Local Artist making it into People magazine

Bag and Pants from RepurposingNOLA piece by peace

Recently at the O.C.H. market I had a booth next to a very talented local artist, Traci Claussen, who runs a company called, Repurposing Nola Piece by Peace.  Traci makes bags, clothes, and home items all out of recycled materials that have a great boho feel.  That day her table had a stream of shoppers and admirers for her earthy burlap totes, vegan leather bags and ipad sleeves, carpetbagger purses, and designer throw pillows.  Yet, I had no idea that her popularity spanned even further.

This past week I happened to pick up a copy of People magazine's style issue and while flipping through saw that one of Repurposing's bags made it into the EasyECO section.

I always get super excited when seeing local people making it into the bigger spectrum, but People magazine- whoa that's big!!  So I thought I would share her website in case anyone is looking for a unique holiday gift that is local and green.  These are some of my favorite picks.  

Beach Bottom Pants

Shopping Tote

Burlap Christmas Stockings

Men's Vegan Travel Kit

What's for dinner tonight...

VIETNAMESE CLAY POT CHICKEN

courtesy of:  http://appetiteforchina.com

You know how there are just some dishes that people love so much that it can cheer them up at the first sight and smell - well this is one of them for my husband.  While I tend to cook more French and Spanish inspired dishes, my husband loves to cook Asian food - any region, but his cooking has been halted with his grueling travel schedule.  As a result, I have been trying to learn some of his favorite dishes to have ready upon his return.  

New Orleans is no stranger to Vietnamese food and culture, as we have one of the largest populations of Vietnamese residents outside of Vietnam- and I couldn't be happier about this- because I love Vietnamese food.  Of course the Pho is delicious, but Vietnamese cuisine is also very sophisticated cuisine with the blending of French and Asian influence.  I have some familiarity with Vietnamese flavors from visiting many local restaurants here and I decided upon this dish for the return home dinner tonight.  It came out fantastic.  **I substituted skinless chicken thighs in the recipe and was very happy with the turnout.

Vietnamese Clay Pot Chicken

Serves 4

• 2 pounds chicken thighs or legs,  **skin-on
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 bird’s eye chilis or other small red peppers, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• Cilantro springs for garnish (optional)

1. Blot the chicken with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Combine the soy sauce, water, white vinegar, fish sauce, and lemon juice in a bowl and set aside.
3. Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, carefully place the chicken thighs in the wok skin-side down and sear for about 5 minutes, until the skin is golden brown. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
4. In a clay pot, Dutch oven, or deep skillet over medium heat, melt the brown sugar while stirring frequently to avoid scorching. When the sugar fully liquifies, immediate pour in the soy sauce mixture. Add the chicken, onions, chilis, garlic, and ginger. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 to 35 minutes, until the chicken is very tender and the sauce has reduced by at least half.
5. Use tongs to transfer the chicken to a serving dish. Pour the sauce over the chicken, garnish with cilantro springs, and serve hot with rice on the side.

Babiators...Cute and Protective

This is my Sunshine for the Day!!
http://www.babiators.com/?gclid=CLfMlLe60bMCFZGPPAodGTIAaw

See Other Adorable Pics Here : http://www.babiators.com/photos#3893

Etsy Findings for Chloe's Room - trying to avoid Pink

I felt a Marquis Light was Necessary -
Her's is a C for Chloe
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RatAlley?ref=seller_info

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/99702594
Got to know how to say and spell everything NOLA - they just forgot Tchoupitoulas
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KindredSpiritHome?ref=seller_info

A way to learn the Alphabet - this wooden piece can be dragged anywhere in the house to emphasize the alphabet
http://www.etsy.com/shop//OhDierLiving
LOVE THIS SHOP!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ranranarts

Great Hand Drawn Pics that she can have past babydome

Boppy Pillow Cover for Floor Time activities
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsbyChristyS?ref=seller_info

Elephant Hooks for all Cute Little Hanging things
http://www.etsy.com/shop//Theshabbyshak




LOTS OF LOVE TO THE ETSY COMMUNITY!!

Music Together NOLA

This past Fall Chloe and I have been attending a music class put on by Ms. Lala's Music Together NOLA.  It has been a fantastic experience and is a wonderful introduction to music for children.  This past class our teacher, local musician Kristina Morales  ( fantastically talented singer and artist), mentioned to me that there wasn't a high turnout for the classes and she wasn't sure they would continue.  As a result I wanted to post this blog entry with the information.  Please, take a moment to visit the website http://musictogethernola.com/ if you have a baby or small child and think they may benefit from taking a music class.  It is very fun and silly and is a great experience to share with your child and get interactive.

O.C.H. Art Market

O.C.H. Art Market

Zeitgeist Mult-Disciplinary Arts Center

For many years I have been making jewelry as a hobby and participating in craft shows to sell my creations.  This past weekend I was in the OCH art market in Central City, New Orleans, selling hand-made jewelry for my new line called, One World Bead Co.    My hobby started with collecting unique beads from my travels and incorporating them into personal jewelry and then it just progressed from there.  In the past few years I have used mostly all-recycled or natural materials in creating jewelry and have enjoyed becoming more Green with this hobby.  This past art market at OCH had a recycled theme, so I thought i would be a great place to display and sell some of my work.

SOME OF THE LOOT

This current market had a Recycled Home Furnishings Design Contest, a free painting area for kids, lots of great food from many of the Food Trucks from the area as well as healthy and tasty treats from TSAI, and many great fun art and craft vendors like myself.  There also happened to be a free concert from Kermit Ruffins!!

Besides having a wonderful theme this week, the OCH market delivers something great every month to its community and to New Orleans.  Central City, as many people know, has been blighted by crime and negative press.  Many residents avoid this area of town entirely, viewing it as unsafe.  However, members of the community get together and put this market on monthly to create something positive in the area.  The hope is to bring more people and business into this area and to put it back into a better light.

I was happy to be a part of the market this past weekend, though the turnout was sparse.  I would  love to see more people at such a great local event- however it was a busy weekend with lots going on and beautiful weather ( which is always a positive and negative in New Orleans - too much on the social agenda).  My high point from the market was when my husband and daughter, Chloe, came to visit me - and she had this portrait of her done.  A 10 minute portrait painting for $5- that just really can't be beat.  Thanks O.C.H. it was a fun day and now we will have a memento of it forever.

Little Chloe in her Dad's Arms

What's For Dinner Tonight....Rainbow Chard

Gorgeous Local Rainbow Chard

I would serve this as a side with some Beef, Bison, or Pork

Sautéed Rainbow Chard with Raw Beets and Goat Cheese

Serves 4 to 6

This is a "use it up" recipe, so the amounts of vegetables are not set in stone. Use what you have or need to get rid of. For a complete meal, add a poached egg and a handful of roasted nuts or chickpeas.

3-4 medium-sized beets with the leaves
1 large bunch rainbow chard
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces of goat cheese, crumbled

For the dressing:
2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper

Chop off the beet greens and set them aside. Peel the beets and either grate them on a box grater or in a food processor. You should have about 2-3 cups of shredded beets.

Wash the beet greens and chard. Shake to remove excess water, but no need to dry. Remove the tough center ribs and give them a rough chop. Stack the leaves on top of each other and slice them crosswise into thick ribbons.

Heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven or pot on medium heat. Add the stems and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the leaves of the chard and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the leaves have wilted and taste very tender. If the leaves still taste bitter, season with additional salt. Transfer the chard to a large bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.

To make the dressing, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper, then stream in the olive oil while whisking vigorously.

Combine the greens and the shredded beets, and toss with the vinaigrette (depending on how much chard you have and how saturated you want your greens, you may have some vinaigrette left over). Serve, topping each plate with goat cheese.

This salad will keep refrigerated for up to one week. Wait to top with goat cheese until serving.

Recipe Courtesy of http://www.thekitchn.com 

Enjoy!!!