Pets--Our Family

We consider our family to be all living beings under our roof. There are the four humans: Mom, Dad, Jake, and myself, Amanda.  There are the two bunnies: Emma and Olivia.  There is the one dog: Bella.  We make a good sized-family, with plenty to do and never a boring moment.

Bella with her shades

Bella and I love to play.  I dress her up only on rare occasions and when she lets me.  She tends to like wearing glasses and the like.  She even has her own Instagram!

Resting in the grass

On hot summer days, after we've run and splashed around, and after she's had a nice cool drink and a treat, she like to just lay in the shade and watch us do our thing.

"Will you play with me?"

She loves to give me the puppy dog eyes, because she knows I'll always fall for it!  Whether its just some loving and petting or its to run and play around the yard, I can never say no to that face!

Meet Emma

This is Emma, our curious, happy bunny.  She loves to run around in the grass and eat green things--especially kale.

Meet Olivia

This is Olivia.  She is much more cautious than Emma, and is more likely to nip or scratch at you than sniff you in curiosity.  She likes green things and carrots.

Cuddling Bunnies

Emma and Olivia love being together.  They are sisters, so they don't leave each other's side very often.  They may fight at times, chasing each other around in circles...but at the end of the day, they're good friends.  They love being out on the grass, and we try to take them out of their hut as often as possible so that they can enjoy the cool grass in the shade and have more room to run around.

Do you have any furry, scaly, feather-y family member?

Being Vegan at Parties

Let's face it. If you're vegan and you've had to go somewhere that's not vegan, like a friend's house or a family gathering, it can be a bit tough.  Especially if you're the only vegan.  And you should still be considerate.  So, what is the proper etiquette for being a vegan guest?  Here's what we think.

Proper Vegan Guest Etiquette:

1. When you get the invitation, mention that you are vegan (If they don't already know). You don't want to seem rude at the party/gathering/event not eating any food.
2. If they ask what they can make for you, be careful.  Don't ask for anything crazy.  No tofu dishes.  Mention that you can eat most sides without butter, and offer to bring a dish that you can eat.
3. The day of the event, eat before you go! Being hungry and not having many options to eat will definitely make you a party pooper.  And you want people to like the happy, energetic vegan that you are! If you bring your own dish, you probably won't need to eat much before you go, however.
4. At the event, try not to be defensive about being vegan.  Come up with answers to the common questions before you go. Some of the most common ones include "How do you get your protein?", "What do you eat other than vegetables?"  and "Why are you vegan?".  Have a positive attitude and try to have thoughtful answers. So, really, one of the most important things is to be the bigger person.  You're already healthier! Try and be kinder too. 

A New Year

This past year has been full of ups and downs for the two of us.  For myself, I have not only started school as a college freshman, but I have learned lot about myself along the way.  I have encountered some obstacles, but have experienced many good times in the previous year.  I have some Resolutions I hope to accomplish this year to be a better student, a happier person, and a healthier hippie. ;)

Together, my Mom and I share a New Year's Resolution to make this blog more a part of our schedules, as it speaks to both of our passions.  My motto for the year? "If it makes you happy, do it.  If it doesn't, don't." Simple and sweet, and exactly what we all need in life.  What other point is there to life than being happy? I'm sure that's quite debatable, but that's my personal philosophy.

The end of 2013 came quickly, with me packing up again to come home for a month.  Then there were the holidays and all sorts of parties to attend.  Being vegan at other people's houses proved to be a challenge, but it can be made a lot easier with a smile and a good attitude.  We've learned through the years a few other tricks as well, such as eating before we go so that we aren't starving when we find out all we can eat is the salad. ;) For more tips on eating at other people's houses and vegan etiquette, go here!

One of the best reasons for coming home!

The first big event of the end of the year was Christmas. It is one of my favorite holidays!  My brother and I are much older than most kids who get excited for Christmas, but that doesn't stop us!  My brother and I wake up early in the morning every year, wake our exhausted parents up and drag them out of bed, and run to see what Santa wrote in his letter and how much of the carrots the reindeer nibbled at. ;)  After that the 5 of us (Us two, Jake, Dad, and Bella) sit around and open our gifts.  My favorite part is watching Bella, our three-year old puppy attacking her presents.  She got a stuffed fox on Christmas Day, and it has become her best friend, she brings her around everywhere with her.

A dying tree from our hill re-purposed for a while

Bella, tuckered out after all the hard work of Xmas gifts

One of my favorite decorations-the Xmas Village

New Year's eve was another exciting event, which we host every year.  I absolutely love watching the ball drop, having some Shirley Temples, and calling all our family members who are too far away to be there when the clock strikes 12.

Bella posing for New Year's Eve

And now it is 2014.  Many of us have created New Year's Resolutions and have been working on them for the past two weeks, how are they going for you?  We have a long ways ahead, but they say if you can do anything for three weeks, it becomes a habit.  So, hold on for one more week!  What are your New Year's Resolutions? Comment above!

Wishing You A Safe, Healthy, and very Happy 2014!

Neal Barnard, M.D.'s Scrambled Tofu

*In case you'd like to know the scrambled tofu recipe we enjoy that I was talking about in the last blog, here it is. This comes from a Wonderful book that was the turning point for my husband & I 19 years ago. Please read if you ever get a chance. I re read it once a year.There are so many great recipes in here.

Chickpea-tofu salad

So my son & I are enjoying a day off of school today & decided to make up a healthy lunch to eat. Here's what we came up with. :) *We used leftover scrambled tofu from our Sunday Breakfast meal yesterday....the idea is you can always come up with creative salads. You can never become bored with salads. Be as creative as you want! Here's our version.


Ingredients:
Romaine lettuce (1 head, shredded in big pieces& rinsed & dried)
Fresh Spinach(rinsed & dried)
Fresh Kale(rinsed & dried)
Can of chickpeas(drained)
Approx.1/2 cup leftover scrambled tofu*
2 TBSPNS Tahini
1 sheet Nori (shredded)
2 TBSPNS Gomashio
Sprinkle of S&P(to taste)
2 TBSPNS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Mix in a big bowl altogether & enjoy as a salad or as my son suggested put in a wrap...Yummo!
(He's so smart:) )
* My favorite scrambled tofu recipe is Dr. Neal Barnard's recipe from the book that changed my life"Food for Life".

Blueberry chocolate Smoothie

Yummo!!! A Low Calorie, Delicious Smoothie here for Yah. Hope you enjoy this refreshing treat that's good for you! :)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
1 1/2 cups soy milk
2 blocks 90% Lindt dark chocolate
(Break chocolate into bits)
1 TBSPN Flaxseed meal
3 ice cubes
Blend all together in a blender & drink!!! Yummy in the tummy!

Mama G's Autumn Soup

Autumn is here & so are cold days & nights. There is nothing quite like sitting with a cup of hot homemade soup, all cuddled up in a blanket, snuggled by a fire. Here is a soup I like to make that varies from time to time depending on the ingredients in my cupboard. This recipe is my most recent. Hope you enjoy it. It's loaded with vitamins & minerals & it warms the soul. So pull on a blanket, pour yourself a cup & make a fire(or turn the fire on as I do with my electric one..heehee) & enjoy! :) 

Ingredients :                      

•  Grapeseed oil, 1-10 oz.fresh white mushrooms(rinsed, dried & chopped)
• 2 carrots(peeled & chopped into half coins)
• 2 leeks(peeled,washed&coined)
• 2 shallots (peeled & chopped)
• fresh bag spinach(rinsed)
• 1 lb.frozen broccoli
• 1 cup fresh lentils
• 1 can green beans, drained(or 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen)
• 1 can pinto beans(rinsed & drained) 
• 4 red potatoes(washed & chopped small)
• 2 boxes vegetable broth(32 oz.each)
• dried 1 tsp of each of these: oregano, basil, celery salt, garlic salt, onion powder, turmeric, and ground black pepper, and gomashio
• 1 tsp dried of each of these: chives & cumin
• 2 tsps. sea salt & 1 sheet of Nori ground in a coffee grinder(you can shred into tiny pieces if you don't own a grinder).                                              

1. Chop all ingredients, wash & dry & set aside. Prep is the key to making it go smoothly.
2. Heat 1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil in stock put & throw in shallots. Cook till soft.                             
3. Throw in mushrooms. Cook till soft. Add 2 Tbsp. veg.broth.
4. Throw in Leeks. Cook for 3 mins. Add 1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil.
5. Throw in carrots & red potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes. Add more broth as needed- make sure covers veggies.
6. Add 12 cups water & stir. Add fresh spinach, broccoli, green beans, pinto beans & lentils. Cook for 5 mins.
7. Add 1 last Tbsp. Grapeseed oil & all dried herbs, spices/ seasoning EXCEPT for Gomashio, Nori, S&P. Stir & cook for 15 mins.
8. Pour in rest of vegetable broth, S & P. Cook for 20 mins.
9. Add Gomashio & Nori & cook for 5 mins.

This may seem to take awhile, but it is worth it & you can do stuff around the house during each interval of cooking time. Perhaps pick out a great classic movie to watch with your soup? ;)
Hope you enjoy! Please let me know if you enjoyed or any variations you might have used.
HAPPY AUTUMN!