my vegan life...

after people find out i am vegan they always ask about dessert.  here is a pretty fabulous and super easy recipe that i even let my kiddos eat for breakfast!  they are named breakfast bars, but are perfect for lunch and after dinner.

i took these to a new years party this year and they were a hit!!  everyone was a little scared to try but once they did they had all sorts of questions about what was in them and they all wanted the recipe.  

i wrapped them up with if you care unbleached wax paper and bakers twine!!

yum!!!!

flowers at the fair

i have lived in alaska since 1996 and had never been to the state fair!!  i am not really a fair goer, but this year a friend of mine invited my kiddos and i while our husbands were out of town.  we loaded up in her motor home and headed to palmer for two days of the fair.  i enjoyed it so much more than i ever imagined and am so excited to go back next year!!

one of my favorite parts was the flower and vegetable exhibit.  wow are the flowers beautiful, here are a few pics.

wish i had pictures of the veggies.  oh my they were big!!!!  there is nothing better than alaskan grown veggies!!  

i was worried that i would have a hard time finding healthy food options, but was pleasantly surprised to find some vegan options amongst the tradition high fat fair food.

cheers to the alaska state fair, it was fabulous!!  happy tuesday!!!

simplify...

brushing my teeth

continuing to simplify our lives, the next product i wanted to tackle was toothpaste.  i read a few things online about toothpaste and taking good care of our precious teeth.  i did not find one particular recipe that i fell in love with or one that worked well with my new simplified outlook on everyday life.  soooo with all that here is what i did to make my very own toothpaste.  i havnt convinced the rest of my family on this one yet, but i know they will come around.  i am not going to bash companies that sell certain products with certain ingredients, but i urge you to check whats in your products the next time you use them.  

ingredients:
baking soda
coconut oil
hydrogen peroxide
water

i did not use any specific measurements.  this recipe is a add each ingredient until you get the right consistency kind of recipe!=)  i used a little mason jar and started with the baking soda (about a 1/3 of a cup).  

about a tablespoon of the peroxide

i melted little bits of the coconut oil at a time and slowly added it to the mixture.  when i found my desired consistency i let it cool and harden.  after it had hardened i added some water to liquify my toothpaste a bit for ease of getting it on my toothbrush=)

next weekend i am going to make some for my kids and husband, but will add some mint essential oil.  i dont think they will be big fans of the baking soda flavor!!!  it was a little hard to handle the first few days, but now i am used to it and even taste the coconut oil more and more!!  

happy brushing

read

the hundred- year lie

a friend of mine from work shared this book with me!!!!  its a must read.  

so much interesting life changing information.  

happy sunday

simplify...washing my face

after i started washing my hair with baking soda and vinegar i decided hey, i might as well wash my face with it and see what happens!!!!!!  the answer... I LOVE IT!!!!  its better than any expensive face wash i wasted so much money on at the department store!!!!!  i am sure it is not for everyone, but why not try and just think of all the money you will save if this works for you.  i was a little worried because our alaskan winters can be incredibly dry and cold, so after reading all sorts of wonderful things about coconut oil i started using that as my moisturizer.   (more on coconut oil later) =)  my face has been clearer and more balanced so my "normal" daily powder has not been needed for the last few months!! i am thrilled!!!

my vegan life...roasted veg soup

i don't like to waste anything so every now and then i dig out all the veggies out of the fridge and make a good hearty soup!!  theres nothing better on a cold winter day!

here it is...roasted veg soup=)

saute all veggies in oil (i used grape seed)

with garlic and your favorite spices

after cooked throw in blender, vitamix, or food processor.

after blended well place in soup pot.  i added a can of pumpkin and a little water to the mixture.

cook for a little bit on the stove and then enjoy=)

i ate mine with a side of roasted cauliflower!!

2013

2013 begins today!  a fresh new year to choose happy.  do the things that make YOU happiest, love yourself, love others, talk positive, and find the goodness that this earth has to offer.  

my 10 goals for a happy healthy me in 2013:

1.  find more time for myself without guilt.

2.  find new ways to make my vegan lifestyle exciting with new recipes.

3.  continue simplifying my life 

4.  strengthen my yoga practice

5.  share more about our goals for kenzi lu=)

6.  create more

7.  thrift more

8.  help more

9.  love more

10.  surround myself with those who love me for who i am and don't worry about the others!!!

hope your 2013 is full of all things that make you happy

LOVE