Busy!

 Sometimes, SW Portland can be pretty.

Next week I'm finally moving back into my old neighborhood.

If you know me at all (or, hey, just read my whining on here) you know that I do not like living in SW Portland. We moved here because it was cheaper and closer to the school I was attending at the time, but now it's just a chore to travel back and forth. I work up here part-time, but it ain't no thang. I will happily commute back home in the evening if it means I can walk somewhere without worry of getting hit, without climbing massive hills, without the constant drone of the freeway in my ears. Although, I'm curious to see how long it will take me to get used to sleeping without the white noise of the freeway.

That's not to say I won't miss SW. Barbur World Foods has stolen my heart with their hummus and hot pita. Green Wok has happily soothed some intense Chinese cravings. John's Marketplace allowed me to buy beer from Norway. A sweet friend I've gotten used to running with will be farther away. Native Foods (and soon, Veggie Grill) won't be something I'm closer to than all the rest of Portland.

But, I can deal with all of that if it means I'm happy where I'm living. We'll be living within blocks of my favorite brewpub (Hopworks!). I can train for my half marathon without worrying about the strain the hills are putting on my legs (yeah, I KNOW it's a good thing, but do not want). I can walk on real sidewalks on streets that don't end in gravel. I won't have to give detailed directions to my friends due to Google and Mapquest's attempts to send them off a bridge.

So, the Effs have been busy packing, sorting, tossing. We're downsizing in space (but really, not too much) and in closets (we will have exactly ONE at the new place) so it's a great opportunity for us to get rid of EVERYTHING. I have major plans when it comes to interior design, I'm tired of living in apartments that don't reflect me. In addition to all this, we both are in school and working. Our time together feels like those lonely highways where you pass another car every 2.5 hours. I know it's temporary, but it definitely stresses me out.

Being busy means I don't have a lot of time to cook, so our food has been quick or not made by me. Some goodies as of late:

Freezing pizza dough for calzones = genius. Daiya on sale = magic.

Rotini with red lentil sauce from Robin Robertson's One Dish Vegetarian cookbook (LOVE)

  There's a new Laughing Planet by PSU. This is their Chairman Meow bowl, so delicious and light.

Rogue has a lunchtime deal called Hoppy Hour, where you get lunch with a $2 pint. If you know Rogue's prices, you know this is an awesome deal. I got their black bean quinoa salad (not bad, but not the best) and....

 their Yellow Snow IPA. It is my favorite IPA, unfortunately seasonal.

This week I plan to write about my experience at a Native Foods cooking demo! I went with two awesome ladies and a grand time was had by all.

Distraction.

We leave in 1 week, 5 days. I have novels to read and discuss, final papers to write and a single final exam to take. I have barely been focusing on any of it. My last paper, though started early, was finished in a fit of last minute writing that went on late into the night and incredibly early in the morning. I barely studied for my music midterm, and earned an A, which only encourages my horrible procrastination habit. All I can think about is what's happening 1 week, 5 days from now.

An interesting aspect of saving every cent for this trip is watching our spending, especially in the food department. In normal non trip-planning times, I have the best intentions to keep our budget to $50 a week but, you know, snack attacks happen. And sometimes I need that Coconut Bliss. But I've been pretty militant the past couple of weeks, which means some of our meals have been...interesting at times. Take a look.

Broccoli curry spaghetti, original recipe calls for udon and 6 cups of broccoli. I improvised. ps, spaghetti isn't a good sub for udon.

 Knock off Spanky's Bowl (from a local chain) with AFR Cheesy sauce.

 Use-up-the-leftovers lunch of spinach, baked tofu and roasted taters with Daiya (on sale).

 Pizza is awesome, a good use of leftovers and fast if you have dough in your freezer :-)

 After my first 10k, all I wanted was a (vegan) cheeseburger. So I made one as we are poor. V'Con black bean burger with AFR Cheesy sauce.

Pho chay, a tester for Kittee's zine. So fresh and delicious.

Also, some evidence of my laziness.

 The first warm day in Portland I moved my ass outside. Please notice the beer, it is Deschutes Brewery's Twilight making an early appearance!

Yeah, we had no clean tupperware and I wasn't interested in washing dishes.

So, yeah. I'm twiddling my thumbs in anxious anticipation.

Maui, Days 1 & 2

So I've left the land of sun and tropical drinks. My days are now drizzly and cold, and I'm ok with it.

Maui was amazing, relaxing, fantastic, rich in culture and HOT. While I don't mind a bit of sun every once in awhile, the heat and humidity there just about killed me! I am definitely a cold weather kind of gal. It took a lot of water, Gatorade and walking breaks, but I made it out alive, and only with a minor sunburn.

I made the best of it though. I present to you a photo journey of the first couple of days as a Maui vegan visitor.

The trip was supposed to be with my husband, but he ended up not going and I lucked out and wrangled one of my oldest and greatest friends to fill in at the last minute. Her name is Sarah and she is adorable.

Our first dinner was at the Four Seasons Hotel to celebrate a milestone birthday for the lovely lady second from the right. Obviously I am the nerd on the left. I had a very expensive version of spaghetti and a delicious Coconut Porter from Maui Brewing. I am officially obsessed.

Our first sunset.

Day 2 - we decided to find the Farmers Market in Kihei. About 2 miles in, we gratefully slurped some shave ice. I didn't get photos of the market, but it was small and full of delicious fruits.

Our second night was spent at a luau at the Grand Wailea. If you ever get the opportunity to walk the grounds, do it! It's an amazing resort to explore.

 I had so much pineapple-y drinks on this trip it was not funny. Blech. But the luau had a buffet with plenty of vegan options, including a stir fry, poi, green salad and roasted sweet potatoes. 

Dorks.

The last act, a fire dancer. So freaking cool.

To be continued....