I decided to whip out my unused copy of Vegan Planet to make the Red Bean and Sweet Potato Curry, as I’m trying to coax Southern California into acting like it’s Autumn while feeding my sweet potato addiction.

Also pictured: Sweet mango chutney plopped on top/to the side, plain jasmine rice, Spinach salad with dried cranberries and blueberries, mushrooms, and white balsamic vinagrette (salad courtesy of Trader Joe’s.)

Strangely not pictured: the curry does have green bell peppers in it – my mortal enemy. They’re on the plate, but hiding.

Even stranger, the bell peppers tasted alright. They didn’t have any of the bitterness that I hate them profusely for, so I think I’d keep the recipe intact and not substitute red peppers like I am inclined to do.

I followed the recipe’s advice for a creamier curry by removing 2 cups to puree (I used an immersion blender) and adding it back in. Otherwise, I think I would have found it a little too watery – I like my curries thick. I’m fighting the urge to say that I like my curries like I like my men: thick and spicy (hurr, hurr). But, I’m a lay-dee, so I’m obviously refraining.

I also had doubts about kidney beans in a curry, but it works really well with the sweet potatoes. Serve some sweet chutney with this bitch and call it a day! If I had really gotten my shit together, I would have made some roti, chapati or naan instead of the rice. Mmmm… garlic naan…

Side note: A) Trader Joe’s Pomegranate Iced Green Tea goes really well with this meal. Also, if you want to get stuffed stupid, make huge root beer floats after you eat this.

B)Â Sleazy exploitation movies make a great backdrop for cleaning the kitchen and then making this curry. My selections for last night were Death Proof (in an amazing steelbook case. *lick* Also, the soundtrack is great to strut and gyrate around your kitchen to – it’ll make your curry taste that much better, honest) and Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

Yup, not a typo. Also, the easiest recipe ever devised.

Anelleti pasta and vegan meatballs from Trader Joe’s, one can condensed tomato soup, add nutritional yeast, onion powder and garlic powder to taste.

Verdict? Dead on and awesome.

I don’t know if I liked the ravioli much, but it may have had freezer burn and I wasn’t being picky. I really just wanted a vehicle for alfredo sauce.

Alfredo sauce! From the Uncheese Cookbook! Although I didn’t have enough parmesan sprinkles to add to the sauce, it was still good. I think it would be made best with homemade soy milk, so that it isn’t sweetened at all, and I’d like to try it with the homemade parmesan sprinkles recipe from the book, rather than use the pre-made store stuff.

You may remember way back when, I announced that I joined a roller derby league and was having a hard time finding vegan skates. A year later, I am now wiser in the ways of rollergirldom.

My Pokemans knowledge, let me show you them it.

If you’re trying out roller derby, or you just want skates that aren’t too expensive but are better than the pieces of shit (I call rink conspiracy!) rentals, then you’ll want either Riedell’s R3s or Sure Grip’s Boxers. My first skates were R3s, and while they were alright to learn on, they aren’t durable and they’ll never be broken in – they’ll just get broken.

If you try out derby or skating in general and find that you like it, then you’ll want to invest in something higher end. Supposedly, Riedell will be introducing higher end vegan boots sometime soon, but I can’t vouch for their quality or fit because as of right now, they’re vaporware.

What I skate in now are Lynx LS2 boots. They’re fairly new to the market, completely vegan, high quality and surprisingly affordable. They’re comfy as hell and you’ll be the only chick on the track with gunmetal grey boots. Bruce at Stardust (our league’s home rink) hooked me up with some sweet aluminum plates that make tight turns easier and I’m now a happy girl.

Roll along, vegan warriors!