Pie Pops!!

I recently overcame one of my biggest fears. What was that fear, you ask? Being alone? Dying a slow, painful death? Sleeping with the closet doors open? Pie Crusts? Yes! That's right - pie crusts. Oddly enough I've harbored an intense, irrational fear of making pie crusts. 6 years ago I ventured into the art of baking and attempted a lattice crust apple pie for a 4th of July celebration. The pie ended up coming out decently enough. But the recipe I found online was so intricate and specific that I (temporarily) developed heart palpitations over being nervous about entirely screwing up that damn pie and (pseudo-permanently) developed a hatred toward making pie crusts. I vowed to never deal with them ever ever again! But of course, if you know me, you know that it would bother me so much that I failed at this seemingly simple venture that I would have to try again.... eventually....

And eventually came 6 years later in the form of "Cherish Teters to the rescue!" (and, yes, she does have a Super Woman cape, fyi). She's quite the pie expert, and I learned much from Obi-Wan-Teters on this star-crossed day where she helped me conquer my fear of pie crusts and make 60 pie pops (apple and pecan) for my sister's bridal shower and our personal consumption! These little treats are seriously bite-sized morsels of pure awesomeness. Just the perfect amount of pie to satisfy your palate.  :)

Now I finally get what they mean by "as easy as pie." 

Pie Crust Ingredients:
Yields 2 double-crusted pies (i.e. 4 crusts) = 40 pie pops (10 pie pops per crust)

4 cups flour

1 1/3 cup Crisco shortening*
2 t salt

3 or 4 T stick margarine

1/4 cup or less sugar**
12-13 T water

1. In bowl, add all ingredients except water

2. Use pantry blender to mix together

3. Pour in about 12-13 tbsp cold water, and mix quickly

- if the dough appears too wet, add in a little more flour and mix

4. Separate dough into 4 sections

5. Take one section and roll out on floured surface to 1/8" thickness  

*I tried with all my might but couldn't find a healthier substitute for Crisco without sacrificing that delicious flaky crust. Sometimes ya just gotta deal.

**I replaced granulated sugar (GS) with Turbinado. It's a healthier alternative - less processed so it retains more of its minerals. Turbinado is formed as larger crystals and has a more molasses-y taste than GS, but once baked you can't even tell the difference! Also, GS and non-raw brown sugar (which is merely GS w/ molasses added back in for color) may both be processed through bone char (cow bones) to whiten and decolorize it, making them questionably non-vegan. 

Filling Ingredients:

Note: When making the pie pops, I made WAY more filling than necessary. So this is my approximation of how much filling you should make for 20 pie pops for each type of filling. I apologize if the measurements are off. Further, I adopted the pecan filling recipe from a pecan tart (not pie) recipe, but feel free to look up your own pecan or apple filling recipe and incorporate. 

Apple Pie Filling: 

4 cups sliced, peeled baking apples (about 1.5lbs) (I used Granny Smith) 
1 T lemon juice
1/2 cup Turbinado (or 3/8 cup white sugar, 1/8 cup brown sugar) 
1/8 cup flour
1/2 t cinnamon
1/8 t nutmeg

Mix all ingredients together, set aside. 

Pecan Pie Filling: 

1 cup pecans
1/4 cup Turbinado (or white sugar)
1/4 cup light corn syrup**
2 eggs
1 t vanilla

Mix all ingredients together, set aside. 

**I substituted corn syrup with agave nectar. Agave offers more health benefits, and can be used as a substitute for other common sweeteners as well. To substitute for corn syrup, I used 1/2 the amount listed and added 1/3 amount of the other liquid - so 1/8 cup agave + 1/12 cup water.

Pie Pop Assembly Instructions: 

From Bakerella  

Preheat oven to 375*

1. Roll out dough on floured surface to 1/8" thickness
- The convenient part about pie pops is that you don't need to roll your pie crusts into perfect circles, since you'll be cutting out circles anyway!


2. Lightly dust with a little bit of flour on bot sides - it'll make the dough easier to work with and move around.
  
3. Use a cookie cutter and cut out your circles


4. Save the dough scraps, roll flat and re-use to cut out more circles

5. Place one layer of circles on a baking sheet

6. Place lollipop sticks on circles, about halfway up (or a little higher if you prefer), and press down to secure.  

7. Place filling in the center of each circle. If you put too much, the filling will seep out of the pies.


8. Place second set of circles on top, and press around edges to seal. Make sure to press around the lollipop stick to secure.

9. Use an extra lollipop stick to press around the border for that pretty dowel-edged look.
 
10. Brush egg whites onto top of crust before baking. ( Another option is to brush with a mixture of 1 egg yolk + 1T milk) 

11. Bake at 375* for 12-15 minutes or until the tops start to brown. 

Remove, cool and enjoy!!!

Optional Shortcuts:

1. Use pre-made pie crusts

2. Use canned pie filling

- I never really knew these existed until Cherish mentioned it! I guess I used canned pumpkin before for pumpkin pie, but didn't put together the fact they sell various canned pie fillings!

Optional Designs:


1. Other shapes can be used, like hearts, but circles give the most room in the center for filling.

2. You can also create these mini pies without the sticks - leaving you with personal-sized pies of any shape. That way you may be able to fit a little more filling in the center. You could arrange it on a pretty platter, present them in a basstack them in a vase for display!

 

Congrats Philip Levine!

In the old days I used to dabble more in poetry - both writing and reading. Its such a beautifully moving form of art. I have the deepest respect for those who can truly put pen to paper and convey their perspective and wisdom. I haven't read much of Philip Levine's work, but have come across some of his writings in the past. While skimming through the Times online I noticed this man will be named the next U.S. Poet Laureate - an incredible honor! Here's a great quote from the article:

He hadn't particularly aspired to be poet laureate, Mr. Levine said, but he was pleased that after a long career, the honor had come his way. "How can I put it? It's like winning the Pulitzer," he explained. "If you take it too seriously, you're an idiot. But if you look at the names of the other poets who have won it, most of them are damn good. Not all of them - I'm not going to name names - but most. My editor was thrilled, and my wife jumped for joy. She hasn't done that in a while."

Like many, I do wish I read poetry more often. So I thought we could read one of Mr. Levine's famous poems together. This is a phenomenal piece, courtesy of google:

The Simple Truth

I bought a dollar and a half's worth of small red potatoes,
took them home, boiled them in their jackets
and ate them for dinner with a little butter and salt.
Then I walked through the dried fields
on the edge of town. In middle June the light
hung on in the dark furrows at my feet,
and in the mountain oaks overhead the birds
were gathering for the night, the jays and mockers
squawking back and forth, the finches still darting
into the dusty light. The woman who sold me
the potatoes was from Poland; she was someone
out of my childhood in a pink spangled sweater and sunglasses
praising the perfection of all her fruits and vegetables
at the road-side stand and urging me to taste
even the pale, raw sweet corn trucked all the way,
she swore, from New Jersey. "Eat," she said,
"even if you don't I'll say you did."
Some things
you know all your life. They are so simple and true
they must be said without elegance, meter and rhyme,
they must be laid on the table beside the salt shaker,
the glass of water, the absence of light gathering
in the shadows of picture frames, they must be
naked and alone, they must stand for themselves.
My friend Henri and I arrived at this together in 1965
before I went away, before he began to kill himself,
and the two of us to betray our love. Can you taste
what I'm saying? It is onions or potatoes, a pinch
of simple salt, the wealth of melting butter, it is obvious,
it stays in the back of your throat like a truth
you never uttered because the time was always wrong,
it stays there for the rest of your life, unspoken,
made of that dirt we call earth, the metal we call salt,
in a form we have no words for, and you live on it.

Thank you poetry, you made my day.

We do LOVE.

What simple, practical, beautiful wisdom. I would love to incorporate this into my home.

Happy Friday!!

You can purchase this size vinyl wall decal on etsy. I may just make my own imitation to save some $$.

Juicing (and an excuse)

More details to come on the wonders of juicing, but for now I thought I would leave you with a couple of pictures I find to be very beautiful.... plus its a way for me to get in the extra labels I couldn't fit into the last post!

Before

After

Culinary Escapades

After much pondering of and debate on the details, I've finally come up with a temporary (or maybe permanent) solution to adding a new section to my blog! It's no surprise I love dabbling in the kitchen, so why not throw in some posts of my favorite recipes or experiments? In honor of this new idea, I've rearranged my blog elements and changed my background picture.... not much of a change, but this certainly seemed to be a better solution than creating an entirely new blog just for my culinary side! Its hard enough getting people to follow one blog, let alone two!! Although I do truly appreciate anyone who keeps up with me :)

Please keep on checking back for recipes, nutrition information, and all else culinary!!

Saritha Tirunagaru Nord, Esq.

Things are looking up!  Happy Friday the 13th to you too.

Celebration of Life

"Whatever became of the moment when one first knew about death? There must have been one, a moment, in childhood when it first occurred to you that you don't go on forever. It must have been shattering - stamped into one's memory. And yet I can't remember it. It never occurred to me at all. What does one make of that? We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the words for it, before we know that there are words, out we come, bloodied and squalling with the knowledge that for all compasses in the world, there's only one direction and time is its only measure."
             - Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead, by Tom Stoppard

The circle of life has been an ever-present theme these last couple of months. Last weekend John and I attended a memorial service for the mother of our dear friend Nick Celeste. His mother, Ann, passed after suffering from terminal brain cancer for the past two or so years. The service was beautiful. It was filled with sunflowers, tears and memories - fit for the life of a strong, caring person. I am sad to report, however, this is not the only news of this ilk that has come to my attention. I do not take so kindly to report that over the past two or three months I've heard from friends of 6 deaths in various families - parents, uncles, grandparents - many significant people are slipping into an after-life, reincarnation, dust... whatever you believe in. 

Evidence of mortality is never easy to swallow. And to hear of so many passings in such a short period is a pill even more jagged. I suppose its time to face the fact this sort of news is going to become more common - we're getting older. Period. But instead of dwelling on the loss, we should celebrate life. At funerals in India they wear white, for they are not in mourning: rather, they are there to commemorate beautiful memories of a beautiful life of a beautiful person. Its a custom I really wish would be implemented here.

Considering all this, I think it prudent to take this opportunity to celebrate life as a whole - to implement a living memory: to live as we would like to be remembered... and to make those nagging changes we've been wanting to make. There can be an inspiring spark in even the bleakest of moments. And, really, our dearly departed wouldn't have it any other way, wouldn't you say? I mean, it's certainly not easy... figuring out who you are and how you want to live... striking balance among all aspects. I've been trying to do this.... trying to make some sort of mark or etch and create memories worth remembering. It's a life-long process, obviously, and I don't know if it's working (and who knows if I ever will), but I hope I'm making my loved ones proud. Because you all certainly make me proud.

On the Horizon

Welcome back, me. It's been a while. I've missed the clickity-clack of typing while the wheels are a-whirring in my head. Not much inspiration as of late, so I thought a simple update will do for now. I hope you feel the same.

First off, in my effort to do bigger and better things I've joined the team 60 Miles for Bust, captained by the darling Ivie. Her, I and three friends will join thousands of other women and men and we will all walk 60 miles over 3 days (Nov 18 - 20). Each footstep is aimed toward funding various breast cancer research and programs with a view toward putting a stop to breast cancer forever. Each of us has committed to raising a minimum of $2300 for the Susan G. Komen foundation. I've never raised so much nor have I ever walked so far, but I know the challenge will be well worth it. Here's hoping we will soon be in a world that's not only breast cancer free, but cancer free. It has to be possible. It WILL be possible.

In this regard I'm certainly increasing my footsteps, but I'm also trying to decrease my footprint. My environmental footprint that is. I'm doing my best to take reusable bags while shopping, take my reusable cup to starbucks, and recycle as much as I can. I've even taken to composting. We don't have a garden that we can use it for, but my roommate and I collect our compostable scraps in a tupperware we keep in the fridge, and once its filled up we walk behind the dumpsters in our parking lot and chuck the contents into the trees/dirt abutting the San Diego river. Although, I can only hope its actually being used to fertilize nature and that the raccoons and rats aren't eating the scraps instead. Well, I guess either way its being reused, right? On that note, Happy Earth Day!

My last update is more of a personal triumph. Last Sunday marked the completion of my second half-marathon, the La Jolla Half!  I started the race at the Del Mar fairgrounds like a clydesdale, climbed Torrey Pines hill like I was being threatened with a gun to my back, and crossed the finish line at a sprint encumbered by the greatest determination I've ever felt in my entire life. This course was ridiculousy hilly. I'd swear on my wedding video the course elevation map was inaccurate. I felt like I was running uphill for the first 10 miles! Well, I'm being dramatic, there were level portions of course, interspersed with hills. Whatever. Further, the elevation map represented the really big hill as only lasting about 1 mile, but I seriously think it lasted 3 (again, with some parts leveling out). At the end I decided that as I crossed the finish line I was going to raise up my arms and throw up both my middle fingers - straight and rigid - with a stern, fixed glare set toward the cameraman. I. Was. Livid. But instead I settled for angry sprinting, because, really, I never flip the bird, and that would just be awkward. Despite all that, I still beat my last half-marathon time by 4 minutes!!! I was hoping to surpass it by at least 5-6, but with all the hills and some walking, I'll take it! Next race to come is the AFC Half on Aug 21, upon the completion of which I'll be the proud honoree of the Triple Crown Medal. You're in my sights medal!!

That's it for the moment. Stay tuned friends. As always, thank you thank you thank you for indulging me by reading. And for now, I leave you with a totally unrelated, but nevertheless awesome, quote:

"I understand that Scissors can beat Paper, and I get how Rock can beat Scissors, but there's no freaking way Paper can beat Rock. Paper is supposed to magically wrap around Rock leaving it immobile? Why the heck can't paper do this to scissors? Forget Scissors, why can't Paper do this to people? Why aren't sheets of college-ruled notebook paper constantly suffocating students as they attempt to take notes in class? I'll tell you why, because Paper can't beat anybody. A rock would tear that shit up in 2 seconds. When I play Rock/Paper/Scissors, I always choose Rock. Then when somebody claims to have beaten me with their Paper I can punch them in the face with my already clenched fist and say, 'oh damn, I'm sorry, I thought paper would protect you, asshole.'"

         - Unknown

Back to business

The cleanse and stupid test are finally DONE, FINITO, TERMINADO. I suppose "finally" is not the most appropriate word, as they both approached ridiculously fast and finished before I could even wrap my head around their existence. Now its time to get back to a routine and tackle all the tasks and projects that have been waiting patiently in my head since last September. This probably goes without repeating, but as you all know the last six or so months have been..... well, I hope to never repeat them: being in limbo over the bar exam the first time around fostered a pretty deep lack of motivation, then not passing fueled a confidence-shattering, cynical, depression-like shadow that enveloped me and was extremely difficult to shake. Further, the test itself made me want to huddle in a corner, collapse into the fetal position and cry myself into oblivion. Now its back to being in limbo. In contrast with last go around, I will do my best to not let the billowing thought of whether I passed harass and suffocate me. I'm ready to be productive. I will find some job, any job, and make myself a useful societal cog. In the meantime, I have quite a few projects to undertake, and hopefully, busyness begets busyness. 

Its interesting, though: the cleanse and exam consumed every morsel of my time/energy/thoughts/being that I literally have to relearn my old habits/routine... or create new ones. But the experimentation should be fun - almost like reinventing myself.... setting myself up for a better lifestyle. I welcome you with open arms, Year of the Rabbit!

Cleansed

My 21-day endeavor has come to a close, and it has been quite an experience. In the last post, I gave the impression that things were going pretty smoothly. I must admit I spoke too soon. Immediately after things took a bit of a turn. I took on this challenge while studying for the exam, which did have many advantages, but certainly some disadvantages as well. Unfortunately I am a stress-eater. When stressed/over-loaded I like to eat and eat and eat! As a result, my cravings for foods I shouldn't eat (cookies, french fries, etc) which should have left me after the first week of the cleanse constantly pestered me through Day 19 out of 21, making me rather cranky. It was only the last two days where I felt content, sustained - that I could do this indefinitely. But I'm proud to say I didn't cave. Despite the craving-nuisance, the cleanse was successful overall. A majority of my bloating abated, my itching stopped, a couple of rashes that have plagued me for the last year and a half nearly disappeared. 

Post-cleanse I didn't quite follow the proper protocol for reintroducing foods back into my diet, resulting in some of my itchiness and rashes returning - at least I know what I'm dealing with.

One huge benefit of all this has been making new juices and meals I never made before. I bought a juicer with which I've been making my morning green juices. One serving of juice can contain, for example, some carrots, 1/2 a cucumber, 1/2 an apple, a cup of spinach, a cup of kale, 1/4 head of romaine, 1/4 bulb of fennel, some celery, and a piece of ginger. Thats a lot of vegetables packed into some green goodness!

I've also found new favorite snacks/meals in quinoa hand rolls, lentil chili, falafels, apples w/ almond butter, homemade hummus, guacamole with jicama, brown rice crackers, lentil-based chips, sprouted almonds, brown rice pasta, and herbal teas. These gluten and dairy alternatives, frankly, are delicious, and I don't miss the things I used to eat all that much... actually, its hard to remember how I ate before all this. One thing I will forever be unable to ignore, though, is my well-known, timeless soft-spot for french fries that I will just have to indulge every now and again.

I plan to stick with the cleanse diet as closely as possible, giving myself a cheat day to enjoy small amounts of the things I love but shouldn't eat. I really hope the benefits are showing through and my body continues to improve. My biggest fear is everything reverting back to how it was. The thought makes me paranoid to the point that on a daily basis I complain to John how I've failed in my diet. But hopefully, for my sake and John's, I'll find some balance/acceptance soon.

Week 1 - Done!

Sitting here from my Day 8 vantage point, I can finally reconcile my thoughts from the last 7 days of totally uprooting my dietary pattern and taking on this mission, that I've come to realize isn't simply a cleanse, but a new lifestyle.

Only one week in and I'm feeling pretty good... a lot better than I have in a long time. My bloating is decreasing, I have sufficient energy for exercising, and my allergies seem to be disappearing, or at least abating. I won't deny I've had small bouts of crankiness and fatigue, and my kidneys are in discomfort from being overloaded by the detoxing. Worst of all, have been the craving battles I've had with myself. Over the last week I have fended off temptation in a number of forms. For example, I've deliberately had to ignore and distract myself from a box of fried chicken (on day 2 no less! Thanks, Kieran), cheezits, bacon, a bean and cheese burrito, french fries, cocktails, gooey caramel brownies, and all the enticingly yummy superbowl snacks, including barbecue meatballs and que bueno nachos. Despite these encounters I've been able to stick to my diet so far without falling off in the slightest. It sort of makes me feel stronger... being confronted by these seemingly tortuous temptations and resisting them successfully.  

Certainly it has not been easy. The smell of delicious food ignites a bit of a mood, and the thought of drinking my dinner rather than chewing on amazingly flavorful food is not desirable in the slightest, but I'm getting through it ok. I am, however, thoroughly enjoying lunch, the one cooked meal I'm allowed. My favorite recipe so far has been quinoa salad hand rolls (note: can replace quinoa w/ brown rice) - the seaweed gives me the sodium fix I used to crave from things like salami, and the quinoa mixed w/ chopped up veggies and herbs tossed in organic olive oil and fresh lemon juice with a pinch of sea salt, makes an exquisite filling. I highly recommend it!

While 14 more days seems a long ways away, with a lot of work ahead, I'm hoping to come out of this with an internal system that works more fluidly and efficiently... stream-like, if you will. At the very least, I look forward to trying out new recipes, like lentil chili, and apple-fennel juice. The challenge of it all is what keeps me going. And these days, I'm all about taking on new challenges and knocking them down! I think my delicate ego could certainly benefit from it... and perhaps it's starting to.

The Goal Conqueror

This is what I aspire to be. 

It's incredibly difficult to set manageable goals - it takes a rather intricate understanding of not only what you're capable of doing, but moreover what you're capable of resisting.... and for how long.

As you all know, over the last 5 or so months I have been training for the Carlsbad Half Marathon (on 1/23/11) and, to my delight, completed it! I managed to run the entire thing in a pretty decent time for a first-timer (2:25)! I surprised myself. Taking on a challenge and actually seeing it through inspired a bit of self-assuredness... and a belief, albeit a small one, that I actually can accomplish something.

Now onto the next challenge.

This next battle deals with my bodily health and integrity. On Monday (1/31) I will begin a 21-day cleanse, which will hopefully rectify, or at least assist, my internals into becoming the self-sustaining system it once was. Between lymph issues, parasites, allergies, liver and kidney problems, heavy metals, etc, my body is by far the least efficient at taking care of itself out of most people I know. I exercise quite frequently and eat rather healthy, but through these efforts I have only managed to control my problems, not rid myself of them.

The cleanse is based off of the "Clean Program" created by Alejandro Junger, M.D., and expounded on in his amazingly informative book "Clean." It's not the most drastic of cleanses, yet appears to be one I can manage while achieving the same results, with a higher probability of maintaining those results with some permanency. For 21 days I will have 2 liquid meals and one solid meal. The liquid meals will consist of green juices, smoothies/shakes, or non-cooked soup, and the solid meal will consist of cooked, solid foods, that follow certain guidelines. I will be removing wheat, dairy, sugars, most fats, alcohol, caffeine, some fruits, and any processed/refined foods from my diet. Essentially, the program aims to eliminate any foods that are difficult to digest or contain allergens that tax the system, thus freeing up your body's energy to eliminate toxins, yeast, or any other negative substances that plague your organs. Simultaneous with the detox, your body is provided the nutrients to replenish organs with the essentials and to restore the "intestinal flora." This, I'm learning, is the difference between this type of cleanse, and most others, such as the Master Cleanse. The book, and testimonials of the book, purport there will be a myriad of positive effects, including increased energy, better sleeps, possibly weight loss, and a clearer-thinking brain. With all the possible positive effects, I figured - how can I pass up this opportunity?

While it is just that - a great opportunity - I've always had a weakness for food - bread, french fries and candy have been my ultimate indulgence/nemesis since I could walk, and it seems to be catching up with me. But hey - 3 weeks is nothing in this grand scheme we're a part of, right? They say the first few days tend to be the most difficult, but thereafter the body adjusts itself, and finds its way to physical and mental peace and clarity.

However, I will not fully mask my intentions as hopeful. Let it be known this is also my last-ditch effort to do something... anything... to heal myself. If it doesn't work, who knows what will.

Next up: Training for the La Jolla Half Marathon.

Salud!

(not so) New Year

January. Month 1. A new start. A fresh start. A time to be resolute with resolutions. But really, it seems to be nothing more than a farce. Perhaps simply an intricately-laid out ruse allowing gyms around the country a surge of profit at the beginning of each year.

Normally I'm a sucker for holidays and often get carried away - I love dressing in green, painting eggs, watching fireworks, carving pumpkins, cooking a turkey feast, and leaving cookies and milk out for Santa. But this year.... the new year was different. There was no renewed vigor, no energy boost. My new years started off a bit rocky and it just became so evident there is no reset button.... all we're left with is one continuous stream of time, making Jan 1 no different than any other day; it simply represents an accumulation of all the same residual problems and triumphs that existed on Dec 31. 

I admit I've fostered in myself a fully-grown cynic over this last stretch of time. And feeding that poor fool, among other things, is a developing frustration: I feel as though I've put forth quite the effort toward making healthier choices for my mind, body, and spirit, without seeing any permanent, positive effects. I am still a firm believer in changing for the better, and will continue to do so, but its difficult waiting for results.... waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for something... anything.... to happen. On the other hand, I do truly recognize the need to learn to appreciate the here and now, because, really, all we have is now.

Pertinent to the above recognition is this lovely passage Shilpa shared with me a while ago. Upon first sight, I decided I would start implementing it into my daily mantra, but, to my own detriment, have not. Perhaps reading this passage every day will instill in me some much, much-needed perspective and patience. I hope it speaks to you with a similar impact:

For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to still be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time...and remember that time waits for no one. 

- Alfred D'Souza