Is there a scientific explanation as to why I can’t put down a bag of Chex Mix? Even more addictive (for me) is homemade Chex or Crispix Mix. I think that 3/4 of my pregnancy weight gain came from the unlimited Crispix Mix I allowed myself to gorge on for 9 months.

I should join you in this. I too am using my sweet (almond anise biscotti from Whole Foods on weekdays and other more decadent delicacies on weekends) as an end-of-day reward. I want to get back to the occasional dessert plan. I know that it only takes a week to get the craving out of my system. But what a snarly week that is!

Josh has a fantastic vegan pumpkin pie recipe--frequently we take it to T-giving dinners and diners choose his version over the dairy pumpkin pie. I’ll try to remember and give you a copy next time we lunch. I’ll trade you for the caramel pecan blondie recipe. I didn’t get any pecan pie this Thanksgiving and I feel like something is missing.

I used to get grossed out when I found bugs in my produce. Now I see it as a mark of quality--hey, if it’s good enough for the bugs, good enough for me. It is interesting how our view of food changes with dietary restrictions, voluntary or not. I’m wondering if post-pregnancy it will take awhile to see all the forbidden foods--bean sprouts, soft cheese, sushi, cold cuts--as benign instead of dangerous.

I would tattoo sushi, perhaps a salmon roll of some sort--so lovely and delicious.

Now I want to go bowling! Which alley had such tasty eats? I love the curly fry/humus plate combo. You can almost pretend that you are being healthy.

Last night we had our first tomatoes from what Josh calls our “volunteer tomato plant.” It grew out of one of the holes in our compost bin and aside from putting it in one of those cylindrical cage thingies, we have done nothing but watch it grow and reap the benefits. The tomatoes were delicious. Now to somehow cultivate a volunteer garden...

Have you ever tried the Rising Moon vegan ravioli? They have several flavors and all that I’ve tried have been delish. Not homemade, but good if you’re in a rush.

Your gazpacho was delish! I think the recipe that we make calls for cooking the tomatoes a little just to get the skins off and then de-seeding, but I’m not 100% sure. I’ve got the vegan breakfast book (Isa Chandra Moskowitz) out from the library and am considering trying a few recipes. I’ll let you know how they go.

YUM!! I might go avocado crazy if a tree were anywhere near my premises. I’m so glad that you are having a delicious time in paradise. I can almost taste the mango...

I think of your story when I see the Blossoming Lotus people in the morning. Sometimes I feel like the yoga studio-restaurant relationship is an uneasy one, especially when I see little signs on the benches advising potential BL customers that the benches are for the yoga people only. I can totally relate to your birthday experience. Darn expectations! I would have totally cried after waiting so long for my food.

If only there was something Pero-like for cigarettes...Sigh.

Trista-I am your partner-in-quitting. Yes we can! Great writing here. I guess that desperation sometimes brings out the best in our literary selves.