A 36-hour escape + Vegan news you can use (8/19/12)

This lovely, sunny, cool Sunday morning I am feeling incredibly relaxed. Since starting my own business, vacation is just not something I have considered. My client roster is busy (I’m thankful!) and, hey, when you work for yourself you don’t get vacation days – you either work and get paid or you don’t work and you don’t get paid.

Recently, though, my husband and I had an idea – what if we tried to take “36-hour escapes”? We’ll get a little R&R and spend less money than a full-fledged vacation. We did just that Thursday and Friday, escaping to Lake Waramaug in Connecticut, and it was delightful.We stayed at our favorite bed and breakfast, Sachem Farmhouse (Jennifer, the innkeeper, made me a divine stack of vegan blueberry pancakes!), dined at one of our favorite restaurants (that experience will get its own blog post, soon!), and even managed to hit up a spa for a his and her deep-tissue massage. On our way home we stopped by an adorable kitchen store where my husband bought me a gift.

SOURCE

Wise guy.

We also stopped at two farm markets and picked up produce freshly harvested that morning – most of which made up our meal last night.

Dave and I created this together – we’re calling it a Moussaka Goulash – and I’ll share the recipe later this week.

After nearly 36 hours of no technology (I mean none – no iPhone/Kindle/iPad/laptop/smart phone/camera) we had another great idea. Before going directly home we stopped at a nail salon, a mile from the house. We grabbed the iPhones, which we had stashed in the trunk “in case of emergency” (there was no emergency), and downloaded our email while we each got a pedicure. Because it’s really hard to get stressed when someone is rubbing your feet.

We’re back, rejuvenated, and I’ve been getting a great deal of writing and recipe creating accomplished over the weekend. I’m going to keep at it so I’ll leave you now with some vegan news and a weekly round-up of blog activity. Enjoy your Sunday!

This week’s vegan links and news

Vegan news is everywhere…

Two women, living their vegan dream: Dunmore woman co-owns vegan cafe and helps others and animals as a volunteer AND Woman follows her heart, opens vegan restaurant

Dear Lady Gaga: A Love Letter To Lady Gaga By Russell Simmons

If the shoe fits: TOMS Launches Shark Shoes

…the newest design is vegan with nautically-inspired madras, and lined with shark silhouettes. Proceeds from each pair go to protect sharks and their habitats.

Conversation starter: 5 Reasons Why Meat-Eating Can’t Be Considered A ‘Personal Choice’

Things I didn’t know I needed: Vegan Soaps and Soy Candles by Ebb & Flow NYC

Shape.com share more vegan love: 6 High-Protein Vegan Meal Ideas

My pal Kyle of Phoney Baloney’s, gets the kudos he serves: All About Food: Vegan food healthy and tasty

Filed under “I love this”: At the New Year, let’s give animals a new Jewish chance

… animal cruelty is very much against Jewish teaching. As Richard Schwartz, the president of Jewish Vegetarians of North America and a tireless crusader for animal rights and a plant-based diet, points out, “tsa’ar ba’alei chaim,” causing harm or sorrow to animals, is a Torah prohibition.