TEGAN 'PAINLESS TEGAN' BEYER, Pennsauken :: Freshly Inked Magazine

TEGAN 'PAINLESS TEGAN' BEYER, Pennsauken :: Freshly Inked Magazine

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Thanks,
Tegan

USA Challenge

Christina Aguilera messed up the National Anthem at the Superbowl. Thankfully football isn't popular in other countries, and hopefully no one else noticed. Tell me this.... Do you know all of the words to The National Anthem? Better yet, can you name all of the states by sight from looking at a map of this country?

I might be able to do the National Anthem, but I can tell you straight up that I can't name all of the states by sight. My coworkers and I tried this a few months ago aduring a slow night at the shop. None of us could do it. Therefore I have a mission. If I'm going to expect my son to learn these things, then I better make sure that I know them first. Therefore I'll be studying this in my spare time. Wait, does spare time include driving in the car? Perhaps I'll print one out and hang it up in in there.

I challenge you to do this. I especially challenge the teacher's out there. No cheating!!! For extra credit, you can write the words to the National Anthem.

Copy and Paste the numbered list, and post in my comments. I'll grade them, and let you know how you do.
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Here's a map. Name the states using the numbers as listed on the map.

ZEITGEIST: MOVING FORWARD | OFFICIAL RELEASE | 2011

A couple of weeks ago, three different people within a span of an hour strongly suggested that I watch these documentaries. I took their advice, and have been blown away by the suggestions for a better world where life is truly respected. Please ope your mind, and check it out.

Next I'm off to see what the website to join the movement!!

Gratitude and Acceptance

The scripture depicted in this tattoo is "in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations" according to the new American Standard bible.

This woman has been a godsend to me. She first came to me the day I recently had a spiritual awakening, about 17 days ago. It was for the consult for this tattoo. She brought me a huge box of food, which was extremely amazing and delicious to boot! The gesture brought tears to my eyes because of her random act of kindness. This was a huge help to my family and I espeically since we've had some rough times. She said she'd read my blog and felt compelled by God to cook for us. This was the catalyst of that big day in which I was pulled out of a deep depression.

During our tattoo appointment this week, we connected even more. She brought me a colorful bouquet which was an inspiration for the colors we used that day. Throughout the tattoo, we realized how much we had in common. Well she's a pastor, and I'm not. However, we had plenty to chat about - parenting, marriage, and on and on. How lucky I feel to have people like this come into in my life through an occupation I love. It's such an honor to have this job. I'm able to create meaningful pieces of artwork for people who will enjoy them for life. I'm making permanent marks on their bodies and on occaision my clients make indelible marks on me and influence my life. This woman is a true example of this because she touched my heart.

My life is better now since I've accepted that I'm not the one who's in control anymore. My higher power is. I've embraced daily prayer. Not to say that my life is perfect now, but I have some tools to help me through the tough times. I still have a lot to work on, and I'm sure that I'll never be perfect. In conclusion, I'm a more positive and happier person.

This May is my anniversary of fifteen years since I first picked up and used a tattoo machine. That's almost half of my life thus far! It seems like yesterday that I had ten years under my belt. Time flies when you're having fun.

Well I can't say that it's always fun. It's exhausting. The hours are long and go beyond being at the shop and tattooing. There's answering emails, booking appointments, ordering and taking inventory of your supplies, and lots of drawing to do for homework. My hands go numb, my back hurts, we don't get a pension or health insurance, but I can make a living off of it. I'm not getting rich, driving a fancy car, or owning a home. Hopefully someday I'll be able to acquire those things, and my family is taken care of. The material things don't matter all that much to me anyway. What matters is that my family is loved, happy, fed, protected, and clothed. Besides the good outweighs the bad, and there's nothing else I'd rather be doing for a career.

Not to mention, people such as this woman make all of the hard work worth it. Perhaps I subconsciously forgot her containers so that we'll meet again soon. In conclusion, I can't forget to express my immense gratitude to the woman, Gale Mosman, who took me under her wing in 1996. Thank you Gale for teaching this tradition to me.

Happy happy, Joy joy

Recently I've felt wholesomely well- physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Finally my spirits are overall positive. At first I thought it was an epiphany. While I don't want to disregard that completely, I had a realization yesterday that perhaps it's due to a combination of occurrences. Perhaps the prescription Vitamin D and the once a week 6 minute tanning sessions have restored my body to its required amount of said vitamin. Also my husband started his new job this week which he's enjoying immensely. In addition, I've been abstaining from alcohol since the past 11 days. Combine all of those practices, hanging around with some pretty darn good folks including my clients who've been so inspiring, reading daily meditations and some self reflecting literature, and BLAMMO... Happiness is achieved.

Most of my dreaming has been crazy too. Besides the other night when I woke myself and my husband up from growling, I've had some pretty spiritual and meaningful ones. This includes last night. It inspires me to begin a dream journal. Note to self: read positive writings before bed because it seems to induce pleasant dreams.

The only thing missing from my life is exercise. I won't go into any excuses except one. I don't have time, which is true if I don't make the time. Hubby gifted me with some "fitness pole" classes recently. Now I must make the time to go. This could possibly make my life complete. (Insert some sarcasm here)

I'm grateful for everyone in my life right now. It's astounding how many genuinely amazing and real folks I've been coming into contact with. Without getting too cheesy I'm going to carry on with my day. Talk to you all soon.

Seitan Pot Roast

Many vegetarians I know don't enjoy this wonderful wheat meat as much as they should. It's versatile and extremely easy to make home made. Not to mention that it's way cheaper to make it then to buy it at the store. You can use it in stir fries, burritos, tacos, fajitas, "meat" sauce, sandwiches, and on and on. A favorite All American Vegan recipe book of mine is calledVegan Vittles. I suggest this book as a staple for anyone interested in learning some great, healthy alternatives to common recipes. You can get Vital Wheat Gluten at most grocery stores these days. It's in the natural and organic section usually in the baking section. Another ingredient is food grade Nutritional Yeast. This product might sound gross to many, but it's a yellow flaky substance that is packed with B vitamins. While some vegetarians have a difficult time ingesting B vitamins because they're packed in meat products. It can be used as a seasoning since it's slightly salty. You can use it in many things including home made seitan. In saying that, I wanted to share this Seitan Pot Roast.

Ingredients:
Seitan :
Dry ingredients-
1 box of Vital Wheat Gluten or approx 2 cups
1/3 cup of Nutritional Yeast
1/2 tsp garlic powder or roasted minced garlic
1/2 tsp onion powder

Liquid Ingredients-
1 1/3 cup water
4 tabls Tamari or soy sauce

Vegetables
1 medium onion, chopped
2 carrots, thinly sliced
4 0z baby bella mushrooms, sliced (optional)

Cooking Broth
1 box of all natural tomato soup or 3 cups of broth and tomato paste (I used Wholefoods 365 brand since we had it on hand)
2 tblsp red wine vinegar
2 tblsp of soy sauce
1/2 tsp fresh or dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp Liquid Hickory Smoke
1 bay leaf

EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) for sauteing

1. Place the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, and stir them together.
2. Mix the liquid ingredients in a small bowl, and then pour them into the flour mixture. Mix well. If it appears to be too dry, you can add one or two tablespoons of water. This spongy mass is called gluten.
3. Knead the mixture in the mixing bowl for about a minute. Make a loaf on a surface, and then return it to the mixing bowl to rest.
4. Heat up a Dutch Oven on med/high heat with a couple tblsp of olive oil. When it's hot, add the loaf to brown it on all sides making sure that it doesn't stick to the sides or bottom of the pan. Transfer it back to the mixing bowl.
5. Add another teaspoon of olive oil, and add the onions. Brown them until almost carmelized then add the carrots and saute 5 more minutes. Add the mushrooms.
6. Mix the broth ingredients into the Dutch Oven. Bring to a boil, lower heat to low. Add the gluten loaf.
7. Simmer for an hour and a half making sure that you flip the loaf every thirty minutes.
8. Remove the loaf to a slicing board.
9. Make a pureed gravy using a blender or better yet an immersion blender directly in the pot.
10. Slice the "pot roast" and serve with the gravy.

I didn't accompany this with anything because I think it's perfect as a meal by itself, however rice or smashed potatoes would be a lovely accompaniment to this delectable Vegan dish. The leftovers are just as delicious, and you could always make a sandwich with or without an open face.

With the good, there is bad

Such is life. It's never all good or all bad thankfully, but a little mixed in here and there. Sometimes the balance is heavier on one side or the other, and sometimes it seems like things are fully one way or the other. The balance is seemingly in the middle after teetering in the lowest of lows.

Talon is sick... again. It seems like he's been catching viruses since late December. He was sick with something around Christmas, and then a week or so later. Now he has a rash all over his face that the doctor says is viral. Although the other day her husband, also a pediatrician, said that it was folliculitis. We made the second visit today after yesterday when he acquired a fever that went up and down like a see saw. The rash seemed to spread throughout his face. My husband and I are sefl proclaimed Web MD's, and we didn't agree that it was folliculitis. Today she decided it was something viral and highly contagious since the antibiotic ointment wasn't working. So here I am at home with my son. We couldn't have my MIL come since we didn't want to expose her to the germs. She sits several young family members, and she also volunteers at her church's day care. I can't wait for this to pass so we can join the world of play dates again.

The reason why I'm home and not my husband is because it's his first day back to work. He suited up in his finest white collar attire and headed out just a little bit ago. I sent him off with a lunch box with snacks, dinner, and a little note of encouragement. It's his birthday tomorrow. I'm sure that this is one of the best gifts he can get.

Even before my so called "epiphany", there have been some amazing people surrounding me these days. Now that I've reconnected with spirituality, my eyes are open to this. It's amazing that Im actually beginning to believe that:

"Everything happens for a reason."

I always believed that was so trite, however, it's making sense presently. I"m starting to believe that the Universe really is in the hands of God, Buddha, Allah, the Goddess's, whatever name you use for the higher power that ties us all together. I've been using my mantras every day, and I've even downloaded a prayer and meditation book to my Sony Reader. Maybe I'll even start doing yoga again. I really need to get my act in gear here. I've been so stuck in my head for so long, and I want to shut it off. A huge burden has been lifted. It's apparent a new chapter in my family's life has begun. I can finally breath a sigh of relief.