Heirloom Tomatoes. The good, the bad and the ugly. ALL delicious.

One of the most wonderful parts of the summer is the produce. Especially summer tomatoes. This time of year makes those beautiful red, (and if you're lucky enough to get heirloom tomatoes....green, yellow, mottled brownish purple....) globes burst with flavor.

Yeah, I'm a bit nuts about it- But who could blame me? You can't get REAL tomatoes after September as far as I'm concerned.

Here are pictures of some delicious heirloom tomatoes I ate tonight!

Delicious!

So what is an Heirloom tomato some of you may ask? Click HERE to learn more.

For a quick answer to that question, they are varieties of tomatoes that are not common (i.e. your average red, often boring- tomato). Often they vary in size, texture, color, and flavor. One of my favorites is the Zebra (first picture). They're great for pickling (which I WILL be doing this weekend... Pictures to be included in that follow up post). There are so few ways to make the delicious summer veggies last all year long.

This week will be the week where all I eat is tomatoes. Thats not bad right? Maybe some kale or spinach with olive oil and a smile. That could work.


Oh, and the best part about these tomatoes? LOCAL, AND ORGANIC. It's like a belated birthday gift.

Miscellaneous Photos and end-of-March-Magnificence (and a cat)

 

 

 

 

I will write something worthwhile tomorrow...

...Origins of Sara-Wildflower....

So my non-blog-name is Sara.

When I was a little girl (and now...) I LOVED flowers. While they're referred to as weeds, dandelions, clover, "purples", and goldenrod were daily props when I played out-doors in Ohio. My huge backyard served as host to them, as well as some idle heather flowers and buttercups. My favorite flowers would adorn my head in a wreathy crown, and others would make their way into a stew brewed up by myself and and friends when we were playing "cooking show".

Once while driving with my grandparents, I had grown tired of playing with my car toys (pocket connect four with my then 3 year old brother wasn't working- he kept winning!), and I noticed that there was a GREAT abundance of flowers on the side of the road. Bright amethyst purples! Golden yellows! Screaming pinks!! I was in heaven...Now this all goes back to a few things about me: I was a total spoiled princess when I was a kid. Not like "here's a pony 'Precious, go have fun"...but if I wanted something reasonable- I got it. Just because I knew how to ask, and was coincedentally charming as a fox! Also as a person who was born an artist- color does something to me- as a child there was no way for me to communicate it- but I NEEDED color. Often I'd use grass and dandilions to stain my keds white shoes in different patterns...Back to the car.

So these great big fiels on the side of the road had me so excited! I couldn't take it any longer and asked my grandpa to pull over so I could pick flowers. First he laughed- and said we were almost to our destination. Then my grandma made a joke about bugs being all over them and that I didn't 'need' those flowers and kept knitting. And I asked again- nicely. Also adding that my mom lets me pick flowers all the time. And yet again my request was met with a no, and a kind joke. So, the fact that I was very wound up about these flowers, and a bit of a brat who just got told no-TWICE; I sort of freaked out. When the story is retold I said a few different things but I remember saying something to the effect of : "IF YOU DON'T LET ME OUT SO I CAN GET FLOWERS I WILL THROW MYSELF OUT THE WINDOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" At a freakishly high decible and legs flailing. FULL OUT TANTRUM. Yeah, that was me. Charming as ever...
My poor grandparents  didn't know what to do, so they caved (mind you at this point my brother who was sleeping woke up asked if we were on the side of the road b/c I had to pee...). I literally picked ONE golden rod, ONE daisy , and ONE queen annes lace. Later that evening when telling my mom about the days events (while I slept  happily with the wilted bouquet in a plastic hotel cup of water next to me)- my mom filled them in on a little secret- She called me (and still does- much to my liking actually) Sara Wildflower and let me run through fields to pick flowers. Yes...I was a hippie even as a kid. And in Ohio it wasn't hard to find fields that had tons of flowers.So she'd stop on the side of the road for me.

So flash forward about 21 years. You'll notice that the majority of my photos are of flowers. This is because something inside of me NEEDS them. And I can't very well (as a sane, rational adult) take them all with me. I can't always pull over to pick goldenrods (though I did once, and there was an enormous weird bug on it that I didn't notice until it was flying around my car...lesson learned. I'm not going to do that anymore). So the second best way (actually the first best way since I don't have to kill them to keep them) for me to feed my drive for flora is to take their picture. So you get to know a little bit about one of the few nicknames my mom has for me, as well as why 97% of the pictures I post are of flowers.

                                                       Me, posing with my loves...

Flowers are amazing and whenever people ask me to choose my favorite I am just comepletey unable to even pick one. Orchids are so exotic and luscious...their scent is positively delicious. Yet at the same time a simple daisy can make me smile and make a day better in an instant.

Oh where is my time? (picture heavy)

I wanted to share some pictures that make me happy, since I can't sit down to really write much this morning.

Spring is almost here and I am so ready for it! That smell of freshness, and sense that everything is about to pop.

Also, if you aren't already reading her blog, check it out! whosthatgamine.blogspot.com. She's a ray of sunshine so it's a nice compliment to our beautiful day in NY.

 

 

Enjoy your day.... I'm off to make the most of mine! :)

My friends change the world

If somebody was to ask you what your most prized posession was, what would your answer be? A family heirloom? Photos from the past? An award of some sort?

Well, if you ask me what my most prized posession was, I'd have to say that I have many (and wont' choose just one becauseyoucantmakemenononono!)....and aside from my most absolutely final 100% first answer being my soul (as it's the only thing you can really possess) I have to say my many dear excellent friends. Old ones, new ones. It's amazing how blessed I am to know the stellar human beings that I do. Kind, generous, beautiful, wild, creative, amazing people who are accompanying me in my life.

One in particular needs to be called out. Jessica R. Now we've known each other...almost 5 years. Maybe a little more or less- I don't know the exact awesome date that we met- but it was an awesome day. And like all friends we've had disagreements, and don't always share the exact point of view; luckily though we usually do and completely agree that the world needs a REVOLUTION, and it'll most likely be though food. She's a [LEVEL 9] vegan and has basically committed her life to making it better. For 9-5 she's a social worker and all the time she's an artist.Now this awesome girl Jessica- She is really changing the world. She's my most favorite vegan (even more so than Alecia Silverstone), and a sick writer. Not ill/sick feeling bad- but SICK like her words are like precious jewels strung together to create an abundance of treasure that is her knowledge, compassion and ability to make anyone feel empowered.  She has a blog (posted on the bottom of my blog, Mother Earth R.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.S.), and is a writer for Change.org (here is a link to her most recent contribution).
I am so proud of her, and honored to call her my dear friend.

Of course there are SO many of my friends whom I could blather on about who are also incredibly talented, kind, and do amazing things for the world- but is it selfish if I say that my friends(each and every single one) is special to me because of how happy they make me, and how much they make me smile and laugh?



In other news I am happily gluten free right now. Here is a link on why gluten is not so great to eat...
While I am not a Celiac, gluten, is like glue....who wants that in their body? I just feel better. I mean, yeah bread is great but not better than how I feel.
But of course I know that while I have made this change, there are plenty of others that can be made as well. In the past few days I've been feeling overwhelmed- I'm less lazy so more things are getting done but I really need some time to create and work on some projects that have been on the back burner. One of them is a collection of paintings using mixed media as a critique on the world around me....as well as seeing if my town is able to start a composting project with schools. I hope it's feasible b/c there are so many great things that can trickle down from there. All in due time I suppose.

TO conclude I have started my 2 week crash training for a 5 mile race. It's my first one and I'm scared actually. But it's cool. Things that are scary are often scary because they force you to grow and challenge you to rise out of your current state. So I'm excited too.

 

  

I'd like to post this link to Jessica's most recent blog. She's a mind blowing talented writer who expresses her thoughts brilliantly. Please read, and subscribe. I adore her. What she's talking about was what I initially started my blog to do. I wanted to share ideas in a similar vein- somehow I got sidetracked. 

My point- this is it:  http://saynotobarbie.wordpress.com/

  

These are a few of my favorite things: BROOKLYN

I've been away from blogging for a while, and really missed it. Not that I havent' been busy with all sorts of fun randomness.

Some of my time spent while being busy with work is also a whole lot of awesome. For example, I get to go to one of my favorite boroughs: BROOKLYN!

Brooklyn- a.k.a. Kings, is part of the island that is considered Long Island, as is it's neighboring (and where I hail from) borough of Queens. However, both Brooklyn and Queens are most definitely NOT part of Long Island proper (where I currently, but not permanently, live).

So between my appointments for work I get a chance to take advantage of the restaurants, coffee/tea/thrift shops, and boutiques in the area.

Gorilla Coffee: They are simple and delicious. They are an independently owned and operated entity. No corporate nastiness there. Also, they roast all their beans on sight. I've since stopped drinking coffee regularly, but when I am in the area you best believe that I'll be treating myself to some top notch, non-corporate coffee.

 

Then there is my most FAVORITE thrift shop ever! Beacons Closet .

There are multiple locations (one of which is across from the Brooklyn Brewery, stop by, it's a fun little tour!), and always ALWAYS a treasure buried amongst the forever 21, and urban outfitters castaways. They buy used clothing as well- So for example- Lets say that you bought (and over paid for!) a beautiful coat two years ago. It was trendy, and over priced and now you gained/lost a few lbs- and no matter what you try or do, the love is gone. Well, don't fret!You can march down to Beacons Closet and sell it for a decent price AND do some great shopping as well. I myself found an awesome 80's red striped Lacoste polo. For what? Not $75/55 dollars (ABOUT what they're sold for at Nordstrom right?). Yeah, I bought it for 10 dollars. AND the alligator patch is still in tact. LOVE IT!!! If you're ever in Brooklyn, check it out. It's worth the time it takes to weed through the weird and wily items to find your prize. Another reason to love them is because they do donate some of their profits to local causes. I love them. 

Another quaint spot that I adore, and don't have pictures of is The Clay Pot. I've gotten many gifts for people here, and have an extensive wish list of things that I hope to be given one day as well. Whats great is that these items are hand crafted by some of the countries best jewelry artisans who have names, and faces- Not soulless baubles on an assembly line, but in a real studio. They're beautiful pieces and I can't wait to go back!

http://www.clay-pot.com

A few other places that I  must make mention of are:
 For CHOCOLATE-GOODNESS

http://www.cocoabarnyc.com/

http://www.thechocolateroombrooklyn.com/

For VEGANY/VEGETARIAN goodness:

http://www.spreadvegan.com/

http://www.redbamboobrooklyn.com/
For French Bistro-y goodness: *AMAZING Brunch. SO good*

http://www.bartabacny.com/index.html

And TEA and coziness galore:

Tea Lounge



And some newer things that I'd like to add to my list of favorites (and they don't specifically fit in with the theme of BROOKLYN, but I wanted to add them anyway...)

*Impromptu snow days*

*Toasted Nori*

 

  

SO TASTY DELICIOUS!! You can get it at Hmart .

My affinity to shop isn't always in line with my desire to make the world a better place- so as often as I can, I'll show thrift stores and consignment shops. You'll get great deals, on great clothes- AND you won't be contributing to slave labor, outsourced job etc.

And all of that leads me to a point that I'd like to make. I started this blog for a certain purpose and I find that it's seemingly gotten lost. Not entirely, but I need to make something clear-You see, from my point of view and as I have already mentioned, you vote with your dollar.  And when I spend my votes/dollars at local, small, privately owned businesses I tell the global economy that is what I want. MORE small, local, privately owned businesses. Now I am far from perfect because Hmart is primarily products that are NOT local/small- HOWEVER the majority of my votes/dollars are aimed to say that. I wanted to acknowledge that some of my posts will be politically themed, some will be fluff, and some will be a mixture.



So one way to make a statement is to focus on locally grown, sustainably sourced, products. Of course there isn't always time or an opportunity to do that- but just being conscientious and making an effort will get us closer to peaceful revolution.