Year in Review: February 2011...

February

Snow on the ground! I love it when it snows especially when it sticks!  I went to school thinking I had to work, only to find out I didn’t. So I played in the parking lot of the school a bit before I headed back home.

Year in Review: January 2011...

The next several posts are going to focus on the highlights of the last year. Once the year has been reviewed it is my hope to be more diligent and disciplined in creating and posting blog entries on a monthly basis at minimum, bi-weekly if possible. I hope you enjoy!

 

January 2011

Standing with Planned Parenthood with hundreds of other being. It is crazy that a year later they came under attack again, yet the public from all genders, religions, and backgrounds came together to say “You can not take away the health rights and services for women”

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!