Vegetarian Thanksgiving and CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!!

First, my mouth is still killing me. I think I'm having a reaction to the sutures and I am not liking it. Second, WOW!! Thanksgiving is this week! Where did my November go? I mean really now! Suddenly I have absolutely no time! Well, we are having a completely Vegetarian Thanksgiving this year. A first....ever. No Turkey will be harmed just because we want to celebrate how thankful we are. I am thankful for all those Turkeys that will be spared this year because people are waking up! I'd make this a Vegan Thanksgiving, but my skills are not good enough for that yet.

Speaking of Vegan, I think I have pretty much solved the issue as far as been a cheese-a-holic. We went to this little Vegan diner in Fort Worth the other day called Spiral Diner & Bakery. We'd been meaning to go and just never made it there up till now. This was right after I had my mouth done so I needed mushy(still do unfortunately). I ordered the Tofu Scramble and the Butternut Squash soup. Great combo, huh? Man, being on an almost liquid diet, this was just what the doctor(or dentist) ordered. It was fabulous! The flavor of both was very nice on my palette and really hit the spot after eating nothing but yogurt for 2 days. I also had a strawberry banana smoothie made with Almond milk. To be honest, I was afraid of that. I know people have said they prefer Almond milk over soy, but I was skeptical. No longer am I so. I was impressed COMPLETELY! Hubby had the Philly Cheez steak sandwich made with seitan and Daiya cheez. That's where my cheese solution comes in. I asked him what kind they were using after I tried it and they said that they are now using Daiya since it is now available via wholesale to retailers such as themselves. Well, there ya go! That will be my cheez of choice. It was absolutely wonderful! I mean the texture, the flavor, it was CHEESE, just not. My cheese problem solved by Daiya! YAY!!!

So, I'm thinking I might post some Thanksgiving recipes on here this week. Share all of the goodies that I plan to make come Thursday and then take plenty of pictures on Thanksgiving day. We will see as I just signed on a couple of really great clients and I need to feed my amazon habit. We all know I don't step out the door to go shopping on Black Friday. All those awesome deals people want to kill each other for are pretty much available online! HAHAHA

Well, till later, LIVE, LAUGH, and LOVE!!
Amy

OUCH!!

Ok, so after years and years of bad teeth, I have finally taken the plunge. Yesterday, I went in and had 16 teeth removed; 14 on top, 2 on bottom. I also got my temporary set of dentures. I went in last Friday(or was it Thursday?) and had the check up, they told me how much it would cost, and they did the impressions. At that point, I paid for everything up front that way I was less likely to actually NOT show up and, well, Alan wouldn't let me not go anyway. I've been looking forward to this for quite some time but, currently, I HURT!! The bleeding has ceased so that is good. I have sutures that I have to go in and have them removed next week. Then go in the next week after that for the 2 week checkup and all that.

It took so long for me to have this done as back 5 years or so ago when I went to the dentist to get them fixed(instead of removed), the guy had the nerve to ask if I was a meth head. Sitting right there with his hand in my mouth! I was completely thrown aback as I have never done a drug in my life. I walked out and hadn't been back into a dentist since that day. Probably not the smartest move, but I just couldn't bring myself to go back at that point. I was all willing to spend $26,000 back then to keep my own teeth and I found one of the true jerks out there to go to evidently.

Well, when I walked into Denture and Dental Services in Arlington, Tx last week, I was completely blown away! The people are absolutely awesome. They get you in and they never once talked down to me. And, out of every dentist I've ever been too, they are the first to say that YES, bad teeth ARE hereditary(as proven by the fact that I have generations of people in mine with the SAME problems). So, they made me feel so comfortable that I set up the procedure for yesterday and will continue to go with them for ALL of my dental needs. They are truly the absolute best!!

Ok, so, I've got a million and one things to get accomplished today still. It hurts to talk, I can't eat much of anything(soup is my friend) and I'm really sleepy, but I really like the smile. I'd forgotten what that looked and felt like and my husband had never actually seen me smile EVER. He's liking it a lot I'd say. Still haven't seen the kids but will see them in the morning when we make the 2 hour drive back home.

Well, have to sign off now, but until later, LIVE, LAUGH, and LOVE!!
Amy

This is NOT a sponsored post of any kind. Just me and my rambling and the recommendation that anyone in the Arlington, Tx area who needs dental work needs to go to Denture and Dental Services!

"Bacon" recommendation, Vege hubby(?) and vent about my neighborhood Walmart

Ok, so I picked up a couple different kinds of cheese and am going to be trying them out. I've also found a new recipe tonight so I will have pictures and recipe coming sooN!!

Well, a few changes have, in my world, gone a little crazy. First off, 10 year old daughter insisted on seeing the video Earthlings which has brought her an entirely new perspective. She is now more aware of the things she puts in her body. She's not gone full veg as the pork chops someone made the other day called to her(ugh), but it's a MAJOR step in the right direction. And, you know what, that's not even the crazy part! Let's discuss my meat eating, carnivorous husband who hasn't eaten meat in like a week now!! I mean, WOW!!! And he's doing it not just for me, he's doing it for himself and the world around him too! I am absolutely flabbergasted!! He thought that Vegan food would be yucky, but so far he's been nothing but impressed so we are off to an awesome start there!

Which brings me to a new question in regards to everyone's favorites and suggestions. Hubby loves Bacon. He wants to do this bacon explosion thing he saw on YouTube but we are looking into Vegan alternatives to that.

What would you say is the best Vegan "bacon" out there? While I'm asking, what about the "sausage"? These are 2 things that even back in the day I could only eat if I was "in the mood" so I am not the best judge on this. If you have ideas and comments on the different varieties, that would be great. I could pick up a couple different ones and he can have a pre-(no)bacon explosion taste test! And I could post the results right here!

I'm making another trip to Whole Foods in the next week or so(that place is absolutely AWESOME!!). There are so many different things to try. I walk in there and I feel like a kid in a candy store. Now if only the closest one was 80+ miles away, it would be even better. I do have to say that our HEB Plus store(only 40 miles away) has a great variety and I have been pleasantly pleased there. Our Walmart in Hillsboro, Tx(12 miles away) is well, CRAP!! The prices are a good 10% or more higher than any other Walmart within 300+ miles and they have no selection of anything! When asked about why the prices were higher than the Walmarts just 25, 30, and 40 miles away, the guy flat out told me(his words) that they have no competition and therefore will charge whatever they want. So much for being super! They can kiss my butt. The money I save by driving a half hour rather than 10 minutes beats having to deal with that jack@$$ and his screwed up way of thinking!! How exactly is that going to bring him customers? I've made it my life goal to send everyone to Waco, Corsicana, or Cleburne instead of Hillsboro. At one point, regular milk there was $4.50 a gallon and everywhere else in our radius was $2.29 or $1.99. At the time, milk was a major deal for us, going thru 2 gallons a day. Now we have milk for some, soymilk for some, and you know what?!? Hillsboro, Tx Walmart isn't going to be profiting in any way as we bought that in WACO!! So, HAH!!! Someone needs to tell that guy to get with the program!

Wow, not sure where that vent came from, but boy do I feel better! HEHE!

Back to work. I've got several clients that one things done TODAY!!

Talk to you soon. Till then, Live, Laugh, and Love

Cheese please?

Ok, so since removing myself from the whole meat eating fiasco some people prefer, I have actually never felt better. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I may only be one person but how much meat does one person generally eat in their lifetime? The only answer is TOO MUCH! Myself and my vegetarian 3 yr old will do what we can to fight for the rights of everything living thing on this planet(minus the fly that kept trying to land on my eyeball this morning and refused to go out the window and eventually committed suicide by vegan").

So, I'm on a quest and I need people's suggestions. I have always been a big huge cheese person and that is still my big weakness. My question to my readers is what kind of Vegan cheese do you prefer and why? I have done a lot of research and there are so many different kinds and different styles and I am at a loss.

Any help on this would be a huge deal for me! Also, any recipes you want to share would be great too! I'm fighting a strong desire to cook knowing that today I just don't have time with things to do for my clients and the Fall Festival for the kids at school and my house needs a major cleaning, but hey, I WANT TO COOK! Don't I always get what I want? Well, no, but I can try. :)

Ok, there are phone calls to be made and things to be cleaned and I still have to figure out what I am wearing tonight so I will end this here. But be assured that I will be doing some cooking tomorrow and pictures will follow! You've been warned! LOL

I look forward to hearing from you!

Till then, Live, Laugh, and Love!!
Amy

Late as usual

Ok, well, so of course I'm getting a late start to my posting for the Vegan Mofo 2009! It's what I do, don't ya know! LOL.

Ok, well, the last few weeks for my family have been quite interesting. They are not taking to the idea of going Vegan well at all. I get the doesn't this burger look good thing or "mmmm, meat!" alot. That's partially my fault as I can't bring myself to show the kids the Earthlings video. It affected me so much but they are young. Are they too young? I know that it would be good for them to see, but at what age do you show something like that? Particularly to a bunch of omnivores who have really known no other way?

My husband is pretty much a lost cause. He says that he has no problem with it and will eat whatever I fix, but to not expect him to run out to the Arby's. We went to Chipotle the other day and here I am ordering a vege burrito and Mr I-Have-No-Respect walks up to the poor little girl and asks for a cow burrito. I mean the look on her face said it all. Jaw dropped, sad look in her face, she really truly reminded me of that one particular cow in that movie that stays with me every minute of every day. I wanted to hurt him. It was cruel and showed how big a jackass some people can be.

I got into a philosophical debate with my nanny's boyfriend the other day as well. Trying to explain things and show him WHY is pretty much a lost cause. He's 19, from a small town, and an Xbox junky. Need I say more? Well, he says he goes by what the Bible says about it. I calmly explained that the Bible is completely subjective and should in no way be leaned on for anything(sorry folks). It was written by humans and therefore in no way explains how things should be for Earthlings. If it had been written by a cow, would it say it was ok to eat humans? NO, it wouldn't. Cows don't eat MEAT!! They do nothing to harm anyone else on this planet! And that goes for most, if not all, animals that the human race uses as dinner! It's something to think about and if I can get just one person to just think about it, maybe I can do some good.

If anyone should have any ideas on what to do about the kids, that would be fabulous. Do I share the video or do I just keep going as I'm going and gradually "fix" things with their diets? What age would you say is right to show that video? I want them to see, to understand, but I don't want to damage them.

On a brighter note, I fixed what the family says was a pretty good meal. See the picture above. It's not the best picture in the world but for being a camera phone(my 14 yr old trashed ours during one of her fits before getting sent to live with her sister). Plus its not the best lighting in my itsy bitsy kitchen but you will get an idea of it.

I just started throwing things in so no recipe to share but I can give you a list of ingredients.

EVOO
pesto
zucchini
summer squash
mushrooms
diced jalepeno
garlic
splash of italian dressing
splash of tabasco
whatever pasta you prefer

Do whatever you like with the ingredients. Want more of something, add it. Want none of something? Remove it. I was just throwing in what was in the fridge. I like to experiment. Will I be able to get it "just right" ever again? Probably not but that leads to more experimenting! :)

Well, I have a couple of tests to take for school so I best be getting to that. Plus I have no idea what we are having for dinner yet and I've got a few things to do for clients so I'd best be getting to it.

Till next time, LIVE, LAUGH, and LOVE to the fullest!
Amy

So Majestic!

I'm browsing around researching a potential client and found the most amazing tapestries at TheTapestryHouse.com. The Wildlife ones are gorgeous! Go check out the elephant one, or the lions. They are so majestic! You can see them at TheTapestryHouse.com. I have to get back to work now. I lost an hour already just browsing through that website. YIKES!

Hey Twitter folks!!

Hey, sign up to SponsoredTweets and make some money tweeting! http://bit.ly/10Vivq

New Vege Lifestyle

Well, meat is now history for me! I watched a video that has pretty much turned me off forever. I mean, WOW!! Hubby doesn't understand it but he hasn't seen the video. I figure out 3 yr old vegetarian had seen it in the womb or something as if you try to put meat on his plate, he eats around it. I always thought he had issues with being picky but turns out he knew something already that I didn't.

I will be participating in VeganMOFO III next month. This will give me a chance to try out all the new recipes and whatnot that I have been wanting to try. Will have digital camera in hand to experience the joys of kids(and hubby's) faces as we remind ourselves that mom probably shouldn't be in the kitchen! lol

I will also be heading more into the Vegan rather than the Vegetarian. What they do to dairy cows and chickens is appalling and I don't want to be any part of it. I will test out a new something or another on a regular basis and give my honest, probably to opinionated opinion on it. Its my blog so if I hate it, you will definitely know it. Let's hope that is not the case.

I am still on my coffee hunt too. I tried the Starbucks DoubleShot Espresso & Cream awhile back and still haven't had a chance to update on that. Did you know that it does not have Caffeine listed as an ingredient? LOL

Ok, well, have lots of work to do today so will talk to y'all later! Till then...Live, Laugh, and Love!

Amy

Wow, I've been busy....

Ok, well, good news! That bad day only lasted one day and perked right up. I have so much going on that I had no choice but to get back to life. Working through Elance has true been a blessing for me and my family. Not just in the money it brings in, but also the fact that it gives my mind something to concentrate on when I need it the most. I am currently bogged down with it though. Working 10-12 or more hours a day, 7 days a week plus trying to keep up on school work, kids, and life in general. BUT, I am going to get my teeth fixed, I am going to get me an uber fast computer, and if hubby gets his crap together and gets the stuff done that I gave him to do and continues to help over the next few months, he gets to open a car lot. Yeah, yeah, we live in a town of 300 but he has a good concept. Cheap, ugly cars that RUN. No money down, no credit check, no payments! You are not going to find a brand new Chevy Aveo or anything of the sort, but you will get something you can afford and that will get you where you need to go without breaking the bank and without having that problematic car payment each and every month for years.

So, anyway, between work and the darts game I am now addicted too(see Dartse.com, I am busy busy busy and loving every minute of it!

Hope everyone is well. Drop me a line and say hi! And, as always, Live, Laugh, and Love!

Amy

Going to be a bad day....

Ok, well, some of you know that I am bi-polar and that I have my ups and downs like most people but mine are ups and downs on steroids or crack or something. The cool part about that is no matter whether I am up or down, I thrive on my business side. It's a place to focus and over-achieve I suppose, but really, the more stressed I am, the better I am. My personal ups and downs aren't nice at all though and they can be extreme. You also know that there have been some happenings in my life over the last 3 years that do not help matters any, some being too recent to just forgive although I am trying. Recently, I'm fighting a lot to keep my down times to a minimum. It's not easy based on what I am dealing with in my personal life and none of it is in my control which is never a good thing as far as me personally goes. Control is what has kept me off medication. It is a MUST and when other people mess with that because they "can't help it", I "can't help" but wonder why I subject myself to it and all the other things that I have put up with over the years. No normal person would. Hey, I have an excuse. I'm already messed up and, even before I was diagnosed, people thought I was not quite normal. How many 5 years olds do you know who can quote Shakespeare? Hmmmm... I just need to deal with everything so here I am mouthing off in my blog. It's my blog, so I can say what I want, right? I will get over the fact that other people's actions are very hurtful and sometimes it's really hard to get passed that hurt. I really REALLY am trying but with almost painful results. It will get better. It always does.

Anyway, today is going to be a bad day. I already slept(if you can call it that)half the day away. I've got my music on helping me deal with it. To me, some songs express my feelings for me when I can't. They help me work through things. I listen to them in my headphones so as to keep it to myself most of the time as it really doesn't help anyone but me.

So, on my playlist today:
Always ~ Bon Jovi
Tell Her ~ Lonestar
When She Cries ~ Restless Heart
Can I Trust You With My Heart ~ Travis Tritt
Anymore ~ Travis Tritt
Best of Intentions ~ Travis Tritt
Live Like You Were Dying ~ Tim McGraw
A Perfectly Good Heart ~ Taylor Swift
I Knew I Loved You ~ Savage Garden
Good As I Was To You ~ Lorrie Morgan
I'm the fool in love with a fool ~ LeeAnn Womack
Maybe he'll notice her now ~ Lonestar and Trisha Yearwood
She Wouldn't Be Gone ~ Blake Shelton
To Make You Feel My Love ~ Garth Brooks

Well, that is a partial list. Like I said, bad day. Travis Tritt is my friend. lol. You'd think those who cause the hurt over and over again which lead to the bad days would be more apt to comfort and do everything it takes to prevent it to begin with but I will handle it on my own like I always do. Things have changed though. The nightmares are back and I can't silence them. Sleep is unrestful and it's all getting the best of me. We will see what the days have in store I suppose.

Back to work....I have a million and one things to do for my clients this week still. I just needed to rant a bit and have a conversation with, well, me I suppose. Luckily I have work to keep my mind and heart from racing.

Remember, no matter what, Live, Laugh, and LOVE!
Amy