Being someone who worships at the temple of all things veggie isn't always easy. Especially when almost everyone around you still thinks meat is the only real source of protein available. Over the years I've learned to deal with the snide remarks and funny looks. I've learned to adapt most restaurant menus to my needs and work around social situations that aren't veggie friendly. Sometimes though things happen that leave me at a loss for words or worse in tears.
So what's a girl to do when my armor is pierced and all that hard work is shattered?
I haven't got a clue.
The thing is, I'm an extremely timid person who has learned to fake being out-going and charismatic. I avoid confrontation and I'm always trying to make nice.
However, I don't know what would heal this particular incident. I feel like I've tried to be as adaptable as is possible and the whole thing is being viewed as me being difficult.
For the record, I'm not a vegetarian because I enjoy being difficult. I'm a vegetarian because I don't like the taste of meat and because I'm horrified by factory farms. I'm a vegetarian because it's what feels right in my soul.
I don't judge the people around me for eating meat. I respect their decisions. I don't beat them over the head with my beliefs or expect them to live their life like I do. I just wish they could afford me the same respect.
Last week Husband took some vacation time so that we could properly celebrate our anniversary.
(I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that he needed to burn some vacation time since his deployment to Korea was cancelled... Right?)
It was fantastic. We never even left town. Let's review the highlights shall we?
On our actual anniversary we ate nachos, took a nap, had take-out pizza & worked on a puzzle of the Taj Mahal. Who knew it was possible to feel competitive about puzzles? In my case... it's very possible.
On Monday we visited the zoo and I got sunburned. We go approximately every 2 years and I always get sunburned. You'd think I'd learn my lesson but no, I never do. I was annoyed that the poison dart frogs were M.I.A., again. The one thing I really look forward to and they are always off breeding or something. Oh well.
Tuesday was the long-anticipated Foo Fighters concert.
Best. Night. Ever!
It was 2.5 hours of pure awesomeness. The acoustic section of the encore was so amazing. I will forever be a devoted fan. (and for the record I have loved them ever since Big Me premiered on MTV a million years ago)
(In my opinion a concert can really make or break my love for a band and in this case I will be forever devoted)
I really tried to grab Dave Grohl's sweaty outstretched hand on the few occasions that I was less then 5 feet from him but alas it wasn't meant to be. And as a side note, I'm not sure why I always tend to be a magnet for spilled beer at concerts but I am. This tends to make me very sad and sticky.
And because my mom asked me what a Foo Fighter was I thought I'd include a video for my favorite song on their new album:
Needless to say Wednesday was not my best day. I felt like I had a really bad hang-over. I guess it must have been from all that beer my skin soaked up during the concert.
Thursday we visited the aquarium. It was far better then the last time I went... something like 4 years ago, I think? We actually spent more time there then we had at the zoo. They have the cutest otter there. I seriously could have watched him all day.
Saturday & for a few hours on Sunday we visited Mayfest. It was supreme fun. I'm now completely in love with Lisa Loudermilk's art. Too bad I don't have the cash flow to actually purchase any art...
Unless you consider this funky little frog to be art (which I do). I named him Maynard. I've also discovered that his toes are very sharp and can be used as a weapon if needed. Don't ask.
It was a fun week.
To sum it up: When my grandma asked if we had yet to have any serious blowups my reply was "nothing that going to bed couldn't solve"... Husband's reply? "or me ignoring you until you got over it." He's so sweet.
Husband is taking the next week off work.
Therefore it's the perfect opportunity to restart juicing. (I can't possibly be bothered to get out of bed at 5:45 to juice)
Oh the glory that is green juice.
I think Husband missed it.
After he chugged his glass he looked over at mine longingly. Naturally I threatened bodily harm if he tried any funny business.
Then I lamented not buying more produce because I could have had another 7 glasses myself...
Good thing the farmers market is tomorrow.
This particular incarnation is romaine lettuce, kale, apples & lemon.
Tomorrow I'm feeling spinach, apples & possibly lemon. I'll keep you posted.
This is from the other night. It was over-flowing with yum. Black beans, sweet potato (from our garden), local spinach, cilantro lime rice, pico, avocado, & cheese.
Husband had shredded chicken on his... Nobody's perfect. ;)
In other news we'll be celebrating 7 years of wedded bliss(ish) on Sunday.
We've come a very long way...
Setting: 6am, me still snuggled under the covers, Husband getting ready for work.
He re-enters the bedroom and the following conversation takes place:
Him: Why'd you turn on the iRobot.
Me: *mummble*grumble* I didn't.
Him: Then why is it on?
Me: *gumble*mummble* I don't know.
Him: I wonder if the cat turned it on.
Me: *snuggles down farther under the covers* Go away.
Eventually I hear Husband corner it and turn it off.
The case against the cat is as follows:
Yesterday he started screaming at 5am. When that didn't get him his way (canned food and attention) he decided to up the anty today by turning on the vacuum.
See? Maybe he's the real evil genius of our household.
"Husband has agreed to eat as much veggie/vegan food as I'm willing to cook. Now I have to cook... the plan has backfired. He is an evil genius."
So here I sit.
A pile of cookbooks stacked next to me on the couch.
A wet cutting board in the kitchen.
Dishes drying.
Hands reeking of cilantro, again.
And I am tired.
Tonight we're going to feast on my first & only successful vegan recipe because I bought more cilantro & green onions at the farmer's market on Saturday. I have no idea why. I just did. Turns out this is a good thing though since Husband has been bugging me to make the dish again anyway.
Tomorrow I plan to attempt something called the "Buddha Bowl" (Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr) only with sugar snap peas instead of black olives because I still don't like black olives and the snap peas were another bizarre decision I made on Saturday.
I now have several old salsa jars overflowing with items from the bulk bins and a bowl of chickpeas soaking in the fridge. It's a whole different universe from my Taco Bueno days. Hopefully in a good way.
In the meantime though it would nice to find recipes that don't have a thousand ingredients and more importantly that it contains ingredients that I can pronounce. Also did you know that scallions are the same thing as green onions? I didn't until I googled it. I've been googling a lot lately.
