Mike's Special Birthday breakfast!

Well folks, another year has rolled by and my wonderful husband was bound to have another birthday, even if it didn't land him in his 30's just yet.  So, to celebrate the joyous occasion, we decided to depart from our vacation campsite a few hours early so we could roll into the lovely town of Hood River for a special birthday breakfast. 

 We (well, I) had seen a place in town called "Sage's" and thought it sound crunchy enough and the insides of the place looked like it might be just the type of down home "tofu scramble" kind of place where we might feel right at home.  So we left the dogs in the car with the windows down in the shade and rushed to make it in before noon because that is when breakfast would stop being served. 

Upon reviewing the menu, we noticed lots of scrambles, sandwiches, and salads.  We were both in the mood for breakfast though, so each of us ordered a scramble.  I started to have a bit of hesitation when I ordered and had a brief altercation with the owner of the place who convinced me that I did not want the avocado because it was actually a spread, NOT to be confused with sliced avocado.  I was able to divert her attention by not ordering it and things smoothed out, so I proceeded to my chair, unconcerned about the future of our dining experience....I mean, people have misunderstandings now and again right?

Anyway, a few moments had passed and I wanted to go and check on the dogs outside, so Mike hung at the table while I made my way out for a few short moments.  Things were cool and calm outside so I headed in, and when I got back to the table, the food had arrived.  Mike was sitting there with a peculiar look on his face and when I sat in the chair he looked at me and said "Babe, I think we've gotten ourselves some microwave eggs here"!!!!  Well, much to my dismay, and upon a brief inspection, I realized that he was in fact, correct and the eggs had been nuked beyond recognition with the veggies thrown in at some point.  I thought I had heard lots of beeping before, but then I assumed that we hadn't ordered anything nuke-worthy, so I didn't fret the whole thing.  As we discussed it too though, we decided that the likelihood of the eggs coming from a bag or carton instead of from a shell was very good. 

Mike ate his because he was to a point of starvation that I had yet to reach.  I, however decided that it would be best if I waited and contemplated returning the dish after a few painstaking bites, but decided against it for some strange reason.  We still wonder why we didn't do it though.  It probably had something to do with our southern charm or the need to not start the birthday with a scene.  There is however,  always thought of how we could have spent that 20 bucks better on Mike's big day, but what's done is done and at least I have a nice picture of Mike enjoying the delicious dish on his birthday morn!

Happy Birthday Mike!

Ode to the fat hairy man with very few teeth who found me attractive today....

Oh what a glorious day in Oregon!  The weather was immaculate and so I decided to get in some calisthenics by jogging around my neighborhood.   I headed out at 3:49 or so and ran for about 45 minutes!  That's pretty good considering I used to run religiously several times a week and now I only go about 1 or 2 times a week if something possesses me, like sunshine for instance.  Anyhow, when I was only 10 minutes or so away from home, I was jogging down what to some may have seemed like a rather ordinary stretch of road.  However, when I spotted my admirer down on the corner, I realized promptly that this was nothing routine.  To him, I was the most special part of that moment!  He was quite the looker with his shirt off, glimmering in the sunshine with tufts of grey hair all about his body.  There was a thin layer of grass and sweat coating his entire torso and spilling over onto his tattered trousers.  As I drew closer, he began to smile a great big smile right at me.  "Who needs incisors"?  I thought, as I noticed his smile was missing a few piano keys.  I smiled back, which to him was definitely a signal that I was mesmerized by his delightful manner and dashing good looks.  The hair on top of his head had all fallen out at some point along the way, but that didn't stop him from clenching his more youthful days with a longer style in the back.   He shut off his outdoor appliance so that he could court me as I ran past him.  He seemed to be thinking quite hard about what to say in our fateful moment of togetherness as I neared his sidewalk square.  Then, just at the perfect moment, he yelled out "Run faster little lady"!  He then followed it with a bellow of "You look even better on the backside" as I crossed the street and hopped up onto the next corner.  Wow!  What a nice gentleman!  I am so glad he felt that I was "all that" as some would say!  So to the little, old, fat, hairy man with very few teeth who found me attractive, Thank You!  And might I add, you too look better from the backside, because to me it might indicate that you are going back into your house.  I actually think that would be best for both of us since I am not, in fact, interested and you are not, in fact, going to persuade me, but I'm flattered nonetheless! Have a nice day!

Raw Chocolate Mousse with Cashew-Peach Cream and fresh Strawberries

I made this at work today...

Raw chocolate pudding

1.5 Avocado, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup medjool dates, pitted and soaked 30 minutes, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 cup maple syrup

Cashew-Peach Cream

4 small ripe peaches, 1/4 cup medjool dates, pitted and soaked 30 minutes, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, agave to taste-1-2 T

Fresh Strawberries-pulsed in the food processor to "minced" texture

Make the pudding in the FP, then clean and make the cream in the FP, then layer pudding, cream and strawberries... perhaps some raw buckwheat crunchies or something in between.. and serve!!

Woo Hoo.....  It's raw and vegan!!!

Bill Clinton has soft hands.

Well, I shook hands with former president Bill Clinton yesterday!  It was all very exciting.  He and Chelsea came to our neighborhood community garden to speak about community involvement, Hillary, and other things such as that.  There is a school garden program in the school adjacent to the garden so they planted some tomato plants with the students after saying a few words.  There were only about 100-150 people there so I had ample opportunity to watch the whole thing in spite of my height impairment.  At the end, he came over to the fence and shook some hands and he happened to choose my outstretched hand for a squeeze.  He must use Palmolive or Dove because his hands are soft, but then I suppose most Presidents and former Presidents don't have the normal rough hands of the common laborer.  Anyway, I'm delighted and slightly star struck, but I'm sure that will fade, I mean after all, my brother is friends with all sorts of famous people and he seems pretty okay with it.

Our little green house in Oregon

This is our little green house in Oregon.  It was built in 1898 so its really cool.  I wish you were all here in it with us, although on second thought, that might be a little tight.  The weather in the picture is the same as it is today, but hopefully, the sunny season will save us soon!

Life on a stick.... I digress

Well, if any of you were ever wondering about the title of the blog... today we will discuss it.  Its about that idea of being a little kid with a popsicle in the summer.  Is there a greater joy?  There are so many flavors to choose from... creamsicle, fudgy pop, vanilla with the chocolate crunchy shell on the outside, or perhaps just red, orange, purple, or green.  Either way, all of it meant pure joy.  I, like my siblings and friends, often took to the great outdoors to enjoy the comforts of the popsicle.  Unfortunately, in the Alabama sun, that only meant one thing... fast melting.  Lick, Lick, Lick... it was never fast enough to avoid the inevitable.  The stick would start to show through, perhaps even at the expense of a splinter on the tongue, but it was all worth it in the end, even if I got an ice cream headache.  Why, you might ask?   Perhaps it was for that glance across the yard to see my brother doing the same with the ice cream dripping down his white Hanes T-shirt.  It could have even been because I could see my dad covertly peeking out the window watching us and smiling from ear to ear, thinking no one saw him.  Mostly though, it was the pure joy of knowing that I could wash off all the stickiness in the sprinkler with my siblings when I was finished and no one would want to go inside for a while. That is what I have to remember as I march through this grown up part of life.  It is all really very similar to those moments of childhood.  With the good comes the bad, and with the fresh new pop comes the stick.  You see folks, I figure you can choose to be in this life and feel its sorrows and joys without reason, or you can know that it is all about balance, it is all about truly enjoying the popsicle of Life even if there is a stick in there somewhere. Enjoy!

I almost got hit by a bus once.....

So, I was thinking today of how I once nearly got hit by a bus upon trying to get into my car.  I was just minding my own business walking across the street to my car.   I looked up to see the bus approaching, so I scurried over to my car in enough time.  I even waved at the bus driver to let him know I was there, but then I realized that there was no time to actually get into the car because the bus was fast approaching.  I put my back against the car, shuffled my heels under the car and took a deep breath in.  VVRROOOMMMM!!!!... the bus zoomed quickly by my face with only about 10 inches of clearance and I was left feeling a little rattled by the whole event.  I mean, it is a common vernacular in life for us as humans living in this culture to joke that we "may just walk out and get hit by a bus one day", but one never really expects that to happen do they?  So, if I DO get hit by a bus at any point, can someone who loves me make sure that it is celebrated on my tombstone in some way or another?  A little etching or diagram would do just fine.  I just wouldn't want to pass up that type of irony in this little pinch of time called Life.  Thanks!

DeeAnna Wales, B.A. , Anthropologist

      So in recent times I have been noticing that, as a society we are allowed a few letters after our name if we have earned certain specific levels of education.  Usually these levels are Masters degrees or PhD, however since I still owe $9,567.14 on my Bachelors degree, I have decided to use my little letters too!  I mean, I have earned them after all.  

     Additionally, I would like to add a little insight into the usefulness of my degree.  Now for many years I always chuckled at the useLESSness of my expensive piece of paper.  I even asked a representative calling from my university for a donation once if I could return it!  Needless to say, the answer was no and I'm still paying.  I graduated with honors from Auburn University.  I loved the liberal arts thing and decided after much deliberation to choose a major that worked with the classes I was the most interested in.   That is where the Anthropology degree made its way to the top of the list.  I really enjoyed the classes and even got to go to Archaeology field school in my senior year.  I had some elaborate plans of graduate school back then, but that has long since morphed into other interests and into the bittersweet reality of paying back student loans and paying the bills.

    Upon much reflection however, I have realized that I AM in fact using my degree and here is how.  I'm not sure how many of you read my post titled "A day in my work life", but it is basically the ins and outs of my life at the free sample counter and what that's like.  It is many things, but the most prominent activity is the people watching.  We see all kinds of folks there, doing all sorts of things with their free food samples.  I have come to realize that people watching is Anthropology and that I am living out that dream I had in college of being an Anthropologist!  Not many people have the opportunity to do this, so it brings me great joy to know that all that cash I'm STILL spending, 11 years later, is really being put to good use! 

    I also do the Anthropological surveying and observing while partaking in any and all activities where the public is included.  For instance, this includes what to some may seem like an arbitrary trip to the Fred Meyer, out for a bite to eat, or just standing in line at the post office, but to me, they are invaluable opportunities for furthering my academic expertise.   What's the best part, you might ask?  I have this additional level of expertise without the burden of paying more for those other silly letters behind my name (M.A. or PhD).  Therefore I ask all of you to enjoy my hard earned title right along with me (B.A.).  So if any of you ever need any help of a seasoned Anthropologist, drop me a line and I'll be there to observe and help!

Ray Charles and the glove box...

Hello world!  I am writing today to share with you a story of a time when I was living in the San Francisco Bay Area for culinary school.  I was there for 6 months while Mike stayed behind in Portland for work.  I LOVED the school and needless to say that the time spent in Sonoma county was an amazing, life enriching experience.  I lived with a very interesting family, worked at Whole Foods Market, and had many an adventure.  The only one that really stands out in my mind at this moment involves the weather there.  You see, in the winter in the bay area, there is LOTS of rain and this particular year it caused some mudslides closer to the Russian River.  In regard to this, lots of little varmints like squirrels, possums, rats and mice are forced to abandon their otherwise dry and safe homes for higher ground.  Well, a common theme in my life is looking like an easy target, and this is no exception.  As I hopped in my little Honda Accord station wagon one day on my way to class, I stopped at the first red light and thought I would take that opportunity to fire up some tunes for the drive.   Ah yes, there's nothing like a little Ray Charles as you drive through the beautiful wine country.  All I needed was the face to my stereo out of the glove box.  I opened the glove box while random folks waiting on the corner to cross the street glanced at me, and AAAAUUUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!  A MOUSE NEST!!!  I screamed as loud as possible, assuring that no one on the corner missed it, slammed the glove box as they all stared in amazement and confusion, and the light changed.....I drove away.  Now I'm sure that to this day, those folks have a story to tell their grandchildren, but they can tell them any number of things that they suspect I found in the glove box.  With the way I screamed, it could have even been a body part or something similar.  Well, I drove on to school, mortified, mind racing...'oh god, he's in here somewhere', I thought.  I called my friend Tressie, my husband Mike, and my father, begging them all for help in a panicky state.  They all laughed and said that because of our distance, they could be of no help....perfect!  Over the course of the next week, I set traps in the car which caught nothing, drove ONLY with my pants tucked into my socks, and suddenly became a fanatic about keeping my car as clean as possible (Mice REALLY like kleenex apparantly).  Eventually, he (Harvey I liked to call him) moved out I suppose because the nests stopped being rebuilt and I stopped finding mouse poop.  However, to this day, I will NEVER open my glove box with the same level of ease and comfort I once knew in my youth.  Ah... those days of innocent naivety...

Meet Jasmine....She drinks a lot!

Well folks, I think we've been in this long enough to introduce you to Jasmine.  From what i could tell of her anatomy, fur, tail, and facial features of Jasmine when I got her, I thought she was a cat.  However, after living with her for about 12 years, I have realized she considers herself to be some higher form of human.  In an effort to not discourage her in being who she is in life, I am now going along with that concept.  The reality of it is that she drinks a lot, is verbally abusive, and really enjoys telling our more "special" dog Luna that she is adopted even though Luna doesn't really understand what that word means.  All along Luna thought she was just a dog and now Jasmine is confusing her by telling her this because Luna thinks that A Dopted is a type of animal or something like that.  Our other dog, Fatcha is very smart and quick to stand up to Jasmine, but it's only child's play to Jasmine who always walks away unscathed.  Mike and I do our best to keep the group organized, but he and I are, after all, only that lesser form of human to her and it is at many points futile.  She once told us we could be out of the house by the end of the month if we didn't stop bossing her around.  Case CLOSED.... we give up!

DeeAnna in the back seat with rice and beans

So, I once got this email from my dear friend Christine whose birthday is upon us and as an ode to her, I thought I'd post this on the blog for you to all get a kick out of.  She titled the picture "DeeAnna in the back seat with rice and beans".  I find that a fitting name for such an acutely ridiculous piece of art don't you?  Anyway, I don't exactly know where I was going, or what was so hilarious, or how I managed to not get my kerchief in the dish, but here it is for the whole world to see and laugh at!  Enjoy!

A funny story request!

So, I've gotten a request from my biggest fan for a funny story.  I'd like to share the one I call "The Tootsie Roll and the old man"  ....One day, while living in Chapel Hill, NC, Mike and I went to lunch at the Whole Foods Market.  When we were pulling up into the parking space, there was a little old man who decided that he would lean his shopping cart on my car hood since he didn't want to walk it to where the carts go.  So when I got out, Mike says "are you coming babe"?  and I say, "well I'm going to move this F'n cart first since it was leaned on the car" and I moved the cart while giving a frownie face to the old man.  So....fast forward to after lunch.  Mike had left before me and so I was leaving on my own.  When I approached my car, I saw a little white thing sticking out of the door handle.  It appeared to be a note or a kleenex or something.  As I walked closer, I was able to see that it was a Kleenex and that it had something in it that seemed to be gum or a Tootsie roll or something.  So I think to myself "Damned Kids", threw it on the passengers seat to throw away once I got to the book store, and got in to start the car.  Now, as I cruised about my merry way over the speed bumps in the parking lot, I realized that there was a horrific odor coming from the Tootsie package.  I pulled over slightly out of the flow of traffic to inspect it more closely only to find that ALAS!!!! It was in fact A TURD!!!! Oh My God!  Help Meeeee!  So the best I can figure folks is to not upset little old men in the south by dropping the F-bomb as a southern belle, because you might just get a little Tootsie roll in the door of your car as a result!  AUGH!!! Have a good night!

How I know some men are losers....

Well folks, recently a VERY close friend of mine called and told me she and her boyfriend broke up.  As I heard her story, I started to think of how I might express this one to the world via blog.  There are certain clues that help us to know if the man you are currently seeing is bogus.  #1-He has you build your own fire, INCLUDING bringing in the firewood while you have the flu!  #2-When you are well enough to stagger to the kitchen and get some soup....he hollers out "Hey, get me a beer will you"? #3-He acts childish most of the time and #4-He is overtly jealous of your best girlfriends, but never invites you to hang out with his friends unless you're going to cook for them!   So, I say, good riddance and on to the next hopeful or to some quiet single time where perhaps you get a fish or a cat...you know, something that doesn't talk back!  You're better off without this one my dear!  

Oh, by the way, we enabled the comments so that you can just post anonymously and don't have to get an account now or register...so comment away friends! :)

Back from the circus

Well, Mike and I went to the Cirque du Soleil here in Portland last night and I'm here to report that it was awesome!  I have seen the "O" show in Las Vegas once years ago, but it was Mike's first time.  It was not until revisiting the Circus that I recalled the strange feeling that we as humans have far more physical potential than we are using!  These people are SO buff folks!  I mean, what have I done lately for exercise other than a little jaunt around the block with my dogs?  So, with that being said, I am thinking of taking some sort of class.  I'm not sure in what yet, but something to teach me circus skills of some kind.  Perhaps gymnastics....naaahh... that doesn't sound safe.  Perhaps pole vaulting...naaahhh...just too hilarious to think of.  What about fire juggling?  Oh well, I will come up with something and once I do, I'll have my debut for the whole world to see.  Oh, and if you get a chance to go to the show....DO IT!!!!! It's amazing and beautiful.

A word about friendship

Hello there!  I know I already blogged today, but since it is my very own blog, I realized that it is my right and my privilege to blog again in the same day again.  So, this came to me in a flash and I had to act on it....let's talk about friendship shall we?  It is one of life's most precious gifts if I don't say so myself and there are a few of you out there (and you know who you are folks) who need to stand up and take a bow for all you've brought to my life.  I mean, think of all the times when we feel absolutely down in the dumps, or excited to share something meaningful or not so meaningful.  And what about those times when we just need to laugh uncontrollably about nothing in particular?  Lastly, what about those times occasionally when our whole day is otherwise shit and just leaving a message on a friends phone is enough to make you feel renewed and happy again?  I think the old song holds true for me.  I really DO get by with a little help from my friends.  Thanks guys!  I Love You

What is it about life?

So in my usual way, I am pondering things and wondering what it is about life that makes for the awkward balance of carefree times vs difficult times.  This is the question of all questions I suppose and based on the advice of someone very dear to me, my new plan is to just embrace it all and go with the flow more.  I have always struggled with this and am not quite sure how to begin the "new me" who doesn't over think everything possible, but I think recognizing it is the first step right?  There is beauty in not knowing all the answers I suppose, and that beauty is called LIFE.  

Rain in Oregon

Hello all!  I am writing on a bit of a dismal rainy day in Oregon.  I am just now coming to understand the rain here, but it may take years to really nail it down what with global warming and what not.  When first I arrived, it drizzled lots and lots and with each passing day I noticed that there were very few locals who cared to entertain the idea of the umbrella.  I have finally figured out now that it seems illogical to have to hold something constantly and that having a really good rain jacket is a little easier to deal with.  I am fortunate to have no lack of rain gear since my loving husband is in the outdoor gear business.  Then, there are those 1-2 week periods right when you are at your lowest point, that the glorious sun shines and it feels like spring.  They usually happen every year and they are a savior to those who've survived the winter thus far.  I've heard many here candidly say "hey, what's that bright light in the sky"?  It amuses me and reminds me to take my vitamin D everyday. 

 That reminds me....let's talk vitamin D for a second shall we?  Even if you don't live in Oregon, chances are pretty good that your vitamin D stores are low and this is not good.  You see, with our current modern day lifestyle, most people spend the peak daylight hours inside crouched before a computer or something like that.  Therefore, the vitamin D opportunity slips by.  So you also may be thinking  " but I get it in my diet"... but that is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to vitamin D.  In milk, the pasteurization and homogenization destroys many of the vitamins and raw milk is widely unavailable to most folks.  Other than that, there are things fortified with the vitamin, but it is usually vitamin D2, a synthetic form.  The best form is D3 which is found in ...you guessed it...cod liver oil.  Oh, and by the way, they make a lemon one that doesn't event taste like fish, so run down to your natural foods store and check it out!

    Well, I'm off to ponder the idea of walking my dogs out in the mud and then coming home to enjoy the smell of wet dog and a little warm green tea!  You learn to love it just like any other part of nature after a while.  Blessed be!

Reunited with my fans....

Hello everyone!  

   I was cut off of the blog world for a day or so because of some sort of "spamming" allegations.  I am happy to say that they have enabled my blog once again!  They probably looked up my family name and realized I could potentially create some real mania on the internet!   HA!!  Well anyway I've had a pretty ordinary few days.  I finished up my weekend fun at the demo counter, rearranged my bedroom, and read through lots of fan mail on my email.  I appreciate the eager response when the blog went out of commission for a few days.  However, now it adds a bit of pressure to make things delightful and fun for everyone!  I will be incorporating a few recipes here and there at the request of the lovely Margo the great!  I think you may all enjoy getting into a fit state of mind with my Eating for Health info.  

   Is everyone taking cod liver oil?  It sounds yucky i realize, but it certainly is important for the body.  If you pick the right one, it has lots of the good type of vitamin D and has been recently touted as an important preventative for cancer, ms, depression and all sorts of other 'ism's that we don't want in our lives.  If you cant stomach that, then look into some flax!  It is another amazing source of Omegas and if you just sprinkle ground seeds on your morning breakfast, you are also getting a healthy dose of both soluble and insoluble fiber...not to mention those lovely healthy fats!  Well, I'm off to run a few errands.  Thanks for tuning in and hopefully there will be no further delays in my communication with the world!

A day in my work life....

Well, it only took me about 20 minutes and two or three tries to figure out how to put another post on this darned thing, but here I am!  Victory!  I worked today.  My job these days is as a person in a natural foods store who serves free samples.  Woo Hoo!  Now this is rewarding work folks, let me just tell you!  I think the best part is how self entitled folks can be while taking the free food.  As a friend who loves all of you, let me warn you a bit about the need to use caution while partaking in the free samples of the world.  Excited as you may be when you see them sitting there, in all their glory on the counter with the little sign nearby that says "Free, try it!"...please know what may have happened before you got there.  There are several individuals who feel that it is necessary to pilfer through and look at each sample before finding and taking the largest one.  Also, there are some who additionally feel that it would be perfectly acceptable for them to lean over the samples and eat with their mouth open while food particulate flies through the air and onto the "fresh" samples.  Tongs are definitely NOT used by all and double dipping is not just something to laugh about on a Seinfeld episode!  Beverages are generally okay since they are safe and snug from human hands in the little airpot that most folks couldn't figure out how to open if they tried.  So my advice to you if you wish to have a free sample here and there, is that you generally only take one that has been placed before you at the very moment you approach the counter.  Otherwise, don't be surprised if you come down with some sort of staph infection or worse.  I am able to find a reasonable amount of humor in the whole event, and I have some amazing co-workers who begrudgingly face the worst of it with me while we giggle on the side lines.  Today, I survived again and on to tomorrow... and then ALAS.... an off day!  Enjoy your day... and PLEASE use the tongs!!!

So I'm a blogger now?

Well folks, I've done it, I've made the cyber-plunge and decided to blog it up a bit.  I have been wanting to have a space to rant about Americas food and nutrition choices for a while.  However, in the mean time I thought it might be nice to have a way to keep all my peeps informed about how my health is going.  By the way, at the moment, things are good.  I'm seeing a WONDERFUL Naturopath/Acupuncturist and he's helping me lots.  I don't have a "diagnosis" so to speak because I do know I don't have the big C, so I felt it best to just find a doc I trust and go with what he says and that's working pretty well for now.  I'm still a little bit of a waif, but I think most of you are used to that by now eh?  I do like to eat though, so lots of this blog will be about that too...aaahhh the wonderful world of WHOLE food!  This, being my first post, is all I have to say for now, but I hope you'll all keep me on your favorites, comment regularly, and enjoy the banter!