Sunday, February 26, 2012

Figure Eights, Poles, Rude Faces, and Sugar Cube Games

By the looks of this picture I bet you can tell what I will be talking about today :-)

Walking into the barn yard, there was a cute little pony who looked a lot like a new pony from Alberta, CA that came a few weeks ago to a little girl.  His was gray and white both in the body and tail/mane, but had brown splotches dancing across his spotted face.  
It was adorable!  And when I came to him and tried to pet him, he drew his face away from me and wouldn't let me touch him!  
Then, when my mom came over with the Sugar Cubes, he made a small whinny that was equally adorable to his profile. 
He happily ate the sugar cube I gave him but quickly decided he wanted more by calling out again.
He did this a few times and he did get one more.  (Let's call him Splotches because 'he' and 'his' is getting old).  Splotches remained stubborn in his refusal to let me touch his fuzzy face, but gladly took took the second cube.  
During that last cube, I decided to try to get him to play (Also, when I went to his buddy across from him, my mom and I turned around to see his ears pricked up and attentive and pawing the ground with his left hoof).  So I took the cube and placed it in my right gloved hand and told him to try to find it (he had to decide if it was in my left or right fist).   I did this four times switching it back and forth until I decided he was no fun, still not letting me touch him, and that he would get too fat and that he was getting frustrated with me not giving him the dang sugar cube. :-)
Across from him, (he was in a paddock) there was a large chestnut with a white line running down his face.  His ears (This one we will call Big Red) were flat against his head.  But he let me feed him a cube.  :)
Five or six stalls down, my dad fed a sweet little white pony while next to him was a big black horse (not a Friesian but maybe a cross).  This horse, (We're calling him Blackie.  How creative?)  Blackie, had a net on his face and a gate across the top opening of his stall gate.   
My dad thought it'd be hard to give him a cube, but I gave him one.  He was sweet.

Now for lesson.
Phantom is so lazy!  You literally need to crop in your hand to really get him going or otherwise he will be tripping over his own feet. 
I can't help you, Phantom, if you don't do your part.
...
But I love him anyway! 
I talked to him warming up, took up the crop after his lazy trot once around the barn, and he got his rhythm.  
There were three "cones" down the center of the barn, and jumps were scattered everywhere inside.  These jumps didn't pertain to me, but they were extra obstacles.
Anyway, two poles were in the front of the bar, (picture looking over a gate into a barn, the poles would be in the very front near the gate) I did figure eights around these and Phantom would stay in his rhythm but I won't blame him entirely because I don't know if I was squeezing my calves.  
Anyway, they were fun. 
My sit-trots were better too. 
Down the middle of the barn, I did weaving.  I still had trouble keeping Phantom at the trot.
Later, we were put on the lunge line.  Now, although the lunge line is my friend, it is definitely not Phantom's friend.  
I was on there for only about a minute, if that.
My instructor had me take my feet out of the stirrups and let my legs hang long.  While in this position, I was supposed to do sit-trots.  Not successful.  As soon as Phantom was finally going, I told her almost instantly I couldn't.  Although, I was somewhat close.  
We went back out along the rail and tried more half-seat, posting trot a few more times.  
At one point, my instructor asked if I was tired, and I laughed and said yes, my knees were hurting. 
So we let my legs hang long and walked around one last time before the end of the lesson.  
My instructor said Phantom was taking advantage of my pain and was being lazy. 
I told him that was rude.
When I got off and gave him a cube, the green slime that is usually coating his lips, was thankfully not there, but I did tell him his breath smelled awful!  As I walked over to my parents who were sitting down, my mom suddenly said he wanted more.  
To my surprise, Phantom was absurdly close to me and he looked incredibly happy!  :) I gave him another but  the cube dropped and he bit my finger.  I swear each horse today has bitten my finger!  Sigh.  It is a wonder I still have my finger :-)

B.B. Smoothie Recipe
1 c Frozen Blueberries 
2 Frozen Bananas
Unsweetened Almond Milk

Blend.  It should be thick. Very thick. 


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Much Long Awaited Post Has Arrived

I don't want to be an unfaithful blogger but it sure has turned out that way, especially when I get off of my blogging-binges.
Well I know you have been dying for the results of the feis right??
Well..........

After waiting and standing for five hours straight, no water since breakfast which was not even 1/4 c., I, 426, was called to take the stage alongside one of my fellow dancers from my school.
We did Reels first, then Slip Jigs, then Treble Jigs, Hornpipes, Saint Patrick's Day, Treble Reels, and finally Jockey to the Fair.  I only Reels, Slips, Treble Jigs, and Jockey (I keep spelling it Jocket...).
Anyway, when we finally got to the awards, the three of us in our age/level group went up.  This means that I had to get a trophy for each dance I did.
I got Four trophies plus a medal for participating.
It was a rush to get my third trophy...
Why?
Reels - Second (My arm came in front of my dress's skirt at one moment before I fixed it, and I forgot to bow... don't know if that changes anything)
Slips - Third (Slips are my bad luck dances because my soft shoe always starts to come off during my favorite Slip and I just made it with that at the feis)
Treble Jig - First Place.  
Jockey to the Fair - Tied with Second (because it was only me and one other girl from my school who did it)

Not bad for my first Novice/"Normal" Feis eh?


















                      Some horses are just to pretty too pass up like this Morgan horse!  Plus, this one says Hi :) !
Let's start with the first photo:
Southwest Chop Salad p. 124
Notes: Winner.  Lime juice for dressing, avocado would also be good in here. 


Second:
Creamy White Bean Dip
Notes: Best. Dip. Ever. Nuff Said.


Third:
Tiffany Blue Almond Frosting and Vegan Mini Chocolate Cupcakes
Notes: This frosting is great with coconut milk. Smells fantastic too.  These were so good! My first Vegan cupcakes too :)

Forth:
Cherry Quinoa Salad p. 122
Notes: Needs dressing.  Winner by far. 


Fifth:
Greens Quiche p. 152
Notes: Winner.  I did not have a chance to eat this till nine o'clock after dance, but my parents did and my mom had been on a cleanse and took a bite and loved it.  My dad on the other hand, had to stop himself from eating anymore and had to make himself mac and cheese because he wanted to eat it all!  I needed some so he stopped.  It was fantastic.  But nothing like real quiche he said.


Six:
Spicy Mushroom Stir-Fry p. 142
Notes: Very good.  Spicy and warm in the belly.


Seven:
Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie p. 16
Notes: Tastes like a cookie.  Nice and thick.  Just how I like it :)


Eight:
French Toast Muffins p. 53
Notes: So good!  I ate half the batch before the next day.


Nine:
Pasta with Greens 
Notes: This was amazing, my dad said this was the first time he LOVED Kale.

Ten:
Tuscan Kale Chips
Notes: The might have tasted better, no they definitely good, but they needed to be crispier. They smell awful if you throw them out (as I did today).

Eleven:
Apple Oatmeal Smoothie
Notes: My play on H.H.'s Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie.  I used an apple, not a banana.


Twelve:
Ginger-Miso Quinoa Stir-Fry p. 136
Notes: Winner. Light, crunchy, and tasty.  Quinoa does not add much, only nutrients and texture.  Reminded me of my first time with Fish roe.


Thirteen:
Whole-Wheat Drop Biscuits p. 37
Notes: Pleasant, tasty.


Fourteen:
Mistake Muffin
(Notes on another post)

Fifteen:
Tex-Mex Shepherd's Pie p. 157
Notes: I used almond milk.  SO good.  Like very good.  We added hot sauce.


Sixteen:
My trophies, medal, and flours from family.

Seventeen:
Creamy Dijon Pasta p. 197
Notes: NEEDS Salt, GARLIC.  Parsley might be nice.  Pleasant (w/o add ins).  We did put in tomatoes and peas.  It was NOT a favorite at all without garlic, but with garlic... I WANT IT AGAIN SO BADLY.  Can't wait for leftovers!


Eighteen:
Close-up on pretty flowers :)

Nineteen:
Horse :)

Well that's it.  The Creamy Dijon Pasta was tonight's dinner.

Recipe:
Another Smoothie:
Cacao Nibs (Sunspire, the ones I didn't like)
Banana
Rolled Oats
Almond Milk

That might have been it, I will need to make it again to fully remember, but otherwise it was so good!

Now that I have caught up on all the photos, here is a new blog update:
If you look at my profile, there is now another blog on it.  Only, it hasn't and will not start until sometime next September.
Why?
One set back is the fact I will need to find and make my own copywright so no one steals my work.
Secondly, and this is really the main thing, the photography is what I hope to take as a class next year and I see no reason as to why I will not be able to.

So why did I make it now?

The excitement of the idea was too much, plus I loved the name The Remembered Forgotten and I did not want anyone to think of that name before me.  Although, I have had the name in my mind for the past five years and have been thinking of almost every imaginable idea to name it this.

Anyway, I hope to finish Happy Herbivore before June and then I will hope to finish Appetite for Reduction  over the summer.  By next September, I plan to start Vegan Bites for Singles so I can make them after school and so on.

Friday, February 17, 2012

1 More Day

Tomorrow is the feis.  Check-in time is 12:30 for Novice and I should be dancing around 1-1:30.  The feis is small and is estimated to end at 2:45.
Anyone else excited?
I am not nervous... Let's see how long that'll last ;)

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Two More Days

Anyone see the Grammys??
Just saying, Deadmau5 was great :) Foster the People was funny.  Maroon 5? That was not their best.

Saturday is the feis.  Ready?  I will be in my new dress and will dance two soft shoe: Reel and Slip Jig and two hard shoe: Jockey to the Fair and Treble Jig.
Excited, not nervous.  Yet...
I made CCK Nutella again so we can make sandwiches for dinner tomorrow at our hotel and then I wanted to make Soft Molasses Cookies from Happy Herbivore but... no white beans.
So here's a recipe that is a combination of two HH recipes: Soft Molasses and Spiced Chocolate Muffins. (remember those delicious cutie muffins?)

The Mistake Muffin
Makes 5 Muffins

1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 tsp. cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger (maybe a little more to override bitterness)
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder (maybe a little less for a less bitter taste)
1/4 c. water
1/4 c. nondairy milk (I used (unsweetened/original Almond Milk)
1/2 - 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix and bake for 15 minutes.  Maybe a little more, I lost track of time.

So I messed up and didn't check for beans because I was too lost humming "Raise Your Weapon"  by Deadmau5.
Sigh.
They were slightly bitter, but I would make them again but maybe with more spice or less cocoa.
They were small but sweet :)
Just like I like em'!

Still sick :(
Missing Phantom again this week because I might be tired after the feis.
Hey, so I brought sugar cubes last week and now I can't find them!  Argh!
There was at least 100 cubes in this medium sized, bright colored box!
How can you lose sugar cubes?
Did some horse fairy (maybe a horse fly :) take them?
Sneaky.
Sigh, now I can't give them to anyone now :(
I am supposed to be riding a different horse sometimes to get a feel for another rhythm and stride.  Plus, Phantom is a good beginner lesson horse and I am one of the more advanced riders, so I suppose the other horse I am going to ride, who I believe is a little too small for me and my teacher does too, but his name is Mojo.

Lesson of the day:
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
I write this because when I last rode, two years ago, I still couldn't get trotting.  I had been over a jump once and I had never held a crop before!  Now though, I am back and stronger and better and love it all the more.
Anyway, maybe God has these things happen to us to stop us for a while so our bodies, especially our minds, because more capable to handle these things we learn.
I really feel that this is true because it has happened to me!  (As I said before).

I really love to ride.
I plan on working there at least two times a week next year to pay for lessons.
Maybe I'll start in the summer?

Dinner tonight is from Happy Herbivore!  

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A New Dip

Just something quick.

Another Black Bean Dip :)
Nice and tasty!

Black Beans
Onion Powder
Cumin
Cayenne
Salt
Tumeric
Cilantro
Olive Oil

Blend in a food processor and eat!
I tried some one a cracker...It wasn't great, but I don't know if that will be the case with all crackers and a smoother texture.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Vegan and Exhausted

It has been ten months now since I became a Veg.  But even before that, but it wasn't that bad, I was tired.  Actually, I think I am now tired for other reasons.
B-12 is a vitamin that comes from animal products and being Vegan...Well, there are no animal products in this diet.
Furthermore, my tiredness has been getting worse and I could have the best night's rest and wake up feeling groggy and absolutely sticky.  I don't think I know what a good night's rest is and how it feels in the morning...

On Saturday night, my parents were talking to me and they were finally tired (no pun intended) of hearing me say  how exhausted I was.  My dad doesn't think (and I can agree but I enjoy my diet and want to keep it) all of the aspects of being a vegan are healthy and/or necessary and my mom feels I should have fish a few times a week.
Being the stubborn thing I am, I said nothing and left.
I was searching the web yesterday to see why I was so tired.
Quote me, "Tired and Vegan" on the search engine.
NOTHING COMES UP
Arghhhhhhhhh
That was so annoying!
But I did find some things, but otherwise is nobody else tired when they are Vegan?
It seems more people would talk about B-12 deficiency and how you need to get it, but they don't! 
Anyway, when I mentioned it this morning to my mom about a supplement for this, we got it two hours ago.
I took it and am awaiting the effects for it.
So excited!
I almost fell asleep during class and, by the way, I am sick again.... With a sore throat the burns every time I swallow.
Anyway, I will tell you about the effects when it happens.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

I Officially Own A Dress

X1654.  Bought it and done.  Now, all is needed is the alterations.

It is so extremely pretty and it came with a pink hairband with black flowers and then a pair of earrings that are really not me at all.  My teacher even said it. Ha ha.  Gaudy and big!

It is really sparkly too.

Next on the blogging agenda, is no pictures but some reviews.  Finally, I know!

Happy Herbivore
Cherry Quinoa Salad pg. 122


Notes: Delicious, but needs a dressing. Or so my dad claimed.  I thought it was fine.  It also calls for some lemon (that'd be the dressing) but that would take away from the sweetness of the cherries.  Furthermore, I HATE cherries, but I hated coconut too (hint hint), until this salad.  There was no coconut in the salad, but the dried cherries were amazing!  Really, it the whole salad was.  
Also, I had some of the cherries with some coconut flakes we had.  What a special treat!


Southwest Chop Salad pg. 124
Notes: Winner.  Lime Juice for dressing.  Avocado would be very good in here.  Good with chips :) Who'd knew? ;) 


Ginger Bok Choy Stir-Fry pg. 139
Notes: A.Maze.Zing.


Spicy Mushroom Stir-Fry pg. 142
Notes: It was tonight's dinner.  Warm, very spicy, and absolutely delicious. 


Greens Quiche pg. 152 
Notes: It is making it into a weekly/monthly schedule.  So, in other words, it was very good.  Although my mom hates tofu, she liked it, and although my dad said it tasted nothing like quiche, he had to make mac and cheese after two slices to make sure I got some after I came home from dance.  :)


So that's all the reviews from Happy Herbivore for now.
Next thing.
Superbowl.  Let's not talk about sad things, but very good things.
Like...
Red: It was inside the cake. Mini Cupcakes. Note: I didn't have mini things so I made twelve big ones.  Just as good plain :)
Blue: Coconut Almond Frosting.  Note: The coconut is a replacement for the vegetable shortening to make it healthier. Although, it came out a little watery and I don't know why :( But it still tasted delicious!  My dad loved them very much.  
White: Best bean dip ever!  Note: I had to make two batches because I was tempted to finish out the first one.  But the second one, the one I did purely from memory and rough measurements, came out just as good and dilly!  Not so garlicky as the first one, which I like.  The second was definitely my favorite.  Serve with crackers (Stone Wheat Thins and such) and celery.


So that was the Superbowl for us.
Not glamorous but definitely the tastiest :)

So no pictures for now, but guess what?? I officially got Jockey.  Now for the feis next weekend... whew.

Maybe pictures this weekend but I have to do these things also: Sat. The Vow and Starbucks with friends.  House being shown to realtor which means cleaning.  Reading and if I can, finish War Horse.  Sun. Horseback riding.  Logging it for project. Pastor's wife's baby shower.  Making another Herbivore recipe.

I guess it isn't that much, but who knows!  And throw in food shopping too!

Food shopping, on that note, has become tons of fun!  Not that it wasn't last time, but it has become more fun now that our budget is 100-.  It is like a game :) and for the first time, we do another of my favorite things: Plan what we are going to eat.

Sigh, it is fun.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

I Foresee A Football Game and A Strange Bowl of Oatmeal in the Distance!

I am still alive, don't worry.  Right now I am eating my second breakfast because the first one was cold and now I want something warm in my stomach.  Mmm....
So yesterday I made the observation that both of the football teams today have the almost the same colors!  Only, as my dad puts it, silver is a prettier color than white.  HA!
;) 
Patriots fan.  Yes I am. 
Anyway, what is warming my stomach right now?
Well, you are going to think it's gross, but really it is pretty good.  
So, if you're willing to try something "out of the box..."

Reminds-Me-Of-The-Time-Between-Winter-And-Spring Oatmeal

  • 1 serving of Quick Oats
  • (Raw) Agave
  • Cinnamon 
  • Dried Mint Leaves
  • (Regular) Almond Milk
  • Raisins
  1. Cook the Quick Oats by the way of its instructions
  2. Stop cooking!  Put in some almond milk, cinnamon, and mint leaves.  I used maybe half a tsp. of Mint and mix.
  3. Put in more almond milk if desired/needed and put in agave and mix.
  4. Lastly, put in Raisins. 
If you do try it, can you tell me what you think of it?
:)

Oh!  There might be another post later too.  Only because I making Red, Blue, and I can't find any Silver food, so White food.  
That's going to be exciting. 

"Who will win the 'superbowl?' "
- Quote from my report card... :)

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

1,2,3, 100!

Yep.
This is the 100th post.
Does it deserve something special?
Yes, but all I can do is give you an idea of what's to come for Super Bowl Weekend...

Let's just say Red, White, and Blue...

*Cliff Hanger*

Next, is McDonald's finally comes out!

Meat eaters who eat this stuff, look what you've been eating!
Uck!
Awful!

Back when I ate this crap a few times, I threw up.
I will never forget... Ew...

Dance was last night.
I have it again tonight, but I am exhausted from the cold I've had, and today everything has been blurring together.
I saw one of my friends' outfits, and I thought, "Didn't he wear that yesterday?"
Few seconds later, "No, that was still today..."

See?
And I was glued to the bed this morning.  I did not even feel my body connected together.
Sigh.
What else?
OH!
I am going to write a letter about something in IDM.
That's exciting.

So are apple seeds really poisonous?
Yes.  Everything that comes up on the search of "apple seeds poison" all say they are!

Well, hear's how yesterday's lunch went:
I came sat down.
Talked and ate my apple.
And finally, when it was down to the core, I always knock the seeds out when I see them.
But there was one problem...
I didn't see them. 
Gasp!
I felt my face freeze and I looked up at my friends and asked if they thought they were poisonous.
Then, I went to my teacher and asked, "Mr. 'Teacher', will apple seeds make me sick?  'Cause I just ate all the seeds in my apple..."
I know I looked horrified, but all he said was, "No, I eat the whole apple all the time.  What about when you make smoothies?  The seeds get all crushed up.  They are full of nutrients anyway."
....
Not what Google said.
My whole homeroom agreed that they all thought they were bad, and all I could think was, "Am I going to die?  Dear God, please tell me I'm okay."
I am still here.
Twenty-four hours later.
Unless, it is a slow and painful death of course...
By the way, while I thought of death, I said, "But can't you die?" then I quickly corrected myself knowing he would correct me. "I mean, you are still here and alive, but..."
He is in his sixties and I suppose if he eats them daily, something he is eating or doing is counteracting the poison.
?
Questions that cannot be answered are terrible :(