Not the cute little house!! :( I enjoy pictures of that adorable place so, so much, I can only imagine how wonderful it is IRL. I’m sorry you had a bad week, but I sincerely hope that there’s something even more totally epic in store.

Also, Waits is just too darn cute. (Department of redundancy department, how may I direct your call?)

I’m sorry about your house. It’s hard when you have put so much work into it.

But I love how you still have a positive outlook! And I’m sure something great will happen.

Sorry about the rough week…we all have them. Hang in there!

When my four year old learned that our Co-op sells meat she was so angry that she decided to go in, take it all, and throw it in the trash. (I talked her down to just a comment card that she dictated: “Don’t sell meat. – Sarah and Sage”). I thought it was very animal liberation-activist of her!

We’ve had great success with vegan camping – ramen noodles and dried veg with baked tofu we bring along; dried refried bean and vegan “taco meat” packets weigh little, and with a bag of tortillas you get lovely campsite tacos; honestly, a package of tofurky sausages doesn’t weigh much and is worth it for the protein; and don’t forget the dandies marshmallows!

I know! It’s my favorite place I’ve ever lived and I’m just hoping with all my heart that I can stay. But thanks, and yes, that kiddo is pretty epically cute. ;-)

Thanks Liv, I am definitely trying to stay positive.

Oh that is so adorable about your daughter! I love the conviction of wee activists, they are so sincere and so passionate! What a wonderful way you handled that too – a great lesson in channeling our anger into productive pathways. Love this story, thanks so much for sharing. ♥

And thanks for the camping tips!

Just a quick comment to say that I always smile when you post a love list. I always intend to write one, too, but I never do. Thanks for encouraging the gratitude and sharing your appreciation of life, ups and downs.

Sayward,

I’m sending a boatload of positive energy your way! It’s tough when we have days, weeks — months even — that force us to acknowledge the fact that our planet and those who inhabit it are always changing. I find myself getting frustrated when I have to make a big life decision, or when something doesn’t quite go as planned, but sometimes it can be empowering to realize that we are constantly changing, growing, and adapting. After all, we are animals! As much as we’d like to think that we control our environment and circumstances (because humans are a funny type of animal and we think we’re rather special), we’re still subject to a whole host of factors that are often well beyond our control. I feel like our very real and visceral experience of frustration, upset, and anxiety in the face of change reveal just how deep-rooted our control issues are. I mean, of course, we have personal autonomy and are able to exercise choice, but this has its limits and the degree to which we’re told we’re autonomous is a bit of a fiction.

Maybe the above isn’t helpful in the least, and I don’t mean to minimize what you’re going through! I just find that reminding myself of the fact that change is an essential feature of our existence, whenever I’m having one of *those* weeks, helps me put things into perspective and makes it easier to roll with the punches, ya know?

As for my love list, this week I am really LOVING:
(1) Raw buckwheat groats in the morning with hazelnut butter. Need I say more? Seriously, I could end this love list here and it’d probably still be sufficient;
(2) Finding a local park near my apartment which is perfect for sun bathing and people-watching. It makes up for the beach I lost when I moved further into the city;
(3) Reconnecting with friends and realizing that I’m slowly (read: very slowly) becoming less flaky (or maybe I’m just spending time with people whose company I enjoy enough to keep plans!);
(4) Reading an ethnography on crack-dealers in East Harlem. It’s largely about the culture of poverty and speaks to a number of issues such as the Puerto Rican diaspora and its implications on Puerto Rican culture, identity, and notions of dignity; the failures of violent capitalism; racism; the history of East Harlem, with a particular eye to the various waves of immigrants who have occupied and continue to occupy the space; and alternative forms of income generation. So far, not too shabby of a read; and
(5) Getting better at knowing when to say no and when to say yes. I feel like I’m getting to know myself again after a weird year or two and it’s a great feeling to discover what serves me and what doesn’t — and, importantly, being able to express and externalize this through my actions.

Hope this new week brings you joy and that the effects from the previous week’s changes simmer and evolve into a source of possibility and encouragement. Also, I hope your week is full of vegan tacos and ice cream. Because it’s the summer, and even if we can’t control the world, at least we have vegan tacos!

- Lisa

I hate to hear about your tough week, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned in recent years, it’s that all things, good or bad, are leading us somewhere important. If I’d never endured my health crisis, I don’t know that I would’ve taken my path to veganism, which led to finding your site with all of its beautiful pictures and wealth of knowledge. ;-) I certainly wouldn’t have been able to heal myself with raw food and wouldn’t have my smart, funny, energetic little girl. The dark days just make the bright ones even brighter.
As for my love list: Charlotte, of course. All of her new skills, new words, new discoveries. Every. Single. Day. This week, she’s learned to say “yoga,” “okra,” “onion,” “rhino,” “moon,” “shoe.” I, honestly, get teary eyed every time she does something for the first time. And I’m loving fresh food from the garden right now, too. We picked our first cucumbers and okra of the season this weekend! Oh, and farmers market herbs and cherry tomatoes until mine turn red. I’m loving productive weekends filled with painting projects and MORE gardening. I built a raised bed for watermelons and carrots this weekend, painted four chairs & recovered one, painted and planted new pots for the front porch. Lastly, new Instagram followers… like, totlly famous and important ones. I love that we can share our daily lives through pretty pictures.

Ugh, I don’t want to comment on your perfect-for-you house situation, because I would just say the wrong thing, but – oof, I am sad that you will be moving sooner than you’d like. Also, I’ve had a few Vegan Liberation moments with Nina, I definitely roll my eyes, but I’m also proud of her.

Short love list for me this week, because truth be told, I’m a bit liquored up and the party is awaiting my swift return.

Law school in five weeks! Holy fucking shit, I’m finally going to do it // recognizing and acknowledging that I had the absolute worst visit home with my folks, ever, and that I probably won’t ever return to their house under vacation circumstances // following that shitty first leg of my vacation with our annual respite in the Upper Peninsula at our family cabin // the most recent SVU podcast, with a surprisingly in-depth review/discussion of Under the Skin // law school reading assignments // shopping for vegan shoes and finding them on the first go // overhearing Nina explain to someone that she was collecting various exoskeletons along the shore because she wants to reassemble them ‘for fun’

One more thing: here’s that shack post I was saying I was gonna do! http://superstrengthhealth.com/my-house-and-my-body/

Thanks Lindsay. I always try to be honest here but yes, it’s good to leave it on an up-note. And I agree, life is about experiencing the entire range of human emotions. The downs allow us to appreciate the ups, and the ups help us to understand the downs. ♥

Oh my gosh Jill, congratulations on the new and healthy baby! I’m so sorry you had to go through all that, it must have been absolutely terrifying. But alls well that ends well – I’m so glad to hear that you’re all home and safe.

PS – Isa Does It is my favorite cookbook! =D

Thanks Lindsey, you are absolutely right. All paths weave and wind, rise and fall, but ultimately lead us to where we need to be. I very much believe that.

And thank you for the Love List! I love reading about your sweet little girl!

Wow, thanks for the heads up on those camping foods! I’ll definitely check them out. And thanks for the great little Love List, Maya!

This blog. Seriously, aside from the enjoyment I get from reading every new post I was able to help a friend because of you. She babysits for a little one-year-old who always arrives at her house hungry. Her parents are vegan and are raising her vegan, but she’s not getting enough of the right foods. I told my friend to check you out and she said it’s helped her a lot.
Other loves: my Dad and the amazing Spanish liqueur Cuarenta y Tres (43) he introduced me to; selling stuff on Etsy; Ethics class; the amazing teachers I have at school; my hubby; best friends; rebuilding bridges with old friends; P!nk; Whole Foods; cats; my amazing and fun classmates.

Hi Pied – no worries at *all*, I hope you’ll always be “that person” if it benefits animals! I had no idea that beaks needed to be cared for. This parrot’s person is very old and maybe doesn’t know that either. What should I do? Do I need a professional? Or . . . ? Any advice you have would be much appreciated!

The best bet would be a good avian vet. Beaks don’t need care normally or in the wild… but parrots in captivity can have all sorts of fun little issues. (Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love parrots and how much I’ve learned from them over the years becoming friends with them, but they are most certainly wild animals kept in cages)

There’s probably some really good vets in your area but I’m from the midwest so I can’t really recommend any. Also a second opinion would be better since I’m not really a vet or anything. ;) I’d gladly help you research some if it’s needed — as you have been one of my biggest inspirations becoming and staying vegan for this past year. (So thank you)

Murgatroyd is a pretty awesome name. And amazons are my favorite.

Wow that became a long reply — must be the wine.

Aw thanks love! I had such a great brunch. Anytime you’re back on this side, lets check out another restaurant.