Thursday, September 20, 2012

Vegan vacation!

We recently went to Bar Harbor, ME for a wonderful and relaxing vacation. Almost all the downtown eateries had some vegetarian option distinguished on their menu. The best option for us was an all vegan restaurant offering local and seasonal cuisine. Here are a couple pics from the Eden Vegetarian Cafe.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Baked Goods

I love vegan baking!  Here is a pic of a carrot cake I made for my love’s God daughter – her 1st birthday smash cake!

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And here are some cupcakes.  Friends of our recently had a private wedding ceremony in Bali.  We wanted to honor them some how so we brought cupcakes to the beach!  I decorated them using colors I think of when I think of Bali.

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Friday, July 27, 2012

What’s for suppah?

This summer I’ve been making and bringing tofu kebobs to BBQs.  Veggie burgers are quick and easy, but boring.  People tend to pass them up and have animal products.  The kebobs usually fly! 
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A vegetarian chef once said to me, “The key to making tofu is how long you press the tofu.”  After that I bought a tofu press and believe it is up there with the best $30 I’ve spent.  So much easier than wrapping in cheese cloth/rolls of paper towels and piling all the cookbooks in the house on top.  Since I’ve been pressing accordingly, I am getting the hang of cooking tofu.  I really think a good press makes the difference between “oh I tried tofu once and hate the texture” and “the texture is different but I like it!”

Tofu Kebobs
1 block of tofu, pressed and cubed; I do a 4x5 cut to make 20 cubes
1 1/2 T olive oil
Juice from 1 whole lime
2 T brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
1 t chili powder
1/2 t cumin
1/2 t kosher salt
1 chopped garlic clove
Depending on my mood, I usually add onion and garlic powder. 

Whisk ingredients together, place marinade in covered bowl or ziplock bag with tofu, shake to coat, marinate as long as you like or cook right away.

Thread on water soaked bamboo skewers with veggies of your choice, broil in oven or cook on grill; turn kebobs once or twice during the process.

Every oven and grill is different, 10 minutes is a good average.  You’ll know when your veggies start to char a bit and the outside of your tofu gets a bit crispy.

I find this texture is great – crispy on the outside, melts in your mouth on the inside.  Serve with your favorite summer sides!  I have it above with sweet potatoes and an avacado salsa.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

I've done it.

I've done what we've all stereotypically try not to do.  I've turned into one of my parents.  I've turned into my Dad.

I looked at poison ivy and I have random outbreaks all over my body.

I never thought I'd say it, I'm just like my father.  And I can't wait for my next dose of steroids.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Cookie Dough Monster

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When ever I make chocolate chip cookies I eat a lot of the dough and I think of two stories about my little sister and her early adventures in cookie baking.

One of her first times reading a recipe on her own she misinterpreted a little something.  Contrary to her belief, 2 1/4 cups of flour meant 2 cups plus 1/4 of a cup of flour.  She scooped the 1/4 cup into the flour twice to add to her dough.  When in the oven, everything seemed to melt and the dough just souped all over the baking sheet.  We helped her retrace her steps to find the issue.

The other time was when she turned off the oven and she decided to let the cookies “rest” a bit.  Then when she felt the cookies were done with their nap, they were burnt to a crisp.

Someone has been after me for a while to bake him some cookies for quite some time.  I stopped procrastinating and did so. 

I’d give out the recipe but I think I’d be crossing some copyright boundaries or whateves.  I use the recipe on the back of the semi-sweet chocolate chips and veganize it.  The chips I’ve always used are vegan to begin with, bonus!  Instead of butter, I use earth balance.  Instead of 2 eggs, I use 2 flax eggs.  I didn’t use as much flax meal this time as I think it tends to make the cookie a tad greasier.  You’d never know they pack extra fiber and omega-3s!

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Monday, May 7, 2012

From trash to treasure?

So I’ve been trying out new hobbies.

We have a lot of old furniture and fixtures.  This bench I think was found at a yard sale.  IMG_5763
It was unevenly painted and much build up in the crevices.  Gross.  And yes that is painted wicker you see.  IMG_5764
Even more dirt/gross in between.
So we decided to redo it.
With paint.IMG_5765
And fabric.IMG_5785
The process went like this: clean, sand, clean, cough a lot, buy an old curtain, buy some spray paint, prime, paint, regret paint choice, buy cushion, flip wicker seats over, upholster or whatever you call it with cushion and fabric, realize the seats don’t fit, sand the hell out of the corners of the seats, one still doesn’t fit, sand it more, set it in, still wonder if the paint choice is right, ah the hell with it, put it in unmatching room with messy floor of old paint.
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TADA!
So you don’t have to scroll up, before and after…
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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Another plan vs. actual.

So this was two weeks ago the plan  and I think I remember the actual.
Sunday - Gym, step mill and whatever else - I don't think this happened
Monday- Rest - Stepmill and arc trainer at the gym.  Something else too that I don't remember.
Tuesday - Walk or a class - I may have walked.
Wednesday - Walk or a class - 2 mile walk at Bare Cove Park in Hingham plus around downtown.  I couldn't relax so I took a low key yoga class. 
Thursday - Rest - Working the night shift and could not sleep during the day!  I took a piloxing class to hopefully knock myself out but not so much. 
Friday - Circuit - No circuit.  So tired from work and not sleeping.  I got up and packed before working the night.  I clocked 6.5 miles on the pedometer during my shift. 
Saturday - Something outdoorsy and wonderful - Swimming!  We had races and made fun games to make our own elderly water aerobics session. 

Last week was some what pathetic besides the hike, more swimming, and a walk here and there.  Must get back on track this week!

Sunday - gym with cardio and lower body workout
Monday - gym with cardio and core
Tuesday - Zumba and an upper body workout
Wed & Thurs - rest realistically but will try to throw in a quick at home circuit
Friday - Wildcard
Saturday - I hope it is nice cause I'd like to break out the bike.

In addition to the fitness plan, I'm trying to meal plan a bit more.  Conveinence foods and quick but healthy takeout have become the norm around here.  Too much money going to waste.  I'm in such a cooking funk.  It has been a while since I've done a food post.  That Vet I know recently interviewed (part 1, part 2) Lindsay Nixon, the Happy Herbivore.  How have I not used one of her recipes yet?

Relax….

Last weekend we were fortunate enough to have my schedule and the time share schedule coordinate.  We haven’t been able to get up to the White Mountains  in almost two years.  I am completely content not going up during the winter, despite the beautiful scenery, but turning down a spring, summer, or fall trip is hard to do. 

Although it wasn’t super warm out, the sun was shining so we were able to go hiking.  The last time we went, we hiked up a mountain.  We didn’t think we’d ever reach the top.  Since there was snow still atop some of the mountains and we weren't interested in a never ending journey, we decided to do a hike without much elevation.  IMG_5969
The Pemigewasset River trails we chose were part of an old rail system.  Some remnants of the old tracks still exist.  This area was formerly a huge logging area.  Now, it is a national forest so no Paul Bunyan action out here. 
Typically, the rivers around these parts are full of these smooth stones/rocks/boulders.
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But apparently last year’s visit from Irene did a number on some of the trees.  There were places with piles of old trees and their root systems.
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The trail itself was safe.  Some areas were closed off but we were still able to get about 6 miles in round trip.  There were plenty of waterfall sites to see too.
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As for wildlife, we hardly saw anything!  We heard birds, but couldn’t find them.  Finally at the end of the hike we saw this little guy.  He posed for us for a while too.
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Other than the hike we just swam, hot tubbed, and relaxed.  During the off season the pool area is so quiet for a change.  Finally, we were able to play Marco Polo and have races and see who could balance on the kickboard the longest. 

On a food note, we were able to have two nice vegetarian meals… veggie burgers at Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery and veggie sushi for me and a stir fry for him at Chang Thai.  So nice to go places where the menu is clearly marked and the servers are familiar with the lingo.  I don’t mind if servers aren’t familiar, I just feel like a huge pain going through the million questions. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to be on permanent vacation?????????????????

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Plan vs. Actual

The week’s workouts…


Sunday – Piloxing and Zumba - Success!  I think I took a walk too.

Monday – Circuit at home, one of these perhaps. Focus on extra abs. - More like a rest day.  My pedometer said I walked 5 miles at work.

Tuesday – Rest - Again, 5 miles at work, but I'm not technically counting these miles as a workout. 

Wednesday – 30 of cardio and yoga - I walked instead.  Hard to go indoors when it is so nice out.

Thursday – Circuit training or rest - Rest day.  Workout after 12 hour shifts=ya right.  Another 5 miles on the pedometer.

Friday – Some type of class and add in some leg training. - Long walk around Plymouth.  My sis and I found a trail we never knew existed!  We can't wait to go back and explore more. 

Saturday – Wildcard! - Zumba class, walk outside, and this circuit training thing-a-ma-bob. 


So planning workouts while it is nice outside is tough.  If I don't get up and do it right away, I just want to go outside. I think that's why I followed through with classes on Sunday and Saturday.

The new plan for a new week...

Sunday - Gym, step mill and whatever else
Monday- Rest
Tuesday - Walk or a class
Wednesday - Walk or a class
Thursday - Rest
Friday - Circuit
Saturday - Something outdoorsy and wonderful

This week brings the challenge of the night shift!  On my days off I usually can pull off a great late night gym session.  24 hour gyms are the best. 




Friday, April 20, 2012

I need a hobby.

I really do.  Now that I have a three day work week, I need to fill my free time with something constructive.  But I have creativity ADD.

Right away I thought of refurnishing and re-purposing furniture.  I was looking at all sorts of inspiration on the internets and started following blogs like Better After.  Ideas just kept pouring in!  I got ideas for things around the house and other second hand items floating around.  I completed two projects thus far, which I will share, eventually.  But when I started it was so cold outside.  I don't have a garage and I got yelled at for spray painting in the basement.  By chance, a warm winter day happened and that is the only reason why I've completed those two projects.  My sister and I got real excited about redoing furniture and started with my Dad's dining room chairs.  This was a windy day and not good for spray painting.  Who knows what in nature is now coated with a light primer.  Now that it is nice out, have I started any other projects?  No.

All of those "upcycling" web searches led me to sewing.  I'd love to save money and do all sorts of refashioning of my tired old clothes as well as thrift store finds.  I sent my sister's sewing machine to get a tune up, and received a hand-me down sewing machine as well.  While waiting for the machine at the shop, I started following all of these sewing and refashioning blogs and became super inspired.  I started pinning all sorts of junk on pinterest that were tutorials or inspiration or who knows what.  I started scoping out Savers and I bought fabric.  I've searched for local sewing classes but never followed through.  I really just need to sign up.  When I'm out and about and I see something I like, all I can think of is how much money I'd save if I just refashioned something to look like that. 

Now I'm thinking of gardening.  The more I work on a certain area in the yard, the more I realize other areas need SERIOUS attention.  I'd like a new lawn mower and I'd like my yard to stop acting like the center of the neighborhood for all things to blow into.  Really, Mr. Take-out Box?  You are not compost-able. 

So here I am with my lack of commitment.  I'm really trying not to feel guilty or feel like I waste my time or money.  I just need to go outside.

What are you doing with your spare time these days?

Food Confession.

I put garlic and chili powder on everything.


Well, not my oatmeal.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Planning ahead.

This week’s workouts…
Sunday – Piloxing and Zumba
Monday – Circuit at home, one of these perhaps.  Focus on extra abs.
Tuesday – Rest
Wednesday – 30 of cardio and yoga
Thursday – Circuit training or rest
Friday – Some type of class and add in some leg training.
Saturday – Wildcard!

Right now my workouts feel like a giant wildcard.  No order.  No routine.  I’ve been trying to follow a plan and stick with it but I’ve really only been able to stick with being active.  I’ve been picking around Jamie Eason’s LiveFit 12-week trainer.  I’ll run bits and pieces of the couch-to-5k program.  Ultimately, I’m listening to my bod and trying not to strain my achy joints.  This in turn keeps me from getting bored on the step mill. 

On a hilarious and serious note, I was gifted with a shake weight for my birthday.  I don’t know that it will truly tone my arms with the promised “dynamic inertia” but I totally feel a burn while shaking.  The best thing about it is the reflective/mirror tape on the end. 

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Date Night!!!



So my love is going away next week and I’m working the days leading up to his departure so we decided to go on a special date night last night!  We went to the waterfront in New Bedford not expecting too much.  Some areas aren’t that great…  What we found was a quaint, artsy downtown area and had a fabulous dining experience at the Waterfront Grille

Being vegan and dating an omnivore, going out to dinner can sometimes be more trouble than it is worth.  If we go to a vegetarian restaurant, my love’s palate isn’t truly on the same page as mine, so it is usually pizza or some other “safe” food for him.  If we go to a restaurant with meat, one hundred questions later and a lot of apprehension, it is a salad, pasta, or cheese-less pizza for me.  Although going out is more about the company than anything else, I really want to eat something I’m not going to cook at home.  I want to be impressed and I don’t want my company to be left behind. 

When deciding where to eat, I knew I wanted some veggie sushi.  This is usually safe choice for us both – I get my sushi, he gets something he really enjoys.  But still having only one or two options can get boring.  To my surprise, Waterfront Grille had a vegetarian section to their menu with a make it vegan option.  !!!! I was so excited.  My sushi ideas turned from ordering a boat of sweet potato maki to having my maki as an appetizer and having an actual entrĂ©e from their vegetarian menu.  Service was great, atmosphere wonderful.  Can’t wait to go back when it is warmer and sit on the deck.  Also can’t wait to explore New Bedford’s cobblestone streets. 

After happy, full bellies, we went to see American Reunion.  In a way, I feel like I grew up with those movies.  When the first two came out, I was graduating high school and then coming back to home life after college.  Then it was wedding season during American Wedding.  Fun times!

How do you keep your palate entertained?

  

Saturday, April 14, 2012

The big three oh.

I’m thirty now.  Depressing thirty.  Another decade down the tubes, one more closer to our demise.  Now if reading women’s magazines, I must consult articles regarding the “over thirty” group of women.  I have to stock up on a different category of anti-aging creams and make up.  Do I have a different body type now?  Can I still shop at Forever 21?  I don’t have a home of my own.  I don’t have a graduate degree, although I’ve been in school long enough to have a Dr. in front of my name.  I don’t have a Mrs. in front of my name either.  No children.  No tales of backpacking across Europe for a year in my twenties.  I am just another tired old gal carrying around broken dreams and failed attempts to fit into this mold of an adult in this American dream…
Or am I?
People are really interested in how one feels about turning thirty.  I feel great. 
Turning thirty means a time for me to reap what I’ve sowed.  I worked my ass off in my twenties, in all aspects of the term “work.”  I went to school and worked towards a degree I thought I wanted.  I worked up to a career I thought I wanted.  I left that career realizing I needed to work on more than work and school.  I moved.  I worked on my health and having fun.  Then I got sick.  I realized my soul needed work too.  Through working on my soul and my body through yoga and mindfulness, I was able to heal.  I went back to school to work towards something I knew would satisfy me mind, body, heart, and soul.  Then I realized I needed to work on my heart.  Once I was able to let go of all the negativity and truly open myself to what I deserved, only then I could be ready for what was to come.  My heart was heavy in other aspects of society and there are so many things I’d like to stand up and fight for, but I started with one.  I work everyday since I made that decision and fight with my fork.  I still had school and work.  I worked and studied and studied to work.  When that day finally came, about two months before my thirtieth birthday, the day I finally felt free, I cried. 
Sure, I still have to “work” but everything I did in my twenties set me up for an amazing journey in my thirties.  No, an amazing journey for the rest of my life.  So yes, I still have to go to work, I still must challenge myself mentally, physically, and emotionally, I still have to mind my health, I still have to put the efforts in my relationships, I still feel overwhelmed, and I still have to clean the house.  But turning thirty?  There is nothing I cannot face.