VeganBeats

Friday, September 9, 2011

I eat Sando...

To cure a morning hangover there are several ways to fix yourself up. Most go for greasy goods, more drinks, a call in sick~~I'm a big jug of coffee and liters of water. But once in a hell of a while, I need a loaded sando. But that's only when the pain is beyond intolerable. I don't let myself eat sandos ever, I have never been a sando gal.
I fell in love with the post drunk sando thanks to Spy's convincing and the glorious City Market back in Vermont. City Market is one of the largest coops in America and had a great sandwich bar that was super vegan and gluten intolerant friendly. For those evenings filled with more whiskey than I want to recall, the next morning was a groggy ordering of a loaded T.L.T. The vegan B.L.T, I would get smoked tofu, hummus, cucumber, sweet heirloom tomatoes, red onions, sprouts, frisee, thick chunks of lettuce, dijon mustard, and hot sauce (everything is organic huzzuh) thrown on organic whole wheat bread. Packed of nutrients, loads of texture, and a healthy hangover cure. Extended gut and all...I would get a goofy grin and the echoing noggin of mine would chill and instant curing ensued.
This morning was one of those days where I NEEDED City Market to be behind my house. But Seoul!! Going to school, all these food smells hit my face like a battleaxe and well getting sick at school is downright embarrassing...and not classy. This was my cure.

O_o# photo taken by VeganBeats

A thick slab of steamed tofu, then chilled, thick rings of organic onions, homemade kimchi, loads of organic lettuce, sriracha, and grain mustard. The bread isn't organic but meh...I can say I feel rounder, but I'm grinning like an idiot.

so big! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

and....food....coma

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

I've got a busy weekend ahead of me (chocolate!)

Not just the weekend, the past two weeks have been jam-packed with things to do, people to meet, stories to hear, jottings to get down. I've been in between work and subway stations, bags draped around me...holding everything from cucumbers (thanks lunch ladies) to pens galore, to notebooks, to recordings. I love being this busy, I truly do. Being stressed out and productive is invigorating.
~makes me miss college~ (WHAT!)
Not my college, not at all, but going to classes, having a schedule full of deadlines, exams, meetings, rehearsals, shows...I miss it.
Meetings the past couple weeks have been involving not only great people, but either coffee or drinks. My diet has been...beyond simple and rich lately. I wouldn't say it was healthy, it's been nothing but coffee, alcohol, water, tea, and some treats I stowed in my freezer. While in Vietnam, I grabbed some organic super dark German chocolate, and they've been providing my body with loads of energy.

ginger chocolate (photo taken by VeganBeats)

I got two types and they were both delicious. I'm not a chocolate fan but ginger and raspberry-cashew?!

raspberry and cashew (photo taken by VeganBeats)

The chocolate was super dark, so bitter and romantic. Both types were super delicious, and my taste buds were definitely welcoming this confusion.

Makes me think I should start liking chocolate?!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Puzzle cafe in Hongdae!

I all too often wander the streets on 홍대 in a drunken stupor, laughing with friends and soaking up the 소주 steamed streets. Always during the evening, and generally on weekends, I find myself in this area. Nearly every weekend, I state to myslef I won't end up there, but...it happens. 홍대 is a night thing, and a drunk thing. Without some drinks swishing in your gut, and a light hazy glow protecting your nose, the smell of drying vomit, mountains of trash, and rotting cigarettes is completely intolerable.
But yesterday I found myself there during the day. I know there are a lot of cafes tucked in the corners of these college streets and I found one accidentally that tickled my fancy. Cafe Puzzle!

photo taken by VeganBeats

As a kid I would spend hours spoiling my OCD tendencies by figuring out puzzles and reorganizing colors, by shapes, by numbers of edges, etc. I love puzzles, I like concentrating, focusing, and keeping myself busy. It's also a great way to keep your brain exercising a little bit.

photo taken by VeganBeats

This cafe is quaint and cozy! There are big windows that let in a lot of sunlight and big comfy love-seats. When you order a drink, you can choose from hundred of puzzles and just play around!

photo taken by VeganBeats

This cafe serves some food items, and I'm not sure if it is the most vegan friendly. I have to be honest, I was overwhelmed with puzzle options that my eyes didn't leave shelves...but there are some treats available to the vegetarian crowd! (cakes, muffins, etc)

photo taken by VeganBeats

I got an Americano and a panda puzzle, and went crackin. The Americano was nice, not very strong and a bit pricey (5,000W)! Regardless...I think it was worth it, the cafe is a great idea!

photo taken by VeganBeats

Location: Mapo-gu, Seogyo-dong, 345-7 3 cheung (마포구 서교동 345-7 3층)
Directions: Hongdae University station, line 2, get out at exit 9. Take a left and walk straight, you will see Man Studio, take that left and walk straight. Across from Primo Bacio Baci, Cafe Puzzle is on the 3rd floor!
Phone #: 02-325-3033
Cafe Puzzle blog (in Korean)

And just like that...홍대 makes me fall in love with it...

Oh...at night, I came back. >.<#

Saturday, September 3, 2011

How do you capture beauty?

I am in desperate need of paints, canvas, stretchers...art supplies.

sketch by VeganBeats

Friday, September 2, 2011

Bonobono (보노보노) Seafood buffet ~Vegan friendly, really?!?!?

A big part of working in Korea are the staff dinners. Massive get togethers where you're expected to attend (regardless of already organized schedules) and urged to binge-either on food or drinks. A new semester just began today and to celebrate that, and the departure of a beautiful and preggo teacher, we went to 보노보노 (Bonobono) a seafood buffet restaurant.

the dining area (photo taken by VeganBeats)

The restaurant is focused around seafood, so I was a bit nervous. First, I have to eat something, it's insulting if I don't, and second...this place is a bit pricey!!! I don't want to be a head there, costing about 41,000W and not nomming on something. I'd feel a bit too guilty. I did a bunch of research (in the scurried twenty minutes I had) and discovered that Bonobono grows their own greens, everything is fresh to order and there are vegan options. I wasn't all that hungry so I did that plate sharing deal more or less. Some of my coworkers are humoring the idea of vegan living so we all piled too much on a couple plates and picked at it together.

omg O_o (photo taken by VeganBeats)

There were herbed salads made gull of ginseng roots and seaweed, and the "dressing" was mashed tofu. There were LOADS of sprouts (nom nom nom) and crunchy veggies. The 반찬 (banchan) available consisted of 물김치, lotus roots, fresh 김치, pumpkin, etc. There were also fried foods available, like vegan springrolls, and fried pumpkin but...if I want street-food I'd grab at that.

piled high (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Major pluses included the "home" grown greens, sprouts, fresh fruits, and 맡빙수 (pat bingsu) bar!! Shaved ice!!! Beans!!! Pureed fruits!!! I didn't have a conventional bingsu..more crushed ice and espresso, and then another one of crushed ice, fresh pineapple, and lychees!! So sue me, I ate a load of ice....and fruit...

coffee (O; (photo taken by VeganBeats)

....ahhh and they had pine mountain (?) makgeoli! It was wonderful, fresh, piney...and I stopped after a couple. I can't be that drunken "American" teacher...

Anyways, if you're a vegan and "forced" to Bonobono, no fear...you can get by.

Direction: Seocho station, line 2 go out exit 1, walk straight and it's on the 2nd floor of the building with 'A TwosomePlace'
Address:1553-1 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu
phone #: 02-6204-8080

Sometimes...

photo taken by VeganBeats

There are very some things that I care for so dearly and value so greatly, things, and people that make my life, literally make my life. They bring more comfort, joy, and peace than words can describe. I have a lot of life in me, but stress and anxiety are a big part of that. These people, these souls have held my feet to the ground, they've let me float off and wander, but have allowed me the chance to regain focus.
I am fully aware that I am running thoughts right now...
It is because of these people, these few major fibers of my life that I have been able to enjoy, breathe, succeed, and...continue. My crew back home...is... indescribably brilliant, interesting, and astounding. In everything that I do, parts of them are with me...even now they keep me going.
I am also very fortunate to have my sister here, not only someone to share Seoul with but to just be with. On any given night, we've soaked up Seoul together and those moments are times when I feel like the floating confusion I'm lost in is brought down slightly and my vision is a little clearer.

photo taken by VeganBeats

Granted, drinks don't make your vision any more set then a hit in the face but...sharing a skyline view with your best friend of nearly ten years...is just about as grounded as you can get...

photo taken by VeganBeats

...even if your hundred of feet in the air.

sketch via VeganBeats

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Meer Attempts at Photography..

I always want to explore new areas, especially artistically. Writing is a constant, my brains always working on new sketches, but photography is always something I've wanted to learn. Here are some random shots...they could use work...but early early starts...