you gotta hold on

we're finishing up here and i can hardly believe it.  (technically, the one year anniversary of writing in this blog has passed, but i'm still winding down the projects i have left).

to start, we started some misadventuring in the kitchen... pan-steamed green beans, some fancy knife cuts, proper fritters. 

tonight i'll be baking my first apple pie of the season and have plans to make another very soon.  the four balls of pate brisee - the flaky, sweet dough for pies - are from ovenly's receipe.  if you love nouveau american and eastern european baked goods, check out their web page. their book has been one of my favorites for all things delicious and baked. 

as for project vegan, i haven't cut out all animal products for any conscious period of time, though we've near-permanently subbed coconut milk in for cow's milk.  while i don't eat eggs regularly, they're just in everything processed. cheese is a huge stumbling block.  the vegan cheeses i've tried have been pretty... bad, and most of the tastier nut-based cheeses are obviously not an option.

despite not really engaging in that project, i've been re-energized to take a good look my makeup and all of the crap in my medicine and bath cabinet. i'm really interested in making natural toothpaste and finding an aluminum-free deodorant - purchased!  lavanilla trio, here i come - and keeping my makeup purchases to cruelty free and vegan options as much as possible.   if you'd like some basic tips for starting a low/no-waste lifestyle, check out trash is for tossers.  the author also has a youtube channel of the same name.

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there's a lot more left to say if you'd like to know.  i trust that you, dear reader, will know how to find me.

til the final post!