Food Truck Revolution - Vegan Style

If you, like me, have been envying the Truck Food craze but are disappointed that most don't offer a veggie option, there's no need to whine any longer (unless you enjoy whining)!  The newest Vegetarian Times mag has an awesome article called Munching on the Move, and in it you'll find mobile veggie food options from Portland, OR to Providence, RI.  I was bummed to find that there aren't any in San Diego, but then there's Seabirds in Irvine, CA (and other parts of Orange County when mobile)...and I'm up there often enough visiting with my Bestie that I'm sure we'll be hitting it up soon.  Check out their menu!  This place is perfect for gluten-free, soy-free and raw foodies as well.

***UPDATE:  After doing some research, I found that Green Truck has a location in San Diego!  Their menu is not 100% veggie, but they do offer a tasty looking Vegan Burger for only $6.  Check their website for locations around San Diego, Los Angeles and New York.

Unique Gift Idea

Recently, some friends of ours moved to China. Before they left I really wanted to give them a unique gift. Something personal. Something that would remind them of home. It needed to be small, of course, since they were packing their whole lives into 2 suitcases. This is what I came up with:

I bought mini ziplock bags (you can find them at Michael's in the jewelry/bead department) and filled them with different herbs and spices - Italian Seasoning, Herbs de Provence, Garam Masala, etc. Then I included a recipe in each bag to give them an idea of what to do with them. You can usually buy herbs and spices in bulk at places like Henry's for a much cheaper price. The organza bags and tags are also from Michael's.  My favorite turned out to be a bag of loose chai tea with a few cinnamon sticks in it.  Come to think of it, it would be fun to make a whole theme of gift bags with just loose teas!  You could use green tea, jasmine tea, chrysanthemum tea, black tea, passion fruit tea -- the options are endless!

I originally got the idea from this blog (I love this blog). I think the jars are so cute! You can find small jars and labels in the wedding section of Michael's too. Michael's is great.

Anyway, this turned out to be a pretty inexpensive, yet personal (and packable!), gift idea.

Introduction to a Half Breed

Which template to use...? Aw, forget it. Write now, design later!

So what am I writing about? To be honest, I have no idea....YET. But there are so many things I love (cooking, EATING, photography, my kitties, traveling), and there are so many things I'm working at (currently: home roasting coffee)

'Green beans'

'Roasted beans'

so I hope to use this blog as a sounding board - both to help me share what I love with you, and to get your feedback and hear your advice.

I grew up in a Japanese(mom)/American(dad) household, and I'm trying to learn Chinese, so this blog will most definitely include fun asian things like recipes, language blunders, cultural surprises, and links to where to buy asian goodies, locally and online. I'll try not to be too all-over-the-place, but I make no promises. That's how the mind of a half-breed works!

So. Let's begin!

p.s. Nice to meet you.