There's a great contest going on at the blog (which is a really wonderful blog to read whether you practice yoga or not), Nikki is so insightful and a SUPER yoga teacher! Live.Love.Yoga blog Here's the Yoga Graffiti contest link, the deadline has been extended until tonight...so if you've been out tagging, donate and enter! Here's a couple of mine that I did not enter, Mom and I were having fun with the tree that they lost in one of the tornado storms in their woods. I have just returned to the mat from a too long hiatus (no reason....ugh) and am getting back into my practice and loving it more than ever. My poses are evolving so please don't judge (there is no judging in yoga anyway =)
flying my crow on the tree ;)
my wheel
So I'm sure many of you know the whole deal with Whole Foods and some distributors removing kombucha until a labeling issue has been sorted out. If you haven't heard the official scoop, you can read it here. I did a little stocking up before the co-op was sold out ;)
I remembered to make it to the farmer's market today before they closed, I was really wanting some delicious local (organic of course) toms and I got some, along with a wee little cabbage and garlic (all organic) I tasted some delicious kimchi and fermented turnips from the Brinery, they both were really great, but I didn't have enough money, maybe next time.
We've had many family functions here lately and one of the first ones was on Father's Day I made the carrot cake cupcakes from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World. I've had the soy yogurt leftover from the recipe and decided to mix in some chia at night and eat as a pudding in the morning, oh boy was this yummy! I haven't had soy yogurt in a very long time, it tasted good if a little too sweet maybe. Anyway this was a good way to use it up, waste not want not, right?
on the same topic we had some sauce left over from making a big family dinner last week so we used it tonight over vegan artichoke and olive ravioli.
with salads of greens and herbs from our garden. Basil is really delicious julienned in your salad along with the most delicious avocado, one day I may just turn into one, haha! These greens are an heirloom mix of romaine and butter and oh man is it good like my favorite green of the moment! I'll have to look up the seed packet to find out the actual variety (I'm kinda tuckered out and in bed making this post, hubby sleeping, fireworks popping outside, and two cats purring away =)
I've been in a dressing rut lately and making the same one over and over, hubby says it's ok because it's really good ;) I've just been whipping up Udo's oil, coconut vinegar, maply, dijon mustard, s+p, and nooch. So quick and yummy.
We love to eat dinner alfresco in the summer and this is the sky we ate under tonight. Gorgeous Simpson's clouds.
I'll leave you with the craving that I keep indulging in daiya and brown rice quesadillas (dear Food For LIfe, please start making these organic =) I am loving this daiya!
ok, time to give Marley his medicine (he's going to be so excited;) Night nite all and thanks for stopping by!
Still playing a little catch up here, life is fun and busy! Back on Memorial Day which was my birthday this year we went to the Tiger's game with Mom and Dad. We've had some really wonderful weather so far this spring/summer and it was not disappointing with a nice thunderstorm on game day my BD. We had a nice time walking around during the rain delay and when the game started it was so hot and humid (just the way I like it) and sunny! Here we are in Detroit ringing in year #32 ;)
aren't my parents cute? I just love em! Mom btw has embarked on a dietary evolution of her own and is now about 2+ weeks land animal free =)
a little recycling action for all those water and brewpop bottles.
rain delay action
We had lunch at one of the restaurants in the ballpark that has a yummy vegggie burger and came home for dessert of raw chocolate mint bars =) The recipe is there, make these, they are AWESOME! Mine came out a little better looking this time as I cut them while they were still a bit frozen and green this time was spinach, I still used chia gel as the thickener and it worked great.
One of my absolute favorite humans was in Michigan recently to play a show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. I went earlier in the day as they were playing a free accoustic set at Goodnite Gracie's for 93.9. I don't think that I can put into words the influence Michael Franti and his music has had on me...with that said this was obviously a great happy day =) =) =)
accoustic set, awesome to see their smiling faces and feeling the sound of sunshine
I had some time before Dave was getting into town, I had packed us a dinner of fruit, nut butter and jelly sands, lemonade, and waters...I was trying to save a little dough...so I went to the bookstore and spent it on these ;)
got a parking ticket while I was doing some menu research for a girl trip to town next week. Dave arrived, we walked around town eating our sands and drinking kombucha, spotted Michael going to the Yoga shelter for a class before the show. I was then wishing I hadn't just eaten ( I had my mat and pants in the Jeep in case there was any impromptu yoga happening) we'll just have to get to the PTTP festival in SF so we can practice with them! We stopped into Nutri-Foods to look around. They stock Foods Alive flax crackers! We got two flavors, yum!
Into the show we got our dancing and bliss on, I can not encourage you enough to go to a show and bring the family, you'll see kiddos at the end =) There was a Momma with little ones in front of us and one of her daughters fell fast asleep before Michael came on and we offered to take turns holding her, it was adorable she hugged right up on Dave and continued to sleep (she had ear plugs in). I guess what I'm saying is the kind of atmosphere and fans are not to be missed, free hugs (I'm a hugger;) and endless smiles, one of the best places to be!
I ended up breaking my purse strap and losing my Franti says react pin...I had fun (only fueled by Kombucha too in case you're wondering ;) I did get a new tshirt with sweet lyrics.
such an awesome ending that kids get to dance and sing on stage with the band, so joyful! Michael gave the wee little guy up there a set of drumsticks and he played with the drummer from One Eskimo, very sweet. One of the girls finished up the show by singing the last lyrics to Say Hey I love you.
and icing on the raw cake is that I got to meet and hug =)
A cool sticker from Bells that I picked up recently at the World of Beer in Frankenmuth. ( I know they're being funny,but at least it's bringing up the topic of animal testing) Also, if you love your beer hoppy and not a Michigander (I think we all already know about Bells) see if you can try some Two-Hearted.
holy wow, it's been a long time since I've posted. I've been taking lots of pics and up to lots of fun things, just haven't put my butt in the chair to do some posting. I'll get to everything eventually, but some of the things we've been up to: remodelling our last room in the house(well aside from two bathrooms, but they are in the future so I don't count them yet ;) , lots and lots of family visiting, meeting a brand new beautiful baby niece, helping with a garage sale at my parent's, gettting ready for our garage sale, a long Memorial Day weekend with my hubby which happened to be my BD this year :) , Detroit Tiger's game in the rain(two before the perfect game), back on the yoga mat (ahhhhhhhhhh), some severe weather with tornados near my hometown (my Mom lost her truck when a tree was uprooted, I'll share photos later, it's pretty amazing) and yesterday I was able to see Michael Franti play twice and I got to hug, oh man yesterday was a great one!!!! I'm still dancing and singing, pretty sure I was in my sleep too, there's nothing like it, go see a show if you can! (they'll be in Grand Rapids tonight)
I harvested our chives that had returned from last year, cleaned and prepped some for freezing, and gave a bunch away. That's a lot of chives for two folks ;)
I chopped, added a bit of water and froze into cupcake size discs for hopefully adding to recipes successfully. I haven't done this before, but I think it will work well ;)
after a bit in the freezer I let them hang until they fell out, it didn't take very long, it's been pretty hot here.
the end result
Some of the chive blossoms made a pretty bouquet.
Some of the fresh chives were made into Ani Phyo's Cashew Sour Cream and Chives from Ani's Raw Food Kitchen
clean ingredients
a lightly baked sweet with sour kream and chives, yum yum yum!
A couple Saturdays ago Dave and I had a great day of errands together with success in both finding our outfits for an upcoming wedding where we both will be taking part in the service, Dave is so handsome in his suit and suspenders =). We also ordered our toilet for the new half bath that is almost complete now =) We decided on a dual flush Caroma Caravelle from BGreen in Ann Arbor, it should be in soon, I'm so excited! Yes, you read that right I'm excited about a toilet ;) We also found a sweet magnet for the Jeep in the store!
We hit up the A2 farmer's market, which was so busy =) We bought some organic tomatoes and a snake plant for the house. I've been wanting to find one since they are such good air cleaners for the indoor air. It was $16 for the pot and all, and the lady selling them was so cute!
Tomatoes came from here in the greenhouse, so delicious to have local fresh tomatoes already!
We also swung by Roos Roast just as he was leaving, he was kind enough to get Dave a cup of iced chicory. The aroma inside was amazing, brought me right back to my days of espresso slinging and coffee roasting at Gratzi (anyone else remember the Gratzi Coffeehouse days???)!
I was one of the lucky winners of Larabar's prize pack giveaways for the retirement of the Pistachio (which is delicious btw) Here's my swag they were generous to send, a tshirt, 4 pistachio Larabars, a sticker, and a rubber band. When I first became vegan these were my little saviours when I was in need of something quick, I think I will always remember just how delicious the lemon bar tastes on the drive home from Sunflower Farmers Market in the hot hot hot Las Vegas sun =) We still keep a little stash of these in the fridge ( I like them cold and firm) and will often share them on carrides or anytime inbetween meals. They are also perfect for taking in your purse incase you won't have many/any vegan food options at a destination/party, etc. Our alltime favorite is probably cashew cookie tied with key lime pie, but I am LOVING the new PB&J a lot! There are 5 flavors I haven't tried, so maybe I should get on that... ;)
the band hard at work holding our organic wild blueberries from TJoes tight
and me having some fun with Larabar and dancer
Mom and Dad gave me some flowers for the house as part of my BD, aren't these so pretty!
Mom also shared blooms from her rose bush, they smelled devine and brought a smile to our kitchen window.
And since I'm still singing I'll leave you with this
"you're perfect just the way you are, just the way you are, shake it shake it shake it"
Michael Franti
