They also returned from Disneyland last night. My mother has told me a little about how it all went. From what I gathered, my sister-in-law was a bit of a complainer the entire time and my nephew misbehaved more than he should have. Come on, people! This is Disneyland, it’s the happiest place on earth! No sad faces allowed! Oh, well, I’m pretty sure they had a good time. At least I think they did.

So I have a freelance job that starts next month. It’s not what I had hoped for – it’s only 10 hours a week, for three months – but it’s something so I should be glad. But of course it wasn’t going to come without a catch. The irony of where this job is has not escaped me. It’s at The American College of Healthcare Executives. Know why this is ironic? Because when he and I were together, living here in Chicago, he had a meeting there once and I met up with him afterwards. I’m not meant to escape him completely, am I?

It’s really nice out today. 80˚+ degree weather. I am supposed to go for a long run today (8 miles) but I woke up with a sore throat. I feel okay so it shouldn’t really be a problem. I just don’t want to make it worse. Still…I want to run.

I met someone from that online dating site last night. We went to see the new Star Trek movie. The movie was really good so you should go see it if you like Sci-Fi stuff. As for the guy, he was nice. We actually have been emailing a great deal for the last week or so. He’s funny and we definitely have a good back-and-forth, but that’s about it. I didn’t feel much else. We don’t have much of anything in common. He likes living in the suburbs, I like the city. He likes old movies, I like any kind of movie as long as it’s interesting. He loves everything having to do with nature, I like nature but it’s not something that consumes my life. He’s not physically active like I am, but he does like to ride his bike. I think it’s that he’s just a little, too, nerdy for me. Not that being nerdy is bad, but this time I think it’s getting in the way. Or maybe it’s just me and I’m finding excuses. I don’t know. I keep waiting for the butterflies to return. I want to see them again, but I just don’t know if they’ll ever come back.

“Stan is late!” This was a sketchy drawing done with the concept “Rendezvous” in mind for Pretty Blah Blah

This is Stan. He is late for his date. Thirty minutes had passed since his car broke down and he knew early on that he wasn’t going to make it. Incidentally, today was his first wedding anniversary to his beautiful wife.  She had arrived at the restaurant half an hour before the designated time. She was excited, after all, and this excitement got her nowhere but to nursing her sixth bowl of complimentary soup. (Therefore, a lesson: If your appointment is usually late, pick a restaurant with good soup).

Stan knew that his dear wife would be cross by this time (she was) but didn’t have means to know how much (her ears were hot). You see, he could’ve called her if he hadn’t accidentally left his phone inside the towed car. Stan is not good under pressure. His brain shuts down a bit, like that time when his boss shouted at him over the phone to fix the error in his last audited statement. After his boss hung up, Stan pressed the number 1 on the keypad, then the number 5, then 0, then 0 again. The phone gave a continuous beeping sound, and that’s when Stan gained full control of his motor skills and put the phone down to fix his work.

Stan is running on the same steam right now as he unwittingly purchased every gift in hopes to appease his darling. An hour in late, and  one angry poodle later, Stan takes one last look at his watch and gulps.

++

Admittedly, the name of the character is from that game “The Stanley Parable”. Even the beginning that went “This is Stanley.” came from it. I tried thinking of another name for him, but Stanley is such a cute, nerdy name that I couldn’t replace it. So “Stan” it is.

Also, I think I might change Stan’s get up to something more formal? Are anniversaries a dress-and tie event? Should they be? Huh?

The initial sketch was supposed to be a “new date” that’s why he bought all those things cos he doesn’t know what his new date would like. But I changed it to his “wife” because for some reason the word “wife” strikes fear to the hearts of many men. Panicking would be logical in this case.

Things.

Pictures today, since I’m feeling more visual and less like the chatterbox I usually am. 

This. No words needed.

 Architecturally glorious, but…  

Mother Nature always wins! 

Look! A barley-rice yin-yang! 

And now the real subject of this post… pudding!! 

Mmm, pudding. There has been so much pudding in my life lately, this is a trend I’ll be continuing. This one is barley and brown rice (would have been all barley but I was a little short—a fortuitous happening since barley and brown rice go well together!), made with rice milk and coconut milk. I like it for breakfast with more milk added, or dessert with a chopped date or some raw honey (or maple). Kind of whatever floats your boat, any way you eat it, it’s delicious! Comforting in the tummy, warming, and soothing. 

Coconut Barley-Brown Rice Pudding

Recipe lightly adapted from The Gouda Life, here! Makes a fairly good-sized vat… I got maybe 5 servings out of it? They were varying sizes though, some were bigger than others. 

• 3/4 c purple barley, rinsed
• 1/2 c brown rice (mine was kashikiri) 
• 1 c original rice milk
• 1/2 c water
• 2 c light coconut milk 
• 2 tsp cinnamon, plus more to taste
• 2 tsp cardamom, plus more to taste
• 3 dates, pitted and chopped
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• shredded unsweetened coconut, for garnish
• pistachios, for garnish

In a pot, combine barley, brown rice, rice milk, water, cinnamon, and cardamom. Bring to a boil, then turn down and let simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in chopped dates. Once the liquid is mostly gone, add coconut milk 1/4 c at a time, stirring frequently (I found it helpful to stand there with a book and stir…it’s kind of like risotto), adding the next batch after the previous has been mostly absorbed. When all of the coconut milk is added, the barley should be mostly cooked (it should be a little chewy when done). Mine needed a little more time, so I added a bit more rice milk and let it cook longer. I tasted it as I went and added more cinnamon/cardamom or vanilla to taste. Let cool a bit, and top with shredded coconut and pistachios to serve. I liked mine with chopped date or raw honey, but maple is good too! 

Ready for a sweet treat? Say goodbye to the guilt and make yourself a batch of these Raw Nut Butter Cookie Balls. Not only are they raw, they are delicious and healthy with added protein and a touch of cinnamon.

Raw Nut Butter Cookie Balls
Yields approximately 9-10 balls

1 cup raw, unsalted cashews
1/2 cup uncooked quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups pitted dates
4 tablespoons raw nut butter of your choice

Combine cashews, oats and cinnamon in the bowl of a food processor and process for 30-60 seconds, or until the consistency of cornmeal is reached.

Add dates and nut butter and pulse until mixture is combined, stopping occasionally to scrape sides. Mixture should be moist enough to form into balls and hold their shape. If not, add an additional teaspoon nut butter and mix. Repeat if necessary.

Using approximately 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time, roll into balls and place in an air-tight container and refrigerate until ready to eat.

NOTE: Due to the nature of preservative-free foods, these cookies are best if eaten within one week, otherwise they may be frozen until ready for consumption.

I love granola. Like full on “give me the whole box now”, love. One thing I do not love? The fat, calories, and sugar that come with eating a box of store bought granola. My challenge? To make low-fat, low sugar granola in a new form. Just in time for this months’ Kosher Link Up post. The assignment was to create croutons. No specific rules-  just make croutons. I knew I had to make granola dessert croutons, and make them healthy. No sugar, butter, or eggs in this post. This recipe is 100% pareve, vegan, and packed with protein!

A little glimpse into how I created my croutons…

As a chef at Odradeks, I cook delicious baked goods daily. One very popular treat is called the ‘Rock Climber’. Ingredients include roasted nuts, dates, spices, and more. I love it, but it takes time and patience to create. After cooking at work all morning, patience is the last thing I have in my own kitchen. I wanted the Rock Climber taste, with prep time cut in half. Hopeful that this modified recipe would turn out crunchy on the outside like a crouton, I shaped the mixture into little squares, and baked them.  Once cooled, the croutons were ready for my taste test. They passed with flying colors! My granola croutons were crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle. Savory, sweet, healthy, and energy packed! Get ready to see these on the menu at Odradeks soon…

For the full “crouton” experience, add these on top of yogurt, with milk, ice cream, or fruit salad (thanks CB for the idea!)

Personal side note…

I usually make granola with a variety of nuts. I made my LaraBar- like granola and truly loved it. Unfortunately my digestive system did not. For some reason when I mix rich nuts like cashews and pecans into baked goods, I do not feel well, I feel sluggish. For this recipe I chose walnuts with hope that I would feel fine. Thankfully, I was more than fine, and my husband and I polished off batch after batch. Hope my story can help you if you stray from nut based goodies because they make you feel sick!

Click me… watch me dance…

Ingredients: yields many, many granola bites. (I made 24, approx. half batch) Bake in a 9 x 13 pan if you want to make granola bars. Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days. I made half the batch and froze the rest of the mixture.

• 1 cup of steel cut oats. Blend in coffee grinder to create oat flour. Steel cut oats don’t dissolve like regular oats, this helped keep my granola crunchy!
• 1/4 cup of peanut butter. (add 2 tablespoons more if you like a strong PB taste)
• 4 tablespoons of honey.
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• 4 tablespoons of chia seeds.
• 3 tablespoons of ground flax seeds. (Did you know that if you eat flax seeds whole you don’t get the nutrients? Grind for the protein!)
• 1 cup of walnuts- finely chopped.
• 1 cup of medjool dates, pitted, chopped. (9 dates approx)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Pit the dates, soak in boiling water for 5 minutes to soften dates. Drain, chop into small pieces.
• Add oat flour, dates, honey, and pb into food processor.
• Blend until combined.
• Add spices, chia seeds, and flax.
• Pulse for 20 seconds.
• Add walnuts last, pulse until combined.
• Bake  (baking sheet for croutons) for 12 minutes. If making in a 9 x 13, spray with PAM, bake 18 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking.

Enjoy having energy from a delicious homemade snack!!

Be sure to click the frog below to see the other bloggers amazing crouton inventions!

What says summer like a radiant, colorful bunch of deliciously juicy fruit?  This couscous salad hit the spot for my fruit and summer cravings.

The base of the salad is cooked couscous (however much you’d like!).  The rest is whatever fruits you want to add.  Make it colorful, full of flavor, and fragrantly summer.  Feel free to add the fruits I have listed, or sub in your own favorites and whatever you have in the fridge.  This is a great salad to just throw some ingredients together and make a lovely dish out of it.

Salad Ingredients

-cooked couscous—however much you want (I measured 1 cup uncooked couscous then cooked it)

-1 full cup chopped apple (I recommend pink lady or jazz—the crispier variety of apple)

-1 orange sliced, peeled, and chopped

-2 nectarines, sliced and chopped

-8 dates, chopped

-1/4 cup shredded coconut

-1/4 cup peanuts

Directions

-Combine the cooked couscous and fruit.  Stir and let the flavors blend while you prepare the dressing.

Dressing Ingredients

-4 strawberries, mashed until a thick sauce

-1 tbs balsamic vinegar

-juice ½ lemon

-2 Tbs maple syrup

Directions

-Mix together the mashed strawberries, vinegar, lemon juice, and maple syrup.  Pour over the couscous salad and mix well.  Enjoy the tastes of summer!

When we want to make a special appetizer to go with our cocktails there is one treat, besides pine nut hummus, that I always think of. Bacon wrapped dates are a classic but the thing that gets me interested in writing a post about them is how everyone in food blog and Internet food sites seems to ask you stuff the dates.

What I think is more important is choosing your bacon and pairing the wrapped dates with another small snack. In our case Marcona almonds from Trader Joe’s were the snack nut of choice. The bacon was the thick cut, apple smoked, uncured bacon also from TJ’s. Thick and full of flavor without nitrates that make bacon less good for you. Consider me a convert to the ways of uncured bacon.

The recipe is almost too simple to write down

5 or 6 slices thick cut uncured bacon
Twice as many pitted dates as slices of bacon
Toothpicks (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 350 and cover a baking sheet with foil for easy clean up. Cut the bacon in half so you have two shorter strips and wrap each date in the bacon. If you have toothpicks knit the bacon together so it doesn’t fall apart. Bake for 25-30 minutes, at 15 minutes turn over the pieces with tongs so they get nice and browned on all sides. Serve with a small bowl of snack nuts like Marcona almonds.

Enjoy!

(And as a bonus use the bacon fat that renders out for making roast potatoes)

I must say, I am very pro using less butter/unhealthy ingredients when making things at home. But I will use them in minimal quantities when the recipe does not work without them.

I do not enjoy a modified dessert that tastes like a diet dessert.

In the end, it has to taste good! My usual judge to the success or failure of a recipe are my nieces and nephews, so I’ll also provide their opinions Seeing that these recipes are made using the best ingredients (items available at our homes) I think that sort-of makes it up since there are no trans fats, additives and/or colorants.

Just old fashioned REAL FOOD! Can’t ask for better than that.

I have a lovely and deadly sweet tooth. My easiest fix is fruits (ok! the occasional chocolate as well!) but mainly dates which inspired a date cake. I made this as a cake but I would strongly recommend them as brownies because they are so fudgy! They would especially work for someone with children when having friends over.

1- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C. I use tahinie (ground sesame seeds) to coat my cake pan. Then I spray flour over it.

2- Place the dates in large saucepan with 3 1/2 cups cold water. Bring to boil, stirring a little to break up the dates. Some of the date skins will float to the top, it is better to remove them.

Leave to simmer for 1 minute before removing from the heat. Stir in the baking soda (which will cause the mixture to bubble up).

3- Cream the butter, oil and sugar together in a food mixer until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, occasionally scraping down mixing bowl. Add the vanilla extract and then the flour and salt and mix briefly to give a lumpy dough.

4- Next, add the warm date mixture in two batches. Scrape down the sides of bowl in between mixing. The original recipe said to add all the date water as well, but I only added about 2 1/2 cups.  Finally add the baking powder (this will bubble up also).

5- Add the walnuts, mix, then pour the batter evenly into the pans. Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. Test if they are cooked with a small knife or toothpick, it should come out clean when cakes are done.

Original recipe at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sticky-toffee-date-cake-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

The verdict from my nephew who does not like/eat dates: He loved it and immediately asked for another piece! SUCCESS

I was so excited to try it I forgot to take a picture before cutting! Oh the sweet sticky-ness!

Margaret Stuart Reed

“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.” Stephen King, ‘On Writing’.

Rating:

7 out of 10 (from 46 votes)

This cake is dangerous. It’s so easy, and so delicious – after I made it for the first time, I may have made it 2 more times in the same week. So if you are sucker for delicious treats, beware! Carly has perfected an amazing basic vanilla cake, so you will be seeing many variations on this super easy vegan treat! Here’s variation number one!

1 3/4 cups cake/pastry flour (All purpose totally works too. Using pastry flour will give you the fluffiest version, whole wheat will give you a more dense cake)

1/2 cup sugar

1.5 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1.5 Tbsp loose black chai tea (or 3 tea bags)

1 cup almond milk (I’m sure soy would work too, however I personally have not tried it)

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1.5 tsp apple cider vinegar (white vinegar will work too)

PREHEAT OVEN 350 degrees

Start by mixing dry ingredients together. If you are using loose tea, you may want to grind it up a little with a mortar and pestle. If you are using tea bags, just cut them open and empty the contents right into the mixture! No need to steep the tea first, as the tea will steep while it’s in the oven!

Next, mix your wet ingredients. The almond milk and vinegar combination will cause the mixture to curdle! This is what makes the cake so fluffy and moist! Combine with dry ingredients and mix until all the lumps are gone.

Dust your cake pan with a little oil and flour before pouring in the batter. Bake for 20 minutes. If you are making cupcakes, your baking time will be shorter, so check the center with a fork or toothpick!

For the icing, we used Raw Edible’s Vanilla Cream Cheese recipe:

1 cup soaked cashews (minimum 4 hours, better if soaked 8-12 hours)

1/2 cup pitted dates

1/2 tsp vanilla bean (use fresh, or in powder form – or use liquid non-alcoholized form)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

(& I added 1/4 tsp cinnamon to tie it in with the chai tea)

Combine all ingredients in a food processor (a Vitamix would give you the creamiest results, however my noisy bulky Black & Decker did the trick – it just took a long time and I’m sure my neighbours hate me. Shout out to Joe, my downstairs neighbour, for putting up with my daily blending & kitchen noises)

And there you have it! Enjoy!

(V)

- Sara

Besides being a tasty, protein packed treat almond butter is packed with healthy fats and protein while dates can help get things moving…in the intestinal tract…of course if your watching calories, moderation is key.

Almond Butter Dates

Anyway, so when I told him I think I might have a gluten sensitivity, he was so upset by the idea that he couldn’t bake for me. I told him that he’ll have to find a way. He says it’s just not the same. So for his birthday this year, I decided to find a gluten-free dessert recipe (it ended up not being something to bake) to show him delicious things can be made without wheat. I came up with this delicious recipe, adapted from The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook‘s Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies. It’s not Elimination Diet food, but it’s clean and awesome.

Raw Chocolate Almond Brownies

Ingredients:
1.5 cup raw almonds
1 cup dates
1/2 cup peanut butter
Heaping 1/4 cup cocoa powder

Directions:
1. Place almonds into food processor and process until finely ground
2. Add dates, peanut butter, and cocoa powder and process until completely mixed (add more or less dates and cocoa powder based on preferences)
3. Firmly press evenly into an 8×8 pan. Sprinkle with shredded coconut or nuts if desired. Cut into 16 squares and refrigerate for up to a week.

Notes:
The original recipe called for 1-1.5 cups medjool dates and 4-6 tbsp cocoa powder. I felt the measurements I gave were good. They were not too sweet and didn’t have an overpowering chocolate flavor. The almond flavor really came through. Feel free to switch up the nuts, nut butter, and type of dates (I didn’t use medjool since we had a different type) and your tastes and available ingredients allows.

Sorry for the awful photo quality on this one

Mildly crumbly, but presses down nicely

When did life get so complicated? When did things seem so difficult? Does anyone remember a time when our only care in the world was waking up on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons or even just what new lunchkit we wanted to bring to school at the beginning of the school year? Oh yes those were the good old days and then age happens. We get older. Our bones start creaking, schoolwork becomes a hassle and to add to our family life, our religious quest, our academic journey, we have to add the brawta of relationships. Oh relationships what a doozey!!! Now no one can be blamed. We can’t help ourselves. I mean we are only human and as humans we are beings of yearning and desire. We yearn fulfillment. We yearn completeness. We yearn that companionship that makes life worth living. We yearn for a better day and a better life. So what is all this ranting leading up to? (Dun dun dun!!!!!)….Top Dating Mistakes. I have decided to make this a two-part thing in my series of romantic tips and advice. (Again I do not claim to be an expert but hey this beats studying!!!) In any case let’s hop to it people!

1.
Game Playing. Now I’ve had this discussion with my friends many times. The basic theory in this is the person who likes the other more loses and the one who is not as invested wins in the battle of power. So we play games to protect our ego’s or just to get what you want. Here’s what I say play it STRAIGHT people. Relationships shouldn’t be a competition, it should be a compromise. It shouldn’t be a survival of the fittest competition, that’s what we went through before the relationship. When it comes to dating, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, fears rejection of some sort, so it only makes you human if you do. Conclusion: It’s FINE to put your best foot forward, and also be a bit cautious, but have the courage to show who you are. You want someone who wants you for who YOU are!

2.
Talking about your exes. Based on the nature of you relationship, things like this would come up eventually. So don’t bring it up, especially not in the initial stages of the relationship. The point is your exes are in the past for a reason so leave them there(unless it is your ex you’re trying to restart something with, which is a very tricky thing because if you haven’t sorted out the issues you had the first time around, they will still be there the second time therein. Word to the wise: BE CAUTIOUS!!!). Carrying old baggage into a new relationship amounts to clutter. So just try to get to know the person and have a chance for a fresh start sans the baggage.

3.Ignoring red flags. We all have them. Those little annoying things that make us say ‘No! Something is wrong here!’ If someone doesn’t show up when you’re supposed to meet, that’s a red flag. If you call them and they are always too busy to take your call, bingo, red flag. Some signals may be a bit more subtle and we may be tempted to overlook them, but whatever it is the red flag is telling you to slow down and take it easy. ‘Go easy!’ Now I’m not saying that people won’t have their character flaws, no one is perfect right? Nor am I saying you should condemned anyone to the pits based on their first mistake or when the first problem arises (unless it’s a big one then roast ‘em, boil ‘em and scorch ‘em (eh Anna?). I mean pray for their souls may they see the error of their ways! (yes Sheree you are so right!)). What I am saying is to trust your instincts. An emerging pattern is not something to make excuses for or brush under the rug. Address these problems early, and don’t waste your time.

4.Interrogating your date. Imagine this, it’s your first date and the trending conversation topic is: “How many children do you want? What’s your credit rating? So I did a background check on you and I found out a few things that I would like to clear up before we get married”. These are NEVER (I repeat NEVER!) good opening sentences, especially not on the first date. You want to show interest by asking about their likes or dislikes, but not press someone for information. Let things evolve a bit, as you get to know someone. Patience and restraint are required here, even though you may feel pressed for time. Do your best to relax and have fun.

5.Fantasizing about the future. This is especially a problem for females. From a young age, we have been fantasing. Dreams of a fairytale ending and happily ever after. Mrs (so and so). This is cute when we are young and carefree, but it’s not cute after the third date. You need to remind yourself to slow down and enjoy the moment. Dating is to be a fun and enjoyable thing. Yes we have hopes that at the end of it we will start a relationship and end in full commitment, but until then we gots to live a little. As I always say (sing rather) ‘Someday soon my prince will come but until then I’m gonna have some fun. Gonna dance all night and frolic all day. Got to kiss some frogs before I find the one’. Well I don’t plan to kiss frogs, but you get the point. So until you have time to really get to know someone, and see him or her in a wide range of situations, it is helpful to not get ahead of yourself; don’t strongly attach to some illusion that you have created about the person. This can lead to pitfalls of setting up unrealistic expectations and subsequent disillusionment, or depression if the relationship doesn’t work out.

Well as usual I like to end my notes with a little inspirational quote so here goes…. 1 Corinthians 6 v 12 states, “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. If we are not sure that our actions are permissible by God then maybe we shouldn’t even bother with it!” So in layman’s terms we all have gut instincts that tell us when the person we are considering is not right for us. Listen to yourself and make the right and best decisions for you. Have a great day. If you’re alive you already are. Toodles!!!

Comments, feedback and suggestions are welcomed.

Lonely Hearts Club!!!

Last night i attempted to make a potato salad and it didn’t turn out as good as i thought it would. Which means we got full from a meal that wasn’t worthy of making me full. There was no contentment involved. I decided to redeem myself by making dessert (i do not bake very often) and let’s just say that redemption was found!

8-10 servings

Ingredients:

1 can of chickpeas drained and rinsed
3/4 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of canola oil
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 tablespoon of salt
1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1/8 of tofu package about 40g (or if you’re not vegan two eggs)
1/2 cup of oats
3 dates chopped into little pieces

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350F.

Blend everything (except oats and dates) in a blender or food processor in the order listed above. Blend a little every time you add an ingredient. Blend until very smooth.

Add oats and dates and pulse until well blended.

Pour into a 9×9 inch baking pan or a 9 radius pie baking pan (this is what i used as i do not bake enough)

Cook at 350F for 35-40 minutes, insert wooden pick inserted comes out clean.

Let stand for 20 minutes before serving.

Celebrated my 29th birthday yesterday. Just kidding, I am now 44 years old and I can’t believe I just gave away my age! Why the embarrassment of being middle aged or old? Every year bestowed upon us is a gift to be appreciated and highly valued. I had a great time celebrating out of the kitchen, except for when we came back for this marvelous Vanilla & Brownie Cheesecake! Thank you to all my friends who have taken the time to wish me a happy birthday. I am thankful for every year the Lord has graciously bestowed upon me and you my dear friends and family.

It’s all over now

so let me write 10 random things here –  because they float in my mind like incessant rats pecking at the edges of my sanity. these things are part of a whole, these things all make me feel cold.

1. this is an exciting process. my mind goes numb again, i sleep late and wake up early. i skip breakfast, i drink to tone down the ringing noise, i let my ideas just run off onto paper and then into reality. i’ve had such highs before, and I know i must run the race to make best use of them. Yet, the day will come – when I die once again. everything will have a game-end – and this time I will be the cost.
2. partnerships are tricky business. there’s a line you have to draw between being a friend, and being in business. but honesty has always been our key- and I’m a clinical liar with anyone else.so let’s keep this torch lighted- let’s not let metaphorical illusions get in our way. let’s fight , because I’m a warrior at heart.
3. my body is dying. the heat load i’ve taken upon myself , together with the fitness regime I must endure to get back to shape and the emotional stability I must portray have taken its toll. geronimo, i sleep and wake up in a wink – and my body carries the pain for me.
4. i’m glad my life is become so fulfilling. i’ve met new people (celebrities, experts, activists) and as I stand at this point – I know I’ve become 10x better than the person I was 3 months ago. God has shown favour on me. This is high intensity- high impact.
5. Where I used to be afraid I was losing friends to time and travel, I’ve begun to treasure the few that I care about.  To me , I’m utterly loyal to those who believe in me and vengeful on those who try me. It’s not Christian , yes. Moving forward, I think I’m pretty happy with the posse that I’ve managed to discover, and am glad for the nights out I have with these individuals.
6. Where the heart used to yearn for a relationship and a romance with someone , now lies a romance with life and God. Yes, I still go for random dates and meet with old flames but I’m happy that I’ve become satisfied with a pace that is God-driven and confident in a future that will unravel on itself. Boy, am I looking forward to college also.
7. my music playlist is a lot more interesting now. as is my hidden finds. catalogue. as is my good reads. catalogue. as is my business ideas. sheet that i carry in my wallet. lists are great. they help me keep track of the fascinating things I encounter along the way.
8. leadership is a lot more dynamic now. am i a good leader? I hope to be. I hope to inspire, to overcome, to take charge. yet, more importantly I want to groom, I want to unleash potential, I want to explode people to new heights. Mentoring is an investment – it’s not as easy as speaking words. Having over 90 people looking to you in total for a say or instruction is a hefty thought for someone who hasn’t entered university or work yet.
9. I’m a purveyor of good things – talent, awards and skills. When I ORD , i don’t just hope to take a picture of all that I’ve collected in my time here in army – but a picture of the lessons I’ve learnt and the abilities I’ve gained. I don’t know how to capture it.
10. i will have a hotel in my name called the rovik. this is my ambition speaking. and it’s proven to be a force not to be reckoned with.

there, my mind is a lot clearer now. i can stop drinking now.

to the rest – check out our facebook page here http://facebook.com/thehiddengood  - LIKE AND SHARE PEOPLE. I DEPEND ON YOU.

to the sleepers in the day,

rovik.

geronimo.

I’ve not had one of those before, and i’ll be honest, it took me a while to work out how i felt about it. On the one hand, i felt we’d connected, and that there was potential there for something more, but on the other hand, it was a pretty great night, and boosted my self confidence no end.

It’s tricky.

I think one of the problems I have/had ( not sure if it’s past tense quite yet or not ) is that at the time, I was clearly attractive enough to want to sleep with, despite my extra complications, but after the time, i wasn’t attractive enough to be with, because of my complications. It’s a contradiction, of sorts, right down to the fact that it’s also not a contradiction as well. My lovelife has gone all quantum physics on me.

I guess we also have to take into account alcohol, nighttime, ambiance and horniness ( Ugh, I hate that word so much ). It’s a perfect storm, where as soberness, daytime, hangovers and the satisfaction of getting laid after a dry spell are kind of like the perfect calm.

Overall i’m looking at it as a very positive experience, i wanted to have some intimacy ( which was pointed out by one of my friends, apparently i’d said this only a week ago, although maybe a little more crudely ), and I got it. It feels good to know that someone wanted to sleep with me, and wanted to do it enough that they actually well, did.

I think that things are looking up, and that i’m discovering how to have a sex life again. I think that means i’m not as fucked up as i thought i was, I think that means I could just be on to something good.

I love the combination of salty and sweet. The layer of salted caramel was definitely needed to balance out the rich chocolate.

Base ingredients

The base ingredients are quite flavour neutral which works really well with this tart as it doesn’t detract from the ‘star performers’ – chocolate and salted caramel.

Pressed into the tart pan

To even out the tart base I used the back of a wet spoon. By wetting the spoon it prevents any of the base sticking to the back of it and ruining all your hard work.

Salted chia caramel

Chia seeds expand when they come into contact with liquid. At first the caramel doesn’t looks as though it is thick enough, don’t be tempted to add more seeds as in time it will thicken.

2nd layer complete

I also evenly spread the caramel layer with the back of a wet spoon.

Chocolate ganache ingredients

For the chocolate ganache, if you don’t have cacao butter you can just use coconut oil. However I strongly recommend using cacao butter as it provides the chocolate with a creaminess. It can be purchased from most health food stores.

Ready to be devoured

This tart will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 10 days.

Raw chocolate ganache salted caramel tart

Adapted from This Rawsome Vegan Life

Serves 16

Ingredients:

Tart crust

• 2 cups almonds
• 10 fresh dates, pitted
• 1 TBSP water

Salted caramel

• 8 fresh dates, pitted
• 1 cup water
• 2 TBSP chia seeds
• 1 TBSP 100% pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp salt

Chocolate ganache

Tart crust

1. Line and grease a tart pan.
2. Process the almonds and dates in a food processor until crumbly. Add water and process until it comes together
3. Press into the bottom of the lined tart pan and place in the freezer for 10 minutes.

Salted caramel

1. Process dates, water, chia seeds, maple syrup and salt until smooth. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow it to slightly thicken.
2. Pour into the frozen tart crust and place back in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Chocolate ganache

1. Process cacao powder, maple syrup, coconut oil and cacao butter until smooth.
2. Spread the ganache on top of the solid salted caramel layer. Place back in the freezer for minimum 1 hour, preferably overnight.
3. To serve, sprinkle salt and place shaved homemade cashew chocolate in the centre. Slice and enjoy!

Note: to easily remove it from the tart pan, take out of the freezer 20 minutes before serving to allow it to slightly defrost. Place a cake tester or skewer in each groove of the tart pan to release it from the sides.

Enjoying the last slice!

Treats such as this tart don’t last long in our house so I definitely enjoyed the last slice with a cup of tea!

Do you like the combination of salty and sweet?