Oops.

So you may have noticed that the blog posts have been pretty sparse around these parts lately.

I think that’s a good thing.

A while back I realized that I could spend my spare time diddling around with the blog and hoping it would go somewhere, or I could concentrate my energy on actually writing a book.

There are thousands of lifestyle blogs out there, with people writing fresh and funny and interesting things about teaching and fitness and cooking and yoga, far better than I ever could. I don’ want to be an imitator.

The last straw was at a Halloween party. I was complaining to some friends about how I’ve had this idea for a book swimming around in my head for years but I just couldn’t figure out how to start writing it.

“Why don’t you do national novel writing month?” One of them asked.

“Oh yeah!” I said offhandedly, “I’ve always wanted to do that. When does it start?”

“Tomorrow.” She said.

So for once in my life, I put my money where my mouth was.

I sat down and wrote every night. I posted word counts on Facebook. I told my friends and family what I was up to. I traded in precious hours of sleep on work nights to finish chapters. I cashed in my weekends. Goodbye social life! Now I spend Fridays and Saturdays camped out on my futon, playing with my imaginary friends!

Once November was over I didn’t stop.

I have written 61,712 words so far, over 200 pages.

I have realized that I need a more comfortable futon.

And I’m not nearly finished yet.

I still want the blog to be somewhere I can have a dialogue with readers, but if it comes down to blogging or writing the novel, the novel will win, every single time. That’s the way I want it right now. That’s the way it needs to be.

The blog isn’t neglected because I’ve given up on writing— far from it. The blog was, in many ways, a hiding place– a distraction from the writing I knew I was supposed to be doing but was afraid embark on.

The silence isn’t defeat—just—silence. I’ll be back.

Cheers for now,

Ms. Apple

 

 

A Yoga Mix That Doesn’t Suck

I am so excited for Halloween Yoga tonight!

I’ll let you know how the whole yoga costume thing goes.

In the mean time, I’ve put together a yoga mix that does not involve Enya. Don’t get me wrong, chanting and new wave stuff is cool and all, but sometimes I just want to rock out on my yoga mat. I put together a mix for myself that incorporates some of my favorite bands. Sometimes it’s inspiring to hear something unexpected on the mat. I’ll let you how it goes after my next practice.

Check out my playlist… and the videos. Especially the vid for Thought Balloon, by one of my favorite local bands, Freezepop. It’s just the sweetest thing I’ve seen all day.

Arriving on the mat/ Breath work:

Lazy Lover ~ Brazilian Girls

Golden Age ~ Beck

Visions of Johanna ~ Bob Dylan

 

Warm-up / Sun Salutations:

Spooky Girlfriend ~ Elvis Costello

Do You Realize?? ~ Flaming Lips

Such Great Heights ~ Vitamin String Quartet

 

Twists/ Balancing Poses:

Thought Balloon ~ Freezepop

I Think I Need A New Heart

Air ~ Sexy Boy

Just Like Honey ~ The Jesus and Mary Chain

Midnight in A Perfect World ~ DJ Shadow

 

Stretching/ Inversions:

The Rain Song ~ Led Zeppelin

Hallelujah ~ Jeff Buckley

Whir ~ The Smashing Pumpkins

Asleep ~ The Smiths

 

Transition to Savasanah:

Headphones ~ Bjork

Do you like to practice yoga with music?

 

 

Miss Apple Eats: Pumpkin Butter Two Ways

It’s no secret that fall is my absolute favorite time of year. And I’ve been celebrating the season with… Pumpkin Buttahhhhh….

Oh, Trader Joe’s will you wonders never cease? Since I brought home my first jar it’s been finding it’s way into all sorts of things. First off… Pumpkin Kale Eggs Benedict!

Eggs Benedict has always been a brunch favorite of mine. But it only recently occurred to me that I could re-create it fairly easily at home. I slathered some wheat toast with Pumpkin Butter, fried up some eggs, and then sautéed some baby kale with water and a little bit of lemon juice. Delish!

Last night my sister threw an amazing Halloween Party. It’s awesome having a visual artist in the family because she always outdoes herself with the decor…

and the eats…

The Sisters Apple do not mess around with Halloween.

There were plenty of healthy choices there, but I may have overdone it on the graveyard trifle. So today I was looking for something hearty and healthy to make while hunkering down to ride out… The Frankenstorm…

There is nothing like foul weather to inspire me in the kitchen.

I decided to whip up a batch of Angela’s Butternut Squash Mac’ n Cheese. The frozen contents of my freezer really came to the rescue here. I used frozen butternut squash chunks, some of last summer’s frozen kale and a fresh sweet potato. I followed Angela’s recipe pretty much to a t… but I added two scoops of pumpkin butter to the sauce.

The effect? Divine.

My school has called off classes tomorrow for the Frankenstorm, so Mr. Apple and I are hunkering down with our Pumpkin Butter Mac and A Harry Potter Marathon. I kind of love bad weather when I don’t need to go out in it.

How will you ride out the storm?

Un-Wedding Weekend

Once upon a time, a boy and a girl ran away from their wedding. The reasons why were complicated, but suffice it to say, they still loved each other very much. So the  boy and the girl remained together and continued to grow as a a couple. As months passed, they continued to be happy…but that would-be wedding weekend was still looming on the horizon.

Yep, that’s a horse grazing, right outside the window of out B&B. You can’t get more idyllic, people!

There would be no big party with hundreds of guests, tiers of cupcakes and a big brass band. Loved ones would not be flying in from all over the country to wish them well. There would be no shiny new knives and Kitchen Aid Mixers and china ordered off a registry. There would be no rings. No vows. In spite of all this, and in spite of what a failure calling off your wedding can make you feel like… the boy and the girl still felt like they deserved to celebrate their love.

OK, can we cut the fairy tale crap now? The girl is me, the boy is Mr. Apple. We were supposed to get married a few weeks ago. Instead we took off and had a fantastic long weekend. And now I’m gonna give you the details.

Our first idea was to spend a beautiful fall weekend in the Berkshires… because I loves me some foliage. But holy cow, have you seen the prices in the Berkshires for a fall long weekend!? Mark ups and minimum stays galore! No thank you, I’m not spending more than a month’s rent to stay in a bed and breakfast. So we recalculated, and came up with a restful and relaxing plan. You do not need to shell out for a boutique hotel or spend half your time sitting in traffic on the Mass Pike to have a wonderfully relaxing quintessential fall weekend!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you… Our Budget Berkshires Alternative Weekend.

First… The Sleeps…

I got on the inner tubes and found us a fantastic and affordable Bed and Breakfast in Bolton, MA. Charlotte’s House is the real deal. This is not some shi-shi boutique hotel masquerading as a B&B. Staying at Charlotte’s House is like spending the weekend with a warm and hospitable relative that makes your bed when you go out, offers you fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies when you come home, and does not harass you over the dinner table about when you’re gonna pop out some grandchildren. It is, in short, a slice of heaven.

Hand sewn quilt and gorgeous stained glass window in our cozy bedroom!

Lovely and historic, Charlotte’s House is nestled along a quiet country road. I could see horses grazing in the field across the street from my bedroom window! The Inn’s proprietor, Nancy Slade, lives on site. Her gorgeous fiber arts decorate much of the surrounding house, making the decor truly unique. She welcomed us into her warm kitchen and showed us to our room. It was decorated with a beautiful handmade quilt… and check out the stained glass! Each room has a working fireplace. The bathroom, as Lyn said, “Is petite but it works.” If you’re looking for a long jacuzzi soak, look elsewhere. The shower was just fine for us though. Bonus… our room was adjacent to a sitting room stuffed with magazines, DVDs and board games. It was a relaxing place for us to pass a little time together…Yahtzee!

The real thing that sets Charlotte’s House apart though was the breakfast! Everything was freshly made, from the muffins and scones to the sublime cheese blitnzes. The stale croissants and withered fruit you find at other B&Bs were nowhere to be found.

Next up… daytime adventures!

On our way to Charlotte’s House we stopped by the Fruitlands Museum. First of all… a trip to the Fruitlands Museum is worth it for the view alone! Situated on a gorgeous sprawling hillside, the Fruitlands Museum has a few small buildings housing Native American and New England art.

To me the most interesting part was touring the historic shaker house and the Alcott house! (Louisa May Alcott, that is!) The Alcott family lived on the property during a brief experiment with community living. After nearly starving to death they moved back to Concord. Their house lay derelict for decades until the owner of the property, Clara Endicott Sears, bought the property in 1914 and realized the historic gem she was sitting on. She then devoted her life to preserving the grounds and collecting Native American art.

Front porch of the Alcott House.

Super cool Skull installation on the Fruitlands grounds!

Apparently there are a lot of cool walking trails and a Labyrinth on the grounds too, but it began to rain so we had to cut our visit short and high tale it back to the car. Oh well, we’ll just have to visit again!

That evening we went to the Harvest Cafe for some drinks and eats. Harvest Cafe is a charming townie hangout. There was live music, a super friendly vibe, and board games! Mr. Apple and I had a blast drinking beer and playing Bananagrams!

The next day we were off to Tower Hill Botanic Gardens. I had no idea this amazing treasure was lurking so close to home.

More sweeping vistas!

We saw all kinds of nifty vegetation, including these black and red ornamental peppers!

Took a ramble in the woods that ended at this gazebo, overlooking a lush pond full of wildlife.

Tower Hill Botanic Gardens also has a series of cool greenhouses. They just happened to be hosting an indoor farmer’s market when we were there. The place was loaded with fresh local fruits and veggies, jams and jellies, homemade jams and soaps… you name it. I picked up some soap and a lovely hand knit cap.

We ran into these little guys out in the courtyards!

Tower Hill Botanic Gardens is a true gem, and it’s opened year-round, so check it out!

On our way home, we stopped by one of my favorite places on earth, Walden Pond. Walden Pond has long been one of my most loved summer escapes, and I’ve always wanted to go there in the fall. Finally, I got my wish! Mr. Apple and I took a lovely ramble around the pond.

Yup, those are swimmers you see through those autumnal leaves!

The weather was fairly mild that day, so mild in fact that we saw lots of swimmers! I know Walden is a destination for distance swim training, but I never imagined people would still be out there in sweater weather. Brrr!

I stopped to take lots of photos by the waterside. I love the autumnal colors reflected in the water!

Aaaahhh! Can I just tell you how much I love fall!? The colors!

A single red leaf.

Let’s not forget how the foliage matched my favorite pair of boots!

On our way around the pond we stopped at the site of Thoreau’s House. I never bothered to check it out during the summer, I guess I was always too preoccupied with the water! A stop to the Thoreau House site is well worth it. The original house no longer stands, but the rocks from the foundation have been excavated. Many people have written inspiring messages on the rocks.

The road less traveled.

All and all this was an amazing, relaxing and rejuvinating weekend. It was just what Mr. Apple and I needed. No fanfare, no wild party, just the two of us enjoying each other’s company in a warm, cozy and beautiful setting. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful weekend. This was proof that you can getaway close to home, and that romantic vacations don’t have to be epic and expensive. I’ll treasure these memories forever.

What’s your favorite fall activity?

Weeknight Meals: OMG EZ Miso Soup and Natural Cold Relief

Last week as everyone around me started to die of the plague, my internal monologue went something like this, “Ha! My immune system is invincible! Look at me, taking care of myself, getting enough sleep, eating right! I pity all you fools coming down with a cold this early in the season! Look at me working with kids and not coming down with this cold! Look at me sharing a blanket with my cold-ridden honey and experiencing nary a sniffle! I’m invincible I tell you! Invincible!”

Until yesterday. It started with a nagging sensation in the back of my throat. Then it developed into a full blown, hamsters clawing at my esophagus sore throat. And I cannot get sick this week. I cannot get sick this week. Progress reports are due at the end of the week. I cannot get sick this week.

First things first, I cancelled all non-essential extra curriculars that did not have to do with jammies. Next, I took to the internet, and then to my kitchen. Over the counter cold remedies have a time and a place, but I like so save them for when I’m truly miserable and just need to get some sleep. I cannot afford to be doped up this week. Pumping myself full of cough syrup also makes me feel like I’m distracting myself from doing things that will actually help me get well; i.e liquids, rest and getting lots of nutritious food into my system.

Enter the Evil Hot Toddy.

This recipe originally came from Livestrong.com, but I tweaked it by adding some lemon juice to make it a bit more palatable.This recipe is mainly to soothe and calm the throat, but some people think that Apple Cider Vinegar has detoxifying properties and helps stave off sickness. Honey is also a natural anti-inflamatory. Raw local honey is supposed to be awesome for your immune system. I didn’t have any raw honey, so I used the local honey I bought last month at the Topsfield fair. I don’t know if it works, but it sure is tasty. I’ll take it!

 

Ms. Apple’s Evil Hot Toddy

(Do you think my students ever picture me at home drinking out of a skull?)

Here’s what I used:

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 heaping tablespoon of honey

a dash of cayenne pepper

a squirt of lemon juice

1 cup of boiling hot water.

Mix all the ingredients until they dissolve. It works even better if your drink it out of a skull mug. :)

The verdict: So far so good. The sweetness of the honey makes it so that the vinegar doesn’t making this concoction taste totally vile. And my throat definitely feel better! I like it so much I might brew up another batch later tonight.

On to the soup! For most people, nursing a cold brings to mind sipping chicken soup. For those of us who don’t eat meat, there is still a way to get that comforting feeling. I particularly like Miso Soup when I feel under the weather. When I arrived home today I did not have any of the instant Miso packets I usually have hanging around. But I did have the internet!

I totally butchered this simple recipe for Miso Soup. For those of you who have Japanese heritage, I truly apologize for making a mockery of one of your national dishes. I’d prefer to call this one, “Miso Style” I cannot claim that this soup is in any way authentic, but it sure is tasty. Bonus: It’s a great under 30 minute weeknight meal!

 

Ms. Apple’s OMG EZ Miso Inspired Soup

Here’s what the original recipe called for:

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 TBS miso paste
  • 2 scallions
  • 2-3 sheets seaweed
  • Diced soft (silken) tofu

Here’s what I used/added/subtracted:

  • 4 cups of water (wanted extra for Mr. Apple)
  • 2 tbsp. of Brown Miso Paste. (P:S Miso Paste is a great thing to have hanging around in your fridge. It doesn’t go bad quickly and it can be used in a variety of things. It totally saved the day when I made my whipped miso tofu pizza!)
  • Diced firm Tofu
  • Udon Noodles (1 bunch)
  • 1/2 cup diced mushrooms
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • basil and garlic powder to taste

Unfortunately I didn’t have any scallions or seaweed hanging around the house. Bummer!

This is a cinch to prepare. Dissolve the miso paste in the boiling water, throw the other ingredients in. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

This soup reeeeaaallly hit the spot. I would have preferred yellow miso over the brown miso I had in my fridge, but it was still tasty. And I feel much less beastly now.

I’m ready to curl up in front of the presidential debates with my skull mug!

What are your go-to foods when you’re feeling under the weather?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wicked Good: Green Monstah Pastah

Happy October, people! In honor of this most ghoulish of months I cooked up something super spooky tonight!

This pasta dish is a riff on Angela’s 15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta Sauce. I’ve been reading Angela’s blog Oh She Glows for about a year now. Not only is it one of my favorite cooking blogs, it’s one of my favorite blogs, period. Chock full of simple, delicious vegan recipes, it has become my go to place when I can’t figure out what to cook for dinner. More than just a cooking blog, OSG is infused with Angela’s warm humor and wisdom on body image, career happiness and finding oneself. Reading it daily has been a major inspiration as I rebuild my dysfunctional relationship with my body. Come for the recipes, stay for the life lessons!

Anyways… I digress. Back to the eats! I’ve been making Angela’s 15 Minute Creamy Avocado Sauce for months now and it has become a favorite in Miss Apple’s Test Kitchen. I came home late from a run today. I was hungry and needed a hearty, fast, stick to my ribs dinner. There were a couple of avocados in the fridge… but I knew I’d need more than just two servings of pasta. I wanted seconds. I wanted leftovers. I wanted it all.

So… how to stretch the recipe? I added several handfuls of Olivia’s Baby Kale into the mix, some extra olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice. It was OMG delicious over a bed of whole wheat spaghetti and paired with a glass of wine, because it was that kind of Monday. It was the perfect early fall treat. Creamy, hearty, a little bit of tang from the lemon.

The leftovers are patiently waiting in the fridge for me to take to work tomorrow. There’s just something about going to work knowing that you have a yummy lunch packed that just makes going to work easier, right?

What’s your favorite early fall meal?

Ten Minute Meals: Thai Peanut Tempeh Sandwich

This one’s a no brainer that I love to fall back on when I need something fast, protein packed and tasty! Tempeh has a whopping 22 grams of protein per serving and is also a good source of calcium and iron. It has a rich, nutty flavor and a nice thick consistency. If you don’t like your foods to wobble (I’m looking at you, tofu!) tempeh might be the meat free alternative you’re looking for.

You’ll need:

1/2 Package of organic tempeh

2 slices of wheat bread

Whole Foods 365 peanut sauce. (You can use other brands, I just happen to love this one.)

Some lettuce.

Doin’ it up:

Pop your two slices of wheat bread into the toaster

While the bread is toasting, plop your half-block of tempeh in a frying pan with your favorite cooking spray and grill it until it is golden brown.

When the tempeh is done, take it out of the pan and cut it into a few smaller pieces. In a small bowl, combine the peanut sauce and the tempeh pieces and mix until the tempeh is coated.

Place the peanut sauce coated tempeh on the toasted bread, top with lettuce (or more peanut sauce! Honestly, I could drink the stuff straight from the jar!) and voila, you’re done.

Pair in with some of your favorite crunchin’ fruits and vegetables, and you’ve got a quick, tasty, satisfying meal.

What are your weekday no brainers?

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