-07:00

So its been a few days since we have made the purposeful choice to eat more of a vegetarian way. We are still transitioning so there have been a few fish meals and a trip to whole foods where the kids ate meatballs... But tonight as I sat with my house full of new groceries (from yesterday) I still wondered the same old question.. what is for dinner.

So begins my blog of learning to eat healthier, trying to save enough money to pay for other things besides FOOD.. (like a quick soy milk maker) and what I was able to learn to cook and how the kids reacted. Most of my inspiration comes from a friend (veganf) and the blog she has.