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September, 2007

  1. Vegan Vegan What Can You Eat?

    September 27, 2007 by Blondette

    It’s been over 3 weeks since I embarked on my epic quest of veganism. Thus far I believe I’ve lost a little weight; I feel healthish minus the plague that I’ve near recovered from, and I’m proud of myself for following through on a whim.

    A lot of the focus of my veganism is what I can’t eat. Let’s talk about what I can eat.

    black beans
    corn
    tortilla chips
    rice (brown)
    fruit (dried apricots and mangos have been helpful with the sweet tooth)
    juices (Naked is a favorite of mine)
    vegetables
    black bean burgers
    veggie burgers
    sweet potatoes
    sweet potato chips
    veggie chips
    tofu
    salsa
    pasta
    nuts (almonds win as my favorite nut)
    avocado (guacamole!)
    Luna bars
    Odawalla bars
    soy milk
    rice milk
    tea
    water
    hummus
    triscuits

    Vegan Friendly Restaurants:
    Chinese (Bo Lings in City Market has been a saving grace at lunch time)
    Mexican
    Antonio’s The Walnut Street Deli
    Tai restaurants
    Ghengis Khan (KKKKHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAA NNNNNNNNNNNNN–I really need to get some Ghengis Khan action this weekend)
    Chili’s
    Taco Bell (with modifications)
    Chipotle
    Italian

    I’m looking to experiment with pumpkin soon. I can make “pie” with soy milk and agave nectar. (i hope)

    What do I miss?
    cookies-nah
    chocolate-a little
    cheese (feta and mozzerella–feta on salads and mozerella because it’s what i use on grilled cheeses) –yeah
    omelets–yep
    pizza–oh yes
    crab rangoon–oh my yes


  2. Le Sigh

    September 14, 2007 by Blondette

    A quick note: If you plan to shake a liquid, make sure the top of the container is properly sealed. Getting Rice Dream (Carob) on the new pj shirt you’ve had on for less than 5 minutes is not fun–nor is getting Rice Dream (Carob) all over your kitchen. It’s kind of sticky. And now, so am I.


  3. Week-i-versary

    September 13, 2007 by Blondette

    Lavender pajamas with pink and purple flowers after a nice hot bath are a lovely way to ease into bedtime. It is Wednesday night and I am sitting in bed with the lights off. There is no music playing or television broadcasting. As I reflect on my day, I feel mostly sadness. Each morning I awake with a fresh perspective and hopes for the day ahead. Today was the same, no different. I bathed and put on my tan cordoury pants, mauve shirt, vintage lion sweater (my moms), broke out my much anticipated brown suede pumps (less than $20 on clearance from $76), and accessorized with two rings given to me when I turned 16 (a ruby ring my dad gave to my mom for an anniversary and my moms wedding ring to my dad.)

    I arrived at work at 7:15am. The 7:30am Media training was interesting and much better populated than last weeks Account Service training. In the hours that followed, I managed to say and do several things that still weigh on my mind. After training, I went about my tasks and replied to some messages and began my liquid diet for a day to reduce gas because “when my bowels speak, I listen.” Yes, eww is the appropriate response. (PS, I lasted on juices, water, and coffee most of the day–then I got a burrito bol from Chipotle for dinner.)

    I stayed back from our 3rd Quarter Company Outing (poker and pool at Rivermarket Brewery.) My rationale was simply that I wanted to avoid temptation. Rivermarket Brewery would be full of it.

    You see, a 1 week and 1 day ago, I gave up meat, dairy, booze, pop, and candy and became vegan. The outing would surround me with the things I’m avoiding (minus the candy.) I am strong and have remained vigilant for 1 week, but I was not ready for the test that the outing would provide. (it was a good thing I opted out because all the food was fried meat and cheese and all the people I would have hung out with were boozing pretty good.)

    During my first week of veganism, I gained a new perspective on how and what I eat. Instead of eating sugary candy that makes me feel yucky, I now eat dried fruit such as apricots and mango slices. (I have papaya chucks yet to be taste tested.) I now end my days without the ravenous lust I previously felt.

    *Must blog faster, Benedryl is kicking in.*

    The week in food went by slowly because I was so focused on trying to find things I could and would eat. I made a trip to Whole Foods on Saturday (not advisable if you are not fond of large amounts of people.) There I picked up sweet potato chips, mango slices, fig Newmans, and carob covered raisins.

    It is now 9:51pm and I feel better. Hot bath, Benadryl, and blogging make an excellent aid.

    I must sleep, so for now, I say, Happy Week-i-versary, Self!

    (*a note dearest readers: I posted this on Thursday morning because I fell asleep while writing last night. oops.)


  4. Tell Me What to Write

    September 10, 2007 by Blondette

    I like to keep people entertained, but I have a problem. So much is swimming in my head, but I cannot commit to my next topic.

    I ask you, faithful followers, which of these unfinished fables should I finish first?

    1. The Devil Wears Prada
    2. What SEOmoz Doesn’t Have
    3. Online Communities/social media
    4. Holiday Diversion
    5. In Life I Must or Musn’t
    6. What We Know Changes Everyday
    7. Books and Movies
    8. Expressions That Make Me Cringe
    9. Otherwise Why Live?
    10. They Put the Awww in Awesome(ly Weird)
    11. Who Are You My Dear Readers?
    12. Fergalicious Workalicious
    13. Wild Card–you choose the topic

    Tell me what to do. After all, you have to read it.


  5. On Again Off Again

    September 10, 2007 by Blondette

    And thus I begin my tale. Sitting criss cross applesauce on Tammi’s couch while doing laundry (maybe I should write about how my washing machine is broken and I’ve been relying on the kindness of friends to get my clothes cleaned) and watching football I must catch everyone up on their favorite topic: me.

    It’s been several days dearest skimmers (yes, I said skimmers–no one reads on the internet do they?) and I must tell you, I have so many little things I can blah about, but nothing necessarily large. Despite having to work all day Saturday and not being allowed to wash my hair on Sunday, I had a great weekend. Shall I tell you why? nope.

    On being vegan
    I thought about quitting my veganism but realized I would look and feel like an asshole if I did. Tomorrow marks my 1 week anniversary of being vegan. I may buy myself flowers and a card. I may not.

    On Bob Saget
    Does he do drugs?

    On Why I love My Bed
    It’s soft. and large. and bedlike. mmm.

    On Hamsters
    They have little feet.

    TOUCHDOWN RAVENS!!!!!!!!!!

    Off the Roster
    My team affinity. I didn’t pick a single winning team yesterday. Then again, I just decide which team I like based on their colors and how I feel about the city they represent.

    Off the dial
    My air conditioner! It’s sweatshirt weather (at night.) I love autumn.

    Off again
    The dryer. Gotta go get my laundry.

    What do you want me to write about? Something interesting? ha.


  6. Soy-a Wanna Be a Vegan

    September 5, 2007 by Blondette

    It’s 9pm and I’m finishing my dinner of sweet potato (or is it a yam?), corn, and black bean burger on wheat bread (with a bit of Mint Carob Chip for dessert.)

    This is day 2 of being vegan.

    Being vegan means I discontinued meat and dairy from my diet. The Skinny Bitch Band Leaders asked that I give up coffee too. I declined their offer. I enjoyed 2 cups of java this morning, each with a splash of vanilla soy milk. Sorry bitches, but I find value in my morning Joe. (he’s hot and sure knows how to get me going!)

    I began my morning yesterday with a breakfast cookie. It was delightful and surprisingly sustaining. And a cookie! At lunch (Day 1 of Being Vegan) I discovered that Wendy’s puts bacon bits on their Caesar Salad. I spent a good 10 minutes picking bits of icky swine out of my lovely lettuce–and mumbling about it. There was not a coworker on the first floor who was not asked if they had ever heard of putting bacon on a Caesar salad. I admit, I slipped up and ate the parmasean cheese that was on the salad, but come on–how much cow is in that? Anyhow, error on my part. :( I then found out that my great and wonderful Amy’s Soy Cheese Pocket Sandwich (I adore pocket foods) contained casein — a dairy protein or some nonsense. FIE! Foiled by lunch.

    Thus far, I was not a good vegan.

    However, I endeavored to persevere. I hit the Chipotle near my apartment around 8:30 (yeah, I was at work til 8 boo-hoo) where I ordered a burrito bol with rice, black beans, green peppers, onions, the corn stuff, and guacamole. Oh yes, guacamole is SO legal in the vegan diet. In fact, I bet it’s one of the 10 Commandments of Veganism to eat guac. I may be doing better at following the Vegan 10 than the Christian 10.

    I went to bed full and headachey, but with a sense of purpose. When I awoke, I was still vegan.
    The next day (that’s today!) Breakfast consisted of Ezekiel 4:9 (almond) cereal. It sort of looks like Grape Nuts at first, and then it looks like animal feed. But, I rather enjoyed my Ezekiel! Even when it ended up going down my shirt. Toss in a banana and some dried apricots and I was A-Ok!

    Lunch was supposed to be pictured here, but my bluetooth devices are feeling a little hostility toward one another so instead I will describe it: I feasted on Tofu Family Style from Bo Lings. It was basically several phalanxes of tofu, broccoli, a few mushrooms, bamboo shoots, brown sauce, and brown rice.

    Feeling proud that I made it through the day with no slip-ups (and if I made one you all sure as heck better not tell me) I set off toward home–by way of the Hy-Vee Organic/Health section.

    There I picked up a few items while I pondered what to eat for dinner. It was that moment that I felt weak. I truly wanted to give up. Not even two days down. ugh. But the opening line of this post tells you that I did NOT give up. Though at one point I was going to eat a peanut butter and honey sandwich with Baked Lays for dinner. Did you know they use milk product in Baked Lays? Yeah, apparently that whole “cream” part of the Sour Cream and Onion is actually powdered milk. Damn it.

    Now here I am. Still blogging and done eating. I leave you with a parting thought on this the second day of my great vegan Skinny Bitch experiment:

    The authors of Skinny Bitch tell you to give up beer because it makes you bloated, farty, and causes you to suffer from fat pig syndrome. (paraphrased) But, BEANS, VEGETABLES AND FRUIT MAKE YOU FARTY and bloated TOO! Ever heard “beans beans the magical fruit the more you eat the more you toot?!”

    Oh, pardon me!


  7. Simultaneous…

    September 5, 2007 by Blondette

    BLOGGING!

    She’s Hot for James and She’s Ready to Tell the World About It!

    Here I sit next to the one-and-only Tamssmat! Who is she? Why, she is Kansas City’s newest blogger! Yes, indeed, Tammi is now one of the legions of dramatic fiends (like me) who feel the need to share every morsel of life and and opinion with the World Wide Web community (and all those people who are searching for sex and boobs and accidentally end up on your blog because they are too eager to see sex and boobs that they don’t read the titles and descriptions provided by their local friend search engine of choice. be careful the double clicking.)

    So, Tammi is Tamssmat . Bookmark it y’all! She is sure to have some outrageous diddies for us all. If you lose that link, just visit your friendly Tremendous Blondette (I like regular visits) and check out my blogroll. I’m just that giving.

    That URL: http://tamssmat.com

    Happy Blog-Birthday Tamssmat!

    The Next Mrs. Sean Connery?

    In just 2 days my dear cousin departs for the land of kilts, castles, and Sean Connery. As part of her junior year at Baylor University she is taking part in the study abroad program. In order to document her travels, she began a blog: Enchanting Edinburgh. I can’t wait to read all about her zany adventures in land of our ancestors (k, so, our grandma is a Russell…we have a tartan! and yes, we are Irish too. and German–but we don’t share the German.)

    Bon Voyage fair cousin!

    Bookmark it!!!

    http://kieramegan.blogspot.com/


  8. Skinny Bitch Wants to Kick My Ass

    September 2, 2007 by Blondette

    Maintaining healthy eating habits is a pain in the ass. Those of us who have had successes and failures with our dietary habits know what it is to obsess over every bite and drop that goes into your body. Holy crap, I fucking hate calories. I also can’t stop thinking about them, and feeling guilty about them.

    Thus, I was compelled to spend $13.95 at Borders today and buy “Skinny Bitch,” by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. Skinny Bitch is touted as “A no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous!”

    I think a more appropriate subtitle would be “A Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Fucking Vegan and Spending A LOT More Money on Groceries.” I did not realize this book was a vegan manifesto. (I feel like Ross when he found out that condoms are only 97% effective-why don’t they put it on the package! oh, wait, they do. Poor Ross, but that worked out okay for him.) However, no where on the cover of “Skinny Bitch” is the word vegan used. Darn marketing bitches–they knew the book wouldn’t sell as well if they used the V word.

    Now, this may seem like I have a negative opinion of this book. That is not the case. I enjoyed it and took away some interesting information. I gave up on Chapter 6 “You Are What You Eat,” about two pages in after I could no longer read about slaughtering animals. I may not be a skinny bitch yet, but I’m a sensitive bitch! I also only skimmed some of the ranting about government agencies because it was pretty easy to get the point of those arguments and come on, who trusts the government?

    The gist? Eat smart. Eat organic. Chemicals are bad for you. So are animals products. He doesn’t look very tasty anyway.

    The best sweet potato I ever had was organic. I do love sweet potatoes, but I usually love them with rotisserie chicken. *sigh*

    So, Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin are telling me to “become a fucking vegan, to become a skinny bitch.”

    Okay. I will surrender my V card. I will try this for 30 days (but I’m not starting today, and I sure as hell am going to eat some real ice cream first.) I’m pretty sure I’m still able to eat at Chipotle and these look pretty tasty: Carobelles