Blogger Meetup, Farmer’s Market Finds, Getting Massages

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Hi Friends!  How has your day been going?  Mine got off to a rocky start.  I woke up to three nastygrams in my inbox.  I have said it before, but if you don’t like me, don’t like my blog, don’t like the way I look, don’t like the food I eat, don’t like the way I parent, don’t like the choices I make, don’t like what I’m all about, that’s fine!  Just click off the page, move on, and don’t waste your time or mine by leaving nasty messages.   Not all blogs, people, lifestyles resonate and jive with other people.  Diversity is what makes the world go round.  There’s no reason to be rude if I am different than you.  The things people say when they get behind their computer screens.  Sheesh!  I don’t want to dwell on negativity because things got better after I hit the delete button.  And a pep talk from Madeline and Jessica didn’t hurt either.  Thanks chicas!

After a little cardio and gym time, and I met up with fellow blogger Nicole.

Woman sitting in chair smiling

Nicole was one of my very first commenters on my very first post a year ago!   She and VeggieGirl knew me from way back!   Nicole and I “knew” each other when I was living in San Diego before moving to Phoenix, but because she lives a bit outside of San Diego proper, we never made the effort to connect in person.  Then I moved to Phoenix, but now that I am back, it was time to get together! 

Woman and young girl hugging and smiling at table

We met at a Starbucks in my neighborhood since she was going to be in the ‘hood anyway, and it was awesome to connect with her.  Skylar found a stuffed animal to play with and used chocolate bars Starbucks was selling as her “cell phone” which gave Nicole and I a chance to gab!

Young girl eating snacks at table and smiling

Nicole’s a mom of 3 boys, into fitness, is a high raw (like 99%!) vegan and so we had lots to chat about.  She has such a wonderful, easy way about her and we clicked instantly!  Our hour together flew by and I can’t wait to see Nicole again!

Two women and young girl posing for picture

Sunday I had gone to the farmer’s market but didn’t have a chance to show you the bounty of produce I picked up.  I came home well stocked with peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, and what a deal at $2.00/lb Mix-n-Match.   

All this for $7.50!
Peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums in bag
Close up of fruit on countertop
Close up of fruit
I love seeing my countertops with all the fresh fruit ripening.
Countertop filled with various fruits
People ask me, well,what do you do for snacks being a raw vegan and all?  “What’s your go-to snack?”  Nature’s seasonal abundance works for me!  This will last us about 3 days.
Side view of countertop filled with various fruits

 

A local pineapple.  Sweet like candy.  I love it!
Whole pineapple on countertop

 

Mixed Greens
Mixed greens in bag

 

Tomatoes & Red Pepper
Four tomatoes and one red pepper on countertop

 

Lemon & Cuke
One lemon and cucumber on countertop

 

$1 broccoli
Hand holding head of broccoli

 

Yellow, Purple, and Green Beans
Yellow, Purple, and Green Beans

The purple beans turn green if you steam them and the yellow ones stay a pale yellow. 

One each of Yellow, Purple, and Green Beans
 I don’t mind them raw.  Toxic Raw String Bean “Myths” and all.  I and thousdand of others have lived to tell the tale.  Yes, the are quite fibrous raw, but that’s ok by me.  Anything with a vat of Vegan Slaw Dressing works.
 
Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing with ingredients in background

From Yesterday…
I’m glad the Mango Ginger Maple Tofu was a hit! 

Mango Ginger Maple Tofu stacked in container
Close up of stacked Mango Ginger Maple Tofu

For the dense, chewy tofu lovers, press it with a Tofu Press or between plates with something heavy on it so the water is removed and then I slice it thin and bake well.  Otherwise it’s too mushy for me. 

Close up of one slice of Mango Ginger Maple Tofu
 The Mango Ginger Maple Tofu is anything but mushy.  Promise!

It was also awesome reading everyone’s goals and intentions for the 2nd half of 2010.  I listed 5 of my intentions and it was fabulous reading yours.  Everything from less cardio to more parties to more time with family to love myself for who I amThank you to all who chimed in and congrats to those of you who are making an effort to reduce your own screen timeThanks for “getting it” why I intend to reduce my own time at the computer.  It seems many of us struggle with finding a balance between keeping blogging fun, but realizing it’s just one aspect of lifenot our whole lives and that getting out there living life is what it’s really all about!

Chocolate “Dessert”: Chocolate Brownie Overnight Protein Oats (With additional Tips Here)

Overhead of Chocolate Brownie Overnight Protein Oats in clear container
 Close up of Chocolate Brownie Overnight Protein Oats in container

Gym & Weights Workout Today From This Tab: Back/Abs

Tip of the Day: My 18 Rabbits Give Away for 2 Winners!

 
Have fun everyone!  Thanks 18 Rabbits

 

Click Here to Enter!

Questions 
1. I just placed my monthly (or every 6 weeks or so) order with iHerb.com

 
$5 Savings Code = AVE630

I love them because I get all my supplements, probiotics protein powder, organic/natural body washes and body sprays, stevia, nooch, bulk organic cinnamon, you name it, they have it.  

If you’re not familiar with iHerb.com and need an extra $5 savings, Enter AVE630 at checkout.  All orders over $40 ship free.  And all orders over $60 get another 5% off calculated automatically at checkout.  It becomes ridiculously cheap.  I just got 5 pounds! of white stevia powder for about $40 bucks.
What do you love to order online to save money? 

2. Early riser or night owl?
I am such a night owl it’s not even funny.  I naturally like to go to bed at about 2am.  The problem comes in when I have to wake up at 8am or earlier because Skylar’s up!

3. Have you ever met someone you really click with and know it right away?
I have met so many amazing friends from blogging and Nicole is no exception, we hit it off right away!  Who have you recently hit it off well with?

4. At the Farmer’s Market there were 2 massage therapists with tables and there were doing $1 per minute massages.  I got a 10 minute massage and it was the Best Ten Bucks I have spent in months!  It was actually Structural Integration and Rolfing, not just a “standard” deep tissue massage. 

I used to get massages, trigger point work, myofacial release, cupping, acupuncture, you name it, I’ve had it.  And I love all of it!  If I had extra money, I would get body work doneAll the time.  Despite being a yoga teacher for more than a decade, and practicing good posture and alignment in my daily life, I am prone to horrific upper back, shoulder, and neck issues.  It’s almost like there are little marbles under my skin and I am also plagued by my muscles forming giant knot balls that are so deep they effect my breathing.  I have no idea why this happens to me and I have spent 20 years trying to figure it out.  Consistent massage helps me immensely but it’s pricey and right now, not something I can do consistently, but the 10 minutes at the market was a slice of heaven and I just felt so much lighter, not restricted, and not in pain.  Yay!  I also think some of my issues have to do with too much time on my computer because my right side usually is more effected than my left.

Do you get massages?  Are you prone to any issues like back, shoulder, neck, hip, knee stuff?  What do you do for your persistent aches and pains or issues?

Stay Tuned For Thrift Store Finds…

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