Vegan Update...

Well, my husband has now made it through his first two weeks as a Vegan!  To be perfectly honest I still haven't gotten over the shock of him agreeing to try it.  He's due for a check up and blood work soon, so it should be interesting to see his results.  He has a thyroid condition that requires him to take a daily pill, so he has to go in about every three months or so for blood work.  The last time he was in, the Dr. was not happy with him.  He'd gained quite a bit of weight and had five out of seven markers for heart disease.  Since going Vegan he's feeling much better, has more energy, which has motivated him to walk to and from work, several days per week, and has lost seventeen pounds!  Now, I wish I had weighed myself before starting a couple months ago, because I know I've lost a considerable amount of weight, as well.  In a couple more months I'll share some before and after photos. 

In addition to sharing the news about how well my husband has been doing and how proud I am, I wanted to share a link to one of my favorite recipes.  I found this Vegan Sweet Potato Chili recipe on Pinterest (of course) and it is so super yummy!  I've made it about three times in the past couple months and am planning to make it again tonight.  It's super easy and quick to make.  The only changes I made were using one cup of veg. broth, instead of water, I didn't add the orange zest and I used two cans of kidney beans instead of black beans (I couldn't find black beans anywhere...if I could I would have used one can of black and one of kidney, but the kidney beans were great).  You can also check out more recipes and vegan related things on my board Yummy Vegan.

{This image/recipe can be found at Chocolate Covered Katie}

Another thing I want to do is to start making smoothie bags to freeze for the week.  For the past two weeks, since my husbands been on board, I've been getting up at 6am to make us both our morning smoothie before he leaves for work (he's leaving earlier, now that he's been walking).  It would be nice to get that extra hour of sleep back, although I've been quite productive in the early morning hours.  Even if I do still get up extra early with him, I would still like the convenience of the smoothie bags.

{You read all about making these smoothie bags on Design Mom}

As you can imagine, I find myself at the produce market much more these days, so I'm in desperate need of some new market totes. How cute is this one...


{Find the Vegan Chick Tote at Café Press}

In all honesty, I wasn't sure how this whole "going vegan" thing would turn out for me.  I've never been afraid to try something and then walking away from it when it wasn't the right fit (like when I was 23 and went to real estate school and got my Hawaii real estate license, but only worked as a realtor for a couple weeks...totally wasn't for me!), but this seems to be the right fit.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a Rock Star when it comes to commitment...I'm going on seventeen years of marriage! 

I've also been pretty good with recruiting unsuspecting bystanders into the lifestyle.  Exhibit one and two, the hubby and most recently my Mom, who is now attempting to get her husband on board.  We also bought the Forks Over Knives DVD online for my aunt, who doesn't use Netflix and have sent the Netflix link to my Sister, Cousin and another Aunt.  I really want my sister to give it a try.  Although she's a year younger than me, she's been diabetic for about eight or so years and has struggled with weight issues her whole life.  Also, one of my Aunts is diabetic, and recently had open heart surgery, but is only in her fifties.  With a strong history of heart disease and diabetes in my family, I really don't have much of a choice, even if it didn't feel like such a perfect fit.  Funny, I kind of feel like a cult leader...or am I just another follower?

If I am a leader, perhaps I need to start sporting this t-shirt...


{Go Vegan Multilingual T-Shirt}

 

 

Then I can spread the message to unsuspecting tourists too ;o)

Staghorn Ferns...

Whenever I see a staghorn fern (platycerium), it instantly floods my mind with memories of my Granny.  She loved them and had a huge one that hung from a tree in her yard.  Every time I was at her house, it seemed she was tending to it...tossing in a banana peel or various other things.  Lately, I've been seeing them everywhere and am considering getting a couple for our house.  Do any of you have one?  I've been collecting some staghorn inspiration and thought I'd share it with you all today...

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{tom scheerer}

{this one reminds me of my Granny's!  It's hanging in a tree in a yard in Florida, just as hers did!  Image found here}

{martha stewart}

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{via the martha blog}

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{architectural digest}

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Seeing all these images of beautiful spaces, with staghorns, just confirmed my desire for some!  How about you guys...yea or nay to the staghorn?

Isla's 2nd Fete...

Last year I blogged about my cousin's daughter's first birthday party here, so I couldn't help sharing her amazing fairytale 2nd birthday photos with you too!

 

The party was held on our Aunt's property, in Florida, which is gorgeous!

 Big props to my cousin, Katina...she did an awesome job and made quite a magical memory for her daughter and for all who attended!  She should totally consider doing event planning for a living...and I'm not just saying that because she's my super fab cousin. 

So upset that we weren't able to attend this year...maybe next and I can't wait to see the super posh fete Miss Isla will receive at age 3.  Love you guys... Happy 2nd, Isla Rhys!