7 Things I'm Loving Lately

Hey there! Guess what? Todd and I are moving! Yep, we straightup decided to move. It was a very quick decision that had been brewing for quite some time. We gave our landlord 10 days, so we'll be super busy moving all week. Unfortunately, it's my regret to inform you that there may not be many posts this week. I feel your pain.  However, I've had a couple drafts saved up for a rainy day like a good blogger should, so here's a peek at a few things I've been kind of obsessed with lately. I feel lucky to have these 7 wonderful products in my life, so I thought I'd share!

Some affiliate links below. 

Flamous Original Falafel Chips 

You guys...these chips are amazing. They are falafel, but in chip form! Hippie vegans unite! As far as chips go they are super nutritious, very filling and highly addictive. No joke, sometimes I just have half a bag for lunch. They're kept hidden in my car so I semi-forget about them, but when I do remember it's like a super special treat and I eat half the bag, get full and don't cook dinner. Click below to get yourself some. I find them at Fred Meyer and Amazon.

 

Athleta Andalé Pant

OMG...These. Pants. Are. Amazzzing. Honestly, these are the pants dreams are made of. Yea, they're kind of expensive if you want five pairs like me...I only have one, but that might change soon. I got them on our East Coast trip and haven't taken them off since...except to wash, I'm not that gross. They are sooo super comfortable. I actually wear them to work and of course they can be used for yoga as well, or any exercise really. Dress 'em up or dress 'em down, they can also be capris or full-on pants. Surprisingly, they are incredibly slimming. I am wearing them right now, truly. 

Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Classic Snacks for Dogs, Just Vegg'N

So, I can't say I've actually tried these myself but...Bob really loves them. I bought him Old Mother Hubbard snacks when we were non-vegans and now that we've made the switch I absolutely had to find out if they offered completely vegan ones and low and behold, they do! I almost died with excitement. I buy mine from Amazon. They come in different sizes, too!  

prAna Men's Sutra Pant

I got Todd these Yoga pants for Christmas and the man loves them. He uses them for yoga mostly but I think they look great out and about. I wish Prana made a women's version. I'd just wear them out on the town, cuz that's how I roll. 

Tea Forte KATI Cup

I have a confession. I might hoard these. First discovered at a Whole Foods in Ohio, I was lured by the name because I too am a Katie. Since we don't have any WF stores up here in Alaska, I order mine from Amazon. Over the course of a year or two I may have ordered six (or more, I lost count). Not all for me though, geeze! I only have three. Obviously, that is a perfectly acceptable number of tea cups to own. I really love how fine the mesh strainer is. There's a very naughty caramel Rooibos tea I have that's always trying to sneak through my tea strainers. This one keeps it mostly out. Also, they have the cutest patterns.  

DeVita absolutely Blushed - Pink Opal Blusher

I requested and received this sample to try out and I absolutely love it (get it?). No really. I've been using NARS Orgasm blush since before I went vegan and was going to order a new one but learned that they test on animals. Wah, wahhhh. I was scouting a vegan one when I found DeVita. My search for a cruelty-free, vegan, no weird chemicals blush is over. Hallelujah! I don't know what it is about this blush, it's like it was custom made for me or something. It looks so natural, I love it even more than my NARS one, which is supposed to be the Holy Grail of blushes. That's all I'll say now because pretty soon you'll see a review of this blush along with a BB cream! 

Talisman Designs Get Real Solid Beechwood Measuring Spoons

My little brother got me these off my Christmas wish list. They are so adorable. I just love, love, love them! Everytime I use them they always make me smile. Also, they come in different designs and have matching mixing/serving spoons, salad servers, knives, forks, etc. I also have a mixing spoon that I got a couple years ago for our wedding. I adore the little hedgehog, he's my favorite. 

 

Well, that's all for now. I hope you had fun looking at some items that bring Todd, Bob, and myself great joy. Cheers!

I am an Amazon Affiliate. All opinions are my own.t

Guess Who Got A Cat!?

Look, we got a cat named Goldie! 

Okay... April Fools. We didn't get a cat companion. Sad face. 

However, my birthday is in two weeks time and you can bet your sweet ass that I'm doing my very best work to try to convince Todd that we need a companion of the feline variety. Fine, fine...let's be real, I've been trying to adopt another animal for quite some time. I'm not even picky! I told Todd a cat, dog, rabbit, goat, or even a hedgehog would be just fine. When my birthday rolls around though, I like to put on extra special pressure. 

Today Todd texted me...

Todd: What do you want for your birthday, non-animal related? Me: Cat.  Todd: No.  Me: Goat. Todd: No, did you read above??

Disregarding the limitations of my future birthday present...I settled on this little one. The rescue says:

"Goldie is a darling little golden girl. She is super soft and super lovable.

Goldie has endured much in the past couple of months. Found freezing with her collar embedded in the skin under her left arm, she was taken in and given veterinary care. As a result of frostbite, she lost most of both of her ears and will likely lose most of her tail in the coming weeks. She is healing well and enjoys resting as well as a good stroll around the yard.  She just has these endearing qualities about her that make her irresistible! She has even taken to hide and seek! She “ambushes” you from someplace like behind the toilet:) to get the game started and, when found, she scoots out and runs to another hiding place. It is hilarious and the look on her face says “keep the fun coming.”  She is good with dogs and other cats.

Goldie is a special kitty who deserves a safe and comfortable home where she can enjoy life!"

God, isn't that awful! Breaks my little heart to pieces. So, give me all your tips to help me talk Todd into giving the a-okay on this little girl. She needs to come home with us and be Bailey's little sister! 

I suspect the outcome will be the same as my last endeavor. Remember when I tried to convince Todd that we should adopt Oreo? I'll never give up, you guys! 

25 Simple Ways to Enrich Your Life

This post all started because one day I was sitting about (like I do) and pondering on how I need to eat more beans. Yes, beans. Like...legumes. Seriously. That is so weird. Who does that??

Anyways, as I sat disheartened by what a poor bean eater I must be, I began to think about more ways to lead a healthier life. A healthier life, to me anyways, equates to a happier life. And I'm not just talking about being healthy with regards to diet. Mental, social, and environmental health as well! I also thought about all the stuff I already do to enrich my life and what a cool blog post that would be.

Below are 25 things that I currently do and also things that I would like to do more of and/or start doing. Take a peek and if you're looking for new ways to lead a happier and healthier life (who isn't?), I hope you find some good ideas! Let me know what you do to enrich your life or what you'd like to start doing.

I've seen some of the different posts on ways to better your life. They're usually one in the same. Eat better, sleep more, exercise, yadda, yadda. But, I've never seen a post with specific things that that particular person has been doing. And it's always better to see real examples, in my opinion. Adapt them to your own! Nobody better start coming up to Alaska to visit my Nanners in her home...that would be really weird. Anyway, here you go!

Things I'm already doing:

Create less waste by purchasing eco-friendly, reusable alternatives.  -- This includes snack tins instead of plastic bags, cloth towels instead of paper towels, and eco-friendly trash bags. Purchasing cruelty-free products. -- Such as toilet paper, paper towels, toiletries, and beauty products. -- I like Dessert Essence, Seventh Generation, Paul Mitchell, and Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Products. Learn a new language. -- I am halfway through learning German on Duolingo. You should try it for yourself. Es ist viel Spaß! See my progress, here. Eat at least one servings of nuts per day. -- Cashews and walnuts are my favorite. I usually have a small handful when I get home after work, to tide me over until dinner.  Post at least four times a week to Produce On Parade. -- It's important to my readers (and to me!) to have regular posts and I love being able to express my creativity.  Exercise at least five times a week. -- During the workweek, I run for 50 minutes four days a week and do yoga one day. On the weekend, Todd and I usually have at least one Alaskan adventure outside.  Listen to NPR or other news once a day. -- I like to listen to NPR on my commute.  Walk Bailey at least twice per day. -- He gets a walk in the morning and one at night as well. It's a good way to start the morning and wind down after work. The fresh air doesn't hurt either! Donate to charity. -- Every year I donate a portion of my Alaska PFD to three meaningful charities. Sometimes they change. Last year I donated to Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue, Arthritis Foundation Alaska, and Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska. One for me, one for Todd, and one for sweet Grandma Nancy. This year I donated to Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska, Meadow Gates Farm Sanctuary, and Valley Community for Recycling Solutions. Also, whenever the grocery store asks me to donate to (insert charity/foundation), I say yes. And so should you. Even if it's just rounding up to the nearest dollar. If I can afford to buy a latte (I don't actually buy lattes), then I can afford to donate at the grocery store.  Become more minimalist by not accepting freebies and reusing/repurposing items. -- I love having less. It sounds weird and counterintuitive, but once you start purging yourself of items that are rarely used it really shows you what you have and you end up valuing those items more! Becoming more minimalist is an ongoing journey for Todd and myself. I recommend reading The Joy of Less, which I have read and Zero Waste Home is next on my list.  Speaking of books, I always alternate a book for pleasure with a book for learning.  -- Right now I am reading A Feast for Crows: A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) and when I'm done with that I will read Zero Waste Home. Making more of my own homemade kitchen basics. -- We make our own sandwich bread, non-dairy butter, and almond milk. I've also been sprouting recently, but I'd really like to try my hand at pasta! Listen to learning podcasts. -- My favorites are Stuff Mom Never Told You, Snap Judgement, Stuff You Should Know, The Hen House, and Nutrition Diva. Be less of a hermit. -- This is the very difficult for me. My goal has been to say hi to co-workers in the hall, wave at passing cars on our road, chit-chat more, etc. It's a small step, but at least it's in the right direction. 

Sidenote: If you live in Alaska, you BEST be pickin' and clickin' and givin'. Don't be that person that doesn't give back. Click the image below to search charities and find one that matters to you!

Things I would like to start doing more:

Eat at least one serving of protein rich foods per day. -- Such as tempeh, beans, tofu, lentils, and/or quinoa. Paint. -- This is difficult, as our rental house is so, sooo incredibly tiny. My easel is packed away below the house. Sad face.  Get more involved with animal charity work. -- I donate money and items to our rescue foundation, but I'd like to get involved with more campaigning (I use that word loosely) against factory farming. Drink one healthy smoothie a day. -- I used to do this regularly, but lately breakfast has been hard for me to swallow. Literally. I don't really do food in the morning. In fact, this morning I got everything out to make a green smoothie but then, I decided I just couldn't bear it and put it all back away.  Visit my grandparents more. -- I need to be better at this.  Make Bailey his own food. -- Bob still gets mostly dry dog food, but I've read about people cooking up rice, sweet potatoes, and beans for their dogs. The longest living dog was vegetarian! Compost! -- We don't have one because we rent, but I'd really love to start one. I might look into the worm composting that was recommended by a reader, until we build our own house. Grow more vegetables and fruits. -- I grow my own herbs and some easy stuff like rhubarb, but once we build our house (fingers crossed for starting this spring!) I'd like to have a large food garden. Forage. --I've bought myself a few books on foraging, and there couldn't be a better place than Alaska. I can't wait for spring and summer to arrive! Phone my BFF in the states more. -- You know who you are. I am the worst with conversing on that little electronic gadget. I'm so sorry! It doesn't mean I don't love you to absolute pieces! Teensy, tiny, itty bitty pieces I tell you! Be less of a perfectionist. -- A big one is letting a certain someone wash dishes...even if he doesn't do as good of a job as me? It's a work in progress.

Well, there you have it. Do you already do any of these, or did you find some that you'd like to start doing? Any that you'd like to share? I'd love to know!