Ten Things From Halloween
1. This is not a “Three-Eyed Pumpkin.” This is a pea pod carved into a pumpkin. Yes, it’s terrible, but that’s why I don’t carve pumpkins. I just complain about carving pumpkins. I’m good at it. I joined the pro circuit in 2005. 2. I’ve had a bag of candy on top of our refrigerator for a week. Lulu saw it yesterday and said, “If you bring that candy down here, I’mgoingtoeateverysinglepiecerightup!” ... Read More
New and Improved: Pumpkin Molasses Cookie Dough Balls
It’s not too late to carve pumpkins, is it? Please say yes. I’m not a big fan. Knives. Slippery round buggers. Goo. Lots of goo. The actual requirement of some form of artistic ability. I was not blessed in that department. Pea Daddy most definitely was, though I question his knife skills. (Don’t ask about the time when I was eight months pregnant with Gigi and he passed out after barely nicking himself slicing a bagel. I had very... Read More
Pea Sighting: A Taste of the Season
Tonight I had a special event at the small family-owned store my parents work at in a small town. It’s been a long time in the making and my parents could not have been more excited. Posters were made. Local papers wrote articles. Actually, local paper. It’s a small town, remember? Bless my mom’s heart, people showed up. Lots and lots of people. And bless my mom’s heart, she made my African Peanut Stew. She nearly singlehandedly... Read More
This Thanksgiving: Cornbread Dressing with Tempeh Bacon, Cherries and Portabella Mushrooms
My house smells like Thanksgiving. Believe me, this is a vast improvement over the norm. Actually, believe my friend Deb, this is a vast improvement over the norm. Deb and I have the kind of closeness that means we can let ourselves into each other’s homes to borrow necessary ingredients or to leave unwanted pets when the other isn’t home. She keeps giving Pea Kitty back. Unfortunately, I have the terrible luck of Deb letting herself into... Read More
One Warm Coat
It’s cold today. So much so that in the couple of hours I had to myself this morning before picking up Lulu from preschool, I was tempted to turn the heat up. I was also tempted to lick the pancake syrup off of my plate just because I could. I won’t tell you which urge I gave into. The syrup on my cardigan might. On the drive home, Lulu informed me that she was the “weathergirl” for her class today, and that she put the “COLD” sticker... Read More
Dinner Tonight: Coconut Curry Caramel Corn
There’s no mistake. This was dinner tonight. Well, at least for the grownups. I got an email from Pea Daddy this morning that said he has to make an appearance at a City Council meeting this evening. Actually, that’s not all his email said. Pea D, you now owe me $3 for the Swear Jar. And I will not wear Gigi’s pirate hat later on. As devoted to family dinners as he is, Pea D rushed home early to eat with the girls before he headed off... Read More
If Pictures Could Talk: Pumpkin Patch Edition
It’s been a bustling weekend of soccer games, Sunday School and of course, the Pumpkin Patch. All while trying to recipe test for the second book, then desperately pawning off Oatmeal Cookie Granola, Tempeh Bacon and Asian Ginger Soup on anyone who will take it. Note: if you come trick-or-treating to our house, bring Tupperware. If you don’t, your orange plastic pumpkin is going to get very, very messy. Tonight I’m throwing some chili... Read More
Vegan Values: Pumpkin Protein Bars & Homemade Lattes
Pea Daddy is such a diplomat. We’ve been talking a bit about our finances lately, trying to figure out the best way to set money aside for both the girls for college, pay off our school loans, and really be wise with our choices. I have to admit, I’ve gotten a little lazy when it comes to the “being wise with our choices” part. I blame changing seasons, seasonal flavors and sweater season. Curse you, Fall. Enter Mr. Subtle. Pea Daddy... Read More
Ten Things From Wednesday
1. Merry Christmas to me. I have big plans for the Nog. Lulu had big plans for the Mint Chocolate too when she drank three-fourths of it straight from the carton. Filthy animal. 2. In a shocking turn of events, Gigi has decided to go as a pirate for Halloween. In a not-so-shocking turn of events, she is going as a pirate princess, because everyone knows that pirate princesses wear cute pirate princess dresses. “Arrrrr…you going... Read More
Wannabe Recipea: Bliss Salad
A few helpful hints for you today: If you are going to one of Loving Hut’s many locations, call and make sure they are open on Sunday before dragging someone else across town just so you can eat a highly addictive Heavenly Salad. Someone else will be very, very angry. If you have a dirty, dingy wedding ring, you can clean it at home by using a little toothpaste and baking soda and someone else’s toothbrush. If you are so inclined. If you are... Read More
Jack-O-Happy
Don’t tell Lulu, but her class went to the Pumpkin Patch while we were on vacation last week. She’d be devastated if she learned she missed out, regardless of the fact that she was probably illegally riding Thunder Mountain while her class tromped around in pouring down rain looking at muddy gourds. Yeah, they probably got apple cider donuts, but she got a churro. Potato, potato. (That doesn’t translate well into the written word,... Read More
“Eat Cake For Breakfast” and Other Lessons I’ve Learned
Do you need a reason to bake a cake? I’ll give you one. Or four. The weekend is over. Shoot. It’s Monday. Double shoot. There’s Monday Night Football on tonight. (Make of that what you will.) And then there’s the reason I did: today marks two full years of Peas and Thank You. (Can I use the “Terrible Twos” as an excuse for any forthcoming posts?) It seems like we’ve known each other so much longer than two years,... Read More
Thrive Foods in Your Future (GIVEAWAY)
I’m going to go all Back To The Future on you. Pea Daddy and I had a lengthy discussion about Back To The Future during last night’s Modern Family episode, when Mitchell and Cam were mistakenly seeing the yet-to-be-released Muppet Movie. I said, “They’re pulling a Back To The Future on us.” He replied, “Actually, it’d be Back To The Future 2.” Passionate debating ensued. It keeps the spark alive, people. He was right. (This time.)... Read More
The Fridge
The ride is over–we’re home. And with us, we’ve got: 410 photos. (Nobody’s going to miss those 99.) One “hasn’t-had-a-free-moment-from-being-hugged” stuffed Pluto. One already frazzled-looking Rapunzel doll. Six loads of laundry. School tomorrow. Two lunches to pack from an empty fridge. (Please note the massive jar of pickles and the abundant root beer supply.) Can I get away with sticking a few Alaska Airlines Snack Mixes in... Read More
Postcard From the Peas: Disneyland, Day 2
Every family vacation has its defining moment that memorializes that specific trip forever. That moment is so burned into your psyche that you need only say the place and date of the trip and instantly anyone that was there will as a reflex just say, “That was the trip when _____.” Our family is full of them. Kona 2007: That was the trip when infant Lulu screamed throughout an entire luau. I shushed her and rocked her back by the bar just... Read More
Postcard From the Peas: Disneyland, Day 1
Dear Friends, Having a great time in Disneyland. Unfortunately, however, Pea Daddy is divorcing me because: a) I made him drive 10 miles in traffic last night after already driving all afternoon just so we could go to Loving Hut for dinner; b) Loving Hut was closed because it was Sunday; c) the vegetarian restaurant I then frantically found and made him drive to, cursing the whole way there, was also closed because it was Sunday; d) I... Read More
If Pictures Could Talk: San Diego Edition
We just arrived from at Disneyland from San Diego in a minivan. That’s how we roll. To add to our street cred, we have an early date with Mickey in the morning. I hope he likes Peas. Meanwhile, I’ve got a camera full of pictures. And if they could talk, this is what they’d say. “Oh I get it, Mom’s on TV so then Dad gets to take us to these weird statutes of men and sticks, Little League fields and rundown houses. I... Read More
Pea Sighting: San Diego Living, Meatless Meals for Under $10 (VIDEO)
San Diego survived another day with The Peas. They let us eat at another one of their fantastic veg-friendly restaurants. (And a Soup Plantation too. I’m a bit ashamed.) They let us visit their naval monuments. (I had a navel monument of my own but took it out once I got pregnant—it just felt wrong.) They let us be on morning TV. (If only I’d remembered to say to the one line I’d be practicing. Shoot.) Peas and Thank... Read More
Postcard From the Peas: San Diego, Day 1
I’ve never taken the family on a “work” trip with me before. (Is this really work? You’ll never hear me complain about it, promise. But my boss…man, she’s a piece of work.) With previous trips, it just wasn’t convenient to miss school, miss work and find someone else to clean up Pea Kitty’s puke just to spend 48 hours in a different city. But when this San Diego trip came up, it seemed like a great idea to turn a “business”... Read More
Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Use iPhones
Remember when we were kids and the only way we had to entertain ourselves on long trips was to play Twenty Questions or that little Bingo game with the red sliding windows that marked railroad crossings or police cars? Dad always panicked when we’d mark off that police car. Or if we were really lucky and had a quarter burning in our pockets, we’d get those flat Jolly Rancher sticks that lasted for literally two hours of licking. Green apple... Read More
Ten Things From Tuesday
1. They make Bacon Pickles. They are vegan and totally addicting. 2. They make Bacon Peas. “They” is our friend Chad. He has some free time on his hands. And I have some sweet wingtips. 3. I don’t have to worry about Gigi not doing her homework. Lulu is all over it. I grabbed the ruler right before she was about to crack Gigi’s knuckles with it. “2 + 3 is not 6! Do it again!!!” 4. Country music isn’t as... Read More
Books and Games for Little Peas (GIVEAWAY)
I’m currently trying to eat my way out of a week’s worth of produce before we head out of town. Luckily, I have help. My kids eat vegetables. Willingly. And they love them! (Before you think my life is a fairy tale, please know that I had to explain to Lulu while trying on swimsuits today what stretch marks are. She now wants “Baby Love Wrinkles” too. Feel better?) Lulu used to freak out if any vegetable was on her plate,... Read More
Recipeas Worth Repeating: Pumpkin Pie Smoothies
Let’s just wait a minute and take a deep breath before we jump into October. Or as I like to call it, Socktober. Rain and bare feet don’t mix. Mark my words, we’re retiring the flip flops for the season. But not until we get back from vacation. Or work-cation. We’re taking a little trip to San Diego mid-week to attend and cook at The Gourmet Experience cooking expo. Fabio from Top Chef is going to be there. I want to make him... Read More
