Washington D.C.: A Trip Of Vegan Soul Food, Women's Art, And Devil Dogs

Woodlands Vegan Bistro was the place to be! Look at that fried "chicken!"

Ms. Glasper Goes To Washington D. C. Take that Mr. Smith!
The weather couldn't have been lovelier for going rogue on a splendid Saturday of food and fem art education.
First of all, I arrived with a growling belly. Our pit stop in Maryland left little to be desired.
I had received many vegan restaurant recommendations, but selected two. Many art galleries to visit, but stayed footed in one special place that means the world- The National Women in the Arts Gallery. Most of the D.C. galleries- like countless others celebrate and cater male artists, but here is my home. There Judy Chicago, one of my favorite feminist heroic artists, has put up an exhibit in accordance with her 75th birthday. Here lies some of the women she wants me to study: Paula Modersohn Becker, Elisabet Ney, Madame Deronda, Lily Bart. Of author Virginia Woolf, she declares, " poor Virginia. She was a flower of genius, a shaking lead. She tottered on the brink of sanity, holding long enough to speak with a true female voice which like a beacon beckons us."
Whilst studying Chicago's pieces, colored pencil drawings molded into meaningful circular patterned forms, it is her writing that drives my passion, that speaks intimately. It is so refreshing to see, especially after Friday. Neysa Grassi's (one of my critics!) show opening at Locks Gallery contained a varied scale body of ethereal, sensual, tranquil paintings that were both studies of intriguing technique and myriad form. In Chicago, I found her writings (all dated within the 70's) just as compelling and difficult to turn away from. Her scripted scrawl gave profound insight into connections between all the ladies (philosophers, writers, scientists, activists, etc) she studied and the tribulations a woman artist goes through just to have a solo show. She is right above things. The struggle still exists today.

Funny, how always, the bus traveler finds herself exiting off one form of public transportation to another. The terminal is crisp, clean, impersonal. No rat would feel welcomed here. Haha! This has got to be one of the most efficient forms I've ever commuted on. Very impressed.

I took the yellow line, got off at Columbia Heights, and walked 12 minutes to Woodlands Vegan Bistro- a friendly ran place on Georgia St. with a soulful menu recommended by VeRAWnica, vegan owner of my favorite Instagram accounts!

Customers are directed towards the back to a cafeteria style setup to order. Items like collard greens, cornbread, and "chicken" pot pie tempt my hunger. But it was that irresistible fried "chicken" that caught my eye. I wanted it sans sauce and accompanied my "meat" with steamed broccoli, out of this world macaroni & cheese, and the most incredible yams ever prepared.

OMG! The chicken was off the scales! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, I couldn't believe how deliciously creative concoction. Everything was seasoned perfectly. I never touched the salt and pepper shaker. Yes! Yes! Yes!!! I would definitely come back here. Well aware that Megabus will get me back here in a three hour jiffy! :D

I walked off my soul food for a Sticky Fingers treat- another Instagram user recommendation.

I had such a hard time choosing one dessert. Too much to handle. On the plus side, a birdy told me that Whole Foods out in the Philly suburbs sell Sticky Fingers baked goods. Definitely worth checking out!

Mosaic magic!

I spent remainder of the field trip inside of one of my favorite places- National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Judy Chicago's "birthday" party. I had such a phenomenal time at her dinner party after all, shedding a few tears in its lavished presence at the Brooklyn Museum. Her birthday celebration was no small consolation. There were sketches, plans, ideas set in motion. She lets the viewer see all the ingredients of Dinner Party before it was ceremoniously mixed and baked. I'm utterly moved by the fact that she studied every female she placed at the Dinner Party. She really genuinely cared about that work, going as far as studying lace making from experts for the Emily Dickinson part of the place card.

Just a taste of Chicago's prismacolor sketches and writings for her lithographs. It entails her whole process of preparing the epic Dinner Party work. There were also another set of primsacolors on the opposite wall and the story of how her male printer gave her such trouble that she didn't get them made into desired prints. I, however, enjoyed the drawings though saddened by her plight. "these would have been beautiful lithos," she had wrote on one of them.

Africa by Lois Mailou Jones, another admirable artist. A trinity of rounded voluptuous forms, elongated necks, and mask like features engage a vibrantly painted composition. It evocatively speaks of the beauty behind divine heritage.

Faith Ringgold, an inspiration. Honored to walk down Ringgold Street and just think about her work, these mixed media enjoyments that celebrate African Diaspara and African Americans living in America. This piece in particular seems to revel in dance.

Amy Sherald is new to me. her intriguing paintings of humorously outrageous costumed ethnic portraits with deadpan expressions, lifeless skin color, and bold, abstractly decorated background fascinated me. This large scale painting is entitled They Call Me Redbone But I'd Rather Be Strawberry Shortcake.

Another Sherald- It Made Sense.... Only In Her Mind.

The Call by Remedios Varo, an artist that is new to me. Her elongated forms, heavy use of bright focused lighting, and spiritually etched illustrative painting rendered me breathless. The center woman flows through these grey ghostly forms like a floating, glowing brilliant figure of suspended bravery.

Only admiring one of my favorite painters of all time, Frida Kahlo. I wish I could lay a pillow right in front of Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsy and lay forever without ever shutting an eye. Each brush stroke is applied with all the sensual beauty that one expects from a Kahlo work. Very beguiling and hard to tear gaze away from.

Young Girl With a Sheaf, Camille Claudel. Such a fascinating piece of bronze sculpture finished when the artist was only twenty-six years old.

The great French actress Sarah Bernhardt was also a very talented sculptor! This is After the Storm comprised of white marble. Amazing in every angle.

Hotel Harrington is where the Art Academy of Cincinnati students stayed at during the five day field trip so long ago.... 

Ended my day with a delicious Sticky Fingers devil dog- yummy cream between two thick slabs of chocolate sandwich goodness. So good! Wish I had gotten two....

To pass time in the last hour on the road, I played the Highway License Plate Game- you know where you count the states of the license plates? Well, I tallied in case anyone was interested. Even though it looked like New Jersey (14 in total) would win in the first twenty minutes, Delaware (24) came strong, but Pennsylvania (39) won in the end. However, I must admit there happened to be 32 unknown cars that drove by so who knows who would've been the real victorious champion. Others in the race included 2 for Virginia, 2 for Maryland and 1 each for New York, Quebec (yes a Canada car!), and a car sans license.
Any who, that was fun- the D.C. part of the journey. I never ever in my life want to play Highway License Plate Game again. Unless I was high on a lot of Sticky Fingers' Devil Dogs!!!

Out Of Africa Product Line Review And Giveaway

A little sneak peek at current beauty routine.

First of all, sincerest apologies. I didn't mean to forget Daytonian pride. I was never a University of Dayton student or had interest of attending, but I drank often at the Starbucks on Brown Street near campus. That must count for something right? So here's my late shout out: Way to go University of Dayton men's basketball team on making the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament! Wooo hooo!!! What an amazing adventure and fantastic feat! What a thrill ride!

Way to go Dayton!

Now I'm not the biggest sports fan, but even I am impressed by beloved Cinderella story of my hometown. I wasn't the only one. Some artist friends and colleagues commented on their journey and applauded them too. We didn't make the Final Four, but getting up there beating out Ohio State and other heavyweight teams meant everything for us underdogs.
This brings me to the second blog giveaway. It is tough, wishing everyone to win the prize. That is how it goes in the way of life. Still, everyone's a winner because by reading this post, you'll all know just how terrific Out Of Africa's products are. 100% cruelty free, this vegan based body and skin care treats make skin glow with vitality and softness. Plus, 5 cents of each purchase benefits a child's education in West Africa and provides PBS programming. We all know how terrific PBS programming is- don't we? I still remember learning so much from beloved shows like Reading Rainbow, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Lamb Chops Play Along, and Sesame Street. And yes, I still watch Arthur sometimes- when the writers aren't writing unbelievable episodes on vegetarians...
As for Out Of Africa, I am currently using the Lavender Body Wash (which smells and cleanses amazingly), the Verbena 100% Pure & Unrefined Shea Butter (softens and keeps ashiness at bay), and the Africa Black Soap for my face.
I am usually more of a facial cleanser lady. However, Out Of Africa's Africa Black Soap happens to be one of those rare occasions that don't dry up my face like a California raisin. Of course, I tone and moisturize after, but that new found radiant dewiness is definitely from the gentle, non-fragrant soap. Made from natural and sustainable ingredients like organic Shea Butter (hand made in Benin and rich in vitamins A, E, and F)), aloe vera, olive oil, and even plantain skins (yes!!!), your skin reaps benefits from these remarkable rewards. Then again, not all skin types are created equal. I only know it has impacted my face over the course of a week. It's good stuff. All the way from Africa. That touches me in ways no one can ever fathom.
So the Out of Africa Giveaway package consists of Out of Africa's Lavender Body Wash, Lavender Body Lotion, Orange Cream Lip Balm, and Lavender 100% Pure and Unrefined Shea Butter, and a Fair Trade chocolate treat! It begins now! Good luck everybody! Winner will be drawn April 9th!

Smiling educated kids in Africa- that's what I love seeing twice a day!

Rounded edge soap is so cute. Love the giraffe design.

Face washing is so fun in the morning. You know, after the grueling hitting the snooze button a gazillion times and then finally waking up.

Before toner and moisturizer. Also that horrid pimple above top lip is all but faded now. Stress is real!

Vegan Mini Pepperoni Polenta Pizzas

Skip the dough fest and use polenta for a fresh spin on pizza!

Time is of the essence. Deadlines and critiques and graduation galore. My thoughts are of nothing else.
March is over today. After endless showers, the weather unveiled pretty sunshine. Well, sort of. The gusty wind blew away good intentions. Still a jacket required outing.
On the plus side, I used my new baking pan. For a while there, I used a cheap cookie sheet, now with this $25 retail valued nonstick addition found for $7, I feel a sense of worthiness.
Polenta. Polenta. How I love polenta. Once I had baked pasta with pepperonis because the soy ground was all gone. I called it pizza mac. Now here it goes with polenta- my other love. Who doesn't enjoy using polenta as a pasta substitute? Garden veggie polenta lasagna with tofu ricotta or ravioli stuffed polenta are just some delicious sounding meals that I would love to create sometime. Thankfully, polenta is versatile- a recipe underdog for the toughest entree fix. For now, here's pizza.
Seasoned with garlic, Italian seasonings, and olive oil, same ingredients added to homemade dough, little polenta rounds are then topped with tradition. I was disheartened that my oven is a weirdo. How else could I explain how some of Follow My Heart's cheese melted on some rounds and not on others?
Anywho, these miniature pizzas are quite delicious! Great appetizer fun. If having a party, five people could have five apiece, but if eating solo.... well, do your own kind of math. Ha ha! ;)

Vegan Mini Pepperoni Polenta Pizzas Ingredients and Preparation

1 18 oz. pkg polenta, sliced thinly (I made 25 slices)
olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic
1 1/2 Italian seasonings
2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
tomato sauce
Follow Your Heart mozzarella, thinly sliced and cut into small squares
Yves Pepperoni (had 25 pepperonis)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Bake polenta for 30 minutes- 15 on each side.

Spread about 1/2 tablespoon tomato sauce on each polenta circle.

Top sauce with a sliver of cheese.

One slice of pepperoni each. Bake for 15 minutes.

While some of the cheese didn't melt like how I wanted (will maybe slice thinner?), still pretty good nonetheless!

Two bites and bam! They disappear instantly.

The melted cheese ones were the best surprises!

Vegan Gluten Free Blueberry Sour Cream Pancakes With Blueberry-Lemon Maple Syrup

Blueberry supreme!

Graduation is hailing near. And frankly, I must admit, I forgot that I was graduating. Between immersion into being accepted into PAFA's MFA Program, watching old Guiding Light reruns (cannot get enough!), journal writing, crying over a dead laptop, gearing up for playing a greedy king in our seminar's Rumpelstiltskin play (next week curtains open!), and drawing lioness fantasies, somehow completing the intensive strenuous year long Post Baccalaureate program somehow slipped my mind. I missed the graduation rehearsal and everything. My only hope is that my name is pronounced right. On the plus side, I have two invitations and have to decide who I love more.
Can't I just invite pancakes? More specifically blueberry sour cream pancakes with blueberry lemon syrup drizzled on top? Imagine that having a front roll seat.
So here's a vaulted recipe from weeks ago.
Back in Dayton, on the strange weather nonsensical spring break, I really enjoyed these light, fluffy pancakes aided by the creaminess of sour cream and joined by bursting blueberry sweetness. The day before Krogers had a sale on organic fruit. I bought up a fresh pint of blueberries, thinking only of pancakes- that gluten free pancake/waffle mix had to be put to good use! Again as simple as the raspberry pancakes and just as delicious.
Why have maple syrup plain? Yes, maple syrup is so ridiculously good. Why mess that up? I adored the raspberry syrup so much, why not add another fine fruit to the mix? It was incredible! With lemon juice and ginger to counteract the sugared intensity, nothing is more fun than witnessing blueberries popping and syrup turning into an elegant shade of royal purple.
Pancakes that are perfect as breakfast, brunch, lunch, dessert, or dinner. Everyone would be sure to love them- vegan or nonvegan! :)

Vegan Gluten Free Blueberry Sour Cream Pancakes With Blueberry-Lemon Maple Syrup Ingredients and Preparation

olive oil
1 cup Maple Grove Farms Gluten Free Pancake/Waffle Mix
1 cup almond milk
2 tablespoon Tofutti Sour Cream
1/4 cup blueberries
pinch of cinnamon

1/2 maple syrup
1/4 cup blueberries
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ginger
lemon zest
pinch of almond extract

Heat skillet with olive oil.
Mix batter ingredients together.
Spread 1/4 cup onto warmed skillet and wait for the edges to brown/ center to bubble.
Flip over.
Repeat.

To sauce up your blueberry-sour cream pancakes, warm up syrup with blueberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, ginger, and almond extract for about 5-7 minutes until color changes to a deep purple.
Serve hot.

Served with a side of seasoned tempeh strips.

Perfect breakfast. Or dinner. Or lunch. Or whatever.

Yum.

A Night On The Town Broadway First Timer Style

Mamma Mia at Broadhurst Theater.

"....money, money, money, must be sunny, in a rich man's world!"
I've had that tune in my head since intermission. That intermission on Sunday night...
Finally used my raffle prize winnings (from the Apothecary Theater Company- thank you all so much!) to see Mamma Mia on Broadway! Formerly, Once, couldn't contain excitement the moment I received my will call tickets and first Playbill.
A classmate warned me about the "annoying" antics of cheesy pop ABBA.
However, I found myself in total enjoyment, in total rapture in all honesty. Oh the theater! The theater is so much fun!!!!! So entertaining! So grand and viscerally engaging! The phenomenal acting, the powerhouse singing, the sync choreography, the glitzy costumes- wonderful! The cast was perfectly suited for every role. They had the audience in hysterics or in sorrow or dancing like queens (and kings!). Just a widened array of emotion! I had such a fantastic view of the stage and sat next to some sweet ladies. Cannot begin to serenade how joyous the Sunday had been. There were even encores galore! Show was scheduled to end at 9:30 PM- we left at 10PM! So amazing how much energy was on hand!
Today, I am still listening to ABBA- well, with headphones on. No one needs to know that I'm a Dancing Queen now...
Prior to the show- stopped at Terri again. Yes, I may have an addiction to that chickpea "tuna" melt (which will be a mimicked recipe this week!) and the Butterfinger milkshake is nothing to sneeze at. Post show, took pictures outside and met some of the Mamma Mia cast members.
Post show: discovered a 24 hour Starbucks and 24 hour Sephora. Plus various licensed characters like Captain America, Spiderman, and Elmo ruled the street- in front of a late night Toys R Us. Quite outrageous madness for a Sunday. But I guess that's how they do Times Square.
Funny coincidence alert- Judy McLane the actress playing hot mama Donna Sheridan was on Guiding Light. Ummmm..... remember that Tom Pelphrey (the APC co-founder, two time winning actor from Guiding Light- guy met in Brooklyn and skillfully dodged in Connecticut). So thus, this completed an oddly chained circle ignited by the dead soap opera- forever alive in my heart thanks to Youtube and a dedicated fan forum.
Life couldn't get any more seriously serialized than than that.

Cheetah scarf!

Does this look familiar? Why yes, it is Terri, my favorite eatery. Chickpea "tuna" melt and the irresistible Butterfinger milkshake.

The official Playbill and prize tickets!

Post-show.

Met the lovely, very talented Elena Ricardo, former gymnast, who played lead Sophie Sheridan.

Spiderman texting.

Captain America was heading straight towards me for reasons unknown.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse with Elmo calling it a night.

Roasted Asparagus With Coconut Mushroom And Tofu Cream Sauce

Roasted asparagus gets smothered in richly flavorful mushroom-tofu cream.

A yin yang is happening with the weather. One day the beautiful sun is out and the next wintry chills make the spine shiver, announcing that Jack Frost is far from being overthrown. Sadly enough, we are expecting more snow flurries this week and coldness always brings about reasons for making warm meals aplenty.
There's certainly nothing like the aroma of roasted vegetables. It fills up a kitchen with the beautiful promise of a spectacular dinner. Picturesque asparagus is a perfect candidate for a simple coconut curry sauce aided by chunky mushrooms and tofu. Upon being plated, the wondrous eye sees a deep, rich green coated in golden hue. Nostrils flare at varied scents peppering the nose. With the first bite of creamy decadence comes the taste of solid sophistication.
Meal is perfect for two. Or for one person to split in half. 

Roasted Asparagus With Coconut Mushroom And Tofu Cream Sauce Ingredients and Preparation

1 lb asparagus, rinsed and trimmed
good amount olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup mushrooms
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk
2 tablespoon coconut milk
1/2 tofu, diced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

On a cookie sheet, massage olive oil, salt, garlic, Italian seasonings, and black pepper onto asparagus, coating evenly. Roast for 13-17 minutes.

Browned and fragrant.

Definitely ready for the sauce.

First heat mushrooms until shrinkage occurs. Stir in tofu cubes, coconut cream, and coconut milk.

Very thick consistency, but perfect for making curries, ice creams, and puddings.

After adding remainder of ingredients, cook sauce for 7-10 minutes.

Pour sauce over asparagus. For added flavor sprinkle coriander atop if desired.

Closeup.

Vegan Chili Mac

Spicy beefy mac.

Spring is happening. The weather is warm and pleasant. Happy birds are flying around. I have been enjoying much needed walking exercise. Hopefully, everyone has been keeping active as skies become more filled with golden sun rays. 
Chili mac, however, is a dish best served for the cold, chilly wintry evenings. It is a simple dish- making a pot of macaroni, stirring in fiber packed beans (here I used black, my favorite) and soy ground, and omitting ooey gooey cheese factor. Certainly, if one wants to add Daiya or Follow Your Heart, by all means do so. Here, nutritional yeast gets the job done and is aided by delicious flavored tomato sauce ( a tasty vegetable garden by 365 Brand).  Also, I didn't add oil because there was already oil in the sauce- gotta be a good vegan sometimes.
Pretty, savory, and fragrant, chili mac is the perfect, easy-to-make meal. So so good.....

Vegan Chili Mac Ingredients and Preparation

1 cup elbow macaroni
1 cup broccoli, steamed
1/2 cup beans (black, red, kidney, or any desired)
1/2 cup soy ground
1/2 cup tomato sauce
3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
pinch of paprika

Prepare macaroni according to package directions.
Drain macaroni and place pan back onto the burner.

With heat set on medium high temperature, stir remaining ingredients together.

Warm for 5-7 minutes.

Dinner is bowled.

Serve with a side of iced lemon water.