(stay tuned for a fauxsage recipe at the very bottom of this post.)

I found blueberries at the market, and there was a good reason for them being cheap: they were watery and pretty much tasteless. end of summer, much?
good thing that this simple lemon-flavored, brown rice flour-based loaf gave them some life back.
I took a lot of liberties, basing it on this recipe.

in other news: if you haven't tried New Farm's Carob-Carob Chip Bars, you're missing out.

I wasn't convinced at first, since the carob powder I use truly makes everything black and had me think the bars came out charred.
which is why there is no picture to show for it, lest you end up assuming I'm into eating pieces of coal.
but I am now officially hooked, and all out of carob chips.

quick note: I actually used half the sugar (Sucanat) and went for whole wheat pastry flour (lightly spooned and leveled).

in an effort to branch it out a bit with the (too) many cookbooks I own*, and coincidentally having it happen at the same time the PPK does, I made a lot of stuff following recipes instead of being too creative lately. and that's just fine by me.
if you get a chance, do try Voluptuous Vegan's Tofu Cheese: so simple to prepare, and absolutely delectable.
(I found an adapted version of it here. although quite frankly, even though I don't have the book in front of me, I have a hard time seeing where the adaptation comes into play.)

also, something just too scrumptious for words: ExtraVeganZa's Quick Noodles with Miso Lemon Tahini Sauce.

and finally, in the way of links to great recipes: Sticky Fingers' Banana Chocolate Chimp Bread, except I made it with (scooped up, shaken a bit, leveled) light spelt flour, used Sucanat, and added a lot of walnut bits. since the countertop oven had been on for over an hour already, I chose to bake this in an 8x8 pan instead, for 25 minutes.

coming up soon: Alice of Angel Food, all the way in New Zealand, sent me a package of vegan meringue mix to try out, and I can't wait to have a go at them. I'll let you know all about it once I do.

*but there's always room for more.

and now, it's Pumpkin (Sau)Sage time! (I ain't gonna lie, the ends are my favorite part to eat.)

might as well grab all the pumpkin recipes you can in order to finish up those neverending cans that are going to be opened very soon, when Fall rears its pretty head.

you know, seitan o'greatness, blahblahblah...

I used 6 T of pumpkin purée, but if yours happens to be on the dry side, you can always 1-2 T more. the one I use is Libby's, and is a bit thicker than those individual applesauce portions you can get at the store.

dry:

1 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 t paprika
2 t dried sage
1 t dried oregano
freshly ground white pepper, to taste really, but I used about 3/4 t
2 t dried minced onion or 1 t onion powder
1/8 t cayenne pepper
1/4 t ground nutmeg, 1/2 t when grated fresh
1 T light brown sugar

wet:

3/4 cup vegetable broth [if using water instead, consider adding 1 t fine sea salt]
6-8 T pumpkin purée [depending on how dry it is]
2 T walnut oil [use whatever oil you have, but walnut adds a nice touch]

preheat oven to 325F.
whisk together dry ingredients in a large bowl.
whisk together wet ingredients in a medium bowl.
combine both, stirring with a wooden spoon until it doesn't let itself be stirred anymore. start kneading until everything is well combined.
shape into a 9-inch nail log.
wrap tightly in foil.

bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. remove foil, let cool on a rack.

I can't help but wonder...just what does that "Hmmm" supposed to mean? That I'll probably spend the entire morning (and afternoon and evening and the next day...) lamenting about how I let the exuberance of piles of chocolates in the freezer and essentials for a wardrobe make-over made me so harebrained that I neglected my teeteedee? Heck, I had not even began my Quiet Time yet. I cannot understand why I got so completely sidetracked. Yesterday, I have my eyes focused only my COA*: memorize, program, memorize, program. That's it. And then the package bursting with goodies arrived...and boom. Or more appropriately, poof. Goodbye, handouts. See you next time, Flash game. Heeelllloooo, chocolates.

And to think I do not even crave for chocolates as much as I have this desiderata for cheese. I just feel so disheartened right now. Like, I've let myself down once again. Naiinis na 'ko sa sarili ko. I know I should have commanded my brain to gorge itself with floppy and hard disks jargon; I know I should have sorted out the labyrinthine model of Flash games. I know I should have pushed myself harder...simply because damn it, I know I can do it. I really, really do. What genuinely sucks is that I didn't.

Geez. Now I'm starting to wallow in self-pity. By the way, that scene seems so familiar nowadays. I'll set up a complicated but actually achievable set of goals, then something will come up that will completely blow me over and it's goodbye goals, then I'll indulge into a self-bashing session. Again, what pisses me off more is that i know it's becoming a cycle but I cannot seem to find a break-off point to make it stop.

So, in the meantime, what do I do? Yes, you guessed right: blog. Maybe inspiration will struck me just it does for Stephen King when he reads (devours!) Ripleys' paperbacks.

So, inspiration, wherever you are, take out your trident now. I'm waiting.

*COA = noun. An acronym for Course Of Action. The set of tasks that need to accomplished. Origin: Moi. Who else can come up with that?

Thus, this. By the way, today wasn't the least bit marvelous or horrendous so don't get any ideas that the next lines were anything short of a source for inspiration. There were really just times when you want to air out all your sentiments without a care in the world...and today was just one of them.

Now would you look at that. :) I already utilized two paragraphs just explaining myself. I haven't even started on the (un)juicy parts yet. So fine, fine...here goes.

Today, we finally learned the fruits of our hard labor for the killer exams. I wouldn't broadcast the grades that I've got (just be contented to know that it was more than satisfactory :)), because as peculiar as it sounds, the scores weren't the cause of this...peace within me. :) I dunno what has overcome me; you would think that the very second I took hold of my exam papers and got a good look at the red mark at the right side, I would fret over the heedless mistakes, the answers-that-could-have-been. But you know what...I just nodded and grinned this little Mona Lisa grin that I'm learning to perfect and tucked my exam paper in my notebook. And that was the end of it.

Truly, having a Great Influence in your life changes your perspective. It was like your outlook has undergone a 360-degree spin -- for the better. You see, my highest goal right now has changed from trying to get through one day at a time unscathed to getting through the day trying to gain my Father's thumb's up. That was actually one of the main points during Sunday service: Christians' ultimate goal wasn't to gain success or more popularity and basically maintaining this earthly outlook that are actually useless in the long run. Since we are Christians, we must always focus our eyes on the priceless treasure: spending eternity -- that very second you heave your last breath until forever and ever -- in heaven.

Thus, I have reached this decision: in everything I do, whether I make computer programs or perform my daily, no-fail chore of washing dishes or spending my Quiet Time, I am going to do it to the best of my ability. God, as much, deserved that from me. He has equipped me with a functional human body, an uncanny ability to play with words -- both in speech and in paper -- and basically all the custom quirks and talents that make the whole package that is undeniably, me. I figured that it must be a slap to His face if I do not utilize each and every skill to the fullest; you know, like this agonized emotion you feel when someone simply accepts your gift but leaves it on one corner where it stays for who-knows-when, accumulating dust and spider webs.

In everything I do, I am giving it my best shot without a care in the world for the results. Never mind the times I studied so diligently but did not get the scores that I've expected. Never mind the times that I worked hard for a task where I was not properly compensated, either through compliments or through material benefits. Never mind that when I get stuck with a lousy job when I should be making better use of my time. Pleasing God is the reason why I have to go through all those crushing times. And that, is more than enough to make me haul my ass off and get the jobs done.

I read so many books on money. How to earn, how to save, how to invest. da da da da dah.

Well, having knowledge isn't gonna make anything happen, I realized.

Trick is to 'just do it.'

So, this blog will be my little own analysis of myself, keeping in track of my money rolling like a snowball.

Little articles, posts, advice, story from failure (always the best part)...

Hope this will make your money roll like a snow ball as well as I hope mine would.

"Auf der IFA demonstriert die ARD ihr Programm-Profil: glaubwürdig, seriös, souverän, verlässlich, informativ, unterhaltend, innovativ, kompetent, weltoffen, unabhängig, kundennah", sagte der ARD-Vorsitzende Fritz Raff.

Na, der Raff hats ja echt gerafft, wie man so etwas sagen muss. Und hat deshalb vieles lieber nicht gesagt. Gut, sage ich es eben. (Nach Bedarf ergänzen!)

Glaubwürdig -- ungefähr so glaubwürdig wie die Tagess(ch)au, die auch dann noch brav und treudoof und ohne die Spur einer kritischen Relativierung die gefälschten Zahlen des gegenwärtigens Regimes in der BRD in die Hirne eines Millionenpublikums wirft, wenn andere, als journalistisches Feigenblatt mitlaufende ARD-Magazine den Schwindel längst entlarvt haben.

Seriös -- ungefähr so seriös wie die zu ungefähr 10 Prozent mit der Quellenangabe "Bild" in den Videotext gelangenen Lügen.

Souverän -- ungefähr so souverän wie die Schleichwerbeskandale der letzten Zeit und der ganz besonders verschwiegene Umgang der ARD mit diesen kleinen Affären. Selbst die nach den Wünschen der Pharmaindustrie geschriebenen Trash-Geschichtchen in diesem flackernden Arztroman namens "In aller Freundschaft" laufen einfach weiter, nur mit ein paar geänderten Worten, wenn man offenbar wird, was da wirklich läuft.

Verlässlich -- vor allem die Profiteure der gegenwärtigen sozialen Verelendung können sich immer auf die ARD verlassen, denn dort erhalten sie eine wichtige und in viel zu hohem Ansehen stehende Plattform für ihre Propaganda.

Informativ -- ungefähr so informativ wie Kakerlake, Ameisenigel und Co.

Unterhaltend -- ungefähr so unterhaltend wie die viereinhalb Stunden täglicher Soapopera und die anderthalb Stunden Talkshow, in denen irgendwelche Arschgesichter ihre Filme und Bücher in die Kamera halten oder unwidersprochen für einen weiteren Ausverkauf Deutschlands plädieren können.

Innovativ -- ungefähr so innovativ wie die Videotext-Seite der ARD im Internet, die nicht einmal über ein Archiv verfügt und von ihrem interessierten Nutzer verlangt, dass er sich selbst einen Archivdienst programmiert.

Kompetent -- ungefähr so kompetent wie irgendwelche süddeutsch sprechenden Hackfressen, die studenlang bierdunstige Leichenreden im Rückblick auf irgendwelche Pseudoereignisse im Bereich Sport halten.

Weltoffen -- gerade mal so weltoffen, dass die gesamte Propaganda des chinesisichen Staatsapparates im Zuge der gerade vergangenen Olympia-Berichterstattung mit widerlicher Penetranz in die deutschen Wohnzimmer gebracht wurde.

Unabhängig -- *prust!*

Kundennah -- vor allem für Kunden im Schleichwerbegeschäft.

Aber warum hat der Raff überhaupt so einen Strunz von sich gegeben? Das sagt der gleiche stumpfe Kürzsttext dem geneigten Leser auch noch:

[...] Teil der aktuellen Gemeinschaftskampagne von ARD und ZDF, mit der der öffentlich-rechtliche Rundfunk deutlich machen will, wie unverzichtbar seine Programme für die Gesellschaft sind.

Wer in der BRD-Gesellschaft an seinem Hirn hängt, verzichtet allerdings schon lange auf diese "unverzichtbare" Schleuder für Verdummung, offene und verdeckte Reklame und menschenverachtende Propaganda.

I dunno why, when you really need the time off to study and at least load your ammunition for any battle (of wits, of arms, of whatever)...everything else that is not remotely connected to whatever you should be preparing for doubles up in their attraction factor. Have you ever realized that? It's like a fresh-from-the-oven bacon cheeseburger pizza when you had just begun your diet. A gorgeous dress when you had just maxed out your credit card. A computer just waiting to be turned on when you had loads of things to memorize. Like, now. My itinerary for today includes bombarding my head with five hand-outs' worth of GIS thingies. But surprise, surprise...here I am all cooped up so majestically on a monobloc chair (I really find it more comfy than computer chairs!), typing the better part of the night away.

So this just means then that I really do have a lot to learn. Not just about computer stuff, mind you. About more important things that would, without doubt, be truly beneficial in the long run. Like discipline. And preparing early.

Which means not cramming.

the union of two V-con recipes. I didn't want coconut or the topping that came along with the Berry-Coconut Crisp, so I chose the one that crowns the Strawberry-Plum version instead. so perfect, I could have eaten the whole thing by myself. (but I didn't.)

a little sidenote: back to the original layout since someone pointed out the font size of the last one made it impossible to read.
having terrible eyesight myself, I can't believe I hadn't noticed before.
(funny thing though: I squint all the time, making it look like I'm always smiling and having people think I'm always in a good mood. oh, if only they knew what a grouch I am, most of the time...)

I made a batch of butterscotch pecan bars, which I will write about later depending on how they turn out tastewise, but I'm already itching to make these as I haven't had any sort of pie in what seems to be forever. plus, I've got a craving for dates.

hope your Sunday is full of good food and great company.

after making them with chickpea cutlets, it was high time for seitan to steal the show: half of this recipe, made into 6 pieces, baked 10 minutes on each side, dipped into the just slightly downsized wingz prep, then baked 7 more minutes on each side.
could it be any easier? outside of the baking time, which is pretty minimal when you think of it, it's basically no work at all. just play and eat.

the pumpkin cake from the Sept/Oct 08 issue of VegNews. it's supposed to be made with sweet potatoes, but I was in a pumpkin kind of mood.
I used organic apple juice instead of water, and cut down on the Sucanat a bit (about 2 T for half the recipe). I baked it in an 8-inch square pan instead, for 27 minutes. quick and easy to make, not too bad for you, delicious to boot.
I ate mine naked*, but you can see a simple vanilla glaze on the husband's slice.

it uses whole wheat pastry flour and I dig that, since all-purpose flour doesn't have a place in this kitchen anymore. shucks, whatever will I do with the box that was dedicated to storing it now?

stop! weekend-time: have a good one.

*the cake was naked. I wasn't.

I recruited the help of my sweet Mom to test a batch of these, and see if she agrees that they are exactly like the Sablés we used to get back when I was a kid, as a reward after a long (not really) walk in the neighborhood.

ah, the memories...

more to come once she's put her testing-hat on.

Just how many blog sites have I tried before this? Hmmm...lemme see. Multiply, Blogger, LiveJournal. Then another Multiply, another LiveJournal, then two Bloggers. And of course, Friendster's ever dependable blog that I created simply as an afterthought: "I've trusted Friendster to keep my social networking flare alive, why not enjoy the benefits to the fullest?" It doesn't make a difference that the blog I've been unceremoniously updating was the third blog I've created.

Hmmm. Then again, maybe it does.

Anyway, I've firmly believed that credit should be given (and generously at that!) where credit is due. Those blogging sites weren't the least bit unsatisfactory; everything that you could possibly ask for a cyberjournal, they have lavishly equipped. It was like those jingly-jangly commercials -- "You ask for it, now we give it!" Sigh. That was a terrible comparison but you get the idea. I hope.

The really problem lies on no one but lil ol me. I dunno...I am still at crossroads on whether I wanted random people to take a glimpse at my thought bubbles. The result?  I tend to  be very careful when I write, to the point that I have to check out Thesaurus.com just so I could make sure that my spelling's correct or something equally dubious as that. Thus instead of easing my tangled nerves, blogging now serves its purpose to get on my nerves...and I end up more muddled than ever. On the other hand, I keep getting these awkward guilt trips -- I've been relying a tad too heavily on other people's blogs in stocking up my vocabulary bank, and  using what I've learned from them by blogging seems like the only way to repay them. Does that make sense?

And the only solution I can come up with is this. Another blog. But this time, it's for keeps.

I am seriously sitting with the laptop on my lap while my eyes are fucking glued to the tube. Since I missed BOTH shows yesterday, I had to run my ass home just so I can watch & blog about it. I know. I'm worse than a bad druggie who drives & bumps powder at the same time.

Anyway, as many of you know I am seriously addicted to shitty television. I know that The Hills is semi scripted, I just refuse to believe it. Hell, it could be full on scripted.

- Lo is super bitchy. Actually Lo is a fucking ho. Cunt-ho. Lo should just go jump off an over pass. Lo, it's Audrina's birthday, the birthday girl don't do shit.

- Heidi's sister looks like some actor who was on like....Nickelodeon? I just can't put my finger on it. Maybe I've got her confused with someone else.

- Audrina, you are awesome. I feel bad for you girl, but at least you got the guest house & don't have to live with Lo's ass.

- Laurens date (Doug) is really awkward. Dude Doug looks like the type of guy to do those "things" that people only talk about. Like the Dirty Sanchez.

- Spencer...you are the ultimate douche bag.

All in all, I think it will be another great season. So much bullshit from the getgo. Love it.

Vor Reiseantritt habe Krüger "wiederholt" darauf hingewiesen, "dass das Programm bitte nicht mit inhaltlichen Terminen zu überfrachten sei und genug Zeit zur freien Verfügung bleiben möge" [...] Für die Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf oder eine Tour mit der Cable Car braucht man eben Zeit. [...]

Und da eine der Abgeordneten dieser Delegation sich zuvor den Fuß gebrochen hatte, bedurfte die kleine Gruppe aus der p'litischen Kaste der BRD noch eines Rollstuhles. Dieser wurde zwar in wenigen Stunden von den US-Diplomaten vor Ort besorgt, erfüllte jedoch nicht die hohen Ansprüche einer herrischen Parlarment-Arierin, da er auf äußerst anstrengende Weise mit Muskelkraft von der Stelle bewegt werden musste. Nun hätten sich ja die parlament-arischen Kollegen schön im Rollstuhlschieben abwechseln können, wie es unter solchen Umständen unter zivilisierten Menschen wohl gang und gäbe wäre, aber so ein Volkszertreter, der von den Menschen in der BRD immer härteren und mörderischeren Einsatz in der Arbeit und in der Bettelei um Arbeit fordert, der fasst ja selbst nicht einmal die kleinste Mühe an. Das führte dann zu der folgenden, aus parlamentarischen SPD-Munde den US-amerikanischen Diplomaten mit lautem Ton entgegengebrachte Forderung:

Wir brauchen einen Neger, der den Rollstuhl schiebt.

Na, immerhin hat er nicht Nigger oder Bimbo gesagt. Sonst wäre es eine noch trefflichere Darstellung von Vertretern der deutschen Gosse gewesen.

"Im Hamburger Stadtteil Lurup hat am Freitag ein gut einwöchiges politisches Camp zu den Themen Antirassismus und Klimaschutz begonnen. Bis zum 24. August wollen die Aktivisten unter anderem an der Baustelle in Moorburg gegen das Kohlekraftwerk und am Flughafen Fuhlsbüttel gegen die Abschiebung von Flüchtlingen protestieren"
Quelle: NDR; Klima- und Antirassismus-Camp in Hamburg gestartet

Ich warte mit Spannung auf den Tag, an dem der erste Klimaleugner lebenslang dafür erhält, dass er behauptet, dass Wetter sei gar nicht das Klima. Der Klimawandel macht alles möglich.

I finally made these again, but with a ton of changes. one of them was to throw in black sesame seeds instead of poppy seeds, and dried cranberries instead of raisins. halving the recipe yielded 6 on-the-small-side-of-standard muffins that only needed to be baked for about 16 muffins. yum!

being always on the hunt for ways to add calcium into my diet is a good excuse for eating lots and lots of tahini, and while it was a bit of a slow start for me to actually start liking the stuff, you'd have a hard time keeping it away from me these days: I'm guessing it's a matter of finding a brand that's not too bitter or overwhelming in the dishes you prepare.

this is the one I'm currently using and loving. (did I grab the last of the stock, though?)
I also love this one but haven't gotten a chance to go shopping at my favorite health food store which is where I usually purchase it.

sidenote: I was busy making Parmezano from The Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook, and the fact that it calls for white sesame seeds allowed me to find out that if you have a coffee grinder, you can absolutely make your own fresh tahini in no time.

also, I don't know why I find the union of cranberries and tahini so irresistible, but I obviously can't help the feeling.

before I go and sneakily (well, not anymore) break my promise of not coming free of recipes, here's a quick pic of the shepherd's pie the husband requested a few days ago.

super big Kahlúa cookie adapted from ExtraVeganZa.

I spotted chocolate banana & strawberry banana Vitasoy milks for really cheap at Grocery Outlet.

while I'm more of an unsweetened almond milk kind of girl, I decided to give them a try and for once ignore the fact that they are barely calcium-enriched, if at all.
(calcium is actually the main reason why I drink milk alts in the first place, but I figured I could always use the rest in baked goods. or have the husband help me finish them up more quickly.)

I've only tasted strawberry so far, it's actually the milk that's sitting in the glass next to the cookie up there.
let's just say that while not bad, it's (unsurprisingly) far too sweet for me and, dare I say, almost chemical-tasting.
but I'm picky when it comes to milk alternatives, so don't let my review turn you off from giving it a go.

delicious banana bread adapted from Simple Treats. baked without maple syrup but with a couple tablespoons of molasses instead, making it unavoidable to rename the thing bananasses bread. (yeah...I know.)

more coming up soon. I mostly wanted to post something in order to push the picture of me as a kid away from the top. good lord...

in case you needed to cool off...

you're welcome!