Yes, I know peanut butter isn’t one word, but the title cut butter right in the middle if it was by itself. Butter doesn’t deserve that kind of treatment.

This week has given me much to ponder.  This unprecedented event that we are going through,  so unlike anything we've dealt with before, is ever present, ever talked about.  I decided this week, instead of peppering you all with weekly nonsense (and because I haven't really done anything),  I would share my coping techniques regarding our current situation (yay daily schedule..I know you're excited). Spoiler: it's routine, specifically my routine to stave the crazy anxiety-ridden mess (ok, not quite that bad) I can become.  

Some of you repeat customers may recall that this time last year was spent much like this year, avoiding the general public, constant worry about my immunocompromised self, staying self-isolated for months (4 months of chemo, very little spent in the company of others). In a way, this current situation we find ourselves in doesn't bother me as much as I feel it should.  I'll take repeating crappy summer vacation for 200 Pat. I have been through this self-isolation, constant germ vigilance, social distancing once before. It sucks, but what's the alternative?

I find my sanity is more easily helped when I stick to a somewhat structured schedule.  I'm incredibly Type A in my overall schedule-making. I adore schedules overall (until I don't)… and lists. I love me a good list. And when all else fails, find a good song (I prefer the melodic rhythms of Axel F, Ella Firzgerald, Skrillex, and Skillet, depending on the day.)

Typical day 572…or thereabouts.

I wake up at a certain time (4:30am, yes, I know that's early and you can't imagine,  no, I don't stay up late, yes, I am an early bird). I exercise (currently Body Beast with Beachbody on Demand,  I enjoy weightlifting, 4:30-6am is my me time). I shower, get ready for the day, fix and eat breakfast while watching the news, and drink a few cups of coffee (almost the whole pot… Clint has a cup...IF he wakes up early enough). Devotionals for 10 ish minutes (I enjoy Daughters of the King, 365 Gratitude, and Soulspace). At 9:30 or thereabouts,  I do 30 ish minutes of yoga (again Beachbody on Demand, 3 Week Yoga Retreat). Lunch is alllllwwwaaaays at 11 (I'm usually starving by this time anyway). 

The afternoon is somewhat of a free for all until Clint is off work.  I start supper around 5/5:30pm and boom, after supper is basically pre bedtime. 

Some of you aren't huge schedule people (go you, I crave structure… and tasks to keep me in check) and more power to you! I neeeed a schedule I can rely on and that seldom changes (it doesn't take a huge amount of thought on my part and I feel better when I go through my daily motions).  My overall snacking is… DECREASED when I have a set schedule (weird, imagine that). Snacks include but are not limited to: apples with peanut butter, dates with peanut butter, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. My anxiety loves a consistent routine (and yoga with meditation have helped that little a-hole… and avoiding crowds :-) weird). 

Part of my schedule is making a weekly meal plan (supper of course… the rest of the meals are fend for yourself). This helps cut down on overspending at the grocery store (although things that weren't on the list magically appear in the house now that Clint does the grocery shopping..like these Silk bars, no ad just delicious non dairy ice cream and chocolate)

and stick to a solid plan of homemade meals where I can determine what goes into each recipe (and how much leftovers I'll make...correct answer- allllll the leftovers). If you guys would like to know how I come up with a weekly meal plan, let me know (possible future topic.. check!).  

Cue fabulous recipes of the week (and chorus of ahhhhhhhs with the light filtering down onto the screen).

Teriyaki sweet potato bowls from the Vegan8. Suuuper simple recipe.  You only have to wait for the sweet potatoes and rice to cook. Easy peasy. I added shelled and steamed edamame (soy beans), fresh cilantro, and diced red onion. Because we're extra in this house, white carrots and mushrooms joined the sweet potatoes pre-cook. 

https://thevegan8.com/teriyaki-sweet-potato-avocado-rice-bowl/

Blueberry coffee cake muffins from Feasting on Fruit. This recipe didn't turn out 100% for me (user error, it is a good recipe). I think I over mixed the batter (if one coat of paint is good, five will be better mentality). I used regular flour instead of the recommended. They turned out thiiick.

No complaints from Hubs though (slather them in plant butter and warm them up). I also didn't add enough syrup to the topping. Just speaking for me, usually I like oats in my topping so it turns out as more of a crumble. 

https://www.feastingonfruit.com/blueberry-coffee-cake-muffins/#tasty-recipes-14902

Red lentil cauliflower burgers from Vegan Richa.  Yuum. My stomach has been in heaven this week. I've had these literally every lunch in a wrap with veggies and the dijon mustard sauce (see below) from the vegan8. Regular lentils were used, and not soaked. I brought them to a boil,  then simmered with minced garlic for 15-20 ish minutes. I added a couple handfuls of mushrooms to the cauliflower before baking and sprinkled smoked paprika and cumin pre bake. Post bake, leftover rice made it into the bowl (weird.. these extra ingredients magically appear everywhere).  Buns are Ezekiel 4:9 (same bread I use for breakfast). Toppings for burger included red onion and vegan8 bbq sauce from last week's dish. Happy tummy, very happy indeed.  https://www.veganricha.com/red-lentil-cauliflower-burger-with/

Almond encrusted asparagus from the Vegan8 Cookbook (this cookbook is worth it, 8 ingredients for each recipe, super simple).  Another win. I used my oat flour from last week, almond meal was expeeensive so Hubby didn't pick it up. Asparagus is another well-liked veggie in our house and it's so easy to cook. The dijon tahini sauce was a dream.  I used regular mustard and the taste reminded me of honey mustard (with maple syrup of course). It'll be a repeat for this summer (otherwise known as grilled asparagus heaven). 

10 minute peanut butter curry from Healthy Living James.  It's quick, it's easy, and you can throw whatever you want in it.  Peanut butter, tomato paste, onions, and garlic. You're welcome. I eyeballed the tomato paste, and had to add extra peanut butter (another staple in this house). I subbed tofu for the chickpeas (hoarding my stash for homemade hummus), added minced ginger and chili garlic paste with the onions and garlic, and threw in some steamed broccoli at the end (huuuuge broccoli fans at my house). The rice cooker came out again for complimentary steamed rice. The rice cooker came out again for complimentary steamed grains. 

https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/10-minute-peanut-butter-curry/

Breakfast for supper!! Yaaay. Or breakfast for breakfast.  You do you. Vanilla protein pancakes from Healthy Little Vittles.  Oh my goodness, yum. They're thick and fluffy (I adore a fluffy pancake). I was gifted plant based protein powder from Juice Plus from my mother-in-law, and I use it about once a week. The powders aren't sweet, which I actually enjoy. The chocolate goes great with a little maple syrup, cocoa powder, plant milk, and chia seeds (yay chocolate pudding!). This pancake recipe also calls for ground flaxseeds (for that eggy consistency). Grocery stores around here usually carry it in the 'health' section.  

https://www.healthylittlevittles.com/vanilla-protein-flax-pancakes/

Baked breakfast sausage patties from Karissa's Vegan Kitchen. These turned out very well. Basically pinto beans and bread crumbs.  Panko bread crumbs are vegan, but always read the label. I don't know why but things that should be vegan always seem to have milk or eggs.. c'mon. A food processor is needed,  but you could use a potato masher, more work same result. I added fennel (what's a sausage patty without fennel?). Taste as needed and add extra seasoning if you want (they're your patties). 

https://www.karissasvegankitchen.com/baked-vegan-breakfast-sausage-patties/#wprm-recipe-container-6502

That's a wrap. Find something you enjoy to help you get through each day. See you next week.