tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67798232949676838812024-03-12T23:24:22.434-07:00Now is magicAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-71996230327404484752014-11-02T20:04:00.000-08:002014-11-02T20:04:09.389-08:00Things are happening!Hello!<br />
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Anyone who may be following has probably noticed the lack of things to notice on this ol' blog lately (except for a few random travel posts really just for my family). I've been thinking about what I want this space to be - it has gone through a few permutations, reflecting my own flitting interests. I'm like a bird, I get distracted and flutter this way, then that. And for a long, long time I thought that this flightiness was "bad", that I should stick to a single interest in both blog-life and real-life because, we've all been told, practice makes perfect, and didn't I want to be <i>good </i>at something?<br />
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All this is to say, I'm revamping this blog but instead of shoving it into a niche - "food" or "fashion" or "lifestyle" (which, I'm still not totally sure I know what that is...), I'm returning to what I envisioned when I first started this space up. I always thought of this blog as a chronicle of my own search for that illusive "happiness" and my posts, be they recipes or little style tricks, have always come from that place of searching. In an effort to have a positive vibe and fit into the shiny, happy land of lady bloggers who seem to always have perfectly coifed hair and days full of crafty fun, I sometimes lost my voice. I found myself writing posts that I thought others would like or that would garner the most pins and totally neglecting why I started this blog in the first place: To figure out what makes me happy.<br />
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Without getting too much into TMI land, I've always had a fascination with happiness: why some people seemed to have it in spades and why others (like me) seemed to always be seeking it. And I have always been a seeker: endless major changes in college chasing after some career that would bring me happiness, several cross-country moves in the hopes that a change of scenery might be the magic bullet, a never-ending string of new hobbies that just might do the trick.<br />
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But rather than grasping at straws and throwing myself towards whatever seems the shiniest and coolest, I'm trying to take a more empirical approach: try a bunch of things out, see what sticks, and hopefully expand my life in the process.<br />
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And so I hope to feature on my blog the projects that are inspiring me, the information that is lighting me up, the people that expand my mind along the way.<br />
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I've been really diving into this whole crafting a happier life thing and will also be sharing the books that are helping me along the way. I'm currently reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006158326X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=006158326X&linkCode=as2&tag=nowismag06-20&linkId=XOTJBN4TOPDGKI25" target="_blank">The Happiness Project </a>by Gretchen Rubin which is immensely inspiring and full of great happiness-related info (did you know that getting just one extra hour of sleep per night equals an increase in happiness equivalent to getting a $60,000 raise?!). Rubin takes readers through a chronicle of her own quest for happiness and my copy is brimming with stars and underlines of things I want to try myself.<br />
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So, stay tuned and stay in touch - let's make some magic (which is really to say, happiness!)<br />
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xoxoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-33051248811882104522014-10-05T02:58:00.001-07:002015-04-21T20:00:41.384-07:00Basel!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Basel is cooler than your city, guaranteed.</div>
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The only thing I knew of Basel before coming here was that it hosted one of the hippest contemporary art fairs, Art Basel but the city is just really happening all the time with crazy amounts of interesting art to see.</div>
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Even the hostel was designed by a fancy architecture firm that specializes in art museums. It sits on a little creek, an off-shoot of the Rhine, and you can hear the rushing water from all the rooms.</div>
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The area around the hostel is gorgeous and hilly and old - this church is right next door and I'm not sure how old it is, but there are graves from the 1600's!</div>
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I spent the day wandering as per usual and discovered that not only is Basel cooler than most other places I've been, it's also older. The other cities I visited were founded in the Middle Ages, but Basel has been a city since Roman times and they recently found evidence of an even earlier Celtic settlement.</div>
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The city's cathedral was founded in 1019 (!) and feels like it. The face of the cathedral even features a knight slaying a dragon, probably the most medieval motif possible. </div>
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It's cloisters are filled with memorial plaques dating back to the 1300s - some of them are likely older, though they've been weathered beyond recognition.</div>
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There is something so special about these old, old places. </div>
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The interior of the church itself is more interesting than some of the other churches I've visited including lots of original medieval wood carvings.</div>
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And the crypt still has remnants of very old, if not original, paintings. </div>
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Basel, like Bern, still very much uses its medieval buildings. This is the famous town hall, built in the 14th century (though with 16th century updates) that still functions as meeting space for the city government. Its plaza is filled with a bustling farmers market everyday except Sunday. I followed the smell of grilling meat to a stand selling the most amazing sausages - I scarfed mine before I remembered to take a picture.</div>
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Walking around, I also kept smelling the most delicious, warm smell and discovered it was coming from roasted chesnut stands like this throughout the Old Town. I also discovered that chestnuts are disgusting, but make for excellent hand warmers.</div>
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Basel is filled with little medieval seals and grotesques, or monsters. They are in plaques above doorways, set into random niches in ancient buildings, and decorate fountains throughout the city.</div>
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This one is my favorite yet - a weird snake /cat thing.</div>
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A cold I've been fighting all week finally caught up with me today so I'm moving kind of slowly but I visited the fabulous Beyeler Foundation to see an exhibition of Gustave Courbet.</div>
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I took a lunch break in the restaurant on the tranquil grounds and discovered that pumpkin soup is amazing.</div>
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I'm currently taking a little blogging break in a super cool coffee shop / bar in an old bank building and then I'm heading off to shove some more art into my brain!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-16498514918337663962014-10-03T11:51:00.001-07:002015-04-21T20:02:18.909-07:00Bern + Thun + The Alps<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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The University of Bern that hosted my conference the last couple of days is crazy gorgeous. Its 18th c. buildings sit on top of a hill overlooking the city and there are huge grassy lawns where students lay out in the sun and drink coffee (the Swiss and Germans looooooooove coffee. I've never seen such a coffee drinking group as my conference colleagues!) </div>
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The inside of the art building is also ridiculous:</div>
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Just ridiculous.</div>
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The conference was 2 days of intense, mind-blowing conversations. Everyone there was both incredibly smart and advanced in their careers - I was by the far the youngest and frankly also the dumbest (I mean, these people had years and years of study on me, so I was doomed). It was simulateously terrifying and exciting and overall pretty tiring so when we all went out to eat last night, I carb loaded Swiss style with local hefeweisen and a plate of Swiss bratwurst and potatoes, or rosti, swimming in a rich onion sauce.</div>
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After giving my talk and getting thoroughly interrogated, I was exhausted and wanted to go somewhere new and pretty. I went a little further into the Alp region so I could get a good view of the mountains. While you can see the peaks from a distance in Bern, the view isn't particularly good, so one of the women at the conference suggested I take a short train trip to the small medieval city of Thun.</div>
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Thun is like Bern in a lot of ways (though much smaller) with winding medieval streets and a gorgeous, clear river running through town.</div>
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Thun is built around a hill topped with a 12th century castle that was just about as fairy tale as I've seen. It was a hike to the top of the hill, but the views were gorgeous and I rested in the castle's cafe overlooking the Alps for a beer before I headed back down.</div>
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It was a kind of hazy/cloudy day so my pictures of the mountains aren't the best but they were still lovely.</div>
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The hill leading up to the castle is filled with winding residential roads and classic Swiss chalet style homes. I wandered around for awhile imagining what it would be like to live somewhere so beautiful and tranquil.</div>
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Tomorrow I head out to Basel (about an hour by train away) for a couple of days of city rambling and art gazing, updates to come!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-67615295662415433172014-10-01T15:03:00.001-07:002015-04-21T20:04:39.964-07:00Bern!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After hosteling it in Zurich is was amazing to get to Bern and my own lovely little hotel room. I stretched it out on my balcony for a bit before setting out into the city.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All the walking in Zurich yesterday had beaten me up pretty hard, but after some yoga and tea at the hotel, I had to go exploring again.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Even though Bern is also a city cut down the middle by a river and is only an hour train ride from Zurich, it has a very different vibe: while Zurich is ultra posh, Bern has a very laid back, almost bohemian feeling. There are buskers performing in the streets, people lounging in the city's many parks, and it's streets are built around wide plazas with sidewalk cafes absolutely everywhere with people lounging and drinking there, too, even on a Wednesday afternoon. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It's also incredibly hilly - the city is built up and down the hills surrounding the Rhine.</span></div>
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I took it like a local and spent a signifigant amount of time lounging in parks today. One of the most famous is the Rosengarten, or Rose Garden, on the tallest hill in the city. It was a painful hike up a super steep cobblestone road for my already sore legs, so I crashed in the grass beneath the roses for a bit before heading back down to the city.</div>
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The city's cathedral is much different than Zurich's - while it was also wiped out of its decoration during the Reformation, it has since been redecorated several times and has a much less austere feeling. I snuck this picture in of the Gothic arches painted with later (I think 18th c.) floral decorations.</div>
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Bern is an OLD city, founded in 1191. Few, if any, buildings survive from then, though, as they were mostly wood and were wiped out in a major fire in 1405. However, many of the buildings from that time are still in the Old Town center.</div>
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This is the famous Zytglogge, or clocktower. Its bones actually date from the city's foundings, but the elaborate astronomical clock is from the 1400's. What's cool about Bern is that these incredible and ancient buildings are just part of the everyday life of the city. The tower is right next to the main shopping street in the city and tram cables surround it.</div>
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After wandering the Old Town, I met up with the folks hosting the conference for dinner. Everyone I've met so far is great, excited for the first conference day today!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-18252829063388977292014-09-30T07:51:00.001-07:002015-04-21T20:06:37.997-07:00Tuesday in Zurich!<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Holy jet lag! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I didn't sleep a bit on the plane so I've been wandering Old Town Zurich in full-on zombie mode. It's a gray, drizzly day which is actually perfect for my sleepy mood and means I've gotten to take lots of cozy coffee breaks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I stopped at an Art Noveau era cafe called Odeon for coffee and breakfast - I was so revived that I didn't even mind that the coffee cost $10. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Zurich is a gorgeous city, even in the rain, and my hostel as a lovely view of the city and the surrounding hills from it's rooftop patio.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Zurich is bisected by the Limmat River and I've spent all day wandering the river banks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This church is Grossminster which literally means Big Church. Legend has it that Charlemagne consecrated a church on this spot. The bones of the current church were begun in 1100. Unfortunately, like many churches in Switzerland, the Reformation of the 1500s virtually wiped the inside clean of all it's original paintings, sculpture, and stained glass. It's still a beautiful, solemn space (no photos allowed inside though!)</span></div>
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Further down the river I stumbled into the cutest farmers market and purchased the most expensive but also the most delicious apple I've ever had. Total soul nectar.</div>
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I continued my jet lagged ramble to the Zurich Kunsthaus or Fine Art Museum. The original building is filled with great Art Nouveau touches (built in 1910) and a really lovely contemporary section has been added on. The collection is wide but surprisingly great, including an iconic Monet water lily, several Van Goghs, and the other big standards often hung in out of the way places so that they spring upon you. They also specialize in Swiss art, particularly Alberto Giacometti (most of who's work is out on loan right now, drat!) and a new discovery for me, the Swiss Symbolist Ferdinand Hodler. </div>
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This painting is mesmerizing and huge, 7 or 8 feet wide and glimmers with metallic pigments worked into the tones of the women's skin. I need to read more about this guy! </div>
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I'm meeting up with a friend of a friend for a beer in a medieval artillery arsenal in a bit and heading to Bern tomorrow - more photos soon!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-37416513287337658482014-05-18T20:56:00.001-07:002014-05-20T08:58:59.544-07:00DIY Jewels: Brass Top Knuckle RingHi y'all! I'm super pumped about today's tutorial – it's one of the first things I taught myself how to make when I decided to learn how to solder metal jewelry and it's a great starter project for anyone else interested in learning.<br />
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Plus, top knuckle rings are so fun to wear!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6KT4CeNnbjbM9DPf8u3Y8K2wB5mCYXbUXj3gvv5CNg-qmp7spx_UjBanFEGqRrYrOEHQxm89HV6pbM0N-qoNnCWcqHavIgpSDQAHeBPrBfVc0pucRdO3Y-sy7PUqCWeLqtYZCdsWqcxA/s1600/soldering+illo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6KT4CeNnbjbM9DPf8u3Y8K2wB5mCYXbUXj3gvv5CNg-qmp7spx_UjBanFEGqRrYrOEHQxm89HV6pbM0N-qoNnCWcqHavIgpSDQAHeBPrBfVc0pucRdO3Y-sy7PUqCWeLqtYZCdsWqcxA/s1600/soldering+illo.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now soldering requires fire which might seem scary, but this project and many, many others can be created using a basic handheld butane torch like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby0rj3sZyqG831DdB4amkeQUwp-jobUhks-Ppecebmi5VzhhSLwX10e2Qx8hv0TEXtKW8vlu7bpkuc2GI9S54a5X1JAh40v-4r-tr0QbuQ-g1h7Xf4Pyk-5Vf98yffUTu0UTz6P-SI6qI/s1600/soldering7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby0rj3sZyqG831DdB4amkeQUwp-jobUhks-Ppecebmi5VzhhSLwX10e2Qx8hv0TEXtKW8vlu7bpkuc2GI9S54a5X1JAh40v-4r-tr0QbuQ-g1h7Xf4Pyk-5Vf98yffUTu0UTz6P-SI6qI/s1600/soldering7.jpg" height="400" width="341" /></a></div>
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Mine is a only a little more heavy-duty than your run-of-the-mill kitchen torch (think creme brûlée). It has an adjustable flame so it is versatile for different projects. You can buy it from Rio Grande jewelry supply <a href="http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Large-Butane-Torch/500086?Pos=2" target="_blank">here</a>. For small brass, silver, or copper projects you're making on your kitchen table like this, this small torch is really all you need.<br />
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The rest of the supplies are a very basic soldering set up. Once you have them, you'll be ready to make just about anything you can dream of.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxBiKn9Frz0pAXS1TVfVww6UOjgr-BOZ0RnNNoEwQgfpH2aDXS-mCAq2umN1X3Ejr1wXP7yzsB8qHnxHwKb6R8IFCcpwcianYGciSE5qg9rlv2npTxzgzS9jflG5-h6JJya5ihk0jETgJ/s1600/soldering+supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxBiKn9Frz0pAXS1TVfVww6UOjgr-BOZ0RnNNoEwQgfpH2aDXS-mCAq2umN1X3Ejr1wXP7yzsB8qHnxHwKb6R8IFCcpwcianYGciSE5qg9rlv2npTxzgzS9jflG5-h6JJya5ihk0jETgJ/s1600/soldering+supplies.jpg" height="470" width="640" /></a></div>
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I use: a firebrick set in a pie tin surrounded by pebbles (these are to catch any molten hot metal that might fall from the brick), a set of stainless steel tweezers with heat-proof finger grips, <a href="http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Round-Third-Hand-Base-with-Tweezers/502066?Pos=1" target="_blank">a third hand</a> to hold it in place, and some brass soldering paste.<br />
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There are a few other supplies in the above photo that are very basic jewelry-making tools and will be a good foundational set of supplies to have: the #2 hand file for getting rid of rough edges, a rawhide mallet for shaping your metal without marking it, the stainless steel bench block as a hammering surface, the ring mandrel for shaping rings, and the snippers for easy, short cuts.<br />
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So, gather your supplies and let's make a ring!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">DIY Brass Ring </span></b><br />
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<b>Supplies:</b><br />
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Brass bezel wire (mine is 26 gauge, 1/8 inch wide, purchased from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/89575151/26g-bezel-sampler-red-brass-bezel-wire?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=brass+bezel+wire&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=supplies&ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">this etsy seller</a>)<br />
Brass soldering paste (I purchase mine from <a href="http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Paste-Solder-For-Brass-Bronze-and-Yellow-Gold-Filled/503053?Pos=1" target="_blank">Rio Grande</a>)<br />
Butane torch<br />
Soldering surface like a firebrick<br />
Stainless steel tweezers + third hand<br />
#2 hand file<br />
Rawhide mallet<br />
Bench block<br />
Ring mandrel<br />
Snippers<br />
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<b>To clean:</b><br />
Your pickle solution of choice, see below for my organic pickle recipe<br />
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<b>To polish and seal:</b><br />
Your preferred polishing device, I used a Dremel and 3M radial discs, see below, and then I seal with <a href="http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Renaissance-Polishing-Waxes/335038?Pos=1" target="_blank">Renaissance polishing wax</a>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 1: Cut your brass bezel wire to the desired length. </span></b><br />
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The easiest way to know what length you need is to measure your finger with a piece of string and then measure that string. You can make this a regular ring or follow my lead and make it a top knuckle ring.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 2: Shape your brass.</span></b><br />
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If your bezel wire is a little bent at the end from cutting it, flatten it out with your rawhide mallet against your bench block. Also notice if your cut was clean and straight - if not, you many need to file the edges a bit. Shape your ring against your ring mandrel, hammering with your mallet to get it into shape. For soldering, you want your edges to align perfectly and smoothly with no space between them. Any space at all will mean your joint won't solder correctly.<br />
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I usually shape with the mandrel, then take the ring off and push the edges together, moving them back and forth, edging them closer together like you would when you're closing a jump ring. Play with it until your edges meet nice and neatly.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 3: Get ready to solder.</span></b><br />
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Place your ring in the stainless steel tweezers (I always use the kind with heat-proof finger pads) and place in your third hand over your soldering surface. I currently use a firebrick which is essentially just a heatproof brick.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 4: Solder!</span></b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WRhxlloPzn8?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>
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Make sure your soldering paste is right in the ring's seam - I used a needle to really it in there.<br />
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When you've heated your metal up to the point it glows a dull red your solder paste will "flow" and liquify and seal itself into the ring's joint. You'll see it bubble up and change colors and move really quickly. It happens fast and as you'll see in the video, it doesn't take long for this to happen.<br />
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Now, at this point, you have a ring! You'll just need to clean it up a bit. Let it sit in the tweezers for a minute and then quench in a bowl of water. Be careful! Your tweezers, your ring, and your soldering surface will all be extremely hot at this point and should not be touched (hence the heat-proof finger pads on your tweezers).<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 5: Pickle your ring.</span></b><br />
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Pickling is the process of cleaning the fire scale or dark, burntness off of your metal. There are many, many formulas for this out there but most involve some pretty nasty chemicals. I make my own basic organic formula.<br />
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<b>Organic brass pickle:</b></div>
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<b>2 parts white vinegar</b></div>
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<b>1 part hydrogen peroxide</b></div>
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It works pretty great, though I have to say not as quickly as the toxic stuff. Let your ring sit in this solution for 15 minutes or so, stirring it around in there every once in awhile to loosen the gunk up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaKYyp17mCstwtYGEVcZPFxustAj7zIaTmKQexzWr9dx1T_BHc8Gkr9Uorj1RcoHQrvSZo-G-PILc22xp00eGf5B1fKBkVBhLnJm617z9oj1osE9jJ48GfmqEMYmZJVTX9Esr5NmtOBdh/s1600/soldering3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaKYyp17mCstwtYGEVcZPFxustAj7zIaTmKQexzWr9dx1T_BHc8Gkr9Uorj1RcoHQrvSZo-G-PILc22xp00eGf5B1fKBkVBhLnJm617z9oj1osE9jJ48GfmqEMYmZJVTX9Esr5NmtOBdh/s1600/soldering3.jpg" height="510" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll take my piece out after 15 minutes and rinse with water and scrub with a little steel wool - if that doesn't take most of the fire scale off, the piece can go back in for a bit. Note that leaving your piece in this solution for too long will etch the surface with a faint texture - basically the solution eating into the metal. This isn't the end of the world and will likely be buffed out when you polish the piece.<br />
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Your solution will turn a bright blue when it is used up – in my photo above, my solution is only just barely starting to turn blue so I can likely use it again to pickle my next project. Keep it covered so it doesn't evaporate.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 6: Polish / Finish</span></b><br />
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Polish your ring with any method you know and like. I use a Dremel power tool with a flex-shaft attachment and an assortment of 3M radial discs to get any remaining fire scale off and buff out my surface. When using a Dremel or any other buffing tool it's a good idea to hold small things like this ring in a wooden hand vice (these are super cheap and super handy and keep your hands from getting too close to danger).<br />
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<a href="http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/mn-3m-radial-bristle-disc.htm" target="_blank">This is a really great tutorial</a> on how to use 3M discs.<br />
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I then seal all my brass with <a href="http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Renaissance-Polishing-Waxes/335038?Pos=1" target="_blank">Renaissance polishing wax</a> and a lint-free towel.<br />
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I also paint a thin coat of clear nail polish on the inside of all my brass rings since brass has a tendency to turn some people (like me!) green.<br />
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And voila! You can solder a ring!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLcmwYS5mJfSH8gbO1wnPK0Vd3kqgSZjFBw8GaKKrxURYoZBKD54tiOVH9Qs3QkPG6Z_WnxrTz1twG1DWiQ8W2AGGovyUALC8f5OapCbJvPCj2YVks_TTyrUeP-DxtzM9eAAjqs-E0ddK/s1600/soldering6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLcmwYS5mJfSH8gbO1wnPK0Vd3kqgSZjFBw8GaKKrxURYoZBKD54tiOVH9Qs3QkPG6Z_WnxrTz1twG1DWiQ8W2AGGovyUALC8f5OapCbJvPCj2YVks_TTyrUeP-DxtzM9eAAjqs-E0ddK/s1600/soldering6.jpg" height="355" width="400" /></a></div>
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This project might seem complicated, but simple joint soldering like this is one of the foundational skills that will allow you to make so, so much more once you've mastered it. And in the process, you'll make some pretty sweet rings!<br />
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Love and happy making,<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-9332557752685789182014-05-01T07:05:00.000-07:002014-05-01T07:05:25.181-07:00DIY: Easiest 3 Ingredient Strawberry Face MaskIt's finals week over here in grad school land which means I'm running on less sleep and more coffee than usual and it's my skin that's been taking it the hardest - it has been feeling simultaneously parched, breakout-y, and dull so as a post study session treat, I made myself a batch of my favorite 3 ingredient face mask.<br />
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Strawberries are all sorts of good for your skin: they are packed with vitamin C which is <a href="http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2009/may2009_Revitalizing-Aging-Skin-with-Topical-Vitamin-C_01.htm">scientifically proven</a> to fight signs of aging when applied to the skin and they are high in natural alpha-hydroxy which makes for fabulous gentle exfoliation action. I've spiked my berries with a little honey and olive oil to give my skin a mega-dose of moisture. Simply blend it all together and apply, allowing it to do its thing for 10-20, or until dried. Rinse off with warm water for your softest, most refreshed looking skin in ages.<br />
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This recipe makes enough for several applications - feel free to chop it down. You can store the mask in the fridge for a few days, but note that the longer it sits, the less potent the skin-nourishing properties become.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Easiest 3 Ingredient Strawberry Face Mask</span></b><br />
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3 large strawberries (preferably organic)<br />
1 tsp organic, raw honey<br />
1 tsp olive oil<br />
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Blend together. Apply in a thin layer and let sit for 10-20 minutes, until dry. Rinse with warm water.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-73176176195796912322014-04-27T09:00:00.000-07:002014-04-27T09:00:02.672-07:00Red beans and rice: Cheap (and vegetarian!) Cajun comfort foodThe smell of onion and bell pepper sauteeing in butter is one of THE major smells of my childhood. My family is from South Louisiana and almost everything starts with that aromatic base: gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and one of my all-time favorite comfort foods, red beans and rice.<br />
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I've written a bit about being a graduate student but something I may not have written about is how soul-crushingly poor I sometimes am between paychecks and freelancing gigs.<br />
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This is a recipe that is filling, healthy, and soothing without any fancy ingredients. This last time I made it, it worked out to be about $0.60 per serving.*<br />
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This is one of those Frankenstein recipes: pieced together from multiple books to suit my tastes but is mostly based on a couple of red bean recipes from the iconic <i>River Roads</i> cookbook + the always classic <i>How to Cook Everything</i> by Mark Bitman, minus all meat because with all these aromatic spices you really won't miss it.<br />
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I like to make my beans the old-fashioned way: soaking overnight reduces cooking time and might reduce the compounds that cause gas (win-win!). Cooking them slow, slow for a few hours makes the beans extra soft and really reduces the liquid and concentrates the flavor. This recipe will take 2-3 hours, but this is almost totally just letting it do its thang on the stove. Have a lazy Sunday and watch a movie and then boom, red beans and rice!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Red Beans + Rice</span></b><br />
Makes 4-6 servings<br />
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1 lb red kidney beans<br />
1 large onion, diced<br />
1 green bell pepper, diced<br />
2-4 garlic cloves, your choice, minced<br />
2 tbs. butter<br />
1 tsp. dried thyme<br />
2 tsp. smoked paprika<br />
1/2 tsp. cumin<br />
a healthy pinch or 2 of cayenne pepper<br />
cooked rice + cilantro to serve<br />
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<b>Steps:</b><br />
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1. Cover beans with 2 inches water and soak in the fridge overnight.<br />
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2. Melt butter in sauté pan over medium heat; add onion and bell and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and pepper is softened, about 10 minutes.<br />
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3. Add spices to pot, then beans, then water to cover. Raise the heat up a bit and boil for 10 minutes.<br />
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4. Turn heat down to low and simmer ever so slowly for a few hours until beans are soft and liquid is thickened. My last batch took me about 3 hours, but it's also been done in 2. It depends on the particular beans you're using, how long they've been soaked - basically, it's art, not a science.<br />
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5. Serve over rice, sprinkled with cilantro if you'd like it. Tabasco is a must!<br />
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* A note about my cost calculations: In general, I do not include the cost for spices that I already own. Spices can be costly, so look for stores that sell them based on weight - you can get the small amount you need for a recipe for pennies.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-847920207271076202014-03-11T14:30:00.000-07:002014-04-14T17:08:31.015-07:00Bitch don't kill my vibe; or, why I stopped listening to NPR<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you're a modern, intellectual lady you're supposed to listen to NPR in the car, right?</div>
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Well, I for one have vowed to stop listening to NPR (or any news-oriented station for that matter) for my own sanity. And I honestly think it's working.</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/170842707/typography-art-good-vibes-only?ref=sr_gallery_36&ga_search_query=good+vibes+only&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaymlTQJ_hmakoogxO8s_y4Oe-UmtV99mHNHfhIO6Zedudqg0eJVE6lbBH-erS_5-JLeRIxzGQ6WSL8ByvC6N8COzOFl4l7qYAa8U4W7tM2cL45Qdl98P_yXd5IOJLQMEI-YmDFBMEttOE/s1600/vibes.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Before, I'd be jamming along my day, feeling really great, only to hop in my car and get a painful play-by-play of the latest human rights violation and the terrible economic forecasts and in an instant, any positive vibes were straight up annihilated. In the space of a moment I'm contemplating moving away from all this crazy and becoming a hermit. This train of thought was terrible for my productivity. </div>
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Lately I've been participating in <a href="http://www.trackyourhappiness.org/" target="_blank">this fascinating psychological study</a> that tracks when and where I'm the happiest and it's made me realize that I'm truly happiest when I'm feeling productive and I feel productive when I'm the happiest - kind of a catch-22 but one that NPR's coverage of the world's doom and gloom is certainly not helping me out with. If I want some serious news I can seek it out but I do not need a depressing, non-productive tailspin every time I get into my car.</div>
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That said, I love many of NPR's programs and I've been making sure my phone is stocked with plenty of podcast episodes so I can fill my brain with the good stuff and skip the depressing. I've also been jamming out to much more music in the car via Spotify and notice that by the time I get to work or school I'm much more likely to be in a good mood.</div>
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What do you think? Do you listen to NPR or some other news outlet on repeat? I'd love to know what other people think about this! Am I just being a wuss?</div>
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Hugs and cupcakes always,</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-87878684605583658722014-03-07T21:16:00.000-08:002014-03-07T21:25:08.216-08:00Why style is not frivolous + let's talk cute work outfits<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fact: Style is not frivolous.</div>
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It's <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/fashion/makeup-makes-women-appear-more-competent-study.html?_r=0" target="_blank">a proven scientific fact </a>that how we present ourselves to the world affects how the responds back to us.</div>
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Style: It's science, yo.</div>
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In all honesty, this is not something I live everyday. I'm a graduate student, have 2 university jobs, volunteer my time for several organizations, and am trying to get <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/floxie" target="_blank">my jewelry line</a> off the ground. I do not generally have a ton of time to spend thinking about outfits or my hair.</div>
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But after a recent week spent in a major funk, I've vowed to do a number of things to get back in touch with myself and my goals, including getting back on the style train. I've written before about how <a href="http://nowismagic.blogspot.com/2013/04/style-how-to-successfully-wear-flower.html" target="_blank">I admire style bloggers</a> for their willingness to lay themselves and their style bare for the internet and it is really something I want to carve a little more time out for each week.</div>
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And so, in that spirit, my work attire from today!</div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">Top: Forever 21 /// Jeans: Loft /// Boots: Steve Madden from ages ago</span></div>
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Work can be a place of passivity when it comes to style - the goal is often to look "professional" rather than looking like ourselves and I've had a hard time finding a professional-self balance in my new role as graduate student and educator. </div>
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My worst fear in the ENTIRE WORLD when I was younger was to grow up and wear boring clothes. This is true: I actually used to have nightmares about this.</div>
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My tactic lately to avoid yawns is to mix in slightly rougher, tougher pieces into my everyday professional gear. So, while I may be wearing totally normal khaki skinnies and a conservative chiffon blouse my well-worn-in fringed leather boots give my outfit something a little bit more "me". While the me of two years ago would have been wearing these boots with cut-offs and some sort of hippy-tastic vintage top, I'm trying to learn how to channel that energy into more serious outfits.</div>
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What are your thoughts on non-boring work outfits? Is there a wild-child in you busting out at your pencil skirt seams? </div>
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Love and happy work-dressing!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-67075694724701264872014-01-01T13:07:00.002-08:002014-04-19T11:30:44.331-07:00Eat more shitakes! Shitake and Pesto Toast<div style="text-align: justify;">
First, let me just say this: OHMYGOSH GRAD SCHOOL!</div>
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Its been a ride and one that's had me thinking a lot about what it takes to stay sane and healthy in the midst of crazy, reinvigorating my obsession with health, nutrition, and the small things we can do each day to feel as strong as possible.</div>
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Being a poor student also brings a heightened level of concern with how to achieve this as cheaply as possible and I plan to orient this space towards delicious, health-promoting, and affordable power foods.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2nJEMlFNXWxaIcoYZ7sVImEXycdy0B03ssu-MTcMTUyjdxnH7UU6Sf1pEnOqnHsJ6FTAag96-3QgPKumqjLXi3VR0ORKRF91_Sf-Oy0Ncp9laA-C6KsUplTbfJD2N0hYyoX11WWzgjvf/s1600/shiitake+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2nJEMlFNXWxaIcoYZ7sVImEXycdy0B03ssu-MTcMTUyjdxnH7UU6Sf1pEnOqnHsJ6FTAag96-3QgPKumqjLXi3VR0ORKRF91_Sf-Oy0Ncp9laA-C6KsUplTbfJD2N0hYyoX11WWzgjvf/s400/shiitake+copy.jpg" height="367" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A new discovery for me has been shitake mushrooms.</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-71c898f1-4f74-66e9-e00b-845d2bb6e204" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to improve overall health and increase circulation and recent studies show that </span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">they may inhibit the growth of tumors and viruses (like the flu!) in our bodies</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.<span style="font-size: x-small;">*</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Shitakes also contain more iron per ounce than red meat</b> and if you are like me and don't eat a ton of meat this makes them extra exciting. Having sufficient iron levels is <b>absolutely essential for maintaining energy and focus.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And have I mentioned that they are oh so delicious? Rich and meaty tasting, shitakes are regarded as <b>one of the most umami of all foods. When cooked, they taste like bacon!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shitakes can be a bit expensive when compared to other, less-nutrient-dense mushrooms, but it doesn't take many of them to pack in a ton of flavor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>My favorite thing </b>is to add them to things I'm already making, like a piece of <b>pesto toast with feta</b>:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN3q8Wwi7hB9lRSy6V5na1pp6ARZ2nJ3CT6E8IsDuE9wiM4_geTKMvxMJ3pwxbAyR75xB56AsIN2VKsvs-xkHwJyn4_H1GeUoYU-BLIG6vEl2PbnS_TlYP0R4_nW_H0Cpwg2_BdUer58t/s1600/shitake+toast+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN3q8Wwi7hB9lRSy6V5na1pp6ARZ2nJ3CT6E8IsDuE9wiM4_geTKMvxMJ3pwxbAyR75xB56AsIN2VKsvs-xkHwJyn4_H1GeUoYU-BLIG6vEl2PbnS_TlYP0R4_nW_H0Cpwg2_BdUer58t/s640/shitake+toast+web.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a><br />
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Remove the stems from the mushrooms (saving to make a bodacious stock), slice the caps, and then fry in olive or coconut oil over med-low heat until crisp-chewy, between 5-8 minutes. Slather a piece of toast with pesto, sprinkle on some feta and the crisp shitakes. Yum.</div>
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<b>Other ideas for crisp-fried shitakes: </b>Throw them into stir fries at the last minute, top pizzas with them, use as garnishes for soups and salads, add to any egg situation (they do taste like bacon!), make a faux BLT using these little gems for the bacon, or just shove them in your mouth because they are really that great.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">* <a href="http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/dietandnutrition/shiitake-mushroom">Cancer.org</a></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-9106682153163130612013-05-30T13:57:00.002-07:002014-04-19T11:31:01.417-07:00DIY Papaya Exfoliating Facial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxMg9oTXhRCOOzGadxWLWYqlKWe8KhGWrREQ0VVvmH8tDHEkMZNyCUSvk9BsqdJ0sYOGxmBlhQhypKXHKZAnKM2eQx44k_Qbfl-i7j3UD2jQ13CH8zX2RrvUAxIRIS0XouRR6WwmaErCK/s1600/papaya+facial+illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxMg9oTXhRCOOzGadxWLWYqlKWe8KhGWrREQ0VVvmH8tDHEkMZNyCUSvk9BsqdJ0sYOGxmBlhQhypKXHKZAnKM2eQx44k_Qbfl-i7j3UD2jQ13CH8zX2RrvUAxIRIS0XouRR6WwmaErCK/s640/papaya+facial+illustration.jpg" height="590" width="640" /></a></div>
Papayas are magical.<br />
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They are one of the most nutrient-packed fruits you can eat and also make a phenomenal natural face mask.<br />
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Papaya is a natural source of alpha-hydroxy, an anti-aging compound that actually increases your skin's production of collagen, meaning wrinkles will dissipate and your skin will just plain look younger. Papaya also contains an enzyme called papain, a powerful exfoliant that removes the build up of dead skin cells from your face leaving a brighter, fresher complexion.<br />
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For $2 (the cost of the giant papaya I bought this weekend) you're going to have healthy skin AND a ton of extra papaya for snacking (<a href="http://nowismagic.blogspot.com/2013/05/chili-papaya-ice-cream.html" target="_blank">here's my chili papaya ice cream recipe!</a>), juicing, and/or margarita making.<br />
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Magic I tell you!<br />
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And its easy magic, too - just scoop the fruit out from the skin and rub the sticky inside of the skin all over your face (use your papaya skin soon after you scoop out the fruit or the enzymes will breakdown and your facial will be less effective!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB4J7vHOyMNrOuUIhkBsfXgwI_v1pHe_noajLwdHIc-AIeF5tBfbh6kzyvs7uLhglT0LkaBR_PYdJzTeGf_Db4pYdkdBbdqtdAgbLlRkR1HABfgE08l9LrUUiXiDqENk7e969jsh4sxq5/s1600/papaya+skin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB4J7vHOyMNrOuUIhkBsfXgwI_v1pHe_noajLwdHIc-AIeF5tBfbh6kzyvs7uLhglT0LkaBR_PYdJzTeGf_Db4pYdkdBbdqtdAgbLlRkR1HABfgE08l9LrUUiXiDqENk7e969jsh4sxq5/s640/papaya+skin.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xZvQSzy3uhMPZw5gjQZ4DLJRZDep2daFmw1EoVEWjwhwJ-DlufRCJf8CvYa4bXg8DdD7OSPt99KZJgCWGJvZpaTk4WcN5eMjtL5gCeBGuOvYSiYC3K_kwyMtRTaSr0hwkTU4k5kunAZo/s1600/papaya+facial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xZvQSzy3uhMPZw5gjQZ4DLJRZDep2daFmw1EoVEWjwhwJ-DlufRCJf8CvYa4bXg8DdD7OSPt99KZJgCWGJvZpaTk4WcN5eMjtL5gCeBGuOvYSiYC3K_kwyMtRTaSr0hwkTU4k5kunAZo/s640/papaya+facial.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let the gooey-ness sit on your skin for 15-20 minutes to do its thing, rinse, and marvel at your new glowy skin.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-61707259650993077582013-05-20T10:07:00.003-07:002014-04-14T16:58:53.671-07:00Carrot Cake Overnight Oats with ChiaI've eaten these overnight oats every morning for the past 2 weeks. I can't stop, won't stop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmkBKc2LengH64FxvHFyKQT3m0tMSQsuBpDMzPPguB88qhaS_R4p-oqQ-HnZTlFJIAxaKjIwOxOeXlSNn-q5kZgPyw65jl0fjFi7aCZP6T38Bg97RgvpJRbD48Hr3coaNdZXk2WbWZWpz/s1600/oatmeal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmkBKc2LengH64FxvHFyKQT3m0tMSQsuBpDMzPPguB88qhaS_R4p-oqQ-HnZTlFJIAxaKjIwOxOeXlSNn-q5kZgPyw65jl0fjFi7aCZP6T38Bg97RgvpJRbD48Hr3coaNdZXk2WbWZWpz/s640/oatmeal2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's 2 things I love more than most things, carrot cake + oatmeal, combining forces for one incredibly delicious, filling breakfast. It's basically a yummy pudding that's also really healthy - yay for sneaking veggies into breakfast treats!<br />
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And yay for cold, refreshing breakfast treats - these oats are going to be absolutely perfect to have in the fridge once things start really heating up in my AC-less LA apartment (dread, dread, and more dread there).<br />
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But these oats - oh, these oats. The chia seeds bind everything together and give you a jump on omega-3's and protein for the day, the yogurt gives it a cream-cheese-frosting-esque tartness, and the spice + carrot combination is just so delicious.<br />
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Overnight oats with chia are best prepared in a jar with a screw-on lid so you can shake everything together really well, using the jar like a breakfast cocktail shaker. Shaking activates the chia seeds and really plumps them up, creating a thicker, creamier, more amazing treat.<br />
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This recipe is per serving - make a few at a time and eat them all week. You won't want to stop!<br />
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<b>Overnight Carrot Cake Oats</b><br />
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1/2 cup rolled oats<br />
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond / soy / coconut milk<br />
1 small-medium carrot, grated<br />
2 tbs. yogurt (I used non-fat Greek style yogurt)<br />
1 tbs. chia seeds<br />
2 tbs. raisins<br />
1 tbs. chopped nuts (I had sliced almonds, but these are optional - just use what you like and have!)<br />
1 tbs. honey<br />
1/2 tsp. cinnamon<br />
a healthy pinch ground ginger<br />
a healthy dash ground cloves or allspice<br />
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Combine everything but 1 tablespoon of the raisins and the chopped nuts in a lidded jar and shake to really mix things up. Refrigerate at least overnight, but up to 5 days.<br />
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To serve, shake again and pour into a bowl, top with 1 tablespoon raisins + chopped nuts and a dusting of ground cinnamon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGWpA05Rh_YPd6VZ10xZEuw8Q0F_ey7biteXEmCgxziPGYwEXXiz5vcJJ_kr_NDRC3L2ytIumPTVuUCKKoNTJ7BGdbWGYZEMN5YAtxozIXIhhPJPRLFllffbigv1TRGx5jvyWbozAIFVO/s1600/oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGWpA05Rh_YPd6VZ10xZEuw8Q0F_ey7biteXEmCgxziPGYwEXXiz5vcJJ_kr_NDRC3L2ytIumPTVuUCKKoNTJ7BGdbWGYZEMN5YAtxozIXIhhPJPRLFllffbigv1TRGx5jvyWbozAIFVO/s640/oatmeal.jpg" height="518" title="overnight oats carrot cake" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-42815057016346767822013-05-10T12:16:00.000-07:002014-04-14T17:07:01.587-07:00Travel: A Short Guide to LA's Olvera StreetOlvera Street is one of my favorite places to spend a sunny, margarita-filled LA afternoon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff2laNflg1ivSk7Du_A_icjLz4P3P58J1tkWaV9xDQDQFWLegPOoDf_WWHrs1sCiGuYSqxWaMRLDqabDh93YvxDEDWk2rYKCUy3EZstZBRnK2o1yx6AZUr0WifbyEtEj8Fn8_4enE3Cuw/s1600/marg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff2laNflg1ivSk7Du_A_icjLz4P3P58J1tkWaV9xDQDQFWLegPOoDf_WWHrs1sCiGuYSqxWaMRLDqabDh93YvxDEDWk2rYKCUy3EZstZBRnK2o1yx6AZUr0WifbyEtEj8Fn8_4enE3Cuw/s400/marg.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's Los Angeles' original city center and the plaza is surrounded by the oldest buildings in the city, some from the 1800s.<br />
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It's also home to an important 1932 mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros. "American Tropical" is painted along the exterior of the second floor of Olvera Street’s Italian Hall. Its anti American-Imperialist message made it pretty unpopular and it was white washed shortly after it was finished which actually ended up preserving it much better than many of Siqueiros' outdoor murals. It was only recently re-unveiled in 2012.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3hWjBOiI5PVCI6pNV4I_Ee850Y16DMVuob9L_zkpaq7wnp460I1dOueuMpD_3U6ael8lSlmavTWNYE-qXwEN3R-72OlzZIRXRUwQG36FAvEGlMDTcGrTouOQ-dcAq7f_HF1vAhPwyfyM/s1600/siqueros+american+tropical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Olvera Street" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3hWjBOiI5PVCI6pNV4I_Ee850Y16DMVuob9L_zkpaq7wnp460I1dOueuMpD_3U6ael8lSlmavTWNYE-qXwEN3R-72OlzZIRXRUwQG36FAvEGlMDTcGrTouOQ-dcAq7f_HF1vAhPwyfyM/s640/siqueros+american+tropical.jpg" height="506" title="Siqueiros America Tropical" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">(photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityprojectca/5612031218/" target="_blank">The City Project</a>)</span></div>
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The plaza is now an open air market filled with all sorts of Mexican candies and toys, embroidered dresses, and magical talismans.<br />
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Olvera Street hosts Mexican cultural events throughout the year with traditional dancers, open air dance floors with DJs playing Mexican dance music, and great excuses to dress up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SMfrs7TB8hK1c8VxzgLlSPEL9iigKIgnh_-2gqeHQ7wv4u56hO6rz2JhfOmGcbHc5JdL9dOty4_xCIny-fckHmnI-G7TJMO0H00tiwHuJLqFhL_OaoxIinLxOGk7WdVzK7fqVPLkXA4j/s1600/olvera+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SMfrs7TB8hK1c8VxzgLlSPEL9iigKIgnh_-2gqeHQ7wv4u56hO6rz2JhfOmGcbHc5JdL9dOty4_xCIny-fckHmnI-G7TJMO0H00tiwHuJLqFhL_OaoxIinLxOGk7WdVzK7fqVPLkXA4j/s640/olvera+street.jpg" height="524" title="Olvera street dancers" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day of the Dead on Olvera Street feels like you are actually in Mexico - everyone paints their faces and wears elaborate costumes and there are traditional healers or <i>brujos</i> who will perform a sage ritual over you to rid you negative influences. Magic I tell you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-JvVw4XukXeDJP6gJHFamvEt7zZsR38ndBwMD44kWk-Xu_BPXKEXxOzP9WwfCnLWxWWLSYSd34FnunxKdWyPrrQjzPPZk-_JarVtomDopf_EYo5qhCBFmEeOh_dH0CBlD57pj3QZUt6E/s1600/olvera+street+dia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-JvVw4XukXeDJP6gJHFamvEt7zZsR38ndBwMD44kWk-Xu_BPXKEXxOzP9WwfCnLWxWWLSYSd34FnunxKdWyPrrQjzPPZk-_JarVtomDopf_EYo5qhCBFmEeOh_dH0CBlD57pj3QZUt6E/s640/olvera+street+dia.jpg" height="640" title="Olvera Street Dia de los Muertos" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">(photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58538116@N03/6305129368" target="_blank">F Fatal</a>)</span></div>
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The street is lined with several restaurants all with lovely outdoor patios but the the best is La Golondrina. The menu is authentic old school Mexican - try the chicarron tortilla soup and the velvety mango margarita.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-49218840369339847662013-05-02T17:26:00.003-07:002014-04-14T17:05:49.295-07:00The Perfect Easy MicheladaAh micheladas - spicy, juicy, beery, the perfect beach drink. Or drink for when you desperately wish it was warm enough to be at the beach, as the case may be!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGVdL_vcUrNTdc3RpN0eDVdnYfHVuHMHtlUcMdsYOumXIj6mlypO4TxT1UGYVO7EwofA00_DUdTqLJIBhb2CDJvcapR_XTgixlBJbFqj1OBFj6l6lXmSohmNVYuFDf-mIKmGlXRVUXzrf/s1600/michelada2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGVdL_vcUrNTdc3RpN0eDVdnYfHVuHMHtlUcMdsYOumXIj6mlypO4TxT1UGYVO7EwofA00_DUdTqLJIBhb2CDJvcapR_XTgixlBJbFqj1OBFj6l6lXmSohmNVYuFDf-mIKmGlXRVUXzrf/s640/michelada2.jpg" height="492" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are as many versions of this beer cocktail in Mexico as there are drinkers (really... everyone has their secret twist) but this simple version hits all the important notes for me: beachy lime, that certain <i>claminess</i> from the Clamato, a deep umami from the Worchesterchire and onion powder, and just enough heat.</div>
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There are plenty of fancy-pants recipes out there for making your own tomato juice, etc etc but Clamato really is the key for a lazy, drunken Sunday (like Cinco de Mayo this weekend!) filled with sunshine, your favorite people, and minimal effort.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Perfect Easy Michelada</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">Per cocktail:</span><br />
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1/2 tsp Worchesterchire<br />
1/2 tsp pepper sauce<br />
3 tbs Clamato<br />
juice of one lime<br />
healthy dash onion power<br />
healthy cracking of fresh black pepper<br />
pinch of salt<br />
1 light, beachy beer like Pacifico or Corona<br />
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Pour everything but the beer into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.<br />
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Slosh around to mix it all up. Add the beer last and sip and savor and thank the universe for Mexicans and their spicy beers.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-53590410195927904142013-04-21T22:44:00.002-07:002014-04-19T11:31:25.636-07:00Wash your face with honey for the earth, for your skinIn honor of Earth Day I want to share a recent eco-friendly change I've made to my skincare routine.<br />
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For the past 2 months I've been washing my face with honey.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7a0zHiNQUxNy-ZM0CkBVrF4wGEbLn0FfZAcGPfkridEcfecrosqNgWflRM-jFgq4VZOiBhWMJmhquJN7LQ5Txv8EzgQtL0O8W6X7Wh2xXZzMKI-lT8Nq0JVarxMWG8MB87Wp6UojWlpJe/s1600/honey+illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7a0zHiNQUxNy-ZM0CkBVrF4wGEbLn0FfZAcGPfkridEcfecrosqNgWflRM-jFgq4VZOiBhWMJmhquJN7LQ5Txv8EzgQtL0O8W6X7Wh2xXZzMKI-lT8Nq0JVarxMWG8MB87Wp6UojWlpJe/s640/honey+illustration.jpg" height="534" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yep, with straight-up honey. Nothing else.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>My skin has never been better.</b> Before I tried it, I had seen blog posts and forum threads all over with people positively gushing about how great honey was for their skin but I wasn't totally sure what to expect. Could honey really replace a normal face wash? Forever?</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I took the sticky-sweet plunge for a couple of reasons: my skin had been going though a particularly bad icky patch and for awhile now I've been wanting to focus on greening-up my little corner of the universe.</div>
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The standard drug store face wash is filled with all sorts of chemicals that are terrible for your body and for the planet. Before I switched to honey I was using Olay Regenerist Micro-Purifying Foaming Cleanser because I'd read a good review of it in a magazine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkWuUUvr2BQ3LnSH6ifoYD0vTS4HedjcRSDldqUf9u9bChGsNiQhwArmE3eYciEhF28FDvRfuzr2Mgal1mHlbBdxYDPdcepy-2AjefdZ37Fv1Tyas5UNKTQhRNA6FyxzV9cScOr_g3jD3/s1600/olay-regenerist-micro-purifying-foam-cleanser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkWuUUvr2BQ3LnSH6ifoYD0vTS4HedjcRSDldqUf9u9bChGsNiQhwArmE3eYciEhF28FDvRfuzr2Mgal1mHlbBdxYDPdcepy-2AjefdZ37Fv1Tyas5UNKTQhRNA6FyxzV9cScOr_g3jD3/s320/olay-regenerist-micro-purifying-foam-cleanser.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>These are just a few of the potentially toxic chemicals in my old face wash:</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6LMtPHmfE38kGahWVwq29fxuIN76O_L9qwxUcOnWHvtextHLODiJN9p1sTK9jaf8YdtAg_k8yY1aWilytNt7uLZlMdVbnJ1DAruehUS4S09Ek2hi_Ro8J6cfzvGAoO_Og_7BJB3SK2v3/s1600/olay+ingredients.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6LMtPHmfE38kGahWVwq29fxuIN76O_L9qwxUcOnWHvtextHLODiJN9p1sTK9jaf8YdtAg_k8yY1aWilytNt7uLZlMdVbnJ1DAruehUS4S09Ek2hi_Ro8J6cfzvGAoO_Og_7BJB3SK2v3/s400/olay+ingredients.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e534e; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b>. PEG-200:</b> PEG stands for </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Polyethylene Glycol and is derived from petroleum (gross!), used in oven cleaners, and</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> can alter and reduce the skin’s natural moisture factor.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2. Sodium Laureth Sulfate:</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Detergent that poses serious health threats. Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers – and in 90% of personal-care products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS experience eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, and even death. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">SLS may also damage the skin's immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3. </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Fragrances:</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Mostly synthetic ingredients - can indicate the presence of up to four thousand separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4. BHT: </b> A preservative used in all sorts of things, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">it has been shown to be linked to cancer, developmental toxicity, allergies, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, biochemical or cellular level changes and when it enters the water stream is particularly toxic to aquatic animals. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Pretty icky, right?</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The one ingredient in my new face wash? Organic, raw, unfiltered honey. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Honey is both gently moisturizing and antibacterial</b> meaning that acne-causing bacteria are annihilated and your skin is left perfectly balanced. Its really kind of amazing how different my skin feels after honey v. after a normal face wash. Most face washes would leave my skin feeling dry and tight, or, if it was a moisturizing wash, my skin would be too oily but with honey, my skin just feels clean!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">When I first started I was worried that the honey would be messy and get stuck in my hair, etc but t</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">he raw stuff is thicker than the more common </span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;">pasteurized</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"> honey so it's really more like a paste than a sticky liquid. I just scoop a bit out of the container, wet it in my hands, rub it into my face, and rinse off. I do make sure to have my hair tightly pulled back with an elastic headband just in case!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Its important that you only buy raw, unfiltered honey, preferably organic. Most "normal" honey has been pasteurized which destroys a lot of its beneficial enzymes and filtered for the natural bits of honey comb and pollen that hang out in honey, which are also good sources of nutrients.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.crunchybetty.com/honey-challenge" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b>This post</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">on Crunchy Betty's blog was my first entry into the honey-as-face-wash-thing and I recommend you check it out, too! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">She recommends giving honey at least 2 weeks before you pass judgement on it - it can take that long for your skin to get to used to any new routine but I felt and saw a difference after just a couple of days. My skin was glowier, clearer, and just felt... healthier.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What do you say? Want to cut a bunch of chemicals out of your corner of the universe and get better skin in exchange?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sources:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.organicbeautytalk.com/ingredients-to-avoid/</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">http://thegoodhuman.com/2009/09/24/what-is-bht-butylated-hydroxytoluene-and-why-you-should-avoid-it/</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.crunchybetty.com/honey-challenge</span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-21330023649854731862013-04-14T12:13:00.000-07:002014-04-14T16:56:36.027-07:00King Ranch Chicken: Tex-Mex comfort foodI'm from Texas y'all where comfort food means Tex-Mex: gooey, cheesy, spicy piles of goodness topped with even more cheese.<br />
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King Ranch Chicken is perhaps the ultimate Tex-Mex casserole. It's comforting layers of spiced chicken, cheese, and creamy sauce. Legend has it that the original recipe came from the famed King Ranch in South Texas. Recipes for it (including my mom's) are from the 1950's and 60's and usually involve lots of processed canned cream soups which though yummy are definitely not so great for you.<br />
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I've adapted this fresher, more grown-up recipe from the fabulous <a href="http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/2007/10/king-of-casseroles-king-ranch-chicken.html" target="_blank">Homesick Texan's Slightly Fancypants King Ranch Chicken.</a><br />
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Make this casserole for an easy way to impress guests or make yourself a tray for week-long meals - it reheats really well and is guaranteed to make your co-workers supremely jealous.<br />
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I devised this recipe as an easy way to use up leftover chicken but the princple of layering cheese and tortillas and sauce seems like an amazing way to sneak some veggies into your meals, too. What do you think, King Ranch Kale next perhaps?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGkB0QUdirOwsZndjaz-22kVzunR9HF1tazE5OAIIENJFxPwgP-sDFGs_EQtBF7-gS2bbq_ds0Sj70Qm3SuxUeHw1Zdh_-spy5Icx6tMnZhx8Y-qQRKe9YRAjmWya86IWJiO4FSIyc8pc/s1600/KING+RANCH+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGkB0QUdirOwsZndjaz-22kVzunR9HF1tazE5OAIIENJFxPwgP-sDFGs_EQtBF7-gS2bbq_ds0Sj70Qm3SuxUeHw1Zdh_-spy5Icx6tMnZhx8Y-qQRKe9YRAjmWya86IWJiO4FSIyc8pc/s640/KING+RANCH+2.jpg" height="488" title="king ranch chicken casserole" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">King Ranch Chicken</span><br />
Serves 5-6<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Note: my recipe is for an 8x8 baking dish (because that's all I have!) and makes a very thick casserole. An 11x7 pan is the more standard way to make this casserole and will result in a thinner, easier to serve dish. To make this recipe in an 11x7 pan, increase the tortillas to 10 and the cheese to 3 cups. </span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (I used leftovers from my <a href="http://nowismagic.blogspot.com/2013/04/beer-braised-chicken-tacos-slow-cooker.html" target="_blank">Beer Braised Chicken Tacos</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">juice of one lime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2.5 tablespoons of butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 a medium white onion, diced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 bell pepper (I used a red one) diced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 poblano pepper, diced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4 cloves garlic, minced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 10oz. can of Ro-Tel tomatoes and chilis, drained<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3 teaspoon chili powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon cumin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup chicken broth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 tablespoons flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup half and half<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup sour cream (totally feel free to use light sour cream)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup cilantro, chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups grated cheese - I used a combo of jack and cheddar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">5 corn tortillas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Salt and pepper to taste</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Preheat oven to 350.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2. Mix your chicken with the lime juice and 1 teaspoon chili powder. I did this in a skillet over low flame because my chicken was still a bit frozen.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3. In a large, lidded saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion, bell, and poblano pepper and cook stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes or until the onion is really good and translucent.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4. Add the garlic, flour, cumin, cayenne pepper and 2 teaspoons of chile powder and stir and cook for 1 minute.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">5. Add the chicken broth and cook on low for a few minutes until the mixture thickens up. Stir in the half-and-half and Ro-Tel and cover the pot, simmer for about 15 minutes on low, stirring occasionally.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">6. Uncover the pot and stir in the sour cream and half the chopped cilantro. Remove from heat.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">7. Into the bottom of your 8x8 baking dish, ladle about 1/2 cup of your sauce. Next, evenly place half your corn tortillas to cover the sauce - you will have to tear the tortillas into pieces to cover the entire area. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">8. On top of your tortillas, add half your chicken, half your remaining sauce, half your remaining cilantro, and 1 cup of cheese. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9. Create another tortilla layer and repeat the layering, leaving the cheese layer on top.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">10. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, until the top is nicely browned and really bubbling. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">11. Serve will dollops of guacamole and sour cream on top if you're fancy like that.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0-DDtVFTjg9ae5AiB3YiEAVG9kWq2k_eS2YKWS57S6D5HMvEQN0EXzqC48J5Ez6bg8_w-mpS3aAjZWtC1lcKmMWyj7G-O6hLtngbPTxDMIC1Xp2l-CFoAa1BXMQGiwCDbqk9jdMRYy1J/s1600/king+ranch3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0-DDtVFTjg9ae5AiB3YiEAVG9kWq2k_eS2YKWS57S6D5HMvEQN0EXzqC48J5Ez6bg8_w-mpS3aAjZWtC1lcKmMWyj7G-O6hLtngbPTxDMIC1Xp2l-CFoAa1BXMQGiwCDbqk9jdMRYy1J/s640/king+ranch3.jpg" height="594" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16.8px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-23872046917920090562013-03-21T22:23:00.004-07:002014-04-20T19:17:51.815-07:00Beet Margaritas!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Pertinent facts:</div>
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Beets are good for your liver.</div>
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Beets taste great with citrus.</div>
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Beets are therefore an ideal margarita base. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdx0ZqQ_UINkVzxH-3Lpp4G_LY1gn5vXlizpx2fjXOMXmVBZyKlF6BM7hi_eUNcoL4X-kpzZsDAe9A5RRz5ypYF-Gb-z7j9RLdacevrpGsjZyw4zkMnTiz-iOEIyyFGZ7vkM4swH-SiDQ/s1600/beetmargs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="vegetable margaritas" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdx0ZqQ_UINkVzxH-3Lpp4G_LY1gn5vXlizpx2fjXOMXmVBZyKlF6BM7hi_eUNcoL4X-kpzZsDAe9A5RRz5ypYF-Gb-z7j9RLdacevrpGsjZyw4zkMnTiz-iOEIyyFGZ7vkM4swH-SiDQ/s640/beetmargs2.jpg" height="563" title="beet margaritas" width="640" /></a></div>
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Most people know beets as these incredibly earthy, healthy little things and for good reason: they are filled with a compound called betaine which is a natural detoxifier for the liver - it actually helps the liver flush out built up toxins.<br />
Beets have pretty much always had superfood status: ancient Romans considered beets an important health food and an aphrodisiac.</div>
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<b>All that health and then they are the cutest magenta pink color ever - seriously! Don't these margaritas just look like a springtime garden party? </b></div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<b>The good folks at </b><a href="http://www.diyfo.org/" target="_blank"><b>DIYFO</b></a><b> and I made these this past weekend and we have to tell you: they are officially rooftop garden party approved.</b></div>
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Don't be afraid of the beet flavor - it is there, but when layered with sweet sweet clementine juice, agave negtar, and tart lemon its really more of a complex background note than a prominent flavor.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa5L0RqvHyXKMXdtV-7oP4w6OHVBnlKoJaRH4xf2IhmOy0bm2UPmReT5j7RFzOfFgn0khsQmmvkkR4n1dWOQaLXJWhGcUz7nChImRq-C-Nc8Y9-tx3Mu1SG1lwU43eW4574yto0cFFWM9/s1600/beetmargs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa5L0RqvHyXKMXdtV-7oP4w6OHVBnlKoJaRH4xf2IhmOy0bm2UPmReT5j7RFzOfFgn0khsQmmvkkR4n1dWOQaLXJWhGcUz7nChImRq-C-Nc8Y9-tx3Mu1SG1lwU43eW4574yto0cFFWM9/s640/beetmargs.jpg" height="566" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Beet and Clementine Margaritas</span></b><br />
<i>Makes 2 cocktails</i><br />
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Juice of (2) beet roots - this was 2/3 of a cup for me<br />
2/3 cup clementine juice - about 8 clementines<br />
2/3 cup tequila<br />
1 tbs. agave nectar<br />
juice of one lemon<br />
Kosher salt for your glasses<br />
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Pour all ingredients in a shaker or jar and shake it up!<br />
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Pour over ice into glasses with salted rims. Get the salt to stay by rubbing a lemon along the rim, then dipping the cup into a plate of salt.<br />
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Mustache straws optional.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8-xa2dNeUkCtbtMqtx7JttvhVqcr0hq1fCV5qHMKOkrxMiFthB5ipbXuQv4VW7GMpYaeJ6rP69erzKlaDHRot1LzR-SOegm7JqpE9jgAT5WxFEZ90qrFhb9GGSPG1iR3Lp57xsb8jA-Z/s1600/meetmargs3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mustache straw" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8-xa2dNeUkCtbtMqtx7JttvhVqcr0hq1fCV5qHMKOkrxMiFthB5ipbXuQv4VW7GMpYaeJ6rP69erzKlaDHRot1LzR-SOegm7JqpE9jgAT5WxFEZ90qrFhb9GGSPG1iR3Lp57xsb8jA-Z/s640/meetmargs3.jpg" height="634" title="beet margarita" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-63252213632577851272013-03-18T22:03:00.001-07:002014-04-14T17:08:50.376-07:00DIY Lavender Sugar Scrub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lavender has always been a special plant: Ancient Egyptians used it in perfumes, Judith rubbed lavender oil all over her body before seducing Holofernes, and its been used since at least the 12th c. to treat anxiety and depression.</div>
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On <a href="http://www.nowismagic.blogspot.com/2013/02/travel-quick-guide-to-tucson.html" target="_blank">a recent trip to Tucson</a> I picked up some homemade lavender essential oil. I'd been using it here and there as a perfume but when a recent hamstring injury had me needing some extra TLC, I added it to my favorite basic sugar scrub recipe for a little extra oomph.<br />
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A hot shower + this lavender sugar scrub massaged into tired muscles = heaven.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_JpZ7k-cAYoOsmHRdSclDwo4j15hbtQyNQCIcPOggZYiJAw8uezJX8iEDvwB7q_pjOVCExQdVwj10m2Cttm6ybFkjRzzADR1RggJuqHDqa33ATvLvDZFwYeNpldyNhkz51m908hr7RY0/s1600/SCRUB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="diy" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_JpZ7k-cAYoOsmHRdSclDwo4j15hbtQyNQCIcPOggZYiJAw8uezJX8iEDvwB7q_pjOVCExQdVwj10m2Cttm6ybFkjRzzADR1RggJuqHDqa33ATvLvDZFwYeNpldyNhkz51m908hr7RY0/s640/SCRUB2.jpg" height="558" title="lavender sugar scrub" width="640" /></a>This scrub is the easiest, cheapest, and most luxurious exfoliator I've ever used - serious babe points for how soft your skin will be after using it.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lavender Sugar Scrub</span></b><br />
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1. Mix equal parts <b>coconut oil</b> and <b>sugar</b> with fork to combine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLho2RzkOOd1RtX-n5xVdbw0gDXs6squygPfxnPm4pIciC3-GV_1ZIzffe2e5YamwDsTqloJvaBzkCfUpsX-7hetymEK5QTmBIIB8LBv-8esYhhucvLEUq7O5MDhzXSEMGzlgxDhOatj4/s1600/SCRUB7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLho2RzkOOd1RtX-n5xVdbw0gDXs6squygPfxnPm4pIciC3-GV_1ZIzffe2e5YamwDsTqloJvaBzkCfUpsX-7hetymEK5QTmBIIB8LBv-8esYhhucvLEUq7O5MDhzXSEMGzlgxDhOatj4/s640/SCRUB7.jpg" height="490" width="640" /></a></div>
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2. Mix in lavender oil to your taste. I was filling a small canning jar with scrub and used about 3/4 c. each oil and sugar and added <b>1 tsp. lavender oil.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPm5eXicX94lDLfv6drU_y-zOF2_alizzn3gimxs0662uGCxLQd9LBrbO8DinJCj3uznhar2LAuyWpKjOEwY5Dmsvc67cjVhOded4PiZQaSEnRBMIwLULw7ZYHig-_bW1kdcbr3qsC5rM_/s1600/SCRUB4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPm5eXicX94lDLfv6drU_y-zOF2_alizzn3gimxs0662uGCxLQd9LBrbO8DinJCj3uznhar2LAuyWpKjOEwY5Dmsvc67cjVhOded4PiZQaSEnRBMIwLULw7ZYHig-_bW1kdcbr3qsC5rM_/s640/SCRUB4.jpg" height="612" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Now go forth and soothe!</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-40467430142413843902013-03-09T09:46:00.001-08:002014-04-14T17:03:58.142-07:00Kale and Ginger Margaritas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjqMTW-taO_DTcZYhzo77QSUF_qQzeHOynrMaLBXLNOHJWWBGcSzJQn6rvzTQM_-VSW0A0o4o1MAEHX_1kXx0IBZsoCV2E_BO3x2DTqfJpT1QwfgDokRlyM7wBS-5IxGbh-VLO4uQgCMM/s1600/kale+marg+script.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="kale, tequila" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjqMTW-taO_DTcZYhzo77QSUF_qQzeHOynrMaLBXLNOHJWWBGcSzJQn6rvzTQM_-VSW0A0o4o1MAEHX_1kXx0IBZsoCV2E_BO3x2DTqfJpT1QwfgDokRlyM7wBS-5IxGbh-VLO4uQgCMM/s640/kale+marg+script.jpg" height="560" title="kale ginger margaritas" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tequila and kale were meant for each other.</div>
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They are both fiesty and filled with wonderful things - some that will inebriate you and some that will actually <a href="http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/the-truth-about-kale" target="_blank">prevent all sorts of ailments</a>.</div>
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So you'll be healthy AND drunk. Win, win.</div>
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I've been wanting to try out an alcoholic kale drink for awhile - kale juice is a current obsession of mine. The deep emerald color alone is just too glorious not to want to play with.</div>
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Emerald like the Isle of Ireland, filled with booze just like St. Patrick's day demands, this frothy drink just makes me smile and hopefully it'll do the same for you.</div>
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The recipe is essentially this: blend equal parts kale juice, lime juice, ginger simple syrup, and tequila with a handful of ice. Easy, peasy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK1Ns34yW70eECDzaPqssaKAL9lF0H0p1NQP800CtUbhrMwLD1_OyQaRQNyKZneI5MaOkYsDUi8LNviUocUCnw9SJCm3bf_q5tQ6szoMryCkcqcXmix-it_bUkguIGZDseQoaC-fKe533/s1600/kale+marg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK1Ns34yW70eECDzaPqssaKAL9lF0H0p1NQP800CtUbhrMwLD1_OyQaRQNyKZneI5MaOkYsDUi8LNviUocUCnw9SJCm3bf_q5tQ6szoMryCkcqcXmix-it_bUkguIGZDseQoaC-fKe533/s640/kale+marg2.jpg" height="640" width="588" /></a></div>
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More detailed instructions below!</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kale and Ginger Margaritas</span></b></div>
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<i>Serves 4</i></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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1 2-3 inch knob of ginger</div>
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1 cup sugar</div>
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1/2 cup lime juice (this took 5 limes for me)</div>
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1 bunch kale</div>
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1/2 cup tequila</div>
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handful of ice - the more ice, the frothier your drink</div>
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<b>1. Make your ginger simple syrup:</b></div>
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Take a 2-3 inch knob of ginger and roughly slice. Add to sauce pan with 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar and bring to a boil. Allow to bubble for 3 minutes then remove from heat. Allow to cool to room temp.</div>
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<b>2. Meanwhile, juice 1 bunch kale</b> - my juicer made just over 1/2 cup of juice from that one bunch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnS8QLN1Uf8sbfI4hquUdq9IOIGU4jpddRSFrhWd0SUdOhnBqs4wJY-vhdoat0mN785y_CAt7dq27hl4lp0joCnO0nSpkWMxorsVzsJS1dIonnes1nzq-Pikl0EsbviMCdyzpYVeQH_3E/s1600/kale+marg+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnS8QLN1Uf8sbfI4hquUdq9IOIGU4jpddRSFrhWd0SUdOhnBqs4wJY-vhdoat0mN785y_CAt7dq27hl4lp0joCnO0nSpkWMxorsVzsJS1dIonnes1nzq-Pikl0EsbviMCdyzpYVeQH_3E/s400/kale+marg+3.jpg" height="357" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you don't have a juicer, try the blender kale juice method:</div>
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Remove the leaves from the stems and discard stems. Put a handful of the leaves in a blender with a cup of water and blend, blend, blend until smooth, slowly adding the rest of the leaves until everything is completely broken down. Pour through a seive to remove any solids and boom - kale juice.</div>
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<b>3. Assemble ingredients in blender:</b></div>
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Place 1/2 cup kale juice, 1/2 of your simple syrup, 1/2 cup lime juice, and 1/2 cup tequila in a blender with a handful of ice. Blend until frothy and well combined.</div>
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Pour over ice in glasses with salted rims.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJtKnLvugcchtbKoYvq2wAl-lwpkc8td94UjpzDBEHP8P59GR4V7mo4TX1hBKEgQEV2q7wTlTuR5EdJvWafpi7SM9ap72cQ6nBQQM0l8phgmDytLqMSOKyKX7Qercp3XBf0huEHoZJoU9/s1600/kale+marg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJtKnLvugcchtbKoYvq2wAl-lwpkc8td94UjpzDBEHP8P59GR4V7mo4TX1hBKEgQEV2q7wTlTuR5EdJvWafpi7SM9ap72cQ6nBQQM0l8phgmDytLqMSOKyKX7Qercp3XBf0huEHoZJoU9/s640/kale+marg.jpg" height="560" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now drink, smile, and celebrate.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-2796872642275503512013-03-06T17:33:00.001-08:002014-04-14T17:06:46.751-07:00Poetry: With that moon language<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.125px;">This just might be the most arresting, truthful, harrowing poem I've ever read.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.125px;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdHOMOfjz0_2gPFm-64X-VhezQKduqlFg2RB7YfBghaGCpQcxtLlzqBwhWv0odQ6GRj6nPD_4QM9Tt7o8M2F2mYd6af3zs48h5RdMFniQYOpZKPEXY_qzN3opRuBczDdeI31ywTe6pbNe/s1600/moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdHOMOfjz0_2gPFm-64X-VhezQKduqlFg2RB7YfBghaGCpQcxtLlzqBwhWv0odQ6GRj6nPD_4QM9Tt7o8M2F2mYd6af3zs48h5RdMFniQYOpZKPEXY_qzN3opRuBczDdeI31ywTe6pbNe/s640/moon.jpg" height="640" width="514" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.125px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.125px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
My favorite hobby lately in the gloriously springing spring of LA is to take walks up in the hills, breathe in flower-scented air, and listen to podcasts about interesting things.</div>
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My last walk was led by the amazing <a href="http://www.onbeing.org/" target="_blank">Krista Tippett</a>'s interview with Father Greg Boyle, creator of LA's <a href="http://homeboyindustries.org/" target="_blank">Homeboy Industries</a>. The interview concluded with this poem by the 14th c. Persian poet Hafiz also included in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439153159/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1439153159&link_code=as3&tag=nowismag06-20" target="_blank">Father Boyle's memoir</a> (which I can't wait to read).</div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Lucida Grande, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.125px;">Its a seemingly simple call to action with huge ramifications - its been my "make today magic, dammit!" mantra for the past week and I swear, I think its working!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.125px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i>With that moon language</i></b></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.125px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>Admit something:</i></div>
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<i>Everyone you see, you say to them,</i><br />
<i>"Love me."</i></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.125px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>Of course you do not do this out loud;</i><br />
<i>Otherwise,</i><br />
<i>Someone would call the cops.</i></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.125px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>Still though, think about this,</i><br />
<i>This great pull in us</i><br />
<i>To connect.</i></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.125px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>Why not become the one</i><br />
<i>Who lives with a full moon in each eye</i><br />
<i>That is always saying,</i></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.125px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>With that sweet moon</i><br />
<i>Language,</i></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.125px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>What every other eye in this world</i><br />
<i>Is dying to</i><br />
<i>Hear.</i></div>
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<i>- Hafiz</i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-83538564366572418862013-02-19T14:14:00.000-08:002014-04-14T16:56:25.817-07:00Roasted Brussel Sprout Pesto PastaRoasting brussel sprouts smell like heaven.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinfR_eBhYAjOKO2iq0p4Pga5-BaeMV_UgodSM8yYN2Zj9g1wb1iXLpW1teJGxOfaV3DVAMglPQApUJBru07JjCfvDM26-xznDNVPea-4HxP5riUz4Ox359pUs21sggZUIIRoIg7t7hxg3/s1600/brussels4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinfR_eBhYAjOKO2iq0p4Pga5-BaeMV_UgodSM8yYN2Zj9g1wb1iXLpW1teJGxOfaV3DVAMglPQApUJBru07JjCfvDM26-xznDNVPea-4HxP5riUz4Ox359pUs21sggZUIIRoIg7t7hxg3/s400/brussels4.jpg" height="391" width="400" /></a></div>
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More than any of the veggies I've roasted so far - its a slightly sweet, earthy, rich smell that will have you salivating.<br />
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I'm trying this new approach to my meals lately: let the vegetables be the stars. I'm really trying to experience and enjoy vegetables.<br />
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And I have to tell you, its not difficult to enjoy veggies when they are smoky-sweet roasted, coated in pesto, and nestled in a bed of tender pappardelle pasta like they are here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-vT97cqbClyrN3F9qn3Wlr3KI5ajjAmiYF9CGfu7wOB3Cq2pCYC00SF8VnQOhJihqr_InMgeCAU-E-KIrvA85b7AhmYDdcnQzmDM6XeP16pc0iz3v8cEcEkmkJO2TOcDAzNiHaHuPJ8G/s1600/brussels5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-vT97cqbClyrN3F9qn3Wlr3KI5ajjAmiYF9CGfu7wOB3Cq2pCYC00SF8VnQOhJihqr_InMgeCAU-E-KIrvA85b7AhmYDdcnQzmDM6XeP16pc0iz3v8cEcEkmkJO2TOcDAzNiHaHuPJ8G/s640/brussels5.jpg" height="640" width="602" /></a></div>
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Not to boast, but this recipe is kind of amazing.<br />
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<b>Roasted Brussel Sprout Pesto Pasta</b><br />
Serves 2<br />
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1 lb brussel sprouts<br />
2 tbs olive oil<br />
1/2 pound pappardelle pasta<br />
3 tbs pesto (I used jarred but if you're inclinde to make your own, all the better!)<br />
2 tbs capers - rinsed if packed in salt, drained if packed in vinegar<br />
grated parmesan cheese to your liking<br />
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Wash and drain brussels. Cut off the brown ends and pull off any yellow outer leaves.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCchfDu3rBAU8AvRDC-6IQoPxfNyyIlXBr7n0dnizywbCnjOaAibyp61ML_Pr7aiP_CkXn6XIce3UmEhPhZumRild4aTWSYjgV893LGElaDZQnbDhs5n-6GtjcOIyChrFdKwlFbP5nyxWU/s1600/brussels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCchfDu3rBAU8AvRDC-6IQoPxfNyyIlXBr7n0dnizywbCnjOaAibyp61ML_Pr7aiP_CkXn6XIce3UmEhPhZumRild4aTWSYjgV893LGElaDZQnbDhs5n-6GtjcOIyChrFdKwlFbP5nyxWU/s400/brussels.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cut sprouts in half length-wise and toss with olive oil and a healthy sprinkling of salt and pepper.<br />
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Spread sprouts over a rimmed baking sheet, flat side down. Any leaves that fallen off the sprouts can be nestled on in there - they will get especially crispy and tasty.<br />
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Stick in oven and roast 30-40 minutes, until nicely browned and crispy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s73ALi3JfKDqnOaYJT7DaKVKTMsT8eDnrAc-2dCBFUmwtsRoheaZxIzb4G8hvdone-9UG1Nj5vAwKuCgh7IbKVs3zoczoViuwvgvmsfu7EuOOx7h7SapYMEhUJlg20POjP3OxOPbrr5F/s1600/brussels2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s73ALi3JfKDqnOaYJT7DaKVKTMsT8eDnrAc-2dCBFUmwtsRoheaZxIzb4G8hvdone-9UG1Nj5vAwKuCgh7IbKVs3zoczoViuwvgvmsfu7EuOOx7h7SapYMEhUJlg20POjP3OxOPbrr5F/s640/brussels2.jpg" height="507" width="640" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions.<br />
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Toss drained pasta with pesto, capers, and roasted brussels. Grate parmesan cheese over the top.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrKrLnuWDgllT-2bBrsxfk3ZbWEtqrkoRX09pn9XSuDksWZ23IDZfZnsJnkQpgeGEoQ3CxP740UCDK5xm4rZAoMzuCpLTwt_oRtvW37hVQhI66VgA0A30-UJHOSIhBYzoJXKjKQwgtrjx/s1600/brussels6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrKrLnuWDgllT-2bBrsxfk3ZbWEtqrkoRX09pn9XSuDksWZ23IDZfZnsJnkQpgeGEoQ3CxP740UCDK5xm4rZAoMzuCpLTwt_oRtvW37hVQhI66VgA0A30-UJHOSIhBYzoJXKjKQwgtrjx/s640/brussels6.jpg" height="520" title="roasted brussel sprout pesto pasta" width="640" /></a></div>
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Serious yums.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-4955855199558171212013-02-12T09:52:00.001-08:002013-02-12T10:26:28.567-08:00Travel: A Quick Guide to TucsonTucson sits in a desert valley between 5 mountain ranges and is filled with giant saguaro cacti, Mexican food, and old-school adobe architecture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp18nSwKqhkgJIaeeUEMylfxtw-We9srR0KjJw8Zl9kPj9yvko876YF_IQYQL_vW1_emMh01v2hknMP65LbfNNsIljbuvaqviiGLm_IF5UvIyVbeKz8jHwFeWsyBMYMYUoD952RK23csj/s1600/tucson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp18nSwKqhkgJIaeeUEMylfxtw-We9srR0KjJw8Zl9kPj9yvko876YF_IQYQL_vW1_emMh01v2hknMP65LbfNNsIljbuvaqviiGLm_IF5UvIyVbeKz8jHwFeWsyBMYMYUoD952RK23csj/s640/tucson.jpg" title="Tucson Saguaro Park" width="640" /></a></div>
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Its a starkly beautiful place that comes to life on the second full weekend of every February for the city-wide Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Jewelry designers and gem traders from all over the country swarm the city in a dizzying two-week jewelry frenzy.<br />
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Almost every hotel, field, and back alley in the city is turned into a giant tented gem and mineral market - its a sight to behold.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzbxBeMUQgXNMmMdTIZHF2n5R2sKeYmptJRaIRZcav6FsOQ-QA8DGvw4eXJQI6Y6CWk_dMszNVVeD2ZlvCvP_scag03leHcQJzn7KXtH6pm_0TZtO3dAaTeJz-Z_QpyQTfdZbsbIYoCWK/s1600/tucson6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzbxBeMUQgXNMmMdTIZHF2n5R2sKeYmptJRaIRZcav6FsOQ-QA8DGvw4eXJQI6Y6CWk_dMszNVVeD2ZlvCvP_scag03leHcQJzn7KXtH6pm_0TZtO3dAaTeJz-Z_QpyQTfdZbsbIYoCWK/s400/tucson6.jpg" title="Tucson Gem Show" width="400" /></a></div>
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I spent a weekend exploring the city and and the gem shows with my amazing jewelry designer grandparents, these are some of our favorite spots!<br />
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<b>Gem Shows - try the little guys.</b> While the crowds are flocking to the many huge shows in the city, some of the best deals can be found at the smaller, out of the way shows where vendors are really trying to move their product. My jewelry designer grandparents swear by a number of the vendors at the small Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show held at the Hotel Tucson City Center. I picked up some extremely well-priced lapis lazuli, kunzite, and larimar brought straight from the mines in Afghanistan.<br />
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<b>See the best sunset in Arizona in the Saguaro National Park. </b>Drive just 15 minutes or so from town into the beginnings of Saguaro National Park and watch the sunset from Gates Pass. The pass road takes you up into the foothills of Tucson Mountain Park. There giant saguaro cacti as far as the eye can see, shimmering mountain lakes off in the distance, and craggy mountains framing the setting sun. Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine - the scenic overlook is one of the prettiest sunset spots I've experienced.<br />
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<b>Enjoy a fancy dinner at The Arizona Inn. </b>This enchanting Spanish-style hotel was built in 1930 as a desert oasis for Hollywood starlets and big-time politicians (the original owner was good friends with Eleanor Roosevelt). The bar and dining area are elegant yet cozy and the food is incredible. Try the 3 course tasting menu ($55/person or $75 with wine pairings) which changes seasonally.<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">original photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandc/5904392093/" target="_blank">Dan_DC on Flickr</a></span></div>
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<b>Have a cocktail and see a show at The Congress Hotel. </b>Another of Tucson's historic hotels built in 1919, the Congress has been revitalized into a watering hole gear towards the young and tattooed with several bars, a cute restaurant, and a music venue. Excellent people and outfit watching!<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">photo by <a href="http://www.livinggwg.com/fashion/2nd-hand-shopping-vegan-meals-rad-hotels-in-tucson/" target="_blank">Living GWG</a></span></div>
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<b>Experience the desert tranquility of The DeGrazia Gallery. </b>Nestled in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains, the gallery's original adobe buildings were the home and studio of the artist Ettore DeGrazia. The architecture is incredible (floors made of slices of cacti - check out that rad texture!),<br />
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the museum layout is inspired, and its generally just a beautiful place to spend a couple of lazy afternoon hours.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-83908703958574482492013-01-22T23:54:00.004-08:002014-04-14T16:57:43.270-07:00Long Weekends = YouthA breezy, sunny long weekend filled with ancient art at the Getty Villa, jewel making, food, and friends. Can't wait for next week's adventures!<br />
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The gorgeous marble mosaic floors at the Villa.</div>
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Tourmaline necklace made Saturday</div>
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An ancient Roman <i>mastos</i>, a breast-shaped cup!</div>
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Day off spent in the park.</div>
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Photos by me, the lovely Eric, and the <a href="http://www.reynosoguitars.com/" target="_blank">talented Richard</a>.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779823294967683881.post-22437308722813000022012-05-19T00:15:00.001-07:002014-04-14T17:01:34.679-07:00Papas Chirrionas - Spicy Chorizo Potatoes for Brunch<br />
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The base of this recipe is from Diana Kenndy's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mexican-Cooking-Diana-Kennedy/dp/0553057065" target="_blank">The Art of Mexican Cooking </a>and it is a complete joy - when the sauce hit the pan, I literally let out an "Oh my god!" - the smell was so heady, so thick, so just plain amazing that I knew I was in for a major treat.</div>
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"Chirriona" is a sexually charged word meaning, depending on context, a homosexual or a flirtatious woman and so Diana Kennedy calls these Papas Chirrionas a "lusty dish". I lightened things up a bit - using less pasilla chiles and more tomatillos than Kennedy's recipe and opting for sweet potatoes.</div>
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Sweet potatoes and yams have long had sexual connotations - Elizabethan English thought they were straight up aphrodisiacs*. If Kenndedy's Papas Chirrionas make a "lusty" brunch dish, Sweet Potatoes (Camotes) Chirrionas must be THE thing to make for your object of affection if you are lucky enough to find them at your place for breakfast. This is quick but exotic and perfect with a cold Mexican beer - keep the party rolling you chirriona, you!</div>
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I've made the recipe both ways - regular potatoes and sweet - and there is just something about the sweet potatoes in this sauce, topped with a little chorizo, that's plain amazing.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Papas or Camotes Chirrionas </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">(Potatoes in Pasilla-Tomatillo Salsa)</span></b><br />
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1 pound red potatoes or sweet potatoes<br />
3 tablespoons canola or corn oil<br />
1/2 medium onion, finely sliced<br />
2 chiles pasillas, stems removed<br />
4 small tomatillos<br />
2 small garlic cloves, peeled and smashed<br />
2/3 cup water<br />
3 eggs lightly beaten with salt<br />
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For Garnish:<br />
1 heaped tsp dried oregano, Mexican if you have it<br />
crumbled Cotija cheese<br />
chorizo sausage, cooked and crumbled<br />
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Put the potatoes in a pot with enough salted water to cover; boil for 5 minutes.<br />
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Meanwhile, heat a heavy skillet over high heat until it is very hot then put the chiles in the pan, pressing them flat for several seconds and then flipping and pressing the other side. You'll notice the chiles change color a bit and become opaque when they are done. Remove from heat and submerge chiles in hot water; let sit for 15 minutes.<br />
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In same hot skillet, toast the tomatillos, turning them over as they blacken on a side. Eventually they will blister and might burst a little - you want them good and toasted and softened.<br />
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Drain the potatoes and heat the oil in a frying pan. Add potatoes and cook for 10 minutes or so, turning over from time to time. Now add the onion and continue frying until the potatoes are nicely golden brown.<br />
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Put the toasted tomatillos, soaked chiles, garlic, and water in a blender and pulse until well mixed but not too smooth - the sauce should be nice and thick.<br />
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Pour the sauce into the frying pan with potatoes and fry over very high heat until the sauce is reduced - about another 4 minutes. Stir in the eggs and mix until the eggs are set - just another 2 minutes or so.<br />
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Serve in bowls sprinkled with oregano, chorizo, and cotija cheese.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">* Source:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">M.F.K. Fisher, "Let the Sky Rain Potatoes," pg. 22 of the 1954 edition of <i>The Art of Eating.</i></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496469228084953381noreply@blogger.com0