Facebook... Finally!

I had been meaning to create a Facebook page for awhile, so here it is!

http://www.facebook.com/FrenchOnionSoupBlog

Enjoy!

My Daily Dose of... Buddha

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - The Buddha

This quote is something I am considering placing on my invitations; meaning our happiness being shared on our wedding day. There truly is so much happiness in our love and we can't wait to share it with the people who mean so much to us.

However, my main issue is tolerance to my beliefs. Usually, at work or with my friends, when I talk about Buddhism and how I am studying it and continually trying to incorporate it into my life, I get a ton of support! My colleagues and my friends embrace me as I am, even though many of their beliefs aren't exactly parallel with mine. 

Our wedding will have hints of Buddhism to it; it will not be a traditional Mahayanic Buddhist wedding, but since it is my way of life, I will be incorporating Buddhist aspects into the ceremony and reception. I think I may be the first member of my family to get married that will not be getting married in a church... which may turn some of my family members off.

My hope is that, because I am tolerant of others' beliefs and values, that the people we love and are excited to share our special day with will reciprocate.

Namaste

Awesome August!

'Awe'-some August!

We went to Las Vegas again, and we got engaged there! (Had a health scare with Riley today, though, she's okay but I'm watching her sleep like a hawk right now and blogging for therapy... so bear with me if I ramble, okay?)

Las Vegas was amazing! We had gone last September for my birthday, but this time we were going with 15 of our fabulous friends for five days at The Flamingo, which was great; so central on The Strip, nice pools, and a great price for the time we stayed! Tom and I were also able to check-in early, which was nice... though our room wasn't a suite, it was perfect! The only downside? I got used to the air conditioning, and when we came home I just about melted!! 

Anyways, Tom and I have been living together for almost two years, and I had been bugging Thomas about proposing for awhile, but I really hadn't said anything for the past couple of months, so I really didn't think that he would be proposing anytime soon. Besides, we are already "married" as per the bank and the government, and I was just going to have to accept that if that was good enough for Thomas, it was going to have to be good enough for me.

However, on the Wednesday (August 8) that we were in Vegas, we had just got back from some activity, and we were getting ready for the night ahead. I had just gotten out of the shower, and was about to do my makeup, when Thomas randomly asked me to search his cargo shorts' pockets for change or cash. I did so, with0ut any kind of hint as to why I had to do it even though he was sitting right there, because he had asked me multiple times to carry his change as he didn't like it jingling around in his pocket, so I had a whole bunch of random change in my purse.  

So there I was, no makeup on, wet hair, digging through his pockets and counting the change when I come across the box. It had "Spence" written on the top and I dropped it in surprise, thinking I wasn't actually supposed to see it. So I meekly said, "Tom?" and he stuck his head around the corner and had this MASSIVE smile on his face!

So I opened the box and saw the ring and he asked me to marry him right then and there, with me doing a serious ugly cry/ laugh. I think I asked him 5+ times if he was sure he wanted to marry me; thank goodness he didn't change his mind!! Anyways, I was screaming and laughing and crying, and Aaron called our room asking where we were. I was bawling my eyes out on the phone and he was asking me what was wrong and I said, "Tom proposed!" and hung up.

We were so thrilled to be able to share such an important time in our lives with our incredible friends and excited to take the next step in our lives together!

My Daily Dose Of... Buddha

"You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." - The Buddha

Going Without Gluten... Four Days and Counting

So, the Great Dairy-Free Journey turns into the Great Gluten and Dairy - Free journey! Its' been about a week without dairy and some four days without gluten and I feel great! Not to disgust you with the innards of my digestive system, but I've got a lot more energy, no gas and I'm not running to the bathroom a gazillion times a day!
It's been difficult for me - I LOVE cheese and bread! But, we went to Amaranth Whole Foods Market and bought groceries for me (including dairy-free cheese!) so it's been a bit more unbearable. Also, many restaurants offer gluten and dairy-free dishes, or their dishes can be modified.
Olive 'R Twist in Cochrane offers dishes without lactose and gluten, marking them on their menu.
Boston Pizza is also offering gluten-free pizza crusts, but pizza without cheese really isn't worth it!

Since gluten-free and dairy-free diets are becoming more and more mainstream, there are many cookbooks that offers gluten-free and dairy-free cooking tips. Vegan cookbooks never use milk, but they do use gluten in their recipes; be mindful of this.

Anyways, I've been experimenting with different gluten-free recipes and trying to modify other recipes and make some of my own, so I will keep my blog updated with how it goes!

Wanna Try Something New Today?

Today, I came across an incredible site: http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/pictures-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity
Here are some of the highlights (for me, anyways, warning: may induce tears of joy)

This a picture of the Chicago Christians at Chicago's Gay Pride parade.

And this is the reaction from the parade (I'm crying just looking at this).

These senior citizens would rather risk their own lives than our generation's. What a truly selfless act... The Buddha would be proud.

A man giving the shoes off of his own feet to a young girl in Guatemala. We often forget that we have so much, and we often take it for granted.

This is so adorable: animals are of this Earth, and they love us unconditionally. What say we give them the same treatment they give us?


I think that's all I will post for now, as the website has 21 heartwarming pictures that you can look at.

My message here is: don't be a bystander, you are capable of inspiring people, and of great things!

The Great Dairy-Free Journey Begins

Well, folks, I'm back after a long hiatus of non-blogging. To be honest, I've been so busy that I've hardly had time to sit down and do anything... unfortunately :(
I've seen my doctor a few times in the last couple of weeks, and he has recommended that I follow a dairy-free diet as he seems to think that my lactose - intolerance is not merely an intolerance, but an allergy. (Cue violins!) Unfortunately for me and my French Onion Soup-loving existence!
However, there are ways around this. Namely, non-dairy cheese - yes, that does sound odd, but they do make blocks of non-dairy, vegetable-based "cheese". I have also learned how to make almond butter - my handy new food processor has quickly become a cooking staple!
Subsequently, I have also began to eat vegan as there is no dairy used in vegan cooking. Tom's sister is vegan, so she is very supportive of it, but I do love meat still! However, my doctor has also recommended I eat red meat only twice a week as I cannot seem to digest that either (yes, I know - you really wanted to know that!), so tofu, turkey and chicken have also become staples in our house. Bonus is, they're cheaper than buying red meat frequently.

So, how has it been going (I'm assuming you ask)? Pretty good! I've gone dairy-free (as much as I can) for almost a week now, and I've been feeling great! I have a ton of energy and my skin has started to clear up. I've also lost 2 pounds this week and my body has started a very healthy, natural cleanse. All in all, I think this has been a good decision.
I've also been eating a ton of sushi - straying away, of course, from Alaskan rolls with cream cheese - and I no longer feel tired after lunch! Though rice is a carbohydrate, I still feel filled and it lasts until I start to feel the afternoon munchies around three in the afternoon.

Anyways, I will keep my blog updated with dairy-free recipes I come across/ create, and will keep updated on how everything goes - including my saga with weight loss.... keep me in your thoughts!