Tired Twix

After a rousing game of catch he just wants his belly rubbed. He got a new owner today. She paid for him but will pick him up Friday afternoon. They had a play date today. I enjoyed the freedom of a few hours. I love his new owner. She is perfect.  But I will miss his cute face in the morning begging for a walk with his little excited dance. 

Saying good bye

Twix is going to a new home tonight. I have done a fair amount of crying in anticipation. Weird how attached I found myself. I am not a pet person yet if I had to have one he was perfect. I only hope he is loved and petted and taken on lots of walks in his new home. 

Dog sitting

I am tending my sister's dog for her while she is in Vegas. She wants to sell him, though. Anyone interested in a cute well behaved shih tzu? She may even give him away at this rate. I might keep him but I am not a dog person and I worry he needs more petting than I like to give. 

Moderation of Food

You may have noticed lately that I'm eating a lot of plant based meals. At the end of July we read The China Study and ever since have given up meat (completely) and dairy/eggs (at home). We've also significantly reduced the amount of added sugars and oils and salt in our diet. The coolest thing I've noticed since this change is how much dairy and sugar and oil and salt I used to eat. Seriously, my sugar supply is no longer a year supply but a life supply. I'm worried my oil may be going rancid and finally put it in the freezer to store until I need to refill my little jar. We were talking about our new diet with some friends who also chose to go plant based about that same time. We talked about how lots of our family members brought up the phrase "moderation in all things" as a way to warn us against the decision we made. Dan (our friend) pointed out that he thought the phrase was being misused so he went and looked it up for us. Here is what he shared:

http://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/10/our-strengths-can-become-our-downfall?lang=eng&query="moderation+in+all+things"+oaks

Preventing Strengths from Becoming Our Downfall

As I conclude, I need to caution myself and each of my readers that the very nature of this message could tend to the same downfall that it warns against. The idea that our strengths can become our weaknesses could be understood to imply that we should have “moderation in all things.” But the Savior said that if we are “lukewarm,” he “will spue [us] out of [his] mouth” (Rev. 3:16). Moderation in all things is not a virtue, because it would seem to justify moderation in commitment. That is not moderation, but indifference. That kind of moderation runs counter to the divine commands to serve with all of our “heart, might, mind and strength” (D&C 4:2), to “seek … earnestly the riches of eternity” (D&C 68:31), and to be “valiant in the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:79). Moderation is not the answer.

Interesting even if it is maybe referring more to a "testimony of Jesus."  Back to food, though.

Today on the FB one of the pages I "like" shared a really cool article also about "moderation." Apparently it's not just the Mormons that like to talk about it. I think what I liked is how it explained the exact phenomenon I have experienced: my supposed moderation of the past 30 years wasn't really moderation after all, but now I may be truly practicing it. Maybe. The honest truth is, though, the holidays were terrible. We totally ate way too much dairy and sugar. First there was a niece's wedding which involved a road trip. Then there was Christmas which involved homemade treats. Then there was New Year's which involved a few parties. Maybe now I can be more disciplined. I still get major chocolate cravings and sneak a handful or two of chocolate chips when I'm near them. I know - I should just get rid of them - but sometimes treats need to be made for others. Or something. Anyway, here's a link to the article. I really liked it. I really like the author, too. He does a good job of advocating for a plant based diet. I watched a few of his YouTube videos and liked his style.

What do you think? Any plant fans out there besides Tracie?

2012 in Review

In the past I've posted a "review" of the year. I like it as a way of summing things up. A few years ago, though, my husband and I started a different blog specifically for the year in review. It was shared with various friends and family as a Christmas card. I know, I could just send them all here, but the truth is, I'm not sure I want all of them seeing the minutiae of my life. You guys, however, are the lucky ones! You get minutiae and my year in review!To save some time, though, I think I'll just share a link to my 2012 Year in Review post.

Christmas

We slept over at mom's last night so we could watch my nieces open gifts. They were pretty entertaining. On the way home we visited a couple friends. Finally it was time to open our gifts. I got an excalibur dehydrator. That was way exciting! Bet got some old socks turned into soap crumb holders. Yes. He loved them. He also got a new belt and some nuts. And an album of love songs. In total I spent probably less than $30 on him. I think that was what he liked best. In some ways that makes him easy to shop for and in some ways a pain to shop for. It has been a great Christmas for us both so far. Now to visit the in-laws.

Annual nativity

Here we are once again with a lot fewer children than normal. At least the adults get to participate. I dibsed piano like usual. 

Sweet potato chips

Sliced as thin as possible (#1 on my mandolin slicer) then sprinkled with salt and pepper and finally baked at 350 for 15 or so minutes. 

Christmas for Marshall

Since the brother was in town we had a but of Christmas early.

Baked Autumnal Oatmeal

I modified this recipe.

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup sugar (minus a tablespoon)
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup sweet potato mash (or pumpkin puree like the original recipe says)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3/4 cup milk of choice (I used sesame.)
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 350F. Combine all dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Spread mixture into a 9" round silicone pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

"meat"

This is my latest experiment. It is sandwich filler seasoned to taste vaguely of turkey and corned beef. Whatever. They taste good to me. I am sure Bret will not care much for them. 

Upcycling

I am totally impressed with myself. I made this cover yesterday afternoon after seeing directions on the internet. I looked in my pile of sewing supplies and found enough of this pink and white fabric to work. Convenient for me the stripes made it easy to measure and cut and it was the perfect exact width. Then when i couldn't find any batting i used old socks instead. Ones beyond repair. I had just enough! Then for elastic i found some old waist bands on underwear i was disposing of. I know - call me classy!

Bret is less than thrilled with the color. He thinks i am tying to make sure this car is all mine and not "ours." it is not my fault that was the only fabric i had on hand that worked. Now that i practiced on scraps maybe i can make a nicer one he approves of. 

Adoption walk

A couple weeks ago, the weekend when it snowed for nearly 3 days straight, we attended an adoption walk at our very own liberty park. We made new friends and bonded with old ones. We also won free passes to the zoo. It was a fun day. We only wish more people would have been out and about to see our pro-adoption message. 

Christmas!

Okay so my "tree" has been up a couple weeks already but today the music is on and i have some gifts to wrap. Hooray for holidays!

Nut spread

So good! Better than PB.
1 1/2 c white beans (or a can) rinsed and drained
1/2 c PB
2 tablespoons sweetener
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
Mix it all up until smooth.

Sweet Potato Stew

 Sweet Potato Black-Eyed Pea Soup
1 pound of greens
4 cups vegetarian broth
3 cups black-eyed peas (cooked)
2 cloves minced garlic
2 cups cooked sweet potatoes
dash or two of liquid smoke

Mix together and bring to boil, simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Plewe's New home

I spent Monday afternoon helping Plewe paint a big wall in her new home. I am a bit jealous. Everything is so new! But then when i came home i remembered how much i love the charm of my 95 year old home. 

New Orleans Red Beans

I pinned this recipe last week and was happy I didn't wait to make it. We inhaled it. Miraculously Bret loved it too. Here's a link to it: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/02/real-louisiana-red-beans-and-rice.html#

I did change a bit. Here's my version:

• 1 pound dry red kidney beans
• 4 tsp minced garlic
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 4 pieces celery
• 1 large bell pepper
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons thyme
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Liquid Smoke (instead of one of these she recommends 1-2 teaspoons chopped chipotle pepper, in adobo)
• 1 tablespoon salt or to taste
• cooked rice, to serve

Instructions

1. Cover the beans with water 2 inches over beans and soak overnight. Drain and rinse.
2. Put the beans back in the pot and cover them with water 2 inches above level of beans. Put over high heat to begin cooking while you prepare the other ingredients.
3. Chop the garlic, onion, celery, and bell pepper very finely, and the fastest and best way to do this is in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Add this to the pot on the stove. Add the remaining ingredients, except the salt and the rice.
4. When the beans reach a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring every now and then, until they are completely tender and falling apart. This can take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, depending upon the age of your beans. (Add more water as necessary to keep them hydrated.) When they are completely tender, add the salt to taste, and check the seasonings. Add any additional spices you want, and cook for at least 10 more minutes, until sauce is thick and beans are disintegrating. Remove the bay leaves, and serve over rice.

Notes

If your beans are old, they may never disintegrate, or at least not in time for dinner. What you have to do is take out a bunch of them, mash them up well, and add them back into the pot (or use a hand blender right in the pot). Then proceed as though they had fallen apart on their own.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s) | Cooking time: 2 hour(s) 10 minute(s)

Ready for Winter

Bret and I spent some time outside today. We cleaned gutters and filled our compost can to the brim. I was sad to see a couple leaf piles later in the afternoon. We only have one tree left with leaves and it is trying hard to catch up. Chores like cleaning gutters and washing windows makes me happy we have such a small house. 

Weakness

Something about Halloween has been making me CRAVE treats! So i made these.

NO BAKES 

1 c oats

2 tbs pb or nutty spread

3 tbs maple syrup

2 tbs cocoa 

Mix thoroughly. Roll in balls and let sit an hour to firm up.