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…

Stop the Morning Madness Scones

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”  ~ Luciano Pavarotti

Tracy and I decided to truly embrace the message Pavarotti was so set on making. And thus, our scone recipe. P.S. don’t those pictures make you want to jump through your computer screen?

2 cups organic, unbleached all purpose flour

¼ cup unbleached organic cane sugar

1 ¼ teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

1 stick (1/2 cup) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks, cut into small cubes (keep as cold as possible!)

½ cup Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon Frontier Organic Fair-trade Vanilla Extract

2/3 cup buttermilk

 – pour 4 ½ teaspoons organic apple cider vinegar into a measuring cup, fill with organic unsweetened soymilk to the 1 cup line, let sit for 10 minutes, then stir with a fork.

For Cinnamon-Sugar topping:

Organic expeller-pressed canola oil, for brushing

Mix together:

1 tablespoon organic ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons unbleached organic cane sugar

For the Strawberry Glaze:

1/2 cup fresh organic strawberries

2 ½ cups organic powdered sugar

Puree the strawberries in a food processor. Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Pour in the strawberry puree and whisk until smooth.

For the Scones:

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.

In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low. Add in the cold butter cubes. Mix on low speed until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add in chocolate chips. In the measuring cup where you made the buttermilk, add the vanilla, and mix together with a fork. On low speed, slowly pour in the buttermilk/vanilla mixture until the dough comes together. Add in more buttermilk if necessary.

Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead dough gently. Shape into a round disk by patting lightly around the top. The disk should be about 7 inches wide and 1 ½ inches thick. At this point, if you’re not ready to bake the scones, wrap the dough tightly in saran wrap and refrigerate on a flat surface. If you’re ready to bake, cut the circle in half, and then cut each half into 3 pie-shaped wedges.

Place the scones on the baking sheet. Brush lightly with canola oil and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (besides melted chocolate!)

To make Cinnamon-Pecan Scones with Chocolate Drizzle

Sub ½ cup toasted, organic pecans for the chocolate chips

Add in 1 ½ teaspoons organic ground cinnamon to the dry ingredients

Melt ¼ cup Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips in a double boiler, and drizzle over the top of the scones with the back of a small spoon when they come out of the oven.

Cinnamon-Pecan Scones with Chocolate Drizzle

Chocolate Chip Scones with Strawberry Glaze

Play on,

Marla

Product Update

We all have undoubtedly encountered that distinct moment in our lives where we sit back and list the several things that we would enjoy swimming in a pool of. You know – chocolate pudding, ice cream, (all soy of course) to name a few. These items are usually sweet and full-flavored, which is perhaps a wink-and-a-nudge to our at times, indulgent society. Yet, don’t you ever have that moment where you are sitting outside Starbucks or what have you, sipping on a steaming cup of some sort of latte, and you think to yourself, “What would I give to be swimming in a caramel ribbon, fresh-roasted coffee pool of deliciousness?”

A big fan of sugar scrubs, I am constantly in pursuit of one that will cause my bathroom to emit scents of fresh-baked cookies or chocolate. Last weekend at Whole Foods I spent entirely too much time in the “Whole Body” isle unscrewing every top and sticking my nose far to close to the protective lids in a very obvious attempt to determine which scrubs were worthy. When I finally came across Soothing Touch Brown Sugar Scrub in French Vanilla Latte, I knew I had reached the pinnacle of my journey. Of course the true test remained in its actual usage – to which it has upheld all of its promises. At first scrub, you feel as though you are brewing a fresh cup of hazelnut coffee, then deep notes of vanilla and brown sugar kick in, finishing it off with the warm and delectable scent of relaxation. Not to mention, it leaves your skin feeling like a baby’s behind.

Play on,

Marla

why valentines day isn’t a real holiday–and why i still celebrate it.

as an environmentalist who likes to pretend she is a minimalist, you would never think of me to list valentine’s day as one of my top holidays. besides for obvious reasons (the hallmark color is pink), every year i try and pretend like the holiday disgusts me. the outpouring of heart-shaped cookies, love filled facebook statuses, and balloons bursting out of party city–it all makes me want to crawl under my single rock. but really, deep-ridden in my black heart, it is one of my favorite holidays.

every day i’m reminded to count my blessings of how lucky i am to have such wonderful friends and family. valentine’s is a day to remember one of my favorite four letter words–love. granted, it is supposed to be spent with your special someone, but since i’m still lacking in that category, i get to spend it with my best friends.

this made up holiday began how everyday should start; after sleeping in i brewed a fresh cup of fair trade coffee with coconut milk creamer. we then ventured to orlando’s best vegan restaurant, ethos, for chocolate pancakes and their to-die-for cinnamon buns. i enjoyed walking around luxurious winter park basking in the perfect sunny 60 degree weather.  although it may be the most consumeristic holiday out there, it really is a day to sit back and celebrate your loved ones.

i’ll end this post with the best advice i’ve heard in a while; enjoy the ride of life–you only live once. and happy valentine’s day, i hope it was spent with those you truly love.

play on,

tracy <3.

Recessionista

These days, critics are so openly insistent regarding fashion’s apparent reflection of our current economic status. Nevertheless, how floral-prints and stock trading go hand-in-hand still remains the utmost mystery to me. The words minimalist and full-coverage pop up in all forms of media just like that addictive wack-a-mole game at the arcade. They appear for a split-second and then recede into the underground where they are neither acknowledged nor sought after by most commoners. Will women hunt for resort collections in this stark economic climate? The wealthy ones undoubtedly will. And don’t we all know it’s those elite few who can actually afford the designs that we so classily drool over as we intensely stalk fashion week photos? If we want to make our own fashion statements, we will. Minimalist, extravagant, recession or no recession, us girls who can only pine after a dress hot off Jessica Stam’s body, will make do with what we are given.

At Paris Fashion Week, Stella McCartney unveiled a bouquet of glowing floral arrangements. As I flipped through the photos not once did I stop to ask myself, how does this correlate with Wall Street? However, if structured business suits were slinking down the runway I may have reconsidered my position on the matter. Yet florals it is, and what a beautiful thing to know that spring collections are in full swing and we can finally break out the bright colors and say goodbye to the dim hues of 09. As Stella’s father so poignantly wrote, “Let it be,” and when it comes to fashion, sometimes we must do just that.

 

Play on,

Marla