Free in Floyd

Floyd, Virginia. 

So great seeing family, and enjoying the countryside.  

Lets play catch up !

The past few weeks have been beyond busy, and I have been unable to post; but of course, I'm always taking pictures.

Instead of posting ten blogs back to back, I thought I would post some images of what the past two weeks have brought me!

I took a trip with my team of awesome ladies to Hot Springs!  We had a blast!  It was a much needed release from a few busy weeks, and I quickly found out, that this group of women and I were long lost friends.  I felt so comfortable just being myself around these girls.  No judgements.  No drama. All fun.  It has been a while since I have found a group of ladies that I can safely say are the same as me when it comes to just wanting to have fun with no drama.  They remind me of home, and they give me a sense of peace that Asheville can provide me with some girl friends... one of my biggest worries since I moved here.  

I took a hike with my boss, that is more like my twin than anything else, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery that Hot Springs had to offer us.  It was cold and windy, but my body didn't care, as the beauty of mountains were enough to keep me warm for hours.   

One morning last week, I decided to make a huge salad for my feathered ladies!  They absolutely love it when I bring them all kinds of compost scraps; but today, they weren't getting left overs!  Occasionally I will prepare them a full out meal of yummy fruit and veggies.  They pretty much eat what we eat 24/7, but sometimes I really go all out with there breakfast!  

After chopping away inside, I carried the bowl of apples, spinach, romaine, cabbage, grapes, and squash out to their coop in the brisk 20 degree weather at 6AM.  I stuffed their "fruit cage" tight with the mixture knowing it will keep them entertained to peck at the cage to get their prize! 

Grains are another part of their diet, so after stuffing their faces with fruit and veggies, they will move on to their organic feed and grain ball of a full day of eating pleasure! 

Happy little feathered ladies, these girls are! Even in the cold and dark, they cluck away at their delicious breakfast! 

Butt's in the air means these hens are scratching and eating; their favorite game to play! 

I took a trip to The Wedge in the river arts district with Michelle.  As I said above, more of my twin than my boss, this woman knows how to have a good time! We laughed and cried as we shared stories of life and enjoyed her favorite beer, Gollum.  I was so happy to be introduced to this brew, as it is a limited edition only brewed once a year.  A beer so special, they limit you to only 2 before they cut you off. Don't even think about getting a pitcher of this wholesome concoction.. they will shut you down fast! :) 

The Wedge is a sweet little whole in the wall, with lots of character and art.  This place is an awesome summer time spot; the outside adorned with people, dogs, food trucks, and corn hole!  

Two weeks ago, Adam, John and I took a trip to Foggy Mountain again. We walked down church street in the dark after work one night and got to stare at the beautiful stone structures in the street lights.  No matter how many times I walk this street, I always look at the churches like it's my first time seeing them.  

We decided to go into Foggy Mountain for their first open mic night.  A little disappointed, and a little impressed, we sat at our usual table listening to the sounds Asheville's local songwriters had to offer.  

Over this past weekend, Adam and I decided to finally hang my window.  If you know anything about me, you know that I am IN LOVE with anything rustic, wooden, decrepit, and natural.  

A few months ago, when my old office was remodeling a building to make it our new office, I watched as they tore these massive old windows out of the building.  I knew as I saw them carry them out of the wall that I HAD to have one!   

Leaving work to run across the street, I waved my hands at the construction workers in hopes of getting their attention so I could attempt to snag a window.   After chatting with the general contractor, he agreed, to move the window across the street for me so I could take it home.  

Adam and I cleaned her up and mounted her on the wall! The window is beautiful ( and heavy ) and I cannot wait to paint a mural on the wall behind it so it appears you are looking out of it into an awesome landscape! 

Adam and I decided to take Martini on a walk one weekend. Poor little girl has been stuck in the house in this horrible, cold weather!  She was more than anxious on our one semi-warm day to get our and stroll around the park.  We met all kinds of dogs and she sniffed everything the park had to offer her.  After, we thought wetting our pallets was a good idea, and traveled to The Funkatorium for some amazing sour brews! 

This one was a little tart and definitely made my mouth pucker! 

The following week I enjoyed a scrumptious dinner with my co-workers at Zambra!  This tapas bar is no joke, as they have amazing decor and delightful food!  

Rustic wall cut out's house miniature scenes full of character! 

Later in the week I decided I was going to do something for myself! Instead of sitting in the office on my lunch break, I would go to the river!  The best part about living in Asheville is that there is always a cozy spot to hang right around every corner.  Who doesn't wish they could have this view just a few miles from their place of work!? 

Later in the week, and evening of meal preparation was in order, and Kale chips were on the menu!  I cleaned two huge bunches of kale and separated it to make some scrumptious and healthy snacks!  Its so easy to go astray from your diet if you don't have something to snack on that is healthy.  These little babies keep Adam and I on the go and they are full of flavor!  After seasoning and sprinkling some olive oil on them, they were ready to go in the oven! 

Finally at the end of the week, I got a visit from my brother!  I was so happy to see him as we didn't get to spend thanksgiving or Christmas together.  Justin only lives 3.5 hours away, but with both of our lives being so busy, its hard for us to find time to see each other.  I get so excited when he decides to come up.  Even if we just get to sit on the couch, I'm pleased to be in his company! 

Justin and I shared some brother and sister time alone at Catawba Brewery.  This neat little hole in the wall offers an amazing beer selection and fun decor. Its a little cold, so if you visit, be sure to wear a sweater!  They cement walls and stone floor are awful chilly! 

We enjoyed listening to a local bluegrass band while sipping beer and catching up, and before we knew it, our old age kicked in with yawns by 8:45 PM!   

Before we head out, I of course have to document our time together.  Justin likes to fuck with me.  Example.. every time I went to take a pic, he made a funny face, haha. Reason #59987 why I love him.

After purchasing a growler and loading up in the car, we headed home to a sick Adam to conclude the weekend.   The past few weeks have been loaded with fun and although I haven't been able to write, I'm glad I was able to snap some photos! 

K.

Tea for Dana

I woke up this morning not wanting to leave my plethora of blankets.  Its been so cold, that I swear Jack Frost himself kisses my windows every morning and evening.  I got up and gathered my sweat pants, sweat shirt, and bathrobe, and bundled up as I headed to the kitchen.  This morning I had a task; make tea for Dana, but first, breakfast!

I decided to make us some scrambled eggs.  Green peppers, Cilantro, sea salt, & black pepper were all in order.  A big pile of veggie eggs with an avocado on the side was the perfect kick start to my

day.  

After breakfast I spent some time outside with our chickens.  Even in the cold, these fluffy girls are full of life.  Pecking at every bug, piece of grass, or fruit scraps they find on the ground, they walked around our yard clucking and cooing as if  they had not a care in the world.  I sat on our porch and gazed out at them as they walked around.  Taking in the morning air, I breathed deep and thanked nature for the little bit of warmness ( 39 degrees ) I was feeling.  

As I entered back into the house from letting my breakfast digest, I knew it was time for me to start my task for the morning: make Dana's tea!  

Dana and I have known each other for 10 years, and although we don't get to talk much, he is always pleasant to have a conversation with and we catch up every now and then.  Dana and I met at school in Virginia.  Over the years we have kept up with where each other is via Facebook.  As much as I despise the drama I see on Facebook, I love it for the fact that I can keep up with old friends.  

Dana had seen my posts online about my herbal remedies and homemade teas, and asked if I would create a blend for him to drink in the morning for overall wellness.  I was delighted when he asked and took the request as a challenge to make something new!  Like a scientist excited to get new chemicals, I headed to the Herbiary this weekend to get my ingredients for Dana's tea.  

I decided to make Dana a wellness tea that would taste robust and refreshing for the morning, and be packed with Vitamin C for the flu season.  After doing some research, I decided to use rosebuds, fennel seed, lemongrass, cinnamon chips, hibiscus flowers and honey granules.  

Rosebuds, and hibiscus are packed with Vitamin C.  The rosebuds also contain Vitamins A, B and E.  They have zinc, calcium and iron as well.  Fennel seed and cinnamon aid in digestion, and lemongrass is high in calcium, magnesium, and iron.  

I got whole hibiscus petals and needed to break them up so they would blend in the tea perfectly. 

I added the honey granules to the tea for a nice sweet kick!  The rose petals, and hibiscus add a floral berry taste while the fennel adds a touch of licorice.  The honey granules will help to balance all of the flavors and make this tea, perfect for the morning.  

While mixing the herbs and flowers with my hands, I'm overtaken with the aroma of wellness. The smells that erupt from my mixing bowl are fruitful and calming, and I can't wait for Dana to try it! 

After packing the herbs into their new home, I seal them up to be shipped to California to their new owner.  Dana, I hope you enjoy your tea! 

Foggy Mountain Church Street

A late afternoon phone call had me head to Foggy Mountain. The temperature felt as though it was dropping by the second, as I walked down the sidewalk of Church Street.  

Church street looks exactly like it sounds.  A street adorned with churches on either side of the road.  Churches so beautiful, it would make even a non-believer want to enter them.  Each of the churches have beautiful stone work decorating the outside of them, with huge, carved, wooden doors in which you would enter the sanctuary.  

As you near downtown the churches start to fade, and the tall buildings become more prevalent.  I like walking up church street as it's quiet and semi hidden from the chaos of downtown.  It's a one-way street, so it's not as busy as the other streets in downtown, and offers a peaceful venture to what is becoming one of my favorite brew pub's, Foggy Mountain.   

Foggy Mountain is one of the smallest brew pubs I've been to in Asheville.  A large open room with a bar and a few tables, this little pub has everything it needs to please its local crowd.  Good beer, tasty food, and background music that is unique and entertaining compared to the typical tunes you hear in a bar.  

The best part about Foggy Mountain, is that they have live entertainment on select nights, and due to the venue being so small, the sound is incredible! A new addition to their music schedule is open mic nights on Thursday's that will feature local artists performing their own work opposed to covers.  Being a lover of music and a musician, it will be awesome to experience the music Asheville's local artists have brewing in their heads.  

After a tasty salad, and a Kolsch, with my best friend,  John and my lover, Adam, we decide to hit the road and go our separate ways.  John to a concert, and Adam and I to our toasty home, where a fire and a movie sound so warm on this cold evening I practically jump out of my seat.  

We begin the trek back down Church street, and as always, I admire the beauty in the archetecture of these collasal stone buildings one last time for the night.  Shivering in my car, I crank up the heat and head for home, for a peaceful, Friday night.  

K.

http://www.foggymountainavl.com

Peppermint Wonderland & Breakfast Casserole

Adam and I [ attempt to ] get up every morning at 5:45 AM.  Our bed is so cozy, adorned with a thick quilt, with a woodland scene containing bears and pine trees on it, and pillows to match.  Each morning as I hear the alarm beeping, I sink down into my cozy pile of blankets and pillows and try not to hit the 'snooze' button.  Especially on a morning like today, when it was a whopping 4 degrees
 outside.

This morning, we were on a mission, so waking up at exactly 5:45AM had to happen.

I recently have gone back on the paleo diet, as I am noticing in my ripe late 20's, that my belly seems to grow for no reason.  I definitely cannot eat the same way I used to.  I may be naturally skinny, but even skinny girls can be out of shape, and out of shape I am!

This morning our mission was to make a yummy paleo casserole for breakfast, that we could eat on for lunch and dinner as well if we so choose. The prep began last night in order to expedite the process this morning, and as I mixed my ingredients together the smells of healthy, natural food filled the house like warm cookies coming out of the oven.

Before I could start, I of course had to make a cup of tea.  This morning I chose peppermint tea.  Peppermint has a way of filling every part of me.  The taste and smell are strong and slightly spicy.  Even now as I write and take a sip, my tongue starts to tingle as though my taste buds are dancing in a peppermint wonderland.   Peppermint is very beneficial to the body as it relieves almost all stomach ailments, clears skin, helps digestion, promotes weight loss, and can give you a great sense of stress and sinus relief.  If you ever are feeling down, achy, stressed, etc; peppermint is the way to go!

After my tea had brewed, I started combining all of my ingredients. You start by adding a tablespoon of bacon fat to your pan.  I chose to add Ghee to my pan instead.  Ghee is clarified, organic butter made from organic milk.   It's hard to find, but its a wonderful way to supplement butter in your diet without eating actual butter.  After the fat [or Ghee] melts, add in a whole diced yellow onion and minced garlic.  Let the onion get soft, and then add a pound of ground, grass fed beef.  Continue to cook your beef until it browns and then add your spices.  Cumin, salt, pepper, chili powder, and oregano are all in order for this luscious dish.

After your concoction is mixed and browned, pat your beef down into the bottom of your pan, making it look almost patty like.  Add shredded sweet potato on top and pat this down as well.  The sweet potato looks like cheese and add a rich taste!  Top with enchilada sauce or salsa and cover for 8-10 minutes to simmer so the sweet potato softens.  Once the potato is softened, remove from heat and mix in 6 wished eggs.

After this, place the pan in the oven.  For this reason, I cooked everything in my trusty cast iron skillet ( thanks for the wedding present, John!) so I could easily throw the dish into the oven instead of having to transfer the ingredients to a baking dish.  If you don't have a cast iron skillet, transfer into a baking dish and go from there.   Then go invest in a cast iron skillet because you will love life that much more.

Bake your casserole at 450 degrees for 25 minutes, and voila, you have a yummy, healthy, breakfast [lunch and dinner] casserole!

* For a complete list of ingredients, send me an email at: kalaver@gmail.com.