The Veg Mom moves Southwest (We're not in Kansas...er...Vancouver anymore)

 

Well, a huge change to report. We have moved to New Mexico! After arriving in late July, we have gotten the kids settled into school, we are in a nice neighborhood with very nice people. The weather is amazing!

Talk about HUGE change, however.  My daughter is pretty sure that she and her brother are the only vegetarians in their school.  Oh, and don't get me started on the reward system at school.  Every time a child or a classroom accomplishes something, the reward is always either a candy (not vegetarian although I don't think any of the teachers would even know that), a gift certificate to some fast food restaurant, a pizza party, cupcake party, rootbeer float party, etc.  It's ridiculous!  I am quickly realizing why there is such a huge health problem in this country.  People really don't seem to be paying attention to what they are eating at all.  It's amazing!  There's sugar in everything....from spaghetti sauce to peanut butter. (Even the organic "healthy" brands are sweetened).

Anyway, I am sure that my challenges here will be even more fun to hear about here than the West Coast of Canada.  I feel a bit like Dorothy. 

The landscape here is absolutely beautiful and I really look forward to exploring it.  There are some really amazing people around...it'll just take a bit of looking to find them.  We have already found a Meditation center that has kids Dharma classes every Sunday which is super exciting.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for listening,

Kasandra

"The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!" ~ according to my daughter.

1/4 cup butter or margarine (I like Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread) at room temperature.
3/4 cup cane sugar
1/2 tsp. molasses
1 large egg (or egg substitute)
2 tbsp. brown rice syrup
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup unbleached white flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (I grind my own from wheat berries in my awesome Vita Mix)
1 tbsp ground flax (a good vegetarian source of omega 3's)
1/4 cup walnuts (you can chop them or I grind them to hide them from my kids that don't like nuts but
   the flavor is still there)
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips (This may be light for some you so add more if you like)


Preheat oven to 350°
Mix the margarine and sugar.  The mixture will look like wet sand
Add the egg, brown rice syrup and vanilla and beat until smooth.
In a separate bowl, combine flours, flax, walnuts, baking soda and salt.
Add to the sugar mixture and combine.  Add the chocolate chips until just blended.
Drop onto cookie sheet covered with parchment or a silicone baking sheet.
Bake for 12-14 minutes.

Enjoy! 

Diet? - No thanks!

So, I'm not sure if anyone else is experiencing this but a bunch of the girls in my office are on the "17-Day Diet".  It's exhausting!  They now talk about how hungry they are, what they can and can't eat and what they are going to eat allllll daayyyy looonnngg.

I love them all and hope they are happy but this is bordering on obsession.  However, they HAVE inspired me.  I am back on my "diet" of paying attention to what I put in my mouth vs. what my ego is craving.  I must admit, it's a bit of a Buddhist exercise as well.  I'm counting calories and paying attention to my activity levels.  Drinking lots of water and not so much wine.  I know I've said this before but I am determined to make it work this time.  Tick tock.  I'm not getting any younger and would like to be living a more active lifestyle.

Wish me luck!

The Eyes Have It!

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul but are they the windows to our bodies as well?

I have been fighting the weirdest eye issue the last couple of months.  Just when I think I've got it figured out, it comes back.  It appears to be a contact dermatitis which basically means, something I am allergic to is coming into contact with the skin of my eyes and they are reacting.  First they feel dry, then the skin starts to redden and get sore and usually by the next day, they are swollen and red.  I've been using "Rescue Cream" to treat the symptoms while I try to figure out the trigger.....the whole time believing it was topical.

Today I am thinking it's more than that.  I think my eyes are trying to tell me something about the toxins I am consuming, not the toxins that I am coming into physical contact with.  I believe that a cleanse is in order.  I've never done a cleanse so any advice would be greatly appreciated.  I have a tendency, especially when I am working to have a drink after work.  I believe that this combined with the crappy junk food I have been consuming at work for the last few months have taken a toll on the balance in my body.

Therefore, today is the beginning.  No more drinking for a while.  Changing my diet to include a whole lot less junk and a whole lot more organics.  After all the years of eating organic, I think my body just doesn't like to consume so many pesticide ridden foods.  It looks like my eyes are the canary in the coal mine of my body.  I need to listen.

I will keep you all posted on my progress as I attempt to be strong, resist the temptations and make a change.  Check the twitter!  I'll keep posting.

Please comment and let me know your thoughts, suggestions, advise or similar stories.

Thanks for listening!

Kasandra

Back to School

So, here we are at week three of back to school.  It sure was a big adjustment for me to get used to making lunches and getting the kids ready in the morning while finishing up this job and juggling the mother-in-law and nanny drama.  Phew!  I've got three weeks left on this job and I am really looking forward to spending some quality me time at home and with the kids.

I'm going to start on a new exercise/eating program once I'm off work.  I'll keep you all posted on that progress once it starts.

I'll have lots of new recipes to try and share.  I have to say the laptop lunches helped alot.  All the kids got new ones this year and it really does make it easier on those mornings where I can't think of what to send.

I look forward to sharing lots in the very near future.

Take Care....deep breaths....lots of hugs!

Kasandra

"Cleanliness is next to Godliness"

Not sure about the "godliness" part but I do find a certain peace in a clean house.  Not an ammonia and bleach smelling clean but just a mostly dust free, dirt removed, things in their place, clean.  I have this whole weekend off and I'm looking forward to opening up all the windows and doors, letting the sea breeze in and cleaning the house.  It always feels so healthy and relaxing. 

I enjoy doing it.  For my own piece of mind.  For a healthy atmosphere for my family.  For the sense of peace and calm it brings.

Tomorrow, I'll start the weekend with a sense of purpose.  Not obligation.  Coming from a place of love, not resentment.

Then, on Sunday, we'll have a family day at the beach or a picnic or just relaxing on the patio and enjoying the beautiful day.

May you all have the same beauty in your weekend.

Lots of Love!

Kasandra

Resist the temptation

I haven't posted in a while.  Got a job in May and disappeared from the planet.  Happens sometimes.  I thought it would be good for me to get into the habit of posting regularly again.  The thing about my job is that it tends to take over.  The eternal struggle for me is to hold on to the stuff I want to be getting done without over-extending my energy.  It's real easy to just sit back and let work take over.  So, getting stuff done.

I've gotten good at juggling the kids, nanny, mother-in-law, husband, dog and household in general with work......years of practice.  The thing I am not good at is taking care of myself.

I'm guessing I am not the only mom with this problem.  At my work, a bit different than most, all of the food is provided.  We are surrounded by food.  The problem:  It's mostly junk.  Even the catering at lunch is very lacking in the vegetarian department.  (Vegetarian option today:  Fettucini Alfredo)  If I succumb to the temptations, you'll have to roll me out of this place come October.  Don't even get me started on the organic situation.  There's just nothing. 

Solution #1:  Bring my own food.  This cuts into my time a bit but well worth it. 

Solution #2:  Exercise a little bit each day.  I sit at a desk for 10 hours everyday.  Even if it means just walking the dog when I get home.  I little bit goes a long way.

Solution #3:  Water!  I fill a jug from my amazing water filter and bring the water with me to work.  My mission is to finish the jug each day before I leave the office.

Solution #4:  Counting calories.  I know it sounds silly but keeping track of what I eat is the best way for me to make sure I don't do the mindless snacking that comes with working alot of hours under high stress and a kitchen full of chips, candies, cookies, crackers, cheese and other easily consumed goodies.  I found a great app for my phone that helps me keep track so I am utilizing it.

Well, I think I've rambled enough.  I'll keep you posted on where I am with it.

Thanks for listening!

Kasandra

Vegetarian Caesar Salad Dressing

I don't know about you but I love Caesar Salads.  It's one of the things I really missed when I stopped eating other beings.  I was determined to nail a recipe that was easy and tastes like the original.  This one is pretty good.  I am still fine tuning but give it a try.

I just throw everything in the Vita-Mix and give 'er.

Veggie Caesar Dressing
2 eggs
1/2 cup good olive oil
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 clove of garlic (you can add more if you need - keeps them vampires away!)
1 tsp salt

Give it a go!  Makes enough for two big salads. 

Chop up about 4 cups Romaine lettuce.
Sprinkle some Parmesan on top.
Add croutons
Squeeze a bit of lemon juice.
Add about 1/2 the dressing and Toss! 

Water for Life

I keep having to remind myself to drink more water.....you?  Why is it that something so good for us can be so difficult to remember to consume.  We wander around all day, minds twittering away in our heads.  I think some re-programming in in order.  Maybe I'll put post its all over the house that say "water?".  That may be a start.  I ALWAYS feel better when I drink my water.  Need to make it the first thing I do in the morning before the coffee.

So, as of today....I am giving myself a 30 day challenge.  I am going to write it on the calendar every day if I drank my water that day.  I'll keep you posted to how it's going.  Join me....we can start a water revolution!

One note about water.....do your research.  Two good documentaries...."Water" and "Flow".
We bought an amazing water filter two years ago and it has made an enormous difference in our lives.  Click on the "Water for Life" link above to learn more about it.  It is really amazing.

Thanks for listening...

Kasandra