Blissful Dehydrating Journey ~ Dried CHIPS ~ 3 ways!

Happy Wednesday!  I have a few things to share with you today including these three Dehydrated Ideas and Recipes!  Yes, I have been busy with my Early Christmas Gift...my new Excalibur Dehydrator!  First up...Corn Chips!  Or Corn Tortillas that I made at home!  Here's what I used...
4 C Corn
1/4 C Flax Seeds (Grinded Myself)
3 Small Sweet Yellow Bell Peppers
1 Small Onion
1/2 tea Cumin
1/2 tea Cayenne

I also added 1/2 T of Garden of Life's Original Flavor of their Raw Perfect Food!  These turned out really good...especially for my first attempt.  Next time I think I will add some Lime Juice and also make the 'batter' thicker as these were pretty thin.

Next up...Sea Salt & Vinegar Zucchini Chips!

3 Small or Mini Zuke's
1 T Wildtree Basil Pesto Grapeseed Oil
2 T Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tea Garlic Flavored Sea Salt (or Sea Salt - plain)

These were neat, too, but next time I will be adding more Apple Cider Vinegar as I LOVE vinegar.

And finally, I made these Banana Chips for my husband and my sister as they both love bananas.  Many of you know my trials and tribulations with bananas so I haven't tried them YET but I might get brave SOON!  I have been doing well with 1/4 to 1/2 of a banana that has already been frozen added to my smoothies, tho, so I am pretty proud about that! 

I didn't do ANYTHING to these Banana Slices...they are naked and dried as-is.

Question of the Day...What do you think I should try dehydrating next?

Blissful "Techie" Journey ~ XM Devices

Just a quick post to let you know that I got a new XM Onyx Device and Kit for my car last week!  Hubby was nice enough to install it while I was at work!  Here is a photo of what it looks like!  It's MUCH different than my old one which I LOVED.  But I figured it was time to finally move on and get a new one because it fit better in and with my new car - my 2013 Fiat - or as I like to call it "The Wonder Buggy."

I've been a XM (Sirius/XM) Subscriber even before the merge of the two companies.  Mostly because I wanted to still enjoy radio without having to listen to the stations I work for (and listen to for 50 hours a week while working) and/or didn't want to listen to our local competitors and feel like a traitor!  I still get a lot of negative comments from my fellow radio people because most think Satellite Radio will 'kill' local radio.  I don't necessarily feel that way.  This is a PAID service were as local radio is ALWAYS FREE.  But I can see both sides! 

But I don't want to get into a debate about the pros and cons.  I just want to show you my new Techie-Type-Toy!

This is a photo of my old device which was an XM Roady!  It was awesome!  I LOVED it!  I'm sure I will LOVE my Onyx but it will take some getting used to change-wise.  My Roady was reliable!  I had it for nearly 10 years - if memory serves!  I never had 1 problem with it!

I'm hoping this new device works just as well if not better!  I like the sleek look and the black-techie color matches everything in my Fiat!  The screen color we currently have set to a reddish color to match the lights on the dash in the "Wonder Buggy".  The only bad part is I have to reset all of my favorites/pre-sets.  But at least there are a few more buttons to store my favorites in as I have MANY that I listen to and switch back and forth to often!

Blissful Journey ~ Personal Wellness & Enrichment & iTunes Tuesday!

I was a little lazy last night with the food situation as I still have to get to the stores and produce stands this week (I hope to do that tonight, actually!)  I had a Veggie Sub from a local 'mom and pop shop' that usually has awesome subs - but last night - I thought it was just 'ok'.  So no real foodie type post today but there are a few other things I would like to touch on including some Mini-Goals, Health/Wellness Updates, Personal Enrichment, and iTunes/PodCasts I have been 'into' lately.

 

First up...a wellness update...if you will!  I have been doing VERY well with my Sciatica and visits to my Chiropractor.  So much so that I think I might have to only go every OTHER month (or quarter) to maintain everything as a precaution.  Now...I don't mind going.  I remember being SUPER Nervous about it at first, tho!  Speaking of being nervous...I still have one more dentist appointment but it's not for another few weeks and I'm NOT looking forward to that either.  Grrr!  But I am really trying NOT to worry about that until I HAVE to - like the day of the appointment!  My digestion is still doing REALLY well and I have no plans on turning back to those old habits (ie the dairy habit!  Blah!)  This past month I was 'off' on my 'monthly' but think I am back on track and totally FINE, now!  I think it was between stress at work, still losing some weight, next to no-sleep for about a week and a half, and schedule changes that messed me up.  Once 'everything was back on track' I rejoiced and was very thankful for everything! 

 

To continue with these positive feelings I want to get back on track with my exercises - most specifically - my Yoga.  I have been using Hulu+ as well as iTunes Pod Casts lately for that.  In my queue is Yogamazing with Chaz Rough.  I really like his laid-back delivery and encouragement without it making you feel like it's a competition or that you won't be able to 'get' a stretch or pose.  He's wonderful at telling you 'go as far as you can go' and 'do what you can do'.  I access my Hulu+, Netflix, iTunes, and PodCasts thru our Apple TV which I might do a more lengthier review on down the road.  I really like AppleTV and you may have read about one of my previous mentions about it.  Another Yoga Program I follow on there is the one that Yoga Journal puts out.  I also subscribe to their magazine.  I'm pretty fond of Tara Stiles, as well as others, as far as the Pod Casts go!

I'm REALLY happy to be back writing FULL TIME over at Sororitea Sisters.  For those of you who don't know it's a Tea Review Site that Anne and I co-founded a few years ago.  Anne has been a wonderful Sororitea Sister and friend by letting me catch-up on several things and issues time and time again.  If you are a Fan of TEA please swing by!  We have nearly 3,000 reviews on that site with TONS more on tap!  We update EVERY DAY at least once!

My mind is going a 'mile a minute' because there are so many things I would like to get started on but know there are other things that need attention, too!  Last night I worked on Paco's Pen and Play Area a bit and tonight I am going to work on the Cat Rooms.  Even tho they have the run of the house most of the time they have their 'areas' they feel more comfortable in time and time again.  

I have been crafting in spurts again - mostly Mixed Media and Art Journaling.  I hope to post more projects soon!  I have been thinking about re-doing my craft room.  First I was thinking of making a pantry.  But I am thinking about tweaking it to keep my Crafting Room THAT and pair it with a small space for Yoga.  I have so many art and crafting supplies it's really hard to do much else with that room.

I guess this was more of an UPDATE Post and a venting/blabbing post.  BUT...venting in a GOOD way!  I'm just feeling so thankful things are looking up and I'm feeling better thru and thru!  I don't want it to end, ya know!?  More tomorrow, friends!

Blissful Journey ~ Adventures in Art Journaling, Self Esteem, and Avocado Hummus!

I've struggled with Self Esteem issues and Body Image Issues most of my life.  As I get older I am more accepting of myself for the most part on most days.  I think some of that came along with dropping dairy from my diet, too.  I know that sounds like a superficial item on the list of reasons but it's just something I have noticed the last few months.  I think because I feel better overall it has made me feel better about myself.  Not in a vanity type way but more accepting of who I am, I guess.  I guess it's just hard to explain. 

Over the past week or so I have been adding more and more layers to a few Art Journaling Pages and last night completed this one.  I had the layers down and even the two digi stamps but last night I decided to go with the "JUST BE" theme and text.  It seemed to work here and as I added more and more of the "BE..." elements it 'felt right'.

I saw this little 'meme' on Instagram the other day and LOVED that is was Pirates of the Caribbean and Johnny Depp and Captain Jack Sparrow and it all seemed to come together.

I realize we all have our faults but I also think we are all 'perfect' in our own way!  Yes...that's contradicting but pretty deep if you give it some thought!

Yesterday, I forgot to mention, while at the Festival over the weekend we ended up meeting some 'new friends'.  That's one of my favorite parts about being a vendor at these things!  Meeting people but also fellow vendors that you 'click with'.  My mom, dad, sister, and I always come with 'goodies' and invite other vendors over to 'take a break' with us.  Ever since my sister had some store-bought 'Avocado' Hummus a few months ago she's been wanting to try some others.  I finally decided to make it last week.  It made a HUGE batch and I brought it with me to the event and shared with about a dozen or more people!  EVERYONE absolutely LOVED it!  Even people who are NOT focused on their diet or food intake or 'health' foods commented.  One person even said he didn't like hummus - as a rule of thumb - but LOVED my Avocado Hummus!  This totally made my day!  Woot!  Here is what I used...

1 1/2 C Chickpeas
2 Avocadoes
3 T Lemon Juice
2 T Tahini
2 Cloves Garlic
Water (or Grapeseed Oil), Pepper to taste/consistency

Photography & Art - Blissful Journey

 Once again I have some catching up to to in the form of blogging. 

I've blogged about my adventures out and about - around town - and such - and I have some more to share with you.  This time around it will be a bit different, tho. 

Starting with this photo.  The only filter I used was a 'Black & White' setting after taking the photo on my iPhone.  It was taken at a local park.  This is part of Soldiers & Sailors Park in our downtown/Business District (also known as our Historical District). 

You can see the steps going up.  On both sides there are cement seating/bleachers for outside concerts (the stage is behind me).  At the top you will see a small structure - a cement gazebo.  You can sit in it.  There is also a large Sculpture to the left with soldiers as a remembrance.  Behind you can see our Main Street Buildings and Storefronts.  Of course there is a road in between this and the other side of the street.

Several weeks ago I took a walk over to our Crescent Park area of the city.  That's were our General Hospital is and other medical buildings but also a very nice walking park and water front.  This section of town is a big part of why we are listed as a Tree City USA City.  It's not really promoted much around town so I had to do some research on my own!  As you can see I took a LOT of photos that day and held off for a while to post here because I wasn't sure how to go about it.  So last week I did a collage of a few dozen photos and thought that might be best - or this post would have been a mile long!  You should be able to click on each photo to enlarge if you so choose!

Some day I will post photos of the water and ducks but for today I will stick with the trees.  This is really the first time I have concentrated on trees in that area.  There are also historical markers and structures that I will post down the road, too!

There are many things that make me happy - nature, photography, art, culture, traveling, etc. 

I thought I would take some time-out and share some of them with you.  As far as ART is concerned - if you followed my old Crafting Blog you can see see many of my past projects.  But I took a long hiatus from crafting and am trying to slowly return.  I think I am going to switch gears and focus more on Mixed Media for a while and maybe more altered projects.  I also think I will be posting them here on this blog instead of my old one since this is my main site now.

Here is one of my new projects - an Art Journaling page using mixed media.  I know it's a bit dark for my Blissful Journey site, here, but it all can't be rosy.  PLUS...I find this therapeutic so it does bring me bliss.  Almost like a before and after type thing.

"Everyone Has a Dark Side"

"Darkness Lurks Its Head.  Was It Something I Said?"

I used: Gesso, Modge Podge, Powdered Chalk, Glitter, Perfect Pearls, Tattered Angels Ink Spray, Digital Stamps, and Sharpie Craft Markers.

Because I did various layers this page took a few days of going back and forth.  In a way I keep going back to the thought of dedicating this page to those struggling with depression and alcohol and substance abuse.  I know of many and think and pray for them daily in my own way.

Learning Something New

Since this is my Blissful Journey Blog I like to post about new discoveries, positive attempts and findings, things that make me happy and/or healthy, and much more!

Sure - we learn something new everyday - and I post about many of them.  But here are a few things I learned this week that I haven't blogged about yet!

 

FindingVegan.com - I have been searching many recipe sites time and time again and the newest one I have been stalking is this one!  Today I will have more time to really sink my teeth into the recipes (pun intended!)

T-Shirt Necklaces - I've been intrigued by T-Shirt Necklaces for a few months now.  I have been watching YouTube Video Tutorials and seen many pages feature them including this one.  I have a few T-Shirts in mind that I want to re-purpose but have yet to pull the trigger.  I think this might be one of my mini goals for this next week or two - to finally try this!  Plus it would get me back into crafting which is something I have been slacking on as you can see I haven't posted on my once very active Blissful Place Craft Blog.  Yet another mini goal, I guess!   

Brothers McClurg - Which are actually Christopher and Anthony Hoisington and what seems like a million years ago I went to church with them and LOVE their family!  I spent LOTS of Saturdays in Kids Choir with them...in addition to certain Wednesdays, Fridays, and of course almost ALL Sundays with various other church activities!  My Aunt told me about their YouTube Channel and I have been listening for a few months now!  They are amazing as ever!

 

Veg*n Shopping on a Budget - Yes!  I like to shop at Wegmans in Lakewood or Erie and a Co-Op in Erie when I am able but Lakewood is about 30 minutes from my house on a good day and Erie is over an hour and in the winter months that is usually out of the question not only for traveling but for pinching the pennies!  So I do most of my shopping at Aldi.  It's about 6 or 7 minutes from my house.  I like shopping there because it's cheaper but also because their produce is generally fresher.  They do NOT keep their items in the 'back room' as they do not have one.  The produce goes from the truck to the floor.  I also noticed there are many Veg*n Products there if you give it a good look-over!  I recently found this site.  It's not overly active but it's a great idea and source.

And Finally...I found the girls over at Aloha Friday which I hope to participate in every Weekend here at My Blissful Journey!

Thanks for sharing Journey's with me - have a great weekend!

Store Bought Vegan Cheese

Last week I bought this Cheddar Vegan Cheese from Wegman's and I have yet to open it.  I might do that tonight or tomorrow night.  Lately I have been tinkering with my own.  I'm really excited about some of the recipes I found HERE on their site, tho!

I know that we are supposed to have a "theme" for our own personal Vegan MoFo and I really didn't know what mine would be so I was thinking to stick to "Blissful Journey" as my blog title states.  Therefore, I am going to "My Journey In Vegan Foods".  This could be things I make and things I purchase - NEW-TO-ME products and attempts, I suppose.  Attempting things - is the first step to journey, right?

What are your fave store bought vegan cheeses?

My MOST favorite thus far is the Whole Foods Co-operative in Erie, PA, and their "home made" Cashew Cheese!  I haven't found anything that has beaten my love for that stuff!  YUM!