Tag: plant based

Avocado Toast with Tomatoes

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A comfort food of mine is avocado toast. It can be versatile, you can add anything you like on it and it’s so yummy.

Lately, I have been on this kick of putting sliced tomatoes on mine.

Get your avocados and sliced bread out and enjoy some yummy toast.

1 sliced sourdough bread

Vegan butter

1 quarter large avocado (more or less)

Sliced grape tomatoes (or any kind of tomatoes you like)

Toast the bread. Place once toasted spread on some vegan butter, the. Avocado and top with sliced tomatoes. Enjoy!

Fall/Winter Fruit Trees

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The last couple years my fruit trees have been neglected. They are overgrown and the fruits are full of spots (a few pics below). Starting this fall, I will begin getting my fruit trees healthier next seasons crop.

Here is a month by month for Fall/Winter to prepare for the Spring/Summer tasks.

October

• Harvesting: harvest the remaining fruits

• Post-Harvest Cleanup: Remove any fallen fruit and leaves, bag them up and have Waste Management take them away to ensure any infected leaves and fruits are off the property.

• Pruning: Do some light pruning and remove damaged or broken branches.

November

• Clean around the trunks and replace the old mulch with a new 3 to 4 inch layer of hay (not touching the trunk)

• Irrigation: Water before the ground freezes.

• Setup bird feeders in the trees to attract birds to clean up insects

December

• Check for pests

January/February

• Prune the trees while they are dormant. I will remove the dead and/or diseased branches and crossing limbs to improve air circulation and allow sunlight to flow through.

• Check for signs of overwintering pests and/or diseases and remove any infected wood.

•Spray the entire trees with all season horticultural oil in 40 degrees or above weather.

These tasks will keep me busy through the Fall and Winter. Spring and Summer still to come. Stay tuned…

Veganized Toll House Cookies

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The next time you are craving some homemade chocolate chip cookies, here is a veganized version of recipe of Nestle’s Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies. Enjoy.

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup vegan butter, softened
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • ¾ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons chia seeds (soak a couple minutes in 6 Tablespoons of warm water)
  • 2 cups vegan semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup oatmeal and/or nuts (optional)

Step 1:  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

Step 2:  Beat butter, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, chia seeds and water in a large mixing bowl until creamy and fluffy.

Step 3:  Add salt, baking soda and gradually add flour. Mix well.

Step 4: Add chocolate chips and optional oatmeal/nuts. 

Step 5:  Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Step 6:  Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 9 to 11 minutes

Step 7: Cool and enjoy

Organic Homesteading

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It is time to look at our organic homesteading lifestyle centered on growing our own food focusing on a plant-based diet. Our approach is to work in harmony with nature, cultivating fruits, vegetables and herbs without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. This also means making the most of what the earth provides, reducing waste, and embracing a self-sufficient lifestyle by using sustainable and eco-friendly methods.

Whether you have a small piece of property, tons of acres or a suburban garden organic homesteading allows you to nourish your body while contributing to a healthier planet.

I will be focusing on getting our fruit trees healthier and determining what winter vegetables we want to plant.

This is all a learning process and some fruit and vegetables could take years to have healthy crops, but I am in it for the long haul and excited to see my plants flourish as I learn more about gardening.

Redirection

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Life is funny and frustrating. You have plans and goals and the universe tells you to hold on.

2024 was going to be the year of training for a trail marathon (in honor of my sister who passed away unexpectedly last year), return to riding my horse on the trails and doing dressage, running trails with my dog, and more personal, professional and financial goals. However, 2024 had other plans. Testing me mentally, physically, emotionally and financially.

There are days when I’m in denial, happy or I breakdown. This year I was challenged with an excruciating knee pain that halted all my fitness training and riding my horse. My dog was challenged with knee injuries, causing her to have two and now going on three surgeries this October. And my horse’s top line atrophied due to a vitamin E deficiency causing her back pain if ridden and I question where I’m at professionally and financially. I’m not where I had envisioned. Every area of my life has been challenged this year. I tell myself 2024 is just a reset year. And hopefully 2025 will be much better.

A reset year and a redirection of my brain to prevent anxiety and depression. It is difficult but needs to be done. I know others have it worse than I, however, anxiety and depression doesn’t discriminate. I just need to keep moving forward.

We all need to move forward.

Get outside

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Get outside and spend time in nature. Nature offers various benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, enhanced creativity, and increased physical activity, contributing to overall well-being.

One of my favorite activities outside is trail running. Trail running provides a dynamic workout that enhances cardiovascular fitness, strengthens muscles, and improves balance. It also offers mental benefits like reduced stress, increased focus, and a connection to nature.

Another favorite activity is trail riding. Trail horseback riding combines physical activity with outdoor enjoyment, offering benefits such as improved balance, strengthened core muscles, and enhanced coordination. Additionally, it provides a unique and immersive experience in nature, promoting relaxation and stress relief.

And I love walking my dogs on the trails or at the beach. Walking your dog provides both physical and mental benefits. It promotes exercise for both you and your furry friend, strengthens your bond, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being.

So reap the benefits of the outdoors and get outside.

Tofu – Yummy Protein

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Tofu is a good source of plant-based protein, rich in essential amino acids. It’s also a good source of iron, calcium, and magnesium. Additionally, tofu is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, making it a heart-healthy protein alternative. Some studies suggest it may have potential benefits for bone health and reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases.

You can make various dishes with tofu, such as tofu stir-fry, tofu scramble, tofu curry, or even marinated and grilled tofu. It’s versatile and can be used in both savory and sweet recipes.

My personal extra firm tofu favorite dishes are crispy tofu, coated pan fried or baked tofu or tofu “egg” salad. Throw them on a green salad, bread or wrap or eat them on their own.

Be creative and enjoy the benefits of this wonderful plant protein.

Embracing Plantbased Lifestyle

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Embracing a plant-based lifestyle comes with numerous benefits for your health, the environment, and even animal welfare.

You can have many reasons for going Plantbased. But whatever the reason is, you will find several benefits in your decision.

1. Health Benefits: Plantbased can reduce risk of chronic diseases, improved heart health, and increased energy levels. It can help you have better recovery after working out.

2. Environmental Impact: A plantbased lifestyle can contribute to sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water, and preserving biodiversity.

3. Saving animals from being tortured and killed. This was my main reason next to the health benefits.

4. Transitioning to a Plantbased lifestyle isn’t as hard as people make it sound. Just don’t cook animal products. Some say they can’t give up cheese, then eat cheese and go plantbased everywhere else in your diet. Then down the road maybe try and move off cheese. Research what animals go through for you to have that cheese and venture out and try Plantbased cheeses. As with anything, some are good and some are not. But if you can’t go off cheese, then that is okay and don’t let anyone make you feel like a failure.

Food seems to be a trigger for some and when they hear you are Plantbased some become your nutritionist asking the same old question, “how do you get your protein?” The answer is plants, legumes, tofu etc.. I like to ask them how they get their antioxidants.

I enjoy a Plantbased life. Am I perfect? Absolutely not. I still like milk chocolate. I do look for vegan chocolate but sometimes it isn’t.

Live your life. Eat plants and feel great.

Vegan Skin & Hair Care

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I decided to switch up my skin and hair care routine to see if I notice a difference.

Every product markets they are one that is going to enhance your life in some way. They make “promises” only to fall short.

In most cases, you can’t even trust the spokesperson because they are being paid or given free products, or both. You look at social media and most of those people are getting some sort of payment or free products, also. Nothing seems non biased anymore and that got me thinking, why don’t I test done products?

Starting a few weeks ago, I decided to try a few products for a few months. Then I will give an honest review. I am not a paid person, nor received any for free. I bought all these products myself.

The following cruelty free, vegan products I am trying for my skincare:

Honest Beauty gentle cleanser

Honest Beauty vitamin C serum

Honest Beauty hyaluronic acid

Honest Beauty hydrogel cream

The following cruelty free, vegan products I am trying for my hair care:

Nutrafol Women’s Vegan Hair Growth Supplements, Plant-based

Luv Me Care Biotin Hair Growth Oil

So there you have it. Will I notice a difference in three months? We shall see. I hope so.