Since this year is about firsts...

My friend and dance peer, Diana, reminded me to post some pictures. And, I thought I'd blog about it since it is a first for me. A year ago, my daughter decided to become a vegeratian. She just went cold turkey on me! I tried to do it, but the chicken biscuits at Chic-Fil-A kept calling my name. Finally I decided to stop cheating and to go ahead and commit to a new lifestyle. And since dairy doesn't like me (trust me, there is no love lost except for ice cream) I gave up it up as well.

There's plenty of options to eat for vegetarians/vegans, but it can be very expensive. What gets on my nerves is that if I wanted to sit on the couch and eat Little Debbie Oatmeal patties and Dorito's then I could eat within my budget. Heck, I could live off of the value meals at McDonald's and Wendy's! However, that's not me. Truth is, it doesn't cost much in the short term, but long term? Yep, you'll be paying a hefty price with doctor bills and pharmaceuticals because of diabetes, heart disease, high cholesteral and blocked arteries.

All of that to say...we added more to our healthy lifestyle by creating a raised garden bed. I'm dying to see my tomatoes and strawberries bloom. I can't wait for my garlic and sweet potatoes to harvest. Even now, I go grab a handful of basil, mint or parsley and add it to my meals. I love it.

Zizi's Vegan Restaurant

I received an email from Myrrh (like myrrh and frankincense) about the specials that he was having at his restuarant. I appreciated that my secret crush reached out to me, but I know that he had to include all the hundreds of others on his mailing list so that he wouldn't show favoritism. I totally get it...no problem.

The other day I decided to take him up on his offer and when I got there, he was in the back being all mysterious. Lo' and behold, he had an international television show about veganism/vegetarianism there interviewing him. Now, let me put Myrhh aside for a second. While waiting for our food, Caroline introduced me to her station, http://www.suprememastertv.com/. And asked if she could interview us on being vegetarian. I declined, but Dove agreed. I'm telling ya'll, I was so proud of Dove for speaking so articulately and direct as she ansered the questions. My baby explained how, "...when we eat meat then we are ingesting the growth hormones and antibiotics that they inject in the animals..." Go Dove!

By this time, Myrhh came to the counter and watched the interview. He was impressed with her as well. Dove shared with the interviewer that, "my mother is a vegan, but I'm still a vegetarian because I like cheese." Caroline asked if she was willing to try some vegan cheese to see if they could be a supplement instead of what she's been eating. Dove agreed and without any prompting, Myrhh went to the back and brought out some vegan cheese that he uses and gave it to her. And, he went back a second time and brought out Tofutti cream cheese for her as well. I smiled...inside and out.

Thanks Myrhh for showing us a little favoritism...it definitely made me smile inside and out.