Miss Marie's Page

The other day I spent a few hours browsing the blogs of writer/baker's participating in the VegMoFo. I found so many amazing food blogs, vegan blogs, and cupcake blogs and was literally drooling at my laptop over some of the recipes. (Snickerdoodle cupcakes? Hell yes!) I picked a few favorites that I wanted to try (listed now in the sidebar) and when Mr. Beagle wanted to pick up some beverages from the grocery store, I thought I'd try out the Olive Dip I had seen. Unfortunately, I didn't have the recipe with me so I made mine a little different but it still turned out really tasty. It has a slightly mediterranean zing but is still very cool and creamy. Perfect to use instead of mayo on sandwiches, or stuffed in cherry tomatoes for an appetizer. It's also really good as a dip with nachos. :)

Creamy Cool Olive Dip

Ingredients:

I 12.3 oz. package of organic firm silken tofu
1 large clove of garlic (of course I added more ;) )
1 tsp Kosher salt
1/3 c. black olives, pitted and halved
1/2 tsp black pepper
a few sprigs of fresh parsley leaves
Pinch of fresh dill

Combine all ingredients in food processor and pulse until combined.
Chill and serve as a sandwich spread or dip

* I think this dip would probably be better with the kalamata olives from the original recipe. Also, if you are not vegan I think that feta cheese would be a really tasty addition to the dip (sadly I didn't have any on hand). But, as it is, it is a very cool and creamy dip for veggies, nachos, an appetizer, or sandwich spread that is high in protein and much better for you than mayo or sour cream. Enjoy!

That's me. I like puppies and taking long walks on railroad tracks while glance sexily over my shoulder...

I got this MEME soooo long ago (the auto save function of blogger dates it back in March) so I figured it's time to finally pass it on. Enjoy a self-obsessed number of questions answered by yours truly.

10 WHAT'S:

1 What was the first thing you thought about when you woke up?
Actual progression of thought this morning:
"...Where is he? Oh yeah, he left early today. Why is the door closed? Ugh, my phone is ringing. I wonder what I weigh, I really want ice cream..."

2 What did you do last night?
Ate butternut squash soup (Hello!? So delicious!) and watched It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia with Mr. Beagle and Krysten. If you are not watching that show you are sadly missing out on some of the funniest one-liners you'll ever find.

3 What is the most important part of your life?
Right now, it's my business. I'm working on a BRAND NEW website that will show off our newest work (that no one has seen yet, I love surprises!) and give our clients so many more things to look at, videos to watch, and more. I could go on for hours but my friends tell me it's annoying.

4 What would you rather be doing right now?
Right now I'd like to already be at yoga, instead of killing time waiting for 12:15 to get here

5 What did you last cry over?
I don't remember. That's gotta be a good sign right?

6 What always makes you feel better when you're upset?
Suprise adventures or presents or ice cream, or presents given to me at the start of surprise adventures that end up at ice cream shops. Perfection!

7 What's the most important thing you look for in a significant other?
If he ever went on the show "Moment of Truth", I wouldn't want to be surprised by anything.

8 What are you worried about?
Right now, nothing. But generally in life, a lot of stuff. But I'm working on not worrying. I will be more proactive. I will be more proactive. Say it with me...

9 What are you looking forward to most in this week?
A trash the dress session this weekend! It's going to be hot. Oh wait, I forgot, no business talk. *sorry*

10 What are you thinking about right now?
"My back hurts, maybe I'll stretch on the floor, I really need to vacuum..."

NINE HAVE YOU’S:

1 Have you ever won anything?
I won tickets to see Britney Spears once, and I won a backstage pass to meet Mute Math on my last birthday.

2 Have you ever had a broken heart?
Into a millions pieces. (Boy, that was melodramatic wasn't it?)

3 Have you ever been out of the country?
I have been to Europe a few times.

4 Have you ever done something outrageously dumb?
Oh yes, very stupid. But I'll spare you details. It's not a good story.

5 Have you ever been back stabbed by a friend?
Yes. Violence is never a good thing.

6 Have you ever had the cops called on you?
Nope, although I wish I had a good story for you all here.

7 Have you ever dated someone younger than you?
I dated a boy in 9th grade that was about 6 months younger than me.

8 Have you ever read an entire book in one day?
Soooo many. When I do read, I read ferociously.

9 Have you ever sang to someone personally?
Yes. I surprised my ex husband with "our song" re-recorded by me and my old band for our first dance. I hope he liked it.

SEVEN WHEN’S:

1 When was your last shower?
Yesterday afternoon.

2 When did you last see your mom?
About a month ago. Maybe two?

3 When was your last time you saw your dad?
Same time.

4 When did you last dress up?
Not in a while. That is a sad, sad thing.

5 When was the last time you cried?
I don't know.

6 When did you last go to the movies and with who?
Oh gosh, I don't even remember. I miss movies. Someone take me to a movie. (Yes I'm talking to you Mr. Beagle!)

7 When did you last listen to music?
Last night I re-watched a DVD of Mute Math performing. I love that band. And that drummer. (HOT!)

SIX WHERE’S:

1 Where does your best friend live?
One in North Carolina, and the other here in Orlando

2 Where did you last go?
To get tofu and olives from the grocery store last night. (Can you guess what I made???)

3 Where did you last hang out?
Here. Yeah, I've been busy.

4 Where do you go to school?
I went to UCF. Central Florida. We have a crappy football team. Thought I'd clarify.

5 Where is your favorite place to be?
Traveling in Europe

6 Where did you sleep last night?
In my bedroom. What did you expect me to say? In my car?


FIVE DO'S/DOES:


1 Do you like someone right now?
Yes

2 Do they like you too?
Yes

3 Do you ever wish you were someone else?
Sometimes

4 Do you know the muffin man?
He lives on Drury Lane. But forget him. I'm the muffin queen! And cupcakes. But cupcakes are pretty much muffins with icing.

5 Does the future scare you?
It excites me. I wish I was 5 years from now, right now! Now, where did I put that time travel machine?...


**FOUR WHY’S:


1 Why are you best friends with your best friends?
They have stuck with me and know me the best.

2 Why did you start your blog?
As an outlet. We all need our outlets.

3 Why did your parents give you the name you have?
My grandpa suggested it and they all liked it. Although my mom originally wanted to name me "Ariel" which I like a lot.

4 Why are you doing this survey?
I'm waiting for YOGA

**THREE IF’S:


1 If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I'd want to be able to read people's minds. Oh, could you imagine?!?!

2 If you could go back in time and change one thing, would you?
Yes

3 If you were stranded on a deserted island and could bring one thing what would it be?
A boy

**TWO WOULD-YOU-EVER’S:


1 Would you ever get back together with any of your ex’s if they asked you?
They would never ask me.


2 Would you ever shave your head to save someone you love?
Sure, I have always wanted to try out a wig.


**ONE WISH:


1 What would it be?
To be in Salerno, right now!





I don't remember who tagged me for this but I'm going to tag:
1. Megan (A Wanderer's Heart)
2. DMB does not stand for Dave Matthew's Band
3. Katelin (Gorgeous Footprints in the Sand)


*12:20 pm update: The car won't start. UGH! I want a new car! No yoga for me :( Who knows how to make a car start when it won't?

I am not a morning person. Many friendships have been ruined by goodhearted friends who have tried to wake me prematurely. Sometimes I feel bad about this but generally I lump it in with the negative traits (read: short tempered, fiery, prone to fits of "I have nothing to wear in this closet!"...) that give me my "charm". I am not a morning person, but I am a sunrise person. I know these two things cannot naturally coexist. And that fact is exactly why today's Photo Love is a rare one.

Today I was up before the sun. Driving down the interstate, there was a thick fog wrapping 1-4 in it's hazy grasp. I turned a corner and was struck by what I saw. The sun was coming up over the rooftops and piercing through the fog about 200 feet in front of me with a barrage of golden sunbeams. I've never seen golden light like I saw this morning. It bounced around inside the fog until it completely dissolved it and I was driving in crystal clear air. Amazing.

On the way back home, I was diverted by a backed up train (that sat on the tracks for a good 20 minutes! Ugh! I digress...) and was finally forced to drive the long way home as a detour. Lucky for me, the long way involves driving halfway around a lake directly eastbound towards the rising sun. As I circled the lake, I was blinded by the reflection of the sunrise on the surface of the water. The lake was completely still and reflecting the sky perfectly. And by "completely still" I mean "eerily still, as if ghosts would begin rising from the depths at any moment". I sat at my turn for a few seconds debating and even with the threat of eerie rising ghosts, I decided to get my camera and go back to the lake. These shots are from both sides of the lake. The first is facing away from the sunrise, towards downtown Orlando. (Yes, we live right on the edge of downtown.) The other is from the downtown side facing the sunrise. I hope these images give you a breath of fresh air wherever you may be. :)

Enjoy!

Holy reflections batman!




The day the sky and the sea switched places.



What do you think of the new layout?

What's in my cup?

Yesterday I went to Whole Foods and picked up some of the supplements discussed in the book The PH Miracle. I know the website looks a little iffy but the book is really interesting and circles around the philosophy that states that our bodies function best when our blood is either neutral or slightly alkaline. I found some drops to make my drinking water alkaline, I picked up some omega capsules so that I can get my good fats, and I picked up some "green powder" which is basically powdered veggies and grasses. I tried to stir the green powder into water but it's about as tasty as eating grass. So I thought I'd try to work it into my juices and smoothies.

Today in my cup I have:



1/2 cucumber
1 apple
1 handful of baby spinach leaves
1 handful of fresh parsley
1 handful of frozen blueberries
1 handful of frozen peaches
3/4 scoop of green powder
Agave nectar to taste

It's not my all time favorite mix but it was a fun change to have some berries. I could still taste the green powder but it wasn't nearly as overpowering as it was when I drank it in water. So now it's your turn my lovelies...what's in your cup today?

I wish now that I had not deleted some of my previous posts about juicing because I don't want newer readers to feel out of the loop. To catch everyone up in as short a recap as possible...

.Two years ago I became a vegetarian
.Last year I started juicing and doing juice fasts for the amazing health benefits.
.Last year I also started trying out vegan baking since you really can't taste the difference
.I am constantly motivated to make fresh and healthy things as delicious as possible so my friends will eat them. :)

Ok...now everyone is on the same page!

Yesterday I spend so much time on looking through CSL on Ning at all the great topics on health and feeling very inspired to get myself back on track. I'd already been steadily going to the gym and to yoga but so much of how I feel daily is based on what I'm eating and drinking that I knew it was time to clean things up.

I started by cleaning my condo. I can't create anything (espeically not good food) in a dirty house. I cleaned and reorganized the kitchen from top to bottom and then made a run to the store for some fresh produce so that I could get back to my daily doses of juice. :)

One of the things I get asked a lot is "Do you actually like drinking that stuff?! The answer is yes, but you've got to figure out what flavors mix well for you. For example, I always put apples in my "green" juices to tame the "green" taste a little bit. I decided to up the ante and start adding spinach and parsley to my green juice recently which I LOVE but it definitely makes the juice taste very grassy which I don't love so much. So, I started experimenting and put together this recipe for those of you who are timid to go green. :) It's actually a smoothie which most people prefer to straight juice so this is an easy way for you to ease yourself into drinking green juice.

You'll need:
1/2 large organic cuke (if you don't buy organic, you'll need to peel it first)
1/2 lemon
handful of fresh baby spinach leaves
handful of fresh parsley
1 large organic apple
Frozen organic peaches
Agave nectar

1. Juice the cuke, spinach, parsley, and apple in your juicer and then squeeze the lemon juice into the cup




2. Pour your green juice into the blender and then add the peaches (and a few ice cubes if you'd like)



3. Sweeten the deal with agave nectar (don't use sugar or artificial sweeteners, they are bad for you)



4. Blend until the texture is velvety (frozen peaches make for very velvety smoothies!) Taste test to see if you need to add more agave or peaches. You may need to start with lots of peaches and add less and less as you get more used to a "greener" tasting smoothie



5. Serve, garnish, and enjoy! I like using Pottery Barn's red wine glasses because they are the perfect size.



Feel free to experiment. You've got to find what combinations taste best to you. The items pictured in the first photo are my main "green juice" staples. Sometimes I drink it just like that. Other times I need to sweeten it up with some fruits. :) If you try it, let me know what you think and if you change it up, let me know what you change so I can try it too! Let me know...what's your favorite smoothie or juice combination????