Vegan Raw Fudge

I am learning more about raw food diets. Like any new way of eating I always test out the desserts first! I recently made this fudge and thought I would share the recipe.

This recipe is from my good friend Laurie Vukich co-creator of NaturesKnockout.com. Check out her youtube video at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/naturesknockout#p/c/2334CBC19A790A38/5/-nztP50IsM8

on how to make this and other tasty treats. (She and her daughter Tiffany originally started the site to educate consumers about unsafe cosmetics.) I think these two are fantastic!

1 cup organic (non-hydrogenated) coconut oil
1 cup organic agave nectar (this is pretty sweet- feel free to reduce a little)
1 cup organic unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup (3/4 carob powder, 1/4 cacao powder)
1 cup organic almonds

Blend all ingredients in a food processor and pour in to a pan 6x9x2 in size. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Then enjoy!

A few things to think about:

A small serving is plenty- a large serving will make your tummy ache (yes I know this for a fact... especially if you try and eat it for breakfast!)

FYI- This is NOT a low calorie item.

There is some debate about coconut oil- it is high in saturated fat. I have been doing some reading on the subject and I feel comfortable with a small portion of coconut oil in my vegetarian diet.

Lastly- the fudge will stick to the bottom and sides of the pan. I have yet to figure out how to remedy this. I was thinking of lining it with wax paper next time since it is all cold and the wax will not be melted. If you have a solution please feel free to share it with me!

Danyale and Richard Chamberlain

Richard is an amazing man. I am lucky to have met him and worked with him. He is pure professional and a real pleasure to be around.

New Department Head

The show is going much better! I have a fantastic Department Head, Melissa Yonkey, who has an amazing resume. I am learning new things everyday and truly enjoying her company.
Her resume includes:

1. The Green Hornet (2010) (post-production) (department head hair)
   
   
2. Get Him to the Greek (2010) (department head hair)
   
   
3. Zombieland (2009) (hair department head)
4. Funny People (2009) (hair department head)
5. Terminator Salvation (2009) (department head hair: second unit)
   ... aka "T4: Salvation" - USA (promotional abbreviation)
   ... aka "Terminator 4" - Japan (English title)
6. 17 Again (2009) (hair department head)
   ... aka "Seventeen Again" - Japan (English title)
7. Management (2008) (hair department head)
8. Pineapple Express (2008) (hair department head)
   ... aka "Smoking High" - Japan (English title)
9. Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control (2008) (hair department head)
10. "Samantha Who?" (hair stylist: Christina Applegate) (2 episodes, 2008) (department head hair stylist) (1 episode, 2008)
    - The Affair (2008) TV episode (department head hair stylist) (as Melissa Yonkey)
    - The Gallery Show (2008) TV episode (hair stylist: Christina Applegate) (uncredited)
    - The Butterflies (2008) TV episode (hair stylist: Christina Applegate) (uncredited)
11. Superbad (2007) (hair department head)
12. Georgia Rule (2007) (hair stylist: Lindsay Lohan) (as Melissa Yonkey)
13. Bernard and Doris (2006) (wig consultant) (as Melissa Yonkey)
14. Bobby (2006) (hair stylist: Ms. Lohan) (as Melissa Yonkey)
15. Lady in the Water (2006) (hair department head) (as Melissa Yonkey)
16. Just My Luck (2006) (hair stylist: Ms. Lohan)
    ... aka "Lucky Girl" - Japan (English title)
17. Bordertown (2006) (hair stylist: Ms. Lopez) (as Melissa Yonkey)
18. An Unfinished Life (2005) (hair stylist: Ms. Lopez) (as Melissa Yonkey)
19. Monster-in-Law (2005) (hair stylist: Ms. Lopez) (as Melissa Yonkey)
20. After the Sunset (2004) (hair stylist: Mr. Harrelson)
    ... aka "Diamond in Paradise" - Japan (English title)
21. Surviving Christmas (2004) (hair department head)
22. Shall We Dance (2004) (hair stylist: Ms. Lopez) (as Melissa Yonkey)
    ... aka "Shall We Dance?" - USA (poster title)
23. Silver City (2004) (hair stylist) (as Melissa Yonkey)
24. Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003) (assistant department head hair stylist)
25. Maid in Manhattan (2002) (hair stylist: Ms. Lopez)
    ... aka "Made in New York" - USA (poster title)
26. Shallow Hal (2001) (key hair stylist) (as Melissa Yonkey)
    ... aka "My Sweet Rosemary" - Japan (English title)
27. Heartbreakers (2001) (hair stylist: Jennifer Love Hewitt) (as Melissa Yonkey)
    
    
28. Black and White (1999/II) (key hair stylist) (as Melissa Yonkey)
29. Never Been Kissed (1999) (hair stylist)
30. Edtv (1999) (hair stylist: Mr. Harrelson)
    ... aka "Ed TV" - USA (poster title)
31. The Hi-Lo Country (1998) (hair stylist)
32. Almost Heroes (1998) (key makeup stylist) (as Melissa Yonkey)
33. Palmetto (1998) (key hair stylist)
34. Wag the Dog (1997) (hair stylist: Mr. Harrelson) (as Melissa Yonkey)
35. U Turn (1997) (hair stylist)
36. The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) (hair stylist)
37. Kingpin (1996) (key hair stylist)
38. The Sunchaser (1996) (hair stylist)
39. Bullet (1996) (key hair stylist)
40. Money Train (1995) (hair stylist)
41. Jeffrey (1995) (hair stylist)
42. Natural Born Killers (1994) (hair stylist) (as Melissa Yonkey)
43. The Cowboy Way (1994) (hair stylist: Woody Harrelson) (as Melissa Yonkey)
44. The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) (second hair stylist) (as Melissa Yonkey)
45. The Last of the Mohicans (1992) (background hair stylist) (as Melisa Yonkey)
46. Chains of Gold (1991) (hair stylist)
47. "The Baby-Sitters Club" (hair stylist) (1 episode, 1990)
    - Claudia and the Secret Passage (1990) TV episode (hair stylist)
    
    
48. The Unholy (1988) (makeup artist)
49. Weekend War (1988) (TV) (makeup artist) (as Melissa Yonkey)
50. Astonished (1988) (makeup artist: Florida) (as Melissa Yonkey)

I am so blessed to have an opportunity to work with such a gifted person! I am learning new tricks every day that improve my hair skills- a real bonus.

Sleepless in Portland?

I have really started to miss working at the salon. There is as much drama behind the camera sometimes as there is in front of it! My boss left the show and now I have moved up to the department head position temporarily. They have been searching high and low to replace her and I hope they find a new person soon. This whole ordeal has slightly soured me. Although I generally love working on projects like this I am finding that I am constantly tired. I am staying about 45 minutes away from the location we shoot at the most and having such a long commute each way plus a turn a round time of 9 hours (that is the amount of time I get from when I leave work to when I have to arrive at work) leaves me less time then I need for sleep. I have begun to grow concerned about driving home and falling asleep at the wheel. This happened to a wonderful makeup artist friend of mine a few years back while working on a movie and she suffered a terrible car accident. When she was released from the hospital she realized that this was not the life she wanted and so returned to Seattle married her boyfriend and is now the happy mother of two boys. It makes me wonder how people do it. I think of the vast number of shows on television and I have to wonder how all of those people make the sacrifices to do the job. I left my home, my salon, my husband, my pets, my friends, my routine to come here and help make something entertaining to millions in exchange for "bragging rights" and of course money. So the question I am wrestling with is simply- is it worth it?

Latest News!

I am excited to announce a few new changes at Pure Alchemy Salon.

Beth Scott, a fantastic hair stylist with over 20 years experience- is now going to be working at the salon. Beth lives in the neighborhood. We have been talking for some time about bringing her in and now she will be starting the first week in April. I am excited to work with her and to offer my clients a great alternative while I am in Portland working on the TNT show Leverage.

So leverage- this has all happened so unexpectedly! I was called in to interview on Leverage and thought I might come down a few times a month to help out in the hair department. I arrived Wednesday the 10th and never left! The head of the hair department thought I would be a great match and hired me for the key hairstylist position. This is an opportunity I just couldn't pass on. It was so unanticipated that I had to purchase clothing until I could get back to Seattle and pack. I am hoping to take clients at least one weekend a month. (Check back here for dates and times!) That is why I am so excited to announce that Beth will be at Pure Alchemy.

I am leaving all of my color formulations with her so that if you love the organic color line (as much as I do!) you can still get your color done right here at Pure Alchemy Salon. I will be back in September but until then I feel confident leaving the business in Beth's talented and capable hands. To schedule with Beth please call 206-799-3774 or send her an email at BethScott_5@hotmail.com.

Beauty Tip and more

I can't believe I have already gotten behind on my weekly blog!

If you have baking soda and a facial cleanser (sometimes I even use my castile soap) at home you have a the mix for a great facial scrub. I like to mix mine to a paste consistency and lightly apply it to my skin in circular motion (avoiding the eyes). You can even mix a little hydrogen peroxide in to help kill bacteria on the face but I would recommend avoiding the eyebrows if you do.

On a side note- check out castile soap if you don't already use it. It is great for sensitive or dry skin. Castile soap can be used for many cleaning jobs- everything from you body to your bathroom can be cleaned with castile soap. To learn more about green cleaning check out http://backtobasicsbylivinggreen.blogspot.com/2007/09/cleaning-natural-way.html a cool blog I recently found or you can try books like Clean House Clean Planet by Karen Logan. This book is one of the best I have found on the topic of safe cleaning.

Columbia City Beat Walk

http://www.columbiacitybeatwalk.org/index.html

This years venue locations:

Bookworm Exchange
CC Gallery
CC Fitness
CC Theater
Empire Coffee
Pure Alchemy Salon (come and check out some great live music!)
Retroactive Kids
Awash
Kallaloo

This is a great inexpensive way to spend an evening. Please see the web link above to learn more.