Wellness Wednesday

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Looking for something new to try but don’t want the hassle?

Here is an easy , yet healthy alternative! This could even be an alternative to pizza if you think about it.

Ingredients:

Whole grain bread
Low-fat Mozzarella cheese sliced thick
Tomato slices
White onion slices
Turkey Bacon (optional!!)
Green onions cut up
Directions:

Pretty self explanatory but here it is. Put slices of thick mozzarella on bread and put in the oven on broil. Watch it (it won’t take long) until nice and slightly brown on top and melted. Make sure it is melted. Nothing is worse than almost melted cheese. Add bacon and sliced tomatoes, white onion and green onions.

Serve with a small side salad with ranch dressing. Perfect lunch.

(Avoid eating this for dinner. Keep dinner light.)

Free Events Thursday!

by Lydia Free Events Thursday

Texas Contemporary Art Fair

September 04, 2014 – September 07, 2014

Friday, September 5 11:00am to 7:00pm; Saturday, September 6 11:00am to 7:00pm; Sunday, September 7 12:00pm to 6:00pm

George R. Brown Convention Center

Entering its fourth installment, Texas Contemporary continues to gain traction in relevance and size, mirroring the economics and demographics of its host city, one of the country’s fastest growing markets. This year, an anticipated 70-plus galleries will showcase original works from the most innovative and progressive international and local artists today. New participants, drawn to the fair for reasons ranging from the production quality and caliber of galleries to the increasing attendance levels, price point and overall sales.

Price: $25.00

Free Children’s Museum, Houston Zoo, Museum of Fine Arts to Bank of America Cardholders

First full weekend of every month!

free admission for Bank of America cardholders this weekend. Bank of America’s national program, “Museums on Us,” provides free admission the first full weekend of every month to 150 participating museums and venues.

In Houston area, that free admission includes the Houston Zoo, Children’s Museum of Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Free admission is limited to Bank of America credit/debit card holders only, and not their children. Check museum links for hours and location.

Price: FREE!!!

First Saturday Art Crawl

April 05, 2014 – January 03, 2015 (Recurring monthly on the 1st Saturday) from 4:00PM – 7:00PM

Houston Socialites Club

On the first Saturday each month, join HSC for a fun, social art crawl around Houston, followed by dinner/drinks. Each month will feature a different art cluster/neighborhood, and includes these old favorites: Gallery Row, Montrose, Rice, Upper Kirby, Heights, to name a few. For couples and singles over 30.

Price: FREE!!!

First Saturday Arts Market

May 03, 2014 – May 02, 2015 (Recurring monthly on the 1st Saturday)

11-6 Sept – May

548 W. 19th Street, Houston, TX 77008

First Saturday Arts Market is a monthly outdoor fine arts event featuring the works of dozens of visual artists. Located in the Historic Houston Heights by Gen’s Antiques at 548 W. 19th St. at Lawrence St., the market showcases paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and handcrafted items. Bring the entire family and come enjoy the great outdoors, live music and delicious fare from some of the area’s best gourmet food trucks.

Price: FREE!!!

Time Warp Classic Concert Series

Saturday, September 06, 2014 at 7:30-9:30 pm

Sugar Land Town Square

Don’t miss the Timewarp Classic Concert Series featuring music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Catch the double feature with Already Gone (Eagles Tribute) and Abbey Road (Beatles Tribute) Bands.

Price: FREE!!!

Open Hangar and WWII Aircraft and Museum

September 06, 2014 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

West Houston Airport, Hangar B-5
18000 Groschke Rd, Houston, TX 77084

The Houston Wing of the Commemorative Air Force invites you and your family, friends or group to visit our Hangar and tour our WWII Museum on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. Get up close to our Wing’s 5 flyable WWII military aircraft. Go inside a WWII Paratroop aircraft and climb into the cockpit of a WWII trainer. Our hangar is located at the West Houston Airport 2 miles north of I-10, just east of Barker Cypress on Groschke Rd. (For detailed directions go to: www.houstonwing.org) The Commemorative Air Force is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and flying military aircraft so that younger generations can appreciate the role of military aviation through history in the defense of our country and the preservation of our liberties.

Price: FREE!!!

Centennial Family Fest Celebrates Houston Ship Channel’s 100th Birthday

Saturday, September 06, 2014 from 2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Bayport Cruise Terminal

4700 Cruise Road, Pasadena, TX 77586

During the festival, attendees will be dazzled by many exciting and educational activities and attractions ranging from tours of the M/V Sam Houston Vessel, a tug boat tug-of-war, an interactive antique fire truck, toy sailboat games, face painting, treasure hunts and much more.

Additionally, historic Houston Ship Channel movies and exhibits will educate festival goers about the importance of the ship channel and the port. The daily traffic of the ship channel will serve as the festival’s lively backdrop. A variety of food, beverages and treats will also be available.

Parking will be accessible on site and a shuttle service will run to and from nearby parking areas.

Price: FREE!!!

Shadows on the Wall: Cameraless Photography from 1851 to Today

August 31, 2014 – November 30, 2014

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
1001 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77005

Drawn from the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Shadows on the Wall: Cameraless Photography from 1851 to Today presents 50 evocative images created with light and chemistry but without the use of a camera.

Price: Free on Thursdays and $15.00 and you can see the Houghton Hall: Portrait of an English Country House exhibit for free!

Wellness Wednesday

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Hi Framers!

Can you believe Summer is almost over and Fall is just around the corner?!

Well regardless of the “seasonal change” in Houston, here are a couple of easy healthy recipes to help you get ready for the Fall.

27 Awesome Easy Lunches To Bring To Work

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/awesome-easy-work-lunches#mzwu6s

Zucchini Pizza

(What could be better than hearing the words “healthy” and “pizza” in the same sentence?)

Zucchini Pizza is great healthy alternative to Pizza. Skip the bread, sub some veggies, still delicious!

Ingredients:
Zucchini
Marinara Sauce
Parmesan Cheese
Jack Cheese
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

1. Slice the Zucchini long ways. Heat up a pan with a bit of oil. Saute the Zucchini to until it’s almost cooked through. Go light on the oil, I always use a Paper Towel to get any excess oil off the Zucchini.

2. After you pat off the excess oil. Put your Zucchini on tin foil or a cookie sheet and build your pizza. I add a little Salt and Pepper on the zucchini, spoon on some Marinara, Sprinkle Jack Cheese and Parmesan on top.

3. Broil on Low for 5 Minutes and you’re ready to eat your delicious and healthy Zucchini Pizza!

And for dessert…

NO BAKE Protein Peanut Butter Cups

Ingredients:
-4 Cupcake Liners
-2 TB of PB2
-1 TB of water (*may need more)
-2 TB of Plain Greek Yogurt
-1 TB of coco powder (unsweetened)
-1 Scoop of [Chocolate Muscle Milk Protein Powder]
*Optional:
-1 Stevia Packet or a small spoonful of Honey *For Taste

Directions:

1. Mix together the Coco Powder, Greek Yogurt, and [Chocolate Muscle Milk Protein Powder] . Slowly one TB at a time, add water, until the mixture is easy to pour (NOT THICK).

2. Next (in a separate bowl) mix together your PB2 & water. You may have to slowly add water so that this mixture is also a liquid consistent.

3. First pour your chocolate mixture into the bottom of the cupcake liners, about a quater of the way up. Then Pour your PB2 mixture in.

4. And one more time, Top it off with some more of the Chocolate Mixture. NOTE: You don’t want to fill these up too high since they are mostly “liquid”.

5. Now just pop them in the freezer for about 15 minutes and your all done! I store my leftover ones in the freezer in tupperware containers. They are a great snack when I’m having a chocolate craving!

Total Calories: 87 (one peanut butter cup)
*recipe makes 4 peanut butter cups

Free Events Thursday

by Lydia Free Events Thursday

Godspell

Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Miller Outdoor Theatre

AD Players present a free performance of Godspell at 8 pm Friday, at Miller Outdoor Theatre. It’s considered one of the biggest Broadway and off-Broadway hits of all time.

Price: This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. Free for the hill!

Critical Mass

Friday, Aug. 29, 2014 at 7 pm

Ride begins at 301 Milam downtown

Grab your bike and join Critical Mass, a group of bikers that ride the last Friday of each month from Market Square Park. Its goal is to advocate for a bike-friendly urban environment.

Price: FREE!!!

Amazing Houston Comic Con 2014

August 29, 2014

FRI 8/29: 3pm-8pm SAT 8/30: 10am-7pm SUN 8/31: 10am-6pm

George R. Brown Convention Center

The Amazing Houston Comic Con is a convention spanning the latest and greatest from the world of comic books. Hosted by family-owned Jay Company Comics, one of the largest comic book dealerships in the country, the event will bring the best of popular culture to Houston. The event will feature a show floor packed with more than 100 exhibitors, an exciting artist alley featuring more than 200 artists, and autograph sessions giving fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators.

Price: Adult Admission: Weekend passes are $60, Saturday passes are $35, and Friday- or Sunday-only passes are $25. VIP tickets range from $150-$200

Disney in Concert Magical Music from the Movies

Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014 at 8:00 pm

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Come be enchanted by DISNEY IN CONCERT Magical Music from the Movies with the Houston Symphony. When everyone joins together for memorable moments and melodies that Mouseketeers of all ages know by heart, it feels like a small world, after all. Pre-concert activities begin at 6:30 p.m.

Price: $15 orchestra seating / FREE mezzanine and lawn seating

Tomball Texas Music Festival

Saturday, Aug. 3oth, 2014 from 11 am – 6:30 pm.

201 S. Elm in Tomball

Live music from The John Evans Band, Jesse Raub, Jr., and Mike & the Moonpies. Food, music and free parking!

Price: FREE!!!

Answering the Call to Serve: Camp Logan, Houston, Texas 1917-1919

August 13, 2014 – November 15, 2014 (Recurring daily) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

1100 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002

Learn about the hidden part of Houston’s history that resides in the underbrush at Memorial Park. The exhibit explores the history of Camp Logan with help of local archaeologist and will feature The Heritage Society’s Permanent Collection of Camp Logan materials.

Price: FREE!!!

Wellness Wednesday!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Hi Framers!

I hop you all are having a great Wednesday so far.

If you are thinking about making a quick run to Starbucks later…don’t.

Check this article out and find out why!

http://foodbabe.com/2014/08/25/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte/

But if you’re one of those people (like myself) who just can’t resist a nice cup of whatever.

I have a solution for you-TEA! No artificial flavoring or sweetener added!

For those of you who might be new to the whole tea experience and are not sure of which ones to try, here is a little tip: The darker the tea the higher the caffeine.

Black teas are great if you are having a hard time staying awake. Add a small shortbread biscuit with your Earl/ Lady Grey or English Breakfast and you are all set to watch the exciting Cricket match…or Sherlock/ Downton/ Pride and Prejudice or whatever else you prefer!

Jasmine Green tea is also a wonderful choice for various health reasons, including losing weight. Aside from white tea, it’s the lightest of the teas and has no caffeine.

Warning: It is addicting! I drank two/ three cups of Twining’s Jasmine Green tea in one day. Very addicting. Just FYI.

Teas like Wild Sweet Orange and Passion from Tazo are perfect if you like a little flavoring once in awhile. Or spice things up a bit with Tazo’s Organic Chai tea!

So to put it plainly:

TEA is better than fatty, sugary, whipped-creamy anything and you never feel guilty after having a cup…or two.

So enjoy a nice cup of tea (iced or warm the next you time have the urge for a coffee shop)!

Recommended Teas:

Twining’s of London

– Anything!

Tazo

– Organic Chai

– Wild Sweet Orange (caffeine free)

– Passion (caffeine free)

Choice Organic Teas

– Rooibos Superfruit (caffeine free)

Taylors of Harrogate (Official tea of HRH The Prince of Wales)

– Early Grey

RC Bigelow Inc

– Darjeeling (The “champagne” of black tea)

– Earl Grey

– Green

– English Breakfast

Free Events Thursday

by Lydia Free Events Thursday

Houston Restaurant Weeks 2014

Participating Houston Restaurant Weeks Restaurants

August 1- September 1, 2014

For 32 days, diners will enjoy specially priced multi-course prix-fixe menus. Participating restaurants make donations to the Food Bank based upon their HRW sales. Check out the website for more details.

Price: $20-$45

Haircuts at Supercuts Studio

Supercuts Studio at 5727 Westheimer

August 14: 9 am – 11:45 am, 2 pm – 3:45 pm
August 15: 9 am – 11:45 am, 2:30 – 2:45 pm

Walk-ins are welcome or make an appointment! Email your name and phone number to supercutsstudiowestheimer@gmail.com. They will reply with your appointment time and date. Mention the cut you prefer in the email.

Price: FREE!!!

Summer Nights Salsa

Thursday, Aug 14, 2014 from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Discovery Green Conservancy

All the music, soul and passion of street-style Salsa. Plus bachata, merengue and salsa suelta. No partner required.

Price: FREE!!!

Full Gallop

8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays until September 14th.

Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway

Diana Vreeland was an American fashion icon for more than 50 years. As a columnist and fashion editor for Harper’s Bazaar and then editor for Vogue, the undisputed fashion bible of the era, Vreeland influenced styles, set trends and ran with a very famous crowd (she “discovered” Lauren Bacall, advised Jacqueline Kennedy, and was an early champion of Diane von Furstenberg, Manolo Blahnik and Oscar de la Renta). She was 70 when she was eventually fired from Vogue, and that’s where playwrights Mark Hampton and Mary Louise Wilson’s comedy Full Gallop picks up.

Price: $19-$65

Drama in the House: On Approval

5:00 p.m. August 17, 7:00 p.m. August 21

Museum of Fine Arts-Brown Auditorium Theater

1001 Bissonnet Houston, TX

Clive Brooks’s restored 1944 comedy On Approval caused a sensation at the 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival in L.A., Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Film Curator Marian Luntz says. “[When] it became available on 35mm…we just had to [get it on our schedule]!” The film, which has Brooks pulling double duty as director and star opposite actress Beatrice Lillie, follows two cash-poor aristocrats hoping to wed wealthy widows.

On Approval is one of a number of films that represent the English country house being shown in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibition, “Houghton Hall: Portrait of an English Country House.”

Price: $9

Blissful Warrior Yoga

Saturday, Aug 16, 2014 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Discovery Green Conservancy

Blissful Warrior Yoga, taught by Michelle and Anandaji, will unwind and rehabilitate you as well as challenge and strengthen you. You will discover the basics of vinyasa yoga, breath and fluidity, and the movement of energy, known in ancient cultures as prana, mana, or qi. Blissful Warrior Yoga brings together elements of tai chi, kung fu, balance techniques, and energy building poses.

Price: FREE!!!

Word Around Town Poetry Tour 2014

Aug. 14 – Boomtown Heights – 242 W. 19th St. at 8:00 pm
Aug. 15 – The Alley Kat Bar and Lounge – 3718 Main St. at 8:00 pm
Aug. 16 – Brasil – 2604 Dunlavy St. at 8:00 pm

The Word Around Town poetry tour is a week-long poetry marathon held at different venues. The lineup comprises Houston’s top poets and a select nightly feature that promises to bring the type of diversity and excitement that defines the Houston poetry scene.

Price: FREE!!!

“Back-To-School Event and Fashion Show” benefiting M.D. Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital

Saturday, Aug. 16th, 2014 at 1 p.m.

The Galleria
5015 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77056

Children, including pediatric cancer patients, and M.D. Anderson physicians will highlight this season’s popular trends on the runway with looks from Naartjie Kids, Macy’s, Peek Kids and more.

Price: FREE!!! Suggested donation of $10 – $25 for fashion show seating.

Nicole Longnecker Gallery opening reception: Help Yourself by Sketchy Neighbors

Saturday, Aug. 16th, 2014 at 6 p.m.

Nicole Longnecker Gallery
2625 Colquitt St.
Houston, TX 77098

Nicole Longnecker Gallery presents Help Yourself by Sketchy Neighbors, an exhibition inspired by self-help. The concepts and materials were randomly drawn and paired, defining the parameters for each artist’s piece.

Expect to see unorthodox materials such as modified Easy-Bake Ovens, cereal boxes and vitamins. As it’s Sketchy Neighbors tradition, some weirdness will most likely transpire during the opening reception. In conjunction, there will be an area for exhibition guests to make their own works of art using devices and processes created by Sketchy Neighbors.

Price: FREE!!! Proceeds from this creative zone area will benefit Neighborhood Centers.

Eat Well Wednesday!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

55 Healthy Snacks Under 200 Calories

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1792

Chocolate Nutella Fudge

(Gluten-free and no-bake!) (Plus it has absolutely ZERO added sugar and it can be made in 5 minutes flat!)

1/4 cup coconut butter, melted
1/4 cup choc-hazelnut spread or Healthy Nutella
1-2 tsp cocoa powder or cacao powder
65g very-ripe banana (about 1/4 a large banana)
1/8 tsp salt
sweetener if desired (Some people want it, others don’t.)

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. (It’s best if the coconut butter is not solid, and if you use a frozen banana be sure to thaw so it doesn’t harden the coconut butter.) After blending, taste to see if you’d like to add any sweetener. Scoop into a container or even a little pie pan, and put in the fridge or freezer so it will firm up. This is freezer fudge, so it needs to be kept cold. It makes a small serving, but feel free to double or triple the recipe!

Puff pastry waffles filled with fruit jam

Ingredients:

1 roll of puff pastry (± 230gr)

3 1/2 tsp fruit jam of your choice

1 egg yolk

icing powder, for decoration

1. Preheat waffle iron

2. Roll out puff pastry and cut out 14 circles, around 6 to 7cm each, (± 2,5inch), by using a glass

3. Two pastry circles per waffle are needed; place 1/2 tsp of fruit jam in the middle of one pastry circle

4. Beat the egg yolk and spread it on the border of the pastry circle with the jam on

5. Close the ‘waffle to be’ with 2nd pastry circle on top and press well on the edge, close the edge by using a fork

6. Place prepared pastry circles in the waffle iron, two at a time, (that is if your waffle iron can make 2 waffles at the same time) and bake them 6 to 8min. or until golden brown.

Once they are baked, let them cool for 5min., sprinkle with icing powder and serve warm.

MFA Monday: Lauren Ashlee Small

by Lydia MFA Mondays

When Grad School Becomes Worth It

Part 2

Finding my way out of the airport, hailing a cab, riding into the city to the serendipitous sound of Alicia Keys singing Empire State of Mind, and finding my way to my new home created adventure enough! It was here that I poured everything into my dancing. I tried new styles, met an array of crazy, talented people and movers, and explored my own craft of choreography. I began to want more. Spurred on by the sights and sounds of the city I entered my work into dance festival after festival and found the choreography well-received. I auditioned for a dance company, a cruise ship, and a few musical tours for the experience, interned and understudied with a dance company and performed with another all while completing the program at Ailey and receiving a scholarship for my next two semesters of training.

In New York I learned the value of hard work. With mandatory classes all morning and afternoon there wasn’t much time left for traditional work. Several days a week after class I booked it from Midtown to the Upper East Side to babysit the cutest kid in the world across from Central Park. I worked at Saks 5^th Avenue as often as I could and picked up gigs here and there including weekend work for the 2011 New York Bridal Expo. I learned determination, commitment, and the power of resolve by pushing past obstacles in my technique, choreography, and performance, but more importantly in life. Dancenyc.org became my go-to website for audition postings and choreographic opportunities, and I used the small stage in the basement of the building where I lived to hold rehearsals for my various projects.

Between the load of classes, rehearsing, and walking everywhere I possibly could, I built up endurance and conditioned my muscles and mind in a new way. The struggle to walk up and down the busy streets of Manhattan and not get trampled was lesson enough in itself.

Everyone has a place to be, a strategy, and a story. It was this experience of walking that gave room for a lot of reflection and examination of my life and the lives of the people around me. As a result, I became more decisive. I figured out what I wanted, where I was going, and what worked for me. Most importantly, I soon realized that I wanted and needed to create more frequently and that I needed to feel respected and important in any environment that I was working in.

These two revelations proved vital to my next move.

Stay tuned for Part 3, coming next Monday.

Lauren Ashlee Small is originally from Springfield, IL. Her training began at Springfield Dance and the Springfield Ballet Company and continued in college where she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Belhaven University. Lauren went on to study in The Ailey School’s professional division as a recipient of The Oprah Winfrey Foundation Scholarship and to perform with Amalgamate Dance Company and Dance Into Deliverance. Her choreography has been featured at The Ailey School, Belhaven University, American College Dance Festival, Undertoe Dance Festival at the 92^nd Street Y, the New York Jazz Choreography Project, and in Amalgamate’s 7^th Annual Artist Series. Lauren has interned with Free Arts of Arizona and Amalgamate Dance Company and was a guest artist at the 2012 Teen Arts Performance Camp in Washington, DC and Emmanuel Ballet Academy’s 2014 summer intensive in Juarez, Mexico.

Eat Well Wednesday

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Frozen Bananas

2 bananas

1/4 to 1/3c chocolate chips

1/4 to 1/3c peanut butter

Unsweetened coconut flakes

Set out a large plate with wax paper on it. Cut up the bananas. Heat the peanut butter and chocolate chips on high for minute. stir until smooth. Dip the banana pieces in the mixture. Lay on the wax paper. Use the remaining mixture to spoon over the tops sprinkle the unsweetened coconut flakes on top. Freeze for about an hour until hardened.

Southwest Black Bean Salad

15.5 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

9 oz cooked corn, fresh or frozen (thawed if frozen)

1 medium tomato, chopped

1/3 cup red onion, chopped

1 scallion, chopped

1 1/2 – 2 limes, juice of

salt and fresh pepper

1 medium avocado, diced

Combine items in a large bowl. Squeeze fresh lime juice to taste. Marinate in the refrigerator 30 minutes.

MFA Monday

by Lydia MFA Mondays

These past several weeks we have had the pleasure of being escorted through a fabulous series of MFA Mondays by Megan Yankee and two of her colleagues Erin Law, Amanda McCorkle and Gabrielle Aufiero. What a pleasure it has been. If you’re just now tuning in, I encourage you to go back through and catch up.

A lot has happened here at Frame Dance, and today I want to fill you in on all things #framer. First, I’d like to introduce you to our next writer, Lauren Ashlee Small, who will begin her MFA Monday series next week. Her perspective will be new, as she is preparing to begin her MFA program in the Fall.

Second, we announced on Friday, that we are starting a program called Little Framers. It is a children’s dance ensemble that will work with the company this year. Ages 7-9. Registration is open, and space is VERY limited. More info is here.