Good morning!
Word on the street is that you can eat the Yucca flower…
You know this just makes my weekend finding this out. I’m not quite sure why.
So of course I had to try it!
Don’t worry I didn’t put it in my Vegan overnight oats!
I took a few inside and washed them and then tried a few petals…
It was very light tasting with a slight astringent taste. I could see myself using the petals in a stir-fry!
This morning I wanted a delicious Vegan overnight oats parfait!
Last night I made the vegan overnight oats…
In my classic vegan overnight oats:
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/4 scoop Amazing Grass Chocolate Amazing Meal
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
Directions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl and place in fridge overnight or for 1-2 hours.
Well, first things first, I always make my japanese sencha green tea!
I made Strawberry Almond Soft Serve using 3 strawberries, 1 frozen banana, and 1/2 tbsp homemade raw almond butter.
Boom.
No better way to begin a Monday!
My Garlic Chives are out of control! It must be because I didn’t plant them (my mother in law did). :tongue:
Some of you have been asking about where I get my dishware. Most of my VOO dishes are from Crate and Barrel. You might be surprised to know that most of them are actually VASES and not actual glasses! I go straight to the vase section for some fun and unusual glasses.
Goal-setting for the week ahead:
This morning, I decided to set a few goals to help ignite my motivation in areas where it is lacking. There are a few things in my life that I need to make an extra effort to accomplish! I figure if I make a list, that is half the battle (I love list making!).
My goals for the week:
1) Get in a LAP SWIM this week (we have been totally neglecting our lap swims!)
2) Go Biking (ditto above)
3) Get caught up on business document tracking (Enter in all receipts, transactions, etc)
4) Complete and send in Retail Sales Tax return
5) Get caught up on online orders by Wednesday PM
6) Start READING for pleasure again! (Any good book suggestions??)
7) Banking
8) Create downtime + relaxation in the evenings- stay off computer!
9) Get caught up on emails!!!
You may also be interested to read my 10 in 2010 goals, my post on how to set goals and achieve them, and positive and negative goals.
What are your goals for the week? Do you make a list at the beginning of each week?
MAKE IT A GREAT WEEK! :biggrin:
This past week I attended the North American Vegetarian Society’s Vegetarian Summerfest (vegetarians too, but mostly vegans attended), and I was so disappointed not to see you there! Have you ever heard of it?
No I have not heard of it before! Where was it?
It was in Pittsburgh PA (www.vegetariansummerfest.org) and there were people from all over the US and Canada there! I learned so much about nutrition and there was even a class on green smoothies :-)
Your breakfasts are always SO BEAUTIFUL! That looks like something from some fancy shmancy brunch place or something!
I’m very goal oriented this week- I have to say I’m super stoked, because the first task I accomplished this week was something awesome that I’m proud of- I donated leftover bread from the bakery I work at to a food pantry I found AND made arrangements so they will now get ALL our surplus food. I feel so great for having done it!
The History of Love and Still Alice are amazing and poignant books. Also, the Jade Peony is an great fiction novel about the Chinese in BC during WW2. It taught some great history as well through compelling fictional characters.
Good luck on choosing!
The Stieg Larsson series…starting with The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo. The 3rd and final book just came out. I blew through the first two quickly and am now on the third:) Its kind of a mystery/investigation/thriller…keeps you on the edge of your seat type of series.
I wish you could make me a breakfast sometime :D
Good luck with your goals, I know you’ll do great ;)
I always have to write myself to-do lists, especially now that I’ve just graduated from university…otherwise there’s from stopping me just sitting around on my bum!
I also think it’s awesome that you ate a flower. I’d do it, but I’ve moved home for the summer and I’m not sure what Dad would think about it…maybe when he’s not looking? ;)
Book suggestions – I just finished ‘A Prayer for Owen Meany’ by John Irving… I love his books, and they’re really long so perfect for getting your teeth into over the summer! ‘The Ciderhouse Rules’ is also a great one, and I’m also a big fan of Margaret Atwood, especially ‘Alias Grace’ and ‘The Robber Bride’. Have you read ‘Chocolat’ by Joanne Harris? You kind of need a box of chocolates next to you while you read it :)
Good luck with your list!
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran is a very good, meaningful book. I hope you will like it.
I think we have different taste in books, so I won’t recommend anything else just yet…except for Johnathan Safran Foer’s books, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and Everything is Illuminated.
Aww I love the picture of the parfait surrounded by flowers!
Hi!! I’m a long time reader and I’ve always wanted to ask where you got that awesome tea pot??
Its a Bodum tea pot :) They have a website too!
I love the goal for creating down time. I think that’s something a lot of us should put on our to-do lists so we can be sure to actually make it happen. It’s so easy to get caught up in the go go go.
Goal setting – get through the week in work, find dog food enough to leave for two dogs despite it all being sold out in town, pack and not forget anyone’s presents and fly home to Europe (from Africa) for two week’s holidays!
And once I’m home I have been told I have to read The Help. It’s all anyone is talking about and I saw Maria recommended it above too, so I’d say give it a go if you are looking for a book!
My goals for the week:
1 – Continue to job hunt
2 – Sign up for a gym
3 – Keep the eats clean (no more takeaways!!)
I’m currently reading Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder. It’s a book about all the different philosophical theories set within a fictional story. Pretty heavy going at points but I’d definitely reccommend it, it gives you such food for thought.
This is my first time commenting on a blog, but Angela I read your blog all the time and I love it. You are such an inspiration to me, and I think your story and the ways you’ve changed yourself is amazing. Thank you for being my inspiration!
Thank you so much!! :)
I normally don’t make goals but I write things on the calendar that I want to do. So this week I want to make those maple baked beans that I saw on your site (again) and go to the bank! I also want to complete this year’s student loan application by Tuesday. Almost done!
I have been neglecting reviewing chemistry and biology for this upcoming September… since I will be going away for three weeks at the end of August, my time is limited!
Arthur and I made a chore list because our place was looking less than stellar. It worked out great and we both have one more chore left each. :)
I LOVE making lists. That is such a cute+great tip about vases! I’ve been using glass jars, but if I ever want something a bit more “classy” I’ll check out the vase route.
The mention of homemade almond butter made me wonder – did you ever try making almond milk?
not yet!
after reading some of the comments on this post, i think all food bloggers have a little bit of Crazy Dish Lady in them. my man and i were just buying dishware for our new place, and i convinced him to get a 16-piece of square, white dishes! i am so pumped to start using them.
i also just bought a mug-style mason jar, which i have every intention of putting oatmeal in.
(which reminds me.. strawberry almond soft serve?! holy yum!)
i am huuuge planner, list-maker and goal setter. your post actually inspired me to post my weekly goals instead of just keeping them to myself! haha.
Hey Angela! Goals… I’m glad you touched on this. I’ve been having a lot of trouble with motivation and goal-setting lately, and am having trouble keeping up with my summer class work! After seeing your list I went and made a list for this week for myself :)
Another goal of mine is to keep blogging every day this week. I think I’m going to do once a day from now on. Again, motivation! One thing that IS looking good is my workout motivation– seeing results= motivation enough! Thanks for another great post :) (As always, your VOO are enviable! Love ’em!)
Thanks for linking back to your prior posts on goal setting. both long and short term. That was very intruiging to me. Currently, I’m in a place where my job doesn’t motivate me and it’s hard to make goal setting a priority. But if I think bigger picture, it will be very important!
you can do it!
and as for a book…i am currently reading middlesex by jeffrey eugenides and every time i start reading it, i find it really difficult to stop! it’s SO good. he’s a beautiful writer. check out the virgin suicides as well — he wrote that one before middlesex :)
My main goals this week are to make time for studying (I’m working to get my private pilot certificate), and spend time with my husband. My husband and I read 1-2 books together each year, and we are in the middle of one right now (but stopped in the middle about 2 months ago!). We agreed to set aside two evengings this week to read aloud together.
That is such a great idea…how romantic. I love it
My husband and I have done this a couple of times too! Good books always make a big impression on me and sharing them so intimately like that with someone makes for some great memories.
P.S. I think I’ve just copied down every book recommendation on this comment feed, but I have another if you’re up for one more. I just finished Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum. Not exactly a light summer read, but definitely one of the best books I’ve read in a loooong time. :)
your week looks as busy as mine! I like how you put on downtime in the evenings without email etc. This is one of my goals and really helps to create balance in one’s life plus unplugging and focusing on yourself, time with a loved one etc. is my biggest priority at night!
My goal is to be healthier – this is nothing new and not uncommon. There is something about your blog and your personality that comes through it that is utterly inspiring. I can’t even pinpoint what it is, as there are many healthy lifestyle blogs out there. Just thought I would let you know that I found your blog on Friday, and by Saturday had made a Green monster and those oat/peanut butter/banana/maple syrup/muffin tin freezer things. Totally inspiring.
Thank you so much for the nice compliment. Im so happy you enjoy the blog so much!
That yucca flower is amazing!! Very cool that you can eat it too.
Your VOO is out of this world!! Wow!! Definitely a great way to start a monday!
I need to start writing goals down because I don’t do it and then I forget about them! I know it would help me get a lot more done!! Thanks for the inspiration:)
Some great reads for fun….hmm..Twilight series? Also The Host by the same author is supposed to be fantastic.
Haha that’s a great idea to use vases! Regular glasses are never big enough for my smoothies and parfaits.
As for book recs, some that I’ve read recently and enjoyed are “Eat, Pray, Love” and “Julie & Julia”.
Sounds completely and utterly nerdy buuuuut the final Harry Potter movie is coming out and I had yet to open any of the books, so I decided I would read all the Harry Potter books and then re watch the movies before the 7th movie comes out in November. I cannot lie, I am hooked and the reading has been wonderful :)
On another note I just love your website and reading it empowers me every morning to live a cleaner healthier life!
Thank you for all that you do
katie
Aww thank you for the nice comment! :)
Can you believe I have never seen a Harry Potter movie or read the books?
Your parfait looks amazing! Any tips for VOO? I’ve really had a hard time liking them but every blogger who writes about them make them look so delicious!
I am a huge list-maker and goal maker. I probably would be lost without them! My goals for this week are:
To try out Hot Yoga and go at least 4 times this week to really get a feel for it
Keep working on getting strength back into my ankle- I miss exercise like crazy!!
The banana soft serve makes the voo!
I LOVE reading! I’d recommend “Water for Elephants” or “The Daily Coyote”. I could have sat and read both of those all night long! :)
My goal is to get up each morning and do Shiva Rea’s Yoga Shakti DVD before work. That way I can have my evenings to read or go for a walk. This morning doesn’t count though! ;)
Hey, I just wanted to tell you I made your Frosty Glo Cakes but I used toasted buckwheat instead of the crispy rice. It stayed a little bit crispy and they were really yummy :) Btw, I love your site and read all the time. I don’t make a list for what I want to do during the week but I do have a goal in mind. This week it’s to eat cleaner than last week, and to be active for an hour a day besides my regular workouts even if it just means playing outside with my kids :)
Glad you enjoyed them and thank you for the suggestions!
A VASE!!!! I never would have thought of that!!! Great idea!!!!
EYE need to read more TOO!
trying.
can’t seem to get into
anything.
reading women, food & god right now.
tis good stuff.
but need a lighter read as well.
ahhh…the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime =
one of my MOST FAVES!
not totally light.
but great.
and told from the
viewpoint of an
autistic kid.
really good story.
Book suggestions:
I remember when you asked us this before, but I do not recall what you selected. If you have not yet read Eat, Pray, Love, you really should before the movie comes out this summer. It really is as good as all of us who recommend it say it is! (that was a terrible sentence, I know!)
Also, I still love The Life of Pi.
I read your blog for pleasure — time is scarce these days so I will cram a week’s worth into a morning. Such fun inspiration!!!
I just love your VOO – you’re presentation and photography skills are amazing! It’s a good idea to set weekly goals. I’ve never done it before but perhaps I should??
I am reading The Help right now and I am liking it. I liked Time Traveler’s Wife, but you do have to get through the first couple chapters to get into it. Jodi Picoult’s books are good. I love my Sister’s Keeper (I haven’t seen the movie, but I heard it is nothing like it). I am trying to read more for fun too. It is so hard to make that a priority!
Hey! Your breakfast parfait looked amazing! I’m so glad that i’m not the only one obsessed with list making! They are so satisfying! Also, check out my blog. I have a page devoted to my book list, things i’ve read, things i loved, and things i’d like to read. Maybe it’ll give you some ideas! I love the goal setting idea, and might try it out myself. It seems to help when i’ll be held accountable for those goals by others. Have a great week, and good luck with your goal list!
I’m a big list/goal person – I schedule my workouts daily and personal and business to-do’s everyday! It helps keep my focused. I do make longer term goals, but seem to do better on shorter term goals
I also just received my Glo Bars and they look so good! Can’t decide which one to try first!
Kim
Enjoy!
Sorry to post twice, but i just thought of one of my FAVORITE books that foodies might appreciate. The Art Of Eating by MFK Fisher. A fabulous read!!!
Great post! How cute that you use vases for dishware :-) My goals for the week are to not eat as much sugar as I did last week, and to list some books on eBay for sale. And go for a long run!!
Oh Goodness…”Eat, Pray, Love” makes me laugh out loud! Some of it’s sad, but some of it’s so funny! She’s got such a wonderful and sarcastic writing style. I’m only 1/3 of the way through it, but I MUST finish it before the movie (with Julia Roberts!) comes out. I LOVE this book and I think you would too.
Wow – I love the tip to look at vases rather than glasses! BRILLIANT!
Ohh – I’ve been in the market for various vases, etc – more for decorative purposes…but love the idea for food!
those flowers are so pretty!
Hope your able to complete your tasks and find some time to relax.
Nice goals! I keep a running to do list for my day-to-day stuff, and a list of larger goals with smaller steps to take. I just wrote a big list of big goals last week so that I can buckle down on some of them.
You’re VOO are always picture perfect and deliciously scrumptious!
Those flowers are beautiful! Almost as beautiful as your oats yummy :)
I love your pics -they are always so beautiful. I swear – you could turn something ugly (not like anything you ever eat or do is ugly) into something gorgeous! My goals this week are to get through the week – and be sane:) I have deadlines, appts and cleaning – good luck to me.
Pretty VOO! Might I suggest Eat, Pray, Love? I’m only just getting into it, but I love the way it’s written — easy read, can totally relate, and basically revolves around food, prayer, love and yoga — life at it’s best. Not to mention Julia Roberts to star in it when it comes out in theatres next month!
Lunch in Paris is an amazing book, I am almost done and cant put it down. Its the local foodies lover version of “Eat Pray, Love”
The flowers remind me of the flowers from squash plants – you can eat those too! Both would probably taste and look great in a sweet and savory summer salad.
I love goal setting – I usually set some everyday when I wake up, especially if I do yoga – they become my intention.
As for books, “The Help” is amazing for a serious read, and Sara Giffin writes great chick lit :)
My goals for the week:
1. Replant the spinach in our garden (last week’s heat wave killed what was already there :( )
2. Plant ‘cool season’ crops (kale, Swiss chard, etc)
3. Foam roll 2x/day so I don’t get any overuse injuries
4. Bike 80 miles total (40 down already!)
5. Finish our wedding thank you notes!
On Sunday I finished ready “Heart of the Matter” by Emily Giffen. It kept me up for an extra hour each night before bed because I simply couldn’t put it down! It was sooo good.. I’m a little sad that I’m done with it… but now I can finally catch up on sleep! I recommend ALL of Emily Giffen’s books, especially “Something Borrowed” (soon to be a movie starring Kate Hudson! Woo hoo!) Last night i started a new book – “Born to Run!”
Correction – author’s name is Emily Giffin (NOT Giffen)!