Project 358: Day 171

Day 171: The Artist At Work

(Far) Beyond Pretty

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:

1. How can I be the "pretty one" when my sisters are so obviously, physically attractive? Apparently, they've got more going on than me...
2. If my looks are the most important thing I have to offer to the world, FUCK, I better be perfect.
3. 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.
4. 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...
5. 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)

Day 170: Self-Portrait, June 2011

Project 358: Days 166 - 167

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)

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)

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

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

1. Place lime juice, mint, and sugar into a pitcher.
2. Using a muddle stick, mash to release mint oils, and dissolve sugar into juice.
3. Add rum and lots of ice topped with club soda. Add more club soda to glasses if a lighter drink is desired.
4. Garnish with fresh mint and lime slices.
5. 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

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)

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)

1. 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.
2. 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

1. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of the miso and the mayonnaise. Set aside.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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

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

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)

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.

Destination: Mill Valley

Thanks to a magical combination of a Groupon*, a grandma, and a 3-day weekend, the hubby and I were recently afforded the luxury of an overnight getaway, just the two of us. Destination: Mill Valley.

It's funny. Once you have kids, the simple act of driving a couple hours (without said kids) becomes pure pleasure, a chance to talk, or be silent, to listen to music or zone out. It really is quite lovely how having children makes you appreciate the little things.

We planned on leaving the house at 9 am but, of course, didn't actually leave until about 11. We swung by the nearest Starubucks for some road snacks and, despite our late departure, decided to park and venture inside because the drive-thru line was suuuuuuper long. It ended up being a good decision because 1) there was NOBODY inside, and 2) we discovered, at the checkout, that The Cars have a new album! Who knew?? Now, I list The Cars as one of my all-time favorite bands, but everything I own of theirs dates back three decades. How could I pass up the chance to hear something new? (The answer is, I couldn't.)

We listened to our new CD on the road, and my very quick, very limited-to-one-listen review is that it is very catchy and extremely reminiscent of their old stuff, but it is missing something I can't quite put my finger on. The old "magic" just isn't quite there. If you're interested in reading a (slightly) more lengthy review, check out this article, from Rolling Stone Magazine's online component. I myself have not read it, so I have no idea what it says (and honestly don't really care; my current reading list is long enough, dammit!), but hey, you may find it interesting!

Snacks and music for the road.

Headed for the freeway with our soy chai lattes.

Me love.

There were a lot of cars on the road that day, but traffic was moving at a steady pace and we made it to our destination in about an hour and 45 minutes, hungry and ready to find some lunch. Before heading out of town, I did a little online research to determine which restaurants in the area were vegan-friendly. For our first meal, we decided to try Cafe Del Soul, a natural foods and organic cafe located in tam junction ("where Tam Valley meets Mill Valley"). They do serve chicken (which they claim is "free-range...antibiotic free and has no added hormones") and cheeses (also hormone free) but ALL of their dishes can be made vegan and their tofu, produce, rice, quinoa, nuts and beans are all organic.

Stephen ordered the Cilantro Lime-Licious Wrap (brown rice, tofu, and feta cheese tossed in a cilantro lime vinaigrette and served in a wheat tortilla). He said it was really good, but it looked to me like it could use some veggies. It was very...beige.

I opted for the Curry Soul Good dish, made up of brown rice, tofu, dried cranberries, spinach, and almonds tossed in a mustard-curry dressing. Oh my god, you guys, this was so freaking GOOD! Years ago, Stephen and I had curried chicken salad sandwiches at a restaurant in Ashland, Oregon and I swear this salad tasted almost exactly like it. Only better because, you know, there weren't any dead animals in it (sorry, I couldn't resist). Stephen and I are now determined to recreate this dish at home. Anyone have a good recipe for a mustard-curry dressing?

Lunch at Cafe Del Soul

I also decided to try one of their organic juice blends. According to The Big Book of Juices by Natalie Savona, "Juices provide nutrients at top speed -- our body absorbs their goodness with maximum efficiency, unhindered by any need to break down and digest bulkier foodstuffs...This is a sure-fire way of getting the most out of the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, cleansing elements and other nutritional goodness from a fruit or vegetable." Sounds good to me! I ordered "Compassion" which is a mix of carrot, celery, spinach, apple, and ginger. I have to say, it wasn't exactly the refreshing concoction I had hoped for. Extremely heavy on the ginger, it kind of burned going down and at one point, I actually gagged. Yes, really. But, I forced myself to drink it down, reassuring myself that it was really good for me and reminding myself that it cost nearly $5. (I also made Stephen drink some of it.)

After lunch, we headed to the hotel to see if we might be able to check in early. We were told that the hotel was completely booked and there was no way we'd be able to check in before the normal time, which was 3 o'clock. So, we asked if we might be able to check out a couple of mountain bikes (part of the Living Social deal we had purchased) to go for a ride before check-in. Again, we were denied. All of the bikes were already in use AND there was a loooong waiting list. We gave them our name and cell numbers and asked that they call us as soon as a couple of bikes were available. (They never called. The entire trip.)

To pass the time, we decided to drive into the downtown area of Mill Valley, a quaint little shopping district surrounded by beautiful homes and towering redwoods. We drove around a bit, eventually parked and walked, took photos, dreamed of living there, and spent entirely too much money on adorable (but overpriced) handmade gifts for the kids.

Driving 'round town.

Now that's a firehouse! Why don't Sacramento firehouses look like this? Oh, that's right, we're not filthy stinkin' rich.

The sign in the window of this quirky little shop caught my eye.

We eventually found ourselves in front of a tiny brewery called Beerworks. We each had a pint of their house IPA and spent some time chatting and people watching. The staff wasn't the friendliest; they all had that sort of cooler-than-thou air about them. But the beer was tasty, the atmosphere pleasant, and the decor simple perfection: clean, natural, artsy. I love the chalk drawing of the giant squid and the way they decorated the window with colored glass and tree branches. Just lovely.

Beerworks Brewery

As the three o'clock hour rolled around, we finished our beers and made our way back to the hotel, where we were greeted by a long line of people snaking through the lobby, each person waiting to check in. It was then that I realized I'd made our reservation on the very last day before the Living Social deal expired. No wonder the place was so packed! To make matters worse, everyone wanted in on the mountain bike action and with a measly EIGHT bikes to go 'round, it was becoming quite clear that we weren't going to be pedaling our way through the redwoods anytime soon. Perhaps to make up for this, the front desk was adorned with a tray of shot glasses, each filled with a mysterious, watermelon colored liquid. I read the first two ingredients: Rock Star energy drink and vodka. Uh...no thanks. Can't you just offer me a complimentary bottle of wine? Or, I don't know, A BIKE!?

Stephen and I were determined to have a good time, despite the disappointing bike situation. We headed to our room and settled in for a while. The room was nice enough, and clean. But I certainly wouldn't jump to recommend the place to a friend. It felt about on-par with a Holiday Inn Express -- nothing fancy, but nice enough if the price is right, which it was, thanks to Living Social.

Our Room at Larkspur Hotel, Mill Valley

The pool area was really quite nice, probably the best thing about the hotel. This was the view from our balcony.

My husband didn't seem interested in taking any photos of his own during our little getaway, leaving me NO CHOICE but to take photos of myself, with terribly dorky results...

Dork.

At one point, we talked about going down to the pool (and even put our swimsuits on!) but decided at the last minute that it was too crowded and we'd rather stay in, drink wine, and wax philosophical. Okay, okay, so really we just watched a documentary about Hugh Hefner and took this cheesy photo:

Oh, I forgot to mention, the weather was GORGEOUS. Low 70's, bright sun, light breeze. In the midst of all the rainy cold weather we've been having lately, we felt really lucky to score a day such as this for our overnighter. Below is a pic of the wetlands that reside directly outside of the hotel.

Looks like the perfect day for a bike ride. Oh, wait.

After sufficient lounge time at the hotel, we decided to head out to dinner. We were very excited to try Cafe Gratitude in San Rafael, a 100% organic, 100% vegan cafe specializing in gourmet raw and cooked cuisines. My dear friend Melanie recently visited the Healdsburg location and, after reading the review she wrote on her blog, I knew it was a place that Stephen and I would enjoy greatly.

The drive to Cafe Gratitude in San Rafael

You guys, I love this place so much. As a vegan, it is so refreshing to be able to order anything I want from a menu, without having to scrutinize the ingredients list or ask the server a million annoying questions. And the atmosphere was so fantastic. It is by no means a "fancy" restaurant; the decor is quite casual, homey, eclectic. And even though Stephen and I knew no one other than each other, it felt as if we were among friends. It felt like home. The servers, the other patrons, everyone was so kind and the general mood and energy of the place was positive and uplifting.

The servers singing to a patron celebrating his birthday.

And don't even get me started on the food. Oh holy yum. With so many tempting choices, Stephen and I had a hard time deciding what to order. We settled on "I Am Elated" (Enchilada in a live spinach tortilla with a sprouted seed filling topped with spicy mole, cashew sour cream and scallions. Served with spicy Mexican coleslaw) and "I Am Hearty" (Deep-dish pizza with sun-dried tomato marinara, pesto, olive tapenade, brazil nut parmesan and ricotta cheese** on a live onion sunflower pizza crust). Both entrees were from the "raw" portion of the menu. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, "raw" refers to foods that have not been exposed to temperature above 105 degrees. According to the Cafe Gratitude website, "this preserves the full enzymatic and nutrient content of foods from degradation, which occurs when food is heated. Enzymes are responsible for digesting food once it is in your stomach. 'Live' foods with active enzymes can digest themselves, leaving less work for your body to do, and leaving you vibrant and full of energy." I can attest that I felt superb after finishing this meal, but I would eat here again even if it had made me feel gassy and bloated. The food is just that good.

Stephen and I ordered extra plates so we could split the two entrees. Unfortunately, I neglected to take a photo prior to the splitting of the food.

With our meals, Stephen had a rich chocolate stout, while I enjoyed a pleasantly hoppy IPA.

I wish this hadn't turned out so fuzzy. Cute sign, right? I kinda' want one in my kitchen...

After dinner, we ordered dessert and extremely large mugs of coffee. They did not disappoint.

I Am Cherished -- Cheesecake (flavors change daily): cashew cream cheesecake with almond-date crust. Ours was key lime flavored.

I Am Magnificent -- Chocolate Mousse: rich, creamy raw cacao mousse.

Cafe Gratitude was founded by Matthew and Terces Engelhart as a place where people could meet, eat, and play The Abounding River, a board game also created by the Engelharts. The Abounding River is an interactive way of practicing "being" Abundance in your life, through exercises that help focus attention on qualities we all aspire to: Love, Acceptance, Generosity, Worth, Gratitude, Creation, and Responsibility. Each table at the cafe is adorned with a basket filled with game cards and dice. Upon being seated, we were told about the game but also felt no pressure to play, which was nice. As we leisurely sipped our coffee and nibbled at our desserts, we read a few of the cards. Here are some of our favorites:

"Your problem is you are too busy holding on to your unworthiness." - Ram Dass

I am enjoying letting go of wants I no longer "need". I am completely fulfilled in this now moment.

I am now present to the magnificence of my life!

My life is a picture of my thoughts, speech, beliefs, actions and attitudes. I am grateful now!

Okay, I realize that to a lot of people, this sounds like a whole mess of New Age Hippie Bullshit (I can practically hear some of you rolling your eyes). But, I can't help it: I am a born-at-home, natural birth-lovin', extended-nursing, co-sleeping, tree-hugging, Power of Now-reading NERD. I eat this stuff up.

Eventually, we were able to tear ourselves away from Cafe Gratitude (after being there for at least a couple of hours), but made sure to stop at the "gift shop" area on the way out. We purchased two bumper stickers (one for each car) and a necklace for me:

The necklace is original artwork on tea-stained paper, encased in recycled metal...

...with sheet music on the back.

We made it back to the hotel by 10 pm, just in time for s'mores by the fire pit.

Afterwards, we decided to hit up the hot tub. The sign outside the pool said no swimming after 10 pm, but we heard other people in there and felt that we were somehow "owed" this luxury since we never got those bikes we were promised. The hot tub felt great at first, but eventually the heat was overwhelming (I can only sit in hot water for so long, especially after drinking), so we decided to take a dip in the pool. Oh my goodness, this was the most pleasant pool water I have ever experienced; it felt like the ocean waters of Hawaii. We were probably in the pool for about an hour and a half, long enough to turn into raisins, and nobody ever kicked us out, so the hotel gets points for that. Afterward, we retired to our room, had some wine, and stayed up entirely too late.

Come morning, the only one swimming in the pool was this duck:

Quack!

Continental Breakfast, enjoyed on our patio.

Due to a deadly combination of too much wine and not enough sleep, we weren't exactly feeling 100%. So after breakfast, we spent the morning lounging in bed, surfing the internet, reading magazines, and watching TV. I watched the movie "The Back Up Plan" and was actually really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I don't care what anybody says, I think Jennifer Lopez is a decent actress (singer? that's another story...), incredibly charming, and of course, easy on the eyes. The movie was cheesy, sure. But it was also really funny. I mean, I laughed out loud several times (Stephen did too, although he'd never admit it).

When it came time to check out, we were starving. We decided we had to go back to Cafe Gratitude for one more meal before heading home to Sacramento.

Instead of beers, we opted for fresh green juice this time. The concoction we ordered was titled "I Am Healthy" and consisted of kale, celery, cucumber and lemon juice. This mix was light, clean, refreshing, and worlds better than the one I forced down at Cafe Del Soul. I sipped it happily during the course of my meal and imagined the pretty green juice coursing through my veins, healing the damage I inflicted on my cells the night before. Also, I love that they serve the juice in large wine glasses. Makes it feel kinda' fancy, don't cha think?

Drink me and be cleansed!

As for food, we decided to try something from the "Cooked Specialties" portion of the menu this time 'round. I ordered "I Am Trusting": a handmade corn tamal made with stone-ground heirloom masa and summer squash. Served with salsa verde, black beans and spicy Mexican coleslaw. It was super tasty (the spicy coleslaw is to die for) but definitely "heavier" than my meal the night before; I wasn't able to finish the whole thing.

I Am Trusting!

Stephen ordered "I Am Transformed": Two handmade corn tacos with brown rice, black beans, salsa roja, guacamole and cashew nacho cheese. I was feeling a little overwhelmed, so I didn't try his, but he said it was delicious and consumed every speck (and then finished my meal). We are both interested in trying out some recipes for nut-based cheeses in the near future. So good!

I Am Transformed!

Talking to one of the servers, we learned that the Engelharts were planning on opening a Cafe Gratitude in Sacramento (they even had a location picked out!) but at the last minute, plans fell through and they decided to head south instead, opening a cafe in Santa Monica. No fair! The options for vegan and vegetarian dining in Sacramento are definitely improving, but we've got nothing that compares to Cafe Gratitude. It is now my personal mission to convince the Engelharts to re-focus their sights on Sacramento. We need you, Cafe Gratitude!!

After lunch, we drove home, which brings us to the end of this very long tale. In closing, I feel I must include the following photo. It's a repeat, but an absolute favorite of mine...

Elinor running to greet me upon our return.

It's always nice to get away for bit, but really, there's no place like home.

*Technically, it was a Living Social deal, but the word "Groupon" is much catchier for opening line purposes.

**All food at Cafe Gratitude is vegan. Any time "cheese" is listed as an ingredient, it is a non-dairy, nut-based cheese.