New-To-Me Vegan Finds & Booch Results!

BOOCH!

Here is some of the finished product from the 1st batch of Kombucha that my Dad and I did.  We just went with the 1st brew and flavored with slices of oranges in the middle one and whole blueberries on the two on the left.  The one on the right is my Dad's experiment with ginger and cinnamon.  The blueberry was ok...next time I think I will blend the blueberries and then add it to the booch.  Altho I haven't finished the orange one (I have only sipped at little) I am totally LOVING the orange one!  We had to pitch one of the smaller batches due to mold but the large 2 quart and a smaller mason jar worked well...we even grew 2 baby SCOBY'S!  We started another small batch and in about a week and a half or so I want to try for the 2nd brew and carbonation!

I waited for as long as I could but had to break down and go shopping the weekend before last.  I stopped at Whole Foods Co-Op in Erie and they had a bunch of new products and a slew of sales...FIGURES...I didn't have a lot of money to go on a spree...but I did find some new-to-me items including these bagels!

And Miyoko's!  I think it was $2 off!  I know I have had some of her other vegan cheese - like the pub cheeses - and flavored cream cheeses - but this might have been the first time I have tried the 'straight up' plain vegan cream cheese.  And let me tell you...I LOVED IT!

Target in Erie expanded their vegan offerings, too, including a pumped up Sweet Earth section!  I already ate these Aloha BBQ Quesadillas.  They were ok but I don't think I would buy them again unless they were on sale.  They really didn't look anything like the photo.  The vegan cheese was near non-existent, I couldn't really taste the pineapple either.  They didn't taste bad but I I was thinking they would have layer upon layer of flavor but they really didn't.  They are good if you are in a hurry, however.

Another Sweet Earth meal I found was this.  Again...if you can find them on sale they are worth a taste.  With this I did appreciate that the cauliflower was actually roasted.  It was literally a little bit of mac with cauliflower on top.  There wasn't much vegan cheese sauce at all.  Luckily I had some of my Vegan Alfredo left over from a previous meal that I added on top and mixed it.  The flavor was good but it really could use more sauce!

Check these 'bad boys' out!  Daiya came out with some vegan yogurts.  But not just ANY vegan yogurt...CRUMBLE Yogurts!  As I type this I am eating the Key Lime one now and the taste is certainly a flavor EXPLOSION!  This Key Lime is right up there with the Lemon Cashewgurt for me - and that is saying a lot!

I haven't tried this one yet but if it's anything like the Key Lime one I know I will be a fan!  These are NICELY done.  Word to the wise...be sure to stir these well!  They are VERY thick!  That in itself puts it in the WIN category for me because many of the vegan yogurts I have had up to this point have been runny and/or thin.  

And finally, Kite Hill Ricotta!  It's the first time I have seen it locally and that was at my local Tops.  However, it was EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE, but I felt like I had to buy some to support the addition of a new product at that store so I did.  Of course, I really enjoyed it and can't wait to get more, so I hope they have it on sale VERY SOON!

16 Days of Activism Re-Cap, Zonta, Vegan Christmas Cookies, BOOCH, Office Plants, More!

Happy New Year!

I'm still trying to catch up on the last several months so I'm sticking with the clumps of 6 to catch up on some photo posts.  In this post, you will see a lot of Zonta related posts because most of them were taken/posted during the 16 Days of Activism!  You can see the first one in the middle of the top row.

You can also see 3 Vegan Finds - 2 on the top and one on the bottom.  The Miyoko's I found while out and about - I think Wegman's.  I think I also found the new Zesty Daiya Cheese Sauce there!  And I know I found the soup that was on sale...actually...it looks like they aren't going to carry it anymore...so it was super cheap!

A snapshot of Cricket's lil paw-foot while she was sleeping on my lap and under the blanket - just because!  The one on the end and on the bottom was from the Friday after Thanksgiving when our Zonta Club Members were selling raffle ticket.  The money raised goes towards our many service projects!  More on those down the road!

I've told you about our new, local Ollies!  I have had good luck with vegan finds there - including Larabar Bites!  YUM!  At our local Tops, I found Red Lentil Pasta.  I really liked it!

I also briefly mentioned how I have made a few 'forts' in my parents Living Room for Trinity.  Here is a snapshot of one of those!  If you click on the pics - they get bigger - and you can see her in the right-hand corner.

I did find some Vegan Mashed Potatoes on sale while in my travels, too, I have had them before but since they were on sale I knew I had to grab them!  

Total Evolution in Warren hired a Vegan Chef and he specializes in Buddha Bowls!  There is one of the pictured in the top center of this 6.  

I recently spoke at a networking function for our local Women's Care Center.  Our Zonta Pres and I talked about our ongoing collection of new and gently used bras for FTG (Free The Girls).  You can see another photo of that on the bottom center and a few posts on the 16 Days of Activism.

I did try another Garde'in Bowl.  The flavor was ok but I could do without the fake chicken in this one.

For the past year or two I have been getting THE BIRD OF THE WEEK in my inbox from The American Bird Conservatory.  I LOVE seeing the different birds and regions they come from.  This one is the rarest of the rare...the Blue-Eyed Ground Dove.  It's found in Brazil and Critically Endangered.  As of the last count, there were only 16 left.  So sad - but - SO IMPORTANT to share!

Our FTG Bra Collection/Drop-Off made our local media...both radio AND print!

Over at The Whole Foods Co-Op in Erie, I spotted some Cheddar-Style Dip from The Honest Stand.  Since I haven't tried it before I scooped it up while I could!  It was alright!

I'm glad that my father is making wine again!  Here you can see some of his latest batch.  I helped bottle!  He does make vegan and non-vegan wine so he always lets me know which ones contain what.  The one pictured is vegan!

Over at The Whole Foods Co-Op they now have Aqua ViTea Kombucha - from Vermont - on Tap!  Woot!  I sampled a few that day and ended up buying one of the Blood Oranges.  It was FAB!

I have been spotting more Well YES!  Soups in more places!  I'm happy to see the vegan options and I have tried the vegan ones I have found - they are ok - but I prefer to make my own soups at home.

I was super stoked to see a Sabres Game on Hulu Plus LIVE a while back but they have been few and far between.  We thought we would get more LIVE Hockey games that we wanted to see so we recently discontinued that add-on because we weren't getting the use out of it, really, and we were trimming unnecessary costs across the board...more on that in a few...

In the meantime...I'll tell you more about our outings and adventures!  Including our stop at Mad Mex in Erie.  I LOVE that place because there are SO MANY vegan options - but - I haven't been there as often as I would like.  I am thankful for the last two times we did go, tho...once with hubby...and the other time with my parents, sister, and niece.

I found a HUGE tub of Follow Your Heart Sour Cream somewhere, too, and it had been YEARS since I tried their Sour Cream.  I have to say it's better than I remember it.  I do like making my own at home but when it's on sale I usually grab what I can.

Many places have been getting more of the Green Giant Diced and Riced Cauliflower Steamables.  Of course, I always double check the ones I purchase are vegan...some are and some aren't...but I'm thrilled they are coming out with more options that ARE VEGAN!

I couldn't resist this Drew's Grains and Kale Salsa!  It was hardier than most salsa's and pretty terrific!

We did make another trip to Mustard Seed in Ohio before the snow started flying!  I was pumped to find their own VEGAN Pumpkin Bread!  It was great!

Another thing I saw but didn't buy (and now wish I had) was Buddha's Hand!  Have you ever bought and made anything with Buddha's Hand?

I mentioned earlier about one Kombucha now being on tap in Erie but GUESS WHAT...there is a place in Warren that has BOOCH on tap now, too, it's Total Evolution and the BOOCH they have is Earth Below that is regionally brewed in Emporium, PA.  So far I have enjoyed everything I have tried from them!

And that blob in the middle on the bottom - NACHOS - with the sour cream and salsa I mentioned above. 

Eat Pastery VEGAN Cookie Dough is BACK at my local Wegman's!  I also grabbed one of the Wegman's brand BOOCHES while I was at it!

The Baba Ghannouj and Garde'in Chipotle Lime Crispy Fingers were from Mustard Seed.  The Baba Ghannouj was ok...I like the one I have made better but haven't made it in ages...and when I see a vegan new-to-me-baba I have to try it!  And I had not seen the Chipotle Lime ones anywhere locally so I thought I would grab a package while at Mustard Seed.  I figured I wouldn't be back until spring.

A few people on IG have encouraged me to post more PLAYLIST and MUSIC stuff so that is what you see in the first photo above.  Then another furkids pic.  Then more Vegan Finds! 

The one is a Cashew Queso.  I found that at Mustard Seed, too, it was alright.  Because it was on sale I grabbed some old school Mac & Chreese.  The last time I saw the Hummus Pods I only bought one package.  I LOVED them so this time I tried two other flavors and they didn't disappoint!  LOVED THEM AGAIN!  I also found another Pupusas that was vegan and finally had those the other night for dinner and enjoy them quite a bit!

Our Zonta Club does 'gifts for mothers' thru our local Salvation Army and I donated a gift bag with goodies in there.  Most of which were vegan...including this Salt Scrub!

In the next several photos you can see some office plant progress.  I have re-potted a few since these were taken.  I have lost a few plants in the last couple of weeks, too, which is disappointing.

I have been drinking tea - as usual - and slowly but surely - submitting more reviews over at Sororitea Sisters.

I did find more VioLife cheeses!  YAY!  And Smoked Gouda from Daiya while in Ohio!  Along with Field Roast and LightLife sandwich slices.

More office plants!  The top 3 are currently doing well.  The one on the bottom right I have since lost.  For some reason, I don't have luck with Begonias.  I have NOT been successful with 4 different varieties of Begonias.

You can also see one of my quick lunches from a while back.  I think it was a Vegan Burger from ALDI and Couscous with Tomato Sauce.  I remember eating this over at my parent's house the one day and I shared some Couscous with Trinity and she LOVED it!

And another bottled BOOCH from Earth Below - available at Total Evolution!  I think that one was either the Honeycrisp Cinnamon or the Grapefruit Rosemary.

While at the Zonta Christmas Party - one of the other members made Vegan Coconut Lemon Balls!  They were AMAZING!

Oh Yeah!  And...Morning Star's Buffalo Wings are now VEGAN or at least have a Vegan Option and labeled differently!  They were on sale at Tops for 3 for $9 so I stocked up!  They are pretty good!  I haven't had many Morningstar products the last several years but glad they are coming out with more Vegan Options!

Since I have been pretty bored with TV lately I have been re-watching The Golden Girls.  Classic!

And more plants!  I was REALLY loving the one on the left...until it fell off the shelf and I lost quite a bit of it.  The African Mask plant on the right I LOVE, too!

This past Christmas I TRIED to do some vegan baking again...with supervision...that is!  I say that while laughing because I am an awful baker!  My mom and I tried a few recipes and everything tasted great!  The picture of the Lemon-Glazed Shortbread in the upper left took a while and was pretty hard the next day.  We found that if you put them in the microwave for about 10 seconds they softened well, tho.

I also have some pictures from the Zonta Christmas Party, too!  It was FUN!  You can see a few of us with the 'Gifts For Mothers' for the Salvation Army that I mentioned earlier, too!

And here are a few other vegan cookies I tried making this year!  The one in the upper left is actually a no-bake with only 3 ingredients we just needed to put them on something while they set.  Peanut Butter, Maple Syrup, and Oats.

My parent's cats and my mom and I making fun of CVS's receipts - my mom only bought 3 things and her receipt was 4 and a half feet long!  CRAZY!  Such a waste!

Hubby and I judge Christmas Trees at a local factory.  I posted on IG a few of the trees!  This year we agreed the Paws Along The River Humane Society DONATION TREE was the winner!  Everything was being donated to the shelter!

And more cookies!  The Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies were a hit everywhere I took them!  I just made them a little bit smaller than I should have!  Then I did Vegan Snickerdoodles!  With some help smushing them half way thru baking them they turned out good!  Funny thing...I don't think I got too many of those...but someone must have liked them!

Mustard Seed Market, Slash, & White Bean and Cashew Cheese Quesadillas!

As I teased in the blog post from last night...we took a day trip yesterday.  We went to the Woodmere/Lyndhurst/Beachwood areas of Ohio.  I really enjoy that area.  This time around we branched out a bit more and discovered this place in Solon, Ohio, called Mustard Seed Market!  They have two other locations in Montrose/Akron area.  This place was AMAZING!  I can't wait to go back!  DH said that he thought it was better than Trader Joe's AND Whole Foods Market!

Here are my extended thoughts...price wise...they aren't as expensive as WF Market but they aren't as cheap as TJ's.  Selection?  I truly believe they have BEAT both chains when it comes to vegan options!  Size?  I was completely blown away!  The photos I saw online don't do it justice!  Atmosphere?  Well, let's just say that Mustard Seed Market blows BOTH of them out of the water!  It was much more...CHILL...than the other two.  When I have been to other WF's and TJ's it's like a RAT RACE in there and there are constantly people pushing and lingering.  NOT this place!  It's spacious and comfortable.

They had a large Cafe, Juice/Smoothie Bar, etc that we didn't stop at but we want to next time!  Dare I say it?  This might be my NEW favorite place!?

The trade off for me going to WF or TJ or now...MS (Mustard Seed)?  DH gets to go to the music stores!  We went to Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and when we went home we drove thru Erie and stopped at World of Music!  However, when we were at Guitar Center we picked up some picks for a co-workers husband and I found this lil guy!  Yup!  That's Slash from Guns N Roses!  I couldn't resist!  I HAD to buy it!  He's the latest addition to my Funko Pops!

I have so much more to share but I'm going to space it out over time because there is SO MUCH and because it's going to be a busy week and that will make more things I can share with you!

Like I stated above...we came home thru Erie and I stopped at Whole Foods Co-Op to pick up just a few things that jumped out at me.  In their Grab & Go Cooler I found these Quesadillas!  

Plain and simple they are White Bean and Cashew Cheese and they were so yummy!

If time allows...I might blog some more tonight...if not I will be back tomorrow with another post for sure!

Spring Flowers, Vegan Leftovers, Co-Op Cafe Eats

I'm going to start a little backwards here.  When I got home from work yesterday I noticed something colorful in the backyard.  I HAD to investigate!  This is what greeted me!  How lovely!  I moved into the house I am living in prior to DH and I getting married so I think I've lived there about 16 years since our 15th Anniversary is coming up soon.  I don't remember these flowers back then BUT the last 3 or so years they have been popping up!  Nature is mysterious and gorgeous...isn't it?  I can't wait for more signs of spring!  I will be sure to report!

For some reason I could edit all my photos except for this 2nd one and I don't know why but it wouldn't let me flip it.  This was my dinner (times 3) last night!  I worked off of leftovers once again!  Sweet Potato Chickpea Wraps.    In addition to mashed Sweet Potato and Chickpeas I added Corn, Diced Tomato, and Jack Daiya Cheese.  It was way better than I expected it to be!

After I used some of the Diced Tomato, Corn, and Chickpeas I then had more leftovers to use.  I ended up making that happen in the next few photos.  I have to warn you - this will be a LONG post today with MANY photos!  I almost forgot to show you the meal I had at the Co-Op with my parents and sister last weekend so that is below, too!

But before I get to those photos I have these next few pics to share.  It's a progressive dish using leftovers!

It all started as a Bowl.  I used Spinach, Corn, Sweet Potato, Chickpeas, and Diced Tomatoes.  I topped with a Tahini Sauce and sprinkled Nutritional Yeast.  I will have the recipe for the Tahini Sauce in a little bit but first I wanted to show you how the leftovers transformed into additional meals.

I sampled the bowl and it was ok.  It kind of felt like it was missing something.  Before moving on and tinkering with the dish I mixed up what I had and took a pic.

The only other thing I added to this was Turmeric.

Recipe for Tahini Sauce:

1/4 C Tahini
5 T Water
2 T Lemon Juice
1 T Maple Syrup

I also forgot to mention I seasoned the Chickpeas wish Cumin and Garlic.

Now...THIS is the TICKET, folks!  This is the 3rd and final attempt and the real winner of the bunch!

I added more of the Tahini Sauce, Smoked Paprika, Pistachio's, and Jack Daiya Cheese!  BAM!!!

Now the only thing I have left is 1 Sweet Potato, a little Cauliflower, and Spinach.  I'll have to see what I can come up with using those items!

Moving on...

This past Saturday my parents, sister, and I went to Erie to check out Baby's R US and Target for my sister's baby registries.  They had a bunch of questions about car seats and such.

After all of the shopping stuff I suggested we go to the Co-Op Cafe.  The Wholefoods Co-Op Cafe, that is.  We had a nice time!  First up - some snapshots of our drinks!  Mine - the green one - is called Alkaline Heaven.  It had Cucumber, Carrot, Celery, Spinach, and Apple.  My father got the orange one in the back.  It was called Sunrise.  It had Carrot, Apple, Orange, Pear, and Lemon.  He tries to stay away from Cucumbers.  I think it was the only one that didn't have Cucumbers in it.  Both were good.  I sampled everyone's!  My mom and sister got smoothies.  The Triple Berry Smoothies to be exact.  They had Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Orange Juice, and Almond Milk.  Yes...the BOTH opted for the Almond Milk over the standard.

Mom, Megan, and I chose the soups they had that day.  Mom grabbed the Tomato Garlic and it was VERY garlicky.  Megan decided to go with the Chickpea one.  They both ordered smalls.  I went with the LARGE and gobbled up the Apricot Red Lentil Soup which is one of my FAVORITES there!  My other favorite is a Spicy Peanut something or other but I haven't seen it there in YEARS.

There is just something about this Apricot Red Lentil that I cannot get enough of!  I could seriously drink it by the vat!  As you can see I was messy with it while putting it in the container.

My Dad went with the Cheese Pizza on Whole Wheat Dough.  It wasn't vegan because of the dairy cheese but at least it was meat-free!

And finally...we scored this VEGAN COOKIE!  It was about as big as my face!  All 4 of us shared it!  Everyone liked EVERYTHING they had!  I have to say this VEGAN COOKIE was probably the BEST I have had to date!  YUMMERS!

It's been another busy week and the next several days are going to follow suit.  I like being busy.  I actually get more accomplish when I am busy than when the days are less filled with various tasks and activity!

But then again...I have always been BACKWARDS.  When I was in school I did better when I had all the extras going on.  Then when I ONLY had studies happening.  The busier I was the better my grades.   Now...the busier I am - all around - the better work is!

2 Items I Didn't NEED...But BOUGHT Anyways!

Before I get to the 2 items I didn't NEED but bought anyways...I thought I would show you my BRUNCH today!  It's Sweet Earth's Kyoto Stir Fry Bowl.  It's something I picked up about a month ago while on our regional shopping spree.  I found it at the Erie Target.  It had some heat to it and I liked it!  I don't eat enough Edamame mostly because it's not often readily available where I live.  As are many things, I suppose.  But I still make do with what I have.  Don't we all?

On to the FIRST of TWO items I didn't NEED but bought anyways!  I found this 'bad boy' at my local Tops!  I was just strolling thru the aisles and saw it.  I swear the sky opened up and the angels sang!  Garlic Tahini?  All in one tub?  AWESOME!  I know I am probably LATE TO THE PARTY here and this may not be a NEW item or a NEW brand to many/all of you but it is me!  I haven't seen the Sesame King brand here so I was pretty stoked!

Come to find out they have other FLAVORS of Tahini, too!  They have Light Roast, Roasted, Honey, Chocolate, Garlic, Olive Oil, Cajun, and Tomato Basil!  Out of all of them I have to say I am the most excited about the Tomato Basil and the Cajun!  Other than the Garlic I bought, of course!  Too bad my local Tops only sells the Garlic.  I totally understand why they only carry that one, tho!  It's a new product and an alternative product and not many people around here would be looking for it in an aisle!

The other item I bought this past week but didn't really NEED to was Mikoyo's Sundried Tomato Garlic!  I was in Erie on Saturday and stopped by the Whole Foods Co-Op and found it on sale again!  $2 off!  How could I resist!?  So this was $7.99 and the Tahini was $4.99.  That's already $13 for those 2 items so eventho I won't be doing that much more shopping this week I did splurge a bit on those TWO items!  I realized I haven't shared with you pics from the meal I had with my parents/sister over the weekend - hopefully tomorrow!

But for today I will leave you with another furkid foto!  Here is Paco and Cricket from the other night.  I think Paco was just as surprised as I was that Cricket took time out of her busy schedule to plop right down next to him and take a nap on the sofa!  It's nearly spring and that means that Paco's eyes will be watery and staining.  It's time for me to do a natural and gentle pet friendly eye wash SOON!  It will go on the fur NOT the eye, of course!

Eton on Chagrin, Miyoko's Vegan Cheese, Vegan Mushroom Melt at Melt Bar & Grilled, Another Vegan Dipping Sauce, & Leucistic Red Tailed Hawk...

I've been telling you bit and pieces of my trip to Trader Joe's and other places in and around Woodmere, OH, which is near Mentor, OH.  We usually go to the Whole Foods Market out there when we do go but I wanted to specifically stop at Trader Joe's this time around!  It's was INSANELY busy!

This Trader Joe's in Woodmere is within a shopping development called Eton on Chagrin Boulevard.  If you have a minute be sure to check out the website...the design of the shopping center is STUNNING!  I wish I had more time to visit the other stores.  Hopefully in the spring.

I've also been chatting about the Whole Foods Co-Op in Erie, PA, the last few days and I forgot to tell you that they now carry Miyoko's Vegan Cheeses.  I was able to grab this one!  It's the first of the Miyoko's I have been able to try and I have to say I'm in LOVE!  It was on sale for $2 off!  It's expensive but a little bit goes a LONG way!  It's creamy and much more of a spread than a hard solid cheese.  The flavor is very rich and flavorful!  I'm so grateful I was finally able to locate it and purchase it!

I couldn't help but try it with pasta!  I added a few table spoons of the vegan cheese and melted it with a little Earth Balance and Almond Milk.  It was tasty!

Also I have been telling you more about our latest trip to MELT Bar & Grilled!  I was telling you about their Mushroom Melt I brought home.  This is one of their graphics - of course I opted for the VEGAN one!  The Caramelized Onions really took it to the next level flavor-wise!

Last night for dinner I had the Anasazi Burrito from Sweet Earth and I made a Peanut Dipping Sauce for it.

Again...not the BEST photo of the sauce...but you get the picture!  Here's the recipe...

About 1 C Peanut Butter

1/4 C Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 C Water

5 Squirts Bragg's Liquid Aminos

4 T Agave Nectar

1 Garlic Clove, Minced

Lemon Pepper to taste

More Water if needed

On our way home I saw something beautiful!  Something that I don't ever remember seeing before!  It ended up being a Leucistic Red Tailed Hawk.  This photo isn't mine but it's very close to the bird I saw!  You can read more about these birds HERE.

A Few Days Off, MWM, Inductees

I took a few days off from work!  I needed it!  I was getting burned out!  Hubby and I were able to spend some time on the road with our Abarth!  I slacked on photos except for when it came to Monday when we went to Cleveland.  More on that later in this post and a near future post.

We were able to visit Mad Mex in Erie on the way home and I opted for the Veggie Enchilada which was easily veganized by asking for vegan cheese and sour cream!  It was so YUMMY but not photo friendly so sorry for teasing you!  Here's a snapshot of the guacamole, tho!  I'm LOVING the GREEN theme in this photo!  I want those green plates, too!  'Just sayin".

While in Erie we stopped by the Whole Foods Co-Op.  It's been a while since my last visit.  And I had to restrain myself because I didn't want to spend a lot of money this trip.  I was very pleased with the visit because they are consistently upgrading EVERYTHING in the store!  I'm so happy they are doing so well!  I know someone who is reading this who used to live in Erie and who's cat loves Daiya would be thrilled to see the upgrades!  (hint, hint!)

I'm also happy to see so many new products there!  I grabbed Daiya Slices because they were $1.20 cheaper than Chao Slices.  I still haven't seen the Daiya Gouda and it's driving me CRAZY!  Since finding the last Jackfruit product I posted about I am compelled to buy additional Jackfruit products when I see them.  They had a growing Upton Naturals section and I decided to grab the Jackfruit BBQ.  I noticed Victoria Vegan has new labels and new offerings, too!  When I saw they have an Alfredo Artichoke I couldn't resist! That was my splurge as VV is quite expensive.  You can see the Earth Balance in the right hand corner, too!  Hubby has now converted to EB.  He really likes it!  No...is isn't veg and he never will be but EB he actually likes.  So now it's the only 'butter' found in our (mixed diet) frig.  The Whole Foods Co-Op is the only place I'm able to actually pick up issues of VegNews, too, so I jumped on it.
One of these days I will actually subscribe!  Of course I have been saying that for YEARS!

Here is my first MWM Post of the Week!  Remember to keep reading and link up below to participate!  You can link up as much as you want thru Tuesday!  It can be anything VEGAN...product reviews, grocery store visits, online purchases, produce stands and farmers market hauls, recipes, etc!  LINK UP at the bottom of this post!

I won't post photos in this post from our Monday trip to the RnR HoF but it will be very soon!

YUP!  We dropped by the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame!  Just days before this years induction.  They were getting ready for the festivities!  More on that in a future post!



It's LINK UP Time!!!!  We would LOVE for you to join us during this week's MWM (MidWeek Munchies!)

An InLinkz Link-up

Meeting the Garden of Life Team - Part 1

When I was in West Palm Beach about a month ago (I can't believe it's already been over a month since we were on this amazing trip!) I met a bunch of the Garden of Life Team in their new main office and it was amazing!

I have TONS of photos and I might share those down the road but for today I thought I would mention just a few things off the bat!  I was so thrilled to meet Rhonda Price who I am pictured with in this first photo.  She was so nice!  I met DOZENS of people throughout the office, too!  Everyone was so great!  So many smiles! 

Rhonda told me that they moved their offices to this new building at the end of last year.  The windows and paint colors made everything so bright and cheery!  Rhonda took Dale and I on a tour and spent LOTS of time with us showing us the facility, taking photos, introducing us to everyone, and telling us all about the history of the company and even the area!

In the back ground of these two photos is a vertical wall garden that Garden of Life has in the middle of their office right across the hall from their kitchen/break room.  It was gorgeous!  If you stood back far enough you could see that the different colored plants spelled out G - O - L for Garden of Life.

Also in their kitchen area was a recycling center.  Employees were encouraged to recycle everything they were able to.  The 'wallpaper' for the kitchen was custom - copies of printed letters from employees - as to why they left their previous places of employment to come to Garden of Life.  It was really unique and just one of the many ways they showed just how much they valued their employees! 

Another part of the Garden of Life Office tour I really enjoyed was seeing some of their 'wall of fame.'  They had plaques and trophies but also some of their older products and labels on display.  It was neat to see how their labels and visuals have changed over the years. 

Rhonda told me that she recently went to a Jason Mraz concert and he is being featured in a future issue of their magazine, too! 

This display section was across from their board room.  They were meeting while we were there and she introduced us to them as well!  It was truly amazing!

Another room I really enjoyed seeing was one of their brain storming rooms!  It was set up like a grocery store.  Rhonda told us that they set up their products to see what they would look like up against other products and displays.  I told her that I recently saw an end display at the Whole Foods Co-Op in Erie, PA, and I would try and start taking some photos for her next time I was there.  I took so many photos while we were at the Garden of Life offices.  I had so much fun meeting everyone!  I will probably be doing more posts of my trip in future blog posts, too!