Has it been a year already? & Save the date.....

A year ago last week, or there abouts, was the anniversary of my decision to go Vegan. It is hard to believe it has been a year. When it has gotten tough over the last year to maintain this way of eating, which honestly hasn't been very many times, I have thought about this post and getting to the one year mark and beyond.

Several years ago I was a vegetarian for two years, I really liked eating that way, but didn't stick with it. It started out small, but little by little meat and dairy crept it's way back into my eating. Well, last August after my heart scare, and a trip on the ole scale at the hospital, I decided that I had to start taking better care of myself. So last August decided to go back on my vegetarian diet of old =)

Then in September of last year, decided to go vegan. Well at least for the most part. The only thing that I eat on occasion is honey. If you are truly vegan you eat NO animal products at all. But honey is so good for allergies if you can buy local, and I like honey, but I have all but stopped using it except during allergy season, like right now, and I really like graham crackers. The kind I buy I don't know if they have honey or not, but I think so.

So I guess I can't really call myself vegan, and wouldn't if I could, because I am not defined by what I eat, or in this case by what I don't eat. My decision to go vegetarian/vegan came from a desire to be healthier. And a year later I feel SO much better!!! Now I don't do it all right and I certainly have my moments, but on a day-to-day, living it out basis, I try to choose healthy foods.

I have wanted for a long time to post some recipes and tips and healthful hints to eating healthier. I truly believe that making better choices in your life with regards to food will help you have a better quality of life, and I'd love to give you some tips and hints to help you along the way. So I'm hoping to start doing that on my Recipe tab here on the blog. I'm going to try to post a recipe or helpful hint to eating healthier (or both =) on Saturday's and see how that goes. We will see....this is such a busy season.....but this is really on my heart, so I'm gonna give it a go!!!

I'd like to share with you just a few of my favorites that I've made over the last year.
This first one is Mexican Stuffed Peppers from The Happy Herbivore.
These are SO delicious and easy.














This next one is Chili Mac from Fat-Free Vegan.
I love this hearty, delish, one-pot meal. It stays with you and freezes beautifully!!!














And I don't deprive myself of sweets eating this way either!!! Now I don't eat the simple-sugar ladened sweets, but I do indulge in healthy, delicious desserts that go right along with my desire to eat and live healthier.

These are Skinny Figgy Bars and they are the cat's meow I tell ya!!! LOVE them!! They are also from Fat Free Vegan.















And just to show off my own culinary skills -- hahahahahaha, I crack me up!! =)
anyway.....

I wanted to show you a salad I fixed for lunch a couple of weeks ago.
The picture is awful, but maybe you can get the idea.....

This is Romaine Lettuce topped with celery sticks, carrots, mushrooms (I think), garlic stuffed olives, sliced, baked tofu (my fav recipe) and dipping sauce (Nama Shoyu & Orange Marmalade -- Yum, YUm, YUM =0)

This was so delicious and filling. LOVE this salad.

















So there you have a sampling of the way this 40 lbs lighter than last year girl, eats. You may be wondering how I eat out or if I do, well I do. It is about the choices I make. Yesterday I had lunch at Panera Bread and had the You Pick Two deal. 1/2 Mediterranean Sandwich no Feta, and 1/2 Classic Salad with the Fuji Apple Dressing and an apple for my side. I looked it up one time and this meal is only about 350 calories. And so delicious!!!



So last night was our Senior Parent meeting at school. This meeting was about college in it's various forms and other Senior year items. It was very informative....very. They gave us the date for graduation....wow we have a date.....wow I think I need to sit down =)



YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND:



2011 Senior Class of Clever High and our own adorably fantastic Dak for Graduation festivities on May 9th, 2011



WOW seeing it on "paper" makes it real now doesn't it? He is excited and I need a paper bag to breathe into......breathe......breathe....... =)



And that means Project Graduation meetings started last night as well. I will be helping as much as I can with this knee situation. We need to raise a lot of money....but thankfully we have veteran's who have been down this road before with their other kiddo's, so that makes it easier.



Well there you have it.....something to chew on, and write on your calendar, all in one post. Your welcome =)



Have a Blessed and Beautiful day,




James 1:17 (New International Version)

"17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. "

Love & Hugs ~~