Here my pretty sister-in-law, Terri Ann Lindelow, and “My Pretty Pony,” Huff, visit in our living room in the afternoon before everyone reconvened for the Thanksgiving Feast last night.
Check out Terri Ann’s pretty jewelry here.
As some of you know, though my “day job” is as a high school art teacher, followed closely by cookbook author and blogger, I “moonlight” as a freelance writer. One of my fun monthly gigs is the “DIY Decor” column for the Virginian-Pilot newspaper. It keeps the creative juices flowing, but I accepted the job on one condition: that I not have to do anything so “cutesy” or “crafty”–and definitely not “duck and bunny,” that I wouldn’t have it in my own home or, at the very least, give it to a friend with good, but different, taste than my own! Fortunately, my wonderful editor allows me near complete freedom.
If anyone ever sees me with a Bedazzler in my hand, please tell me to set it down gently and ease away slowly!
I hope you enjoy this month’s column which features cool place card holders made from antique forks, just in time for Thanksgiving. And, so you have plenty of time before the beginning of Advent season, it also features my idea for a quick and clever Advent calendar (though, as my article says, this concept is adaptable to any celebration or holiday in which days are counted and little gifts are given on each of those days).
Sorry about the indelicate topic folks, but it’s important on many levels. And since we’re all foodies here, and the pre-colonoscopy diet causes many folks high anxiety–me among them–I wanted to share 3 Tips and some other incidental information.
If you are 50 and have no history of colon cancer in your family, it’s time. If you’re not yet 50 and have a family history of the disease–or any other reason to be concerned–then it’s past time.
So, alas, with my “big” birthday last May, and a “staff day” today at school, I scheduled the appointment for 8 a.m. this morning because I hate to leave my students with substitute teachers, however good they may be. Though doctors probably have different protocols, especially in countries outside the U.S., mine requires a clear liquid diet fast for 24 hours in advance.
Ever try finding more than 1 gram of vegan protein per serving on a clear liquid diet? Well, I don’t think you can. Veggie broths are right about 1 gram. Too late, it did occur to me that miso, at 2 grams of soy protein per serving, might have been acceptable. But I would ask your doctor.
As a vegan with low blood sugar–controlled by the optimum ratio of protein, carb and fat, I was really concerned about making it through the day at school without all of the hypoglycemic symptoms. When I called my doctor, the nurse recommended Iso Pure , a protein drink in a rainbow of clear colors. Turns out that it’s great for vegetarians but its whey-based protein makes it off-limits for vegans.
So, Tip #1: on the day before the procedure, rise early enough to eat or drink a high protein breakfast before the clocks strikes the 24-hour prior mark. I recommend drinking that meal for reasons that will become obvious to you later. My beverage of choice was a venti Green Tea Soy Frappuccino–hold the classic syrup and whip, of course–yesterday morning.
For both lunch and dinner, if you can call it that, I drank warm veggie broth with plain hot tea in the afternoon. At school, I dissolved faux chicken bouillon cubes in hot water for lunch. Mmm… But dinner was more satisfying, so here is Tip #2: the day before, I boiled 4 ounces of Udon noodles in 2 quarts of water plus 8 of those bouillon cubes. When I drained the noodles, I reserved the broth, cooling it, and then storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. The added starch and fat in the broth made that a much more satisfying “meal.”
Now for the truly fun and indelicate part. First, whatever you do, don’t get online and start reading about other people’s experience of “the cleanse.” That will do nothing but contribute to your rising anxiety or, in my case, rising panic. My doctor’s protocol began at 5 p.m. the day before. At the appointed hour, I had to take 4, count them, 4, Dulcolax tablets with 2 to 3 glasses of liquid. I decided to take them with my liquid dinner, as I knew I was about to have to drink more than was entirely comfortable.
Immediately after that, I had to drink 4 cup (32 ounces) of a clear liquid–Gatorade was recommended–with a half of a bottle of Miralax dissolved in it! But, guess what? My cocktail was actually quite delicious and here’s why. Tip #3: the nurse had advised really chilling the mixture. I can’t stand Gatorade on a good day, so I chose Healthy Balance apple juice which I chilled the day before. After I mixed in the powdered solution, which is about the same texture as superfine sugar, I poured it over ice. I think I’ll serve it at my next party! Not. But, truly, it wasn’t only “not bad”–and I had been warned by lots of friends that it is “nasty”–but it was actually tasty and satisfying. Maybe it helped that I hadn’t eaten all day.
Then I went ahead and mixed up the other 32 ounces of apple juice and half bottle of “the stuff” as I would be rising at 3 a.m.–5 hours before the procedure–to drink it. I didn’t try it hot which might have been more satisfying on a chilly fall morning. But, as it was, I sat in bed with my dogs piled around me and read the December issue of VegNews. It was quite pleasant.
Now, what follows both of those large doses isn’t the most fun, but only because it prevents a good night’s sleep. Yet, I definitely wouldn’t want to have scheduled my appointment for later in the day and be trying to conduct normal activities. And besides, I don’t know about any of the rest of you about my age, but sleeping through the night is not something I do anyway. I’d say it’s been 8 years since I did that, though part of that was probably starting my new career as a teacher, not to mention adopting the first of our Great Danes who has slept with us from Day 1.
Well, it’s about time for my husband to drive me to the doctor’s office–note that you are required to have a driver take you home after the procedure because of the sedation (something else I’m not thrilled about, as I’m a bit needle phobic). But everyone says that the prep is the worst part…and it wasn’t half bad! I hope my 3 Tips will ensure smooth sailing on your end–sorry, I couldn’t resist–when the time comes.
…
Oh, and for the record, I’ve now been home since about 10:30 or so this morning, the procedure is a piece of (vegan) cake. Seriously. “Conscious sedation” for me meant “lights out.” I don’t remember anything until I woke up in the recovery area, and I certainly didn’t feel a thing except next-to-nothing when the nurse inserted the IV, twice as it turns out, as I was dehydrated and she couldn’t get what she needed. Honestly that was the part I dreaded the most and it was a non-event. I do remember one embarrassing thing I said and they hadn’t even started drugs through the IV yet because they wanted me to meet the doctor. When he came in to chat and shook my hand, I instantly liked him and he was so handsome. So before I knew it, I was saying to him, “Oh gosh, I wish you weren’t so cute.” He laughed, blushed a little, and looked at his nurse saying, “I think that’s a compliment.”
So if your time has come or will soon come, relax. But don’t plan a big lunch afterwards. Everyone said I would be starving. I wasn’t; instead I was ever-so-slightly nauseated, but just for a minute or so when I got home and was moving around a little too much. I took one anti-nausea pill provided by the doctor which did the trick, and then I fell asleep for a nice long while.
What’s better than introducing two of your nearest and dearest?
Nothing, unless it’s introducing them over a fabulous lunch at the hip and eco-sensitive restaurant, Founding Farmers!
In the middle of July, Allison Price, a close friend from my time in Nashville some 20+ years ago, spent a week here in VA Beach. In the middle of the week, she and I headed to D.C. for an overnighter.
Our visit included lunch with Sonya Harmon, another close friend from some 10+ years ago when we worked together at the Contemporary Art Center of VA, followed by the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.
Sonya now lives in the D.C. area and generously took the afternoon off from work so that she could join Allison and I for lunch and a little museum-going. Both of these gifted gals coincidentally now work as editors and feel they’ve known each other for a long time. Our lunch destination was Sonya’s spot-on recommendation. Another coincidence: Joe and I and another couple with whom we spent New Year’s Eve in D.C. had tried to get into Founding Fathers for brunch on New Year’s Day, but it was too crowded.
I am patting myself on the back for trying it again, as I enjoyed one of the most satisfying restaurant meals in recent memory. Granted, the company was tops, which added to the experience immeasurably, but the restaurant was beautiful and comfortable in an eco-chic way, the service friendly and professional, and the food outstanding. I splurged on the vegan “Fish” and Chips from their vegan menu and, for the record, I did NOT eat all of the chips and fries!
But I devoured the fried tofu “fish” and wasn’t hungry again until 9 p.m., and then only because our hotel, Hotel Palomar (fabulous!) at 2121 P Street, NW, was next door to a magnificent Moroccan Restaurant called Marrakesh Palace where we dined on soup, chickpeas, and homemade bread spread with this nearly indescribable “pesto” of tomatoes, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, olives and olive oil.
The next morning, Allison and I drove to Baltimore with one destination in mind: the American Visionary Museum. It came highly recommended by Trish and Ken Pfeifer, local collectors of “outsider art” among other genres who make an annual sojourn to the museum, and we weren’t disappointed. In fact, we were thrilled. It was such a refreshing change of pace from the rarefied atmosphere of the “Fragments of Time and Space” temporary exhibition at the Hirshhorn and their too often BS-ridden text panels. A couple of pieces in the exhibition were noteworthy. But too much of it fell in the “Emperor Has No Clothes” category.
Don’t get me wrong: I love contemporary art, worked as a contemporary art museum education director for 11 years, and frequently incorporate it into my studio art classes. But precisely because I find so much of it so deeply meaningful, I cannot abide pseudo-intellectual/academic art or writing about it. Sorry folks: too often the emperor has doffed his drawers!
The American Visionary Museum proved to be a peak artistic and cultural experience, worth enduring the stop-and-go traffic during our 6-hour ride home (which should have taken about 4 1/2). Al and I talked until we were hoarse. In fact, that morning, our eyes and mouths had snapped open simultaneously and we didn’t close them for a good 15 hours!
Thanks from the bottom of my bloomin’ heart to all who made last Tuesday’s Barnes & Noble Blooming Platter book-signing a standing room only/sell-out!
Marian Atterberry, who handles community relations for Barnes & Noble, VA Beach, was warmly cautious when I approached her initially, but quickly became wholeheartedly enthusiastic, going above and beyond to help insure a successful event.
The local media, who had been beyond generous with coverage when The Blooming Platter Cookbook was launched in May with the “Incredible Edibles” art exhibition and book-signing at Mayer Fine Art in Norfolk, could hardly offer a repeat performance. But they graciously included large photos with their calendar listings which were widely seen and commented on, driving interest ed folks to our event.
This “author event” was billed as a “book-signing and discussion,” but we weren’t sure if there would be enough people for the discussion, figuring that I could just enjoy chatting with people individually as I signed their books. But, before 6, a signing line began forming and I signed steadly for I don’t even know how long, but when I finally looked up, much to my delighted surprise, every seat was filled and kind folks were standing around the edges!
After a very brief introduction, I invited questions from our guests and so began a lively discussion among total strangers, friends, neighbors, colleagues and former colleagues and former students, some with their mothers. I was so gratified to be surrounded by such a cross-section of wonderful folks from our community.
Marian had asked me to bring some vegan products which was a great suggestion, as people who were unfamiliar with them were really glad to see some of the packaging, so they’d recognize it in a store, and learn that most of it came from Kroger! The aroma of nutritional yeast delighted the uninitiated, others were glad to learn of markets that was new to them like the Organic Depot, and still others about Norfolk’s new vegan restaurants: Path and Quenna’s Raw & Vegan. One was in search of fresh fava beans and another in search of information on the vegan diet for hard-core “strong man” fitness enthusiasts, and I ipromised to try to find them the info they sought. It was such a diverse group of interesting and interested people!
Because of health department regulations, we unfortuantely couldn’t offer edible samples to those in attendance, but I did gift Marian and her staff with Peaches-and-Cream Cupcakes with Peach Butter Whip Frosting afterwards. She said they were the best dessert she’d had in a very long time!
Thanks again to all~may your platters bloom in profusion!
I’m perfectly thrilled to share a bit of news and, indirectly, a new recipe/photo: just today, One Green Planet published a brand new recipe and short article I created for especially for their readers. What an honor to be included in this “online destination for the ecologically ethical generation”!
Can we get a bright green, “Oh, yeah!”?
Team One Green Planet requires that authors submit original content, so you won’t find this recipe in my cookbook or here on my blog. Instead, please visit One Green Planet to read my piece and explore their site which is packed with information and ideas pertaining to Animals and Nature, Lifestyles, and Science and Technology, in addition to Food and Health.
When you visit, I hope you will join the growing number of kind folks that have already “liked” it and even “Tweet” it.
Cheers!
Amelia, pictured here, may well be the youngest “Blooming Platterist,” and certainly the cutest!
This vivacious gal lives out of state, but her aunt and uncle live in our town. Known to her family, as “Little Chef,” she is visiting here this week, but will go home before the official book-signing next week.
So, tonight my husband and I happen to be hosting the 3rd annual “Happy Birthday Julia Child” potluck dinner party to which her aunt and uncle were invited. They aren’t able to attend because they don’t have a sitter–and it’s an “adult” party or we would welcome Amelia–but “Little Chef” wanted to make an appetizer, bring it by ahead of time, and have me sign her cookbook. How adorable is that?
I can’t wait to meet her and taste her creation!
And I’d love to meet/see you at the official book-signing. Here are all the details:
The Blooming Platter Cookbook: A Harvest of Seasonal Vegan Recipes
Book-signing and Discussion
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
4485 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, 757-671-2331
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
7 -8 p.m.
When the focus is seasonal, the flavor is sensational!
Hope to see you there!
~Betsy D.
…Babs!
Using www.random.org, Babs’ number came up, literally.
I’ve mentioned this site in relation to other give-aways, but if you aren’t familiar with it, I’d love to tell you about it. You simply go to the site and on the right hand side is a “True Random Number Generator” where you enter the beginning and ending numbers, in this case 1 and 28. I simply assigned a number to each comment, beginning with the first received. Then you click “Generate,” and up pops your randomly generated number. In this case it happened to be #14, right in the middle.
Thanks to ALL of you who entered. You are certainly one healthy comfort food-eating group of folks! I didn’t reply to your comments individually, as that would have added comments and thrown off the random numbering, but I read and appreciate every one.
If you would be so kind, please share my website with all of your like-minded friends. I post new recipes weekly–sometimes daily, especially in the summer–and, of course, offer give-aways from time to time.
Oh, and please remember my cookbook, The Blooming Platter Cookbook: A Harvest of Seasonal Vegan Recipes, as well. Of course, I’d be thrilled for you to purchase it. But times are tough. So, I’d love for you to request it at your local library as well.
Cheers!
I was so flattered to learn that VegWeb Weekly is offering a second give-away of a signed copy of The Blooming Platter Cookbook!
And I was ever more flattered to read what their Web Master had to say about it:
“Sometimes a person has to look outside of VegWeb for a recipe. I know, it’s scary, but true. Luckily for us, there are about a million amazing vegan cookbooks out there! One of my latest favorites is The Blooming Platter by Betsy DiJulio. Filled with recipes like Southwestern Tempeh and Corn Pie, Blooming Vegetable Calzones, and Spicy Baja Tacos, it’ll have you full until next winter! Besides, it totally needs its own category in Cookbook Lab, and I think you’re just the person to start it!”
If you are subscriber to the food-filled VegWeb Weekly, enter to win! But hurry, the contest ends on Tuesday, August 9, 2011. As of August 3, nearly 40 people had entered!
If you’re not a subscriber, I’m sure you would enjoy it. However, there probably isn’t enough time to be “approved” and enter by the 9th. But you could try!
