Alison, Planet X

Eco Tip Friday: Walk More! Or Bike/Skateboard/Scoot/Skip/Ride Public Transit More!

2012-02-10T16:10:00.000-08:00

(I suppose "Drive Less" would have been a more efficient title.)

So I planned on taking this week off from Eco Tip Tuesday, but I did something today that I've never done before and it inspired me to write: I walked to the bank!

Now, we are not a family that drives excessively. Not because we're morally superior to those who do, but because we don't have to. I'm a stay-at-home mom who spends a good deal of time, well, staying at home. We have close friends and family within walking distance; my son's school is a few blocks down from our house; and my husband, who works 48-hour shifts, only has to drive to and from work once a week. Additionally, most places that we'd want to drive to (Target, the grocery store, the bank, the hardware store) require 15 minutes or less driving time. I only have to fill my tank about once every five or six weeks. So, to be honest, cutting back on my driving isn't something I often give much thought to. Until today.

I needed to go to the bank today, and planned on doing so with my daughter after taking my son to school. We typically walk to school, it being so close and all, but occasionally I will drive him there if I plan on running errands immediately afterward. The weather was so beautiful today, I figured it a crime against nature to drive a distance that takes less than five minutes to walk. And then I had a thought: instead of walking to school and then walking back home to get the car, why don't I just keep on walking straight to the bank?

So that's what I did! I put Nori in the jogging stroller, grabbed our (reusable) water bottles, and we were off! After waving goodbye to big bro, we kept on walkin'. Nori played contentedly with a few animal figures she brought along, occasionally stopping to take in the sights. The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, the sweet smell of exhaust filled the air (okay, maybe that part wasn't so great). I did feel a bit apprehensive about pushing such precious cargo across the busy Watt Avenue/Folsom Blvd. intersection, and we did come to a point where some road/sidewalk work prevented us from going any further (that is, until a kindly construction worker escorted us past the heavy equipment), but other than that the walk was easy peasy! (Don't worry, Stephen, I did not wear headphones, obeyed all traffic laws, and turned my Mama Bear Protection Radar on high.) Really, all of these factors combined only served to make this my most adventurous trip to the bank yet!

The walk took about 50 minutes round-trip, and by the time we got home, Nori was asleep. Did some sit-ups, pushups, and stretching, and hot damn! Not only did I run my errand, but I knocked out a complete workout too!

I realize that not everyone has a schedule as flexible as mine. But I'm pretty sure that most of us could figure out ways to drive less. Maybe it's bringing a sack lunch to work or walking to a nearby restaurant instead of driving. Maybe it's taking public transportation to and from work. I realize that requires extra time in the morning, but who knows? You might enjoy it. (I've heard from reliable sources that it can be pretty nice escaping into a novel during the commute, rather than grumbling at the traffic.) Maybe you do it once or twice a week, and drive the other three. Or, maybe it's as simple as walking to the bank now and then.

Walking (or running or skipping or biking or skating or scooting...) is good for you. It's good for the body, and some may say it's good for the soul. One thing is certain: it's good for Mother Earth. Trust me, she doesn't mind being walked on. Just don't take her for granted.

Happy Friday, Everyone! Go for a walk this weekend!

If only the walk to the bank looked like this.

*Eco Tip Tuesday General Disclaimer: I am not perfect. Nor do I claim to have all the answers. I'm simply a human being who happens to think this planet we call home is pretty special, worthy of our love and protection. As such, I've made it a personal mission to reduce my negative impact and increase my positive impact on the world. Eco Tip Tuesday is a space for me to share what I've learned. And I am WAY open to feedback. So if you've got something to say, let's talk!

2011 Recap (Warning: Extreme Navel-Gazing Ahead)

2012-02-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

I'm taking this week off from Eco Tip Tuesday because I've been meaning to do this recap of 2011 survey thingamajig for quite some time now. I filled it out last year for 2010 and would like to do it every year. I think it will be interesting to look back on these years from now. So, here goes...

1) What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Celebrated six years of marriage. Watched my son graduate from preschool, and then start kindergarten. Tried indoor rock-climbing. Visited Farm Sanctuary in Orland. Participated in Farm Sanctuary's Walk for Animals. Took Nori camping for the first (and second) time in her life. Participated in Flickr's Project 365 (and then quit after 232 days). Took a (very brief) photography course with my bestie. Baked my own bread. Purchased a phone with functions beyond making phone calls and taking crappy photos.

2) Did you keep your new year's resolutions and did you make any for 2012?

I made a lot of very specific new year's resolutions for 2011. In keeping them, I'd say I was about 20% successful. I don't want to talk about it. For 2012, I've chosen to err on the side of spare and vague: 1) avoid The Heavy*, 2) be kind to myself and others, and 3) continually check in with myself to make sure my actions are in line with my aspirations. Oh! And, 4) create!

3) Did anyone close to you give birth?

No.

4) Did anyone close to you die?

No, thankfully.

5) What countries did you visit.

None. Bah!

6) What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
The intestinal fortitude necessary to "move confidently in the direction of my dreams." Also, a magical map leading the way.

7) What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
While I experienced many memorable moments during the course of the year, there is only one specific date that will remain "etched" upon my memory: April 22nd, the day my younger sister got married.

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My inner life in 2011 was quite complex. I felt compelled to really dig deep and analyze my motives, my actions, my aspirations, the role I play in the lives of others, etc. It wasn't my "happiest" year, and I felt relief in seeing it come to a close. But I am proud of the inner work that I did, and now feel more secure in who I am as a person and what I can bring to the world. I feel like I can now more fully express myself without worrying so much about what people think of me.

9) What was your biggest failure?
Taking myself too seriously. (Judging from Answer #8, that hasn't stopped.) But also? Not taking myself seriously enough.

10) Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major.

11) What was the best thing you bought?
Ikea cocoon swings for the kids' rooms, my immersion blender, my 96-piece set of professional quality Tombow dual-tip markers. Also, my iPhone, which is simultaneously the worst thing I bought.

12) Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, food/drink/entertainment.

13) What did you get really excited about?
Maggie's bachelorette party, Maggie's wedding, romantic overnighter in Mill Valley, book club meetings, birthday dinners with the ladies, 4th of July trip to Oregon, summer camping trips, Evan's preschool graduation, trip to Squaw Valley for Stephen's birthday.

14) What song will always remind you of 2011?

I'm gonna say Animal by Neon Trees, the song I wanted to hate, but found myself inexplicably drawn to regardless. Poppy, upbeat tune that's fun to dance to and incredibly satisfying to belt out with all your heart, combined with saucy lyrics that make me nostalgic for my early 20s...hmm...maybe the attraction isn't so inexplicable after all!
Oh, but also: Help I'm Alive by Metric. I liked this song pretty well when I heard it on the radio, but when I listened to it during the opening credits of Miss Representation, I became completely hooked. It soon became my own personal I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar theme song.
Last one, I swear: Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups. The driving baseline, the messy guitar, the slightly androgynous vocals...When I was feeling moody, which was often in 2011, I'd put on my headphones, close my eyes, and play this song real loud, just trying to sort of envelop myself in the sound.

15) Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Happier.
Thinner or fatter? The same.
Richer or poorer? The same.

16) What do you wish you'd done more of?
Trying new things. Escaping to more natural surroundings. Volunteering. Meditating**.

17) What do you wish you'd done less of?
Staring at a computer screen.

18) How did you spend Christmas?
In town with family.

19) What was your favorite TV program? Portlandia, After Lately, Boardwalk Empire, So You Think You Can Dance

20) What were your favorite books of the year?
'Lit' by Mary Karr, 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett, 'Vegan's Daily Companion' by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, 'The Full Cupboard of Life' by Alexander McCall Smith.

21) What was your favorite music from this year?
I finally hopped on the Pandora train this year (just as everyone else seems to be hopping off in favor of the Spotify train). The stations that got the most airplay (when I was in charge): Talking Heads, The Black Keys, Nina Simone, Raffi, and Depeche Mode. I was also into Florence and the Machine, The Naked and Famous, tUnE-yArDs (thanks, Ariel!), Metric, Silversun Pickups, Yael Naim, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Joanna Newsom, Muse, Mumford & Sons, Adele, and Lana Del Rey. (I became a tad obsessed with this song of hers. And, yes, I realize all the critics hate her. But, I don't know, there's something sort of interesting and sad about her that I'm drawn to. Plus, I'll never understand why people have to be so mean.)***

22) What were your favorite films of the year?
Bridesmaids, Midnight in Paris, Miss Representation

23) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Stephen was working on my actual birthday, so Keri offered to watch the kiddos for me so I could get away for a little self-pampering. When I returned, she and the kids surprised me with an adorable little party, complete with decorations and a homemade birthday crown. It was awesome, truly. Also celebrated a little later in the month with a wine tasting excursion via limousine with my closest girlfriends. So, so fun. I turned 33.

24) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
See answer to question #6.

25) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
I really don't have a concept. I just buy what I'm drawn to, assuming it fits my body and my budget. I tried to be a little more realistic when shopping this past year, keeping in mind the very casual lifestyle I lead. For example, do I really need those super cute color-blocked peep-toe stiletto pumps? No. No I do not.

26) What kept you sane?
Ha!

27) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
What other people think of me is none of my business.

*The Heavy: a term I use to describe an obsessive, persistent, and deep sadness born not from specific circumstances in one's own life, but from the keen awareness of the general, collective suffering of humankind.
**I don't know how to meditate, but I think it would be cool.
***When I first wrote this post, after mentioning Lana Del Rey, I wrote, "Hey man, I never claimed Shitty Music and Music I Like are mutually exclusive categories!" One of my (very vague) new year's resolutions was to check in with myself often to make sure my actions are in line with my aspirations. One of my aspirations is to be authentic. Another is to be kind to myself and others. When I wrote that line, I was being neither authentic nor kind. I was nervous about people judging me for liking her music and I wrote it to make sure you know that I know it's not actually good. Pretty pathetic. So, I felt compelled to correct it.

Required Viewing: Miss Representation

2012-02-06T10:58:00.000-08:00

Way back in October, I watched a documentary called Miss Representation. Since then, I've sat myself down and tried to write a blog post about it probably a dozen times. Nothing I wrote seemed to do the film justice and was ultimately scrapped.

But this film is important. Having seen it (three times now, truth be told), I almost feel like it's my duty to spread the word, as silly as that may seem. So, lacking adequate words of my own, I'll let the trailer do the talking...

I still get goosebumps every time I watch that. And that's just the trailer! The film itself, written, directed, and produced by Jennifer Seibel Newsom, is at once shocking, disturbing, enlightening, and inspirational. Please watch it. (Find a screening near you here; the DVD will soon be available for purchase here and rental here.) While you're at it, have your spouse watch it too. And your children, provided they're old enough (8 maybe? 10? I suppose the answer depends more on maturity level than years of age).

After watching the film, you may feel inspired to take action (I did). But you may also feel a little lost and helpless: the problem's so big, what can I possibly do to help? (I can relate). Luckily, the documentary has an outstanding accompanying website, packed with great ideas for getting involved. I've signed up to receive weekly action alerts (emails are sent out once a week outlining one small thing you can do to help the cause) and by "liking" the film on Facebook, I stay up to date on their latest endeavors (and often get links to some great articles). If I can find the time, I just might make my own YouTube video, describing to the media how I'd like to be represented, and submit it to the website. Go here to see inspiring videos from other women and girls, or to upload your own.

One of the most exciting developments that has come from this outstanding documentary is the Miss Representation curriculum now available in the U.S and Canada for:

K-12 schools
Universities/Colleges
Libraries

According to the website, "The curriculum asks girls and boys alike to think about the effects of the images they see - particularly the ways media affects women and girls' ability to see themselves as leaders and be seen as leaders by others in society." The fact that this curriculum exists is incredibly exciting to me. Children are the future. By starting this critical conversation with them now, dramatic change is truly possible. If you are a teacher or administrator, please consider purchasing the curriculum. Considering the important and influential role you play in in the lives of children, imagine the impact you could make!

Okay, end of spiel. Watch the movie. Get inspired. Get involved. The true voices of women deserve to heard.

Sunday Morning Ponderables

2012-02-05T07:45:00.000-08:00

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bow from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrow may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

- Kahlil Gibran (excerpt from The Prophet)

Motivation for the Days I'm Feeling Sloth-Like

2012-02-02T22:47:00.000-08:00

Dear Alison,

Hey girl, you've been doing really well with the working out these days! I'd like to give you a little pat on the back for that, but I'd also like to remind you that this is pretty typical behavior for you in January and February. Without fail, the new year brings you a sense of hope and enthusiasm, like you can take on the world! But, over the course of the year, this hope and enthusiasm waxes and wanes, gains momentum, then grinds to a halt, over and over and over. Can we try and stop this cycle? Can we try to be a little more consistent this year? After all, you're certainly not getting any younger.

Now, I've never been a fan of the popular practice of beating oneself up in order to inspire "good" behavior. Making yourself feel like a turd will never bring about positive change, of that I am convinced. With that in mind, I'd like to take a moment to focus on the positives of being active (rather than focusing on the negatives of not).

So. Like I've said, you've been working out. Have you noticed something? That feeling in your body as you move throughout your day? What is that? I'll tell you what that is. It's your muscles. You notice them more now, don't you? No, I don't mean in the mirror. I mean when you move. You notice the muscles in your arms, in your legs, your abdominals, your bum. You feel them stretch and contract and just generally move in appropriate ways to better support those 33-year-old bones of yours. You pull in your stomach, knowing that doing so will support your back. You straighten your posture. You walk with confidence. This confidence, by the way, does not come from knowing you have a perfect body. You don't. (And besides, what does that even mean?) Sure, sometimes you feel "hot", sometimes you feel sexy and desirable, but those things are simply icing on the cake. The best part? You feel strong. Limber. Balanced. Capable. In a nutshell, you feel healthy. In an even smaller nutshell, you just feel good. Happy.

Keep this in mind on the days you just want to sit on your bum, stuffing Oreos into your pie-hole, telling yourself you deserve a day of rest. Of course you deserve a day of rest! But it certainly doesn't have to involve Oreos or sitting on the couch all day. Go for a leisurely walk. Kick off your shoes, head to the backyard, and just do some stretching in the grass, the sun on your face. Wrestle with your children. Jump on a trampoline. Dance.

Just don't be a sloth. It may feel good in the short term. But, in the long run, it only serves to make you feel weak, and achy, and old. You're only 33. You don't need to feel that way. Remember: strong, limber, balanced, and capable. THAT'S how you want to feel.

* * *

I know, I know, you have nothing against sloths. In fact, you quite like the furry little guys. (Although, probably not as much as Kristen Bell.) The slow pace they maintain in life has a beauty all its own, and is perfectly suited to their species. However, you are not a sloth. You are a human, and the human body was made to move. When we cease to do so, our bodies fall to disrepair far sooner than their time.

So, what are you waiting for? Get moving!

Sincerely,
Alison

I have a feeling he feels quite capable.

December & January, Instagram Style

2012-02-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

twinkle twinkle

decorating the tree

new led lights create disco xmas

tuckered out

found this scribble in a pile of evan's school work

lunch at johnny rockets

mall carousel #1

mall carousel #2

crazy little munchkins

too cool for cavities

visiting daddy at work #1

visiting daddy at work #2

new bathrobe

book + beer + sunshine + solitude = happy me

rubber face runs in the family

blood drink

train museum

evan/mommy date: lunch at burr's

evan/mommy date: painting pottery

photo by evan

self-portrait by evan

me & my bff

playdate cookie baking

i think it's pretty sexy when he builds stuff

heaven help me, my 5 year old is a hipster

dr. teeth from the electric mayhem

fell asleep on my shoulder at a restaurant

we found you, nori!

photo by evan

mid-day nap at cafe capricho

animaaaaaal!

hard at work #1

hard at work #2

me & my little ray of sunshine

funny face

rosy rosie

eyes

elinor #1

painting pictures on the work bench daddy built

kitchen fairy #1

kitchen fairy #2

fuzzy snuggles

sunny, enjoying the sunshine

elinor #2

super evan

shadows

Eco Tip Tuesday: I Heart Baking Soda

2012-01-31T22:06:00.000-08:00

After posting the first edition of Eco Tip Tuesday, a good friend of mine commented that she had swapped her bathroom cleaning agents for baking soda and vinegar thanks to me ~~and my incessant rambling about "going green."~~ Upon hearing this, I decided that baking soda would be the perfect subject for Eco Tip Tuesday, Round Two.

Let me just put this out there: I love baking soda. Like, if I too were a chemical salt, I would totally marry it. Yes, baking soda leavens my baked goods like no other, but let me tell you, her talents go far beyond the oven. Inexpensive, free of toxic chemicals, versatile, and effective, baking soda is the perfect go-to gal for many of your personal care, cleaning, and deodorizing needs.

When I had children, I started to think more about the products I was using in my house. The old stand-by cleaning products that I had come to rely on suddenly started to smell somewhat toxic to me. The long lists of chemical ingredients that I couldn't even pronounce, let alone recognize, began to trouble me. What kind of environment was I creating for my newborn baby in using these products? I was using these things to clean my home, which seems like a healthy endeavor, but was I going about it the wrong way? Was I actually doing more harm than good?

I started doing some research and that research only served to confirm my fears: typical household cleaning agents, such as chlorine bleach, have been linked to cancer and endocrine disorders, as well as immune system, blood, and heart health problems. By using them in my home, I was not only creating toxins on the surfaces we touch and the air we breath, but I was polluting our water and our earth every time I washed it down the drain. This was a burden far heavier than I was willing to bear.

Enter baking soda - hallelujah! I mean, could it get any cheaper? Plus, it's so easy. Literally, all I do is sprinkle the stuff in my bathtub and sink, scrub it a little, and voila! Clean bathroom, no nasty smell, no nasty chemicals, no bathroom cabinet overflowing with crazy ass potions. Turns out, it's got loads of other uses as well. Among them:

To polish silver: wash items, then place on aluminum foil in the bottom of a pot. Add a baking soda solution (1/4 cup soda, a few teaspoons salt, 1 quart boiling water) and cover for a few seconds. The result? Magic.
To unclog your shower drain: pour 1/2 cup soda, then 1/2 cup vinegar down a clogged drain. Cover it with a wet cloth, wait 5 minutes, uncover, and flush with steaming-hot water. Say goodbye to Drain-o. PLEASE.
Toothpaste: if you find you can't squeeze out another dollop, and it's too damn late to go to the store, make do with baking soda and water. Yeah, it might taste like shit, but it'll get the job done.
To remove stale odors from carpet, scatter soda on it, wait a few hours, then vacuum up the powder.
Place an open box of baking soda in your linen closet to stave off mustiness. Nothing ruins a good shower like a musty towel, am I right?
Freshen your dishwasher and coffee maker by running an empty cycle with a splash of baking soda.
Heartburn? Make your own antacid by mixing 1/2 teaspoon baking soda with 1/2 cup water.
Homemade facial exfoliator: mix 3 parts baking soda with one part water. Apply gently with your fingertips in a circular motion, then rinse.

There are many, many other uses for my beloved baking soda, all of which are at your fingertips with this here crazy new-fangled thang called the internets. So, come on people, ditch the nasty chemicals! Give your health, and your wallet, AND the Earth a break. Go green! See you next week!

Sunday Morning Ponderables

2012-01-29T09:53:00.000-08:00

Buddha told a parable in a sutra:

A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away at the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other.

How sweet it tasted!

(Excerpt from Sayings and Tales of Zen Buddhism: Reflections for Every Day by William Wray)

Eco Tip Tuesday: BYOB!

2012-01-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to add a little more focus and structure to my blog (because I like to pretend I'm a real writer with lots of important things to say, kind of like a grown up version of playing office), I've decided to start posting a weekly eco tip. I can't promise that I'll have a tip every single week, but gosh darnit, I'm gonna try! So....

Hello! And welcome to Eco Tip Tuesday*! Today we'll be discussing reusable shopping bags. Most of you, like me, probably already have a supply of reusable grocery bags that you've been using for years. (If not, please get some! I don't think there's a single grocery store in the country that doesn't sell them, and they're usually only a couple bucks per bag.) So, I've got these bags and, like I said, I've been using them for years. And I'm really good about remembering to bring 'em too! Still, every time I go to the grocery store, I end up bringing home a whole mess of plastic bags because I buy a lot of produce and bulk items. I was starting to feel really bad about this (in case you haven't heard, plastic is causing big problems for this lovely planet we call home) and decided to look into other options.

A quick search for "reusable produce bags" on Amazon led me to a plethora of other options. I ended up settling on Bring It's Valencia Reusable Produce Bags, for a few reasons:

A set of ten large (12" x 14") bags cost $10.10. This seemed like a pretty good deal to me.
They are made from 60% polyethelyne terephthalate, a polyester-based material made primarily of reclaimed plastic bottles. So, by using them, I am not only reducing my plastic consumption, but also supporting the reuse of existing waste.
They are see-through, allowing the store clerk to ring up my veggies without having to remove them from the bag. This would not be possible had I purchased the (much more expensive) cotton canvas bags.

I used them for the first time the other day and, you guys, I totally love them! My apples, broccoli, celery and kale love them too.

They're super light-weight, roomy enough for everything I buy, and they've got handy little drawstrings to keep everything contained. They also seem to be pretty durable, although only time will tell that for sure. I have discovered a few negatives:

Because they are mesh, if the produce you're buying is at all wet, any surface you set the bags on will be too.
These are not ideal for most bulk items. I suppose they could work for some things, such as nuts or dried fruit, which I would transfer to a glass canister at home anyway. But flour? Nutritional yeast? Quinoa? Mesh simply isn't gonna work with items like that. For now, I'm trying to reuse the plastic bags I've gotten in the past for such items, but I'd love to find something more durable. Thoughts?
They are also not ideal for storing produce in the refrigerator. Again, to solve this problem, I am currently reusing old plastic bags, but if anyone out there has any other ideas, I'm all ears.

Okay, so I guess that's it for our first edition of Eco Tip Tuesday! Come back next week when we'll be talking about...er, something eco related? Yeah, I should get on that. In the meantime, if you're going to the store, remember to BYOB! We wouldn't want this to happen to you...

We Have the Power to Effect Change! (But First, Let's Eat.)

2012-01-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

One of my greatest pleasures since switching to a plant-based diet (precisely two years ago, today) is to serve homemade vegan food to an omni and have it well-received. When I find a recipe (or, occasionally, just whip something up off the top of my head) that gets good reviews from both the herbies and the omnis in my life, I feel the need to share it. While many people may never have the desire to switch to a completely vegetarian or vegan diet, the evidence is mounting that movement towards eating more plant-based meals overall is in our best interest, for many reasons.* If each and every one of us committed to eating more plant based meals - even if it's just cutting out animal products one day a week - we could effect some serious change! Together, we have the power. Let's use it!

You can start by trying out this recipe for a meatless Curry Salad Sandwich. The recipe is from the book Quick and Easy Vegan Comfort Food by Alicia C. Simpson, but I adapted it a little to suit my own tastes. I find it to be a great substitute for chicken or tuna salad and it pairs well with some leafy greens and sweet potato fries.

Ingredients

One 8-ounce package tempeh, any variety

2 cups vegetable stock

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise (I use Vegenaise)

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sweet relish

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1/2 teaspoon kelp granules (if you don't have this on hand, you could substitute with salt)

1/2 teaspoon stone-ground mustard (I omitted this ingredient because I didn't have any)

1/4 cup diced celery

8 slices whole-grain or sprouted bread

Directions

Simmer the tempeh in stock for 25 minutes. Discard any excess stock and set the tempeh aside to cool.

Grate the cooled tempeh into a medium bowl. (I discovered that I don't even own a grater, so I just broke the tempeh apart with my (freshly-washed) hands. I suppose you could also use a food processor.) Add the mayonnaise, relish, onion, kelp powder, mustard, and celery, and stir to combine. Spoon onto the bread and close the sandwiches.

This recipe is delicious as is, but I prefer to add dried cranberries, chopped cashews, and about a teaspoon of curry powder to the mix. (Hence the name Curry Salad Sandwich. In the book, the recipe is titled Tuno Tempeh Sandwich.) Alternate add-in options: golden raisins, gala apples, red grapes, walnuts, almonds, sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Also, feel free to add any toppings that please you - lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, shredded carrots - the more veggies the better! I wish I had a photo to share, but this meal is typically devoured before I even think of picking up my camera.

Happy eating!

*The UN issued a report stating that lesser consumption of animal products is necessary to save the world from the worst impacts of climate change. (Source) Going further into detail, they stated, "Current patterns of production and consumption of both fossil fuels and food are draining freshwater supplies; triggering losses of economically-important ecosystems such as forests; intensifying disease and death rates and raising levels of pollution to unsustainable levels." (Source) "Agriculture, particularly meat and dairy products, accounts for 70% of global freshwater consumption, 38% of the total land use and 19% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions," the report stated. (Source) Meat and dairy consumption have also been strongly linked to heart disease, diabetes and cancer, and plant-based diets have been shown to reduce or even reverse the risk or effects of these deadly diseases. (Source)

My Love/Hate Relationship With Sac Natural Foods Co-op

2012-01-02T20:36:00.000-08:00

LOVE:
1) Most of their shit is organic, and clearly marked so.
2) A whole lot, if not most, of their shit is local, and clearly marked so.
3) They have a huge selection of bulk products - anything you can think of - cereal, nuts, dried fruits, quinoa, rice, beans, nutritional yeast, flour, tea, coffee...the list goes on and on.
4) They recycle wine corks. Save 'em up, bring 'em in, feel a little better about your drinking problem.
5) Speaking of bulk products, they also sell bath and beauty products in bulk - shampoo, conditioner, body wash, laundry detergent, and my personal favorite: lotion! I am hopelessly addicted to body lotion - have been for years - and have been feeling increasingly guilty about the number of plastic tubes I go through during the course of a year. (I've also grown tired of scissoring off the bottom and washing the tube out in order to recycle it - ugh, SUCH a hassle!) Now, all I have to do is take my reusable bottle into the co-op, fill it up with Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion and I'm good to go. Moisturized skin + no waste = happy Alison.
6) I'm sure there are a lot more things I love about the co-op, but I'm starting to feel a little lazy and kinda' want to finish what I've started here and go park my butt in front of the TV. Hey, I'm just being honest.

HATE (Such a strong word. Let's try DISLIKE):
1) Somehow, the co-op makes me think I want to buy things that I really don't. Wasabi flavored seaweed crisps? Sounds like a healthy snack, right? Also tastes like ass. Don't buy it. Trust me.
2) Every time I go there, I manage to spend approximately $242.53. On four bags of groceries. When, tell me WHEN will it be more affordable to buy local, organic, healthy food than it is to buy a Happy Meal? America, get it together.

That is all, good night.

Merry Christmas From the Silacks!

2011-12-24T10:07:00.000-08:00

Some holiday art, from our family to yours...Merry Christmas, Everyone!

By Elinor Rose Silack

By Evan Samuel Silack

By Alison May Silack

By Stephen Michael Silack

On Love and Fear (A Letter to Self)

2011-12-14T12:03:00.000-08:00

They, the pretty sparkly ones with the plump hearts, let them love you. More importantly, love them. Love them the way you want to be loved, and let that love fill you up, make your heart plump, too.

They, whose passion and wonder far exceed their tiny forms, be with them. Be like them. Allow their passion and wonder to fill your soul and color your perception. Hold them close, then let them fly. Perhaps doing so will help you to find your own wings as well.

He, who loves you with all his heart, let him. Believe in that love, know that you are worthy of it, and return it, despite his flaws. Goodness knows you too have flaws.

She, whose form you inhabit, please forgive her. She is human, and as such, imperfect. That is okay; let her be. Let her smile; let her shine. The heavy is never so heavy that it cannot be lifted. There are hands (and hearts) here to help. Fear not.

October & November, Instagram Style

2011-11-26T12:37:00.001-08:00

Stephen and I finally gave in and bought iPhones last month. Since then, I've been having a bit o' fun with a little app called Instagram. It's silly and fun and doesn't require that I lug a big heavy camera with me everywhere I go. (Don't worry, Dad, I am still taking photos with my DSLR.) Here's what I captured over the past month and a half...

cheese 1

meow

scrub-a-dub

naptime 1

naptime 2

big as saucers

motion v. stillness

charmed

my girl

my favorite people

cheese 2 (photo by nori)

angel 1

angel 2

sunny & minnie

will climb someday

shades & undies

shopping with daddy (photo by stephen)

being sick gets you extra ipod time

my boy

napping...again

morning snuggles 1

morning snuggles 2

tea party

sick day snuggles (photo by nori)

mustache 1

mustache 2

date night

rainy day at devere's

three musketeers

that time of year again

olympic village inn, squaw valley

winter wonderland

tiny artist 1

tiny artist 2

old school watercolor paints

Destination: Giant Gap Family Campground

2011-11-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

My recent month-long hiatus from blogging, while certainly well-needed, resulted in me getting a wee bit behind in my posts. Because of this, I will be traveling back in time now and then, starting right now, with a photographic journal of this past summer's Silack Family Camping Trip.

Halfway to the campground, our truck overheated, forcing us to pull over and call a tow truck. Not exactly how we planned on starting our trip...

There wasn't enough room in the tow truck for all of us. So Stephen and Nori left while Evan and I waited for my mom to come pick us up (Thanks, Mom!). Since we were at Denny's, Evan scored a plate of fries and a vanilla milkshake.

We weren't about to let a little car trouble ruin our trip. Once we were all home, we repacked all our gear into the Volvo and hit the road for the second time. The kids were such troupers throughout the entire ordeal. Look at 'em, still smiling! :)

Finally made it to the campground (Giant Gap Family Campground in the Sugar Pine Recreation Area, Tahoe National Forest) a little after 7 pm. There was just enough daylight left to set up our tent and make dinner.

Chillin' by the fire our first night. This was Elinor's very first camping trip (Evan had been three times before his sister was born).

Our first morning at camp.

Elinor helping Daddy start the morning fire.

Playing with fire. (Photo by SS)

What's for breakfast? Pancakes and veggie bacon, yum!

Photo by SS

Even when camping, I can't escape my dish washing duties. Lame. (Photo by SS)

Our campsite, overlooking the reservoir. Beauteous, no?

Taking a walk about the campground.

Elinor found a tree chair!

I had to take a pic of this sign because it is so weird. I mean, honestly, what child looks like that?

We made sure to pack some pens and paper for Evan. He couldn't possibly go without for more than a day, little artist that he is.

Look how dirty she is! There was not a lot of ground cover in the way of leaves and twigs and the dirt was extremely fine and dusty. The kids were basically coated in the stuff for the entire trip. And don't even bother changing Elinor's clothes. If you do, you can pretty much guarantee she'll fall face first into the dirt within five minutes. And then roll around in it a bit while whining, just for good measure.

In her own little world.

These weird, thick web-nest thingies were all over the campground. At first, I thought they were made by some sort of creepy spider, but upon closer inspection...

...I discovered they were filled with tiny caterpillars! (My mom later informed me that they are called tent caterpillars. Guess that explains why they're at a campground! Har har.)

Heading to the reservoir for a swim. Evan insisted on riding in the trunk. Don't call CPS! We're really good parents, I swear!

Warming herself in the sun.

The water here was shallow enough that even the kids could walk through it to the island (although, Elinor preferred to be held, since walking resulted in her being neck-deep).

Evan exploring the waters on his own.

Photo by SS

Photo by SS - I LOVE this one!

Elinor wanted in on the trunk action for the drive back to camp. (Photo by SS)

Photo by SS

Naptime

Stephen built a little zoo for the kids' animal figures using sticks, twigs, and grass.

Firestarters.

Photo by SS

Posing with our s'mores.

Photo by SS

Left to their own devices, my children would start a forest fire. (Photo by SS)

Photo by SS

Just waking up, our last morning at camp.

I seriously want to crawl into this picture. Love that boy, my little snuggle buggle.

Good morning, Nori!

Taking one last stroll around the reservoir.

Before heading home, we made sure to leave our mark.

Camping with young children is hard, dirty, tiring work. It also happens to be absolutely delightful. I can hardly wait to go again next year!

On A Lighter Note...

2011-11-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

Have you guys heard of WEN, the "revolutionary" Healthy Hair Care System "designed to make it easy for anyone, from [Chaz Dean's] celebrity clients to the mom next door, to enjoy healthier, stronger hair -- with less effort than ever before"? Well, I bought it. I was seduced by Alyssa Milano and her fabulously shiny chestnut locks as she espoused the many benefits of WEN, namely that it would deliver longer-lasting color, added sheen, luster, moisture and strength -- all in one easy step! With a 60-day money back guarantee, I figured, why not? I'll give it a shot. I've always been disappointed with my super-straight, fine, thin, lifeless hair and decided it couldn't hurt to try something new. Who knows? Maybe it'll be as magical as they say it is. Maybe it'll change my life.

Well, I've been using the Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner for nearly three weeks now and, while I certainly can't claim that it's changed my life, I'm not ready to give up on it yet either. Traditional shampoos have chemicals, such as sodium laureth sulfate, which allow the shampoo to get all sudsy and bubbly but also end up stripping your hair of its natural oils and moisture. We are then told to use conditioner as a means of moisturizing our locks, but all it really does is smooth down the damage we inflicted in the first place with our shampoos. I've read about the "no-poo" method, which involves cleansing your hair with baking soda and rinsing it with vinegar and while I like the idea of eliminating chemicals from my cleansing routine, I just can't get on board the baking soda and vinegar train. For my bathtub? Yes. My hair? I'm not quite that granola (yet).

The WEN Cleansing Conditioner is far from natural. Yes, the ingredients list includes items such as Wild Cherry Bark extract, Rosemary Leaf extract, and Sweet Almond oil, among others, but you'll also find Butylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, and several other thoroughly unpronounceable ingredients. BUT, it doesn't lather, so maybe it's a step in the right direction.

When I purchased WEN, I knew that I wanted to write a blog about it, so I forced my husband to take photos of my hair, which you will find below. The first photo was taken after my usual shower routine of washing with TRESemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Shampoo, followed by TRESemme Naturals Radiant Volume Conditioner. Now, as you can see, this routine did not result in my hair looking nourished and moisturized nor radiantly voluminous. Instead, it looks dull, lifeless, stringy, utterly horrendous, etc. The second picture was taken after using the WEN Cleansing Conditioner for one day. While I'd certainly never be mistaken for Alyssa Milano, my hair does, in my humble opinion, look better. Not great...just...better. Shinier. Less clumpy. The third photo is after using WEN for one week and, really, it doesn't look much different than the second photo, but still better than the first.

(I should note that there was no styling involved in any of the photos; after showering, I simply let my hair air dry. Also, they were all taken in the same spot (obviously) at roughly the same time of day, so the lighting is very similar in each shot.)

After three weeks, here are my pros and cons:

PROS:

My hair is shinier.
My hair is softer.
My hair has more body.
My hair is easier to manage.

CONS:

My shower routine takes longer. Over and over in the infomercial and literature, they mention how easy-to-use and time-saving these products are. Consider that a red flag, that they're trying to convince you, brain wash you even, into thinking you're saving time with this routine. But, really, you're not. It may be one product, but the process involves several steps and, for me at least, it ends up taking more time than the traditional shampoo/conditioner route.
It's kinda' pricey. The introductory package costs $29.95 and includes a "one-month supply" (Yeah right! It hasn't even been three weeks and mine is nearly gone!) of the Cleansing Conditioner, the Styling Creme, the Re Moist Intensive Hair Treatment, the Texture Balm, and a comb (which is used for combing the product through your hair in the shower). If you like the products, they will continue sending the same package for a monthly fee of $29.95. I don't know about you, but 30 bucks a month is far more than I've ever spent on hair care. Luckily, you can customize your shipments to meet your needs (and your budget).
It may be causing me to break out a little on my jawline and neck/shoulders, but I haven't totally pinpointed WEN as the culprit of this sudden attack.

So, bottom line: I'm not totally sold on it, but I'm not ready to give up on it yet either. Apparently, there is a Cucumber Aloe formula designed for fine/thin hair. For my next shipment, which should be coming in a week or so, I've opted to try that instead of the Sweet Almond Mint. I've also eliminated the other products from my shipment. Changing my shipment to two larger bottles of the Cucumber Aloe Cleansing Conditioner every 90 days brought my monthly charge down to $19.98.

This Thursday, I have an appointment with my stylist. First time in four months that I've had a cut and color. Hmmm...maybe I'll go for a chestnut hue...

Three Things

2011-10-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

So, I left my last post with the question, "...how do I achieve this inner balance?" unanswered. Well, the truth is, I don't really know. However, I've been trying a few things over the past week and they do seem to be helping.

First off, I decided that now would be a fantastic time to do another cleanse. No, I'm not talking about some crazy endeavor that involves consuming nothing but water with lemon and cayenne and the occasional bowl of lettuce for a week. Are you kidding? I don't think my children would survive my doing that. I'm talking about the Quantum Wellness Cleanse, which Stephen and I have done a couple times before (briefly documented starting here and again here). Simply put, we are eliminating caffeine, alcohol, and refined sugar from our diet for a course of 21 days. (The cleanse also calls for eliminating animal products, which we don't eat anyway, and gluten, which we decided not to worry about this time.) I figure if I want to clear my head and become more balanced, it certainly couldn't hurt to flush my body of the deliciously toxic substances I abuse it with on a regular basis. I'm just now finishing up Day 3 and my head is killing me, but I know from past experience that I will be feeling really swell in just a couple days and so I power on.

Secondly, I've started making a to-do list. Every day. I know, I know, it sounds like I'm totally contradicting what I said in my last post, but hear me out. Normally, I spend most of my day with a big ball of "shoulds" swirling around in my head: I should wash the dishes; I should clean the cat box; I should get off Facebook; I should get out of the house... If I make a list of, say, five or six things I would like to accomplish in the day, I have effectively removed that swirl from head and laid it out neatly on a piece of paper. Then, with my "shoulds" turned into "will dos," my mind is clear and free to be present for my children, or my husband, or even for the dishes. When a task is completed, it feels good to check it off the list. And if one or two of them don't get accomplished, well, that's life! Those tasks will roll over to the next day's list.

Finally - and this is the one that requires the most practice - I have been trying to passively observe my emotions instead of letting them define me. For instance, the other day, while Evan was at school, Elinor took a long nap and woke up somewhat cranky shortly before we had to leave to pick up her brother. We had a very short amount of time to get her dressed and walk to the school and she was fighting me tooth and nail on every little detail. She didn't want underwear; she wanted a pull-up. She didn't like the shirt I picked; she wanted a sweatshirt. Her shoes felt funny. Her socks were bugging her. She didn't want a pull-up after all, but a bathing suit instead. All the while, time is ticking away and I'm imagining poor little Ev having to wait in the office because his mom wasn't there to pick him up on time. Aaargh! I was frustrated and starting to get angry, ready to snap at any moment. And then I remembered to try observing my emotions instead of giving into them. This is very different than suppressing your emotions, by the way. Suppression of emotions is very unhealthy in my opinion and should be avoided. To observe your emotions is to allow them to arise but to take a step back from them and simply observe their effects. In this moment of extreme frustration with Elinor, I took a step back from my emotions. I observed how my body felt: tense, tight, hot. I focused on my breath. I focused only on my breath. I did not force myself to breathe deeply while my mind continued to go haywire. I simply focused on my breath, the feeling of air entering my nose and filling my lungs, the feeling of my lungs deflating and the air rushing past my lips with an exhale. Slowly, I felt the tension, the tightness, the heat start to subside. Now that I was calm, Elinor was far more responsive to me and, with a little bit of jogging, we were able to pick up her brother on time.

Similarly, I've been using this observation method to help me limit my time on the computer (specifically my compulsive checking of Facebook). I'm standing in the kitchen, staring at a pile of dishes in the sink, readying myself to dive in and scrub. To my right, is my laptop, innocently sitting on the kitchen counter, ever so quietly calling to me, Come on...open me up...you know you want to...It'll be quick, I promise...You wouldn't want to miss something. Normally, I would give in to this urge and most likely end up on the computer much longer than I intended, with a sink full of dirty dishes and a neglected toddler pulling at my pant leg. Now, instead, I take a step back and observe the emotion which, in this case, is a compulsive urge, a desire to escape my present circumstances. This emotion makes me feel fidgety, anxious. Again, focus on the breath, feel the emotion subside, and get on with my life.

So, this is what I've got so far. Any of you out there have some good tips for staying focused on the present?

Striving For Balance

2011-10-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

If the main challenge in my 20s was figuring out who I wanted to be, the main struggle in my 30s, thus far, has been taking all of those pieces of myself that I discovered and molding them together into one balanced whole. In order to live my best life and be the person I want to be, I feel that it's necessary for me to:

Maintain open, loving, authentic communication with my children; really listen to what they have to say.
Maintain open, loving, authentic communication with my husband; be a supportive life partner for him.
Do fun things together as a family.
Do educational things together as a family.
Go on fun and/or romantic dates with my husband.
Spend quality time with my girlfriends; be the best friend I can be.
Spend quality time with my parents and my sisters; make sure they know how much they mean to me.
Spend a little bit of time each day meditating, or being still.
Cook healthy meals for my family.
Exercise regularly.
Keep a clean house.
Help Evan with his homework and volunteer at his school.
Maintain a vegetable garden year-round.
Become actively involved in the causes that I care about.
Explore the outdoors, in my backyard and beyond, with my children, with my husband, by myself.
Work on my writing.
Work on my drawing.
Read, a lot, with my children and by myself.
Travel.
Go back to school.
Strive for eight hours of sleep each night.
Manage our finances.
Manage our calendar.
Watch movies.
Watch TV, just not too much.
Learn new things.
Challenge myself.
Shower, preferably daily.

I'm sure that most people can relate: when it comes to things I want to accomplish in a day, in a week, in my life, the list is seemingly endless. How do I strike a balance here? How do I fulfill the needs of my children, my husband, and myself? How do I keep the house clean, everybody nourished (physically, emotionally, and intellectually), get in a workout (with a shower afterward!), maintain the garden, correspond with my friends, connect with my husband, and still find time to read, write, and meditate (followed by a full-night's sleep)? Of course, this is the proverbial problem: not enough hours in the day.

Some people deal with this problem by constantly burning the candle at both ends which, while no doubt productive, can have detrimental effects for your health. Every once in a while, I'll find myself in a sort of manic phase where I'm getting a lot done (and feeling really great about it), but simultaneously not taking time to myself (for meditation, stillness, sleep) that I so desperately need to remain productive. And so, eventually I burn out. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I often find myself stuck in a rut, not accomplishing much at all because I'm sitting around thinking about what needs to be done (and getting overwhelmed) instead of actually doing it.

Lately, I've been telling myself to live by the mantra: Think less; do more. And yet, as I write this, it occurs to me that perhaps a more useful mantra would be: Think less; be more. Be in the moment, right here, right now. Because, no matter how much I'm doing, if my mind is off running amuck elsewhere, my life will not be balanced. Perhaps the goal shouldn't be to figure out a way to do everything I want to do. Perhaps the goal should be to realize that I don't have to. All I have to do is be fully present in the moment, wherever that moment finds me. I'm beginning to think that the balance I'm striving for isn't a balancing of actual tasks, but a balancing of my spirit, my inner being. Because the rest, I'm thinking, will follow.

So the next question, of course, is how do I achieve this inner balance? Hmmm...I'll get back to you on that later. There's a ridiculously adorable, incredibly special small child at my side, and she is requesting my presence.

Farewell, Project 358

2011-09-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

After a lot of ridiculous, self indulgent back-and-forth inside my own head, I have decided to discontinue my participation in Project 358. Even as I write this, I feel bad about my decision: I'm a quitter; I'm a failure. But the fact of the matter is, I'm not enjoying it anymore. It was fun at first, and definitely got me to blog more; but recently I've come to resent the obligation. At times I felt overwhelmed because there were several non-Project-related topics I wanted to write about, but as a mother of two children, I have very limited writing time; and since I didn't want to get too far behind in the blessed Project, I usually ended up focusing on that. Cue feelings of overwhelm and frustration. All of this over a goddamn blog that, what, 15 people read? Kiiiiiiinda' silly, non? Oui!

So, yes. I'm a quitter, but I feel alright about it. Now, I can post photos when I damn well please and write when I feel inspired to do so.

Farewell, Project 358...It was good while it lasted!

Self-Portrait Series - 5 (Project 358: Day 232)

2011-08-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

Day 232: Self-Portrait, August 2011

Project 358: Day 231

2011-08-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Day 231: Tracks

Hot Fun In The Summertime (Project 358: Day 230)

2011-08-28T14:26:00.000-07:00

The other day, my mom and I decided to make the most of the hot summer weather and take the kids to Bertha Henschel park in East Sacramento. Located on 45th Street between A and B, Bertha Henschel is a real gem. In addition to standard playground equipment, basketball courts, a soccer field, and picnic areas, there is a small fenced-in wading pool for children 7 and younger. On one end of the wading pool is a giant, mushroom-shaped fountain that dispenses a constant stream of water for children to play in. The kids had a blast and my mom and I had a lovely time relaxing in the ample shade watching them play.

Unfortunately, due to dwindling city funding, the pool at Bertha Henschel park may not be open next summer. Volunteers are working hard to raise the $22,000 dollars necessary to save it (yikes!). It would be a real tragedy if this pool were to close. It is obviously well loved by children and parents alike; the place was packed.

If you'd like to help out, all fundraising is being funneled through the non-profit Gifts To Share. Send your tax deductible donation (Tax ID # 94-29285546) to:

Gifts To Share, Inc.

915 I Street, 5th Floor

Sacramento, CA 95814

(Please write "Bertha Henschel" in the memo line.)

Or donate online www.giftstoshare.org by clicking on their "Donate Now" link and then designating Bertha Henschel Pool in the "Program Designation" tab.

Note: all money raised will remain with the park even if the City is unable to fund the pool. The money will then be used for desired park improvements.

I do so hope that we are able to keep the pool open another year. Just look at the fun we had...

Day 230: Pure Delight

Photo by my mom (KP) (Edited by AS)

Photo by KP (Edited by AS)

Project 358: Day 229

2011-08-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

Day 229: Maxton James, Storm Trooper

Various Edibles (Project 358: Days 222 - 225)

2011-08-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to Purslane, the weed that is slowly but surely taking over my backyard. Thus far, I have not put up a fight, for three main reasons:

It's kinda' pretty.
I find weeding to be a remarkably unrewarding task: it's never ending! And,
Turns out, it's edible! And, apparently, quite nutritious.

Although considered an invasive weed in most parts of North America, Purslane is eaten as a leafy green throughout much of Europe, the middle east, Asia, and Mexico. It can be eaten raw, stir-fried, sauteed, or added to soups and stews. I plan on trying it sometime this week, after two whole summers of telling myself I should. If we like it, I think I'll try cultivating some in a pot. It is a succulent, and a hearty one at that. It should handle the move well, I think. Then I will feel better about allowing my husband to attempt to eliminate the "weed" from the rest of our yard. I can tell that it's starting to stress him out. (And he calls me OCD. Ha!)

Day 222: Edible Weed

And now, what we lovingly call Breakfast Face, a morning favorite these days among the children of the house:

Day 223: Edible Face

Day 224: Fail. No photo. (D'oh!)

And finally, all this junk food (below) can only mean one thing...

Day 225: Edible Junk

CAMPING!!! Details in a future post.

Garden Perks & Pest Control (Project 358: Days 216 - 221)

2011-08-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Day 216: Tofu Scramble

For the breakfast pictured above, I followed this Tofu Scramble recipe from the Happy Herbivore. Within the vegan community, recipes for tofu scrambles abound. This is the first one I've tried and I have to say, I feel no need to look further. Doesn't it look just like scrambled eggs? The taste and texture are very similar as well, making it a great option for vegans craving a hearty breakfast. The link above takes you to HH's basic scramble recipe, to which she encourages you to add whatever you have on hand in the way of veggies, herbs, and legumes. To mine, I added red onion, jalapeno, sun gold tomatoes, and heirloom grape tomatoes, all of which were picked from my garden, save the onions. If I'd had black beans on hand, I'd have thrown those in too. On the side, I had half a sprouted wheat bagel and a small bunch of grapes from my parents' garden. This meal was immensely satisfying and kept my hunger at bay far longer than a bowl of cereal ever could.

Day 217: Apparently, Peppers Require Patience

Pictured above is a Blue Jay Bell Pepper plant. We planted this in our vegetable garden last year and it proved to be very productive. At the time, I remember reading on its tag that the peppers ripen through purple to a deep red color. However, they remained purple for so long that we eventually grew impatient and picked them prior to their turning red. A part of me even doubted the validity of that claim. They're not ever going to turn red, I thought, those silly horticulturalists don't know what they're talking about. So we ate every single one of those Blue Jay bell peppers while they were still purple. And they were good! The walls were on the thin side and they could stand to be a little sweeter, but overall, we were just super stoked to be eating food that we grew ourselves and for that reason alone, they tasted great.

As we planned out our vegetable garden this year, we decided once again to go with the Blue Jays. The plant proved to be as reliable as it was last year, producing fruit long before our other pepper plants. This time, I decided to wait it out. And I'm so glad that I did. Our first beautiful Blue Jay started out a lovely shade of amethyst. As the weeks went on, the color started to fade and eventually turned to yellow, through orange, and into the lovely red shade pictured above. The whole process took over two months! We finally ate it a few days after this photo was taken and boy, was it worth the wait! I'll never be impatient about my peppers again.

Day 218: Natural Pest Control No. 1

Day 219: Vegans Can BBQ Too!

Above: zucchini, red onion, Anaheim chile, and Blue Jay bell pepper (in red!) lightly brushed with BBQ sauce and grilled to perfection (all but the onions were from our garden). Veggies served over a bed of quinoa with vegetarian baked beans and fresh cantaloupe on the side.

Other great options for vegan BBQ: polenta squares, potatoes, marinated tempeh and portobello mushrooms, veggie burgers and veggie dogs, corn on the cob, and seasoned eggplant slices. When it comes to summertime grilling, it's not just the omnis that get to have all the fun.

Day 220: Natural Pest Control No. 2

Day 221: Eggplant Chana Masala

Ingredients:

3 large onions, roughly chopped

4 - 5 garlic cloves, minced

1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon curry powder or to taste

1 - 2 teaspoons cumin or to taste

1 large eggplant, peeled and chopped into 1/2" pieces

2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained

2 (14-ounce) cans peeled tomatoes, drained

1 can vegetarian chili (Health Valley and Amy's make good ones)

1 large handful chopped fresh cilantro (about 1/2 cup)

Instructions:

Saute the onions and garlic with the oil, curry powder, and cumin in a large pot until the onions are soft or translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add the eggplant, and saute for 5 minutes longer, until lightly browned and softened. Sometimes the eggplant will absorb a lot of oil, so you might need to add more to prevent sticking. Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, and chili. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. It will get watery, but then reduce to a thick, stewy chana masala. Add more spices to taste. Stir in the chopped cilantro and serve.

The above recipe is taken from The Kind Diet, written by Alicia Silverstone, which I received as a birthday gift from a dear friend and fellow vegan. I highly recommend the book to anyone interest in dabbling in a vegan diet. Alicia's writing style is friendly and accessible and she manages to present the many reasons to go vegan convincingly without being pushy or preachy. The second half of the book is packed full of incredible recipes, including the Eggplant Chana Masala pictured above. This is the first recipe I've tried from the book and it did not disappoint. Rich, hearty, and satisfying, it is also incredibly easy to make and still tastes great the next day (or several days later - the recipe makes a lot). I served it over a bed of wild rice with a simple herb salad on the side. The only thing that could improve this meal is some warm, buttery naan. Man! Why didn't I think of that?!

Slice of Life (Project 358: Day 208)

2011-08-20T14:40:00.000-07:00

Whoops! I just realized I skipped a day! So. Rewinding back in time a bit to Evan's first solo trip to Sebastopol...

On his last day at Grandma Kim's house, it was decided that Stephen, Elinor, and I would make the drive to Sebastopol to pick Evan up. This ended up resulting in a mini-date for me and Stephen when we were offered the chance to go to dinner while Kim watched the kids. Deciding where to go was simple; we'd been wanting to try Slice of Life, a local vegetarian restaurant, for quite some time after reading a review of it on Vegansaurus.

At Slice of Life, they pride themselves on being, "The natural choice for vegan, vegetarian, American, Italian, and Mexican cuisine." I would have tried the place even if all they served was vegan sandwiches, but American, Italian, AND Mexican veggie cuisine all in one place? AND a huge selection of breakfast entrees served all day long? I'm sold.

The decor at this tiny, hole in the wall joint is typical for casual, veg-centric eateries. Tibetan prayer flags hang from the ceiling; paintings by local artists cover the walls; the furniture is dated and was most likely purchased second-hand. But who cares about any of that? What really matters is the food, right?

Day 208: Slice of Life

Stephen and I sat down, ordered a couple Lagunitas IPAs and reached for the menu, fully unprepared for how overwhelming its contents would prove to be. I started to get a little anxious as I tried to pick one thing from the seemingly endless list of delicious sounding options...SIX different types of house-made veggie burgers...veggie melts and tempeh BLTs...vegan lasagna...vegan pizza...pancakes...burritos and more! It just went on and on and on and the ONLY way Stephen and I were able to finally make a decision was by telling ourselves that we would return, again and again and again, so that eventually we would be able to try it all.

It was actually kind of funny. At a typical restaurant, meaning one not specifically catering to the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, it's usually pretty easy to make a decision about what to order because the options are so limited. Eating at a restaurant such as Slice of Life or Cafe Gratitude is such a wholly different experience (You mean I can eat anything on the menu?), it can take a little getting used to.

Mmmm....food.

I ended up ordering the special of the day, Tempeh Tacos, pictured below. I don't know what they marinated the tempeh in, but it tasted like mole; rich, complex, and smoky. On top of the tempeh was an enormous pile of beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, sprouts, and vegan sour cream. This meal was so good I ended up eating the entire thing, leaving only about half of the side of brown rice on my plate. This was a mighty big meal, but since it wasn't loaded with a bunch of nasty animal products, I felt great afterwards, totally free from the bloated, heavy feeling I used to get from eating Mexican food made with meats, cheese, and lard. This meal also inspired me to start looking for a vegan mole recipe that I can make at home. I found one for mole seitan, but have yet to try it. I'll be sure to blog about it when I do.

Tempeh Tacos

Stephen ordered The Works Burrito: beans, rice, steamed veggies, tofu, and vegan sour cream in a whole wheat tortilla, topped with homemade salsa and guacamole (pictured below). As unremarkable as it looks sitting there, all alone on its plate, this burrito was super satisfying and full of flavor. Still, I'm glad I chose the tacos.

"The Works" Burrito

We definitely plan on hitting up Slice of Life again the next time we're in Sebastopol. I'm dying to try the pizza as well as the vegan lasagna and, one of these days, we'll take the kids there for a big ol' plate of vegan pancakes. I hear they're delicious!

Project 358: Days 209 - 215

2011-08-17T14:45:00.000-07:00

Day 209: Fail. No Photo.
Day 210: Fail. No Photo.

I've been writing that so much these days, it almost feels silly to say that I'm still taking part in the project. Except, after taking a moment to figure out exactly how many days I've missed, I discovered the number is only 15. Out of a total of 221 days so far, I'm thinkin' 15 misses ain't bad. And so, I continue on with the project for the remaining 137 days. In fact, I think I'll challenge myself to make it there without missing any more!

Onward!

Day 211: Miss Mazzy's Birthday Crown

Evan, and his lifelong friend Mazzy, were in the same parent participation preschool class this past year and, as participating parents, Mazzy's mom Keri and I were strongly encouraged to take on duties that went beyond the requirement of helping out in class once a week. The job I chose was that of "social coordinator" which, as it turned out, really just involved making crowns for the children whose birthdays fell within the school year. I thoroughly enjoyed this crafty task but was saddened by the fact that I wouldn't be making one for Mazzy, as her birthday is in August. So, Keri and I decided it would be fun for Mazzy if I made her a crown anyway and brought it to her 5th birthday party. Pictured above is Miss Mazzy's crown. I may have put a little more bling on hers than I did the other children's, but can you blame me? I mean, she's practically my neice! I wanted that crown to sparkle as much as she does. (It doesn't even come close.)

Day 212: Volunteer

This little green friend pictured above was not planted by me, nor anyone else that resides in my home. He volunteered himself as an addition to our garden, right smack in the middle of some irrigation tubing. Still, we decided to let the little guy grow. I'm still not sure what he is, though. At first, I thought cucumber, because the leaves are similar and, much like cucumber, this plant has those delightfully "grabby" little curlicue tendrils. But then the thing bloomed and I realized it couldn't be cucumber; the blossoms were much too large and resembled those of zucchini. Except, zucchini doesn't have the curlicues, so I'm confused. Our little volunteer continues to grow at an alarming rate, but has yet to bear fruit. Anyone out there have any idea what it is? (I'm hoping it's winter squash!)

Day 213: Fail. No photo.

Day 214: Adventure Village

A week after Evan's two night visit to Grandma Kim's house, he had the chance to do it all over again. This time while he was away, we decided to take Elinor to the Granite Arch, a rock-climbing gym in Rancho Cordova. She's always been a climber and we thought she might have fun with a little bouldering at the gym. We chose the Granite Arch over Pipeworks (where Stephen and I had a date earlier this year) because they have a play area for kids that they call Adventure Village. It turned out that Elinor was not the least bit interested in bouldering, mostly because she was intimated by the size of it I think, but she had fun playing in Adventure Village, pictured above and below. That said, I don't think we'll be going back. The climbing and bouldering areas were very nice, but the play area didn't look very well maintained and, with shredded old tires used as the floor covering, it felt really dirty (Elinor's face, arms and hands were dark grey by the time we left). I mean, sure it was bouncy, and I'm all for recycling, but old tires? In a playground? Seems kind of, I don't know, toxic? Anyway, we definitely didn't feel the experience was worth the $9 drop-in fee. Live and learn.

Whoa, trippy.

Peek-a-boo!

One of the best parts of having Evan gone for a couple of days was watching him come home and give his sister a HUGE hug, lifting her off the ground and squeezing her with all his might. As much fun as he had at Grandma Kim's, he missed his sister. And she missed him. Having one child may be simpler, but man I'm glad I had two, if only for moments like that. And this:

Day 215: Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

So Long, Brudder! (Project 358: Day 207)

2011-08-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

When Stephen's mom proposed that Evan come stay with her for two nights at her home in Sebastopol, we had no reservations, save one: that Elinor would feel left out and want to come along too. As it turned out, her reaction to the news was quite the opposite. When Grandma Kim arrived to pick Evan up, Elinor practically pushed him out the door, delaying the process only briefly to do a thorough safety inspection of the vehicle before sending him on his way. It became clear immediately that she was quite content having Mommy and Daddy to herself. And though I experienced occasional pangs of sadness due to the absence of my first-born (this was the longest I had been away from him, ever, in all five years of his existence), overall, I relished the experience. How wonderful to be able to focus all of my attention on Elinor, as I had with Evan for nearly two and a half years before his sister was born.

Stephen was working the first day of Evan's Grand Adventure, leaving just us girls at the Silack house. We started our time together with a nice long nap, which I realize doesn't sound very exciting or like a very good use of our time together, but oh man, I wouldn't change it if I could. We slept, snuggled together in my bed, for a good two and a half hours before I woke up. I tried to rouse Elinor at that point but she must have been quite comfy because she slept for another 45 minutes! When she finally awoke, it was time to head to my parents' house for dinner, as we usually do one night out of Stephen's 48 hour shift. Our evening there was relaxed and fun and Elinor, not having to compete with her brother for attention, was far less clingy and whiny than usual. As we made our way home after dinner, it became quite clear to me that Elinor wasn't going to bed any time soon. She had, after all, had an unusually long nap very late in the afternoon. So, instead, we put on our jammies and cuddled up on the couch to watch Toy Story 3, for the eighteen-bazillionth time, before heading to bed.

The next morning, we slept in. Until nearly 8 am! And just as I was starting to think, I could get used to this just girls thang, Stephen came home. He'd slept all night at work (miraculously) and was excited to start our day, just the three of us.

First stop: Rubicon Brewing Company for lunch. Now, Stephen and I have been known to take our children to restaurants on a fairly regular basis. We don't take them to "nice" restaurants where our children would be considered a nuisance to other patrons, but we don't hesitate to take them to family-friendly establishments, such as the Old Spaghetti Factory, Burr's Fountain, or Celia's Mexican. The children tend to be pretty well-behaved during these outings. Even so, they are children, both under five years of age, and the length of time they are willing to (or capable of) sit(ting) in a chair is limited. Which is why I was so delightfully surprised when Elinor allowed us to sit and eat and drink and talk at Rubicon for nearly two hours. She was so fun and adorable, ordering her own food (grilled cheese, carrot and celery sticks, water) and entertaining us with her colorful imagination and seemingly endless range of facial expressions, of which only a small sampling are captured here:

(I forgot to bring my camera, so all photos were taken with Stephen's iPod Touch.)

Day 207: Evan? Evan Who?

Want some, Mom?

After lunch, we decided to check out Art Beast, an art and imagination studio for kids located in Midtown Sacramento. This place is super cool, filled with every kind of art medium you could possibly imagine, as well as musical instruments, costumes, and toys for imaginative play. AND, every cent you spend there (drop-in admission is $8 per person, they only charge for one adult per family, and children under one year are free) goes directly to Tubman House, a local nonprofit serving young homeless parents and their children. They also offer punch cards and memberships at discounted rates, have a wide selection of cool classes such as dance, drum circle, and yoga, and you can have birthday parties there! Overall, it is totally awesome. We had a blast and will definitely be going back sometime soon. Some pics from our time there...

Perplexing Costume

Overheard in the costume room:
5 or 6-year-old boy in Buzz Lightyear costume: I'm Buzz Lightyear!
Elinor, still in street clothes: I'm Woody.
Boy: Doesn't Woody wear boots?
Elinor: I'm pretendin' my tennis shoes are boots, OKAY?!

(Oh, Elinor, be glad you have an older brother. As tough he is on you sometimes, he has, in turn, made you tough.)

The boy in the Buzz Lightyear costume seemed satisfied by her response and they ended up playing together for quite some time. I love that Elinor can hold her own with the big kids.

Eventually, Elinor was able to get what she really wanted: the Buzz Lightyear costume. The girl is obsessed with Buzz Lightyear and can often be found jumping off of couches or chairs, beds or playground equipment yelling at the top of her lungs, "To Infinity and Beyoooond!"

Happy girl.

Painting in the Arts & Crafts room.

One of the walls in the art room was covered with a giant piece of plexiglass for painting. Not wanting to waste any paper with my "art" I opted to paint on the plexiglass and ended up being really glad I did. It's hard to explain, but the paint goes on so smoothly, it felt very satisfying and soothing to me. And, when you're finished, it washes away easily with water. Now I want Stephen to install something similar in our backyard for the kids (okay, for me too). That way, the kids can paint to their hearts content without wasting a single sheet of paper. And if they paint a masterpiece I simply cannot part with, I'll just grab my camera and take a pic!

Elinor, your daddy and I so enjoyed our special time with you. You've got our hearts, little girl, no doubt about that. Thank you for being you.

We love you, Elinor Rose!

Project 358: Days 202 - 206

2011-08-12T16:30:00.000-07:00

Day 202: Fail. No photo.

Day 203: Summertime Snow

Day 204: Evan Art (Buzz Lightyear)

Day 205: Fail. No photo. (Seems I'm getting lazier these days...)

Day 206: My, How He's Grown!

Evan recently had the chance to spend TWO WHOLE NIGHTS at his grandma's home in Sebastopol ALL BY HIMSELF! The photo above was taken the morning she came to pick him up. Looks just a wee bit excited don'tcha think? On his lap is a map that he drew showing Grandma Kim how to get to her house from our house. Elinor felt it necessary to do a thorough safety inspection of the vehicle before their departure. She's like a mini Stephen.

Upcoming post: how we spent our time during our brief journey back into the relative simplicity of life with one child.

Date Night at the Fair (Project 358: Day 201)

2011-08-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of years, in addition to taking the kids to the Fair, Stephen and I have started a tradition of Date Night at the Fair. We had our first date night at the fair in 2005, back in the footloose and fancy-free days before we had children and, oh boy, did we have fun! Our date nights there now take us back to that time, when we were newly in love, playful and flirtatious. When we go without our children, we are able to take our time seeing the things we want to see without having to cater to the wants and needs of the kids. And then, as the sun goes down and the lights of the midway start to sparkle, we become children ourselves. Well, children who drink beer, that is.

At the AMAZING vegetable and flower garden, one of our favorite exhibits.

Here comes the sun...

So Sacramento.

Heading towards the midway!

On that ride that swings you around in circles, nearly parallel to the ground. Okay, not quite, but it sure feels that way!

I hadn't ridden this ride since I was a teenager. I was a wee bit concerned I might puke.

Nobody puked, but we did get a little dizzy.

Waiting in line...

Day 201: Weeee! In love on the ferris wheel, the wind in our hair...

oh so moody

The lights! Oh, how I love the lights!

On another, bigger ferris wheel, way up high.

I love him.

I am a HUGE fan of photo booths and Stephen and I make a point of stepping into one for the classic strip of cheesy photos every year at the Fair (we also try to do this when we take the kids, but they don't always comply with our request). Here is this year's strip o' pics (for some reason, we decided to include our beers this time 'round):

1) Why are we never ready for the first photo? 2) We like beer! 3) Gotta have a kissy-face photo 4) Let's do this every year, forever and ever, until we grow old and die.

Destination: Oregon (Project 365: Days 177 - 180)

2011-08-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

For the past fifteen years or so, my father's side of the family has had a reunion during the days surrounding the 4th of July. Each year, the family gathers at my grandparents' Christmas tree farm in the breathtakingly rural town of Alpine, Oregon. The farm, and the home located there, are now owned by my aunt and uncle who took over ownership when my grandmother grew ill and passed away in 2001. (My grandfather and his new wife, Grace, now divide their time between her condo in Palm Springs and her home in Everett, Washington.) This tradition began way back in '95 (my dad's guesstimate) when my father and my younger sister spent 4th of July in Oregon with the family who lived there at the time (my grandparents at the farm, my aunt and uncle, and their two sons, at homes nearby). They had such a great time, they started going back every year. As time went on, the party grew, and over the years it has become a full-fledged family reunion. Stephen and I have attended four times: in 2005, the summer before we married; in 2007, with nine-month-old Evan; in 2010, when Evan was 3 1/2 and Elinor 18 months; and finally, this year, with a 4 1/2-year-old and a 2 1/2-year-old in tow.

I've been putting off writing this post for a while now and I think it's because I had mixed emotions about the trip this year. In 2010, we had such a great time with the kids at the farm; we didn't want to leave. So this year, as July approached, I could feel the excitement building inside me. I couldn't wait to leave the suburbs of Sacramento and head to the lush, green beauty that is rural Oregon. Sure, I wasn't looking forward to the nine hour drive with two kids under five, but thoughts of zip-lining through the trees, hiking to Alsea Falls, and late-night talks around the campfire made my hesitations about the drive all but disappear. Until we were actually doing it. I won't get into the details of the drive, because honestly, I'd rather not revisit it. You'll just have to trust me on this: it was awful. I mean really, just super duper unpleasant.

The whole way there, I had one thought on repeat in my head: I just want to get to the farm...I just want to get to the farm...I just want to get to the farm...I felt like once we turned onto the long, familiar gravel driveway, everything would be better. And I was right. Just getting out of the goddamned car and stretching our legs a bit made things better. And then: the smiles and hugs from loved ones; the joy on my children's faces as they zip-lined and ran and jumped and swung on swings; the refreshing comfort of a mason jar filled with cold beer in my hand; the talent show and fireworks; the laughter and love.

The first night there was delightful, and filled with all of the things that made previous trips so special. However, when we awoke the next day, it felt...different. Due to Stephen's work schedule, we were the late-comers this year, arriving after everyone else had already been there two or three days. So while the festivities that took place the evening of our arrival were, to us, a great way to start the party, to everyone else, it was simply the culmination of the previous days events. The last hurrah, so to speak. Stephen and I were just starting to warm up, while everyone else was winding down, or leaving. Both of my sisters and their significant others, as well as my cousin and her husband, left that day around noon. I felt antsy. I wanted to be home.

The kids were having fun, but were also severely deprived in the sleep department (staying up late, followed by going to sleep in a tent with fireworks blasting above, and then waking to the sunrise). I can't stress enough how important sleep is to the general well-being of my children. Even with naps, they were unable to make up for what they lost during the night and as the day wore on, they got crankier and crankier. I hate it when this happens in front of family, particularly family you don't see very often. I found myself saying things like, They're not always like this. They're just really tired. I'm sorry. As if pretty much everyone there hadn't already raised children of their own. I'm sure they could empathize, but still. It was hard.

We arrived at the farm on the 3rd, with the original intention to leave on the 6th. However, at some point during the day of the 4th, I suggested to Stephen that we leave on the 5th instead, drive halfway, get a hotel room in Ashland for one night, and do the second half of the drive home on the 6th. Stephen kissed me, told me I was brilliant, and immediately borrowed my cousin's laptop to book a room. With this decision made, I felt a weight was lifted from my shoulders. I no longer had to worry about doing the horrible nine-hour drive home; breaking the drive in half seemed so much more doable. And getting a hotel room in Ashland meant that I would be able to put the kids down at their regular bedtime, that they would sleep well (they always do in hotel rooms), and that they would sleep in past sunrise (at least a little bit). With this new sense of relief, I was able to enjoy my remaining time at the farm a little bit more (except for one incident in the middle of the night when Evan wet the bed and was so dead asleep he didn't even notice and I found myself drenched in urine, my sweat pants soaked through, cold and shivering and, not wanting to claw my way through the dark into the house to find towels, I made it my one mission in life to make sure Evan was not too cold so that at least HE could get a decent night's sleep because I certainly wasn't going to now). Come morning, I was READY TO GO.

The drive to Ashland was easy, our time there pleasant. We ate yummy food, took walks around town, played at Lithia park, cooled our feet in Ashland Creek, and slept in beds. We were even able to spend a little time with a couple of Stephen's friends from Medford. It was the perfect ending to our trip.

Reading over what I've just written, I realize how negative it all sounds. And I'm okay with that. I don't want this blog to be a glossed-over version of my life. I want it to be honest. Still, I am happy for the photographs. Despite the troubles we experienced on this trip, there were many, many moments of laughter and joy, peace even, and the photographs help me to remember that...

Day 177: Finally at the Farm!

Evan headed straight for the zip-line upon arrival at the farm.

Elinor's face and hands are covered in purple ink, the result of her "entertaining" herself with a (non-toxic) marker during the drive.

The kids love the big trampoline, although it was the cause of a few injuries during our stay.

Daddy and Elinor preparing to ride the zip-line.

My turn to ride with Nori (Photo by SS (Edited by AS))

My cousin Sophie's hool-a-hoop performance during the Parsons Family Talent Show.

For his "talent" Evan slowly worked his way through a pack of Pop-its. You know, those little bags of gun powder you throw at the ground and make pop? He was so serious about the whole thing, it was really funny.

Watching the talent show (Photo by Evan (Edited by AS))

My Uncle Pete and my Dad.

Fireworks (Photo by SS (Edited by AS))

The gate to the vegetable garden and hen house.

The ladies of the hen house.

Day 178: Morning on the Farm (the tent on the right is where we slept)

Taking a morning stroll about the property.

Photo by SS (edited by AS)

A lively game of Spoons (my cousin Spencer was kind enough to give Evan a hand).

My grandfather (age 92) with his wife, Grace (age 102!)

This looks so terribly uncomfortable to me...Look at his toes! The kid was wiped. out. (Don't worry, I moved him to a more comfortable location after snapping this pic.)

Startin' up the three wheeler.

Sophie allowed Elinor to try out her paints.

A birdhouse built by my aunt Patty's father. There were a couple of sparrows nesting in here. I tried to get a pic of them, but was unsuccessful.

More bird houses built by Patty's father.

Taking one last stroll, the morning of our departure (Photo by SS (edited by AS))

Cooling our feet in Ashland Creek.

Day 179: Siblings on Swings (Lithia Park, Ashland)

Sweet treats in Ashland.

Day 180: Web Climber (one last play session in Lithia Park before driving home)

Project 358: Day 200

2011-07-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

Yet another sleeping kid photo...

Day 200: Sweet Slumber

Self Portrait Series - 4 (Project 358: Day 199)

2011-07-26T02:01:00.000-07:00

Day 199: Self-Portrait, July 2011

Project 358: Days 196 - 198

2011-07-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

Day 196: Mr. Catalog Head, by Evan

Day 197: Inner Workings of the Parsons Family GOPP (Grand Old Player Piano)

Day 198: Tossin' Rocks in the American River

California State Fair (Project 358: Day 195)

2011-07-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Photo by SS (I'm just now noticing how goofy my smile is here.)

Photo by SS (Elinor is sitting next to me, but is hidden behind the water cannon. Stephen and Evan were in another boat and Ev made it his mission in life to completely DRENCH me. Ended up being a good thing, though, since it was SO HOT that day.)

Day 195: Sun Setting on the Midway

Photo by SS

Photo by friendly Fair patron.

*All photos taken with our point and shoot, 'cause we weren't about to drag our big ol' DSLR to the Fair.
** Sloppy photo editing done by yours truly.

Follow-up to (Far) Beyond Pretty

2011-07-21T10:04:00.000-07:00

Since writing (Far) Beyond Pretty, I've mulled over it for days, worrying that I didn't adequately express myself in the piece. I think that I got carried away on an emotional tangent that steered me from my original purpose. I know that I over think things, and I know that nobody cares, but I need to get this out of my head. And, because my head is still sort of spinning in circles on the topic, I'm going to do this in a numbered format, however boring that may be. Bear with me. Or don't. It's your prerogative, yo. Here goes...

I did not write this post as an indictment of my parents. Growing up, yes, my parents told me I was pretty, but they also supported me whole-heartedly in all of my passions: competitive swimming, dance, theater, writing, putting together "creative" ensembles (let's call it "fashion"). Within my family, I always knew that I was valued for more than my looks. So where did this designation as Alison the Pretty (in contrast to Jessica the Smart and Maggie the Humorous) come from? I don't know. I'm starting to think I made it up myself. (I have no idea if my sisters had the same experience growing up, but I will ask them this weekend, because I get to see them both in one day, YAY!) Perhaps, as the middle child, I was searching for an identity and gave myself the title, clinging to the trait that people noticed most. Or perhaps my early "obsession with pretty," as my father so succinctly put it, was a result of my interests. After all, the worlds of dance, theater, and fashion are well-known for their focus on physical appearance.
I do not believe that parents should never, under any circumstances tell their daughters that they're pretty. Being complimented on your appearance feels good and, if it's done genuinely and in moderation, it can only serve to bolster a child's self-esteem.
I do think that we should examine how we, in general, greet little girls upon meeting them. It's common practice to mention something about appearance when we meet girls: Look how pretty you are! I love your dress! etc. It's understandable. Little girls are freakin' cute! But, if a comment on appearance is the first thing they hear from people, over and over again, the message starts to sink in: being pretty is really important. So how should we greet them? I love Lisa Bloom's suggestion in her article How to Talk to Little Girls: crouch down to their level, look them in the eyes, and simply say, "It's very nice to meet you." Simple. Perfect.

Changing the way we greet girls is just one small step in opposition to the harmful messages our culture and media send to them on a daily basis. In addition to this, I am working on:

Refraining from making negative comments about my own appearance. Children learn so much from simply observing their parents. If my daughter sees me picking myself apart or putting myself down, it's likely she'll do the same to herself. Exercise and healthy eating habits should be modeled and discussed as necessary components to leading a healthy life and feeling good. They should not be discussed as a way to get skinny or to avoid getting fat.
Complimenting and encouraging my daughter for her many skills and talents. And I don't mean general declarations like You are so amazing! although I have been known to say that from time to time. I mean specific statements relating to the things she has done or accomplished, such as Wow, you really focused and finished that puzzle all by yourself! That must feel really good. or That was really kind of you to let your friend play with your toy. Doesn't it feel good to share?
Talking to my daughter and, more important, listening to her. Engaging her, asking her questions, and really listening to her answers. As Lisa Bloom wrote so eloquently, "Ask her what she's reading. What does she like and dislike, and why? There are no wrong answers. You're just generating an intelligent conversation that respects her brain. For older girls, ask her about current events issues: pollution, wars, school budgets slashed. What bothers her out there in the world? How would she fix it if she had a magic wand? You may get some intriguing answers. Tell her about your ideas and accomplishments and your favorite books. Model for her what a thinking woman says and does."

I feel like I had more to say on this topic, but my brain is starting to wind down now. Perhaps this means I've made my point. In closing, I share with you a YouTube video that my uncle posted on Facebook several months back and that left me in tears. Please watch. It's pretty awesome.

Project 358: Days 188 - 194

2011-07-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

Day 188: Fire In The Sky

Day 189: Lunch.

Tempeh bacon, golden heirloom tomato, avocado, baby spinach, sunflower sprouts, mustard, and Vegenaise on whole wheat bread. On the side: arugula, golden heirloom tomato, avocado, and sunflower seeds tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. Yum.

Day 190: Uncertain

Day 191: Breakfast.

A big ol' hearty breakfast hash made from red onion, green bell pepper, red potatoes, and crumbled Organic "Hemp-fest" Breakfast Patties. Topped with tomato, avocado, and a dash o' Chalula hot sauce. This was so freakin' yummy, but the photo does not do it justice. In hindsight, I realize I shoulda' thrown a piece of toast in the mix, if only for compositional purposes. Oh, well. C'est la vie!

Day 192: Dinner.

Peanut Stew:

Chop half an onion and cook in pot.
Add a can of stewed tomatoes, a half cup of crunchy peanut butter, and a half can of garbanzo beans.
Chop a potato and add to pot with a sprinkling of thyme.
Cover pot and cook on low heat for 20 min.
Serve on rice.
Munch.

I snagged this recipe from The Vegan Stoner, a charming and aesthetically pleasing blog dedicated to food that is "cheap, fast, and vegan." I've been following the blog for a while now, but this is the first recipe that I felt compelled to try (they had me at "crunchy peanut butter"). I did have to cook it for almost twice as long as directed to get the potatoes soft, and we did end up adding salt, black pepper, and cayenne because it needed a little kick, but overall, this recipe is bomb. I will be making it again in the future fo' sho'.

Day 193: Have Wheels, Will Travel

Elinor's legs are now long enough to pedal the tricycle! Evan, nine whole months after receiving a bicycle for his birthday, finally decided to try riding the thing!! Dreams of family bike rides are dancing in my head!!! I LOVE EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!

I am a happy mama.

Day 194: So Close, Yet So Far Away

My childhood pool, closed for the summer due to budget cuts. Sigh. This kinda' broke my heart a little, truth be told.

Product Preference (Project 358: Day 187)

2011-07-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

The summer before my sophomore year of high school, my skin broke out pretty severely and since then, acne is something that I've just always had to deal with. Even today, at age 33, which anyone who has struggled with adult acne can attest, is just plain unfair. Over the years, I've tried all sorts of things to clear my skin, from over-the-counter remedies such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, to prescription products like tetracycline and Retin-A, just to name a few. Many things improved my skin, but the improvement never seemed to last. My skin became particularly difficult to deal with during the hormonal surges that accompany pregnancy, child-birth, and breast feeding. I began to feel like my skin would never be clear, a thought that was increasingly stressful the older I became.

During the past year, my skin troubles took on a new form as I began getting ugly red pimples along my jawline. According to my online research, this acne is typically hormonal (Yay, hormones! Aren't they just the BEST?!) and fairly common among women in their thirties. Once again, I began my quest to find the perfect skincare routine, with the additional goal of using natural products as much as possible. The products pictured below are what I've come up with. I've been following this routine (roughly described below) for several months now and am very happy with the results. My skin is not perfect, but I've given up on expecting it to be. And, you know, that mind-shift alone probably does more for my skin than any product. Still, I'm not giving these up anytime soon:

Day 187: Product Preference

The products (starting from left to right and finishing with the tube lying horizontal up front):

Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Daily Gentle Cleanser, $9.99 for a 3.38 oz tube. Most days of the week, I end up wearing at least a little bit of makeup, so at night, I need a cleanser that's going to wash that makeup off (including eye makeup like mascara, because I refuse to add another step to my routine). This one does the trick, while still being gentle enough that it doesn't irritate my somewhat sensitive skin. It's hypoallergenic, paraben- and petroleum-free, and made from 96% natural ingredients. Additionally, all Yes To products are cruelty-free and at least 5% of their annual profits are donated towards the Yes To Carrots Seed Fund, a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit organization "on a mission to make a difference in people's lives by providing under-served communities with the resources to develop and sustain an organic food source and access to healthy nutrition." Nice!
St. Ives Timeless Skin Daily Microdermabrasion, approximately $5.00 for a 4 oz tube. You guys, this is HANDS DOWN THE BEST facial exfoliator I have EVER tried. And, believe me, I've tried a lot of 'em. It's so great because it's incredibly effective, leaving your skin soft and smooth and lovely, and yet it's gentle enough to use every day. No, really. Every day. Even on sensitive skin. Plus, a little goes a long way, allowing a 4 oz tube to last you for months. I'm a little scared it may be discontinued though, because I've had trouble finding it in stores and it is no longer listed on the St. Ives website. However, there are several online vendors still selling it, so I went ahead and bought a four-pack off Amazon yesterday for $19.99. (Why am I telling you my secrets?! I must hoard this stuff for myself!) Anyway ladies, if you're in your thirties, as I am, there are simply no more excuses not to exfoliate! Let's face it, our cells simply aren't turning at the rate they did in our youth, so get to scrubbin'! I use this stuff every morning in the shower, a great way to start the day.
Desert Essence Organic Jojoba Oil, $14.99 for a 4 oz bottle. When it comes to natural skin care for acne prone skin, jojoba oil is lauded as a near necessity. I admit, as someone with oily skin, at first the idea of rubbing oil into my face totally freaked me out, but now I can't imagine living without the stuff. Jojoba oil is a botanical extract of the seed of the jojoba tree (Simmondsia chinensis) and is actually not an oil at all, but a wax ester. Out of all the compounds in nature, this wax ester is the most similar to human skin oil (sebum). By applying jojoba oil to your skin, you effectively "trick" your skin into thinking it is producing enough oil, thus balancing oil production. That's the theory anyway. And I, for one, am buying it. I use it as a moisturizer every morning and every night. It leaves my skin soft, smooth, and best of all, way less shiny and oily. It's a miracle product! One thing to keep in mind: while conventional moisturizers hydrate your skin by attracting moisture to it, oils do not. They simply create a barrier on the skin to retain the moisture that is already there. Which means that applying oil to dry skin will reap no benefits. Just make sure that your skin is still damp when you apply the oil. And a little goes a long way!
Aloe Life Skin Gel Ultimate Skin Treatment, $14.29 for an 8 oz bottle. According to the Aloe Life website, the benefits of using aloe skin gel are nearly endless. They claim it provides "the ultimate soothing relief for all skin conditions: all burns including sun burns, non poisonous insect bites, abrasions, cuts, rashes including diaper rash, muscle strain, hemorrhoids, acne, athletes foot, stretch marks, cold sores, gum disorders, vaginal dryness, post surgical, damaged & thinning hair, skin renewal, brown spots and other skin ailments." I use it because I find it complements the jojoba oil well. Combined, they are my dream come true facial moisturizer. I apply a little bit to my skin immediately after the jojoba oil, but if I wanted to eliminate a step, I could mix the two together in a separate bottle as my sister does. Adding a few drops of lavender or tee tree essential oil would add an antibacterial benefit to the mix. I prefer the Aloe Life brand to the ones I've found in stores because a) it is 99% certified organic, b) it is made using the entire plant, including the therapeutic yellow sap traditionally used for healing, and c) the ingredients list doesn't include a bunch of weird chemicals, colors, and fragrances. Yes, it is more expensive but in my opinion, worth it.
SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50, $30.00 for a 1.7 fl. oz. bottle. Several months back, a friend of mine spoke so highly of this sunscreen I decided I had to try it out for myself. Once I got over the hefty price tag, I fell in love with it. It's so great because it's made from non-chemical sunscreens (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) but is so light and sheer, it doesn't give you the ghostly glow typical of other physical sunblocks*. I also like the fact that it is just sunscreen and doesn't include moisturizer. I use it on my face and neck daily, applying it after giving my jojoba/aloe combo ample time for absorption. As for the hefty price tag, when you consider how little of the stuff you have to use, it's really not that bad. The bottle will last long enough to make it $30 very well spent.
Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel, $14.99 for 1.01 fl. oz. I pat this gel, made from cucumbers, green tea, and chamomile, under and around my eyes every morning and every night. It feels cool and refreshing and visibly reduces puffiness upon application. I've read several reviews from people who claim it irritated their skin and made their under-eye makeup flaky, but I have experienced neither of those things. It's also a total bargain, costing less for a full ounce than most eye creams cost for half that.
Lerosett Spot Treatment and Facial Mask for Problem Skin, $34.00 for a 2.5 oz. tube. I was turned on to this miracle product by my bikini waxer a few months back. No, I don't use it down there. In addition to waxing nether regions, she is an expert in natural skin care and provides facials as one of her many services. During a recent appointment, I lamentingly described to her my jawline acne and she suggested I try Lerosett. Out of all the products I use, this one plays the biggest role in easing my acne woes. It is AMAZING (and better be for that price!). It's ingredients are rasul clay, distilled water, and pure, unadulterated magic. I apply it to my entire face and upper neck at night after cleansing, then let it dry for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off. Follow it up with jojoba and aloe and I'm not kidding guys, I kinda' glow a little bit. AND, it totally cleared up my jawline acne, save the occasional spot. Currently, I alternate between Lerosett and Retin-A, using the former one night and the latter the next, but I am seriously considering weaning myself off Retin-A and just using Lerosett. It can also be used as a spot treatment while you sleep.

The above lineup of miracle workers has allowed me to FINALLY feel comfortable with my skin. There's just one thing I have left to complain about: the age spots that have decided to take up residence on my forehead and cheeks of late, an unfortunate result of all the stupid tanning I did in my mid-twenties. Oh, short-sighted 25-year-old Me, I wish I could just smack you! Anyone out there have a recommendation for a product that can get rid of those? I don't think my skin care routine has enough steps.

*Okay, okay, this isn't entirely true. The sunscreen DOES lighten your complexion a bit; I think it's pretty much impossible to avoid this when using physical sunblocks. However, the effect is minimal and can easily be remedied with a touch of bronzer.

Lunch Date! (Project 358: Days 185 & 186)

2011-07-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, we spent a couple nights in Sebastopol to visit with Stephen's family and, while there, Stephen and I were given the chance to go out to lunch while his mom and sister watched the kids (THANKS, GUYS!!!). We took the opportunity to visit the Healdsburg location of Cafe Gratitude, a 20 minute jaunt down the highway from Sebastopol. You may remember my review of the San Rafael location from this post.

Day 185: Lunch at Cafe Gratitude, Healdsburg location

Healdsburg is an adorable little town straddling the Russian River, just one of the many places I wouldn't mind living in Sonoma County.

Waiting for our food, sipping on Bison Chocolate Stout, a rich dark Berkeley brew.

On a mission to taste everything on the menu, Stephen and I decided to try dishes different than the ones we'd had during our previous two visits. I chose "I Am Nourished" from the Raw Specialties menu (Live sandwich with almond pate, carrot, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and spicy mustard sauce on apple curry bread):

I Am Nourished!

Oh man, this totally hit the spot, such a lovely mix of flavors, and so hearty! I could only finish half and saved the rest to enjoy as a tasty snack a couple hours later. Stephen ordered "I Am Extraordinary" from the Cooked Specialties menu (BLT with sauteed maple coconut bacon, romaine lettuce, sliced tomato and avocado. Served with spicy chipotle aioli on an organic wheat bun):

I Am Extraordinary!

Now, I didn't taste Stephen's (I'm often just fine eating my own meal, though I'll willingly give others bites of my food), so I can't give you an opinion, but Stephen said it was fantastic (and practically licked the plate clean!). I don't know. Looks a little heavy on the aioli, don'tcha think?

On the way out, we decided to purchase the Cafe Gratitude cookbook, I Am Grateful: Recipes & Lifestyle of Cafe Gratitude. I am so excited to start trying some of these recipes.

Day 186: Dinner Party Dreams

Hmmm....just may have to host a raw food dinner party one of these days...

Time For Change (Project 358: Days 181 - 184)

2011-07-14T00:11:00.000-07:00

Day 181: Fail. No photo.

Day 182: Fail. No photo.

Day 183: Fail. No photo.

Day 184: Fail. No photo.

For the past few months, I've been struggling with mild depression. It hasn't been constant but rather has descended upon me in waves, crushing me emotionally and psychologically one day, and the next, receding just enough to make me think I was finally in the clear, only to be hit with it again a few days later. Last week, it all came to a head when we returned from a fun but stressful trip to Oregon and Stephen had to leave for his (48 hour) work shift the next day. It's hard for me to explain how I felt over those two days. I felt antsy, like I needed to get things done, but lacked any necessary motivation. I felt lonely and like I needed to talk to someone, yet declined the usual visit with my parents. I felt irritated by my children and trapped by my position as a stay-at-home mom, and simultaneously guilty for feeling those things, knowing deep down how very lucky I am to be able to spend this time with them while they are still young. At my core was a deep sense of self-loathing and in my head, a hurricane of thoughts that I couldn't make sense of. In a nutshell, I felt like I was going crazy. And I did NOT feel like taking photos, hence the series of "failures" listed above.

After the 48, Stephen came home and we spent day one of his four days off cleaning the house because I was scheduled to host a book club meeting on day two. I was still depressed, but too busy to really dwell on it. Day two rolled around and the morning was filled with me feverishly vacuuming and grocery shopping and washing dishes and trying to make my house look more like adults actually reside there along with the children. Shortly before show time, my amazing husband loaded our beautiful children in the car and blew me a kiss before heading out for a day of fun at the zoo, preceded by lunch at Burr's Fountain. (I can't thank you enough for this, Stephen.)

At 11 am, my kitchen filled with five of the most beautiful, intelligent, honest, funny, generous, and loving women I know. I welcomed them into my home knowing full well that I would most likely cry to them about my troubles that day. What I didn't know is that it would be a deep, choking, can't catch my breath sort of sobbing. I also didn't know that others present would do the same thing, for their own reasons.

With these women, I feel safe. And heard. And loved, unconditionally. I said things to them that I had never said out loud before and felt a cleansing deep within myself in doing so. In listening to their troubles, I felt unexpected comfort in knowing that I am not the only one struggling and that, no matter what, these women will always be there for me and never hold me in judgement. I vow the same to them, always.

Soon, it was time for the ladies to go our separate ways. Hugs and words of love were exchanged and as I said my final goodbye and closed the door, I realized I felt better. The crying, the talking, the laughing, the hugs, all of it was cathartic and cleansing and a healthy, much needed dose of perspective. I decided right then and there that it was time for a change, or rather several changes. This stagnant, self-indulgent wallowing is unnecessary and a waste of time, a waste of life! Knowing full well, from past experience, that simply deciding this does not make it so, I have composed the following list of changes that I am currently implementing, my so-called New Life Resolutions:

I resolve to work out. Regularly. I was doing so well, working out 3 to 5 times a week and then, about two months ago, I stopped. I don't know if I stopped working out because I was depressed, or if I got depressed because I stopped working out (chicken or the egg?). All I know is that my mental/emotional health is very closely linked to my physical health; when I am taking care of my self physically, I feel better emotionally.
I resolve to reduce my alcohol consumption (and perhaps, eventually, eliminate it altogether).
I resolve to take extra good care of myself when experiencing premenstrual symptoms. Since entering my thirties, PMS has become much more severe for me. By taking care of myself during this time (avoiding alcohol, refined sugars, and simple carbohydrates, going to bed early, taking long walks, etc.), I may not be able to eliminate the symptoms, but I can certainly lessen the blow.
I resolve to limit my internet time. The computer is addictive, and my behavior surrounding it is compulsive and sad. I need to cut the cord (okay, maybe just unplug it) and focus on things that actually matter. Like, I don't know, MY CHILDREN.
I resolve to engage in a daily spiritual practice of some sort. I consider myself a spiritual person in the sense that I believe in something greater than myself, an energy that connects us all, and I believe in practicing gratitude and the power of mindful meditation. However, giving thanks for my many blessings once in a while or haphazardly meditating, do not a spiritual practice make. Practice, by definition, is habitual. If I'm going to have a daily habit, I'm thinking prayer sounds like a healthy one to have.
Lastly, I resolve (starting tomorrow, obviously) to go to bed at a decent hour.

Good night, loves. May you all be well.

On the off-chance you're wondering, no, I haven't forgotten about Days 177 - 180. We were on a road trip to Oregon over those four days and the corresponding photos are still in the editing stage.

Project 358: Days 172 - 176

2011-07-02T22:32:00.000-07:00

Day 172: Pals For Life

Day 173: Fail. No photo.

Day 174: In Her Own Little World

Day 175: Fail. No photo.

Day 176: Happy Birthday To Meeee!

Project 358: Day 171

2011-06-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Day 171: The Artist At Work

(Far) Beyond Pretty

2011-06-27T01:19:00.000-07:00

I read this fantastic article from the Huffington Post today, posted by a friend on Facebook, and titled How To Talk To Little Girls. I strongly encourage you to read the article. It's a quick and easy read but, more importantly, it carries a very important message, for everyone, regardless of the frequency of your interaction with little girls. But just in case you don't take the time to read it, the gist of the article is this: each and every one of us needs to examine the way we talk to little girls. Too often upon meeting a girl, we open the conversation with a comment on her appearance ("Aren't you a little doll?" "My goodness, you are pretty!" "I love your dress!" "You have the prettiest hair" etc., etc...). Believe me, I am as guilty of this as the rest of you; not only is the focus on female appearance strongly ingrained into our culture, the fact remains that, by and large, little girls are incredibly adorable little creatures! That said, by giving into this urge, we are doing our daughters no favor. Instead, we send the unspoken message that appearance takes precedence over other attributes. We send the message that being pretty is more important than being smart, funny, strong, clever, creative, unique. Is that really a message we want to send to our little girls? Don't they already have enough things telling them that "pretty" is the end-all-be-all in this media-saturated world of reality TV and celebrity obsession, in a world where, as the article states, "twenty-five percent of young American women would rather win America's Next Top Model than the Nobel Peace Prize"?

In my family, I am the middle child of three girls. While I am sure that competition is natural among any and all combinations of siblings, it is my personal opinion that having multiple children of the same sex greatly magnifies this competitiveness. As three girls struggling for our parents' attention, my sisters and I each took on very specific roles: Jessica was the "smart" one (also the "smart-ass" one); Maggie was the "funny, lovable" one; I was the "pretty" one...

(Before I continue, I feel it necessary to state that this is NOT a personal pity party. Overall, I had a very good childhood and I am grateful for everything I have been given, everything I have received. There are many others far worse off than I, but one thing I have learned (and that I am still trying to accept) is that we all have problems, no matter how desolate, privileged, or somewhere-in-between our lives are.)

...This designation as the Pretty One proved to be incredibly damaging to me, for many reasons. Here, in numbered format, are some thoughts that frequently went through my pre-pubescent, pubescent, young adult, and (let's face it) current adult mind:

How can I be the "pretty one" when my sisters are so obviously, physically attractive? Apparently, they've got more going on than me...
If my looks are the most important thing I have to offer to the world, FUCK, I better be perfect.
I am so not perfect. I have acne. I sweat profusely. My eyebrows look like caterpillars. I have a mustache. My hair is too thin. I have hair on my toes. And my knuckles. My armpits are too "fleshy." I have a gut. My butt isn't perky enough. I wish my jawline was more defined. My eyelids are heavy. I have hangnails. I have weird little bumps on my upper arms...the list goes on and on....and on...and on....and on.
I feel like I have more to offer the world. I feel like I am smart. And creative. Like I have ideas that matter, and yet...
And yet...everyone focuses on "the pretty". So. That must be the best I've got to offer.

. . . . . .

The getting older is a funny thing. On the one hand, I am more leveled, more confident, more secure, than I ever have been before. On the other hand, my body is aging (obviously) and, as someone who has focused on her looks as the mainstay of her worth for much of her life, this is disheartening. I will turn 33 on Friday. I am the mother of two children. I now know, deep down, that I am more than pretty. But, my god, the scars remain. I still spend an inordinate amount of time dressing myself before meeting with friends. I still very, VERY rarely leave the house without at least a little makeup. I still post pictures of myself on Facebook or my blog and hope that people will tell me I'm pretty.

This shit is damaging, mark my words.

And yet, I am now guilty of inflicting the same damage upon my own daughter! I try, believe me, do I try. But the words, "You're so pretty" still come out. (I cringe every time, but they do!)...

. . . . . .

My dear Elinor, please know that you are much, much more than your looks. This may be hard for you to accept; you were "blessed" with eyes as big as saucers and as blue as the Aegean Sea. People are taken aback by them and feel the need to comment on how beautiful they are. This will continue throughout your life, I am sure of it. You are more than your eyes, my love. You are the soul I see within your eyes. You are full of life, whip-smart, intensely creative, and so. fucking. funny. You, my love, are amazing. Please, don't ever sell yourself short of that.

Self Portrait Series - 3 (Project 358: Day 170)

2011-06-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

Day 170: Self-Portrait, June 2011

Project 358: Days 166 - 167

2011-06-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Last week, I took a beginning photography "class" with a friend of mine. I put the word "class" in quotation marks because it lasted a measly two and a half hours and consisted of a wee bit of instruction followed by a walk around Old Sac taking photos (by the way, for THIS photographer, Old Sac is completely uninspiring). I'm not putting down the instructors. They were great, super friendly, not at all intimidating and seemed to really know their stuff. It's just that I am now keenly aware of how complicated this whole photography thing is, and hello! Two and a half hours is not NEARLY enough time to master that.

Since the class, I have practiced a bit at home, with frustrating results. I'm still trying to figure out the whole aperture/shutter speed balance, but I figure that with a little (or a lot) of practice and a few Q&A sessions with my father (the PROFESSIONAL photographer, ooh la la), I will eventually figure things out. Below is a photo taken in "M" mode. It is out of focus. And that bugs me.

I will figure it out. Right, Dad??

Day 166: Dia De Los Muertos

Also, you'd think I'd learn my lesson with this girl, leaving her alone with the paint. Alas, how can I stop her? And why would I? I fully support self-expression through the arts. Who am I to criticize a girl whose medium of choice is not paper, but her own flesh? I cannot judge.

Plus, it FORCES me to scrub down the bathtub. And this is a good thing. Because I'm lazy.

Day 167: Couch Snuggles

Let me never take for granted these times when you are still so small and still so eager to be held in my arms. I love you so, my Elinor Rose.

Summer Salads (Project 358: Days 168 - 169)

2011-06-25T22:46:00.000-07:00

Day 168: Broccoli Stalk (And Floret) Salad

Another copycat edition of the VegNews Recipe Club...

Ingredients:

2 carrots, cut into matchsticks

6 broccoli stalks, thinly sliced*

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

2/3 cup vegan mayonnaise (I used Vegenaise)

1/4 cup agave nectar or brown rice syrup

In a large bowl, add all ingredients. Stir and mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 1 hour to

chill.

* I didn't really know what they meant by "6 broccoli stalks" and plus, I don't discriminate between stalks and florets so, instead, I chopped up (rather coarsely) 3 broccoli crowns, in their entirety.

Stephen and I both found this salad to be full of deliciousness, but I do have one complaint: too sweet. In my opinion, all of the sweetness in this salad should be derived from the cranberries and raisins. I mean, my goodness, those two ingredients are practically candy. I will make this salad again, but I will, without hesitation, completely remove the agave nectar from the recipe. I believe that doing so will allow the tanginess of the "mayo" to really shine through as the perfect complement to the sweetness of nature's candy. Crunchy, chewy, sweet, and tangy? Sounds like perfection to me!

Oh, and I served it with Panko-Crusted Tofu, a very simple recipe that basically involves draining a block of firm tofu (using the super awesome Tofu X-Press, an absolute necessity to the vegetarian kitchen, in my humble opinion), soaking said tofu in the marinade of your choice, dredging it in panko bread crumbs, and finally, cooking it up crispy in a wee bit o' toasted sesame oil.

Day 169: Simple Summer Salad

The salad photographed above is a summer staple in my house, so simple, so delicious, and even better when you can provide the ingredients from your own garden (currently, the only ingredient I could provide is the basil, but that will change!). Here, in very rough form, is the recipe:

Ingredients:

cucumber, chopped

avocado, chopped

tomato, chopped

fresh basil, torn

olive oil

balsamic vinegar

salt

pepper

Combine all in a bowl and enjoy, preferably al fresco, and with a glass of wine.

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer evenings! I know I am!

Warm Weather Delights (Project 358: Days 163 - 165)

2011-06-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Day 163: A Magically Misty Summer's Eve in Grama & Grampa's Garden

Day 164: Dining Al Fresco

Day 165: Christmas In June

Project 358: Days 159 - 162

2011-06-20T23:09:00.000-07:00

Day 159: Currently Reading

I have this terrible habit of always reading a million (okay, six) books at once. This may lead you to believe that I read constantly, burning through hundreds of books within the span of a couple months. In actuality, I have only finished one measly book this year, and that was because I had a deadline (thank you, book club, for forcing me to focus). I find it nearly impossible to commit myself to one book at a time because there is so much out there that I want to read (it actually makes me feel kind of panicky sometimes, the thought that I will never in my lifetime be able to read all the books that I want to read). But this habit of reading multiple books at once is totally inefficient, especially considering the limited amount of time I have to devote to the hobby. Am I going to change? Eh, it's unlikely. Then again, you know what they say...admitting you have a problem is the first step towards recovery.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a deadline to meet...Book Club Meeting #2 is only a few weeks away!

. . . . . .

Then again, maybe I'll just go outside and drink a mojito instead...

Day 160: Mmmmojitos!

Ingredients:

10 limes, fresh pulp and juice

30 leaves fresh mint

3/4 cup sugar

1 (to 1-1/2) cups white rum

club soda (to taste), chilled

Place lime juice, mint, and sugar into a pitcher.
Using a muddle stick, mash to release mint oils, and dissolve sugar into juice.
Add rum and lots of ice topped with club soda. Add more club soda to glasses if a lighter drink is desired.
Garnish with fresh mint and lime slices.
Head out to the patio on a warm summer evening, put your feet up, and enjoy!

Recipe makes 10 servings. Drinking with a larger group? Or alone? This link will take you to the original recipe, where you'll find a handy little tool to help you customize the ingredients to fit the party. Cheers!

Day 161: Catnip In Bloom

Day 162: Me and My Girl

Project 358: Days 151 - 158

2011-06-15T00:14:00.000-07:00

Day 151: Lavendar

Day 152: Birds On Wires

Day 153: If You're Happy And You Know It, Shout "Hooray!"

Day 154: Fail. No photo.

Day 155: Backyard Boogie

Day 156: Snuggle Buggles

(I have to stop taking pictures of my kids while they sleep...The flash of my camera is bound to wake them one of these days. And yet, how can I stop? Impossible...)

Day 157: Boys And Trains: A Classic Combo

And because Day 157 presented me with a difficult choice, here is one more photo of two of my very favorite Y chromosomes...

The Man I'm Raising and The Man Who Raised Me

Today, I sat down to draw with Evan. I grabbed a red pen, took it to the upper right-hand corner of the paper and drew a small curved line, creating a shape much like a slice of pie. Evan asked me what I was
drawing and I said, quite honestly, "I don't know." Over the course of the day, this is what developed:

Day 158: Art Therapy

What a thoroughly relaxing activity this whole drawing gig is. No wonder I did it so much as a child...Need to do it more often as an adult.

Recent Recipes (Project 358: Days 149 & 150)

2011-06-14T23:43:00.000-07:00

For days 149 and 150, I thought I'd share a couple of new recipes I tried recently. The first, Vegan Avocado Pesto, was sent to me by the awesome VegNews Recipe Club (sign up and they'll email you a new vegan recipe each week). I discovered the second recipe, Miso Chickpea Sliders, in a recent issue of the Sacramento Bee.

Day 149: A New Twist On An Old Favorite

Ingredients:

1 pound dried linguini (I used whole wheat spaghetti)

1 bunch basil leaves (about 2 1/2 ounces)

1/2 cup pine nuts

2 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)

3 cloves garlic

1/2 cup olive oil

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (optional)

In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add pasta and cook to package directions. While pasta cooks, combine basil, pine nuts, avocados, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Drain pasta. In a large serving bowl, toss pesto with hot, freshly cooked pasta and garnish each serving with a basil leaf. For an extra touch of color and flavor, top pasta with sun-dried tomatoes.

I served this dish alongside oven-baked garlic bread and a spinach/dried cranberry/sunflower seed salad tossed with Bragg's Healthy Vinaigrette. The avocado is a nice addition to the traditional pesto sauce, giving it a rich, creamy texture. Evan wouldn't touch the stuff, opting to eat his spaghetti plain (crazy kid), but Elinor DEVOURED it, and kept asking for more! Stephen was a big fan of it too (I even caught him eating it cold, later that same night). This recipe is definitely worth repeating!

Day 150: Oh, Miso Hungry

Ingredients:

8 tablespoons sweet white miso, divided

1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise (I used Vegenaise)

Two 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup olive oil

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 teaspoon five-spice powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Zest of 1 lemon

1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs

1 to 2 tablespoons sesame oil (canola or vegetable oil can be substituted)

Sliced tomato

Leaf lettuce (I used baby spinach)

8 mini burger buns

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of the miso and the mayonnaise. Set aside.
In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, remaining 6 tablespoons of miso, cilantro, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper and lemon zest. Pulse until coarsely chopped, but not pureed.
Form the mixture into 8 patties about 3 inches around and about 1 1/2 inches thick. As you form the patties, use your fingers to firmly pack them.
Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. One at a time, set each patty in the bowl and pat breadcrumbs onto all sides of it.
In a large skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil. Add the patties and cook until browned and heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. If the patties start to stick, add another tablespoon of oil when flipping.
Serve the burgers on buns topped with miso-mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato.

This recipe is for sliders, but since I was unable to locate mini burger buns at the grocery store, I decided to make the burgers to fit standard-sized buns. This proved to be a mistake, as the mixture does not hold together very well. There was definitely some under-breath cursing happening in that kitchen as I tried, unsuccessfully, to flip those suckers and keep 'em in one piece. BUT, they did eventually make their way to our dinner plates and man were they tasty! Now, the recipe called for topping the burgers with green leaf lettuce, and I chose to use baby spinach because I had it on hand, but in retrospect, I think these burgers would taste fantastic with greens more on the bitter side. Think arugula, or even dandelion.

On the side, I served a salad that I whipped together at the last minute: spinach, sunflower seeds, and fresh blueberries tossed in Bragg's Ginger and Sesame salad dressing. If I make these again in the future, I'll skip the salad and serve 'em up with spicy sweet potato fries and sesame ginger green beans instead. Yum!

Tried any good recipes lately?

ugly

2011-06-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

I want to be beautiful like you,
but my insides get so ugly sometimes.

How long can I continue
parading around in these shoes,
so big?

I am bound to
trip and fall.

If you knew
the thoughts that plague me...

Even the sincerest of apologies
wouldn't suffice.

And yet, what more can I do?
I'm sorry.

Project 358: Days 147 & 148

2011-06-08T23:22:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, my son will graduate from preschool. This picture of him? In the cap and gown? His face exploding with genuine happiness for a photographer he doesn't even know? It kinda' makes my heart leap right out of my chest.

Love that boy. More than I could ever express with mere words.

Day 147: Tiny Graduate

And now, some produce:

Day 148: Our Neighbor's Cherries

Anything Is Possible (Project 358: Day 146)

2011-06-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

I've had a passion for writing as far back as I can remember. Basically, since the day I first put pencil to paper and combined letters to create words, I have felt an undeniable need to take those words and create sentences, paragraphs, stories. Over the years, I've vacillated between goals...I want to write for a fashion magazine! No wait, I want to be a poet! Hmmm, perhaps "copy editor" would be more realistic...But through all of this, one goal has remained constant: to write a children's book.

Day 146: Anything Is Possible. Right?

I purchased the book pictured above, How To Write And Illustrate Children's Books And Get Them Published, many years ago, probably about a decade. I glanced through it at the time, did a little dreaming, but never acted upon those dreams. Since then, it has sat on a shelf, collecting dust and occasionally catching my eye, reigniting the old flame.

A couple friends commented on a recent post of mine, saying that it reminded them of a storybook. To me, there could be no greater compliment; instantly, the old flame was reignited! I went to bed that night with a mash-up of ideas swirling in my head. A couple hours into sleep, I awoke suddenly with a very clear story line, a main character, everything, it was all there, in my head! I had no idea if it was any good, but it was vivid, and the vividness excited me.

The next day, I got out "the book". I flipped through the pages and was overwhelmed with one single thought: I don't want my dreams to collect dust anymore. I want to DO, not dream! I want to show my kids, through my actions, that anything is possible.

Throughout my teens and early 20's, I lived in fear, totally incapable of expressing myself fully. As a teenager, I hid behind outlandish clothing and dyed hair; in my 20's, sadly, alcohol and drugs are what I chose to hide behind. I got married, I had children, and I felt like I was whole again: THIS is what I always wanted to do! And, to a point, it is. I love being a mom. It fulfills me and changes me and makes me grow in ways that I can't even begin to explain, and yet... And yet. IT (meaning, motherhood) has now become the "thing I hide behind." It is so easy to say, "...when the kids are older,"..."when the kids are in school,"..."WHEN I have more time." But, honestly, WHEN will I have more time? TIME is not the issue, priorities are.

So. Have ya'll heard about "The Secret"? Okay, wait! Before you roll your eyes and click "unfollow", hear me out. So, The Secret is a DVD (and book) that came out in, I don't know, 2006? The author was featured on Oprah, among a panel of others (apparently in on said secret) and the show created quite a stir among viewers. Eventually, I bought the book because, I don't know, I'm into that sort of thing.

I have mixed feelings about the book (it seems overly obsessed with the acquisition of material possessions and also sort of insinuates that if "the secret" isn't working for you, you're not doing it right), but the overall concept is definitely one I can get down with. It's based on the Law of Attraction, which simply states that "like attracts like", that positive and negative thinking bring about positive and negative physical results, respectively. For instance, according to the Law of Attraction, the phrase "I need more money" allows the subject to continue to "need more money". If the subject wants to change this, they would focus their thoughts on the goal (having more money) rather than the problem (needing more money). This might take the form of phrases such as, "I have as much money as I need" or, "I have a job that pays very well". This is not a new concept. The author of The Secret simply took a very old concept and repackaged it, for a new audience. And bravo to her! That right there is The Secret in action!

So how does all of this relate to me?

I am going to change the dialogue in my head. I am going to realize my dreams. I am going to write a children's book, gosh darnit! I am going to sit down and write. I am going to sit down and draw. I am going to sit down and figure it the fuck* out. And I am going to believe. That anything is possible. Because it is. Right?

* I promise not to include curse words in my children's stories, despite my obvious penchant for doing so on my blog.