May 15, 2012

Gone Raw

This is a week of CLEAN.

Spring cleaning, sure… you’ll be getting a post on that later. But I’m cleaning up in two ways this week: I’m going raw!

It’s just for a few days to really reset my system, but I have to say, it’s Day 2 and I’m feeling pretty freaking fantastic. Totally energized!

I was thinking about ways to detox my body and kickstart my summer break in a healthy way, and after some research, decided that this was the way to go. I didn’t want anything extreme, and definitely didn’t want to deprive myself in any way, so it seemed like a great option. I don’t have any fancy tools around here- no dehydrator or spiralizer or anything like that- but given the short time period, I really don’t think it’s necessary. I’m already enjoying nature simply at its best, no extra equipment required. Well, except for my juicer. But that’s a bonus.

So it’s fruit and veggie city for me. And I’m so loving it. The only thing bumming me out is this weather! Whenever I eat really fresh, local foods, I crave long hikes, but the perpetual rain this week is a little bit of a damper. Sigh. No worries though, it’ll just be pilates and yoga this week.

Yesterday, before lunch, I whipped up a HUGE batch of raw vegan cole slaw, in 2 flavors. Both are so tasty! I totally underestimated just how much I was making, so I’m pretty much set on slaw for the next week. No complaints there, given how good they are. Trust me, I don’t care if you’re raw, vegan, or couldn’t give up meat if your life depended on it. If you are looking for a fresh, quintessentially summer side dish, this is it. Easy, light, and absolutely delicious.

Basic Tangy Slaw

1 cup shredded red cabbage

1 cup shredded broccoli (including the stems!)

1 cup shredded cauliflower (including the stems!)

1 cup almond milk

1 tbsp ground flax

1 tbsp stone ground mustard

1 tsp mustard powder

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)

½ tsp thyme

pinch of sea salt

pinch of stevia or 1 tbsp agave

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp paprika (optional)

 

In a large bowl, toss the shredded cabbage, shredded broccoli, and shredded cauliflower. In a separate smaller bowl, mix the remaining ingredients until smooth and creamy. Let sit for 5 minutes (it should thicken, just a tad). Stir the sauce into the shredded vegetables. Add a little more milk if you like a more liquid consistency.

 

 

Curried Slaw

1 cup shredded red cabbage

1 cup shredded broccoli (including the stems!)

1 cup shredded cauliflower (including the stems!)

1 cup almond milk

1 tbsp ground flax

1 tbsp stone ground mustard

1 tbsp curry powder

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp tahini

1 tbsp nutritional yeast

pinch of stevia or 1 tbsp agave

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp paprika (optional)

 

In a large bowl, toss the shredded cabbage, shredded broccoli, and shredded cauliflower. In a separate smaller bowl, mix the remaining ingredients until smooth and creamy. Let sit for 5 minutes (it should thicken, just a tad). Stir the sauce into the shredded vegetables. Add a little more milk if you like a more liquid consistency.

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May 14, 2012

Mantra of the Week: Lessons from a Taxi Driver

Experiences with cab drivers in NYC are hits or misses… and tend to be the latter. Generally you hope for one that, at the very least, gets you from point A to point B fairly quickly and without you fearing too much for your life.

Last week, however, when I was running an errand for work, I had a taxi ride that I’ve been reflecting on ever since. I was totally taken aback when the driver started talking loudly to himself, until I realized he was speaking to me, in French. Don’t ask me why he decided to start a conversation this way, because I honestly have no idea.

Anyway, we struck up a conversation in Frenglish, and he told us (my co-worker was also in the car) that he was from the Cote D’Ivoire in Africa and has lived in New York for 20 years. He then went on to speak to my co-worker in Spanish (she’s fluent). We asked him how he knew all these languages (he mentioned that he also speaks German) and he said, “I’ve been a lot of places. Even when I was living in Africa, it was so important to me to learn as much as I possibly could about the world. I think that languages are the most valuable things to learn because you never know where you’ll go or who you’ll meet in this life. Maybe if people learned how to speak to each other, our world would be a much friendlier place.”

I was so blown away by this, and it definitely put me in my place. I was so freaking focused on getting this errand done; focused on the way this man was driving a little erratically or honking his horn once or twice. Let’s be real, here; we’re a judgmental society. I didn’t exactly get into that cab with the idea that I was going to gain some major insight.

So aside from the beautiful lesson that the driver was speaking about in a worldwide sense, I learned something else- that if I avoid taking each moment at face value and instead focus, without judgment, on the elements of the situation at hand, I open myself up to a world of unexpected inspiration.

Have a happy Monday!

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May 13, 2012

Mother’s Day

It feels like it’s kind of impossible to put this post into words, but I’ll give it a shot.

My mom is an amazing person.

She’s not just my mom. She’s my best friend.

Admittedly, I didn’t always see her this way. Teenage angst put a schism between us for awhile. One of the best parts of growing up for me, however, is the perspective that I now have, and the appreciation that I can’t even begin to describe. Through the worst of it, she has been everything to me. I owe her so much.

Aside from the mushy stuff, she’s also incredibly cool. She’s always the first one rocking out on the dance floor, makes the world’s best apple martini, and has a shoe collection that rivals your average celebrity. She has killer taste in music.

Most importantly, she knows when to say “No” and when to say “Yes”. The result? I’ve been taught to have a good head on my shoulders but to fight for my wildest dreams. Some parents might say that majoring in art or trying to be a singer is impractical. My mom not only accepts that I want to do it, but pushes me to give it my all.

Thank you so much, Mommy. I love you!

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May 12, 2012

Weekend DIY: The Novice Gardener

I’m no green thumb. I’ve always associated gardening with weeding, lawn-mowing, and the loooong Saturdays that my dad always spends outside. He is the unofficial landscaper in our family, and none of us have ever tried to threaten that title.

It’s kind of odd, because you would think with my love for the outdoors, I would be all over that.

Well, things are changing around here.

I mentioned that I’ve started my own little herb garden. Can I just say? Obsessed. It’s amazing to really taste the fruits of your own labor.

All of these are AMAZING in pasta sauce. Just sayin’. And the lemon thyme is pretty epic in general.

Of course, it’s still very early in my gardening career, so I’m not really in any position to be giving out tips. Instead, consider this to be the musings of a beginner as I learn along the way.

First off, planting physical seeds from scratch was a little daunting to me, so I “cheated” with actual seedlings. I googled “planting fresh herb seedlings in pots” and got a plethora of info on how to do so.

Also important before planting anything is knowing some general information about your gardening area. The most basic of this is knowing your Zone:

This is based on climate and typical temperature conditions for your area. It’s basically the basis of knowing what plants can be planted at what time of year, and which can be planted at all (obviously an orange tree that thrives in Miami and LA is not going to do so well in upstate New York).

Actually, when I was doing some research for this post, I found this amazing website!

Just plug in your zip code, and it gives you specific info based on exactly where you live. Now I know I’m not just Zone 6, but 6A.

Next up, now that you have your zone, you can easily find charts of what to plant and when (which that website also provides). For example, my zone, Zone 6:

Again, this is based on planting the seeds themselves, so timing with seedlings is probably going to be more flexible (I’m assuming).

Once you decide what you want to plant, you should do a little research to get an idea of what kind of sunlight and spacing you’ll need. For example, our yard really has no spots with constant direct sunlight. This has proven a little tricky with my herbs, which really need a lot of light, so I end up just moving them a couple times throughout the day.

I’m really excited to move onto vegetables though! Fresh grown Jersey tomatoes are amazing. Mine probably won’t be, but, hey, I’ll give it a shot.

True story though- I planted a brussels sprouts seedling a couple of days ago. I went inside for literally 30 seconds, came back, and the seedling was missing from its pot! Still a little bit of a mystery. My mom said squirrel, but I’m thinking someone else…

Lesson learned- if critters hang around the yard, it might be a good idea to add some kind of fencing to your plant.

Happy planting!

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May 11, 2012

The Lowdown on Grains: Millet

Previously:

Amaranth

Quinoa

Wheatberries

Today…

Millet!

Actually, if you think you haven’t heard of or seen millet before, you probably have:

Yes, it’s commonly used in birdseed. But please don’t let that spoil your appetite, because it’s quite delicious.

Millet is incredibly versatile. Like quinoa, it’s a faux-grain: it’s actually a seed. It’s gluten-free, so it is often used as a GF flour when it is ground up. It can be used in anything from muffins to bread to an oatmeal alternative. It also works well in savory dishes.

For any history buffs out there, millet is also an ancient grain- one of the oldest food sources out there (more info about that here).

Taste-wise, it’s mildly sweet and nutty, and its texture is VERY similar to steel-cut oats.Toasting it ever so slightly before cooking it enhances both the flavor and texture.

Here’s the nutritional info:

Obviously, not quite as nutritious as some of the other grains, especially as there is a lack in fiber. But it’s a great source of protein, and still rich in vitamins.

And a recipe to get you started!

Lemon-Poppyseed Millet Porridge

1/4 cup dry millet

1.5 cups almond milk

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tsp lemon zest

2 tsp poppyseeds

1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)

pinch of sea salt

stevia to taste

 

Over low heat, gently toast the dry millet, stirring constantly to keep from burning, just until slightly browned and it begins to pop. Add milk. Heat millet and milk over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes. Uncover, and if the liquid has reduced too much, add a little more milk (it should be a little soup-y in consistency). Add the remaining ingredients, increase the heat to medium, and cook, uncovered, stirring until the liquid has reduced to desired consistency. Serve, and enjoy!

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May 10, 2012

This Week in Fashion: The 2012 Met Gala

I’ve decided that since I have fashion industry aspirations it would probably be fitting if I, you know, mentioned it once in a while. Luckily, this week is particularly fitting to start, since fashion’s biggest night of the year took place on Monday evening.

The Met Gala always evokes the most incredible style. I love how different it is from typical red carpets: it celebrates fashion as art, embraces the avant garde, and brings the most spectacular names in the industry together. Watching the photographs emerge on Monday night, I was like a kid on Christmas. I have never loved social media more- there’s nothing like watching Rachel Zoe’s iPhone pictures take over your Facebook newsfeed.

Without further ado, here are my favorite looks from the night:

  1. Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren She killed it. From the makeup to that flawless gown, she looked absolute amazing. Ralph Lauren, genius as usual.
  2. Rachel Zoe in Rachel Zoe CollectionI’m a sucker for fringe. And the off-the-shoulder? Dying.
  3. Diane Kruger in Prada I thought this gown was so refreshingly different! The breeziness of it reminds me of a great, summery maxi dress, but the feathers and styling elements take it over the edge. It’s almost casual- in the most glamorous way possible.
  4. Rihanna in Tom Ford Stunning. She could pull off anything, but I love that she kept it simple with just a subtle edge.
  5. Joan Smalls in BalmainNot many people can pull off a short dress at the Met Gala, but Joan + Balmain = ultra cool.
  6. Claire Danes in J. MendelI’m having a moment for flowy white dresses right now, and this epitomizes it for me.
  7. Liu Wen in Michael KorsJust gorgeous. I love long-sleeved gowns, and the color and subtle sparkle just take it to perfection.
  8. Karlie Kloss in Jason WuI mean, she can obviously wear anything and look amazing. Not everyone can pull this look off and still look classy doing it. But I love how it looks on her- sexy but still high fashion. The fuchsia and black lace are draped just perfectly.
  9. Gisele Bundchen in GivenchyMy personal feelings about Gisele aside (loyal Giants fan here), she looked amazing (she usually does). It was a pretty classic gown, but you can’t go wrong with classic glamor.
  10. Emma Stone in Lanvin Another short one, but so quintessentially Lanvin, and I can’t think of a more perfect person to wear it. Emma may have suffered a little wardrobe malfunction (her zipper broke!) but she looked gorgeous, and as she said, the dress was rainproof!

There were of course a million other gorgeous (and a few tragic) looks on those amazing Met stairs that night… you can see all of them here. Tell me what you think were hits, and what you think were misses!

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May 9, 2012

Great Mother’s Day Gifts

Time is winding down to the day when we celebrate Moms (and Grandmas!) everywhere, but it’s still not too late to find a perfect gift!

As a broke college student whose day job is an unpaid internship, my gift will be largely culinary- a great option if you’re on a budget.

But these finds are also fantastic, and none of them really blow the bank either.  Something for every mom out there!

P.S. I’m kind of obsessed with it all too. So if you end up buying any of it for yourself, no judgment here.

 

First, some culinary love…

These salts from Uncommon Goods aren’t just gourmet, they’re also beautifully packaged.

I can speak from experience… my best friend gave me this Teavana Tea Rhapsody Glass Tumbler for my birthday! It has a strainer inside so you  can brew on the go!

For the jokester! This Face Mug always cracks my Mom and I up. One of these days we’ll have to get a couple for ourselves!

Customized mugs make an amazing, personal gift. I’ve made them in the past for my Dad and my Grandma. It’s super easy on Shutterfly!

 

For the crafty, DIY Mom…

Seed bombs make a really fun gardening gift… plus they’re really wallet friendly! From Uncommon Goods.

I’m dying over this DIY watercolor postcard set from Anthropologie. I think any artist would!


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This beautiful hammer from Ruche also doubles as a screwdriver!

 

For a much deserved spa day…

TokyoMilk has the most AMAZING soaps.  They smell phenomenal and they’re wrapped so beautifully!


I’m mentioned these before, but Red Flower  makes such amazing candles with petals included!

These yarn-wrapped soaps from Anthropologie are also gorgeous… and perfect if you’re on a budget!

 

For the hostess…

These Agate Coasters are just stunning…

… and so are these crystal bottle stoppers from Anthropologie.

And this sparrow bottle opener from Ruche is so cute.

 

For the Zen Mom…

I love this hilarious tote from Zoey’s Attic on Etsy!

For the traveler…

This scratch map from Uncommon Goods is a fun way for her to keep track of where she’s been.

For the reader, decorator, fashionista, or chef…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anthropologie’s book collection is just perfectly curated. All are beautiful and would be as great sitting on a coffee table as they would be useful!

And for every mom…

Kisses and hugs all around, because they deserve everything.

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May 8, 2012

Fettuccine Alfredo

Goodness. It’s been so long since I put together a recipe that I feel like I forget how to do this!

Luckily, what’s coming your way doesn’t need much of an introduction.

I first discovered the power of pureed nuts with my walnut whipped cream. Obviously that’s a sweet recipe, but if we’re going on texture, the creaminess is something that I knew could definitely translate over to a savory recipe. Plus, I’ve heard praises sung about cashew “cheese” everywhere from other vegan blogs to veggie restaurants.

I’ve tried cashew cheese, and it’s amazing… especially in mac & cheese. (P.S. that recipe is still one of my all-time faves!)

But alfredo sauce is obviously a different breed- a different cheese. I knew I needed a more mild flavor that was still creamy. So I turned back to walnuts. Mixed with some herbs and almond milk?

Perfection.

And, the flavor is dead on. Don’t believe me? I challenge you to try it!

Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo

1 cup almond milk

1 cup walnuts, soaked

2 tbsp nutritional yeast

2 tsp lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp vinegar

2 tsp dried basil or oregano

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of guar or xantham gum (optional)

 

your choice of pasta (or spaghetti squash!)

 

After soaking the nuts for 1-2 hours, drain them and put in a blender or food processor with the almond milk. Puree until smooth, and add the rest of the sauce ingredients. Puree until smooth. Heat over stove in a pot over low heat until desired temperature (add more milk if the sauce reduces at all)

Cook pasta according to instructions, pour sauce over, and serve.

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May 7, 2012

Mantra of the Week

Good morning!

From the Dalai Lama. He knows his stuff. He actually spoke at USC last year but I had to miss it because I wasn’t paying attention when tickets went on sale. I regret it… his speech was amazing and I wish I could have seen it in person.

I love that this quote takes a little digging to really understand what it means. It’s not promoting anarchy. It’s merely stating that a life lived by constraint is no life at all. It’s important to be aware of the “rules” and restrictions that might arise, simply because we can then rise above them in a skillful way without harming ourselves or others. Look at it this way: life doesn’t mean playing by the rules all the time, nor does it mean constant risk without thinking. There is a middle way, and you’re the best judge. So don’t be afraid to break the rules… especially if they’re your own!

I’m off to class for the last time this semester. Have a happy Monday and try to find some sunshine!

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May 6, 2012

Life, lately

Hello!

So, I am officially done with this semester!!! YAY.

The past couple weeks have been pretty rough, but all in all the past few months have been really good. Some reflections:

  1. Oh, you didn’t know? I’m obsessed with the city.
  2. Jumping into this semester after taking a semester off was super tough. Especially because my course load at NYU is like 5x harder than what it was before I transferred. I LOVE designing exactly what I want to study, though, and love my program’s liberal approach. Where else can you major in “Keepin’ it Real?” (No, that’s not my concentration.)
  3. MY BUDDHISM CLASS. I’m going to miss it so much. I’ve actually thought of how I can integrate it with what I’m planning on studying, but I realized that I don’t want to study how entertainment marketing and Buddhism are related- I have no use for that in my professional or personal life. I’ll continue to educate myself about Buddhism on my own time and apply its concepts to my life. All in all, though, this is the most profound course I have ever taken. I learned so much about myself and have so many tools to use moving forward.
  4. Living situation. Ohhh, my living situation. I’ll spare you the details, but it was pretty bad. Again, learned a lot from it. I’m excited to really start looking for an apartment of my own.
  5. This is totally random but I haven’t mentioned it before… I got an iPhone! I’m obsessed. The camera is AMAZING. And I’m also loving my custom case:
  6. All in all, while I’m relieved to have a break, this semester was great. I made some awesome friends, had a lot of experiences (mostly good), and again, learned A LOT.

And, even though it’s just for a month or two, I’m going to miss my long city walks…

And the farmer’s market… OHHH the farmer’s market!

Sigh. There’s nothing like it.

So what’s coming up for me?

Honestly, a lot.

  1. It’s a break from school, but only till July- I’m taking a couple classes this summer. Both will be fun, both will be time consuming. And I’m still working (interning)- no breaks there whatsoever. It’ll bring me back to last fall when I was commuting to the city three times a week!
  2. Also, apartment hunting! I don’t really have to start worrying about it until June; that’s how fast the market works in NYC. But it’s still kind of stressful not being sure where I’m going to live.
  3. Spring cleaning. MUCH NEEDED. I need to unpack everything, clean my room (like I’m 12) and my closet needs a massive makeover. I have too many clothes. Donations and sales (and throw-outs) need to be made. It’s time to streamline! Especially since I’ll be moving a lot of it back into the city soon. Also, this isn’t just limited to me: I’ll be helping around the house a lot as my parents are soon-to-be empty nesters and we’re already starting to sort through things in anticipation of selling the house next year. <– That is hard to think about.
  4. Last week at Greenmarket I bought some herb seedlings on a whim, even though I have never really had an interest in gardening. Well, this happened:  And I have officially been bitten by the gardening bug. I’m in love. And there is nothing like eating something you’ve grown yourself! So what started with thyme, oregano, and basil will dauntingly expand to vegetables. Wish me luck.
  5. Music. I have big plans.
  6. FRIENDS. Oh, how I’ve missed my high school buds! Daily coffee dates, yoga dates, and hanging out aimlessly are obviously givens. But there are also concerts and a beach trip on the agenda. We’re all kind of scattering and doing our own things later in the summer so we’re going to take advantage of these next few weeks!
  7. Family. LOTS of milestones coming up- Little bro is graduating high school, and a BIG anniversary for my parents, to name a couple. Oh, and I’ve kind sorta missed this face:
  8. My blog’s first birthday!!!! When I think about how much has changed and happened since I first started this little place, less than a year ago, it’s pretty mind-blowing.

And in terms of diet and fitness…

My favorite breakfast lately: berries and melon heated slightly and topped with flax and a little coconut yogurt!

In this part of my life, it’s really about getting back to basics. Spring and summer is perfect for this, since I really feel like I can get outside and stretch my legs, and there’s so much amazingly fresh food available.

It’s not like my diet has changed drastically or anything, but certain things- like my coffee consumption- have completely gone by the wayside and my body is not appreciating it. Also, it’s really hard to maintain a good fitness regime when you barely have time to think. I have been doing yoga at least a little on a daily basis and I walk EVERYWHERE, but constant studying and writing papers especially in the past couple of weeks means lots of sitting and stressing, both of which are bad for my body. Being cooped up inside really affects me too. I think I’ll feel so much better if I just really focus on getting the proper nutrients I need and really get moving in the fresh air again.

I’m not out of shape, but I really want to become stronger! Hiking and long yoga sessions will help, but I have had the oddest craving to go running lately. Trust me, for me, that’s odd.

So, nothing’s set in stone yet, but my Dad and I are talking about maybe participating in a certain kind of race later in the summer. Possibly more details on that soon, once I get my butt into training gear and really have an idea of what I’m dealing with :) I also thought seriously about yoga teacher training in June, but I just don’t think my schedule will work out with it, so I’ll have to save that for the future.

Well, goodness… this turned into quite the update post. But I guess it’s fitting, since a lot is going on! And most of all, I’m excited to really get posting on a regular basis again. And yes, you can of course still expect recipes to be coming your way!

So happy to be back!

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