The Times They Are a-Changin’

I have been eating pretty well recently (both in deliciousness and health).  I have maintained a plant based/centered diet for the past week and a half (at least), and I honestly can say that I feel better!

I feel great about myself that I have stuck to this.  It’s not a diet, it’s not a trend, it’s not a phase.  It’s just a conglomeration of my choices!

If you would have told me a year ago that I would put down my pancakes, bacon and eggs and picked up on of these for breakfast, I would have laughed at you.

Then I would have really gotten a chuckle out of it, if you told me that I would slurp this and call it delicious!

Present me:  It is so so delicious!

Remember when I said eating color is key?  Take a look at my lunch/breakfast prep table:

I am very proud of myself.

I have cut out the mayo addiction, and introduced myself to hummus instead:

I never skimp on the veggies:

And I have discovered the nooch:

And, I have to say, I don’t miss the meat.

Does that mean I passed up the sample of beef with a red wine reduction from Central Market?  Nope!

But, I didn’t buy the ingredients to make at home, and left with some tempeh instead.  Simply Shaka has some fabulous meal ideas for tempeh that I’m wanting to try out!

I have to say that it took me a while to figure out that there is no magic cure for my health/weight issues.  It’s a day by day lifestyle change that comes from me wanting to and not just because it’s in a program.

And, my way is much more worth it!

Happy eating!

Side note/question:  This weekend I’ll be making some delicious Indian food, including naan, daal makhani and vegan kheer.  Anything you want me to try out?  I have space for one more dish and I am willing to take reader requests for recipes!

Just Like That

I got news.  Big news.

I’m not pregnant.

I’m somewhere between ecstatic and near vomiting.

Again, I’m not pregnant.

Let me tell you a couple of stories.  They’re good – I promise!

Things happen for a reason.  I am not one to believe it, but everything that has occurred in my life has been screaming otherwise.

Story 1:   When Binks and I started our own firm, we started office sharing in a conference room with another business.  It was small and tight (“tight” in a can’t fit way, not in a cool way – I’m old).  We threw out the option of finding our own space but never found the time to look or the right fit.

One day for lunch, we randomly went out to eat at Jason’s Deli.  I remember I had to beg to go because Binks was set on eating the sandwich we brought for lunch.  He finally gave up and agreed to go.  After eating and as we were walking out, we saw a beautiful office tower, and randomly decided to go walk inside.

Lo and behold, a whole floor was being renovated and spaces were plenty.  That was how we found our office.  Just like that.

Story 2:  Binks and I live in an apartment.  With starting a business, funds were tight and we wanted something that didn’t come with a 30-year mortgage commitment.

Time went by.  We were in a position to buy.

We made an offer on a house.  We didn’t get it.  We made an offer on a second house.  We didn’t get it.  I was losing hope because in between the first and second, there were other houses that just got away from us.  People are crazy for real estate!

We found the third house.  We made an offer.  Someone made a higher offer.  We didn’t get it.  That was November 20th.  We were set to go to India on December 1st.  I was truly disappointed.  I loved this house and I couldn’t get it out of my head.  I decided to forget about the house search altogether, and have a good time on vacation.

So, December 1st came, and as you may remember, Binks lost his Visa.  We were stuck in Houston for 2 days.  I was mad. On December 1st, we traveled to Houston.  On December 2nd, we waited in line at the Visa office – only to be informed that it would take another day.  I was livid.  I cried.  I yelled. It was not pretty.

We left and walked back to the hotel disappointed.  I checked e-mail.  The first and only e-mail was from the real estate agent for House 3, and I had the expectation that she was attempting to be our buyers agent.  The email went a little something like this:

The previous couple could not get the loan approved.  My sellers have requested to extend an offer to you.

Just like that.  We got a house.

I’m happy.  I’m nervous.  And, I’m pretty sure I’m broke – just like that!