Favorite Foods, Loss of a Pet, Busy Days..

So hi to all my fabulous readers!! This is a quick post to let you know I'm still here and to let you know what's been going on over here on our little hill in the woods..

It seems like ages since my last post. I have come to the realization that I could apologize for my lack of posts over and over again, but what good would that do?..For now it is how it is, with starting a new business, taking care of three kids (I have two of my own and watch another four year old during the week for a friend), striving to keep a clean house, homeschooling, oh and mix that in with several painful bouts of an ear infection/sinus troubles...well, there aren't enough hours in the day. For now anyway. But, hey...when I can I will post more often. So, don't give up on me ;-) I'd love to post everyday, but it's not a priority right now. I know I've said this before though...I am very glad that many of you are so consistent with your posts as I do allow myself a little time everyday to browse my favorites (you know who you are).

Okay, so the other day my mom-in-law asked me what my favorite food is..or meal. I had to think about this for a minute. Hmmmm....there's so much to choose from. Well, since I was a kid I have always loved rice and beans. Pretty simple, huh? I'm so easy to please. And of course, if you know me even a little bit you would know that I absolutely ADORE green smoothies!! Love, love, love them!! Yep, If I had to be stranded on a deserted island I would choose to have my Vitamix with me and hopefully would have access to lots of fresh foods and could enjoy a green smoothie daily! ;-) Lol.  I seriously could happily live on GS's!!

                                            Green Goodness: Pre Glass Style

This week has been a blur. But, a good blur. I've been marketing lady for my hubby's new civil engineering firm lately. WOWzers...what a job, but one that I am enjoying! It is fun to work along side my dear hubby! If you haven't already checked out Rocky's website, please do so and let us know if you happen to need a civil engineer for a project (he is getting licensed in other states) ( www.rockychambers.com)

Okay, enough with the sales pitch, huh? Well, what can I say...it has been a big part of our lives right now and it's fresh on my mind. ;-)

I am incredibly proud of my hubby for his hard work and dedication! I admire him in countless ways!

Oh, so more news from the home front..our cat ''Yoda" has disappeared. We live on eight acres and he loves to be outdoors, just as we do..he's an inside and outside cat. Honestly, I'm not much of a cat fan, but he quickly became part of the family. We got him shortly before my son was born almost five years ago...well, we haven't seen him in about a month. A friend pointed out that he may have gotten sick and knew he was going to die so maybe he left to do that. That is sad and well, I prefer to think that maybe another family took him into their home (as he didn't have a collar). Happier ending, right?? We do miss him. ;-) I hope he is well.

So, what are your favorite foods? Do you have any pets? Ever venture into starting your own business? Do you feel pressured by the lack of hours in the day sometimes? 

Ever wish you had more time to get it all done?

Have a great rest of the week!!

Sea Travel Planning, Kefir Review, and Green Monsters

Hello to all! I hope this past week has found everyone doing great! Did you notice that I changed the title of my blog again?? Yep, I sure did. Honestly, there seems to be lots of spin off on the phrase 'peace love and happiness' on other blogs...so, I chose to change. It was my attempt at setting myself apart in a little way, I suppose. Don't we all try to be unique? It's either that, or well....I'm fickle. Yes, I'm that too (at times, but becoming less fickle as I get older...at least in my opinion) So, I started to analyze how I eat in general. I came to the conclusion that I love plants! I love love love to eat as naturally and clean as possible.So that is where 'Mama Eats Plants' was born. Basically, as I slowly evolve into a better blogger my blog is evolving along with it. I am not scared to change things if they need changing...including the title. Just going with the flow..

My hubby and I are still discussing and coming up with a strategy to make the 'sail around the world' adventure come alive. We have been looking at sailboats. We are leaning towards a Catamaran at this point in time. Check out this awesome couple who up and decided to travel the world www.bumfuzzle.com. I have a feeling you will be truly inspired to set sail and get exploring. We are getting the bug for sure. Oh and also check out another family who is doing a similar adventure http://hackingfamily.com. Wow, there experiences and stories are awesome!!

Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


Come and check out those sites and then let me know if you they spark your sailing curiosity. Bet they will!

Water kefir update!! This week was our first week trying out the new water kefir. It went great. I started the family out small...just a bit every other day to make sure that it agreed with our tummies. No side effects were noted (or no one complained about any anyway). I have now increased us to consuming some homemade probiotic goodness daily. Yay! I can totally live with getting probiotics daily cheaply and easily. I also love the fact that it is a dairy free source! Right on! You seriously have to try this stuff!  Either order some or get some grains from someone else who is doing this!

I will continue to experiment with the water kefir recipe. As of now I have tried using Florida Crystal's natural cane sugar as my sugar base and have used a bit of sucanat or molasses for extra minerals. I am also using spring water (never use tap as the chlorine will kill the grains) and being that the goal is to keep the grains happy, remember this.) ;-) I am keeping the fermentation period to 48 hours...my attempt to keep the alcohol level lower. You can ferment up to five days. 48 hours is working out great for me and my crew! Oh and one other thing to remember is to never use metal with your grains like a metal strainer or metal utensils..always use plastic or glass!! Good to know, right?? ;-)

So how are my kids liking the taste of the kefir? Well, so glad you asked...my daughter loves it plain, as do I. My husband, Rocky (yes, his REAL name) and my son do not. So we come to a happy little compromise and I put it in GREEN MONSTER and it works. If you are unfamiliar with green monsters aka green smoothies, check out the green monster movement site and see this wonderful resource  that  Angela from Oh She Glows blog got started. You won't be disappointed! Lots of yummy recipes found there! Green Smoothies are a great way to pack in lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Yay for nutrient-packed foods!! Gotta love foods that make our insides happy and strong all while making our taste buds sing. Oh yea!

Have you tried water kefir? How about green smoothies? Ever travel the world by boat or maybe tossed the idea around?  I would love to hear from you...please let me know if you've struck gold in any of these avenues! Have a great week!

I've got so much more to say, but will have to wait for next post. Must go for a run, do some push-ups and some ab work...and hubby will need the only (and lonely) computer for work soon,too! (We MUST get a laptop when we are able. My posts will be more frequent at that time I'm hoping.-Yay!) At least for now...I have my once a week posting..that keeps me sane. I would explode if I couldn't share my love of health. Anywho, starting your own business takes time, and I am so proud of Rocky! He is such a talented, hard worker. I admire him greatly! Go check out My Dear Husband's Site...it's coming along nicely! Still trying to come up with a slogan for his business. Any ideas? ;-)

 For breakfast this morning I've got Easy Vegan Overnight Oats waiting for us. My kids love it and so do I! It's a win-win, I tell ya!  I really need to get me some fancy bowls and parfait glasses like Angela (A blog that I love, if you can't already tell).

Peace & Love!

Wheat Grass: My Next Sprout

I have been looking for new things to add to my green smoothies...My wonderful husband asked me if I have ever thought about adding wheat grass to my smoothies. Great question from a great man! I have heard about wheat grass, but didn't really know too much about it. I am currently doing some research on it and hope to be sprouting some soon. Will keep you updated as to what I find out. Sprouting pictures to come when they sprout.


This is a great video put together by the Sprout People http://www.sproutpeople.com. So interesting watching it sprout and so quickly. 

Oh The Joys of My Vitamix!

Product Spotlight: Vitamix Blender 
Please note that I am not, in any way, connected to Vitamix...I simply LOVE the product! 


I have gone through my share of blenders in my day. The Vitamix,is by far, the best one I have used thus far. I have used it to make homemade peanut butters (which, if I can't buy Smucker's Natural or happen to have bought lots of peanuts in bulk, I choose to make my own. One of my biggest pet peeves is peanut butter with all those nasties added like hydrogenated oils and sugars.I mean, seriously, why ruin a good thing? Leave well enough alone!


I have also made almond butters in the Vitamix. I currently am trying my hand at making soups in the Vitamix. I also use the Vitamix daily for my beloved green smoothies. 


The Vitamix is amazing at grinding things up..oh, I have fried some blender motors in the past..this one really does seem to keep up with my frequent use. I have been very pleased with this product. I would say that it is my favorite kitchen gadget thus far! I am looking forward to eventually getting the Vitamix dry blade for grinding up my own grains! Product review to come on that when it is finally in my kitchen. ;-)

We enjoyed the above smoothie for lunch today..yum yum.
Here is the recipe for the smoothie:


Lots of organic spinach (I would say about three large handfuls)
handful of green grapes
5 strawberries
fresh ground flaxseeds
3 organic Fuji apples
2 bananas
1 kiwi
water


Yummy and oh so filling!

My Green Smoothie Addiction

I admit it....I am addicted to green smoothies. I really can't get enough of them. The kids and hubby like them, which is wonderful!! It is true...you really do start to crave them after awhile. They are cool, refreshing, and incredibly filling and nutritious!

I must admit that at first I was skeptical. I was very much accustomed to fruit smoothies. Though, I have always made them a bit "different" as some might say. Green smoothies allow you to take in more fruits and veggies more easily in the drinkable form.

A friend, who also has an amazing Vitamix blender, told me about green smoothies and referred me to a starter recipe from the Vitamix recipe book, so I gave it a try. I loved it and now have been exploring the vast world of green smoothie making...including different types of fruit for different flavors and nutritional benefits.

One thing I always try to include in my green smoothies are freshly ground flaxseeds. I grind mine up in a coffee grinder and keep leftover in the freezer to keep the nutritional content in tact and to keep them from going rancid (which happens quickly). Our bodies cannot get the nutrition found inside the flaxseed if eaten in the whole seed form. They must be ground up first.

Okay, back to green smoothies....I have always struggled with anemia. My iron level just seems to run a bit low, which can lead to fatigue. Since I have been having at least one green smoothie a day for a while now my iron level is up to an excellent level. I do not think this is a coincidence. Yay for green smoothies!! Enjoy one today! They are addictive, though let me warn you. ;-)

Here is a YouTube video on how to make a green smoothie that I find pretty amusing as well as informative. I will be trying the dulse flakes and hempseeds soon!