veggie biter

Head over here (veggiebiter.com) to keep up with my food adventures. I'm just starting over there, so you won't find much yet - but hopefully soon.

As far as this site goes, I'll (hopefully) be able to get back to making & crafting when school is over! I've been super busy with trying to balance school full time, work, and a social life!

food fight!

I need to come up with a really classy/creative/descriptive/fun/funny name for a food blog/business name/etc. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Ideally, I would like to use food fight, as it was the plan for a make up line I will (eventually, sometime down the road) be creating. It’s very fun, playful, and descriptive for a majority of the things I want to do.

So, I've been in school for 7 days now. Not too long at all! We've been doing a lot of technical things - "serve safe" classes, knife skills, broths, and today - sauces. I'm not going to be sharing many recipes yet (as I'm not creating a ton of things that you can't figure out yourself), but I am going to share some photos - because who doesn't love looking at photos of gorgeous food?!?

After creating homemade stocks in class -  we were allowed to take home mirepoix from our knife skills class. I decided to make a homemade broth that night, and utilize it in my first EVER risotto. It was a scallion, lime, and basil risotto - rich, creamy, and sweet! It was a Monday, the night Hell's Kitchen is on, so it was only fitting.  (By the way, Chef Gordon Ramsay is coming to Austin THIS WEEK to film an episode of Kitchen Nightmares. I emailed for reservations over 2 weeks ago, unfortunately, I was never contacted. I would have been so beyond stoked to get a chance to say hi to him or try something he had a hand in making.)

Today, we made sauces. Pesto is considered a "contemporary" sauce, and that's what I made this evening. I sauteed eggplant in a pan every so slightly coated with oil and bits of garlic, then garnished with a pesto made of purple basil, arugula, olive oil, salt, pepper, and CASHEWS. It turned out very nicely - not what you would expect of a common pesto, that's for sure. I served it with an arugula salad with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and agave nectar dressing. It was still very yummy though.

 

Tomorrow, we start talking about dry & wet cooking methods. I'll have to work after school, so I won't get to experiment 'til the weekend. Bummer city! I'll be holding dinner parties soon with the very FEW friends I have in Austin, so expect more photos & foodie updates. (Funny enough, most of the friends we're making here are from Indiana. It's just easier.)

School

Tomorrow, I start school. This hasn't happened in about 10 years. It is a very strange feeling.

On Being Homesick

It's true! (made by rararpress)

I think being homesick is probably just about one of the worst things ever. You might have your stuff from "home" around, your loved ones, but it still isn't "home." Everything you know, memories at every corner, that sort of stuff. Having recently moved, I am really starting to suffer from this terrible feeling. It took 2 months, but I suppose it must take a different amount of time for it to sink in for different people.

I don't really know what to do to squash this feeling, either. I'm sad, I don't feel like doing things, I can't sleep well, I literally feel sick, and I just feel myself sinking further. It's pretty bad, and it's not good when you need to go out and meet people and explore your new town.

It's been a rough few days, since it's really been settling in my heart. Here are some tips that I've found just in the past couple of days to help me feel a little better. Please, share any tips you have - I can use anything you can think of!

???? (made by bopeepbaby)

1. Call your mom/dad! I know, totally lame - but sometimes just hearing a completely familiar voice can help.
2. Hugs - if you're fortunate (like I am) to have loved ones with you, hug them. Alot.
3. Call/email friends - I know you're feeling forgotten/left out, but they more than likely still love you & miss you, too.
4. Create to-do lists. Yep, give yourself things to do so you don't waste your whole day lying on the couch. And keeping busy will help keep your mind off of it.
5. Take a shower every day. There's nothing like a good cry in the shower, and wallowing in your own dirt doesn't help anything/anyone.
6. Plan a visit home. If it's in one week or 4 months, anything, just something to look forward to.
7. Remember why you're there. Refocus on your goal & remember that you're there for a purpose.
8. Write postcards/letters/send packages. You might think people should be sending you bits of home, but honestly, sending others you love mail helps, oddly enough.
9. If it starts getting really bad, do something! Take a bath, cook a meal, take your dogs on a walk. It should help the feeling pass.
10. Stay off of facebook/twitter for excessive amounts of time. Reading about what all your friends are doing at home (i.e. what you would be doing) only will make you long for home even more.

So - what do you suggest? I'll try out any suggestions you have, cause I really gotta stop this feeling!

Matt's awesome Indiana patches. Check him out here (& buy one!)

A Weeknight Project

Do you have a t-shirt you absolutely adore, but just doesn't fit you properly? You know the story; it's too big, it's not a feminine cut, but you still want to wear it every day. I was faced with this problem when my friend Martha from Sunday Afternoon Housewife gave us a pair of her Indie Loves Indy silk-screened t-shirts as going away gifts. These shirts are great to show our Indy pride, but the cut didn't suit me in the hot Austin weather. It was too heavy & covered too much to keep me cool. After scouring the internet for ideas, I came up with this super-easy shirt reconstruction plan. I'm sure you've seen it before, or it's printed in some book, but I'm still going to share it with you.

Step 1:  Grab your favorite t-shirt. Make sure that it's a shirt that is at least a little too big, too small won't work!

Step 2: Cut off the arms, following the seam. Cut around the neckline, as I've marked here. You may cut straight across or a bit diagonally, both work and both are cute. Make sure that you're cutting through the front and back of the shirt. You may cut off the bottom hem as well, if you wish. I pretty much only do this if a shirt is too long.

Step 3: You're almost done already! Stretch out the arms, collar, and bottom (if you cut it) so it kinda curls up a bit and doesn't look freshly cut. Next, cut off the hems of both sleeves.

  

Step 4: Take the hems you cut off the sleeves and cut in half. You will have 4 short pieces of fabric. Take a piece and tie 2 or 3 knots near the collar on your front strap. Repeat this again on the front, and then on the back of both straps. Done!

 

How easy was that? Now you can salvage any shirt that might be just a little to big for you with a pair of scissors and 15 minutes!

Sailor Shorts

I want to make these shorts like nobodies business. Unfortunately, I am not a very proficient sewer. Sure, I can do small things, simple things, but this seems like a hard project. Especially since the pattern is for little girls.

Would anyone like to do a sew-along, or at least help me out with the project? I would  be forever grateful!

Food News

I wish I could eat Sugar Mama's cupcakes every single day.

Light, delicate, full of flavor!

I've been posting some food-related things on my food-related blog. You can read that over at ieatfood.wordpress.com! Tell me what you think!

One more piece of "food news", if you find yourself in Austin, don't visit Guero's Taco Bar. I did a completely honest review of a meal we had there on yelp, and received a very rude and childish response from the owner. It's bad form to negatively respond to an honest review of your business. Perhaps, instead, you should be concerned as to why so many customers are saying the same things over & over about your food.

The Kitchen Window

Today, I finally got a job! That means bills will be paid and I will have somewhere to go. I am beyond excited.

I don't know too much yet about the place, but the place is called The Kitchen Window. It's a food truck that is located behind Thom's Market at Barton Springs Road & Jessie Street. I am beyond stoked to not be working in retail and to have a chance to work with food.

Check it out - they're working on a new menu, which should include 3 vegetarian items!

I start Thursday :)

I have a really great plan on another project to work on over the summer when I'm not working. Details on that later...

Frozen Desserts

It's been over 100 degrees the past two days in Austin. Before that, I don't think there has been a day since we've been here that it's been under 98 degrees. Frozen treats to the rescue! Here's my first favorite:

Strawberry Sorbet: 

‎1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 pints strawberries
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 - 3 tbsp vanilla extract

1. Bring sugar + water to boil over high heat, stirring constantly. When it starts boiling, turn to low, and let cook 5 minutes (stirring occasionally). Remove from heat, cover for 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, wash strawberries, dry, then cut into quarters. Put in blender (or food processor) & process with 1/4 cup of sugar/water mix. Process until you can hardly see the seeds anymore.

3. Mix everything else together in a container that can be frozen.

4. Let that mixture freeze overnight. In the morning, I let the sorbet sit out for about 5 - 10 minutes, then used a spoon to mash it and mix it up. Return to freezer. Eat after a couple hours!

(I suggest letting it sit out for a few minutes to soften up just a touch before eating. This recipe should make around 6 - 8 servings.)

 

This one goes delicious with Banana Soft Serve that my friend Lilly turned me onto from choosingraw.com.  Bananas + strawberries!?! How could it get any better?

internet!

I was 18 days without the internet. It was a crazy time...not really. But, I've been thinking about all the things I've wanted to post about our adventure down to Austin. With being currently unemployed, I'll have plenty of time for that. For now, I want to share a few observations.

1. Texas drivers are CRAZY! They're always in a hurry, or going way too slow.
2. There is always something I want to eat down here. Always.
3. The heat is hot, but the humidity is nothing compared to Indiana, which makes it completely bearable.
4. I forgot how to make friends/meet people. Ugh!
5. Most everyone down here is so nice!
6. Getting a job = knowing someone.
7. Being unemployed is hard & requires many naps.
8. A lot of the natural food stores down here are just glorified Marsh/Krogers.
9. The dogs don't like males just because of their deep voices.
10. I miss you.

We've been filling out a ton of applications in the hot Texas sun. I've been wearing dresses! Well, twice I think.

My first batch of resumes. They've since been edited & ribbons exchanged for little owls. I'm handing these to everyone I pass on the street. (Well, not really. Yet.)

I'll try to write a much more interesting post soon. Right now, I'm going through caffeine withdrawal.

It's voting season.

Everyone is asking for votes and donations this month. Seriously, everyone. Check out these projects: 

Sunday Afternoon Housewife is trying to raise cash for her "Culture of Craft" documentary over on kickstarter. Martha wants to travel to a variety of craft conferences to share (in her words) "the story of a culture."  If you don't know Martha, she is an amazing entrepreneurial gem. She runs a blog, teachings classes, is a summer gardener, and a constant inspiration and great friend! She has set up so many donation levels with great gifts. Let's help her raise the $12,000 she needs to realize her dream. If anyone deserves it, she does!






Homespun: Modern Handmade is up for another Pepsi Refresh Everything Grant. They were blessed with one last year which provided them the ability to open a truly unique store for Indianapolis. They were aiming for a retail space that would also provide a gallery and classes. Unfortunately, the gallery & class space was not able to be realized; so they're up for another grant to finally make it happen - and even bigger than the initial idea. Voting is open through the month of May, and you can vote once each day.






Nuvo is running their annual Best of Indy poll, voting is open until June 1st. Focused on " shining a light on what is outstanding and unique to our city, neighborhoods and neighbors", this contest is not for chains - but for local favorites. There is pretty much every category ever to vote for, and you can write in your favorites if you don't see 'em listed! I have a few suggestions (of course!), like Deezen for best punk band, Georgetown Market for best local food vendor,  Vanilla Bean Bakery for best sweets, and indySwank for best shopping for women's fashion.

Happy voting, y'all!

I sure hope Kickstarter accepts her!

Check out Martha's (Sunday Afternoon Housewife) video submission to Kickstarter.



I LOVE IT!

things for sale!

Moving requires money - lots of it! And moving requires a big ol' expensive moving truck. Did you know that most moving trucks only get 6 - 10 mpg? With gas up to $4.00 a gallon right now - we are going to be spending a ton of money.

So, we're selling some items to save space, and hopefully a little weight to get better mileage. If you're in the Indianapolis area, and interested in any of these items - please leave a comment! All items will be available for pick-up in Fountain Square, and payment arrangements can easily be made.

Schwinn Mixted Frame - Hand Painted

Crafty Book Collection

Colorful Set of 3 Chairs

Vintage Corona Seventy Typewriter

Cupcake Stand - 5 Available

Cupcake Stand - 5 Available

Please keep your eye on this Flickr album for new items, and I'll try to keep the blog updated as new items become available!

Critters & Cretins

Critters & Cretins, new works by Mamus! opens tonight at IndySwank! Come hang out with us in Fountain Square & check out Mamus' last show in Indianapolis (for a while, at least). While you're there, you can also check out handcrafted jewelry by Something Monumental and Sunday Afternoon Housewife. Busty's Fun Bags can be found throughout the store. My paper flower hairclips and vintage inspired headbands are also available. There is also a bunch of awesome vintage dresses, ties, jackets, and shoes available. IndySwank is just about one of the most eclectic stores in the city, and if you can't make it tonight - I highly suggest you do so soon.

 

After you visit us, hit up New Day Meadery to check out Mike Altman's show. Cardboard + paint at it's finest. Oh, and delicious handcrafted wines.

If this doesn't sound like your thing, or you want to do something else awesome while in Fountain Square, check out Pat's Eat Something Fest tonight at the Hoosier Dome. This is also Indy Vegans Do Something Zine 2 release show, and a vegan pitch-in. These are always so fun, as you get to try a bunch of food, and there are a lot of great pop-punk bands playing. If you go, remember to bring a dish and a plate & fork for eating!

sorry for the silence.

Things are moving right along for the move to Austin. So well, in fact, I've been neglecting my blogging responsibilities (for this site, indiana, it's over and indyvegans.com).

I returned from my last visit to Austin for Commodore Von Keepsie's Craftacular Music Carnivale & apartment hunting with a bit of a sunburn & complete confidence I was making the right choice. I found (and got approved for!) an apartment. I found my new favorite vegan dish. I got a chance to drive in Austin traffic for the first time (they're a little scary). I ran into 5 people during my 3 days in Austin. And the day I got back to work, I was introduced to a fella who represents a supplement company & is from Austin, who wants to help me find employment when I get to town! Could things be going any better?

Here are some awesome shots from my visit.

Commodore Von Keepsie's Craftacular Music Carnivale

Hot & Crunchy Avocado from the Mighty Cone

KimChi Fries from Chilantro BBQ

Hopdoddy Hempseed Burger

Potbelly Pig Friend

Lamps!

commodore von keepsie's craftacular music carnivale preview!

We'll be leaving in one short week for the 18-hour drive to Austin! I decided to give you a little preview of the items I'll have available for Commodore Von Keepsie's Craftacular Music Carnivale! (Did you RSVP yet? You really should! There's even going to be a 20 ft party robot!)

Looks like temperatures are going to be in the 80's and mostly sunny during the craft fair, but I'm still bringing my new leg warmers! It still gets cold at night, right? And what goes better with a pair of cute flats & a short skirt?

 

I will also be bringing a variety of colors & sizes of vintage inspired headbands. These headbands are knit in two colors, and fastened with a button & elastic at the base of your head. 

This might be my favorite. Flower clips. Hand-crafted flowers made out of old magazines, story-books, or how-to guides. These flowers have been sealed with clear gloss to give them extra stability, then attached to an alligator clip. They ARE still made out of paper, so being delicate & keeping them out of water is crucial!

I'm excited to vend my first craft fair in Austin - I hope it's the first of many!

indiana, it's over.

Just in case you haven't heard yet, I'm moving to Austin, TX, to attend culinary school.

It's quite expensive to move cross country, so Mamus & I came up with a fundraiser idea. We'll be creating custom pieces for anyone that donates to our moving fund. Head on over to indianaitsover.wordpress.com to find out more details!

first friday - march

My top three picks for First Friday: March edition.

1. My favorite guy & gals over at Two-Thirds Studio are opening up their studio for The Outsiders Show. Two-Thirds residents Daniel Del Real, Lauren Ditchley and Katherine Fries are taking a break from showing their work and are lending the walls and floor space to their close friends. With 10 guests, free snacks, and Traveling Sideshow crafts - you can't go wrong!

 

2. First in Line at the Indy Indie Artist Colony. This exhibition& sale will feature original works of art on sale for just $100 each. But get there early, cause it’s one night only, and it’s first come, first served.

3. Harmony at the Artspace at the Athenaeum. This project is one that I am participating in. Each artist was assigned a shape and color for their piece. The combined works will form the letters of the word, HARMONY.

 

What will you be doing? 

designer knitwear

If I had my way, I'd knit unique pieces for everyone's birthday. Unfortunately, I don't have that sort of time right now. The next best thing - luxurious handcrafted knit goods. Something like John Smedley Knitwear strikes me as a nice place to start.

John Smedley has been creating designer knitwear for both men and women for over 225 years. Made in England, each piece is handcrafted in their mill in Derbyshire from only the finest natural fibers. No one would be disappointed in such a finely made knitwear garment.

A few of my favorites in men's knitwear:

Men's Polo Shirt - Aiden

Men's Cotton Shirt - Alen 

A couple of women's knitwear favorites:

Women's Merino Sweater - Opal

Women's Cotton Sweater - Hollie

I'd love to be able to purchase something from John Smedley someday soon - if not as a gift, maybe for me!

commodore von keepsie's craftacular music carnivale!

I'll be taking another trip down to Austin, Texas - this time to vend at Commodore Von Keepsie's Craftacular Music Carnivale! Standard Recording, Handmade Promenade, Hello Craft, and Yudu have teamed up to put on this awesome event during South by Southwest.  Your ears will be filled with music, your eyes with handmade crafts, you'll be able to take home a new shirt to wear, and even make your own crafts!

RSVP if you can make it - the party is free and open to the public, but space is limited. They'll try to let everyone in, but those who RSVP will be given preference.

I'll have all NEW items - which I'll give you a preview of soon. I'm knitting for spring!

looking for a new project?

How about 365 projects - one for each day of the year?

365 projects are gaining more and more steam every year. From food photos, to vector characters, to - yes - crafts! 365-crafts.com is a handy little website to get you crafting an item each day of the year (you wouldn't need to by any birthday/christmas presents!) There are all kinds of neat items like the soda coin purse, decoupage stool, and even a candy belt (although, I would recommend letting someone else eat all that candy).

365-crafts.com is a great jumping point to get your DIY spirit inspired. Not only are the craft projects available here quick and simple, a lot of them use materials you already have lying around your house for recycling!

valentine's day dinner

Our Valentine's Day-a-day-early plans were foiled by Cheesecake Factory when they told us they don't take reservations. I'll gladly take the meal I made over Cheesecake Factory any day. This meal was made from ingredients we already had, and with no particular plan in mind until it started putting itself together.

Potato, Pear & Onion Gratin and Sauteed Polenta served over Mixed Greens with Tomato-Ginger Sauce. Serious Business.

Don't worry. I'll share my recipes. This was probably the best meal I've made this year - and only solidifies the fact that culinary school & I are a match made in heaven.  (ps. this was all made in a toaster oven & with a hot plate)

Pear, Potato, and Onion Gratin (adapted from this recipe)

6 tbsp Earth Balance Buttery Spread (seperated)
3/4 yellow onion, sliced
2 tsp dried thyme
2 - 3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tsp sea salt
1/3 c water
1/3 c balsamic vinegar
2 tsp cane sugar
3 medium to large red potatoes, sliced
2 pears, sliced

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Melt 3 tbsp buttery spread in pan over medium heat. Add onions and thyme, and saute until onions are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and saute for a couple minutes more.
3. Turn heat off, add remaining 3 tbsp buttery spread. Melt. Add salt, water, balsamic vinegar, and cane sugar and stir well. Let cool.
4. Place potatoes and pears in glass baking dish. Add cooled onion mixture and mix well. Cover with parchment paper, then cover with foil (shiny side down).
5. Bake for 40 minutes - or until potatoes are tender. Remove cover, and baked 15 to 20 more minutes, until things are bubbly.

Tomato and Ginger Sauce

Olive Oil
1/4 yellow onion, diced
3 - 4 garlic cloves, chopped well
1 vine-ripened tomato, chopped
1/2 cup ketchup (I had 1/4 cup ketchup + 1/4 cup spicy agave ketchup)
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp Ginger People Ginger Spread

1. Heat olive oil in medium sized pan over medium heat. Add onions and saute until soft.
2. Add garlic and saute for a couple minutes more, until garlic is fragrant.
3. Add tomato and saute for a couple more minutes.
4. Add ketchup, water, and Ginger Spread.  Mix well, then turn head up to medium-high. Bring to boil & let cook for about 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, cool, and serve.

We followed the meal with Blondies topped with Jeni's Ice Cream Reisling Poached Pear Sorbet (it's vegan!). The sorbet tasted as if a frozen pear was just melting in my mouth. If you have yet to try Jeni's, I'd highly suggest hunting some down. This artisanal ice cream is made with fresh ingredients from the Ohio countryside. This was my first taste, and it blew my mind.

Well, I know Valentine's Day is actually tomorrow. Do you have any plans?

First Friday - February

I forgot to post a look at our failed couples show.

 

check out more work from Nathaniel Russell and Katie Coles. 

collaborative piece with mamus.

At least all the pieces were mega awesome!