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 and someone realized his suitcase was five pounds overweight because someone had to cart himself home a six-pack of Hawaiian root beer.  (That he can buy at the Fred Meyer thirty minutes from our house.)  Since chocolate goes down a lot easier than root beer, after some serious bag reorganization, some serious power eating went down.

Thank goodness I don’t have to appear on the back of a postcard anytime soon.

I did bring you a taste of Hawaii.

The six inches of rain we’ve had since we got home is making reentry into society, into January, and into making responsible beverage choices very difficult.

It was a day with no bikini.  No booze.  No Tebowing poolside after beating someone multiple times at pool H-O-R-S-E.

Yeah, he probably deserved that root beer.  And I probably need this smoothie.

As do you.

Flex on the Beach Smoothie

Makes 1 large smoothie

Print this recipe!

• 1 c. coconut water
• 1/2 c. non-dairy milk (coconut or almond recommended)
• 1/2 c.  frozen pineapple
• 1/2 c. frozen strawberries
• 1/2 c. frozen banana chunks
• 1/4 of a large avocado
• 2 t. coconut oil
• 1 T. chia seeds
• 1/4 t. vanilla extract
• 1/4 t. tumeric
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• dash of salt
• 1 T. vanilla protein powder (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth and thick.

Well, that was relatively painless.

And totally and utterly delicious.

Even on the way out to pick up Gigi from school early due to the flooding evacuation.

That’s right.  I slurped this down in the carpool lane in sweat pants and a rain parka.

Sexy.

It’s good to be home.

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 price.

Despite his love of a bargain, Pea Daddy has been highly supportive of less material.

That is until my “new” swimsuit bottoms arrived last night.

It took me about two seconds to realize that there’d been a mistake, as I opened the envelope and pulled out what can only be described as string.  And not even a lot of string.  I barely could tie a bow.

This is not an issue of self-esteem or of body acceptance.  This is an issue of not getting arrested on a public beach.  Or worse yet, putting on the thing and not being able to find it again.  Ever.

Pea Daddy’s eyes danced, trying to figure out the right thing to say.  Something between, “Oh, hell no!” and “I love you.  Please don’t hurt me.”

I sighed loudly, and shoved the string back in the envelope where it could do no visual, emotional, bodily or legal harm.

“Ugh. This is so frustrating!” I admitted.  Pea Daddy finally exhaled.  That was a close one.

Lulu stuck her hand on her hip and wagged her finger at me.  “You get what you get and you don’t get upset!”

Now she chooses to listen to me.

No, Lu, what I get is a refund.  And a cookie.

Kind of.

Sugar Cookie Smoothie

Makes 1 large smoothie

Print this recipe!

• 2 Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride Tea Bags*
• 1 1/2 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk, divided
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder**
• 2 T. old fashioned oats
• 7-9 ice cubes
• 1/2 t. vanilla extract***
• 1/2 t. xanthan gum (optional, for thickening)
• pinch of salt
• stevia to taste

*I buy this tea at Fred Meyer/Kroger and Whole Foods.  If you can’t find it, feel free to substitute vanilla chai tea, eggnog tea or even peppermint tea.

**For info on the protein powder I use, see this post.

**To make an eggnog version of this shake, use 1/2 t. rum extract and add 1/2 t. freshly grated nutmeg.

Heat 1 cup of almond milk until nearly boiling and add 2 tea bags.  Allow tea to steep for as long as desired.  I like to simply stick the tea in the fridge overnight.

When tea is fully steeped (or the next morning), remove tea bags and add tea, additional almond milk, protein powder, oats, ice, vanilla, xanthan gum (if using), salt and stevia in a blender.

Blend until smooth, thick and creamy.

Pour in a tall glass and serve.

So it’s not a sugar cookie.  But high holy heck, this is good.

You know those extra thick vanilla milkshakes you used to get and dip your French fries into?

Um, yeah.  That good.

Only there’s no “shake” around here.

And no pesky cookie crumbs to get stuck in your teeth.

But if that does become an issue, I’ve got some floss I’d be happy to send your way.

Depending on how tiny your mouth is.

***********

Other Everyday Eats:

Protein Trail Mix Cookies

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 a veggie “boorrger.”

We’ll also be on a little local San Diego TV, because we love a good morning show.  (I’ve never done one without a not-so-healthy dose of coffee.  Pray for me.)

Since we didn’t get a family vacation this summer, we’re all going for one last dose of vitamin D before we come home and pull out our cable-knit sweaters and jeans.  Even Gigi has a new pair of jeans.  I don’t know who she is anymore.

When we get back, we’ll make our pumpkin scones and *decaf* pumpkin spice lattes.  But for now, we’ll keep on wearing irresponsible footwear, squeeze the last bit of sunshine out of the season, stir a little pumpkin into a smoothie and call it good.

And believe me, you’ll call it good.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Makes 1

Print this recipe!

• 1 c. canned pumpkin, frozen into cubes
• 1 c. non-dairy or organic milk
• 2-4 ice cubes
• 1/2 t. vanilla extract
• 3/4 t. cinnamon
• 1/4 t. nutmeg
• 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 t. garam masala (optional)
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1/2 t. xanthan gum (optional, for thickening)
• stevia or sweetener of choice to taste
• 1 graham cracker, crumbled
• 2-3 T. non-dairy or organic whipped topping (i.e. TruWhip, Soyatoo or Rice Whip)

Freeze your pumpkin in an ice cube tray for at least two hours in advance of smoothie preparation.  This will mean that you can use less ice in your final product and retain that really great pumpkin flavor.

I can’t think of a drink these wouldn’t taste good in.

Okay, I thought of one: lemonade.  Don’t do it.

In a blender, combine pumpkin ice cubes, milk, ice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, garam masala, salt and xanthan gum, if using.

Blend until thick and creamy.

Pour into a glass and arm yourself with your whipped topping and graham crackers.

Do not squirt Rice Whip directly into your mouth.  Or do.  Your call.

Carefully sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top of your smoothie.

Finish with a dash of pumpkin pie spice and a straw.

Because you need to find the most direct route to getting this frozen pumpkin pie in a glass into your face.

Sure, it’s not exactly warm and cozy.

But your taste buds will be on fire.

And if you’re cold, you can always throw on some socks.  I’ll loan you a pair.

I won’t need mine until next week.

*************

I’ll be blogging while we’re gone, though it’ll obviously be a break from the norm around here (whatever that is).  Look for Postcards from the Peas as we travel from San Diego to Disney, as well as a couple of planned product reviews with giveaways.  And if you have any favorite veg-friendly restaurant or sightseeing suggestions in the San Diego area, we’d love to hear them! 

*************

The winner of the dough ball/autographed book giveaway is:

Mary:   Wow, congratulations! Honestly, I can’t think of anything specific for the new cookbook. I loved the first one so much, I would just like more your stories and recipeas. Just for fun, what about some more holiday meal plans?

Email me your address and I will get your book and dough balls on their way!  Thanks to all who entered!

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 mean 10 or 11 in the morning, but once your womb has been compromised, so has that term.

“Sleeping in.”

I’d just like it to not be dark outside still, is that too much to ask?

Some time around dawn, a little head peeked into my bedroom, the door squeaking ever so slightly.  Actually a big mass of curls attached to a little body burst in the room violently, and I’m pretty sure her hair opened the door by itself.

I escorted The Hair back to her room, asking as nicely as I could muster, “Why are you up?”

She looked at me thoughtfully and asked, “Are there owls in Oregon?”

“Yes, why?”

“I think an owl woke me up,” she answered.

“No, Geeg, the owls are asleep,” I said wistfully, hoping Mrs. Williams hadn’t been so ambitious as to teach her about nocturnal animals in kindergarten.

“Well, then it was the washing machine,” she tried again.

I scowled and said, “Nice try kid, but you know I haven’t done laundry in at least two weeks and there’s no way I’m doing it at 5:45.”

She sized up my pajamas/workout clothes/outfit I’ve worn ever since I got home from running errands yesterday.

“I know!,” a light bulb went off.  “It was the treadmill!”

“Nope, kid, I was asleep.”

“Well, maybe I was just excited to go to the beach with Mimi and Poppy.”  Bingo.

I gave up any hope of either one of us going back to bed, so we got up, went downstairs, colored in My Little Pony coloring books with scratchy, worn out markers and tried to giggle quietly so as not to wake the rest of the house.

And then we watched the sunrise.

Sunrise Smoothies

Makes 4 smoothies

Print this recipe!

• 1 1/2 c. frozen strawberries
• 1 1/2 c. apple juice
• stevia, honey or agave to taste (optional)
• 1 c. frozen mango
• 1/2 c. frozen pineapple
• 1 1/2 c. orange juice
• strawberries for garnish (optional)

Optional add-ins for extra protein and/or healthy fats:  protein powder, flax seeds, chia seeds, avocado, coconut butter

In a blender, combine strawberries, apple juice and sweetener to taste, if using.

Pour strawberry smoothie carefully into glasses and transfer glasses to freezer temporarily.

Rinse out blender and add in mango, pineapple, orange juice and sweetener to taste, if using.  Blend until smooth.

Remove glasses from freezer and carefully pour in mango smoothie to achieve a layered effect.

Garnish with a fresh strawberry and serve.

Beautiful enough to serve to guests,

or perfect for an early morning party of two.

Really early.

But not too early for cookies.

As Gigi dug in, I assured her it was okay that I would now need twice as much under-eye concealer and would continue to spiral downward in my recent relapse with coffee.

There, I admit it.

I said, “I understand, Geeg, you just really like spending time with Mimi and Poppy.  I’d get up early for that too.”

And then she twisted a curl around her green marker-stained finger, and looked up at me and said, “Actually, Mom, I like spending time with you.”

All I could say to that was, “Cheers.”

**********

For those of you that have already purchased our book, thank you!  It’s a little scary to put your heart and soul into something and send it out into the world, but when you get the responses that you’ve given to us, it makes that risk totally worth it.  I can’t wait to do it again.

For those of you that haven’t purchased yet, or if you want to share the book with a friend or relative, I’d urge you to please purchase the book this weekend!  This is our last chance to make a big surge that will count towards the first week of sales and making any Best Seller’s Lists.

Many online retailers are offering free shipping when you purchase two books, so for a little over $25 you could have some Christmas shopping already done!  Something else you can do, as suggested by reader Michelle (thanks!) is request that your local library purchase the book.  Many libraries have request forms online!

And if you haven’t entered our giveaway, there’s still time.

Have a beautiful weekend!

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 markers on our face while Mom is on the phone apologizing to her own mother for implying that she’s a xenophobe in Suntan colored L’eggs.

So without wasting any more time that could be spent defiling property or our own faces, here’s a quick list of a few things we are loving in our house this week:

1.  Fiberful Green Smoothies:  This blend is based on Kim Snyder’s Glowing Green Smoothie from her book, The Beauty Detox Diet. I had the honor of meeting Kim, a fellow Harlequin author when I was recently in New York.  She has a slew of celebrity clients who drink these smoothies for breakfast every morning.  For me, it’s an appetizer.  I’ve been making a big pitcher every few days or so and keeping it in the fridge, pouring myself a glassful whenever I feel an energy slump.  It keeps for at least two days, and if you keep it in a glass container, you can freeze it if you don’t get around to drinking it all.

2.  Thrive Fitness, by Brendan Brazier: If you’ve read Brendan’s sports nutrition book, Thrive, this is a great follow-up/companion book which talks about the fitness aspect of the road to health.  I’ve been sticking to the same workout plan for a few months now and it’s time to switch it up.  Thrive Fitness has great weight routines which I’m going to start incorporating, and new recipes and ideas for pre and post-workout fuel.  I also love Brendan’s discussion of the different types of workouts that breed creativity.  Because watching The Bachelorette really isn’t turning me into a Pulitzer Prize winner.

3.  The Bachelorette: No shame.  It makes me appreciate my life, my family and my husband who doesn’t make fun of the size of my chest on national TV.

4.  Yogurt Bowls: The girls have been eating these for breakfast.  And sometimes lunch.  And that one night last week when we had ten minutes to be out the door, we had them for dinner.  We like to put a whole grain, low sugar cereal in the base, like Cheerios, top it with yogurt, like Whole Soy & Co. Vanilla, and then add fresh or dried fruit and a sprinkle of flax.  The girls lick their bowls clean.  I don’t know where they learned such behavior.

5. These Bras. They live up to every claim they make.  See #3.  And I’d like to say “sorry” to my male readers.  Or maybe, “You’re welcome?”

6.  These Bars. I made a second batch of Peanut Butter Buckwheat Protein Bars this week, only I subbed in almond butter for the peanut butter, coconut extract for the vanilla and I added a little dried coconut in the mix, making them Almond Joy Buckwheat Protein Bars.  I’m going to lick the pan when they are gone.

7. Disney Princess Dress Up iPhone App. This game is worth every penny.  It allowed me fifteen glorious minutes in the Banana Republic dressing room today.  Lulu told me not to buy a white linen skirt, but then I saw how she’d dressed herself and decided to trust my own judgment instead.

8.  Sprouted Organic Tofu. I’ve been loving this tofu, pressed and marinated in this or this and then broiled for 6 minutes on each side.  Since it’s sprouted, it’s higher in protein and easier to digest, and since it’s organic, it’s non-GMO.  And while we’re on the subject, this article is worth checking out if you’ve ever wondered where I stand on the soy “controversy.”  He took the words right out of my mouth.

9. Dads. While we are already gearing up for Father’s Day, it’s also my dad’s birthday on Tuesday.  Happy Birthday, Dad!  A few things worth noting about my dad:

• He’s survived a near-death experience (actually several) and has quite the story to tell about it.
• He plays a mean accordion.
• He can fix anything–car brakes, screen doors, garbage disposals and even Princess nighties.  The girls’ gut response now is, “Maybe Poppy can fix it!”  And he always does.
• He’s given himself stitches, more than once.  I told you he can fix anything.
• He has always believed that I am the best at absolutely everything I do, even if I am totally horrible at it.  That’s love, kids.  And that’s my dad.

(Pssst, Dad, can you come get this blue marker off of Lulu’s face?)

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 a huge clump of blue toothpaste caked in her hair for the last 24 hours. We’re going to pretend she’s just rocking some emo streaks.

Yes, I’m going to see the good.

If it weren’t for the mile long to-do list, I might care that Gigi is wearing Lulu’s underwear that are two sizes too small for her, when in the grand scheme of things, it’s small potatoes.  And small undies.

If it weren’t for the two hours at the indoor inflatable playground birthday party yesterday, I wouldn’t realize how fortunate I am to have a house that smells like steamed broccoli and dough balls instead of sweaty socks, dirty diapers and crappy pizza.  Mmmm.

If I hadn’t spent two hours grocery shopping last night, I wouldn’t have a lot of healthy, delicious ingredients to use this week to feed my family and hopefully, inspire and encourage you.  And I would have had to make dinner instead of feeding everyone strawberry, watermelon, cracker, pretzel, pound cake and granola bar samples and calling it good.

But mostly, if I weren’t so on-the-go right now, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to share with you a few of the meals I consistently throw together and inhale in between returning overdue library books, digging lost Littlest Pet Shop pets out of the sandbox in the dark and trying to find Barbie dolls for Gigi’s birthday that do not look like they work hard for the money when really I just want to sit and watch Ellen in swim goggles and pajamas.

You know you want to too.

So here are some of the things we eat when we are slammed on time.  In other words, darn near every day.

Oat Bran

All the goodness of oats in a fraction of the time.  This stuff cooks fast, especially in the microwave.

For one serving, I combine 1/3 c. oat bran, 1/2 c. water, 1/2 c. non-dairy or organic milk, 1 scoop protein powder, 1/2 t. cinnamon and stevia to taste in a bowl and microwave it for a minute. (It’s like a short-cut version of my Creamy Protein Porridge).

While it cooks,  I go swap underwear on the kids and then I come back, give it a stir and microwave it for another minute.  I top it with fruit and nut butter and then eat it out of my lap while I drive.

If you smile big enough at everyone you meet, no one will even notice the oat bran on your sweater.

Green Smoothies

A staple you may already be familiar with, I drink at least one green smoothie per day, usually for lunch or an afternoon snack.

Our favorite combo currently tastes exactly like cake batter!  That is, if you’ve ever eaten cake batter.  I have.

Cake Batter Green Smoothie

Print this recipe!

Makes 1 smoothie

• 2 c. spinach
• 1 c. non-dairy or organic milk
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/4 c. old-fashioned oats
• 1 t. sunflower seed butter
• 1/2 c. silken tofu OR frozen almond milk cubes* or organic cottage cheese
• 1/2 t. vanilla
• 1/2 t. xanthan gum (optional)**
• 1/2 t. guar gum (optional)**
• 8-9 ice cubes
• stevia to taste

*For the almond milk cubes, simply pour almond milk into an ice cube tray and freeze.  These provide added creaminess to your smoothie.  You could also try soy milk or coconut milk for even richer flavor.

**I use xanthan gum for thickening and guar gum to make my smoothies creamier.  You can read more about the technique in Deb’s post here.

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Also totally portable, totally delicious and totally going to freak everyone out who passes you in the car because you are drinking something bright green (and singing Adele into the straw).

As for dinner, I have another tasty staple up my oat bran-covered sleeve.

Simple Sandwiches

This sandwich is Pea Daddy’s current favorite, and I can’t blame him.  I crave it myself.  Luckily I can make it in less than ten minutes and everyone will eat it.

You can find Lightlife Tempeh Bacon at Whole Foods and other natural foods stores.  At least I hope you can.  Because you will want to make this sandwich.

Tempeh BCT

Print this recipe!

Makes 2 sandwiches

• 6 slices tempeh bacon
• 4 slices whole wheat, spelt, or other whole grain bread
• 1/4 c. prepared hummus (Sabra Sun-Dried Tomato or Roasted Pine Nut varieties are especially good)
• 4 slices tomato or 1 c. cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced

Prepare tempeh bacon according to package directions.

Toast bread and spread each slice with 1 T. of hummus.  Layer 3 bacon slices that have been cut in two on 2 slices of bread.  Top with tomato and cucumber slices and another slice of bread with hummus.

Slice and serve.

And then of course, there is dessert.  I like ice cream just as much as the next person, probably more.  In fact, I eat a bowl pretty much every night…I just make it a little differently.

Chocolate Protein Ice Cream

Print this recipe!

Makes 1 large bowl

• 1/2 c. non-dairy or organic milk
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 2 T. cocoa powder
• 1/2 c. silken tofu OR frozen almond milk cubes or organic cottage cheese
• 1/2 t. vanilla
• 1/2 t. xanthan gum (optional)
• 1/2 t. guar gum (optional)
• 9-10 ice cubes
• stevia to taste

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Sometimes I throw nut butter in the mix or I’ll put chopped almonds or pistachios on top.  I always lick the bowl clean.

So those are our “in a rush” staples.  Though they aren’t complex or fancy, they are delicious and quick.

And leave me time to remove Lulu’s toothpaste dreads.

Or at least get her dressed and out of goggles.  Let’s focus on the positive.

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 week.

I failed at not poking fun at Pea Daddy for carrying his lunch to work in a Lululemon bag.  He was secure in his manliness, carrying a homemade vegan bean burger on an organic whole wheat bun to the office in a bag that is inscribed with sayings such as “Children are the orgasm of life.” and that once held my Wunder Unders.  He said he’s saving the environment with his “man satchel.”  But at what price, Honey?  At what price.

And though I had small successes, like not slipping a much needed shot of an adult beverage into my green smoothie that was gulped while weaving in and out of traffic,

I still failed to teach my daughters that during warm-ups is not the appropriate time to ask your ballet teacher for the end-of-class reward sticker.  Or just to ask for the end of class.  I don’t blame the teacher for the lack of an exciting class.  It’s just hard to compete with those kick ass cat toys we have at home.

I failed to glue Avon’s right leg back on.  Again.

And I totally tanked in finding a emotionally mature and responsible way to deal with the fact that Gigi colored her ruffled, white, puffy sleeve Gymboree shirt with bright pink Crayola marker exactly three minutes before she had to be at kindergarten.

For the record, going through every toy box in the house to find every last blasted marker, shoving them in the back of the junk drawer and then attacking your child’s shirt with a washcloth, hand soap and a hair dryer is neither emotionally mature nor responsible.  And it doesn’t get the marker out either.

I also failed to make anything for dinner that was culinarily or nutritionally creative or that wasn’t served with a pool of maple syrup.  For the second time in three nights.

But somehow, my family still loves and accepts me, in spite of my weekly (or daily or hourly) failures.

In my favorite moment of the crazy day, Lulu peeled her highly coveted butterfly reward sticker from her hand and put on mine, saying, “Mama, this is for you!”

Maybe Pea Daddy’s “man satchel” wasn’t so far off.

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 Doug in the washing machine.  And added soap.  And turned it on.  Dirty Doug.

Then Gigi spread the love when she called my mom and told her she’d lost a tooth!

My mom nearly burst out her front door and drove down here at 8 a.m. with my house in disarray, us all in our pajamas and Scotch tape.  The joke would have been on me.  (Love you, Mom!)

I’m not sure if the girls thought I was joking when I said we were going to have milkshakes for lunch.

But this recipe is no joke.

Banana Chocolate Chip Pretzel Smoothies

Print this recipe!

Makes 1 large or 2 small smoothies

• 1 banana, cut into chunks and frozen
• 1 1/2 c. non-dairy milk
• 4 ice cubes
• stevia to taste (optional)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
• 1/4 c. old fashioned oats
• 2 T. chocolate chips, chopped
• 1/4 c. pretzels, broken into pieces

I always cut my overripe bananas into chunks and store them in the “banana bowl” in the freezer.  Right next to Doug.

Place banana, milk, ice, stevia and protein powder (if using), vanilla and oats in a high speed blender and blend until smooth.

Add 1/2 of the chocolate chips and 1/2 of the broken pretzels directly to the blender.

Either stir the chocolate chips and pretzels in by hand or quickly pulse blender a few times to incorporate throughout.

Pour smoothie into glass(es).

And top with remaining pretzels and chocolate chips.

And serve with a smile.

You’ll probably want to throw in a spoon too.

The girls were tickled.

And then I heard a giggle.

An “Oops!”

A “Mom, I spilled milkshake everywhere!”

I went to get the carpet cleaner, and my purse to get a dollar for the Swear Jar.

Gigi giggled again.  And shouted, “April Fools!!!”

I love you too, Kid.

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 and frozen blueberries and enjoys it the next morning.  Every morning for twenty years.  And he has no intention of changing.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix tofu scrambles, right?

But in order to show you a variety of breakfasts that you can enjoy on a veg-based weight loss plan, I put together a list of great options you can use all month long when creating your own meal plans.  You’ll notice in the weekly meal plans I’m putting together, I’ll suggest you have a  ”Breakfast of Your Choice” and link back to this list.  I’ll try to add more options as the weeks go on, so check back to beat breakfast boredom.

1)  1/2 c. oatmeal cooked with 1/2 c. water and 1/2 c. non-dairy milk (we like organic SILK vanilla and unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze)

Add some fruit such as:

• 1/2 sliced bananas
• 1/2 c. berries OR
• chopped apple
• 2 T. raisins or other dried fruit

Add some healthy fat such as:

• 1 T. almonds
• 1 T. walnuts
• 1 T. pecans
• 1 T. natural peanut butter OR 1 T. almond butter

You can stick the combo in the fridge without cooking and let it soak overnight like Pea Pal does.

Oatmeal is also offered at Starbucks and Jamba Juice (just omit the Brown Sugar Crumble at Jamba which contains dairy)

2)  1 serving high fiber/low sugar breakfast cereal such as:

• Cheerios
• Crisped Brown Rice
• Shredded Wheat (not Frosted)
• Grape Nuts
• All-Bran (unsweetened variety)
• Fiber-One (unsweetened variety)
• Kashi Go Lean (not Crunch or Crisp) OR
• Bran Flakes

Add some fruit such as:

• 1/2 sliced bananas
• 1/2 c. berries OR
• chopped apple
• 2 T. raisins or other dried fruit

Add some healthy fat such as:

• 1 T. almonds
• 1 T. walnuts
• 1 T. pecans
• 1 T. natural peanut butter OR 1 T. almond butter

Top with non-dairy milk such as:

• 1/2 c. soymilk (we like organic SILK vanilla) OR
• 1/2 c. almond milk (we like unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze)

3)  Smoothies

• 1 c. non-dairy milk

Add 1-2 c. frozen fruit of your choice, such as:

• berries
• bananas
• cherries and/or
• peaches

For extra staying power and nutrition, add: (optional)

• 1/4 c. of oats
• A handful of spinach
• vegan protein powder (i.e. soy, hemp or brown rice) for extra staying power

For extra flavor, add: (optional)

• cocoa powder
• extracts, like almond or vanilla
• 1 T. of  nut butter

You can also get All-Fruit Smoothies at Jamba Juice (stick to the 16 oz. size) and even add a soy protein boost

4) Whole grain breads such as:

• 1-2 slices of toast made from 100% whole grain bread (I like Ezekiel Sprouted Grain or Dave’s Killer Bread) OR
• 1 100% whole wheat English muffiin (i.e. Thomas)

Add toppings such as:

• 1-2 T. of nut butter
• 1-2 T. of all-fruit preserves (i.e. Smuckers’ Simply Fruit)
• fruit slices, such as bananas, apples or berries

5) Green Juice (Pea Pal has an underutilized juicer!)

You can also get fresh-squeezed orange and carrot juices at Jamba Juice (I like to get a combo of the two with a shot of wheatgrass)

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There are certainly other nutritious vegan breakfasts, but these are the options I’m suggesting for vegan weight loss (and I reiterate, I’m not an expert, but just an informed friend helping a friend).  Have fun with rotating the breakfasts or eat the same thing every day.

You might just want to do it for twenty years.

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 least once.

Half the class has already been the Superstar Student of the Week this year.

The only real “perk,” if you call it that, of being the Superstar Student of the Week is that you get to double your homework load by creating a poster about yourself that you then have to stand up in front of the class and present to everyone.  That sounds more like a punishment to me.  I’ll take a coupon for a Personal Pan Pizza, thank you very much.

But to Gigi?  She announced her achievement with such unbridled, arm-waving, pirouette twirling enthusiasm, you’d think someone gave her a unicorn that poops Skittles.  And that is grounds for celebration.

When I was a kid and got a “gold star” in school, that meant a Happy Meal and an afternoon spent cramming in chicken nuggets dunked in Sweet and Sour sauce while happily scurrying up inside of the Mayor McCheese play structure.  And Mayor McCheese’s hat smelled like invisible geese.

Today, we did something else.

We created a memory.

I’d always been a bit hesitant to go to a paint-your-own-pottery place.  With two kids.  Wearing anything other than a garbage bag.  (No cracks about my favorite yoga pants with the completely shredded and de-elasticized waist band, Pea Daddy.)

But I loved every second we spent there (well, except for when Gigi yelled, “Ooopsie!” and poured purple paint all over the table.)

Ironic that this tile was on our table, right?

Someone paid $11 to make that and then never picked it up.  Can’t say I blame them.

I was totally wrong about this place, though.  I’d underestimated the therapeutic effect of staring down a wall full of ceramics, getting to pick whatever piece of pottery you want and making it your own.  Although I wasn’t letting Gigi go for the $35 candlestick holders.  I have my limits.

It felt good, choosing your glaze and slapping on as many or few coats as you want.

I didn’t even freak out that Lu used half a bottle of glaze on her puppy.  That’s progress, my friends.

No one can tell you what design to adorn the object of your affection with.

There’s no judgment.  No good or bad.  No right or wrong.

No need for perfection.

Because it’s yours and the skies the limit.

My Little Puppy Meets G.I . Joe?  Beautiful.

Slightly smudged and self-important crown wall plaque?  Made for a superstar.

Rushed pea pod/green sperm mug slapped together to keep Lulu from putting on another coat?  You may think it’s ugly, but it’s mine.  It’s one-of-a-kind and I kind of love it.

We left our creations to get glazed and fired.  And though there were a few tears at leaving our speckled pups behind, it was nothing a smoothie couldn’t cure.

Or Pirate’s Booty.  Being a Superstar’s sister has it’s perks.

And today we are celebrating.  Celebrating our one-of-a-kind selves.

Pass the Skittles.