The Very Random Thoughts of Laura

Book Reviews Coming Up!!!

2012-01-30T08:16:00.000-08:00

I read two different books last week and I am working on the reviews right now. I really enjoyed these books!

Here's a link if you want to read them with me and share your thoughts:

Velvet Ball and the Broken Fairy by Patricia Puddle (Ebook Edition and Paperback available)

Charity Moon by DeAnna Marie Kinney (Paperback and PDF versions available)

Check back soon!

My son is not a Social Media Strategist - neither is my Mother!

2012-01-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah - they said it! All Facebook (The Unofficial Facebook Resource) had the most awesome post today. That post is 3 Signs Your Facebook Marketing Needs to Get Serious.

Deep breath here - and I'm so glad they did!

As a Social Media Coordinator, I hear stories all of the time about how this person pays their neice in nail polish so they don't understand why a company hires someone like me. OR, "We get a huge response to our posts already." Huge response is appearantly equal to 6 likes and a "you're great" comment by the person's sister.

Imagine this scenerio, you cut your finger off and your neice (who failed English and got suspended for smoking in the bathroom) offers to sew it back on for you... What do you do? Yeah, that seems ridiculous but small business owners take this approach to Social Media marketing more than I care to admit.

My point is this, if you want your finger to be connected crooked and painfully - hand your neice a needle and some thread. If you want your Social Media Campaign to be irrelevent and a failure - make her an admin on your Facebook page.

Leave the injuries to your doctor and your Social Media to someone like me.

Just sayin...

Some Laura'isms...

2012-01-12T07:33:00.000-08:00

I was just talking to a friend and coworker and I used a phrase that was funny. She said, "I like that!" I thought it was time I introduced you to the many phrases in my language. Yes - I'll explain them as well.

Dang a Rang - This is a phrase I use if I am frustrated. If a car pulls out in front of me - Dang a Rang! If I burn dinner - Dang a Rang! If I stump my toe and it hurts really bad - Dang a Rang!
Hot Dog Spaghettios! - If I get a coupon in the mail for a free item - Hot Dog Spaghettios! When one of my kids make a 105 on a spelling test - Hot Dog Spaghettios! If a friend tells me they are picking up the ticket at a restaurant - Hot Dog Spaghettios!
Snappy Tap Tap! - This is my way of saying, "you just got told." This only applies in humorous situations though and not in serious ones. If one of my kids crack on their Uncle Todd - Snappy Tap Tap! If my husband tells me I am wrong and I prove that I am right - Snappy Tap Tap! If I beat one of the kids in Guitar Hero - Snappy Tap Tap!
Okally Dokally - I know other people use this word, but it is one of my favorites. It is self-explanatory really but... It's time to leave - Okally Dokally! I've got your keys - Okally Dokally. The movie is starting - Okally Dokally!
Good Googally Goo! - This is a phrase that I use in moments of disbelief or when someone else has a "duh" moment. If a friend is naming their child something really insane - Good Googally Goo! If my husband tells me that a family member has totally embarrassed themselves in public - Good Googally Goo! When a store has a sign that says that a $4 item is marked down to $4.50 - Good Googally Goo!
______ a Rooni! - I can add the suffix "a rooni" to anything! If you give me piece of candy - Thanks-a-rooni! If you fall and break your toe - Yikes-a-rooni! If you ask me if I want onion on my sandwich - Nope-a-rooni!

So there you have it! When you experience certain things in life, you now have a phrase to go with it! If I think of more - I'll surely add them.

Do you have any phrases that you made up for certain situations?

Feature Friday is Back...

2012-01-06T12:48:00.000-08:00

I took a breat from writing the Feature Friday posts during the holidays because we were so busy! We're still super busy but I missed writing them. I thought I'd do a 2011 Feature Friday Recap for you. This will be a great quick reference to the notes I wrote last year!

In 2012 I have some great Feature Friday ideas. After all, Hallelujah Acres is celebrating our 20th Anniversary and I plan to have a lot of fun with that!

2011 Feature Friday in Review

What I'm Thankful For
This was my last note of 2011 and I took a moment to speak from my heart and share what I was thankful for. This was post just before Thanksgiving and I enjoyed the time of reflection.

A Vegan Thanksgiving
This note features vegan recipes covering all the courses of a holiday meal. These are not only delicious but they take the stress out of trying to keep a traditional meal on the table.

Desserts!
We all love desserts and it is the one thing that some people miss most when adopting a healthy diet. This note made took the guilt out of this pleasure in life. The post offers recipes, phone apps, and videos.

Our Kale Chips are Green!
I answered questions on the "green" factor of our Kale Chips. I also offered some suggestions on how you can recycle the Kale packaging.

Let's Talk Detox...
Do you know what detox is? This post discusses the symptoms, details, and remedies on detox.

Thyroid
This is a common issue that we get asked about so I wrote a note about. This note details iodine, vegetables to avoid, and other dietary suggestions.

Hypoglycemia
Inspired by a blog post of AM & PM, this note focuses on the symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to deal with this while on the Hallelujah Acres' Diet.

Weather Preparedness
This note was written during a time of bad weather. Considering that most of us juice, process, blend, and dehydrate - a power outage would leave us nibbling on lettuce! This note tells ways to cope with an outage and how to prepare for such an event.

Kids
A detailed compilation of articles, books, videos, and tips for raising kids on the Hallelujah Acres' diet.

Blogging
Do you have a blog? This is a post about being inspired to blog and why you may want to have your own blog.

Common Misconceptions About the Diet
You shared the common misconceptions you've faced and I offered the answers to those questions. Topics covered include protein, calcium, muscles, boredom, and the meat argument.

Sprouting Tips
Fellow Facebook users offered tips for sprouting. You asked for it and we delivered!

The Hallelujah Acres' Diet on the Job
This note explains how to be on the Hallelujah Acres' Diet when you have to travel or work outside the home. All first hand advice that makes it work!

Overabundant Harvest
This Summer we were asked, "what do I do with all these vegetables?" If you are harvesting more than you can eat, there are ways to perserve them and we talk about them here.

July 4th BBQ - Vegan?
No ribs or meat burgers at this BBQ! This note offers some great Summer recipes!

Vegan Vacation...
This post made it easy to have a go-to place for all the many nuggets of advice given for travelling while on a vegan diet.

Vegan Mayonaise
A burger and sandwich staple, mayonaise does not have to be history with vegan alternatives available. All the details are found in this note!

Vegan Pizza
Need I say more?

Tips from Willi, the Hallelujah Acres' Organic Gardener
Willi, the Organic Gardner at Hallelujah Acres, was kind enough to take the time to compile a list of gardening tips. This post gives you those tips! Thank you Willi!

The Very First Feature Friday
I admittedly used this first Feature Friday for a shameless plug of Health Ministers Training. Don't get too upset - I'm sure I'll do it again this year!

Thank you all for a wonderful year in 2011 and I look forward to 2012!!! What Feature Friday topic would you like to see in 2012?

My New Marketing Term: Unexpecting Demographic

2011-12-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, you can use it - just give me credit for it. My plan for Social Media marketing world domination is coming together nicely! (Insert evil laugh here!)

Seriously though!

I have this habit of making up words in a way that is totally convincing. It's all those years of faking my way through English class I think! It comes in handy when I don't understand what someone is talking about. It makes me look very smart!

I have an perfect example of reaching an "Unexpecting Demographic." I love to look through different Facebook pages and see the creative ways other companies are using to engage their customer. I am very proud of the work I do in Social Media with Hallelujah Acres. Some folks appreciate photography or clever quotes, I love a good marketing idea!

I LOVED what I saw when I went to the Facebook page for the grocery store Ingles Supermarket. They were holding a Facebook Page "forum" with Sprout Organic Baby Food. The genius that inspired my new marketing term, Unexpecting Demographic? Are you ready for it?

They offered recipe ideas, using their baby food, giving individuals of all ages (even Seniors love Sprout Baby Food) without children a reason to buy baby food. SCORE! Do you understand how genius that is? This is one of those times that I appreciate the genius and then think to myself, "man, I wish I had thought of that!"

Here's our Twitter conversation:

@LeahMcGrathRD The Ingles Facebook post on using Baby Food in Recipes - GENIUS!

via @Laura_HAcres "The Ingles Facebook post on using Baby Food in Recipes - GENIUS" //THANKS! @SproutFoods @SproutMom

@LeahMcGrathRD I sent it to our marketing team as an example of how to reach an unexpecting demographic. Wish I had thought of it! LOL!

@Laura_HAcres I LOVE that term "unexpecting demographic"...could be the name of a rock band ;)

@Laura_HAcres RT @LeahMcGrathRD The Ingles Facebook post on using Baby Food in Recipes - GENIUS!> Thanks, Laura! Glad you liked it!

@SproutFoods Is this a national effort to build your demographic or did it just play out that way?

@Laura_HAcres It's playing out that way - there are so many uses across many demos (and pets!) - Sprout is real food!

There you have it folks! Who would have thought that I would have a reason to buy baby food after all of my kids have grown? So many uses for baby food - even for your pets. Did you see that coming? Sprout Baby Food is real food! Wanna see a recipe? Curiosity gets you every time!

Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Cookies. (You can use Carob Chips to make this vegan!) You can also use these products for dips, glazes, sauces, pancakes, smoothies! I'm going to try to freeze some of them and run them through my Green Star Juicer to make Ice Cream. I'll post pics, I promise!

So that makes me wonder, what's your favorite baby food flavor?

Be Thankful in All Things...

2011-11-22T06:54:00.000-08:00

I was talking with my boys this morning about being thankful. I asked them one "Thing" they were thankful for. They could not name anything that is living or ever was living. My younger son kept naming things that he thought would be the "right" answer. He said, "a good economy," and "a healthy environment." I had the same problem with a Facebook poll. I got answers like, "God" and "my Mom."

People are not able to sincerely communicate their thankfulness without feeling judged.

I told my younger son, "I'm thankful for my car." He was shocked and said, "OK, I'm thankful for having my own room." Now we're getting somewhere!

Whether you are a Christian or not, the Bible principles of loving others and having a grateful heart make us all better people. I am so thankful for everything I have because so many have not!

I do not worship my car or place it above my God or my family, but I am thankful for it.

I encourage you to be thankful for what you have and do not feel guilty for doing so. I am sure someone that has not, would be very thankful for what you have.

Give thanks and be grateful this Thanksgiving holiday season.

What I am Thankful for!

2011-11-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is less than a week away and I want to take a moment to express to you the things I am thankful for this year. This has been a wonderful year! As a child, I always made a Christmas list. Now that I'm grown, I think I'll make a Thanksgiving list instead.

My Thanksgiving List

My Heavenly Father I am so thankful to God my Heavenly Father for loving me in spite of myself. I sometimes fail Him and let Him down, but He continues to see me as worthy of His love. For that I am most thankful!
My Family I have the most wonderful family that includes my husband, kids, parents, in-laws, siblings, nieces, nephews... and the list goes on! They have filled my life with joy and I am thankful that I get the opportunity share in their lives.
My Church We recently moved back home and from the moment we stepped foot into our church, they have loved us as if a day had not passed. I know how precious it is to have a loving church family and I am eternally thankful for our's.
My Friends I am surrounded with friends who laugh when I laugh, cry when I cry, and hurt when I hurt. I am thankful that I have so many people in my corner.
My Job The day I walked into Hallelujah Acres for the first interview, I asked, "is it always like this?" It was so peaceful and welcoming, and yes - it is always like this! I am so blessed to be proud of what I do, proud of who I work for, and especially proud of who I work with. Forget an amusement park - Hallelujah Acres is the greatest place on Earth and I am so thankful to be here!
You I am thankful for all of you. You have no idea how many times you have put a smile on my face or brought laughter to me! I have prayed for you, laughed with you, smiled at you, and cheered you on. You do the same for me and I just want to say THANK YOU!

What are you thankful for?

Is Your Kid An Addict?

2011-11-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

Is Your Kid An Addict?

Holiday Food Rant...

2011-11-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

I had a bad week on the diet front. I ate horribly because of a super busy schedule. I am paying for this physically!!! Now on to my rant!

If I can't handle eating right when I am busy, what am I going to do about the Holidays? Food is huge during the holidays for my family. This is what we do! We have so many traditions that are focused on food. I am on the quest to find replacements for all my traditional Holiday favorites!

I know I am not going to find a Turkey replacement but what about everything else? Suggestions are appreciated!

I have found a Raw Pumpkin Pie and I just found a Gravy Recipe today. Oh, I totally plan to make this Sweet Potato Casserole because I LOVE coconut. Also, I can make cranberries by using agave nectar and oranges. So, what's left?

Vegan Versions of the Following:

Really fluffy mashed potatoes
Magic Cookie Bars
Green Bean Casserole
Stuffing
Pecan Pie
Some type of whole wheat dinner roll

Do you have a great vegan holiday recipe? If so, please share!

Fell off the bandwagon and hit by a truck!

2011-10-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

Lesson learned!!!

I fell off the whole foods, plant based diet bandwagon and paid a great price for it. We had a crazy busy weekend and although I didn't spend it eating tons of animal flesh, I did eat some really unhealthy stuff. Then my daughter had to be taken to the hospital for a fever and it just went downhill from there.

There's a saying that goes, "I feel like I've been hit by a truck." WELL, when I fell off the bandwagon - I was hit by a truck! I am so sick now! I've got this unrelenting cold that is turning into bronchitis that is keeping me up all night coughing and gasping for air. Miserable I tell you!

So, it's back on the Raw Vegan bandwagon for me. I don't like this feeling at all and I am not willing to feel this bad anymore!

Probiotics - check!
BarleyMax - check!
~~Processed sugary foods~~

Keep checking back, I've tried a new hair care product that I love! I'll be sure to post a review one day this week.

THIS is how you end hunger in America!

2011-10-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

My 6 year old's teacher called us last night to do an overview of where she is in the learning process. She's a very considerate teacher, does this a lot - love her for it! Anyway!

She then tells my husband that there is a girl in class that never brings snack. Here's the thing - these kids do not eat lunch until almost 1pm and so they have snack in the morning so they are not starving. It is required that you pack it and understood that if you do not pack it, your child will not have a snack as the school does not provide it. So this child sits and drinks water from the water fountain while all of the other kids eat their snack.

Ms. Teacher told my husband that our daughter gets up everyday and gives the little girl half of her snack. Then she told us that our daughter had asked permission to start bringing two snacks to school every day so that she can share with the child.

Today, I packed two juices and two sandwiches. My daughter said, "make sure you packed her a juice so that she doesn't have to drink that fountain water any more."

How do you change the world? How do we put an end to hunger? How do we reach those that are hurting?

Simple, be like a 6 year old and care about someone other than yourself.

Video Product Review: KitchenAid Food Processor

2011-09-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

I won the KitchenAid Food Processor at our Hallelujah Acres' company picnic. I thought it would be great to try it and write my review accordingly. You know my blog rule, I only write about it if I like it! WELL - I love it!!! Watch this video:

As you can see, the KitchenAid Food Processor is quiet and so easy that my son could operate it WITHOUT INSTRUCTION! (Except for the instruction "don't stick your fingers in there.")

My biggest likes for this product are:

Super Quiet
Easy Push Buttons
Very easy to operate
Simple Cleaning Process
Dishwasher Safe
Storage box for attachments included
Low price
No more skinny, mushy tomato slices!!!
No more crying while chopping onions!!!

My only dislike that I could come up with for this product is that it is heavy! Not too heavy for me to move but heavier than most other machines. Of course it is better than other machines in performance so the weight is worth it!

Do I recommend this product?

Absolutely! I may buy this and give it away as Christmas gifts this year.

ABC Distributing Catalog came in!!!

2011-09-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

OK, so every year my Mother orders us stuff for Christmas out of the ABC Distributing Catalog. So we get one in the mail yesterday and I am looking through it and I found the coolest thing. Terry, my hubby, is a really good artist and did a great deal of art when he was a teenager. He has been talking about taking it up again and we've looked at different sets. I find this in the ABC Catalog.

We have agreed to buy iPads for each other this year. How do I sneak an additional $60 in and buy this for him without him noticing? Hmmm....

Do I buy it? Do I not buy it? If you have one of these, let me know what you think of it. Will my husband like it for a Christmas present? Let me know at bargainladies@gmail.com.

Keeping My Word Y'all

2011-08-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

A couple of blog posts down (stay with me now) I promised to exercise. I'm so doing it!!! I found a co-worker willing to walk with me each day. So, I eat while I work and then use my lunch hour to walk. We walk an uphill/downhill trail for 2 miles at The Villages of Hallelujah Acres. Monday, we did this in 45 minutes. Yesterday, we did it in 35 minutes. I am hoping that soon I will be doing a 10 minute mile. That's running you know?

I've had quite a few views of my blog - to you all I say "THANKS!!!" I even had someone in Germany view the blog. To you I say "Danke!" (I took German in High School - loved it! I don't speak it fluently though because I was not one to do homework.)

Talk to me:

Are you exercising? Do you speak German?

How's that for random!?!?!?

It's Vegan Cheesecake Y'all!!!!!

2011-08-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

Score - Vegan cheesecake! I love cheesecake and it was one of those foods that I was sad about giving up when turning vegan. I know of other vegans who are completely capable of making a vegan cheesecake - I just don't happen to be one of them. Until now!!!

Okay, I'm not technically "making" the cheesecake but I would be placing the order and I worked hard to make the money that will pay for it! My plan is to order one of these closer to the Holidays. I'm leaning towards the Coconut Carob. Yep - you heard me right COCONUT CAROB CHEESECAKE! I can almost hear the angel choir singing! FYI: There is also a carob mousse and banana creme flavor. Oh my!

The company that sells these is called Earth Cafe. Check it out and let me know what you think. I met the owner and LinkedIn and I am so glad I did!

Camp Cuisine

2011-08-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

I spent the week at Alopeciapalooza. It was a great week. I made new friends and got to catch up with some old ones. Flew bald - that was pretty awesome. (If that just totally confused you - just read my bio and it will all make sense).

I was really worried about being vegan at camp. Vegan - at camp! One more time, vegan - at camp! You know camp, ice cream, milk, cheese, yogurt, hamburgers, sausage, hot dogs, pizza, bacon, CAMP! I am proud to announce that I totally did it with only one slip up - I did have some chocolate cake with some vanilla ice cream. It was a childhood thing - had to relive it.

I ate salads at lunch and dinner and fruit at breakfast. It wasn't really all that hard. I even had a vegetarian pizza in the airport! I'm pretty awesome - I'm just sayin...

What's missing?

2011-08-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

I am trying to lose weight and I have been eating really well. I'm talking raw vegan eating really well! I'm not gaining weight, which is a step in the right direction but I am not losing it very fast either. Wanna know why?

Exercise! I just can't seem to find the time in my day. I have got to do better with this. Someone here at the office suggested I get up at 5am. WHAT? ME? I did really well when I was doing the Exercise Essentials Program but when that ended, so did my fitness schedule.

Here's my plan, hold me to this now, this weekend I am going to start up on exercising again. I think I'll go through the Exercise Essentials program again for the motivation.

Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica!

2011-08-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

I can't even look at a beet without thinking of Dwight Schrute. In fact, when the kids and I are in the grocery store, we pick up a beet and announce, "Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica!" It's an automatic response for us. SO, you can imagine their surprise when after making my proclamation, I placed the bunch of beets in our buggy.

The boys have stared at them in the fridge now for two days. I plan to wash them and juice them tonight. We've seen scenes in the Office of Dwight eating the beets raw and Angela with red teeth from drinking Beet juice. I am sure this little experiment will prove very entertaining in addition to being nutritious.

Dwight Schrute would be so proud...

Perhaps we are pet people?

2011-08-03T11:32:00.000-07:00

We are not pet people. I love animals. I respect their right to live. I do not agree with mistreatment of animals for any reason. That said, we are not pet people. I am allergic to everything with fur. I am lucky to keep the house cleaned up after the kids. Pet food is really expensive.

That said. We have made a connection with a pet. Out of the blue really! We were in a pet shop and saw this baby African Grey Parrot. It seemed to call to us. My husband and I both said, it's like being in an orphanage and knowing the child is a part of your family. It was love at first sight.

Come to find out these birds are really smart. We do plan on getting one... one day. Financially, I can't justify $1200 right now for a pet. Go on YouTube and look up "African Grey Parrot" if you do not know what I am talking about.

THEY ARE THE COOLEST!!!!

(OK, I know I said I was going to blog about my new Bullet Express this time but the bird thoughts took over. RANDOM THOUGHTS, remember?)

Raw Vegan Juice Recipe

2011-07-12T13:24:00.001-07:00

Laura’s Salad Juice

(Makes roughly 16 oz of juice.)

•1/2 lb of Kale
•2 Tomatoes
•6 Carrots
•A handful of parsley
•1 Granny Smith Apple
•1 Cucumber (peeled)
•3 Sweet Peppers (2 red and 1 yellow - the little ones)
•1 Clove of Garlic (if you like it spicey)
DELICIOUS!!!!

Revamping the Blog...

2011-07-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

I neglected my blog, I was too blind to see it. I had other things on my plate. I am here to show it the love it deserves. I have revamped the blog, don't worry - Random still Rules!

However, I am always getting asked to review products and tell about it so I thought...

"USE THAT BLOG!!!" So here I am.

As a new vegan, I am trying something new every day. I work for a vegan company so that makes it really easy. Don't worry vegan product suppliers - there's no conflict. In fact, the last product I liked is now being sold on the store's shelf! Can I say that? Nevermind...

I think I'll review my new kitchen appliance tomorrow. That will be fun!

2011-06-21T18:00:00.001-07:00

My Vegan Blog: http://ping.fm/YtPmq

2011-04-03T13:09:00.001-07:00

Catching up on the shows I missed this week.

2011-03-17T18:06:00.001-07:00

When Lyvie found out that my imaginary friend was named Fonzy and from a TV show, she called me lame. She said that she would never name her imaginary friend after a TV character. She then thought up the first name of Theodore and wanted help with the last name. I suggested the last name of Huxtable. She loved it! So, at my suggestion, my daughter named her imaginary friend a non-lame TV name – Theodore Huxtable. Revenge is mine!

2011-03-11T08:56:00.001-08:00

Lyvie has decided that she want to raise baby chicks. I'm glad she didn't see the baby ducks too!