Sunday Brunch – Spinach Omelet with thin slices of ham, diced red thai chili, cream cheese, fresh diced tomato and scallions – and fresh sliced  Strawberries

 Never throw away scraps of food when you’re single!  You have an entire   new meal just waiting to happen.  The omelet is 3 eggs with about a Tblsp of Coffeemate creamer in it (because I don’t usually buy milk).  I used a whisk and bowl to mix, had a tsp of melted butter in a medium-hot pan before pouring it in.  The ingredients to the omelet are Spinach with thin slices of ham, diced red thai chili, cream cheese, fresh diced tomato and scallions.

I eat very little meat.  The ham is very thin julienne slices.  I keep it frozen and just shave off about a Tblsp for a kick of flavor, it’s the spinach, chili, tomato and cream cheese that are dominate flavors.

Bad thing about making great tasting food.. is making yourself STOP eating when the plate is empty so ya don’t get FAT.  Also have plates that are smaller than normal dinner plates, so it looks full but you keep portions down – so the size of YOU stays down. –Nunya

There was a great musical performance by this wonderful group later in the evening.  The “official” bellydancing performances took place earlier in the evening, but the bellydancing continued informally as the group played.  What a fun evening!

The talented dancer and benefit organizer, Susie St. Charles, performed several dance numbers.

Here she is again (in the background) performing with one of her beginner students.  She said he has only been taking lessons for six months.  It takes a lot of guts to get up and perform in front of a crowd, particularly after only six months lessons!  You couldn’t pay me to do it, much less do it for free.  So bravo to him for dancing for charity!

And then three of my fav ladies below:  Jackie Pierson; Rajni- Jenny Kay-Williams, who teaches Tribal O at Floorspace Dance; and Sarah Bolen Marston.  I have seen them dance several times and they are always good, but they were outstanding at this event!

And then there was the fabulous Misty Wynn and her sword dance, which always leaves me breathless.  She literally places the sword on top of her head and it stays balanced there as she dances, including doing floorwork (that would be translated as getting her booty down on the floor and doing some dancing and back bends and snake arms, then getting her booty back to an standing position and dancing!).  I could watch her do this a thousand times and still always be amazed!

Rajni treated us to a cane dance that was super fun to watch and she looked as if she was having a blast doing it!

After the formal performances, we enjoyed music and watched some impromptu bellydancing!

Whole:  Mind. Body. Art. offers all sorts of interesting classes and workshops on Jackson St. in the heart downtown Athens, Ga.  Check them out.  And a big thank you to them for hosting such a fun charity event!

*photographs used by permission of Bill Pierson (thank you, Bill!)

Collard Greens – Healthy Food!! (don’t look at the bacon grease).. LOW Calorie, High in Fiber, and Vitamins C, A, B1, B2, B6, E and K. High in Iron, Calcium, copper, manganese, selenium and zinc.  Fights cancer, benefits Alzheimer patients, and promotes bone density.  Not only that – but it tastes Great!! The peppers are high in capsicum which helps with inflammation ALL kinds of arthritis and other crap that gives you muscular pain.  Cooking instructions below:

Here ya go: I grabbed 3 BIG bundles of collard greens, used 2 or so Tblsp of bacon grease, along with a small smoked ham hock – and added 2 cups of chicken broth. It is key to wash the greens thoroughly to get all the garden grit off them, and I tore off the stems – chopped the big leaves up a bit – and put the pot on boil – then simmer. They do NOT take long to cook (20 min?), they wilt down like spinach pretty quick. Pull out the ham hock to cool enough to chop, and add back to the pot. Salt to your preference, and don’t forget the small yellow peppers in vinegar! Fabulous! –Nunya

Come my little trick or treaters, I await thee….

I was possessed with a heavy dose of the Halloween spirit this year!  I decorated my porch and decorated myself.  Lots of little ghosts and gobblins and Princesses and fairies and monsters, etc. stopped by for candy.  Kids are cool.  I had a lot of fun.