Being mother to 3 sons, I can relate… even more so being one of 5 children of a working mom!!
Month: November 2025
Nov 9, 2025 of Low-SOS Vegan Plan




(This blog began 3/15/2015)
MEDITATION:
* Christ the Healer audiobook
EXERCISE:
* Jog 5k outdoors
* Day 3 AI Weightlifting workout
* PT APP workout
–lower body stretch/stengthening
* Vibration platform
* Outdoor bicycle ride
WATER:
(2) × (32) = 64 oz (+)
EATS:
* oatmeal w/ blueberries, walnuts, banana & water
* red & green grapes
* chopped gorilla salad w/ homemade ranch/bbq dressing
* 2 open-faced bean burgers made of black-eyed chili, small potato, kale on Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted grain muffins w/ avocado, tomato, broccoli sprouts, mustard
* nice cream (made of frozen bananas, kale, cacao & peanut powder, dates, water & topped w/ thin sliced raw almonds, sprinkle of palm XL-sugar & fresh pomegranate)
… SUN HAS SET …
Cmmt: XL indicates uncommonly excessive food, and wautéed means water-sautéed
Dark showering helps reduce anxiety and insomnia symptoms, doctor says
Dr. Daniel Amen explains how reducing visual input during showers can lower stress and activate rest mode.
“Think of dim lighting as turning down the brain’s ‘threat radar,’” Amen said. “Less stimulation makes it easier for the logical part of your brain to take over again. For many people, that means feeling calmer, clearer, and more grounded.”
“When we reduce visual input, we reduce sensory load on the brain,” Amen added. “That means your brain gets fewer signals to process, so the part of the brain that handles fear and stress has less to react to.”
For those looking to try it out, Amen suggests easing into it. Start by dimming lights 60 to 90 minutes before bed or use a soft amber or red light instead of overhead brightness.
In the shower, skip the screen, turn off the light, and add simple comforts like lavender or frankincense oil, a cool room temperature (around 65–68°F), and soft towels. It doesn’t have to be long either; 15 to 20 minutes is enough.
https://www.foxnews.com/health/dark-showering-new-trend-better-sleep
LOW CAL VEGAN CREAM CHEESE 4 WAYS and BETTER than the grocery store
BASIC RECIPE
Recipe by Joey Troxel
Ingredients
1 L (about a quart) of Soy Milk (plain, unsweetened, no ingredients except soy beans and water)
4 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
Directions:
Pour the milk into a pot and cook on low-med heat until it is hot and steaming but do not let it boil. Remove from heat, add vinegar and leave it alone to cool completely. I left it for 4 hours. You want the milk to curdle and form some solid structure while it is cooling
When it is completely cooled down and now a chunky mixture, put it into a strainer lined with a cheese cloth and let the liquid drain out into a bowl underneath it. We let is sit overnight in the fridge.
After the liquid has drained, put the solid mixture in a bowl, mix in flavors and serve.
This recipe makes 13 servings for the macros shown
Oat Milk with a French Press
(In video he used 1/2 C oats & 2 C ice cold water.)
🥛 Low-SOS Oat Milk Recipe
Ingredients (makes about 4 cups / 1 liter):
1 cup rolled oats (preferably organic)
4 cups cold filtered water
Optional (for flavor, still SOS-free):
½ teaspoon vanilla extract or powder
1–2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut (for creaminess, but may substitute lower fat 1 T hemp seeds, or 2 T cooked white rice)
1 pitted date (if you allow whole-fruit sweetness)
🔧 Instructions
Soak (optional):
For a smoother milk, soak the oats in water for 15–30 minutes, then rinse well.
(This helps reduce slime.)
Blend:
Add oats and 4 cups of cold filtered water to a blender. Blend for no more than 30 seconds — overblending can make it gummy.
Strain:
Pour through a fine nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or very fine mesh strainer into a large bowl or jug.
(You can also use a clean kitchen towel or a French press to separate liquid from pulp.)
Store:
Transfer to a sealed jar or bottle. Refrigerate for up to 4–5 days.
Shake well before each use (it naturally separates).
♻️ Bonus: Use the Pulp
Don’t toss it! Add the leftover oat pulp to:
Pancake or muffin batter
Smoothies
Overnight oats
Homemade granola
Your Brain on Exercise

Plant-Strong Spiced Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
Lentil Base
2 containers plant-strong spiced lentils (pre-cooked or packaged)
Mashed Potato Topping
6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled
2 or more garlic cloves, minced or smashed
6 Tbsp nutritional yeast (about 1 Tbsp per potato)
Unsweetened nondairy milk, as needed for consistency (about ½–1 cup)
1 tsp dried rosemary (or 2 tsp fresh, finely chopped)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste (optional)
Topping
¼ cup minced onion
1–2 tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
Instructions
Prepare the Lentil Base
Pour the spiced lentils into an oven-safe baking dish or casserole dish (about 9×9 inches).
Spread evenly and set aside while preparing the potatoes.
Boil the Potatoes
Scrub the Yukon Gold potatoes and cut into chunks (keeping the skins on).
Place in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil.
Add the garlic cloves to the pot.
Cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Drain well.
Mash and Season the Potatoes
Mash the hot potatoes and garlic together until smooth and creamy.
Add nutritional yeast, rosemary, and pepper.
Pour in nondairy milk a little at a time until desired consistency is reached — thick but spreadable.
Adjust seasoning to taste.
Assemble the Pie
Spoon the mashed potatoes over the lentil layer.
Spread evenly with a spatula, sealing the edges.
Sprinkle minced onion and red chili flakes over the top.
Bake
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and slightly crisp around the edges.
For extra browning, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end (optional).
Serve
Let the shepherd’s pie rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or more chili flakes if desired.
Tips & Variations
Add veggies: Mix in sautéed mushrooms, peas, or carrots with the lentils for extra texture.
Make ahead: Assemble up to a day in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready to serve.
Nov 8, 2025 of Low-SOS Vegan Plan


(This blog began 3/15/2015)
MEDITATION:
* Charles Capps podcast
* Christ the Healer audiobook
EXERCISE:
* Jog 5k outdoors
* PT APP workout
–lower body stretch/stengthening on top of vibration platform
WATER:
(2) × (32) = 64 oz (+)
EATS:
* banana & navel orange
* mini oilfree tacos (cooked in airfryer) w/ potato, avocado, salsa, some black-eyed peas from chili w/ mushrooms
* red & green grapes
* more leftover chopped gorilla salad w/ homemade ranch dressing
* airpopped popcorn w/ peanuts & a few sweet pre-poppoed kernels
… SUN HAS SET …
Cmmt: XL indicates uncommonly excessive food, and wautéed means water-sautéed
Potato Based Ranch Dressing
by Nan Simonsen
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cooked waxy white potato
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 4 tablespoons non-dairy yogurt, plain
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1/2-1 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dill seed
- black pepper freshly ground, to taste
- 1-1 1/2 cup non-dairy milk, plain undsweetened
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Makes 2 cups.
Blend all (except parsley) in a blender or processor, until smooth. Add extra plant milk, a little at a time, to thin if necessary. Add parsley and stir through. Refrigerate. It thickens and develops flavor as it chills. Add more plant milk for your preferred consistency. Season further to your taste. Keeps 5-6 days.
https://nansimonsen.com/dishes/vegan-ranch-dressing/
A) LOWER FAT VERSION
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup cooked waxy white potato
- 1 teaspoon tahini
- 4 tablespoons fat-free non-dairy yogurt
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional, to taste)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dill seed
- Black pepper to taste
- 1–1¼ cups low-fat non-dairy milk
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
B) EVEN LOWER FAT VERSION
Ingredients:
¾ cup cooked waxy white potato (Yukon Gold or similar — for creaminess)
¼ cup cooked white beans (cannellini or navy beans — adds body and protein)
4 tablespoons fat-free, plain non-dairy yogurt (soy, oat, or coconut-free if avoiding seeds/nuts)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional — for balance)
½–¾ teaspoon sea salt (optional, to taste)
1 teaspoon dill seed or 1 tablespoon fresh dill
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1–1¼ cups unsweetened low-fat non-dairy milk (soy, oat, or rice milk work great)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
🧄 Instructions:
Add all ingredients except parsley to a blender.
Blend until very smooth and creamy, adjusting non-dairy milk for desired consistency.
Stir in fresh parsley (and fresh dill if using) after blending.
Chill at least 30 minutes before serving — the flavor improves as it sits.
🌿 Tips for Flavor & Texture
Silken tofu (2–3 tablespoons) can replace the white beans if you prefer a smoother texture.
If you want it thicker, add more potato or reduce non-dairy milk.
For extra tang, add a touch more lemon juice or vinegar after chilling.
Apple Turnover Squares (Egg-Free, Air-Fried)
Yield: 1 large square turnover (2 triangle servings)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
Apple Filling
1 fresh apple, peeled and diced or sauced
1–2 tsp maple syrup (to taste)
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Egg-Free Wash
1 cup chickpea flour or graham flour (or 1 cup rolled oats, blender-blitzed into flour)
½–¾ cup water (adjust for consistency)
1 tsp maple syrup
1 pinch salt
For Assembly
2 large round rice paper sheets
Parchment paper (for lining the air fryer basket)
Instructions
Prepare the Filling:
In a small bowl, combine the apple, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix until evenly coated. Set aside.
Make the Egg-Free Wash:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the chickpea (or graham, or oat) flour, water, maple syrup, and salt. The mixture should be thin enough to coat the rice paper smoothly—similar to a light batter. Add more water if necessary. Pour into a shallow round dish.
Prepare the Rice Paper:
Working one at a time, dip each rice paper sheet into the egg-free wash, coating both sides.
Lay one sheet flat, then stack the second on top for extra sturdiness.
Assemble the Turnover:
Spoon the apple mixture into the center of the stacked rice papers, forming a small mound.
Fold the rice paper edges up and over the filling to form a square packet. Press gently to seal.
Air Fry:
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
Place the turnover seam-side down.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
Cool and Serve:
Allow the turnover to cool slightly.
Slice diagonally to form two triangle pieces.
Serve warm or at room temperature.