Rollerskating bulls, Comic Con, zombie Stuff, cold-pressing, and MORE!

1.

Running of the Bulls

In New Orleans, when we run with the bulls, the bulls are roller girls with horns on their helmets, and the running is a leisurely stroll whilst drinking an alcoholic beverage at eight o'clock in the morning. 

2.

San Diego, California

I loved San Diego. SO MUCH. It was clean. The weather was amazing. Not everyone was walking around smoking cigarettes with a drink in their hands. I was able to find one juice bar called Vitality Tap, but other then that was a little disappointed in their lack of specialty health food. Perhaps I didn't have enough time to explore, but I saw a lot of fancy burger places and not a lot of cafes. 

Since I've gotten back, I've  run into a couple of people who have brought up Northern California and Oregon, and since I believe in the power of following coincidences, I will be going back to the West Coast as soon as possible. Or at least I want to. It was a nice reminder how amazing I am for trying (and mostly succeeding) to live a healthy lifestyle in New Orleans. Everywhere has their pro's and con's (say, not having to wait a bajillion hours at a cross walk for fear of getting a ticket for jay walking vs. flagrant murder and crime). Seeing how much I enjoy traveling, I don't think I'm ready to settle anywhere anytime soon. 

3.

Adult Swim fun house and Melissa!

Comic Con was INSANE. I didn't expect to geek out as much as I did, but I did. And it was awesome. I was put in touch with Melissa and upon meeting we were instant BFF. She showed me around San Diego when I wasn't doing zombie stuff. It was a blast. Comic Con was a blast. I didn't realize I was such a nerd until I was in the convention center, pointing at everything and yelling, "Oh my god, did you see that? Look at that!"

4.

Taking care of Zombies

The Walking Dead Escape 2013 in San Diego was a huge success. The AMC producers loved it. The participants loved it. The CEO of a big international entertainment company that I'm not sure if I am allowed to say is partnering with us loved it. It was exhausting, but all worth it. There are tons of videos of Youtube, a lot with me at the end! I'm so Youtube famous now! Anywho, this opportunity is huge, and I am excited for the possible chance of international travel soon! Yahee for Zombies!

5.

Cold-Press juicer

We got a cold-press juicer at work. It's pretty sweet but takes a lot longer to make a juice. Uses less produce though, and the juice can sit longer without losing nutrients. Some people believe that cold-pressing is better then other forms of juicing because the "gentler" (see: longer) process doesn't break down the cell walls of the nutrients. Let me tell you; the thing still grinds up the food. The machine gets warm. Are you consuming the closest thing to pure vegetables and fruit possible? Yes? Well then you're doing it right. Doesn't matter the form, if you are juicing, you're doing it right. 

6.

Okra, jalapeno, and mushrooms

I broke into my emergency store of Annie' Mac N cheese the other day, but pimped it out with some sauteed garlic, mushrooms, okra, and jalapeno. Even when I'm slumming it, gotta keep it classy, yo!

7.

Kitten Hugs

I can't get over this one. She is the cutest. She just comes up and hugs and snuggles...everyone should have a cat. They are the greatest. 

8.

Nathan at the Farmer's Market

Saturday morning Nathan and I went to Hollygrove Market and picked up a box and some other goodies. They box this week had fresh figs in it! They are yummy. I put them in a salad today (See below). We also went to Rivista, on multiple people's suggestions. Their pastries were awesome! I would skip the sit in brunch and just grab a bunch of bites to go. 

9.

Sara at Sobou (emphasis on the BOOO)

We walked out. Because we sat for 15 minutes without any water. Apparently we weren't wearing enough makeup and heels to warrant table service. We went to Slyvain, and it was awesome (Their beef cheek is fantastic). I had the quail. YUM. Then we went to Mod Dance Party at Saturn bar. Apparently we are old farts and went home at 12:30. Whoooo! Party!

10.

Today's Salad

Greens, raw zucchini, figs, grated farm cheddar, dehydrated blueberries and grapes, cashews, chia seeds, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, dill, flax oil. YUM. 

11.

Millet

Alright, the grain of the week is millet. It smelled a bit like popcorn after slightly browning it and then adding it to boiling water. The flavor is a bit bland, but it is high in iron, and will do well once mixed will all sorts of other stuff. 

Once again, the easiest way to keep up with my adventures is following me on Instagram; @Gayche87

This past week looked like...

Breakfast

I toasted some gluten free bread, spread on my homemade hummus and pesto, tomato slices, grapeseed oil and soft boiled egg. BestthingeverYUUUUUMMMMM!

Random Salad

So I actually don't remember the specifics of this salad, but it's basically the same recipe I've been using:

1 bed of greens

1 cup of roasted veggies

handful of nuts and seeds (sunflower, pecans)

handful of feta (feta cheese is the best cheese for you, health wise, I've been told)

champagne grapes (or whatever fruit you have)

crumbled up dehydrated Kale

Chia seeds

And the dressing I made with my mortar and pestle by mashing herbs and garlic and adding grapeseed oil. Basically the healthiest thing ever. 

Pearl's nap time

I've been spending a lot of time with this little one. She is pretty precious. She doesn't take very regular or long naps, especially around mama (cause she just wants to feed), so when I have the time to get over there, we like to nap together. It's a pretty special half an hour. It's funny, because with your first child (or for me, my Rosie), you feel like, "How can I long another as much as I love her? Do I have room in my heart? Is there enough love? Surely there's not." Rosie is the light of my life. And that hasn't diminished, yet there's all this new love and room for little Poppy! It's a pretty amazing phenomenon, if you get the chance to experience.

Gong (((BONNNGG)))

I got to a Kundalini class! I've you've never experience this type of yoga, I suggest you try it ASAP! Divine Yoga is a great space, with wonderful teachers and people that hang out there in general. Very good vibes, good message, and good feelings. 

Reading now

Where did my drive for reading go? I used to read three books at a time. Three! Now, I don't know the last book I read. *Sigh* My lovey Jackie Bird suggested this book to me. It's slow getting into, but I trust her opinion to the end of the cliff, so I know I just need to get my head into it and it will be amazing. Any other book suggestions?

Whole Hog Cafe

I helped my lovely friend Sara with some food research for an article she is writing on BBQ. We went to the Whole Hog Cafe and was sadly not impressed :( They did have an impressive selection of sauces to choose from, but even that was overwhelming. I know that The Joint is amazing, but I was hoping there were more hidden gems in the city. Are there? Do you know? Tell me your secrets.

The past couple of weeks have looked like...

Feeling fancy 

Delicious salads; shaved squash, quinoa, goat cheese, figs, cantaloupe, flax seeds over a bed of baby spinach. I made the dressing by putting herbs, oils, and cantaloupes in food processor. A bit messy. 

Absolute love bliss

The love of my life passed through New Orleans on his way to a new job and life in Panama. I wasn't prepared (but wasn't surprised) for the onslaught of feelings and emotions his coming brought. We hadn't seen each other in a while, and especially not since I got sober.

The minute I saw him I was filled with a peaceful calm, a safe and secure feeling of being home. We dove head first into the weekend and had such a great time. The outpouring of genuine love and affection I have for this man is overwhelming.

When we went our separate ways about three years ago I was in a very unstable place. I doubted our relationship, stemming from doubting myself (which is expected from being 23 years old). I couldn't shake this feeling that I would resent our relationship because of the different levels of life experience from our age difference (about 20 years), and got it stuck in my head that I was supposed to be with someone my own age.

I've spent the last three years in extreme up's and down's, working on figuring out what makes me happy, by myself, but also searching for love in all sorts of places. I think this experience was necessary, albeit painful. I still have a long way to go. I feel like a have received an amazing gift from the universe; feeling and experiencing the exchange of love we have for each other in these past few days made me realize that the love I have been searching for was there all along, being patient (I hope) and kind and supportive.

I am not going to take this gift for granted or overlook the significance of our relationship. A week later, I do feel like I'm in the downswing of a drug binge (love drug). Jonathan went on to Panama, where he is starting an amazing job in a beautiful environment that has some amazing potential. I need to stay focused with the progress and drive my own life is taking, if not for the sake of honing a career for myself for future security, but also to become the best, healthiest, and most stable person I can be for the sake of our future relationship.

It is obviously very easy for me to fall into a depression right now, focusing on the negatives and tribulations, obsessing and wrapping myself in day dreams. I feel it trying to creep up on me. And that's why I need to make that much more of an effort to stay focuses and really do the healthy things I know will keep my life moving forward. And make it so that Jonathan and I can be together again. I think that's a pretty nice goal.

Okay, on to less serious things.

Back patio at Dominique's

Jonathan and I love food and I was super excited to share all sorts of meals with him. We went to the recently opened Dominique's on Magazine and had a super entertaining meal. I wasn't too impressed with the first two dishes (the ceviche was very "deconstructed" but not in a good way), but the beef coulette knocked it outta the park. We were laughing so hard about our waiter, who seemed to have separation anxiety and announced that, "I'll see you soon", every. single. time. he left the table. My favorite part was when he brought the check, he placed freshly spun green apple cotton candy on a stick of sugar cane in the middle of the table! It was beautiful! 

Because I worked in service industry, I am very critical of service (I don't meant to be, I just notice things now). I took Jonathan across the street to La Petite Grocery for dessert. I've had one of the best meals in my life here, and the service is impeccable. We had the butterscotch pudding by suggestion and I will definitely be coming back just for that. It was also nice to be able to order a non-alcoholic cocktail of the bartender's choice and not receive orange juice and Grenadian. Thank you, La Petite Grocery bartender, for being fabulous. 

Seasoning my mortar and pestle

Whooo! I ordered a heavy granite mortar and pestle online and was so happy when I got it. I've made pesto and guacamole so far, and am super excited to make salad dressings and whatever else you  make using a granite mortar and pestle (ideas?)

Dinner

I made Jonathan and I some yummy meals while he was here. He is such a sweetheart, and loves my cooking. I oven roasted some okra (so easy and delicious, will be doing this again soon), and "blackened" some fish from the farmer's market in the cast iron skillet. Very simple and delicious.

Espresso treat from Sucre

I've been spending a lot of free time with my cousin and her little ones, lending a hand and enjoying quality family time. I have to remind myself constantly to count my blessings and remember the positive things in life, and boy, is it a blessing to have family close to you. This is a picture from one of our Friday treat days.

Reyn Yoga Studio

I decided I needed to get my butt in gear and start up my yoga practice again, if not for physical health, but mental health. I went to Reyn's studio this afternoon (because it is beautiful and she is the super cutest thing in the world) and got my butt handed to me. Jenn is a wonderful teacher and I am so out of shape. Or let me rephrase that, I am so dehydrated! I am not a big water drinker in general, but in the summer in New Orleans, you gotta do it. I had to sit down and take it easy for most of the class because I was sweating bullets and getting dizzy. Good lord, I dunno how these ladies do it every day. But I know I gotta make time for it and stick with it, it's really important.

#FarrOut app

And to finish up, here is some silliness. I love Instagram. Follow KRISTINFARR for some fun and funky art.

Goals for the immediate future: Get my drivers license, drink more water, take some cooking classes (specifically ones that involve fish catching and preparation), do more yoga, and meditate! Let's do this!

Buckwheat groats and funky alien fruit

So lately I've been pimping out a lot of salads. When you think of salads you think leafy light fluffy greens, but I like to pump it up with grains, beans, and nuts. All sorts of protein. The past week I spent a good deal of time at my cousin's place with the little ladies, sharing some simple and delicious meals. There was a salad with quinoa and black lentils and blackened fish. Rosie ate--.......hold on...I have to pause and take a picture of my cat because she's so freaking cute and I love her so much.

Precious angel child 

There. That's better. Anyhow, to prep meals for the coming week, I decided to see what grains etc. I had laying around the small box I call an apartment. I decided on buckwheat groats (over barley, cause barley says it takes like, 2 hours to make, and I'm all like wha??? you cray cray) and made the mistake of not doing more research on the interwebs. The bag said to simmer for 7 minutes, so I put it on the stove and went to fiddle with my concertina (someone seriously help me learn this instrument) and when I came back I had buckwheat groat mush! Ah!

Buckwheat Groats

Buckwheat groats are actually not wheat so it is great for people with Celiac Disease. It is frequently used ground up as a flour or in raw food. It is also part of a dish called kasha, which Wikipedia says is one of the oldest known Eastern European Slavic dishes. It is also very high in fiber (yayy!)

Buckwheat mush

I've been rocking the breakfast bowls recently as well, so I thought to make it into porridge for the week. I blended the buckwheat in my teeny mixer with almond milk, agave, cinnamon, and flax oil. Whoa, is that flavor strong. The groats have a very toasted, nutty flavor to them, very savory. I'm interested to see how they do as a dinner side, with herbs and radishes or something...

Blending

I topped my porridge off with blueberries, blackberries, flax seeds (that I needed to use up; did I tell you that flax seeds go right through you? The way to get the nutrient benefits is to use the meal or oil) and some peach jam (thanks Aliza!) It could have still been a bit sweeter, in which maple syrup would come into play, but that would be defeating the health purposes. 

sokay.

Did I mention I also made hummus? Yeah, I told you at the supermarket I had an epiphany of, "I can make that...I can make ALL OF THIS! Muahahahahaha". Anyway, I made it. Kinda. I really need to get a Vitamix. I tried grinding up my flax seeds. No go. I had soaked the chick peas overnight, but my teeny blender didn't do a fantastic job. Still, it's edible and good for you. I added grapeseed oil, salt, pepper, and basil leaves! I would have added tahini and lemon juice if I had em. I've been dipping crackers in it and have big plans with some gluten free bread and avocado later. 

Yayy! Hummus!

I tried sprouting the rest of the chick peas, but they started smelling funky and had to toss them. I am currently trying to sprout some quinoa, but it doesn't look like anything is happening...anyone have experience with sprouting things? 

Yesterday was a total Blue Oasis food day (us cool kids at the apartment complex on Carondelet St. call ourselves The Blue Oasis Social Aid and Pleasure Club. We're making koozies and t-shirts soon. Be jealous). We went to Cleaver & Co. where I stocked up on some meaty cuts to freeze, got a whole chicken again and some bratwurst. I also picked up a homemade jelly they had which turned out to be an amazing marinade for the chicken wings we grilled later. We also went to Breaux Mart where I got these: 

Ahh! Alien fruit!

Dragon fruit and cactus pear fruit! I forget which is which, but the one on the right sucked and had a lot of seeds and the one on the left was awesome and fun! Although it cost like 6 bucks whomp whomp...

Delicious meats from my favorite butcher shop

Oh mah gawd, have I told you my favorite thing is roasted root vegetables. Or in this case charcoal grilled root vegetables. I chopped up carrots, squash, and bulls eye beets; tossed them in olive oil, salt pepper, sage and rosemary and put them in a tin foil boat package vessel thing. They sat on the grill for like an hour and just melted into a delicious vegetable candy medley. 

And it is super beautiful 

I post a lot of pictures of food on my Instagram. It's usually a sneak peak at what I'm gonna be blogging about. I can also never remember what pictures I did or didn't post already to Facebook, or Instagram or whatever. So follow me on Instagram and life will be happy. 

Picture of bratwurst I posted on Instagram 

Happy rest of your weekend loves xoxoxo

What have I been eating?

Gosh, I haven't even thought about it. That's a good thing, right? That eating local and healthy food is natural and normal...But I'm not gonna lie, I don't think I can consider myself ultra strict anymore. 

I did two weeks of no treats, breads, caffeine, chocolate, processed food. I felt great! Then I was bored. It's not that it was hard. It was annoying. I missed my grape seed oil. My chia seeds. My raw coconut water. So I have caved for the sake of my health (and mind). I couldn't cook with butter and pecan oil anymore! I just couldn't. The cool thing is, even though I'm not "strict" anymore, I'm still only consuming my veggies, grains, and meats locally! It's what I was doing before anyhow. 

And what's also cool is I seem to have developed an even stronger distaste to purchasing anything processed or packaged (i.e. I went to Fresh Market to pick up some staples, and when I got to the hummus, I was all like,"hell no, I can make this myself!") This probably is also from working in an awesome food environment where I have access to fresh, healthy, organic (and pretty darn local) food all the time. The principles behind The Green Fork is to create delicious healthy food from what is in season, while preserving the integrity of the product and conveying positive intentions throughout the whole process. We all truly believe you are what you eat, and you can heal your body with whole foods. Can you tell I love my job?

Anyway, what have I been eating? I bought 8 pounds of pork shoulder from Cleaver and had a pig feast with my neighbors. It was so good! I marinated mine with local peaches, onions from my garden, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and some ginger syrup. To make this totally local you could use the Steen's cane vinegar and Inglewood's pecan oil. We threw them on the grill to get them a bit charred them let them finish in the oven. The meat fell apart into delicious shredded porkiness and we ate them in tortillas. There was nothing left. Except for a pork coma. 

I took advantage of the coals and cooked a chicken I picked up from Cleaver as well. I think this will become a weekly ritual, as it makes weeknight dining easy. 

Lately I've been taking salads home from work and pimping them out. I add whatever stone fruit I have (peaches, plums, and nectarines from Crescent City Farmers Market are OUT OF THIS WORLD!), chia seeds, flax seeds (btw, I just found out that flax seeds do nothing for you; they pass right through your body. To get the health benefits of flax, use in either oil or meal form), whatever nuts I have, grapeseed oil, crumbled kale chips, and raw shredded zucchini or squash. 

I'm so happy to be able to enjoy my breakfast bowls again. I mix cottage cheese, gluten-free granola, berries, chia seeds, and grapeseed oil in a mason jar and go to town. It's pretty much the most delicious thing ever. 

I'm still not snacking, and have only had coffee a couple times since I "fell of the wagon" (and a couple macaroons from Sucre shh don't tell). The fresh fruit from the farmer's market is so good right now. I've never had melon like this in my life. 

I'm still going to participate in the health screening at the end of the challenge. I hope my results aren't going to be considered skewed. I actually have started exercising more (I got a balance ball and found out how unbalanced I was, whoo!), running to the pool to do a couple laps. And if anything, I am now super excited to blog about all the other healthy and interesting things I think are super important to add to your diet!

Happy eating ya'll 

PS; What's In Season Right Now and Awesome to Eat: eggplant, tomatillos, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, blackberries, peaches, melon, beets, arugula, kale!

Fish for breakfast

Blackened redfish (caught in Venice by my boss' son), rice and eggs 

Flat tubes, Good Eggs, Chicken.

This weekend was pretty awesome and frustrating (separately, but sometimes together). I got some amazing produce from the crescent city farmer's market; I seriously don't think I ever had a better tasting melon in my life. It's amazing. It was from the cute farm boys that setup their truck in the back corner.

I scored some kombucha at the Locavore market, and the most amazing blackberries from Berry Hill Farm. I am definitely making a note of them. They should get on Good Eggs. Speaking of, the Good Eggs launch party is this Wednesday, and I am going to rep The Green Fork. I am super excited about Good Eggs. Their website is gorgeous; I personally used the service to order my Hollygrove box, but will also be utilizing the platform at work! I've had a hand at inventory and produce ordering (I've heard this bad ass job described as 'The Forager' at a super fresh and local restaurant group), and am excited to use this tool from the perspective of a supplier and consumer.

Go figure I get a flat tire on the night before the Urban Farm Bike Tour. I got stuck out from of the Louis Armstrong park sign on Rampart. Then it started raining. Then there were ducks. Yeah it was weird. By the time I got it home and patched up I was still back and forth on if the ride was gonna happen because of bad weather.

Fast forward, next morning. After a brief interlude with a rain storm, the tour started and I was having a great time. Sun is shining, riding my bike, oh hey cute dude! Yeah, lets talk about bikes whoo. Oh. damnit.

Not my feet

This time I got to try changing the tire in a puddle of mud. I was assisted by some of the tech guys but the three of us were slightly less clueless then the other. I can't say if I came out of it any better or worse then when we started. As the group rode off, I headed to Gerkins, purchased some tools and a new tube, and change the darn tire myself.

I didn't let the weird bumping in the new inflated tire or the fact that my gears weren't attached correctly stop me from enjoying my day off. I headed over to my friend Zach's shotgun/garden off Poland Ave. He wasn't there yet so I attempted to trouble shoot my bike some more to no avail. Zach was busy showing a little girl from the neighborhood the sprouts growing from the seeds they had planted together. There were radish, watermelon, okra. We lamented over the caterpillars eating his tomatoes and my everything (who knew caterpillars like succulents?) We were attacked by flies while trying to eat some food; what is up with the flies? What works?  That penny in a water of water trick?

I thought the bike tube was holding air well enough to get me over to my Joseph's garden off the railroad tracks and ended up picking a bunch of beautiful carrots from his raised beds (also some strawberries, mint, and peppers).

As I rode home as fast as I could, watching the air slowly leave my back tire, but determined to get home before I had to take the freaking wheel off again, I thought of how nice it was, that I continued on my own little garden tour. That these kinds of places exist, a lot of the times where one wouldn't think. I have some big thoughts and feelings on urban gardening, that could be it's own blog post at another times.

Alas, I had to give up as I hit Canal, but still determined to get home, ended up running along side my bike all the way home. I figure I was eating a big more protein in my diet then usual, might as well put it to use.

I got home, cooked the awesome chicken I got from Cleaver & Co., roasted some sweet potato with the carrots I pulled, and made a pico tomato corn type salad. I had a great time at the Hog Butchering class. I have a ton of pictures I'm too tired to put up now but If you follow me on Instagram, you get most of it (and then some). I am currently simmering some bomb ass pimped out red beans on the stove. I'll tell you how they came out.

xo