Santa, Christmas Morning, Vegan Stir Fry

Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I wish you a blessed day, a happy day, a time to just be with your loved ones.  I hope you can take time to reflect upon Chritmas' past, and create new memories going forward as you cherish special times with your families and friends on Christmas Day today!

We've had a great day!  And it's only just past 10am!  Santa made his way all the way to Aruba, can you believe it??!!  And what did he bring?  Other than the $150 airline fee for an international overweight baggage fee...but hey, some things are just non-negotiable like gifts for good little girls!

Well, he brought a Bear

 And some Markers, Crayons, and Art Project Supplies

And Dr. Seuss books

And Dress Up Clothes For the American Girl Bitty Baby that she already opened

And Princess-Themed markers and a coloring book

Skylar absolutely relished every single second of Christmas Morning!  She will be 3 years on February 2nd, so such a magical little age for Santa and the Magic of Christmas.

One of the best things about becoming a mother is reliving my own childhood, but through my child's eyes.  I am both a little girl as I recall the Christmas mornings when Santa brought me Barbie Dream Cars and Esprit sweaters...

...and I am this little girl's mother.  

 A girl at heart, able to feel the wonder of the season, and mother to a little girl who feels the magic of Santa. 

That's the beauty of parenthood and I was once that girl who said, "I'm never having kids."  Now, I am that woman who says, "Oh My God, Thank You for this Gift.  This child, this journey, this blessing, Thank You."

And to me, that's what Christmas is all about.

Thanks for everyone who chimed in on yesterday's post about the Beautiful Blogger Award I was given.

I hope you enjoyed the little factoids I gave you.   Thanks for sharing things about yourself in the comments.  That's the best, I loved them all!

Glad you also enjoyed breakfast plates: fruit, chocolate brownie protein oats, and awesome local bread.

And thanks to those of you who mentioned that you voted for me in the Raw Awards.  Muah!!!!!!!!!!!
 As I mentioned in this post, I was nominated for 3 Raw Awards!!!!!

Click Here to Vote for me in these 3 Categories (you don't need to complete the whole ballot, you can just quickly fill in the bullet point next to my name if you're so inclined in these 3 places:
I am asking for your vote and support in these 3 categories:
1. Sexiext Raw Vegan Woman of 2009:  Averie from Love Veggies and Yoga (page 6 of ballot)

2. Favorite Raw Blog of 2009: Love Veggies and Yoga (page 12 of ballot)

3. Favorite Raw Vegan Website: Love Veggies and Yoga (page 14 of ballot)

Sorry about the shameless plugs.  Really, I am!  

So let's move onto a little grub...
Friday I made a Stir Fry with this Mix I picked up.  Bami Mix.  And it was about just over 2 bucks in American dollars.  What a deal.

Bami?  What's in it?  It was a mix of cabbage, carrots, red, yellow, and green peppers, and white onions.  That I threw in a sautee pan and let wilt for a few minutes.

Then I added some Italian Salad dressing.  About 1/4 c worth.   

And a dash of cumin and a dash of the trusty Ginger I brought from home

A dash to me is about 1/2 Tsp each.  Your mileage may vary.

Stir and simmer for a couple more mintues and add some nuked rice.  You could of course make rice and add it. I chose not to, I'm on vacay and the fact I am cooking at all is about all I can handle.

Lookin' Good

Time to plate it up

Check out the yellow & red peppers, the wilted cabbage, and the carrots.  Perfect.

And no meal would be complete without a kale salad.  Kale, sugar snap peas, brock, cauli, & cukes.

...dressed with and a Fresh Batch of Slaw Dressing...

...which completed my feast.

This was a great vegan dinner!  It took less than 15 minutes to make.  It was flavorful, healthy, simple and good.  A crowd family-pleaser!

Yoga Today is Giving Gratitude, Breathing, Slowing Down, being with your family, friends, and loved ones!

Tip of the Day: My Nutridel Cookie Give Away!!!!
**** LAST CALL Contest Ends Later TODAY!

Have you entered yet?  What are you waiting for, go get yourself entered!  Yay for Yummmmy Cookies!!!!

Did Santa or your loved ones, relatives, or friends bring you any gifts this holiday season?  Did you like what you received?  What do you do when you're opening a gift in front of someone and you're not super fond of what they gave you?  A too big track jacket in split pea soup green or the notorious Ugly Christmas Sweater?  Do you smile, be gracious, and just know that you're either going to try to return it or just re-gift it?  Or donate it to someone who could use it? 

Speaking of re-gifting....do you?  What have you re-gifted?  I've re-gifted baby & children's clothes.  There was a time when Skylar received so many little tiny baby clothes and there was no way she was ever going to wear the same thing twice, so rather than cutting the tags off, I saved the extra outfits in a drawer and when I go to baby showers, if I know the woman is having a girl, I happen to have a stash of little girls' baby clothes!  Now watch, no one will invite me to their baby shower for fear of a re-gifted outfit (but they weren't worn, I promise)! Tell me about gifts your received or gave, regifting, to regift or not to regift?


Stay Tuned For The Give Away Winner...