Culinary Interpretations

The only thing getting me through this all nighter tonight is the thought of a lazy Saturday morning popping these creamy vegan pumpkin muffins into the oven. When I’m stressed out from work, one of my favorite things to do is pick out a sweet recipe to make after I finish the chunk of work to reward myself. Can you tell I’m an emotional eater?

Or maybe I’ll make these coffee cake cinnamon rolls instead…

Apples and sweet potatoes are currently sweating on my stove, making a lovely sound. 

I’m making this recipe from Appetite For Reduction. You could say I’m a little bit excited.

What I’ve Learned About Bike Commuting Part 2

A very long time ago I posted “What I learned About Biking Part I” and there cannot be a part I without a part 2! The first version of this post is a lot more informative and encouraging so I recommend it. 

More things I’ve learned:

1. Don’t Make Biking An Obligation Or a Chore I’ve had days where I’ve woken up and just didn’t really feel like biking. So, I take the bus. Although a lot of the times I take the bus I end up wishing I had biked instead, I don’t want biking to ever feel like something I make myself do against my real desires. Although biking is fucking awesome and fun, some days the thought of biking up those 2 hills I’ve got to conquer to get to class just doesn’t sound appealing. I’d rather have getting on my bike be a treat than an obligation.

2. Winter Biking Can Be More Fun Than Spring Biking It is truly heartbreaking to see how many spring/fall/summer bike commuters don’t give winter commuting a try. You don’t get as hot, you get to be outside more which is a rarity in winter sometimes, your cheeks get all rosy, you get to wear really intense looking mittens, hot coffee/hot chocolate taste better after biking, etc and on and on and on. There were plenty of times I couldn’t ride my bike because of snow, but this winter was incredibly mild and 30 degrees is not too cold at all for a bike ride if you have the right equipment/clothing. 

3. Local Bike Shops Are Often Awesome I’m incredibly lucky because I live a 5 minute walk away from an incredible bike shop. I bought my bike there in August and I brought it in yesterday for a tune up and new chain and the owner squealed in excitement when he saw my bike and told me about how he missed it. These people LOVE bikes and LOVE helping people learn about bikes. A lot of bike shops hold workshops or events on lots of different cycling topics like road safety, basic maintenance, etc. My school is also awesome because we have a bike co-op in our student union. 

4. Be Confident You have just as much of a right to the road as cars do. Be extremely cautious and know where you’re going, but don’t apologize for cycling. Also please don’t bike on the sidewalk in 99% of circumstances!

5. Wear a Fucking Helmet You never know what’s going to happen. I saw a fellow cyclist narrowly escape getting doored just yesterday. Even if you are like fucking Lance Armstrong, wear a helmet. This is not to say that cycling isn’t safe, it absolutely is. Protect yourself though.

6. Don’t Let Hipsters Take Over Biking Seriously, there is nothing hipster about biking with a helmet, flashing lights, and dorky elastics around your right ankle. Embrace it.

My excitement over my boyfriend choosing new york city over chicago for grad school is in part the fact that I will be able to take a $25 bus ride to see him versus a $200+ plane ride, but really it is also based in the fact that new york city is vegan mecca. Chicago is great too, but new york city takes the cake. I spent last night looking at menus rather than finishing my senior thesis.

you're my queen.: I am a feminist.

Honestly, in my whole 18 years of being, I have never once come across a Vegan or Vegetarian person shoving their beliefs down anyone’s throat

jessicapax:

The amount of people I have encountered, who automatically assume that Vegan/Vegetarian people are so quick to shove their beliefs down everyone’s throats, who then proceed to shove THEIR beliefs down everyone’s throat in so called defense, though, is very very high.