A Labor Day Summer Round-Up: Vegan cooking school, travel eats, gardening and blogging conferences

If you’re in the U.S., happy long weekend! Today I thought I would simply provide you a round-up of summer highlights.  Tomorrow feels like “back to school” day and I don’t have kids and I’m not taking classes this term. But my summer of fun is coming to an end. I prepped lots of food for the week (two bean dishes, two mixed grain dishes and chopped up my fresh veggies) and I’m ready!

As we move into fall, here’s a look back on the summer.

1. I planted my first urban bistro garden.

• My Foray into Urban Gardening + A Weekly Round-Up
• Urban Gardening: Progress!
• It is now the “Bistro Garden”
• Coconut-Mango-Avocado Smoothie
• Can I eat this yet? (A vlog question from the garden)
• First summer salad from my garden!
• Pepper Watch 2011 and the Weekly Round-Up
• Major garden progress (hint: it ends up in my belly!) + The Weekly Round-Up
• Kale Smoothie and a Garden Update

2. I took a 3-Day Cooing Intensive with Christina Pirello in Philadelphia in June.

• “Christina Cooks” with me! (+ A Weekly Round-Up)
• Lessons from Christina: Rethink Breakfast
• A light, quick meal on a hot, hot night
• Lessons from Christina: Drink Chia Fresca (and the Weekly Round-Up)
• Gunther Wilhelm Cookware Unboxed (Plus a Kasha-Macaroni-Veggie Recipe)
• My Macro Veggie & Lentil Salad
• Intuitive Three-Bean Delight (recipe)

3. I traveled

• JL goes on Vacation (vlog) + My Vegan Ice Cream on One Green Planet
• A Virtual Postcard
• Vacation Vegan BLT Recipe + I scream, you scream, we all scream for {vegan} ice cream…on BlogHer!
• Savory Vacation Breakfast
• Vegan eats at the Double Wide Grill in Pittsburgh, PA
• Here comes the…Reverend
• They are Married! (And the Weekly Round-Up)
• Everybody’s Cafe, take two
• Vegan on the road / “Vegan for Life” Giveaway WINNER
• Eating my way to BlogHer 2011
• Day One of BlogHer 2011: Bloggers, Food and Vibrators
• Day Two of BlogHer 2011: A trail run followed by blogging inspiration (plus a weekly round-up)
• The Day After BlogHer 2011: R&R

4. I attended Vida Vegan Con in Portland.

• #1: Food Trucks, Voodoo Doughnuts and a Waterfront Run
• #2: Hungry Tiger Too
• #3: Shopping, “Vegucated” and, well, more food
• #4: Opening Reception
• #5: The Conference (Day 1) – We are ambassadors of compassion
•  #6: The Galarama
• #7: The Conference (Day 2) — What’s your mission statement?
• #8:  The End (or the dinner and lunch dates of my dreams + a 15-hour trek home)

It was a wonderful Summer.  Fall, I am ready for you.

***

VIV Magazine is currently running an article in which I was featured:  Real Woman, Real Lessons:  With age comes wisdom –and for many women, that’s especially true when it comes to nutrition…

VIVmag offers insight, advice and authentic stories to inspire and motivate women in their quest for a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Smart and vital, VIVmag readers know the way to live.

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I should note that you do have to subscribe to VIV Mag to read the article.

Tags: weekly round-up

• Next Red Beans, Kale & Sun-dried Tomato Stew
• Previous Portland / Vida Vegan Con #8: The End (or the dinner and lunch dates of my dreams + a 15-hour trek home)