Mar 26, 2014
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| I don't understand |
Sure, there is a lot of dumb information out there and the health industry makes money off of offering people addictive foods and making claims about losing weight. This is because as an industry, it makes money keeping people from succeeding and keeping them addicted to unhealthy amounts of things they provide.
Sometimes it's a food product and sometimes it's concept or idea - like workout videos or gym membership or. . .whatever these things are:
Sometimes it's a food product and sometimes it's concept or idea - like workout videos or gym membership or. . .whatever these things are:
You can check out my post, The Food Industry & Being an Adult for more rant.
Rant over.
Since I am basically living the life of a vegan who can eat meat (because saying I can't have dairy or eggs is too confusing to people) I often miss pastries. I love a good cinnamon roll so I went off to find out if something exists that I could eat.
I found this blog, This Rawsome Vegan Life - and had to make this Cinnamon Rolls with Coconut Frosting and Caramel Raisin Filling. I have never really done much "raw" stuff, other than throwing a salad together or what I eat off the floor - so, I guess we all have eating a "raw diet" but, to make a pastry that is raw? Intriguing!
While I looked over the ingredients wondering how complex it was going to be - it dawned on me, raw basically means "easy."
I did a little research, of course.
While I looked over the ingredients wondering how complex it was going to be - it dawned on me, raw basically means "easy."
I did a little research, of course.
Raw Diets
A raw diet or raw foodism is the dietary practice of eating only uncooked, unprocessed foods. You never cook anything. In this way, it's hard to mess up something that is raw. It's like messing up trail mix. If you like all the stuff, you can't really mess it up - you just put in too much oats or chocolate or something. But you don't overcook it or undercook it.You can also eat any part of it at any time.
No more, "don't eat that batter, it has raw egg in it and you might get sick." Just eat it.
The concept behind the raw diet is that food loses nutrients when cooked. And anything processed is bad. It's cool to blend things like smoothies and dehydrate things - you just never saute anything. Most raw diets don't contain meat because a lot of meat you find in stores can be contaminated with junk that would be killed during cooking. However, there are those who do, like Derek Nance.
And like. . .probably our ancestors.
Making the Rolls
Right - down to the business. Here is the recipe as presented by Emily the Rawsome Vegan:
Dough:
- 3/4 cup gluten-free oats
- 3/4 cup buckwheat groats
- 3/4 cup raisins
- 3/4 cup dates
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon water
- Dash of cinnamon
Caramel raisin filling:
- 1 cup dates
- 1/4-1/2 cup coconut water
- Cinnamon powder, to taste
- 1/4 cup raisins
Blend all the ingredients together - except the raisins - until smooth and thick like a paste. Set aside.
Coconut frosting:
- 1 heaping cup young coconut meat
- 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 4 tablespoons agave syrup (or other preferred sweetener)
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Water, as needed
Blend all the ingredients together until it's smooth and drizzly. Set aside.
Assembly:
Once chilled, the dough is much more manageable. Cut the dough into strips and spread the filling evenly on each one, then sprinkle on the raisins and gently roll the strips up. Cover with the frosting.
What I Did
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| Total cost - $17 for 5 batches |
You need to know what goes into a recipe - and it's not just the assembly. You have to squire the stuff, right?
I headed to Whole Foods to get the stuff I needed. Mostly the dates and buckwheat groats. My Whole Foods has a bulk section where I get most of my stuff. A lot of things in Whole Foods is very expensive - but normally the bulk section is a steal. In general, bulk sections are always cheaper.
I headed to Whole Foods to get the stuff I needed. Mostly the dates and buckwheat groats. My Whole Foods has a bulk section where I get most of my stuff. A lot of things in Whole Foods is very expensive - but normally the bulk section is a steal. In general, bulk sections are always cheaper.
For example, I got a pound of buckwheat groats for about $2 when a pound Bob's Red Mill Brand would cost about $5.
I did not make the coconut frosting - and I think I am happy without it. I couldn't actually find a green coconut (green coconuts, not the brown ones, are the young ones with the softer meat inside. Coconuts have meat? Yes, the flesh of any animal, plant or fruit is called its meat.)
I also decided to do all thiscooking rawing at my parents house. Good thing, too. They have more space in their kitchen and if I break things - well . . .
I also decided to do all this
I think I broke my Mom's blender, by the way. It stopped working when the dates from the dough got caught in the base and wouldn't move. The dates and raisins act as the binding agent and really BIND.
Do this in a good food processor. You want something with a wide blade base. Or if you have a really powerful extractor thing, use that. Most conventional blenders require liquid to work. I found the food processor easy to use and clean. The only downside, it's smaller and I had to do things in two batches.
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| Filling next to a strip of the dough |
However, it took no time at all to process the dough - it turned lumpy pretty quickly and was easy to handle. I threw it down on our bakery board and began to roll it out and all that.
And by "all that" I meant I started to eat it. It's good, people.
And by "all that" I meant I started to eat it. It's good, people.
Since I was eating as I was going and very impatient, I didn't refrigerate anything. That's for losers and people who passed Kindergarten.
The filling was pretty easy, too. Much easier for the food processor to process. This time, I chopped up the dates more (two got in there with seeds - you want to get those seeds out before you put the stuff together). I actually didn't read the instructions too well because I made my filling by blending the dates AND raisins. If you want to have some raisins in there for texture, do that. If not, no big deal. I liked not having whole raisins in it.
The filling was also delicious. I can't even tell you how sweet it was - a perfect sweet, not a processed, refined sugary sweet, the type of sweet that makes your body happy because it's so good.
Next came me putting the thing together. I think the presentation was really close:
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| Mine on the right, Emily's on the left |
Aftermath
I ate them all. Seriously. This might be the best thing I have made in a long time. They are crunchy, dense, sweet and flavorful. And filling! I saved a couple for breakfast and even after I stuffed myself silly on what I had left, my stomach was happy and I didn't feel greasy or disgusting.
Me having a happy tummy and no hives is basically the best thing that can happen to me after eating.
Me having a happy tummy and no hives is basically the best thing that can happen to me after eating.
My Dad ate a little and shrugged and went back to making bullets which is about the best you get from the guy. My Mom confessed she doesn't like dates or raisins or. .food. (True story) and when I tried to give some to my friend, Tee, he found he was allergic to buckwheat. He had a feeling he was since his father is.
That meant - ALL FOR MANDA.
That meant - ALL FOR MANDA.
I do think I will make these as squares going forward with the filling sandwiched in-between to layers of the dough. It's easier for me. But, you really could do anything with them. The second batch I made the next day, I added a little coconut oil and that was a pretty nice flavor addition.
When you are mixing raw stuff together, it's really easy to substitute. You could totally not use the dates but use another dried fruit. You know, anything.
When you are mixing raw stuff together, it's really easy to substitute. You could totally not use the dates but use another dried fruit. You know, anything.
For storing them - like you didn't eat them all - you probably want to refrigerate them because of the dates. Dates normally should be refrigerated. Or you can store them in my belly.
Image Credit
The machine from greatist.com
The machine from greatist.com
Mar 19, 2014
I created this little. . thing for myself - logo, icon. . thingy. I was having some pretty bad neuropathy and feeling crappy in general, so, I decided to distract myself.
I think it would be really cool if I could do something creative like this for a living. Building images and skills. At first I wouldn't pursue it because I wasn't very good at it and the people I would need to think I was good at it didn't think I was. Writing, creating doodles, teaching, communications, making life better - always something to reach for.
I think it would be really cool if I could do something creative like this for a living. Building images and skills. At first I wouldn't pursue it because I wasn't very good at it and the people I would need to think I was good at it didn't think I was. Writing, creating doodles, teaching, communications, making life better - always something to reach for.
Mar 12, 2014
My sweet new Droid Razr Maxx came with a this weird game called Ingress. And, I made it a mission to get addicted to it. It's going ok.
What is Ingress?
Ingress is a global, multiplayer, real-time game you play on any Droid. And soon on any Apple type phone.
You start by picking a faction to join - there are two: Enlightened (green) or Resistance (blue). You don't know much about either when you first load up the game, you have to pick one and you can never switch factions.
The goal of the game is to find portals of Exotic Matter (XM) which can be used to. .well. .do stuff. Portals are generally public places like historic sites, arty-farty things, train stations or houses of worship.
How Do You Play?
By walking around. You actually need to be close to the object. You can't play from a couch or something unless you are lucky enough to be close to a portal.
You will mostly be walking around with the game loaded on your phone watching yourself (represented as a little triangle on a map) toward these bright gray, blue and green sprout like things known as portals.
When you find a portal, you hack it. Hacking it is how you get inventory items to play. The core inventory items are resonators and xmp bursters. You deploy resonators on portals - up to 8 of them - to claim a portal and secure it. Then you use xmps like bombs to destroy the other factions' resonators.
You get some other cool types of weapons and then items you can put on your portals like shields and turrets and whatnots to make it harder for the other faction to destroy your stuff and claim the portal.
You also want to link portals together - you can do this when a portal has all 8 resonators attached and you have a portal key. When you have linked portals making a triangle shape, let's say, you have created a control field - which is super awesome.
You can also use a computer to check out portals that are in your area to figure out what you want to do or how good your faction is doing in a certain area by going to Ingress.com/intel
Is it Complicated?
Not really. The game has a built in tutorial that gives you the basics.
If you need a little more complexity to keep you going, there is a whole community around the game - a mythology and story. You can dive as deep into that world as you want.
What Have Your Learned?
It's really cold out.
I learned there is an intense community around this game. They all hang out on G+, of course. There is an in-game communication system that lets you send messages to anyone playing the game. (So much good banter!) and it's pretty safe because you only have a handle or In Game Name (IGN) which doesn't identify you with anything beyond your faction and agent statistics.
People actually have formed real-life communities and work on how to work together to take over portals and cities.
I actually was surprised about the intense community around this game and the way people mobilize. I think at one point, one faction had covered all of Norway or something with a control field. Impressive. I think it's a cool way to meet people - if you are safe, of course. It's a fun hobby and it does get you out there walking around and discovering gems in your community and others.
Never know where there is a portal.
It's not complicated at all and nor is it winable. If you ever do any reading up on successful games, the ones most likely to have long-range success are the ones that have no way to win. There are two factions going back and forth in an endless trench-warfare type game. Even if you claim all the portals around, they will decay over time and revert to an "unclaimed" status or the other faction will come in and take it over.
Are You Addicted?
I think the social aspect would require an addiction. I enjoy walking around and having something to do - getting items and blowing up stuff and whatnot. I wanted to join some of the groups at the start, then I remembered, I don't like fun or people that much. I just want to get imaginary junk.
I also got agitated when people were trying to be "helpful" by telling me very basic things like, "Have you turned on your phone?"
Then I had more fun talking to the people on the other side - some nice banter - that never happened with those on my faction. I don't want to meet people.
I'm not addicted - but I am curious and I want to become a Level 8 player. I'm currently a Level 6.
Image Credits
Ingress images from news.cnet.com/
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
What is Ingress?
Ingress is a global, multiplayer, real-time game you play on any Droid. And soon on any Apple type phone.
You start by picking a faction to join - there are two: Enlightened (green) or Resistance (blue). You don't know much about either when you first load up the game, you have to pick one and you can never switch factions.
The goal of the game is to find portals of Exotic Matter (XM) which can be used to. .well. .do stuff. Portals are generally public places like historic sites, arty-farty things, train stations or houses of worship.
How Do You Play?
 |
| Phone view |
You will mostly be walking around with the game loaded on your phone watching yourself (represented as a little triangle on a map) toward these bright gray, blue and green sprout like things known as portals.
When you find a portal, you hack it. Hacking it is how you get inventory items to play. The core inventory items are resonators and xmp bursters. You deploy resonators on portals - up to 8 of them - to claim a portal and secure it. Then you use xmps like bombs to destroy the other factions' resonators.
You get some other cool types of weapons and then items you can put on your portals like shields and turrets and whatnots to make it harder for the other faction to destroy your stuff and claim the portal.
You also want to link portals together - you can do this when a portal has all 8 resonators attached and you have a portal key. When you have linked portals making a triangle shape, let's say, you have created a control field - which is super awesome.
You can also use a computer to check out portals that are in your area to figure out what you want to do or how good your faction is doing in a certain area by going to Ingress.com/intel
Is it Complicated?
Not really. The game has a built in tutorial that gives you the basics.
If you need a little more complexity to keep you going, there is a whole community around the game - a mythology and story. You can dive as deep into that world as you want.
What Have Your Learned?
It's really cold out.
 |
| Looking for portals |
People actually have formed real-life communities and work on how to work together to take over portals and cities.
I actually was surprised about the intense community around this game and the way people mobilize. I think at one point, one faction had covered all of Norway or something with a control field. Impressive. I think it's a cool way to meet people - if you are safe, of course. It's a fun hobby and it does get you out there walking around and discovering gems in your community and others.
Never know where there is a portal.
It's not complicated at all and nor is it winable. If you ever do any reading up on successful games, the ones most likely to have long-range success are the ones that have no way to win. There are two factions going back and forth in an endless trench-warfare type game. Even if you claim all the portals around, they will decay over time and revert to an "unclaimed" status or the other faction will come in and take it over.
Are You Addicted?
I think the social aspect would require an addiction. I enjoy walking around and having something to do - getting items and blowing up stuff and whatnot. I wanted to join some of the groups at the start, then I remembered, I don't like fun or people that much. I just want to get imaginary junk.
I also got agitated when people were trying to be "helpful" by telling me very basic things like, "Have you turned on your phone?"
Then I had more fun talking to the people on the other side - some nice banter - that never happened with those on my faction. I don't want to meet people.
I'm not addicted - but I am curious and I want to become a Level 8 player. I'm currently a Level 6.
Image Credits
Ingress images from news.cnet.com/
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
Mar 5, 2014
Thanks Ashes to Go for making this Lent pretty easy for me. Sure, as a Catholic a lot of other Catholics say you need to go to a full mass on Ash Wednesday - but it's not actually a sacrament, it's a sign of devotion.
I got my ashes from a nice Episcopalian at the train station. I felt less guilty since last year I was in a bind and unable to leave work early - and when I ran out of there to church, there was actually no mass. I felt bad. I like to kick some things off right.
Personal feelings aside - it's nice to see something like faith in the streets away from stone walls and away from awkwardness. While everyone should make time for whatever faith they believe in, it can be hard to coordinate such things. In this way, I cause no disruption to those who relied on me and still was able to practice a bit of what I believe.
Pretty sweet deal!
How long did it take to get your ashes?
As long as it took me to park my car and walk up to the minister and say, "I'm here for my ashes!" and him to say, "Remember you came from ashes and to ashes you will return." (or close to that).
How long do you keep your ashes on?
I kept them on for about 3 hours. Then I felt self-conscience. Not because I didn't want people to know I am of a Christian faith but I believe (and was raised) you should not use you faith to draw attention to yourself.
What did you give up for lent?
Alcohol, chips and other luxuries. I will do my best to think well, speak well and do good.
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The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
What to do about Lent. . .that’s right: Lent: March 5th to April 17th.
Here was my brainstorm - my brainstorms, by the way, are normally around food. I think because food is something I seem to have more control over because it is something that is entirely my choice from start to finish - and entirely necessary.
Giving Up Food Things
I was originally going to go vegan – until I mentioned this to my devastatingly handsome fiance, Bob. He brought up a point best show in a list of what I could eat if I went vegan.
Going to have to toss that idea. Sticking to a pescatarian diet involves eating fish – which is doable. Since I will be in training, I’m going to have to up my food intake.
Giving up Spoons and Forks
Using just chopsticks or hands? I’m embarrassed to admit how much I use my hand when eating. I also drink a lot of stuff out of the Nutribullet.
I am also not sure how this will go over at restaurants or with my family – one of the big points of Lent (that I was taught) is your actions during lent should not call unnecessary attention to yourself or make other people uncomfortable.
Then I came across this calender from BustedHalo.com that offers a suggestion of what to fast, give and pray for each day. For example, on one day you would:
Here was my brainstorm - my brainstorms, by the way, are normally around food. I think because food is something I seem to have more control over because it is something that is entirely my choice from start to finish - and entirely necessary.
Giving Up Food Things
I was originally going to go vegan – until I mentioned this to my devastatingly handsome fiance, Bob. He brought up a point best show in a list of what I could eat if I went vegan.
Wheat.Beans.Soy.- Fruits.
- Vegetables.
- Nuts.
Going to have to toss that idea. Sticking to a pescatarian diet involves eating fish – which is doable. Since I will be in training, I’m going to have to up my food intake.
Giving up Spoons and Forks
Using just chopsticks or hands? I’m embarrassed to admit how much I use my hand when eating. I also drink a lot of stuff out of the Nutribullet.
I am also not sure how this will go over at restaurants or with my family – one of the big points of Lent (that I was taught) is your actions during lent should not call unnecessary attention to yourself or make other people uncomfortable.
Then I came across this calender from BustedHalo.com that offers a suggestion of what to fast, give and pray for each day. For example, on one day you would:
- FAST from watching or streaming television shows today.
- PRAY for a sign of God’s presence when you’re being tested today.
- GIVE everyone you encounter today an encouraging word or smile.
Solicitation
If you have any idea of good things to give up or give to for Lent, let me know! I basically have until I wake up this morning to decide!
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
Mar 3, 2014
I am currently working on my third journal - believe it or not. I have a solid month or so of not doing it, then I normally have some good stuff to record or tape in there.
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| New journal made by this company |
I read that someone got into journaling by buying one of those page-a-day planners and stapling receipts and the like to the pages - corresponding dates, of course.
I don't think I found any deep spiritual connection in journaling, but, I don't seek depth or force it. I think it settles immediate anxiety - if it's a frustration I need to get out or the need to preserve a memory should I forget.
See my past posts on journaling:
See my past posts on journaling:
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
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