Zine Dreams
Hope you had a fun & relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Visiting my parents in Sac in a mask (and 90 degree heat) was surreal to say the least. Our small family gathering was contained to the backyard. We grilled food, cozied up on a blanket with the dogs and played an online version of Codenames. It’s nice to be back home. Here’s a sneak peek at a zine I’m working on with my friend, Kate Steurer.
Kate and I explored our desire to create the ultimate home sanctuary and our growing wanderlust pangs.
Prompt #1: Your Ideal Home Space
Melissa’s Moodboard
I'm honestly loving the hermit lifestyle. Eliminating social obligations has given me the gift of focus. What I’m craving now is an outdoor sanctuary where I can work, exercise and chill. Guess it’s time to move to SoCal!
Current workplace dilemma: distracting coworkers. ;)
Kate’s Moodboard
My day to day hasn’t changed much since I’ve always worked from home. What I need is a “soft space to land” to destress after a long day. Music, my panthers and cozy seating are key!
Prompt #2: What are your SIP food staples?
Our overlapping answers are in red. Bingo!
My take: food vices are common. Healthy choices are unique. Can you guess which ones were mine?
KEY
Row 1: Both, KS, KS, Both
Row 2: KS, MC, Both, MC
Row 3: KS, MC, MC, MC
Row 4: Both, Both, MC, KS
Row 5: MC, MC, MC, Both
Prompt #3: Travel Destinations
Kate's Pick
I couldn't decide between Hakone, Japan or Copenhagen, Denmark. Two seemly, vastly different places. During a brainstorm, Melissa pointed out their cultural similarities like prizing punctuality, order and cleanliness. And I'm loving the similarities in their outdoor spaces & color themes revealed in this moodboard exercise. Guess I'll have to visit both!
Melissa's Pick
I had a hard time conjuring a particular place. What's more appealing to me rn is reaching a state of flow (long-term stay, please!). There are aspects of travel that can bring me there very quickly – discovery, beauty and connection are a powerful elixir. This moodboard reminds me of how I'd like to feel. Weightless, limitless and full of color and life.
Miso Mustard Dressing
Use as a topper for everything from salad dressing to a sauce for leftover chicken, fish or roasted veggies.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons white or yellow miso paste
4 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon grated ginger
Place everything in a mason jar and shake vigorously.
Beet Hummus
Photo by FOODISM360 on Unsplash
Make a batch at the beginning of the week and snack to your heart’s content. Ideal with crackers, veggies or salad topper.
Ingredients
2 large beets (scrubbed clean with steams & most of the roots removed)
2 cloves garlic
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans
1 teaspoon miso
Juice of 1 lemon
Greek yogurt to taste
Salt & pepper to taste
Preparation
Roast covered in olive oil & salt for 40 minutes at 375F.
Heat a skillet pan on low. Add garlic & oil until the garlic turns golden brown (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
Rinse can of garbanzo beans and set aside
Remove beets from oven and allow to rest until cool to touch. Cut into quarter-sized pieces
Place garlic, beets, lemon juice, miso paste and garbanzo beans in a food processor. Drizzle oil over mixture as you pulse on high.
Add yogurt and water and continue to blend until desired consistency is reached
Place mixture in refrigerator for up to 5 days