Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Check out my new look!

Hi bloggies!
How are you today?
I started out today like I usually do. With a smoothie! What a shocker right. I don't think I can focus with out one anymore. I made my usual garlic smoothie, apple, garlic, kale, frozen banana, ground ginger, cinnamon and flax seed, followed with a splash of water and some ice. Pretty isn't it!
This is Chris' favorite smoothie believe it or not and he will practically turn in circles to get one...lol

I have been laying around for the past few days after having my wisdom tooth removed on Tuesday. Normally I wouldn't be such a baby, but the tooth broke and then I bit my cheek and it got infected, so I feel awful. Not to mention the snow and freezing rain that is pelting us these past three days.
My psoriatic arthritis is really playing havoc in my achilles heel on my right foot.
It makes me limp like I am 90...or a pirate...lol
I am loading up on garlic and smoothies, eating loads of vegetables trying to combat the cold and the arthritis! I am counting the days until spring...
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So, I changed up my blog a little to entertain myself tonight, check it out and see if you like it and let me know your thoughts!
I think it is cute with the colored silverware and just a basic design.
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I am in need of soup recipes, my husband is not a soup eater, but he is going to try to go vegan in February. Most of you eat alot of soup, like normal people. I eat soup almost everyday for lunch, it is simple, cheap and filling. Chris is not normal, he thinks soup is not filling.
So here is what I need friends.
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Soups that are hearty and healthy, inexpensive and tasty!!!
I know it is alot to ask, but I am desperate for something to feed him for lunch and my food is WAY to clean for him. I need to lure him into the vegan lifestyle with hearty delicious soups that are healthy, and since I read almost every single one of you, I know you all make delicious healthy food!!
How about a little competition?
To make this fun, I can spotlight the soups I try and put them on the blog! Please send me a recipe or link to your favorite soup. My family will test them and our favorite soup will win a prize!!!
Does this sound fun?
The prize will be something fun and exciting. I won't tell you what it is (because I don't know yet), but you will like it!!!
Start sending me your recipes either on my blog or e-mail me. I will start this Soup Fest February 1st and it will end February 21st.


I am so excited!!!
Viv~

33 comments:

Millie said...

I am now publishing a soup of the week on a weekly bases throughout January & February...check out my soup file for the recipes...hope you feel better soon, I know how you feel...a couple of years ago I had all four of them taken out at once.

VivaciousVegan said...

Well that would be terrible. I cannot imaine them all coming out at once! Yikes!
Thanks Millie
Viv~

Matthew (Vegan Heartland) said...

I had all 4 of mine taken out a couple of years ago too. It was not fun! Have you seen my recipe for minestrone? It's one of my favorite recipes!

http://moreleaflessbeef.blogspot.com/2011/01/minestrone-one-pot-wonder.html

Claire said...

I hope you want a bunch!

Peanut soup

Two spinach lentil soup recipes

Baked split pea and lentil soup

Grilled Vegetable tortilla soup but this one is light - you might want to add some black or cannellini beans to it.

VivaciousVegan said...

Matthew, I will go check it out! Thank you
Viv~

VivaciousVegan said...

Claire, I look forward to testing them out!!! Thanks alot and good luck!
Viv~

VivaciousVegan said...

Claire, I look forward to testing them out!!! Thanks alot and good luck!
Viv~

Valerie Goes Vegan said...

Hey, thanks so much for the comment! I love your blog and am excited to follow it! :)

VivaciousVegan said...

Hi Valerie! That is so sweet!
I hope you enjoy my blog!
Don't forget to loan me a soup recipe!!
Viv~

Matthew (Vegan Heartland) said...

How much garlic, water, and ice do you usually put in your smoothies?

VivaciousVegan said...

Matthew
I use this recipe the most

5 lemons, halved
3 frozen banana's
3 cups of kale leaves, trimmed off of stems
1 bunch of parsley
1 tsp. garlic
1 cup water
16 oz. ice
1/2 tsp. powdered ginger
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. flax seed, ground
I almost never change my ice ratio. If you haven't tried garlic in your smoothies yet, you might want to start with the end of a tsp. and work up to my amount. You can taste the garlic in our smoothies.
You also do not need the lemon or parsley either, I use that to combat my PsA.(psoriatic atrthritis)Just use orange juice or a cut up apple. Or just water.
If you need any help just let me know! I hope this helps.

Wendy said...

Looking forward to sending in my favorite soup recipes, but they may be too "clean" for your hubby! Also, check into a book called Saved by Soup. It's got great photos and recipes and maybe your husband could put post-it notes on the ones that he would like to try. It's got every variety of healthy soup known to man in it.

janet said...

Hope you are feeling better!

I have had a smoothie each day for breakfast for years, on the rare day that I miss, I just don't feel good.

Like you, I can't imagine life without soup ;)And it's all good, but here are two of my favorites

pea soup-

http://www.meatlessmama.com/2009/03/sunday-supper.html

and hungarian green bean soup-

http://www.meatlessmama.com/2010/06/hungarian-green-bean-soup.html

Teresa said...

Lookin' good, Sweetie!

VivaciousVegan said...

Wendy, I clean up all types of soup for Chris and slide them past him. If it has garnish on the top, any type too, he usually is in. My husband is so silly, I can't wait to see, and I will check that book out!
Viv~

VivaciousVegan said...

Janet, I can't wait to try your soups! YAY!
Viv~

VivaciousVegan said...

Teresa,
Thanks girlie!!!
Viv~

Vegan Valerie said...

Removing wisdom teeth is NOT fun. I'm sorry to hear that you had to go through that.

Chris makes me laugh! He sounds precious and stubborn, like my Jordan. :) I hope he comes around and decides he likes soup.

Come to think of it, Jordan also didn't always like soup for the same reason you say Chris doesn't, the belief that it isn't very filling. But he seems to enjoy it well enough now, so I think there's hope for Chris!

(Not that Jordan ever makes soup--I'm the one that does that. He makes banana bread and cookies and baked stuff like that. Anyway...)

Love ya! :D

VivaciousVegan said...

Valerie,
I wish Chris does not make anything..nothing. I am glad Jordan makes baked goodies for you. You forgot to leave me a soup recipe to try...It will be fun!
Hugs,
B~

kimberly said...

i don't have a soup recipe b/c i enjoy progesso lentil soup and that is the only lame soup i eat besides chili (not really soup, more like stew?)

anyway, i wanted to tell you that i share in your yearning for spring. the midwest is harsh and always leaves me wanting for some warmth by this time.

i hope you start feeling better soon. hang in there!

thevegantummy said...

What fun! I love the idea and I love your new look!

I've made this soup several times and so have my friends. It's easy and it's a hit with everyone... vegan or not.

Try the "Butternut Squash Soup" at http://www.thevegantummy.blogspot.com

thevegantummy said...

Here are two more I'm proud of...

St. Patrick’s Day Potato Leek Soup

Cannellini Bean Soup with Garlic

That's it...
I promise.

http://thevegantummy.blogspot.com

VivaciousVegan said...

Kimberly, Thank you for the well wishes, I am feeling better already! Feel free to send me your stew recipes too, as I am open to all different types of soups and stews!!
Viv~

VivaciousVegan said...

Vegan tummy- Thank you for the compliments!! I will grab the recipes this weekend. I am looking forward to trying them out!!!

Vegan Epicurean said...

Sorry it took me so long to stop by. My life is crazy hectic at the moment. I have quite a few favorites most of which I will email you links to but our absolute favorite (and the hubbies) is my Moroccan Chickpea stew.

http://veganepicurean.blogspot.com/2011/01/simple-moroccan-stew-and-ian-made.html

talk to you later,
Ali

Vegan Epicurean said...

Here is another good one: "cream of krab with marasala".

http://veganepicurean.blogspot.com/2010/12/creme-of-krab-soup-kissed-with-marsala.html

Ai

Vegan Epicurean said...

Another one: "split pea with smoked mushrooms and truffle cream"

http://veganepicurean.blogspot.com/2010/10/split-pea-soup-with-smoked-wild.html

Ali

Vegan Epicurean said...

Found another one: "Turkish Barley and Sour Cashew Cream Soup"

http://veganepicurean.blogspot.com/2010/08/turkish-barley-and-sour-cashew-creme.html

Ali

Vegan Epicurean said...

I'm back ... LOL, "African Tomato and Peanut Soup"

http://veganepicurean.blogspot.com/2010/01/african-tomato-and-peanut-soup.html

Ali

Vegan Epicurean said...

This will be it for me tonight. If I think of any more tomorrow I will add them. How about "Yellow Split Pea with Coconut, Spinach and Kaffir Lime Leaves"?

http://veganepicurean.blogspot.com/2010/01/yellow-split-pea-soup-with-coconut-milk.html

talk to you tomorrow,
Ali

VivaciousVegan said...

Alicia, I am literally laughing my butt off, you crack me up!
LOL
I can't wait to try these!
B~

Tiffany said...

Viv, this is so awesome. Here are some of my favorites: 10, 23, 47, 57!!!, (you've already done 67!), 104! I love everything about this post and your vitality to recognize and cherish the things in your life that are blessings, while striving to be a better person! Balance and acceptance, drive and passion! Did I mention that I love this post? P.S... I added you to my blogroll, I hope that's ok!

VivaciousVegan said...

Thank you for adding me TIffany, you are so sweet~
Viv~