Vegetarian / Vegan Diaries

Yes, Kids.  It's time, once again, for another installment of Vegetarian / Vegan Diaries.

When I decided to go Vegetarian, it was a personal choice.  I didn't make a big deal about my decision.  I didn't want (and still don't want) other people to make a fuss about what I was (or wasn't) eating.  In fact, I didn't really tell many people.  It was on a need to know basis.

Unfortunately  the word spread and that's when the headaches started.

"Why don't you eat meat?"
"What exactly do you eat?"
"How do you get your protein?"

Some people think I just eat lettuce.  That I just nibble on carrots, like I'm a rabbit.

I can explain and explain and explain what I eat, where I get my protein, all the vitamins that are found in food that is grown and I'm still unable to get this information inside some people's brains.

I understand some of these people do not know what "healthy food" means.  These are the people that don't eat fruit or vegetables.  The same people that think you can eat fish or chicken if you are a vegetarian.   It can be really annoying when someone brings up this subject for discussion.  I try my best to answer the questions and quickly change the subject.

I realize that everyone was brought up differently.  That you learn healthy (and non healthy) eating habits at home.  You see what your parents are eating, how they prepare the food and you do the same.  Your parents probably learned their eating habits from their parents.  And, maybe somewhere down the line, there are some people that will alter their eating habits when they get older.

 If you choose to argue the health benefits of someone's eating habits, it is very helpful to have some knowledge of food nutrition. 

I think that's all I have to say on the subject for now.... I'm sure I will add to this in a later post.

Day 14 of Isolation or Self Quarantine from Coronavirus COVID-19

My morning walks are much longer now.  Those of you who live far away might want to look out your kitchen window in the morning and wave to me as I walk by your house.  I take a second walk in the afternoon with Pippen (we don't get that far because he gets tired).

Board games are now a nightly family thing.  Every night we play a game after eating dinner.  Everyone is a bit antsy, tense and crabby.  I had to tell everyone that they need to get out more.  (I almost got thrown out of the house for that comment)

Pippen has been on several walks and jogs (a day) during this time of isolation.  I think he is wondering when all can go back to normal and he can catch a nap (or three).

I thought I would do a little Pinterest searching to fill in a few days  hours  minutes of my day.  I noticed a little blurb on the site telling me to social distance myself and to wash my hands.  I mean, I'm on the site at home all by myself.   I'm not literally touching the pins on the site.  Can I get the virus off Pinterest now?

I started making beaded bracelets and can't stop.  I think this quarantine has just launched my bracelet making business.

Don't forget that April is National Letter Writing Month.  Since you are stuck at home and you aren't  doing anything, why not write someone a letter and tell them about your boredom?  Give them a minute by minute run down of your day.  I'm sure they would LOVE hearing from you!   Dig out that pretty paper, some pens and stickers and washy tape and markers and go crazy!

I made cookies.
I baked a loaf of bread.
I cook dinner every night.
I'm caught up on laundry.
I have been cleaning every day.

Yea.  You might want to send help.  I really need to get out of this house.

Napkin Snobs

I've mentioned numerous times about RT and his napkin hoarding tendencies.  (If you need a refresher, you can search napkin hoarder on the blog and read up on RT and his napkin hoarding adventures)  I make fun of his hoarding tendencies, but, they have come in handy.  From family parties, hikes we have taken, beach trips, etc.  We have benefited from having these napkins on hand.

At home, we use cloth napkins.  And, before you contact the CDC, we don't share these napkins or reuse someone else's napkin.  Also, these napkins do get washed (quite often).

During one of our meals together as a family, I brought out some paper napkins.  We didn't have any clean cloth napkins and we have a large stash of paper napkins in the cabinet (Thanks to RT).  I thought I was doing something good.  You know, using up some of the millions many saved paper napkins that RT  we have collected over the years.  Instead of praise from my family, I received complaints about the quality of the napkins. 

"What are these supposed to be?" 
"These are too thin!" 

Even RT said he wouldn't take these napkins (well, how do you think I got these in the first place?).    I realized then and there that my family have become napkin snobs.

I have to mention that all of my children have been watching RT hoard napkins over the years.  They even encourage him by pointing out the good quality napkins.  A couple of them have started their own napkin collections.

I know these napkins are thin, but, I have a feeling that when we run out of toilet paper, these napkins are going to look really good to everyone. 

Vegetarian Diaries - Avgolemono Soup

Avgolemono Soup my favorite (Greek) soup.   I have made the soup a few times.  It does require quite a few steps and I think I am the only one in the house that really appreciates a good Avgolemono Soup.

After hearing about (and tasting) a vegetarian Avgolemono soup that my brother made, I decided that I'm going to have to give it a try.  It can't be that hard to make, right?  Oh, and I say vegetarian because this soup does contain eggs.  I'm not sure how you can make it vegan.  If I figure that one out, I will update the recipe. 

Sometimes chicken is added to Avgolemono soup.  The one thing I like about this recipe is that it contains chick peas (for that added protein).  I added rice to the soup, but you can add quinoa or orzo for a different texture.  Feel free to add other vegetables, i.e. peas and corn to the soup for added color. 

This soup is best served alone (for those of us who love Avgolemono soup) or it can be served with a main course. 

Here's the recipe:

Vegetarian Avgolemono Soup

ingredients:
1 TBSP olive oil
1 sml onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 cups vegetable stock
1 can chick peas, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup rice
2 eggs
1/2 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 handfuls of fresh baby spinach
1 tsp oregano
salt and pepper to taste

directions:
Heat oil in large pot. 
Add onion and saute.
Add carrots and garlic and saute for 5 minutes.
Add vegetable stock and chick peas.  Stir till starts to boil.
Reduce heat to medium and keep at a simmer
Add rice and stir to combine.
Continue until rice is cooked, stirring so it does not stick to bottom of pot.
While rice is cooking, whisk eggs and lemon juice together.  Ladle one cup of hot soup broth and whisk into egg/lemon mixture very slowly (so you don't cook the eggs!).  Repeat this with one more cup of hot broth. 
Once the rice is cooked, slowly add the egg/lemon mixture, stirring frequently (you don't want scrambled eggs in there!)
Put heat on low and add spinach, oregano, salt and pepper. 



*This makes about 4-5 servings....feel free to double this recipe.  I make smaller amounts because there aren't that many people here to feed.
*If adding orzo, 1/2 cup for this recipe
*Feel free to add some dill to this recipe instead of the oregano

If you make this Avgolemono Soup, let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

Day 7 of Isolation or self quarantine from Cornavirus COVID -19

Board games have been brought out.
Online school is taking place.
Work at home is implemented for one.
One has chosen to self isolate.

RT is enjoying the luxury of working at home.  He has set up his office in our basement office.  He closes the door, and I close the door to the basement.  He does come out of hiding his office quite a bit....

Bella is attending classes online.  She is finished with her schooling before noon and, for the most part has stayed in her room.  She is unable to socialize (in person) with friends, relying on social media, texts and face time.  She is referring to this time at home as being under house arrest (I'm making her an ankle bracelet to make her dream become reality).

Alex has chosen self isolation in his room.  He does come out once in awhile for food, water and a little social interaction.

I get to go on my morning walks and was doing great UNTIL my job called to tell me that they are shutting down for a couple of weeks.  Once RT heard about that he immediately came up with a list of things that I can do with my time (like I don't normally have things to do.....).

If this rainy weather keeps up, I'm not sure if I'm going to make it two weeks at home.

Pandemic Pandemonium

I'm sure you've been watching the circus  news and are up to date on the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.  I understand the situation and the seriousness, but...

Yes.  I have to talk  write about this chaos  craze.

I see people treating this as the end of the world and are stockpiling food (and toilet paper and ammunition).  I don't remember stockpiling happening with Y2K, H1N1 or MRSA.  And, what about saving some food and toilet paper for those that actually need it?  < That isn't what I want to write about...

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has been putting out information on how we should all wash our hands.  How to's, how long, etc.

Wait....did I miss something?  I've been washing my hands (and often) for my whole life.  Are there people out there that do not wash their hands?   And these people need to be reminded to wash their hands???

And coughing and sneezing into your arm.  Well, I can attest to this from working in retail, A LOT of people do not do this or even turn away from other people.  They just cough and sneeze in your face  (so I guess some government intervention is needed in that area).

With all of these news stories and scare tactics, the ones that are really (negatively) affected are the kids.  My daughter was upset because she had to call and tell me that we couldn't come to her Championship basketball game (we attended every game of the season...their team was undefeated).  Unfortunately, this frightened my daughter.  After seeing reports of people being kept on cruise ships, she started thinking she might not see us for awhile (we did discuss this and things are better).

I do hope something good comes out of all of this chaos craziness.

Kindness.
Compassion.
Helping others.  

Oh, and always wash your hands.

My Weird Dog

Pippen can be pretty clingy...…..to me.
My family has noticed how Pippen doesn't greet anyone in the morning.  He remains on his pillow when Bella and RT come downstairs in the morning.  Pippen jumps up when I walk into the kitchen and happily greets me, making the others jealous.

We have had a few dance competitions where we are gone all weekend.  A couple times I have asked our neighbor's two boys to take care of Pippen.  The first time they watched Pippen, they were so excited.  Unfortunately, Pippen was a little depressed (in other words, I wasn't home) and the poor kids had to see the sad, depressed side of Pippen (and, believe it or not, they still want to take care of him when we are away).

When we return from a weekend away, Pippen comes to life and starts eating his food, runs around like an excited puppy and, of course, follows me everywhere.  In fact, he won't leave my side for several days.  The fact that I work more (which means more time away) just adds to his clinginess.

Today is Pippen's lucky day.  It's his birthday and, even better, I'm home all day.

Here's to a day of dog snuggles, long walks and to many more years of My Weird Dog stories.

Coconut Water

This post is dedicated to my best friend, Patti.

Many years ago, we were at a grocery store and they were handing out samples of coconut water.  Bella was excited and wanted to try it.  We both took the small sample and thanked the person.  We tried the coconut water.  We wanted this to be a great experience where we would fall in love with coconut water and live happily ever after.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.  It took us quite awhile to drink the tiny small sample that they gave us.  We decided that we aren't coconut water people.

I got to hang out with my friend Patti the other day and she forced me  made me  suggested I give coconut water another try.  It was a small bottle.  I figured that I can be sophisticated and survive drinking this small amount of coconut water, right?  Patti finished her water in no time.  I sat there smiling and pretending  sipping away.  At one point, Patti asked me how I like the coconut water.  In my highest pitched voice ever I answered, "It's good.  I like it."

When I got home, I was telling RT about the coconut water.  His response?

"Did it give you diarrhea?"

Me:  No.  Why?  Does coconut water give you diarrhea?

Apparently when RT was in Honduras, one of the Dads drank coconut water from the coconut and he got diarrhea.  RT said it didn't affect him (he was drinking it with rum).  (the things my husband remembers....)

I will definitely have to give coconut water another try.  Maybe on my next visit with Patti!  I will bring a secret supply of rum.  To help prevent diarrhea, of course!

My Toe

On Monday night, I made my way through the dining room so I could close the curtains in the living room.  As I was doing this, I stubbed my toe on the box for the computer charging cable that is connected to RT's computer.

This is a sore subject.  I'm not sure why the computer has to be on the dining room table and it's ALWAYS plugged in.  The chair at the table is always out and away from the table.  An accident waiting to happen.

I thought it was a stubbed toe (I can deal with that).  In the morning, my toe was purple and swollen.  I believe most women get pedicures as a present from their husbands on their birthday.  Not me.  I got some X-rays, a purple toe and a special shoe to wear on my birthday.

I know you're jealous.  And, I'll spare you the pictures.  Let's hope that RT remembers to bring home some alcohol to numb the pain.

Thanks, honey!

The Tile Story

There's this house that I walk past on my usual route.  Back in October we had a really windy day and the back part of the fence on this house fell.

I realize when this happens that it can take a few days to get out there and do something about your fence.  We have experienced it with our fence in the past (Let me tell you, it's a pain when you have a dog).

Several weeks passed and the fence was finally taken off the path and moved from the yard.  In December, some new posts were put in the ground.  They even have some supports around the posts to make sure they stay straight.

It is now March and the posts, with the supports, are still there.  Untouched.

This reminded me of a story.

My Uncle George purchased some tiles for his house (to be put in the kitchen or bathroom).  He left them in the garage.  One day, he brought them in and put them by the furnace.  He told my Aunt that the tiles had to warm up before he could install them.  Two years later, my Aunt asked, "Do you think the tiles have warmed up?"

As I walked by the fence house the other day, I was thinking that the spouse probably looks out at the fence posts and asks, "Do you think the cement has cured on those posts?"