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So, did you catch all 20 song titles in that last, Waldo-esque post? Today, it’s ten up-front things that make me happy (looks like we’re working in multiples of ten on DDD these days. Ah, if only that applied to the last 10 pounds I want to lose.*sigh*).
Last week, I was honored with a “Happy 101″ award from Johanna over at Green Gourmet Giraffe. Those of you who’ve been reading my blog for a while will know that I love memes and awards, and used to participate enthusiastically–and immediately–in the early days of this blog.
More recently, well, not so much. It’s not that I don’t still want to participate; it’s just that life is a bit more chaotic these days (so if you gave me an award in the past and I haven’t yet gotten to it. . . I sincerely apologize). This time, I decided I’d better get on this right away before the opportunity passed by.
Johanna listed her items each with a corresponding photo; I decided to emulate her approach. I also loved that the award asks you to list ten things that make you happy. I mean, really, how many of us should be focusing more on that?
Ten Things that Make Me Happy
1) This face:
I love this face. Elsie is one of the sweetest, quietest, calmest and most docile dogs you’ll find (well, except when she meets a previously unknown, white fluffy dog–then she’s the Tasmanian Devil). She is all-around lovable and I adore her. ‘Nuff said.
2) This face:
This face makes me laugh, even when I don’t feel like it. Chaser is a clown and a scamp, and an extremely affectionate girl. Cutie!
3) This face:
[Is it significant that the HH's face comes after Elsie and Chaser's? Naw.] Okay, so my Human Honey is too shy to have his face plastered on my blog. But trust me on this one: despite the thinning hair, despite the lines etching their way into his brow, despite the sarcastic jokes about vegan food, I still love that face. Maybe it’s because we met later in life, but I feel a comforting sense of “home” with this guy. I’ve never been anything but 100% myself with him–and he has always thought that was okay. He’s the smartest guy I’ve ever met and simultaneously the silliest. Happy.
4) Making Things with My Hands
[Detail from a sweater I knit for the HH]
This one’s a bit of a cheat, as it’s a huge category that encompasses cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, drawing, pottery, even gardening. But there’s something supremely gratifying about creating an item that didn’t exist before by combining your own efforts and raw materials. Don’t you all feel that way about creativity in the kitchen?
5) Wacky earrings.
[An 80s-era selection of my no-longer-worn favorites, clockwise from 12:00: gaudy plastic white loops (my mum would be proud); papier mâché jewel (for those Stone-Age glam parties); geometric wire (or, as a colleague once called them, "gerbil wheels"); pearls from my wedding to the Starter Husband (never worn since); fishies (the only pair I still like); "The Viking Shield"; paper accordion; and hot pink beaded.]
More than shoes, which were never my thing; more than clothes, which sometimes fit and sometimes don’t, I love earrings. Earrings are never too small (and, as you’ll see, many are now too big) to fit; they brighten up an outfit without breaking the bank; and you can collect lots of them, which enables you to wear something different every day. My mum used to don really gaudy earrings even into her 50s, and I see I’m following in her earlobes.
6) Lifelong friends and friends that are dear to me.
[A sketch I did of Georgia O'Keefe]
As it turns out, my dear friends Gemini I and Gemini II have known me since we were about 4 years old–that is, before my younger sister was born (eat your hearts out, Oprah and Gayle!). Of course I love friends who’ve been in my life less than several decades (!), too, but a shared history that extends through most of one’s life is something that truly makes me marvel and feel joyful. And the best part is that, even if I met them for the first time today, I’d still like them.
7) Writing.
I’m one of those people who’s more comfortable writing than speaking when I need to communicate with someone else. I can’t remember a time I wasn’t writing, from comic books on paper towels as a child (paper towels were much sturdier when I was a kid) to short stories to articles to books in my more recent past. In fact, I’ve often joked that I’m better on paper than in person! When everything clicks and the words emerge the way I envision; when I’ve spent a couple of hours writing and it feels as if maybe 10 minutes have elapsed; when the language seems to sing of its own accord, and I’m merely a conduit for that melody–well, then, I sit back, re-read, and feel awash with happiness. (And getting paid for my writing? Bonus.)
8) Chocolate.
I couldn’t very well write about things that make me happy without this one, could I? Chocolate was my first true love, before the HH. Unlike my the HH, however, my relationship with chocolate has remained tumultuous. As I remain on the ACD and discover that yes, a healthy lifestyle can be sweet (and include the occasional cacao-based treat), well, maybe the serotonin-based happiness will last longer than it takes to melt a square of Lindt 70% on the tongue.
9) Walking under, beside, or near trees.
[Leaf detail on a handmade vase]
Some people are ocean people; others are forest people. I’m in the second camp (even though, oddly, I don’t like camping). Taking the dogs for a long walk through the foresty trails near our house; walking along the woodsy areas up north when the HH and I take off for a summer weekend; exploring the green spaces scattered across Toronto; all bring a smile to my face.
10) Comments on my blog and the readers who leave them.
Yes, it’s cliché to mention this, but I will reiterate anyway: you, dear readers, bring untold happiness into my life. I am eternally startled and delighted to find that anyone reads my blog at all; but spying a new comment on my blog really makes my day shine and my countenance brighten. I love hearing from you and knowing that you’re out there reading. Thank you! (And all you lurkers out there–and you know who you are!–now’s your chance. Leave a comment and make me really happy!)
Okay, now the fun part. Here are the rules:
1. Copy the award image into a post
2. Then list 10 things that make you happy
3. Tag 10 bloggers who brighten your day
4. Put in a link to their blogs
5. Notify the award receivers
6. Award recipients must link back to sender’s blogI’m supposed to pass this along to 10 bloggers. Let me begin by saying that there are WAY more than 10 other blogs I’d like to include in this list, so know that every blog I read is one I love and one that makes me happy.
In order to restrict the list to only ten, I decided to choose blogs I’ve not mentioned before, or those I’ve just recently discovered (with one exception).
My Ten Happy Blogs:
1) Green Gourmet Giraffe. It makes sense that I love Johanna’s blog, too; I’ve been reading her blog as long as I’ve been writing my own. I’m delighted whenever I see a new post from her in my Google Reader, as I know I’ll be treated to her detailed descriptions, engaging prose, and entertaining anecdotes. Johanna is also daring in her approach to cooking and baking (check out her novelty cakes) and is always willing to try something new. With a new baby on board, she still manages to blog regularly. And she hails from Melbourne, a happy-making fact for this Antipodes-loving gal.
2) Oh She Glows: I found Angela’s blog after she linked to a recipe on mine–and was so happy she did! Angela’s boundless energy and optimism are infectious. Her upbeat, entertaining posts chronicle her quest for health and fitness and her trials and victories running a new bakery. She also includes lots of quick and easy recipes. It’s easy to see why hers is such a popular blog!
3) Affairs of Living: I was thrilled to find Kim’ s blog when I first started the ACD (misery loves company, I suppose!). In addition to her anti-candida regime, Kim was also recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, so her diet poses specific challenges. And yet she manages to create delicious, innovative foods, many of them vegan, that appeal to everyone. All this, and she does it with good humor and vitality (and just the occasional resemblance to Mary Tyler Moore).
4) Vegan Epicurean: Alicia’s blog is one of my favorite new finds this year. I have no idea how she manages to run a household and spend time with family AND post as often as she does, but somehow, the posts keep coming! Her recipes are amazingly creative yet leave you with the sense that they are also eminently doable. This woman knows her way around a kitchen and whips up a bunch of interesting dishes Every. Single. Day.
5) Happyveganface: The name says it all. Read Jessy’s blog, and you’ll be happyfaced, too. In addition to killer recipes (all of them gluten-free in recent days), the most amazing burgers, reports on running and CSAs, and her own quirky vocabulary, Jessy’s writing is upbeat, positive and all-around adorable.
6) Manifest: Vegan: I’ve only recently started reading Allyson’s blog, and already am in awe of her gorgeous photography and creative ingredient combinations. This is a great blog for drool-worthy photos and recipes.
7) Veganize it. . . Don’t Criticize It!: Jenn’s skill at veganizing typical omni fare is unparalleled. Looking at her photos, you’ll think you’re reading a menu at some upscale restaurant in LA or New York or London–and you’ll want to order it all! She’s been cooking up a storm in anticipation of her upcoming wedding. And she’s mighty amusing, too.
8 ) Voracious Vegan: Tasha’s passion for baking, cooking, and her life on a US compound in Saudi Arabia comes through in every post she writes. I’ve learned a lot about the customs and culture over there (as well as her pack of dogs and her horses) through her posts–and picked up some great recipes, along the way, of course. She also runs her own bakery!
9) Cooking Candida-Free Leah is another candida-sufferer who makes the most of the “permitted” ingredients on the ACD , with creative takes on conventional recipes and original experiments as well. Although we cook with different ingredients (she’s an omnivore), many of her dishes are easily adaptable to my diet (such as a recent cornbread, for instance).
10) Making Love in the Kitchen: A fellow holistic nutritionist with a passion for helping people get healthy, Megan’s blog is fun to read–period. Another blogger recently referred to her as ”the cutest nutritionist ever,” and one read of her playful, upbeat blog, and you’ll see why. Oh, and she posts recipes for healthy cookies!
I hope the bloggers I mention here don’t feel compelled to participate, as I know how hectic life can be! But I do hope you check out some of these on the list and bring a little extra happiness to your own life today.
And I’d love to know what makes you happy–please feel free to share in the comments!
“Mum, thanks for saying we make you happy. You can make us happy, too, and it’s so easy. Treats. Frisbee. And treats.”
Last Year at this Time: Maple Mania: Marvelous Maple-Flax Cookies
Two Years Ago: Spiced Cauliflower Soup
“Hmmm. . . I know there was something special happening today. . . but what? Maybe if I sleep with my head on Elsie’s pillow I’ll think of it . . . “.
“Mum, I appreciate that you turned on this doggie television for me, but that’s not it. . . hmmm. . . .special day. . . . “
“I know! It’s a snow day! We get to go out and play in the snow! Yay! ”
“No, Chaser, today is Valentine’s Day. You’re supposed to tell your loved ones that you love them. And now I’m all covered in snow for nothing!”
“Well, Elsie, you know I love you, right? Here, I’ll give you a kiss. And I love Mum and Dad, of course.”
“Oh, and we can’t forget all those nice people who come visit us here every day, too. Maybe they’d like to join us in the snow?”
Whether it’s a snow day, Valentine’s Day, or Family Day celebration, hope your day is filled with love–and some fun! 
Last Year at this Time: Dog Day: Be Mine
Two Years Ago: And Chocolate Peanut Butter Makes Three
© 2010 Diet, Dessert and Dogs
Whether you celebrate today or not, hope you enjoy the day and some time to relax with friends and family!
Wishing you all a day filled with love, happiness, laughter and healthy eating (okay, maybe a leeeetle non-healthy eating) 
“Mum, we can’t wait to spend time with family. . . we get lots of love and healthy eating, and you know we’re very good at relaxing. But, um, what’s in that present behind the tree–? Aren’t we supposed to get something today? Right, Elsie, aren’t we supposed to–”
“Zip it, Chaser, or we’ll never get that treat Mum promised us for wearing these ridiculous bows. *Sigh.*”
Last Year at this Time: Have a Wonderful Holiday (The Girls’ Holiday post 2008–see Elsie in a Santa hat!)
For those of you celebrating this weekend, Happy Thanksgiving! I wasn’t going to post a list of Thanksgiving recipes this year since there are so many I wouldn’t be able to enjoy (never-ending ACD, and all)–but then I thought, why should the REST of you suffer starve miss out?
And so, I’m re-posting my recipe list from last year, plus a few extras I’ve accumulated since then, just in case you’re still on the lookout for some great holiday recipes.
Hope you all have a wonderful time with family and friends–human or otherwise!
“Aww, Mum, this is such a tease. . . our Thanksgiving was over a month ago. Which means no leftovers for me or Elsie. . . *sigh*.”
Main Meal Dishes:
Side Dishes:
Desserts:
Breakfast Dishes:
“Elsie, what’s this I hear about Hallowed Eats today?”
“No, silly, it’s Halloween. Which means Mum might play trick for treat! Just follow my lead. . . .”
“Oooooh, YEAH! I’m READY!”
“Okay, so here’s a trick Mum likes: ‘Say Please.’”
“Well, I can give my paw! Here, Dad! Now where’s my treat?”
“That’s nothing! How about this? Just call me Mum’s little angel!”
“I can be an angel, too, Elsie! Um, except I’m a little scared of the halo. . .“
“Think you’re pretty talented, don’t you, Chaser? Well getta load of THIS! This will get treats for sure!”
“Okay, Elsie, you win. I bow at your feet. But, um, we still don’t have any treats, you realize. Drat!”
“That’s okay, Chaser. . . at least she didn’t dress us in stupid costumes, like last year.”
HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE! (And don’t worry, they did get their treats . . . ). 
I know it’s the Labor Day weekend and we’re all trying our darndest to get in the last coveted rays of summer before the new school season starts on Tuesday. . .
But it’s your last chance to enter the Simply Bar giveaway and win a whole box of bars for those school-day snacks or afternoon energy boosts! For more details and to enter, go here.
“Mum, I hate back-to-school. . . first of all, I can’t even enter the giveaway. And second, it means you’ll be going to school during the day, too. Maybe if I just lie on your backpack, you won’t be able to leave the house. . . “
[Recent ACD-friendly dinner: Gena's Raw Cream of Zucchini Soup].
It’s now been approximately five months since I began this round of the ACD, and, over this time, I’ve slowly been coming to the realization that, well, it’s not likely to end any time soon.
As I may have mentioned before, the last time I pursued this regimen, it took two years to eradicate the yeastie beasties. Why so long, when for most people, six months is more than adequate? I’m just lucky, I guess. (Either that, or those childhood PB and chocolate milk breakfasts, teenaged May West and coffee-with-Coffee Mate breakfasts, 20s-era birthday cake and oatmeal cookie breakfasts, and 30s-decade Weight Watchers mousse and Diet Pepsi breakfasts really weren’t that healthy, after all. Seriously, I couldn’t have done worse had I walked into a pesticide factory and started downing beakers of random chemicals). When it comes to eating foods that nourish and strengthen my body, it seems I still hadn’t quite learned my lesson.
While I was able, eventually, to reintroduce gluten and sweeteners to my diet last time (and my naturopath assues me that will happen again, even this time), I fear that eventually, as with any addict reintroduced to a source of the addiction, I began to abuse the privilege. When I last went off the diet, rather than enjoy an abundance of fresh-fruit based desserts or an occasional (ie, less often than 5 times a day) sweet indulgence, I went the whole tofu and chowed down on a daily injection of chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate (in fact, I even considered changing the name of this blog to reflect that fact). And while I still dearly love desserts, even healthy ones (heck, I just wrote a whole cookbook devoted to them!), like any addict, I really have no self control when it comes to my trigger foods.
[What I should have eaten more often: fresh and fruity sorbet. . . and even easy to make!]
I mean, have you ever heard of an alcoholic who can stop at just one drink? I think Denis Leary’s character, Tommy Gavin, a firefighter who can’t seem to avoid getting sauced, is a prime example of the principle:
Week One: “I’m handling it. It’s just one drink.”
Week Two: “I’m handling it. I’m only having one a night.”
Week Three: “I’m handling it. I only drink when I feel like it, but so what if that’s all day? I can stop any time.”
Week Four: “Muh habble it. Dwnn tuh meh naw drkkeng drurving!” (Please do not adjust your set. Comprehensible dialogue will return once he sleeps off the inevitable hangover).
And so, dear readers, I’ve finally decided to just accept my own shorcomings as well as my current situation (after all, self acceptance is the first part of healing, right?). I’m determined to embrace the ACD, limitations and all. If I have to stay on it for a year, so be it. If I have to stay on it for life, well–I won’t be happy, but I can live with it (and I wasn’t living too well without it, come to think of it). It’s not as if I’m malnourished, or even that I dislike the foods I’m consuming; and I’d never share a recipe on the blog that I didn’t think was appealing to anyone’s taste buds, special diet or not. It’s just that I miss baking. I really, really miss baking. And I miss eating what I bake.
Still, given the choice, I’d rather continue to see my health improve (about 85% there at the moment) and continue to see my weight decrease, than eat chocolate every day. Besides, I’m learning to think of the ACD as just another culinary challenge: it’s time to begin creating delicious gluten-free, maybe even grain-free, stevia-sweetened desserts for a while. Let the kitchen games resume!
As I mused about the situation, I was reminded of two experts whom I admire and respect, albeit from two completely divergent fields.
The first is Geneen Roth, acclaimed author of When Food is Love and a regular columnist in Good Housekeeping magazine. When the HH and I relaxed up north this past weekend, I brought a slew of magazines to peruse by the pool, and came across Roth’s latest column, entitled, “Reality Bites.” She wrote about how she’d recently been diagnosed with allergies to both milk and chocolate–two of her very favorite foods.
At first, Roth rebelled against the diagnosis, thinking, “I refuse to give up the foods I love.” Eventually, she came round to the reality of the situation, stating, “It’s hard enough to have. . . allergies. But when you can’t stop thinking about how much you hate the fact that you have to spend your time doing what you need to do, you double the difficulty.” Well, I reasoned, I have quite enough difficulties in all the other areas of my life at the moment, thank you very much; I’d hate to convert eating into yet anohter hardship as well.
The second expert I thought about was Jon Kabat Zinn, who penned Wherever You Go, There You Are and Full Catastrophe Living. To Zinn, a champion of, and pioneer in, stress reduction and mindfulness meditation, living in the moment and appreciating the here and now is paramount to a happy life. Again, I couldn’t help but think, “Look at all the other wonderful things in my life right now–a secure job in these crazy economic times; a (rather appealing) roof over my head; a loving HH; long-term, close friendships; and two of the most adorable canine kids I’ve ever encountered (okay, I may be a tad biased on the canine thing).
["What do you mean, 'a tad biased,' Mum? We're crushed."]
The point is, I decided it’s time to focus on the positives in my life rather than the deficiencies. I may even resume the practise of keeping a gratitude journal (in which you enumerate at least 5 good things that occurred each day, every day. Over time, believe it or not, your mood is elevated just by focusing on such things.). It’s much more productive, and healthy, to maintain a focus on what’s good in life instead of the list of foods I have to give up for a while.
Roth said it beautifully when she wrote, “Giving up certain foods doesn’t mean giving up what you want to feel when you eat them. Staying away from sweets doesn’t mean that you need to deprive yourself of sweetness or comfort or joy.”
And so, I will continue to forge ahead with the blog in this new direction and hope all of you who’ve been reading for a while will stick with me, even though my recipes will be geared toward more gluten-free and low sweetener recipes for a time. And to all the new readers who’ve found my blog by searching for anti-candida recipes or allergen free foods, welcome! The gluten and natural sweeteners will return eventually.
But for now, I hope you’ll all join me on this often challenging, necessarily innovative, and naturally sweetened healing path.
“Mum, don’t worry about not eating sweeteners–we do it all the time, and our food still tastes great! Then again, we eat poo.”
“Elsie, it’s so boring around here when Mum isn’t blogging as often. I mean, I miss my place in the spotlight. . . “
“Don’t worry, Chaser, she’ll be back in a day or two. She’s just been really busy with work.”
“Yaaaay! I’m so happy to hear that! Yippeeeee! Whoo hoo!”
“I know–isn’t it great? More food to taste-test! But for now, we’re forced to wait. . . ah, the constraints of being a dog. *Sigh*.”
Although I am not a mother and I lost my own mom many years ago, over time I’ve come to feel that Mother’s Day is nevertheless a cause for celebration.
As Oprah Winfrey is fond of pointing out, motherhood is the hardest job on earth. I wholeheartedly agree; and the older I get, the more I realize how much my mom accomplished simply by raising three daughters who are (more or less) upstanding citizens. There are many ways to be a “mother”–whether by blood, adoption, or simply providing maternal compassion and care for someone you love.
Calling your friend to make sure she made it home safely on the subway? That’s mothering. Helping your niece to install that new bathroom wallpaper? Moms do that. Bringing soup to a sick neightbour? Definitely a Mama’s job. Watching out for the welfare of an ailing parent and ensuring that s/he is treated with dignity? Simply returning the favor of mothering. Raising a domestic pet, one that’s entirely dependent on you for shelter, food, safety? Those maternal instincts kicking in, whether or not you’re a biological parent, or even a female. Everyone contains a kernel of ”mother” within them.
And so, here’s wishing you all a very, very Happy Mother’s Day, one in which you celebrate the many mothers in your life–as well as your your own role as mother, however it occurs. Hardest job, perhaps, but also the most rewarding!
“Mum, you take great care of us and everything, but sometimes, I just like to pretend that Elsie is my mother. No offence–it’s only because you’re not quite as furry as she is.”
THE GIVEAWAY CONTEST WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN!
But before I announce the exciting news (not to sound too much like the American Idol results show or anything), I wanted to tell you about a different kind of giveaway–a birthday gift to Momma Fish (mom of the lovely and talented Shellyfish from Musings from the Fishbowl!).
Some of you may be following Shellyfish’s brilliant scheme to fête her mom for her 60th birthday–have a variety of volunteer bloggers send little gifts from around the world, to arrive sporadically for 60 days of birthday gifts! Shelly was overwhelmed by the response of bloggers who wanted to participate (myself included!).
For my little gift, I decided to send (what else?) chocolate. This is a uniquely Canadian bar, made by artisanal chocolate makers in Quebec. I wrapped it. . . .
. . . and miraculously found this perfect card for a Momma Fish!
[Answer in the first photo, up top.] Happy Birthday to Shelly’s mom, and kudos to Shelly for coming up with such a wonderful, generous, creative gift.
And now, on to the giveaways. . . .
Our top two are:
Ruth from Plentiful Plants--you’ve won the layer cake! Please contact me at dietdessertdogsATgmailDOTcom to arrange for delivery of your cake!
And Jes from Cupcake Punk–you’ve won the quart of maple syrup! Please email me as well at dietdessertdogsATgmailDOTcom with your address so I can tell the wonderful people at Coombs Family Farms where to ship the your prize!
Congrats to the two winners! And thanks, everyone, for playing along this time. (And there will be one more giveaway up my sleeve in a month or so, before the cookbook comes out).
New recipes to be posted later today!
“Mum, we’re happy for the winners and everything, but don’t we at least get a tiny lick of cake for posing with the winners’ names? Oh, why does it have to be chocolate cake??”
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