As the title of this post states, there have been changes happening RIGHT NOW which have been distracting me and interfering with regularly scheduled life.  We’re in the midst of moving and all of our worldly possessions are in the process of being packed and purged.  T-8 days and counting — yikes!  Anyway, I thought I’d post a few more pictures from that photo shoot I participated in last month just for fun.

Yesterday, we took a break from work and packing and cleaning and went on a very short hike.  We joined a friend and enjoyed scrambling up a small mountain in Red Rock Canyon just before dark.  The desert flowers are beginning to bloom and their colors are magnificent against the red and cream sandstone.

And here we are at the top!

In other news, we’ve been experimenting with veganism.  We watched a few documentary films about farming and food production and were really appalled by the so-called “living” conditions of the animals that are raised for human consumption.  Those poor cattle, chickens, and pigs are crammed into tiny pens, forced to live in its own excrement and rarely get any fresh air or exercise. The animals deemed “defective” or “useless,” such as male chicks (because they don’t lay eggs), are thrown into the garbage.  Such a waste of life.  We have been impacted by what we have seen and for the past couple of weeks, have enjoyed a plant-based diet.  Since I have a bit more free time, I’m the one who has been finding different recipes and cooking up all kinds of great things.  Who knew vegetables could be so filling?  Some of the things I’ve made include quinoa patties with roasted red pepper cashew cream (SO GOOD), a layered eggplant and zucchini casserole (kind of like lasagne, where the eggplant act as noodles), chickpea “tuna” salad, and a sweet potato and quinoa chili.  The most decadent thing I’ve made was a raw apple pie; the crust is made of walnuts, dates, and a couple of flavorings that are food processed, then pressed into a pie plate.  After the crust is sufficiently chilled, you pour the apple filling into it.  It’s really quite good.  My SAT and I are liking this new change in our diet and know that all of the fruits and veggies we’re eating is fueling our bodies well.  How long will this last?  Hopefully a long time.  Do any of you dear readers have any great vegan recipes?  Have any of you attempted a “raw” food lifestyle?  I’d love to hear your stories and recipes!