The #1 Vegan Question "What do you eat?"

The number one question I get about going vegan is, "What do you eat?" Glad you asked! But before I go on, I'll let you know that my son and I are 85-10-5ers. I came up with that one...maybe I should coin the term before someone else takes it...but anyway, that means that 85% of the year we're vegan (roughly 292 days), 10% vegetarian (able to eat eggs and dairy-56 days), and 5% omnivore (able to eat meat--saved for special occasions and traveling--19 days). Let me say that I have NO DESIRE for turkey for Thanksgiving but mac and cheese will be a must (maybe because Daiya's Mac & Cheese if LIFE). We are 3 months in and a lifetime to go!

Ok, what do we eat (just a few because there are so many more)...
Vegetable stir fry  (eggplant, yellow, orange, and red bell peppers, onions, broccoli, mini corn, carrots, spring peas) with brown rice -- My lunch today :)
Pasta and Sauces...sometimes with vegan meatballs other times with vegan sausage and sometimes with veggies
Salad w/ Japanese Ginger Dressing
Tacos and Burritos - Beefy crumbles, vegan cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa
Curried potatoes and chickpeas
Falafel and quinoa with hummus and veggies
Black bean  burger w/cheese (vegan)
Daiya or Annie's Mac and cheese (vegan)
Mushroom stroganoff
Gardein Chikn strips
Pancakes w/maple and veggie sausage
Daiya Supreme or Amy's Cheese Pizza (vegan)
Tofu nuggets
Twice baked baked potatoes
Mashed potatoes (made with Smart Balance buttery spread and Almond milk)
Lentil Soup w/Harissa sauce
Quinoa salad  with salsa verde, corn and black beans (got that on Facebook)
Chili (w/Beefy crumbles made of pea protein or no meat at all just lots of different types of  beans)
Cereal w/almond milk
Oatmeal
Hash browns
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cinnamon rolls
Ben & Jerry's non-dairy ice cream
Tofurky Deli Slices Sandwich w/Chips
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
Fruits
Smoothies
And much much more...

"But do you eat out?" Yes!
CAVA (absolute fave)
Chipotle (always a fave)
Genghis Grill
Panera
Carrabas
Whole Foods
Anywhere!

Don't just "go vegan" read a book and/or do research (or ask me) because you'll have to take a B12 supplement and you'll want to make sure you're getting enough of what your body needs with this new lifestyle. You'll be full all the time because you have to eat so much ;)  Seriously!

Recipes coming soon...

On the Road to a New Decade: Day 1

For the next 28 days on my rode to a new decade, I will take at least 20 minutes to do exactly what I want to do. This morning, I picked up one of my favorite breakfasts: Panera Bread Asiago Cheese Bagel. Tomorrow, I have no idea what I'm going to do, but whatever I decide to do, it's going to be exactly what I want to do...for at least 20 minutes.  Stay tuned...

Friday Night Menu

Am I only one who's in love with budget-restrained, straight-to-DVD theatrical gems that you find on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix? I can't be! Though the editing is terrible at times, there's too much music during dialogue, the sound quality is shoddy, and some of the acting is lackluster, I must say that the story lines are amazing. And, if given the right amount of training and the proper financial backing, some of these stories would be ones that people would be talking about for many years to come.

I found myself enjoying stories about relationships gone bad, relationships going well, and everything in between. They delve into personal struggle topics like health and mental wellness. Convoluted relationships are stretched beyond anything we could imagine. There are fairy tale endings, tragic endings, and endings that leave you wanting more--by design or by accident. There are actors you can tell have NEVER acted before as well as familiar faces. There are story lines that have little holes in them but you give them a pass because at the very least they are trying to create art that they feel passionate about.

Like I said, if given the correct backing and creative honing, some of these movies would be GREAT. Below is a list of some great stories that I think you would enjoy. You have to get past the fact that sometimes you won't be able to hear what they are saying one moment  because the soundtrack is drowning out the dialogue. Then, there may be sound effects that are blasting loudly the next moment. You'll have to work through listening through the hum of the microphone in addition to awkward camera angles. But, if you can just cut through the aesthetic blunders and the imprint of a novice or low budget production--yet, there are some that have quality up to par to movies in theaters--and get to the story line and plot which at some times might be confusion--but deliciously so--you would really be able to enjoy what I love about these low-budget, highly passionate movies.

With that said, if you have nothing else to do on a Friday night (or any time) and you want to be immersed into a story line that you may not have thought of before with a varying perspective, take a look at a few of the movies below. Some of them are shorter than others so you can get in and out real fast. And some are a little bit longer. Some have familiar faces in them; some of them don't.  There are quite a few beautiful and handsome faces with equally appealing bodies to match so you will find yourself hunting on Google to find out where else you can catch these actors in action. Some of the movies have way too much music during dialogue and for me that got on my nerves. I kept asking myself, "why are they playing music right now? I'm trying to listen to what the people are saying!" Some of them, the music is wonderfully placed.  So, give them a whirl and let me know what you think in the comments below!

Netflix
November Rule (2015) 94 min *perfect...to me
My Favorite Five (2015) 92 min *funny
The Last Fall (2012) 95 min  *snacks
Sister Code (2015) 94 min *unexpected twists

Amazon Prime Video
Truth Unspoken (2012) 76 min *deliciously convoluted
Hopelessly in June (2011) *too much music but very cute story
Jump In (2014) 80 min *focus on the story line because everything else is a distraction
Miss Dial (2013) 88 min *once you're hooked in, you'll want to know what happens 

Curvy Girl Satisfaction

I love to shop. I've loved to shop ever since I was a little girl. While frustrating at times due to my fluffy nature, I still LOVED TO SHOP. The challenge of finding cute close in my size allowed me to play with looks and be creative with styling. "Jeans fit my hips, but not my waist? No problem, I'll layer it with a fun jacket and a long fitted tee." So imagine my horror when I read this study from 2009: "Only thin women enjoy shopping, claims study ."

They purport that body image is tied to shopping satisfaction. But, that is not necessarily true. What came first the chicken or the egg? That's the true problem. Is a person's body image distorted because fashionable clothing options are not readily available? Wouldn't it be safe to say that a person's body image would improve if there was diversity in models, mannequins, and displays? The perspective that the study uses is distorted because they're not curvy or as they enjoy espousing during the whole article, FAT.


As we've seen recently, the varied shapes and sizes of models and actresses in the media and in film, have opened a gateway of body positivity that will not go back. Options for ways to accentuate curves--not hide or "camouflage" them--are flooding stores and online. To the study's credit, it is about 8 years old and suggests at the conclusion that the study should "prompt shop owners and clothing designers to provide a more positive experience for women of all sizes visiting their stores." What I don't like is the fact that I have always enjoyed shopping and have never been "thin."  I am now on a mission to encourage women who don't like shopping because of their body image--not those who just hate shopping...period--step out of the negativity and enjoy adorning those curves! It's a great time to be a curvy girl. Curves are a commanding force on the runways during fashion weeks (i.e. Ashley Graham in Michael Kors), on magazine covers, in movies, strolling the red carpets, and sitting at a desk or in a chair reading this blog right now!

With bloggers posting dressing room confidential videos and plus size boutiques offering personal shopping services, the sky is the limit to your curvy fashion possibilities! So there...you old study! We're just as happy shopping as our slimmer counterparts. And we'll express this happiness by supporting the businesses that support us and make sure we can continue to boost our positive self images in fashions we adore!

Oscar Party Planning Made Easy

Do you miss all the holiday parties that allowed you dress up and look amazing as you danced the night away? Well, it is awards season and it is very simple to get dolled up and entertain. Here are a few Oscar Party ideas...well, any award party idea. Golden Globes, the Grammys, etc.

Plan a dinner party!
You have everything you need to have a fun dinner party before viewing an awards show. Don't worry about everyone's new diet and exercise resolutions. Make low cal delicious eats.

Pick up some boneless chicken, Campbell's Skillet Creations, multigrain pasta, bagged salad, Lite Northern Italian Ken's Dressing, and parfait makings (yogurt, fruit, and granola).

Follow the directions on the Campbell's Skillet Creations packet. Bring your water to a boil and add pasta. Cook pasta for 10 minutes. Strain and rinse after 10 minutes and set aside in a serving bowl. Choose your favorite bagged salad and place in a bowl. Add craisins, chopped nuts, cucumbers, and/or tomatoes to make the salad creative. Toss the dressing in the salad and finish with cracked pepper.  Lastly, prepare parfaits and store in the fridge for your party before the event. You can use yogurt or fat free cool whip, fresh or frozen fruits, and top with granola for a crunch. If people would like to munch during the show, make a dip with the remainder of the yogurt and set out left over veggies or baked pita chips.

Plan a cocktail party!
Ahhh, the chic cocktail party is easier than you think. It's all about the decor and the drinks of course.
The great thing about cocktail parties is that all you need are appetizers.  Here are a few ideas...

Popcorn poppers - microwave butter popcorn, ice cream caramel, chopped nuts
Pop microwave popcorn and pour into a bowl. Squeeze caramel over the popcorn while tossing the popcorn. Sprinkle chopped nuts while tossing the sticky popcorn. Grab a handful and form into a ball and set on wax or parchment paper to harden.

Alton Brown's Spinach Artichoke Dip - Add thawed cocktail shrimp and colby jack cheese to the top. Pop it in the oven until the cheese bubbles. Serve with baked tortilla chips or veggie chips.

Shrimp Cocktail - Serve with Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce

Mini Steak Kabobs - Broil New York Strip Steak then cube. Toss whole baby portebella mushrooms, grape tomatoes, and coursely chopped onions and peppers in olive oil in a skillet for no more than 5 minutes. Using small skewers, place a cube of steak, peppers, onions, tomato and half a mushroom. Serve with ranch dressing.

The drinks....
Wine and Champagne always work!
But for more of a mixed drinks crowd:

Absolut Winner
1 shot Absolut Mandrin
8 oz Ruby Red and Tangerine
1 shot of Sprite or Sparkling White Wine
Garnish with a lime slice and a cherry
(Non-alcoholic: No Vodka or Wine)

Best Actor
1 shot Tequila
1 shot Grand Marnier
6 oz orange juice
2 oz Sweet and Sour Mix

Best Picture 
1 shot Tequila
1 shot Gin
Blood Orange Pelligrino

Top each of these drinks with ice and serve up the fun!

Don't forget to have a dress code! Get your guests to pull out their after five, cocktail frocks and suits to make your event an upscale memorable event. Want to buy something new? Shop looks on Amazon and Ebay for great prices and quick shipping!