How did Monday shape up for you? Hopefully everyone has a short holiday week this week and is gearing up to spend time with your family and friends and just get some R&R in!
I got a great surprise today. A woman called me and offered me a job at her gym to teach a few yoga classes. So that’s the third studio I now have yoga teaching gigs at, and I am soooo excited! It feels wonderful to be wanted, respected, appreciated by students, and paid, for my yoga skills and knowledge. After giving 110% of myself to pregnancy and new motherhood, and now that Skylar is almost 3 years, it’s time for me to start working outside of the home more because I need that for myself, and reconnecting with my passion for teaching yoga is just what the Zen Doctor ordered.
I’m thrilled about the positive feedback on the Raw Vegan Almond Butter Cookies! Yay! So good, so easy, you probably already have the ingredients on hand, no gluten or soy, and no fancy appliances needed. Yeah, they hit the vegan cookie spot, for sure!
First up for today, I thought I’d show you a few grocery store & foodie finds….
Vanilla Extract. Doesn’t look like anything special? Well it was. On special, that is. Half-price. This was a $24.99 bottle on sale for $12.99. Score! Does anyone else go through vanilla extract like it’s water? I could bathe in the stuff!
Not TechicallyVegan, but close enough Festive. Semi-sweet Chocolate & Mint Holiday Chips. I’m thinking of veganizing Creme de Menthe bars with these.
I found this big bag of Gluten-Free Snack Crackers-meets-Flax Seed-Chips for $1.99
Skylar doesn’t know the difference between flax seeds and Fritos, good. Let’s keep it that way.
She does like Pure Bars. This one is the Chocolate Chip Trail Mix Flavor. Nice chunks of Raw Cocoa Nibs, Almonds, Dates. Yum!
Ok, So I like ’em too.
I found this Caramel Corn at TJ’s. Not health food, but not a disaster, either. No gluten or dairy listed on the label. Score! And, Yes, there is corn syrup. Cest la vie.
Dinner was my Vegan take on “Cesar” Salad. Romaine, cukes, tomatoes, raw almonds and dressed with my Vegan Homemade “Cesar” Dressing. Really easy, really good. Try it!
For Dessert for the big Thanksgiving Day Feast, I am not sure whether to make my No-Bake Vegan Pumpkin Pie (that’s also gluten & soy free!)
Or My Raw Vegan Apple Crumble
…Or Apple.
What are you going to do? Store-bought? It’s ok, whatever is Easiest & the Least Stress: Go With That! Check out my last post about my thoughts on Letting Things Slide.
But back to desserts, my recipes are no more than 15 minutes for the Apple and about 20 for the Pumpkin. Just sayin’…
Since I didn’t have any Apple or Pumpkin Desserts on hand, but I did have some Raw Vegan Almond Butter Cookies, it was a no-brainer.
I Munched These. With pleasure.
Yoga Today is Parsva Bakasana (Side Crow Pose)
Tip of the Day: Recently, I’ve been asked about Staying Raw or Vegan through the winter months when it may be colder and you’re less than inspired to be either raw or vegan. Which is fine! Go with what works for your body; honor & respect what your body is asking for. Mine asks for high raw, all vegan. However, I do eat cooked foods and who cares. If I want it, I eat it. Done. But find your own path, find what your body, mind, and soul is asking for, not just with food, but with everything else, too.
What’s your comfort food during the winter months? Or how about any time you need a comfort food, what do you gravitate toward? Mine would definitely be extra coffee or even a nice cup of tea in the beverage department and in the food department, it would have to be sweets or a dessert, and lately I’ve been loving my Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls. They really hit the comfort spot. What’s your Comfort Food?
Stay Tuned For A Last Minute Pumpkin Dessert Recipe for the Big Day…
First of all, I just want to say that you and I have SUCH similar goals, lifestyles, interests, and morals. I truly admire your sense of self and your drive to pursue what your heart desires. I'm going to do some thinking this morning, but I'd love to email you with my thoughts on my future goals/career. It really helps to get someone else's voice who understands where I'm coming from. :)
LOVE your Black Friday ipod speakers!!! Those will be PERFECT for yoga. I usually just bring my laptop into my parent's room (where I practice yoga) and listen to my session right from there, but I would just LOVE to have portable speakers! Haha, and don't feel too guilty about not backing up your computer… I've had mind since August and haven't backed it up yet either. I know, TERRIBLE, especially since my itunes has 1064 items at 6.68 GB. ;)
xxoo
Heather
Congrats on the new purchases! I hear you about unplugging once in awhile. I am at a phone and computer all day for work which has led to some sporatic blogging. But as much as I love the blog world, sometimes a book, playing with the kids, etc is so much more important.
Love your yoga room too! Great place for little (and big) girls to dance!
Some great black Friday deals! And yes, both necessities (but still fun!) for sure.
Sounds like you are making some great new yoga friends and connections – it's always great to be around like minded people in real life. Talk about unplugging! A REAL face to face conversation with someone? Almost unheard of these days! ;)
Oh my Goodness. you Vegans sure don't deprive yourself! Turkey? What? Who cares when you've got all those amazing side dishes?! Invite me over next time please! I'll do the dishes! >.<
i want that pie :) you are amazing!!
i think i really need to set a limit on plugged in time, and if i don't get to things one day, wipe my reader clean so i don't feel behind!
Okay girl, we are going to need to talk about these thin mints over coffee this week…
You go girl! Fun pictures. :)
Cheers XOXO,
Kristen
Great highlights! I also think your speaker system looks awesome — almost as awesome as Skylar's moves :)
Wow! What a foodgasmic post! haha. Those raw desserts look SO good. I really am going to try those almond cookies once I finish off my cookie dough balls. I haven't backed up my shiz on my computer in a while either. Really need to do that.
Can't wait for the unveiling of that new dessert!
Amazing food choices :) Technology can be very overwhelming… still trying to balance it all out. Got a blackberry now I am more connected with everything… which I am not sure is a good thing!
I got to the store yesterday at about 3 pm, too. It wasn't so bad, not very crowded.
I am a certified trainer, and will respond to you in an email now. :)
Haha, unprotected cyber sex, great comparison.
I almost bought a camera but decided that I didn't need to make the monetary splurge… or the store decided for me when they were all out. Boo.
I can not wait for that vegan dessert as it sounds phenomenal already.
You are an amazing and creative cook. I wish you were my neighbor so I can pop in for left overs.
Love the action photos of Skylar dancing- she's such a hoot!
75 vinyasas and I'd be unable to comb my hair for a week! You go girl!
Everything looks amazing Averie! Seriously, I need to come over and feast!
Thin mint + brownie + buttercream frosting?! I MUST see this dessert!!
FABUOUS highlights!!
Half moon = a variation of my all-time favorite yoga pose, TWISTING half moon :)