PostSecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.  This incredible project is celebrating it's 10th year, and the response has been so incredible, there are several books now compiled with all of the various secrets that have been mailed in.

Anyone is invited to anonymously contribute secrets to PostSecret and the newest PostSecret book, PostSecret Confessions on Life, Death and God.  Reveal anything - as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before.

Create your 4-by-6-inch postcards out of any mailable material. If you want to share two or more secrets, use multiple postcards. Put your complete secret and image on one side of the postcard.  Be creative but please don't use any copyrighted images that may prevent us from including your secret in the new book.

As an artist, this is something I've wanted to do for a while.  There is something provocative about sending your art into the world anonymously... and then tying to it such a precious morsel of yourself... wow.  Well, now I can so that I've been there and done that.  My contribution to the newest book and ongoing website has been made.  :)  If you want to contribute as well, check out http://postsecretcommunity.com and http://www.postsecret.com.

Uxmal Mayan Ruins

This is a new experience from SEVERAL months ago (January) that I keep forgetting to post.  So here it is.  Uxmal Mayan Ruins in Mexico.  The only ruins left that you are allowed to walk all over.  There were amazing really...

Charity Miles

Earn money for charity while you walk, run or bike.

It's that simple.  Download the app. Turn it on before heading out to walk, run or bike... and the app tracks your distance and how much money you are raising as you exercise. Bikers earn 10 cents for every mile and walkers/runners earn 25 cents for every mile.

I've been testing it out this past week and have it say... it's legit.  I've got to walk Denver anyway, right? So I just turn on the app and let the $ add up.  Why not?

After each walk/run/bike, you get an email summarizing your contribution for that workout.  The app also keeps a running tally of the $ you have raised for which charities.  LOVE THAT!

Just go to the iTunes app store to download it to your phone.  Their website is www.charitymiles.org.  Great inspiration to get up and move as well! ~ Christina

Carrot Soup

Never in my life did I think I'd see the day that I voluntarily made (and consumed) a carrot soup.  But I also thought that about carrot juice... and it's part of my daily diet now.

I'm seriously that girl that NEVER thought she'd be a vegan. Sometimes it's surreal that this is my life now and that I'm so passionate about it. :)  In a good way.

So this week I decided to try something different.  Part of my motivation in making this was that I already had the ingredients on hand... but also because I was curious how it would taste.  Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised.  My omnivore friends probably wouldn't be jumping at the bit to try this... but it's rather tasty.  Reminds me of a fall butternut squash bisque a little.  My MawMaw (and her sister-n-law) liked it... so that says a lot in my book (she normally hates almost all my vegan cooking).  Here's the recipe. :) - Christina

Ingredients:

• 2-3 large carrots, chopped small
• 1 onion, chopped small
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 1 3/4 cup vegetable broth
• 1 14 ounce can coconut milk
• sea salt, to taste

Preparation:

• Simmer the carrots, onions, ginger and curry powder in vegetable broth for 20-25 minutes, until carrots are soft.
• Allow to cool slightly, and then puree in blender, working in batches if ended.
• Return to heat and stir in coconut milk until well combined.
• Season generously with sea salt, to taste.
• Serve hot, or, chill until cold and serve as a gourmet vegetarian and vegan appetizer soup. This carrot soup will thicken as it cools, so if serving this vegan carrot soup cold, you may want to add a bit extra liquid.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

I know.. I know.. two in the same month.  Here's another Quinoa recipe I tried out (successfully) this month.  This one was a hit with several non-vegans, including some pretty hard core cajun relatives. SCORE! :) 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Cup Cooked Quinoa
• 1/2 Can Cannellini Beans
• 2 Smashed Roasted Garlic Cloves
• 2 Scallions (Chopped on the Bias)
• 1/4 Lemon Juice
• 2 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
• 1/4 Cup Fresh Mint (chopped)
• 1/4 Cup Flat Leaf Parsley (chopped)
• 1/4 Cup Kalamata Olives (chopped)
• Dollop of Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (optional)
• Salt/Pepper (to taste)

Preparation:

1. Combine all ingredients (except lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt/pepper) in a medium bowl.  Toss together with a fork and be sure to evenly distribute all ingredients throughout the quinoa.  Next, pour in the lemon juice and vinegar.  Toss to combine.

2. Season to taste with salt and pepper (or more herbs if needed).  Garnish with a dollop of roasted red pepper hummus.

Spicy Lentil Sloppy Joes

There is something about Sloppy Joes that I've always enjoyed.  The sweet mixed with the savory... the messiness of them... I don't know.  But the health benefits are certainly lacking to say the least, not to mention the whole meat thing.  So I have given up on this old favorite since turning vegan.

Until now.  I came across an interesting recipe last week for Spicy Lentil Sloppy Joes.  Lentils?!  What the heck did I have to loose?  So I tried them.  I wasn't too sure during the whole prep process... they didn't look very appetizing while it was all cooking down.  But I must say, they weren't too bad once done.  Definitely not the same as the old comfort foods of the past but then again lentils versus turkey meat... I'm not sure the texture alone can compare.  But my new version saves animals and prevents carcinogens from turning into cancer so that outweighs the difference.  Recipe posted to my Crunchy Cajun facebook page.  Will definitely make again. :) ~ Christina

Quinoa Salad

I have never eaten quinoa in any format other than a side dish (like rice)... by itself, unflavored.  For some reason I've been a little intimidated to try it any other way.  But when I ran across this recipe, I decided to give it a go.  Worst case scenario, it was gross... right? Thankfully that didn't happen.  While I did put a little too much lemon in it (I used a whole lemon instead of 1/2)... it came out delightful!  Even my omnivore friends would love this.  Wonderful as a side dish.  Besides, check out all the healthy yumminess in it!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 6 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 scallion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small cucumber, sliced
• 1 ripe avocado, cubed
• juice from 1/2 lemon
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• dash cayenne pepper
• dash cumin
• salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation

• Boil quinoa in a rice cooker or saucepan with water until all water is absorbed. Set aside to cool.
• Combine all chopped veggies and drained beans with lemon juice, oil, vinegar and spices.
• Toss with quinoa, add salt and pepper, to taste and serve. 

DIY Shaving Oil

Try using this oil to shave and you'll never go back to cream. You won't believe how fantastic your legs will look and feel.

Ingredients: 3 oz almond oil; 1/2 oz sesame oil; 1/2 oz canola oil; 1/2 oz wheat germ oil

Get a small bowl and throw in all the ingredients. Stir and put the mixture in an old bottle. Whenever you want to use it, just shake it up for a few seconds and throw it on and shave! You'll love the results!

I'm definitely all about the mindset "if I wouldn't put it IN my body, why would I put it ON my body?" This fabulous natural solution solves the agile shaving thing for me! - Christina

Apple Cinnamon Protein Bran Muffin

I decided to make a little protein muffin that was easy to snack on after my workouts... but I have to say that this was not a winner.  I followed the recipe to a tee... well mostly... but they just didn't really come out like I had hoped.  No food waste here so I'm still eating them but I can't wait for them to be gone.  I'll spare you the recipe... Bleah. :) ~ Christina

Beauty Angel Total Body Enhancer

The Beauty Angel skin firming and muscle toning system is said to provide the foundation for a more youthful appearance while you enjoy the ultimate total body experience.

Ergoline’s Beauty Angel stand up bed is designed to enhance one’s overall physique and image by reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and cellulite (yes please!).  Using red light energy (non-UV) wavelengths in the 600–700 nm range, Beauty Angel activates the body’s own photo rejuvenation process to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firm the skin and improve the body’s overall appearance. The skin’s permeability also increases, improving the effect of skin care products and allowing active ingredients to penetrate deeper.

Red light energy is said to be one of the few ways to gently and effectively reduce the signs of aging and is the ideal choice for anybody who is looking for a natural, noninvasive way to improve the condition of their skin.

Sounds great, right?! Not costing me anything, since it's part of my existing gym membership, I decided to try it out.  You're supposed to do it 2-3 times a week (12 minutes each session) for 90-days to see the complete results. Hmmm... that's not too bad of a commitment.  Since I'm at the gym anyway, let's see how it goes.  Today's first session wasn't too bad.  The only negative is all that shaking can give you a teeny tiny headache afterwards. I'll let you know how it goes after 90-days.  :) ~ Christina