I've been back in New York for a month and trudging along with my job search. Frequent questions I've been asked: "So what did you do today?" "Did you leave the apartment at all?" "Did you just wake up?" Oh unemployment life.But I keep myself busy! Between applying for jobs, doing some freelance for my old job, and working on personal design projects to add to my portfolio, I've been cooking! Vegan, specifically.

I'm not a vegan. And I'm definitely not calling myself a vegan while I still have those Mini Babybel cheeses in my fridge. However, I watched a bunch of food documentaries that made me want to eat less processed foods and get more fruits and vegetables. I watched Forks Over Knives (on Netflix Instant) and I've been trying out Engine 2 recipes. Whole food, plant-based diet. First, can we look at the Engine 2 guy?

*His name is RIP and he's a FIREFIGHTER. Of course I'm going to try all his recipes.*

Blueberry Dumpster Cobbler Rip, you know I love you, but don't call any edible thing "dumpster." Even if it's so easy like putting out a dumpster fire (actual reason it's called this). For goodness sakes, dumpster fires. Why didn't an editor say something? Anyway, the thing was good and pretty easy. Not sweet enough though and I threw in an extra packet of Truvia. Let's not call it a dessert. It's a breakfast.

Breakfast-Worthy Banana Bread I only used 3 bananas and it was kinda dry. Definitely going to try this one again though, but use 4 bananas and replace some of the oil with unsweetened applesauce. I also may throw some dark chocolate chips in there because yum yum yum.

Macaroni Not Cheese Bland.com/boring. TO BE FAIR, I used almonds instead of cashews so maybe that would have helped? Today I ate leftovers and cooked up some more onions in vegetable broth to add to it, added beaucoup salt n pepper, and a little cayenne pepper. That helped. Oh and I didn't have peppers. I hate when people don't follow the recipe and then complain, so I'm sorry Rip. I'll do better next time. It's me, not you.

Hummuacamole A mutant hybrid of Engine 2 Hummus and Steaktooth Hummus.

Ingredients:

1 Avocado

1 Cucumber (I couldn't find zucchini!!!)

1 tbs. Crushed Garlic

Juice of 1/2 Lemon

2 tsp. Bragg's Liquid Aminos

2 tsp. Cumin

1 tsp. Sea Salt

1 big handful of kale

1 cup of mushrooms

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Throw it all in a food processor. Blamo. It's good, but kinda watery. Probably should've looked harder for that zucchini. I threw in mushrooms and they disappeared. This is a good one to sneak in a buttload of raw vegetables.