Unlikely heroes

As I veg out on my couch, flipping through channels, I decided to pop on the Ellen show!

I love her.. she is sosososo hysterical and has some great guests.

Well...todays guests left me with a tear in my eye.

There is a group of 5 men.. and they call themselves Rescue Ink. They are all about 6'5, Intimidating as hell, resemble bouncers... have tattoos covering their bodies, and are the founding members of one of the most admirable pet rescue groups I have ever seen. 

These seemingly intimidating men have rescued countless animals, and are working to put them in safe homes with loving families.

They are a non-for profit organization, they are kind, and best yet they are from LONG ISLAND!!!

If you are aware of an animal abuse incident and are not from the local area, they have actually established groups through out the country... if there is not a Rescue Ink. near you, they will refer you to an animal rescue group that CAN help you.

They do not turn down any case...they are passionate, determined, and the most unlikely heros.

This just proves that you cant judge a book by its cover. 

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE!!!!      RESCUE INK

More raw food...ish... and exciting goodies!!

Well my computer is back! HORRAY!!!!!

Well as I promised, I'm going to share some of the goodies that I got at whole foods.

First... apricot seeds!

They look like nuts... and taste like nuts! (well what I would think nuts would taste like)

For anyone who is allergic to nuts... TRY THESE! theyre a little on the pricey side, but they make you feel like your having something completly new

NEXT IS THE RaW FOOD BAR!!

Its really great!! the first one in sprouted pumpkin seeds, sprouted flax seeds, ground dates,

raw agave nectar and celtic sea salt

The Green one is Sprouted sesame seeds, banana, coconut, date and spirulina (whatever that is!)

Both are completely organic and completely raw!!! theyre actually really tasty... i took

 the pumpkin one to work and i wasnt even hungry when I got to dinner (and as i said i dont get a lunch break!) TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

ATTENTION ATTENTION!!!

Today I discovered that Im NOT allergic to pistachios!!!! HORRAY!!!!!!!! they are soooo delish! I cant believe what I've been missing!!! (Here are some raw Pistachios)

NEXT COMES THE SPROUTS!!!!!!

My mom's personal trainer suggested that we try and sprout Sunflower seeds.... THEYRE SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!! we're waiting for them to get a little bit longer...but here are some in the process

NEXT!!!! 

(HAHA i know this post is kinda of a jumble of EVERYTHING!!!)

Today I made raw Chili!!!! The recipe is on Goneraw.com

It was actually REALLY GREAT!!! I had to warm it up just a little bit (I just get nauseous sometimes when I eat completely raw...but I dont think I did it over 120 degrees..it was kind of luke warm...but DEF AWESOME!!! I SUGGEST EVERYONE MAKE IT!!!

I definitely dont feel as puffy lately! (haha that sounds so silly) but i think being more conscious about what I'm 

putting in my body is making me feel great!

OK time for a run!!!

First my camera.. and NOW....

RARRRRR!!!!! So not only is my camera in melt down mode now (tomorrow im buying a new one!) But MY COMPUTER WONT WORK!!! the internet is doing this weird thing where it will flash for a second and then close... danm computer!!! thank god apple is good about fixing their products!

So for now Im on my dad's lap top. Not crazy about not having my computer right now but i have no choice. I seriosuly feel naked without it! I guess i spend too much time with it. Its right up there with the important things in my life like my food processor!

WELL I CUT MY HAIR!!!! I was sick of it being long. it was just.. well... long! And as much as I love long hair, Im really happy with the short do

o i have going on right now! its fun and light and easy for the summer... since my camera is dunzo, and i havent taken a good pic of me.. here 

is a

 makeshift picture from the computer! Not the best but you get the idea:)

Well since all my pictures are on MY computer I'll post them tomorrow...

But here is some food porn imagery for all of you who have nut allergies!!

Theyre Date Pits.. and they taste like almonds!!! HMM... ill show you pictures tomrrow!!!!

(The detox is going great! Im eating one cooked meal a day and the rest raw... ill post some goodies that I bought at wholefoods tomorrow!)

Day 2 CONTINUED

WELL HELLO THERE!!! today is a particularly gloomy day.. BOO

but i do have some good news.

I met with a manager yesterday, and although I didn't sign anything (i'll be away soon so theres no point) He really liked me an

d wants to send me out on castings! Television, commercial print, commercials, film, theatre. Im pumped... although they take a percentage of your money, I guess it cant hurt to have someone pulling for you. so... COOL!

Other than that, yesterday was uneventful. I had a really enjoyable voice lesson. I've been with this voice teacher (JOHN FARRELL... if anyone is in the Long Island Area and is looking for a voice lesson, hes your guy. He's amazing and hes got really affordable rates. His clients are gracing the stages of broadway and national tours as we speak!) But anyway if anyone is interested, send me a message and I'll give you the 411. 

The Rockettes are putting out a Christmas CD this year! "R

OCKETTES SING CHRISTMAS". Im auditioning for it and we had to work on singing into a recording mic. Its completely different than singing on stage or into a hand held so it took some practice, some eff ups, and lots of laughs...hopefully all goes well with it!

WHY AM  I DETOXING?

So yesterday I got a comment asking if I would reveal my intentions and motivation for this raw food cleanse. 

Well lately I've been feeling.. puffy. I couldnt have gained more

 that a pound but I just dont feel my best. I think because lately I've been going out to dinner with friends, and although I have been eating vegan, I think that the extra oil and bread (lots of bread baskets and french fries! and white bread rolls on veggie burgers) has made me feel well....kind of contaminated? I know that sounds drastic but its true. I am very intuned with my body. I know when I've gained weight, and I know when i need a spring (or in this case) summer cleaning. So with this cleanse I'm hoping to just make myself feel better!

Now I'm not a HUGE fan of Raw food. Well actually let me rephrase that... I really enjoy hot meals. There is nothing like cooked veggies to me. Honestly I love them...But I do in fact love my raw fruits and veggies. For years 

now I have probably had a salad every day for lunch (and sometimes for dinner too)...I LOVE EVERY VEGETABLE UNDER THE SUN (well accept egg plant... not always crazy about egg plants tough skin... maybe because its got the word... EGG in it.. DUN DUN DUN...ok im being silly now.. back to the post!)

So I have been enjoying lots of salads with different veggies.

Well DAY 2 for lunch was a salad again. I think because Im not very knowlegable about raw food cooking, and I lack lots of ingredients to make more advanced dishes, I have been settling for salads. 

It was quite refreshing though..it had cucumbers, carrots, celery, mixed field greens, spinach, sunflower seeds, avocado, and a couple of olives (not sure if they are raw but 3 wont kill me i suppose)

My mom has a raw food cook book that her personal trainer gave her. I was browsing through it and found a recipe for cabbage rolls with terriaki sauce. THey were good, but gave me a stomach ache after a couple...here is the recipe anyway.

Terraki cabbage rolls

ROLLS

6-10 Whole green cabbage leaves

a red bell pepper jullianed (I cant spell)

2 carrots Jullianed (still cant spell)

a bunch of whole cilantro leaves

a bunch of whole basil leaves (i cut mine a bit)

Sauce

1/2 Cup Soy sauce

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon ginger

1 large clove of garlic (or two small)

a drizzle of toasted sesame oil

Mix all ingredients in a jar and shake well

Then just make your wraps! Fill a cabbage leaf with carrots and pepper, cilantro and basil to your liking, and dip in the dressing. The first few are good, but then I started to feel a little nauseous! I think the cabbage was doing it though.. i might have liked it better with lettuce i think.

(I tried to take pictures of it but they came out retarded)

So after two days of raw food, I'm going to reintroduce a cup of brown rice a day, and a cooked dinner. I wish I could stick with raw food for a whole week, but it makes me feel deprived, and a vegan diet never has (accept sometimes i CRAVE melted cheese!) I feel like as vegans we eliminate so many things from our diets, and for me, eliminating cooked warm goodness is no fair!!!

Hahaha so for the rest of the day I will eat raw (or try to atleast) until dinner time!

MORE LATER>..now its time to check out what you all have been up to!!!

RAW FOOD day 1

Hello all!

I know I have been MIA (i say it in every post) I have also been really sporadic with comments!! IM SORRY! IM SORRY! IM SORRY!!!!

I really worry that I will lose this great network of people and I DONT WANT TO!!!

I promise to post more regularly now!!!

So Since i still dont have a camera... i decided to go a different rout.... MY COMPUTER PHOTO BOOTH!!! haha thank god for Macs!!!!

DAY ONE:

So yesterday for breakfast I had a small cup of seeds(sunflower and pumpkin) and dried fruit (Dried cranberries and dates) and a peach smoothie!

I had work yesterday and that means NO LUNCH BREAK!! by the time I got home i was STARVING!!! luckily mom went to the grocery store while I was gone (I love comming home to fresh fruits and veggies!!!)

I made myself the most ridiculous (and huge) crunchy salad! It had Baby field greens, celery, 

 crunchy sprouts, broccoli sprouts, sun flower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, strawberries, tomatoes and sweetcorn!!! It was sososososoossososo good and satisfying!!!

I also had an apple, a banana, and some grapes. It doesnt look like I ate much but I was really satisfies... trust me... I LOVE TO EaT i never neglect myself!!!

DAY 2! 

This morning heres my breakfast! DELISH!!!

ILL POST MORE LATER!

a bad little blogger

IVE BEEN SUCH A BAD LITTLE BLOGGER!!!!!

My camera still is broken, and to be honest I havent been eating anything special. Just smoothies, veggie burgers, and salads and such

I feel like its time for a serious detox....so for tomorrow I will be doing (and actually following) a raw food detox!!!!

Anthony and I are booking a trip to Montreal right now!! We're going for the fourth of July and the Jazz festival.... im really excited... anyone have any suggestions??? 

Memoriessss

CODY!!!!!! heheh I love him

SO....Once again, Katie from Chocolate 

covored vegan dared her readers to put up prom pictures!!! Well when I was lookin for mine (i wanna post pictures but my danm camera is on the fritz!) I found sooo many great pictures that I couldnt NOT post!!!

Me on my 

first school trip!( my mom was driving

 behind us!)

Me at three years old

 playin the piano!

Me age 15, on the beach (my

 aunts  photorpher)

THE PROM PIC!!! (Its Jr prom.. and the only one I could find! But I wore the same dress for senior becuse I loved it so much!)

Ok Now Im going to tell you all about my dad. Hes an AMAZING photographer!!!

Here are just some of his shots.. (there were so many but heres just three)

If your interested in the rest of his work, or would like to buy somethin of his... check out his website!!!

Http://www.Rlinkphoto.com

OK....

I love being taged to take quizzes!!!!! I was tagged by Evey from Vegan Nurse... so HERE GOES!!!

1) Last movie you saw in the movie theatre

-Iron Man!!! Im a sucker for the comic book movies... theyre always soooo good!!

2) What book are you reading?

- The Memory keepers Daughter. It is really great... I read about a book a week!

3) Favorite board game?

-Um.. not crazy abut board games... I guess my favorite is monopoly?

4) Favorite Magazine?

-Cosmo, Glamour, People... i love girly magazines

5)Favorite Smell?

-Fresh Baked Cookies... or Pizza

6) Favorite Sound?

- The loud applause after a performance :)

7)Worst feeling in the world?

- Hearing someone talk baddly about you... it sucks

8) What is the first thing you think when you wake up?

-FIVE MORE MINUTES

9)Favorite Fast food place?

CHIPOTLE!!!!! omg im obsessed (they have vegan options!)

10) Future childs name?

-Girl-> Lillianna, Cristina (im not italian i just like ana endings i guess hha)

-Boy-> I really have no no no idea

11) Finish this statement... If I had a lot of money I would...

-Donate to charities, Buy my parents  new house and open  dance/ theatre studio for kids who could not otherwise afford it.

12) Do you Drive fast?

YES WAYYYY to fast! But i've never gotten a ticket! (knock on wood)

13) Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?

-YUP :) Its a stuffed Bunny that Anthony got me from Build a Bear.... my bunnies name is Anthony hehehe :)

14) Storms... cool or scarey

If im alone... SCAREY! If im with people... TOTALLY FUN!

15) What was your first car?

1999 Black Honda Accord... 135,000 miles.. still going strong!!!

16) Favorite drink

Seltzer!

17) Do you eat the stems on broccoli

YEP!

18)If you could die your hair any other color.. what would it be?

- Ive never ever died my hair!!! But probably like a nice brownish red

19) Name all the different cities you have lived in?

Well I live on long Island for my whole life...I lived in Buffalo new york for a year and a half

I lived in Manhattan for a year and a half....and Ive lived (when I was on tour) In Costa Mesa California, Phoenix Arizona, Mrytle Beach South Carolina....thats it

20) Favorite sports to watch

- BASEBALL!!!! YANKEES YANKEES YANKEES!!! ( I watch every game.. no joke... )

21) One nice thing this person who sent this to you?

- She is sooo pretty! Every time I look at her pics I think... what a beautiful girl!

(her food is alwyas interesting and ethnic too)

22) Whats under your bed?

 MONSTERS!

23) Would you like to be born again as yourself?

Im not sure... I love my life... and I love who I am... but it might be interestin to live someone elses life

24) Morning person or night owl?

BOTH! I really dont get enough sleep.. but I love waking up early in the morning and having my whole day

25)Over easy or sunny side up

NEITHER>.. IM VEGAN DUHHHH

26)Favorite place to relax...

THE BEACH... no where is as relaxing

27) Favorite Ice cream flavor?

- hmmm... when i was in california I got this amazing ice cream... CInnamon bun... ive never had anything better i swear!

ok so im not gunn tag anyone right now... I suck I know.

LONG POST WOWZERS!!!!

questionnaire!

Well since my camera is still SUCKING hardcore... I decided to do this:

Happy Herbivore  posted a "favorites" survey and I want to take it! SO I WILL! hehehe 

1) Favorite Fruit

MANGO! Anything Mango... smoothies, fresh cut, dried...We always have a fresh mango in my house :)

2) Favorite Vegetable

I really love every vegetable... I've never met a vegetable that I didnt like!!! So Im going to have to give this award to three... Portobello mushrooms, Broccoli (Steamed, or sauteed... not so much raw) Avocado! 

3) Least Favorite Vegetable

As I said.. I really do like vegetables... But I think my LEAST favorite (as of lately) is egg plant! I know I know... i just dont like the ways that I make it.. I like it better when I get it in a restaurant I think.

4) Favorite bean

BLACK BEAN!!! Others are tricky because Im allergic to lots of legumes

5) Favorite Spice

Basil and Rosemary

6) Favorite Grain

Good ol' Brown Rice I think...I really like lots of grains, but I eat brown rice almost every day

7) Spice you use most often

Salt and pepper probably... but I use lots of basil

8) Tofu, Seitan, Tempeh?

SEITAN!!!! Tempeh and Tofu makes me allergic :(

9) Favorite Condiment

KATSUP!!!!! I can eat it on anything and everythinggggggggg (its kind of sick actually)

10) Favorite Meal

This is sooo hard because I love so much.. but honestly.. theres nothing like a HUGE salad with every one of my favorite vegetables, beans, with lots of seeds and maybe some fruit in there :)

OH AND BEAN BURGERS WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES!!!!! ( i love fries haha)

WELL I dare you all to go on and answer those questions!!!!

Well for dinner I had Stir fry Terriaki vegetables (broccoli, onion, portobello Mushrooms and yellow squash) with brown rice.

I have no picture because the stupid camera!!! UGHHHH

I also took a kick ass dance class today... ah I love love love it!!!!

Thats all for now :)

Camera MELTDOWN!!!!!

So today I open my computer... all ready to post about my recent yummy creation... when BAM... CAMERA MELTDOWN!!!

Every time I turn it on it makes some weird (and devistating) noise and the lense wont open or close. I'm pretty sure its broken...

OH BAH!!!!

Well I suppose  I can tell you all about what I was so excited for...and I promise once my camera gets going again I"ll SHOW you all!!!

As I was cruising one of my favorite blogs.... which one you ask?? well Katie's of course.. from Chocolate Covered Vegan. In an earlier post, she spoke about how she woke up one morning and had the urg to make Rice Pudding...(but didn't have the right ingredients... SORRY KATIE!)

and I though to myself... OH MY GOD...  I HAVE THE URG TO MAKE RICE PUDDING!

(this revelation reminded me of the one from the movie "Clueless"...

OH my GOD... IM IN LOVE WITH JOSH! "... ok sorry for the blast from the past)

Well I followed my urg and make it I did!

I cruised the internet until I was able to find a recipe that I liked... of COURSE I tweaked it... why wouldnt I!?

WELL>>> HERE IT IS!

Apricot Rice Pudding

2 Cups of water

1 Cup Short Grain Brown Rice

3 Cups of Rice milk (Or your choice of milk replacement)

1/2 teaspoon Nut meg

1/2 (or more) teaspoon of Cinnamon

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

1/8 cup Agave Nectar

2 Tbs ground flax seed (not nec. but why not throw in the added nutrients!)

1/4 cup of chopped apricots

Bring water to a boil... once hot enough add the rice and let simmer until water is soaked up (about 30 min)

add Rice Milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, agave nectar, flax,  and continue to simmer on low/medium...stir occasionally... until most of the milk is absorbed ( and 

has the rice pudding consistency)..probably for about 20-25 minutes 

Once you have your favorite consistency of rice pudding, turn oven off and stir in apricots.

Scoop mixture into a container and put in the fridge for a couple of hours or over night... and then be prepared to enjoy a fabulous SIN FREE Desert!!!

Ok so... I'm watching my cousins tonight... and I have a sore throat...(sucks) and I wanted nothing but ICE CREAM!!! I haven't had any ice cream since I went vegan. So many contain soy, and the Rice Dream version is so loaded with calories I just didn't think it was worth it.

Luckily there is a whole foods down the block (they live in manhattan) So me and my Cuz Rick went and bought this...

Its called "Purely Decadent Coconut Milk Ice Cream" I got it in Chocolate. Its made with Coconut milk so its dairy free (100% Vegan)...and sweetened with Agave Nectar... CAN YOU GET ANY BETTER?!?!?! Not only was it rich and creamy, but there is half the fat (150 calories in 1/2 cup... not terrible) and tasted exactly like regular ice cream!!! I recommend it to anyone... soy allergy or not... it was amazinggg!

OK so Question.. has anyone ever been to Costa Rica??? Anthony and I are planning a vacation and are seriously considering Costa Rica.... ANY SUGGESTIONS!??? (even if its not Costa Rica... any suggestions on somewhere fun (and decently priced) to go)

****we want to do things other than sitting on a beach! aka... zip lining, white water rafting, snorkeling, anything RAIN FOREST!... we both want to do fun and exciting things..***

WELCOME BACK!!!

Hello ALL!!!! im sorry I haven't been around lately! I haven't been particularly busy... I thinkthe warm weather has kept me outside instead of inside on my computer!

Well lets start with saying that my dog is probably the silliest, cutest, smart, cuddly guy out there. Cody (Golden retriever) goes everywhere with me (that he's allowed atleast!)

Well last week, we decided to go to one of Anthony's baseball games!!!

Cody thinks he can drive..he doesn't understand that he doesn't have his liscence!!!

"WHAT SYN..why can't I drive to the game??"

"I'm going to drive whether you like it or not!"

"Whats that??? the drive is 40 minutes?!.... you can drive!!!"

"I'll be happy hanging right here in the back seat!!"

hehe... he's adorable common!

Well the game was fun and Cod man was a hit! all the guys on the team thought he was awesome... which he is!!!

So that weekend... me and the boy decided that we were going to BBQ... ON THE BEACH!

My dad has a pass for his 4 wheel drive where you can drive on

the beach (certain locations) it is one of my favorite things to do. It is so peaceful and beautiful... 

absolutely one of my favorite places in the world.

...it was so peaceful...(not to mention really romantic :)  hehe...im so lucky to live so close to the beach...I'm very lucky.

OK so now onto FOOD!!!!!!!

nothing super special lately. I have kind of just been scrounging up random vegan goodies. (amys burrito's one day... left over bean burgers the next... soup... a salad... nothing exciting)

but TODAY... was 

......

NOTHING DIFFERENT! HAHAHA

but I did make some killer oatmeal!!!

Syns *Apple*Cinnamon*Seed*Raisin Oatmeal!

2 1/2 cups of water

1 cup of rolled oats

1/2 cup wheat berries

1/4 cup of sunflower seeds

1/2 cup of applesauce

1/4 cup raisins

1 tablespoon Cinnamon

Bring water to a boil

Add in oats and wheat berries and sunflower seeds and cook until  most of the water is absorbed. Stir in applesauce, raisins, and cinnamon and cook till the remainder of the water is absorbed.

ENJOY!!!!!!!

it was really delish!!! the only problem was that when i was pouring the wheat berries, a few too many made it into the pot... and well it was a LITTLE to abundant in wheat berries for me... but next time I make it I will Definitely make it with less...its really good i swear!!!

well other than that.. for dinner I had an old comfort food form freshman year of college!

Living in a dorm I didn't have access to an oven... so I would 

always microwave green beans, some mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and sprinkle parm. cheese on top. It was quick and it always satisfied my "I WANT CHEESE AND SAUCE" cravings!

Tonight I decided to sub rice cheeses and VUALA... vegan comfort food!

and thats all for today!! sorry for the long post... I need to catch up with everyones blogs!!!!

The best day in a very long time :)

Today was probably one of the best days I've had in a really long time.

I haven't danced in so long and its very unlike me. I think with all that has been going on between recently graduating, 4 hour acting classes, working a lot, and my personal issues, my dance classes have taken a back burner. I should know better... when I dont dance I get depressed... and when I get depressed.. well I don't dance. Its a vicious cycle and a 

stupid one at that.

Well today when my alarm went off this morning  I decided... I wasnt going to go to my acting class today... screw it... I needed to take some dance classes... and take dance classes I did!!!

I got into the city around  12 and headed over to "Steps" and took a

 class with Daina Moore. She is so inspiring and just completely positive. The class itself wasnt incredibly challenging, but I knew Later I would get my ASS KICKED (in my second class) 

Since I had some time to kill... I poped into Urban Outfitters.. and LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!!

HOW CUTE!!! I know you all want one :) hehehehe i cant wait to wear it!

So first my awesome dance class.. then my adorable shirt... well Why should I stop Now?!?!? 

I ran to my favorite dance supplier store and bought two new pair or dance pants. (i actually needed them for rehearsals for my upcomming show!) 

(if anyone lives in the NY area... and is a performer.. you NEED to go to "Class In" Its on 72nd and Amsterdam...theyre amazing... you pick a leotard, pants, unitard etc and they size you so it fits perfectly...and then you can make alterations...lower back, higher leg...etc and THEN you get to pick your own fabric and colors! Its so much fun and really cheap!! OK..!)

So after some new dance clothes, my adorable t-shirt, and my amazing dance class.. I headed over to Broadway Dance Center (aka BDC) FOr my second class.

This one was with my FAVORITE teacher.. David Marquez.

Not only was the choreography challenging but it was the kind of movement that just makes you gush happiness at the seams. Everything that has been bothering me lately completely melted away. I just moved freely, intensely and joyfully... i know this sounds silly but I felt free. This is why I love to dance.. because of the way it makes me feel. I have been lucky enough to have been blessed with the opportunity to do it professionally... and I need to remember that this is what calms me...centers me...and makes me whole. Thank god I have something like this...thank god!

Ok so after I got home, I had a suprise waiting for me at my front door!!!

About a week ago I discovered a product called "Sun Butter"!!!!

Basically its a "peanut butter" substitute made from sunflower seeds. Well I was super excited when I found it!!! I got chunky and creamy... ok so the verdict????

AMAZING!!!! I tasted it and I had to re-read the label because I thought it might have nuts in it! It is creamy, salty, and AMAZING!!!! IS THIS WHAT I HAVE BEEN MISSING?!?!?! Seriously... anyone who has nut allergies like me...GET THIS PRODUCT!!!

Well i IMMEDIATELY remembered a post that I saw on Celine's blog. It called for nut butter and of course I couldnt use it.. BUT I HAD MY SUNBUTTER... so I attempted to make "Thick Chocolate Mousse with Chocolate Ribbons of DOOM"

OH MY GOD.... this is AMAZING... and its made with avocado and BEANS! (i subbed Black beans for White beans... I dont think it made a difference... its still amazing!)

ANY desert made with beans and or avocado intruiges me... I mean... DESERT...and MY FAVORITE VEGETABLES!!! god it cant get any better than this.

So here's my picture... Celine has a better on one her blog (Shes an amazing photographer)...(and the recipe) but Hey i wanted to share too!!

Dear Males,

Dear Boys, "Men", and All males of the world,

Every Month, as a woman, we go through something called "Menstruation." If you think you know what pain, being uncomfortable, and plain terrible feels like... well.. ya dont.. your not a woman and therefore have never gone through this. So Males of the world....when this is happening...be nice to us...be comforting....because to be honest its the suckiest thing that has ever happened to women!!!!

Ok so clearly im going through that right now (I know you all wanted to know). And well.. I'm supposed to be on my detox...but right now ALL I WANT IS CHOCOLATE. And since I'm feeling like such shit.. who am I to to say "NO CHOCOLATE!"..I KNOW I HAVE NO RIGHT TO DENY MYSELF THIS INDULGENCE....RIGHT?!?!?! you better Know that I DID NOT. I have had plenty of chocolate today and have loved every second of it.

To be honest I havent been very hungry other than for chocolate today (ya its bad) so For breakfast I had a bowl of cereal...and Chocolate a few times during the day...and an apple... that is it....

so now.. I will go and watch tv...curse the fact that us women must go through this... and hope that tomorrow is a better day (and probably have a few more vegan chocolate chips...!!)

RAARRRR!!!!

hahah sorry for the silly post... tomorrow i'll be back to my glowing wonderful self i promise

A comforting circle.. a world away

I just wanted to thank you all for the support you've given me these past days. My mom read your comments with tears in her eyes "your so lucky to have such a strong supportive group of people"..she couldnt believe that even though I have never met any of you in person, you were all willing to send your love and positive energy to my family and I... and it's true...you all are such amazing people.. it is mind blowing... so i cannot say thank you enough.

SO ANYWAY... this is going to be a long post so bare with me.

Since I've been kind of MIA with the food posts lately, I will catch you up!!!

So I had all intentions of following in Bianca's (from Vegan Crunk) foot steps with her "Raw food Mondays" accept I would be big and bold and do it for a week.... well that lasted for a day! It was fine for a day, but I think with everything I had going on I just wanted some comforting WARM food. 

I have been feeling like I need to do something about my diet. Yes I eat healthy, yes I e

at as organic as I can... and of course I am VEGAN... but for some reason, I feel like my system needs a cleaning. I think perhaps since I have been going out to dinner quite a bit in the past month,(celebrating graduations, and birthdays and such) and all they usually have to offer me is freakin Pasta primavera (and of course the pasta is While pasta) that i just feel icky!

A while ago (before I became vegan) a fellow Rockette of mine mentioned a diet called "The Fat Smash Diet". It is basically a vegan diet... all fruits and veggies.. as many as you want.. and a limited amount of dairy and grains and NO MEAT. This is the detox stage of the diet. After I did it the last time (for 9 days) I felt GREAT! I'm not sure i can explain it, but i just felt CLEAN.

Well I decided I would do it again. SO here it goes

-a cup of oatmeal in the morning (with a fruit) (Or any wholesome cereal)

-a cup of rice milk

-as many fruits and veggies (including beans...and excluding

 white potatoes) as I want (in any form too)

-no more than a tablespoon of olive oil a day

-a cup of brown rice a day

Its been about 3 days, and I already feel a little better...

Ok so here's what has been going into my mouth for the past couple of days!!!

Sunday:

Sunday for breakfast was a smoothy with Mango, Kiwii, and Watermelon (sweetened with some agave nectar)

and a bowl of fresh blue berries, and watermelon

For lunch I had SPRING ROLLS! 

For some reason Spring rolls excite me.. i think because they are

almost transparent and you can see the pretty insides :)

I used Sun-dried tomatoes, Carrots, Pine Nuts, zuchinni, red pepper, and

 dried organic cranberries

Threw them in mister food processor (hes my other boyfriend)

Placed the mixture in a bed of lettuice, and wrapped it all in a spring roll wrap 

I think that night I had oatmeal for dinner... (i wasnt very hungry because of all that was going on with the pup :( )

Monday:

Breakfast was a bowl of kammut flakes with rice milk

Lunch was from wholefoods.... nothing crazy, just a salad with snap peas, sun dried tomatoes, edamame, some brown rice, corn, carrots, and Texturized vegetable protein (does anyone know where to buy this!!! I LOVE IT)

That night... around 9:30, my mom mentioned that she hadn't eaten all day and she was starving but had no motivation to make or get anything...I decided to pull through and be strong for her (she always is for me) and whip up some dinner...

I opened my fridge and realized that I had Brussel sprouts that I hadn't used, and needed to be used within the next few days... did some blog searching... and discovered this recipe on Fatfree Vegan Kitchen .It was Brussle sprouts with garlic and basil.. the only substitution i made was Pine nuts instead of almonds (I have been a little pine nut crazy... the discovery is very exciting to me.)

I also made a crunchy sprout salad.

A while back I bought a bunch of well... crunchy sprouts.. and hadnt used them yet. At my favorite vegan restaurant they serve this salad with a carrot ginger dressing.

Well I tried to mimic the dressing and it came out pretty great!!!

Carrot Ginger dressing

I put two carrots into my boyfriend (food processor)

about a teaspoon of ginger

pinch of salt and pepper

about 3 tablespoons of white wine vinigar

about 1/4 cup of olive oil

add enough water to the mixture to make it liquidy to you likeing

mix all the ingredients and vuala

I also heated up a cup of Butternut squash soup that my mom had made and frozen from about a month ago.

Although it was a nice dinner... neither of us managed to finish it.

TODAY

Today was an exciting food day for me!!

Well... breakfast and lunch were boreing but YAY FOR DINNER!

Breakfast: Oatmeal with a banana

Lunch: Salad with lots of veggies.

DINNER....

....

...

WHAT WAS IT???

....

...

..........

Suspense is killing ya huh

.....

OK ILL TELL YOU ILL TELL YOU

THE BEST BLACK BEAN BURGERS YOULL EVER HAVE!!

YUMMM

Again I got this recipe from Fatfree Vegan Kitchen... but i made

 lots of substitutes so I'll fill you all in on them.

She actually calls them Red bean Chipotle burgers... but I didnt have any on hand so I made blackbean

The Best Black Bean Burgers Youll Ever Have

1 small onion peeled and quartered

1 LARGE clove of garlic (or two small)

1 can of black beans

1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal

1/2 cup cooked brown rice

1 teaspoon Chilie powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1/2 tspn salt

1/4 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon thyme

1/8 cup whole wheat flour.

preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Put onion and garlic into my boyfriend (foodprocessor) and chop.

rinse beans and put them into a medium sized bowl and mash.(le

ave slightly chunky.. a little chunkier than refried beans)

add onion mixture and stirr.

add the remaining ingredients and Stir well.

Spray a nonstick cookie sheet with pam or lightly oil

make about 6 patties and spread accordingly on the cookie sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes (or until crispy and brown). take out and turn

 ...cook for another 15 minutes.

These have an incredible texture. Seriously.. this is the first time ive made bean burgers and they arent mush in my mouth!! Theyre not spicy, but they have a LITTLE bite to them (if you dont Theyre t like spicy things you could def make these... if you LOVE spicy, pump up the chili powder) slightly crunchy.. and although they dont have a meaty texture...they are certainly a nice alternative to a burger.... IM OBSESSED!!!!

I also made some baked sweet potatoes.... i seasoned them with Season salt and sea salt.. I burned some of them but i like them that way :)

Calm, Peaceful, BEAUTIFUL

Well, we had a vet come to the house to put Simba down. I was really worried at first, I wasnt expecting it to go as well as it did. He was so calm, and peaceful, and then he just fell asleep. 

My mom took off from work and spent the entire day with him, after school I hung out with him for about three hours, petting him, talking to him and kissing him. He was happy, and well loved.

I'll miss him terribly, and it's not easy, but I know he's not in pain anymore.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR MESSAGES... IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME... I CAN'T EXPRESS IT ENOUGH..

Well... I figure getting back to normal as quickly as possible is very important... so i will be posting later on my new detox diet and food experiences!!!!

all in all... im sad to lose a member of my family, but happy and content that he is free

until later xoxo

-Syn

SIMBA... a wonderful dog... a wonderful life

I originally was going to do a super fun post on a  raw food detox im doing... but i dont feel much up to it right now...

as a family, we decided that we need to put down my 15 year old collie Simba. He is really having a tough time. Upon other things (hes got diabetis, one leg has such bad arthritis that he just drags it, hes blind, and deaf, we have to hand feed him, he goes to the bathroom on himself...)He's got so much hair that flies actually layed eggs on him, and were eating at him. He has a big open wound, is in a lot of pain, but it still trouping. 

When is the point where you have to let them go? I know it's never easy, but how do you hold their lives in your hands? when do you have the right to say its over? Its such a hard decision for us. We LOVE our animals, and provide them with the most wonderful lives. (for example, for the past 2 years simba gets to eat london broil! not vegan but its ok hhe)

Im having a really hard time dealing with this. We dont want him to die alone, and scared. We don't want me to be the only one home and have to deal with it on my own. And Im not sure how many more times we can walk to see him and make sure he's still breathing.

I love my dog.. I will always love him....But I think its time for him to be comfortable and sleep :(