Like Peanut Butter Cups. Only Better.
I bet you think you know what this is. And most days, you’d be right. We love peanut butter cups around here. They are super simple to make and totally delicious. Whenever we need a go-to quick treat, I get out the muffin tin and the chocolate and make peanut butter cups. I make people happy. Sunday night during the Oscars, I made people happy. We didn’t have a viewing party. Truth is, people who have kids don’t watch the... Read More
Name That Book and Other Weekend Highlights
1. I hate to say “I told you so.” Lie. I love it. When I left for the gym yesterday, Pea Daddy was cleaning up the playroom, and when I came home, I saw this: I told you so. 2. I then drove to Starbucks with the vow not to leave until the second book was finished. Two hours, a venti Americano and three bathroom breaks later, I was done. Shaky, slightly nauseous, embarrassingly greasy and done. 3. ... Read More
Superwoman
I know I promised donuts today. I lied. I realized that I need more than donuts in order to feel a little more balanced in my life. How many moms are shaking your heads right now? I hear those rattles. Or maybe it’s the Lego that mysteriously made its way into my mug of tea and that I’m too lazy to fish out. I’ve been burning my candle at both ends and it’s showing. So today I’m reprioritizing and not feeling a bit guilty about hanging... Read More
Recipeas Worth Repeating: Pumpkin Spice Bars (VIDEO)
I know my timing is totally off on this pumpkin thing. You’re all onto flavors like gingerbread (I’ve got a bar recipe pending), eggnog (I’ve got a gift recipe pending), and peppermint (I’ve got a homemade mocha pending…in my stomach). But some recipeas and some opportunities are just too fun to pass up. Personal girl crush of mine and amazing cookbook author, Julie Hasson, invited me up to her home to cook with her on the webcast... 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: VegFest 2011
When I went to my first VegFest in Portland two years ago, I was still a fairly new vegan. Even then, I was in awe of the wall-to-wall samples of “new to me” products, in awe of the number of people who were living the lifestyle I was so inspired to adhere to, and in awe of all of the speakers and authors that were doing everything they could to help newbies like me learn more and eat better. I felt like a fish out of water, for sure,... Read More
Dinner Tonight: Cauliflower Cacciatore
I have to fill you in at some point on all that went down at the Vegan Vida Conference this weekend. About how star struck I was when I met Isa Chandra Moskowitz yesterday. And how embarrassed I was when the whole Pea family almost ran smack-dab into her when we came out of the bathroom today. Yes, all of us. In one bathroom. We were like clowns get out of a tiny car and trampling the coolest vegan cookbook author ever. About why for some reason,... Read More
Pea Sighting: Oregon Live, FOODday Interview (VIDEO)
Remember two weeks ago when The Oregonian reporter Grant Butler came over to cook with me and talk about our book? Well, he brought cameraman/videographer Thomas Boyd with him. And even though The Oregonian story won’t come out until next week, today they released our video that Tom shot and masterfully edited. (click below for video) A few disclaimers, before (or after) you press play: 1. As afraid as you might be that... Read More
Phoning It In
It was bound to happen–I’m sick. Logic would lead one to believe it was a result of the last few weeks, burning the candle at both ends coupled with far too few green vegetables during my Seattle trip. I, however, choose to blame Pea Daddy, as I usually do. Because while I was on my mini-Pacific Northwest book tour, he and the girls were on a full-blown, no-holds-barred Snot Tour. The carousel. (With greasy, smeary fingerprints up... Read More
Pea Sighting: New Day Northwest (VIDEO)
I was on New Day Northwest in Seattle this morning. Hello to you, new readers! You have no idea what you are in for. Deliciousness? Of course. Utter nonsense? Most likely. A good time? Always. Let’s play, “What Could I Possibly Be Asking the TV Producer in This Picture?” a) “Do you want fries with that?” b) “Is the Bachelor Pad premiere really three hours long tonight?” c) “Who do I have to talk to to get Ricky... Read More
A Spicy Interview
Food writer Grant Butler from The Oregonian came today to cook with me and do an interview about our book. I was jazzed. Even though he was the one asking the questions, while we were cooking, I fired right back. I found out his vote for the best veggie burger in Portland (DC Vegetarian Food Cart). I found out his favorite meal to cook up in his own kitchen (a homemade curry with brown basmati rice). I found out why he went vegan for a 30-day stint... Read More
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
The knives have been sharpened. The toys shoved in the playroom. There are fresh flowers on my counter for the first time since the last time Pea Daddy was a jerk. In other words, since never. Right now, I’m washing all of our silverware by hand to eliminate the proof Color-Stay lip color really does stay on everything. And I can’t come up with a good explanation for why the knife that we use for the almond butter jar permanently has... Read More
Collection of the Obsolete
Our lives have changed so much in the past few years. Between having kids, career moves and changing our diet, many of the belongings we once owned that were consistently put to good use are now just taking up space, totally unused. Scratching posts. (And consequently, cat treats. And maybe just cats in general.) Thong underwear. If there’s even a moderate chance of visible panty lines, I shouldn’t be wearing it. Bras that have a respectable... Read More
A Pea at BEA
When my editor called to invite me to Book Expo America, I must admit, I had no idea what it was. But for an opportunity to go to New York City, to have a few days of quality time with myself, a respite from tutu mending, hair detangling, elderly mens’ resort wear folding and angry cat avoiding sounded heavenly. Throw in the requirement for a new cocktail dress and the promise of dinner at Blossom and I became the new Urban Dictionary definition... Read More
Lessons From the Road: New York Edition
1. Everywhere I go, I take a piece of Pea Kitty with me. Via cat hair on my cocktail dress. 2. When I travel, I like to leave entirely ridiculous amounts of instructions for Pea Daddy that are written for my own benefit and will be promptly discarded as soon as I walk out the door. As will the broccoli. 3. The only punishment worse than confiscating my oatmeal at the gate is to sit me next to someone on the flight who doesn’t talk and... Read More
A Sweet Celebration (GIVEAWAY)
I joke a lot about how old I am. The number of prunes I eat. The waist on my jeans creeping higher. The “frosted” highlights in my hair getting a little heavier as more and more grey hairs sprout after ballet recital tryouts, chest x-rays and book deadlines. As much as I look back fondly on my 20s, a stretch-mark free mid-section and impeccable bladder control, I have to say, life just keeps getting sweeter. And an early-bird, early birthday... Read More
Monkey on My Back
Just when I thought I was over him. I’d shoved all the old photographs and letters in a box in the garage, wedged between the Christmas wrap and the Halloween decorations. I made his favorite dessert for Easter. I stopped changing the radio when our song came on. “Hollaback Girl.” I know. It’s bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S. I stopped thinking it was him, when in a crowded mall or restaurant, I got a whiff of polyester monkey. But then yesterday,... Read More
The Education of Mama Pea
This weekend, I went back to college. But this time, I returned without the fear of “what comes next,” the pressure to pick insignificant things that really didn’t end up mattering in the long run—the right dorm, the right major, the right guy. Because the right guy was somewhere else altogether. Last night, we had the opportunity to go back to Pea Daddy’s alma mater to hear New York Times food writer and best-selling author of Food... Read More
A Day For Mama: Phoenix, Day 4
If Friday was a day for Pea Daddy, Then today was all about me. Not that I have anything against sitting on scalding metal bleachers on a 90-degree Phoenix day, surrounded by men with two beers the size of my head in his hands and women wearing booty shorts and four-inch stilettos to a Spring Training baseball game. This is heaven to some. Some Pea Daddies. But for me, I’m totally out of my element. Now this? This I could get... Read More
If Pictures Could Talk: Phoenix Edition
Ryan Reynolds? On Sesame Street? Is this a desert mirage? Why is Mommy licking the TV? Do you have to pay for everything removed from the mini-bar if you just take it out to make overnight oats? Overnight oats with Bailey’s perhaps? Pink string bikini. Big boompahs. I wonder what this does… GAH! Just when I thought it wasn’t possible to have more urine in the pool. Palm tree, you complete... Read More
One Big Wiener
Lest you say my children have grown up deprived, I must first say, today we lived out a childhood dream. Lest you call me a hypocrite, I must then say, the Wienermobile isn’t made of meat and much like a packaged Oscar Meyer hot dog, there is nothing resembling actual meat involved. Lest you be reading this post, Mom, I must also say, I am sorry. I am sorry about the huge wiener, any forthcoming wiener jokes, and the wiener that will end up in... Read More
The Activity Story
Cast: Lulu…………………………………………………………………………………….The Angel of the Lord Magic, Baby Ghee Kitty and Purple Pegasus……………………….……………The Stable Animals Bouncy Cow, Carousel Horse and Mr. Penguin………………………………….The Three Wise Men Soiled Couch Cushions……………………………………………………………..The Manger Baby Lulu (aka... Read More
Not Your Average Day
Today was not your average day. It was World Diabetes Day! To me this meant an opportunity to reach the Portland community via a Circle in the Square event, an opportunity to spread the word about Peas and Thank You, and an opportunity to share the wonderful effects of a plant-based diet in the treatment and prevention of disease. To others, though, it was merely an opportunity to get woken up and stuffed in the car instead of leisurely eating... Read More
Being Present
As an attorney, I had to go to seminars frequently known as CLEs (continuing legal education). I dreaded CLEs. The typical CLE scenario was weak coffee, dried out pastries, pretentious speakers and self-important attorneys in the audience asking absurd questions to make their practice sound important. I don’t think I ever learned anything. I don’t think I ever ate anything. I certainly never squealed and ran with my arms open, cupcake... Read More
Living La Vida Loca
If I thought flying on a plane solo was crazy, I had no idea what I was in store for. I almost got right back on a plane as I walked into our hotel and was met by a man holding a placard that said, “Sarah.” How nice!, I thought, Ashley sent someone to greet me! As he led me to a van and asked me what time my flight left, I knew that I was not his “Sarah.” Side note #1: Pea Daddy, I’m only your “Sarah.” And I miss you. Side note... Read More
This Post is Full of Lies
While the Jack Johnson concert was phenomenal, it convinced me of two things. 1. The top four most attractive men on the planet are Pea Daddy, Jack Johnson, Justin Timberlake and Ryan Reynolds. In that order. Jack gets bonus points for playing the guitar, songwriting and singing lullabies to his kids. Pea Daddy gets bonus points for putting up with my crazy ass. and 2. I’m way too old to stay out past 10 pm on a school night. As much... Read More
Songs About the Weekend
“Put me in coach…I’m ready to play.” “Everybody was kung fu fighting…” “I washed my face in the morning dew.” “Pea Daddy and the Family, who you know do it better?” “Freedom….freedom…freedom…you gotta give what you take!” “She thinks my tractor’s sexy…” “Hay soul sister…” “Now I’m free…free fallin’.” “Grab my glasses, I’m out the door, I’m gonna hit this city.” ”I’ll... Read More
Postcard From the Peas: Day 2–Real Life Princesses
A real life Princess… is sometimes cranky before her royal breakfast. likes to drive her own rocket…or teacup…or spaceblaster, no matter how goofy she looks. doesn’t care if she gets pickle juice on her dress. Totally worth it. knows she doesn’t need hair extensions and blue eyeshadow to be beautiful (for three year-olds, really?!), but a tiara and some glitter do make her feel special. knows when to follow... Read More
Postcard from the Peas: Disney Day 1
I don’t even know where to start to tell you about all the fun we are having here at Disneyland. And we’ve only been here seven hours. I already have more photos than I can manage, and we haven’t even seen a Princess yet. Now a Playmate…that’s another story. Don’t worry, I won’t make you wait long for that one. Eventually I’ll get around to organizing my photos into neat little posts detailing our... Read More
The Problem With Pretty
Last night was one of those special nights that happens every few weeks. A night when we eat dinner in the living room. A night when we kick Pea Daddy out and invite one of our best friends in. A night when we wish Pea Kitty was a boy so we could kick her out too. It was a girls’ night! When it was time for Pea Daddy to go hang out with his friend Scott (who happens to be a dedicated P&TY reader…Hi Scott!), Gigi pulled the”... Read More
I Like it Medium Raw (Giveaway)
A wise man once said, “You don’t have to agree with someone to want to sit down and have a beer with him.” I completely agree. And that is why last night, I was overjoyed to sit down and have a beer with that wise man, Anthony Bourdain. Alright, I didn’t really sit down and have a beer with him, but I did get to sit in the seventh row of his speaking engagement in Portland, and as far as I’m concerned, I had a pretty... Read More
No Reservations
Pea Daddy and I are off on a special foodie-related date (the post title may be a dead giveaway) and won’t be home until way past bedtime. I’ll be back with a recap tomorrow, but in the meantime you can pop over here and check out my Body for Life wrap up. Don’t wait up for us! Read More
Strudel Therapy
Every day this week, I’ve woken up thinking this is going to be the day that I start to feel normal again. This will be the day that I make my grilled tempeh with peach pineapple salsa, whose ingredients are teetering on the edge of going bad in my refrigerator. This will be the day that I am able to tell you, in a charming and humorous way, what the experience of cleaning smoothie out of a harmonica is really like. This will be the day... Read More
They Can’t All Be Winners
It’s true. They can’t all be winners. Bear that in mind throughout life. Please also bear that in mind throughout this post. If I had to pinpoint the exact moment in time when this day went in the crapper, I’d say it was about…4:09 a.m. I take that back, if I had to pinpoint the exact moment in time when this day went in the crapper, I’d say it was about 12:13 a.m., when I finally tore myself away from the DVR... Read More
Me So Sneaky
Maybe it’s twisted, but I take great pleasure in deceiving my children. It’s one of the joys of being in charge of the gullible (which I think is Joe Simpson’s official job title). I don’t feel a bit guilty for pushing all the Smarties and Sweet Tarts on the “Treat Fairy,” for calling birthmarks “angel kisses,” or for saying that a cranky crab lives up in your nose and will pinch your finger if it travels too far into his home. ... Read More
Senorita Margarita
I’ve been a bad, bad girl. Una chicha muy mala. I make no excuses for what I’ve done. Well, maybe just a few. I’m not sure what it means to be truly “burning the candle at both ends,” but I’m taking that puddle of wax in the bottom of the candle holder, digging out the little nubbin of wick and taking a blow torch to it. I’m trying to attack my responsibilities methodically, which means that at the... Read More
Pea Mail: Vegan to Go
I get a lot of email. True, most messages are from the UK National Lottery with my millions of pounds in winnings or Zakabi Soyoba with a remarkable business opportunity. What can I say? I’m a lucky woman. Once in awhile, I get a really great question from a reader that I think everyone might benefit from having the answer to, or that I can at least make a convincing case that I have a halfway intelligent answer to. Today was one of... Read More
My KIND of Day
Thank you all for the kind birthday wishes yesterday. I’m surprised you even knew it was my birthday! I was so touched by how many of you Tweeted, left Facebook messages, emailed, and sent me coupons for $5 footlongs at Subway (I can’t accept it, it’s too much!). I’m just now getting around to thanking you because we got home late last night from Cirque de Soleil, and then this morning the girls wanted things like “breakfast,”... Read More
Creative Curses
Seeing as it is my birthday eve (shameless birthday plug #1), and I’d like to spend the rest of this weekend celebrating the end of the last year when I can get away with shopping at Forever 21 and lusting over Justin Beiber, I thought I’d do a quick post tonight to hold you over until I wrench my elderly body out of my Posturepedic bed on Monday. When I posted a week or so ago about the Swear Jar for the 32nd time (shameless birthday... Read More
Do You Remember?
How about a little Flashback Friday? Do you remember what happened in the Pea household a year ago today? If you are a new reader, which it seems like there are a few of you, I’d like to extend you a special “Hidey ho!” and tell you how happy I am to have you along for the ride. Please do not click away or unsubscribe because I said “Hidey ho!” Trust me, far more absurd things will come out of my mouth (fingers?). For... Read More
