Thankful Thursday v.12

Howdy folks. This week has been wild but has offered up a lot to be thankful for. Among other things...

The 2010 Frances Crafeteria.

I'm was so so so excited when I heard that I got into this uh-mazing holiday craft fair! It is pretty much the best craft fair here in Phoenix and, in it's 5th year, there was certainily stiff competition for the 40 spots available (over 150 applicants!). I am sooo honored to be included in this! The ladies of Frances are SUCH an inspiration. I hope I make some friends tomorrow night. If you are local come visit me!

My new position at work. I got moved to accounting! It seems like all desk jobs are pretty lame and boring but hey- at least I am learning something a bit more useful than what I was doing before. Plus the ladies I get to work with are super funny.

Grandpa sweaters. One of the things I am making for the Frances Crafeteria is upcycled, embellished sweaters from cozy grandpa sweaters (plus cute bowls out of doilies filled with vintage ornaments and upcycled, embellished fur collars). I can't stop wearing 'em. They are so comfortable.

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Long walks. Since beginning in accounting, me and ma ladies have been walking each day. It's so nice to get away from that boring desk and take a little walk. Do you do anything to break the monotony in your job?

I hope you have a lot to be thankful for this week.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you all have the best day filled with family, friends, and lots of yummy food.

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This year I've got lots to be thankful for. This year has been so crazy and hard and amazing. I am thankful for: my mom, my dad, my sister, Jasmine, Brittany, Andrea, Jesse, AJ, Leigh Anne, Traci, Amber, Lindsay, Matthew, Amber, Jason, Riley, Savannah, Kaylin, Rochelle, Carol, Josh, Kenny, James and last but certainly not least YOU!!

Thanks you all so much for being so great and inspiring and helpful. You're the best!

P.S. Don't forget to buy handmade and local tomorrow! There are big sales at Merry May Farm starting at midnight.

Gearing up for Thanksgiving

I mentioned last week how much I love love love Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday! It's a nice time to (finally) say goodbye to warm weather (here in Phoenix at least) and spend some time with family and friends focusing on all there is to be thankful for.

Since I am *trying* to be vegan, I have been searching high and low for some yummy recipes to bring to our feast (I'm thinking sweet potato and apple hash and a brussel sprout salad... for now at least : ). Some people can't imagine being vegetarian/vegan on a holiday that seems to revolve so heavily around turkey. But let's be honest- unless you're my protein freak body building cousin, you probably love all the sides way more anyways. 

Check these places for super delicious looking vegan and vegetarian recipes.


Ready Made's Holiday Guide
The recipe finder on VegWeb
Veg Kitchen's Vegan Thanksgiving
Well's Vegetarian Thanksgiving
Healthy Happy Life's Vegan Thanksgiving Series


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What are your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? What will you be making this year?

Counting down the days...

I loooove Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday. Why, you ask? Because Pumpkin pie is my most favorite treat in the world and I love the idea of taking time to reflect on all the things there are to be thankful for!

I have recently realized that I've never really talked about my vegetarianism and, with this delicious holiday approaching, I thought it would be a great time. When I was in college I was so fortunate to be able to take one of the most amazing classes called The Sociology of Food. Before that I had never really given much thought to vegetarianism/veganism. The class taught me so much about the way our food is grown, packaged, cooked, developed, engineered, etc. It was more than enough to send me running in the veggie direction.

I was vegetarian for a while in college but kind of gave up on it. My family and boyfriend (at the time) were big meat eaters and it just seemed easier to go with the flow. After my boyfriend and I broke up, I decided I needed to do something for myself- and that something was become vegetarian again. It was the first thing I did for myself after we broke up and it was the best and easiest thing I've ever done.

Don't take this wrong, but, It wasn't the animal treatment that (initially) inspired my change. We've all seen the footage Peta uses to try and shock people (though I do get teary almost every time I see those things). It was finding out about how food was processed and packaged that sent me over the edge. And, with a grandpa who is a farmer, I was concerned for the well being and sustainability of small farms everywhere.

With vegetarianism under my belt, I am looking now towards becoming vegan (because being vegetarian is just too easy : ). I know its hard but it seems to me to be the least I can do to help have a positive influence on my world. Sometimes it can seem from the outside that vegetarianism/veganism is some militant restrictive diet choice but in reality it's not at all.  The whole point is to do your best. Just because you are vegetarianism/vegan doesn't mean you are perfect. Just going meat/dairy free one week in the year, one day in the week, or just one meal makes a profound impact.

So with Thanksgiving fast approaching I really want to post about my dietary choices, my favorite holiday, and coping with a family meal filled with butter   : )

Here's a video I found from Chicos and Beans, a great local vegan blog.


Rhymes With Vegan - SPECIAL Thanksgiving Episode