Food!

I know. It's been a long time...um, nearly six months? Sorry. BUT I do have good reasons...I moved back to Atl from an unexpected detour to Baltimore this summer. I worked at Johns Hopkins' new children's hospital. Loved it...great experience.

Soooo..when I got back to Atl in October, I then went to NY (following me still?) because my honey was officiating his cousin's wedding on the 14th. He then proceeded to PROPOSE to me during the reception...with his cousin Vernon and his wife's prior permission, of course (unbeknownst to me!) Thank GOD I looked decent! Ha ha.

I say all that to tell you guys that I'm engaged! So my life has been a tiny bit hectic, on top of the usual frantic. Yet, I still find time to cook and shop...yep! I'm excited to share some of the details of the planning and fun stuff for our 2013 wedding, but for now here are some good vegan eats for you.

Happy Holidays, lovelies!


1. Hearty veggie burger sandwiches with home fries AND sweet potato sticks****

I made these using two types of bread for variety. The one on the left is on a Telera roll (so good) and the other is a rosemary potato bread that I sliced and baked in the oven for about 5 minutes. I found both at Kroger.
Other ingredients for the sandwich:
Boca burger vegan patty sauteed in olive oil
sliced avocado
sliced onion, pickles, tomato, Dijon mustard, baby spinach leaves
mayo (for my honey as he is not vegan, but vegetarian)
ground sea salt, pepper to taste
potato wedges and sweet potato sticks, baked in extra virgin olive oil and sea salt for about an hour in 350 degree oven
One of my BEST sandwiches ever!!!

2. Sweet potato pie****

I made 2 of these for Thanksgiving...one with raisins and one without. Really, it's the only pie I eat. I also made 2 different types of apple/fruit pies for the rest of the fam. This pie received great kudos, even from the kids =)

Ingredients for two pies:
2 graham cracker crusts (ready to bake), or your choice of crust
4-5 moderate to large sweet potatoes/yams, baked for about an hour, then peeled when cooled
cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg (to taste...I never measure-sorry)
1/4 cup white sugar, 3/4 cup  dark brown sugar
1/2 cup orange juice, grated rind of 1/2 lemon
3/4 cup or so of vanilla almond milk
                                 3-4 tablespoons flour, raisins (optional)
                                 bake at 350 degrees for an hour or until toothpick comes out clean

3. Vegan Asian stir fry****

If you don't try ANYTHING else, please try this stir fry! Absolutely delicious. I was inspired by my love of Chinese food growing up in Brooklyn. This is my vegan version.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of sesame oil, heated...stir fry 1 chopped onion and 3-4 cloves of garlic, and about 1/2 tsp grated ginger
-add about 1 cup of broccoli heads, chopped along with salt and pepper to taste
-add about 2 cups frozen vegetable mix (peas, corn,carrots, etc), and about 1/2 cup zucchini or other squash (optional)
-add Chinese 5 spice powder and red pepper flakes to taste. I also add genuine pepper sauce from Trinidad to make it EXTRA hot...but that's just me =)
-now add about 3-4 cups cooked hot white rice, tamari sauce, and one package of veggie crumbles. Stir together and enjoy!!!


   

4. Black Bean Salsa and Guacamole***

 This was a joint effort between the fiance and myself. We were craving Mexican food this past Monday night, and we came up with something delicious!

He made the black bean salsa:

1 can of black beans, drained, chopped onion, garlic, celery, diced tomatoes, fresh cilantro, salt, pepper, more pepper sauce (see above), and a dash of Old Bay seasoning. Mix together and heat through.

I made the guacamole:

2 avocadoes, juice of 1 lemon, ground sea salt, pepper, 1/2 cup of salsa sauce (hot)  or 1 small tomato, cilantro, and 1 clove of garlic. Mix in food processor until you reach desired consistency. Done!

We added a dollop of salsa, chips for dipping, and of course a glass of red wine...Fab!!!

Hope you enjoyed some or all of these. Until next time, lovelies!

Love & Happiness!

Nikki

Poetry Reading!

Hello again, my lovelies!  I wanted to share a poem with you guys that I was invited to submit in the World Poetry Movement contest on Facebook.

I know it might be a bit "darkish" for some, but it is truly from my heart and a reflection of a part of my experience here on earth. Truthfully, it is how I came to be here, and I think it reveals how and why I have so much determination to succeed, love, and support others in this life. See? Everything can be turned around and used for good!

I'll leave the link to the poem entry at the bottom if you feel so inclined to vote for me, and/or comment. Take a deep breath...and enjoy.

Dysfunctional Womb

By: Nikki Thomas

The darkness of its shelter
prepared me for a lifetime
An absence of warmth, a presence of resentment
Nothing nourished me, her voice never spoke my name
I don't remember a visit from love
I don't remember a visit from joy
I don't remember asking for much
Yet, her womb rejected me; I wasn't welcome


It trapped me with scorn and made me afraid
But my pulse was my lullaby and it often sang out my name
Otherwise alone, I had no sanity
No passersby smiled at my bulging intrusiveness
She never invited them to touch her new girth
She had no glow
Her mind was ticking
What would she do?
How would her existence mimic what it was
before...before I was planted and morphed into a life
she could no longer ignore?


Maybe it was time for me to surrender
Yes! I planned to search for air I could breathe
Life I could live
Love I could feel
I twisted and turned and happily brought her pain
The journey from the bitter blackness filled me with hope
She looked away and gave me up with a bloody push
and never embraced me, no not once


I didn't care
I was here
And the darkness of its shelter had prepared me
for this...

Whew...emotions, huh? Lawd! Well, here's the link I promised.

Unfortunately, you have to click on it from a laptop/desktop vs your smartphone or it will just redirect you to the World Poetry Movement page on Facebook (which is ok, too!) I'll also put up a vid on YouTube of me reading it later today, as well as discussing the meaning behind this a little bit more in depth. My second YouTube site is http://www.youtube.com/veganfashionista

Hope to see you there.

The universe allowed me the chance to do for my baby what my mother couldn't with me. Love unconditionally.


Until next time,

Love and Happiness!

Nikki <3

Curried Chickpeas and Rice

Hello again, my lovelies! I was sitting around chilling yesterday (Saturday), when I suddenly had a craving for something "curried". Blame it on my Trini bloodline.

The wheels in my head started turning like it was my job! I decided on curried chickpeas and had everything I needed to make some (minus fresh ginger, but since there was ginger listed in my curry powder mix, I valiantly fought the urge to run to the store).

You can watch my stellar prep and performance in the vid below, but I want to warn you that I'm the type of cook who doesn't use exact measurements. However, I did pretty well in letting you know roughly how much of each ingredient was used.

I usually make a larger amount, but since it was just for myself and the manchild this time, I only made enough for two. Use 2 cans of chickpeas if you want to serve 4 people as a main dish, and roughly double the remaining ingredients.

So for this episode, you'll need:

(1) 15.5 oz can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans (reserve about 3/4 can of the liquid)

1 small to med onion

2 cloves of garlic

3-4 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Tbs fresh thyme (or cilantro if you prefer)

curry powder (to taste)

cayenne pepper (to taste)

 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper

3 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp cardamom

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves 

1 cup water

cooked white rice (or brown if you prefer..I only eat white rice when I'm eating curry)

You can also eat with couscous, quinoa, bread...whatever grain you feel like. Shoot, it's all about what you feel like!

Optional:

Some people also chop 1-2 small potatoes and add to pan while onions and garlic are cooking, then finish cooking, covered with chickpeas.

This vid can also be found on my new YouTube channel www.youtube.com/veganfashionista

Hope you enjoyed my fancy-pants cooking vid! If you try the recipe, let me know what you think. Add your own twist and see what you come up with. Vegan cooking is simply the bomb!!!


Until next time,

Love and Happiness,


Nikki <3

Two Cent Tuesday!

Hello again my lovelies! It's a beautiful day to review some of the products I've been using for the past month. Some I've used for a shorter period, so I've decided to do a bi-weekly review on Tuesdays of vegan/eco friendly products I've tried.

Remember a while back when I blogged about starting my friend Petra Cleary's Arbonne skin care products? Well, it was March 20th to be exact, and I've been using them daily since. So let's start off there...

1. Arbonne FC5 Complexion Revitalizing Set
arbonne.com

I decided to try Arbonne products because I wanted to get back to regular skin care regimen for my face. I liked the fact that the company touts their products are safe, eco/animal friendly, and pure. See their ingredient policy for yourself here. I also trusted Petra in recommending the right line for my skin type, which is normal to dry. This product line uses cell phytonutrient formulas to hydrate and protect the skin. Formulated in Switzerland and made in the USA, I like that the line contains the following extracts: kiwi, strawberry, mango, carrot, and pumpkin. Each has its own properties. Check out the science here! I used the hydrating cleanser twice daily, and it left my skin clean without being overly dry. I followed that with daytime moisturizer, which includes an SPF 20 sunscreen (important!), and then at night I used the moisturizing night creme. Both moisturizers felt great when applied; not too heavy or greasy. The night creme is my favorite though-it felt very luxurious and has a nice scent to it.

FC5 Hydrating Cleanser and Freshener (contains strawberry extract)

FC5 Nurturing Day Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 20 (contains kiwi extract)

FC5 Moisturizing Night Creme

There is also the Complexion Perfecting Set if you have oily skin.

What's the bottom line? Recommended

I really like the way this skin care line makes my face feel and look. The only thing I felt like I missed was a separate exfoliating wash, just because I like the way my face feels after I exfoliate. However, overall, it's a pretty simple routine and easy to stick to. It may be a bit pricey for some. I bought the set, which is $98 (valued at $108). But, I still have some left, which has lasted about 3 months. At roughly $30 per month or less for the set, it's a pretty good value for quality, natural ingredients. You can purchase separately as well. Arbonne has lots of other products, including health and wellness items. Click on the link above to explore the site!

2. TRESemme Naturals Aloe Vera and Avocado Conditioner

http://www.tresemme.com/Products/Naturals/

I first heard about TRESemme's line of natural products from fellow YouTuber MahoganyCurls. Her hair is gorgeously healthy, so I decided to give it a try. The collection claims to have low sulfate shampoos and silicone-free conditioners which are formulated with USDA certified organic ingredients. They also claim to leave your hair 10x stronger after just one use. Read more here.

Since I'm always on the search for natural hair care products, I decided to give this a try. As you may already know, I cowash about twice weekly depending on how intense my workouts are. There are several Naturals conditioners including Vibrantly Smooth with coconut oil and jojoba, but I purchased the Aloe Vera and Avocado Nourishing Moisture. I found it at K-Mart for $5.99.

I detangled my hair with water and aloe vera juice as usual, and then applied the conditioner in the shower, working through my hair and leaving on for about 5 minutes. After rinsing out, my hair felt amazingly soft and the curls were even more defined than when I used my home made banana conditioner =/

It definitely was shiny, and there was very little shedding afterwards. As stated previously, my hair is very curly and tends to be dry, but this conditioner made a big difference it how it felt. It also smells sooo good!

What's the bottom line? Highly Recommended

I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised with this product and would recommend it to any natural girl no matter what hair "type", but especially if you want to focus on moisturizing and strength. I will definitely be purchasing again when this bottle is finished!

If you have any comments, or have used any of the products above and want to comment-please do! If you have a natural product that you would like me to review, send me a message with the details and I'll get back to you asap! I'll be back in two weeks with more reviews.

Until next time,

Love and Happiness,

Nikki

He Goes Either Way

Hello again, my lovelies! Welcome to halfway through 2012...yep. Hopefully, you have kept up with the promises, aka "resolutions" that you made yourselves back in January. If not, get it together please!

So I'm sure you're thinking 'what the heezy is she talking about in this post's title?' Well...read on. I assure you it's not what your sullied minds were thinking. I don't typically talk/blog about my personal life unless I think it might help someone, or it is just really cathartic for me.

Since I broke off an engagement earlier this year (for the best; I promise all is well), I have opened up myself spiritually and emotionally to a wider array of experiences that I may not have been so open to in the past. I like to put things in boxes...they need to have labels so I know what the hell they are there for. However, one person who is so close to my heart refused to allow me to put him in a box. In fact, he tore the box up and lit it on fire. Figuratively speaking...ain't no Waiting To Exhale bonfire ish going on here.

He was so adamant that he could be friend, confidant, family, teacher, spiritual partner, provider of love...pretty much everything to me. Yet, he didn't fit my idea of what I thought my ideal mate should be. He wasn't a bad boy, big guy, swagalicious hottie. Sigh. He said I was setting myself up for failure. I disagreed. He went against the man grain and I didn't like it.Years and years later, it turns out he was right. I just let go of my 15-item perfect-man wish list...well some of it. I realized I was happy around him. That's what mattered. He likes seafood, but genuinely enjoys my vegan/vegetarian cooking. He's very opinionated, but lets me speak my mind also; he listens. He meditates and prays with me. He defies traditional, conformist thought. He eschews material things, but adores my love of shoes and fashion. He goes either way. He enjoys being in my world without letting go of his.

That being said, because I'm hard-headed and tough-skinned when it comes to affairs of the heart, we'll see what happens. Moral of the story? Ladies, don't send a man to Cast Away Island because he's so unlike what you deem as your 'type'. Those past relationships left a bad taste in your mouth so stop going back for seconds! It's so very cliche, but the man that's right for you might be right in front of your nose. Keep an open mind.

As I leave you with that food for thought, here's some food for eating! Last week, I was in the mood for some spicy Asian stir fry and this is what I made for our dinner date:

I stir fried in sesame oil:
1 small onion, cut in quarters
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1  medium head of broccoli
1 zucchini, cut lengthwise and then halved
1 cup of snow peas
1/2 cup or so water chestnuts
grilled and seasoned soy burgers/veggie crumbles, about 2 cups
chopped peanuts, about 1/2 cup
salt and pepper to taste

I combined in a bowl:
soy sauce, water, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and Fiery 5 spice pepper by McCormick
(did I mention I like spicy?)
This was added to the vegetables and stir fried for another couple of minutes. The broccoli was crisp-tender. I detest soggy vegetables!

Meanwhile, I cooked about 3-4 cups of rice noodles and spread on a platter. I covered it with the stir fry combo and served with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon...which he showed up with, along with flowers and raspberry dark chocolate by the way. Ow!
I know this is not an exact recipe because it was spur of the moment, but it came out FANTASTIC!
I thought I was eating food from a restaurant if I do say so myself.

He agreed...of course.

Until next time,

Love and Happiness,

Nikki

Banana Pudding...In My Hair?

Hello, lovelies! It's the last day of May and time keeps marching on. I hope you all remain fabulously blessed and happy!!!

I am officially moved back into my house in Atlanta. It is somewhat bittersweet, as the tenants that I had rented it out to completely disrespected it and didn't take care of it. The property manager I initially hired did absolutely nothing she said she would in the contract to ensure the house was maintained...so they all got the boot. Come on, you know I don't play =)
I'm so full of blessings, so I'm not complaining. It is giving me an opportunity to do some renovations and truly enjoy being a homeowner again.

So, you know when you move and realize every 5 minutes that you have to run to the store for something? Well that happened today AFTER I had started detangling my hair with water and aloe vera juice spritz in preparation for a co-wash (conditioner wash). Yeah...well, in the name of moving with less stuff, I apparently decided to leave all my hair care products in Dallas! No conditioner and dripping wet hair forced me to whip up some natural conditioner with what I had in the house.

In the past, I'd made homemade conditioner using avocados, mayonnaise, egg yolks, honey, and olive oil (not necessarily all together). Since I'm now vegan, I didn't want to use egg yolks, honey, or mayonnaise. My hair HATES honey anyway. Bananas, avocado oil, and almond milk jumped out at me. The fear of lumps of banana pieces hanging on to my strands made me decide to use the blender for this one.

I blended one medium sized banana, about 2-3 tablespoons of avocado oil (roughly; I didn't measure) and about 1/4 cup of almond milk for about 30-45 seconds. The consistency was conditioner-perfect! It also smelled ridiculously good.

Left over Banana Pudding Conditioner


My hair is extremely thick and curly when it is not flat-ironed and tends to get dry if I don't keep it moisturized. I applied this to my hair which I sectioned into 6-8 fat twists, and left on for about 30 minutes or so under a plastic cap. I didn't really know what to expect when I washed it out, since I wasn't convinced of the hydrating properties of bananas...but let me tell you I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!! My hair was soft and my curl pattern was definitely defined. It was also very shiny.
I have to say this is one of my more successful home made products. I have a bit left over, which I refrigerated, and will be using it again with my next wash. If you decide to try it, make sure you rinse thoroughly to ensure all the banana bits are gone =)

My natural hair journey is becoming such a self awareness journey! It's amazing to see what discipline, patience, and consistency can achieve. I used to think there was a limit to how long my hair could get because it kept breaking off once it reached my shoulders. I remember an elder telling me a long time ago when I was discouraged that 'no one will ever know your hair like you do.' Now I know what she meant by that. The best thing I did was to stop applying chemicals and just let it be. I still have a ways to go, but my hair is now at arm-pit length (APL) on the right, and slightly above APL on the left...don't ask; my hair has always grown faster on one side *shrugs*  You guys may know my growth goal is bra-strap length (BSL), but I'm not putting any limitations on my hair. If it wants to grow beyond that, then so be it.

It's not necessarily about long hair, it's about overall complete mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Now about that banana pudding conditioner...sounds like another possible business venture for me ; )

Till next time,

Love and Happiness

<3 Nikki

Bikini Time...Again?

Things are so hectic in my life right now (in a good way!), that I didn't realize until today that we are halfway through May! I mean, I knew the date and all...but in relation to summer? It's almost bathing suit time again!!! Yikes.

Hello my lovelies! I hope you all are well and life is fabulous for you in whatever way you would like it to be.

So after my move back to Atlanta is official by the end of this week, I will be turning up the workout regimen. Last year in Jamaica, I finally let go of my inhibitions and wore a (semi) bikini, and it felt beyond amazing to not be so critical of myself for once. Most of you know I practice yoga, and run as well. They both bring me a mental peace as well as make me feel physically strong. I'll also be doing Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred and her Banish Fat Boost Metabolism workout. That chick is INSANE, but her workouts kick ass. Literally.

My plan will go something like this:

Monday: Run (usually 6-7 miles. I need to break that barrier, though)
Tuesday: 30 Day Shred
Wednesday: Yoga/Run
Thursday: Banish Fat
Friday: Run
Saturday: Run
Sunday: Break

My eating plan will pretty much stay the same as I eat now. Since I don't usually eat breakfast, I'll have to add a post workout meal in such as Kashi cereal, or oatmeal and fruit. Lunch will be a huge salad with greens, lentils, veggies, or a soy smoothie. Dinner? Probably brown rice, stir fried veggies, a homemade veggie burger, or another salad. Since it will be hot as blazes while I'm out there running, I'll make sure I keep adequately hydrated. According to the "experts", you should drink about 1/2 your weight in ounces of water. For me that means about 62 oz/day (I know y'all are doing the math..smh), but I think I'll up it a bit to about 70 oz or so which is only about nine 8 oz glasses daily. Piece of cake!

 

My "bikini" last summer. $32 on sale, BabyPhat




My goal for this summer?


Dot-Print Ruffle Triangle Bikini Top, $15
Low rise bottom, $14 at Victoria's Secret
check out more styles here

Hey, I'm ambitious...but it could happen!

I've had both these DVD's for at least 2 years, so I can't remember how much I paid for them. It was a 3 DVD set. The 3rd one is No More Trouble Zones and it's great for toning. I checked Amazon.com and you can get them as low as $7 each, or $20 for the set.

30 Day Shred is convenient because it's only about 30 minutes or so. You'll need hand weights. There are 3 levels, but even level 1 will give you results I'm sure.

Banish Fat is NO JOKE! The combination of cardio, kickboxing, and pilates/yoga moves are sick. It runs about an hour.


Well, there it is. My plan of action for a beach body. I'm ready!!! Hey, my future hubby's waiting.

Until next time,

Love and Happiness!

Nikki

Reflecting on April

Welcome back, my lovelies!! First, I want to say THANK YOU for the amazing response I received on my last blog entry! Wow! It really gave my blog a terrific opportunity. Muah. Personally, I think y'all just like knowing about my personal life...ha ha! I'm ok with that =)

Back to now, though. I absolutely ADORE this time of year. Spring. Newness. Beauty. Go outside and take a deep breath....ahhhh..smell that intoxicating elixir of life. If you have allergies like I do, take your meds first =/

I have always had a (healthy) obsession with the month of April. I'm sure, depending on where you live, many of you can relate to the joy that comes with the onset of spring once winter breaks. Every year I relate this to having another opportunity to renew and improve myself.

Years ago, I worked with a young lady named April. At first, she rubbed some of us more "seasoned" nurses the wrong way. She had an air of "expectancy" about herself. We often reminded her that she had to earn the place of seniority that she was seeking. Years later, I realized that she was only living up to her name. Wordiq.com says "the name is derived form the Latin aprilis...which means "to open". April the person was attempting to open doors in her life. She was a new nurse, young, and full of expectation and excitement. Just like what April the month means to me.

So...my bad, April. I'm sure you're still out there somewhere doing your thing and shaking people up =)

I couldn't leave you guys without sharing a few of my spring finds, right?


1. Flirty lace orange dress by ark & co.

You probably can't see the gorgeous green lining underneath as well as in the back view (next). This dress is knee length, fitted through the top and flares out at the waist. Cost me about $40

So pretty! I haven't worn it yet, but when I do, I'll take some pics!




2.  Earleen sand colored slingbacks by levity

Also comes in black and blush. $69.99 at DSW
5 inch heel, size 7

 

 

*DISCLAIMER* I searched the shoe and box to determine the material, and it didn't state "leather" anywhere, just synthetic sole. Until I went online to search for a detail...and found they are indeed made with leather upper material.

I am NOT a happy woman right now. My shoes are like my babies, and I loved these girls. I've worn them 2 or 3 times only. I will be giving them away. Let me know if you're interested. My loss is your gain.

 3. Ceramic black and ivory cuff, $24

I found this online at LuxeYard They have a ton of beautiful variety there from furniture to men and women clothing to jewelry. The one downside I would mention is that I have to wait 14 days before my order is received! What?!!



4. Japanese Cherry Blossom candle, Bath &Body Works

    $10 (sale)

Candles and incense are a staple in my house. I had a hard time choosing just ONE in the store, but this has a beautiful fruity, floral, and vanilla-type scent to it that is so soothing. It has 3 wicks, and the candle itself is white.

As you can see, most of my finds were not very pricey. I'm still on my financially free course, so I'm being very responsible with the spending. It's tough, but worth it!!!

Oh, last but not least, April is Autism Awareness month in the US. A lot of people are affected by this disability (myself included; my youngest son is autistic). As of March 2012, the latest statistics show that 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with autism. Please educate yourself if you're not familiar. Sadly, it will surely affect you, or someone you know. Go here  or here for more info or to get involved!!!


Happy Birthday if you were born in April!!!! Your birthstone is a diamond. Lucky girl.

Until next time...


Love & Happiness,

<3 Nikki

Date Night

Welcome back to the madness! Hope you all are enjoying your lives and living it as honestly as can be. That's my goal everyday...it's so freeing!!! Some people may resent you for your non-conformity and brazen mentality, but so what? They'll get it eventually.

So Friday night was much fun.  Almost too much. My original plan was to stay in and get the finishing touches on my book done (Rainbow Trout is coming...I promise. Politics had me at a standstill!). However, I gave in to fun-shocking; I know...and went out with Mr. Thomas on a friend-date. You're probably thinking "big deal", but it turned out to be very revealing! Read on.

Surprisingly, we didn't take any pictures, but I'll tell you what I wore. All cruelty free fashion, of course. Use your imagination and make me look hot in your mind, because child, I was! Yep. I wore an above the knee black, fitted and strapless lace dress with black lace peep toe "shooties"... my name for ankle boots/shoes. The dress looks a lot like this one, except the lining is black, not nude, and it was fitted all the way to the bottom:

This one is by UjENA, and can be found online for as low as $38.95 I purchased mine at Vista Ridge Mall in Lewisville for about the same price.

These are the shoes that I just slipped on to take these pics. They are by Chinese Laundry and I purchased them for about $60 on sale a few months ago. They have a peep-toe front, and you might be able to see my silver toenail polish from the side. The heels are about 5 inches.

I get a lot of compliments on these babies. They are very comfortable also. LOVE them!

Accessories were minimal: brown and gold studded cuff bracelet (purchased at the mall last year-forgot the price-sorry!), smoky quartz and diamond ring (Mother's Day gift last year), and pink diamond earrings from Juicy Couture (birthday gift 2 years ago from my eldest son Mychal).

I smoothed my hair with shea butter and sweet almond oil and flat ironed it into loose waves. One beige faux-leather clutch later, I was out the door!

He greeted me with a crisp white dress shirt, dark wash jeans and a nice pair of kicks. Sexy.

Ok, so now that you're caught up on the fashion, you can get a peek into the date =)

First, we went to Pappadeaux in Dallas. As most of you know, there are NOT many vegan options on their menu! However, he was so handsome and gentlemanly that I let it slide. I had a glass of cabernet sauvignon, and he started with a mojito. It must have been good because he ordered another with his appetizer of jumbo coconut shrimp. He asked me if I "could eat shrimp" as a vegan. Here we go again. Explanation time.

Our conversation was pretty good, and a man always scores points when he tells his date how beautiful she is (even as I spotted other women looking over at us...heifers). I tried to order red beans and rice for dinner, but when I asked, alas, they prepared it with meat. I ended up ordering plain rice and zucchini ribbons, which turned out to be really delish. Somehow he was able to look me in the eye and talk about our lives while simultaneously chowing a steak, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. Talented!

I found myself wanting to stay in his company, which worked out because he said we were on to "part 2 of the night." Hmmm.

He took me to Buttons in Addison, which is a jazzy/live band bar and restaurant-type spot which is exactly what I was in the mood for. The band was singing an Earth, Wind, and Fire song as we walked in, and the place was packed...but not annoyingly packed.

.

I had been there before and had a good time. As the drinks flowed, he became a lot more open about his feelings for me...and surprised me with an amazing confession. I'll have to keep that private and see what happens =)

Unfortunately, I did openly flirt with a couple of guys who approached me while we were sitting at the bar. By openly flirt, I mean engage in conversation and lingering hand holding. Oops. Blame it on the Patron? The vodka tonics? Glasses of cab I'd had earlier? Before you boo me, I  acknowledged my lack of manners, apologized and smoothed things over with my friend-date. He said he understood that I am a social butterfly, "but that sh*t had better not happen again". Woo hoo! Loves me a strong man who will not put up with my ish. Most of the time.

There you have it. Great night and potential for more great nights? We'll see.

Until next time...

Love and Happiness,

<3 Nikki

I'm Leaving

I don't know if it was the horrific tornadoes (2!) that touched down in Dallas yesterday...or the concurrent hail storm that pummelled north Dallas (and blew out my bedroom windows), but I am ready for a VACAY!!!! By looking at some of my friends' Facebook posts today, I'm not the only one.

So about 3 years ago, I promised myself that I would take at least 2 trips annually to places I had never been before in order to expand my mind and cultural intelligence. I've always loved travelling and meeting new and different people. Mainly because I'm a bit of a misfit myself. I don't really fit into anyone's "box", so I love running into other cool, badass misfits!

In anticipation of my outings this year, I scoured the net to find out what are the top 10 places to visit in 2012. First, let me throw out a few places that are left on my list:

1. Kenya
2. Paris, France
3. Venice, Italy
4. San Francisco, California
5. Tokyo, Japan
6. Bangkok, Thailand


To my surprise, NOT ONE of my dream destinations were on CNN.com's "World's Top Destinations for 2012"! Chicago? Burma? England? Eh...what do they know? See for yourself, then get down with my list =)


1. KENYA

To be sure, there are definitely some travel warnings to US citizens form the US Department of State in light of terrorism threats and high rate of violent crimes in some areas, BUT it varies throughout the country. The key is to be aware, and smart! Now, on to the good stuff.
Kenya's beautiful aquamarine beaches of the Indian Ocean and lakes dotted by pink flamingos can take your breath away. It is a country located in east Africa. I remember as a teenager seeing commercials about travelling to this seemingly magical place, and I've been hooked ever since. Kenya is also noted for its wildlife roaming around the savannas, game parks and reserves. I can't wait to go on a Kenya safari. The official language is English, and the national language is Kiswahili. Get your passport, visa (required if you're from the US and certain other countries), and make sure your immunizations are up to date. Do yourself a favor and buy bottled water!

One of the many National Parks in Kenya

Beautiful

Diani Beach, south coast of Kenya



2. PARIS

 Another city that has called my name for many years...I pretend in my mind that I am French. After all, my maiden name is Nicole Antoine. Don't ever repeat that.
Getting back to more factual info, Paris is called home for more than 10 million people. It is often called the capital of fashion (my biggest draw to this city), and also known for its art culture and food. Despite my addiction to heels, I would imagine you would need more practical shoes to walk around the city to see all it has to offer. The Louvre, beautiful parks such as the the sculptured Jardin des Tuileries. The museums, the river Seine on the Left Bank, and of course the Eiffel Tower which lights up at night and is open until midnight. Parisians apparently are in no rush when it comes to their food. A meal, or just a drink can last for hours. It's really about the company and the conversation more than rushing through lunch hour.
For upscale shopping, the rue Saint-Honore is where the high-end labels and ginormous department stores are. Boutique type stores are found in Marais. There are also weekend flea markets such as the Port de Vanves. I can't wait.

Eiffel Tower

Les Deux Magots restaurant

Image source: http://imi-paris.org/ 

Paris Fashion Week for Spring 2012

3. Venice

Being from New York, I became fascinated with a city where cars are banned. Venice, Italy. All their forms of transportation floats...water taxis, ambulance, public "bus" ferries, and garbage "trucks". You either walk or you float. Simple. Not to mention the gorgeous architecture of the old decaying buildings! How could this sound so archaic yet be so stunning? You can take a 2 hour gondola and walking tour for about $50 US. There are also other private tours available. What to do? Art galleries, opera palaces, cathedrals, restaurants, wine bars, theaters...the list goes on.

I'm definitely excited now. I'll continue my travel series in a later post. I hope you enjoyed!  Where should I go? Let me know where you're thinking of going...or where you've been that should be on my list!!!!


Love and Happiness,

Nikki

Listen Up!

Happy April!!! I hope all is well with you all. If you've hit a bump and a slump, allow yourself time to release the pain and then press on.
Have you ever just allowed yourself to be HAPPY, no matter what? If you have, kudos to you. If not, you should try it...life opens up so many new opportunities when you do.

Soooo, what have I got for you guys today? I did a YouTube vid yesterday to answer the ongoing question of the "mystery" of what I eat as a vegan (see vid below, to your right).

I know I've posted some vegan recipes and foods that I enjoy in past blog posts, but I thought I would review some of my staples today and extrapolate on the video a bit. Fellow vegans, feel free to share you faves and suggestions as well. I'm always looking for new and fun foods to try!

Like I mentioned in my video post, I tend not to eat breakfast during the week. I usually have a cup of java with Splenda, or unsweetened herbal tea. On the weekends, I love me some Kashi cereal!!! Lunch is usually a big salad of some sort, or veggie soup if I'm not really feeling too hungry. Lunch is pretty much the bulk of my calories during the day. Dinner may be some hummus and veggies or crackers, or bean salad...maybe salsa and blue corn chips, etc. Depends how I'm feeling. I do usually have a glass of red somewhere around 8 or 9pm. Hey...don't judge me!

Here are my top 10 staples and/or faves:

1. Almond Milk

I love Blue Diamond's Almond Breeze brand, but in a pinch, I will use another kind. The taste is so much smoother and lighter than soymilk (for me). I use it in my cereal, to cook with, and drink it straight as a snack. Yum!

Usually $2.50-$2.99 for 1/2 gallon, but I buy so much that I usually have a store or manufacturer coupon for 50-75 cents off.

2. Kashi Go Lean Crisp

My favorite is the Berry Crumble. What I love besides the taste, is that I can get 9 or so grams of protein per serving! Who needs eggs? =)   There is also regular Go Lean, which tastes a bit bland, but the protein count per serving jumps to about 13g. Costs anywhere from $2.50-$3.50 per box, but check out the web or in store for coupons.

3. Perrier

You will never NOT see this in my fridge. Not sure why, but the taste is the MOST to me. Lime is my favorite, and I found a new flavor yesterday--Pink Grapefruit. Heaven.
$1.50-$1.89/bottle. Kroger had a sale for $1 each last week and I stocked up like a fiend. Ha!


4. Baby Spinach

I typically use this in my salads in place of lettuce (great source of vitamin K, A, C, protein, the list goes on). I prefer raw to cooked, unless I cook it myself. Some places will cook the heezy out of veggies and destroy the nutrients! I buy the prewashed bag/carton, or if I'm cooking for a group, I''ll buy in bunches. Usually $1.50-$2.00 per bag.

5. Fruits

No need for explanation really, right? My favorites are grapes, pineapple, berries, grapefruit, oranges. Pomegranates are good too...albeit time consuming to eat!
I have a sensitivity to apples, so I can't eat them =(
I either fruits as is, or make a fruit salad.

6. Couscous, brown rice, roasted potatoes, rice noodles, pasta, sweet potatoes

I have to admit that I eat these foods sparingly just because starchy foods tend to trigger me to eat more. I used to have a TERRIBLE carb addiction, so I have to keep it in check. The good thing about these grains are they tend to be whole grains, and have a low glycemic index (less blood sugar spike). Couscous is almost like a nutty rice flavored grain. If you haven't tried it..do so! I love it with roasted veggies or stir fried tofu.

7. Tofu

I know...most of you who are not vegan/vegetarian are thinking "yuk". However, tofu is truly versatile! It basically takes on the flavor of whatever you cook/season/marinate it with. My main source of protein is tofu, which is really just soybeans!
 You can choose from silken (for baking) firm, or extra firm. I buy the silken to make vegan cheese cakes and other desserts. I use the extra firm for stir frying with veggies or making curry dishes. Try a tofu scramble recipe if you are transitioning and miss scrambled eggs. Here's a recipe to get you started. I buy the organic option. Cost is $1.00-$2.00, depending on where you shop. 

8. Beans/Lentils

My obsession! Another good source of protein if you're vegetarian/vegan. I eat some type of bean daily. Chick peas (or garbanzo beans, depending on where you're from!), red (kidney) beans, lima beans, butter beans, black beans...oh man! Delicious. They are inexpensive (you can buy a can for as little as 50 cents on sale, $1.20 at the most), and versatile. I make 3 bean salad with red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, onions, cilantro and a dash of sweetener-so easy! Or add beans to corn and salsa for a dip with nacho chips. #hungry

9. Fresh Herbs

I add these to my stir fry recipes, or my roasted veggie dishes. Thyme, cilantro, rosemary, oregano, and dill are my faves. Nothing like fresh herbs to add great flavor! About $1.50-$2.00 per package. Keep refrigerated.

10. Veggies

Come on...I'm vegan! Veggies are my foundation. I LOVE them. So many to choose from. The ONLY one I would say I don't get down with too well is okra. Blech.
I also marinate veggies such as green/red/yellow peppers, garlic, onions, tomatoes, etc in vinegar and a touch of brown sugar and add seasonings, dijon mustard, olive oil , and a non-dairy based dressing for a bomb ass vegetable salad. Get familiar!

My marinated veggie jar

Bonus:

My (not so) guilty pleasures...

Teriyaki Tofu and Veggies from Pei Wei Restaurant, about $7.00. I drank water with lemon.

Cabernets and Malbecs are my faves, then Pino Noir. I love dry wines. Prices vary according to your taste and pocket book =)

The DEVIL!!! LOL...I could eat an entire bag of these if I didn't pay attention. Add salsa (hot and spicy, please) and it's a damn party. I had to chill on these for a while. I haven't bought any in about a month, because this was becoming all I'd eat on the weekends =/

When I get it together, I will resume buying the plain flavor...the other flavors have milk ingredients...CHECK LABELS! Don't hold me responsible if you chow down on the Hint of Lime flavor and realize there's a milk situation involved =)

$1.99-$2.50 Tostitos
$2.50-$3.00 typical price for salsa


AND NOW A MOMENT OF SILENCE.....

<--Goodbye, my <3

I just found out that Morning Star Farms have added EGG and MILK ingredients to their veggie crumbles!!! WHY????? DAMN DAMN DAMN! This was my go-to for pasta and taco dishes.
I'll have to see for myself.
Just goes to show...READ the DANG LABEL...always.



Guys, thanks for stopping by and spending time with me. I am challenging myself to post at least every other day this month! Pray for me. My schedule is ridiculous, but I love a challenge!!!


As always,
Love and Happiness!
Nikki