tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91769483814134799642024-03-20T06:05:12.363-04:00this life uncommon . . .i am linda and i blog about my life in the rolling nw hills of connecticut with my husband, teenage daughter and toddler son (yes, toddler!). oh, did i mention my mother lives with us too?! vegetarian cooking, art+design, gardening, geocaching, knitting, "Project 333", hiking...my interests run the gamut. in between all the fun, i work full-time in architecture. at times, life sure is challenging for this forty-year-old. some might even say it is crazy...but i would not have it any other way!***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-42530769763343222132013-09-19T21:45:00.000-04:002013-09-19T21:49:15.362-04:00September: The Month of TransitionSeptember always seems to be a very busy month. I think partly because as the school year kicks in, we all try to adjust to the demands that go along with it. Soon enough, we will be buckled down and settled into our routines, and the freedoms of summer will be a warm, hazy memory.<br />
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And right on cue, as we switch gears into another school year, the temperatures have also shifted, as they always seem to do. The weather in general, seems as if it's teetering on some imaginary tight rope; the line where summer ends and autumn begins. "Indian Summer", as we always used to call it. These new fall mornings have been freezing. But like many younglings, they are weak and easily conquered by the strength of the afternoon sun. It's as if even Mother Nature hasn't fully accepted the notion that summer is over. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Amaranth just beginning to flower.</td></tr>
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With this grossly fluctuating weather comes a chaotic upheaval in the garden. I am seeing the faces of life and death in my plants every day. Some, such as Cucumbers and Swiss Chard, have suddenly taken off like crazy and are flourishing in these final fleeting days of warm weather. (I even have a rogue Bok Choy that has grown marvelously, from a dormant seed planted sometime early summer.) And my big experiment of the season, Amaranth, has finally flowered! A huge success and a thing of beauty. And then we have other plants, namely Pole Beans and Edamame, that have quietly passed before my very eyes. Today, I pulled all the Pole Bean plants, that had dramatically withered away to mere skeletons over the course of a week or so. In their stead, I will plant cold-loving varieties of spinach and lettuce. When the temperatures really dip, these crops will get a cold frame shelter, and I will pray they survive the shorter days. </div>
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September, to me, has always been a month of transition. In more ways than one. It is the bridge from one season to the next.</div>
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And so the cycle continues. Yet another year. </div>
***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-42717039744276612492013-08-24T22:40:00.001-04:002013-08-25T06:55:49.772-04:00The Kitchen Garden 2013: Late Summer Status Report<div>
Summer in the northeast has settled into a gardener's dream! We had a bout of crazy heat waves early on, that really took their toll on many plants. But finally, the weather has turned to picture-perfect summer days, cooler nights and a couple rainy days thrown in between. And our Kitchen Garden is definitely reaping the benefits as we are watching just about everything flourish. </div>
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With this year's garden, we set out to explore new territory -- we are trying some new plants and some new approaches. Experimentation was the mantra this year. . .and experiment, we did! We grew carrots in containers, with much success. We set up a whole new super tall trellis system for pole beans and snap peas. And we tried growing many things for the first time, including Rutabaga, Amaranth, Watercress and New Zealand Spinach. As for the new approaches, we have been rotating continually since the spring; as something completes its growing season, we pull the spent plants, re-fertilize the soil, and sow new seeds. </div>
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Another main goal this year, is to maintain a true four-season garden. Yes, in February, I fully expect to be walking through snow to harvest fresh lettuce from my garden. I realize this is aggressive, but with the use of cold frames and some hearty mulch, I am confident we can do it. Plus, I am an optimist.</div>
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For now, I'd like to document a status report of the Kitchen Garden as it stands in this last week of August. It's been an exciting season, and we have seen some great successes. I also offer a cataloge of the plant varieties we're using, along with some notations regarding how each has fared in our magical little garden. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyP7uAr13ZE1HBLrlJV9XnSC2fha1UdWHA67U2hEuyY70abXAYQ8-Q2vYlBZuIxMdmmoqOyHxC3jdZr2fC6QeysRfZYt-uGi21npayxN2giBPu0urTZHnL1hhBFx7fiHfJDMoODVESDSIe/s1600/AUG1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyP7uAr13ZE1HBLrlJV9XnSC2fha1UdWHA67U2hEuyY70abXAYQ8-Q2vYlBZuIxMdmmoqOyHxC3jdZr2fC6QeysRfZYt-uGi21npayxN2giBPu0urTZHnL1hhBFx7fiHfJDMoODVESDSIe/s400/AUG1a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current view of The Kitchen Garden <br />
from the Perennial Garden<br />
(in the foreground)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC74X3ftr3qrdb7dpu8DdaxHjgJBionL5vQsFeiWq_4ob8_I0lzQOnOqeSKfipSJ43qjQG-82IlgHUktkHZzHcMGioQjY0UoqwQP6ibhyphenhyphenPEaNUTgTjRPjwp53W3ra8NML7o-71U7fmxF_/s1600/AUG1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC74X3ftr3qrdb7dpu8DdaxHjgJBionL5vQsFeiWq_4ob8_I0lzQOnOqeSKfipSJ43qjQG-82IlgHUktkHZzHcMGioQjY0UoqwQP6ibhyphenhyphenPEaNUTgTjRPjwp53W3ra8NML7o-71U7fmxF_/s400/AUG1b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In just a couple months, the garden has<br />
filled out so nicely. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4mx2oRMSygQYQSGzQkm4O3AHsYzgk93aYuigsEGOmENFjwzYDXkeO1nuAgoPjGuPQDMn0lIJSUX91DUgTY_L7aVYBI9iPWVkzWt5a0wcFrAN8Fz3VBt5cfyRxGZWLa6otI0ERlmI1FJw/s1600/AUG1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4mx2oRMSygQYQSGzQkm4O3AHsYzgk93aYuigsEGOmENFjwzYDXkeO1nuAgoPjGuPQDMn0lIJSUX91DUgTY_L7aVYBI9iPWVkzWt5a0wcFrAN8Fz3VBt5cfyRxGZWLa6otI0ERlmI1FJw/s400/AUG1c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current garden (right) hosts plants in all stages of growth. <br />
(The empty looking patch in the middle is actually<br />
brand new arugula and radishes)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1p9XKijgmmgu75dHOMAL14YK8ImDqIlhrPPQ01GeHyjCEJsyQPXuQUyf1Ii65-2ZaNiqLhPbC0diSP2PynQFQRG4YNxuANR0Xdp3TcLRwy11AolBHSm4SUEc8cB7wrA4QXfDeK8TCYI1c/s1600/AUG2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1p9XKijgmmgu75dHOMAL14YK8ImDqIlhrPPQ01GeHyjCEJsyQPXuQUyf1Ii65-2ZaNiqLhPbC0diSP2PynQFQRG4YNxuANR0Xdp3TcLRwy11AolBHSm4SUEc8cB7wrA4QXfDeK8TCYI1c/s320/AUG2.JPG" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new bean trellis fashioned out of<br />
bamboo poles and twine; a great success. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i_CwWcS7MAJGmEjOwwyswzGu7wnGjnQRKyRtnptxOSQq-V3YYgf6dBb6aZiesTCO43u3lsJFGR2eDW6k25Bu1CCah9epMXFgT1XVrbzEraf4VPMy6YxF16Lzi93ixORCrqw0v0LNRPha/s1600/AUG2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i_CwWcS7MAJGmEjOwwyswzGu7wnGjnQRKyRtnptxOSQq-V3YYgf6dBb6aZiesTCO43u3lsJFGR2eDW6k25Bu1CCah9epMXFgT1XVrbzEraf4VPMy6YxF16Lzi93ixORCrqw0v0LNRPha/s320/AUG2a.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are harvesting tons of beans every day.. .</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tAOaioO08KB5phBfrJlXVeSzI9EYyz7f7pTDdNoEjo0EkSpoY8NvphaQyKMQfqhWDvhOJbsmU5eAu7x8rceMACnASyRQN1ECd5V7ivKV85espv6tft6dZ492GlWiWRyltcWGddmktnYW/s1600/AUG2b+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tAOaioO08KB5phBfrJlXVeSzI9EYyz7f7pTDdNoEjo0EkSpoY8NvphaQyKMQfqhWDvhOJbsmU5eAu7x8rceMACnASyRQN1ECd5V7ivKV85espv6tft6dZ492GlWiWRyltcWGddmktnYW/s320/AUG2b+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> . .. ..some larger than others!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTanEpRXvSrB_wijxU3Srze2ykJsDE0S2IFp5lt17FF5O_48PHRP5CPp50BwvQbe4THBsOtLVyuHZZxwTvznFqLNgJeZv9tHkMW-Y29bU5xMC_kPCbv3w_Hwhq9W76IqDbblEehP8e3XYr/s1600/AUG2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTanEpRXvSrB_wijxU3Srze2ykJsDE0S2IFp5lt17FF5O_48PHRP5CPp50BwvQbe4THBsOtLVyuHZZxwTvznFqLNgJeZv9tHkMW-Y29bU5xMC_kPCbv3w_Hwhq9W76IqDbblEehP8e3XYr/s320/AUG2c.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otto loves them all. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHvc4Kms8uMd5z3GZmzI0GEhPurmYdHHatmF7MS8GH9gsKiig0HMPZfmAsl0gM_Ik7t3SDn-TwJmfc-y1W9ud0_xj9qfK6n_XN3YxKo_lrpcxs-8FGNTijp8n-CMVClrwVO2KQwo0cc4y/s1600/AUG2d+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHvc4Kms8uMd5z3GZmzI0GEhPurmYdHHatmF7MS8GH9gsKiig0HMPZfmAsl0gM_Ik7t3SDn-TwJmfc-y1W9ud0_xj9qfK6n_XN3YxKo_lrpcxs-8FGNTijp8n-CMVClrwVO2KQwo0cc4y/s320/AUG2d+.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool how the string bean plant has wrapped <br />
around the trellis many times. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mMzupI9LKefj3tEgy3UHlCh2qrXVmIG8Um2zpyphYCKrNrYPuLkoaw_OBNVJFqoyvkGuQSU1kEU5Wzg_KyYcW5zbnXJOx9qiNIQKdkG3JBecQArSZXGsENekxNGAzFFU_yeEIJJ3bkd9/s1600/AUG3a+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mMzupI9LKefj3tEgy3UHlCh2qrXVmIG8Um2zpyphYCKrNrYPuLkoaw_OBNVJFqoyvkGuQSU1kEU5Wzg_KyYcW5zbnXJOx9qiNIQKdkG3JBecQArSZXGsENekxNGAzFFU_yeEIJJ3bkd9/s320/AUG3a+.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yankee Bells looking good. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny7gyqnHbs6KZo0BN6AKHaBD3OPjrH5cXi3w0Zq7VFOSAoRp6oaKxAukYsv1mwUyRRCwQjzUr5E3iIvviJyWVAp2o8OVqsAE_1mXo7YbKH7ei3GPqC6fkwJ8VFinq1p-uwHyIG3abcPgz/s1600/AUG3b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny7gyqnHbs6KZo0BN6AKHaBD3OPjrH5cXi3w0Zq7VFOSAoRp6oaKxAukYsv1mwUyRRCwQjzUr5E3iIvviJyWVAp2o8OVqsAE_1mXo7YbKH7ei3GPqC6fkwJ8VFinq1p-uwHyIG3abcPgz/s320/AUG3b.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cubanelles have done exceptionally well;<br />
measuring over half the height of the <br />
plant itself!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFSKQjZBop_lfPxYSMFB4mXSffUCylTRokrgzEXX-o4z4HCJoB2o6gOkFW0AdMp3ZE-DXuPEdZaFheQNCz84wQItDqiI1MJzYa7jUn21iPagPnmA2FObkiW95uWlA6B6Zr6_Qf1nd8jD8/s1600/AUG4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFSKQjZBop_lfPxYSMFB4mXSffUCylTRokrgzEXX-o4z4HCJoB2o6gOkFW0AdMp3ZE-DXuPEdZaFheQNCz84wQItDqiI1MJzYa7jUn21iPagPnmA2FObkiW95uWlA6B6Zr6_Qf1nd8jD8/s320/AUG4.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Younger planting of Swiss Chard<br />
at forefront, trellis of cukes at back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMm0dnDXFZ-Fbn5HbcDx97EUyjTEFcJsx4ag12PvndJzMLPPI9PC1FZI0eO_yMN7W4v7g4zJwv2GEF7bNV5vZK4p24MmOm6CdWfH70FC81sqNDXkTpnt8Jl_0oLllRCkJoa279XCdMoS9Z/s1600/AUG4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMm0dnDXFZ-Fbn5HbcDx97EUyjTEFcJsx4ag12PvndJzMLPPI9PC1FZI0eO_yMN7W4v7g4zJwv2GEF7bNV5vZK4p24MmOm6CdWfH70FC81sqNDXkTpnt8Jl_0oLllRCkJoa279XCdMoS9Z/s320/AUG4a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cukes are growing like crazy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2gmOllwZnqbkcatBwRryHlBMjdKZCdiPmcIYHWxNHVGu3ulgPqOBoMTTPKdrcy_vYhJMcqyStyhV4LcHBl0WVMFXOGE1CFWjZacAksmTjnrXC4TszriHmTtqVvjejDc0N_peJGYAhAXz/s1600/AUG4bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2gmOllwZnqbkcatBwRryHlBMjdKZCdiPmcIYHWxNHVGu3ulgPqOBoMTTPKdrcy_vYhJMcqyStyhV4LcHBl0WVMFXOGE1CFWjZacAksmTjnrXC4TszriHmTtqVvjejDc0N_peJGYAhAXz/s320/AUG4bb.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fully matured.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1cE4AX_JGJWGzUovv6Ph291XFXRBl0uWT7sdTw-1WtHsuEYiTNq9v3BLj731TRuxt7yOhcEEO1gk9zt69AGU66GaRaZztAkJEtM8tOx3BEcoJhDzRN7AZ7XZQuvnqUkyOeC8CIQCRvLj/s1600/AUG5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1cE4AX_JGJWGzUovv6Ph291XFXRBl0uWT7sdTw-1WtHsuEYiTNq9v3BLj731TRuxt7yOhcEEO1gk9zt69AGU66GaRaZztAkJEtM8tOx3BEcoJhDzRN7AZ7XZQuvnqUkyOeC8CIQCRvLj/s320/AUG5.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edamame - grown from our neighbor's<br />
own seeds.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JWJmEsAv9gRT1-OYjjQ8ZqTLO4RP0cQT80IPG66bRoQW_GHGc3WcG9GZC2csmntUngSsJCy1mVAW4oN6nZJkSPMEZjroT-qTd2D4ZMq6fGlmUIUHKxW3yyyS6foOyANmZTlsaHfsBwNN/s1600/AUG6+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JWJmEsAv9gRT1-OYjjQ8ZqTLO4RP0cQT80IPG66bRoQW_GHGc3WcG9GZC2csmntUngSsJCy1mVAW4oN6nZJkSPMEZjroT-qTd2D4ZMq6fGlmUIUHKxW3yyyS6foOyANmZTlsaHfsBwNN/s320/AUG6+.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highly experimental amaranth! <br />
If the growing season is long enough, <br />
this plant will get to be 4' tall with long tentacles of seeds<br />
(which we eat as "grain"). The leaves themselves<br />
are actually the most nutritious. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzE0RMDhaCIxRtn5alaJ6jTaf_B6FIND3yFLPpDK3dsFYu8C4TGPv6u5spJovGFA-1NztBxvcDG98n5VMSphme9QkLD1Qq0fOWL8udhH3ExF6ZhBgwErWIxZf3TcmvMoEZFTDO8WD9W7e/s1600/AUG7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzE0RMDhaCIxRtn5alaJ6jTaf_B6FIND3yFLPpDK3dsFYu8C4TGPv6u5spJovGFA-1NztBxvcDG98n5VMSphme9QkLD1Qq0fOWL8udhH3ExF6ZhBgwErWIxZf3TcmvMoEZFTDO8WD9W7e/s320/AUG7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bounty of Kale with New Zealand Spinach<br />
in the foreground along the stone wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjevIVUFMIbwzVUENKSTy0Sd0CLY4X7vnrDhwN5YBTSBNljC4JtdFKQwi2CwcxcmkiSvE5RuG7jf7drPujHs4EKBynHj0fxqkdmVXw3JHRx5p9PUNnYf-9mVjTfrboxb0Lo6lPtV53ALHV/s1600/AUG7a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjevIVUFMIbwzVUENKSTy0Sd0CLY4X7vnrDhwN5YBTSBNljC4JtdFKQwi2CwcxcmkiSvE5RuG7jf7drPujHs4EKBynHj0fxqkdmVXw3JHRx5p9PUNnYf-9mVjTfrboxb0Lo6lPtV53ALHV/s320/AUG7a.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Zealand Spinach is not actually a spinach.<br />
It is resistant to heat which makes it a desirable alternative<br />
in the hot months when true spinach tends to bolt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9msppI2u1xqmD2qPc_wMCo8pPLPirM3d8baoGXCvxglpljUmIm7gdUHfhG8BJD9_eWW_deYb719RvBwCErgVtj11bc88w8vf8KlXZjLVIENDDRPahG410tg2Jq3F_YRiUmFFAGv8Ri26t/s1600/AUG8a+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9msppI2u1xqmD2qPc_wMCo8pPLPirM3d8baoGXCvxglpljUmIm7gdUHfhG8BJD9_eWW_deYb719RvBwCErgVtj11bc88w8vf8KlXZjLVIENDDRPahG410tg2Jq3F_YRiUmFFAGv8Ri26t/s320/AUG8a+.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caro Rich heirlooms coming in nicely;<br />
An orange tomato with 7x more<br />
beta carotene than other tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje612bQ-VNn2UjjsPsvdHa2jgJntf_l5JWZ-eZ1irqwmhMNvDms62-gaAjQlcKUk3cdhsgr6YFcRD7mrtz5Y528cn1UMmjCwLnsUnF9U7CLaR1Yp1vK8M_904QWx1xcyUXI99WPxzLmK1H/s1600/AUG9+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje612bQ-VNn2UjjsPsvdHa2jgJntf_l5JWZ-eZ1irqwmhMNvDms62-gaAjQlcKUk3cdhsgr6YFcRD7mrtz5Y528cn1UMmjCwLnsUnF9U7CLaR1Yp1vK8M_904QWx1xcyUXI99WPxzLmK1H/s320/AUG9+.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatillo husks starting to fill out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2pfuou4jagd4ReJKORaZhCY8dSbSvXWWIWYN3xqbZyhzyEKoh_8vYiZPZAXqR3dR1-kk0NahZJPbGmIfHYu_oKku9gzVclnWk29eLl1utp_fY_20PbYiCMx3QzrRBPJOY_-VdbstkJkg/s1600/AUG10+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2pfuou4jagd4ReJKORaZhCY8dSbSvXWWIWYN3xqbZyhzyEKoh_8vYiZPZAXqR3dR1-kk0NahZJPbGmIfHYu_oKku9gzVclnWk29eLl1utp_fY_20PbYiCMx3QzrRBPJOY_-VdbstkJkg/s320/AUG10+.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing patch of Swiss Chard. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo496ZQilFcNDa1EKSFD5h_TF6pQDdDRNADPwgCFmgDsTYaP9Mzw5RA7dBils9RyaQ56582q1nYw_98bWuZ6uFgzQ9WeTrobWWwN4WhUpWPRvPveknV6rAZvQ6eKf4k-vmzoMrd6YunhN/s1600/AUG11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo496ZQilFcNDa1EKSFD5h_TF6pQDdDRNADPwgCFmgDsTYaP9Mzw5RA7dBils9RyaQ56582q1nYw_98bWuZ6uFgzQ9WeTrobWWwN4WhUpWPRvPveknV6rAZvQ6eKf4k-vmzoMrd6YunhN/s320/AUG11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Beets and Beet Greens. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPP_BT-inq9ceHMB-PE0x5t5R3SVWuTtN9ATtiqe-5R2lioBDbEDzZHi0rb1vIvd7GtX707rInXGU4l8mBu1I0Ow2x7C5o_utpEzeQXdppB7zYyRjcuDzbPgr-YH4eXGv_eUPuaOh80uHs/s1600/AUG12+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPP_BT-inq9ceHMB-PE0x5t5R3SVWuTtN9ATtiqe-5R2lioBDbEDzZHi0rb1vIvd7GtX707rInXGU4l8mBu1I0Ow2x7C5o_utpEzeQXdppB7zYyRjcuDzbPgr-YH4eXGv_eUPuaOh80uHs/s320/AUG12+.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Aerostar Lettuce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rSx5Js3qwVcvIL0VpLve5_OAntHUuOok8X1ceNX15U_k2-FY_nZsR3r4k1ep3WQmKQB6h-7OyWAsk2JuHNlBKdsDl4pMzHWoooolRwETjFnScJULWa0TwyaoHu1T5JDfupAZlihHOjjH/s1600/AUG13+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rSx5Js3qwVcvIL0VpLve5_OAntHUuOok8X1ceNX15U_k2-FY_nZsR3r4k1ep3WQmKQB6h-7OyWAsk2JuHNlBKdsDl4pMzHWoooolRwETjFnScJULWa0TwyaoHu1T5JDfupAZlihHOjjH/s320/AUG13+.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A giant Collard plant! The leaves<br />
measure almost 2 feet. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmMvxBCAb7RulHA9JgiKaIMRZwisTWW6tJhR_MuLWIfCMQBFVaez7iAnYfRZru9-1DKkqXsCQgQIUFJYd83YyZrhTY8t1NZ1oFFS5n8iHLQr6Z6jtSLH65SGhilHs9Vt3FXOrt7SXtACh/s1600/AUG14+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmMvxBCAb7RulHA9JgiKaIMRZwisTWW6tJhR_MuLWIfCMQBFVaez7iAnYfRZru9-1DKkqXsCQgQIUFJYd83YyZrhTY8t1NZ1oFFS5n8iHLQr6Z6jtSLH65SGhilHs9Vt3FXOrt7SXtACh/s320/AUG14+.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gorgeous head of cabbage. <br />
Our first spring plantings succumbed to<br />
cabbage magots. This was a product of <br />
the second planting that fared much better.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeEk-mHbWggrqS7OdkE7uFrbzMhz8c5kEAPDvdo_-cN5K8rBtw6CmHesDQhupa_ew9fUQUCjxrwY7tWukuHFb-IC2KVv_jI8TvX8XX33jJm8RrFW4K0I2_dwFS7cQ3L89uoOYL_L6oVCI/s1600/AUG15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeEk-mHbWggrqS7OdkE7uFrbzMhz8c5kEAPDvdo_-cN5K8rBtw6CmHesDQhupa_ew9fUQUCjxrwY7tWukuHFb-IC2KVv_jI8TvX8XX33jJm8RrFW4K0I2_dwFS7cQ3L89uoOYL_L6oVCI/s320/AUG15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time doing carrots. These were grown<br />
in a container and did very well. . ..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaI6KeQOkL22_QyI0GmS-77v5nVAwH-egLKrU7y2B3201W9RbKDQWam1DJDVWda4HGx803EfzGStypzyDQmgs2HAa5x7mwjGI0y59yFy3LDzulpmGSc9h094-hdiZRrG9J_N7ffo4x1Fg/s1600/AUG15a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaI6KeQOkL22_QyI0GmS-77v5nVAwH-egLKrU7y2B3201W9RbKDQWam1DJDVWda4HGx803EfzGStypzyDQmgs2HAa5x7mwjGI0y59yFy3LDzulpmGSc9h094-hdiZRrG9J_N7ffo4x1Fg/s320/AUG15a.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">. . ..except that 80% of them have been what<br />
Otto calls "leg carrots". An odd<br />
phenomenon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>We have had a few special visitors to the garden this season:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXFW8C7b_zNFhf_Z2a0h8KU3-jHaPKwIxVwNH3_8UtjWYtuIcPwPAsS-GPDW1o02f2hkDYh5hZ0QGIT_ErACO8fOBEWl7mw3YFYDqDGuh2tQr9_ybNB7sZPQrHzRjpGPiEIPCF2SNw5HV/s1600/AUG16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXFW8C7b_zNFhf_Z2a0h8KU3-jHaPKwIxVwNH3_8UtjWYtuIcPwPAsS-GPDW1o02f2hkDYh5hZ0QGIT_ErACO8fOBEWl7mw3YFYDqDGuh2tQr9_ybNB7sZPQrHzRjpGPiEIPCF2SNw5HV/s400/AUG16.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Blue Orchard Mason Bee (Osmiga Lignaria)<br />
which was quite the treat, since I love bees!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVvf6uTpPZtYSFZiy2HjngPPzjmroKNOSUBdscvMwAJDQb9wtf7-JK_7xGUZna6MBC6eqE_dlc6N5iWHww0hhtsDRIZBmxDsEIM4zCY2AEL43rntthkDO1dPT_811MBA4CmRdm0NtGb51/s1600/AUG16a+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVvf6uTpPZtYSFZiy2HjngPPzjmroKNOSUBdscvMwAJDQb9wtf7-JK_7xGUZna6MBC6eqE_dlc6N5iWHww0hhtsDRIZBmxDsEIM4zCY2AEL43rntthkDO1dPT_811MBA4CmRdm0NtGb51/s400/AUG16a+.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot her? A praying mantis!!<br />
And to the left, her recently shed skin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVMt5zNERME3f96he0hqBm7iTxoyeLl8O8-afgu4uu0YajyHXUk7DCpzxolasuxikM1JY6ukE7Ohq5bFoaudYjvcDoffSPTihaD6E75mJvhUEfg6Th5W91xes8UXSWDgzBQmkJCmOTKoz/s1600/AUG17+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVMt5zNERME3f96he0hqBm7iTxoyeLl8O8-afgu4uu0YajyHXUk7DCpzxolasuxikM1JY6ukE7Ohq5bFoaudYjvcDoffSPTihaD6E75mJvhUEfg6Th5W91xes8UXSWDgzBQmkJCmOTKoz/s400/AUG17+.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bountiful harvest last week.<br />
A couple "leg carrots" and the near end<br />
of the beets. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdJAbT6xXnUhmbXSIw2_J0ci4iJZ6TyX2hHCbmoZ9y579QHV_q8Ps9xU7cOjchnRNy2haqSghyphenhyphen3i54gbnZnHSpTZdCXNNOkCihp-Sqt9b9iD_6K79EOXJ1xZlB6QsI9i9-yfuqHlNp6lT/s1600/AUG18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdJAbT6xXnUhmbXSIw2_J0ci4iJZ6TyX2hHCbmoZ9y579QHV_q8Ps9xU7cOjchnRNy2haqSghyphenhyphen3i54gbnZnHSpTZdCXNNOkCihp-Sqt9b9iD_6K79EOXJ1xZlB6QsI9i9-yfuqHlNp6lT/s400/AUG18.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we are getting later in the growing season,<br />
we are foraging for space wherever we can. <br />
At times, it looks like a jigsaw puzzle<br />
out there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2012-2013 Kitchen Garden Varieties</b></span></div>
<div>
<i>(Note: all seeds organic; * indicates an heirloom variety.) </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Arugula </b><i>(var. Astro) - </i>has done great; kind of quick to bolt</div>
<div>
<b>Pole Bean</b><i> (var. Kentucky Wonder*) - </i>very successful! huge beans close to 12" long!</div>
<div>
<b>Beets </b><i>(var. Detroit Dark Red*)</i> - the perfect beet! easy to grow.</div>
<div>
<b>Bok Choy</b> <i>(var. Shanghai Green)</i> - tricky business. ok as baby bok choy, but don't mature well</div>
<div>
<b>Broccoli</b><i><b> </b>(var. Diplomat) -</i> no luck.</div>
<div>
<b>Cabbage</b><i><b> </b>(var. Summer) - </i>cabbage magots got the 1st round, 2nd round did well</div>
<div>
<b>Carrots</b><i><b> </b>(var. Napoli) - </i>excellent in the containers; 2nd round in the garden bed -- we'll see!!</div>
<div>
<b>Collards </b><i>(var. Champion)</i> - beautiful collards. slow starting, then took off like crazy producing giant greens.</div>
<div>
<b>Cress </b><i>(var. Belle Isle)</i> - zero luck! planted in two different spots. may try different variety next year.</div>
<div>
<b>Cucumber </b><i>(var. Green Finger)</i> - doing excellent! hearty plant with tons of fruit! easy to train to trellis.</div>
<div>
<b>Edamame </b>- gift of my neighbor's saved seeds. plants smaller than i've seen previously, but lots of pods! still maturing. </div>
<div>
<b>Kale </b><i>(var. Winterbor)</i> - excellent. hearty plants from early-on, resistant to pests. </div>
<div>
<b>Kohlrabi </b><i>(var. Korridor)</i> - spring crop did great. planted 2nd round late summer for fall harvest.</div>
<div>
<b>Lettuce, Crisphead </b><i>(var. Aerostar)</i> - lovely lettuce. resistant to bolt, harvested all through the heatwaves!</div>
<div>
<b>Bell Peppers</b><i> (var. Yankee Bell)</i> - very successful. each plant producing many thick-walled peppers!</div>
<div>
<b>Cubanelle Peppers</b> - also very successful.</div>
<div>
<b>Snap Peas</b><i><b> </b>(var. Cascadia)</i> - miracle peas. original spring plants produced new flowers/peas through height of summer!</div>
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<b>Radish</b><i><b> </b>(var. Cherry Belle*) </i>- these did great. </div>
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<b>Rutabaga </b><i>(var. Joan*) - </i>planted for fall harvest. . we'll see!</div>
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<b>Spinach </b><i>(var. Bloomsdale Long Standing*)</i> - 20% success rate. not easy to grow, but plants that established were very heat resistant. </div>
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<b>New Zealand Spinach </b>- awesome! a perennial gift from my neighbor. looking forward to see what it does next year.</div>
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<b>Swiss Chard</b> <i>(var. Fordhook Giant*) - </i>very successful. nice thick leaves. -- large. grew like weeds. </div>
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<b>Tomatillo </b>- plant established very well; fruit still growing in the husk. </div>
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<b>Tomato</b>, Cherry <i>(var. Black Cherry) - </i>doing very well. </div>
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<b>Tomato</b><i><b> </b>(var. Caro Rich*) </i>- doing very well, a bit of heat wave evidence</div>
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<b>Tomato </b><i>(var. Large Red*)</i> - doing well </div>
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<b>Tomato</b><i><b> </b>(var. Big Boy) </i>- doing well </div>
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<b>Turnip</b> <i>(var. Purple Top Globe*) </i>- planted for fall harvest. . we'll see!</div>
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***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-17430510259842713782013-06-15T22:05:00.001-04:002013-06-15T22:05:32.773-04:00**New & Improved** Kale ChipsThe past few years, our garden has seen quite the overabundance of kale. So much so, that I have become quite creative in what I do with this power green. Personally, I love to munch on it raw (and oddly enough, so does the two-year-old of the house!) But I have also dabbled in making kale chips. Very simply, I would rip the kale into bite size pieces, put them on a baking sheet, spray with olive oil and season as desired (usually with garlic powder and a pinch of salt). Fairly strong in kale flavor, and rather fragile -- these chips were pretty decent, and they were well-received by family and friends. <div>
<br />However, a few months ago, I decided to give the kale chips from the health food store a try. I was expecting to taste something similar to what I have been making out of my own kitchen. Boy, was I in for a surprise! They were thick and crunchy, and so full of flavor and zing. They were completely dairy free and raw to boot. Better than any potato chip I had ever tasted. </div>
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I have been hooked ever since. But staying in line with my Zero Processed Food Diet (and to save some moola -- these chips are $7.00 for a single serve bag!), I decided it was time to learn how to make this tastier version myself. Here's what I have figured out: kale, upon baking or dehydrating, will disintegrate to almost nothing. It will dry out to the fragile state to which I had been so accustomed. To counteract this, it must be coated in something that will hold it's body, even after the kale has been dried. Many recipes will call for a nut-based paste in which the kale is dredged, and then dehydrated (or cooked way way low in the oven) for several hours. This is a time consuming process, but it really is worth it in the end. I have experimented with a lower fat, lower calorie version, replacing half of the nuts with garbanzo beans and reducing the amount of olive oil. But below is the original recipe that I had arrived at through all my research:</div>
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<b><u>Kale Chips</u></b></div>
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<b>Paste</b> </div>
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(makes enough for about half a bunch of kale)</div>
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3/4 cup soaked cashews (soak for at least 1 hour)</div>
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1/2 red bell pepper</div>
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2 cloves carlic</div>
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2 tablespoon Bragg's Liquid Aminos</div>
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2 tablespoons olive oil</div>
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1/2 cup nutritional yeast</div>
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1 lemon, juice of</div>
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- Use a dehydrator or use your oven at the lowest temperature </div>
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- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper</div>
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- Tear kale off stems into bite size pieces (don't use stems)</div>
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- Blend all the "Paste" ingredients in blender until very smooth</div>
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- Dredge kale pieces in mixture until fully covered </div>
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(the paste consistency should be loose enough to just be able to run off a spoon. if it's too thick thin with Bragg's or lemon juice)</div>
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- Bake or dehydrate until crisp and completely dried out</div>
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the dehydrator will take at least over night, my oven at 200 takes approx. 3 hours</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXwT1h_C_r18X620mKK8CCHkCsvOTOsipkN0hhlKAEhDx3szZ-iXXGst7fpnNujIeJ_yQcUfX1q9Vvz_itmoExFaeWeWnQHaOB-QnrGDKV4yTjhOvoMzjIQ9sASiTK1swZB0V86Mj_ReR/s1600/1IMG_4827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXwT1h_C_r18X620mKK8CCHkCsvOTOsipkN0hhlKAEhDx3szZ-iXXGst7fpnNujIeJ_yQcUfX1q9Vvz_itmoExFaeWeWnQHaOB-QnrGDKV4yTjhOvoMzjIQ9sASiTK1swZB0V86Mj_ReR/s320/1IMG_4827.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama's helper, tearing the kale into pieces</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_loYOkcwFEHdMPvJnXbzcJ8-TZViEymvdEjL0exX7dHhxZ_GyxD5DDvGXj_IVQ9pVn9V1v0iYGabXQYYrelpaJ0QE-HwR5sO4T1wMqwmc4NNTkU6YKGYWach0JOdLBr-cWricIKSCJEd8/s1600/2IMG_4840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_loYOkcwFEHdMPvJnXbzcJ8-TZViEymvdEjL0exX7dHhxZ_GyxD5DDvGXj_IVQ9pVn9V1v0iYGabXQYYrelpaJ0QE-HwR5sO4T1wMqwmc4NNTkU6YKGYWach0JOdLBr-cWricIKSCJEd8/s320/2IMG_4840.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished paste</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67NDFoIPEdgD6VYJNE_dF3wN__qherZr08Vt5FPdPNzQbSK1QlnfA_uFgQuQvRhyE35ISTV_hA5TeRmJMMwOCObI1MI72QGBVJnkt1Vt7OW1ni1C0PgDFAmWIvHjKOjXi0VOFFr5IbIy0/s1600/3IMG_4839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67NDFoIPEdgD6VYJNE_dF3wN__qherZr08Vt5FPdPNzQbSK1QlnfA_uFgQuQvRhyE35ISTV_hA5TeRmJMMwOCObI1MI72QGBVJnkt1Vt7OW1ni1C0PgDFAmWIvHjKOjXi0VOFFr5IbIy0/s320/3IMG_4839.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coated kale ready for the oven!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJNvW1TmAwdnhVakURpriEySwdA1jdxUXeyOd8VvJSB982AehYBzVCBVpXzPFWBydeIcRFj85iP8-JIOd4S3HF75Lza8vtmC2lSzkJMnhSHE5OflklZaAQx4NM5KiJhjA55zQ-MY21nD5/s1600/4IMG_4842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJNvW1TmAwdnhVakURpriEySwdA1jdxUXeyOd8VvJSB982AehYBzVCBVpXzPFWBydeIcRFj85iP8-JIOd4S3HF75Lza8vtmC2lSzkJMnhSHE5OflklZaAQx4NM5KiJhjA55zQ-MY21nD5/s320/4IMG_4842.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished product!</td></tr>
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***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-88517344000410834492013-05-19T22:20:00.002-04:002013-05-21T07:58:37.283-04:00Rubber Bands.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>"A rubber band is powerful, powerful. . .."</b></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- "Rubber Band" Shonen Knife</span></i></div>
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Anyone that knows me, knows that I can't live without safety pins. I've probably had a few posts on here that are somewhat related to the glorious safety pin. And at any given time, if you check my desk drawer or my purse, you are certain to find at least one of these life necessities floating around somewhere. My mother has often said that I hold my life together with safety pins (thanks, Mom!). And as sad as this all may sound, it's pretty much the truth. </div>
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As wonderful as safety pins are, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a new love of mine: the rubber band!</div>
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I have been using these stretchy little gems in some very handy ways as of late. Check it out. . .</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzyZ4IxxLjn6Y5s6F3b0YvumtlAhg222x73iNuv09woBnTC-fXGtls0HvEZKW5TNdW1q-xBhpUUZyIh5Ma6x9CeUGFixAvYnpNfwPMSmAqAuL2G7XcWPJP09HSEf_Pkus1g2Udub1jlUE/s1600/rubber+photo+(2)+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzyZ4IxxLjn6Y5s6F3b0YvumtlAhg222x73iNuv09woBnTC-fXGtls0HvEZKW5TNdW1q-xBhpUUZyIh5Ma6x9CeUGFixAvYnpNfwPMSmAqAuL2G7XcWPJP09HSEf_Pkus1g2Udub1jlUE/s320/rubber+photo+(2)+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs to buy fancy hangers to help <br />
keep the clothes from slipping off?<br />
Rubber bands will do the trick<br />
on any ol' hanger! Personally, <br />
I think they look kinda neat. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeniYjWMtQhHqS1jbjL7Ea0AEiNjuBUP7rZb8Oy8L1w2yzmaNv7ilgFh0EQ-eDmwYdUM-msRGOY0xm2B86P37p_-bbyWAQMagNS1sGqWNExpvc0UW1tOnJdVCcNYLqp4v1W0ZWlwGLfUIh/s1600/rubber+photoa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeniYjWMtQhHqS1jbjL7Ea0AEiNjuBUP7rZb8Oy8L1w2yzmaNv7ilgFh0EQ-eDmwYdUM-msRGOY0xm2B86P37p_-bbyWAQMagNS1sGqWNExpvc0UW1tOnJdVCcNYLqp4v1W0ZWlwGLfUIh/s320/rubber+photoa.JPG" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how a simple rubber band<br />
will keep all the pens organized in our<br />
kitchen counter "bill box". <br />
Oooh, and look! What's that <br />
holding together packets of<br />
vegetable seeds? :)</td></tr>
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And rubber bands are so cheap! In fact, I don't even buy them. I just save the ones that bind together my produce (all the bunches of carrots, heads of lettuce and florets of broccoli in the market are held together with rubber bands). </div>
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And so it seems I am now holding my life together with safety pins AND rubber bands! Whether or not this is progress, remains to be seen.</div>
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***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-71361353978703324072013-05-06T22:25:00.000-04:002013-05-21T07:58:59.845-04:00The Kitchen Garden 2013: New & Improved<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Cherry Belle Radish<br />
just starting to sprout!</td></tr>
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Two weeks ago, we did our first spring planting of the kitchen garden. Since we weren't out of danger of frost at the time (nor are we as I write this), we put in only those things that could withstand a light frost. Tiny, yet hearty plants such as Winterbor Kale, Diplomat Broccoli, Champion Collards and Summer Cabbage found their way into The Maplewood's good earth. In addition to these plants, we also sowed several types of lettuce and greens seeds (including Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach, Shanghai Green Bok Choy, Astro Arugula, Belle Isle Cress & Aerostar Crisphead Lettuce) along with a few choice roots (Cherry Belle Radish, Purple Top Globe Beets & Napoli Carrots), Cascadia Snap Peas and a favourite in our house . .. Korridor Kholrabi.<br />
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Quite the garden is already underway. In fact, we already have many sprouts coming up! Of note is the Cherry Belle Radish, which has fulfilled it's promise to be a quick germinator. If we play our cards right, we could be harvesting these sweet lil' babies all throughout spring, summer and even into fall.<br />
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As I was reviewing the crops from previous years and reminiscing of harvests past, I came across some old photos of our very first kitchen garden at The Maplewood. In just a few short years, it really has come a long way, evolving into quite the urban agricultural undertaking. Just look at how it's grown (errr. . literally!). Almost triple in size from the original strip that was planted a few years back. </div>
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It's hard to tell from the photo (above, right), but the garden has been organized into sections to allow for constant planting throughout the season. I'm using an online Garden Planner tool to help with the coordination effort. Below is a snapshot of how the garden has been laid out, for the full season, using the Garden Planner program. I'd say about 60% of these plants/seeds are in! And as plants are picked or exhausted, we'll be re-sowing and rotating crops, to ensure a continual harvest throughout the season. </div>
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In a few weeks tomato, pepper and tomatillo plants will be going in, so stay tuned! I'll be updating as the garden grows. . ..</div>
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***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-12303964635552344812013-03-31T21:29:00.001-04:002013-03-31T21:34:08.675-04:00Swedish Designers & . ... What's After P333?Ever since I stumbled upon the amazing Swedish designer, <a href="http://webshop.ewaiwalla.se/products/categoryid/2222/">Ewa i. Walla</a>, I have been totally obsessing. By now, I think I have the entire Spring/Summer 2013 line memorized (and the prices too. . OUCH!). Her line of clothing is inspired by 18th century Swedish farm culture. The vibe is ethereal and dreamy . . .and, at times, extreme fairy tale. Ewa creates the unexpected and extraordinary, simply by using ordinary, natural mediums (cotton, linen, silk, wool, organdy) adorned in traditional methods, such as hand embroidery, ruffle work and lace tatting. Ewa i. Walla clothing is so steeped in old European tradition, which in itself is unique. This is why her designs exude a sense of antiquity, while somehow achieving a modern edge, all at the same time.<br />
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Admittedly, full-on Ewa can be over-the-top. But I think in small doses, these pieces can mesh nicely, and add a bit of spark, to my current day-to-day wardrobe. Besides, I can only afford a few select pieces, and so I've started with some basics to build off, per suggestions from Ewa i. Walla's UK agents. You see, what makes this even trickier than just navigating the price point, is that you can't buy her clothing in the States, so there is no way for me to try on any of these pieces or even see them in person. And so I'm left to work closely with the UK agents, who have been more than willing to help. (If you ask me, since Ewa i. Walla garners such a cult following, the seasoned "Ewa Kids" sincerely enjoy helping the new fledglings find their Ewa wings; a mentorship of sorts, in an almost secret club.)<br />
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And now, what makes this all even MORE trickier, is that once my current Phase 3 of Project 333 concludes next week, I will begin transitioning into a new capsule wardrobe project. This time, I will be living with only 52 items (which includes outerwear, accessories, shoes) for an entire year! This is an idea my friend Bev had mentioned awhile back. I was immediately on board. I don't have a definitive start date for this new Project 5212, but I am aiming for mid-May. As you might imagine, I am in a planning frenzy right now trying to figure out how to make this all work, and how my new Ewa i. Walla pieces will play with the rest of my year-long wardrobe. Truth be told, her clothing will undoubtedly lend themselves perfectly to this new project, since it is all designed to be worn in layers and to be worn in a variety of ways. </div>
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But enough of that. For now, just take a peek at some of the otherworldly designs of Ewa i. Walla. . ..</div>
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<em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">” The feel of fabric is everything to me. The tactile experience is what inspires me. My clothes are nothing but perception…”</em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">- Swedish clothing designer </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.ewaiwalla.se/" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ewa i. Walla</a></span></div>
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***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-78293471893218662152013-03-29T22:11:00.001-04:002013-03-29T22:27:46.475-04:00. . .a Four Season Kitchen Garden??Spring is here, and a new and improved kitchen garden is in the works at The Maplewood. While last year's garden yielded plenty of gorgeous and tasty veggies and herbs, we seemed to be harvesting for only short stints throughout the growing season. Not to mention, our zucchini plants got hit with the deadly Squash Vine Borer (for the second season in a row!) and we lost all our zukes and yellow squash plants early on.<br />
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This year, we have some new strategies in place! I'm very excited to be playing a major role in the planning and coordination of this season's garden. One of the main goals of our upcoming garden, is to extend the growing season and ensure we are harvesting continuously throughout the entire season. Ideally, I'm actually aiming to create a true four season garden! If done properly, utilizing deep mulch and cold frames, we could be harvesting lettuce in the middle of January. . how exciting! By maximizing the potential of our small plot, we will greatly reduce how much produce we need to purchase over the year. But of course, this will take a lot of planning and coordination.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKeruSrm3_gdUHRtqPBh45vYmlj8MLsHVZegAVwWeGnglIUl8bUHEXNyhbOon9imQLiqPtF5cTKNuTkgQhw9R1AzsfVnB-98wekUUEh2tYdkreIHOyp_YzAte9BBPJ1v-bBLa7CnfgWS0/s1600/new+0328+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKeruSrm3_gdUHRtqPBh45vYmlj8MLsHVZegAVwWeGnglIUl8bUHEXNyhbOon9imQLiqPtF5cTKNuTkgQhw9R1AzsfVnB-98wekUUEh2tYdkreIHOyp_YzAte9BBPJ1v-bBLa7CnfgWS0/s320/new+0328+before.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kitchen Garden status as of 03/28/13<br />
. . ..after a long, hard winter</td></tr>
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I've already started the layout and planning process of the garden, using an awesome online planning tool I stumbled upon, called <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/garden-planner/vegetable-garden-planner.aspx#axzz2NWrxL2xY">Vegetable Garden Planner</a>. The Vegetable Garden Planner seems like the perfect tool to help with the logistics of staging many different crops over an extended period of time. And as I plan and research potential contenders for the upcoming garden, I am also ramping up for some physical work outside. As the ground thaws, it's now time to begin preparations of the soil. Research continues on what amendments will best serve our particular soil conditions, and over the next few weeks, the actual clean up will begin.<br />
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I realize that the plans for this season's garden are lofty, but I'm confident we can achieve all this and more.<br />
<i><b>It's going to be a long row to hoe</b></i>, but it will be well worth it in the end!<br />
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***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-26456221431300501392013-03-14T21:33:00.000-04:002013-03-14T21:36:03.091-04:00Project 333, Phase 3: The Lookbook (In Front of the White Door)<div>
Thanks to our camera's self-timer, and a handy little <a href="http://joby.com/">Joby</a>, I was able to document 50 of my outfits during this current phase of my Project 333. Quick lil' snapshots "in front of the white door", these aren't the greatest photos (although I tried to mix things up with my poses, which are mildly entertaining, in and of themselves). Documenting this phase is key. I set out with one primary goal: to achieve maximum flexibility and style diversity, using ONLY my very limited 33 selections -- which include accessories, shoes and outerwear! (For a full list of my 33 items, see <a href="http://thislifeuncommon.blogspot.com/p/project-333-phase-3.html">Project 333, Phase 3: The List</a>.)</div>
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As I flip through this Lookbook, I am satisfied that I have compiled a complete visual summary, representing the breadth of styles/moods/looks this minimal wardrobe can achieve. And I think I was successful in doing what I set out to do. Take a look for yourself. 33 Items . . .countless possibilities!<br />
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***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-34541613249546245352013-03-09T22:05:00.000-05:002013-03-09T22:16:41.170-05:00Moong Ke Cheelay, Linda Style!I will not pretend that I know a thing about Indian cuisine. Other than the fact that the mere aroma of Indian spices sends my mouth a waterin'! And while I do love the exotic flavors, I do not love the heaviness of many of the saucy dishes. And admittedly, I have not had Indian food in probably a year. Mainly due to my weight-loss diet. However, since starting my <a href="http://thislifeuncommon.blogspot.com/2013/03/valeodida-it-is.html">Valeodida Diet</a> a couple months ago, I have been on the look-out for interesting recipes that don't incorporate meat, grains, dairy or sugars. I have also been doing a lot of sprouting, which helps make a lot of things easier on my tummy. In a casual conversation with the Indian woman I sit next to at work, she asked if I ever "mash" my sprouted mung beans to make "pancakes".<br />
<br />
<i>What??! </i>I had to learn more! She gave me this recipe for <a href="http://delhibelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/moong-ke-cheelay-haldiram-style.html">Moong Ke Cheelay</a>. It fit all the criteria of my Valeodida way of eating, so I immediately set some beans to sprout in preparation for trying out this new recipe.<br />
<br />
In true Linda fashion, I made some modifications. First off, I did not have Mung Beans on hand, and so my pancakes are made from French Green Lentils. The recipe I was given only instructed that the beans be soaked for 4 hours, whereas mine were fully sprouted. I also did not have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asafoetida">asafoetida </a>, which is some sort of a root herb that helps with digestion, and lends a leek-like flavor. So I substituted with some other spices. I also took my own avenue on the filling as well . .. seeing that I had only edamames on hand, along with an over abundance of cauliflower. And so my final version very loosely resembles the recipe that was given to me (in more ways than one, I'm sure). But it really was quite delicious! The filling had a bit of kick to it, which was balanced nicely by a lil' sweet. The pancakes were mild in flavor, and may have been a bit thick. I think next time, I might water down the batter a bit. And I love the fact that I can take the basic pancake idea, and make it more sweet than savory. I would like to try a version with cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, etc.. . for breakfast!!<br />
<br />
And now, without further ado, my take on the traditional Indian dish, Moong Ke Cheelay: (I don't really measure -- so ingredients are to be eye-balled and incorporated using best judgement!)<br />
<br />
<u><b>pancakes</b></u><br />
approx 1 cup sprouted French Green Lentils<br />
freshly grated ginger<br />
fenugreek (freshly ground)<br />
ground cumin<br />
garam masala<br />
coconut milk (canned, unsweetened) and water<br />
salt<br />
<br />
- - mix very well in blender. keep adding liquid (I used a combination of coconut milk and water) until the proper consistency is achieved. fry the pancakes with a lil' olive oil or in a sprayed pan. my pancakes were 1/4 cup of the batter, spread thin, and cooked until golden brown on each side.<br />
<br />
<u><b>filling</b></u><br />
fresh chopped cauliflower<br />
fresh chopped onion<br />
chopped edamame beans<br />
coconut milk (canned, unsweetened)<br />
garlic<br />
ground cumin<br />
dal makhani (or whatever indian spices on hand)<br />
cayenne pepper (to taste)<br />
something sweet (probably should have used raisins, but I can't have them so I used dash of Stevia)<br />
<br />
-- cook this up in a saucepan. let it simmer for quite a while. it should be a very soft filling.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSb8gEP7r5mU8ufVu19VyHoT-b9OIYhqHgSvCOAltWvJ_5lTwCoEdlSLIKv6lbB6KYCgqTCxq7j0rYAj-BEI3WzxfcA1B63WP8VcKH_IHOVTcv8cTT_3kSB7vAntFULmmobqhlzsqtnbV/s1600/moonkacheela2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSb8gEP7r5mU8ufVu19VyHoT-b9OIYhqHgSvCOAltWvJ_5lTwCoEdlSLIKv6lbB6KYCgqTCxq7j0rYAj-BEI3WzxfcA1B63WP8VcKH_IHOVTcv8cTT_3kSB7vAntFULmmobqhlzsqtnbV/s320/moonkacheela2.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It all starts with sprouted French Green Lentils.<br />
A very tasty treat.. . all on their own!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu71y6jNK0AJxKOaM5QPjHVT8KBenwi2stf08NMLFW-JZUwuyud6cwv44s3BHgCqDaVsFIwNBq0hDM8r8cpEI4kpqZZXjmY0G9MqiblWqrRwzVzY7lgSVzVev9dr6g41zl8dh9BwQH9og/s1600/moongkacheela3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu71y6jNK0AJxKOaM5QPjHVT8KBenwi2stf08NMLFW-JZUwuyud6cwv44s3BHgCqDaVsFIwNBq0hDM8r8cpEI4kpqZZXjmY0G9MqiblWqrRwzVzY7lgSVzVev9dr6g41zl8dh9BwQH9og/s320/moongkacheela3.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blended batter! The green specks<br />
are the skins of the lentils.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBALVcVDhtj0-eHDQ77R_pCSMrRLvmq7wnZe6meqdiwsI3rnVui3AkUUAlnzAijop7DSJj_SutyUfOu0DGQJk45Qn0b13RN6_oHFaqGXRCj9Y38mHO6dn-ej-TrfHECXpnWc9b26G98EM9/s1600/moongkacheela4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBALVcVDhtj0-eHDQ77R_pCSMrRLvmq7wnZe6meqdiwsI3rnVui3AkUUAlnzAijop7DSJj_SutyUfOu0DGQJk45Qn0b13RN6_oHFaqGXRCj9Y38mHO6dn-ej-TrfHECXpnWc9b26G98EM9/s320/moongkacheela4.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">The filling, cooking down nicely!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwbdyi4NE5C__iqomdQqP7ST41ArWtYyOKFemtSk7O_1EX3y3QOLF5wH1R8kb8j0PVgmkEfF2htrpCPrzAVlM8tJRS0VikJZXpaZKUM1fUf4cgoz96Cz0rT1lIQLczKzXJm5hzGLsw0rX/s1600/moongkacheela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwbdyi4NE5C__iqomdQqP7ST41ArWtYyOKFemtSk7O_1EX3y3QOLF5wH1R8kb8j0PVgmkEfF2htrpCPrzAVlM8tJRS0VikJZXpaZKUM1fUf4cgoz96Cz0rT1lIQLczKzXJm5hzGLsw0rX/s320/moongkacheela.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stuffed pancake. In all honestly, not much<br />
to look at. But the combo of flavors is fantastic!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqZNiidXilTXKjS69dV0kULwoufvO42zdt_pSrf6yP6mePjQhiHeTI-_ax8-L4ep6DKoRbEayrw_uKdfGLlvmA8NIsWGEzwYr9MmqUELjcUi1TUr1d9yt6Y4w0QclHOvmMKf0aQ6MMlWT/s1600/moonkacheelaotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqZNiidXilTXKjS69dV0kULwoufvO42zdt_pSrf6yP6mePjQhiHeTI-_ax8-L4ep6DKoRbEayrw_uKdfGLlvmA8NIsWGEzwYr9MmqUELjcUi1TUr1d9yt6Y4w0QclHOvmMKf0aQ6MMlWT/s320/moonkacheelaotto.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otto enjoying a Moong Ke Cheelay pancake!<br />
(and a few sprouted lentils on the side)</td></tr>
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<br />***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-19393479207074252872013-03-02T21:41:00.000-05:002013-03-07T07:40:11.663-05:00Valeodida, it is!I am still cleansing. Candida cleansing. It has been eights weeks since I have eaten grains, dairy, carbohydrates, sugar (including honey, agave, etc.) and fruit*. While I have reason to believe my body is on the mend and has, for the most part, eradicated itself of the candida overgrowth, I am continuing (and adapting) this way of eating for the long term.<br />
<br />
My way of eating doesn't have a name, which makes things kind of difficult. I've adopted pieces from various diet philosophies to create an amalgam that works for me. I have dubbed this eating style. . Valeodida!<br />
<br />
<u><b>V (for Vegetarian)</b></u> - I've always been vegetarian. Historically, I have eaten lacto-ovo (consuming dairy products and eggs, but no meat or fish). I have now dropped the dairy, but eat eggs as a primary source for protein. (Almost a vegan -- except for the pretty boots, and buttery soft car seats.)<br />
<br />
<u><b>ALEO (for Paleo)</b></u> - More and more people are eating a Paleolithic diet, which consists mainly of fish, meat, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots and nuts. If you haven't heard about this eating philosophy, it is based around eating as our Paleolithic ancestors would have, a million years ago (this is a.k.a. the Caveman diet). Assuming our bodies were designed to eat in such a manner, it is seen as a more natural way to go. Paleos exclude grains, legumes, dairy, potatoes, salt, sugar and processed oils. I am very close to this, except I am a bit more stringent in that I don't partake in fish, meat, fruit or fungi (due to the candida link).<br />
<br />
<b><u>DIDA (for Candida)</u></b> - Don't feed the yeast!!! As I've written about before -- Candida Cleanse diet removes carbs and sugars from the system, so excess yeast don't have anything to feed on. It is in this third prong, that I lose my fruit, due to the sugar content. Candida cleanse also allows for meat/fish, as does Paleo. But of course, the vegetarian in me won't have any of this, so again, my way of eating ends up being a bit more restrictive.<br />
<br />
I am meeting with my naturopath next week, to fine-tune a healthy eating plan that will support this framework I've established. I am pretty certain I will stick to my guns on much of this. Especially after trying to reintroduce ancient grains around week four (I felt very sick and started the detox process all over again). I'll be keeping the grains and grain-like seeds (like quinoa, millet) out. As for sugars. . who needs those??? I have adapted quite nicely to my new philosophies on food. It was not at all as difficult of a change as one might imagine, once I committed to doing what's right for my body. Based on all the research I've done, I have outlined for myself the healthiest and most natural diet I could possibly fathom. And for the record, you heard it here first. . . VALEODIDA!<br />
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*Note: there are several exceptions to these rules. For example. . .I am allowed the high-fiber fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries. I am allowed goat cheese and plain yogurt. Stevia is the only allowed sweetener. These exceptions are taken from the Candida Cleanse rule book, based on how the body processes sugar, the carb conversion, glycemic index, and a bunch of other stuff that is rather complicated. Oh, and over the past two months there have been a couple cheats: approx. 4 TBS of raw honey, 6 dried cranberries and half of a dried pineapple ring have been consumed. There. Confessions do feel good.***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-45019329233283206232013-02-13T23:16:00.002-05:002013-02-14T20:49:24.706-05:00Project 333, Phase 3: The Rejects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">What a slow, tedious process refining my final list has been! But I have put much thought into it, and I believe I am just about down to my final 33. I'm glad I took this time to rethink my items, and make a thoughtful selection that will support my main goals: achieving versatility and adding a bit of "pizzazz". I'm pulling together the final list for posting as I speak. But for now, the official "au revoir" to those items that made the cut. . .and then didn't make the cut:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvurDRnm8I1_idgaTjF4XSwypjuzk17Y7VJdqr9FhodW-iyYhR0Gjs-oV0JK0AsSmxRmgJgievPQ9j9PDYnKVuetD_FB0NyvFVB9g1rYHM2VAPfs-wN057xzKRCQIw2jxUdO7hzevrVhP/s1600/xx+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvurDRnm8I1_idgaTjF4XSwypjuzk17Y7VJdqr9FhodW-iyYhR0Gjs-oV0JK0AsSmxRmgJgievPQ9j9PDYnKVuetD_FB0NyvFVB9g1rYHM2VAPfs-wN057xzKRCQIw2jxUdO7hzevrVhP/s200/xx+copy.jpg" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Alasce Cardigan</b><br />
(The North Face)<br />
<i>I ended up with too many cardigans. <br />While I like the length and warmth <br />this one offers, I think I can get the same perks<br />out of a couple others that are staying.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jN41TPOQFw1-glCyInf7zL69quvwOwlVfdRo89Nn8mdfhZm1ZRwFuXMzE1ZpEAtDeBwO7lf2i-OcO2L_yJsZIYKduXPGyLiZV2taT1Y-PdibYv1DzCD8RbeneeT9PH2BTchzxuv8honz/s1600/xxjcrewredpolka+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></a>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCiirYdyfvVlZC9JYMEVSd9_J0apYEu25b-WJ74PIIICSWMh-MnxrjNqD9NagHL-aPGvtfRxhkwt8H0SELXq0Jqf80Wp0el6OWlDMWeYXEXg2TdxZUA9IFj74893Eduq0JKonyz4ZC01T/s1600/gapturtleno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCiirYdyfvVlZC9JYMEVSd9_J0apYEu25b-WJ74PIIICSWMh-MnxrjNqD9NagHL-aPGvtfRxhkwt8H0SELXq0Jqf80Wp0el6OWlDMWeYXEXg2TdxZUA9IFj74893Eduq0JKonyz4ZC01T/s200/gapturtleno.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Cowlneck Sweater</b><br />
(GAP)<br />
<i>Too warm! I can only wear this sweater<br />on super freezing days. Adore this <br />colour, but it just doesn't offer enough versatility.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dUZN5DmQYkfcWg6IULwODZM0b0IS68j4j-iS1T4ixCK5YeCE9WOT-y-n3_uwWwx8rWU7OAZBzCxIVP4XgVgMKfhhAQuxyUNgG4SNYjWUBfVjCLt3V-DCM6tnUB3Bje3Xth5H1gYBcVMC/s1600/xxgapplaid+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dUZN5DmQYkfcWg6IULwODZM0b0IS68j4j-iS1T4ixCK5YeCE9WOT-y-n3_uwWwx8rWU7OAZBzCxIVP4XgVgMKfhhAQuxyUNgG4SNYjWUBfVjCLt3V-DCM6tnUB3Bje3Xth5H1gYBcVMC/s200/xxgapplaid+copy.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Fitted Boyfriend Ruffle Shirt</b><br />
(GAP)<br />
<i>I had two "Fitted Boyfriend" shirts<br />on my original list. I love them both,<br />but something HAD to go. I figured<br />this one might be too "wintery" given<br />the dark flannel plaid. In trying<br />to steer myself toward a "seasonless"<br />wardrobe, I chose the other (a blue check).</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHVX_GpL7ZnNfWWaYjOiKpZpr_eAXdA1DWlxGCzLpqEqGzRpbutX35al4ZvTi98tMtbo91Tji2NGEAEOXMW10T7qP34g7N3Eg0Ip4a5iuuwKpkAzKDjqVzt6vRubNjKRC8kVh4gcPzM8Z/s1600/FCcardi+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHVX_GpL7ZnNfWWaYjOiKpZpr_eAXdA1DWlxGCzLpqEqGzRpbutX35al4ZvTi98tMtbo91Tji2NGEAEOXMW10T7qP34g7N3Eg0Ip4a5iuuwKpkAzKDjqVzt6vRubNjKRC8kVh4gcPzM8Z/s200/FCcardi+copy.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Drop Shoulder 3/4 Sleeve Sweater</b><br />
(French Connection)<br />
<i>The 3/4 sleeves don't make the cut! I often<br />need to rely on my down vest when the down<br />coat is too much insulation.<br />I need to make sure my arms are toasty! <br />Also afraid this colour washes me out.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jN41TPOQFw1-glCyInf7zL69quvwOwlVfdRo89Nn8mdfhZm1ZRwFuXMzE1ZpEAtDeBwO7lf2i-OcO2L_yJsZIYKduXPGyLiZV2taT1Y-PdibYv1DzCD8RbeneeT9PH2BTchzxuv8honz/s1600/xxjcrewredpolka+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jN41TPOQFw1-glCyInf7zL69quvwOwlVfdRo89Nn8mdfhZm1ZRwFuXMzE1ZpEAtDeBwO7lf2i-OcO2L_yJsZIYKduXPGyLiZV2taT1Y-PdibYv1DzCD8RbeneeT9PH2BTchzxuv8honz/s200/xxjcrewredpolka+copy.jpg" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Mini Polka Dot Yoke Front Blouse</b><br />
(J.Crew)<br />
<i>A birthday gift from me, to me! Love this<br />colour on me, but it just doesn't play well with<br />the rest of my wardrobe. Too much<br />of a lone wolf.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8B2azorJuZaAr9kJq_1fyzYhpyjaKDIgPZ8zYsY_XcqEpEyjEFZQIlj7LmrAS85iBDeonKiLMC9NK0MYVSSK1O7PJMh6uZwB5XPyZeqyIfZKN4TCkhqYfWpVzTLcSZiaNW6FEz4V1O_N/s1600/blackblouse+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8B2azorJuZaAr9kJq_1fyzYhpyjaKDIgPZ8zYsY_XcqEpEyjEFZQIlj7LmrAS85iBDeonKiLMC9NK0MYVSSK1O7PJMh6uZwB5XPyZeqyIfZKN4TCkhqYfWpVzTLcSZiaNW6FEz4V1O_N/s200/blackblouse+copy.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Black Silk Neck-Tie Blouse</b><br />
(Target)<br />
<i>Again, another blouse that doesn't<br />mesh well into the rest of my wardrobe.<br />Found I could only really get away<br />with this when worn with jeans. <br />Plus, with my blue-black hair, I don't<br />care too much for black tops.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5SXzayXnvVShxZ3HiDUyOG75CNkfTYIAmb_SsNkzHMtFVLYhTqPyYoUxJU6nOqDQmEUm_NJsJVdfCFjm9_m9a5N3OQ4xuJxLtk9G94GkV65bhn1P4i70wJbuDMOILhzFV1eM-gjkAOhp/s1600/gapcowlno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5SXzayXnvVShxZ3HiDUyOG75CNkfTYIAmb_SsNkzHMtFVLYhTqPyYoUxJU6nOqDQmEUm_NJsJVdfCFjm9_m9a5N3OQ4xuJxLtk9G94GkV65bhn1P4i70wJbuDMOILhzFV1eM-gjkAOhp/s200/gapcowlno.jpg" width="144" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Cowlneck Long Sleeve Tee</b><br />
(GAP)<br />
<i>This shirt is just too big for me, to the<br />point of being frumpy. And as previously<br />stated, with dark tops, there's just<br />not enough contrast with my dark<br />hair color, and I tend to wash out.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREvaCYBdCYPPVdYSMQppxoPOvC54T_XKhIQfd4BppofjBWYz7KfpTvTcefa7tpUspaOt7c1WXhlut_-lD03k_w4VTGt8cY83r0F9vju5bxj9gJWNeWW84nO3HJOKE-Hh4e46ikiUXc54x/s1600/xxgapteeblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREvaCYBdCYPPVdYSMQppxoPOvC54T_XKhIQfd4BppofjBWYz7KfpTvTcefa7tpUspaOt7c1WXhlut_-lD03k_w4VTGt8cY83r0F9vju5bxj9gJWNeWW84nO3HJOKE-Hh4e46ikiUXc54x/s200/xxgapteeblue.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Long Sleeve Puff Shoulder Tee</b><br />
(GAP)<br />
<i>I found that I was only wearing this tee with<br />one thing. . .the grey jumper dress.<br />No room in my wardrobe for a<br />one-outfit-wonder. ..so it must go!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfq1yl5kPvccPs0qZ3UDLA6aVdT4iJ-KLKvpc9AQBwFwXXjBqEh4sAkExhrz5abadDJQV-EQoEXZkIQRII916BYiE9ioeX6WNdp6kkmrWAAjPw7ZHqO6GAsHSuz_rxFz4iQ0z-Dn3vnTCL/s1600/gapbodyteegreyno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfq1yl5kPvccPs0qZ3UDLA6aVdT4iJ-KLKvpc9AQBwFwXXjBqEh4sAkExhrz5abadDJQV-EQoEXZkIQRII916BYiE9ioeX6WNdp6kkmrWAAjPw7ZHqO6GAsHSuz_rxFz4iQ0z-Dn3vnTCL/s200/gapbodyteegreyno.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><b>Pure Body Long Sleeve Tee</b><br />
(GAP)<br />
<i>I think I can accomplish what this<br />tee did for me, with a couple other<br />options. Basically, it was a duplicate<br />effort!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz4-lyjU-7zxxrrj_sEungXBQqsCKO95m1Ock4zwmyXjDkl1G07vMf5Z3Yrgx1i3ArnODTo7ABy0hdcNNW13xN64l0HVUyEegbcS273bCArI1HHHM4rqYQJzEpFXRunLxnrFeF2Of8cms/s1600/loftplaidskirt+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz4-lyjU-7zxxrrj_sEungXBQqsCKO95m1Ock4zwmyXjDkl1G07vMf5Z3Yrgx1i3ArnODTo7ABy0hdcNNW13xN64l0HVUyEegbcS273bCArI1HHHM4rqYQJzEpFXRunLxnrFeF2Of8cms/s200/loftplaidskirt+copy.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wool Miniskirt with Front Kick Pleat</b><br />
(Ann Taylor LOFT)<br />
<i>This skirt was quite big on me, which<br />made the elimination decision quite easy!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpcYF63Ao7sHx6aPqClUXlp70bDUgKJAFzYGCQmMEq60MQLKV3LXPPWotwYTmEV3WxL8Wg6NC90a4pFQkXzwiE3-XrnO-vLvprDBDEUCC7q_Klwr4bWlJcUatbmhwlicksKdEv_XrLMRA/s1600/bananatrouser+no.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpcYF63Ao7sHx6aPqClUXlp70bDUgKJAFzYGCQmMEq60MQLKV3LXPPWotwYTmEV3WxL8Wg6NC90a4pFQkXzwiE3-XrnO-vLvprDBDEUCC7q_Klwr4bWlJcUatbmhwlicksKdEv_XrLMRA/s200/bananatrouser+no.jpg" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Plaid Trousers</b><br />
(Banana Republic)<br />
<i>These were too conservative for my<br />new wardrobe mission. Not to mention,<br />they required ironing.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUnbW7ea3ykR4HkeuKMi1SdZG-q8CsaqWJ4IMQbLEoWCiZxujpF0H1rXsbOZhSvSi7SokHDY_oXX9yvTLdMxGkFNYsZlopHcHAYYRewvQ7ptrtzrVpOmlyZe_V_1bsad3KMLWS5HvwaK2/s1600/jcrew+cordno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUnbW7ea3ykR4HkeuKMi1SdZG-q8CsaqWJ4IMQbLEoWCiZxujpF0H1rXsbOZhSvSi7SokHDY_oXX9yvTLdMxGkFNYsZlopHcHAYYRewvQ7ptrtzrVpOmlyZe_V_1bsad3KMLWS5HvwaK2/s200/jcrew+cordno.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Matchstick Cords</b><br />
(J.Crew)<br />
<i>Two words: Too. Big.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxWCw5eZSPFLtb6a4c7UX7KL7TVqSNHYmIJDG1-XDqtI3LvBsXi_D0Qeij_e3fAIfqJ71JlE-HZE9aQY7nPPop51IBoGuqWzSTFHlclPT-B5UqtJKlR_zSTiGw6SHXsM4HCFaqLCkDo25/s1600/stefanie+clog+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxWCw5eZSPFLtb6a4c7UX7KL7TVqSNHYmIJDG1-XDqtI3LvBsXi_D0Qeij_e3fAIfqJ71JlE-HZE9aQY7nPPop51IBoGuqWzSTFHlclPT-B5UqtJKlR_zSTiGw6SHXsM4HCFaqLCkDo25/s1600/stefanie+clog+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Stefanie Clogs</b><br />
(Dansko)<br />
<i>These are so comfy, but I really only<br />wore them with one pair of pants.<br />And given how open they are,<br />they aren't exactly winter friendly.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtcEMN2BDDMLGqwRlE0t-BKPP4fPLLtDBfbyQUnnC-A2vjDGggwazF_tcfd5Xy1cS0qp6QMd-6YIC2CUcA8xOQF8lHmBjD_bHtG4FCM0-4n25GZtQ78KsXHLXu7D5tMavxPxjdOrp-0SC/s1600/jcrewbeltno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtcEMN2BDDMLGqwRlE0t-BKPP4fPLLtDBfbyQUnnC-A2vjDGggwazF_tcfd5Xy1cS0qp6QMd-6YIC2CUcA8xOQF8lHmBjD_bHtG4FCM0-4n25GZtQ78KsXHLXu7D5tMavxPxjdOrp-0SC/s200/jcrewbeltno.jpg" width="167" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Magenta Skinny Belt</b><br />
(J.Crew)<br />
<i>This is such a darling belt, in a versatile, funky<br />pop of crazy color. But I couldn't<br />afford the luxury of it. I needed<br />to stick with workhorse accessories<br />that I could fully mix and match<br />into my wardrobe. This ended up <br />being somewhat limiting.</i></td></tr>
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***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-69079687787607344222013-01-31T21:59:00.001-05:002013-01-31T22:06:18.771-05:00Project 333, Phase 3: Update!!<br />
Well, my final list has been stalled. I had posted a preliminary list (<a href="http://thislifeuncommon.blogspot.com/p/project-333-phase-3.html">Project 333, Phase 3: The List</a>) a few weeks back, and as I was working to whittle away seven items, I discovered an error in my count! Luckily, it was to my favor and I only had to whittle down three items. But it got me thinking. As I was looking over my list again and again (. . .and again!), the overall style just felt wrong to me. It was far too conservative. My personal style has run the gamut through the years, from Ultra Preppy (I was voted EGHS Class of '90 Class Prep, afterall!) to Hippie Boho. Either I am a style schizophrenic or everyone morphs through stages in their personal style. Well either way, I decided that for this phase, my wardrobe should meld my two extreme styles, so that my creativity in dressing will not be hindered, and I may fulfill any style whimsy that comes my way.<br />
<br />
Another thing that kept popping into my head, was something I had read from an interview with Nanette Lepore (check out the amazing stuff on <a href="http://www.nanettelepore.com/home">Nanette Lepore's website</a>). When asked about her upcoming line, she replied that "more and more, everyone wants their pieces to be seasonless". How about that?! I've said it before. . anyone that knows me, knows I love a challenge. My wheels started turning. The notion of putting together a core wardrobe that could carry me for 365 is very appealing, indeed. It won't happen with Phase 3, but perhaps with the future Phase 4. I believe I could make this work, with a new set of parameters; a set core with limited variables that are switched out between the seasons? I don't know, I will have to mediate on this one. My preliminary Phase 3 list was not that far off from being some sort of a resemblance of a seasonless core. Sure, I have some courduroy and one heavy sweater, but I think with some conscious effort, I can get it on track. Part of what I will be considering over the upcoming days.<br />
<br />
So my final Project 333, Phase 3 list is currently being refined, in order to meet a new set of criteria:<br />
<br />
<b>1. It will consist of a balanced set of conservative </b><br />
<b> and bohemian pieces, </b><b>that can easily intermix </b><br />
<b> and play well together</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2. I will strive to include pieces that will support </b><br />
<b> and set the groundwork </b><b>for a potential </b><br />
<b> "seasonless wardrobe" in the near future</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>3. No items that require ironing or dry-cleaning </b><br />
<b> will be considered </b><b>(my rule from Phase 2, </b><br />
<b> that just makes a whole lot of sense!)</b><br />
<br />
Can't wait to see what I come up with. This should be interesting. . .<br />
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***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-36504394043968383042013-01-24T22:55:00.000-05:002013-01-25T07:01:27.658-05:00The Candida Cleanse DiaryI am nearing the end of Week 3 of a Candida Cleanse. Day 20, to be exact.<br />
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What is Candida, anyway? Candida is basically a yeast that lives naturally in your body. On occasion, the balance of your system can get out of whack and the Candida can become overgrown, causing mild to severe symptoms. Often, this will happen after use of antibiotics, as was the case for me. Many people have an overgrowth, and don't even realize it.. . or they simply live with symptoms day after day, not knowing the cause behind them.</div>
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My first experience with a known Candida overgrowth was two years ago, after Otto was born via C-Section. I was given heavy duty antibiotics after surgery, and about a week later my skin (mainly on my torso) became covered in an itchy rash! Thanks to my mother-in-law, who suspected a Candida infection and had me take a <a href="http://www.nationalcandidacenter.com/candida-self-exams/">saliva test</a>, which proved positive for an overgrowth. She advised Acidophilus (a probiotic) and a very loose version of the Candida Cleanse diet I am currently following.</div>
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After battling some ongoing issues with my body since Thanksgiving, I realized I needed to put my system back in balance. My Naturopath and I decided a strict Candida Cleanse might be just what the doctor ordered! There are a million and one versions of a Candida Cleanse out there. After doing research on the internet, I became so overwhelmed by the contradictions in theories of acceptable/prohibited foods, that I ultimately decided to follow my Naturopath's recommendations and look no further!<br />
<br />
You see, a Candida Cleanse is designed to basically starve the yeast. By cutting out the yeast's food source (um. . evil sugar), you will ultimately kill off the yeast. Easier said than done. "Sugar" includes all carbohydrates, including the complex variety (whole grains), dairy (due to the lactose, with the exception of plain yogurt and fresh goat cheese).Many other things are prohibited too, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, certain nuts (peanuts, pistachios, cashews -- due to high mold content), mushrooms, vinegar (except apple cider vinegar), etc. And of course, the foods we would conventionally think of as "sugar" (cane sugar, fruit, honey, agave, maple syrup, corn syrup, etc..) are all prohibited. Being a vegetarian (and a vegetarian that is still calorie counting toward a weight loss goal!), this leaves me little to work with.</div>
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I originally set out to do this cleanse for two weeks (typically, people with a systematic Candida overgrowth, are on the cleanse for a minimum of three months!). After week one, my saliva test reported negative overgrowth. Great news! But still, I decide to carry through with my original plan and also figured I'd tack on a third week. Why not?! And to be perfectly honest, now that I'm closing out my third week, I am planning to keep with the diet even longer. As you can imagine, with all of these food restrictions, the consumption of anything that resembles a processed food has screeched to a halt. It just feels so great (mentally and physically) to be eating in such a clean manner. It's more work than I had imagined, since all my food needs to be prepared from scratch, by me. There are few shortcuts, but I have figured out a trick or two along the way. Cooking and eating within the parameters of this diet is as a challenge. It has almost become a game for me. Those who know me, know how much I do love a challenge.</div>
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I thought I would share a few of the dishes I've truly enjoyed while on this cleanse. Some of these have become a staple go-to food item that I always have on hand. Some of these recipes I obtained from the small collection of Candida Cleanse dishes my Naturopath set me up with from the beginning. Some I learned in just talking with people with similar diets. And some I thought of, completely on my own!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfEawdwwchQoPDU1yIxSwBSzrL03DzXGc0O6NUFiNcRBYHWlEZqgVzq66LIPrXH51rTcTuPJudOmLKvi_8IlyxQcdleh1t25QVgPmER88m_ruWycxE7hyLsB_15MnBkohLaMp086tEpE8/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfEawdwwchQoPDU1yIxSwBSzrL03DzXGc0O6NUFiNcRBYHWlEZqgVzq66LIPrXH51rTcTuPJudOmLKvi_8IlyxQcdleh1t25QVgPmER88m_ruWycxE7hyLsB_15MnBkohLaMp086tEpE8/s320/IMG_0650.JPG" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Chilled Tomato-Vegetable Soup</b><br />
This was a staple in my fridge from Day 1! Very easy to make, and I tried<br />
several variations. The key ingredients are: organic vegetable juice,<br />
seeded cuke, celery stalk, green bell pepper, fresh cilantro lots of garlic <br />
a gread Candida killer)! Blend up veggies until mostly smooth, then whisk in 1 cup <br />
plain yogurt. I also like to add a squeeze or two of fresh lemon juice and <br />
a good crack of black pepper. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl073_uDx_A_SEPQeugRG9V5DoDkR15RHXDD3-ZB33Qwc3Sa8ccUuVgHLnqqyDaSNV05BQ9_P-yDas-CpGFKj8BZ41c4kC6Q6oYMtQsaA6cHUJPidBCEPWQce3rmRtoOnqLoaDBBQBqVRe/s1600/IMG_4136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl073_uDx_A_SEPQeugRG9V5DoDkR15RHXDD3-ZB33Qwc3Sa8ccUuVgHLnqqyDaSNV05BQ9_P-yDas-CpGFKj8BZ41c4kC6Q6oYMtQsaA6cHUJPidBCEPWQce3rmRtoOnqLoaDBBQBqVRe/s320/IMG_4136.JPG" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Cauliflower-Crust Pizza</b><br />
This recipe was modified from a version I found on the internet. <br />
The crust is made with grated and cooked fresh cauliflower, an egg, garlic, <br />
herbs and a bit of vegan parmesan cheese. It is baked at 400* for about<br />
30 min, and then toppings are added, and then it's put under <br />
the broiler. The top pizza is a simple homemade tomato sauce with oil<br />
cured black olives and vegan parmesan cheese. The pizza below it is topped <br />
with sauteed spinach, goat cheese, oil cured black olives and pine nuts. <br />
It's really delish. Pizza, it is certainly not. <br />
But if you can't have the real thing. . this is a great alternative!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-QGLTALIUcy-nu7c16mUnzKdpzwN6w1dMuI9dlYh6Y0F6KUehRjOsXCfpgU4i6s4nEqz5Sl68s-hFuGJOw9vH3EA4vBb_UWEEdtE4DtysEm5XvRDBDBNLltxA5Kwo5-qoSPJe7XJCkWi/s1600/IMG_0662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-QGLTALIUcy-nu7c16mUnzKdpzwN6w1dMuI9dlYh6Y0F6KUehRjOsXCfpgU4i6s4nEqz5Sl68s-hFuGJOw9vH3EA4vBb_UWEEdtE4DtysEm5XvRDBDBNLltxA5Kwo5-qoSPJe7XJCkWi/s320/IMG_0662.JPG" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>CCCC (Candida Cleanse Chocolate Cake)</b><br />
And then I discovered coconut flour (thanks to one Miss L.A.!!), and a <br />
whole new door opened for me! And behind that door, was a myriad of<br />
pseudo-baked goods. Certainly not what we might think of, when we think of<br />
traditional baked items. But they are a welcome bite of something sweet. <br />
This basic batter consists of: 2 TBS of coconut flour, with equal part egg white <br />
(or egg beaters), stevia (as desired), 1/2 TBS flaxseed, a dash of baking soda <br />
(thanks to one Miss D.T.!!), a dash of salt, a dash of cinnamon, a bit of good <br />
vanilla extract and unsweetened almond milk added until batter consistency<br />
is achieved. That is a great basic cake batter. To make chocolate, simply <br />
add a heaping TBS of unsweetened baking cocoa. I also like to mix in unsweetened<br />
raw coconut flakes. (Note: These cakes can be microwaved for about 2 minutes, <br />
or spread thin in a loaf pan and baked at 350* for about 20 minutes.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijelWDQH2hHX17eE0VwCms19jBNMJOE1YMnQVLfIZU9Vloe3tzQNZaXlV8L00W6mNJNzbUGOy8SO9ocDfWZODpbqiZJIRIuUxkgogyEOKhutlbt2bRDpPJYP-4hgXVp8iYBoj3ZeZfNff8/s1600/IMG_4151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijelWDQH2hHX17eE0VwCms19jBNMJOE1YMnQVLfIZU9Vloe3tzQNZaXlV8L00W6mNJNzbUGOy8SO9ocDfWZODpbqiZJIRIuUxkgogyEOKhutlbt2bRDpPJYP-4hgXVp8iYBoj3ZeZfNff8/s320/IMG_4151.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>CCBC (Candida Cleanse Blueberry Cobbler)</b><br />
Blueberries and raspberries are about the only fruits allowed on the cleanse<br />
(within moderation). For this variation on the CCCC, I took the basic <br />
batter recipe (above) and simply swirled in a handful of blueberries in lieu of <br />
the cocoa powder. I then topped with plain yogurt.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGJa_79UDLUFdO2nbD5Ct6mvb-GR7ZFE2FE482W8sCwaAS9WrpxeTjmjWLzMKQp2dkggZiXdsngOtDh3tTAfq6BnlAPLYxOJceAzW4ZzJQqaTXwc8G5f0R9aMAy8_M6QHIyZBrdJtFg-l/s1600/IMG_4137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGJa_79UDLUFdO2nbD5Ct6mvb-GR7ZFE2FE482W8sCwaAS9WrpxeTjmjWLzMKQp2dkggZiXdsngOtDh3tTAfq6BnlAPLYxOJceAzW4ZzJQqaTXwc8G5f0R9aMAy8_M6QHIyZBrdJtFg-l/s320/IMG_4137.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>CCCM (Candida Cleanse Chocolate Mousse)</b><br />
This is my personal concoction!! Start with a couple TBS of almond butter,<br />
add in at least a TBS of unsweetened baking cocoa, a bit of vanilla extract, some <br />
stevia to taste. Start adding unsweetened almond milk, whisking, until it looks<br />
fluffy and light! (another variation is to add less almond milk, <br />
more cocoa, and you will get what tastes like a dark-chocolate<br />
brownie batter. . or a truffle center!)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7cCkUGLwSj64SE46FPHgmhPUbFI_UEGVkVts5r7lsGK5eiytP05z1BZj_AZPfVO42Wbv6CBbmF4Svq_EMnANAiutQ6IwD0ygHq8yeTnyV3B1tNvOU6S0nwCMSb8smBsPOXXMzVMrlmvI/s1600/IMG_4140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7cCkUGLwSj64SE46FPHgmhPUbFI_UEGVkVts5r7lsGK5eiytP05z1BZj_AZPfVO42Wbv6CBbmF4Svq_EMnANAiutQ6IwD0ygHq8yeTnyV3B1tNvOU6S0nwCMSb8smBsPOXXMzVMrlmvI/s320/IMG_4140.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Veggie-Rich Omelette</b><br />
Eggs have been my ally on this cleanse. Omelettes filled with any<br />
variation of sauteed fresh veggies (here: garlic, onion, spinach)<br />
and a sprinkle of vegan cheese, were a weekend breakfast favourite!<br />
Quick and easy for dinner too.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2VHpG2Zhjgz41Q9S2tC5920DDDUZX3Xw3UnZWAhp7t8J-o0M-tgkBnjW9cz6NN5p3oA6Hl4NHb1E8lHRPvfqUD15s63PsOONw-3Y815M61SFGSc7Cg8n57qJtkVWGKrfuxM8JTI3Iatr/s1600/IMG_4149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2VHpG2Zhjgz41Q9S2tC5920DDDUZX3Xw3UnZWAhp7t8J-o0M-tgkBnjW9cz6NN5p3oA6Hl4NHb1E8lHRPvfqUD15s63PsOONw-3Y815M61SFGSc7Cg8n57qJtkVWGKrfuxM8JTI3Iatr/s320/IMG_4149.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>No-'Tater 'Tater Tots</b><br />
These tots, are made with pureed frozen cauliflower. mixed with a bit<br />
of vegan cheese and spices (garlic powder, dried minced onion, S&P). <br />
A small bit of the mixture is formed into a small ball, <br />
dropped into a bowl of vegan parmesan<br />
cheese, and then flattened, pressing cheese into the tot. <br />
They are then baked at 400* until<br />
they are browned on both sides <br />
(flipping if needed -- about 25 min in my oven).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIhhuPlMyhcKFpVLRyFSLwVmYGey04fXo7iSiSkqKikI2JvreJFOozzIGU643GTsqkJEv9Zy5H0vsXyRetEjFuK3ceJ_5XYinoLi9U3mWst77YVQQNc2miGrX7YbHXYBXvHcJf7k0fcT8/s1600/IMG_4154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIhhuPlMyhcKFpVLRyFSLwVmYGey04fXo7iSiSkqKikI2JvreJFOozzIGU643GTsqkJEv9Zy5H0vsXyRetEjFuK3ceJ_5XYinoLi9U3mWst77YVQQNc2miGrX7YbHXYBXvHcJf7k0fcT8/s320/IMG_4154.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>[Cauliflower] Chips + Dip!</b><br />
A variation on the No-'Tater 'Tater Tots, per my Mother's<br />
suggestion, I used the same pureed cauliflower mixture,<br />
added a few extra spices (like dried chives & paprika) <br />
and vegan cheddar cheese, then spread the batter in chip <br />
sizes, super thin on a well-sprayed cookie sheet.<br />
I pressed as flat as I could, then dowsed with vegan<br />
parmesan cheese. These should bake 350* <br />
for however long it takes! And it will take awhile.<br />
Flip as you go, and you just want them as brown <br />
as can be on both sides. They crisp up very nicely<br />
and will even retain crispiness the next day!<br />
<br />
<i>For the dip: plain yogurt, finely minced onion, <br />finely minced garlic, paprika, garlic powder, S&P</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd2wWsiboP4Jg4lbfcKxy_sWmCePGTRDOz9ed4uFnrzaH6TlyMWQKcu7S7Ya81Tu382xwOz0vYerS2jagryw25v5dn-E2ufOKxVXBj0UV1W2slH5B0sNSfM9fDwnL5WUPsApOQ6GO5kl2/s1600/IMG_4158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd2wWsiboP4Jg4lbfcKxy_sWmCePGTRDOz9ed4uFnrzaH6TlyMWQKcu7S7Ya81Tu382xwOz0vYerS2jagryw25v5dn-E2ufOKxVXBj0UV1W2slH5B0sNSfM9fDwnL5WUPsApOQ6GO5kl2/s320/IMG_4158.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[Cauliflower] Chips + Dip were a huge hit in my house.<br />
Out of all my Candida Cleanse dishes, they were probably<br />
the most loved by everyone. . .especially lil' Otto!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-91770368871866740002013-01-09T22:05:00.001-05:002013-03-07T07:40:39.350-05:00i am an idiot but in this case it's a good thing.As I am sitting here, reworking and eliminating items from my way-too-long "Project 333, Phase 3" list, I discovered something. A mistake. A simple jump in numbers, which has instantly made my task infinitely easier:<br />
<br />
<i>"...3, 4, 9, 10..."</i><br />
<br />
WHAT??!!<br />
<br />
What happened to items 5, 6, 7 and 8?? Well, It looks like all my pieces are accounted for in the list, so I have to assume I simply made an error in numbering. Which means. . instead of being over by the 7 items as I originally thought, I am only over by 3 things! This is very good news, indeed. And with all this wiggle room, I will consider a couple adjustments and might even keep an item or two that might have been on the chopping block.<br />
<br />
What a luxurious error!<br />
<br />
Take a look at the revised list, including some new eliminations:<br />
<a href="http://thislifeuncommon.blogspot.com/p/project-333-phase-3.html">Project 333, Phase 3: The List</a>***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-34377764062999761122012-12-30T22:15:00.000-05:002012-12-31T06:55:14.610-05:0033 for '13! (my project 333: phase 3)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcoS1t1Tcja8WY0S5a46fS63FVS2N0uVNqxwZ4YL3uzbtl0u0VXOBANk4dtu22kjY9AhREhJ36XeVH_sr7dD0N5JAyid2m3xaAQkjbvZJYcubuIchCs9Vx3tB0yQ7I_d9OWHOz9YO-ih4/s1600/weight2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcoS1t1Tcja8WY0S5a46fS63FVS2N0uVNqxwZ4YL3uzbtl0u0VXOBANk4dtu22kjY9AhREhJ36XeVH_sr7dD0N5JAyid2m3xaAQkjbvZJYcubuIchCs9Vx3tB0yQ7I_d9OWHOz9YO-ih4/s320/weight2.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Size 14 to Size 4...in 4 months!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since I have been somewhat remiss in my postings, I have a bit of catching up to do, for the record.
In my last diet-related post, I had reported a weight loss of 19.6 pounds. (Boy, how out-dated that number is!) It's about five months later, and to date I have lost a total of 42.6 pounds! WOW! And while I am super pleased with my progress, I have 11 pounds to go to meet my initial weight loss goal.<br />
<br />
(Incidentally, my goal weight was a somewhat arbitrary number that fell within my normal BMI range. Although, I have to admit that I have my doubts that I will be happy at that goal weight. I've never seen my body at this weight before, and I fear that much lighter will just be too skinny for me. But I'm not sure I want to give up before reaching the goal I set either. So, my plan is to hold steady my course, and just keep at it until my goal is reached. If I need to gain back any pounds, I'm sure that won't be a problem!)<br />
<br />
During this period of weight loss, my Project 333 has been put completely on hold. With a steady drop in sizes, selecting a core 33 proved to be a nearly impossible challenge for me. I was trying to keep track of my wardrobe in my mind, and stick to a minimalist approach, but I'm afraid I did not do a very good job. You see, in all honesty it's pretty fun to buy clothes in the smallest size you've ever worn, and then dress up a body that is brand new to you. Initially, I was trying to thrift new pieces as my sizes were diminishing, since the clothing inside my armoire was nothing short of transient. But it hasn't always worked out that way. I'm afraid my emotions got the best of me, and I might have strayed from some of the P333 philosophies I truly endorse.<br />
<br />
And so with a New Year right around the corner (and along with it, a spending moratorium in our house!)...the party's over and it's time to get my minimalist wardrobe back on track. Not to mention that my size fluctuation has just about tapered off. So it's the right time to crack down on my 33 for '13!<br />
<br />
I have my preliminary list of those 33 items that will carry me through the first three months of 2013. Unfortunately, it is coming in at about 39 items, which means I need to shave off 6 things! Ugh! This is the truly difficult part. I'll be ironing that out over the next few days and will post my Project 333, Phase 3 list soon. I also have to reiterate what a lovely surprise it has been, having so many people check-in with me on my P333 status over the past few months. I'm always surprised at how genuinely interested people seem to be with this endeavor. This is a great project, with a strong message, and I appreciate the interest and support it generates.<br />
<br />
. . . until 2013, everyone!***this life uncommon...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/03864089049036880604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-14184677375449338582012-08-21T20:41:00.018-04:002013-03-07T07:42:13.080-05:00i like bees.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn5HuqXczjMcCdHuEQgYRO1VBCmSPBhaIMt1fB_ySCjzVbm_2nZYP6jb_ou8xnuMmDxNrtE6sXmCtjowUR2O3ulKYDaFXW1tM9mmVszbA8nZkgXsomiU2doHY9ugtfqN2iLo3whqZzmzE/s1600/bee_27891_sm.gif" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779292731691980114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn5HuqXczjMcCdHuEQgYRO1VBCmSPBhaIMt1fB_ySCjzVbm_2nZYP6jb_ou8xnuMmDxNrtE6sXmCtjowUR2O3ulKYDaFXW1tM9mmVszbA8nZkgXsomiU2doHY9ugtfqN2iLo3whqZzmzE/s200/bee_27891_sm.gif" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 156px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">I just got a new tattoo! It's been a few weeks now, but she is all healed up and looking just lovely.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 100%;">She is Apis Mellifera Ligustica.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 100%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></span></span><br />
<div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">You might know her as Italian Honeybee, which has been the most common honeybee in the western hemisphere since the colonial settlers first brought them </span>across<span style="font-size: 100%;"> the ocean. This particular design, on which my tattoo is based, was taken directly from</span></span> <span style="font-size: 100%; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">a 1910 Encyclopedia Britannica woodblock print.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 100%; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">"Why a bee?", you might be asking. This is a question I've heard more times than I care to count over these past few weeks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 100%; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">I could ramble on about the deep-rooted symbolism of honeybees; how in cultures all around the world, they represent industry, harmony and lo</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">yalty. Or I could link this lovely be</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">auty on my forearm to divine feminine energy (most of the bees that run a bustling hive are female, after all). I could also go on and on about how important honey bees are to agriculture and how crucial they are in feeding all of humanity. Or I could advise the curious folks to simply look around at state flags, town seals, common house adornments...even the Hindu Krishna, to find for themselves the significance of bees in this land of "milk and honey".</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />But I will most likely do none of this. A while back, I read an interesting article written by a f<span style="font-size: 100%;">amous tattoo artist which spoke to the symbolism of tattoos. The basic observation was that people often over-analyze their own tattoos and even tend to romanticize and embelish</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> their meaning; I'm guessing in an effort to justifying the ink (either to themselves or to others..who knows!).</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></span></span>I, however, do not feel the need to do this. And while I may have just touched on some of the fundamental reasons for my love of the honeybee, I think that when it comes to tattoos, sometimes a bee is just a bee. </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 100%;">And if you happen to ask me, "Why a bee?", I will likely respond with the most simple, direct and honest answer I can think of: "I like bees."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></span></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779293929450327186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2q9qRXe_Mjz6mPhyphenhyphen7axf7XRkD1QW_cO4yrXxar-fbYjjLVcOAUnPpl4qORBjSTOeOLEHrqRySnCyNRoaROkCSffWflOa2i9Cz3fBakIqaeaZkdp-Gy9Q7PYVRnfNwNwF0AUM0JPVSjir/s400/beepix.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 248px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
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***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-2377833114122401122012-07-22T07:09:00.009-04:002012-07-22T12:48:43.202-04:00Weight Loss, Safety Pins & Thrift Shops<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIQbsokwWG3X9fCEFfBLwwt2iZEmm3ZDFI3hqrD2JccEDEY3LPdyGSPx6uPv6iHmztb62Nd6MwUcrpocSUY2CaLZ7M5Y3h8fgl-G3b44hKF3_fVflE0t8is1MbrVc5FIrLsZPHRU0NZq-/s1600/%2521safetypin.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIQbsokwWG3X9fCEFfBLwwt2iZEmm3ZDFI3hqrD2JccEDEY3LPdyGSPx6uPv6iHmztb62Nd6MwUcrpocSUY2CaLZ7M5Y3h8fgl-G3b44hKF3_fVflE0t8is1MbrVc5FIrLsZPHRU0NZq-/s200/%2521safetypin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767953455704150146" /></a>I am writing this blog post, wearing jeans secured with a safety pin.<br /><br />Left unbuttoned, I can wrap the fabric over on itself and secure <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame- color:rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);">tightly with a pin. Throw a longer shirt or a dress on top, and nobody will even know. These used to be my skinny jeans, but now they fall off me. Very good news for a dieter, indeed.</span><div><br />I have lost precisely 19.6 lbs to date since I started my calorie-counting diet back in May (see my post, <a href="http://thislifeuncommon.blogspot.com/2012/06/confessions-of-dieter.html">"Confessions of a Dieter"</a>, for more information on my weight loss agenda). Within the past couple of weeks, many of my clothes have become ridiculously big, to the point of looking silly. I've already had to retire a few items. It is a bitter-sweet feeling, and kind of a weird predicament. You see, I have about 30 lbs to go (almost four months) before I reach my weight loss goal, assuming I continue on the current trajectory. But no matter how you look at it, it's quite a long ways to go.<br /><br />So what to do about my clothes in the meantime? Trust me, I want the weight to keep rolling off. I hate to put any negative energy out into the universe that might prevent that from happening. I don't want clothes to be a stumbling block (mentally<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame- color:rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"> or otherwise), which is why this dilemma needs resolution now.</span><div><br />I have participated in the Project 333 (see my post, <a href="http://thislifeuncommon.blogspot.com/2011/04/project-333-perhaps.html">"Project 333...Perhaps?"</a>, for more information on Project 333) for two phases. I love this Project and what it does for my life. I had planned on starting my next phase on July 1, which did not happen. I mean, how can I formulate a proper list when I have an armoire full of ill-fitting clothes? Safety pins can only take me so far....<em>right</em>?<br /><br />About three weeks ago, the family and I headed over to the Goodwill. I actually snagged up two pairs of great summer pants that juuuuuust fit. Believe it or not, they are already getting loose on me. Not such a huge deal, since I think I paid less than $5.00 for the lot. I am typically a person who will save up for several weeks to afford a special piece of clothing. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for, especially with clothing. So lately, especially as Fall lines are coming out, I'm having to curb myself from scouring websites and catalogs, planning what will be added to my wardrobe this coming season. But alas, I am coming to accept that this just isn't realistic and won't be happening.<br /><br />My friend Beverly has gone through a similar weight loss in her life. When I asked her how she handled it, she mentioned having clothing tailored. Of course!! Why didn't I think of this before? I mean, one of the best seamstresses I know actually lives with me....my mother! There are some things (like my skinny jeans) that just won't be ideal candidates to be "taken<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame- color:rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"> in". But dresses and skirts are simple to alter; darts can even be added if the alteration is drastic. I've already asked for my mother's help. When I first started shedding pounds, I purchased an adorable navy dress from Free People. (Linda, really dumb move!) I almost instantly "under-grew" the thing to the point where it looked like a tent on me. But I love that dress, with it's bias seams and black ribbon cross straps! Mom just finished the alteration, and it's 100x better. She really is the best.</span></div><div><br />And so I believe I have my plan. I will continue this course of making-do with what I have, altering those items that make sense, and even safety pinning here and there, as required. I will supplement other items as needed from the Goodwill or my local thrift shop, with minimal investment. As I get closer to my goal, probably in early fall, I will reassess how well this is still working for me, and go from there. I will also participate in Project 333. I will make my list based on the current state of my wardrobe, and allow for switches as clothing needs to be swapped out for smaller thrift shop finds (similar items swapped for similar items, of course). And I think that going the thrift shop route also preserves the integrity of Project 333, since I am simply recycling goods and not over-consuming, putting more "stuff" out into the world.<br /><br />Although I must confess. Emma and I just got back from a trip to New York Cit<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame- color:rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);">y. We visited several lovely clothing shops, but I held steady my course and refrained from buying. However, Urban Outfitters was having a sale on their Cigarette Fit skinny jeans. I tried on a pair in my appropriate size, and fell in love with them! With an extra discount on sale items, how could I resist? The deal was sealed!</span></div><div><br />Finally, I can retire my old skinny jeans, and say goodbye to one safety pin!</div><div><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowL64zK7OrQqKXMPuXc1P9GVolHz-e0YKHrfnYlLr_YOV7_26tl2WH8RC75rNS0vAV7wtq5pakj_YWHQTN2tAlLWomkGy4X-R6p_yFxux6m4_uHzILTZaD7kt5UIboo8vo_PjbuPLBTMw/s200/%2521safetypin2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767955214714192290" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-52853774072659958092012-06-19T21:36:00.006-04:002012-06-20T07:01:20.385-04:00Confessions of a DieterMost of my friends and family know that I am in the midst of a hardcore diet*. With four weeks behind me, the scale is telling me that I've lost 9 lbs. I am pleased as punch, since my target weight loss rate is 2 lbs per week. I am slightly ahead of the game!<br /><br />(*When I say “hardcore”, I mean that I view this as a challenge and am therefore pursuing it with acute attention and deliberation. When I say “diet”, I am referring to a controlled and planned manner of eating, in which the daily intake of calories is monitored and limited.)<br /><br />Basically, I am calorie counting, which I openly acknowledge has its flaws. But I am naturally a fairly healthy vegetarian eater, drawn to mainly vegetables, fruits and whole grains. So, personally, I'm not too concerned, but those with a penchant for junk food might want to proceed with caution I would imagine. But what do I know? I mean, after all, I have never been on "a diet" before this one. Never, ever! In fact, other than the occasional visit to the doctor's office, I had never stepped on a scale before this venture. (Darren actually had to give me a tutorial on how to use our digital scale before my first weight-in.)<br /><br />With a BMI that has always been just too high, it's been preying on my mind that perhaps my usual maintenance routine of keeping a somewhat active lifestyle, just wasn't going to be enough to bring the numbers down to where they ought to be. Darren and I both decided it was time to shed some real pounds, so we started this diet together four weeks ago. Having a diet partner has made all the difference in the world! I might go so far as to say that in many ways, this is a bonding experience for us. We not only share in the daily experiences of dieting and cheer each other on as the pounds come off, but together, we also look for new healthy recipe ideas, then plan and cook our strategic lo-cal meals. It really has been surprisingly fun.<br /><br />We are utilizing the iPhone app "Lose It!" to track out daily calories and weight loss. The app generates your weight loss plan and daily calorie allowance based on your gender, weight, height and goals. Right now, she's giving me around 1,100 calories a day, but this gets a bit lower every week when I record a new weight. I suppose fewer calories are required to sustain less body mass, so this will be a continuing trend that I will have to contend with.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oi3xR3c5MKw/T-Eom9-OMyI/AAAAAAAAA7I/y7Zsrhg_rCg/s225/Photo%252520Jun%25252019%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A32%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oi3xR3c5MKw/T-Eom9-OMyI/AAAAAAAAA7I/y7Zsrhg_rCg/s183/Photo%252520Jun%25252019%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A32%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1340156122501.173" class="alignright" width="183" height="183" alt="" /></a></div>I find the whole idea of a controlled calorie intake interesting. Especially relative to my own behavior and reaction to it. In my mind, the bottom line, and the reason so many people dislike diets, is because it is a loss of freedom to do (eat) whatever we please. My personal confession, as unhealthy of a behavior as this may be, is that I seem to be a calorie hoarder. Although I am never hungry and I don't think I've ever eaten all my allotted calories in a given day, my measly 1,100 calories just doesn't seem enough in my mind. I continue to reserve quite a few calories over the course of the day, so that I am left with a nice little buffer at the end... just in case.<br /><br />Humans are such curious creatures.<br /><br />Besides observing my own behavior, I am also learning about the mechanics of dieting. Sure I watch and study the caloric values of the various foods I eat, but I am also researching how the body loses weight, when it loses weight and where the weight goes. I find the science and chemistry of it all so fascinating. Some might say I am obsessing. That is what I do.<br /><br />Darren and I will be tracking our diet clear through August. I am committed to stick to it and eat within my Lose It! guidelines. We'll just have to wait and see what happens with my weight. I imagine it will keep going down, but i have been readings about plateaus, which I am ready to deal with, if and when the time comes. I do have some pretty lofty goals (somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 lb!), so if all keeps to this current trajectory, I will be continuing well past the end of summer.<br /><br />Wow...9 lbs! That really was easy.<br /><br />It's amazing what a huge motivator a little success can be.<br /><br /><br />*********************************************************<br /><br />(On a side note, there is a friendly little wager in our house over who will lose the most percentage of body weight by our milestone date of August 31; whoever drops the most weight will be getting a brand new tattoo!)***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-75903879144956067542012-05-17T18:26:00.006-04:002012-05-17T20:32:56.420-04:00Project 333: Phase 3... Let's Get Started Already!!Lately, a few people have been asking me if outfits I am wearing are part of my Project 333. The simple answer is "no". But I do find it interesting that other people have actually taken a genuine interest in my Project 333. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame- color:rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);">(Click <a href="http://thislifeuncommon.blogspot.com/2011/04/project-333-perhaps.html">here</a>, to learn more about Project 333.) And even more intriguing is the fact that these people have been mostly men. Who would have thought?</span><div><br />It is full-on spring in Connecticut. Lots of rain, and lots of temperature swings. A couple months ago when an unseasonable wave of early warm weather hit, I packed away my hardcore winter stuff - goodbye wool, corduroy and boots! I retained the lighter things that could work for me in early spring - tee shirts, lightweight cardigans and jeans...you get to stay! But as time is marching on and I have yet to lay down my plan for Phase 3, I find myself engaging in acts of complete desperation. I am pilfering my stash of clothes in the basement like nobody's business. As my mantra becomes "I have nothing to wear", I am grabbing random articles left and right, trying to hobble together a decent outfit. The worst part is that these items are taking up permanent residence in my armoire, and it's getting pretty crowded in there!<br /><br />I know exactly what is going on. I am lost. When I am between phases, I have no direction. I feel sloppy, and I am simply a confused mess (mentally and otherwise). I have said it before, and I will say it again: Project 333 gives me structure. It forces me to actually plan a wardrobe, and my style, such as it is, comes off more cohesive.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uhdKrsRWJEI/T7V2NEmV2aI/AAAAAAAAA64/XYW924RutsE/Photo%252520May%25252017%25252C%2525202012%2525206%25253A05%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uhdKrsRWJEI/T7V2NEmV2aI/AAAAAAAAA64/XYW924RutsE/s500/Photo%252520May%25252017%25252C%2525202012%2525206%25253A05%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1337293555455.4402" class="alignleft" alt="" width="149" height="150" /></a></div>My Phase 2 ran for about 5 months, beginning last November. I selected items that could carry me through an entire New England winter, and I included only items that did not require ironing. This really worked out wonderfully for me. I had an exceptionally difficult schedule this winter. On many mornings I had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get myself out the door. Um, 4:30 a.m.?? I can't even see straight at 4:30 a.m., never mind get myself dressed! My 33 were seriously a lifesaver this winter. And I had worked in enough flexible options so I was able to mix things up and not get bored; I really did a great job strategically selecting my pieces for Phase 2.<br /><br />As I start my Phase 3 list, I am entertaining the idea of bringing back items that require ironing. I am finding that a no-iron restriction really limits me, since I tend to gravitate toward structured pieces, most of which require ironing. For this Phase, my mind is turning to bright, clean colours, set off against a base of navy blue and khaki. Navy and khaki might sounds boring to some, but...ooh how classic and preppy! I can't resist. I will be "shopping" my reserve of clothing, tucked away in the basement over the next week. How cool is it that you can put something away in a box, and when you revisit it after a year, it's somehow full of new life and potential!<br /><br />I am also planning a few new purchases. My KEEN Irving bag has finally bit the dust, so I am in the market for a rugged waxed canvas tote to replace the old girl. And then there are shoes. Last summer's work shoes were limited to the Goldenrod <a href="http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w%5B0%5D=item%3AViardot&p=1&view=detail&colourID=2166" target="_self" title="http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w%5B0%5D=item%3AViardot&p=1&view=detail&colourID=2166">Fluevog Viardots</a> and the Crimson <a href="http://www.dansko.com/Womens/Footwear/Collections/Sausalito/Sissy/Crimson%20Veg-Tan/" target="_self" title="http://www.dansko.com/Womens/Footwear/Collections/Sausalito/Sissy/Crimson%20Veg-Tan/">Dansko Sissy Sandals</a>. But I have my eyes on two other potential lovelies for Summer 2012: <a href="http://www.korkease.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=55" target="_self" title="http://www.korkease.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=55">Kork-Ease Avas</a> in Natural <a href="http://www.korkease.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=55" target="_self" title="http://www.korkease.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=55"></a>and a classic pair of <a href="http://www.endless.com/BLOCH-Womens-Shoes-Flats/s/ref=sr_nr_cat?ie=UTF8&clientPageSize=100&brands=BLOCH&node=242295011&sort=-product_site_launch_date&showDesigner=2&size=100" target="_self" title="http://www.endless.com/BLOCH-Womens-Shoes-Flats/s/ref=sr_nr_cat?ie=UTF8&clientPageSize=100&brands=BLOCH&node=242295011&sort=-product_site_launch_date&showDesigner=2&size=100">Bloch Ballet Slippers</a> (color to be determined). Shoe selection will be contingent on clothes selection, so I'll have to just wait and see what makes the cut.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8tafYkta_9E/T7V03koG5bI/AAAAAAAAA6w/JDjxfY9DBYw/Photo%252520May%25252017%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A36%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8tafYkta_9E/T7V03koG5bI/AAAAAAAAA6w/JDjxfY9DBYw/s251/Photo%252520May%25252017%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A36%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1337293555402.1147" class="alignright" alt="" width="251" height="157" /></a></div>I have much to work through. I'm hoping to iron out a list (pardon the pun) over the next week...so stay tuned!</div>***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-37804264736214258642012-05-13T18:21:00.005-04:002012-05-13T18:27:02.863-04:00Mother Mary & Local RadioAnyone that knows me, knows that I am not a religious person. But the notion of religion has always fascinated me. A couple years back I was listening to the local Christian radio station. It was right around Mother's Day and they were airing a segment on the blessed Virgin Mary; really, one of the most interesting pieces I've ever heard on radio. These ideas I was hearing about Mother Mary may be commonplace to the Christians, but they really got me to thinking.<br /><br />Of course Mary embodies the potential good in all mothers, but there was more to what I was hearing than just that. Sure we all associate the motherly traits of compassion and selflessness with Mother Mary. Born to be a vessel for birth, Mary gave up herself and her inherently selfish being for the mere existence of her offspring, as all mothers do, to varying degrees. The Mother Mary comforts, she loves, she is the figure of eternal hope and mercy, and she is mother to all. But Mary not only represents the ideal earthly mother that we are all born through, she also represents the mother that exists in each and every one of us, regardless of age, religion or gender.<br /><br />On this Mother's Day, as we pay reverence to our mothers, wherever they may be, let's not forget our Mother Mary. Let's be sure to celebrate her very qualities that are in some way, within each and every one of us: the mother, the non-mother, the woman, the man, the child, the Christian and even the Agnostic.***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-63256169820843296862012-04-23T20:37:00.001-04:002012-04-23T22:16:37.904-04:00The Utah Memoirs.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1Cm4VBVtoNw/T5TDVEbrgHI/AAAAAAAAA54/halVZXIOu6U/Photo%252520Apr%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Little Cottonwood Canyon" class="alignleft" height="329" id="blogsy-1335227508539.3108" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1Cm4VBVtoNw/T5TDVEbrgHI/AAAAAAAAA54/halVZXIOu6U/s439/Photo%252520Apr%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" width="439" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Cottonwood Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Darren and I just returned from an amazing trip to Salt Lake City, Utah last week! The intent was to partake in some spring skiing, explore the area, and just take in the general vibe of the city. Well, I will start by saying that the attempt at skiing was pretty much a debacle. We had designated the first few days for exploration and to take care of some planned business. But with a forecast that predicted sunny and 60 for the duration of our trip...this would leave the latter half of the visit free and clear for the slopes! As it turned out, Mother Nature had other plans. With a last minute change of weather, we were left to deal with downpours of rain on our remaining ski days. And that is all I will say about that.<br />
<br />
Utah is beautiful. The Wasatch Mountains are incredible. Unfortunately, I was hard-pressed to view them outside the context of an over-developed, over-populated Wasatch Front, which is literally busting at the seams and is now sprawling up many a mountainside. I have, in my naturalist mind, a hard time reconciling this. But get up in those mountains and you truly leave the world behind. The Cottonwood Canyons are awe-inspiring, and our many drives through them, are etched in my memory. <br />
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JoY3C3PL44Y/T5TDW1wYlVI/AAAAAAAAA6A/k7jwlREv5Dg/Photo%252520Apr%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A13%252520PM.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""> </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="325" id="blogsy-1335227508515.998" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JoY3C3PL44Y/T5TDW1wYlVI/AAAAAAAAA6A/k7jwlREv5Dg/s244/Photo%252520Apr%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A13%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="244" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A delish plate of raw food at Omar's:<br />
Curry Rice & Dandelion Greens Salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As for the city itself, Salt Lake City and it's suburbs, are far-reaching, to say the least. It's breadth was wide beyond my expectations. The city itself is clean, and current with the times. The restaurants are great, if you can weed through the sea of chain venues. In fact, it seems Salt Lake City has a growing Vegan/Raw Food movement. We dined at Omar's Rawtopia (<a href="http://www.omarsrawtopia.com/" target="_self" title="">http://www.omarsrawtopia.com</a>), in the south end of the city. A fabulous restaurant with delicious organic Raw Food options! I wish we had something like this in Connecticut.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kZKPmST_Ihw/T5TDYa2HpJI/AAAAAAAAA6I/x0CZG4r4M0E/Photo%252520Apr%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignright" height="298" id="blogsy-1335227508570.3142" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kZKPmST_Ihw/T5TDYa2HpJI/AAAAAAAAA6I/x0CZG4r4M0E/s223/Photo%252520Apr%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugarpost! A Metal Art Studio we<br />
discovered thanks to a Geocache<br />
skillfully hidden in this gate</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
A light rail system and some interesting retail zones have convinced me that a good groundwork was set when this city was planned. Oh, and planned it was! Around a temple. A giant Mormon temple that sits on 10 prime acres, smack dab in the middle of the city. Literally. It certainly is an amazing piece of architecture, set in a gated square so full of fountains, sculptures and luscious garden beds, that it rivals the city squares of Europe. And as we learned from a local, the extensive street numbering system that is carried throughout all of Salt Lake City, is based on the streets' relationship to this temple (i.e. the streets are number based on how many blocks, north and south, they are from the temple at ground zero). </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
The Church may number the streets, but the State monopolizes the vistas. The Capitol sits high atop Capitol Hill, overlooking the downtown area in grand splendor. The main thoroughfares, wide enough to turn an ox-cart, have been laid out such that they each terminate with a magestic view of the Capitol. Quite beautiful, and quite a thing to discover over a few days' exploration.</div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_qNXuqttdAM/T5W0G8bnxzI/AAAAAAAAA6k/vVvvnz2NI5U/s1600/Photo%252520Apr%25252023%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A55%252520PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="320" id="blogsy-1335227508519.8652" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_qNXuqttdAM/T5W0G8bnxzI/AAAAAAAAA6k/vVvvnz2NI5U/s320/Photo%252520Apr%25252023%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A55%252520PM.jpg" width="238" /></a>Many mysteries and curiosities about Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Mountains were solved for me on our trip, although some remain. Like... Does the Great Salt Lake really stink? Why do all the Mormon women wear skirts in Temple Square? Is Utah powder really the greatest snow on Earth? I do not know. But I do know that Utah has not seen the last of me.</div>
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<br />***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-37887742507493839942012-02-28T18:55:00.002-05:002012-02-28T18:57:18.581-05:00A Wedding AnniversaryTwo years ago today, Darren and I stepped out into the cold Wyoming night and walked hand in hand across the Jackson Town Square to be married beneath a starlit sky. <br />
<br />
Simply enchanting. <br />
<br />
On this day, we are celebrating our anniversary on the east coast. We are skiing in Vermont. As I look out our icicle framed window and watch the snow slowly fall, I am transported back in time to Wyoming. It feels so much like the time of our wedding, at moments I am actually convinced we are 2,000 miles away! I have concluded that it is not merely a trickery of ice, snow and a ski gear littered hotel room that create this illusion. Rather, it is a trickery of the heart. The way my heart flutters when I see him, how we giggle like kids at the silliest of things, and how we love each other... just as we did two years ago. This is enough to transport me back to a different time and place.<br />
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It is crazy how much has changed in our lives since that magical evening on Jackson Town Square. <br />
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Even crazier is just how much has managed to stay the same.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/skullygirl/6938137945/" title="wedding #RetroCamera FREE #CLBITZAPPS by skullygirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6938137945_aec638ffe3.jpg" width="428" height="320" alt="wedding #RetroCamera FREE #CLBITZAPPS"></a>***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-61145987335095222592012-02-21T22:06:00.003-05:002012-02-22T06:39:43.156-05:00A Most Delicious Cous Cous Salad!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I scour the internet constantly for new healthy eating ideas. And the iPad is the perfect tool for this job! I have been faithfully using the Meal Planner app since i got my iPad in December. This app is a do-it-all meal companion. Not only does it archive and organize my own recipes, but it also has an interface that will download recipes directly from several culinary and healthy eating websites. Did I mention the app also has a monthly meal planning feature, and a grocery list database that is linked to both your recipes and your meal plan? Seriously powerful. It has a couple kinks, but I email the developer, Alan, pretty religiously. I like to think he appreciates my feedback....but that, of course, is another story.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/skullygirl/6919291619/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="#RetroCamera FREE #CLBITZAPPS by skullygirl, on Flickr"><img alt="#RetroCamera FREE #CLBITZAPPS" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6919291619_fd86c6072a.jpg" width="298" /></a>Typically, the recipes I conjur up are some incarnation of beans and rice (we vegetarians have to get our complete proteins wherever we can!). However, a quick look-see through the Whole Foods recipes (via the Meal Planner app) turned up something rather interesting: a Cous Cous & Nectarine salad! Today, I tried my hand at my own version of this salad, and I was blown away. The salad is a combination of cold and hot ingredients, which I love. The watercress is slightly wilted by the introduction of the hot cous cous. And those crunchy, buttery pistachios....divine! I made a few modifications to the original recipe I downloaded from the Whole Foods website, and herewith I share with you my version of the most delicious salad I've tasted in a long time:</div><br />
3/4 cup Cous Cous, Whole Wheat<br />
1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar <br />
1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard <br />
2 tablespoons Olive Oil<br />
2 Nectarines, diced<br />
1 bunch Watercress ... Stems and all, chopped <br />
1 cup pistachios<br />
1/4 cup Onion, finely diced<br />
S&P <br />
<br />
Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in cous cous, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil until dressing thickens. Add couscous, nectarines, watercress, pistachios and onion to bowl and toss to combine. Serve warm.<br />
<br />
Nutritional Info<br />
Makes 4 servings<br />
Per serving: 300 calories (130 from fat), 15g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 160mg sodium, 51g total carbohydrate (9g dietary fiber, 8g sugar), 12g protein***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-91472887674642502752011-12-26T20:37:00.002-05:002011-12-26T21:39:57.863-05:001970's Bathroom Makeover!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9iLfeZ_0BoE/TvkcCBZ2CnI/AAAAAAAAA4g/Wl24G0HOs9g/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9iLfeZ_0BoE/TvkcCBZ2CnI/AAAAAAAAA4g/Wl24G0HOs9g/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I love "before" and "after" photos. So I could just kick myself for not taking adequate photos, prior to starting our bathroom makeover this past fall. Sure I have a few pictures, but they were taken after the wallpaper had been taken down. And trust me, if only you could have seen that peeling, yellowing paper, with the giant brush strokes stamped all over it, in a muted terracotta, gold and teal . . .your jaw would have dropped open in amazement!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qji6-FTXGs0/TvkdFtHzV5I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/Nd-dSP_f70Q/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qji6-FTXGs0/TvkdFtHzV5I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/Nd-dSP_f70Q/s320/2.jpg" width="243" /></a><br />
We did not have the budget to change out our toilet fixtures, and so our original almond coloured toilet, sink and tub would have to remain. We worked around what we had, with the goal of creating a modern and serene space. <br />
<br />
The new colour, a steel blue, is light and airy, but still grounded and calm. Perfect! A few black accents (including no-paint artwork* I made myself) would add the modern edge I was looking for.<br />
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And for an unexpected wow! factor, we said "goodbye" to the window shutters and "hello" to a large-scale floral valance, in a bright pop of orange!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3vPd52oCNc/TvkcwKHXXyI/AAAAAAAAA5E/cCioJ6LGtSs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3vPd52oCNc/TvkcwKHXXyI/AAAAAAAAA5E/cCioJ6LGtSs/s320/1.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>* I stumbled upon a fabulous idea for no-paint art work on the Make Under My Life blog. I knew right away, I wanted to use this technique for the artwork in my new bathroom. So easy! Over a primed blank canvas, you simply wrap black twine, on which some dimensional fabric element (I used sheer black ribbon) is threaded. Voila!<br />
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<a href="http://makeundermylife.com/no-paint-artwork-in-15-minutes/">http://makeundermylife.com/no-paint-artwork-in-15-minutes/</a>***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9176948381413479964.post-44212349606001143752011-12-17T21:18:00.001-05:002011-12-17T21:29:18.717-05:00iPad ...finally!My husband and I have birthdays that are two days apart; December 5 and December 3, respectively. This year we agreed, since Christmas is right around the corner...no birthday presents! So, you can imagine my surprise when on the eve of my birthday, I turned on my heels to head out of the kitchen, only to see Otto in Darren's arms, coming toward me holding the most distinctive of all packages. I knew immediately what it was. <br />
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I mean, who else could set hearts racing with the sheer simplicity of a stark white box? With the promise of some of the most titillating technology inside, Apple has cornered the market on Sexy Tech. Sure, I had hinted*. But did he really? Could he have actually? <br />
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He did!<br />
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An iPad. And not just any iPad. But the top of the line, 3G model with a 64 Gig memory, in white, of course. He even engraved it with a message that made my eyes tear. It couldn't be more perfect!<br />
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And so I have had my handy little surprise gift for 15 days now. It is almost fully integrated into my daily routine. I take the iPad to meetings with me, instead of a notepad. I do my monthly budget on the iPad, instead of on the laptop. I cook from recipes on the iPad, instead of out of a cookbook. It doesn't leave my side. Indespensible. I am very intrigued at how this device is actually changing how I live and how I work. But even moreso, as time goes on and I discover more apps, I am curious to see how else this little 7"x10" wonder, will work it's way even further into my life...and my heart!<br />
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* Truth be told, I did a little more than hint. Just a little.***This Life Uncommon***http://www.blogger.com/profile/01214573727395664292noreply@blogger.com1