Beating the beast

Feeling good this Monday. Still a bit sick but spirits are high.
I love food sites lately and this dessert sounds great. I've actually tried this type of mousse but I might make it again and make it this pretty. :)

This show, A Certain Reality, looks interesting.
David Ball, Jennifer Davis & Megan Kimber opening reception: friday, february 22, 7-10pm exhibition dates: february 22 – march 30, 2013
grayDUCK is located in the eclectic heart of South Austin on Monroe and South 1st Street in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood.

There is one consolation in being sick; and that is the possibility that you may recover to a better state than you were ever in before. Henry David Thoreau

Being sick sucks. We all know that.

From Web MD:

No. 1: Blow Your Nose Often -- and the Right Way
It's important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can cause an earache. The best way to blow your nose: Press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other. Wash your hands after blowing your nose.
No. 2: Stay Rested
Resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket.
No. 3: Gargle
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, try an astringent gargle -- such as tea that contains tannin -- to tighten the membranes. Or use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey or a mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar, a popular folk remedy. Steep one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water and mix in one teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling. Honey should never be given to children less than 1 year old.
No. 4: Drink Hot Liquids
Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. No. 5: Take a Steamy Shower Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and relax you. If you're dizzy from the flu, run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath. No. 6: Apply Hot or Cold Packs Around Your Congested Sinuses Either temperature may help you feel more comfortable. You can buy reusable hot or cold packs at a drugstore. Or make your own. Take a damp washcloth and heat it for 55 seconds in a microwave (test the temperature first to make sure it's not scalding). Or take a small bag of frozen peas to use as a cold pack.
No. 7: Sleep With an Extra Pillow Under Your Head
This will help with the drainage of nasal passages. If the angle is too awkward, try placing the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.
No. 8: Don't Fly Unless Necessary
There's no point adding stress to your already stressed-out upper respiratory system, and that's what the change in air pressure will do. Flying with cold or flu congestion can hurt your eardrums as a result of pressure changes during takeoff and landing. If you must fly, use a decongestant and carry a nasal spray with you to use just before takeoff and landing. Chewing gum and swallowing frequently can also help relieve pressure.

I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. Mitch Hedberg

Omg, this cereal is so good. Lol.

Anyway, I've noticed the lineup for this year's Mountain Jam and I'd love to see Primus. Otherwise, meh.
My s.o. and I had an awesome time two festivals ago, I believe. It wasn't quite as rowdy and creative as I'd hoped but the music was fun. Michael Franti was an amazing highlight and really got the energy up! Unfortunately, I hadn't seen him perform until a few years ago but had always heard about him. At least I've gotten the chance to see him a few times in the last few years --> he is such a lively performer. Is he not going to be at Mountain Jam at all this year? How sad.
Ooo, he's playing the Old Settler's Music Festival here in Austin in April. Might have to check that out.

Hanging out at Genuine Joe's and having some decaf. A drink I rarely drink in a hood I'm rarely in. It's a nice change. I went to a knitting club in a side room here (this cafe is in a house, really, with little side rooms) and the women were really nice. I did feel, however, that just like a date there was no "spark" and since it's also quite far for me, I never went back. Hmm, wonder what those ladies are knitting these days. As for myself, I'm an embroiderer mostly, just like my grandmother. It's meditative and has been therapeutic for the last couple of years.
Have you ever noticed that when you try to make changes there's always a lil residual "old stuff" that comes out, even when you thought you had fully transitioned through to the new change? Yeah, that's what I'm experiencing now. Fighting, old patterns, habits, etc. have come out of my ever-persevering struggle to change and move forward. Sigh, keep pushing.
In other news, I will take photos of our condo's transformation (lots of transformations going on in Casa Caiano) from skanky cement floor to fabulously lustrous wood floor. We did the spare bedroom and it looks great. We had a lot of gaps though and have to be much more careful with the living room. This flooring is relatively inexpensive and easy to install yourself, if slightly annoying and tedious.

Mmm

cauliflower crust pizza { veggie version }

adapted from The Happy Go Lucky Vegan makes approx. two 8-inch pizzas INGREDIENTS: 2 cups ground raw cauliflower flourettes (about 1 small head) 3/4 cup almond flour 3 eggs (or you could try flax eggs if vegan) pinches of salt a few grinds of pepper 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional) 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional) 2-3 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)

whatever pizza toppings you like, I used kale pesto, roasted tomatoes, sauteed broccolini, pine nuts, and a drizzle of balsamic.
METHOD: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Chop cauliflower and pulse flourettes in a food processor. Be careful not to puree it or grind it until it’s mushy. You’re going for a “riced” fluffy consistency. It should not be sticking together at this point.
Whisk 3 eggs and mix all of the rest of the crust ingredients together and form into a ball. It should be pretty wet but If it’s too sticky to handle add more flour. Gently knead it a few times, adding some flour on top if necessary to help it come together. (note – this will NOT resemble regular pizza dough – it won’t be as easy or pliable to work with – that’s ok).
Press “dough” ball down onto a pizza stone or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gently mold into a circle, dusting a bit more flour if it makes it easier for you to work with. I was able to lift mine up and flip it over a few times to get it to spread (if yours sticks and you can’t lift it off the pan, it’s still ok). Try to spread it to be a little less than 1/4 inch thick.
Crust needs to be baked for 25-30 minutes total. Since I was topping mine with pesto I baked the crust by itself entirely and added the toppings at the end. I sauteed the broccoli and roasted the tomatoes separately from the crust. If you’re making a pizza with cheese or tomato sauce, bake crust for approx. 15 minutes, then top with sauce and other toppings and bake for 10-15 minutes more. (oven times may vary depending on your oven or consistency of your “dough”).

Things I'd Like to Try

Event Details
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY BRUNCH $1.00 Mimosas and Frozen Bellinis 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. with purchase of entrée Complimentary parking until 5pm at City Hall

Tito's Bloody Mary Bar Every Saturday at Taverna Austin during brunch Starting Saturday, November 28th Tito's Bloody Marys will be discounted to $7 Plus we'll offer various mixers, rims and garnishes.

Brunch Menu Poster Saturday Brunch 9am to 3pm: $1 Mimosas and Bellinis

Ladies Rock Camp

Ladies Rock Camp is much like the Girls Rock Camp it benefits: instrument instruction, parties, workshops, and a rock-star finale at a local club. Brush up on your rock kicks, and help the younger set brush up on their confidence and self-image. No experience necessary. Register online. Sat., Feb. 19 - Mon., Feb. 21, Sat.-Mon., Feb. 19-21 (2011). $300.

The Khabele School, 801 Rio Grande, 480-8142
www.girlsrockcampaustin.org

Austin Table Tennis Club

is Austin's premier table tennis facility featuring 16 tables, wi-fi, a weight room, a lounge, and much more.

Austin Table Tennis Club, 8956 Research Blvd. 512/491-7664 www.austintabletennis.com

Poo Poo Platter: Post Apoopcalypse

Another installation of Austin's favorite poo-flingers, hosted by Arcie and Lady Gackle, plus das Poo Poo Players: Bulimianne Rhapsody, Merci Killingspree, Kitty Buick, La Horrorchata and Cherry Pepsi (from Brooklyn), and Anna Borschins (Houston). Come dressed to poop for Annie DePressant's costume contest and DJs Mouthfeel and Dren Pasht will have you hoofin' like constipated chickens. Fri., Jan. 11, 10pm (2013). $3.

Elysium, 705 Red River, 512/478-2979 www.elysiumonline.net

What does one do in a depression?

Well, for this little cycle (it comes and goes in waves) I watched "cheeky" shows like this one: Take Me Out UK
Let me tell you, I love dating shows for some reason. Always have. Blind Date, yes. Love Connection, absolutely. (Recently had a Chuck Woolery spotting in Austin, TX and I was starstruck!)
Furthermore, I knew that we stole a lot of shows from the UK. I knew that. I mean, The Office, Queer as Folk, Skins and more off the top of my head. But I didn't know we stole so damned much!! Come on, America, what's up? Do we not have any innovative thinkers here? Sure, we have some good shows now and then, but a lot of our fun shows seem to come from across the pond. Know what I mean?
So when I discovered that Take Me Out, my new favorite dating show from last season, was on in the UK, I was hooked. Now, technically of course, this show was adapted from Taken Out, an Australian show taking place in Melbourne. So I guess my rambling is moot on this one. But still, overall, the US stole another show.
I've also been into this show: Dating in the Dark
Admittedly, when I watched Dating in the Dark in the US, I thought it was stupid at forst. But sometimes it's the dumb things that hook you if you let them. Again, I'm not sure if this show originated in the UK or in Australia. I suppose both of those countries are just pretty awesome. I mean, the grass is always greener, but they certainly seem more fun in general. I guess I've just been too steeped in US politics and economy lately, and lack of civil rights for everyone and blah blah. It's draining. Lastly, my friends, you might wonder why I'm not more embarrassed by admitting to watching these shows. Firstly, what the hell do you do in a depressive fog?? At least I'm not shooting up. Second, people watch crap so much in this country it makes me squirm everytime I turn on basic cable (and nevermind all those other channels I don't get - that's a shame spiral right there). I am not a tv snob in everyday life, but I try not to watch most basic cable stuff. Lastly, watching those youngin's strut around (in Take Me Out for instance) and be silly and flirty and cheeky really takes me out of my own muck. It's as simple as that. What takes you out of your own muck?? Feel free to comment...(be nice to me)...

New Year, New Everything...I'll Try

Yes, it's a new year, everyone. I know people have infinitely worse problems and issues than me, but I've been dealing with loss and grief, identity crises, and depression. The latter hasn't gotten severe but close. So I will try to write some interesting posts and maybe some posts filled with things that help me through. I see all of the art in the world; I just don't see the possibilities. I think that's part of a depressive state. I also want to make it clear that I refuse to take medication at this point. I am not pulling a Tom Cruise, ladies and gents, because I do believe in taking what you need to take to function. I have seen many cases in which medication was absolutely necessary, some in my own family. But for now, for me, I abstain. I think that getting healthier physically (for sure) and mentally will do the trick. I just need a kick in the butt to start, really. And that's the HARDEST part. Finally, for now, I hate cheesy articles about depression that say "get more sunshine" and "laugh more" but this article did actually address a lot of the things I'm struggling with.
*For example, I forced myself out to this outdoor coffee shop type place. See the photo. Me trying to look chipper.* Have a wonderful day, everyone...