Flex on the Beach Smoothie
Well, aloha. I’m sorry I didn’t send you a postcard. I didn’t find one that spoke to me. I was looking for something really sleazy, with six women lined up in different colored thongs saying “Flex on the Beach.” I know you love that kind of thing as much as I do. I’m sorry I also didn’t bring you home a box of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. We bought a Costco-sized box full at, where else—Costco, and then got to the airport... Read More
Everyday Eats: Sugar Cookie Smoothie
It’s about to get cheeky in here. I’ve been working hard to get in bikini shape before we go to Hawaii right after the New Year. Really hard. So hard in fact that I let a friend talk me out of buying my usual safe, skirted swimsuit bottoms and into something just a tad less modest. I thought skirted bottoms were retro. Turns out they might just be a bit more coverage than what I need. But what a deal! Twice the fabric for the same... 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
Sunrise Smoothies
Have you heard of that children’s book (that isn’t for children) called “Go The F**k to Sleep?” The book is so very, very wrong. And so very, very funny. I’ve already got the follow-up book concept sketched out in my head. It’s called “Why the H**l Are You Up?” This morning, I treasured the thought of “sleeping in” after a long, tiring week. I put “sleeping in” in quotes because if you are childless that could... Read More
Still On The Fly
A few weeks ago, I wrote about our life on the fly. It’s yet another crazy week in the Pea Household, complete with birthday and Father’s Day celebrations, the last day of school, haircuts, Bible studies and phone meetings and culminating with what will surely be the most memorable production of Peter Pan ever. We’re busy. We’re hungry. We’re jealous that Big Sister got her face painted on the last day of school and thus are drawing with... Read More
On the Fly
Things are getting strange around here. I could sit here and rattle off a laundry list of all the things I’ve had to do this weekend, all the things I have going on next week, and everything else I have to do before leaving for my trip to New York in a little over a week, but my gosh, no one wants to hear that. Just ask Pea Daddy. Instead, I’m going to choose to focus on the positive aspects of being so busy that Lulu has walked around with... Read More
Wacky Wednesday: Shake it Like a Polaroid
I feel like every Wednesday, the day of our week that is overscheduled to its very limits, God is testing me. And every Wednesday, I fail. I failed at convincing Lulu that Gigi does not want to play with cat toys. Neither does Pea Kitty. Batting at a feather on a string has nowhere near the satisfaction of using her razor sharp claws to splinter our oak stair rail. Or my leg. Which is the closest thing to a shave my legs have gotten this... Read More
Fool the Ones You Love
April Fools’ Day is a big deal when you are five. Although I think Gigi’s a little confused about the origin of the holiday. “It’s a day God invented for us to show people that we love them!” By lying to them. Or just plain ticking them off. I felt very loved when I found two huge wads of Scotch tape in my shoes this morning. I’m sure Lulu felt loved when her stuffed dog, Doug, was hidden in the freezer. I wish Gigi would have hidden... Read More
Pealightful Plans: Breakfasts
This is the first post in the vegan meal planning series. Look for a Snack and Treats post and the Week 1 Pealightful Meal Plan/Shopping Guide later today. When I sat down to talk to our friend Pea Pal, I learned that breakfast wasn’t an issue in his weight and high cholesterol problems. Turns out, for the last twenty years or so, he’s been eating Overnight Oats for breakfast. He “soaks” his oatmeal overnight with some water or milk... Read More
Celebrating Ourselves
Guess who’s the newest kindergarten Superstar Student of the Week? I know I have to love this kid because she’s mine, but seriously, I love that kid. She is ONE-OF-A-KIND. It’s not because being the Superstar Student of the Week is the greatest thing ever, it’s because she thinks being the Superstar Student of the Week is the greatest thing ever. There are no prizes. Everyone in the class gets to be the Superstar Student of the Week at... Read More
Laser-Quick Lessons
There’s not always a recipe around here. Some days I see my job as merely to impart knowledge. Let me learn you something: Jamba Juice makes five dairy-free smoothies. They are great for breakfast or lunch. Or both. It is possible to spend six straight hours in the car or dilated. Or both. I wouldn’t recommend the latter. Lulu is fascinated by doctor office mail slots. And the phrase “mail slot” is hilarious, especially when... Read More
The Difference Between Pea Daddy and Me
Alternative titles: The Yin and the Yang a Lang a Dinga Dinga Fram a Lamma Ding Dong; My Mommy is Crazy; Pea Daddy If You Ever Dream of Keeping a Health Crisis From Me You Will Have a Marriage Crisis on Your Hands. That last one was a little too long. I have this habit which I’m sure irritates the Grilled Cheesus out of Pea Daddy, my mom and probably you and that is that I will find “a reason” for anything. This is why every recipe, be it... Read More
Disneyland: The Vegan Friendliest Place on Earth?
We’ve been back from Disneyland for a week and a half now, and I’m still surprised. Surprised that today was the first time I’ve cleaned a toilet and mopped the floor (we’ve been busy!). Surprised that Gigi was playing “Disneyland” this morning and was almost in tears because there was a “20- minute wait for the Teacups!” I love the imagination, but she needs to learn to have it work for her instead of against her. Surprised that... Read More
Taking Care of Business
We had a jam packed weekend. My Blackberry Cinnamon Rolls needed to be reshot for the book, so the family had to suffer through another batch. Poor tortured souls. Can you hear the screams of protest from here? And then there were the batches… and batches… of cookies. Lulu and Gigi failed to understand that they were intended for bake sale bidders, birthday girls and giveaway winners. . And I hope Pea Daddy’s middle finger isn’t any... Read More
It’s My Job
The only things I’ve said more on this blog than “tutu,” “tinkle” and “Oh. My. Peas.” is “I have the best job in the world.” It’s not really fair that I throw that out there without telling you about some of the other jobs I have had that have led me to this conclusion. I’ve been, among other things: a desk clerk at a basketball-only gym when I was barely old enough to appreciate... Read More
The Replacements
Gigi has had Vacation Bible School each morning this week. It’s been fun to have a little one-on-one time with Lu, even if it is just dressing up like transient ballerinas. Sometimes you really should just let your dreams die. Gigi was very concerned that she would miss Lu all week while she was at school, but in her always humble way, she was even more concerned that Lulu would miss her. Always thinking of others, that one. What better... Read More
Peas on Film: A Smoothie for Pea Daddy
Don’t you deserve another Peas and Thank You vlog? You’re saying, “No. We left you hundreds of messages of love and support and this is what you give us?!” Yes. Yes, it is. I’m not going to take pictures of the Diet Coke I drank from the hospital vending machine. I had no witty anecdotes about the two bowls of cereal and pickles I ate for lunch. Pea Daddy obviously got a smoothie for dinner. Trust me, this is... Read More
Pea Mail: Winging It, Lunch Edition
We are literally pooped and had a day full of errands and laundry (for obvious reasons), so I thought today would be a great day to pick up with Part II of reader Jessica’s question. You may want to see the previous Pea Mail posts to bring yourself up to speed: Pea Mail: Winging It, Breakfast Edition Pea Mail: Vegan to Go Here again is Jessica’s eloquent and flattery-filled question (as all questions should be…): Hey Mama Pea, Love... Read More
P is for…
Proudly Presenting Purchases and Pedicures Poor Podiatry Picks for Puddles Pumpkin Protein 1 c. almond milk 3/4 c. pumpkin 1 scoop Sun Warrior vanilla protein powder cinnamon nutmeg stevia ice 1/2 t. xanthan gum Premature Pre-birthday Preschool Parties Proffering Precious Pictures Popsicles & Paramours Post-preschool Produce Predictable Pod Picking Problem? Pro-Pescetarian Propaganda Pincher Pincher PEAS! Sweet Pea Soup... Read More
Pea Mail: Winging It, Breakfast Edition
Here’s your next edition of Pea Mail, with a great question from a reader about what we eat on days when Lulu decides to pull the stopper up in the bathroom sink with the water running, grab a plastic spoon and ladle tap water all over the sink, floor and mirror (that was Saturday). Hey Mama Pea, Love your blog! You make so many wonderful recipes and I was wondering if you plan them all out or if some days you just wing it. Which also leads... Read More
Basic Math
1 cup of rocks + 1 empty paint can = 1 “Thunder Can” 1 Lulu + 1 “Thunder Can” = 2 Extra-Strength Tylenol 10 am clean-up time + 1 four year-old “Why should I?!” = 4 minutes in the Naughty Corner 1 Lulu + 1 borrowed headband = 2 going on 12 (sniff, sniff) 1 sunny day + 70 degrees = 1 fun trip to the park + 12 great photos 1 1/2 c. frozen berries + 1 banana + 1 c. coconut milk yogurt + 4 popsicle... Read More
In the Mix
I feel like a bride who has been left at the alter. You see, today I was going to say “I do” to the high-powered appliance of my dreams. I’m not going to say “ita-Vay ix-May” because just the mention makes me want to switch on the Food Network with the sound turned down, throw on a Chris Isaak album and a ratty t-shirt paired with boxer shorts, and drink an entire pitcherful of poorly blended margarita smoothies by myself. It... 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
Attachment Issues
Thank you all for the congratulations and well wishes on my last post. Every single comment meant so much to me. I have hired a contractor to come raise our ceilings to allow room for my spacious head. I tried to answer all the questions you posed in the comments, so check there if you’d like more details. I’m happy you all are so excited because I am too. I’ll keep you posted on new developments as they arise, but for... Read More
Lots of Estrogen Up in Here
Am I talking about my soy intake or my company for the day? Guess you’ll have to read on to see. I woke up this morning and spent time with this lovely lady and her six-pack. The Body for Life weight workout can be found here. While it’s a great workout for use at the gym, I’m currently shying away from doing it at home because it is based on increasing/decreasing your weight with each set. I only have your basic dumbbells with... Read More
I Am Protein
And Pro-Teen. He’s dreamy. And in third grade. Thanks for everyone’s supportive comments on the new road I’m heading down. Very few of you voted for a one liner about potty training and a vegan cookie recipe, though you’ll probably get that tomorrow anyway, so put on your plastic pants and preheat your oven. As for how this will play out blog-wise, I may return to the food diary format on some days and on others just have... Read More
What the Kids Are Eating
Thanks for all the positive responses to Friday’s post about guilt. I celebrated by taking yesterday off of posting, guilt free, of course. Instead of focusing on all the things I feel guilty about as a parent at times, I thought I’d take this opportunity to show you specifically one of the things I almost never feel guilty about: what my kids are eating. For those of you that are parents, I’m not judging you for those nights... Read More
Old Man Smoothies
It’s no secret that Pea Daddy is a fan of Tommy Bahama’s, also known in our house as “The Old Man Store.” He has a dozen or so Tommy Bahama’s shirts, two sets of Tommy Bahama’s coffee mugs, Tommy Bahama’s bed pillows and even Tommy Bahama’s cologne. It smells just like Grandpa. I love to tease him about it, and he likes to defend himself by saying that their age demographic is men ages 35-65. ... Read More
I Haven’t Got Time For the Change
Thanks a lot, Benjamin Franklin. Though Daylight Savings Time wasn’t instituted until WWI, Franklin is credited for having come up with the concept far earlier (that is the most educational information you may ever get out of this blog, so savor it). Yes, today I’m cursing old Ben for robbing me of an hour of sleep. You might as well take my Wonderbra, coffeemaker and stroller flask while you’re at it and then send a marching... Read More
Joining the Sisterhood
As I’ve mentioned before, I wasn’t in a sorority in college. I just found I was so busy with school, playing basketball and trying to change my frat boy boyfriend that I never committed to becoming a sister. Yet I envied their rituals, their friendships, their sense of being a part of something bigger than themselves and the fact that at least one day a week they didn’t have to worry about what they wore, threw on a Hanes sweatshirt... Read More
Pyramid Scheme
I’ve got a new trick up my sleeve in the our ongoing battle between feeding my kids right and outside forces. Fun Dip and cupcakes aside, we were also the recipient of more Conversation Hearts than can legally be possessed without a permit and a couple of heart-shaped boxes of several Walgreen’s specials. You can bet those Conversation Hearts are getting turned into a couple of art projects. Unfortunately, you can also bet that Lulu... Read More
She Should’ve Told Me
Do you have in your memory any moments that are just frozen in time for you? I’m not talking about your high school graduation, your wedding day or the second you felt the disc in your back rupture when an over zealous chiropractor told you, “No pain, no gain!!!” (legal action may be pending). No, I’m talking about those moments that may not seem monumental, but that for some inexplicable reason remain a perfect snapshot... Read More
You’ve Gotta Do What You’ve Gotta Do
Even when your kid is begging to go to school, you’ve got to keep her home since her nose is running like Seabiscuit, and her eyes look like she spent Superbowl Sunday with Snoop Dogg. Fo’ shizzle. Even when you feel you should branch out for breakfast, you’ve got to boost your own immunity with another green smoothie in a bowl. frozen spinach (leftover from yesterday’s dip) almond milk orange juice frozen peaches vanilla... Read More
Hitting P-Town
Or Pea-Town. Or Pee-Town…as the case may be. We took the girls to Portland today to stimulate the economy. Shopping with kids is a necessary evil. If I didn’t just suck up the fact that 85% of our time in the store would be spent pulling Lulu out from underneath her clothes-rounder sweat lodge or explaining to Gigi that yes, pink sequined mini dresses are pretty but not everyday mommywear, well, I’d still be wearing maternity... Read More
I’m Going Through “The Change”
Before Gigi started preschool, I was terrified. To know Gigi, is to love her. I know it’s cliche, but she just has sunshine coming out of her fingertips and joy coming out of her curls. I’m a creature of habit, and the fact that for nine hours a week I would not have her warmth around me made me want to lock her in our house, sew all of her clothes, and never let her cut her hair. Yet somehow, Lulu and I have settled into our mornings... Read More
Field Trippin’
I’m currently playing nurse to an injured Lulu. Call it the dangers of having a home gym. Miss L was bouncing on an exercise ball in our living room when it slipped out from underneath her and she bonked her head on the tile surrounding our gas fireplace. There’s no more horrific sound than your child’s skull hitting a hard surface. It ranks up there with the sound of your cat coughing up a hairball on your down comforter, the... Read More
Wicked Awesome
Since Gigi started preschool, I’ve learned a lot. The main reason we wanted her to go to school was to help her step a little bit outside of the pink sparkly bubble we live in and learn about other people. I mistakenly assumed that she would be quick to point out how different other people are from us and that I would take that as an opportunity to teach her about diversity, personal choices and respect. A parent can dream, right? The... Read More
Make New Friends, But Keep the Old
I did most everything yesterday with the aid of an old friend, my glasses. I got the fun diagnosis from the optometrist on Friday that I need to wear my glasses primarily for the next three months since I am guilty of overusing my contacts even more than I am overguilty of using my liquid eyeliner and “That’s What She Said” jokes. Can you blame me though? Like a man in a mid-life crisis, I’ve got a new friend coming in... Read More
Site Under Construction
After my tough but enjoyable workout this morning, I came into a tangle of tent poles and two girls yapping at my heels to put together their playhouse. The poles are tethered together with thin, nylon rope, and somehow in her excitement, Gigi managed to twist and knot those poles together as if she were deliberately trying to create a Survivor challenge for her sweaty, hungry, desperate for a cup of coffee mom. Still, miracles happen. $8.50... Read More
Punching Out and Kissing Up
Have you ever taken Nyquil? I don’t know why anesthetic is necessary for surgery. This stuff won’t just help you get your Zs, it will walk past an armed guard, shoving babies and old ladies out of the way, and boldly snatch those Zs from a laser protected pedestal and bring them to you and cram them down your throat. I was in bed by 9:45 last night for the first time since I was twelve and wore a size 34 A bra. I’m thirty-one... Read More
