Leave it to me to title a post with something that make no sense, yet somehow sums it up just right. The only "cheese" here is regarding the ridiculous grin on my face, and no, I'm not sporting it in "Vegas," as I really did mean to type "Vega."
This is me finally meeting Brendan Brazier in person. You may recall my various posts about him and Vega, most notably, the interview, where I mentioned my phone cutting out on me at the end. Thank goodness I got the chance to apologize face-to-face and clear my conscience. He seemed okay about the whole thing; I just hope he doesn't secretly think I'm crazy or something.
Anyway, this is just a quick update, as I still have no plans of going back to my usual blogging schedule. Enjoy these few photos from the book signing event and lecture, where I actually got my mom interested in what Brendan had to say, as well as picking up some convenient Vega products (she really liked the Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer in Vanilla Chai for a quick breakfast on the go). I also really dug the dressing on the mixed greens served up in sample cups ... no cheese needed in this one.
On another note, I'm excited to say my hubby and I will be celebrating our 9-year wedding anniversary on Wednesday. Hayden will be turning 11 months on that day, as well. As for Jacob, I plan on including him by recognizing his 11 months of being a wonderful big brother. I really think he's getting the hang of it :-)
That's what my parents will be able to enjoy, simply by stepping onto the patio beneath their deck. Now that I've stopped blogging (well, sort of; I did promise to update you on my painting project), I finally found the time to start their beach mural.
I'll make this short and sweet (seriously, I mean it, unlike my last post) with just a few pics and a quick recipe on the fly. I had to keep myself both hydrated and energized throughout this task (didn't want to stop for lunch; thankfully, my mom got the kids fed), so a smoothie was my best bet.
I brought the greens, nuts, seeds, powders and spices, while my mom allowed me to raid her stash of frozen fruit (she tosses all her extra ripe stuff in the freezer for smoothies; nothing goes to waste). Thanks mom.
Anyway, here's my crazy concoction that got me through the first two painting phases. It looks like the sludge left in the cup used to clean the brushes. At least it doesn't taste like it.
Painting Sludge Smoothie
1 1/2-2 cups cold water
1 small head of romaine lettuce
3-4 stalks of celery
2 frozen bananas
handful of frozen pineapple chunks
handful of frozen strawberries
handful of raw almonds
1 scoop plain Sun Warrior rice protein powder
2 Tbsp. hemp seeds
2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1/2 Tbsp. lucuma powder
1/2 Tbsp. mesquite powder
1/2 Tbsp. maca powder
1 tsp. spirulina
pinch of sea salt
pie spice, to taste
cayenne pepper, to taste
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into a very large glass (you may need to refill it a couple times), and sip slowly as you get your work done.
Hopefully, I'll be able to post another progress update in the future. I hadn't planned on working on it again until Tuesday, but the forecast has the temp around 98 degrees that day. I wonder if I can get back over there today (it should be only about 80 degrees), which is my dad's b-day. Happy birthday dad!
... you find things to blog about (I'm trying my best to break the addiction). However, I plan on just making this brief, as I really meant what I announced in my last post.
My lovely sister Lori (she's the one pictured dancing with Hayden) just sent me a few photos I had to share. They're from my cousin Lynn's wedding (remember the shower I blogged about a couple months ago?).
First of all, I want to say congrats to the bride and groom. I'm so happy for them. The ceremony was sweet, and the reception was gorgeous, like the bride herself (both inside and out, I must say) and this pretty plate of food made especially for me. Lynn made sure this raw vegan didn't go hungry, and I couldn't thank her enough (thanks again, BTW).
The reception was held at a winery; the setting was amazing. I felt like we had been transported to Tuscany or something. This pic of Hayden, Matthew and yours truly only provides a glimpse of our surroundings. But, where's Jacob?
He and his cousins ended up running through the vineyard. It was so cute. We kept telling them not to do that, while snapping photos at the same time. I need to see if I can get some of those from my sister, too (thanks for sending me these, as I actually left my camera at home that day).
Anyway, this is turning into a full post, so I better wrap things up. Let me end with a big congrats to Kristen and her hubby on the birth of their new baby girl. Send her your love when you get a chance.
Also, you may recall that I am a big Brendan Brazier fan, so I am excited to finally meet him in person (and apologize for the way I abruptly ended my interview with him). You can, too, as he is doing another book tour. Click here for the dates. Hope to see you there :-)
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Just wanted to add that I'm sorry I haven't gotten around to responding to all your comments on the last post. I usually pride myself on giving everyone a personal message back, but I opted not to recently in an effort to cut back on all things related to blogging. Please understand; I appreciate all your kind words, taking the time to read each and every one.
As you all know, I've had this blog for a long time, and I truly appreciate all my loyal readers who have stuck with me until the end.
"The end?" Did you just read that right?
Okay, it might not be the end for good, but at least for now. All good things do come to an end at some point, and in the fashion of some of my favorite successful television series, I decided to wrap this up in a neat little package (like this cute raw cupcake pic, inspired by a plum crumble I posted not long before Hayden was born; had to use it at some point, right?), while you're still around to see it. Like Carol Burnett, Seinfeld and Friends (just to name a few), I know how to close on a high note and not overstay my welcome.
I started this blog to fill the void left when Jacob started preschool. On my days off from work without him around, I needed a creative outlet and a place to express myself. I was also looking to find others who ate like me, as raw foodies were hard to come by at the time.
Still, it is difficult to come across raw foodies in my area, but at least more people are aware of what it means when I say I eat "raw." My mom has been proudly showing off her printout of my e-book (which is still available until I post otherwise; I'll let you know if I decide to pull it in the future) to friends and family (basically anyone who'll give it a glance), including a friend who works in our local library. I plan on donating a printed copy (my hubby had about 20-some spiral-bound copies made up for me; one can be seen behind this half eaten raw cupcake pictured below) to the library, especially since there have been some requests for raw books there.
I've also met some wonderful online friends on this journey, who I hope to stay in contact with either via e-mail, or by reading and commenting on their blogs. If I feel inspired, I might even do a random post, just as an update on my family life, rather than anything food-related (I have posted so much food over the years, that I just don't feel like my recipes are as "fresh" as I'd like them to be; I'm just not in the mood to change things up by creating new ones right now).
Hayden is growing up so fast, and I don't want to miss a minute of it. I'll also have Jacob around during the day throughout the summer. Blogging would just be an extra task that I, unfortunately, don't have time for at the moment. I hope you all understand.
In case you were wondering, date night went well last week. Matthew and I just went out to eat and window shop at a nearby outdoor town center. It was nice to just relax and not have to focus on where I'll be able to feed Hayden, change her diaper, make sure she gets a nap, etc. (I haven't had a break during the entire 9 and a half months at all). I finally got a chance to miss her, which makes me love being with her even more.
This summer, I hope to get her used to being with other people. Then, I might be able to work outside the house again, maybe one or two days a week. I just need to find the right balance.
I've been experimenting a lot lately by turning off the computer and other electronic devices. As a result, I've found I feel better overall. I'm less stressed and enjoying life more.
It's good to go out and get some fresh air. Hayden and I went shopping with my friend and her baby on Tuesday. Although we were inside, I think she liked sunshine and the windows cracked on the ride there and back. We also picked Jacob up from school the past three days, as he likes to show her off and be a "car rider" (it's a big deal at this age).
Yesterday, we attended Jacob's end of the year picnic (although he has one more week of school left due to all the snow days this year). The weather was beautiful. We got to eat outside on blankets and watch the kids play (Hayden can't wait to be old enough to participate).
Also during the week, my cousin and his wife welcomed their second child (a little girl) into the world. Hayden and I just had to pay them a visit. She'll have a new playmate at our family gatherings.
Anyway, you can see how busy my life is outside of the blogosphere, and this is just the beginning. Next week is another cousin's wedding, Matthew's birthday and Father's Day. The list goes on. I want to live in the moment and not miss a thing. I can do so much more, if I don't have to stop and blog about it.
Thanks again for spending these past few years with me. I love you all :-)P.S. Don't worry; I don't have any plans to delete this blog altogether. You can still pull up the archived posts, along with my We Like It Raw contributions, as long as Dhru is kind enough to keep them there. I'm also featured on Natural Zing's official blog, where I tend to post on average bi-weekly. At the moment, I hope to maintain that pace there. Wish me luck!
Did that title get your attention, or just the fact that I'm posting again? Sorry for the delay, as I've been immersed in Mommyhood (so what else is new?), which probably doesn't explain the title at all.
This post is way more tamer than the name suggests, much like the "Sex and the City 2" movie, from what I've heard. Obviously, I haven't had the opportunity to get out to a theater, but if I'm lucky, that's all about to change.
Anyway, with the release of the followup flick, came the usual publicity tour filled with stops on various daytime talk shows, such as "The View." All the ladies ("SJP," Cynthia, Kristen and Kim, as if I'm on a first name basis with the girls) turned out for that interview, which I taped while I was at Jacob's mini Relay for Life at his school (you may recall I mentioned his relay in my last post; I think he was very excited to have his mom and baby sis represent at the event, although Hayden was less than enthused). I then got a chance to actually flop on the couch to view it when I got home.
From what I understand, this movie has really grown up with the girls and their audience. It's no longer just about being single in the city, but instead addressing such issues as juggling work and family, finding out what it's like to be part of a married couple, going through menopause (I'm not there yet, but my hormones sometimes think I am) and dealing with the fact that you can't always be the perfect mom.
The perfect mom part, which is Charlotte's personal struggle, is definitely one I can relate to on a daily basis. We don't always admit to it when things don't go as planned, but maybe we should for all of our sakes.
Okay, so I can't speak for everyone, as there could be a small percentage of mommies out there that really do have everything under control. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them, although this blog sometimes makes my readers think I am.
The ladies on "The View" hit the nail right on the head, pointing out the fact that many of us moms try to live up to such high expectations, all the time thinking, "if so-and-so can do it, then I should be able to, too." If only we knew that so-and-so isn't always as perfect as she appears, then we could all support each other in just doing the best that we can.
To be the best mommy I can be, I try to put the kids first as much as possible, even if that means stepping away from the computer more.
If I haven't said it before, I really started this blog to fill a void left when Jacob was at preschool (and now elementary school). Once he is home for the summer, expect the gaps between posts to get a little wider, as you may have already noticed with the long holiday weekend (We spent some time outside swimming, which resulted in a nasty case of swimmer's ear for Jacob later in the week) and Hayden becoming more mobile (she gets into everything now and has somehow forgotten how to nap).
From time to time, I still plan on posting what we are up to and maybe some yummy eats (Hayden likes to share her simple recipes, as they are new to her). If I'm lucky, maybe I'll get both kids to help me in the kitchen, like I saw Charlotte doing in a clip from the movie. Isn't her cupcake apron, as well as the matching kid ones, cute? I still haven't gotten around to making one with the material I mentioned in the past, but my hubby got me this sexy little number pictured at the top of this post for my birthday. You should see the site it came from :-)
Speaking of cupcakes, did you also know Magnolia Bakery's cupcakes were featured in the "Sex and the City" series? It had been a stop on the Sex and the City tour of New York, until the bakery was unable to supply the cupcake demand for the tour. Then, they attempted to put out their own "Carrie" cupcake, which was a classic vanilla cupcake with light pink frosting and a small flower on top.
I would've made a raw replica myself, but have other priorities at the moment. Instead, I added a pic of my Ruby Red Chai cupcake from my e-book to this post, as it does appear similar. Besides, I'm not really a Cosmopolitan girl at this point in my life (although I could've used the same flavors in a raw cupcake, like lemon, lime and orange, and served it in a cocktail glass; everything looks sexier in stemware, including this sophisticated bittersweet cupcake); a rooibos chai or green smoothie is more my speed.
Oh, before I forget. I'm excited to announce that Hayden actually was a good girl at Grandma Terry and Paw Paw's house for the hour and a half that we dropped her off there the other evening (she's been with me just about 24/7 from the start). If all goes as planned, Matthew and I might have our first official date night tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed :-)
Haven't you seen this before? Okay, maybe the garnish is different, but the idea is the same. Thanks to the good people at Vega, I can make this version even easier.
I had planned on posting about Vega's new Shake & Go Smoothie a couple days ago, but since these lovely ladies beat me to it, I let Hayden share her dill-ectable thicker than pea soup recipe instead. Besides, my little lady wanted to get in on the soup action in a timely fashion, like this frugal gourmet and this blending beauty.
Sorry you haven't heard as much from either of us (Hayden and myself) lately, as we've had quite a packed schedule. We've cheered Jacob on at his field day, celebrated Matthew's grandmother's birthday, attended my youngest sister's college graduation and are all revved up to walk the track at Jacob's mini Relay for Life today (his school does one every year).
Speaking of getting ready for some relaying, these convenient Vega smoothie mixes couldn't have come at a better time. Although I haven't had much of an opportunity to blog about them, they've definitely come in handy while on the go.
Of course, they do "shake & go" by just adding a couple heaping tablespoons to about a cup of water, but I wanted to experiment with this powder further. As a simple smoothie, it transports perfectly in my trusty little jar, which reminded me of my original layered recovery pudding (pictured to the left). Thank goodness I had two flavors to combine again.
When a representative from Vega e-mailed me about trying one of the flavors, I had trouble picking just one. They all sounded so good; there's Bodacious Berry, Tropical Tango, Choc-A-Lot and Vanilla Almondilla. In the end, I liked the way "Vanilla Almondilla" rolled off my tongue, so I selected it to taste, while adding that I wouldn't mind being surprised by what was sent.
To my surprise, I not only received the vanilla, but the chocolate, as well. Thanks Vega!
Anyway, so I decided to make puddings out of both flavors by adding a lot less water. The results were grittier than a pudding, but with a gel effect, similar to one containing chia (it must be due to the xanthan gum in it; obviously, this product is not entirely raw).
I layered both in my snack jar, topping it off with some cacao nibs to represent the chocolate flavor and almond slices for the "almondilla" (you can really taste the almond in it, like an amaretto cookie or something).
The flavors were a little strong in this form, which made it hard to ignore the low glycemic sweetener (I think it is coconut palm nectar or something). However, as I ate it, I got used to it.
I started out sampling the flavors individually. The chocolate wasn't quite chocolate, but okay. I think I actually preferred the green vanilla, due to the almond addition.
In the end, I thought they tasted best when swirled together. I think I just created my own flavor: "Choc-Anilla-Dilla."
From now on, I plan on making my Shake & Go Smoothie out of a scoop of each, and maybe adding a banana if I have the time to incorporate it with my blender. This is the way I think it tastes best.
Speaking of adding banana, the Shake & Go Smoothie mix also does a good job of boosting the nutritional content of my banana-based n'ice cream. I instantly made a protein-packed chocolate version just by adding about a heaping tablespoon to some sliced frozen banana, and whipping it into a soft-serve consistency in my mini food processor. I served mine in a reusable silicone cupcake liner for the fun of it.
And, since I love cupcakes so much, I also thought about using the mix to make a quick low glycemic icing. Like the pudding idea, add only a tiny about of water to the powder to create a paste for frosting your raw cupcakes.
I once used this idea in this past post about Brendan Brazier and Vega, icing a reshaped Vibrancy Bar with a Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer "frosting." As this is a low glycemic product, it should also work well for topping this specialty raw cupcake recipe.
In conclusion, the Vega Shake & Go Smoothie isn't as tasty as making one myself, but it certainly comes in handy while on the go (isn't that the point of this product anyway). It also is a convenient way to give your other recipes a nutritional boost, and is a nice low sugar alternative to use in your desserts. I think it is worth having around.
*****
friday, may 28, 2010, continued ... .....................................................................................
This little raw cupcake
makes me very happy
As you may already know, I've been searching for raw cupcakes made by my fellow bloggers to highlight on my site. Of course, this refreshing lemon poppy seed cupcake totally caught my eye. Check out Angela's the happy raw kitchen site to see the even bigger, more fabulous bundt-style cake, and while you're there, leave a complimentary comment for her :-)
I know this sounds silly, but I always get a kick out of when I see raw food techniques demonstrated on mainstream television. When this happens, I've just got to share.
Today, Martha Stewart showed her viewers how to make date paste. Then, she made a milkshake out of it. That's where the raw food part went out the window.
At least we can still make our own raw ice creams and banana-based n'ice creams to substitute for the processed stuff in her recipe, as a date shake (although the dairy-free shake pictured is a different flavor; you could even try one with yacon paste) does sound like a yummy idea on this hot, sunny day (we're in the 90s again).
Speaking of substitutes, check out Russell's date sweetener alternative to agave (thanks to Sui for pointing it out to me). Very nice :-)
This is me finally meeting Brendan Brazier in person. You may recall my various posts about him and Vega, most notably, the interview, where I mentioned my phone cutting out on me at the end. Thank goodness I got the chance to apologize face-to-face and clear my conscience. He seemed okay about the whole thing; I just hope he doesn't secretly think I'm crazy or something.
