Join me at the Lucky Ladies Launch Party in Alameda, CA

What:

Dress in your festive best and toast the spring launch of the Lucky Ladies website, fresh new fashion and housewares, spring yoga, fitness, sewing classes and much much more! 

 

When: Saturday, April 28th, 2012

1:00pm to 5:00pm

Where:

Rhythmix Cultural Works

2513 Blanding Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501

Timeline:

1:00pm - We are Open - Let's Party

1:30pm - Ahimsa Community Yoga Class

2:00pm - Welcome Announcement by Host Mel Waldorf

2:30pm - Mini Crochet Class by Enchanted Square (Ruth Tillman)

3:00pm - First Raffle

3:30pm - Ruby "Baby" Bennett Performs!

4:00pm - Lucky Ladies Fashion Show

4:30pm - Final Raffle  - Don't Miss it - this is the biggie!

5:00pm - Farewell - thank you for joining us!


Activities: 
 Professional photos at our portrait studio, a refreshing yoga session, a raffle to win awesome Lucky Ladies swag and plenty of opportunities to get to know the Lucky Ladies themselves.

Our health, wellness, and web design specialists will be on hand to answer your questions.

Ruby "Baby" Bennett will provide lively music and merriment! Enjoy light refreshment provided by your hostesses, beer and wine for sale to benefit Rhythmix Cultural Works, and Cole Coffee’s cart will be parked out front!

Shop:

Bring your cash or credit card and wander our marketplace sampling lush and local all natural body care, hand crafted artisanal housewares, sweet vintage style dresses, adorable hair accessories, playful jewelery, wacky wonderful kitschy collectibles and more!

I hope to see you there - Heidi aka Ruby 

Photo by Sarabek Images

Jennifer Serr and I chat about style, inspiration and a beautiful place called Alameda!

The Lovely Jennifer Serr

My friend Jennifer is a talented sewing instructor and creative force. She interviewed me for her blog Bonjour Teaspoon a few months back and I thought people might be interested in getting to know me through her eyes....

Happy New Year!

This year, I’m presenting an interview series with People of Style in Alameda. Did you know Alameda was such a cool community? I’ve suspected, but didn’t realize the extent of it until my friend Heidi and I founded an Alameda based Business Group we call the Lucky Ladies.  

Filled with an array of creative businesses from Sewing Teacher to Yoga Instructor, nutritional counselor to lighting designer, clothing designers to hand felted home goods – you name it! 

Each woman in my group and their extended networks represent the best of our little town.
Here is my first interview of 2012  Heidi Bennett, interviewed in October 2011.  

Also known as Ruby “Baby” Bennett to those in the music world, Heidi is embarking on a new path...Read on!

Photo by Bob Heron

Recommendation: Dollar Shave Club!

I don't mind spending $50.00 on a good pair of jeans or $4.00 for a dozen organic local eggs but there are some things that seem SO OVERPRICED and yet you feel you have no other option but to pay for them.

Razors fall into that category. Even when they are on sale they seem like such a rip. So I was thrilled beyond thrill when I found out about Dollar Shave Club!

For a very low monthly fee, you get clean, fresh razor blades delivered directly to your home - what's not to love.

Do yourself a favor and sign up for this service..... the video ad is HILARIOUS and their website is beautiful. Thanks to Renraku.com (aka my husband) for this hot tip!

Simply Recipes Eggs Nested in Sauteed Chard & Mushrooms

Simply Recipes posted a meal idea after my own heart. I have every one of these ingredients most of the time and LOVE this combination of flavors. Eggs Nested in Sauteed Chard and Mushrooms

photo by Simply Recipes

Asparagus and Poached Eggs - friends forever :)

Photo from Martha Stewart

 Oh how I love ASPARAGUS and POACHED EGGS!



Whatever the season, time of day or mood I'm in -  I never grow tired of asparagus and perfectly poached eggs.

Here's a tasty recipe from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food for Asparagus with Poached Eggs and Parmesan! I like to add a squeeze of lemon or heck, why not hollandaise sauce.

Photo from Joyful Abode

My favorite easy hollindaise recipe comes from Ina Garten aka the Barefoot Contessa :)
 
I found this beautiful photo from another Paleo friendly blog - Joyful Abode!

Creamy Curry Zucchini Pasta

Photo from Peas and Crayons

Peas and Crayons: Creamy Curry Zucchini Pasta sounds delicious and makes me think of summer!

A few blog posts I've been enjoying...

Photo by Larry Miller aka my dad!

Winter weather means lot's of indoor reading and after eating BBQ Pork last night I really enjoyed this post about Healthy Pork Lard from blogger Memphis Que this morning.

My new Paleo pal Kristy DeVaney of CakeGrrl.com has been tempting the Facebook group Sacramento: Beyond the Paleo with photos of delicious delights such as Deviled Avocado Eggs with cumin and curry and Roasted Tomatoes with oregano, garlic, basil and olive oil!

I'll be trying this recipe for Macadamia Oil Mayo from the Food Blog who posted it to Jimmy Moore's Facebook wall..... yummy!

I'm just running out of my store bought mayo and salad dressings and will be whipping up my own recipes this week so I'll let you know how it goes!

Where have you been finding inspiration and recipes? Leave a comment and let me know :)

15 uses for coconut oil besides cooking - via Apartment Therapy

A handy dandy list by Apartment Therapy on 15 non edible uses for coconut oil. I already use it as a skin moisturizer and aftershave....it melts right into the skin. They list rust removal and leather cleaning among other ideas that got my attention. How do you use coconut oil? Have you tried any of the 15 ideas listed?

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic

If you want salty, crunchy, naturally sweet and fork tender yumminess, try my recipe for Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic!

I adapted this from a side dish a friend brought over. The key is to let the oven pre-heat and then get those Brussels BROWN with crispy leaves. Also, don't be afraid of using a LOT of FAT!

Chicken Paprikash from Simply Recipes

photo from Simply Recipes

Tonight's dinner in foggy Oakland is Chicken Paprikash from Simply Recipes! I added crimini mushrooms because I just LOVE mushrooms....it's simmering on the stove right now. I might add red bell-peppers next time too. I washed and dried my hands many times - but still managed to drop my knife and make a nice slice across my toes! Luckily it was shallow and even luckier - my husband is fastidious about providing a first aid kit in both  cars and the kitchen! A sprinkle of blood coagulant and I was back in action.

Delicious Dinner this weekend...

On Saturday we celebrated our friend Damon's Birthday at an awesome Korean Restaurant called Jong Ga House in Oakland. I was excited to find this delicious dish on the menu - steak tartar with sesame oil, raw sliced garlic and a raw egg yolk. I drizzled a touch of the mustard sauce on it, broke the yolk and savored the tender chopped beef.

What are the Best Cooking Oils from Real Food University and several other folk...

photo from RealFoodDigest.com

I've been having a whole lot of fun experimenting with different cooking oils and fats. My favorite right now is ghee and bacon grease (which I always have on hand.) Coconut oil has so far been a snack.... I just scoop a spoon of it, put that spoon in my mouth and savor the sweet flavor.

I found a couple of great posts around the net that give the health and cooking whys and hows of different fats so I thought I'd include them all in one post.

Real Food University gives a short video on the best cooking oils.

Mark's Daily Apple combines two great tastes that taste great together - Ghee & Coconut Oil

and

Real Food Digest gives the what/how and why in their Complete Guide to Fats and Oils

So, tomorrow morning I am totally trying that ghee/coconut combo..... what do you like to cook with?

Baked Fennel at Martha Stewart Everyday Food

Photo from MarthaStewart.com

I was visiting my mom on Wednesday and enjoyed going through her Martha Stewart Everyday Food booklets. So  many lovely photos, great ideas and this recipe caught my eye... Baked Fennel with Parmesan and Thyme .

Lemon Chicken at Simply Recipes

Photo from Simply Recipes

I haven't tried this one yet but it looks delicious....

Lemon Chicken

over at one of my favorite recipe websites...

Simply Recipes!

Let me know if you try this one out. I see it in my kitchen in the near future :)

Easy Italian Wedding Soup

My go - to soup for a chilly night! 
Even BETTER the next day :)

Ingredients:
1 - 1lb Roll New York Style Brand hot Italian sausage
(or your favorite Italian style sausage)
2 boxes Kitchen Basics Original Chicken Stock
(my favorite stock with no weird ingredients)
2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
2  large organic eggs and 1 t-spoon oregano
1 head cabbage or bunch kale
1 yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 bunch celery
1 bunch flat leaf Italian parsley

Cauliflower-Goat Cheese Gratin on the Food Network

Photo from Food Network

Here's a favorite recipe for cold weather comfort

Cauliflower-Goat Cheese Gratin! 

I doubled the cauliflower and halved the cream.

I also added some chopped, sauteed onion and chopped flat leaf parsley. It was delicious!

Next time I think I'll crumble some crispy bacon and throw it on top! - Heidi

Happy New Year - 2012

Greetings ol' pals!


I usually write something around this time reflecting on the year 
and posting some goals for the next.

It's gonna be shorter and sweeter this time around!

My friend Jennifer Serr interviewed me recently. 

Read her interview at - Bonjour Teaspoon 

I've had a wonderful year and am feeling fit, fine and fabulous!


2011 in a few words:
Comedy pod-casts, periodic ear pain, By Nieves Handmade Natural Body-care, a new knowledge of bay-area traffic navigation, road trip to see Paul F. Tompkins, thrilling news of my brother's engagement, high and lonesome singing, total immersion / fascination / author crush of/on Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes, delightful anniversary trip to Carmel with lot's of Poki-by-the-sea sandy pawed frolicking, Brian's awesome birthday cocktail flight school at St. George Spirits, Cory and Khrys bought a house in Santa Cruz, bonding and beyond with the Lucky Ladies & my Women's Initiative leap group, mentored by talented musicians and lot's of good times with family and friends!


2012 Goal - Continued Happiness!

Christmas Poki!

Fourth of July with the Bennetts in Chico!

Brian and Heidi Married, August, 4th, 2007

Cary and Jenny - engaged!

Poki and I in Carmel

Sexy, Sexy, Science!

In January 2011 I wrote how I would stop dieting and only eat what I crave. But what nagged at me was that I felt that I didn't understand how my body worked, why I was still fat after eating all the "right" stuff, exercising a lot and my Dr's check-ups proved I was perfectly healthy!

Gary Taubes

I am so happy to have read Gary Taubes' book Why We Get Fat and watched Tom Naughton's movie Fat Head.

I learned how and why my body has been acting the way it has, why I've been told the wrong information my whole life (except when I was on Atkins in the '90s) and how to eat for my optimal health!

I can't say what is right for anyone else but if you like reading and thinking I recommend Gary's book and if you're more of a visual person give Tom's movie a whirl on Netflix streaming.

Tom Naughton

The Alameda Small Dog Blog: Poki and Friday cuddling on the table

I am posting pictures of Poki and her friends on the Alameda Small Dog Blog

click on over and enjoy!

Alameda Small Dog Blog

Play Guitar?

It's been a while since I mentioned my brother's cool website

Electric Guitar Review

Full of real reviews and overviews of guitars, equipment, etc.....

For those who LOVE to PLAY GUITAR.

Check it yo'!

Heidi