An Evening of Art, Food, & Wine at El Cisne Cocina de Mexico, Tucson, AZ

Art, wine, and food. Three of my favorite things. I love the concept of having a wine tasting with an artist’s showing. This night, we happened to also be instructed by the artist, Charles Albanese, on watercolors. Charles also specializes in oil and multimedia work. It’s fascinating to watch an artist at work! The wine features were Chilean and Argentinian (nothing too, too grand, but still lovely) and paired quite nicely with our small plates. We had a fabulous time at this beautiful local Tucson restaurant, and I have posted a few pics of the interior for you to see.

 

Mental Illness Awareness Week, Mental Illness Facts and Myths, & Cafe 54, Tucson, AZ

It seems like I just wrote upon the subject, but I thought to broach it again as this is Mental Illness Awareness Week and October 10th, World Mental Health Day.

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=mental_illness_awareness_week

“Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 5-11, 2014

In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in recognition of NAMI’s efforts to raise mental illness awareness. Since then, mental health advocates across the country have joined with others in their communities to sponsor activities, large or small, for public education about mental illness.

MIAW coincides with the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding (Oct. 7) and National Depression Screening Day (Oct. 9.)”

Some facts and myths about mental illness can be found here:

http://promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/publications/myths_facts.aspx

And here:

http://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/myths-facts/index.html

Why is it so important to know these myths, facts, and dispel the stigma surrounding mental illnesses?

“In this age where technology emerges at rapid pace there remains a baffling amount of misunderstanding about mental illness. The medical science related to diagnosing and treating mental illness is as extensive as the science related to treating diabetes or arthritis. The fact remains that even among educated people, mental illness is often seen as a fault and not a physical health affliction. Stigma about mental illness is predominant and implies that mental illness is a flaw of character. Stigma is harmful because it is an obstacle for many to receive psychiatric treatment and it directly stands in the way of social acceptance.”
(http://www.westlakebayvillageobserver.com/read/2014/09/16/end-stigma-and-create-compassion)

During this week of awareness, I wanted to highlight a wonderful organization right here in Tucson, Arizona:

http://www.cafe54.org

Cafe 54’s mission is “to support individuals recovering from persistent, chronic mental illnesses; to help them regain their ability to move towards their recovery with a focus on reintegration into the community…

[Participant’s in] Cafe 54[‘s] training program have spent months working under the instruction and scrutiny of job coaches at our full service, high quality bistro where all the food is made from scratch, including all entrees, breads, salads, and desserts. Trainees who complete the job training program at Cafe 54 have been taught a variety of jobs and have an understanding of kitchen safety, food safety, knife skills, customer relations, customer service, effective work-place communication, and personal accountability.”

Along with the fabulous cafe (which, by the way, does indeed serve some marvelous food — see my pic above), this community work has an art foundation.

“Café 54 Art Foundation was established to provide and assist individuals recovering from mental illness the opportunity to express themselves through the creative arts. All tips from the Café and the Café’s catering business go to the Art Foundation Fund. This funding is available to any individual who is recovering from mental illness and currently working with a Behavioral Health Program, who shows a desire to express him or herself through visual art.”

There are many things I hope to write on this subject at some point. But, for now, I will leave you with a few articles for your reference. If you would care to read my previous posts on mental health, you can find them here and here.

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/9/15/6140189/fifa-mental-health-research

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/i-will-listen-how-social-media-can-diminish-the-stigma-of-mental-illness/

http://www.thehealthsite.com/news/vandrevala-foundation-to-improve-mental-health-in-india-worlds-suicide-capital/

http://newsok.com/oklahomans-must-move-into-21st-century-in-dealing-with-mental-illness/article/5344880

http://centraljersey.com/articles/2014/10/03/newswire/doc542e187e455f1023533263.txt

http://www.roosevelttorch.com/news/view.php/849627/Stigma-around-mental-illness-needs-to-st

http://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-wellness/taking-action-on-mental-illness-57255

http://www.queanbeyanage.com.au/story/2599474/artworks-on-show-for-mental-health-awareness/

http://psychcentral.com/lib/responding-to-mental-illness-in-your-workforce-following-the-law/0008503

Food: A Study in Still Lifes 4

japanese rolled omelette tamagoyaki and chirashi bowl recipe | use real butter.

I have had my eye on this for a while. Elegant presentation, and the rolled omelette looks divine. Just lovely. You know you want to make this!

Food: A Study in Still Lifes 3

Uncommon Nonsense. : Photo.

I found this gorgeous owl fruit carving I wanted to share with you today. I apologize that there are no instructions attached, but I think it will inspire you just the same. The common barn owl is my favorite (one of nature’s most beautiful creatures, IMO), and I was just thrilled when I saw this magnificent piece. I bet there are some reading who could handle a project like this quite easily. I’m not so sure about myself, but I find it a pleasure to look at.

The Many Uses of Food Powders

Adding to my other posts about preserving our foods, I thought the many uses of dehydrated and powered foods might be interesting. As you can see from my pics, I dehydrated red beets, sweet potatoes, and chard, then ground them into powders. I dehydrated golden beets around the same time, but after tasting one…well, they got eaten! Many people are allergic to artificial dyes and colors, so this is a great way to get the food coloring you want and save some cash. I’ve pictured veggies, but fruits (like cherries, black and blue berries, etc.) or herbs are also wonderful.

Colored pasta is the first thing that comes to mind for me (it’s ALWAYS pasta for me!), but there are a plethora of other uses. You can use your powders to enhance color and flavors for broths (you can thicken them a bit with sweet potato, as well), cream, sauces, bread doughs, cakes, truffles, and frosting. You can make powdered drink mixes, use them for garnishes, and they are great for craft projects. Mix them with a little water and use them as an alternative to water colors for little ones. Naturally-dyed Easter egg shells are fun, or you can make marbled eggs like Chinese tea eggs (see my pic. *As a side: In case you’re interested, I made those from an adaptation of this recipe: Chinese Tea Eggs.*). Teas and coffee are fab in that they are already dried. They can be used for food dyes, but also try them for natural and inexpensive wood stains (fruits and veggies, too).

I used a blender for my veggies this time, but you can also use a spice mill. I store my powders in recycled containers with a desiccant to keep out the moisture. There are probably a ton of other options, but those are just a few I’ve thought of for now. I will post more ideas as they come to me.

Easy Labor Day Weekend Craft Project: Chalkboard Paint Wine Glasses

Inspired Entertaining: DIY Chalkboard Wine Glasses | Always Order Dessert.

I love chalkboard paint projects because they are great for any DIY craft skill level and can produce fun and whimsical or striking effects. For those in the States, I thought Labor Day weekend would be the perfect time to take on this type of project (if you’re not in the States, I’m sure there are plenty of reasons you can find to still take it on 🙂 ). Many people have a number of guests over, and it can be quite easy for them to lose track of their glass. Actual wine glasses are great if you are having a formal gathering, but you can always use disposable ones for a more casual type of party. You can even use a ‘rocks’ glass (true glass or disposable) if you do not plan on serving beverages you think befit a wine glass.

The link above uses a black spray paint, but here’s another video link demoing a colored paint from a can: How to Make Event Place Cards. I think red and blue paint with white chalk would be a great festive look!

Food: A Study in Still Lifes 2

food play: ‘ BLOOD ORANGE SCALLOP CEVICHE .’.

This is the 2^nd of my new series of posts, Food: A Study in Still Lifes. If you would like to check it out on occasion, I have added this as a category to my blog menu.

I get so excited when I see a dish such as this. It is very simple, yet complex in its arrangement. And, one cannot help but love that it is ceviche – it looks as scrumptious as it does artful. Keep this dish in mind when you spot blood oranges! I think it would be a wonderful choice for a romantic dinner or a night where you just want a “something special” type of meal introduction.

Food: A Study in Still Lifes 1

Blue Bottle Coffee.

After posting this artistic-looking dessert, I thought I would roundup a few others. I changed my mind and decided to make it a semi-regular posting. So, this is the first of my Food: A Study in Still Lifes posts. I will include all types of artsy looking meals and dishes (including desserts) that I may come across.

This particular post may be unusual in that it is not about one particular dessert, but an entire book. The modern art cake on the cover, though, is what attracted my attention. There are many similarities in creating a stunning dessert or meal and creating a beautiful piece of artwork. You might even compare it to composing a great piece of music. One obvious difference, of course, is that a canvas, sculpture, score, etc. will stay around a bit longer! It can take a great deal of skill and patience as one prepares a thoughtful meal for someone…seeing it in your mind’s eye, creating symmetry (or lack of it), composing flavors and textures, putting those final detailed touches on your creation…Some of this skill can be taught, I think, and some may just be a natural gifting. I have had several meals and treats that seemed like they were too pretty to eat.

I hope you enjoy these postings, and perhaps they will inspire you to do some of the same. They may even inspire me to create something a little fancier from time to time, along with my simple WhirlwinDISH meals!