Tofu Pie

Yes, Tofu pie. And it's amazing. I'm always looking for new desserts to make since being diagnosed and I swear I will never live down Scotty's first birthday cake. It was a great lemon English tea cake ... for breakfast ... in England ... with tea. But I iced it and attempted to serve it to our friends. Not OK. I still get grief for it.

But now I have it. The best pie ever and I will continue to make it for every event. I'm stoked!

I package Tofu (I used Silken Firm and it came out fudge-like consistency. I'm going soft next for more of a mousse)
Semi sweet chocolate chips
Coconut Milk (although Almond or Soy works)
Salt
Vanilla Extract (I also added Rum extract)
Agave nectar (I'll leave this out next time for less sweet)
Melt the chocolate. Blend it in a blender. Pour in a pie crust. I found an unbleached wheat flour chocolate pie crust at the Farmers Market. It was ridiculous.

Best. Healthy. Dessert. Ever.

Giggity, giggity

I survived. I am 31 and I survived an entire birthday weekend. In fact, I really enjoyed myself. It was fantastic to take time away from work, allow myself to relax and truly be happy in my home, my relationship and my life.

The celebration began VIP style with ridiculous seats to watch the Mavs clinch a spot in the Finals. I mean, amazing seats chilling with an Olympic medalist. We swapped numbers. You know, cause we're friends now.

The next couple days were fun dinners with friends, sleeping in, brunch, my favorite Texadelphia lunch, a little shopping, a few killer bday presents (hello Marc Jacobs) and some relaxing pool time. I even capped it all off with a girls dinner last night. The celebration is officially over. And I survived.

So bring it on 31. I'm ready for you!

Cool baubles

Last week I spent 72 hours of my life at work. This week, I'll leave the store today at 61 with a partial day to work tomorrow. I'm whittling my time down. I am most definitely tired, but happy. So, so, so very happy.

Last night was a great event, well the event was a total bomb when it comes to attendance, but we still made sales and I scored a fantastic pair of new earrings. And made a new connection for unique stuff in the store. AND scored a reason to send a press release, which I did. So hopefully someone will start paying attention to us up here and giving me some coverage...

For your pleasure - pics from last night:

Fantastic Relaxation

This was a great weekend. Three days of 4th festivities with friends, all feeling a bit on the grown-up side. I sincerely loved it. And I even found myself able to relax enough by Monday evening to look around and take a deep breathe, appreciative of the evening. For the most part, I spend events either running around taking care of things or feeling on the outside. Since reading my highly mentioned book, I'm doing better about both.

My self esteem isn't based on others perceptions of me.

Saturday Boo's parents came in to toast the new store and check out what we're up to. After a long day with them we headed to Addison for our recently married friends. It was a casual get-together with burgers, beer, fun times and then fireworks. We hiked to a nearby bridge to watch the local shenanigans.

Sunday we hosted the pool portion of the weekend, but it was really so calm and quiet. The ladies lounged in the sun and the guys sat around the food. You know you've reached adulthood when there's more food (and gourmet food) than beer at your parties. I made a tomato, basil, bell pepper salad tossed in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon zest, salt and pepper. And a low fat ricotta processed with lemon juice, Splenda and vanilla extract, topped with fresh berries in lemon juice and Splenda. And firecracker burgers made with cayenne, spicy mustard and red onions. The other ladies contributed slow roasted pulled pork, "potato" salad made with cauliflower and taboulleh. So exciting!

We finished off the weekend with a couples viewing of the Bachelorette and a rooftop hotdog cookout. It sincerely couldn't have been a better weekend leading up to a crazy week of store-ness.

It's a beautiful day

Whew! Quick break with pink lemonade and blogging before diving back into work. Last night was fantastically fantabulous (yes, it was that good), but exhausting. I was in 5" heels for the first time in months, not to mention for 6 hours. But I rocked out my Abi Ferrin dress AND had a successful business night.

The raffle items were huge hits and everyone had a great night. All said and done, I raised $300 for the ADA and I couldn't be more thrilled for the response, turnout and fun times. I even left with requests for more events in the future. That's right. Leave 'em wanting more.

To celebrate, I took a faux workday and took my hot friend Jen to market to help me pick out items for tomorrow's event in The Worth. Lunch at Jake's and a stop at Michael's pretending to be creative. No rest for the weary. Another event awaits and another market this weekend. Good Lord, I would like a nap. What's this unemployment thing? I'm busier now than I've been since moving back to the South!

I suppose I'm getting into this picture thing, because here's a shot from last night.

Party in the USA

So apparently I'm still capable of a hangover. However (thankfully) they are subtle and caused by a minimal amount of adult beverages. No matter that cause, I did not want to get out of bed this morning and am still walking around with my eyes half open. I'm certain the cold rain beating steadily on the window and the sound of water under the tires of passing cars isn't helping. That is such a "naptime" setting. I'm rambling.

Boo made coffee this morning, warning me it was stout. I think it tastes fantastic and I would like a gallon. Perhaps an IV. But all is worth it! (well, the headache part doesn't really feel qualified). Last night was the Super Bowl and quite a fantastic party. I was able to make food, be ready on time, enjoy myself with friends and even have the placed cleaned up before going to bed. Perfect party! It was also my first party to host as an actual resident. A friend of a friend in from NYC told me my place was beautiful. - pat on the back -

Since moving in I've made a few decorative changes and think the place looks quite good myself. Loving the accolade. Oh, and the Saints won. That always helps. I wore my black and gold in support. And I currently need more coffee. I swear I only had 3 diabetic mimosas. I mean, full size plastic cup versions, but I used the good stuff. The black bottle, Freixnet, or something like that. It's fantastic. And Trop 50! Half the sugar and calories. Oh, whatever. I just need coffee.

Oh good grief

I'm not sure how to explain how I'm feeling right now. I guess I'll just start at the beginning. Brittany Murphy and Casey Johnson recently died, both having diabetes. I, too, was recently diagnosed and am working hard at figuring it out every day. But it's scary to have something chronic and not even just that, but to be in the 5% with Type-1, more prone for health issues. As far as causes of death, it turns out Brittany had pneumonia and anemia and instead of going to the doctor, self medicated, therefore complicating the situation and collapsing. That's a lesson in itself.


But Casey Johnson died of Diabetic Ketoacidosis - which means her blood sugar was so high for so long that her body shut down, placing her in a coma. Most diabetics are actually diagnosed this way. Insulin lowers your blood sugar, so if you aren't taking it because you don't know that you need it, then your blood sugar remains way too high, eventually leading to a coma. People collapse and are diagnosed in the ER. I am a slave to Web MD when I don't feel well and diagnosed myself. The doctor told me that I was days away from collapsing and ending up in the ER myself. I had Diabetic Ketoacidosis. I had what Casey Johnson died from.

Diabetics don't die just from slipping into a coma. When they are treated right away they come out on the other side; however, she was alone. She lay unconscious alone and died. From high blood sugar.

So I suppose it's understandable to say that I can't really explain how I feel right now. I take my insulin. I adhere to a diet. I work hard to take care of myself to the point that I am so stressed I can't sleep at night and my boyfriend and I fight. This does not help my attitude. It terrifies me.

But I found something I think that will help me. I met with a rep for the America Diabetes Assocation's Dallas office because I am going to do a fundraiser. I'm planning a networking happy hour at a local restaurant for the community to get together, meet & greet and get to know each other. And in addition, I'm donating the proceeds to the ADA. There is over $4 million in diabetic research in North Texas alone. I'm donating to that research. Casey had Type-1. There is currently no cure. Type-2 can be prevented and in some cases cured. This is 95% of all cases. But for those of us in that 5%, I want to do something. For myself.

Uh-Oh

Each January Boo's friend throw a big bash with giant Jenga, flip cup, beer pong - the works. It's aptly titled January Kegger. It's happened for years now. Last year, my first attempt at January Kegger, I came down with the flu and had 102 fever and sat on the couch in coat, hat, gloves, scarf and more shivering until I gave up and went home to soup, a heater and medicine. I MUST attend this year.

Lo and behold, a conflict. Maybe it isn't a conflict to anyone else, but this is MY tradition. This is something I've done every year for almost a decade now that I hold very near and dear to my heart. Miss America is LIVE on TLC the exact same night and start time as January Kegger.

The only reason this isn't an absolute, total and complete disaster is because of the invention of DVR. But it's just not the same. And I know there is no chance in the universe that I could ever get anyone to understand what a big sacrifice this is for me. And I am not being sarcastic, although I can imagine that most people would think I was joking about the whole pageant thing to begin with. However, I am not. I promise you.

Oh, boo hiss.

party hardy

As an event planner, I've done multiple weddings of size and scale, learning something new with each one. This last NYE was, however, my first public party. And it was amazing. I had people trying to get in, trying to buy tickets last minute. I made close to $1400 after all said and done, which is barely more than what I should have charged the throw the party. And over half of the guests and staff said it was the best NYE ever. That is an accomplishment. Now I need to hurry up with the site and cards to continue getting my name out there.

I think what made it such a great night were the details. I chose a themed evening, offering the option to dress up. I floated 200 silver and black balloons over the dance floor with curling ribbon hanging down. I played old movies matching the theme on the big screen in the background. The DJ stuck to the theme (however he probably needed to modern it up a bit. The guests wanted to party, which means generic beats and loud bass). I hand selected party gear that was classier, yet bright and fun. There was even a backdrop to get your picture taken. Even the menu and drinks were themed. And true to theme party, there was a best dressed award. I'm incredibly proud of the night.

So now I have to figure out which party to throw next!