So, just as soon as I announce things have calmed down, and I can blog regularly, I get hit at a stop light. Yep, just that fast.

Then, as if that wasn't enough of a stressor, Monday night E decided it would be a great idea to scale her crib and fall over the top rail. A little over three feet in the air, and boom! Down she went. After a long phone call to her doctor, several anti-crib-climbing purchases later, and some atypical temporary solutions, we have managed to ward off a repeat fall. We aren't out of the clear yet, but so far... I can sleep.

Then, Wednesday morning, my car decided to just shut off on an exit ramp off the highway. We have yet to discover if it's related to the accident, but it was a long, horrible, terrible day. We managed to get it towed... twice, and secure a rental car. (Hyundai Sonatas are where it's at!) Now, we wait....

Despite having one of the longest and worst weeks ever, I have kept true to giving Veganism a try, and have made a few Vegan meals. I've also explored some Vegan blogs, and found some new favorites. I've especially fallen in love with Sam from It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken. Her personality is bubbly, but relatable, and her enthusiasm for cooking really shows in her beautiful, low maintenance recipes. Her blog (overall) is super pleasing to the eye as well. I'm looking forward to trying her Vegan French Toast this weekend!

Another new favorite is Yup.. It's Vegan! She's based out of Baltimore, MD, which I find a little funny. Now that I'm here (Oregon), she's there (Maryland). You know? Veganism was not at all popular on my side of the Chesapeake Bay, so it's crazy to think there was someone on the other side, about an hour or so away, all along. Anyway, her One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta was quick and delicious. It's just like fettuccine alfredo, but I can eat it without digestive discomfort, because there aren't any of the no-no ingredients I can't tolerate! Next time I plan to add some broccoli florets and a side of garlic bread, and double the recipe.... because there was just barely enough for the four of us as it was.

The other Vegan meal I tried this week was from Dreena Burton's Plant-Powered Families cookbook. (The one I shared with you last week.) I made the "Ultimate Teriyaki Stir Fry," and it was so good! I had never had tofu before, and honestly... I didn't mind it at all. It was the pre-baked kind, cut into cubes. It was smooth and soft, and tasted like the teriyaki sauce. We served ours atop soba noodles. Super delicious, and filling. I will certainly make it again!

That's all I have for you today. I hope your week is going better than mine! Hopefully I'll have good news to share with you next week, as well as some "Portland Spotlight" posts I've been planning for a while!


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