Vegan

About month or two ago I watched a documentary.

It was some shady back alley film I found on the internet, it was full of heated arguments and night vision shots of sad mistreated animals being raised for the slaughter house.

This film brought up an anger and sadness in me, but mostly just made me want to puke.
(I wouldn't recommend anyone go through those 40 something minutes of emotions on purpose.)

It also gave me an epiphany of sorts.

Why I need you to stop telling everyone to go gluten free.

Lately there has been a lot of people on the internet and various social media outlets that have really been annoying me. I try to keep my thoughts to myself, and avoid comment wars as much as possible, but it is a real struggle you guys. I just want to yell at these people through my handheld device to shut their face, but as half of these humans are people I don't actually know that and the other half I would prefer not to be unfriended from (although, do I really need them as so called friends anyway? especially if they are idiots.) 

While I feel like I am an expert on a great many things and I would love to rub my knowledge all over peoples puny little brains, I make a great effort to hold my tongue. Although, there is a song somewhere that says all you get when you bite your tongue is a bloody mouth, so theres that.What is that song? It's gonna bother me all day. (update: The Fruit Bats, When U Love Somebody)

Currently || February

Breakfast Talk || Veggie Omelet

Lets have a little chat, shall we.

As you may have noticed, I've been slacking a bit over here lately. There are a few reasons why I've sort of put blogging on the back burner, and I figure I might as well explain myself to you lovely folks.
Not that I neeeeed to explain myself, but anyway...

Reason number uno, Netflix.
I think that explains itself.
(see also: books, dance parties, and the internet. pesky little buggers)

But in an effort to save all of your thoughts from assuming I'm just sitting around eating bon-bons and watching the telly all day...which is absolutely not true, because I can't eat bon-bons, I threw in some photos of an omelet. Just to prove I did something.

etch|a|sketch

Usually, when I have a million things to do, and I'm avoiding doing them...you can find me wasting the day away in photoshop.

Which is what I've been doing all day today.

It did start as a productive activity, but then I had too much fun turning everything into comics. So in an effort to save the days creations and actually post something on this here blog, I just decided to throw some of these masterful creations out there for you.

You're welcome.

Currently // January

{I apparently have not taken any pictures this month, so here's a picture of Alfred, the British butler nutcracker. He pretty much sums up life.}

twenty-fifteen

Ending up twenty-thirteen, I was sure that the next year was going to be my year. The year that only good things happened to me, the positive year to end a long row of lousy ones. Twenty-fourteen started out with a new niece, a great job with the best people, no debts with money in the bank, no major issues with thee old p.o.t.s, and the goal that this year I would finally make it Europe. Yes 2014 started out alright, I was positive and hopeful and sure that things were starting to turn around for me. After all, the last good new year I had had, before my body started turning against me, was back in two thousand and ten.

Currently // November

(by the way, if you're wondering what fall in California looks like ^ clear blue skies.)

Happy Halloween!

Lets start this Holiday with a few flashbacks of Halloweens past.

I think I had three other costumes this year...the benefit of having five older siblings and their costume castoffs.

I dunno if this was my witchy look, or the pre-teen angst. either way....

 Lets talk about how awesome my parents are sometimes. My moms mad costume skills, and my dad playing along. In public, might I add.

This might have even been the same  year as the bumblebee, I dunno. I wore that leopard costume at least three years in a row.

and you're welcome for this. 

Let's never talk about it again.

Have a Happy Halloween you beautiful people!

p.s. I will be eating my traditional dinner in a pumpkin tomorrow, how about you?

Where did I go?

Over the weekend, I hosted a bridal shower for one of my sisters. Last week was filled with prep work and family arrivals, and the weekend has been crazy busy. This is honestly the first time I have made it to a computer since Wednesday, and I am slightly overwhelmed with the amount of emails unread and shows in my Hulu queue. The last of the crew departs tonight, and so I will try to have some exciting photos for ya'll tomorrow!

Have a great Tuesday!

A Follow Up to that Last, Sorta Depressing Post

Carina Bean Goes to the Dentist ::

Guess what guys?! There is one part of my body that isn't lousy! Who woulda thought, right?

Let me tell you the tale of my dental adventure, kay.

First off, this all began with a discovery of a sharp edge, which kept poking my tongue. (ok, I kept touching it with my tongue on purpose, but whatever. no self control remember.)
So in a casual conversation with my mother, I just happened to mention that I very most likely had a whole in my tooth. This is apparently not something that can be mentioned to a parental casually, without further discussion, and before I knew it, I had an appointment for later that week.
Thats when the freaking out began.
I was sure I had a cavity growing in every one of my precious teeth. Seeing how my last visit to the dentist was three million years ago, (we're talking 2006 guys. gross.) it was a very real possibility. In my mind, I would rather not know the impending doom; so the old "its better to know" concept doesn't help me at all.
The day came, I had anxiety all morning, and flossed my teeth five hundred times as a last ditch effort.
X-rays, ugg. They were just as annoying as I remembered them.
Somebody talking to you, with their hands in your mouth, and while you can't respond; still obnoxious.
Although, if peoples mouths didn't gross me out, that could totally be a great job for me. I could talk about things all day!

When all was said and done, I have one itty-bitty microscopic cavity, that will get filled just to prevent it from growing. I also have a chip on a molar, which was what was poking me.

My dentist was very disappointed.

See in you in another seven years, Doc!

On Vegetarianism ::

I am only eating meat, at most, every other day (once a day).

The days I don't eat meat: I sleep like a rock.
Seriously, insomnia gone.

Penny-La-Poop Goes to the Vet ::

My baby is getting old.
I am paranoid.
I am more paranoid and anxious over this pup, then anything else on the planet. Even my teeth.

She has a naked bum, and half a rat tail.
She also has a bald spot and tumor infested ears.

One shot, a bottle of pills, and a cone of shame later; and she's on her way to recovery.
Supposedly, the tumors on her ear flaps, are nothing to worry about.
I am still worried.

This is why I can never have children.

How is it Tuesday already?

Hello lovely people.

I have nothing new and exciting to share with you today. Thats the very sad truth.
The closest I have come to cooking this week, is picking out the ingredients to my Chipotle burrito bowl, and let me tell you; since I started trying meat choices other than chicken, my final decisions have become a whole lot harder.
I also decided to become a vegetarian last week.
Then I ate a pork loin, and that went out the window. So now I am just a seventy percent vegetarian, and only eating meat once or twice a week.
I also swore off potatoes, once again; then I had to eat some chips with me favorite guacamole, that Costco is once again carrying. Seriously guys, its the best guac ever. Better than homemade.

I have a problem with self control, if you can't tell.

In addition to being a partial vegetarian, and not eating potatoes; I have also eliminated several fruits, veggies, and nuts which apparently are foods that interfere with thyroid function. As my thyroid medication has been upped many a times, I am hopeful that eliminating these particular foods from my diet will help that little guy out. We like to support our body parts around here, its the nice thing to do.

While I am struggling to find things to eat, I also am severely stressed out about life at the moment.
And by life, I mean my finances.
And by that, I mean my lack of funds are interfering with my life.

Thyroid issues and stress are also apparently haunting my canine companion.
That little beagle, is practically looks like this, by now.

Which means a trip to the vet this week.
Which means money.
That I don't have.
sigh

How I am going to get there is a whole nether can of worms. I 'll tell you the sad story of my car holding my key hostage, just as I was about to leave town.
stupid car.
just kidding, I love you car. please be nice to me.


While I am telling you stories, I'll also tell you about my trip to the dentist tomorrow for the first time in about five million years. I am pretty sure I have a cavity in every single tooth. (fun fact: I have not yet had to have any fillings. metal free mouth right here.)


This was a depressing post.
sorry guys.
For any of you that think my life is just so bright and cheery, here's the wake up call.



On a positive note though, I am in the midst of planning a fabulous party. Because I love you all, I will share all the deets with you. But not until after it goes down. Which is not until June :(


Stay awesome, lovely blog readers.

and go eat some guacamole.

May is Celiac Awareness Month

Hello lovers,

As some of you may know, May is National Celiac Awareness month. Today I changed my status on Facebook, posted a message on Instagram, pinned it on Pinterest and am now sharing on my blog this photo along with a message to spread the word about Celiac disease.

Here is what I wrote on Facebook, along with changing my profile picture:

"A few years ago, I was struggling with many different medical issues before I was finally diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder Celiac disease. At this time, the only treatment for Celiac is to be completely 100% gluten free. May is National Celiac Awareness Month, and I am changing my profile picture along with the rest of the Celiac community to help raise awareness for this disease that so many unknowingly suffer from, and for those of us who live in a constant paranoid state over the contents of our food. Being gluten free is not just a fad diet, or a "healthier" choice for me. It is a necessity, and a way of life. To learn more about this disease go to celiaccentral.org.

(I say "healthier" because it is not healthier for one to eliminate (whole) wheat from their diets unless they have a gluten sensitivity.)"

Feel free to copy this status, and use this photo to spread the word! I hope to see this image many times throughout the media-sphere this month!

*to read about my journey to a Celiac diagnosis, go here.

Celiac Symptoms // On a fun little printable!

Celiac Disease Symptoms – Courtesy of Gluten Dude 

A few years ago I was quite the mess. Actually I still am a pretty big mess, but in a different kinda way.

But back to a few years ago, I could check off basically every one of these things. Because there where so many symptoms, that where seemingly unrelated it was really difficult to reach a proper diagnoses. You gotta look at the whole picture, not just the little puzzle pieces, ya know?

Eventually I was given a proper diagnoses, and all is {almost} well in my world. I am still dealing with many health issues, and problems from a delayed diagnosis and the damage gluten has caused in my body. Someday I will be completely cured of all this drama. I sure hope anyway.

I'm sharing this wonderful printable with ya'll today, which was created by the ever wise gluten dude, in hopes of spreading the word a little about Celiac.

Gluten free is not just a fad for most of us, and the symptoms are real, painful, and completely overwhelming. There are many people out there who are most likely suffering from several of these symptoms, with no explanation or treatment.

Lets help them out guys! Share this image on your own blogs, pinterest, instagram, facebook, tumblr, twitter and whatever other social media situation you have!


You can also read about my Celiac journey here.

Love you all, kiss kiss!

April 25

Quoted from one of my favorite movies.

Today is a little overcast and chilly, not the perfect day by far--but one things for sure, only a light jacket is needed!

What would be your perfect "date" ?

Show me some Lovin'!

This picture has nothing to do with this post. But I like pictures with my posts, and I'm talking about a home for your blogs. So Penny in her home, kinda works-right?

I read a lot of blogs. Some I read religiously, and check daily for new posts; and some I just look at every now and then to see whats been going on. All of these little blog links are nicely placed in my bookmarks bar, nestled in a little filed named blogs. Super creative title, I know. Up until last week, I would go through the list and click to open each blog every day. It was super time consuming, and I found myself getting annoyed when there was nothing new posted. (hashtag it: firstworldbloggerproblems)

Anyway, the other night I decided to finally link all my favorite blogs onto bloglovin. 

My internet life has just become so much better. 

I now only have to go to one site, and it shows all my selected blogs that have a new post up. You click once to read the full post, and it marks it as read and removes from your list.

I know a lot of people are reading their blogs through google reader, which is (as I understand) the same thing. But as google reader is going down the drain...you may be in the market for a new blog reading situation.

So my friends, moral of the story:

follow me on bloglovin! or subscribe to my RSS feed!

(rss feed means you will receive an email whenever I have a new post up. cool beans, huh?!)

I'l love you forever, I promise!!

I also promise, that I will have some recipes to make up for the shameless self promotion via social medias, that is going down for part of this week.

xoxo

Some things to be said on this Friday

:: I acquired this egg cup from the target clearance section for thirty cents. I didn't even know it was thirty cents until I bought it; I was pretty darn happy to find it in the dollar bin. Why do I need an egg cup you might ask. Who really ever needs an egg cup I ask you back. I also got some brown eggs. Brown eggs make me tremendously happy, for some reason. It makes me feel all fancy and French inside. Do the French eat brown eggs? Probably, and they most likely eat them from egg cups.

:: I also found some sets of colorful rice bowls for three dollars. I cannot even tell you how giddy I am over them right now. Marshall's aka TJMaxx aka Home Goods = my happy place. Most especially the clearance section, even more so when I am not dirt poor. Actually I'm pretty sure I am poorer than the dirt, so that phrase doesn't quite work for me.
I also found a cookbook about asparagus. Because who doesn't need that in their lives.
I also may have discovered why I am so poor.

:: Daffodil bulbs are popping up all over the yard and I picked up a new hydrangea (my favorite!) plant yesterday. Hopefully both will keep their lives through summer.

:: I saw The Host last week. Still not sure what I think about it. What I do know, is that if I where hiding from aliens, in a cave, where all they seem to eat is bread form their wheat field. I would not make it. No one really would actually, why not grow a potato or beans or something?
Which leads me to the question, if you had to choose between staving to death, or eating a food that you know will hurt you; what would you do? Starve, or pain.
(I mean like serious sensitivities, not allergies that will send you into anaphylaxis and kill you. Thats a whole nether can of worms.)

:: I added carrot juice to my green smoothies this week, just to shake it up. As I feel when drinking carrot juice, the first sip tastes like dirt. but then it gets better. I'm thinking about pre-packaging the ingredients and or blended smoothie and freezing it, to pull one out each day. Any experiences doing so?

:: Every time I go to Costco, and see those delicious samples that are inedible to me; I get a little sad inside. The other day, there was one I could eat! oh happy day! It was dried coconut strips.(I'm sure you've seen them, they aren't new) They tasted like a dirty diaper. No, I have not eaten a dirty diaper, but if I were too-I'm pretty sure thats what it would taste like.

:: I decided to construct an entire ark via photoshop because I could not find an image on the internet I liked. Then I had to also construct characters/items for the story because they had to match the image style of the boat. This for a bunch of three year olds, who only care if I brought them goldfish to eat or not. Why do I do these things to myself?

:: I made pecan bars the other day. It was a bad idea.
I had finally cleaned out the various sugars from recent holidays, and then I ruined it. I really just wanted chocolate chip cookies (or maybe just the dough...) but I had no chocolate chips to be found. A certain partaker of bars asked me if I was going to blog them, because they were so good. That certain partaker obviously did not remember eating half the tray of said bars several months ago. I am also pretty sure I am allergic to pecans, judging from the itchy situation that went on in my mouth, but did I let that stop me? No. I'm a trooper all right.

:: I just had something really clever to say while I was writing the last paragraph, and I have completely forgotten what it was all about. I think I may have dementia. It was really clever though, I'm pretty sure.

:: I have not cooked a single dinner meal, so far this week. (not counting the pecan bars) A lot of enjoy life's crunchy flax cereal has been consumed. I did however cook/bake up a storm over the weekend. Including eating that egg salad sandwich up there^^ I get a craving for an egg salad sandwich exactly once a year, at Easter time. I make it, then realize its not really my favorite thing; hence why I only eat it once a year. This year, I added bacon to it (and homemade bread^^) and it rocked the world, breakfast style.

:: I have a couple recipes that have been sitting here all week. One of these days they will enter the blogosphere. :)

but for now, have a happy-happy Friday!

x kiss-kiss. x

Last Friday Night // Birthday Celebration!

 So I now have bee twenty-two for four days. I feel the same as I did last week, except for the horrible cake induced migraine and congestion.

Someday I will learn, but apparently the day has not yet come.

For me, birthdays are really just a day when others must do as i want them to. Growing up, we got to pick out what was for dinner, what kind of cake we wanted, and whatever activities would occur that evening. And people had to be nice to you, thats mandatory.

March twenty-second was really just like any other day. I got dressed, ran some errands, frosted a cake and ate some junk. 

Later that afternoon, the three little boyos joined me for a dinner fiesta and a movie marathon. Their madre aka my sister , had a birthday earlier in the week, and went for a little weekend getaway. Since I am the best sister/aunt in the whole world, I allowed them little guys to join me for the evening and following day.
I was born on the day said sister was set to have her twelfth birthday party, thus the party got canceled. I think we can call it even now :)
Jokes aside, theres no one I'd rather spend it with. The only thing better would be if my nine other little loves would have been there too.

For dinner, I made my crockpot beef tacos, but I used a rump roast instead of a flank steak. It actually was cheaper this week, which was a little bizarro. It worked out fabulously though.

I ate mine with fresh pico, my favorite guacamole, black beans and some lettuce on a rudi's spinach tortilla.
yummy.

"Look at my taco cweena!"

The eldest boy had his taco/burrito on a La Tortilla Factory GF tortilla.

Then it was cake time!

After cake: we enjoyed a viewing of Wreck it Ralph, and Rise of the Guardians.

Than I ate more cake. and more guacamole.

All in all it was a great, low-key day. I got to spend the day with some of my favorite foods, and some of my favorite people.

And I finally created a white cake that was super delicious.

Recipe coming up next!!

twenty-two years ago, today

Twenty-two years ago today, I was born. 

A petite little six pounds and some change, three weeks earlier then expected. 

I've liked keeping people on their toes, since the day I was born.

Thanks to these fine folks. ^^ Mostly the one on the left :)

As I told her yesterday, this day should really be about her-since she did all the work. In honor of that, I  am laboring in the kitchen on this day in repayment of her labor many a years ago. Sounds like a pretty fair trade-off, huh?! ;)

and heres me today, the first day of my twenty-second year.

See ya'll tomorrow!

22 things

Friday is  March twenty-second, and it is also my twenty-second birthday.

Here are 22 random facts to help you get to know me a little better.

1::
I am the youngest of six. Four sisters, one brother. (plus two brothers and one sister in law)
2::
I have written and illustrated several short novels in my life, including a story about a monkey with a problem, leprechauns that kiss, rudolph saving the day, and a rendition of the grinch stealing Christmas. They would totally make it on the bestsellers list.
3::
I absolutely can't stand doing the dishes. Even with a dishwasher.
4::
I was the queen of hearts in a fourth grade production of Alice in Wonderland. I was also the worlds tallest munchkin in the third.
5::
I am extremely afraid of cutting the pennster's nails. I feel like I am cutting off a limb.
6::
I miss bagel bites. a lot.
7::
I love John Hughes movies and Audrey Hepburn. Two of my favorite movies ever are Sixteen Candles and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
8::
I desperately want a rhodesian ridgeback. I have for several years, sadly the house owners won't allow it...and I'm pretty sure Penny will only be happy as an only dog-child.
9::
I can make angel food cakes in my sleep by now. and pesto too.
10::
I am way over drinking my green smoothies everyday. I am also way over the title of this blog; it has way too many words in it.
11::
I can't stand making sugar cookies. All that rolling and cutting out of cookies, not fun. I don't mind decorating them though.
12::
I have four nieces, and 8 nephews. I wish I could see everyone of them everyday. (got that siblings? come visit me!)
13::
I have never once partook of alcohol, illegal drugs or smoked. I would probably keel over and die if I ever did.
14::
I own every single Nancy Drew mystery novel. There are about a hundred. I also have about a hundred cookbooks. good times.
15::
I have dreams (nightmares) all the time, where I am eating wheat thins-not realizing they have gluten. Food problems cause a lot of paranoia. I just have really weird dreams in general. Like all the time.
16::
In the year of sixth grade, I was pooped on by birds no less then six times. Mostly at school, and on the head. This may be the reason why I cannot stand those little rodents of the air.
17::
My eyes change colors depending on the day. From various shades of blue to green. When I cry, they turn a luscious emerald green. I am tempted to cry everyday just to create that color.
18::
I stink at small talk. If I have something to talk about, I'll never shut up-but I just cannot talk about the weather or other unimportant things. I just can't.
19::
When I was a kid, I had a large collection of decorative pencils and shaped erasers that I played with like they were people. I could make up stories with just about anything, actual toys not needed.
20::
I regret not going to culinary school after high school (before I was GF), just about all the time. Now, I'm too afraid of going and having to deal with my food restrictions.
21::
Besides wanting to have my own restaurant, I also wanted to be an interior designer, a photographer and a food stylist. I think this blog is a good compromise. (despite my actual career in the medical field, which is completely random.)
22::
I wear a cardigan almost everyday. No particular reason, I just like too. Sometimes I switch it up with a blazer instead...


To read more random facts click here.

Boy coming up with 22 things on a whim is tuff-stuff.
Anything you want to know? How 'bout you tell me a little somethin' somethin' about you?!

Stay tuned in the coming days for more birthday celebrating, including what I hope to be the most amazing cake ever. Or maybe a disaster, we shall see....