tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17943559133083845442024-03-13T22:58:30.814-04:00Everyday RevelryA Constellation of Words, Passions and InspirationLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-1380480398479456942012-09-24T07:35:00.001-04:002012-09-24T07:38:59.225-04:00DC VegFest 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://dcvegfest.com/">DC VegFest</a> was this weekend! I wait all year for this one day festival of a celebration of all things veggie in the DC/MD/VA area (and even some from farther away)! It had a new location, tons of new vendors, great speakers and beautiful, sunny weather. It was great to see so many vegans, vegetarians, veg-friendly folks and curious omnivores in one place!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX0_-5kxUdQWVAQLLFbGNEOdL9ChndB4L3pGuyffx8xwlTsyHi1YWvmmGIX7mhttit6tYuvFBESA9AOAf1PpxIfdaDS4fCquWnxEwCCDcA014B1lOeLKgqOMem5jGdbok7wX9eQwcIG0/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX0_-5kxUdQWVAQLLFbGNEOdL9ChndB4L3pGuyffx8xwlTsyHi1YWvmmGIX7mhttit6tYuvFBESA9AOAf1PpxIfdaDS4fCquWnxEwCCDcA014B1lOeLKgqOMem5jGdbok7wX9eQwcIG0/s320/IMG_1679.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Beautiful baked goods from <a href="http://vegantreats.com/">Vegan Treats</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH22zH4sM7lmq9Te_QI25T9-NW3Cy6-3Nsmfh7DY_QLUCrP1OdmCngPqwZcHRwExFjokTt2wOan3MVFiwrJL05zbGV_jKvYZffNYTVJDvCieN2tza8hZ9HE8OajRfky9frDjTi8N1PGdk/s1600/IMG_1683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH22zH4sM7lmq9Te_QI25T9-NW3Cy6-3Nsmfh7DY_QLUCrP1OdmCngPqwZcHRwExFjokTt2wOan3MVFiwrJL05zbGV_jKvYZffNYTVJDvCieN2tza8hZ9HE8OajRfky9frDjTi8N1PGdk/s320/IMG_1683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yards Park, the new location for <a href="http://dcvegfest.com/">DC Vegfest,</a> had some beautiful views. It was also nice to be able to get away from the crowds for a bit to have some lunch by the water!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmH-Q4D6bQRA3OoB7iDYVDLXLS6OQj2ms2WfbjQWESKPVaaLxgcpR4fWRVhUeFWVCTJmiVWZV33ZwHeaTEhaGapyoheKLiy2zYDtaQ2Z7TspKWFx32wxpElpSU_tPNZgTgidGHn4ffeo/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmH-Q4D6bQRA3OoB7iDYVDLXLS6OQj2ms2WfbjQWESKPVaaLxgcpR4fWRVhUeFWVCTJmiVWZV33ZwHeaTEhaGapyoheKLiy2zYDtaQ2Z7TspKWFx32wxpElpSU_tPNZgTgidGHn4ffeo/s320/IMG_1688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Posing with the DC VegFest carrot!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFo2ssJWlfoNW4cE2fLjZE8BqgWIpsOoRuDZ3oqj3ey80JZAeV2CaScwsmSS3tFbFpbSYLmwOCAT9lcdFKiDSW209BlkZU6ywQuQit-bBS1fGKaRcPhQ6L4x_HIUu96L505r9yrnW1f4/s1600/IMG_1690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFo2ssJWlfoNW4cE2fLjZE8BqgWIpsOoRuDZ3oqj3ey80JZAeV2CaScwsmSS3tFbFpbSYLmwOCAT9lcdFKiDSW209BlkZU6ywQuQit-bBS1fGKaRcPhQ6L4x_HIUu96L505r9yrnW1f4/s320/IMG_1690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jesse trying loads of delicious vegan food. I think this was Jamaican. I had a delicious lunch from <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/dama-pastry-and-restaurant-arlington">Dama Ethiopian restaurant</a>. There was so much to choose from!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6Ww0HZAfGhrBsDLD2mQwwf9dJArsdt7em44Eh4QXwZ0nah0kSpdQLyXcsDQoqlQz00R1v2idNqMp1NxPEMZcj6CQNwO6Dhmn4DkKG89PIKZCZa7Aox9XB4gmi-XNVp-HT8n5ozp0wh0/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6Ww0HZAfGhrBsDLD2mQwwf9dJArsdt7em44Eh4QXwZ0nah0kSpdQLyXcsDQoqlQz00R1v2idNqMp1NxPEMZcj6CQNwO6Dhmn4DkKG89PIKZCZa7Aox9XB4gmi-XNVp-HT8n5ozp0wh0/s320/IMG_1691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This beautiful guy or girl was up for adoption! We so wish we could've taken him/her home with us!</div>
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We already can't wait for next year!</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-46269890714475182142012-09-17T07:52:00.000-04:002012-09-17T07:52:00.344-04:002012 Walk for Farm Animals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This past weekend we participated in the 2012 Walk for Farm Animals to benefit the work of <a href="http://www.farmsanctuary.org/">Farm Sanctuary</a>. It was absolutely perfect weather and we had such a good time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqNt5abDZ7U8qdZSWJZpGFaeBthKZ2CPS-VgeFGL7hP7Am_jRgzkakL2vwKfJptwtZ7SpygcCwVjnIU-BLzyIRhtrMKgRCSOb_-4nOQAH7fUkBah16qEypsGjBxPI9jCCqCmsLR_Q04s/s1600/J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqNt5abDZ7U8qdZSWJZpGFaeBthKZ2CPS-VgeFGL7hP7Am_jRgzkakL2vwKfJptwtZ7SpygcCwVjnIU-BLzyIRhtrMKgRCSOb_-4nOQAH7fUkBah16qEypsGjBxPI9jCCqCmsLR_Q04s/s320/J.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Jesse posing in front of the Washington Monument before the walk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzhRrVBKwNEfxb5ylOZtV6MKmZaImOAXgGUa4WMw-0gY5oFgp-nPogQgEKtjq63-qU_azvtBaJ7KCr-dckJhm0Ta43qn8IB5u081kvD0_zTU-GGaaceZZlSDqYFIuEl_jLIVRVEIJoJw/s1600/Pig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzhRrVBKwNEfxb5ylOZtV6MKmZaImOAXgGUa4WMw-0gY5oFgp-nPogQgEKtjq63-qU_azvtBaJ7KCr-dckJhm0Ta43qn8IB5u081kvD0_zTU-GGaaceZZlSDqYFIuEl_jLIVRVEIJoJw/s320/Pig.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Someone brought their pet pig to the walk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoDCIJYF19KwmDdW7NX9ewwqDhq5Q1ci_HtlkLrqOlAUANzf6HRbVWLax1EphbnXb4fsKjaZdDg12jUUibQshBDy0jvTFpYvN-csLp4zzlLUE0fQTnXH50IPPUf96WWVFFZqoIlBYklU/s1600/Capitol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoDCIJYF19KwmDdW7NX9ewwqDhq5Q1ci_HtlkLrqOlAUANzf6HRbVWLax1EphbnXb4fsKjaZdDg12jUUibQshBDy0jvTFpYvN-csLp4zzlLUE0fQTnXH50IPPUf96WWVFFZqoIlBYklU/s320/Capitol.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mid-walk: Love this picture of the cow and pig with the Capitol building in the background.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucUBVAHG8gWe-2YB7DPTUIinZE3hosGm5kCSyklUdTcgNn7u7tBtbN9PublyZufCMBIbD_SrOzxOZZ2yRpQJZ8HhbeQnXgswqNhVYULb3yiUa1HMfkKI_VVzf6XH9MfAw9G2fzYVtQ1E/s1600/253174_10101701464079194_1974690130_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucUBVAHG8gWe-2YB7DPTUIinZE3hosGm5kCSyklUdTcgNn7u7tBtbN9PublyZufCMBIbD_SrOzxOZZ2yRpQJZ8HhbeQnXgswqNhVYULb3yiUa1HMfkKI_VVzf6XH9MfAw9G2fzYVtQ1E/s320/253174_10101701464079194_1974690130_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Posing with the mascots!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNF7HHSmASdMAn00su6WKJL4838xlQOzg_jGakaDdlW34k8Br90dG0iEhd6rI3qj0RNrmwYIC-dRcZX9du6PEA7DTSmZd4kaDL-NE8kfPWWixhCLFNYHcVWdyzj61aYsKGI5stYbs69fo/s1600/Gene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNF7HHSmASdMAn00su6WKJL4838xlQOzg_jGakaDdlW34k8Br90dG0iEhd6rI3qj0RNrmwYIC-dRcZX9du6PEA7DTSmZd4kaDL-NE8kfPWWixhCLFNYHcVWdyzj61aYsKGI5stYbs69fo/s320/Gene.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At the end of the walk, we were treated to a talk by Gene Baur, the founder of Farm Sanctuary. The bottom line of his talk? Go vegan!</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-77346126478053140792012-08-02T15:26:00.001-04:002012-08-02T15:26:07.955-04:00Revelry Review: We Need to Talk About Kevin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDZ6o0rtsg6VNM-o-71SgVK4p20skwZ3Kn0omLsDd0Lm0fr6OuFzUjmtZzTHqJTPnvxIo3waKx-1rh-jgs7Ew6bNkgR0kp1odnr0CkRf9JzdVfwv1PWiavN73NB8g-NreJkbOcM6QX1Y/s1600/weneedtotalkaboutkevin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDZ6o0rtsg6VNM-o-71SgVK4p20skwZ3Kn0omLsDd0Lm0fr6OuFzUjmtZzTHqJTPnvxIo3waKx-1rh-jgs7Ew6bNkgR0kp1odnr0CkRf9JzdVfwv1PWiavN73NB8g-NreJkbOcM6QX1Y/s1600/weneedtotalkaboutkevin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDZ6o0rtsg6VNM-o-71SgVK4p20skwZ3Kn0omLsDd0Lm0fr6OuFzUjmtZzTHqJTPnvxIo3waKx-1rh-jgs7Ew6bNkgR0kp1odnr0CkRf9JzdVfwv1PWiavN73NB8g-NreJkbOcM6QX1Y/s320/weneedtotalkaboutkevin.jpg" width="212" /></a>How is it possible that I had never read <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Need-Talk-About-Kevin-tie/dp/0062119044/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">We Need to Talk About Kevin</a></em>? It won the <a href="http://www.orangeprize.co.uk/">Orange Prize</a> in 2005 and yet I had never heard of it until Tilda Swinton was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in the film adaptation. Even then, I am not sure I realized it was a novel until I stumbled across it while perusing the stacks in <a href="http://www.strandbooks.com/">The Strand</a> in New York City.<br />
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Here is the <a href="http://orange.gospoken.com/page/book/9781847651747/we-need-to-talk-about-kevin;jsessionid=CBAE0CDB24DBD7D3CDF1BBF9131869D4">synopsis from the Orange Prize website</a>:<br />
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"Kevin Katchadourian killed seven of his fellow high-school students, a cafeteria worker and a teacher, shortly before his sixteenth birthday. He is visited in prison by his mother, Eva, who narrates in a series of letters to her estranged husband Franklin, the story of Kevin's upbringing.</div>
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A successful career woman, Eva is reluctant to forgo her independence and the life she shares with Franklin to become a mother. Once Kevin is born, she experiences extreme alienation and dislike of Kevin as he grows up to become a spiteful and cruel child. When Kevin commits murder, Eva fears that her own shortcomings may have shaped what her son has become. But how much is she to blame? And if it isn't her fault, why did he do it?"<br />
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I think because I am a part of the generation that was perhaps most impacted by what happened at Columbine (I was a junior in high school), I desperately seek answers to why people commit these kinds of violent acts. I pore over news articles, books, videos, etc. every time something of this nature happens, with both intrigue and fear coursing through my veins. As an aside, if you are interested in learning more about the Columbine massacre, I highly recommend you read David Cullen's book, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Columbine-Dave-Cullen/dp/0446546925/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343935301&sr=1-1&keywords=columbine">Columbine</a></em>. It's fantastic.<br />
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<em>We Need to Talk About Kevin</em> provides another (albeit fictional) perspective to the mix: the novel is told from the point of view of Kevin's mother. I cannot even begin to understand a fraction of the anguish, guilt and other mixed feelings that the parents of these teenagers feel, but this book makes one attempt. How much are the parents or other family dynamics to blame? How is someone's behavior shaped? Where is the line between a moody teenager and someone who will commit this type of heinous crime? <br />
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I <em>inhaled</em> this book. It had my absolute attention every night for a week. The writing was superb and the form (of letters by Kevin's mother written to her estranged husband) provided insights that might not have otherwise existed. By the end of the book, I was begging everyone I know to read it so that we could talk about both the book and the bigger questions it raises. This one would be excellent for a book club pick. And the movie version? It was good but due to the time limits, they had to leave out a lot of small moments and details that held so much meaning. Read the book first!<br />
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-63537987356176972232012-07-27T08:16:00.000-04:002012-07-27T11:54:39.550-04:00Planning a Vegan WeddingRemember a few months ago when I mentioned that <a href="http://everydayrevelry.blogspot.com/2012/02/whirlwind.html">my love and I had gotten engaged</a>? We've spent the past few months researching, planning, changing our minds, planning again and simply trying to find a way to create a wedding that has meaning to us without totally breaking the bank and without totally giving into the craziness that is the wedding industry. The only non-negotiable is that we want a vegan wedding. You would think that this would have been a given to our families and they would be completely on board with it, but you would be wrong. My parents in particular seemed a bit shocked that you could have a wedding without serving animals. <br />
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So that brings me to planning a vegan wedding. I give thanks every single day that my fiance is also vegan. I can't even imagine planning our wedding otherwise. Jesse and I are vegan for the animals, the earth and ourselves and we want a wedding that is in line with those beliefs. Here are some things we need to consider:<br />
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-<u>The Food</u>: What will we serve our guests (other than us, only one that I know of is vegetarian)? Will they like it? Will we? Can we find gluten-free options? Will it be too expensive? Do we want a traditional wedding caterer or to hire a vegan company/restaurant/person? What about the cake? We want to be sure to serve something that lets our guests know exactly how awesome vegan food can be.<br />
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-<u>The Favors</u>: What type of favor is most useful/meaningful? What can we give our guests that speaks to who we are as a couple? Should we make a donation instead of having favors?<br />
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-<u>The Dress/The Suit</u>: No silk. No wool. No leather shoes. I don't want to spend the first day of my married life wearing an animal, thank you very much.<br />
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-<u>The Invitations</u>: I would like to have them printed on recycled paper with soy ink. Do we let people know on the invitation that we will be having a vegan buffet?<br />
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-<u>The Honeymoon</u>: Where should we go? Does the place have lots of vegan options? Do we want to somehow incorporate animals?<br />
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It seems like a lot but I've found our parameters more helpful in terms of decision-making rather than limiting. So far we've met with one vegan caterer (who served us a whole meal instead of just giving us a tasting--it was awesome!) and did some research on vegan cakes. I've also been soaking up inspiration from the <a href="http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=4663&catId=5">VegNews annual feature on vegan weddings</a>, as well as the blog <a href="http://www.rosepedalsveganweddings.com/">Rose Pedals Vegan Weddings</a>. While writing this, I also came across <a href="http://www.peta.org/living/animal-friendly-fun/top-10-vegan-wedding-ideas.aspx">PETA's Top 10 Vegan Wedding Ideas</a>. <br />
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If you have planned or been to a vegan or vegetarian wedding, do you have any advice? Are we missing anything that we need to consider? If you were a guest, would you prefer to be told on the invitation that it will be a vegan wedding or not?<br />
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Stay tuned for most posts on wedding planning and thoughts on weddings and marriage (vegan and otherwise)......Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-85048275922283249302012-07-26T21:38:00.001-04:002012-07-26T21:38:52.851-04:00Revelry Review: Vedge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh my, dear readers, a few weeks ago I had the best dinner of my life at <a href="http://vedgerestaurant.com/">Vedge</a> in Philadelphia. Vegan fine dining of deliciously prepared vegetables in a beautiful setting. It was amazing. Here is some of the evidence (taken on my phone in a dark dining room):</div>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-30587641409516168072012-07-19T07:44:00.000-04:002012-07-19T07:44:00.830-04:00Revelry Review: Beyond Meat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was strolling through our sort of local vegan-friendly grocery store last weekend and came across <a href="http://beyondmeat.com/">Beyond Meat</a>! I had heard of this new chicken substitute through <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/opinion/sunday/finally-fake-chicken-worth-eating.html?_r=1">Mark Bittman's article </a>in the New York Times a few months back and the fact that<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/14/beyond-meat-vegan-twitter-cofounders_n_1597973.html"> the founders of Twitter were financially backing this product</a>. While we don't eat too many meat substitutes in our house, I was particularly looking forward to giving Beyond Meat a try since it is gluten-free and could open up some new dinner ideas for us. Here is the <a href="http://beyondmeat.com/products/">nutritional information</a>. Here it is in the package:</div>
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Up close (this stuff looks and feels JUST like chicken!):</div>
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We added some to burrito bowls that followed<a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2011/10/24/black-bean-and-butternut-squash-burritos/"> this recipe</a>: </div>
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Also got this new product on our grocery jaunt (melts really well but I think I prefer Daiya):</div>
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The completed bowls (with Tofutti sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa and avocado over brown rice):</div>
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Another quick weeknight dish with Beyond Meat: brown rice pasta with tomato sauce, Beyond Meat, olives, dino kale and chickpeas:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUC-GErNXKHYjJYexQxqoqOSb-MOUMjT8idtCRiEuZIkoEVTv3AhsrARhoK1BaiXRyHXHHvtZiesG1SHQk27xOfPugdlPyedoliNxswYHznyc-6nhWHBb7Y7Pgsz0PQSHXxFeAwefBh8U/s1600/Pasta+with+Beyond+Meat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUC-GErNXKHYjJYexQxqoqOSb-MOUMjT8idtCRiEuZIkoEVTv3AhsrARhoK1BaiXRyHXHHvtZiesG1SHQk27xOfPugdlPyedoliNxswYHznyc-6nhWHBb7Y7Pgsz0PQSHXxFeAwefBh8U/s320/Pasta+with+Beyond+Meat.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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The verdict? I had to keep checking the package for the word "vegan" because this stuff tastes just like the real deal (without the cruelty). It would have been a great transition food for me (chicken was the last thing to go!) and we may get it again when we want to cook something that calls for chicken. Beyond Meat is a huge step forward in the faux meat category!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-39296012300726555772012-03-27T08:28:00.002-04:002012-03-27T08:28:00.103-04:00Vegan Baking Class<div style="text-align: center;">Last night I went to a vegan baking class with Doron Petersan, the owner of <a href="http://stickyfingersbakery.com/">Sticky Fingers Sweets and Eats </a>here in the DC area. It was put on by<a href="http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/1709-washington-d-c-citywide"> Living Social</a>, which recently opened a location downtown, as a part of their <a href="http://www.livingsocial.com/gourmet">new gourmet series</a>. I didn't see much of the space, but they did have an art room and a phenomenal cooking class space. I felt like I was a student at the Culinary Institute of America! First we made S'mores Brownies. Here are my (and my partner's) brownies, fresh out of the oven:</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ba_4fkJ-HAmj41aedjNVFUmpMcG84SRE2HRcQK9_vy-71QuEp8vzaH3B5al16JAq4jtwwcQw2Gee0ndInL_XPOveIb-yjKAq_ewNXGxoOmNA40rBYpB4B46xoGLmk4PZPStUEiXzeKI/s1600/Brownies+in+Pan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ba_4fkJ-HAmj41aedjNVFUmpMcG84SRE2HRcQK9_vy-71QuEp8vzaH3B5al16JAq4jtwwcQw2Gee0ndInL_XPOveIb-yjKAq_ewNXGxoOmNA40rBYpB4B46xoGLmk4PZPStUEiXzeKI/s200/Brownies+in+Pan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724399066324231650" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We also made the Rolling Stones' Brown Sugar Cupcakes with Spiced Rum icing that helped Doron to win Cupcake Wars on the Food Network. We used an ice cream scoop to make them all the same size (and to have less of a mess). I'll definitely be doing this from now on!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoUuPY-V3uhUFTrO3uL6lKP7sUk94pVIYOJfQv0YlCy2vGexp26e4UyfhEdtK514t_4h-2_MiY_vDGKaEtGb1a6FcF0biS2WzB6MMKHWZ9k1cHciXzqUi6-c3rDSTblLCq1_FllVadiU/s1600/Unbaked+Cupcakes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoUuPY-V3uhUFTrO3uL6lKP7sUk94pVIYOJfQv0YlCy2vGexp26e4UyfhEdtK514t_4h-2_MiY_vDGKaEtGb1a6FcF0biS2WzB6MMKHWZ9k1cHciXzqUi6-c3rDSTblLCq1_FllVadiU/s200/Unbaked+Cupcakes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724398971495644642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The class included drink pairings. We had a beer with the brownies and a dark and stormy with the cupcakes. I don't know why I haven't had a dark and stormy before, but I think that is all I might drink from now on! It's ginger beer, rum and lime. Perfection!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cPTEvDHywiwkPFnS8s71UPNqJYaAr1IbyIEtndeRfyaww5qAqscQOGLeBEwEmNOGj3mTrmWLYXScI1dFDTVK50oMHzAO3mVTVRbAm3t3rghQzCUfJUWKu4BCARgkVctCRY0V7CAa5VM/s1600/Drinks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cPTEvDHywiwkPFnS8s71UPNqJYaAr1IbyIEtndeRfyaww5qAqscQOGLeBEwEmNOGj3mTrmWLYXScI1dFDTVK50oMHzAO3mVTVRbAm3t3rghQzCUfJUWKu4BCARgkVctCRY0V7CAa5VM/s200/Drinks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724398965178138770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We took my brownies out of the pan first, so we sacrificed beauty for taste. I ended up with essentially a giant s'mores brownie cake (with deeeeeelicious <a href="http://sweetandsara.com/">Sweet and Sara marshmallows</a>):</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4468oq5L0rsOJVz11n_A8XT_OpXUSScbKakao2NwUuWGmSZFWrMKBiRZnwzLjtBRNW3eaXJpxzwGBc2wmRlONjq_hw4V7bDUDHKrgLyoBUtXTBU1L5fD7ypq_JOy9oFjMTy5KLYVGR1c/s1600/Smores+Brownies.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4468oq5L0rsOJVz11n_A8XT_OpXUSScbKakao2NwUuWGmSZFWrMKBiRZnwzLjtBRNW3eaXJpxzwGBc2wmRlONjq_hw4V7bDUDHKrgLyoBUtXTBU1L5fD7ypq_JOy9oFjMTy5KLYVGR1c/s200/Smores+Brownies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724398962330981426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here are the finished cupcakes. I need to work on my icing skills.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRGaLnlcNa_Z67q_E6wcJC8Lcdxbo4DN9X17crePRPH2bdvsNe7r-2z8vmjgvTPRthOHKAdPVMJu_zfmG0e2r1WD4EaBNKfohyj6j1bgMUAFN94ub_hDaeAI1JUSGfQ-ySnaS-aX6Jy8/s1600/Cupcakes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRGaLnlcNa_Z67q_E6wcJC8Lcdxbo4DN9X17crePRPH2bdvsNe7r-2z8vmjgvTPRthOHKAdPVMJu_zfmG0e2r1WD4EaBNKfohyj6j1bgMUAFN94ub_hDaeAI1JUSGfQ-ySnaS-aX6Jy8/s200/Cupcakes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724398952063157138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here is me and Doron! What a great night! I would definitely go back and take other Living Social classes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_jgxgvu5C1-q0JWszopzaY8VfHqnTDk0adJnVVblJuuTExyxrmDNwJANTqQP2BNIO6yzVb89p7CQ2UsJyed4omn8U22VxXTCZ62ZoCoBsFTQuKaCu6udgSbt5DPYYSJpZxmwV8dklfw/s1600/Doron+and+Me.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_jgxgvu5C1-q0JWszopzaY8VfHqnTDk0adJnVVblJuuTExyxrmDNwJANTqQP2BNIO6yzVb89p7CQ2UsJyed4omn8U22VxXTCZ62ZoCoBsFTQuKaCu6udgSbt5DPYYSJpZxmwV8dklfw/s200/Doron+and+Me.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724398941470266578" /></a><br /></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-16794151048804691682012-02-22T09:52:00.002-05:002012-02-27T08:23:45.469-05:00Whirlwind<div style="text-align: center;">These past few weeks have been something of a whirlwind! First, I celebrated my 30th birthday on February 10th. I took the day off from work, planning on just relaxing and not doing much of anything. However, Jesse booked me a massage, took me out to dinner at <a href="http://agoradc.net/">Agora</a> and sent me these beautiful flowers:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWV8pmSQr9jzJ6Bmoj2viAdOXaIE2hckDxXV_BDnhh04jsO7MDCMvWN6KsvtM1w2DD6wcnMtOywCWs474Cv4hK3_Im-UnRWKeFHMxg-VP-298rNHCaDvkR8nUkAY5wVmY5XO0ubG3FVw/s1600/Birthday.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 150px; height: 200px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711973092971479090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWV8pmSQr9jzJ6Bmoj2viAdOXaIE2hckDxXV_BDnhh04jsO7MDCMvWN6KsvtM1w2DD6wcnMtOywCWs474Cv4hK3_Im-UnRWKeFHMxg-VP-298rNHCaDvkR8nUkAY5wVmY5XO0ubG3FVw/s200/Birthday.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We also had a fantastic Valentine's Day. Jesse again gave me beautiful flowers and we had a delicious dinner date at <a href="http://www.oyamel.com/">Oyamel</a>.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though all of that was wonderful, the best part came on February 18th, when this happened while we were in New Jersey visiting my family:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiTakGNXfTryQwsqQjj1CfnYHWIZMBr5XJh2yLjY69Z2Wp46D3NQtW_qetEfqOEhSaQ2nCqSRokKk29CTZYPpM6LqnAsGv63zHm8k2rUifry6hySRrIRP2mqFx1dgp6dpMsDtAWMq_Pw/s1600/Ring.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 150px; height: 200px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711973088284045554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiTakGNXfTryQwsqQjj1CfnYHWIZMBr5XJh2yLjY69Z2Wp46D3NQtW_qetEfqOEhSaQ2nCqSRokKk29CTZYPpM6LqnAsGv63zHm8k2rUifry6hySRrIRP2mqFx1dgp6dpMsDtAWMq_Pw/s200/Ring.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I said yes! He proposed in the sweetest way imaginable and totally took me by surprise. We went out to dinner to <a href="http://www.buddakanac.com/">Buddakan </a>in Atlantic City to celebrate. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vjmVD1WAPnZizonpu_da1dkF5XZeXN8SjwaDLDnlTfcYlWXMRZ5_2geZduNvjI1DX3jAEP3Y9rfYTrhlXYSwoLj5cTwHYoS3x4JZxOvQk2hKBQjUDE8wYxQKCtzwk-dQUmFcP-J_0Qk/s1600/Champagne.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711973071792302322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vjmVD1WAPnZizonpu_da1dkF5XZeXN8SjwaDLDnlTfcYlWXMRZ5_2geZduNvjI1DX3jAEP3Y9rfYTrhlXYSwoLj5cTwHYoS3x4JZxOvQk2hKBQjUDE8wYxQKCtzwk-dQUmFcP-J_0Qk/s200/Champagne.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWx5mx-QZ5Qg1wBEWw4yI-tq_Z_zNO0e_aGb9Sc2yLrYiNepAPdAVY-bD2Qqe3uyQ7XbRqKmf8cOz9mS0CPTFww1727c-WxpkWK66UvzgDsGS0f48o8dvu5o-oGoaoIF6beM7MAUCglg/s1600/Us.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711973068189758738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWx5mx-QZ5Qg1wBEWw4yI-tq_Z_zNO0e_aGb9Sc2yLrYiNepAPdAVY-bD2Qqe3uyQ7XbRqKmf8cOz9mS0CPTFww1727c-WxpkWK66UvzgDsGS0f48o8dvu5o-oGoaoIF6beM7MAUCglg/s200/Us.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-36245786867998101352012-02-14T10:57:00.013-05:002012-02-14T20:47:29.388-05:00Love<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eZF8cwo1M_lKuu_786VoKaWSQLLA9zcurXsSCySDm9-ggGqsfoQ5SK3mOvQ8i1HPPZ1zVGjZAPnvewsDcQAzxooxzsPMORk00wzg1UFJUOxgRx14Dkev7luOshxR2m_orXvAWsV_ZQ0/s1600/DSC_5434.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 118px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709021250709050978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eZF8cwo1M_lKuu_786VoKaWSQLLA9zcurXsSCySDm9-ggGqsfoQ5SK3mOvQ8i1HPPZ1zVGjZAPnvewsDcQAzxooxzsPMORk00wzg1UFJUOxgRx14Dkev7luOshxR2m_orXvAWsV_ZQ0/s200/DSC_5434.JPG" /></a>Since today is a day to celebrate love, I thought I would share some things I've been loving lately: </div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>-The adorable Valentine's votives pictured to the right, which I saw on <a href="https://pinterest.com/lec210/">Pinterest </a>and are from the <a href="http://homemadeserenity.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-dont-you-make-valentines-day.html">Homemade Serenity blog</a>. I love, love, love how sweet these are. Next year, for sure.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>-<a href="http://www.pinkofperfection.com/2012/02/on-style-and-systems/">On Style and Systems</a> from the Pink of Perfection blog. </div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>-<a href="http://www.choosingraw.com/when-promoting-a-vegan-diet-turns-into-body-shaming-2/">Gena's take </a>on the disturbing PCRM "your thighs on cheese" ads. I had been waiting for someone to write a thoughtful and carefully laid out critique of these ads since I first saw them. While I love most of PCRM's work, these ads are really out of line. Here's to hoping they choose a different way to get their message across in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>-Kris Carr's new ebook, <a href="http://crazysexyjuice.com/">Crazy Sexy Juices and Succulent Smoothies</a>. 80 pages of green drink goodness.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>-The documentary <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1687247/">"Life in a Day".</a> At first I felt a bit like a creepy voyeur, but I came to appreciate this look at life on a single day around the world.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-90736798953184340862012-02-04T10:26:00.003-05:002012-02-04T10:42:11.202-05:00Just say no to horse diving<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusv0BAALQHwQyb_p8_gKRUjjnCurnrtGFOgBjw3GibKFWK4JfDu33o2L6newVrpvlcpxQw8EoPhBzIZeVHptBXPzLF89OVO-Ig09fn_cTeNdP-ZmO3c3_XfJduPwLotiJ-X8fr0xLeV8/s1600/4f2b51196d8e8.preview-300.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 163px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusv0BAALQHwQyb_p8_gKRUjjnCurnrtGFOgBjw3GibKFWK4JfDu33o2L6newVrpvlcpxQw8EoPhBzIZeVHptBXPzLF89OVO-Ig09fn_cTeNdP-ZmO3c3_XfJduPwLotiJ-X8fr0xLeV8/s200/4f2b51196d8e8.preview-300.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705302423456757394" /></a>My heart is so heavy (and angry!) right now. I have just learned that <a href="http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/atlantic-city_pleasantville_brigantine/plan-to-bring-diving-horse-act-back-to-steel-pier/article_0b491910-4e10-11e1-9238-001871e3ce6c.html">Atlantic City is going to bring back horse diving</a>, which was at its height of popularity in the 1920s but continued until the early 1990s, as a way to increase tourism this summer. <div><br /></div><div>I grew up in a town just outside of Atlantic City, hearing romanticized stories about this time period. I watched the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103262/">"Wild Hearts Can't be Broken"</a> over and over and over again. I used to wish I had been able to witness--or even perform!-- such a feat.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then I learned that the horses didn't just willingly jump. They are walked out onto a platform with their rider and then the platform is dropped out from underneath of them. Diving like this is NOT natural for a horse, so it causes trauma and fright, not to mention any injuries that can be sustained to both rider and horse upon hitting the water (such as retinal detachment or spinal cord injury). And all this doesn't include any mistreatment during their care when they are not performing.</div><div><br /></div><div>The owner of the Steel Pier, where the diving will take place, has said: "We know the diving horse is controversial, but I think people need to look at the bigger picture. A diving horse is going to be iconic. It's going to be a small piece of the development project that will bring family entertainment back to Atlantic City." Please join me in telling the owners that NO, we do NOT want to see their "iconic" act. The <a href="http://www.steelpier.com/">Steel Pier website is here</a>, which contains their phone number, address, Facebook and Twitter pages. You can also sign <a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/tell-ac-not-to-bring-back-diving-horse-act/">this petition</a>, as well as boycott and not visit this summer should these plans go through. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Image from </span><a href="http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/atlantic-city_pleasantville_brigantine/plan-to-bring-diving-horse-act-back-to-steel-pier/article_0b491910-4e10-11e1-9238-001871e3ce6c.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The Press of Atlantic City</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">}</span></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-21723466199269674262012-02-03T10:54:00.005-05:002012-02-03T11:14:12.293-05:0028 Day Healthy Eating Challenge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyGmxX6iPVDhHnyG_qt1R_rqrf7zl-RPxeqJgMSBypdPBchcWrmTB7HPcMCuHxxiEF9ZR6m3NCzpRs2Hw53ptZ-X-iG1HSXW65MucAvLtWcW93-2JTjB5TbHrvWSyro1IHUnJxI_80MI/s1600/hsh-logo.png"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 170px; height: 130px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704938585007161474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyGmxX6iPVDhHnyG_qt1R_rqrf7zl-RPxeqJgMSBypdPBchcWrmTB7HPcMCuHxxiEF9ZR6m3NCzpRs2Hw53ptZ-X-iG1HSXW65MucAvLtWcW93-2JTjB5TbHrvWSyro1IHUnJxI_80MI/s200/hsh-logo.png" /></a>This month I am participating in the the Whole Foods <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2792800341/eorg">28 Day Healthy Eating Challenge</a>, which is affiliated with their <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/healthstartshere/">Health Starts Here</a> work.<br /><br />For five weeks, I will attend a class at my local store, with sessions to include: Whole Foods core values and wellness lecture, a healthy eating demo and a healthy eating on a budget store tour, navigating your way through a healthy lifestyle change, a cooking class with the store chef and a supper club with a panel of experts. Additionally, they will be screening the film <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forks-Over-Knives-Colin-Campbell/dp/B0053ZHZI2/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c">"Forks Over Knives", </a>but since I've already seen it, I won't be going to that session (but you should see it if you haven't! Fantastic film!). All this, plus a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Good-Food-Pocket-Guide/dp/1580088937/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328285024&sr=8-2">book</a> and a bag of healthy starter groceries (lentils, quinoa, steel cut oats, Lara Bars, digestive enzymes, etc!), for just a $30 donation to their <a href="http://www.wholeplanetfoundation.org/">Whole Planet Foundation</a>. This is the third time the store near me has ran this program, so if you are interested I would suggest that you see if a Whole Foods near you already is holding the class or let them know that you are interested.<br /><br />At our first session this week, we reviewed what we should be eating during this time period by learning about their four pillars of healthy eating: eat whole, unprocessed foods, lots and lots of plants, healthy fats and foods with a high nutrient density. They are stressing eating a plant strong diet, which could include eating meat or dairy as as more of a garnish to a dish, but stated they aren't there to make everyone into vegetarians. While I know they are trying to not push people away, they are basing their course on the work of Dr. Fuhrman and Rip Esselstyn, so I wish they would at least touch on the benefits of a plant-based diet. They also brought in an expert on wellness who talked about reducing stress levels for a healthier lifestyle. He taught us a breathing exercise to try to combat cravings and explained how chocolate, dairy and sugar all temporarily increase your relaxation response, which is why you want to eat them when you are stressed.<br /><br />This is supposed to be a challenge and I am sure that it will be. This month includes the Super Bowl, my birthday, Valentine's Day and a trip to New Jersey to visit my family. All of these are potential pitfalls for a healthy diet. However, I am hoping to learn some new things (such as more ways to cook greens!) in this course and apply them for the long term. For the next 28 days, I plan to follow their suggestions as closely as possible. It's time to go from eating vegan junk food to really focusing on eating good, whole, nutritious food. So far, after just one class, I have a lot of new information and resources. I'm looking forward to seeing where these next few weeks of class take me.<br /><br />(Picture from the Whole Foods website)Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-68255512823588538512012-01-31T11:04:00.007-05:002012-01-31T11:20:11.527-05:00Revelry Review: The World We Found<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w9YB4VX4rjKqqaKlaYW1Rwq8JXhjF9PDGE5LpK-3xAIOrNNYu5FifrhmstKNLbs0ATddSP0qq6AY7piku4i92IhrRPlZLSy_svGsjc-xVq4C2FAdylw5dcDMBYFlSXGN-Nc1jFoDLzg/s1600/The+world+we+found.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703827683839998770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w9YB4VX4rjKqqaKlaYW1Rwq8JXhjF9PDGE5LpK-3xAIOrNNYu5FifrhmstKNLbs0ATddSP0qq6AY7piku4i92IhrRPlZLSy_svGsjc-xVq4C2FAdylw5dcDMBYFlSXGN-Nc1jFoDLzg/s200/The+world+we+found.jpg" /></a>Ever since taking a post-colonial literature class in college, I have been obssessed with Indian literature (both literature about India and literature by Indian authors). My favorites include Salman Rushdie, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Jhumpa Lahiri, Rohinton Mistry and Thrity Umrigar. I've read most of Umrigar's novels and loved them all, so I didn't hesitate to pre-order her latest, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-We-Found-Novel/dp/0061938343/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328025816&sr=8-1"><em>The World We Found</em></a>.<br /><br />The synopsis from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-We-Found-Novel/dp/0061938343/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328026106&sr=1-1">the Amazon page</a>: "As university students in late 1970s Bombay, Armaiti, Laleh, Kavita, and Nishta were inseparable. Spirited and unconventional, they challenged authority and fought for a better world. But much has changed over the past thirty years. Following different paths, the quartet drifted apart, the day-to-day demands of work and family tempering the revolutionary fervor they once shared.<br /><br />Then comes devastating news: Armaiti, who moved to America, is gravely ill and wants to see the old friends she left behind. For Laleh, reunion is a bittersweet reminder of unfulfilled dreams and unspoken guilt. For Kavita, it is an admission of forbidden passion. For Nishta, it is the promise of freedom from a bitter fundamentalist husband. And for Armaiti, it is an act of acceptance, of letting go on her own terms even if her ex-husband and daughter do not understand her choices.<br /><br />In the course of their journey to reconnect, Armaiti, Laleh, Kavita, and Nishta must confront the truths of their lives—acknowledge long-held regrets, face painful secrets and hidden desires, and reconcile their idealistic past and their compromised present. And they will have to decide what matters most, a choice that may just help them reclaim the extraordinary world they once found."<br /><br />This was not my favorite Umrigar novel, but it was a quick and interesting read that contained great characters that will remain in my mind for a long time. You will definitely root for these characters and weep with them. The book's weakness, however, might be that it tried to deal with so many themes--friendship, love, belonging, the past, religion, feminism, same sex relationships, illness, women's rights, family, classism, politics, regret, modern day India--that it didn't settle on any one for quite long enough to do it justice. By the end of the novel, I still felt like there were a few loose ends that weren't quite followed through to their end.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-77616749115230836312012-01-30T07:11:00.001-05:002012-01-30T07:11:00.729-05:00Vegan Seafood<div>In my pre-veg early twenties, I very suddenly developed a severe shellfish allergy. I was forced to cut them out of my diet cold turkey (cold shrimp?). Now I wouldn't eat them even if I could due to ethical reasons, but I would be lying if I said there weren't times over the years when I missed shellfish. A few weeks back when I saw <a href="http://sophieskitchen.net/">Sophie's Kitchen</a> vegan seafood appear in our local market, I decided to give it a try, if only because my Mom developed the same allergy and I know she misses it badly. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iJOYHgeCKtwXrgsYnEPgsq0CsVr8OcBk_dkviiijcRv3idvCbjVyULotxhgaE5hyphenhyphenWBAJhFe2OrET7VHIgojNYXV-4psZfHG-2q3NiMT6eH_1rWKn2qZP1CfKjfU4Ab0IhBsybL2OOc0/s1600/Prawn+Box.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iJOYHgeCKtwXrgsYnEPgsq0CsVr8OcBk_dkviiijcRv3idvCbjVyULotxhgaE5hyphenhyphenWBAJhFe2OrET7VHIgojNYXV-4psZfHG-2q3NiMT6eH_1rWKn2qZP1CfKjfU4Ab0IhBsybL2OOc0/s200/Prawn+Box.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703226767946718530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">They come frozen, so you simply thaw them out long enough for them to separate and then add them to whatever you are cooking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzj15Fuiov3XZZ3QIm_6EbAdEzV2Wqjgn1vhEkzqI88bdg2royztf-AwamFFNizrbAS2utVUwBG1W3TvWWfHRDZ8t5Id7KkB-L3MpQYcPJMSKBG4TIhuCLf_WGw8sdlWiqH7N2DzUc5sQ/s1600/Prawns.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzj15Fuiov3XZZ3QIm_6EbAdEzV2Wqjgn1vhEkzqI88bdg2royztf-AwamFFNizrbAS2utVUwBG1W3TvWWfHRDZ8t5Id7KkB-L3MpQYcPJMSKBG4TIhuCLf_WGw8sdlWiqH7N2DzUc5sQ/s200/Prawns.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703226754536528626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">For us, that meant a stir-fry with an orange sauce. I added them in during the last few minutes of cooking time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrjIBKQ7FsmKe_VLzwoKurZHM0qZchj0pGpBAvtEWWfm5qrAGF4Uw2cpspJg-wlTL01SYvEC83K_53tnEc-3kn0ipe0wl0RDUIcJm-hYM3EkFaAGOu0ziohxkxR4C3kDzFR6llYoqOD4/s1600/Stir+Fry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrjIBKQ7FsmKe_VLzwoKurZHM0qZchj0pGpBAvtEWWfm5qrAGF4Uw2cpspJg-wlTL01SYvEC83K_53tnEc-3kn0ipe0wl0RDUIcJm-hYM3EkFaAGOu0ziohxkxR4C3kDzFR6llYoqOD4/s200/Stir+Fry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703226747468154834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We served our stir-fry over some brown rice. Since I accidentally bought prawns instead of shrimp, they were enormous. As for the taste, they were chewy and slightly gummy, but I think it's been so long since I had shrimp that I am not sure I was a good judge. Jesse really liked them, but I felt like I could take them or leave them. If I get them again, I think I will try the shrimp, which will be smaller.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lrTRc9h_RFjLco02Qim_ccf6o85rhwNaID1wB6OZ0l6II5MS3gudTBCobHEtKuXPLSl0vmzsQfMfwOTFFtG7FwYF7JWyIdW67n3E7lb2EhtPbt9xduLzAigfU2i86wqiZP_HtYWyrZs/s1600/Final+Dish.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lrTRc9h_RFjLco02Qim_ccf6o85rhwNaID1wB6OZ0l6II5MS3gudTBCobHEtKuXPLSl0vmzsQfMfwOTFFtG7FwYF7JWyIdW67n3E7lb2EhtPbt9xduLzAigfU2i86wqiZP_HtYWyrZs/s200/Final+Dish.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703226742695184146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I also picked up some vegan breaded calamari, which I will review here once I get a chance to give them a try.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-49358137947215933872012-01-24T13:48:00.004-05:002012-01-24T13:50:23.886-05:00Recommended Reading<div align="center">Recommended reading from <a href="http://www.gilttaste.com/">Gilt Taste</a>: <a href="http://www.gilttaste.com/stories/4159-when-being-vegetarian-gets-in-the-way-of-family">"When Being a Vegetarian Gets in the Way of Family"</a> </div><div align="center">by Allegra Ben-Amotz</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-21841470987237625332012-01-11T08:16:00.005-05:002012-01-11T09:38:27.465-05:00Dinners Lately<div>Lately, I've been cooking lots and lots of bowls for dinner, meaning a grain or base of some sort, steamed veggies, a protein and a sauce. They are a perfect dinner, usually provide leftovers for lunch and are a great way to use up what you have in the fridge. I've been trying to cook gluten-free (more on that in another post) as well, so these bowls are good for that purpose too. If you pile on the veggies, it looks and feels like a ton of food for not a ton of calories. For great ideas, check out the section on bowls in the back of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Appetite-Reduction-Filling-Low-Fat-Recipes/dp/1600940498/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326287900&sr=8-1">Appetite for Reduction </a>(love, love, LOVE this cookbook!). </div><div><br /> </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN7u2BkcuCI-AuWAAFqDhjRXGPNODe2iqt6T_nFWTAGKfqBXyHL7k2UwSWUkhJ30ocKQFnWMjKZd8rAjnj3Kd5mOZSYdcGVL1eFw_XCs9RdNzjR3oDURJagkISQNMsJaojpDVdtdbvl8/s1600/Bowl+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 150px; height: 200px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696362778292289394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN7u2BkcuCI-AuWAAFqDhjRXGPNODe2iqt6T_nFWTAGKfqBXyHL7k2UwSWUkhJ30ocKQFnWMjKZd8rAjnj3Kd5mOZSYdcGVL1eFw_XCs9RdNzjR3oDURJagkISQNMsJaojpDVdtdbvl8/s200/Bowl+1.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Soba noodles, black beans, steamed broccoli and zucchini with green onion miso vinaigrette from AFR.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQX6iNr-YUJSYME9KgyEbbdfFWTrBBA1Pvy1sj1alQsxA6A4dIbj5VS_94R-ERXiNBSbQBYq9WyNNYHGJCkV1ZxBM_HGNX7KenlihCe_tVZhqKaUoPmdtLzkOdnwLNNsAM7nYPug5bFk/s1600/Bowl+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 150px; height: 200px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696362770648284738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQX6iNr-YUJSYME9KgyEbbdfFWTrBBA1Pvy1sj1alQsxA6A4dIbj5VS_94R-ERXiNBSbQBYq9WyNNYHGJCkV1ZxBM_HGNX7KenlihCe_tVZhqKaUoPmdtLzkOdnwLNNsAM7nYPug5bFk/s200/Bowl+2.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Brown rice, steamed broccoli, sesame tempeh and peanut lime dressing from AFR (BEST SAUCE EVER!!!! I want to put it on everything everyday.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfZfKnsy2X1odiEisLP5DaiRx-zhUcmM5w-mxcVVCareYiFAkePFW3GYwEfsXN0b8VztSGXNQJgVxhC9x63PqrZddkDvGZT5SqT_b0bR2b7NruCpi_slapRNsqu1G-fMb_3orrU5z0-4/s1600/bowl+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 150px; height: 200px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696362766254351426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfZfKnsy2X1odiEisLP5DaiRx-zhUcmM5w-mxcVVCareYiFAkePFW3GYwEfsXN0b8VztSGXNQJgVxhC9x63PqrZddkDvGZT5SqT_b0bR2b7NruCpi_slapRNsqu1G-fMb_3orrU5z0-4/s200/bowl+3.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Quinoa, steamed broccoli and green beans, baked tofu with spicy orange sauce (from a bottle).</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-4071156947392275142012-01-10T08:22:00.001-05:002012-01-10T09:30:02.742-05:00Revelry Review: ShopHouse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXR6YMov5KoO0tJTLM6yzsAt4oYLHcTaZZopX_j0zvIgBtZi7AVF5fgu9pEpY29XbjgmL4bdOQENt6B7FG0glJdtXsx_U3L4yUl97Nf2gAmQWOj_Htnld54Hhl73DQgj6Nnp-rNE10EME/s1600/ShopHouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px; height: 200px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695792211389473778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXR6YMov5KoO0tJTLM6yzsAt4oYLHcTaZZopX_j0zvIgBtZi7AVF5fgu9pEpY29XbjgmL4bdOQENt6B7FG0glJdtXsx_U3L4yUl97Nf2gAmQWOj_Htnld54Hhl73DQgj6Nnp-rNE10EME/s200/ShopHouse.jpg" /></a>This past weekend Jesse and I tried a new-ish fast food restaurant, <a href="http://shophousekitchen.com/">ShopHouse</a>, the latest creation of the founder of Chipotle. Touted as a "southeast Asian kitchen", you can either build a bowl or have a banh mi sandwich with a variety of possible fillings. I had been looking forward to checking it out for a few months now. If I had checked my expectations at the door, I might have liked this place better than I did. I had dreams of yummy warm green curry and firm chunks of tofu with a variety of delicious veggies.<div><br /></div><div>However, as a vegetarian, there was no green curry for me. In fact, the only sauce that did not count fish sauce as an ingredient was the tamarind vinagrette. Okay, fine. I was disappointed but I figured I would just appreciate that they told me and move on. The tofu looked more like the tofu scramble I make at home than any tofu I have ever had at an Asian restaurant. It was very tumeric-y and SUPER spicy. I wish I had been warned.</div><div><br /></div><div>When you are essentially eating a bowl of brown rice and tumeric-y tofu, it would be great if you were allowed to choose more than one vegetable. My sauteed long beans were delicious but I wasn't given that many of them. I would have loved to try the charred corn, eggplant and Chinese broccoli too. Chipotle lets me have whatever toppings I want and I wish this place did too. The saving grace was the green papaya salad, which provided some relief for my super spicy lunch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, I thought ShopHouse had large portion sizes and I appreciate having a new fast food vegetarian option, but I just wish it had been less spicy and contained more veggies. Hopefully they will refine their menu over time.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://shophousekitchen.com/">ShopHouse</a> is located at 1516 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC.<br /><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;" class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="line-height: normal;font-size:16;" class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 16px;font-size:12;" class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-4660854286119083462012-01-09T18:45:00.006-05:002012-01-09T19:16:56.787-05:002012 Intentions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3JO72aaLu0y-eNRq3OpZsB9R2YK9UtcwM7I_xv9WQ6J5gf9a7jtyb1qVhOOH_DSYXh87749hLsVuSMSv7nKdUmtpU-A2DnCyhzhe6SyBWxdG5jYHghrRGaPNQw8P3-Q5jsbFxkchuac/s1600/mld106028_1010_kale3_vert.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3JO72aaLu0y-eNRq3OpZsB9R2YK9UtcwM7I_xv9WQ6J5gf9a7jtyb1qVhOOH_DSYXh87749hLsVuSMSv7nKdUmtpU-A2DnCyhzhe6SyBWxdG5jYHghrRGaPNQw8P3-Q5jsbFxkchuac/s200/mld106028_1010_kale3_vert.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695783250033710434" /></a>I'm <i>very</i> late to the New Year's resolution party (it seems like I blinked and it went from October to January!), but I still thought it would be worthwhile to post my 2012 intentions here. <div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4238297-lauren">Read at least 80 books</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">~<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blissful-Bites-Vegan-Nourish-Planet/dp/1935618512/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326153479&sr=1-1">Eat</a> a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Appetite-Reduction-Filling-Low-Fat-Recipes/dp/1600940498/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326153413&sr=1-1">healthy</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Live-Amazing-Nutrient-Rich-Sustained/dp/031612091X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326153386&sr=1-1">vegan</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Sexy-Diet-Veggies-Ignite/dp/1599218011/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326153357&sr=8-1">diet</a>, particularly <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Juicing-Bible-Pat-Crocker/dp/0778801810/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326153456&sr=1-3">adding</a> in lots of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wild-About-Greens-Delectable-Collards/dp/1402785887/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=ICY1NAAD2GDF4&colid=2DA06NB9QGE4U">greens</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">~<a href="http://www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps.html">Move more.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">~Take a <a href="http://www.surlatable.com/sku/919829/Essential-Knife-Skills">knife skills class</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Journal regularly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Visit at least one new city.</div><div style="text-align: center;">~<a href="http://www.elephants.com/">Visit</a> <a href="http://www.fortheanimalssanctuary.org/">an</a> <a href="http://www.animalsanctuary.org/">animal</a> <a href="http://farmsanctuary.org/">sanctuary</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Savor turning 30 and all that lies ahead of me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My word for 2012 is <i>committed</i>--to myself, my health, my growth, my relationship and my happiness.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Image from </span><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/286367/kale-recipes/@center/276955/seasonal-produce-recipe-guide"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Martha Stewart</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">}</span></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-1064649433222796742012-01-04T11:21:00.009-05:002012-01-04T11:41:23.454-05:00South African Scenes<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVBd_HY1YXSATg2b_F83CU2tDLQDzs1XJs4bX0pAwiA8ta0ljaRPzwoQx_6bIId5xAouCWQ3SU_hOzt7SCgmR3vKLkyH78l0q-Dm4VWAdgl7xt90W_1hRytU7PUEUaBLLfR_lQaQKyDU/s1600/Never+Again+Apartheid.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 150px; height: 200px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693816184303487906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVBd_HY1YXSATg2b_F83CU2tDLQDzs1XJs4bX0pAwiA8ta0ljaRPzwoQx_6bIId5xAouCWQ3SU_hOzt7SCgmR3vKLkyH78l0q-Dm4VWAdgl7xt90W_1hRytU7PUEUaBLLfR_lQaQKyDU/s200/Never+Again+Apartheid.jpg" /></a>A sign at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPz_FpAKcmHBxgQUs7c63IFMit2OxtadefH7SdYvCxaTLP6SmVqe8JrL7eDK5geInqO_MhWYhfbdmBNXX7m4U2Z3T0WH2lmN2MwkymkqTS5VSGCN46FYlgpJOxxy6QDKVwIOKjjl-dbI/s1600/Jesse+Rhino+No+Poaching.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693816175719923938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPz_FpAKcmHBxgQUs7c63IFMit2OxtadefH7SdYvCxaTLP6SmVqe8JrL7eDK5geInqO_MhWYhfbdmBNXX7m4U2Z3T0WH2lmN2MwkymkqTS5VSGCN46FYlgpJOxxy6QDKVwIOKjjl-dbI/s200/Jesse+Rhino+No+Poaching.jpg" /></a>Jesse next to an anti-poaching rhino in Mandela Square. Poachers get $100,000 per tusk. Heartbreaking and disgusting!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbhvwRXrfCzfSVWKQtGMFvvOp2MxgYuiU-D_qFl_ZkwBZUWJTqVJpjCKbaUadcOS8tsD5OUJkQPjZqv6juSZHD5VwSKeS2KC-ZDz-UNTkWzPDOCf3bbeuYXj61CXEYmMVbE6ZuA6__mY/s1600/Monkey+and+Baby.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693816174384691410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbhvwRXrfCzfSVWKQtGMFvvOp2MxgYuiU-D_qFl_ZkwBZUWJTqVJpjCKbaUadcOS8tsD5OUJkQPjZqv6juSZHD5VwSKeS2KC-ZDz-UNTkWzPDOCf3bbeuYXj61CXEYmMVbE6ZuA6__mY/s200/Monkey+and+Baby.jpg" /></a>A mama monkey and her baby<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqif8E0cN3wGFdGmj_fTkquMinQAI5YgABajGp5K8fj881JTruIiqUV9RuWY-XJIkwwrR0e3N-ksc3IdR5V9TkbHj8xoaLigoCYeu2IeH-wuFGI-OSSumP0K8LIBmQ2vfEahpb7cWhyphenhyphenI/s1600/Bourkes+Luck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693816169797907698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqif8E0cN3wGFdGmj_fTkquMinQAI5YgABajGp5K8fj881JTruIiqUV9RuWY-XJIkwwrR0e3N-ksc3IdR5V9TkbHj8xoaLigoCYeu2IeH-wuFGI-OSSumP0K8LIBmQ2vfEahpb7cWhyphenhyphenI/s200/Bourkes+Luck.jpg" /></a>Bourke's Luck Potholes (or as we call them, a giant canyon)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oiuN0fq_i3bDpMLfeIbaITLHaqTy9C4yBMmvoxGuukDG9pOobViR_QiziVr7-pILyDz15nXDhqPEXjNsKpqGSPMDZwANlgUiiY-2XNGhv2LnBY39g8fqKnLuOu-c6fHr08EhZ2WVTpk/s1600/J+and+L+Bourkes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693815643417450690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oiuN0fq_i3bDpMLfeIbaITLHaqTy9C4yBMmvoxGuukDG9pOobViR_QiziVr7-pILyDz15nXDhqPEXjNsKpqGSPMDZwANlgUiiY-2XNGhv2LnBY39g8fqKnLuOu-c6fHr08EhZ2WVTpk/s200/J+and+L+Bourkes.jpg" /></a>Jesse and I at Bourke's Luck Potholes<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHabubHVp1k2dlo3x0mH1-2Vw9JWT28tWQwxIW7_rAW34Q763hOzVt1fVtpwnMSJBmJgeIe8ESSwIE5LuehSj0FLUjw8DMUETt4WdEVj1E-6uae0ShcBGeX6bbu120wDkaFFCQwCJ4WU/s1600/Lychees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693815640311072658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHabubHVp1k2dlo3x0mH1-2Vw9JWT28tWQwxIW7_rAW34Q763hOzVt1fVtpwnMSJBmJgeIe8ESSwIE5LuehSj0FLUjw8DMUETt4WdEVj1E-6uae0ShcBGeX6bbu120wDkaFFCQwCJ4WU/s200/Lychees.jpg" /></a>Two giant mangos and an entire bag of lychees for less than $3. I love traveling to countries that have summer when we have winter!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JLyzLKTkNmfeQ_FlhZeyWT2We2y9cRsDgagpPg9_z9wxaWIKwU9plOZqTwVTOZbQa9MVrIMk7C61cdtsYZp7xkd1HFM_kk1hptuMSrXD-keVeJjpL1FtWhODtMEXHJyK9C2S5HdOCKo/s1600/Elephant+sleeping+kruger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693815626291831986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JLyzLKTkNmfeQ_FlhZeyWT2We2y9cRsDgagpPg9_z9wxaWIKwU9plOZqTwVTOZbQa9MVrIMk7C61cdtsYZp7xkd1HFM_kk1hptuMSrXD-keVeJjpL1FtWhODtMEXHJyK9C2S5HdOCKo/s200/Elephant+sleeping+kruger.jpg" /></a>An elephant asleep on a tree at Kruger National Park<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOdz1iivBa41KqlOwg4FwrMe2szuvjQ_aL_1n-6oTJ6ucqRejq9ed3SB3gXTcfanGTRvU3fwThNarLZxo7CQgYNpzBineqflwVfW6yCYtH4hWYk5ubwrveaJq_1rnNOWgJohIXKj5lNw/s1600/Lions+Kruger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693815622552307218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOdz1iivBa41KqlOwg4FwrMe2szuvjQ_aL_1n-6oTJ6ucqRejq9ed3SB3gXTcfanGTRvU3fwThNarLZxo7CQgYNpzBineqflwVfW6yCYtH4hWYk5ubwrveaJq_1rnNOWgJohIXKj5lNw/s200/Lions+Kruger.jpg" /></a>Lions at Kruger National Park<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19jDwbTindlY6NaA7O6BjWnZAgYo2c4mR0QLKO4d-JK9PCUDP-k_IWJKUhDjsX0YtbQJYRPE9bjmo-WrZKFZjIDFhVRzgXkJskksS_R8YGB73t2Z7ygj2G2XcN9jAZuGV8J15xolFvEY/s1600/Baby+Warthogs+Kruger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693815620582217378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19jDwbTindlY6NaA7O6BjWnZAgYo2c4mR0QLKO4d-JK9PCUDP-k_IWJKUhDjsX0YtbQJYRPE9bjmo-WrZKFZjIDFhVRzgXkJskksS_R8YGB73t2Z7ygj2G2XcN9jAZuGV8J15xolFvEY/s200/Baby+Warthogs+Kruger.jpg" /></a>Baby warthogs at Kruger National Park<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyqOp8-wtdY3JeUkqezqIH4Wql_A7PXY9vxyBdCl4AodSPYVlLcx6rQjQAy2k0jkeqqxV08HkanlR7CJYEE-bn55i0i9sfVJZkduE6SRGYx-sjdLfPxAAQFPDi9fxGnFdjk9d97AeuHk/s1600/Giraffes+everywhere+hluhluwe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693815347481960354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyqOp8-wtdY3JeUkqezqIH4Wql_A7PXY9vxyBdCl4AodSPYVlLcx6rQjQAy2k0jkeqqxV08HkanlR7CJYEE-bn55i0i9sfVJZkduE6SRGYx-sjdLfPxAAQFPDi9fxGnFdjk9d97AeuHk/s200/Giraffes+everywhere+hluhluwe.jpg" /></a>A field of giraffe at Hluhluwe Game Reserve<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVpc1TPTYjWbE2rMYyCKdw6rcPhQ5jFm3p35XiVEYlO3F__SbkVgDD2Jm0MLHrZ5ARoouj-p-Atc5519lUa5coQLU-n2RCL0v3Sc4aTsmqAfJqgfo8RYnCiLyyHOyEItgPiw1__r1qFA/s1600/Cape+Buffalo+Hluhluwe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693815340142916626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVpc1TPTYjWbE2rMYyCKdw6rcPhQ5jFm3p35XiVEYlO3F__SbkVgDD2Jm0MLHrZ5ARoouj-p-Atc5519lUa5coQLU-n2RCL0v3Sc4aTsmqAfJqgfo8RYnCiLyyHOyEItgPiw1__r1qFA/s200/Cape+Buffalo+Hluhluwe.jpg" /></a>Cape buffalo at Hluhluwe Game Reserve<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM1iZwLslMfAGj-z-FCvW-WsHjXB8eCOWPHRAvaR5iCbgaYhHd8H4t9zIfNL9F-nWSNiT5wS11x-08U3D6WqSwUuRKLaiWludY-nW5YAeIdA42U8s8-N9Fhy65NYRxy9MvRWqUgIohKA/s1600/Zebras+Hluhluwe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693815335350537490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM1iZwLslMfAGj-z-FCvW-WsHjXB8eCOWPHRAvaR5iCbgaYhHd8H4t9zIfNL9F-nWSNiT5wS11x-08U3D6WqSwUuRKLaiWludY-nW5YAeIdA42U8s8-N9Fhy65NYRxy9MvRWqUgIohKA/s200/Zebras+Hluhluwe.jpg" /></a>Zebras at Hluhluwe game reserve<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd-8h564ZiOrI8I2TQz21Y7UurnZmZS2EqbeI0NffC6MpKOfT4skUv1Z1v2s5YI6QkD1U_llTcez0zKLeBzwzOnwsOQJW3gDWhSWTJ1b6a6MGe3MN_Pmz8L1z4HdZ7Hz0TO3LmoDQTzQ/s1600/Giraffe+Hluhluwe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693815325204411090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd-8h564ZiOrI8I2TQz21Y7UurnZmZS2EqbeI0NffC6MpKOfT4skUv1Z1v2s5YI6QkD1U_llTcez0zKLeBzwzOnwsOQJW3gDWhSWTJ1b6a6MGe3MN_Pmz8L1z4HdZ7Hz0TO3LmoDQTzQ/s200/Giraffe+Hluhluwe.jpg" /></a>A male giraffe at Hluhluwe game reserve<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb3OaqEGKqmroadUjqbzrmhtH47nk_1E35IO8ldADuZjKd4U2bYUxemS_S6OQqd03meAPm2jCsa-Vpyu3byM2Fu09du-cCbV8jIoReXzlpkg36QbbOr3X1VGtbI-fzwEaEvuSvP4e7qA/s1600/Hippo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693815325073739874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb3OaqEGKqmroadUjqbzrmhtH47nk_1E35IO8ldADuZjKd4U2bYUxemS_S6OQqd03meAPm2jCsa-Vpyu3byM2Fu09du-cCbV8jIoReXzlpkg36QbbOr3X1VGtbI-fzwEaEvuSvP4e7qA/s200/Hippo.jpg" /></a>A hippo during our estuary cruise in St. Lucia<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s6Oto9qCrRQasfPsN4R4KrSxAIz6MjeVJD2aLRmBhWg6uMXG1_6_3xgC4WDaRoa7mQPxi88Oa7azd69pZYTx1SsIZzImXCNudRHRzY6pqDXrKATuy27jghJrsqnUVniH4x6n3P1HkHI/s1600/View+from+table+Mountain.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693814085386830386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s6Oto9qCrRQasfPsN4R4KrSxAIz6MjeVJD2aLRmBhWg6uMXG1_6_3xgC4WDaRoa7mQPxi88Oa7azd69pZYTx1SsIZzImXCNudRHRzY6pqDXrKATuy27jghJrsqnUVniH4x6n3P1HkHI/s200/View+from+table+Mountain.jpg" /></a>The view of Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIgNwJNKD6tckQq67xBKYpVfgdnGWp-J01YcduxUFJOyMZWbuIphBy88QwodKFTrJOujRTYz79p7A1at5edEE3CVypC9f15dIUOmFvZ4JeQLyFRcYAVXK4a0NiXWccGfcYTVBss57SzU/s1600/Rock+Hyrax.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693814079017089138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIgNwJNKD6tckQq67xBKYpVfgdnGWp-J01YcduxUFJOyMZWbuIphBy88QwodKFTrJOujRTYz79p7A1at5edEE3CVypC9f15dIUOmFvZ4JeQLyFRcYAVXK4a0NiXWccGfcYTVBss57SzU/s200/Rock+Hyrax.jpg" /></a>A rock hyrax that lives on the top of Table Mountain<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSnuvAaIh5AMaiQfSfPFShUWHZJ9qXEh84i_K_o22mRnpONvGl6uUtu-uoXL6FZCoIUGBfBBts9r3af4ZVR-VFi3csFi8YPk1v8gmRQQX34NprPB1vIWaSrg9L8CdoLwi8a7YxIqDiR4/s1600/J+and+L+Top+of+Table.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693814070159868370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSnuvAaIh5AMaiQfSfPFShUWHZJ9qXEh84i_K_o22mRnpONvGl6uUtu-uoXL6FZCoIUGBfBBts9r3af4ZVR-VFi3csFi8YPk1v8gmRQQX34NprPB1vIWaSrg9L8CdoLwi8a7YxIqDiR4/s200/J+and+L+Top+of+Table.jpg" /></a>Jesse and I at the top of Table Mountain<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1xNTQuj08LzN6fYI0NZGMEkKczG7_kLpaj0qLMZivicwFZbKByhtHGsPOXOfCX3pp9j8SbZq4O48FQlP9N8ySsISpSttA3YlD47hPy_KHruA9T07HbZB5avBmaRWBuKJEEfrSr1ijio/s1600/Baboons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693814063103139874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1xNTQuj08LzN6fYI0NZGMEkKczG7_kLpaj0qLMZivicwFZbKByhtHGsPOXOfCX3pp9j8SbZq4O48FQlP9N8ySsISpSttA3YlD47hPy_KHruA9T07HbZB5avBmaRWBuKJEEfrSr1ijio/s200/Baboons.jpg" /></a>Baboons hanging out on the side of the road (there had to be at least 100 of them!)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4BjSGlfP9gYbdNO15rw1NqOT5nQQy0TkKl0XM7PXlAZ71f4SmnT6ZUrJ0C3Sd3k4smadfHlVsRvgPqeDrPREscV9Mi4OcV4T4qfUbGerYDmM3driXnpr7WgTtzcNemB2Bl-UvC8nNE4/s1600/District+Six+Museum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693814059677565186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4BjSGlfP9gYbdNO15rw1NqOT5nQQy0TkKl0XM7PXlAZ71f4SmnT6ZUrJ0C3Sd3k4smadfHlVsRvgPqeDrPREscV9Mi4OcV4T4qfUbGerYDmM3driXnpr7WgTtzcNemB2Bl-UvC8nNE4/s200/District+Six+Museum.jpg" /></a>The District Six Museum in Cape Town. This is on the floor. It's a map of where people's homes used to be before the government tore them all down during apartheid to make room for white people's homes, though they never built anything. The District Six area remains empty to this day.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VYiIVs_9x_eesd5aS9nnKpL8c0PQ4u91FFGVNqiE6tUJi8NXOIB4GJuRdWKxXXI4mJvLJsjcc6x5X5-olJtXvqdj8zAdU6pQRyH9brAiXhr6SWAYYCJpkFtE4ZVzK83Q_K_3fdHTXQk/s1600/Township.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693813794429622674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VYiIVs_9x_eesd5aS9nnKpL8c0PQ4u91FFGVNqiE6tUJi8NXOIB4GJuRdWKxXXI4mJvLJsjcc6x5X5-olJtXvqdj8zAdU6pQRyH9brAiXhr6SWAYYCJpkFtE4ZVzK83Q_K_3fdHTXQk/s200/Township.jpg" /></a>Langa, the largest township in Cape Town<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6NsgQ2cwA6X_kWOkQGYUsXk87Unv0BLbEK32xfzBu2X-LFnjlbWHYocBFEi79RRu7bclaiXj9Xne7uu-x6kKKgc_659ALdtK46o6LJ2VCmBrYpk4XfcAJeQQUhHy7zTfIGoXlrLJncE/s1600/Water+Front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693813787163917842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6NsgQ2cwA6X_kWOkQGYUsXk87Unv0BLbEK32xfzBu2X-LFnjlbWHYocBFEi79RRu7bclaiXj9Xne7uu-x6kKKgc_659ALdtK46o6LJ2VCmBrYpk4XfcAJeQQUhHy7zTfIGoXlrLJncE/s200/Water+Front.jpg" /></a>The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Xt0KAbiSRIGEUXTFncjnyAEAiOVkawfg_TGhMPBCqKH3B7TShR-DH0ZM5EtLE-2XAPttJ4z7ZnSqL179QTt_QLQmmciDI21jFtGmC842ARuaFiXA9IJF9ni912nR7-FbDwt9sfr13SU/s1600/Beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693813781089428162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Xt0KAbiSRIGEUXTFncjnyAEAiOVkawfg_TGhMPBCqKH3B7TShR-DH0ZM5EtLE-2XAPttJ4z7ZnSqL179QTt_QLQmmciDI21jFtGmC842ARuaFiXA9IJF9ni912nR7-FbDwt9sfr13SU/s200/Beach.jpg" /></a>The beach in Cape Town<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-H-N7ORoZEEz5PJmHiiVAeecpyr9yvwE_-ekEGphm6XOfPB8xYZz4ZAcfGtalEtf2EVND9YQHczdht33XIHqpDxdig_NEKttfpS1URl_CURbzrP8tHL79y8XrnNOLFW2w6FwkR3P2bE/s1600/Penguins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693813772322124450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-H-N7ORoZEEz5PJmHiiVAeecpyr9yvwE_-ekEGphm6XOfPB8xYZz4ZAcfGtalEtf2EVND9YQHczdht33XIHqpDxdig_NEKttfpS1URl_CURbzrP8tHL79y8XrnNOLFW2w6FwkR3P2bE/s200/Penguins.jpg" /></a>African penguins at Boulder Beach in Simon's Town<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYRZe7UtmEdtFZivlTltEvrw4Zje4xGz5QW1EnS9RwsaQrcg9fYFcuZb1cbUJnbzb7xPWAMsYKlMsi3kh8mnkGRPWcS-bW2gRHMVDh0-Diu59y2hLW8o6IlGTW63Z-qrcje-ZOBr9AFk/s1600/Cape+of+Good+Hope+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693813767798638354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYRZe7UtmEdtFZivlTltEvrw4Zje4xGz5QW1EnS9RwsaQrcg9fYFcuZb1cbUJnbzb7xPWAMsYKlMsi3kh8mnkGRPWcS-bW2gRHMVDh0-Diu59y2hLW8o6IlGTW63Z-qrcje-ZOBr9AFk/s200/Cape+of+Good+Hope+1.jpg" /></a>Cape of Good Hope<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lKW9N1knQLOkcatkxcM-sIh_-noJ3k5UI8JnpMQc8hzxnhRsWstWMh4aXLlG2eTUaS0DkTiCuyrzl71VbLjtU0fKas3t0jwiz3FAUyjzRlKr-SgYxF_FTYdlegRTmTGvza3ma5hLtxg/s1600/Elephant+sleeping+kruger.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWAWJ2sT8IgUdjQkpqtWKgRsBjZlA725H7E7YTby9GsB9b5z-QYudhPpp3AqkbIijANBv2p2ylaNiVtKcaJ7V82EoOv2mxfYpf8dz6CmkI7GtBAgMMS2TGvND4YUBlxcla_CCrbVcRcE/s1600/Bourkes+Luck.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK2YPqgf8IkMnf3I_EK1CWgJFjISdewpHuu8P7jlnU5rk97LurJxavpptrGwIoylWAtbgb5Evh4Cy5eomt3-8p4urmTNCmD2a70YxdWrvn7tU8dRmKDvGmZlSFUE8-sAg5qN3z-ITLgw/s1600/J+and+L+Bourkes.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_wxu08upZP_foEEotzY17AtvR0O_YzOJ1_Lhqdo7yBAfn9xNS4sVKlrVAR2i3z3wbdYNORhrg5p-MghDIb_dT3pUzB09C66hCKJUMaqnBZz5lUXGMafIxpgCe64IuQ3IbEvkDtwfV7g/s1600/Jesse+Rhino+No+Poaching.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXiooRANTvGQecDmGhUlNY9sXq0qclJdJKfEeW6YszCU-XpXJ7E1Qr9rZ74kZBloS2Khj42DMYni75oVJoh_ifjALokFHJ8kus9zHftbNnMuh0CzVCXb9CBE8QkMvsBwD61EQBBlZ5wg/s1600/Never+Again+Apartheid.jpg"></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-34774558909334867542011-11-21T07:46:00.003-05:002011-11-21T07:50:48.688-05:00Lima, Peru<div>Forgive my absence here. I just got back from Lima, Peru for a work trip. Here are some pictures:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCkPHxXCOayi_03OeFQ_1y5Nm3x33H9uO76SkMdxIg1iN1FXBnPbrijzBKumgp2EQH0JYa5QPPXLozaH5YF1NBt46AIvjuacQRonaHWeQzHBPqJEuC5Fvv0xcqpJe70xJo4St-IFR9Ho/s1600/Indio.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCkPHxXCOayi_03OeFQ_1y5Nm3x33H9uO76SkMdxIg1iN1FXBnPbrijzBKumgp2EQH0JYa5QPPXLozaH5YF1NBt46AIvjuacQRonaHWeQzHBPqJEuC5Fvv0xcqpJe70xJo4St-IFR9Ho/s200/Indio.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677430036607864450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Mercado del Indio, or "Indian Market", full of handicrafts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5k7LvEware01aiGGXlxK1MnltSAMBCW6gsdzJkq6RZxG6jmaUTI2GxJgkVPsdh6Tg6aMKck9JF0x2D0eRZO9p1VSeH0iUsxHnkqhPXSVRIQT-vjQUbWki6KN18I4u6NfciASYpNRRX4/s1600/Carvings.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5k7LvEware01aiGGXlxK1MnltSAMBCW6gsdzJkq6RZxG6jmaUTI2GxJgkVPsdh6Tg6aMKck9JF0x2D0eRZO9p1VSeH0iUsxHnkqhPXSVRIQT-vjQUbWki6KN18I4u6NfciASYpNRRX4/s200/Carvings.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677429955675089330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This woman was doing a traditional craft of carving into gourds to make decorations, necklaces, earrings, etc. They were beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM-TMfWviRezCHpITGK10Coq2phuyO5MJ6W0h7kxUb9TRsqHAr5Xf_r7cybbcg4iZ4aYFcqHMgpUyWoFrMwBJhQrtFirwBed5lT0-SqGxvPfoMhgXkgzyHUoOnpSQI0F5TXC7KpHJk7g/s1600/Jugo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM-TMfWviRezCHpITGK10Coq2phuyO5MJ6W0h7kxUb9TRsqHAr5Xf_r7cybbcg4iZ4aYFcqHMgpUyWoFrMwBJhQrtFirwBed5lT0-SqGxvPfoMhgXkgzyHUoOnpSQI0F5TXC7KpHJk7g/s200/Jugo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677429942818260722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Lucuma (a fruit native to Peru) juice. Mmmm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlm_jccl5z9lo7v_eszvrJvDDdUkq4pbBOhywEmw0O5OKBzuBvClOpO3wGmPmds4whNrycxtefLPJfnXROyMTqQX3zR6K5OLD6-2IN0DC3P1mLwGHiWkkMZxogOCiPZRS5DxecgLI8dg/s1600/Parque.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlm_jccl5z9lo7v_eszvrJvDDdUkq4pbBOhywEmw0O5OKBzuBvClOpO3wGmPmds4whNrycxtefLPJfnXROyMTqQX3zR6K5OLD6-2IN0DC3P1mLwGHiWkkMZxogOCiPZRS5DxecgLI8dg/s200/Parque.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677429934978580162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Parque Kennedy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8erCDjvjFza8bhDATuZ2Y5TmUEtbplXCo_dOYchA6JmnsQ7KUN8njsAcUXb3yjRkMXYeF9Hz6PcdVTq51vNI4x5i5v-f4ynLj6zzP9vu27UmhHJI2OGSsKlMPdezTXBBgm-W6kvmHhfE/s1600/Pisco.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8erCDjvjFza8bhDATuZ2Y5TmUEtbplXCo_dOYchA6JmnsQ7KUN8njsAcUXb3yjRkMXYeF9Hz6PcdVTq51vNI4x5i5v-f4ynLj6zzP9vu27UmhHJI2OGSsKlMPdezTXBBgm-W6kvmHhfE/s200/Pisco.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677429925488762098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Pisco sour!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGftsuw9UgEo8300Uwczt5XrfzgRL_HB31cjrVYKNZW5LtCj8IfQYU9puwmOi9CJsUy8qVoJt5zy9nE8TpBPkyuameNcOjQ-cn9sMVhfuwBzLob4O_JuKsrs4Qx37lIOzGfhHNV8ClvY/s1600/Chirimoya.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGftsuw9UgEo8300Uwczt5XrfzgRL_HB31cjrVYKNZW5LtCj8IfQYU9puwmOi9CJsUy8qVoJt5zy9nE8TpBPkyuameNcOjQ-cn9sMVhfuwBzLob4O_JuKsrs4Qx37lIOzGfhHNV8ClvY/s200/Chirimoya.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677429924117835346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A dessert made with chirimoya at <a href="http://www.lamarcebicheria.com/web/intro.php">La Mar</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now it's off to Maine for Thanksgiving! Have a great holiday!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-42868589913012937322011-11-03T09:40:00.007-04:002011-11-03T17:40:57.083-04:00November Intentions<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vWKHi1PHORvaHnbgBGMOrQusXx4vzCtL3RSvDqW97zT08p0HTU7AwvWTKw5M-OzrM_SY4XpZizbweAMquPsd9P_NeUvC-7Yjx1lisyeDaIO5Hken18NjPx5sfqjeR6IucWVcAy5rAow/s1600/4160546686_ff2e607a6c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 133px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670764107513779650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vWKHi1PHORvaHnbgBGMOrQusXx4vzCtL3RSvDqW97zT08p0HTU7AwvWTKw5M-OzrM_SY4XpZizbweAMquPsd9P_NeUvC-7Yjx1lisyeDaIO5Hken18NjPx5sfqjeR6IucWVcAy5rAow/s200/4160546686_ff2e607a6c.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div align="center">I'm a few days late on these because I've spent all my free time connected to my heating pad and in bed with a bad back. November is going to be very hectic for me. Keeping that in mind, my intentions are to:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">-Spend quality time with my family this weekend and enjoy my godson's christening on Sunday</div><div align="left">-Get back into an exercise routine, even if it is just walking (pending orthopedist approval today)</div><div align="left">-Make a list of holiday gifts to get for family and friends.</div><div align="left">-Volunteer again with <a href="https://lostdogrescue.org/">The Lost Dog and Cat Foundation</a>.</div><div align="left">-Soak up as much as possible during my work trip to Peru from November 13-19</div><div align="left">-Enjoy every minute with J's family in Maine during the week of Thanksgiving</div><div align="left">-Prepare for our trip to South Africa: read the guidebooks, make a list of places to see and things to do, find veg-friendly restaurants, make a packing list, purchase travel essentials.</div><div align="left">-Use my yearly performance evaluation as a way to have space to reflect and a chance to find ways to grow in 2012.</div><div align="left">-Journal lots. </div><div align="left">-Take life one day at a time.</div><div align="left"> </div><div><br /></div><div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{Image from </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pen3ya/4160546686/"><span style="font-size:85%;">pen3ya</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">}</span></div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-18869059688166320222011-11-02T08:03:00.001-04:002011-11-02T08:03:00.593-04:00Scenes from Truckerboo<div>Last Friday night, Jesse and I headed over to Truckerboo! This is the Halloween-inspired version of <a href="http://truckeroodc.com/">Truckeroo</a>, the monthly food truck festival here in DC. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY4sH_JtEEPLs7h7T-87shFwzYHZBcGJAh8_oUBB0F2RvGI2kAF7IHT-QZRwKNZoyVrqIzlRZ9OIc_19bCVSJHv1rAP731FDPrmy6yNk1B2CCuRs9X84kEb8UOFd50r28Qe2PUww0AOk/s1600/Jesse+Truckeroo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY4sH_JtEEPLs7h7T-87shFwzYHZBcGJAh8_oUBB0F2RvGI2kAF7IHT-QZRwKNZoyVrqIzlRZ9OIc_19bCVSJHv1rAP731FDPrmy6yNk1B2CCuRs9X84kEb8UOFd50r28Qe2PUww0AOk/s200/Jesse+Truckeroo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669471811044844482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My date for the evening. It was mighty cold.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN6XCXfLtA1aYdCtPUfhwjPNUbJ2UikyqYkt3rJuJIhrexhyphenhyphenK_NZjhZrk9vCPODZJldrmLHImC7j-ZzypICUv5uYuRIjcXdi3Et46v3sN3ul2W51Q_BMgigACSYTeOTfAyP06Yiid_d4/s1600/Curbside+Cupcake.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN6XCXfLtA1aYdCtPUfhwjPNUbJ2UikyqYkt3rJuJIhrexhyphenhyphenK_NZjhZrk9vCPODZJldrmLHImC7j-ZzypICUv5uYuRIjcXdi3Et46v3sN3ul2W51Q_BMgigACSYTeOTfAyP06Yiid_d4/s200/Curbside+Cupcake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669471803780504562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">So many trucks to choose from! This pink one is Curbside Cupcakes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6Uxv0sGlqcbqSPATM8DjkkGlOnlUPO0NA76r3EtU7EAmSBnQIlRAsLNTZ4aD_mz1UVT7swXHU2NOrBYqGF1HRHYIr0cmzOWWr8iTCZcCZ7e-ZMik0kBtRPa0unxBMxdBSAC0F3tDDdg/s1600/Hula+Truck.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6Uxv0sGlqcbqSPATM8DjkkGlOnlUPO0NA76r3EtU7EAmSBnQIlRAsLNTZ4aD_mz1UVT7swXHU2NOrBYqGF1HRHYIr0cmzOWWr8iTCZcCZ7e-ZMik0kBtRPa0unxBMxdBSAC0F3tDDdg/s200/Hula+Truck.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669471555597262322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Hula truck was a frontrunner for awhile.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFQR5ngMyYHfiZrm7tW20JHzbSQnClH6zdRde18OEMtz6mDragnmV5Z_TchX8Hlug2zFm7fjCEuAx3RcML3EQgizJvRDrePVMedEaOpA66wqkg_LZBMIAScjRpJShlVe4OwA-HSvtATY/s1600/Pan+con+tofu+truck.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFQR5ngMyYHfiZrm7tW20JHzbSQnClH6zdRde18OEMtz6mDragnmV5Z_TchX8Hlug2zFm7fjCEuAx3RcML3EQgizJvRDrePVMedEaOpA66wqkg_LZBMIAScjRpJShlVe4OwA-HSvtATY/s200/Pan+con+tofu+truck.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669471545879073634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">But given my inability to pass up anything guava flavored, the El Floridiano truck won!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbqvhPoWsLYw67j5EF_qMTiIiA_3W7b47fK0LzrxEls38A63hOFSWNmtgXU398oCRx_NoXYRCF2R3TfQ2OopXZgPR0r5KAk6NYqFlgTHil6xOecNFEJju52li1BwAIFJS63YsSKoAp1I/s1600/Pan+con+tofu.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbqvhPoWsLYw67j5EF_qMTiIiA_3W7b47fK0LzrxEls38A63hOFSWNmtgXU398oCRx_NoXYRCF2R3TfQ2OopXZgPR0r5KAk6NYqFlgTHil6xOecNFEJju52li1BwAIFJS63YsSKoAp1I/s200/Pan+con+tofu.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669471535932976578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Pan con tofu": bread, tofu, slaw, guava coconut sauce. Mmmm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai_9QtbI2rZApev8hVzyIdjOrVj01etwIk5VfMfb59r2OnXmmrpfzMWMX7_A18yPAJFkacVynJYBC5x4PJ0IDiQ3Y2GGDBaPE3K6sbjtAOGVBD_xgFpcPfKxxb3ugc9zoY9aoQjNTibU/s1600/Banana+Cream+Pie+Ice+Cream.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai_9QtbI2rZApev8hVzyIdjOrVj01etwIk5VfMfb59r2OnXmmrpfzMWMX7_A18yPAJFkacVynJYBC5x4PJ0IDiQ3Y2GGDBaPE3K6sbjtAOGVBD_xgFpcPfKxxb3ugc9zoY9aoQjNTibU/s200/Banana+Cream+Pie+Ice+Cream.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669471523901169698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Jesse got banana cream pie ice cream for dessert.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZSw1VoAdGHOrze_vK4Lym28JI6953tIKfhkCfBG4OFwoDeUqZ10YAT6TiQe-I93JOPxzT_QL5fu4ZnHdmoC6BQrBmNEEoBmo3PbYup5P1lSXCpNfJRj6w7LCsdXTQQXCFWsjZE5lLgk/s1600/Blueberry+Pie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZSw1VoAdGHOrze_vK4Lym28JI6953tIKfhkCfBG4OFwoDeUqZ10YAT6TiQe-I93JOPxzT_QL5fu4ZnHdmoC6BQrBmNEEoBmo3PbYup5P1lSXCpNfJRj6w7LCsdXTQQXCFWsjZE5lLgk/s200/Blueberry+Pie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669471519630363122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And I got blueberry pie from the Dangerously Delicious pie truck. </div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-32232325605231337862011-10-31T07:55:00.000-04:002011-10-31T07:55:00.617-04:00Vegan Mofo 14: Thanksgiving Dress Rehearsal<div>Last night I decided to do a Thanksgiving dress rehearsal. We usually go to Jesse's aunt and uncle's house for Thanksgiving and like to bring something veg to share. I always try the recipes beforehand so I can be sure they will be delicious. First up: <a href="http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-pull-apart-rolls.html">Pumpkin pull-apart rolls</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpWZLSU1ELmS_8i4je3ph8Ss58qKy_u6kf-bOf3RfahMSrLdEjhSCVA4MCrCDGhwBBbsgLQjBfq9XFxq_N4PoTLVp9q8geAI4HdYutLbErvc7C8FlynRwsFde3_NHJ3kSbof8PXjudFQ/s1600/Finished+Pull+Apart+Rolls.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpWZLSU1ELmS_8i4je3ph8Ss58qKy_u6kf-bOf3RfahMSrLdEjhSCVA4MCrCDGhwBBbsgLQjBfq9XFxq_N4PoTLVp9q8geAI4HdYutLbErvc7C8FlynRwsFde3_NHJ3kSbof8PXjudFQ/s200/Finished+Pull+Apart+Rolls.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669469578010187986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">These were pretty easy as far as bread goes and tasted delicious!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpf0sxidVf_K00lDud5nyuw5ao2rhyphenhypheny8ewnX98x9ajJLa20Th0JFKnCdQxKiRY0eqg9DZLw4wLmzltKbr5boeccI0x1cLNjvcvjCdOccZvH-CK76lvdlCspxawOq4FM7tTKxv3-8c4k4/s1600/Roasted+Pie+Veggies.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpf0sxidVf_K00lDud5nyuw5ao2rhyphenhypheny8ewnX98x9ajJLa20Th0JFKnCdQxKiRY0eqg9DZLw4wLmzltKbr5boeccI0x1cLNjvcvjCdOccZvH-CK76lvdlCspxawOq4FM7tTKxv3-8c4k4/s200/Roasted+Pie+Veggies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669469575355175650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Then I tried making <a href="http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2011/10/harvest-pies.html">Harvest Pies</a>. Here is the butternut squash, cranberry and shallot mixture after it came out of the oven. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSlhFHLFhGOHXcwfLsgw3LxTDRLItGss8OoCq14picIqMk2xKdn31nHHw1TYewHi4dGofRjrBbgWjVP8I22537LtfZwHBhmQnY-w3Gw-kun-Babc2Lq3Yn4XAFVcQdZZv1WMFpd5X-8k/s1600/Stovetop+Pie+Veggies.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSlhFHLFhGOHXcwfLsgw3LxTDRLItGss8OoCq14picIqMk2xKdn31nHHw1TYewHi4dGofRjrBbgWjVP8I22537LtfZwHBhmQnY-w3Gw-kun-Babc2Lq3Yn4XAFVcQdZZv1WMFpd5X-8k/s200/Stovetop+Pie+Veggies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669469562848893138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Potato, carrot, onion, spices and white wine on the stove.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfiLsscTp0wXt7eNtpbZ07JaQxdvFIbMuDLM3Ib7dq_1wOigaTw-jPcYYjUvsPgkwvHa4qTkiHsXEQ7jRkGyKwJ1vFCKATAu03EEu3YPclSMTPU8IxqYLKo_NJpqtpE6XhzoK5fiTlbc/s1600/Harvest+Pies.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfiLsscTp0wXt7eNtpbZ07JaQxdvFIbMuDLM3Ib7dq_1wOigaTw-jPcYYjUvsPgkwvHa4qTkiHsXEQ7jRkGyKwJ1vFCKATAu03EEu3YPclSMTPU8IxqYLKo_NJpqtpE6XhzoK5fiTlbc/s200/Harvest+Pies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669469559404893122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The pies before going in the oven.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNfHkXBblmKkKgYn5wLHlSX0bN0RQObzY5-ogW2eTiaa5kxlJKrzq9PsKGgycOxjyKwa_4R0zZPM47lQ_aBTxkOT-vyydwoy8ndJhCUO9aZplg4puUNBSB_ZAfn0UmJMJc6907nlpWOI/s1600/Thanksgiving+Dinner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNfHkXBblmKkKgYn5wLHlSX0bN0RQObzY5-ogW2eTiaa5kxlJKrzq9PsKGgycOxjyKwa_4R0zZPM47lQ_aBTxkOT-vyydwoy8ndJhCUO9aZplg4puUNBSB_ZAfn0UmJMJc6907nlpWOI/s200/Thanksgiving+Dinner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669469554980649666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The final product: one roll, one pie (with <a href="http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2011/01/hogwarts-tofu-with-roasted-vegetables.html">vegan gravy</a> that was superb) and a salad. This dinner just tasted like Thanksgiving. So comforting and warm and yummy. I also made a pumpkin pie but its crust was a disaster. Thank goodness my copy of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Pie-Sky-Out---This-World/dp/0738212741/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320026523&sr=8-1">Vegan Pie in the Sky</a></i> is on its way to me!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-47282507880157732692011-10-30T21:44:00.005-04:002011-10-30T22:03:05.278-04:00Vegan Mofo 13: Tempeh Sloppy Joes<div>I made Sloppy Joes for dinner the other night on a whim. It was snowing (?!?!) outside and I wanted a quick comfort meal. The truth is, however, it was really on a whim because I had never had them before. Even in my pre-veg days, I have never eaten red meat. When I was first given a hamburger to try, I told my Mom it looked like worms and that was that. I did, however, grow up in a house where these were made from time to time. I wasn't sure that I would actually like them since they had the same smell as the animal ones I had grown up around.</div><div><br /></div><div>The verdict: These are awesome. I love having another way to use tempeh, especially because I don't <i>love</i> it on its own and this is an easy way to get more protein. I also like the veggies in there and the fact that <a href="http://everydayrevelry.blogspot.com/2011/03/delicious-dishes-hamburger-buns.html">I get to eat these on a burger bun</a>! The recipe came from <a href="http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/06/sloppy-joes.html">this post</a> on the Vegan Dad blog. I highly recommend giving these a try!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MiYgR1kjh7faq_oQ66NnHkfgKuRyjIXJt0LMqTBqs5UCIUps0wwIVg_d8xnW5tfXdv7ZihRGgFw7H7kmnKi-hfKGpBaQYsV0dU82hLmOYm-iZjKUqU9xutJCpOEMMDt9n7ZnVnc7FLs/s1600/Sloppy+Joe+Veggies.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MiYgR1kjh7faq_oQ66NnHkfgKuRyjIXJt0LMqTBqs5UCIUps0wwIVg_d8xnW5tfXdv7ZihRGgFw7H7kmnKi-hfKGpBaQYsV0dU82hLmOYm-iZjKUqU9xutJCpOEMMDt9n7ZnVnc7FLs/s200/Sloppy+Joe+Veggies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669467302009115058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sautee green pepper, onion and celery.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73sbefxCHoo8mz7qVp6wMJHZlwj7P0qaLI6CVL9PVatLxdtQsHQPkw8gkKCFanXX-aPzdC_YBcNOSdhUR0kh8oHevVhLA8tdV9cCxmbnfNsRXCtBJGJQK1bVakh43Brpz2k6wsgp0hJ4/s1600/Veggies+and+tempeh.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73sbefxCHoo8mz7qVp6wMJHZlwj7P0qaLI6CVL9PVatLxdtQsHQPkw8gkKCFanXX-aPzdC_YBcNOSdhUR0kh8oHevVhLA8tdV9cCxmbnfNsRXCtBJGJQK1bVakh43Brpz2k6wsgp0hJ4/s200/Veggies+and+tempeh.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669467293411541794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Add grated tempeh that has been steamed with soy sauce.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRVKdwMx6rJGe1l_lHy9SZL_laVExgYwCrBbq5H0NaOEK9AyOR3rvCVEjx_x0ARB0Uobsr3dx2oQXQGDtZbPUIEcKFohtAWzwsMWrsf5yOq4gozdONwXWzFt6yPNme7N7hNq77SPsi8Y/s1600/Cooking+Tempeh+and+Sauce.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRVKdwMx6rJGe1l_lHy9SZL_laVExgYwCrBbq5H0NaOEK9AyOR3rvCVEjx_x0ARB0Uobsr3dx2oQXQGDtZbPUIEcKFohtAWzwsMWrsf5yOq4gozdONwXWzFt6yPNme7N7hNq77SPsi8Y/s200/Cooking+Tempeh+and+Sauce.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669467286599685330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Add spices and sauces.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgWGRFL5bguoo2zt7kIWN-myya6GdXO_e3v8wWvkTPvcjd6apcHAztI1HYKTVj6ZNCmWCjreyB1AybJr22KN4xHhDB76qgpr3OwavJF8XMR0yPYBf3fWRVPd9HHyAUdTBHn_YUJ1LAS8/s1600/Finished+Sloppy+Joe.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgWGRFL5bguoo2zt7kIWN-myya6GdXO_e3v8wWvkTPvcjd6apcHAztI1HYKTVj6ZNCmWCjreyB1AybJr22KN4xHhDB76qgpr3OwavJF8XMR0yPYBf3fWRVPd9HHyAUdTBHn_YUJ1LAS8/s200/Finished+Sloppy+Joe.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669467277000612274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The finished product!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzswVfz9bKovc0kG74zorzUaUXNKOBHqDK3QMdCEB6vHw7TdqQwPdfheL6B2HMe2qpkNJe7o-HiSNjoDRlvkkNbSCSqxfIx35KvftnINTIxM0hkZQFbeXz2JouOUchX53JaG5KFn5AyCw/s1600/Sloppy+Joe++Dinner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzswVfz9bKovc0kG74zorzUaUXNKOBHqDK3QMdCEB6vHw7TdqQwPdfheL6B2HMe2qpkNJe7o-HiSNjoDRlvkkNbSCSqxfIx35KvftnINTIxM0hkZQFbeXz2JouOUchX53JaG5KFn5AyCw/s200/Sloppy+Joe++Dinner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669467267931625794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Serve with roasted brussel sprouts and sweet potato tater tots.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-22658316605391584522011-10-20T08:02:00.000-04:002011-10-20T08:02:00.482-04:00Vegan Mofo 12: Kaya's Kitchen<div>Last weekend Jesse and I took a road trip to New Jersey for a comedy show. Before the show, we took a small detour to <a href="http://kayaskitchenbelmar.com/">Kaya's Kitchen</a>, a vegetarian restaurant in Belmar. The menu is very extensive and it took me a long time to decide what to order. It's rare that I can order from the entire menu, especially one so big! We started with wildberry iced tea and some bread and olive oil. Then I had the Thai Sweet Potato Soup, which was sweet and spicy and very comforting:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5I2MBDH1jmwbzeZzdO-Jkaf4w3WmGyFGyqulxEE-vd3YwVEW7Jz-aKLcRgpgfSLBZb3mZ9MbwrNGtpIbSuv5S0U0prC_Hi-kkpdCVVO6ud6JwRkCAIlXPo9SzFhoUzJ4GSPyACAPodg/s1600/Soup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5I2MBDH1jmwbzeZzdO-Jkaf4w3WmGyFGyqulxEE-vd3YwVEW7Jz-aKLcRgpgfSLBZb3mZ9MbwrNGtpIbSuv5S0U0prC_Hi-kkpdCVVO6ud6JwRkCAIlXPo9SzFhoUzJ4GSPyACAPodg/s200/Soup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665373841303218354" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jesse began his meal with the cajun tofu salad. It had seasoned grilled tofu, greens, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, pickled red onion, sunflower seeds, sprouts and a cucumber ranch dressing. People, this is a small:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif;color:#422929;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif;color:#422929;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jWcfdy4_H-6DbvU0rW0JY9pTwlsmUYuRfK8gE-nPq_QVX1lFdp1ARY1v_ez0t-btxvCPXu0Yzifr4HdZEFRAea4xhqyS3Sqd6kZ_KY6IwstYyOINROiQobxmc5McCp-9iNpitFg7yrg/s1600/Salad.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jWcfdy4_H-6DbvU0rW0JY9pTwlsmUYuRfK8gE-nPq_QVX1lFdp1ARY1v_ez0t-btxvCPXu0Yzifr4HdZEFRAea4xhqyS3Sqd6kZ_KY6IwstYyOINROiQobxmc5McCp-9iNpitFg7yrg/s200/Salad.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665373827796230738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For his entree, Jesse had the "Acapulco Loco", which was diced veggie nuggets, peppers, corn, onion, black beans and broccoli in a spicy Mexican chipotle lime sauce over rice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggojs4vZL_DihykMfeGQ9CDfqPtRRT0SanN-qto6OdyyhGtw_ol4kPBjORO_VQYSaaNzajfask00ewXcJ0_Hb48eQOrpLcE_3WjpotAF1qpdJnKgFp1P14Zn2B45qGFkB3NjwKxliDfds/s1600/Acapulco+Loco.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggojs4vZL_DihykMfeGQ9CDfqPtRRT0SanN-qto6OdyyhGtw_ol4kPBjORO_VQYSaaNzajfask00ewXcJ0_Hb48eQOrpLcE_3WjpotAF1qpdJnKgFp1P14Zn2B45qGFkB3NjwKxliDfds/s200/Acapulco+Loco.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665373816717305330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was in the mood for a sandwich, so I tried the "Island Grilled Tofu Sandwich", which was Jamaican jerk tofu. Mmm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGH85q9X383Lrgi_YYUGXwJz05UBiygGzGk2CdArVWGDx0hIDtcsn_bRlZNPrHaLtTadsd7alMpKeG_Q_Cf8XaXQqsl1LDf081czOQNLurFPWIQd4sLDABymjje8JGcGe6_BgvsFfmP8/s1600/Sandwich.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGH85q9X383Lrgi_YYUGXwJz05UBiygGzGk2CdArVWGDx0hIDtcsn_bRlZNPrHaLtTadsd7alMpKeG_Q_Cf8XaXQqsl1LDf081czOQNLurFPWIQd4sLDABymjje8JGcGe6_BgvsFfmP8/s200/Sandwich.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665373809759930018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To finish, Jesse got a vegan mint cake. Perfect ending to a great meal. We will be back for sure!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaFyYAB9nUIMyQFsFNlqWi87TqwI3BBqfINJ7vO0JoU-v6l5u2A1EgCVpmJ2aKiVQON-yAACSn3QiEZb6bwgHA16I25_jFejuO4AyXLK5MoGKauF4BRqebdcQLn5FR5Mlgc5wbAgvOOY/s1600/Cake.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaFyYAB9nUIMyQFsFNlqWi87TqwI3BBqfINJ7vO0JoU-v6l5u2A1EgCVpmJ2aKiVQON-yAACSn3QiEZb6bwgHA16I25_jFejuO4AyXLK5MoGKauF4BRqebdcQLn5FR5Mlgc5wbAgvOOY/s200/Cake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665373801611968258" /></a>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794355913308384544.post-54046497415505537232011-10-19T20:54:00.003-04:002011-10-19T20:59:48.647-04:00Vegan Mofo 11: Tired and Stressed Edition<div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrMp3FWs3GDtHhbkCHVDkSB4NHfqrNYoruyOs3ggiOcrxtZp4s24NE0T8YE_mKrW__FFCvqtL7oYlH6nlcq4DyBT91JrkymXHmjAsbLHT_JQQobpaMSSZuIo4XRTuvP8AxWejZ1qhziA/s1600/Hummamole.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrMp3FWs3GDtHhbkCHVDkSB4NHfqrNYoruyOs3ggiOcrxtZp4s24NE0T8YE_mKrW__FFCvqtL7oYlH6nlcq4DyBT91JrkymXHmjAsbLHT_JQQobpaMSSZuIo4XRTuvP8AxWejZ1qhziA/s200/Hummamole.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665371578339128914" /></a><br /><div>Some days, I come home from work totally exhausted. It's been a crazy week (and it's only Wednesday...oy!). I had no energy to make something super involved, so I tried the "hummamole" from <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Fix-Vegan-Healthy-Homestyle-Minutes/dp/1449407854/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1319072184&sr=8-3">Quick-Fix Vegan</a></i>. It's pretty versatile because it's relatively plain. It's basically plain hummus with a whole avocado thrown in. It was good as a dip for veggies, but I think it would be delicious as a sandwich spread!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10969604730626598355noreply@blogger.com0