My Newest Tattoo - Nicrophorus Americanus

Over the weekend I got tattooed by Jessica at Reclamare in Sacramento. After trying to find someone who got bugs and had vegan ink/supplies I discovered her one night and knew she had to do it!
The gallery/shop is across from Odd Fellows cemetery - which is a major perk! The shop is clean, and has a nice airy loft quality to it.

The bug in question is a carrion beetle more to the point Nicrophorus Americanus. Basically they are insects that eat the flesh of the dead. I got into this type of insect after an episode of Penny Dreadful and went online to find out more. I had been wanting to get a creepy insect tattoo for the longest time, my fist choice; a death head moth has been done to death, not stopping me in the future from getting one but I wanted something more unique. Plus a bug eating away flesh is how I would describe having an anxiety attack: like bugs eating at my flesh.

Stockton Rural Cemetery

Last weekend we ended up in Stockton by mistake for the second weekend in a row. Maybe mistake is not the choice word - more like road construction blunder mess ups. After trying to locate a cemetery and not being able to get to it due to construction in Manteca we figured we would check out the next closest cemetery.
Google showed me two cemeteries - one we have been to before and in fact was there the weekend before. Then the second option so we decided to put the address in the GPS and head that way. So after coming up on familiar looking spot we started thinking that the cemetery we were headed toward was just a section of the cemetery we previously visited. When we came upon the previously visited cemetery and it told us to go to the street next to it and not the entrance we headed back a bit and then encountered Stockton Rual Cemetery or as I like to think of it Narnia!

It is heavily shaded with lots of roads to travel down. It is big in size with old stones and newer ones in the back. Some of the mausoleums were missing their doors (due to age I assume) so getting inside was a treat.
 

Here I am in one that I found interesting due to font script and carved niche. It says "I know my redeemer liveth".

Matt pointed this one out first. It is made from wooden branches and gives off a backwoods vibe.

And the crème de la crème - Russ Meyer! I knew he was buried in Stockton but after searching the cemetery in front twice I was going to save trying to find him when I spotted a security guards next time.Ya - the Stockton cemetery has security and from what I hear the carry guns - no joke! So when I saw a squirrel dash off and followed it with my eyes I found good old Russ! I was like "oh my god Matt it's Russ". He is buried near his mom and sister. Next time we plan on bringing him a gift for sure! 

Stockton is about 30 minutes from us. I love this cemetery so much and cannot wait to go back. Matt did not understand the appeal of this cemetery to me - after all we have been to bigger and better maintained in the past but as soon as we drove through the gates I felt a connection to it. Plus I found a few more vegan option in Stockton that might make for perfect cemetery picnic noms!

Fun With Food, Zines and Cats

Fried open faced tacos inspired by a recipe in the April 2015 Food Network Magazine (The Big Breakfast Issue). Tortillas are fried in Earth Balance, sprinkled with cumin, topped with refried beans and Daiya then covered to melt. Top it off with salsa, soy sour cream and hot sauce. Everything has to be served with Matt's Mamas red rice and lemons from the neighbor as you know!

Post gym stir fry with mixed veggies, extra firm tofu in a red curry paste + soy sauce mix I made up on the spot. Simple stir fry dishes are perfect on gym nights to help with a hungry stomach and a flash to prep. I also find them helpful to use up pantry items sitting around.

A soy iced coffee and Banana Curl Vegan Girl zine. The zine is a must have for those looking for easy and accessible vegan recipes (the best kind!) and a handy FAQ suitable for helping the new vegans & vegan curious out with ingredient replacements. You can also check out Banana Curl on her blog.

A few weeks back we walked into Pet's Mart on adoption day to make a Mar's Memorial Birthday donation. We came across a beast of a fluffy cat and decided to bring him home. We named him Mortis and so far Mady and him are doing well together. So if my zines and blogging have been lagging blame fluffy cats and naps - they go together!

Food, Iced Coffee, and Beer!

I never had Hamburger Helper as a kid, if I did maybe it was once and that was it. I am thinking it had more to do with the size of the box than what was in it. My dad sure could eat a lot and I do not think a box would be a safe bet for a family meal.

Here is my own version - vegan of course! Organic pasta, soyrizo, cashew chipotle cheeze + Daiya cheeze blend, a can of Rotel, cashew milk and a bunch of spices. Really creamy, really good!

I split a Baracuda cupcake from Pushkin's and iced almond milk coffee from around the corner via Temple with Matt.

Because it is iced coffee weather (this time with coconut milk) and one can never have/read/buy/trade too many zines. My coffee even has my name spelled right!!!

Beer: The Super Tramp from Dust Bowl Brewing is now a favorite of mine. It has a slight strawberry taste and is refreshing. Perfect for warm weather and spicy dishes. Bonus it is brewed locally! I was hoping to like the Old Rasputin stout more - because I like stouts plus it had good reviews but it was just okay in my book.

Is the warm temps in your area yet? What are you looking forward to this spring?

A Handful Of The Stuff I Have Been Eating & Enjoying

Chipolte Corn Chili to use up some remaining soy crumbles Matt brought home from his work's potluck last week. I served it with sweet potato fries and a modified version of Isa's Red Hot Tahini Sauce on top.

Nib More Spicy chocolate. This is a pretty good bar with a nice amount of heat. It has more of a cinnamon sweet heat hotness than a peppery fire hot.

This is a red bean curry I made. I have been trying my hand at curries lately.This has lite coconut milk, red curry paste, some Thai peanut butter, garlic, jalapenos, soy sauce, Thai red pepper flakes, Sriracha, sweet potatoes and kidney beans. I am still working on getting my flavors down and trying to get it just right. I like my curry dishes to come with rice.

 

Beer and chocolate. Matt got the Red Hook and chocolate and on a different night we shared the Speakeasy Payback Porter. I have tried a few Speakeasy beers now and like them.

Small falafel pita from Extreme Pita. More tastier than expected but it cannot compete with my fave falafel pita spot. Matt and I both agreed what the number one offender was: that the pita was not warmed, so it was cold making the sandwich less tasty. 

My Aunt gifted me a Trader Joe's gift card for Valentine's so I gifted myself beer and coffee! The coffee is my go to - it has a darkly rich roasted flavor. The beer was split with Matt and was pretty good, mild and great with dinner (the chili above).

These are just a handful of the things we have been eating and drinking. I have been making and eating a lot of granola. Toast with jam is also on my 'eat it often radar'. What about you?