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    Not Wanting to Know

    ByElizabeth

    I don’t want to see the pictures.  I don’t want to read the news, but putting my head in the sand will not eliminate the existence of the tragedy.  Those of you who have read this blog regularly, know that in my own comfortable middle class way, I am seeking to reduce my energy consumption.  As I write, a contractor is replacing my old rubber roof with TPO roofing (“cool roofing”).  My old black rubber roof has been needing repairs for the past few years.  I am working with another group to get solar panels installed, and I needed to replace the roof first.  I hope this will make things more comfortable and reduce my footprint.  (Yes, I know the only way truly to do it, is to live in a whole different way).

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    The Triangle Player

    ByElizabeth

    Yesterday, while watching the Capitol City Symphony and Capitol Hill Chorale’s joint performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at the Atlas Theater, I noticed with some amusement the cymbol player reading a novel in the wings through the first three movements.  (The triangle player appeared just in time for the fourth movement).

    This reminded me of an anecdote John Friend told at the Anusara Certified Teachers’ Gathering in Denver the other week to illustrate the importance of every person and element to the whole.  He spoke of the triangle player.  What do you say to him after the show, John asked, “great job man;  I love the way you came in right when you were supposed to?”  Even if showing up and playing one beat at the right time is the triangle player’s only job, the triangle player still is an integral part of the composition, though perhaps not as evidently crucial as the first violinist.

    We may not know how we are essential or how we will shift things, but we should always revere and recognize each and every being, including ourselves, as part of the web of existence.

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    Vegan Lace Cookies (for the Holiday Party I’m Attending Tonight)

    ByElizabeth

    1.  Melt 1/2 cup organic vegetable shortening.

    2.  Stir in 1 cup sucanat (evaporated cane syrup).

    3. Then stir in equivalent of one egg of prepared egg replacer (potato starch-based) and one tsp vanilla.

    4. Combine 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour, dash salt, one tsp baking powder, and 1/4 cup flax seed meal; stir into shortening/sugar mixture.

    5.  Mix in 1/2 cup dried, shredded coconut.

    6.  Stir in 1/2 cup vegan, fair trade chocolate chips or chopped dried fruit.  (I have not tried it with fruit, but I am sure it would work.  Chopped nuts also would be good, but with all the allergies around, I’ve pretty much stopped bringing nutty things to parties unless I have made non-nut things also.)

    7.  Chill dough for about 1/2 hour.

    8.  Put slightly rounded teaspoonfuls of dough with lots of space in between (these spread out a lot) onto very well greased baking sheet.  Bake at 350-375 (depending on how hot is your oven and whether it is convection) for 12-15 minutes until bubbling and almost caramelized.

    9.  After removing from oven, allow to set briefly (3-4 minutes, but not longer or they will stick to pan; if they do stick, put back in heated oven for a couple of minutes).  Use a metal, rather than plastic spatula to remove cookies from sheet to help prevent breakage.  Finish cooling on wire racks.

    These are super crunchy and delicious (due to their high fat and sugar content–just because something is vegan doesn’t mean it is “healthy”), but a little bit more fragile than completely desirable.  If anyone has suggestions on how to make less fragile, but still keep the lace quality and be vegan, your sharing would be welcome by all, I am sure.  Switching from egg replacer to egg if you are not vegan would likely be the easiest fix.  One of these days, when I have the time and inclination, I will try another version and change the quantities to see what happens.

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