tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68047979958165942282024-03-04T23:42:02.365-05:00loser take allUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-47840060812756886442014-01-16T08:14:00.000-05:002014-01-16T08:14:07.713-05:00raw kelp noodles with peanut sauce<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">For the past few years, January has been a month of self-reflection for me. A big part of this is clean eating and abstaining from toxins like caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. This year, I decided to give a raw diet a try. I was really reluctant to do this. I thought it would be difficult and expensive. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I was wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I absolutely love it. I've never felt so amazing in my life. I've been unusually happy for this time of year, I have tons of energy, and my insides just feel good. I don't know how I'll feel at the end of the month, but right now I am considering staying on a high raw diet indefinitely.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been going crazy trying different dishes. And for the most part they've been delicious. This weekend I was craving pad Thai, so I made a raw version. It was absolutely amazing. I used my own raw peanut butter, but you could use any raw nut butter in its place. This would also be amazing with almost any fresh vegetable. Zucchini, bell peppers, cucumber, or whatever you have on hand. I'll definitely be trying some different combinations over the next few weeks.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSkjJRt703wa2vvbDN7PXIoc6v3W4EwKYSLEJspg97_XChW_zxnyjPzEffxo5QKXMY6fVPShK0HXzfVnZZlwQ-FI__G-MMMaIry0PDCYEWGoSlMGlZ6egU03bf8TgO9WqeMkkIO5rKVw/s1600/pad-thai-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSkjJRt703wa2vvbDN7PXIoc6v3W4EwKYSLEJspg97_XChW_zxnyjPzEffxo5QKXMY6fVPShK0HXzfVnZZlwQ-FI__G-MMMaIry0PDCYEWGoSlMGlZ6egU03bf8TgO9WqeMkkIO5rKVw/s1600/pad-thai-001.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1617719041"></span><span id="goog_1617719042"></span><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">raw kelp noodles with peanut sauce</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Base:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 package raw kelp noodles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 carrot, cut into thin strips</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 handful of spinach</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 handful of chopped red cabbage</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sauce:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tbsp nama shoyu</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tbsp raw nut butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tbsp fresh cilantro</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tbsp agave</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 garlic clove</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 inch of fresh ginger, peeled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">juice of 1 lime</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">red pepper flakes, to garnish</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combine kelp noodles, carrots, and spinach in a large bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a food processor, mix all of the sauce ingredients until smooth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour the sauce over the noodles and vegetables and garnish with red pepper flakes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj211iLTPKzzq-j2MBit4yyfGKYs7qgy0J5YbIRLsg9jmgbp_qLHRxFv1y18b9YZDXfE_O9CnsLiahklIpiO6MGMBIFIjOyhUMP8QBiB9ogqB7t4lC_tMhBeVEEHFCZkynbvvZ06_9WWV0/s1600/pad-thai-000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj211iLTPKzzq-j2MBit4yyfGKYs7qgy0J5YbIRLsg9jmgbp_qLHRxFv1y18b9YZDXfE_O9CnsLiahklIpiO6MGMBIFIjOyhUMP8QBiB9ogqB7t4lC_tMhBeVEEHFCZkynbvvZ06_9WWV0/s1600/pad-thai-000.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-5790799678420493912014-01-13T11:06:00.001-05:002014-01-13T11:06:36.852-05:00new music monday<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vtP-SGN6VcE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-3826632382206615092014-01-12T16:52:00.001-05:002014-01-13T11:08:08.667-05:00so long, 2013<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2013 was not the best year for me. I've had some health problems, went through a tough break-up, and, most recently I lost my grandmother.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it wasn't all hard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have so many memories of beautiful things too. It's not always easy to capture them. Sometimes it feels like trying to make out a reflection in rippling water. Only distorted glimpses remain, but I treasure them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Climbing a spiraling staircase to the top of an old lighthouse and taking in the endless lake on one side and endless trees on the other.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Running so far that it feels like you've left your body and you could run forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lying on the bow of a boat watching the wind blow through the sails.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carefree road trips, without schedules or plans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The birth of my tiny red-haired niece.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My hope for 2014 is that it's more of those little happy moments and so much less heartache and loss. My priorities and interests have all seemed to have changed so much over the last year. At first I discounted them, because they were different. But now I'm going to embrace them and allow them to become valid in my mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year, internet.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-74368816790468144992013-12-12T08:45:00.000-05:002013-12-12T08:45:37.934-05:00winter weekends<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Winter is the most bittersweet of seasons.</span><br />
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are times when it feels like magic. When the snow is falling softly and you're walking in the woods and the world looks untouched. When there's a house to return to with a toasty fire and strong coffee.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But even the most magical winter days feel shrouded in a sort of sadness that I can't really explain. I suppose it's the knowledge that this cold, dark world will continue for months.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent the weekend making things. I went to my mother's house in the country. It's on a little spring-fed lake, which is particularly scenic when it's frozen over.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, we canned dill pickles and made marmalade.Sunday morning, we ate cornmeal waffles with bourbon syrup. We went into town and traipsed about the antique stores. I bought tiny old-timey tourist trinkets that remind me of people who are too far away. As if drinking from a frosted glass could somehow bring them closer to me. Later we gathered herbs and pine boughs and made tiny wreaths.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtbePxx5ZkhtnaY4-tDZwxEG8LdswYhA4-akly7FhRipn2Kt7XPTNFH4BU6Tfue-AUlV_GIQrJcitN9OwNLYgD0VD76LK9aQLcSWLSZfEJe2AECt2WM91nKnhhKoVInineTe0KixteO0/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtbePxx5ZkhtnaY4-tDZwxEG8LdswYhA4-akly7FhRipn2Kt7XPTNFH4BU6Tfue-AUlV_GIQrJcitN9OwNLYgD0VD76LK9aQLcSWLSZfEJe2AECt2WM91nKnhhKoVInineTe0KixteO0/s640/photo+2.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I returned to Detroit and hung a tiny wreath on my door and listened to a Bing Crosby Christmas record I found at an antique shop. I settled into the sort of peaceful sadness that winter seems to bring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-IjZBJmId0-gjy8bBKiGUr4cnveA7UAeXPHjL_g2TRTIJPNwAnGi9bovjduqJjlQHO8Wt60JR9ZAp5upNTiZfio4PRaLKuxlHFdvEaS2nT91njL0ZAGmUgOaZp-peqONWu2Ed43JSC4/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-IjZBJmId0-gjy8bBKiGUr4cnveA7UAeXPHjL_g2TRTIJPNwAnGi9bovjduqJjlQHO8Wt60JR9ZAp5upNTiZfio4PRaLKuxlHFdvEaS2nT91njL0ZAGmUgOaZp-peqONWu2Ed43JSC4/s640/photo+1.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-54090122376357418072013-11-19T15:39:00.000-05:002013-11-19T15:39:16.722-05:00simple autumn wedding cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alcohol often leads to a surge of confidence in people. So it's no surprise that I agreed to make a wedding cake for my friend Holly after a night at the bar. I woke up the next day with the sinking feeling of making a promise I couldn't keep. But I decided to stick to my word and go for it.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm incredibly fortunate to have laid back friends. Over the last few years, I've been in quite a few weddings and all of the brides have been wonderful. Rather than throw high-pressure, high-maintenance events, they've had simple, beautiful, non-traditional days that I will remember forever. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with no direction and knowing that any attempt would be appreciated I went forth. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first attempt was a ginger, carrot cake. Another girlfriend and I tried it out one Friday evening a few months before the wedding in her new house.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was an utter disaster.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made the cake and put it in the oven. Then we talked in the kitchen over a few glasses of wine while it was baking. At some point, I leaned back against the oven and the door fell off. We scrambled to keep it in place, at least as long as the cake was still baking and managed to rig it to stay on.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We managed to scrape through disaster number one only to find that the cake was super crumbly and fell apart when we removed it from the pan.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we scratched that recipe.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My second attempt went far better. This one, a carrot apple cake, didn't break anything and stayed together wonderfully. I brought a taste to the bride and groom and they gave it the green light. So that was that.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1YICHPM8EGAGqCWLVZrXkN5Y1d-cR4vw2HmNPoJVfR1UYBtS2DXoLwkCnAZRw5Dfz8AaCxtOX8TnQz_-MhjzxzHJM97AdeCIPVP-xTzO0GnZvLRmFUXML__flz4Bbstg3CJPpLuqYFM/s1600/Cake-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1YICHPM8EGAGqCWLVZrXkN5Y1d-cR4vw2HmNPoJVfR1UYBtS2DXoLwkCnAZRw5Dfz8AaCxtOX8TnQz_-MhjzxzHJM97AdeCIPVP-xTzO0GnZvLRmFUXML__flz4Bbstg3CJPpLuqYFM/s1600/Cake-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been utterly in love with naked cakes lately. There's something so simple and natural looking about them and I prefer the sparse frosting. I made the cakes the day before. The morning of the wedding I frosted them and headed to Eastern Market to buy fresh flowers to decorate. The reception was at the Gaelic League, so I brought the cake there and threw some flowers on top.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn't perfect looking, but it didn't have to be. Love is always a little flawed.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CXvx_GW1eNk1l3yJUNwUHso11fF1w-lxeg5HPHkZ1McZqjkL69QJvCLnk45vyONEqj2lWbeKLpVRrqFczOOl8l0ZhmWrXEtJYxcYOBu2oMkk_SoWwbW2POna1R_R-nIWh_xTZffA498/s1600/Cake-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CXvx_GW1eNk1l3yJUNwUHso11fF1w-lxeg5HPHkZ1McZqjkL69QJvCLnk45vyONEqj2lWbeKLpVRrqFczOOl8l0ZhmWrXEtJYxcYOBu2oMkk_SoWwbW2POna1R_R-nIWh_xTZffA498/s1600/Cake-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">simple autumn wedding cake</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups whole wheat flour</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups granulated cane sugar</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon ground cloves</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup vegetable oil</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups grated carrots</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups grated granny smith apple</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup chopped raw walnuts</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease three 9-inch round cake pans and coat in a light layer of flour. Mix all of the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Combine oil and eggs in a small bowl, then add to dry mixture. Add the carrots, apples, and walnuts until just mixed.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Divide the batter into the three pans and cook for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place on a cooling rack for 10 minutes and then remove cakes from pan to cool completely.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*I frosted these cakes with a <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gale-gand/quick-vanilla-buttercream-frosting-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">simple buttercream</a>. The recipe will make a three layer cake. I made two batches to get four layers. I had no extra frosting, but two leftover layers of cake. Fortunately, this cake is still delicious without frosting.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlLIW6SuealIYpLvkpxowoMbn8aRVX7Hph0xUPZj6sKHeUOvJJJjJBDj6DJKmfHjL9XY9f2RJJJiyLiVcoGFvnISjNCKBdraFm4ddz8Nfr3mPg-waZf7xJwjMVAYGyh_0u4UefDSm3Z4/s1600/Cake-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlLIW6SuealIYpLvkpxowoMbn8aRVX7Hph0xUPZj6sKHeUOvJJJjJBDj6DJKmfHjL9XY9f2RJJJiyLiVcoGFvnISjNCKBdraFm4ddz8Nfr3mPg-waZf7xJwjMVAYGyh_0u4UefDSm3Z4/s1600/Cake-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-47602104657578290012013-11-08T17:09:00.000-05:002013-11-08T17:09:48.042-05:00where to begin?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I moved to Michigan I thought all of the change was done. I was engaged and had a job and a tiny house with a garden. But life is never that easy. And I was miserable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It took me far too long to realize it. I hurt people who didn't need to be hurt and made promises I couldn't keep. And when everything fell apart I had an overwhelming sense of guilt that seemed to crush my entire being.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I'm not a villain. What I did was incredibly brave. It is often easier to just let life happen to us than to make the choices that will make us happy. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've finally realized that what other people think or feel about my choices doesn't mean a whole lot to me. They don't have to live my life. I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm beginning again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time in Detroit proper. And I'm in love with this city.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I live in a tiny sparsely furnished flat with my cat. I can walk and bike anywhere I want to go. And the city has so many things to offer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorites:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exploring the labyrinth that is the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. Going in without a plan, getting completely lost in the stacks, and leaving with an armful of books I would never have <i>planned</i> to read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wandering the galleries of the DIA and being brought to tears by every painting of the moon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waking up early on Saturdays to get fresh produce, flowers, and coffee at Eastern Market. Having little girls there tell me I'm pretty and they like my flowers. Giving flowers to said little girls.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Late-night drunken fires and archery tournaments in backyards full of chickens and gardens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's lovely. It's perfect. It feels like home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-43169958049699981212013-06-09T18:24:00.000-04:002013-06-09T18:25:22.983-04:00bourbon & ginger<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We spent a long weekend wandering through Kentucky. It was the first time we'd ever let ourselves be spontaneous on a road trip. We went without a schedule or reservations. It was amazing. We did more in four days than I ever would have thought. We saw cities, small towns, and the country-side. We ate some of the best southern food I've ever tasted. And we drank loads of Kentucky Bourbon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm a beer drinker, but I will occasionally drink a whiskey drink. My drink of choice is Whiskey & Ginger. This homemade version was inspired by all of the amazing cocktails I had in Kentucky.</span><br /><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/9001298900/" title="Bourbon & Ginger by marydear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/9001298900_9a7d047b5c_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="Bourbon & Ginger"></a>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">bourbon & ginger</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ginger Ale recipe from <a href="http://www.monikakotus.com/2010/07/homemade-ginger-ale-two-ways.html" target="_blank">my photo journal</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 ginger root, peeled & thinly sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 cups water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">club soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 limes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kentucky Bourbon </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Heat ginger, water, and sugar in a small saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and strain to remove ginger from syrup. Allow syrup to cool. Mix 1 part bourbon, 1 part ginger syrup, and 3 parts club soda. Squeeze a bit of lime juice into the glass, and garnish with a slice of lime.</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-51672747921201513092013-05-22T22:29:00.000-04:002013-05-22T22:29:19.628-04:00coffee ice cream with cacao nibs<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's unofficially summer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We sort of skipped spring altogether. It's so hot in our tiny attic bedroom that it's hard to sleep at night. But I never do in the summer. There's too many reasons to stay up. All I want is to travel, eat ice cream, drink beer, and visit with friends. Everything else is an obstacle.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I kicked off my summer trips last weekend with an impromptu trip to Cincinnati to help my very talented friend, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/jodiburton" target="_blank">Jodi</a>, to help her at a craft fair. Although, I was only there for a short time, I really enjoyed the city and will be passing through again in a few weeks.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I can't wait for more adventures. I already have plans to go to northern Michigan, to explore caves in Kentucky, to go to Pitchfork in Chicago, and to hold our <a href="http://whatgoodcrafts.com/2013/04/29/planning-for-wagakwud/" target="_blank">annual craft camp</a> in teepees in Ohio.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have also started making homemade ice creams. I refuse to break down and buy an ice cream maker, so I'm sticking to no churn recipes for the time being. When I was in Cincinnati I picked up a growler of cold brew coffee from <a href="http://www.coffee-emporium.com/" target="_blank">The Coffee Emporium</a>. I had never seen a growler of coffee before. What a cool idea! I used that to make this coffee ice cream and it was stellar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8796293940/" title="coffee ice cream with cacao nibs by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="coffee ice cream with cacao nibs" height="534" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/8796293940_125cedc55b_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">coffee ice cream with cacao nibs</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">recipe from <a href="http://thevanillabeanblog.com/2012/03/no-churn-coffee-ice-cream-with-cacao-nibs.html" target="_blank">The Vanilla Bean Blog</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8796295208/" title="coffee ice cream with cacao nibs by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="coffee ice cream with cacao nibs" height="518" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/8796295208_b973340b17_c.jpg" width="800" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-19389338082568937772013-05-20T14:00:00.000-04:002013-05-20T14:00:03.027-04:00new music monday<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you haven't listened to <i>Acid Rap</i> yet. You are seriously missing out. </span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/h8nIHZ-0kS4" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-23983857574610711272013-05-16T20:41:00.000-04:002013-05-16T20:41:05.997-04:00Lemongrass Udon Soup<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is something about a bowl of noodles that's inexplicably comforting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For me, udon tops the list. Biting into those thick, chewy noodles is the food equivalent of falling into a bed made with a giant comforter and so many down pillows that you feel you are sinking. A bowl of udon soup is the perfect compliment for a melancholy mood. The kind that is painful</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">but beautiful too</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">so you sort of bask in it while it's around. Those are the sort of days when a noodle shop is the most splendid thing you've ever seen. It's better still if it's raining. You watch the fragments of light caught in drops sliding down the window. You are lost in the steam from the bowl in front of you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My udon is never comparable to the stuff found in a good noodle shop. And the noodle shops here aren't comparable to the noodles I had in Japan. Old men hanging around a counter. Picking out your bowl from a vending machine that shoots out colorful chips. Not knowing what you are ordering, but certain that it will be amazing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I just found out that my dearest friend is coming to Michigan from Japan on holiday this summer. It will be this first time back since he moved there 7 years ago. I am elated. I only wish he could bring me a bowl of noodles in his suitcase.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8746227324/" title="Lemongrass Udon Soup by marydear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/8746227324_2a042d5a94_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="Lemongrass Udon Soup"></a>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lemongrass Udon Soup</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Recipe adapted from <span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="http://www.foodpleasureandhealth.com/2013/01/lemongrass-mushroom-udon-noodle-soup.html" target="_blank">Food, Pleasure, and Health</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;">4 cups of vegetable broth</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;">1 package of udon noodles</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;">4 scallions</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;">1.5 tbsp fish sauce</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;">1.5 tbsp soy sauce </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;">1 lemongrass, chopped</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;">5 cremini mushrooms, sliced</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;">bean sprouts and cilantro, to garnish</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;">In a medium sauce pan bring broth, scallions, lemongrass, fish sauce, soy sauce, and mushrooms to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Cook the noodles seperatly according to package instructions. Add cooked noodles to broth and serve. Garnish with bean sprouts and cilantro.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8745104513/" title="Lemongrass Udon Soup by marydear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/8745104513_53e7c76950_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="Lemongrass Udon Soup"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-59083291705500225672013-05-13T15:22:00.000-04:002013-05-13T15:22:00.869-04:00new music monday<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W10F0ezCTIQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-24415514011439944682013-05-06T14:00:00.000-04:002013-05-06T14:00:03.087-04:00new music monday<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0S2eTV2v3V0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-81530691460536938422013-05-02T21:07:00.000-04:002013-05-02T21:07:41.162-04:00earl grey tea loaf<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few weekends ago I went on a bit of a Virginia Woolf kick. I have never read any of her novels, though I intend to. But I'm currently engrossed in reading her letters, which are collected in six volumes. I picked up one of those as well as a book of correspondence between Woolf and Vita Sackville-West, with whom she had a love affair which simmered into a friendship.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The letters are enchanting, from both women. I can't stop reading and re-reading passages more beautiful than anything anyone could ever say. And I can't help but feel a yearning to be privileged and English in some other time. As if it would make me a better writer or more desperately in love. Take this passage from a letter from Virginia to Vita.</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I
try to invent you for myself, but find I really have only 2 twigs and 3
straws to do it with. I can get the sensation of seeing you—hair, lips,
colour, height, even, now and then, the eyes and hands, but I find you
going off, to walk in the garden, to play tennis, to dig, to sit smoking
and talking, and then I cant invent a thing you say—This proves, what I could write reams about—how little we know anyone, only movements and gestures, nothing connected, continuous, profound.</span></i><b><br /></b></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's Perfect. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the end of that rainy, English weekend I made an Earl Grey tea loaf, which seemed fitting.
I am terrible with conversions, and completely botched the correct measurements for the tea loaf. Somehow it turned out well enough, but I won't bother with sharing my flawed directions here. I found <a href="http://www.vanillyn.com/index.php/2012/10/earl-grey-tea-loaf/">the recipe on Vanillyn.</a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8694837214/" title="Earl Grey Tea Loaf by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="Earl Grey Tea Loaf" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8395/8694837214_622b4aabfb_c.jpg" width="800" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8694837490/" title="Earl Grey Tea Loaf by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="Earl Grey Tea Loaf" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8694837490_e3ed19532d_c.jpg" width="800" /></a>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-87605128568390559832013-04-29T20:25:00.000-04:002013-04-29T20:25:13.134-04:00new music monday<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nU4OIAYwo5g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-21360312389312311962013-04-22T09:30:00.000-04:002013-04-22T09:30:09.361-04:00new music monday<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/USd3ay54C3g" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-61802104228076200752013-04-20T14:01:00.001-04:002013-04-20T14:01:14.912-04:00cherry & whiskey upside down cake<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Stiff Peaks</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whenever I read these words in a recipe I have a panic attack. I can never get stiff peaks to form. I'm not even sure what constitutes a stiff peak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I made this cake for Trevor's birthday and I was able to form half of the required stiff peaks. That is, I successfully made homemade whipped cream. Whiskey whipped cream at that. I'm not a huge fan of whipped cream, but a little whiskey can make anything amazing.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8662212780/" title="Cherry & Whiskey Upside Down Cake by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="Cherry & Whiskey Upside Down Cake" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8662212780_bef1373bba_c.jpg" width="800" /></a>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cherry & Whiskey Upside Down Cake</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Recipe, nearly verbatim, from <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/6ZJdjD/www.endlesssimmer.com/2012/06/11/cherry-whiskey-upside-down-cake/" target="_blank">Endless Simmer</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Almond Meal:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1.5 oz salted almonds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 cup flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Topping:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">6 tbsp water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">6 tbsp butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">9 1/2 oz cherries, stemmed, pitted, and halved</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cake:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 cup almond meal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup all purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 teas baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/4 teas salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3 large eggs, separated</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/4 teas vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/4 teas almond extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 cup buttermilk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/4 cup whiskey</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whiskey Whipped Cream: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup heavy whipping cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 tbsp sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 tbsp whiskey</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To make the almond meal, place almonds and flour in a food processor until the mixture resembles sand.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To make the topping, place sugar and water in a saucepan and stir until dissolved. Let the dissolved mixture come to a boil, and, using the handle, swirl the occasionally. Continue to boil until the mixture becomes a medium amber. Remove the pan from heat and add butter. Stir until combined. Pour the topping into the bottom of your cake pan and place the cherries cut-side down into caramel mixture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To make the cake mix the almond meal, flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl until combined. Beat the butter until fluffy (using a stand mixer, if you are so fortunate, but I did it by hand in a pinch). Add the egg yolks, one at a time, and beat until combined. Add half of the flour mixture, followed by the buttermilk, followed by the other half of the flour mixture. After each addition, beat until just combined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Place the egg whites in a clean glass bowl. Beat until foamy and soft peaks form. The mixture should triple in volume. Slowly sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of sugar and mix until combined. Pour in the whiskey and beat until combined. Fold a third of the egg mixture into batter with a wooden spoon. Gently fold in the remaining egg mixture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spread the batter evenly over the fruit topping. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To make the whipped cream, place the wipping cream in a cold bowl and beat until medium peaks form. Slowly sprinkle the sugar onto the cream and beat to combine. Slowly pour the whiskey down the side of the bowl and beat to combine. Do not overbeat.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8662212396/" title="Cherry & Whiskey Upside Down Cake by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="Cherry & Whiskey Upside Down Cake" height="536" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8249/8662212396_96768ee36f_c.jpg" width="800" /></a>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-36496957152044754342013-04-15T19:34:00.000-04:002013-04-15T19:34:02.278-04:00new music monday<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jR-eHTeXBKU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-38199432242682548772013-04-10T15:00:00.000-04:002013-04-10T15:00:02.410-04:00pistachio & currant camping bars<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was around 7 years old my best friend and I made an elaborate scheme to run away to the woods. We marked the date on my calendar and planned everything down to the most minute detail. We hoarded jugs of water and snacks. Our bags were packed, our red wagon was loaded. I don't remember what stopped us from going. Perhaps we were discovered by a perplexed parent. Maybe we always knew deep down that we weren't really going to go.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even as a child I loved camping. In the summers, my dad would set up his giant green army tent in the back yard and we would sleep outside. When we took family camping trips it always rained and the people next to us always jammed to CCR and drank cheap beer around the campfire late into the night.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lately, all I can think about is camping. Days spent hiking through the forest and reading on the beach. Stopping in your tracks to gaze at the stars because you forgot how beautiful they are without imposing city lights. The wafting scent of a campfire from your unwashed hair. Subsisting on only bison jerky, trail mix, and beer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year I thought we could expand our camping food repertoire. I love larabars and I've seen a lot of homemade versions floating around the 'net. I love a pistachio, so I thought I'd make some with those. I liked the bars a lot and will definitely be trying different combinations of fruits and nuts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8633577844/" title="pistachio & currant camping bars by marydear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8633577844_38a3b4de4c_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="pistachio & currant camping bars"></a>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pistachio & Currant Camping Bars</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 cup pitted dates</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/4 cup pistachios</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/4 cup almonds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 cup dried currants</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 tbsp water </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In a food processor, blend the dates, pistachios, and almonds until a crumbly dough is formed. Add the currants and process until combined. If the mixture seems too dry, add a tiny bit of water at a time until it begins to stick.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To shape the bars, put 1/4 of the mixture into wax paper and press into a bar shape. I used a small cutting board for the top and bottom and a large knife to flatten the sides.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Store in the refrigerator. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Makes 4 bars. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8633577410/" title="pistachio & currant camping bars by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="pistachio & currant camping bars" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8403/8633577410_00be367a4a_c.jpg" width="800" /></a>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-47017996396055946292013-04-08T15:00:00.000-04:002013-04-08T15:00:03.557-04:00new music monday<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ug-duZ6Fd58" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-23896276439658999382013-04-04T16:00:00.000-04:002013-04-04T16:00:01.003-04:00vanilla coconut ice cream with dark chocolate chips<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am not religious, but I have the overwhelming guilt and love of altruistic abstinence that comes with being raised Catholic. So, I celebrate Lent. This year, I gave up gluten and animal products.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think I enjoy the challenge of not being able to have a lot of foods. It makes you try new and unusual recipes that you might not if you have an easier alternative. This ice cream was one of those recipes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I had never cooked with real vanilla beans or coconut before. This was mostly due to being a starving student living in an expensive city. It turns out that these items are both expensive <i>and</i> difficult to work with. The vanilla wasn't so bad, but the coconut had to be pounded open with a hammer and nails. Yikes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The result was worth it. Lovely, animal and soy free ice cream without the need for an ice cream maker.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8615327012/" title="Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Chips by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Chips" height="587" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8615327012_e585bd7f15_c.jpg" width="800" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Chips </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">adapted from <a href="http://www.thisrawsomeveganlife.com/2013/01/olive-oil-ice-cream-vanilla-coconut-ice.html#.UVtkkxl4xFQ" target="_blank">This Rawsome Vegan Life </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3 cups raw cashews, soaked in water for 3-4 hours<br />1 1/2 cups coconut meat<br />
2 1/2 cups water<br />
1/2 cup raw agave syrup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Seeds from one vanilla bean</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/4 cup coconut oil, melted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chopped organic dark chocolate, to taste </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In a blender or food processor, blend all of the ice cream ingredients, except the chocolate until smooth. Once, you ice cream looks creamy, add the chocolate until just blended.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Place in a sealable container and freeze. Remove your ice cream and defrost for 20-40 minutes. Place back into a blender or food processor and blend again. Spoon back into container and re-freeze. Remove from freezer at least five minutes before serving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8615326754/" title="Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Chips by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Chips" height="559" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8254/8615326754_1ab60dd543_c.jpg" width="800" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-34927540044179166122013-04-02T18:55:00.000-04:002013-04-02T19:08:10.017-04:00lost<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why do we dwell on what is lost?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I once thought if I left this place I would shed the layers of sadness that I sometimes seem to cloak myself in. As if never laying eyes on anything that reminded me of the past would erase it from existence. What I learned was that you cannot run from what is inside of you. All of the sadness you've ever felt will always be with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But you can forgive yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And you can forgive others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And mourning the dead forever won't make them come back to life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My memories are always yellowed and scratched and filmed on a handheld camera. They are melancholy but lovely. Margarette Mitchell put it perfectly when she said,</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them
together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new.
What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its
best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.</span></blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-49156289006364947352013-04-01T19:12:00.000-04:002013-04-01T19:18:14.389-04:00new music monday<iframe width="400" height="100" style="position: relative; display: block; width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/track=2068522628/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0"><a href="http://peoplestemple.bandcamp.com/track/looters-game">Looters Game by Peoples Temple</a></iframe>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-72453075809530783472013-03-13T14:00:00.000-04:002013-03-13T14:00:01.217-04:00orange carrot beet juice<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've started juicing again (not steroids). I've been trying to rise early and make juice for breakfast. This time of year I always feel a little downtrodden because I'm ready for fairer weather. Every time it snows is like a slap in the face. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All I do is daydream about camping and running outside and swimming and friendship bracelets. </span>Something about drinking fresh juice makes me feel like it should be warm outside. Maybe I can fool myself into thinking it's springtime.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8552462451/" title="Orange Carrot Beet Juice by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="Orange Carrot Beet Juice" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8552462451_dc694bf718_c.jpg" width="800" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Orange Carrot Beet Juice</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 oranges</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 carrots</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 beet </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh ginger, to taste (I use around two inches)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peel your oranges, beet, ginger. Carrots only need to be peeled if they aren't organic. The outer layer will contain pesticides in conventional carrots that should be removed. Juice and enjoy.</span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8553565580/" title="Orange Carrot Beet Juice by marydear, on Flickr"><img alt="Orange Carrot Beet Juice" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8553565580_98df7465c6_c.jpg" width="800" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-54405884848687338912013-03-11T13:00:00.000-04:002013-03-11T13:00:05.654-04:00new music monday<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think I'm in love.</span><br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0AE_RFOlroE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804797995816594228.post-89591977878120419902013-03-05T13:00:00.000-05:002013-03-05T13:00:01.270-05:00diy yoga mat spray<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last week I tried Bikram yoga for the first time. I had previously done hot yoga, which was just a Vinyasa flow in 95<span class="st">° heat. I had only heard rave reviews from my sister and friends who have taken Bikram, so I was excited to finally try it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">Here's how I like my yoga. The instructor is a little on the hippie dippy side. We listen to calming music. Hell yeah I wanna hear Bon Iver while I'm doing sun salutations, so what? The instructor makes corrections so you know you are doing the postures without fear of injury.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">Here's Bikram yoga. There's no music. The instructors yell into microphones to push harder into poses. You are in the personal space of a very sweaty old man, who is only wearing tiny shorts and is better than you at Bikram. You feel like you are going to vomit, faint, or both. The instructor stands at the front of the room and does not make any corrections.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">Yikes!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">I had to leave my third class because I was pale, cold, and seeing stars. I want to give it another chance, but perhaps Bikram and I are not made for each other.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you're sweating all over your yoga mat, it needs a serious cleaning after class. In lieu of buying expensive mat cleaner, I decided to try making my own. I was pleased with the results.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8524969963/" title="DIY Yoga Mat Spray by marydear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8524969963_fdbee2395c_c.jpg" width="800" height="572" alt="DIY Yoga Mat Spray"></a>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">DIY Yoga Mat Spray </span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup water </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/4 cup vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">10 drops tea tree oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">20 drops essential oil of your choice (I used a pine wild scotch oil)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. To use, spray your yoga mat liberally and allow to sit for a moment. Wipe down your mat with a damp cloth. It will take 5-10 minutes to dry completely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st"><br /></span></span>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydear/8526084238/" title="DIY Yoga Mat Spray by marydear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8234/8526084238_6a35c56cce_c.jpg" width="800" height="572" alt="DIY Yoga Mat Spray"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0