"doo-DOO-doo-doo"

o.k. I just have to mention something really serendipitous about my last post...

You see where I said "what is the DEAL with cupcakes...." meant to be spoken in a Seinfeld whine? And then you see further down, where I make the link to the VCTOTW website? Well, if you go to that website, and read the current blog, she makes the EXACT SAME REFERENCE! Get - OUT! How weird is that?! I swear I hadn't already read this post; in fact, hadn't even been to the website in a while...

I AM CUPCAKENATOR.

It's too bad I wait so long to upload pics of past repasts sometimes. by the time I sit down to tell you about them, I've oft forgot what half the d'rn ingredients were. (ahhh, the dangling participle conundrum)

Below is Double Sins on a Dime, i.e. carbo-overload mixed with conveniently cheap and dangerously devilish crescent rolls in a tube (eh-hem... PHO. partially hydrogenated oils.) Generally I try to stay away from artery-clogging glue, but on this day I was desperately craving a croissant-filled something, so I "craved-n-caved" to Pillsbury. It is a spana-croissanta, filled with spinach and tofutti cream cheese, mixed with cumin, cayenne pepper, and paprika. Soooo not healthy. But still VEGAN!! The shells were baked atop Muir Glen chopped tomatoes and diced peppers, and a tofu feta, mixed with fresh herbs from my stairgarden (all of which are shrieking like mandrakes as they wither up and die in this unremitting heat).

and outta this world nachos (with ingredients leftover from taco night). it's a damn shame you can't see all of the goodies that went into this whopper. To name a few: veggie ground round; seitan stir-fried with lime juice, chili powder, curry powder, and broth from the "chicken-style" seitan container; red onion; jalapenos; FYH monterey jack; shredded lettuce, cilantro (ya gotta LOVE that cilantro!); and of course, salsa and hot sauce of choice. Oh, I almost forgot: also thrown in were some broiled summer squash, zucchini, and red bell pepper in a "special sauce" .
There. I think I named all of 'em.

yes, my gut was hurting a bit afterwards, but it was definitely worth it.

why do cats insist on being outside when it is hotter'n blazes???? here is Blackboy playing dead amongst dying flowers...

I also baked up some uber-fab mini lemon bundt cakes, with lemon frosting, served with fresh scrawberries. They were thigh-packing good, but some of the bundt stuck to the pan, so not necessarily photo-worthy this time around.

Speaking of baking, what is the DEAL with all the cupcake-orama going around lately? Is it a part of the vegan credo?

"thou shalt commit vegecide once a day, thou shalt bake fancy colorful cupcakes 3x/week"??

It seems that every vegan blog I visit (and many "other" eaters as well) are way into the cupcake thing. At first I thought it was a phenomenon started by the rockin' VwaV girls (that's Vegans with a Vagina to you), but then I found a couple of sites where you-know-who-you-are had not yet heard of their book, Vegan Cupcakes take over the World. So WHAT IS GOING ON??

Let me clarify; I have nothing against cupcakes, or any girlie baking for that matter. Actually, I hadn't really given them much thought in the post-Brownies years of my life. But now I am just jealous! Jealous of everyone who makes them expertly, and shows them off in such confabulous fotos. I even have my very own copy of VCTOTW just waiting on the counter in the kitchen for me to dive into whole happy hog. But, make no mistake, I will show you all that I am truly vegan. I, too, can be a cupcakenator, just like the rest of you. You - just - WAIT.

Come play Vegan Hangout-opolis with me!

Obligate foto of the day

Anyone out there want to move to Asheville with me (or somewhere else 4-seasonish, beautiful, artsy, counterculturish) and open a small vegan cafe/rock and theatre venue/art and gift store? This is just a portion of one of my long-standing dreams, and I'm not getting any younger (in fact, I am getting older and older! blechhh!!)



Though I do not currently have any start-up cash, history has proven to me (by default) that I am at my most motivated, creative, ambitious, and positive best when I have a partner to chase a dream with. The "vegan entrepreneurial" movement is growing at a fast-pace these days, and I am far past ready to hop on the train they call the VBOTOTW.....that's vegan business owners take over the world to you. or more like CVTOTW=creative vegans take over the world. One problem: I do not personally know any vegans (how sad is that? it's not like I live in bumfuck antarctica), much less someone excited by the prospect of opening a funky little cruelty-free artspace cafe. But I know you people are out there!



This place that has been only in my imagination for the past 15 years or so is destined to be in reality; I just want to make sure I'm the one to do it! However, although I am not disclosing all details of said venture, if this sends shockwaves of warm fuzzy bubbles through your body because it is the exact same dream/goal you have, and even better, if you've got the business know-how but need a creative partner (I can also add/subtract and spell good. g-o-o-d. see?), then let's tawk tofurkey. Maybe, just maybe, we will hit it off.



I am ready to start anytime. The kitty jungle and I have to find a new home in 3 months time, and I'm searchin hopin wishin for some wonderful bit of grace in the face of bleak reality...

If you have ever loved an animal...

If you are someone who has happened upon this blog, and you are not yet convinced that veganism is the only way to live a worthwhile life on planet Earth, please set aside a small portion of your day to watch this video (preferably not right before dinner). http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1282796533661048967

The choice is yours, of course, but the choices we all make each and every day should be informed choices.

Here is a description of the video--Earthlings--pulled from the same page:

EARTHLINGS is a feature length documentary about humanity's absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and ... all » scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called "non-human providers." The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix (GLADIATOR) and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby. With an in-depth study into pet stores, puppy mills and animals shelters, as well as factory farms, the leather and fur trades, sports and entertainment industries, and finally the medical and scientific profession, EARTHLINGS uses hidden cameras and never before seen footage to chronicle the day-to-day practices of some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit. Powerful, informative and thought-provoking, EARTHLINGS is by far the most comprehensive documentary ever produced on the correlation between nature, animals, and human economic interests. There are many worthy animal rights films available, but this one transcends the setting. EARTHLINGS cries to be seen. Highly recommended!

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What I manged upon while the rest of the crew went out for fried sea animals scooped from the Atlantic...

Oh, I am weary with blurriness. I am bleary with worriness. Does anyone else out there own a Sony Cyber-shot 6.0? It is almost impossible to take a focussed foto!

In any case, it's whole wheat pasta with snap peas, broccoli, carrots, cherry maters, fresh basil and garlic in a kick-tush lemon caper sauce...one of the best I've made. I wined and dined myself in front of the super-mega-deluxe-hi-def-flat-screen-boob-tube (I had my choice from about 15 of these things) in the sun room overlooking the bay. It was ALRIGHT!