A New You by Shari!

Hi Everyone! I wanted to let you all in on my new project for 2011.  Anyone ever seen the movie Julie and Julia?  Well in case you haven't, here's a quick rundown.

It's basically about a women who is in a rut and decides to blog about cooking her way through Julia Childs entire cookbook.  I wanted to take the same idea but base it upon a VEGAN cookbook!

So, for the year 2011 my goal is to find at least one (maybe even more if this works out) vegan cookbook(s) and make EVERY receipe in it.  I will blog about my trials, hardships, and victories but especially about the tastiness!  I will also let you know how my husband (self-proclaimed carnivore) and co-workers felt about the delightful dishes. 

So look forward to reading about this new adventure I am so excited to be taking.  Also, let me know if any of you have tried an awesome vegan recipe that you want to share.  I will be very happy to try out any sent to me.

Thanks to all of you who continue to support me in my ongoing efforts to grow and learn.
 
Happy Eating!
Shari
P.s As a side note, thanks to all of you who have supported me in my blogging adventure.  I'm still learning the best ways to blog.  As always I really appreciate and advise or comments you leaveI hope that I have informed but not bored you.   Looking forward to getting better at this.  ;-)

Ok guys I know most of you out there can't even begin to think about starting your day without a cup of hot coffee first.  Some of you even have a soda to begin your morning.  The majority of you say you need the caffeine boost or you just can't get going.  Well according to wikipedia caffeine is "a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, having the effect of temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. Beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks, enjoy great popularity. Caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance, but, unlike many other psychoactive substances, it is legal and unregulated in nearly all jurisdictions. In North America, 90% of adults consume caffeine daily."  Yikes!  While I don't personally need the pick me up to begin my daily regularly, I have experience days that I might need it.  If you are among that 90% that does consume some type of caffeine on a regular try drinking black or green tea instead of that cup of coffee or soft drink.  It has the same amount of caffeine, but you won't feel the crash of energy during the day.  Spot of tea anyone!

In today's society "meat" is what's for dinner.  When did the veggie start playing second fiddle?  An how about the bean or the whole grain?  Todays kids don't even know what a whole grain is!  And they wouldn't know what a fresh veggie (much different than a canned one) tasted like.  I'd like to challenge everyone to go one day a week with out meat on the menu.  Go to www.peta.org , click on living, then on vegatarian living and you can get helpful information and even recipes to help you along with the challenge.  You will be so surprise by the yumminess that awaits you.  Get your kids into the act too by checking out www.petakids.com for info about their fav singers and why they chose to be vegetarian.  There is also games and contests for them to enjoy.  Also, check out www.thekindlife.com for more ideas.  This site was founded by Alicia Silverstone and it's great.  Now I'm saying you guys should just drop everything you know and become vegetarian or vegan but just start out with one day a week and see how it goes from there.  Baby steps if you will.   If all you do it start to incorporate more of the healthier more delicious stuff like veggies, beans, whole grains, fruits and stuff in your diets that would be awesome in itself.  This gives you a resourse to do just that but in new and exciting ways that your taste buds will LOVE you for and so will the planet.  Tell me about your fave recipes!  Happy Eating!

Being green is not only for you and the environment, but also for our furry friends too!  I have an English Bulldog and I spoil her like crazy.  She gets the best of the best.  Holistic food and treats. Comfy bed and love love love.  So why wouldn't I give her the best in fur-care.  I am a hair stylist for goodness sakes.  Well I don't know how many of you price shampoo for doggies, but it's crazy.  I decided to google around for homeade recipes that would leave my poochie clean, fresh, and smelling great.  I did find one in general that I like and works great. Even takes care of fleas.  Her coat is shiny and smooth.  The white on her is bright and she smells fantastic for days.   The recipe follows:

Equal parts Dial soap and white vinegar.  That's it.  Put in an old shampoo bottle or container of choice and use as needed.  This doesn't lather very much but she is clean and happy.

My only complaint is that the soap contains Sodium Laural Sulfate (product added to create lather) and I am TOTALLY against that.  I would LOVE to find a substitue for that but one that works in the same fashion.  If any of you have ideas for me please let me know and I'll give it a try.