Invisible Mercedes: Publicity Stunt

Them Powerful Parts~ how they influence

     Individuals can so easily ruin or immensely improve an overall experience, memory, situation, etc. Even though, our lives, our existence, is merely a blip on the radar of universal existence, each of us possesses an unforeseen power of massive influence, especially on the parts external to our own. We are much bigger, much more powerful, much louder, then we actually perceive.

photo taken by VeganBeats

      This is ironic for me to come to this thought process at the time, recently I used an article "Reasons Why Your Not As Great As you Think You Are" for my tutor class, just to prove the point that we are blips. But, I'm thinking this due to the countless experiences that in particular, many foreign teachers have faced while being in Korea. So many have been treated rudely, taken advantage of (in terms of hours, pay), been threatened, lied to...the individuals doing this, saying these things then in term represent the work team, the school, and eventually Korea. Numerous teachers around this time are finishing up their contracts, they're supposed to get a bonus, it's in the contract. Nearly 40% of the teachers I've talked to are having a lot of trouble with this. Their school's are refusing to pay them, being very fickle, threatening to never pay even the last month's paycheck...what gives?
     I'm sure, it's not just Korea, this is a world-wide psychology. Negative treatment breeds negative thoughts, negative emotions, etc etc etc. I love Korea, I do, but some of the behaviors by several people, have brewed such a hatred and aggravation within. This in turn, my parts take on, which I take out on my lifestyles...too bitter to be social, not focusing during yoga, sour disposition, etc. I feel better when I'm in positive spirits...but at times, being here, around some of these grumpsters, has birthed a rather unhappy lady.
     There are also those times when you're all around bitter, angry, ready to snap~ not in a pleasant space. But one person, one simple action, a coincidental meeting, can inspire giddiness, happiness, a turn-a-round in spirits.
     For being blips, we add a lot to the mix~

mini-thought aside...

Beans and Pasta~

     I am loyal to Foreign Food Mart, there's a wide-variety of goods, the owner's a really nice guy, and it feels like...."home." I don't want a ritzy, clean grocery store, I like my busy, packed, multi-lingual/ multi-cultural places, where you are always finding things. Like a little treasure hunt, there's an adventure waiting around the bend. Recently, I've been grabbing curiosities... Discoveries to make while at home!
     I've been spending a lot more time in the Itaewon area, so making the truck over to the Foreign Food Mart isn't so difficult...which is great in terms of getting much needed things, but a little stabbing on my wallet. This past week, I've grabbed some GREAT things, protein, fiber, delicious~ beans! Dried beans are far cheaper than canned ones, and at the Foreign mart they bags of dried beans are all around 3,000W! AND you get well over 5 pounds of beans per bag. Needless to state, but boil a ton of these and cooking is not needed throughout the week...not to mention all that hummus!

beans bean beans~! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Aside from them beans, I made a massive pasta dish a while ago (saving money, stomach pains) that was loaded with flavor and broccoli florets! I really don't like pasta but...you can make a whole lot, and it's a "college" cash saver... For seasonings and spices I used a lot of white and black pepper, spicy red pepper, green tea salt, oregano, basil, and some rosemary, crushed and stewed cherry tomatoes. Next time, I'll just make carrot noodles. 

too much pasta (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.

Day Off, Power On

     I love full, brimming, life-filled days~ Everyday I'm living, I'm alive, but I'm I really living it?! How many of us are. How often do you simply go-through-the motions, follow the patterns, droll through the day, meeting sunset asking "Where did my day go?" With all this daily free-time, I'm finding myself sickeningly bored of sitting around. I'm still heavily scheduled, zipping from one place to another, but I'm just following a schedule.
     Yesterday was a day off, for mostly everyone in Korea, and it was one of those rut-gutting, life bursting, "ahhh" days. I was thinking of sleeping in, but an early day provides more support for having an actual day. I left my place around 9 am and walked to the Galleria to meet a student for some tutoring action! It led to a lunch and coffee date at the Oriental Spoon and Mug for Rabbit Cakery.

photo taken by VeganBeats

     I've never eaten at Oriental Spoon before but I've heard positive things about it. There are only two vegan/vegetarian friendly dishes, the tofu salad and a spicy noodle salad...what do you think I chose?

photo taken by VeganBeats

     The setting was cute, very chic recycled~ cardboard menus, light wooden tight tables, very peace-y. All the interior colors were tan, dusty browns, and celery greens. The plates were clean and pure, my salad was plated on a long rectangular dish very symmetrically. Two big soft blocks of tofu, shredded romaine and iceberg lettuce with micro-greens, shaved red onions and shallots, quartered sweet cherry tomatoes, shaved cucumber, and a sesame based sauce/dressing. The softness of the tofu paired very well with the crunchiness of the veggies. It was light, a bit pricey, but delicious. 

light and pretty (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     After a light lunch, we both went to 'mug for rabbit cakery,' a modern and indie cafe that would be a perfect study and date space. The cafe smells like freshly ground coffee, offers a wide variety of seats, has great lighting (comfy snugly dark), lots of desserts (if that's your jam)~ the space is open, yet provides privacy and even some intimacy. Super fan~

Rabbit (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     We both got some americanos and just chilled~

coffee~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     The caricatures greeting me coffee loving self made me squeal just a bit~~

heya~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     After sipping on loads of coffee, I grabbed a bus and met up with the wonderful Mipa of Alien's Day Out for a mini-hike and catch up date! Namsan park is pretty close to Noksapyeong, so we trucked up Kyungridan and found all sorts of vintage shops, cute storefronts, and a little grocery store that is stocked with all sorts of wonderful things!

photo taken by VeganBeats

     Olea Grocery is not large, but for its size, it really does have a variety of things. There are loads of oils, maple syrups, teas (ahhhh), nuts, bakery goods...wine!! From the bottom of Kyungridan, you're going to walk straight up for about ten minutes, Olea will be on your right side!

photo taken by VeganBeats

wine~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

loaded fig pie (photo taken by VeganBeats)

NOT vegan, but darn purdy (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     I found one of the best little surprises here too! GINGER ALE~~~ (get diet, get diet, get diet)

diet please~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     I know I've lived here for a while, but the touristy Namsan tower things, I haven't done yet! The most reference I have to it, besides pictures and gazing up at it, is from Itaewon Freedom!

photo taken by VeganBeats

photo taken by VeganBeats

     There were loads of people, couples, families, elderly grumpsters clucking around~ Mipa and I were on a friend date! Korea is so couple oriented...seriously! One popular stand was a cotton candy stand...this guy whipped them up so quickly, and with such grace~ 10 stars sir!

like a boss~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

candy..please (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     One popular lovey-date thing to do while at Namsan tower is leaving a love locket somewhere on the tower. All you see are canoodling couples, hand-patting players, and kissy critters...all wrapped up in one another, posing in front of their "locket of love." 

locket trees (photo taken by VeganBeats)

love love love (photo taken by VeganBeats)

photo taken by VeganBeats

     These lockets have a nice view overlooking Seoul, granted how covered in soot and dust they are...their grime has a bit of joy there eh?!

love notes, love lockets (photo taken by VeganBeats)

      I left something out there on that tower...maybe you kids will see it...

electric buses being charged~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Mipa and I walked for hours, explored new shops, new areas, caught up, and when the sun set...I felt great, a filled day....and I thought I'd sleep?!

This week, I'm only 8 hours in~

Here's to a wonderful weekend~~

one gross foreign food find~

     To make consumption easier and quicker, we as people have created a lot of nasty stuff, like....

squeeze onto bread~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     blech~

Moving onto cuter and better things~

Sadie snuggles (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Bailey love (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Konjak mix-up and hummus

     A heavily nailed in subject for any newby vegan, or really anyone with taste-buds (that are in full working order) is the love of hummus. Packed full of protein, fiber, and a creamy smooth texture; you really can't go wrong with this spread/dip/schmere/spoonful yum! Being that chickpeas aren't too available Seoul-side, hummus comes as a special treat. I wish grocery stores mirrored the state-side stores, fridges layered full in ready made (and affordable) hummus. I buy dried chickpeas over at the Foreign Food Market and after soaking them overnight and boiling them, making this jazz is a breeze.
     This is a couple past eats, a daily feast I guess. I whipped up some super garlic-spicy hummus and topped it with some roughly chopped greens. Post-workout tired Veganbeats was feeling great after this!

hummus~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     I didn't just eat hummus, granted I could but this body was craving something a bit different (texture wise). I had some konjak, a calorie free plant similar to muk, tofu, and seaweed. What I did was dice both the konjac and tofu and pan-fried then in some coconut oil for about 30 seconds. I then threw in some water and almost 3 cloves of garlic, 1/4 an onion, red pepper flakes, and a splash of soy sauce. After everything was cooked and simmered down and the konjac and tofu was lightly brown in color, I threw is all on top of shredded greens and Vavoom, protein heavy, textured, flavor packed greens.

loaded~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     This meal was super protein heavy, generous in fiber, and well worth every bite. I had leftovers too and...it isn't too bad. Maybe I can start casting aside my "Only fresh" rule~