Job Hunting, Getting Lost, and Finding Sprouts!

Afro getting in the way of my haul.... as it should be!

Roxy and Joan. Joan looked away as soon as I tried to take the picture!

See that bug? Kanye is trying to get it. I ruined her hunt and saved the poor little guy/gal

I still need to get a picture of Etta! She is normally like get me, get me when I take out the camera, but yesterday and today she's being a little bit of a pill! Afro is the one lately that wants all the love, and all the pictures!
I promise tomorrow I will take pictures of my new apartment. Even though I have nothing, it still is somehow in a bit of disarray. I plan on getting it together today. Also, I will be testing out my new/used vacuum. I gave my kitties a few days vacuum free for all they've been through. But, I have to run it today because my landlord didn't do the best job cleaning this place. I had to do a lot of scrubbing before I even put anything away. When I wiped down the kitchen floor, the cloth was BLACK. And not my grime. The bathroom too was pretty gross. Like, hair that is not mine all over. So, tomorrow when I have my empty apartment all spic and span, and as organized as possible, I'll snap pictures!
So, yesterday I passed out some resumes, I was supposed to open a bank account, but that didn't happen. One of the places I applied is a vegan bakery! I stumbled across it accidentally, after getting lost based on some hideous directions. I saw the vegan bakery sign and thought, oh, my people they won't steer me wrong.(They did, but whatever)

It's like a little coffee shop/bakery! I told the girl working that I would LOVE to work for a vegan business! And, I would love to learn more about baking.
My plan was to drop off resumes, and hit Sprouts market for some bulk bin stuff. The grocery closest to me doesn't even have any dried beans! Not even the basics like lentils or black. I was super excited because I've never even been to a Sprouts market. From the directions I saw online, it seemed simple enough to get there. SOOOOOOOOOOO WRONG! Seriously, trying to find Sprouts got me the most lost ever. And everyone had a different opinion/route I should take. But like I keep reminding myself, this is how you learn.
I first stumbled on a store called Health Market, or something like that. It's an organic, natural market with a super Co-Op feel. I got a few candies, and some smoked Gouda FYH cheese. It was on sale, so even though I am eating super cheap for the time being I allowed myself this splurge. They have a pretty amazing vegan selection, and lots of vegan cheeses! Woot!

And of course they had all the Daiya shreds, and several of their slices and blocks. The next time I'm there, (if I get brave and there is a next time) I'll get more pictures. I guess I felt nervous taking pictures, and I was already super flustered/near tears. I would have just gotten more here, but they have no bulk bins which is strange for that type of store. So, even though Sprouts is mere blocks from this place, I took several wrong turns and two hours later made it to Sprouts. I just grabbed some bulk stuff and dashed. I wasn't even thinking of pictures at that point.

Sprouts has their own line of frozen veggie burgers, and they're all vegan from what I saw, and much cheaper than name brands. I also got a Sprouts brand Kombucha, in cherry lemonade flavor! Lately Kevita has been my favorite booch, so we'll see how this stands up. I had to get the So Delicious ice cream bars because seriously the heat here is REAL! And the flavor is new to me, it's mocha almond fudge with the chocolate shell! I also thought of Vegan in the Vi when I finally saw the chocolate covered cocomels!!! I have been dying to try them! Other than that I just got tofu, and white and brown Jasmine rice, black beans, lentils, red lentils and garbanzo beans from the bulk bins. Also, my true love Just Mayo, and some spices. I guess I'm going to have to go to Whole Foods for bulk spices.
All in all it was a productive but very tiring day. The sun and heat are brutal in this city. At one point I was considering Arizona as a place to live, but I now know I am more sensitive to severe heat than I realized. I feel like I miss humidity if you can believe it!
When I finally made it home, I was starving. I whipped up some delicious potato tacos. I cut some gold potatoes into very small pieces, and sprinkled some cumin, and taco seasoning over them. I was kind of trying to mimic the potatoes at taco bell. I then shoved them in some whole wheat tortillas with lettuce, cilantro, green onion and avocado. It was so delicious and fresh tasting!

To me fresh herbs or a little green onion are inexpensive ways to perk up an inexpensive meal, and really make it special. My taste buds feel so happy when they taste fresh herbs.

It's fuzzy, but it's Etta!

Afro sleeping like an Angel!

More of the same today. I'm applying to the health market online, and a few other places that told me to go to their website. So, the hunt continues, along with some cleaning and organizing. I might even make a delicious meal tonight! My apartment has central air, and as a bonus my utilities are included in the rent. I don't really like AC, but with these temps I feel the need. What I do is leave my windows open overnight and in the morning when it's bearable, and then I turn it on during the heat of the afternoon/early evening for like an hour, and then my place stays cool enough. So thankfully I can still bear to cook.
For the first time in a long while, Happy Wednesday!