Tucson | mermaidcamp

Entrepreneurial Spirit, Magic Kenny Bang Bang

January 26, 2016 — 2 Comments

The Dillinger Days party at Hotel Congress is always a great community event. People enjoy the car show and the costumed gangsters as well as both of our beautiful antique firetrucks on display for the occasion. A fire in the Hotel Congress lead to the arrest of public enemy number one in Tucson in 1934. The era is recreated each year and the locals enjoy watching the reenactment, which includes cops, robbers, and antique firetrucks. A good time is had by all.

I was eating lunch at Maynard’s Market at the train station while Magic Kenny Bang Bang sat at the bar talking to friends. I asked about his top hat costume, which seemed over the top, even at Dillinger Days. He told me that he is a professional magician. Oddly enough, I had just read his name a few hours earlier in association with an event he will MC on Valentines Day and had wondered who he is. He was waiting for his piano player to arrive for a show they would perform later in the afternoon. He did a magic trick at the bar that did baffle and amaze me, so I asked for a quick interview. He was gracious to oblige.

I think the combination sommelier/magician is a unique one. He can do all kinds of magic, but primarily is a people person who enjoys entertaining. I did not stay downtown for his show but think I will go to the Valentine’s event to see what he will do. I love to see the different ways people can make a living from their talents. Magic Kenny is a great example of ingenuity, creativity, and skill.

Magic Kenny Bang Bang

Cooking with Kraut

January 22, 2016 — 1 Comment

potato, fake sausage, kraut

The first rule of cooking with kraut is like Fight Club, never cook the kraut. The living probiotic culture that gives your homemade sauerkraut all the extra health benefits would be killed if heated above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The zesty flavors as well as the cool temperature are used to create contrast in dishes. Most people think of the Reuben sandwich when they think of this very useful condiment. Indeed, the use of cool crunchy fermented vegetables as part of a well stacked sandwich takes the creation to a new level. I encountered red cabbage kraut in use at my favorite food truck in East Austin a couple of years ago. The Juice Well hooked me on their vegetarian Kraftwork sandwich at first bite because the condiments were spectacular and made in house (or in Airstream to be precise). I never forgot how much bang for the buck one gets out of specialty first rate condiments.

Another obvious use we all know is the hot dog on a bun served with kraut. This time honored combination works well by itself, or with a fermented beverage like beer. I will soon be entertaining real live Europeans in my home. Real live krauts will be eating krauts at my house, so I am gearing up to treat them to some special culinary delights. My friend Steffi will visit with her friend from Zurich for a way-out-west vacation. I have some local places in mind to dine with the visitors, but it will be gem show time in Tucson, not the best season to go to restaurants here. We like eating at home the best anyhow. This is a vegetarian home, with no meat, but I am not adverse to fake wurst. In fact, fake meat is one of the only processed foods I still consume…my biggest guilty pleasure.

Today’s experimental dish, which I just devoured for my breakfast, is a baked potato with Tofurkey Italian Sausage chopped into pieces on top of the spud. I topped it with spicy and cool Cowboy Kraut from Garden Goddess. I am very full and happy with the way this tasted. I added some cheese between the potato and the slaw, which is cool for all of us lacto-ovo vegetarians. Vegans might add something else. The flavors worked well, and the contrast of warm and cool made it all the more satisfying. I know not everyone wants sauerkraut for breakfast, but my craving for the stuff has reached an advanced stage. I have become officially crazy for kraut. Do you have any ideas or recipes to share with me on my new favorite food?

Digesting the Past

January 20, 2016 — 2 Comments

fermenting beverages

Our bodies alert us to imbalance and disease long before a diagnosis can be made. I have always had excellent digestion, but a couple of years ago I had to make some dietary changes to stem some new symptoms I had acquired in my digestive tract. My thermogram showed inflammation all along the digestive system, but the real issue was that I felt bad. I had become a burping bubbling mess. I eliminated wine and beer, which made a huge difference in the problem. I also decreased, but did not totally stop, my consumption of bread. These changes, together with some attention to adding the foods that heal the spleen, helped me conquer my indigestion.

During the time I was studying my spiritual path as it coincided with all this unexpected indigestion in my body. I believe there is always some soul element of every physical manifestation. Indeed, I had unresolved, undigested issues about my home and environment that had serious consequences. Stress from trying unsuccessfully to put a stop to crime in our neighborhood had become a permanent drag. I was really sick and tired of reporting crime with no response and no effort made by authorities to stop it. The culture of willful blindness had won the day, and no progress was possible. Now there is a breakthrough!!!

This week our new police chief, Chris Magnus, starts his job running the Tucson Police Department. I have very high hopes that his new energy will uplift the community and bring people together to improve conditions in our Tucson neighborhoods. His reputation for community policing and success in reducing violence precedes him. We need to improve the working relationship between the cops and the citizens here. His experience should prove very valuable to improve the culture of TPD.

My new hobby is fermenting raw foods. I have tried concocting several beverages that are super simple to make and taste great. They have the added benefit of probiotic culture which boosts immunity and assists digestion. Over time the healthy bacteria growing in my beautiful beverages will improve my health, but for now I just love the flavors. At the moment I am fermenting some red cabbage kraut juice, a batch of swizzle, and a batch of ginger beer. When the ginger beer is ready I want to try a second fermentation to add more fizz. The possibilities of delicious new ways to digest the past are endless. Here are directions for you if you want to try making your own switchel, packed with electrolytes from the apple cider vinegar. To your health, gentle reader!!!

Farmers Markets for Family Fun

January 18, 2016 — 1 Comment

The goddess herself

The popularity of farmers markets is in the rise. People are interested in fresh sources of local food, and more entrepreneurs are entering the market with new natural products. The variety and quality of locally produced foods has soared in Baja Arizona in the last few years. Specialty growers and artisanal small batch culinary companies are featured at most of our markets. Some feature food trucks and vendors of prepared meals, both frozen and ready to eat on the spot. Many markets have entertainers, usually musicians, to entertain the crowd. The combination of shopping for special food and being outdoors is a perfect recipe for family enjoyment. The market creates an atmosphere that encourages healthy culture and social engagement.

I have been a customer at many markets all around the world, rarely being disappointed. Yesterday I participated as a vendor for the first time at the Heirloom Farmers Market at the Rillito Race Track in Tucson. I was in training to represent Garden Goddess raw fermented sauerkraut, made in Phoenix, down here in Tucson. The goddess herself, Suzette Smith, showed me how it is done and set me up with the equipment and permits I will need to get going on my own as a market vendor. We had a really great time meeting the customers as well as the other vendors. For our first appearance anywhere in Tucson we had a very warm reception. The flavor as well as the health benefits make fermented foods easy for me to promote. I eat the kraut myself daily with excellent results. I can enthusiastically endorse the changes it has made to my digestive system. Health is valuable to me, but if something does not taste good I am not very likely to get into it. Garden Goddess krauts are so deliciously different from others on the market that I find the sample taste convinces many to buy. Some folks who think they are not fans of kraut change their minds when they taste the Garden Goddess versions of this ancient food. Others who do enjoy it are surprised to find such a full flavored kraut with so many medicinal additives to increase the benefits.

The time flew by yesterday because sharing the day with the community at a market is one of my favorite pastimes. I am feeling lucky to find a new way to participate in the local food culture. It is a blast to turn people on to the wonders and flavors of artisanal sauerkraut.

Sunday market at Rillito Race Track

young entrepreneur

Friday is for Venus

January 15, 2016 — 1 Comment

signs in order

The days of the week are assigned to planets. Friday is the day of Venus, the goddess of love, known to the Greeks as Aphrodite. Since it is the final day of work in most western countries it holds special meaning. Thank God It’s Friday, and Piss Off Early Tomorrow’s Saturday are acronym phrases invented to celebrate the arrival the free time on the weekend. Happy hours, romantic dining, and entertainment beckon to workers as they finish the tasks in front of them. The magic of payday often happens on Friday too. In the ancient world the 40 hour work week was unknown, but the day had meaning as a weekly holiday dedicated to art, beauty and love. Today I like the idea of setting aside time for art, beauty and love. In our home I take time every Friday to follow some small but significant rituals.

I clean and clear the house of clutter, discarding anything we no longer need
I care for all my houseplants and do touch up work on the outside garden area
I cook some special foods. This can vary, but at least one dish is prepared as a treat
I workout at the gym and take a long steam bath to pamper my body and mind
I come home early in the day to relax and finish the food preparations
I watch the PBS Newshour with Shields and Brooks political commentary
I drink cocktails of my own creation

That is all it takes to make my weekend start with a bang. The clean house and the food treats make home feel like a trip to a resort. Home is where the heart is, gentle reader. What are your Friday rituals?

planet Venus sign

My Medicare Miracle

January 14, 2016 — 5 Comments

View from the exercise bike, JCC

My life has changed dramatically in the last two weeks. I have been looking forward to Medicare because it saves me a significant chunk of cash each month. I shopped and researched wildly, reaching the conclusion that the new Iora Primary Care is right for me. I am signed up with Humana on a Medicare Advantage plan that costs me nothing and offers benefits I can really use. I went to my first appointment with Dr Julia Jernberg, my new primary care physician, on Monday. She is the smartest, coolest doctor I have ever seen. She gave me a simple practice I can do at home to relieve a chronic pain I have had in the front of my ankle. She specialized in this orthopedic technique at University of Arizona School of Alternative Medicine. She nailed the diagnosis (always key to success), then taught me how to do my own simple hands on healing. I find a position of comfort and gently coax my muscle out of trauma for about three minutes at a time, twice a day. It is ridiculously easy to do, but she cautioned me not to be too zealous and overdo my remedy. She nailed the zealous diagnosis too. I have followed her instructions for three days and believe I can feel improvement. Dr. Julie is truly my dream doctor, a teacher of self care. She is assisted by the best staff in the most well designed environment. I could not be more pleased with this fantastic upgrade to my health care.

My Silver Sneakers card arrived in the mail this week too. This card provides free membership privileges to Medicare recipients at health clubs all over the country. In Tucson many clubs participate in the program, but each one offers a different set of privileges. I am already a very happy member at Tucson Racquet Club, and have arranged to pay a fee over and above my Silver Sneakers membership (covered by my insurance company). I think it is worth paying $22 a month to be able to attend all the classes at my club. However, I took my Sneakers card to the newly remodeled Jewish Community Center and was given full membership privileges. The JCC does not restrict me to Silver Sneakers classes with my special membership. They offer a wide array of fitness options. This thrills me, but not as much as the fabulous Zuckerman Family Wellness Center does. The gym is the feature I use the most at a club. This one is spacious, modern, well staffed and super clean. The view from the equipment room is spectacular, and like the Racquet Club, it is situated right on the Rillito River walk. They have new state of the art equipment and professional trainers. There is free high-speed WiFi which I used to read some magazines on my iPad while I peddled the new age exercise bike. The bike even has arm rests.

I am highly impressed with the quality of the operation, but my favorite part of the JCC gym is the special needs population. Some special needs individuals work out independently and some come to the J with care givers who encourage and help them. I watched a young man who appeared to have Down Syndrome have such a great time on the TRX equipment that he inspires me to try it. He was so comfortable and happy swinging on the rings and attempting super difficult moves that I decided I can do that too. I think it is really fun to share the gym with the special population, and it is the first time I have experienced that cool thing. You just go, JCC!!!

My Very Own Medicare Paraclete

January 6, 2016 — 3 Comments

Haley in the greenhouse

I am excited to have lived long enough to make it into Medicare. I have expert guidance and very good luck in my choice of providers. Iora Primary Care recently opened very near my home. I will go to my first appointment next week, but yesterday I met my new Paraclete. Her name is Haley and I like her a lot. She will be my helper/guide/uplifter at the medical practice. We visited the Tucson Botanical Garden yesterday while getting to know each other. I am an enthusiastic new patient of this brand new model for Medicare Advantage clients who are insured by Humana.

Haley has experience in different kinds of yoga and fitness. She is assigned to me as a coach. The problems with using the word coach are various. For one thing everyone and their dog is a coach now. It is impossible to know what the term is supposed to mean in each case. Also coaching implies some kind of external pressure rather than helper by one’s side. We tried out the word paraclete on some people we met at the gardens. It does sound exactly like parakeet, and nobody knows what it means, so it is high comedy. We met the botanist in charge of the butterfly greenhouse, whose first language is Italian. He was able to guess the meaning, but I think it will be an uphill struggle to get this word into common use. Religious people use it to connote Holy Spirit. I like the idea that Haley is my personal Paraclete, provided and paid for by Medicare. Whatever we call her she is the bomb. This was worth the wait.

Haley in the greenhouse

Haley at the Gardens

Arizona Inn for Innovative Cuisine, Who Knew?

January 1, 2016 — 1 Comment

We went out to eat in our neighborhood today to celebrate the new year. I was thinking of eggs Benedict but we arrived after the breakfast menu had been retired. Much to my delight the lunch menu had been updated since our last visit to include many new dishes that are right up my culinary alley. The Arizona Inn is a very classy place to dine, stay, or do just about anything. I used to take my mother there all the time because she loved the ambiance. I am also a fan of the reserved, quiet atmosphere and the historic style. In Tucson nobody really needs to put up a Christmas tree at home because the Inn provides a fabulous super tree in the library every year for all of us to enjoy. They keep the wood fire going and the charm flowing for hotel guests, so off the street visitors are treated to the same upgraded style. We love the dining room, but the Audubon Bar is adjacent which has a patio where the full menu is also available. The entire space is elegant and designed for classic leisure. I am not sure if many remember classic leisure, but it includes well designed surroundings, croquet, and fabulous service.

I was surprised to see the jackfruit Korean tacos so I ordered them. My starter of vegetarian spring rolls was fresh and delicious. The salad on which the rolls were served was the most sumptuous part of the dish, adding texture and another layer of flavor to go with the dipping sauces. To be honest I would have been satisfied after that course, but the tacos arrived and they really excited me. I finished my soba noodles and two of my tacos, which took me past the point of sensible portions. I am guilty of overeating on New Years Day!! Well, I made no resolutions, so I guess I did not break any. Bob was not able to finish his paella after his starter of corn and cauliflower chowder. I tasted the chowder, another vegetarian item, and really like it too. Bob ordered take out dessert, so the experience lives on in the fridge as two kinds of cake.

Our service was delivered with impeccable precision and grace by Mike Yaugor who has worked at the Inn for six years and likes it. I try not to hound waiters with my lacto-ovo vegetarianism by asking too many questions, but I need specificity. Mike was proactively ready to serve anyone, even vegans. He knew everything about everything on the menu. When Bob ordered paella, which normally is served after 5 pm, he proactively found out that the kitchen could accommodate the order at lunch time. Mike is my kind of guy, a happy, attentive, detail oriented server, comfortable with his colleagues and his guests. He did not mind asking the chefs to don the toques to come out for kudos on camera. Nathan Brown and Mathew Patton were holding down the kitchen on 1 January, 2016. They kicked out a lunch that made our celebration special and memorable. We are both impressed with the innovative new twists to the offerings. We’ll be back! This is, by far, the best restaurant in my neighborhood at the moment.

The tree

Happy New Year!!

Mike Yaugor

Korean jackfruit tacos

spring rolls

: The Inn in miniature

: The Inn in miniature

: The Inn in miniature

: The Inn in miniature

Ikebana in the Garden

November 29, 2015 — 1 Comment

Ohara School

outdoor exhibit

indoor exhibit

Tomorrow is the last day of the annual Ikebana event at Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson. This delightful addition to the garden’s peaceful atmosphere is wonderfully worth a visit. The works are displayed in all parts of the gardens as well as in two interior galleries. There are well defined spaces that allow contemplation or mindfulness practice at Yume any time you visit. To see these adorned with Ikebana is a real invitation to deep meditation. The work itself is done as a meditative practice, finding the best way to use the plant materials to express art. The relatively short life of the materials is an element of the contemplative experience for me. Like sand mandala they will be discarded in the future, with less ceremony.

I was very lucky to be invited to the arranging pre party where I met artists and teachers working on the show. The universe of Ikebana was unknown to me, but it took a very enjoyable guided tour. It was clear to me that in the group situation some found it more difficult than others to be immersed in the creative process. I asked questions but did not want to get carried away and become a big distraction. Once I tuned in to what was happening it reminded me of yoga. The teacher comes around and gives assistance and guidance to to student while the work is in progress. There is a reverent attitude toward the plant materials, and quiet concentration. When I saw all the finished pieces in the show I was impressed with the work in all of them. They caught a seasonal natural harvest in whimsical harmony with the moment in which it was created. The curation of the show is done so that every piece looks natural and harmonious with the surroundings. For this Thanksgiving weekend Yume, which means dream, is one big flower arrangement containing many arrangements. It is the perfect place to be one with nature right in the center of the city of Tucson.

Ikebana in the garden

Make sure you take a look around all the corners because there are arrangements tucked into the gardens like a treasure hunt. The indoor galleries are also very well curated to show a range of styles. I am a happy newcomer to this exciting form of art and meditation.

indoor gallery

Ikebana Sneak Preview

November 26, 2015 — 1 Comment

I was lucky to catch up with Patricia Deridder at the Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson as she prepares for this weekend’s big Ikebana exhibit. She is the founder of the gardens, a teacher, and still a student, of Ikebana. She has organized a group of masters who will show their work over the weekend in the gardens. This very special treat will give the public an idea of the different schools of Ikebana and the individuals who live here and practice these special arts. There are monks in Japan who do this practice as meditation. Anyone involved in this way of looking at flower arranging will discover elements of mediation or merging with nature.

I am thrilled to have this artful peaceful alternative to Black Friday shopping offered in my neighborhood. If you happen to be in Tucson this event is offered with the regular entry fee, or to members as part of our membership. This is a wonderful opportunity to be immersed in nature carefully and beautifully crafted by artists. I am excited to learn more and enjoy the show. The three pieces I watched in progress all came out beautifully.