Maple Spring Garden CSA

For years John and I have been talking about joining a CSA. For those of you that are not familiar with the term, it stands for Community Supported Agriculture. We go to the Durham farmers market each Saturday to buy produce, but sometimes we (and by we, I mean John) have a hard time getting up on Saturday morning to get to the market before all the good produce is sold. We sometimes find ourselves busy on a Saturday morning and cannot make it to the market and a CSA gives us an option for fresh, local produce even no matter our Saturday plans. We will continue to make regular trips to the market to support our  favorite farmers like Piedmont Biofarm, Maple Spring Garden Gardens, Tiny Farm, Four Leaf Farm, and Wild Scallions.  


CSA's and the Durham farmers market appealing to us because all of the farms that sell must have their farm within 75 miles of the market. Therefore, truly selling local food. For the past six years, we have made it a point to purchase as much produce as we can locally. We want to support the local economy, reduce our impact on the environment, know where our food comes, and to be part of our local community. We only purchase from farmers that refrain from selling meat and engage in farming practices that are healthful to the environment (for example, none of the farmers we buy from use pesticides). 


After the advice from friends, we decided to go with Maple Spring Garden CSA. They run a traditional CSA where you can purchase a small or large share and you pick up your order at a specified location each week. We decided to go with a CSA that picked the produce for us. We are not picky when it comes to produce, so we appreciate the surprise each week. It has now been four weeks and we have been impressed with our boxes. We have received broccoli, asparagus, strawberries, turnips, Bibb lettuce, romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, spring mix, leeks, and onions. All of which we have used throughout the week in our meals. 

Our box this week: spring mix, red leaf lettuce, Swiss chard, strawberries, and broccoli

 You don't have to be vegan to enjoy a CSA, it is for anyone. No matter who you are, I recommend you check out a local CSA. Beware though, there are companies that say that they are CSA's, but they provide produce from far away. Stick with those that provide only local produce, preferably from their own farm. I like to know where my produce is coming from and with Maple Spring Garden, I know that they follow organic practices, even though they are not certified as organic. 

Our box last week: turnips, Bibb lettuce, spring mix, arugula, and strawberries

Enjoy your fruits and vegetables! Happy Spring!

Gluten Free- Fad or Forever?

I started typing a status on Facebook and as I typed my second paragraph, I realized that I was in the wrong forum. Remembering that it has been months since I've blogged, I decided to come back blogger and deliver a post. So, hello blogging friends- here I am.

My status on Facebook had to do with a recent phone conversation I had with a local Thai restaurant. I called said restaurant to see if they had gluten free, vegan options. After the guy on the other end explained that they had options for me, he wanted to know why gluten free was the new fad like no MSG was years ago. He preceded to tell me that soon people will abandon gluten free for another fad. As he was speaking, I could hear my heart racing and adrenaline pumping through my body. All I could think was "WTF!! This isn't a fad for me!"

After he was finished speaking, I took a deep breath and calmly explained to him while it might be a fad for some people, those of us that have Celiac Disease have to eat gluten free for the rest of our lives. I explained how I would get "very sick" if I consumed gluten. I said that what I have is an autoimmune disorder and that I have to follow a strict gluten free diet for the rest of my life (even when I say it aloud I think "WHAT THE HELL!"). I could not tell if he did not believe me or if it was the language barrier, but he wanted to keep talking about the new thing that doctors will discover next and tell people not to consume. Again, I calmly explained that the new fad did not matter to me as gluten free (and veganism) will be a part of my life for the rest of my life. 

There is an obvious need for education, especially in the restaurant industry. While this diet may be a fad for some people, it cannot be a fad for me- unless I want to cut my life short. I get frustrated when I meet people who follow the diet halfheartedly as it makes others think that there can be exceptions. Well, good for them, but I cannot make exceptions. Don't get me wrong, I have wanted to make exceptions. There have been several times where I have considered the possibility, then I remind myself of the long-term consequences and I come to the same conclusion. It is not worth it!

So, I ask you this to all of you who follow a gluten free diet -- if you are going to stray from it, please do it discretely. Please do not allow others to think that all gluten freers can make exceptions. In a couple of years you might be back to your old way of eating, but I will not. I'll still be following a gluten free diet because I have to a a vegan diet for the animals and environment.

Letters for Lilly

I know, I know-I promised I'd be back to blogging at the beginning of the 2012. It is now almost March and I'm barely back. I planned to post blogs and to read blogs in January, but I failed. The past couple of months have been...well...let's just say they have been. It is a long story, but there is no need to tell it here. Sometimes we just have to shrug our shoulders and agree that things are what they are and move on.

In the spirit of moving on, I bring you another post about letters. I received a request from a childhood friend, Carrie (also known as "Taweewee"), to make letters for her niece. I agreed, but it took me longer than it should have to complete the letters. She asked me in April and I sent them to her in time for Christmas. I guess they are better late than never.

Carrie informed me that the theme was animals and I wanted to make the letters cute, but not too girlie. Those of you that know me, know my disdain for all things pink and girlie. I just don't get the love that some people have for that color- it makes me want to puke. So do girlie things. The thought of monogrammed handbags, aprons, and floral patterns literally makes my head spin. I must have missed the girlie boat. I'm cool with it though, I like my boat better- it has less flowers. :-)

With the theme information, I made the design my own hoping that it matches Lilly's room. Carrie seemed pleased with the letters and I hope that Lilly enjoys them for years to come! Happy first year, Lilly!

A New Year and a Rebirth

I have been absent from reading and writing blogs in the past month. I have been quite busy with some life changes and the holidays. While things have not slowed down completely, I still plan on coming back. I have a lot of favorite blogs to catch up on as part of my return. I might be slow, but I'm still here.

As you know, it is the new year and time for resolutions and rebirths. I personally have not made any resolutions this year. I find it hard to choose a resolution that I feel committed too. Eighteen years ago, I made a resolution to go vegetarian. That resolution has evolved into becoming a vegan. I can't top that resolution, so I don't try any longer. Instead, I have a life-long resolution to stay vegetarian and continue to increase my compassion and commitment towards animals.

As part of my commitment, I have already made a significant change this year. I gave up my career in the corporate world to pursue my passion for animals. Starting on January 3, I will begin a position with an animal rights organization. (I would love to say more, but I am not sure how much I am allowed to say at this point, so I'll have to speak in general terms.) Words can't express how excited and honored I am to be working for an organization whose mission is similar to how I live my life.

I feel so fortunate to say that I will begin work each day with saving animals from torture, suffering, and pain at the forefront of my thoughts. So many of us go to work each day as drones, working for the weekends. It feels so surreal that I won't have to live my life like that any longer. It reminds me of a quote I saw recently by Confucius that encouraged me to take a chance and apply to this position.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

I try not to kid myself as I know this job won't be perfect, as with any job, but I will always be able to fall back on the passion for animals that I feel. And, while your passions may be different, I hope you will consider the impact you have with each meal you choose to eat. Remember that with each bite you take, you have a chance to make a choice. You can choose to lessen suffering by eating a cruelty-free vegan meal. My wish is that more of the world will come to realize and accept this choice.

Here is to a New Year, a new start, and for pursuing our passions! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Adopt-A-Turkey: It Is Not Too Late!

I have been absent from blogging for several weeks. The short of it is that I have been busy and have not had a chance to focus on blogging. I will get back into the groove at some point in the near future.

I wanted to share the Adopt-A-Turkey project from Farm Sanctuary. If you don't already know about this, I recommend you give this site a view. This campaign offers a humane alternative during Thanksgiving by offering a chance to donate money to sponsor a turkey. It is after Thanksgiving, but not too late to donate to help sponsor a turkey.

As a vegan I do not consume turkey, but felt I needed to do more. Each year John and I donate money to save a turkey. I like the idea of knowing that my money is going directly to the sponsorship of turkeys during this time of year. Not all turkeys are as lucky as those saved by Farm Sanctuary. There are more than 46 million turkeys that are killed each year so that those in the United States can celebrate Thanksgiving. These and all factory farmed turkeys are subject to cruel practices such as being packed into small cages, de-beaking, de-toeing, genetic manipulation, rough handling during transport, hanging from metal shackles, heads submerged in electrified water, throats slashed, and many other awful practices. I hope you will consider being part of the solution this year and future years by having a meatless Thanksgiving and donating to Farm Sanctuary.

I hope you all had a Happy Turkey-free and cruelty-free Thanksgiving!

Mint Hot Chocolate Almond Drink

It is the time of year when you start seeing Silk seasonal creations such as Pumpkin Spice and Nog. I like those well enough, but I'm crazy about the mint chocolate flavor! Facebook has been buzzing with talk about the new flavors in the store (ok, maybe only for those of you with lots of vegan friends). John was at Whole Foods and I asked him to pick up the chocolate mint kind. Much to my dismay, they were out of that kind and only had the pumpkin spice.

I am not a fan of the pumpkin spice. I always expect it to taste like pumpkin and it doesn't. I know it is just the spices from a pumpkin pie, but I want it to taste like pumpkin. Instead of sulking, I decided that I would make my own version of the minty drink. I looked through our cupboards and felt like I had the right combination and got to work. I must say that this recipe is as good as the store bought version. Although, I'll probably still buy it once and a while for a treat!

Mint Hot Chocolate Almond Drink

• 1 cup almond milk (soy or coconut would work too)
• 3 Tbsp vegan, fair trade chocolate chips
• 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp agave nectar
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/8 tsp vanilla extract

Place the soy milk into a small saucepan and turn the heat onto medium. Whisk in the chocolate chips and cocoa powder and whisk until the chips melt. Add in the agave nectar and extracts and whisk again until warm.

Pour into a mug and serve warm!

One Year Ago

One year ago in September I opened our mailbox to find a large envelope addressed to me from my Doctor. I knew some form of communication was coming from him, but my heart still raced as I was unsure of what the communication would say. I felt unsettled as I ran to the house. I stood on the porch and contemplated if I should open the envelope. Once opening it I knew my life would be different, although I did not know how. But I had to open it.

As my fingers trembled, I opened the envelope and read the note. Dear Amanda..... What came next, I could not even decipher because I was in shock as I read the words. The letter informed me that I had Celiac disease and that I would have to start a strict gluten free diet immediately.

I opened the door and walked in the house to John cooking Pad Thai (with wheat noodles nonetheless) and I burst into tears. Concerned, he ran over to me asking what was wrong. I handed him the letter and he read. I knew my life was going to change. I am accustomed to changing my diet as I had done it twice before. Once at the age of 14 when I became vegetarian and then when I became vegan about three years ago. This was different though, this wasn't because I wanted to save animals from a life of torture and suffering. This had nothing to do with a personal conviction. This was because I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.

I did not even want to eat that evening because I knew that our dinner was what was making me sick. John tried to convince me that I should take gradual steps towards gluten free to help ease the transition. Those of you that know me know that when I make a commitment to something I go all in. This would be no different. The next day, I started my gluten free journey.

The good news was that despite having a disease, I did not have to take any drugs. I could control this through diet. When I put it into perspective, it did not seem as tragic as I first thought. I was not being given a death sentence, I was being given a chance to live. I was told that if I did not follow the diet, there was a possibility that I could die early from cancer or get osteoporosis and/or other issues. I am a fighter and I would fight this and win. I would not let Celiac disease defeat me.

It is now a year later and I have lived virtually gluten free for a whole year. I have had a few incidents where I accidentally consumed gluten unknowingly, but I have not once eaten it purposefully. While the feat may seem small to most, this is something that I am proud of myself for accomplishing. I have had many occasions where I have drooled over people enjoying vegan confections, breads, sandwiches, pizza etc. and I stayed strong. I have many flaws and shortcomings, but will power is not one of them. When I set my mind to something I stick with it and having a disease with consequences makes it even more important for me to stay on track.

This past year has been a challenge and I constantly realize areas of my life where I will always be different from others. I identify most with compassionate vegans, but still feel different from them- they can consume gluten. So I find myself in a strange and often lonely category- a Gluten free vegan. It becomes painfully obvious how different I am when folks (usually omnivores) say to me "what the hell can you eat?" I try to spin it in a positive direction.

Most of the people in my life have been supportive. Some of the people in my life have been nothing short of amazing in my journey. John has willingly removed almost all gluten from his diet at home as to make the kitchen a safe place for me. My vegan and vegetarian friends always consider me in making sure there is something gluten free for me to enjoy. My Mom has learned how to bake both gluten free and vegan. This is touching as she is neither gluten free nor vegan. Then there is the amazing blogging community which has shared so many recipes. Without the loving support of John, my parents, and friends I am not sure that I would have made it to a year of success.

Thank you to all of you who have been there with me this past year and have helped me through my journey. Thank you for not making me feel like an outcast and accepting this new version of me. Thank you for listening to my struggles, tears, and successes. I appreciate all of your open ears and hearts and for loving me.

Happy one year.