THANK YOU

Gratitude is a practice, which turns into an action,

 which is the foundation of a happy life.

On February 6, 2011, we posted our first post: Skinny Bitch.  A couple of years before, we began our journey on living a healthier life by stopping to consume any animal products. We had read a book by Jonathan Safran Foer titled: Eating Animals.  It totally changed our mindset on animal agriculture and its untold cruelty that it imposed on animals and the environment.  It set us on this journey to living a cleaner and more compassionate life.  We immediately stopped consuming meat of any kind knowing the what went on behind "closed doors" of the agriculture industry.  Our friends began asking us "What do you eat?" and of course "Where do you get your protein?".  

So, we started our blog to share recipes and information on consuming a plant-based diet.

THANK YOU!

Over the past 9 years, for wanting to share information, I have opened my mind to so much knowledge.  By researching a wide variety of information, I have gained so much insight on how what we put in our mouths to feed ourselves creates life or sickness.  We truly are "You are what you eat"

I want to say, Thank you! I have learned a wealth of knowledge by sharing this information.  The time I have spent researching the topics we post has enriched my life.  I look forward to every week anticipating what I can share with you.  The other week I noticed that we had reached over 60,000 views of this blog. WOW!  My hope is it will continue to enrich your life as it has ours.

Our world is at a tipping point.  Both socially and environmentally, we have to make a change.  We have to be the change.  Environmentally, the most profound act that we can do individually, is to change to a plant-based diet.  Animal agriculture is not a sustainable industry   Socially, "BE KIND",  For you Christians, 13 times Jesus commanded "To love one another as I have loved you"

The prophet Muhammad said "You will never enter paradise until you have faith and you will not complete your faith until you have loved one another".

In this time of social unrest and July 4th celebration of Independence, you should read or re-read the Declaration of Independence.  "We  hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

THANK YOU, for letting us be a part of your journey towards a healthy life.

Namaste

Judd

Having a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

The Holidays are upon us!

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, let us continue to focus on gratitude and how important it is show how much we love those around us.  We all know when some family and friends together it can become pretty stressful.  Everyone has their own opinions and like to let it be heard.  Remember to be the one to put out positive energy, helping to keep the chaos down.

It doesn't have to be challenging when different eating habits come together for a meal like Thanksgiving.  In our home, we enjoy a mostly plant-based meal, no turkey, ham or any type of meat.  There might be a little dairy, but only if you choose to partake.  Aside from meat, most traditional Thanksgiving meals are already plant-based anyway. You can replace butter with Earth Balance and eggs can be replaced with "flax eggs" when baking treats.

This year we are having our son, daughter-in-law and grandson join us for the feast.  They will be bringing their own roasted turkey breast and chocolate pie (our Grandson is a chocolate loving freak!) while we enjoy our usual "Tofurky Roast" and vegan pumpkin pie.

Here is our Thanksgiving Menu from Bree:

Tofurky Roast: Despite the mocking reactions of non-vegetarians when they hear the word “tofurky”, the Tofurky Roast is actually really good. It’s a lot less dry than your typical Thanksgiving turkey and is great the next day on a sandwich.

Mashed Potatoes: The variation of mashed potatoes changes year-to-year, so it could be chunky or more of a puree, but we always use Earth Balance and season with lots of salt and pepper. After making pierogi filling this way recently, I think this year we’ll add some caramelized onions to the mashed potatoes for extra flavor.

Cornbread Stuffing with Sage: We live in the south, so it’s cornbread stuffing for us with lots of sage for peak autumnal flavor.

Cranberry-Apple Sauce: This is my mom’s go-to sauce and it’s delicious. It’s made from fresh cranberries, so it’s not a jello-like texture. It’s more like a sauce with small apple chunks that add sweetness and good texture.

Deviled Eggs: To me, you can’t have Thanksgiving without deviled eggs as an appetizer. There’s no vegan hack here. But there is a dairy-free version 😅

Italian Green Beans: The flat, Italian-style green beans are my absolute favorite. I can’t explain it, I just love the texture of these.

Parker House Rolls: We change style of rolls year-by-year, but this year we’re planning on doing classic, homemade Parker House rolls because I’m trying to practice baking bread more.

Sweet Potato Casserole: For another side, we like to do sweet potato casserole. This is one of those cases where we use Earth Balance in place of butter.

Vegan Pumpkin Pie: It’s really simple to make pumpkin pie vegan because you really just don’t need to use the eggs or evaporated milk used in other recipes in order to get the custardy filling. I love the Minimalist Baker recipe.

Apple Pie: I’ve considered doing a cranberry pie this year, but I’m sticking with a classic apple. I’m going to use a traditional apfelstrudel filling and do a Dutch crumb topping.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude Is An Attitude

Every year at Thanksgiving people focus on the blessings they have.  Most forget about them the next day.  Science has proven that when you practice gratitude it improves your self-esteem, makes you more empathetic, helps you to be more resilient and gives you an overall better sense of well-being.  Gratitude has a number of health benefits including; reduced inflammation, better sleep and improved heart health.  

We had an issue with our internet modem yesterday.  The service center was closed on Sunday, so I headed there first thing this morning to pick up a new one.  While waiting in line until they opened, I was surrounded by those that only had negative words to say about this provider.  It really opened my eyes and to look inward to my own actions and words.  Do I speak negativity?  Do I let the actions of the world bring me down?  Of course I do. I began to think what positive actions come from my words.  I thought about those around the world that don't even have running clean water or food to eat. A bad internet connection or their television reception skipping in and out really isn't that important. 

Gratitude is a practice, which turns into an action, which is the foundation of a happy life.

When you wake up in the morning, make a list and speak the things you are grateful for.

Consistency will change your life.

Happy Thanksgiving

BELIEVE IN

KINDNESS

Have a great week.

Judd

UNBREAKABLE

This weeks post is a little different.  You might have seen people wearing those rubber wristbands with different sayings or recognizing certain causes. "Livestrong", "Autism", "Breast Cancer Awareness" to name just a few.  One of these bracelets that I have noticed more of is "Unbreakable".  In our ever changing world we need to be more aware of our own personal strength.  We need to unlock the potential we have within each of us.  "Unbreakable"  bands come from a company called Mind in Motion.  One the first products of theirs I came across was a canvas tote my daughter had purchased. "Look Within" has a inspirational message on it that I have to share.

" I am a movement unto myself.  Energy is not something I burn.  It's a force I create.  I will get the most out of every step I take during my finite time on this earth.  I have the power to believe in myself.  With each deep breath, I fuel every cell with oxygen.  When my body is in motion my mind will follow.  Every movement will be guided by an inner power.  I will defy everyday gravity.  I will carry my mental couch to the curb.  I will not allow an ounce of negativity to weigh down my human spirit.  I will live.  I will laugh.  I will love infinitely.  I will soar above mountaintops.  I will never give up or give in.  My passions are unrelenting.  Fear cannot weaken my will or lessen my determination to lift others up.  My strength comes from within.  This is my core.  And it is UNBREAKABLE".

Please check out their website for awesome products and inspiration.

We hold the power inside of us that can change the world, but we must let it flow out of us in our actions and the words we speak.  The entire world and everything in it are connected.  One cannot operate correctly without the others.  A kind word to someone you don't know could be life changing.  Start everyday (not just Thanksgiving) with Gratitude, being thankful for what you have and the ones in your life who have loved and influenced you.  Being grateful will bring joy to every moment of you life.

Have a great week. 

Be kind.

Judd