The Foster Year in Review

This year, I began fostering with Social Tees Animal Rescue Foundation in the East Village (I had done on-site volunteering with them previously).  Below are the little ones who have come through my home on their way to their forever ones. 

Here's Reece.  She was so cuddly and cute and full of wonderful puppy energy.  She was with me for about a week, during which time I also had Rusty. 

Here's Rusty.  I LOVED this little guy.  He had so much personality and energy - after Reece went to another foster home, I had him for about another week.  I fell in love with him and wanted to keep him, but I knew a puppy would always find a good home...so I let him go...

Here is Reagan - who may or may not have been Reece's brother.  He was only with me for a couple of days (I got him at the same time I got Rusty) and then had to go to the vet to recover from some sort of bug.  He was a very good looking pup. 

This is Buddy.  He was...challenging.  I had him for about 10 days and worked really hard to do some basic training.  He was a bit stubborn, but I managed to make some progress with him, which I was very proud of - thank you, Cesar Millan!



This is Alfie - my foster failure...I ended up adopting him.  He was on the kill list at ACC with matted hair and bad teeth, but Social Tees pulled him and got him the care he needed...he got a second chance, and I got a great new friend.



This good looking shadow poodle is the biggest cuddle monster - so calm, so sweet.  I had him for THREE WEEKS...and then my sister adopted him.  Hurray!  Mickey got to stay in the family!

And this is Klaus!  My last foster for 2012.  He is going to his forever home tomorrow night!  The poor little guy was found emaciated, tied up outside with fur missing and stained paws.  Social Tees rescued him, and his super personality really came out with just a little love.  He's been with me for over 10 days, and I love the pup.  He is an awesome little guy who will be well taken care of for the rest of his life.



Happy holidays, everyone.  May we all know good health, warm homes and lots of love and kindness. 

ThanksLiving 2012 in Pictures

Last month, I attended ThanksLiving dinner at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary for the fourth year in a row.  While it's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, eat amazing food and have a great time, it's also a reminder that the killing season is upon us.  For those of you who aren't vegan, take a moment during your holiday meals to think about the suffering that led to the "food" on your plate.  And then if you think you might like to choose compassion for your New Year's resolution, ask me how: going vegan is easy-peasy, and I can help you veganize your favorite recipes and provide you with some awesome new ones. I'm helpful like that!

Meanwhile, here's a recap in pictures of my Amazing Food Adventure.  Thank you, Kevin Archer, for the delicious meal!  

The bus trip to Woodstock.

Chilling out.

Growin' my feathers back! 

Live entertainment.

Pumpkin pie soup.

Jenny Brown - co-founder of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

"Beyond Meat" with 40 cloves of garlic, cornbread stuffing w/ pecan & figs, cranberry compote, winter greens medley.

Desserts by Vegan Treats!  That chocolate mound is a peanut butter bomb, BTW.

Paella

It's been almost a year since I've posted - I've been remiss!  But then, I didn't feel I had much to blog about...until now!  I've just returned from my latest European vacation, and this trip included an overnight excursion to Valencia, Spain - home of Paella.  Now, I didn't think I'd be able to find a Paella I could eat, but...

When we first arrived in Valencia, we took an afternoon wine and snack break at Palo Alto in the historical center.  When the wife of the chef (and I assume restaurant co-owner?) found out we were vegetarian, she invited us to make a reservation that evening, and her husband would make a veg paella for us.  So we did!  And boy, was it worth it.  This was no ordinary vegetable paella - they went all out with amazing ingredients.  Two words: trumpet mushrooms.  Need I say more?

When the salad came out, we knew we were in for a treat.  If the salad was this good, the paella could not disappoint. 

Then, the paella arrived.

Not a green pea in sight!

The after paella picture, I think, tells the whole story.

Oh, and did I mention that we had the entire back terrace area exclusively to ourselves?  In 70 degree weather?

Don't hate. 

Breakfast!

So this morning I made breakfast: English muffin topped with homemade tempeh "bacon," avocado, tofu (pressed overnight) and vegan Hollandaise sauce.

Here's a pic of the tempeh "bacon" - marinated in a soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar concoction (plus other spices, including liquid smoke). Not much to look at but it packed a flavor punch!

Here is the finished product:

Don't you wish you were invited to breakfast at my place?

Tofu Scramble!!!

I made tofu scramble this past Memorial Day weekend - results below:




I started out the meal by sauteeing shallot, asparagus, red bell pepper, and sun-dried tomato, before crumbling the tofu into the mix (the tofu was pressed overnight in one of those Tofu Xpress contraptions). Then I seasoned the mixture with some cilantro-walnut "pesto" I had on hand. Voila! Very tasty homemade tofu scramble!

Wedding Bells Ring

April 16,2011
San Antonio, TX

People who know my sister know that she loves to cook, and that she's really great at it. When she cooks, it's a production - no 30 minute Rachel Ray meals here. Complicated spices and ingredients are involved, multiple courses, and food enough to feed a small army. If my sister's making dinner for you, you're in for a real treat.

When we lived together in New York City, we would host annual Chinese New Year gatherings, but really she did all the work because I couldn't wrap an eggroll to save my life - while Mindy would be making dumplings from scratch, including the wrappers.

I know Jeremy loves to cook, too, but I hear that these days he's in charge of making drinks because Mindy is just that great in the kitchen. Well, Jeremy, I hope that's not really the case and that you are still working some of your magic in the kitchen.

The first time I visited Mindy and Jeremy in San Francisco, they decided to make ravioli. Jeremy then proceeded to make the pasta from scratch, cranking out sheet after sheet and cutting the dough into little squares so that they could be filled. Mindy, though, just had to show off, and made stuffed zucchini flowers and strawberry balsamic vinaigrette for our salad.

Teamwork produced an amazing meal, and I'm glad I got to share it with the both of you.

Mindy and Jeremy, I think you make a fabulous team. I wish you countless more delicious meals made together - the best ones include lots of love, and I know you have that in abundance for each other.

Congratulations.

Road trip!

So this past Sunday, I rented a car and drove (by myself!) from New York City up to Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary to do some volunteer stuff. Getting out of the city was pretty terrifying without a navigator, and I kept a death grip on the steering wheel until I got on the highway. At that point, I could relax a bit. The drive up was not spectactular - spring hasn't quite arrived and so there wasn't much greenery for my scenery. :)

Things at the farm, however, were much spring-ier. The weather was in the 60s, and the animals were enjoying the sunshine. Here are some of the ducks at the duck pond:

I thought the sheep were looking hilarious - normally I visit in the fall when their winter coats haven't grown yet. At this time of year, they are in full fur. And they posed so nicely for me! This is Louise (you can read about her story here):

Baa-aaa...

I also visited with the goats (they were also chillin' in the sunshine), the cows, the chickens and one big pig on his own (Peter).

I hope to be visiting them all again soon. You should, too! Until then, why don't you make a donation? The sanctuary is smack in the middle of a matching fund drive - your donation gets doubled if you make it now! These ridiculously cute critters have survived horribly cruel starts to life - now they can live out the rest of their days as they should...with your help. Click donate to make your gift today!