Could it Really Be True?

for real?

Soul Food Farm

Great article on small-scale farming.

Fall Pumpkin Salad

Fall Pumpkin Salad

1 sugar pumpkin
2 pears
2 cups quinoa, cooked
1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted
5 cloves garlic
1/2 lemon
apple cider vinegar
olive oil
salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp honey
6 ounces feta

1. Peel and cube pumpkin. Clean and roast seeds.
2. Toss pumpkin in 1 T olive oil and 1 tsp. cinnamon and put on baking sheet.
3. Separate 5 medium garlic cloves, do not peel. Toss in olive oil and place in one corner of baking sheet.
4. Roast at 375 about 20 minutes for garlic and 30 for pumpkin.
5. Cut up pears into bite-sized pieces.
6. In nice serving bowl stir together quinoa, pear, pumpkin and walnuts.
7. In small mixing bowl squeeze out garlic.
8. Juice half lemon.
9. Add honey, whisk together.
10. Drizzle in about 3 T vinegar, whisk.
11. While whisking pour in about 1/3 cup olive oil.
12. Season with pinch of salt and taste.
13. If too vinegary add a touch more olive oil, balance for desired flavor.
14. Pour over quinoa and mix to combine.
15. Crumble feta on top.
16. Serve warm or cold.

Welcome to My World

So up to now I have pretty much ignored my writing life with this blog. It's a shame, really, because writing is what I spend most of my time thinking about. As of now this space will be for my writing experiences as I try to finish my first YA novel. Today I am in a resting place with the story. I've been taking a break for the last several days to let it all sort of relax. I'm currently a bit over half way done with the very first draft (and let me tell you it's rough). It's only about half the number of words it will eventually be, but I'm ok with that. I'm a big picture kind of girl. I need to see it all out on the page before I can go back and add description and setting and sub-plots. I am an outliner and that's ok.
Over the next few days I will post some of my favorite go-to blogs about writing and children's books. As well as write about my favorite new software. So, get ready!

NY Times article

A sobering look at mental illness in juvenile detention centers. What about the grandmother afraid to be identified because of stigma? The same situation is happening in adult prisons too. And these kids will reach 18 and most likely end up in the adult prisons.

Introvert's Bill of Rights

As an introvert I find this amazing. I claim my rights.

THE SVP OFFICIAL INTROVERT'S

BILL OF RIGHTS

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

1. Introverts have the right to claim a sacred space of their own for recharging, rebalancing or simply enjoying a single, solitary activity.

2. Introverts have the right to leave social events "early" as needed.

3. Introverts have the right to explore and choose the marketing and promotional activities that feel best suited to their unique style and preferences.

4. Introverts have the right to abstain from any marketing (or life) activities that result in boils, a resting heart rate > 120, and/or loss of any bodily function.

5. Introverts have the right to marry other introverts and bear children.

My Great Grandmother's Throw in Anything Banana Muffins

I recently tasted my Aunt's version of my Great Grandmother Jesse's banana muffins. It was a revolution. Never had I tasted such a delicate, moist and flavorful muffin. (I'm not exaggerating.) I promptly got the recipe and the next day made my own version. I substituted for the sugar and switched out flours. I also changed up the extra fruit and added nuts. They lost sweetness and a bit of moistness, but still are wonderful. Here's my new and healthier version:

GG Jesse's Banana Muffins

4 TBSP soft butter or Earth Balance
2 c flour (I used WW pastry)
1/2 c jaggery (can use sugar or try other sweeteners)
2 mashed ripe bananas
1 egg
6 TBSP buttermilk (what's the vegan replacement?)
1 t vanilla
1/2 t salt
1 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 c oats
1/2 peach
1/4 c blueberries
1/4 c slivered almonds, toasted

- Using an old wooden spoon (makes it taste better) mash up the butter and sugar.
- Sift together the dry ingredients.
- Add in the egg and vanilla.
- Alternate between adding the flour, mixing lightly and the buttermilk until incorporated (should do in three turns)
- Fold in the oats, fruit and nuts.
- Spoon into 12 muffin cups
- Bake at 350 for 12 or so minutes.

Grilled Veggies

Last night I grilled for the first time. I'm bro-in-law took care of the delicious mint-lamb burgers while I handled the veggies. We also grilled lovely corn on the cob. Here are the super easy recipes:
(Both compliments of Gardeners' Community Cookbook, with my changes of course)

Corn without the husks:
4 ears of corn, remove husks and silks
butter (I used a compound basil butter I kept in the fridge)
s & p
garlic powder
tinfoil

- Break the corn in half. Place 2 longwise inside a piece of tinfoil. (wastes less foil)
- Break up about 1 TBSP of butter for each packet and place around corn.
- Sprinkle on s & p and garlic powder.
- Roll up tight. Place on grill over med-hot coals and turn frequently. Should take about 12-15 minutes.

Grilled Veggies

marinade:
1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger (I keep mine in freezer.) peeled and minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup bragg's aminos or soy sauce
2 TBSP sesame oil

- Mix all together in big ziploc.

veggies:
1 medium eggplant, peeled and sliced in 1/4" rounds (could go up to 1/2")
2 medium zuchinni, sliced longwise 1/4"
2 bell peppers, sliced in big pieces

- Place all in ziploc and shake to coat.
- Place on grill one at a time and turn once grill marks are on.
- The eggplant will cook the quickest.
- Don't fret about the charring on the peppers as it easily comes off at the table.

And tonight I'll be chopping up the leftovers and making couscous. Yum!

I Like This!

Of all the food philosophies I've heard this one makes the absolute most sense.

Still here!

This is a really interesting post about vitamin d and mental health. It is not totally out of the blue. Look at SAD or seasonal affective disorder. I experienced this significantly when living in Olympia, WA. I finally realized that I had to move back to sunnier climates or I would continue to be miserable.
Enjoy.