Recipeas Worth Repeating: Pickle Soup
Happy National Pickle Day! Happy I Took Nyquil At 8 pm and Slept Until 8 am Day!* Happy Pumpkin Pie For Breakfast Day!* *may not be actual holidays As shiteous as I feel, I couldn’t let the day go by without honoring pickles and everyone’s favorite pickle fiend. (I realize using the word “shiteous” costs me a dollar. It’s worth it.) So I’m revamping my post for Pickle Soup from almost exactly a year ago. Generally when I repeat... Read More
Vegan Values: Chickpeas and Dumplings
If you are new to the Peas (welcome!) or behind on a few posts, you may have missed the excellent discussion so many of us had on Friday’s post about the new USDA recommendations via their “My Plate” concept. There was a lot of echoing my somewhat cynical sentiments, a lot of votes for dough balls to have their place on the new plate, and a few barbs at my expense about veganism only being possible if you are privileged. For the record, I... Read More
Cinco Means Five
I am a smart person. But I can be a complete moron sometimes. Okay, a lot of the time. Monday, I unknowingly left a candle burning for the entire two hours we were out for dinner. Bad news: it could have burnt our home and everything in it to the ground. Good news: for once my house didn’t smell like steamed broccoli. I promise, it’s the broccoli. Yesterday, I forgot the check for ballet class, but remembered it when we got to the mailbox,... Read More
Gravy
Pea Daddy said my soup tonight was “gravy.” I’ll take that as a compliment. I don’t think he meant the congealed sauce made from meat drippings that you pour over your dried out turkey or use to ruin what are already delicious mashed potatoes. How would he know anyway? He hasn’t had gravy since 2008. I choose to believe he meant the soup was “gravy.” A nice surprise. An unexpected reward. Easy. Gravy, spending your “work day”... Read More
Just a Tea Recipe
I really hate telling you all when I’m sick. Inevitably, I’ll run into a sweet friend who will say, “Oh, I just read your blog, how are you?!” in response to my minor case of the sniffles and then when prompted, she’ll disclose that her husband has had walking pneumonia for a week and her three year-old has been to the ER with chronic asthma attacks. Inevitably, I feel like a moron. But man, if that three year-old wants sympathy, he totally... Read More
Slow Redemption
I was wrong. Slow-cookers are the Pea’s knees. Maybe it was the little stay-at-home-mom snob in me that was totally against the slow-cooker. The “I-don’t-need-to-set-it-and-forget-it-because-I-am-here-to-do-the-delicious-home-cookin’-myself-while-you-suckas-are-stuck-at-a-desk-forcing-a-Crock-Pot-to-do-your-dirty-work.” Let’s face it, you had to give it to me. There’s not much I can brag about when unclumping my three-day old... Read More
Tattooed
The girls have found the way to get me to say “yes” to just about anything. Send me out of town for three days. When asked if you miss me over video chat, say “Nahhhh.” Ignore me for five minutes when I get home like you honestly believe the My Little Pony you’ve had since Christmas is going to come to life if you brush it’s mane and avoid eye-contact with your attention-starved mother. It helps to make sure I’m good and jetlagged,... Read More
Lessons From Christmas Dinner
If you pile my family around a dinner table, you are bound to learn a thing or two. We eat. We talk, borderline shout. We argue. We eat. We talk, borderline shout some more. I cannot guarantee the factual accuracy of any tidbit that comes out of any person with my genetic makeup, admittedly, myself included. Perhaps that is why it is so easy to get into little arguments. When two parties of a heated debate are both making things up, it is virtually... Read More
Camptown Ladies
Lulu has a cold. Due to some miracle, perhaps the miracle of Hanukkah, she slept through the night, but when she woke up this morning, I thought I heard someone trying to get the last few sips of an ultra-thick smoothie. SHLURRRRRRP! Then I realized it was Lulu trying to breathe through her nose. Dang, I really wanted a smoothie. We set up camp downstairs. Gigi made a good nurse, creating a lean-to for refuge. Refuge from the constant stream... Read More
Love is Blind
This will be the last post you’ll hear me complaining about my glasses. Mostly it’s because in about 12 hours I’ll be sitting at my LASIK consult, and the moment that I’m done being dilated, measured and told about the prospects of surgery, I’m popping my lenses in back in my eyes and sending my glasses right back to the dusty nightstand by my bed. May they rest in peace. But it’s also because yesterday, Pea Daddy snapped and told me,... Read More
Pickle Problems
Lulu’s now sick, it’s worse than you think, She was up all night, slept nary a wink. A sniff and a cough, a fever, some moanin,’ ‘Twas Pea Daddy’s problem, I took melatonin. This morning she woke up, her throat had a tickle, She needed some soup, she wanted a pickle! Pickles can heal, pickles stop tears, Eat one with a friend, raise a pickle in, “Cheers!” I looked outside to the cold, the cloudy, the raining. Lulu laid on the couch,... 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
Welcome to Busytown
You know those people that just have their planners packed so full and then shrug their shoulders, throw up their hands and sheepishly say, “What can I say? I just can’t say ‘no!’” I’m not one of those people. I’m worse. I don’t have a planner. It takes too much time to open it up, write things down and shut it. But also, my problem isn’t that I can’t say ‘no.’ It’s that I can’t stop raising my hand, waiving... Read More
Wedded Bliss
You are invited to the wedding of the century. The bride: The groom: I am such a proud mother to know that Lulu can look past his lack of hair, right arm and feet and love Mr. Potato for who he really is. She initially said, “NO! He doesn’t have a mouth!” to which I responded, “It’s better that way, honey.” The maid of honor, or “bride sister” as the girls call it, was a little less enthusiastic. “Yeah, if you really want... Read More
Dora’s Secret
I feel so bad when the girls are sick, and not just because I have to pick up soggy tissues that I inevitably find in totally inappropriate places. Like Gigi’s underwear drawer. Lulu’s jewelry box. My coffee cup. Good until the last drop. I feel worse about the droopy eyes, the heavy mouth breathing and the hacking cough. And then there’s Dora. I have a lot of problems with Dora. She has no fashion sense. Pink shirt. Orange shorts. ... 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
Softening the Blow
We’re home. It was not a smooth transition. Gigi cried a good portion of the way home. Huge tears fell down her cheeks, and such a sincere pained look crossed her face when she admitted, “I don’t want to go home!” that I choked up myself and said, “I don’t want to either, Geeg.” I was less embarrassed by our public display of affection for a theme park than I was to be that person on the plane that is... Read More
One to Grow On
Grown inside. Growing. Outgrown. Ingrown. (Yeah, sorry about that. Really, really sorry.) Grower’s Market. Grown-ups!!! Locally grown. Organically grown. Overgrown. Growing debt. ($24!) Growing on me. That’s right. Growing on me. Grower’s Gazpacho 2-3 heirloom tomatoes 2 stalks of celery 1/2 of a bell pepper 2 t. minced garlic 2 t. soy sauce or Bragg’s liquid aminos 1/3 c. packed fresh basil 1 t. dried... 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
The Bright Side
When life hands you lemons… make Lemon Rosemary Roasted Chickpeas! Nothing about the last 24 hours really went as expected. Still, no one wants to hear me whine, so I’m simply going to relate them to you in the most annoyingly positive way possible! I didn’t even need my alarm to wake up Friday morning and was even able to pay a visit to my general practitioner to test out my new health insurance! I was happy to let McDreamy... Read More
Slow Mornin’, Slow Cookin’
It’s no secret in my family that I am NOT a morning person. Seeing me pre-coffee would truly give Scott Baio something to Tweet about, and thankfully, I’m not the only one reluctantly embracing the dawn. Princess nightgown in full effect, Gigi set up a grocery store in the breakfast nook this morning, carefully laying out her inventory. She announced that she was starting a store “where everything costs TWO DOLLARS.” I... Read More
Box of Rocks
If you don’t have kids, stop reading this and go take a nap…just because you can. Sleep is a gift God has given us, and apparently once you give birth, you are not deserving. Last night from about 11 pm until 6 am this morning we were consistenly awakened by Lulu barking like a seal, Maggie (our cat) chasing plastic Dollar Store rings around our hardwood floors and then our own sharp, piercing throat pain. Daddy and I would look at... Read More
Back Asswards
Today’s been like Anne Heche’s relationship history: completely bizarre and to be blamed on daddy issues. In our case, Pea Daddy had an arbitration early this morning, followed by a meeting tonight (or so he says…), so our whole day was kind of thrown off. Every morning my workout time is from 6:30 to 8 a.m. each morning, but since Pea Daddy had to leave early, I had to get up a half hour earlier than usual. That half hour... Read More
Dream Date
..for Gigi at least. Lulu is another matter entirely. We had nothing on the agenda for the day and with it being Winter Break, we were free to go and do whatever we wanted. I got up and got my workout done as early as possible, followed by a green smoothie in a bowl, so we could attempt to leave the house before the next presidential election. spinach 1 scoop vanilla soy protein powder frozen strawberries frozen mango almond milk cinnamon Kashi... Read More
Nacho Mama
This is Nacho Mama’s Cabbage Soup. I remember my parent’s going on the Cabbage Soup Diet several times growing up, specifically before their high school reunion and their trip to Hawaii. While I always found stuffing oneself with bananas and skim milk or tomatoes and beef a little bizarre, I did enjoy the soup. Now an unlimited milk and beef day? Holy cow, that I could be down with. Let me state for the record that I am NOT trying... Read More
Twelve Lessons of the Day
1. Peanut butter straight from the jar is quite possibly the best snack ever, even if you end up looking slightly like a toothless redneck with a mullet. 2. Jesus might just pop up when you least expect Him, so have your iPhone camera (and your soul) ready. 3. There is a direct correlation between the quality and quantity of cocoa powder I use, and the amount of spinach I can get my kids to slurp down. Mmm….so good. “Thumbs... Read More
The Why and The How
This is WHY I love our new camera. I’m like a Walmart photo studio but without this family watching our shoot from checkstand eight. This is HOW to tick off your cat. She’s thinking, “Lady, you’ve wanted nothing to do with me since those drooly, whiny, tailing grabbing, tutu wearing midgets got here, and now this!?” This is WHY you don’t let your husband test the camera when you are wearing your glasses and... Read More
No Regrets
My main goal in life is to have as few regrets as possible. Today was no exception. I thought I would regret not going for a run, but I actually enjoyed getting a killer workout from a hot broad with a killer ankle tat. If I could do this everyday until our Hawaii trip, maybe I won’t regret that new two piece I plan to buy. I do regret letting my toddler have coffee. I think she tore out the springs on her Jumperoo that day. I didn’t... Read More
Men In Trees
In a strange twist of events, there has been an abundance of testosterone in our house today. As an undercurrent to our day was the growing anticipation of the Civil War football game this evening. For those out of our great state, this is the annual college football showdown between Oregon State and the University of Oregon. Yes, Beavers versus Ducks. The whole Beaver Snuggie thing from yesterday makes a lot more sense now. (On a side note,... Read More
Sick and Wrong
Two things I hate to admit being: sick and wrong. I know I’ve been griping on and off about a cold for the last week, but it hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday. I woke up Sunday morning at 4 am feeling like Oprah, Steadman AND Gail were all sitting on my chest. “Hey, let’s sit on her!” I’d like to quash any beliefs that I am always sick or that it has anything to do with the fact that I don’t eat meat or much... Read More
Let’s Keep It Clean
We woke up this morning in some serious need of cleaning: our digestive systems, our house, our mouths and our minds! Before Daddy went into work for a few hours, I did a treadmill walk, some light weights and ab work (I should be clear to start running again tomorrow). After forty five minutes, I had wine and pie coming out of my pores. I could have wrung my sweaty socks out and taken communion. Instead, we made ice cream. I threw some bananas... Read More
Working Hard or Hardly Working?
Sorry for the absence today, friends, I was working hard. I’ve been putting in a lot of late hours on this big writing project I’ve undertaken and it’s to the point now where my brain is so fried that I turn to Daddy Pea and say, “Is ‘anytime’ one word or two? Is “two-year-old” hyphenated or not? Where the H did Spencer Pratt learn sex ed that he thinks a vasectomy is temporary?” Okay, you caught... Read More
Girls Girls Girls!
It was just the girls and me today. ALL DAY LONG. It was like if Robert Pattinson did a one man show of The Vagina Monologues at a national Alpha Phi convention. It was like if the Jonas Brothers held a complimentary concert in Central Park and were handing out free Bruno Magli stilettos. It was like the Healthy Living Summit. Estrogen overload. I savored the only 20 minutes I had to myself all day by doing intervals on the treadmill. We then officially... Read More
I Have Sinned
In the beginning (or last night) , Mama created cinnamon rolls. And they were good. Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls (Makes 6 rolls) Dough: 1 cup almond milk, warm 1 packet yeast 1/4 c. canned pumpkin 2 c. whole wheat pastry flour 1/2 c. organic unbleached all purpose flour 1 T. baking powder 1/4 c. organic sugar or sugar substitute (I used Nu Naturals Stevia Baking Blend) 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1/4 t. salt Cinnful Filling: 1/2 c. brown sugar 1... Read More
Use What You’ve Got!
The secret to happiness is making due with what you’ve got. In the words of Tim Gunn, “Make it Work!” Case in point: 1. I’ve got a cold. As you may recall, the Peas had a cold about a week and a half ago, which I fought off…until last night. Daddy came home yesterday, and upon seeing me in my hat, planted an amazingly passionate kiss on me. He must have a thing for greasy haired individuals in hats, which suddenly... Read More
What Time Is It?
Couch cushion obstacle course? Must be “7 a.m. horseplay” time. Lulu taking a spill? Must be deja vu time. Smoothie In a Bowl? Must be breakfast time. 1/2 banana 1/2 c. almond milk 2 large handfuls of spinach large scoop of silken tofu 1 c. frozen strawberries ~1/4 c. Kashi Go Lean ~2 T. granola Gigi hamming it up for the camera? Must be “Warming up for School Picture Day” time. Black bean burger salad? Must be “Leftovers... Read More
It’s All About the Form
Sometimes life is like a jump shot. It’s all about the form. Good form: I managed to get a thirty minute run in this morning before the hubs left for work. Bad form: Though I’d planned on lifting weights and doing some ab work, I simply stayed in my workout clothes for the next four hours with nary and outing nor a respectable degree of work to show for it. Good form: I had a green smoothie for breakfast. 1/2 c. frozen strawberries 1/4... Read More
Little Miss Sunshine
Someone’s got their diapers in a bunch, and for once it’s not Larry King. The day started out great! We were all up at 6:30, but well rested thanks to that extra hour yesterday. I was able to head out for a leisurely 30 minute run on the treadmill, where the Today show pointed out that Matt Lauer did not look like Ellen on Halloween, as I had said, but that he was actually Bruno. I stand corrected. After my run and getting Gigi... Read More
Mind Tricks and Treats
Roaming around the cold streets of our neighborhood, smelling the singed pumpkin from our suprisingly flammable jack o’ lantern and fearing that my children will never go to sleep due to the candy that they are opening and shoveling faster than I can grab it from their sticky paws has made me delusional. First, I woke up this morning and had a cookie for breakfast. In my mind, it tasted like this: But it actually looked like this: A Fitnessista... Read More
