Yoga Yogi Yoda  

Friday, January 29, 2010




You know how it is, everyone and their dog says 'oh, eating well, exercise, yoga and meditation- these things will change your life for the better'. And your always like, 'yeah, yeah, yeah - what ev'. You may even rolls your eyes and briefly consider violence.



So, we go through our lives, doing what we do, trying to do good things when we can, just trying to get through the day without quitting our job or eating our weight in chocolate. Right? Come on, I know I'm not the only one.







Then one day, you try to do something good for yourself. You may go for a long walk and feel really good. Or, switch your pasta out for whole wheat pasta. And it's good. These are baby steps, but you notice that you feel a bit better.



Well, I have to say, I've been eating better and doing yoga and meditating. And I feel really good. No, don't roll your eyes! It's actually true, er, who knew? Ok, shut it.






Anyway, the yoga alone is amazing! I feel sooooooooo much better and WAY less stressed. I feel like I can think with clarity, I don't have all the static in my brain. My body is happier, I feel like I can handle anything. Really, it is as good as all those annoying people say it is.




Who knew?

- Melina.


AddThis Social Bookmark Button


Happy Vegans  

Monday, January 25, 2010

Alicia Silverstone's cookbook


Well, in the last little while, there have been two, count 'em, two lovely new vegan cookbooks released. And, thanks to generous friends and family over the holiday season, we pooled our bookstore gift cards and got both of them! We felt so wealthy.

The one I grabbed first was 'The Kind Diet' by Alicia Silverstone. There is lots of great info in this book. It sometimes goes a little hippie-dippy at times, but so has it's heart in the right place. Also, some of the ingredients seem sorta tricky to find. We are planning a special trip to the Asian grocer to get some of the more exotic stuff. But, I love the heartwarming stories and there are some really good-looking things. I've only made the 'peanut' butter cups. We used cashew butter, as Denise and peanuts do not mix.

Next, we bought Tal Ronnen's 'The Conscious Cook'. Oh, my, I wonder if he is single. We first saw him on, yes I'm a bit embarrassed, the Oprah show. But the food looked so good. And, my is it! We made the asparagus soup and the 'almond' encrusted fake chicken. WOW! So friggin' good. He (as far as I'm concerned) created the cashew cream, and it is used as a cream substitute. Genius!

The soup was so good, we made it again two days later! I so can't wait to make more things, out of both books. Tal is a trained French chef, so not as much organic-up-your-bum-ness. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to grow my own organic food, and buy only organic, but until I'm rich, I can't bloody afford it. Love both books.


-Melina. : )







AddThis Social Bookmark Button


Tetris Thumb  

Thursday, January 21, 2010




So, I had the dreaded Car-Pool-Tunnel, and have since made a full recovery. Now, I suffer from Tetris-Thumb. Shock horror!



Two days ago, when our 'stoopid puters' went bust, I was all like, "oh, man, I'm gonna be so bored without it". Nevermind I'm only on the computer when blogging. Usually I'm either in my kitchen (being master of my universe), or sewing at what used to be our dining table.



I totally downloaded Tetris to my phone, 'just in case'. Now I have a sore thumb. : (






But, apparently, Tetris increases brain efficiency. So, a sound investment in my brain health, I say.



And I feel like a bit of a boob. Totally my fault. Nuts.





- Melina.



AddThis Social Bookmark Button


Sew Excited, Fancy Pants  

Thursday, January 14, 2010

This is a 'look how far we've come' moment-type blog post. Why? I'm finally getting some professional labels for my bags n' stuff. I'm really excited and will soon place the order. I've been wanting to have pretty labels for awhile, and with the success of the past 11 months I feel now I can have them. Yay!


When I get them, I will show them off!!!


-Melina. : D


AddThis Social Bookmark Button


2009 is Gone, Hello 2010  

Wednesday, January 6, 2010




Well, it was a great year. Denise and I started the store in February, when the first listings were listed. Oh, the horror of those nasty first photos with the sad old camera. They came a long way if I do say so myself.

We had really mindblowingly exciting highs, and some uberpoopy pits of hades lows. Denise rubbed her forehead as if doing a business plan several times. I pleaded with fabric and various sewing implements to 'just do what I f***ing want you to f***ing do', and I said 'bugger' a lot.

There where many 'business' meetings with Effiehandmade. To whom I owe a debt of gratitude for the oodles of advice and super kind words of encouragement. She is one smart lady. She even reads instructions and stuff.

I would like to thank the friends and family (and you know who you are *wink, wink*) for all their 'card' carrying support. We couldn't have done it without you. Hugs!!!

And, man I'm getting all gushy now, thanks to the best-est business partner and BFF in the world, my sister Denise. I would not do this wacky thing with anyone else. Even after all the temper tantrums and screaming and dippy bakes. 'Ain't no stoppin' us now.... we're on the move'!!!

Here's to the splendors of 2010. F*** yeah!!!




Ok, starting the year looking for my Jamie Fraser!



Running though every pair of standing stones I can find.


OMG!!! Look, a young Jamie!!! Bliss.



- Melina

AddThis Social Bookmark Button


 

Layout by Amanda @ Blogger Buster - Graphics by Rowan Tree Design