I finally put together a video of me making a vegan wrap. Who knows what’s next!
This is all because of two very influential people in my life. Randy and Bogie.
Bogie is keeps himself on the “cutting edge” of marketing and built his business Art Of Saving from scratch. He is seriously brilliant and always interested/investigating things to see how they work (or don’t work!).
I’ve known him as long as I have known Randy, minus a few weeks I think.
Seems I’ve gotten off task!
Here’s my video and my recipe on how to make a delicious and healthy vegan wrap.
RECIPE
Ingredients
Tin foil (optional: for the wrap-to-go) Mission veggie wrap Randy’s hummus Quinoa Frank’s Original Hot Sauce Black Olives Romaine Lettuce Kale, chopped up Carrots, shredded Small tomatos, chopped in half or thirds. ¼ avocado
The ingredients are built to enjoy a bit of each of them in every bite.
I warm my wrap a tiny bit to make it more pliable.
Directions (as they unfold in my video)
Place a warmed wrap on foil.
Spread hummus across it.
Place your romaine lettuce with the top of the leaf toward the top of your wrap.
Kale is then placed on top of the lettuce wrap, then carrot shreddings.
Splash Frank’s Hot Sauce all over it!
Add the tomatoes down one side of the wrap.
Place black olives next to the tomatoes.
Add your avocado from the top to the bottom.
Time to fold it up.
Bottom up first then side to side. Use the foil to help keep it in place.
Recipe FIRST then a quick story about my first experience (on the outside looking in) of the LDS Church’s “Conference”. I got home from work in time to watch the section that was specifically for the women. I normally pour myself a cocktail to watch Columbo but decided I was curious about what and why they split out the men and women and what message they give the guys and how it would be different from the gals.
I didn’t pour a cocktail because I felt sort of weird about watching a church thing drinking a cocktail. That’s just me… maybe the “new” me?
MY PANCAKE RECIPE, inspired by that LDS talk plus The Joy Of Cooking book my mom gave me.
Tools:
Mixing bowl (large)
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Small Spatula
Small bowl
Whisk (or a fork)
Large Spatula (for flipping pancakes)
Ingredients:
1 Cup flour (or *GF Oat Flour)
1t sugar
1/4t salt
3/4t double acting baking powder
½ baking soda
1c almond milk
2T white vinegar
1T chia seeds
3T water
Spray oil unless using a non-stick surface to make your pancakes.
Vegan butter
Maple syrup
Fruit topping, if you like!
In this order:
Place all ingredients and tools on counter.
In a small bowl (I use my 2-cup liquid measuring glass), blend Almond Milk and vinegar, with a fork swirl around and set aside. Give it at least 5 minutes to curdle the “milk”.
In a separate small bowl, blend chia and water, stir with a fork then set aside. Give it at least 5 minutes for the chia to begin absorbing the water.
In large mixing bowl use a whisk and blend the dry ingredients. Set aside.
Blend wet ingredients together (I put the chia into the almond “milk”). With a fork stir a bit to really get everything well mixed. If you have a few minutes, let it all stand and become blended.
Add the wet to the dry, using a spatula to fold in. Don’t whip it up, FOLD IT. This keeps the air bubbles in tact (which is what will help make it fluffy).
Heat griddle to HIGH.
Spray cooking oil LIGHTLY.
Pour mixed ingredients onto HOT HOT griddle making a 4” circle (or use a ⅓ cup).
Wait for bubbles to appear through your pancake to flip it (normally 3-4 minutes). This is how you know it is cooking through but not burning.
Flip cakes on griddle for another minute or two (you can peek to see the desired browning).
Serve up and enjoy topped with vegan butter, apple butter, fruit…syrup.
Enjoy!
MY EXPERIENCE YESTERDAY – WILD
Saturday October 6th, 2018
I work at a grocery store in an extremely religious town. 88% (according to the last Association of Religion Data Archives). Most of the people I see come through my check stand are students. This is the “future” of the LDS church (obviously) and a very dedicated group.
The thing I love about these young people is that they are pretty nice, ethical and not confrontational at all. So, for example, if the person behind them in line (non-LDS) is making snarky comments about some sort of religious thing it does not seem to break their stride or belief. Also, once they establish that the person in front of them or behind them in line is part of their church they have SO MUCH to talk about and chances are they are related somehow. These conversations are always cheerful and happy.
So, by the stats alone, 20% of the people visiting me are not part of the LDS church and they are mostly visiting the store on Sunday when no good Mormon would be shopping (especially in Provo). Most of them roll their eyes toward any effusive connection they are witnessing between the students (which makes me mad…as though I’m part of that behavior AND I AM NOT).
The point today is to fill you in, from a stranger’s view, on what Conference means or meant to most every single person that went through my line.
The Structure Of My Day (Conference Day Included)
This is important.
My shift began at 9:00am. I arrived 15 minutes early to talk to my boss about a meeting I am expected to be at for one hour. We are not allowed to work overtime and I try hard to follow the rules.
The store was busy! Similar to the hours before Superbowl would be in a big city. None of the employees were smiling. It looked like HAIR ON FIRE mode.
I did not understand the tone and volume. It was quite different than every other Saturday I’d worked. I asked one of my bosses what in the world was happening!? “Conference” I was told. “What is that?” “Big gathering of all of the members to hear the people at the top of the church speak.” “It looks like the day before Thanksgiving!” “I guess it sort of is like that for a lot of them.”
I’d heard this word earlier in the week but had not paid attention.
One lady got TICKETS to be on the stage. (?) She was famous for this and got hugs and pats on the back for the accomplishment. It was extremely honorable I guess.
Snapped a pic on my 10 minute break. I get three 10 minute breaks in an 8 hour shift.
Our store is close to downtown Provo where there are loads of meetings, conferences, workshops…you name it…at the Convention Center. I expected that was what would be happening.
That is NOT what was happening or even close.
Our lines were 6-8 people deep. We had ALL of our check stands open. The Self Check-Out line stretched through the store about 40 yards back.
Everyone was hurrying “to buy food for Conference”. Actually, I think I’m saying it wrong. When Randy gets back in from changing out his tail light I’ll ask him what the right terminology is.
I got my nerve up to ask a friendly family of eight (Grandma, Mom, Dad and kids) where Conference was. “We’re watching it at home.”
“It’s televised at your house? What channel?”
“BYU TV”
“Ah, duh.”
“So everyone here is buying food for this conference?”
“Yes, I’d guess so.” I think it was the dad and he looked around smiling at the hundreds of people standing in line IN GOOD SPIRITS.
“How long does it last?”
“Two hours.”
“Wait, two hours?” I blurted this out as I thought to myself, “that doesn’t seem like a lot of time to plan this much food!”
“Well the first part is two hours then there is a break and another conference for two more hours.”
“Are you not allowed to eat during it?” as I stared at the bags of snacks I was scanning.
The process was done…I’d learned a tiny bit there in that few moments of time.
At 10:05am it was SILENT in the store. Like library quiet. Obviously, everyone was in Conference.
Then the next wave hit. Just as large as the last one. I was manning a smaller check stand for “About 15 items” which seemed to be what everyone was getting.
This time I saw a dad and three kids coming through. 4 doughnuts, ice cream and corn dogs.
SIDE NOTE: Diet DP (that’s what it is called by the students) seems to be the #1 drink of choice today. DP (not diet) is #2. Dr Pepper.
“Everyone is in a great mood it seems.”
“You betcha they are! We just got out of Conference!”
“That’s cool. What did they say?”
“WE ONLY HAVE TO ATTEND CHURCH TWO HOURS INSTEAD OF THREE!!!!” he exclaimed – seriously elated.
I don’t know how things run – so I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Normally we have to attend 3 hours. The first hour is ______ (I forget what he said) then the next hour is _____ (again, forget) and the last hour is split out with men and women (or something like that) in private meetings.”
He saw my confused look. I am guessing he assumed I still did not understand what he just said. He’s partially correct. What I was confused about was that this seemed to be the best news since sliced bread. I didn’t quite understand what or why these folks (who I assumed were super duper dedicated to their beliefs and structure) would not see how odd it was to “get an hour off” of their religion.
“It’s to spend more time with our families.”
“Well that’s always going to be a good idea.”
I am still digesting what I’d heard so far and putting it together as quickly as my old brain would process.
“We’re gonna celebrate together with our doughnuts!”
Off he went, walking a little taller like we all do when we’re filled with good thoughts.
The remainder of that two-hour drive had the same excitement: “TWO HOURS!” “ONLY TWO HOURS!” “AN HOUR OFF! Yipeeeee!!!!”
I continued to process it all.
Just before the end of that second blast I asked a young couple – super cute and they got along like Randy and myself – what the NEXT conference was going to be about.
“Well, we’ll be splitting into the men and the women conferences.”
“How do you do that at your house?”
Cute young wife, “I’ll be going into the church with the other women to watch it together.”
Handsome young husband, “I actually think I’ll stream it online. I’m not sure where I’ll watch it.”
“What will the men be told that the women can’t know about?”
They looked at each other in a way that I felt I’d stepped a LITTLE TOO CLOSE for comfort…crap…oooops.
“I mean, what will the women talk about?”
They looked at each other again before speaking, wide WIDE eyes.
“It’s about how we can be better wives, sisters, mothers mostly,” she said quickly and I think she was blushing a little, “so we hear what inspiration the Prophets have to guide us.”
“Oh, ok cool. Are there girl Prophets?”
Time to go…didn’t get that answer. They had to jet and I wished them a great day and to come visit again.
They waved me a cheery goodbye, giggled with each other arm and arm and happily (they were sincerely smitten with each other) walked out into the cloudy and sunny chilly day.
I thought about this whole experience the remainder of my shift which was about an hour and a half.
BYU TV. I was pretty sure we got that channel. I decided I was going to tune in to this “Women’s Conference” to see what they had to say.
5:00pm could not arrive fast enough. I zipped over to the State Liquor store for some Tito’s Vodka, Corralejo and Odell Brewing Co beer (7% ABV). The store parking lot was PACKED and I had to park down the street!
After I fed the dogs I settled in on our new warm comfy couch and aimed the remote toward the TV sans a cocktail. First I made sure I was recording Columbo and then switched to BYU TV. There was a man, pretty old, speaking from a teleprompter.
The room was packed with women (I am guessing only women).
The speaker made some mistakes while reading and the speech was stuttered and difficult to understand.
I recollected the cute wife’s explanation, “better wife, better sister, better mother.”
I got a little bothered about this while listening.
How is a guy (this guy) qualified to tell a gal how to be a better wife, sister or mother?
How is ANYONE deciding what is “better” or even worse, what is “bad” behavior as another human being?
Maybe I needed that cocktail.
I forced myself to listen to this man go on and on – making more mistakes reading his teleprompter until I couldn’t watch any more. PETER FALK!!!! I found my favorite detective and started watching.
Reflecting: all of this experience today felt familiar. TOO FAMILIAR.
My decades of being part of the church of scientology came rushing back. Forced EVERYTHING. Told and taught, “If it isn’t true for you it isn’t true” while being sent to hard labor for wanting to leave and be with my mom instead of participate.
The scientology group is following the map that the Mormon church has created. I respect the Mormon church for the stories of what they had to go through in order TO SURVIVE as a human race traveling across the USA. To me, that fortified the fabric within them even more. That, to me, deserves respect.
Scientology attempts to feed its flock lies upon lies about how their struggle to survive should inspire members to donate to their war chest (built to fight mental health advocates, ALL psychiatry, ALL psychology and any/every person that speaks out against them).
FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY
I will always respect that someone has a different point of view. I am in awe of people that have experienced so much and have actual and factual accounts that they share with me.
It is difficult to understand why so many people cannot see the irony of being told they get 1 hour back in their lives.
We get to choose our lives, our words, our belief… which is where I think dedicating your LIFE to something that you are happy to be free of (for that hour) doesn’t quite make sense to me.
A belief system that DICTATES your thinking (in any way) is wrong.
I enjoyed Columbo, relaxing with my feet on my chocolate lab’s warm belly and my cat by my head.
I got up this morning early and whipped up healthy-ish pancakes for my husband which made me a better wife (he sure was happy).
Basically, I just want humans to be kind to each other (and the planet and animals) no matter what God they claim or belief system they follow.
Seeking a good recipe idea on my phone/iPad or desktop. Search and discover plenty of intriguing photos and headlines including ‘recipe’ in them. Choose one, click link and begin reading the Life History of the writer/blogger along with giant (well taken) photos of progress of the dish plus the grand finale (sometimes 3 or 4 shots of it). After 10+ scroll-flips I happen to locate the ACTUAL RECIPE I needed 10 minutes ago. Ugh.
I really don’t care about the backstory or the life history build up. I’m too busy right now! Don’t get me wrong: I appreciate the story and enjoy the writer’s thoughts but it’s just too much. Now I know which sites have this and coast past them before clicking in my search.
On that note I’ll shut the hell up now and post my recipe!
If you want a story, just keep moving down my blog post (2 scroll-flips) and I’ll weave an amazing tale/backstory about my dish…plus photos!
Ingredients:
1 Fresh peach
3/4c Oats
1T Sunflower Seeds
1/2T Chia Seeds
1/2T Shelled Hemp Seeds
2T Cranberries
1T Coconut flakes
Orange juice fill bowl until it covers all of the goodies
Stir
Let sit so seeds and oats can absorb the juice (YUMMY!) for about 30 seconds to 2 minutes
Eat
Stirred, so my chia and oats absorb some of the OJ quicker.
This breakfast is very simple. I put all of my individual components into separate glass jar containers and my table looks like an apothecary before I begin combining everything. Tomorrow I might change things up. It’s a risky life I’ve leading over here, right?
But seriously: all of these ingredients give me a lot of energy. The only sugar is in the cranberries and OJ. You could one-up me by squeezing your own OJ (let me know if you do).
Epic Backstory For This Recipe
I got up at 5:00am remembering I’d agreed to run a 5K before it got too hot today.
My dinner last night was a veggie burger and I loaded it up with lettuce and tomato, Frank’s Hot Sauce and mustard. I had a cup of tortilla chips (the end of the bag so they were pieces). Very satisfied, I grabbed my book to read a few chapters then do my regular “time for bed” ritual.
It stays daylight – broad daylight – until 9:00pm here so I’m disoriented as far as when I should be in bed.
At 10pm we finally hit the hay and I played Edgar Cayce’s “Abundance Program” to drift off into Sleepy Town. I fall asleep so quickly with this guy’s calming voice and never really know what is being said past the “blink your eyes slowly as I count to 10”.
Back to NOW. 5:00am. Sipping my coffee quickly (thanks to my amazing Husband Unit for brewing it every dang day of my life) I imagined what I’d wear to run in. I had bad breath and crap in my eyes as I enjoyed and watched the local news telling me how much hotter it would be today.
Then I got dressed (fast) and met my Husband Unit (HU) at the door to go.
“We’ll go upriver today.”
That’s the path right next to the Jordan/Provo River. It’s asphalt and maintained pretty well BUT it does have a lot of ups and downs due to the tree roots so I have to pay close attention when scooting along and that makes it tough to daydream.
The sun hadn’t crested Y Mountain and I noticed zero clouds in the sky. Yup, it was going to be hot today and I was thankful we were getting this done now. I CERTAINLY would not be doing it later in the day!
We ran together and then I needed to walk. After my HU confirmed the Brutality and Women’s Self Defense moves I’d learned from Master Rene in Simi Valley he took off in a blaze of neon orange wearing his Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue shirt (one of his favs…thanks Deresa).
I watched him disappear into the foliage and lost contact with him completely.
It was me, the river crashing next to me, snails that had no chance of making it across the path in time (so I stopped and saved every single one of them) and a soft cool breeze. The path was completely empty and peaceful. There is a canopy of tall trees covering most of my route and I could see birds moving around zipping back and forth.
I began running again forced to watch my footing to avoid tripping as well as paying attention to any spider webs that might be crossing the path. We were THAT early and the rest of the town was still sleeping.
I crossed two foot bridges, ran beneath three under-bridge-paths and wound up sort of at a cross road “T”.
On the left it seemed to Dead End into a power plant and on the right there was a beat up asphalt path with a body stretched out next to a bike. It was a homeless person trying to rest. I decided to turn around and glanced at my Garmin. 1.84 – then I did the math on whether or not that would equal a 5K as I began jogging – alone – back down the river path. Despite the river crashing loudly next to me, I had my antennae up (read: danger!?!).
I heard the sound of scuffing and tripping behind me and turned quickly ready to kick someone’s ass.
Ah. My HU.
We began jaw jacking about ideas for our future. Things inspire us on our running time. He had two excellent ideas. I laughed (in my head) when one of his new ideas was about the same idea I’d had! How does that happen??
I’m not going to tell you the ideas.
With about half a mile left HU is DONE walking and says, “you ready to run yet?”.
Yes, I was. Plus my pipes had turned on and I needed to get to the fully plumbed home we were renting.
The sun was blasting over the mountain when we made it to our street.
I never like road running and definitely don’t enjoy doing it on trash day when the sun bakes the cans. We have a few neighbors that NEVER take their cans off the street and put them back in their yards. They smell THE WORST.
That hurried me along (as well as my plumbing needs).
Post restroom visit I hear a voice calling from the backyard, “you coming to workout?”. I’d forgotten about agreeing to that part! I hurried up the basement steps to the yard where my HU was doing Man Makers. I grabbed weights and started my curls while deciding which body part I wanted to work on. Arms, Shoulders, Abs.
Finished my plan, 100%.
This is where my recipe comes into the picture.
I was hungry. There were two peaches on the counter about to expire due to the heat.
So I made the peach recipe above.
The End.
PS:
What did you eat for breakfast? Did something inspire the choice? Just curious.
In case you are wondering…a few pics/videos for fun:
The Jordan/Provo River bridge crossing. I feel the urge to just stop on bridges to watch what is happening beneath them.
The Jordan River creating power!
I found out how effective this sit-up is for me. I move slowly and stretch both to my toes and above my head each time. Ahhhhh….I can’t seem to put the video in (like I could with my HU above).
Pumpkin Bread (Made In A Forest River Cherokee Trailer)
Perfect for a morning cup of tea or coffee. It’s sweet but not too sweet.
This is the bread that we got 3 slices out of before heading out on a run and to the gym for a workout during which time our chocolate lab Kona helped himself to the remainder. This bread was DELICIOUS. No kidding. I’ve got limited resources here (space constraints) and limited space in the oven.
ALSO: just a Pro-Tip from this Instant Pot girl… I created tons of pumpkin purée using my instant pot. It was too easy not to share. Simply wash, cut into pieces and IP for 15 minutes. Leave the skin on. Toss into a blender or food processor and ON LOW begin to puree it. You can use I t immediately (might wait for room temps) or freeze for later. We have been pouring it on top of our pet’s wet food (great health benefits for them too.). Here is a link to a great article about that
Baking in a trailer is TOUGH. The oven is a tiny thing with ONE line of burners directly down the center. This has been a challenge that has burned plenty of my creations. I think I’ve mastered it and we’re eating yummy baked goods again just like on Monticello with my giant convection oven! Note: you can choose gluten free or not.
Ingredients
Bread pan
1C Oat flour (gluten free)
3/4C Gluten Free Baking Flour
1t baking SODA
½ t baking POWDER
1/4 t salt
½ t nutmeg
¼ t ginger
½ t pumpkin spice
¾ C brown sugar
1 ¼ C pumpkin purée
¼ C coconut oil
½ banana, smashed
¼ c water
¼ c dried cranberries
⅓ c pumpkin pepitas (for the top)
Preheat Oven to 375
Prepare your loaf pan with either parchment, lightly greased and flour or use silicone baking dish (that is what I use)
Directions:
In a large bowl (if you have that option) combine Oat Flour to Brown Sugar. Whisk it until it is completely combined.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the pumpkin through the cranberries.
One cup at a time, blend the dry ingredients into the wet. Add the next cup once the first is completely blended. Continue until all the dry ingredients are in the smaller bowl.
The mix will be sticky, not runny.
Pour or spoon mixture into baking dish and spread with a spoon.
Evenly sprinkle pepitas on top of bread.
Place in oven on right side, top most shelf. Bake for 25 minutes.
Move to other side (DO NOT TURN…JUST SCOOT IT OVER) the bread and bake for another 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and set to cool (15 minutes). Turn oven off.
Place on a cutting board and take a pic before your family (especially Husband Unit) start carving and devouring it! 🙂
Not only can you have a healthy meal, the lemon juice can be added to the lime juice (ooops I accidentally juiced my limes) and orange juice…of course you need to add a shot of birthday tequila (thanks Shonna) and Cointreau…on ice (no salt). Diane’s Puckery Margarita with fresh EVERYTHING…
Randy licked his plate and complimented me after stuffing his face.
STIR “fry” MEDLEY
25 Oct 2017
Barely any oils – just the vegan butter and after wrapping this up I’d say you only need half of the butter I used which makes it even healthier.
Red Quinoa, Brown Rice topped with: buttery lemon veggies saute onion, garlic, cherry tomato, green zucchini, kale and garbanzo beans. Added 1T basil (sweet) and 1/2t red chili peppers. 1T of fresh lemon juice and 2T vegan butter.
Y.U.M.
Ingredients
Cook ½ c red Quinoa
Cook 1 cup brown whole grain rice
Chop:
½ yellow onion
2 garlic cloves (slice like dimes as thin as you can)
2 cups of kale
10 red cherry tomato, halved
1 cup sliced zucchini (like halved quarters)
½ can of Bushes Garbanzo beans
1T sweet basil
1 t red chili pepper flakes
2T fresh squeezed lemon (I made a margarita with the remainder…thinking of you Diane!)
Cook rice as directed. Set aside and keep warm.
Cook red quinoa as directed. Set aside and keep warm.
In a giant skillet (or wok if you’re lucky) place 2T of vegan butter. Let it get shimmery hot then add garlic. After about a minute add ALL of the remaining vegetables and beans. Stir in the basil and pepper. Lastly, add the lemon juice! Let simmer.
Plate a scoop of rice, scoop of quinoa and two scoops of the skillet delight.
This was a BIG hit and SO easy too. Even in my tiny kitchen.
Always prepare all ingredients and spices before you turn on the Instant Pot (IP).
Put IP on sauté, add EVOO and heat.
Add garlic and stir for about 1 minute. Add onion and continue sauté stirring for another minute or two.
Next add all remaining vegetables and continue to stir. This gets HOT so don’t leave it alone.
Add coconut milk and turn IP to “Manual” setting HIGH and 25 minutes.
Add water and continue stirring to blend.
Add spices and slowly blend.
Add dal/lentil and give it a few stirs to make sure everything is submerged.
Be sure you have your SAVORY RING in the IP lid, place on top and check that the steam release is CLOSED. Hit CANCEL button then MANUAL button again and set for 25 minutes on HIGH.
I like to let the Instant Pot release pressure slowly (which can take 20 minutes). You can release it sooner. Once the pressure pin drops then it is safe to remove the lid.
Warning: at least 1 cuss word.
STIR “fry” MEDLEY
