Plan Dec 1-7

Thanksgiving was a hoot- and I can't believe that the end of the semester, and the Christmas holidays are just a few weeks away. We went out to Nebraska for the weekend to visit my folks, brothers and family. My niece, Kateri was born on Monday, and I got to visit her in the hospital on Wednesday, and spend a good bit of time baby-holding over the weekend, which is always lovely. (Here's me, baby Kateri, and niece Niki! Thanks, Grandma for sharing your pictures!)

 

Thanksgiving dinner was a vegan feast that couldn't be beat- seitan, kale, brussels sprouts, potatoes and cranberries. Rachel and Mia were awesome choppers, and Jess made accidentally vegan pies, so life was good.

 

 I also ran each day, and practiced some awesome yoga moves with Mia, my SIL Rachel, and my cool niece Niki!

 

 

Now I guess it's back to real life for a couple of weeks. I have to finish out this semester, keep writing my dissertation, (my mentor sent back my Chapter 3 with all sorts of red pen markings.... sigh),  keep running- I'm a week into the Runner's world winter run streak where I run at least a mile a day every day from Thanksgiving to New Years... I started a little early, so today marked day 7, and I logged over 15 miles last week.

Tomorrow being December 1 means that I will start a new yoga challenge, one that Miss Mia has agreed to try with me.  She doesn't hate yoga as much as she claims she used to. This is a big step from the girl who once said "Mom, making yoga sound like an emergency isn't going to make me like it." We are doing the #DecemburrBasics Instagram yoga challenge. This may be trickier than I suspected because my tablet is BROKEN.  Sigh. Yep, the charging port is busted, but fortunately it is under warranty. It just means I will be tablet-less for a bit, and feel a little disconnected from the world. Mostly it means I can't instagram and can't tweet, and can't facebook in bed. But those of you who do those things know how important that stuff is.

I also am going to give the "Say it Sweat it Get it" week-long challenge a try- it's a week of mantra based exercises that Kris Carr recommended (she's the Crazy Sexy Juice lady). I'll let you know....

Anyway. After a week or so of lots of wine and eating pie on the floor of the kitchen out of the pan with my niece and nephew (someone had to show them how it was done), I'm feeling like some wholesome basic real food this week. My recipes are from the Thug Kitchen cookbook (TK), Happy Herbivore Abroad (HHA), and Happy Herbivore Holidays and Gatherings (HH/H&G). In addition, I have a choir concert this week on Thursday- if you're in La Plata, and want to hear me sing, come check us out at the college. On Sunday, Rob and I will be running the Christmastown 8k in Williamsburg, VA. We were signed up for it last year, but it got iced out. It looks like the weather will be good this year, though.

Monday

Run 2

TK Chickpeas & Dumplings

Tuesday

Run 1

Swim

TK Wedding Soup with White Bean Balls and Kale

Wednesday

Run 3

HHA Migas

Thursday

Run 1

Swim

Vega One Shake

Choir Concert

Friday

Run 4

Gardein Field Roast with Sweet Potato casserole (HH/H&G)

Saturday

Run 1

Out for Dinner with friends

Sunday

Christmastown 8k

Dinner TBD/Leftovers

Plan Nov 25- Dec 1

I started to plan some other meals for Monday and Tuesday, but who am I kidding, the story is the same whether you are travelling or having Thanksliving at home.  You need eat up what you've got in your fridge so that either a) your food doesn't go bad while you're away or b) you have room for Thanksliving food, and either way, let's eat up these leftovers. So we can eat up more leftovers later this week.

Actually, I love leftovers. How comforting! We're actually going to have two feasts just so there's enough leftovers for Mia to take back to college. She'll be drinking cranberry smoothies untill the end of the semester! (Note, YUM. I'll post a recipe for a cranberry smoothie next week!)

On a side note, Miss Mia had a little health scare, she wasn't feeling good, and went to the ER up at her college where they said it was her gallbladder.  I get her down here, and after hours of tests and anxious waiting, we found out it wasn't her gallbladder, just a bad flu. She should be just fine in the next few days. I'm glad she's home so I can pamper her a bit.

Recipe: Tofu noodle soup

Ingredients:

1block extra firm tofu, cubed

2 c. Noodles

2 c. Frozen mixed vegetables

3-4 c. Vegetable broth

Directions: in a pot of water, cook the noodles for half the normal time. You want them very "toothy." (This way, when you add them to the broth and cook the soup, they don't get soggy!) Drain, and set aside. In the same pot, add a tiny bit of vegetable broth and the tofu, you just want to season up your tofu, and maybe add a little color. If you're cooking this for someone under the weather, stop. If not, add some soy sauce for added saltiness and color! Now add the remaining broth and veggies, which have been thawing on your counter. Let cook at a medium setting for about 5 minutes before adding the noodles, and then cook for whatever the remaining cook time was for your noodles!

If you eat this as leftovers, as we will on Monday, you'll sometimes find that the broth gets sucked up by the noodles and tofu. No worries, just add two more cups of vegetable broth!

Monday
Run
Breakfast- Fruit Smoothie
Lunch- leftover tofu noodle soup
Dinner- Black Bean avocado burritos

Tuesday
Run
Yoga
Breakfast- Fruit Smoothie
Lunch- deconstructed samosa salads
Dinner- clean out the fridge leftovers

Wednesday
TBD
Dinner out with family

Thursday
Run
Thanksliving Dinner! Seitan, cashew potatoes, kale, stuffing, brussels sprouts, etc.

(See Thanksliving post- http://questingadventures.blogspot.com/2014/10/thanksgiving-planning.html

Friday

Run

Thanksliving leftovers

Saturday
Run
TBD

Sunday
Run
2nd Thanksliving! Gardein roast, sweet potatoes, cranberries so Mia can take leftovers home.

Starting on Thursday, I'll be re-attempting the RUNNERS WORLD WINTER STREAK which is where you are challenged to run a mile a day, every day, from Thanksgiving day to New Year's Day. This will be my third go. My first year I did pretty well, but last year, you may recall, I got really sick over Christmas, and fell off the wagon. The rules are simple 1 mile each day, pace doesn't count.  I extend the rules to count the days I ski, even though that isn't (obviously) endorsed by Runner's World. What I will aim to do is keep my current schedule of running, but add in a slow 1-miler on my traditionally "off" days.

I'm still doing a lot of yoga, and got a few good runs in this past week. I had to cover a colleague's class and missed out on my swimming, but I'll resume that in December. In the spring I will focus more on just running and yoga, and hope to pick up some yin yoga classes in January (they've just not worked with my schedule this fall, and I miss them!)

I participate in yoga groups on instagram, which can be tricky to get pictures for, especially with the pets around! This week had some really classic dog & cat photo bombs!

Phoenix Garden RVA: What vegans eat

When we are in Richmond, VA, our favorite place to eat is Phoenix Garden, an all vegan Vietnamese, woman-owned restaurant!

I've eaten here a number of times, and everything has been delicious. This past Friday, Rob and I were in town for the NCTM conference, and stopped in for dinner.

Even though everything on the menu is vegan, I hardly look anymore. I generally get the weekly special, whatever it is, because Phoenix never disappoints. She posts teaser pictures on her Facebook page each week that look so good. This week, it was Vegan grilled pork with spring rolls served with rice vermicelli and mixed vegetables with a spicy sauce.

I think she makes all of her faux "meats" in house, because I've never tasted anything like them. The spiciness was tailored to suit, Rob got his extra spicy, and mine was medium spicy.

The spring rolls were served over a perfect salad of cucumbers and sprouts!

I demolished my entire plate!

With the special, you also get dessert! This is the only place I've ever seen a vegan funnel cake, and that's my favorite, although I ate so much of my dinner, I ended up having to take my dessert to go.

Rob got the fried banana with chocolate sauce. He kept asking "this sauce is vegan?" Everything on the menu is vegan! How awesome is that??

If you end up in the RVA area, go visit Phoenix! She's awesome, and her food is just amazing. 

As we were leaving, we talked with some folks from Kentucky who were in town for the marathon. I can't imagine a better pre-race food. I hope they did well on their chilly run. Saturday was COLD.

Plan Nov 18-24

Oh, I am so ready for Thanksgiving, a break from schol, and to see my family!!
This week, some low key meals, and Rob's holiday party. I'm hoping to use all the produce in my fridge before Thanksgiving.

Hoping to get back in the pool this week now that my head is getting back in line! Running seems to be okay, but swimming has been an adjustment...

Monday
Yoga
Baked Potatoes and steamed veggies

Tuesday
Run
Buddha bowl

Wednesday
Run
Vegan Pot Pie

Thursday
Yoga
Swim
Bhangra
Leftovers

Friday
Run
Rob' work holiday party

Saturday
Vegan Zombie Chili

Sunday
Stuffed maple Tofu

Plan Nov 10-17

Monday
Run
Sun salutations
Apple pie oatmeal
Lazy black bean chili

Tuesday
Swim
Beach yoga abs
Pumpkin pie smoothie
Lasagna bake and caesar salad

Wednesday
Run
Beach sunrise vinyasa
Core power lower tummy
Maple oatmeal
Quiona bowls with lemon tahini sauce

Thursday
Bhangra
Meditation
Target toning slimdown
Apple pie smoothie
Teriyaki stir fry

Friday
Run
Core power navasana
Core + more slimdown
Blueberry elixir 
Lazy cabbage rolls

Saturday
Meditation
Restorative slimdown
Banana chia pudding
Thai coconut chickpeas

Sunday
Calorie burner slimdown
Cherry blast smoothie
Buddha bowl

Native Foods, DC- Finally!

We finally got to the Native Foods in DC. Not that I've been STALKING it since early October or anything....

I love Native Foods- for those of you who don't know yet, it's a chain of feel good vegan restaurants that has been growing in California and Colorado, and now has a DC location (and maybe soon 2 or 3???).

I first ate at a Native Foods in Boulder, CO, a couple of years ago, and LOVED it (See original post HERE). Their style is fun and funky, but healthy and accessible. When you walk in, you don't realize right away you're in a vegan joint- there's no patchouli or granola or Buddhist sayings on the wall, it's just warm and welcoming, and honest. 

Then, I stalked the Native Foods at Archives/Navy Memorial which I was told would be open sometime in October (See original tweet HERE).

Finally, I was invited to the Grand Opening of the first Native Foods in DC at 18th & M, and even though I had a time slot given of 7pm, it was a huge wait to get in the door, and Mia and I had Pomplamoose tickets, and.. Well, you can read the rest of that original post HERE....

So, as you can see, it was a long road to get to you, Native foods. But it was worth it. Every step of the way.

Rob, Cari, Paul and I ate lunch at Native Foods last weekend after our Walk for Farm Animals march, which was perfect because it was World Vegan Day, and Rob, Cari, and Paul were being Vegans for a Day.

And Native Foods was the perfect place to take them. 

At first I was a little worried, because there was free vegan food after the walk, and I was concerned we wouldn't be hungry for lunch, but Cari and I only had a tiny snack, and Rob and Paul, well, 'nuff said. I don't know about Paul, but Rob can always eat lunch.

The soup of the day was a split green pea soup- I was a little surprised, because it didn't look as creamy as I generally make my split green pea soup (I usually toss at least half of my soup in the blender) but it was very tasty!

Cari got the Native chili which was made with seitan. It was perfect for the blustery cold weather- especially since we'd just walked a couple of miles and wanted to warm our bones. She traded her cornbread for Paul's avocado, a fair trade, I think!

Paul got the Scorpion Burger with sweet potato fries. He'd never eaten Tempeh before, and I think was pleased with the outcome. He also got some Key Lime Pie, which he was curious to see how it would come out vegan. There was some debate as to whether or not he'd actually received the key lime pie, as it was not green in color, nor lime scented at all, but when he tasted it, he determined that it must be coconut- key lime pie.

My favorite thing to get from Native Foods is their bowls. I got the Kung Pao bowl which consisted of tofu, sweet potatoes, romaine, rice, pickled daikon and carrots and broccoli with peanut sauce. SOOO good. I also went back later and got a peppermint cookie to go- and haven't tried that yet- it's in my fridge to eat one evening this week.

Rob also got the Native Chicken Wings in Buffalo Sauce, which I think everyone at the table could have guessed he'd order!

The food was great- the staff was super pleasant and the establishment was clean and warm. All in all, a lovely place to have a meal. I would just love one to open up a little closer to home. Think one of these would fly in Waldorf? :)

DC's Walk for Farm Animals

On November 1, World Vegan Day, I was a proud member of the Walk for Farm Animals in Washington DC. This event happens each year, and is sponsored by Farm Sanctuary, an organization that strives to help animals who have been hurt and kept in cruelty, make legislation to keep farm animals humanely, and educate people about animals and things they can do to make the world a better place. I was joined by Rob, Cari, and Paul on this 2.5 mile walk on DC.

The walk was brisk, but not as cold or rainy as it could have been, so we were thankful for that. I was pleased that many non-vegans (including my wonderful companions!) were very supportive of the cause. You don't have to be vegan to recognize that factory farming is cruel, and I sincerely hope that Farm Sanctuary continues to be successful in its mission to ban things like gestation crates through legislative action (If you're reading this in New Jersey- you have some action coming up soon!)

All in all I think it was a successful day. These marches happened all over the country- I believe that California had a large march in Los Angeles- where one of the largest Farm Sanctuaries is. I know that our team was able to raise funds to help the cause, and I would like to thank Cari, Paul, Rob, and especially Bruce and Karen for donations.

As I said in my fundraising page, this cause is near and dear to my heart. My parents are farmers. I have seen firsthand the difference between animals raised on a farm raised by caring farmers and animals in factory farms. While in my Utopian world, I would like no animals to be eaten, ever, I believe in taking the first steps, which is first eliminating the cruelest conditions. I, myself would one day like to open a farm sanctuary where I foster turkeys and goats and the like to be able to live their lives naturally into old age. 

Until that time, each year I "Adopt" a turkey through Farm Sanctuary for Thanksgiving. Last year, her name was Tulip, and she lived at the New York Farm. This year, the turkey I've chosen to adopt is named Cecelia, also from the New York shelter, she was one of 24 baby turkeys left at the shelter after being rescued from a factory farm. She is curious and fun, and loves cooked yams and raisins, just like me. If you're interested in adopting a turkey, too- it's only $30, and those funds go to help provide care for rescued animals at the shelters, as well as help place rescued animals in permanent homes after rescue. Check it out at farmsanctuary.org

Sabra Hummus House Pop Up Restaurant, DC

During the month of October, there was a Sabra Sabra Hummus House Pop Up Restaurant in Georgetown! Rob and I got a chance to have dinner there the last weekend they were open. I don't know if Sabra is planning on doing these pop up restaurants on a rotating basis around the country, but I can recommend that if one pops up near you, go check it out!

Now, if you are anything like Rob and I, then you may consider yourself a veritable connoisseur of hummus. We eat hummus very frequently.  And we eat it with variety. When I make hummus, I usually do so in batches, with different flavors and spices in each bowl.  I usually make it from scratch, it is so simple and quick to do (and cheap), but even buying it pre-made (like we did last night, when we got a hankering) isn't going to break the bank. So, being the hummus frequenters that we are, I wasn't sure what this restaurant was going to be able to offer us that I wasn't already doing at home.

We walked in, and we'd just come from a vegan event, so we were each wearing a vegan shirt. One of the waitresses, Jen- we were introduced, ran up, and shouted, "Vegans!" She was so excited we were there, she was also a vegan, and told us that we could eat almost everything on the menu! She made sure we got top-notch service while we were there. By the way, there us no tipping allowed at Sabra Hummus House. The employees are paid as marketing staff, not as servers.

Ok, so I must say, I picked up a trick or two at this restaurant! Look at this delicious food!

I ordered the East meets West platter (on the left) which had a trio of hummus spreads topped with 1) edemame, crystallized ginger and sesame oil, 2) salty roasted pepitas and pumpkin oil and 3) crushed crispy roasted rosemary chickpeas (from 2Armidillos) and preserved lemon.  Wowza. I honestly couldn't decide which one I liked best.

Rob got a choose your own sampler, with toppings of 1) sauteed mushrooms 2) crispy arugula salad and  3) crispy basil tomato chickpeas from 2Armidillos. We each were served some crisp veggies and warm pita bread for dipping.

We couldn't eat it all, so we had our leftovers boxed up, and gave them to a young homeless man on our way home.  We like to share our meals that way.

Life is always an adventure with my love!