tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47105022690724330782024-02-27T16:11:34.049-08:00My cat loves Daiya!Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.comBlogger1771125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-38406582387940208842022-07-10T12:33:00.004-07:002022-07-10T12:33:52.460-07:00Turning Nothing into Something<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RnYEvQ_SXhrKykH2Rq1Dc3xq9X2pT99tfBsg2366c0d89BKpOSg_2LglaVRC2VMYpmcWHNe8ajBOtLAwqQGPyCOUW6_uQ_xo7PyOBOLzxPHHUFCJo7yuvc6BYGMR0skib0zkVeWx7o3Z9iZxSPaMTWm1AC2IxM6IItmSKNr_q9I_Q_EQxeNhck-3/s4160/20220709_084720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RnYEvQ_SXhrKykH2Rq1Dc3xq9X2pT99tfBsg2366c0d89BKpOSg_2LglaVRC2VMYpmcWHNe8ajBOtLAwqQGPyCOUW6_uQ_xo7PyOBOLzxPHHUFCJo7yuvc6BYGMR0skib0zkVeWx7o3Z9iZxSPaMTWm1AC2IxM6IItmSKNr_q9I_Q_EQxeNhck-3/s320/20220709_084720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I had half an onion and a red pepper that needed to be used, so I decided to roast them along with some garlic and half a can of white beans I've had in my freezer for a looooooong time. I also had a handful of raw cashews so I threw all of this in a blender with some nooch, salt and pepper. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLUZsjNHFGcpGWm1z_wsBdLoQmp1-luzPptkHRGri3wrxoBEZM3k7CnIYfQNvTkdJuVQFwQRYLELYQ1bFV1sgrtls-ksARQQvLnTkI5zYGkL4XwPof3AIfdgZxZ4t3MCT82RthT75uFEMLgMNZWzbiN7j9O3uyanQOz1wrw-HsCtyI1FhGckN_t4-/s4160/20220709_155937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLUZsjNHFGcpGWm1z_wsBdLoQmp1-luzPptkHRGri3wrxoBEZM3k7CnIYfQNvTkdJuVQFwQRYLELYQ1bFV1sgrtls-ksARQQvLnTkI5zYGkL4XwPof3AIfdgZxZ4t3MCT82RthT75uFEMLgMNZWzbiN7j9O3uyanQOz1wrw-HsCtyI1FhGckN_t4-/s320/20220709_155937.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Tossed with some noodles. I needed to make some kind of homemade, thoughtful food. I'm struggling with cooking anything after work. It's been so hot and by the time I get home I feel dead. So, I'm trying to be kind to myself and be okay with having bean quesadillas or random cheap frozen pizzas from Winco. Life is about balance, so I try to have homemade food on the weekend, even if it is simple.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAMA9VX2HjbeCdsZgZLpO-JTY1dCJJZMNRonyT4L66tHrjS_VsUFSsNZGgMQFCdHee4BvVp89cGOva1K98AXsOPwrx8Mzvrtyw7fL_k7qN67P5S1OhdXqoFSNo0dGLl-04E_gDwH66e5O_93iKFNkTV7ChBXEMMdfLvmQtO1TJbgEsHQlfRTUVqMe/s4160/20220709_091941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAMA9VX2HjbeCdsZgZLpO-JTY1dCJJZMNRonyT4L66tHrjS_VsUFSsNZGgMQFCdHee4BvVp89cGOva1K98AXsOPwrx8Mzvrtyw7fL_k7qN67P5S1OhdXqoFSNo0dGLl-04E_gDwH66e5O_93iKFNkTV7ChBXEMMdfLvmQtO1TJbgEsHQlfRTUVqMe/s320/20220709_091941.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Like the batch of lentil soup I make to have for breakfast and to take for lunch. This always tastes so, so good on Saturday morning. Not just taste-wise, but it's like my body is just so happy. I think it's less about nutrients and maybe more about feeling some self love. Homemade food is better for the soul I think. It's just an added bonus that it's also healthier for the body.</p><p>I haven't forgotten about my commitment to myself to get some help, firstly with therapy. It isn't in the old budget yet, I'm still struggling to play catch up but I have been struggling with some very bad dark thoughts and anxiety. I saw a poster in the back offering some kind of therapy for employees, but it seemed to be work related like maybe if your coworkers are driving you crazy or something. So, I asked the HR person about it, and she is checking on this and other resources for me. That's definitely a big step for me, but I have to try something. </p><p>I'll be back next weekend, I hope everyone has a good week!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-5452383793805300592022-07-09T14:17:00.000-07:002022-07-09T14:17:07.601-07:00Brave Robot + CoolHaus Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSexthhbOou31B-6N9TIjbT6zrBB1cCkiu-iOb7sHloeeecYpxllZdgEovqdA-gDfnbO8gCDxUHV_hzKeiZ4XL25hTcjaJwN2dWVF8NQX_OLTma_bGchPRcrNdz8WIj4MoOxftT2ma3qV497M83turXWFwrDyWS1ypSFiUGOFD3BM9tOuY0YpPHxut/s4160/20220708_122151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSexthhbOou31B-6N9TIjbT6zrBB1cCkiu-iOb7sHloeeecYpxllZdgEovqdA-gDfnbO8gCDxUHV_hzKeiZ4XL25hTcjaJwN2dWVF8NQX_OLTma_bGchPRcrNdz8WIj4MoOxftT2ma3qV497M83turXWFwrDyWS1ypSFiUGOFD3BM9tOuY0YpPHxut/s320/20220708_122151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It's been in the high nineties for awhile, and now we're hitting one hundred plus here in SLC. I hate it so, s much. Yesterday after work I decided to treat myself to whatever ice cold dessert that was on sale and sounded good. These were on sale and cheaper than any other vegan frozen treat. I've been uninterested in trying Brave Robot ice cream, because it's always really expensive, and also they use vegan whey and it seems unnecessary and weirds me out. Plus, I think vegan ice cream has always been pretty good, even way back in the day so again, unnecessary.But since I am a gal on a budget I try what the sales are. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCnzHlszA6ENA16hVaT4afgHguOqhLrsoJVyZf5kV1Es6EHisqd5jpKuQn5ZWdfNMMeHUHzh-5tgHUpiPIYQ1NKeIdC5YUzYJlaZ1OnVHxChsDHL5pNEmDy_P_zAn1FcX6Rj7clJiuWhSR8ZCtZlEx8KaZLQY0DbzkmmPO0vjlT8Ib0OSi6hctlY5/s4160/20220708_170013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCnzHlszA6ENA16hVaT4afgHguOqhLrsoJVyZf5kV1Es6EHisqd5jpKuQn5ZWdfNMMeHUHzh-5tgHUpiPIYQ1NKeIdC5YUzYJlaZ1OnVHxChsDHL5pNEmDy_P_zAn1FcX6Rj7clJiuWhSR8ZCtZlEx8KaZLQY0DbzkmmPO0vjlT8Ib0OSi6hctlY5/s320/20220708_170013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The ice cream is pretty creamy, but no creamier than any other vegan ice cream I've tried. The cookies are nice and chocolate-y, but the mint ice cream is really, really lacking in flavor. It's like essence of mint. I like really strong minty things. I give them a six out of ten. I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to buy these again, but if on sale I would. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAuutAJQ2MjryWWkLvs3dkzfanIOiGlZhYcFSVTruvrG6QNvYMOfyDkVuu_i_cj3W6NOknMkqd4FhXcRqbhT1s3BM7zzSMcQq7CBziVb685W4t93ctjO27M0XQHpy5JSvaO6GiuHcAcAIiOtcMFvjAa7V1V5e62J6HPeYsDtiaIyARvPIA63ezzpS/s4160/20220704_093456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAuutAJQ2MjryWWkLvs3dkzfanIOiGlZhYcFSVTruvrG6QNvYMOfyDkVuu_i_cj3W6NOknMkqd4FhXcRqbhT1s3BM7zzSMcQq7CBziVb685W4t93ctjO27M0XQHpy5JSvaO6GiuHcAcAIiOtcMFvjAa7V1V5e62J6HPeYsDtiaIyARvPIA63ezzpS/s320/20220704_093456.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Kiki is still Betty's biggest stalker. She's gotten a bit better, and a bit less angry but she still chases Betty any chance she can get. Here, she's trying to stalk Betty out of the box, when she doesn't even like boxes to begin with. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-5518683860109106112022-07-03T13:34:00.002-07:002022-07-03T13:34:56.185-07:00What I Ate and Will Eat<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5i5ga3e6D_mQMhd_B6HfHOli6VdUYAz6TOa_fmK8LQAGr3fQGXdF1fPYQ_YlXsGEqaBNkPgU7XjntLbDOdhDsQSkId5XgE-rDw_ut3Vy5YBoJ5ybVHwLBYfYDUB8Y7KZDg5wSZNWAPybKouNOGpHMk6sMj8jADOYeY9FFLeiwAgCOb1jELtgUw1L/s4160/20220703_094029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5i5ga3e6D_mQMhd_B6HfHOli6VdUYAz6TOa_fmK8LQAGr3fQGXdF1fPYQ_YlXsGEqaBNkPgU7XjntLbDOdhDsQSkId5XgE-rDw_ut3Vy5YBoJ5ybVHwLBYfYDUB8Y7KZDg5wSZNWAPybKouNOGpHMk6sMj8jADOYeY9FFLeiwAgCOb1jELtgUw1L/s320/20220703_094029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">My first smoothie in well over a year! I still make a juice almost every day, but smoothies haven't been my thing. But something about the heat in the morning has changed that. I made this with some mango, an avocado, strawberries and pineapple. The avocado and mango made it really smooth and creamy. I'll definitely make this combo again. Summer is here, and we are starting the day out at eighty plus degrees and rising. Blech. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4U8vwW7XkKwQZ29Qm_OeLbh9ugsD6UGC6xWROLK8lJJ7rYZFlqKWM2tM9rnA-3JfILrKTL6uZVW4N4kI9zLCRht2IcoVohhBnNDaydwH8xSzxb6IfxVG_TuK8SJOruXECI4UXoTXqGbZblaTCIQ5sBB__bslZYSHnLDAopIrHhJg7j59LB01exRe/s4160/20220702_110211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4U8vwW7XkKwQZ29Qm_OeLbh9ugsD6UGC6xWROLK8lJJ7rYZFlqKWM2tM9rnA-3JfILrKTL6uZVW4N4kI9zLCRht2IcoVohhBnNDaydwH8xSzxb6IfxVG_TuK8SJOruXECI4UXoTXqGbZblaTCIQ5sBB__bslZYSHnLDAopIrHhJg7j59LB01exRe/s320/20220702_110211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After I cleaned and had my smoothie, I threw these potatoes in the oven for breakfast after yoga. I really wanted ketchup but only had veganaise. Still very delicious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoMWpQwNbzXVp6BiIwn8N2Tnqm2ztqL1vxPhoi0JFPiimvyIsrkaPYQLIufMkXhXYDBPtubeWGth9buQl1CjtDkS75AcHlQuiMNNktvFbgZzVrH9lWs9u6akKxpSNodTj6LV65c-I7Q87wEuHvhQjBE7t7HrIzbv5B3CnWUWwMkvPKAlogkJ78AO-/s4160/20220702_160900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoMWpQwNbzXVp6BiIwn8N2Tnqm2ztqL1vxPhoi0JFPiimvyIsrkaPYQLIufMkXhXYDBPtubeWGth9buQl1CjtDkS75AcHlQuiMNNktvFbgZzVrH9lWs9u6akKxpSNodTj6LV65c-I7Q87wEuHvhQjBE7t7HrIzbv5B3CnWUWwMkvPKAlogkJ78AO-/s320/20220702_160900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Awhile ago I bought these instant noodles with curry flavor. The brand has a sesame flavor which I've had and are vegan, so I assumed these were too. But of course not. The noodles are vegan, the seasoning packet has milk. So, last night I used the noodles cold sesame noodles and added baked tofu, cucumber and radish. This was so easy, but it felt like I made myself something fancier. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6KXeqDmtElAFV5htyx-Wzr0CQ4zqzmI1ONj7CQBF1jEAXnrQ_-UXgkDusnRwKNyy3yM0JUeNO8C87NAxv46Et_NpM-X1v_qxCUfoUKoeKTOSJKCaZOUtAZVPrTVabdfwVLjNhu-uGCwzzpySwVSgm6bfI7h1SfCdi_QrP9lcpga7qHsOxQcY6MYK/s4160/20220703_075804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6KXeqDmtElAFV5htyx-Wzr0CQ4zqzmI1ONj7CQBF1jEAXnrQ_-UXgkDusnRwKNyy3yM0JUeNO8C87NAxv46Et_NpM-X1v_qxCUfoUKoeKTOSJKCaZOUtAZVPrTVabdfwVLjNhu-uGCwzzpySwVSgm6bfI7h1SfCdi_QrP9lcpga7qHsOxQcY6MYK/s320/20220703_075804.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bread, strawberries, watermelon, green grapes, green onion, tortillas, tofurky slices, chocolate covered quinoa, Bitchen sauce, avocado,chocolate, baby cucumbers,garlic hummus, peanut butter,Chao slices, tofu<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> My haul for the week. Turns out Independence day weekend is a great weekend for cheap produce! Smith's has personal watermelons on sale for $.99 each! Green grapes and strawberries were also on a great sale!</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Quinoa crisps and bitchen sauce were on a woohoo last chance sale, so that helped a lot. I did regret buying two watermelons about halfway on my walk home. Although I'm happy they are only personal watermelons!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I'm going to prep my homemade frozen burritos for work next week. I have some rice cooling down, and I'm going to assemble and individually wrap them in foil so they're ready to go. I feel content and happy doing this little task. I've never really had a job where I get an actual calm lunch break. So thinking of stuff to eat has been fun. This weekend has been calming in that way. I've been puttering around doing little deep cleaning tasks and I find it soothing. And it's a good release of emotion. You can cry and scrub really hard and it's therapy and a Ms. Clean level scrub! <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">and creamy. I will defin</div>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-68537808522110887692022-07-02T14:22:00.004-07:002022-07-02T17:00:52.105-07:00Week Two Done and Dusted!<p> I made it through week two! I was actually doing work too, not just training. I was entering order numbers with instructions into two or three different programs, all while using two monitors!! I can't believe these words are even coming from me! I'm sure next week they'll up the difficulty a bit, but I'm not as anxious as I was, because I never thought I would be able to figure out what I was doing last week, but I did. I really surprised myself to be honest. </p><p>The biggest accomplishment for me is that I didn't give up before I even had a chance to fail. I've done that so many times in my life. I'm really grateful that everyone in the office is so nice, and I guess I feel safe. I've felt a lot of things at other jobs, safe isn't really a normal one for me. It feels nice. </p><p>I'm still struggling with meals. Even though my job is only two and a half miles from where I live, I have to either walk or take two buses, so my commute is close to an hour. Isn't that dumb/ If I had a car it would be ten minutes, fifteen tops. </p><p>I made a cold potato salad with white beans for protein last week to take for lunches, but it is so freaking cold in that building I struggled with a cold meal. I need warm lunches! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQnbt0ZoX5NEH9UqGCHj2knapQ_CNbQH1TFNlLadp1bgZIb3DzfcvFhMvCiajlQ-FmFoySfY8bwjw2P707nSpbWoQnx0ID8HdZtLnT8iG8RmhnblFMUzITrpUBbdMnweftflCaPPTJxQzvofcBd9dh-Gug9_RSNSzJ-FQZb4GKYNXHSKRw4pTT005/s4160/20220701_124510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQnbt0ZoX5NEH9UqGCHj2knapQ_CNbQH1TFNlLadp1bgZIb3DzfcvFhMvCiajlQ-FmFoySfY8bwjw2P707nSpbWoQnx0ID8HdZtLnT8iG8RmhnblFMUzITrpUBbdMnweftflCaPPTJxQzvofcBd9dh-Gug9_RSNSzJ-FQZb4GKYNXHSKRw4pTT005/s320/20220701_124510.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I didn't know these existed until I stumbled across them at Winco at a really great price. So far Amy's are the best and least soggy frozen burrito. <p></p><p>I'm going to make my own frozen burritos this weekend. One of the many perks of an office job is a three day weekend! Even though I don't really feel the Independence vibe as a woman this year. So, my celebration will be trying to cook some delicious food for myself. </p><p>The only bad thing about working Monday through Friday is that I don't see a trip to Trader Joe's in my future. Luckily Smith's/Kroger?Fred Meyer has gotten really vegan friendly over the years. </p><p>I'll be back tomorrow with a little Smith's haul. Hopefully some deeper thoughts too. This week has been pretty great, but I did have someone hurt my feelings and the loneliness and needing a hug or something was strong for a few days. I'm still a little foggy today, but feeling better.</p><p>Thanks again for reading and all the kind words!<br /> <br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-65920250756508159002022-06-26T09:36:00.002-07:002022-06-26T09:36:36.110-07:00Small Smith's Haul <p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6Os98pNL4iiJ_KFCGxRxS1CXQIVjbpR9NGxlwuPIEbn-4ARy-k62wJq5umFaytpWxW021k2aazW7Yyp33o8xHvUI3HSE1U5e-Y1wRV2rX7ojnEx22prIKr0Mma2odMglPfytue8rQhoVYmMBKDEyhQ3oaFdwDDgVrPAA9SuZHx__rfwYtIMtLq47/s4160/20220626_080656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6Os98pNL4iiJ_KFCGxRxS1CXQIVjbpR9NGxlwuPIEbn-4ARy-k62wJq5umFaytpWxW021k2aazW7Yyp33o8xHvUI3HSE1U5e-Y1wRV2rX7ojnEx22prIKr0Mma2odMglPfytue8rQhoVYmMBKDEyhQ3oaFdwDDgVrPAA9SuZHx__rfwYtIMtLq47/s320/20220626_080656.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red lentils, baby red potatoes, vegan deli slices, salsa, green onion, English muffins, vegan yogurt, onions, Impossible sausage, vegan oyster sauce, strawberries, oranges, white beans, taco style beans, soy sauce, soymilk, hokkien noodles, hot and sour soup (both clearance)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> I went to Smith's this morning for a few groceries. Last week I was unprepared or I should say I just didn't prep anything because it was my first week and I was too nervous to think about food. I relied on microwave frozen burritos that I found on sale. Most of them tasted okay, but I don't like that soggy texture. Dare I say moist? (cringe) Since meal prepping never works for me, I'm going to make a few things for easy lunches, and I'm going to prep a few things for easier cooking. If I don't have to dice an onion and mince garlic I'm more likely to make an actual meal for dinner. I think making meals for myself, and having tastier food will help with my overall mood and mental state for my second week.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwHONal59cMnbFfIvJ6lGT7iYk3dH7OHU9YxDK8tMdE4XJVAaiFyqLdIWFY427iKiI4pCRKcv7yzAhTKxrKQiHKhSO2Nrt7p2Mff34XkDIYA1oTgcsnRhcswW0wdJx4_0Sq1mG4euCaPaFe2bjs6TyBa4SVa5ELcYCYe0XLjXlQiodrRFTnxFzegV/s4160/20220626_094732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwHONal59cMnbFfIvJ6lGT7iYk3dH7OHU9YxDK8tMdE4XJVAaiFyqLdIWFY427iKiI4pCRKcv7yzAhTKxrKQiHKhSO2Nrt7p2Mff34XkDIYA1oTgcsnRhcswW0wdJx4_0Sq1mG4euCaPaFe2bjs6TyBa4SVa5ELcYCYe0XLjXlQiodrRFTnxFzegV/s320/20220626_094732.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Betty's first cuddle!!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Out of all the girls, Floofy has been the most receptive to Betty, but this was a first! I'm not sure who was there first, but they were like this when I got home from the store! Progress happening all over here, as we regress as a country!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-16544077664348018652022-06-25T10:11:00.002-07:002022-06-25T10:11:59.353-07:00Whew, My First Week!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3PWmJytPbMBNhZ9p-_O_nbM_mQWbOdtIW_XKHp0xILns2WxhvZTDKI-NIGDx5uF9SKoibSFkghweNzZyPhdb3Av4P_vfkOLUGN5a4XCMW-_VRWbw5pSTcmVhwaShCL4k-kg3dlqG-Ubvx_5NM9zzwTdEnvVZFsJP0KAgmEPsdY5KAI3zdw28a96o/s4160/20220623_085631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3PWmJytPbMBNhZ9p-_O_nbM_mQWbOdtIW_XKHp0xILns2WxhvZTDKI-NIGDx5uF9SKoibSFkghweNzZyPhdb3Av4P_vfkOLUGN5a4XCMW-_VRWbw5pSTcmVhwaShCL4k-kg3dlqG-Ubvx_5NM9zzwTdEnvVZFsJP0KAgmEPsdY5KAI3zdw28a96o/s320/20220623_085631.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Well, I made it thorough my first week at my new job! This sweet boy belongs to someone who I work with, and his name is Otis. He brought me a lot of comfort on a day when I really needed it! <p></p><p>The good news is that everyone is really, really nice. I work in a department with three ladies who are really, really great. I lucked into a job with like minded people which I've really never had. It's a very nice and supportive work environment. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSVhwRCxBEQLLfLWQNr7Jx2OYjJhv7Bl2coyxDlSGUqLRChuwUgsFPh5y2S_jYkxyzJHKyN0dt7txzFp80YD0SSCZyFKlOdsqCzuyujNd1TjTWoe7J2l6Un8GzLAbx7t2V3vpmfDSrvURjUTJypEqZhvySXE2pwhWjsBjpCNpMeEw8plqyTAm863y/s4160/20220622_154651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSVhwRCxBEQLLfLWQNr7Jx2OYjJhv7Bl2coyxDlSGUqLRChuwUgsFPh5y2S_jYkxyzJHKyN0dt7txzFp80YD0SSCZyFKlOdsqCzuyujNd1TjTWoe7J2l6Un8GzLAbx7t2V3vpmfDSrvURjUTJypEqZhvySXE2pwhWjsBjpCNpMeEw8plqyTAm863y/s320/20220622_154651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This is my little office space and also the bad news. You guys, two monitors? I didn't know this was a thing people did. I guess other than gamers and super computer-y people. So, it's been overwhelming learning the programs and all the things. I mean, I haven't even come close to learning all the things. I have come home and cried every night of the week, but I haven't cried at work and I haven't given up. By nature I'm a crier, so it really isn't that big of a deal. I'd rather be crying because I'm learning something new from nice people than crying because I'm miserable around toxic people. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSN8TyiYZIX2GJI5taPbFb5XUnOgQswga_yPR4AgwbivbqiBM5mUn9xX370xOcPsNq8l8BJHNZ0K6oE__gPA0BVs5uSIYWSfTueCA_zY8VYQoT27HoxyFrmYadd7JpDR1di1Y5Yevi5o5vkK8HT-fNKov6JdfQ0gHSZvbZGi9GkMxpkuIvs80HDaa/s4160/20220623_084458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSN8TyiYZIX2GJI5taPbFb5XUnOgQswga_yPR4AgwbivbqiBM5mUn9xX370xOcPsNq8l8BJHNZ0K6oE__gPA0BVs5uSIYWSfTueCA_zY8VYQoT27HoxyFrmYadd7JpDR1di1Y5Yevi5o5vkK8HT-fNKov6JdfQ0gHSZvbZGi9GkMxpkuIvs80HDaa/s320/20220623_084458.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Someone who designs the tags and signs is really good at puns. Noah Zark, Kent Swim. There are a lot on the website too. </p><p>I was hoping to share some food, but I have lived on sad, soggy ass microwave burritos for lunch, and various whatevers for dinner. Tomorrow I'm going to prep some things like onions and garlic and press some tofu so that it's easier to cook when I come home. Also, prep some lunches because frozen burritos aren't the best. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiCwfkVKji-A7AqPQ14puMjn42_p1bchiQispJ52ePUP9T724YzO0UOe6madMhVIABH9VHfbzSscVg-pvVPihVmY4cx_Mf5nJKluHnBB_2EWpiCtoBxRiPayu25nkHVrW3KfmAlViw4zGzKDPPpWRdWQYpX2iWRuyKBLsJL8NeXqxOrElNuZpnKNg/s4160/20220624_123307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiCwfkVKji-A7AqPQ14puMjn42_p1bchiQispJ52ePUP9T724YzO0UOe6madMhVIABH9VHfbzSscVg-pvVPihVmY4cx_Mf5nJKluHnBB_2EWpiCtoBxRiPayu25nkHVrW3KfmAlViw4zGzKDPPpWRdWQYpX2iWRuyKBLsJL8NeXqxOrElNuZpnKNg/s320/20220624_123307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This was the best of the bunch that I tried. The tortilla didn't really sog up, and the flavor was really, really good. But my problem with all of Amy's products is always the price. I found this somewhere on sale, so I would buy again if on sale. But it's pretty small so it's not worth the full price in my budget life opinion. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_X1qDxM4dp7ajMHHEcnfdTrmhRpfJ48vajhXq7Fy6F3a7AYVY9XpL5cBdfDitBxKxjH4ZS4Woz3fAEj7NRZB3q67h72zQyWJ9GB4c-ycicePORIQBvXIRUMBOmawZhM92hYODFGIZX0xronFOYnbg9cfyoHvqhDU2t350ofPKtTSYthpSQG2AT3-g/s4160/20220620_191111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_X1qDxM4dp7ajMHHEcnfdTrmhRpfJ48vajhXq7Fy6F3a7AYVY9XpL5cBdfDitBxKxjH4ZS4Woz3fAEj7NRZB3q67h72zQyWJ9GB4c-ycicePORIQBvXIRUMBOmawZhM92hYODFGIZX0xronFOYnbg9cfyoHvqhDU2t350ofPKtTSYthpSQG2AT3-g/s320/20220620_191111.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joan being the sleepiest girl!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-76458853157426097362022-06-19T13:50:00.001-07:002022-06-19T13:50:12.701-07:00Monday Monday<p> Today I've been reflecting on the past month and a half and how emotional and chaotic it's been. Somehow I've come out on the other end, and tomorrow I start my new job and hopefully a fresh start. </p><p>I'm scared of how low I let myself go. And I'm scared of it happening again. That's why my mental health is my number one priority. As soon as I'm caught up and have a budget I will be seeking therapy. It feels so strange to say those two words. When you live paycheck to paycheck there's no budgeting, there's only hoping you'll get by another month. </p><p>As I mentioned in previous posts I'm going to use this blog to hold myself accountable. I want to continue to move forward. That means mental health and also more education. Even though this job is customer service but different, it's still customer service which I couldn't be more sick of. So, I need to better myself in some way so I can do more. </p><p>I'm hoping to blog maybe once during the week and then on weekends. Talking about the highs and lows and struggles and victories. And of course cats and vegan food. </p><p>Thanks for being there and being supportive. Loneliness is something that weighs on you and gets worse over time. It's scary and incredibly sad. </p><p>Wish me luck tomorrow!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Lrx7sxEq4kGuOosKlRUNlfls8ZNXjmAOXjKpytAojgXcfYtBn3sEJK8BUoiGpnNlN7cvx4gw7N9qLjr55GgVw_6jyB1LSDO808cJr00H3_BhXw8zstsNpR7tUVjX8anvkgGNDOsAeBEruzAB-5jvL03RzyA07efObqsPnmyuDvkNA8KwHk1RlzWz/s4160/20220617_102412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Lrx7sxEq4kGuOosKlRUNlfls8ZNXjmAOXjKpytAojgXcfYtBn3sEJK8BUoiGpnNlN7cvx4gw7N9qLjr55GgVw_6jyB1LSDO808cJr00H3_BhXw8zstsNpR7tUVjX8anvkgGNDOsAeBEruzAB-5jvL03RzyA07efObqsPnmyuDvkNA8KwHk1RlzWz/s320/20220617_102412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roxy wanted to remind everyone she's the cutest!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-59811905583552017092022-06-12T14:09:00.000-07:002022-06-12T14:09:01.654-07:00The Highs and Lows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJTf5FuBYS-Mh5oD8rrqAVTicZNOvSyYPAEXMMAkHBsI_iCAm-0pkKZ57GrdEb5UG2UXAdMvL345OmBse2B8cdGXsWaprm9Op_FUudS5VPItrqb8W0o2yvwxnLDrY0U7jofC3J6FsOxbWsLs-FB6J3IreM_ua2QVEyTX3LllR_7StFSsAP-CjsdCa/s4160/20220611_061258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJTf5FuBYS-Mh5oD8rrqAVTicZNOvSyYPAEXMMAkHBsI_iCAm-0pkKZ57GrdEb5UG2UXAdMvL345OmBse2B8cdGXsWaprm9Op_FUudS5VPItrqb8W0o2yvwxnLDrY0U7jofC3J6FsOxbWsLs-FB6J3IreM_ua2QVEyTX3LllR_7StFSsAP-CjsdCa/s320/20220611_061258.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I saw the signs from last week this morning on my walk and had to take a picture. I wonder how many other people these signs have helped? I know it might sound silly, but when you have no cheerleaders in your life, random signs really make a difference. </p><p>I have had some highs and lows over the past twenty four hours. I got the job I wanted yesterday. I went in telling myself this job is mine and I'm taking it! The interview must have gone as great as I felt it did because they offered me the job right away! I start next week. It's called Coller Industries, they make name tags and things like that. So, while it is customer service, it's mostly phone and online. And we mostly deal with businesses not so much the public at large. It's a small business, and I get the sense that it is a very nice and supportive work environment. It also pays what is a livable wage for me, maybe not for someone with more expenses, but for me I will be comfortable. I'm honestly most excited about working in a non toxic work environment. I've never had a job that is non toxic and pays me enough to live without having to dig in my couch for rent change. I'm so grateful. I decided to walk home from the interview because it wasn't super hot yet, and I had that excited energy that i needed to burn. The place is a little more than two miles from my apartment, and I think I had a goofy grin the whole time! It's been awhile since I've had a goofy grin so I'm not complaining!</p><p>Things are mostly looking up for me, my landlord however has decided not to work with me, and I have until Thursday to pay my rent. I was hoping she would work out some easier solution, but I've lived her a long time and she's never been reasonable. I can complain about her all I want, but ultimately I know how she is and what the hell did I expect? </p><p>Berating myself doesn't help, and I can't let myself go backwards because that's what got me here. It can only get worse. I have to share my GoFundMe again. I have to do what I can to get out of this jam and I just don't know what else to do. </p><p>It's like I'm almost there, there's just this huge hurdle in my way. I hope I can make it over the hurdle and become a success story. It can be a modest success story, but I need life to be more than it has. </p><p>Thank you all for your support in whatever way. I appreciate the kind comments. I appreciate people believing in me. I'm trying to believe in myself, but it isn't something I've really ever done, and life has been so sad and chaotic it's not the easiest. </p><p> https://gofund.me/fd79a459<br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-84393974214576401652022-06-08T13:45:00.000-07:002022-06-08T13:45:01.439-07:00Moving Forward<p> I wanted to share some good news. This past Sunday I was feeling very alone, scared and hopeless. I felt like nothing matters. later in the day, I got a GoFundMe donation, which made me work on telling myself that I matter to someone, someone who doesn't even know me. It was enough to pull me out of that dark place. The next morning I was coming home from my walk and there were two signs in someone's lawn. One said You Matter and the other said Don't Give Up. I started crying believe it or not. I got home and felt more motivated, chipper and energetic than I have in a very, very long time. I think for me the most important feeling that I felt was hope. No matter how down on my luck I've been in the past, I've always had a glimmer of hope for brighter days. That glimmer has been gone for so long and it was killing me. </p><p>So, later that same day I scheduled an interview for a job that pays a livable wage for me. It also is still in the customer service realm, but it's not retail or restaurant or any of those things. The company makes name tags and things like that so I think it's more dealing with companies on the phone and on the webz. It's not too far from where I live so transportation is doable. I think this can be a job that doesn't make me dread life, and pays me enough to pay bills and have a bit extra. Where every cent I have to spend isn't so scary because I don't have enough cents to go around. </p><p>I am going to give this interview my ALL. I still feel a slight glimmer of hope and I am protecting it. </p><p>Moving forward, I hope to start Blogging again. But it isn't going to only be about food. Veganism is a huge part of my life and always will be so this will be food forward I guess? But I also want to talk about my struggles and what I am doing to help myself with those struggles. I want to do this for a couple of reasons. The first being to hold myself accountable. It case I hate this job, I still want to be working on myself. I want to get mental health help, and I want to get some further education so I can have more choices and get some financial stability in my life. It can be easy for me to get lost in my depression, and just kind of go to work and other than that not move forward. So I think this will help. I never want to be in a low place like this again. The second reason is because I know I'm not the only person who struggles financially, with mental health and maybe even health issues. So I'm hoping maybe I'll figure something out and be able to pass that along, or even if I do actually make myself aa success maybe that can give someone else hope. Loneliness and hopelessness are two of the worst and most dangerous ways to feel. </p><p>I guess I have a third reason to share. I want anyone who has donated to see where their donation is going. Getting to keep my home and ensure a better future are number one to me right now. </p><p>My interview is Friday morning, so wish me luck! I will definitely report back, and hopefully this is the first of many positive changes.</p><p>My GoFundMe is here if anyone is interested. https://gofund.me/fd79a459<br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-91462343773392810422022-06-04T12:49:00.012-07:002022-06-04T13:00:30.170-07:00Betty!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgPuVdeV1z4OqHjTSESvtTGnH8lQJ8MIFTnFvSoJLrQ0S1FMQKl-XzmjqyM-hYiqSuucKORpi1PF_P6pyLPuJDcUTbJ4e_-tgaqsaPo3hncnV1mWfgUyO2PoTs9t0knNECVePkBvpUjCccXJtpeNmlfcnLi5n-w-XUZ7_n7trk97FEI9-Q4spp6ZB/s4160/20220601_172249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgPuVdeV1z4OqHjTSESvtTGnH8lQJ8MIFTnFvSoJLrQ0S1FMQKl-XzmjqyM-hYiqSuucKORpi1PF_P6pyLPuJDcUTbJ4e_-tgaqsaPo3hncnV1mWfgUyO2PoTs9t0knNECVePkBvpUjCccXJtpeNmlfcnLi5n-w-XUZ7_n7trk97FEI9-Q4spp6ZB/s320/20220601_172249.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> This is the newest member of the family! Her name is Betty, named after my favorite grandma. I don't know if you guys remember Bubba, the grumpy alley cat I adopted? Unfortunately in February he very suddenly got sick and passed. Betty is one of the many neighborhood homeless kitties I feed, and she was very small and skinny. She also has very short hair so I worried for her in the winter. I worry for all of them, but Betty was very friendly, and would sit on the rail of the balcony looking longingly in my window. <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpplQravli2Cvtwvi4JEvsfg1oikQjQcqrxzncY0PcDsL9XzVwXv_E41RsOx47AlDx_kkkUKXclYkki3zubcXNWrQ5DzeD5f1aJdeo_7pzjpBJnigyThfc5veeBY0Z3Q9T8PMRQltmhrbKFH5BcK0sDUNqSEA5AoZ8T5yQyUChN0-57n_PAG9SDk_i/s4160/20220604_111612.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpplQravli2Cvtwvi4JEvsfg1oikQjQcqrxzncY0PcDsL9XzVwXv_E41RsOx47AlDx_kkkUKXclYkki3zubcXNWrQ5DzeD5f1aJdeo_7pzjpBJnigyThfc5veeBY0Z3Q9T8PMRQltmhrbKFH5BcK0sDUNqSEA5AoZ8T5yQyUChN0-57n_PAG9SDk_i/s320/20220604_111612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toy Box Nappin!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Most of the girls have accepted her, or just choose to ignore her. Joan sometimes gets weird, but like with Bubba, Kiki has all the problems. But where Bubba was happy avoiding kiki or running away, Betty is feisty and chases and punches back. Luckily it's not serious fighting. Betty has the sweetest little personality and I'm so glad she's safe. </p><p>I want to thank everyone for even checking for my post, and thanks to anyone who donated to my GoFundMe. The support means more than anything. When I first had my falling out with my family, I thought not having any family wouldn't be a big deal since I wasn't close to them in the first place. In Seattle where I had more friends it was a bit easier. But moving to Utah has been very isolating for me. I don't love it or even like it here, and everything has just been one struggle after one struggle and feeling so bitterly alone has taken a toll. </p><p>But I'm looking towards the future that I if I work hard might be bright and pull me out of this darkness I've been in for years if I'm really honest.</p><p>https://gofund.me/fd79a459<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-48528370234624813552022-06-01T10:31:00.000-07:002022-06-01T10:31:04.099-07:00It's Been So Long<p> I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've blogged. Not only have I not blogged, I've kind of just fallen off from the community. I've started and deleted so many posts over the months. </p><p>My mental health has been rapidly declining and I haven't really been cooking anything new or exciting. I also just don't have the energy to kind of act happy I guess. But I also didn't want this to be a place where I cry and bring others down. </p><p>With groceries getting more expensive, and then my creativity totally zapped, I guess I feel like I don't have much to add to the community right now. I don't even have any budget tips to share because my mind is just muddled. </p><p>I feel like an ass because I've fallen off the face of the earth, and now I'm coming on here asking for help. I am in a jam and I have started a GoFundMe to try and help. I desperately want to better my life so that I don't get into these pickles anymore. Between my mental health and my inability to get paid a livable wage this always happens to me. </p><p>I have tried to reach out to my family and beg them for help regarding mental health help and also taking classes to gain a skill but I have been ghosted. </p><p>I don't know what else to do, I am scared, alone and desperate and it has come to this. </p><p>I am going to post my gofundme link here. https://gofund.me/fd79a459 If you are so inclined and able I would love anyone to take a glance. I have had several job interviews so I am working on getting out of this funk, it's just that I need help to get out of this immediate jam, and I desperately need to be able to better my life. It feels pointless to keep trying if I can't get my head right, and if I can't find a more fulfilling in every way job.</p><p>Thank you and I hope one day I'll be better and back to blogging. I'm also going to turn comments off which I know some might consider a wimp move, and I guess it is but I am very sad, ashamed, scared and fragile so I just can't handle being told what a loser I am. <br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-43595337416487999712021-07-28T08:48:00.003-07:002021-07-28T08:48:57.947-07:00Time To Really Think<p> I've been really hating my blog posts recently. I started this blog as an outlet to express myself. People in my life didn't give any shits about veganism, or animal rights or anything. Blogging has always been something I enjoyed, a very positive outlet for me. Especially as I was walking away from so many unhealthy outlets like drinking and smoking. </p><p>Lately I just haven't felt like I can express myself here. Mainly because I am extremely unhappy, some of it is my depression which is just always there, but some of it is real unhappiness with my life. I'm miserable in Utah. I miss Seattle so much, but more than that I'm just not happy here. I feel stuck and hopeless and I just don't have the energy to come on here and be inauthentic. But I also don't want this blog to turn into Days of Our Depression or anything like that. So, I'm just kind of stuck. </p><p>I'm also in a rut in the kitchen. My hauls are all the same no matter where I shop because I've been sticking to simple foods. I haven't had a huge appetite or desire for trying new recipes. And I've pretty much given up on trying new vegan foods. Each one is more expensive than the last and I can't do it. My rent has been raised twice in the past year and I'm not making more money so the newest vegan whatever isn't even on my radar. </p><p>I don't know how long I'll be gone. Maybe something amazing will happen tomorrow and I'll be zapped back to life. Since life is unfortunately not like a feel good movie I doubt that will happen. But either way I'll be back either when I feel better or if I decide blogging isn't for me I'll be back to say goodbye.</p><p>I've been out of the blog world for awhile. I just feel bad seeing things I can't afford, or recipes I wish I could feel like making. But I'll shake it off and be back. How can I expect to feel inspired if I don't peruse things to inspire me? </p><p>See you guys in the future. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-3907944513505216832021-07-23T12:52:00.000-07:002021-07-23T12:52:20.616-07:00Trying Some Trader Joe's Vegan Thangs!<p> Years ago I had tried a scallion pancake when I was having takeout. Like so many years ago. Anyway, I remember loving the onion-y flakiness of it. I tried to make scallion pancakes myself at some point, but mine were just a greasy, oily mess and they kind of hurt my stomach. I've been dreaming of them ever since. </p><p>Trader Joe's has scallion pancakes in their main freezer section, but they aren't vegan. Every few months I forget that I know they aren't vegan, get excited, read the ingredients and then feel sad. Well, on my last trip I noticed they have a tiny little frozen "What's New" by the ice cream, and they have Taiwanese scallion pancakes that say vegan right on the package!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtcfxxzKBgSJ93QlOPZn6HLlp6e2A5OxwT62XajvX1Zy-XpiGvo_NlR0Ac057tIsjHInmpgQWqS9o95gJw79e9WuGL1feljOWAj6_-tL7eHtRcH5jDW38rp3gxWUcLYac4fAo_55WmzQ/s2048/20210722_145641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtcfxxzKBgSJ93QlOPZn6HLlp6e2A5OxwT62XajvX1Zy-XpiGvo_NlR0Ac057tIsjHInmpgQWqS9o95gJw79e9WuGL1feljOWAj6_-tL7eHtRcH5jDW38rp3gxWUcLYac4fAo_55WmzQ/s320/20210722_145641.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>They're so good, and easy to heat up. You just throw it in a pan for a few minutes each side, and bam you have a flaky delicious pancake!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipevcsJDvn4LuOG95L0ayLWKl80dWcIgtgoaH672NU1UGcfXbfNRWiZkvEh9zjLmO4j0ooggvtLUO1Q9Qsh-Ne1ggw8wxt_NN6YSfy3CRNwg6l-mq2XIrQY1chKYRb7Mno8d1za9b1_OA/s2048/20210722_153052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipevcsJDvn4LuOG95L0ayLWKl80dWcIgtgoaH672NU1UGcfXbfNRWiZkvEh9zjLmO4j0ooggvtLUO1Q9Qsh-Ne1ggw8wxt_NN6YSfy3CRNwg6l-mq2XIrQY1chKYRb7Mno8d1za9b1_OA/s320/20210722_153052.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow curry soup with a pancake on the side. Better than takeout!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-p6OKQODCiwj71Lt2pMtcepjofcA9hEjzZQkKm1BIR7iyLXEF-1500WfPWqhBo0HseXCQCHxQCox-8VQ1g5Zsgn5B5w-6O4xcNm8GNeDmapSla4YC98Pzz58PHvXvXSz_xZxvQLGlWo/s2048/20210720_142257%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-p6OKQODCiwj71Lt2pMtcepjofcA9hEjzZQkKm1BIR7iyLXEF-1500WfPWqhBo0HseXCQCHxQCox-8VQ1g5Zsgn5B5w-6O4xcNm8GNeDmapSla4YC98Pzz58PHvXvXSz_xZxvQLGlWo/s320/20210720_142257%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>You guys, this stuff is so freaking good! I've been dipping lots of pita bread, and this morning I made a little breakfast wrap with seasoned soy curls, lettuce and lots of this humus slathered on a flatbread. It's $1.99 which makes it even better! Ten out of ten!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28ZlR_j3IOHdRHDGCEuzViuNVAAptl_gqVXlqVsGBVXkVL5962d09ihdBrA31SdGNImzAcYlE3PAibXeFBKQGxWSxEWR7iAvy0pJ8czkVyFjvWxGxAjOP14P15cvIkbFraOEVKvAC-AI/s2048/20210719_155717%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28ZlR_j3IOHdRHDGCEuzViuNVAAptl_gqVXlqVsGBVXkVL5962d09ihdBrA31SdGNImzAcYlE3PAibXeFBKQGxWSxEWR7iAvy0pJ8czkVyFjvWxGxAjOP14P15cvIkbFraOEVKvAC-AI/s320/20210719_155717%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I finally tried these Lightlife smart tenders. I've been looking at these for years at Trader Joe's! They're basically a "chicken " tender with no breading. I just cooked mine in a pan on the stove top, but if you are a griller I bet these would be great for that! At Trader Joe's these were $2.99 for six. Not the best or worst price. For me, I'll just stick with tofu!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-7614271960173448002021-07-19T11:42:00.000-07:002021-07-19T11:42:05.124-07:00I Tried Meghan Markle's Zucchini Pasta <p> Yesterday morning I went on a four plus mile walk. Walking has become a kind of therapy for me. I really hash out and think about things. Sometimes I even talk to myself. I've been busted by people sitting on their porches having morning tea or coffee. Pretty embarrassing! </p><p>By the time I got home I was drenched in sweat and beyond hangry, so I made a refreshing smoothie while I figured out what I wanted for my actual first meal. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJnaAdr8vSNtbRC8nG7sT4Q8Vt0UIxC8GNkL0gltkCLrYcMLVjHftpjaLzxFxRms5LC25bYgoTc8syggkdgKIfpBWQvihMONodrRMd8Ngj_-tV9LCScvpTawo3O5D9Em7eQdfrxmzP8E/s2048/20210718_093205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJnaAdr8vSNtbRC8nG7sT4Q8Vt0UIxC8GNkL0gltkCLrYcMLVjHftpjaLzxFxRms5LC25bYgoTc8syggkdgKIfpBWQvihMONodrRMd8Ngj_-tV9LCScvpTawo3O5D9Em7eQdfrxmzP8E/s320/20210718_093205.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen mango, banana, avocado,spinach, flax powder<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLzzIxO63erKHcRRVBjLAYMYEy8zlT0LP1tBMai9sLOGt1vUx-cBnGqc8O3-UlY_FylHk6SKn4wobZJe7LAqNkvhjsupEE4fNvt_DH3cO5wHBd3Vxqb-Q4suDL0_8QDXWZ88PHvzEcgk/s2048/20210718_101808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLzzIxO63erKHcRRVBjLAYMYEy8zlT0LP1tBMai9sLOGt1vUx-cBnGqc8O3-UlY_FylHk6SKn4wobZJe7LAqNkvhjsupEE4fNvt_DH3cO5wHBd3Vxqb-Q4suDL0_8QDXWZ88PHvzEcgk/s320/20210718_101808.jpg" /></a></div><p>This is so ugly, but boy was it tasty. So tasty I had the same thing today. I picked up the Mideast feast from Trader Joe's. It was a splurge, I've always wanted to try it! It has hummus, stuffed grape leaves, lentil salad and this bulgur tomato salad. So I slathered my pita with the hummus, and added the lentils and some of the bulgur. The lentil salad is so tasty I have to figure out how to season my lentils like this!! </p><p>A very long time ago I came across Meghan Markle's zucchini pasta. It's a very simple recipe, you basically cook zucchini and onion slow and low for four hours, then serve the sauce with pasta. I don't love zucchini, but I always like to find a way to love a vegetable since I struggle. Anyway, I finally got around to trying it. I used <a href="https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipes/a58228/zucchini-bolognese-recipe/">this </a>recipe. (No Parm of course)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm7s7abgHe5_HN8TjSDVyt8ZfxoqoR79zboHKv004ozZvhWu17gww4rCVAy12cDrI1NThXXw3_pduFszhB29vVcx8VJtYkSddrlwk7jlavbxSSepV597pzz12c4zVmcmTPFZ3tOk7HUg/s2048/20210718_163608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm7s7abgHe5_HN8TjSDVyt8ZfxoqoR79zboHKv004ozZvhWu17gww4rCVAy12cDrI1NThXXw3_pduFszhB29vVcx8VJtYkSddrlwk7jlavbxSSepV597pzz12c4zVmcmTPFZ3tOk7HUg/s320/20210718_163608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I can tell you that my apartment smelled INCREDIBLE!!! Now, I didn't love this recipe but it's my own fault. When you really cook something down, you're concentrating the flavors so I don't know why I thought this would be life changing for me. The sauce is very, very earthy and squash-y. If you love zucchini, this is for you. It's very inexpensive to make, especially in the summer, and especially if you have a garden because I know zucchini like to grow!! You could easily throw in some white beans or a little tofu for extra protein. So, even though I didn't love this, I recommend this recipe to anyone who loves zucchini, on a budget or not!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-22634391133453570562021-07-17T08:05:00.001-07:002021-07-17T08:05:55.906-07:00Heavy Trader Joe's Haul<p> I knew someone in Seattle who was a hoarder. Like the tv show, no exaggeration hoarder. She had both an insane amount of things,but she also really never cleaned because one, how could you with all the stuff in the way, and I don't think it was important to her. I asked her one time how it all started, and she said she got depressed, and then one day her house was like this. I know all to well how depression can kind of make time stand still in a way, and then suddenly it's next year. Ever since hearing her explanation, I've made a rule for myself for when I get depressed. Three days maximum of losing it and letting things go like cleaning, self care, etc. That includes shopping for food! I really wanted to order from Whole Foods again, but I also knew a lot of things I needed are cheaper at Trader Joe's. I filled my cart at Whole Foods with my budget, and I just knew I could get more for my bucks at Trader Joe's. So, I forced myself on that bus and went to Trader Joe's! One point for frugality, zero depression!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrA9HBUFIosq7puphgAUvRYOua0XpbQOenHK0AeyqM4aQuSVKUj6ngLoWTtHvswOE8EL6Hqb_8RBRetfG7pdOKr8vcg51kc5Wn94gupjGFJWhc5DO2A8osYWfSjhWFFgRUF72KypqdUY/s2048/20210716_092329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrA9HBUFIosq7puphgAUvRYOua0XpbQOenHK0AeyqM4aQuSVKUj6ngLoWTtHvswOE8EL6Hqb_8RBRetfG7pdOKr8vcg51kc5Wn94gupjGFJWhc5DO2A8osYWfSjhWFFgRUF72KypqdUY/s320/20210716_092329.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger, coconut milk, vegan caramelized onion dip, cilantro, shredded cabbage, dill pickle chips(not vegan), sriracha tofu, romaine lettuce, pita bread, potato, nectarines, plum, green pepper, tabbouleh style hummus, lightlife Chicken strips, frozen mango, spinach, kombucha<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I got to the store right when they opened and at first they weren't busy, but by the time I got to the chip aisle it was picking up so I guess I didn't read the chip ingredients. I assumed since Lay's pickle chips are vegan these would be too. But sadly they have whey powder. I didn't notice till after I took the picture. I really wanted to snack on these yesterday too!! :(</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCZnrVr-U4kidOwg5Ge1GdX1F5-67v8tT_LRXEj851Cx1OWluqJtTPJbuHZ9vvCrLkN65SmnDoTlao2KSykuD1LtaTafI7mvYYkgeu_3UOSbY0rJHvqfM4A1xe6BJtejkqf7fmQyN1ZU/s2048/20210716_092629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCZnrVr-U4kidOwg5Ge1GdX1F5-67v8tT_LRXEj851Cx1OWluqJtTPJbuHZ9vvCrLkN65SmnDoTlao2KSykuD1LtaTafI7mvYYkgeu_3UOSbY0rJHvqfM4A1xe6BJtejkqf7fmQyN1ZU/s320/20210716_092629.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegan drumsticks, tofurky slices, frozen strawberries, tofu, bananas, Mideast style feast,spicy lentil wrap, vegan gummies, Thai green chili sauce, fruit frenzy bars, spiced chai concentrate, garbanzo beans, red chili flakes, turmeric, lemons, fizzy water<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>You know how sometimes you're just in a bad way and a kind word or gesture from a stranger can make a difference? Well, my cashier was so freaking sweet, and I mentioned something about the bus and he was so worried about me getting home, he took extra care packing my fizzy water and said he would give me a ride if he weren't working. And he also thanked me for being so nice to talk to! I can't remember the last time anyone has said that to me! It really made my day, and it made the bus trip home easier. He was so nice I pulled a reverse Karen and called to compliment him and the store!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eNH1d0V48PCUkJyi1Co7SjMFi_OPiy-YSL9Lmm-V6xlUaKdW4gaSXis7lMpioM9QxhG6DNw-cAxc_GC9qIeD2-5mMsQfyAErh2SsN3bB0F6GpD3P6-DxUdJwdh9bsXuGIsg_a8AkS3w/s2048/20210716_165601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eNH1d0V48PCUkJyi1Co7SjMFi_OPiy-YSL9Lmm-V6xlUaKdW4gaSXis7lMpioM9QxhG6DNw-cAxc_GC9qIeD2-5mMsQfyAErh2SsN3bB0F6GpD3P6-DxUdJwdh9bsXuGIsg_a8AkS3w/s320/20210716_165601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Joan is like me, she likes her alone time and seeks out safe places. It always makes me laugh when she tucks herself away but leaves her tail or a little tootsie hanging out!<br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-21607271221380616292021-07-14T09:15:00.002-07:002021-07-14T09:15:27.667-07:00Kind of Homemade <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hGn3ksFNc_cMBVB2r4zrzqQ4J0UWSSmZC-udu7KSDnhaTfiDf6dmXZWKeC4BU47e0lGFxAGMkygVp5eB92Venfs0i1DTqi0ETpSYflcwG8xdy0LtHG4ruCSaYEiz-Q61AUsPcSWWdS0/s2048/20210711_123252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hGn3ksFNc_cMBVB2r4zrzqQ4J0UWSSmZC-udu7KSDnhaTfiDf6dmXZWKeC4BU47e0lGFxAGMkygVp5eB92Venfs0i1DTqi0ETpSYflcwG8xdy0LtHG4ruCSaYEiz-Q61AUsPcSWWdS0/s320/20210711_123252.jpg" /></a></div>I found this on sale at Smith's last week. I've tried a few jarred curry sauces that I haven't loved, but I've also had a lot of Private Selection products that I have loved. I like to have little shortcuts like this so you can kind of half a half homemade meal. Does anyone remember Semi Homemade with Sandra Dee on the food network?<p></p><p>I simmered some red lentils and baked tofu in this sauce. It was a little sharp, like maybe too much citrus for my liking, so I added a little extra coconut milk. It was pretty tasty, and it was nice having the help on a day when I barely felt like cooking.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZz3r7wNFXDWv5XH8TnLPw-A2rviaIXq7gOSqTPKqGpkpnTw4Xg-uRmu36lLKuBz9nxMiH4vJh5D8LwthUbuj-dtRfaQEHFd6ZPLmscxzPHgjl-vrcMDbIo_u2rD5alcgQAm5nQ8rg0Tc/s2048/20210711_155810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZz3r7wNFXDWv5XH8TnLPw-A2rviaIXq7gOSqTPKqGpkpnTw4Xg-uRmu36lLKuBz9nxMiH4vJh5D8LwthUbuj-dtRfaQEHFd6ZPLmscxzPHgjl-vrcMDbIo_u2rD5alcgQAm5nQ8rg0Tc/s320/20210711_155810.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven out of ten, would buy again if on sale.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15gHApa6N85-vBcRzqdF4StONDD6rBqO02c_uzKTUgDEQTyCVgvPu5OHaR1PLofH1we80EhkhfBYkFD3i0KBCuPS0YPJTFTUaNiUvV92zKlPe_LB4HyoIIKXwithBjZNvSnqcdkKkviQ/s2048/20210712_154115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15gHApa6N85-vBcRzqdF4StONDD6rBqO02c_uzKTUgDEQTyCVgvPu5OHaR1PLofH1we80EhkhfBYkFD3i0KBCuPS0YPJTFTUaNiUvV92zKlPe_LB4HyoIIKXwithBjZNvSnqcdkKkviQ/s320/20210712_154115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I made Singapore noodles the other night, but I didn't have enough curry powder so they were very mild. I can't believe I've let myself run out of curry powder! I hate cooked bell pepper, so I had mine raw on the side instead of in the noodles. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIsj0A8B2FPAZA1dgHNLqP0fmNFmlkAiKO66ZiMfho-9wgrGKDwf-1e01nLXekAiR98jw8rl4pIR38eQFDPYXBITyT0GLywkk4D-yy0DPlbuvimSBFidrv0u815ABg4HItO2RqB-ziH8/s2048/20210713_155116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIsj0A8B2FPAZA1dgHNLqP0fmNFmlkAiKO66ZiMfho-9wgrGKDwf-1e01nLXekAiR98jw8rl4pIR38eQFDPYXBITyT0GLywkk4D-yy0DPlbuvimSBFidrv0u815ABg4HItO2RqB-ziH8/s320/20210713_155116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Last night I baked some tofu and threw it in some flour tortillas with jalapeno, cilantro, radish and a spicy peanut sauce. This hit the spot, and reminded me that I need to think outside of the taco box more often!</p><p>I hope to try another seitan recipe today or tomorrow. It's <a href="https://www.86eats.com/recipes/vegan-deli-sliced-turkey-breast">this</a> recipe, and I think it looks like it could be the one! I still haven't found a go to seitan recipe, so fingers crossed!<br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-37855950517345639132021-07-11T09:19:00.000-07:002021-07-11T09:19:42.270-07:00Vegan Haul and Pizza<p> I really wanted to go to Trader Joe's this week to stock up on some things, but between depression and triple digit temperatures, I just couldn't make myself do it. So, I got a small Whole Foods delivery, and thankfully a friend gave me a ride to Sprouts for some desperately needed fruits and veggies. I struggle with public transportation when I'm feeling this way. If I can just run into a store I can handle it, but when I have to walk in the blazing sun, wait for a bus in the blazing sun, deal with the people on the bus and then walk home in the blazing sun with heavy bags, it can really just be too much. I'm struggling with living in Utah in general to be honest, but what can I do other than do my best to stay hydrated and moisturized so I don't turn into a raisin. Utah raisin?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVlV2pioXT5lrnYOKpo2RAKTyKAqmg66xCe2byReZGTmuqWNtDknuOBwSZpcZygfTMq7XhRAhn-CtJoSUEdTgitKz5Nyh2uJl1SXuOdwuuu7wqf6pfsW4EL4ooVGsmaLAqa_7Fhxa51Q/s2048/20210709_074839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVlV2pioXT5lrnYOKpo2RAKTyKAqmg66xCe2byReZGTmuqWNtDknuOBwSZpcZygfTMq7XhRAhn-CtJoSUEdTgitKz5Nyh2uJl1SXuOdwuuu7wqf6pfsW4EL4ooVGsmaLAqa_7Fhxa51Q/s320/20210709_074839.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red lentils, oatly, avocados, tomato, fizzy water, celery, strawberries,citrus pop ups, coconut milk, bath salts, parsley, garlic<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGafn3h2RqLbTVva9TUrtRUEgRJVvfY4DdLnweDQI1HGgNrlDzlxag7nXbF8yN2qpP9-UFpzl2ZvUGFAUsFJmYkeWcbHFyxtRybUTBW1p7n0lIPekZVmHb27VPPS_Myg-SbwlvdExrc7E/s2048/20210710_115528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGafn3h2RqLbTVva9TUrtRUEgRJVvfY4DdLnweDQI1HGgNrlDzlxag7nXbF8yN2qpP9-UFpzl2ZvUGFAUsFJmYkeWcbHFyxtRybUTBW1p7n0lIPekZVmHb27VPPS_Myg-SbwlvdExrc7E/s320/20210710_115528.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grapes, rice noodles, BBQ corn chips(not very good), live booch soda, tofu. strawberries, spring rolls, carrot,oranges, potato, kombucha, Jalfrezi curry sauce, watermelon, mini peppers, cherry plums, red onion, yellow and white nectarine, garlic<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>If you see cherry plums anywhere, do yourself a favor and grab some! They taste like a plum with just a little extra pizazz. I've eaten half the bag in a day and a half!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7V7Q2r-e_LoseXTJ-sduFQhfzPAINaaM3fpoIFfI2N5D3TESMnIyVHNQqQM8jpI-BRg1ocGPuI32WVEHJGar2yOrBlJZxT6FHKwPjTYBG0Et0tduSUxbcjfQ0Bzg4ICMnDzEyaBEi58/s2048/20210711_094134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7V7Q2r-e_LoseXTJ-sduFQhfzPAINaaM3fpoIFfI2N5D3TESMnIyVHNQqQM8jpI-BRg1ocGPuI32WVEHJGar2yOrBlJZxT6FHKwPjTYBG0Et0tduSUxbcjfQ0Bzg4ICMnDzEyaBEi58/s320/20210711_094134.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Last night my friend and I split a vegan pizza from a very vegan friendly place called <a href="https://www.thepie.com/">The Pie Pizzeria</a>. </p><p>I'm so used to places maybe having vegan cheese if you're lucky, it was a bit overwhelming to see all the vegan meats and such as options. I've always been a cheese or veggies kind of pizza person, so we went with just a vegan veggie no green peppers, sub banana peppers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljDiEYKtjDffZfBK4Yb_h-KE_i8Md80q6KAJJFfjPXfNd4L25iDNRv4JWtxNAMDUstNFME6I8SmfbNSCnlb4YNTeRASrH0FAK_xb6mOSg66uknJm3uVlj-4CmAPH2qjlv1JVIYpm0HWU/s2048/20210710_153433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljDiEYKtjDffZfBK4Yb_h-KE_i8Md80q6KAJJFfjPXfNd4L25iDNRv4JWtxNAMDUstNFME6I8SmfbNSCnlb4YNTeRASrH0FAK_xb6mOSg66uknJm3uVlj-4CmAPH2qjlv1JVIYpm0HWU/s320/20210710_153433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This had onion, black olives, mushrooms, banana pepper, vegan mozzarella and cheddar, and topped with fresh tomato. It was pretty tasty although honestly it had too much cheese. You know how it has to be just the right amount of vegan cheese? But the cold leftovers were great for breakfast!<br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-62828238371161983042021-07-08T13:37:00.001-07:002021-07-08T13:37:03.817-07:00Stuff I've Tried<p> I've been kind of absent around the blogosphere lately. This summer so far has been a struggle for me. I feel like Pigpen but instead of a cloud of a dirt cloud I'm just dragging around a cloud of funk. I haven't been eating the most exciting food and I struggle with what to say. I don't want to be fake positive, but I also don't want to moan and groan all the time. I know a lot of us struggle with mental health and it can be so hard to try and be "normal" whatever that is. </p><p>I have tried a few new to me things in the past week or so, so I guess that gives me something to say right?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpCnty2fP1kdntAtvx6JzUhje-Sh-G68FHurGLLI0Mkrm7RLNVhNnzNQkN5y4F1W3MiYKPhcsoEmwF_aLmOjjXx9V8Q85INL_aj-ygWQmyKDsrw4rD5cgY8Asezp_nPRYxjnx4mG6KEU/s2048/20210706_101305%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpCnty2fP1kdntAtvx6JzUhje-Sh-G68FHurGLLI0Mkrm7RLNVhNnzNQkN5y4F1W3MiYKPhcsoEmwF_aLmOjjXx9V8Q85INL_aj-ygWQmyKDsrw4rD5cgY8Asezp_nPRYxjnx4mG6KEU/s320/20210706_101305%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I try to make my own cold brew coffee, but I have a lot of learning to do. I think Dunkin makes great coffee. The hype is true! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISzfvjPxRNPN5fYrqvnhN16cVXCCT-ZJp7FB7SeZSjb64nPveDR4i8zVXaoMPqG_qBTFBVUKkJ-GEd3F5P8B0C-V3_bKtxsYPRIL0GmTv1UhLh2LYC9rgdxXP9HhzO8TgtF0gKym9I1g/s2048/20210706_082755%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISzfvjPxRNPN5fYrqvnhN16cVXCCT-ZJp7FB7SeZSjb64nPveDR4i8zVXaoMPqG_qBTFBVUKkJ-GEd3F5P8B0C-V3_bKtxsYPRIL0GmTv1UhLh2LYC9rgdxXP9HhzO8TgtF0gKym9I1g/s320/20210706_082755%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>This tempeh is so freaking good! I don't love tempeh, I will always choose tofu but this stuff is pretty great. I don't even fry it, I just take it out of the package for sandwiches. Chef's kiss!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lZ3neQnvcrepg_OyYiDbY5_J9xZIIl8TM8umhz7vzK5MBhMCSyIZUjXMp_rSMol8bWz4k8Edl5FMQAEM-XYx7RUIQSNhrNQtDSEDNsLIixutEH1HOYaua4WrcrUDHNvoWmuXUODAfh4/s2048/20210707_161131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lZ3neQnvcrepg_OyYiDbY5_J9xZIIl8TM8umhz7vzK5MBhMCSyIZUjXMp_rSMol8bWz4k8Edl5FMQAEM-XYx7RUIQSNhrNQtDSEDNsLIixutEH1HOYaua4WrcrUDHNvoWmuXUODAfh4/s320/20210707_161131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This little dinner of red lentil coconut curry, flat bread and spinach pakoras include two new to me things! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYfM49Ox16aASSNo4LNpvra3DB9sn4GMqbwje20u3SrAUMeP7HSojVz7ygYlqAK3HpDzIdUrQkyABESirtSLQSv2xOT4bHq2G9C6-Dq9MIL3uHAPsX3sbMMbkALh0m6tVsmBWXg6fQl8/s2048/20210707_152032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYfM49Ox16aASSNo4LNpvra3DB9sn4GMqbwje20u3SrAUMeP7HSojVz7ygYlqAK3HpDzIdUrQkyABESirtSLQSv2xOT4bHq2G9C6-Dq9MIL3uHAPsX3sbMMbkALh0m6tVsmBWXg6fQl8/s320/20210707_152032.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulaJb6dBNBveLavTUTjdy4253eynRwwv6OKFnheaxXIyD89JviQst8Qe4jNmNGX_85vs8l834W48fSsiy5HApYcrxhiV1zgtXLvraHA5VxJxTkPpbtNqwPNiymZqS__3ctjOVB6arl2Q/s2048/20210706_101507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulaJb6dBNBveLavTUTjdy4253eynRwwv6OKFnheaxXIyD89JviQst8Qe4jNmNGX_85vs8l834W48fSsiy5HApYcrxhiV1zgtXLvraHA5VxJxTkPpbtNqwPNiymZqS__3ctjOVB6arl2Q/s320/20210706_101507.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The pakoras are from the Indian market and are really, really tasty. The bouillon cubes are from Sprouts. I used one cube in place of my usual curry powder and it worked out great! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj_cz0wiPu7_xln3GfzwKR-hxF3FTtSfN759dIW7YvKZWPBhYfF9Zh13UY8HxPx4kll58nn98i1hFpcLpvwNfCHyimNigLrvwtD_MFkb7zvzFGYG4KZRriSUxrUqbmU6RZYTZAdUn7Ck/s2048/20210704_145117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj_cz0wiPu7_xln3GfzwKR-hxF3FTtSfN759dIW7YvKZWPBhYfF9Zh13UY8HxPx4kll58nn98i1hFpcLpvwNfCHyimNigLrvwtD_MFkb7zvzFGYG4KZRriSUxrUqbmU6RZYTZAdUn7Ck/s320/20210704_145117.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I found this little kit at Smith's. They have several flavors, but Korean BBQ sounded best to me! It comes with rice, spices and sauce. It's accidentally vegan, and I had just gotten some soy curls so it seemed meant to be. </p><p>It's really easy to make, and I was pleasantly surprised that the sauce has a little kick! This was a nice, quick and easy dish. The rice was the most time consuming element and that's hands off. I would definitely buy this again!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cQgGIIcI3dWtQljtYXp9cT0IgfnMcjeUaDMtz_9cT3ubI4Hs-JgyDUiGPHnhzBYKMrC_t6nLxfjLiKGdRKY7M5tDTWmzmm7Q3__EXBz16Zm_LQA09rRIMwCPuJyqdaptCIBTh6vDYUc/s2048/20210704_153225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cQgGIIcI3dWtQljtYXp9cT0IgfnMcjeUaDMtz_9cT3ubI4Hs-JgyDUiGPHnhzBYKMrC_t6nLxfjLiKGdRKY7M5tDTWmzmm7Q3__EXBz16Zm_LQA09rRIMwCPuJyqdaptCIBTh6vDYUc/s320/20210704_153225.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-40296164908199884472021-07-04T11:39:00.001-07:002021-07-04T11:39:25.791-07:00Hauls, Free Apricots plus Bubba!<p> I have a tiny Smith's and Natural Grocers haul this week. I really need to do a bigger shop at Trader Joe's or Sprouts, but I couldn't handle any type of crowd this week. I bought more candy than I should have, but sometimes Natural Grocers has good candy for a nice sale and I just can't resist!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc1TBp1R4I0DlS5VUw4bEJw8UxcAK2zt3Zm53ZAs7pGxCjQgtvvPH8yfvopUf78bJOTgmnnVkpz2Tu0f4uUHTwo7O9fbQB3wrXIuex2kuR4Ekn81pwzVkST1Ev9Z_C8T2YZHgz5fSo8A/s2048/20210703_111738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc1TBp1R4I0DlS5VUw4bEJw8UxcAK2zt3Zm53ZAs7pGxCjQgtvvPH8yfvopUf78bJOTgmnnVkpz2Tu0f4uUHTwo7O9fbQB3wrXIuex2kuR4Ekn81pwzVkST1Ev9Z_C8T2YZHgz5fSo8A/s320/20210703_111738.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fizzy water, nectarines, Asian salad mix, lemons, popsicles, Korean beef meal kit</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYUUFhx_ed1j5qEFAZt7hnkBz_nnrGWJNYfOM7w3LQ53X5KLNb1WdX4meFxbBK4CJAvXZFxqssuilrakwSlqCJ_hFPixhyphenhyphenTOaR52SbDR_hgIOdiS3ZWzUjdfQmH8AtmNGT56gOabgmhY/s2048/20210703_111814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYUUFhx_ed1j5qEFAZt7hnkBz_nnrGWJNYfOM7w3LQ53X5KLNb1WdX4meFxbBK4CJAvXZFxqssuilrakwSlqCJ_hFPixhyphenhyphenTOaR52SbDR_hgIOdiS3ZWzUjdfQmH8AtmNGT56gOabgmhY/s320/20210703_111814.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>These were brand new and on sale. The sauce packet is accidentally vegan, so I'm just going to use soy curls! I've watches some Tasty videos, so I have high hopes!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmqCaHQei37mPs0lk5FUDSGJUX0Qpn1EguxvUxr84fs8bTU_gSuGoEQg_xo7RwXBSkE3O1EKQYxcHe8eLLYQo6M6sDuPUfHld1KtI3L05mzl43nvScPZ9JskDu3nzeS8yinhLMENcXVY/s2048/20210703_143329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmqCaHQei37mPs0lk5FUDSGJUX0Qpn1EguxvUxr84fs8bTU_gSuGoEQg_xo7RwXBSkE3O1EKQYxcHe8eLLYQo6M6sDuPUfHld1KtI3L05mzl43nvScPZ9JskDu3nzeS8yinhLMENcXVY/s320/20210703_143329.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite salad at my favorite price!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji47gSowxGL7I_x2KO01R3zYE5is35g2AC1gy0xrdlSIBq2mBsnsBuuYtAS_y0AR9DNw5yuo8UdJFn57QcvYdCl2UqkbadSPDq0lJ5vf538_eLV06b9YSEb5cmK846_OdkE6fNosBC6ig/s2048/20210703_112223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji47gSowxGL7I_x2KO01R3zYE5is35g2AC1gy0xrdlSIBq2mBsnsBuuYtAS_y0AR9DNw5yuo8UdJFn57QcvYdCl2UqkbadSPDq0lJ5vf538_eLV06b9YSEb5cmK846_OdkE6fNosBC6ig/s320/20210703_112223.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green onions, strawberries, kale, seasoned tofu, unreal peanut m&m candies,Ocho chocolate peanut butter bars, Little Secrets chocolates, Treeline cheese (clearance!) Epsom salts, soy curls, avocado, vitamin c packs, nag champa, Udon noodles, kombucha<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>This random mish mash is what happens when I just can't focus on the smallest thing like making a freaking grocery list! Hopefully I'll feel up to a busier store this week so I can stock up a bit more.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjZItMa1qk1v9OBSNR9S9j0QlF_VlSTXNmFaRNI6Fhc9UzfjnK7_4ADQZspQQnAuh7g1etSzY6gTAIt2lrpY9XCOMAbxZQndMJeLMO1jFmmoKDZ8NQB6S4MY6h_5nkIHcWHxqmFDQvdA/s2048/20210704_065354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjZItMa1qk1v9OBSNR9S9j0QlF_VlSTXNmFaRNI6Fhc9UzfjnK7_4ADQZspQQnAuh7g1etSzY6gTAIt2lrpY9XCOMAbxZQndMJeLMO1jFmmoKDZ8NQB6S4MY6h_5nkIHcWHxqmFDQvdA/s320/20210704_065354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA2Yi_vhQMhlqf_R0lUZIKVojJOf3Ger9SqAXmipm8ITydyKFze-VKZ3W1UBvV8enRMxpZhvIUnJUqyWaxupYoHbCvVwD8cOUaBwK_ElHqF5Gh0EKUNP0_jBv1roRUTEVJZtalJj2NMY/s2048/20210704_065342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA2Yi_vhQMhlqf_R0lUZIKVojJOf3Ger9SqAXmipm8ITydyKFze-VKZ3W1UBvV8enRMxpZhvIUnJUqyWaxupYoHbCvVwD8cOUaBwK_ElHqF5Gh0EKUNP0_jBv1roRUTEVJZtalJj2NMY/s320/20210704_065342.jpg" /></a></div><p>I discovered this apricot tree on my morning walk! It's in the parking lot of this abandoned building so I think that means free apricots when they're ripe! I've never had an apricot fresh off of a tree so this should be a treat!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEE4o0CB_Mw95LrT0nRp5XPP1QmxkMGnO65UbegGooZODpTRqOwdzGImnFp96SWL8PdsggEYA_igRwDHe7-rEczIMFfqxahI6IfUWJpmWYWJObYHEbu2i-hZ23aFjHt1xoE9SO3UmPAk/s2048/20210704_121926%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEE4o0CB_Mw95LrT0nRp5XPP1QmxkMGnO65UbegGooZODpTRqOwdzGImnFp96SWL8PdsggEYA_igRwDHe7-rEczIMFfqxahI6IfUWJpmWYWJObYHEbu2i-hZ23aFjHt1xoE9SO3UmPAk/s320/20210704_121926%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Bubba has taken custody of the pink sweater mid morning till sometime in the afternoon. It all depends on his mood!<br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-23926176712076167092021-06-30T13:10:00.001-07:002021-06-30T13:10:43.717-07:00Clearing Out and Trying New Things<p> The condiment section of my fridge has gotten a bit out of control. I'm trying to go through the various sauces and dressings to use them before they go bad. I'm a sucker for a sauce, especially on sale!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie4dgQLfWrLA6_Clkp41v5PyaQJhCiHgShQTwxjtfo786Iyw5ed3t1GLRrBOJso3KcBq3QazHzAVx2JulJRR4FDh_T8WDrfza4tDSlFjcEGI2zQKCStNPDZCbuouba1uaqehCB8co2C0/s2048/20210629_143919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie4dgQLfWrLA6_Clkp41v5PyaQJhCiHgShQTwxjtfo786Iyw5ed3t1GLRrBOJso3KcBq3QazHzAVx2JulJRR4FDh_T8WDrfza4tDSlFjcEGI2zQKCStNPDZCbuouba1uaqehCB8co2C0/s320/20210629_143919.jpg" /></a></div><p>I found this on sale awhile ago, and I don't love it. It's okay, but I'm not reaching for it all the time. The other day I wanted to make a noodle dish, and I decided to make some kimchi slaw to go on the side.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHYvKMW0Tr5HvwgdnJsoYN5zj2ECgEZnagyzmS_wPZkoYob6j1ivP-CLAvDTTXvwulviPVh8qx6h7LdfqsuJw0KGahpXDdmBLbxWgK6TPindtJtpOEmDd9P-6yfuE22p52uR8OthfLkE/s2048/20210629_161049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHYvKMW0Tr5HvwgdnJsoYN5zj2ECgEZnagyzmS_wPZkoYob6j1ivP-CLAvDTTXvwulviPVh8qx6h7LdfqsuJw0KGahpXDdmBLbxWgK6TPindtJtpOEmDd9P-6yfuE22p52uR8OthfLkE/s320/20210629_161049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I just tossed the noodles in some garlic chili oil, added some baked tofu and had the slaw on the side. I probably won't buy the mayo again, but it's fun to try new things!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xnZxtFFLixGqCXNhRfnhyphenhyphennBpEPGh_iVJUJYy_Zh2BHAAcpukuCpjDjHNmDJNaNEzBRGNFBa4S-KyLYSOm0va9YSHusn2sdI4_SRG1d7B8wtAO83uR2tAfjnffEEicyx82p4-OthlRVU/s2048/20210628_162854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xnZxtFFLixGqCXNhRfnhyphenhyphennBpEPGh_iVJUJYy_Zh2BHAAcpukuCpjDjHNmDJNaNEzBRGNFBa4S-KyLYSOm0va9YSHusn2sdI4_SRG1d7B8wtAO83uR2tAfjnffEEicyx82p4-OthlRVU/s320/20210628_162854.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Awhile ago I was watching someone make pizza, and their crust had such a crunch that mine never gets. I noticed they were using bread flour so I picked up a bag and made this roasted garlic and broccoli pizza. What a difference the bread flour made! The crust had a nice crunchy outside, but it was still soft on the inside. I don't think I'll ever go back to all purpose again! Apparently bread flour has more protein than all purpose, so I think if I ever decide to try the Tik Tok washed flour seitan, I'll try with bread flour. </p><p>This pizza was so good, I really should have tried to get a better picture, but my nerves were frazzled from renovation noises plus more handy men having to come in for the never ending drain issues. Yes, that's still happening. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxd7K2FiYLrd4_Tol3TE7FOpwZ3dTNly7i_ldHh7CMgdPigm1LZPmXfmJuk4sjl0uljh93VNCmafDNc6hSqTZRsAmLl1-MuAUJ0_OCgSWBHI51NjJ28ztBQPxJtPMY7RxuP74dVF2fLw/s2048/20210619_173100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxd7K2FiYLrd4_Tol3TE7FOpwZ3dTNly7i_ldHh7CMgdPigm1LZPmXfmJuk4sjl0uljh93VNCmafDNc6hSqTZRsAmLl1-MuAUJ0_OCgSWBHI51NjJ28ztBQPxJtPMY7RxuP74dVF2fLw/s320/20210619_173100.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>A few weeks ago I grabbed these as a treat/impulse buy at Sprouts. I wish I could say that I loved them, I really, really wanted to love them but they were just okay. They were very, very sweet. Like sweet is all you taste. It took me three days to eat one, and the other two are in the freezer for a rainy day when I need a serious sugar rush!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WxDGdeXTKwf2jAnXhewT05Kx17sS8z-0n-xZA_i8akUE7BvyAk0RGjHnwwKElg4nBUpCoRrj34stLIS5GXR3rsEvsKJlo-0SpbfX7EILDQXvKpGli9l2DFwV4t4rhom1qapJQJyA860/s2048/20210623_055407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WxDGdeXTKwf2jAnXhewT05Kx17sS8z-0n-xZA_i8akUE7BvyAk0RGjHnwwKElg4nBUpCoRrj34stLIS5GXR3rsEvsKJlo-0SpbfX7EILDQXvKpGli9l2DFwV4t4rhom1qapJQJyA860/s320/20210623_055407.jpg" /></a></div><p>Last summer I discovered this peach tree down an alley near my apartment, and the other morning I saw some little baby peaches! I can't wait till they're ripe and falling off the tree. "Millions of peaches, peaches for me, millions of peaches, peaches for free!"</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-31736691641532813612021-06-26T10:39:00.002-07:002021-06-26T10:39:34.323-07:00Small Whole Foods Haul plus Lentil Sloppy Joe's!<p> I've been struggling with my mental health lately, and since I only needed a few groceries to tide me over, I decided to have some Whole Foods groceries delivered again. The order needs to be thirty five dollars or more for free delivery and that fits in my budget window. Could I get more for my buck at Trader Joe's? Of course. But this week it was worth it. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAtm-n3e9jSbJBV0idusqEHAqQHHWP8KA8BzZerEyGSmDrztTaryl5fFxwITmnf6gmnZ5R_Hf4Zk-zzC29vRIBZcYg88MrP9-mIhD0-68veYfc068LSfG3S3Pyzdi9ZTDGQpaOD31wbc/s2048/20210625_093907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAtm-n3e9jSbJBV0idusqEHAqQHHWP8KA8BzZerEyGSmDrztTaryl5fFxwITmnf6gmnZ5R_Hf4Zk-zzC29vRIBZcYg88MrP9-mIhD0-68veYfc068LSfG3S3Pyzdi9ZTDGQpaOD31wbc/s320/20210625_093907.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garbanzo and black beans, marinara sauce, oranges, potatoes, oatmilk, coleslaw mix, strawberries, kombucha, celery, cilantro, strawberry popsicles, broccoli, taco seasoning, gravy mix, red onion, jalapeno<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoWiGSN8_0AXoeylS-Icgi_0cwrBZjky0BWSXXr0fxOBtw7HLaT3greMQz_XazhFcsj0tSwuTLmX10_C7excvmJquNInMzrJ8geGR307DQqjxFj6GpTepk5J3dvdXukwdaG_ZPGia1Wk/s2048/20210625_155432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoWiGSN8_0AXoeylS-Icgi_0cwrBZjky0BWSXXr0fxOBtw7HLaT3greMQz_XazhFcsj0tSwuTLmX10_C7excvmJquNInMzrJ8geGR307DQqjxFj6GpTepk5J3dvdXukwdaG_ZPGia1Wk/s320/20210625_155432.jpg" /></a></div><p>Last night I made some sloppy lentils. It's basically the sloppy Joe's recipe from <i>Veganomicon</i> with a few changes I make depending on what I have. I didn't have hamburger buns so I used a hoagie roll and topped it with some creamy slaw. Fries on the side of course! I've made these so many times I have the original recipe memorized. It's one of my favorites, leftovers get better and it's so inexpensive and filling. The leftovers are great stuffed in a baked potato!<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgwpDV1vkJ3LpyEBdACmcV8r3IeymLjkslTLpn5uwr-ur7s8k6w4QoG9dTYqUKj_V72menRrFi9IHPeoA5_0t_UsaybPWzEHdLmWMGGb2G2S7c2LUJeBcpUbV_e16Cye5tvsdjF-E3IQ/s2048/20210626_055502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgwpDV1vkJ3LpyEBdACmcV8r3IeymLjkslTLpn5uwr-ur7s8k6w4QoG9dTYqUKj_V72menRrFi9IHPeoA5_0t_UsaybPWzEHdLmWMGGb2G2S7c2LUJeBcpUbV_e16Cye5tvsdjF-E3IQ/s320/20210626_055502.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Weekend!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-55044809962704609712021-06-24T12:22:00.002-07:002021-06-24T12:22:45.563-07:00Rambly, Vegan What I Ate!<p> I was cleaning my refrigerator yesterday and and tried to use up a few things that I don't love, so they got shoved to the back and need to be used. That led to me deciding to do a What I Ate post strongly featuring lentils!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEd8ZOOlfDD7N0blqslOhVEEXupYXWISBzNiq_9Wh2KnqQVrhk9UUayusBHyRG03J2UQkfHeWlFRsTtldgv-aUcMH_oU3OP7IXD6U_ql3wM1ojX8LANve7SlYEjGuPfjXf668KTEGybQ/s2048/20210623_102147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEd8ZOOlfDD7N0blqslOhVEEXupYXWISBzNiq_9Wh2KnqQVrhk9UUayusBHyRG03J2UQkfHeWlFRsTtldgv-aUcMH_oU3OP7IXD6U_ql3wM1ojX8LANve7SlYEjGuPfjXf668KTEGybQ/s320/20210623_102147.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I wanted lentil soup for breakfast, and I have this vegan pesto from Sprouts that I don't love, along with half a jar of red sauce, and some frozen gnocchi from Trader Joe's I'm also not crazy about. So, I cooked some lentils, drained them and then simmered them with red sauce, garlic water to thin it out and the gnocchi. When the gnocchi were done I put it in a bowl with nooch and added a dollop of the pesto. For having two things I don't love, this was actually pretty tasty!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn9mVdkjNklLQxoiU-k7UQXDvkk-TkyHmR3hRTN4n6qtN_PR5XZXgVwYhtrWrcYMhFtmb73WOZY10apfPdi69QZRoQZ_dSC-KXSHPxWH9ksVQLkNVoKUO7U_B8xt6Oyc9u3N38jP-wwo/s2048/20210623_091457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn9mVdkjNklLQxoiU-k7UQXDvkk-TkyHmR3hRTN4n6qtN_PR5XZXgVwYhtrWrcYMhFtmb73WOZY10apfPdi69QZRoQZ_dSC-KXSHPxWH9ksVQLkNVoKUO7U_B8xt6Oyc9u3N38jP-wwo/s320/20210623_091457.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot, Orange and ginger juice!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Gs6KRbjxDgkMxjk_nUv3n1awHAl7FXpOlsrWkGlPMgA3Zntk3poeO-UHdttJcYuMm-axRL7jfaIxP44jrBet9GnJ5bJcKA-Vg2fv2CFYfvV3YsmsTjnFwCLY-jhCylWFotHoEf4wmN0/s2048/20210622_080701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Gs6KRbjxDgkMxjk_nUv3n1awHAl7FXpOlsrWkGlPMgA3Zntk3poeO-UHdttJcYuMm-axRL7jfaIxP44jrBet9GnJ5bJcKA-Vg2fv2CFYfvV3YsmsTjnFwCLY-jhCylWFotHoEf4wmN0/s320/20210622_080701.jpg" /></a></div><p>I found these on the clearance rack Tuesday! The carton was banged up so they taped it and marked it way down. The cans inside are fine. I had several of these yesterday!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eMHwBxjK0RsMqw_DpPrMVPuP2xDdsvVrG56JLN80AKeGPfb13_jevovfom8kC8nSQdNkL7qEZ0BMuuZ7yIh9mZsQxrLIbN37bKSldSlxvU1aU0sppM4UVDcpWYaJAgkGf3g38yBDfdQ/s2048/20210623_134415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eMHwBxjK0RsMqw_DpPrMVPuP2xDdsvVrG56JLN80AKeGPfb13_jevovfom8kC8nSQdNkL7qEZ0BMuuZ7yIh9mZsQxrLIbN37bKSldSlxvU1aU0sppM4UVDcpWYaJAgkGf3g38yBDfdQ/s320/20210623_134415.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon Delight!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPS9-d2mnVEUCKY6YRM59nhOyRvDHLroGzVXkeSRAUsPcxhFS7LTWs7tIiDRQfHZERY7jWk5Q6NyCv521Pg0AkG_188obCZMVr8hM4soVJRKW8fonm5IEhl0A90kBdj1o9WbkPtOwXUI/s2048/20210623_134422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPS9-d2mnVEUCKY6YRM59nhOyRvDHLroGzVXkeSRAUsPcxhFS7LTWs7tIiDRQfHZERY7jWk5Q6NyCv521Pg0AkG_188obCZMVr8hM4soVJRKW8fonm5IEhl0A90kBdj1o9WbkPtOwXUI/s320/20210623_134422.jpg" /></a></div><p>I don't love coconut water, but this pineapple flavored coconut water is my choice when I do have it. Sometimes it's just so freaking dry here that I really feel like I'm losing my mind, and sometimes I'll have a coconut water. Not sure if it really helps, but i feel like it does so that's all that matters!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-6i_PuZltLlntSavKOG0AOqC33O9Y3fOf7LhjYVvaw5gUzT17OHK-f9R1HINfkV_ke9FD0_z3sNtJQNv1DQUFeKulzeJDNXt2CvR-0L3hDmdNK8CGlvbpCS0-k377gXWdUNYQ3mr6wU/s2048/20210623_133808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-6i_PuZltLlntSavKOG0AOqC33O9Y3fOf7LhjYVvaw5gUzT17OHK-f9R1HINfkV_ke9FD0_z3sNtJQNv1DQUFeKulzeJDNXt2CvR-0L3hDmdNK8CGlvbpCS0-k377gXWdUNYQ3mr6wU/s320/20210623_133808.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Not in my fridge, but I found this with my spices and had forgotten all about it! I've never had jerk anything, other than dating them. ( I could not resist!!!) I decided to try my hand at jerk marinated tofu for dinner. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrWQq8b0jhuxX6DiA8dERqR4Tj7rb7GllSILUzK49oJlLgcyV5sI-Tn_NgBr5ytiaJOgId_peHoJvGjWD6aRMwVP5EaWEfTX51JKWsQMpvtcDThkYFztTNyecp7FSo-a9dpyvXcL-ueo/s2048/20210623_161340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrWQq8b0jhuxX6DiA8dERqR4Tj7rb7GllSILUzK49oJlLgcyV5sI-Tn_NgBr5ytiaJOgId_peHoJvGjWD6aRMwVP5EaWEfTX51JKWsQMpvtcDThkYFztTNyecp7FSo-a9dpyvXcL-ueo/s320/20210623_161340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I made a marinade with soy sauce, lime juice, some of the jerk seasoning and garlic. I let it marinade for a couple of hours and baked it till it got that nice chewy texture I love. While the tofu was baking I made a turmeric lentil and coconut rice. This meal was so tasty, and I now can say I love a littler jerk in my food! New flavors and spices are always so fun!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKFdkcppf389ebSxrZXKFd9gTuUednQSLtCfpQBFua-I3Krs8pSdMw9ENmsa2dNwrvn5aR7YqkqHTVuMipnB-f5VO_FbvXXvFagrSoyojpq3I24G5alyqXakbE2jrDeDG1rle_amlqCU/s2048/20210623_122046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKFdkcppf389ebSxrZXKFd9gTuUednQSLtCfpQBFua-I3Krs8pSdMw9ENmsa2dNwrvn5aR7YqkqHTVuMipnB-f5VO_FbvXXvFagrSoyojpq3I24G5alyqXakbE2jrDeDG1rle_amlqCU/s320/20210623_122046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I had a lemonade citrus pop for dessert. These are so freaking good, I love all the flavors, but I really wish they sold only the lemonade! </p><p>Well, it took two more visits from the handy man, but he swears the leak is fixed. So, for now they are still renovating the apartment downstairs but at least they don't have to come in here anymore, for now. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-832128147726408532021-06-21T06:35:00.000-07:002021-06-21T06:35:09.801-07:00The Ridiculous Cost of Plant Meats, Flat Water Kefir and the New Pink Sweater!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8jgMW5e05hbQc9wzv0kbtItanivyJHjGRI0Q9TipYdbmHhleekkxvpO0ZxeEs7a6OZBvfVwWYU-jK9S99-RZZlOwIz8h802RYIEBwC75ykkd07Fq87zz8_Frk06B2qhwfyxTUCN_GGY/s2048/20210616_063434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8jgMW5e05hbQc9wzv0kbtItanivyJHjGRI0Q9TipYdbmHhleekkxvpO0ZxeEs7a6OZBvfVwWYU-jK9S99-RZZlOwIz8h802RYIEBwC75ykkd07Fq87zz8_Frk06B2qhwfyxTUCN_GGY/s320/20210616_063434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Another Simple Truth find, although this one is terrifying to me. It looks like long worms which I have an unreasonable fear of. I found this right next to the Beyond and Impossible, which are right next to regular beef. I didn't buy it, but there is yet ANOTHER beef substitution out there. My problem with the never ending market of plant meats is the cost. I've started and deleted so many posts talking about this, because I don't want to shame people for having more money, or be a negative Nelly trying to bring plant meats down. But every time I go to Sprouts there is a new plant meat, and each is more expensive than the last. We like to tell ourselves it's great, more choices! Easy accessibility for everyone. Except it isn't. It's easily accessible to those who can afford it. But how much are these helping the animals really? The bottom line is a lot of people are on tight budgets, live paycheck to paycheck like me. Some of these plant meats are a third or more of my weekly budget. And I'm just me, if I have a family, especially hungry teenagers, there's just no way. I actually haven't gotten the protein question in years, when it comes up that I'm vegan the first question is always the cost. "How do I afford it" "Isn't is expensive" "I could never afford to go vegan" and on and on. And of course beans, rice, pasta and potatoes are cheap, but non vegans who have been eating more of the SAD diet are most likely going to want some plant meats for at least the transition. And if you can't afford something there's not much else to say. Sorry to start out my post this way, but I do feel like there isn't enough discussion in this community about the ridiculous cost of these items. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvL2D14mSKDMpWF9oMuCdM5-EN2mUU0XlVNpDJXkkDAWPdhNUXc7uOU2AN6m-PbFw19zfKBG4gJ_74bphjhf4DSUdsz0I4FQGymkfZNRnwzZm9VdCsaHXiRDlyC2Pky9diRcsQcgf7oo/s2048/20210620_083631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvL2D14mSKDMpWF9oMuCdM5-EN2mUU0XlVNpDJXkkDAWPdhNUXc7uOU2AN6m-PbFw19zfKBG4gJ_74bphjhf4DSUdsz0I4FQGymkfZNRnwzZm9VdCsaHXiRDlyC2Pky9diRcsQcgf7oo/s320/20210620_083631.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Remember that weird, too mustard-y cheese sauce I had? Well, I tried some in a baked potato with a little Buffalo sauce and I loved it! The mustard wasn't as strong in a potato for some reason. At least I have a way to use it now!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwUQy5Kh0lkXUOfCy9tqOnXm22tdWyFIN2MbF1Z4Pf7m8ZaLH2VcKTUAhyjLAghTB4CiGrjSoVfN3c4A3Nbc3ok0kyri4V_YnRu8230rGco8Xo6JsWf2n_-oiwIRKu5-QhS5X0U4razk/s2048/20210617_071417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwUQy5Kh0lkXUOfCy9tqOnXm22tdWyFIN2MbF1Z4Pf7m8ZaLH2VcKTUAhyjLAghTB4CiGrjSoVfN3c4A3Nbc3ok0kyri4V_YnRu8230rGco8Xo6JsWf2n_-oiwIRKu5-QhS5X0U4razk/s320/20210617_071417.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm struggling with my water kefir brewing. I'm having a hard time making it fizzy. After I make the water kefir, I add some juice for flavoring and let it sit for another twenty four to forty eight hours and it's supposed to get fizzy. Mine is flat as flat can be. It's still okay, but it's not what I wanted. I need that fizz! Does anyone have any suggestions? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhNIK4dc8FSIJ1nVyZAHgDYaZJ-fNA2MQFlavpLIajiDkwN3efrcsllugft5zzi82vAscsahe4jdGRNaE8E-a3CXXTUdCyPaL5_hyGeIgmjPykPk6sm_cCdHVSjGUTqKlpSL3B2PU-XQ/s2048/20210620_132420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhNIK4dc8FSIJ1nVyZAHgDYaZJ-fNA2MQFlavpLIajiDkwN3efrcsllugft5zzi82vAscsahe4jdGRNaE8E-a3CXXTUdCyPaL5_hyGeIgmjPykPk6sm_cCdHVSjGUTqKlpSL3B2PU-XQ/s320/20210620_132420.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>This was an impulse buy at Trader Joe's. It's only $1.99 a container, which is a steal for prepackaged hummus! It's really not that spicy, but since I have a high spice tolerance, I had a spice sensitive coworker try it and they agreed, it has a tiny kick but definitely not blow your face off spicy.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-5nA9FupbBtD5NZKNe0Z3rmHQ_42-0dGIXLnhToIJiv7wkLhTHdf3ALrjETighATcrL9Q0Uu6t9sy5djO524huOjC-58GbbnuzJBDl54eaamuqGqo21GxNM7r2RV2JDghRJIxp50bKM/s2048/20210618_170237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-5nA9FupbBtD5NZKNe0Z3rmHQ_42-0dGIXLnhToIJiv7wkLhTHdf3ALrjETighATcrL9Q0Uu6t9sy5djO524huOjC-58GbbnuzJBDl54eaamuqGqo21GxNM7r2RV2JDghRJIxp50bKM/s320/20210618_170237.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falafel pita with all the fixins including the spicy hummus!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDk35NGE4pPihbgKO2XwTTEmqUMDZcH5K3D55G0tog_6wwu8cZBLzzBX43DMdm0XzNjgFglhNCe4tMwryPF1jpVzFGp4DFDK4dK7Kh2qkXPAn3ZFHmgGu1gyvrcJpBe3mphEF5f8h-v3w/s2048/20210619_160242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDk35NGE4pPihbgKO2XwTTEmqUMDZcH5K3D55G0tog_6wwu8cZBLzzBX43DMdm0XzNjgFglhNCe4tMwryPF1jpVzFGp4DFDK4dK7Kh2qkXPAn3ZFHmgGu1gyvrcJpBe3mphEF5f8h-v3w/s320/20210619_160242.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same meal, just salad form. So good!!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOSS01aNAXYspmPJ0ptP8vwwC_QwOUrD_VVoNT4dHLzWKdrZ_OuJNn9RgX1l758VeCXlNEWi8cg51CC2oajO_sxcNpUQgNLw0LTANM1GcgXceATrWOhnkz0i5DAb_qT4bFVOwBWxA46c/s2048/20210617_161351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOSS01aNAXYspmPJ0ptP8vwwC_QwOUrD_VVoNT4dHLzWKdrZ_OuJNn9RgX1l758VeCXlNEWi8cg51CC2oajO_sxcNpUQgNLw0LTANM1GcgXceATrWOhnkz0i5DAb_qT4bFVOwBWxA46c/s320/20210617_161351.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Last week my stomach was a wreck from anxiety so I had to make some coconut red lentil dal. This is what my body craves when I'm really feeling the need for a hug.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OGnuPXFfqJaHGJG0wCVzwyjEahchxGhHPvZqUnZlIwww97H2qi7MEAnEddTbUhd1Q6dFKMcEdameOiw46N7SfCmzCrQjSJJQJoVAS927zsB08elxccKunkDt6uLTyiCAuqyd3h3Ciio/s2048/20210620_162237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OGnuPXFfqJaHGJG0wCVzwyjEahchxGhHPvZqUnZlIwww97H2qi7MEAnEddTbUhd1Q6dFKMcEdameOiw46N7SfCmzCrQjSJJQJoVAS927zsB08elxccKunkDt6uLTyiCAuqyd3h3Ciio/s320/20210620_162237.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNXshrgIwo5_g4D0H4-fnmi4yxWG09J6kJJ84vqEwfudD1dq5DZqQUS_VgVBO9QWL6CgyEK-Mx5H3lCD_2wPPNDReuHfvIxKs7DDRHMkQE_wVUFuOt-ovmuwy3-Qernt6mfjKnSsmem4/s2048/20210620_150027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNXshrgIwo5_g4D0H4-fnmi4yxWG09J6kJJ84vqEwfudD1dq5DZqQUS_VgVBO9QWL6CgyEK-Mx5H3lCD_2wPPNDReuHfvIxKs7DDRHMkQE_wVUFuOt-ovmuwy3-Qernt6mfjKnSsmem4/s320/20210620_150027.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwqugK8tTTubWMz2_kDMQS8wjIRS1kQbzOPsKY6WhsHgYgTMWNzSWZ0iZ04ZyWKpJWZq1ARcilJo_PiE9Q6aa9GeESrHdwh_PxtCZfDkNsDMZBx7xVOrwFd-Cd6rh0ZhYV7lS1dTkkSM/s2048/20210620_142444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwqugK8tTTubWMz2_kDMQS8wjIRS1kQbzOPsKY6WhsHgYgTMWNzSWZ0iZ04ZyWKpJWZq1ARcilJo_PiE9Q6aa9GeESrHdwh_PxtCZfDkNsDMZBx7xVOrwFd-Cd6rh0ZhYV7lS1dTkkSM/s320/20210620_142444.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh17xioYzzF-nsuwuJTayUzJt0wTU-5QRocVNt6cyhqKX-vNNKjsZEk4UYK8RCEAnDWrLq4xqsKJC8HRaBA5cYDhj_FZ-MmgJNxfkLZ8m0XfnctRN0h_phgizM5O5ySJ98zrKbw8z9b64/s2048/20210620_103430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh17xioYzzF-nsuwuJTayUzJt0wTU-5QRocVNt6cyhqKX-vNNKjsZEk4UYK8RCEAnDWrLq4xqsKJC8HRaBA5cYDhj_FZ-MmgJNxfkLZ8m0XfnctRN0h_phgizM5O5ySJ98zrKbw8z9b64/s320/20210620_103430.jpg" /></a></div>I think we have a new pink sweater! I bought some used jeans at a thrift store to make cut offs, and the kittens have voted, the legs stay! They really help me stay on track with reducing, reusing and recycling!!!<br />Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-76485934049885742582021-06-18T13:12:00.001-07:002021-06-18T13:12:51.849-07:00Vegan Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Haul<p> I have a small Whole Foods and Trader Joe's haul. They're both a bit random. I've had a really hard time focusing for awhile, but especially the past two weeks. I always say I'm not a meal planner, but usually before I shop I at least make a list of things I'm out of, or have some kind of idea of what I'm going to eat. This week I could only think of lemons, toilet paper, paper towels and cat food. Other than that my brain went blank. So I did the best I could, and we'll see what I come up with this week!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtokTg8TCbm2wBzKG7qaUulOxYiiHCBU9IIHLr8bOcvRzUzVV4AhlvYa52nS8cepQSTEOlRLuwl4MOqB6JxDEpFfsQ7ypSy9H86cZpHvRxKvmW1OpIaYd4ZC2KaV3QSlKVc24ferJ3OXA/s2048/20210617_104658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtokTg8TCbm2wBzKG7qaUulOxYiiHCBU9IIHLr8bOcvRzUzVV4AhlvYa52nS8cepQSTEOlRLuwl4MOqB6JxDEpFfsQ7ypSy9H86cZpHvRxKvmW1OpIaYd4ZC2KaV3QSlKVc24ferJ3OXA/s320/20210617_104658.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato, coconut milk, hummus, fruit bars,frozen falafel, peanut butter, spinach, ciabatta bread, scallion pancake, Jasmine rice, tomato paste, lemons,carrots, blood oranges, garlic<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht86DzITG0HRIgjN4qxtMvbGk-Mrt23Hnh7paFu_TAem-Z8A6OAy55NHfqfBEFkwhC3btt9pvkBLWzA1OihN_YJ7QXYXc-9AYVbEA0JX1ewDwFooUL2WIVJpqOFeRa5giXwZXY1ImJyNM/s2048/20210617_105145%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht86DzITG0HRIgjN4qxtMvbGk-Mrt23Hnh7paFu_TAem-Z8A6OAy55NHfqfBEFkwhC3btt9pvkBLWzA1OihN_YJ7QXYXc-9AYVbEA0JX1ewDwFooUL2WIVJpqOFeRa5giXwZXY1ImJyNM/s320/20210617_105145%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDcVQXYzxCSSZXVyG06BdkLEA_JEpGgkmODyOVgHTzV7FoyV45koe27Md4illXIeXA8otCK-HTAfL50kgdGU109AqAT2tby6vk06BQuQDqvO_9XNla0UHOGqGquziAV2RsS4IYP1ooRI/s2048/20210617_093741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDcVQXYzxCSSZXVyG06BdkLEA_JEpGgkmODyOVgHTzV7FoyV45koe27Md4illXIeXA8otCK-HTAfL50kgdGU109AqAT2tby6vk06BQuQDqvO_9XNla0UHOGqGquziAV2RsS4IYP1ooRI/s320/20210617_093741.jpg" /></a></div><p>If you guys remember, I tried Beanfields vegan cracklins and really, really hated them. And I love Beanfields chips! I just cannot bring myself to try any other brand but these are a thing, and I've seen a few people on the Gram rave about them!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGLr9NiYp01rWiLWjztGi26sQ2mvtogTy7d7PY_h_5PTOJ1xHY3l0AsWwMuYBPYnLP851J2dNcDWUXfN747UnkgFqJ8sW4Y8tCDy5-LRNOrx1V7N18X7D66XsPzkuZhCXo3uwtj2dGDU/s2048/20210616_113755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGLr9NiYp01rWiLWjztGi26sQ2mvtogTy7d7PY_h_5PTOJ1xHY3l0AsWwMuYBPYnLP851J2dNcDWUXfN747UnkgFqJ8sW4Y8tCDy5-LRNOrx1V7N18X7D66XsPzkuZhCXo3uwtj2dGDU/s320/20210616_113755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>My Whole Foods haul was delivered to me! Prime is my streaming choice, because I get more bang for my buck because of savings on both Amazon and Whole Foods. And they really helped me out on Wednesday. I needed toilet paper and paper towels in addition to regular food. It's been one hundred plus here already and I've been miserable. So, after perusing Whole Foods on prime, I saw that the 365 brand of tp and pt aren't really much more than what I usually buy at Smith's. If you're a Prime member they will deliver Whole Foods groceries to your door!! No fees other than a five dollar tip which is optional but of course I chose to tip. I would have had to spend $2.50 to take the bus, and believe me the $2.50 extra was worth the savings to my soul to not have to take the bus and not have to walk in the relentless, blazing sun! And I got my groceries an hour and a half after I ordered!!! Honestly, this summer is really unbearable already so next time I might start doing this like once a month or so. It was really, really nice and Whole foods can be affordable if you avoid all the vegan specialty stuff. This week they had tofu on sale of eighty cents!!!<br /></p><p>Well, to give an update on the never ending construction saga, Wednesday was the day I couldn't use my shower all day, and the handy man did have to come to my apartment, and he made a very uncomfortable joke about watching me take a shower, but he meant watching the drain below but chose to make it gross and awkward when it didn't need to be. Like don't joke about watching women because that shit happens. And also it's just gross and icky to joke like that. So, Wednesday I was told the leak was fixed, then yesterday was told it still leaking!!!! So who knows who's going to come by this weekend. I wonder if anyone has thought of a plumber, because maybe this is out of the handyman's wheelhouse because this seems to be an issue. But what do I know!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710502269072433078.post-20821394207510877712021-06-16T14:07:00.005-07:002021-06-17T07:15:14.044-07:00Too Much Mustard, Too Much Dirt and Dust!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDTKWNWMQ6EUvMaEmpfgP_uvuREEVpHTVgMaL6bQAhAsx51UnO8EwNqflvByHYfzDN_O4Yazo0gNHXK4jQzZCnYILSymJ91qPhnmgbK-jD1raB5X6dOPSdxtdiEFBqrt7G-LMiJwQB8c/s2048/20210615_121608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDTKWNWMQ6EUvMaEmpfgP_uvuREEVpHTVgMaL6bQAhAsx51UnO8EwNqflvByHYfzDN_O4Yazo0gNHXK4jQzZCnYILSymJ91qPhnmgbK-jD1raB5X6dOPSdxtdiEFBqrt7G-LMiJwQB8c/s320/20210615_121608.jpg" /></a></div>A lot of times when Sprouts gets in a new product, they will put it on a super introductory sale. Like almost give the stuff away. They get you hooked, and then the next time you go in the product is ten million times more money. Le sigh. This is one of those such items. I got it for I can't remember, but under three dollars. Last week I noticed that it is over ten dollars!! Both for the cost and the flavor I won't be buying this again!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DQin58CpKwphvbBdEJFrlU8eNgbHGU3ebLpkCI3a5MDcHtoZWNBLwExLz7CQfCmIOiP18_1lfWIJ7rUlBD-HRwvo73e3eC9xTCSHM6oa_Vsv0R1T_KuFazhcMXvZv4RurWQX79xu9GM/s2048/20210615_160741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DQin58CpKwphvbBdEJFrlU8eNgbHGU3ebLpkCI3a5MDcHtoZWNBLwExLz7CQfCmIOiP18_1lfWIJ7rUlBD-HRwvo73e3eC9xTCSHM6oa_Vsv0R1T_KuFazhcMXvZv4RurWQX79xu9GM/s320/20210615_160741.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I cooked some medium shells and stirred in some of the sauce. The texture and consistency are both great. The problem is that it's very, very mustard forward. I love mustard, and always add a smidge when I make homemade mac and cheese, but this is too much. I could still eat the mac and cheese, but I regretted not making my own cheese sauce. For the price of this sauce that should not be the feeling one has.<br /></p><p>I did dip some crackers in it, which was much better. I think this would be great with pretzels or even a hot pretzel since mustard already pairs nicely. I think I might also try some in a baked potato. </p><p>All in all I give this a four out of ten. It's definitely cheaper to make your own, and there are other, cheaper cheese sauces out there. Simple Truth has a vegan queso that is one of my favorite things ever, and it's under four dollars all the time! I know it isn't made with cashews, but it doesn't need to be. Even if money is no object, I'm sure there are better cheese sauces out there that I haven't tried. Miyoko's makes a roadhouse cheddar dip or something like that, I've had it once and it blew my mind. I think even though it's Miyoko's it's still cheaper than this! </p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks for all the well wishes regarding my anxiety over the renovations going on in my building. The handy man has had to barge in here two different days this week, both with about five minutes notice which isn't even really supposed to happen. There's a reason there are certain laws about notice. My landlord just informed me that all day tomorrow I can't use my shower and bath. I asked how long exactly and her answer was "all day" Thanks for clearing that up buddy. I just hope no dirty men in their dusty, dirty boots have to come trampling in here!!! Send good, clean thoughts my way please!!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829919190901891587noreply@blogger.com4