Coffee grounds

We are landscaping! Yay! finally almost finished. It feels good!
I had heard that coffee grounds are great for the garden so I did some research and found these interesting tidbits about coffee grounds in gardens.

~Coffee Grounds are full of nutrients that acidic plants love! Especially fruits and Vegetables.
~It repels cats from using your garden as their own personal litterbox!
~Earthworms love coffee! Caffeinated worms get the job done faster! hehehe, kidding. but seriously, worms love coffee grounds so the more compost the more worms you will attract.
~use it for slug control. Slugs don't enjoy coffee but they Love to munch on your garden plants so keep them out.

Starbucks has had a program in place for years. They give it away for free! That's right, free. My hubby is so proud of me. (lol)
If they dont have any in the bin at the front of the store, just ask. They'll get you some. It also helps to know someone "on the inside" ;)

I can hardly wait to get some more for my strawberry hanging baskets too!
I forgot to do my strawberry plants! Oh well, guess i'll just have to make a trip to Starbucks today! Oh darn...

I feel so Deceived!!

Since becoming Vegan I pay MUCH more attention to the ingredients listings on food. I am absolutely disgusted by what I have learned. All these years I thought I wasn't eating beef or pork but apparently, I was so!

Chewing Gum

Glycerin, a main ingredient in chewing gum is derrived from fat. usually animal fat but it can be made from vegetable fat. if a product has glycerin in it it will almost always be made from animal fat, unless it specifically says it doesn't.

Stearic Acid

Fat from cows, sheep, etc. (could be dogs and cats from shelters). Most often refers to a fatty substance taken from the stomachs of pigs. Can be harsh, irritating. Used in cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, candles, hairsprays, conditioners, deodorants, creams. Alternatives: can be found in many vegetable fats (ie. coconut).

Lanolin

Lanolin Alcohols (Sterol, Triterpene Alcohol, Aliphatic Alcohol). Wool Fat. Laneth-5, -10, etc. Lanogene. Lanosterol. Isopropyl Lanolate. A product of the oil glands of sheep, extracted from their wool. In many skin care products and cosmetics and in medicines. Some cosmetic companies won't use it because it commonly causes allergic contact skin rashes, and also they consider it to be a cheap filler. Vegetable sources are thought to be better moisturizers; lanolin is too greasy, waterproof and sealing - skin can't breathe.

Gross, I had no clue!

Jello, Marshmallows, vitamins, gummy candy, etc
So upsetting...
Gelatin Sometimes Gel. Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments or bones with water, from cattle and hogs. Used in shampoos, face masks, other cosmetics. Used as a thickener for fruit gelatins and puddings (Jello-brand desserts). In candies, marshmallows, cakes, ice cream, yogurts. On photographic film as a coating and in vitamins as capsules. Sometimes used to assist in "clearing" wines. Alternatives: algae and seaweed (carrageen/ Irish Moss, algin, agar-agar, kelp), Gelozone, used in jellies, plastics, medicines, pectin from fruit, dextrins, locust bean gum and cotton gum. Marshmallows were originally made from the root of the marshmallow plant unfortunately advanced manufacturing processes and improved texturing agents eliminated the need for the gooey root juice altogether.

Shellac (gum, candy)

You know that shiny coating on candies like skittles? Or the sprinkles on cupcakes and ice cream sundaes? Well, they get that glaze from the secretions of the female lac beetle. Also known as shellac, its also commonly used as wood varnish!

It's never ending! we have No idea what is in our food! How do these people get away with this deception? I know I am boycotting these products. Ewwwww.

Getting the kids to eat their vegetables

My kids hate Veggies! I don't blame them, really I don't. I didn't like vegetables when I was younger either. The only way to eat them was if they were smothered with Cheese. Not just any cheese...it had to be Cheese Whiz! Urg.

I came across a shoothie recipe today http://peacethroughhealth.ca/ and thought this would be a great way to sneak in some "Bedgables" (as my kids call them.)

I thought it was going to go over well when my Son announced "it looks like there's chocolate in there!" What a brilliant idea! I threw in some cacao chips too.
They both took one sip and were totally disgusted! I thought it was good!

I'm not giving up hope. I KNOW one day they too will love "Bedgables".

Vegan in training

I have decided to go Vegan! It just seemed to naturally be the next step. It was bound to happen sooner or later!
I haven't had red meat or pork since 1999.
We recently did a 10 day raw vegan diet. It was easy and I loved it! I felt great being on the raw food. My skin started to glow, my skin got better and I felt better. Don't know that I could be 100% raw but I will certainly try!
I look forward to the challenge of coming up with delicious recipes. I love to cook. Love to make food yummy!
I could also use more compassion in my life. I need to be more compassionate for people and for animals.
I promise to never judge anyone again because when ever I do I seem to somehow end up in those shoes!
I am also tired of chasing skinny. I have struggled with my weight and body issues since I was a pre-teen.
Had a brief stint with anorexia when I was in high school and have struggled to maintain since then.
In 2007 I gave birth to twins. Full term twins. My body was a mess, I didn't ever think I could get my pre pregnancy body back. But I did, I did better than pre-pregnancy. It took a very Long time and a lot of work. I exercised every day, there were days I would excercise 2 or 3 times a day. Working out became a new obsession and now I'm hooked. I'm not as hard core as I used to be but I really enjoy excercise.
So I think I'm going to blog about my transition from vegetarian(?) to Vegan and life in general as well of course.
I know what my friends and family are thinking. They all think I'm nuts. Who knows? Maybe I'll be able to inspire someone.