Missing out

I am going back to work today after being furloughed for a week.  You'd think I would have found time to do a lot of things.  Not really.  I was quite lazy, and caught up on all my episodes of Columbo.  I didn't wax creative in the kitchen, though I did practice flute some.  I feel better going back to work. 

I also missed out on the vegan month of food this year.  For some reason, they decided to have it in September, and I just wasn't ready.  I was simply not inspired to cook ANYTHING.  Oh, I'm still vegan, but I just didn't feel inspired to go all out in the kitchen.  I really need a new kitchen.  Mine is old, crowded, and a mess. The counters are so crowded, I am surprised I can find anything.  And I need a dishwasher.  Washing dishes by hand is really tedious.

And those are my first world problems for today.

I'm grateful I have a house to live in, and indoor sanitation, as well as a washer and dryer and, now, a new water heater.  Life really isn't bad.

Kitchen Wishes

KitchenAid 9 cup food processor
KitchenAid 2 speed Hand Blender

These two items are a must for anyone who wants to do some serious cooking.  All too often, families give up on cooking at home because homemade food isn't quite like what is served in a restaurant.  With these two appliances, you can get the kind of smooth textures you find in restaurant dishes, without the added salt and chemicals from commercially processed/prepared foods.  You can take what you get at your local farmer's market, and with a little work, you get creamy soups, perfect lasagna filling, and all kinds of wonderful vegan foods made with tofu, cashews and other delectables.  I am fortunate I have a good blender, but I need more than that.  Definitely want these two items.  Or something like them.  Doesn't have to be KitchenAid, although that is one of the best brands out there.

My other blog

I have an allrecipes.com blog that I use exclusively to talk about traditional recipes I have veganized and how they turned out.  However, THIS blog is the one I post in all the time.  I did have a blog at livejournal, here but I do not use that anymore.  I realize most of what I post is about vegan cooking and living.  But there are other things that go on.

For example, I was a professional clarinetist with the U.S. Navy fleet bands for fourteen years before I was forced to retire because of illness.  Music is my lifeblood in many ways.  I am just now, after several years, getting back into playing and teaching.  Hopefully, I can eventually do music full time again. I like my job with the gov't, but I miss playing music SO MUCH.  It is gratifying that three of my four children love to play instruments (Chris plays guitar, and Brian and Amy play clarinet).

I will say this, referring to being vegan:  Since I have begun eating and living vegan, my depression has lifted a VERY great deal.  I want to be alive again, and I feel like I am finally on the road to getting my life back.

Being vegan, especially now

For some reason, I have quite a craving for meat lately.  I don't really know why.  Maybe it's because I'm surrounded by meat eaters.  I never realized just how pervasive - actually downright ubiquitous - eating meat is.  It's everywhere.  And cheese and eggs and milk are in EVERYTHING.  I've gotten so I don't like to go out to eat, because there are few vegan options, and I am tired of what few there are.

I'm not going to quit - but... it sure is frustrating.  And I need to get some exercise.  Maybe I should make my New Year's resolutions early.  Lose more weight, start exercising at least three times a week - those are two that MUST happen.