Guilt-Free!

Today has been great even though we are still in M.I.R. (Mercury In Retrograde) Time and tomorrow night is a full moon. It is sort of like a double-whammy happening, but I can deal with it. (Knock-on-wood.)

This afternoon I fixed us a delicious lunch. We had leftovers of my Spinach & Artichokes mixed with a mouth-watering raw cashew sauce. And we had a delicious whole food plant-based version of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. Totally delicious!

I found this tasty (healthy) "ice cream" recipe on Forks Over Knives and the four main ingredients are frozen bananas, frozen cherries, vanilla extract and almond milk. The video I watched on how to make it suggested topping it off with sliced almonds or using dark chocolate chips sweetened with stevia. So I used both sliced almonds and Lily's Dark Chocolate, stevia sweetened chocolate chips.

It only took Jaws, my trusty Vita-Mix machine, a couple of minutes to make it and Tony and I both agreed that it is our new favorite "ice cream" dessert. And if you are interested you can check out this awesome recipe on Forks Over Knives. And the very best part of this recipe is it is totally vegan and guilt-free with no sugar added.

And as I finish writing this post I want y'all to know that Tony has already lost 20 pounds in one month and I too am losing weight, but at a much slower pace. But I am fine with that too, because my 501 Levi's are getting close to being replaced with the next size smaller and by September 1st or sooner I should be wearing my regular size of smaller Levi's!

P.S. I still have ten pairs of these smaller sized Levi's jeans packed away underneath the bed, because when I started gaining weight I simply could not bare to give them up, with hopes that someday I would be wearing them again. So Life is Good.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Fay & Ian Welcome To Texas!

This past week has been great and a whole lot of fun and today our dear friends, Fay & Ian, from Toronto, arrived. But before I go any further I must fill y'all in on this past week.

First off, I've still been cooking us delicious FORKS OVER KNiVES' recipes and here are just a couple of pictures of what we've been eating.

But I must admit that we have been spotted eating, at Billy Gene's and Acapulco restaurants and the Apple Store, in Medina too.

Speaking of the Apple Store, in Medina, a while back when I was waiting to pay their friendly cashier for our delicious lunch I spotted some more beautiful, Looper, pot-holders for sale and they were just like the awesome, pretty, pink pot-holder that Jean and I had made. 

At first I was crushed seeing them for sale, because it proved to me that the Looper pot-holder market has been totally saturated, but then I felt good about Jean and me not investing every last penny that we have into that big-time, money-maker. 

Last week, Tony and I also went to the Wild Birds Unlimited store, because Tony needed to buy more seed and also because we wanted to visit with our good friends: Kevin, Linda, Marguerite, Tricia and Jason, because they always are upbeat and quickly put smiles on our faces. And before we adios-ed these nice folks I bought the cutest, carved bunny, before Tony made me turn around and showed me these adorable, funny dog toys. Which of course I loved and I bought one of each for our dogs. 

Saturday was an incredibly great day, because sweet Gus got adopted to the nicest family. And Gus now happily lives with this wonderful family and their other sweet dog. Here are his adoption pictures that I took, before he went to his new, super-loving home, in the country. 

I spent yesterday cleaning our trailer from top to bottom, because I didn't want our good friends, Fay & Ian, being scared to come inside, The Cabin, to visit with us. 

There I was scrubbing this and that, putting up things and I was nearly finished with all of the cleaning when Hazel died, in my hands. Seriously, one minute she was sucking away, at the tall piles of dirt, hair, cobwebs, etc. and then the next minute she sucked in her last breathe. And to say the least—I was completely devastated, so I let go of her, and half-hollered, "Tony!" To deaf ears, because I had forgotten that Tony had gone off to take some more great pictures, so there I was all alone when she had literally bit-the-dust. 

I know that I was in shock, because I started thinking about her life always sucking and all that she had done for me and what I should write for Hazel's epitaph. And this is all that I could come up with for my beloved, lavender-colored, Dyson Animal vacuum:

Hazel Parker-Simons

2006 - 2017

Ashes to Ashes

Dust to Dust

Rest In Peace

I was so distraught about Hazel's passing I decided to go outside, to the front porch, to get some fresh air, but that didn't work. Because when I went outside I saw that Henry had just finished removing (destroying) another important porch-piece, so he could now easily rest his head, while he and Lori Darlin' enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels flit about.

When I came back inside, The Cabin, I decided to revive Hazel, because there was still too much dust, dirt, hair, etc. on the floor. So I started Googling and thank goodness I did, because I watched an educational YouTube video on how to bring her back to life.

I followed the instructions carefully and before you knew it I had disassembled Hazel. Sort of like an autopsy. She was here, there and everywhere—all over the kitchen. Then I removed her air filter (which the factory highly recommends that you clean at least every 6 months, even though I never have done that, because I never read any maintenance instructions.)

Anyway—it worked after several hours of soaking and cleaning her filthy filter. Hazel came back to life and she sucked just like she used to do—so many years ago. I was so happy about reviving the old girl when Tony came back home, I bragged, "Hazel died. But I brought her back to life! Isn't that great!" Tony smiled and said nothing. Then he showed me some awesome pictures that he had taken.  

Today has been more than great, because Fay & Ian arrived. Tony and I met them for lunch, in Kerrville and this evening, they came back over and we went over to the Lodge and had a fun time with Kinky. And during our visit with Kinky he got out his guitar and in his kitchen he sang us his two latest songs that he has written. And they were incredibly great.

That is about it for tonight, because I don't want this past week to turn into a book. But I do want to tell you that for my Valentine's gift Tony bought me the most beautiful, banjo, from The Melody Corner. And I love playing it so much—I took my first banjo lesson this past Thursday.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing! 

Chill!

Last night I started reading Carl Hiaasen's Strip Tease and in the middle of reading Chapter 2, I realized this book was made into the movie Strip Tease, starring Burt Reynolds and Demi Moore, which I loved. It was made in 1996.

Anyway, I plan to continue reading it, because books are usually so much better than movie interpretations. So, if you saw the movie and like it, too—then you'll love reading Carl Hiaasen's entertaining books, because they are great mysteries and so much fun to read.

Today has been great. This afternoon, after the board meeting, on the correct Monday, I had a lot of rescue ranch business to take care of, so I made Tony and me Avocado Toast for lunch, because it so fast and easy to make and, of course, we loved it.

After cleaning up the kitchen, before returning to work on my ranch related e-mails, phone calls, etc. I decided to make FORKS OVER KNiVES' super delicious Chia Pudding With Strawberries again, for a late afternoon dessert for us to enjoy.

But this time I added a few more ingredients to the delicious recipe. After I put the recipe's almond milk, chia seeds, organic maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla, into Jaws—I then added a banana, several big scoops of my goji berries, chocolate covered goji berries, chocolate nips and walnuts mix, before I let Jaws blend it all together. Then I let it chill for a couple of hours and then served it with raspberries and blueberries.

And omg! Tony and I loved it so much and I plan to make it this way from here on out—using strawberries, too. Here is a picture of our dessert, in a clear glass, before we dug in and ate it.

It is now starting to rain pretty heavy outside, so I am going to go ahead and unplug everything and spend the rest of my evening reading more of you-know-who.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Strip Tease!

Because I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Carl Hiaasen's fabulous, mystery Basket Case so much, last night I stayed up, until 1:00 to finish reading it. I loved how he ended it and I highly recommend it, not that Carl needs any help selling his fabulous books.

As y'all already know, when I get excited about something I can't help but blog about it. I am definitely excited about discovering Hiaasen's books and later on tonight I plan to start reading another one of his fun to read mystery books.

I am also excited about finding out about FORKS OVER KNiVES and their whole-foods, plant-based lifestyle. Just think, if I had not purchased their incredibly great magazine and checked out their website, Tony and I would still be eating unhealthy food.

Please note that my blog is not turning into a foodie blog or Mr. Hiaasen's Texas cheerleader for his novels, but I can't help writing about them, because I love reading his books so much and Tony's and my new healthy lifestyle change is so exciting to me.  

Today has been great. I slept in this morning, because I stayed up so late last night, to finish reading Basket Case by you know who.

Anyway, I must tell you about our delicious lunch that we ate this afternoon, because I can't help it. We had  the FORKS OVER KNiVES' delicious Red Kidney Bean and Rice with Cilantro-Cashew dressing again, because I still had leftover brown, short grained rice, but this time I also added summer squash and zucchini to the mix. 

When I started chopping and cooking, etc. I had time to thumb through the FOK's dessert section, in the their magazine. When I saw the delicious-looking Chia Pudding with Strawberries, on page 90, I decided it make it for dessert.

I was so anxious to make this dessert. But, because it needs to chill for one hour before serving, I recruited Tony to help me chop the tomatoes and kale. And he was glad to do it, because, he could not wait to eat the tasty Red Kidney Bean with Rice with Cilantro-Cashew dressing, again.

This dessert was so easy to make even though I had to use raspberries, instead of strawberries, because I didn't have any frozen strawberries. And I also decided to add blueberries to make it even more healthier. 

The ingredients to make this fabulous dessert are: almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla and you mix all of that together and then chill it for an hour. And when you serve it you top it with the fruit.

Here are pictures of our main meal along with a picture of Tony's plate.

Once again, their was plenty of leftovers, so I labeled it and put it in a big baggie and then  tossed it into the freezer.

Then I served our yummy dessert.

This dessert was like eating a healthy, soft-serve ice cream with fruit and it was so delicious I plan to make it regularly for us, because Tony loved it so much. 

Unfortunately, I did not have a white bowl to put it in, so I could photograph it, so please know that the not-too-pretty, orange bowl, does not do it justice.

And because this dessert was so delicious, but didn't look that appetizing, in the orange bowl, I am using a photo, on page 90, in my FOK's magazine, just so you'll know how delicious it actually looks. And please note that you can go to FORKS OVER KNiVES website, to learn more about this healthy lifestyle and you can download their free app that has all of these healthy, delicious recipes.

It is now time for me to start walking four more fast, firming miles with Leslie Sansone, before I go over to Kinky's, so he and I can go on a fun hike with The Friedmans. 

And before I go and not to disappoint y'all, I want to let y'all know that after I watch the Grammy's tonight, I'll start reading this book. LOL!

Y'all have a great Sunday and keep on laughing!

Yummy!

Yesterday was great. Early in the morning, I decided to try to reduce some of our healthy, whole-food, plant-based food, that had completely taken over the kitchen counter.

First, I emptied out the big container that was full of sugar, so I could use it to consolidate the organic, bags of short grained rice. And I didn't throw out the sugar. I put it in two big baggies, so Tony could take it outside, to use to fill his many hummingbird feeders.

Then I added the sack of Himalania Dark Chocolate Goji Berries to the big container that I already have a mix of goji berries, walnuts and organic chocolate nips.

Then before Tony went outside to do his chores, I made us this ugly-looking, but totally delicious, healthy smoothie for our breakfast. It consisted of: almond milk, frozen mixed fruit, blueberries, banana, 3 big handfuls of kale, goji berries, walnuts, organic chocolate nips, cinnamon, ginger and chia seeds. Then I stayed inside to walk 4 miles with Leslie, while our super-great friends/volunteers walked our dogs for us.

Then a little while later, Tony and I went to the Apple Store, in Medina, to eat lunch and to celebrate sweet Eileen's birthday. Eileen's party was really fun. The food was delicious and Suzanne's beautiful, chocolate, 3-layer, birthday cake was absolutely delicious, even though I only ate one bite and took mine home for Tony to enjoy later.

Then last night, I relaxed and had a wonderful time reading more of Carl Hiaasen's great book Basket Case. Seriously—it is one of those books that you don't want to put down.

Today has been great, too. We had some visitors come out to see our rescue ranch. We gave all of them a tour, but unfortunately none of them were in the market to adopt a super dog from us.  

Late this afternoon for our lunch, I tried a new recipe, that I found, in the Forks Over KNiVES magazine. I made us delicious Yam Quesadillas, on page 70 and I topped them off with their Pea Guacamole, on page 71.

Both recipes were very easy for me to make and to Tony's surprise he thought they were absolutely delicious. And I must admit that I would have never dreamt that blending yams with vegetable broth, green chiles, lime juice, chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, cumin, garlic, black beans and salsa could taste so yummy. 

Here are pictures that I took of the whole process. yam mixture, before I grilled the tasty, yam quesadillas, in 100% whole wheat tortillas, using my pretty, pink George Foreman grill.

Then I made their delicious Pea Guacamole recipe.

Then we sat down at the kitchen table to eat our healthy, meatless lunch and we thoroughly enjoyed it, especially Mr. Potato Head!

After we ate lunch there was a "ton" of leftovers, so I filled two, one,  gallon-sized baggies with one small baggie of yam/black bean mixture (2 servings) and then I slipped four, 100% Whole Wheat tortillas into each big baggie, labeled it and sealed it. Then I put the bags into the freezer, so in the future, we can eat this meal, two more times. And all that I will have to do is just make the Pea Guacamole or real guacamole.

And that is about it for tonight, because I can't wait to start reading more of Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Weird-Looking!

Last night, while I was totally enjoying and rapidly reading Carl Hiaasen's Basket Case I decided to get ahead of the game and cook the short grain brown rice, in vegetable broth, for today's lunch, because it takes about one hour to cook it.

Today has been great. This morning for our first plant-based breakfast, I made us Forks Over KNiVES' Avocado Toast recipe. It was easy to prepare and it was absolutely delicious. Their recipe's ingredients are: avocado, whole grain bread, tomatoes, cucumber, romaine lettuce or spinach, alfalfa sprouts, salt and pepper and lemon juice.

I didn't have alfalfa sprouts, because yesterday a very nice H-E-B employee told us that they no longer carry alfalfa sprouts. I also didn't buy romaine lettuce yesterday, because I prefer to eat kale instead. So, I made our Avocado Toast with Kale and no sprouts and I didn't toast the Eureka Organic Seeds The Day bread.

After breakfast I took care of rescue ranch business, by returning several phone calls, e-mails and paying the bills. Then I did my 4 Firm Miles workout with Leslie Sansone, inside The Cabin.

This afternoon I made us lunch and I used the recipes, in the FORKS OVER KNiVES magazine, which can also be found, on their free app.

I am glad that I cooked the short grain brown rice last night, because it actually didn't take me that long at all to prepare the Red Kidney Beans And Brown Rice Bowls recipe and the Cilantro-Cashew Dressing.

While I was cooking and preparing the Red Kidney Beans And Brown Rice Bowls recipe, it was very easy for me to whip up the delicious Cilantro-Cashew Dressing, because I used Jaws (Vita-Mix machine).

The ingredients to make the Red Kidney Beans And Brown Rice Bowls are: red kidney beans, frozen mixed vegetables, spinach (I substituted kale, again), brown rice, tomatoes, green onions and cilantro and bowls.

The ingredients to make the Cilantro-Cashew Dressing that you drizzle over the mixture are: cashews, cilantro leaves, lemon juice, Serrano pepper, garlic, hot sauce and sea salt. And this is what our meal looked like, before we sat down to eat our totally delicious, healthy, plant-based lunch.

Tony isn't fond of rice, because when we first met he told me that he is a potato man and that he didn't care much for rice. And, at that time, I remember, saying to him, "Hmm." Because I didn't want to scare him off. 

Anyway, back then I also quickly learned that Mr. Potato-Head was also a very picky eater when it comes to his vegetable choices. And that worried me, but not very much, because we were already living together and we were madly in love with each other.

Today, after 21 years of being together and being-in-love most of the time, he balked when he spied me drizzling the green-colored, cashew-cilantro dressing, over my veggies and rice. So he said, "I don't think so. I love cashews, Nance. But I think I'll just use my ranch dressing instead, because it is weird-looking." 

I shot him my Cousin Nancy pouty look that always works, and then I nicely said, "Please try it for me. Valentines' Day is only five days away." And that did the trick, even though he made a point to make sure that I saw him roll his eyes, before serving himself and reluctantly drizzled the "green dressing," over his bowl filled with delicious veggies and rice.

So as I finish writing this tonight, I am more than proud to announce that my dear, sweet Tony loved our, super-healthy, colorful lunch so much—that he ate two bowls of it and he covered his second helping of vegetables and rice, with "that weird-looking, green dressing." And he wants me to make it again! Life is good.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Forks, Knives & Hiaasen!

Yesterday and today have been great. Yesterday, while Tony and I were waiting to checkout our groceries, at the big H-E-B, an interesting-looking magazine, on the rack, caught my eye, so I picked it up and started thumbing through it. And I found it to be so interesting about their whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, I added it to our pile of groceries, that we were still waiting to pay for.

So on our way home I started reading this FORKS OVER KNiVES magazine  and by the time we got back home, I was completely SOLD on the idea and I could not wait to check out more about it on the FORKS OVER KNiVES website. 

Good grief, I spent over an hour browsing around, reading several articles and checking out their delicious-looking plant-based recipes, on FORKS OVER KNiVES, so now I was even more excited about learning more about living a healthy, whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. 

So, I immediately went to Netflix and then watched their fabulous FORKS OVER KNiVES documentary. And I was so totally convinced and overwhelmed by all of the research studies, testimonials, etc. I race-walked, down the hall and told Tony all about it. And I am proud to say, that I talked him into trying it with me.

Feeling happy and excited that Tony was on-board with me about trying this whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, I celebrated by sitting down with Little Debbie and Big Al(ice), sitting on my lap and enjoyed reading over fifty, hilarious pages on my 3rd Carl Hiaasen book Basket Case. Then I went to bed and counted cabbages instead of sheep to fall asleep.

This morning after exercising with Leslie Sansone again, Kinky called me and then he put Dylan, on the phone, because Dylan was over at the Lodge visiting Sophie, and he wanted to talk to me about a dog possibly needing some help. Anyway, after our conversation Tony and I took off, for Kerrville, so we could go buy us some healthier whole-food.

Our first stop was at Next Generation Produce, that we love, and I quickly filled up our grocery cart with healthy plant-based food that I never knew existed. Then we went over, to the big H-E-B, so we could buy more healthy food.

When we got back home, we had more whole, plant-based food than we had space to store it. So, we piled up the remaining, homeless, healthy plant-based food, on the counter. Then I took this picture of it, for my blog tonight. And I've titled this picture—Our Counter Runneth Over.

And then with-tongue-in-cheek, (not a pretty picture since I do wear dentures) I said, "Tony, the freezer is way too full, so I think that we should finish-off that big carton of Blue Bell Home Made Vanilla Ice Cream, instead of just wasting it and throwing it out, so we can put more healthy food, back inside the freezer." Tone liked my idea and that's exactly what we did and it wasn't easy, but it was really delicious, with the added topping of Reddi-wip which we had to eat, in order to free-up more room, inside the fridge. 

So, as I sit here, contemplating if I should go walk a few more miles with Leslie Sansone tonight, because we had to purge our refrigerator, to make more room for healthier food choices—I've decided not to, because I would rather sit down, with a glass of Franzia's Chillable Red boxed, fine wine and read more of Carl Hiaasen's hilarious book Basket Case.

But before I finish writing this and get to enjoy reading more Hiaasen, I want to share this super, great, short video, that my dear, old friend, Judy Ward, sent to me today. It truly is a must see and I guarantee that it will put a big smile on everyone of y'all's faces. So please do check it out, because I am going to buy one of these.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!