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Hello Internet,
Towards the end of January, my dog, Lola, died. It was really sudden, so I took a few months to sort my feelings so I could share them with you.

I met Lola in October of 2000. Except, that wasn’t her name yet. A friend of my sister’s had found her alone in a park in my hometown. The friend named her Summer, but when my sister took her in a name change was in order and she became Maggie. She was so small that she had to jump over grass and yet was already an orphan who’d had two names. My sister couldn’t care for her long term, and I had already fallen in love with her. There were plans to take her to the no-kill shelter, but I couldn’t bear even that. I wanted her to come home with me. We decided to rename her. It took awhile. We tried all kinds of names on, but none of them stuck, until my son prompted one in my mind. Lola used to have a horrible habit of jumping up on people when she was a puppy. She used to knock my son down from time to time. He started preemptively yelling “STOP!”, in this great toddler lisp, to halt her from jumping. It even worked, sometimes. Do y’all remember the German movie “Run Lola, Run”? You know that parts where she says “STOP!” and then the movie re-starts? His toddler lisped “STOP!” sounded strangely German and instantly I knew what her name should be. Years later, we added her middle name, Ursula, as a tribute to her very bear-like appearance. Shortly after we brought Lola home, I became pregnant with my daughter. My husband and I were working opposite schedules. I was tired a lot. Lola didn’t always get the attention she needed. She escaped and ran away a few times. On one of those nighttime jaunts, unbeknownst to us, she had a rendezvous. Shortly after my daughter was born, Lola had puppies. We had no idea it was coming, and were not prepared at all. It was a difficult situation, but we got through, found the puppies homes. From that point on, Lola  insisted on mothering my kids as if they were her own. She herded them in our yard if she felt they wandered too far. When we took her camping, she would always stay near us on the trail to make sure they were safe.She loved being outside, as well as being with her people, so of course she loved camping out with us. Once, while we were at Crown Lake, my husband went for a swim and Lola followed him. All the way out to the middle she swam, until she got to him, and then she was tired. So, she rested her paws on his shoulders. It took some coaxing to convince to swim back to shore. She loved my husband and wanted to be near him, always.

The boys took her backpacking a few times, and we all took her camping a handful of times. Of course we wish we’d taken her more, now. Isn’t that always the way? All the more reason to appreciate the moment now, I guess. Lola also loved the dog park. She knew the way, and would get excited when we would make the familiar turns on the way there. She loved to run, like you would expect from her name. But, with her runaway history, I was often worried about her taking off for good. The generous dog park in our town always put us both at ease. Wish I’d taken her there more, too.Lola loved making new friends, of any species. She would often run out to the road as people walked by, so she could say hello. Alas, most people didn’t take well to an overweight Rottie mix running towards them, no matter how big her smile. I found myself yelling “she’s friendly!” at complete strangers, to no avail.Every person who took the time to get to know her loved her. It only took a moment for her sweet intentions to reveal themselves to new people. From those who knew her, it is widely agreed she is the sweetest dog who ever lived. Songs were written about her. Really!She loved to be outside, to lie in the grass. Resting in the coolness, or rolling around on her back making the best snuffling noises. Lola was an excellent weeding partner, a silent companion (except for the whole running off unexpectedly part). She was nice to all species, especially cats. More than anything, she wanted to be friends.When my depression was at it’s worst, I used to lie in the cool grass with her, next to her, holding her. She held me, too, in a way. I will always be thankful for that, for her presence. She was my best friend, she always understood. I was never too much for her. I miss that. I think it was then, when I needed her most, that I started to wonder how I would handle things when she was gone. I knew it would eventually happen, as we all understand. She had runaway tendencies, we lived near a busy street, she was getting older, big dogs don’t last long, etc. Plus, her muzzle was turning white. She looked dignified. And, old.She started slowing down the past few years. Her joints stiffened, she started sleeping more. I started to tell myself I should start preparing, sometime soon, for the idea that she might be gone. Soon. Yes, I would think about it soon. Then, one night, there was an accident at home and we heard something snap. Watching it happen, it didn’t seem possible that her leg could be broken, but it was also quite apparent she couldn’t walk on it. We called the emergency vet, made arrangements to take her in. Lola bravely hobbled on three legs out to the car. We hoped it was just a joint out of place. It wasn’t. It was broken, and as we would find out over the long three day weekend, she had cancer in the broken bone. It would not heal. All at once we had too few decisions to choose from and they were all horrible. Life is oftentimes about making the best of things, especially when things are completely full of shit.But, that’s not the part of Lola’s story that I want to close with, even if it is the close of her story. I want to tell you about the thing I think Lola loved more than any other thing (other than food, of course). Lola loved fireworks. I know! Crazy, right? She was fascinated by them, making me wish she had opposable thumbs so she could hold a sparkler. She wasn’t frightened, or alarmed. She was simply mindblown. We often do Fourth of July fireworks in our driveway. It started one year, due to schedules or something, but continued, I think in part because Lola loved it so much. My husband does a great finale at the end and we always find it very impressive, Lola most of all.She couldn’t have been happier…

]]> http://gladcow.com/2012/04/lola-ursula-keightley-2000-2012/feed/ 8 http://gladcow.com/2012/02/i-love-food/ http://gladcow.com/2012/02/i-love-food/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:58:13 +0000 summer http://gladcow.com/2012/02/i-love-food/

When I explained the many and varied issues I’d been struggling with, my psychologist suggested I try to improve my digestion. I can’t say I took her advice to heart very quickly. I admitted my digestion wasn’t it’s best. It hadn’t been since The Great Gluten Incident of Aught Nine. But, I didn’t feel like I constantly had a rock in my stomach. That only happened every week or so. And, I was able to eat 3 meals a day, most of the time at least, if I picked the right foods. I am vegan and I poop three times a day, minimum. My digestion is fine! All of this depression, lack of appetite, low energy, psoriasis, social anxiety, and weird weight loss are just a part of life. OKAY?!

Luckily, I finally listened to her & started seeing a naturopath. My first naturopathic appointment was very illuminating. My naturopath spent over an hour taking notes while I talked about my symptoms as well as my life in general and in the end, the seemingly disparate issues I’d been struggling with were boiled down to two issues; my hormones and my digestion. That’s it.

We started a plan of attack to work on both of those issues. We are making headway with both. My digestion has recently improved to the point where my previous state of being is unbelievable to me while my new state of being is almost as unbelievable. How did I live like THAT then? How is my body doing THIS now? We talk about how busy we are and how we make do because we are so busy and how that often leads to not caring for ourselves or ignoring our health. But, I also think we are designed with an instinct to carry on, and sometimes we are simply carrying on because that’s what our bodies do. Sometimes we need outside perspective so we can see what we are carrying on through. I’d been carrying on through a lot.

In the five months since I started seeing my naturopath I have had changes in just about every area I was struggling with before. My mood is completely different. My ability to bounce back from difficult situations exists now. My weight is steady. My appetite…happens! I digest my food in an hour or so instead of a day or so. My baseline, my foundation, for dealing with what the heck ever is stronger and higher. My sense of humor is back. When I hope, it sticks around for awhile. I am able to redirect myself when I feel sad or troubled. I feel capable when I get home at the end of the day, instead of completely worn out. My psoriasis has improved, something I didn’t believe would ever happen. Now, I think I may have clear elbows for the first time since second grade. Mainly because of my digestion (I think some of these have some to do with my hormones, as well. But, the biggest change in all of these happened when we started improving my digestion).

Since I started on this journey, I’ve noticed news articles that suggest other people are discovering what I’ve discovered. Digestion is key. If you don’t’ absorb what you eat, you will suffer. Because, you are what you eat, y’all.

We have been working with some digestive herbs and other things to ramp up my digestion, but none of it was helping long term or changing my digestion for good. So, my naturopath suggested an antibody blood test to see if I was eating anything that could be bothering my body. BOY WAS I EVER:

The pictures are of my test results. Anything in the I-VI range is creating an antibody response in my body and should be avoided. So, in addition to being vegan (as I’ve been for 10+ years) and gluten free (as I’ve been for 3+ years) I will also be avoiding the following items:

• lima beans
• soy beans (and all forms of soy)
• buckwheat
• cashews
• corn
• wheat gliadin*
• wheat gluten*
• peas
• pistachio
• brown rice
• rye*
• spelt*
• sunflower seed
• whole wheat*
• artichoke
• navy beans
• garlic
• quinoa
  *I’ve already been avoiding these as part of my gluten free diet

So, yeah, that is quite a list. It became even more daunting when I realized most of these foods are hiding even in “allergy free” items and in other places I wouldn’t expect. My favorite almond milk has sunflower lecithin (I did not even know that was a thing), baking powder has cornstarch (I found a recipe to make my own. What sort of madness is this?) all chocolate has soy lecithin (save for one brand), all potato chips are verboten (until I find some all olive oil ones), and garlic is pervasive in most all packaged foods.

Thank goodness I know how to cook, right?! And, thank goodness my husband is doing this diet with me. With out those two factors, I’m pretty sure I’d have given up by now.

I’m currently 1 week into this journey. In about a month my naturopath and I will decide what to do next. In the meantime, I’m hungry when I should be, the food I eat sounds and tastes good, and I digest what I eat in time to be hungry at the correct time again. That has not been the case for many years. It feels like magic.

Join us over on the Glad Cow Facebook page and celebrate Glad Cow Week 2012!

My dear friend, Jeannie, organized this event 3 years back and I’ve looked forward to it every year since.  Here, she describes it in her words:

In celebration of gladcow’s continuing efforts and advice in service to the improvement of vegan cuisine, here in vegan Facebook world the first week in February is dedicated to cooking something from a gladcow recipe! Diehard fans will cook something every day of the week, but anything you make is appreciated. You will earn special credit at the end of the week if you have done this. ♥

You can make something from her cookbook if you have it, or pick one from the resources she will post to the Glad Cow Cookbook page–she has a ton of recipes to choose from, since she’s been cooking wonderful food for her whole gladherd for years. YEARS!!

During Glad Cow Week, we also celebrate Cheezish Synchronicity (it always falls on Groundhog Day). It is definitely not to be missed as well. Here’s how Jeannie describes it:

In honor of gladcow’s continuing efforts and advice in service to the improvement of vegan cuisine, here on Facebook we are celebrating the Third Annual Cheezish Synchronicity, the celebration of which preceded the rise and domination of Facebook as a social media despot.

February 2, among other things, is the day to participate in vegan Cheezish Synchronicity. On this day, we celebrate and enjoy the delicious, easy, and flexible macaroni and cheese recipe in the Glad Cow Cookbook. The recipe is also gluten-free, and if you use GF pasta, you are goldenly GF.

Don’t have the cookbook? Don’t have the recipe? Buy the book! Or, message author and vegan educator Summer Keightley, aka gladcow, plead your case, and she will accommodate you.

Cheezish Synchronicity accompanies gladcow week, in which the first week of February is dedicated to cooking something from a gladcow recipe (there are many) as often as possible.

And now, for all of the links!
Glad Cow Facebook Page
Glad Cow Week 2012 Event Page
Cheezish Synchronicity 2012 Event Page
Recipes on the Glad Cow Facebook Page

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This is the spread I put out when we hosted our family of friends for UFC watching last weekend. We trade off who hosts, and when it’s their turn they make the BEST tacos. We would probably riot if they made something else. I usually recruit my son to make bean dip, and I make something to go with it. This time was different.

This time I wanted to do something new. Plus, they’d never had Cheezish before! *gasp* Suffice to say, they’re my newest converts now. In addition to the (baked) Cheezish*, I also made a baked pasta with pesto marinara, topped with Daiya and olives and a salad chock full of local veggies. The last time they were over, the kids went wacko for my vegan ranch, so I knew that needed to happen as well. I put some on my Cheezish, and it was amazing. Truly.

My son still wanted to contribute, so he made chocolate chip cookies. I didn’t take a picture of those, but they were good. Trust. Also not pictured: all of the beer.

*yes, you read that right, baked Cheezish! Coming in the next book!

Every Friday is “Make Your Own Dinner” night. It gives the adults a break from meal planning, and helps the kids learn to fend for themselves. This is what I had last week. A whole whack of black refried & tempeh bacon tacos and an infamous Apple Guy apple.

I have tempeh bacon more often than not on MYOD night. The kids hate tempeh, and I love it, so I use this night as a chance to get my fix. I also make a whole lotta tacos on MYOD night. The kids generally have something from the Boca family of products. Bean dip is also a popular choice for them. My husband likes to make smoothies for his MYOD choice. Sometimes I share my stuff with him. I wouldn’t want him to miss out on the tempeh bacon!

Do you have any favorite foods you make for just yourself? Does your household have a MYOD night?