Another Day

I figured I'd start things off with some Wednesday cuteness. Kanye really likes to cuddle with Chunk, even when space doesn't really allow it. Where there's a will there's a way! We were all feeling the grey yesterday. This is my least favorite time of year in Seattle. March and April are pretty grey and rainy. Although the constant grey does get me down, after living in the snow belt and really suffering, I really find it much easier to shake off those blues when necessary.

I made this little smoothie as a mid morning snack yesterday. It's just orange juice and some frozen strawberries. It tastes so similar to some juice or smoothie, maybe the C monster from Odwalla? I can't recall exactly what it reminds me of, but it's really tasty, and I love the little burst of energy I get from Vitamin C. Also, I read that strawberries are a beauty food recently, so why not. This is really good with a little dash of vanilla extract too!

Here's my little prep station for my burrito bowl! I haven't had a burrito bowl in the LONGEST time, and I got a coupon for a free burrito or bowl from Chipotle in the mail(Woot Woot) but I didn't feel like walking to the mall. There is a Chipotle near my apartment, but it's outside of the mall, and I wasn't in the mood to deal. I made the best refried beans using my new/used handheld blender. So easy! I cooked the pinto beans with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, a bay leaf, and a little cumin. It made a big difference. I usually cook my dried beans with a little salt only, but the extra seasoning is worth it.

I didn't have any avocado or guacamole, but it was still super delicious. I mixed some chopped cilantro in the rice before serving to really try and mimic that Chipotle experience. It was fresh, light and filling at the same time. I really love the Salsa Autentica from Trader Joe's. It is my favorite of any jarred salsa ever. And it's only $1.79 a jar! I've heard good things about their roasted garlic salsa, but I just love this one so much!!
I was recently turned onto an amazing website and podcast, and I have to share the goodness. Jennifer from One Raw Bite  did me the biggest solid by introducing me to Vegan Warrior Princesses. It has quickly flown by Pop Culture Happy Hour to become my favorite podcast. They talk about veganism of course, but they also talk about other issues that are important and need addressing. They are a breath of fresh air in the vegan movement. The last episode I listened to was about racism, and it was spot on. I feel like I want these girls to be my friend. If your sensitive to strong language this might not be for you. There have been a few episodes where they have talked about something, and it made me cry because I realized I wasn't alone in how I felt, so I just can't thank you enough Jennifer! This podcast also has prompted me to make a few changes for the better in my life, which I will talk about later. But I like things that help me learn, and grow.
Happy Hump Day!

Come Fly With Me

Well, yesterday I had the idea of taking my camera with me, and taking pictures of the places I went, and food I ate and all of that. Like a what I did, or come with me, or whatever. I figured it would be something different, and I need to practice taking pictures in public without feeling like a wank. It was also an unexpected sunny day, so everything lined up. Almost everything. I need to stop worrying about how self conscience I feel, and actually practice taking pictures! I salvaged a few that I took, but most of what I took looks like a total mess. I mean, I need a lot of practice!
I went to Trader Joe's first, and the picture I took of the outside of the store is maybe the worst picture ever taken I didn't take any of the inside because I know it's a no no. I do have a picture of my haul which I will show later!
As I was walking from Trader Joe's to the bus stop, I passed by this bar that I used to work in back in the day. When I worked there it was called The Bit Saloon, the name has changed but the building is the same.

I made really good money while I worked there, but man was I ever unhappy and also unhealthy. I felt like it wasn't worth it to be that unhappy just to make decent money. It's in an industrial part of Ballard, so a  lot of crusty men made up the customer base and they sometimes took issue with a "girl" telling them they had enough to drink, or needed to shut the eff up, or whatever I was saying. I remember I had to yell, like a lot.

This is not the greatest picture, but I have been wanting to show this for sooooooooooo long, because it really shows me how far I've come in life. The building on the right with the brown awning is a coffee shop. I believe it's called Ballard Coffee, or something like that. The building on the left with the green umbrella in front is, you guessed it a Starbucks! Literally across the street from each other! And those aren't the only coffee shops on that street! That is something I missed about Seattle, the complete overabundance of coffee shops! I really laugh because In Erie PA. that is what you see with bars. I much prefer too many coffee shops to too many bars.

This is the Ballard branch of the library. I love having such a modern looking library. I spent a lot of time here when I was a nanny, they had the best story times with the least amount of judge-y mothers. In my experience as a nanny, moms can be aggressive with their need to make you know you aren't "one of them". What they don't stop to think is, some of us don't want to be "one of them".

This is in front of a little candy store. I love that quote so much, it is so true. Reading saved my childhood for me. I believe that my love of reading is one of my best qualities, and I'm so grateful to love books. And how cool is this box? Such a great way to create a little community. I was proud of myself for taking this picture, because someone inside of the candy store was looking at me, and I got super self conscience, couldn't turn the camera on, almost dropped it, it was awkward.

Close-up of my spices and the cat scratches!!

Here's my little Trader Joe's haul. Plus a couple of cat toys and feet! Trader Joe's had that bag of blood oranges for $2.49! Blood oranges are a rare treat for me since they are usually much more expensive than regular oranges. I missed their tahini garlic sauce so much.
I was going to make fresh spring rolls for dinner, I bought mint and cilantro especially for that purpose. I was craving them, and also imagining a beautiful picture. My rolling game was off, and I think my wraps went bad. Do they go bad? I don't know, but they weren't pretty, but I was going to eat them anyway. But they had a funky taste, and a super gummy texture that felt wrong. UgggHHH! So much chopping of vegetables! So, no pretty picture of spring rolls. I did have some delicious miso soup for breakfast today. I always feel really good when I have miso soup in the morning.

I've been taking this Holy Basil for about a week now. I feel like it helps with calmness. When I lost Dylan, I got an herbal supplement called Happy Camper and it kind of helped me. I went to a very dark place and I feel they helped me when I couldn't help myself. I recently finished the bottle, and didn't know if I wanted to continue taking more, so I decided to compromise and try these. I've read about the benefits of Holy Basil for quite awhile. I do feel a certain sense of calmness. I feel like calmness is something I've been desperately wanting my whole life, in one way or another.  When Animal got sick, the stress I felt made me sick. I could feel it in my body, like a cancer. But she's on the mend, and I have Holy Basil. Now, I just have to learn how to take a picture!
Happy Tuesday!

Beauty, Food, Entertainment

I found these vegan and cruelty free face beautifiers at Fred Meyer the other day I've used these before, and they're pretty inexpensive, and you can get two uses out of one packet. The healthy glow polish is especially nice. They're like two bucks or something, so it's a nice little treat. All of this companies products are cruelty free, but some have honey so just read the ingredients. Honey must be good for the skin or something, because it is in a lot of the more natural skincare products.

I thought these were pink grapefruit, but they were yellow/white They still made great juice Actually two of the grapefruit were pretty dry, they would have been disappointing to eat, but were fine for juicing. Nosy Kanye, she did not appreciate the fresh citrus smell!

I just can't get enough mashed potatoes and gravy! I have really perfected the art of mashed potatoes, and also smashed potatoes. These were definitely mashed, and corn is what makes this a meal for me. I forget the name of the gravy, it isn't Hain, which is a good one It starts with an M, and I saw someone use it on YouTube and was excited to see it at Central Market. I'll make note of it the next time I get it. It's really good, and I think I like it better than Hain! It's so funny, when I look back on my meals, it almost seems like I'm still doing the potato cleanse.
Has anyone watched the new show Love on Netflix? I watched two episodes yesterday, and it is a really great show. I have liked some Judd Apatow movies, and others haven't really been my thing. Honestly, I would never have thought Judd Apatow had anything to do with this if I didn't know. The main characters are relatable, and most important to me likable. I need to like the people I'm watching. I know they say we need villains, and people we love to hate and all of that, but I don't always want to hate or dislike anyone. Sometimes I want to watch people who I like maybe do some unlikable things, but at the end of the day I'm still rooting for them. If you like sweet shows about the messier side of humanity and love and relationships and all that, give it a watch. Bonus for the show and the writers, one of the friends of one of the main characters had a vegetarian t-shirt on while they were having a meal and her meal looked as vibrant and delicious as everyone else's, and no one made any tired jokes! Woot!
Happy Leap Day!!

All Kinds of Stuff

Animal is back to wanting to play! I never thought I would be so happy to see someone play. Animal is is the front. Chunk lives for this string. I know it looks like a lot of random junk on my floor, but what can I say, they love playing with twist ties, and especially the ties that come on greens.

A little mini haul. I have been craving grapefruit juice like crazy lately. I decided to try some morning thunder tea. For all of my tea drinking, that's one kind I've never had. Always more potatoes!

I know I'm always saying one creamer is my favorite, until I try another. But flavor wise this caramel almond creamer is like a freaking vegan miracle. I cannot even stand how delicious it is. I mean, so far this is hands down the best tasting creamer vegan or not I've ever tasted. It's the Just Mayo of vegan creamers. It is very sweet, as caramel is but man who cares whether I like morning thunder or not,(I do) as long as I have this stuff to put in it. If you see it, and take cream in your coffee or tea, you have to try this. Or, take it to work and share it with your non vegan co workers and prepare to open minds!

I had to try these I love chocolate covered pretzels, and chocolate covered potato chips. These were definitely a splurge, but they were worth every penny! Really delicious chocolate, and the perfect amount of salt Everything was perfectly balanced. These are dangerous!

I had more potatoes for dinner! I need a potato intervention! I spiced these wedges with taco seasoning and some extra garlic powder. I made a little refried bean dip with some hot sauce, refried beans and a little daiya. I made the wedges nice and thick so they could really hold up to the thick dip.
I figured out how to download my pictures and all of that. Now it's just practice, practice practice! I was reading an article about how to make your food pictures look really nice, and it was funny because the article mentioned several times to not be afraid of taking pictures in public. That is definitely an area that I need a lot of practice with.

It's been an amazing weekend so far I can't describe how happy I am that Animal is feeling better. She was in such bad shape last week, and it happened so quickly that I just didn't know what was going on. Both yesterday and today she has had a voracious appetite, like she's making up for lost time. Every day she seems to be getting stronger too. I felt really hopeless, and things seemed bleak. So I'm glad things turned around Life is just such a roller coaster. Damn cliches.
Happy Sunday!

Caturday

This is the perfect picture to explain what I was talking about yesterday. Chunk just can't not come and be nosy, and look to the right, you'll see a claw trying to climb on up. I have several more pictures where you can't even see the juice because Chunk and Joan are circling it like sharks! This was some beet pineapple juice I made yesterday. If beets aren't your fave, pineapple, lemon and lime are the best fruits to use when juicing. They really cut down on the earthy, or let's be honest dirty taste of beets. I cannot bring myself to eat them, so I try to juice them every so often They're soooo good for you. The juice is so beautiful too.
I have so many cat pictures it should be embarrassing, but what better subjects for learning how to use my new camera? There's just always someone doing something annoying or adorable, usually both.

Here is a non cat picture This was a white sweet potato(Jersey sweet potato?) sliced lengthwise and sprinkled with a little brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice With some maple agave syrup drizzled on top. I really enjoy this, and I looooooooooove the way my apartment smells. It smells like I'm making cinnamon rolls or something. It's how you want your house to smell when you come home on a cold day.I still have a way to go on my photography skills. Centering anyone?

Can you stand the cuteness? It's almost too much!

I won't bore you with every cat picture I have. I might be a cat lady, but I'm no crazy one!
I discovered this music review channel on YouTube last week, and upon further research learned the guy is a vegan! Woot woot! He doesn't really talk about it as he's reviewing music, but he has a podcast, and he did an interview with Dr. Michael Gregor who is a plant based, best selling author doctor! The YouTube channel is the needle drop, and here is the podcast. If you like music I think he gives very thoughtful and considerate reviews. He knows a lot more about music than I do, but he doesn't give reviews that are hard to understand. And I love to accidentally stumble across other vegans.
Happy Caturday!

Everything's Coming Up Tulips

Remember the tulips from the other day? Well, they've bloomed. In February. I am so sorry for anyone who is dealing with actual winter weather. I try not to focus too much on Seattle's AWESOME weather this winter, because it was only last year that I was experiencing the worst winter I have ever experienced in my life. But, when it's a gorgeous day, in February tulips are blooming, I have to acknowledge how amazing life is. I feel like the time I lived in PA happened to someone else. It's weird, like an out of body experience or something.
There are all kinds of tulips and daffodils just blooming away. It's an instant mood lifter. Yesterday I got to see flowers blooming in winter, and a gorgeous view of the Cascade mountains while I was taking the bus. I mean, the view is so beautiful, and it's free! I want to try to get a picture one of these days.
Speaking of AMAZING, Animal is doing so much better. She has been eating, and today she ate more than usual, and she wanted treats which she has been turning away. She is still moving gingerly, and is not in tip top shape, but everyday I see improvement, and it is the best news ever. I was so scared. Last Thursday when I took her, she was a shell of herself. I think we're all going to make it!

This has become her favorite place to sleep! She moves over a bit at night to make room for me. So far she's been into sleeping with me at night which I love!

My stool is used more for bird watching than anything else. As a matter of fact, they give me the side eye and get very uppity when I use it for myself. It's close to impossible to put food on the stool for a great natural light picture without a kitty in the shot!

It's been awhile since we've seen this dork. Chunk has a really sweet way about him, even though he's a big old doofy boy. He always found a way to cuddle with Dylan, and knew to be a little less rambunctious around him. He's the same with Animal. He's been very sweet towards her. Afro is behind him looking extremely stoned, and she doesn't even like catnip!

I made smashed potatoes, corn and gravy for dinner. I used little Yukon gold potatoes and I left the skin on. Delicious. And corn and mashed potatoes go together like peanut butter and chocolate as far as I'm concerned.
Happy Friday!

Better Late than Never!!

When I first moved to Seattle, the only stores that carried Just Mayo were Whole Foods and Target. Now, every time I pop into any grocery store, I see Just Mayo! I am so happy for them, and also happy for me because it's easier to find! Now, if only I could find their cookie dough and ranch dressing!

I made a quick little marinara and added some gnocchi, a little daiya and nutritional yeast and baked in the oven till the daiya was all melt-y.
The whole Animal situation distracted me, and I never really talked about how I felt after the potato cleanse, and if I noticed any results. I didn't weigh myself, and although I did take my measurements at some point, I never took them again. I do know that some weight was dropped because I had to go in another notch on my belt, and I can see a difference, especially in my problem area, the abdomen.
I noticed when I was eating only potatoes that my digestion felt ON POINT! I don't normally have digestion issues, and I take probiotics and drink kombucha, but man I learned there is something to eating mono meals. I noticed it very quickly both times that I did this cleanse.
Another benefit I noticed was increased energy from all those carbs. I could feel my muscles humming and working. It felt like I was giving my body what it needed, so it was going to do right by me.
I also felt like my skin looked a million times healthier. I had a vitamin c glow for sure!
I also really appreciated each meal. Especially if I would have a big green salad for lunch. Man, that crunch was everything!
All in all, it was a great experience, and I will do it again. I liked how I felt so much that I have made several trips to the store for more potatoes. I have oven fries cooking right now for breakfast! I feel satisfied and super healthy when I eat potatoes, and I wouldn't have known it if it weren't for this cleanse!
I've also learned to appreciate simpler foods. I have some gardein treats in the freezer, and I thought I would bust into those after the cleanse, but I don't crave them. I went for tofu! So, I think if anyone struggles with junk food addiction, this would be a great way to retrain your taste buds.
And, for anyone who like me cannot find the new vegan Ben&Jerry's, I called the Ben&Jerry's shop yesterday, and was told that anytime between March tenth and the seventeenth the stores here in Seattle will have the pints for sale!! And she said it would be some time after that that it should roll into grocery stores. I guess it's making it's East Coast debut first. It's made in Vermont, so I guess that makes sense. Anyway, if anyone reads this on the West Coast, just know that we will have our day in the sun too!

Progress

I made my favorite cauliflower dish last night, except I used a recipe for a Kung Pao sauce instead of the usual sauce. This was okay, but nowhere near as good. When you find perfection, why is it human nature to want to somehow change, or improve what is already perfect? The sauce wasn't thick or sticky enough, so it king of sogged up the whole deal. Still edible, just not the party I've come to love so much. Cauliflower has gotten so expensive, I don't know when I will buy more. Everywhere I've looked recently, it's been at least two or three dollars a pound, which adds up to six or more dollars for one cauliflower. Insane. I need to live somewhere where I can grow my own food. That's my dream actually, to be able to live as off the grid as possible.

I made potato lentil soup for breakfast, and I decided to whip out the George Foreman to make a grilled Chao sandwich. As you can see by the melt, it totally worked! What a comforting meal. If I closed my eyes, I felt like I was sitting at my grandma's kitchen table. The George Foreman grill is seriously ahmahzing. Nothing sticks to it, and you don't have to use any type of oil. Thanks potato cleanse!
Animal is still improving. She ate more this morning than I've seen her eat in days. She's super duper picky, I have to try several different foods to get her to eat. She's still moving really slow, and she doesn't jump up on anything. I'm so happy to see her feeling better, but I'm still so scared about what made her sick, and is it still happening? I sent an Email to the clinic today letting them know how extremely upset I am, and that I feel like I got the run around and I think it's insane that I still have no answers. I guess at the end of the day, Animal seems to be getting better and that's all I wanted.

Here she is today. Looking at me like please, don't shove another thing in my face! Between me constantly checking on her, having to give her two different types of liquid medication, plus a pill it's a wonder she isn't always hiding from me!

Here is a picture of Etta that I took with my camera! It somehow appeared in the file, but I don't know how I did it. See, it's a work in progress. This picture is my FIRST picture taken by me with my new-ish camera! Hopefully I'll have these kinks ironed out soon. Ha ha.

Just to be a TOTAL dork, here is the second picture ever taken by me! This hummus is almost gone by the way. I am making a special trip today to see if I can find more while it's still on sale. Look at how clear the picture is! I feel as much like a professional as someone can rocking a camera that one reviewer described as "perfect for her seven year old" !! Ha ha.
Happy Wednesday!
Most importantly, I forgot to show a picture of the veggie/hummus dagwood that I made yesterday. As promised, it was nowhere near as beautiful looking as I imagined. luckily it tasted as delicious as I wanted. What can I say, I am no sandwich artist, and I stand tall in my truth!

Happy Wednesday!

Everything's Coming Up Roses

                              

If you have a few minutes, this is an awesome video that will bring you a little cheer. I don't watch beauty channels on YouTube, so I don't know who any of these lovely ladies are, but I know that beauty channels are huge on YouTube, so this message is reaching lots of people! Woot woot! I've talked a lot about my frustration with vegan YouTube, and the constant body and food shaming. So I love seeing fresh faces who are shining such a positive light on veganism. Plus, we definitely need more beauty gurus who are vegan, let's get cruelty free to be the norm.

This is a little mini haul from yesterday. The carrot hummus was on sale and I  had to try it. I have seen this so many times and refused to buy it because it's expensive! Hummus is massively overpriced to begin with, and this stuff is worse. But it was on sale for two dollars!!!! It's made with white beans and carrots. I tried some last night and it is AHMAHZING!!!! It's a little tiny bit sweet, and it has a little kick from the sriracha. It's also really smooth and creamy. I am going to make a really tasty veggie sandwich that will not look as epic as I'm imagining, but it will  still taste out of this world! Claussen pickles have been my favorite pickle since I've liked pickles. I like the Franz bread, it's two dollars cheaper than other similar breads like Dave's Killer, and I forget the other one. It is so hard to find vegan whole wheat bread that doesn't have a laundry list of weird ingredients and is affordable. That's why I don't buy sliced bread very often. I know that Franz has a few without honey, but also a few with.

I also replenished my chocolate drawer!! I have to say that I much prefer Theo's peanut butter cups(they're really hearts not cups) to Justin's. Like by a huge landslide. Like Theo's has spoiled me for life. Justin's Peanut butter cups are runnier, and just a shell of a cup compared to Theo's. The chocolate is better, and the peanut butter is much more firm and has a saltier, more peanut-y taste. Like I am blown away. It is the best vegan peanut butter cup I've had. The Raspberry bar is very exciting. I fell in love with Taza chocolate when I was still living in PA. (shudder) Stone ground chocolate has such a unique texture. And the chocolate flavor is really rich. It feels like you are eating chocolate in it's purest form.

Next time I'll try a sriracha daisy

If you can believe it, I also bought a few potatoes at the store, and made some fries for dinner! I really genuinely craved this for dinner. I think that moving forward, I will continue to eat starch based, with potatoes being a big source of starch. One thing I noticed both times with the cleanse is that physically I FELT GREAT! Full of energy, ready to do life! When I walked my hill, or worked out I felt like my muscles were singing. So, I plan on eating a lot of potatoes in my life, but it's also nice to eat other foods. I also have been cutting way back on my oil usage, and I feel great. Yesterday I made a lentil soup for breakfast, and I water sauteed the onion! And it was fine, no one died! I'm not going fat free, and I'm not even going oil free, it's just that I have come to realize over the last month or so that oil isn't always necessary.
So, I took two pictures yesterday with my new camera, and I even downloaded onto my computer(all by myself) but the problem is now I don't know how to get them on my blog. They are stuck in limbo in desktop. I am slow to learn technological things, so this might take awhile, but I will learn. Meanwhile I'm going to keep practicing my photo taking skills. The awesome thing about being an almost crazy cat lady is I have a lot of subjects. Expect some cat videos in the near future!!!
In other cat related news, Animal really seems to be improving. Yesterday she ate some breakfast and dinner, and this morning she ate some breakfast. Not as much as I would like, but she ate a little. She also has been out and about more, as opposed to hiding under the couch. I've been able to get her antibiotic in her since she's eating, so that's great news. You don't know how happy I was when she first ate. I cried. I thought I was going to have to force feed her. She's back to her old self, just moving a bit slower. She has slept with me for the past two nights, and that has been amazing. I hope that habit stays even when she's back to 100%! Dylan slept with me NO MATTER WHAT, these guys are more into partying in the living room while I sleep!
I have to say that I am beyond frustrated with the vet clinic that I took her to. On one hand, she is improving, but on the other hand, what was wrong with her in the first place? Why did three different vets say so many different things? I have no answers, and it's scary. So, I already had a low opinion of the veterinarians based on past experience, and this did not help.
Happy Tuesday!

Progress All Around

Well, yesterday was a rough one with Animal. She seemed to be feeling better, but she still wouldn't eat. But this morning she took a few bites, which I am taking as a huge sign of improvement. I saw three different vets who all said different things, but the one thing they all said was that she needs to start eating again. And the vet on Saturday suggested bringing Animal back in today for more blood work. I might take her on Wednesday or something. I want to give her a break from shuttling back and forth, and getting poked and prodded. Stress can affect eating too so I'm trying to take everything into account.

Yesterday I went in search of some food that Animal would eat, and look what I found! Three vegan health/cookbooks in a regular old grocery store. I love that Plant Strong has a burger on front!  This same store had a different vegan cookbook the last time I was there. It's pretty cool. It wasn't that long ago you were lucky to find a vegan cookbook at a huge bookstore!

Look what creeped onto shelves at regular old Fred Meyer! I thought you could only find this at Whole Foods! The missing Bleu Cheese bottle is in my shopping basket. I almost tried the honey mustard, but vegan honey mustard is pretty easy to make, so I went with the dressing I never thought I would eat again as a vegan!
So yesterday was day two off the potato diet, and I ate potatoes all day! I had leftover sweet potato soup for breakfast with added rice. It came out a little like Risotto.

I have been trying to read that Stranger since last week, and stuff just keeps getting in the way! The pink is pretty for background though!

I had some potatoes that needed to be used, and I was going to make mashed and gravy, but I decided to make fries/wedges instead, which turned into wedges with gravy, which turned into vegan disco fries.I made the wedges, made some gravy, then assembled. I sprinkled a tiny amount of daiya on the wedges, and spooned the warm gravy over everything. Holy yum. I know gravy with fries is a thing, and has been for awhile. I just never got into that. In my pregan days I was a strict ketchup goes with potatoes kind of gal. Maybe BBQ sauce with fries every once in awhile I was feeling wild. I was missing out. This was a nice comfort meal that actually wasn't terribly unhealthy. I'm still not sick of potatoes, I'm just really glad to have other options!
I'm planning on getting a memory card today for my camera. Memory card, learn how to use are my two goals today! It's supposed to be nice starting tomorrow, and I hope to get out and about and take some pictures! I bet there are some parks with all kinds of flowers starting to bloom!