H.A. Larson's Blog, page 77

Chickpea Flour "Eggs"

So this morning I wanted a hearty breakfast, and I wasn't in the mood to press a block of tofu and wait.  Instead, I remembered that vegans often use chickpea flour to make a batter that they then either make omelettes or scrambles out of.  I decided that sounded great, and that I needed to try one.  I did an internet search and found a good recipe for a mix that you can then use whenever you're in the mood.  I did some tweaking of my own to get it how I wanted it, and the results were spectacular!  You can make dinner omelettes out of this as well.  I made mine into a scramble.
Chickpea Scramble
To make the mix :
1 1/2 c. chickpea flour (also known as garbanzo bean flour)3 T. ground flax3 T. nutritional yeast1 t. baking powder2 t. Mrs. Dash1 t. turmeric powder1/2 t. each salt and pepper
Mix well and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Shake up mix, and combine 1/3 c. mix to 1/3 c. + 1 T. water.  Let sit for a minute at room temperature.
Ingredients :
2 T. oil of preference1 c. chopped mushrooms1/4 c. each chopped green pepper and onion1 clove garlic, minced1 vegan sausage patty, chopped (approx. 1/8-1/4 cup if using already ground variety)4 T. grated vegan cheese (I like cheddar Daiya)Chickpea Mix
Instructions :
Heat oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat.  Add chopped veggies and sausage to the pan, and stir fry for a minute or two until onions are translucent.  Add the chickpea mix and spread it out over the veggie/sausage mixture.  Scramble and cook until the chickpea batter is dry, approx 5 minutes depending on your stove.  Turn off the stove, and sprinkle the scramble with the cheese.  Let rest until cheese is melted.  Enjoy!
Notes :
This serves one person, so you'll need to double or triple depending on how many people you have.  I did find that if you add toast, two people could split this recipe, but who would want to?  ;)  When you add the batter to the pan, you can spread it out and instead of scrambling it, you can cook it whole and flip it.  Then you'll have the omelette instead of the scramble.  If you want to make an omelette I would suggest making it the same, except adding the sausage and cheese to the inside of the omelette before folding over.  Then when the cheese is melted inside, it's ready to serve.  You can use any variety of veggies and other ingredients you wish.  Spinach, kale, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. would all be good.  Be creative!

Writing Update: Poetry!

Good morning!  I wanted to talk a little bit this morning about the poetry book I'm working on.  It's called "Deep, Dark, & Lovely", and, no, I did not forget about it!  I know that I had originally talked about it-as well as revealing the cover for it-in conjunction with my book "The Melody" , and had slated it for an April release.

No, it hasn't been released yet, but yes, I am planning to.  The reason for the delay is that it has changed course!  What had originally been planned as a series of unhappy poems has truly evolved into a project that involves three parts: Deep poetry, Dark poetry, and Lovely poetry.  Now, I'm not sure when I will finish or release the project yet, but know this:  when I do, it's gonna be good!  It will be this year though, for sure.

Anyway, thought I'd update you all as I have had a couple of emails about it.  Until then, enjoy, not just today, but everyday.  Make the most of it while you got it.

Much love,

H.A.

Mother's Day

I know I've talked before about how I love nothing better than getting out with my kids on what I call "Little Adventures."   Life is short, and I'm not willing to let it pass me by as I sit around in front of the television, my computer, or my phone.  Make the most of the days you have, right?  So, for Mother's Day I wanted to spend it with my kids, on a Little Adventure, and a picnic lunch.

Saturday night we each made our own calzones, and packed our lunch.  The next day we were off!  I took a road less traveled and ended up seeing some fun sites, including an entire little town in Iowa that was Swedish!  They had a Swedish Cultural Center, but as it was Sunday, it was closed.  Oh well, maybe another day.

Cover Reveal for my Third Book!

Good morning!  I decided that today I would show you the cover for my third book, scheduled for release at the end of June (but might be July).  So check it out!  I hope you like it, and until it's released, grab one of my other books (Cold & The Melody) here.  The Melody is getting some good pre-review hype, so get your copy today!

Let me know what you think!

Renaissance Faire!

Oh my gosh you guys, I have to tell you something:  I LOVE Ren Faires.  Ever since I was a kid and heard about Renaissance Faires I have been in love with them.  Of course, growing up in a very small town in nowhere Midwest, there were no Ren Faires anywhere near me so I just had to imagine what they were like in my mind.  Now that I'm all grown up (sorta), I have the good fortune of living in a city that has an excellent Ren Faire, and even if I can't make one of the big ones within driving distance every year (Kansas City & Minneapolis), I NEVER miss the one right here at home: The Nebraska Renaissance Festival.  Anyway, last weekend was opening weekend and, of course, the kids and I were right there the minute they opened the gates.



Faeries!  We love faeries and all the trinkets and fairy dust they dole out.


Her majesty, Queen Elizabeth I, and her royal court.


Her majesty's Royal Knight: Protector of the Realm

Below:  Crazy Boy Coy, the funniest, most talented contortionist/juggler/fire eater at any Faire I've been too.  We never miss his show!

Acoustic Paths by Eric Sartana - A Review

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a total music buff.  As I've gotten older, I find myself watching television (and movies) less & less, and listening to music more & more.  To that end, I'm going to try and do short, honest reviews of albums that I have listened to, and hopefully give them a boost as well.

I have an eclectic range of music I like to listen to, but one of my long-standing favorites is metal.  In this capacity, I became acquainted with Eric Sartana, who happens to be the front man for the doom/black metal outfit Throne of Malediction.  Over the last few years, I've acquired an appreciation for melodic music of many types, and this is where this album comes in.

Acoustic Paths is a haunting album of original music with a couple of covers (I Don't Mind the Pain - Danzig, and Desecration Smile - Red Hot Chili Peppers).  The album is melancholy, it's underlying theme is the end of a love between two people, ripped apart by deceit and anger.  One person has to deal with the fallout, which comes across beautifully in the emotive voice of Eric Sartana, and it's not hard to feel what he feels.

Eric's voice is perfectly accentuated by his evocative, yet powerful, acoustic guitar playing.  It's a dynamic combination that needs no other accompaniment.  The poignancy of the love's death is expressed in the moving combination of voice/guitar, and the covers just add to the overall theme from beginning to end.

This album is available on the Throne of Malediction's Bandcamp page, get it here.  I highly recommend it!  While it's free for a listen, try and give the guy some money.  He's earned it.

Loess Hills Scenic Byway

This weekend, I focused on spending quality time with the kids: individually and together.  I had a slumber party with my daughter on Friday night, and House of Cards/movie night with my son on Saturday night.  I think it's important to give your kids some undivided one-on-one time every so often.  It reminds them that they are important to you, boosts their self-esteem, and helps cement the parent-child bond you have.

Yesterday, I thought we'd round out the weekend by doing some adventurin'.  I made a picnic lunch, and we hit the road.  I decided to take the kids down Old Lincoln Highway and then follow that along the Loess Hills Scenic Byway.  If you ever want something to do on a lazy day when you have plenty of time to kill, I highly suggest doing this journey.  There are quite a few scenic byways in Western Iowa that wind their way along the Loess Hills, and into its communities.  There are plenty of things to see and places to explore.

We stopped first at one of three old cemeteries we passed (where we honored those who are no longer with us), then Missouri Valley, the Iowa Welcome Center (which is a great place to visit as well as pick up tourist pamphlets, including the ones concerning the byways and the counties they wind through) where we ate our lunch, Logan, Fountainbleu byway, Murray Hill overlook, Mondamin, and then back down through Sawmill Loop.  The Loess Hills Lavender farm, Small's Berry Farm, and many other stops are along the way, but the aforementioned do not open until May 1.

Incidentally, we had a tire issue, which wasn't a problem as I have skill at changing tires and have the proper tools, but a perfect gentleman in Mondamin guided us to his house where he had the professional tools to change out the tire in about 5 minutes.  He also gave the kids ice cream treats and myself a bottle of water.  We made note of his address and will send him a thank you card.  Helping others in need is not dead.



A tombstone from 1882.  He was only 27 years old when he passed.  R.I.P.


Another view of the cemetery, overlooking the Loess Hills.  Cemeteries are serene and beautiful in the morning light.


The Rialto Theatre in Missouri Valley.


The county courthouse in Logan.


Breathtaking view of the Loess Hills from a vantage point on Murray Hill Overlook.


An old, abandoned barn.


Treetops and the signs of spring against the warm sun.


An barn/grain silo combo along the Fountainbleu byway.

Dollar Tree Haul

Yesterday, I made a routine stop at the Dollar Tree.  It's a great place to grab things like toothbrushes, garbage cans, cheap socks, candles, and lots of other goodies.  It's also, fortunately, a great place sometimes to get beauty products.  Where I live, I have more than one Dollar Tree which is a good thing, because you really need to hit each one once every month or so to get the "good" stuff.  Anyway, here's the items I got yesterday for a whopping total of $7.00.


As most of you are aware, most items at dollar stores are there because they weren't selling in regular stores.  I got a little bit excited when I saw that White Rain's paraban-free, Boutique Collection items were on the shelves!  I grabbed all five.  Here we have the shea butter body lotion and the gentle facial scrub.


Continuing with the White Rain, we have the facial cleanser & makeup remover, and the daily foot & heel cream.


The last of the White Rain Botique Collections items:  moisturizing shower gel.  I cannot wait to use these products!  I'll let you know how they work.


Of course, I cannot go into the Dollar Tree without buying some makeup, and yesterday was no exception.  I don't really wear much blush because I have a rosy complexion, but I do have a bronze one, and kind of needed another.  I grabbed this pretty pink L.A. Colors one.  Then, because I need some more matte shades of eyeshadow, I got this cute little elf palette that I will use today.

So there you have it, my Dollar Tree haul!  Hope you enjoyed this, and go hit up a dollar store today.  ;)

Hiking at Hitchcock Nature Center

Look at that gorgeous sky!  I have been cooped up all week trying to get many necessary things done (testing for a p/t work-from-home job, my latest editorial for the magazine I write for, spring cleaning, as well as my regular writing duties) that I was feeling grumpy.  My best friend, Keith, stopped over, and since it was a gorgeous day, I decided we should get outside.  I don't know about you, but whenever I get out of the city and into nature, I feel renewed.  One of my favorite places to go is Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, and it never disappoints.

The green is really asserting its dominance over the landscape.  I've hiked out here several times over the winter, and even though I love being able to see farther distances through the woods, I love the foliage cover that spring and summer provide.

My daughter is 8 and so funny.  She always says she never wants to go hike, but the minute we get to the woods, she's full of excitement and ready to explore.  She found all this on the trail we were on, plus many rocks for her "collection."


What do you like to do when you just need to 'get away from it all' for a little bit?  

Logo

I decided I wanted to have a logo, so I found a free logo maker and came up with this.  I want to use it to stamp my photos and things.  Let me know what you think!