Hello! Happy Spring Break!

I'm back!  I seem to say those same two words every time I blog now.  

I haven't posted anything in the past few days because I have lacked a computer at hand.

But I chose to post now, because if this rain lightens up, and even maybe if it doesn't, I am headed to the barn to help take care of the horses.

This is really exciting, and I am also hoping for sun on Sunday because we will be having a barn party where everyone is invited to come eat party foods, paint the barn, and for those who have lessons on Sunday, they get to ride as well!

Aren't I lucky?

Also, an hour ago I created three more recipes out of HH.  Yummm.  They tasted great!  Except for some Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits w/ Basic Glaze w/ Almond Extract.  

Sigh...

I didn't go to dance last night because I was so tired, and it's break so...

There is no dance tonight, and even if there was, I wouldn't be going. 

Happy Herbivore is almost below a hundred recipes to go!

I hope to do more of the baking/desserts soon as well.

Wish me luck!

Finally Meeting Some MAJOR Goals

First of all, I will be blogging more next week!  No school, see?
Anyway, while I have not been blogging, I have been cooking non-stop.
Not only did I throw down a bunch! of Happy Herbivore recipes out of the book, but I met my three Vegan hopes after I turned.
- Mac and Cheese (Baked, wanted an almost-exact replica of my friend Colleen's)
- Mashed Potatoes
- Chocolate Chip Cookies

AH!  I was so happy when I made these.  Remember Brandy?  Remember how she doesn't like Vegan/healthier food (she doesn't eat well...)?  Well, I gave one of each cookie to my teacher and she liked them a lot.  She even said they didn't taste any different from a normal cookie!
Happy Days...
Also the Mac and Cheese came from the 30-Day Vegan Challenge.  Boy, I need that book soon.  The mac and cheese was amazing!  I made the baked version so I could have it taste like Colleen's...
It was just like how I remembered!

Finally, I just, as in just, made these potatoes.
They were part of the St. Patrick's Day stagger.
They were amazing plus they were with a mushroom gravy!
Those recipes came from Robin Robertson's 1000 Vegan Recipes which I hope to finish in the next four years.

So the past few weeks have been all about dance, and I am finally catching a break.  Meaning, I don't have it five/six times a week and don't have any performances on the weekend.
Whew...
I am back to regular classes and don't plan on doing any of the feisanna for a while, unless the MA one...but the judging wasn't great last year even though people loved the hotel.

So yesterday was horse day.  I rode Mojo.  Mojo was different.  Extremely different.
Here's how I see it:
Jersey Girl - Stubborn.
Phantom of the Opera - Lazy but Obedient.
Mojo - Prankster but Obedient.

Mojo is also a pony.  Maybe two-thirds Phantom's size.  I was to say Phantom is between fourteen-fifteen hands but that might be too much.  Anyway, Mojo is pretty small, also meaning that his strides are shorting, "quicker" as it feels, and his neck is longer.
All opposites of Phantom's stride and body.
And Mojo's skinny, but since I gave Phantom four sugar cubes yesterday, Mojo will get fatter too...
I almost fell out four times yesterday.
New record!
But my instincts are getting sharper and more prepared for a fall.
At one point, Mojo faltered in hole.
Another time Mojo had an itch (Actually this happened twice) and quickly stopped to put his head down and scratch his leg - I almost fell out as I jerked forward.
Finally, Mojo tripped again, and fell forward to the side (right, outside leg).  This time, as my left foot came out of the stirrup and I tilted to the side, I grabbed the bridle then pulled myself up and literally hugged Mojo who was standing still in half-seat.
It was a ride to remember.
Bounce, bounce, bounce....
It didn't help Mojo's quirks are stopping in corners or standing in the middle of the ring and stopping (he did not stop in the center, just refused to stay trotting near the gate corners or by my instructor.
Gr.
I did love him though, but I need to get used to him.
Also, there was a three-way conversation between me, my instructor, and a little girl cleaning her horse.
We were talking about what Mojo was, and my instructor says I hit it right on the dot: a Rogue Teddy Bear.
Ha, can't wait till next week.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

No photos today or reviews, just a heads-up.

Today consists of:
Four performances at four different places.
Making mashed potatoes!  (Hopefully...Depends when I'll be home long enough)


Also, I have already make Beer Bread.

My St. Patty's Day recipes will be staggered.

Sigh...

I am going to make sugar cookies too :) '

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

BIGGEST PERFORMANCE EVER

Last night was HUGE.
It was the biggest performance I have had yet.
And it was a lot of fun.

I won't tell you what specifically, but we were an opening performance for something that was broadcast on TV.
:D
We weren't on TV though....
But last night we met the owner, his mascot, and caught glimpses of other things.
Amazing!
Plus, it was really sweet because I was leading a little girl named "Bailey" around.
She kept jumping up and down to become taller than me, and I said maybe by the recital she'd make it, but when I knelt down a little, she made it and she was so excited!
Bailey showed me her family in the stands and it was sweet just talking to her.

Anyway, I didn't fully remember what order the second dance went in, so I made it like this with motions:
Circles, Cheer, Partners, Double, Out, Bow.
:) Mysterious how I can't tell you exactly what that is, but that's the rules of my school.

On another dancing note, we have another Big, but not so big, performance this afternoon.
Fun, but I am so tired...
Dance for the past two weeks has been five or four times each week.
1 and a half to two hours.
Exhaustion is here...

We left the show early, due to the fact we don't really like it, and when I got home, I dressed in clothes that I could breathe in, and I was in complete Boston wear. (we were dressed in boostieas/corset type of things)
It were as though my mind were cleansing itself ;).

:)
Next, an update for St. Patty's Day!
I have four performances, plus I am cooking a dessert, breakfast, and side dish.
They look very good.
Also, Happy Herbivore is almost done with.
YES!

Update:

No, the update is not entirely about ice cream!  (Who can talk about ice cream for a whole conversation???)

The update is that I am feeling much better and am sleeping a lot better these past few days.  

Why?

Well, I don't think that it has to do with the B12, but I feel it might be because I have been eating a lot more and the past few days have looked a little like:

Breakfast-

Pumpernickel bagel with Cashew Cream Cheese (Need to post recipe)

Grapes

PB&J

Lunch- 

Leftovers (Cornbread Casserole, Veggie Taco, Smoothie-Ice-Cream-Thing) (will post too)

Snack-

Pretzels

Banana with Almond Butter 

Cashews

Dinner-

Pizza

Salad

Taco

Anyway, I have been eating multiple small meals as well.

Hmm Tasty!

There was definitely more on that list, but I don't remember.

The only thing I'd tweak is less nuts...I have such bad control, especially when it comes to RAW cashews... yum...

Now as for the ice cream picture, I have been craving it.

Also, I did make a whole conversation about ice cream on the way home from the barn yesterday.  It went from talking about the horses to the lesson to sugar cubes to ice cream.

I don't know how it got there, it just did.

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.

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!  

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.

This is Why You Wear a Helmet.

Happy Sunday!

No recipes :((
No Vegetarian news :((

Irish dance news?
Well, there is still only the dress.  Strange woman who is selling...

Horses?????
YES

I went over more poles today. Ha HA.
One step closer to a jump!
LOVE Jumping.

Exhilarating.  a Rush.  Fun.

Hey, has anyone ever heard the saying, "The hardest part about riding is the ground?"
Well, I once again experienced it today, and I gotta say, I am getting the hang of how to fall in different circumstances and ways.

I have fallen three, four times and it has only been the first time that was scary and actually threatening.
Why?
Because the horse got spooked and reared and started hysterically running around our one-and-a-half-man length area.
Furthermore, my helmet and I have been through a lot.  My helmet has saved me every time and it now carries many "scars" or "memories" if you will.

Anyway, when I fell today, I would have ranked this as my 2nd best fall.
This is how it went:
Once upon a time, on a snowy day in an indoor riding ring, Phantom and I went back and forth from trotting to walking.  Then, I don't even remember asking if I was just trying to trot, preparing for a walk or a sitting trot, or if I was just so into it that I bounced right out of the saddle!
PAUSE
My falls are categorized into two titles: Comical or Graceful.
It seems that my comical ones are always on my own two feet and the graceful are on something else.  In this case, the fall was Graceful.
Now, it is really amazing how fast our minds can react.
So when I started to fall, my mind had never been so clear!  In fact, my first thought was, "Grab the bridle."  Then, "No!  What if Phantom fell on me?  Or the saddle fell with me?"
Before I hit the ground, my helmet hit the wall and made a loud thud. 
It didn't hurt.  Or at least, the pain has not yet, or never will, be registered. 
Next, when I hit the ground, my instructor said my face was like, "Why am I down here?"
But I did stand right up after that with a throbbing pain in my butt.
To continue, my lesson went on happily.  My parents dusting the dirt off my side until I was clean enough to get into the car.
Good news is though, I am very close to a summer job.  :D
Phantom and I are gonna be even better friends :)
Maybe Jersey will like me too....
After all, the key to a horses' heart, is through food.
Right now, I am sitting with Magical Unicorn.  My first and only PillowPet.
Why do I have a P.P.?
Because all I asked for from my friends for my birthday were stuffed horses :P

Wait!  Before I wrap up, I do have a Vegan update: I have only done 20 recipes out of 175... What a slap in the face!  It felt like so much more!  Grr... I need to do more again.
Then, I also did the pancake recipe again yesterday for lunch and this time I managed five out of six pancakes.
I suppose again that I ate a pancake's worth of batter... I held out for so long too!

They are FINALLY Here...

Granola Bars pg. 23 (Picture 2)


Notes: Regular recipe is great on it's own :))

Neapolitan Smoothie pg. 14 (Picture above)


Notes: Easy and good 


Basic Tofu Scramble pg. 28 (Picture 7)


Notes: Really Good.  I put in Pinto Beans and celery.  My dad and I loved it.  Can't tell the difference between eggs and tofu.


Dark Chocolate Pancakes pg. 43 (Picture 6)


Notes: I made 3 large pancakes...it was supposed to make 6.  The only two explanations are either I didn't measure right, or I ate three pancakes worth of batter...  I also ate these with the raspberry jam.


Chocolate Spice Muffins pg. 51 (Picture 4)


Notes: These are adorable and very good.  I ate a considerable amount of these within only a few days.  There were a dozen, and I ate six one day... :))


Bella Tacos pg. 91 (Picture 3)


Notes: Best. Tacos. Ever.


Taco Sauce pg. 293 (Picture 5)


Notes: Great with everything 


Fried Bananas pg. 259 (Picture 9)


Notes: They are okay-good if done correctly...


CCK Nutella 

Notes: Better than the "real" stuff. 


Yes!  I finally did it!  Good.  I need to see how many recipes I have left because it seems about half way if not a little more.

Miss Me?

Hello!
Sadly, this post will not have any pictures, but some other foodie-dance-random related this.
I have had many Happy Herbivore recipes in the past...whatever time period from the last post.  In fact, I just made one and happily ate it.  The serving was very large to my small appetite but I couldn't help myself to put it in another container for another day!  The second serving, I'm afraid, is going to have to be made into a third serving.  The "afraid" part, is my laziness speaking.  Sigh.
Well, besides that, I had dance last night.  And last week too.  :) My blister from November is still slowly healing along with a bruise on the opposite foot and just two days ago, my other toe started to hurt on the blistered foot and now, I must suck it up because it kills to walk but I strangely have no idea what happened to it.  Stupid Advil doesn't work either...Humph.
Still haven't watch Christ McCandless yet...
OH!  I had my first PB&J this past weekend on a Youth Group retreat on a blueberry bagel type thing... AMAZING.  My new favorite two-condiment sandwich :)
Also, I have started using Nutritional Yeast!  Only, my fear still plagues me to the point of using Latex Gloves when I do...I look so stupid.
Anyway, what else...I got taller :)
And I think I am more than half way done with the Happy Herbi. cookbook.
Back to dance though.
I have it again tonight and we are going to learn White Blanket, a set dance that will be needed for levels higher than Novice which I am currently in.
Our next competition is on Feb. 18.
I am still looking for a dress.  So frustrating!  I am thinking about getting a custom made on though.
And by the way, I suck at Jockey to the Fair.  My rhythm just disappears when I do it.
Hey, has anyone heard about the new TLC show coming out in the summer called, Tween Irish Dancers?
The producer called my teacher to ask her and our school to be on it.  She said no because she wouldn't do that to us unless we went and emailed the producer ourselves.
I looked into it last night.
It screams Toddlers and Tiaras + Dance Moms = Tween Irish Dancers.
The show will probably make the guys look gay.
The girls bratty.
And the dance, which they call, "Irish Jig Dancing," look stupid and snobby.
The just turned many peoples passion, look like complete scum.
At first, I was really excited.  I would only have done it if I got paid (Save up for college and beyond that), but then again, I don't really have time for a TV stalking me.
They will take all the good I say, and make it sound like I am cussing behind the camera and putting all the crap I didn't stop myself from saying, and put that in place of all the good.
The also say our dance costumes look strange.
That we have only "tween" dancers, but really, we have dancers from the ages of 3-80.
Buzz-kill.
So!
Who wants to watch that show now?
They already have 8 episodes recorded :D
(Sense the sarcasm)
Moving on!
DAIYA
I finally tried it.
The Mozzarella though.
It is fantastic.
Throw some Portobello mushrooms, lettuce, Happy Herbivore's Taco Sauce, and melt some cheese on a Spinach Wrap, and I have a really nice meal.  - I had this for breakfast the past two days :)
Or!
Lettuce, Cheese, and Kidney Beans on a Spinach Wrap, though I am strangely sensing I forgot to write down another very important ingredient...I hope I will remember.
What else do I need to tell you?
I am going to try to make my own granola bars...
I had the BEST taco ever from this cookbook...
Um.........................
I think that's it.
I promise to post this weekend too. :)

The Competitive Class

My first competitive class was today.  It was awesome.
We did Jockey to the Fair too.
AH! (I also made two dishes from the cookbook!)
I couldn't get it at all!  My rhythm was completely off!
I also learned that some of my normal steps that I have been using in feis', are considered "baby" dances that Novice's don't do.  :( I am running out of dances here!
Good song for "baby" dances: "Kids"
Night!  Dance, normal class, tomorrow!

"She is still in MA," "No, she's sick," NO I'M HOME

"Do we have gym today?" Brandy texted me at 6:30 this morning.
8:40 A.M. Almost two hours later.
"We don't have school today," I answered. "But tomorrow we do."
3:29 P.M. Twenty-nine minutes after school ended.
"Echo," Brandy texted me. "We had school today....is that why you weren't there?"
.....

"Did we have school today?" I asked Cathleen.
"Did we have school today?" I asked Bryant.
"Did we have school today?" I asked Mandy.

Yes was the same answer each time.  After Brandy and Cathleen answered me, I truly thought they were out to scare me, so I asked Mandy, the one I knew I could trust, instead.

"You didn't know?" She said.
"Nope, my mom said we didn't 'cause it's a national holiday." I texted back sheepishly.
"...but you're right we should've had today off. :P not fair."
"hahahaha good ;))) lol did mr. A or Ms. S ask where I was?"
....
Now, the two answers I got for that last question were:
"Everyone assumed you were still in MA." Brandy told me.
":) No everyone assumed you were sick." Mandy told me.

Well guess what????
I wasn't the only one gone, but I don't know why my other friend was out either.

Sigh, might as well have thought I'd died!  Lack of "Protein!"

Anyway, today was really awesome without school...by the way, I have dance tomorrow and Wed.  - Competitive class is starting!  Wahoo!

Today, my dad and I went shooting, but instead, for maybe an hour, we tracked a female deer instead that was around the targets :)) I found it.  It was really cool.  Then, after a while, we shot a target and went home due to my starting-to-feel-like-their-freezing fingertips and toes.
Later, I made the Fried bananas and granola bars from Happy Herbivore.
Will post reviews about those another day.
Anyway, today was good.  Both food wise and non-food wise - today also included Skyrim! :D
Sad to say, I did not get to watch the movie about Chris McCandless.
Tomorrow is another day though...not that I'll have time... 7-9 dance this week.

To think that I could have been snowed into Boston...that would have been awesome!  Trust me, I prayed for that while we were in MA. Sigh, I guess God gave me a snowless day here at home, not in the place I wanted, but it definitely felt like snowy day.  I hope we get snow though soon!  

It is a success!

The Pumpkin Sage Pasta is still amazing two days later!  And it just keeps getting better!  Seriously, I think the flavors are definitely still coming together.  Yummm.  Today I had it for dinner with some bread on the side, and  I ate it with the pasta on top.  :) GRRRRRReat!  Hehe
So today I finished Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, and it was obviously sad.  Not a happy, "fairytale" ending like we all hoped the kid, Chris McCandless had.  It is a shame... Anyway, I very much suggest reading it and I plan to watch it over Christmas break.  :D
Ah, tomorrow is the last day of school for a whole week.  A week, which includes the following: cooking, reading, TV, computer/blogging ;), Christmas, Church, Family, MA, Boston...but no horse :(
Oh, wait!
Two of my amazing friends, Keira and I think I called the other one Cathleen...? gave me a combined Christmas present that contained 2 Now Or Later Candy Canes - the grape one made me look "evil" apparently or so claims another friend named "Mac," and it turned my lips, teeth, and tongue nice and purple!  They also gave me a Starbucks card, and probably the one gift that I truly wanted: A stuffed horse!
His name is Honeycomb and is a Palomino horsey.  AWWW when I went back to my locker, I was like to Keira, "This horse is like giving me a sugar-high." and she just rolled her eyes and said, "Wow."

That was like the highlight of my day.

Now, on the Yahoo! homepage, there was an article about Japanese Shirataki Noodles; the almost-no-calorie, low carb, easy fiber, noodle.  It looks delicious and I have found a Vegan-friendly recipe!  Oh, goodness, I really want to try it!  It is from Vegetarian Times and it looks easy, simple, and delicious!  I will try it after Christmas or get the ingredients after this next food shopping errand.

Next thing on today's agenda, is a new recipe!  You have probably already tried this, but I will post it anyway :) because it is so good.  This recipe has been my breakfast or snack the past few days.  I just threw it together and voila!

Ingredients:
Vegan Chocolate Chips
Uncooked/Raw Rolled Oats
Cinnamon
Banana (1) - assuming this is a good sized banana

Directions:
Mash banana in a bowl.
When done, add the amount of cinnamon you want and mix together thoroughly.
Then, Put in the amount of Chocolate Chips you want, and do the same.
Now, finally, add the amount of oats and mix.
Eat and enjoy!

It really is good.

                                                              Honeycomb <333

                                    This was the best picture I could take yesterday of the oatmeal

Oh my goodness!  So today is a very good day for both my mom and I.  The food and friends for me, her job and other stuff...?  :)
Anyway, she just said that she met someone who knew someone who works for a local horse therapy.  My mom told her that horse therapy might be something I want to do one day.  Now, even though not with disabled kids and stuff - since that makes me a little uncomfortable, I am still wanting to give it a shot.  Maybe I will like it :) I hope so.

Oh yeah, so she said that I could help out there.  So there are three different jobs: Fund raising, walking beside the horse, or leading the horse.  Ahhhhhhhh this is very exciting.  As much horse experience as possible!  Psychotherapy is one of the things kids have here; seems to be the thing I want to do.  Cool.

:D Also, my dad's turkey blind and box caller came today.  So cool.

Anyway, have a good night!
(BTW "My horses are my friends, not my slaves."

     "In riding a horse, we borrow freedom."                                    "Horses change lives.  They give our young people confidence and self esteem.  They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls - they give us hope!"

"Happy Herbivore" and Stiff Legs

Greetings! 

I bring you a few pictures and reviews from Middle Earth! :)

Yes, I did watch Lord of the Ring: Two Towers yesterday.

Pumpkin Sage Pasta p. 199

Notes: Sadly, the beautiful, good-smelling dish had too much vegetable broth in it :( so that kind of ruined it for me.  I could smell it while it cooked and tasted it with each bite; completely took away from the pumpkin flavor. But I did try to cover it up with red pepper flakes that were called optional - I highly recommend it and use as much sage as possible :) Even though, this might have added to it, I only had enough sage for 1 tbs. that is used for one serving and I doubled it.  So!  I tried to use ground sage but that just wasn't the same.  Anyway, I would use less vegetable broth next time.  And don't fret!  This dish was probably going to be great if I hadn't put so much broth in - try it w/o my mistake please.  Otherwise, 4 1/2/5 stars :)

Now, it has been at least 45 minutes since I started this post, I had piano, but I came back into the kitchen and took out the Pasta from the fridge.  Who would have known?  It tasted great cold!  Yummmy.

                                                The Lemon Basil Pasta

                                                    Pumpkin Sage

                                               A little better picture; I was having a lot of trouble with the stupid lighting.

                                     
       
So why are there the words, "and Stiff Legs" in this post's title?  The saddle left bruises on the insides of my legs.  Ouch :) Oh well.  Plus, my thighs are nicely sore.

One can get in a car and see what man has made.  One must get on a horse too see what God has made. - Author Unknown

The love for a horse is just as complicated as the love for another human being...if you never love a horse, you will never understand. - Unknown Author


Riding is a partnership.  The horse lends you his strength, speed, and grace, which are greater then yours.  For your part, you give him guidance, intelligence and understanding which are greater then his.  Together you can achieve a richness that neither can alone. - Lucy Rees


He knows when you're happy.  He knows when you're comfortable.  He knows when you're confident.  And he always knows when you have carrots. - Author Unknown


No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. - Winston Churchill 


Stay away from a horse long enough and you'll start tapping your fingers to the beat of a trot. - Author Unknown 


When riding a horse we leave our fear, troubles, and sadness behind on the ground. - Judi Carlson 


A Horseman should know neither fear, nor anger... - James Rarey


I hope I left you with a lot of good words today :)

"Happy Herbivore" Another Review

Lemon Basil Pasta p. 203


Notes:  I would suggest using half a lemon for two servings, and one lemon for double.  Also, 1 tbs. Capers for two servings, and 2 tbs. for double.  But, I might not even put 1 tbs. because of how acidic the whole meal was! I mean, it was great, and better the next day heated up because the liquid in the microwave was able to evaporate a little, but it really was a little too liquidy and acidic.  How sad, but I will want to make the meal again because of how simple it really was!

Now, I can't post a picture now because I really need to get in the shower and read, but I want to make either the granola bars, Pumpkin pasta, or ...there was another real simple one, but I might need to save it for tomorrow.

Went riding again today.
Two weeks - 14 days - has really been too long.
It felt like an eternity since I had ridden last; sigh.
Well, when I got onto Phantom, and started warming him up, I talked to my little buddy telling him how cold it was, asking if he'd be my Christmas present as I had been hoping for a lesson that can't happen on Christmas Eve - my instructor's b-day is on Christmas; my cousin's on Christmas Eve, and I told him that how much weight he had on his back that added to his ton or so, and asked we'd have a good, fun day today and if he could sing.
I was such a spaz today!  It was unbelievable!
I posted too high.
I felt I was like... I don't know... trying to fly!
My posts were way too high today even though, after a while it got better thankfully.
But it doesn't end there!
When I got on the lunge line, after I thought I could do the ring alone but my spazziness was too much, my instructor told me to take my feet out of the stirrups and I would do a sitting, no-stirrup trot.
I shrieked.
I felt I was going to fall at the same point each time out of the three times I tried to make it around the circle without falling.
I kept falling to the left of the saddle :(
Then, when I tried to get my feet back in the stirrup, my left foot found it right away, but it took five circles for my right foot to FINALLY get back in.

....
Phantom and me are good buddies. Love him :)
When the lesson was over, and as my parents talked to my instructor about the next lesson, I asked Phantom if he'd want me to bring him a treat next time I came.
What did he say?
He nodded multiple times and nudged his head against me.
My little beast is awesome!

We were both spazzes today.  With me flying everywhere and him tripping, we were a pair.

But, boy, is that beastie dirty!  Getting my fingertips all brownish-gray as I hugged him!  ....

Anyway, I will try again tomorrow for a recipe.  Laziness and business. Sheez.

Another "Herbivore" Recipe of Goodness

Mojito Smoothie!  Page 13

Five stars :)

Next announcement, one of these days, since I have all the ingredients, I am going to make the Granola Bars and the Lemon Basil Pasta.  Yummmm - hopefully :)  

So yesterday was my Profession of Faith, and after, I feel different.  I don't know what or why, I just do.

First of all, when I was up there, I said "I will, God willing me."  But I was supposed to say, "I will, God helping me."  

My friend, lets call him Blain, has an extremely deep voice so I heard him clearly as he said the correct words the first time as I said the wrong thing... How sad ;( 

 These are soooooo good!  

Very Bored...

Catching onto how miserably bored I am?  My parents are watching Christmas movies and I don't like Christmas movies... Sad, isn't it? :) Anyway, I could have posted another fantastic recipe (not from Happy Herbivore) from Savvy Vegetarian.  It was great!  Ah, I have been choosing really great recipes, yeah? ;) It was a Quinoa salad my dad made.  I was going to a few days ago, but I was too lazy...and busy!  So to explain the pictures,first, I wanted to find a possible new background for the blog, the dancing banana, but I found the decaying-looking flowers and chose that instead.  Next, the Saltines, I have the craziest craving for them!  Now, as for the cartoon, I loved it and found it on another blog that I didn't linger looking at too long... By the way, about the burgers I made - Quick Burgers - they are also fantastic when it is just the raw mix and it was really good as a chip/tortilla dip... same with the Quinoa salad I will hopefully post tomorrow.

Oh my goodness!  I am craving Tacos too!  Thank God Happy Herbivore has them!  Ugh I just need to get through the next recipes I planned... Grrrr...

Novice Speaking Herbivore

I have found another dress!  It is more traditional then the other one and my teacher approved as we looked through page, after page, after page, of dresses.  She took my measurements again and told me what to look for - I am very happy with the dresses we found.  My heal has a huge! blister on my right foot; my left foot is getting there too.  It burns!  But I am used to it...stupid open calluses.  Next big news is, I tried the first recipe from the Happy Herbivore. It was a smoothie titled Cinnamon Bun Smoothie.  - Big thing is, I have never had a Cinnamon Bun before, and if I ever do, Veganized of course, I would be greatly disappointed if it didn't taste like how that smoothie did.  It was delicious!  Now, I can't give you the recipe now, or show the picture because I still have homework to do, but I will tomorrow.  I am so desperate for a Friday.  I have woken ever morning, asking myself, Is today Friday?  NO it isn't. I wanted to cry, but thankfully, tomorrow is finally Friday!  Also, I might make some simple black bean burgers tomorrow that look short, easy, and most importantly, I have all the ingredients it seems.  Anyway, with a bleeding heal, tired mind - my freakin' dog just licked the heal!  ARGH!, I need to share with my mum the pictures I found.  OH!  I forgot to tell you, I learned the Black Bird step tonight - mostly... I wanted to cry at each hop.
I can't show you the picture of the dress yet!  Just in case you're looking for one too!  ;)

"Everyday Happy Herbivore"

First of all, I am feeling extremely sick to my stomach because I just received news that the dress I became stupidly attached too, is not acceptable... My teacher will tell me why and show me more tomorrow, but I do have another choice as well (will have picture tomorrow).  Anyway, I am very broken hearted about that -devastated, but guess what?  I couldn't find the 30 Day Vegan Challenge book I wanted, so I got Everyday Happy Herbivore instead.  It looks delicious!  I can't wait to start, and I will try to next time we go food shopping.  The first recipe is a Cinnamon Bun Smoothie.  

Speaking of smoothies, I made a new one today, but it needs some modifications...

Recipe:

2 Frozen Bananas

1 Cup Frozen Strawberries

1/2 Cup Frozen Spinach

1 Cup Chocolate Chips (Dark, Vegan)

Non-Dairy Milk

Blend together while adding a non-dairy milk (I used Oat Milk).  Also, let bananas soften for 20 seconds in microwave before blending (My blender gets too hot and melts somewhat... I don't think that's safe or healthy).  

Anyway, that's it.  It needs some tweaking because it wasn't my favorite... I still don't know why... maybe vanilla is needed? No spinach? :(

Anyhow, good night people...