Playing Catch-Up Once Again!

Busy!  Busy!  Sorry for the silence!  I have a lot of back blogging to do!  With my photo heavy last post about my sisters baby shower I knew I was already behind on other happenings so I will start there!  Before I went to my sisters baby shower I volunteered at a local cafe that is operated by volunteers many of them from different churches and faiths.  I just like volunteering so I decided to start helping when they needed me!

They're operational/open for business many days during the week but one of their many outreach/ goals is to have a Community Breakfast that is FREE but some people drop in a donation from time to time.  My first volunteer attempt the weather was pretty bad and we had about 12 to 15 who came in for the breakfast which consisted of fruit, sausage, pancakes, juice, coffee, tea, etc.  The 2nd time I volunteered we had between 40 and 50 attendees. This upcoming weekend I'll be stopping by early to from about 8 to 10am before going to a vendor show for the rest of the day!

The 2nd photo I posted in this blog entry was the regular menu.  There are a few veg items present.  It's actually been a while since I have eaten there myself but I really like the eclectic atmosphere of the place.  As you can see from the first photo we had someone stop by and play his guitar for those who were there.  It was really nice.  All sorts of people in the community stop by - families - seniors looking for those to chat with - some people who are really in need of a meal - others who just want to see what is going on - and everyone in between!

In other news...since I live in a small, rural area I always like to point out when I see neat things happening!  A local store/Deli/Catering place recently added organic items to their shop!  I was thrilled!

Even more exciting was their price on Bragg's Drinks were cheaper than anywhere else I have seen around here!  YAY!

YEARS ago one of our local coffee shops was owned by a girl who had a near all veg menu.  I think she offered 1 tuna and 1 chicken option but everything else was vegetarian.  Unfortunately she sold the business and the coffee shop has since changed hands like 4 times.  BUT...this past year she and her family are back and owning and operating it again!  Here is the massive salad I got from them a while back!

In other shopping news - my parents are Piping Rock customers - and so am I!  Recently I purchased these items!  Hemp Seeds, Apple Cider Vinegar, Chlorella Tabs, and Pumpkin Seeds!  Their prices are SO LOW!!!  I couldn't help myself!     Since this post is one big blab I will be mentioning the local businesses by name at the close of this post!

Not too long ago I found this individual oatmeal bowl and thought I would try it.  It smelled wonderful and it tasted pretty darn good, too!  I bought this one and another one that happened to be vegan!  They are also Non-GMO, Gluten Free, etc.
I LOVE finding companies that are socially consensus and GIVING!  This company gives one when they sell one!  They even give you a sticker, too!

Below you can see a snapshot of what the finished product looked like!  Nom, nom, nom!

All I did was add hot water.  In 4 minutes of letting it sit I had a nice breakfast at work!

I have been finding a few new-to-me foods and brands and such and I have been SLACKING in the blogging department!  I will certainly try and be better about that.  I was able to find a new (to me) vegan pizza crust!  It was Trader Joe's!  I know I am late to the party - but still...

I have to say I was pretty impressed!  I added just the right amount of spaghetti sauce and Daiya Moz this time!  The secret to this one was the minced garlic and Wildtree seasonings I added!  YUM!

So note to self...every time I go to a Trader Joe's I need to remember their Pizza Dough/Crusts!  They are great!

I also saw another new one at our local Tops from the Brooklyn Brand I posted about not to long ago.  They were mush smaller than the long rectangle ones I blogged about but I haven't tried them - I hope them keep them in stock so I can purchase them soon!  I will let you know if I do!



So...as promised...these are the local businesses mentioned in this post....

* The Crossing in Warren, PA - check out their Facebook for more info!  It's a neat place!  LOTS happening!

* Kondak's Market & Catering in Clarendon, PA - check out the Facebook Page for the organics and other stuff!

* Arbor House Coffee Shop & Tea Room in Warren, PA - again Facebook is the way to go for info on them!

With Arbor House I would LOVE to get a VEGAN OPTIONS HERE Sticker over to them for their door!

What I'm Eating, Reading, and Thinking About

Today is a simple post - mostly about what I have been eating, reading, and thinking about.
Starting off with what I have been eating!  Simple - really...juices, smoothies, salads, raw fruit and veggies - mostly.

Yesterday was my Monday to travel to an area with a Wegmans.  I have been treating myself to a lunch there the last few weeks at their buffet.  This week I did another thrown together salad.  I had a mix of romaine and iceberg with leafy greens mixed in.  There was also a great deal of kale in there!  I added some roasted root veggies - such as onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.  I threw on some peas, carrots, blueberries, etc.  What really made this was the Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing!

I started my day with water and lemon.  I then had some tea.  I then had a glass of Pineapple Juice which was pretty awesome.  For lunch I will have a Vanilla Pineapple Smoothie which I will most likely blog about tomorrow.  I also have Snap Peas to snack on this morning and later today a few Mac Nuts.  For Dinner I will have a LARGE Salad.  I'm REALLY loving different fruit vinegar salad dressing and hope to be making my own and posting them here so be on the look out!

As for some of the things I have been reading - I forgot to post about the Carrot Seed Oil Research I have been doing!  Check out this handy chart!  Of course once I start researching something and reading about it then I am thinking about it and how I can learn more!

Piping Rock keeps having more and more sales and I am so tempted to buy more oils but trying to save money!  I might have to budge on this tho!  The ones I currently look to buy are: Eucalyptus $1.49, 4 Thesis $1.79, Basil $289, Spearmint $3.29, Rosehip $4.19, Mandarin $1.99.  Time will tell if I will actually order all of these while this specific sale is going on.  If not I will just wait until the next one, I guess!  I've been into the site Mindy Body Green lately and here are the articles I have bee interested in lately:

* A Globe-Trotting Yogi Shares Her Travel Must-Haves + The Stretches You Need For Pain-Free Trips

* Why Quitting My Job To Build A Tiny Home Was The Best Decision I've Ever Made

* What Food Photographer & Blogger Marie Reginato Eats In A Day

Carrot Seed Oil (And Other New Additions)

Here are 4 New-To-Me Essential Oils that I was lucky enough to add to my Essential Oil Collection.  I ordered from Piping Rock again and found some lovely blends - as you can see above - but also the Carrot Seed Oil that I have been wanting.

Come to find out Carrot Seed Oil tends to be overlooked or comes in as an underdog of sorts.  Below is some info I found about it...

Carrot seed oil is perhaps one of the most under-appreciated essential oils. But it is known to have antiseptic, carminative, cytophylactic, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, and vermifuge properties

Here are just some of the other well-known health benefits of carrot seed oil:

Heals abscesses, boils, and other skin disorders

Nourishes , tightens, and rejuvenates skin

Alleviates pain due to menstruation

Helps stimulate appetite

Treats ulcers

Improves liver and gall bladder disorder, particularly hepatitis, colitis, and enteritis

Stimulates the lymph system

Helps women in breast milk production after childbirth

Eases hiccups, colic, and flatulence

Treats kidney stones and jaundice

Personally - I decided to grab this because of the mentions of healing abscesses and boils, Colitis, Lymph System Benefits, and I also read it can be good for Arthritis!

Some recipes and ideas I found to be interesting include:
Carrot Seed Oil Skin Cleanser
Carrot Seed Oil Make-Up Remover
Carrot Seed Oil Scar Treatment
All available at THIS LINK.

Playing Catch Up!

I found this cute meme on Instagram the other day and reposted and commented...This is my Monday Face...and Tuesday Face...and Wednesday Face...lol...YEAH...it's been a rough few weeks or months but I am trying to kick the attitude and start a NEW!

Eventho it's been a very mild winter here in the snowbelt I'm looking forward to spring regardless!  So far today we had between a foot or two of snow fall.  I was shoveling my sidewalk and driveway and the city plow came thru and plowed me back in.  Nice!  I'm typing that with much sarcastically - I don't know if you picked up on that!

The furkids are doing well!  Cricket is a 'crazy lady' that is what we call her sometimes but she's also a sweet pea and darling girl!  She puts so much life into our home.  She has a devilish side, too!  She likes to torment her brothers.  Riley has a soft side for her most times whereas Paco is too polite to do anything to snap back and I usually have to stop Cricket from picking on Paco.  Paco is so funny - he actually waits in line to drink from the water bowl in the living room at night.  He lets Cricket and Riley go first and he waits until last to lap up the water!

Paco is doing really well considering all of his medical issues.  He's been on his same meds for over a year now and his blood work is consistently where it should be.  He pees a lot but I would rather him do that than not be with us.  He's still sweet as ever!  And he's so strong to deal with everything, too!  He's plumped up from the meds but just adds to his character.  

I took this photo on a sunnier day than today and just had not posted it yet.  I'm still wearing my glasses and most likely will just continue to.  I think it makes me look older but I don't really care.  I know in the past no one could believe I was 36 but maybe now I will start looking my age anyways.  It is what it is, right!?

Work has been rough but I'm still plugging along.  I've been fairly uninspired in the kitchen as of late and going back to some comfort foods, cheap foods, fast foods, and good old stand by's!

I've been throwing a lot of dishes together much like this veggie curry here.

I've been re-organizing my tea collection and re-visiting some old favorites.

I have been able to spend a good amount of time with my parents the last several months.  They went to Aruba last month.  They LOVED it.  My sister had a rough weekend because she lost one of her furkids to cancer.

I'm still VERY MUCH into the Essential Oils.  My parents have gotten into them, too!  My sister has been buying some stuff online at PipingRock.com so I thought we would try it at as well.  So my parents and I went in on it together and they bought an Essential Oil Starter Kit with about 14 different oils.  I had at least half of them so I didn't get one of the kits I opted for 4 individual oils instead.

I decided to try 2 of their blends.  The Mental Clarity and the Stress Relief blends and I have them at work.  I have tried and like both of them.

Then I grabbed some Grapefruit Oil and Pine Needle Oil.  Those were two of the ones on my results sheet I received before Christmas.  I really like both of these, too!  I will say that the Pine Needle surprised me.  I thought it was going to be way too 'manly' and pungent but it's 'just right'.

I really like Piping Rock so far!  Their prices are quite a bit lower than many other sites I have seen.  I've only gotten their oils but I intend to make a purchase down the road that contains some of their nuts, seeds, snacks, etc.