Day 6 - Niagara Falls!!

So, after my post last night, we found out that there were lights on the falls and went back! Then there were fireworks! Awesome ;)

Oh, and we took some crazy photos:

So, back to today, I would say that I was less than impressed with Sheraton, but I can't. Perfect location and great staff (they can't help they have drunk nasty guests and hellion kids I guess). 

We had breakfast compliments of the hotel, then walked back to the falls to go on the Maid of the Mist Tour. 

Yes, you get wet!

After, we walked around for a different view. 

So, drove out of NY, thru PA, thru OH and now in Michigan. 

More to come!

Day 5 - Vermont Mountains and Niagara Falls

We stopped in the Vermont Mountains on the way to Niagara Falls...and the falls are awesome!!!

More tomorrow...

Day 4 - Boston and Maine

We went to the city of Boston. Checked out the harbor and Fort Independence.

Then went to Faneuil Hall Marketplace where we had lunch and visited the New England Aquarium. 

Then we drove to Maine and checked out the ocean from Fort McClary State Park. 

Niagara Falls next....

Day 3 - NYC!!

So, we started off our day at Liberty Park on the Jersey side to check out the Statue of Liberty first. 

Headed into the city next and to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

 

No way to see this in its entirety and appreciate it. We picked our priorities. Lol. 

Then we headed to a Yankee game!! Everyone was stoked. 

So, a tiring day! We had a great time!!

Currently in CT, and more adventures to come. 

Day 2 - Washington DC

So, today was the Smithsonian! 

We started at the Air and Space Museum. Super cool!

After that, we headed to the Natural History Museum...which was my favorite. 

Well, except for lunch...these museums may be free, but the food is WHOA!

Navigating was fun during lunch though ;)

After this, we headed to NJ to have dinner and listen to a friend play music. On the water, outside with a breeze...very nice relaxing end to a day. 

Day 1 Washington DC

Well, today was the first time that the kids have even seen Washington DC. It was a beautiful day. 

We parked and took a short walk to the Lincoln Memorial. Always has a great view of the Washington Monument as well. 

Bryson gave out about halfway through and Dylan went to get the car so we could take a driving tour of the city instead. 

Hope my baby feels better soon. 

Not sure of plans tomorrow. Original plan was Smithsonian, but we are back to a tentative schedule. 

Dusting off...

It's been a long time...too long. I had intentions of updating everything and making sure everything looked like I wanted, but that didn't happen. 

No excuse, I just didn't dedicate time to doing it. So, it will now happen after the fact. No biggie. 

So, why am I dusting off my blog after over a year?! 

Because I should, because I liked it...and because we are on vacation and that's FUN!

We started our journey a little later than originally expected as my son is not on the top of his game. He was actually wrapping up his ER visit about the time we should have been picking him up. 

Diagnosis - Virus 

So, that means we don't know. We slept and he woke up feeling better. So, I have medicine and Peppermint Oil just in case. He even had an appetite at breakfast, so that's good. 

We are only running about 4 hours behind our original plans, but may just take the entire day slower to give him time to rest and heal :)

Just on the road right now, music on, movies on iPads, and pillows and blankets ;)

First destination Washington DC. 

Be YOUnique,

Leslie

Https://www.facebook.com/fabulousbyleslie 

HELP: Flamous Organic Original Falafel Chips

Check out the other HELP posts here.

I was hesitant to try these (they came in my March Vegan Cuts box) because I just could not imagine how chips could taste like Falafel.

Well, I was WRONG!

These are actually really good.  They taste like dehydrated Falafel.  Maybe a little 'plain', but not everyone probably likes their Falafel spicy like I do.

Listed Nutrition Facts (for package)

Calories   197 

Fat:          9g     81     39%

Carbs:      27g   108   51%

Protein:    5g      20     10%

(Percentages shown are based on 'actual' calories of 209.)

The ingredient list is READable so that's a plus.

- Organic non-GMO corn

- Organic non-GMO whole beans (chickpeas, fava beans, black beans, pinto beans)

- Organic oils safflower/sunflower

- Organic 13-spice Falafel blend (including turmeric)

- Organic dehydrated vegetables (onion, garlic, spinach, carrot, red bell pepper, tomato, green bell pepper)

- Sea Salt

My conclusion is they are still chips, but do have some protein.  That fat content is still a little high though.

HELP: Restaurant (Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint)

Not the most colorful meal, but it was delicious.

Whole wheat crust, tomato-basil sauce, mushrooms, black olives, and tofu...and sprinkled with red pepper...yummy!

HELP: Clif Bar Crunchy Peanut Butter

Clif Bar: Crunchy Peanut Butter

I'm not going to post much about this, since it is seriously close to the review I did on the Clif Bar: Chocolate Chip.

Listed Nutrition Facts

Calories:     240

Fat:             6g     54      21%

Carbs:        40g    160    62%

Protein:       11g    44     17%

(Percentages shown are based on 'actual' calories of 258.

I don't know that I would describe this one as 'crunchy', but I guess some of the peanuts in it give you an occasional crunch.

It's good, pretty balanced, and filling though.

HELP: Mott's Medleys Peach Apple

Mott's Medleys Peach Apple Applesauce

Post in HELP series, click here for info

Listed Nutrition Facts

Calories:     60

Fat:             0          0     0%

Carbs:         14g     56    100%

Protein        0          0     0%

(Percentages shown are based on 'actual' calories of 56)

100% carbs?!  Atkins lovers would die!

It's fruit!

Ingredients

- Apples

- Water

- Carrot Juice Concentrate

- Clarified Carrot Juice Concentrate

- Cucumber Juice Concentrate

- Natural Flavors

- Green Bell Pepper Juice Concentrate

- Fruit and Vegetable Juice Concentrates (for color)

- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

- Lemon Juice Concentrate

Short, sweet, and READable ;)

Oh, and it's super yummy!

HELP: Clif Bar Chocolate Chip



Clif Bar: Chocolate Chip

Post in HELP series, click here for info.

Listed Nutrition Facts

Calories:          230

Fat:                  4.5g     40.5     16%

Carbs:              43g      172      68%    

Protein:            10g      40        16%

(Percentages shown are based on ‘actual’ calories of 252.5) 

Based on ratio of 50-30-20, this bar is pretty balanced.  Perhaps a little high in carbohydrates, but it IS called an energy bar.

Ingredients

· Organic Brown Rice Syrup

· ClifPro

   o Soy Rice Crisps

     § Soy Protein Isolate

     § Rice Flour

     § Barley Malt Extract

   o Organic Roasted Soybeans

   o Organic Soy Flour

· Organic Oats

· Organic Toasted Oats

   o Organic Oats

   o Organic Dried Cane Syrup

   o Ascorbic Acid

   o Natural Vitamin E (Antioxidant)

· Chocolate Chips

   o Dried Cane Syrup

   o Unsweetened Chocolate

   o Cocoa Butter

   o Soy Lecithin

   o Vanilla Extract

· Organic Cane Syrup

· ClifCrunch

   o Organic Oat Fiber

   o Apple Fiber

   o Inulin (Chicory Extract)

   o Organic Milled Flaxseed

   o Psyllium

· Organic Date Paste

· Organic Soy Butter

   o Organic Roasted Soybeans

   o Organic Soybean Oil

   o Salt

· Organic Sunflower Oil

· Molasses Powder

· Sea Salt

· Natural Flavors

· Cinnamon 

Now, that is way more ingredients than I would normally recommend, but you can actually READ them all, and KNOW what they are.

So, it’s relatively balanced and has a decent ingredient list (for a processed food), and it tastes good.  There’s the real reason, it tastes good.

Hi, my name is Leslie, and I have texture issues so I am going to try to describe it for you.

It’s very similar to a chewy granola bar, minus the crumbly part.  It’s pretty gooey (for lack of a better word) and stays together.  This makes it a perfect on-the-go choice if you don’t want crumbs all over you (or the car).

Remember, the flavor is Chocolate Chip, and it is pretty sweet.

So, the conclusion for me is:

·                     It’s Vegan

·                     I like it

·                     It’s a great ‘convenience’ food that’s relatively healthy

Have you tried this particular energy bar before?  What did you think?

HELP

HELP (Healthy Eating and Leaving Pleased) 

Okay, remember back when I posted the March Vegan Cuts and I said I was going to start reviewing?

Well, obviously THAT didn't happen, and now I've already gotten my box for April Vegan Cuts.

Reviewing is something that I've wanted to do.

I love reading reviews, but never return the favor.  I want to do it for products, for restaurants...whatever.

I decided that I must start somewhere...so, why not start with breakfast?!

I know, I know...don't judge me!

Anyway, there is a post to follow.

I've decided to categorize these reviews as HELP (Healthy Eating and Leaving Pleased) because as much as I propose healthy eating, if it's not good...I'm not eating it.  Food should be pleasurable as well (which tends to include unhealthy eating sometimes...again, don't judge).

Keep me accountable!!

April Vegan Cuts

March Vegan Cuts

Get ready...I'm gonna start reviewing soon

Surprises!

Check out this review...featuring...my kids!!

Epic Mickey 2 Review on BerryRipe!

Monday

Second week on a new job
Driving in the dark
Arrive at the same time as always
Elevators didn't get the memo on the time change any better than my body did
Security has to help you get to your floor

Yep, Mondays exist everywhere!

January Vegan Swap

I received my package from Erica very promptly on January 22nd ;)

Unfortunately she seems to have no blog for which I can share :(

So, here it is January 30th, and I'm looking back over that picture I took when my package first arrived, and the seaweed is now gone (my absolute favorite, I eat it everyday!), the chocolate crisps are halfway gone (those are great with coffee btw), and the garlic dressing has been used as well.  I will confess I was curious about the pumpkin butter and opened it to smell...and it was heaven...but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

I've always been VERY curious about Primal Strips, but was hesitant...but now, I have no excuse...I'm gonna try them!

BIG thanks to Erica for putting a fantastic Vegan box together!

Also, a BIG thanks to Cat for doing all of this!  This has been really fun!

You should sign up here and join us in the next exchange!

:)

Vegan faux meat products

I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel here...

My friend Maria, you remember her, right?!...

Well, if you're ever craving something 'meaty', check out this post:

i can't find that fancy vegan shit... well, try may wah! 

I'm telling y'all...Maria is fabulous!  You should tell her so ;)