Back to School + adventures in Cleveland + wedding & garden updates

One week of school... down & moving Josh in with me... done.

Carol has returned and again my home feels like a home.  Luckiest girl alive to have the 3 best roommates.

After squeezing 6 OTs into a mid-sized car, we discovered the glory of the $5 medium sized meal at the Moonlite Express Food Truck.  

Cleveland 

We started out the day eating breakfast at the Flying Crane Cafe.  While the atmosphere in the patio was lovely.  I was extremely disappointed that they served on plastic/paper-ware.  Josh got the vegetable-don, which little did he realize would come with egg. The vegetable-don also was also sort of boring and small for the price.  The  broccoli & goat cheese quiche slice was tasty and came with fruit and salad.  The coffee was lousy.  The overall cost of 2 meals, a coffee, and a tea was around $23 and not wort it. 

Next onward to the North Union Farmers Market at Shaker Square.  Very impressed.  100% better market than anything in Pittsburgh. 

We walked down Larchmere blvd. There was a really sweet book store (Loganberry Books) and an outrageous number of antique shops.  Josh and me couldn't resist yummy tacos 2 for $7 at the Touch food truck.  Josh's taco had kimchi and tofu.  My taco had fried mac and cheese hold the bacon.  A yummy little heart attack. 

Onward to The Westside Market. The parking lot was a madhouse, as was the market.  Josh got a cucumber, orange, and ginger juice.  I samples some dill pickle flavored popcorn.  We really want to by some vegan specialty ravioli from Ohio City Pasta, but we didn't think it would hold up well in the car.  This is a very nice market.  When looking at the fruit and vegetable wholesalers, I didn't particularly notice anything that was local or organically grown, but I wasn't looking too closely. 

In Little Italy we stopped in for a coffee at Algebra Tea House.  The Arabic coffee was fanatic and presentation delightful... a cute little pot and a hand crafted clay mug. I long for some ceramics studio time.

For dinner we met with Josh's cousin, aunt, & uncle at Tommy's!  Josh really liked the tamales, while I was more impressed with the tempeh burger.  We shared both along with a Greek Salad.  The tofu feta was pure magic! 

And that was our one day trip to Cleveland!

Wedding updates.

I ordered a belt.

I bought materials to make my own veil!  Haberman Fabrics is absolutely wonderful!  Here is the game plan! 
Size.
Pattern.
Now for the flower.

I got shoes!  The most expensive pair I've ever bought, bit of a splurge. 


Garden Updates.

We've made 8 jars of salsa.

Deydrated countless tomatoes.

Made kale chips by sprinkling them with Tony's seasoning and placing them in the dehydrator. Fat free, so easy.

We have some creative zucchini successes and failures. The zucchini browns have been a huge hit, for sure cook them for 20, not 25 minutes. 

And the tomatoes and zucchini keep coming.  Not to understate the winter squash and greens. 

Almost the end of summer.

So I got a 4.0 in my summer classes, then I went on vacation.

First I went to Detroit.
I bought a dress from David's Bridal.  Yes, David's Bridal... the McDonald's of dresses?  I made a list of dresses using the website.  Stacey my consultant showed me the 1st dress on my list (which was first on my list because I loved it).  And guess what?  I loved it.  I was ready to buy it then, but my entourage made me try on at least 8 other dresses to make sure.  And guess what?  I bought the 1st dress I tried on and yes it was from David's Bridal.  
Josh joined me for the weekend while in Detroit.  He met more of my friends and family.  Mom, Dad, and Lissa made us a really nice little BBQ.

Then I was in Pittsburgh.
We went to a free concert on the north side.  Dan (Josh's brother) & Becca (Dan's girlfriend) came in to visit from Philly.  Met some of Josh's friends and family.
Made 4 jars of salsa using peppers and tomatoes from the garden.  I am so happy with the community garden Josh & me have in the South Side Slopes.

Then I went to Shannon's beach house in Brigantine, NJ with some of the OTs
Dan & Becca took me with them back to Philly from there I took the NJ Transit train to Atlantic City where I was received by the girls.
It was my 1st time in the ocean as an adult.
I didn't get sunburned.
Had one crazy night in Atlantic City, followed by a hangover.
Watched shark week.
Went to a cute pirate themed breakfast place.
It was very successful.

Then I came back to Pittsburgh.
Yesterday Josh and me celebrated our -1 year anniversry by taking the Gateway Clipper.

Tuesday I will return to Detroit for some doctor appointments and visiting. 

 

Summer flying by

What remains in this semester. 4 weeks = 11 days of classes + 3 days of finals + 2 days of lab practicals

Josh and me have a garden on the South Side.  Dehydrator is just warming up. 

Yesterday Josh and me used the dehydrator to make zucchini and beet chips!  For the beets we sliced them thin using our mandolin then marinated them in apple cider vinegar over night, before seasoning and dehydrating. For the zucchini chips we sliced them, seasoned them, and dehydrated them. Some of the chips we made "ranch" flavored by using dill (from the garden), garlic, onion, paprika, black pepper, & salt. Some of the chips we made "cajun" flavored by using Tony's Cajun Seasoning, garlic, black pepper, & paprika. 5 & 1/2 hours later...  fairly happy with the 1st results & ready to upgrade to a bigger dehydrator! 

We also dried basil!

In other news, Josh and me booked the Greektown Casino-Hotel for our wedding!  <3 

Vegan Zucchini Corn Bread.

Vegan Zucchini Corn Bread.

• 2 cups finely shredded zucchini liquids reserved
• 1 cup finely shredded carrots liquids reserved
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cornmeal
• ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
•  1 tablespoon smart oil

Combine all ingredients. Place ingredients in a greased 9X9 glass pan.  Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Pair with veggie chilli.

Yesterday he asked...

So yes Josh asked me Friday night.  We went to Tiwian Cafe and shared a vegetable sushi platter and tofu broccoli. It was super yummy. But it was a good walk.  Afterward Josh wanted to go to Lou's, but I was tired from walking.  So we stayed home and watched the movie Clerks, which neither of us had seen.  Afterwards.  He said something along the lines of, 'I want to ask you a question, I think I know the answer to.  Will you marry me?'  and he pulled out the ring. And I said something along the lines of, 'what? yes!'  I had sort of thought he'd ask me in New Orleans.  When he didn't I thought he'd ask me when my parents came.  So I way totally shocked that it happened.  It was 11:50pm and I stayed up until 3am calling and texting and smiling and crying.  Josh's mom called my mom and congratulated her and they seem to be off to a good start.  They cried over the phone together. Yesterday for mothers day we went out with Josh's parents, they are so excited! I'm so happy. 

New Orleans - Vegan

Josh does not plan a vacation where one sits on the beach or in some courtyard and one drinks until they can't feel their legs.  Josh plans very nice vacations where one walks until they can't feel their legs. He made us a schedule and we sort of stuck to it.  I wanted to share some highlights. --other than being with him.  We are that cute. See?

Saturday
We got into New Orleans on Saturday night.  Bex (BFF from kindergarten) picked us up.  Dropped things off at her house.  O! Vegasm for dinner.  Really yummy New Orleans inspired greasy spoon in the back of a dive bar. The food was greasier than we typically eat.  But I'd be fine if that was all we ate the whole trip.  The Vegasmic BBQ Sandwich was slamming.  The fried pickles were a little too greasy and uninspired.  The Cole Slaw was rocking the vegan mayo yummyness.  Josh got the Jackfruit Rueben on Rye.  I've never had Jackfruit before and I can't for sure say that I could tell you about the Jackfruit particularly, but overall the sandwich was tasty.  Bex went with the O! Vegasm! Jambalaya and the vegan andouille sausage was something special. St Roch Tavern which host O! Vegasm was a fine little dive bar.  They serve beers in plastic cups, which normally isn't my thing, but in NOLA you can take your drinks to go. Walking by a cop drinking a beer out of a plastic cup, so intense.  Onward to Frenchman St. stopped in The Spotted Cat to see a Panorama Jazz Band (klezmer band) that Bex likes.  She was spot on.  And she was also spot on in an Improv show we went to.

Sunday
Took the street car to the Botanical Gardens.  It was crazy busy because everyone else was trying to get to Jazz Fest.  The Gardens were nice and peaceful after a hectic street car ride.  Followed by brunch at the Canal Street Bistro.  I went with the breakfast burrito, tasty.  Josh got the Quinoa & Black Bean Salad and also reported back in the affirmative. Less greasy than O!Vegasm, but less "New Orleans"-ie? But definitely a good vegan breakfast option in NOLA.  Afterward we wondered all around the French Quarter.  Got some good deals at the flea market on gifts and sun glasses.  Stopped by Pat O'Briens for some happy hour drinks on the patio.  Very nice.  The group of 8 next to us ordered the 3 gallon Hurricane, ridiculous. Pictures in the back right.  I went with a modest (strong) mint julep. Pictured on the very far left.

 For dinner we went to Moon Wok where we shared a Tofu Po Boy (Banh Mi) ($3!) and some vegetable dish (not particularly thrilling... what was it?).  After dinner we met up with Bex to see a murder mystery play, inspired by radio drama, that was also very good! Shadow Box Theatre.


Monday
With Bex, Stella (my favorite dog to date), and Josh we walked to Surrey's Cafe for breakfast.  My first experience of Migas. Good, but not fantastic.  The grits a little salty.  Josh got some tofu stir fry typical un-breakfast vegan food.  Bex's breakfast burrito looked huge.   I was a little jealous.  Onto the street car. Stopped by the famous Cafe Du Monde for beignets, they don't really have vegan food.  Then went on 2 historic house tours in the French Quarter.  Interesting.  I sort of really like that type of thing. Met up with Bex's friend Doc on the ferry to Algiers point.  We bar hopped to 2 local bars and a snowball stand. The Old Point Bar was particularly well liked by Josh, however they ran out of the beer I wanted on tap.  Doc was a great tour guide.  For dinner we went to a little Vietnamese place by Bex's place on Magazine Street.  They served up yummy, seemingly not too greasy food. Afterward we check into bed.  


Tuesday
Went to Bex's restaurant for breakfast. Then off to explore Audubon park and the Fly.  Checked out the Crescent City farmer's market.  Liked it. Went to Jazmine for more Tofu Banh Mi. Good, but not remarkable.  The air-conditioning was the most remarkable part after walking around the park all morning.  Had a mid day coffee with Bex.  Then off to the French Quarter for some African food at Bennachin. The appetizer Akara/blaked Eyed Pea Fritters were amazing and the tomato sauce they came with oh boy.  The rest of the meal was a bit of a let down (especially for the price). It was African food, not Ethiopian food.  The main dishes were less stew like?  Served with rice, not yummy injera.  Stick to country specific restaurants next time? Then across town to Oak Street.  We wanted to go to the Maple Leaf Bar, but they were charging $20 cover, so we passed.  Went to Snake and Jake's.  Low Key, smokey bar.  Didn't make a proper whiskey sour, but did give us the Happy Hour price on well drinks even though it was 3 minutes after happy hour was over. It was the right choice.


Wednesday

Went to Juan's Flying Burrito for breakfast/lunch.  Very satisfying!  Also super cute and fairly cheap. Josh got the Super Green (A grilled mixed vegetable burrito, with green chile, spinach, onion, peppers, broccoli, jalapenos, mushroom, avocado and salsa wrapped in a lightly grilled spinach tortilla with or without dairy).  It had his name all over it.  I went with a wet burrito.  After lunch we got poured on on our way to NOMA for free Wednesday. Josh likes very different art than me.  After the Museum we went to free Jazz at Lafayette Square/ YLC Wednesday at the Square.  It was fun.  Very festive atmosphere.  I didn't price out a drink, maybe I should of?  But the food was not veg friendly.  After listening to some Jazz and doing some dancing we made our way over to for some New Orleans style Vegan food at Carmo.  The server was extremely delightful. Splurged and got the soup of the day - Gumbo, extremely unimpressive.  Our meals were amazing! It was just the opposite of the experience at Bennachin. I got the Rico and Josh got something off the daily menu!


Thursday
Woke up. One final breakfast at Slim's Goodies.  Great end to a wonderful vacation. Bex took us to the airport and we were on our way back to Pittsburgh. 


Then the big question, so what was the best thing you ate dolly?  I really liked the Banh Mi at Moon Wok, but I was a little drunk when I ate it. Does that count?  Because I'm a sucker for all things BBQ, I might have to go with the BBQ sandwich at O!Vegasm.

I'm pretty inspired by the food I ate.  I've made Red Beans and Rice via FFVK, Banh Mi, and Burritos this past week.  I want to do Gumbo, Jambalaya, & BBQ.  And maybe more sandwiches for the summer time in general. 


A recipe for you.

Spicy, creamy, tangy, cilantro goodness/  Vegan "Mayo" for your Banh Mi/  "Sour cream" for your Burrito.  

Mix in a blender/ food processor/ with a hand held blender the following.
1 block silken tofu
1/2 tablespoon El Yucateco Green Habanero Hot Sauce (Josh's favorite)
1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon tahini 
1/2 tablespoon lime juice
a bunch of fresh cilantro 
2-3 tablespoons nutritional yeast


Enjoy. 

Missing Detroit/ Happy Passover/Easter

Coming back to Pittsburgh from going home for Passover.  Every time I'm in Detroit I feel like my visit wasn't long enough.  2 weeks left of this semester. Then another too short visit to the D.  Then off to New Orleans for a vacation with my Josh and a visit with Bex.