Had this post ready to go last night and the doorbell rang just as I was checking over for final edits. Was a great night; find the post in original form below:
-----------------------------
Once again on New Year's Eve I find myself sitting here with
Tim enjoying the start to a low key evening. We have invited over some of my very best friends for a mighty feast, all ethically sound - local organic beef, local shrimp, organic potatoes, and organic greens.
Upon reflection of my past
3 food related resolutions, I'm proud to look back at where I began and how each of the small steps I've taken over these years has helped me evolve to the mindset I live each day with.
In keeping with the idea of food evolution, I've decided to
join in on a challenge Tim has set:
eating a solely vegan diet for the first 12 days of the new year. This means no animal byproduct whatsoever including meat, dairy, or eggs.
While neither of us plan to become vegans for the long term, we are both really interested in the challenges, hurdles, and hopefully advantages of adapting a vegan diet over the next several days. Personally, giving up meat will not be as challenging for me as giving up eggs and specifically dairy will. I know Tim's biggest challenge will be the meat.
Throughout my personal journey during this challenge, I'm hoping to find a few new alternatives for the dairy products I can't get enough of in my daily routine that might just stick with me after the 12 days are over. Tending to have higher cholesterol, transitioning into whole grains, healthy fats (oils), and antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables has been a breeze over the past few years and has even been rewarded with little weight losses here and there. Then there's dairy...a complete weakness in every way.
Wish me luck on the challenge! I'll be documenting any mood, energy, and weight changes in a follow up post once it's all over. Take a peek at the
mega vegan shopping trip we made at
Ellwood Thompson's earlier today over on
Tim's blog - be sure to keep up over there for documented updates and recipes we'll be trying.
+++++
In addition to the vegan challenge, this year I'm finding it more important than ever to make time for my family and friends. This time last year, I made the transition from living in Brooklyn, New York back down to my home town of Richmond, Virginia. It's been an incredible journey getting to know my roots again in a new way while working remotely for the company of my dreams.
One thing I am not as proud of is while my life continues to be amazingly busy, I've sometimes let this become an excuse for not making time to spend with those most important to me. I joke that since I've made the move back to Virginia, I haven't
really seen my family and close friends any more than I did while living in New York. Long story short, time to turn that into a joke of the past.
I hope each of you are keeping safe over this New Year's Eve and are looking forward to the possibilities the new year has in store just as much as I am. Would love to get any of your tips, pointers, favorite recipes, and words of advice on the vegan diet.
As cheesy as it may sound, a bouquet of flowers always makes me feel special. Waking up to these couldn't have been a better surprise - not to mention the made from scratch lobster risotto on the Valentine's menu chez Tim this weekend.
-----------------------------
The time away was indulging, grounding, and gave me that sense of renewal in order to gear back up for the busy holiday season both on and off Etsy - what an exciting time of year.
I'd like to give a special thanks to all who have reached out with kind words and advice for Basil. The past few days (and nights) have been so rewarding as he learns his way and is becoming acclimated to the family quicker than we both could have imagined.
One of my favorite indulgences is curling up on the sofa with a glass of red and my latest magazine. I'm the type that likes to read the entire issue in one sitting - it feels like such a treat.
Well it took me two years instead of just the one I had originally hoped to procure that white pumpkin, but oh - how it was worth the wait.
I'm digging the off beat provisions over at Papier Valise this time of year.
I'm spending a lovely evening in baking up a storm while my honey's been cooking a big new year's eve dinner for the two of us. Last year was the first year I had made a New Year's resolution that was not only constructive, but realistically attainable. This year, I'll up the ante from learning 8 new recipes to learning 9 new recipes. I figured there was no better way to get off to a good start then by taking a stab at making cupcakes and frosting from scratch.
I got a cupcake decorating set for Christmas this year (something I've been wanting to play around with) and had the perfect night to sit down and do exactly that. I've never made any baked goods that weren't from a box before, so this was quite a personal feat! I made my favorite kind of cupcake, red velvet, and used this recipe from Paula Deen on the Food Network. Yes, there were 2 whole sticks of "buttah" involved in the making of said cream cheese frosting..."Hey y'all."
The night before January 1st counts as one of my new recipes for the new year, right? Right...only 8 to go!
The designers are Hyun Jin Yoon & Eun Hak Lee. The pocket light is the size of a credit card and can fit in your wallet. It's so clever and I just cant stand the fact that I might not be able to find it. I must have one.
As you can see, I've been carving away in my spare time down here in good old Virginia. These jack o lanterns were a "test" run last night on the front porch. Doesn't everyone do a test run? There's something about lighting up a newly carved pumpkin and just watching them come alive. I don't think that magical feeling will ever leave my bones no matter how old I get. I really wanted to get a white pumpkin this year, but the only one they had left was pretty beat up, so I left it lonely amidst the other big orange ones. There's always next year.
Posts
