Vegan Green Tea Cupcakes and Vegan Chocolate Frosting

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains were where I learned English. I remember sitting in a confused daze in my grandmother's kitchen as my blonde-haired, blue-eyed cousin spouted gibberish.  Even though I spoke English a few years later, I found myself dreading summertime trips to the Centennial State. This city girl from Tokyo was not particularly fond of the Meadow Mountains Girl Scout Camp in the boonies. I also didn't look forward to the stay  at my grandparents' Colorado home after camp. Why?

The sunny side of Girl Scout Camp: Samoas and Thin Mint Cookies!
Click here for the cupcake recipes inspired by the Girl Scouts.
 

Getting up early, preparing breakfast for the family and doing chores were mandatory. Scrubbing dishes was a far cry from the independent living I knew year-round in Tokyo. While scouring stubborn yellow yolk remnants off plates and plunging them into kitchen sink bubble baths, I yearned to hop on a train and glide down the escalator of a Shibuya department store to the food basement.

The patisserie cakes and the traditional Japanese sweets sections have always been my favorite. Everything is exquisitely decorated and packaged. Like art. To this day I walk away with a  sense of tranquility. There is such gorgeousness and abundance, it's sort of like being Cinderella in a castle pantry.

To balance the bitterness, traditional Japanese wagashi sweets
are often served with matcha green tea.
Click here for the photo credit.

There was, however, one Colorado task I relished: Crumbling leftover toast on top of a crudely formed rock fence. Orange-breasted orioles, velvet black larks and blue jays would alight. Squirrels would also dare a visit. They’d dart onto the breadcrumbs-laden ledge and claim their share.

So, after decades of declining invitations to family reunions or cutting visits short, I'm writing this post from Colorado. Beautiful Boulder, Colorado where mountains stand like stalwart sentries of wisdom and the secrets of all the things that makes life worth living. Bird songs instead of drills plunging into LA cement are my wakeup call. Bunnies and squirrels skitter across freshly mown lawns….In other words, I’ve come full circle in my love of Colorado. 

Boulder Beauties

And it’s more than the scenery. It seems that my grandmother’s loving presence is here. Images of her embrace bubble up in my memory. Her kindness (and Mentholatum!) when I was sick...Despite complaints of childhood chores and challenges, her love for me  endures. Do you have a full circle moment? I'd love to hear. 

Boulder is a mecca for lovers of gluten-free and vegan goodies.
So, I'm sharing The Ninja Baker's
 Vegan Green Tea Cupcakes and Vegan Chocolate Frosting recipe.