Did 2011 suck?

Then I hope your 2012 is great.

Love,

Lilly, Markus & Little Child

New Year's Additions

The idea of never doing something again completely freaks me out. I'm historically awful at dieting because the moment I think about not eating one thing is the moment I begin obsessing over it. I've learned the trick for me is to stop subtracting the bad and start adding more good, to where I'm too happy and distracted to give into temptation. Even though, as we were all taught by Laterian, it's fun to do bad things. I pretty much wake up each morning and begin day-long negotiations with myself that it's pretty fun, and much more rewarding, to do good things too. Therefore, my New Year's resolutions are more like additions to my life in 2012. Small ways that I can change my life for the better, and hopefully have a little more fun as well.

Addition #1 - More Good Food From Good People

So at our house we choose to eat vegetarian foods that are also gluten-free. Which means we eat soo many healthy fruits and vegetables, right? RIGHT?? Or do we just eat a lot of nachos and the same 3-4 vegetables that we currently know how to prep and cook? I'll never tell. But did join the Urban Acres produce co-op this week as one of our New Year's resolutions. You can do full or half shares and there are pickup locations all over the Dallas area. We're doing the half share and I am really looking forward to getting to know what produce is in season when, learning how to cook new foods by the subtle force of them appearing in my refrigerator every other week and hopefully even getting to know some people in our area that are interested in eating well and supporting local causes at the pickups. I can't tell myself to stop eating bad foods, but I can make  exploring healthy food choices a fun, family affair. Here goes nothing.

Addition #2 -  Reintroduction Of A Fun Pastime From My Youth That Involves Physical Activity (Take Two)

Last Christmas Bethenny (I am not hyperlinking Bethenny - you need to know who she is if we're going to have a healthy blog relationship.) was on Skating with the Stars, an ice-skating spinoff of Dancing with the Stars. I was kind of addicted to this show, as in I would lock myself in the private bathroom at my former office and sit on the floor and watch YouTube videos of the routines to hold me over until the next week. I'm pretty sure I was the only person in America watching this show and that I cried on the finale. This inspired me to take ice skating lessons last winter. I loved skating when I was little and I was really giddy to go back. Turns out skating is really hard as an adult, but it was really fun too and amazing cardio. I also loved riding horses when I was younger and got to do so often enough living in Kentucky and Ecuador. I've always wanted to learn how to ride English so I could feel like my hero, Jackie Kennedy Onassis (obviously). I just bought a Groupon for a pack of four English riding lessons! I cannot wait to begin this!

Addition #3 - The Totally Random Goal That Is A Long Shot But You Hope Works Outs (Take Two)

So last year this resolution was the Neiman Marcus flashmob. So, so fun. This year I feel as though my goal is far less attainable but far more admirable. My New Year's resolution is to join The Polyphonic Spree. It's more like my personal project of 2012. I'm willing to audition, attend all rehearsals, make my own robe, whatever it takes. I just really want to know and say that I was able to contribute some of my energy to one of my favorite bands. So, anyone know how I get to pull this off? I should adverise here that I have long hair (seems like a must for female Polyphonic Spree members), I am good at picking up willowy dance moves and I play an amazing tambourine. Tim DeLaughter - I'm here for the movement. I mean, I have to work and probably can't go on tour but just one show is all I need to make my whole life feel meaningful. Take a chance on an unknown quasi-hippy.

So that's what I got so far re: ways I think I can make 2012 awesome. What are you thinking for New Year's resolutions? Anyone else trying to eat better, learn something new or join a prestigious rock group?

The Best of 2011

It is incredible to think about what happened to Markus and I this year. We both moved from stressful jobs where we felt like we were spinning our wheels to go nowhere into new positions at new offices where we see futures and feel like normal people again. We grew so much individually professionally, emotionally and spiritually as Markus continues to take his classes to become baptized and confirmed in the Catholic church this Spring. Most importantly we grew so much together! We really worked on our communication skills and, thankfully, we still disagree sometimes. We're just able to disagree more respectfully now which means more time to spend together doing what we do best: being happy people.

We were watching TV together this week and there was a commercial on with a Best of 2011 montage of their favorite moments from the year. I asked Markus what he thought our best moments were and he emailed me the list below. I've taken his list and added small pockets of detail, since not all of us are able to communicate in four word sentences.

"1. Chicago - Gotham City, so much cool stuff to do, awesome restaurants, lots of walking and public transportation"

Our trip to Chicago to celebrate Markus' 29th birthday was so fun! I am such a New York girl I thought Chicago would be a underwhelming version of the Big Apple, but it is full of its own personality and a great place to visit or live, according to my gorgeous friends who have made it home. Markus loved Batman growing up so he gets very into urban vacations since it makes him feel as though he is in Gotham City! We saw a Blue Man Group show, ate at RL Restaurant, did a John Hughes tour of the Art Institute and, of course, took some great iPhone photos in Millenium Park.

"2. Marfa - Sky Party, Chinati, the Hotel, the jeep trip"

Markus is very hard to shop for so last Christmas I surprised him with a book I had made detailing our planned and paid for trip to Marfa for Valentine's Day weekend. This stunning small town brought us to a level of relaxation we haven't known since we lived in Lubbock. We went to the McDonald observatory sky party and looked out of huge telescopes, did the art scene, stayed at the Holland Hotel in Alpine and took a jeep tour through the Big Bend area with Angell Expeditions that included a soak in the Chinati Hot Springs. I will never forget this trip!

"3. Scary House Halloween - hilarious"

Our first attempt at decorating for a holiday. We ended up scaring some of the little kids! Hopefully they are ready for us next year.

"4. Candy Christmas - best first Christmas tree ever, even post-LittleChildification of the treeskirt"

I posted earlier how last year's trip to Dylan's Candy Bar inspired me to do a Candy Christmas theme for our first try at home decor. Holiday decrations are an expensive buy-in but I am so glad we went for it. It has filled our house with so much cheer!

"5. Costa Rica - fruits, veggies, cuban cigars, surfing, awesome climate, beach, so outdoorsy"

Our trip to Costa Rica was amazinggg. Another case of having no idea I could ever feel that healthy and refreshed. Fresh fruits and vegetables everywhere - a gluten-free, vegan dream. We stayed at Hotel Alma del Pacifico, went white water rafting and through the state parks, surfed and watched the Mavs win the National Championship from a projector on the beach! Such amazing quality time with my sister and her fiance. We love having them as friends! On the last day Markus and I laid in the hammock and took turns reading stories from David Sedaris' "When You are Engulfed in Flames." A perfect memory.

"6. Getting a Chiminea - fire anytime, don't have to use a shredder anymore for papers"

What can I say? Markus is really easy to please. And really, really likes fire. (Scorpio.)

"7. Toy Story on Ice - coolest thing i've ever seen, ever"

We started 2011 off by taking ice skating lessons as a Christmas gift from Markus. As an extra treat we bought disocunted tickets to Toy Story on Ice. Our discounted tickets ended up being in the front row! Disney on Ice was a big family tradition with my grandfather growing up so I was over the moon, but I did not expect for Markus to be so taken with an ice show. Apparently we are the same kind of weird. And I love it.

"8. Rangers Games - it's the Temple"

Markus grew up with no sports influence and I grew up in the Midwest on basketball. We fell in love with baseball together and the Ballpark in Arlington is where we want to be April - September. It's our spot. We even got to take Little Child to her first game this year!

"9. Exercise Ball for Work Chair - best thing to happen to work since Wall-E"

Markus switched out his office chair at work with one of those exercise balls. As you can see, his is lovin' it. Almost as much as the talking Wall-E figure I got him on our Disney World honeymoon. When you see him compliment him on his improved posture. And if you see him lounging on his ball please don't pop it with a pair of scissors a la The Office.

"10. Built-in Shelves - make the house look awesome"

We were desperate for a touch more stoarge space so we had these built-in shelves designed and installed. We did the painting and then had friends over when they were down for a Big Lebowski party with Wii Bowling, White Russians and toe cookies - with nail polish. Left to right is The Dude, Walter, Jesus and Maude. You can kind of see the Top 10 shelves in the background!

That concludes the obnoxious newsletter-style letter you usually get in Christmas cards. From our family to you! What were your top moments of the year? Anything I have to try in 2012?

Bucha Buddies

Today I was able to leave work and head home a little before Markus. When one of us is afforded this opportunity and we have a mini event that evening we'll be the other's "bucha buddy," meaning we'll sneak by the health food store on the way home from work and pick up a set of Kombucha teas to share. It's not all the time and it's never an understood thing, but it always peps the day up and is a small sign of appreciation to the other for being a good spouse/friend/roommate.

Is there a small thing you'll do at your house to show that you have your partner's back? I can't wait to drink this tea and hit up the Granada for some Old 97's madness tonight!

Traditions Old & New

Hello, lovelies!

I hope you all had a relaxing long weekend. This was a very memorable Christmas for Markus and I. It was our third Christmas as a married couple and due to that plus some family events outside our control it was time to really explore how we would do the Holiday instead of bunking up at family's house and reverting back to being our parents' kids for the weekend. Sometimes I feel holidays can be odd for couples who are married or independent but don't have children yet where there's a full house and reason to start new family traditions. Since we're really starting to stand on our own as our unique family but still have no plan for when children will be here, it was time to start to mix in some new ways of celebrating this time of year with traditions we share with our (as our Church calls it) "families of origin." The old and the new all added up to a beautiful and perfect weekend. I've broken down all the fun into old and new traditions below. Try to keep up with the happy madness!

Favorite "Old" Traditions

Going to see Scrooge at Northpark with Markus and my sister is a cherished event to me. My gradfather took us to see this puppet show every year before the big day. It is a million times more important to me than seeing Santa Claus. I love watching the kids now and got so excited when we were called on when we were younger. It is such a special part of my life in Dallas. The puppet master has been doing this show for 34 years!

My cousin's birthday is December 23 and we go to Dave & Buster's almost every year to celebrate with dinner and lots and lots of games. We go for the big tickets and then give all the goods to him to collect his mega-prize. This year he turned 23 on December 23 - star birthday!

Exciting New Traditions

Tuba Christmas in Dallas

Holiday Cheer at the Flagship Neiman Marcus

Tuba Christmas - We were looking for ways to celebrate Christmas in Dallas when we first moved here four years ago and found Tuba Chritmas. Markus first attended SMU on a Tuba scholarship so he played with the group for our first experience! This year we went back with one of our couple friends as a daytime double date. It is so much fun to sing along to all the carols! Afterwards we walked through Neiman Marcus for one last dose of their holiday decor and then had a long lunch at Iron Cactus. As an aside, the gluten-free menu at Iron Cactus is top-notch and extensive. I loved the spinach artichoke dip with green chiles (a dish that is rarely offered gluten-free at restaurants) and my salmon salad.

The pajamference - Knowing that we would be running around visiting family on the 25 & 26, Markus and I bought some much needed new pajamas and soaked in quiet time on Christmas Eve. Our darling sleepwear sets are from JCPenny (I love the champagne print on mine!). We each picked a movie to watch, wrapped presents and snugged. Sistah stopped by for a gift exchange and snapped this family portrait for us. There is always something to do in Dallas so it is wonderful to take (part of) a day to decidedly go off the grid!

Christmas Mass and Dinner - When Markus and I went to Germany for our first Christmas together, we walked to mass with his family. It was such a peaceful experience that when he suggested it this year for us I was happy to agree. It helped that I had read on my Kate Middleton stalking news sites that it is also a tradition in the Royal Family to walk to and from Christmas services. Our parish had the church decorated beautifully. Before we left we stuffed green peppers and put them in the crockpot. When we returned they were simmering and ready for us to enjoy!

Gluten-Free Stuffed Peppers (adapted from El Burrito)

Bell Pepper, cleaned and emptied

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup quinoa, rinsed and cooked

1 ear of corn, with the kernels cut off

1 package of El Burrito Soyrizo vegan chorizo

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 clove garlic, diced

1 cup vegetable broth

Sautee the diced onion and garlic in a pan with extra virgin olive oil. Once they have yellowed add the cooked quinoa, walnuts and vegan chorizo (squeezing the "meat" out of the casing). Stir in the pan until fully combined. Stuff the hollowed pepper with the mixture and place in the crock pot with the vegetable broth on high for 90 minutes or until tender. Each pepper can be topped with vegan or organic cheese depending upon indivudual family member's prefernces.

After our meal Markus gifted me with my favorite of our Christmas traditions - a new member of my Jonathan Adler ornament menagerie! Markus puts a lot of thought behind his selections and when I opened it he told me, "He's here because elephants have a great memory. And I want to always remember this Christmas with you when we celebrated as our own family." It will forever be a hard Christmas to top!

How did you celebrate the season this year? Any exciting new traditions? Did any favorite old one make an appearance? 

Have a Healthy and Happy Holiday!

Photo by Amanda Curtis Jameson


IT'S HERE!

A four-day weekend with lots of time to relax and cherish my favorite two people: Markus and Little Child!
 (Yes, dogs are people. Just not human beings.)

I am really looking forward to the days ahead. Usually during the Holidays I completely let myself go in terms of food and exercise, but this year I'm casually striving to be a little more conscious. Here are my principles that I'm hoping will have me looking like my normal self instead of some bloated Christmas casualty next week on New Year's Eve.

Cleanse As You Go - I have a jar of organic, 100% pure cranberry juice in my refrigerator that I'm drinking as "dessert" after meals since it has such strong cleansing properties. I'm also enjoying a nightly mug of Dandelion Root tea with my beloved 30 Rock reruns for the same reasons. Not an aggressive cleanse but two simple things that help me waking up feeling refreshed in the morning. 

 No Workout Too Small - I am not a "normal" person who can just tie up running shoes and burn some quick calories pounding pavement. This time of year is filled with wonky gym hours and class cancellations, which can start to mess with my workouts. Fitness DVDs are my best friend this time of year. If we have a morning activity and I can' do a whole DVD, half of one is better than no workout at all. Working out helps me feel relaxed when I'm sitting on my grandma's sofa for multiple hours or sitting at a table with a smidge too much food on my plate. I'm probably getting more mental than physical benefits but who ever said that was so bad for you? My list of favorite workout DVDs are here. 

The Raw Truth - I feel sooo much better when I incorporate raw fruits and vegetables in with my Holiday treats. Thankfully most gatherings we go to have some sort of veggie tray or salad, so I can grab some carrots or celery before dip and chocolate time. Again, might be more mental than physical but it makes me feel a lot less heavy. I also try to keep our regular morning juicing schedule. We do carrots, beets, kale, lemon and ginger every morning and it makes a huge difference in how I feel during the day. Even if I completely fall of the wagon later I know a lot of nutrients got to hit my stomach on empty that morning! 

Not anything more than I do on a normal day but not a huge break from routine either. Feeling healthy makes me a happy person which means I am in a better mood to enjoy the days and my friends and family. What are your tips to stay smiling through the weekend? 

Thank you so much for your friendship, follows and comments as I began my mini-journey with the blog this year. It has been so fun to learn more about the many interesting people I share space on the planet with and to hear from you all about what's on your mind! 

Merry Everything and Peace on Earth! 

~The Neubauers 

Hello, Huntsville, TX

This weekend included one of my favorite things - a trip to Huntsville to visit Markus' cousin Amanda and her family! I love going to Huntsville. Since that is where our state prison happens to be, it reminds me of when Holly GoLightly goes to SingSing and Fred Baby says, "just visiting of course." I love some tasteful criminal justice humor.

We stayed with Amanda at her cozy bed and breakfast, Smither's B&B, and partied and steam showered at her yoga/dance retreat center/art gallery, Crazywood. Markus' favorite uncle (and close race for favorite family member - probably tied with younger brother Lukas) and aunt were in town visiting as well so it was a relaxing and entertaining mini-reunion. Markus talks to Uncle Marty at least a few times a week but we haven't been able to see him since our wedding so this was a big treat for both of us. It was actually my first time to meet my Aunt Lynette!

I am always inspired at Amanda's so it is very commonplace for me to be walking around in my pajamas taking pictures on my phone of her walls, nooks and crannies. One of my favorite things in the world are her pearlescent paint colors on the walls and ceilings and they way she outlines the architecture of her kitchen with some mirror tiles that she purchased at a craft store.

While my photos are a little elementary, her guest space is featured online and you can follow this link to get the full tour. It is seriously one of the most inspiring and nurturing spaces I've ever been in.

We took Uncle Marty's Corgi, Galahad on a morning walk on Sunday. Right down the street from the B&B is a little block of houses designed by Dan Phillips of the Phoenix Commotion. Dan works against the typical waste brought on by mass construction and creates his homes and projects out of repurposed materials. I love this house and its mismatched shingles that were acquired through other projects and landfills. I think waking up in this house every day would be like living in a Grimm's fairy tale!

We were honored to be able to attend Amon's 5th birthday at Crazywood while we were in town. His party featured a pinata, face painting, an art station and the most insane cake I have ever seen. Not one birthday meltdown by any of the children at the party! This never happens at Dallas kid parties. It must be all that fresh, country air.

Somewhere over the weekend's conversation I mentioned that in my family growing up if someone left after a weekend together, everyone would line the walk and "wave with their hats and wave with their aprons." Aunt Lyenette gathered some aprons together and family and friends gave me a surprise sendoff! I could not have imagined a more perfect way of knowing how included and loved I was in my husband's family. Can you ask for anything more than that?

The Best Lights in Dallas & Gluten-Free at Rise No 1

Coming off an amazing weekend is hard to do. I love how during the Holidays we get to reconnect with so many fun people in our lives in addition to the ones we spend Christmas Day with. We got our last pre-Christmas weekend started in Dallas on a double date with my college roomate and her adroable boyfriend. We all love looking at Christmas lights. Since Jordan and her boyfriend are just getting settled in Dallas, Markus and I lent our expertise to the evening and built a robust itinerary of Dallasite Holiday cheer.

We knew we wanted to do a dinner out at someplace noteworthy that wasn't bank breaking at the same time. I had heard such good things about Rise No 1 but assumed it was on my "never in a million years" list as most good souffles need a little bit of flour. I could not believe they offer many of their dishes as gluten-free! The entire meal was such a great experience. Their wait staff is delightful and very helpful with navigating the menu to avoid gluten. The setting is beautiful. Jordan described as "if Anthropologie was real life," and Markus said it reminded him of "La Madeline meets Where the Wild Things Are." When did I meet such worldly and descriptive friends? Many of the items in the restaurant are repurposed from old wine bottles, recycled glass or French antiques. It made my green heart happy to sit beneath this stunning chandelier made of recycled wine bottles.

The food was phenomenal. I had a seasonal crab souffle and it was light in texture but with a rich, fresh crab flavor. Crab cakes are a former favorite dish of mine so to be able to enjoy a special crab recipe and have it not leave me with a migraine was a blissful moment.

Not all souffles on the dessert menu were offered gluten-free, so I chose the raspberry option. Below is a shot of the homemade raspberry sauce being poured into the top of the souffle. Markus and I were supposed to split this dish but after I'd had a few bites he gave me the rest saying, "By the look on your face I can tell that if I took any more I would be depriving you of a special experience." He knows me so well.

After dinner wrapped we were off to see the lights. I've put the list of my top light picks below, with the show stopper closing out my list. We hit all three of these on Friday and I recommend doing the same as they are all unque and make the season bright.

Best Lights per Capita

Just as a disclaimer about who I am, if I am north of 635, it's a pretty big deal. I make the long trek every year for the Deerfield lights. This housing community in Plano does a Christmas decorations contest year each and all of the resident bring the heat. Deerfield has a really good mix of classy, campy and car-stopping displays and they are all back-to-back if you follow the light tour signs as you enter.

Best Snooty-Snotty Lights

If you drive around Highland Park the day after Thanksgiving (official Dallas put-up-your-lights day) and expect to see dads with ladders and staple guns, you are wrong. Almost all of these lights are professionally installed, which doesn't bother me in the slightest when I am sitting under a messive tree draped in warm colored lights. The best route through Highland Park is to take Preston down to the area, doing a lap through Highland Park Village to see their jaw-dropping white trees, and the take a right on Beverly where it meets Oak Lawn and wrap your way back up to Mockingbird. Finish back at Highland Park Village for a cocoa from Starbucks.

Best Griswald Lights

Farmer's Branch is where the lights made for and by the hardworking middle class live. I love these lights becuase they're homespun and a little wonky at times. Drive up and down the Marsh and Valley View and see the streets glowing with Home Depot projects. The best light show in Dallas resides at 14535 Southern Pines Cove. Please go see these lights and if you can, bring a canned good for their drive. But do yourself a favor and save this spot for the end of your tour, as every other house dripping with lights will look like the dumbest thing ever after the blinding, computer programmed majesty of this cul de sac.

What are you special holiday traditions? Any good areas in Dallas for lights that I missed?

One of the light displays in Deerfield

Oh Sh*t Gifts

There are the gifts of the season that are full of excitement and intention, like the great items I've picked out for my mom, sister and husband. Then you have the fun gifts that you see and know it will make a great present for someone on your list. Then there are "Oh Sh*t Gifts." The gifts for an aunt or cousin, teacher or supervisor where you don't know what you would get even if budget wasn't an issue and you also put off until the last minute.

Last year I did a little gifting experiment. Instead of going out and buying a cheap candle, traditional ornament or random bottle of wine, I shopped some charity gift catalogs. Charity gift catalogs are a great way to make a gift to a non-profit in the name of someone on your Christmas list and be able to tangibly show how the gift is going to be put to work. It went over great and I am looking forward to battling holiday stress again this year with some worthwhile, tax-deductible gifts!

Photo courtesy of churchworldservice.org



For example, my aunt is a very hardworking doctor with great taste and the ability to buy her own scented candles. This year instead of purchasing her a gift that would just clutter her home, I bought her a year's worth of micronutrients for 10 children through one of my favorite charities, Church World Service. These micronutrients come in powder form in packets and are stirred into children's food in areas recovering from famine to iron, zinc, vitamin A and folic acid to children. Markus' parents are in the process of moving out to to their organic farm full-time, where they keep gardens, chickens and goats. Instead of giving them one more thing to pack and move, we are excited to send a pair of goats to a community that can use them to make high-protein milk, an income for families and fertilizer for sustainable gardening. If you are looking for a gift for your children's teacher besides the standard coffee mug, how about sending five bundles of new school supplies overseas to give children the gift of an education? I love Church World Service becuase it is an organization about teaching people better ways to help themselves for the long haul, and I feel as though these simple items make a world of difference to someone working to stand on their own two feet.

Another great charity gift catalog that everyone is sure to recognize and appreciate is the American Red Cross. Their disaster prepardeness training and relief, CPR and first aid classes, fire response and military services are what has kept our world seeing a light at the end of the tunnel during our world and local disasters, and what allows us to be able to fundraise and respond to tragedies of all shapes and sizes. How about donating a calling card to an American solider in the name of a veteran or parent of a military member? I plan on buying my boss measles vaccinations for 25 children, a disease that can be wiped out with a simple shot but still takes 450 lives a day. If your interests are international, the American Red Cross video below shows how great their global impact was in 2011.



I am really grateful to have found some last-minute gifts that are more than just Christmas filler. Both of these organizations will send you a card to give to your recipient explaining the gift and what it is providing to a person in need. If you're ordering very last minute (like maybe 15 mintues before Christmas dinner, as I have done before) there are cards you can print from your home printer and even e-cards for relatives out of town. What do you usually do when you realize that there is someone on your list that you've forgetten?

Just Clicking Around

There are a few links today that I wanted to share with you!

Two places that I usually love but try to avoid between Thanksgiving and New Year's are Costco and Northpark. I inevitably go to each place at least once during this time period (especially to fulfill my annual requirement of watching one of my favorite Holiday traditions - Scrooge at Northpark!) and I was very happy to find this article on Dallas Vegan that gives a run down on all of the vegan-friendly dining spots in the shopping and arts center. A happy and well-fed husband makes for a less exacerbating shopping experience! Check out their list here.

While the Holidays do mean crowded commercialism, they also signal the time to reflect back on another year completed and enjoyed. I was honored to be chosen to submit a guest blog at The Granada's website about my favorite concert of 2011. Can you guess what show it was?

The last thing to share is my new favorite Tuesday timewaster - Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free's Slightly Indulgent Tuesday linkup. I added my gluten-free, vegan pumpkin pie and can't wait to look through more of the recipes tonight!

Fights About Lasagna

The past five years have brought phenomenal change to my life. I made some personal desicions about my health and goals and shortly after that I started dating Markus. A few months into our relationship he went vegetarian and I accepted the challenge (everything is a competition to me). Then last year, after seeing a gluten-free diet work for my celiac family members, we kicked gluten to the curb. I am a hugely emotional eater so each of these transitions have been big when you think about how much emphasis I put on food and certain meals, but actually not a huge deal when I take it a meal at a time and focus on how much better I feel. Now Markus and I are locked in a food battle of epic proportions - that being the battle of cheese.

Markus has cut free from cheese, which means something very important to me is now at risk: lasagna.

Can you make a homemade lasagna for one person? No. What is a lasagna without the cheese? It is nothing. These were the questions running through my head at night (see above re: emotional relationship with food).

When I found this FitSugar recipe for a vegan, gluten-free lasagna on Pinterest I was skeptical but intrigued. Last night we worked on a few afternoon projects at the house before our standing Sunday date-night to look at Christmas lights, so I gave the recipe a whirl.

Vegan, Gluten-Free Lasagna (adapted from FitSugar)

3 zucchinis, cut into strips lengthwise
1 jar marinara sauce
1 can tomato sauce
1 veggie soup cube
1 cup water
3/4 cup quinoa
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 package of extra firm tofu
Fresh or dried parsley

I preheated the oven to 375F and started cutting my zucchini strips. After the strips were cut I laid them out on a baking sheet a sprinkled them with salt and my beloved herbamare to help them "sweat." At the same time I boiled water with the veggie soup cube in it. After the water began to boil I added the quinoa, tomato sauce, onion and parsley. I let this all simmer together for about 10 minutes or until the quinoa had doubled in size. Continue stirring for a minute or two after you remove the sauce from heat, as mine began to thicken. After I had my sauce I crumbled up the tofu until it had the vague appearance of ricotta cheese.



Once all my parts were prepared it was time to layer. I did the marinara first, then zucchini, then tofu crumbles and quinoa sauce, repeating until the casserole dish is full. Then bake for about 25 minutes or until the sauce looks thick and any zucchini you can see poking out looks tender.

The end result was trips to the kitchen for seconds for Markus and I and no fights about cheese. Especially when I decided to put a slice of cheese on my second helping. I am so glad to know I have this dish for when I'm craving something out of my casserole pan that can accommodate all family members. Even Little Child, who jumped into the trash compactor trying to get seconds!

Currently

My love/hate relationship with work travel continues. Love it because of all the new people I get to meet and how quickly the week goes by when you're on the move. Kind of hate it because there is a lot of gross chain restaurant food out there and I am no good at sleeping alone in a hotel room (I've been known to take all of the mobile furniture in a hotel room and pile in front of the door to ensure my room is wierdo-free through the night. Did I mention I work for a non-profit that teaches fire safety? Not the best idea.) This week's trip was a great experience but I am so glad to be back in the D!

While I was on the road Samarra of Just Arting Around let me know that she'd mentioned me on her blog. I used her Otomi Fabric on Spoonflower to make a window valance for the dining room bookshelves and reading nook I had built last year. I love her designs and feel like the fabric brought all my hippie hodgepodge together! What do you think? I love Spoonflower's fun prints on organic cotton and am getting a Christmas giftcard to there for my 10 year-old sister-in-law who loves to design clothes for herself and her Barbies!

I was also out for the launch of Dallas Contemporary's pop-up shop this week but got over there today as soon as I could. Their back gallery is filled with coffee table books, signed and numbered prints and fresh award-winning salsa that was used at their Jennifer Rubell Legends event. I picked up two tickets to their upcoming Phenomenon event and eyed some gifts for my artistic friends and family members. The pop-up is open now through Sunday so you still have time to get a unique gift where 100% of the proceeds help to bring contemporary art to our community through the gallery space, events and their Art Think educational program for children and teens. Some of my favorite finds from my visit are below.

Limited edition prints by Vernon Fisher and Linda Ridgway. Framed and ready for my your wall!

State Fair winning salsa made for Jennifer Rubell's interactive exhibit at Dallas Contemporary last fall. I am always trying to convince my friends that I am artsy, local and a foodie - this says it all at $5 a jar!

Some stunning coffee table books available at the Pop-Up Shop. Thank you, Tom Ford, for making the coffee table book a status symbol. These are a great way to show your family that you are smart and artsy and think that they are as well - acknowledgement of mutual literary smugness is one of the highest complitments one can bestow.

Speaking of being artistic and a foodie, I can't wait to relax at home tonight with a bowl of gluten-free cereal and almond milk with my pup while we watch The Help from redbox. What are you all up to this weekend?

Pinterest Projects

So Pinterest is kind of amazing. Everyone on Pinterest is a classier, craftier, more fashionable version of their true selves and they are all going to have perfect weddings and be amazing parents according to their pins. Any pin for a craft that looks remotely interesting and would be accomplished by me in some miraculous event is captioned "super easy tailored sweater with hood made from an old t-shirt" or the like. Life is super easy and DIY on Pinterest. It is a magical land. Also, people on Pinterest are really into doing their nails and are really good at it apparently.

When I had a friend's wedding shower coming up, I decided that I would make actually make a Pinterest project and impress everyone there. I was the first of my generation to get married so at these showers I feel a little bit required to make domestic life look as easy yet intimidating as a Pinteret project, when the reality is most days my house is covered in laundry and I am worried that Little Child is going to die from preferring household objects for snacks over her organic dog food.

My mom used to make diaper cakes for showers when I was younger and people always loved them. I love using dish towels at home (they are so easy to wash and save so much money compared to always using paper towels!) so when I found a dish towel cake on Pinterest for wedding showers I was excited to give it a try. The cutting board base and spatulas are off of the bride's registry and the towels and other kitchen accessories are added flair. It was a hit at the party and I got to brag about how I really make crafts off of Pinterest.

What aspects of your Pinterest life have you been making a reality lately? Link them back using the button above from The Vintage Apple for "Oh How Pinteresting Wednesdays!"

Company Cafe on the Trail

As a Dallas-based gluten-free noms seeker, I was very excited when the original Company Cafe opened on Greenville Ave. Sistah, her fiance, Markus and I all paid them a visit when they were in town for TXou and we were blown away by the extensive gluten-free options and the quality of the food. This was, regrettably for all of us, before I had rediscovered my love of blogging so I was waiting for a new development with the restaurant to do a post. I was ecstatic to hear about their new location literally on the Katy Trail and was over the moon to be invited to their dinner preview last night before they open next week.

When attending an anticipated restaurant preview and playing food editor, one must bring friends (preferably male homosexual) that can laugh and recite lines from My Best Friend's Wedding with you as you sample and review the food items. (i. e. I'm writing it up as...inventive..) I was very pleased that Markus and I's most cherished double date partners, Cassian and Jeff, were available to make such dreams reality. Cassian owns Star Fit and has more health certifications than a Type A Girl Scout so I knew he would appreciate the hearty but health conscious menu.

It was a chilly and wet night in Dallas so a delicious warm meal with good friends was exactly what we all needed. The cozy atmosphere of the restaurant helped set the tone for a intimate evening. Its re-purposed wood walls and chic lantern-style lighting made us all feel like we had jetted off to Aspen for the weekend and tucked into the lodge for the night.

Our first appetizer was the loaded sweet potato fries. Everyone agreed that this was the best bacon any of us had ever tasted. Jeff usually won't touch bacon because it is too salty and I caught him sneaking a pile onto his plate. Even I, the loyal pescatarian, forgot to take the big chunk of uncured meat off of my fries when some made their way onto my pile. I love sweet potatoes but many major restaurant suppliers bread their fries, so if they aren't made in house they are usually glutenized. These were really flavorful and light.

Next was the stuffed portabella mushroom, where we could taste the freshness of the feta (it had a really good flavor). The moist and tender mushroom sat neatly on a bed of crisp baby spinach and a perfectly blended tangy balsamic vinaigrette. I kind of though Cassian was going to cry as he took the last bite because he knew his moment with this dish was almost over.

Jeff ordered (and we all had a bite of some part of) the chicken and waffles, which were legitimately spicy. Seriously, I don't know if we got the end of the batter, but there were huge chunks of jalapenos in these waffles and my eye were watering a little by the end of my sample. These would be even better with a cream sauce on the chicken, in our table's humble opinion. Even with its extra kick, the waffle was one of the best I've ever had before or after converting to gluten-free, and hands down one of the best gluten-free products I've ever tried.

The standout dish of the night was the Smoked Salmon, crowned Miss Company Cafe on the Trail by our table. This fresh piece of fish was deep smoked with a house made rub and had an intensely smokey flavor like a Goodies from Goodman turkey. As a non-meat eater, this is one of the flavors I really miss the most and I felt like this salmon captured it better than some poultry dishes even do. The mashed cauliflower side is better than many mashed potatoes I've had and I once froze my grandmother's mashed potatoes and put them on a plane with me. I've never tried mashed cauliflower before since I thought it could never compare to my love of mashed potatoes. Turns out when Company Cafe makes them, they are even more flavorful than the original. Both the fish dishes at our table were served with broccolini, which I thought was an adventure and also fun to say. It was nice to try but a little tough so i think I can continue through life as a plain-old broccoli girl.

Overall it was such an exceptional dinner experience and evening. My only wish for the space is that they one day expand or install some black foam on the ceiling, because when it was hopping last night it was happening and quite loud. Not one dish was processed or over salted but everything was unique, memorable and flavorful. I really look forward to frequenting this new location and having some delicious and gluten-free brunches and dinner after aerobics with Little Child on the trail.

Cassian and I getting cozy at dinner. Do we look like a page out of "Who Wore It Best?"

Hope you are all enjoying a cozy weekend and that all my Dallasites are staying out of this rain!

Candyland Christmas pt. 2 - The Candy Tree

After many years of not being able to justify its cost on top of buying gifts and wrapping up the year, I was ready for my big girl Christmas tree this year. I would love a real tree that I could mulch after the Epiphany, but I was allergic to them when I was younger and I work for a non-profit that teaches fire safety and has done an excellent job of convincing me that ADD Christmas tree owners get their houses burned down. 

My tree could be faux, but it had to be flocked. Not white, but green and covered in crazy fake snow. My tree trimming memories consist of going with my grandfather and my sister in his Lincoln Towncar down the street to the Wolfe nursery and getting a huge flocked tree every year and filling it with bright blue lights and mismatched glass ornaments. Every time I see a pruned and elegant tree I think of how unfortunate it would look next to the chaotic, mid-century majesty of my grandfather's retro creations. 

Last year I took a trip to New York during Christmastime and went to Dylan's Candy Bar. We get some of her candy here at Neiman Marcus and have had a pop-up shop at Northpark before but nothing compares to her flagship store. Everything is bright, everything is whimsical and everything is about the candy. When I started thinking about my big girl tree I made a little vision board in my mind and realized I wanted it to match perfectly with the Dylan's Candy Bar Candy Cottage Advent Calendar (which was available a month ago) so I could buy that for my place as well and bring New York to Dallas. The coincidence would be that as I finished the tree I learned that these adorable houses are no longer made so having my complete set is a long shot, but I am grateful for the inspiration! 

I got the cute lollipop ornaments that remind me of the Dylan's logo at Target - where they are $2 each! My mini menagerie of ornaments are from Markus, who gifts me with a Jonathan Adler ornament each year. I am really excited to see if Santa brings me another addition this year and what it might be! 

My tree all set up in our funky little living room. I love the bright felt ornaments in the traditional Dylan's color scheme. I randomly bought those years ago proving you can only connect the [candy] dots looking backwards! And yes, there is a framed (and signed) photo of Tim DeLaughter in my living room. Someone needs to remind me to follow the day and reach for the sun as I leave for work each morning.

The candy striped skirt is from Lowe's! 

The gingerbread cookie tree topper from Bronner's Christmas Wonderland takes the cake for me. My heart jumped when I found it and I tracked this item on UPS every day until it arrived. If you're going to be materialistic it should at least be about something as fun as a gingerbread cookie tree topper. Very, very cute. The only quirk is it is about 100lbs so I had to jerry rig it to the tree to stay upright. Thankfully I enjoy Chinese takeout so I had a bunch of chopsticks that I could zip tie it to. Tres chic, oui?

I love the beginnings of Christmas Candy Land at the newlywed nest and cannot wait to add to it each year! How do you decorate for the Holidays? Do you pull a little bit of a theme or just go wild?