Deal of the Day, Gratitude Journal, Vegan Foods & Finds!

First I want to apologize for the lack of consistent posts as of late.

Since I am no longer writing for the main site I did in the past I lost a little bit of drive it seems.  But after some re-thinking and pause I am back and have some neat things for this site in the works, I think!

I received some sweet notes from people who miss my foodie posts!  Thanks so much!  I needed this!  I will certainly be posting more starting with right now!

The first photo above is yet another vegan mac and cheese!  It turned out pretty good but I strayed from the recipe so I wouldn't dare try and remember it without my notes (which I do not have at the moment) but what I can tell you is that it's another Pumpkin Base and it was pretty yummers!

This 2nd photo is a quick pic of the Vegan Alfredo I made which was a complete cheat and not my own recipe.  I splurged and bought at Wegman's a week or two ago.  I didn't think the sauce was as smooth as I remember it.  I did get a deal on it, tho, I think the sauce was $3 off!

These lil pods of heaven, however, are my new favorite!  YUM!  I have to watch myself!  They are vegan and non-gmo and organic and all of that jazz!  But HECK they are GOOD!!!!

They are mint chocolate and to LIVE for!

I also found these at Wegmans a week or two ago!  I hope they continue to carry them!

Next up...cute Cricket posing!  She's been adjusting well.  I can't believe it's been more than 6 months since she's been part of our family!  She's about 2 and a half years old maybe pushing 3...she's a spitfire!  Certainly an Alpha Dog!

Since Suzie passed - our home was really missing that Alpha Dog in the house.  It's funny because she's a female, too, as was Suzie...I always tell everyone...you have to watch out for those BLISS girls!  (Mommy included!)  She's still only about 4 and a half pounds but has no idea her size compared to other furkids and furfriends!

One thing I decided to start doing in 2016 is start a Gratitude Journal...deal of the day...was me finding a notebook for 27 cents (tax included!)

I was looking at this site and then started looking at other journaling ideas, too!  This page isn't mine but I will be posting some of mine soon!

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!

MY BLOG was Blog Of The Day TODAY at eRecipe.com!

I'll tell you!  This week has been great!  Some of which I can talk about and some of which I can't talk about quite YET but when I can I will!  First...I was notified that MY BLOG - My Blissful Journey - was chosen as the Blog of the Day over at eRecipe.com!  Isn't that awesome?

Then...I was contacted by Julia over at TheBesty and asked that I join and start gaining ranking.  I've been adding some of my favorite vegetarian and vegan option restaurants.  They would also like to do an article on my site in the near future. 

The 3rd exciting thing I can't talk about until next week but it's super cool!  And I'm very excited!  What happened to you this week that made you smile?

Thankful ~ Quick Vegan Snacks!

I really enjoy simple snacks.  Especially since going vegan.  I have more of an appreciation for them now than I ever have.  I'm also thankful for my local "Herb Store" where I buy most of my bulk items as well as some snack to have while I'm at work! 

I'm kind of going backwards here - but I REALLY wanted to show you what I did for a quick and easy dessert last night! 

Underneath these cherries?  Raw dates rolled in coconut that I smushed down into a 'crust-like' base.  I then used some canned cherries that happened to be vegan that I found at a discount store a while back.  I would have used fresh but they are not readily available in my area at the moment.  I have shredded coconut on hand so I sprinkled that on top as well.  This was VERY satisfying and VERY MUCH a treat!  I only did a "mini pie"...I used a dish that we have on hand for dips/dressing/condiments.

In case you cannot picture what I am talking about with the dates rolled in coconuts...here's a photo!  I ate two small 'rolls' yesterday with my lunch, too!

Another thing I am thankful for is dried apricots!  When I was 3 years old my FAVORITE foods were dried apricots, lima beans, and sprouts!  My mom should have KNOWN I would grow up to be a vegetarian with a menu like that, eh!?  These are just a few things I have been thankful for this week!

Grateful List, Furkids Updates, and a Snack

Today I am grateful for space heaters!  Yes...it's still SUPER cold here!  I'm so over winter!  I can't wait for Spring and Summer.  Then again...I guess I will be doubly grateful for them when they arrive, eh!?  I'm also thankful for my co-workers!  Things have been going real well at work this past month!  And a random 3rd thing I'm thankful for is music that makes me smile!

Of course - I'm always thankful for my 'furkids' and they have been extra snugly this winter because of the cold as well as them enjoying each others company more and more.  I still think that we are all still trying to adjust to Gabby not being around.  I think about her daily.  I still think about Sammy and he's been gone 6 years or so.  They sure do leave paw prints on our hearts, huh?  Here's a photo of Riley and Suzie sitting by each other on the loveseat.  They can be so goofy!  I'm so thankful they are buddies, tho!  Paco's been real good lately, too!  Charlie has a sore on his tail and I will be taking him to the vet at some point which will be very hard as he's a feral cat and I'm not quite sure how they are going to exam him.  More on that later.

Last night I snacked on this smoothie.  I made it in my Vitamix.  It turned out pretty good!  Here's what I put in it...

1 C Soy Milk
1 Scoop GoL's Cacao Chocolate Raw Meal Powder
2 chunks of Banana
1 T Cinnamon Flavored Agave Syrup from Wholesome Sweeteners

Questions of the day - How are your 'furkids' doing?  What are your grateful for?  And what did you snack on recently?

Live The Life You Love, Gratitude, Volunteering, and Fun

A while back I wrote about bringing up more and more things I am thankful for, showing my gratitude, trying my hardest to be happier and less stressed, and how I try and keep this blog more of a POSITIVE Place.

Looking back over the last few weeks there have been many things I have wanted to share and I intend to.  It's been on-the-go for a while now and here are a few reasons as to why...

The last Saturday of June - our county fair had their 1st Annual Car Show.  They were doing it as a fundraiser.  My husband is a board member of theirs and we attended it.  He M.C.'ed and we brought our car but didn't register or official show it.  His uncle brought his newer Corvette, too!  It's the one in the background. 

Along with his uncle and cousin we helped with the running and announcing as well as prizes.  The Cafe their debuted at last years fair was open and did well!  It was a nice event especially for the first year.  They had about 98 vehicles and I am told more that were not registered.  I've actually been spending more and more time at the fair grounds.  Usually I would let my husband do what he did  year-round and I would go the week of fair.  This year I have been there several times already.  I've gone to help him with the Pavilion - where they have the concerts and other things the week of fair - getting it cleaned and ready not only for Fair Week - but for a few other events they are holding on the grounds, this year, too!

Here's a photo of some of the barns at the fair.  My husband, his uncle, and cousin recently helped repaint a few of them. 

This isn't too fair from the Pavilion.  This year I hope to take some photos of the animals from these 'mom and pop' farms. 

Even tho the weather has been very wet this summer and we have been getting a lot of rain - I sure am happy about the time of the year!  I LOVE summer!  Of course I think it's 'going too fast' but I am grateful for it!

I'm also grateful for my new(er) Bob Marley T-Shirt that my Dad got me a while back.  This is a self photo while I am wearing it so it's not the clearest but I LOVE the font and quote.  I also LOVE the old football (Soccer) photo they used in this print! 

I never realized until this shirt how much the old "M" Marley Family/Team Logo looked like the McDonalds "M".  I don't think Bob would have liked that too much - at least that is my assumption!