Obstacles & Progress

Just a quick update today...

So it looks like this is my set intake on superfoods and supplements over the last going on 2 weeks...

1 B-Complex Tab, 1 or 2 squirts of B-12, 1 or 2 squirts of D3, 2 tabs of Chlorella (M-F) and on weekends 2 tabs of Spirulina.  I've cut way back on caffeine intake.  Instead of 8 or more cups worth a day I'm down to 1 cup.  Others are low or no caff or herbal or rooibos or honeybush based.  I have been trying to add Turmeric to my foods at least once a day.

I'm going to try and incorporate the dreaded bananas once again.  REALLY trying to force myself this time.I'm trying to walk more and force myself to do more stairs in daily life.

Undergarments are still a challenge.  1 out of 3 seem to be ok.  The other two are better than what I had - I suppose.

I need to bump up my mini goals and be smarter and stick to meditation and yoga more.  I need to work on my anxiety and fears still.  I guess that's an on going process for any or many of us.

Sleeping situation is still questionable.  I've been able to adjust the way I sleep, however, which I think has been helping so far.  Actually I think most of what I am doing is helping.  I just have to kick it up a notch and continue, I think!

Progress in other areas...

I tackled my kitchen yesterday...that took a while but it's coming along.  I battled the recycling that was ready-to-go but out of hand.  I wish they collected every week instead of every other week.

I was able to relax a bit.  We took a trip down memory lane and watch movies like Titanic and E.T. the last few days!

What have you been up to?

Flashback Photos from Erie VegFest & Looking Ahead with Changes

Erie VegFest took place back on September 24th and I'm embarrassed I didn't post these photos soon!  So sorry!  The Shimmy Shack was a food truck that drove all the way from Michigan to participate!  It was a pretty neat truck!

Once again my parents attended the FEST with me - neither of them are veg - but they enjoy checking them out and have always been supportive of me and my adventures.  My father had the Southwest Burger.

My mom munched on little things all day for the most part.  The truck had a simple yet wonderful concept of doing a basket of fries that was made up of 1/2 regular fries and 1/2 sweet potato fries.

I opted for the Indian Lunch that day!  It was HUGE!

Area and regional businesses participated, too!

Eventho they were not vegetarian eating establishments they did offer vegan options!

I wasn't able to try a lot of them because they were pretty large portions.

The first VegFest I attended was in Buffalo 3 years ago and this vendor participated from Ohio!  She made and sold her own flavored vegan cheese spreads!  I remember them well!  When I saw them at Erie VegFest I knew I had to stop over and mention it to her.  Dad ended up buying 2 of her cheese spreads!  The Blue Cheese with Spirulina was exceptionally awesome!

Oddly...one thing Erie VegFest did BETTER than WNY VegFest was that Erie incorporated a Farmers Market type vendor space.  It was a small Farmers Market Vendor space but still more than Buffalo offered.  As you can see here my dad in his TyeDye and my mom in the blue short in the front corner.

We did end up buying more produce that day than anything else.

The prices were good!  The people were nice!  I also found Erie to have more INFO available overall.  Erie did focus more on gluten-free stuff than Buffalo did, too.  However, Buffalo offered way more food options but that isn't surprising due to the size of the two markets and the population.  PLUS...this was Erie's first year and Buffalo's 3rd.  I will say that Erie had a WONDERFULLY IMPRESSIVE first year!  I hope both markets continue to grow!

A QUICK UPDATE:

I have continued to sleep different, wear different under garments, and take B-Complex, B-12, D, and Chlorella Tabs without missing a day!  I've tried to stick to 1 cup of caff tea a day instead of 6 to 8 and I'm upping my herbal tisanes.  I am seeing and feeling a difference over the last 3 days and I hope it continues to improve.  Thank you all for the encouragement!

Vegan MoFo ~ Cheesy Taco Corn Chowder!

Check THIS soup out!  It's Cheesy Taco Corn Chowder and it's VEGAN!

Before I get to the recipe I wanted to stick with the prompt for today and that is to FOCUS ON A NUTRIENT!  Corn is high in Pantothenic Acid - also known as Vitamin B5 and this nutrient helps us USE fats, carbs, and proteins as energy sources.  It also helps our hormones and immune systems function.

Corn is 12 % Pantothenic Acid.  It's considered to be a GOOD source of the nutrient, however, the BEST natural source of the nutrient is Shittake Mushroom which have a whopping 52%.

Corn is also a good source of phosphorus, vitamin B3, B6, Manganese, and Fiber.

Here's my recipe for this super tasty soup!

Kernels from 4 ears of corn (or about 3 Cups)

Up to 2 C Water

About 3/4 C Cashews

1 to 2 Cloves Garlic

1 T Vegan Taco Seasoning (I used Wildtree Brand)

2 T Nutritional Yeast

Cilantro, Parsley, or Basil Leaves, Dried, to taste

Cayenne Pepper and/or a sprinkle of Taco Seasonsing & Nutritional Yeast to taste and on top

This was pretty amazing if I do say so myself!