Pixiepine Blog

Dr. Fuhrman's Banana Oat Bars

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000-06:00

Yum! I am on a serious fitness mission...we have an upcoming beach trip in May for our awesome friends' wedding, so it's time for me to get bikini ready for sunshine action! You may notice the new ticker in my sidebar. I am a very visual lady, so tracking my weight, food, and exercise efforts is very motivational! I am doing great sticking to my plan, and seeing results.

All that being said, I have a raging sweet tooth and must keep feeding that sugary monster! I just find healthy ways to do it. (Also, I know my posts have been sweets-heavy. This is just because I know you all don't want to see the numerous giant salads I have been consuming repeatedly!)

Exhibit A: Eat To Live-approved Banana Oat Bars (I had mine with a little coffee and homemade pecan milk).

Ingredients:

2 cups quick oats (not instant)
1/4 cup walnuts , chopped (I think I forgot to put these in my bars!)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup raisins (or chopped dates)
2 bananas , mashed
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (optional)
1 tablespoon date sugar (optional)- (I didn't use this)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Press dough in a 9"X 9" baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool on wire rack. When cool, slice into squares or bars and serve. ENJOY!

Add the applesauce & date sugar if you'd like a sweeter, moister version of these bars.

I usually double this recipe since everyone loves these bars and they disappear so quickly!

P.S. Remember to enter my General Mills cereal giveaway!

Big Giant Cereal Giveaway!

2012-01-25T16:04:00.000-06:00

I am very excited to offer a big ole cereal giveaway from MyBlogSpark and General Mills!

If you are anything like our crew, eating habits range wildly from family member to family member. Our fridge houses everything from chia seeds to hot dogs and a world of foods in between.

It's nice to see some staple foods, like cereal, that emphasize whole grains like these General Mills products. Since I can't force feed everyone green smoothies, I'm gonna appreciate small improvements, especially for the little people in my house!

Here are some tips on getting in more whole grains:

Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day’s nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient.
Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack.
Don’t Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don’t forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

Here's what you can win: 5 full size boxes of General Mills cereal with the white check!!

That is a lot of cereal!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

Thanks for entering!

Raw Chocolate Chip Cookies!

2012-01-25T10:30:00.000-06:00

Wow! I know I've mentioned how excited I was to win Raw Judita's giveaway just for the sheer fun of it, but it was amazing timing too. I was coming off the holidays feeling bloated, heavy, sloshed, salty, etc. Yuck! This colorful raw cookbook is really helping me start back along that path that is healthy high raw eating. The best part: everything I've made tastes delicious, and not just "healthy" delicious- like really good, filling, and flavorful!

For instance, chocolate chip cookies from Going Raw! I tend to go heavy on the nuts sometimes when eating raw, so I am being careful this time around. That being said, a post-holiday reboot needs some sweets treats to keep me motivated and cheerful :)

I've made these cookies twice, the second time using the recipe for a Superfood version with goji berries and raw walnuts- so good!

And for good measure, I've been drinking tons of green juice! I think my body is freaking out with this barrage of health food and exercise...hopefully it will kick into gear really soon with some happy, lean, green action!

Rock Your Confidence - Move Past Fear!

2012-01-24T16:15:00.000-06:00

Check out this great post from I Heart Wellness! Rock Your Confidence - Move Past Fear!

Pure Bars!

2012-01-23T10:30:00.000-06:00

Oh my goodness! Have you all tried Pure Bars? I've been snacking on them for the first time this week, and I must say, wow!!

Here's some info I particularly enjoyed:

All Pure Bars are between 82 and 92% raw, processed at under 118 degrees.

How raw is each Pure Bar?

Chocolate Brownie 82%
Apple Cinnamon 92%
Cherry Cashew 88%
Cranberry Orange 89%
Wild Blueberry 89%

The Pure Bars are really tasty, and surprisingly cakey, which I am in love with! I enjoy a lot or raw and health food bar brands, but I think Pure has beaten them all texture-wise.

Yay for new snacks!!

Raw Superfood Chocolate!

2012-01-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

More fun from Going Raw by Judita Wignall! I used her Basic Chocolate recipe, then upgraded it to superfood chocolate by adding in some healthy bits like goji berries, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

Pictured above is the raw cacao butter slowly warming up. Below are the finished chocolates.

This recipe was super easy, quick, and extremely tasty! No-guilt chocolate! As a bonus, this recipe stores for 2 months in the fridge! (Now to try and make it last even close to that long...its terribly tempting to eat it all up now!)

Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie...I'm in love!

2012-01-18T09:30:00.000-06:00

Above and beyond my excitement over winning some fabulous raw food goodies from Judita Wignall's blog giveaway, I have fallen in love with her cookbook, Going Raw.

This Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie is the first recipe I tried, and I made it twice in one day!! I froze the second serving to make raw ice cream- yum! The ingredients are all raw, all healthy :)

I was so impressed with the smoothie that I whipped up some Sunflower Seed Dressing the same day. Again, totally delicious! I used it on a massive salad, and then as dip for carrots as well.

I am loving this book so far and can't wait to make more yummy foods!

Magical Vegan Morning!

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-06:00

Today's post is on a recent wonderful morning spent in my kitchen. I woke up to some Ezekiel sprouted grain toast with homemade hummus from Appetite for Reduction, and some herbal tea with unsweetened almond milk. Then the busy-bee-ness commenced and the results were fantastic!!

I started with a variation of I Heart Wellness's Chocolate 'N Ginger Granola Bars. I subbed a few things based on the pantry and they turned out wonderfully!

Ready to bake:

While the bars were baking I made a batch of Kris Carr's Make Juice Not War green drink recipe:

Here are the baked bars:

And here they are bundled up for a little road trip to New Orleans- if good food is around, who needs bad food?! Not me!!

Have a great day!

Quinoa Salad Via Bohemian Kate

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

Today is a quick post on an easy-peasy salad!

It's quick, healthy, easily portable, and affordable- win win win!

I found this recipe on the lovely blog, Bohemian Kate. Check her out!

Have a great day, and get in on the giveaway too!!

Plant-Strong Prep!

2012-01-11T14:40:00.000-06:00

Gaze into my murky depths!!! This mysterious dark liquid is hiding some of my food prep for the week..

Beans soaking!!

I soak at least a couple of different types of beans overnight at the beginning of the week to make food prep easier. Also, if beans are ready, I'm much more likely to add them to dishes like salads, soups, etc.

Pre-hummus!!

What are your must-have food prep activities?

Remember to enter the giveaway! Daily chances if you Tweet :)

Words of (fun!) Wisdom!

2012-01-11T12:28:00.000-06:00

Love this post from Daily Transformations:

"Flirt.
Flirt with a neighbor, a friend, a man, a woman, a dog, a cat, a barista or a checkout person. Flirt with life. Flirting has nothing to do with sleeping with someone or cheating. Flirting is turning your mo jo back on and smiling at the world with humor, love, and creativity. Flirting is turning your light switch back on and sparkling all over the world. "

Plant-Strong Disaster...Salvaged!

2012-01-09T16:30:00.000-06:00

Here lies Smashed Pepper Peas...rest in peas.

Ack....I'll start this post off on a positive note: I did turn a flop into a tasty miso soup, so all is well.

Now back to the beginning. The recipe on Fat Free Vegan sounded tasty, tho I did think twice about TWO TABLESPOONS of horseradish...I threw it in anyway and my eyes started watering just stirring the pan. I pureed the mix and tasted it. PAIN! ACK! I actually love strong flavors, but this was just too much. Bitter and...horseradishy!

I thought sharp and went to my go-to when I hate a sauce- rinse the whole she-bang in a sieve and start over!

I made a nice miso broth and added the peas for a kind of wasabi-ish taste. It turned out quite nice with my kale salad and steamed veg. Day saved!!!

Still time to enter the giveaway!!

Herbal Tea Truffles (Raw!)

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000-06:00

I think in the glow of my self-assured early thirties and the optimism of a new year, I am going to declare that I feel my absolute best on a high raw diet.

Two challenges:
1)Cold weather!!! I started out pretty well with broth-based soups and big salads. Pretty soon that digressed into more sprouted grain, whole wheat, and sometimes white bread products in efforts to feel warm and full.

2) Equipment/cost: I scored a wonderful Breville Juicer for $15, which is rocking my world daily with green juice. I really would like a dehydrator (prohibitive cost till I find a used one a la the juicer). Without a dehydrator, I usually slip into buying pre-made raw bread/crackers, etc. which is pricey! I'm not going to let these considerations stop me, but I think that a long-term raw commitment will be much more workable when I get a dehydrator.

I have maintained a daily green smoothie and/or green juice habit throughout the cold weather, which is helping me ease back into more raw. Thankfully some motivation has returned after Christmas, I am using my free 2 week gym pass for all it's worth (yoga, cardio, weights, steam room- yeahhh!!) to get my blood flowing!!

Expect an increase in raw recipes and excitement! Here's my first raw dessert in a few months. I love this recipe!

Herbal Tea Raw Truffles
Amounts are to taste and texture preference- have fun playing with it!

Makes about 15 truffles

Process, adjusting liquid for a nice thick texture:
1 c dates
1/2 c raw cashews

1/4- 1/2 c raw pecans (or other nuts)
1/4-1/2 c herbal tea (I used chocolate mint in this batch)
1-2 T dried orange zest
1-2 T coconut oil
1 t vanilla
sprinkle of coarse sea salt to taste

Roll into balls and roll in:
1/2 c coconut flakes

Chill and enjoy!!!

Remember to enter my superfoods giveaway!

Coffee...bar?

2012-01-05T10:11:00.000-06:00

The Crazy Sexy Diet cleanse I did waaaay back in 2011 (teehee!) certainly made me confront the hard and fast fact that as much as I love coffee, it does not love me. It is mean to my skin, my stomach, and my general disposition. I save it now for times when I really need a blast of energy...like New Years Eve!

I do still love coffee and all things coffee-ish. Imagine my delight at this:

These Larabars are a great raw snack, and lemme tell you, they have the coffee flavor spot-on. I'm so excited!

Still time to enter the giveaway too!!

Free Stuff Rocks! Giveaway for 2012!!

2012-01-01T13:21:00.000-06:00

Hi lovelies! I'm pretty excited about revitalizing my healthy habits for 2012! I'm hosting another giveaway that can help you get the new year started right too! I've posted several times about my love for Amazing Grass products & Raw Revolution goodies.Both these brands make awesome and effective products that help satisfy my sweet tooth and infuse my diet with green power!!

This giveaway for you will include:
Amazing Grass Greens Superfood Chocolate Drink Powder
Amazing Grass Kids Superfood Chocolate Drink Powder
Amazing Grass Amazing Meal Chocolate Infusion
Raw Revolution Organic Greens Superfood Bar

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-01T10:11:00.004-06:00

I'm very excited to see all the wonderful things 2012 has in store!!

Green Things

2011-12-31T10:11:00.016-06:00

Firstly...my doggy in his formal wear- isn't he swinging in that turtleneck?!

Secondly- the first green juice from my beloved new-to-me Breville Juice Fountain. I was scared due to the fact that in the past I thought I could just jam any old thing into the juicer and come out with a a great drink...gahhh no. I've thrown away more juice than Id like to mention. This time I got some sense and used a recipe. I was quite happy to find the result a mild and tasty concoction. As usual, yay Kris Carr!

I used the recipe in Crazy Sexy Diet, but here's a similar one from Crazy Sexy Life.

Make Juice Not War

It's our motto and our morning drink. Here's what we serve in the Carr/Fassett home daily. This recipe makes almost 32 oz. When we have time we make another juice at 4 pm.

2.5 cucumbers - peeled if not organic
Big fist full of Kale
Big fist full of sprouts
4-5 stalks celery
1 big broccoli stem
1 large carrot (optional)
1 inch of ginger (or less)

Other optional greens we love: Romaine, parsley and dandelion.

Last day to enter Vega giveaway!!

2011-12-30T11:51:00.001-06:00

Check it out here!

Mean Green Food Rehab

2011-12-29T09:00:00.030-06:00

Ahhhh, I feel like such a cliche'...this holiday season I have been less than, uh, disciplined. Sitting here writing this, even my pajama pants feel tight. The nitty gritty is about 5 pounds, a progressively strengthening dread of exercise, and a very wrong attachment to the bulk bin sweets at the health food store.

Yep, you can still overindulge on vegan and "healthy" junk foods, comfort foods, and such. My main transgressions this season (and boy were they fun!): martinis, wine, trail mix, bread, vegan cheese (Ohhh, Daiya), MimicCreme, ouch ouch ouch.

I've continued to have salad and a green smoothie daily, but I've dipped a little too often into the heavier foods. With the weather so cold and the couch so cozy (not to mention all the mornings after those holiday drinks) my exercise schedule has dwindled to something light a few times a week.

NO NO NO! I was getting abs! I was buying clothes without trying on, knowing that a medium was perfecto! I was high on life and hot yoga and green powder! Time to get back in action!

Plan:
*a free 2 week pass to a gym, augmented by daily exercise before and after that 2 weeks
*a fairly strict but fun menu plan using some favorite cookbooks like Appetite For Reduction, Crazy Sexy Diet, & Live Raw
*erm...I'm not sure about the rest..any ideas? :)

Cookie Pops!

2011-12-27T08:00:00.001-06:00

Please read no further if you would like any vegan/healthy content today...

:P

Slice-N-Bake, stix, frosting, sprinkles...happy birthday to a little 11 year old dynamo!

Vega Giveaway is still going!

2011-12-26T21:41:00.001-06:00

Enter here!

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-25T09:41:00.001-06:00

Yummy Drink

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000-06:00

I don't usually buy bottled drinks, but I grabbed this one on a whim and had to post. It's Tazo, Refresh. It is really yummy, aesthetically pleasing, and the the cap gives you a tea leaf reading!

Giveaway Time!

2011-12-20T15:23:00.001-06:00

***Winner is Bitt*** Yay!!

Time for a little giveaway! How would you like a sampling the new Vega Sport products? Vega generously sent me some samples to try, and I'm sharing the love!

ABOUT VEGA SPORT

Vega Sport is the first, complete, all-natural, plant-based sport performance system, specifically developed in three comprehensive stages to help you perform at your best, without compromise—before, during and after training.

To enter:

Mandatory: Be a follower of Pixiepine Blog, and leave a comment here with your favorite Vega product!

Extra Entries:

Follow Vega on Twitter (leave your Twitter name)

Follow Pixiepine Blog on Twitter (leave your Twitter name)

Tweet (once daily, leave Tweet url):
Win a Vega sample pack from @pixiepineblog! http://cuppapixie.blogspot.com/2011/12/giveaway-time.html

Giveaway ends 12/30. Good luck!

Musuem Food

2011-12-19T10:11:00.019-06:00

Oh, how I love museums!

Here are some gorgeous edible experiences!

MoMA Mondrian Cake

Here's a recipe if you want to give it a go..

Guggenheim Bilbao

Dallas Museum of Art Cafe'

Do you have any favorites?

Vegan Sausage!

2011-12-17T10:22:00.000-06:00

Dear Vegan Brunch, I love you!!!! You give the gift of vegan sausage...which rocks my world! Love, Leslie

I steamed up some Italian style sausage and served it with rice, white beans, and some deeeelicious cole slaw! Mmmm!

Drinks & Dinner...

2011-12-15T10:50:00.002-06:00

Juicer Magic!

2011-12-13T10:11:00.023-06:00

I would like to share the magical tale of how a Breville Juice Fountain came to live in my kitchen! I've had one on my wishlist since I first tuned in to dispatches from Kris Carr. She makes some juicer recommendations in Crazy Sexy Diet.

In the best garage sale score ever, my treasure-hunting buddy Ali pointed out a contraption and said, "Look, a juicer" cuz he knows I've been looking for one for a couple of years now. I barely acknowledged him, having seen so many crappy/broken/cheap ones at g-sales that I don't even look anymore. He insisted that I check it out, and I'll be gobsmacked, it was the Cadillac of juicers, the Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus. I was nearly skipping up to the lady to pay the ultra-cheapo price of $15!!!!!!! It is almost new!

Here's my inaugural juice, a carrot/cucumber/apple blend. I'm so used to my green smoothies that juice is taking a minute to get accustomed to. I am not big on that earthy taste, so my plan is to start fruit/sweet veg heavy and ease my way to hardcore green juices. Any favorite recipes you wanna share?

Magical Non-Coffee

2011-12-11T11:35:00.010-06:00

I finally found a warm beverage that satisfies all my caffieinated, creamy, warm needs!! This is gonna sound wacky, but I sure love it, and it actually calms my need for soy lattes and such.

I brew one Bigelow Eggnogg'n teabag, and one Stash Chocolate Mint tea bag, then pour in a little MimicCreme. Ahhhh yum!!

Druzy Quartz...

2011-12-09T08:00:00.015-06:00

Oh my goodness...who knew!? Not me! I spotted one of these rings, did an Etsy search, and omg at the gorgeousness. Drusy Quartz is believed to energize your body and aura and promoter creativity. Yes please!

Here.

Eat Vegan on $4 A Day: Minestrone!

2011-12-07T10:11:00.008-06:00

Quick post for a quick soup! This is minestrone from Eat Vegan on $4 A Day.

I've made this three times recently- it is easy, healthy, cheap, and yes...quite tasty! I usually add brown rice or quinoa to round out the meal, or pair it with a healthy bread, like the Harvest Herb Bread from How It All Vegan (pictured).

What soup recipes do you love?

Eco Vegan Style!

2011-12-06T16:18:00.000-06:00

I dunno if it's the cozy weather, more time inside, or what...but I am style crazy lately. I've been reading some amazing new to me blogs like A Beautiful Mess, A Perfect Kind Of Day, and Violet Bella. I've also discovered the fun of Pinterest, which I really love due to the fact that you can totally cultivate a great resource without all the yuck that comes with social networking sites.

I've been clearing the closet while treasure-hunting for things that satiate my current style cravings. Amazing vegan, eco, and vintage things take a little effort to find, but are sure worth the effort.

In this good fashion fun, I've also become an affiliate with Ecolissa, a site chock full of eco and vegan fashions.

I bought this dress from Ecolissa while it was still warm (in anticipation of wintery festivities!) and have loved wearing it for a few gatherings recently.

Here are a couple more things on my wishlist!!

Toggery Nikki Skirt

Eda & Betty Classic Waterfall Necklace

What are your favorite eco & vegan brands?

Cozy Pot Pie a la Vegan A Go-Go!

2011-12-05T10:08:00.017-06:00

Mmm! This is one of my absolute faves from Sarah Kramer- she has the market cornered on cozy vegan food in my book! I want another plate of it just looking at these pictures :)

This recipe is from the adorably portable Vegan A Go-Go, which I picked up at Herbivore in Portland long ago and far away. This little book travels well, calls for easily available ingredients, and is packed with great info and recipes. Love it!

I vary the pot pie filling based on what we have in the fridge. This one involved string beans, potatoes, celery, carrots, and onions. Soo delicious! The creamy filling and use of sage just create pot pie perfection. The crust is made with whole wheat flour.

What are your cozy food favorites?

Show Your Green Smoothie Some Love...

2011-12-02T10:11:00.000-06:00

with Amazing Grass! Today's post is on another fab smoothie addition that I use several times a week.

Amazing Grass Green Superfood in Berry has to be one of my favorites- it is tasty and adds tons of healthy goodness to smoothies (or other liquids). I also enjoy the Orange Dreamsicle and Raw Reserve powders.

The lovely people at Amazing Grass sent me a really fun pack so that I could try some other products that are new to me! I love their fun approach to health!

I also tried some delicious energy bars...quite decadent, organic, and no sugar added- awesome!!

Have you tried Amazing Grass? There's a great sale on that ends today, so hop on over!

Merry December!!

2011-12-01T10:08:00.000-06:00

NHBPM: Last Post! & $4 A Day Sandwiches!

2011-11-30T12:53:00.000-06:00

NHBPM Day 30:
Play that horn. Want to hear a secret? You’re awesome. (It’s actually not even really a secret.) This is going to be hard for you, O Modest One, but you gotta give yourself props today. Write three things you love about yourself – things you’re great at – or just want to share. Don’t you dare signpost or undercut those self-compliments!

1. I love my zest for reading and writing.
2. I love my ability to create atmosphere anywhere.
3. I love my food creations!

What do you love about you? (and thanks for hanging out with me for these 30 days of WeGo Health blog posts!)

And now for the eatz! I am really enjoying my Eat Vegan On $4 a Day cookbook, although sometimes it prolly costs more than $4, as my husband is REALLY enjoying these recipes and polishing off several servings at a time- a running, soccer playing, drumming dude has to get his fuel! The recipes would be way less $$ per day for me, as I accompany everything with a gargantuan salad (usually made with .99 cartons of clearance produce- score!).

Today's $4 A Day recipe: Bean sandwiches! I turned these into wraps- they are perfect as a tuna or egg salad sub. (The scary flag indicates the presence of chickpeas, which my honey called "dynamites" for their, erm, gas-inducing effects :p)

NHBPM Day 29

2011-11-29T12:58:00.000-06:00

Day 29:

Greeting card post! The greeting card industry is all about writing generally universal feelings in a presentable way that you can use to express yourself when you just can’t think of the words to say.
Write a greeting card for someone in your community to help them express themselves about a new diagnosis, treatment, or experience.

Thanksgiving Potluck & NHBPM Day 28

2011-11-28T12:20:00.018-06:00

Day 28:
Say WHAT?! What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve heard about health or your condition. Was there any context? What did you think at the time you heard it – and what do you think of it now?

I can think of a ridiculous thing I told myself...I figured out that I was lactose intolerant in high school. Due to little information and very traditional eating habits, I immediately jumped to the conclusion that I would just have to stuff those Lactaid pills in my mouth in mass quantities so I could continue eating favorite foods like pizza, ice cream, cheese, and so on without dying of cramps, upset stomach, and general bad tummy experiences. It took several years, a lot of reading, and a good amount of kitchen experimenting to learn what I should have guessed all along: I feel 100 times better when I just skip the dairy. I hate medications and I hate feeling bad, so I have learned how to eat exceptionally well without the presence of dairy in my life. Yay!

And here are some highlights of our after-Thanksgiving Potluck. On the menu:
enchiladas, mashed potatoes, red beans & rice, sweet potato biscuits, pasta, carrot cake cupcakes, key lime pie, and lots of wine! :p

NHBPM Day 27!

2011-11-27T10:11:00.012-06:00

NHBPM Day 27:
Quote Unquote. Grab a quote from this site (type in any word – see what comes up!)

I typed in the word "amaze" and chose this quote:

“Writing is like getting married. One should never commit oneself until one is amazed at one's luck.”
-Iris Murdoch

National Health Blog Post Month Day #26: How It All Vegan!

2011-11-26T10:08:00.021-06:00

NHBPM Day 26:

I still remember… Free write a post that starts with the line “I still remember…”

I still remember...my first vegan cookbook! How It All Vegan, by Sarah Kramer! It was wonderful then, and it is wonderful now...a decade later!

Since my original copy has been burnt, spilled upon, waterlogged, and such, I plan on adding this 10th anniversary edition to my cookbook shelf.

In magical vegan bonus world, I had the fun experience of briefly meeting Miss Sarah Kramer! We were in the Pacific Northwest for a belated honeymoon and visit to friends. We decided to take a ferry from Seattle to Victoria, B.C. and get honeymoon tattoos at her husband's shop, Tattoo Zoo.

Lovely, lovely, and lovely!

NHBPM Day 25

2011-11-25T13:54:00.000-06:00

NHBPM Day 25:

Never Have I Ever. You stick to your guns – now tell us about what.

What is something you’ve never done but want to.
I really want to :
travel to Europe
zip-line
have a totally different hair color
go to a spa
road-trip

What’s something you’ve never done and won’t budge on?
I've actually tried everything I ever had an urge to try, at least once :p
I'm of the school of thought that you should just jump in and give something a try...it's not always good and I wouldn't want to repeat some of my experiences, but I am 100% glad I've had all sorts of adventures!
I guess I won't budge on not killing anyone...that's pretty much a good one to stick to.

:) How bout you?

Happy Tofurkey Day! NHBPM #24

2011-11-24T10:50:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!

NHBPM Day 24:

My Mascot! Give your condition, community, or self a mascot. Who is it? What do they represent? What is their battle cry?

Unicorn! They are friendly (at least in my brain), magical, loving, unique, creative, resourceful, and strong. Anything is possible! :P

2011-11-23T10:11:00.009-06:00

NHBPM Post Day 23:

"Health Activist Choice. Write about whatever you want!"

Here we go!

A collage I made this week...happy happy!

Deeelicious soup I made this week from Eat Vegan on $4 A Day..so awesome with sweet potatoes and russet potatoes!

Have a great day!

Vibrations of love...via pistachio!

2011-11-22T09:00:00.035-06:00

Today's Health Blog Post:

"Be present. Describe something peaceful with as much sensory imagery as you can. What are the sights, sounds, scents, and feelings?"

With that in mind, I give you this:

You know when you go into an awesome little shop that seems to fit you to a tee? Or maybe you walk into someone's home and you just can't stop looking at everything...sniffing scents, feeling textures, wanting to explore more?

That is exactly how Living Tree Community Foods make me feel from start to finish. They graciously sent me a nut butter to review, and I must say, I am hooked. The Berkeley-based business seems to truly infuse their products with love, compassion, integrity, and a general sense of respect- respect for health, respect for the environment, respect for the magnificent experience of eating wonderful foods!

I received Pistachio Butter to try...I wish I could say I've done anything creative with it, but it's so heavenly on sprouted grain bread, that's as far as I've gotten. It is rich, thick, and full of complex flavors. Love on a bun, I tell ya! I suspect it would be amazing with shortbread or as a pesto-type spread on bruschetta. Raw foods speaking, it would be delicious on dehydrated breads, crackers, or crisp sweet potatoes. Yum!!

Other Living Tree delights I want to get my mitts on:

Alive and Organic Almond Chocolate Lavender Blossom Truffles

Organic Cashew Butter!

Thank you Living Tree Community Foods, for inspiring me and for making some new kitchen favorites!

NHBPM: Ekphrasis post...

2011-11-21T09:41:00.009-06:00

"Day 21: Ekphrasis (writing about another art form) – Find a Flickr Image in Creative Commons that inspires you in some way (positively or negatively) and free write about it. Give yourself exactly 15 minutes to write without stopping. Don’t think!"

Credit

I'm cheating on this...15 minutes is too long...ya'll would be snoozing.
In brief: I chose this picture because it relates to my fairly new habit of meditating. I started while doing the Crazy Sexy Diet cleanse, and it's a habit that has stuck.

I was gonzo for guided meditations, but now I think I'm moving towards plain music, or maybe just silence. I love that meditation makes me more aware of my breathing, calms me down, and helps me get into a more appreciative, content, and open mindset.

Thas' all! xo!

Tea Soup?!

2011-11-20T10:00:00.014-06:00

I used to be a tea snob, preferring brands like Tazo & Yogi to the more easily available grocery store brands. Celestial Seasonings somehow cosmically knew this, stepped up, and created some varieties that I drink like they are lifeblood!

Cases in point:
Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride, Candy Cane Lane, Sugar Plum Spice
Zingers, Bengal Spice, and more!

I have been drinking a ton of Bengal Spice, as it is chai-esque without all the soy milk and sugar I require in a chai latte! I found the soup recipe below on the Celestial Seasonings site...wonder how it would taste veganized...?

Bengal Spice^® Mushroom Soup

November is the perfect month to indulge in hearty, delicious soups. The addition of Bengal Spice to traditional mushroom soup results in a delightfully seasoned broth that will warm even the chilliest of nights!

Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

1 diced shallot
2 large Portobello mushrooms, cubed
2 cups sliced button mushrooms
2 Tbsp butter
4 cups water
4 Bengal Spice tea bags
1 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp cornstarch
Salt and pepper

Sauté the shallot and mushrooms in butter until tender. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan, and add the tea bags. Lower to a simmer, and steep the tea bags for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags. Add the cream to the tea; then whisk in cornstarch. Return to a boil over medium heat until thickened. Then add the mushrooms and shallots and salt and pepper to taste.

NHBPM Day 20:

"LOL post. Write a post about a moment that made you laugh. Or a video, picture, blog post, or something else that made you laugh."

Natalie Dee males me laugh...

Foodbuzz Tastemakers: Baking Edition!

2011-11-19T10:11:00.026-06:00

We recently had a girls' night at my house! We played the Game of Life (somehow generating 12 of those peg-baby children between the 3 of us playing!) and baked. It was a cozy night and we decided to give this Duncan Hines mix a try, along with some Comstock-Wilderness Apple Pie Filling. I picked these out using coupons provided by the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program and socked them away in the pantry for a night just like this!

The Apple Caramel Cake mix was easy to use and the kids did all the measuring and stirring.

The cake baking, topped with the caramel mixture....

Enthusiastic bakers!

When the cakes (2 8" layers) came out, we used the Comstock apple pie filling as a middle layer, then stacked the cakes.

Smelling good!

We surprised the mister with a little candlelight late-night cake party, wherein (quite unusually!) sweet treats were consumed and (not so unusually) we all gabbed about stuff!

Very fun night, and the Duncan Hines mix made for a fun project for the kiddos. Girls' night in, success!

NHBPM Day 19:

"“Best of” post. Grab a post from your archives and repost it! Add a few sentences at the beginning to frame it. Why you chose it. Why you liked it. And why it should be shared again."

I'm reposting the homemade deodorant chronicles...that's one topic that has been wonderful!

Eat Vegan on $4 A Day! & #NHBPM Day 18

2011-11-18T10:50:00.022-06:00

Being the lucky star that I seem to be, I won something again! I must say, this is an awesome prize, at a perfect time.

Eat Vegan on $4 A Day! It is really well-written, with great info on budgeting, advertising, health, culture, and more. The recipes aren't earth-shattering, especially if you are a pretty seasoned vegan eater. Nonetheless, the are all tasty, filling, healthy, and budget conscious. I love it! I've been cooking up lots of selections.

Here is the extremely tasty minestrone. It calls for 2 types of beans and a plethora of veg. Perfecto!

I added some quinoa as well.

Tasty!

National Health Blog Post Day 18:
A comment as a blog post. Pick someone else’s post (from the past or from today) and write a comment to them. Write that comment as your blog post for today. Link back to them to let them know you were inspired.

Blog: The Love Vitamin
Post: Could Meditation Be The Key That Sets Us Free?

My comment: "Yoga and meditation have both helped me untold amounts in terms of my health, my daily outlook, and (according others and my own observations), my looks! I am calmer, happier, and just look nicer! Love this post and love the part in your free e-book where you discuss that our bodies and minds don’t know the difference between worrying about things that haven’t happened, and actually experiencing stressful events. Why the heck would I put myself through that by worrying all the time? Operation No Worries- engage!!!
Looking forward to reading more of your posts "

Love List

2011-11-17T09:18:00.008-06:00

Today's National Health Blog Post:

"Let It Be. What’s something that bothers you or weighs on you? Let it go. Talk out the letting go process and how you’re going to be better to yourself for it."

Related to food and health, something that weighs hugely on me is seeing people I care for make poor choices regarding their food and self-care. I feel like I know the *right way* (:P) and could just explode their worlds with amazing green happiness!!!...except maybe they feel just fine as they are. I am working on living by example and stopping that judgy voice in my head...but it's hard. Along those lines, here are some things that inspire love feelings, which are prolly the most productive route in most situations.

Indian Food Night!

Prayer Candles

Hooping!

Dancing with my bestie

My kitty ♥

Hello Kitty!

Garden projects :)

Purple beeeyootiful skirts!

Our wedding robots!

My wacky mister ♥

Role Models

My pup!

Old times..

What do you love today?

Eatz!

2011-11-16T10:08:00.002-06:00

So many simple, yummy, and healthy recipes lately! Here are a few :)

Hummus from Appetite For Reduction
Pintos from Beauty That Moves

Flax Crackers from Fresh Young Coconut

Smoky Lentil Soup from Appetite For Reduction

NHBPM Day 16:

"Little Engine Post. Write a list post with 10-15 lines that start each with “I think I can…” Write 5 lines at the end that start with “I know I can.”

You know what? I can't think of any "I think I can...s" because I know I can do anything I make my mind up to do! Here are some "I know I can...s!"

I know I can exercise 5-6 days of the week.
I know I can budget for food and save some money.
I know I can get creative and make some new healthy, vegan dishes.
I know I can spend more time with loved ones.
I know I will get my work sitch all organized soon.
I know I can choose to have fun and enjoy every minute and day regardless the circumstances at any given time!

National Health Blog Post Month Day #15

2011-11-15T10:11:00.003-06:00

Day 15:

"This one’s for you, baby. Dedicate a song to your condition. Why did you pick that song? Find a youtube or link to a version to embed in your post."

My condition...is happy!

Foods Alive Review & NHBPM Day 14

2011-11-14T10:50:00.029-06:00

Hello lovely readers! I wanted to share today about another raw foods resource that I've found and been pleased with. I learned about Foods Alive while perusing other blogs on ideas for raw foods suppliers that made high-quality, affordable products. Family-owned, like Foods Alive, is a great bonus!

I ordered some Raw Cacao Powder and Raw Golden Flax Seed (using a special blogger discount-yay!)

I am quite pleased with the quality and the customer service. Even without the blogger discount, the prices and shipping are very reasonable. I love being able to order raw superfoods in larger quantities like this- less waste! Now that I've replenished my cacao supply, the making of banana chocolate vegan soft serve and raw truffles can resume! Yum!! Check out Foods Alive for great raw foods supplies, and feel good about supporting a family-owned business whose focus is on awesome healthy foods.

NHBPM Day 14:

Elevator blog. If you were in an elevator with someone and they asked about your blog. What would you tell them?
Make a version for a 30 second elevator ride.
Me: It's a vegetarian, health food blog- lots of recipes and fun stuff. ( I always say vegetarian in passing because it seems less confusing to random people than going into what vegan means.)

Make a version for a 1 minute elevator ride.
Me: It's a vegan health blog- lots of raw foods, healthier alternatives. It's about living healthy with no meat/dairy, and keeping the processed foods to a minimum. I like to share recipes, companies I like, and so on.
Make a version for a 2 minute elevator ride.
Me: It's a vegan health blog- lots of raw foods, healthier alternatives. It's about living healthy with no meat/dairy, and keeping the processed foods to a minimum. I like to share recipes, companies I like, and so on. I also share about traveling vegan, sticking to a budget, getting in some fun fitness/exercise, and enjoying more a of handmade/thrifty lifestyle. Thanks for taking a look at it when you get a chance!

How would you describe your blog?

Raw Revolution!

2011-11-13T09:00:00.039-06:00

Today's post is on another of my favorite raw food treats: Raw Revolution Organic Live Food Bars. I've had a few flavors before, and Raw Revolution quite graciously sent me some new flavors to review, including these new greens bars- yay!!! The combo of Raw Revolution's delicious desserty flavors with greens powder is just quite exciting to me!

I've tried lots of raw products, and I count these among the best. They are healthy-tasting without being overly "healthy tasting" :p I also love the kind of kick-a** packaging and marketing. We see hippy dippy all the time; it's nice to see a powerful branding of food that makes you feel so energetic. They were created by a Registered Nurse and Natural Foods Chef , so it makes great sense that they are both super healthy and full of flavor and texture.

Eating a Hazelnut & Chocolate bar made me smile!!!

Check out the flavors and more info here!

NHBPM #13:

"Open a book. Point to a page. Free write for 10-15 minutes on that word or passage. Post without editing if you can!"

I'm gonna keep this brief, but here we go!

"Revolutionary, in fact, because almost every trend and pressure, every voice from the outside is against this new way of inward living."- Anne Morrow Lindbergh/Gift From The Sea

This book was written in 1955, yet expresses things that we are still grappling with in 2011. Even without Facebook and iPads and all that other stuff I dunno the names of, people struggled with feeling connected, reflective, and content. The book (I'm in ch. 1) is just full of stuff I am looking forward to soaking up.

Whatchoo reading?

NHBPM 11: Teach A Class!

2011-11-12T10:23:00.004-06:00

"Day 11: Teach a class. What’s something that you’re uniquely great at and could teach a class on? Write the tutorial in a blog post. Bonus points for images, links to resources, and video."

I'm cheating a little on this one! Here's a recent video of my friend teaching me to make ravioli!

Wintery Soup & NHBPM #11

2011-11-11T10:50:00.016-06:00

Ahh the cold wintery nights! Yay! We have a little fire pit that we bought way back when it was 100 degrees, and we decided to test it out with some friends and yummy vegan food. Of course, there was wine! We've been enjoying Chilean varieties lately.

I made a wild "everything but the kitchen sink" soup using Bob's Red Mill Vegi Soup Mix as a base (love this stuff)! We also had a little food splurge with Fancy Biscuits from How It All Vegan. It felt quite renegade after so long without it on a regular basis to be flagrantly eating bread...but kind of fun!

Day 11 NHBPM:

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. What is working well in your community, healthcare, blogs, social media, or your work in particular? What do you like about it?

My favorite thing about the blogging community (vegan, raw, health, etc.) is the sharing of ideas, the encouragement, and the constant availability of inspiration! I also love meeting bloggers in our travels!

Have a wonderful day!

Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup & NHBPM #10

2011-11-10T10:50:00.028-06:00

Oh it's been so soupy around our house lately. Soup is so awesome for eating vegan, sticking to a budget, and getting warm and toasty when the weather is cold. Expect to see a lotta yummy soups 'round here!

Today's soup is a vegan broccoli cheese soup. I Googled this recipe as a basic guide, then went to town making my own changes. I am not a big fan of fake cheese products money-wise or taste wise, so this recipe worked nicely for me. Nutritional yeast is really all I need to get cheezy! Here's the recipe the way I did it:

Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup

1 large bag of frozen broccoli
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 cup nutritional yeast
salt to taste
1 cup oat flour
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried yellow mustard powder
8 cups water
1-2 T vegan butter

Make soup, yo!

Today's National Health Blog Post #10:

"Our favorite social media sites are constantly undergoing renovations to become quicker to navigate, easier to interact with, all encompassing, mobile, and everywhere. Imagine the same thing about your community – how will they evolve, improve, and grow?

I'd love to see all the energy put into online life into real life! It does take effort, and in our techy world, we have to readjust to taking it a little slower, but the rewards are amazing. Being around living, breathing, people working towards a common goal is very powerful! I am personally working towards this by making time for being with friends, working on projects whose benefits are spiritual/mental rather than monetary or goal-oriented, cooking from scratch, taking time to just sit and enjoy simple pleasures...that's my idea of progress. I am super inspired by real-life friends and people I read about who are making art, sharing talents, improving communities, and generally giving of themselves to add to the richness of a particular place or group. Love it!

Marzetti Simply Dressed & NHBPM #9

2011-11-09T10:50:00.001-06:00

Welcome to today's post! This is a review of one of my favorite products I've tried so far through the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program: Marzetti Simply Dressed salad dressings.

As you may know, we eat a TON of salads at my house and I'm always on the lookout for more healthy dressing options. I love to make homemade ones, but I also like to keep a few bottled dressings around for when things get hectic. I was extremely pleased to read the ingredients lists on Marzetti's Simply Dressed varieties. They are truly "simple" and many of the varieties are vegan as well.

Vegan flavors: Champagne, Ginger Sesame, Pomegranate, Strawberry Poppyseed

I used the champagne flavor to dress a couple of different salads this week.

First, a basic green salad topped with everything veg-tastic! Sprouts, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, you name it!!

The second way I used the Marzetti Simply Dressed was as a marinade in a chopped veggie salad. I used raw zucchini, squash, bell peppers, broccoli, and spinach. It was delicious and the dressing softened up the crispy raw veggies just enough.

I would definitely recommend these dressings as a quality bottled option for your salads and beyond!

And for today's National Health Blog Post entry:

Day #9: My personal brand. As a Health Activist, you are a front-facing leader. What do you imagine you look like to your readers? What qualities do you possess. It’s ok to toot your own horn today – you have full permission to indulge. And don’t hold back.

Heheh. This is an odd idea to think about. I often wonder if we idealize ourselves as bloggers. Many of my favorite blogs have an ethereal, magical, and downright perfect vibe to them. I love the perfect presentations, but I know that's not reality all of the time for most people. I know I make an effort to look cute, only post nice pics, omit lame or boring stories, etc. I have no idea how I come across when you read my blog, but I know I usually present the most positive experiences and aspects of life, cuz who wants to read things that bum us out or look at pictures of gross food? Not me :p

I hope these qualities that I am working towards come through in my posts:
*positive thinker
*caring person
*seeker of knowledge
*valuer of handiwork, quality, and reflective living
*fun :)
*healthy

Your turn! What do you imagine you look like to your readers?

Blissful Bits Vegan Stir Fry! & NHBPM #8

2011-11-08T10:50:00.029-06:00

Yum! We rarely eat fake meat anymore, and I've been mainly making raw foods for the last few months. When I won these Blissful Bits from a Vegan MoFo giveaway right as it started getting chilly outside, I knew it was time to crank up the stovetop and make a special warm treat for dinner!

I made quinoa and a veg mix with some miso and Bragg's. In went the Blissful Bits, and wow! I must say (and the mister agrees) these are the best fake meats I've tasted! They are delicious and have a great texture.

A healthy and delicious dinner in no time!

Today's National Health Blog Post Month Topic: Day 8:

"3 Truths and 1 lie. Tell us 3 things that are true about you, your condition, your Health Activism, or your life. Now tell us 1 lie. Do you think we will be able to tell the difference?"

Well, I am a horrible liar, so I'm gonna keep this light! Which do you think is a lie?

*I have 13 tattoos.

*My family is lebanese.

*I drive a convertible.

*I am lactose intolerant.

Guess?

Better Late...Adorable Foods at my Knit Night Halloween Party

2011-11-07T10:50:00.008-06:00

Here are some of the adorable foods (and me as Cleopatra!) at my knitting group Halloween party! Not all vegan, but all cute!

Knit Or Die!

Cleo... :)

Smells like a rat!

Spooky graveyard o'cupcakes!

Creepy fingers!

And now for my WEGO Health Day 7 Post:

"Case of the Mondays. Write about something that gets you down, burns you out, or makes you sad. Purge it in a blog post.

Turn it around at the end. Tell Tuesday why you’re ready for it."

Ay yay yay! I tend to get pretty down about things sometimes, but bounce back just as fast as long as I have a good listener and/or a good venting activity. I can hug, cry, exercise, cook, brainstorm, nap, or laugh my way back into a good mood :)

Things that bum me out:

*stress: money, life, loved ones, health...same as everyone else!

*being too busy to enjoy my loved ones sometimes

*some of my besties living way to far away for a hug and a cup of coffee on a moment's notice

*seeing people jacking their lives up with bad food, bad habits, bad people, gluing their faces to their electronic gadgets, etc. (sorry, it's judgy, but I'm being honest!)

My best ways to avoid getting down are simple and productive. I get up and move, talk to my honey (he is an awesome cheerer-upper), look up something new to learn about, play with my pets, get outside and breathe in some air, play with my plants, or do something nice for someone. I am thankful that I am truly learning to be positive and not let my worries control me so much. Yoga, meditation, and getting a little spiritual are surely helping me find my inner zen goddess too!

Thanks for reading!

Raw Cucumber Salad & Getting Aspirational!

2011-11-06T09:00:00.020-06:00

NHBPM Day 6:

"If I could do anything as a Health Activist… Get aspirational. Money is no longer an option. What is your biggest goal that is now possible? How could you get there?
Now bring it back down to size. How much of this can you accomplish now, in a year, in five years?"

Oooh fun question! I've always wanted to work at a non-profit community center whose focus is on better living for everyone. I'd love to use my food and health skills to teach classes, and use my counseling background for workshops and seminars. I guess if money is no issue, this center could be mine to build, grow, and expand. We would have a big food garden, cooking classes, life skills workshops, parties, and benefits.

I can even picture it! Exposed brick walls in a big city building, lots of bright colors and plants :) A concrete and garden-y courtyard with tables, chairs, umbrellas, twinkle lights!

As for getting a start on this dream, I can blog, network, keep learning, and get involved with demos and events locally. That sounds like a great start to me!

And now onto the foodz!

Here is a delicious Cucumber Salad from my new cookbook, Live Raw. The recipe suggested using a melon baller, but I don't have one, so I used a spoon :p It also suggested Hemp Seeds, but I used Sunflower Seeds. (I am attempting to reign in the grocery budget, so lots of just-as-good subs will be taking place in recipes for a while!)

The salad still came out great. It uses Apple Cider Vinegar, which I have found this year to be quite a help in shutting down the early stages of a sore throat/cold. I sipped it in my tea a few times and that hint of sicky-ness dissapeared. Cucumbers are also recommended for pretty skin. No wonder Live Raw's author, Mimi Kirk, is 72 and looking amazing!!

Have a great one!

5 things that changed my life...

2011-11-05T09:41:00.038-05:00

Today's WEGO Health Post is about 5 things that changed my life.

For better? For worse? List 5 things that changed your life as a patient, caregiver, or Health Activist and how.

Hrm....so many things have affected my outlook on both how I care for myself and how I interact with others regarding health.

1. As a caregiver: I work as a mental health professional with the geriatric community. In working with my patients, I get to see the significant effects of lifestyle choices on physical and mental health as we age. I am 100% committed to improving the health of myself and my loved ones as a way to prevent disease and decline. My goal is to gain more energy, zest for life, strength, and mental clarity the older I get! Like Mimi Kirk!

2. As a patient: Experiencing health scares has changed the way I am a healthcare consumer. I've learned to ask questions, and choose providers in whom I have confidence. If a provider is not open to my lifestyle and health ideas, I move on. I rarely see a doctor, but when I do, I play an active role in seeking health solutions with my food, exercise, and mental practice.

3. As a Healthcare Activist: I've learned to back off! This sounds odd in reference to activism, but I am finally getting a grip on that age old lesson of living my beliefs rather than squawking about them to anyone and everyone. I'm sure I alienated people in the past with my wildly zealous commitment to various causes, groups, and habits. I make healthy choices, take care of myself and others, and am always willing to share about my health habits (and about my trips, falls, and adventures in not-so-great habits as well). That said, you won't find me slapping burgers and smokes out of anyone's mitts. No way! Love rules :)

4.As a Healthcare Activist: I've seen my weight, skin, energy, mood, outlook, and relationships change in conjunction with diet and exercise changes. The positive effects are so noticeable that I would be crazy to fall back into bad habits. With healthy changes, life gets better and better. I want to share all about it, which is why I blog, cook for others, and share what I've learned.

5. As a Healthcare Activist: Learning from all the awesome bloggers, cookbook authors, activists, progressive healthcare providers, and so on has changed my life. I am inspired and motivated on a daily basis, which helps me grow my own health habits and share them with others!

What has changed your life as a patient, caregiver, or Healthcare Activist?

Favorite and Wishlisted Cookbooks (and Uncookbooks!) & NHBPM #4

2011-11-04T10:11:00.010-05:00

Reading so many posts during October got me very inspired and excited to make new foods! I've found a few cookbooks that I am excited to explore more. Here are some of my new inspirations:

Live Raw/ Mimi Kirk

Super Natural Every Day/ Heidi Swanson

Cupcake Heaven/ Natalia KW

What cookbooks are you loving lately?

And now for my Day 4 WEGO Health Blog Post:

What happens after you press “publish.” Write about your post-blog-writing process. Do you immediately tweet a link? Email it to everyone? Re-read it for spelling errors?

I usually schedule my blog posts ahead of time, so after I hit publish, they stay tucked in the "To Be Posted" list till it's time. I usually revisit them once or twice to double check and add new stuff I want to include. After they post, I do my best to Tweet, add them to Pixiepine Blog FB Page, and send links to friends and family who don't do the social networking thing.

What's your blogging process?

Spicy Mexican Raw Vegan Brownies & NHBPM 3

2011-11-03T10:50:00.026-05:00

WEGO Health National Health Blog Post Month Day 3:

"Write a letter to yourself when you were 18. Be sure to tell yourself what to do more of, what to do less of, and what you have to look forward to in the next few (or several) years."

I'm taking a health and vegan perspective on this...here are some words of wisdom I would have LOVED to tell myself at 18.

1. Listen to yourself, your feelings, your goals, and your dreams! Though the doubts, from self and others, can be great, don't give up on who you are and what you want.

2. Stick to your food and health values despite pressures to blend, bend, or otherwise make life easier for other people. If you can take the best possible care of yourself, you will be so much more able to deal with struggles that come along. Also, anyone who disrespects or sabotages your health decisions is not someone you want around long term.

3. Don't smoke! Drink less!

4. Eat something green for pete's sake! :) Vegans cannot live on Oreos alone.

5. Move your body for the sheer joy of it...that treadmill is not an evil foe. Go outside, jump, dance, twist, stretch, and stop fixating on that calorie counter.

6. Be proud of your body and your mind. They are perfect in their own way, and deserve your absolute respect, kind treatment, and love.

So what would you tell yourself at 18, health-wise?

P.S. Spicy Mexican Raw Vegan Brownies! Make ASAP for blissed out, guilt-free munchies!

Happy Days! November Love

2011-11-02T09:00:00.006-05:00

Ah yeah! My favorite time of year- the hollllydays! I love the weather, smells, sounds, and of course, celebrations! I got super inspired food-wise this Vegan Mofo too, so lots of stuff to make and share!

November is also the month when I can hang my picture of our adopted turkey, Elizabeth! She will join our picture of previous Farm Sanctuary adoptee, Olive :) Click on over if you want to sponsor a great cause too!

Thirdly, I've set up a cool Amazon.com site where you'll have easy access to the foods, books, and tools that I reference a lot on this blog. Here's the link, and it's also available from the bright pink and orange widget in my blog sidebar! I look forward to highlighting great products with this neat tool!

Fourthly, my WEGO Health National Health Blog Post Month challenge for today:
"My TV Show. Your blog is being turned into a TV show! Congrats – you’ve earned it. In fact, you get to co-write it. Write about the TV show based on your life or blog."

Well, that's a dandy idea! I'd love a daily show that had themes, like travel food, natural health/beauty, recipes, meditation, yoga/fitness, and so on. It would be colorful, fun, and have lots of guest visitors. I've actually been toying with the idea of doing some vlogging now that I have a Flip camera (courtesy of Foodbuzz and Newman's Own. We shall see!

And finally, some food! I made hummus from Appetite For Reduction. I love that AFR has a basic hummus recipe, then lists tons of variation recipes. Fun! This is the Shabby Sheik variety, which I chose because it has a cute name and uses my favorite spice, cumin, liberally. It was deeelicious!

Happy November!

National Health Blog Post Month

2011-11-01T14:43:00.000-05:00

"Hi loves! Well, as my brain and blog feed are still spinning from this year's fabulous Vegan MoFo, I've decided to jump right into another challenge! The November blogosphere is just too jam packed with awesomeness to miss out!

First, Kris Carr at Crazy Sexy Life has declared November as National Prevention Month. Love it! Look for and use the Twitter hashtag #preventionrocks all month to get in on the fun!

Secondly, over at WEGO Heal th, November is National Health Blog Post Month. I'll be posting daily and using the Twitter hashtag #NHBPM. Stay tuned for lots of great health posts! (After all that Vegan MoFo eating, this is good timing :P)

Here's my first WEGO Health blog post challenge:

"Titles of my future book. Say you’re writing a book about your life, community, condition, or Health Activism. Come up with 5 working titles and a quick book jacket synopsis."

Well, I love writing, books, and health...so yay!

My titles:

Vegan Bliss
Rainbow Living
Green-N-Clean
Health From The Inside Out
Love & Veggies

My book would most certainly be a compilation of recipes, tips, articles, expert opinions, and other info on healthy, vegan living. I love new ideas and learning from others in my health community. The book Crazy Sexy Diet is my favorite and is what I consider to be the perfect health book. :)

So, how about you?! What would your book be like? See ya tomorrow and on Twitter (#NHBPM).

TTFN Vegan MOFO! Family Feast!

2011-10-31T10:11:00.026-05:00

To end 2011's Vegan MoFo with a bang, I am posting about a vegan feast I made for my parents recently. They are working on eating healthier, so I made some yummy, filling, and nutritious foods.

Nature's Burgers on Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Buns from Please Don't Feed The Bears- these are a favorite. They are so easy to make, and soooo good.

Raw Apple Pie from Ani's Raw Food Kitchen- another easy favorite that will satisfy the sweet tooth!

Yummy Terra Chips and homemade cole slaw!

We had a great time eating and visiting. Thanks for Mofo-ing with me! Here's to a fun, healthy, and tasty November to come!

Sprouted Grain Mini Pizzas

2011-10-30T10:50:00.014-05:00

I successfully satisfied pizza cravings with a healthy, mostly homemade dinner! I defrosted some homemade marinara sauce, and added freshly sauteed onions, garlic, and peppers.

My crusts were halved Ezekiel Sprouted Grain English Muffins.

A little sprinkle of nutritional yeast on top, and all was well!

My First Kale Chips

2011-10-29T10:50:00.005-05:00

I had a few hours on my hands and decided to try making kale chips. I wanted to keep the temp as low as possible, so I alternated between having the oven on warm and off. It took a little under 2 hours to get these totally crisp. They are tasty!

New Faves

2011-10-28T10:50:00.001-05:00

I've tried a few new products lately that were tasty enough to share about!

First, oat milk! I picked this up at the health food store on a whim, and I quite like it. It is especially delicious chilled over Ezekiel Sprouted Grain cereal, seeds, unsweetened coconut, and fruit- yum!!

And...drumroll....a new snack I love so much it could get crazy...!! Check out these Rhythm Superfoods raw snacks! I'd love a dehydrator bad, but until the kitchen appliance fairy comes or I happen upon one while thrifting, I'll spring for crispy raw treats like these for a treat.

The kale chips are crunchy and zesty, and the sweet potato ones are savory with a hint of sweetness. They boast being:

Oil-Free

Fat-Free
Raw-Vegan
Gluten-Free
Heart-Healthy
Rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C

Rhythm Superfood samples at the massive Whole Foods in New Orleans :)

These are my kind of snack!

What are your favorite crispy raw treats?

Check it out!

2011-10-27T22:10:00.002-05:00

Glass Dharma!

2011-10-27T09:41:00.018-05:00

I have been wishing for a Glass Dharma smoothie straw ever since I first saw one on a blog. Lucky duck little me, I won a giveaway during Mofo for a Glass Dharma gift certificate! I finally got to make a straw my own!

I have nothing but great things to say about this product and company. I did a phone order and they were so helpful...the straw came to my house in lightning fast time as well.

I got a smoothie straw with green dots, and a purple canvas cover for toting my straw around safely. I dunno if it shows clearly, but that box reads "Lifetime Guarantee." How awesome is that? I drink 2 green smoothies a day every day...I can't even do the math on how many straws I can save by going reusable!

Check out Glass Dharma here!

Healthy Chocolate Covered Fruit!

2011-10-26T10:50:00.005-05:00

This post brought to you by another of my late-evening sweet tooth attacks!

I made a extra-tasty chocolate sauce from Chocolate flavored Vega, raw cacao powder, and coconut oil, then poured it over a banana and some mixed frozen berries. The cold fruit hardened the sauce, making a crispy, sweet, cold treat.

Ahhhhh yummy!

Newman's Own Cooking Adventure

2011-10-25T08:19:00.000-05:00

My most recent review as a Foodbuzz Tastemaker is of Newman's Own products. It took a little creative thinking on how to use the pasta sauces in terms of my diet being mostly raw fruits and veggies these days...

My friend Ali came to the rescue! He is a great cook, and unlike me, isn't intimidated in the least by homemade challenges such as bread and pasta. He has tons of handy kitchen tools, and offered to teach me how to make Ravioli. Using a Flip camera provided by Newman's Own, we filmed our little lesson! This vegetarian ravioli recipe uses sauces and dressings provided by Newman's Own.

Enjoy our video debut!

Raw Chocolate Chia Seed Chunk

2011-10-24T10:50:00.012-05:00

First things first, a green smoothie made with kale and avocado...this one was a learning experiences, as in I learned I don't enjoy creamy/fatty smoothies so much! My normal green smoothies involve herbal tea, flax seeds, chia seeds, tons of green, and a little fruit. They come out much more the consistency of a juice than a smoothie. On this particular day, I was out of nearly everything, so I tried a creamy version. Thumbs down and a tummy ache....what is your optimal type of smoothie?

Secondly...zowie! I checked out Philip McCluskey's blog for the first time and found a ton of recipes I want to make. This is the Chocolate Chia Seed Chunk, and it is deeelightful! Very satisfying as a dessert, and helpful in me not consuming tons of heavier date/fruit/nut combos at night when my sweet tooth hits. I added in berries and bananas!

Cheers!

Oh My This Is A Tuna!

2011-10-23T08:37:00.000-05:00

Raw vegan "tuna" has been a favorite at my house since we first tried it. My latest batch was a melange of nut-types and made use of some homemade pickles from a friend's garden. It came out delicious as usual!

Oh My this is a Tuna! (Originally from Raw Freedom)
(with my adjustments)

1 Cup Sunflower Seeds (soaked)

1 Cup Raw Walnuts (soaked)

1/8 Cup fresh squeezed Lemon juice
1/2 Tsp. Garlic (minced)

1/2 Tsp. Kelp flakes ( I used dulse)

2 Tbs. Nama Shoyu

In FP/blender, blend seeds, nuts, lemon juice, garlic, kelp &Nama Shoyu.

Transfer to bowl and add:

3-4 T organic pickle relish

1 Tsp. apple cider vinegar

1 Tsp. seasoning ( The recipe calls for Herbamare, which I don't have. I used Bragg's kelp mix.)

1 t dried dill weed

1/4 Cup Onion (chopped)

1/4 Cup chopped Celery

1/8 Cup Parsley (chopped)

Nikki's Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

2011-10-22T10:11:00.000-05:00

One of the things I love most about Vegan MoFo is discovering new blogs and bloggers! One of my favorite new finds is Fresh Young Coconut, written by Nikki. It focuses on raw and healthy foods, with MoFo being all about raw Fall goodness!

When I saw the Pumpkin Spice Shake Nikki posted, I was in 100%! Here's my computer with the recipe all ready, sweet potato peeled and prepped for chopping!

Some up close shots of the yummy smoothie!

I even took this one step further and put some extra in the freezer for Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream!! (topped with my fave, coconut oil/cacao "Magic Shell"!)

Perfecto! Thanks, Nikki!

Garden Pate' Wrap & Cobbler!

2011-10-21T10:50:00.014-05:00

Hello everyone! Hope everyone in blog-land is well! Today's post is on another easy and delicious mostly raw meal.
I made up a batch of Ani Phyo's Garden Pate' and wrapped it up with veggies in an Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Tortilla.

Ani’s Garden Pate
(makes about 4 servings)

1 cup almonds
1 1/2 cup celery
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp garlic
1/4 cup carrots
1/8 cup onion
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp lemon juice

Place all ingredients into your food processor, then process to mix well.

For sides, we had some black eyed peas with nooch, and a tasty broccoli slaw with a light avocado dressing.

As for dessert...I never eat cooked dessert, but all these yummy raw recipes are too tempting! I made a little peach cobbler using a a nut/date crust, chopped peaches, and a bit of cashew cream. YUM!

I'm enjoying eating raw, but wondering if I'm overdoing it on nuts. Any thoughts about how to balance it all out?

It's Turkey Adoption Time!!!

2011-10-20T10:50:00.009-05:00

Thanksgiving can be tough for vegans and animal lovers, what with all that turkey torture :(

A few years ago I found a way to encourage myself and help another creature at the same time: Farm Sanctuary's Adopt A Turkey program! You can choose your turkey(s) and sponsor as many as you want! I like to hang my adoption picture in my kitchen during the holidays...it's a fun way to enjoy your donation as well as educate curious visitors :)

My last adopted turkey was named Olive. This years candidates are all so cute, I can't decide!

Click on over and make a difference! Even Ellen's doing it!

Vegan Makeup Choices

2011-10-19T10:11:00.001-05:00

Today's post is on things you smear on your face...that aren't food!

I have been a makeup-hater for years and years...to the point of owning a t-shirt that says "Makeup is Ugly; Don't Wear It!"

I'm not quite that anti-goo these days, but it's still hard for me to find a makeup that meets my requirements:
*vegan/cruelty-free
*free of harmful chemicals
*doesn't feel/look gross on
*isn't crazy expensive

Enter Everyday Minerals. I found this site when perusing products for Operation Clean Up The Makeup Drawer as inspired Crazy Sexy Diet. Kris Carr suggests going green and cruelty-free with your facepaint. Here's SkinDeep's Cosmetics Database to check the safety of your makeup and personal care items.

From the site: "Bohemian at heart and eclectic by nature, the soul of Everyday Minerals is deeply rooted in the natural beauty of every woman. We are organic, vegan and eco-friendly, and specialize in an innovative collection of products with a spectrum of over 300 vibrant colors and shades that flatter virtually every skin tone. Innovation is an important ingredient in our recipe for success, as the constant desire to uphold a pioneering sense of creativity is what keeps our ideas and products fantastically fresh."

Everyday Minerals (No, I haven't been paid, bribed, or otherwise...but I have received some awesome samples and used the wonderful Try Me Free kit option to pick my base shade!) is my #1 choice for makeup now.

I use their base powder, blush, and eye colors daily now,and just love them. This makeup sits lightly but looks beautiful! I can for certain say EM is the first cosmetic line that I have truly enjoyed wearing. As a bonus, it looks amazing even on my, ahem, troubled at times, skin. Check out their site, order with confidence, and enjoy some girly, swirly good fun!

A is for apple, B is for blogger!

2011-10-18T10:50:00.005-05:00

I LOVE honeycrisp apples! I usually stick with organic gala apples, but when honeycrisps appear, I'm jazzed!

Perfect with some almond butter!

In other news, here are a few of my favorite new blogs I've found in exploring Vegan MoFo-ers and other fun sites!

Fresh Young Coconut- just full of awesome!

VGAN-JAR- so many recipes I want to make!

Philip McCluskey- raw recipes and info

Biking & Baking- such a pretty blog!

Rawalicious (hasn't been updated in a while, but is a wellspring of info!)

What are your new faves?

Naughty & Nice

2011-10-17T09:41:00.000-05:00

Vegan Mofo has been a blast so far! I have copied down and bookmarked tons of recipes to make, and I've discovered lots of new-to-me blogs that are just awesome!

On the first day of Mofo I won the giveaway over at Miso For Breakfast (check out the daily chances to win!). My prize is a lovely tea set from Rishi that I just had to post about, especially after I tasted the delicious tea!

The Tsuki teapot has a strainer built right in- I love that!

I enjoyed my Peach Blossom tea with some homemade raw Butterscotch Bliss Balls. The recipe is from Tera Warner's blog, and it is an absolute winner! These little orbs of happy are super rich, creamy, and have a multi-layered flavor that is sensational. They didn't last long at our house!

Have a happy day!

More Smoothie Fun & A Mini-Giveaway!

2011-10-16T09:41:00.026-05:00

I think my love for smoothies has been pretty well established...I thought I'd share about a few more of the products I use to give my smoothies that extra oomph!

I just tried Vega's new performance line, and wow! I truly could feel a difference in my energy and endurance in my workout after I drank a little smoothie with some Performance Protein added in. All those greens help too!

I also love Sambazon's frozen purees, especially the original Acai flavor. They add zing to a smoothie!

Sambazon sent me a lovely info pack and some beads made from Acai seeds! I have two packs of coupons and stickers courtesy that I'd like to share! If you'd like a pack, leave a comment and I'll randomly choose two people for the treats :)

Happy smoothie making!

Experimenting with raw food bars...

2011-10-15T09:41:00.001-05:00

I love Larabars and the like, but don't enjoy the fairly hefty price tag for such little snacks. I decided to try my hand at a raw brownie/bar type thing.

It's a first attempt, but I am pretty pleased! I started by soaking some dates in warm water to soften them up.

I processed the softened dates, some raw cashews, raw almonds, and raw cacao powder in my food processor. I just played with amounts until I got a nice thick paste.

I pressed the mixture into a small rectangular Pyrex dish and put it in the freezer to firm up.

Here's a square of the finished product:

Thoughts: could be firmer, but it was super tasty! Score! I can't wait to experiment with more flavors.

And in other news....yay!

Raw Halloween Giveaway!

2011-10-14T13:34:00.000-05:00

Click here to enter to win free family registration for a Healthy Halloween Howl 10-Day
Green Smoothie Challenge!

Peace, Love, & Sweat...and then a little peace and love again!

2011-10-14T10:11:00.070-05:00

I recently finished the 21 Day Cleanse in Kris Carr's fantabulous tome on healthy living, Crazy Sexy Diet.

Although it was a major challenge, I am so glad I did it. Just like the challenges on her site, Crazy Sexy Life, this cleanse helped me develop some healthy habits and let some crappy ones fade away.

I was already into healthy eating and green living, so those topics were fun but not too life-changing. What really had an impact during the cleanse was my exploration of yoga and meditation. I'm no yogini, guru, or anything else fancy and serene, but I am super happy working on my slow-down and sweat skillz! I use yoga workouts on Exercise TV, and also have a lovely friend who teaches at a local studio. I love sweating with intense yoga, and I love wobbling my way to more balance and strength.

I've also stuck with the daily meditation that the cleanse recommends, even if it is just a few minutes. I use guided meditations, as my attention span is soooo not where it needs to be to guide myself without a little help! There are some wacky meditation tracks out there, and then there are some great ones. These are some of my favorites at the moment:

Glowing Health: Guided Meditation To Feel Radiant

Bliss Suite

Guided Meditations For Self-Healing

To encourage myself and make my yoga and meditation time a little more of a recharging treat, I use things that enhance my experience. In Crazy Sexy Diet, Kris Carr suggests making your yoga and meditation space(s) special. I've garage saled and thrifted chimes, candles, and event a little indoor potted tree to make my space more relaxing.

Here are a few other favorites:

Pretty yoga mat, mat spray, and a strap, all from Gaiam. I really need a block as well, but I'm being stubborn and working on my flexibility. Rolled up towels work well too!

For meditating, I use headphones or these cool eco-speakers if I don't feel like having ear-buds in.

I also like to use an eye pillow. The scent and slight pressure on my eyes really puts me right into a more relaxed mood. It's also helpful in shutting out the light that can be a distraction at times. I've tried several different eye pillows, and lavender scented ones are my favorite. Barefoot Yoga makes a lovely eye pillow. One of my complaints with most eye pillows is that you can't clean them or recharge the scent because they are sewn closed. Barefoot Yoga's have a small hidden zipper that allows you to open them, change the contents, and handwash. Yay! That leaves room for all sorts of aromatherapy exploration, though I like the lavender and flaxseed that comes in the pillow. This one also came with a little protective pouch, which is nice for keeping the pillow nice and clean between uses.

On my wishlist:

A great yoga mat bag, like this one!

A meditation pillow, like this one!

And maybe a room like this to practice in... ;)

(I love this home yoga room too!)

What are your favorite ways to enhance your exercise and reflective times?

Raw Tortilla Soup & Zucchini Salad

2011-10-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

In the past, I've been skeevy about raw soups. Something about cold savory liquid freaked me out. My post- Crazy Sexy Life cleanse self is ready to try anything (healthy) once! That willingness paid off when I made Raw Tortilla Soup from Choosing Raw. Ohhh it was delicious! I tried to stop eating it so I'd have leftovers, and it was tough to step away from!

I think I am having more success with raw foods now because of A) motivation, and B) a willingness to take a little time to do it right.

In the case of the soup, I used both my pretty good food processor and my crap-tastic blender to get a smooth consistency, and it was well worth the effort.

Raw Tortilla Soup, topped with a dollop of Tofutti sour cream, mango salsa, and cilantro.

Raw Zucchini Salad, based on a recipe from Crazy Sexy Life, but really just an improv of grated zucchini, chopped broccoli, and some Bragg's.

This was a delightful and filling raw meal. Yay for new successes! I am enjoying exploring raw foods more :)

Peet's Coffee Review

2011-10-12T09:41:00.041-05:00

Coffeeeeee! After all that posting about no coffee, here is some coffee! Although my caffeine habit certainly got rehabbed during my three week cleanse, I still plan on enjoying a cuppa every so often. Having coffee only occasionally makes me appreciate the yumminess that much more.

Yummmm!

When Foodbuzz contacted me about reviewing some Peet's coffee for the Tastemaker program, I was very excited. I love coffee and all things coffee culture!

It felt like Christmas when the sample box arrived!

Inside were two varieties of Peet's, Cafe' Solano & Cafe' Domingo, plus a great travel mug. According to Peet's, Café Domingo is a blend of Central and South American coffees that is smooth, balanced and medium-bodied with hints of toffee sweetness and clean crisp finish. Café Solano is a world blend with floral notes and a subtle fruit essence for a lively, yet rounded cup.

I think that French Press is the only way to go for a truly rich and delicious cup of joe. I pulled out my beloved Bodum Eileen press and got to work!

Ahhh! The coffee was delicious with a bit of agave nectar and a splash of almond milk. I've enjoyed Peet's green tea before and now I can say that I enjoy their coffee quite a bit too!

Here's the link to Peet's, and here's the link to a coupon for you!