Hey everyone! I’ve been getting a lot of questions from people about where they can find the recipes featured in the first show. I had planned to put them online in the same post as the first episode, when it goes online. It was supposed to be this week, but then my computer had a heart attack (see prior post), so that was pushed back a little.
Next week: Episode One ONLINE and the recipes, too! xo
Filed under Uncategorized
Pardon the lack of updates… My computer’s hard drive came thisclose to completely crashing (and I still needed a new one). I was able to salvage my photos and podcats, and everything else of value exists on the internet. However, I can’t remember our home’s wireless network password, so I’m stealing internet access where I can get it.
But you know, this makeshift workspace has some excellent views…
Bethlehem Steel
Just last week, Ryan and I finally got to see The Muppet Movie, the new one. OH GOODNESS HEAVENS ABOVE, I CRIED SO MANY TIMES. Happy cry, sad cry, nostalgia cry, I-know-what-that-feels-like cry, people working together and isn’t it all so beautiful cry, crying-cause-you’re-already-crying cry… Tears were flowing. A box or two of tissues later, I did find it to be incredibly uplifting, and true to form, some excellent life lessons were tucked in along the way.
The next day, I was reading the new issue of Oprah magazine. Don’t laugh, I think she’s incredible. In 10th grade English class I did a project about her, and my teacher called me “Oprah” until I graduated. Growing up, my mom would always tell me, “Some day when she’s no longer hosting her show, they are going to need a new show to fill that time.” Ahem. Big dreams, that’s all I’m saying. The Muppets can do it, Oprah can do it, I can do it, you can do it. Now, back on track…
I came across an article with an interview of Maggie Gyllenhaal. Don’t you just love when famous women are actually smart and articulate? A rare breed. I’m even more in love with her after reading this, which ties everything together:
“About three years ago, I was in a little off-Broadway play. I thought it was great and was proud of it. But one night after the show, at an audience Q&A session, a guy said, “Don’t worry about The New York Times.” I’d learned never to read reviews, but this confirmed that they must have been bad. And for a couple of days, that slayed me. I’d always thought that if I believed in what I was doing, people would respond well, even if they had different tastes. But at that moment I realized this was simply untrue. Then I thought, Maybe I’m completely wrong about everything. I became so sensitive to others’ opinions that I had a hard time saying, I know I love this, so who cares what everything else thinks?
It took me a while – and it’s an ongoing challenge, to be honest – to stop seeking approval. But one day, and this might sound cheesy, I took my daughter, Ramona, to see the new Muppets movie. There’s a part where Kermit the Frog says, “Maybe you don’t need the whole world to love you, you know? Maybe you just need one person.” When I heard that, I started crying. There’s just so much pressure to be a great mother, wife, friend, actress, or whatever your job may be. If some aspect of you wants everyone to universally love and understand you and approve of everything you do – well, that’s a sad life. You’ll bend yourself into a pretzel trying to be all these things you think you’re supposed to be.
These days, I’m better at saying, Wait a minute. It’s alright if other’s don’t approve, because I believe in what I’m doing. I’ve found some strategies that help. A friend of mine, Emma, once told me, “You’re going to drop the ball sometimes. That’s how it goes.” This is a person who’s not constantly trying to please everyone or afraid of making mistakes – she just lives her life. So now I think, What would Emma do? A year ago, I even did another play at the same theater with many of the same people, and this time I felt so much stronger. I thought, this is my work. I’m doing the best I can. I know not everyone will love it. And that is fine.“
- Maggie Gylenhaal, as told to Crystal G. Martin, Oprah Magazine 2012
I can say, without a tiny wavering doubt, this has been the biggest lesson for me in the last year. And I think it takes going up against some sort of opposition before you can learn it. It takes some sleepless nights and sick-to-your-stomach days before you can come out the other side and realize one negative opinion doesn’t mean more than your opinion, and your opinion is that you’re doing all you can to be great. Oh.
Thank you Kermit, Maggie and Oprah.
Filed under I'm an optimist, INSPIRATION
I plagiarised myself… But this recipe is just so freakin’ good I had to give it it’s own post here on STK!.
This is a “pizza spread” that also happens to be a raw foods recipe. (*Note: It does contain nutritional yeast which isn’t technically raw but has been embraced by the raw community. If I’m misleading in calling it “raw” let me know and I’ll edit.)
Whatever you want to call it, it’s SO DELICIOUS and makes a lot of food. Need something interesting to take to a summer picnic? Make this and bring some bread or veggies along. Everyone is going to think you’re a rockstar, it’s practically guaranteed. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to a week.
(RAW VEGAN) PIZZA SPREAD
1 cup sun dried tomatoes
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds (shelled)
1/4 cup nutritional yeast (acts as a Parmesan cheese substitute; horrible name, delicious ingredient!)
1 clove garlic
2 Tbsp fresh Italian parsley
2 Tbsp fresh basil
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
Put all ingredients in a food processor. Process until everything is mixed into a thick spread. You can add some hot red pepper flakes if they suit your taste. That’s all!
I swear this tastes like a delicious, fresh Margherita pizza. Plate and serve with bread or fresh veggies. People that usually don’t like veggies will eat them, if for no other reason then that they are merely a vehicle with which to get this spread into their mouths. YUM.
It may turn somewhat brown in color, which happens when you blend red and green. It’s natural. Embrace it. (Though it helps if you garnish with some leftover basil or parsley.)
From my guest blog, Little Spoon, on LVStyle.com
Filed under Uncategorized
The much-anticipated cookbook by ManifestVegan.com‘s Allyson Kramer, Great Gluten Free Vegan Eats, is here in it’s full-color, delicious glory. And I’m giving away a copy!
WOOOOHOOO, now this is exciting!
CONTEST RULES
1. Head over to the Save the Kales! facebook page
2. Leave a comment with the title and author of a cookbook that means a lot to you. Then explain why it’s meaningful. Maybe it was your first one, maybe it taught you how to cook the meal your family loves most, maybe it helped you change your diet. You decide!
3. Contest closes on June 22, 2012. Winner will be announced within a week.
Note: The cookbook you submit as meaningful does not have to be vegan or gluten-free. (Though we’d all love to know about it, if it is!) We can find inspiration all around us, and you’ll find that many recipes in this book are inspired by non-vegan, non-gluten free versions from Allyson’s childhood.
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There are just SOME of the recipes in this book:
Win a Save the Kales! shirt
Okay, we have a little time ’til the contest is over, but it starts NOW!
Go go go!
Filed under Blogs and Websites, BOOKS, EVENT, RECIPES, SHOPPING
Remember nearly two years ago when I made this piece for our bedroom using free paint color samples? (Click here for the link to the post with step-by-step directions.)
BEFORE PHOTO: Paint sample art.
Well, that’s gone and I have a new one in it’s place, and today I’ll show you how I made it.
This was prompted by some nice new sheets and a comforter we got as a Christmas gift. While I usually love bright colors, I liked the idea of toning down the colors in the bedroom to something a little softer, cozier, more relaxing.
The new palette is: gray, white, yellow, some black. Wood grains and metal accents.
Ryan and I have been talking about making some custom built-ins around the bed, so things should be changing up eventually, but I needed some art for now, and here’s what I came up with.
Canvas before pulling all the paint samples off.
Step 1: Get a blank canvas. In this case, I just removed all the paint samples from the old canvas. This meant there were bits of glue and paper stuck all over it, but I actually liked that in the end because it lent layers and texture to what would otherwise be pretty flat. In fact, if you have a new canvas, try sticking some papers or things on it. To seal (there was still some sticky glue on the canvas), I gave it one good coat of mod podge to lock everything in. Let it dry (may be overnight).
Seal all the little textured bits on the canvas with a good coat of mod podge.
Step 2. Get your paint and a business card/postcard to “paint” with. This is similar to silkscreening. On one side of the canvas, squirt a line of paint. Using a business card or a postcard, drag the paint across in a thin layer. You can go back over it multiple times, pulling the paint across.
Put a line of paint on the canvas, and use a business card or thin cardboard to drag the paint across.
It will look like this!
Step 3: Let one color dry, then do the same thing with a second color. I put my line of yellow paint where the gray paint ended (instead of on the opposite end of the canvas), and pulled it across in the same direction, so the left side of the canvas would have streaking with white canvas showing through. But do it however you want! Allow to dry.
Step 4: “Stain” the canvas in some areas (no photo). On a paper plate, mix a small amount of dark color paint, I used black, with some mod podge. You are going to make a “stain”. Use at least 4 x’s as much mod podge as dark paint. Using a brush or foam brush, plop some of the “stain” on the canvas and then IMMEDIATELY wipe off/spread off with a paper. You should be smearing it and be able to see through the stain, this is just giving is some added texture, “aging” the look of the piece. Do this anywhere you need some texture. I focused on the edges and the corners. If it dried too fast and isn’t transparent enough, wet the paper towel and try wiping it off – this will take more of the color off but leave just enough.
Step 5: Paint words or images on the canvas (no photo).
Since this was going in our bedroom, and my favorite thing on the entire earth is curling up in bed on Sunday Morning with a book, coffee, a cat and a boyfriend, it was clear I could only write one thing,
“Meet me here on Sunday morning”
I added the rain cloud after seeing very cute cloud-shaped pillows online and since it has been raining every day for a week, it felt right. Not to mention, Sunday mornings are all the better when it’s raining. I’m excited just thinking about it!
AFTER PHOTO/FINISHED PRODUCT:
Sunday morning bedroom art.
All together now…
Perfect for naps, smoochin’ and reading.
SUPPLIES:
… as you can see, if I only bought one small paintbrush, this whole thing would have cost under $10.00!
I’ve always envied fine visual artists, and I’m not claiming to consider myself a painter, but I love that I made this by myself, and when Ryan saw it he said, “It’s so perfect for US.” Best compliment.
Go make something!
Filed under BE CREATIVE, TEACH and LEARN
Emotional Sunday.
I spent the afternoon at a baby shower for the producers (and editors and camera crew and director and assistant) of the show, and my heart was just so full at the thought of these two wonderful people, Matt and Sarah – one of those cool, creative, fun and constantly involved-in-everything-awesome married couples – bringing a baby girl into the world.
(Also producers of the show Lehigh Valley Mirror!)
Now it’s a few hours before the the pilot show airs for the first time, and my stomach has been in knots all day.
I can’t stop thinking about how this happened… how I got here, wherever “here” is anyway. Two and a half years ago, in the darkest time of my life, when I felt I had hurt people too much, done nothing but created a mess that could never be undone, felt like my existence in the world was causing more harm than good, and what was the point…
… something in my guts said, “Jaime. You are going to do something important. Please hang on. You’ll figure it out eventually. You will.”
I still don’t claim to have figured it out. Those closest to me know the amount of time I still spend trying to figure it out (bless their hearts), the worry and anxiety and fear that creeps in while trying to find a purpose and learning and getting better and wanting everything to be good for everybody.
When I think of the people who have helped put this show together, I am beyond humbled. They could spend their time and energy on anything else — countless hours of editing, texts at 1am asking about graphics layouts, the first episode surviving amidst a production computer that totally crashed and died, hauling equipment around, setting up lighting, takes and retakes, finding the right music, money spent on software and groceries, etc…
To you all, thank you for believing in me enough to devote your skills, energy and friendship. Matt and Sarah; and Christian: you are the greatest bunch of people a girl could work with. If a day ever came when money was no object, I would see to it you are taken care of for the rest of your lives. This is just as much your show as it is mine. I love you and “thank you times infinity” is still not enough.
This is only the beginning!
The TV Guide channel. Kind of surreal.
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Last year I went to a discussion panel on creativity at Lehigh University. A student in the audience raised his hand and said, “I want to make movies, but Lehigh doesn’t offer video production, so for now I’m majoring in English and I’ll study film when I get to grad school. What English classes should I take?”
As one person on the panel began to answer him, he was interrupted by another professor who stood up so assured and said (I’m paraphrasing):
“We live in a time when you don’t need permission from anyone.
You don’t need to wait til grad school. If you want to make movies, get a camera – buy one, rent one, borrow one – and make a movie. You’re in school during the week? Do it on weekends. You can’t get it done by yourself? Meet people who share your passion and help each other. You do not need to wait. You don’t need a class. You don’t need four years of school and to graduate: those are excuses.
If my five year old son and his friends can grab our digital camera, turn it to the movie setting, make a video of them playing Cops and Robbers, upload it to Youtube and get a few thousand hits, all in one afternoon, YOU CAN MAKE A MOVIE.
Now go and make one.”
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I do hope you’ll enjoy the first episode of Save the Kales! Surely, there is still a lot to learn and I’m so excited to see how we’ll all learn and get better as time goes on. A lot of work and love went into this project, and seeing it in a tangible form… Wow. Now that I have this out of my system, I’m speechless.
Enjoy!
Filed under BE CREATIVE, Blogs and Websites, Community, EVENT, TV Show, Watch
Well, well, well… I have a couple of dates and showtimes for the first episode of the show!
*The show WILL be online in two weeks
If you have RCN Cable, you can find the first episode of Save the Kales! this upcoming week on RCN Channel 4:
It’s possible it’ll pop up other times, too, but those we know for sure. At some point it’ll go in the On Demand lineup and be available online indefinitely.
I Love Lucy moment at the tofu factory.
In the first episode, we go to a tofu factory, then head back to the kitchen to cook two dishes with this main ingredient: a tofu basil “ricotta” pizza with fresh arugula and lemon, and my Sunday Brunch Tofu Scramble. When it’s time to eat, we’re joined by Johnny Gee of the blog Johnnysized.com as he tells us about his transition to a plant-based diet that has allowed him to lose over 60 POUNDS and he is now OFF ALL MEDICATIONS. Wow!
Meeting on set of Episode 2 with Sarah, one of the producers!
We just finished the cooking segments of Episode Two, and it’s looking great!
Thanks for the support and encouragement, and check out the show when you get a chance!
Last May, I had the joy (and admittedly, the flattery and somewhat shock) of being asked to be the “In the Kitchen With…” feature of Lehigh Valley Style magazine. A bunch of glossy pages of color photos of my food, and an interview and recipes printed. It was humbling, joyful and a lesson in believing that what we do is valuable.
A few months ago, Lisa from LVStyle contacted me to see if I’d be interested (!!! if I’d be interested, ha!) in blogging for the magazine’s new website. HECK YES. I decided to go with a “live local, day in the life, plus a recipe” format for content.
The first one went live yesterday, along with the unveiling of their new website. Go look! There’s also a recipe for a RAW VEGAN PIZZA DIP (a spread, really) but you have to get it on their site for now!
You’ll want this one, it’s delicious and would be GREAT for summery picnics. Or to eat on your sofa watching Mad Men, whichever.
I’ve decided to name the blog “Little Spoon” because 1) it’s about food, 2) it’s sort of a subdivision of STK! and 3) I think that name is freakin’ adorable and I’ve been wanting to use it for something. Hooray!
Thank you Lehigh Valley Style! You are the kindest bunch of souls and it’s a pleasure to know you and work with you! As Lisa said, “I love this partnership!” xoxo!
Filed under ART, Article, Blogs and Websites, Community, Cook, DINNER IMPROV, EAT LOCAL, INSPIRATION, RECIPES, SHOPPING
Woo, what a week! This week I’ll get to see the FULL episode of the show, and it’ll air by the weekend, I do believe! Dates and times to come! We’re also going to be taping some of Episode 2. Man, this is just too much fun.
But let me point you to some things:
The first is a wonderful project that YOU can be a part of: A Cookbook Fundraiser for Bethlehem Food Co-op. The Co-op folks are working on putting together a professional, color-photo cookbook as a fundraiser. They are collecting recipes now! Send one in and get it published! We will even borrow the talents of professional food photographers to make your dish look like a fancy supermodel.
Surely your recipes will be better than the ol' sandwich loaf.
Recipes do not have to be veg*n, but in a fun twist, the cookbook is striving to include adjustments for all recipes with tips on how to make them vegan or vegetarian wherever possible.
You (yup, you, the readers!) have proved time and again that you are creative little geniuses in the kitchen, so don’t be shy – send in your work!
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The second thing I want you to take a few moments and read is this post by Allyson of Manifest Vegan. She posted this a couple weeks ago and I keep returning to it when the mood strikes. It’s inspirational, it’s 100% true, and it’s done in that cheerful oh-so-darling Allyson way.
Excerpt:
…I discovered a really fascinating way of approaching life through the study of Buddhism and Hinduism: simply to live compassionately. I tossed a lot of what I didn’t feel applied to me and kept that one notion. And, it really does go a long way.
That is why I’m vegan. I’m not in it for denser bones, healthier eyes, stronger muscles, or smoother digestion–although these things are very nice perks. I guess you could say I do it for my mental health. I do it because it makes me happy. I do it because I want to be a compassionate person, both to others and to myself. For me, veganism just fits right in with everything so very nicely.
Ten Simple Steps to Happiness by Allyson Kramer of Manifest Vegan
Marcel the Shell: A modern day prophet
Filed under Blogs and Websites, BOOKS, Cook, EAT LOCAL, EVENT, INSPIRATION
It’s past 3:00am and I’m literally so excited I can’t sleep.
My producer/editor, Matt, just sent the in-progress first minute of the first episode of the show…
… And cried. Oh gosh, did I cry. The set is gorgeous, the music is perfect, the graphics are amazing, and I got so emotional I had to call my mother.
Check out THIS POST if you’re not familiar with the new show!
This is happening. And my guts (and I’ve learned to listen to my guts, funny how they know more than my brain sometimes) are stirring and telling me THIS COULD BE SOMETHING BIG SOME DAY.
No matter, it’s easily one of the best and most important projects I’ve ever had the pleasure to be a part of. In a few weeks, the first episode will air on RCN TV in the Lehigh Valley, and on the internet everywhere. Wow!
I’m not allowed to show you the intro to the official first episode, but this commercial has been playing on TV for the past two weeks. I’ve heard notification that local friends have seen it on: Animal Planet, Comedy Central, and other unmemorable stations. I will faint for a moment when I see a commercial on The Food Network.
The people involved in creating and producing this show are working endlessly, day after day, sending me clips or proofs at 1am, “What do you think of the texture? What do you think of this font?”, and I could never ever ever do this show without them. Thank you Matt, Sarah and Christian.
