New Year’s First Course

I spent the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009 house sitting. I had the luxury use of a Wolf range. It is gorgeous. I didn't have the time to use it to its fullest capabilities, but here is a little tasting of the amazing array of food from New Year's Eve. I was still feeling under the weather and didn't get to try everything. Everything includes a rich flaky veggie pot pie, baked beet quarters with pecans, vegan lasagna, tofu stir fry and these tasty morsels:

Kim Chi Soup

AI know I sound like a broken record, but I didn't record or measure the ingredients. It has been 2 weeks and I only remember what each tastes like not how I made them. I only had 90 minutes of free time between work and work to get everything done. So with some fast cleaning, chopping, and boiling you can have soup and rice patties and the warm brussel sprout salad from Christmas.

2 large carrots, cut to large matchsticks

1 medium red pepper, diced

½ bunch of Bok Choy, a few greens and a few stems cut

½ head Napa Cabbage, spines removed and leaves diced

1 container Crimini mushrooms, cleaned and stems removed

1/3 cup or so Apple cider vinegar

1/3 cup or less Bragg's amino acids

1/3 cup or less Garlic chili sauce

4 cups Broth

Lots of Basil and Cilantro, chopped

Fresh Ginger, julienned

I sautéed carrots and red pepper in oil for 5 minutes. I added the mushrooms and sautéed another 5 minutes. I added the broth, vinegar, bragg's, and chili sauce. I brought it to a boil, then let it simmer for 45 to 60 minutes. I added the bok choy, cabbage, basil, cilantro and ginger, covered the pan and turned off the burner. Soup is On!

Rice patties

1 cup Arborio rice

2 cups water

2 T minced ginger

4 minced cloves garlic

½ cup minced cilantro

juice of one lime

1/3 cup diced onion

Olive oil

Sauté onion in the oil, add the rice and stir continuously for 3- 5 minutes. Add the water and vinegar, cover until rice is al dente. This will not turn to creamy risotto rice. Mix in the cilantro, garlic and ginger. Using a shallow 2" diameter dish or ramekin; scoop, pack, and level rice mixture into the dish or ramekin. Pop it out onto plate. I think I made 14 patties. I heated a pan of oil and fried them on both sides briefly til lightly brown. I blotted the extra oil. 10 minutes before serving, reheat in oven. Tastes great along side or in the kim chi soup.

O there was dessert too. We had a friend with very special dietary considerations – we made a vegan, agave-sweetened, gluten-free cheesecake. Yep you read that correctly.

We googled a recipe so I am not sure where we got it but who ever created it, thanks! It was a hit.

It was supposed to be a firm silken tofu but we just got extra firm regular tofu. It would have been creamier than our results but no tastier! We only had a blender to mix the ingredients so we tossed all of this in at once.

Pie Filling

12-ounce package extra firm light silken tofu
8-ounce package Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese
½ cup agave nectar
½ cup Silk Pumpkin Spice drink
2 T lemon juice
nutmeg and cinnamon to taste
3 T cornstarch

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Drain the tofu and put all ingredients into the blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.

Crust

I had my harvest granola cookies from a couple weeks earlier that fell apart (sunflower seed butter, rice flour, hazelnut flour, pecans, and pumpkin seeds). I tossed those into the blender with a cup of rice flour to make a crumbled crust. I incorporated enough Earth Balance to press the crust into a glass pie plate.

We poured the contents into the crust and baked for an hour (don't let it brown). It will still be jiggly soft when you remove it from the oven. Let it set for 2 hours and put in fridge til ready to eat. And you will eat the entire pie.

A New Year

A few quotes for a new year from 11^th Century Abbess, mystic, lyricist and writer of all things holistic, Hildegard von Bingen.

Every element has a sound, an original sound from the order of God; all those sounds unite like the harmony from harps and zithers.

I, the fiery life of divine wisdom, I ignite the beauty of the plains, I sparkle the waters, I burn in the sun, and the moon, and the stars.

The earth which sustains humanity must not be injured, it must not be destroyed.

The soul is a breath of living spirit, that with excellent sensitivity, permeates the entire body to give it life. Just so, the breath of the air makes the earth fruitful. Thus the air is the soul of the earth, moistening it, greening it.

There is the Music of Heaven in all things and we have forgotten how to hear it until we sing.

Underneath all the texts, all the sacred psalms and canticles, these watery varieties of sounds and silences, terrifying, mysterious, whirling and sometimes gestating and gentle must somehow be felt in the pulse, ebb, and flow of the music that sings in me. My new song must float like a feather on the breath of God.

When the words come, they are merely empty shells without the music. They live as they are sung, for the words are the body and the music the spirit.

Community Acupuncture

It's here. Economical acupuncture!

I am so excited. I am well aware firsthand that acupuncture is incredibly effective in treating a whole slew of conditions and imbalances. I am also keenly aware that most people I know can't afford ongoing treatments. It hurts my heart every time someone says they always wanted to try acupuncture or really need it and don't have the discretionary funds to pursue treatment. I trust that community acupuncture is the answer.

The group format for acupuncture is ideal – we participate as groups in yoga, meditation, and other restorative activities at low-cost rates. Plus, in community acupuncture you can share in the healing with your friends and family by coming together for treatments. There is also strength in numbers. Group or collective energy is more potent and effective in the healing process. So don't do this alone.

Here's how it works. You come in for your first scheduled appointment wearing loose and layered comfortable clothing. We chat for a brief time as you fill out forms. I continue the intake by performing pulse and tongue diagnosis. You enter the treatment room I prepared with five seats, soft lights and meditative music. You will sit in a chair while I place sterile single-use needles in specific locations in the ear and from the elbows to the hands and from the knees to the feet. I might also need access to your shoulders. Other participants will take a seat as frequently as every 15 minutes. Rest and meditate for 40 minutes. I will remove the needles and walk with you back out to the reception area. That's it.

So let's do this! Make your appointments now; treatments beginning January 6. Sessions range from $20-40 which makes ongoing treatment possible for everyone!

Tuesdays Allyu Spa 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Wednesdays Elemental Health 9:30 am – 12 pm

Thursdays Elemental Health 4 pm – 7:30 pm

Stay tuned for neighborhood monthly offerings at community centers and yoga studios.

Third Week of Food Delivery

My computer was getting de-virused two weeks ago so I didn't post the recipes. And last week I was recuperating from my own virus so I didn't want to infect my friends by delivering food. So here what I made last time.

I barely remember the proportions of ingredients since these were from two weeks ago, but I will give it a try.

Curried Quinoa

1 ½ cups Quinoa

1 T each Turmeric and Mustard

1 – 2 tsp each Allspice and Nutmeg

Dash of Cayenne, Pepper and Salt

2 -3 cups stock

1 cup cooked beans, I used tiger eyes

4 Dates, chopped

2 cups collards, minced

Handful of pumpkin seeds

I placed the spices in an enameled pot; stirred them over a low flame until I could smell the aroma. I poured the quinoa into the spices and tossed that mixture for 3-5 minutes. I added 1 cup of stock, stirred briefly and covered. It is similar to making risotto. When the liquid is absorbed, add another cup. When that is absorbed. mix in the cooked beans, chopped dates, pumpkin seeds and another ½ cup of stock. When that is absorbed, add the minced collards and if you need more stock, add another ½ cup.

Veggie Pie

2 ish cups thickened broth

2 carrots, minced

½ medium onion, minced

1 cup broccoli, tiny pieces

Small package of baby portabellas, sliced

½ - 1 cup peas

Salt and Pepper

You can use prepared soups like potato leek or mushroom, or a vegetable stock. I made my own and thickened with potato starch. I don't remember all the vegetables I used but I minced them all, sautéed them with olive oil, added the sliced mushrooms and then the peas and then the broth. I poured it all into the unbaked pie crust and topped the filling with another crust.

Pie crust

Hm I'm not sure which I used for this one but let's go with

1 ½ cup quinoa flour

1 ½ cup sorghum (milo) flour

1 cup shortening

Cold water

Cut the shortening into the mixed flours until it resembles a coarse meal. My cuisinart is deceased so I cut this one by hand. Ah the good old days of elbow grease. Alternate adding drops of water and stirring until the dough holds. Separate into 2 balls. Place in refrigerator for a short time if the dough is soft. Either on parchment or plastic wrap, roll out one ball. It is best to either place a piece of plastic wrap between the dough and rolling pin or enclose the rolling pin with plastic wrap to keep the dough from adhering to the pin. Remove the top layer of plastic. Carefully secure your hand between the counter and the bottom layer of plastic. Quickly flip the rolled dough into a greased pie plate and carefully remove the plastic. Form the dough into the plate. Do the same for the top crust after you pour the filling.

Bake at 375 for about an hour.

Sweet mixed nuts

1 cup pecans

½ cup pumpkin seeds

½ cup slivered almonds

Shortening

Brown rice syrup

I melted shortening in a saucepan over a low flame and tossed the nuts and seeds in it until the liquid mostly absorbed. Brown rice syrup is very thick and not as sweet as other liquid sweeteners. I added the brown rice syrup blop by blop since it is so thick. I think it was maybe 1/3 of a cup or maybe more. It thinned out and coated the nuts and seeds as I stirred it all together. I transferred it all to a large sheet of parchment paper to cool then wrapped it up in the paper.

CRAVE Holiday Shopping Party

I worked the CRAVE Party last night at the Cultural Center. The event touted as a green holiday event with 40+ locally owned businesses was teeming with after work holiday shoppers. My colleagues and I represented Allyu Spa. First, I love the Cultural Center – from the free events to the art to the architecture – it is hands-down one of my favorite places. Have you checked out the Tiffany Room? A beautiful Tiffany glass dome ceiling and decent acoustics.

Anyway, back to the CRAVE party. The week prior to the event the Allyu spa coordinators created holiday gift baskets at every price point from all the amazing retail we carry – from incense and accessories to Spa Ritual nail polish and accessories to Astara skin care products to various other good-for-you sundries. We took photos but I think you will find those on the Allyu Spa blog next week.

At the Allyu booth, we offered those holiday baskets and free mini-spa services. Three nail technicians, one esthetician and one acupuncturist (me) busily pampered and educated and balanced women while they festively shopped after work.

Of the women who sat in my chair last night, 90 plus percent experienced acupuncture for the first time. As each woman cleaned her ear with an alcohol swab, I informed them of what I was going to be doing and what it was for and then, amidst the din of holiday music and reveling shoppers, they relaxed for 15 minutes. I needled five acupuncture points in the ear – all organ energy and all body systems are mapped onto the ear. The five points I needled comprise a protocol which is effective for smoking cessation, cravings, addiction, weight management, and overall de-stressing and relaxation. I can also customize a treatment with an extra point for any specific concerns. Most of them were surprised and a few shocked that they felt "more chill". One even tested the treatment by calling up anxiety, frustration, and who knows what else, but, nope, none of the sensations could muster any response from her. Skeptics are the best marketing for acupuncture!

I saw a few familiar faces of clients from Allyu, my old Edgewater neighborhood (Metropolis Coffee!) and met a few new people as well. Check out Eva May. Her storefront is up in Andersonville. She sweetly traded a hand silkscreened t-shirt from her collection for the auricular acupuncture.

You can take a peek at those holiday gift baskets down at Allyu or try the auricular acupuncture for yourself. Allyu will offer $25 group treatments at noon on Tuesdays beginning January. And, the acupuncturists at Elemental Health (including me) will offer $25 sessions one evening each week, but the specifics are yet to be determined. Stay tuned.