Blue Sunset

Today was a great day to either be outside enjoying the sun or like me - a great day to get some work done inside. By the end of the day, we were hungry, tired and wanted something sweet. I do have the So Delicious non-dairy ice cream sandwiches in the freezer. But instead, I chose to try the "Blue Sunset" from one of my favorite cookbooks: Raw Food Real World - 100 Recipes to get the Glow. (Growl!) LOL!

So here's the recipe and a couple of pics of my finished product:



The Blue Sunset
Serves 2-4

Ingredients:
2 c pineapple chunks
1 small ripe banana or 1 cup frozen diced banana
1 c diced mango
1 1/2 Brazil nut milk or macadamia milk, or coconut milk
3 tbsp agave nectar or 2 packets stevia
pinch of sea salt
1 c blueberries

Directions:
In a blender, puree all ingredients except blueberries until smooth. Pour out about half of the mixture into serving glasses, filling each glass halfway. Add the blueberres to the remaining shake in the blender and blend until smooth. Genrly pout the remaining blueberry shake over the pineapple-mango shake. NOTE: Pouring the mixture over the back of a spoon (a bartender's technique) helps keep the two layers separate.

WARNING:
Salivation beginning in just 3 seconds - see below:

The smoothie is called Blu Sunset. Awe....see the sunset in my breakfast area of the kitchen?

Can You Trust A Restaurant Menu?

Well today was a lazy day. If you want to read more about how to be lazy, check out Arianna's blog at www.babylaughinghouse.blogspot.com. The most we did was walk Samson and go to the mall. Eventually, we ventured out to two stores to - of course - buy Arianna some clothes (something she doesn't need, but they were on clearance!).

In the end, we went to PF Changs. As someone trying to watch eat more whole and healthy foods, I already know that eating out is a challenge; unless you go to specific restaurants that cater to such principles. The Cheesecake Factory is always way too crowded and I know the temptation I have with cheese. LOL! I knew PF Changs doesn't have cheese and dairy a part of every item, plus it's less likely to be as busy. So, what did I eat: I shouldn't have, but I got the appetizer Green Beans. No, they're not steamed..LOL! For my entre, I had the Vegetarian Lettucs Wraps (didn't finish it all) and a side of Garlic Spinach (only at a few bites). For dessert - yes dessert - I had the lesser of all evils. I had the chocolate thingy. I can't remember what it was, but it wasn't cake. Just gluten free mold of chocolate...also with no flour. It was decorated with fruit, as well. It wasn't that bad, right?

Well, I should've done my research before I chose my entre. I found out that the only vegan option is the "Buddah's Feast" steamed with no tofu. Apparently, they cook the tofu and vegetables in some type of chicken base broth. UGH! (reference: http://veganmasterlist.blogspot.com/2007/09/pf-changs.html) You can't trust anyone - or any menu. It's all a conspiracy!!! Actually, who's responsible for what we eat? We are. I have to do better next time. I just didn't feel like cooking.

Now tomorrow, I'm making a vegan roasted vegetable dish. I will share that menu along with an awesome Blueberry/Mango Sunset Shake recipe.

Today's Temptation:
- Cheesecake Factory! I always order some vegetarian option with loads of bread and cheese.

Today's Confession:
- I ate the Green Bean appetizer, that was fried!!!! No bueno!

Today's Success:
- No bagel today! Just cereal and hand ful of nuts (cashew, almond, cranberry mix from Trader Joe's)
- Took Samson and Arianna for a walk before dinner in the hot 80+ degree weather.
- I didn't cave in and take a bite of Jekelvin's NY Cheesecake

So, what is your success, temptation and confession for the day?

Is it Possible?

...Is it possible to find a good non-dairy cream cheese worth smearing over back-to-back bagels? (sesame bagels are my favorite) Well, on yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting the local Trader Joe's. Anyone who lives in the south knows that it can be difficult trying to find healthy options greater than Vita-water in their local grocer. But the times have changed. Trader Joe's sells the famous Tofutti Cream Cheese at almost $1 less than the other grocery food chain stores.

So what is Tofutti? You can learn about all of their products via their website (www.tofutti.com). There you will find many non-dairy options like sour cream, cream cheese, ice cream sandwiches and more. Even my mom and hubby enjoy tofutti products. They thought the cream cheese and sour cream used was the regular version....but this was the better version of getting that cream cheese fix. Try it and let me know how you like it.

Today's Confession:
- I had two bagels with this cream cheese. LOL! This is why I try to keep it out my house. Now it isn't that bad. It's just that I'm trying to up the number of veggies and fruit these days.
- Still no exercise. Ugh! I think I need to get with it and try running in the morning like in the past.

Today's Temptation:
- Not to cook dinner. Time flew by today and I did not feel like cooking anything. But I made some spaghetti with meatless meatballs, brussel sprouts and a side of grapes.

Today's Success:
- Another day of 100% vegan meals.


So what was your temptation, confession and success for the day?

Confession

Do you remember the rumor that Usher Raymond (R&B singer) titled his famous album "Confessions" as a publicity stunt released during his break up with another R&B singer - Chili from the group "TLC"? It sold millions. I don't think he's recovered yet from that album.

Well, I would love to say this is a publicity stunt, but I cannot. I MUST CONFESS - - I've eaten cheese, eggs, and.....UGH!!!! CALL THE PRESS....MEAT!
Yes, I just ignored every compassionate value in my body and gave up. I was gaining weight, due to the pregnancy, and had other personal

stresses of life going on (like PhD applications...lol).

THERE I SAID IT!

As some of you may already know, I'm one of those passionate people who goes all the way about something, cold Turkey (or Tofurkey) BUT will be pretty hard on myself when I miss the mark. I don't know. My mom didn't raise me like that. I guess I just always wanted to make her, my grandmother, my grandfather and step-dad proud of me. YES, I'm a prime case for someone's psychoanalytic sessions on an uncomfortable pinned-cushion couch.

So, why am I blogging about "The Plain Truth"? Well, it's easy to hide behind a facade of facebook pics. Note: I still cook vegan meals to this day. My problem since July 2010, has been returning to being 100% vegan. With this blog, I want to share "the plain truth" as I return to the journey of healthy living. Someday, I'll have the nerve and boldness to post my weight, but don't hold your breath. I'm still a lady! But I will be brutally honest about whether or not I went to Taco Bell (not real food, at all...Lol) and played Jedi-Mind-Tricks with the teenage boy behind the counter by saying, "If you happen to drop cheese on my taco, you can leave it there. Otherwise, no cheese." Or when I succumb to the pressures of parmesan cheese, mozzerella cheese, cheddar cheese.....do you see where I'm going here? I will be honest and have a reference to how to deal with the mishaps that I experience. For example: Do you know why we all love cheese so much? Well, I will share the answer to that in a future post.

There's so much I want to share: meal plans, workout plans, family stories, funny things that happen on the way to the farmer's market, and more. So, consider this blog of plain truth to be someplace you can relate to another human being who's not afraid to admit their mistakes yet continue to pursue a lifestyle of compassion for all beings. In no way am I promoting, as my vegan hero chef - Colleen Patrick-Goudreau - calls: the voice of an excusitarian. I'm making no excuses. If we're honest with ourselves, we all need to have an animal free diet. Not only is it kinder to the animals, but an animal free based diet is a healing factor and prolongs our own lives. Therefore, I'm not here to be a "RIGHTEOUS VEGAN", pointing fingers and looking down my nose at someone who enjoys their meat, cheese and eggs. Message to vegans and vegetarians: We all ate meat at one point in our lives....move on!

So, today - May 27th at 2:01am - I am back at stage one. I am proud to say that I was 100% vegan today, but did NO exercise for the day. What did I eat today:

• Whole Oats Oatmeal (cooked on stove) topped with: Earth Balance Soy Butter (instead of milk based butter), light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg (try adding your own spices to oatmeal, you'll save money by just having to buy plain oatmeal). Side of organic peach slices.
• 3 travel packs of mixed nuts: cranberries, cashews and raw almonds. I had appointments all day and didn't plan accordingly to eat lunch on the run.
• Vanilla Chai Soy Milk drink
  
• Veggie Patty (non-dairy), wheat bun, non-dairy mayo, dijon mustard, soy based cheese
• Chickenless Nuggets
• Broccoli (w/ tbsp EVOO and McCormicks "Lemon Herb Seasoning" - try this seasoning because it's not full of salt)

Today's TEMPTATION:

• McDonalds!!!!!!!
• Potato Chips in the impulse section of Trader Joe's
• More Potato Chips in the impulse section of Lowe's Grocery Store

Today's CONFESSION:

• I did not drink enough water today. As a mom who is constantly breastfeeding a growing 2month old baby, there's no excuse. I should be drinking way more water. I will do better tomorrow - how about you?

Today's SUCCESS:

• I'm BACK!!!!!
  

So, what was your temptation, confession and success for the day? In the end, you are a winner.

"You may feel that you are the errand runner or that life has overlooked you. You've done your best, but maybe you haven't seen the results you had anticipated, or you've been through some disappointments and now you're tempted to think, "Oh, what's the use? I'll never get out of this situation. I'll never accomplish my dreams. But don't believe those lies. You are handpicked by God." - Love Your Life: Living Happy, Healthy & Whole by Victoria Osteen