lapiduli http://lapiduli.com "The events of her life are like the lapiduli of a grand mosaic: each of them is a small thing, but the combination of them makes such a picture..." {Richard Baptist O'Brien} posterous.com Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:47:16 -0700 Leaf me be http://lapiduli.com/leaf-me-be http://lapiduli.com/leaf-me-be

Tree

I was going to make a big speech about how I'm tired of my previous blog posts, but by the time I figure out a way to say that I could have written 10 new ones, so here's something new…

I am a tree.

At least I pose as one. Limber, silent, my leaves gently sweeping with each passing summer breeze. And, posing as a tree keeps me from screaming at my kids.

For days—months, really—they have been at each other's throats. They scream and then I scream to stop them from screaming. It's a vicious cycle.

Until today, that is. For I am a tree.

It all started yesterday morning when my yoga instructor said she practices a tree pose to relieve stress. I took it a step further. I used it to curb my temper.

Yes, a tree.

I can see it now. Isabella will lunge at Ava, who just stole something of hers, bumped into her or whatever. Ava would then cry out, retaliate and I'd blow my top. "STOP IT NOW!" But this time I would be silent; standing in a tree pose on one leg with the other foot bent and resting on the straight leg. I'll be centered. Balanced. In control.

How could I possibly raise my voice when I'm trying not to fall? It's karmic therapy.

I'm a tree.

But then what?

How long am I supposed to stay like this? I was hoping the situation would actually present itself so that I'd have some truth to draw from, but I'm slightly alarmed at my lack of planning. I think it's life trying to tell me something. 

You will always be surprised. Even if you are a tree.

Fine. But in my mind I'll hold the pose until one of the kids, or possibly the cat, knocks me down. The girls will go back to their bickering, but I won't yell. I'll tell them they have until the count of three to calm down or I'll make them do a tree pose. I hope they choose to hold their own tree pose, which could be good for a few giggles, and somehow they might forget about their fight. I'll just be proud to have kept my composure. For like a tree, I believe I can bend. At least until I fall over. Laughing.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Sun, 05 Jun 2011 21:01:38 -0700 Lettuce eat a lot of greens http://lapiduli.com/lettuce-eat-a-lot-of-greens http://lapiduli.com/lettuce-eat-a-lot-of-greens
A year ago I didn't know kale from maruba santoh. Our weekly CSA from Earthkeeper Farm  (community supported agriculture - we pay a share upfront to receive a weekly supply of vegetables from the farm) just gave us both. This year I might even know what to do with them. 

I'll admit I was a little overwhelmed when I walked into the kitchen and saw the counter filled with greens. You see, I had one of those rare mommy moments where I went to the hairdresser while Dino took the girls for the afternoon. To my surprise, I came home to find that he had washed and sorted everything. More surprising was that he thought I had a plan for this enormous load of greens.

Um, no. 

What you see would normally take us a couple of weeks to eat and I now have a week before the next market day, so I have to finish this post quickly or I won't have time to research recipes that will satisfy our picky eaters.

Greens

Actually, our first-grader is a bit easier to please. She actually liked the maruba santoh dish with garlic, olive oil, onion, summer squash and roasted red peppers over farro. At least she said she did. Once she cleaned her plate she declared it was, "not that good." I don't know what to make of that. Our preschooler wanted chicken nuggets and carrots. She has amazing eyesight and clucks when she walks.

Maruba_santoh
 

I knew the CSA would force me to work within a fixed menu, but I forgot about the kids. It's truly going to take some work to make these greens palatable for them. They think asparagus is exotic. Honestly, at their age I didn't like asparagus either, so they're light years ahead of me, but they're still kids who prefer green beans over broccoli.

I've been preparing mostly vegetarian meals for a while now, so I figured out everything from the CSA without help except for the maruba santoh, which I promptly used in last night's dinner so I wouldn't have to be afraid of it any longer. It's just Chinese cabbage, after all. Suffice to say we are eating a lot of greens this week. Dino says at this rate we'll all be photosynthetic by the end of summer.

So, one meal down, six to go. And true to my upbringing I'm trying to make sure nothing goes to waste. As my mom used to say, "What about the starving children in China?" I told her to send them my food. Thankfully, at least one child in the house likes Chinese cabbage.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Fri, 20 May 2011 17:17:56 -0700 Little things http://lapiduli.com/little-things http://lapiduli.com/little-things
Cardboard

I know I'm usually the bearer of bad news when it comes to products, but I saw something that made me feel hopeful today. My youngest daughter received a birthday gift. It was a Fisher Price Little People toy.

I generally sigh and wonder if I should re-gift items that are made of cheap plastic and will likely end up in a garage sale since we already have plenty of similar toys, but Ava saw it before I had a chance to hide it away.

I was envisioning pulling apart all of the clear plastic stuck to the cardboard and unwinding endless plastic ties, but was pleasantly surprised to find that things have changed. Instead of clear plastic there was just cardboard. There were pieces of twine (or what looked like twine but might have been tightly woven paper) anchoring the pieces to the box. I counted only two small pieces of plastic.

I know I get excited about strange things, but I recall one Christmas where we tossed a full garbage bag of nothing but packaging. I felt terribly guilty for contributing to the global trash crisis, but I was still buying those gifts.

I couldn't find any documentation on Fisher Price's web site. And I know this may be old news, but it's good news as far as I'm concerned. I know it's not perfect, either, but it's a start.

I recycled almost every bit of the packaging and Ava is enjoying her new toy - at least for today.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Mon, 16 May 2011 10:16:00 -0700 well-watered http://lapiduli.com/well-watered http://lapiduli.com/well-watered
I've always been a huge fan of water. Next to wine, I think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. 

And now the kids think it's the greatest, too.

I owe this overflow of excitement to our new infusion pitcher.

So why am I blogging about a pitcher that holds fruits and veggies? Well, one of these days it will get warmer and you'll want something cool, healthy and tasty to drink. There are no artificial flavors, colors or sugar to worry about. I even let kids choose the flavor. This week it's cucumber.

What are you drinking this summer?

Cheers!

Img_0101

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Mon, 02 May 2011 19:15:35 -0700 I have an itch to blog http://lapiduli.com/i-have-an-itch-to-blog http://lapiduli.com/i-have-an-itch-to-blog
Pastedgraphic

I've had allergies since I was a kid. I never knew what they were, but the runny nose and dark circles under my eyes were always there.

So after years of sniffling and itching, I finally got tested. The result? Cockroaches, small rodents and possibly grass. That's it? Really?

Years of teary eyes and searching for under-eye cover-up and this is what I'm allergic to?

I guess the good news is that the cockroach incident was in my 20's, so that's over. I still have my combat boots around in case of an unwanted pest. The rodents, now field mice that occasionally make homes out of unused appliances, actually prefer cat food.

But here's the kicker - grass. Apparently all of the environmentally-friendly products I now use are linked to grass. I was told to stay away from plant-based products in general.

So what's a green-thumbed girl to do?

I refuse to go back to toxic products. My new quest will be non-toxic, hypoallergenic products.

Way to be picky, sister!

All suggestions are welcome. And no, I am not moving into a plastic bubble... unless it's BPA free!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:37:00 -0800 All you need is... http://lapiduli.com/all-you-need-is http://lapiduli.com/all-you-need-is

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It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk and I need you now.

That's lust. 

My husband does the dishes and puts the kids to bed while I listen to music and have a glass of wine after a long day.

That's love.

And we all like a silly love song now and then; especially when it feels like it's about us.

And lust happens...sometimes in unexpected places...

like the laundry room when I'm ironing my husband's blue shirt that makes me want to rip off the buttons

(but I can't sew worth a damn, so I don't),

or the eucalyptus-scented dish soap that reminds me of a far-away escape we had by ourselves once upon a time.

And then we're in love.

And then there's a fight. 

Kids screaming over who did what and who's to blame.

Love comes through gritted teeth.

Because who are we kidding? Love is all you need, right?

(love never said it was patient)

And then there's sex. 

Lust. Love. Lust. Love. Lust. 

Who cares? As long as it's there.

It is there, right?

And then someone needs you. Really needs you. And you're there.

And all you need is love.

But lust is nice, too.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:45:37 -0800 Consider This http://lapiduli.com/consider-this http://lapiduli.com/consider-this My husband is across the room writing about how Groupon may as well find a new business model once the media and public get through with them. I agree. No company is above an apology. A bigger problem would be Groupon and its ad agency believing they don't owe one.

But a bright spot appeared in my in-box today. One of my favorite eco-friendly sites, Fig+Sage, asked for opinions on improving its site. I found myself enjoying my old P.R. days as I shared my opinion. I love the content on Fig+Sage. If I need a non-toxic body lotion, it's one of the first places I go; but everyone can use an environmentally friendly face lift from time to time and I was happy to help.

This isn't a long diatribe about how companies should and should-not behave. We all know when someone is and isn't. I'll just say that it was refreshing, and reassuring, to be considered in the company's process. I think Groupon could use a dose of consideration. I'd even forgive them for the tasteless ads. I love to forgive. I figure it may come back in my favor one day. And like anyone, I want to be considered. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:54:00 -0800 Unleaded http://lapiduli.com/unleaded http://lapiduli.com/unleaded

How many of you were left holding the bag today? The leaded bag, that is.

2257305070_6126f47a1a_b
Yes, it's true. Some reusable bags contain lead (synthetic, not cotton bags). I wish I could tell you that this story is new, but the reality is that it's been around for a while now. That said, while the companies in question (reportedly bags from Winn-Dixie, Publix, Sweetbay, Walmart and Target, according to USA Today) are struggling to find new, non-toxic bags for their businesses, it's up to the consumer to do some research.

Remember that many of the bags, although leaded, aren't likely to leach it into your packaged food. The threat is greater for the environment at large. That said, it would be best to phase out the ones you have and, most importantly, dispose of them properly. Either return them to the store in question or take them to a recycling center. 

At the risk of sounding like a billboard, I'll share my favorite online shop, Reuseit.com. I buy many of my reusable items here when I can't find them locally (or my toddler won't endure the drive). And to assuage your fears a bit, they've even included a blog post about their lead-free bags.

As with most of the things we buy, it often takes more time to choose it than to use it. This is one of those situations. It helps to have companies in your corner that stand by their products and research them so you don't have to. After all, the consumers are the ones filling the bags.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:11:00 -0700 How your garden does grow http://lapiduli.com/how-your-garden-does-grow http://lapiduli.com/how-your-garden-does-grow
It's no secret that I'm not much of a gardener. I posted that we had what appeared to be mutant "peppermatoes" at one time only to find they were wonderful polish "Opalka" tomatoes. Oops. And my beloved butternut, well, it took over the garden and produced all of two squash. One look at the photo will tell you we threw caution to the wind and just hoped we'd end up with something. Luckily, we did get something. I'm actually burned out on cherry tomatoes for the year.

And that's why I'm sticking to herbs. They're a bit more forgiving.

It's also the reason I finally joined a CSA (community supported agriculture). It took me a while, but it turns out the perfect choice was right in front of my nose, as the best things usually are. I have been visiting Earthkeeper Farm's booth at both the Rockford and Ada farmer's markets all summer. We've had juicy heirloom tomatoes, fresh kale (I make oven-roasted chips out of it with sea salt for the kids) and sweet red peppers, but it never occurred to me to find out if they had a CSA. So, starting next June, I can look forward to a weekly supply of pesticide-free, locally grown produce. I may not be able to grow my own food, but at least I know where it's coming from.

Now if I could just get the school lunch menu to include kale chips.
P1020514
Ava in the garden before it went wild.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Sun, 19 Sep 2010 11:15:41 -0700 Not a Polish joke http://lapiduli.com/not-a-polish-joke http://lapiduli.com/not-a-polish-joke
I posted last week about the mutant "peppermato" we found in our garden, but it turns out the joke is on me. My Polish brother-in-law gave us a tomato plant, which we planted near a red pepper plant. And as I've mentioned, everything became tangled so that we could barely tell one vine from another, so it's obvious we are a couple of clueless gardeners.

It turns out we are not the harbingers of a mutant cross-breed, but the owners of a Polish heirloom tomato plant called an Opalka. The fruit is shaped like a banana pepper and has very few seeds, but makes great sauce, apparently. Ours haven't ripened beyond a reddish-orange, so we may never know.

This is what the Opalka should look like:

Opalka

Photo courtesy of 
Media_httpwwwrockmead_tthhw

Thanks to all of the more experienced gardeners out there who restrained themselves from posting huge chuckles after my first post. Needless to say, I'll be doing a lot of planning for next year's garden over the winter.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Sun, 12 Sep 2010 20:14:00 -0700 Mutant vegetable invades messy garden http://lapiduli.com/mutant-vegetable-invades-messy-garden http://lapiduli.com/mutant-vegetable-invades-messy-garden

I don't have a green thumb. My one house plant has lasted because it's hearty and impervious to my inabilities. But in my quest to eat local and organic foods, Dino and I planted a garden this year. I had an empty flower bed that died after the previous homeowners left us in charge of it and I wanted to grow things I loved. To my amazement, we now have butternut squash, swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, jalapeños, basil, oregano, parsley, sage and garlic chives. I can barely harvest the items due to the tangled mess, but everything tastes wonderful.

And as I was crawling through the twisted vines for tomatoes today I came across something rather strange looking. I'm calling it a peppermato.

I did some quick research and discovered that tomatoes and peppers don't cross-pollinate, but as you can see from the photo, we clearly have a mutant fruit/vegetable on our hands. It's not that surprising, really, considering our hap-hazard gardening methods, but it made for interesting dinner conversation tonight. I served it with olive oil, sea salt and pepper to make it more appealing. On the outside it looks like an unripe red pepper, but inside it has the taste and consistency of a tomato. It wasn't overly flavorful, but it was fun to eat something so strange from our own garden. I felt a bit like Frankenstein.

P1020589
I'd love to know what we ate tonight, but the evidence has been digested. If we get more of them I'll check with someone who knows more than I do at the next farmers' market.

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:28:00 -0700 Silly Love Songs http://lapiduli.com/silly-love-songs http://lapiduli.com/silly-love-songs I had a chance to post on my friend's blog this week. Check out Freakin' Angels if you're in the mood for a musical journey down memory lane. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:06:00 -0700 Food for thought http://lapiduli.com/food-for-thought http://lapiduli.com/food-for-thought

I took my two-year-old with me to the local farmers' market today. Apparently bringing a child along is a perk. Her smiles were rewarded with extra tomatoes, a gourd and other goodies. But I made a big mistake.

I was dutifully going from booth to booth in search of organic produce when I asked one vendor if his apples had been sprayed. He told me that almost all of the vendors there sprayed their fruit. And although he had tomatoes that had not been sprayed, he said they wouldn't sell as well as the ones that had been since they weren't as pretty. He added that he would like to grow more organic food, but the cost is prohibitive and people are still in search of nice-looking produce. 

I felt bad for him, especially since there were a couple of organic booths at the market, but what happened next is still bothering me more than anything. He offered my daughter a kohlrabi, which I had never eaten before. Instead of just taking it and thanking him for his generosity, I asked if it had been sprayed. He said it had, so I quietly put it down and thanked him anyway. I didn't even realize what I had done until we had left the market. 

One of my favorite shows is Anthony Bourdain's, "No reservations."  In one episode, Bourdain talked about how he eats whatever is put in front of him. To him, food is a gift. I wholeheartedly agree with him. In fact, I had this exact conversation with my husband about how I would never openly object to a meal that was offered at someone's house. So why did I act like such a jerk?

I know I should have accepted the kohlrabi. I didn't even have to eat it once I got it home if I was that concerned about the pesticides. For all I know the pesticide he used was organic. Now all I can do is learn from my rude behavior.

I do believe that I am helping my daughter grow up healthier by making smart food choices, but I just got a much-needed reminder - that people are more than the sum of their fruits. 
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:15:00 -0700 What gall! http://lapiduli.com/what-gall http://lapiduli.com/what-gall

Ode to my gallbladder

I knew you were there, but you never spoke.
'Til last week, then what a poke!
Would have thought it my heart,
But the pain was off center.
And many tests later
Confirmed your deep anger.

Irritated you are,
Replete with stones.
Your vim and vigor
Are hurting my bones.

Tomorrow we part,
I bid you adieu.
The drugs are no perk,
They just make me spew.

So please take your leave
And don't make a mess.
What's left but my liver,
To a life of excess.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:38:23 -0700 Blissful http://lapiduli.com/blissful-0 http://lapiduli.com/blissful-0
"HAPPY BLISS!"

I heard that a lot at the Blissfest Music Festival this past weekend. Celebrating its 30th year of culture, art and music ranging from Bluegrass to Celtic to Jazz near Harbor Springs, Michigan, the mood was, well, blissful. I was so caught up in the splendor that someone sneezed and I actually said, "Bliss you." 

Honestly, this was all a pleasant surprise to me. I was more skeptical than anything when my sister invited me just days before the event; but as we built our tent in a field of wildflowers while Celtic music wafted from over the hill, I relaxed a bit and enjoyed the moment. It went even more smoothly when I pulled the cork on my bottle of wine. 

I won't lie, I boiled my shoes when I got home, but it was worth every speck of dirt to watch John Hiatt play at sunset; the breeze blowing across the green as the crowd sang along.

It was a bit of a "kumbaya" moment - or weekend, actually. Not once did I see a parent yell at a child or even one toddler have a meltdown. They played ball, climbed trees and basically cavorted around the festival without a care in the world. I tried to picture my girls here and had visions of grandeur about the two of them actually getting along for a weekend.

Reminiscent of a few Grateful Dead shows, though I only watched back then, I played my tambourine along with the drummers around the fire pit nestled in the woods. A twenty-something band of dancers twirled around the bonfire chanting into the night air. 

I fell asleep in a tent under a starry sky and woke to full sun on my already sweltering sleeping bag. I was wishing we had thought harder about the position of the tent, but the smell of coffee from just outside roused me from my morning grumpiness. 

Later that day I learned to keep a hula hoop spinning forever and listened to Jazz from the shade of a nearby tree. I melted into my surroundings and breathed lots of fresh air. 
Blissfest-groupshot

Eventually we had to pack up camp and head home. I think we stopped as many times on the way back as we did on the drive down, laughing all the way about stories that only we would find funny now. Beth will likely tell you that losing my top while practicing my new hula hoop in a McDonald's parking lot is still pretty funny, but I could care less. I'm going to do my best to keep this feeling for as long as I can.

HAPPY BLISS!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:53:00 -0700 All-Natural Food Preservative Causes All-Natural Cancer http://lapiduli.com/all-natural-food-preservative-causes-all-natu http://lapiduli.com/all-natural-food-preservative-causes-all-natu

(Courtesy of The Onion Radio News)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:36:36 -0700 The fast and the furious http://lapiduli.com/the-fast-and-the-furious-8 http://lapiduli.com/the-fast-and-the-furious-8 Hi, my name is Aimee and I drive a fuel-inefficient SUV. There, I said it. I still feel icky, but it's been my car for six years now, so I should own up to it. 

Now I have the chance to change my wicked ways and buy a more fuel-efficient car, but I don't want one. Yup, I said that, too. 

You would think that with the oil spill happening and the sheer waste of a larger car that I would welcome an opportunity to do something relatively good for the environment. So why is it so hard to give up my big car? 

At home we recycle, reuse, buy locally and organic as much as possible. Somehow on the road I am a different person. I could say that I'm fighting the forces of transportation from bad drivers to orange cones, but really I'm just struggling to concentrate as Barney blares in my ear on the DVD player wedged in between the front seats for the kids in back to see. I honestly consider my car an extension of myself - so what does that make me? I know the answer to that question is looming somewhere overhead in a thick cloud of exhaust.

I had every intention of getting a hybrid vehicle when I started my search last month. And then I learned more about the cars. I had no idea that fuel economy isn't gauged well on the highway, where I spend much of my time. And living in a cold climate doesn't exactly lend itself to a lightweight Prius, though if I were single I wouldn't hesitate. Again, it's the kids.

Something about hauling kids around makes me feel like I'm packing for the Sahara. Each trip to Target requires extra clothes, diapers, sippy cups and snacks. And even then it can be the longest 20 minutes of my life if my toddler is having a screaming fit. I imagine punching the roof out to escape when that happens. I think I could actually accomplish that in a Prius.

I'm all for fuel-efficient, eco-friendly cars. I applaud anyone who has one.  Truthfully, I feel a bit trapped inside smaller cars. There's technically plenty of room, but I feel suffocated. You might be wondering what the hell I do in my car that I need so much space, but when I need to spin around to look at my child who's gagging on her snack, it's nice to have the headroom.

So I don't have a good answer to this dilemma. I wish I could drive the way I generally live - consciously and efficiently. I'm thinking this just might be my dark side at work. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:44:45 -0700 Uncle Dave http://lapiduli.com/uncle-dave-3 http://lapiduli.com/uncle-dave-3 It's a sad week for my family. My Uncle Dave lost his brief, but mighty, battle with acute myeloid leukemia. An avid fisherman and all-around happy man, we're glad that at least he's not in pain anymore and the fish will always be biting.

Hmm, that just seems like enough for this week. Take care, everyone!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Sun, 16 May 2010 19:56:00 -0700 Vegging out http://lapiduli.com/vegging-out http://lapiduli.com/vegging-out

I've always said that I could easily be a vegetarian if someone else would cook for me. I never had the first clue as to how to prepare a filling meal based on veggies and grains. I flirted with the idea many years ago due to an old boyfriend who introduced me to tofu, but all I remember were spongy cubes floating in soy sauce - yuk!

But these past few months, after learning way too much about the food industry, I realized I owed it to myself to try it. I started with meals I make all the time and just eliminated the meat. But pretty quickly I was looking for more options, so I bought a few vegan cookbooks. So far, my favorite is Tal Ronnen's "The Conscious Cook." I made his Quinoa, Avocado and Sweet Potato Timbale with Roasted Tomatillo Dressing for Cinco de Mayo in an effort to impress my husband, a definite steak man. He loved it! The presentation helped, I think. It looked like real food!

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And then I made dinner tonight and no one liked it, including me.

I've had a package of firm tofu in the refrigerator for weeks now that I have been afraid to use. I finally decided I was ready to tackle it, so I chose another of Tal's recipes. This one was for Agave-lime Grilled Tofu with Asian Slaw and Mashed Sweet Potatoes. Having never made tofu I should have made sure I had the right kind, but I figured it couldn't be that different. Wrong! Dino was kind - or really hungry. He finished most of his plate. I, on the other hand, was grossed out. The tofu was squishy and the sweet potatoes reminded me of baby food, so I jumped off the proverbial wagon and made a hot dog in the microwave. It was a grass-fed beef and sulfate-free hot dog, but it was still a hot dog.

I enjoyed every bite of it.

And then I came out of my beef-induced coma and realized that I really do want to keep to this new way of eating. I enjoy it! I love the fact that I don't feel heavy after a meal. I have no guilt and, to my delight as a clean-freak, I don't have to think about contaminating one area to another like I always did while preparing meat.

And I learned something else. I was always puzzled by people who seemed to be on an endless search for vegetarian food that tastes like meat. I couldn't understand why someone would want to mimic something they deemed unacceptable to eat. I get it now.

Anyone know which vegan bacon is best?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:47:00 -0700 One more thing http://lapiduli.com/one-more-thing-64 http://lapiduli.com/one-more-thing-64

I'm fully entrenched in my mostly toxin-free makeup and skin care now. 

I wish the blog could end there and you (all five of you reading this), would know it wasn't as long a process as I thought. Not so much.

As with everything in life, there is always just one more thing.

Really, I'm not bitter. I'm empowered.

On a daily basis I find that something I'm using or considering contains toxins. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to keep the weeds out of my yard without endangering my kids - including one who still eats grass sometimes.

I just keep plugging away at my "little corner of the world," as my friend says. My mother says it's not enough. I should be louder and yell farther. Maybe she's right. 

I just bought my mom a reusable water bottle and shopping bags for Mother's Day. I cleared this with her first because my mother is not the type to want anything practical. She actually liked the idea. I was surprised and pleased, of course, but really it just made me happy that I've made a difference with someone who has taught me so many things. Now I get to reciprocate and teach her something. I'm a mother now, too, so maybe that's fitting. 

I just can't believe that changing one person doesn't make a difference. Every time we purchase something we wield our own force in commerce. How many of us are wishing that (name a hot product that everyone wants and can't get their hands on) never happened? We did that. Marketing experts helped, of course, but we decided to buy it. Had we purchased (insert a not-so-successful product), we would have made some other company very happy. 

Bottom line - We make the decisions. We buy the products. We are powerful consumers.

There will always be one more thing. I'm trying to lessen the number of things I think I need, but it's a hard lesson.

According to someone on Facebook, it's "Pay It Forward Day." I'm all for that. I also think that as long as we're doing what we can in our little corners of the world to make life better for everyone, we are paying it forward. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1295965/Aimee.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ukWr0aysmd Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic Aimee Baskovic