A Favor to the Disfavored

For a couple of years now I have wanted to donate my hair to cancer patients or some sort of organization that supplied the victims of unfortunate traumatic circumstances with something they need to feel better about themselves, and in this case, I knew all along it was going to be hair. Since ninth grade, the length of my hair has progressively gotten longer. I grew it out, refusing to cut above my shoulders, after receiving a haircut I was not very fond of at the age of 15 or 16. (Looking back, it wasn’t that bad, I just wasn’t happy with myself so how could I be happy with the hair on my head?)

During the previous few months, my hair had become a nuisance. I would touch it constantly (a very obsessive compulsion that pulls out hair strand by strand) and it would always get stuck under the straps of my backpack. It took a while to style, and it became too much to handle and deal with. I also felt that with an new, unfamiliar, upbeat and positive outlook on life (what I am at least striving to maintain), I should begin the process with a different hairstyle to reflect this novel approach. When the courage finally sank in (and let’s be real – it felt like quite an impulse), I visited my hairdresser, whom I have gone to since that (in my eyes) poorly styled haircut.

Now, finding an organization to donate hair to seems like an easy task, but with all the restrictions put on donations these days, it was more of a struggle to find one than I had originally assumed. Google was my helper in this instance. The typical organizations that accept hair for cancer patients, such as Pantene or Locks of Love, only accept (at minimum) 8″, no dyed or gray hair. However, although my hair is, and was not, gray, it surely was dyed. Then I came across, what I feel, is a blessing for myself and for the children…Children With Hair Loss (CWHL). I have always been an advocate for any and all organizations that help children fight diseases, addictions and traumas, and this seemed like a perfect fit.

I love short hair, to the extent that I do not know if I could ever let it grow out long again. It is said that the universe and God are the only creations that know how many hairs are on our heads, but with my vivid and crazy warped imagination and dreamscape, I know deep down that it does not matter. What matters is the person on the inside – the generous, kindred spirits and souls that are willing to give up such an unnecessary proceeding to a higher and better cause. These children need a spark of life and empowerment to help them get through their woes and troubles…and I want to help give them that. I need to give them at least that. I gave up 8 inches, with some to spare, and with no hesitation, for children who had zero. Bless their hearts and souls, for they need it more than I do at this current stage.

Don’t get me wrong, I love having hair, to the extent that I would be miserable if I did not have any at all. But having the privilege and advantages I possess in life, and with the ability to donate, volunteer and give, this is one cause I think is completely appropriate and one I am truly fond of. I hope some day I will be able to donate another pony tail of hair for these young souls, who are destined for pure greatness.

http://www.childrenwithhairloss.us/

A non-profit organization that provides children who are struggling from disorders who have lost their hair due to medically-related treatments, with hair replacement. They also may return once a year, up until 21 years of age, making it vastly available to those who truly need to feel beautiful.

At the Heart of Every Orange is a Creamsicle

Minneola Orange Creamsicle Cookies

One thing I noticed about this recipe was that it did not make mention of vanilla extract. I found that quite odd, and still decided to take a chance on them. After making my adaptations (in bold below), I cannot imagine what the cookie would have been like missing an emulsion or extract. In addition, I was a little worried that 2 1/4 cups of flour would prevent the cookies from being chewy, and make them more cake-like, however that did not seem to be the case. I guess that is how it goes – you risk the upset to get where you want to be, and in this case, it was to experiment and give it a go no matter how it turned out. Luckily, they baked wonderfully!

Adapted from: http://www.sprinklewithflour.com/2012/02/orange-creamsicle-cookies.html

(I am almost positive this is not an adapted recipe {only by the change of substituting white chocolate chips for vanilla chips}, but merely a replica, or an adoption of a recipe, found in The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook, but I will give this blogger credit anyway.)

Original recipe: http://www.bakespace.com/recipes/detail/Orange-Vanilla-Chip-Cookies/9980/

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Dash of ground cinnamon

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 brown egg (Eggland’s Best)

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp orange bakery emulsion (which I found at HomeGoods)

Zest of 2 Minneola oranges [about 4 to 5 tbsp] (I really enjoy the bright, orange color of them, but its up to preference)

Juice from 1/2 of a zested orange

1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with Silpats or parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk together and set aside.

3. In a separate large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

4. Add egg and beat until combined.

5. Add vanilla extract and orange bakery emulsion (optional).

6. Add flour mixture and beat on low speed until well incorporated.

7. Add orange zest and orange juice and beat to distribute.

8. Stir in white chocolate chips.

9. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop in rounded spoonfuls on cookie sheets, leaving plenty of room between cookies to allow for some spreading (at least 2 inches).

10. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes until light golden brown. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheets and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Verdict: 

This recipe needs a flavoring extract and/or an emulsion. Maybe it is just my preference to add an ingredient or two that would seemingly bring out the flavors out a bit more, but I was worried the dough would have been too thick and dense to bake evenly. The white chocolate chips added a smoothness that without, the cookie would have been missing an underlying sweet tone. It adds a nice depth of texture, and eases any acidity. The ones I experimented with, disregarding the white chocolate chips, were still tasty, but were a bit too pungent for my liking. I am not much of an orange girl (although I am definitely fruity) and these really drove my taste buds wild. These cookies reminded me of being at summer day camp – in the midsts of the moments when we would concoct ice cream sundaes and during the afternoons when we would receive popsicles, splitting them in half, and trading half of one for half a vanilla popsicle with amongst one another, to make our own mix and matched creamsicles. Overall, this recipe needed a bit of adapting, but was surprisingly delightful. For a nice spring or summery treat, this cookie would lend very well to a vanilla ice cream or a strong cup of coffee.

Forgive-and-Forget-Me-Not

Excuse my absence, darling

I do not dare to dance around

[Carefully]

Treading deeper waters without warning or sound

I feel as though my heart has left me

Gone in the wrong direction

No, not with you

But without:

Brittle bones.

Honest tones

Confused moans

Lust or love

Whatever you want to entitle

Let us live it out

For a moment without speaking

Molds the dagger

Sharper

Push it in deeper

For now, however…

The more love, the better