**Starbucks Refresher DIY**

Well, we are finally home. Seems like we've been running around like crazy for the past couple months. We got back from our travels out east, then came home for a couple short weeks, and then back to Iowa we went! We had a great time with family and friends, but it's always nice to sleep in your own bed again, cook your food, and *gasp* do laundry and cleaning?! ha. Yes, I know, kind of strange but when I get back from lots of traveling I kind of go into spring cleaning mode, or whatever season it is, and I feel like doing major cleaning.

On to the real reason it's 10:07 p.m. and I really wanted to do a post! :)

Yesterday while I was at Whole Foods I wanted to look for a hibiscus tea. I have previously, many times, had the Starbucks Berry Refresher and it's.... incredible. I'm trying to stay away from too much soy milk, which is the only option for a milk alternative at Starbucks, so I will reach for this instead sometimes if I'm out and about. It's delicious, fresh, great berry flavor, just yum! Their version has green coffee extract in it, which mine doesn't have, but either way, it's a pretty close second! If you need that extra kick, you can probably pick some of that up at your local health food store.

Mine is super simple.

Berry Hibiscus Refresher

8 oz. hot water
1 Tazo, Passion tea bag
1/4 c. frozen raspberries
Raw Rock Sugar from Teavana (I'm sure you can find this elsewhere, that's just where mine is from)

Add everything into a measuring cup and let it steep. I let mine steep until it was cooled quite a bit, maybe 10-12 min. After that time, remove the tea bag and use a spoon to mash the raspberries up, as well as stir the tea around to make sure any remaining sugar is dissolved. 

Serve over ice, and enjoy! It's delicious. This would also be good if you had some lemonade to mix with it.

Speaking of..... here is another goodie for you :)

*~Homemade Lemonade~*

1 c. + 1/8 c. organic lemon juice (I buy it in bulk from Costco and it's super cheap!)
1/2-3/4 c. sugar (depending on how sweet you like it, I like it more tart)
6 cups water
1 lemon, cut up into pieces

Mix water, lemon juice and sugar together, until sugar is dissolved. Cut up lemon into 6-8 pieces and float on top. As I pour a glass, I like to take out a piece of lemon and throw it in the cup with the lemonade. It makes it taste great, plus it also looks fun and summery when you have guests over. 

Enjoy!! :)

Well, those are my summery drinks for the day! I hope you guys enjoy them and they inspire you to get out there and start creating some alternatives to all of the processed junk we are used to drinking!

Peace, Love, and Bottoms Up!

*~Linz~*

**Make Ahead Breakfast!**

Make ahead breakfast.. can't get much better than that, right? Whether you're a busy working mom, mom working from home, a mom at ALL, or don't even have kids yet, and just find yourself craving something different for breakfast that doesn't feel like you threw it into a bowl or unwrapped it. This one is a yummy one! I found the recipe on Pinterest and love it. I haven't tried freezing them yet, but I don't know why you couldn't! THAT would make it even easier! :) let me know if you do and how they are when you pull them out!

Vegan Pancake Puffs (Makes 12 puffs)
---------------------------

1 c. flour
1 T. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 c. almond milk
2 T. Earth Balance "butter" (melted)
3 T. Maple Syrup (I used agave)

*Add wet ingredients into a bowl and whip together.. then just add all the dry and mix well.

Bake 350ª for 12-14 min.

(I sprayed my muffin pan with cooking spray and then floured, just to be sure they popped out. I don't think I would use muffin liners. They popped out perfectly with the spray and flour.

*You can add any add-ins that you would normally put in pancakes. This time I did mini dairy and soy free chocolate chips, next time I'm going to do blueberries. Use your imagination! :)

                                                           --------------------------------

I hope you guys enjoy this one and it helps make your mornings go a little smoother!

Peace, Love, and Smooth Sailing,

Linz

Encourage

Oh dear.. Where do I begin. I've got a lot of my mind.

Since I've gone vegan very few people have been supportive. I've got a handful. Many others make jokes, roll their eyes, or seemingly judge me for making the change. That said, I try my best to let it roll off my back and move on. It's starting to really bother me though.

Why is it that people have such strong negative feelings to a plant based raw vegan diet, or any vegan eating at all for that matter. Why is it that we have gotten so high up on our "meat and potato" American horses that we disregard the benefits of eating anything different. I understand when people are raised that way and are stubborn in their ways and refuse to change, but why criticize me for choosing not to? I think it boils down to change, and being different. People don't take that easily if it goes against all they know. At the same time.. I was raised in Iowa, and very much in a meat and potatoes family. Phil's family is the same way, and that's great.
However for myself, my body and what I feel is best for it, I have chosen to eat vegan. I imagine that if it were a situation where I was allergic to eggs, dairy, or meat that nobody would take a second look or throw a snide comment at the fact I didn't eat those things, but because I've chosen this, it's like the dumbest thing ever, or I'm on some ridiculous band wagon that I should just "get over". This is not something I will get over. It's a lifestyle change that I have made.
I've been asked if this is something I plan to do the rest of my life. The answer is yes. As long I can, I will. I have enjoyed the new adventure so much. Seeing new foods, trying things I wouldn't have tried before, being creative with ingredients, and so many more things.
People always ask, how will you get calcium??? How will you get protein?? Come on people, sorry to be frank, but educate yourselves. I think we've been brainwashed into thinking "if you want strong bones you HAVE to drink milk".. "If you want protein, grab a steak".. There are so many options its ridiculous. I feel like I haven't even touched the tip if the iceberg with all of the foods that contain these two things. Be informed.
All in all, I'm not doing this based solely on being cruelty free, although I think everyone should watch a few slaughterhouse videos and then decide if that 16 oz ribeye is really worth what you just saw. How do you REALLY know where your meat is coming from? (And what it actually is??) IKEA meatballs anyone? I am doing this largely based on health. I want to be healthier. I want to fill my diet with more whole foods. I may not be perfect yet, but I've stuck with the vegan thing since day one. Or.., 30+ :) Its honestly one of the most freeing things I've done in all my life. To realize my eating life does not have to revolve around eating meats and animal products is liberating. It frees you up to eat so many healthier foods, it's fabulous.
If you don't choose to eat this way, I have no problem with that. While I feel it may be best, it doesn't make it right for you if you don't feel compelled to eat this way. It's a sacrifice in some things, others not at all. You have to be 100% or it won't work. As they say in the book Vegan Cooking For Carnivore puts it... You make food vegan not make vegan food. You can still eat so many delicious dishes being vegan. You won't even miss the meat!

Basically, this is what I have chosen. I didn't write this to throw statistics at anyone, not do I have them memorized... Those are easily accessible if anyone wants to find them, let me know and I can direct you to what brought me to this point. There are some great documentaries out there that are so informative!

Phil is 150% behind me. He is proud of me for making this change and how I have been strict with it. I love that man. He is going to eat more vegetarian than vegan, and meat on the weekends. It's all compromise, right? :)

Enjoy life. Lets encourage each other in whatever avenue of eating or anything else we choose.

Peace-Love-and Healthy Eating,

Lindsey

A Little Spicy Deliciousness!

 Time for some asian food!!

Oh how I love it. Not enough good can be said about this goodness in a bottle that I found at Trader Joes. it's..... uh-mazing! It's tangy, and sweet, a little "peanut-y" and spicy very spicy! Pure deliciousness! I'm telling you, if you like asian food, GET IT! :) Ok... I'm done with my rant.. Lets begin! :)

So.. I had a recipe from my Spork Fed cookbook that I wanted to try, but this was just about what I expected that recipe to taste like, so I figured I would do the same kind of thing with this..

I found a 2 lb. bag of mini sweet peppersat the grocery store. I got them because the regular bell peppers were out of control expensive. I figured, if I was going to spend $5 on peppers, I would get something fun. The mini sweet peppers are so good! Who knew? I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish the bag before we left on vacation, but I would say I maybe have a dozen left... if that. We're loving them! So many various things you can add them too, or I've just been chopping the top off and eating, inhaling them! Another favorite of ours now! G has always loved peppers, but these are off the charts. She loves them just about as much as I do, if not more!... well, I'm not sure that's possible.

Ok, take 2.. enough talk, on to the recipe...

You will need:

Spicy Peanut Vineaigrette (Trader Joes)
10 Mini Sweet Peppers
1 Shallot
1 Garlic Clove
Base of Your Choice: Fettuccine, Chow Mein Noodles, Rice.. whatever you want!
1 T. Sesame Oil + Drizzle Olive Oil (just enough to balance out the sesame oil)
Sesame Seeds
Sliced Water Chestnuts
Bamboo Shoots
Sliced Green Onions for Topping

First....

• Heat oil in skillet. Don't make it too hot because you don't want the delicate shallots and garlic to burn the second you put them, but you want it hot enough to sweat the shallots just a bit.
• Add shallots and garlic to pan, and cook just until you start to notice the shallots start to become barely translucent. 
• Cut tops off sweet peppers, cut in half lengthwise, and deseed. Slice into thin strips and add to skillet.

*I barely let my peppers cook at all. Literally, maybe 2-3 min. I like my peppers VERY crunchy and basically just barely warmed through. Just cook them to your liking.

• After your peppers are cooked how you like, add in half of the bottle of Spicy Peanut Vineaigrette. I got 2 good meals out of the bottle from 2-3 people, depending on what you use for your base.
• Add in any add-ins your want. I chose water chestnuts and bamboo shoots. Snap peas would be awesome.. whatever you feel like! (Can you tell this recipe is flexible??) ;)
• Once your sauce has warmed through, you're ready to go!
• Add on top of whichever base you want to use. I used fettuccine the first time because that is what my cookbook recipe called for from Spork Fed. The second time around I used chow mein noodles and they were SO much better. The sauce stuck to them so much better and... they just fit! Definitely want to try brown or wild rice next time. It would also possibly be good over quinoa? It's worth a try! :) 

Here are a couple pics of both ways I made the recipe.. I forgot to add the green onions the second time, because I was so anxious to eat it that I piled it on the plate and dove it! (after the pic of course) ;)

Have fun with this one, guys! There are SO many possibilities! :) Enjoy!

Peace-Love-and Vegan Asian,

Linz

IKEA!...and Target! :)

Oh, IKEA... how I love you. :)

Here is a haul video that I made from the trip!

*Also, sorry about the blurry pic at the end of the video. I was recording on my phone and can't flip the camera around on it while recording, so I just had to turn my phone around and record "blindly". AND I meant to say we got the drill out first and then just used the screwdriver on the shelf.

HA :) It wasn't worth recording again, and I haven't gotten to the point of editing my videos, soooo, it is what it is.

Stay tuned for my crafty project with the cork circles! :)

This is the project my mother-in-law is going to do with the pop-up tent! Super excited!

I also got a bin for G's room to put all her library books in. I'll take a pic of that tomorrow and post to this entry. It's perfect!

Peace-Love-and IKEAAAAAA!

XO, Linz

Hearty Vegan Potato Stew

Friends.. I have to say, this one is a keeper!

It's so easy, it should be a crime. I could give you the idea and you could come up with a recipe all your own, but I know I like just having a recipe on hand, so I figured that I would share it with you.

This is the hearty goodness that I whipped up tonight..

Hearty Vegan Potato Stew

3 russet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
1 qt. carton organic, low-sodium veggie stock (Trader Joes)
1 T. fresh thyme (minced)
1 dried bay leaf
2 c. frozen mixed veggies
3 green onions (whites only)
3 T. minute rice
1/4 c. edamame

1 clove garlic (peeled and left whole)
salt and pepper to taste

Add veggie stock to your pan, and throw everything in. :) Cook until potatoes are tender and rice will be done as well at that point.

Serves: 3

-----------------------------------------

So.. a few things. 

1. If you don't have fresh thyme, just use dried, but only 1 teaspoon.

2. I made this soup mostly for G who is sick, so I didn't want to blow her away with the garlic, but I still wanted to have a little flavor in it. If you like garlic, you could always mince it up or grate it.

3. I had a good sized bowl and then G had a small bowl, and I still had 2 good sized servings left. I would say if you are feeding adults, you could get the 3 good sized servings out of it. If you're serving kids, you could probably get 5 kid servings out of it. Anything in between, you get the idea. It all depends on how big of servings you are giving.

4. Finally, I didn't had a large onion, but also didn't want a huge onion flavor, just something mild. Shallots would be great in this as well, cipollini onions would be great, or even just minced onions.

5. Wild rice would be AWESOME in this too!

Finally, whatever sounds good to you, throw it in. The edamame was a random throw in, and I ended up really enjoying it in there. Whatever you have would be great! It's hearty, and such a great comfort food on a chilly evening.

Hope you guys enjoy this one! I know I did, and I'm pretty sure it's calling my name again right now! :)

Peace-Love- & Cozy Stews,

XO, Linz

If You Give a Girl a Cookie...

Desperation cookies.... yes, they are, to me, exactly what they sound like. lol.

Since going vegan I have been really good about cravings.. but tonight I wanted cookies, *desperately!*, and I didn't have any. So, I looked online for a recipe that I could bake and get the quick warm cookie fix I needed without spending loads of time on it.

I found a recipe that I changed up, and like I already said.. I'm calling them my desperation cookies. :)

{Desperation Cookies}

1 Very ripe banana
1/2 c. Oats
2 T. raisins 
Pinch of cinnamon

Mash banana with fork in the bowl and then add in remaining ingredients.
Spray sheet tray with non-stick spray and drop cookie mix by spoonful onto it.

Bake 350º for 15 min.

They were delish, not to mention they smelled super good! For obvious reasons, they smelled like oatmeal raisin cookies mixed with banana bread. Mmhmm.. now you know you want to whip some of them up.

Happy Friday Night Friends!

Peace-Love & Warm Cookies

Linz