The Better World Shopping Guide (every dollar makes a difference)...

So, I recently picked up a book from Veg Fest called The Better World Shopping Guide. Companies are given letter grades based on Human Rights, The Environment, Animal Protection, Community Involvement and Social Justice. If you want to know where a particular business stands check out the website for more info http://betterworldshopper.org/rankings.html. Supporting only businesses and companies that have an A or B grade is my new goal as a consumer (yes, I know it is not January 1st). And if you are interested in being a more mindful, intentional consumer, I want to provide you with the means to make your dollar count. So here ya go. Learn and Act on the new knowledge, one step at a time.

The 10 Best Companies                   The 10 Worst                      The Top 10 Things to Change
1.Seventh Generation                       Exxon Mobil                       Bank
2. Working Assets                             Kraft                                   Gasoline
3. Eden Foods                                   Wal-Mart                             Supermarket
4. Organic Valley                              Chevron-Texaco                  Retail Stores
5. Clif Bar                                         Pfizer                                   Car
6. Honest Tea                                    Nestle                                  Seafood
7. Patagonia                                      General Electric                   Chocolate
8. Tom's of Maine                             Archer Daniels Midland      Coffee
9. Ben and Jerry's                             General Motors                    Credit Cards
10. Aveda                                         Tyson Foods                         Cleaning Products

Vegan Cuts...

Just wanted to let you all know about a site where you can get great deals on all things vegan. That means no animal testing and no animal products. All natural and good for you and the planet. Yay!

<a href="http://vegancuts.com/">Save 25%-60% off vegan products at VeganCuts.com</a>

Winter...

I get asked many times why I moved to Portland, and why I have managed to stay here in Oregon for so long- especially having spent most of my life in California and Hawaii (18 years combined). One of the main reasons is the seasons. I love the colors, the change- the opportunity to play in the snow, bundle up and keep nice and cozy- especially in the winter months.

Of course a downside to the temperamental weather is not knowing if there will be school closures- most of the time adequate notice is given, but on this particular day I never got a phone call and so went to work. I arrived only to find out school was closed for the day. So, before I left I had to make a snow angel and build a little snowman of course.

Valentine's dinner at Proper Eats...

I had the pleasure of sharing my Valentines Day evening with two of my favorite ladies in Portland. We indulged in an amazing 4 course dinner at Proper Eats. Here are some of the highlights.

Sundried Tomato Tapenade on a Grand Central Baguette

Waldorf Salad

Salad Roll with Peanut Sauce

Raw Spinach Stuffed "Meatloaf" with Raw "Mashed Potatoes"

Chioma's staging of our wine, menu and flowers

Raw Strawberry Cheesecake

3 things from this year...

I was also able to finally experience Blossoming Lotus's brunch. I tried the loaded potatoes and loved them!

I helped to organize a Casserole Cook Off as well. It was a fundraiser for the Vegan Iron Chef this year. Who knew how many different types of vegan casseroles could be made!

I love going to Powells events. A couple of months ago I went to a Powells event that showcased the covers of the Portland Mercury from the last 10 years. It was an awesome event!

A Fancy Multi-Course Fundraiser Dinner at Red and Black

I love splurging and having a really nice dinner every once in a while, more so if it is also for a good cause. Some friends and I attended a Multi-Course benefit dinner that raised money for Red and Black to buy the building they had been renting and operating in the past few years. I can not tell you what we ate (because I have forgotten), but I can tell you it was delicious. It had a southwestern flare with emphasis on beets, cashew cream sauce and spice.

Food I Make...

I love to cook and every week I seem to be creating something in the kitchen. One of my resolutions is to use more of my recipes and cookbooks even if I alter the ingredients a bit. So far I have been keeping up with it which enables me to not only try new things but also keep an ever rotation of new foods in my fridge. I also love to be able to see the contents in my refrigerator. In fact, the kitchen as a whole- including all components- are sacred to me. The kitchen is my therapy room, one of the places I go to reflect and process. Here are some of the recent dishes I have made in this very special place...

(From top to bottom: Inside my refrigerator, Raw Chocolate Truffles (from Scatter Vegan Sweets cookbook), Sausage with Tangy Caraway Cabbage (from Real Simple), Marinara and Nutritional Yeast Pasta (Pasta is one of my staple items), Sun Dried Tomato Quinoa (from the Eat Clean Cookbook) and Pasta Risotto (from Sunset magazine), Spinach Artichoke Pasta with Grilled Asparagus