Hometown Fest FUN!

Hi Friends!

I hope you all had a safe, fun, and enjoyable 4th of July weekend!  Andrew and I had his step-brother and sister over for Friday through Sunday, so we decided to take them to the Hometown Fest just down the street.  There was a HUGE parade (we stood there for nearly 2 hours watching the floats!), then we had a picnic lunch and walked around the fair.  And, of course, we finished off the night with a Harry Potter movie!  We have been re-watching the movies lately as we will be visiting Universal next week!

Take a look below to see some of the fun things we saw!

A delicious vegan spread of hummus and veggie sandwiches on ciabatta bread with fresh blueberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe!

Below are pictures from our nature walk!  I learned so much and found out that my favorite wild flour, Queen Anne's Lace, is also called wild carrot!!  All these years and I had no clue!

The picture below is actually a wild rose plant!

I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating this weekend!

Weekend Recap Part 1: Planning for July 4th

What a weekend!

I have a weekend recap for you all, plus 3 tips for staying hydrated during next weekend's Independence Day festivities.

Saturday started with a car wash!  If my car could talk, it would say, "Finally!  Thank you for cleaning me up!".  I got the outside of the car nice and shiny, and vacuumed the inside as well.

Then, Andrew and I headed to The Grove for their Heritage Festival.  Many people know of this place because they had a field trip here in elementary school!  It even has a beautiful space called The Redfield Estate in which you can hold events such as weddings and dinner parties!  I can do a whole post on just the wedding planning at this place!  Let me know if this is something you are interested in by leaving a comment below!

While at The Grove, there were volunteers dressed up in mid-18th century clothing and doing reenacting of what it was like to live at this home in its prime.  Below is a man acting as a school teacher.  He asked all of the young boys and girls to behave and even taught them how to bow and courtesy! School was so different back then! (Note the chalk board and iron stove!)

 This is the school house from the outside.  An exact replica, built in 1982 that could have up to 33 children from grades 1 through 8 learning at the same time!

The day started to get very warm, so Andrew and I decided to cool off with a snack of fresh juicy watermelon under the shade of a tree.  Delish!  Note the multiple napkins...I still had loads of watermelon juice all over my face!

While at The Grove, we learned to march Civil War-style, dipped candles, saw how to make linen from flax, and simply walked the grounds enjoying the sun.  Whether or not you have kids, if you enjoy history and learning, this place is for you!  I really wish I would have made a candle, but there were too many kids at the time and I've made my own taper candle before...

To keep this post form getting too long, I will stop here.  Be on the look out for part 2 coming soon!

 

My top 4 Fourth of July Healthy Eating tips!

Hi friends!  As I mentioned yesterday, I am here today to share with you some tips on making this Independence Day one that your body and mind will thank you for!

Celebrations are about having fun and sharing good times and traditions with friends and family.  It is important to enjoy your favorite foods, but do so in a mindful manner.  Here's a few suggestions on my favorite recipe swaps.  I bring these foods to all family gatherings and most of the time, no one knows they are even vegan!

Note:  I am not trying to push a plant-based diet on anyone, these just so happen to be to my liking (vegan), but also offer some great health benefits.  Most plant-based foods are high in fiber, low in fat, and loaded with vitamins and minerals; which are good for keeping your heart healthy, stable blood sugar, healthy cholesterol levels, and so much more.

My top 4 swaps:

1. BBQ- instead of the high fat, high sugar BBQ most of us know, you can get a similar taste and effect by swapping the meat for tofu, jackfruit, or even stewed carrots!  I know it sounds weird, but check out this recipe by the Minimalist Baker!!  Sounds and looks so good!!!
1. As a bonus, she even makes her own slaw which is another common high fat/sodium/sugar food if not prepared in a mindful way.
2. Potato Salad-  This one is tricky because potatoes are super healthy!!  But add in the mayonnaise and salt, and you've got an artery-clogging mess.  Might taste good, but your body will not be thanking you.  Instead of weighing down this dish with mayo, use mashed avocados or pureed young coconut meat to keep that same creamy taste and texture but with added health benefits.
3. Ice Cream- For the same reasons as above, ice cream is very high in fat and added sugar.  If you do want a cold, creamy treat without the heft, try a fruit sorbet, or make your own fruit pops with fresh fruit, a little water or juice, and blend it with avocado or coconut for an extra creamy treat!  (Let me know in the comments if you'd want some of these recipes!) 
4. Corn on the cob- Once again, corn is a very healthy food!!  When buying corn, look for organic or Non-GMO, and get to know your local farmers!  Corn is a hot topic these days and from my point of view, its better to lean towards the "natural" growing methods than the more modern versions.  Be mindful with this food as well, though, because adding loads of butter and salt opposes all the wonderful benefits corn has to offer your body.  Once again, rubbing avocado on the corn and sprinkling with unsalted chili powder is one of my faves!!

Alright, well that's all I have for you for today!  Remember to check out yesterday's post and leave a comment letting me know what you think my new name should be!

Much love and happy eating!