"IRL"

The Process of Making Contact.

If you're confused as to what "IRL" stands for, allow me to use it in sentence to give you some context.

"I can't wait to meet you IRL!"

If you're still stumped (and I don't blame you), it's text/tweet-speak for "in real life."  That very sentence was directed at me while tweeting with Charissa from Zest Bakery in California.  When I first read it, it took a few seconds before it clicked.  While I suppose it's no more strange than "LOL" or "TTYL," I guess it was the fact that I had never come across it before that threw me at first.  But when I really think about it, beyond my lack of fluency in acronyms, I guess it might also have thrown me because I'm such a lone wolf by nature.  Someone actually wants to meet me?

Gluten Free, Vegan Yellow Cupcakes with Kiwis & Sultanas

Gluten Free, Vegan Yellow Cupcakes with Kiwi & Sultanas

From childhood until just a few years ago, green desserts have had a special place in my heart/mouth/stomach.  Now wouldn't it be great if I was referring to energy efficiency or sustainable food practices?  [sigh]  Alas, what I'm talking about are unnaturally green desserts like pistachio pudding, lime-flavored jello, and grasshopper pie.  Sweets so unabashedly green that we name smelly markers and designer paints after them.

Ratio Rally! Gluten-Free, Vegan Crepes & Filipino Spring Rolls

Gluten-Free, Vegan Lumpiang Sariwa served with Paalat.

 
I can't believe it's already March.  Not that I'm complaining, but this year is off to a quick start.  For me, it feels like it was barely last week that we were welcoming the New Year, and now here we are getting ready for St. Patrick's Day, Spring Break, and SXSW.  Now, before you start daydreaming about vacations, green beer, and all that relaxation and/or debauchery, let's bring it back to another fun-filled event:  This month's Gluten Free Ratio Rally Challenge. [cue cowbell]

Another Peek into the Canary Kitchen

Sauteed Pea Tendrils & Fresh Tomato Slices over Black Rice.

Instagram is, by far, my favorite social networking app.  Instead of tweets and status updates, visual images are the main form of communication.  Running the gamut of subject matter from obsessive self-portraiture to sweeping Ansel Adams-esque landscapes,  it allows everyone to share something of themselves that they love, regardless of training, geographic location, gender, SES, or first language.  And regardless of my own similarity or dissimilarity to any other 'instagrammer," I can enjoy their photos - not because of who they are, what they've accomplished, or where they come from, but solely because of what I see.  That, I love.