Memories, like the corner of my mind. . .

Everyone has a childhood ice cream memory and mine is Baskin Robbins with my Mom. She was never a fan of ice cream, but I ALWAYS loved the cold stuff. Mom enjoyed rainbow sherbet or Italian ice instead but when we would arrive at BR she always ordered Daiquiri Ice. I always ended up sneaking a taste or 7 from her cup when she wasn't looking (or maybe she was looking and just let it slide). Being a grown little woman, I wanted to taste the "alcohol." I don't regret it either. . .not one single taste! 

I'm a lover of comfort. When it's cold, I want something hot.

When it's hot, I want something cold. 

This summer, go for the Daiquiri Ice at BR. 

It's delicious.
It's cool.
It's vegan!

Season 4, Episode 17: Put a Ring On It
Directed By Regina King

SCANDALous Thoughts:

1.       Mellie is rockin’ that pink sheath dress. Yowza!

2.       How does Liv ALWAYS end up working for the White House time and time…and time again?

3.       SALLY LANGSTON!!! She got a talk show now? Did she forget that she killed her hubby and Cyrus covered it up?                  She’s talking like she forgot doe. . .

4.       “You wish you were me but you can’t be me, remind yourself of that.” – Mellie

5.       JAMES! I miss his nosey butt.

6.       What happened to the dude that Liv was bangin’ last week? Will we see him again or will Liv pull a Mary Jane Paul?

7.      We giving out rings to side pieces now?

8.     WOW, that's the ring she ALWAYS wears on her index finger. WOW, Sweet Baby though? Okay Regina King and                     Shonda! I see ya'll bringing us full circle. Is this franchise ending soon or something?

9.    Awww, Britta Kagen! Remember her?

10. "You are not alone." These are the words that people want to hear. This was a redeeming moment for Cy. 

11. I watched this eppy on Hulu and I had to play the ending back 4 times. So subtle and SO good! Welp, he technically            put a ring on it right?

Speaking of putting a ring on it, the name of this eppy doesn't just make me want to dance, it also makes me think of Miss Beyonce. Whether you like her or not, her mega power draws people in. I love the fact that she and her hubs went vegan for 22 days and she is now a spokesperson for what seems like a top notch vegan food delivery service - 22 Days Nutrition! We know that the creator, Marco Borges has to be bomb because Bey isn't putting her name of just anything, standing behind just any cause or putting just any type of food in her body...well, at least not anymore! Continue to bring your mega star power (and awareness) to my beloved plant-based lifestyle and maybe, just maybe we can get you out of your fur and leather. No? Okay, baby steps!

Honestly, I've never tasted restaurant food that was so fresh. I could sing songs about their kale salad. I could write a sonnet for their strawberry and date smoothie and I could recite a monologue about their vegan and gluten free scones. 

But this time I'll leave the dramatics behind and just give you the quick and dirty.

Pros:

• Freshness and quality of locally grown organic produce
• Variety of the menu
• Convenience to BART and various locations

Cons:

• Long wait time even for small orders when they aren't packed
• Price of food - my strawberry smoothie and vegan scone was about $14. Buuuut I feel like all meals and snacks are $14 out here so I'm not sure if this is a con or just a fact of Bay Area Life! 

Verdict:
Eat at The Plant on payday and make sure you have some time on your hands. You won't regret a single bite. 

SCANDALous Thoughts:

1.       So googling Dustbuster is job one!

2.       Wait, there’s the girl from Girls. 

3.       Did Oliva get read for filth in her own office…by the girl from Girls?

4.       “That’s old school. Respect!” - Huck

5.       So is Quinn’s old boo freelancing with P&A?

6.       This episode is sooo much fun.

7.       I miss Harrison. He would have had a ball in this eppy – cracking jokes and whatnot. Sometimes, I miss season 1. 

8.       This allll boils down to Abby being a freak! “There’s no sympathy for the kinky.” Both of her men love the kink.

9.       HR is whack. That’s why I had to get out. They are ALWAYS working for the company…never forget!

10.    Liv got her groove back ya’ll! I ain’t mad. 

Whenever I fall off of my well-balanced vegan groove and fall into an unbalanced vegan mess of junk food, I get my groove back by reaching for kale. As one of the most protein packed vegetables out there, kale is extremely filling and definitely tasty. My favorite is this easy, yummy salad that you can make with minimal ingredients, a large mixing bowl and your hands. 

Ingredients:

·         Kale

·         Spinach

·         Shredded Carrots

·         Julienne Sun dried Tomatoes 

·         Sesame Seeds 

·         Black Pepper 

Directions:

1.       Throw your spinach, kale, shredded carrots and sun dried tomatoes into a large mixing bowl

2.       Toss in about a half cup of sesame seeds along with a table spoon of black pepper. 

3.       Mix it up with your clean hands (like grandma and dem used to do).

4.       No dressing is necessary because the oil from the sun dried tomatoes is enough to coat the green veggies and make them palatable. 

With sooooo much fiber, vitamin K, protein and vitamin C, you can surely get your groove back and get your groove on with this filling and delicious salad! 

Smash Burger has got sweet potato fries on smash! OMG - their Smash Fries have garlic, Italian olive oil and rosemary. Come on somebody! Shout out to the Smash Burger in Emeryville, CA. Between the amazing customer service and the good eats, you all made it a great Saturday! Happiness. 

1.  Where does Abby live? That joint is hot!

2. Marla Gibbs is the bomb. Shonda is the bomb. NO topic goes uncovered.

3. Why does Liv still LIVE there? You gotta carry a gun to brush your teeth? Naw son!

4. “You know why I did it.” Yes Fitz! Yes!! I’m tired of her giving him crap for saving her life.

5. That black guy on the news looked all Van Jones like. I love me some Van Jones.

6. “You did it Mom!” That little girl stole the show holding that Bible.

7. Diego’s testimony was so moving. The flashbacks of the house, his son, their marriage…he did it for love. Buuuuut, they may need to move out of the country into another hole all their own. B613 ain’t no neighborhood gang!

8. Speaking of doing it for love, Marla Gibbs waited 40 years for her love. Now that’s dedication! Her story is Liv’s story in so many ways.

That sweet old Lady didn’t have to die and I’m still pissed about it. The sweet little ladies reminded me of my Nana. She taught me so much about life and she’s the main reason why I love my fruits and veggies today. Here’s her timeless recipe for sweet potato casserole…veganized!

Ingredients:

·         4 large sweet potatoes

·         Almond or Coconut Milk

·         Vegan Butter

·         Sweetener such as agave nectar or maple syrup

·         Cinnamon

·         Nutmeg

·         Vegan Marshmallows

This recipe is sooo easy and my family only enjoyed it twice a year (Thanksgiving and Christmas). What a shame! I plan on enjoying this more often than that, but I do agree that a holiday just ain’t a holiday without this side dish.

Directions:

1. Boil covered sweet potatoes over high heat. Once softened, let them sit in a pot of cold water. This will make the skin slide off immediately.

2. Using a potato masher (optional), mash each sweet potato over a large bowl.

3. Add in about half a cup of vegan butter and add in cinnamon, nutmeg and sweetener to taste. Keep in mind that you have to let the ingredients meld together while cooking. My philosophy in in cooking is: “Less is more. ALWAYS taste your food before serving it. Colorful food is better on the eyes and in the body.”

4. Place the casserole in an oven set to 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

5. Take the sweet potato casserole out of the oven and turn your broiler on.

6. Now that the sweet potatoes are out of the oven, lightly press each marshmallow into the casserole.

7. Place the casserole into the broiler and check on it every 5-7 seconds. I’m serious. The marshmallows catch on fire easily and that’s not what you want. Instead, you are looking for a char on the marshmallows. You don’t want a Smoky The Bear situation!

8. Once the marshmallows are browned the way you want them, take the casserole out of the oven and dig in. Delicious right? 

1.       Yes Courtney B. Vance! No wonder he is half of an acting power couple. Shine on Brother! 

2.       Is Kerry preggers again? She has that glow! But doesn't she always glow?

3.       Marcus Walker used to be on All My Children. He was Angie and Jessie’s son. #LittleKnownFacts Yep, I still watch this          soap on You Tube from time-to-time. This was my Mom's favorite and it makes me feel super close to her to watch.

4.       “Stand up! Fight back! No more black men under attack!!!” #NuffSaid

5.       “Your black card is not getting validated today…you just wanted to tell everyone that you are a real down ass chick.”            Forreal doe? This Marcus Walker…is he single? I love a man that tells it like it is and keeps it moving.

6.       “It doesn’t make them a mob, it makes them Americans.” God bless us all. We can assemble, we can have weapons,            we can speak up. Whether you agree with it or not, it’s freedom.

7.       OKAY LIV! Was anybody else moved when she went behind the yellow tape?

8.       When Courtney B. Vance met Fitz in the oval I wept. I wept for all of them – the fictional characters as well as                        Trayvon Martin and co. I’m displeased with the state of affairs in our world, but I’m thankful that Shonda is shedding          light on them.   Sometimes, the entertainment business has a conscious and a moral compass. 

9.   This episode is really about power. Each of us has power in our lives and the entertainment industry has the power to       impact us all on a greater level as art continues to imitate life. 

What’s more powerful than robust spices like cardamom, cumin and garlic? Below are just some of the benefits of these spices. Switch up your seasoning routine with these game changers! 

Rid yourself of depression with Cardamom:

• Use liberally in great vegan Indian dishes like Chickpea Curry.
• Bring out the taste of chocolate with this robust spice.
• Rid your digestive track of speed bumps...flow freely! I'll leave it at that.  
  

Improve your memory with Cumin:

• Use in everything from tacos to chili.
• Take your iron levels up the ladder to the roof with this spice. Can you see heaven much better?
• New Mother? Boost your milk production and keep your new baby happy by sprinkling some of this spice on your rice.
  

Reduce hair shedding with Garlic:

• Strengthen your immune system and say bye-bye to late winter colds.
• Prevent Alzheimer's and dementia with this pungent spice. 
• Create a winning meal each time with just a touch of it in spaghetti and mixed veggies. 
  

Cardamom                                                        Cumin                                                               Garlic

*You can purchase the dried ground version of each at any grocery store, farmer's market or health food store in your area.