Merry Christmas everyone!! Unfortunately, I worked today (Christmas day), but yesterday (Christmas eve) was fun for several reasons.
1. I got the day off of work (although I still had to wake up at 5 am to make sure nobody called in sick…kinda like being an on-call RN).
2. I had a great brekkie.
2. I talked to Kyle on the phone while opening my present from him.
The Hungry Hungry Hippie Chronicles, Vol. I
Sooooo cool!!!
Every post from 2008 and some from 2009…all bound in a beautiful book.
Thanks K love 
3. Lunch was all of my faves: hummus, bread, and apples.
Our toaster is still broken, but I discovered that if I hold it down it gets the job done. How ghetto. Who stands in the kitchen holding the toaster hinge down for 3 minutes just to get a warm sammie?? THIS girl. It paid off…check out my Dave’s Killer Bread seedy sando filled with sautéed spinach and roasted red pepper hummus.
4. Vegan chocolate cake for dessert!!
It tasted every bit as good as it looks.
5. I watched trashy tv while squeezing in some gym time. First time in the gym after over a WEEK off…wow, that’s not my style at all!
6. Dinner was a new recipe that I made up on the spot.
Vegan chili with a bazillion beans and TVP.
I soaked and cooked the beans all day long, and then added in the TVP once the beans were ready and the extra water was boiling.
The TVP soaked up the extra water.
Then I added in all the spices (paprika, chili pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, and S&P).
And last but not least, I added in the tomato sauce.
It would have been great on it’s own, but I decided to serve it with a twist, and heaped it on top of some steamed sweet potatoes.
YUM times a mill.
It was so tastayyyy. I had another serving on top of this…and then a little more after that 
Beans really are the magical fruit.
7. Dessert was more of the same, plus a cup of tea.
"Appreciate yourself and honor your soul.”
I honored my soul with more cake.
8. And finally, I received an award from my fellow veggie, hippie yogi lovin’ Averie.
Thanks girly!! I have recently posted all your questions and my answers in a new tab on top of the home page…I still have more to answer, so keep looking for more added Q&As.
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I LOVE that gift idea!!! I hope you had a Merry Christmas!
“Every post from 2008 and some from 2009…all bound in a beautiful book.”–Girl Ive been wanting to do something like this and I only have 6 mos worth of posts. But all my recipes and stuff..one day, I will want them in a book. What company did he go thru and how much work was it for him to have it done? Is it like, here ya go, bind it up in a book? Or do you have to be really involved..cuz I dont want any more projects to undertake LOL
The choc cake. Ridic good looking.
The award….thanks for mentioning it and doing it!!! I am off to look at your new tab now!!!
Merry Xmas Elise!!!!!!!!!!!
And what’s this Tazo teabag action? Coffee girl, where are you??!!!
he used lulu publishing…he said it was quite time consuming, but it turned out GREAT!! and no, it was a TOTAL surprise to me, so i had zero involvement. just the way i like it
i know i know i know…im trying to reduce the coffee loading, but its all in vain. i def had to dip into the java later in the afternoon though bc the chai just wasnt cutting it. have no fear, your fellow caffeine addict isnt going ANYwhere!!
What a great, creative gift!
Glad you had a good Christmas (even though you worked today), you deserve it girl
<3 Rebecca
Kyle is soooo sweet!!!!!!!! That is such a cool present–i’ve never even though of that! Hellooo food porn
That cake. the breadd! the hummus & apples…LOVE!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Wow, what a thoughtful and creative gift! I love the book idea.
Merry Christmas!
Aww, I had that same tea.
http://www.flexyfare.com/?p=1238
Happy Holidays!!
such a CREATIVE dinner! and go Kyle for getting a freaking awesome gift! that had so much heart put into that.. i love it!
merry christmas girl!
That is an AWESOME present!!! Glad Averie already asked how he did that because I was just about to.
We did an Apple Ibook with the photos from Chris’ parents’ visit to us this summer. When his mom saw the Apple box, she thought we’d sent her a computer manual! (from best gift ever to worst?)
Many Christmas wishes!!!!
hahaha…how hilarious would an apple manual book have been. omg, definitely worst gift status!
your eats always look delicious & creative- your dinner is in particular. your sweet potatoes look amazing- i just bought some and can’t wait to bake them
xoxo
shelley
http://findinghappinessandhealth.wordpress.com
I am sorry you had to work today!!! Your work stamina never ceases to impress me though!
that chocolate cakey looks to die for, and im all over that chili!
what an amazing idea for a present!!! that book is just beautiful and totally something that I would love to have done someday!!! what a sweetie pie!!!!!!!
hope you have a great weekend, Elise!!!
Super yum post! I love the book of your archives that you got, how sweet! That chocolate cake is making my head spin…..must eat now!
Wow, awesome gift from Kyle! Hope you had a merry Christmas!
That book is absolutely gorgeous, what a thoughtful gift!
I was working in the hospital Christmas as well, but it was kind of fun since everyone was in good spirits:)
Happy holidays!
Kyle’s gift is definitely the best present ever. What a guy! Merry Christmas!
Oh my! What a fantastic gift! That is the best news.
Glad you had a happy Christmas Eve.
DUDE seriously my heart stopped beating when i saw kyle’s present. UGH thats amazing!!
glad you had a good xmasy eve!!
That’s such a cool gift! Amazing! I love it and might copy it when we retire
My love!
I’m so glad you got a workout in…I feel you…it’s hard with your schedule and life and everything else sometimes!
Wow, what an awesome present! I wouldv’e been a blubbering idiot.
I had to work this year too, but you’re right it could be a lot worse.
sandwich looks delishhh
That gift from Kyle is so thoughtful and creative! What a cool idea!
Sorry you had to work on Christmas, but I hope you are doing great and had a good day!
That book? Best present ever.
And that cake? Best looking cake ever.
As for the sandwich.. I think I really need to get a move on and try this whole hummus in a sandwich thing. It looks good!
That is the most awesome present ever!
<3 <3
What a SWEET gift!!! So thoughtful and what a cool momento. Love it!
Are you kidding me?! That recipe book is a genius gift! That boy’s a genius!!
Apparently I had too much coffee in me (crazy talk) and was a little eager with the genius action.
That book is such an awesome, thoughtful gift. Kudos to your man! Your sandwich looks great, and man am I craving chocolate cake now.
AWWWWW I am dying over that book! That is the best gift ever! And in a powdery pink cover! So perfect.
And I’ve caught up on seven of your posts, so I’m not sure which post this is coming from, but the Stacy’s pita chip thing—you’re so right. It’s complete garbage. I’m lucky if I can stop at half the bag. But that never happens, so I get them only a few times a year. Damn them.
Gahhh that cake!! I want it right this instant.
So, I still can’t figure out how to steam potatoes, but I figure I’ll boil them and it will be similar? Not sure.
OK, You+ Me + Dinner + This Week. I love Proper Nouning everything. When are you freeeee? xoxoxoxox
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