Boring Vegan

Hello Internet World!

I don't typically post any more, mostly because a) I'm incredibly busy with acting-type schtuff and maintaining a day job and b) I'm a really boring vegan ;).  I very rarely create new recipes.  Last night, I had brown rice pasta for dinner.  I had the same the night before.

HOWEVER

I did just sign up for the Chicago 2011 Marathon, and I will be posting on how training goes for that.  I have 8 months, which to me, is perfect.  I know that I can be prepared in less time, but honestly, I do not want to struggle during my first marathon.  I want to KICK ASS.  I cannot wait.

My acting career is changing a little bit.  I recently filmed an industrial, and I can't express how surprised I was by how much I LOVE TO FILM, especially since I've done commercials before and really did not enjoy those.  Looking back, I'm guessing it's because, specifically for the one, it was an overnight shoot, and uh, well, I had an infected cervix (which I didn't even know was possible) and it was that time of the month.  Searing, searing pain.

BUT I DIGRESS

Filming is an incredible process--you get to act BUT there's this whole scientific, logical aspect to it too.  Don't get me wrong, I love live theatre, and continue to perform with my sketch comedy ladies frequently, but this filming stuff is fantastic.  I always knew that I loved film--my heart aches the moment a movie begins, I love it so much.  There's usually crying involved.  The perfect date, in my opinion, is going to see a movie.  And then going home to watch another movie.  And maybe fitting in some dinner and some kissin' ;)

It's interesting being a vegan on set.  Here in Chicago, they were incredibly accommodating--in fact, I didn't even have to ask--vegan options were simply provided by the catering service.  However, on commercials I've done, this was not the case.  And let's be real, I wouldn't ask for favors, and that's ok---the opportunity itself is a huge gift, I don't need to be picky, I always bring some snacks anyway.  But if they throw in a veg sandwich and vegan tomato soup, or a delicious, healthy salad...why, yes please and thank you very much.  It also helps to have decent fuel for the rest of the shoot day, because it's really quite exhausting, and I noticed that actors who ate the heavier fare were not feeling too good about putting their costumes back on and continuing.  I can't blame them!  Now to get me an agent here in Chicago...

It's been rough going for the past month or so, emotionally--not because of bad things happening to me, they were very very wonderful things that I couldn't be happier about (again not for me), but, oh just--things not for an online blog ;).

So I will leave you with something that has helped me, amongst other things: Zencast.  It's an incredible podcast and is basically a Buddhist lecture.  I like to start my Monday mornings with it.  It reminds me that if I act with Love, Kindness, and Wisdom, I can't be too far off.

Lucky Gal

I've got an incredible new job, working with amazing people at a health company that truly helps people in need.  I feel very blessed.  People there are genuinely interested in creating better health for what I would call the disenfranchised.

The snow is keeping me from running outside, because I am a baby, so I run indoors.

I might write more eventually, but lately I've just been enjoying READING other people's work.

Take care all :)

Fall Running

Well I am back after an incredibly long hiatus.  I recently moved to Chicago, joined a sketch comedy all-ladies group, and am trying to keep my head above water juggling work, theatre, and everything else....which is pretty normal.

That being said, I am still loving being a vegan, and happy to say that I am smoke-free which is helping my running quite a bit.

Now, THAT being said, I want to start discussing better ways to fuel our exercise.  I've noticed that though my mileage has picked up a bit, I haven't yet determined how to fuel properly before/afterward in a way that sustains me.

Typically, after a run, I am very hungry.  But, as Brendan Brazier tells us, it's not smart to just inhale a large meal.  Our bodies are recovering and we need to provide them with something easily digestible that goes straight to our muscles so that, rather than expending energy on our digesting food, the energy is sent to work on on repairing our muscles.

So this week, following my longer runs, I am going to experiment with having a Vega shake to see how I feel after that, because thus far my energy level has been dropping like CRAZY after I run and eat lunch.

Take care all!

Prodigal Daughter of the Blogosphere

I have been remiss and not posted for way too long.  But I'm making a comeback!

In regards to being a strong vegan runner, I have conquered my achilles tendon issues as well as some chain smoking tendencies that popped up after I quit my anti-depressants (lordy, I sound like a mess!--but I'm not--just human).  I have begun running again, starting out with a modest 1 mile run and walking.  I feel great, and my body is responding well.

More to come!  PCRM's 21-day kickstart is beginning, so I will be posting on that, as well as on a non-vegan wedding I'm a bridesmaid in this coming Monday. 

Good LORDISA the BEST BROWNIES EVER: Fudgy Wudgy Blueberry Brownies

When I tasted the other-wordly richness and deliciousness of these supernaturally powered brownies, I felt like flying and singing the praises of this dessert to anyone who would listen.

It was worth purchasing Veganomicon solely to get this recipe.  If all the other dishes are even remotely as good as these fudgey, luscious, orgasm-inducing brownies, I'm set for life.



A happy vegan am I :).

Please do yourself a favor and buy this book!

One of my roommates turned his nose up at the concept of blueberry brownies, VEGAN ones at that, but he was the first to try them, and not only did he love them, he went back for seconds.  For the following days that those yummy treats remained I very rarely ever saw him or my boyfriend without brownie in hand.  Success!

What do you do after watching a terrifying movie like Se7en?

Why cook yourself up a single serving of comfort food!  I like to call my supper tonight Hodge-Podge Pasta.  Now, I'm not knocking your average marinara sauce, but sometimes a lady needs to add some fiber and protein to an otherwise deliciously carbo-loaded meal.  When that happens, turn to your leftovers and raw vegs.  (Methinks this blog may be turning into vegan cooking for one, which I am perfectly comfortable with).  


To avoid leftover pasta (which you may end up gorging yourself on at 12 am...which I of course would never do...cough cough) buy yourself a pasta measurer.  I got mine for 99 cents at my local Goodwill.  You can easily measure single, double, triple servings--do it up your way!  This way you're not going to bed with a full belly.  I used egg-free angel hair spinach fettuccine.  Pair this dish with some crusty bread (or whatever you have on hand--I have sprouted grain bread right now) and top that off with a dollop of hummus instead of butter for a lighter load.  Or hell--grab that earth balance and go to town.


Pasta:
Cook it.  Set aside.


Sauce:
3/4 C no salt added marinara sauce
1/4 C black beans (from last night's dish)
1 tsp minced garlic
a few fingerfuls of black olives (from last night's dish)
a few broccoli florets
some diced red onions
coupla shakes of red chile pepper flakes
black pepper and salt to taste






Nothing hard here...Just toss it all into a pot and cook 'til the veggies get soft.  Once that happens, throw that pasta in, stir it around 'til it gets all hot and lovely, then serve it up and dig in.

...and maybe grab a second piece of bread.

Off the Heezy Inventive Thai Pasta

Hey all!  It's been a long time since I posted, but I promise, this simple, affordable one-serving wonder makes it all worth it.  I recently moved to Chicago--literally yesterday--and tonight decided to cook up something tasty, cheap, and good for me.

Now, I call it Thai, but in all honesty it's just an almond butter dressing with some Asian influence.  My boyfriend enjoyed picking at my dish so much he insisted I call it Off the Heezy, and when a carnivore endorses it, you know it's got some yum factor. The ingredients are scaled to one but feel free to double, triple, sixtuple...?  Tweak it and enjoy!

Thai Sauce:


1 Tbsp Creamy Salted Almond Butter (Trader Joe's is a delicious, affordable brand)
1 Tbsp Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
1/4 tsp minced garlic (again, Thank you Mr. T. Joe)
1 tsp brown rice syrup (for a bit of sweetness)

Cook up some pasta or rice (I used penne), steam some broccoli, throw in a couple fingerfuls of black olives, then toss with the sauce, and you have this lovely dish:

For dessert, I think...dark chocolate covered cranberries?  Yes, please.