Another 2 Ingredient Recipe What What?? Avocado n Egg Bake

I overheard this one on the train.  No joke.  Since two of my favorite things in the universe are eggs and avocados (and foolishly, I never thought to put them together), this may be a regular at our house.

It occurs to me that they would look fantastic on a brunch buffet, but are easy enough to make for an everyday meal.

Cut the avocado in two (a less ripe, more firm one works best)
Remove pit, and perhaps two tablespoons of the flesh (eat it while no one is looking)
Place the halves in a baking dish, preferably so they fit snug and don't rock.
Crack an egg into each one.  Use a fork to semi mix it/break up the yolk a bit as it will cook more evenly.

Place in 425 oven for 15 - 20 minutes or until cooked to your satisfaction (I like everything WELL done) 

Serve immediately with salt, pepper, salsa, hot sauce, cheeses...whatever appeals!

Wow.  Loaded with fiber, protein, and good fats!

You're welcome.

xoxo

jean

Talented Teen Poetry

Our local high school publishes “Menagerie”, an annual of poetry, short story prose, and visual art made by students.  Each time I read through it, I am struck by the fact that about the same percentage of the work as in a “grown up” publication, is excellent.  Art that is uncontrived and guileless, yet meaty, is indeed rare.  The poem below was written by a 12^th grader.  Poetry can be funny, it can be gruesome, it does not have to be pretty or quaint.  This gal has figured it out at the ripe old age of 18.

A Confession - written by Nora McCarty

People sometimes ask me

where I get my ideas from.

It’s time to come clean –

I steal them.

Sometimes I peel out of the parking lot

with a whole car-full

given up

at gunpoint.

Sometimes I fill my pockets

and my sleeves.

Sometimes it is pieces

in passing.

Unpremeditated

like a bike

laying out

in the sun.

People sometimes ask me

what I do with my ideas

once I have them.

I should warn you; this is where it gets

a bit graphic.

I line them up on my basement floor,

in an inch

of bleach

and quicklime

and I ravage them

passionately

As they rot.

I grind up the dust

of their fragile bones

and bake them into poetry

which I wrap in wax-paper

and peddle

to chumps

on the street.

Street Wise, How I Love Ya!

It is unique to Chicago.  It gives entrepreneurial opportunity to those who wouldn’t otherwise have it.  It is easy-reading-local-artsy-news.  It is Streetwise magazine, and all things I hold in high regard.

I was surprised to find during a recent conversation with a friend, that the magazine’s core purpose was not widely understood.  Clearly stated, homeless people who meet certain criteria can become registered sellers of Streetwise.  They buy each copy at a super low price, let’s say 25 cents.  At the time I am writing this, the reader purchase price printed on the front says $2.00, although additional tips are welcome.  It comes out each week on Wednesday.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are fresh sale days in the loop.

I have been buying Streetwise religiously, from various vendors, since I went to Massage Therapy Training in 2008.  A gentleman by the name of “Moody”, who writes a regular poetry piece in Streetwise spoke to our class.  Although I found the mission of the school in inviting him was some sort of “sensitivity training”, and thusly insulting, his speech was very impactful to me.  He told the story of how he lost his family and landed on the street with the humility of a truly changed person.  He has put together a new normal, and Streetwise helped him do it.  You can find Moody most Wednesdays at the corner of Randolph and Michigan, outside the Cultural Center.

The catalyst for writing about the magazine now is a funny story in itself.  From inside my studio on State  for several weeks, I had been hearing a faint cry of “why, why, why” from the street.  It was not only perplexing in its persistence, but also sounded like whining.  A brief investigation yielded the cause as my new Streetwise vendor, Cynthia.  She was, in fact, calling “Streetwise, Wise, Wise” over and over.  I do not know how locations are assigned or chosen at Streetwise, but she had mine.  I vowed to speak to her when I had a chance. 

When I finally did, it was because I saw her but had NOT heard her from the studio.  She informed me that all that hollering made her lose her voice.  She was not happy about it, but I bought a magazine and told her I was indeed happy about it.  We had a wonderful exchange and she will be getting my Streetwise business from here on out – provided she doesn’t project her call quite so clearly outside my window.

www.streetwise.org

jean

Independence Day Nutella Brownies - Only 3 Ingredients!!

I have not made these, but fully plan to tomorrow morning.  According to a source, as written the recipe yields  12 brownies and each one has lots of protein (17 g), and fiber (8 g) and 157 calories.  Woot!

You will need:

1 C.  Nutella

2 Eggs

10 Tbsp. Flour

Mix till smooth and spread into pan (doesn't say to grease it, but I will when I make them)
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Happy 4th of July, my fellow Americans!!!

 

Raise the Roof for Occipitofrontalis!

Those who have had facial massage know that pressure to the base of the skull at the back and across the eyebrows is otherworldly good.  Did you also know that those areas are parts of the same muscle, called Occipitalis or Occipitofrontalis? 

Imagine a wide band stretching across the top of your skull between these two points.  As you picture it, raise and lower your eyebrows a few times.  That is the main action of this muscle, and you may notice that a lot of the contraction comes from the back of the head.  It is responsible for a great deal of facial expression.  Ever had a “phony smile” headache?  I have. 

Since nearly 100% of my massage clients experience tension at those points, I began to wonder, what are some things we all share in daily modern life that may contribute? 

Here’s what I came up with.

-I facetiously referred to “phony smile” headache, but our face IS a mask to the world.  You’d be surprised how hard it is to let go of “appropriate” facial expressions – even while sleeping!  Hey, your face needs a night off.

-Look down at your phone or computer, look up at the world, squint to refocus, repeat – about a hundred times per day.  Each time you do this, you are contracting this muscle.  Leapin’ caterpillars, Batman!  Those babies are tired.

-It’s all connected, right?  If you have tense shoulder muscles (particularly trapezius) that also originate at the base of the skull, where are you logically going to feel that lack of slack?

Great news! - A good massage and a reevaluation of your posture and daily habits can do wonders.  As a therapist, it is very satisfying to see the blissful and lasting changes that come over a person with facial massage.   Please insist on attention to these areas at your next appointment with your Licensed Massage Therapist.

jean

The Princess Diaries - My Total is 15

Results of my morning routine were that I used 15 products to get ready (see earlier post).  Sure, my eyes look like two pee holes in the snow without makeup, but I was clean and presentable.  Here they are in order of application, brand names omitted purposely.  How'd you do?

Toothpaste, eye makeup remover, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, deoderant, eye cream, face lotion (sunscreen), face powder, lip lube, lipstick, under eye coverup, blush, mascara, hairspray.

Doubt I could pare this routine down much without scaring small children.

jean

We're Born Naked - the rest is Drag

That's what Ru Paul said, and she ought to know.  Before we talk massage, I've got a little challenge.

It came to me as I was, once again sorting and organizing my cosmetics drawer.  Just how many products does it take to make a modern day woman presentable?

I consider myself to be less painted and coiffed than many, but exactly how many creams, paints and potions DOES it take to create that "natural look"?  I'd bet even men use more grooming items than they would guess...or care to admit.

So here's the plan.  As I write this, at 5 AM, I have yet to shower or ready myself for the day.  When I do, I am going to jot down each and EVERY product I use, start to finish.  I am talking soaps of any kind, toothpaste, hair care, eye cream - the works.  Mind you, today is going to be decidedly un-glam.  Red carpet ready woud probably require two to three times the smoke and mirrors.

Any guesses as to how many I will list?  Right now, I'm throwing out a conservative guess of 12.  Any wagers?  I will post results once I digest them.

I dare you to try it, and would love to hear any results.  Get the conversation started.  Consider ditching one or two steps in  your routine.  Think of all the money, packaging waste and time that could be saved in a year.  All a person needs is a really good haircut and sunscreen, right?  Results may vary.