Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Thank You Mom and Dad

When I made the decision to go vegan, I was nervous about what my family would think.  I was afraid that I'd feel judged and like my choice wasn't being accepted.

However, I have gotten the opposite reaction.  Especially from my parents. 

My mom bought me a food substitutions book, sent me recipes, and has been making vegan recipes.  I'll be heading home for the holidays and she wants to be able to make me food.


My dad has sent me recipes and news articles.  He has also bought me Kris Carr's new book that I wanted: Crazy Sexy Kitchen.


I cannot thank my parents enough for their amazing support in my transition to vegan.

Thank you mom and dad!  I appreciate you more than I can express.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Vegan Cupcakes

I wanted to make cupcakes for my birthday.  So I made cupcakes.  On my birthday, I only made the cake part but today I made the frosting as well.  They're really easy to make.  I do have to admit, however, that making frosting from scratch freaked me out a little.  But it turned out to be easier than I thought.


 
Preheat oven to 350.  Spray pan with vegetable spray, put in paper cupcake cups, and spray inside the cups.
 
 
In a small bowl, measure out 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar.
 
Add 1 1/2 cups soy or almond milk to the small bowl with the vinegar.  Let stand for five minutes until curdled.





 
In a larger bowl, mix together 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, and a dash of salt.





 
Melt a half cup of coconut oil until it's liquid.  Mix together vinegar mixture, coconut oil, and 1 1/4 tsp. of vanilla extract.  Add wet and dry mixture together until well blended.


 
Add mixture to cups.  Bake for fifteen to twenty minutes or until cake bounces when lightly pressed with finger.


 
While the cakes cool, you can make frosting.
 

Chop up 5oz of chocolate.
 

 
This is the chocolate I used.  It wasn't the chocolate I wanted to find.  But it did the job.
 

Boil a pot of water and place a second pan on top of it with the chocolate inside.  The boiling water underneath will melt the chocolate.  When the chocolate is melted, remove it from the heat to let it cool.
 
Using a blender or mixer, blend together 1 cup vegan margarine and 1 cup icing sugar (powdered sugar) for one minute on low.  Add 1 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract and blend for one minute on low. 
 


Add melted chocolate and mix for two minutes on medium.
Add a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup soy milk and beat together for a couple more minutes or until smooth.
 
I put it in the fridge for a few minutes so it could get hard.  After you finish mixing the ingredients together, it's still liquid.
 
When the frosting is at a consistency you like, frost the cupcakes!  Then enjoy!
 

What recipes have you made lately?
 
"Keep Moving Forward"


Thursday, November 7, 2013

I'm 25!

Last week on October 31, I turned 25!  I cannot believe it.

When my birthday was approaching, I felt a lot of anxiety.  I didn't know exactly why.  Then in a single moment I realized it was because I thought I'd have a lot more accomplished by the time I turned 25.  I thought I'd be living alone, financially stable, working as a sign language interpreter full time, at my goal weight, and prepping to go back to school in spring 2014.

Even though I do not have all that accomplished, I have succeeded in some of it and have the rest on track.

At 25, I have a bachelor's degree in a career I love.  When I pass the test I just took last month, I can work as a sign language interpreter full time, which will allow me to be financially stable.  I am currently living alone.  I'm not at my goal weight, but I've lost twenty pounds so far and have forty left to go.  I will be returning to school for a second bachelor's in the spring 2015 instead of 2014.  I have accomplished a good deal by 25 and am on my way to meet the rest of my short term goals.

Most importantly, I am happy.  And I am continuing to work to make sure I stay happy.

Here is a before and after picture.  I took the after picture last night.  I went to a movie screening last night with a couple friends.  While I was in the restroom, I looked at myself in the mirror.  For the first time in a long time, I not only felt skinny, but thought I looked skinny.  I'm so proud of myself.


I am making sure to recognize my accomplishments and celebrate those.  It takes too much energy to worry about what you haven't accomplished already.

What have you accomplished?  Why are you proud of yourself?  What makes you happy?

"Keep Moving Forward"