Vegetarian Birthday!

Today is my First Vegetarian Birthday!

Aside from a few meat dreams, I've had no problems or regrets.

What are meat dreams?

The last one I had involved a loved one serving me savory stew swimming with giant juicy chunks of beef. It was awkward when I said I couldn't eat it. I think we both felt bad.

I'm moving away from animal products altogether, but I'm not in a hurry to do it. 

I spent three years thinking, researching, and planning before I decided to become a vegetarian. 

Many people seem to want to know my reason for doing it. So,

• my cholesterol is naturally high, a hereditary thing, so I don't need to ingest any more
• six months after changing my diet I'm no longer insulin resistant
• I've stopped gaining weight
• no, my doctor didn't order the diet, I made the choice of my own free will
• I generally feel better, lighter, cleaner, more regular
• moral issues: personal beliefs about animal rights and environmental stewardship
• budgetary issues: fruits and veggies and grains are cheaper than meats

Rut Stew

Over the last few winters I've started this tradition. I take the random roots, bulbs, and tubers I've got laying around my kitchen, and I combine them into a stew. I call it "Rut Stew." This year I added just a sprinkling of dried grains and beans from a soup mix. 

January 2014 Rut Stew

Cast of Characters:

Golden Potato

Carrot

Radish

Yellow Onion

Shallot

Garlic

Dried Thyme

Rubbed Sage

Salt

Pepper

Organic Imagine  Foods Low Sodium Vegetable Broth Crew:

Filtered Water

Organic Onions

Organic Carrots

Organic Celery

Organic Tomato Paste

Organic Spices

Organic Garlic

Organic Expeller Pressed Canola Oil And/Or 

Organic Safflower Oil And/Or 

Organic Sunflower Oil

Sea Salt

Guest Appearances: 

Bob's Red Mill Whole Grains and Beans Soup Mix Crew:

Small Red Beans

Pinto Beans

Lentils

Red Lentils

Whole Oat Groats

Brown Rice

Triticale Berries (Wheat)

Rye Berries

Hard Red Wheat

Pearl Barley

Kamut Khorasan Wheat

Buckwheat Groats

Sesame Seeds

Act I

Act II

Act III

Images From My First DSLR

I'm very pleased with my new camera. It's a Canon EOS Rebel SL1. Right now I'm in the process of learning about aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Meanwhile, I'm practicing.

their first look at the scary long lens

Dawna modeling

Mingy modeling

I'm trying to learn how to focus on the eyes

not quite focused but I've a patient model

I was pretty far away from these geese

the sky was blue today, for the first time in weeks

not bad for the first day of shooting

Fishes!

Sis and Nephew and Husband and I took a drive down to Kentucky to see the fishes at the Newport Aquarium. It was so cool to see water dwellers up close without getting wet. Everyone had a good time.

Water Problems

Here in the Midwest, there is so much water hanging in the air and filling up the lowlands that it's ignored and polluted and thrown away. Industrial buildings and businesses were built with their backs facing the rivers, which would be used as barge highways and sewage dumps. In recent years people have desired to see parks lining their rivers, so there are many projects like that going on around here where there is money and interest.

In my hometown of Colorado Springs it's illegal to catch rain for personal use. Those who like their lawns green pay a fortune in water bills. It's a desert out there and water is scarce. It's said that before any of us were alive the water rights to many of the mountain rivers and reservoirs were sold to other states. We just received word from the Crystal Park HOA, where we own a home that was built in the 1950s, that we need to make a well water decision by Monday. I have no idea what the options are. Three choices are listed and we get to pick one. I can't understand all of this legal stuff about water use laws and history. I will sit down with it tonight, me and a glass of vanilla Silk and a chewy chocolate cookie. All I know right now is that we may end up drilling a well up there and those aren't cheap.

Cruelty-free stuff

I have an app called Buycott. While shopping I scan barcodes to learn if a product is vegan or tested on animals. Our friend's cat was a test animal. His little body is covered in scars, there are patches of fur that are missing and will never grow back, he's extremely distrustful and why wouldn't he be? There are scars on his face where a metal device prevented him from closing his eyes and mouth.

Winter Break 2013/14

This is the first time I've posted with my mobile phone, so it's an experiment!

My Sis and nephew took a plane ride from sunny California to wintry Ohi' just to spend time with us. Nephew made his first snowman and snow angel. Sis and I have been crafting up a storm. We visited with Dusty's family and played Settlers of Catan and acted silly in proper Bishop style. Nephew drove the golf cart at the state park. 

Overall it's been cold outside so we've spent the days visiting, watching Nemo and Curious George, making things out of string, cooking yummy vegan foods, keeping the cookie jar full, and playing with Mingy (because he is wherever there is string).

Pictures: I made macrame owls and plant hanger; Sis crocheted a purse and now working on shrug; mural and pumpkin water tower are in Circleville; topiary garden in Columbus; husband and his family being silly in wigs and helmet; Sis ready for deep sea diving; visiting Dusty's job.