Being Vegan Has So Much Flavor!

For dinner tonight, I was on my own, and I made a dish that Robb doesn't really love...

Curried vegetables with tofu!

On my way home from Boot Camp, I stopped at an Indian grocery store that my friend from work recommended   I went to purchase chai spice mixture, which in case you're ever in an Indian grocers, is actually called Masala Tea spice.  I'm sure it won't be as good as my friend's fresh ground mixture, but it will tide me over until she gives me the recipe...

Anyhow, I picked up the chai spice, some banana plantains (love these), a Chinese eggplant, Garam Masala spice, red lentils, and tamarind concentrate.  I love what you can find in these specialty grocers!

So, tonight for dinner, I made a coconut curry dish, with tofu, carrots, broccoli, tomato, and Chinese eggplant.  It's SO yummy!  To jazz it up a bit, I chopped some lemongrass to make it more citrusy.  Although I miss having it over rice because the sauce really makes a great "rice soup", it's delicious all the same.  And I even have leftovers for lunch tomorrow!  :o)

Good Eats

So, the whole "pick a food of the week" thing hasn't happened this week...  But I've been eating some pretty delicious meals in the mean time!  I had a bunch of recipes I've been wanting to try.  6 weeks is a long time, so I'm sure I'll get there. 

So by popular demand, people want to know WHAT I've been eating, being vegan and on a strict diet.  I will try to post some of my meals, so you know I'm not starving, and getting plenty of nutrients!

I sat down and planned ALL my meals out for this whole week, and I've been eating good!  

This was my lunch today, one of my favorite vegan salads, ever! (so far)

Introducing Chick Pea-Avocado Salad

It's so easy (really, Jill, it is).

Just smash one can of chick peas with one avocado, juice of a lime, a handful of cilantro (I like a lot), and some green onion.  Season with salt and pepper if you want, I don't and it's delicious.  And enjoy!

You can put in on bread for a sandwich, or do like me and make lettuce boats.  I topped my salad with tomatoes  mushrooms, and sprouts!  

Delish!

My First Temptation

I'm happy to report, I resisted my first "temptation."  On the way home from puppy school last night, Robb took a detour and pulled in to Menchies (um, hello!).  I hoped they'd have some sugar free sorbet, but nope!  Instead of caving in to the yougurty goodness...

 I had a BOWL OF BERRIES!
Go me.

Six Week Challenge

Today I start a six week weight loss challenge.  My boot camp is putting on the competition, with the grand prize being an IPad.  How cool is that!  I hope to loose all that I can in the next 6 weeks and win!  For the next six weeks, I will also be going vegan to accelerate my weight loss.  This means no animal products what so ever.  It should be pretty easy for me to make this transition, since I'm already a vegetarian.  But, I will miss cheese and ice cream.  (I may have to invest in Yonanas machine to keep this craving at bay)  I will also be giving up sugar alcohol, and any white starch.  My plan is to do Boot Camp 6 days a week (or equivalent , with elliptical cardio every day. It seems like a lot right now, but I've got to keep telling myself, it's only 6 weeks.  That's 42 days.  Really not that long.  And I am kind of curious to see how much I can loose by being this strict.  

I've decided to blog my journey, to help keep me accountable.  Along with all I'm doing, to keep it fun, I'm planning on focusing on one health food a week.  I will research and cook new vegan recipes every night from this "food of the week".

GOALS:

- No Sugar

- No Alcohol

- No White Starch

- No Animal Products

- Elliptical Cardio, Daily

- Boot Camp or other Intense Workout 6 days

- WIN the IPad

My New Second Favorite Restaurant

I just went to Pittsburgh last week for a meeting (boring) and went the night before to hang out with Stacy. After doing our Christmas presents with the kids we went out for dinner at Mad Mex. It was a total accident finding this restaurant, but I'm so glad we did. We started out by going to a Mexican restaurant that Stacy knew, but they closed at 9:00, which wouldn't be any good at 8:30. Bring technology into the picture, and Google gave us a list of near by Mexican restaurants. I read a caption that this place Mad Mex had tofu tacos, and was sold! The next adventure was trying to find this place. We saw the sign for it stuck on the side of a hill. Thanks to the lovely landscape of the Pennsylvania hills, we drove up two driveways, and in two shopping plazas looking for this place. I was beginning to think the entrance was carved into the side of the hill and we'd have to hike there. Finally, we just called them and they directed us back to the first parking lot, where they were at the other end, not even close to their sign... ANYWAYS... The menu was amazing! They had so many vegetarian options to choose from, which is extremely unusual. And they were more than just beans and rice. They had plenty of options made with tofu! I settled on the tofu tacos, which were out of this world! In soft taco shells, they layered crispy fried tofu, coated with their house mole sauce, avocado slices, cilantro and bean sprouts. It was SO delicious!

Fast forward to Monday..I just had to have these tacos again. I see this becoming a staple around here for me. All I did was bake some tofu, doctor up some canned mole sauce, and voila! I think they were even better the second time around (with about triple the cilantro :) Yum!

Some Competition Photos

Just some more competition photos...

The trial ring.

Team Charley's fan club.

Another member of Team Charley's fan club.  Sue is Charley's friend, Chase's mom from school. 

Another fan club member, Bob, who is Charley's friend, Toga's dad, from school.  Toga also competed in conformation, and got 2nd place for his breed, Briards. 

It was so nice to have such wonderful supporters!  We felt so lucky.

Charley during his 3 minute down stay!  I didn't move a muscle, and neither did he! 

Here we are, I'm counting to 180 in my head to pass the time, and telepathically communicating with Charley not to get up.

The two of us were called back into the ring after the competition was over with qualifying scores.  I couldn't believe it.

And here we are, getting our first place and qualifying ribbons!  

Winners!

Our next competition is February 9th in Toledo.  Going for our second win!

Just Proud Of My Boy

Check out this link with the results of Charley's #1 performance.  We are the first group, Novice A, with "Sweet Pea Charley Roo" winning 1st place with a score of 189/200!  Go Charley!!

http://www.infodog.com/RESULTS/2012037907/201203790790000.HTM

Our next show is February 9th in Toledo!  Wish us luck!

Right Up There With The Shuttle Launch!

I got my birthday present early...

I'm going to Chicago to see these people!

You may know them better like this... 

I'm going to a Star Trek Convention!!!

Ok, if you didn't know, I'm a big Trekkie   My favorite series is the Next Generation.  In 5th grade, I was Dr. Crusher for Halloween, the redhead in the teal.  I had the complete costume, with communicator, and for the first time ever, convinced my mom to dye my hair red.  It was one of my favorite costumes.  

Also, during high school volleyball, our J.O. regionals were always held in Columbus, at the same convention center as a Star Trek Convention.  Although I was there for a totally different reason, I spent my breaks, looking around tables at Klingon weapons, wishing I could have more time with the Trekkies.

So, for my birthday this year, I found out that the entire cast will be doing a reunion at the convention, and I wanted to go SO bad.  Chances like this come along once in a lifetime- kinda like the shuttle launch. 

Tonight, Robb said that we will go as my birthday present!  

OK!!!!

We will spend the days at the convention, but the best part is that I will be at a 90 minute reunion presentation, AND get my picture taken with Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner)!  How ridiculously cool is that!  (I will be so nervous and star struck, I'm sure)

I have much to do before May.. I have to figure out who to dress up as, and Robb wants to be a working Borg.  Tall order, but he's very creative, and as an electrician, can wire just about anything to be robotic.  

THANKS HONEY!!!  I can't WAIT!!!!!!

What's a Haboob?

A haboob is a (very scary) type of intense dust storm carried on an atmospheric gravity current.

http://www.weather.com/news/dust-storm-australia-20130110

Who's A Cute, Warm, Snuggly Kitty?

Chester!

Happy New Year!

We finally went on our sleigh ride!  

It was a perfect night for a sleigh ride.  It was very snowy and dark. 

Here's our "one horse", Kelly, who pulled us through the woods and fields.  She even wore jingle bells! 

It was a fantastic ride in our sleigh.  It was so smooth, and fast!  Thanks Kelly!

After our sleigh ride, we went to Potpourri to warm up with a fondue dinner.  We then rang in the new year at home, watching the ball drop!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Charley's Show Videos

A few highlights from Charley's winning performance!