Vegan Diaries - Chia Pudding

Still doing a version of the Vegan thing over here.  I avoid dairy as much as possible and feel pretty good.

A friend suggested that I try Chia pudding.  I found a recipe and gave it a try.  I was a little skeptical.  I don't know what it is about chia seeds.  Sometimes they weird me out.  I'm growing to like them.  They don't have any distinct flavor.  And, as I found out, they make a great pudding.  I haven't started to add them to everything.  That might take some time.  For now, they make a great pudding.

Here's the recipe:


Chia Pudding

ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup chia seeds
2 Tbsp Maple syrup*
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

directions:
Whisk almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup and vanilla in bowl.
Let sit for 15 minutes.
Whisk again to break up clumps.
Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.


*I used agave, and I didn't use that much

*Serve with fruit and granola.  Makes a great breakfast or even dessert.

I made half of this recipe and had half (half of the half) for breakfast the next morning.

You could probably add cinnamon or even cocoa powder for a different flavor.


If you try this recipe, let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

Blog Post Ideas and Titles

I keep a list of ideas and sometimes possible titles for future blog posts.  Sometimes they are pretty easy to figure out and I have no problem writing a post.  And, other times, I look at the title and have no idea what I was thinking when I wrote it down.

For example, "Hot and Sweaty."  What was I thinking when I wrote that one down?  The temperature outside?  Was someone else hot and sweaty?  Maybe I was going to make salsa that will make you hot and sweaty?  I do think I figured that one out, though, because I have a post with that title.

There is also a title, "Move the car."  That's really helpful!  Maybe I can give you details on how I have to move a car whenever I need to go somewhere.  I've already told you about the gas levels in Nick's car, so I couldn't talk about that in this post.  Maybe I could talk about how I have to add on extra time to my morning routine because of the extra time needed to move a car.

I'm determined to write my ideas down with a lot more details.  I mean, obviously something struck me as interesting or funny and I definitely don't want you to miss out on all of the fun I'm having while I make my way through my scary life.

Yes, Ma'am

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen.  It has finally happened.

A customer at work came up to me and said, "Excuse me, Ma'am?"

Now, I was facing the other way.  Like that makes a big difference.  Maybe my back looks older than my front?

Anyway you look at it, it's' still depressing.

I'll be curled up under a blanket for the rest of the day.

Laundry Basket

After 24 years of dedicated service, we are saying good bye to Larry the Laundry Basket.

Larry wasn't your typical, everyday normal laundry basket.  Larry was a round, plastic tub (probably used for drinks for a party, just add ice).  He was large enough, though, and held a good deal of laundry.

How many people can say that their laundry basket lasted 24 years?  Not many, I'm sure.

Larry gave his all every single day.  Hauling both dirty and clean clothes up and down the stairs.  He never did take the day off.  Always hard at work.  Even if there wasn't any laundry to do, he was planning a strategy for that next load.

Larry started out with small loads.  He proved his worth and was given the challenge with wet and spit up stained clothes.  He was on track and it lead to lots of dirt and grass stains.  Larry stood strong.  When he was challenged with glittery, sequins....he just kept going.  He was always up for a challenge.

Our hats, and our dirty clothes, are off to you, Larry.

May you rest in peace.

Got Gas?

I know I've written a post about this before, but, I guess I'm writing another because this always seems to happen to me.

Apparently, my family is afraid to go to the gas station and fill up a car (their car, my car, any car!).  Once again, "someone" let me use their car and I had to fill it up before going anywhere.

This morning, as I was heading off to work, I realized I better head to the gas station first or I will not make it to work (or home).

Good thing I'm on the frequent buyer's program at the local gas station.

Dumpster Diving at Work

You know you've hit a new all time low when you find yourself dumpster diving at work.

Yes.  That was me.  Last week.  It wasn't for fun stuff, either.  It was for boxes that another employee threw away that we needed so we could put merchandise back in so it could be easily stored.

Once I retrieved all necessary boxes, I decided that I need to rethink my whole job life.

Stay tuned.

Garbage Day

Garbage Day always seems to be a big day at our house.  Running around trying to make sure all garbage and recycling is out by the street.

I usually keep track of when the trucks come by to pick up.  The garbage was on a really early pick up (7:15 AM) and recycling was in the late afternoon.  It's just recently switched, with recycling being picked up in the morning and garbage in the afternoon.

On pick up day, before we are having company (a party) I like to make sure all garbage and recycling gets out.  I'm usually after my kids to make sure they get their stuff out there.  My children have a tendency to clean out their rooms and unearth enormous amounts of garbage and recycling the day before we have people over.

I have an "interesting relationship" with the garbage men.  They all are great, I have no complaints.  I think it started many years ago when we were tossing out the blinds from the kitchen.   We didn't have a sticker and they didn't fit into the can.  The garbage men came by and didn't take them.  I happened to be outside when they were two houses down.  I whistled and the truck backed up.  I sweet talked them a little and they took the blinds.

Years later, we had a can out by the curb full of dirt.  The guy said he couldn't lift it (this was obviously before they had the mechanical arms that grab the can and empty it).  I told him I was the one who carried it to the curb (and I really was the one who carried it!).  I think he was embarrassed.  He grabbed the can and emptied it.

Recently, we painted our house and had some boards replaced.  I fit most of the boards into our garbage can and even filled the neighbor's can.  We had some real long boards that didn't fit in a can and I didn't have a sticker for them.  So, I figured I would help the garbage man throw them in the truck.  I had my work gloves by the door.  All of the windows were open in the house so I could hear the garbage truck approaching.  Every time I heard a noise I sprang into action, grabbing my gloves and flying out the front door.  After about 6 hours of exercise this, the garbage man finally arrived.  He wasn't about to take them but I said I would toss them in.  He caved and said he would do it.

Our village just switched waste haulers.  I'm hoping they are as user friendly as the last bunch.