Hello!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I thought I would use the luck o' the Irish and choose this day to move my blog.
I will no longer be posting on Vox, but you can find me at:
http://mrssoytastic.blogspot.com/
Please come visit me there and leave a comment when you do...I'd love to keep in touch!
xoxo
Mrs. Soytastic
I love fellow vegans, Bob & Jenna Torres. They are both academics who are also vegan book authors & publishers, bloggers and podcasters. They are hip, but not hippy. They have tattoos and like punk music. They often swear (perhaps a bit much for my liking, but I'll grant them that given all the good stuff they promote). And Bob also does a great old man voice. In short, they have informed me as well as entertained me.
As Bob & Jenna say, it's important to have a vegan community in which to surround yourself. I agree, however, living in ruralburbia and being the only vegan in my family and circle of friends, a vegan community is rather tricky to find. So I am thankful for my online community, Bob & Jenna, their books, blog and especially their podcasts. Being able to hear them talk about vegan issues and participate in their forums has given me the vegan community I crave. Bob & Jenna helped me realize, as a person who is against the exploitation and suffering of animals, that I needed to take that next step & go vegan. It's been about 5 months since that lightbulb went off for me and it has actually been incredibly easy going from a vegetarian to vegan diet.
This clip from one of their podcasts eloquently explains why I went vegan. Feel free to give it a listen if you've ever wondered why in the world someone might choose veganism.
Imagine if you will, a gloomy, rainy day in Seattle. We have had our fair share this winter, today being no exception. But I say don't let it get you down. What better to cure what ails ya' than a visit to Remedy Teas in the Capitol Hill neighborhood? I have been wanting to check this modern tea cafe out for far too long and something told me today was the perfect day to tea-tottle in Seattle.
Remedy was just what the doctor ordered. I knew I liked it the moment I walked in with my 7 year old and 3 year old in tow and spied a great kids corner, modern yet cozy decor, and beakers of tea lined up along the entry wall. Then there were the clean glazed canisters filled with tea behind the counter, each one with large black numbers, representing the 150 varities of tea offered on their elaborate tea menu. Something about that organized and impressive selection in its stark black & white presentation really spoke to me!
(See for yourself...take your own photo tour by visiting Flickr's Remedy Teas Customer Photos Page.)
We settled in and ordered tea service for the kids. What a hit! They shared a pot of Banana Split Rooibus, organic PB& J on organic bread with chopped salted peanut garnish, fruit slices, carrot sticks and cream cheese and animal crackers.
I ordered my own pot of #12 Blue Hawaii. Being the Hawaii lover I am, how could I resist this description: " Take a dive into a cup of pure paradise with antioxidant-rich white tea swimming with real organic coconut and vanilla bits. A sinfully good blend of white tea, coconut, natural essences, real vanilla pieces and decorative flowers." Who wouldn't want that, right?
The owner brought my tea over to me on a modern ivory plastic tray steeping in a clear pot, with a personal timer next to it so I would know when to remove the tea strainer from the pot. Candle tea pot warmers were easily accessible to place the pot on and ensure that my first cup was as warm as my last. I sipped my tea and was briefly transported back to the islands. It was that good.
I also ordered a Pesto Cream sandwich. How cool it is that the cafe offers vegan substitution on nearly all their sandwiches? The owners are vegetarian/vegan, so they truly understand the plight of the non-animal eating customer. My sandwich was delicious - "savory pesto, cream cheese (in my case it was vegan gourmet), fresh organic tomato on organic wheat bread with sesame seed garnished edges." The perfect savory tea sandwich!
In addition to over 150 loose teas and sandwiches Remedy also offers smoothies, salads, hot soups, sweet treats and lots of specialty drinks, some even alcohol spiked. There is literally something for everyone here. The decor is hip and modern and the vibe is friendly and inviting. It was a cozy and comfortable place to hang out with the kids. The staff is great - they really know their tea and care that you have a good experience.
I look forward to our next visit, but in the meantime decided to take a little Remedy home with us. All of their loose leaf teas are available for purchase in amounts as small as an ounce. We took home # 106 Banana Split Rooibus, #100 Blueberry Cheesecake Rooibus, #49 Silk & Citrus Oolong and # 15 Goji Bloom White Tea. That should hold us over for a bit as we tea-tottle at home over the remaining rainy days. Go ahead & bring it, Seattle!
Perhaps the most spectacular of all water plants are water lilies and lotuses. Their flat round leaves remind me of little rafts that float easily on the water. Their intelligently designed stems have tiny air spaces that act like inflated air vests holding them up. And their waxy flowers come in the most lovely range of colors: shades of pink, yellow, white, lavender, and green. They lie gracefully on the water's surface, opening their petals in the morning and closing them at night. I affectionately call them the "zen masters" of the flowering plant world.
When I pass one, I can't resist snapping a photo. Even looking at my photographs of these beauties brings a sense of balance, calm & peace to me.
Having suffered from a bout of blogger’s block lately, I am finally getting ‘round to that 25 Random Things List that has been circulating. Coming up with a list of 16 things several weeks ago was hard enough for me, so I needed an aid. The former kindergarten teacher in me came to my rescue with the idea of using the 26 ABC’s as a framework. Going through the alphabet, I just did a free association with each letter. Some are memories, some are silly, some are serious, some are ideas or dreams…but all are random.
A – Art
I have always appreciated art for as long as I can remember, eventhough I can't draw to save my life. I love how it makes me think about things, often with a new perspective. I did not grow up with any artists in my family or anyone to influence me artistically, yet I feel such a passion for it. I wish this was an area I could have developed more as a child and I think that is why I am doing everything I can to expose my children to the arts now.
B – Babies
I would have many more if it weren’t for the fact that I am 42. There is nothing better snuggling up with a sweet little babe, listening to their adorable coos & gurgles. I remember moments when my eyes would well up while holding each of my babes...it was pure joy and nostalgia happening at the same time. I think I need to work with babies in the future, so I can get my fix that way!
C- Cupcakes!
I love baking cupcakes and visiting cupcake shops too. The best cupcakes I have ever made were from the book Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World. I kid you not - they are so fluffy and moist, much better than the cupcakes at some of my favorite shops. So now I just make my own.
D- Detroit
I have great memories growing up in the Motor City in the early 1970’s. At one point we lived right down the street from my Grandpa & Grandma. All of us neighborhood kids would walk to Jack’s corner store to buy penny and nickel candy. My Grandma & I would walk down Grand River Rd. to Kresge’s 5 & Dime and stop at Sanders, an old fashioned ice cream soda fountain, on the way. There were many late nights of playing kick the can in the backyards that connected without fences. The MacDonald’s lived next door to Grandma & Grandpa and they had an inground kidney-shaped swimming pool which they let us swim in all the time. At Christmas time, we would head down to Hudson’s department store for their Winter Wonderland. Detroit was vibrant back then and I dream of its return.
E- Equality
Ever since I was a child, I had a soft spot for the disadvantaged. I just believe we should all have the same opportunites…what we do with them is up to us, but we should all be given a chance.
F- Family
I grew up with a very small immediate family. It was just my mom and I. My parents divorced when I was one. My mom & I were very close and I admire all she did on her own to raise me. Yet, this made me pretty different compared to many of my friends growing up during the 1970’s. There was always this feeling of being on the outside looking in. Now I have the whole family I always craved and truly appreciate these times. My family is my number one.
G- Garanimals
I grew up wearing these mix & match clothes. Remember their slogan…they “let kids be kids”? I often joke that I wish they would make them for time challenged moms who have no energy to figure out what to wear! I discovered that they still make them…but still just for kids http://www.garanimals.com
H- Hawaii
Every other year we go to our favorite get-a-way in Poipu Beach, Kauai. There is something very healing about that island and I feel better the moment I land there.
I – Italy
Rob & I spent three weeks in Italy before we had kids and want to go back with our kids in the next 3- 5 years. I love the people, food, terrain, history, art , and visiting the Vatican is pretty amazing.
J- Jesus and St. James Cathedral
Yes, I believe in Him. One of my all time favorite places is The Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary inside St. James Cathedral in Seattle. My mom’s funeral was in the Chapel there and I have lit many a candle for her in this beautiful room:
To see more:
http://www.stjames-cathedral.org/Tour/default.htm
K- Kiss
Yeah, I think kissing is an important part of keeping a marriage alive, especially after children arrive.
L- Legos
My 7 year old is addicted to them and I am amazed at his design and engineering skills – something I strongly lack.
M- Motherhood
Being a mom has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. It can also be very challenging, especially when I feel spread too thin, in too many directions. Yet, I am aware that I am in the midst of times I will always treasure, chaos and all.
N –Nutella
As strange as it may seem, it is not cheese that I miss now that I have gone vegan - it is Nutella. I used to make Nutella & Banana Crepes and dip apple slices into Nutella for a quick treat. There must be a vegan version out there somewhere…
O – Ocean
I am a water person. Nothing is as peaceful to me as sitting on a beach and looking out at a vast ocean and hearing the waves crashing into shore. I have an alarm clock that awakens to nature sounds and mine is set to "ocean waves" of course. In my fantasy world, I live in a tiki-yurt on the beach and sell smoothies by the seashore.
P – Pigs
I think they are cute. And smart. Too cute and smart for me to eat them and their animal friends.
‘Nuff said.
Q – Quaint
I love quaint little places. Some of my favorites are Old Koloa Town on Kauai, Cinque Terre, Italy, LaConner, WA, Langley, WA, Saugatuck, MI, Port Townshend, WA …and of course my own little town where we now live.
R – Rob
He is my husband and best friend. We met in the kayak store where he worked. He proposed with a ring in hand in front of my favorite painting at the Detroit Institute of Arts after dating for 5 months. We married a year after our engagement and then moved out to Seattle one month later without having jobs or a place to live just because we were both drawn to the area. It's been nearly 15 years and 3 children later and I would do it all again with him in a heart beat!
S- Silly String
Was this not the best stuff ever growing up? Rob surprised my Grandma on her 90th Birthday with a blast of silly string and she was such a good sport! I want to be just like her.
T – Tami
My name. My dad chose it because of the 1957 movie & song, Tammy & the Bachelor with Debby Reynolds.
My mom didn’t really want it, but insisted on the T-A-M-I spelling. I am glad she did, because I feel more like a T-A-M-I than a T-A-M-M-Y.
U – Underdog
I loved this show growing up and would race home after school to watch it.
V – Vick’s Vapor Rub
Growing up, my mom used to rub this goopey, smelly, ointment on my chest when I was sick. I remember shouting, “Nooooo!!! Not the Vick’s Vapor Rub!!!”
W- The White Stripes
I am rather obsessed this band along with The Raconteurs and anything else Jack White touches. I love his lyrics, style, talent, and approach to the music business. I also love that he hails from Detroit (and can both forgive him and understand why he moved to Nashville).
X – X-ray
Yes, I have had my share of x-rays, but I never broke anything. Knock on wood.
Y – Yuck factor
Two of my yuckiest memories both involve slugs. The first was on a tent camping trip where I woke up with a slimy slug on my face and the second was cleaning up doggy vomit and discovering a slimy slug intact! YUCK!!!
Z- Zots
This was my favorite childhood candy. Remember them? They were hard on the outside with a fizzing center. They were sold strung together like sausages and you could tear off as many as you wanted to buy. And best of all, I have discovered them again at a local shop called CC’s Espresso and have been able to introduce them to my kids.
A while back I wrote this tongue-in-cheek post and reminded PETA that "sex sells".
Uh, based on their banned Superbowl ad, I guess they figured that out...maybe a little too much for their own good!
PETA, one thing is certain: you are edgy.
As I look back at your history of banned ads, I do see that you have indeed tried the "sex sells" approach before, so I do stand corrected.
Show us a picture of you from your childhood.
Here's me with my kindergarten "boyfriend" playing on our street in Detroit, back when the motor city was still golden.
Tonight I tried a recipe that just blew my mind. If you try it, I am sure it will blow yours too. Back when I was a vegetarian and even in my pre-veg days, one of my favorite Italian dishes was Pasta a la Vodka - penne pasta with a rich-creamy-spicy-garlic-tomato sauce simmered with vodka. Tonight I tried a vegan version from my new favorite cookbook, Veganomicon and I'll be damned if it doesn't pass for the dairy version. Only just imagine the health benefits when heavy cream is replaced with almonds. I know...I know...you're thinking, almonds? How in the world can that pass for heavy cream? I'm not sure myself, but let me just thank the authors, Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero, that it does!
from page 193 of Veganomicon:
Penne Vodka
serves 4
time: 35 minutes
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 cloves minced garlic
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup vodka
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
a few dashes black pepper
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil, plus a little extra for garnish
1/2 lb. penne pasta
Bring a pot of water to boil for the pasta. Preheat a saucepan over medium/low heat. Add the oil, garlic and crushed red pepper to the saucepan and saute for about a minute, until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Add crushed tomatoes and spices. Cover, and turn the heat up a bit to bring to simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, add pasta to the water and cook according to package directions.
Once the sauce has simmered for 20 minutes remove half and pour into food processor or blender an add almonds. Blend until creamy and slightly grainy. Add this mixture back into the simmering tomato sauce on stove and stir until all sauce is creamy. If you own an immersion blender, you could add the almonds directly to the sauce and blend until creamy and only slightly grainy (I want an immersion blender!). Either way, the pasta should be done by now, so drain and set aside. Add the basil to the sauce and mix the sauce and pasta together in the pot. Serve garnished with a little extra chopped basil.
As the authors say, "No Brooklyn Italian restaurant is complete without this creamy tomato dish" and now vegans...or those who want to avoid cream based sauces don't need to live without it either! Salut!
This is my cure for what ails ya around that 2:00-3:00pm hour when you're feeling low energy and want to grab a soda, coffee, candy bar or other such caffeine laden treat. It's my afternoon pick-me-up smoothie. Technically, it's also my breakfast smoothie. It can be tweaked by substituting different types of fruit, or liquids (chocolate soy milk, orange juice, hemp milk , almond milk) and adding almond or peanut butter. I play around a lot with the ingredients but am always sure to add rice protein powder and flax oil or ground flax seed (for those healthy omega 3's) to every smoothie.
My Vita-Mix is my most beloved appliance in our kitchen because it creates such a consistantly smooth blend from frozen fruit and ice compared to any other blender I have used.
This afternoon's smoothie contained the following ingredients:
and resulted in this:
and best of all...this**:
**results not typical, your actual results may vary...in other words, don't sue me if you don't turn into Super Woman.
"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.
"What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
"This is the price and the promise of citizenship. This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."
~Barack Obama, Inauguration Speech, January 20, 2009
AMEN!!!
Oh Happy Day!
Oh Happy Day!
Barack Obama is our President Today!
