What I Know For Sure

In 7th grade, we had an assignment in social studies class to research and write a biography about any famous person, whether living or dead. And I chose Oprah. I spent my nights as a 12 year old reading about how at the hospital, someone wrote her name on the birth certificate wrong, so instead of "Orpah (from the Bible)", they wrote "Oprah". How she grew up in rural Mississippi to parents who had only spent one night together, and her mother didn't even want to keep her in the first place. Needless to say, along with many others, I've grown up with Oprah, watching her after school when my parents weren't home. Watching her in college when I didn't have class. Watching the 20th anniversary dvds the very first time I ever hung out with one of my best friends. Watching her as she said goodbye on her last show.

It doesn't matter what your thoughts are on Oprah, you can't deny she has left a powerful, influential mark on society. She's changed the lives of thousands of people, and there isn't one person I can think of that has done so with television as their medium. So when I was watching her 2nd to last show and Tyler Perry talked about the Oprah Winfrey scholarship at Moorehouse College, I thought that was exactly what she had envisioned for her show, to give a chance - an education - to hundreds of young men who wouldn't otherwise get one. But then, I saw Kirstin Chenoweth come out and heard the first 2 notes of "For Good" from Wicked, and I lost it. It was perfect. This song was made for Oprah. I'll miss your show being on my DVR everyday, but I know this isn't the end. Thank You.

Please Welcome LIZ LEMONNNN!!!!

Oprah, I will miss you and your crazy voice modulation more than you know.

Vegan Challenge 2K11: The Report Card

Well folks, we're halfway through the first week of the challenge. And I'm still in it. I even gave up free Ben & Jerry's ice cream to keep in line!! Don't worry, I am so buying Jimmy Fallon's ice cream as soon as this is over.

One of the reasons why I thought becoming Vegan might be possible was because a lot of the items I saw on the suggested Meal Plan from Oprah's website were either things I already eat or things I've eaten before that I didn't think were disgusting. Bagels? Check. Tofu? Check. Fake butter? Check. It also probably helps that I'm not that picky of an eater, so I most certainly will try those beefless beef strips.

Luckily, Trader Joe's also has a handy list of foods they carry on their website that are Vegan friendly. Below is a a report card of a few of the new items from TJ's that I've never tried before - and will never try again.

First up are the Dairy and Gluten Free pancakes. Overall, I'd give these a B+. For some reason, I expected them to be bigger, but they're actually like silver dollar size that you would get from Perkins or something. I prepared them in the suggested method of cooking, in a toaster, which surprisingly made the centers soft and the edges a little crispy. But as far as the texture goes, that's where I deducted some points, as it got to be a little ... spongy? Overall taste was pretty decent, if I didn't know these were dairy and gluten free, I probably wouldn't have known the difference.

Next up is the Vegetable Pad Thai. This was a winner, winner, charlie sheen dinner. The sauce, noodles, tofu and spices were perfect. There might have been a little too many bean sprouts, but still amazing none the less. This one gets an A!



Finally, we have the beefless beef strips I mentioned earlier. Now I decided I'd get all Bobby Flay and mix these strips up with some garlic, onions and peppers, and put them over some rice, as suggested on the front of the box. Look how nice it came out:


Yeah, no. Looks are decieving. This was me:

I couldn't even finish this. The "beef" is made out of obviously NOT beef, and like beans and veggies instead. I just could not handle the texture of it, and the other shit I put in did not mask the disgustingness of it. So basically, Fail with a capital F.

I have higher hopes for the veggie burgers and chickenless nuggets... well, maybe.

Oprah Made Me Do It: Vegan Challenge 2K11

Well folks, Lent is upon us again, and while in the past years, I've decided to give to others rather than give something up, this year I'm going back to the giving up idea. And it's all Oprah's fault.

Tracy Jordan: So what's your religion, Liz Lemon?
Liz: I pretty much do whatever Oprah tells me to.

Last week, I finally watched an episode of Oprah that I DVRed back in like December, where she and 300 of the Harpo staff members took a week long Vegan challenge. They changed their diets, habits and lives all within one week. From the episode, it looked easy enough, and seemed to make everyone healthier than they ever been. So here we are. I've decided to go for the same challenge.

It seems a little unlike me (and insane for that matter) to go straight from being a meat eater, by passing the whole vegetarian nonsense and going straight for veganism. But hey, why not? So to start, I raided my kitchen for all the things that contain animal or animal product, and let me tell you, I was barely left with anything. (I'll miss you, cheese. The most.)


After purchasing a Vegan cookbook and making a list of all the essential items I need, I went to Trader Joe's and bought these items. Really looking forward to the chickenless nuggets. But really.


Day one here we go. I'll try to update my blog with the stuff I make and if I'm even surviving this thing. Who knows how long this will last, but I'm determine to do this challenge for at least 2 weeks! And if I make it to Easter, I'll make tofu for everyone!!!