People watching...

I'm a people watcher. It’s amazing all the stories that I can conjure up in my mind as I sit and watch the people come and go. Sitting in my favorite corner of my favorite little breakfast/lunch spot, I see many people just coming and going, the lady that always orders the coffee and French toast, and the guy that starts his day with a diet coke. The young bus boy just making his rounds from table to table, he seems preoccupied today, I wonder what's on his mind. 

And, then I see her.... she was sitting by the window, all the way on the other side of the restaurant this sweet little elderly lady, she is beautiful, silver hair, coffee colored skin, pink lipstick. Even though there are clearly many more years behind her then there are in front of her she is still radiating beauty. 
 I thought she was alone, but, then... an elderly gentleman appears, he is quite dapper, well dressed, I imagine he was quite the ladies’ man “back in the day.” Is he… her husband, maybe? Yes....her husband... he kisses her on her head and she looks up at him, so lovingly, as if it was the first time she was seeing him. 

He places her coffee and muffin on the table in front of her; he takes the seat across from her. His oatmeal arrives. I bet they have been eating the same breakfast for the last 50 years, muffin and coffee for her, oatmeal for him. I smile to myself as I think; maybe he is watching his cholesterol so he can be with his love for another 50 years. They are so cute together. They don't say much, I doubt they really need to "speak" actual words to each other after all these years. She hands him a napkin, he smiles, and she touches his hand. ..... I love people watching....

Dance in the rain ...

Today, I got busted skipping and singing in the rain!

She was a sweet little older lady, someone’s super cute grandma. She just smiled at me when I noticed her watching. I smiled back and with a shrug said... why not!? She responded, that's right honey, dance and sing like no one is watching, even if it is raining, don't let anyone or anything steal your joy! Amen! No joy stealing allowed! #dance 

Shop Aldi for health food?!

This weekend I went to Aldi,  for the very first time. To be honest I was always skeptical of shopping there, I thought like many people, Aldi was not one of those stores that would carry very high quality food items.  Well I was wrong! I was thrilled and surprised to find they carry many healthy items! 

The produce section is small but the selection was pretty good. They had organic apples and bananas!! They also carry many USA grown produce and no GMO produce so thumbs up Aldi! 

I even found this totally vegan German rye bread (pictured below). Simply made using few ingredients (whole kernel rye, water, wholemeal rye flour, oat fiber, yeast. ) And it was so cheap I couldn't believe my eyes! I've spent 5-7 dollars for similar bread in whole foods. This one was only 1.79!  I was excited to find it. I am going to enjoy it topped with lots of yummy veggies and veganaise! Maybe a vegan curry chickn' salad!!  Vegan / healthy eating on a budget, it can be done! No excuses people!

YES!  The best news ever!! I pray this is the start of something even more wonderful for all the children! 

 

NYC School First to Offer Vegetarian Lunch Menu

By Melissa Nguyen | May 2, 2013

 

PS 244 in Queens, NY replaced unhealthy meat with tofu, beans, and greens on its students’ plates. 

The Active Learning Elementary School in Queens, NY is making headlines for recently replacing meat products in its lunch line with healthier, protein-packed options such as tofu, falafel, and black bean quesadillas.  Read the full story:  http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=5733&catId=8