Money might not buy happiness, but it doesn't make me cry...

I do realize that money isn't everything, but this day and age it almost is. You can't buy happiness, but you have to buy food, pay bills, etc etc etc.
If you know me, you know I stress out a lot, and a lot of it has to do with money. I've been knocked on my rear so many times that I feel deathly afraid I will run out, again, and there won't be anymore. I might get super sick or in an accident and loose my job, my car might give out and I won't be able to afford to fix it, what if my girls get sick/hurt and I can't afford the vet bill...?!?!?! Yeah, it goes on.
Yes, I have my online shop. No, it isn't doing so well. Am I doing all I can for that? No. Do I realize I could do a lot more? Yes. Do I know what all of those things could be? No. So... that stuff needs to change.
My title as a Vegan Consultant just doesn't pay the bills, though I love to help. I love seeing messages in my Facebook inbox asking about advice, and I've gotten them from some friends I never thought would ask me those kind of questions. I realize that where I am currently living (probably even the tri-state area) there isn't much of a desire for Vegan Consultants, and while I would love to try living somewhere else... well... let's just say I do feel quite stuck here.
I need to make a plan.
I need to set some goals.
I need to stick to that plan, stay in line with those goals.
Unless someone living in a more vegan & planet friendly city wants to give me and my two dogs a place to stay until we get on our feet? Anyone? No? Yeah...lol.
On a lighter note, I've set up an Instagram... account? Page? Idk what to call it, but I use the name RogueVegan. I am still Rogue, after all. So find me, and help me learn how fun it can be...

Side Note: I know some women out there who search out guys who are in a certain income class, & if a guy doesn't fit into that they won't even give them the time of day. I've never been that way, though I find it funny that some of the "brokest" guys I've dated tried to say I used them for money (how can you use someone for something they don't have?). Another reason I'm not like that is what happens when they leave? If it's just about money, there is nothing solid holding you together. Then you find yourself alone again, but this time used to a lifestyle you can't afford on your own because you've let someone else foot the bill for it all.

First plan: set a strict budget to include savings.
One thing I'm doing to help: starting a container garden again; not only does food you grow yourself just taste better, but they pay for themselves fairly quickly.
Important thing to do: get my savings back to a healthy status.

What I have to do right now: GO TO WORK! lol
What I wish I could do: laundry (I love hanging clothes out to dry) & yoga!

Good day to you all!

My blog got a makeover!

It's something I've been thinking of doing for a while, so here it goes!
Changed the colors, fonts, titles, etc etc etc... yupyup
In my real life I've had a few changes... recently "single" (I hate that label, so I rarely use it, seems to make people think they need to send sympathy your way when really they should congratulate you for not settling for that guy that would never pay you back, left empty promises behind like used tissues, or thought my mom/dad/cousin was super hot), living on my own again (with my two girls, of course), and have a pretty good job (would be nice if it paid more, but I would like to stay with this company for a while). I've still been slacking on the crafting/beading stuffs, that should change soon. I do still have my Etsy shop, trying to keep it stocked and also stop using the economy as an excuse... (bad economy! bad! NO!)
The breakup came about after a series of things, things I told him I wouldn't take again... and after a couple of months of taking it I thought to myself "WTF are you doing?!?!?!? You know better!". What's the use of being with someone that you have to start taking an antidepressant to be with. It's not like he cheated, and he did do some things for me (though half assed & always reminded me constantly of those things) but the bad outweighed the good.
Oh, also I got a couple of plants to begin working on a container garden again. Of course that includes a mint plant, but in thinking I grabbed a tomato plant I ended up with a sweet pepper one. Good thing I like sweet peppers. A tomato plant will be my next one.
I'm also looking into investing in a wheatgrass juicer and the stuff to grow my own. And a sushi making kit and sake set, because I haven't made sushi in forever (lost my bamboo mat) and love some saki.
Oh, OH! The most important thing... I QUIT SMOKING! Yup, a few months ago I just didn't buy anymore. Someone did give me a tip on how to make myself quit, but it involved keeping up with the hours I didn't smoke. Thinking about all that time I didn't have one just made me want one even more.. I do much better ont he "out of sight, out of mind" idea... also, not buying anymore helped (don't know many others that smoke my kind helps a lot, too).
To sum up...
Things have changed, but I'm still vegan! This blog isn't just about tips and tricks, but also how my life is going... and my hair is pink. Sometimes.
:D

Vitamins: What's your kind?

Finding vegan vitamins is becoming easier and easier as the years go by, especially if you aren't scared of online shopping. I can't remember how I initially found them (probably at Earth Fare) but I have really gotten into New Chapter Organics Line, though not all of their supplements are vegan friendly. I was able to find some great deals on Amazon.com (one of my first go to's for online shopping) though and all was great until it came out that they were selling out to Proctor & Gamble (read more on that disappointing story here). But luckily on my Amazon.com searches I had also found another brand, Deva, that had gotten some great reviews. I checked them out (here is their site) and made the decision to give them a go after seeing they had the supplements I need.
For some reason (I'm sure it's legit, just haven't really looking into why yet) both the New Chapter & the Deva daily multivitamin have a very low amount of magnesium. For the past several years I have had a few issues with my right leg not always wanting to work when I stand up after sitting for some time (made car trips annoying). In the past year it began to affect my right arm as well (being that I don't walk on my arms, it was a bit different though so I wasn't sure if it was the same thing). In that time frame it had been recommended to me to take magnesium for menstrual cramps (as well as other kinds, since I'm tired of taking pain meds all the time) and it turns out that it helped the issue with my right leg & arm. The only bad part is I can definitely tell the difference when I don't take it.
Side note: I was also advised to start taking an iodine supplement. If I am able to eat the way I want to, I am able to get plenty of that from sea vegetables. Since I'm not always able to, I like to keep a supplement on hand though they aren't so easy to find in vegan form... not that have good reviews, anyway. So any suggestions on that would be great (just add to comments, please, or send me an email anytime).
Another side note: I do prefer to get what I need from food. I do believe in letting our food be our medicine, but let's be honest. It's not always the easiest thing to do, or even possible. Money problems, time constraints, etc can keep us from getting what we need at our meals. While I do think it's better to have a bit too much rather than not enough, keep in mind that one can overdo the vitamins. Look into what you need, what fits you the best, and go with that.
That being said, here is what I take:
A daily vitamin: (once I run out of this bottle of New Chapter Organics every woman's One Daily I am switching to the Deva Vegan Multivitamin, with iron- look for the 2 pack specials on Amazon.com). I prefer the kind where you only have to take one a day, and can take it on an empty stomach (I do have a sensitive stomach, so sometimes even with food these hurt me).
B vitamin complex: the complex has all the B's you need, right now I have New Chapter Organics Coenzyme B Food Complex, not sure what I will switch to when I run out. My daily vitamin has plenty of the B's, but if I'm feeling just too tired to make it these always give a great pick me up (say if you just couldn't sleep or partied too hard, yeah... these are great).
C Vitamin: Have been taking the Deva Vegan C Vitamin for a while now, and this time of year it is a must have. Also, if you are a smoker (as I was up until recently, and many of my friends are) or are very likely to get whatever is going around (a teacher, have kids, work around a lot of people like as a server or in retail) these are a must have no matter how much OJ you inhale daily.
Magnesium supplement: Today will be my first day on Deva's Vegan Cal-Mag Plus, and I will let you know how it goes. Please check out the link to find out what the "Plus" is for!
Grapefruit Seed Extract: I get the liquid kind and at it to juice (usually orange juice, which I water down so it can last a lot longer). It's extremely bitter and cannot be taken on it's own, but can be used for so many things. I even mix a bit with my shampoo to help keep dandruff & dry scalp under control. I love things with multi purposes!
A bit ago I read an article that lists the 4 vitamins you should always remember to take, and those kinds were on the list. While most of the details have left my memory, it was written by someone who worked in a situation like doctor's without boarders or something, someone that had to travel to many places all over the world where leaving your cell phone at home was in no way an issue (no cell towers, anyway).... if anyone can remember it or send me the link please do so that way I can link it here please & thank you!
That article was a lot of help, I was looking for something to help me in the right directions, but I think things could be better. Would be great if there was a site that let you choose what you were looking for... say, a daily vitamin for a women that's vegan (though having them all vegan really isn't a problem in any way) and then can pick the extra stuff you have in it (like the magnesium for me).

What vitamins/supplements do you take/love? A certain brand you have sworn loyalties to? Please, feel free to share in the comments below. I know getting advice from others has been the main thing helping me stay vegan and healthy at it, too...

Not a fan of this time of year...

Every year, right around the time of my birthday (October 18th) I begin to get a bit anxious. Even though Halloween is my favorite holiday, this year I just couldn't really get into it.
This part of the blog really has nothing to do with being vegan, fyi.
For those of you who do not know, I already have some depression related issues (whole other story, for another day) that I have been dealing with for an extremely long time. Now, SAD (seasonal affective disorder) gets to kick in. Strangely, though, I think that the end of Daylight Savings Time has helped.
Which doesn't really make sense.
How do you handle emotional issues, whether they are season related or it depends on the time of the month or whatever...??
That being said, yes my birthday was fun. Even had a vegan birthday cake made by the great bakery lady at Earth Fare (I don't know what I would do without that place). Halloween was fun, and not only did I save some money by using stuff from my own closet for costuming it also helped with saving the planet (as reusing always does, though it was honestly due to me not being able to find a costume I liked in time). For next year I'm going to have some money set aside so I can buy a real costume that I love & will last for years to come. I hate using things only once.
Now... here comes two times of the year I don't really care for, Thanksgiving & Christmas. Why, you may ask? Well, first off Thanksgiving is just an excuse to torture and murder more animals just to have a huge and wasteful meal. Of course there are many of us that do what we can to make it a cruelty free holiday... and there are so many ways we can do that.
There are many resources out there for us. The easiest is to ask your local grocer. Places like Whole Foods and Earth Fare are usually staffed with knowledgeable people... but for those without a helpful store there are online options. Peta2.com currently has a vegan turk'y give away (as well as many helpful tips & fun stuff for us vegheads). Healthy-eating.com has many options available to order year round, and especially during the holidays. They even offer Tofurky brand options, which are always a favorite. If those aren't options, or you want to avoid the whole faux meat stuff, there are a large amount of recipes available online. Google is a vegan's best friend, just be sure to plan ahead. You don't want to get caught without a vital ingredient on the big day. And a best thing about these foods is that they are great for any meal, not just special occasions.


For those who are cooking a "traditional" turkey day meal, you may need to help accommodate the dishes for some vegans or vegetarians that may arrive. It's easier than it might seem, though it may reach outside of your comfort zone. As always, any help needed or question... and I'm here for you.


I like to think of it more as "Save-the-Turkeys" day, personally. So many are cruelly treated, and slaughtered in ways that most cannot stomach (and if you can, you need help... now).

So, how do you plan to spend your "Save-the-Turkeys" Day???

A (Vegan) Food Must Have: Nutritional Yeast

A staple of any vegan pantry, nutritional yeast is one of my favorite food discoveries since becoming vegan. This flaky, yellowish seasoning has a nutty (dare I type it, almost cheesy) flavor that I swear I could just eat with a spoon (ok, so I have before, you try it and see if you don't get the urge). I love how it's full of B vitamins (something a lot of us vegheads miss out on without supplements) and is super yummy added to almost any dish. I love to put it on salads (especially pasta salads) and add it to soups. It's also a great thing to add in with any dish involving a vegan "cheese" to give it more of that "cheesy" flavor and add stuff our bodies need.
I usually get my nutritional yeast (ok, the name isn't the best, but the product is so it's ok) in the bulk section of my favorite local health food grocery store (Earth Fare for us) but this time bought the prepackaged stuff in a nifty container at a "regular" grocery store I will frequent (Krogers, actually, for us has some great organic/vegan/health food options at some of their locations here). They only had one option, though... but luckily it was one of my favorite brands: Bragg. Their religious messages on their packaging can be a little off-putting, but don't let it deter you. They are all for the cruelty free and healthy lifestyle. One item of their's I always make sure I have is their apple cider vinegar (so many uses, but sometimes I like to just drink it plain) and now I am adding their nutritional yeast to that list.
So, what do you think of nutritional yeast? Any recipe ideas to share? What do you put it on?

Decadently Vegan, on Facebook!

Since I'm pretty horrible at taking pics, I have yet to get some good ones of my newest creations. One day I went kind of earring crazy, but am pleased at the results. Even with the hemp I've done pretty well (one bracelet is even a kids' size). What I do have pics of, though, are in my "For Sale" album on my Facebook page! I even have a rockin' shirt I prettied up a bit :)
If you have a Facebook profile, please look up my page and click that lovely little "like" button & share with all of your friends! You will get posts for when my blog (yes, here) is updated, and you will also get first dibs on new product postings. Any specials, deals, or discounts will be listed on my page before anywhere else, and it would be the best way to get any special orders to me! You can also find me on Twitter (RogueDecadence; it's linked to my FB page). I will also be updating my page's statuses with various quick tips on planet friendly/vegan life, and most likely much more!
I look forward to seeing you all on Facebook!!!
I have heard a person or two voice some concerns over security issues and that is why they do not have a Facebook. As long as your computer has all the needed up to date security programs & you do your settings on Fb right, there are no real worries! 

New Shop is up & running... kinda...

All of the items in my old Esty shop have finally expired, and I have been working on the new one... www.decadentlyvegan.etsy.com! Yes, it is currently empty... but that doesn't mean that there aren't items on their way. A recent purchase of some hemp thread and new beads has given me creative hope, as has the pending purchase of a book on different hemp designs (I like to be able to learn on the go, and my phone doesn't always have web access in the many places I go). For some reason the hippy in me is starting to show it's self again... which I always love. I'm constantly searching for hippy clothes online, have a great desire for anything made of organic hemp, and if it isn't fair trade I give it a dirty look. 
My favorite thing about this time of year, though, is being able to hang my clothes out to dry. The smell of sunshine in my clothing beats any fabric softener out there, and is as all natural as it gets. I have an umbrella style clothesline, and it's portable and folds easily for storage. The portable part comes in handy if you're yard doesn't have one certain spot that stays sunny as it can be moved around. For those of you who read my old blog, you saw some pictures there. Sadly, those pics died with that blog, and I will have to take new ones. 
I have made a couple of new peices to go along with the new shop, but have no new pics yet. Am hopefully going to find the time to work with a friend on taking better pictures of things, and just better pictures in general. Even though my phone has an amazing camera (and takes great video, too) I just haven't used it as much as I used to. There are so many things that I loved that I let slip to the side while I hid in the darkness. I let the negativity surrounding me suffocate me until I had almost forgotten. 
Strangely, what I think pulled me out of it was getting very, very, very sick a few months ago. It lasted for about 2 weeks, and kept me out of work. A trip to the ER taught me that I had an ear infection, sinus infection, chest infection, a little strep, and whatever strain of flu that was going around at the time (I basically NEVER get anything that is contagious since going vegan, so I was shocked). Kalifornia helped to protect me from the hyperness of the other dogs and stayed by my side through almost all of it (she deserved the right to go potty, ya know). I truly felt as if I was dying, and when it was finally over I felt like a dark cloud was gone from my world... and I could allow myself to enjoy life again. So I am dating someone new, who does truly care about and want to be with me, and am slowly getting back into yoga. One small thing I really dig right now are wasabi peas... the hot kind. They can be found in many stores, especially asian ones. I have to force myself to not eat a whole can at once. 
Also, I love coconut milk but still do not care for almond milk. There was a sale at my usual grocery store so I could afford to give them a try (again, for almond milk, hoping it was the brand I had tried before). I think I will still stick with soymilk as my staple, and have yet to try hemp milk (rice milk tastes too much like rice for me, though I love rice). 
So... what is new with you guys?