Thank you and goodnight!

What is is that is so intimidating about a start? All unproven and yet to be known. That is why those beginning life have more of a need to prove their part in it. This newness applies to all youth, not just those in age - new drummers, new job, anything yet to be experienced. This being our first tour (yes, I am getting to the point) makes one wobble with the instability of no foundation. Once we're proven, mistakes aren't as glaring, and can be accepted with part of the greater whole of experience.

And so I may apply these grand thoughts to our van. Hope it pulls through. The check engine light is still on, but we've made it to DC thus far.

Our show in Richmond...it can be summed up as the owner's comment before our set was through: "I think we're all done here." (insert delayed clapping here).
DC was great - if you get a chance, check out the band we played with, Airport Blvd - they are amazing (and I don't report that easily): www.myspace.com/airportblvd. We're off to our Philly show now, signing off...
mz binge

Soy White Russian Cake

That's right, folks...perhaps the first ever, right here, on Binge Cafe - a soy white russian in cake format.

It seemed to go over well at the birthday bash, and even proportedly caused a bit of vodka-induced silliness. I must say that while preparing the cake (and testing the frosting, of course) I felt a bit giddy myself. I must take a moment here to blame Mr. Beloved, who, upon taste-testing said creation, reported "no, I can't taste the vodka at ALL," upon which a quite distressed Ms. Binge added more. After this episode repeated itself a few times, neither Mr. Beloved nor Ms. Binge were tasting anything.

Needless to say, the frosting did taste like vodka by the time of this photo. Please note that the sloppy crooked look of this cake did not impede the taste.

Just how was this creature born, you ask? As you know, Binge Cafe is involved in ensuring the availability of soy white russians in all bars across the US, so this cafe is quite fond of the theme, in general. I decided to try expressing this fondness in the form of my 2nd favorite treat, cake. I was surpised to locate a recipe online for "kalua white russian cake," and I simply converted it to the beautiful vegan creature you see above. I decided to post the recipe for your drunken pleasure:

KAHLUA SOY WHITE RUSSIAN CAKE

3 tbsp. (1 1/2 oz.) kahlua
2 tbsp. (1 oz.) vodka
1/2 c. (3 oz.) vegan white chocolate *or* 1/4 cup vegan chocolate & ¼ cup granulated sugar & a dash of vanilla extract.

2 c. sifted cake flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 c. earth balance spread (like margarine only WAY better)
2 tbsp. earth balance shortening
1 1/4 c. sugar

Poofy magic: 6 T flour, 9 T water, 3 t baking powder, 1.5 teaspoons baking soda whisked together in a bowl** (see note below)

3/4 c. “buttersoymilk” which is a little less than ¾ cup soymilk & 1 T vinegar

Combine kahlua, vodka and chocolate. Place over low heat or hot water until chocolate melts. Stir to blend. Cool slightly. Resift cake flour with baking soda and powder. Grease well and flour lightly two 9-inch layer cake pans.

Cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in poofy magic, 1/3 at a time. Blend in kahlua-chocolate mixture, then flour mixture alternately with buttersoymilk. Divide batter between 2 pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until tester inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool in pans 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks. Cool completely.

KAHLUA WHITE RUSSIAN CREAM:

Beat 2 cups Tofutti brand cream cheese (about 2 tubs) with 1 cup sifted powdered sugar until thickened. Gradually beat in 2 teaspoons vodka, beating until stiff. Swirl remaining cream topping on top and sides of cake & put in the middle as filling. If it should be thicker, add a little flour and/or earth balance spread.

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

½ cup earth balance spread (one stick)

½ cup earth balance shortening (one stick)

1 lb powdered sugar

4-8 T vodka

1 T kahlua

Decorate top generously with white buttercream frosting. If prepared ahead, refrigerate, removing 30 minutes before serving to capture full flavor.

I also made separate cupcakes to pile on top.

**Note (from above)**Poofiness: brilliant creation was found in Dilip’s cookbook. Basically, 1 egg = 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 2 T flour, 3 T water, whisked all together. Like magic it poofs up all baked goods.

## end swrc recipe ##

In any case, picture below, in the poofy family, is a pizza I made. It seems like the dough rises easier in the hot weather. That's it, folks, I'm off to prepare for our tour.

Vegan Cake Tour '06

Pictured here are the fabulous cakes free of all animals and their secretions, yet overflowing with full-bodied taste. To your left is the fabulous cake made by he known as Garyino: a stout cake with a hint of bourbon. Just how Binge Cafe likes her cake, all liquored up! On top of the drunken cake are shreds of chocolate.

In the background is Binge's cake, with far too many themes, cake-wise, incluidng peanut butter balls, vanilla cream frosting, chocolate fudge frosting, and an inner layer of coffee icing. The cake rose so high that parts of it fell off into the stove and burned. When I opened the oven, assuring Mr. Beloved it was just the smell of cake hitting the stove floor, flames jumped out at us. Well, the jumping is a slight exaggeration, but nevertheless baking powder was employed successfully and the cake was saved.

Many of you know we are gearing up for our tour in support of Other Places. We've updated our website with new videos and pictures, check it out. We are very excited about our first tour. Drop us a line if we're going through your town. Make us a soy white russian.

We're celebrating our CD release with a show at the fabulous Joe and Jo's this Friday, 7/21. We're playing with the infamous America's Next Top Models. It will be a great show, so we hope to see you there. Buy us a soy white russian.

Speaking of great bands, check out my informal list of all the two-pieces in the area: two piece revolution. BB is partial to duos.
Perhaps you may consider me well-sheltered, or well-kept, but I had no idea what on the planet this creature was. All I knew is that s/he had an alien head and the head would turn to look at me. When I spoke to her/him, Mr. Beloved advised that perhaps that would be misinterpreted by the neighbors. In any case, s/he was quite photogenic and truly seemed to enjoy having his/her picture taken. And for those of you who had no idea, s/he is a Preying Mantis, about the size of our cat Greco.

Tour / Modeling Career

I think it was Cavafy that said "everything is prostitution."

However, we are, regardless, very happy to be setting up our tour for August and looking forward to the experience. Of the tour.

Speaking of needing some extra cash for gas money, would it be so wrong to model out our dog, Syba (see left)? That's still vegan, right? I mean, we would be incredibly involved with the process to ensure she receives proper play/food/cashola.
We would be like the infamous stage mothers, Guardians, or Owners.

You must admit that she is quite striking, no? And to think of that being wasted on a walk around the block! This lady has places to go, dog items to represent.




We wouldn't want her modeling for dog food (she does have standards) however she is open to be photographed 1) in front of state capitols 2) with horses and 3) as a seeing-eye companion.

Of course the other option is to rent her out as a true seeing-eye dog but we are not prepared for the lawsuits that would certainly come forth when she charges across a busy street without looking.



Photo credits: Aguavino.com.