currently.

Reading: I’m ten chapters into The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman and I’m hooked! Yesterday instead of working out on lunch, I decided to snuggle up on a comfy cushion and read for the hour. It was an easy decision to make because of the gloomy weather. So far its about a lightkeeper who lives on an island, alone with his wife and they just found a baby that washed up to shore… without give much away, I’m predicting that they keep it and later on the story will unfold… and I can’t wait to find out how! This was a spontaneous choice at the library and I’m happy that so far, so good.

Watching: I actually haven’t watched anything online via Hulu or Netflix in over two weeks that’s how busy I’ve been.

Loving: my Flower Scout CSA! The bouquet above is the one that I picked up last night from Colie and I chose this particular one because of the pale ranunculus; the color is so delicate. The lilacs smell ah-mazing and I love the mixture of textures. I’m also loving “Step” by Vampire Weekend, and can’t wait to hear the entire album; the beau bought it today. Hello new dance party music.

Wondering: has Jessica Garrity ever been confronted by the drunk in a wheelchair at a stop light? I would pay to see that reaction/response. WWJGD?

Looking forward to: the Corporate Challenge tonight! This is the biggest race that I participate in each year and the only reason why I put up with all those people (like 10,ooo people) is because it’s a little work tradition that I’ve got going on with a co-worker. We don’t aim to PR, we just like to get out there to run 3.5 miles with our community. This will be my first race since the Boston Marathon and I can’t wait to feel the energy of the crowd. Can’t slow this gal down.

Thinking about: the new work I’ll be starting next week. Tomorrow is my last shift at the frozen yogurt shop so that I’d have more time to commit to… drum roll please… Troy Cloth and Paper! This is hopefully going to be what the beau and his business partner need to propel them forward and free up some of their time from work that I’d be so much more efficient doing. This is officially phase one of bringing me on full-time, slowly but surely.

Eating: This is horrible but I haven’t had any of my veggies from last week’s share… we’ve been eating out almost every meal. Yes, I did have two salads this week and yes, I did eat all of the apples but I did also have a lot of cookie butter and brown rice noodles. Which leads into the next topic…

Planning: a cooking spree this weekend! Those portabella mushrooms are screaming my name, as is a soup, cold farro salad and possibly a cold lentil salad. The Placid Baker recently had a cold lentil salad that was sweet with cranberries, red onions and parsley- so good that I’m going to try and recreate it. With all this eating out, I’m craving a simple home cooked meal. All of my meals have been healthy choices  except for the french fries at 1am- yes, those aren’t healthy but necessary with a crazy schedule sometimes.

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to the crack and back.

How’s that for a catchy title, eh?

Monday was spent in the Catskills hiking with Paula, to celebrate her birthday, and boys and girls did we get lucky with the weather! It was the most perfect Spring day, filled with warm sunshine and blue skies- I swear I must of been a plant in a past life because I still feel like a little photosynthesis happens each sunny day. It gives me the pep in my step that I sometimes need when the mountains get tough. Real tough.

Back to the hike… we were first thinking about doing the Slide, Cornell and Witenberg loop however, our minds were made up that that wasn’t happening when we saw we’d be walking the last 2+ miles uphill on a road. No fun and nothing exciting. So then we decided that we’d hike in to each mountain, then simply turn around. Hiking three mountains but claiming five peaks (with the out and back). Off we went.

We took the Curtis-Omsbee Monument path to Slide Mountain because Paula had read that there were better views despite the slightly longer trail- totally worth it! The trees were just beginning to bud and in sections we could see for miles. The trail was easy on the body (not a lot of rocks) and we both enjoyed all of the sprouting flowers along the way. Before we knew it, we were at the peak! It looked like there had once been a fire tower up there with the giant concrete block we passed.

We barely took a break and headed over to Cornell Mountain… and that’s when Slide Mountain got serious. There were numerous sections that we had to climb down that made us pause and think, “okay, how am I going to do this?” Being someone who is afraid of heights, I was shaking like a leaf on the two wooden ladders and on this rock shown, I had to take a couple of breathers to prevent myself from breaking down into tears. Gotta do one thing a day that scares you, right?

Before we knew it, we were heading back upwards to Cornell, and pushed through to find two gentlemen enjoying the peak with their toes in the sun, trail mix and a cigar. The one older guy seemed super in shape and experienced, but I guess 35 years of hiking will do that to ya! It made me think, I want to be 60 and bragging about seeing the country on foot over the past 35 years! After a few minutes of catching up, we left them to enjoy and moved forward. I was full of energy thanks to a PB&J earlier on the trail but it didn’t prepare me for what we then stumbled upon: Cornell’s Crack.

No joke, a twenty foot crack in some pretty huge rocks, with no foot or hand holds to scramble down using. I’m not a rock climber nor do I want to become one. This crack scared the crap out of me. We both thought outloud that yes, we could hurl ourselves down and continue forward, but could we make it back up? No effing way!

After assessing a second option (but way more dangerous) and actually sitting down to see if we could do this, we both decided it wasn’t going to happen. That day at least. Yes we could have hurled ourselves over and done the loop, but mentally, it wasn’t in the books. Once I prepare myself for a specific trip, I tend to stick to it; that’s just the planner in me. So, back we went.

Not going to lie, heading back up Slide Mountain got brutal. By this hour, the sun was high, I was a little warm and tired, and now I had to climb up the steepest section of the day. I actually enjoyed the section that made up scramble, it not only challenged me mentally, but slowed our pace. We were greeted by a gentleman at the peak who snapped our photograph and onward we went. We took the shorter trail back and I must say, I didn’t prefer it. The trail was a little steeper than the one we took out and was very rocky- which makes your body ache a little more after a full day of hiking. It was a short trail however and before I knew it, we were back to the car.

Paula took me through Woodstock on the way home and I can’t wait to go back- it looks like a great little town. It was another successful day in the peaks to say the least! The two of us have much to look forward to:

• we are returning to the ADKs on the 20th to possibly hike Rocky Ridge
• we are hiking Memorial Weekend with a meet-up group to knock-out Gray, Skylight and Marcy!
• the first weekend in June we are volunteering to clean/maintain the trails in the ADKs- we have yet to plan what we’ll be hiking the following day
• and we have our first overnight trip planned during the July fourth holiday in New Hampshire: the 50 mile Sunapee Greenway trail!

…with of course the occasional “mountain Monday” thrown in. The high the mountains give me push me along through the week; and it only gets stronger the more I see and experience. Gosh, I’m in love with Mother Nature.

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{field goods}

In this week’s bag:

• portobello mushrooms! 
• dirty parsnips
• dirty carrots
• golden delicious apples
• hydroponic lettuce
• fresh spinach fettuccine*

*Unfortunately this pasta is not vegan and I’m going to pass it along to someone who is non-vegan… my mom!

To say that I have been busy this past week would be an understatement; I’ve been swamped. Between work, my second job, personal issues with a previous landlord, a barfing cat and dirty dishes- I feel like I’ve done nothing but run in circles. And because of this, we’ve both been absent in the kitchen. My body is craving a good, home-cooked, green meal to perk up my spirits and these mushrooms are calling my name! I’ll most likely brush on a little coconut oil, grill ‘em up on the George Foreman, and enjoy over a salad.

Speaking of salad, our greens are big enough to eat! I harvested enough yesterday for lunch- fresh is always the best! Both the kale and broccoli are growing in size, and the nastoriums have sprouted and are about two inches tall. I can’t wait to add those to summer salads and baked goods.

The carrots will be cooked as my all time favorite carrot soup topped of course with a tahini sauce and crunchy chickpeas. The best thing about these dirty carrots? They last a long time in the fridge, meaning I can wait until things calm down before having to worry about using them up.

As things calm down I’ll also have more time to spend on here, sharing some stories and life happenings. I realize all I talk about these days is regarding food and hiking, but I can’t help it; they are the two things that keep me sane. Heres to happy weekend spent with our moms and mom-like people in our lives; be sure to give plenty kisses all around!

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flower scout CSA.

Last night the beau and I picked up our first Flower Scout CSA delivery- I was beyond thrilled! I peeked online and saw the deliveries from the previous day and I must say, I shouldn’t have! The day dragged on because I was anticipating my goods!

The bouquet was cute and lovely with a tulip, lily of the valley, and lilacs- my favorite. The smell brings me back to when I was a kid; my mom, sister and I would go and pick huge bouquets of lilacs to fill the house with. With the windows open and freshly washed sheets, there was seriously nothing better than that.

We also received a mini terrarium, a hand-written newsletter and a couple of Flower Scout buttons! You better believe that I’ll be sporting them everyday. That glass container is so special; I’m going to work hard not to kill that fern.

If you’re interested in joining this CSA, take a look around the Flower Scout site to get contact and pricing information. Colie offers two days of pick-ups, one in Albany and the other in Troy. Her living space is filled with seedlings- maybe next week she’ll let me get a few photographs to give you a look into the CSA process.

Be prepared for future flower posts and don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’m pretty happy with this local service.

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field greens and a trip to the farm.

In this week’s bag:

• arugula
• chives
• crimini mushrooms
• gourmet mix baby lettuce
• red, white and blue potatoes
• shallot
• golden delicious apples

Even though the chives don’t have roots attached, I’m going to still try growing some by using this method. It would be wonderful to be able to plant them on our porch if they do grow; if not, hopefully they’ll stay fresh longer.

The beau was pretty happy to see the heaping bag of arugula- that’s his favorite salad green! He said that it’s pretty good in pasta as well, so I’ll have to pick up a box this weekend. Nothing better than a simple bowl of pasta with greens, good olive oil, fresh black pepper and basil. And speaking of basil, I’ve moved the plant out on that back porch aka our little garden. Along with the salad greens and violas, I’ve planted broccoli and kale seedlings that seem to be doing well. The cat grass is taller than ever for kitty and may need a little trimming. The bird feeder is hung and the bumble bees are buzzing around our new hanging plants. I was only planning on buying one but the Sunny Susy just looked so darling with it’s orange climbing flowers, I couldn’t resist and can’t wait to see in what direction it grows.

I got the beautiful hanging baskets from Engelke Farm. If you remember, this is also the same farm where we picked out our pumpkins. Well, the greenhouses are filled with life and smell of Spring. Amanda and her brother were a big help helping me choose the right basket that would grow in the shade. It was an added bonus that the flowers were blue, pink and golden in color- did you know that honeybees recognize yellow and blue hues? They do and within five minutes, bumbles had found the new flowers. I like doing what I can for the bees. Back to the farm- I got a special tour of the pig pen and saw Rosanne again (the pig), along with the baby goats. Abby Cadabby was born last week! (I didn’t get a photograph of this little white goat- she was far too quick!) I loved watching them get a JOLT of energy, hop in the air, and peel out across the yard. Baby animals are the best ever.

Strawberries will be the first crop to be ready this season, most likely the first week of June. It was odd to see the farm “empty;” I’m use to seeing it all green and plentiful with food. I’ll be happy to return in June with my glass berry baskets to load up, snack on, and freeze them for the upcoming winter. I love fresh, local strawberries, but I think I like picking them better. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again I know, but I love spending time in the fields picking my produce. That small act reassures my conscious that I am eating the healthiest foods that are available to me. From farm to plate. If you get a chance this season, stop by and say hello to my farming friends. The baskets are a wonderful gift for all the mothers out there, or the back porches and window boxes in your lives/homes.

The Troy Farmer’s Market will be outside tomorrow on River Street- I LOVE when it’s on the street. Stop in and see me, I’ll be at the store organizing cards, folding tees and socializing with my community. Happy sunny weather my friends!

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our weekend.

The past three days have been beyond crazy busy. Friday night was TNO and after my double and the beau’s print party, we were up into the wee hours printing to prepare us for Saturday, because…

We were venders at the MOVE festival in downtown Albany Saturday. After hours of sitting in the freezing cold and explaining our services, we decided to grab some food (aka the most delicious cajun french fries at Bombers) and take a stroll. I rarely buy flowers anymore from storefronts but something inside of me told me to walk in… and when I did, there stood a great childhood friend of mine of whom I haven’t seen in a long time. We caught up, I got some beautiful ruby ranunculus and exchanged numbers. I was so happy the whole way home that I listened to my intuition.

Sunday we finally got the opportunity to sleep, read our books and went for a run on the bike path before brunch. Can I just say that it was absolutely gorgeous out? Because it was! And can I also boast that the beau ran a mile pain free? Because he did! I set out for three and felt great to see the negative splits; this whole exercise thing is finally starting to become habit once again.

Our walk to brunch was warm and longer than usual because I stopped frequently to admire all of the blooms downtown. The tree above reminds me of cotton candy and I could sit underneath it all day. But I couldn’t, I had errands to run. Kitty cat is restocked with food and litter, the store will soon have new prints hung on the brightly colored walls, a mini grill was purchased for the porch along with a bird feeder and a second planter for our broccoli and kale seedlings. A birthday dinner to top off the night and the beau is now already passed out in bed; resting up for his trip into the city tomorrow.

Although it was a packed weekend and very little was actually accomplished around the apartment (laundry, cooking, planting), I’m pretty appreciative of the time spent together. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend outside or at least with the one(s) you love. Stay happy my friends.

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{field goods}

In this week’s bag:

• broccoli rabe
• spinach
• mixed salad greens
• sweet potatoes
• onions
• mixed shoots (sunflower, buckwheat and radish)
• golden delicious apples

No definite plans for the veggies this week, however, I do have a meal pictured in my mind that sounds wonderful: baked polenta with roasted sweet potato disks topped with a saute of onion, mushrooms and spinach with a balsamic glaze. Can you see it? A vegan tower of power!

I’ve got a busy weekend planned and am once again thankful for all these veggies, more specifically the spring mix and shoots. It takes just a few moments to throw together a tasty salad that will not only satisfy my hunger, but pack in the nutrients.

When recently talking to my mom and co-workers about the idea of going vegetarian, I think the biggest misconception is that I eat tofu (or some fake meat product) at every meal- I don’t. I actually eat tofu only once or maybe twice a week. I eat tempeh only once or maybe twice a month. The majority of my protein comes from vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and legumes. Here are my favorite sources of protein:

• Those sprouts I grow in our kitchen = packed with protein! Thrown in a salad or on a sandwich with hummus or avocado, bam! instant source of yummy protein
• Those big green salads that I love for lunch with baby kale, spinach and chard = dark leafy greens = the best food you could consume!
• I snack on a handful of almonds or cashews each morning with a green tea and piece of fruit
• Ezekiel bread is sprouted and contains 4 grams in one slice! Topped with a nut butter or hummus as mentioned above with the sprouts, you are all set for the day

I should eat more quinoa and will work on incorporating that staple as more spring veggies become available. I try and make it a challenge to eat as close to the source or clean (and unprocessed) as possible. Other sources of protein that I eat rarely throughout the month: pasta, bagels and tortillas. Keep a food journal online that tracks your nutrients and you’d be surprised with how much protein each fruit or veggie contains.

And now that I’ve gotten into a rant about protein, I should state that I am not a professional. One should consult a doctor or more specifically a licensed nutritionist that can help you set nutritional standards. These foods listed above are foods that work for me- I feel healthy, my skin is glowing, my energy levels are high and my conscious feels good.  Stay happy and healthy and active, my friends!

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happy earth day!

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Today to celebrate, Paula and I hiked in the Catskill Mountains. This was my first time visiting and we managed to hike 3 of the 35 highest peaks in that area: Black Dome, Thomas Cole and Blackhead. We attempted to complete a giant loop and tackle a smaller peak on the way back to the car, but we ran into some unexpected and steep sections of ice. Instead of risking it, we turned around but still managed to travel over seven miles. The weather was perfect: warm enough to wear just a t-shirt in some sections and not a cloud in the sky. The birds were singing and the moss and ferns were green.

When I got home, the sun was still warm and I had some time to garden before the beau came home to cook dinner. I decided to plant some seedlings in our new iron basket. We have to pick up another to fit our remaining kale and broccoli- and also get started with herbs. The basil in the kitchen is huge and I can’t wait to get it off of the freezer, where I sometimes neglect it. This basket contains a salad blend, some violas and nasturtiums- all edible to brighten up any spring and summer salad. Of course, kitty was underfoot.

I hope you got to go outside to enjoy the fresh air, got dirt under your fingernails, picked up trash, carpooled, took a shorter shower and ate a vegan meal; as we should all try to do each and every day. Have a great week, homies!

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{field goods}

In this week’s bag:

• frozen cauliflower
• frozen haricot vert
• adirondack blue potatoes
• red skin potatoes
• pea greens
• salad mix!
• empire apples

Well, it’s official. The beau and I have successfully made it through our first twenty-four hour bug. Technically I was the only sick one, but he put up with the well, you know. And now that it has passed, I have my appetite back!

Tonight I’m going to make a classic “breakfy for dinner” meal, scrambled tofu with homefries! We’ve mastered the tofu seasonings (curry, mustard, garlic and onion powder, fresh black pepper) and with blue potatoes on hand, I can not resist the comfort of Sunday morning on a windy Thursday evening. You better believe those pea greens and salad mix are going to make it into our daily big green salads, and the cauliflower, well, that’s going to become buffalo heaven. I don’t think I’ve ever had frozen cauliflower so I’m curious to see how crispy this batch will come out. As for the haricot vert, I’m still searching for the perfect recipe and they will (for now) be tossed into the freezer.

The small bouquet came from Flower Scout, who by the way, is officially starting her CSA in May! So, if you live in the Troy area or pass by here from work, you should definitely check out her work/site and sign up. It sounds like you can do it on a monthly basis, and she does deliver locally if you can’t make it (for an additional fee); she came to our new apartment to deliver the second day we were here and stopped by the beau’s store yesterday for an exchange of goods. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, she is not only doing what seems to be something she thoroughly enjoys, but is making this city a more beautiful place to live with her growing lots. I’ll support her as much as I can each month. Gotta invest in your home/community, right?

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends! Stay happy, active and healthy!

And for those of you wondering, I beat that bug with plenty of sleep, a loooong bubble bath, fresh cherry juice and peppermint oil in my water to naturally settle the stomach. Oh, and a walk before bed to get some fresh air and stretch my achy muscles. I try to avoid medications and tend to allow the body to fight it’s fight. Do what’s best for you and listen to your body- it knows how to heal itself from the inside out.

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{field goods}

In this week’s bag:

• microgreens
• shiitake mushrooms
• frozen flat green beans
• frozen corn
• kohlrabi
• fuji apples

I am so thankful that this subscription started back up this week- the beau and I have been so busy (per usual these days) and not having to think about shopping for veggies is always a blessing. I’ve realized through the move that we have a ton of frozen veggies stocked up in the freezer that we could use more of throughout the week. In the back of my head I’m use to saving good frozen veggies from a local farm for the winter months but with this subscription, we get good veggies all year round now. I of course may freeze my favorites this summer but in the mean time, I need to eat my frozen corn and stop hoarding it because before I know it, the cobs will be fresh again!

Tonight the beau is planning on making a quick mushroom and tofu scramble stir-fry with a tamari and sriracha sauce for dinner. I’m working a double and this will be just what I need to keep me going up past midnight. As for the other items: the apples are so juicy (I had one this morning for breakfast) and the kohlrabi will be sliced into matchsticks and possibly baked into crispy treats. The microgreens will be added to my daily big green salad and lastly, the beans will most likely be heated and served as a side. I’m not the biggest green bean fan (I refused to eat them as a kid unless they were loaded with red sauce and cheese) and prefer them fresh from the garden. But, they won’t be wasted.

Do you have a favorite recipe for green beans other than a stir-fry? Is it vegan? Willing to share? I’m always up for suggestions!

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