More Regional Stops & Snapshots AND Even More Vegan Finds

Strange question right off the bat?  I'm a little OCD and can't stand it when I have a post that has zero comments LOL.  I posted later yesterday and earlier today and at the time of writing this yesterday's post didn't have any comments so if you can help me out by commenting on both of the posts I would appreciate it.  Does anyone else have this OCD issue when it comes to blogging?

Anyways...more photos from the last couple of months including this vegan find!  I believe I found this at Giant Eagle in Erie.  It was pretty good.  I see they are coming out with more breakfast options, however, I have found that I am eating them for dinner!

These lil gems I found at Wegmans and I have to say I'm a fan!  I see they have other products that are vegan, too, so if I see them again I will have to try them! 

I also spotted these at Wegmans.  I had been seeing other people post other flavors on IG and when I saw them FINALLY I just about jumped for joy!  I have yet to make them but one of these days I will get to it!

I've already downed this bottle of Goddess Dressing from Trader Joe's!

These I bought at Lakewood Apothecary.  They have some neat vegan snacks there.  I tried these and like them but find it to be an occasional snack and not one where I would eat an entire bag at one sitting.

I also found this Detox Toothpaste at Lakewood Apothecary!  Has anyone else located this yet by chance?  I have used it a few times and it's ok so far.

I consider myself to be somewhat techie but there are certain things I still like to have to physically write in and to have in front of me instead of using an app or device.  A daily planner is one of those things.  I have been on the search for one for what seems to be EVER and a few weeks ago I finally found one that I really like.  This was the quote that was on the front.

While in my travels for work I enjoyed the time I spent on one block of Jamestown where there were a few shops within that block.  This was one of the shops.  It's the Bio Dome Project and they had a co-op/vendor feel to it and carried some interesting items.  I loved their window store front and snapped this pic for my co-worker since she's our resident 'plant lady' and has gotten a few of us started with office plants!

Right next door was The Sprinkle Cone.  I really LOVED the look of this place!  Artsy!  They even have about 3 vegan options daily.

The space is opened via garage door but they converted the inside for this space.

It's seasonal but super cool decor where you can scribble on their chalk board walls!

While in Jamestown I also stopped over at Full Moon Rising Bakery.  They had a nice space, as well, and carry at least 1 vegan option daily.

This is the outside of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, NY.  Jamestown is the home of Roger Tory Peterson who was a naturalist, educator, artist, and environmental advocate before environmentalism was 'a thing'.  His specialty was birds.

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute is right down the street from SUNY JCC - Jamestown Community College.  That's where I went to college and it's been a while since I have stopped over and spent time in that neighborhood.  Down the other side of the street is this park I used to spend time at while in college.  It's called College Park and before that it was called "Hundred Acre Lot".  The history behind it is that it was SAVED by fundraising efforts by area teachers and students and was one of the first School Parks in the nation.

Oh!  I almost forgot to post about this Vegetable Panang Curry I found at Trader Joe's!  I figured it was time for another food break in this post before moving on to more travel and regional photos and tidbits!

These two photos were taken at the foot of Bett's Park in Warren, PA.  I've featured other photos from this park before but I don't think I have posted about the water side of things.

It was a bit on the dry side when I took them.  Sometimes the water is higher.  These trees will be changing colors for fall soon.  I will try and get more fall photos this year and post them soon!

And one last photo for today.  This is another park.  This one is on the other side of Jamestown and is called McCrea Point Park.  It's a nice little park in the middle of old factory buildings and a bit of hustle and bustle.

Work Travels, Vegan Finds, & Lucille Ball

I have been traveling around the region a lot more lately with my job.  In this weather - it's nice and I enjoy it.  I don't like it when it snows and since we are now officially into fall - I know that is right around the corner.  This photo was taken at a park in Lakewood, NY.  I've always liked this view!  Beautiful!

Before I share more views with you I figured I would also share some more vegan finds in the stores I frequent OR wish I could frequent.  A few posts ago I showed you the Ranch Dip.  Here is the Sour Cream from Good Karma!

Here is a new-to-me product from Sweet Earth.  I believe I grabbed it from Target.  I haven't tried it YET but I'm thinking it will be my dinner tonight.

Another roadside stop I took this past summer was this place!  This is part of Chautauqua Lake.  It's actually part of Lakewood Community Park.

And here is one of the docks!

I was super excited to try this product from Starlite Cuisine.  It was 'ok' but I don't think I would buy it again.  I found the texture of the pea protein filling to be a little too chewy.  The sauce was better than the filling texture that is for sure!

Road Snacks!  I've been grabbing them!  They are great for traveling in a small car.  These I found at Wegmans!  I enjoyed them!

During one of my Lakewood trips I stopped at a little bookstore and they had this Rawesomely Vegan book.  Of course, I HAD to buy it!  It was only a couple of bucks.

I also found these infused flavored peanuts.  I haven't opened them YET but I see that in my near future!

I found a purple pepper a while back at Wegmans and bought it.  It spoiled VERY quickly and I didn't get a chance to eat it!  YIKES!  

Check THIS STUFF out!  Tahini in a squeeze bottle?  YES, please!  I'm not completely sure where I spotted this but I knew I had to buy it at the time.

The last time I went to Trader Joe's I saw this Almond Dip and I was so glad I decided to follow thru with the purchase.  It was so yummy!  It wasn't over the top spicy but it had a slight kick to it!

I got these the same place I got the infused peanuts from!  Lakewood Apothecary!  These were on the clearance shelf so I got them for a deal!

Here are photos from Celeron Park and the Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Celeron, NY.  Here is the lighthouse on the one end of the park near the dock and water.

In another area of the park they have this beautiful memorial for those who served.

And finally here is the bronze statue of Lucy!  She was born and raised in the Celeron, NY, and Jamestown, NY areas.  They celebrate and remember her in our region not only for her impact on comedy but women in comedy and her connection to our area!

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles (Minus the Trains)

I can't believe it's already been over a week and a half since my last post and I can't believe it's been nearly 5 weeks since hubby and I attended this RC Plane Show up in Olean, NY!

Life has just been flying by that is for sure!  I figured I should post a bit about our trip to see a friend fly his radio control plane and out Car Show from a few weeks ago BEFORE post about the fair and concerts of last week.

Pardon me while I get my past posts caught up!

Yup!  About 5 weeks ago hubby and I went to Olean, NY, to see a friend of ours fly his RC Plane.  It was pretty neat!  I remember it being chilly that day - one of the few chilly days of this summer so far - and a bit gloomy and rainy - as well.

We were able to get our Abarth detailed prior to a local car show we actually participated in this summer!

Because our vehicle was 'too new' and not modified enough we weren't judged to be awarded anything but it was still fun because we were able to meet up with some of our Fiat Friends.

We had a guy in Corry, PA, do the detailing work on our Abarth and it turned out really nice!

I still can't believe it's taken me this long to post about these two day trips!

I will have many more posts coming soon - so stay tuned!

I will have a recap (or several) from the WNY VegFest as well as many from our Warren County Fair.

But first - how about some more photos from the car show, eh!?  This is our car next to our friend Tom's car.  He qualified to be judged for the modified and he won first place!

I still really like the orange graphics and paint we did last year.  My parents don't love it as much as we do - apparently - they think it makes it look like one of those 'Fast and Furious' cars!

That makes me laugh but in a way it's true!

The Fiats Are Coming! The Fiats Are Coming!

This past weekend was fun!  It was the first Fiat Meet Up of the season that Dale and I were able to make!  We first met another couple in Jamestown, NY, and then headed to Dunkirk, NY, to meet up with a group that was traveling from Buffalo, NY.  After chatting for a while we all headed over to Erie, PA.  There were about 12 or 13 cars that was on the ride!  It was a little cool and windy but at least the sun was shining!  The reason for the meet up was to get a group of us from the Western NY - Southern Ontario Fiat Club over to the Grand Opening for Auto Express Fiat Alfa Romeo of Erie.  During their Grand Opening of the Fiat Dealership they were raising money for an animal shelter there, too!  Dale and I made a small donation.  I think they raised over $1,000 for the shelter that day.  After we all left the dealership after spending a couple of hours there many of us went to Southern Tier Brewery in Lakewood/Busti, NY, and enjoyed the sun, some of the group ate, and others tried some of the brews.  There was a Reggae/Folk Fusion type band that played on the outdoor stage and we listened for a bit.  After Dale and I left the group we went out for dinner.  It was a great day!  We met some new people and met up again with some new friends we made from last year, too!  Oh!  We took our Abarth - not the Fiat 500 Pop - but we hope to take both of the cars to an upcoming cruise-in soon!

In case you are trying to find me in the photo above - I'm the one in the grey shirt next to the guy in the blue shirt to the left of the red car.  The guy in the blue is Dale.

Sunday - my mom and I traveled over to Nobel Winery near Westfield, NY, to meet up with my sister who was putting on a bridal shower for her soon-to-be-sister-in-law.  It was the first time I met her.  But it was a nice day and I am always happy to see my sister!

Monday - Dale and I did some yard work.  We did some major trimming of the trees in our front yard...which isn't much of a yard since we live so close to the street...we will call it our front garden instead.  It was long over due and now it's done...it looks much better.  So YEAH it was a busy weekend!  What did you do?

Chiro, Sciatica, FRESH, and Community Gardens

It seems like the days have been flying by and everything has been going pretty crazy lately...hence the reason I haven't been posting much this week!  So sorry about that!  I have so much to blog about that I will be breaking this up into Non-Food and Food.  For this one, NON-FOOD!

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes during my nervousness prior to my very first chiropractor's appointment on Tuesday.  LONG story short on that I now know what has been going on with me!  It's official!  I have Sciatica.  While at my first appointment I was "Cracked" in two spots in my lower back as well as purposely putting immense pressure on the Sciatic Nerve to try and loosen it.  What they think is happening in my cause specifically is flow of fluid in between 2 Vertebra getting 'stuck' or not flowing back after I move which could be causing the nerve to act up.  They told me this is good because at least it isn't a disk problem causing it.  Anyhow...in addition to a few other stretches and exercises I have been doing he now wants me to do the Sphinx Pose (he called it something else but I am familiar with the yoga term!) 6 times a day for at least 2 minutes.  I'm also supposed to force myself to get away from my work computer more throughout the day.  I already knew that but when I get on a roll - I get on a roll and sometimes can't break away!  Anyhow...at least now I know what it is, right!?  Yesterday I went to my 2nd appointment and he moved up my back and cracked me in 4 places as well as my hips on both sides while doing a gentle twist.  Oddly these parts haven't bothered me too much as of yet.  It's the intense nerve work he's doing that takes my breath away!  WOW!

I mentioned a while back that I was going to be tuning in to the Food Revolution Summit online this week and have been listening to a few of the shows as background noise while doing other work.  Sometimes I absorb the info better by doing this.  This week - I think that was certainly the case.  I haven't listened to Russell Simmons YET but want to! 

I signed up for a few more news letters, too!  No...I don't read all of them all of the time but you can never have enough knowledge, eh!?

Last night I carpooled with two other younger ladies to Jamestown Community College in Jamestown, NY, for a tour of their Community Garden and a screening of the documentary FRESH.  As a SUNY JCC Alumni I was excited to be on campus again...it's been since 98 or 99 since I have set foot in any of the buildings.  I found out many of their building are certified GOLD and they continuously work towards a GREENER way of doing things!  This put a smile on my face!  The Community Garden was neat...we really don't have too many of them around here so it was nice to see and learn about them.  I didn't measure them but they looked to be about 10 or 12 by 5 - maybe a little smaller...and there were 12 or 14 of them!  It looked like only one of them had been started for the season but it's good to know that all of them will be underway soon!

After the tour of the Community Garden we walked back to the teleconference center and watched the documentary FRESH.  It was a great film - a few familiar faces from other documentaries I have seen in the last few months - but it was neat to watch it with other people, too!  So far I have only been watching them by myself in the evenings in the comfort of my own home.  It was catered by Planet Earth Catering in Jamestown and they try and use local foods in their business as much as possible.  The did Meatballs - of course I did NOT partake in but I did nibble on a small amount of salad made with greens, wild carrots, a radish, and a dressing made from local Maple Syrup.  They also had regional sparkling water.

I had fun meeting various people and I handed out a few business cards to people as well.  I spoke with some of the Warren County Master Gardeners and they told me about some of their upcoming events including a Kids Day during the Warren County Fair in Pittsfield, PA, in August.

I have lots more to post but will be posting my FOOD attempts later today.  I didn't want this post to be absurdly long...so I am splitting into TWO.

Before I go, tho, I have a Paco Pic for ya!  He's been pretty good lately!  Perhaps it's the weather?  What ever it is - I'm grateful! 

Have you seen FRESH yet?  Do you know if your community has Community Gardens?  Have you been back to an old school of yours after a long time away?  Have you met any interesting people this week?  Which yoga poses are your favorite for back and leg pain?

Labyrinth Press Company Vegetarian Restaurant - Jamestown, NY

 I'm embarrassed!  The Labyrinth Press Company Vegetarian Restaurant has been on East 4th Street in Jamestown for 5 years and I didn't even know it was a vegetarian restaurant up until this past week.  I knew it was a place for live local bands and artists but I didn't know it was 100% vegetarian.  I used to be so UP on that stuff.  Oye!  Well, it's time for me to redeem myself!

 First...I think their logo is pretty cool!  I also like their neon sign.  They are located 'under' street level so it's a little hidden but still pretty neat.  They have a Drink Menu, All the Time Menu (which we ordered off of), and a Brunch Menu.  They are working on a Craft Brewery upstairs so when that's good-to-go I'm told they will be bringing back their Pizza Menu for Wednesdays thru Saturday evenings.  There were two younger guys working on Friday when we went.  They were both really nice, knowledgeable, and helpful...and in good spirits!  Their menus are pretty amazing!  They use organic and/or local ingredients whenever possible.  They make their own Coconut Soy Milk Blend.  As a 'default' their smoothies have Almond Milk in them but you can substitute that by request. 

I forgot to take a pic of my husband's meal.  He got the Southwest Grilled Burrito.  For an additional side he chose the Home Over The Border Fries.  And for the beverage he got the Tropical Rendezvous Smoothie.  He's NOT a vegetarian - far from it!  He really liked this place.  He said the meal was tasty, spiced 'just right', and filling, and he LOVED the smoothie!  The 'fries' were like 'home fries'.  He liked those, too!

Now...what are those other two meal photos, you ask?  Well, they are MINE...ALL MINE!!!! (evil laugh)

Seriously!  The first one is a pic of my lunch that I ate THERE.  I got the Havana Shakedown...it has Black Beans, seasoned rice, Avocado, Agave Nectar, Fresh Lime, Diced Tomatoes, Fresh Salsa, Hot Sauce, Almonds, Sunflower Seeds!  For an additional side I chose the Chickpea Salad...the Balsamic drizzle really MADE it!  Both were AWESOME!  For my beverage I decided to go with the Mint Mochaccino.  It was made with Chocolate Almond Milk, Organic Cane Sugar, and Natural Peppermint Extract.  Hubby tried it and really like it, too!  BEST PART = Dairy Free!  Woot!

Below that photo is another one.  YUP!  I ordered my dinner TO GO!  The guys wrapped it in foil and hours later I put in the microwave for about 45 secs and it was warm and tasty!  It's the BBQ Tofu Rodeo Burger!  Grilled Tofu, their OWN Guava-Lime BBQ Sauce, topped with onion, sliced tomato, fresh baby spinach, and hot sauce!  AWE-SOME!

So...let's recap!

We purchased:

3 Meals

2 additional sides (which were huge)

2 specialty drinks

AND...

our bill was only $25.50 - NOT BAD AT ALL for going 'All Out', eh?

I'm super excited about this place and hope to go often now that I know it's 100% vegetarian and has LOTS of vegan options!

Participating In:
Just Another Meatless Monday
Macro Monday
My Meatless Mondays
Veggie Mama's Meatless Mondays