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Awesome Sales, Haul and Pulled Mushroom Sliders! 

Posted by vegan peace at 7:50 AM 10 comments: 

The More You Know 

Cats, Pasta and New Adventures

Posted by vegan peace at 5:51 AM 8 comments: 


Between my depressed hiatus and last week being really busy, I forgot to mention that I have started reviewing teas as a guest reviewer at Sororitea Sisters!Jennifer from My Blissful Journey invited me to do a guest review, and I really enjoy it. For most of my life I was a serious coffee addict. I'm surprised I didn't OD on caffeine at certain points in my life. When I kicked the habit about five or maybe more years ago, I started really enjoying tea. I went off coffee cold turkey, and just switched to green tea, and then learned about yerba mate, Chai, etc. Now, I still have a nice comforting warm beverage in the morning, and I still get a little caffeine, but I'm not wired and severely addicted. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised on Saturday when I came home to find a little box of tea waiting for me by my door. Coconut flan? Caramel walnut shortbread? I'm so excited to try all of these exotic, fancy teas. I wish I could afford to buy all of the really nice, higher end teas but that's just never been my life. Like Yogi tea is a splurge, ha ha. You can see the whole cardamom pods in the Chai on the right. I am so excited. I bet it will blow all other Chai tea far away! These teas came in this pretty little box! Like I could not feel any fancier if I tried! I tried a Chai mix this morning that was a powder, and it was actually vegan! Most Chai powder mixes I've seen have milk. It was seriously amazing, as was the  Matcha with coconut! I'll be writing reviews for those later today. It's so awesome getting to do this! The job search continues, I had an interview last week, and I have one this week so I am soldiering on. I've passed out almost all of my cards for dog walking, so I have hopes on that end as well. There are some crows that have been flying around and hanging out on the side of my apartment. Needless to say it is a huge hit around here. Roxy was hanging in the window in my bedroom. She's Ms. Independent.
That's a school in the background of the picture. Yes, I live that close to an Elementary School!

Posted by vegan peace at 9:48 AM 12 comments: 

Vegan Food and Silly Cats 

Posted by vegan peace at 8:52 AM 6 comments: 

Simple Split Pea Soup and Cats!

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but yesterday was a cool, rainy day and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!! It's so funny to feel that way, especially when I think of how many days of my life were spent cursing the rain, and wishing for the sun while living in Seattle. I used to cry because the rain was so hard for me to deal with. But here in SLC, the sun is no joke.  I have never dealt with such brutal heat before. There were days when I was getting lost and I would finally find my bus stop, or whatever I was looking for, and wonder if it was real or a mirage. I am a sun lover, have been all my life. My moods are deeply affected by the weather, and even I feel like the sun needed to go have a little nap somewhere! So, it was rainy and cool yesterday, and they say rainy and cool today, and the sun will reappear tomorrow, so we're all a little rested!
As promised, I made split pea soup. I was worried it wouldn't be that great, because I always use either smoked paprika, or liquid smoke when I make split pea. I have neither of those seasonings, but it still turned out delicious, and I wrote it all down! I used red lentils and split peas because I really like the way red lentils become soooooo creamy when they break all the way down. Simple Split Pea Soup
Saute onion, garlic, and celery in oil or water over medium heat for five minutes, add spices and saute for two or three more minutes. Add the soy sauce, peas and lentils along with the nutritional yeast and the water/stock. Bring to a boil, and then turn down to med. low and simmer for about forty five minutes. Serve with rolls or crusty bread for dipping!
Those things on the floor that Roxy is laying on came in the box when Derek had shipped my laptop to me. They love them, and so they just stay on my floor. Some of them have been so shredded that I've thankfully been able to toss them, but as you can see, the rest are here to stay awhile! *Cats*
Happy Caturday!!

Posted by vegan peace at 6:22 AM 6 comments: 

Two Hauls for the Price of One

I was looking through my pictures, and I have a Trader Joe's haul from last week when I was on my hiatus, and I picked up a few things at Smith's yesterday too. I can definitely say this, since being on a stricter budget, I'm definitely eating healthier. I better start dropping a few beer pounds soon, between all this healthy eating and extra walking I've been doing! I have noticed a difference in how I feel. I feel fueled, I feel like I'm giving my body what it needs. And I'm continuing to learn ways to save money. I feel like my hauls and also food is a lot more boring, which is a downer, but one day soon I'll be back to trying exciting vegan treats!

The Kalamata olives were a splurge, because I wanted to make a recipe from Isa Does It.  I thought about subbing black olives, but thankfully Trader Joe's is awesome and they weren't too expensive. I made the Olive Lentil Burgers that Caroline from Tea and Sympatico recommended. Caroline, you were so right! They are delicious! Of course lentils are one of my best food friends, and Hello Kalamata olives go GREAT with lentils!

I was going to make a pretty burger on a pita and all that, but the truth is that my first client has required a lot more of my time than I bargained for, and it has been exhausting, lots of walking, like LOTS so these burgers have been eaten plain, with a fork and some mustard. But doesn't that show how delicious they really are? They don't need bread and all the fixins to be delicious!
Today is a grey, chilly day. I can hardly believe it's only going to be fifty one degrees! Two days ago it was over ninety! So I'm going to make a big pot of split pea soup. I saw the split peas in the bulk section of Smith's, and I got an intense craving for soup. In Erie, I ate split pea soup for breakfast almost every morning in the winter. I haven't had it since getting out of there. I'm in the mood for warm, comforting soup. A hug in a bowl.

This Petco box is their favorite new thing. They had a sale on litter online, and on Labor Day they offered free shipping, and it ended up saving me money, and strain on my body. I have a walk no matter which bus I catch, and litter can get heavy real easy, especially because I like to buy the big bag and try to avoid the plastic tubs because of the lack of recycling options here. And as you can see, this box is definitely being recycled!
Happy Friday! And second day of fall. (YIKES)
Oh, a little update. In case anyone remembers, I had decided to go back on the potato cleanse. I did stay on it for six days, but decided to not go any longer. I already eat a lot of potatoes, I would say they're my favorite starch for sure. I already feel somewhat restricted by my budget, so it just felt like extra restriction, and I don't like that. I think the potato cleanse was a moment in my life, but the moment has passed, and it can't be recreated. So, that explains the more well rounded haul.
Posted by vegan peace at 10:07 AM 4 comments: Here are some more pictures from Liberty Park. I went there early Sunday morning to pass out more cards. I had some anxiety about passing out the cards, all that self doubt came creeping into my head, and that combined with my normal shyness/social anxiety made it hard. But, I made myself do it, and people were nice, and no one laughed at me, or even refused my card, so all in all it was a success. I would be a horrible politician, or door to door sales because I'm not the greatest at approaching strangers, and also I am the WORST at selling myself, or anything really. I remember years ago when I worked at The Gap (shudder) I always got griped at for not "upselling", and I've also gotten in trouble at restaurants for not upselling.
I also got my first dog walking client yesterday! Believe it or not, it's someone who saw my ad on Craigslist, so yay for people, not trolls! I went and met both human and dog yesterday, and it was a success, I start walking today. The dog is a Xoloitzcuintli, which is a breed I had never heard of.  Her name is Lulu, and she is five months old! The breed is apparently somewhat cat like in being a little more skittish and shy, and it's so funny because she kind of reminds me of Joan. I'm sure we'll be great friends. It's also awesome because Lulu lives in a huge apartment complex. like seriously HUGE and so I stopped by the office and gave them some cards, and they said they'll put them in new renters packets! How perfect would it be if I had dogs all in the same building!
I always pass this house when I'm coming home from the park, and I just love it so much. There are so many adorable houses in my neighborhood! And people in SLC love sunflowers, which is a beautiful thing. Sunflowers are my second favorite flower, after daisies. Is it weird/creepy/bad to take pictures of houses? I always hesitate, and feel like a real creeper.
Even though I haven't been blogging for a few days, I have been eating, and taking pictures! Here are some meals I've eaten lately.

I've been enjoying some really tasty food while still being on a budget. The above peanut sauce is a peanut sauce that in my opinion everyone needs in their life. Who knew that some ginger and curry powder could make peanut sauce so special? I am so happy that I have some of the sauce leftover. I might drink it like a smoothie. (Just Kidding)
Thanks for all the support and kind words from my last post. I am mourning the loss of many things, and I feel like nothing I've gone through prepared me for this loss. I also lost other things, like Dylan's food dish, and little things that had sentimental value. Anyway, I guess I'm grieving, or in mourning or whatever, and it's hard. Coupled with stress and rejection and just physical exhaustion, it's a lot. This is the first really tough thing I've gone through without relying on alcohol to help ease the pain, and it's a struggle.I don't always know how to handle myself, or the pain. So, thanks for not judging, and for being supportive. As you all know I really have no one, so it is very much appreciated.
Oh, and in other exciting news, I went to a new part of town yesterday to meet Lulu and her human, and I DID NOT GET LOST! It is a miracle!
Posted by vegan peace at 5:27 AM 15 comments: