Last Day of the Year!

While I was able to venture out with my fella and pooches for a nice long walk the afternoon, the bike ride just didn't happen. The weather foiled my plans! Instead, I was huddled down in the basement with three dogs and a cat staring at the doppler radar. There were tornado warnings and seventy mph winds! Oh my! Luckily we were safe and could venture out into the world for a spell once E returned home. Not everyone was so lucky and they are all in my thoughts this evening.

We plan on staying in for the night and welcoming the new year with our furry family. If we lived closer to things we'd enjoy I'd be on my bike and on the way there, but driving on nights like these scares me. I trust myself to not drink and drive, but not others!

We had a nice veggie tofu stir-fry for dinner and loved every bite!

It was full of tofu, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, onion, garlic, peppers, soy sauce, and a tiny bit of oil and mirin! Mmmm mmm good!

This year I plan on getting this blog off the ground and on track with a post every Monday-Friday! I'll be sharing some goals for the year this Monday after a weekend of reflection and relaxation.

Happy New Year to all! I hope it's better than the last or at least equally wonderful!

Love and Puppy Kisses,

-Sarbear

Confidence Explosion?

Not feeling a confidence explosion quite yet, but that's the plan. Had a really great talk today with the good ol' T to the pist and am feeling encouraged and motivated. I keep having to push myself which can be terribly scary and almost bring me to tears at times, but it's oh so good!

I came across this link today and number three really hit home for me:

"Stop living in the future. Every time you think “someday” or “when I have time I will,” stop. Ask yourself, “Why not now?” Think about this sentence, “I always wanted to, but never did.” Start doing the things you always planned to do. Choose your life every morning. Plan one thing you will do that day to feel alive."

My perfectionism and fear stop me so often. There shouldn't be so many things I've been putting off for so long out of fear and worry. It's time to start checking those off my list and to really start living. Frightening? Yes, at times. BUT it will be so so very wonderful. Any time I push myself, do something new, and come out on the other side my confidence increases ten fold. Here's to that!

And here are a couple cuties who make me smile and feel wonderful every single day. My little Leroy and his brother Jasper.

It's supposed to be unseasonably warm tomorrow so I'm planning a long walk with the pooches and a bike ride with my fella. Hopefully I'll snap a photo of the new(ish) bike to share here. She's a beauty!

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear

Cat Naps

Our holiday-ish party was last night and was a fun and strange time for sure. Didn't catch any zzzzz's last night but was able to have a nice warm cozy little cat nap down in my art room this morning. Thank goodness for cozy blankets, windowless rooms, and space heaters!

To go alongside the PB treats I shared yesterday, I also made a double-batch of baked falafel with some whole wheat pita wedges and hummus on the side. The falafel recipe is from the fairly newly released Appetite For Reduction by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. This is the fourth time I've made these and I've only had the book a very short time. They are quick and easy to throw together and delicious as well. My favorite way to enjoy the leftovers is to crumble a few up on top of a salad. Very delicious!

I need to explore Appetite For Reduction a bit more and try out some of the other enticing recipes, but I'll keep enjoying these for..well forever! They've become a staple in our home. I plan on whipping up some tahini sauce to add some extra moisture and deliciousness.

I have a new calendar in the works so I can get my new year planning on! Should be done in a couple days, just in time for the new year!

I just can't wait to crawl into bed and cuddle up with my pooches and my fella!

Love and Puppy Kisses,

-Sarbear

Peanut Butter Cups and a New Toy

We're having a holiday-ish party at my best pals house tonight so I decided homemade PB cups were in order. Vegan of course!

This time around I used the recipe by Kelly Peloza's Vegan Candyland Zine.

p.s. She also just recently released a cookie book so check that out as well!

I left out the graham cracker crumbs in the recipe, but they turned out wonderfully without (I made a batch for the family holidays and they were well received. I've had a taste or too as well and give 'em a big thumbs up!). I'd for sure recommend this recipe and the zine in general!

Oh and for the cups I used little mini silicone baking cups in all shapes and sizes. I picked up the pack of 24 at a little kitchen shop for just a few bucks. Neat! ...especially since my candy molds gave me a run for my money the last time I tried to use THEM. Whew! This was much better, and cuter.

Also, this bar below is my favorite ever. Wish I had a case so I could enjoy one every week, but they're better as a treat now and then anyway, right? I heard about this on Bitch Cake's blog and once I had my first taste I fell in love.

And of course... dun dun dun...meet my new lady! E gifted me a beautiful mixer this holiday and I LOVE it. I've been wanting one since I was a young girl because I've always had the cooking and baking bug. I've yet to break her in, but it will be happening soon. Need to find a healthy little recipe to whip up for us to enjoy! I'll be sure to share the results when I do. Don't you love the color?

I've been feeling pretty badly today due to my mysterious illness that's been plaguing me for far too long, but I'm chugging along and making things happen regardless. My healthy eating, habits, and gradual weight loss are helping I'm sure, but I do wish I could get to the bottom of this.

For now I'll take some time to snuggle on the couch with one of my pooches (whoever gets here first. I bet it will be little Leroy) and take it easy for a bit. Hope everyone has a beautiful Tuesday!

Love and Puppy Kisses,

-Sarbear

A Recipe and Some Thoughts

I received a VegNews e-mail in my inbox not long ago and thought the included cookie recipe sounded spectacular, so I gave it a go for our holiday gatherings.

My results:

And the Recipe:

Ingredients Needed:

1-1/2 cups non-hydrogenated margarine

1 cup unbleached cane sugar

10 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon vanilla

4-1/2 cups unbleached flour

3/4 cup tapioca flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cocoa powder

Their Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, beat together the margarine, sugar, water, and vanilla until light and creamy. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well to form a smooth dough. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until firm. Divide the dough in half, work with one half at a time, and keep the remaining dough covered.

2. On a floured work surface, roll the dough out to desired thickness (1/8-inch for crispy cookies or 1/4-inch for soft), cut into shapes with a knife or cookie cutters, and carefully transfer the cookies with a spatula to ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. Allow cookies to cool slightly before transferring to a rack to cool completely. Store in an air-tight container.

*For an extra-festive twist, cover the tops of the cookies with melted chocolate and crushed candy canes! (As seen in the photo I did do this. It makes a big difference I think!)

These are tasty cookies. A little cakey, but with the chocolate on top it helps balance out the textures. Mine came out to around 2 ½ dozen I believe but I made them pretty thick and large.

The holidays were great and I enjoyed hosting my sister and her husband at our home and spending time with mine and E’s families. We’re blessed with lots of love to surround ourselves with both blood and friendship linked.

Now it’s onto a new year and some new adventures. I’m looking forward to making this year even better than the last, as is always my goal. Look for a bit of reflection and planning here soon. I’m working on my lists and organizing my thoughts.

Love and Puppy Kisses

-Sarabear