Sunday, November 27, 2011

Always exploring


  So I have been busy trying new recipes and I thought I would share some of my new favorites.The picture from the top is Chickpea burgers with Tahini sauce and are from Colleen Patrick-Goudreau new book "The 30 day Vegan Challenge" on page 164.The recipe is posted on Fat Free Vegan Kitchen if you want to check it out. I really enjoyed reading her new book and I am still in training and exploring new things to cook with.I would highly recommend this new book. It's easy to read, amazing recipes and Colleen  helps explain all the myths of being vegan. Back to these little Burger delights. They are fabulous the next day broken in half and put in a greek style wrap. For a burger no sauce 3 points.No cholesterol and 1/2 tsp of salt in the recipe.It's full of fiber and protein.Super yummy!!! Check these guys out.

  Picture two is the recipe I did last night.OMG so awesome!!!! Sweet potato and black bean enchiladas from Decembers Vegetarian Times.Sweet mother... these were so good.I changed the cheese it called for queso fresco ( I had to google that one).I wanted John to try so I just added some Mexican Cheese instead.I could have tried it with Daiya brand cheese but I'm still "leaning" .They are fabulous the next day.I had them with Tofutti Sour Cream, it was my first time trying it and I will most definitely switch my sour cream(no cholesterol) .John had it too and he really liked this recipe!! One big serving was 5 points.I will make these again and I will not be shy about sharing these with company.

 Picture 3 is a " I would highly recommend". The two new Vegetarian Times I have picked up recently have been outstanding.If you want some new veggie ideas, Holiday ideas for easy cookies or perhaps one veggie dish to try this season- buy the new December issue!!!! It is worth every penny.The healthy soup and stews is another.It is earmarked for some recipes this week.I have so many recipes I want to try I am a little overwhelmed.

  The last mouth watering find.Fatburgers..veggie burger.Who knew that these were so amazing.Clearly this will be my new burger place.This burger was just amazing!!  Go try one.

 To end on a update note I am finding Weight Watchers and being veggie no problem. ( hopefully they fix the tracker on the ipad soon) I am learning a ton and I have lost 4 pounds so far.That is with very limited physical activity.I'd say that is pretty fabulous. I did buy myself a pre Christmas gift..The new Sporks Sisters cookbook.I will have to do ALOT of cooking with all my books and magazines.I will continue to share my advegture with you and take pictures of some of the outcomes. Happy holidays everyone.Take time to slow down and enjoy friends, family and the warmth of Christmas!!


Sunday, November 13, 2011

happy roasting


  With late fall and winter upon us it's nice to crank up the stove and let the kitchen get toasty. This is also the best time of year for root vegetables.Now I have to admit that this is going to be my winter to get creative. I'm going to get wild for root veggies. We have all heard by now that eating seasonally is better for the body and for the environment. But roasting vegetables has some great health benefits. Mayo Clinic lists roasting as one of the preferred ways to preserve nutrients-without losing flavour or adding a ton of fat.

 So I love this Mediterranean linguine from Earl's .I have tried alot of ways to attempt making theirs.It has never worked.Then I had a light bulb moment.Why not try roasting the ingredients.It would give them the sweetness I wanted. So I added chickpeas for the protein and I was really happy with the results.

  I used the smaller tomatoes(8) I had on hand I just cut them in half but, grape tomatoes would work whole.
  I red pepper cut in strips
  4 garlic cloves sliced
  Half a can of rinsed chickpeas
  Kalmata olives I did about 10
  salt and pepper
   2 tbsp of olive oil
   2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar

Preheat  the oven to 400.Toss everything together.I put mine in a brownie pan, I liked mine a bit saucy.Like me!! Put it in the oven for 1 hour.It is so yummy.I served mine over whole wheat spaghetti.I just made sure the portion was appropriate. Happy eating!!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Veggie Girl Power


 I have to put a link up veggie girl power. The link is to the most gorgeous blog Healthy Happy Life.Full of the most amazing recipes,photography and fantastic articles. One of my favorites from her beautiful blog is the series Veggie Girl Power where she interviews some of the most interesting women. Colleen one of my personal vegan inspirations is interviewed this year. I also loved reading about a young designer named Leanne. I hope my son will inspired one day to live his dreams with the passion this young lady has...and I LOVED her winter jackets.If you have been interested in changing your life to be more veg I think you would love the blog and the series.This is the third year it is worth it to go back and read the previous years.She has done 4 of these inspiring ladies with Portia, Kathy and Anya to go.Enjoy!!!!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

brussel sprout love !!!


        In this post I thought I would share a fantastic recipe from the November's Whole Living magazine. Dad this one is for you. I bought brussel sprouts thinking I would roast them. Then I saw this recipe and had to make it.
                                                 
Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Grapes

about 8 cups of halved brussel sprouts
about 4 cups of grapes
2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
I did 2 tsps of dried thyme as I didn't have fresh on hand ( if using fresh 4 tbsp)
coarse sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tsp of balsamic vinegar
( Now they added toasted walnuts 1/2 a cup-I didn't have any)

1. heat oven to 450.On two baking sheets toss brussel sprouts and grapes with oil and thyme.Season with salt and pepper.Roast until caramelized and tender, about 20 minutes. 2. Drizzle each tray with 1 tsp vinegar and scrape up any caramelized bits with a wooden spoon.( toss on walnuts if wanted.)

This recipe was quite easy ( okay the brussel sprouts took the longest ) and I really liked it.John had some and warmed some up the next day. ( As you have read by now John is my "should I make this recipe again gauge") So this one is going into the recipe file as a keeper.It might even come out for Christmas.

  So I decided to make a small change to my life. I joined Weight Watcher online. I have to lose some weight and with me not being able to workout with much intensity. I have to look at my food choices. I have two friends who have liked the program so I thought I would give it a go.

  So 5 days in and what have I learned....holy crap...alot!!!  My portions are out of control, just inputting items to get the points had been so eye opening. Some things like chips I would have eaten easily 10 points in a sitting. Yesterday for lunch I counted them out so I would have 2. I find myself really thinking about what I really want.

      My next shocker..... I have 29 points in a day....I was consuming that many in just beverages alone.  I knew they were high but never would I have thought that high.7 points for my soy chia latte from Starbucks or Timmy's dble dble( These were the indulgent venti sizes).5 points for a can of Pepsi.So I did the research I can have them...but smaller and just one a day. I am finding I am enjoying them more.

   I am being more mindful.What should I eat that is no points if I pick something I really want. Tonight with dinner I want a red wine.That's 4 points and I am at my limit.So if I want something later my new Elf's Help David's tea and a banana. I love that almost all veggies and fruit are free points.My fiber intake has soared through the last few days. I am slowing down and enjoying my food more.I have to think this is your points, I can have more...but here is the kicker.Do I NEED more? My light bulb moment.

  In all I like the program.I am still learning and I will get faster. On Sunday I hope to share my new recipe creation. I love earl's Mediterranean Pasta, I just could never get it right.But, I have made one that I am in love with.

   I want to end with sending prayers and gratitude to all of our veterans and Canadian soldiers.You do us proud every day.Much Love to you all!!!!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Fall Fun




   This post is going to have a little of everything fall. I like fall..I don't LOVE it. But, I like it. The colours outside, the crisp air and warm drinks.I would love fall more if winter wasn't so close behind. I have heard we are in for a cold one and the last winter was hard and long. So I am going to have to come up with some ways to make this winter more fun.But, that will be another post.So today I just wanted to share some of the fun things we have been up to this October and November.




When we were on holidays John's aunt need some of her apples picked. I volunteered Josh and I. It was outside, he loves to be busy,  it had a ladder and it's something we hadn't done yet. We had a grand time and it was so gorgeous outside.The apples were yummy too!!










          Yummy!!!









  When my in laws came home a week later I got the best surprise. John's aunt's sent us some homemade goodies.Apple butter- oh my word. I lick the knife.I will not waste a drop of it. Apple butter. Pickled beets and grape jelly. I am a very lucky girl!!!










  So from my recent cookbook purchase "Peas and Thank you" I made black bean soup (yes.. you see kidney beans-the recipe wanted two can of black beans and I only had one. So in went the kidney beans) This soup was easy, it freezes and John and I had it for lunch for the week.John asked me to make more. Now that's a good review.








I also made the cornbread from the book but, I will be looking for a new recipe. This one was too heavy and I like a little zing to my cornbread.


  I also had my birthday celebration. It was everything I wanted it to be. My husband worked so hard on it. I got to spend the evening with the two most importants males in my life and my family and freinds.That's what I wanted.... music, food and wine. It was the best way to end fall because....the next morning we woke up to snow and it's not leaving.So goodbye fall and hello winter.

Friday, October 21, 2011

   So I'm 40 in 2 weeks!!!! How do I feel about it? Well .....I think age is all in your head. I know some amazing people women and men living amazing lives past their forties.I think that people get to know themselves better and feel less guilt about doing things they love. I know that I want to do things and spend time with people who make me happy. When I turned 39 last year I wanted to lose tons of weight.That changed in January, I wanted to feel more energetic and get healthier. I am looking ahead I want the next stage of my life to be healthy, flexible, and filled with grace.I feel I have made some fantastic changes this year.I feel like I am moving forward.


    So what are my intentions this 40th year....

   -to continue to eat my plant based diet. I still am enjoying eating no meat,chicken or fish.I have found some wonderful substitutions and I have only scratched the surface.

     -I love my yoga routine and I found a wonderful app on my new iPad ( my husband bought it for my birthday and I LOVE it.) You can pay a monthly fee and you get access to all of Gaiam TV. The yoga and workout videos. I want to continue to work on my flexibility, and add some tougher poses.I have a friend who has asked if I would want to take a yoga class through her.She wants to get back into teaching and needs some students."pick me,pick me" is running through my head when she told me.I would love to have some ideas on maybe getting better and trying some different poses.

     - I do want to lose 20 pounds this year.I know I can do it.I feel like I can do anything.I can adapt. I can learn new things.

     -to continue to work with physio and stretching my hip flexor.It will get better.My physiotherapist said the most wonderful thing that I think I have ever been told.She said she was so impressed with my dedication to my exercises.That she could see feel the difference.I was so surprised and I felt like my chest puffed out. I have NEVER thought of myself as a determined person.It's not a word I would have ever described myself with.But I will now!!

      -to enjoy more meals with friends and family.I am finding that people are becoming the focus of the meal.Not what I am eating.At thanksgiving I pilled my plate with veggies and enjoyed my meal with John's side of the family by the fire.I enjoyed the food I choose. I listened, laughed and really paid attention. This was the first holiday I didn't think about what I would be missing. I knew the veggies were going to be great and in didn't miss it.....Okay it smelled really good but, I just got my plate and wine and moved on.I am going to have friends and family over to enjoy the moments and the people.

   -to continue to get more plant based food into John and Josh. Both of them will try new things.John has veggie pizza with me now.Amazing!!!!

     -I am finding more baking recipes.I want to continue to have Josh in the kitchen with me.He loves to be in the kitchen and I love having him with me.

    -I want to enjoy this winter more.It is such a large part of the year and I need to get out and love this beautiful season.

   -To continue to be thankful for all that I have. My wonderful husband who supports me in all my crazy adventures.My beautiful son who continues to make me laugh and enjoys all the wonders in life.My family who makes me smile and give me a sense of roots.My friends they make my life bigger and fun.My home which I love and will continue to make more ours.

   Anyways I always look forward to my birthday and the new year.To me, it gives me time to reflect on what I want in the future and how I can get there.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

peas and thank you recipe



    So my mission this fall is to use some of the amazing cookbooks I have purchased. I really wanted to bake. So Josh and I made muffins today from Peas and Thank you. Sarah Matheny is a blog writer ~peas and thank you.  I think she is witty and I really related to her story about her becoming a vegan. I also like that her recipes are kid friendly.We made blueberry streusel muffin from page 20-21. Now I did check her blog and the recipe is available on there.

  So Josh and I got out the utensils we needed and checked the ingredients ( I have learned the hard way, always check the ingredients first).I ran into 1 small glitch~ we had no orange juice only apple.So one phone call to my sister, to check that I wouldn't harm the recipe for the substitution and we were on our way. I love that Josh likes to participate. I think it is a great way to learn math. And it's a great thing to be able to cook. The thing is for me to let go and know things are going to be a bit messier.We always have a good time together.I have been finding when I let Josh participate he is way more inclined to try new things. He loves everything way more, it's quite funny.

    These  muffins were fantastic.(pictured above) Josh and his little friend loved them. They are moist, not overly sweet, not one bit of cholesterol, no salt and 3 grams of fiber and protein per serving. I would make these again in a heartbeat.


Monday, September 26, 2011

Let talk juicing

  So I wanted to talk about the benefits of juicing. I am trying to get in a "green goodness" drink a day. The cool thing is Josh loves his "special juice".(I think he likes the juicing machine.)We put in cucumber,celery and apples.Today we did pears too!! It shocked me he wanted to try it, I thought he would hate it.I didn't say a word and let him pour. We put it in my stemless wine glasses and he loved it.AWESOME!!!

  The information I am putting on this post is from one of my favorite books Crazy Sexy Diet. It is such an amazing book. If you haven't read it,  go to your local library or better yet pick it up she is so inspiring. So why juice???

  It balances your pH and gives you a direct shot of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, protein, and OXYGEN!! It helps the body repair itself. By removing the fiber (which we are getting elsewhere) we lighten the load on our digestion.Because the green vegetables are rich in chlorophyll it helps purify the blood,build red blood cells,detoxify the body and provides fast energy ( Josh doesn't need any of that.Mommy sure does though). By using more greens there will be only a slight raise in the blood sugars.I myself will be adding 1 or 2 apples or pears if Josh enjoys them. The juicing rule of thumb is a 3:1 ratio: three veggies to one piece of fruit.

  So what greens are beneficial?

     Cucumbers~ they make a great base.They are a  wonderful source of Vitamin C and are highly alkalizing and cleansing.
   
  Celery~ a great source of minerals(especially potassium) and B vitamins.( we are only using organic because celery is LOADED with pesticides)

  Kris Carr has a wonderful site to check out crazysexylife.com . She is an amazing and funny lady and she is worth checking out!! So if you can take some time explore her site, she has alot of health and self care information. She also shares her juicing recipes.Yeah!!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Wise Sage..NOT!!

                                 
                                               "I am not a wise sage."

   I know a few of you are going to say "That's not true Tanya ...you are SOOO wise" (I do make myself laugh).But, it's true. This blog is about personal feelings, things I am trying that work and don't, and a few things I am learning along the way.  I am learning so much at 39 and I wish I had known these things at a younger age.

   I battle with myself mentally. It's not pretty some days.I am finally learning that things take time.This was a rough week...I was tough on myself~ wanting more.It has taken me three days of pep talks with myself to get back to a place where I KNOW this is working.I feel great!! So time to Assess..what can I change?? What can I do better??

 Assess..what can I change? Drink more water.1.5 litres a day. Consistency. Every day a short walk or some weights. More veggies. I now bring a big container of veggies cut up to work.Portion control.This is going to be a big one for me. Slow down and walk away when I feel full.Pep talks.I know this is working but it takes all of my mental power not to crumble and eat crap.Eating is how I used to cope.Not anymore.Write it down.I used to write in my journal all the time.It is a great coping skill and I brought my journal out. Get those feeling on paper and move on.

  Dealing with Frustration..I did some walking lunges and my hip flexor started acting up. Bring on that whiny voice in my head."This sucks. I am never going to be able to push myself.You suck." So this involves lots of postive talks the past two days.  " I HAVE full mobility of my hip when I walk.You are not a failure, you are doing so good."This is a skill I am learning now.Dealing with an obstacle and not letting my house of card fall.I am learning that this is something to take and make it better for myself. I feel back in control today. That shows that I am growing up.That this is ongoing and it will get better.

   I have to recommend the current Whole Living magazine this month.Their is an article in there about Wisdom & Age and how women get smarter as they get older. The women they choose are VERY inspiring. It came along at the perfect time.That is how it happens sometimes.I love it.

  So a wise sage I am not but, I am learning and that is what a women's journey is all about.Liking ourselves more, enjoying the journey and hopefully passing that on to our children.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Check in





 
   What a busy September and so full of change. My little man is in Grade one with full days and I have been signing him up for all his fall activities at night. Also the new fall schedule for TV has kept me busy.Yeah Biggest Loser is back.I LOVE my TV!! So I thought a check in would be appropriate and fun.

   Food- I don't miss meat.AT ALL!! I have now hit the point where I don't panic about proteins anymore.This has taken me 9 months to feel this way. If I could give one piece of advice...Be patient with yourself.This was a huge learning curve.Give yourself the time to enjoy these new foods and learn what you really like.Give new things another try every once in a while.Quinoa and Miso soup did not appeal to me at the beginning. But these new taste buds of mine really enjoy it now.With all the processed foods that I had eaten, I think it took my body a long time to heal itself and actually truly taste real food.

 Fitness- Yoga have been a game changer for me.I can now walk with full mobility of my hip joint.I truly believe Yoga changed that for me.I had been focusing on alignment and posture.My new mission is core...I KNOW with no hesitation; this is my weak point. That is my main goal this winter.
   Walking on the treadmill is a great time saver.But this time of year I LOVE to walk outside.The crisp, fresh fall air.The leaves changing colour.Oh my ..LOVE IT!!!
   Weights training has always been a love of mine I love the way your arms feel so tight after a great training session.I have have been focusing on upper body because I don't want to push the hip to the point that I go backwards.Sometimes I get carried away.And this is the year to SLOW DOWN and get healthy.
  I am so very blessed to have my best friend next door for walks. Mini therapy sessions!!! I think that is the best way to get exercise, so if you have a friend make some time and enjoy this amazing fall weather.My sister has been getting me motivated as well.She has a gym membership and we laugh when we don't want to work out.But I hear she is at the gym and I want to work out. My husband has been a workout machine as well and I think that can be a huge motivator.People around us can be so very influential on our lifestyles.So find a buddy, spouse,sister and motivate each other.

  Books and DVDs- I finally got to see Forks over Knives and it didn't disappoint.It was motivating and informative.I would highly recommend seeing it. "Everyone takes what they need from things when they need it." What I found fascinating was how on a plant based diet your veins repair themselves.I will find the exact name and talk about it in a future post.It blew me away how we CAN heal with foods.
   I have Colleen Patrick Goudreau's new book on order and I hope it is here this week.Yippee!!!It's called The 30 Day Vegan Challenge . The lovely Spork sisters have their new recipe book coming out and I will be in Edmonton so I am hoping that I can get it there and not have to order it. ( I hate waiting for a book)




 Juicing- my mom scored me the best juicer at a garage sale for 10.00.SHE ROCKS!!! It is easy to clean and small enough I can keep it out on the counter. I am trying to have one green juice a day.Yeah oxygen for my blood stream!!!

  New things I am learning-
Planning : I need to have a game plan.Recipes,easy plant based food on hand for the crazy nights (with all the activities that Josh has at night.I must be organized), lunches made the night before, making extra of certain things for leftovers (rice,beans,cut veggies)
Exercise in the morning!!!!-I just won't get to it at night.

    I'll end with sharing a recipe.Squash season is here and I really want to use these beauties this season.If you want to share a blog or recipe I would love that!!! Sometimes it's nice to hear what other people do with these nutritional powerhouses.


     One acorn Squash cut in half with seeds removed
     1/2 cup of water
     a couple pinches of sea salt
     a couple pinches of  pumpkin pie spice
     2-1 tbsp of earth balance butter
     4 tbsp of brown sugar

 Directions:
   Preheat broiler on high.Pour water in a microwavable casserole dish.Place acorn squash flesh side down in dish with water for 15 minutes.Careful this will be hot when removing from microwave.Transfer to baking sheet.Rub butter over flesh.Sprinkle salt and spices over the top.Sprinkle the brown sugar over sides and in the middle.Place in over for 5 minutes.You should see the sugar caramelize if not let it remain for a few more minutes. My son really liked this!!  Happy Fall everyone!!!!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Quinoa and Kale

   So I have two recipes to share.I really enjoyed them both.I only have a picture of the Quinoa salad.

  
  QUINOA- a super grain and one I am trying to eat way more of.It has twice the amount of protein of other grains,fewer carbs, and more healthy fats. It is a complete protein and contains all eight amino acids.It's gluten free and rich in iron,calcium,potassium,fiber, and lignans.It is also heart healthy.(source-Vegetarian Times special Healing Foods magazine) Now you know why this grain is going to be a major part of my diet from now on.
  
Quinoa and Roasted veggie salad.
  I took some peppers,baby carrots,baby potatoes,beets,garlic and shallots.I cut them to the same size and tossed them in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and added some pepper and sea salt.I roasted them in the oven for about 40 minutes.Until the potatoes were tender enough to poke with a fork. About 20 minutes in I prepared the Quinoa to the package directions.The Quinoa cooked very fast and I was really happy with it.
I tossed the Quinoa and roasted veggies together.I made a dressing of 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar,1 tsp of mustard grains and whisked in about 1 tbsp of olive oil.I poured it over top and mixed it together.I have enough for dinner and maybe two lunches this week.I know the flavours will get better as it sits.Yummy!!!!!

KALE- it has calcium,fibre,iron and vitamin A,C, and K.It is rich in sulforaphane,which helps keep blood vessels healthy and has been shown to have anticancer and immunity boosting properties.It boasts antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein,which promote eye health.AMAZING!!( it is making the current dirty dozen so try to buy organic or whine and get some from a garden.Thanks mom and dad!!!)


Kale and White bean soup( this was from Yoga Journal)
   This soup was so EASY!!!!! It made enough for leftovers.I will make this again for sure.It was light and very filling.

1  16 ounce can of navy beans(they suggested cannellini beans but I only had navy on hand.)
Olive Oil
1 bunch of Kale
1/2 tsp of dried sage(I used a few sprigs of fresh)
1 clove of garlic(I did two- I LOVE garlic)
3 cups of veggie stock

Drain and rinse canned beans.Heat oil in sauce pan,add Kale cook for 3 to 4 minutes(it should be wilted but, still crisp.Add beans,garlic,sage and stock cook 3 to 4 minutes or until warm.That is how easy this is and it smells Divine.


    I LOVED how easy these recipes were and that I have them to eat again.That is a double bonus.

   I would highly recommend Vegetarian Times presents healing Foods magazine.It has great info and some great looking recipes to try.I just purchased it off the stands two days ago.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Summer fun!

  

    Well this month I have been on my veggie adventure for 8 months.I can say it has been way easier than I  thought it would be.Giving up all meat, fish and chicken has been one of the best things I have EVER done.Dairy is not so hard either..I have had the occasional cheese or dairy on nights out.

    Am I 100% vegan? No not yet but,plant based-yes!!.I feel lighter and my blood pressure is a consistent 117/78 I have great hopes to bring it down even more.I am getting my cholesterol done in the next two weeks, I am hoping for a great number. I have to say that the blood pressure is my biggest accomplishment. I honestly believe that if I hadn't made the changes I was heading for a lifetime of fighting and I changed this by paying attention and focusing on the trigger...Food!!

   I feel this month I hit my stride. I am happiest with myself right now...Honestly this is the least judgemental I have EVER felt about myself.I do want to lose some weight but I am actually HAPPY.Over the past few month I have edited my closet, I was ruthless. Nothing stayed that was ugly or too small (for that moment when I was going to be smaller).  This is my journey now.This is the body I have. My best friend and I get to walk often she is my fashion hero.She always looks so put together. We talk about how the image of ourselves is so powerful and how we want to enjoy the present.I want to be happy! Not making what I "THINK I look" like the focus of my life.I want to enjoy my life now and be present.Not locked in the "if I was that size" my life would be so great.I'm a work in progress.

  My workout are really coming along.I have found yoga and meditation to be the greatest help with my hip.It has really helped with my mind.I calm down faster..deep breathing is the BOMB. I am trying to get outside for my walks as often as possible.Just for the fresh air..I miss my Shasta though she was the best walking partner..sorry Maura(you know I love you!)The treadmill has been a great addition I can get downstairs anytime I need to. Weight training is back I can already feel the difference in my arms.


gorgeous blueberries
wheat in the fields
The tables from the field.


The dinner card and the raspberry vinegar we all received.
My favorite dessert.

The BC winery -Hester creek.



The raspberry fields and in the background you can see the tents.

my girls-Anita,Marcia,me,Gabi and Maura!! This was our picture from the local paper.
 So I've had some fun this August and wanted to share some pictures.On August 6th myself and friends got to go to The Razzel Dazzle Do. It was a wonderful evening at Sweder Berries U-pick,  it had a gourmet "local"dinner, live auction and music by locals The Three Amigos.The money went to research into Cystic Fibrosis.This was my first time and it did not disappoint and the fact that I got to share it with 5 of the most vivacious girlfriends.(we usually have 6 in our group but one is currently in Vietnam with her family..she would be so proud I finally got the country right.) It had rained all day and this was an outdoor event I was praying for some sun.God did not disappoint we got to our bus and 4:00 the sun came out.  I felt so excited.It was way more than I imagined it was going to be.

   We get there and the air was warm, the sun was out, the grass was so green, the rows of raspberries and blueberries. The best part white tents with the most beautiful decorated tables.It was so much more than I had anticipated. Us girls quickly found our table,bought our wine and set out to explore.We checked out the many live auction items and donated to get silly pictures in the photo booth. It was so fun, we squeezed in and got four great pictures of pure fun.Marcia and I headed off with the owner for a tour of Sweder Berries U-pick of the berries.Their are so many different kinds of blueberries and raspberries, it actually surprised me.Thank goodness I took pictures of my favorites.Marcia and I sampled so many luscious little beauties we had to stop before filling up before our "local " dinner. Before moving to a plant based diet I would have thought vegetables were boring.Eating this way has opened my life to so many more flavours the beet,goat cheese and mint salad was amazing.

     So back to our table for some excellent music and fun company. I have had the pleasure of knowing this group of ladies for -my guess is- 12 years.We have shared and enjoyed each others company.When we get together we have a great time and these ladies ALWAYS make me smile. They make me laugh, they dance, they say" screw what people think we should be doing at our ages",they bring up intelligent and thought provoking ideas and they can share a mean bottle or two(okay maybe more:)) of wine. I think that is why this evening will be such a great memory.Great food, wine and girlfriends.Nice!!

   I will take Josh back to the Sweder Berries for some berry picking and get some great produce.I am so glad I found this little gem that evening.

  So this past weekend I was finally able to get to our farmers market downtown.It was a lovely morning and it was great to see so many people at 8:00 in the morning.Josh and I got to stroll among local farmers and vendors.Josh picked the fruit he wanted-peaches,cherries,apples and I picked out some gorgeous veggies.Peppers of all colours,Kale,a bag of the cutest carrots.I also found a lady who makes hot pepper garlic jelly...oh my word,so good.I put my treasures in the cooler I had put in the back of my car.Then off too my moms place where we got spoiled.My mom and dad have a beautiful garden and greenhouse. Josh told me in the greenhouse"Boy his grandma's and grandpa's are sure good gardeners."I managed to score a huge bowl full of small tomatoes, they were so full of flavor I have been eating them for days.Some fragrant herbs,lettuce,swiss chard,peas and flowers..I enjoyed the gorgeous scent of the sweet peas for a couple of days.So I got to watch Josh play, sit in the sun eating fresh brushetta, and visit with my mom.It doesn't get better than that.

Some of my goodies all wash and ready to eat.


Sweet peas-one of my summer favorites

the fridge after-John said it looked like a jungle:)

Some steamy swiss chard-my first time with this veggie


Yummy!!

  I think the road to health is a journey I am trying to slow down and enjoy.In this quick fix world it is a pleasure to enjoy these moments.


"Don't wait to live your life,the perfect one you imagine you'll live one day in your perfect body.LIVE IT NOW!!"  Dr Linda Bacon

Friday, August 5, 2011

Beauty everywhere










  I think that part of being healthy is the ability to see the amazing things around you and be thankful for them.I hope to teach that to my son. He is~ as you know from previous posts~ a bug lover.I have had to put away any squeamish thoughts because I have to save them all. Spiders,moths,ants,flies they all must be taken outside to live a great life.So this week we went on an adventure. I had to get him outside.So to tantalize his almost six year old brain, I said lets bring the camera,a notebook and a pen.I found out the most wonderful things about our neighborhood from a little boys perspective.It is amazing what children think.What would have taken easily 15 minutes as a walk took us about two hours of seeing things through his eyes and taking some pictures of some pretty amazing things.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Crazy Sexy

    I FINALLY go around to watching Crazy Sexy Cancer.I got it from the library, it sat in my house for two weeks and I made some time to watch it. Fantastic!! I wasn't surprised, I had read Kris Carr's books(Crazy Sexy Cancer and Crazy Sexy Diet) and found her to be so inspiring,funny and very knowledgeable.Watching the DVD made me want to push my meditation time up to 10 minutes.(Which I did today...and it surprised me that it went fast.)I also want to juice more..I did an apple carrot combo yesterday with Josh. He didn't like it but I might try more apple next time.(I have been following a wonderful blog that I have talked about before and Lindsay is currently doing a long detox.She has some great info.)
    I would highly recommend the DVD and the books they will make you cry, inspire you and make you laugh!! Kris Carr rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!