Petals and Proteins

Much like today, yesterday was a gorgeous, sunny day. Wonderful day to be out meeting with prospective clients near the lake by a large set of windows. For the first time in ages, I felt uncomfortably warm from the rays. A very good feeling.

The couple I met with has a November wedding that will feature a chocolate brown, kiwi green and ivory color scheme with hints of silver and lots of chunky glass. Tres elegant. The addition of the ivory and mercury glass softens up this otherwise very contemporary palette.

We love to use mood boards at La Tulipe to illustrate the look that our clients are wanting to achieve. While not always literal in their content, they are more directional and inspirational for all parties involved. When working with designers of any sort, it's essential to know that they completely understand your vision.

Based on their likes and dislikes, here is what I'm proposing for this couple. Yummy, right?

So the meeting was moving along nicely until I started feeling a little light headed and my energy level was on the decline. Not the optimum situation for a first meeting. After we exchanged our parting pleasantries, I headed off to the nearest co-op for some alternative protein supplies. Until now, I had only eaten a piece of toast with natural peanut butter which I thought would suffice. It was not doing the trick. In the old days, I would have reached for a piece of string cheese or hard-boiled egg for quick relief. Now, my freshly minted vegan self was going to have to settle for some soy derivation of a favorite food. Tofurkey here I come.

I got to Outpost in the knick of time, filled my recycled bag 3/4 full and paid $45 for a day and half's worth of food. My first field trip to the health food grocer had yielded the following observations:

1. Pleasant surprises. Many of the foods my family already enjoys happen to be vegan. Chief among them is Amy's Frozen Roasted Vegetable pizza. All five of us adore this pizza, so this was a great discovery. Add to the list thai peanut noodle salad, certain Boca burgers and, of course, fruit.

2. When the label "Vegan" is attached to a product, it's price escalates by 70%. Don't anyone let them know that you know pears are vegan. Deal?

3. There are many unreasonable facsimiles. If you want something that tastes like a brat, but prefer a tube mixed with brown rice, tofu, guar gum and a dash of liquid smoke, you may not be coming out ahead health wise. (Full disclosure: we are friends with the relatives of the owner of Liquid Smoke and hold no ill feelings toward their product. Reference to its name was used solely for the author's feeble attempt at creative writing. On the other hand, we know no one that produces guar gum and, thus,will continue to mock its existence as a whole food substitute.)

4. Healthy eating is for the rich.

I could go on, but I find myself once again running out of steam. My kingdom for some lentils!

Day 2 Menu:

Breakfast - toast with natural peanut butter

Lunch - thai peanut noodle salad (of course the noodles are egg free!)

Snack - 1/2 dark chocolate bar, flax and pumpkin seed crackers

Dinner - ratatouille

(Note: all of these meals are ones that we frequently enjoy)

No Whey!

No, it's not a ghost writer, it's actually me. OK, so I failed miserably at my quest to become a pro blogger in 2009. My only defense is that I got incredibly busy much quicker than expected and Tulipe Talk effectively became, well, mute. I'm back now and on a mission (more on that later in this post).

Here's what I was up to while I was "out": 25 weddings, 4 galas, 9 corporate events - and a smattering of showers, birthdays and bat mitzvahs - in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. If this is indicative of a down economy, then smite me with it. I am so grateful for all of this activity, for the constant referrals, and for the wonderful people I met and worked with along the way. Now it's time to suit up and do it all over again. Big inhale.

So why am I talking about this in mid-February? After a well deserved post holiday rest, I began thinking of Tulipe Talk and how I could make it just a little different than most floral and event design blogs. One of the things I really enjoy about my job is the relationships that form. You work very closely with clients, both bridal and corporate, typically for a long period of time leading up to the big day. I know how important it is that personalities jive, and that's why I've chosen to inject a little bit of my personality into the blog along with the pretty pictures. If you're following Tulipe Talk and book us for an event, you'll know exactly what you're getting into.

Which brings me to Lent.

If you aren't familiar, Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter that some religions recognize as a time to sacrifice. This year, I've decided to go vegan for the Lenten time period. I can't quite say how I came upon this decision, much in the same way I can't clearly say why I chose floral design after canning my advertising career. It just happened. I will say that the vegan thing is not born out of any negative feelings toward meat and dairy eaters. It's not political, I assure you. And, being a UW grad, I can get my crunch on.

Since I'm looking at this as somewhat of a 40 day experiment, it requires a hypothesis or two. First off, I hope that at the end of all of this I feel good. Second, I'd wager a reduction of my higher-than-it-should-be cholesterol level. The bad kind. Weight loss isn't a given, but would be a nice side effect.

For the next 40 days, I'll regale you with all of my discoveries, trials and tribulations as I go about this bacon-free journey not 5 blocks from a Five Guys. And, of course, I promise to include some pretty flower pictures too.

Day 1 Menu:

- Breakfast: toast with real peanut butter

- Lunch: wild rice salad with cashews and celery (from Sendik's deli!)

- Snack: trail mix of sesame seeds, almonds, cashews and raisins

- Dinner: pasta (egg free) with marinara sauce