Sweet Sunshine

Wow. What an awesome day.
It started with an early morning. I woke up extra early to prepare myself for work, had myself a cup of iced coffee with soy creamer and just sat with my thoughts and Pandora radio.
I went into work with a smile on my face and a little extra jolt from the caffeine and just enjoyed working with awesome co-workers.
I love working Saturdays.
I had a short shift and went to Feel-Rite for some reverse osmosis water and then was home by 2:30.
I was greeted at Sunshine with a hug from Maria and the invitation to go run some errands around town.
Before we left, I begged Maria and Chris to take a photo because we all had matching color palettes on...

Then the three of us left.
I brought a bunch of clothes to Plato's Closet and made 35 dollars!
We went to the new giant Premier wine store and I bought some cheap champagne to enjoy later with my fresh new 21 ID! (Happy Belated Birthday to me)
Then we decided to go out to lunch on Elm Street at Acropolis. Mmmm.
We walked around and enjoyed the sunshine and the positive atmosphere of the glorious day.
And we stopped by a little dessert place called "Dolci".

Now, Let me tell you...
They not only had vegan dessert options, but they also had Organic coffee and Espresso.
Soooo... I got two desserts because I couldn't make up my mind.
Mmmm! They were SO DELICIOUS!
The first was called a Chocolate Treasure.

It had a powdered sugar coating over a crunchy chocolate cookie with some kind of nut inside. Absolutely delicious.
The second was called a Strawberry Daiquiri Cupcake.

It had a vegan cream cheese frosting and real strawberries in a yellow cake base.
It was so sweet and fluffy.
I HAVE to find this recipe.
It was to die for.
I highly suggest a visit to this lovely little shop.
Thanks everyone who contributed to making this day so lovely.
I am truly honored to have awesome friends with positive energy and the willingness to just enjoy the little things in life with me.

Easiest Roast and Fried Potatoes

On a bright sunshine-y hot day, the last thing you want to do is turn your oven on to 400 degrees to cook dinner...
However, 250 isn't awful and doesn't heat up the house nearly as bad as cookies... etc.
And another thing about heat is the lack of energy and motivation to create an intricate meal.
So... 
Here is the easiest roast ever:
I used Venison, but the recipe will definitely work for beef, also.


The EASIEST Roast

Ingredients:
2 pounds Venison Roast
1/2 Container Organic Mango Peach Salsa


Preparation:
1. Lay the roast on a baking sheet over a piece of tinfoil.
2. Slather the top of the roast with the salsa.
3. Cover the roast and salsa with tinfoil and tightly seal.
4. Put in oven at 250 degrees F and let cook for 4-5 hours.
5. Add a little sea salt to taste if desired. Presto. Delicious. 


Also... 
This heats up the room a little because it is a stovetop deal... but mmm
Let me just say- Potatoes are my favorite. I love Potatoes.
So, to go with the roast, I fried potatoes.


Just a little blurb from "How Stuff Works":
The benefits of potatoes!

"Potatoes are nutrient-dense, meaning you receive many nutrients for the amount of calories they have. The fiber is half soluble, half insoluble, so it helps to keep you regular and helps to lower cholesterol. And slowing down digestion helps to keep you full longer. Phytochemicals in potatoes include flavanoids and a recently identified compound called kukoamine that appears to help lower blood pressure.

With the exception of vitamin A, white potatoes have just about every nutrient. Did you know potatoes are full of vitamin C? However, since we do not eat potatoes raw, most of the vitamin C is lost due to the heat of cooking. In addition, one baked potato offers about 20 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin B6, which is good news for your heart. They are also very high in potassium, beating other potassium-rich foods. They are a good source of iron and copper, too. In fact, a potato a day is good for your heart, promoting normal blood-pressure levels."

Yeah!! They are good for your heart!

And I love them...

Fried Potatoes

 

Ingredients:
Potatoes
Scallions
Red Pepper
Garlic
Sea Salt


1. Wedge/ dice potatoes and pepper.
2. Press Garlic.
3. Chop Scallions.
4. Melt Margarine in a frying pan and add ingredients. 
5. Flip until potatoes start to brown and crisp around the edges.
6. Voila. Side dish.


So easy. So delicious. And it promote healthy hearts :)
It tastes like summerrrr....

The Front End

This guy comes through my line at Wegmans today, and obviously I'm just running my mouth because I am as happy as a clam to be cashing for the first time in weeks... 
So I'm telling him my life story, telling him about how I work in the Pharmacy now and he's like 
"but you're not a pharmacist"
I'm like "No, I'm a technician" 
He's like "Don't technicians work on tv's and stuff?"
I'm like... "No. I'm like... an assistant to the pharmicist... just called a technician" 
"Oh"  
So then I proceed to tell him about how I'm a Musical Theater major and I'm also starting Krav Maga classes and 
He's like "What ae you going to do with that?" 
I'm like "I want to work for Disney, or Broadway, or both... or national tour... or just love life doing whatever I want."
He's like "You're crazy and naive... are you a Freshman?" 
Me "No... I'm going to be a Senior....."
"Me, too"
Silence.
Me "So... you go to UB? What do you study"
"Yeah, Physics"
"Well what are you gonna do with THAT?!"
"Discover things about the world"
Me "Well, that's funny... I have a minor interest in macro physics. I read college textbooks and watch documentaries about it for fun. I like learning about the world, too."
Him "You're adorable. Can I have your number?"
Me  (Instinctively covers name tag) "*Scoff* NO! But you are more than welcome to come through my line again sometime! THANK YOU! Have a Great Day!"


He scurried away really fast...


SERIOUSLY?!
Don't call me Naive. Crazy. Or Adorable. 
And if you do... don't think about asking me for my number.

Chester

From where I left off:

Every day is a new day and I am ready for the adventure.

In my quest to reinstate myself and become the real, true me to my fullest potential...

I found Chester.

Chester is a dieffenbachia plant, or a dumb cane plant, named for the fact that if you or any animal eats this plant your throat will swell up and you will become "dumb," unable to speak.

And I am absolutely in love with him.

He is gorgeous, with speckled leaves in a vibrant green. 

Not only are his leaves a gorgeous color, but they are large which let off a lot of oxygen and take in toxins from the air...

That larger he gets, the healthier and purer the air in my room will be!

So, why am I posting about the new love of my life?

Because not only is it HEALTHY, but I also decided that there are no rules to this blog... 

I don't just have to post about cooking and baking and healthy and blahblahblah...

Annnnnndddddd I have other talents, too! 

Like Painting!

And Chester was in a tiny, ugly, plastic, shipping pot.

So I painted him a new home... and I wanted to share that with you... whoever you are.

I bought the pot at AC Moore and used acrylics.

I used a white primer for the first coat, since the pot was originally terra cotta colored. 

I measured around the pot at different heights and then taped lines down for the stripes... I messed up a lot, but he needed to be replanted in a timely fashion, so I didn't mind much.

I used the cap of an old pain bottle and dipped it in pink paint for the polka dots on the bottom and then filled them in with three coats to cover the green.

I cut makeup sponges into triangles for the yellow triangles,

and I used little dandelion leaves that were growing in my backyard for the purple leaves on top.

I free-handed his name and sprayed the whole thing with a matte finish, moisture resistant spray.

Then I replanted him...

Tucked him in with soil, 

Watered him thoroughly, 

Sprayed his leaves and gave him plant food.

And Voila!

Chester has a new home.

And I have a new friend!

...I'm so lame...

Thoughts

The more I think I know the less I understand.

I'm baffled by right and wrong and what people think those two things are.

Why can't people just be satisfied with happiness?

Why think so hard about it?

I know what makes me happy. I know what makes me feel good.

And I love those moments that I literally cherish them with every cell of my being.

Sometimes I am confused, and need guidance... but I am still so young. 

I am still learning.

I accept that I am not perfect and that I am growing.

I embrace other people's imperfections, but I can't accept how those imperfections negetively effect me.

Honesty is more than admitting something.

Honesty usually comes with a series of events in story form and truth comes with facts.

Everything happens for a reason. Chance and fate are one in the same.

But you determine your destiny. 

And you have the choice to accept or deny any offer that is given to you.

You can't choose to love. That happens for you.

You can choose who you involve yourself with, but feelings just simply happen.

Love. Simply. Happens.

It's chemical.

It's scientific.

It's fact.

Like the fact that we are living, breathing, feeling, cerebral beings.

We learn.

We create.

Life is beautiful.

"Life flows within and without you."

Thanks Beatles.

Tomorrow is a new day.

I'm ready for the adventure.

 

Amy's Place

If you live in Buffalo or are visiting, you have to visit Amy's Place.

Visit their website!

Amy's Place

It's this amazing hole in the wall Dive with vegetarian and vegan options.

The last time I was there I got the Falafel Sandwich and an order of Vegan "Wet Shoes" which is basically loaded fries but instead of cheese and bacon it's smothered in Spicy lentils, grilled onions, peppers and tomatoes.

This time I took a picture of my delicious meal. I got the Chicken Souvlaki, but I substituted the chicken for Seitan, which I have never had before... but it was DELICIOUS.

I cleaned my plate. It was so good.

So then, I wondered exactly what I ate... haha... since I have never had Seitan before... so here it is:

Seitan (say-TAHN) is made from gluten. Gluten is the name of the insoluble protein in wheat, probably most familiar as the stuff that makes bread dough elastic. Known as "Seitan" in Japan, as "kofu" in China, and as "wheat meat" and "gluten" here in the U.S., seitan is a low fat, high protein, firm-textured meat substitute. It has been eaten in China, Japan, Korea, Russia and the Middle East for thousands of years. Gluten is often referred to in Chinese restaurants as "Buddha food", because of the claim that it was developed by pacifist, vegetarian Buddhist monks as a meat substitute. It is a food rich in tradition as well as nutrition.

As a protein source, seitan contains about 31 grams of protein per 4 ounce serving (which means it has more plant protein per serving than tofu), provides a modest amount of B vitamins and iron and contains no saturated fat or cholesterol. A 3 1/2 ounce (100 gram) serving contains 118 calories, 18% protein and less than 1% unsaturated fat. The same amount of beef has 207 calories and 32.2% protein and is high in saturated fats. As recent studies have shown, our need for protein is much lower than previously believed and any opportunity to remove saturated fats from our diet would be an excellent improvement.

I think it tastes way better than tofu, but that's just me. Mmm. It was so good.

Amy's Place! Go there!

Organic Chicken Soup

Hello Everyone!


Alright. So... There are people in my life who aren't feeling well, especially with the change in the seasons and, hey... who couldn't use a health boost any day?
And me, wanting to save the world and help everyone, and make sure that everyone is healthy and happy decided that soup was the best way to show someone that I care. And want them to feel better.
But I hate canned soup. So I decided to make it. Duh.

Not only that, But when I went shopping the other day, there was a whole organic chicken reduced for quick sale at Wegmans, and I had a coupon for any organic chicken... and then I impulsively bought it and didn't know what to do with it...

And then I researched Chicken soup! And it turns out that it's awesome!

The Science of Chicken Soup


Chicken soup possesses anti-inflammatory and inhibitory properties that dampen inflammation and reduce mucus. That's part of the reason why it is used to help those with the common cold and sinus problems.
Not only that but the warmth of the soup soothes the throat, and depending on what else is in it (pepper for instance) it opens up the sinuses. 
Chicken soup contains drug-like agents similar to those in modern cold medications.
An amino acid released from chicken during cooking chemically resembles the drug "Acetylcysteine", prescribed for bronchitis and other respiratory problems.
Since chicken soup is water based, it replenishes fluids needed for healthy living back into your body.


This is an original recipe, but really, most chicken soup recipes are the same.
The most important part is to make sure the chicken is thoroughly cooked.


Healing Organic Chicken Noodle Soup.

Ingredients:

1 Whole Organic Chicken
Non-Fluoridated Spring Water
4 Large Organic Carrots
4 Organic Celery Stalks
1 Organic Red Onion
1 Vidalia Onion
3 Cloves Garlic
A handful of Brussels Sprouts
1 1/2 Cups Mushrooms
Pepper
An Array of Spices- Parsley, Thyme, Basil...etc.
1 32oz box Pacific Organic Free-Range Chicken Broth
Extra Wide Egg Noodles


Preparation:
1. Remove any packaging and the insides of the whole chicken and discard. Rinse chicken under cold water.
2. Fill a large pot with spring water so that it covers the chicken completely.
3. Let the chicken boil for 2 hours. Halfway through flip the chicken over in the water to ensure both sides are being equally boiled. 
4. While the chicken is boiling, chop up the vegetables into nice, hearty pieces. Set aside in a smaller pot and boil for about a twenty minutes, give or take, depending on how firm you'd like your vegetables to be. 
Note: Instead of discarding the vegetable waste (The leafy part of the celery, the top layer of the onions but not the skin), dump it into the water with the chicken. Add Spices, pepper and a garlic clove for a better tasting broth.
5. After the chicken is done boiling, strain out the vegetable waste, but save the water in a large bowl. That water is the broth.
6. Let the chicken cool enough to touch. Pull away bones and skin and any chicken waste and discard. Cut up the edible chicken into hearty pieces and add to cooked vegetables.
7. Add broth (I also added the Pacific Broth because I didn't have enough) to veggies and chicken.
At this point, the soup is ready to eat (if you don't want noodles). I heated everything up again together for about 20 more minutes, just to ensure the mix of all the flavors.
8. Prepare egg noodles according to the package (usually about 7 minutes) but don't add to soup until ready to eat. They get mushy really fast.
Voila!


Freezing the leftovers is an awesome idea for future quick meals, especially if it's frozen in individual servings. That way all that needs to be done is to pop it in the microwave and boil up some egg noodles and you have a meal in under ten minutes!

Also: 
This is really fascinating:
Healing Chicken Noodle Soup

• Chicken
 -Contains an amino acid called cysteine, a substance released when you make the soup. This amino acid is similar to the drug acetylcysteine, which is prescribed by doctors to patients with bronchitis. It thins the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough out.

• Onions
-A regular in chicken soup- contains quercetin, a powerful anti-oxidant that is also a natural anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory. Onion are a strong antibacterial agent. 

• Garlic
-Has phytochemicals that are helpful in reducing cancer risk and boosting the immune system. The herb (yes it is considered a herb or veggie) is beneficial to the bodys overall maitenance.  It is rich in protein; vitamins A, B-1 and C; essential minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and selenium.  Plus it contains 17 different amino acids. Increases energy and endurance.  Garlic gives chicken soup a great flavor as well.

• Cayenne Pepper
 -Sprinkled in food, broth or tea also promotes sweating to break a fever. Cayenne acts as a catalyst, carrying all other herbs and supplements quickly to the place in the body where they are needed and increasing their effectiveness. It is also high in vitamin C and useful in the treatment of colds, sinus problems and respiratory ailments.

• A greater variety of vegetables means a greater mix of nutrients and phytochemicals.

• Carrots
-One of the routine vegetable ingredients found in chicken soup, are the best natural source of beta-carotene. The body takes that beta-carotene and converts it to vitamin A. Vitamin A helps prevent and fight off infections by enhancing the actions of white blood cells that destroy harmful bacteria and viruses.

• Parsley
- Packed with nutrients, parsley (Petroselinum sativum) is a great source of dietary calcium, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A, as well as beta-carotene, and folic acids.  Parsley has proved itself a potent medicinal herb. It has cancer-fighting volatile oil components including myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene. Parsley is also rich in flavonoids with powerful anti-oxidant properties including apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin.  It is known to both detoxify and soothe the kidneys.  Parsley leaves can be a gentle treatment for kidney problems, bladder infections, and to reduce mucus in the first stages of a cold and influenza.  A good chicken soup recipe will usually have 1 "bunch" of parsley as an ingredient.

• Celery seed
-Celery seed helps ease urinary tract infections, as it's an excellent antiseptic. It's also anti-inflammatory, relieving arthritis and gout. An excellent diuretic, it aids digestion and even alleviates gas.   The Celery stalk itself is high in minerals and is a significant source for magnesium.

• Thyme
-Thyme heals all colds. It's an effective expectorant, as well as an antiseptic. It can help clear congestion, viral infections, or a dry, hacking cough.