A Love For Food...Food For Love

     Snuggling up with my honey all day,  the Valentine holiday closing in on us, my love for him kindles a fire in my belly. Thinking of creative ways to show my affection, (knowing the way to his heart), I envision this week a food menu that is fit for love. 

     My focus is to tantalize the senses with colorful, fresh, organic vegetables, bright, aromatic herbs and arousing presentations, with every meal always ending in the perfect combination of sweet and spice. Being not at liberty to divulge my exact menu (as I want to surprise my love with these dishes), I instead divulge my ingredients, each chosen for their heart-benefiting and love-life-benefiting qualities.

  

     For love of nature and of all things green, leafy greens, asparagus, avocado and fresh basil are always main ingredients in my kitchen. My favorite being avocado, this succulent fruit contains mega amounts of B vitamins, Potassium and Omega 3s for energy and oleic acid, which fights bad cholesterol. Its one-two punch of B6 and folic acid can boost histamine levels, (which help in getting to the 'O' moment, if ya know what I mean.) The fat in these can scare some people off, but it's the good fat and helps make testosterone in men, so the 'love' benefits far outweigh.

     Also containing delicious amounts of folic acid is asparagus and leafy greens like kale and spinach. Most lovers would turn away from these pungent and bitter veggies, but blended with sweeter flavors like garlic and red peppers, can be divine. Adding Vitamins A, C, B6, thiamin and fiber, it will certainly energize and increase stamina!

     Mushrooms are a no-brainer, as they have been touted for centuries in Chinese medicine to have an aphrodisiac quality. Marinated, they can be as juicy as a steak, or be added to any dish to make it heartier for the meat-eating man to enjoy equally.

     For love of red and of lycopene, tomatoes offer a beautiful presentation for the holiday. They have been studied to increase fertility in women with their anti-inflammatory qualities. Their presentation amongst fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic can awaken the senses and make one tingly as the combination increases circulation!

     For dessert, one cannot keep a vital antioxidant from the mix like pure, dark chocolate. It is the food of the gods and myths of Ancient Rome and Greece. It is the most passionate ingredient in my kitchen. I slip this into dishes like spicy mole` sauces and tomato based soups for an added depth and richness. This food of gods has an amazingly high level of antioxidants, but also has theobromine, which is stimulating to circulation. It also stimulates the brain as this combination increases serotonin, creating the feeling of bliss. Mixing with almonds, mint, or into a luscious fondue to dip strawberries, well, I can't think of anything sexier!

     

Unhealthy Comparisons

     To achieve life's goals, a sense of community and belonging can really give things a boost. To learn and grow amongst peers with like goals and vision is imperative to the process of self improvement, education, and creating a life worth living. That is partly why the college experience is so important for personal development. As a college-educated Artist currently working in a community of other Artists, I feel that even now as my career is maturing. I know instinctively that the communal sense is part of the experience for a reason. However, I would rather be a total recluse.

      If I could have things my way, I would be living deep in the woods, far from people. But I force myself to be part of something, despite my yearning to be far away from anyone who could criticize, or that I can compare myself to. It is an eternal, internal battle I fight daily. I recently read a circulation in the blog-o-sphere that made me laugh, but also made me think. It listed ten items that would make an artist miserable, one of which I am guilty. Number 1 on the list, "Constantly compare yourself to others.." It is mostly why I want to isolate myself from others. My conscience tells me otherwise and I daily force myself naked into a lions den , (or, at least that is how it feels for me).

     I try to legitimize my pension for seclusion by then comparing myself to other artists/writers/musicians throughout history that were quite successful being hermits. Most unfortunately, the majority of my them were drug addicts, suffered greatly from depression and/or suffered an awful demise. Not for me, thanks!

     So my argument fails me and I discipline myself to go to my studio and be social, even to the extent of being an art rep on their board... (Naked + lions den = me). Such is a position that automatically puts me in a most vulnerable place, as the Board does not see me or the Artists of the complex on the same level as them or the Artists that they may collect and admire. It is most humbling, and despite the belittling, I feel I do an alright job of it and challenge myself to the greatest adversity; succeed despite what others think is success. Going there every day and seeing amazing art pouring out of the studios all around me and trying everyday not to compare myself or my work to others' is challenging, yet it I do it, almost masochistically.

     As creative individuals, our will is strong and goes against our conscience to force seclusion to avoid that comparison. We cannot strive to be someone else, but only see what is special in our own work. It is beneficial to be part of something that can be a measuring stick and a motivator to continue working. 

     This could apply to every goal in life. Just do not get lost in the comparison part, because everyone is different; everyone is built differently, has something different to offer, sees things differently, and has a different way of doing things. We are all the same in one way, and that is our unique expression of humanity, which, ultimately is our inspiration and our guide. Therefor, in an effort of self-preservation, I continue to force myself out there and am fortunate to be in such a creative place.

"Always Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide"

I know I am guilty of using Disney mythology quite a bit lately, with my references to philosophy via Pooh & friends, and love for enchanted forests. I regress again and take a little detour into the world of the 1940 film "Pinocchio"(based on the children's book by Carlo Collodi). No better words ring true to guarantee happiness than the little diddy that Jiminy Cricket sings to Pinocchio in his moment of youthful indiscretion.



As we learn and grow, mistakes may be made when the conscience is not heard. Our conscience intuition is our greatest human trait, yet it is a gift that is often left unopened. It allows us to love, to see what's right and know the future just by envisioning it. Those who ignore it, may become "successful" in their chosen profession or wealthy via greed, but true love and true, real success come from conscious decisions and doing things with a whistle and a cricket on your shoulder!

CRASH! BANG! BOOM! (AKA: Badass Down!)

Screeeeeech.....CRASH!

I had no choice but to hit the squeaky-white, brand-new BMW at 40 mph as it jumped out in front of me. My car, totaled. Me, broken. {end scene}

After whiplash, two sprained thumbs and a subsequent ambulance ride, hospital visit, a painful chiropractor adjustment, 10 orthopedics doctors visits, two MRIs, 16 weeks of PT, and eight weeks of getting my shit together to file a claim to their insurance company and dealing with attorneys...after all that, I was out of work for EIGHT months.

Eight frickin' months of not being able to pick up my tools, I wasted away in my mind. I stopped doing anything related to my art. I even stopped posting on this here blog! Of course, I kept my mind from completely leaving me by just accomplishing small tasks of everyday hum-drum stuff that needs to be done, but I couldn't force myself to create anything else except than what my own hands were making before the accident.

I went from a super-badass to a tired, cranky miserable bitch! I kept solvent, and I forced a few small artworks; a few hand-made paper pieces, a watercolor of my cat, (and a lot of confections coming out of my kitchen), and went from making $20-30,000 pieces out of metal to making crafts for under $100. I felt I pretty much lost myself.

I lost part of me for a while, but what kept me from disappearing completely was HOPE and FAITH. I had to be optimistic and see myself working again and had to hold on hard to faith that was fleeting, faith that the universe will soon again provide. Now it is eight months later and after it's all said and done, I am walking away with a meager sum to cover my losses, (thank you, Warren Buffet for being so cheap!) But I also am finally getting myself back.

I am getting back a stronger, sharper, more powerful badass. Recovery from a fall is what makes a badass to begin with. It makes us more beautiful with our scars, more resolved as we recover losses, and more determined to kick even more ass in our field of dreams.

I hereby return to the creative world with fervor and grace.