1 Month Anniversary

I can't believe first of all that another month has come and gone and second that Saturday is our 1 month anniversary of being Vegan. I am proud to say that during this month I ate 98% vegan only had a few slip ups which were small. Now am I feeling the best ever, I'm not sure about that but I do feel good. My energy level is high, my digestion is good and my migraines are a smidge better than normal I would go out on a limb to say. 

Verdict- I am going to continue, another month goal of eating Vegan 90% and this coming month I will need that 10%.... my Mom arrives next week. And yes, I am cooking Vegan for her each night but we are going to splurge and get burgers one day and my lunches most likely will not all vegan!

Now, to celebrate the one month anniversary I have another GREAT recipe to share with you! I LOVED this. I made Lentil Sloppy joes on Sunday and then they also made the BEST leftovers!!! I will say cook your lentils all the way until soft. That took mine 45minutes. If they are too hard, they will be dry and this recipe won't be as good!

 I got this recipe from this blog HERE

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried lentils rinsed well
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 medium green pepper diced
• ½ small yellow onion diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• ½ tbsp mustard
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• salt & pepper to taste
• Hamburger buns
• Optional for serving: onions pickles, sliced cheese

Instructions

1. Place your lentils and water in a small sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.
2. Once the water is boiling reduce the heat to medium and let them cook for about 20 minutes or until tender. Drain liquid and set aside.
3. While your lentils are cooking in a wide pan heat olive oil over medium heat. Sautee onion and bell pepper for about 5-8 minutes or until soft and onion is translucent.
4. Add in tomato sauce, tomato paste, mustard, and spices. Mix until combined. Reduce heat to about medium-low.
5. Add cooked lentils to sauce mixture and let cook for another 5-10 minutes or until sauce is thickened and flavorful. Add in any more flavorings you might need.
6. Serve piled on a hamburger bun

If you follow me on Insta then you see these great micro greens on top of most of any dinners and I am OBSESSED! They are Sunflower Greens and they actually have a spicy bite to them, I got them at my regular grocery store and they were prefect on top of the sloppy joes as well!!!
Enjoy guys!

BABY US

I have told you all how I am organizing memories that our parents sent us both and ya, I have SO much to share but in time people, in time! My last post about 1999 me showed me that even thought we change, evolve and of course grow up that after reading things I wrote I am essentially the same person at heart. 

I have also found while going thru things how many things that I/we did when younger are truly kismet to our lives now.

I mean clearly we all know how much I LOVE ANIMALS and ya, this is baby Nicole going in for a big smooch on a goat. Funny thing I am thinking about planning Mountain Goat Yoga for my Birthday this year! And I have never shied away from mouth kissing any animal! LOL

This is my ALL time favorite picture of myself and it shows pure JOY! And ya I am holding a black kitten like a baby... pretty much something that would still make me smile like that! And then I grew up and had a black cat that I loved more than life. But wait........

 First of all how ADORABLE is Matt? Here is Matt at the same age holding a tan weenie and we grew up to adopt a tan weenie. At this same age we are literally holding our future, not to be so dramatic but it's kinda cool.
I know, I think we would have had really adorable blonde kids... but it is what it is. Anyways..

Then my first team to cheer for was The Broncos, same colors and all. And yup, I now live in Bronco country! It's weird ya know? I even found Matt and I's Christmas card one year when we lived in Ohio and the picture is us at a Bengals- Broncos game and then 2 months later we find out we are moving to Colorado. I don't know to me it's neat to look back and see how the pieces line up

 Have you came across things like this in your life? Do you keep everything like I do?

Spring Family Photos

 You guys, I just love this family and I am so lucky to be able to style them for their 3rd annual beach family photos! Here are the looks from the past 2 years and this year I wanted to do different color schemes and throw in some unconventional options for fun!

I was inspired by a soft color palette of pink, nude and grays for this one! That dress is a stunner and will need that bralette under it, you know...  because Free People. I would like to see his jeans rolled up just a bit at the bottom to complete his look.

Family Pictures 2018 by nsavage featuring a cotton dress

Jamie wore gingham last year I realize but dress is completely different and plus it is Navy, paired with the cute stripe little girls dress this look screams chic/southern!

Family Pictures 2018 - 2 by nsavage featuring slide sandals

This board is fun, I love the look of mixing prints like Jamie's striped jumpsuit with the adorable floral little girls dress! This board is very bright and cheery and I also love the subtle pattern on Dads shirt also!

family Pictures 2018 - 3 by nsavage featuring drop earrings

NOW I have created 2 extra looks that are polar opposites and unexpected...

Formal wear on a beach? YES, for this board I wanted to convey "Oh look at us, we came from a very fancy event and now we stroll on the beach as a family"! It sounds silly but the flow of that dress for Jamie is truly perfect. And for the shoes it will look chic to be carrying them. I am sure Dad already has a blue suit he can wear a white shirt under and he should roll up the legs of his pants a little! This one is super fun and very different from years past!

family Pictures 2018 - 4 by nsavage featuring fleece-lined jackets

Here is what I LOVE about this casual look, it screams.... "oh look at us being casual on the beach and wow I can't believe a photographer captured our candid moments!"
Both Mom and Dad will roll up their jeans and yes, Jamie I like the "half-tuck" look for you. Also Jamie you need the look of the "destroyed" denim on this one to complete the look! This is a fun look and another option if they want to switch things up!!

family Pictures 2018 - 5 by nsavage featuring a white top

I hope Jamie loves all the options for family photos this year and of course all of this can be worn through the Summer at home!!