We. Are. The. 99% (and so are you!)

So fast forward one year since my last post (has it REALLY been that long??) and I find myself recently back from a NYC visit. After an interesting and informative evening with my friend MW, I got a much greater sense of what Occupy Wall Street was all about. I officially woke up on the evening of Sunday, September 25.

On Monday, I began researching where things truly stand for most Americans. 25 years ago, 13% of Americans held 33% of the wealth. Today, 1% of Americans hold 40% of our country's wealth. This is UNACCEPTABLE. The more I processed, the more I realized that I was called to participate in this movement, which was giving a distinct voice to my concerns and fears for this country.

OccupyAsheville held our first meeting on Wednesday, Sept 28 -- it was my first time attending a meeting like this since college. Attendees had many ideas on the levels of activism they were prepared to take to join this burgeoning movement. We agreed to start our occupation on Saturday, October 1 at 11am -- starting as a funeral/protest/celebration for Troy Davis (RIP) and moving into a rally for the financial and economic goals of this movement. It was a powerful day of protest, speakers, and activity on Wall Street (ironically one of Asheville's most charming streets filled with locally owned small businesses ).

On Sunday, I attend church at 8:30 at jubilee community, a non-denominational church that reads from all sacred texts to celebrate humanity, the environment, and creation. At the end of the service, we sing (every Sunday) a Carly Simon song which has the line: Let all the dreamers wake the nation. When I got home, I decided to make a poster with this slogan, which ended up in the Asheville Citizen Times.

Let all the dreamers wake the nation. These words continue to inspire me every day of this massive movement to WAKE UP the nation to the injustice that is so pervasive and reclaim American to be the country we envision. A country where corporations are fairly taxed, a country where banks are not too big to fail, a country where education is more valued than war, a country where our poor are fed and our rich are generous, a country where our food is safe and fresh veggies are subsidized instead of GMO-filled processed junk food, a country not consumed by consumerism but rather aware of the delicate balance of true need versus mindless waste.

The Sunday protest may have been my favorite so far -- that sign guided me and my voice, and I felt, for the first time in a LONG time, AWAKE and UNITED with a group of people that are committed to making a difference -- however long it takes.

I must admit, it surprised me how uncool I felt the first time I posted something about my activism on Facebook -- I felt like I was willingly engaged in a social pariah behavior, and I was surprised by how many of my liberal friends have posted bitter remarks about this movement. While some offered other ways to make a difference (support a local politician to effect change), I still believe that this movement, as it grows, will have far greater and longer reaching impact than we (or any election) has had in a long, long time. When did political discourse become taboo? Let's bring back conversations about local and national governance, activism, and opportunities for making things better to our nightly dinner table, to our social media, to our daily lives. I realize that those that do not want to hear my opinions will simply hide my stream, and that is most certainly their choice, as being vocal about it now is mine.

As the unions join, and other organization, my heart swells with hope. This is happening, on a mass level, and it is getting bigger and bigger. We all have special talents -- if you can't protest (or don't want to) there are still MANY ways to get involved...Write a letter to your local paper about the unjust balance of money and power in America, make a graphic illustrating corporate greed and post on facebook (as more and more people are doing), make a piece of art, send supplies to NYC, organize a salon with your friends to talk about this -- there are MANY ways to be active in this movement.

Onward and upward, my 99% friends!

TAKING THE Y OUT OF NYC

I think there is always a question in every New Yorkers mind: can you leave? should you? will you be filled with regret moving away from a life in the City that took years to build and involved enormous sacrifice? I recently received an email from a book club friend asking me about the move -- regrets? joys? advice? As I began typing a response to her, I reflected more and more on what inspired us to leave (nature, money, family, job flexibility -- the big guns) and what kept us in the daily NYC grind (friends, work, biking, history, food, and the oh-so-NY belief that it is the only place in the world to live).

There is something amazing about finding your community in the City. It feels more necessary and important -- the life raft that keeps you sane in the midst of bad weather, holidays, blackouts, and beyond. It's been 3 months now since I abandoned ship with hubby, two cats, and a full 16 ft. moving truck. My nostalgia is for my friends, though I had the pleasure of a week visit from one of my besties and we had a ball in Asheville together, so that was deeply reassuring that our friendship transcends location (as I knew but moving can of course awaken so many weird worries).

Life here is more about me, though I was alone much more in NYC than here -- I feel more myself and able to slow down enough to hear and respect my needs, goals, and boundaries. When folks ask about the move, I say my only regret about leaving the City is not leaving it sooner. And while that is true, I am so grateful to be able to go back and enjoy the companionship of my wonderful friends (almost completely in brooklyn at this point) with the awareness that I will be returning home to a town where I have to sweep the leaves off my porch to keep them from coming into my living room (something I haven't had to do as a 12th floor apartment dweller for over 8 years).

To someone who has not lived long-term (over 10 years, i suspect) in the City, this post may be baffling -- what IS the big deal about leaving anyway? It's just a move, after all. To those who do live there, and reflect on life both in and out of the City, I think you will understand the emotional magnitude that leaving can evoke. To you, I say -- you'll know when it is time. The City is always there, and you can always move back. But, in my personal experience, I doubt if you'll want to. A visit to see dear friends, your favorite boutique, and your favorite food shops (Russ & Daughters, anyone?) will be quite enough!

A 1st Attempt at Making Mozzarella

I only learn what to do when I have failures. --- R. Buckminster Fuller

Last Sunday I was my 1st attempt at making mozzarella after learning from a Facebook post (recipe here) that it is actually the easiest cheese of all to make.  I thought that was a good place for me to start venturing into the world of making some of my favorite things myself.  I was able to get a couple of gallons of raw milk courtesy of my new acquaintance Farmer X outside of Asheville.  I made a donation and acquired unbelievably tasty "dessert milk" as one friend called it.  

Making moz is pretty easy - all you need is a gallon of milk, citric acid, rennet, a candy thermometer, and a slotted spoon.  The first few stages of the cheese making went great.  Added citric acid dissolved in H20, then another temp increase, and in went the rennet....The separation of whey and curd began in earnest then, and I felt hopeful as I spooned the moz-looking blobs into my glass flat dish.  The next step was 30 seconds in the microwave, and then kneading each of the two cheese balls like dough.  THIS was the stage where all went awry.  As I kneaded my first ball, in crumbled more and more into itself, becoming curds.  So, I left the second ball unkneaded, so it would stay together.  The taste? It's actually QUITE tasty and while it is dense and I definitely need to figure out what when "wrong", I think it will melt beautifully on a pie, which I hope to try later this week!  Keep you posted.

Ruminations on Life, Now.

So, it's been two weeks to the day since we moved. It is also the Fall Equinox and last night hubbie and I sat outside at The Prospect and toasted the moon with an icy PBR (we needed some downtime from the beer amazingness that embodies Asheville). Life in Asheville is pretty much COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than NYC. Sure, there are the common threads, like hubbie and the cats and my favorite coffee mug, but so of my daily life is so very different.

A major change in my time on the computer, which has gone down substantially. My normal week in NYC involved about 7 hrs daily in front of the computer -- working, emails, surfing the net, etc. Now, spending time with Dad, meals with the family, running errands, visiting friends, seed meetings, gym, breweries, antiquing, etc. have lowered my computer time to about 2 hrs per day. Sure, work still =s computer time, but the surfing time has gone to almost nil. I kinda dig it, at least for now. I'm interested to see how winter changes this aspect for me.

Also, I've gone from riding my bike 24/7 to driving everywhere. I thought giving up my bike (at least for now, no place to park it in the condo) would be more difficult than it has been. The car is a necessary luxury, and I try not to take it for granted, but it does make my life easier. From picking up Dad from exercise class to loading in large bags of potting soil and shrubs for Mom's yard to heading up Rt 209 to Hot Springs for a lazy Saturday in the mineral tubs, it's just HANDY to have a vehicle, though it is definitely making me think about our next car being more green.

Speaking of green, probably the most difficult part of our transition has been our condo's location. Who knew it could be noisier in Asheville than the Lower East Side? Living next to a helicopter landing pad (MAMA) hasn't helped, and the fact that Asheville High School is across the street and the stoners park next to our condo doesn't help either. Kids are LOUD at 8am chainsmoking American Spirits. Zoiks! So, while the condo is awesome in regards to location / city living -- it is not at ALL what I imagined when moving home to this lovely mountain town....Ditto for the rush hour traffic.

I have to say that my food preference is definitely Asheville, simply because (at least where we're living, downtown) almost every restaurant has amazing, local, fresh, affordable food so it feels easier and certainly more convenient to go out and have a great meal. That said, I've been cooking less (crappy kitchen) so I'm hoping to start getting back into the cooking mentality, and the farmer's markets here are pretty rad. I'm looking forward to Saturday morning's City Market as I found a fall soup recipe for Ribollita -- a fantastic rich Tuscan dish -- that I'm really excited to try.

I'm super happy to be back at my church where I'll be spending today in a silent meditation in reflection of fall and the equinox with my mom.

So far, two weeks in, I'm happy and optimistic about this "year of transition" --though I'm somewhat anticipating the shoe to drop and overwhelming nostalgia for NYC to rear up at any second. For this, I'm working to adopt my mother's mantra: day by day.

The Most Important Box You'll Need: MOVING 101

Sadly, I must report that I learned this packing lesson the hard way! Upon arriving to our new abode, I started looking for a zip lock bag of screws I'd tucked away for safe keeping to put together the bookshelves. Low and behold, that special place I'd so confidently tucked them away was impossible to find. Ditto for the bath soap and the utensils (which I still have not found).

Moving is like camping. You cannot take the basics for granted, or you will be utterly miserable. Our first night...not so hot. But now we have a shower liner and rings, a towel, a coffee pot, and SOAP, and our second night is looking up!

So, with a sigh and a nod to "next time" -- here's my "PACK IN VIP BOX" moving list:

• Coffee pot, filter, and ground coffee
• Two mugs
• Fish Oil, Vitamin C packets, protein bars
• Any medicines, feminine products, etc. specifically needed
• Cleaning Rag (if you wear glasses)
• All phone and computer chargers
• 2 forks, spoons, knifes
• Paper towels / cloth towels and a couple of napkins
• Shower liner and rings
• Bath Mat & 1-2 towels
• Shampoo, Conditioner and Soap
• ALL misc. screws, pegs, nails, etc that have been removed from important furniture
• ALL bedding (2 pillows, sheets, duvet)
• 2 pair of scissors
• Bottle / wine opener
• Big garbage bags

Another learning was to have plenty of cash on hand at all times as we’ve burned through cash in the most random "emergencies”.

Day by day!

Straw Solution! The Perfect Icy Beverage Cup

So, anyone who knows me knows I'm obsessed with straws. Gotta have one in my ice water at dinner, and in pretty much everything I drink that is cold (except orange juice and cocktails).

I hate the wastefulness of plastic straws, so I invested in aluminum straws (3 per pack / $10). They were great -- for a while. But soon, I noticed the inside of the straw didn't appear that clean, even after boiling it. It looked...gunky. Super gross.

So, I've been on the search for a solution, and I found it last week at Stonewall Kitchen in Maine, where my mom and I took a tasty cooking class.

Viola! The Copco Sierra Cold Tumbler, 24 ounce. I got it for my kale shakes, but have decided to keep it solely a water glass, to keep it clean. It's fantastic. Never too cold to pick up, fits in all cup holders, BPA-free, doesn't drip condensation, and....it has a stellar straw!!

Two thumbs up -- I plan to rock it as I drive my 16ft moving truck down I-81 on Wednesday.

Is it a Treasure?

As we're packing up 7 years of cohabitation together, I've had to figure out the bar for packing or tossing (or donating, etc.) --ultimately, I think it comes down to this simply: "Is it a treasure?" And then I think of my friend Erin, who is the most stylish and functional interior and garden designer I know. She inherited a home filled with treasures of every kind, 5 dining room sets, 7 pianos, 14 globes, and dozens of fishing trophies. What's a girl to do? Erin got down to business and held an auction -- and how she selected what to keep and what to go, and I'm pretty sure she was saying, "Is it a treasure?" as she sorted out decades of her grandmother's utterly southern collections.

I've been channeling Erin a lot in this move. I've realized hubby is an amazing packer, but he leaves messes where ever he goes. A little tidying up on my part makes a MUCH more livable home (less face it, we're here for 4 more days and need to get to the loo). My other packing trick is staying happy. This means good home cooked meals or kickass delivery from places that don't exist south of the mason dixon border: vegetarian dim sum anyone? How about a quick cab to korean? or stay near houston street for mexican? large groups? perfect private party? best "local" local LES restaurant? As you can see, making sure we have ample supplies, including food and plenty of ice cold water helps it be a little more bearable. Add to that a dash of trying to take smaller loads and silly computer breaks and heck, I think I'm even having a little fun!

So, packing checklist, ahem!

1. IS IT A TREASURE?
2. keep it tidy while you pack
3. divide and conquer
4. don't forget to take care of yourself in the process -- basic necessities like food, water, alcohol, sleep, fun, exercise, etc. should NOT get tossed out the window for the 1-2 weeks it will take you to pack up yr place, move it, and unpack it. keep up with caring for your self, or you will get sick (speaking of, wear some masks when things get really dusty! truly, your house is not as clean as you hope it is!!)

I think that's it for now. It's back to the process.

It's all about the journey, right?

When It Rains, It Pours...

So, we're leaving NYC on Wed, Sept 8. We will pull into our new hometown in the hills of Western NC on my 33rd birthday, Thursday, September 9. There are so many emotions, it feels impossible to give myself the time right now to capture them all, but there are some things I wanna remember about this time.

Like -- how many references to LEAVING NYC are popping up everywhere right now...First and foremost is the amazing article in THE ONION this week that is making its way like wildfire through Facebook. The article, titled 8.4 Million New Yorkers Suddenly Realize New York City A Horrible Place To Live 'We're Getting The Hell Out Of This Sewer,' Entire Populace Reports is hysterical and yet, RIGHT ON in so many ways.

Then, while reading an article about Ralph Ellison, who asked an old man at a bar "Do you like living in NYC?" the response was: "I'm in New York, but New York ain't in me. You know what I mean? Listen, I'm from Jacksonville, FL. Been in NYC for 25 years. I'm a New Yorker! Yuh understand? Naw, naw, you don't get me. take Lenox avenue, take seventh avenue, pimps! numbers. cheating poor people out of what they got. shootings, cuttings, backbiting, all them things. Yuh see? Yuh see what I mean? I'm in New York, but New York ain't in me"

And then, when reading about the "godfather of rap" Gil Scott-Heron, there is reference to his new song, "New York is Killing Me" which has a line that goes, "Bunch of doctors come around, they don't know, that New York is killing me / I need to go home and take it slow down in Jackson, Tennessee."

Three anti-New York moments in 24 hours in pop culture references -- okay, okay -- thanks for the swift kick in the ass to remind us about the downs of the City when we are "romanticizing it all out of proportion" as Mr. Allen would say. Tis helpful to keep us from clinging to tightly to a City that had served us so well, for so long. Got it.

The Blind Tiger: Best Bar Food in NYC

So, everyone knows The Blind Tiger (on Bleeker Street) has the best beer in town. That's not contested. However, not everyone knows that they also have the best bar food. Their hot wings are juicy and flavorful (baked, not fried) and hubbie's favorite dish. My favorite thing on the menu is their Roasted Beet Salad, which I could eat everyday if convenient. Fresh local field greens tossed with slivered beets, almonds, high-quality blue cheese (very light), and apples is simple but oh-so-perfect. Recently I also had their spicy watermelon gazpacho and could not believe the flavor and depth of the cold soup. Sublime. Don't forget The Blind Tiger for a perfect meal -- which the knowledgeable bartenders will happily pair a perfect beer with for you!

Packing Up

I started this blog to share my experiences about loving and leaving NYC. When I created it, I had no timeline for moving, nor did I know where we would go. And now, we are 10 days from departure. We're moving south, home to a condo near downtown Asheville, NC. After 12 years in New York (and Brooklyn), our time in the City has come to an end.

My dear friend Erin has been keeping a running list all year -- every time I complain about the City, she writes it down. She says I'll need it in a few months, when I'm missing NYC and wishing for City life. Perhaps I will. I'm so ready to leave and start a new chapter of our live -- who knows where we will end up, or for how long, but being in the process of finding a lifestyle that we create together, is really exciting. That said, I'm already terribly sentimental about the City -- Russ and Daughters, my bra shop on Orchard Street, fresh moz at Alleva, biking everywhere, whole foods on houston, frank's bike shop -- there is so, so many things that feel unreplaceable. I guess they aren't. But they will always be here for a visit.

I heart the Lower East Side!

Birdsall House, Peekskill

Last weekend we visited the Birdsall House, owned by Allen (one of the delightful managers at THE BLIND TIGER in NYC) and we had a fantastic meal. If you are upstate and looking for a great craft beer and meal, this is your place!

My dinner was a deep fried soft boiled egg over wilted spinach and polenta. Lots of flavor! A heavy meal, which was perfect because I'd missed lunch and was starving. Matthew had the burger, which was made from a local farm. Overall, an A+ dining experience.

Check it out!

Spring Cleansing

It's spring and that means -- spring cleansing! I'm talking internal here, not my house (though that could use a good clean as well....)

I'm on Day Two of the process, and tomorrow I will begin the Master Cleanse after two days of preparation through raw fruits and veggies only. I've cut out sugar, caffenine, alcohol, and all processed foods. Today I'm experiencing a slight headache (due to lack of coffee I believe) and I'm hungry, but I'm not starving and while I am a bit spacey, I know from past experience that this will pass.

I guide my Spring Cleanses with Elson Haas' wonderful book, STAYING HEALTHY WITH THE SEASONS. This is the best book I've found for explaining the benefits of cleansing and helping provide solid instructions and guidelines for a positive cleanse experience.

REASONS TO CLEANSE:

1. We eat heavier foods in the winter, and moving into spring/summer, our bodies are craving sprouts, salads, and lighter (fresh) fare. A cleanse helps prepare our bodies for receiving lighter, seasonal fruits and veggies and helps us hear these cravings.
2. Cleansing helps our bodies fight disease by giving our organs a rest from digestion so they can work on filtering out toxins.
3. A cleanse provides increased mental clarity and energy (after 1-2 days of sluggishness) and can really help jumpstart new beginnings in Spring.
4. And finally, cleansing helps us break food addictions and patterns, recognizing the important role food plays in our life while helping show us our psychological issues with food, beyond eating for nourishment and good health.

REASONS NOT TO CLEANSE:

1. While it is a nice side effect, do not cleanse to lose weight -- you will gain it almost all back within the first month of re-introducing food to your diet.
2. If you have any health problems, are pregnant, etc. you should either not cleanse, or cleanse only under medical supervision. When seeking a doctor that would be helpful for cleansing, look for a holistic or integrative MD, not a standard doctor who may not be as aware of nutrition.

Happy Cleansing!

Vegetarian Mulligatawny

This recipe is my tweaked version of a recipe by Lisa Gitelson (of Balsamic Strawberry Soup fame). I used 2 jalapeno peppers which made for an EXTREMELY spicy soup. It mellowed over time, and 3-4 days after I made it, I really enjoy it most -- feel free to cut the peppers down, but we love spice. The soup is rich, aromatic, and completely satisfying. I used my new immersion blender to puree the soup, and the texture is really thick and satisfying. I serve it over wild rice, with a dollop of Greek Yogurt and cilantro. Enjoy this rich, spicy and filling winter soup!

---

For the paste:

• 3 inches of ginger, minced
• 1 white onion, minced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 whole small fresh jalapenos
• 2 1/2 Tablespoons curry powder
• 2 teaspoons turmeric
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 4 Tablespoons oil

For the soup base:

• 6 cups vegetable stock
• 5 stalks celery, chopped small
• 4 carrots, chopped small
• 3/4 cup yellow split peas
• 4 potatoes, cubed
• 2 bay leaves (removed before pureeing)
• 1 white onion, chopped small
• 1 cup, loosely packed, cilantro
• 4 Tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Garnish: Dallop of Greek yogurt and minced cilantro

In a large pot, add all the "paste" ingredients and cook slowly over low heat until the onions are wilted and translucent. If the paste seems dry, you can add a little extra oil.

Pour in the stock and add all the rest of the soup ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook for 30 minutes.

When ready to serve, stir in the yogurt. Salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls, topping each with a dollop of Greek yogurt and minced cilantro sprinkled on top.

Russ & Daughters: Double Smoked Danish Salmon

Last week, on our way out of town, we dropped by ALLEVA DAIRY in Little Italy to pick up fresh salted mozzarella for pizzas we were making for my mother-in-law in MA. On the way out of the store, I noticed a moz & prosciutto panini and thought of my ravenous husband waiting in the car. I decided to surprise him, and he was like a kid in a candy store when I handed him the warm salty sandwich.

It took me a few blocks or less to realize I was jealous, and I decided to pull over at Russ & Daughters on our way to the FDR and have a treat of my own. I go in weekly, and the Russ & Daughters team are an awesome crew. I asked (with little hope) if there might be any Double Smoked Danish Salmon left. My server laughed, and said they ran out days ago. Then, he thought for a moment, and said, "Actually, one person didn't pick up their order, let me see if someone else has already sold it." And that, friends, is how I managed to get a Russ & Daughters Double Smoked Danish Salmon Bagel. The flavor and texture were amazing. So smooth and moist, more delicate than any other salmon I've enjoyed at R & D. It was a sublime experience, and I will be more prepared next year for the annual delivery of this delicacy, and get my order in early!

It's Christmas Time! Bring Forth the Mexican Wedding Cookies

These little cookies are delicious and loved by nearly everyone! They are rich, delicate, and totally addictive.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Combine:

2 sticks softened butter

2 T. sugar

1 T. vanilla

Whip with electric mixer. Add in:

2 cups flour (with mixer)

2 cups chopped pecans (use wooden spoon to mix in)

Then, roll small balls and put close together on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 45 minutes.

Take out of the oven and let cool on newspaper. Then, toss in powered sugar. Let cool more, then roll again (2x in the powdered sugar).

ENJOY!!

Roasted Veggies...Jazz Them Up!

I just made my millionth tray of roasted veggies, and I was BORED. So, I mixed a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar with some Dijon mustard, olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper, ET VOILA! A lovely new take on a fall favorite: Roasted Veggies. Enjoy!

Amazing Veggie Chili

This is my all-time favorite veggie chili recipe, and in the photograph it is served with avocado and sirracha sauce (my fav!!). It tastes so good, it seems like it would be unhealthy and yet...it's all veggies essentially! Perfect for cold weather, this recipe makes a huge batch, so plan on freezing or giving half the pot to a friend!

Please note the Jopen Koyt beer as well (in a Chimay glass). This is our all-time favorite beer. Impossible to find, unbelievable to drink.

VEGETARIAN CHILI

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, sliced into thin coins

1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

2 each small zucchini and small yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15 1/4 ounces) corn, with liquid (I use fresh corn if possible!)

6 ounces tomato paste

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles, with liquid

6 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 tablespoons sugar (I use 1 tablespoon agave nectar)

1 to 2 teaspoons salt, to taste

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup prepared TVP

Tofu sour cream (for garnish), optional

Grated Cheddar cheese (for garnish), optional

preparation

1. Place the oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onions,

carrots, and bell pepper and cook about 8 minutes. Add the zucchini and

squash; continue to cook until all the vegetables are tender, about 8

minutes more.

2. Add remaining ingredients, except the garnishes; combine well. Bring to a

boil, reduce heat; simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Serve in

bowls with a dollop of sour cream and grated Cheddar, if desired.

I hate NYC! (but...)

I hate NYC, it's true. After 12 years in this City, I am D-O-N-E. However, just because I'm done doesn't mean we're done -- my husband has more work to do before he can move, we have to sell our apartment, get new jobs somewhere else, and....there is a lot to do.

I've been reflecting on my move to NYC in 1998: it seemed so much simpler coming to NYC than leaving it -- we grabbed a UHAUL, loaded up my thrift store furniture, two good friends -- choosing our music in the uhaul and who was buying the cigarettes was the biggest points of contention back then. It was hard but it was easy. Leaving, however, feels seriously hard, and utterly adult. We've woven a very intricate web of friends, work, contacts, home, volunteer groups, committees -- it seems near impossible to just leave...

Last night, I was chatting with dear ole Johnny Brilliant, who is named "Brilliant" because of his sparkle, but also, he's quite brilliant. Johnny Brilliant assured me that hating NYC was absolutely key to understanding and appreciating this City fully -- you must love it, OR you must hate it. People that have hoe hum feelings about NYC don't get it at all. The key is to recognize with the hate, there is the flip: there is the love that has made me stay here for so much longer than I intended...

With the recognition that I hate NYC (and it's only serving to make me miserable) I've woken up with a resolution to remind myself about the reasons that, for so long, I loved this City: the small neighborhood shops, my bike, my hip hop dance class, my CSA, cooking, visiting friends, the events, the culture, the diversity -- while I've cursed some things of late (like the eternal rain that keeps me from biking, my number one love and transportation through the City...), I need to suck it up and simply be grateful for what I do have in this insane City: a home, a husband, clients, and amazing friends. I'm here for a bit longer, and I have the choice to love NYC or to hate NYC. Both of those feelings are alive and well right now, but for the sake of getting through this time, I need a little more I LOVE NYC in my life. Starting NOW.

Cooking for Mom

This week my mom had surgery in Asheville, and I came home to take care of her following the procedure. This, of course, involves cooking. Mom wanted comfort food -- mashed potatoes and butternut squash soup. Daddy wanted kale black bean soup, and is in love with pad thai. So, I made all four dishes, for freezing and enjoying now....

Everything was delicious, especially this delicate yet satisfying butternut squash recipe, which I just found on-line....Don't forget the cilantro, which takes the soup to the next level!

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free)

Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 medium sized butternut squash, peeled and cut into about ½ inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1 large onion, chopped
3 medium cloves garlic, chopped
1 TBS chopped fresh ginger
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp curry powder
2 3/4 cups + 1 TBS chicken or vegetable broth (vegan)
6 oz canned coconut milk
2 TBS chopped fresh cilantro
salt & white pepper to taste
Directions:

Peel squash and cut into pieces.

Heat 1 TBS broth in medium soup pot. Healthy Sauté onion in broth over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until translucent. Add garlic, ginger, and continue to sauté for another minute. Add turmeric, curry powder, and mix well. Add squash and broth, and mix. Bring to a boil on high heat. Once it comes to a boil reduce heat to medium low and simmer uncovered until squash is tender, about 10 minutes.

Place in blender and blend with coconut milk. Make sure you blend in batches filling blender only half full. Start on low speed, so hot soup does not erupt and burn you. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Thin with a little broth if needed. Season to taste with salt and white pepper. Reheat, and add cilantro.

The Maine Diner

We had a beautiful (and tasty!) weekend in Wells, Maine. While I forgot to take photos of my favorite meal (a cup of clam chowder, steamers and mussels, and a steamed lobster for$30 at Fisherman's Catch), another great meal was a seafood breakfast at the famous MAINE DINNER.

I had a Maine Crab Benedict, and hubby has a Lobster Roll with coffee (one of my FAVORITE breakfasts). Overall, delicious, and strolling on the seaside way later was beautiful and simply perfect. Maine is not to be missed in the fall!