5 ways to simplify your vegan diet

A vegan diet is naturally simple.

The way most people talk, you'd think it was a super huge struggle to get everything you need, nutritionally and taste-wise, from a vegan diet. It's not. The hard part of a vegan diet is getting used to a whole new way of doing things. Still, even that isn't so hard once you have a little input from someone who's been there. So, how can you simplify your vegan diet?

1. Keep it raw or mostly raw.

A raw food diet is very simple to follow. It keeps the house cool in summer. It makes recipes almost entirely unnecessary. Just keep a wide variety of veggies, fruits, nuts and legumes on hand. Mix and match them, balancing your nutrients as you go. For instance, adding nuts or beans to a salad gives you protein. Sprinkling nutritional yeast on top gives you B-12. But what if you don't know your nutrients?

2. Do it by color.

You may have to study up a bit at first. But honestly, you should do that with any diet plan, even a conventional one. This trick makes it simpler. Each color of vegetable represents a different nutritional value. There are exceptions of course. Some things are higher in nutrition or contain special nutrients. If you're new to going vegan, familiarize yourself with these. For the most part, though, if your plate contains a wide variety of colors, it contains a wide variety of nutrients. Easy breezy!

3. Simmer some soup.

Beans or bean soup are served one or two times a week in many vegan households. In the soup, use a bean base for protein, then add assorted colorful veggies. Soup can be started in the morning and simmered all day. Eat it that night and refrigerate any leftovers. It's simple, nutritious and usually counts for at least two meals to reduce time in the kitchen.

4. Freeze ahead.

Speaking of leftovers, why not make them on purpose? Soup isn't the only cruelty free meal you can make ahead. Try making vegan chili, spaghetti sauce and other similar foods to freeze. That way, if you're sick or just plain don't feel like cooking, you can check the freezer and heat up a meal. It's like TV dinners, healthy vegan style.

5. Toss it in a blender/juicer.

Juicing and blending is the easiest thing in the world. It's also one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. You don't need a recipe to juice or blend. Just choose fruits and veggies you think would go well together and toss them in. You may get a few weird results as far as taste goes. Still, those are minimal. Let's face it, even if you mess up, it's still good for you. Plus, you'll get better as time goes by.

5 Family themed Halloween costume ideas

Halloween is great family fun. Why not take that a step further? Dress the whole family in a single costume theme. Get inspiration from fairy tales, super heroes and more. Consider dressing up as famous families or famous music groups. The possibilities truly are endless. Put on your thinking cap or use one of these 5 ideas to get you started.

1. 80's musicians

Peruse old music videos for inspiration. Picture dad in skin tight pants and a ragged t-shirt. Mom could be a big-haired backup singer or a Madonna wanna be. Kids might not be familiar with the music, but they'll get a kick out of the wild costumes of 80's rockers. What a crazy Halloween night that would be. Don't forget the guitars and microphones.

2. The family zoo

After all, people say your house is a real zoo sometimes. Might as well come as you are. Moms, dads and kids can pick their favorite animals to dress up as. Or, you could all dress alike. Hey, hey, you could be the monkeys for Halloween. Not the music group. Just a whole family of monkeys, apes, orangutans or whatever you like.

3. Goldilocks and the three bears

This one is perfect for a little girl with a baby brother or sister. Mom and dad dress as Momma Bear and Papa Bear. The baby becomes baby bear. The little girl is Goldilocks. Don't forget the ringlets! Props might include porridge bowls and spoons, or that famous broken chair, cleverly attached to Goldilocks's behind.

4. Batman's crew.

No matter how big your family is, you can pull this one off. Family members can dress as Batman, Cat Woman, Robin and assorted villains, like the Joker. Kids could choose their favorite villains while mom and dad dress as Batman and Robin, Batman and Cat Woman or Robin and Poison Ivy. There are so many clever combinations with this theme.

5. Zombie family

Your entire family was attacked by brain eaters. Now they've come back to life as a whole family of zombies. How fun would it be to show up at a party or go trick or treating as a whole zombie family? Better yet, get all the kids' friends and yours in on the action. Imagine the faces of homeowners when 30 zombies show up at their door for treats. I hope they have a lot of candy.

5 Crazy uses for cayenne pepper

Think you've heard everything about cayenne pepper? Maybe you have and maybe you haven't. Sure, cayenne pepper is delicious in guacamole and awesome on spicy fries. Most people know that, right? What they don't know about is the unconventional uses for this miracle spice. How about using cayenne pepper to keep your feet warm in winter?

1. Keep your feet warm.

You know cayenne is hot, right? Did you know it can warm your feet in cold weather? Just sprinkle a bit into your socks before venturing outdoors. The cayenne will heat up your feet to ward off frostbite. You can do the same if you get cold feet at night. Remember one thing, though. Make sure you use old socks. Cayenne can combine with perspiration and leave a stain.

2. Heal small cuts.

Next time you get a paper cut, give this cure a try. Stop the bleeding and help your cut heal faster. Sprinkle a bit of cayenne on it. You might think that's a bit like rubbing salt in a wound and you'd be right. Why? Salt has healing powers as well. Don't use cayenne for large or deep wounds. It could sting and cause infection. See a doctor for those.

3. Cure a headache.

Mix a bit of cayenne pepper with olive oil. Now massage it into your temples. The cayenne will warm your skin and increase circulation. Cayenne in your food will have the same effect. Cayenne increases blood flow and opens capillaries, just like caffeine. It will also open your sinuses to ease headaches caused by congestion.

4. Soothe a sore throat.

Mix a crazy concoction of salt water, a clove of garlic and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Don't drink it. That would taste horrible. Instead, use this solution as a gargle. Don't worry, it won't sting. In fact, this gargle will take pain away instantly. It'll heal your throat quickly too. Garlic, salt and cayenne are all powerful antiseptics.

5. Cure tummy troubles.

You wouldn't think such a spicy food would help a stomachache. In fact, you might deduce the opposite. Still, cayenne is supreme at cleaning out the digestive system. It also kills bad bacteria that lurk in the nooks and crannies of your intestines. What else? It gets your digestive juices flowing to flush toxins. Eating cayenne regularly can keep you regular.

5 alternatives to kids' lunch box plastic

Plastic is hazardous to your health. Plus, it's not just about BPA anymore. There are at least 700 studies on the dangers of different plastics. Plastic is everywhere. It's even in your water supply. Most kids that pack lunches for school use waterproof plastic containers, plastic bags and plastic water bottles. Is there another way? What other materials can you use to pack kids' lunches in?

1. Start by brown bagging it.

Skip the cutesy little plastic containers with all the nifty compartments. They're not as cute as you think. They can give off toxins, especially if scratched or worn. Why not go old school? Brown paper bags are cheap and contain no plastic toxins. It's not about what the food comes in. It's about what gets in the food.

2. Wrap sandwiches in brown paper or aluminum foil.

Both are recyclable. Plastic is recyclable to a certain extent, but it's toxic to begin with. Boycotting it sends a clear message. Manufacturers can use alternatives or go out of business. With a little practice, you can wrap sandwiches airtight. Skip the plastic containers. Skip the plastic wrap. Skip the plastic baggies.

Note : Did you know they now make cloth bags and baggies? Sweet!

3. Skip prepackaged fruits.

Isn't it nice how they package convenient sizes of cut up fruit in cute little plastic cups? Don't be so sure. Any plastic container can leach chemicals into your food. How long has that fruit been sitting in that plastic? You're better off cutting up your own fruit or placing whole fruits in kids lunches.

4. What about drinks?

How can kids carry drinks to school without plastic containers? Well, no offense, but what did your grandparents do? They used mason jars or other lidded jars. Yes, they're breakable. Kids would have to be cautious. Still, mason jars are quite thick. It takes some effort to break them.

5. Check the grocery or department store for eco-friendly alternatives.

Did you know there are newer plastics made from natural products, not petroleum? Some contain paper pulp. Others are made from food starch. All are biodegradable and safe for food content. They do no harm when they break down. If more purchased green plastic alternatives for kids' lunches alone, think of the difference it would make to the environment.

The top 5 easiest things to feed a vegan at a BBQ

Oh no! Vegan food is so weird. And there's a vegan coming to your BBQ. You've never fed one before. What on earth do they eat? Don't panic. Chances are, they will eat a lot of the food you're already serving, as well as some you might like to try.

5. Grilled Portabella Mushrooms

Most “regular” people like these too. It's a giant mushroom shaped like a burger. You grill it and slather it with spices, sauces or whatever you like. Goes great as a guacamole burger. Do remember to keep it away from the blood and gore, though. Vegans have a thing about that. Can't imagine why.

4. Salad Without the Meat and Dairy.

A vegan's worst nightmare is a yummy, perfect, green salad that has been desecrated by loading it with meat and cheese, topped with buttermilk ranch dressing. Why? Because there's good stuff in there. It's just buried in nasty. SO frustrating. Talk about a dangling carrot. Just stick with the veggies and vinegar and oil, please.

3. DUH! Watermelon

It's a fruit. You eat it on the 4th of July. It makes an appearance at nearly every BBQ you've ever been to in your life. Best of all, it's vegan and great for seed spitting contests. Yay!

2. Grilled Corn on the Cob or Sweet Potatoes With.....Not Butter

Vegetables are vegan. Who knew? Slap some sweet potatoes or corn on the grill. Drizzle on some olive oil and yummy spices, wait for the optimum texture and you're done. So simple and so very vegan. Thank-you!

1. Did Someone Say Guacamole?

Oh right, that was me. Vegans put guacamole on everything. They slap it on veggie burgers. They serve it in salads. They wrap it in.... wraps. They even put it in their Mexican food. Yum, yum, give us some!

Final Thoughts

So there you go. Vegans are not difficult to feed. There are thousands upon thousands of combinations of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains. Now if you could only get your vegan friends to tolerate that giant dead carcass you have on the grill. Hey, I know. Why not go to a vegan BBQ instead? Aw, come on, you know those ideas sounded delish! Why not have a try at some other great vegan foods? Be careful. though. We might just turn you. LOL 

5 Ways energy impacts your life

Tired of what life is throwing at you? Try throwing around some good energy, rather than dwelling on the negative things that happen to you. We all know those people who are constant complainers, don't we? And doesn't it seem sometimes that they are right about their crappy luck? Well, they probably are. But maybe not for the reasons you think.

5. Whatever you wish for and focus on in life, will come to you.

Oh yes, it's true. Whether you dwell on negativity or positivism, you will surely get what you believe you will out of life. Somehow, when we focus on the good, good comes to us naturally. It's not magical or mystical. It's just how it works.

4. Your kids will become exactly what you tell them they are.

Oh, ya. I've seen it happen both ways and many times, even when my own kids. Kids who are told how great they are and whose parents place less emphasis on the “bad” things they do and more on the “good' are usually very well rounded and happy.

3. Negativity is contagious.

When you treat others badly, they are not as apt to send out the good vibes, as it were. They go on to spread more negativity to even more people until the world becomes a big ball of yuck. Emitting negative energy toward others impacts everyone.

2. Energy is everywhere.

It's what we're made up of. In fact, everything in the universe is made up of energy. Energy is made up of positive and negative currents. So, whether it's directed at another person, or a bad day, bad energy will naturally intensify/spread from one terminal to the next, just like an electric current. Luckily, good energy has the same effect. So, put it out there. It will come back to you.

1. There is another worldwide web.

There is a web that connects us all and acts like a distribution system for the energy mentioned above. The web doesn't care what kind of energy it receives. It's just there to pass it on. The great news is that if we all concentrate on the good vibes, they spread out far and wide over the web. The bad news is that negativity can do the same.

So throw that good energy out there, everyone. It will come back to you, I promise.

Top Ten reasons I don't write about celebrities

Seriously? They're just human beings, you guys.

If you're expecting the usual witty, short and sweet top ten list here you may or may not be disappointed. There will be a certain amount of wittiness because I am somewhat of a witty person. There will, however be no undue overabundance of wittiness as this is a rant of sorts. So here we go then, the top ten reasons why I don't write about celebrities. With a tinge of witty embellishment for entertainment's sake. My entertainment, anyway. I'm not that witty. Remember, I told you that.

10 - Everyone else does it and I'm a rebel at heart.
I follow my own path, march to the beat of my own drummer and all that metaphorical stuff. I'm stubborn and narrow minded and I won't budge on anything I believe in. I'm proud of myself, my life, my children and grandchildren and everything I stand for. I know who I am and I don't need to justify that or play follow the leader with anyone. Besides, I'm an adult and it would look pretty silly if I ran around playing follow the leader all day, wouldn't it?

9 - I don't want to perpetuate the stupid and pointless American fascination with them.

My heroes are my Mom and Dad and all the other tangible people in my life that I care about and who care about me. Angelina Jolie doesn't give a rat's behind about me. I could care less what she does either. I don't know her. Now if I met her, got to know her as a person and then admired her, that would be different. Then I would feel justified in writing about her. That would be what we writers call first person experience rather than unwarranted hearsay, right?

8 - Their lives are of no interest to me.

I could care less what religion Tom Cruise is or how many kids the Duggars have now or how perverted any of them are. Geepers, don't people have enough problems of their own, without worrying about the rich and famous? I know I do. I don't have time to keep track of how many mistresses Tiger Woods has. I have a relationship of my own to nourish.

7 - I'm sick of bone thin crack addicts dictating the female body image.

Yes, I'm overweight. Even if I wasn't, this would bother me. How many kids out there are dying from anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders caused by the silly notion that we aren't sexy unless we're skinny? How many kids have taken their own lives because of poor body image? Maybe they couldn't afford designer clothes or fancy cars like their classmates. Maybe people picked on them because of it. Who personifies this crazy myth more than celebrities? It's completely unrealistic but people still buy into it.

6 - I come from a time when people were ashamed of gossip and indiscretions.

Have you noticed a change? I certainly have. Cheaters used to be a minority. Now you will hear people actually bragging about how many people they've slept with or describing intimate details of their sex lives that are nobody's business but their own. Well, guess what? If it looks like a pig and oinks like a pig, it's a pig. While I'm at it, could both sexes please stop talking about each other like a piece of meat hanging in a butcher shop? It's ugly and completely disrespectful and does nothing to help anyone's self image.

5 – Celebrities already have way more attention than they need.

If one of these people eats an egg salad sandwich for lunch everyone knows about it before the last bite goes down their throat. No wonder most of them are self centered snobs who think the world revolves around what they say and do. It does! If Jennifer Aniston shaved her head all except a lock in the front that looked like a unicorn horn and braided that lock and dyed it purple, I guarantee it would be the latest trend for several months or longer. I don't have to write about these people. It's already well covered.

4 - I'm sick of young people emulating celebrities.

To be sure, there are probably some celebrities who are worth emulating but for the most part, not so much. Plus there are so many different stories out there, who knows what the truth is any more? We don't know these people personally, so why would we want our kids learning life lessons from them? You wouldn't let a complete stranger babysit your children would you? Yet, that's exactly what you do when you allow them to be caught up in celebrity worship.

3 - They already have enough of my money. I go to their movies. I buy their music. I do appreciate their talent. That's enough. Constantly writing about celebrities just brings them more and more money. It's free advertising and promotion for someone who can easily afford a publicist. I can't even afford to advertise my own business, why should I advertise theirs?

2 - I'm just not that into them.

My grandchildren are way cuter than their babies. My boyfriend is way hotter than Brad Pit in my humble opinion. My awesome youngest daughter is a fantastic yoga instructor! My son plays the guitar like nobody's business. My oldest daughter is a computer whiz and a great writer. My whole family are a bunch of certified geniuses as far as I'm concerned. I'm just not that into celebrities. My own friends and family are much more diverse and interesting to me.

1 - I'm not all sugar plums and rainbows.

My Mom always taught me if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Well, I guess I've pretty much blown that one! If I wrote about celebrities, I would have to tell it like it is, just like always. I'm not perfect either, but I'd be bashing and trashing these people like nobody's business and probably do nothing but make myself look bad in the end. Plus, chances are, most of them wouldn't deserve it. They could be perfectly nice people. We just don't know them, that's all.

So, there you go, that's why I don't write about celebrities. How about you?

The top 5 Reasons to stop glamorizing war

Should we really be teaching our kids to play war from an early age?

Yes, those in the military put their lives on the line daily. That's to be respected for sure. Yes, they are doing what they feel is honorable. But is it? Why do we glamorize war? Is there really anything noble about it? Should we really be so quick to turn our kids into fighting machines? "Why not?" you say, "War is a reality they'll need to face some day, right?" Well, here's what I have to say about that.

1. Our kids/grand-kids are losing their lives for the wrong reasons. 

Of course, this would be first on my list. I do not mean to offend anyone here, but why on earth would you be sending your kids off to die for the type of things wars are about these days? If it's for the free college, you better hope they survive long enough to take advantage of it.

2. We are being brainwashed

Wars have nothing to do with patriotism. The wars of today are not about justice. They are about vengeance and superiority. Politicians are way too quick to decide it's OK for young people to risk their lives for all the wrong things. There's nothing noble about tricking innocent kids into dying for profit or revenge.

3. Violence is not the best solution.

Continually solving problems with war and violence teaches our kids nothing but that it's the best way to handle disputes. We have been at war with someone for as long as I can remember. I am 56. Isn't it about time we waged a little peace instead? Obviously, war isn't working very well.

4. Wars are a for profit endeavor.

The powers that be have it firmly ingrained in our heads that war is a noble pursuit. This keeps us busy while they stuff their pockets, steal the resources of other countries and basically take over the world, one region at a time.

5. Freedom has very little to do with it.

Wake up folks, we haven't fought for our freedom or anyone else's in a very long time. It's all a big spitting contest to see who gets the most stuff and rules over the most people. Nanny-nanny-boo-boo. It's like kindergarten all over again.

Final Thoughts

I'm not a hater. I respect the young men and women of the military. I appreciate their service. I'm just saying that it might be a good idea to tone down the glamorization of war. It should be thought of as a sometimes necessary evil, not a lifetime career move. And doesn't the fact that joining the military can be a highly profitable lifetime career tell us anything? Anything at all?

 

The top 5 reasons you should click on my stuff

There are millions of blogs online. Why should you click on one of mine?

1. I need the money.

Yup. Let's be honest here and blunt too. And OK, maybe a little selfish, but this is how I earn a paycheck. It's pay per click after all. Therefore, I consider it to be one of the top five reasons you should read my work. #1, in fact.

2. I am entertaining.

Not bragging here, but even if you only click on my stuff to laugh at me, you will very likely be highly entertained by my pointless banter. I know I am. Plus, it's not all pointless.

3. I know stuff and I'm sharing it for free!

I've never been one to think inside the box. In fact, I haven't even seen the box in years. I think my cat stole it. Anyway, I will teach you about things you had no idea even existed. Pay per click is free for you, so what have you got to lose?

4. I'm a little crazy.

Guilty as charged. But I'm OK with it. Being a tad bit crazy makes the things I write unique. In fact, I will absolutely make you think in ways the average person never has. Click away and be amazed at my absolute brilliance. Mmmm Hmmm Sure.

5. You never know what you'll get.

A warehouse of factual tidbits lies seething beneath the surface of my mind. Anything could set it off. Who know which synapse will snap and unload it's burden today? So why not click my stuff and watch the show?

Five reasons Twitter is less stressful for me than Facebook

As a writer, being active on social media and using Facebook in particular is a must for me. Still, I have a love/hate relationship with it because it can generate such negative emotions. Twitter is a whole different story. It's mostly lighthearted, plus, I don't have to talk to people all that much....

5. Twitter requires minimal interaction

Let's face it, some people just suck at socialization and I'm one of them. I'm not the most “normal” person on the planet and most of the time, people don't really “get” me even when they say they do. Not only that, but I don't “get” very many people because I just don't think the way they do. So, people stress me out in many ways and most often through no fault of their own. Twitter allows me to be social without socializing as much as I have/want to on Facebook. Know what I mean?

4. No one on Twitter gets insulted if I “un-follow” them.

In fact, they probably won't even notice. This leaves me free to follow only people with common beliefs and interests, if the others stress me out, without offending anyone. On the other hand, if I even hint that I need to “un-friend” someone on Facebook, there will be hell to pay, gossip to address and a whole ball of nasty wax to deal with.

3. Twitter has no true comment section.

So, no comment wars. No trolls. No harassment. No arguments. No misunderstandings. No hurt feelings. No people trying to prove their point with endless comebacks and biased quips. Unfortunately, Facebook has all of that stuff and then some. It can be a real mood killer. In fact, it can and has, ruined many days for me, aura wise.

2. I can take or leave Twitter anytime I want.

Facebook is so addicting. Once I go on there to check on my friends, I get stuck for hours, often doing the very things that tick me off when other people do them. So ironic. Plus, if I leave, I feel I have to explain why I'm not on there so much so people don't worry about me. Twitter is “In-Post-Out.” Easy breezy. No questions asked.

1. There are no rants on Twitter.

I know that I'm the rant champion, believe me. But still, the best thing about Twitter is that posts are brief, fast and to the point. No stress. Just the facts (or the funnies) Jack. And that goes for me and everyone else. I can be such an ass-hat on Facebook when I get riled up. Oh, yes, I know I'm part of the problem for sure. I'm 56, you guys. I know myself quite well at this point in time.

PS- And to prove my point about having to be on Facebook anyway, I'm betting that most of the people who read this will follow a link from Facebook. You did, right? (And by the way, thank-you for giving me a view. That's how I get paid. About ten million more on each page and I can retire. Bwa ha ha)

Plus, you guys, there are also just so many beautiful people who are my Facebook friends. I just couldn't bear to leave. Sigh.... It's a trap!

Top ten best things about growing older

Who gives a crap how silly you look?

They say that old age brings wisdom. I suppose that's true. But I think it's more about life experience and the resulting growth. Here's ten things life has brought me in my middle years that I didn't fully understand before. Oh, I knew all the little sayings. They just seem to ring more true now and have a deeper significance.

When you grow older, as a general rule:

10. You care less about the petty things in life.

-You don't throw tantrums because your socks don't match. You don't take issue with your good china being used on the wrong occasion. In fact, you use it every day because otherwise, what's the point in having it? So what if the hairdresser got a little too scissor happy? Life goes on and so will you. You're alive and well. Your loved ones are alive and well. And if they're not, you help them through it. That's all that matters.

9. You care more about the important things in life.

-The big things matter. That's where your focus is now. Compassion, strength of character, love, your impact on future generations and the planet in general, the people you love and stuff like that. These things become your focal point. Isn't it great to feel that you're making a positive difference?

8. The pressure to look good naked or in swimwear is off.

-OK, so it's mainly because no one is looking or they've seen it all before. But still, isn't it nice to be able to relax a bit on that score? Especially if you're a woman. Oh sure, you still try to look your best but bikinis are pretty much out and chances are, unless you're a superstar, your body has seen better days. People don't really expect grandma to rock a thong at the beach. So, you're off the hook. Enjoy it!

7. You stop giving a crap what other people think.

-I'm probably the champion of this one. All my life I've been a liberal, kind of a quirky/weird/crazy tree hugging, hippie vegetarian. Now I'm going vegan as well. I've also got a big mouth and I'm not afraid to use it. So lot's of people take issue with me or tell me to tone it down. I used to listen and back off, for the sake of peace. But now I say, “Fuck all” if they don't like the way I do things. Being a people-pleaser/peacemaker just doesn't suit me any more.

6. You've screwed up a lot.

-Therefore, knowing which path to choose is much easier. Of course, that sometimes leads to a know it all attitude like mine. But hey, nobody's perfect. We're all just here trying to do our best, after all. There's no science to life. You just live and learn and grow the best you can, right?

5. You don't have to hurry any more.

-Isn't it fun watching everyone else run around like crazed zombies on crack trying to “Find themselves or “Be all that they can be?” Ha! I get such a kick out of it. Why rush to the grave or to your goals for that matter? When you reach middle age one of the best things is slowing down. You stop to smell all the roses. You don't even mind a few thorns here and there. You've been there and done that. You're perfectly content with where you are. If not, well, you know how to get where you're going without all the crazy. Plus, you have what it takes to really rock it if you need to.

4. Appreciating the small things isn't just a cutesy phrase.

-By now, you've learned that some of the best things in life don't involve money or success. So, finding joy in small activities and observations is a reality that you cherish and utilize daily. You sit on the porch and sip lemonade while listening to the birdies. You calmly slap paint on life's canvas, reveling in the experience. You see/feel the joy in all things very deeply. More importantly, you have accepted the fact that negativity and struggle are an important part of life as well.

3. You have in your head the perspectives of every age you have ever been to draw on.

-You have known the innocence and curiosity of a child, the angst of a teen, the frustrations of a young parent, the sadness of losing loved ones too soon and so much more. Maybe you've even had the chance to do a little hell raising. No matter what someone is going through, you can empathize with them because you've been there.

2. You also better understand your parents and grandparents.

-It's you who must take care of them now and you're better equipped to do it. They were there for you and now it's your turn to do the same for them. That takes strength, courage and all the life experience that you now have.

1. You have learned to smile through many storms.

-Perhaps this is the most important gift that growing older gives us. Finding/utilizing joy and laughter to get us through the rough spots is a valuable by-product of old age. For example, my older brother is very religious and always wishing that I were as well. He once told me jokingly, during a time of sadness that he had a great idea. He said that since I'm an atheist, maybe if I prayed on that struggle, God would more readily answer my prayers. This gave us both a good laugh when we needed one most.

But seriously folks, no matter your age, the love, joy and laughter are inside you. The appreciation for small things is too. You just have to find it and make use of it. Every minute is a blessing and a lesson. Your physical appearance is insignificant in the scheme of things. You have the power to make a difference in the lives of others. That's all that matters. Live life well. Leave a legacy of caring, compassion, strength and support. Most of all, teach others to do the same (by example, not threat/violence) and the world will be a better place all around.

5 Things about going vegan that are harder than sticking to your diet.

Ah, the endless barrage....

Yup. Going vegan is relatively easy when it comes to diet. Sure, it's hard to change lifetime eating habits. But you know what people forget? They forget that going vegan is about not consuming any animal product, not just food. It's also about being kind to other human beings. Even when they're not so kind to you. And it has to be said, albeit in the most respectful way, that some, not all, non-vegans are actually harder to deal with than any diet or lifestyle changes we are making.

Finding inexpensive vegan shoes, etc.

They are out there. But if you're on a limited budget, you can't exactly just pick up a pair of cheap vegan shoes at Wally World, if you know what I mean. And you have to really read between the lines on those art supplies. Many other products we need are made from animal products too. And so, a lot of us poorer vegans end up begrudgingly buying things that we need that are not vegan. And that's really rough when you care as much about the planet, other animals and humans as we do. In fact, it's heart-breaking.

Friends who insist on you eating with them at conventional restaurants.

I have a lot of non-vegan friends who will eat with me at vegan restaurants for the adventure and unique, tasty food they have never tried. But I also have non-vegan friends who insist that I go to those other places because I'm the one who decided to go vegan. It sounds logical, but it's very frustrating and frankly difficult as all heck to find even one vegan entree on conventional restaurant menus. And even when there is a description or you ask the waitstaff, there's no guarantee that they didn't slide some meat broth, milk or cheese into that dish.

Dealing with vegan jokes.

Ha ha ha Not funny! It's so hard to have friends look at your lifestyle like it's some kind of joke. Or even worse, those who laugh about consuming other animals. But don't get me wrong here. I'm not insulted for me. I'm insulted for the animals who suffer and die daily at the expense of these jokesters. Making jokes about someone else's death has to be the most offensive and inconsiderate thing one could possibly do.

Having to explain yourself every 5 seconds.

Whenever I even make the slightest mention that I'm vegan, I am immediately analyzed, questioned and queried or persecuted/condemned.

Sorry folks, but we even tire of giving all the details of our choices to people who are nice about it. It's exhausting. We just want to live our lives without constantly playing 20 questions.

Rude/biased omnivores.

Preconceived notions are the worst thing vegans deal with. Vegans rarely speak up about their beliefs, protest or even give their opinion without someone telling them how intrusive they are. It's completely biased. It's a basic human right to be able to express yourself and to protest injustice, whether you're vegan or not. And if we mention that, well then, we are told that the persecution and angry words launched against us aren't indicative of prejudice when compared to what other groups endure.

That's absolutely true. But guess what? Abusive/bigoted words and deeds hurt like hell when you are the one on the receiving end, no matter what category you fit into or to what extent you are persecuted. Vegans have rights and feelings too. And hushing them or taking away their right to protest is every bit as bad as suppressing any other group of people. Bigotry is bigotry, no matter who it's directed at.

Top ten Facebook posts you won't find on my Facebook page

10. Bigotry, exclusion or hateful, hurtful “humor.”

(Self explanatory.)

9. Vague mysterious statements about my life.

(I pretty much let it all hang out.)

8. “Fake” people bashing.

(All people are real.)

7. Man hater/woman hater posts.

(We all suck sometimes.)

6. Actually, hater posts of any kind.

(Love is all you need.)

5. Sponsored by.....

(I'm not helping you sell your crap because it's accompanied by a cute cartoon.)

4. Share if you love Jesus and are not ashamed.

(If Jesus exists, he likely doesn't have much time to monitor Facebook.)

3. Share if you are my true friend.

(If I was your true friend, you wouldn't need a test to figure it out.)

2. Share this and no copy/pasting allowed because if you truly care, you'll type it all by hand.

(Um, no thanks. I have a life.)

1. A meme with a touching saying and a picture of a “real” (white) U.S. citizen with one hand on his/her gun and the other on the bible, with a flag waving in the background.

(All Americans are real. They come in many colors, shapes, sizes, ethnic backgrounds, religions and sexual orientations. You might also be shocked to know that they don't all love country music, fishing and hunting. Some of them are even, gasp.... Atheists and Vegans! )

Top ten ways to piss off a vegan

Ya, I know. Maybe you want to. For some reason, other people sure do get a kick out of putting vegans down. But honestly, this is more about trying not to go there. You know what I mean? If you're friends with a vegan, please don't do or say these things. It's quite offensive, really. And lets face it, you wouldn't treat your other friends this way, simply because their lifestyle choice differs from yours. Or at least I hope not.

10. Telling a vegan not to preach while simultaneously preaching about why your choice is better.

Highly ironic. Just saying.

9. Spouting off about vegan protesters.

They have the same right to protest that you do. OK. Maybe they are inadvertently insulting you by saying that omnivorous consumption is unnecessarily cruel. But it's true. And it's also not an attack on you personally, like when you speak out against their right to protest or speak their mind.

8. Saying, “Look at this delicious hamburger, you know you want it.”

Actually, it's quite sad/traumatic for vegans to watch you eat the dead flesh of innocent beings and not appetizing at all. Frankly, your cruelty and your hamburger disgusts them. So doing this is rude beyond comprehension and inconsiderate of their feelings.

7. Ask “How do you get your ____?” in order to prove that vegans are unhealthy. or “What on earth do you eat?” in order to prove that a vegan diet is boring and tasteless.

A proper vegan diet is nutritionally sound in every way. Possibly more so than most diets. And they eat food. All kinds of food. Thousands upon thousands of fruits, veggies, whole grains, tree nuts, seeds and legumes. And it's all delicious, by the way.

6. Say, “Well, I have have a friend who went vegan and had to go back because it made her sick.”

Truth? She probably wasn't eating healthy. You can be vegan an not be healthy, just like you can be an omnivore and not be healthy. No matter what diet you follow, you can screw it up!

5. Cite canine teeth and cavemen.

Human canines are not designed to rip flesh from live animals. That's what natural carnivores do. The human digestive tract is not designed for consuming animal products either. And if we continued to do everything the way our desperate and starving ancestors did, we would never have improved our quality of life. Evolving is necessary when circumstances change. If a caveman jumped off a bridge....etc. PS – Let's dispel another early man rumor. Carbs, not protein, built our brains.

4. Joke about eating animals.

Vegans have heard all your tasteless jokes. They don't consider them funny. They consider them insensitive and disrespectful to the animals that died to fill your plate and clog your arteries.

3. Talk about how you can't go vegan for health reasons.

There is literally no health issue in existence that is made better by an omnivorous diet. On the other hand, there are many individuals with chronic illnesses that have improved or have been cured with veganism.

2. Tell vegans the earth would be over-run by other animals and the natural balance would be destroyed if we all went vegan.

Actually, the omnivorous way of life is virtually destroying the planet due to the vast numbers of other animals that are being over-bred for food. If we all went vegan, it would gradually decrease the number of animals bred for food, servitude and other purposes, thus restoring the natural balance and doing away with our number one pollution threat, the animal agriculture industry.

Oh and those plants you're so worried about? An overwhelmingly higher number of plants are consumed indirectly by omnivores through other animals than are consumed by vegans. That issue would be null and void if we ate veggies in place of meat and dairy. More water is used to feed omnivores too!

1. Base your opinion of vegans on stereotypes:

Vegans are not all wasting away. Some of them are body builders and star athletes, while some of them are even a bit on the chubby side.

Vegans are not as pushy as they are made out to be. They will stand up for their beliefs, just like any other person who is committed to a cause they believe in. They're just trying to make people aware of some things they may not know and share their happiness at discovering that there is a way we can all live and do no harm. Listen or don't. Your choice.

Vegans are not ignorant They do not skirt the facts or believe only what they wish to. In fact, due to having to defend their way of life almost constantly, and also to insure that they are making the right choice, most vegans have done extensive research on all subjects related to veganism, diet, health and many other related subjects. When it comes to nutrition, many vegans have more study hours than a lot of doctors.

Vegans do not believe they are perfect, infallible or superior. Some of them even fall off the wagon from time to time.

Note: You're right that vegans can be a bit defensive at times, though. That's what happens when you're discriminated against and misunderstood by a large portion of the population, simply for trying to do the right thing and be as kind as possible. It gets to them sometimes. So, they lash out, then regret the fact that they weren't as compassionate as they could be afterwards. Vegans are human, after all. Who knew?

Top ten best excuses....er reasons to avoid writing

What do you mean, there are no excuses? Actually, old school writer dude, I have 10.

10. Housework (No one can fault you for wanting to keep your house clean)

9. Walking the dog (Hey, you both need the exercise, right?)

7. Bills (They do have to be paid....)

6. Long phone conversations (It's not your fault your friend is a chatterbox, after all.)

5. Scheduling (Plans before action, right?)

4. Illness (Hey, you can't help it if you're sick. It's not like you asked for it.)

3. Leveling up (I just have to beat this one level and I'm done for good!)

2. Social networking (It is a part of your job.)

1. Writers block 

This is the ultimate writing excuse. 

No one can prove you wrong even if you're lying because it's all in your head.

Top Ten Silly reasons to become a writer

Writing can be fun if you let it!

10. Your friends will become jealous because you sit home all day in front of the computer, eating bon-bons and pondering life.

(As if. Ha ha ha Don't you wish? Deadlines. Paychecks. Ever heard of either?)

9. If anyone gets nasty with you, you can simply write them into your book, torture them endlessly or even kill them off.

(You won't even get arrested. I promise. And BTW, that killing people off thing is highly overrated. The torturing thing is much more satisfying because you can drag it out as long as you want.)

8. You absolutely have to social network. So, it's kind of like getting paid to Facebook. If you're good at it, you'll even get a raise.

(Ain't that a hoot? Wait, I'm not a hillbilly. Where the heck did that come from?)

7. You sometimes have the best genuine excuse in the world for not doing your job.

(It's called writer's block and it's for real, so you don't even have to feel guilty about it!)

6. Your Mom can introduce you as “My daughter/son, the famous author.”

(Hey, she doesn't know that you have to be published to be an author and you're not that famous. Why spoil it for her?)

5. You get to hide behind an alias, legally.

(Alias/pen name, To-may-toe/To-ma-toe, what's the difference?)

4. You get to learn about all kinds of weird things in the name of research.

(Be careful though, your browsing history will show it.)

3. And you really can work in your underwear and stuff your face all day if that's what you're into.

(That is, if you don't mind weighing 250 pounds and looking ridiculous when the mailman delivers your latest novel. Wait, are those underoos? I haven't seen them since the 80's.)

2. You finally have an excuse to be crazy.

(Everyone knows that all the great writers are off their rockers.)

And best of all?

1. You can write fun stuff like this and get paid for it.

Top Ten excuses for all occasions

Huh?

It's not you, it's me?

10. It's the impossible dream.

(If you think you can't do something, chances are, you're right.)

9. I have to prioritize.

(Prioritizing involves actually doing at least some of the things on your list.)

8. The cat is on my lap.

(The cat is not a stationary object. He/she will not expire if moved to a cozy spot.)

7. I did so much yesterday, I deserve a break.

(And tomorrow, you'll be doing everything you didn't do today, plus all the things you have to do tomorrow. It's a vicious cycle. Spread it out!)

6. It's not my mess.

(If it's bugging you, you own it.)

5. It will still be there tomorrow.

(Only worse and deeper and more of a pain.)

4. I'm waiting for................ Sing it with me now, oh oh, 

 

what are you waiting for or or..... 

 

 

3. I stubbed my big toe, etc.

(Come on, you know that stopped hurting 5 minutes after it happened.)

2. My doctor said I shouldn't.

(Sure he did, sure he did.... Besides, when have you ever listened to him before? Oh, I see. It's just this one time, because he gave you permission to be lazy, right?)

We all know Monday never comes.

1. I'll start on it Monday.

(Or next Monday or the Monday after that. Whenever, whatever.)

Top Ten annoying Craigslist ads

What is it? How much is it? Where is it? Where are you?

10. Ads with no pictures and bad descriptions

No matter how good you make something sound, if it looks like crap they're going to know it when they come to pay you for it anyway, so why not be up front about it? Besides, who knows? Someone might just be looking for a piece of crap.

9. Ads and sales with no prices

There is no price on anything you have for sale. Who do you expect to sell it to? A psychic? Dude, you are going to have to give a price sometime if you expect to collect money for it. Do us both a favor. Just put the price in your ad. Mark it on the items in your sale. You'll be shocked how well this technique communicates the cost to potential buyers.

8. Ads with no contact information

News flash, Craigslist e-mails are glitchy as all heck. Throw us a bone. Give us an address, a phone number, an e-mail, a homing pigeon, send up a flare.... Smoke signals? We have to find you before we can buy from you.

Dude, if it's a garage sale, just call it a garage sale!

7. Poser “estate sales”

OK, let me get this straight. You have 2 broken chairs, a bunch of used clothes in a heap and some drooled on, written on baby toys. Please don't call it an estate sale.

I'm too sweet to be victimized on Craigslist!

6. Ads for free pets

A slight pause for a serious issue here. Folks, have we not learned by now what happens to pets advertised for free on Craigslist? If you care at all about your unwanted pets or even if you don't, please do not offer them for free to the sickos who peruse Craigslist for twisted reasons.

The clock is ticking....

5. Ads that aren't removed in a timely manner

OK, here I am at your house, looking for the free stuff you advertised. Surprise! It's not there. Who'd of thunk it?

4. “To the guy with the....”

You gotta love the losers who take out a Craigslist ad just to complain about another Craigslist ad. Enough said.

3. Ads that sound free, but make you work for free instead

Free gravel. You'll have to pick it out of the sand that our cat has been using as a toilet, piece by piece. The sand is also free, by the way. It's all yours if you have a shovel, a truck, an extra man and about 12 hours to spare. Have fun breaking your back in my front yard while my dog growls at you and my snot nosed kids stare at you out the front window.

Just put it out there, dude!

2. Free stuff you have to call about

You're giving it away, right? You don't want it, right? So spare me. Just put your crap on the lawn with a free sign, take a picture, include your address and let the fun begin. No one is going to hurt you over your busted up couch and assorted scrap metal. It's OK to tell us where the pile is.

If this is part of a package deal, you can keep the whole mess!

1. The “must take all” ad

I am sort of interested in the nice little shelf in the picture.

I do not want your broken flowerpots, your used long underwear, your half case of bottled diet tea, your broken lawn mower, your.... well, you get the idea. I will not take your pile of trash to the dump for you, just because there is one item in the pile that vaguely piques my interest. Must take all? I'll tell you what, how about you just keep it all?

Oh Craigslist, you amuse me so.