My daughter's birthday

May 3 was my daugher's birthday. Since she is my healthy eating inspiration, I wanted to make sure I made her something special to eat on her celebration day. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling well, so I opted to make her a cake and get take-out for dinner. The cake was coconut lemon bundt cake from Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook - my Christmas gift from her last year. It had coconut milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, soy milk just to name a few primary ingredients. The recipe calls for a dusting of confectionary sugar, but I wanted to put an actual frosting/glaze on it. So, I mixed confectionary sugar, water, lemon juice and lemon zest to a good consistency, then drizzled it on the top of the cake. On top of the glaze, I sprinkled some more coconut. It was so delicious!!!! This is definitely a keeper and I will make it for friends and relatives. My husband is not a vegan, but tries to eat well and he had 3 pieces!!! The coconut didn't stick too well, however, and when she blew out the candles, the coconut went all over the table. Oh well, there was still some left on the cake.

It was over 20 years yesterday that a girl was born - a new life to be shared with a brother and 2 crazy parents. What a gift it was - a new adventure - with joy and tears - pride and worry - and boundless love to make it all work. Happy Birthday and may you continue to learn and grow and let your parents hang around once in a while. Every day is the first day of the rest of your life. Let it shine.

JANUARY 21 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Last Wednesday was my birthday. Even though it was the day I was born, I have decided that I will remain forever 21 in my head and my heart despite knowing how to do the math to calculate my actual age! I try to remember the joy my parents felt at my birth and make that part of my mindset. Even though they have both passed away, they always made me feel like I was a joy in their life. It makes me happy to remember that.

January 21 is the day I was born

Twas on a rainy stormy morn

My hair was red, I smiled at birth (maybe)

Mom and Dad were the happiest parents on earth.

My life has been full of good and bad luck

Nevertheless I continue to truck

Another year older, a new ache and pain

My deterioration I can't seem to contain

But I will not give in, I will accept my fate

Just trying to appreciate how full my plate.

I'll blow out the candle on my vegan cupcake

Make a wish that my future voyage is sweet and I'm ahead of my wake