Veganbeatin' Carrot Eatin' Cake'n Wedding blitzin~

     The other week I took on the task of making a wedding cake for the beautiful and brilliant VeganUrbanite! I used to bake back in the states and since I've kicked it Seoul-side, homes without ovens is the norm so my baking endeavors took a standing still...but then~ oven gifting, and itchin'n the kitch has granted me to time to kick it baking style~
     The cake made was a carrot cake~ and the frosting was a nearly raw almond cream cheese frosting~~

pre-mix~ photo taken by VeganBeats

VeganBeatin Carrot Eatin' Cake:
What you need: 

1. 2 1/2 C whole wheat flour (you can use all purpose if you're craving so)
2. 2 t baking soda
3. 3 t cinnamon (freshly ground)
4. 1 t ground ginger
5. 1 t baking powder
6. 1 t green tea salt
7. 1 c coconut sugar
8. 3/4 c brown sugar
9. 3 t ground flaw seed and 3 T water blended
10. 1 t pure vanilla extract
11. 1 c vegetable oil
12. 2 c organic shredded carrots
13. 1/4 medium pineapple chopped and shredded
14. 1 c shredded coconut
15. 1 c walnuts
16. 1/2 slivered almonds
17. 1 c raisins

What to do:

1. FIRST, get all the ingredients prepped up...shred those carrots, pulse and chop that pineapple and throw it all in a blender/magic bullet/whatever shreds like mad! This cake takes a while to make...
2. In one bowl, mix all of your dry ingredients
3. In a larger bowl, mix all the wet ingredients except the oil, carrots, and pineapple (along with nuts and raisins)
4. pour all of the dry ingredients into the "wet ingredient" bowl and do some more mixing
5. Stir in the carrots, pineapple, nuts, etc...
6. Smooth the batter into a 10inch round cake pan and bake at 350 degrees F (or 180 degrees C) for 40-45 minutes

***I doubled this recipe and made three cakes!!***

oh hey you~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     Vegan cream cheese is not available Seoulside, there's no tofutti (whine whine whine) so this was a challenge. I've made mock cheeses and nut cheeses but cream cheese Aiiii~ I wanted to go with almonds and toyed around in the kitchen and came up with this lengthy process~ 

soaking and now removing all that skin...(photo taken by VeganBEats)

I started with a cream cheese and then when that was done...made the frosting~~

Raw Almond Cream Cheese:
What you need:

1. 1 c raw almonds
2. enough water to cover the almonds for 8+ hours...then another 1/3 c for later
3. 1/2 t green tea salt
4. 1 t lemon juice

What to do:

1. soak the raw almonds for 8 hours or overnight, after, rinse and drain them
2. blanch the raw soaked almonds by pouring boiling water over them and letting them sit in that jacuzzi for 5 minutes
3. remove ALL of the skins (it's hottttt)
4. add all of the ingredients into a blender and shred that ish up!!

***I TRIPLED this recipe***

Oh, Now you want frosting?!~

1. get all that yummy (COOLED) almond cream cheese and mix it with 1 c powdered sugar (I made my own coconut powdered sugar)
2. 1 t pure vanilla extract, got it? add it
3. a couple spoonfuls of vegan butter...yea add then it too
4. Blend that ish...then throw it in a fridge!

cream cheesy ~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     This cake was a lot of fun to make, but took a LONG time to make...luckily, my house smelled wonderful and I was in a little sensory heaven...minus the nomming part...

For another time!!!

All ready to go (VeganUrbanite did the decorating herself)~ photo taken by VeganBeats)

Loads of love to VeganUrbanite and David and positive vibes for their beuatiful (continuous) journey~~~

The Baker's Table: revisiting

     Lately my weekends have been chalk full of evening adventures, drink "tastings", music inspirations, and bed snuggles. I've slept in, enjoyed the comfort of my room, blankets, and AC~ I've been doing the weekend thing. I work a lot and when my days are free of any income-dependent activities...veganbeats is mellow~
     A couple Sundays ago I got out and bathed in the sun and got all sorts of productive and active. I started off with some giant iced coffee, legs cracking, and beats blaring and met with a beautiful Seoul over at The Baker's Table in Noksapyeong. Usually coffee does me more than well in terms of post-Saturday adventures, but the idea of hummus and a fresh Summer Salad was beyond deniable.

pita and hummus~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Scrolling over the menu, Melissa and I chose the tomato and mango salad; it's naturally vegan! There's no cheese or honey or secret animal bits, just mangoes, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, balsamic dressing, a couple toasted slices of bread! Everything looked beautiful, bright, and sunny and tasted perfect. Sweetness from the mangoes paired well with the slight sweet acidity of the tomato, and the crunch of the sunflowers added great texture to the firm and soft textures of the fruits. The balsamic was great, as it always is, because honestly~ you can't go wrong with balsamic. Some people choose chocolate as an ideal death, but I'm all about the balsamic!! Drown me in that!

tomato mango salad~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     We also got some chilled white wine to bubble up a great date, day, and meal...while her kids (Bailey and Sadie) wound themselves around us, and we both got kisses of tipsy, the sun bore down on us and I know I was sweating. We both were game for adventure and trucked to Namsan to frolic around some dirt paths!

between the trees~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     When I'm in the woods and surrounded by nature I get lost in the wonders of the world...I realize and get connected with what is around me, what truly grants my body life... I miss trees, forests, woods, animals...I wish I was in  Fern Gully!!
     After playing in dirt for a while, Melissa and I ventured to a secret bar with a Beautiful view and got some mojitos while we watched the sun set over Seoul. I got a Shirley Temple (I found one!) and as the temperature cooled, the mint sat on our lips...I fell a little bit more in love with Korea. I know I sometimes spit some anger it's way, but at the end of the day, I am grateful.

mojitos and Shirley to bid the day farewell~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

The Baker's Table

the Baker's Table, European Breads & Foods~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     There's a new bakery in town, and it's loaded with BEAUTiful German loaves, pretzels, rolls, and the like. The Baker's Table has been getting a lot of buzz, even though it's quite young. The shop is filled with yeasty smells, and spicy jams where you get to taste test some very scrumptious, complex creations.

bread is still coming out~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     There are a lot of vegan breads, but the available loaves change daily. The baguette, ciabatta, foccacia, pretzels, all are safe, but the owner speaks English so getting some helpful answers is not an issue. My eyes danced over all the breads, literally squealing in perplexed delight. 

onion foccacia 3,500W~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     What I love the most about bakeries in the morning is grabbing those fresh, warm, crusty loaves, their heat warming your hands as you hold them. I bought a pretzel and an onion foccacia and eagerly wandered home to make a massive sandwich.

     Have you ever whipped something up because your eyes were feasting? I went on a long walk this morning and my body was craving something decadent, and this warm foccacia and onion wafting to my nostrils had me creating an imaginary loaded sandwich. When I got home, I got to work, and created this massive sando...

loaded~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     What is it all? "Bulgogi" tofu steak, chickpea and pea spicy garlic hummus, whole grain mustard, sprouts, lettuce, romaine, and sliced cucumber all stacked on the broiled foccacia with a little balsamic reduction. It was HUGE....is HUGE. I couldn't finish it, so tasty, but simply too much to handle. 

     The foccacia was perfect~ pillowy, crunchy on the outside, the onion was subtle- not overwhelming. And it was generous in size! I have an inkling I'll be running more just so I can eat more of this!

mammoth~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     I foolishly also made a protein packed salad for the side, I know I'm over-doing the tofu, but there was just a bit left from the "steak" so I felt the need to do something about it. The salad was lightly pan-fried tofu in a pepper garlic redux on top of steamed broccoli and more greens. Again...my eyes ate this stuff, without realizing that my stomach can't handle all of this. 

salad yummm (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     I'm already excited for eating this jazz throughout the day (and probably some tomorrow)!

How do you get to The Baker's Table?

Noksapeyong station, line 6, exit 2, walk straight and go through the underground tunnel, take the left staircase. Walk straight and pass Noxa on you right, continue straight towards the overpass and right before the stairs, you'll find The Baker's Table on your right.

Week 1: P90 X~

     So week one of P90X challenge has been completed...so far, feeling GREAT~
Loving the workout, still looking forward to it, but I think I want to switch it up, start into body lean...or wake up earlier and add another routine in the am...this is all buzzy maybe thoughts though~

     Haven't missed my vitamin once, been social, skyping, still need to work on the sleep front but so far...positive year!!

Side note~ That Valentine's day deal is swinging around the bend, don't neglect the vegan lovers!
Check out the Valentine's box of treats from Mipa at her shop~~
Check out her page about it!!


Until later~~

Got more coming^^*!~

Crunchy bagels...

     While flying over, "the first thing I'll eat" scrolled through my mind as often as my neighbor shifted next to me. I thought of hummus, celery, dinosaur kale, pink lady apples, organic freshly ground almond butter...the first thing I had was a freshly foraged meal my mom concocted. My first day, that surprising evening, my mom prepared a completely vegan meal! Coincidence eh!
     That day she foraged and went mushroom hunting and with some herbs from her garden she made a mushy dish packed with both texture and flavor. She also made a multi-veggie and nutty barley fry (huzzuh Mom!) and she also made fresh kimchi. So my first meal was a foraged and local one...hell yea mom. Bad news...this vegan here has not a picture to tease you with. Maybe my brother snuck one....anyways here is something else I've eaten.
     I don't eat a lot of bread, I really barely ever do but with it's availability in the states...I nommed on a whole-wheat bagel (or two).
     Bagel half numero uno was organic smooth peanut butter (with cinnamon swirled in), organic local grape and raspberry jam, and oven roasted tamari sunflower seeds! (yumm!)

photo taken by VeganBeats

     Bagel half numero dos was homemade garlic and chive hummus, sliced avocado, and organic romaine lettuce. I dribbled on some sriracha and munched gleefully!

photo taken by VeganBeats

     crunchy, nummy, goodness!!

Just Reminding all of you!!

poster provided by aliensdayout

This Saturday is a bakesale that will be chalk full of vegan goodies! Make sure to stop by and while eating some FABulous treats be helping a greater cause!!
(There will be gluten free jazz as well!)

Here's the facebook page!!

Vegan samgyupsal (삼겹살) and bulgogi (불고기)~

      I've been in Seoul now for...a month! An entire month since Vietnam has passed! I've been busy doing Vietnam blogposts so the Korean happenings have been a bit silenced. But since I've gotten here, so much has happened, and changed...

     A while ago, through wine swivels, crooked walks, and verbal exchanges with Kia and Sean, the idea for Vegan samgyupsal (삼겹살) was inspired. When I returned from Vietnam, Kia and Sean hosted a Vegan Samgyupsal night at their home!

vegan spread! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Samgyupsal is a classic and traditional Korean barbque meal. Most people (omnivores) gather together and barbeque their pork belly and eat it with some grilled garlic, 고추장, rice all wrapped in lettuce. Vegan meats that you can barbeque on a flat grill like legit meat?!   

                     Where would you get that?!!

     Kia and Sean found some through Loving Hut stores and they also ordered vegan bulgogi (불고기) and vegan Samgyupsal from Vegeland. They marinated the 삼겹살 in soy sauce and liquid smoke. Even though it looked similar to meat, it was a bit bland in flavor~~season it UP!

the vegan meats! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

      It was both creepy and impressive how much this vegan meat looked like actual meat. I haven't had legit 삼겹살 for over a decade, so I'd be lying if I didn't say this was a bit fun! And it brought me back....way back~~

grillin (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Kia really outdid herself with such a HUGE vegan and traditional Korean spread! She got loads of 반찬 like 도토리묵, beans, 김치, 전etc! (and LOTS of makgeolli-막걸리)  Kia also made Mipa's saucy sweet-spicy tofu, and nom nom nom!

saucy sweet-spicy tofu (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Mipa was also super sweet and brought over some of her goodies to share with us! She brought over some Dandies vegan marshmallows and some graham crackers she baked herself and we had s'mores!! (Mipa has a bake shop!!! Delicious cruelty-free treats available and made with love!!)

vegan s'mores! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     The entire evening was great and it was so wonderful to kick it with Mipa, Kia, Sean and some new friends! Check out Mipa's post about our Vegan meat night!! 

Hanoi: AMAZING bread

      My favorite bread is Manna bread but in Vietnam I had the fluffiest, crunchiest and most delectable bread ever...seriously, EVER. (y'all know I'm not a bread girl...)
     Ani drove me around to this place and we nommed on these glorious loaves...I wish remembered where the bakery was located, it's a gem of a place and literally a whole in the wall.


ahh glory! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

      I guess I'll go back to Vietnam, grab a coffee and some of this bread...

Muffini

     I leave tomorrow!!!
In a matter of hours (less then a day) I'll be in Vietnam, exploring, beauty, exotic fruits, seeing Ani again...I'm more than stoked for this!

     Anyways, this evening I wandered over to an "all" vegan cafe to meet with some friends! About a month ago I saw this place when it was just opening and a revisit was in order. The place is called Muffino, considering the name you'd think there would be muffins...but what they call muffins are more or less flavored rice cakes.
     When I first went, there wasn't very much in the baked goods section, but this time, they've expanded their flavor options and drinks!

the "muffins" (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     They now have peanut, chocolate, green tea, apple spice, and black sesame. They also have tiny bite size brownies, almond crisps, nut chunks and, actual carrot muffins!

from left to right: carrot cake muffins, almond crisps, nut chunks, and brownies! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

      They also have a bunch of drink options!!

Blueberry "juice"~blueberries and soy milk (photo taken b VeganBeats)

     The blueberry juice was said to have the "most fruits I've ever had in a drink!!"

persimmon juice!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

      I planned on getting a massive americano...and I did and...yum! Ice cold and hit the spot!!

photo taken by VeganBeats

pat bingsu!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

photo taken by VeganBeats

     These aren't the traditional muffins us foreign kids are used to...they really are rice cakes. So, honestly not up my alley. This is flavored and cute deok (떡), but I think the drink options are worth it! So if you like that chewy texture "Muffino" is a must stop.

How to Get there:
Seoul Station University, line 2.
Get out exit 2 and walk straight for about 2-3 minutes,
Pass the Mister Donuts on your right and
it will be on your left side on the second floor (above Otsal)

Muffini
02)-878-0208
http://cafe.naver.com/muffinio
http://cafe.naver.com/ululul.cafe?iframe_url=%2FArticleRead.nhn%3Farticleid%3D82674


Anyways...I'll be wandering the lands of Vietnam soon...(I'm too excited for fruit!)

See y'all soon!!

Mom day, weekend...where did you go?

     This weekend FLEW by, before it started, it was over...
   So I'm realizing that MOFO is vegan month of food...and I'm kind of negelecting that, and have been for a bit...eeep*!~ ㅎㅎ
     This week I made some mmuk salad...there's an actual dish, (the one wls and I had) that I tried to make...lettuce, cabbage, onion, hot pepper and cucumber...yumm!! For some extra zap, I added some kimchi juice to it*!~

mmuk!!!
photo by VeganBeats

    This Saturday was Mom day!!
My mom is visiting Korea for a couple weeks and on top of my schedule and hers we were finally able to spend a day together...we met in the am at Anguk station and wandered a lot...taking pictures and sipping coffee, not to mention the day was GORGEOUS*!~

more pretty restaraunt area
photo taken by VeganBeats



more
photo taken by VeganBeats

Mom insisted we get a photo of me...lady in black*!~

dressed as dark as possible...I wish I wore some color in front of this area, it's so cute
photo taken by VeganBeats

   We stumbled into a cute bakery..nothing was vegan but everything looked so yummy! The smell was amazing, fresh baked sweet tarts and pies mixed with the salty yeasty breads, I don't like carbs but...if I did and wasn't living this lifestyle, I would have splurged!

close-up of the breads...I wish I could post the smell!
photo taken by VeganBeats

      And the cakes!! These were gorgeous, they all looked so delicate and...just cute!

photo taken by VeganBeats

    We wandered around and found the library...this is what's in front of the library!! Gorgeous! I would read here all day, and sleep under the trees, hear the water...my body hurts from how cute and tranquil this all looks!

photo taken by VeganBeats

also in front of the library
photo taken by VeganBeats

more in front of the library
photo taken by VeganBeats

 After a while we wandered through the more tourist-y part, as always tons of people wandering around, pushing, shoving, shopping...

I think that's a GIANT sugary ddoek!
photo taken by VeganBeats

    We eventually decided to walk to Dongdaemon market...we walked by the water and there was a lantern festival going on, I didn't take any pics of the lanterns...but this is my mom and I!

    Met up with my emo and Stephanie at Dongdaemon and bought some more stuff!!!ㅎㅎ I got a new jacket...punky cute and...Ahh I love it and a tank and new boots!!!
The crew and I had plans to go to Hongdae aand my plan was to go home change then meet up and wander to Hongdae, but it was getting late so...bought a new outfit at Dongdaemon (lame..yes, practical, yes.) I got two new jeans and a tank top...Stephanie and I parted ways with my mom and myemo, they had a sister date! And Stephanie and I went back to her place and got ready. I hadn't been home since 9 am!!!
     Anyways, another weekend in Hongdae! I really do love kicking it there...lots of things to do, lots of people, lots of bars, lots of clubs...I've never been a clubber or a bar person, but with a good crew, good Seouls, always fun and always a blast!
Stephanie and I bumped into Caroline and Liam, then went to Bau house...but it was closed )O:
     Bau house is a cafe with TONS of puppies and dogs just chillen. The owner has a bunch of dogs and they just wander int his cafe, you can buy treats and play with them...ahhh next time!
     We then wandered around just chillen and grabbed a coffee and talked.
I can't say it enough how much I LOVE girlfriends, the grounding and Seoul sisterhood...Stephanie, my heart sends more love than you imagine!
     Met up with Jaxs and Diane and met the rest of the crew at HO bar 2, different bar for a change....ehhh
     Then went to a club and listened to a cover band!! LOVED it, the band did some train and I listened to some Foo Fighters!!! I had a bit to drink and...well it doesn't matter, I LOVE the Foo Fighters...and since Ho bar I was pumped, and ready to dance!!
Stephanie and I went to papa Gorilla and as always, a wonderful evening! I love the crew there, it was great to kick it with them and it's such a fun environment. I mean I could definately do without the creepers but I love my friends there. (O:
     ~~The Gorilla crew works so much, I wish they didn't have to work weekends )O:
Anyways...in the morning I wandered to Veggie Holic (found out about it because of Alien's Day Out!!!
And this is the bounty I came home with

photo taken by VeganBeats

sweet potatoe bread
photo taken by VeganBeats

sweet roll
photo taken by VeganBeats

sweet pea filled cake (?)
photo taken by VeganBeats

An INSANE pastry..it was like a red bean filled and sweet pea filled jelly sandwich!
photo taken by VeganBeats

rasberry pastry!
photo taken by VeganBeats

another sweet pea pastry
photo taken by VeganBeats

Two different breads! The one on the left is black rasberry bread and on the right is sweet pumpkin!
photo taken by VeganBeats

     Not a bread girl, or dessert girl, but vegan baked goods, c'mon, and I was in Hongdae already, just got paid...ei ei ei

Anyways, just got home, took a hot shower....another week begins...

weekend, where did you go?

MY Birthday...getting older and celebrating it OUTSIDE of the states!! night 2*!~

So last night I got off work around 6, hadn't showered, so drained from the day but made plans to go to Wednesday Woodstock, in Gangnam. Wednesday Woodstock is a weekly get together with Jaxs and her crew at a bar in Gangnam. Lots of cheap beer, good music, and from what I heard...great people.
I hustled home, showered up and still managed to spend two hours groggily wandering around...Met up with JAxs around 10 (eeeep) and was welcomed to a SUPRISE BIRTHDAY!!! I entered this teeny bar full of fifty people (all this English whaaa!!!) singing Happy Birthday! There was a vegan cake from sticky fingers and...ahh Jaxs...xoxoxoxoxo

photo taken by VeganBeats

 What a delicate and beautiful cake!! Everyone in the bar was GEPIK people, so I met all sorts of individuals from IReland, Scotland, the states...etc!! It felt like I was in New York, or Providence...just...familiar!

photo taken by VeganBeats

 There was lots of laughs, lots of great energy and so much wonderful music. IT was great because we all got to request stuff and...I felt so honored, so special....left and right I heard "Birthday girl's choice" etc etc etc...I didn't take advantage but I didn't deny privilages! I got to hear Wilco, the Ramones, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, AND David Bowie!!!

Oh, Jaxs and I got a free Jager shot....jeezum!

Another gaged fellow, meet Garret
photo taken by VeganBeats

playing with fire
photo taken by VeganBeats

photo taken by VeganBeats

The night ended with more dancing, more new faces...and a slumber party at Jaxs'!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you...turning old is still tasting sweet

cookies (peanut butter, chocolate chip, sugar, and coconut), more cookies (almond bites and shortbread), cinnamon cocnut swirl bread, and walnut almond cake
photo taken by VeganBeats

Oh by mention of sweter, Sticky Fingers has been making BANK off of my Birthday....check out what my emo suprised me with!!