Mi Primer Dia de Clase en España

I have been in Valencia for three days and it already feels like I have been here for a month! I already can tell I am more confident talking and learning lots of new vocab and phrases! My mama here is so great and patient with my spanish! She always tells Caitlin and I great new frases (phrases) that directly translated don't make sense in English. For example:

Me he quitado un peso de ensima: this is kind of like I am relieved or the weight has been lifted off my head! She taught us this when Caitlin found her keys that she had lost for a few days (they were in the couch).

No pasa nada: which is a great to use all the time just means no big deal or it does not bother me.

Se me han que pegado las sabanos: this means I can't get out of bed because the sheets are stuck to me but you would use it when you don't want to get up or you slept in late as an excuse.

and in class we learned una chuleta: which is a cheat sheet.

I have found that many things here just make more sense. For example shoe sizes are all the same for guys, girls, and kids. So a children's 30 is the same for a man and vice-versa.

Another thing is that bus drivers have cards that they have to put in there bus before they can drive and they have to stop like every two hours for a 45 minute break. So not only is it a law that they can not drive all night, but they literally can not start there bus if they haven't rested.

Something I noticed in Valencia is that when people are walking on the streets no one is texting and walking. If someone wants to send a text they stop and step to the side, write there text, and then continue walking. It just makes more sense so you aren't walking into each other.

Also we eat breakfast lunch and dinner at our casa but it is very popular to go to a cafe or bar in mid afternoon and between meals and have a beer and a snack either a empanada or tapas, ext. They don't really snack but they eat through out the day. At our house we sit down for dinner for no less than an hour. Tonight Amparro had both her sons over for dinner and we sat and talked for almost two hours! I honestly think the best part about this trip so far is that I get to have three vegan meals a day prepared fresh and always different! I will have to make a post dedicated solely to all the delicious food I have had so far!

Some funny things that have happened.. Today my room mate got us some te verde (green tea) and another tea that looked like it was good for your digestive system.. when she brought it home Amparro (my mama here) said ah what is this?!?! haha she got us laxative tea on accident! Our mom was like are you trying to lose weight haha! Also my silly room mate, that I adore more than anything, wanted to try one of my vitamins today. So I assumed she new they weren't chewable and I tossed her one..she bit into it, which had to have tasted so bad! She cracks me up and is so great to have as a roomie!

Today the two of us when for a run in the morning at el rio (it is where the river was way back when in Valencia when the city flooded. Then for some reason it all dried up so now it is like a park that goes from one side of the city all the way to the beach. I think Amparro's son told me it was six miles long so it is great for running. It also has lots of trees and fountains and flowers it is a very pretty place to run!
Today we went to the police station because she had to report her phone being stolen and all the police in spain are very guapo (handsome) and they all were so nice and helpful and when we were leaving they were in there cute little european cop car and they honked and waved at us! haha nuevos amigos (new friends)!

So much is going on and the days feel so long but tomorrow is my second day of class and I only have one at 3:30! I am very lucky all my classes are after 10 am and I only have class monday through thursday!

Natalia de Nashville esta en España

Hola Todas!

I am finally settled in my new home in Valencia, Spain!! I arrived in Madrid a few days ago with the group and made so many new friends from all over the country. I started to practice my spanish in the city! Madrid is huge and the girls from NY and New Jersey said it is very similar to NY city! We stayed in a very nice hotel and enjoyed lots of tapas (free food when you order drinks) and also went to a seven story club called El Capital where the Spaniards party until seven en la manaña!!! I ran by myself in Madrid and felt very safe en El Parque de Retiro, which was beautiful and full of people walking, running, playing futbol, ext. We also visited two museums, El Museo Nacional del Prado, where we saw lots of paintings from different artists including Grecco and El Museo Nacional Centro de Arte de Reina Sofia, which was my favorite. There were lots of paintings and sculptures from Picasso and Dali too.

Yesterday we went to Toledo which is a beautiful old town that has una castilla (castle) and beautiful old cobblestone streets which reminded me a lot of Rapallo, Italy! We had a nice tour of the city and stayed the night there before heading to Valencia. At dinner I attempted to order a vegetarian sandwich that had tuna on it and accidently asked for a sandwich sin pescadoras (fishermen) instead of pescada (fish) haha I foresee many mistakes such as this in my future.. the language is difficult to speak A. because of nerves and B. because it is hard to remember what is what but I think I am already getting better!

Today we had a four hour bus ride to Valencia which was nice to see the country side and talk with my new amigos! When we arrived the families were all outside the bus and our group leader said he would call our names off to introduce us one by one and guess who was the very first one.. ME! I was so nervous I was shaking a little, but my sweet VEGAN roomate, Caitlin, came with mi madre de España, Amparro, and they both are so amazing! After dropping off my luggage the three of us walked to a store near by where I got some champú, conditioner, dark chocolate, and some oat milk (which I have never tried). Valencia is very big and I have a feeling I will probably get lost a few times before I am comfortable but it is absolutely beautiful with palm tress lining the streets, I am literally in heaven here!

When we got back from our walk I unpacked and Amparro made us dinner. So far the food in Spain has just been so-so but tonight was AMAZING! We had a huge salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, black olives ( the olives are sooo good here) and then we had couscous that she cooked with thyme topped with this mixture of beans (they are called aluvias not frijoles here) onions, peppers, and I don't even know what else but it was sooo good! Then for dessert she had chirimoyas, which I had asked her about on our walk and then she happened to have them so we got try them today (she is the best). They look like an avocado on the outside and then when you cut them open they are white with lots of hard black seeds. They taste like a sweeter version of a mango so basically I was in heaven!

Also we have two Italian women living with us for the week who I think are taking class or something not really sure but they were so talkative and funny. At dinner all we talked about food so I was muy contento! The Italian women gave Caitlin and I these mini pears they got at the market because they kept going on about how they were so delicious and had better sabor (flavor) then the big pears (which I think the regular pears are delicious so I can't wait to try the mini one). Then Caitlin and I had some vino tinto (red wine) and I finished unpacking. Our room is so small but very cute and has a huge window overlooking the futbol field of my school, University de Valencia! Im hoping to post pictures but I haven't taken many or uploaded them to my computer yet! Oh and everything in Europe just makes more sense.. for example when taking a picture you don't say cheese you say patata (potatoe) because you are making a smile during ta-ta opposed to an awkward face on chhhesse! Plus me gusta patatas y no como queso jaja!

Tomorrow I have my placement test and get to choose my classes for the semester and plan on going for a run with one of my friends to explore the city! If any wants to skype me while I am here we have wifi at our house (pronounced wefe here haha) and my name is natalie050490 and also if you can get apps I have heytell and a great one called whatsapp that is free texting on wifi that only cost 99 cents for the app and it works great (but if you get i have a spanish phone number so I will have to know you have it and send you an invite so let me know) also if you want my international number I can imessage and ichat for free on wifi and if you want to pay international rates I get free incoming texts and calls (not sure how much it would cost you). So far I feel like I have been very well connected to America and I am so excited for tomorrow to explore mi nueva ciudad! I miss and love you all!
una besa grande,
Natalia

Black Bean & Sweet Potato Burritos

     Today is the start of a big study week for me! I have four test coming up next week and wanted to try the whole planning meals ahead. So I found a recipe for black bean & sweet potato burritos in my Vegan A Go-Go Cook Book by Sarah Kramer. Normally I would half the recipe to make just enough for one meal but this time I decided I would make the whole lot and have burritos all week! I got the craving for sweet potato burritos last week when I went to lunch at a great little cafe/grocery called Just Ripe in down town Knoxville. They have many vegan and vegetarian meals and they also have a great selection of produce and vegan products for a fair price. Most importantly they have a vegan sweet potato burrito that my friend Jenny got to eat. I went with the vegan breakfast burrito which was delicious... but Jenny is not vegetarian or vegan and she was raving about this sweet potato burrito so when I saw the recipe in Sarah Kramer's book I had to have them!

As you can see I also made my favorite Edamame Three-bean Salad, from Skinny Bitch in the Kitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, to snack on all week as well.

This recipe is so simple and good plus it gets better and better the longer it sits and marinates in the fridge.

Ingredients:
2 T. red wine vinegar
1 t. Dijon mustard
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
3 T. olive oil
1/2 c. corn
1 c. shelled soy beans
1 (15 -16 oz) can garbanzo beans
1 (15 - 16 oz) can kidney beans
2 scallions, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch dice
2 T. chopped fresh parsley
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro

In a small bowl mix together the red wine vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly mix in the olive oil and then set aside. This will be your dressing for the beans. Next mix together the corn, beans, scallions, bell pepper, parsley, and cilantro. Gently toss with the dressing and ta da you have my favorite 3 bean salad!

These burritos on the other hand took a little work.
Ingredients:
2 medium sweet potatoes
1 small onion, chopped
1 T. oil
1 (16 oz) can black beans
1 c. vegetable stock
2 garlic cloves ( I only used one clove)
1 1/2 T. chili powder ( I only used 1 T.)
2 t. ground mustard
1 t. cumin
1/2 t. salt
4 large flour tortillas
1/4 c. salsa
1 c. vegan cheese ( I used daiya cheddar)

First I started with a large pot of water for my sweet potatoes. I boiled them on medium high uncovered the entire time I was preparing the burritos but they could have been a little more cooked.  I would say go with 45 minutes to an hour for cooking your potatoes. I left the skins on mine but you can peel them before or after you boil them if you don't like the potato skins.

While the taters were a cookin' I started preparing the beans. In a medium sauce pan I heated the oil and then cooked the onion until it was translucent. Then I added the beans, stock, garlic, chili powder, mustard, cumin, and salt. Increased the heat to medium-high and simmered, uncovered, for 15 minutes until it was more mushy then liquidy. Once the beans were done I set them aside. Then I mashed up my sweet potatoes and set them aside.

 Here is where the fun began! Assembling my burritos.. start with one flour tortilla with a sheet of foil underneath. Add a line of salsa, about one heaping spoon full.

Then I added a forth of the bean mixture to my burrito.

Next came a heaping helping of sweet potatoes, about a forth of the mashed potatoes.

Sprinkled with delicious Daiya

And then wrapped to perfection!

I stuck two in the freezer to save for later on in the week and one in the fridge. The other one is already long gone! Anddd if you were perceptive you noticed from the first photo that I made cookies!!

Also from Kramer's cook book, Mama Mayhem's Perfectly Easy No-Bake Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 t. vanilla
1/4 c. vegan milk (I used coconut original)
1/4 c. nut butter (I used peanut)
1/4 c. vegan butter (I used earth balance buttery spread)
2 tsp. unsweetended cocoa powder
1 1/2 c. quick oats
1 c. walnuts, chopped

In a medium sauce pan I melted the sugar, vanilla, "milk", peanut butter, butter, and cocoa powder over medium-low heat. Once it was all melted together I removed it from the heat, stirred in the oats and walnuts, and then plopped big spoon fulls onto my foil covered cookie sheet. Into the fridge for an hour to set and they were ready to be devoured.

Now that I have a full belly, a full fridge, and an updated blog I think it is time to hit the books!

Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Today I made one of my favorite breads from 'Veganomicon' by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero. The first time I ever had focaccia bread was the second day I was in Rapallo Italy for my cousin's wedding and we had fresh focaccia for breakfast! It was so delicious, crusty, and warm. Since then my cousin has made it for us multiple times but when I found this recipe I fell in love.

Also since I just recently got a rosemary plant it was the perfect time to use some of my snippings. I hung up some rosemary out to dry over night while the bread was rising.

Ingredients include:
1 package active dry yeast
1 1/4 C warm water
3 T. olive oil
3 T. chopped rosemary
3 C all purpose flour
1 t. salt

ingredients I added on top:
extra rosemary
fresh cracked pepper
coarse sea salt
pressed garlic
olive oil
sliced onions

To start I mixed the yeast with the warm water in a large bowl. Then added the olive oil, rosemary, and pepper.

Then I added in the flour and kneaded to form a soft dough. Adding flour a tablespoon at a time until the dough was not sticky and then kneaded for 5 minutes. Next I put some olive oil in the original bowl and rolled the dough ball to coat. Covered the bowl with a dish towel and let it rise over night.

Once the dough had doubled in size I added a little more flour and kneaded the dough for a minute or two and rolled the dough out to a rectangle. I transfered the dough to a oiled baking sheet and poked holes in the dough with a fork and sprinkled it with extra rosemary, salt, onions, garlic, and olive oil

Then cover for another 20 minutes to let rise and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the bread is lightly brown and firm. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes before slicing. I enjoyed my focaccia bread with some sliced tomato, vegan mozzarella, and this new balsamic glaze I just got and it was delicious!

ENJOY!

Spicy Ginger Snap Cookies

These little ginger snaps are so easy and quick to make that I find my self whipping them up a little too frequently. Whenever I want something sweet I usually have all the ingredients for these on hand and they are great crunched up in some vanilla soy ice cream! This recipe is from a cook book a friend of mine gave me freshman year called 'Cookies Brownies & Bars' by Elinor Klivans. I veganized* the recipe with a few minor tweeks

2 C. all-purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
3/4 t. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. ground cloves (I had to buy whole cloves and grind them in a food processor because I could not find them already ground)
3/4 C. unsalted butter (at room temperature) *earth balance natural spread
1 C. sugar plus 1/4 C. for coating
1 egg *Ener-G Egg replacer
1/4 C. molasses

This makes around 20 cookies depending on how big you make the dough balls.

Preheat your oven to 325 F and grab two bowls one big and one medium sized. In the medium sized bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Set this bowl aside and grab the big bowl. In here you will first mix together the butter* and cup of sugar using a hand mixer on medium speed. After that is well combined beat in the egg* and molasses on low speed until combined. Next slowly add the flour mixture from the medium bowl until just incorporated scraping the sides down occasionally.

Now is the fun part. Take off any rings and wash your hands before you dig into this dough. Make small dough balls about a tablespoon of dough and then roll it in the 1/4 C. remaining sugar so it is evenly coated. Then plop the balls on the cookie sheet. Make sure they are spread out because they will spread out when cooking.

Bake for 15 minutes or until they look crinkley on top and slightly browned on the edges. Let cool for 5 minutes and then pop them off the cookie sheets before they get stuck! ENJOY!!

Breakfast Scramble

It's Father's Day weekend and I am home with the family which means great vegan meals all weekend! This morning I made my favorite breakfast scramble from 'The 30 Minute Vegan' by Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray. There are tons of different recipes for tofu scrambles but I really like this simple recipe to start and then you can add whatever veggies or spices you want.

1 1/2 T. olive oil
1 C. yellow onion, chopped small
4 medium-size garlic cloves, pressed or minced
1 pound extra-firm tofu, crumbled into large chunks
3/4 t. paprika
3 T. nutritional yeast
1 1/2 t. soy sauce, or to taste
sea salt and black pepper

Start off with heating the oil over medium heat in a sauté pan. Next add the chopped onions and garlic and cook until the onions are soft, around 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Next add the tofu. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the remaining ingredients and coook 3-5 more minutes. Next I added a big handful of spinach, a tomato chopped, 1 t. oregano, and a small bunch of fresh basil from my parent's garden.

We had a lovely breakfast with a nice fruit salad with cantaloupe, blueberries, and blackberries

Yummmm I love being home! good food and family!

I hate McDonald's

I have not posted in forever because...
1. I was just on spring break for the past week
2. The two weeks before that I had midterms
3. I am very lazy :)

Anyways on the way home from the beach we stopped at micky D's to get some breakfast and I figured oh I will get oatmeal that should be nice and vegan right.. NOPE haha of course they put milk and cream in there Thanks Mcdonald's

Here is some one who agrees Mcdonald's stinks!

A more accurate description than “100 percent natural whole-grain oats,” “plump raisins,” “sweet cranberries” and “crisp fresh apples” would be “oats, sugar, sweetened dried fruit, cream and 11 weird ingredients you would never keep in your kitchen.”

On a brighter note I spent a glorious 2 hours today at the grocery and made a delicious quesadilla for dinner with refried beans, vegan cheddar, black olives and a plethora of toppings