New Adventures, New Chapter, New Blog July 21, 2011

The last time I blogged, I mentioned the possibility of renaming my blog and I’ve decided to move over to my other blog called Blue Crocus. 

Since I’m no longer living in the far north or remotely near the north and soon moving south by the coast, I really wanted to end one chapter and begin fresh with a new chapter and new adventure.

On Blue Crocus, you’ll find similar things, recipes (to come), thoughts, my new adventures and photos.  In addition, you’ll find some of my knitting projects.

This will be my last blog on My Journey in the Far North…what a great journey it was.  Info will still be up as long as I keep it…so it won’t go away just yet.

I hope you will follow me over on Blue Crocus!

A New Chapter is on the Horizon July 15, 2011

This week I received great news. 

I will be moving down to SB in the next couple of weeks to start at WC (place will be not be named).  So exciting.  Even my new co-workers are excited that I’m joining them. 

And, now I’m a little nervous…all kinds of thoughts are running around in my head.  Thoughts span from excitement…

…on Saturdays, I’m going to do this…farmer’s market…beach…ride my bike…use my camera…find some vegan friendly eating spots…

…to realistic and grown up concerns like…

…ok, what will I do if I can’t find a place to live…groceries, where/how will get them by bike? bus?carpool?…making new friends…finding a church. 

All those things shaping into my new chapter!

I was wrong in blog posts past about being in pause and about how difficult it has been (no doubt it has been emotionally).  The was I see it is that my life has been on pause, but living has not, and I’ve made a number of friends here as well as spending lots of time with my mom, grandma and my aunt and uncle…time well spent.

I’ve been thinking about changing the title of my blog since I am no longer living in the far north or even in the north…I need to figure out how this can be done without losing any content and need to come up with a great title. So thinking caps on…go!

Now that the pause button is slowly being lifted, I am thankful for the time to pause but even more thankful for the ability to see the new chapter on the horizon.

Happy 4th of July! July 4, 2011

Cashew Cream Tart with a ‘Raw Crust’ and seasonal berries

We are heading for a HOT day today in Fresno!  And, at the moment I’m hiding indoors until I go to work at my part time job…time and half…yes, please!

This morning I made some things to contribute to the 4th of July/My mom’s Birthday party Party at my aunt’s house this afternoon. 

First, I made a ‘raw’ tart using 2 cups of raw almonds and 20 dates (finely chopped) for the crust and a cashew cream using soaked raw cashews, dates, some water and vanilla, pureed until smooth.  I topped the tart with blueberries and slices of strawberries…red, white and blue!

The cream filling recipe is from here.

And, I also made a couscous and quinoa tabbouleh salad, very similar to the salads I’ve made in the past.  I’ve used this recipe as the base for several of the salads I’ve made before.  What I like to do is add quinoa and mix it up using either bulgur wheat or couscous.  No matter what you use or not use, it’s a great recipe to adapt and can be used as a base to create your own original salad.

My adaptions to the original recipe for today’s salad include:

Doubling the batch

Using 1 cup couscous instead of bulgur (place in a bowl and top with 1 3/4 cups boiling water, cover and let water absorb couscous)

Using 1 cup of quinoa (rinse well, boil with 2 cups of water until all water is absorbed)

Using parsley AND cilantro

Couscous and Quinoa Salad with Cranberries

What are you preparing for 4th of July?  Or, what do you like to bring to parties?

Rustic Peach and Blackberry Galette June 16, 2011

To be honest, I really wasn’t going to post a recipe today because I already posted something today.  In fact, this recipe isn’t even mine.  But, I wanted to show you how the Rustic Peach Galettes turned out and tell you that you must try this recipe.  Follow this link for Chef Chloe’s recipe for Rustic Peach Galette.  (Just FYI, I made two galettes. The recipe only is for one galette so increase the recipe accordingly if you are making more than one galette.)

It’s really easy, especially if you forgo the homemade pastry and opt for the pastry that’s already rolled into a circle and all you have to do is unroll it and place it on a baking tray lined with parchment and available at your local grocery store, like I did.  Also, since it’s summer (and really hot right now in California), be sure to bake in the morning so that your house stays cool in the afternoon.

Try it this weekend or in weeks to come because I think this is a perfect summer dessert!  As you can see I added blackberries to the peaches, so you aren’t really limited to just peaches.  Consider other fruit options and combinations like strawberries, raspberries, apricots…with or without ice cream (or for me the dairy- free alternative…coconut or almond milk ice cream.) 

I can’t wait to have a piece tonite!!

Re-entering slowly into the working world June 16, 2011

This week begins my first week at my new part-time job.  The only job I have at the moment.  (Please note that I won’t be sharing where it is or where any additional jobs are for the sake of privacy/safety.)

Currently with this one job, I only have one scheduled shift a week (which I worked already) but I do have several opportunities for call in shifts.  So it’s a slow start for now.  I do, however, have a couple of other part-time opportunities heading my way which I’m extremely excited about.

Obviously, several part-time jobs isn’t the norm.  It’s certainly wasn’t what I was expecting when I returned from the UK.  Am I ok with it?  Yes.  This process has taught me patience.  It has reminded me of God’s provision and care. 

I still can’t stop thinking about the Habakkuk 2:3 verse I shared the last time.  It fits so perfectly to my situation.  Here it is again:

“But these things I plan won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place, it will not be delayed.”

I will continue to wait patiently for God’s plan and vision to be fulfilled in my life.  Things happen in His time, after all, it is His plan.

Lemon Coconut Cookies June 7, 2011

I love coconut and I love lemon.  Mix both together and you’ll get these light, crunchy, yummy cookies.  Oh, and yes, they are vegan. 

Lemon Coconut Cookies

Lemon Coconut Cookies

1  1/4 cups Spelt flour (if you don’t have spelt flour, all-purpose flour is fine)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup coconut

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

2/3 cup white sugar

1 cup earth balance (soy free or whatever you prefer) vegan margarine

2-3 T lemon zest (or more as desired)

3 T fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup Lite Silken Tofu (firm), crumbled

Topping, mix these together in a bowl and set aside:

1/4 cup coconut

1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Sift flours, salt, coconut and baking soda together, set aside.

3. Beat margarine, sugar and lemon zest together until fluffy.

4.  Add crumbled silken tofu and lemon juice to margarine mixture.  Whip until well mixed.

5.  Add flour mix until well combine.  Add flour as necessary if batter is too soft. You want to be able to roll the dough into balls.

6.  Using a 1″ cookie scoop, scoop out cookies, and roll in topping (sugar and coconut that is set aside in a bowl).

7. Place on lined cookie sheet, and press down a little to flatten.

8. Bake for 10-15 minutes until done and lightly golden.  Take out of oven and let cookies cool on cookie rack (I take them off the cookie sheet immediately).

Makes approximately 36 cookies, if you don’t taste test.

Lemon and coconut…yummm…I wonder if Starbucks can make a lemon coconut creme frap…and if it’s any good.  Has anyone tried it?

Slowly, Steadily, Surely June 3, 2011

“But these things I plan won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place, it will not be delayed.”  Habakkuk 2:3 (NLT)

Found something totally relevant to me and my situation recently while getting caught up on viewer session 5 using notes from a friend in Aberdeen in the Esther study by Beth Moore.  It was about time and patience.

To quote Beth Moore, “Sometimes God forces the issue of time.  Amazingly, other times He seems to entrust it.” Beth focused on “reflecting on the importance of knowing”:

When it’s time.

When it’s time to wait.  (She notes that this includes being silent and learning to wait patiently.  How often are we impatient? Beth notes that our culture is turning us into impatient people.  So true…how often am I frustrated that something doesn’t download fast enough, not just on my computer but on my phone!!!)

When it’s time to wait for someone else’s time.

When the meantime is God-time.

And then, I read the verse reference from Habakkuk 2:3 my friend included and I was reminded…things take time…not my time…but His time.

There’s a lot of things lately that have made me think about time…a dwindling bank account…hearing about other people moving on with their lives, getting promotions, jobs, houses, cars, living life while I seem to be in…pause.  I’ve been here 4 months and nothing to really show for it (besides a garden, an amazing tan, a bunch of new photos taken on my grown up camera and marks in a new cookbook indicating my review of the recipes I tried).  I just hate being in pause.

Applying for jobs, interviewing and even going into second interviews only to not be chosen…hopes dashed.

I read this Habakkuk passage on Monday.  Then, I had a decision to make after a phone call offering me a part-time job, and another big decision after learning I didn’t get a job I had second-interviewed for.

After getting some wise counsel, I was reminded of the Habakkuk passage.  It seems the way that the job market is looking, traditional forms of employment are hard to find (one job as primary job) and there are many out there piecing together many to form one.  I realized that this is probably my situation as well, and I had to embrace it and thank God for it. 

And now, I have to believe that slowly, steadily, surely God is leading me toward His plan for me, even if it means embracing the untraditional view of employment with all kind of bits and pieces working together to make one.  I’m thanking God for the part-time job I start today and for the many other pieces that I believe God is sending my way.

“But these things I plan won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place, it will not be delayed.”  Habakkuk 2:3 (NLT)

“But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength.  They will fly high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

Gentle Savior lead me on!  (Check out this post to know what I’m referring to.)

Two Days on the Coast May 30, 2011

Thursday and Friday of this week, I took a little break and went to Santa Cruz with my mom.  She cares for a man with dementia during the week and, for the last part of the week, his wife was participating in a conference in Santa Cruz and brought her husband with her.  My mom was needed to provide care for the man.  So, I was invited to come along.  Who would want to say no to the coast?

On Thursday we arrived in Santa Cruz and picked up the man and took him to breakfast at Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola.  If you’ve never been to Gayle’s, you must.  The pain d’amande (almond croissant) was so good, so flaky and so almondy (with raisins).  Yum!

After Gayle’s, we went down to the beach front and walked around and I took pictures.  We had lunch at Zelda’s. It was right on the beach.  The sun was shining and warm and it was perfect.  Zelda’s had a guy there playing music…not just playing music he created the music on his keyboard and saved it and then accompanied the programmed with his guitar.  He sounded a little like Jack Johnson.  Perfect music for the beach! My mom and I shared an avocado and tomato sandwich with a coleslaw with a ginger, lime and cilantro dressing (non dairy).  The slaw was so good.  So good in fact that I wanted to mimic the dressing at home…

My Great Fakes: Coleslaw with Ginger, Lime and Cilantro Dressing

Place shredded cabbage mix in a bowl.  Finely chop a handful of cilantro and add to cabbage.  In a separate small bowl, mix the following…no exact measurements so it’s to taste… rice vinegar, sesame oil, agave syrup, grated ginger, juice of 1-1 1/2 limes, coarse salt if desired.  Mix the dressing to combine, taste, adjust measurements and add to coleslaw, toss to combine.  Enjoy.

Views of Capitola

Views of Capitola

 

In the evening we went to a restaurant as guests of the lady and her husband.  We went to a restaurant at the Wharf in Santa Cruz.  The food was nice, and all seafood which made it hard to eat vegan. 

 

The next day, we focused on Santa Cruz.  We took the man my mom cares for to breakfast.  He likes a full breakfast so we knew we had to find a place that served traditional breakfast food (that meant no smoothies).  We decided to go to Linda’s Seabreaze Cafe on Seabright Ave as they served traditional breakfasts and is a favorite of locals.  As we drove up to the restaurant we noticed there was a wait…always a good sign.  There was a slight wait, probably about 20 minutes.  They had self-serve coffee available for those waiting, too.  Nice touch.  My mom had their Seabreaze Spuds with homemade salsa.  She said it was so good.  I had one of their specials…Oat/Corn Waffle topped high with strawberry slices, banana slices, and kiwi slices and served with yogurt or sour cream (which I opted out of)…and of course as much maple syrup you wanted.  The waffle was really nice with a hearty, crispy texture.  I probably had all of my 5 a day right there in the fruit topping.

 

After breakfast, we went down to the beach and walked along the cliff tops.  We headed toward the marina and then to the lighthouse.  After I took a few pictures, we walked back to the car and drove over to lighthouse field on the other side of the Wharf to see the other small lighthouse that is now the Surfing Museum for Santa Cruz. Unbeknownst to us, there was a party at the museum celebrating 25 years, which we crashed.  They also had a display of lovingly restored Woodies for all to admire, with music from the Beach Boys and others playing the background.  It was so sunny and warm at the museum making it difficult to leave the lighthouse field area.  I would have loved to stay longer watching the surfers surf and just enjoying the warmth from the sun.  Such a great way to end our short time in Santa Cruz.

 

Views of Santa Cruz

Views of Santa Cruz

Mary Mary Quite Contrary… May 17, 2011

How does your garden grow?

With three kinds of lavender, pansies and geraniums and pretty sweet peas all in a row….and a tomato plant.

Yep, that’s my garden. Or rather it’s my mom’s but I’ve taken on the nurturing as it gives me something to do.  Since being home, I’ve helped add the lavender and the tomato plant into the mix.

Here they are:

The lavenders…English, French and Spanish. I may have to rethink the placement of the English and the Spanish lavender.  They are in a large pot together and I’m thinking this was a bad choice based on historical issues…bad blood, Henry VIII, Spanish Armada and all.  Both are doing well, the Spanish lavender more than the English, but I think they need to be on their own.  I’m sure by the look of it with numerous blooms, the French lavender is relishing being independent.

The French Lavender, flourishing

 

The English Lavender and the Spanish Lavender, best on their own?

 The sweet peas, despite looking a bit like a jumbled hedge, are continuously blooming.  I’m cutting stems daily!

 

The wild Sweet Pea 'hedge'

 

The pansies are struggling a little…but I think this is because they are past their prime. But I’m trying not to give up on them.

The Pansies

The geraniums are newbies.  They are replanted stems from my grandmas’ geranium.  They are looking ok.  Just hope they look a little better soon.

The Geraniums

And, last but not least, my crowning glory…(drum roll please)…my tomato plant.  I’ve had it for a few weeks now and it was about 4 inches high when I got it and now it’s huge.  Last week, it was so thirsty.  I knew that it need to be replanted.  Sunday morning I woke up to it being bent in half, luckily the stems weren’t broken.  I think they were bent due to the manic rain storm we had and the weight of the branches.  So, in another rain storm Sunday afternoon, I replanted the tomato plant and added stakes to help with the weight of the branches.  I think it looks happier.  I counted 11 possible tomato opportunties…with 2 blooms and 2 more about to bloom…just love vine ripened tomatoes!

The Tomato Plant

Have you started a garden?  What’s in your garden?

 

 

Gwyneth’s Spiced Apple Crumb Muffins – Recipe Review May 9, 2011

A few weeks ago I finally received my copy of Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook, My Father’s Daughter, that I had ordered and since receiving it, I have made serveral of her recipes or used her recipes as inspiration for my lunches and dinners.

The cookbook includes recipes for all diets, and she does not prescribe to or push any one diet except for encouraging us to eat food that is fresh and healthy.  Many of the recipes are adaptable for vegetarians and vegans, and many of her baked goods are dairy and egg free.  Of course, there are recipes that include meat and are not adaptable but they sound great and I’m sure meat eaters would enjoy them. 

To accompany my viewing of the Royal Wedding recently, I made her Fudgy Chocolate Brownies (page 246).  They were delicious. And, they are ’healthy’, primarily due to the spelt flour, no granulated sugar (only using maple syrup and brown rice syrup or agave nectar), non-dairy milk and no eggs. 

This morning I wanted to try one of her muffin recipes.  I was planning on making the blueberry muffins (also egg and dairy free) found on page 230, but then I saw the recipe for Spiced Apple Crumb Muffins (page 224) and decided to make them instead so I could use up the small granny smith apples I had.

They have since finished baking, and I ate one immediately.  So good.  I’m in the middle of eating a second one, one that’s cooled a bit and it tastes great.  One of my pet peeves are muffins that stick to the muffin liners, and this muffin did not stick at all.  So it’s a winner just for that.

The crumb topping is crunchy and did not melt into the muffin…win. 

The muffin is moist…win win.

The muffin is good for you (just be careful how many you eat at one time)…win win win.

So because I don’t want to infringe on any copywrite laws I won’t be posting the recipe but you can find it on the Good Morning America website . So if you get a chance to view the recipe and attempt to make it, you should know that if you don’t have all the ingredients you can do what I did…incorporate ingredients I had on hand. 

For example:

I used almond milk instead of soy milk.

I used white flour to replace one of the spelt flours.

I added toasted coconut to the topping.

I used canola oil instead of vegetable oil.

I used regular brown sugar to replace the unrefined dark brown sugar.

Muffins ready to be eaten

The recipe is well worth making…and the book, I think, well worth buying.  If you can’t find it as My Father’s Daughter, it’s published in the UK as Notes From My Kitchen Table.