Friday, October 21, 2011

Worm Holes and Donuts


Fresh Vegan donuts are something I figured I'd have to make myself or simply forget about.  Donuts, you tasty devils you!  I remember, when I was younger, and my dad and I would stop at Dunkin Donuts and I loved getting the french cruller and a glazed donut, usually strawberry with sprinkles.  That would be my breakfast.  I know, so not my style, nor the healthiest way to start one's morning, but some of my favorite memories!  I still love donuts.  I also used to claim my favorite breakfast as 5 or 6 of those mini powdered donuts that you can buy at gas stations!  HAHAHA!  Loved those little things, and loved the excessive amount of powdered sugar on them.  My parents (I love you!) didn't encourage this habit.  I'm pretty sure they were somewhat worried actually ;)

I let go of donuts as I became healthier and when I went Vegan, that was essentially it for my love affair.  Until today.  I went to Wicker Park today to just get out of the house, enjoy the sunny day, and eat FRESH vegan donuts!  Only one actually, but I could have had more, no doubt mwahaha!  I found out this little hipster cafe called Worm Hole Cafe makes and sells vegan donuts, scones, and muffins.  How lucky am I! It tasted like pure heaven filled with nostalgia in every savored bite.  I sound obsessed.  I am a little bit.  I enjoyed it with a vegan hot chocolate.  Perfection.

This cafe is filled with studious early 20's people, who look like they would very easily fit into a crowd of extras for the Big Bang Theory.  I mean that in the most loving way.  I love the vibe here.  You walk in to be greeted by a replica of the Back to the Future car, a warm cozy table filled room, and usually a group of said people playing mario on the original Nintendo.  More childhood memories.  It is also right next to another great place Native Foods Cafe, which I can hop over to for a real meal, like a vegan bacon cheese burger, or homemade vegan pumpkin pie (that counts as a real meal).

Yay Chicago, showing me your hidden gem of a neighborhood and some wonderful chill spots.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A Granola Giveaway

For those of you who love granola, look no further.  While I have not yet personally tried this brand, I've heard some great things.  Nuts About Granola is the company and they use some top quality local ingredients.  For a much better description and evaluation of this granola company and their Plain Jane Peanut Butter Granola, check out one of my favorite bloggers, Cinnamon Bums.  This post dishes it all.

I do love a good granola myself, but have generally found them too sweet for my liking, which gives me sugar cravings for the rest of the day.  Also, I miss eating granola with yogurt, something I have yet to find a satisfyingly convenient replacement for now that I'm vegan.  Miguel does love his granola, which he mixes lovingly with milled flax seeds and fruit yogurt.  I do smoothies, he does granola.  Opposite textures, but both are satisfying :D

Enjoy breakfast!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Strength

Wish I was there too
I went to an Ashtanga Yoga class this afternoon and I have noticed that my strength and endurance have significantly changed!  How exciting, I know.  It is great to feel stronger and more capable.  I love it.  I've been working hard, and giving myself adequate rest so that I can become a stronger person in mind and body.  It has been working.  My mind is clearer than ever, I feel relaxed and stable, and my body is carrying me and working wonderfully.

At that start of the classes we have a moment of meditation where we are to set an intention for the practice.  I have used Phyllis, my dearest "adopted" grandmother who I love dearly as my focus for practice on occasions.  I hold poses longer for her well-being and happiness and I direct my energy to be with her and help her body heal.  She is fighting cancer elegantly and like the hard-core woman that she has always been.  She is, to me, the epitome of strength, in character and in body.

Strength comes in many different ways, and we are all exceptionally strong people.  Usually much stronger than we might initially suppose.  So here's to you, strong wonderful people!  Let it out because your power is within you!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Success & Happiness

I am very jobless right now.  I actually have a fair amount of people who are "connected" and have offered to put in a good word for me in various locations from the Intercontinental Hotel to fancy restaurants.  The thing is, as nice as the idea of making more money is, I don't see myself at those kinds of places much longer.  I have changed a lot in the past few years, well the past year particularly, and I love the idea of doing something for people on a more personal level.  Simpler things like working at a cafe, baby sitting, working with kids, helping people who actually need help.  I want to do something to legitimately spread love and make some people's lives easier.  More and more I see that as success and happiness.

So what am I doing?  I applied to establishments that I respect and would genuinely love to work at, like Native Foods Cafe or Sweet Cakes Bakery.  In the mean time I need to pay next month's rent, so baby sitting is calling me.  I just applied today to 3 positions, and hopefully something wonderful will come out of that.  I think it will.  I've learned persistence doesn't always pay off, but sometimes it does!

Give a smile today to a stranger.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Welcome to the Midwest

I have moved!  I'm in chicago!  The midwest!  I am still figuring things out, trying to find a job and such, but I'm enjoying the city so far.  It is clean and a lot friendlier than New York or Providence.  Fewer cat calls and more warm greetings :D  There is also a big vegan community, which I did not know of before.  I've already visited the Chicago Diner, an AMAZING vegan restaurant here that had the most heavenly pumpkin cheese cake.

I'm doing yoga teacher training here, and am really enjoying it.  The girls are great, the teachers friendly and knowledgeable, and the studies are relevant to life!  Imagine that!  It is so refreshing to study relevant material that applies to happiness and self-growth.

I have many goals these days.  They include, but are certainly not limited to finding a fulfilling job for a company or persons that I agree with, being mindful in eating and living and loving, be more active in my blog, and meet wonderful people.  It is also to not freeze or get blown away when the Chicago winter arrives.  I'm sure it will be fine!

I've been so very fortunate to have had 70 and 80 degree weather here since I landed.  Imagine that in October, well, I'm sure many people out there are also experiencing it.  Today things begin to cool off, and I'm hoping I'm ready.  The warm sunny weather has given me the opportunity to walk around, explore, and get my bearing a bit in this new place.  Rain and cold would have kept me inside and that would have felt rather isolating.

I know people here too, which is a comfort, and a change from what I regularly do.  I get a slight advantage to seeing the area and plenty of tips and tricks to getting around.  This is a new adventure and I'm excited!