i’m forgetting my shoes at home monday–will you join me?

I was raised in a typical upper-middle class family. With a hard-working Dad, a caring Mom, and my fashionista older sister, my childhood wasn’t full of anything too unusual. Trips to Disney, new clothes every September to begin the school year, and birthday cakes always from Publix, I would say my life was pretty easy (and pretty good).

But for whatever reason, I’ve chosen to attempt to give up all of that and become a work-a-holic to the non-profit world. I dream of working 12 hours days, canvassing, petitioning, and possibly going to jail for whatever cause I deem to be pertinent that day. But really, I do this all because I, like every other dreamer, seek a world with a little less pain and a lot more love.

So, just like any other job, you gotta start from the bottom up. I’ve dedicated my college career to activism; wearing tye dyed t-shirts that say “vote” and spending way too many hours calling strangers to see if they can donate money to the trendiest cause. And although I would argue that wearing an organic soybean, dye-free shirt that says “save the trees” isn’t enough—sometimes it’s the statement that really matters.

April 8^th 2010, I’m going barefoot. I’m giving up my purple sparkle Chuck Taylors for one day. TOMS, a shoe company, is hosting this global event in order to raise awareness about why every single human being deserves a good life…and that begins with a pair of shoes. I proudly wear my “make art, not war” TOMS to show the world that I bought a pair, and TOMS donated a pair to someone who probably needs them more than me.

Yes, I have work and class to attend to. But if anyone asks me “where are your shoes?” I’ll have a pretty simple response. I’m lucky enough to have a closet full of shoes, in every color you can imagine, and could probably argue my Mom into letting me buy a new pair. But in Ethiopia alone, there are over one million people that don’t even have one pair of shoes.

So, join me and my fellow “t-shirt activists” on April 8^th. Kick off your shoes and tell everyone why you forgot your sandals at home. Become apart of the movement @ www.onedaywithoutshoes.com

Play On,

Tracy Michele ❤

American Dreams

With these odd patterns of weather teetering on the Coast of Absurdity, my yearning for long summer days has turned into somewhat of an obsession. Never before have I realized how much my love of food has put me into sync with the seasons. It’s as if we share a connection I never knew existed until now. Of course throughout the chilliest months I found an excuse to eat anything creamy and rich, and now, at the height of spring (when asparagus is finally in season), I’m already skipping the primavera’s and jumping straight to anything I can put ketchup on.  

Ironically, on my spring break, well before the onset of summer, I found myself at Home Depot with my mom, the two of us badgering the poor salesman with a round of police-grade questioning. Minutes later she was on a ladder shaking display grills to see which one was the sturdiest, naturally. But I believe I’m getting ahead of myself. It all began earlier in the week when our Whole Foods trip yielded some fresh, organic corn on the cob that was just screaming for a grill to be cooked on. Fast forward several hours and several trips to various odds-and-ends stores on a search for the best grilling utensils – and of course, leave it to me to find the only biodegradable, eco-friendly lighter fluid made from food-grade oils produced in the U.S. – and we were in business.

It’s been said over and over again that “the kitchen is the heart of the home.” But I don’t necessarily believe that.  “The food is the heart of the home” seems to be more accurate. Who would have thought that something as arbitrary as a grill – a shiny red one to be exact – could make me feel as if I stepped into “The Sandlot” and sat down for dinner? Is it possible that this American pastime is not just a notion fabricated by the Coca Cola industry with a little help from baseball and the Heinz Corporation?  Decide for yourself.

Play on,

Marla ❤

Oh, you didn’t think I’d end this post without several recipes for those grills, did you?

Grilled Pesto Burgers with Heirloom Tomatoes, Buttery-Grilled Corn and Crispy Steak Fries

For the burgers:

(Makes 4)

1 tube LightLife Gimme Lean “Ground Beef”

1 packet Simply Organic Sweet Basil Pesto

Extra virgin olive oil, fine sea salt, fresh ground black pepper

Rudi’s Organic Bakery Hamburger Buns

Empty the ground beef into a bowl. Follow the directions on the pesto packet, after its ready pour enough into the ground beef mixture to marble it throughout. Leave some of the pesto to spread on top of the burgers. You don’t want the mixture to be too oily because the burgers won’t stay intact. Season with salt and pepper. Mold into 4 evenly sized burgers.

Cook directly on the grill about 2-3 minutes on each side. Quickly heat up hamburger buns on the grill.

We also served the burgers with some big slices of local, organic heirloom tomatoes and large pieces of green leaf lettuce.

For the corn:

½ cup Earth Balance butter

Fresh chopped parsley or basil

1 small glove garlic, finely minced (or garlic powder)

Fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper

Mix contents together with a whisk or electric mixer

The corn cooks directly on the grill – no greasing required. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally. Once its ready, immediately spread compound butter on top.

For the fries:

1-2 packages Whole Foods 365 Steak Fries

Bake according to package directions. I broil them at the very end for a minute or two to get that golden, crispy delicious texture. Any Alexia oven fry will do as well – however, these steak fries are currently my favorite!

Condiments: Vegan Gourmet Organic Vegenaise (trust me, you will find yourself dipping your fries into this more than the ketchup! And don’t forget to spread it on those burger buns – hello, heaven.), Whole Foods 365 Organic Ketchup, and any kind of mustard you like – I prefer a grainy, deli-style mustard. Whole Foods also sells real hardwood Charcoal – free of any chemicals. And best of all – the ash from the charcoal can be used as fertilizer for your garden after you’re done grilling!

Only 80 more days till summer…