Highlights of the Week

Well have you survived the insanity that usually surrounds Thanksgiving?  First, the obsession that goes into selecting and making "the perfect recipe" for the Big Day, then the craziness that is Black Friday, and then the aftermath of leftovers...yeah, kinda a crazy time for most people. 

Honestly, I didn't stress about recipes, I just winged it.  Black Friday?  I did do some minor shopping, but got to the store at 3pm, not 6am, so no stress there.  And leftovers?  That's Scott's domain, and I just keep on making different versions of salads for myself.  And keeping a laidback attitude?  I've been successful!  Yoga, breathing, smiling, enjoying my family, and being grateful for what I have all been key!

Thank you for all the great compliments and praise on my Thanksgiving Day Food & Recipes Post.  I am touched you think I was a great wife for making Scott a turkey.  Honestly, it wasn't that hard, but as are most cooking projects of that magnitude, it was just time-consuming, but not that difficult.  But I'm really glad you enjoyed my pictures and recipes, awesome! 

Time to review the Week's Recipes and Food in one handy post.  If you missed last week's recap post, here it is.  All the recipes, eats, and links from the week in one handy post.  


This Week:
Sunday I made Raw Vegan Almond Butter Cookies

Monday I couldn't decide if I should serve Raw Vegan Apple Crumble

or No-Bake Vegan Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving Dessert.

Tuesday I still had not decided, but remembered that my almost Raw Vegan Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes were festive & yummy.

And I Helped you with A Variety of Roasted Potato Recipes
Pretty Multi-Colored Roasted Taters

Sweet Potato Fries

Curly Sweet Potato Fries

And Some Great Raw Veggie and Salad Recipes
A Vegan Cesar-Inspired Salad

Kale with Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing

And Simple Greens with my Holiday Orange Spice Viniagrette

 

Wednesday I talked Everyday Eats before the big Gorge-Fest Thanksgiving Day.  Foods like
Overnight Soaked Coconut & Mango Tropical Oats

 

Sunbutter & Chocolate Chips straight outta the jar

 

And a fresh batch of my Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

 

Thursday I was feeling Grateful.  And talked about all the people & things I'm grateful for.

Friday I Adorned you with My Thanksgiving Day Feast Food & Recipes
Sweet Potato Fries

Roasted White Potato Wedges

Stuffing

Turkey & Gravy

 

A Kale & Veggie Salad with homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing

And Raw Vegan Apple Crumble for Dessert

Friday was Leftovers Day for Scott: Turkey & Gravy, a Garden Veggie Salad with Ranch, and Sweet & White potatoes

And Friday was Shopping Day (just a little bit) for Me.  I do not consider the purchase of this External Hard Drive a luxury.  I consider it close to a necessity.  

I have had my computer for 15 months and have never backed it up.   Scary!!!!  I had a mere 9000+ photos on my iPhoto on my hard drive that were not backed up in any way.  That's the cyber equivalent of unprotected sex: Russian Roulette!  So I found a great deal at Best Buy for this drive for $79 bucks (normally $139), Friday & Saturday only.   Peace of mind.  Totally.  Ahhhh.

And while I was there also picked up a portable iPod speaker system that doesn't need to be plugged in (uses a rechargeable battery) and came complete with carrying case and remote.  This is the Perfect Solution for my music mixes when teaching yoga classes!!!!!

Honestly, walking into new studio after new yoga room after new gym and wondering if my iPod is going to play, wondering if there would be any glitches with the stereo equipment at the various facilities was getting old.  Problem solved and I consider the $149 for this gadget a yoga business expense.  

And the sound quality is pretty impressive.  Skylar was bustin' out the dance moves in my yoga room!

She's the only 2 year old who prefers the soothing sounds of Jai Uttal to the shrieks of Sesame Street. 

Speaking of yoga..
I went to a new yoga shala today.  Actually, I practiced at someone's house.  It was pretty cool.  For my serious yogi readers, I did a led primary series today, which I always do on Saturdays and Sundays.  For those who have no idea what that means, it means I did about 75 vinyasas and lots of other standing and seated postures.  I also received a great spot in viparita chakrasana and was on my own for about 30 seconds which was really nice. 


Yoga Today is Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose). 
Your Drishti, or Gazing Point, should be upward at your hand if your balance is stable.  If not, then pick a spot on the ground and work toward lifting your gaze eventually.

Tip of the Day:  Get out and Enjoy the Fresh Air, the people in your life, magazines, books, a walk in Nature, time in your kitchen, time on your couch...but maybe just unplug a little from the computer.  I am extremely guilty as charged and my Tip for all of you is to unplug a bit (keep reading my blog though!) but seriously, don't get tooo sucked in to all the media, all the time, every.single.day.  I need to work on this too.

What's your strategy for staying balanced with technology?  It seems we are all so overly plugged in and connected.  Blackberries, iPhones, Texting, Cell Phones, Wireless cards for our Laptops, Computers, TVs, DVR's so we don't miss a show, GoogleReader to organize the RSS Feeds of our closest 4567898767 friends' blogs, you name it, it's a Cyber Assault.  One of my resolutions in 2010 is to Un-Plug a little. 

How do you stay grounded and not feel overwhelmed with a constant does of connectivity and "being plugged in" everywhere you turn? Does it bother you or are you so accustomed you don't even notice the 24/7 stimulus overload anymore?  How does all the technology & constant media stream impact you?


Stay Tuned For A Vegan Chocolate Dessert that fulfills Thin Mint, Chocolate Brownie, and Buttercream Frosting Cravings All In One...