#suggestions are welcomed! can be serious or silly - my other plants have a mix of human and silly names

[moonchild-in-blue]

irl darya because it's been a while and i'm feeling particularly slay today 🌿

feat. my new mint plant (she's the only one who's still unamed)

[cryptoriawebb]

Smufs the Lost Village: review

So I saw this forever ago, but there were so many movies coming out this review kind of got pushed on the backburner...

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. The trailers looked promising but I had heard it didn’t receive stellar reviews. I couldn’t imagine an animated film suffering from what I believed the first two Smurf movies did, but I was hesitant no less. There were a few years where Hollywood believed the only way to reinvent vintage material was to grossly mock it throughout, and even though the trailer didn’t look as though it was headed in that direction, I couldn’t be certain.

I’m glad I gave it a chance. The animation itself was colorful, crisp, and true to design. I actually found it something of an improvement over the original cartoons, but that might be my generation speaking. I found the palette played a large part in dictating atmosphere: always rich, but used in different ways (the blues and purples of Smurf village compared to the sickly yellows and greens Swamp of No return I think it was called?) I’ve always found it amazing how strongly a hand color plays in creating the tone of an environment: the female Smurf village (whose name also escapes me) also used several greens and golds, for example. In contrast to the swamp, there was a welcoming, almost dream-like quality floating around it, largely, I believe, to reflect Smurfette’s reaction.

At its barest bones, the plot wasn’t overly original. That said, in context, I found the focus on Smurfette mixed with expanding Smurf Mythos in a respectful and I’d say ‘serious’ way, worked very well. I’ve never been a big Smurfette fan: I found her too delicate and feminine as a child. As a tomboy, I tended to dislike female characters of that nature. As an adult, however, I look at things more critically, and I definitely think she was the right focus for this film. She’s not only the one female Smurf, but she’s also got an unconventional origin. I admit, despite being an animated reboot I was afraid Sony would retcon this. I admit, I prefer to go into most movies blind—after the first couple of trailers, I stayed away in order to avoid any spoilers and I certainly didn’t look up more info beyond its critical reception. An honest review, I think, comes from blank slate, rating aside. I like to know what I’m up against, if that makes any sense.

I also think this movie did a decent job expanding on Smurf personalities, characteristics and bonds. Brainy, Hefty and Clumsy were an odd but at the same time expected trio to accompany Smurfette on their journey. I do like, however, that they were more than their names made them out to be. They each had a lot of heart, and I felt their friendship genuine. Not only that, but presented in a way that was not over-the-top touchy-feely or preachy, which in my opinion, is a bit rare for a children’s film.  And it was called a kid’s film by many critics. I get it, not every movie can possess the sophistication of Moana or Kubo and the Two Strings, but there was more maturity in this movie than say, Ice Age or Trolls. There was hardly any potty humor and far less over-the-top reactions than I expected.

Side-note: I liked the female Smurfs a lot. They had their own quirks without being too stereotyped any one way, which I actually find very interesting. I love that they were named after flowers and plants, as did I that they seemed almost to move more as a unit as opposed to one standalone trait. I wonder if that was alluding to how the female Smufs are, like Smurfette, who also doesn’t have one set defining trait. I mean they definitely had unique personality traits (Smurfwillow and Smurfstorm for example) but there was a notable difference. Or maybe it speaks of how their village is, the rules to live by or the way these Smurfs grew up (provided Smurfs grow up and don’t just appear out of mushroom dust or something.)

I will say that while I like this change in Gargamel’s antagonistic pursuit of the Smurfs, stealing their magic to enhance his own just seems far less intimidating than wanting to eat them.  It’s also, at least, I think it is a more-heavily relied on trope. I understand times have changed, and the film seemed like they were trying to veer away from an overly dark tone. It’s just different, and it does succeed in maintaining Gargamel as a goofy, only moderately successful villain. I haven’t seen the series in several years, but I do feel like the film captured his essence and that of his animal companions, despite toning them down a few notches. If his character suffered from anything at all, it was the degree of exaggeration and silliness, but again, they toned him down. And I do like that he didn’t reform at the end. I didn’t expect him to, but it’s always interesting to see the hero’s offer of generosity blow up in their face. And I loved Gargamel’s dialogue leading up to that moment. Probably the funniest I found him in the movie.

Papa Smurf’s character was…interesting. I loved most of his interpretation: I’m not sure the balance between ‘serious father figure’ and ‘dumfounded humor’ worked entirely successfully. That said, I didn’t dislike his character. It’s hard to dislike anyone played by Mandy Patinkin.  He’s the perfect father figure. My friend and I were joking the other day he must have some kind of ‘father figure’ phone, on reserve for whenever Hollywood requires immediate casting for any such father character. I will say I’m a little surprised Papa Smurf and Smurfwillow didn’t have any kind of history, but that’s for the better I think. It suggests this separation surpasses their generation and I hope it means we’ll see more of it explored in the future. If Papa Smurf and Smurfwillow want to become a thing (because let’s face it, there was something there) I’d be more than alright with that. Leading a village is a daunting responsibility. They could use someone to lean on.

Speaking of character chemistry, I actually didn’t mind Hefty’s little crush on Smurfette. Love interests aren’t terribly unsurprising, even in animated films, but this, I felt, remained mild enough it felt honest, natural as opposed to forced. And I also liked Smurfette’s reaction to it. She wasn’t a damsel and actually protested his protecting her, but appreciated his admiration as well, and when his protection actually led to his capture that was more important than the act of his jumping in the way. As it should be, and as it usually seems to be, but it isn’t always easy to tell what direction some movies will go. Admittedly, when I discovered this movie really would revolve around Smurfette I worried the director would turn it into a preaching pedestal for female empowerment. I have no problem whatsoever with female empowerment—I actually love it, having grown up in an era where most female characters were delicate sidekicks or love interests. I just don’t want it shoved into my face. I worried it was headed that way with the opening narration. A direct approach tends to go either very well or very poorly. There’s so much more to a film than that and a successful message not only blends in but promotes itself through strong, likeable and believable character development. It should never overshadow or corrupt the art of a movie itself. If it does, it veers away from entertainment into political propaganda and I just don’t want to see that. This is a personal preference of course, but it’s one I’ve believed for a very long time, frustrations or no.

Overall, I really liked this film. I laughed out loud now and then, felt engaged enough with each character to care, and I loved the use of that classic nineties’ song, Blue. It’s not a perfect piece, it’s not the most original and the ending was so predictable it was like watching the first Pokemon movie again; despite all this, when looked at in the context of the film on its own, I came away satisfied. It’s funny, I feel like this growing trend of animated reboots began with the Charlie Brown film. Maybe I’m wrong, but that was the first one I’ve seen that didn’t try to make fun of itself and didn’t try to be anything more than what it was. The characters, the art style, remained as true to the source as hey could and proved, at least to my opinion that what you think may not be cool anymore, what you think won’t sell, actually will. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Looks like the Smurfs are finally on the right track.

[passportrequired]

Traveling While Vegan & Staying Sane

Bring snacks This is absolutely essential. Before you leave town, stock up on easy-to-carry healthy(ish) emergency snacks. Energy bars, dried fruit, trail mix, nuts. (If there’s a Trader Joe’s near you, you’ve hit the motherload.) On short trips (10 days or less), get one snack for each day you’ll be traveling. Get a variety of flavors.

Don’t listen to yourself in the store when you say, “Blech, energy bars. Those things are so dry!” These puppies will save your life on the road. Even if you don’t end up eating them all, you can give them away to someone in need and you’ll be their best friend for the day.

Get access to a kitchen Given a choice between accommodation options, choose one where you get the use of a kitchen. A stove with pots and pans and random spices makes life so much easier. Even if you don’t feel like cooking, you can rinse off that fruit that you bought at the farmer’s market, or cut up veggies to eat as fresh snacks during the day.

If you have to stay in a hotel, try to at least to choose one with a little fridge. That way you can bring leftovers home and eat those for breakfast while everyone else is chewing on cow legs or whatever.

Relentlessly pursue new foods I don’t have to say this, right? This planet offers such a wide variety of plants for us to choose from. Now that you’re traveling you can get your hands on even more! Woot!

Clean your produce properly In some countries (I’m looking at you, Mexico), you can get the serious runs (and worse) if you eat produce without washing it properly. Cleaning it with tap water that’s not drinkable does nothing to improve the situation, and using bottled water to clean produce is not sustainable.

So in the market, buy yourself a tiny bottle of produce wash (look for Microdyn or Bacdyn in Mexico, Take you zinc lozenges supplements when you can too since theyre a good alternative) designed to get rid of unhealthy stuff (fertilizer, contact with contaminated water and people’s hands) on the outside of produce. Read the instructions for specific measurements and time, but the process goes like: Put a few drops into a container of tap water. Soak your produce in it for the designated number of minutes, et voila! Remember to air dry or pat dry; don’t jank it up again by rinsing it with plain tap water.

Detailed instructions on cleaning fruit and avoiding cross-contamination exist on Kathleen is Cooking in Mexico.

In places where the tap water is potable, you can rinse your produce with a vinegar solution. NY Times says 1 part vinegar to 9 parts tap water, then rinse with plain tap water for at least 30 seconds.

People might tell you that washing your produce is silly and unnecessary. But when plants are all you eat, your chances are of eating bird poop, cow manure or hand sweat along with your meal are greater than someone who only eats plants as a side dish. Think about it. Then go wash your hands.

Research your options in advance Being vegan has become less and less of a big deal. How much effort it takes to stay happily fed will depend on where you are, how open you are to trying new foods, and how well you prepare.

Portland vs. Dallas can make a difference. Mexico City vs. Huatulco can make a difference. So before you get there (or before you get hungry) map out some places that will definitely (or most likely) have food that’ll make your tummy happy. Find out when and where the farmers markets are.

Get on Yelp and create a collection of restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries that excite you. Put out a bat signal to your favorite traveling vegans and ask for recommendations. What’s in season and are some local foods that you really want to try?

Get creative If you’re in a place that’s less than veg-centric, you’re going to have to get creative. This doesn’t mean you need to be a pain in the ass. You know the person who orders a salad with “extra, extra cheese. Extra, extra dressing on the side. Light lettuce.” Don’t be that person.

But do tell the waiter that you don’t eat meat or dairy (probably best to spell it out clearly rather than use the word vegan, which could be interpreted in many ways) and that you’re open to their suggestions. If you’re in a group, let the idea percolate while everyone else orders.

Often, you can pull together a great meal by ordering just side dishes. Can you have breakfast for dinner? If you see someone at the next table eating something that floats your boat, politely ask them or the waiter what it is and what’s in it. Can you get that without the fried egg on top? If all else fails, throw yourself at the mercy of the chef. Ask them to create a vegan plate for you with what they have in the kitchen.

Whatever the waiter ends up setting down in front of you, be gracious and enjoy the present company.

Think ahead Nothing at the breakfast bar but rooster feet and fish heads? Yeah, that sucks so bad. Remember to at least grab a banana for later. And at some point while you’re out, remember to pick up something for the next day’s breakfast. Be on the lookout for farmers markets, street vendors and stores with prepared dishes. If you happen to find a vegan store in a meat-centric place, rejoice and replenish — and ask the staff for recommendations.

No need to turn your journey into a foraging expedition (unless you like those). Just be ready to pounce on opportunity when you stumble upon it. And ask anyone you’re traveling with to tell you if they see any particularly delicious looking produce.

Eat before you get hungry In the desert, if you wait until you’re thirsty to drink water, you’re probably already dehydrated. Similarly, a veghead with hangry tendencies, must avoid waiting to eat until you turn into

I have an unfortunate flaw: The hungrier I get, the pickier I get. So the longer I wait, the less likely I am to find something that I’m willing to eat. I traveled to Puerto Rico with a friend (then boyfriend) who learned to recognize my signs of hunger. With a slight look of panic on his face, he would quickly steer us towards a fruit stand or a cafe before I could get too grouchy and lose my sense of humor/direction.

Don’t be that girlfriend.

Flex if you have to This is a tough one. I remember finding out that the bread in the supposedly vegan sandwich I’d eaten a week before had egg in it. I felt sad and a little sick inside.

There are situations where you have to choose the lesser of two evils. One day it will come down to choosing between a pounding hunger headache or eating a little fish sauce in your veggie pad thai. Or your host will spent an entire day cooking a special welcome meal for you that happens to have a little butter in it (“You don’t eat butter either?”).

The reasons people have for being vegan run deep. Some are vegan for health reasons, but for many it’s about valuing all life. So there’s that. And then there is the value of appreciating the hospitality and kindness of other humans. It’s a tough call; only you can decide what’s right for you in these situations. But sometimes, you have to flex in order to: 1. Get the hell off the hangry train, or 2. not be an asshole to another person who’s sincerely trying their best to accommodate you.

If you end up needing to flex on one meal, don’t kill yourself over it. And don’t get on everyone’s last nerve by talking about it for hours. Just do your best to live by your values, and if you stumble, redemption is only as far as your next meal.

Happy travels! Eat well!

For more tips, follow me:

T: @rebloomroom Insta: rebloomroom_

Passport Required’s List of Amazing Vegan Options Worldwide:1. The Hungry Herbivore: Western Cape, South Africa 2. My Vegan Sweet Tooth: Virginia Beach, Virginia 3. Krawummel: Muenster, Germany 4. Hug Life: Garden Grove, California 5. RawAttitude Healthy Deli: Malaga, Spain 6. The Veggie Grill: Los Angeles, California 7. Cook and Book: Seoul, South Korea 8. Loving Cafe: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 9. Little-Heaven: Kyoto, Japan 10. Veganerie Soul – Siam Paragon: Bangkok, Thailand 11. Loving Hut – Lake Klopein: St Kanzian, Austria 12. Next Level Burger: Bend, Oregon 13. Atlas Meat-Free Delicatessen: Hollywood, Florida 14. Puerto Vegan, Siempre Sano: Puerto Morelos, Mexico 15. Bluesomeone’s Vegan Cafe: Taichung, Taiwan 16. Raw: Chicago, Illinois 17. Natural Efe Macrobiotic World: Phuket, Thailand 18. Avant Garden: New York City, New York 19. Sweet Theory Baking Co.: Jacksonville, Florida 20. La Palanche d’Aulac: Paris, France 21. The Herbivorous Butcher: Minneapolis, Minnesota 22. Panda Vegan Restaurant: Sao Paulo, Brazil 23. Green Point: Cusco, Peru 24. De Herbivoor: Groningen, Netherlands

Traveling While Vegan & Staying Sane was originally published on Passport Required