SCANDALous Thoughts:

1. Come on Cyrus! Why is it so horrible for Red to know that Liv is missing and the reason for her kidnapping? It’s been three weeks of the same story line! At this point everyone including Annalise Keating, Derek Shepherd, and Emily Thorne/Amanda Clarke know that Liv is missing. Get over it! WE are over it!

2. “I’ll tell them how rough you like it.” Oh my!

3. Yeah, that vision, dream or hallucination that Cyrus had should remind us of why you should never put folks on a pedestal. It should also remind us of why you should ALWAYS have a life outside of work. The idea of Cyrus “doing it all” for Fitz is ludicrous. He did it all for the power and incidentally he happens to love and admire Fitz. Let’s not get confused about who Cyrus is people! It was nice to see him back to his old one-heart-attack-away self though, can’t lie.

4. I love jewelry and a long chain (like the one Abby had on) does it for me. I either like statement pieces or long chains…nothing in-between.

5. Ellen’s boo offered Huck “full creative control”? Way to make killing and torturing people sound cool, Shonda!

6. Is it me or is the kidnapper that Liv shot starting to look cute? He has this I’mma-kill-you-but-I-really-wanna-kiss-you thing going on.

7. #TeamPrescottLake! I missed the hell outta Daddy Pope! I never thought I’d say that ish. But go get a snack ladies and gents because it’s time for monologue central. . .

8. STEVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Season One Gladiators STAND UP!!!!! Damn Steven looks good with that gray hair. That accent….the whole look…I’m here for it.

9. Is THIS what it took for Huck to install locks on Liv’s door!?!?! Wow. Talk about being reactive instead of proactive. Geeeeesh!

10. Fitz looked like a little puppy when he saw Liv. When she screamed “I’m on my own” I couldn’t help but realize that this chick STILL doesn’t get it. Fitz is her gladiator in a lot of ways! Additionally, she is never on her own. Abby, David Rosen, Huck, Jake, Quinn, Ellen’s boo, Mellie and Fitz got her out of there! They all unknowingly worked together to make this hostage situation end peacefully. We may feel alone in situations, but there is always someone out there on our behalf. No one makes it alone. Just sayin’. . .I’ve learned this lesson several times…catch up Liv!

11.  All of this makes me want to celebrate life! Oliva Pope is home. Huck installed locks. Steven is fine. The VP is drooling. Steven is still fine! What better way to celebrate than by eating chocolate? Yuuup, chocolate. . .

So, there is a spot in Oakland called Awaken Café and it’s chill, it’s funky and they have vegan chocolate bread! SCORE.

You have to know that I’ve had too many slices of it.

You have to know that I can’t go to Awaken without getting a slice of it.

You have to know that they have other vegan dessert options but I keep choosing the chocolate bread.

You have to know that my mouth waters when I think about the chocolate bread.

You have to know that they order it from Indiecakes in Berkeley and I don’t have the recipe. WOMP!

Sorry!

However, if you need your chocolate fix, there are plenty of recipes out there for you to try. Just know that the texture is akin to banana bread or a muffin, but should taste so sophisticated…like a slice of heavenly cake. The chocolate flavor should be subtle and smooth and so good that even Olivia Pope would enjoy it after Gettysburger and wine. At least that’s how I envision it after each bite at Awaken.

Ahhh, the weekend, chocolate bread and finally an episode in this season of Scandal that I wouldn’t mind watching repeatedly! Does it get better than this?

I'd like to introduce my guest blogger Amy Yang! She is an amazing woman that respects the vegan movement and recently proved it by baking some yummy cookies for me. I loved them so much that I asked her to share the recipe with us! Below is her recipe in her own words. 

If you have a recipe for our plant passionate community that you would like to share, feel free to do so below. I'd love to feature you too! :-) 
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Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This Cookies
By: Amy Yang

Is it cheat day? Feeling guilty? Not on my watch! When I feel like indulging in something sweet without wanting to feel guilty, I bake my favorite oatmeal cookies with a twist. These delicious rounds are not only gluten free, but they're also vegan friendly. I like to enjoy two of these with my protein smoothie after a workout and let me tell you they keep me full for a while. 

• 2 cups of rolled oats
• 2 ripe bananas
• 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon of flax seeds
• 1 cup of almond butter
• 1/4 cup of honey (or maple syrup)
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly coat two cookie sheets with cooking spray and set aside.

2. In a large bowl combine oatmeal, honey (maple syrup), almond butter, and peanut butter.

3. Peel both bananas and in a separate bowl and mash them to your preferred consistency. Add them to the large bowl.

4. Add in flax seeds, sliced almonds, and chocolate chips. Stir the mixture until all oats are well combined.

5. Scoop the mixture with a spoon on to the cookie sheet. Note: The mixture will not spread in the oven, so feel free to flatten the cookie to your liking).

6. Put in the oven at 350F and bake for 10-12 minutes. 

7. ENJOY! 

SCANDALous Thoughts:

1.  Forreal Abby? Are you JUST coming to see about Liv? Friends, how many of us have them? Geesh!

2.  Why can’t Abby be a gladiator and work for The White House at the same damn time Quinn/Huck? Didn’t Liv do it? Doesn’t she work for the White House every chance she gets?

3.  Did Cyrus call that woman a “junior nerd”? Ha!

4. Doesn’t the director of the CIA (in the situation room with the red suit) look like Gwen Ifill?

5.  So Huck is rich now? Where does he live in DC? I picture him living above a liquor store in soufeas (south east - DC slang). Am I the only one?

6.  I love what he said about back pay. I’m down with those reparations (and blue colors).

7.  Slicing off heads and blood on the dance floor…I can’t with all of this graphic stuff! #TeamTooMuch

8. Why was Liv doing her version of ‘I Have a Dream’ for those google boys? Sweetie, they just put you on the black market, they are not here to negotiate with you.

9. I loved the black and white still shots and the scenes on the roof with Fitz and Mellie. The cinematography was on point tonight. I definitely let some tear drops fall when they showed the caskets of the fallen soldiers. That always gets me. The national anthem gets me too. Once again, am I the only one?

10. “We sleep better when she’s lying between us.” HUH!?!?

11. On this show (not in real life), I’d rather have Sally Langston as President instead of Mellie. Both are crazy as hell in their own special way and I’m here for it.

12. Do you think Shonda will bring Sally back now that the VP has his marching orders? Sally is hilarious and we need her back!

13. They mentioned Harrison tonight. I’ll just leave that right there.

14. Huck does not come back on his own, Quinn. Liv is the one that always brings him back to earth, think about it, then call me in the morning!

With all of the blood and licka (liquor) shown this week, I’m thinking that what they all need is some meditation and a 21-day fast. For those of us that are interested in cleansing our blood in lieu of contaminating it, the best way to do that is to eat salads to release heavy metal and toxicity from our bloodstream. Here’s my recipe for the best salad I’ve had lately.

·         Spinach

·         Beets (sooo good this season)

·         Corn

·         Carrots

·         Red Peppers

·         Kale

·         Mini Falafel Balls

·         Tahini (dressing)

FYI - If you want more protein in your salad ( veggies already contain protein though), you can add mini falafel balls on top and use tahini for dressing. Both of these are good protein sources. Falafels are made from garbanzo beans and tahini is made from sesame seeds. Additionally, you can throw black beans on top and make your own vingarette using hummus, vinegar, and lemon juice. The options are endless and detox does not have to be as scary as you think. Make the decision to switch out the sweets for fruity treats and the meats for other substitutes. Baby, you are halfway there!

In most areas of the vegan lifestyle size matters and we like it ginormous. We want our fruit and veggie plates big with an array of colors. We don’t want wimpy half-cup smoothies and juices - give us a full glass (or two). Additionally, most of us are not afraid of a heaping helping of fat, but only the good stuff – hummus, nuts, avocado, etc.

But when it comes to our “role models” does size matter?

Yep, it still does.

Honestly, I really don’t care about what our “role models” or “gurus” used to look like; I care about the future of it all. If this movement is going to last, we have to equip less-than-perfect shapes and sizes with the knowledge that it takes to fuel their hunger and the community.

Picture it, 2014 and a field of mangoes…in walks DarilynTyrese.com!

Understand this:

·         You don’t have to be perfect (read: size 2, 4, 6, 8, etc., etc., etc.,) to make a difference in this world.

·         People are paying attention to you, so feel awesome; they can tell when you are faking it.

·         Spread amazing vibes and don’t stop until YOU are smiling more than the people around you.

·         Lastly, size does matter, but only because YOU think it does. So, if you don’t like what you see in the mirror, change it!

I know that I can look and feel better, so me and my new gym are BFFs.

But don’t think that my lack of perfection will silence my message.

It shouldn’t silence yours either!

SCANDALous Thoughts:


1.       Once again, where is LAUREN? When did she get fired? What did she do? I have nothing against Fitz’s new secretary Charlotte, but I miss Lauren. Did Shonda think that I wasn’t paying attention when she did the switcheroo?

2.       The HUCK we know and love is BACK! Ellen’s boo didn’t know what hit her. Was he in the bed with her daughter though? Wow! There are no limits on this show, huh?

3.       Liv finally got her bird bath after sweatin’ out her blow-out, sweatin’ out her press-es. Honestly, if I was being held against my will, the last thing on my mind would be a shower, but that’s just me. I know folks were pissed last week about her lack of cleanliness . . . in a dusty cell! Happy now?

4.       “Red” is killin’ em out here in that dress. Go Abby!

5.       Hey Florence!!!! 

6.       The wife saves the mistress? Where they do that at?

7.       The kidnappers said that it may take 3 years for them to kill her. Honestly, Liv can’t stay away for 3 years because the show can’t take it and neither can I.

8.       This eppy was a bit boring for me but I’m glad ol boy decided to be a baaaawse or a ”boss instead of a babysitter” because now we can get on with it! It’s time for them to go get their “Olivia Doll.”

9.       Soooo, is Daddy Pope behind all of this? He’s been absent and knowing what I know, he didn’t just disappear into thin (mint) air!

Speaking of Thin Mints, did you know that my favorite Girl Scout cookies contain no animal by-products this year? I picked up a box (only one…I’m trying to get my life together) from a lovely young girl scout and her Mom yesterday on Market Street. They had on t-shirts that read “Girls Can Do Anything.” Trueness!

Support your local troupe and pick up a box of Thin Mints today. Put your box in the freezer or the refrigerator and enjoy them cold for a sweet treat. Additionally, you can enjoy the cookies with ice cream. Yep, ice cream or as the vegan community calls it, “nice cream.” There are so many recipes on how to make your own vegan ice cream. Of course you can buy it from the store, but when I want to make a cleaner version at home, I do this: 

1.       Allow 4 to 5 bananas to become overly ripe. Peel them and cut them in half. Throw them in the freezer overnight.

2.       The next day, put the bananas in a high powered blender with about a ½ cup of almond milk and a ¼ cup of water.

3.       Toss in a table spoon of vanilla extract or a sprig of fresh vanilla

4.       Turn your high powered blender on and get it going. The bananas may get stuck at the bottom, so you’ll have to stop and ensure that it is blending properly by scraping the sides of the blender. Once everything is blended, throw the pitcher in the freezer and bring out the thin mint cookies.

5.       Crush the thin mint cookies on wax paper with your hands or toss them in a food processor if you would like a finer consistency.

6.       Grab a bowl, take the pitcher out of the freezer, spoon out the “nice cream” and throw the cookie crumbles on top. You can store the rest in a freezer-safe container. Clean out your pitcher and BOOM! Eat up.


Preparing the food that I enjoy is not an exact science so I’ll never say you can’t make alterations to the measurements. I like to feel it out and that’s what makes cooking fun for me. Allow the process of integrating more fruit and vegetables into your life to work for you. Remain flexible and get rid of the rigidity. This is NOT a diet! Stay inspired.

*I felt like the girl scout on the box when I found out about this epic announcement in cookiedom! :-) 

As a blogger, I have to be responsible.

As a vegan I have to be compassionate.

As Darilyn, I have to keep it real!

Let’s be honest, not all vegan edibles should be classified as food. Some of it is pure junk which is why we should read labels and stay away from as much food that comes in a box or in a wrapper as possible. But if you’re jonesin’ for some junk, get ready to hit the middle aisle of the grocery store (you’re not “supposed” to shop there by the way) because there are plenty of vegan junk items that do not have a trace of animal by-product. Instead, it’s purely manufactured, chemically altered…and incredibly delicious - just sayin'!

·         Oreos

·         Kool-Aid

·         Sour Patch Kids

·         Fritos

·         Lay’s Potato Chips (a personal fave)

·         Nutter Butter Cookies

We all know what junk food does to our bodies and trust me; I’m not here to judge. Every now and then I indulge in cookies too. Sometimes you simply go off course. But once you go there, remember to join us back in the land of the living (and thriving)!