 I'm still alive! Hello! It's been awhile and I have no excuse other than I have had company almost every single day since late June! The last bunch is leaving Monday and then hopefully I can catch up on blogging. Life is really good now. I have really enjoyed visiting with everyone and exploring the area. Its great to see things through other people's eye. You, or at least I, forget how beautiful every day life can be. So truthfully we are spending most of our time outside in the garden and of course eating!  (From one ladies snapchat, lol. I'm glad they liked my vegan food. :D)  Bring on the vegan food!  OMG! These were soooo good!  And the tacos are flowing!  Meanwhile the plants are blooming..  My garden is kicking-ass!  My toad crop is really coming in nicely this year, lol!  Free range crop is not amused.   We have been chasing sunsets..(that's actually a sunrise, cause sleep is for losers)  (Sunset in progress) I'm enjoying a low key summer for a change. There are so many AMAZING travel deals right now, but I cannot get away from work yet. I'm still working almost every day, but hiring additional folks has really helped, so hopefully by next year we can return to the travel life. (Fingers crossed.)  We are in the monsoon season and it's been really nice and cool lately. Perfect weather for exploring in between rain storms.  I also have a TON of boxes and other goodies to share with you! I took lots of photos so expect to be bombarded with posts soon!  #Yum!  Newest Obsession! I really hope you are having a great summer!
I promise to put together a proper post soon, Until then-
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 I know most ppl are like "OMG! WTF?!?" For the long time readers of the blog, (thank you both, lol) you know I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 18 and vegan for 5 + years now, but I still get asked questions like, “What do you eat?!”  So now that vegans and vegetarians are much more mainstream, chances are good you may find yourself invited over for dinner. What can you expect? Well, first off don’t panic! If a gourmet chef invited you for dinner you would expect to try some sublime foods that you had never tried before. If a specialty pizza chef invited you for dinner, you would expect to eat some incredible pizza that evening. You would probably even look forward to the bits of flair that would be added to the plates and table as you sampled this new cuisine, yeah? So what happens when your vegetarian friend invites you to dinner? Will it be a GIANT bowl of raw salad, sans dressing and heavy on the kale? Hardly, if you are lucky enough to be invited to a vegetarian’s home for dinner you can expect a culinary adventure! Now that being said, there are many different types of vegans and vegetarians and people are all different. I for one, am not a fan of curry. (Insert hate mail here, lol) Which is the one guaranteed vegetarian meal on all flights… #FML Anyway, enough about airplane food…If you yourself are not a vegetarian, you should be open to trying a couple of new and interesting foods at your *BVFF’s house. (*Best Veggie Friend Forever) Don’t be afraid to try meat alternatives, if they serve you any, most meat eaters love them, once they get over the “TOFU FEAR” that most people seem to have. Just come hungry and enjoy yourself in a new environment of tastes and smells. I have a few tips to get you ready for what you may encounter on a typical vegetarian table. Are you game?  Seasoning Adventures Vegetarians frequently use strong seasoning in order to bring out flavors more effectively in foods that don’t necessarily add their own flavor to a dish. There is a high likelihood of finding characteristic flavorings from other cultures. So expect to try some new flavors. Traditional vegetarian cultures have influenced American vegetarians quite a bit. Indian spices are very popular in combination with vegetarian entrees and sides. But as I said not everyone eats Curry. Spices, herbs and seasoning from Mexico, Italy, and of course Asian cooking, are popular in vegetarian cooking. Ingredients such as peppers, soy sauces and sesame oil are also quite common in most vegetarian kitchens. Depending on the individual, of course, but its a safe bet that you can expect richly flavored dishes rather than simple salt and pepper. Favorite Dishes for Non-Vegetarian Guests So, what is it that you will be eating that will be seasoned so beautifully? There are a few options. Protein source - could be beans, mushrooms, lentils, quinoa or Tofu. Tofu and tempeh are common soy products, that are now easily found in most US markets. They both receive flavor very efficiently and are easy to make fit any dinner mold. In addition to the protein portion of your meal, expect a colorful variety of vegetables. A spoonful of peas or corn would be insufficient for a nutritious vegetarian meal, so expect more varieties and larger servings. Finally, the carbohydrates will finish off your plate. Potatoes are a possibility, but it is more likely that you will find pasta, rice or risotto. If you are not accustomed to eating vegetarian meals, you will be surprised at the filling and satisfying results that an experienced vegetarian cook can produce. #WIN Now, that being said, of course there are many different types of vegetarian meals, way too many for me to list here.  Trust me, not every meal is salad, but if we serve you a salad it will be amazing! The important thing to do is to be willing to sit down at the table with an open mind. Get ready to enjoy something new, fun and delicious. Vegetarian foods are definitely unique as compared to typical American fare, but they make for an incredible dining experience.
Catch you later-  The wind is howling and a storm is blowing in. I'm in the mountains so the weather is very changeable.  I may be forced to read by candle light, lol  I'm enjoying these stories. Full review coming soon.  I did get dinner made before the storm started. (This was Amazing!) This dish was super easy and quick to make. I roasted garlic, asparagus and grape tomatoes in the oven while the couscous was cooking. (It was seasoned with green onions and veggie stock.) Then plated the couscous and put roasted veggies, more green onions and slivered almonds over the top. #WIN and instant favorite! Meanwhile the rains have started.  Rain means flowers (and veggies) soon! #Win So I'm not complaining at all.
Catch you later-  And actually you know that could be anything... Mostly it's uber exciting stuff like moving furniture around, watering the plants and doing laundry...(Roll your eyes, it's okay.) This weekend I had company over.. fun, fun, fun.  Right now we are heading to Albuquerque to eat at An Hy Quan, (a Vietnamese restaurant) serving excellent Vegan food.  Yum!  See you there?  How can March almost be over? This month has flown by! So how has your month been? March has been wonderful for me. Work is going great, lots of good things are in the works (more about them soon!) And I even found time to read a bit. #WIN  Currently reading..  I am behind in my book reviews...  I hope to post the reviews later this week.  But then the trees started blooming and I don't want to stay inside on the computer...  OMG!   Spring is here!   I have also been cooking less and snacking more this month...  The March Vegan Cuts box was excellent!  Love this new tea.  Really nice and organic. More book and product reviews soon.
Plus more travel tales and more all around randomness! Catch you Later~  March is always a busy month, but that doesn't mean we can't still eat good food, yeah? So to prove that - here is a mini vegan food diary. I have tried to cook more and eat less take out. Plus be more creative and try new recipes.  I've tried to step out of the box with my cooking. Leeks and Fennel are new to me.  But cooked up with pasta make an awesome change.  Braised tofu, noodles and green beans + : jalapeños for the win!  Organic Tofu with turmeric and salsa for vegan scrambled eggs,  Corn and peppers were the base of a few quick dishes I made.  Yes, we eat a lot of peppers.  Homemade Hummus and homemade chips. (Yes, heavy on the peppers!)  Next round...  Add extra herbs and spices.  More expermenting with simple oat cookies. No flour, no sugar - just PB and dates + nuts in this batch.  Read new book while waiting for cookies to bake, lol.  Tried out this new vegan burger mix.  Add water, let it sit a few minutes and then fry up. I like to have stuff on hand for when people stop by. Stuff that is easy to cook and also doesn't scare the non-vegans. LOL So I bought a new pantry friendly burger mix. It actually tasted okay, kind of bland, but with pickles, onions and peppers it made a tasty burger. I'm gonna keep some on hand for surprise company.  I've tried some other nut based creamers, but NutPods is still my fav.  I made this vegan cheesecake last month for Valentines day- see where "someone" stuck their finger in to try it? LOL  My candy faired better, lol  A few nights we were able to eat out side on the patio and enjoy the sunset. #Heaven! Now I'm feeling inspired to try more new foods. Gotta go cook - catch you later!
Hey!
How are you? Instead of my random blog post I compiled a super short video. What do you think? Speak soon! 
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3..2..1..It's Monday!
How can the weekends fly by so fast? I know, its because so much happens in such a short time, right? Hope your weekend was good. I actually worked all weekend long. Friday was a twenty hour day at the office. #Yikes and Yes, I said 20 hours. #FML We have a big launch going on and are beginning new projects too, so it's really crazy. I mean long hours and lots of work. On the bright side the boss, (Aka ME) buys lots and lots of Pizza for everyone! #Win 
Loaded Vegan Pizza! #MyWeakness
This pizza place doesn't have vegan cheese, but the pizza is so good it doesn't matter. #IAteItAll
When not eating pizza at work, I have been trying to eat healthy. I have a smoothie or smoothie bowl every morning for breakfast and a bowl of greens before falling into bed. I actually have lost more weight, I don't have a scale but I was going through old clothes the other day, looking for something suitable to paint in and put on a pair of pants I have not been able to wear in 5 years.
So it just goes to show you can eat as much as you want (and eat WELL) and still lose weight. I have vegan nice cream, loaded with nuts and healthy toppings everyday. 
My smoothie bowl to go, lol
 SUPER YUMMY! I love brussel Sprouts!
Of course I also binge on Greens and not chips or cookies.
Did you know Brussel Sprouts were so good for you? They are an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin K. They are also a very good source of nutrients including folate, manganese, vitamin B6, dietary fiber, choline, copper, vitamin B1, potassium, phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acids. People say they taste like cabbage, but I don't think so. I used to either boil them or cut them in half and roast them in the oven, but I discovered you could eat them raw! So I am super lazy, after a long day - I make a big bowl and fall into bed to watch anime and munch on them before passing out. 
(I wasn't joking.)
There really hasn't been anything on lately I wanted to watch, so I'm back to anime. I did just watch Altered Carbon this month and really enjoyed it. What did you think?
Some people loved it and others were lost. I like SCFI so even though it was learning new lingo, (how many sleeves did that lady have??) I thought it was a good watch. 
I am also doing my best to mask and hydrate before bed. All this cold weather has us running the heater nonstop and it's pulling all the moister out of the air. Even though I live with a water bottle in each hand, this can really dry out your skin.
I love the "point" style masks.
Have a great week and see you at the airport!
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It's almost SPRING!
The official date for Spring, in the Northern Hemisphere is March 20, 2018, and I can't wait. I enjoy winter, but I'm looking forward to spring this year. I love flowers and of course all the fresh vegetables. I plan on planting another garden and expand my kitchen herb collection. 
Lately I seem to be obsessed with succulents...
But look at these little babies! How can you not love them?
And look!
Many people have cactus plants in their yards and gardens in New Mexico. I really love these. It amazes me how they last through the winter temps and snow.
(Last year we had a good crop of Yuccas, too.)
So I have already started looking for pots, seeds and any/all tools to get a jump on the growing season. I found this 3 Tier Stackable Garden - for indoor/outdoor use. I like the fact that it is self watering and I can expand the number of fresh herbs I can grow NOW and I don't have to wait for warmer weather. It's not too big so you can use it in the kitchen or on the patio. Best part it's under $25USD on Amazon!
Also by growing in my kitchen I have the fresh herbs handy when I need them, plus I keep bugs and critters out of the pots.  Remember last year I had help from the neighbors in my herb pots?
It should also help keep the locals out of my pots. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind a toad in the yard on or the patio, but not so much in the oregano.
Garden Buddy :D
 I love all the blooming plants in the neighborhood too. You would think he could find somewhere else to play?
I also really like this Earth Box kit. (It has wheels! How smart is that?) Plus it comes with everything you need- I know I hate driving into town for fertilizer or planting mix. Each trip I find more things I "need" and end up spending $50 when I went in for a $5 item. This kit is a little bit more pricey at $57 but I figure it paid for itself by eliminating all those extra trips into town. You can grow vegetables, herbs and flowers on windowsills, on your deck or even the balcony, or take it inside - with our unpredictable weather I like that I can easily bring the box inside quickly. Plus container gardening means no weeding!
And if you are just starting out gardening and are unsure about which supplies or tools you need this kit has got it all including non gmo seeds. It comes complete with:
I'm ordering one for each of my nieces and nephews so they can start gardening, too. Have you started planting yet? Nothing beats a early Spring garden full of fresh, homegrown vegetables. MMMMM I'm already looking forward to being over run with squash and strawberries!
I will update you on the garden process over the next few weeks and also don't forget I'm planning that BIG Pacific trip - so any advice on where to go/stay/see/avoid would be appreciated. Speak soon~  127 Blog Posts! This is my 8th blog post of 2018. Last year I blogged 127 times, that makes 10.58 blog posts per month, almost 2 blog posts per week. HEY THAT’S NOT BAD. Considering that it is a luxury to actually have time to sleep. I even made the effort to update the look of the website and added video headers, plus some new pages. I have also opted to add a few affiliate links. I’m actually not sure if I want to continue them, we shall see. I also tried to refrain from bitching about work and being constantly exhausted all the time. My 2018 new year resolution is blog at least 3 posts per week. I have never really cared if anybody reads this silly little blog, it has been more about documenting some of the places I’ve been and the insights I’ve had. So I am always surprised that people do follow. I want to say a BIG THANK YOU! 🙂 for your continued support. Okay back to reviewing 2017...  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...  No, actually it was a good year. I spent most of it in New Mexico.  Which is a state in the USA, not the country of Mexico. Confusing, right?  We are still in the same house. Which we love very much.. This is somewhat surprising. We are still here, on the outskirts of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. I post mostly landscapes and of course food picture from here or random selfies, lol. Honestly I am so in love with the mountains and the blue sky here and of course the house. We have a nice garden and mostly this feels like heaven. So I try to keep the house tidy and minimal even though it's big 2 story with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a huge bonus room I use for an office, but I don't actually talk much about the house. The kitchen is nice, much better than what we had in the UK, but not as well thought out as the kitchen in France. But it works for us, as you may have noticed I am sharing more food picts and recipes. More Vegan Food I have posted more and more vegan recipes and cooking stuff in general this past year. Mostly because I have been home more and have the ability to cook more. I still want to remind you I am NOT a food blogger.  #MsOneCooks  (Avocado pudding.)  (Mango & Chili Nice Cream) 2017 hair I think I have taken more selfies in 2017 than all the past years combined. Remember when you wondered what I looked like? Yeah, those days are long gone. But back to my hair, it is still blonde - And yes, I’m bored with it. I considered cutting it off this year, but I think I will wait another year. It grows pretty fast though and if I do not flat iron it you can see it is really thick. Using the flat iron may make the style look better - but I hate how thin and flat it looks. :(  See? It's everywhere.  Vs Flat Ironed and styled. Travel in 2017 Travel this past year was sparse. Well, compared to other years when I'm running back and forth to NOLA, Florida or France. But I did mange a few adventures...  Another day, another hotel room... Janurary here in central New Mexico started out snowing... I am still impressed with snow. It was fun for a few days and then it was over. #Goodtimes  Snow around my yard. Jan - left the odd snow storm and headed to New York City. It was dark, cold and snowing there too. But New York is always amazing no matter what the weather is like. This trip was part busines/part fun.  In February we left the dark and flew to Iceland. This was a destination that's been on my son's bucket list for years, but I was not that excited. But guess what? I LOVED IT!  It is so friggen' awesome! And totally not what I expected. It did snow while we were there, but we still managed a night trip to see the Northern Lights. We stayed 7 days and it was not long enough. I'm sure we will return soon.  There was much more Vegan food than I expected and while the shopping is costly you can still find inexpensive gifts too. March was a short Vegas get away and April was me at home planting a garden and experimenting in the kitchen. May I had company and showed them around the area here. You can read about it here. I also started a mini food diary to share what I eat (people still ask) and what I typically purchase at the market.  This is the Isleta Resort and Casino - which my guest always want to visit.  Where I seem to spend 99% of my time..  August I began "What Are You Reading?" A quick review of my recent reads and such. Work was still very busy, but I made my mind up I was going to make time to read and relax more.  I'm an eclectic reader, so people seem interested in what I've read and my reviews. It has been nice comparing notes with fellow readers.  I'm still doing book reviews here and there. September another review and of course the hurricane hitting my home in Texas. I actually didn't talk much about it. Maybe this year I will be able to share more, it's just completely overwhelming. STILL. October was Halloween and I was supposed to go to NOLA for a right old party, but I came down with a bug and spent it in bed. #FML (But look out this year!) November I blogged about American Myths and more book reviews. We debated on going somewhere exotic for Christmas, but decided against it. After spending the holidays in Europe and other amazing places it was nice to just stay in and chill for a change. We did explore around the area, here some. Check out this short video if you want to see an ancient Native American site we hiked. I also posted more about my not so secret love of flowers and house plants this past year.  The bright side of being home more is I am able to garden. So I posted more about gardens and houseplants than ever before. It's not quite an obsession, but almost.  Rescued succulents from the "dead" tray at Home Depot. So all in all it was a great year. We didn't travel as much as usual, but that's okay too. I'm so thankful we are able to live in a nice place, with lots of natural beauty and good people.
I'm also thankful for you, taking the time to read my silly little blog. I appreciate it and the encouraging emails I get from ya'll. Thank you for your friendship and support! Do you have big plans for this year? I can't wait to see what adventures 2018 will bring! See you at the airport- |
AuthorWelcome to my travel blog, my healthy Vegan lifestyle blog and my life! It's a lot, but it's my passions and I just love to write about it. Here I share tips, stories and photos from my adventures and life. This is the place where people can find daily inspiration to travel and motivation to live healthier lives. I'm just an average woman in the world. Follow my journeys as I travel, shop, and meditate my way through life... 
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