What are you wearing?

Have you ever thought about what you are wearing?

I bet both of you  all of you have stopped reading this post and are taking a good, long look at what you are wearing right now.

Hmm...Pants.  Okay.  Shirt.  Good.  Everything is covered.  Socks?  Yes.

Now, what if I said that I think you are just looking at the surface.  And, no, I"m not referring to the idea that you should mention any undergarments  unmentionables.  How about this...Why did you choose those clothes to put on today?

I'm sure some would reply,

"Well, they were clean"    or

"It's laundry day and this is all I could find to wear."     or

"They matched."

I feel some people put a little too much thought into what they are wearing.  Sure, you do have to dress for the occasion.  Certain clothes are worn to a wedding while others are best suited for a funeral.  And, of course, there are clothes that you wear in the summer that you would not put on when it's -20F.

What I mean to say is, people have different reasons on what they choose to wear.  A lot of people dress to impress others.  Some even feel that they have to be wearing the latest styles.  Some wear a color to represent their mood.

"I'm wearing blue because I'm feeling blue (sad)."

I'm wearing all black to channel my inner Johnny Cash  to express my love of Goth. "

And, of course there are those people who opt for comfort.  Either the clothing itself is comfortable (think big, baggy sweatpants or sweatshirts) or it's their favorite (shirt, pants) to wear and it makes them feel good or someone special gave me this shirt and it makes me think of them.

So, I will rephrase my question, why did you decide to put those clothes on today?

National Harvey Wallbanger Day

Happy Harvey Wallbanger Day!

A Harvey Wallbanger is a fruity cocktail made with vodka, Galliano and orange juice.    It's basically a screw driver, but, a little fruitier.  Galliano is an Italian liqueur that contains Juniper, Anise, Mint and Vanilla.  If you are unable to locate Galliano, you can always substitute Kahlua, Triple Sec or peppermint Schnapps.

I heard about Harvey Wallbangers as a kid and always wanted to give one a try.  The drinks originated in the sixties.  The story goes that a bartender named Donato Antone created the drink and served it at a party.  The one person remaining after the party, Harvey, was banging his head against the wall.  There are a couple other stories floating around, but, I like that one the best.  The drink made it's debut to the rest of the world in 1968.  Galliano used Harvey in their marketing campaign in 1969 with, "Harvey Wallbanger is the name and I can be made."  The drink's name also became a metaphor to describe someone who goofs off or makes mistakes.  Harvey Wallbanger was also a frequent write in vote during elections.

I had to do a lot of research (aka, drink lots of Harvey Wallbangers) in order to write this blog post.  And I have to say, what time is it?   I love you, man  I thoroughly enjoyed my time  drinking  doing research.

How can you observe Harvey Wallbanger Day?  Meet your friends at your local hang out and order a Harvey Wallbanger and toast good ol' Harvey (just don't be the one banging your head on the wall at the end of the night).  You can use #HarveyWallbangerDay when posting on social media.

How to make the perfect Harvey Wallbanger?
1.5 oz Vodka
4 oz Orange juice
.5oz Galliano
cherry or orange slice for garnish

Mix vodka and orange juice.  Pour Galliano on top and don't mix it in the drink (you can pour over a spoon).  Garnish with cherry or orange and serve.

Cheers!

Friends Themed Birthday Party

"So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month or even your year.."
The Rembrandts

Celebrated Bella's birthday with a Friends themed party.  I didn't have a ton of time to plan this party because Bella decided on having a party and on the theme on a Sunday, with the party happening that Saturday.

Luckily, I'm pretty good under pressure.  Especially with a good theme (and Pinterest).    These ideas were taken from various places on Pinterest.  There's so much you can do with this theme.  And, the show is pretty popular, even though it's been over for quite a few years. (Thanks to Netflix)

I started with the photo back drop, because, you always need a good background for your snap chat photos.

All you need are two black plastic table cloths (I got mine from the dollar store).
I made the Friends bunting.  Pretty simple.  White paper, scissors and black marker.  I also cut some dots from construction paper so it looks like the "Friends" logo.
To go along with this, we had a gold picture frame (similar to the one around the peep hole in Monica's apartment) to be used to frame you and your friends in your photo.

We also had the show, Friends, playing in the background.  Some of the girls never saw the show.  They did sit and watch a little of the show when they first got to the party.

"I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you,  like I've been there before
I'll be there for you, 
cause you're there for me too"

I made a few posters for the walls.   All you need are a few poster boards, some markers and, well, get coloring!

"The One Where Bella Turns 14."  If you are a Friends fan you know that is how they title their episodes.

"How you doin'?"  The line that Joey always uses.

"I'll be there for you"  Part of the "Friends" theme song.

You're still in bed at ten and work began at eight.
You've burned your breakfast so far things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees.

If you remember the show, Rachel worked at Central Perk Coffee House.  That's where the gang hung out (if they weren't hanging out in Monica's apartment).  I used the logo and made little decorations for cupcakes (note the colors on the cupcake are the colors in the "Friends" logo).  Just for fun, I added the logo to some "To Go" coffee cups so the girls could have hot chocolate.

"I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you,  like I've been there before
I'll be there for you, 
cause you're there for me too

No one could ever know me, no one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you"

Made little goody bags for the girls to take home after the party.  I attached a "Friends" logo to the bag that was filled with fun goodies.  I also made Phoebe's grandmas famous cookie recipe that she got from her French friend, Nestle Toulouse (a.k.a. Nestle Tollhouse).

I think the party was a success!  Another party in the bag.

Oh, and the best part?  Bella got her very own nail clippers for her birthday.  My clippers are still in the witness protection program.  I'm hoping they can be released soon.  (If you're new here, you should probably read this post)

"I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you,  like I've been there before
I'll be there for you, 
cause you're there for me too."

Vegan Diaries: Chick Pea Tikka Masala

I think it's time for another Vegan Diaries.  It's been awhile.

I have been in a cooking rut for quite awhile.  Making some of the same, plain, boring meals.   There have been quite a few complaints here about my lack of desire to cook. I had to shake myself out of it.  I needed some inspiration.

I started perusing Pinterest and came across this recipe for vegan Tikka Masala.  You can find the recipe by clicking here.  I pinned it and last week I finally decided to give it a try.

If you enjoy Indian food and like Tikka Masala, give this recipe a try.  The aroma with all of the spices was wonderful.  This recipe does seem a little involved and detailed (can you say crazy?), but, it's well worth the effort.  

How good was this dish?

Well, there were no left overs, so, I'm thinking this dish was a success.  I will definitely be making this recipe again soon.

Here's the recipe:


Chick Pea Tikka Masala (Vegan)

Ingredients:
For the Chick pea Tikka

2 cups cooked chick peas
2-3 garlic cloves finely minced
1/2" ginger finely minced
3/4 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 TBSP lemon juice
1/2 TBSP oil
salt to taste

For Masala Sauce
1 small onion, diced
1 can whole tomatoes
2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2" ginger, finely chopped
1/4 cup raw cashews
1 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp coriander powder
2 tsp oil, divided
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garam masala


Directions:
For chick peas:

Oven 400F.
In mixing bowl, mix all ingredients under Chick pea Tikka.
Spread evenly on non stick baking tray.
Bake chick peas for 10 minutes.  Stir them and continue baking for another 10 minutes.


For the Tikka Masala Sauce:

Heat 1 tsp oil in large skillet.  Add chopped garlic, ginger and onion.  Cook until onion is translucent (about 2-3 minutes)
Add tomatoes and raw cashews.  Cook until tomato softens (about 4-5 minutes)
Add Cumin and coriander.  Mix well, then transfer into a blender or food processor.  Add 1 cup of water and blend until smooth.
Heat remaining oil on low heat.  Add chili powder and cook until fragrant.
Add blended tomato mixture.
Add garam masala, mix well, cover and simmer on low for 5 minutes.
Add roasted chick peas, garnish with some cilantro and serve.



*I forgot to add the cashews (it wasn't missed)
*I served this over some cooked basmati rice.
*You can add more water if you like so the sauce isn't that thick.
*I used canned chick peas and it wasn't the end of the world.

I served this with some fresh home made naan.  It's really easy to make the naan.  Here is the link.

Enjoy!

World Vinegar Day

It's World Vinegar Day!  Woot, Woot!

If you know me and my addiction to love of white vinegar then you know that I can't let this day go by without recognizing it!  I use white vinegar for EVERYTHING!  RT describes my use of white vinegar similar to the father in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," who used Windex for everything.  My answer?  Hey, it works!

Vinegar is a common household product.  It can be used to zest up a salad, in a marinade, it is also used in canning (pickles or pickled jalapeños) and can also be used as a cleaning agent (add a little baking soda for some cleaning fun).

Vinegar is produced by a fermentation process.  There are many types of vinegar:  Apple Cider, Balsamic, Beer, Cane, Coconut, flavored vinegar, fruit, kombucha, malt, rice, white and wine...just to name a few.

Vinegar can be used in food preparation or salads or marinades.  It is used in condiments like ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce and even mayonnaise.   It is used as a flavoring for potato chips.  Vinegar can be a substitute for lemon juice.  It can be used in sushi rice.  Vinegar is used for medical remedies and treatments.   In fact, some forms of vinegar are believed to have health benefits.   Vinegar is used for cleaning and disinfecting.  Vinegar is also used in gardening and in pest control.

How to celebrate Vinegar Day?  How about cleaning?  Instead of Spring Cleaning, do a little Winter Cleaning.  The holidays are coming up what a great time to give your house a little once over with vinegar before all of the festivities begin.  As it gets colder outside, more time is spent indoors.  Why not start the season off with a clean house?

Don't feel like going all out and cleaning?  How about a salad with a vinaigrette dressing?

Oh, yea, you can participate on social media by using #nationalvinegarday.

World Vegan Day

Today is World Vegan Day!  Hooray!

World Vegan Day is celebrated by vegans around the world on November 1st.  World Vegan Day was established by Louise Wallis in 1944.  He chose November 1 as the date because, "I liked the idea of this date coinciding with Halloween and the Day of the Dead - traditional times for feasting and celebration, both apt and auspicious."  November is a perfect month for feasting!

World Vegan month is celebrated around the world as a time to recognize how far the vegan movement has come and how easy and beneficial it is to live a vegan lifestyle.  World Vegan Month is also to encourage the vegan curious to give veganism a try.

2019 marks 75 years since the foundation of The Vegan Society.  The Vegan Society started as an offshoot of The Vegetarian Society until it was decided that it was important to distinguish the difference between Vegan and Vegetarianism. Vegans do not eat meat nor do they eat anything that is made from an animal (milk, cheese, eggs, etc).  The Vegan Society began celebrating World Vegan Day in 1994 and has celebrated every year since.

"World Vegan Day evolved from celebrating for one day into celebrating one week and now they celebrate the entire month!  World Vegan Month.  Where vegans and veganism is celebrated in workplaces, shops, restaurants and in homes all over the world."

How can you celebrate World Vegan Day?  You can host a vegan lunch or vegan dinner party with friends, share you favorite vegan recipes on social media, challenge your friends or family to go vegan for 30 days, plant a tree or host a potluck.

If you decide to post on social media, make sure to use the hashtags:
#worldveganmonth
#worldveganday

I know I will be part of the celebration!  How about you?

Belly Ache Day

Another Halloween has come and gone and tons and tons of candy have made their way into our house.   How much candy did you eat yesterday?

Bella went Trick-or-Treating with some friends and came home with gobs and gobs of candy.  We have so much candy that I think we might be able to start our own candy store!  Of course, we can't, because "someone" won't let us touch her candy.  Oh, and she hides her candy stash every year.  (yes, of course I know where the stash is hidden!)

Yes.  It's true.  Bella loves  likes to eat candy.  Oh, and, so does, RT!  The two of them already dove  into the huge candy stash and ate quite a bit of candy last night.  Talk about sugar highs!  I even saw RT squirrel away some candy for a rainy day (he thinks that I don't know that he does these things!)

My Dad always called the day after Halloween, "Belly Ache Day."  He said that on Halloween, you get lot of candy trick or treating and you tend to eat quite a bit that night.  You wake up the next day, and you have a belly ache from all of that candy you ate the day before!   I always thought it was funny.  I never ate too much candy on Halloween (probably because I had a fear of celebrating Belly Ache Day), so, I never suffered on Belly Ache Day.   I always relayed this to my children every year after Halloween.  The kids ate candy, but, no reported belly aches in our family on November 1.

If you are looking for some way to use up some of that Halloween candy, check out my recipe for Halloween Cupcakes.  (You can click HERE for that recipe)

Here's hoping that all of you are not suffering this Belly Ache Day!