fact and opinion

Definitions:

Fact: something that is true; reality; something that exists

Opinion: a personal view, attitude, or appraisal

Fact: I have spent 31 hours in the car over the last 4 days, and I have driven 1910.23 miles on my road trip to Savannah.

Opinion: That is way too long to be in the car over the course of 4 days.

Fact: The Monteagle grade mountain range is en route to Savannah.





Fact: Mommasita attempted to take a picture with the mountains behind me. Epic fail.





Opinion: The mountains in Tennessee are the most stunning portion of the drive.






Fact: Coffee is a caffeinated beverage.




Opinion: Coffee is most enjoyed after driving from Chicago to Savannah straight through the night.





Fact: I brought all of my daily essential eats with me on my trip.





Opinion: Although this was a HIGHLY reccomended call on my part (especially if you have allergies, food intolerances), oatmeal is most enjoyed at home reading blogs instead of in a hotel lobby.



Fact: This almond milk comes in juice box size.




Opinion: While great for traveling, it was much too sweet for my liking.





Fact: Justin's nut butters come in fun squeeze pack sizes

Opinion: Read the caution statement above - I agree.

Fact: Cashews and raisins are healthful food choices.

Opinion: It is okay to have gone through both of these bags within four days.

Fact: The Old Savannah Cotton Exchange building was completed in 1887 and was designed by William Gibbons Preston

Opinion: I think many pirates fell down these steep paths.

Fact: Bay Street is located along the river and was a marketplace for many merchants in the eighteenth and nineteenth century.

Opinion: Those cobblestone roads must have hurt riding in a carraige.

Fact: Fiddler's Crabhouse is located along the river on Bay Street in Savannah.

Opinion: It is delicious.

Fact: I ate shrimp on Saturday (::gasp::!! - sidenote: the only reason I am a "vegetarian" is because I refuse to eat factory farmed meat. For more information about factory farmed meat, the book Eating Animals is a great book to read. This shrimp was freshly caught, which I felt much better about.)

Fact: A traditional low country boil includes shrimp and sausage, boiled potatoes, cabbage, and corn.

Opinion: My dinner was better than the original.

Fact: There is a store on Bay Street called The Peanut Shoppe, which is stocked with many different kinds of nuts.

Opinion: If I would have eaten one more "sample", I would have been accused of stealing. This store ROCKS!!

Fact: The sidewalk is made up of oyster shells.

Opinion: The sunset on Saturday night was beautiful, despite the fact there were no fireworks (the newspaper said there was!) that night.

Fact: My trip was short lived in Savannah.

Opinion: People in the south move at a much slower pace than my Chicagoan personality would like to allow.

Fact: We retrieved BIL's (brother in law) children in Savannah.

Opinion: Everything takes 3 times as long with kids in tow.

cutie patooties

Fact: Melissa at For the Love of Health is having a giveaway that ends July 11th!

Opinion: The Lasenza headband and workout socks are by far the cutest things EVER and I really hope I am a winner winner chicken dinner!

Fact: I have not been able to read blogs for the past couple of days.

Opinion: I missed the blog world.

xoxo - time to catch up and then head to bed!!

Question: What is one fact and opinion message from your holiday weekend?

vegan veggie-loaded breakfast casserole

The Goods

• 1 package firm or extra firm tofu
• 1/2 cup almond milk (or any lactose free milk)
• veggies of your choice: I used onion, green pepper, garlic, mushrooms, and broccoli
• garlic, pepper, and salt to taste

How it's Done

1. Spritz a large frying pan with olive oil or cooking spray of choice
2. After chopping vegetables, saute the vegetables over medium high heat.
3. Drain your package of tofu, chop the block of tofu in two pieces, and press dry (in between towels/paper towels with heavy books on the top for 15 minutes see See Emily's pictures for a better understanding if you are lost
4. Crumble tofu with hands into a blender/food processor. Add the almond milk and puree until smooth.
5. Combine your tofu mixture with cooked vegetables in an 8x8 pan.
6. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and bake for 25-30 minutes
7. Enjoy! I served mine with salsa, but it is delicious by itself!

the tofu in the blender

main event

I thought this was great, but I think I will add some nutritional yeast next time to get that "cheesy" flavor! I brought this to a brunch - it was a big hit and no one knew it was tofu until I told them. Some still don't nkow... shhhhhh!