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.