Transitions

Here I sit, in the spare room of a dear friend's home, staying up late with my thoughts (when I really should be sleeping).

Last week, I made the move from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where I have lived for the past four years, to "home," the small town in Southern Maryland where I grew up. Technically, though, I'm homeless. I will be for a few more weeks, until I move into my new place in Baltimore to start my work with Lutheran Volunteer Corps. Until then, my friend is letting me stay with her.

Since I am homeless and jobless (albeit temporarily), I have a lot of alone time, while my friend and her family are at their 9-5 jobs. The last few days have been filled with phone calls, researching Baltimore, reading up on some pre-job-training literature, sewing, and being really, really inspired.

Here's a quick list of some current inspirations:
1. Defiance, Ohio. They're a folk-punk band from Ohio (kind of obvious), and they offer free downloads of all of their albums on their website (which I *just* discovered this week). They've been on my radar for over a year, since I saw them at a show in Braddock, a neighborhood in Pittsburgh. They... rock my world, for lack of better words. Every verse of every song blows my mind.
2. Outclassed. I also saw them live at that show in Pittsburgh last summer. They're local to the Burgh, and they're way underrated. Incredibly passionate.
3. The Simple Way. This is an awesome community in Philadelphia that I have been following for a couple of years now. I see a lot of similarities between Philly and Baltimore, so I think I'm going to draw a lot of encouragement from this community throughout the next year.
4. Bamboo fiber. This sounds silly, but I've been on the market for new bedsheets (since my college ones are meant for dorm beds, which are a funky size), and I'm convinced that bamboo is the fiber of the future. It's super-sustainable, breathes better than most fabrics (great for regulating body temperature during the night-time!), and it has natural anti-microbial properties!

Just a few things that have kept my thoughts swirling around like crazy these days...

Wake Up Weekend 2009!

An exciting event is coming to Calvin College in just a few days!!
Wake Up Weekend is an annual ::free:: conference of animal advocacy, including well-renowned speakers, potlucks galore, film screenings, and general fellowship with others who are learning to live a compassionate lifestyle. All events are free(except the brunch at Brick Road Pizza), and anyone is welcome! Here's more info:


FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2009

2:30 pm–Animal Advocacy: What, Why, Who, and How?

Commons Annex Lecture Hall, Calvin College

Stay on the cutting edge of the movement by learning from the people who are making it happen. From rights to welfare, from religion to politics, from the laws of the heart to the laws of the land, from grassroots to goliath, our nationally recognized panelists know the score. Join us for this workshop and you will too! 

Harold Brown (President, Farm Kind, Hector, NY)
Ben DeVries (Founder, Not One Sparrow, Kenosha, WI)
Adam Durand (Campaign Director, Animal Rights International, Rochester, NY)
Bee Friedlander (Managing Director, Animals and Society Institute, Ann Arbor, MI)
Nathan Runkle (Executive Director, Mercy for Animals, Columbus, OH and Chicago, IL)

5:30 pm–”Compassionate Comestibles” Vegan Potluck

Commons Annex Lecture Hall, Calvin College

*Hosted by Students for Compassionate Living*

At an event where omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans are coming together in fellowship, a vegan bill of fare insures that everyone can enjoy what’s on the menu! What’s your favorite vegan recipe? Bring a dish to share and find out where others come down on this appetizing question! Need a few ideas? Vegan Yum Yum and Post Punk Kitchen never disappoint.

***Please help us to reduce waste and carbon emissions by bringing your own washable or recyclable dinnerware*** and perhaps an extra setting or two for our out-of-town guests and last-minute participants; a limited number of recyclables will be on hand for those without table service.

7:30 pm–Film Festival

Bytwerk Video Theater, DeVos Communications Center, Calvin College
Eating Mercifully and Fowl Play (A Film By Adam Durand)

Two great films by two great directors, one of whom–Adam Durand–will be on hand to introduce his work and take questions after the screening. Did you know that the idea for “Fowl Play” was hatched at Wake Up Weekend 2007 and that the original first-cut of the film was edited here in Grand Rapids for our sneak preview screening at Wake Up Weekend 2008? Now in 2009, the final version has been nominated for Best Documentary in a national film festival in Hollywood, but YOU get to see it first right here in Grand Rapids. Look for special mention of Wake Up Weekend in the credits!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2009

11:00 am–Vegan Brunch at Brick Road Pizza

Tofu scramble, french toast sticks, vegan fried chikn, and all your favorite specialty pizzas and salads are on the menu at this $10.00 all-you-can-eat vegan juggernaut that Chef Ryan promises will be a day to remember! Whether you’re a Wake-up-Weekender or just a hungry Grand Rapidian, come on out! Everyone is welcome!

1:30–Spotlight Session: Animal Advocacy and Religion

(106), 106 S. Division, Grand Rapids
”
Not One Sparrow is Forgotten: A Simply Christian Animal Advocacy”
Ben DeVries (Founder, Not One Sparrow)

3:00 pm–Panel: Animal Exploitation and Questions of Race and Gender

(106), 106 S. Division, Grand Rapids

“Thinking and Eating at the Same Time: Reflections of a Sista Vegan” 
Michelle Loyd-Paige (Dean for Multicultural Affairs, Calvin College)

“Speciesism, Sexism, and Racism: The Intertwining Oppressions”
Nekeisha Alexis-Baker (Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary; Co-Founder, Jesus Radicals)

7:00 pm–Vegan Chili Cook-Off and Print Sale Benefit

(106), 106 S. Division, Grand Rapids

You know the drill on this one: Best. Vegan. Chili. Ever. (Made by YOU, if you’ve got the guts to compete, anyway.) Add vegan cornbread lovingly prepared by Oven Mitt Bakery, and a print sale that puts the artwork of Wake Up Weekend within everyone’s reach, and you simply can’t say no! Come on out and help us raise a few dollars for our participating animal charities, and we can show the world that compassion is recession-proof!

*If you plan to enter a chili into competition, please send an e-mail to wakeupweekend@gmail.com ASAP to request a registration form. Last year, we were a bit light on chili (and a bit heavy on chili-eaters), so let’s anticipate another big turnout and get as many of you to put your culinary prowess on display as possible!

See you at Wake Up Weekend 2009!

Something Exciting!

I am a leader of a group at Calvin called Students for Compassionate Living. Our aim is to raise dialogue about our relationship with non-human animals and the impacts our daily choices have on them. And, we now have a blog of our very own! Here's the link:

www.calvinscl.wordpress.com

Check it out for info on upcoming events and other cool stuff!

Here is a photo of some delicious vegetables for inspiration:

Vegan Poppyseed Dressing

This recipe borrowed from The Vegan Feast Kitchen.


BRYANNA’S NO-OIL VEGAN POPPY SEED DRESSING
Makes about 2 cups


In a blender, mix until smooth:

8 ounces medium-firm tofu OR (2/3 of a box) firm or extra-firm SILKEN tofu, crumbled
6 tablespoons maple syrup OR half of a 6 ounce can frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
6 tablespoons non-dairy milk
3 tablespoons cider vinegar (or other preferred vinegar-- not red wine or balsamic vinegar, but light wine vinegars, berry or fruit vinegars are good!)
1- 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 1/2 tablespoons wholegrain Dijon mustard
1 scant teaspoon salt

Store in a jar in the refrigerator. This recipe is easily multiplied.

VARIATIONS:
Use the white part of 2 or 3 green onions, or a shallot, instead of the onion.

Another recipe I Want to Try

Today I got the most random craving for soda bread, and decided to look for a good vegan recipe. I found one on VeganMania, and it looks promising. I am going to try it in the very near future (maybe on a day when there isn't a high of 95 degrees in the forecast ...)

Irish Soda Bread

2 cups unbleached white flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tbsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup raisins
1/2 cups soy milk blended with 2 tsp vinegar

Blend dry ingredients, then stir in raisins. Stir in the soymilk + vinegar mixture. Knead until a smooth, pliable dough forms. Lightly oil a cookie sheet or pizza pan. Shape the dough into a round loaf about 3 or 4 inches high on the pan. Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes. Cool on a rack, but is best enjoyed warm, topped with Earth Balance and accompanied by a cup of tea.

latest obsession

If you're bored, or even if you're not, check out www.etsy.com - a sort of online flea market of handmade goods, vintage finds, and all kinds of unique items. Anyone can start their own personal "store," and sell their handmade products, from homemade soap to a custom-made stuffed animal miniature of your own pet. A really neat feature of etsy is a program called Alchemy, which allows purchaser to post requests for custom items, and sellers can bid for the chance to create that item for the seller.

Here is a great video about etsy:

Recipe I want to Try

[source: back of a can of Westbrae Natural organic garbanzo beans]

Mediterranean Garbanzo Stir Fry
1 cup uncooked rice (white, basmati or jasmine work well)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. oregano
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large zucchini, halved and sliced
1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 15-oz. can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 Tbsp. fresh mint, chopped
1 tomato, chopped

cook rice according to package directions, then set aside. heat oil in large skillet over mediu, heat. stir in oregano and garlic & saute one minute. add zucchini, mushrooms & beans, stirring well to couat with oil and herbs. stir fry for 10 minutes or until zucchini is crisp and tender. add fresh mint and tomato and stir to heat, about 5 more minutes. serve over cooked rice.


YUM!

Let's Bring it Back.

I realized recently that lately I've been feeling disconnected from a lot of things that I hold dear, and I plan on spending the summer months getting "back in the groove." This includes writing some short essays on some topics that have been on my mind lately, exploring new ideas & art forms, reading more books, spending as much time as possible outside/ in my neighborhood and spending as little time possible indoors/in my car.