Category: VAis4Bloggers

Today’s guest, Kristin, is a fantastic blogger in Northern Virginia, who lives life to the fullest! Her journey has inspired many readers, and we couldn’t wait to have her share more of her story with you all today!

My name is Kristin, and I am a blogaholic. I’m also a new member of the Virginia is For Bloggers group, and I’m very excited to be sharing a little piece of my blog and my life with all of you today!

When I started 30-Something and Fabulous a year ago, it was primarily to share my weight loss journey; my focus was on diet plans, nutrition and fitness. Since then, I’ve learned a wealth of information not only about all of those things, but about enjoying experiences as much as food and living life to the fullest. While I am still on my journey, that journey has evolved into a much bigger one for me. I’ve worked with alternative medicine practitioners and life coaches, attended programs and seminars, and read more books, blogs and magazines than I can count. The most important thing I’ve learned is that weight loss isn’t the most important thing; living a fabulous life that nourishes you is, which leads me to today’s question – what is nourishment really?

I’m sure many of you, like me, instantly think of food. We’re not wrong, nutrition is a big part of the way we nourish our bodies. However, it’s much more than food that is low in calories. Nourishing food is food that gives us the nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins that we need to function well. Not all foods are the same for everyone; you have to know how a food interacts with your body to make the best choices. More than anything to be truly nourished, we must strike a balance between food that tastes delicious and we enjoy eating and food that supports our goals of health, weight loss or vitality.

There are other ways to nourish ourselves physically. As simple as it is, staying properly hydrated is key in keeping the body running smoothly (something I really struggle with!). Exercise counts too. Yoga and tai chi are mind-body experiences that provide a different form of nourishment. Though it doesn’t always feel like it when you’re used to being stuck behind a desk for 10 hours a day or glued to the couch every night, our bodies were meant to move. Giving them the movement they need is a a fabulous form of nourishment.

Still, nourishment is even more than that. We can nourish our minds with books and engaging conversations. Do you ever think about the media surrounding you 24/7? Do you make an effort to keep it positive? It can be challenging when so much of the world focuses on the negative, but it’s worth it! It’s nourishing to surround yourself with positivity. Try joining mastermind groups or attending seminars – they’re a great way to stay positive, motivated and to nourish your mind.

We’ve covered mind and body, but let’s not forget spirit. Do you make time for pampering? Do you “indulge” in activities that rejuvenate you? I’ve learned it’s not selfish or shallow to get a pedicure or have a spa day – it’s necessary a way to nourish yourself. Meditation is another way to nourish your soul. And just like we’re meant to move, we’re meant to have connections with others. Close friends, quality time with family, and healthy romantic relationships are like vegetables for the spirit.

What about you? What do you find nourishing? Do you make an effort to nourish your whole self or just your physical body? Be as conscientious about what you feed your mind and spirit as you are about what you put into your mouth, and you’ll be living the fabulous life in no time!

Kristin @ 30 Something and Fabulous

Leney @ A Girl Named Leney

Today’s guest post comes from Richmond blogger, Lauren, who writes at Vegology! If you haven’t checked out her blog, make sure you stop by for a visit, because she has tons of awesome recipes! We’re pretty sure her delicious strawberry snacks are going to be a summer staple!

Hello, I am Lauren from Vegology, and I am so happy to be a part of the Virginia is for Bloggers group. Vegology is a blog about trying new things, so my posts often serve as a travelog of my food adventures. Vegology started in my kitchen, where I researched and cooked with new-to-me ingredients, but it has traveled far beyond my tiny Richmond, VA kitchen in the almost two years since I wrote my first post. The search for new ingredients and cooking experiences can take you to some pretty fantastic places. Today, Vegology chronicles my adventures in cooking, dining, drinking, hiking, gardening and traveling.

While I have expanded the horizons of Vegology (and my own horizons as well), food has remained the focus of my blog. As a vegetarian of 4 years, I write about meatless food. One of my favorite things to do is take meat dishes and remake them as vegetarian friendly foods. I have posted several “Veggie Redux” recipes in the past, including Banh Mi, Bangers and Mash, Spicy Po’Boys, and Caldo Verde. So naturally I thought that my guest post for Virginia is for Bloggers should feature a brand new Southern Cooking Veggie Redux.

Virginia Bloggers, meet Vegetarian “Shrimp” and Grits.

Confession: I have never had real shrimp and grits. This veggie redux might taste nothing like the original. However, I can assure you that this spicy cauliflower “shrimp” and these creamy, cheesy yellow grits are a delightful combination. The cauliflower is tossed with Old Bay seasoning, olive oil, fresh garlic and lemon, and a touch of pepper, then it is roasted to spicy, crispy perfection. The yellow grits are simmered in light seasoning, then combined with a trio of dairy indulgences: cheese, butter and cream. A dash of hot sauce gives the grits enough edge to stand up to the feisty cauliflower. If you can’t already tell from this description, I’ll spell it out for you. This is a vegetarian remake, not a healthier or lighter remake. It’s a delicious treat with all of the comfort and none of the meat.

Fiancé tested and vegetarian approved, this dish is a winner. The recipe follows so you can recreate it at home, and if you do, drop me a line to let me know how it goes! You can check out my other adventures (and misadventures) at vegologyblog.com and @vegology on Twitter.

Vegetarian Cauliflower “Shrimp” and Grits

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow grits
• 4 cups vegetable broth (or water)
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup half and half
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, plus more to taste
• 1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 green onions, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Bring vegetable broth (or water) to a boil. Add yellow grits and cook until absorbed, 20-25 minutes.
3. While grits are cooking, toss cauliflower with Old Bay, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and black pepper. Spread cauliflower mixture out on a baking sheet and roast 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
4. When grits have absorbed the cooking liquid, turn heat down to low and add butter, cheese, and half and half. Remove from heat and add hot sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.
5. When cauliflower is browned and crispy on the edges, remove from oven and toss with sliced green onions.
6. Serve cauliflower over grits in shallow dishes. Add hot sauce as desired.

Lauren @ Vegology