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!

 

Top 3 Mother's Day Ideas!!

Happy May!!

With Mother's Day being just around the corner, I thought I'd share some fun ways to celebrate all mothers.

It is important to note here that moms come in many shapes and forms.  Here are just three of the types of moms I have met in my life:

• Best Friend's Mom- This is when you and your best friend are so close, it is like you share moms.
• College Mom- This is not a sorority-type, but that teacher or boss (you know who you are!!) whom you spend every day with sharing stories, learning, and growing.  During the college years, you find this person, not as a replacement, but as a rock for you to be supported on while your mom is miles away.
• Mom Mom- This is the woman who raised you.  Whether she gave birth to you, adopted you, or simply raised you as her own, this woman knows every thing bout you.  She was probably there for many milestones in your life.  

All of these types of mothers help to raise stubborn kids into outstanding adults.  They make sure you are taken care of, well fed, and show respect.  These moms make you feel strong and secure in the person you are becoming.  They show you so much love, it sometimes makes you want to cry.  

These women are strong, dedicated, under-appreciated, and loving all at the same time.  

You know your mom better than anyone else.  So, this Mother's Day, show her how much you appreciate her by doing something a little different:

• Instead of taking her to brunch, surprise her by making breakfast!
• Instead of buying her yet another piece of jewelry, take her to a garden and spend the whole day walking, talking, and admiring the beautiful flowers.
• Instead of buying a card, write her a poem or a simple note telling her how much she means to you.

Remember, it is not the size or dollar amount of the gift, but the thought that goes into the gift that counts.  And hand-made or donation-based (i.e. donating to a charity in her name) gifts are always welcome.

What are you doing for your Mom this Mother's Day? Let me know in the comments!

P.S. Here's an adorable shot of our tortoise!  If you've been following the blog for awhile, you will see how big she's gotten.  She now loves to climb out of her tank, or even on top of the lights!!

25 Days of Bloggging- Day 13: Omisoka

Hi friends!

Today's festival is a very important holiday in Japan because it marks the end of an old year and the eve of the new. 

At 11pm on this evening, family and friends gather to have a bowl of toshikoshi-soba (年越しそば) or toshikoshi-udon (年越しうどん).  This tradition relates to the association in which long noodles representing a crossing over from one year to the next. 

Before we get on to the recipe, I just want to let you all know that tomorrow is the last festival post as I am having a hard time finding more.  If you know of a winter holiday/festival that I have not yet covered, please leave a comment below and I will be sure to include it in the 25 Days of Blogging series!!

Now, onto the recipe!:

Ingredients:
Noodle soup
1.5l dashi stock (the base used for miso soup- can contain fish, so although not traditional, you can substitute vegetable stock)
200ml soy sauce
100ml mirin
1tbsp sugar
300ml tsuyu (optional)

Noodles
200g soba buckwheat noodles
100g spring onions
20g tempura flakes

Recipe and Picture Link

Directions:

1. In a large pan, make your dashi stock. Next, add the mirin and simmer gently for a few minutes. Now add the sugar and let it dissolve before adding the soy sauce. This makes the soup for your soba noodles.
2. In separate pan bring 1l of water to the boil. Add the soba, stir them slightly to make sure they’re all spread out around the pot. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for around 8 minutes. Cooking times may vary depending on your noodles, so check the instructions on the packet.
   
3. Drain the noodles and rinse them in cold water, gently rubbing the noodles to remove any excess starch on the surface. Next, thinly slice the spring onions and any other garnishes.
4. Gently re-heat the stock and pour into bowls, then add the noodles and garnish with your spring onions and tempura flakes.

25 Days of Blogging- Day 10: Boxing Day

Hi Friends!

I am getting used to this daily blogging thing!  I hope you are all enjoying reading it as much as I am researching and writing it!!  Please leave a comment for me, letting me know your favorite post thus far.  I really love getting comments...they make my whole day!!

Now, on to today's festival:  Boxing Day!  This celebration traditionally follows the day after Christmas (so December 26th on the Gregorian calendar), when servants and tradesmen would receive gifts known, as a Christmas box, from their employers.

This tradition began as early as the Middle Ages and is still a custom in some countries including Canada, Australia, England, and Ireland.

I could not find many recipes for this holiday, as it revolves around giving a gift.  So here's my gift to you:   

 5 people who subscribe to either this blog or my main website will receive a signed copy of my book, Medieval Feats and Marvelous Treats!!

25 Days of Blogging- Day 6: St. Lucia Day

Hi Friends!

Today's festival is a Swedish tradition celebrated on December 13th.  St. Lucia's Day comes from stories told by the Monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden.  More of the traditions of this holiday come from the story, rather than food (but there is a good recipe I'll share with you!)

The story goes like this:
Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred in 304 AD.  She would secretly bring food to persecuted Christians in Rome.  In order to keep her hands free to carry things, she would wear candles on her head.
In today's world, Lucia is celebrated by a girl wearing a white dress with a red sash around her waist and a crown of candles on her head.  The crown is made of lingonberry branches to symbolize new life in winter.

A popular dish eaten are Lussekatts, which are St. Lucia's Day buns flavored with saffron and dotted with raisins and to be eaten at breakfast.

Recipe and Picture Link

This recipe is from Sweden, so the measurements are by weight and not in volume measurements...

Ingredients:

• 150g dairy free butter
• 500ml dairy free milk
• 50g dry yeast
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1g saffron powder
• 1.3L plain flour
• raisins or sultanas

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 250C/ 480 degrees F
2. Melt the butter and add the milk to it. Heat until warm with the saffron (37C / 98F)
3. Dissolve the yeast with the milk/butter liquid in a big bowl. Add salt, sugar and around 2/3 of the plain flour.
4. Work the dough until shiny and add more of the flour as needed; saving 1-2dl (½-3/4cup) for the rolling of the dough later on. 
5. Sprinkle with flour and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Leave to rise in room temperature with out a drag until the dough has doubled in size. (approx. 45-60min)
6. Once your dough has risen, put it on a floured work bench and cut into 30-40 pieces.
7. Roll each piece into a sausage shape as thick as a finger and shape into the classic lussekatt-shape. (or shape of your choice, but remember that size will effect how long it has to be baked.)
8. Place evenly on oven trays with baking paper and leave to rise until they almost double in size.
9. Brush with dairy free milk and gently push a raisin/sultana in each swirl on the buns.
10. Bake each tray in the middle of the pre-heated oven for 8-10 minutes. Until just golden.
11. Enjoy your Swedish Saffron Buns.

I hope you enjoy and don't forget to check out The Vegan Swedes, where I found this recipe!!

25 Days of Blogging- Day 5: Fiesta of Our Lady Guadalupe

Hi friends!

Today's festival is a Mexican-Catholic holiday beginning the week before December 12th.  Celebrations go all the way to the eve of December 12th, when the height of the celebration happens.  On this day, conchero dancers gather in the atrium of the church Basilica of Ville Madero.  Here, there is dancing, music, and singing to honor the Señora de Guadalupe.

 One of the many traditional recipes enjoyed on this day (December 12th) is Sopa de Espinaca (Spinach Soup).  This traditional soup has an additional special ingredient...macaroni noodles!


Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb spinach
• 1/4 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1.2 onion, minced
• 1/2 can tomato paste
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Boil the spinach and macaroni separately, then rinse and drain. 
2. Brown the onions in oil, then add the tomato sauce.  Stir and let simmer for 2 minutes, then add the broth.  
3. Bring the mixture to a boil and add the macaroni.
4. Add spinach and simmer 5 minutes.  
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve!

Murderer Mystery Party Recap

Hi friends!

If you follow me in Instagram, you may know that Andrew and I hosted a Harry Potter themed murder mystery dinner party this past weekend!

We rented a historic farmhouse from the 1830's and everyone came in character!  Not everyone is pictured here, but starting from the top right, we have Mad Eye Moody, Bellatrix Lestrange (Me), Narcissa Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Ginny Weasley (Kristin), Tonks, and Hermione Granger!

So, besides sharing a whole lot of fun pictures, I am going to let you in on a little secret...How I planned this whole event!  (Hint:  it was quite extensive, much like a small wedding, but you definitely don't have to go as big as I did, but you can definitely do more if you are so inclined as well!!)

Step 1:  Choose your theme and create characters.  I did a Harry Potter themed party, so if you would like to see my characters and their background story, email me and I can send it your way.

Step 2:  Figure out how in depth you want to go with decorations.  Do you want to go all out?  Or would you rather keep it simple?  Once you decide, gather your ideas and get creative!

Step 3: Create your invites.  Depending on your personal style/preference, this may be the most complicated part; well at least it was for me.  I wanted the card to read as though Bellatrix herself were writing the invitation, so I had to get into character in order to do so.  Then, I created the card using Lucidpress on Google.  On the invite, I included the following:

• Itinerary and address for the evening
• A picture and description of the character assigned
• A themed dish to bring
• A few paragraphs for the invite in which I explained the rules and expectations of the evening

Bellatrix and Luna Lovegood

Bellatrix and Mrs. Weasley

Now, you don’t have to go quite as in-depth as I did, but you definitely want to give your guests an idea of what they are getting themselves into.  I also gave them plenty of time so they can get or make a costume and/or change character if for some reason they did not like the character chosen for them.  Lucky for me, everyone was happy with their character.  Although, some didn’t want to dress up.  In this situation, I simply said that they had to have a costume, but it did not have to be elaborate.  For example, someone portraying a witch could wear a black t-shirt, yoga pants, and a witch hat headband.  Simple, inexpensive, and most people have something they can throw together easily.

Step 4: Party like you're at Hogwarts!!

September Yoga Challenge

Hi friends!

The first day of fall is on Wednesday September 23rd this year and I had this idea to challenge myself and you guys to a 30 day yoga challenge to kick off the fall season!  During this challenge, I will be posting both here and on my instagram page

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Twitter with #SummerYoga

Here is a list of the first 5 postures we will be practicing, but make sure to warm up before attempting.  As always, be mindful of how you feel, each posture should feel good so if there is any pain either back out or skip that asana:

September 1st: Chair pose (Utkatasana)

     Start in a tall standing posture, arms resting at your sides.  On an inhale, slowly reach your arms up to the sky while keeping your shoulders drawing down and away from your ears.  Inhale, grow tall through your spine.  As you exhale, bend your knees, dropping your hips, and keep the belly pulled in strong.  Take 5-10 breaths.

September 2nd: Revolved chair pose (Parivrtta Utkatasana)

     From Utkatasana (chair), inhale as you lift your chest and twist to the right.  Bring your left elbow towards your right knee.  Gaze at your knees to make sure they are in alignment.  As you take your next exhale, press the elbow into the knee and gently deepen your twist.  Take 5 to 10 breaths and repeat on the other side.

September 3rd: Star pose (Trikonasana)

     From a standing position, widen your stance past hip distance apart.  On an inhale reach the arms out and up towards the sky.  Draw the belly in and move your gaze up.  Take 5-10 deep breaths.

September 4th: Bow pose (Dhanurasana)

     Lie down on your belly (if you are pregnant, skip this posture as it is not safe for the little one).  Reach your arms forward.  On an inhale, bend your knees and reach behind you to find your toes.  If you can not reach your toes, use a strap or towel to hook around your feet for some extra length.  Exhale here. On your next inhale, press your feet up to the sky, roll your shoulders back and away from your ears, opening your chest.  Take 5-10 breaths here.

September 5th: Camel pose (Ustrasana)

    From a kneeling position, knees hip distance apart, inhale and reach your arms up to the sky.  Exhale and place your palms on your lower back with your fingers pointing down to the earth. In hale and squeeze your shoulder blades together and open your chest.  As you exhale, slowly lean back, pressing your hips forward.  Take any variation you'd like as long as it feels good.  Stay here for 5-10 breaths, then tuck your chin to your chest and slowly return to kneeling.

Now,gently lower yourself to child's pose and rest for a few minutes.

Make sure to comment on your favorite asana so far and tag me on Instagram with your daily postures!!

I will be posting weekly pictures with the sanskrit and english names along with guidelines of getting into and out of the postures.

Again, I can not stress enough to be patient with yourself even if you are a seasoned yogi.  Sometimes asanas are easy and sometimes they are not.  The most important part of the posture is a comfortable breath.  Be sure to take slow, deep breaths and there should be no pain.

Follow me on Instagram for daily picture uploads!

My top 4 restaurants in North Carolina/Tennessee

Hi friends!

We're back from our week-long honeymoon in North Carolina!  We definitely had our fair share of eating out at restaurants; something we usually limit to once a week.  But it was our honeymoon after all, so we indulged with mindfulness.  Check out this post to see what I mean.

So, without further adieu, and in no particular order, here are some of the amazing places we ate at:

The Stable Cafe at Biltmore Home and Gardens, Asheville, NC

This, by far, was my favorite meal of the trip.  Not only were we dining in the refurbished stables at Biltmore, but the majority of the produce on our plates was grown right there in the gardens!  Let me tell you, this was probably our most expensive meal (although it was included in our hotel and ticket package, so we paid nothing while in the stable), but you could totally taste the difference from any other restaurant.  The first picture is Andrew's black bean tempeh wrap with mustard potato salad, and the bottom two are my tea and quinoa arugula salad with roasted chick peas.  So yummy!  If you are in Asheville, you'd better be seeing Biltmore, and make sure to try out the Stable Cafe, it's just to the right of the house.

 Rocky Mountain Brewery, Gatlinburg, TN

Sadly, there were not to many veg-friendly options here, but they did have a good veggie burger, fresh warm pretzels with house made mustard, and a philly mushroom sandwich (as long as you ask for no cheese).

 French Broad Chocolates, Asheville, NC (the cookie and chocolate drinks were all vegan!!)

Pictured above is a chocolate snicker doodle with a Buddha hot chocolate (made with almond milk),and a cold drinking chocolate (made with coconut milk).  My advice, try these items; but not all at once!  They are all very rich and Andrew and I had little belly aches after all that sweet.  Divine nonetheless!!

Sawasdee Thai Cuisine, Fairfield, OH

Ok, so I tricked you, the last one was in Ohio, but they had some amazing Thai food and it was very inexpensive considering the taste and amount of food.  We got two meals each out of this!!

So that was our food in a nutshell, we of course brought our own food and ate the hotel's breakfast every morning, which surprisingly wasn't that bad!!  Each hotel had plenty of fruit, oatmeal, and veg-friendly (although not the healthiest) biscuits and waffles. 

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!