Happy (belated) New Year everyone!

Ok, ok, I admit, it's been waaaayyyy too long since I posted! *blush*

I'm sorry! To those of you who really even read my blog, 

I apologize! 

To be honest, I didn't know whether or not I'm actually even continuing to blog!.. I think trying to follow the vegan MoFo crowd and blog every day (or almost every day) just wore me out! Seriously, I've only been blogging for those few months but I've never thought just exactly how time consuming it is!!! I've always enjoyed reading other blogs but I have to say now I have even more appreciation  for each and every blogger who keeps us entertained, supplied with new recipes, pictures or other interesting tidbits!

A big "THANK YOU!" to all of you bloggers out there!!! =)

That being said, I might not give up blogging completely..., but I might only post a few times a month.. if even, depending on what's going on or 'worthy' to post! We'll see!.. 

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For now I'll be a sport and blog something new because I've been tagged by Marion from Affection for fitness. Thank you for that, Marion! =)

Here are the rules: 

1. Post the rules

2. You must post 11 random things about yourself

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer

5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them

11 random things about me:

1*I'm a single child

2*I grew up most of my life in other countries like Brazil, Japan & Portugal

3*I have a fitness DVD collection of ~250 DVDs (all in 3 DVD 'folders' in order to save space' -the cases are stored in big plastic bins)

4*I have ~350 books in my shelf waiting to be read and still check out PBS almost every day *lol*

5*I like making my own soap! So far it's only been the glycerin kind (Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Cocoa Butter, Olive oil.. you name it, I've tried all those bases) but eventually I plan on giving cold processed one a try as well!

6*I cloth diapered my youngest and loved it! It has so many benefits and isn't as yucky as one might think at first! (Handling a dirty diaper is never a pleasure either way, whether it's cloth or plastic!) I was actually quite in love with my collection and made (sewed) many diapers myself. :)

7*I'm not really a jewelry type of person and usually only wear my wedding band & engagement ring. If anything I add a pair of sticker earrings (I only own 2 pairs in total *lol*) and a favorite necklace.

8*I don't like getting flowers! I prefer them in the garden and not in a vase! Due to our 2 cats I have to put them out of reach so they won't get sick from nibbling on the petals or leaves, so really it's a waste of money in my opinion.

9*Ever since I heard about the Divacup about 6 years ago, I've never used anything else! [Sorry if that's TMI for some; I figured we're all adults here ;)]

10*I have the radio (or CD/ipod) on most of the day and love to sing to any 80's song; preferably while cleaning or cooking/baking. :) 

11*I never went to a Spa or had any Spa-like treatments done!

Answering Marion's (Affection for fitness) questions:

1*Briefly, what is your best fitness or dieting/weight management or cooking advice (choose the category you're best at)?

My best fitness advice would be: Do what you enjoy doing! Chances are you'll be more consistent than doing something you really dread! And also, sometimes a little goes a long way! You don't have to necessarily do full 60 minutes of cardio in order to achieve something! Do 15 minutes in the morning and 15 in the afternoon and you've already accomplished the advised 30 minutes for heart health!

My best weight management advice would be: "Moderation is the key!" I know, there's been the debate what exactly moderation is; what might be too much for me might be just right for you.. But overall I think using common sense tells us after all what the right thing is. (2 pieces of chocolate vs. half an entire bar for ex.)

2*What is your favorite meal and dessert?

Oy, that's a tough one! I love so many dishes! *lol*

If I could zone in on a certain area I'd say anything Pasta! Right now I really enjoy Vegan Yum Yum's 'Hurry up Alfredo' sauce equally with my 'Norma' tomato sauce. Anything comfort food is awesome though!

Dessert.. Pre-vegan I'd have said my New York style Cheesecake. I have yet to create the same veganized... In general I enjoy baked goods like sweet yeasty bread braids, muffins, cookies..

3*What singer(s)/band(s) could you spend hours listening to on youtube.com?

Oh there are quite a few, it depends on my mood, but one of my favorites are

Schiller and Snatam Kaur 

4*What are your favorite exercise songs?

Anything with a strong beat; for running anything by Scooter gets me going really well since years! Linkin Park is another group I can run 'forever' (well.. not quite) to. Otherwise I work out to DVDs that already have their own music.

5*What movies are your all-time favorites?

Hands down, 'Dirty Dancing' & 'Top Gun'! From the newer ones I think 'The Proposal' is quickly becoming another favorite. 

7*What book(s) do you recommend? (Fiction or nonfiction)

Well it depends on what genre you like, of course, but since I mostly enjoy romantic suspense, cozy mysteries and contemporary romance (aka chick lit), I'd suggest something in that area.

One book that comes to mind would be Linda Howard's "Mr. Perfect" as well as her "Open Season". Both equally having LOL moments yet having a good portion of suspense! I also thoroughly enjoy Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and own all 17 so far (which I won't trade away either).

I've also enjoyed a few of Nora Roberts' trilogies in the past as well as her Bridal Quartet series.

I can't remember exactly any books in particular but for any light 'chick lit' read authors such as Carly Phillips, Susan Mallery, Susan Andersen, Jennifer Cruise, Rachel Gibson, Jane Heller, Julie James... They're all awesome!

8*Tell about a moment in your life that really mattered and changed how you felt about yourself.

Ugh! That's a tough one! I think the most significant moment was the day I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl and became a mother! 

While I was never an egoistic person to begin with, holding this precious bundle of new human being in my arms made me put everything on hold and put her needs first! To this day that's how I feel about both of my children -and husband. =)

I love being the caretaker and 'domestic goddess' for my loved ones.

9*What would you like to see more (or less) on other people's blogs?

I can't think of something, honestly! I mostly read blogs for recipes and always enjoy seeing the beautiful pics. If anything nutritional info would be a great plus but not really necessary.

10*What is something you wish people would understand about you?

Another tough one! ;)

Hmm.. honestly I'd mainly wish people would understand that I'm not only slim & fit because I'm vegan! I hate when people make this assumption! (I heard that kind of statement also in my vegetarian days.) There are *sooo* many yummy vegan dishes out there that are tempting me and I like to eat with a good appetite! I have to keep up with my fitness too; even if I may have the benefit of having gotten my father's genetics for being rather tall and on the slimmer side.

Another fact I'd like to point out at this time: Slim doesn't always mean you're healthy!!! Thankfully I am healthy, but it's not always a correct assumption for slim/thin people!

11*If you had a 500$ shopping spree (that couldn't be for any family needs), what would you buy for yourself?  

Oh, that's an easy one! LOL First of all I'd buy 1 or 2 more big shelves which I'd fill with all of the vegan cookbooks and other fiction books that I have on my Amazon wish list! ^_^ And if I'd still have a little bit of cash left, I'd probably buy the one or the other fitness DVD that I'd still like to try (Ballet Beautiful by Helen Bowers comes to mind for example).

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I'll have to come up with a list of my own questions, but I'm going to tag the following:

1. Lee at Plenty sweet enough

2. Cassie at Vegan Fox

3. Michelle at lovinlivinvegan

4. Farrah at Carrot top vegan

5. Emmy at Vegan Gourmet Caravan 

My questions for *you*:

1. What is your favorite childhood memory?

2. Do you have any pets? (Tell us a bit about him/her/them!)

3. Name one kitchen utensil you absolutely couldn't live with? (Considering you had the essentials like cutlery, pots and pans, plates.) 

4. If you could hop on a plane and take a 2 week vacation, where would you go? 

5. How many hours a week do you spend on blogging?

6. Do you have any other hobbies? How much time do you spend doing those hobbies?

7. What would your dream job be? (Is it possible to make it come true?)

8. If you could meet a famous person and spend some time with him/her, who would it be and why?

9. Do you like to exercise? If so, what form of exercise is it?

10. Favorite animal? (Any reason?)

11. Most often eaten food in your house?

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Tag, you're it! =) I'm looking forward to hear your answers!