PLFXpert

I consider mine "trained" and they're still relentless with the "pet me", "play with me", "look at me I'm being so cute, you can't resist!" Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

If cat people are anal, particular, smart, sometimes [often?] nutty perfectionists then, yes, I'd say I'm a bit different than a dog person. I love ALL animals--and I hate to pick a favorite--but I can't deny ma love for kittehs. For the record, I've grown up with both and both still have me. Cruz (pictured in my avatar) is my baby.

Just tried this recently. I LOVE butternut squash soup. This sounded good and it certainly was! ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD WITH CIDER VINAIGRETTE: 1 1/2-pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup Good olive oil (I used Extra Virgin) Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons dried cranberries 3/4 cup apple cider or apply juice (go for the cider, if you can!!!) 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 2 tablespoons minced shallots (I LOVE shallots) 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (I LOVE mustard dishes!) 4 ounces baby argugula (I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE arugula! *See story below.) 1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted (I use pecans) 3/4 cup vegan parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place the squash on a sheet pan. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss with your hands. Roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once halfway through, until tender. Five minutes before squash is done, add the cranberries to pan. While the squash is roasting, combine the apple cider, vinegar and shallots in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for six to eight minutes until the cider is reduced to about 1/4 cup. Off the heat, whisk in the mustard, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place the arugula in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture, the walnuts (pecans for me) and the grated, vegan Parmesan cheese. Spoon just enough vinaigrette over the salad to moisten and toss well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately (not so great later--most salads aren't.). *I overheard two guys in the produce section--obviously shopping for their hunnies--asking, "What the hell is arugula?" I schooled those boys and pointed them in the right direction. They were amused. Arugula rocks! Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I LOVE cheese, but I don't eat it except when it's in a "vegetarian dish" at a friend or relative's dinner. I eat eggs that are certified humane, free-range & organic. And I use butter. No cream! No milk! Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Yup!

I could never move to the West Coast. It's quarter-'til-eight here on the East Coast. We popped the cork on the vino an hour ago, fools. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I like you! Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

For the record, Asian is my favorite food--flavoring-wise. And sushi. For me, it's not what you're eating, it's how it got to your plate--the whole "how"; not just the ridiculous additives some cooks add preparing/cooking it. If things were different in the conditions, raising, feeding & treatment of our farm animals, I'd eat [more] meat. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

That all sounds FANTASTIC!!! Can I come to your house this Thanksgiving? Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

You're so right, and thank you! Also, thank you to gjhdiver as I didn't take his post as anything but helpful (thank you!). I don't try to "convert" people ever, generally. My best friend and love, BZ has become more conscious by default. He has a good heart and he loves animals. When he used to ask me questions, I'd answer. Then, on his own accord he'd pick up something on the subject I'd been reading and read it himself. He still loves his steak...but he's way more in your face to some people about some things than I ever am. And he eats a LOT less meat. It helps I don't keep anything but fish in the house. But, I digress... I try very hard not to preach, except when I just can't help myself. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

He's not so kind when I visit. Thankfully, I was given my own debit card to do my own grocery shopping when I was little. We never ate together anyways. Before anyone says, "That's sad." let me just say, I had/have a damn good life!!!

Vinny, thanks for the pm!!! I don't know if the Coconut-Ginger Noodle Bowl will be right for my hard-to-humanely-please loved one, but sounds FUCKING AWESOME to me!!!

I love you guys for trying. Not directed just at you, but most of what I read contains, cream, cream & lots-of-other-stuff in stuff like "puff pastry". I really do appreciate the efforts, though.

Thanks, Andy. I've had some damn good vegan lasagnas. I've never much enjoyed a Boca Burger, but I'll have to give your receipe a shot; it sounds great! Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I LOVE salmon. I love fish--always have--but try not to overdo it. When did we see you last? You're in Hawaii or Lake Wales? BZ would love to see you at the pond, I'm sure. I've been trying to get his [hot!] ass back out there as of late, but he's been obsessed with his new boat. He's got more than 5,000 jumps. I doubt he's done. I DO miss watching him swoop. I don't care how cliche' it sounds--SO sexy. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Thanks, Ladi! I think the Southern dressin' might be a winner!

MMMMmmmm! That IS a goodie! I LOVE new potatoes.

You're so cute! I appreciate the effort.

No worries.

Lord, if I have to explain it... What you said was about getting kids to do something they want to do. Yowza. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

WTF? How could I not have known about this? This is an abomination!!! Refused purchase at checkout? That's fucking weird. I buy a lot of wine. My local grocery-store manager knows us. We shop the organic section (Hello? Priceeeeey. ) I even have the cute little quarter-sectioned "green-bag" for my wine. Me thinks I'd not be refused. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

What if they're hungry? Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Are you saying you want to eat me? Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Yes, very original. I like you, though--I'll give you a second chance to think of a better response that makes me giggle. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Thanks!