Life is grand and I love everyone.

Love and stroopwafles,
Kelly

Wishing on Pennies - Weekend Thoughts

Image unrelated; just enjoy it you fools

Let me begin by saying I am one of the most cynical people I know. I come in second after my own father, whose dry sarcasm and cynicism makes me sound like an optimist.

So of course I began my Saturday at work dreading the inevitable tourists asking the same questions: "Were you on Cupcake Wars?" "Do you have red velvet?" "What is the lemon cupcake filled with?" "Where's the bathroom?"

But before the influx of stupid, repeated questions, a mom popped her head in and asked if I could break her $20 into change, providing her with a few pennies her daughter could throw into the fountain. I pulled a few pennies out of their secret hiding bucket and handed them to the mother, who tried handing back all but one.

I said, "Honestly, I have a ridiculous amount of pennies. Please take them!"

"I'll tell my daughter to make a wish for you," she responded with a smile.

A few minutes later the daughter, who looked about 7 years old, shyly approached the counter and said, "Hi Kelly, thank you for the pennies." and proceeded to run back to hide behind her mother.

"Tell her what you wished for her," her mom coaxed.

In my head I was thinking, I hope she wished that I didn't have to work and could be outside in the sun. She wished I would give her a free cupcake.

"I wished for you to have a really good day," she said.

My heart melted. "I will now!" I answered, truly touched by how thoughtful she was. The mother thanked me again and they left, and everyone who was in the store felt a little bit brighter.

Of course soon after, we became busy and I began to stress out a bit. My friend who happened to be visiting me, and witnessed the little girl's wish, gave me a hug as she was leaving and said, "Just remember, you're going to have a good day. It was wished for." I took a deep breath and smiled. How could I stay negative?

Although the store remained busy and filled with impatient customers, I didn't let it effect me too much. Despite the fact that a majority of people are mean, greedy, and ignorant, my faith in humanity can be restored through moments like this.

That's a Wrap!

Arguably my second favorite food after sandwiches, wraps have been my current lunchtime go-to. This past week I made quinoa wraps with sauteed mushrooms, roasted peppers, greens, and a miso dressing. The dressing is what ties it all together really, but that recipe is for another post.

Today I had the day off (a Saturday off work?!), and took advantage of the ability to 1. cook a hot meal and 2. photograph the shit out of it before chowing down.

This one was a riff off of Healthy. Happy. Life.'s vegan breakfast burrito. Instead of spinach, I blanched some kale and tossed it in with the tofu (sauteed in tumeric, cayenne pepper, and minced garlic). Then I topped it with Daiya's vegan pepperjack, roasted red pepper, and cilantro.

Fucking yum. Vegan cheese doesn't melt as quickly as regular cheese, but it also doesn't stick to the skillet as much. I also can't make wraps look as pornographic amazing as Kathy from Happy. Healthy. Life., but it's a start.

Going vegan has been one of the best things I could have done. Sure, I still drink too much alcohol to reap all of the benefits of being vegan, but I'm going to play the "Whatever, I'm young" card. I feel healthier, and being able to have the will power to not eat cheese or cupcakes feels empowering.

Also, my mom has been surprisingly supportive. She used to hide meat in my meals during my vegetarian stint in high school (don't hate her, I don't blame her for worrying about my protein intake during those years), but now she always finds a delicious vegan dinner recipe for when I visit home.

Fuck Yeah: New Goals

My whole wheat pizza with artichoke hearts, olives, onion, spinach, vegan pepperoni, and Daiya mozzarella... Featured on veganpizzafuckyeah!

One of many New Years goals down. Others include:

• seeing Radiohead live
  
• being accepted into University of Oregon or University of Colorado
• hitch-hike through Germany with my good friend Remy
  
• meeting Laura Beck of VeganSaurus
• figuring out what I want in life
  

Vegan: Week One

Roasted potatoes and caramelized onions, vegan persimmon muffins, and a tofu scramble. Being vegan is easier than I thought.

Aside from the awkward moment during New Years dinner when your great aunt asks why you haven't touched any of the dishes containing egg (which were your favorite!). The entire table turns and stares as I squirm, avoiding my mother's eyes as I confess I'm attempting to eat less dairy.

On the car ride home, Mom asked why I hadn't had one of her cupcakes. I reminded her.

"Oh, the buttercream frosting! Just scrape it off."

"But the cupcake has egg in it."

"Yes well... Oh you're-" she paused as she searched for the word. I sat in uncomfortable silence, waiting for her to lecture me. "You're vegan now," she finally sighed. Perhaps she thought it would just be a phase. Or maybe she thought I wouldn't last long, knowing my weak spot for cheese and poached eggs.

But I have proven her wrong! A few days later we were wandering the aisles of a Whole Foods, the cheese section tempting me with plenty of samples. When it comes to free food (especially in the form of bite-sized cheesy goodness), I'm a sucker. But I abstained.

It also helps having a friend who has taken up the same dietary resolution as yourself. My friend Paola and I have been cooking with one another (hence the brunch photo above), offering one another tips on substitutes and dishes that are damn delicious - with fake cheese or not.

Yes, ve-gan!

Not entertaining for you? Woody didn't think so either.

New Years Punch

New Years Day for me is like Christmas for everyone else: long travels, back-handed compliments from relatives, delicious food that I don't have to cook.

But New Years Eve is a whole 'nother story. I love fireworks, drinking, and staying up late; therefore NYE is my second favorite holiday [after Halloween, of course!].

This year I celebrated with a punch, quite literally. After biking up Market St to the Haight, I arrived at a friend's party with half an hour to spare. I quickly changed into something less comfortable and began concocting a mixed beverage that would help me "catch up" to those around me.

To state it simply: I threw together half a handle of Captain Morgan spiced rum, half a gallon of light cranberry juice, a bottle of Martinelli's, and a half cup of spiced simple syrup together in the cleanest pot I could find in the kitchen.

Everyone stared at me, especially when I scooped a cupful into my drinking apparatus and took a gulp. I offered some to those around me, and they hesitated at first.

A few sips later, and everyone was swarming around me for the recipe. So here goes:

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 whole cloves

1.75 litres (handle) Captain Morgan spiced rum
1/2 gallon cranberry juice
2 bottles Martinelli's (sparkling cider)

Boil water, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves in a small pot over medium heat for 2 minutes. Stir occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Turn off heat, let cool. This is the 'simple syrup' for the punch.

Mix together rum, cranberry juice, Martinelli's, and simple syrup in a large bowl. Measurements may vary.


Drink lots, make bad decisions.


Happy New Year to everyone! My short list of resolutions this year include: being vegan and running 5 miles through Golden Gate Park with my roommate.

I'm Dreaming of a Vegetarian Christmas

My parents have finally come to terms with the fact that I am a vegetarian. They have also come to accept that I can cook a delicious meal without setting off the fire alarm.

So when I proposed cooking Christmas dinner this year, they did not discourage me from setting foot in the kitchen. Instead my mom asked what ingredients she should buy, and happily set out to buy every non-meat product from the grocery store.

I started out with Isa Chandra's recipe for roasted potato fennel soup. Easy: potatoes, fennel, and onion roasted for an hour, then blended with veggie broth and soy milk.

Second was Bon Appetit's ginger-miso glazed eggplant, baked and broiled to perfection. My dad, who doesn't care much for miso, inhaled the two slices set aside for him.

And the main dish: a recipe from Saveur's November issue. Vegetable autumn patties made from grated sweet potato, mashed Cannellini beans, spinach, dipped in bread crumbs and sauteéd. Adding a small layer of sour cream to the patties, my parents declared themselves full and satisfied after eating the three-course meal. My mom mentioned that vegetarian meals usually left her hungry, but the dishes I chose filled her up. Although I nudged her a bit after her comment, she still seemed set on being omnivorous. Oh well.