How are you doing today? I’ve had a great day! I designed some business cards for my yoga business but for a girl who feels like I need to see every last choice, I think I have looked at 9834573 versions of backgrounds, layouts, fonts, colors, from multiple online printing sites. But I decided on some zen-like cards with earthy tones of soft brown & green with white text and can’t wait to see how they look when they arrive!
Then, I had a blogger meetup with Madeline of GreensandJeans! We drank coffee, had a great time gossiping about all you other bloggies talking shop, talking life, and catching up! It was just what I needed...thanks, Madeline, you rock!
Sorry, we didn’t do a photo op today but here’s a Photo and Link to our last Coffee Cluth
And then it was time for me to get home with Skylar, get her some lunch and a nap, so I could get ready to go teach yoga. Which is where I am off to now.
But first….
I am really glad you appreciated the Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Post:
Raw Vegan Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes from yesterday’s post were a hit and they’re a cinch to whip up. 10 minutes or less so you still have time to impress your non-raw, non-vegan friends-n-fam tomorrow.
And thanks for the props on the Roasted Potatoes receips
and the Salads & Homemade Vegan Dressing Recipes
For today, let me show you just a few of the things I’ve whipped up as day-to-day eats before the Gorge Fest Thanksgiving Feast happens tomorrow.
There was a bowl of Overnight, Raw, Soaked Coconut & Mango Tropical Oats
That I made un-raw by nuking. (As I mentioned in this post, cooked food is fine. If your body asks for it, then feed it.) I added half a sliced banana, cinnamon, & brown sugar to the cooked oats.
For dinner, I made a Great Kale Salad with Cauli, Tomatoes, Brock, Orange Peppers, Asparagus….
….& My Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing just dripping off every last leaf. Delish!!!
And there was a Bed of Greens, Radiccio, Dulse Flakes, Carrots, Yellow Peppers, Cukes, Cashews…
….and the Holiday Spice Orange Viniagrette I told you about yesterday.
Skylar snacked on a Clif Bar in White Chocolate Mac Nut. I had really high hopes for this bar and I tried a tiny piece and it was kinda meh.
These are way better. Wild Blueberry Pure Bars. Num.
But I do have high standards in the Chocolate Department, I suppose. Which is why I whipped up another bath of my Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls.
I never get sick of these things!
They taste just like real raw chocolate chip cookie dough and the dough is vegan, gluten & soy-free, and they’re ready in 10 minutes or less!
But really, it doesn’t take much to impress me if you have a jar of this, TJ’s Sunflower Seed Butter. I know there are other brands, but I really love this one. So I’m not messin’ with a good great thing.
And then a spoon and dark chocolate chips. Use your imagination.
Oh, and those Raw Vegan Almond Butter Cookies that I made have been burning a hole in my vegan pocket, so I noshed on a few of those, too.
Yoga Today is Hanumanasana (Monkey Pose, or the full splits). A wonderful hip opener and way to stretch our your hammies, quads, and hip flexors.
Tip of the Day: Enjoy your holiday!!!! Don’t stress, don’t sweat the small stuff. No one will remember whatever, comment, food you made/brought/ate/didn’t eat, or you name, it in a month. So don’t worry about it now. Just enjoy your day in whatever way makes you feel special!
Tips 2 & 3–Two GiveAways:
Elina from Healthy and Sane is having a NuNaturals Stevia Products Giveaway!
Shelby, La Belle Vegan, is having a Oh Nuts Giveaway!
Is there a food you are super excited to eat on Thanksgiving? For me, honestly, I think I’ve gotta go with my raw vegan apple crumble. Not that it’s a long-standing tradition or anything, but it sure is good! If I was back home, I’d say my mom’s wild rice casserole or the homemade Christmas candy she starts breaking out before Thanksgiving are wonderful memories from my childhood. What foods do you have fond memories of or can’t wait to dig into tomorrow?
Stay Tuned For A Recap of What I Made for Thanksgiving….
i have those mango chunks in my freezer right now!! they are so tasty in smoothies with some almond milk and chocolate amazing grass!
great review on those bars! too funny that skylar loves coffee already! haha…she takes after her mama I guess!
I love your strategies, I NEVER go to a party on an empty stomach! also because I dont know what food is going to be served there so I might as well eat something that I know I like and know where it came from!
have a great night!xoxo
dude that yoga matt looks luscious. if that's even possible..
those mango chunks (haha im so immature) from tjs sound so good! i'm for sure gonna have to be on the lookout for those the next time i'm there! i'm thinking they would be delicious in some oatmeal too.
mmmm
have a great night girly!
Hahaha, only you would think to make vegan chocolate coconut snow balls with Amazing Grass ;)
Okay, this may sound awful, but if I'm in a social situation where people are eating gross food around me, I just say I'm allergic. Which is aaaalmost true. I have a digestive intolerance to high fat foods, so greasy pizza WILL make me sick. I just use that excuse kinda liberally ;)
STANDING SPLITS!! Did that this morning – loooove it.
Your Creme de Menthe bars look so professional! Uh oh, your little peanut likes the chocolate coffee?! Is she prepared for a life filled with addiction?! ;) She has good tastes!
Those Dr. Flacker's crackers sound like an awesome find! Thanks for the heads up on those.
LOVE your holiday tips! Nothing aggravates me more than hearing people "save up" for the big event. Usually I'm game for eating anything (as long as it's vegetarian) BUT I don't do fried foods. I tell people that fried foods upset my stomach (the truth) and they usually let it be. Have a wonderful evening, Averie!
I'm gonna have to try a Pro Bar. I love when you can see that they are made of REAL FOOD!
Sounds like a busy day, but it's never a bad thing to keep your mind occupied once in while!
I LOVE the idea of mixing the Chocolate Superfood in your recipe. I've only used mine in smoothies, but I imagine it could be used in almost any recipe calling for cocoa! Great idea Averie!
What an amazing yoga mat! I love how the color actually represents something as well. Reminds you of your intentions each time you get on your mat!
xxoo
Heather
I love those Trader Joes mango chunks, yum.
When I'm at a restaurant where I have trouble with the food and I'm with a bunch of people I usually either try to order it to accommodate my dietary needs, or I just eat a few bites like you said. Not ideal, but I hate to be "that girl" haha
Thanks for the product reviews!
I still can't get over those creme de menthe bars! I'm seriously thinking of making them :)
Hey Averie – Just started reading your blog, and holy mammoth posts (in a good way)! So many yummy looking foods and sweet chocolaty recipes begging to be made :)
I have those same TJ's mango chunks in my freezer – those and frozen cherries are one of my favorite lunch "desserts"!
Flackers…love the name!
Those mango chunks are my fav! So delicious!
I still can't get over the creme de menthe bars. I think you are a raw dessert genius. :)
The new dessert looks delicious, too! I love your holiday eating strategies and you know I agree with them all. Especially the part about being gentle on yourself if you do overindulge.
I use TJ's mango chunks in my shakes alot. Recently I felt like they were lacking a bit of flavor? Maybe mine are old. They've been in the freezer for awhile!
I love the chocolate amazing grass–I just might have to buy a whole container because it's that good.
I totally agree with the "saving your calories" mentality. I cringe whenever I hear someone say they do that, but I hate imposing myself and trying to explain to them how that's not necessarily the more healthy option.
I'm happy to have a family who understands that I have certain dietary restrictions and I mean nothing rude in not eating their food. I'm not quite sure how Christmas Eve will work when we visit my mom's family but there's a first for everything and I intend to bring red-colored all natural anise christmas cookies
Those crackers sound awesome.. what a great prize!!!
If Im ever at a place that I dont like (Which happens if we are visiting the in laws who enjoy chain resturants.. ahhh). I pack some trail mix, veggies, and an apple in my purse and shut my mouth.lol. Sometimes its JUST easier that way!
I just checked out your guest post.. awesome. I love Soap and Chocolate!
I love those frozen TJ's mango chunks – they have a kind of marshmallowy texture!
I actually did the very same thing with my Amazing Grass Chocolate Superfood. Although I make my own granola bars and added about 8 scoops to the granola before patting it down. It is SOOOOO yummy and so good for you too! Don't you just love it when that happens! :)
Tiffanie
http://www.healthyhappenings.blogspot.com