Minimal Summer Makeup

Here in the Northeast U.S., we have had some scorching hot days. For a while, it was also very dry, but the humidity has picked up and everything is droopy (plants and people included). I usually stick to light makeup, but that's especially true when it's so hot.

Note: The matte bronzer from Tarte is vegan, but the regular 

one is not. I have the non-vegan one pictured in the travel size, 

given to me as a gift. It is not vegan because it is made in 

China, and therefore required by law to be tested on animals.

I have normal to dry skin, with a few breakouts still, so I have a tough time finding the right balance of moisturizing products that don't leave me feeling sweaty or greasy on my face. I'm still working on a good skincare routine, but lately I make sure to wash and tone my face in the morning, and then apply a moisturizer with SPF. I like the Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisture SPF 47 because it uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, both physical SPFs, instead of chemicals. It is very greasy, though, so powder is a must (and I NEVER use powder).

For base, I've only been using concealer around my t-zone to even out redness and dark under-eye circles. I currently use the BareMinerals BareSkin Complete Coverage Serum in Fair. If I had the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, I'd probably use that instead, since it's a little less greasy, but setting the serum concealer with powder works fine for me. I use an EcoTools Buffing Brush to blend in the concealer under my eyes, around my nostrils, and on any blemishes (usually around my chin). It does seem to settle into my pores around my nose, so when I remember, I try to use the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer first.

The secret to my minimal summer makeup is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder in Dim Light. I picked up a mini size at Sephora this spring, and could NOT figure out what to do with it. I thought it was just a setting powder, but it was way too dark for me. However, since I'm so pale, it looks really nice on my cheeks as a sort of mix between blush and bronzer. It's so subtle that I don't have to worry about going too heavy or blending to long. I've also used it as an eye shadow, and it's really subtle and pretty as well. If I feel like adding a bit more bronze, I will brush some of the Tarte Amazonian Clay Matte Waterproof bronzer to the top outside part of my cheekbones, near my hairline. And I'll brush some on my neck if I seem to pale/contrasting there.

For eyes, I'm trying out different nude/natural shades, but today I grabbed my HAN Skin Care Cosmetics 100% Natural Eye Shadow in Taupey Plum, and it's perfect for this bronzed but minimal makeup look. I put a small amount on the EcoTools Full Eye Shadow Brush, and applied focusing on the lash line and then blending out towards the crease. You could use a liner as well, but I kept it simple by just curling my lashes and applying a single coat of the Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Long Lash Mineral Mascara in Abyss. As I mentioned, I used a setting powder because my face looked way too shiny. I have the Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Loose Powder, but it's really too dark for my skin tone.

I finish off the look by brushing through my eyebrows with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel in Brunette and adding some lip moisCrazy Rumors 100% Natural Lip Balm in Hot Cocoa. I should really find a lip balm with SPF--any suggestions? I don't care for the scent of the Hurraw Sun Balm, or I would use that. Let's be honest, though, I really don't like most SPF scents--they're too citrusy for me. If I could just wear a hat all the time, I totally would!
ture with the

How are you staying cool in the heat? Make sure to drink lots of water! xoxo

My Skincare Routine

I have been on a beauty and skincare kick for...a while now. It started last fall with a couple of subscriptions to some vegan beauty boxes (Petit Vour and Vegan Cuts Beauty Box). I was so excited with the boxes because, after six years of being vegan, I was still having a tough time figuring out what personal care products were vegan. Food is easy--makeup and skincare are not always so straightforward.

The beauty boxes helped me discover and fall in love with many products, and it turns out that there are SO many options! I mostly try to stick to natural, non-toxic products that are vegan and cruelty-free. For information about ingredients, I recommend the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep database. For lists of vegan and cruelty free products, check out Tashina Combs' amazing blog full of resources.

You'll notice these products are focused on detoxing and anti-aging. I don't have particularly sensitive skin, but I've been prone to breakouts lately and I just like having more natural products on my skin. Grad school has not been kind to my skin, so I'm hoping that with time these products will help restore my skin and reduce some frowning wrinkles on my forehead.

One of the brands I was especially pleased to find was Derma E, and now I use their Hydrating Night Cream and Day Cream, as well as their Purifying Daily Detox Scrub and their Firming DMAE Eye Lift Cream. All of their products are vegan and cruelty-free, and they have great formulas that I find super effective. I've used their Hydrating Serum, but I just picked up their Purifying Youth Serum yesterday, so I'm trying that one out now. My mom, who is also vegan, has enjoyed using their products as well. I love that they look and feel high end, but they're actually really affordable.

Another affordable brand I've known about, but have recently been interested in more, is Pacifica Beauty. They're also all vegan and cruelty free. I think for a while they were mostly making perfumes and really smelly lotions, but lately they are upping their skincare game and it's amazing! I was so happy to see a few weeks ago that they launched a Cactus Water Micellar Cleansing Tonic. Micellar water is all the rave with the beauty bloggers, but all the brands I've heard them mention are tested on animals, so I could not have been happier to find a product I feel good about. Not only is this product both vegan and cruelty-free, it also smells great and the bottle looks so lovely.  I also picked up their Pore Refine Deep Detox Mask, which I think is helping to help reduce my blackheads, and I'm trying out their Cactus & Kale Oil-Free Stress Recovery Lotion. The lotion feels so nice, and unlike their earlier products, the scent is so subtle and soothing. I will say that I was also tempted to buy their Sea Change Future Youth Serum, but I got the Derma E serum instead, because it was on sale!  Next time! (EDIT: I picked it up in June, and like it just the same as the Derma E, so I just switch back and forth.)

Finally, I just discovered a local Rochester skin care company and have really enjoyed the products I picked up from them during Anthropologie's Pop Up Market in Eastview Mall. Red Moon Apothecary is located about half a mile from my house, and they make lovely botanical skin care products. Some of their products have milk or honey in them, but I found a few that are vegan. The Activated Charcoal Cleansing Cream is SO luxurious. It is like an oil cleanser, but it is so refreshing because of the activated charcoal. Like I said, my skin has been breaking out so much, and this feels like the perfect balance for my skin. Ob-sessed. I also picked up their Lavender and Citrus Cleanser, which is bright and fresh as well. The other product I picked out from them is their Hydrating Facial Serum, which is a lovely and light combination of 5 different oils plus essential oils. The jury is still out whether it's a keeper, but I think it will work well for an evening when I really want my skin to soak up hydrating and natural oils.

I seriously have so many more products that I have been loving, but I'll save those for next time! What vegan products do you have in your skincare routine? Any local, handmade brands you're proud to have discovered? Let me know!

Seven tips for taking care of yourself in stressful times

I woke up feeling very antsy today. My body is agitated and all my tight spots are screaming to be stretched. No matter how much I stretch, though, I can't seem to shake the irritated feeling. Since I only have 2 weeks left until my thesis is due, I know there's a lot going on. Although I don't always feel calm and carefree, I thought I'd share some of the things I do to reduce anxiety and restlessness. I also stopped by my local grocery store and picked up some gear to give me a boost and help get through another day of statistical analysis and writing. *Ooof*

1. Stretch
As I mentioned, my body really tells me when I need to stretch. I've been working 7 days a week at my workstation, putting in time at my 40+hour/week job, and all day every weekend day finishing up my thesis. My right forearm is really fatigued from using my mouse and typing, so I'm trying to stretch it as much as possible by pulling my fingers back and down. Sometimes I press my hand flat against a wall do get that same stretch. I also try to hang in a forward fold as much as possible, because my hips are so achy from all the sitting. It helps also to clasp my hands and hang my arms over my head when I do the forward fold, to stretch out my chest, shoulders and arms. I will say that I think the main reason I'm so agitated today is that I did a very deep stretch yoga class on Wednesday, and my muscles aren't happy about going back into the tense positions that I just worked so hard to reverse. I have the same issue when I get a massage. So, word of warning, it's not always good to work all of that out when you still need to maintain the same unhealthy sitting positions! I'll save the massage for when I'm DONE with my thesis!

2. Magnesium
One thing I try to reach for when I get that feeling of heightened stress and malaise is a magnesium supplement. Magnesium is an essential mineral and most Americans are deficient because our food has less than it used to (because of overused, nutrient-deficient soil). There are great food sources for magnesium, including leafy greens, whole grains, and even dark chocolate! But when I feel this way, the easiest thing for me to do is to mix up a glass of Natural Calm, a relaxing magnesium supplement. It's a tangy, sugar-free vegan beverage mix and it's easy to drink all at once. I sometimes take it before bed if I'm feeling wired, and every once in a while I will take it during the workday if I'm feeling particularly stressed. Stress actually depletes your magnesium stores, so it really is a good idea to supplement if you have a lot of stress and pressures in your life.

3. Mineral water
Mineral water is also a source of magnesium and other minerals like calcium. My favorite brand is Gerolsteiner, and I like to buy it in the glass bottles where possible. When I have a lot of work to do, I like to sip on this fizzy, calorie-free drink. It feels luxurious and very French.

4. Herbal Tea
I try to avoid caffeine because it makes me manic. From what I've shared so far, it's obvious that I have a lot of energy and I don't always know what to do with it, so adding caffeine into the mix is usually a bad idea! But I LOVE coffee, especially with a big splash of soy creamer. So when I'm in the midst of a stressful push to get work done, I have to reach for something that won't distract my thoughts. Herbal tea is such a great option because it can have so many medicinal benefits in addition to being a calorie free hot beverage that keeps me from snacking endlessly. My favorite any time of day or year is peppermint, and I especially like the Traditional Medicinals brand. I also really like their Gypsy Cold Care tea just for its flavor, but I also think it has helped me stay healthy through this winter/stress season *crosses fingers*. Today, because of my anxiety, I thought I'd try something new. I picked up the Yogi Tea brand St. John's Wort Blues Away tea. It's very important to learn about the medicinal properties of herbal tea. For example, St. John's Wort can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, so it's best to avoid if you're sexually active and using the pill, etc., to prevent pregnancy. I think it tastes great and I do think it has helped me feel calmer as I've been writing this--though the writing probably helps too! If you're not sure what tea to try, some brands offer sampler boxes to test out. My co-workers all love tea, so we will often swap or let one another have one to try. It's fun and is relatively inexpensive, especially compared to bottled kombucha drinks or lattes. If you have a friend who lives far away, you can send each other a few bags of your favorites. I will often slip a few into cards or gift bags for my friends. Such an easy and thoughtful surprise!

5. Beans, Greens, Grains
Finally, a huge way to stave off the bad feels is to eat a healthy diet. I am *not* eating a very healthy diet lately. Because thesis. I go to the store and grab chocolate peanut butter candy, chips, baked goods, salty sandwiches and soups...and so on and so forth. So instead of getting ALL unhealthy food (come on, you know I picked up those Earth Balance PB Popps!) I picked out some wholesome foods that would be easy to prepare in my office kitchen. First, I grabbed some bananas and coconut yogurt, because it was already 10:30 and I still hadn't eaten breakfast. Then, I grabbed a box of washed baby spinach and a lemon, which I can steam in the microwave. I also stopped by the freezer section and picked up one of the Amy's Kitchen frozen meals. Guys, this is NOT that healthy, especially because of the sodium (which also depletes magnesium!) but I wanted something that had beans, greens, and grains, and this fit the bill. I also picked up a tofu scramble breakfast burrito. Hey, I need snacks that aren't full of sugar! Beans, greens, and grains all have healthy carbs that actually help with anxiety, and they also have fiber, minerals (magnesium! I'm obsessed!), and vitamins. Whenever I'm off the wagon with the healthy eating, having a bowl of these three powerhouses always set me straight.

Some other ideas...
6. Exercise
So important! But I don't have time! Sometimes I try to fit in an hour long walk with Adam when I get home, so we can catch up and I can stretch my legs and get my heart rate up a tad. We have a nice long loop that we walk through residential neighborhoods, and it's a great way to talk and check in with one another, with no distractions like screens or chores. Daily walks have become so key to my general wellbeing. If you can find a safe place to walk with someone you love, please give it a try!

7. Meditation
I do this every once in a while, but my scattered brain often talks me out of it. I've tried different apps, like Headspace and Calm, and they are great, but I just don't think of it enough. I'm trying to work on a morning routine based on the SAVERS approach, where the first S stands for Stillness or meditation. Work in progress!

So that's it! I'm really feeling better already, though my shoulder and hips will just have to keep quiet for now until this project is over. What do you do to beat restlessness and anxiety?

Swedish Cardamom Bread

I'm daydreaming about veganizing this recipe. I would substitute regular unsweetened soymilk for the whole milk, Earth Balance sticks for the butter, and more milk, maybe mixed with some starch or sugar, for the egg wash on top.

Inspired by @thekitchenwitch

Vegan Cocido

While I daydream about visiting Spain next spring, I think I a lot about how this time will be different now that I'm vegan. From blog posts to internet searches, it seems vegan foods abound all over the major cities of Spain, so I'm not concerned, and I'm even a little excited to discover a world that was unknown to me while I lived there 5 years ago. It will be a new adventure in an old hometown.

Today,  while it's still windy and cold, I decided to whip up a quick soup to use up some vegetables in our fridge, in preparation of our grocery trip tomorrow (hopefully the weather will be kinder). I grabbed some potatoes, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, a rutabaga, and some kale, and was delighted to see we still had some Italian Tofurkey sausages. Perfect. A cozy basic vegetable soup with some sausage for depth.

As this dish evolved, I was reminded of a delicious stew called cocido, which I enjoyed mostly while I trekked through northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago, the way of St. James. The traditional soup has a variety of meats, all very easy to find in vegan form. If I'd had some, I would have added pinto beans and seitan strips, and maybe used kielbasa instead of Italian sausage. Adding a little red wine and smoked paprika made it look like a tomato-soup, which it is not. The porcini mushrooms are perfect for adding some earthy depth and another chewy texture. Don't leave them out if you can help it.

So if you want to be transported to dreary, wet, northern Spain on this equally dreary northeastern US day, please try this out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp canola oil, divided
1 large onion, chopped
3 carrots, finely chopped
3 celery stalks, leaves included if you have them
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 small red potatoes (Yukon gold would work too)
1/2 C red wine
6-8 dried porcini mushrooms
2 C vegetable broth
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp oregano
2 vegetarian sausages, cut in half moon disks
3 Tbsp lemon juice
3 C kale, chopped
Smoked paprika

In a soup pot, heat 1 Tbsp oil and add the onion, carrots, and celery. Stir occasionally, and cook till soft, about 10 minutes on medium heat. Add the garlic and stir, cooking about 1-2 minutes, not allowing it to burn. Add the red wine to deglaze the pot, then add the potatoes and vegetable broth. If the liquid does not cover the veggies, add water. Add the thyme and oregano, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

While the soup simmers, brown the sausages in the remaining oil in a cast iron skillet (a regular frying pan is fine too).  When the potatoes are tender, remove the mushrooms (if they are big) and set aside to mince. Then remove about 2 C of the broth and veggie combination, and blend with the lemon juice, using a handheld or regular blender. Return the blended soup to the pot and add the minced porcini mushrooms, kale and sausages. Cover and simmer until the kale is soft. Sprinkle with smoked paprika to taste.

Buen provecho!

dreamy mornings

I have been fighting an awful viral infection for the better part of a week now, and I have never taken so many pain medications in my life. Alternating ibuprofen and acetaminophen, this dreamy state I find myself in this morning might just be drug-induced. 

All the same, it's a hot, steamy, midsummer morning, and I found myself on public transit instead of my normal bike ride because I am still too weak to do the 12 mile round trip, especially in this 90 degree heat. After a quick shower, I threw on my new purple chinos and a rust-colored blouse, grabbed a cardigan and bus money and ran out of the house in a hurry, hustling to catch the bus, as usual.

Thankfully, the bus route I chose allowed me a quick visit to Java's on Gibbs St., where I ordered an ice tea and breakfast bar. Wishing I had just a bit more time to sit on the patio and watch the birds pick up bits of food off the sidewalk, I returned to the bus stop near the Eastman School, when I noticed the free university shuttle was rounding the corner to make a stop. On a whim, I dashed down the street to catch the bus, curious about the route and looking for a change to my normal city bus route. I sat in the back of the bumpy bus, sipping my iced tea and listening to a random mix of music on my phone that I could not have picked out more perfectly for this spontaneous morning. Zee Avi, Adele, Ani Difranco, etc. put me in a dreamier mood than I was expecting. I watched as students stepped onto the bus, swiped their id's and sat down with friends, making conversation about summer courses and weekend plans. Something about being around college students is inspiring to me. It's not that I want to be a student again, 21 and still so uncertain about the world. But I think I appreciate the intensity with which they live their lives, and being around them opens me back up to that electric pulse of new ideas, dreams and possibilities. It is refreshing and also satisfying, to reminisce but also feel grateful for the years and distance between that bewildered college girl and the person I am now, nearing 30 with a life and career and ever expanding circle of family and friends. 

After a winding route through my beloved city, we arrive at the university library, where I step off and begin a long walk to the other campus where I work. The air is thick and humid, but after the cold blast of AC on the shuttle, I'm grateful for the way the heat wraps around my tired and still sick body. My trips to the Caribbean have eased my dislike for hot weather and now I relish the memory of those tropical days. The campus is lush and fragrant with bright flowers and green grass and although there are people everywhere, I can be alone in my thoughts as I wind down narrow paths alternating between shade and bright sunshine. This walk through campus with more Zee Avi and Amos Lee puts me in a peaceful state, and I am so satisfied with life and all the moments that brought me to today. I know that I won't be able to sit down to my work until I get these words out, and yet I'm grateful that I can allow myself the bit of time it takes to really savor these feelings and this moment. 

There really is nothing like Rochester in the summertime....

You know how the time flies

Only yesterday was the time of our lives

We were born and raised in a summer haze

bound by the surprise of our glory days

- Adele, "Someone Like You"

Reflections on Health Promotion (while procrastinating)

I'm writing up a final take-home exam for my Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine course, and I just stopped downstairs for a snack. I had just finished the question talking about dietary patterns, and I poked around my cupboard and fridge, feeling satisfied about my eating habits.
In our cupboard, we have whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oatmeal. We have dried beans, nuts, and seeds galore. We have a lovely stash of nutritional yeast, a delicious Vitamin B12 supplement. We have whole wheat pasta, canned tomatoes, natural nut and seed butters, vinegars of various flavors, and sea vegetables. In the fridge, we have unsweetened almond milk and flax milk, bags of apples, carrots, kale, celery, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and mushrooms. We have cilantro, basil, and parsley. We have homemade leftovers like split yellow pea soup, tomato and chickpea soup, and vegetable paella. We have some vegan meats, cheeses, and margarine, tofu, tempeh, wholegrain English muffins, jams, soy yogurt, and day old bagels (that I picked up on a 4-mile walk this morning in the sunshine). I have a pound of beans soaking in the crock pot to be cooked tomorrow while I'm at work. In a bowl on the table, we have a huge bowl of oranges, kiwis and an avocado. And I didn't even mention the freezer. Can you tell we went to the grocery store today?
We eat pretty darn healthy. It's sometimes hard for me to remember that not everyone eats like me. I have to remind myself to laugh when people ask if I'm getting the nutrients I need on a vegan diet. Except for a few supplements (B12, D, Calcium), I get everything I need and more from this diet. Without this diet, I'm sure I would be much further off course and struggle much more in getting the things I need.
I also happened across a series of photos of the foods families from across the globe consume in one week. Randomly enough, these exact photos also appeared in a lecture I looked at a little while later, and it listed the dollar amount spent on these foods. In the US, a family of 4 spent nearly $400 on food, and much of it included fast food, chips, soda, pizza, etc. Today, Adam and I spent $187, including about $20 extra for prepared sandwiches, sesame cashew noodles and drinks for dinner. I estimated this week that I have been spending about $50 a week buying breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner at work, so we threw in some extra things to try to save me money (yogurt, hummus, English muffins, almond milk in small boxes, salad fixings, etc.). Generally, we spend around $100 per week, and we shop at a natural food store. Most of the food we buy is organic, some of it is local, and almost all of it is healthy.
At any rate, I was just thinking, as I grabbed a spoonful of no-sugar-or-salt-added natural peanut butter and my glass of flax milk, that I could give myself a break for once.
And, then there's all those animals whose body parts and excretions I didn't buy. :) It's so rough, being a vegan.

career musings

In my professional life, I spend a bit of time doing Spanish to English translations, both written and verbal. Sometimes I wonder about changing jobs to do translations all day long. It would be pretty stimulating for me, and probably less stressful, to focus on this particular discipline that fits with my perfectionism and love of MS Word formatting. 

However, in the course of about 24 hours, in working on a large translation project where edits are constantly being made and I have to go back to make changes in one language based on changes made in the other, I have consumed an entire bar of chocolate, a slice of pie, french fries, and chocolate soy milk. And that's just the non-meal foods....

...on second thought, I better not quit my day job. 

a long december day...

It's been a roller coaster ride kind of day.

Things started out pretty normal, but we had a holiday party with our research group, so that was fun and nice to not have to work for a couple hours. People liked my lentil walnut pate and there was plenty of vegan food for me to eat. 

After the party, I went with 2 other people to the cancer center to drop off gifts we had collected for a family whose father is dying of cancer. The social worker said he won't be around next year. He has two little girls, one- and four-years old. Gift cards and mittens seem so insufficient compared to the burden they bear. 

Actually, before I even dropped off the gifts, I stopped to read a blog entry our friend, Annie, wrote about the loss of their daughter, Piper, and how she's been handling it. It was good to hear an update but it is just as heartbreaking as I imagined it would be dealing with the loss of a child 6 months into a pregnancy. She said she has this constant urge to break coffee mugs on the pavement in anger, but that their mugs have been carefully collected through travels over many years. So what do you break?

On my way home, I was feeling really sleepy, and although I try not to do this, I allowed myself to doze a little. I noticed towards the end of my ride that the boy behind me seemed to be leaning in pretty close to me. At one point I looked back and he asked me if he could use my phone. I asked him why and he said he needed to call his mom. I asked him for the number and dialed it for him. At this point I knew I had to be careful that he wasn't trying to steal it, so I made sure I was situated in way I could grab it back instantly. He said I dialed the wrong number and gave it back. It was too late already, he said, it was almost his stop. 

Whew.

Minutes later, as he's getting off the bus, he reaches back and grabs at my phone! I thankfully had a good grip on it and he was out the door in a flash, sans phone, but not before I could yell "YOU F*CKING A**HOLE!!!" as he looked back at me, bewildered.

I told the people around me that he had tried to take my phone, and immediately apologized for my language. People gave me sympathetic looks, and the woman in front of me said she had heard that phone snatching was becoming more common. 

I'm pretty shaken up, and a little paranoid at home alone (Adam's bus broke down...so random). But what gets me the most is that this kid is heading down the wrong path, and I don't know what to do about it. I'm tempted to try calling the number (he said it was the wrong number but told me what it should be) and ask them if a teenage boy lives with them, and let them know he tried stealing a phone from someone. I want his mother to know what happened. Or a teacher. Someone. I want someone who cares about him to help him see what a slippery slope it is between petty theft and armed robbery. I want him to never do that again. For him. 

I am trying to think about what I could say if I see him again. It reminds me of this scene from a silly movie called "Ira and Abby" where Jennifer Westfeldt's eternally optimistic character is on a subway and a kid pulls out a gun and tells everyone to give him their money. She immediately starts talking to him and asks him how much money he needs, and then goes around politely to all of the passengers collecting the amount he asks for. He is shocked and even lowers his price, and then gets off at the next stop. I think you see the kid again later and his life is somehow changed because of Abby. 

I guess I could try to contact the bus company and ask them to review the tapes from the bus and maybe talk to him. That doesn't seem right, but neither does leaving everything as it is. 

All this on top of the enormous grief I feel for the families of Newtown and the victims of gun violence everywhere, and for the innocent targets of drone strikes, and for the babies who die before being born and for the billions of animals stuffed into tiny cages and crates, standing and sleeping in their own feces and waiting to die a cruel death to end up on someone's plate. I guess I'm saying that the world is cruel and some days it is more clear to me. But as Annie wrote in her post, the injustice of the world only makes me want to take a stronger stand, to be powerful instead of powerless, to be a force for good instead of a silent bystander. 

But for now, I'm ordering pizza. 

Healthy Potluck Ideas -- Halloween

Well, the holiday season is upon us and at work we are starting to get inundated with requests for potluck contributions. Today is Halloween and the Epidemiology division is sponsoring an all day eating extravaganza. I am always shocked at how little regard our Public Health Sciences department has for healthy potluck options. Here we are promoting healthy lifestyles and then there is a 20 foot long spread of different kinds of homemade cupcakes. The future of public health, my friends.

I thought I'd share some healthy ideas for potlucks that attempt to accommodate different diets and promote well being, instead of gluttonous excess.

For a Fall/Winter potluck:
1. Chai tea
    I brought in a box of nice chai tea along with a container of coconut creamer and jar of cinnamon for sprinkling. This is vegan, gluten free and suitable-ish for those crazy paleos out there. If you're not avoiding soy, I like Wild Wood soy creamer, as it's not as sweet as Silk.
     My original plan was to use Annie's great chai recipe (from the Betty Crocker Project) whereby you heat up almond milk and steep the chai together with the spices. You could then put it in a thermos pump pot. I didn't have the ingredients at home, so I opted for the DIY version. What I like best about bringing chai to a potluck is that it provides a different beverage option for those who don't necessarily want to drink soda, but who will if it's the only thing available (myself included).

2. Coconut squash
    I just thought this up this morning, but I think a really yummy side dish would be twice-baked winter squash. Cut a couple of acorn squashes in half, remove the seeds, roast cut-side down for an hour in a 350-degree oven (or until VERY soft), let cool, then scoop out the flesh from the halves. You can do this days in advance.
     The day of the event, mash up your squash in an oven safe dish, mix in coconut oil (or vegan margarine or olive oil) and maybe some non-dairy milk or creamer (depending on your crowd/dietary needs) and bake until slightly brown on top, or at least hot all the way through. Sprinkle with warm spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, or garam masala. If you have a microwave-save dish, you can warm it up for a lunch-time affair. Optional additions: chopped fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme), toasted coconut (unsweetened) sprinkled on top, toasted nuts or seeds (sliced almonds, toasted pumpkin seeds), etc.

3. Pumpkin streusel loaf
    I tried this recipe from Peas & Thank You this weekend, and it was quite good. I used the glutinous options, using the 1 Cup of whole wheat flour, and it was dense but moist. I also used xylitol instead of the sucanat. I like this recipe because there are a lot of options for modifications, based on the needs of your crowd. You can use a variety of oils and flours, and it would likely turn out the same. Just be aware that paleo folks don't usually eat oats, but it is a small amount and they may be open to trying it regardless. Not sure how you could replace them...maybe sliced almonds?

That's all I have for now--I do plan on adding ideas for future events. Until then, enjoy Halloween!

autumn

today i heard the leaves rustle the way they only do when it's fall.

funny how such a small change can make such a big difference.

new york city

Friends, it's been about 3 months since I embarked on a trip, and I'm thrilled that tomorrow I'll be taking a train with my love to New York City. I can't describe the excitement I feel for this nostalgic and romantic trip to a city that is still so new to me.

We are taking a train to New York.

Imagine the multitudes who have said those same words, brimming with anticipation and joy at the prospect of seeing the famous Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Empire State Building, etc. Thousands who packed huge trunks or simply caught hold of a railing on a whistling train headed east.

And oh, the food.The first time I was in New York I was still a new vegan and was worried I wouldn't find anything to eat.

I'm going to let that sink in for a sec.

I was worried I couldn't find vegan food. In New York.

Yeah. Newbie vegan. I can't even count the number of vegan restaurants that have been recommended. And then there's bakeries, diners, etc. We happen to be staying with a vegan power-couple whose life work is food. So, I know we'll be taken care of.

Adam and I really love traveling by train together. We enjoy the time to relax, without the hassle of 3 oz liquid restrictions and body scanners, without the stress of hurtling ourselves in metal shell at a mile a minute on hazardous highways for hours on end. We bring movies, snacks, reading, knitting, games, and pillows, and just let the trip include a leisurely 8 hour start on the train.

While I finish packing, I'm going to listen to Joni Mitchell's blue album. I discovered that her song, My Old Man, is a great picture of my old man, my love, my travel companion.

Can't wait to embark on the next adventure with him.

equinox

Today is the first day of Autumn. Somehow the day the seasons change seems to slip by me every time. I always plan on doing something symbolic at the moment of the equinox or spending my day intentionally, but then life happens and it's 1:00 PM and the equinox was 3 hours ago.

Nevertheless, I've made today worthy of the first day of fall. I woke up and had a nice little breakfast with Adam and then started cooking right away. I made tourlou (a middle eastern style ratatouille), baba ganoush and acorn squash lasagna with fresh sage and tofu ricotta. While I cooked, I cleaned, and my regular weekend chores are off to a good start. 

I'm nursing a headache today, unsure of its origin. Either it is a small hangover from the cocktails I had last night at a coworker's birthday celebration, or it is a caffeine headache. Whatever it is, I'm using mint tea and ibuprofen to stave it off. Later today I'll skype with my sister and hopefully get a bunch of knitting done. Then around dinner time we're taking K and N for the night, the first time babysitting all night at our house. I'm looking forward to it, but I know it will probably be quite an ordeal. As long as my headache goes away, I'll be ready for anything. 

So here's to the turning of the seasons, the start of a new stage of slowing down, turning inward, and being present, if only for a few moments every day. 

Moro de guandules (Rice with pigeon peas)

I am getting the hang of Dominican food, let me tell you. After 7(?) trips to the Dominican Republic in two years, I've tried a lot of dishes, and I think I know where they're going with their cuisine. Unlike "typical" Mexican food, Dominican food has very subtle and simple flavors. Nothing too hot or spicy, but still a lot of flavor. Very comfortable, and also very plant-based. At least, the food I eat seems to be mostly the staples, the side dishes that are easily made vegan.

A "moro" is a dish made with beans and rice where they have been cooked together. Typical "beans and rice" means, generally, that the white rice has been cooked separately from the soupy beans, and you pour the beans and their sauce over the white rice to eat. Still working on that recipe. A moro, though, is quite simple and I happen to like the one with guandules, although they make it with almost any kind of bean.

Anyway, here is my recipe for Moro de Guandules:

First, the sofrito. I've heard everyone has their own recipe for this, so I've made up my own, and you can make up yours, too, based on what you've got on hand. You want to have these basic ingredients, and the amounts can vary, and you could add other things too, like hot peppers, parsley, tomatoes, etc. I kept a jar in the freezer for at least 3 months and it was still great.

SOFRITO:
1 red or green bell pepper (or half of each)
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 medium to large onion
1 bunch cilantro
2 tbsp lemon or lime juice

2 cups brown short grain rice
1/2 large can crushed tomatoes (optional)
3 - 4 C water
2 packets sazon (I buy this at the hispanic grocery store, with no MSG; there are probably recipes online)
1-2 cans pigeon peas/guandules (again, use any beans you have on hand)

Starting with the garlic, pulse in food processor until minced. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until well-integrated. I don't worry about blending too long, it should be soupy.

In a stockpot, add 1/2 C-1C of the sofrito and sautee on medium heat, with some canola or olive oil. Once the sofrito becomes very aromatic, add in the rice and the sazon and stir. Let the rice sautee a bit to let out some of the nuttiness and then add the beans. Stir until well coated in the sauce, then add the water and tomatoes. I tend to add too much water, so our rice is very risotto-like, so add less water if you want the rice drier, then add more water if needed.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and cook 40-50 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Try not to stir it at all. I like to let it sit 10-15 minutes or more with the heat off, lid on, to let the moisture really set in. If you happen to burn a little on the bottom, that's totally fine! The Dominicans call the burned rice "concon" and serve it separately for those who like it.

Serve with a simple salad and fresh fruit. Serves 6-8 (depending on appetites!)

Buen provecho!

How we spend our days...

One of my favorite quotations was said by Annie Dillard, an American author, and it goes like this:
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."

These words remind me day after day that our lives are comprised of each individual day, and how we CHOOSE to spend them determines the life that we choose.

Today has not gone exactly as I would have liked, but it is not entirely because of my choices. It's been hot. And it's hard to do anything when it is so hot. I also have been trying to finish my final for my summer class. It's not too hard but it's been difficult to hunker down.

Weekends are hard for me in general because I have a lot of expectations for what I want to get accomplished. Usually, it involves some running around, which was just not quite feasible today because of the aforementioned impediments. The final is really what's getting me down, since I feel like I should spend all of my time working on it, but when I'm not, I don't feel like I can do anything worthwhile, like reading something for fun, watching a movie or working on a house project that is enjoyable. I end up wasting time on Facebook or something else on my phone, because if I did something I wanted to do, like knit more of my sweater, I would be "distracted from writing my final." Which has happened anyway.

So, because I sometimes get down on myself when I don't do what I want on the weekends, I decided to set the table for dinner and open a bottle of wine. I'm going to relax with Adam and call it a day.

However, one important thing I can do to set myself up for success on the weekends is to list the things I want to do. And not just the "to-do" list, but the list that involves fun things, too.

Most weekends, it looks like this:
Go to the market
Process new veggies so they are ready to cook
Cook some food (for weekend and weekday meals)
Buy flowers
Pick up grocery staples at the Co-op
Eat a nice breakfast
Clean the kitchen (it makes me REALLY happy when the kitchen is clean)
Read a book or knit
Drink a glass of wine (per day)
Sleep in (till 8:30)
Go to yoga, preferably a vinyasa flow and a restorative class
Make sure the front and back yards are looking good (weeding, mowing, etc.)
Do the laundry, including fresh sheets and towels
Hang out with some friends
Bike a lot
Relax

Again, there are probably more things that I like to do, but these are the main things that make me feel either restored or prepared for the week to come. I do actually make lists like this for the weekend. I am so forgetful, I need reminders even for the things I really want to do.

It's really about intention. Knowing what we want to accomplish each day. Not just for others, but for ourselves as well. What do we need to feel like we spent our time well? What do we need to turn our days into a life? I think it's about small steps, simple goals, and starting new each day.

Cheers.

Sugar-free successes

A while back, I mentioned that I wanted to go sugar-free. Adam has gone about a year with only a few sugary treats (I know he ate one of our cupcakes from our commitment ceremony, and enjoyed a treat or two at my brother's vegan wedding reception). For me, it hasn't been so simple, and it kind of surprises me because I've never really considered myself to have a sweet tooth, but I never could resist a free treat in my college years, and now I have a hard time resisting a vegan treat!
A few things are easy for me:
1. I only eat vegan foods, so the number of tempting (and realistic) snacks are more limited.
2. I never had a practice of putting sugar in things, like coffee or tea, except for the occasional espresso.
3. I really love savory foods and generally prefer cold pizza for breakfast than muffins or other sweet breakfast foods.
But there are definite challenges. Habits are hard to break and I have a bad habit of buying a huge cookie out of a vending machine on afternoons when I'm bored at work and want to go home. I also happen to enjoy eating spoonfuls of vegan nutella straight from the jar.
But I'm here to say it can be done, and one of the best ways I have found to avoid eating sugar is to eat whole foods. I still eat plenty of fresh fruit, and sometimes it's a good alternative to eating sweets. Yesterday, for example, my co-worker mentioned she was craving something frozen, and we went over to the cafeteria to look for a snack. Instead of the strawberry Popsicle, which had 25g of sugar(!), I got grapes. Not quite as cold or satisfying, but they did the trick. The nice thing about that is I increased my servings of fruits and veggies for the day and I didn't get a stomach ache from too much sugar. Here's what I ate yesterday, for an idea of a sugar-free lifestyle:
Breakfast: half English muffin with margarine, Americano with unsweetened soy creamer
Snack: banana, unsweetened ice tea
Lunch: beet and potato hash, whole wheat penne pasta with unsweetened pasta sauce and tofu sausage, zevia soda
Snack: grapes
Dinner: tofu sandwich on sourdough with watercress, potato salad with green beans
Snack: fresh blueberries

Some days are better than others (I had a sweetened iced chai today) but but when I focus on how something will make me feel, rather than how badly I'm craving it, I usually make the right decision.

Now if I could only break my NCIS habit...

bastille day

Today is the French independence day and I am wondering how they celebrate...do they use fireworks like we do? Or are they more demure and refined, and just picnic on the Eiffel Tower lawn...?
We share a somewhat similar history with France and yet we are so, so, so different. I read yesterday that France is #1 in healthcare worldwide, though they are #4 in spending. Guess who is #1 in spending? The U.S. of A. But what number are we in healthcare? 37.

Screw Obamacare. And Canada. Vive la France!

This weekend is unique in that Adam is away with his family at their camp and I am home with the cats. It's funny the way that life changes when a person is away for a weekend. For example, our cats, who normally think EVERY NIGHT IS A SLEEPOVER, meaning, they get to walk all over us all night long finding the perfect new spot to sleep, they, well, they ignored me. All. Night. I think Wallcat snuck in sometime in the middle of the night to catch a few zzz's at the foot of the bed. Jilly, it appears, slept on the windowsill and on the bathmat in the bathroom. So, it's good to know they are really only here for Adam. 

I made a smoothie this morning that was quite delicious, so I thought I'd share the recipe:

1-2 frozen bananas
1 C almond milk
2 generous Tbsp peanut butter
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 C water or ice (if you like it thicker)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground flaxseed (optional)

This made about 1 1/2 to 2 glasses that I drank by myself in about 2 minutes. The nice thing about this is that it is so yummy but it's not all that bad for you. Each of the items is a serving of the food, and the only sugar is from the bananas (unless your peanut butter has sugar, which is sneaky and they shouldn't do that to perfectly good peanut butter).

I am headed to yoga in a bit so I've got to run, but I wanted to stop in and say hello.
Bonjour.

Spring Mix

I made a playlist today before I headed home from the public market on my bike, and I'm really loving it. Lots of strong female singer/songwriters, a little bit of angst and a lot of whimsy, joy and playfulness, perfect for a spring mix.

"SPRING MIX"
Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show
Kids - MGMT
World Spins Madly On - The Weepies
Hometown Glory - Adele
Mariachi - Ani Difranco
Malo - Bebe
Home - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Half Acre - Hem
Not Your Year - The Weepies
Keep Breathing - Ingrid Michaelson
Fuck Was I - Jenny Owens Young
Life Boat - Ani Difranco
Where Does the Good Go - Tegan and Sara
Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
Gotta Have You - The Weepies
Albacore - Ani Difranco
Bitter Heart - Zee Avi
Slow Pony Home - The Weepies

If you want the abridged version, listen to "Mariachi", "Fuck Was I", "Home" and "Sweet Disposition". :)

I have found a lot of joy from going to the public market alone on Saturday mornings. I used to give Adam a hard time about not going with me (he hates crowds) but I have truly enjoyed the solitude I find in being surrounded by hundreds of people but having my own agenda and being in my own head. I hop on my bike, listen to a couple songs or a quick podcast on my way to the market, lock up, and head to the coffee shop. My drink choices vary--today it was an americano, last time it was a soy cappuccino. The place I go actually has terrible espresso, so I'm considering going to the other shop next time. We'll see. Anyway, I sit with my coffee, reading some blogs or making my shopping list. Although I often enjoy walking around with a hot drink, like when I go to work on the bus, but at the market, I prefer to just sit and finish my drink before shopping. It's a good time to people-watch, relax and soak in the morning sunshine.

After I finish my coffee, I head to the Flour City Bread Company and pick up a loaf or two of their artisan bread. I'm loving their foccacia, which is drenched in oil and salt. You don't even need to dip it in olive oil--just drizzle with some balsamic and eat freshly sliced.

From the bread shop, I head to the crowds and pick up a few veggies. Today I found some great looking Asian eggplants, some dandelion greens (I know, I can pick them out of my backyard, but I have to support the little old lady selling them--more power to her). I also grabbed a 1/2 lb of decaf Guatemalan coffee, 2 portobello mushrooms and some avocados. I have a lot of produce left over from last week, so today was just a spiritual practice in marketing.

The last time I was in the Dominican Republic, my coworker's husband was driving me to the airport and asked me what I like to do for fun at home. The first thing that popped into my mind was going to the market, next was cooking. Especially when I am traveling over the weekend, I miss the routine of preparing good, wholesome and homemade food for myself and for Adam. I crave it. Lately I've been realizing I spend a ridiculous amount of money on food, but I justify it by the fact that I don't have a motor vehicle and therefore can afford to treat myself to delicious foods. And the fact that instead of driving, I bike, it makes sense that I spend my money on "fuel". Ha!

Finally, today is somewhat bittersweet, as I think about the blessings I have and some of the hardships I know some are enduring, but I take comfort knowing that the love we have for each other sustains us even when we are not in constant contact. I feel the love of my friends when they are thousands of miles away, and hope they feel my love as well.

"So it goes, so no one knows you like they used to do. Have a drink, the sky is sinking toward a deeper blue, and you're still alright. Step out in the twilight."
Living in Twilight - The Weepies

Travel tips

I'm on a plane to Houston right now and I just finished a delicious (and healthy!) snack. I'll be in Texas for the rest of the week and, although I can charge my meals to my grant, sometimes I prefer to bring what I can from home so that a) I'm never starving with no vegan food options in sight and b) I'm not tempted to go overboard on the "healthy" things I can find at airports (like a bottle of pomegranate juice with 62 grams of sugar--sorry, not healthy).
Inspired by Heidi Swanson's gourmet plane food suggestions, I decided to bring along some snacks that can pass through security and that I actually want to eat. I didn't really do a lot of planning for this, but here's what I came up with:
Two days ago, I stopped by our natural food co-op and resolved to avoid the very sugary Lara, Luna and Clif bars. I picked up some raw walnuts and Turkish figs instead. I mixed together enough for a handful (1/4 cup) of walnuts per day plus about 2 figs per day. Walnuts are high in omega-3's and I think figs have a good amount of calcium (not certain--we're in airplane mode, people!).
At home, the night before my trip, I came across an enormous Japanese sweet potato that Adam certainly would not eat, so I popped it into a 350 degree (F) oven for literally 2 hours while I packed. You want that sucker to be nice and soft. Once it cooled, I cut it in half and wrapped each piece in parchment paper and put them in a bag. I brought a spoon from home for my almond yogurt in the morning, so I kept it with me and it worked beautifully to eat the sweet potato like a parfait.
I always hear air travel experts say not to eat much while you travel and I try my best to follow that advice. For an 8:00 AM flight, I just had a small yogurt on the way to the airport, my handful of walnuts and one fig on my first flight and about a cup of the sweet potato on my second flight. I haven't had anything to drink but water. I will gain an hour in Houston so when I get in at 12:20 it will actually be 1:20 to my tummy and that's late for lunch. My co-worker, who is traveling with me, and I might stop in the airport for lunch before we head to the bus stop (the plan is to take the city bus but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle). When we check in at the hotel it might be as late as 3:00 and we may as well just get another snack before dinner. Another important tip for traveling is to try keep your meals regular. If you're flying to a different time zone, it's helpful to eat breakfast at the time you would eat it where you're traveling TO, that way your body is gearing up for a new day, even if you're headed to bed the night before your flight.
Thankfully, my travel for work just sends me south and in a generally similar time zone. But it's still important to be consistent with meals.
I will try to post some packing tips soon, as well as go over some of the key items I like to have with me while traveling.
Buen viaje!

The Lake Shore Limited

I am fortunate to live close enough to visit my hometown by train, though far enough for it to require preparation and planning. I take the overnight train from Rochester, NY, to mid-Michigan, where my two beautiful nephews live (and most of the rest of my family, of course). Trains are my style. As someone who grew up with little access to a motor vehicle and now as an adult who does not own one, I find the train more convenient than barreling across a busy interstate at 80 miles per hour, constantly focused on the road and in many cases concerned about the lake effect. On a train, I can knit, read, sleep, and think without worrying if my life is in danger. And I would say that's pretty convenient.

The Lake Shore Limited departs Rochester at 11:00 PM and arrives in Toledo, OH in the morning, where I board a bus to my hometown university train station. The best part of my ride is when, in late spring, the sun rises over Lake Erie just as we near a portion of the track that nearly touches the shore. There is nothing like waking up on the train and seeing the golden light at sunrise filtered through antique windows, sparkling across the water and turning even the most high strung among us into daydreamers.

I will always be a lover of bodies of water. Growing up among four of the Great Lakes and settling as a young adult alongside the fifth, I can't imagine what it would be like to live far from water. And, you know, I hear so many people say that, I know it must be in our humanity. Think of the great cities of the world--are any of them landlocked? The ones I think of--Paris, London, Portland, San Francisco, New York City, Toronto, Sydney, Boston...I could go on and on--all are settled along the water's edge. Even our little town, though close to Lake Ontario, straddles the Genesee river, connecting to the Erie Canal. We all long to see the water, to know that it is there and that it is waiting for us to wake up and smile as our train "choo-choos" us towards the ones we love.