[insert files/photofriday/photo-friday10-27-06.jpg photo here]
Perfectly square rock, sculpted by Mother Nature. It looks like it was accidentally left there.
Photographed in Montaña de Oro State Park in San Luis Obispo, California on May 11, 2006.
Archive for October, 2006
Photo Friday: Accidental
Friday, October 27th, 2006Vegan Fudge Brownies
Thursday, October 26th, 2006
Okay, you all know that I strive never to be preachy or “in your face” about my veganism, but I just have to share this delicious recipe for vegan fudge brownies we just made.
The recipe is from the November/December edition of Vegetarian Times magazine.
Kevin and I whipped them up in no time at all and the result is pure brownie heaven. We thought they looked a bit small after we cut them to the size they said to, but trust me, any bigger and they’d be too much.
These little 1×1 inch nuggets are packed full of chocolatey goodness and are perfect size for dessert or a snack.
Fudge Brownies
Makes 24 vegan brownies
6 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup vegan margarine (I use Earth Balance)
2 cups light brown sugar
2 5-oz. jars prune puree
1 1/2 cups flour
1 Tbs. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla extract
unsweetened cocoa powder and confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line 9×9-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, and coat with cooking spray.
- Melt chocolate and margarine in microwave on medium power. Whisk in sugar and prune puree.
- Combine flour and baking powder in large bowl. Fold flour mixture into chocolate mixture. Add vanilla. Spread batter in prepared pan, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until top looks dry and brownie is just beginning to pull away from sides of pan.
- Cool in pan. Unmold, and cut into 1×1-inch squares. Sift cocoa powder over half of brownies. Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar over remaining brownies. Store in airtight container.
If you like your brownies soft and chewy; then you’ll love this recipe’s secret ingredient (sshhh … it’s prune baby food!) that keeps them moist and sweet. What’s more, the prune puree binds to the flour and sugar in the same way a fat would, meaning you only need half the margarine called for in traditional brownies recipes.
Per brownie: 170 calories; 2g protein; 5g total fat (2.5g saturated fat); 33g carbohydrates; 0mg cholesterol; 120mg sodium; 2g fiber; 22g sugar
EDIT: Thanks to the comments below, you can substitute rice flour and make it a yummy, gluten-free dessert! This is excellent news for me personally, as I have discovered that I am wheat sensitive, as is my toddler.
3 Years Ago, Today
Wednesday, October 25th, 2006[insert files/photos/wedding-arch.jpg photo here]
At the Crossroads
Tuesday, October 24th, 2006I’ve received a lot of comments, questions and advice regarding a post I made about two weeks ago, but the common question that everyone wants to know is, “Are you going to stay in school and finish the degree? I thought that is what you wanted.” I’ve been meaning to write or call everyone back regarding it, but to be blunt, I’ve been really stressed and busy lately. There isn’t a day that goes by that I am not studying or working on a paper or whatever, so basically I haven’t had time catch up on phone calls and emails that require focus and/or time that I just don’t have. My solution is to answer that question here.. even if it is a little tacky to answer everyone at once, which I apologize about. I should also thank those who did question, comment, etc., because it got me seriously thinking (which I really needed to do)…
Anyone who knows me, knows that I don’t tip-toe around a tough subject or question, so the answer is: no, I’m not 100% sure I want to continue with school and finish the RVT degree. At this point, I am having serious doubts as to whether I want to continue with the degree or choose a different path. I do know I am going to finish the semester. That, at least, is not in question. What happens when it comes time for enrolling for next semester? I have no idea. My head is churning with many different thoughts, but I know I will always work with and/or for animals. That is not in question, either.
Unfortunately, I simply have no idea what I want, beyond finishing the semester and working with animals in some capacity. I’m trying not to over exaggerate or seem dramatic, but it is weighing heavily on me and the mere fact that I’m having trouble figuring out what I want to do or not do is utterly frustrating. I’ve never had trouble deciding what path to take in the past; I’ve always just kinda known what I’ve wanted to do… except when it comes to this.
The silver lining is that I know whichever path(s) I choose, it will be the right one(s). Why? Because, I know whatever path(s) I go down, it will lead to fulfillment, one way or the other. I know if animals are along the path(s), I’ll be happy. See, even if I’m not in school working towards an RVT degree does not mean I can’t start working immediately as a full-time technician (albeit, not “officially” licensed) in an animal clinic. I just gotta think out of the box, ’cause right now “the box” is suffocating me.