Vegan Birthday Cake

So, normally I don't get to participate in 'birthday cake'.
I must admit that it was nice to indulge Saturday at my sons birthday party (plus it was my birthday as well).
He's not a typical sweet eater, and I like the kids to decide what they like...and this year, all his choices were Vegan.
So, Friday Vegan Chocolate Chip cookies at school...
Saturday, I made Vegan Chocolate Chip Cake.

Yummy!

Last day 30 and last day 8

Dinner at mellow mushroom...

Last day being 30!

Ahhh S***!

Not really, but stay tuned for the story...

I have high expectations of my kids.  I know this.  How they should behave, use their manners, act at the dinner table, etc.

So, not that last night was a 'normal' dinner.  Everyone was preparing and going to eat their own thing, and of course I was the last one still in the kitchen while David and the kids were at the table.

Much to my disappointment, they would not stop laughing and playing.  I mean not just having a good time, but pretty rowdy and disruptive.  I know we were home, but we were still at the dinner table, and I was not happy.  I even made a comment about how I should've gone ahead and ran to the ATM because I didn't want to be at the table with them.

Well, Bryson has a way to get to me, and you NEVER know what's going to come out of his mouth.

So, he says "Ahhhh, defecate!"

Here's to learning the 'official' word to things...have I ever mentioned how you should never hope/pray for smart kids, that's a whole story!

So, he succeeded, I laughed til I cried.  David looked at me and said, "Really Mom?, do I need to send you to the bank now?"

I'll be glad when Bryson is done with steroids! :)

So excited to read this!

Cravings?

Everyone gets cravings right?  I know some people crave sweets, some people crave salty, etc.

I like spicy food.

So, of all of the flavors I miss since going Vegan, it's hot buffalo sauce.  I mean, what can you really eat this on that makes sense?!

Earthfare is a lifesaver!  Soy Delight Vegan Buffalo Nuggets are soooo addicting and delicious.

I don't even care how they make them, what sauce, etc.  This is my processed faux meat weakness AND I didn't have to make it...maybe that's why it tastes so good.

I try to limit myself to once a week, but I promise you I could eat them everyday.

My family enjoys them as well, which includes two meat-eaters, so they must really be good :)

Vegan Blog Network

So, looking at blog stats today (nerdy, I know) and I see this:

Traffic Sources http://veganblognetwork.com/participating-blogs/   I didn't even know I was listed as a participating blog yet.    How cool is this?!   I'm excited to learn something new and expand on my knowledge! 

Back to normal

I'm not sure what 'normal' is, and I know that it's different for everyone.  For the sake of the word though, today should be 'back to normal' for me.

Tuesday I left work early because my son was sick...that turned into running around town, doctors visit, Rx pickup...fun, right?!

Then yesterday (Wednesday) he had to stay home again, so that meant I stayed home with him.  Just getting out of routine seems to mess things up.

I'm not going to call it an unproductive day though because I cleaned out my closet and clothes, did laundry, and cleaned the car.

I do like the 'normal' days though.  Things are more predictable AND that means my baby is feeling better!

I mentioned that I cleaned my car, right?  So, of course it's raining today...should've known!

The kids and I watched Breaking Dawn Part 1 last night.  I was questioning my decision, but apparently they don't understand the subtleties and 'it was really cool' (their words, not mine).  All in all, I think we're good.

We survived Valentine's Day with my daughter and boyfriend.  I was hoping that since this is 5th grade it would be seamless, and it was...whew!

The steroids that my son is on for the croup treatment keep him jacked up, which is so not like him.  I got some videos of him dancing...they are priceless. 

I'm going to try to post them.

Cinema

I'm Sexy and I Know It (take 1)

I'm Sexy and I Know It (take 2)

Convenience Foods

Natural, healthy, and convenient.
Yes, please!

Happy Valentine's Day

...to me?  It will be an interesting one.  Leaving in a bit so that I can take my youngest to the doctor.  Fever, chest hurting, cough...what fun!  We've been battling croup-like symptoms for about 2 weeks now, both his cousins have viral lung infections...so, I'm not really surprised...but I don't have to like it.

On a positive note...I get to love on my little man a bit extra today :)

Sunday, I got to as well...

This was us just relaxing Sunday.

We had been up since about 3am, sat outside on the porch in the cold...trying to get his breathing under control.

Way to bond, right?!

So, for Valentine's...I want my baby to feel better!

My daughter will have this Valentine's with her first boyfriend?!  Where does the time go?
(Oh, and for family/friends that are reading this...you don't know about the boyfriend! Deal?!)
She decided against something 'special' and is simply giving him a regular valentine card since he's not in her class and would not have gotten one from her...I told her that was still special :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Giving back

You never know when someone needs something. 

I've always believed that if nothing else can be given, a smile can be shared.  It could mean the world to someone.

Today is Monday...I was tired, didn't feel all that well, running late, coffee pot decided not to work...you know, it was just one of those days!  I could feel it affecting my mood and tone for the day.

I decided to stop to get coffee (since my coffee pot wouldn't work).  Pull up to the window to pay and the lady says, "the guy in front of you paid for yours, he said to tell you to have a blessed day."  How awesome is that, it made me smile. 

In turn, I paid for the lady behind me.

So, tone for the day was made better by a random stranger in the drive-thru.  He didn't even know, but I am thankful for his selfless act of kindness.

Bring it on Monday!

Curious about Raw Foods

As an experienced Vegan, the next step for me would be to go towards Raw Foods.  The interest is definately there, and I follow many people that are mostly Raw, I just haven't made that committment yet.

That being said, I love this giveaway that's going on right now via Choosing Raw:

Friday Giveaway: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food “Detox”

Check it out!

New baby

Nothing like sitting in a hospital at 2am.

At least it's for the blessing of a new baby!

Leslie
www.eat4health.webs.com
Sent from my iPhone

Health, wellness, and/or nutrition

I need some help!

Ideas, please :)  Articles need to be written.

Health, wellness, and/or nutrition related

As a more specific, I definately need ideas for women's nutrition in particular.

So, give me some feedback!  Is there something that your curious about, don't understand, would like more information on, something you search for often, etc... 

Comment or e-mail me at apr897@yahoo.com

Thanks everyone, this has worked so well in the past for me to get that jumpstart I need.

Leslie
http://www.eat4health.webs.com/
apr897@yahoo.com

They do love each other...

Brianna's at a Girl Scout Sleepover
David's at work
Just me and my boy

Me: What's wrong with you dude?

Bryson: I'm bored. I'm bored like nuts!

I'm not sure what that means, but it MUST be serious!

Leslie
www.eat4health.webs.com
Sent from my iPhone

Vegan Honey Walnut Shrimp
http://vegfoodzmeow.tumblr.com/post/15666212288/honey-walnut-shrimp-sorta

New Year

2012 is here.  That is so hard to believe, and I'm sure I'll write the wrong year many times until I adjust.

Back to work today, ugh!  I think everyone is still in vacation mode though, so I guess that's good for a an easy day today.

So, New Year's Day, the kids and I slept in after staying up the night before to ring in the New Year together.  We didn't make it to church, and that was something I actually wanted to do...way to go mom!  We spent the day at home, doing nothing!  Kinda wonderful actually.

Monday the kids and I took off for the zoo.  We had a great time,  and it was the least crowded of any time that I have ever been.  So, nice weather meant the animals were out and there were not a lot of people.  Good times!

Endings and New Beginnings

It's funny that this time of year brings about so many thoughts of goals and achievements.  Something about the holidays makes me all nostalgic, then I tend to get caught up in the whirlwind of the New Year.

Do I set specific goals/resolutions...Vision Boards look cool...

So, been thinking about it...and that's as far as I've gotten.

I know that I want to do more writing, I feel a need for a productive outlet.  Hopefully that means learning more about blogging and I really want it to mean more writing articles for money.  I mean, let's just be honest!

So, today will be a day of reflection and maybe some goal setting.  I'm acknowledging that I need to do 'something' because after all I am up at 4am (on a Saturday) because my mind is in a state of over-processing!

2011 has been great...bring it on 2012!

Proud Parenting Moment

In one week, my daughter brought home an invitation to the National Jr. Beta Club and an invitation to be tested for the gifted program at school.

Awesome moment, right?!  To know that riding her tail to do well in school may pay off and that she is being recognized for her achievements.

Very proud parenting moment!

Congratulations Brianna!

Catching Up

Well, no posts lately.  That means I've missed Thanksgiving all the way to Brianna's Birthday!

Going through my pictures, I realized I also have a couple of yummy recipes to post as well!

Thanksgiving (11/24/11) went well.  Usual crowd, usual food...good times! 

We will let this shot be the memory:

Friday (11/25/11) leftovers and online shopping...how great is that?!  Then the kids had a sleepover!

Saturday (11/26/11) evening we took the kids to Lights of the South with the Coopers.  This happened, you can't make this stuff up:

Later that night we had a bonfire and stayed up too late!  Fun times!

We also managed to get this accomplished:

So, fast forward to the next weekend...

Saturday (12/03/11):

And:

So, now this past weekend was Brianna's 11th (can you believe that) birthday.

Cupcakes at school on Friday:

Birthday party and cake on Saturday:

Then on Sunday (her actual birthday) we went to lunch and a movie.

Okay, I'm all caught up now!