Fagioli All’Uccelletta & happy gotcha day!

With Fall now upon us and actually having some nice "sweater weather" it's time for lots of soup!!  I love making a huge pot up on Sunday and then canning it in mason jars for lunch all week long.  If we have some left at the end of the week I just pop those into the freezer and enjoy later.  I'm all about quick and easy.  This was a pretty tasty recipe and you have the option of spicing it up if you like it on the hotter side.

Fagioli All’Uccelletta

Original from: Vegan Miam

Ingredients

• 2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern beans including liquid
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 1 14-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes including juice
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 yellow squash, sliced
• 2/3 cup diced carrots
• 2 tsp. dried sage
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• Optional: Add dried chili flakes for mild heat

cooking, relaxing, sewing & a greyhound event - all in a weekend

Wow, where did this weekend go?  I cooked up a storm on Saturday and had a blast while doing so!  Yes, cooking and Walking Dead makes me happy happy happy!  I started with making a big pot of White Bean Tuscan Soup for lunches this week. 

White Bean Tuscan Soup

Ingredients

• 1 Can Cannelloni Beans, drained
• 1 Cam Chickpeas, drained
• 3 Cups Water
• 3 Cups Vegetable Broth
• 1 Large Onion, diced
• 4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• 2 Zucchini, diced
• 1 15 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes
• 2 Cups Butternut Squash cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I buy packaged)
• 1 T. Chili Powder
• 1 T. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Paprika
• Salt and Pepper to taste

vegan potato mushroom & kale enchiladas

I have been a little slow sharing this recipe.  I blame it on two things - 1. It's getting dark out when we eat and harder to take a photo of it. 2. They are so good that I forget all about taking a photo!!  LOL!  I made up almost two pans of this and let me tell you, just as good the next day and the day after that!!  We enjoyed ours with a side of black beans, but rice would also be just as good.

Vegan Potato Mushroom & Kale Enchiladas

best birthday!

Saturday was just the best birthday I think I have ever had!  I was worried when I woke up and not feeling 100%, but after a morning snuggle on the couch with the pups watching my new all time favorite show Orange is the New Black I slowly started to feel better.  My husband was home by 8am from work and were started the day at Bergies (most awesome place) before heading over to the Farmers Market.  Prada was a good girl and enjoyed when some one stopped to pet her.  A little bummed out that the vegan food truck wasn't there, but we made due with bagels. My co-workers made me a special Rick Springfield tee shirt that I wore and I loved the women who would freak out when they saw it.  Too funny how many of us old crazy ladies there are out there!  I think the sales lady at Old Navy even gave me an extra discount when I was there (she went on and on about how much her friend loved Rick too).  LOL!

Vegan Sweet Potato Enchiladas - Perfect for Fall

Mexican food has to be my all time favorite food.  I love tacos, burros, enchiladas - I love it all!!  With Fall now here I love adding in sweet potatoes to just about everything, including my Mexican dishes.  This recipe does take a while to cook and put together, but I love that it makes so many and makes great leftovers!  Trust me, it's worth it!!

Vegan Sweet Potato Enchiladas

Enchilada Sauce:

 

1 T. Vegetable Broth

1 Onion, diced

2 Cloves of Garlic, minced 

1 Jalapeno Pepper, diced

1-2 Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce

1 1/2 T. Cumin

1 1/2 T. Chili Powder

8 oz. Tomato Sauce

3/4 Cup water

vegan hungarian goulash

I'm sure there are some Hungarians who would shame me for making a vegan Hungarian goulash, but hey it's REALLY good!!  This is NOT the goulash I was subjected to eating as a child and swore I would never feed my kids. No, this is so much better I promise you!

Vegan Hungarian Goulash

fall is around us

Finally Fall is here!!  Arizona is even having some odd early cool weather and yes....wait for it....I wore boots to work on Monday!!  LOL!  It's really only cool in the morning and evening, but heck I just turn the AC way down at work and it's all good.

So, now the house is decorated - Prada has a pretty fall collar - I've started buying a few Fall clothing items - Making yummy Black Bean with Sweet Potato Soup....heaven!!

I even think I am finally over my cold and trying to get back into the swing of things.  Do you find that one thing can throw you off the healthy track?  Some times I really think my life is a roller coaster ride when it comes to being healthy and staying healthy.  Eating fresh and healthy...on top of the roller coaster hill...death of dog, bad cold, traveling, etc...roller coaster ride down that hill...quickly.  It's the climb back up that is the hard part.  Feels almost like I am pushing that roller coaster back up the hill, slipping at times and falling back down, pushing again, then back down.  Sure you get the picture. 

vegan taco lasagna & a greyt update

I still have not been feeling 100%, but trying to keep going.  I had the option to go out last night, but I have been really wanting to make vegan taco lasagna for dinner and boy am I glad that I did!!  OMG, another two thumbs up recipe.  You really could add more veggies and mix up the bean options to your choice.  The recipe originally called for just black beans, but the pinto beans worked out great!  The husband - again - said it was one of my best!  And all this time people thought us vegan's only ate salad!!  Surprise!! Vegan Taco Lasagna Adapted From: VegNews Serves 8

Ingredients: For the filling: 2 teaspoons vegetable broth 12 ounces button mushrooms, stemmed and quartered 1 onion, diced  1 clove garlic, minced ½ teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper

vegan sloppy joes & coleslaw

Sorry I have been missing in action this week, but boy what a week it has been.  Thinking I might have a sinus infection (I will find out more hopefully this evening), work has been non-stop CRAZYVILLE and we hung out with some friends earlier this week.  I am really in need of some weekend!  I had planned on making vegan sloppy joes & coleslaw ALL week long but only finally had the opportunity Thursday night.  My husband again gave this one TWO thumbs UP!!  It was delish!!

Adapted From: Vegedout

Vegan Sloppy Joes & Coleslaw

 

 Vegan Sloppy Joes

• 1 package Crumbled Seitan
• 1 Onion, diced
• 1 Red (or Green) Pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable Broth
• 2 Cloves Minced Garlic
• 1 six oz. can Tomato Paste
• 1 cup Water
• 1 teaspoon Molasses
• 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tablespoon Bragg’s liquid Aminos (or soy sauce)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
• 1 tablespoon Sriracha or other hot sauce
• 3 tablespoons of BBQ or Koran BBQ Sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Method: Heat Vegetable broth in large skillet and sauté the onion and bell pepper for about 5 minutes over medium heat. Add remaining ingredients and reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for about 10 minutes or until sauce begins to thicken. Serve on whole wheat buns with coleslaw.

Vegan Coleslaw

• 1 bag Coleslaw Mix
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup cashew cream (from 1 cup raw cashews blended with 1 cup water, soak cashews for a few hours before blending if you don’t have a power blender, save excess cashew cream for another use.)
• 2 tablespoons  Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Raw Agave
• salt and pepper to taste

Method: Toss all ingredients in a large bowl and chill until ready to serve.

I really have no idea where I am this week.  It has felt like the longest week of my life, yet last weekend seems like just yesterday! LOL!

Last weekend I broke out the fall decorations and started decorating!!  OMG I adore fall.  It may be 100+ degrees outside, but inside I am celebrating.

Hey, did you know that soy pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks are NOT vegan?!?   Nooooo......there is dairy product in the syrup they use.  That did kill some of my Fall spirit, but there is the Chi Tea Latte I guess.

Getting Prada in the Fall mood too - ordered a cute new collar and clip on flower that is adorable!!  I love Dogs by the Bay on Etsy.  I'll leave you with a couple of photos and then hopefully back next week feeling much better!

New collar

Flower that clips onto the collar

Prada napping - I love this Greyhound!

vegan sweet potato crackers with a side of hummus

Yesterday when I got home from work I was craving my spicy hot chipotle hummus I had made, yet....I was out of chips or crackers to enjoy with it.  Carrots?  Yes, I could have had a few of those but I wanted crackers!!  The pantry was getting  little thin and I was out of Chick Peas to make my normal go-to crackers.  What's a girl to do?  Hummm....search the internet!!  I found a recipe using a potato, however there was not a regular potato to be found.  WAIT, one sad little sweet potato called out, "Use me!" and that is exactly what this redhead did!

 

Vegan Sweet Potato Crackers

some like it hot! spicy mexican red chili

Before my vegan days I loved making Red Chili!!   My husband would beg for me to make it on weekends, and it was that great dish you could throw together in the morning and eat later that evening. I haven't missed the "meat" in the dish - just that yummy spicy flavor.

I thought it was time to make a vegan version of it and DANG it turned out great!!  My husband gave it two thumbs up and said best ever (love that man!). You can make this as spicy as you want or more on the mild side.  The chipotle peppers add a lot of punch and less is always more.  The Red Chili Sauce can be bought in Mild/Medium/Hot, we normally like Medium, so buy at the temperature you like.  The chili can also be thickened up as needed using masa flour and water (mix together and then mix into chili).

Sorry, for the poor photo but we were so hungry that I totally forgot to take a photo before I started eating!!  LOL!

Spicy Mexican Red Chili

Ingredients
2 packs of Tempeh, diced
1 Large Onion, diced
2 Chipotle Peppers, diced
1 Large Can Red Chili Sauce (Enchilada sauce)
1 Can Green Chilies, diced
1 T. Cumin
1 T. Garlic Powder

NEW tee shirt design now available!

Yes, finally they are here and now available!!  Order your Ladies Perfect Weight Crew Tee Shirt - Ahimsa Peace Bunnies. Comes in several different colors and lots of sizes! 

I am so in love with this new design and cannot wait to show off my love for all animals!!

Please have a wonderful Labor Day weekend, keep it healthy and safe!

night off from cooking!



Last night my darling husband made ME dinner!!  Normally I cook and he cleans up behind me, but what a wonderful treat last night!  Even more shocking the kids were home with us!!  As they have grown we have started seeing less and less of them, so it was nice having a full house.  It was also nice when they all left and we had peace and quiet again!  LOL!

cookies and collars oh my!

It was another crazy DIY evening last night!  But first I was in need of some vegan yumminess!!  I love making these cookies as they are so quick and easy to do so.  It is also a great way to use up those bananas before they go bad!

 

Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

loving my diy time!

What a weekend!  I'm not sure how many smoky black bean tamales I made, but it's a LOT!!  We have been enjoying them non stop, sending some to my mother-in-law and have some in the freezer for another day!  They really are easy to make, the slow part was waiting on them to steam and cook as I could only do about a dozen at a time.

Looking forward to dinner Wednesday night - the husband is cooking!  Watch for what the vegan husband can cook up!!

As promised photos from my DIY 3XL tee to cute skirt project!!  Here are the before and after photos:

what's cooking in your kitchen this weekend?

I am ready to make tamales this weekend!  My vegan Smokey Fiesta Black Bean Tamales were so amazing that I plan on making about four batches of them and freezing them up.  My darling husband has even volunteered to help - he'll be helping clean dishes and filling up beers!  I look forward to sharing photos on Monday!  Just hoping we don't eat them all this weekend.  LOL!

What are you cooking this weekend?

Update on my to do list:

Dog Room (this is a long to do list, but need to get started). We have cleaned out the room that use to be my den (scrapbook room) and will be our kick butt dog room soon! My goal just this week is to finish cleaning everything up, box it up and this weekend pull out the carpet.

Finish up End Table to Dog Bed project. Still have lots of painting, putting on the hardware and make the inside dog cushion.

Make Steelers tee-shirt (from Rome, but way too big) into a cool skirt for football season!

Learn how to make cool dog collars for my pups!

Finish Avery's Memory Box to hang up.

what day is it? what day is it??

Yes, it is hump day!!  I'm ready for the weekend already!!  LOL!  I have been in such a DIY mood that all I can think about is the craft store and ideas that are spinning around in my head!!

Last night I did FINISH my End Table to Dog Bed project!!  The cushion did not take me long at all to make and I must say that I am really happy with it!!

italian (vegan) sausage sandwiches - for those days when you need "naughty" food!

A couple of weeks ago my husband eyeballed some vegan Italian sausages at Sprouts and was dying to try them out.  We had planned on making pizza for last nights preseason football game and thought they would be a yummy topping, but we couldn't make it through the weekend without getting into them and trying them out.  We felt like we were being naughty bad with these sandwiches!!  They were beyond amazing!  And great with some vegan chipotle mayo and sweet potatoes fries.

Italian Sausage Sandwiches

Ingredients

2 Tofurky Italian Sausages
1 Red Pepper, sliced
1 Onion, sliced
1 Cup Mushrooms, sliced
Whole Wheat buns
Chipotle Mayo (optional)

In frying pan using a tablespoon of vegetable broth sauté onion, red pepper and mushrooms for 5-7 minutes.  I cooked my sausages right along side, but you could also grill.  Place cooked sausage into bun and top with veggies.  Add chipotle mayo or condiment of your choice. Enjoy!

butt of the joke

On Tuesday night I made a wonderful Butternut Squash Soup and couldn't stop laughing when I noticed as I went to roast the squash it looked like a little butt!  LOL!  Once it came out of the oven - looked more like an old butt.  LOL!  Sorry, just thought everyone could use a little chuckle today!

vegan chocolate banana blueberry nut bread

Darn sweet tooth of mine and bananas going bad.  What's a girl to do? Make bread!!  Now, is this moist to die for bread?  Maybe not, but I really wanted to make a bread that had no sugar/browns sugar/oil in it.  The blueberries do help some and if you are finding the batter to be a little dry, add a bit more apple sauce.  Overall, still VERY yummy!!

Vegan Chocolate Banana Blueberry Nut Bread

we now have a moose...I mean greyhound!

We are so excited to welcome Italy to our family!! Saturday was so exciting and the two hour drive felt like it took forever!  We were nervous when we pulled up to where Italy's was staying and hoped that she would like us.  Italy is so sweet and loving, she wanted us to pet her non-stop.  Next was how would she do with five little furry dogs running around.  The ride home went well.  Just freaked me out a bit when I would turn to look back and her HUGE head would be right there next to mine.  LOL! Once we got going she laid down next to the boy child and really seem to love him.

We were a bundle of nerves when we pulled into the driveway, unsure how the dogs would react to such a LARGE dog.  They have always done great when we brought home a foster, but this was a tick different...or LARGER.  Greyhounds are use to wearing a muzzle and we thought it would be best until we were pretty sure she wouldn't eat iHop.  I think Steeler was the most freaked out by Italy, but after a few minutes they all chilled out and did great.  iHop really enjoyed checking her out and all of her dog beds.  He wouldn't leave her alone!

Later that evening we removed her muzzle and she has been doing wonderful! She is sleeping in the boy child's bedroom, which he loves.  He also has been walking her in the evening and morning!  We have decided that we are keeping her name and not changing it.  Italy has grown on us and seems to fit her nicely.

I have already did a little shopping for Miss. Italy!  Had to buy her a stunning collar!  Yesterday we found this cool store Garden Ridge (I'll be going back!!) and they had great prices on dog beds! We now have three large beds for her, but think we'll pick up one more to have out back.  Lets just say, she'll be one spoiled Greyhound!!

Today it's back to reality and cannot wait to do some cooking later this evening!

 
 

roasted asparagus and veggie tacos & prada count down!

Who else is ready for the weekend?? Tomorrow is our big Greyhound adoption day!!  OMG, we are excited and nervous but really looking forward to meeting Italy (or, Prada as we'll call her).  We have had eleven foster Cavaliers come through our home so we feel like we are "somewhat" ready, but it has been years since we had a BIG dog in our home.  Hoping everyone meshes really well together. Still waiting to finalize the day and how we are meeting up as Italy is a couple of hours from us.  Fingers crossed it's a successful day!

I couldn't wait yesterday to get home from work and have a nice quiet night home with J.  I have been dying to make roasted asparagus & veggie tacos and this was just the perfect night for them!  My husband couldn't believe how great the asparagus was IN a taco!  Who knew?!?  LOL!

Roasted Asparagus and Veggie Tacos
makes about 8

simple banana nut cookies!

Still on my DIY kick and having a blast!  The End Table to Dog Bed project is coming along nicely.  The back and one side are now finished.  The other side should be done today and then it's onto the front.  Just unsure still how I want to paint that.  Cannot wait for the panting to be done and I can move onto making the bed cushion to go inside!

I am also doing well on crocheting my own dog snoods, once I figured out how to crochet a circle and not an infinity looking circle LOL. Just having fun practicing for now.  Lets just say, my Cavaliers will have warm necks this winter. 

While painting away last night and waiting for paint to dry I was in the mood for a snack.  Not much in the house, so with a quick look around I came up with these little babies.  Note, there is no sugar in them so they are a bit bland.  I would have used vegan chocolate chips, but sadly was out.  They were still good and tasted like banana nut bread!

Simple Banana Nut Cookies

Ingredients

2 Bananas
1 Cup Oats
1/3 Cup Nut Butter of your choice
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 Cup Walnuts, pieces
1/3 Cup Shredded Coconut

checking it off & introducing prada (not my handbag prada)

 

Really feels good to have some sweet DIY motivation going on right now.  I am even trying my hand at crocheting dog snoods, but I am in need of taking classes (will do after I finish my dog bed!). So, my DIY To Do List as of today:
 
 

• Dog Room (this is a long to do list, but need to get started). We have cleaned out the room that use to be my den (scrapbook room) and will be our kick butt dog room soon! My goal just this week is to finish cleaning everything up, box it up and this weekend pull out the carpet. Still need to pull out the carpet and then baseboards.
• Finish up End Table to Dog Bed project. Still have lots of painting, putting on the hardware and make the inside dog cushion. The backside is 100% done, finishing up the sides now.
• Make Steelers tee-shirt (from Rome, but way too big) into a cool skirt for football season! Forgot to buy elastic for the waist.
• Learn how to make cool dog collars for my pups! Ordered the hardware kit so I can start making them.
• Finish Avery's Memory Box to hang up.

Feels great to actually check a few items off!  So, the dog snoods (if you're not sure what they are click HERE).  Cavaliers will wear them to keep their food out of their long beautiful ears (iHop has one!).  Greyhounds will wear them in the winter to keep warm.  Because they have no body fat they get cold very easily.  Why do I bring up the Greyhound?  Well.......we are looking at adopting our first Greyhound on Saturday!  Right now her name is Italy, but we are changing to Prada.  She is a stunning four year-old brindle retired racing hound.  She is being fostered up in Northern Arizona and we cannot wait to meet her.  We pray that he Cavaliers welcome her and they all get along.  Is she not stunning??  So, the snoods will be for her - once I figure out what the heck I'm doing LOL.

Prada the bag looks like this -

AAahhh.....so pretty too!  Tomorrow I will be sharing this weeks lunch recipe, Red Lentil Chili.  Was perfect for this rainy Arizona Tuesday! 

leftovers & weekend update

Sorry, missing in action a bit this weekend.

Quick update of what this redhead has been up to and a great recipe for those breakfast leftovers! My boy child is back in the cellular world again! The poor child busted the crap out of his old phone and it then got to the point he couldn't call out on it and I couldn't call him.  So, he saved up and now owns a pretty cool HTC One!  He was my dinner date....and spent more time on he phone than chatting with his mother.

Friday the boy child was also nice enough to hit the grocery store with me.  The plan that evening was to finish re-boxing up my den and have it ready for carpet to be pulled out.  Yeah, that didn't happen.  LOL!

Saturday was more productive.  Finally got everything cleaned up (still unable to find the power cord for the printer, guess I'll just be buying a new one). The den is now ready to have carpet removed and baseboards too.  Next will be priming the walls.  Once done the room will be a dog room/small office/sewing room.  We will be painting the floors like we did in our Great Room, so much cleaner and easier with dogs.  Really want the room to have a fun funky feel to it.

I have started on Saturday mornings making a HUGE tofu chorizo southwestern scramble for breakfast.  This way I have leftovers for Sunday and none of the work!!  Win-win!!

Chorizo Southwestern Tofu Scramble

chick pea - sweet potato - mushroom curry

Happy middle of the week! Had a wonderful relaxing evening at home last night with the husband.  Even whipped up a wonderful dinner, two thumbs up on this one! I served mine over brown rice, but you could do quinoa or even some tofu noodles if you'd like.

Chick Pea - Sweet Potato - Mushroom Curry

over coming diy laziness

What do you do when you are unable to wear your running shoes and workout for a couple weeks?

Get organized with DIY projects that are started and NOT finished yet!  I have to say, I am really good at starting projects and not finishing them.  Do you find yourself doing the same thing??  I feel like I accomplished the weight loss, to accomplish a few other things would be nice.

I work full-time, married, two kids, (now) five dogs - I'm one busy chick with a needed five more hours added to my day!  So, today I made a list of things that I need to accomplish in hopes that I'll be able to check them all off soon.  My list:

• Dog Room (this is a long to do list, but need to get started). We have cleaned out the room that use to be my den (scrapbook room) and will be our kick butt dog room soon! My goal just this week is to finish cleaning everything up, box it up and this weekend pull out the carpet.
• Finish up End Table to Dog Bed project. Still have lots of painting, putting on the hardware and make the inside dog cushion.
• Make Steelers tee-shirt (from Rome, but way too big) into a cool skirt for football season!
• Learn how to make cool dog collars for my pups!
• Finish Avery's Memory Box to hang up.

Okay, my full detailed list is MUCH longer than this one but it gives you an idea.  Just like with weight loss it is so easy to get caught up in everyday life and lose sight of the goal or finished project.  How many times do we tell ourselves, "Oh, I'll start eating better Monday." "Next week I will start going to the gym."
I know I have found what works best for me is a list -  something about checking them off makes me feel so accomplished!  Even with living a healthy lifestyle I will made daily goals of going to the gym, making a healthy meal, etc. Writing it out just really helps keep me on track.

food flops and joys

Flop
Not always do new recipes workout when you try them.  For me this weekend it was my Avocado Vegan Ranch Dressing and Almond Butter.  The dressing - just doesn't taste very good and the Almond Butter - never got creamy, just crumbles.  Crap happens, and you just go on to the next recipe. Just not sure if I can choke down the rest of my salad sitting here next to me today lol.

Joy
I did make Chocolate Chunk Raspberry Vegan Muffins that were YUM.  I do want to play with the recipe and cut out the oil and sugar some.  I also made my favorite Vegan Mac & Cheese for our family potluck on Sunday night.  I didn't tell anyone it was vegan, and let me just say - there was NONE left to bring home!

Other good food this weekend was dinner Friday night after getting my "Avery" tattoo.  I have only eaten at Pei Wei maybe twice in my life, but my husband was telling me a vegan co-worker of his said many of the dishes can be made with tofu instead of meat, well heck I had to try that out!  Before leaving work I got online to check out the menu so I could call it in and know what I wanted.  After my tattoo I called in at about 5:30ish and it was about a 30 minute wait, so what do you do? Ann Taylor Loft next door?  Hey, I'm shopping! Was beyond thrilled with my great sale purchase - $22 for some super cute dress capris AND in a size FOUR!!  Win-win for sure!  Dinner was also well worth the 30 minute wait!

Oh, and my Avery tattoo - I love it soooooooooooooo much!!  The grey shading around it will go down some with time, but it will remind me of my sweet Avery and he'll forever be at my feet.  You can also see Steeler peaking his head out from under my foot.  LOL!

Since I am unable to wear my running shoes for a couple of weeks I really need to watch my diet and keep it clean - sadly no more Chocolate Chunk Raspberry Vegan Muffins...sigh....  I also need to focus on at-home type of exercise I can do.  Also thinking it's a good time to get some projects done! 

Have you had a time when you were unable to do your normal workouts?  What did you do to keep on track during that time?

spicy tofu quinoa lettuce wraps

I have also been so excited seeing photos of the gals who have purchased my online tee shirts and wearing them!!  I feel like I have somewhat gotten back to my old designing roots.

Need to get back into my running.  This muggy weather, even inside the gym, just doesn't sit well with me. I will also be getting a tattoo in honor of my dog Avery who passed away one week ago today....and, it's going on my foot (appointment is tomorrow!!).  So, no running shoes for awhile.  I have plenty of equipment to workout at home with while barefoot, just need to take that tattooed foot and kick myself in the behind with it!! 
Yesterday I picked up Avery's remains along with a beautiful paw print impression they did for me. My plan this weekend is to put together a lovey shadowbox of memories to hang on our family photo wall.

Was a little surprised with myself that I was so motivated to make dinner last night, as I was just cooking for myself.  I'll admit, I love making a mess in the kitchen.  The more dirty dishes there are, the better!  Last night I was in slice-dice-and cook it up mode!!

Spicy Tofu Quinoa Lettuce Wraps

the redheads guide to eating out vegan

Back in March when my husband and I wanted to both eat right (vegan) and lose some weight, we played it safe by eating at home.  Cooking at home is the best way for really controlling what you are putting into your body - down to the very last ingredient.  However, there does come that day that you have to leave the safety of your home and venture out into the real world...and by real world I mean a non-vegan restaurant.

There is always that worry, what if I eat something that was cooked in butter or what if I just can't stand the temptation and eat that chicken wing (my husband worried about this one).  One place we really missed eating at was our local pizza & beer pub (our daughter works there too!).  Will we be shunned when we order our pizza without cheese? Deep breath in, and place order.  Yeah, no one cared.  Heck one of the owners went on to tell us that he's been juicing trying to lose weight.  No one came running out of the back yelling, "NO PIZZA FOR YOU!!" They just served us our veggie-cheeseless-pizza and we enjoyed our meal.

We have been eating out more and more, still making smart choices along the way.  And, we are finding it to be easier and easier!  It actually feels good to be back in the "real world" and not afraid any more!

Here are a few eating out tips:

 

1. Before going out research the menu online if you can.  This way you can make your smart choices before you even step foot inside.  Sometimes online they might list a vegan menu as well.
2. Don't be afraid to ask for no cheese or does the item contain any cheese, dairy, etc.?
3. If you really think they may give you attitude, tell them you have an allergy to cheese (or meat, dairy, etc)  - the would rather leave it off than kill you...at least I would hope to think so! LOL!
4. Look at just ordering side dishes if there is really nothing for you to choose from.  Most places have lots of good veggie side dishes that would make a great meal when put together.
5. Give yourself the 2% rule, maybe something is cooked in butter...maybe the bun has dairy in it, etc.  You can't control what goes on behind closed doors, so don't beat yourself up.

What works for you when eating out?
 

Other News From This Redhead

Yes, orders have been shipped this week!  Don't forget to stop by my online store and pickup something to show YOUR Vegan pride!!

Remember to keep watching for my first giveaway!  So excited!!  I know, I keep teasing about this, soon I promise!!

Think I am going to take this evening off from the gym.  Have a few things I would like to get done around the house and a new recipe I hope to share here soon!  I also received a call that Avery's ashes have come in.  Not sure I am ready to pick them and his paw print up this evening.  I have been looking at different options for his ashes, and really hope to find something special for them.  Moving forward...moving forward, this is what I keep telling myself. 

I was surprised that this tragedy never lead me to eat outside of my vegan beliefs.  Did I want beer, yes.  Junk, yes - but it was vegan bread and almond butter I wanted.  Does help when you have a good man by your side as well - thank you to my wonderful husband xoxo