Hello Friends!
I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the change of seasons as much as I am. I hope you’ve been able to check out my new Bullfrogs and Bulldogs blog. You can go to it by clicking on the link above or here.
There is a brand spankin’ new email subscription button at the top right hand corner. I’d love it if you would subscribe to hear more about the vineyard, the farm, all the lovely animals, my cooking (or attempt at), and much more!
All the best,
Amanda
Hello Friends!
I’m excited to finally be able to give you the link to my new blog layout. Same blog, new layout. The new address is: www.bullfrogsandbulldogs.com
I will no longer be posting on this site so make sure you subscribe to my new one if you’re interested in following me!
It’s still a work in progress but I love the new look and have to give a big thanks to Krista at 237 Marketing + Web and Ashley Lippard Design.
Let me know what you think and remember to subscribe by clicking on the RSS Feed button!
~Amanda
It seems like almost every other day I’m hearing of someone else who was recently diagnosed with cancer. It really breaks my heart. As someone who comes from a family of many cancer survivors, I find myself often thinking about that nasty ‘C’ word and all the causes, the various treatments, what I would do if I was ever diagnosed.
It also seems like more and more young adults are being diagnosed and there are more and more blogs dedicated to the fight. Isn’t that sad? On one hand its wonderful that people choose to write about their journey publicly so others can relate, understand, and see what one goes through to fight for their life. On the other hand, its terrifying to realize that so many people need to do so. That there are so many blogs, websites, cancer researches, treatment options, surgery options, diets, and more terrifying of all, deaths.
Awhile back my friend forwarded me a link to a blog written by a young woman in her early twenties who was treating a rare form of cancer called Epitheloioid Sarcoma in her left hand and arm. After trying the conventional route of having a high dose of chemo pumped through her, Jessica’s scans showed she was cancer free. Unfortunately, this lasted less than a year. Suddenly she was faced with the decision of whether or not to amputate her left arm just below the shoulder for a better chance of survival. Jessica felt they’re had to be another solution and after declining her doctor’s recommendation, she and her family began the journey of researching alternative treatment options and came across The Gerson Therapy.
Now I feel like I should make a disclaimer here. I don’t necessarily believe everyone should only follow the alternative route when fighting cancer or any other disease. I believe there is a place for all medicine and am featuring this blog on my site because I want everyone to understand that. I believe your diet and the way you take care of yourself is just as important as your treatment in fighting cancer and other diseases. It really comes down to understanding everything that is going into your body and why.
I really like this blog for a few reasons. I’m inspired by Jessica’s courage to listen to her instinct and do what felt right for her. I also really love the information she provides in her post. She offers up everything from information on The Gerson Therapy itself to well researched facts on cancer, treatments, diet, exercise, and the mind-body relationship, to name a few.
No one knows how they will react if they get that dreaded news. Nobody should have to get that news at all. Now we all have one more resource for ourselves, for loved ones, for everyone! So check out The Wellness Warrior.
Dear Readers,
Bullfrogs and Bulldogs is moving to a new site. When exactly is TBD but it is coming soon as in the next couple of days I believe! Stay tuned for a brand new look that I am so excited to share!
Best,
Amanda
The other day upon arriving home from work I walked through the door and blurted out my good news, “I have a friend!” I said it with such excitement I surprised myself a little. David on the other hand looked at me with a confused look on his face.
“Well, that’s good news.” He replied. Still a little bewildered by my announcement.
I moved to Oregon the last week in May and over the last couple of months I’ve realized how much I miss having someone, besides my boyfriend, to talk to and hangout with. Not that I don’t love spending as much time as possible with him but as you get older I think you recognize how important having some close friends are. Plus, I think he gets a little tired of hearing about how bloated I feel and how I have nothing to wear.
Friends are important to your social life and to your sanity.
It’s hard not to get into a groove where your life becomes somewhat robotic. Friends, I believe, mix up the monotony that we all create in our lives at times. That shopping date or lunch with the girlfriends is something to look forward to. It’s free therapy, its laughter, its support and love and if your friends are those of great quality, it’s truth staring right back at you.
Friends add so much to your life.
The other night David and I, okay, David made Indian Curry for dinner. It was perfect for the blustery Sunday evening as we got cozy on the couch in front of the fire. We just bought a rice cooker and accompanied the curry with a steamy hot coconut rice with fresh cilantro. It was delicious!
As we continue to play with vegetarian meals, we have realized various curries are a particular treat. Sometimes vegetarian meals can come off boring and lack something to be desired but with curries, wow! Your mouth is in a constant state of trying to identify all the flavors.
In my quest to find new and interesting blogs, I came across Just Home Made while looking through the blog list on Herbivoracious.
According to Radhika, the author, Just Home Made “is mostly about food that reminds us of home; that, which enriches us, comforts us and brings back old memories from childhood and good times with friends and family. Recipes here are a reflection of me, my roots, who I was, who I am and who I will be as I evolve with the foods I discover.”
I hope you enjoy discovering some new and tasty meatless meals as much as I do!
Happy Friday!
The weather forecast for the valley has us at about 10 days of non-stop rain. None-Stop-Rain. I just checked the forecast and we are supposed to get over an inch of rain in the next 24 hours.
And so it begins.
Long gone are the days of walking barefoot through the grass as the hot rays of the sun kiss your tan skin and drops of sweat bead up, slowly sliding down your back. We made our first fire late Sunday morning and stoked the charcoal logs until we went to bed last night.
Outside, sounds that would resemble WWI echo from all sides but the normalcy of cannons and shotguns being fired start to go unnoticed and everyone goes about their day knowing that it is necessary. This is wine country after all and as we near harvest, the threat of bird damage to the grapes has to be controlled. Someway or another.
As I enter my second season in my new home I once again find myself learning something new. I’m use to rain. I grew up in Seattle after all, but that was different. Here, I’m miles away from entertainment that is at your fingertips and any friends for that matter. Instead I may have to dig a little deeper and find that girl who was once so creative and imaginative. Maybe this is perfect weather to finally teach myself how to sew or heaven forbid, maybe its perfect weather to cozy up on the couch and read a book. An actual book.
That sounds delightful. Any recommendations?
I’ve never really been one to crave meat products but as active as I am, I’ve always thought I needed to consume some amount of lean protein so I’ve always eaten it. Minus the few times I’ve tried going vegetarian only to fail…miserably (and gain 10 lbs), I’ve always eaten chicken, turkey, red meat, and pork but never really felt great after doing so. Not to mention that I am a lover of all animals and would try to save just about anything if I was permitted to do so, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for me to be a carnivore and I’ve always struggled with that aspect as well.
The other misconception I struggled with was the notion I’d be missing out on necessary nutrient such as B12, Iron, Zinc, Calcium, and Omega Fatty Acids if I skipped out on meat. In reality, these vitamins and minerals are more prevalent in various dried fruits and leafy green vegetables then in a hunk of red meat.
Recently we’ve tried to significantly cut the amount of meat and dairy products we eat in this household while still keeping things interesting in the kitchen. We’ve been consuming lots of beans, rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables, and fruits and feeling a lot more energetic with doing so. We’ve both leaned out, started running again, and my skin has cleared up completely. Now we’re not going around calling ourselves vegetarian or vegan for that matter. I’m sure there will be moments when curiosity (or our taste buds) will get he best of us. But we are happier knowing that we are living, for us, a healthier lifestyle that meets our needs.
With all this being said, today’s Feature Friday is a blog dedicated to vegetarian. Michael Natkin, a native of my hometown Seattle, specializes in reinventing vegetarian cuisine in his blog, Herbivoracious. He is also in the process of writing a cookbook scheduled to be released in Spring of 2012. He’s blog had me at Coconut Rice with Black Beans, Plantains, and Mango Salsa and that he included a Gluten-Free section makes me feel all warm and fuzzy with gratitude. I hope you enjoy looking through his various recipes and perhaps it will inspire you as well!
Now the tough part, what the heck are we going to do with 22 chickens? Who wants a chicken?
I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed with the amount of tomatoes in my garden that are still green. It’s September 27th and my tomatoes, despite a few, could be mistaken for one of the green variety yet they are supposed to be red or orange. However, I did manage to harvest some red Roma and orange Heirlooms and they are beautiful.
I was wondering what to do with them and I knew I didn’t want to go the traditional route, ie: slice them up, throw some salt and pepper, a little olive oil and just eat them or make tomato sauce. I wanted to think outside the box a little and then David mentioned I should make tomato jam and that is what I did yesterday. Despite being was weary about how it would actually taste, to my surprise it turned out delicious!
I adapted my recipe from one I found in the NY Times and from one I found on the blog Sassy Radish. Here is what I ended up doing:
I used about two pounds of various tomatoes.
Then I began by removing the skins from each tomato but take it from me, don’t do it with a vegetable peeler. Did you know there is actually a specific technique for removing tomatoes skins? I didn’t until David walked in the kitchen and saw my messy attempt at peeling them and chuckled when asking me what I was doing.
“Removing the skins” I said.
“You know there is an easier, not to mention cleaner way of doing that, right? He replied
“Oh” was all I said in return.
After he explained said technique I decided I would just continue doing it my way telling him I wanted to feel rustic when in reality, I was already on the last tomato and it seemed a bit of a pain to boil a pot of water, cut an X in the bottom of the last tomato, place it in the boiling water, and then effortlessly pull the skin off.
After I peeled all the tomatoes I placed them into a pot and added the following:
1 green apple, peeled and chopped up
1/2 chopped onion
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup cane sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. coriander
dash of cumin
Juice of half a lemon
Put all ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let ingredients simmer for about 3 hours.
This morning I had breakfast
I was walking around the property today taking in the last bit of warmth we had here in the valley as the clouds drifted in and signs of autumn crept in with it. The weather is supposed to change to rain tomorrow and I made sure to take a moment (or two) and really enjoy wearing a tank top and walking barefoot through the grass. I happen to have a camera with me and captured a few shots as well.
Bullfrogs and Bulldogs 