Shenandoah Valley Vegetarian Society

This is an idea that has been kicking around in my head for quite some time. I live in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and there is no type of social group for vegetarians around here. The closest ones are in DC and Charlottesville, both roughly 2 hours away. I know there have to be vegetarians in the Valley other than my family, so I figured I'd create a place for veggies to network and meet one another. I have these wonderful fantasies of starting a supper club and I figured this might be a good way to do it. It might also be a good way to gain some clout in the community and perhaps encourage local restaurants to add more vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes to their menus. I am really hoping this gets off the ground because I think we could do a lot of really good things- volunteer work, festivals, block parties, etc. I would love to meet new people and do something to promote a healthier, happier environment at the same time. I am going to go around to some local businesses and ask if I can maybe leave little slips of paper advertising the group. I figured that might be a good way to spread the word. Wish me luck!

You can visit the website for the group here.

Quotation Of The Day

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."- Epicurus

Kombucha

I tried kombucha for the first time today. I had read about it and seen it in the store a few times but never tried it for one reason or another. The last time I went to the store, they had some on clearance so I figured I'd try it. It's really interesting! It tastes sort of like vinegar and it's very bubbly. Not like anything I've ever tasted before. I don't think this is something I will drink on a regular basis bit it might be interesting once in a while. I do not know a lot about fermented foods but I am under the impression that they have numerous benefits, particularly when it comes to digestion. I've really been neglecting myself and I've decided to do some internal "Spring cleaning" early this year. I am sticking to a plan of being a more conscious eater, exercising more and having healthy sleep patterns. I am intent on sticking with this and making it last and I hope I don't lose steam. I found a really cute dress on Etsy that I have promised myself when I get into better shape, so I printed a picture of it and hung it on my refrigerator as a reminder to eat healthier. I am sick and tired of more and more time elapsing and still not reaching my goals. Things like this are 90% mental and I know if I really try, I can do it. Plus, I really want that damn dress.

Quotation Of The Day

“In any man who dies there dies with him, his first snow and kiss and fight. Not people die but worlds die in them.” -Yevgeny Yevtushenko

I have been seriously neglecting my blog

Wow, I haven't written anything in like, 2 months, which is strange because I always have so much going on in my head! With Halloween approaching, I am so excited to immerse myself in autumnal flavors and try a lot of new recipes. I have seriously been slacking when it comes to preparing seasonal foods thus far, but fall has only just begun, so I can't be too hard on myself. I made a spectacular potato soup on the first day of October, so that should count for something. Next thing on the agenda is pumpkin crumb cake with pecan streusel from Veganomicon. I am hoping to make that Tuesday night. Soup, soup and more soup, has also been on my mind. Who doesn't love eating soup this time of year? It's almost the perfect food. It's warm and comforting and you can make a soup out of just about anything. From a simple vegetable soup to a decadent cream of aspargus, there's something for everyone in a bowl of soup. Can you tell that I love soup? I really used to love my Mom Mom Shaffer's soup. It was so simple but so delicious and the smell always filled my grandparents' warm, tiny house. It is definitely one of my favorite memories from childhood. I hope you take advantage of the change of seasons by curling up with a nice, hot bowl of soup, too.

Stupidity runs rampant...again!

I do not suffer fools gladly and Sarah Palin is no exception. I had actually given her some credit at first for laying low during the whole health care reform debate, but then she had to open her big mouth and ruin it by saying unbelievably dumb things. I am hoping that most people are keeping up with this, but Sarah Palin is yet another moron to jump on the "death panels" band wagon, insisting that Advanced Care Planning Consultation equals euthanizing old people or guilting them into accepting less medical treatment in old age. This is a flat-out lie. This piece of legislation is designed to help seniors with end of life planning such as creating a living will and putting into place things like advance directives and do not resuscitate orders. An advance directive simply makes your doctor aware of the type of care you would like to receive if you should become unable to make those decisions based on an illness, etc., and do not resuscitate means that if your heart stops beating you do not wish for medical personnel to attempt to revive you. These types of things are impotant for numerous reasons. One, because it should always be up to the individual to make these choices, not a doctor. If I were to be involved in a horrible accident and left in a coma with no chance of recovery, I would want them to pull the plug, period. This is a decision I want to make, not have made for me. Two, it's much easier to make decisions like these ahead of time instead of placing the burden on loved ones. I would hate the thought of my son having to decide whether or not to pursue this type of treatment or that type of treatment or whether to resuscitate or not. Dealing with the illness and potential loss of a loved one is difficult enough without having to make confusing, often time-sensitive decisions. I think it's a great idea for seniors to have more input and control when it comes to the type of care they receive. Time and time again doctors recommend unnecessary or risky surgeries for their patients because they're highly profitable. A person should be informed about the risks and benefits of a procedure and be allowed to balance those for themselves. The fact that Sarah Palin and countless others are using this piece of legislation to literally scare senior citizens is shameful. They do themselves and the people of this country a great injustice when they lie. I'd be amazed if they could actually bring themselves to tell the truth for once. The stupidity in all of it is what really bothers me. These people are elected officials. They're put into office by people like you and me to pursue the best interests of our country and this is the best they can do, make up phony stories about how the government is going to use health care reform to wipe out all the old people? I will conclude with a quotation, said by many but credited to Abraham Lincoln- 'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt."

Quotation of the Day

Any fool can make things bigger, more complex and more violent. It takes a touch of genius- and a lot of courage- to move in the opposite direction.

-Albert Einstein