Dips, Diddies, Coins, & Vision Boards

Silly me!  I didn't write these recipes down!  Oops!  But you will get to see some of what I have been eating as of late. 

First up is this little diddy.  It's Brown Rice, Chickpeas, Tomatoes, and Seasonings that I made last week.  It was tasty.  I literally just threw it together!

It's been a week or a few weeks of craziness and I just jotting down my recipes totally slipped my mind!

Yup!  There were various dips, too!  Like this one!  I can't recall everything I put in it but I'm sure it was Cashews, Red Bell Pepper, Smoked Paprika, and probably Lemon Juice at the very least.

I really thought I was going to make at least a couple of soups because it has been so cold this week but I didn't have time.  As I type this it's -2F actual and wind chills in the area made it feel like -25 to -30F.  YIKES!

Here's another dip I make last weekend.  I used the last little bit of vegan mayo I had in the frig, garlic, smoked paprika, lemon juice, a handful of cashews - were probably involved - and most likely some black sea salt - but just a pinch.

What dips have you been trying lately?

I told you I was going to start doing monthly Vision Boards.  Here is my first one and it's a mish mash of things but then again I think that what Vision Boards are mostly.  Things you want to do - things to inspire you - things you want to remember - and things you want to work towards!

This month...Start Each Day With A Grateful Heart was the re-used calendar visual I grabbed from my old 2017 calendar in my office.  Instead of throwing old calendars away I re-use them as other art in some way, shape, or form.  I added a lot of peace, love, laughter type things, too!  Also time to play, do yoga, smile, socialize, etc.

While cleaning last weekend this was one of the many  past projects I found so I thought I would rehang it on the wall. 

As you may have noticed I reuse clothes hangers to hang artwork.

I have also been experimenting with my old alcohol inks again.  I hope to post some of those projects down the road, too!

I was able to reach a mini goal of setting aside a space for my yoga again but I have yet to actually do it.  Perhaps this coming week I will be able to check that off my list, finally.

Things seem to be coming along with my mini-goals.

Another mini-goal for next week is to get to the post office and mail more coin swaps!

I'm having fun with the site I found and have already doubled my collection in 2 weeks.  There is a local shop I have found a lot of them for cheap and I got my firs swap in today, actually! 

I currently have coins from 61 countries!  YAY!

Another Day - Another Dip!

This past weekend was weird.  I was OFF.  I couldn't really tell you WHY I was OFF I was just...OFF!  One of the things that happened hasn't happened to me in 20 years.  Apparently I had an asthma attack.  Scared the crap out of me.  Just when I think I have won a personal battle something else seems to pop up!  My sleep is getting better.  I was able to FINALLY sleep in bed - haven't done that in YEARS so that is pretty awesome!  I was able to get many of my aches and pains under control - so I'm thrilled about that!  Next up I am going to try and lose a couple of pounds - I think!  Between getting a bit lazy and going with convenience items and winter weather and not moving around much I have gained more than I am comfortable with.  So that's my next mini goal.  I will be doing more salads, soups, RAW Foods, etc.  I think I gained weight because I wasn't preparing almost 100% of my own foods and dropped back into vegan convenience items - as well as NOT doing as many RAW FOODS like I was prior to last year.

Anyhow...today the only photo I have to share with you is the one you see above!  Not overly exciting but it's a Cashew Cilantro Dip that I made for the Broccoli Potato Fries I found a while back.  They were pretty YUMMY and they almost tasted CHEESY but they were clearly marked VEGAN and GLUTEN FREE!

Cashew Cilantro Dip & Salad Dressing

1 C Cashews

1/2 C Water

2 T Lemon Juice

1/4 C Cilantro

1 T Apple Cider Vinegar

1 t Wildtree Garlic Galore (or Minced Garlic)

1 Powerful Squirt of Dijon Mustard

Pinch Pink Himalayan Sea Salt

Optional Sprinkle on top Smoked Paprika 

Everything in the high speed blender.  It was a little thin but after refrigerating for a while it thickens naturally.  This is also a great Salad Dressing, too!

I had a few kitchen fails over the weekend, too, or else I would have posted more.  I am not giving up on the cracker appetizer!  I am going to experiment with them more and if I can get them to where I want them I will post about them at a later date!

Mini Goals & Today's Smoothie

Last week I mentioned I was going to make another mini goal for myself and that was to do at least 5 morning smoothies per week (Monday thru Friday).  I'm on day 3 and so far so good!

Today's smoothie is...

1 Frozen Banana
2 Dates
1 C Non-Dairy Milk*
1 Scoop of GoL's Marley Coffee RAW Fit
6 Frozen Strawberries

*I used a combo of Coconut, Almond, and Hemp

This was tastier than I anticipated!  Just a hint of strawberry and coffee!  YUM!!!!

I have been thinking about starting another art/junk journal with the focus on adding daily things "I Enjoyed Today".  I've done art and junk journals before but I tend to go in spurts (like many other things I enjoy).  What made me think about it again is when I was watching Rylew's Video on YouTube on How to Journal for Alignment.  Once I grab a book to journal in I will make this a mini goal for myself once again.  Question of the Day: What is a NEW Mini Goal you have made for yourself?  If you haven't made a mini goal for yourself lately - won't you join me and making one now?  If so feel free to brainstorm in comments.  Everyone have a Blissful Day!

Goal Book ~ Page 2

Last week I started a Goal Book using Mixed Media and I reached all 5 of my goals.  This is what this weeks Goals are...but before I elaborate on this weeks goals...here's a short recap on last week...1 was to write at least 5 articles - I at least doubled that!  Another goal was to make at least 1 'World Foods' dish - I did 3 or 4 of them.  Then I wrote 'Start A Vision Board' - I started one but it's in the very beginning stages still.  I wanted to breathe more...more deep breaths...I was able to do that.  Then, finally, I wanted to laugh/smile more...I also did that.  Hubby and I started watching Brooklyn 99 on Hulu+ and it's sooooo funny!  Nice way to unwind at the end of the day.

So on to this week!  #1 on my list is to get back into Yoga.  Any kind of yoga!  I mostly do Kripalu Yoga but am open to others.  I also enjoy Yoga Trance Dance that was made popular by Shiva Rea.  #2 on my list this week is to visit my parents.  This isn't unusual for me - I try and get over to their place once a week or every other week - but - it's still a goal.  #3 is to send at least 3 "Thank You" Emails to people and places that I think are doing 'good things'.  It's so often we hear the complaints and not the GOOD feedback and I want to change that.  #4 is to text at least 3 friends that I haven't chatted with in a while.  I have two in mind as I type this.  Finally - #5 is to concentrate on LARGE salads for dinners most of this week!

Not only did I reach all of my goals last week - I have a good start on the ones for this week - AND - I found myself accomplishing a lot of OTHER things around the house and at work that I didn't include in my Goal Book!  I'm VERY pleased so far with this project!

Vegan Sandwich Spread, Cheesy Tahini Kale Chips, Jalapeno Cajun Cashews, Sprouting Again, and Cleaning!

Yesterday was a CRAZY Blogging Day...I think I had 4 posts!  Today I will probably have more than one but this first one will cover multiple things!  First up is this Vegan Sandwich Spread I made over the weekend!  It has...
1 Can of Kidney Beans, Mashed
1/2 C Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus
1 tea Onion Powder
1 tea Garlic Powder
1 tea GoL Wheat Grass Perfect Food

I ended up putting this in my Ninja for a smoother consistency, tho, but you could mash it by hand if you want.  This was tasty!  I ended up putting it on Whole Grain Bread and put a few Sun Dried Tomatoes on top that had been in oil.  It was yummy!  You can also use this as a hearty dip, too!  But it's really great on sandwiches.

I ended up making a few different kinds of Kale and Spinach Chips last week as well but these were the best ones of the batch.  So I thought I would share the recipe with you!

4 C Kale
1 T Tahini
1 tea Balsamic
1 tea Garlic Powder
1/4 C Cashews
1 tea Crushed Red Peppers
1 tea GoL Wheat Grass Perfect Food

They turned out pretty good, too!  They didn't last long...so that's a good sign!  I FINALLY restocked my Nutritional Yeast at the end of last week, too, so I will be doing some more soon...I also found a great deal on a HUGE bag of Kale so I need to use that fairly quickly!

 As for these Cashews...YUMMMMM!  I will be making various flavors of these soon!  This was the first of many!  And it was a success!  Here's what I did by putting it in a zip lock bag and massaging everything together...

1 C Cashews
1 tea Cajun Spice
1 tea Red Jalapeno Powder
1 tea Wildtree Basil Pesto Grapeseed Oil
Sprinkle of Garlic Sea Salt
Sprinkle of Paprika

Another seasoned snack I would like to try is a Green Holiday Cracker Snacker...yet another mini goal of mine, I guess!  I'm having a lot of FUN making homemade snacks!  I must say!

And - speaking of mini goals - one that I blogged about was jumping back into sprouting again!  Well, I started in with that again Sunday Night!  First up is Marrowfat Peas and Broccoli Sprouts.

It was easy and FUN to start in with sprouting again once I cleaned up my Cabinets and Kitchen yet again!  Let's just say I was a little over ambitious Saturday thru Monday.  I took Monday off.  I need to use vacation before the end of the year so I have a couple of full and half days!

Here I am soaking the sprouting seeds the first night.  I'm using my old tops as well as the Sustainable Santa Cruz Kit I blogged about in the past, too!  I really LOVE that system!  It's wonderful!

I was going to show pictures of my cabinets and cupboards but I think I will save that for another post.  When I purchased nearly 200 Mason Jars I never thought I would use them all - but - you know what?  I think I have to purchase some more - because NOW I am using them for almost EVERYTHING!

Participating: What I Ate Wednesday, 

Green Mango & Coconut Milk Smoothie & Mini Goals

Happy Friday!  I have a quick smoothie recipe for you today!  It was my breakfast-on-the-go!  It only has 3 ingredients!

2 C Frozen Mangos
1.5 C Coconut Milk
1 Scoop Garden of Life's Yerba Mate Flavored Perfect Food^® RAW Energizer

Even tho this is a quick recipe today with minimal ingredients it's very good!  It's light and creamy and fluffy! A few more healthy tidbits about this recipe and product include...

·       Guayaki^® Yerba Mate, traditionally used for centuries to promote immediate energy and long term focus†

·       RAW Organic Peruvian Maca, harvested by hand, aged and sun dried to perfection, to support energy production as well as healthy, balanced hormones†

·       RAW Organic Pomegranate Juice and Cordyceps Mushrooms, long prized for providing the sustained energy you need to power through your busy day†

·       RAW Organic African Baobab, rich in minerals, especially magnesium, to promote the production of ATP—energy on the cellular level

If you are a regular to my site you might have read in the past that I randomly set mini goals for myself.  I would like to take this time to jot down a few more for the very near future.  I've already met my mini goals for getting back into smoothies as well as getting into dehydrating foods again as well as a few other things.  Here are a few things I have been slacking on lately that I want to jump back into!  I have done them in the past and enjoyed them - I just need to get back into them!

* Juicing

* Sprouting

Crafty Spices - Follow Who?
Social Weekend Hop

I NEED to get my Christmas Shopping DONE and I have to jump into preparing for Christmas Eve...we go to my husband's grandmothers where his extended family gets together.  We then hop over to my parents house where my sister, her husband, my mom and dad, Dale, and I gather as well as my husband's brother and girlfriend.  Then the next day for Christmas we kind of do the same thing in reverse...we go to my parents house and it's the same 8 of us THEN we go back to his grandmother's house for his family's Christmas...his mom and step father, his grandmother, his brother and his girlfriend, Dale, and I.  For Christmas Eve BOTH places have munchies...so...I have to jump on a few things to bring!  I will do at least 1 or 2 dips and maybe a bean salad, not completely sure, yet.  Dale thinks I should bring the Buffalo Cauliflower Wings I posted about earlier this week!  I still might.  Then for Christmas Morning - my father takes pride in his traditional MASSIVE Omelet.  Of course, this is the 2nd year I will not be consuming.  It's become a tradition that I make the cheesy grits as well...last year I did some for myself with vegan cheese.  It smelled kind of funky but they tasted really good.  So, YEAH...sorry for the ramble, but I'm in the planning stages and that will be a mini goal for the near future, too!  I have totally been in research mode, as well!  I've been learning about new products and processes as well as new-to-me world foods and new sites!  I hope to share those with you all, soon, too!  What have you been up to!?

 

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