Desert Oasis & Healthy Vegan Recipes

Yay, it’s Friday!!! I had a great week, mainly because I’m back to my full energy and spunkiness level that I haven’t felt since late November due to all this craziness. It probably helps that we had really nice weather in Southern California this past week, too, and I went for an awesome hike on Wednesday with my blogging hiking buddy, Deb:

This was also the longest hike I’ve ever done, we went for about 2.5 hours round trip on moderate to steep terrain and it was so much fun between the conversation and the incredible views. I re-fueled halfway with a Vega sport bar. I rarely, rarely eat packaged foods like that, but it absolutely hit the spot. Next time, I might try making my own trail mix with nuts and dried fruit. I also brought water which was essential in the sun. We went as far as the “oasis” that locals had told us about, which really only meant that there were some sickly-looking palm trees bunched together…not exactly what I had imagined, but oh well:

As always, change is in the air. There is supposedly rain coming this weekend and Alan and I are starting to wind down our winter desert getaway and re-locate back to the coast. I plan to make the most of it over the next week or so and hope to do at least two more desert hikes, plus another blogger meet-up this weekend. Don’t you just love how blogging and the internet introduces us to amazing, like-minded people? I love it and I love you!

Friday calls for another edition of Healthy Vegan Fridays, the recipe link-up party. Each week, Gabby, Katherine and I host this recipe exchange for whole food, plant-based recipes. Then, the following Friday, we feature the most popular recipes plus our personal favorites. This week’s most clicked-upon submissions were these:

1. Green Smoothies and Juices: Good or Bad? from Chasity @ My Healthy Chef

2. Raw Lemon Strawberry Cheesecake from Vicky @ Sweet & Healthy Living

3. Addictive Peanut Butter Granola from Lauren @ Oatmeal with a Fork:

Such interesting, seductive posts and recipes and I thank everyone who participated. My favorites were these:

1. Best Slow-Cooker Recipe – Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup with Grilled Polenta Cakes from Will Work for Eskimo Kisses:

2. Most Beautiful Salad - Roasted Beet and Sweet Potato Salad from Almonds & Avocados:

3. Best Comfort Food - Tortilla Party Bowl from Lifeologia:

If you want to join the fun, please read the submission guidelines for joining Healthy Vegan Fridays and follow the link at the bottom of this post. I’m thinking at some point in the future, it might be fun to do themes for each week?

You know how I keep mentioning my Facebook page and my goal to reach 2,000 likes? It’s getting closer…the current count is 1,918 and I’m going to do my first prize to celebrate on Monday with one of my favorite beauty items that is so natural and yummy-smelling that it’s practically edible! Click here for a hint…

See ya then!

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