Reason for the title: in case the cookies didn't turn out... they would end up as almost cookies. Thus, the name "or something like it" and the discussion of the movie Life or Something Like It.


Life or Something Like It

Angelina Jolie. Life or Something Like It. 20th Century Fox. 2002. Film Still.

I love seeing Angelina Jolie kicking ass in action films and conquering roles of mass drama as well. But I'm going to save that for another day. Instead, let's talk about Life-- or Something Like It.

Angelina Jolie. Life or Something Like It. 20th Century Fox. 2002. Film Still.

Although we don't see Angelina acting up an amazingly dramatic storm or kicking in the shins of some bad guy, we see her in a different, and dare I say, dainty feminine light. Jolie still plays a headstrong, leading woman who kicks ass but does so through her success as a news anchor. In short, the career-driven character audiences see is one that takes pride in how "perfect" her life appears and believes, which soon changes in worry after a short interview with street-psychic (Tony Shalhoub). Not to forget the question of happiness brought to attention by cameraman (Edward Burns), a co-worker of whom she had a history.

Angelina Jolie. Life or Something Like It. 20th Century Fox. 2002. Film Still.

Angelina Jolie. Life or Something Like It. 20th Century Fox. 2002. Film Still.

The major, most important theme of the film is about life and how we live it. The film sort of reflects a philosophical theory that we shouldn't only concentrate and work for the future since the present could easily be missed out on and instead, should take time to enjoy the present while being in the moment.  Though, it is still important to plan for the future, it just as important not be consumed by it. A lesson well-learned in the film. It's not the best movie, but it's the kind to watch on a weekend.





Vegan Oat-Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don't really like the idea of baking, but I do like the idea of eating vegan cookies.

The original recipe can be found here, at vegangela.
I only slightly altered a few things when making mine for whatever different reasons and ended up making another type of cookie (white chocolate chip) for someone else using the same recipe --- they both turned out nice.

Also, you're going to have to excuse my bad-picture quality of photos. Again, I do not have a good camera.
Reason for not posting cookie photo on a plate, since the lighting was not good and the quality was also pretty bad. But the cookies were good- and that's what really matters.









 Another nice thing about vegan cookies, you can eat the dough.

This is probably one of my favorite characters bitingly depicted by Cameron Diaz. The "bad teacher" Elizabeth character is the complete opposite to those common typecast super sweet and nice, seen earlier in Diaz's career. Instead, she portrays an outrageous, self-serving, callus teacher with a sailor tongue-- and she does it well.

Cameron Diaz. Bad Teacher (2012). Movie Poster.

Although Diaz's character is labelled "bad," she's actually one of the most authentic characters in this movie (not including the foil characters). Sure, there's a whole list of inappropriate and raunchy and politically incorrect mannerisms from which the Elizabeth character does not refrain, but what's even more offsetting about other characters, specifically the antagonists: rival teacher Squirrel (Amy Punch) and Elizabeth's short-time interest played by Justin Timberlake, are even more problematic and politically incorrect.. Only these characters try to hide their "badness" with false personas that portray a false niceness and attempt to conceal their truly conniving selves. The characters who hide behind too nice, goody faces are the ones whose true colors are actually the worst, and whose scenes I didn't like nor find amusing (referring back to the political incorrectness). At least the Elizabeth character isn't always hiding behind a false persona.

Jason Segal. Cameron Diaz. Phylis Smith. Bad Teacher (2012).

Other characters include the hilarious Jason Segal and The Office's Phyllis Smith who both play the role of more "normal" characters that humorously counter Elizabeth's radical antics and biting comments. Their characters are also the most likable and well-received characters in the movie. In my opinion, Segal and Smith's characters should have had more screen-time, seeing from the fact that they are both more realistic, less crazy-weird, not offensive, and they are funnier. 

Cameron Diaz. Bad Teacher (2012). GIF.

Welcome to the Rileys (2010) is an independent drama with a deep, captivating cast and a storyline that uncomfortably unravels its characters in an intricate and obvious manner. It has a way of reflecting the reality that everyone has their own personal problems and own way of trying to cope with whatever those problems may be.

Kristen Stewart. Welcome to the Rileys. 2010. Film Still.

I have to say out of any of the Kristen Stewart films I have seen, this is the one that [in my opinion] proves Stewart's ability to conquer roles outside of those seemingly typecast to her personality and vary beyond a "comfort zone." Stewart embodies a character that is completely different from what most audiences might expect. Through observing the way this character was portrayed, the almost over-played, typecast-awkward persona dissolves. In this independent drama, Stewart portrays a misunderstood,too-often mistreated, rebellious, and quite vulgar runaway teenager of who dances to make ends meet.


Stewart is not the only actor seen in a different light, James Gandolfini also portrays a character that audiences would not expect. A character dealing with a severe loss, but of course does not openly express it. The wife, more dramatic on the other hand, subtly displayed by Melissa Leo, depicts a mother who becomes agoraphobic as a result of this loss. Leo and Gandolfini later begin to play the role of almost substitutional parental figures for Stewart but whether things remain that way, are a question.

Kristen Stewart. Welcome to the Riley. 2010. Film Still.

The story in and of itself helps to reveal the way in which people's problems or issues can quickly become noticed. When the collision of these three main characters comes into effect, the truth emerges along with it. Once emerged, the process of actually being able to solve and move on with life can begin, as opposed to denying and avoiding the problems and personal struggles that often occur in life. 

Another underlining theme in the film is the complex intersection of relationships and how new relationships can easily be affected by one's own personal and private past. This is something I'm sure audiences can relate to, which allows for it to be a leading factor that makes this film feel both slightly real and somehow familiar.


Photos/Images: Welcome to the Rileys. Samuel Goldwyn Films/Destination Films. 2010. Film.

For a while, I've been re-thinking and re-evaluating my diet; wanting to alter it by adding more fruits and vegetables, while taking in less prepackaged and processed foods. So I figure the in-between is always a good idea: less processed foods and more raw, real, whole, clean foods. And that's what I've been doing.



So the first makeshift recipe to reflect the slight change is a "sub" wrap.

Ingredients I like to use for assembling

• - Romaine lettuce
• - Spinach leaves
• - Tomato
• - Avocado
• - Sprouts (forgot)
• - Hummus
• - Spinach or tomato wrap/flatbread/pita bread/lettuce 
• (I use a variety of either depending on what I have at the time)

This mixture assemblage of hummus, avocado, lettuce, and tomato just makes the wrap taste more like a clean, veggie-filled sub sandwich. By the end of it, I always want another one but I always end up feeling way too full to eat another.  That's the power of vegetables and substantial, whole foods.

I highly recommend trying this if you have not already.  It's super easy, don't have to cook anything, and after putting a few vegetables together, it's ready to eat.


Took a lot of snapshots and couldn't decide which ones I liked better, so that's why there's so many photos.









My recent favorite food-related catch phrase:  Snack it. Wrap it. Dip it. Eat it!
'Eat it' is the one I say all the time.