State of Bliss Photography

Just a quick update today...and I'm also asking for some help!

Would you be able to visit THIS SITE - it is my NEW Photoblog.  I'm posting some of my photographs there in hopes to narrow down what I could and should submit in out fair this summer.

It would REALLY HELP ME if you could hop over and click on the ones you like best and comment in some way!  The photos with the most feedback by this spring I will be printing and entering in our fair.

I haven't done this in the past but some of the rules have changed and they no longer require matting so I thought I would see if I could get a few ribbons!

Again...my NEW Photoblog is:
State of Bliss Photography

Calling Like-Minded People...

I wasn't going to post this but the thought keeps coming back to me over and over so here goes!

A fellow blogging buddy and I started something special today and I'm wondering if anyone else might be interested in getting involved.  It's a PRIVATE Blog of Like-Minded People with a focus on COMPASSION.  I don't discuss politics on MyBlissfulJourney and I'm going to keep it that way.  I will say that this PRIVATE Blog we started is liberal leaning but we are talking about world issues - not complaining about politics!  If you are someone who has a lot to say but feel like the 'odd man out' and looking for others sharing the same feelings and opinions please let me know in comments along with an email addy.  Remember this is a safe haven and a private blog.

One of the reasons I wanted to start this private site goes back to my college days. I was a journalism student. I had a passion for Foreign Affairs. I guess that's what my professors called it anyways. I just looked at it as caring about others from all over the world...not just here in the states. I could never figure out WHY we only heard about SOME of the issues in the world and not the others. As if SOME of the people from SOME of the countries were more important than others. That is complete RUBBISH. From that point on I tried to educate myself in world events and/or conflicts.

Over the last several years I have lost sight of that. I'm ashamed of myself at times because I seemed to be just like everyone else...I was out of the loop and aloof. I don't want that to be the case. Not only is this place a spot were like-minded, compassionate people can come to read and write about things going on in this world, it's a place to remember those who are no longer with us, AND a place to continuously LEARN about what's really happening out there.

Contest/Giveaway - Wheat Grass Perfect Food RAW - from Garden of Life!

Yesterday I announced a Contest for the GoL's Chocolate Cacao RAW PROTEIN and it's going really well!  You still have a few hours to enter - check it out!  TODAY I have another giveaway/contest that I think you will LOVE just as much - if not MORE!  It's the Garden of Life Wheat Grass Perfect Food RAW.  You may have seen me post about using this product before in a few of my recipes including the Tropical Wheatgrass Smoothie I blogged about earlier today.

Yes...I've been a blogging fool lately!  I have 4 posts today so be sure to scroll down!

Other blog posts in the past I've used this product for are...

* Creamy Vegan Gnocchi Sauce
* Super GREENS Pesto from last week

* Cheesy Protein Crackers that I used my dehydrator for
* Basil Pesto Spinach Snacks that are also dried

* Fruit Seed & Nut Protein Balls I did a while back

So...how do YOU win this product from Garden of Life from my Blog?  Just leave me a comment below with an active email addy for you and if you are the winner I will contact you.  I will choose 1 winner Friday around Midday!

Additional chances to win?  Just comment on any of my other 3 blog posts for TODAY!  Here are direct links for the other 3 blog posts today...

* A Few of My Fave YouTubers (and upcoming crafting project!)
* Vegan MoFo for today - Midweek Wrap-Up
* Updates on the Furkids as well as new Feathered Friends & Finders-Keepers

New Positive Project - The Raw Food World NEWS Site

At the end of last week I mentioned 3 wonderful blog related things that happened to me but wasn't able to talk about the 3rd one until YESTERDAY'S debut of The Raw Food World NEWS Site.  As many of you know I try and keep this blog positive and uplifting so when Matt Monarch was looking for contributors on this new project I crossed my fingers that he would choose me to be among them!  AND HE DID!  I am so excited!  Not only am I blogging for them - I'm an Uplifter.  I've been locating and passing along uplifting videos to be used on the site.  If you know of any positive/uplifting/inspiring stories that might be fitting let me know the link and I will check out!  PLUS...one of my blog posts was featured TODAY 'above the fold' if you will...My Yoga For Sciatica post.

You will find this excerpt from the ABOUT US Section that sums up WHY when asked THIS NEWS SITE...

'Turn on the television or scan the top trending headlines on the Internet and it seems to me that we’re bombarded with a slew of negative information. Scare tactics, sensationalism and belittling comments are often the name of the game for the majority of mainstream and alternative media outlets.
Sure, their ratings may be soaring, but so too are our stress levels. The feeling that goodness in humanity is unraveling at warp speed is commonplace. In the end, all we want is more peace, laughter and encouragement. We want to turn to a source that assures us that everything will be ok.' 

I'm looking forward to this adventure for so many reasons and in so many ways!  I hope you will subscribe to get the daily SMILE in your inbox, too!  Thanks so much for reading and staying positive!

Blog Randomness, Funnies, and Around The World Shout Outs!

Well, NOT 15...but a few!  I enjoy reading the search words and phrases that some enter to get to my blog!  Some make sense and others just leave me laughing and/or scratch my head.  Regardless here are a few that I have seen lately...

Wine Cork Leprechaun (Rock, Paper Scissors...I WIN!)

I'm So Irish My Liver Hurts (Well, LIVER alone!)

And While I Was Waiting (I waited LONGER?)

And speaking of looking at some Website Stat's...you know how I LOVE visitors from all sorts of countries!  It's not uncommon for me to see the following over and over and I appreciate them...USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Russia, Australia, China, Malaysia, Poland, Israel, Italy, Indonesia, Netherlands, etc.  But more recently I have seen more and more from...Morocco, Greece, Ecuador, France, Hong Kong, Jordan, Lithuania, and South Korea.  Now...I'm not saying those are the only countries that have people to visit me...just a few shout-outs to those showing up recently on my top hits!  Is your country not represented?  Let me know in comments!

Bloggers For Peace

Yesterday I participated in a Blog Hop and had a few lovely visitors from it - thanks so much!  One of the blogs and bloggers I connected with was Kathy from Smart Living 365.  She has a GREAT blog!  One of the first things I noticed was she participated in Bloggers For Peace.  I was drawn to it immediately and had to check it out.  I'm so glad I did!   I will jump into the mix as well!  Starting with this post!  As many of you know I try to avoid confrontation.  I mean...there's enough to stress about I don't want to create more.  I feel the same way about this blog.  It's my departure from negativity.  I try and make it positive and omit as much negativity as possible.  I try and mention good things, things I do and try and do, I try and learn something new every day.  I've been trying to incorporate stress relieving activities and art, my attempts at yoga, peaceful eating with my veg*n diet, and several other things.  In the past I have done posts about things I am thankful for but want to do more of that in the near future, too!  I will also be including more poems, pictures, and songs that have to do with peace.  Be on the look out!  If you participate in Bloggers For Peace please let me know!  If this is the first you are hearing about it - PLEASE - take a look at the links above and let me know if you do participate!

Life Has Gotten In The Way Yet Again...

I'm NOT abandoning this blog...I SWEAR!  It's just been a CRAZY few weeks with Hubby being sick and work and then last week Suzie went in for surgery!

They had a cancellation and got us in on Wednesday of last week and we were able to take her in Tuesday Night which worked well since we are working around everyone's last minute vacation time before the end of the year.  This was the first time any of my 'kids' spent the night at the vet.  I was so worried about her.  Suzie is between 13 and 14 so she's no "spring chicken" to begin with.  She did well during the surgery to remove the lump on her leg but it was quite large and it was growing above and underneath a vein.  They were able to remove it without interrupting the vein or muscle or anything else for that matter.  She's healing slower than she did a little over a year ago when she had 3 removed.  But in all fairness they were in different locations and not on her front leg like this one was and she was a bit younger.  I did have a close up photo of the stitching but it wasn't very nice looking at all so I decided not to post it.  She gets her stitches removed next Tuesday Night.  I've been sleep on the sofa or on the floor with her since last Wednesday.  I haven't been getting much sleep at all and it's starting to take a toll.  I have been feeling a bit weak at times throughout the day(s) since Friday.  I do have TONS and TONS of other things to post and I was going to try and post them all at once but that hasn't worked out so hot...so I will just continue with my per-subject posts as often as I can.  But I assure you - my blog isn't going under!  Just had to take care of life for a bit there but I should be back now!

Garden Diet, Blogging Buddies, Quick Meals, NEW Wildtree Products, The Furkids, & Chajin

Yesterday I wrote about my salads and the leftover dressing I added to them and today I have photos for you!  I also took one with Nutritional Yeast over top of the dressing but I think you get the idea.  My favorite part of this is how colorful it is!  LOVE the colors in food!

I'm inspired by other people when it comes to Juices, Smoothies, Dressings, and other Home Made Foods.  Two of my favorites are Opal and Christine.  I would recommend these two blogs to anyone!  Both of these ladies are wonderful people - very nice - knowledgeable - and compassionate!  They are very hard workers and busy gals but always drop by to say HI on my blog!  I LOVE that!  And I want to thank them both for being such good blogging buddies!  Christine has been ROCKIN' the Avocado Dressings lately and I finally took the step to try one of my own!  I'm glad I did!  Now I am looking forward to my next attempt!

And it was Opal who originally introduced (virtually) me to Storm and Jinjee and I have been following them on Social Media for about 5 or 6 years now.  I get their emails and updates and have learned a lot from them both!  They have a beautiful family!  This morning I received on of the emails from them with a special deal in it.  In short, I could get 22 of their eBooks for just $19 - as well as some of their fave recipes and lifetime access to their Message Board/Site.  After some thought I decided to take that step, too!  I went ahead and tapped into my secret stash and bought the $19 package!  Read more about what that includes HERE.

Lately I have been adding Organic Lemon Juice to my water!  I know it sounds easy enough and it is.  Lemon is detoxifying, helps fight bacteria, helps fight pain and inflammation, and much more!   I want to do at least 1 large glass a day of this.  Throughout the day I drink plain water and various teas and herbal tonics.  I have also been increasing my smoothies and I do like juicing on occasion, too!  Other than those things I don't really drink much else.  (As a treat some wine or crafted ale).

Yesterday I also told you about the Vegan Mac & Cheese I did and how I had SO MUCH left over Vegan Cheese Sauce!  Well, last night I made some White Rice (I usually use other rices and haven't been using as much White Rice Lately but I am trying to use what little I have left to get some more shelf space cleared as well as more empty Mason Jars). 

Anyhow...

I made this Vegan Cheesy Rice & Veggies Dish with the sauce I had left over!  I used some mixed veggies, here, as well!  It was a super simple and QUICK dish and I had it for an early lunch today.

Last week we 'got word' of a few new products that will be available in our Wildtree Line including 3 USDA Organic Drink Mixers and 2 Seasonings.  They will be on the website and available for purchase this weekend!  I haven't tried them yet but I have had a lot of people comment on them! 

I'm also very excited to see the new LABELS and LABELING that Wildtree is rolling out!  VERY EXCITING!  Again, we are rearing up for tomorrow's tasting and pairing at Liberty Winery in Sheridan, NY, and it's going to be a GREAT TIME!

I was so happy to get some mail from Japan today!  I received Sayama Aracha Sencha Green Tea from Yunomi.us produced from the Morita Family Tea Garden in Japan.  Along with it I received this note!  I'm so excited to be Chajin AKA "tea person" or "Lover of Tea".  I will be reviewing this and other teas over at the Sororitea Sisters Website that I co-founded with my Sororitea Sister Anne a few years ago!

Last night the "furkids" were being even CUTER than usual so of course I had to snap some quick pictures on my iPhone.

Here is Paco!  What a HAM!  He's sitting on the Love Seat all in a perfect circle.  He does this when he gets tired at the end of the day...right before bed.

I tried to get photos of the cats but Charlie was sleeping and it turned out fuzzy and Gabby was in the dark and I didn't want to interrupt her slumber either.  Soon, tho, I will have a CAT Day!

Riley has been doing pretty good after his oral surgery!  His panting isn't as bad and thankfully his breath isn't as bad either.  SOON I will be getting Parsley from my mother's herb garden and giving them each a little bit each night.  Parsley is a great Breath Freshener.

After I took Paco's photo on the Love Seat - Riley barged thru - so I had to take a photo of him on the Love Seat!  I swear they are totally like human children!  "Mom...he took my seat!"

:)

The leader of the pack - Suzie - prefers being up HIGH so she was the rebel and jumped up on the back of the Love Seat and sat there. 

For an older lady - she is still quite the SPIT FIRE.

So there are some updates and photos on the "kids"...but not before Paco gets his last word in - with a 2nd photo!

So...what are your plans for the weekend?

What dishes did you make this past week that you were happy with?

Any mini-goals for the next week?

Who are some bloggers and buddies that inspire you?  What are their websites/URLs?  I would love to pay them a visit!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, everyone!  Drop me a note!

Make It Marvelous

Make It Marvelous!  And it WAS!  This past weekend we attended a two-day event with our Wildtree Products and it was WONDERFUL!  My Mom, Sister, and I are all official Reps and my Dad loves helping out too!  We really needed all of us there this weekend!  It was a MAD HOUSE but that's a GOOD THING.  Sales were the best we've had!  We sold out of 15 different products!  I know this isn't the best picture but it shows SOME of the things we sampled!  All of our Grapeseed Oils, a bunch of our sauces, marinades, etc as well as a few dips and spreads and the NEW Hot Pepper Jelly which is AWESOME (and Vegan!)  I'm also excited about the new Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce.  It's doesn't contain eggs or dairy as many Honey Mustard Dressings/Sauces do and I'm so happy about that!

I really want to continue making this week Marvelous!  By blogging I feel it has made me keep the momentum going!  I feel like I am accomplishing things and staying positive and that was my goal with this blog - to not only document my attempts at recipes and activities, but stay active and positive and creative!

I hope to start incorporating some of my exercises here as well.  I'm really wanting to get to the bottom of my weird leg sensations, too, so I might break down and call a chiropractor.  I am also gearing up the furkids for a visit to their Great Grandmothers (Riley & Suzie) and Paco to "Uncle Jack's" as DH and I go on a side trip in the near future!  We won't be gone long but it will be nice to get-out-of-dodge for a bit.

I will surely take pics!

I'm also going to start sprouting again this week and will be making Tabouli as well as a few other dishes this week, too, so stay tuned for that!

Just a little update on things and positive thinking for the rest of the week post!

Have a great week, friends!

Participating Post:
Marvelous In My Monday

Like I Need Another Blog...

Or do I?

I've been thinking about this blog for a while. I have been blogging for years and have seen blogs come and go but they always serve a purpose. One of my longs standing and still current blogs is my Crafting Blog over at http://blissfulplace.blogspot.com and I have come to realize that blogs make me accountable. They help me reach goals and deadlines, too! That's why I am creating this blog. I want to be more accountable and consistent with my yoga and after struggling with that I thought this would be a great way to get on track.

Sometimes when I don't have things to say about yoga - I still want to think about it - so eventho this may stray from my yoga practice - my hope is that it will keep me thinking about yoga and my surroundings as well as positive thoughts, vegetarian recipes, respect for our earth, and feel-good thoughts collected from real life and online.

My new and improved Blissful Yoga Journey starts today...starts here...