MeLuna!

Yay! Why has it taken me this long to purchase a menstrual cup? I'm excited. More to come on this topic.

Hipsterific

More food posts ;) - I will add my own photos when I make these

Gluten Free Vegan Samosas!
The Filling:

2 large potatoes

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup finely minced onion

2 medium cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon dried coriander

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups uncooked green peas (frozen, thawed = fine)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Cayenne, to taste

4-6 Tortillas (spelt, rice... whatever you can tolerate)

Chutney, raita or other sauce to dollop on top

Peel the potatoes and chop them into 1-inch pieces. Place in a saucepan, cover with water, and boil until very soft. Drain and transfer to a medium-sized bowl. Mash and set aside.

Melt the butter in a heavy skillet. Add onion, garlic, ginger, mustard seeds, coriander, and salt. Saute over medium heat about 8 to 10 minutes, or until onions are quite soft. Add this to the mashed potatoes, along with the remaining ingredients. Mix well, but try not to smash the peas. Cool for at least 15 minutes before filling the pastries.

Heat a skillet over medium heat with a tablespoon or so of oil. While the oil is heating, take a tortilla and place 1/4 - 1/2 cup of potato mixture onto the bottom half of the tortilla. Fold over the top half of the tortilla and place in heated skillet. Cook on each side 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Repeat until you run out of potato filling.
Soooo tasty!!

Black bean veggie burger

serves 2

Ingredients:

3 cloves garlic

3 cherry tomatoes

1/2 carrot, shredded (use the other half to saute for the topping)

1/8 cup of chives

1/2 onion, sautéed

1 can of black beans (14 oz), drained

2 tsp flax with 4 tbsp of water (egg replacer)

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp herbs de Provence

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup all-purpose gf flour

Yum

Tried the parfait recipe on Soy Free Vegan:

It was really satisfying. It contains agave nectar which I have heard is "bad" but it was better than eating a tub of ice cream. Lol.

I used a crappy old bullet blender and too little chocolate but it was still quite delicious and very filling. It's amazing how creamy avocados and soaked raw cashews can get. Mmm.
More things I'd like to try in the near future:

Vegan Cheese That's Actually Good (not a fan of Daiya- but this is a good article)

Vegan Pizza Monkey Bread! (--I'd like to use another type of flour though - hmm)

I also cooked some pasta last night that was made from Quinoa, Amaranth, and Brown Rice. Sounds horrid, right? But it was good! Finally, a decent-tasting pasta alternative! And it didn't make me feel heavy and inflamed after. Amazingness.

I just added some marinara sauce, sauteed onions, and lots of garlic and spices. The brand of pasta was "tru-Roots" and I can firmly recommend it. A lot of the others are crap. There, I've said it. :P

Beating the beast

Feeling good this Monday. Still a bit sick but spirits are high.
I love food sites lately and this dessert sounds great. I've actually tried this type of mousse but I might make it again and make it this pretty. :)

This show, A Certain Reality, looks interesting.
David Ball, Jennifer Davis & Megan Kimber opening reception: friday, february 22, 7-10pm exhibition dates: february 22 – march 30, 2013
grayDUCK is located in the eclectic heart of South Austin on Monroe and South 1st Street in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood.

There is one consolation in being sick; and that is the possibility that you may recover to a better state than you were ever in before. Henry David Thoreau

Being sick sucks. We all know that.

From Web MD:

No. 1: Blow Your Nose Often -- and the Right Way
It's important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can cause an earache. The best way to blow your nose: Press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other. Wash your hands after blowing your nose.
No. 2: Stay Rested
Resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket.
No. 3: Gargle
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, try an astringent gargle -- such as tea that contains tannin -- to tighten the membranes. Or use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey or a mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar, a popular folk remedy. Steep one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water and mix in one teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling. Honey should never be given to children less than 1 year old.
No. 4: Drink Hot Liquids
Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. No. 5: Take a Steamy Shower Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and relax you. If you're dizzy from the flu, run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath. No. 6: Apply Hot or Cold Packs Around Your Congested Sinuses Either temperature may help you feel more comfortable. You can buy reusable hot or cold packs at a drugstore. Or make your own. Take a damp washcloth and heat it for 55 seconds in a microwave (test the temperature first to make sure it's not scalding). Or take a small bag of frozen peas to use as a cold pack.
No. 7: Sleep With an Extra Pillow Under Your Head
This will help with the drainage of nasal passages. If the angle is too awkward, try placing the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.
No. 8: Don't Fly Unless Necessary
There's no point adding stress to your already stressed-out upper respiratory system, and that's what the change in air pressure will do. Flying with cold or flu congestion can hurt your eardrums as a result of pressure changes during takeoff and landing. If you must fly, use a decongestant and carry a nasal spray with you to use just before takeoff and landing. Chewing gum and swallowing frequently can also help relieve pressure.

I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. Mitch Hedberg