Easter weekend with Pope Francis I

I hope everyone is geared up for a beautiful Easter weekend -- I know I am. Plans include Masses in various churches, the traditional family brunch on Sunday, and likely lots of discussion about Pope Francis I.

Inspiration doesn't even begin to describe the feeling of knowing this Pope discouraged people from traveling to Rome for his first Mass, instead urging them to donate the money to the poor. Pope Francis I has the poor close in mind and heart, seeing as how he chose the same name as Saint Francis of Assisi, a champion for the poor.

Pope Francis I is also the first South American to be Pope, and the first Jesuit! As I told many, all forms of social media in my life were out of control the day a Latino Jesuit became Pope -- so exciting for so many. A beautiful Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on Sunday, March 17 was the Archdiocese of Baltimore's way of giving thanks for Pope Francis I.

Pope Francis I's Inaugural Mass homily encourages us to be protectors:

It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live. It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about. It means caring for one another in our families: husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents. It means building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect, and goodness.

How can you protect others today, just as Saint Joseph did (whose feast day was March 19, the same day as the Inaugural Mass), with tenderness, love and hope?

Still need inspiration? Check this out:

P.S. Even celebrities love this Pope.

After ever after ... for real?

Found this clip from Tracy and Aaron (thanks!) -- an interesting parody on Disney characters and how some of their kind have been treated over time. It surely makes you think, a lot, about what we can do to improve the way we treat people!

A weekend of incredible vegetarian options! - part 1

Hello friends!

Thanks for all your great support recently in my vegetarian endeavors. I'm so excited to learn so much more -- and I feel I've already learned lots! Keep passing on the wisdom, recipes and recommendations.

The past week was full of some really interesting discoveries. First off, did you know Burger King serves veggie burgers? I certainly didn't! Now, I didn't go eat there (it falls in the same category as to why I don't really eat fast food in general -- uncertainty as to where the food comes from, mass quantities made quickly, etc.) -- but I'm super proud that vegetarians are respected here!

Next excitement for the week focused on the "Happy Salad" -- a name created by Angie, which I wholeheartedly support. I've never been so happy, full, excited and energized eating a salad! The recipe includes very simple ingredients: avocado, chickpeas and spinach, and was SUPER easy to make! Go salads!

On Friday, Jeff (a fellow vegetarian, who was recently inspired by Alex's comments to possibly cut out fish entirely?! Go Alex! and yes -- I'm doing my research too, expect a blog in the future!) and I went out to eat at Great Sage, a vegan restaurant in Columbia. The servers were great, #WorldWaterDay invited some fun conversations, and the food was pretty great. Jeff got a "crab-less" crabcake, and I had a quinoa burger! Yum! We also had spinach and artichoke drip, 

I'll leave you with that food for thought (haha, no pun intended!) right now -- expect an update on the other delicious creations very soon!

Jimmy Valvano... 20 years later.

Most of the folks my age weren't really paying attention when Jimmy Valvano gave his famous ESPY speech in 1993. The theme is "Don't give up ... don't ever give up." I thought this could be a fitting motivation for today! Hope you enjoy :)

Baltimore's immigration!

Did you hear Baltimore's census increased by 1100 recently? The rise is attributed to immigrants, which is definitely huge news for Esperanza Center! Check out the Baltimore Sun article and the ABC2 News piece on immigrants, including some nice features about Esperanza Center.

Food update!

I'm really blessed. This whole meatless thing has been relatively easy so far -- and you know why? Incredible people in my life talk about healthy food options all the time. Today, I want you to visit Angie's blog, to learn about this 'hungry veganista,' who does a great job educating those around her. For Sammi, her INCREDIBLE journey to do a juice detox for a few weeks has resulted in such wonderful goals, and I couldn't be more proud of or inspired by her. And Alex, who has a blog from a few years ago, is just really awesome and passionate about also being vegan. You should likely just get to know him, he's pretty cool. Props go out to the other big supporters, like Jeff Will, Jenn Zocco, Skyler Rogers and more. Thanks again for all the support!

Not much more excitement to report -- I did have a big Trader Joe's run this weekend, which resulted in some good produce, organic Greek yogurt, and creative new meal options. Check out this one below:

Quinoa with chickpeas, and lentils, plus veggies!

Have a great Wednesday!

P.S. Both Sammi and Angie (who is doing a 15-day juice detox of her own!) really love Reboot with Joe. Check him out if you are curious!

10 things I've learned... including a surprise at the end!

Over halfway through Lent, and so much to catch up on! I think I need to make a list...

1. People like this kid, a contestant for PETA's cutest vegan kid, inspire me. Her family raised her to really value animals -- and the gift to understand that at a young age is incredible.

2. There is a difference between a juicer and a blender -- not just in functionality, but in concentration of nutrients.  Much to think about before my next juicing/smoothie concoction!

3. It's super humbling to have a dietary restriction when someone else is cooking. At #HOBYALA, mad props to Josh Shearer for the incredible care he put into those of us pescatarians, vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free eaters, etc. It was really tough, though, to realize that if I was hungry, it was likely because of a lack of protein, and I had to say something -- whether I wanted to or not.

4. On the other hand, I go to restaurants, and it's super easy to find a meal that has protein and satisfies my needs! Perhaps the fish element helps at the moment, maybe. Either way, places like One World Cafe make a meatless diet really exciting!

5. Speaking of feeling hungry or not, I'm quickly learning good foods to help me fill up. Grains and beans, nuts and seeds, protein found in eggs, etc. -- and check out the picture on the right for more solutions to cravings! Filling a craving can be done healthily, too.

6. Many dietary options exist, including the Paleo lifestyle -- which focuses a lot more on organic, healthy food. Listen to these Paleo adventurers who research grain-fed versus grass-fed beef. Regardless of the fact that I'm not eating meat right now, organic options are so important for good environmental concerns!

7. "If you want to really reduce the water footprint of your food then eating a diet where fruits, veggies and grains for the vast majority of your calories is clearly the way to go--it also happens to be healthier, cheaper and better for carbon emissions, by the way."

8. Meat production creates carbon emissions that are super bad for the environment. Global warming, anyone? Happy to be doing my part.

9. Giving up meat has made me think more about the environment as a whole. If we want to be better to ourselves and animals, why not give up paper towels, bottled water, conventional detergent, and other pollutants?

10. I don't really miss meat all that much. Surprised? Me too. I think it's because of things pictured on the here - delicious veggie burgers (including black bean burgers, veggie sausage, etc.). I can tell my body is a fan of what I put into it more; lots of pure items that give me more energy!

Conclusion: I think I'm going to try six months of eating vegetarian -- technically pescatarian, I suppose, but trying to continue not relying on fish for protein, and instead relying on healthier options: fruits and veggies, dairy products, the bean family, etc.

I realized that I'm not ready to stop researching, and I'm certainly not comfortable with stopping blogging. I wanted to eat meat just once in the 23 days I've gone meatless so far, therefore why start again?! Also, I want to delve into more recipes, more choices, more learning, more experiments. So exciting! 

Thanks especially to Jeff Will, Skyler Rogers, Ashley Perkins, Tracy Wertheimer and Sarah Mason for being great conversationalists about this adventure during #HOBYALA, and to Jenn Zocco, Angie Undercuffler, Alex LaBant, Molly Kalan, and the many more who have supported me this whole time! You all are fantastic. <3