Hi Friends! For those of you who had Monday off because it was a Holiday, I hope you’re managing getting back to the grind after the long Holiday weekend. Back in the day when I worked for money (as a mom I work harder than I ever worked in any paid job, I just happen to do my current job for free) but I always dreaded getting back to the grind after a long weekend. Hopefully your day is plugging along for you and that you had a great weekend!
Today I got my hair done. Dual purpose of getting it done before the move so that the first thing I don’t need to do back in San Diego is chase off to the salon, but the main purpose is to have my hair looking in peak form for my Bodybuilding Show on Saturday!
I never stay for blow-dry’s at the salon as I mentioned here the last time I got my hair done, but I am happy with the color. This was just wet hair, get in the car, air dry on the way home.
It was getting to that desperately need to freshen this hair up stage. Ahhh, feeling much better now after today’s salon visit which almost didn’t happen.
About 10 minutes before I was leaving my house, I randomly called my hair stylist just to double check and make sure she had me down for 9:45am. No, she didn’t!
She had me down for tomorrow which wouldn’t have worked on account of childcare issues. Not sure if it was her error or mine with the scheduling but thankfully she worked me in and it turned out fine.
Anyhoo…
Thanks to everyone who chimed in on my last post about my last Phoenix meetup with Madeline and if you’ve ever had to say goodbye to a close friend, and how that went for you.
And also the comments about hot or cold beverages. I guess I am not alone in liking really hot coffee. Gabriela and Naomi told me they like their hot tea and coffee sizzling, too.
It was interesting to read everyone’s perspective about how your appetite changes seasonally and what you crave in hot weather, and what you don’t seem to care for as much. It makes sense that our bodies are trying to stay cooler so light, juicy fruits can cool us down and rehydrate us naturally, and in a seasonally-appropriate manner. When it’s 100F+ like it is here, I have to make an effort to eat. As a kid growing up in Minnesota in the winter, eating heavy cooked foods like potatoes and noodle casseroles was nourishing and comforting. I couldn’t imagine eating a noodle casserole right now, even a gluten free one! It’s interesting how much the weather really plays a role in what our bodies desire.
Speaking of a Seasonal Recipe. Perhaps softserve is a year-round hit (just ask Evan aka Mr. Ice Cream, Anytime), but I think it’s especially good when it’s hot out. Today’s New Recipe is Vegan Vanilla Softserve with Sprinkles
Some of My Previous Softserve Receipes Ideas….
My Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Softserve
Vegan Vanilla Chocolate Chip Softserve and Sundaes
Vegan Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Coffee Softserve
Today’s Softserve…
(with a nod to Gena, our resident Softserve pioneer)
Averie’s Vegan Vanilla Softserve with Chocolate Sprinkles
3 Previously Frozen & Chunked Bananas (freeze in chunks)
1/2 c white sugar (you can also reduce, omit, use lucama powder, stevia, agave, maple, etc. If using a liquid sweeter, do not add any other liquids to the recipe, i.e. water or nutmilk)
1+ Tsp Vanilla Extract (I use about 1.5 – 2 Tbsp. I adore vanilla.)
1/2 c Sprinkles (or more/less if you prefer. Or try chocolate chips, carob chips, cocoa nibs, white chocolate chips, etc.)
Optional:
Splash of Water or Nut Milk only if needed for blendability/smoothness
1+ Tsp Coffee or Hazelnut or Mint Extract for Vegan Mint Softserve
Combine all Ingredients In Blending Device except chocolate sprinkles
Combine everything except the Chocolate Sprinkles
This picture reminds me of a Dairy Queen Softserve Ice Cream Cone from my childhood where they finished off the top of the cone with a “curly que” like this as I used to call them as a kid. I think the texture and color even looks like DQ Softserve. What do you think?
Serve & Enjoy as is! You can freeze it if you’re not eating it all at once without major impact to taste or texture.
You can make Sundaes with the Vegan Vanilla Softserve with Chocolate Sprinkles, too
Green Food Today: an Edamame Salad with Romaine, Tomatoes, Cukes
Dressed With Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing using Reduced Fat Veganaise
Yoga Today For Abs is Ardha Sirasana (Half Headstand). Go into full headstand and then carefully lower so that your legs are parallel with the floor. Abs anyone? Holding your legs 90 degrees from your body while fighting gravity is a sure-fire way to help increase your core strength. Core strength is so important for everything from balance to remaining injury-free and as a benefit, your abs will look better.
Gym & Weights Workout Today From This Tab: Day 4 – Back/Hamstrings
Tip of the Day: My Digital Kitchen Food Scale Give Away!!!
Questions
1. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor, Brand, or at-home Recipe/Combination?
I am not as big into ice cream as Scott is. Back in the day, he loved Green & Black’s Dark Chocolate ice cream (like 7 bucks for a tiny little pint!) or Dreyer’s brand Reduced Fat Mint Chocolate Chip. Nowadays, there is no dairy ice-cream in our house and he gets his mint on with my Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Softserve
What’s your favorite ice cream? Is there anyone like me who’d prefer desserts other than ice cream? I know, crazy right! haha! I like slurping agave and cinnamon instead in my Raw Vegan Apple Crumble
2. After a long weekend, are you refreshed and ready to get back to work/school? Or does it just leave you wanting more time off to play and you go into wanting-to-be-on-vacation mode?
Me = the later. All the way.
3. When you go to the hair salon, or nail salon, restaurants, or places where tipping is expected, do you tip a percentage, or always give the same amount, like $10 bucks no matter what, or does it vary?
I knew that today’s hair salon visit was going to be the last time I ever saw this woman. This truly was a Forever Goodbye. But I also didn’t feel compelled to give her an insanely extra big tip just because of our “lovely relationship we’ve had during my time in Phoenix”. She’s done a good job with my hair, she’s efficient and speedy which has been great, but I am also not in a financial position to give her an extra big tip on top of what I would normally give her.
The same goes for holiday tips, bonuses, and presents for me. I take care of people year-round, but I don’t feel compelled to go “all out” around the holidays. Do you?
I want to note that I am far from cheap. If anything, I over tip my service professionals after years of working in bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. Just sayin’ I am not slipping anyone any Benjamins or anything. Are you an over tipper? How much do you decide to tip? And why?
4. How frequently do you shower?
I shower twice a day. After my morning gym session (but sometimes this doesn’t happen til like 3pm!) and then I shower after my family evening power walk. The second shower of the day isn’t really needed but it’s more habit to wash the dust and dirt off. I hate getting into my bed at night if I can feel road dust on my legs! I know in older generations, they only showered or bathed maybe once a week and in other cultures, they don’t shower/bathe nearly as much as North Americans. Are we obsessed with being clean here? Maybe so, but I prefer that to funky smelling people! haha!
5. What do you do when you are looking at your watch, cooling your heels in a place you really don’t have time for, but have to deal with it anyway? Do you just try to take a deep breath and say, this too shall pass? Chew gum? Slam a shot of tequilla hot coffee?
I was definitely chompin’ some gum and doing my yoga breathing and mental head-clearing thoughts. I passed on the tequilla shot though…haha!
What do you do to stay calm and centered in the moment?
Stay Tuned For The Scale Give Away Winner…
Comments