THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND: June 2008

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

NOT Moving Day

Y'all, I am posting this because I have to post SOMETHING. It's been almost 2 months and I'm sure y'all are wondering what's going on. I'm sorry, actually ashamed, to say that it's NOT YET moving day. I've moved some things in. I have appliances. But who knew the list of little-yet-vital things could be so long. The number one item on that list - window screens. Since I won't be using air-conditioning, I HAVE to be able to open the window. And in the mosquito-ridden environment that is New Orleans, window screens are an absolute necessity. Anyway, I should have made them by now, but sometimes when you have mentally FINISHED something, it's hard to back-step and begin again. Such is the case with the screens.

I have moved on to other projects - I am now the Market Manager of two farmers markets (the Lower Ninth Ward Farmers Market and the Bayou Road Fresh Market), which is taking up more of my time than I ever expected. I've also taken my daughter out of daycare and have started a homeschooling cooperative with two other families, so I teach on varying days of the week. Mentally (and emotionally), I just don't have room for the house right now! Luckily, I came to terms with that today. And went over to Eddie's Ace Hardware on Downman Road and ordered the window screens. Done. And we should be in by next week. Even though the washer/dryer isn't properly hooked up yet and my hot water heater isn't working. I gotta move.

Sorry no photos, y'all. I have a ton, but haven't had a chance to look through, resize, and upload them. Next update, I'll definitely share photos. Most of the house looks decent. But there is so much yet to be done. My spirit waivers between elation and depression whenever I enter that house. At once, I am invincible and yet just an imperfect person. I have accomplished so much, but at the same time, not enough. It is a bittersweet feeling I'll most likely have for the next few years. I'm glad I did it, though. I challenged myself. I would've have regretted NOT doing this. I came. I saw. I did not conquer, but at least I tried. Ha ha!

The Wheels On The Bus Go Round And Round

My daughter's first favorite song was "The Wheels On The Bus Go Round And Round." She would press me to sing it at every opportunity; singing it became part of my daily routine. Even when she was not around, the song played in my head. Over and over and over again. I digested the words; I contemplated the "deeper" meaning of the song. Through my daughter's obsession with this repetitive children's song, I came up with this mantra that to me represents the inevitability of Time and Nature (aka "The Bus"), the reality that Life goes on no matter what, and that as long as I'm alive I play a part in the direction of The Bus. The wheels on the bus go round and round... The purpose of this blog is to chart my journey in New Orleans, as I rebuild my small piece of the city and, hopefully, uncover something new in myself. Click here for the introductory blog entry.

Random Stuff - Fun With Cooking

This has nothing to do with the purpose of this blog AT ALL... but I have to share this recipe cuz it's GOOD. Sometimes, I fancy myself a chef. I made this one up all by myself. I call it...

Mango-Coconut Delight

I'm back on raw, y'all! Raw vegan eating means consuming only raw (uncooked) fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Believe it or not, there's a WHOLE LOT you can do within what may seem to be a limited diet.

Here's a great dessert that is simple, yummy and RAW.

note: I don't really do measurements. I just put in as much as I think is needed and then taste as I go along. Sorry.

Ingredients

- 1 young coconut

- 1 1/2 or 2 fresh ripe mangoes

- raw almonds (about a 1/2 cup, probably)

- raw macadamia nuts (about a 1/2 cup, probably)

- 1 tsp soy lecithin (this is optional; it thickens the filling)

- spices - nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger

In a Vita Mix or a food processor, chop the almonds and macadamia nuts into a crumbly powder. Set aside about half of it. Continue processing the remainder until it develops a pasty consistency. Press this nut paste into the bottom of a small dish (I use a loaf pan... if that's what they are really called). Chill.

Cut the meat of both mangoes away from their seeds. Cube about 1/8 of one mango. Set aside. In a Vita Mix or just a regular old blender, mix the coconut meat with the rest of the mangoes. Add the soy lecithin. Add the spices to taste. When the mixture gets all nice and smooth and creamy, pour it into the dish over the nut paste crust. Drop the mango cubes in evenly. And then sprinkle the nut crumbles on top. Chill for about an hour before serving.

I know there are some haters out there (you know who you are!). But as my first boyfriend used to say, "Don't knock it til you try it!"

NOTE: Cracking open a young coconut can be difficult. Here's a site that shows you how - http://www.rawguru.com/openyoungcoconut.html. This is not the way I do it, but apparently it's really easy this way.

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

NOT Moving Day

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Random Stuff - Fun With Cooking