* Edited to Add that Google Reader is not Picking Up This Feed and I am re-pubulishing with my fingers crossed. I have noticed that Google Reader is slow across the board on everyone’s blogs this weekend, though.
Happy Saturday Bloggie Friends! The weather is nice here in Phoenix. Not “San Diego Weather” which I define as 74 and not a cloud in the sky, but 70F and hazy is better than snow. But, Oh San Diego, how I miss thee! Anyway, this morning I went for a run. For some of you chocolate-making serious runners, you’d hardly call what I did a run, but hey, it was nice to get outside and work on my tan while running in my shorts and get my cardio going, and then I came in and did a little yoga and stretched out my hamstrings. So, two “work-outs” that were 20 minutes each, totally free, on my timetable and not dealing with a group fitness schedule, not having to drive anywhere, the whole she-bang done in 45 minutes, the sun was shining, and my brain shut-off for 3 nanoseconds….it was perfect. What’s your definition of the perfect workout scenario? Then I went to West Elm, juggled around some store-credit design dollars (I’ll spare you the details), came home and made a batch of brownie cupcakes. Sneak Peak at the end of the Post!
Since it’s Saturday, it’s time to post the Highlights of the Week in food and in life. I know so many of you write to tell me how much you love these posts. And I’ve been getting a little carried away with these bad boys and they’ve just gotten tooooo big and time consuming. So my personal challenge as I embarked on this week’s post was to post only the best and most relevant pictures, with minimal typing and words interjected, and not every little word will get a link, so if you see something under a particular day that piques your interest, you may have to click a paragraph or picture near it or just click, i.e. Sunday’s Highlights for anything you see for that day that you want to check out, because I don’t have the energy to hyperlink after last little word anymore. As I said yesterday, my first 3 goals for the weekend were: 1. More Time With Scott and Skylar, 2. Less Computer Time, 3. More Time Outside.
So time to get this Week’s Highlights & Recap Started so I can go play! If you Missed Last Week’s Highlights & Recap Post,, Click Here to Check that Post Out.
Sunday’s Highlights
I made 3-Ingredient, 5-Minute, Raw, Vegan, Gluten/Soy/Tree Nut-Free Raw Vegan Caramels!
And Nut Butter Filled Caramel Bites
Fold in Half & Slice….then Indulge!
And I gave you my recipe for Homemade Vegan Raw Caramel Sauce, too!
Homemade Vegan Raw Caramel Sauce would be the perfect touch to my Raw Vegan Apple Crumble
Green Food was A Big Veggie Pile: Mixed Greens, Brussel’s, Tomatoes, and Cukes with Freshly Roasted Coconut Ginger Roasted Fennel Mixed In
And I tossed all the Veggies with my sweet, light, and fast Holiday Orange Spice Vinaigrette
Popcorn Time!
Remember my Coconut Oil Spray, Maca, & Nooch that I picked up from my WF’s trip?
Well, I put my foodies finds to good use on a Midnight Popcorn Snack-Fest. If you missed my Microwave Popcorn Trick for a Super Fast, Easy, Healthy, No-Junk Added, way to Make Popcorn…
Anyway the Maca is rocking on the Popcorn! Even though it kinda looks like brown sawdust, it tastes great! I would describe it as slightly malty, ever-so-sweet, and good! I do have tastebuds and a palate-of-steel, though, so your mileage may vary but give it a whirl. Check This Post for the Health Benefits of Maca!
And Chocolate Chips for Good Measure
So does Skylar! But she’s actually eating raw carrots and cucumbers here and was apparently really happy about it!
Sunday’s Commentary, Questions & Answers
If you had to pick a nut butter to spread inside the Caramel Bites, what would you spread in it? Fave Nut Butter?
This question had such great response, and it helped me formulate my Guest Post, that I wanted to copy/paste it again here:
How much do you try to change people’s opinion or try to explain why your way is good/works?
My thoughts are that although I believe in raising social consciousness in the world from dietary choices and balanced exercise to compassionate parenting to women’s rights, I am not going to waste my own precious energy trying to “save” others from themselves or “explain myself”. I am not going to spout off about the benefits of a plant-based diet and why fast food probably isn’t so hot to someone who thinks the drive-thru includes all the major food groups. I am not going to convince anyone why it’s better to do some yoga that live a sedentary life if exercise means getting up and pouring another Mountain Dew. Nor am I going to espouse the virtues of homeschooling, extended nursing, homebirthing, or any of the causes that I am passionate about, if the person I am talking to is clearly not receptive to change, but is only interested in arguing with me about it.
I don’t feel the need to “convince”, change, or “save the world” anymore. Nor defend my choices. I love being in charge of my own life and the autonomy over my own choices; and, I love that everyone is in charge of his or hers, and they can choose what they see fit, with absolutely no judgment from me, as long as their choices are well-researched for their own situation. The freedom of choice, it’s a beautiful thing! Do what works, For You!
I used to waste energy and get all riled up and try to help someone who didn’t understand my choices, “see the light”. But now, I just smile, nod, share what I do, and if they ask questions, I answer them succinctly, without emotion, and move on. There is no point in wasting my precious energy that I should be giving to myself, my own well-being, or my family’s well being trying to “save” the world. I lead by example not by words. The proof is in the (chocolate chia seed) pudding so to speak! Sorry, I couldn’t resist!
Your Comments, Answers, and Thoughts to the Question of Trying to Convince Others, not Getting Riled up and feeling the need to help someone else “get it” or how much you try to “save the world” was amazing. Check the Comments Here…they were awesome!
Monday’s Highlights
I started the post talking about Fat Talk and a Big Butt Comment that was uttered in yoga class. My Commentary About Fat Talk and What’s Going On with this nasty talk seemingly everywhere. Why Is That?! And what to do about it? How to Handle it?! Well, this was another Comment Worthy Post, Click Here to Read the Comments and Discussion that Ensued.
I Made a Fresh Batch of Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Skylar got her dress-up clothes on and was dancing around. And I begged you for the sake of little girls and the next generation growing up confidently and strongly, Let’s Stop the Fat Talk
I received Gifts From A Friend!
I had mentioned that I was trying to get more into Carob Chips than Chocolate Chips. Well, sweet Lori sent me some Vegan Carob Chips!
Previously, I had been in hot pursuit of Maca last week.
And I found some at Whole Foods that I’ve been dousing all over my popcorn
Lori sent me some, too! So I’m well-stocked on my maca now…and I love this stuff!
UliMana were kind enough to also send me a little box of organic raw chocolate goodies!
Here’s what they sent: Tao of Cacao
Green Food
Monday’s Tips
Sunday February 28, 2010 was a Full Moon in Virgo. I’ve posted about the Full Moon and How it Effects Us. Click Here to Read Up On It!
Full Moons Can Mean Everything from: insomnia, sleep disturbances, heated interpersonal exchanges, to computers and tech-related things going all glitchy and malfunctioning. Click Here for more interesting facts about the Full Moon!
Monday’s Questions & Answers
How Much Do You Pay Attention to the Moon Cycles or Natural Phenomenon? Have you noticed any changes this week in your mood
And The Fat Talk Question
I know this is not a new question in the ‘sphere or in life in general, but aren’t you totally sick of “fat talk”?? If I have to listen to one more woman talk negatively of herself, even in jest, I think I am going to tear my hair out! It’s doubly upsetting for me because as a mother to a little girl, I am trying to instill within her a sense of confidence, the ability to embrace our bodies for all they can DO not what they look like (or don’t look like); the form and shape of our bodies is secondary to functionality. And as women, we can grow people inside of us, we can nurse our baby’s, our body’s are amazing. Embrace them! I want to instill a positive, uplifting, I-am-woman-hear-me-roar kind of attitude, and then the Fat Talk seeps in. Bleahhhhh!!!!!
Anyway, do you do ignore it? Address it? Not associate with those individual’s anymore? However, it’s pervasive, it’s in the media, on the news, and even in my yoga class!
What’s your take on it and what do you do when you just want to cover your ears?!
The comments you all left were amazing. The general consensus seems to be that yes, we are all so sick of Fat Talk! And that you experience and hear this drivel and nonsense in your daily lives, too; it’s pervasive and most of us don’t know how to get away from it.
Check The Fat Talk Comments, it’s Worth It!
Tuesday’s Highlights
The Maca I had been mentioning lately...some of you asked how I like it?
Well, I’ve been dousing it all over my popcorn…
…And I am really happy to report I love the Maca! Some people say it’s slightly malty and a little bit sweet, and I think that’s how I would describe it, too.
Tuesday’s Grocery Trip….
Here’s some of the produce I got
Fruit: Grapes, Pears, Bananas
Tomatoes and 1 Orange and 1 Yellow Bell Pepper, which were on sale for a $1 Buck Each! Nice!
Brock & Spring Mix Greens
And I Made Chocolate Brownie Protein Oats
With additional Tips Here
18 Hours later, here’s what the overnight Chocolate Brownie Protein Oats looked like
So nice to have this waiting for me in the fridge! Wheaties Chocolate for breakfast is the Breakkie of Champions!
I refilled my spice jars. I know, super thrilling, right?! haha!
One Pound Bag of Cinnamon from VitaCost = $5.04
Sidebar for an Alton Brown Moment on Cinnamon:
There are 2 varieties of cinnamon: Ceylon and Cassia.
Ceylon is rarer to find in the U.S. and more delicate in flavor, while Cassia has a significant amount of the blood-thinning phytochemical coumarin which has led Germany to ban its importation. Who knew? Acutally I did and wanted to pass on the fact that people with high blood pressure can find natural relief through cinnamon. Also cumin is great, too. Where do you think they got the name coumarin from for high blood pressure? From the spice Cumin, of course!
Mathematically speaking, if I can fill 7 of these jars from the One Pound Bag of Cinnamon, that means that essentially I filled 7 Jars for the price of 1 and I saved $30 Bucks by Buying in Bulk!
I loved the feedback and comments you gave me about what you buy in bulk and if you’re a bulk shopper or not.
And what you do to try to save money at the grocery or health food store.
Green Food was Mixed Field Greens, Asparagus, Brussels, Cukes, Tomatoes
with Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing
And Scott dug into the Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse!
Do You Shop In Bulk for Anything?
Moving onto Wednesday’s Hightlight’s
Raw Vegan Food:
Spiralized Zucchini Noodles with Raw Marinara Sauce
Plate up the Noodles and Raw Marinara Sauce
Or Skip the Marinara and Plate up the Noodles With Peanut Sauce!
For the Info about What Spiralizer I Have, Click Here.
And it’s great for Sweet Potato Curly Fries, too!
I made a Fresh Batch of Raw Vegan Coconut Oil Chocolate
…and Raw Vegan Nut Butter Filled Caramels!
There was a Hanumanasana Challenge. Well, I wouldn’t really call it a challenge, but more of a set of tips for getting into the splits.
And Utthita Hasta Padangustasana, (The Standing Splits)
Wednesday’s Questions & Feedback were:
Can You Do the Splits?
What Blogs You Read and Why and I talked about Why I Won’t Read Certain Blogs, and offered up my thoughts about what Does Make for a Good Blog
And You All Had Amazing Responses in the Comments Section! Talked about everything from Bloggers who don’t interact with their readers to developing unexpected friendships and relationships through blogging.
Thursday’s Highlights
Lots of Product Reviews!
Coconut Oil Hair Treatment
…And Lots More Products such as Pom!
Don’t you think that pomegranate syrup would be awesome on top of my Vegan Gluten-Free Pancakes? I do!
Green Food
Vegan Chunks of Energy Snacks
Raw Vegan Coconut Oil Chocolate….mmmmm, goooooood combo with the Chunks of Energy!
I had a Reminder And a Question For You All…about My Yoga and Raw Vegan Foods Retreat!
On the Beach in San Diego
August
Be there and get your Om Shanti Shanti on while eating your weight in veggies.
And I urged those who are attending or thinking of attending to seriously ponder it and get back to me asap because I have to make lodging/accommodations commitments to my vendor that I am using for lodging. We all need a place to sleep, and she is being flexible with me and is holding the rental units open, but the retreat is in the prime time of the summer and she can’t hold things open much longer with payment.
So, if you are thinking of attending the retreat, please let me know now. Either my private email or use loveveggiesandyoga@gmail.com or leave a comment here and I will get your email address from the comment form.
Thursday’s Q & A and Feedback in the Comments Section:
Do You Like Product Reviews?
Do You Have or Want a Spiralizer?
Favorite Shampoo & Conditioner and Fave Health/Beauty Products? And oh I got some awesome suggestions which I’ve already put to use, Click Here to Check out the Tips!
Your Dream Vacation?
Friday’s Highlights
My Recipes Were Published!
GF Vegan Pancakes
I Reviewed Lots of Products: Cook Books, Bora Bora & 18 Rabbits Bars, Stevia
Pics of Dessert Balls in the Cook Book
..hey wait, I have Ball Recipes, too..haha!
Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ball
Some of you may remember my Vegan Bananas Foster Recipe?
Well the 18 Rabbits Belle Bananas Foster wasn’t quite Vegan Bananas Foster, but it was banana-flavored without tasting fake.
The Cheeky Cherry Chocolate Bar…
…was a little like eating a bar form of my Raw Vegan Dark Chocolate Cherry Balls and it was good but I do love my Balls as you know.
NuNaturals Stevia Review
I Cannot Live Without the Vanilla Stevia Drops
And Reminded You of Some of My Recipes that Use The Products I Reviewed Like Stevia Recipes in my my Vegan Gluten & Soy Free Granola Recipe
And Stevia in my Overnight Chocolate Brownie Protein Oats
There’s Stevia in my Raw Vegan Banana Bourbon Vanilla Softserve for a Touch of Extra Sweetness!
Friday’s Food, Snacks, and Desserts
Popcorn Toppings
Nut Butter Filled Caramel Bites
Vegan Homemade Coconut Oil Chocolate
Friday’s Tip of the Day: Many of you have been asking me about where I get my protein powder (Sun Warrior), my probiotics (Jarrow), my supplements and natural food (Navitas Naturals), and my natural body care products (Jason) or my Stevia (NuNaturals)….well, iHerb.com.
*Use Code: AVE630 to save $5 Bucks off your iHerb.com order…they have thousands of awesome products and shipping is free on orders over $40. They are soooo much cheaper than buying retail or at Whole Foods!
Friday’s Questions Comments Were About:
Whether or Not You Like or Use Stevia
Spring Break Shenanigan Stories
Fave CookBooks
I Listed some of my Weekend Goals and you shared yours
Click Here to Check the Comments section for any discussions you missed!
Well that was massive but it didn’t take me as long as it did last week, because I didn’t drop in as many links which saved me tons of time…Anyway, if you all don’t like the recaps, holla, and I will omit them from my repertoire!
Saturday’s (Today’s!) Brownie Cupcakes Sneak Peak as Promised! And I have a way to raw-ify and veganize these which I will give you Monday!
I have Made these Before, Click Here for the Exact Blow By Blow Recipe Steps
The difference today is in the Mint Chocolate Frosting I used, as well as White Chocolate Frosting Drizzles, too! The centers today are a combo of Dark Chocolate Caramels, Milky Way Darks, and Reese’s PB Cups. Not Vegan, Not Healthy. It’s a Dessert, not kale.
Yoga Today is an oldie but a goodie: Triang Mukha Eka Pada Pashcimottanasana (One-Legged Seated Forward Bend)
For all you runners with tight knees, hamstrings, lower backs, this is an excellent pose. Don’t force it and if it’s painful, back off to Your Edge, and just breathe into the tightness. Gaze is at your big toe. Hold the pose for as long as you’d like. The longer the better! Do this one every day! It will help you remain injury-free!
Green Tip of the Day:
Re-Usable Bags! I’ve been a fan for years and feel like the Plastic Bag Police are going to hunt me down if I walk into the grocery store, or Target, the mall, the convenience store, the farmer’s market, or any retail store without my cloth bags!
- Four out of five grocery bags in the US are now plastic.
- Plastic bags cause over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animal deaths every year when animals mistake them for food.
- Our consumpion rate of plastic bags is more than 500 billion plastic bags annual – 1 million per minute.
- The average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store.
- According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. An estimated 12 million barrels of oil is required to make that many plastic bags.
- Single-use bags made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are the main culprit. Once brought into existence to tote your purchases, they’ll accumulate and persist on our planet for up to 1,000 years.
Questions
1. Do You Use Re-Usable Bags? If you normally do, and you happen to forget them in your trunk, do you cringe at the checkout when the store throws your purchase into a plastic bag?
I do and there are certain food coops where I actually feel like an eco and environmental criminal if I forget my reusable bags! haha!
2. Fave Thing You’ve Eaten so far This Weekend?
Mine is popcorn at 2am last night slathered in nooch, maca, cinnamon, and stevia. Or, the almost raw Brussels and asparagus I ate for dinner. I know, crazy but true!
3. I have been thinking strongly of moving from Blogger to WordPress. When I started my blog, I intended to go with WP but was having major issues figuring out how to use it. And, I had previously had a small mommy-blog on Blogger and after being totally frustrated with WP, I said screw it, and Love Veggies and Yoga was born as a Blogger Blog. However, the lack of pingbacks or trackbacks is reason enough to switch so when you all make a recipe of mine, I’d for sure know about it…right now, it’s pure luck unless you tell me. And of course, just the overall functionality and time-saving options that are possible with WP blogs, not to mention, Blogger Annoys with all the random glitchy things, and I would happily make the switch on account of that, too.
I simply fear not being able to decipher or figure out WP. For the WP users, any tips or info you have for me? Or for those who made the switch from Blogger to WP, thoughts, comments or feedback? In my gut, I know it’s totally the right thing to do, it’s just a project that I need to ponder if I really want to undertake it. Wanna twist my arm?
4. Do you use any Blogging Programs to help you save time? i.e. Windows Live Writer (I have a MAC so can’t) or Ecto (tried it an it ate 2 posts and I gave up on it!) and another one that I tried required a separate uploading step to Flickr which for me was duplication of effort, so I blog old school style from Blogger’s Compose Screen.
For the blogger blogs, what system do you use? And for the MAC-based Wordpress Bloggers, what do you use? Time saving tips and tricks appreciated!
