Recipe time!

I know I said this blog will have recipes but I still haven't posted one... until now.

Tonight I made Itlian Tofu Steaks. My recipe of course.

Ingredients:
-Lite Firm Tofu
-Red Onion
-Spinach Leaves
-Olive Oil
-Balsamic Vinegar
-Pepper, Oregano, Basil and Garlic
-Vegan Cream Cheese
-Vegan Bread

1. Drain tofu overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 400.
3. Cut tofu into three steaks.
4. Grease pan and place tofu steaks on pan. Layer all ingredients minus the bread and cream cheese. Bake for about 10 minutes or until desired golden brown.
5. Toast some bread then drizzle balsamic vinegar on one slice and spread vegan cream cheese on the other. Place cooked tofu steak on bread. There you have it.

Note: This method of cooking tofu uses olive oil so the outside is crispy and the inside is soft. (The consistency you get at most Thai restaurants.) If you are wanting your tofu dryer on the inside, make the steaks smaller and thinner and try freezing the tofu for a night after you drain it. (Slice. Then freeze in a plastic bag or plastic container. Don't stack the slices or they will stick together.) Defrost and follow method above. You can even eliminate the oil but the outside will not be as crunchy or golden brown.

*Picture is just of the steak and was taken with an iPhone because I misplaced my digital camera. Sorry!

Diversity.

This blog makes me want to live in New York. People are unique. They are themselves. They have style. I absolutely love it.

So often I witness people who can't seem to think for themselves. They judge everyone and they base their own interests/opinions/fashion on what everyone else likes/thinks/wears. It seems they lack their own identity.

I'm an Ani DiFranco fan and this morning, as I listened to the poetic lyrics of My IQ, I was thinking about how much her words mean to me.

When I was four years old/
They tried to test my I.Q./
They showed me a picture of 3 oranges and a pear/
They said, which one is different?/
It does not belong/
They taught me different is wrong

Those words demonstrate a thought that I've always struggled with. In our Western society, as I can't speak for any other society, why do people try to teach that different is wrong? We are taught to dress a certain way for job interviews and to put on a false front and a plastic smile when we want to impress someone. We have to play the game. If we have tattoos sometimes people make fun of us and judge us to be someone who doesn't have a job or an education. (I've had people say things to me like, "Why would you do that to yourself?" or "You would be pretty without tattoos.") If we dress up then we are preppy. If we live in a trailer park then we must be "white trash." If we do drugs then we are "bad." If we don't wear designer labels then we must be poor.

I'm always so delighted to find people who defy stereotypes. I have a friend whose mom married a wealthy man. Therefore my friend has money. You would not know it by looking at him. He doesn't look down on people nor does he dress the part—well, what society defines as such...

I always thought it would be so much fun to walk into Tiffany & Co. or some store at the Mall at Millenia, dressed in my usual attire, and throw down thousands of dollars in cash just for the shock value. One day if I ever have money, perhaps I'll do that.

I've been in a store where the worker smiled and said hi to everyone, letting them be. But (my assumption is that), because I have tattoos and was dressed in a torn t-shirt and ripped jeans, the worker's expression changed when she saw my face. She appeared to be disgusted. Then she followed me around as if I was a criminal. I've also had people ask me what I was "trying to prove" by having tattoos and a trihawk. All I could think was how I felt sorry for these people for being so blind.

Sure, we are all guilty of passing judgements on some level, but there is a difference between correlating a look and personality in your head and actually believing the person must behave a certain way because of how he/she looks.

Ever since I can remember, I was the person who never quite fit in with one social group. I am somewhat of a chameleon and could therefore easily adapt to whichever group I was with at the time but it wasn't as if I was truly a part of the group because I've never really been a cliquish kind of gal.

I've always been someone who has had different types of friends. Some rich, some poor. Some fat, some thin. They all dress a certain way. They are different races. They have different interests. Some were "cool" in high school, some were "losers." Some drink or do drugs, some don't.

I just love people. And I love when people are different. I admit I have some crazy tattoos, I wear too many accessories, my outfits are sometimes mismatched, I can be a hypocrite at times and I'm definitely a handful (my moods can shift at the drop of a hat). But I am who I am. And, though I continuously try to be a better and more positive person, I embrace everything that makes me who I am.

Embrace what makes you unique. Don't spend so much time trying to fit in. It's not worth it. So you might get made fun of. You might get judged. So what? At least you are being yourself!

This is Halloween, this is Halloween...

Again, sorry I haven't updated in a while. I finally moved and got situated. Finally got Internet again. Now, on to the post...

There's something about Fall that I absolutely love. I know it's not Fall yet but I seem to be getting excited about Halloween already. Perhaps it's because Halloween II comes out this Friday and I've been waiting for that day for many months. Whatever the reason may be, last night I bought two pumpkin spice candles from Walmart ($3.50 each) so that I can be reminded of Halloween. They also had a delightful mulled cider candle that reminded me of Christmas but I figure I'll save that one for December and January. 

Is there a certain holiday you love? Or just a season? Does one of them remind you of being a kid and having absolutely no worries? I think that's why I love October so much. And I tend to celebrate Halloween (and pumpkin spice things) from September until November. I do lots of baking with pumpkin, carve pumpkins, watch horror movies, go to costume stores, play scary music, etc. And I really can't wait until it is October so that I can do all of my favorite Fall things while opening all of the windows in my house!

Try celebrating a favorite holiday or season for an extended period of time. Trust me, it'll spice up your life. 

*Photo is from the pumpkins Matt and I carved last Halloween while we listened to the Misfits. :-)

Home.

What does your home mean to you? Do you decorate it? Move the furniture around? Do you get excited each time you walk inside? Do you really feel comfortable there?

To me, a home is a place to express myself. I have always had at least one entire wall covered in every single place I've lived in. Usually there are photos of friends and family, musicians, artists, etc. Anything to make me feel inspired.

And I love to be crafty so I always manage to sew some pillows and cut up some fabric to liven up my room(s).

I love my home. This past 1 1/2 years was the first time I lived by myself. No roommates! Though I hated living alone at first, I ended up loving it. I learned so much about myself. I felt like I was actually working for a reason. I would walk in from a long day of work and collapse on my bed or couch and feel so grateful that my work paid for my freedom and independence. I definitely think everyone should live alone for at least one year of his/her life. And by alone I also mean fully supporting yourself. There is just this great level of appreciation, independence and self-awareness that comes along with it.

To my surprise, a couple weeks ago, there was a rather startling knock at my door and a man presented me with foreclosure papers. Apparently Mr. Landlord stopped paying his mortgage and so I decided to immediately give my 30 days' notice and get out. I wasn't too happy about this at first. I tried to remain calm but inside I was a bit panicked because I am still digging myself out of my financial hole and therefore have absolutely no money saved. I did try to tell myself there must be a reason this was happening.

To make a long story short, I ended up going to my brother's house to show him the papers and ask for advice. Then on my way home I happened to see this For Rent sign. I had noticed the sign a couple weeks prior to that day but I hadn't really thought much of it. This time I immediately called and made an appointment to see it. Fast forward a few days and I end up deciding to rent it. I still had mixed feelings but tonight I realized how excited I am about moving.

Sure, I will be living with another person, but I think it's going to be good for both of us. We both happened to need a place at the exact same time and maybe we can start playing music together again. I really see good things happening. We haven't lived together in years.

Tonight we picked out our bedrooms and started moving a few things. And so starts a new chapter of life.

Goodbye to my first 1-bedroom place. I love you and I will forever remember you, but it's time to move on.

If you happen to be bored of your home, here are some fun ways to make it feel new again:

Paint a few walls/rooms. You can even sponge paint or use stencils. Be creative!

Cut out inspirational pictures from magazines. Or just cut out any pictures that you happen to like. Then tape them on the wall(s) or make a collage. You can buy cheap picture frames at Walmart to display your collage.

Rearrange your furniture! Rooms always seem to look so much bigger when you first rearrange them.

Restore a couple pieces of furniture. You can buy cheap tables/chairs/desks from places like Big Lots, consignment shops or yard sales. Sand them. Mosaic them. Paint them. Spray paint them. Write quotes on them. Make tablecloths. Use your imagination. *Photo on left is a mosaic table I made from a broken mirror. Fun!! And it looks really pretty too.

Spring cleaning. It doesn't have to be Spring. If you feel like your place needs a makeover, you can always first attempt to clean it. And clean it thoroughly. Empty the entire refrigerator. Clean it out. Clean the oven. The entire bathroom. Do the floors. Clean the fans. Vacuum. Shampoo. Mop. Clean the windows and screens. You will find this might liven up the place a little.

IKEA. You can check out the super cheap furniture downstairs, next to the checkouts. Or you can buy the other stuff upstairs. Even if you don't buy anything, you can at least walk around the showrooms and get ideas of different ways to make your space work.

Garden. You can always plant a garden. If you don't have a yard, try buying a plant.

Silk flowers. Buy some silk flowers at a craft store or the flea market. Arrange them in a vase and/or accent them throughout your home.

Basically, just remember to make it your own and have fun!

"I hate my job."

"I hate my job."

Then leave it!! I am always so frustrated and unsympathetic towards those people I know who wake up daily and complain about going to work. There are plenty of jobs out there. Try to get another one if you absolutely loathe yours. You can even try starting your own company. Be smart about it but maybe try starting your own thing on the side. I promise you won't be let down.

You might not find what you're looking for right away but eventually you will find a job you enjoy. I get paid to read, write, edit, be creative and listen to music. And I don't even have to cover my tattoos or dress a certain way. Has life always been this great? Of course not.

*Photo is where I used to work on days I worked remotely at the publishing company. It was so peaceful to write at home, with the sliding glass door open to the pool and feel the breeze... ahh... love it. For some cool photos of writers' work spaces, check out this link.

I've had about 45 jobs. Everything from waitress, janitor and cashier to data entry and stocking children's clothes. But each time I really started to hate what I was doing, I would quit. Sure, most times I didn't have a job lined up—and I wouldn't exactly advise that, especially in this economy—but eventually I pushed myself to find a job. Sometimes I ended up disliking that job even more than I'd disliked the previous, but then I would quit and find a new one. My point is that if you hate your job, it's probably your own fault. Don't expect people to feel sorry for you. No one can find you a job you enjoy except you. So do it!

*Photo to the right is from when I worked in publishing. Very hectic!

If you need some job ideas, explore the list of previous jobs I've had. Note, there is probably a good reason I left all of these so you might want to avoid them... but, I must say, I think each and every one of you should work in the service industry so that you don't under-appreciate those people. They're amazing and they deserve respect. And, always remember, tip your server! Twenty percent is the lowest I tip, because I served plenty of times and it can be really brutal!!

Some job ideas (jobs I've had):
-bus girl
-waitress at a restaurant
-waitress for catering
-food prep
-video store
-porn store
-costume store
-consignment shop
-ice cream shop
-marketing for real estate agency
-marketing for pac-man cafe @ xs orlando
-traffic person for ad agency
-sole proofreader/editor for ad agency (I like this one!! That's why I'm still there.)
-listings specialist at tourism publishing company
-internal project manager for new business development, proposal coordinator at tourism publishing company
-concert reviewer
-web editor
-writer
-word and logic puzzle proofreader
-kids' clothing store and toy store
-bookstore
-calendar kiosk
-bartender (but I quit before I really started)
-data entry
-waitress at restaurant in islands of adventure
-food prep
-busser
-picture framing expert at craft store
-bed, bath and beyond
-private investigator (I quit this one before I started too)
-vegan baker

I am happy to say that, though I sometimes grow weary of office politics and I ultimately plan on being 100% self-employed, I do love my job at the ad agency. And I am grateful for where I am. I've worked hard to get here but I truly appreciate it. I write and edit all day. I do freelance writing and editing. And I have a vegan donut business that I started a couple years ago. One day I plan on expanding it but for now it's just more of a hobby and a means of making enough extra money to pay my car insurance.

Have a happy day!!

Going vegan.

Please excuse the hiatus. I've been so busy with other things that I haven't made time for this blog. I need to make more time! That's all it is. No excuses.

Do you eat unhealthy? Are you trying to lose weight? Trying to eat more balanced? Why not try going vegan for a while?!

Some misconceptions about being vegan:

What can you eat--lettuce?? Contrary to what some believe, you can eat far more than lettuce. As a matter of fact, I don't really even like lettuce and I've been vegan for years! I eat lots of salads but they're usually made with spinach. See the blog links posted to the right for various vegan recipes/info. Also try Googling "vegan" or "vegan recipes." You will find so much.

Tofu is so mushy. I would never eat it. If you learn how to properly drain and cook tofu, it doesn't always have to be mushy! You can drain it and pan fry it or, for a healthier option, bake it. You will find it's much drier this way.

But I like chocolate. Sure, you have to miss out on MILK chocolate but there are countless vegan dark chocolates available. Watch out though because often the name brands you are used to eating probably contain milkfat, even in their dark chocolate varieties. There are certainly a number that do not. You can find them at Target, health food stores, Publix, etc.

How do you get protein? When I used to eat meat, I didn't like it all that much so I definitely get more protein now that I'm vegan than I ever did when I ate meat. You can get protein from nuts, tofu, tempeh, seitan, soy milk, beans, grains, vegetables, fruits, etc.

But I like ice cream. So far I've yet to find a substitute for Twistee Treat but, aside from that, there are some tasty vegan ice creams. Check your local grocery stores and health food stores! You will be surprised. *Note, this isn't exactly healthy... but an entire pint of vegan ice cream is never as caloric as, say, an entire pint of that oh-so-good-yet-so-fattening Ben 'n Jerry's.

Bread and pasta are vegan but won't I be fat if I eat too much? Probably. So don't! Try to choose light breads. Whole grains breads. Limit the amount of pasta you eat. As a matter of fact, limit your portion sizes. Try eating out of baby dishes and with baby silverware. It will force you to eat slower, you'll get full faster and then you will eventually shed some pounds.

What about eating out? This can be a challenge, especially depending on how extreme you take being vegan. There are some vegans who will not eat off the same grill or plate that meat was cooked/served on. If this is what you turn into, eat at home or at an all-vegan place. There are numerous websites and iPhone apps that can point you in the direction to the nearest vegan eateries. Additionally, you should try Thai, Vietnamese and Indian restaurants because you will find there are plenty of vegan-friendly options at these places. And, you can always get a salad minus the chicken or steak. Most restaurants offer something like that. If you know that a bread is vegan you can also get a chicken sandwich without chicken, a BLT without bacon, etc. You just have to get creative.

I'm not here to preach vegan. But I get sick of people who put down all vegans or who immediately associate veganism with lack of protein and being sickly. Not the case.

Another big thing is the price factor. I hear many people complain about how expensive it is to be vegan. Also not the case. Sure, if you buy processed foods--frozen vegan meats, vegan cookies from the store, organic everything, and you eat out at vegan eateries daily, then you'll probably find cost to be an issue.

If, however, you learn to cook your own vegan meals and you make your bean burgers from scratch (quick and simple, by the way), bake your own vegan cookies, buy your fruits and veggies at a farmers market, and look for sales, you will find that you are able to accommodate your diet to be vegan-friendly.

If you live near a Publix, stop in right now for the almond milk. It's on sale: 2 for $5. Give it a whirl.

Lastly, I would like to share some of my favorite vegan cookbooks with you. Check them out if you need some ideas.

La Dolce Vegan, by Sarah Kramer
How It All Vegan, by Sarah Kramer and Tanya Barnard
Vegan with a Vengeance, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
The Joy of Cooking, by Irma Rombauer and Marion Becker



Many of those books have informative introductions that cover vegan basics and teach you all about substitutes. That last one is not vegan, but once you learn how to be a vegan cook you can easily--or sometimes with a challenge--veganize a variety of recipes.

Now go give vegan a try!

*Pictured are some random things I've baked/cooked from scratch. Not all super healthy of course, but definitely healthier than non-vegan versions. I never use any mixes and I typically don't work with prepared foods. It's a fun challenge!

Appreciation.

If you work a Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 job, you probably love how it feels to walk out of your office on Monday evening. You also probably love Friday mornings. I do!

Today as I eagerly trotted down the stairs of my office building I was a tad peeved. Full of negative thoughts--recent money problems, the bad attitude I had today, family stuff, etc. But the instant I opened the door and my right foot hit the cement there was this immediate sense of peace. I felt as if I had just been freed from imprisonment. As if suddenly the blue sky was brighter than it had been in the morning. The warm air more pleasant. The scenery more picturesque. Everything was just so much better. Why? Because today was a rough day and I suffered through it.

Anyway, I want to remember that feeling. I want to file it away and refer to it when needed. Next time I'm having a crappy day I want to be able to put myself back in that moment and remember that no matter how many stressful situations I put myself in, I will always have wonderful moments like I did today at 5:33.

Remember to appreciate all the little things. And also remember to embrace your bad moods and your bad days. Without the bad, we wouldn't really know how amazing it was to feel so great when we have awesome days.

new things.

Lately I've been all about experiencing new things.

July was a month of firsts:
-Stopped dying my hair black for the first time in a LONG time... however, I think I'm going back to black soon. I miss it.
-Made a vision board.
-Yoga.
-Saw many new movies.
-Started reading more new books.
-New Smyrna Beach.
-Gemini Springs.
-Juniper Springs.
-Hang gliding.
-Probably going to try Ethos vegan pizza this month... I can't believe I still haven't tried it.

To me, life is about experiences. I feel like I just want to experience so much. It makes you feel alive. And it's fun. If you haven't done anything new/or exciting in a while, give it a try. Even something as small as going to a new park or driving a different direction on a highway you frequent.

Diversity is the spice of life!

*Llama pictured is from Sanford zoo. I went there this past May, after having not been for a year. Sure, it's not the biggest or best zoo, but it's nearby, fun and inexpensive. Give it a try if you've never been. There's even a petting zoo.

Feeling good.

Here are some tips to feeling good. I've collected these over the past couple months.

• Every time you glance in a mirror, smile at yourself.
• Make eye contact with people and smile at them.
• Greet the cashier at the checkout line with a smile and ask him/her how his/her day is going.
• Make people laugh.
  
• Bake something you haven't baked before. Perhaps vegan peanut butter cups. (You don't really even bake them... just melt chocolate, add some confectioners sugar, create and refrigerate.)
  
• Whenever someone asks how you are say, "Wonderful," "Fabulous" or "Livin' the dream." It will not only make you believe that is truly how you feel but it will also make the person who asked the question feel good. Who wants to hear you complain or say how crappy your day is? Wouldn't you rather hear a positive response when you ask the question?
• Help someone. Whether it's letting a stranger in need borrow your phone to make a call, giving someone spare change, lending someone a pencil, holding a door... whatever it is, I promise you will feel better for having helped someone. It sort of makes you feel like your life is a bit more meaningful that particular day.
• Exercise. (I'm sure no elaboration is needed.)
• Watch an uplifting movie.
• Go for a walk outside.
• Hang out with adventurous people.
• Try waking up early one Saturday or Sunday just to experience something different... or if you usually wake up early, try waking up late.
• Try new things.
• Taste new foods.
• Meet new, diverse people.

hide and go seek.

Here's your mission for today, if you happen to be bored or need a laugh: act like a child. I know I say that a lot but I really think that a part of us needs to stay young as the rest of us grows old.

Some ideas include:

• Climb into a small space (e.g., a dryer, a cabinet, a refrigerator).
• Build a fort out of blankets, pillows and furniture.
• Play tag.
• Go to a playground and play on all the equipment.
• Ask your friends if they "want to play" instead of "hang out." It makes it seem so much more fun that way.
• Eat some candy or fun cereal you used to eat as a child.
• Watch cartoons.
• Play a video game from your childhood.
• Watch movies you watched when you were younger.
• Color.
• Play in the rain (as long as there isn't a lightning storm).
• Make jewelry.
• Make newspaper hats.
• Go to a toy store.
• Buy ice cream from an ice-cream truck.
• Play dress-up.
• Choreograph your own dance.
• Go to a petting zoo.
• Go to an arcade.
• Go roller skating.