food

14:365:2011

*photo by Elaine A. Russell



I feel like there are great changes that are going to be happening this year.
It feels like there is great movement rumbling about.

One of the big changes that I have not talked about on my post... before now... is about my daughter. I hesitated for a long time, as it is a personal issue... and I didn't want anything to hurt her... or add to her problems in any way. However, she has given me permission to talk about it... and so I will share a little.
My daughter is really, really smart... and really, really creative ( and that's not just me as a mom talking ). She is an incredible artist, and has sold her artwork since she was 12.
She has always had some OCD tendancies... like so many people in my family. After graduating from home school last year however... things exacerbated. I still don't know what the triggers were... and perhaps never will. But... the behaviours manifested most obviously with her diet. She lost about 80lbs in a year... and went on a strict diet. She was being very restrictive on the amounts of food she ate... her fat consumption was nill... and her carbs and protein consumption was very low. Additionally, she had increased her daily amount of exercise. And there were/are other behaviours as well...

Unfortunately, alot of this was going on while I was traveling back and forth to PA... and I was not around to be as supportive (or even aware) as I could've/ should've been. I take alot of responsibility for that. And I feel awful. On the other hand, she is an adult... and there is only so much you can do for someone without infringing on their sense of self and independence. She never, fortunately, got to a critical point health-wise, or needed hospitalization... although it was pretty darn sketchy at times.

Having been home now since the end of October, she and I have been able to grow much closer... and I feel like things are settling down a bit with her OCD behaviours... and getting them more within her comfort level of control. I love her beyond measure. I am so very proud of who she is and how she has grown and matured into this lovely woman...

I felt compelled to write about it, in the hopes that it will open the doors of communication to someone else who may be having a similar issue. Control is a hard thing. Not enough is dangerous... so is too much. Like so many things in life... we strive for a balance...
This is not the end of the story... as I feel like (as with so many health issues)... this is an ongoing thing that she will be facing each and every day. However, I am more than confident that she is up for the task...

207:365


Today was a busy day. I am still trying to recover from the bronchitis... and so every thing I try to do wears me out more than it should. But alas. I got my hair cut and colored at the mall... and saw this gorgeous rainbow on the way there. I also went with my daughter to Savers... and got some awesome deals... and some kick butt boots!!! that I love.
For (a very late) dinner... we went to India Palace on the westside... which is simply awesome. The people there were incredibly nice... and the food was delicious... beyond words.... fabulous. I can't recommend them enough... (7 different kinds of Naan bread! chutneys... tandori chicken...simosa... nom, nom, nom)


--------->photos by Elaine A. Russell

88:365


One thing about being where it rains alot... is that there sure are some pretty ducks and birds around. My parents love to watch the birds... and they have their "regulars" that come to visit. Robins, evening grosbeaks, nuthatches, blue jays, cardinals, doves, wrens, finches.... the list goes on. There is also a local small group of ducks that come every night and wander through the back yard to get to the river.



This mated pair are just adorable. He follows slightly behind her no matter where she goes; always pausing so that she eats first and such... I'm not sure if mallards mate for life... but these two sure seem to get along well.



This afternoon, my daughter and I went slightly out of town on Route6 west to what used to be Dr. Clarence Baxter's home. My parent's don't seem to know who owns it at the moment... although I did notice that it's been for sale for a couple years now. It is a gorgeous piece of property... nestled in a luscious pine-wooded area.



At this property, is a whole flock of Canadian Geese. They are beautiful. My daughter and I walked around for a short while... watching the geese swim in the ponds, and wander about the grassy areas....honking all the while at our intrusion in their space....




And so... these were my photos for the day. Not much else is really going on. I feel ... to a certain extent... that I am simply treading water and biding my time here. I am not sure how very useful I am; save for driving my mom back and forth to the hospital, and talking with my dad. I do a little laundry, wash some dishes, burn the trash.... walk the dog. Simple stuff.
Well.... that and answer the phone as it is constantly ringing....


I went to the grocery store late this afternoon, and got some goodies.... Kristin and I made butter and garlic roasted chicken breasts, and a pan full of fresh veggies (yellow squash, red/yellow & green sweet peppers, fresh mushrooms, celery, scallions, garlic, & snow peas). I also made acorn squash slowly cooked in the oven with butter, brown sugar, raisins, cashews and almonds as a sweet treat....oh, and pickled beet eggs and whole wheat bread from the store.... good "country cookin' "...



...and so.... I will bid you all a safe and happy goodnight.....



*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

47:365



My son as born on Fat Tuesday, 1991. At the time, we were living in Biloxi, MS.... and we had gone to Mardi Gras... and really enjoyed the festivities. I would love to go back.

Tonight, we went to the local restaurant "Pappadeaux" to celebrate Mardi Gras. The food was awesome, and I thoroughly enjoyed my Lobster Bisque soup, my Shrimp Etouffee, and some of the appetizer platter (*which was alligator, shrimp, and calimari, fresh warm bread and whipped butter).
They had a dixie-land band playing live in the bar area... and there were balloons and beads everywhere. A bit expensive ($160 --inlcuding tip, appetizers, drinks and entrees for 5 people)... but well worth it.

I love Mardi Gras... and we all had a great time talking about when we were there.






The photos for today were from 1991 ... New Orleans.
All photos by Elaine A. Russell

For more information on the restaurant "Pappadeau" ... look HERE

12:365

*photo by Elaine A. Russell

...resting... figuring out finances... eating home-made cookies...
...getting packages ready to mail out to some lucky winners of my
First Ever Give-Away...

...enjoying some nice and spicy tacos for dinner...
Thinking how very fortunate I am to be as healthy as I am in spite of everything... and in spite of being not so healthy in the past...
(even though I have to take a BUNCH of meds/vitamins -- hence my inspiration for this photo I took today for my daily photo challenge)





Living Simply tip for the day: If you like spicy food; consider that you quite possibly could be benefiting greatly from the spice as well. I know in my personal experience, nothing boosts my immune system quite like a slathering of green chile on my fav foods. It is a boost in vit c; as well as helping me clean out my sinuses... and giving me a general flush of well being.

"Most of the health benefits of spicy foods appear to center around capsaicin, the ingredient which makes chili peppers hot. Other ingredients like turmeric, coriander, and mustard seeds which appear in spicy foods in some regions of the world may also confer additional health benefits. One of the most widely accepted claims is that eating spicy foods promotes sweating, opens the sinuses, and encourages expectoration, making spicy foods a good thing to eat if someone has a cold. The hot temperature of spicy foods can also promote an opening of the sinuses and bronchial tubes.

Some studies have suggested that the health benefits of spicy foods may be especially important for the brain. People who eat a lot of spicy food appear to be at a decreased risk of developing degenerative brain and nervous system conditions, and these foods may also help with depression and migraines. Eating spicy foods also increases the metabolism, encouraging people to process food more quickly, leading some researchers to suggest that spicy foods may help with weight loss. " -- from http://www.wisegeek.com/

neat to eat ...part TWO

.. and in our continuing story ....here are some more places the hubby and I have gotten to eat at in the last few months....


Chili's on Ouray
http://www.chilis.com/EN/Pages/home.aspx

(I had the fajita trio and a margarita...awesome)


Sadie's on 4th Street


(Wow. Had the stuffed sopas. Tons of great food.. and such a cool place!)


Flying Star -- both the one on Central, and the one in Corrales


(Always good food. Favs are: Earl Grey tea, the Southwest Bennie, and the bread pudding)


Chow's ... in the Cottonwood Mall


(love the coffee chicken and the Santa Fe Wonton soup!)


Blue Cactus Grill on Coors


(I had the tequila-lime chicken, fall veggies, and these great sweet potatoes--yum)


Little Anita's in Old Towne
http://www.littleanitas.com/
(It was cold, and all the food was great! I had one of the platters with beans and rice)


**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

neat to eat ... part ONE

Because I will no doubt be busy with Nob Hill Nights, First Friday events.. and making the rounds of some cool places.... I have decided that today's and tomorrow's entries will be on a theme.
We started working in earnest on our house back towards the end of September.
And... the hubby and I LOVE to eat out... so we took this as an opportunity to visit some local places.
This post (and tomorrow's) will feature some of the places we have visited over the course of the past few months, and some of the great food that ABQ has to offer.
When possible, I have tried to include links to the places.

♥♥♥I hope you enjoy this ♥♥♥


Satellite Cafe on Central Ave
(I love the Cafe con Leche and 9 grain toast with hummus)



Kai's Chinese Restaurant
(I had the Jasmine tea and the Thai chicken with fresh veggies on rice)



El Patio
(it's all about the huervos and coffee)



BlackBird Buvette
(my fav is a glass of white wine, and a plate of Bruschetta)



Lindy's Diner
(like it all... you can't go wrong--I love diners)



Johhny Rockets @ CottonWood Mall
http://www.johnnyrockets.com/index2.php
(Cold coke and chili fries with everything... )



**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

Santa Fe Farmer's Market

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell



ok. So yesterday I posted about the ride on the RailRunner up to Santa Fe.. the goal being.. to go to the annual Recycle Show there.
But ... whoa... wait a minute. There was also a Farmer's Market going on! Apparently, every Sunday, there is what is called the "Sunday Community Fair" in addition to the Farmer's Market.
So... we are talking .... tons of fresh, organic, local produce... as well as handmade items, soaps, bags, books and more. All around the rail station were booths outside, and then inside this huge warehouse... were tons more of booths. Now.. combine that with street artists, and musicians.... and free samples ??!!
Now you get the idea.

Needless to say, we got a little side-tracked from the Recycle Show and explored here first....

fresh organic Dakon radishes


gorgeous chile ristras


organic apple cider slushies


and fresh, home-made bread

To see more about the market in Santa Fe: http://www.santafefarmersmarket.com/