An update...

Life has been anything but normal lately, and it seems like an eternity since last Wednesday, the day the decision was announced to close down a school with a long history, a lasting impact, and a large following of resilient, courageous fighters from so many walks of life.  I reminded Beau that it was just a week ago that I sat at a parent meeting, desperate to make sense of a plan that seemed so wrong on so many levels, and we both agreed that it seemed like forever ago since then.  And while the morale and motivation of the entire university is at an all-time low right now, people keep going.  They keep fighting.  And the longer I live through this disaster, the more I realize just how amazing people can be.  

If you live close enough to read our daily headlines in the Waterloo Courier, you know that to write about this chapter of my life right now would be next to impossible, especially when it seems I'm using all my writing time these days to write legislatures/presidents/board of regents/resumes/cover letters/lesson plans... But, I also know this story is important to my life, one way or another, and that someday, I'll reflect.  But for now, I'm settling for fragments.  Because that's just about all my mind can do right now.

The fragmented pieces of my week...

1.  Life is raw right now at school.  I've seen more teachers break down in front of their students this week than I have in the 20+ years I've been a student.  My friend, Megan, started crying at the white board yesterday during a lesson on the quadratic formula.  The morale is low, yet, I feel closer to my colleagues than ever before.  

2.  It's all about the little things.  A family who supplies Panera bagels in our conference room, hoping the cream cheese will raise the spirits of the faculty, or the mid-stride hug from an elementary teacher walking her class to the library.  

3.  When a faculty votes 'no confidence' in their leaders, they mean business.  

4.  I've debated wearing sweatpants to school every morning this week.

5.  My student from France interrupted class the other day to ask us if we have 'unemployment' in our country.  Except, since she couldn't pronounce the word, she searched it on dictionary.com and played the voice recording of the word over and over again to make sure we got it.  She said when she told her mom about our school crisis, her mom replied that it was unfortunate since our country didn't believe in 'unemployment.'  ;)

6.  I've thought long and hard about future professions I might explore - everything from a sales associate at Express, to a stay-at-home-mommy, to a professional party planner.  I've decided each would encourage me to spend much more than I'd bring home.  

7.  Last year, our school was headed to Des Moines to watch our boys play in the State Basketball Tournament for the fourth consecutive year; this year, our students are headed to Des Moines to meet with legislatures and lobby for their school.  

8.  On Monday, Beau and I traveled to Hampton to visit Beau's Grandma J for the last time.  Beau said he always knew he'd be there when she passed.  It was an emotionally exhausting day, yet there's peace knowing she's in Heaven with her arms around her husband - something she's waited for for nearly half her life.  

9.  When life sucks, there's nothing better than babies and warm brownies.  Check that.  Warm brownies with ice cream, fresh raspberries, and whipped cream.  Thanks to Cruz showing off his love of bacon, and Gina's amazingly wonderful brownies, we felt comfort amidst our sadness.  Because as the amazing Sherman Alexie says, "when it comes to death, we know that laughter and tears are pretty much the same thing." 

10.  I think Cruz can sense life has been a little out of the ordinary lately, so, he's sought to bring some routine back to our lives.  The last three mornings in a row, he's woke up around 5 am, requesting 'Me-mo,' otherwise known as 'Elmo.'  And every morning, while I drag myself out of bed to shower, Beau and Cruz curl up in front of the TV and watch some Sesame Street.  

Hoping I can see this forest through the trees soon :)     

John Masters Organics Bare Unscented Body Lotion Review

Good morning everyone! Yesterday, I made a trip to Whole Foods to restock some beauty goods and decided to give a few new ones a try. Obviously, I haven't been able to give them all a whirl yet so all this week, I'll be blogging reviews about them and other products that have yet to be shared with you lovely readers :)

To get started with my Review Week, I'm going to start with John Masters Organic Bare Unscented Body Lotion. I absolutely adore this stuff! I've only had it for less than 24 hours and I already know that it's gonna be a staple in my bath and body routine. I'm a tad bit obsessed with keeping my skin super soft, especially during the harsh winter. And if I'm gonna slather stuff on my entire body, I really prefer for it to be unscented. But sometimes, unscented smells...well, kinda gross. But not this one. This is what unscented should smell like. It's so light and non-greasy     it literally disappears into my skin without any residue. And this morning, I woke up to baby smooth skin. Everything I want in a body lotion.

Okay, so $16.50 may be rather pricey for a body lotion, but I swear to you, it's a luxury that's totally worth it. Made with 9 certified-organic extracts and oils such as sunflower, coconut, and lavender, this body lotion is equipped to handle the driest of skin types.

So there you have it, the first of many reviews. So far so good. I hope all of my other purchases are just as good as this one. Stay tuned for more reviews from brands such as Tarte, Acure, Josie Maran, and Evan Healy.

The "Green" Beauty Products I'm Using Right Now...

When I first started my blog back in 2010, I created a page dedicated to how I went green with my beauty products.  And although it was full of some good information, I haven't updated it since then...sorry greenies! So now's the time.  I'm combining some of the old page with some new info, links, and of course an updated list of the products I'm using right now. So let's get this cosmetics party started...

Not too long ago, I had no clue what was lurking in the products I used to daily to primp my hair, moisturize my skin, and give my lips that perfect glossy shine. I figured if I could buy it on the store shelf then someone, somewhere must have tested and approved it to be safe for me to use. Well now I know of some of the scary truths lurking behind some of those bottles, creams, and potions...and trust me- it's anything but pretty!

The best way for me to tell you about the dangers of cosmetics is to first tell you about the skin, the skin is our largest organ and it serves as the gatekeeper to our muscles, bones, organs, and cells. Now although we may think we have "tough skin", our skin can actually absorb a lot...think about it- how do nicotine and birth control patches work? Their medication is absorbed through our skin!!!! So if the skin can absorb those medications, what else is it absorbing? Could it be absorbing the parabens and phtalates in your lotion, or maybe the lead in your lipstick? You bet it is!

Here are just a few of the chemicals you should look out for in your cosmetics:
1- Parabens- These little guys are known hormone disruptors.  Basically meaning that they mimic our natural hormones, which disrupts our bodies natural hormone production.  This shift or alteration in hormone levels has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive problems in women, and decreased sperm count,  prostate and testicular cancer in men. Even more scary, a study even found parabens still intact in breast cancer tumors.  I don't know about you, but I want my hormones left alone!!

2- Phtalates- (pronounced THAL-ates) A toxic petroleum-derivative that has been associated with cancer, disorders of sexual maturation in girls, and birth defects of the penis and desmasulinization in boys (when exposed to phtlates while in the womb).  Also cause asthma, liver and kidney damage.  Not to mention fertility problems in men.  Phtlates are often hidden under the sneaky and harmless-sounding name "fragrance" in personal care products, Unfortunately, they are not only are found in cosmetics, but also in products around your home because they help make plastics flexible and soft (seen in: PVC, shower curtains, rubber duckies, baby bath time books) and they are even found in some air freshners.

3- Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)- This is what makes your toothpaste, shampoo, and body wash so nice and foamy.  Unfortunately, those soap bubbles aren't so innocent.  SLS can cause skin irritation, strips your skin of important oils, could affect eye sight, and possibly cause cancer.  SLS is has industrial uses too as engine degreasers...and you want me to put it in my hair or mouth, no way!

4- Lead- You would think that no level of lead is safe in the human body, which is why most people are so concerned about lead in old paint.  But did you ever stop and think that there might be lead in your lipstick? Unfortunately in studies done on popular brands of lipstick, nearly all tested for some level of lead in their product.  Now although the amounts may seem small (so small that apparently to the FDA wants to do nothing about it) it is a fact that lead builds up in the body over time, so day after day, year after year...you are increasing the "lead load" in your body with each application of lipstick. In fact it said that women may ingest 7 pounds of lipstick in their lifetime! Yikes!  Lead has been linked to neurological problems such as language, learning, and behavior problems.  On top of this it can pass through the placenta when a woman is pregnant, thus harming her unborn child.  Ick...let's stay away from this!

Need some more proof these toxins are nasty? Check out this video,
"The Story about Cosmetics" (it's about 8 minutes long)...


Well, your probably thinking to yourself, "The last thing I want to do right now is play cosmetic detective and try to find healthy products and spend a couple hundred bucks replacing all my cosmetics!" But, hold up there- just like any other change I made to my lifestyle, I took this one step at a time, and made my swaps. I swapped out the old and toxic for the new and healthy. Now I'm sure there's some that aren't the "greenest of green," but we're all doing the best we can, with what we have, where we are so do what works for you.  Here's the list of the "green" beauty products that I'm using right now, most of which you can find at Wal-Mart, Whole Foods (or Nature's Pantry for those in the KC area), or online.

The "Green" Beauty Products I'm Using Right Now...

1. Lotion- this is the most important swap for you to make first because you cover your body with this stuff, which means more of your skin is absorbing this product than nearly anything else that you use (basically more surface area=more exposure). By switching this one out, your saving your body from having to come in contact with tons of chemicals on daily basis.  I use this brand called: Dessert Essence Organics Hand and Body Lotion in "Fragrance Free". Cost $7-8 online or health food store.

Dessert Essence Organics
Hand and Body Lotion
 

2. Lip Gloss/Lip Stick- You'll want to make this the next priority on your list because even though we said the skin could absorb a lot of toxins, think about your lips...how much of that lip gloss or lip stick do you think you ingest? Actually you probably don't want to know because it's disgusting, and even worse are the chemicals that are lurking in your lip products and the worst offender is lead, as I stated before! So please switch this one out ASAP! I use Burt's Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss in Nectar Nude. Cost: $6-7 at Wal-Mart even!

Burt's Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss


3. Self-Tanner- Boo hoo, this was a tough one for me, I'd been tanning since high school and was perfectly content with my vacation-like glow year-round, but before I got pregnant with Avery, I really reexamined the health pros and cons of tanning, and in combination with the chemicals lurking in the lotions I used pre-tan, I gradually phased this one out. The only thing that got me through it was my swap...was a sunless tanner.

Okay, not just any orange-paint, toxic-smelling self-tanner...I found the mecca of all sun-less tanners, as recommended by Sophie Ulliano in the book Gorgeously Green, and it's by Lavera. They have this rocking self-tanner that is easy, healthy, and looks great! I apply it like lotion every morning after I get out of the shower to give me a little glow and although I'm no where near as tan as I used to be, I know it's a better health swap for me! I use: Lavera Sunless Tanning Lotion.  Cost: $27.50 on Lavera's website, sometimes I've been able to find it at Target too.

Lavera Sunless Tanning Lotion
4.  Body Wash/Hand Soap- My go-to for all things soap is Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap.  It's plant-based, all natural, organic, and it has no additives or foaming agents.  Even better, Dr. Bronner's has 18 different uses! In order to make body wash, I fill about 1/3 to 1/2 of an empty 16 oz. bottle with Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Castile Soap and then I fill the rest with water. Another use I have for the castile soap is for dish soap, click here to read how I make that with the peppermint castile soap. Other scents they have are: citrus, lavender, almond, and rose.  Cost: $6 for 8 oz. bottle at local health food stores, or even Target. I typically get the 32 oz. bottle for $13-14 (and with diluting it, it will last several months).

Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Castile Soap


5. Mascara- These next few products were the little swaps I did as I gradually ran out of each product. A great affordable and healthy opition I use for my mascara is "Organic Wear" by Physician's FormulaTheir mascara is free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, and parabens. Cost: $8-10 at Wal-Mart or online. 

Organic Wear Mascara by Physician's Formula

6. Eye Liner-  I so loved my old eye liners of the past, but when it was time to go green, I found Lavera's Organic Soft Eyeliner in Brown and it's really done it's job well. Now if only I could find a good eye pencil sharpener...anyone have recommendations? This one also doubles as a great eyebrow pencil from time to time.  Cost: $14.50 online, $9 at Target.

Lavera Organics Soft Eyeliner

7. Eye Shadow: I use Larenim Eye Shadow in "Bewitched Beige". Cost: about $12 (good thing this will last for many months) at most health food stores or online. 
Larenim Eye Shadow

I've even tried to "green" my make up tools with this brush set from EcoTools...


8.  Deodorant- Okay so now I'm getting into those real personal care products we can't live without, and trust me, I'm not telling you to drop your deodorant and stop shaving, but there is something scary in deodorant/antiperspirants...it's aluminum.  Aluminum has been linked to breast cancer, seizures, and Alzheimer's, just to name a few. So what's a girl to do? Start some swaps! Although it took a few tries of other brands, I finally found my favorite deodorant: Tom's of Maine 24 Hour Long Lasting Odor Protection Aluminum-Free Deodorant Stick in "Unscented".  It's great, no smell, great coverage, keeps me dry and aluminum-free! Cost: $6-7 at health food stores or online.


9. Shave Gel - Wow, it's hard to believe but I used to use a very, very toxic product: Veet, a depilatory cream occasionally instead of shaving. I guess I never managed to read the "Caution" "Poison" "Warning!" labels on the back or even think twice as I smelled the toxic smell as I let the product sit for several minutes on my skin. Hello idiot, it's toxic!

After my awakening with this product, I vowed to just shave like a normal person...but then it got me thinking about what was in my shave gel and as you can imagine, it wasn't much better. I researched and found things like: petroleum-derived chemicals, parabens, phtalates, and triclosan. So out with that too! Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to go that "green" and avoid shaving all together, so luckily I found an amazing product called Dr.Bronner's Organic Fair Trade Shaving Soap Gel in Baby Unscented. It's definitely not shaving cream...it comes out as a brown liquid and it feels like thick sugar, but when you later it up with some water, it works just as good as traditional shaving cream. Cost: $8-9 at health food stores, $7-8 at Target, or online.


Dr. Bronner's Organic Fair Trade Shaving
Soap Gel 
9. Hair Products- This is a tricky one for me too, because as I'm sure other women can relate...when we find a product that works, we stick with it for years.  That's the way I was and since I've got thick, curly, (need I say frizz-prone) hair, I was not very willing to give up the hair products that had worked so well for me for so long. But what got through it and interested in a green swap? The idea of finding a "better" product! So instead of seeing it as dropping my favorite products to have not-so-cute hair, I saw it as a chance to maybe have better-than-ever hair that was also "green". 

Now although I wouldn't say my hair has drastically changed since going green with my hair products, I do feel much better using them and knowing they are clean and green. So here's what I use: Giovanni Organics Smooth As Silk Shampoo and Conditioner. Cost: $8 at health food stores and even Wal-Mart.


Giovanni Smooth As Silk Shampoo & Conditioner

When it comes to styling these curls, I use one product and one product only: Beautiful Curls Shea Butter Curl Defining Gel. Especially now that Avery is around, I love knowing that she's not breathing in added fragrances, chemicals, or who knows what else from my hair products during our snuggle time. Cost: $12 at local health food stores or online. Anyone else have a favorite "green" curl styling cream/gel? I'm always interested in trying new brands out! 

Beautiful Curls Shea Butter Curl Defining Gel

10. Concealer- This was one of the last products I gave up because I felt the current concealer I had matched my skin perfectly and it flawlessly covered up the occasional blemish or bags under my eyes. But with all my other healthy and organic products, I began feeling the pressure to kick it to the curb. So I finally did to a concealer with a new eco-friendly brand, MyChelle. I use: MyChelle Concelear in Solar. Cost: $12 at health food store or online.

MyChelle Concealer

I hope this helps to give you some ideas when it comes to "greening" your beauty products. If you have any questions about the products I use, I'd be happy to answer them.

Also, if you want some more information about this topic or to see how your personal care products rank check out: The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.  On this awesome website you can enter a personal care product in the "Search" box and then it will rank it for you on a scale of 1-10.  One being groovy and healthy, and a ten being super toxic.  It will also break down each ingredient and let you know how toxic it is on the ranking of 1-10.  Very educational and easy and to understand.  ( :

Do you have any favorite "green" beauty products that you're using right now? Share below!

Relax, Relate and Release your stress with Lavender

by Katy Green
www.shoptobegreen.com


Lavender Field
allcolorsofnature.com
 Lavender is used in everything from soaps to candles to shampoos because it has a zillion uses. If you want to more about Lavender...read Inhale the Lavender and Smile! We love lavender for it's soothing properties.

According to the Pocono Record, lavender's value is also as a topical antibiotic, and its scent has been proven to deter lice, fleas and other pests that could transfer plague and other unhealthy diseases. Lavender sachets became popular in Victorian times, not just to scent one's clothing, but to deter insects that could damage valuable textiles.



If you are looking for some great Lavender Toiletries, Lavender for the Home, or Lavender to clean your home...we selected our best Shoptobegreen Lavender products for you:






Baby Powder
Great for Babies and Adults - safe and green
Shoptobegreen Baby Powder


Solay Shine Lavender Shampoo
Leaves hair shiny and smells great
Shoptobegreen Sola Lavender Shampoo


Lavender and Shea Butter Soap
Handmade by 910 Joy Avenue
Shoptobegreen Lavender Shea Butter Soap 



Visit us often for Lavender items at http://www.shoptobegreen.com/


Too late to get a Green Tax Rebate?

by Katy Green
www.shoptobegreen.com


Tax Incentives of Going Green
http://www.docstoc.com/

I don't think anyone enjoys doing their taxes...but I love tax rebates and green tax incentives.

My hunt for green tax discounts, energy tax rebates, and wind power tax write offs resemble a coupon clipping Mom on double coupon day.

Green for Cash

Check out Shoptobegreen Green Tax Rebates and Earth Friendly Tax Write-Offs's:

Celebs Going Green: Emmy Rossum at Global Green Pre-Oscar Party

If there's one show I'm hopelessly addicted to, it's E! News. The other night, there was a segment on the 9th Annual Pre-Oscar Party hosted by Global Green on February 22, 2012. One star that caught my eye was Emmy Rossum, star of the Showtime series Shameless, who rocked a pastel yellow dress made of hemp and pineapple fibers (courtesy of designer, Oliver Tolentino). I thought she looked absolutely fabulous in the 50's inspired silhouette.


Her make-up was done by Amy Nadine, who used Tarte products. "Inspired by the sweetness of the dress’s color and form, I chose a color palette of sherbets and bubble gum, perfectly suited for spring,” says Nadine. The whole look really came together wonderfully    a great representation of eco-friendly being chic.

Watch the other celebrities who attended the party talk about Global Green and the environment here.

C & H

It turns out, I wasn't the only Jorgensen who had a sad day at school on Thursday.  Cruz's best friend moved up to the 18 month room at daycare and left Cruz to hold down the fort in the Scooter Room.  I guess she wasn't too happy on leaving Cruz after nap time, and while she cried from the other room, Cruz sadly stood by the door wanting to see his friend.  Funny how such little people can feel so much...


And since I miss out on all these stories of Cruz's first true friend, Heidi sent me a picture she captured of the two of them on one of their last days together.  And if this doesn't melt your heart...




I LOVE this picture. 

Blue Jeans and a Good Hair Day

Inspired by Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project, I know there is pleasure to be found in writing what makes one happy - even if it's just one sentence (or photo) a day.  Thus, starts a Friday ritual of mine - to document the good in every day, through words and pictures.   

"5 years. 365 days. 1825 happy moments captured."

I almost refrained from completing my 'blue jeans' post this week, because 1) quite frankly, this was one of the worst weeks in my memory, and 2) I'm a little exhausted from trying to save my school.  But, I realize tonight as I lay in bed, covers up to my chin, trying to reflect on the three longest days in the history of my professional life, that those tiny details of happiness are the most important when they're strewn through the hardest of days.  It's like that out of the blue kiss from Cruz on the walk into daycare means a whole lot more when you're facing unemployment.  And amidst the roller coaster of emotions this week has caused, there has been so much good sprinkled through the anger, frustration, and sadness --- like good in the form of an end-of-the-day dance party in the English Office thanks to Andrew's salsa video, or a note left on my desk that says 'We love you, Mrs. J,' or bonding on a whole new level with one amazing group of colleagues (aka, lunch with Shelley two days in a row, why not three?).  Because if I've learned anything this week, it's when something you love is put under attack, you stay really present to these moments that will forever leave an imprint on your life.

Oh yea, and you fight like hell, too.    


Saturday: Putting Cruz to sleep. He went down super easy tonight to the sounds of my humming and softly rubbing his temples. Nothing more peaceful than this picture.  The calm before the storm...

Sunday: Charly’s 2nd birthday party. A beautiful February day, yummy egg bake and birthday cake, painting pottery, and Cruz riding behind Charly on her brand new trike! He put his arms around her waist and held on just like he’s supposed to. Charly was thrilled!

Great Grandma is one popular lady!



 


Monday: The Little Dump Truck. Cruz’s favorite book right now, and the only book that doesn't get boring reading over and over (and over again).

Tuesday: When all else fails, spend an hour on Pinterest. What a day!

Wednesday: Seeing a group of over 600 pull together just one hour after President Allen announced he was going to attempt to close our school.  600 wise, dedicated, and relentless fighters who have one chance to raise their children.  The passion and persistence was inspiring to me as a new parent, and when I wasn't sobbing, I was ready to stand firm in the fight that was about to take place. 

Thursday: Believe it or not, the snow. At 3:30, I received a text from Beau--- “You should take pictures of this snow.” For the first time all day, I looked outside my windows and it was gorgeous.  Big, plump snowflakes fell in a still sky and seemed to put a blanket on the ugliness of the day.

So, for just a few minutes after school, we forgot about the stress and played.






Friday:  A show-stopping rally walk to campus in support of Quality Teacher Education, aka, Price Lab School.  And...the hope I felt afterwards.







Hoping for happy things (and award winning chili) this weekend.




5 Quick things You can do to Green Yourself!

by Katy Green
www.shoptobegreen.com

CarPool is showing Love for Planet Earth
easylille.wordpress.com
Attend a eco-event in your area!
Support your community or county and enjoy the green life.

Take a moment to view our 29 Days of Green Love Calendar!

If you are stuck on ways to reduce your Carbon Footprint...try a carpool instead. It's a great way to connect with your office mates and your helping to save the ozone layer.

There are so many ways to show love for the planet and that is why we created the Green Love Calendar!
Green Garden
antheaknowsbest.blogspot.com

5 Quick things You can do to Green Yourself!
  1. The human connection is priceless. Waste not. Buy less and show love in other ways it lasts longer.
  2. Tweet or post on Facebook about how to live an earth friendly lifestyle or Like Us on FB. It's free and eco-friendly then share Shoptobegreen Posts.
  3. Save money and create your own Green Garden
  4. Build your vocabulary and help to end hunger at freerice.com
  5. Take break from TV and read a book. Don't buy books try the oldschool approach by borrowing them. Don't know how to find your local library...no worries click here.

Because sometimes...

...the only thing that can ease the aftermath of one of the absolute worst days of your life is this:
 

A cheeseburger and frosty mug at Toads, giant storybook snowflakes you could actually taste on your tongue, and a walk down Main Street with one VERY excited little boy.
  
That's been one of my mantras - focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.
-Steve Jobs

Someday, I'll reflect on yesterday, but I'm not there yet.  I'm convinced I'm floating aimlessly through the stages of grief, however, I haven't identified where that is exactly.  All I know is that my mind has been in about a million directions the last week and nothing seems to add up.  The only thing I haven't questioned is the complete lack of transparency in, and confidence I have for the president of UNI.  I undoubtedly believe he has forever changed the future of his so-called 'premier K-12 institute for teacher education.'  What a shame... 

What I Ate Wednesday

Happy Wednesday everyone! Let's jump right in to my gluten-free, vegan eats for the day as part of Peas & Crayon's, "What I Ate Wednesday"...

5:00 AM Just woke up snack: Food for Life Gluten-Free English Muffin,
with organic strawberry jelly and Earth Balance butter.

Workout: 1 hour of pilates with 10 Minute Solutions: Pilates DVD. This is one of my favorite DVDs that I started doing after Avery was born and posted about back in this post: "Body After Birth".



7:30 AM Breakfast: "Chocolate Ice Cream Smoothie"
Remember how I told you before that I mainly eat this smoothie
in this rocking mega mug? Well, that usually works just
fine, until today....

The glass completely tipped and spilled everywhere in the
passenger seat where I keep all my bags to take to school!
Whammy! What can I say, I guess there may be times when
it's not safe to "smoothie and drive"...if you want clean
car seats that is! ( :
9:20 AM Snack: Peanut Butter & Jelly Larabar

10:30 AM 2nd Morning snack: Gluten-free, vegan pancakes
from Cinnamon Quill with Maple Agave Nectar as my syrup.


11:30 AM 3rd Morning snack: 1 "Bloomin' apple"

12:30 PM Lunch: Mexican casserole I with corn,
millet, quinoa, pinto beans, tomatoes, salsa, Daiya cheese,
mushrooms, onions, and of course corn tortilla chips.
This stuff was delicious! Going to be making it again soon.

After lunch sweet treat: handfull of Enjoy Life chocolate
chips that are gluten-free and vegan.

2:15 PM Afternoon snack #1: organic orange

3:30 Afternoon snack #2 : "Melty Pizza Hummus" with
organic corn tortilla chips from Chocolate-Covered Katie.
Can't get enough of this stuff!


5:15 PM Just-got-home-snack:
 "Green Orange Julius Smoothie":
Vanilla Sunwarrior Rice Protein Powder,
orange juice, 1 1/2 frozen bananas,
ice cubes, spinach.

7:15 PM: "Tofu Mushroom Stroganoff"...any other stroganoff
fans out there? I didn't think it could be veganized but I found
a great recipe for it and now it's one of our favorite meals.
We served it over gluten-free noodles.
Avery goes crazy for tofu...especially "Tofu Mushroom Stroganoff" so let's see what she thought...
Trying it...

Thinking about it...

Making sure not to let go of that tofu!

Hey, is there any more?
I think it's safe to say she liked it!

Dessert: Silk Vanilla Yogurt, with one crumbled
Jo-Sef's Sandwich Chocolate O's (aka gluten-free vegan Oreo).
Love this combo!

So that's my food for the day. Hope you had a great Wednesday!