Meatless Monday - Corn On The Cob (With A Twist)

Anyway you cook it, it's a summertime classic. As a young one, I used to love to eat it smothered in butter with salt. These days, I've discovered a much more vegan friendly way to enjoy my corn on the cob. It's fat-free, and I think it's just as yummy. After the corn has cooked, slather it with a tiny (a little goes a long way) amount of  Umeboshi Paste. It's a salty plum paste. I know, you're thinking "plum on corn? That's not gonna work for me, I want my butter and salt!"  Trust me, this stuff is really good. Try it, and let me know what you think.
P.S. look for umeboshi in health food stores, the import area of your grocery store, or on-line (Amazon has it). 

A 4th Of July Story

My baby sister Meg (OK, she's not quite a baby anymore, but she'll always be my Baby Sister) wrote this beautiful story about our childhood 4th of July experiences. Just tuggin' at those old heart strings, it makes me cry everytime I read it. I hope you enjoy it too.
I don’t remember the first time that I participated in my Mom’s Fourth of July Parade. There is a picture though… I'm young, perhaps two or three years old, and I'm perched on top of a pony with my mother by my side. A small crowd is gathered around us and we all smile and wave for the camera, taken on a rural road outside my grandparent’s home.
The summer when I was six, our family moved to our new home in Studio City, California. By the Fourth of July my sister and I had only had time to make one new friend, Darren, a boy who lived four houses down from us. We had already bored of the summertime activities.
We begged my mom to think of something to entertain us. She suggested we have a Fourth of July Parade, like she the one she started back home. Often she told us the story of how she started the parade, how each year the number of participants grew, and how fun it could be if we started the tradition in our new neighborhood.
Naturally we fought the idea initially as there were only three of us (Mom suggested we take the dog too). Eventually we dressed up in red, white and blue outfits, we found flags, we decorated our dog in crepe paper streamers, and we carried pots and wooden spoons to create marching music.
Mom cheered from the front lawn as we marched down the sidewalk from the front of our home down to Darren’s. We waved our flags proudly and tried to bang out “The Star-Spangled Banner” on pots, although it frightened the heck out of the dog (and any other hearing being).
It was not long before we began to gain the attention of the other neighbors (I don’t wonder why) who stoically watched our determined route back and forth. Passing cars honked appreciatively. We grew tired of parading pretty quickly and we were sure the new neighbors thought we were nuts.
The following year in June my Mom again suggested the parade. I complained bitterly that I didn’t want to do it because we looked foolish (a parade of three), I didn’t like the cars honking at us, and the pot banging simply had to go. I felt certain, at age seven, this reasoning would get me out of it. Instead she conceded to gathering additional resources to join us, changing the parade route to the quieter side street, and following in a car with the radio blaring marching music.
The parade was on. I was doubtful, but true to her word she invited all the families we knew and lured them with the promise of free lemonade and spaghetti dinner at the end of the parade.
We started about six blocks from our house with about ten to fifteen people. We picked up anyone willing to join us along the way and ended with about twenty people at my house, with the free lemonade and spaghetti promised for participation.
Each year the participants swelled. Mom’s parade discouraged no one from participation. This is no formal affair as you can see… if you want to lead the parade, you just move to the front… if you want to be in the drum line, you bring your pot and spoon…. if you want to ride in a float, you make your own.
As we grew older, my sister and I began to spend the summer away with my dad. My Mom continued the tradition without us for a time, but eventually it became too much for her to manage. She decided she could not host the parade. Luckily the new guard of neighborhood mothers took up the cause and the tradition continued (without the free spaghetti).
About five years ago my Mom decided to sell her home, and follow her heart to the Napa Valley. Before she moved, we decided to go back and see the parade one last time. We watched with amazement at all the people gathered. Someone in the crowd recognized my mother and pulled her into the gorgeous red convertible that was leading the parade. Her face was flushed with joy as she looked at the “little” parade she started so long ago.
Does the parade still continue? I really hope so, because when I think of the “Spirit of America”, I think of that parade… of kids on their bikes and pulled in red wagons waving the flag, of dogs decorated in crepe paper steamers, but most of all… I think of my Mom, who always encouraged us to take the single step from the curb into the street and not just watch the parade go by, but to risk looking like a fool and make one of our own.

Happy 4th Of July

Happy 4th Of July everybody. Anybody up to anything fun? I went to a little BBQ last night and sat (in a car, it was cold) on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean and watched the fireworks in the distance. Good times! Kathryn pulled out all the stops, and truly hooked-up the vegan girl. She grilled eggplant, mushrooms, zucchini, and tofu for me. She also made a really yummy white bean soup, which was so comforting while sitting outside. Did I mention, good times? Thanks Kathryn. Well, I hope all of you have a great day, and a beautiful night filled with big kabooms and lots of those pretty twinkly ones (those are my favorite)!

Flowers On A Friday - Nasturtium Still Life

I love nasturtium's. They thrive in the area where I live, and tend to take over in a most glorious way. The big round, lily pad like, leaves want to run all around the yard. They always look so happy to me.They're mighty good to eat in a salad too.

Meatless Monday - Peaches and Faux Cream

I love this time of year because so many of my favorite fresh foods are at their peak. For example, it's peach time, hooray! A breakfast favorite of mine is this yummy dish. Sliced peach chunks, with some soy creamer and a drizzle of agave nectar. It's simple perfection.

A little side note - I'm back on the road again, at another wholesale gift show, this time in San Francisco. No booth this time, just checking in with my sales reps. I'll be back really soon, thanks for stopping by.

Can We Talk?

I mean no disrespect, but I couldn't find a lot of things to do in Dallas. I've never been to a big city with so few people walking on the streets. Where was everyone? I know it was hot, but still, where'd everybody go? Even the concierge at the hotel wasn't exactly brimming over with suggestions. So sad, the museum was closed on the day I had available for exploring. I had a great vegan pizza though, which in my opinion, is always a sign of a great city. Thanks to the guys at The Pizza Lounge, who went the extra mile, and delivered it to the hotel and saved my aching feeties. Yummy, cheesy, veggie goodness. The people I met were delightful. You Dallas Folk are a friendly bunch. But honestly, what do you guys do around here? Next time, I'm asking for suggestions before I go.

They Draw And Cook

I'm home, and I have some fun news to share. I'm a huge fan of the blog The Draw and Cook, and a short while ago I submitted a recipe, with crossed fingers. I received an email from the very talented Nate Padavick, informing me that my recipe for Forbidden Rice Pudding is up on the blog, yippeeee! Please go and check it out (it's much larger over there), it's such a fun site, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Thanks so much Nate, it's an honor. And, to new folks that stop by, welcome.

Texas Is Hot!

I'm here in Dallas, walking my feet off. If you've even been to one of these shows you'll know just what I mean. Woo, the dogs are tired! This is where I would ordinarily insert a sad picture of my feet. Unfortunately, pictures will have to wait till I get home. It's also hot here, this coastal girl isn't used to it. I haven't been to Texas in a long time, and I'm stuck by all the beautiful architecture this city has to offer. I'm getting so inspired by all the things I'm seeing at the show, and hopefully I'm making some good business connections.
Well, I'm off to do some more walkin', come along lil' doggies, time to go, again.

Flowers On A Friday - And Some News

Yeah, my computer is working again! Here's a little fuchsia to brighten your evening. Tomorrow, I'm off to Dallas Texas to attend the big wholesale gift mart. Hopefully, I will make some great connections, that will lead to big ole orders. Wish me luck, please. Have a great weekend.

Computer Sick, Be Back Soon

So sad, something wicked has attacked my computer. I miss it so much. It's in the shop, and will hopefully return very soon.