Eclectic Lotus

 2002 is another shifting time in my life. This was the year I walked into my very first Spanish class in college. Prior to this, I took French throughout middle and high school. French was hard (back then) and I didn't get an opportunity to speak to anyone outside of the school. Friends who spoke French didn't speak with me, nor I them. We were fearful of speaking. In college, I saw a Black woman doctor switch from English to Spanish and I knew that I wanted that. I wanted to be able to speak to a native Spanish-speaker and help them without needing a translator. I walked into Spanish one so late in my time in college a little nervous. Even more so when the teacher, a petite Mexican lady says in English with a thick accent, "This is the first and last day that I speak English." The class was uncomfortable, including myself as I have been in a class in French where she refused to speak English. My nervousness was erased as I befriended several Mexican classmates and a...

 *insert pictures from 2005* I was a young girl moving from my city in Milwaukee to an even bigger city. It was overwhelming but so exciting! I made plans to leave after seven years, maybe 10 years. Gain my writing spark, crush this writer's block, and move on to another location.  LOL! This picture was taken April 2025 Chicago, and Illinois itself said, "No. Where do you think you are going?" as I am approaching 20 years living in Illinois. Doesn't help that upon the first day, I move a few boxes here that I meet the man who would be my partner in life and he can't fathom ever leaving the Chicagoland area. This state did the opposite of Wisconsin which was kept giving me jobs. Wisconsin, I really had to fish for those jobs but not here. It has gotten worse within each year as currently I work out of three offices and I am also doing locum work in other offices. I stay in school and when I look at old blog posts on how I am tired from walking and cleaning, I laugh...

 I know where my time goes- into treating patients. I am loving this life of treating numerous and multiple patients. Maybe from the suppression of seeing accident and worker's comp patients.  That is really me treating- no Photostock/AI pictures! Side Note: This was created in February 2025. It was stopped and completed in April 2025.  With changes in the schedule, it has been difficult to maintain this blog. I am keeping current and will begin to have a schedule where I post once a month. Wish me luck! 

 Happy New Year!!! Happy Veganuary! A gorda with lettuce, red cabbage, pico de Gallo, vegan butter, and vegan sour cream. It is Veganuary! Or January with a vegan twist. This month and year marks FIVE years I have been vegan. It is not a light road as I sit here trying to figure out how I got here. If you are considering going vegan, there are benefits and negatives.  Here is a restaurant list and some items that are vegan or vegan-friendly: Chic-Fil-A : Kale Crunch Salad- The dressing contains no dairy. It is also great for the gut microbiome and loaded in fiber. Burger King : It used to be the BK veggie hold the cheese but I am still looking into what could be vegan. The Impossible Whopper is made on the same conveyor as the regular Whopper. ( I saw a blogger note this was vegan and because it shares the space with regular meat it does not count.) McDonald's : I am still looking into this one as many of their products are made with animal products. I don't want to tell you t...

  From 2012 I am re-enacting this chili but vegan! I have an older post from October 2012 for this recipe which I will place here in this post as well. I used to make this for chili cook-offs while in Chiro school and after I graduated during the fall months. Great with cornbread as you see here. Click the hyperlink if you need a recall. So, here is the direct recipe (non-vegan) Sweet & Spicy Turkey Chili 1 pkg. ground turkey 2 jars Chunky Salsa 1 can Black Beans 1 can Red Kidney Beans 1 can Corn & Chili Salsa Brown turkey in frying pan. Stir in both salsas. Add beans and simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with tortilla chips! Try adding sour cream, shredded cheese or chopped onion.  Serves 5-6 ( directly from Trader Joe's paper) How to make it vegan: Sweet & Spicy Vegan Chili 12 oz red quinoa * 2 jars Chunky Salsa 1 can Black Beans 1 can Red Kidney Beans 1 can Corn & Chili Salsa Cook red quinoa separate in rice cooker. ...

 Happy Thanksgiving!!! ( Warning: this post is loaded with recipes!) As this is my FOURTH Thanksgiving being vegan and as you know the family is standard I will get to some recipes. I have noticed I have not been compliant with the recipes! Here is our cooking schedule: Monday: Checklist and items! The list is food and pantry items. There are mostly standard sides that have been made in the past. The family voted on desserts.  Tuesday: Shopping and Desserts! I started some mild shopping but we need more items! Here are our desserts and recipes! ( These are taken from websites so we will see if I can comply. Moist Vegan Lemon Pound Cake with Vanilla Glaze Description This soft and fluffy vegan lemon pound cake is “buttery,” sweet, tender, and dense- and made in just one bowl within 5 minutes! Topped with a deliciously sweet vanilla bean glaze that makes this lemon pound cake better than any Starbucks pound cake! Ingredients Scale 1x 2x 3x 3 cups  (375) g all purpose flour ...