eat; sprouting mung beans

northorganic.com

This week, I want to share with you all how to sprout Mung Beans. I've been sprouting all sorts of beans lately as they are at their most nutritious when sprouted. The only bean that you should never , ever, ever sprout or eat raw in the Kidney Bean. Apparently it is toxic if not cooked.

Mung Beans are the easiest of all beans to sprout. By starting the night before, it only takes a day and a half before you can sprinkle these beauties onto your salads. The amount below swells up to about a cup and a half. I only make small batches at a time as you shouldn't keep sprouted beans for longer than four days. They are a germ fest if kept any longer than that! If you are interested in learning more about sprouting other varieties of beans, just leave a comment below and I will get onto creating more sprouting posts in the future.

What you need;

1/2 cup of dried organic mung beans

fine colander

container

water

time

To start, rinse the Mung Beans in a colander under running water. Place in a jar and fill the jar to the top with water.

Leave on your kitchen bench to soak overnight.

This is what your beans will look like in the morning, slightly split open with a few 'tails' showing.

Rinse in a colander under running water again.

 

Leave in the colander and place it on top of your jar. The trick is to get air flowing around the beans. I like to make this on a Sunday when I know I'm just potting around the house, and this is why; every three hours or so, rinse the beans in the colander under running water. You must NOT let the beans run dry. They need the water to sprout, but you certainly don't want it soaking in water. Do a final rinse before bed, but certainly don't get up in the middle of the night to rinse your babies. That's not necessary as they should be on the dryer side when placing them into the refrigerator.

By the next morning, this is what your beans will look like...ready to sprinkle and devour! To store, simply pour into a glass jar and keep in the refrigerator for not longer than four days.

Buon Appetito!!

pink; in the pink

http://onemillionpink.org/

My attention was brought to this project a few weeks ago by a friend of mine in Chicago. In the Pink: the 1,000,000 people art project is an ambitious project by Connie Noyes. Noyes is a practicing artist in Chicago, creating painting, photography and construction. On her In The Pink blog, she claims to be "drawn to candy like surfaces.  Shiny. Bright. Sparkly." My kind of artist!

PINKSpace was initially born to document the artists process of the exploration of the colour in her work. "PINKSpace functions as a metaphor for my” pinkish” physical body and the space I occupy. It is the color attributed to my “female” gender and can evoke heightened sexuality, innocence or saccharine sweetness." 

It seems this focus on her own individual body has resulted in Noyes wanting to extend out from it and try to reach other 'bodies' in the process. She began to ask herself "“Is it possible to form a connection to 1,000,000 people around the world through an art project? If so, how long will it take for this to happen? And, “what does it mean?”" 

PINKSpace has now developed into a world wide project called In The Pink, where Noyes is attempting to get in touch with 1,000,000 people, all connected through the colour pink. The result will be a symposium in November where a number of speakers from diverse backgrounds will speak on the subject of pink within their chosen field. If you are interested in participating, contact Noyes here.

Noyes began PINKSpace to investigate her own relationship to the colour pink and as a result of the process of investigation, has discovered that only through our relationships with others we can truly understand who we are as individuals. I do love that. Afterall, Pink is the color of universal love.

love; ten things i love this week

1. Starting a new blog! As most of you know, I'm currently doing research on carousels in the States. I decided to create a blog that will act as an electronic visual diary of all the things I come across in my research to share with you guys. I will be posting works I create along the way, so sign up and receive updates on my latest posts!

library.thinkquest.org

2. Having friends in different cities. The great thing about this is not only do you have a personal tourist guide, but you have a space to lay your head. LOVE!!!

seo.com

3. Christmas in July Parties! Now this is the way we experience Christmas in Australia...heat, beaches and cherries! We do Christmas in July to enjoy the wintry experience in Australia so it was nice to see Americans enjoying the way we do Christmas. LOVE!

4. Receiving an invite from 'Carousel News' founder Roland Hopkins to join him on a two day tour of carousels in New York city!!! An antique carousel is being installed right now under the Brooklyn Bridge and on this tour, not only will be taken there, but I will also be taken to places that are not open to the public!!! Royal treatment, here I come!!!! I will have to wear my tiara for the personal tour, for sure!!!!! LOVE!

5.  This video!!! OMG! I think I will have to plan a visit to Europe based on an upcoming performance by these guys. Royal de Luxe are amazing! Click here to see an amazing wall of pictures of their creations. LOVE!!!

6. This might be crazy! LOVE!!

7. Fairy lights and flowers! I made this today to warm up my room as my room is looking way too much like the travelers room, without character or personal touches. Looking forward to settling again so I can decorate. LOVE!!

lowes.com

8. Helping a friend make the decision to live on her own. She has been living in share houses all her adult life and it just happened to be the right time. Her apartment is art deco and is truly a beautiful bachelorette pad. LOVE!!!

9. Rooftop outdoor settings. Two of my friends live in apartments with access to rooftops. It truly is a great way to drink wine while watching the day turn into night. LOVE!

bonfirehealth.com

10. Water. I've been seeing A LOT of people cleaning pathways here in Los Angeles using water. It makes me cringe everytime! Maybe it's the Australian indoctrinated attitude towards water, but i feel this is such a waste. Learn to love and appreciate water!

eat; chia seed pudding with blueberries and banana

goinghometoroost.com

Chia Seeds. What are they and what's all the fuss? Well, that I aint getting into here but you can check it out here and read up on all the amazing stuff that's out there claiming them to be the latest super food. I must admit to falling victim to the hype. What started it off was when one of my housemates brought home a few bags of free samples he received from the health food store. This started my investigation into what they are and what to do with them.

The most popular thing to do with Chia Seeds is to make pudding. It is sooooooo easy and is such a great snack for you. You can sweeten it for a sweet treat or you can add amazing dried spices to it for a savoury feast. I will be experiementing with these seeds over the next few months to see how far I can push this little seed into creating a wholesome meal. But for today, I'm sharing my very first recipe, Chia Pudding with Blueberries and Banana made with fresh homemade Almond milk. 

Now, if you want to cut out the step below of making your own almond milk, that's fine. You can add store bought almond milk, soya, rice or coconut. You can simply add water if you like! Whatever tickles your fancy. I love the process of making nut milks so this is why I have included it.

What you need;
3/4 cup chia seeds
2 cups almond milk
1/2 cup blueberries
1 banana, sliced
whatever sweetener you are into and however much you like!
few drops of vanilla essence or half scrapped vanilla bean
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg

Almond Milk
1 cup raw almonds, soaked 8-12 hours
4 cups water 

To make the milk, all you have to do is place the soaked nuts and water into a blender and whizz away for a few minutes. Easy! The images below show you step by step on what to do.

While the almond milk is whizzing away, place a fine strainer on top of an awaiting container. If you do have nut milk bag, totally go for it. I don't mind my milk with a little texture. Pour the almond milk into the strainer and stir it through. The almond bits left over can be used in creating crackers if you have a dehydrator, otherwise, simply throw it away.

 

Once you have made the almond milk, stir in the sweetener, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the chia seeds and stir it through with a fork. Set the pudding in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, keeping it in the container you have been using. When the time is up, you're good to go! Simply pour it with a spoon into your serving bowls, add blueberries and sliced banana and then EAT!

Now of course you should play around with different fruits and different milks. I'm thinking I will try hazelnut milk with raw cocao powder and raspberries next. YUM!

Buon Appetito!

pink; ice cream social

 

You know how it goes...you find something you like, or buy a new toy or simply want something sooooo bad and then all of a sudden, IT'S EVERYWHERE!!!!! This happened when I began my obsession with carousels. Everywhere I looked, I found carousel horses in one shape or another. This also flowed onto my friends attracting it too! So what's next? Food in art, of course!!!! Last week I introduced you guys to Jennifer Rubell's Padded Cell, who uses food in her work. It has sparked this HUGE fire in me ever since! Everywhere I turn, I see artists using food!!!

It's not a new thing to use food in art but I am loving the way it is being used in art today. 

David Robbins has combined pink, food and parties (my favourite things!!!), creating works that cross disciplines from art to cakes to a tv pilot. I wont go on about his work here as his website is soooo amazing, I would rather you just click here and spend the time surfing his site. AMAZING!!!!! LOVE IT!

love; ten things i love

flickr.com

1. Stone fruits! Ahhhh the delights of summer...YUM!

2. This umbrella! Just this morning, on my morning walk, I was thinking I should come up with a parasol range. I do love a parasol, but it is hard to come by a great one. Now this umbrella....well! Check out their full range here. LOVE!!!!

http://stamppics.com/approved-stamp

3. Having another application for exhibition approved! On average, I apply to about 40-50 art-realted things a year, whether it be for a show or grant or prize, and most of the time it's a big fat NO. This last month, I've had two exhibitions approved for my return to Melbourne. What a great feeling!!! LOVE!!!!

pastorleebrewer.blog.com

4. Enjoying the successes of my friends! It seems like all my art friends are on fire at the mo and kicking arse! One bought an apartment in New York and another receiving a major art award for under 30's just in the last week!! The energy must be right, right now! LOVE!!

5. La Ronde. I met a guy this past week who i was telling about my research into carousels and he told me to check out this play. I came across this 1950's movie interpretation, and it totally rocks! The carousel is AMAZING! Check out the film here, film stills here, and a great review of the film by Cockeyed Caravan here. LOVE!!!

6. Downtown Los Angeles Arts District. I can't believe last weekend was my first time down there! It is awful to get to without a car, so thats probably why. The bars are really cool and I loved it so much I was there the next day for their street festival. If you do come to Lala Land, make sure to do some research and check out this part of town. Do not venture in there without a car, especially at night. It neighbours a really shady area! LOVE!

7. A friend of mine posted this video on my F.B page of a nail tutorial on how to paint cupcakes on your finger tips. Too hilarious!!! I did want to rush out and buy these colours. It's on my 'must have' list! LOVE!!!

8. Seeing this lady out and about this week at The Grove. This photo does not do her justice! She was totally OUT THERE with her jewelery, socks with slip on shoes and hair piece! WOW! I do love seeing people dressing out of the norm and really loving it. LOVE!

9. Being taught gold leaf gilding at Running Horses Studio. This photo is what i practiced on. Half of it is with gold leaf and the other is aluminum leaf. I could soooo get lost in it's luminosity! Twas lovely to get back to painting again and be reminded how much joy can be achieved with oil paints. LOVE!!!!

10. Now I'm not one for cars but when one glides on by looking like this one, my eyes do pop out of my head! It was red with SPARKLES!!!!!!! Now that's my kind of a car! LOVE!

eat; quinoa spaghetti with broccoli and toasted pine nuts

hort.purdue.edu

One of the many things I love about the States (well particularly California!) is that you have choices! Quinoa pasta is not an option in Australia, so whenever I am here, I stock up on this amazing food! As you all know, I LOVE PASTA!!!! As Sofia Loren once said "Everything you see I owe to spaghetti". Love that! And having an option that is gluten free is amazing. This is one of my mother's recipes but I've spruced it up with roasted pine nuts, which just lifts this simple dish to the next level.

What you need;

8oz (250g) Quinoa Spaghetti

2 heads of broccoli

1/2 cup water

2 cloves garlic

1 small chili

1/2 cup pine nuts

olive oil

Parmesan cheese or Nutritional yeast for vegan option

salt and pepper to taste

Start by placing a big pot of salted water on the stove, with heat on high and lid on, so the water can reach boiling point by the time prep is over. Chop the garlic and chilli into tiny pieces. Cut the broccoli into florets placing them into an awaiting colander and rinse under running water.

The water should be at boiling point and ready to throw in the pasta. Follow directions on the pack, making sure you reach an al dente texture and not over!!!! Nothing worse than soggy pasta!!!!

Toast the pine nuts in a dry fry pan (no oil) until golden in colour, tossing frequently. Keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly!!! Set aside.

Add a little oil to another pot and saute the garlic and chili until fragrant. Add the broccoli florets and 1/2 cup of water. Be careful not to splash it in as you may burn yourself! Stir it all through and place a lid on it. Allow it to simmer on a low heat until the broccoli is well cooked, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to your liking at any stage. Keep an eye on it as it's cooking, making sure it doesn't dry out too much. Add more water if it does, but only a small amount at a time. You certainly don't want the broccoli to swim in it!

Your broccoli should look like this picture. A little mushy, but still holding shape when cooked.

Look at this picture of beautiful golden heaven!!!!! Your pasta should be ready by the time the broccoli is ready. If not, just set the broccoli aside, off the heat until the pasta is done. Strain the spaghetti and then place back into the pot you used to cook it in. Add the broccoli and toss gently.

To serve, use tongs. I've put this picture in to show you how I do it. With one hand holding the plate and the other holding the spaghetti, turn the plate around as you slowly let go of your grip on the spaghetti. The effect will be a lovely 'pile' of spaghetti as seen in the picture at the beginning of this post. Add the pine nuts to the individual plates and serve with Parmesan or nutritional yeast.

YUMMMMMMM!!!!! I'm outta here to buy some quinoa pasta to make this tonight!

Buon Appetito!!!