GLAM. ya dig?

For ze ladies:

You M-U-S-T check this place out. Not only do they sell legitimate organic beauty products, but their facilities are powered by wind/hydro energy, they give 10% of their proceeds to Global Green USA, and all around environmental love. They have a wide array of products that are sure to please everyone. These products are pure, gentle, and natural, who doesn't want that? As the self-proclaimed suppliers of "beauty with a conscience", think of it as the earth-lover's Sephora. (Or click on the pic below to see the actual Sephora's natural collection, although I'm not sure they aren't pulling a fast one on us. Many of these may be pseudo organic. Be cautious, puhlease!)

While those things are just very nice, I think that the most significant thing to note is that YOUR MAKE UP CAN BE VERY HARMFUL TO YOU!!! ! !! In my life, the most disturbing products are nail polish and mascara because I use them almost daily. However, practically every product you can think of is either tested on animals or contains chemicals that are harmful to the environment (hairspray, shampoo/conditioner, perfume, eyeliners/shadows, foundations, lipgloss). This industry is not, i repeat, is NOT regulated by the FDA, allowing many companies take advantage it. This info will likely scare even the most ardent OPI "Lincoln Park After Dark" and Dior Show addicts...

• Nail Polish: Just by the stench, it is pretty obvious that this stuff is chemically harsh, but since you probably can create a time line of your life based upon your use of it (starting with Barbie peel-off, onto Walgreen's stick-ons, etc.) we rarely consider how harmful it is. To begin, it contains several carcinogens and the fumes can lead to birth defects and all sorts of nasty things! http://www.naturalnews.com/020031.html. Furrrrrthermore, nail polish removers release toxic gases and remove the natural oils from your nails leaving both them and your lungs unhappy. Instead, check out Spirit's lines of non-toxic polishes and removers. Priti even has one that comes pretty close to LPAD <3.>

• Mascara: You've heard the story about the women who have gone blind because of their lifetime mascara usage, right? Well, after a little research, I've found that is unlikely. HOWEVER! The reason that we avoid blindness is because of frequent animal testing. Rabbits, chimps, and other helpless animals are held captive or murdered for their eyes only to test out our cosmetics. Sometimes I wonder how humans became so remorseless and digusting. These prints show how some people are speaking out against it: http://www.advertolog.com/paedia/prints/2008/04/14/200663/

I hope that I opened your eyes to the harsh and dangerous side of cosmetics that my mom never told me about on my first trip to the MAC beauty counter at the mall. Please be conscious of how your use of these products affects the environment and your health! Check if your products are tested on animals and the next time you're in the market for a new nail polish color or bronzer for this upcoming summer, check out Spirit.

Other green suggestions: Aveda, The Body Shop, Urban Decay & more here: The Leaping Bunny

SP09 BAAAAABYYYYYYY, or Tenessee: The Land of the Hungry Vegan

Earlier this month, we headed down to Tennessee for a low-budget Spring Break adventure. This trip was planned via Google Maps the night before we left, leading to several instances of getting extremely lost. However, that's what a road trip is all about SO hmph! Here are some the highlights with emphasis on the only vegan restaurant we could find near the Mason-Dixon. For realz, I ate Subway lettuce and tomatoes for every meal after the TJ's rations of wraps, fruit, juice boxes & candied ginger (a.k.a. CRACK) ran out.

First we headed for Alton, IL to check out the statue of Robert Wadlow, the Gentleman Giant. Here I am, picking his boogies.

Next, St. Louie, home of VegaDeli. Loved it here! It's location in a strip mall is surprising, I'd expec to see this place in a bigger city. In fact, I wish they would open a location in Chicago because the food was simple, modest, and delicious. Their menu changes daily, a feature that I often miss from non-veg eateries. I ordered a bagel 'wich with a side of raw beet soup. Both unique, both delish. My numero uno food on the top of my "Oh, How I miss Thee" food list is cheese. They put a pretty thick chunk of vegan cheese on the bagel (some of these fake cheezes are damn nasty, but this was way not nasty), balanced with some fresh greens, tomatoes, and other veg that went perfectly with the EVERYTHING bagel. First off, the soup was cold. I was like...wtf, but then I tasted it. The color was appealing right off the bat, but the pure taste and smooth texture blew my mind. Next! Jj ordered a bbq-esque SW that he enjoyed, with a side of gnocchi. We luurve gnocchi and while it didn't come compare to his Noni's, the fresh basil flavor was pretty rockin'. Overall, really cute and worth the stop.

While in the STL, we also stopped at the Laumeier Sculpture Park...AWESOME.

A few long hours later driving behind the Beverly Hillbillies, we finally arrived in Memphis. Actually, to save monies we stayed in West Memphis, AK. It was like 2 minutes away and about 30% less $$$. Anyways, we saw Graceland, an experience to say the least. It was fantastico. The rest of our time was spent listening to the free outdoor blues music and roaming the city. We stopped at Sun Studio and caught their last tour of the day. So lovely.

Next stop, Townsend, TN. Another money-saver, right outside of the Great Smokey Mountains and 15 minutes from the disgustingly touristy Gatlinsburg. I wish we could have stayed the whole week here because it was G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!! We just hiked around the mountains and explored as much as we could in the short time that we were there. J's one wish was that we would see bears, and we did! 3 little black bears, 2 babies and their mom, really amazing.

Tennessee is a great state. Lessons learned:

• Research restaurants before making a trip
• Bring more snacky snacks
• Visiting Graceland causes some of your fellow patrons to become very DISTRESSED
• Drink as many lemons freezey drink things from Sonic as possible!!!!!

Fancy Eggplant Panini

I lived off of this panini for about 6 months straight my sophomore year in college. It's J's favorite szendvics so I make it over and over but it doesn't ever let me down. The hot giardiniera is balanced by the SD tomato spread. The layering in the assembly is key, I've tried it about every possible way and this is ZZZZ Best. Also, if you don't live in Chicago and are unable to get Marconi's, I pity your soul. I supposed that any other brand will suffice, but this is what's up. To cook this SW, the easiest way is with a George Foreman Grill. But, as a poor student with a kitchen the size of a pea, I use my trusty cast-iron grill pan and a plate weighed down with a soup can on top. Works like a damn charm. Even non-veggie people have given this the seal of approval, but who really cares. Quick & ez.

Ingredients:

2 slices whole wheat bread
2-3 slices of baked eggplant (see below)
a handful of organic baby spinach
2 T Marconi's medium giardiniera
3 T sun dried tomato cream cheese (see below)

Assembly:

• Lay down 1 bread slice and slather on some of the SD Tom spread. Then place the spinach leaves on as flat as possible.
• Next, layer the eggplant. Follow with the giardiniera but try not to get too much of the excess oil or the 'wich shall be soggy.
• Carefully place on the grill pan and cook on medium heat for ~3-5 minutes on each side.
  

Sun Dried Tomato Spread

This is quick and easy and you can use it on a number of different dishes, & obv it's wayyy yummy on bagels. Simply mix about a half tub of Toffuti better than cream cheese with about 4-5 sun dried tomatoes packed in oil. Pop them in a blender, or I use my magic bullet, until smooth. I love infomercials.

How TO: Bake an Eggplant

There is a lot of controversy over the best way to cook this magical little vegetable. This is my favorite way to do it, if you like your way better, then follow your heart. But, I'm too impatient to let it strain with salt and all that bs. Preheat your ov to 375 F. Then just wash the eggplant and slice it in about 1/2 in thick slices. Lay them out on a baking sheet and brush with a few T's of extra virgin olive oil on each side. Follow with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Next, bake for about 15 minutes on one side then flip the slices and rotate the pan so that they cook evenly. Ten minutes on the other side and they're soft, but still "meaty" per say. You can keep these in the fridge for a little less than a week and they're good for either this panini or to throw in some pasta.

Strarrrrberry Season

What to do when you buy 2 lbs. of strawberries with no intentions: CRISP, yo! You probably have all of the ingredients already, which is the best part. Or maybe the best part is that in the scheme of things, this really isn't that bad for yer healthz. The options are unlimited with this, I added an apple that was going to turn bad soon. Any other berries, pears, peaches, plums, etc. would also be really nice additions.

Supplies:

2 lbs. of strawberries, hulled & halved (you can use less if you're adding other fruits)
1/4 c maple syrup
1/2 c AP flour
1/2 c light brown sugar
1/2 c old fashioned oats
1/3 c earth balance
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t ginger



How to:

• Preheat to 350 degrees and mix the strawberries (+ other fruits, if you please) with the syrup in an ungreased 8x8 in. Pyrex-style glass pan.
• Mix together all the other ingredients in a medium bowl. You can use a fork, but its easier to just do it with your handiest tools (note: hands). Pinch the chunks o' EB with your fingers until its like bean sized.
  
• Sprinkle the crumbles on top of the fruit and bake for 40-45 minutes!

Once its cooled for about 10 minutes, serve it up with some nondairy ice cream or just be boring and healthy. I'm way into vanilla bean coconut milk ice cream these days. Take advantage of cheap seasonal fruits while you still can!!!!

SIDE NOTE: Why is it that many people refuse to pronounce the word strawberry as it is meant to be? I've found that my parents' generation loves to say "straRberry". Wack. Yet, not as wack as some of their other made up words such as "warshing machine".

Dragons/Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Long time so nee. I've been on hiatus for no real good reason. Finals & spring break, I guess. Anyways, dry your eyes mate, I've returned in full effect.

Richard D. Jaley's 22nd birthday was a few weeks ago, so in his honor I made the dreaded carrot cake cupcakes. I've always hated carrot cake. The stigma attached is the result of a minor vom incident on St. Patrick's Day about a decade ago involving far too much cabbage and carrot cake. I will not continue. However, these little babies changed my thoughts COMPLETELY.

I used the recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World with a few minor changes. A little extra cinnamon here, fresh grated nutmeg there. For the cream cheese frosting (made with Tofutti) I added 1 t of almond extract in addish to the 1/2 t of vanilla extract and a few dashes of cinnamon, it made a huge difference. These are decorated with slivers of carrots. I Dooo suggest these as they blew my mind and changed my c-cake hating ways. Full of spice and flavor <3

testing testing 123

watch me

Lemony-Bloob Cuppycakes

"Give me natural flavorings or give me death"

Blueberries are whats up. When raw, they are a fancy snack, but the minute you heat them up.. MAGIC! They turn into a deliciously tart and fantastically dark purpley magenta-y sauce that is awesome for adding an edgy punch to many desserts. I'm not a huge fan of food coloring because of its occasionally carcinogenic properties, so blueberry sauce is a great sub for pink.

To make these lovlies, i started with the basic lemon cupcake recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Takeover the World and altered the vegan fluffy buttercream from the same book. The only change that I made to the cupcakes was using the juice of half a lemon rather than the lemon exracts because that shtuff is way $$$.

Pseudo-Jam:

scant 1/2 c fresh blueberries
1/4 c natural sugar
1 t lemon juice
1 T cornstarch

Heat the first 3 ingredients up in a small saucepan over medium high heat until they begin to boil while smooshing the berries the the side of a spoon against the side of the pan. Lower the heat and stir for a few minutes while added the cornstarch. This addition might violate some sauce rules, but whatevs. If it is super runny, just add a little more starch--it should be comparable to a homemade jelly.

Once this has cooled down completely, you can add it to your buttercream! It's best to do after everything else has been mixed otherwise it will probably get all curdly and separated and NOT pretty. Pipe on as you please and enjoy the perfect combo of lemon and blueberry in heavenly cupcake form.

The Week Without a Macbook plus Kale Wraps ^_^

Blasphemy! How did I survive a week without my computer? Or a tv? Or any other form of electronic entertainment? Well, I will show you...here are some of the treats that resulted from my malfunctioning "Logic Board"

Guess the flavor?

V-con Bbread muffins. Pretty lovely texture, however I'll cut down on the molasses next time.

Quinoa Kale Wraps

Perfect for a quick lunch because they're packed with nutrients, easy, and way filling.

Wraps & filling:

• 4-5 big kale leafs
• 2 Hass avocados
• a handful of cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 carrot, julienned

First, cook the quinoa according to the box directions. While it's simmering, start to prepare the other filling veg starting with the carrots. Cut the avocados last so that they don't start to oxidize before you eat 'em. Once the quinoa is finished, let it cool for about 15 minutes. During this time, you can make the dressing and get the kale leaves ready. If they're too tough to eat raw (they always are for me) you can run them under really hot water for a few seconds so that they begin to wilt. They will turn darker green and make them just a little easier to bite into.

Dressing

• 1 c olive oil (I used 1/2 c extra virg OO & 1/2 c flax oil blend)
• 1/2 c balsalmic vinegar
• 4-6 cloves garlic

Put all the ingredients into a blender, or .'-*'Magic Bullet *.'-*, and buzz them til smooth.

To assemble: place the kale leaf on a plate then put about 1/4 c of quinoa as the base. Follow with the other items, it's really your preference as to what order you want to put them on. Then top it all off with a few T's of the dressing. If you put too much filling in & it's un-wrappable, you can just eat as a salad :P

Tea-Poached Pears w/ Soy Dream Vanilla

Recipe from Vegan Italiano. Amazingly ~healthy. There is really nothing like poached pears after a terribly long week peppered with inclement weather and without a computer.