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Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Tamale House East, Austin
July 22, 2014
— 6 Comments
Juan, happy camper
chilaquiles breakfast
busy kitchen
sweet
daily tomato use
la tamalera
the kitchen
Another day in Austin, another fabulous place to eat!!!! My brunch experience at Tamale House East today was out of this world…. or at least out of my normal world. I cook Mexican food and have made plenty of tamales myself but there is always a regional and personal style to every dish. I have a world wide competition on the best preparation of huevos rancheros (classic), chilaquiles (subject to MUCH interpretation), and nopalitos. The contest got started when some of my friends in Tecate were bragging that they made the best nopalitos. I said, “Well, let’s see.” They would bring me different versions of their specialties, all delicious. I would declare a tie (what kind of fool would declare a winner when the nopalitos were still flowing?). The tie in nopalitos continues, just in case some of my commadres read this.
They are not big on the nopalito thing in Texas, but the other two are to be found in abundance. Taking my landlady’s advice again I went to Tamale House East. This old establishment is popular with the hipsters. When I arrived they were playing Mexican music. When the hipster busboy arrived he switched to obscure rock, and the student clientele started to stream in the door, around 10 am. Lots of places around here do not open until 11 because methinks the collegiates are still sleeping until that time. The plates are large for the breakfast specials, and include some very good beans and a couple of hot flour tortillas. I could have gotten corn tortillas, but did not request it, so I enjoyed what I had. They gave up lard, like most restaurants these days, because most people are no longer into it. They still make one pork tamale with lard, but vegetarians will not be ordering that anyhow. The place is spacious, comfortable and colorful. The staff is friendly and attentive. The real reason to come here, though, is for the food. The tomatillo salsa was just right with my chilaquiles topped with an egg. I tried both of the house salsas on offer because that is how you know if you like the place. Both were outstanding.
I went to the kitchen to give my compliments to the ladies who made my food and was met with a very warm reception. I discussed tamales with the tamalera, who is from Guerrero (the state where Acapulco is). She was very cool and told me she makes green corn tamales at home. This is a Sonoran specialty not often found outside our zone. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. If you have never tasted tamales, this is a great place to start. If you are like me, very selective about your Mexican food, you will be more than pleased with the authenticity, the ambiance, and most of all the cuisine. Y’all come. You will not be disappointed.
El Chilito, Austin
July 21, 2014
— 2 Comments
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- El Chilito
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- hungry hipsters
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- El Chilito
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- El Chilito
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- migas taco
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- egg bean cheese taco
My landlady leaves a book of recommendations in the Airstream for her visitors which I have found to be helpful. There are way too many choices for Mexican food and I only want the best. Her statement about El Chilito is that they have the best breakfast tacos in town. I have been here for 5 days and have not had a single tortilla, so I followed her advice and drove to Manor Rd for some tacos. The menu is extensive, with plenty of options for vegetarians. I had a migas taco and a bean, cheese and egg taco which were both full of flavor and very satisfying. The style is double tortilla (you can order it with flour, but I always prefer corn) soft taco. The only seating is outdoors, but the foil wrapper keeps the food hot for a while if you want to take it with you. They also have a large selection of aguas frescas and other drinks. They even serve mimosas. Funky, original, and perfect…El Chilito is the real deal. If you visit this fine city and are hungry for Mexican food check this place. Prices are low, just like their overhead. I plan to return. I don’t need to try all the other breakfast tacos. I think my landlady is right.
Hulu on the Road
July 18, 2014
— 4 Comments
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- Day of Wrath
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- Day of Wrath
I have a mixed relationship with Hulu Plus. I do have an account, but I have a life that precludes spending much time watching TV. What works for me is to watch it for a month, binge on my favorite exclusive Hulu shows, and then freeze the account for the maximum amount of time, which I think is 3 months. I would not know it had returned if not for the PayPal notice telling me I have paid my dues. My Hulu month started last week, so I caught up on some Moone Boy and East Los High episodes for starters.
Now I am on holiday without a TV, and am perfectly fine with that. I did not travel to watch TV in another city. Since Hulu is my only option I have discovered there is more to the Hulu menu than I knew. Last night I watched a black and white movie in Danish with subtitles that was a heavy period piece about witch burning in the 1600’s and religion. The story is based on an event that really happened in Norway. The cinematography was haunting and spooky, although primitive because of the age of the film. They wore amazingly great costumes in the film, everyone looking sort of like Martin Luther (the hat part, anyhow). The movie was shot in 1943 (very interesting time in Europe) and is called Day of Wrath. It opened my eyes to the vast collections accessible through Hulu. I am going to purposely search the menu to find other interesting productions to watch as part of my holiday entertainment. Maybe Hulu and I can have a much better relationship. They have also added an option to allow you to play trivia before the show to avoid commercial interruption. This is the most important upgrade to me because Hulu plays the exact same commercials on all the shows in a geographic area. I quickly tire of seeing the same ad 20 times a night. At least by moving to another location I am seeing different ads this month. Do you use Hulu, and if so, are there any tips about getting the best experience you can share with me? Thanks, gentle readers.
Food Truck Infatuation, The Juice Well
July 17, 2014
— 5 Comments
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- decor
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- The Juice Well
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- Merlin’s Magic
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- lunch
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- Kraftwork
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- Friendly Staff
One of the ways I enjoy travel is by trying all kinds of gastronomy. In Austin the food truck craze is very advanced. There are more trucks than I could have imagined, most with permanent locations. I found a barbecue place close to home yesterday and was tempted by the cheese jalapeño grits they serve as a side. When I stopped to try the grits, the Juice Well was open next door. Now I have a problem. I have fallen so deeply in love with the food at the Juice Well that it will be hard to move on and try anything else. This vegetarian juice and smoothie bar goes to great lengths to prepare natural, homemade sandwiches and entrées that compliment the liquid delights. I was thrilled with my Merlin’s Magic juice blend that was spiked with garlic and lemon juice. The sandwich I ordered, the Kraftwork, may honestly be the best sandwich I have ever tasted. I am hooked. They make their own sauerkraut with red cabbage which is to die for. Pickled green onions and other veggies are all made in house. The result on the sandwich is fantastic, beating the hell out of the dill pickle relish we normally find between bread. I do want to try other trucks but I need to go back to the Juice Well to taste more of the dazzling creative specialties they are making right around the corner. To complicate matters I found a Colombian restaurant near here that had a super long waiting list for lunch. The Colombians serve arepas, and even if they are not exactly Venezuelan style, I love me some arepas. I have to find a time when Casa Colombia is not overflowing with customers. I was really thinking TexMex, but there is more exciting food to eat around here that we don’t have in Tucson. I have my work cut out for me as gourmet taster.
Travel Time
July 16, 2014
— 2 Comments
luggage
Time may be finite, but I notice that it can expand and contract based on circumstances. When I am home I always have some day to day chores waiting for me. Being busy is not my style, but I do cross items off the to do list in a regular fashion. Planning is big for me, but it often leads to changing plans. I drive very little by choice, so on line shopping is a big friend of mine when I am not supporting local businesses. My routine includes time with friends, my dog, and my neighbors as well as tending the garden and running the house. I find excitement in studying my ancestors, history, culture and the arts. I rarely need to go anywhere to stimulate my imagination and creativity. I had a long career as a travel agent, so I am very able to make choices and plans that suit my fancy in terms of a destination. I like to spend my holiday time involved in activities I either can’t do at home, or just don’t do at home. Some of my favorite vacation features are:
- Natural bodies of water..of any kind, with a strong preference for hot springs
- Sporty, creative community
- City life..I like nature just fine, but I don’t want to stay in it
- Shopping of an unusual, artistic nature
- Music
- Museums, art, science, anything
- Historical societies
- Graveyards
- Interesting cuisine and agriculture
My budget for both time and money is set free during holiday times. I look for new ways to spend both that I have never done. I do a lot of research before i visit a place. I usually have a long list of possible places I want to go, and then let the weather be the deciding factor. I need some rainy day plans as well as some perfect day plans. My main goal in traveling is to flow into a new schedule, a new culture, and a new rhythm based on what I discover. I usually do some reconnaissance on foot to see what the neighborhood has to offer before I set out in a car. I study maps and read reviews to help me decide what to investigate. It is a perfect combination of very well informed and not obligated to anything. I am looking forward to doing this for the next to weeks in Austin, Texas, live music capitol of the US. I hope my gentle readers will enjoy the trip as you come along for the ride.
Calamondin
July 14, 2014
— 6 Comments
calamondin
calamondin
calamondin
calamondin
One of the generous citrus trees in my garden is the calamondin. It bears fruit for many months which are useful and tasty. It is odd to have such a large crop in the middle of summer, but we had a very unusual winter in Arizona. The tree is loaded with ripe and green fruit in the middle of July, so we can expect to have fresh fruit until September. The tree comes from Asia where it is popular in Indonesian and other cuisines. It has medicinal as well as culinary applications. My next door neighbor is from Viet Nam. She told me they dry the peels in salt, which is later used as a remedy for sore throat. Other known medicinal uses include as a cure for constipation. Be advised about this one. We prepared a drink with water, honey and calamondin juice for my mom to drink on a car trip. She enjoyed it so much that she polished off a quart, which gave her a bad case of the runs. Moderation is important when you try the juice. I have made infused vodka just by soaking the fruits in it, which turns out very well also.
I have started making bitters. I have mad a batch of peach and one of apricot, both made from our own trees. The taste is interesting, whether you cook with it, drink it as a flavoring in fizzy water, or use it in cocktails. I am experimenting with new combinations, using a book to guide me about the proportions. Next I will whip up a batch of calamondin bitters, for which I am slightly altering the recipe the book gives for lime bitters. I think this will be a delicious way to make use of calamondin’s tart and unique taste. A little bit of bitters imparts big flavor to food and drinks. I adore the taste of limes, but the crop failed in Mexico this year and prices are sky high. Calamondin makes a pretty substitute. They can often be found in Asian markets if they don’t grow near your home. You can make simple syrups, bitters, or just juice the fruit fresh in cocktails. Here are some cocktail ideas to get your creativity started:
Chi Nei Tsang, Ancient Healing Art
July 13, 2014
— 3 Comments
I am lucky to have found, right in my neighborhood, a Chi Nei Tsang practitioner of great talent and ability. Her name is Desiree Maultsby and her practice is at Rooted Massage Therapy in Tucson. I wanted to address inflammation in my organs that was discovered at my thermography session. Obviously my lifestyle and diet are under my own control and can be improved. To help me better understand and improve the chi flow in my internal organs I wanted to use Chi Nei Tsang because I know it is effective.
Taoist practices are simple, yet complicated. There is order, but there is a great deal of mystery as well. Chi, universal energy, moves through the body and around it. The way we direct chi, and allow it to flow will determine the state of our health and our mood. The most basic way to think about chi in the abdomen is to bring to mind the proverbial knot in the stomach. Stress, improper habits and diet, and other factors can constrict and block the flow of energy and circulation in the internal organs. Deep breathing is the best way to relieve these constrictions and restore good function to all the organs. With the help of a practitioner a chi nei tsang session can bring dramatic and instant results in healing congestion in the abdomen. There are simple practices of self massage and breathing techniques that can be done between sessions to greatly enhance the results. This is, for practical purposes, a meditation technique. Your awareness will grow from this practice, of both the power of your breath, and the importance of freeing up energy in the organs.
Physical issues that bring pain to the abdomen may very well be related to trauma held in the gut. Breathing techniques and sound vibrations have healing effects on the specific organs. Your practitioner will guide you by giving you meditative instruction as well as reminders about breath. By working very closely together in this way deep psychic wounds you don’t even know you have can be healed. The treatment is not at all like a Swedish massage, which I really like for the pleasurable feeling at the time. This is a full on transformational pursuit. If you want to chat or stay on the surface, then chi nei tsang is not for you. You remain clothed and the treatment takes place on a mat on the floor, to make the best use of gravity. I am very impressed with the progress my body has made in just three sessions with Desiree. I recommend her work to anyone interested in making profound changes. She provides plenty of supplemental information for those who want to do their homework.
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- chi nei tsang
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- chi nei tsang
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- chi nei tsang
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- handouts
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- Desiree gives homework
Rue
July 11, 2014
— 12 Comments
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- ruta graveolens
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- ruta graveolens guards the gate
When the Pope sprinkles holy water he dips it in a branch of rue. Ruta graveolens is used medicinally as well as ceremonially. In ancient Rome there were celebratory foods prepared with rue. It is poisonous in large amounts and should not be consumed by pregnant women at all. There is a homeopathic remedy that is very popular made with this plant. Mexican folk medicine prescribes leaves of the plant stuck directly into the ear to cure an earache. In gardening it is prized for its ability to repel insects from the area where it grows, making it a very good companion. I grow it at the back of my garden by the gate because it is a protector plant. It repels any unwanted attention, human, insect, or otherworldly.
The prophet Mohammed blessed this herb and none other. Early Christians used it to exorcise evil spirits. During the Middle Ages it was hung in the doorway to repel evil, the plague, and witches. Italians had a custom of adorning a silver amulet shaped like the top of rue plant, a cimaruta, with symbols of fertility. This magical charm was used to protect the user against the evil eye. Medicinal uses as well as magical ones have been recorded for centuries, but the way I like to use it is in the bath. Make a sachet of rue and create a strong tea in the bathtub by brewing in very hot water for 10 minutes or so before adding water to hit the bath temperature you desire. To add an extra helping of magic to this bath I spread honey on my face and leave it on while I soak in the tub. After rinsing the face feels very soft and the entire body, as well as the aura, is clean and clear. These baths are great before a meditation session or a creative project. Clearing and protecting are positive ways to influence your moods, your focus, and your ability to rest and relax. If you need protection from evil, or just from too much stress, try a rue bath.
Empire Avenue, a Social Experiment
July 10, 2014
— 32 Comments
The activity on Empire Avenue resembles the stock market, but Wall Street does not have recreational investment games on the weekends. I like the Avenue because it allows me to meet and find new people writing all kinds of great content. The games are intended to socially introduce the members to each other in a non competitive way. Embedded treasure hunts are followed at your own pace. Reward bucks and accomplishment badges are the prizes given for participation, but the true reward is the exposure to the other players. One way I learn about the other players is by completing missions, for which I am paid in Empire bucks. This straightforward approach is better, in my opinion, than all the quid pro quo schemes I have seen in LinkedIn (like my page and I will like yours). As any investor wants his stock to increase in value, so on the Avenue you want the scores and stock prices of the players you hold in your portfolio to do well. If they quit or loose interest you can sell the stock without any problem. If they quit entirely you are given a refund in the amount of your shares invested in that person. There are commissions, and ways to save on them, but since they are all imaginary bucks I don’t stress over that particular issue. These are some of the ways Empire Avenue differs from other social media sites:
- There is an open market so reciprocity is not a factor for connecting-just buy or sell
- All other networks are listed making it easy to get in touch elsewhere if desired
- Special groups organize parties, games, and innovation
- EA Leaders group works to enhance the whole experience and recruit new members
- Missions allow you to both support and learn more about your shareholders/portfolio
- Detailed data from all the social media sites gives very good feedback on success/failure rates
- It allows me to feel like a stock market tycoon without risking real money
In a little less than a year I have built up almost 80 million Empire bucks in wealth. It is satisfying to watch your shares become more valuable and your portfolio rise in value too. Some of the same due diligence you do for the stock market is necessary. It is not such a good idea to buy and hold blindly. Things change. You need to stay current on your investments, just like real life. I have been thinking of inviting my fiduciary to join just to see how well he would do, but I really want him to concentrate on my money, so maybe that is a silly idea. I will let him handle calculated financial risks. I will enjoy being a mogul on #EmpireAvenue while he sticks to Wall Street.
Theme Party, Sabotage
July 6, 2014
— 1 Comment
“Even pudding needs a theme.”- Winston Churchill. He could not have ben more insightful. Americans often use freedom as a theme for national celebrations. We repeat themes in our lives without awareness, but how would it make a difference if we embraced themes? Leonardo da Vinci pioneered mind mapping by drawing similarities between seemingly unrelated things. His essential belief in Connessione broadened his thinking and increased his creativity. He took notes constantly, drew pictures and diagrams that we are lucky enough to be able to see today. His notebooks are full of connections, discovery and contemplations.
“every part is disposed to unite with the whole, that it may thereby escape from its own incompleteness”-Leonardo da Vinci. If we think in terms of unification, or connectedness it is obvious that no part of life exists by itself, on its own, with no assistance. Our social connections are different from our commercial connections, and our survival connections are a different group. We rely on systems, nature, people, and cultural beliefs to keep our lives running. By taking a theme for a day we can start to see how connections are at least as important as single relationships. Every relationship touches other relationships, and so it goes. Within the personality of each person there may be dynamic tension or power struggles daily. There are themes within those dramas too. Pick one and observe it for a day, or a week.
Choosing to observe sabotage might reveal deep meaning. We certainly sabotage others and are sabotaged by others. It is also true that we sabotage ourselves and pretend others have done it. Drawing a timeline of the history of self sabotage can be interesting, but why not look at this phenomena in real-time? Check out daily habits that dilute health, happiness or finances. The theme of saboteur is well-known in fiction because everyone has this common issue in real life. If you take time to observe your inner saboteur at work notice how it is connected to those who seem to sabotage you from the outside. Are they in secret alliance? How do they know your weaknesses so well? Are you in cahoots? What are the themes your inner and outer saboteurs use to stay connected to you?
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