Archive | November, 2012

{foto friday} — stillness and reflection

30 Nov

i was trying to quickly figure out what to blog about this morning.  i have a fun day lined up but i also don’t have a ton of creative time left this morning. so – as i was scrolling through images, i found this one.  it totally describes how i feel lately, so i found it perfect for today’s post.  i have found myself being a little extra nit-picky lately.  kind of pointing out things i don’t like about certain other people and kind of complaining a lot lately.  no good. when i saw this image it was like a reminder :

branch-web-1

i need to be still like the water and reflect – because whatever i DON’T LIKE in that person, is something i don’t like within myself.  it is a reflection, we ALL represent that mirror for each other, and when i noticed my repetitive thoughts about this situation or person i didn’t like, it was a HUGE red flag for me to slow down and reflect… and meditate and let go 😉

have a great weekend, everyone!  share a little love

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{thirsty thursday} — “vitamix breakfast cookies” and another vitamix smoothie

29 Nov

these are always always always a hit.  i’m not much of a baker, but when i find something that is easy to make and that people like, i try to create it into my own.  i have yet to quite create the perfect consistency for these {i’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to anything i make or do}, but i do think i found the right name for them.  the ingredients are so simple and healthy that you could literally eat them for breakfast – and not feel at all guilty about it!! they are also great for holiday parties or after school snacks. a good source of dietary fiber and protein as well as healthy fats. Continue reading →

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{whatever wednesday} — singer/songwriter/producer and actor/model/gentleman, david homyk

28 Nov

when i first moved to new york, i took whatever kind of work i could find. i freelanced for the first 6 months, it was kind of scary.  most of it didn’t pay that well, but it allowed me to get out and meet the coolest people and i got to fotograph some gorgeous ones!  david homyk was no exception.

i had found an online magazine that needed editorial shots of this up-and-coming songwriter and producer.  the moment i contacted david, i knew there was something special about him.  a true gentleman with a sparkle in his eyes that would swoon anything with a pulse.  his music is catchy and fun and he writes all of his own songs! we met up in the meat packing district of manhattan’s lower west corner just before sunset and enjoyed an image-packed 3-hour romp with about 6 outfit changes.  i’m usually nervous when i shoot strangers {that’s always fun to say}, but david put me at ease immediately.  he’s a natural in front of the camera, as he’s modeled numerous times, and he even helped me with some ideas for “looks” he wanted and he thought the magazine could use.

this shoot was one of my most memorable and favourites to date.  david has since gone on to do amazing things with his career :  he’s been featured on the hit daytime show all my children, he continues to write and produce his own music, and i’ve caught him a couple times on the tyra banks show.  he’s done quite well for himself and i’m honored to have this wonderful collection of fotographs of him!

so i’m going to share them. try not to drool 😉 Continue reading →

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{travel tuesday} — “the old mill” : autumn in north carolina

27 Nov

a few years ago i visited my uncle in north carolina.  i am itching to go back. i hadn’t really been to that part of the country in a long time!  see, i was born in south carolina, if you can believe it.  didn’t stay there very long, but i still claim to be somewhat a southern belle 😉 at least – my manners and kind heart are still very southern.  but don’t be fooled, i’ll still get down and sassy with ya, i won’t deep fry butter, and you’ll never catch me in a pair of heels!

anyway, i’m sad to say i can’t remember exactly where this is located – i googled it, but can’t find it.  there are apparently lots of “old mills” in north carolina -hA! my aunt was super excited to show me this place – and with just cause!  it’s gorgeous!  i doubt the leaves are still this vivid in colour, but you never know; those east coast autumns can linger!

here are some of my favourite shots from “the old mill” {which is still operating!  – so cool!} :

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{meatless monday} — meet the latest in supergrains : kaniwa

26 Nov

i discovered this grain in the bulk section.  i’m always looking for new grains to try… i’m not much on rice, i’m kind of burnt out on cous cous, and quinoa can be expensive and a pain to have to rinse every time.  kaniwa is fairly new to the united states, and therefore not a lot of nutritional information is yet available on it.  however, according to this site, it is high in protein much like its quinoa cousin.  kaniwa does not contain saponins like quinoa does, and therefore it does not have to be soaked or rinsed prior to cooking.

kaniwa is so itsy bitsy – a tiny little grain with a big earthy taste.  according to what i’ve read, kaniwa is best served as a porridge, with butter and maple syrup.  so that’s exactly how i prepared it. Continue reading →

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{foto friday} — a single gal’s thanksgiving dinner

23 Nov

as i mentioned yesterday, it was my birthday.  which means today i am officially 33 years old.

woot.

i was a slug all day, it was beautiful.  i did all the things on my list and even got to take a soothing hot bath last night.  i swear – some epsom salts and running hot water will cure what ails ya!  not that i was ailed, but i did work 7 days straight and sometimes it just feels amazing to soak your muscles and warm your bones… you know?!

anyway, my brother came over for dinner and all i did was heat it up – thanks to whole foods market and their pre-made thanksgiving platter for one. i grabbed two of them and put it all in a baking dish :

all the fixins’ were there.  i made the yam myself, i have to have them included in my spread.

WFM also provided the delicious pumpkin pie, but i was too dazed at that point to mess with any foto equipment.  just know that every morsel was scrumptious!  every bite was divine. and since neither of us finished our plates, i have unexpected leftovers!

i’m so thankful for all the delicious food i get to experience every day.  i’m beyond thankful for that, actually.  i feel so connected to the food i eat, i just feel so blessed to have access to it.  i’m thankful for a kind heart, a sound mind, good judgement, a healthy body, a handful of loving friends and family, sweet cats, a caring roommate, and “enough” to get by…

and last night, for my first order of 33-year old business, i meditated under the stars and sent some more healing love to the planet… ’cause we need it!

let the holidays officially begin!

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{thirsty thursday} — happy thanksbirthday, to me!

22 Nov

it’s thanksgiving.  but more importantly, it’s on my birthday this year.

i have so much to be thankful for.  this has been an unbelievably transforming year for me, and i have much to reflect on and celebrate! i plan to take it easy and do whatever i want… and you can guarantee i’ll be EATING today!

here’s the menu : Continue reading →

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{whatever wednesday} — too soon?!

21 Nov

i put up a tree this year… my roommate and i decided to.

listen, i only have it up until like, january 2nd.  so i figure a good month or so is reasonable for an 11-year old faux fir to stand adorned in bulbs and glowing objects in honor of an outdated and consumer-driven holiday…

now if only the weather would mirror the season around here – it’s almost 70 degrees today!

oh, and today is my last day as a 32-year old.  33 is going to kick so much ass, and so is all the food i plan on thankfully consuming tomorrow 🙂

happy holidays, ya’ll!

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{travel tuesday} — woodstock, new york

20 Nov

i’m talking about THE woodstock… former-music festival host and so much more.  and yes, the town is exactly how you picture it… and i have some fotos to prove it.

🙂

i’m *pretty sure* this is the lawn where the famous woodstock music festival was held…

Continue reading →

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{meatless monday} — super simple one-pot veggie stew

19 Nov

simple is as simple does.

my birthday is on thanksgiving this year, did i mention that?!  i was born on thanksgiving, and every 6 years or so it falls on the day.  do i have an opinion about this, of course i do. i mean, it might seem cool to share your birthday with one of the bigger american holidays, but it’s actually not all that great. every year i have to plan my birthday around the turkey and quite frankly, i’m much better than poultry and my presence on the planet is more crucial, i feel.  alas, every year i kind of get forgotten about.  story of my life.  i’m not cut up about it, but this year i did decide that i would make it all about ME. whatever i want to do, i’ll do it.  and if that means staying home, making dinner alone, listening to my favourite music as loud as i want and taking like 3 naps before i meditate under my stars, well then by golly that’s what i’m going to do.

this year has been pivotal for me.  i have much to celebrate.  and i feel like birthdays are kind of like new years day.  like, it’s actually a NEW YEAR for each of us on a different day… you know?! anyway, it definitely feels like that for me this year and i want the chance to reflect, give thanks, and meditate in order to manifest what i want this year to look like for me… which mostly means being open to whatever the universe has planned for me 🙂

that had absolutely nothing to do with today’s meatless monday recipe. other than the fact that because since i’m planning on completely spoiling myself with some delicious food all day long, i must pinch some pennies during the week.  this means the crockpot gets a workout!  last weeks lentil soup was a hit – i had a few readers tell me they tried it and loved it.  my friend miss J put sweet potato in hers… YUM!

soups are such a great make-ahead meal and can be so unbelievably easy to make. i made this dish for some friends of mine when visiting in the rockies and it was such a hit that not only did i make it again for the roomie and myself, but when i went shopping yesterday, i bought the ingredients again. not a drop was wasted, i love that! Continue reading →

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{foto friday} – love is always the appropriate reaction

16 Nov

i feel like KISSing today.  Keeping It Seriously Simple.

i have a long weekend and week ahead of me.  i am working straight through to my birthday, which coincidentally happens to be on thanksgiving this year.  i plan to cook a feast for myself and meditate under my stars all night.  i’m kind of weird… even though i work in the public and enjoy helping others, i’m actually quite a loner and am extremely introverted… so it’s totally okay 🙂

anyway… i feel really good lately and even though this is true, i do realize not everyone is so “zen” during the holidays, and therefore i’m trying to remember this simple truth over the next week :

i saw this on a building once when strolling through the lower east side of manhattan.  i obviously had to take a picture.  two days later i walked that same block and it had been painted over.  i still have it as my screen saver on my phone and i try to live by this rule every day.  it’s such a simple truth, and i find that when i react to situations with love, with only the highest version of myself, things are just better. the world needs more love.  it’s part of our “job” here, to spread the love that we ARE… in fact, it’s the only reason we are here.

oNeLoVe.

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{thirsty thursday} — mini-eggs florentine w/ a twist and my first vitamix smoothie!!

15 Nov

i’m really pleased with how cute and delicious these little treats turned out.

half the time i plan my meals and half the time i wing it with stuff i have around the kitchen.  only on occasion has that not worked out for me.  my roommate usually eats whatever i make anyway because he’s a wonderful guy, but there have been some creations even i had to pass up because it just didn’t turn out good.  haha – but i grab a spatula, put the apron back on anyway and try again 🙂

this time, it turned out brilliant.  didn’t see how it wouldn’t, either.  when you start with a basic classically good recipe, you can pretty much bet it’ll taste terrific.  these were no exception.

Continue reading →

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A great little film narrated by Jeremy Irons on GMOs and seed biopiracy

14 Nov

i felt it on my heart to share this video. gmo and seed patenting are some of the topics i’m extremely passionate about bringing awareness and light to. that is why i shop as local, seasonal, and organic as i possibly can. this video brought tears to my eyes this wednesday morning, shortly following a new moon – in which, ironically, we have the opportunity to “plant new seeds” of change in our lives…

you have the power to vote with your dollars every time you buy food. don’t forget that. we all have a voice and we can use it.

peace.

{whatever wednesday} — batch cooking

14 Nov

okay…

this week has been epic for me.  why? you ask… well, i’ll sum it up in my usual cryptic style :

i’m transforming and it’s really kind of kicking my ass. and as some of you may know, i’m a huge astrology buff, and boy is there some major stuff going on up in those beautiful stars… and it’s totally changing my life!  good stuff, but also a lot of purging.  i’ve been meditating longer than normal, and it actually takes a lot out of me, physically.  which is fine because i’m manifesting some BIG changes that need to occur.  i started to blog about it and realized it was a little heavy for some… so maybe i’ll open those doors again later, but for now we’ll stick to the basics – food and fotos. meanwhile, i’ll continue to lovingly work on this planet from behind the scenes…

you’re welcome.

so, having said all that – i bought a car recently and that means reconfiguring my food budget a little.  it’s a good thing, because it kind of forces me to do what i always said i liked doing anyway… batch cooking ahead of time and packing my lunch for work 4-5 days a week.  it’s so easy to spend 5, 10, 15 dollars a day at work just buying food on-the-go and i’ve found i spend half my breaks just buying food.  so, why not plan ahead, save some money, AND save time in the long run… you know how we roll here at food and foto, we KISS – Keep It Seriously Simple.

i’ll just give myself 3-4 hours on my day off in the kitchen and just work my pots and pans out!  i throw on some music or some bad TV in the background, pour a mimosa, and plan my meals for the week.

Continue reading →

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{travel tuesday} — my most recent visit to new york

13 Nov

i visited new york last month for the first time since i moved…

it was surreal… that’s one word for it.  i didn’t really bust out the camera too much… just really “took fotos with my  mind” as i like to say… captured memories by breathing it all in.  sometimes a picture doesn’t really do it… that’s coming from a photographer!!  haha.

new york is a million and a half wonderful things.  but i realized this time that it has now become a place for me to visit.  there will always be a piece of my soul in new york city, but i can confidently close the chapter now and no longer wonder if i made the right decision to leave.  i loved every second of my experience living in manhattan, but i left when it was the right time and everything is as it should be {like always, right?!}.  i have to say, it’s a good feeling to know that in my heart, now.

so, here are a few shots i managed to grab while out wandering the city… i only took about 50 pictures all weekend!  so weird, so not normal.

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{meatless monday} — overnight lentil soup

12 Nov

happy monday, ya’ll!

sorry for my absence – i missed you.  i was away last weekend in the mountains, and i didn’t get the chance to blog remotely on monday or tuesday and by the time mid-week rolled around i just decided to take the rest of the week off from blogging.  with the holidays rapidly approaching, my “day job” will get more demanding of my time and energy, and thus i will appreciate the “calm before the storm,” if you will.

so, we’re back on track and here is today’s meatless monday recipe. it’s all about soup in the audrey michelle household.  soup is all the things i look for in a meal : simple, healthy, easy, filling, and delicious. cost-effective, too!

see, i just bought a car.  i think i mentioned that?  well, a car means a car payment for me and that means reconfiguring my budget.  i typically just splurge on food – it’s just my thing, i don’t shop, i don’t go out, i don’t eat out – my “treat” is food, always has been.  and it will continue to be that way, i just have to be a little more aware and plan ahead.  i plan on posting a blog about batch cooking, which ultimately saves time and money… just need to allot some time to yourself to plan ahead and just do it!

soup is a great make-ahead meal that keeps well in the fridge and is friendly with the wallet. so, on with the recipe!

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{foto friday} — some colorado sunrises

2 Nov

the sky in colorado is seriously off the hook!  and during this time, for about the next 6 months, it intensifies!  it happens every year and there is some scientific reason as to why, but all i know is – every day for 4 months before i began this blog in april – i got up every morning and photographed the sunrise from my bedroom window.  the only reason i stopped was because the sun moved out of my view and frame, eventually… but somehow it’s back again, so i may try something new this time – especially since i work nights and i ain’t gettin’ up at no 6 a.m. to snap a photo, sorry. 😉

have a great weekend, ya’ll!

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{thirsty thursday} – homemade roasted pumpkin seeds w/ a belgian tripel

1 Nov

hope you all had a safe and happy halloween!  i just LOVE this time of year, don’t you?!  i love being in the kitchen more than normal… and i love busting out my crockpot… and i’m even more eager to bust out my vitamix!!  i will be doing that this weekend when i am basically a personal chef for my best friends in the rockies 🙂

i also love making my own pumpkin seeds.  they are one of my favourite snacks, and when pumpkins are on sale –  so what better time to make some?!  i paid 2 bucks for my pumpkins on a one-day sale.  i would say these average sized pumpkins yield about 2-3 cups of seeds – that’s a decent value! Continue reading →

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