Back in the Saddle

Well, I know it's been a long time, and I apologize. I'll just make one excuse and be done with it: thesis. Enough said. But, guess what? I passed and it's over! So I'm back.

I don't have any new recipes to post just now as I've been living on quick fixes for the last couple months, but I did make some yummy date bars for a party I attended on Sunday. The recipe comes from this really sweet little dessert book a friend gave me called "Lickin' the Beaters: Low-fat Vegan Desserts" by Siue Moffat. It was easy to make and the book has the cutest illustrations all throughout it by various illustrators.

I was also impressed that there were various vegan options for me at the party, including some delicious cupcakes, veg meatballs, and veggies and guacamole, of course. Come to think of it, I've noticed that non-vegan friends of mine have been really conscious of making sure there's something for me to eat at gatherings, even when I'm the only vegan. This seems so different from the experiences of many other vegans and vegetarians that I've heard about. Sometimes they claim that they're grilled about why they eat the way they do and even attacked for their choices or made fun of. Personally, I always welcome honest questions, but just as I would never go up to someone eating a burger and ask them why they're eating it, I would expect the same respect extended to me. Luckily, it almost always is, even by strangers. However, I do want to take the opportunity to thank all the lovely people in my life who go a step further and cater to me even though I'm difficult by normal American standards! Non-vegan friends invite Marc and I to homemade dinners, and never complain about having to figure out a vegan menu for us. Indeed, they seem to enjoy the challenge, and I'm very grateful to be surrounded by such thoughtful and caring people.

In other news, there is the possibility of an opportunity for me to teach vegan nutrition classes in 2009, so I'll let you know when I have more definite information on this, for those of you who are local and curious. Hopefully, it will work out and I'm sure if it does, I'll learn a lot myself in prepping for it and share my most important findings with all of you. Ciao!