The Haymarket Hustle

Oh, how fond I am about fruits and vegetables. I could write a sonnet about the sweet scent of springtime strawberries. I could sing a lullaby about the earthy crunch of celery. I love to cook, bake and most importantly, EAT, and fresh ingredients are key to the way I create in the kitchen. I like to think I am Giada, though I can't rock the low-cut blouse the way she can. How does she stay so powder fresh in the kitchen? She's really something.

Boston's Best-Kept Secret.

It's not a new discovery, but I've just never taken part in Boston's own fresh farmers' market. Partly because I never venture out of Cambridge (which is ridiculous, since downtown Boston is approximately a 6-minute ride on the train), and partly because I rarely venture out of my apartment (only in the Winter, but yeah, I'm a hermit), I just haven't made the move to get out on Saturday and take advantage of this amazing experience.

The Haymarket is an open-air farmer's market that has been in existence since 1830. It's another one of those historical wonders that you can just stumble upon up here. The market is jam-packed with frantic people bustling, shouting and negotiating deals. It's like an auction. "I want 6 grapefruit! Give me the pink grapefruit! No, not that one, the other one!!" "Over here, a bag of onions and avocados! OVER HERE!" It's a rush of energy and attitude. I just love it. Old Italian broads shouting at the children to stop eating the fruit. Sweet Indian gentlemen clutching their wives' purses and patiently waiting while she feels each papaya for its stage in the ripe cycle. Every tribe and tongue is represented in the market and I just love feeling a part of this vibrant community. I am not very vibrant or cultured, but I can really appreciate this special intersection of all people, where we come together with one purpose: we want fruits and vegetables. Give us the fruits and vegetables.

Ladies Who Lunch.

I hit the market with my girlfriends, and oh wow, I can't believe I haven't been doing this all along! Not only did we have a blast (despite the a fore-mentioned bitter cold) but we made a remarkable discovery. At the market, EVERYTHING IS SO CHEAP. For example, Strawberries: 2 packs for $1.50. Blueberries: $1 each pack. Lemons: 6 for $1. I'm not making this up. Don't cry when you see the following, but... I got everything you see below for a grand total of TWELVE DOLLARS.

That's right. This probably would have cost $50 at Whole Foods. I got:

- 1 package carrots

- 1 package celery

- 1 large bunch spinach

- 1 bunch fresh rosemary

- 3 Roma tomatoes

- 2 packages strawberries

- 2 packages blueberries

- 1 package blackberries

- 5 plums

- 4 apples

- 3 oranges

- 3 kiwis

- 3 lemons

- 1 grapefruit

All for a grand total of $12.

I think I can actually hear Miss Fresh Life weeping all the way from Florida. Just come visit me and I will shower you with abundant and exotic fruits!

Score.

We had an absolute blast and scored mad deal. Stevie and I decided this is what we are doing for the rest of the weekends that we are here in Cambridge. Anyone up for deliciously cheap finds, outdoor fun, a historic treat and a lesson in cultures? Join me. Though I can't promise that I won't turn into a shouting Italian when I get there. I am easily influenced by passionate people.

The Chocolate Brunch

Last Saturday I went to something fantastic called a chocolate brunch. You didn't misread. I put on a frilly frock and joined my pals as we trudged through the cold and attempted to be normal human beings again. Okay, most of these ladies ARE normal. I might be the only one who has trouble leaving the house when the mocking outdoors are so uninviting with the usual down pouring of snow, sleet and overcast skies. Thankfully, there is something called a Chocolate Bar that hosts a weekly Saturday Chocolate-themed brunch to brighten the spirits of those downtrodden Bostonians. Thank you, dear Langham Hotel, for inventing such a wonderful distraction.

Interested in hearing more about this decadent affair? You can check it out here, where I wrote all about my deliciously fine dining experience in this week's issue of The Harbus. Check it out and let me know which dessert you just couldn't have resisted.

The Dream Project: Just Do It

The Dream Project has been going swimmingly. Just absolutely swimmingly.

Last week was a big week for me. I dove into a sea of auditions, and although I haven't heard back from any yet, I am over the moon about how much fun/terror/fun it's been.

My week included:

- An audition for a comedy web series

- An audition for a student film

- An audition for a feature-length film (eek!)

- An acting class with Tom Kemp, focused on auditioning for TV and Film

The Myth.

Let me tell you something. There is a misconception about acting. People think it all looks like this:

// Exhibit A: Can we get a wind machine up in here? //

Can you say DIVA?! Cue this jam. This photo always makes me chuckle. It's a still from a short film I did a few years back. I have no idea how they caught me in such a breezy, thought-provoking moment. It's really important to reflect on these moments and realize that SOMETIMES the world of an actor is ridiculous. The real life of an actor-wannabe (that I was fondly reminded of this week) is just a hustle. Just a big fat hustle for WORK. Much like this:

// Photo Courtesy of a very sneaky Steven L. Hale //

// Exhibit B: That dirty hair just screams, "GIVE ME A JOB!!!" // 

This is it. The job hunt. Submitting myself for tons of auditions and seeing if I get any bites. I mean, does it get more glamorous than this? I think not.

The Down Low.

In all seriousness, this past week wasn't just fun because I was finally getting out there. That was great, but I honestly enjoyed the process so much. I feel like I grew as an actor in just a few days of putting myself out there, challenging myself with new material and pushing the limits of my own vulnerability. I felt myself actually improving with each audition. The last one went so well, I don't even care if I don't get cast. Seriously. It was just so much fun being in that room, in that moment, in character. I know I'm getting all artsy here, but that is the honest truth.

Walking away from each audition this week, I had that, "I'm so happy to be alive" feeling, and I wouldn't trade that for the world. Don't get me wrong. I still sweat like a pig and I was nervously clutching my script so much that it sort of got tattered and kept flopping over in my hands. Hopefully, just hopefully, they don't count off points for nervous passion?

Sunday Gratitude

There is no other way to put it. This has been a wild week. I've been scurrying around Boston town attending auditions and workshops in the thick white snow that paid us a very long visit mid-week. It snowed torrentially for two days straight until the sky opened up to the sunshine yesterday. Which led to incredibly fast melting ice. I slipped and almost cracked my head on an iced, cobblestone sidewalk. It's a wild world out there.

My Week in Pictures.

// Beer Sampler at John Harvards // Strange relic at the Somerville Movie Theater // Submitted My Sister for a Model Casting Call, perhaps without her knowledge... // They have honey-graham flavored yogurt at Berryline! //

Reflection.

I find that when my life has become so jam-packed with to-do's that I forget to meditate on what is truly important. Everything gets lost in the rushed fog. And then I forget what even happened all week long! Does this happen to anyone else? It's like, I know I was busy, but what in the world was I doing?

Sitting down and intentionally reflecting on the week really helps me maintain perspective.

This week, I am thankful for my dreams. I have spent a long time shelfing certain dreams, thinking that maybe, one day, I'll reach up and perhaps pull that one down and have a look at it. But the truth is, I feel that dream looking down at me from the shelf, its eyes begging me to give it a chance. Even when I think that I am in control of it, it's been nagging at my heart and my heart has a big expressive mouth, so I never hear the end of it. Alas. I am only beginning, but I have been doing my best to pull my dreams off of that shelf, shake off their age-old dust and give them a shot. I have no idea if I'm doing it the right way, but I am at least trying, and Dreams are the motivator. Dreams drive those to-do lists and busy schedules. If they aren't the fuel behind my everyday life, I find that I am easily tired out and apathetic. So, this week, though I haven't really anything to show for them (yet!), I am thankful for my God-given dreams and their potential.

Do you have one specific dream that you have purposely said "No" to over and over again? Does it (in a non-creepy way) haunt you a bit when you think of what could become of it? I dare you to take a long look at it this week. Really consider all its beautiful potential. There is no one in the world exactly like YOU, so cherishing those dreams and taking baby steps toward them is something that no one else can do. It's up to you. In the words of one of my favorites, "Dream on, dream until your dreams come true."

TASTE: Fresh Veggie Homemade Salsa

I woke up this morning to inches of fresh white snow.

I couldn't help but cry out in shock. Yes, it's been on the forecast for days, but I've been willing it away! More snow? MORE??? I mean, we still have icy patches of dirty snow from Nemo. There are thousands of cigarettes burned into each of these disgusting snowy depositories. Selfishly, I wanted to run errands today. I wanted to RUN today. This weather, while it looks positively lovely outside my window, is really cramping my style. I can't drive in the snow! I can't do anything in this weather. I want to see little pink buds on the trees, I want the sun to warm my soul and tan my sallow face. I want to wear sandals on my pedicured feet and sing pop songs at the top of my lungs whilst skipping down the cobble-stoned streets. But it is 30 degrees and STILL snowing. Hmm have I complained enough? I am doing everything I can to beckon Spring: I'm thinking happy thoughts, dressing in neon colors, and making summery foods. Like this homemade salsa (best if served with margaritas).

Take a moment to gather all these

Fresh Ingredients:

- Tomatoes (3-4)

- 1 Onion

- 1 Lime

- 1 Hot Pepper

- 1 Bunch of Cilantro

- Salt and Pepper (to taste)

- Some Garlic (if you really want to add a kick - this is optional!)

The Method:

(is pretty simple)

- Quarter the onion and tomatoes and throw them in the food processor. Blend just a bit.

- Then add the cilantro and 1/4 of the pepper (depending on how spicy you like it!), and blend those as well.

- Lastly, cut up the lime and squeeze all the juice into the mixture.

- Add salt and pepper to taste. Voila!

Yum.

I put my salsa in re-seal-able jars so we can eat it at our leisure. There is no need to ever buy store-packaged salsa again! Now if you really want to get crazy... here is a lunch I've been making with the salsa lately. It has tons of veggies so it feels fresh and healthy. I love feeling like I'm getting lots of veggies in early in the day :-)

Ingredients:

- 1/2 Avocado, sliced

- 1/2 onion, chopped

- 3-4 Baby Bella Mushrooms, chopped

- Some shredded Mozzarella

- A handful of Baby Spinach

- 1 Tortilla

- The yummy salsa you just made!

Method:

Combine all and enjoy! It's even more fun if you have a pretty plate to munch upon. See, you're ready for Spring already.

Happy healthy lunch day!