Thats Why We Don't Eat Animals- by Ruby Roth

I just finished reading the story "That's Why We Don't Eat Animals" by Ruby Roth to my vegetarian-since-birth children and it explained what factory-farms are in a very direct and clear way. It was sent to us by my sister and I'm certain it will be a story my kids will want to hear again and again as the questions were flowing!

Fur Coat Lady

My seven year old vegetarian-since-birth son just saw a lady on TV with a fur coat on and said "Look at her wearing a fur coat! I just want to pick up a rock and throw it at her!"

omigosh, PETA would be proud! (and my sister will be as well!)

Movie Going

So, the boys wanted to go see another boy movie and I really had my heart set on seeing My Sister's Keeper. There was no way I was going to talk Chris into a "chick flick" and the boys didn't seem to care if I went to their show or not. When we got to the theatre, I noticed it was pretty empty for a Sunday afternoon and there were not a lot of people around. Last minute, I decided to let them go see the guy movie and I went to the theatre next to it and saw my "chick flick".... solo!

At first, I was a little uncertain of going into a movie alone... what would people think of me? Would they think I have absolutely no one else in the world to go to a show with? Would they think I'm a loner? I walked in, scoped the theatre out with a quick glance around and noticed it was not busy at all. In fact, there were a few prime rows open and empty. I ended up having an entire row to myself with no one in front of me at all. I started to relax a bit and the movie began.

With the first 5 minutes, I could feel myself getting all choked up. A few minutes more into the show and the tears were streaming down my face; there was no holding back. When I realized once again that I was out in public at a theatre and in that theatre alone, I quickly pulled myself together. Then from behind me, I heard sniffling and off to the side a few rows down, I saw a lady dabbing her eyes with tissue. I wasn't the only one bawling my eyes out! I had no one else near me, Chris wasn't there to make fun of me and so I thought about that for a second. I turned my attention back to the movie (which was fabulous!!) and had not a dry eye for the rest of the flick.

Never before, would I ever have considered going to a movie alone but after this freeing experience I just might plan it that way the next time a good "chick flick" is playing!

Playing Catch

Carter asked me to play catch with him today numerous times. At first, we were at my sister-in-laws (who is also our neighbour) but I was helping to get dinner out. Then I couldn't play because I was helping to clean up dinner. Next I still couldn't play; I was having dessert. Then, the next time he asked.... I grabbed a glove and I'm so very glad I did. Catch has always been a "daddy" thing. I don't think I've ever really played the game "catch" with Carter before! I do everything else you can possibly think of for him and with him, but playing catch? Maybe when he was super small.... it's been awhile anyways.

He was giving me pointers and telling me what a great job I was doing. I'm sorry.... when did he grow up? We chit chatted about this and that, talked about what he did while I was at work in the morning and went over our plans for the rest of the weekend. It was only for a short time that we threw the baseball back and forth before he decided he wanted to play with his brother and his cousins. It really made me think about how short the young years are and how these days are not going to last forever. What an opportunity that game of catch was for me to bond with my boy. I can't wait until he wakes up in the morning... I'm gonna ask him if he wants to play catch again with me!

Shepherd'sPie

4 medium potatoes

2 Tbsp margarine

1/4 cup milk

Salt & Pepper

1 meduim onion finely chopped & sauted

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 pkg ground-beef style soy

1 1/4 cups of prepared vegetarian gravy (either a powdered mix prepared or canned mushroom gravy)

I cup of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)

Boil the potatoes for 20 minutes or until mashable. In a medium bowl, mix the cooked onions, ground beef-style soy, mushroom gravy, frozen vegetables, and salt & pepper. Pour into an oven proof casserole dish. Top the soy mixture with the potatoes, spreading to the edges.

Bake in a 350°F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until the potatoes are browned and the mixture bubbles around the edges.

Makes approximately 6-8 servings

Banana Muffins

3 ripe bananas
1/4 cup oil or melted margarine
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts (or raisons or chocolate chips)

Mash bananas (overripe bananas are best!) Add oil/margarine and sugar. Mix well.

Sift the flour, salt, and baking soda together and add to the banana mixture. Mix until the flour is well blended (do not beat).

Pour into muffin pans or a bread pan and bake at 360°F until a knife or toothpick comes out clean.

Makes 1 Dozen Muffins

Mixed Bean salad

Use a can of mixed canned beans, add chopped green onion and feta cheese.

Mix with my vinaigrette dressing and call it a side dish! It's delicious!

Fruit Kabobs

Get creative with your choices here. For Valentine's Day or Canada Day you could use all red coloured fruits.... strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, watermelon.

There is no need for a lot of instruction for this one... Basically, decide what fruits you want to use, interchange them on the skewers to look colourful and pretty and put them on a long platter to serve. You can serve them with a fruit dip or fruit yogurt as well.

Homemade Mac & Cheese

Boil elbow macaroni noodles according to package directions.

Mix with Homemade Cheese Sauce

Add in broccoli and cauliflower if desired

Mix together in a buttered oven proof pan

Top with sliced tomatoes and grated cheese.

Bake in the oven until heated through.

Broil until cheese bubbles and browns slightly.

Make it Gluten Free by using brown rice pasta and cornstarch instead of flour in the sauce.

Bean Burritos and Rice

Quite possibly one of the easiest dinners ever....

There are many mexican/spanish rice side dishes out there that can be prepared quickly and easily that go well with Bean Burritos. Be sure to use fresh tortilla wraps, regular or whole wheat. Heat canned refried vegetarian beans in a pot while you prepare the rest of the toppings..... shredded cheeses, shredded lettuce, sour cream, avacado, tomatoes, salsa. Make up your wrap and roll it up! It's that easy!

Use all-corn tortillas (soft or hard) to make it Gluten Free!