FOOD

I don’t remember everything in the past few days (many have been traveling days), but some highlights included nice salads, smoothies, eggplant, and green curry.

the makings of a BAS. Lettuce, onion, cuc, avocado, chickpeas, and a cumin/lime dressing.

pre-blended blueberry cinnamon smoothie

being able to blend and drink directly from mason jars makes me insanely happy

grilled simple veggie kabob with some fresh corn

garbanzo tacos! Okay so I seriously meant to open pintos, but chickpeas worked too! Tossed in with sautéed bell pepper, onion, and garlic, then topped with lettuce, daiya, and siracha.

all fresh and local veggies for my garden smoothie (even though technically….it didn’t come from any garden of mine).

I have no idea how V8 gets them red. I get an ugly green…but mine tastes SO much better.

I’ve also started focusing on raw foods….and started a new blog!  This one is dedicated to nut-free raw foods and food allergy resources.  Since it deviates from my normal blog format and tone, I thought starting up a second one would be smarter.  I’ve had this idea brewing in the back of my head since last September, but finally did it.  If you’d like to check it out, here it is!  The Nut Free Raw Vegan.

recipe for my homemade spicy pickled veggies is on my other blog. But this was my snack. A nice change of pace.

I picked up my CSA haul Saturday, and then went farmer’s market hopping.  As soon as I got home, I whipped up a veggie whole foods juice in the Vitamix, and then started thumbing through my new Babycakes book (vegan and mostly gluten-free dessert recipes from the famed bakery in NYC).  I whipped up a batch of vanilla cupcakes that are currently cooling on a wire rack in my kitchen.

Saturday’s CSA score!

FITNESS

The past week has been very active, even though I wasn’t always home.  I got in a few runs, DVD’s, and a yoga class.

On a very happy front, my iPod has come back from the dead.  I’m not sure if that means it’s now a zombie, but as long as it doesn’t try to eat my brains, I think I’ll be OK.  So far I’ve run twice since it’s resurrection, and my brains are still intact.  I think…

We also finally had our first golf lesson.  LOVED IT.  D and I have some time set aside to practice this week (which we did after work today), and will hopefully have our next lesson in a week or two.  We have 4 total, so I’m hoping to be actually playing a game in the next month.

LIFE

A quick soccer update.  My favorite team Chelsea FC is here in the US on a brief tour.  On Wednesday they were defeated by the MLS all-stars.  I have mixed feelings about this though.  One one hand, I’m happy the US team one – maybe it’ll show that we’re starting to grow as a country with soccer talent (though to be honest, only about half of the MLS all-star team is US by birth).  Also – they are supposed to represent the best of the best of all the MLS teams…so by all intents and purposes, they should totally kick butt.  So in that sense – I don’t feel too badly that Chelsea lost (by only a point).

On to the fun stuff.  D, R, M, and I went out-of-town Thursday evening.  We headed to where A did her pre-college program.  We spent the night at a very nice hotel, had dinner in their tavern, played pool, toured the grounds, and then went to sleep.  Early the next morning, it was off to see her end of program fashion show!  The inspiration was an exhibit about the life and culture of India.  The fashion show was titled Jewels of India, and here are a few pictures from it.

D explaining the finer points of pool strategy to M and R…

and now SHOWING M how he should go for his shot

my daughter modeling her outfit!

hood up!

walking away

my girls!

When we got home, all A could ask for was healthy food.  She ate like crap when she was on campus and wants to do a healthy food detox.  Lots of fresh fruits and veggies for her!

Last post of the rambling sort!  Going in a bit of reverse chronological order (because it’s easier for my brain that way).

We’re home!  We arrived in our driveway at around 3pm.  We left Orlando yesterday around 130pm or so, stopped for the night in Florence, SC (a town full of the nicest people I’ve ever met in one place), and then got home to VA this afternoon.  All told, our drive home was pleasant and uneventful.  I will say I could tell when we crossed the state line from NC to VA.  All the drivers became worse….just saying.  I used to think WI had the worst drivers….until I moved here.  The left lane is for going slow, and a blinker means “get the hell out of my way, I’m coming, like it or not!”…more often I encounter rude drivers than friendly ones.

But that said….I’m happy to be home.  I love VA and missed her….

dinner tonight! A simply spiced lentils and rice dish (garlic, cinnamon, and cumin) with a bit of siracha for some fun. Felt great to cook and eat my food. Will feel even cooler to pick up my CSA and some fresh produce this weekend.

happy to pick up Sammie a day early. She’s beat from a week playing with younger pups!

geocaching at Mile Marker 1 in GA (rest stop). They found the cache, signed the log, and left a trackable (a dragonfly my Dad got D). Got an email this afternoon that someone else found the cache and picked up the dragonfly to bury somewhere else in the country. So cool.

our last dinner out at a Chili’s in Florence, SC. I had a custom vegan salad. They were really nice and accomodating…especially since they closed before we got there. Everywhere we went in Florence, everyone was super nice. Good town…

Yesterday we woke up and checked out of our villa.  We went out to breakfast and then hit up Downtown Disney for some planned shopping (we didn’t buy much while at the parks) and then hitting the road.  We spent a lot of time at the monster Lego store (R is working on Diagon Alley for Hogwarts as we speak, and I picked up some fun things for my nephew’s birthday next month), and the Disney World Store (new antenna balls, things for the kids, an outfit for my Godson, etc).

Wednesday we went to the main Universal Studio’s theme park.  We rode all the rides, and had a really great time.  It was strange not going to a Disney Park or Seaworld, but we’ve never really done Universal, so it was really cool.  D had the brilliant idea of bringing my Camelbak to the park (it’s the small 1 liter one I use for long runs), and R wore it while we were out all day.  We filled it 3 times, so she drank 4 liters of water that day.  Didn’t wear out in the heat once!  Forgive all the pics that show her sucking down water, but in the July FL heat, it was absolutely brilliant.

taking a break in an air-conditioned shop and drinking some water (and looking cool in her sunglasses)

as R puts it….getting “misified”. finding a fan blowing in the park with water to cool her off.

my vegan theme park lunch. Rice, boiled corn, and steamed asian veggies. Not bad really (oh…and 3 beers too….no pics of those as I drank them all…)

me as we’re heading in!

After we got back to the villa, D took R to swim while I did laundry and ran out for dinner.  I got to pick, so I went to a Mediterranean place and picked up a Gyro for him, and a Vegan platter for me with hummus, rice and spice wrapped in grape leaves, babaganouj and tabouleh.  It was fantastic!

So…it was a quick trip (only 2 full days in FL), but a totally awesome one.

I’m going to end this post by answering a questionnaire from Heather at Where’s The Beach!  She gave me a Sunshine Award, and here are the rules   Thanks Heather!!

• Thank the person who gave this award and write a post about it.
• Answer the questions below.
• Pass on the award to some fabulous bloggers

Favorite Color? Purple.
Favorite Animal? Penguin.  Always as been.  My Dad actually “adopted” a penguin in my name at the Milwaukee County Zoo when I was a kid.  And if you don’t love Penguins now…watch Surf’s Up.  Hilarious.
Favorite Number? I’ve vacillated about this over the years.  I won’t give a number, but will say that odd numbers are my favorite.  All the best things in my life (except one) happened in an odd year.  That one would be the birth of my husband.  Otherswise…odd rocks.
Name 3 places to visit from your bucket list: China, Greece, and Toronto, Canada.  I’ve always wanted to go.  I hear it’s like NY.  But clean…
Favorite workout move: Pigeon (yoga move.  kills me, but is wonderful).
Name 2 shows on TV you love: Blue Bloods (because I would love to be from an Irish Catholic Cop Family in NY) and Castle.  Don’t get me wrong.  Love being from my family too
What is your passion? Healthcare – and making it safer and accessible to everyone (should be a right and not a privilege) and my family.
Giving or giving presents? Well hell.  I love both.  I love seeing someone (or talking in the case of my family who is far away) get something I pick out (hint hint Dad….watch the movies so we can talk about them!), and I love getting them too.
Name a talent you’d love to have: construction skills.  I’d love to build things – a table, a cabinet, a house.  Doesn’t matter.  I wish I could do that.

Here are the bloggers that I nominate for the Sunshine Award and I’d like to see fill out this questionnaire on their own blogs!!!

CW at Crystal Can Do It! who has been going through an inspiring journey.  I’ve known her for a long time, and her story is one that would move anyone to be a healthier and happier person!

JL from JL Goes Vegan.  Her’s was the first Vegan blog I had ever read.  She probably doesn’t know this…but she was the first to inspire me to incorporate more raw foods in my diet.  I also met her at last year’s VVC, and she’s the life of the party…everywhere she goes.

Susan at FatFreeVegan.  I was making her recipes over 10 years ago before I even became a vegan!  She is the reason why I don’t use names in my blog…..I followed her example when she talks about her daughter E.  I also got to meet her (and eat with her!) at VVC last summer.  She’s very sweet and smart…and she’s really the inspiration on how I’ve modeled my own blog.

Carrie at CarrieOnVegan.  I love her healthy, whole food recipes.  If you’re sensing a theme here, you’re right.  I met her briefly at VVC last year also (I belive I was driving a group back to the dorms after the gala!), and I remember wishing I had talked to her more.  We’re both a little shy in groups….at first

Okay, it’s been a week, so I can’t possibly do my normal format, or it would be pretty impossible to read!

It’s been a busy week.  My eldest is having a good time at her pre-college program, but she’s a bit homesick.  She doesn’t admit it directly, but wants to text, talk, and Skype often, and she seems to really miss us.  I know she misses my food.

I spent several days working late in preparation for vacation!  Except Thursday. On Thursday it was a girls night celebration for LC’s new job!

Sunday we took M to camp.  He was SO excited, though when we said goodbyes, I wasn’t the only one a little teary.

my son, growing up too fast….

M meeting his cabin counselor

From there, D, R and I headed for the long drive to Orlando.  We stopped for the night at a really nasty hotel in Lumberton, NC.  It’s not that we weren’t on the lookout for somewhere fairly decent…and even though it was rated as 3 stars, it should have been zero!!!  I realize I have become a hotel snob over the years.

stopping at a rest stop for a little yoga and geocaching. R and I stretching with a little down dog…

third row, all to herself

D put R to work cleaning the windows when we stopped for gas

Even though our mini-van has 3 movie screens, R opted to listen to The Hunger Games with us instead.  We’re all really loving it.

my dinner from Ruby Tuesday’s (somewhere in NC). Balsamic tomato slices, roasted spag squash, and grilled asparagus!

sleepy baby…

We checked into our villa yesterday….to find another family staying in it!  Not sure what the mix up was, but we got assigned a new one, got some room service credits for the troubles, and settled in.  We hit up Downtown Disney for some dinner and walking around, and headed back to sleep around midnight (I know…out late, but after being cooped up in a car for so long, we were all a bit stir crazy!).

R and I at Downtown Disney

R and D at Downtown Disney

Breakfast was a vega berry smoothie!  So very tasty.  Lunch was actually a Vega chocolate bar at Universal Studios (didn’t want to risk not having anything viable to eat), and dinner was a vegan pasta primavera and soup.

my travel food! Raw vegan goodies.

We spent today at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.  It was an absolute blast.  Harry Potter World was truly magical, though much more crowded than the other areas of the park.

R taking us through a survivor-esque challenge at the Jurassic Park area of Universal Studios

and R leading the way!

In an effort to not bore the crap out of you and/or write a crazy long post…everything has been great this past week, we’re intensely enjoying being on vacation, but I’m also ready to see my older two kids….

FOOD

Due to an unexpected interruption, this morning was a bit more rushed than normal.  Yes – too rushed, even, for a homemade smoothie.  Enter gluten-free pretzels and hummus for breakfast.  With coffee.  On the road.  Yum…(insert sarcasm here).

Lunch was a veggie burger and fries out with D.  I felt like hell most of the afternoon for eating so unhealthily.

As such…dinner was a veggie packed salad.  SO not an exiting food day!

Later this evening I’m going to start planning my travel food so I don’t end up eating like crap and feeling even worse.

FITNESS

I’m living on the workout DVD’s lately.  I will be until my travels next week are completed.  DVD’s and hotel gyms….that’s okay though.  At least I’m not just sitting on my tush.

Today’s workout was intense ab work.  It was tough, and I’ll feel it tomorrow I’m sure!

LIFE

Work.  All day, all night.  I’m not complaining AT all though – I’ve mentioned a billion times that I totally love my job.  It’s tough – never dull and boring – and I make a difference in the lives of other people.  Can’t really beat that.  However…my brain is starting to check out in preparation for vacation in just over 3 days…and I find myself working until late in the evening to be sure everything is wrapped up and I can fully focus on fun in Florida all next week (yeah…say THAT five times fast….).

Update on A.  Monday was a little boring as she was still doing program orientation stuff.  Tuesday was an inspiring day spent getting ideas by visiting galleries and museums – as well as visiting stores to determine what the target selling audience is (she’s in a fashion and marketing program).  She was particularly inspired by the jeweled colors and embroidery of some Indian exhibits (yes as in India, not Native Americans).  Today has been classes where she said she’s learning a ton.  She designed a trend board and designed sweaters, learned how to make croquees (not sure what those are…will google later), and learned how to layer fabrics based on the grains.  Her last text said “I am pleased”.  That’s always a good thing.

We Skyped last night, and she seems to be doing great.  Misses us, but is having a blast.  Apparently her dorm room is the central hang out for the floor.  Fun times!

FOOD

I have to say my favorite meal since Saturday afternoon was dinner Saturday night.  I had 4 poblano chili’s from my CSA on Friday, and since I was heading out-of-town, wanted to do something fun with them.  So – in addition to a pesto ratatouille, I made chili rellenos!  Super simple, nicely spicy, and I wish I had more than 4….

Crissie’s Vegan Chili Relleno

Ingredients

*4 poblano peppers, tops cut off and seeds scooped out

*1 cup dry basmati rice (cook according to package directions)

*1-2 jalapeno’s (fresh or pickled…whatever you have on hand)

*1 pkg vegan cheese (I used Dayia Pepper Jack shreds)

*1/2 small diced onion

*1 pureed tomato (I actually used about 10 cherry tomatoes)

Directions

Extremely simple.  I mixed the jalapeno’s (I used pickled because I had it), onions, tomato, and cheese into the rice.  Stuff the peppers with the mixture.  Put on tray, and cover with foil.  Bake for 20 minutes at 350 (I used my toaster oven).  Seriously – that’s it.  SO yummy.

I had to slice them one down the center to get more stuffing in them!

I also had 4 green tomatoes.  Not being from the South originally, all a green tomato is to me is one that isn’t finished yet.  What the heck am I supposed to do with them?  I don’t fry food, so that was out of the question.  I decided to grill them!  So – I sliced them thickly and let them marinade all afternoon in a mixture of cranberry/pear white balsamic vinegar, blood orange olive oil, and a small amount of brown sugar.  Then grilled them.  Well  – I put them ON the grill…then D took over (he’s getting anal retentive about the grill).  They were very unusual.  I loved them – but have nothing to compare them to since I’ve never eaten them before.  They were still firm, and the marinade complimented them nicely.  I can imagine they’d be really yummy on a sammich.

hitting the grill!

grilled green tomatoes!

my dinner

Sunday, Monday, and this morning were green smoothies.  Sunday and today at home, and yesterday in my hotel room.  Yep – took my blender with me, even though it was only an overnighter!

FITNESS

Sunday morning (even before having coffee!), I did a workout video.  Don’t read too much into that….I overslept and needed to get my workout in before hitting the highway.

Monday was a rest day – unless you count walking around DC for 2 hrs – but I didn’t.

Today I did two workout DVD’s, for a total of an hour.  It’s been raining all day, so I had to keep my workout indoors.

LIFE

Sunday around 1130, the whole family packed up to take A off to her 3 week pre-college program.  She’s away from home.  For 3 weeks.  Living in a dorm!  WITHOUT PARENT’S.

on the drive up. Such a big, grown up young lady (with her stuffed bunny….)

I only cried a little….

R saying her goodbye’s to her big sister

Dad and daughter. The Dad who…by the way…wanted to stop BACK at her college the next day to see her. We didn’t want to humiliate her by only being able to be away for 36 hrs…

in front of the dorms

with her model pose

From there, the remaining family (D, M, R, and I) went to DC.  The drive was totally brutal…hail…falling trees….3 hrs to go what should have taken just over 1….

We grabbed a quick dinner, played in the pool, and then went to bed around 11.

R going airborne as D tosses her in the pool

Monday morning I took D, M, and R to the metro station on my way into work, and they  hit up the American Art Museum’s Art of Video Game exhibit (can’t tell you how intensely appropriate that is for all three of them).  When my meetings were over, I went into the city, met up with them at the National Zoo, walked around for a bit (but it was 111 degrees, and I was still wearing my linen pant suit – sans jacket of course), then hit the road for a hellish drive home

waiting for the museum to open

and still waiting

just because he’s a cutie

sleepy girl

Still….it was a great weekend.  Tears, traffic, and all.

FOOD

Breakfast both yesterday and today were smoothies.  Instead of greens (because I’m basically out of everything except some baby kale), I tossed in a scoop of Amazing Grass.  Voila, superfood green smoothies!

mixed frozen fruit, brown rice protein powder, raw chocolate, banana, and grass

Lunch yesterday was a quick veggie burger.  I was starving and in a hurry!

Dinner was out with AC and JC at a little tapas place in Portsmouth.  I had a small bowl of roasted veggie soup and some hummus with gluten-free bread.  The place was cute, but I think they still need to work on kitchen management (two of the dishes D and I ordered never came out, and most things we ordered took an incredibly long time).  Despite that, it was a really nice evening.  Afterwards, we stopped at one more place for a quick drink before heading home.

Lunch today was a bloody mary black bean wrap!  I soaked a bag of black turtle beans the other day, and was desperate to do something with them before they went bad.  As it happens, I was also feeling lazy, so what I ended up doing was taking an unopened jug of spicy bloody mary mix, and pouring it into a crock pot with the beans and cooking on low for 8 hours overnight.  Simply, yummy, and I put them in a gluten-free brown rice tortilla with some leftover brown rice and some Daiya shreds.  Yummo lunch served.

before I wrapped it up

Lunch! Simple, healthy, and filling. I will admit I wish I had a ton of leafies to throw on there too.

Right now, I have a ratatouille going in one of my slow cookers, and will mix in some homemade pesto when it’s ready for dinner.  I haven’t decided yet, but thinking of serving it up with some grilled tempeh.  We’ll see.

FITNESS

I picked up some new workout DVD sets this past week.  While I’m not a fan of them most of the time (I get bored easy with repetition), I also know they can be incredibly effective and one heck of a time saver.

Time saving is something I really need, as well as portable (lots of traveling coming up), so I figured I’d give these a whirl.

I did an hour’s worth of video’s this afternoon up in my room.  I worked up quite a sweat, and did a combination of cardio and strength training.  And didn’t have to go outside in the 100+ degree heat.  Win win!

LIFE

Yesterday was my allergist appointment.  The doctor confirmed that I do indeed have Oral Allergy Syndrome.  We went through a couple of hours of skin testing – to determine I pretty much am allergic to everything.  All tree’s except one, all grasses, dust, dust mites, cats, feathers….most of the natural world.

#41 is Oak….clearly one of the worst offenders.

even a day later, my arms do resemble the elephant man’s little sister….

OAS can’t be prevented with allergy meds, and the only treatments are avoidance of the trigger foods, and allergy shots.  I begin allergy shots when I return from FL in a couple of weeks.  Not looking forward to that, as it can take a few years for it to help.

Real quickly, OAS sufferers react to foods in what’s called a type 1 allergy response.  I’m not allergic to peaches, cherries, apples, etc per se – I’m allergic to the proteins in them that are exactly like the tree and grass allergies I have.  The theory is – allergy shots make help build my immunity to the trees, and as a result, my allergic responses to the foods will go away.  It’s strange – and sucks a lot.  The two worst trees for me are birch and oak – and there are a TON of fruits and veggies with the same protein structure as those two trees.  For now, if I chemically alter the protein structure (ie – cooking the foods), I will likely be OK.  Okay, so that wasn’t really quick, but that’s OAS in a nutshell.

After my appointment, some Benadryl, and a shower, I went to pick up my CSA haul for this week.  I’m excited, and am already using half of the items in dishes today!

eggplants, poblanos, peaches (which I will NOT be eating myself), blueberries, zucchini, and green tomatoes

Tomorrow my eldest leaves for a 3 week pre-college program!  She’s really excited, and I am excited for her.  If not more than a little nervous too!

FOOD

Tuesday it was too hot to eat real food.  I had a green smoothie for breakfast, Skinny Dip frozen vegan yogurt for lunch, and dinner out with AC.

seriously been having the same smoothie every day! Strawberry/banana/caoco/protein powder, and whatever greens I have on hand.

because hot puppies need cool treats too!

Wed was (of course) Independence day!  It started with a smoothie, and ended with a small salad.  It was another one of those days where it was so hot, I had no appetite.

simple green salad

Today was a smoothie for breakfast, veggie sushi with soba for lunch, and green curry for dinner!  At the rate I’m going, I’ll be having at least one green smoothie a day in July.  There are definitely worse things….

bean sprout salad. Love these…

avocado-asparagus rolls

Soba soup. It was way too much food, and a little bland. Wish I had some siracha to spice it up!

Tofu Green Curry with bell peppers, peas, and eggplant. My absolutely favorite meal.

LIFE

Tuesday I spent all freaking day waiting for the AC repair guy.  Let’s just say he was really, really late in getting to my house.  I spent the day sitting on the couch in the green room, 2 feet in front of a fan, and reading.  My cable went out for a few hours too, so I couldn’t even work much!

Good news is that it was not an expensive fix, and he had the part in his truck inventory.  Of course by then house was 92 degrees, and I was happy to have evening plans to go out with AC.

Yesterday we went to Busch Garden’s for fireworks like we do every year.  It was a really, really hot day (sensing a theme here?), and we were all ready to leave right when the fireworks ended.  It was still a really nice day, even though we were hot, sweaty, and exhausted by 11 when we got home.

A hanging out at the theme park

R and I cooling off on the log ride

kids cooling off….

D AND the kids going for a ride too!

M in line for dinner in Italy

A needing to cool off with not one, but two frosty drinks

Today I had a facial after work.  It was very nice and relaxing, and she even gave me some zinc cream to help heal my awful sunburn.  Here’s hoping it works!

I’m nervous about tomorrow.  I have my allergist appointment, and they’re going to do skin testing.  I’ve been through that before, and it was awful.  At any rate, I hope he can figure out why I’m suddenly allergic to so many fresh fruits…

FOOD

This morning I made what’s probably my favorite smoothie so far.  1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1/2 a banana, 2 tbsp brown rice protein powder, 1 tbsp raw cacao nibs, 2 drops of stevia, 1/2ish cup water, and a handful of spinach.  Definitely not an exact science, but it was awesome.  The nibs gave it a light chocolate flavor and a bit of texture.

all my ingredients – right in the jar I’m drinking out of. Love that….

Lunch was salads atop corn tostada’s and the rest of the cantaloupe.

I’m making some raw corn cakes – a twist on an Ani Phyo recipe. I cut the corn off 3 cobs, pulsed it with some spices, and popped them into the dehydrator.  I just flipped them, so they’ll be done by morning.  I’m planning to serve them with a spicy mustard sauce and some freshly made spring rolls.

fresh raw corn – from Friday’s CSA haul

one up close, on its way into the dehydrator!

Dinner was another smoothie.  It’s too hot to cook!  It was basically the same as this morning, but without the stevia or greens.  I’m still obviously blender-obsessed!

FITNESS

My abs were nicely (and mildly) sore this morning.  I always wonder if that video actually does anything.  By how I felt this morning, I think it’s doing a little at least.  Time will tell.

I did a 20 minute Zumba “class” on the Xbox this morning.  I was surprised by what a sweat I worked up.  I’m looking forward to doing more.

M and I hit up crossfit this evening.  It was one of my favorites so far.  Dead lifts and pull ups for the main WOD, plus 4x max reps for front squats.  It’s hard, but feels so great and rewarding to finish.

LIFE

So remember how I said how fortunate we were to not have lost power for any significant period of time during the storms?  I possibly jinxed myself.

After getting home this evening, I noticed how hot and humid the house was.  I commented as much do D (who was playing some Xbox), and he said “yeah, I noticed that too”.  Anyway….temp in the house was 8 degrees higher than what we had it set to, and after walking outside, realized that the AC unit wasn’t doing squat, and the vents were pumping warm air into the house.  Yep.  AC is broken.  Based on some research D did on what it was and wasn’t doing – it sounds like something that typically blows out during bad storms.  So we may have been a casualty of those storms after all.  Thankfully we have power overall, so we have fans, and refrideration….but no AC.  Repair guy is coming tomorrow….we’re lucky to get someone before the holiday (LOTS of people are having problems).  I just hope it’s a repair and not a replacement!

FOOD

Breakfast Saturday morning was a green smoothie.  I blended up some orange, green grapes, chia seeds, spinach, and coconut water.  I’m loving the new Tribest personal blender, especially being able to blend my fun up directly in mason jars, and then go!  (and no worries…still have a major love affair with my Vitamix too!).

with all the traveling I have coming up, this will be a huge relief. With help from Carrie at Carrie On Vegan, I knew I got the right one!

All my ingredients, ready to blend…

breakfast is served!

I also prepped the cantaloupe I got as part of my CSA on Friday.  It’s almost gone already…so sweet and juicy.

The rest of the day was spent at S’s house having homemade bloody mary’s (think a veggie whole foods juice…plus vodka….and I used half the amount of vodka than required).

S’s blender full of yummy (vegan) homemade Bloody Mary mix!

and every self-respecting Midwestern girl knows you can’t have a Bloody Mary without a beer chaser!

We ordered out for Thai food (yep, green curry and steamed spring rolls).  I wasn’t hungry for dinner, so nothing to show for that.

Breakfast this morning was another green smoothie.  Of course since I used blueberries, it wasn’t even green, but it was still awesome.  Blueberry, lemon, ginger, chia seeds, and kale.  It could have used a bit of stevia or a date for added sweetness.

pre blending….

breakfast!

For lunch, I made a raw marinara sauce, and served it over spiralized zucchini.  Even D loved it, which is saying a lot.  The marinara sauce was incredibly easy:

marinara ingredients

spiralized zucc

raw “spaghetti”! Really filling, and really tasty.

Crissie’s Raw Marinara

Ingredients

*1/2 cup cherry tomatoes

*1/2 cup red bell pepper

*1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes

*1 tbsp olive oil (I used my fancy Italian infused olive oil)

*1/2 tsp sea salt

*1 tsp Italian Seasoning

*4-5 shakes of red pepper flakes

Directions

Blend.  Couldn’t be easier!

FITNESS

Woo hoo, for finally being able to wear a bra today (TMI sorry….sunburn sucks).  I went for a 3 mile run after the storms passed this morning, and before the heat got too out of hand.  It was a muggy run, but felt absolutely awesome.

After cooling off at home, I did a 15 minute ab video, Bender Ball Advanced Core Training, the hit the shower.

LIFE

It’s been a nice, if not oppressively hot, weekend.  The majority of Saturday was spent at S’s house, just hanging out.  We managed to watch two movies (In Bruges, and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol).  And chat, and eat, and drink, and chill.  Totally awesome Saturday.

Today was more like my typical Sunday.  Lot’s of kitchen fun, running errands, cleaning, and relaxing.  I picked up a computer-based training CD on my new camera, and have gone through a few lessons for that.

Probably the most exciting is that tickets went on sale at 3pm (EST) for next year’s Vida Vegan Con!  It was so awesome to be part of its innagural conference last year, that you KNOW I had to go back.  And I’m going to keep going, and watch this ground breaking vegan bloggers conference grow.  So watch out Portland….I’m coming back

The rest of the evening will be finishing up the laundry, prepping my foods for the week, making dinner, and relaxing before heading back to work tomorrow.  We’ve been fortunate that the major storms that have passed through haven’t knocked our power out for more than a few minutes at a time.  Looking at the weather coming….I hope that luck holds.