NEW JOB, BYE BYE BLOG

I am so very excited to announce I accepted a new job offer and will be starting the 1st of November! This is a fantastic opportunity for me to get out and about more in our town working with local businesses. I will be making more $$$ and will be able to work from home as well which is fantastic news!

However....due to the time constraints and workload I am having to put the blog to rest for now :( Obviously I tapered off a ton in the past month due to the transition, interviews, and training my replacement this past week. It's been super fun to be part of the vegan blogging community. I'll still be checking out my favorite blogs for recipe motivation and will keep my e-mail active if anyone ever has any questions or wants my product reviews and recommendations.

Feel free to e-mail me if you want advice on a new makeup, hair product, or beauty review!

VEGANISSEXY@GMAIL.COM

Also, hit me up if you try out something you think this glamour girl would love :)

BARGAIN BEAUTY BUZZ

I had to hit up Rite Aid last night for some 3oz sized travel goodies for an upcoming trip (more details on that surprise later!) as well as some replacement face powder. I roamed the aisles and spent probably way too much time reading labels and going back and forth between my go-to Physicians Formula organics compact powder and the cheaper Wet n wild Natural wear powder. One was around 13.00 and the other was 4.99. That's like 4 americano coffees! I figured what the heck and went with the cheap-o wet n wild brand :)

I used to live off of the W&W black eyeliners and frosty pink lip glosses in high school but turned up my nose at the 99 cent products a while ago. Silly me. This powder is a great find! It comes in a slim little recycled compact complete with a mirror and small puff for application. It really rivals the more expensive Physicians Formula brand and to be honest I think I like the size of this one more for keeping in my purse or desk at work. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Here is some info on the product:

Embrace the beauty of nature with this eco-friendly compact that's packed with vitamin-enriched and 100% natural ingredients. Formulated with a multi-mineral complex to help protect skin as it minimizes pores and imperfections with light-diffusing pigments.

*100% Free of parabens
*Fragrance free
*Hypoallergenic
*Dermatologist approved
*Compact made with recycled paper
*Puff and mirror enclosed
*Not tested on animals

Anyone tried any of the other items from the W&W natural wear line of cosmetics? I know there are lip glosses and blushes as well.

COVER UP WITH A CONSCIENCE

Baby it's cold outside! Mother nature has turned on us already in October and the temperatures have been downright nippy in the mornings this week. Normally I snatch up a new pretty pea coat or wool trench coat from the annual Nordstroms sale, but since I'm no longer wearing animal materials, this year I'm running around coat less! I do still have a few of my wool coats purchased from a few years ago that I plan on continuing to wear.....but I have no plans to spend any more money on wool, leather, silk, or any other animal cruelty supported fashions. Sooooo on that note I figured I'd do a little online shopping to see what was out there with regards to leather-free and wool-free coats and jackets. There are lots! All of these are under $100! :)

From www.Nordstrom.com BP

Stella Starr ruffled faux leather jacket: $58.00 Jou Jou faux leather bomber jacket in Maroon: $58.00

From www.Lulus.com
Marna Coat by Matix: $94.00 BB Dakota faux leather jacket: $62.00

Holly Golightly trench in white: $69.00

From www.Forever21.com

Cropped bow front coat: $24.80

Knit coat with optional hood: $34.80

Tweed classic trench: $37.80

Greyhound leatherette jacket: $37.80

Horizontal ribbed trim jacket: $27.80

Sketch houndstooth pea coat: $34.80 (I'm getting this one!)

FALL FOR FAUX!

Fall is officially upon us here in Washington state. I love the colors of the leaves, the crisp temperature, and late afternoon sunshine that still allows for some bundled up walks around the neighborhood. There is something about fall that lends to change. Whether it be a new darker hair color, a few new cozy sweaters, or for me.......a delicious new pair of faux leather boots to pair with this season's lush sweater dresses. You may think it's difficult to track down faux leather boots that are fashion forward and affordable, but I found so many it's hard to choose! If you know the right brands and stores, shopping for faux leather shoes is a breeze :) Here are my favorite picks for the fall season! All are under $50!!!!!

Platform ankle boot; forever21.com; $26.80; in royal and silver; (These would be great with a pair of slim jeans, funky tee shirt, and lots of jewelery)

Lock it Boot: Alloy.com $46.90 (The chestnut color would be great over jeans with a long cozy cardigan sweater)

Suedette Ankle boot; forever21.com; $32.80 (I'd wear these with black or grey dress slacks for a fun pop of color)
Gomax over the knee black suede boots; lulus.com; $53.00; (If you are brave enough to rock the over the knee style, this is a good boot to start with!) Would be super cute over jeans or with a casual shirt dress and tights.

Ashley boot: Alloy.com $44.90 (I like it in the taupe suede color) but any of them would be lovely....the dark brown suede is pretty fabulous!

Buckles fashion boots; forever21.com; $34.80; (best with dresses or over a pair of skinnies)

BIRTHDAY TREATS AND BEACHIN EATS

Over the course of the weekend my birthday boy and I enjoyed a wonderful variety of local food, wine and beer. Whenever we take a trip out of town we make a point to visit the local farmer's market to scout out funky finds and perhaps a creative lunch. Boy did I ever luck out this past Saturday at the HUGE Port Townsend farmer's market!

A Raw vegan booth! There were a ton of choices from kale chips, raw breads and pizza crackers, salads, chocolates, and cookies. Amazed :)

I went with the raw sprouted lunch plate, minus the raw soup, opting for extra salad and an extra bread for Hubs. He had a few tacos from a Mexican cart and ended up eating about 1/2 of my cilantro pesto and bread/cookie things. The pizza flax crackers were my favorite!
After stopping for a local beer at the Water Street brewery (hubs drank, not me) we hit up the local food co-op to pick up some groceries for breakfast the following morning. Hubs picked up these little gems to snack on in the car. YUM! I'd never tried kiwi berries before, but they essentially taste like super ripe kiwis, but in the size of a grape and minus the pesky fuzzy fur!

Before our 7:00 dinner reservation I set out a little snack plate for us to enjoy on the deck with a glass of champagne we had bought in Lake Chelan this past August. We were saving it for a special occasion and I couldn't think of a better excuse that celebrating my favorite guy in the whole world :) I sliced up an organic granny smith apple with some local goat cheese (for hubs) and some rice crackers.

For dinner we had reservations at Manresa Castle in Port Townsend. We brought a wine that we were given by the Rome Hilton on our Honeymoon in Italy last September. After googling it we found out it is worth about 150.00! It really did taste like an expensive bottle too :) We kept that swarovski encrusted bottle to display at our bar at home. It's too pretty not to show off.

For our appetizers we both ordered small salads to start with. Hubs had the spinach salad with strawberries, caramelized pecans, roasted garlic (which he made me eat too so we had matching breath) and a fried goat cheese medallion.

I had the Manresa salad with red onions, marinated cucumbers, Tuscan white beans, and a tomato black pepper dressing. I loved having a few vegan choices straight off of the menu!

Hubs then had the raw oyster special and crab cakes for dinner. He couldn't decide on an entree so he just went with two appetizers. I can't believe he ate those slimy things raw!

I ordered the bella portabella which was one of a few vegan options on the menu. It was like it was dreamed in my head! Everything I love.......marinated and grilled portabella on top of raw spinach, stuffed with roasted veggies and topped with a wine sauce. It was divine! I only ended up finishing about 1/2 of it and saved the rest for hubby's breakfast in bed the next morning.......

Sunday morning I was up bright and early so I decided to make us breakfast in bed complete with a creative tray (pancake griddle, lol) complete with coffee, strawberries and granola for me and portabella spinach eggs for my hubs. He said they were some of the best eggs he'd ever had! I hate eggs but I sure know how to cook em' up good!

Oh, I forgot dessert on Saturday night was a bubble bath, some raspberry sorbet and the rest of the champagne! I have to say that may have been the best treat all weekend :)

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

This past weekend I surprised my husband with a weekend away on Discovery Bay near Port Townsend for his 29th birthday. He had no idea we were heading out of town since I packed his bag and loaded up the car on Friday while he was at work. On Saturday morning I gave him his b-day present and told him to shower and get ready and wait for further instructions.

Off we went towards Discovery bay (about 1 hr East of us) with hubby simply following my sporadic directions as we neared the hotel. Once we pulled in the parking lot I spilled the surprise that we were staying at this gorgeous beach side condo and had a full day of fun planned in Port Townsend with a fancy dinner reservation later that night. He was soooo happy! We spent the day walking around downtown Port Townsend shopping at the HUGE farmer's market and stopping for a beer at a local brewery and then for coffee at a waterfront cafe. It was a glorious weekend with lots of amazing eats, treats, and quality time together.

I'll post the amazing food and dining experience tomorrow, so stay tuned!!!

Hubby enjoying the football game in our room (we don't have cable at home!)

Our room jacuzzi tub! We bought bath bubbles and ice cream after dinner on Saturday night on our way home from the restaurant. Imagine the grocery store checker's thoughts on that purchase! The beach at Port Townsend where we ventured for the day on Saturday

Discovery Bay waterfront where our hotel was located

View of our hotel from the beach

All fancied up for our nice dinner out. I don't know why I look like I have a Kate Gosslin haircut right here, but I promise it's just curled and pinned up in the back. Not a fan of that lady!

Love :)

The Birthday Boy posing on our hotel deck

Dinner at Manresa Castle in Port Townsend, WA

TARTE PURPLE POWER

I've found it! Finally a cruelty free, eco-friendly mascara! I ordered this new Tarte "Lights, Camera, Lashes!" Mascara from Sephora last week hoping it would answer my call for a lush, plush, and vibrant daily mascara at a reasonable price. At $18 from Sephora it is definitely more that your average drugstore brand but still less than the higher end brands from Sephora. I've tried the Almay all natural mascara with some less than stellar results and have been appalled at the selection of cruelty free choices (like, none) at the local drugstores. I have definitely found a winner in this mascara and will make it my go-to daily lash extender. The way I see it (pun intended) it's worth it to spend a bit more on an all natural product you are going to use everyday......just like your hair care and skin care. Just remember the outside of your body appreciates quality nutrition and products as much as the inside!

About Lights, Camera, Lashes!

What it is: A lengthening, curling, volumizing, and conditioning mascara.

What it does: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! 4-in-1 Mascara is what we call a push-up bra for your lashes—a 4-in-1 (lengthening, curling, volumizing, and conditioning) dermatologist- and clinically-proven to increase the appearance of lash volume by 430% after applying giving dramatic, thick and sexy lashes.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:- Parabens- Sulfates- Synthetic Fragrances- Synthetic Dyes- Petro-Chemicals- Phthalates

What else you need to know: This mascara contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients like rice bran wax to help lengthen lashes and carnauba wax, an emollient wax that ensures a smooth application. ProVitamin B5 treats and thickens lashes, olive esters condition, treat, and protect lashes, and the mascara also contains mineral pigments known for their soothing and softening properties. Cruelty Free.

"YOU EAT A LOT"

I've confessed before that I am a total volume eater. I'll take a gigantic plate of oven roasted veggies over a small piece of chocolate cake any day. Like I've explained, I'd rather have a big quantity of an average tasting meal than a tiny amount of something amazing. Weired? Probably. But that's just my style. I like a full belly. However.....because I choose to eat large amounts of really healthy foods I have had a lot of people make statements about how much I eat which has lead to some discomfort and shame over the size of my helpings. I look back at my meals and think, good lord woman you eat a lot! But can you have too much of a healthy food? If my meals are made up of mostly veggies can you really over do it with portion size? I sometimes feel self conscious around our guests and friends when I pile my plate with big portions of vegan food while the other gals take a tiny piece of chicken and some potato salad or cheese and crackers. Obviously I wouldn't trade my cruelty free meal for theirs, but I feel like a hungry hippo all the time.

Whatcha think? Can you have too much of a healthy food? Do you ever feel uncomfortable with the amount of food you eat around others?

Moving on to more mouth watering things...........Since I've been MIA for a week or so I feel like I should catch up on all the yummy food we've been gathering and cookin up! We have a heck of a stocked fridge and pantry right now thanks so some fabulous farmer's market stops and a serious grocery stop to Trader Joes. We don't have one nearby, so when hubby was out of town on business he totally rocked it and stocked up on a ton of goodies. He knows the way to my heart.....and tum tum :)

Farmer's market loot: kohlrabi, green beans, kale, zucchini, onions, basil, tomatoes, crescent potatoes, mini eggplants, lemon cucumbers, and a yucky daikon that I hated

tomato basil salad with walnut Parmesan and fresh market basil
Tossed with this amazing olive oil that we brought back with us from Tuscany More tomato basil salad with market green beans, stir fried tempeh and mushrooms and a side of baked kale

Stir fry salad with broccoli slaw, edamame, and toasted almonds

My Trader Joe's pile: Prosecco champagne, agave, raw almond butter (new obsession!), decaf Italian roast coffee, decaf green tea, pickles, maple syrup, choc chips for baking (not eating out of the bag) hot sauce, marcona almonds, veg chili

Hubby's TJ's pile. Chile spiced mango, pretzel bits, crackers, rice crispy treats, cashews, general tsao sauce, oatmeal, and hangover soups (he only eats them when he's a SICKIE BOY)

Pantry staples: coconut milk, olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, canola oil for baking, garlic, kalamata olives, bruscetta, roasted red peppers, balsamic dressing, and food for the furbies

Oven roasted veggies with homemade raw pesto (walnuts, basil, pine nuts, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil)

Saturday night pesto feast dinner: fresh pasta with homemade pesto, oven roasted veggies, and tomato basil salad tossed with pesto.

Leftover lunch: oven roasted veggies 2 ways with nooch and salsa and with walnut parmesean and leftover pesto

FOOD, FRIENDS, AND FOREST ADVENTURES

The weekend before last we hosted two of my husband's old college buddies and their wives for a weekend out at our lake cabin. It was a lot of work for little miss hostess, but was a super fun time spent with friends. The boys golfed both days while the girls hiked and fussed over the little baby Giulia....pronounced Julia (the first baby of our group) which provided endless entertainment. We staged a compromise discussion with the boys on the last night hoping they would only golf 9 holes instead of 18 on the last day so that we could all go on a hike together. Never underestimate the power of 3 wives and a baby :) We won (of course) and we ended up having a lovely last hike before they all headed off on Sunday.

Girls day hike on Saturday: Spruce Railroad trail (6 miles round trip)

Fuzzy pic in front of the old railroad blast cave
Dinner Sat night: Hubby caught local salmon with a homemade olive tapenade, roasted veggies and market potatoes, and a Greek salad with olives, peppercinis, red onion, tomato, and lemon cucumbers

Dining with a view! Can't beat that table's view.

Munch munch. Don't ask why all the wine is in front of me??? BTW....I totally think a black juicy suit is appropriate dinner wear :)

The group hike: Marymere falls (2 miles round trip)

The old college buddy crew

Fun times! It's amazing how the frat-i-ness comes out of the boys when they get together. You can take the boys out of the frat but you can't take the beer drinking, football throwing, wrestling, trash talking fratiness out of the boy :) Us girls had lots of collective whining and eye rolling throughout the weekend. lol. Can't wait til next summer's get together.....hopefully with a few new additions and less drinking!

R & R

I'm here! I took a little R&R break last week and this past weekend with some much needed time away from the computer and much needed napping and long nights of rest. I lost a family member last Tuesday and have been feeling very sad and down and not really up to posting much. My youngest cousin passed away and we will miss him so much. My cousins are like brothers and sisters to me since I'm an only child so it's been a tough week trying to take it all in.

My wonderful cousins (and hubby) Me, cousin Joey, Brenda, and our angel Dale.

ZUCCHINI BREAD WITH SWEET CRUMB TOPPING

I am a busy girl in the kitchen today! We have out of town guests coming to stay with us at our lake place for the weekend so I've been baking and prepping food all day! There is no dishwasher in the "one butt" kitchen at the cabin, so I try and get as much stuff done at home in my stocked kitchen before we head out. By 7:00 am this morning I had already made a loaf of amazing zucchini bread with a sweet crumble topping adapted from THIS RECIPE. I tripled (probably more) the crumb topping, which added a bit more of a sweet and decadent taste to this wholesome bread. The grated zucchini was pretty wet when I added it to the mix.......and I'm thinking maybe next time I'll press and drain it before adding it in since the bread is uber-moist....almost too moist. I think I'll toast this in the oven before serving it for breakfast with a bit of earth balance spread. Next up on my make/bake list:

*My famous chocolate peanut butter Oreo pie
*Banana bread muffins (for the boys to take with them golfing Sat and Sun morning)
*homemade olive tapenade for the salmon dinner on Saturday
*Prep all veggies and potatoes for my Farmer's market vegetable bake
*Make a Greek salad dressing from scratch (still don't have a recipe for this yet, any suggestions???)
*Cut up fruit for breakfast fruit salad

Sheesh I'm tired already and it's only 9:00am! Oh....I also need to fit in a good workout sometime during the day to make up for all these treats :)

My muffin taste testers with the leftover batter. Such a good breakfast!

The topping really makes this recipe over the top yum :)

I'm off for the weekend! See ya'll Monday!

IT'S BEAUTIFUL TO BE GOOD: DAVID BABAII HAIR CARE

I'm completely in love with a new hair care line! As I mentioned before on the blog, I was previously completely hooked on Pureology products, which can be almost $30 for a bottle of shampoo or conditioner. A friend recommended the hair care line from David Babii (Kate Hudson is the "face" of the brand) since it is entirely vegan, cruelty free, and costs almost 1/3 less than my beloved Pureology. I ordered directly from the David Babaii website, since they had the best prices and free shipping on orders over $25.00. I've been using the products for a week now and absolutely LOVE them...especially the hairspray! Here is my review and what I purchased:

PRODUCT: HYDRATING SHAMPOO
Hydrating Shampoo replenishes thirsty hair. Rich Cupuacu Butter - from the South American Amazon - is a natural moisturizer, creating lustrous, radiant, hydrated hair. Wild Orchid also adds moisture while keeping hair healthy and shiny. Blue Algae Extract strengthens the hair shaft. This unique eco-friendly formula is perfect for all hair types. A gentle rich lather theoroughly cleanses, purifies and protects, eliminating dirt, oil and styling residue that can dull hair or result in dryness. Color-treated hair is re-hydrated and revitalized to keep color longer.
PRICE: $9.95
REVIEW: The shampoo has a very rich lather, despite it being sulfate free. I like the smell, which reminds me of the old school coconut scented cheapie suave shampoo line. I usually only wash my hair every other day, and this seems to clean well, without over drying my color treated hair.

PRODUCT: HYDRATING CONDITIONER
Hydrating Conditioner replenishes thirsty hair, restoring optimum moisture levels and nutrients. Rich Cupuacu Butter - from the South American Amazon - is a natural moisturizer. Wild Orchid also adds a moisture while keeping hair healthy and shiny. Blue Algae Extract strengthens the hair shaft. Hair becomes newly re-hydrated and revitalized. This unique eco-friendly formula is perfect for all hair types. Color-treated hair will keep color longer.
PRICE: $9.95
REVIEW: Not too rich, not too thin…..this is the perfect consistency for a conditioner. It has a rich cocoa butter and coconut smell, which lasts nicely throughout the day. My hair is super soft, shiny, bouncy, and not too weighed down. I will still use a heavier conditioning treatment at least once a week, but this is a wonderful everyday conditioner

PRODUCT: EXTRA HOLD HAIRSPRAY
Mise en Plis Extra Hold Styling Spray is the perfect no-nonsense finishing spray. The extra hold formulation provides long-lasting control while adding a healthy shine. Naturally derived ingredients like Copolymers, Naturally derived Copolymers add extra gloss; White Ginger, Fenugreek and Rosemary help create this firm hold and actually strength hair. Mineral-rich Volcanic Ash from the Vanuatu Islands of the South Pacific adds incredible natural volume to your hair. This aerosol spray can be used on all hair types as the perfect finishing spray.
PRICE: $12.95
REVIEW: My new favorite hairspray! Finding a hairspray with a good hold that is not tested on animals is extremely difficult. I’ve found a few that are over $20, but I seem to go through it too fast to justify that price. This spray leaves a nice scent and still allows my hair to move freely. I am hooked and will be ordering it now as my everyday styling spray.

ABOUT WILDAID PRODUCTS:

"Our products are free of sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, and animal products. And of course, free from all animal testing. Even better, we further support the beauty in nature by donating ten percent of all profits to WildAid, the global wildlife conservation organization, to help save our endangered animals.

So now when you do something great for your hair, you’ll also be doing something great for the planet.

It’s beautiful to be good."

What do you think is a reasonable price to spend on your hair cair? Would you pay more knowing it was cruelty free?

TROPICAL FEAST: PLANTAINS & COCONUT

This was a "use up all the leftover produce in the fridge" creation that ended up tasting absolutely amazing. I've mentioned before that I am completely obsessed with Berbere seasoning, putting it on everything from roast veggies and salads to potatoes, soups and homemade salad dressings. It has the best spicy, sweet, unique flavor and I strongly urge you to ask your local natural foods store to carry it.

This recipe was entirely made up on the spot using what I had leftover in our crisper and overly stocked cupboard.

TROPICAL FEAST SUPPER WITH COCONUT QUINOA, BLACK EYED PEAS, ROASTED VEGETABLES, AND FRIED PLANTAINS:

Roast veggies first with a bit of olive oil, sprinkle of berbere seasoning, and pinch of sea salt:
*white onion
*broccoli
*cauliflower
*carrots
*green and yellow zucchini

Cook quinoa in rice cooker or over stove top (my measurements are for 4 servings)
*1 part quinoa (1 cup)
*one part light coconut milk (1 cup)
*one part water (1 cup)
*1 tsp berbere seasoning
*1 tsp mild yellow curry powder
*1/2 tsp salt to taste

*During the last 5 minutes of cooking add 1 cup black eyed peas or other hard bean

Cut one large plantain in half then slice length wise into long slices. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, berbere seasoning and lightly fry until brown and crispy. Serve quinoa with roasted vegetables and a few fried plantain slices.

That was my first time ever eating plantains and I am TOTALLY HOOKED!!! I loved the flavor....somewhere between a banana and sweet potato...how can I not love that! I'm going to try a sweet version with agave and maybe some coconut ice cream. Imagine that :) Yum!

This is why we don't go out to dinner! How can you beat this centerpiece. I promise this is not the standard at our house, but our little Maverick thought the clean (just out of the dryer) table cloth was put there just for his evening nap. He didn't budge throughout our dinner, except to try and cover himself up in it when we poked his fat white belly with a fork.

Don't wake me mom!

Do you let your kitties lounge on the table? It really doesn't bother me, but I know some people would be horrified to see a cat on the dining room table. I pretty much let my "kiddos" get away with anything if they look cute doing it. I can't yell at that face!

VACATION EXERCISE: PLAY IN THE PARK

I'm probably the only person who looks forward to exercising on vacation. I love discovering new hiking trails, running routes, and taking classes at unfamiliar gyms and new yoga studios. While camping this past weekend, I fully took advantage of the beautiful Eastern WA surroundings by packing my running shoes and yoga mat for hot yoga on Sunday. On Saturday I set out super early for a 4 mile run along the Wenatchee river where we stayed on our way to Lake Chelan. The run went really fast and was absolutely stunning and serene that early in the morning. After grabbing a couple of iced americanos and Starbucks breakfast (the continental at the hotel was horrid) hubby and I went back out for a walk and some park exercise. I think I ended up walking over 6 miles by the end of the morning but it hardly felt like exercise since it was in a new setting and hanging with my man. There are always fun ways to get some movement when you are on vacation so I never use time off as an excuse for a time out from my workout regimen!

Beautiful early morning run along the Wenathcee river waterfront trail

Action shot!
While at the Riverfront park we decided to get some play "exercise" by utilizing the playground toys as our personal gym. Those monkey bars are harder than they were in grade school!

Hubby's turn. He initially didn't even want to go out for a walk, but look who's having fun now. Can't resist playing like a kid!

Showoff

Then we did some tricep dips on the park bench. I'll take that view from my gym any day!

Bench step-ups with a leg lift

Those hurt after just a few!

Or...you could try some rock star jumps

Showoff again!

The rest of our 5 day camping trip was filled with a ton of walking, swimming, and a stellar 90 minute hot yoga class on Sunday. There are no hot yoga studios here in our town so I always take advantage of the opportunity to sweat my booty off when we are on vacation somewhere with a studio. I probably ended up getting more exercise than if I were at home in my normal routine. It's nice to come home from vacation feeling light, healthy, and SORE :)

Do you workout on vacation, or use the time off as a break? How do you get in some physical activity?

VEGAN S'MORES BARS

So in celebration of the camping trip I'm currently enjoying I wanted to bring some classic S'mores treats minus the oh-so-gross animal-product-filled marshmallows. After picking up a tub of Suzanne's Specialty Ricemellow marshmallow creme at our Natural Foods store a few weeks ago I was dying to make something creative and divine utilizing the vegan creme. I went directly to the webiste to find a good recipe and settled on these s'mores bars as a fun and portable treat to take with us. Holy cow they are goooooood! We sampled.....A LOT and then took a few to Hubby's grandma who loves my baked goods :)

Recipe found HERE

Layered with the first layer of dough, then the dark chocolate bar

2nd layer with the ricemellow creme then 2nd layer of dough After baking. Look at that caramelization! The whole house smells amazing after baking these.Our taster :) How do you manage not eating the whole pan when they look like that!

What is your favorite campfire treat? How do you like your s'mores?

SALT FREE WEEK RECAP

So salt-free week, (in preparation for my long bikini filled camping weekend) has been super-duper easy! I did a bunch of making, prepping, and baking on Sunday evening so I was all squared away for my breakfasts and lunches for the week. I eat the same thing for breakfast everyday so that didn't have to change at all: mixed fruit salad with organic blueberries, strawberries, cantaloupe, goji berries and ground flax on top. For lunches I made a big batch of oven roast vegetables and marinated white beans to serve on top of salad greens. With the chickpeas I added a can of salt free diced tomatoes and a can of sliced mushrooms as well as balsamic vinegar, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic, and a splash of olive oil. They got progressively better throughout the week and I didn't miss any salt at all! Here is what I ate all week to de-puff :)

Lunches: Salad with marinated chickpeas, leftover roasted veggies, and homemade dressing of red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and coarse mustard.

Dinner: BBQ Corn on the cob: Best way ever to have corn! Simply shuck, season, wrap, and roll! The BBQ gives them the most amazing flavor, and they cook perfectly every time. This is the only way we cook our corn now!

Ready for the BBQ

BBQ dinner of mushrooms (Salt free mesquite seasoning) with BBQ corn and steamed broccoli

Dessert: I've pretty much had some version of this (to use up our abundance of fruit) all week long. I'm obsessed with my Cost Plus World Market dark chocolate bar (right). The best!

Leftover lunch of marinated beans, steamed market green beans and raw pine nuts sprinkled on top.

Roasted Veggie dinner with purple market broccoli, yellow & green zucchini, baby bella mushrooms, leftover corn, a few handfuls of diced firm tofu with mesquite seasoning and fresh cracked pepper. Leftovers were served with my marinated beans and greens today for lunch.

Served with a mixture of homemade hummus and organic ketchup (tiny bit of salt)

I feel pretty good.....not exactly dance around and jump up and down in a bathing suit good.....but not like a puffy marshmallow...and that's a good thing!

We will be packing and loading the car tonight so we can head out after I get home from the gym early tomorrow morning. I have a fun (and totally drool worthy) recipe post scheduled while I'm gone so check back!

Somebody doesn't want us to leave :(

TOFU RANCHEROS & A FUN SURPRISE

This was a super easy weeknight dinner that was both satisfying and pretty! Hubby ate two of these little creations and was stuffed, while I was still a bit hungry after only one. I would suggest serving them alongside some salad or perhaps grilled corn and zucchini for a filling, and balanced meal.

Tofu Rancheros (based off of a Vegetarian Times recipe)

2 tsp vegetable oil
½ onion chopped
1 tbs chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
½ cup salsa
¾ cup crumbled firm tofu
1 tbs lime juice
½ cup refried beans
Small corn or whole wheat tortilla
1 avocado

Heat oil in pan over med heat and add onion & spices. Cook until onion is soft then add tofu, lime juice, and salsa. Simmer for 10 min. Spread beans on tortillas then top with tofu mixture, sliced avocado, and extra salsa if desired. Serves 2.

My plate with a side salad topped with purple cabbage, 1/4 sliced avocado and extra salsa.

Now for the fun surprise! I was contacted by Destination Weddings Magazine a few months ago about being in the "Real Brides" section of the new fall issue. We just got our copy in the mail last night and here we are! I personally would have picked different pictures, but it's pretty darn cool to be in a magazine with my sweetie :) Check it out!

I was thrilled to see they chose our picture for the index page in the beginning. Of course I was so pumped when I opened the envelope I grabbed it with my wet hands from prepping dinner so now it's all wrinkled. Ooops :(
Our little section. I blacked out our last names so you can't stalk us :)

FRUIT FILLED WEDDING

A friend of mine was married on Saturday at a beautiful facility called the Orchards, just a few blocks away from our house. Since we are close, we hosted a little impromptu prefunk at our place to get the party started early. I threw together a quick white sangria with peaches and mint leaves which just happened to be the bride's wedding colors. How appropriate! The recipe was delish, and sent us on our way with a...........uhm.......nice festive spirit :) lol.

White peach sangria:

1 bottle aromatic white wine (pinot grigio, savingnon blanc, dry Riesling, etc.)
1/2 cup quality peach schnapps
1/2 cup gran Marnier
3 large white peaches, sliced thin
1 cup loosely packed mint leaves

Chill for a few hours then serve over ice with a splash of San Pellegrino or other fizzy drink

What I wore: Same dress (Kohls) as the one I wore for our wedding anniversary in Victoria. I had a sweet little halter dress picked out, but the weather turned grey and cool so I went with a dress that showed a bit less skin and kept me warmer.
The ceremony was beautiful and the bride looked stunning with her flowing side pony with flowers to match her orange and green wedding colors. Each bridesmaid had a different dress in the same color, which I also thought was really cute.

The facility had a pool for the kiddo guests, which they fully took advantage of during the reception. They had all orange and green water toys as well! Talk about one coordinated bride!

The salad room (It was a BBQ dinner) with the candy bar in the back. Not so vegan friendly, but since it was an early wedding I was able to eat a later dinner at home after. I did sneak a lemon head and some raw veggies though :)

Fruity cake! Hubby had a slice and said it was really good with a very homemade lemony flavor. The bride's grandparents did all of the food and the cake, which was very impressive!

Muggin it up for the camera. My beautiful girlfriends :)

Ok, but let's be serious now. That's better :) Even the dude behind us approves :)

Fun times. I'm trying to go "salt free" this week in preparation for a big camping trip to Eastern WA next weekend. The thought of 5 days in a bathing suit is causing me a bit of anxiety! I'm trying to eat really clean in hopes that I depuff from my after weekend marshmallow state. Eeeeek. I'll let ya'll know how that works :)

NAKED FAJITAS

Don't worry......I was fully clothed while cooking and consuming these naked fajitas! I cook up stir-fried veggies all the time and eat with hummus or peanut dipping sauce, but this time I wanted the taste of spicy, smokey, Mexican flavored fajita veggies but without the tortilla carb crash. These totally cured my craving! Super tasty, and even better the next day on a salad.

Naked Fajitas included:
1 large zucchini, bias sliced
1/2 Orange bell pepper, strips
1/2 red bell pepper, strips
1/4 red onion, sliced thin
1 cup sliced portabella mushrooms
1/2 sliced sweet potato (nuked until slightly soft)
2 stalks green onion, large sliced
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp mild chili powder
1 tsp mesquite seasoning
Few splashes of lime juice and hot sauce at the end

Cook all veggies until al dente and browned, adding mushrooms and potatoes last. Serve with homemade guac and salsa topped with cilantro. Yum!

Leftovers on top of organic salad greens topped with more salsa, hot sauce, and the leftover guac. Delicious and filling lunch!

SILKY, SHIMMERY, SMELLY, & SUCKY

Here are some of the latest, greatest, and not so impressive beauty finds I have reviewed. I also have a few man friendly Trader Joes picks for the dear dudes in your lives :)

Product: Almay Pure blends mascara
Price: $6.99
About: Hypoallergenic, thicker, longer lashes with clump-free definition, Eco-friendly package made with 36% pre-consumer recycled material, free of added parabens, ophthalmologist tested
Review: Not a fan. It was a really thin coat and didn’t seem to pump up my lashes in thickness or length. I like that it is paraben free and “natural,” but I also have super light lashes that need some super definition!
Would buy again? Nope. Still on the lookout for a cruelty free, natural, thick and rockin mascara.

Product: Say Yes To Carrots Natural Smile tip tint
Price: 4.99 at Target for 3.
About: Paraben free, No animal testing, Carmine free, 100% naturally derived
Review: I saw these on an end cap at Target last week and couldn’t resist the package of three natural colors for 4.99. The price for one at comparable stores is 4.49, so definitely be on the lookout for the 3 packs at Target. I was expecting a bit more of color since the packages have bright tops but it is much more subtle and natural looking. I have one at my desk, one in my car, and one at home which I’m using as more of a chapstick instead of a lipgloss or lipstick. The pink color has some nice shimmer to it and the others are more neutral. They are very moisturizing and have a long staying power.
Would buy again? Yes I would by the 3 pack for 4.99, but I would not spend 4.49 for one at other stores.

Product: Esencia Conditioning Treatment
About: • sulfate free• paraben free• phthalate Free • no artificial colors• natural extracts• 100% vegan • certified organic ingredients• no animal testing• salon performance
Price: $6.00
Review: Love this conditioner. It is super rich, thick, and moisturizing. I use it as a deep conditioning treatment a few times a week to treat my dry, color treated hair. It is a big too rich for daily use on finer hair, but would work really well for thick coarse hair. It has a wonderful coconut smell that lasts throughout the day.
Would buy again? Definitely. I will wait for a BOGO or coupon so I can try some of the other line’s products as well.

Hubby Approved Product: Trader Joes Moisturizing crème shave
Price: $5.00??
About: Paraben free and 100% vegetarian
Review: He has already bought a few extra tubes to keep around since he likes it so much. Loves that it is natural, smells fresh (not girly) and makes shaving less painful…..apparently boy grooming is a pain in the butt too.
Would buy again? Yes, he loves it.

Hubby Approved Product: Trader Joes Tingle shampoo and body wash
Price: $5.00??
About: Peppermint, tea tree, and Eucalyptus botanicals.
Review: I’ve literally heard him moaning in the shower (about the body wash’s invigorating smell you pervs) so I knew this one was a keeper. It smells up our entire bathroom with a fresh, minty scent. He said the shampoo gives a nice tingly feeling on the scalp and that the body wash really does “wake him up” in the morning.
Would buy again? Yes. I’ve used the body wash a few times and really like it as well. It is a good price for a natural product.

What I wore today:

Apparently my hubby was so dazzled by my dress he lost his picture taking skills so sorry for the blurry pic :) Silky belted shift dress from a boutique in Victoria Canada. Nine West slingbacks.