Veganuary!

The Beginning:

The lovely ladies I work with set up a challenge to go vegan for the month of January.  I was all in for it!  I love to challenge myself with things such as this so I signed up to join them.

At work we have Yammer, and a Veggie page for those of use that are into that kind of thing.  We are using that to post recipes talk strategy for dealing with longing for certain foods etc.  One of the ladies has set up a potluck for Friday so that we can share foods and try new recipes.

I have created a Veganuary Pinterest board, which you are welcome to follow me on.  I am getting many recipes from there.  I am also following www.veganuary.com, they post basic shopping lists, recipes and support.

Grocery Shopping:

On Saturday afternoon, my Mom and I went out shopping for some basics.  I brought 3 recipes with me so that I would make sure to get all of the ingredients for those plus a ton of basics for vegan lifestyle.

3 grocery stores and about $150 later, I was ready.  I am not expecting to spend that much on a weekly basis, but I had to buy things that will be used multiple times such as nutritional yeast, mirin, corn starch, and other items that will be used many many times in the future.


What have I made so far?

Vegan Cheese: ughh - I followed recipe as written, BUT it was WAY too much garlic....like so bad on the garlic, could not even really eat it.  I will try again with 1/4 of the garlic.

Broccoli Soup: pretty good!  Joe really did all of the cooking and I did the dishes.  Definitely had to had more spice and flavor to it, but a great recipe overall.  I am having that as part of my lunch this week.

Restaurants:

Let's be real, you are not going to be at home for every meal.  Here are the restaurants I have been to so far:
The Sunflower Cafe - a vegetarian restaurant that also has many vegan options
Clydes - a few options such as salads, beet "burger" and roasted squash

Roasted Squash from Clydes

Are you vegan?  Send me some tips!

June 2015 Favorite Things

Just say yes to Summer Drinks.

House Juice 2015:
Black Cherry Rum
Grenadine
Bud Light
Sprite
Fruity Juice Drink

Directions:
1 Cup Black Cherry Rum
1/4 Cup of Grenadine
1 Can of Bud Light
3 Cups of Juice
Sprite to taste if at all
Makes one large pitcher, share if you must


Porch Juice 2015:
Black Cherry Rum (I'm really into this, get over it)
Cherry Coke or Coke, whatever is on hand really
Lime Wedge

Directions:
Fill Cup with Ice
Add roughly one + shot of Black Cherry Rum (really as much as you like)
Add Coke
Lime Wedge

When you just want a refreshing beer:

Good all day

May 2015 Favorite Things

I have been a real slacker lately...I mean here it is July and I'm just now writing a post for May.

ugh I'm a slug

It is that time of year when mosquitoes descend upon us and give large welty like bites.  Here is my favorite bug spray:

Avon Skin so Soft 

This stuff is great

You put this on after you get out of the shower and voila!  You have soft skin and the bugs don't like it so they stay away.  Plus you don't smell wonky.  Win Win Win. 

I of course have an Avon rep so if you are interested, please let me know and I will send you her contact info.  

Sunscreen:  I have recently discovered matte sunscreen for your face.  Why hasn't this been a thing before?

Coola:

Coola = Coolist! 

This is great stuff.  It has a slight tint but really not much.  I am new to  this brand so I'm still learning about it. 

I also love NOT USING A HAIR DRYER!

Just say no

This is the greatest time of year.  I hate drying my hair.  After I shower, I wrap it up in a towel while I get ready.  Then I simply brush is and either leave it be or braid it.  If I am going to work, I might might might dry the roots for about 1 minute.  This is also a good time to deep condition your hair so that it has some actual benefits.  

April 2015 Favorite Things

It is finally feeling like Spring!  That means fun weekend field trips with great friends.

Spring is also a great of year to revamp your skin care routine and make sure that your makeup is the right shade.  My skin changes seasonally and now it is a greased up disaster.  I have started using a different skin care routine and wearing less make up.  Most days it is just concealer, loose powder, mascara and gloss.  I always have gloss.  Never question that.  If for some weird reason I don't have any on hand I will purchase some.  I just can't go on without it.


What is one item that you MUST  have at all times?

March 2015 Favorite Things

Music:

Music has always been a big part of my life and lately music is just crushing it for me.  Just SO good.

I listen to Amazon Prime Music all the time.  If you already have Amazon Prime, then you already have Music too :) I have been listening to a lot of older songs, like 50s and 60s.  Music really helps my day and sometimes you just find some songs that are such a reflection of what is going on in life.

For real, you should have this

Friends:

I have some seriously AMAZING friends.  This month I was moving out of my house, putting stuff into storage and temporarily moving to a place for one month.  My friends helped me so much.  Two of them and their son came over every single night for one week to help me move items to storage.  I mean EVERY night.  For Serious.  They also cleaned up my garage like WHOA! 

I need all the helping hands on deck

I'm extra late this time with posting, trying to get better about it.  Promises.  

XO

Mo

February 2015 Favorite Things

I just have one post that has consumed my life since Meredith shared it with me:


Bulletproof coffee:

I say bring the yum!

Bulletproofe coffee = coconut oil + Kerrygold butter

Step 1: 1 slice of Kerrygold and 1 scoop of Coconut Oil

Step 2: Put in blender and make coffee

Step 3: Combine coffee into blender

Step 4: Mix away

Step 5: Enjoy!





 

January 2015 Favorite Things

Happy New Year once again!

NYE 2015

Salad:

I love a gigantic salad for dinner.  I have some variation of this most nights.  This one has romaine hearts, cucumbers, carrots, blood orange, sliced spicy chicken sausage and balsamic vinegar.  Just a few ingredients but always fresh.  Mix up the proteins and veggies and its a whole new salad.

All the salad

Red Velvet Oreos

What is this magic?  Meredith brought these home one day.  They are so good.  They come in these adorable smaller packages (which is good, otherwise I would eat them all).  These are a limited edition so if you want to try them, get them soon or it might be too late. 

Pure Magic

Scuba!

For Stephen's birthday, I found a Discover Scuba LivingSocial deal with Patriot Scuba.  It is a 3 hour class where the first hour is all instruction and getting the know the gear.  The second hour is spend in the shallow end of the pool getting comfortable with the gear practicing getting it on and off, breathing via the regulator, how to clear your mask if you get water in it etc.  The last part of class, we got to go to the deep end and swim around like dolphins.  They had us swimming through hoops and playing football underwater.  It was great fun!  If you want to take your kids, they do have to be at least 10 years of age. 

Here we are before class!

Some bright lipstick:

Sometimes I just want bright lipstick in my life!  Maybe it is because it is winter and everything is so dark...who knows, but I just feel the urge to wear some bright lip colors. 

Lipstick for the win