Day 1

Monday night I made two recipes out of Veganomicon. I was only going to do one, but I would've needed to make something else with it anyway and I already had ingredients for the other.

First: Spicy Tempeh Nori Rolls (page 47)

I've never used Tempeh before in my life, so I was interested to see what it was like, seeing as how so many vegans rave about it. My verdict? Not worth $10/lb. I've made "sushi" before using tuna and other random veggies, and so I was kind of familiar with the process. I used brown rice this time and to me (and my husband, which is the important part) it tasted the same as white rice. I liked that I had an excuse to buy the previously untouchable tempeh, but I think in the future I'll just use various julienned veggies like I always have. If you haven't tried to make sushi before, do it. It is seriously so easy. And, if you're squeamish about raw fish, you don't have to put it in. For real.

Second: Vegan Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and Sourt Soup happens to be a favorite over here, and so this recipe had huge shoes to fill. I attempted it one other time before and I ended up tossing the whole batch because I could not stomach it. At all. Accordingly, I did not have high expectations for this. Turns out Asian soups are really simple to make, so at least it had that going for it. Anyone else ever tried to make Miso or Pho? Cakewalk. I highly recommend trying to impress your very important people with these because they look and taste super fancy but are easier than tying your shoelaces (which I'm not actually sure I remember how to do). The verdict of this soup was that it was actually incredibly delicious, and when I say incredibly, I mean really, really good.

And so, I impressed my hard-working husband with sushi, hot and sour soup, and a stir fry (hello frozen Costco veggies) when he got home. The whole process took me like 3 hours (rice cooking, soup-flavor-enhancing time), but I got homework done in between, so it wasn't so bad. You just have to be able to be at home to monitor things.

The bonus of this project is I don't have to use as much brain power to decide what to have for dinner, and I have more leftovers for lunch, which I think I'll go heat up right now...

I bought some wrinkle cream the other day. And you know the worst part? I didn't buy it for my grandma.

Now before you call me crazy/self-absorbed/vain, let me just give you something to think about: you get wrinkles when you're old because of years of face-squishing, no? Well, if we can nip that in the bud, I won't have as many wrinkles when I'm old, no? Or let's be honest, I just noticed the formation of wrinkles the other day in my face and I think they make me look mad and I don't want to look mad. Maybe I should stop wrinkling my face in a mad action, no? Or, I could just not worry about it...

Which brings me to my next point: Healthy eating does wonders for your skin.

I know, I know, everything comes back to food for me, but I can't help it.
Which brings me to my next point: the Easter Bunny brought me a new cookbook this Sunday.

Veganomicon

I've already spent a couple hours reading it. You heard me, reading a cookbook. The writers are amazing and the food looks wonderful. And so, I'm going to copy Julie and Julia and make all the recipes in this book and blog about them. This semester will probably be only one or so a week because of school, but next semester I should be able to do two or three. I think I'll call it:

Melissa and Isa & Terry ! Catchy?

eh. no.

So help me out with some titles for my little project and good vibes will be appreciated :)

December 22, 2011

December 22, 2011 was the last day that I posted in my blog. Chalk that up to Christmas and then school, which consumes my life in every way.

I've been getting the urge to blog for a couple of weeks now, but since I haven't posted in so long, I felt the need to write something absolutely epic. I've got nothing. I don't have any epic-ness for anybody right now.

In fact, last night I had to take a writing placement test (grumble, grumble, older than 2 years AP Lit score, grumble) and the prompt said something to the effect of: tell a story where you learned something and then apply that experience to the broader implications of how people learn. I could not think of one significant thing I had learned. In my whole life. Period. I mean, I learn lots of things (like how to drive stick on the second love of my husband's life, talk about pressure! ...now why wouldn't that come to me last night?) but my mind was completely blank and I didn't want to talk about how last week I learned how to do significance tests (don't try to fool me with your skewed statistics, I won't fall for it!) because a) any time spent on statistics formulas is time wasted and b) that is SOOOO deep and I kind of got the feeling they were looking for something deep. Because, of course, everyone (except me) on a college campus is in some quest for greater meaning to their lives and every essence of every move they make oozes in significance, and those college english majors are the very ones who will be grading my essay, right after they read some Plato and Socrates. Awesome.

So, I did what any wishful-class-skipping-writing-placement-essay-writer (you can call me WCKWPEW for short) would do, I made something up. In my defense, I think that making stuff up is an element of good writing skills. Am I right? And, it was based on a true real-life story. I wrote about when I volunteered (they eat volunteer work for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in these environments) for the Peace Corps in Africa. Oh wait, that would be my friends Addy and Ryan. But really, I wrote about when I volunteered at the diabetes expo. It was amazing what an epic and life-changing experience that turned into when I was writing it down for this placement test, when really all that I did was tell people how to find the bathroom for four hours, and smell essential oils when I thought nobody was looking.

So there you have it. My first blogpost in a VERY long time. Nothing epic, just cross your fingers that I get the score I deserve really want on that dang placement exam.

And While I'm On The Subject

When I met Agus, dated Agus, and got engaged to Agus, I considered myself pretty dang lucky to have him. (and I was right)

And by pretty dang lucky, I mean amazingly and incredibly blessed. Little did I know it could, and would, get way, WAY better.

My inlaws entered the picture. Agustin, Maria, Esthefany (y Jorge y Valentina), y Fernanda. I cannot imagine beginning to describe all the ways they are great. But, knowing how much I like to talk, I'm going to try ;)

Just kidding.

You were worried there for a minute, I could tell.

Anyway, Agus' parents and Fer (you can say it like Ferrrrucaaa, which is sassy and fun) arrived from Mexico on Monday night and since then it has been outpouring after outpouring of love and thoughtfulness. One of the things that means the most to me is the incredible effort to include me despite me not knowing their language and them not knowing mine. When they come to stay, the way they treat me makes me feel like I am the guest of the house, when really they are. That's just the type of people they are. Even though I'm so sad to be away from "my" family this Christmas (tear), I am so blessed to be spending it with these people who have so graciously accepted me as their family.

I love them.

La Cena, La Cena, La Cena...Macarena??

This weekend Agustin and I did a very adult thing for the very first time. We attended a ward Christmas party that was not in a single's ward and that was not our parent's. Our own family ward Christmas party. I know. Big deal, right? And would you believe it, to be even MORE adult, we not only attended, we participated. Yeah. We brought a main dish and cookies and I sang in the program. I was so mature by the time it was over I could hardly stand it. (not really, the piñata at the end brought me back down to uhm, an appropriate level?)


So it goes like this: in my head I had endless hours to clean the house and wash and fold four loads of laundry and endless ovens to bake gingerbread men and roast a pork leg. In real life I had limited hours and one oven. Unfortunately, it's not often I let real life in on my head life ;) In this situation, that resulted in a major conflict of interest and I found my self rushing, rushing, rushing to get things done. I worked in swift 8-10 minute bursts while those men were cooking. Like so...

Leisurely morph men.

Leisurely cook and decorate

Don't let them get out of control.

GAAAHHH!! I have to prepare the roast!!!

(which happens to be a genius recipe from Agus' mother. Think all your traditional "Christmasy" spices, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. mixed with sweet pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, raisiny-ness, and add chiles to the mix. Bam! Oh so innovative and tantalizing!)

Line 'em up! All ready to go to the party

And a few notes about the actual party. Can I just say that Latino people are some of the most overthetop generous people I know? We had long tables lining the entire perimeter of the gym and they were all PACKED with food. The entire perimeter!! Usually you have two, maybe three or four tables. And the program! The music! It was much fun. I convinced many a person that I am a fluent Spanish speaker and they were talking, talking, talking...until they asked me a more complex question than is in my repertoire of "como estas" and I had to blow my cover, which is ok, because in lack of language we just hug and kiss cheeks and love each other anyway :) And then this lady asked Agustin if he had brought his girlfriend? I was like, yes, his girlfriend that he takes to church every Sunday and also has the same last name. That girlfriend? Haha it made me laugh. Made me feel kind of scandalous indeed. Oh yes, and I got to hold a very yummy-smelling baby, and watch Agustin play with all the kids, which I love.

And in the end everybody dies, including (mostly) innocent gingerbread men.

So, enjoy life while you have it.

We sure did at the Cena de Navidad thanks to everyone who helped.

Chocoholic

I am a chocoholic. Just sayin.

And guess what? Today, Ms. Gena over at Choosing Raw is giving away a gift pack of cccchhhhoooocolate from Allison's Gourmet. The only way it could get better is if I win ;)

Oh For the Love

There are some things, places, foods, etc. that I just love. Absolutely adore. And, I have no problem providing free publicity for those things because if more people shop there/eat that/go there, chances are they'll stick around longer for me to enjoy. Oh yeah, and I also want to share the love. Moving on.

I love The Body Shop products. Man, I slathered my body up with their body butter at 6 am this morning and here it is, 4 1/2 hours later, and I am still utterly moisturized but not greasy, and still will be at the end of the day. I love it. Also, they have chocolate chapstick that actually contains chocolate. Fancy that. Not to mention the fact that their products are 100% all natural. Holla!!!

The only problem with The Body Shop is that they are a little too rich for my blood. However, with a groupon, combined with my "Love Your Body" discount card, combined with a one day only sale to equal 75% off all products, I was able to load up yesterday.

On another note, does anybody know of any local (SLC) farms that will sell you organic, humanely-raised eggs/meat/milk? I'm in the market for a farmer, so let me know :)

A Day Such As This

Sometimes it's the little things.

Today for me it's:

1. I was waiting for the Trax when a payphone rang. And I answered it. And the other person just said thanks.
2. I happened to run over to The Body Shop during their one day sale, so I got the good deals even cheaper, plus the clerk gave me double free samples.
3. Everywhere I went strangers said hello and a little small talk for no reason at all.
4. I got a free bowl of delicious veggie soup from Jason's Deli.
5. I sent in for a passport name change just barely under the year mark so I didn't have to pay any additional fees.
6. Anybody notice the fish on the side of my blog? You can feed them by clicking in the water (be careful near the top though, it's an ad), and they're always hungry so they always respond. This reminds me of my ever-supportive, curious, always helpful husband who (used to) has (have) two fish tanks and takes such good care of his animals.
7. I got a package in the mail that I've been waiting a long time for.

And that is all.

ARBOLITOOOOOO!!!!

Where, oh where do I even start?

Words cannot describe how excited I am for this Christmas season. Let me just say it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around these parts. And, let me just say I am WAY beyond beginning to FEEL like Christmas.

Last weekend after Thanksgiving, Agus and I ventured down to Las Vegas and there was one place I couldn't miss out on. Trader Joe's (everybody PLEASE e-mail the Trader and ask him to PLEASE come to Utah, Please!). I'd heard about the legendary (but seasonal) peppermint Joe-Joe's, but what I discovered was oh so much better. the Astounding Multi-Flavor Joe-Joe's!

Oh but they have peppermint, chocolate-chocolate, peanut butter, and...GINGER. In one box. Oh my heck. Deliciousness. If ginger, peppermint and chocolate don't scream Christmas flavors, what does?

And then the season got better. Last night Agus and I undertook the important quest of finding our first Christmas tree. Guess what? We found success. So tonight? We decorate!

Then, this morning, Agustin surprised me with a Nutcracker I've been wanting! And oh is it a glorious Nutcracker, so regal and brave! A girl needs protecting from giant rat kings, after all.

So here's my point:

The other day I was listening to the radio (100.3, as is the holiday custom around these parts) and an ad came on. It enacted a husband and wife on Christmas morning, the wife opening a present from her husband and the husband exclaiming, "Happy Holidays, Sweetheart!!" That statement sounded so awkward to me and as I thought about it, I decided I had a problem with it and the reason why is that no husband would probably ever say to his wife, "Happy Holidays". Do they celebrate more than one holiday on that morning? Probably not. Do they celebrate more than one holiday during the "holiday season"? Probably not. Even though you probably don't want to hear it, I'd like to add my two cents to the verbage chatter.

First, we'll get one thing straight. I do not have any explicit problems with the phrase "Happy Holidays". If someone says that to me, I am not offended. However, I do have a problem with all the sensitivity to the other phrases: "Merry Christmas", "Happy Chanukah/Hanukkah/Channuka" (apparently there is no correct way to spell it, as it's Hebrew), "Happy Kwanzaa", "Happy St. Lucia's Day", and all the other holidays celebrated in December. If someone Jewish wished me a Happy Hanukkah, I certainly would not be quick to remind them that I don't celebrate Hanukkah.

Holidays are cultural celebrations, and the United States of America happens to be made up of many cultures. I personally celebrate Christmas, and when I wish someone Merry Christmas, I'm not trying to force them to celebrate Christmas, I'm simply wishing them joy for the holiday that I celebrate in my culture, and I think that's great. I think it's great when other cultures want to share their joy for their holidays with me and others as well, no matter what faith or race or background they have.

When I was in elementary school, one of our teachers had a Jewish background and she would share those traditions with us as students. We made latkes, spun dreidels, and colored menorahs. And guess what, we loved it. Now, those traditions did not remind us that the Maccabees successfully rebelled against Antiochus IV Epiphanes and that the Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day's lighting. Nor did it convert us to Judaism, or pressure us in any way. However, it did give us insight into that teacher's life, and gave us respect for her religion.

And, these days, to most people, Christmas hardly has anything to do with Jesus Christ. I would venture a guess that most nonreligious people in the United States celebrate Christmas, if they celebrate a holiday during this season.

So my question is, why are people ashamed of wishing other people well for the holiday they cherish? And, why do people take offense when such wishes are offered? Now, I understand the usefulness of the phrase Happy Holidays in some circumstances, such as for the whole extended time period (I consider New Year's part of the "holidays"), etc. Like I said, I don't have a problem with that phrase specifically. But, I think that if you are choosing to celebrate a certain holiday, whether it be for religious or cultural or any reason, I don't think you should have to be delicate about with whom and how you share that joy. I think that diversity and differences just give more cause to celebrate and just plain be happy. Period.

So that's my thing. Now, I'll go back to thinking about what kinds of cookies I'm going to make to go with our Chocolate Abuelita tonight, what songs will be on the playlist, and what classic movie we'll watch after the decorations are done.

Merry Christmas!

Just a Few Facts

1. Watch this video.

2. Read on:

Fact. My husband makes mornings lovely. He is always in such a good mood. I love that rare trait he has.
Fact. Someone (namely me) needs the Justin Bieber Holiday album.
Fact. Peanut butter sticks to EVERYTHING....sans pickles. In fact, pickles happen to repel pb, which is sad because I happen to love that combination.
Fact. I am so excited to spend Christmas with my lover, especially Chrismas morning (see fact above).

If there are any who refute the above facts, I would say to you, "you don't know what you're talking about. I took a class!!"

Until next (hopefully not so random) time,
Be Delicious :)

P.S. I really want to win this case of Luna Bars.

Hi, My Name's Melissa and I Love the Holidays.

I did it. I took the plunge and I just did it.

I turned on my Christmas music.

And, I don't feel bad about it. Not one bit.

Don't critisize.

When Celine calls out to you with her Ave Maria, you just don't fight it.

And, you know what?

Next Monday for FHE you better believe Agus and I will be putting up our tree.

(side note: is it bad if I make garland out of buttered microwave popcorn? It's all I have and we're never going to eat it...)

OOOoohhhh I'm getting the holiday butterflies.

Oh yes, and I also purchased two chocolate advent calendars today. Fair trade to boot! Don't worry I didn't even know what that meant when I bought them, but now that I've found out, even better!

I'm also getting minor major Thanksgiving anxiety. I have no idea why. I just have this incredibly irresistable urge to plan the most grandios of grandios menu, carefully pouring over ever detail, synchronizing timing of every step, premeasuring and mixing spices, and then, THEN going GROCERY SHOPPING! Oh the grocery shopping, aisle to aisle, store to store, filling my baskets with every last item I could possibly need!

Sigh.

But there's no need for all of this running around in my brain because my wonderful mother is hosting, and I'm just bringing the pies. So who knows why I have such a knot in my stomach. Oh, maybe it's because food is my favorite subject? And said Thanksgiving holiday almost completely revolves around food?

And gratitude, yes it revolves around gratitude, Melissa.

Hey Agus...

I sure am grateful for you.

I'm grateful that you always take out the trash when I leave it by the door.

I'm grateful you never let me do the dishes.

I'm SUPER grateful you make me laugh so much.

I'm grateful that you always forgive me.

I'm grateful for your ever-growing patience.

I'm grateful for your priesthood and your worthiness to use it.

I'm grateful that know how to dance.

I'm grateful for the relationship you have with your family, especially your mother.

I'm grateful for your mad driving skills.

I'm grateful for your ambition.

I'm grateful for your fashion sense.

I'm grateful that you eat my food :)

I'm grateful for the way you motivate me.

I could go on and on, but most of all...

I'm grateful you picked me a year ago.

Happy Anniversary

Love, Melissa (or Lupita, you choose)

Spring Rolls

Let me tell you something that has changed my life. Spring rolls. Super easy and super versatile. 

Here's how:

1. Soak your rice paper for about 20 seconds in lukewarm water, or just until it's pliable.

2. Scoop some filling in the middle of the paper and fold in sides.

 3. Fold up bottom and continue to roll up until...

4. You have a spring roll!

Yes, I know the picture above does not look like a stunning, shining example of a spring roll. But, I promise you that rice paper is super forgiving and ultra versatile, not to mention healthy! They also make rice paper out of brown rice or even quinoa! However, I use the regular variety because I can get a pack of 12 for like 20 cents at the Asian Market (I love culture-specific markets, gems I tell you, gems)

As far as filling goes, put ANYTHING you want inside. I would caution you to make sure that it includes some crunch though because otherwise it gets kinda chewy and for you texture people (ahem.dad.ahem.), you don't want that. 

Above, I have spinach, onion, and red bell pepper with this miso dressing recipe. And, speaking of dressing, I usually mix up my filling with it included, but that's because I know how "wet" I like things. For others, just leave the dressing out and give it as a dip for the rolls. 

You can also bake or, heaven forbid, deep fry these. These are also way easy to customize, which works wonderfully for my husband and I, with our vastly varying tastes. If you add meat, take my word, shred or cut it up in small pieces.

Seriously so versatile.

You're welcome.

Until next time,

Be Delicious

The 30 Day Vegan Challenge

I like challenges. I like specific goals. That's pretty much the only way I know how to get things done. When my friend said "Insanity", two months later her and I, and Shawn T, of course, said, "done". When another shouted, "MARATHON", four months later, I said, "finished". Well here's an all new one: Ms. Patrcick-Goudreau says, "just 30 days", and on December 7th, I intend to say, "Is that all?"

See my biggest problem I tend to run into in my "quest for health" is that I get off track and pretty much then let the train run wherever it wants to go. It is my thought that maybe having a specific goal will aid me in my quest, just like Insanity and my marathons are just smaller challenges to trick myself into lifelong exercise. (side note: I'm seriously considering being "zumba certified" as my next exercise goal but I am trying to decide how realistic that is. Who doesn't love zumba?)

So accordingly, starting Monday, I'll be vegan for a month. Yes, yes, I'm well aware this includes Thanksgiving. However, I'm pretty sure that with a little planning, the only thing I won't be able to eat is the turkey. (mom?)

Now, the only thing left to do to prepare is to finish off that batch of cinnamon rolls I whipped up this morning :)

Until next time,

Be Delicious

Noh-Vem-Bah!

Dear November: Welcome!

I happen to love November. I happen to love almost everything about November.

Here, I have lists to prove it:

Things I love about November

1. November is when I started dating my lover ergo my life began.
2. November is when Thanksgiving happens, and I happen to love it.
3. November is when Starbucks brings out their winter flavaaaahhhs! Helloooooo eggnog, peppermint, and gingerbread!

Side note...speaking of sbux

Everyone take note about this lovely cup. Classic, classy colors. Festive, but not overdone. Cute snowpeople ice skating. Uhm, "When we're together I know I'll never fall." Swoon. and as an accent, on the hand protector/insulator, "Let's merry." Ok! Weird I get such satisfaction from a cup? Maybe. But, I'll take what I can.

and this review for those who care: venti (don't judge, I had a free drink coupon) soy gingerbread steamer. 4 stars. the only way it would be better is if it came with real gingerbread men to dip in it

Onward.

4. November is when the leaves fall and adorn not only the trees they once graced, but every other object. Nature is the best embellishment, right?

5. November is the beginning of "The Holidays" and everyone is in a better mood.

6. November is conducive to baking. You have a reason, the right weather, the time, the mood, etc...

7. November brings colder weather and the snow.

Oh wait. Wrong list.

Things I do not love about November

1. November brings colder weather and the snow.

You see? I love almost everything about November.

Moving on.

Last November my dear friend Kati gave a challenge to say a different thing you were grateful for every day in November on fb. So, I did. It wasn't hard, once I got going I realized I could go on every single day for the rest of my life because there is so much to be grateful for...even if you live in a zombie apocalypse like in the AMC series The Walking Dead, the mom is going to let the boy die, but the dad convinces her that life is still beautiful, because it is, and we don't even live in an apocalyptic state, so just IMAGINE how "worth it" living is!

But I digress. After November ended (music plays...wake me up, when November eeeends...), I stopped posting what I was grateful for every day. One night I was having a bad day and my lover said to me something like, "where did the Melissa I know go, the one who was always talking about how grateful she was and who was always happy?" And I was thinking, "you know two Melissas?? What a coincidence!" But, he was right. I was posting (and consequently thinking about) things that I was grateful for, and as a non-harmful side effect, I was a happier person.

Now, I don't think everyone needs to post all the time on facebook what they are grateful for (although I challenge you for November!!). But, if you have some type of system that brings gratitude to the front of your brain, I promise it'll make you happier.

So November: Cheers!

Until next time,

Be Delicious

And P.S. My brother, Josh, started a cooking blog and y'all should go check it out!!