The best thing I ate this week
Being a mom and wife, most of the time I’m thinking of what I’m cooking... for the week, for snacks, for school lunches. You name it.
As most do, I’m sure, I try to plan meals for the next week at the end of the previous week… ahh it’s a never-ending cycle!
We often see so much online about what we should and should not eat, it truly becomes so overwhelming. As a mom I want to introduce my daughter (and my husband) t0 new foods and flavors and reinvent some of our healthy favorites for new dinner opportunities.
I also LOVE reading different food blogs and learning about different flavors and creative cooking.
Some of my favorites include:
Joy the Baker
This week I found this amazing dish that both my husband and daughter LOVED. Love & Lemons created this delicious lentil pasta, that was both so comforting and hearty – plus its packed with so much protein.
Check this out!
Prep Time: 15minutes mins
Cook Time: 15minutes mins
Total Time: 30minutes mins
Serves 4
This easy lentil pasta recipe is a hearty, delicious vegetarian dinner! A flavorful tomato and lentil sauce coats chewy ribbons of al dente pasta.
Ingredients
· 10 ounces pappardelle pasta
· 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
· ½ medium yellow onion, diced
· 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
· 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, stemmed and finely chopped
· 3 garlic cloves, chopped
· ½ teaspoon sea salt
· Freshly ground black pepper
· 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
· 1 teaspoon tamari
· 1½ cups cooked green or French green lentils, from ½ cup dry
· 24 ounces marinara sauce
· ½ cup Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan, for serving
· Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare the pasta according to the package instructions, cooking until al dente. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until softened. Add the mushrooms, garlic, salt, and several grinds of pepper and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the mushrooms are tender.
3. Stir in the balsamic and tamari, then add the lentils and marinara. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until the sauce is well-combined and heated through.
4. Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Portion onto plates and serve with Parmesan and fresh parsley for garnish.
Where to begin?
One of the most common questions I receive on Instagram is:
“How do I get started in Voiceover?”
I think one of the most important ways to get started is TAKE A CLASS.
This not only gives you the opportunity to work on the craft and learn the business but also see if you like it! There are so many different genera’s of voice acting and the more versatile you are the better. Some of the best schools even offer classes online via zoom!
My favorites include:
Actors Connection
And Real voice LA
Another important part of voice over is setting up your home studio.
Having a quality sounding home studio is so important for submitting auditions, being able to offer a quick turn-around, direct sessions and so much more! Your basic studio should include a computer with recording and editing software, quality microphone (with a pop filter) and an audio interface. You will also need a space to record that is quiet and you feel absolutely comfortable and you can give your best takes!
Next maybe dip your toes in!
Market you and your services to local business or if you have the funds sign up got one of the pay to play platforms and take a swing at some auditions. Some of the more popular P2p’s include:
Voices
Voice123
To read more about starting a career in voice over check out this great article from Voices.com!
Heartsongs the Podcast!
Heartsongs The Podcast - Episode out now
My @heartsongsthepodcast episode is out!
Around my “big” birthday this year I got the opportunity to work on this project.
It was so timely to record my story and string together so many moments in my life .. while thinking about the music surrounding it
(at the risk of sounding a little dramatic and slightly cringy haha.)
If you know anything about me you know how much music means to me. It has always been a constant in my life. Through times of bliss, celebration, confusion and heartache. This is such a great idea for a podcast!
Thank you again to Adam for the opportunity!
Listen to this episode everywhere podcasts are played or click the link below.
She’s got personality babe!
So often as voice actors we are asked many ways to read and deliver copy. “Can this sound more comedic, more directive, more approachable?” I think one of my more favorable vocal qualities is how you can make your voice sound more authentic.
I think before you dive to deep into the copy, the best way to bring out more authenticity is to make the read more personable. I tend to think as if Im speaking to a family member or a friend. If this is a commercial read, I always like to figure out who the commercial is directed to, who is the company trying to reach. Even better? Think of someone specific – your friend Sarah or your Dad and speak directly to them. The read will automatically sound more authentic and at ease.
So often as voice actors we are asked many ways to read and deliver copy. “Can this sound more comedic, more directive, more approachable?” I think one of my more favorable vocal qualities is how you can make your voice sound more authentic.
I think before you dive to deep into the copy, the best way to bring out more authenticity is to make the read more personable. I tend to think as if Im speaking to a family member or a friend. If this is a commercial read, I always like to figure out who the commercial is directed to, who is the company trying to reach. Even better? Think of someone specific – your friend Sarah or your Dad and speak directly to them. The read will automatically sound more authentic and at ease.
Happy recording!
Are we there yet?
I have been working on this website for quite some time now and it seems to be continuously changing. It’s a labor of love – and yet I believe it always will be?
I think as a creative person it’s hard to “finalize” something, especially as a performer. There’s also something extra to share, new clip to add, SEO to edit…and the list goes on.
This is a quote from a Martha Graham poem that I love (and Sara Bareilles used it as inspiration for one of her fantastic Albums of the same name)
I have been working on this website for quite some time now and it seems to be continuously changing. It’s a labor of love – and yet I believe it always will be?
I think as a creative person it’s hard to “finalize” something, especially as a performer. There’s also something extra to share, new clip to add, SEO to edit…and the list goes on.
This is a quote from a Martha Graham poem that I love (and Sara Bareilles used it as inspiration for one of her fantastic Albums of the same name)
Blessed Unrest
“… No artist is ever pleased.
There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction;
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes us more alive than the others.
--Martha Graham to Agnes De Mille
I can’t wait to figure out more ways to be Creative with this site. I love having an outlet to chat about voiceover, performing, the arts and maybe even some mom stuff!