The Weekend Send-Off

December 16th, 2011 - filed under: Furthermore » Feedback

New favorite toy: menorah, er, “mah nee nee” // New favorite dinner: matzo ball soup!



Oi there, hello my dears! Another week has come and gone and we roll ever onward into this holiday season. I’m so excited! Everything’s stacked on top of each other this year, just BAM! BAM! BAM! one after another. Hanukkah, then Solstice, then Christmas, all in a 6-day span. Woo-Hoo! It’s going to be a busy weekend . . .

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So, you may or may not know that I am slowly (VERY! SLOWLY!) working on a side project: CompassionateFamilies.com. This will be a comprehensive web resource for all things veg*n family, from pregnancy through to the teenage years. It’s going to be RAD, featuring static resource pages, a blog that’s made up mostly of individual contributions, and a whole honkin’ discussion forum for people to meet and help each other out. Like I said, RAD!

But it’s going to be a while. In the meantime, here on Bonzai I’ve backed off on writing specifically about veg*n pregnancy and child-rearing, because I’ve wanted to “save” that stuff for Compassionate Families. However, I’m thinking of changing that. I have an idea for a series, called “My Vegan Pregnancy”, where women share their own personal experiences. Anyone interested in submitting their story? Contact me! info AT bonzaiaphrodite DOT com.

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And now, one big fat cherry of gratitude to top off another wonderful week. Le Love List!


1. It’s heeeeere!
Rawesomely Vegan, the uncookbook that I contributed to, arrived in the mail this week. It’s so purty! I can’t wait till it’s officially on sale mid-January!



2. I’m Featured in VegNews!
I’m in the current issue of VegNews (which isn’t quite out yet? I think?) I haven’t actually seen it – just this picture – but apparently it’s a full page (???). It’s for a new feature where they ask people to give a little write-up of their most recent vegan-related reads. And they asked me! Squee! So crazy.

3. This Video.
No really, just watch it.

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Alright guys, now it’s your turn – tell me what you’re loving this week!


My darlings, this happy little post will stay at the top of the page all weekend, so stop by any time to leave your Love List, ask a question, or offer some feedback! Or if you’re new, please introduce yourself and say ‘Oi!’! This is your community, so get involved!


Happy holiday prep, happy weekend, and happy happy days to you!

  • http://simplybeme.com Jenny @ Simply Be…me

    Thanks for the video link – have you seen this one yet? It was filmed not far from where I live and is pretty rad:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5dOB3VSyC8

    My love list:
    My husband is home tonight after being away at work for the week. I swear I don’t know how single/military/etc. moms and dads do it all the time! It definitely makes me appreciated what I have more than I already do :)

    Happy weekend!

  • Taylor O.

    Ohhh matzoh ball soup. so good! Congratulations on your feature in VegNews! That’s awesome. You are such an ambitious person and I really appreciate reading what you write ’cause it gives me motivation in these tough times!
    This week has been a weird one. But I’ve managed to find some things I love about it.
    1. My ability to be a positive and kind person. Fake it ’til you make it, man.
    2. Knitting hats with yarn that I’ve spun!!! These are my gifts for family this year- I’m really proud to hand them out.
    3. Breathing. I’m happy to be alive.

    Anyways, have a good one!

  • Erin

    Does your family celebrate chanukah, solstice and christmas!?

  • Tracy B.

    Oi! I am new! I found this site while looking for homemade gift ideas. I started with cheesecloth tea bags, and have ended up picking up the book Counterclockwise and considering being vegan. ??!! haha Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Steph

    1. Last day of work for 13 months! I’m on mat leave, baby, and it feels so good.

    2. Finally decorating the tree.

    3. Pierogi-making day tomorrow with fam.

  • Meghan

    My vegnews came in the mail either today or yesterday, but I haven’t looked at it yet! Yay!

    As you may assume, I am all for veg*n pregnancy and child-rearing stuff. :-) I’m not sure that I have a “story” about being vegan and pregnant though!

    Love list:
    1. I’m donnnnnneeeee! Okay, not really. I have a paper due Monday. But my other papers are done and finals are taken… I’ll worry about the other paper Sunday. Right now it is the WEEKEND!!! Time for baking! And SLEEEEEEEP!!!!

    2. My house full of baked goods for my holiday party tomorrow. Screw kale calories! ;-) J/K, I need to get back on the leafy green bandwagon to fill up on vitamin k. Seems like a good idea, k being for klotting and all. ANYHOW! Homemade peppermint patties, almond crescent cookies, chocolate dipped shortbread stars, sugar cookies, cookies and creme cupcakes with candy cane joe joes, citrus glitters, maple frosted ginger snaps… YAY!

    3. Earth Mama Angel Baby Stretch Oil. Okay, so, I know that stretch marks are genetic or whatever and there isn’t supposed to ACTUALLY be anything you can do about it. But for the last long while I’ve been using EMAB stretch oil, just because my stomach has been SO ITCHY since like… the first trimester. I still have no stretch marks on my stomach… but I have SEVERAL on my boobs, which I hadn’t been oilin’. My stomach has grown much more than my boobs. :-P

  • Joselle Palacios

    That’s awesome about VegNews! Congrats.

    1. We sold our house (pretty much) and just spent this week looking for new homes. very exciting.
    2. Winter break!
    3. Now I can bake for Christmas: rugelach, minonos (from vegan cookies invade your cookie jar), chocolate peppermint bark and freakin MONKEY BREAD!

  • Anonymous

    Congrats on the book, it looks awesome! Also, although I do not have any kiddos (yet), I can’t wait for the Compassionate Families website :)

    My Love List:

    1. Northern California Ice skating: my husband + I are going tomorrow by the Embarcadero and I just can’t get over how awesome it is to be ice skating without having to deal with the snow :)

    2. The Sauna: I finally got to using the one at my gym and it feels amazing. There is nothing like some dry heat to drive out the cold (and the winter blues!)

    3. The Simpsons: we are starting from season one and having something funny + silly to take our minds off of everything has been crucial this holiday season.

    Happy holidays everyone!

  • http://raggamuslims.wordpress.com/ eternitysojourner

    greetings! i’ve been meaning to tell you for the longest that i’m excited about your compassionate families project! no pressure, but i think you should start it with a kick-off cutest vegan baby/child/family photo contest with giveaways and fun stuff- just an idea i wanted to share. also, what’s your vision for the “my vegan pregnancy” series? you want veg moms to share any and everything related to their experience or are you hoping for a particular focus? thanks!

  • Andrea

    I miss your posts about Beauty And Cosmetics so could you include these subject as well and write something about cosmetics for babies and children?;)

    happy weekend!

  • Melisa

    I didn’t know about the Compassionate Families site but I am SOOO excited! It will definitely help me out! And that vid is incredible! The strength it must take to jump UP with a bike–amazing!
    Ok, my list:
    1)My daughter is so smart, and so funny, and so friendly and outgoing, and also artistic and curious, and beautiful. Sometimes parenting is very rewarding.
    2)This awesome countdown of kid-friendly, crafty Christmas projects/activities: http://creativewithkids.com/creative-christmas-countdown/! Penny and I really enjoyed getting a bunch of books from the library, wrapping them, and opening one each day to enjoy. Free fun! We also made cards.
    3)Not knowing what will happen, or how exactly things will work out. I love and hate this. But I’m trying hard to maintain my sense of adventure, and step out on a limb to live a better life.
    Happy weekend!

  • Kate

    1. The love list. I’m working so.much. right now – 15 hour days. I love my job (even though I work for corporate america like a worker bee) but other than work, I’m not doing much else. And this little love list, when I see it I go “But I don’t love anything right now” and then I am reminded that a little positivity goes a long way….so thanks Sayward.

    2. Online shopping. Will my children ever know what it’s like to go to Toys R Us one day? I don’t know, but thank god for the internet and the ability to get EVERY PERFECT GIFT online.

    3. My team at work. This project has a ‘real’ hard date – (The lease expires on the building we’re moving out of on 12/31/11. There is no such thing as a ‘slide’ right now!) and we’re moving quickly. I’m exhausted and feel like burning out any minute, but then my team will say something like “I know you can get it done – you’ve fixed everything else so far” or “Thanks for your dedication to this project” or “I’m proud to work with a PM like you” and my heart melts and suddenly 15 hour days aren’t so bad because I work with the best humans possible.

  • http://eerosa.com erosan

    Congrats! but… great scott! 13 months? where do you live? Claudia only got 3 months (1.5 before and 1.5 after).

  • http://eerosa.com erosan

    You seem to have a “!” one too many at that link. It redirected me to a 404.

    http://creativewithkids.com/creative-christmas-countdown/

    Fixed.

  • Kate

    I loved it! Thanks for sharing!!

  • http://www.tiedyefiles.com Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFiles

    Congrats Sayward, so many exciting things going on this week. My love list includes my kitten, trying and loving CrossFit, coconut oil, and spending time with the boyfriend. Hope you had a great weekend!

  • Annie

    I’m vegan since 48 days! But I ate 3 things along de way that I didn’t know that it wasn’t vegan because I assumed it was without reading the ingredient like lactic acid… well I’m adapting! What do you do when you don’t know if a meal in restaurants is vegan? Since the holidays are approching very fast, I have to be very careful !! Do you have tricks to help me in this new challenge? Thank’s!

  • Annie

    I don’t know about Steph, but in Australia we have 52 weeks maternity and paternity leave (combined, I’m pretty sure) as long as you’ve been with the employer for 12 months (including while you’re pregnant) and can begin 6 weeks before due date.

  • Steph

    Canada…52 weeks leave, like Annie, plus all my vacation left from this year and accrued for next year. I’m missing all of 2012!

    I’m so looking forward to a whole year to focus on family and health. Some time to try out some of the stuff Sayward’s talkin’ about.

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com Monika {windycityvegan}

    Can’t wait for the book or for Compassionate Families, lady! Actually, I can live without the book since I already have your recipe archives to get me by — but I’m soooooooo needing a web community like what you’re cooking up.

    My list this week:

    1. I registered for a marathon in 2012 and part of me wants to freak out but really I’m just so excited I could pee my pants!

    2. The “I’m so excited I could pee my pants!” phrase is from Nina. She has been saying it a lot lately and earlier this month she said it and then about a split second later she screeched and said “OH NO!! I REALLY *DID* PEE MY PANTS! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” And, well, she did. That girl and her sense of humor. I wish I could remember what it was that was so funny she peed her pants, because I would tease her about it pretty much forever.

    3. I’M FLYING HOME ON SUNDAY AND OH, CHICAGO CHICAGO CHICAGO, I LOVE YOU. :) Also, I’m really excited to eat at the Native Foods that just opened there a few months ago, in my favorite old ‘hood. Actually, it opened up in three of my favorite old neighborhoods. Yay!

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com Monika {windycityvegan}

    So jealous! I plan on learning to spin my own yarn in 2012.

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com Monika {windycityvegan}

    PS – I’ll be shooting you a message soon about my vegan pregnancy story – I think you have a lot of details on it already from a previous exchange, let me know if you’re interested!

  • Melisa

    Poop! Thanx and sorry!

  • Melisa

    I got 12 weeks unpaid maternity leave with my daughter. Fucking U.S.

  • Steph

    Yo, that sucks.

  • http://eerosa.com erosan

    Paternity leave! ha! will you hear that! That settles it, Australia just moved to the top of the list of where to go live if I decide to ditch Mexico.

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Ooh, thank you for the video! Lovely!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Yes! All three!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    I love this! Thank you so much, and welcome welcome welcome to Bonzai! =D

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    But Mexico is the top of MY list!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Everyone has a pregnancy story! =) Even if it’s just “My blood work was always spectacular and I ate a ton of Peppermint Jo-Jos and my baby is perfect, the end.” Ha!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thanks! And congrats back atchya on the house sale! I dream about when we got to go house shopping again. SO FUN!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    I didn’t have a particular focus in mind. Just a general “this was my pregnancy” story, sort of like a birth story. I think the fact that there’s not much to comment on (most of the time) is sort of the point! Vegan pregnancy is just as “routine” and normal as traditional pregnancy, you know? But I still think these stories would be compelling and interesting (and comforting) to read.

    I think I’ll write mine first, which people can use as an example.

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    I am working on a post on cleansers for babies/toddlers (hint: I don’t use them!). I also have a banked guest post on DIY cosmetics . . . gotta get that up!

  • Andrea

    great, I’m so excited :)

  • http://eerosa.com erosan

    Just don’t do Mexico City. Not a good place to raise a child, if you ask me. Come to Mérida instead xD

  • http://eerosa.com erosan

    Dang! I am so jealous right now! a whole marathon! I still have not started my training for a half! Congratz!

    I don’t know if you have, but check out Fellrnr’s wiki. It has loads of good info for us runners.

    fellrnr.com

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com Monika {windycityvegan}

    Thanks for the link! I read this in his bio and it rings SO true of my younger self: “I could barely walk for a week afterwards, so naturally I signed up for the London Marathon.”

    If you have the desire to run a half- or full marathon, you just need to be willing to take the longview and you can pretty much achieve anything!

    The last marathon I ran was just a few months before I got pregnant (I was training for my next one when I conceived and was high risk, so had to stop running distances over ten miles). Nina did a lot of damage to my pelvis and I was told that I probably wouldn’t ever run so much as an 8K ever again. BUT, I just got the green light from my doc to run a full 26.2 miles so before I balked at the notion of re-training this middle-aged body of mine to run that far again, I plunked down my eighty-five bucks and come November I’m running my first post-baby marathon!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    But of course, my heart belongs to the Yucatán!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Aw, such cute ideas! I especially love the wrapping-up-library-books, that’s brilliant!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Congratulations Annie! Just FYI, lactic acid is vegan, it is not derive from milk (confusing, I know!). If I’m eating at a restaurant I just ask the waitperson for assistance. They should be able to tell you the ingredients of everything. If there’s anything that’s questionable I’m happy to skip it. Really, it’s only one meal and I certainly won’t starve! =D

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    I’m interested!!!

  • Melisa

    DIY cosmetics?! I can’t wait!! :)

  • Erin Katterhenry

    That is awesome! I was raised celebrating Christmas but now work at a synagogue so this was my second year celebrating Chanukah . I love learning about how people celebrate, its so beautiful.

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