Chapter Eight: How I sea food.

Wow, shame on me for falling into my old ways! *slaps self on the wrist* Don't get me wrong, I love to write, but sometimes, I just lose track of time and don't prioritize writing into my day - which is horrible for someone who identifies herself as a writer. Lame. However, instead of rambling on about random crap that wouldn't interest you, I do have some material that may somewhat intrigue you. As always, these adventures involve food, because we all know that's why you're here.


In my absence from the blogger universe, I have been able to test out some new and fantastic food items that have given my taste buds reason to celebrate. No, I haven't have a chance to bust out the Isa Does It cookbook/food bible yet and create something fun from scratch, but I have had time to heat up, suit up and go on with the rest of my day without feeling guilty for indulging in a quick fix. Animal- and cruelty-free items are always prioritized in this busy lady's day, even when the time to write isn't. Thankfully, this always gives me something new to deliver to the table for all of you curious as to what I eat now that I have ditched the meat.

Chick'n, hemp waffles and mushroom sushi. Different kind of high included.

Next, my roomie and I purchased Gardein's Chick'n Sliders per the suggestion of our vegan mentor Christina, who usually enjoys those babies on Mondays. We dined on those bad boys this past Friday and - OH MY, why do they only come four to a package?? I am assuming it's because Gardein wants to discourage gluttony, even though it's a healthier kind of gluttony, but let's maintain the honesty ... if I could, I probably would have made sure Denise and I had our own boxes because these sliders are just that amazing. I added some kale and spinach leaves, as well as some veganaise and chipotle BBQ sauce and I just about died of a foodgasm. I definitely recommend these as they make a delicious little meal and you can customize the toppings to the whims of your tastebuds - so good!

Lastly, I have been craving some sushi and while I didn't have a chance this week to hit up local sushi spots in search of the perfect vegan roll options to sate my cravings, during our grocery trip I grabbed a pack of Trader Joe's brand teriyaki mushroom rolls, made with rice and quinoa. I am really enjoying my introduction to quinoa, as well as the addition of mushrooms into my diet. Their texture and odd, almost tasteless taste used to really creep me out, but they were perfect in this particular roll as they have a very eel-like texture. Yes, when I would eat meat I loved eel rolls; they were my go-to whenever we would go out for sushi. I am really happy that I have found something very similar without the eel. 

On that note, I must say that while I have yet to have any cravings for burgers or chicken, from time to time I do recall my love of seafood. I won't lie about that. I had not even considered vegan options for seafood when Denise came through the door last Thursday smiling and eager to show me breaded vegan shrimp from Sophie's Kitchen. It was a delightful surprise that instantly reminded me that going through with this transition is anything but limiting; the possibilities of creating and discovering new and delectable foods are endless, without the danger of monotony - unless it's by choice. So far, there are quite a few foods I intend to eat over and over again because they are anything but boring. Tonight's dinner was one of those soon-to-be instant replay dishes:

The ingredients for gluttonous success!

On our 100% vegan (yay!) shopping trip this afternoon, we decided to embark on a shrimpless shrimp journey where I fried up those yummy "shrimp" in Trader Joe's brand Island Soyaki, tossing that over quinoa infused with vegetable broth and green beans, cauliflower and broccoli. The end result was beyond bliss.

My shark is beyond happy that he was not a part of this deliciousness.

How I even have leftovers from this meal is beyond me, but at least I know that tomorrow's lunch is going to kick ass. Seriously. But the best part of this meal is not the taste; that's just a perk. The best part is that I get to indulge in a dish that is both animal- and cruelty-free - what could be better than that? That little known fact alone makes eating all the more fun and exciting, and it really inspires me to continue on this journey. Back when I used to eat meat, I always associated someone who identified as vegetarian as someone who only ate salads, and vegans - well, I didn't know what the hell vegan really was, but now that I am learning about these lifestyles and appreciating the small yet significant impact this change in me has made, I am beyond proud to say that I have made this choice. Hey, I get to learn how to cook, experiment with different ingredients and know that I am making this earth a better place for our animal brethren and the environment. It doesn't get much better than that!

Now, if only I could get my lazy butt outside for a jog ...    

Happy cooking adventures! Cheers!

Chapter Seven: Be quiet and drive (with appreciation to the Deftones).

I don't know where you're from, but if you don't know where I'm from, I'm from California - Southern California to be exact (and exactness is everything when showing off your roots). I've been out here in the Las Vegas desert since the end of 2011. Sure, Vegas has its pros and cons like any other American metropolis, but in my humble opinion, no place equates to the versatility and uniqueness of SoCal. 

I grew up in Torrance, a suburb about thirty minutes away (depending on the traffic) from L.A. While I have been to Downtown plenty of times, my home has always been closer to the water. I grew up at the beach. I lived on Avenue I at Redondo Beach. It is considered to be the lesser of the beaches as it is not as classy as Manhattan or Hermosa, but class has nothing to do with the taste of salt water crusted onto one's lips; the alarming yet soothing caress between the toes from a sand crab burrowed in the wet sand; and an incoming set of decent height. Most of my childhood was spent trying to build up the courage to glide down the many expressive faces of waves, as well as find the balance to do so. Surf boards and I have never really been concurrent in our rhythms unless we both lie perfectly still on a glossy, seemingly lifeless surface, and it was in those moments that the world seemed so tangible and relevant, and probably the equivalent to being plugged into each other like the Avatar people and their horse-beings (major nerd fail here). I took a lot of these moments for granted being that I was young and did not understand the purposeful necessity of just sitting still for a moment. I relayed heavily on my body board and body surfing skills to navigate a great ride through the break zone, generally ending my ride with a self-inflicted wipe-out. 

Wipe-outs are fun, especially when self-induced. There is nothing more exhilarating than pushing oneself into the mysterious beyond, adrenaline pumping furiously and fear lurking off in the distance. Wipe-outs always make for the best memories and stories. On top of riding the surf, I have always been a roller coaster junky. I have been beyond blessed with a love for heights, flips, sudden drops, stops and everything in between - except spinning. Spinning and me are sworn enemies. I have no shame in saying no to spinning. Anyway, while I love the whimsical nostalgia Disneyland brings, Six Flags Magic Mountain will always hold a special place in my heart ... because I am sure my love of tossing and turning was honed at that theme park (as was the tiny bit of street cred I possess). 

I was able to leave the desert this past weekend for a time down memory lane with the manfriend, who also shares a love for those metal monsters. The best part of the trip was re-learning how to be "hardcore." Of course Rey and I chatted up our mutual experiences growing up at Magic Mountain, chests puffed out like two male peacocks with plums full and high. Well, that chat was good and fun until we actually parked in the lot and faced a glimpse of what was to become.

Well, on the bright side, Bugs Bunny Land is still up and running.

Plums a bit meeker and our stomachs doing weird things only older people's should be doing, Rey and I realized our mortality in an instant. I must admit, it had been a while since I had been on any substantial coasters. I was definitely feeling my age as we decided that our first ride to break back into the swing of plummeting from the sky to the earth (or concrete) was going to be Goliath. Now, Goliath doesn't seem too bad on the scale of Magic Mountain coasters. It isn't a chaotic labyrinth like my favorite ride of all time, X2, but the first drop - a lovely 255 feet - is quite the bucket of ice cold water on the head of someone who has essentially been in a coma. But much like taking, albeit slightly reluctantly, that abnormally larger and more erratic wave, not sure if one can balance properly or even maneuver a more painless wipe-out, we stepped onto the platform, buckled our safety restraints with blind bliss (we had to remove our glasses of course!) and did not look back. 

And boy was the first fall sheer, terrifyingly sweet bliss.

Full Throttle: the second best coaster.

I tried to make Ninja cooler by placing the track from Viper above us.

Me, Rey and randomness.

My future ride.

On top of rekindling my love for roller coasters, I got to reignite that old flame with the love of my life. We ended up buying passes and intend to add some loops into this year by visiting the park as often as possible. 

Among all of the craziness, this was the first time I was venturing out into the world with very limited access to vegetarian/vegan options. If there is one theme park that is not going to accommodate this lifestyle, it would be Six Flags (not that this is on purpose). Theme park food is all about being fast and easy to vomit. Thankfully, manfriend suggested something easy, intimate and sweet: a picnic. I was able to eat comfortably without breaking the bank. It was also nice to take a break from the noise of the park to sit and listen to the fun in the distance, the birds chirping and spending some quality time with Rey.  

Tofurky ... sexy.

Food, love and coasters.

Lunch was served in the form of tofurky sandwiches, Trader Joe's flaxseed tortilla chips and pita chips and hummus. It was actually really nice. I was full of energy for the day and didn't vomit once - yay for good life choices!

All in all, my Sunday was a fun day of back flips and front flips, sudden drops and climbing hills to do all of the above. But while these memories are engraved into my mind in the form of steel tracks hugging my brain just as tight as I did to my lap bar, I found myself back on the water's surface that Monday afternoon on the long drive back to the desert. No, I cannot say I was thrilled to be heading back. But it wasn't because of the fact that I was going to miss the park. I sat quietly, driving through the outskirts of my home and I was brought back to those long-forgotten moments I had often shared by myself in the water. The sun shines differently in SoCal. I don't know how to explain it, but it does. I am not talking about the smog, either. I mean it actually shines differently. The color of the atmosphere reminds me of a time from long ago, back when I was young and life was simpler. I was breathing in the past, its breeze flooding through my opened car window, and my lungs could remember exactly what it felt like when I used to breathe in that air. I was sad for a moment but it passed, as I'm sure it always will. There is a comfort in finally connecting with a familiarity that one never knew was there because one never sought it out or was simply too busy consumed by the chaos around - even positive chaos. Finding that time to reflect in that perfect moment is magical. After a long time, I have finally experienced that long forgotten triumph in everything making sense. And while it was not as though I had some kind of miraculous epiphany, I finally found a piece of my former self along the trail I had blazed a while ago. That in itself is magical.

I miss Torrance and the beach and all that I was back in that life, but I know that the pieces I've shed over this season are preparing me for the person I am going to become; the person that will be a bit worn in the desert heat but very much educated by the chaos. And when I return to familiar ground, I will be a great new version of myself, hopefully with a better understanding of how this all works. Of course I will endure all of my wipe-outs, environmental and self-induced, with fear lingering in the back ground and in a hesitant step, but I will step onto that platform, lock in my lap bar and make the plunge. That is a part of what life is all about.

But more importantly, I will make sure to find that moment to simply be quiet and drive.