Es Asi -

Es asi que me considero:

Sonriente, Fuerte y sobre todo - Apasionada...

What do you get when...

,...you take a mansion, some friends, some work, a million dollar+ budget, Chris Issak and a bunch of talented theatrical people during All Hallow's Eve?
A kickass Halloween modeling job in an elaborate costume with some of your best modeling friends!

Fallen Angels

Click on slideshow above!

Happy HOLLOW-WEENIE!

Soprano Soars to New Heights with Circus

http://www.univision.com/content/video.jhtml?cid=1317242&channelName=Videos&_requestid=100611

Last week was such a difficult week for many here in San Diego and other parts of Southern CA due to the fires. I have been feeling sad for so many and definitely not up to writing on my blog.

That said- it's time to bring back a little bit of joy into our lives. Yesterday I received this from the mother of a young Latina actress, Denisse Gonzalez, whom I toured part of the country for a few months back in 2000 in the National Tour of the musical, "Selena Forever". Denisse played young Selena and already had an amazing voice for her age. She is now singing with Cirque De Soleil - what an honor!! - and performing around the world. Her mother sent this video clip of her interview recently on Univision. I imagine Denisse must be about 18 now and is as stunning as her voice - but I will always remember her as the young Selena, playing with dolls, singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and making us laugh with her vocal impersonations of Cher and Celine Dion.

Best Wishes and Congratulations

THIS is Why I Evacuated at 2am...

This is what I saw of Mt. San Miguel heading my way last night. My understanding is that the Harris Fire is not completely contained and I still need to be careful tonight for shifting winds. The smell of fire burning and my sore eyes are pretty bad. I really need to get a mask for breathing - will use a bandana for sure tomorrow. Still scary to look at even in a photograph...

San Diego Fires: The Aftermath

The view of Mt. Miguel taken from the bedroom window of my 2-story house. When I decided to leave at 2am last night the entire hillside in the background was a wave of flame working its way down the mountain - I could feel the heat.

 

Let me clarify, please - - the fires in North County and east of me are still very much out of control and dangerous. This blog is only about the Harris Fire on Mt. Miguel that was affecting me in Rancho San Diego, 2 siblings and their families in Rolling Hills/Eastlake area as well as my parents' home in Bonita.

After a very long night I allowed myself 1.5 hours around 7 this morning to sleep after evacuating to my boyfriend Patrick's condo in central San Diego. By God's good grace the winds this morning in the Southbay were not as strong as they expected and firefighters were at last able to contain the fire.

At 4pm I brought Jordy-the-cat back home and took pictures from my house of the 3 smoldering spots at the foot of the eastern side of Mt. Miguel which, last night had engulfed the mountain in one giant wave of flames that led me to leave voluntarily and others imperatively.

The following picture shows a close-up of the biggest last hint of active smoke from the previous night and morning at the bottom of Mt. Miguel probably less than 10 miles away from me.

 

The newish housing community of "The Pointe" off Jamacha were mandatory evacuated. They sit below me and are separated by a canyon that leads directly to my back yard. That is why I knew if they were leaving, I needed to be careful. At the time this picture was taken - they still hadn't been allowed back in.

 

A shot of my small backyard which stops at about 10 feet embankment of ice plant (great for helping deter fires!) and then opens out to a large canyon (refer to the top picture).

 

A little after me, my brother Ben and his family received the good news that they also could return to their home. The visibility is bad, my eyes are stinging something awful but I am much more relaxed tonite and plan to sleep now that my family is out of danger. That said - there are still several fires burning out of control this evening and 1000 homes lost so far. My prayers are with my community. God Bless each and every one of us.
A very red, eerily beautiful sun shown late afternoon....

Fire Evacuation

It is almost 7am now on Tuesday (Day 3 of the San Diego Fires) - I left with my cat, Jordy, last night around 2:30am and am at Patrick's condo in North Park. As previously mentioned, I was alone in my cul de sac last night packing my tiny Scion XA car with as much as I could. I missed my family and was planning to stay up all night - alternating watching the News and surfing the Net.
As if reading my mind, I was just standing up to stretch and turn the news on again, when my mom called at 1:42am. I knew something was wrong immediately for her to call that late and my first thought was that they had to evacuate as well in Bonita (meaning this affected not only my brother Ben's family who already had headed to my mom's that afternoon, but also my sister Sara and her family in East Lake). As I answered, "Mom..." I simultaneously turned to look out the window in the small bedroom that has a view of Mt. Miguel and the Sweetwater Reservoir. I couldn't believe it - within 1.5 hours of last looking out the window, the fire (a new one, I believe) had taken over and had come alreadyhalf-way down the north side of the mountain heading directly towards my area of Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley! I was aware already that for hours it was on fire on the southeast side of it heading west with the winds towards Otay, Eastlake and eventually my childhood home in Bonita... which was bad enough - but I really had felt that I would be okay since I was close, but just northeast of those communities. I mean: I almost had had people stay at MY house because I felt I would be safe there.

Well, there was no doubt it was time to go. Between me and the fire was just dry brush of the rest of Mt. Miguel, then the small, but welcome, Sweetwater Springs Reservoir body of water, then the small 2-way but main road of Jamacha - which the fire would easily jump across - - leaving a small housing community of about 50 houses before it would reach the dry canyon that literally ends at my backyard.

Time to go.

Jordy was not happy - he hates his cat carrier and I usually need 2 people to get him in there. I could hear people down the street honking and getting in their cars, as I finally pushed his head down and zipped him up in the soft bag.

As I left my street and headed towards the stoplight next to Monte Vista High School, I gasped to see how close and large it really was. I hadn't expected it! I knew the Santa Ana winds were blowing to the West - I still don't understand why a new one started my way.

There were definitely people on the road and leaving my area but the freeway 94 heading west to downtown was just fine at that time. I got to P's around 2:30am and have been watching for news of my area as well as the Harris fire right next to mine that was endangering my brother Ben, sister Sara and their families and pets as well as my parents in Bonita.

My mom had informed me that they all were simultaneously evacuating and heading to different places - my brother Gabe's large house in Point Loma (the coast) and my dad's CPA office in Chula Vista.

My mom, God Bless her - informed me that she had gone in my old room and didn't know what to grab but packed a couple of my photo albums - I have many and had already packed most of mine at my own house. But she didn't need to do that. "Mom - I have all that I need here, just go!" I fought back the tears at her unnecessary thoughtfulness when she and my father certainly had enough to remember.

** Before I had left with Jordy I ran back one last time to my house - I glanced at my beautifully decorated house and beloved piano - so proud of what I had achieved on my meager salary. I ran upstairs and grabbed from my jewelry 3 necklaces and put them on - the silver Irish pendant my beloved had gifted me last Xmas, the Cross my father had bought in Spain for "all the women in his family" also gifted last Xmas, and lastly: my gold small cross that my mother had gifted me at 18 to keep me safe when I entered college. I had worn that cross daily for 14 years...

I paused at the gorgeous larger engraved cross that my mom had bought through an Art museum catalog a few years back. I always had loved that cross and had tied it with a beautiful purple ribbon and hung it up in my house. I reflected that although I love it: I'd leave it behind, along with my stain glass portrait of The Virgin Mary I placed both at the glass door facing the fire to bless my home and keep it safe.

Thoughts during the Fire Crisis

It is 9:45pm and I am watching the news on TV with bunny ears antenna (I don't have cable). My faithful cat, Jordy, is peacefully curled up at my feet tapping his tail lightly along with the flickering television light.

I spent an hour packing my tiny car with things that I deemed important and necessary in case of evacuation. It was a surreal time packing it. My car is a very small hatchback. But I knew exactly what to pack -some clothes, shoes, my photo albums (can't replace those), my important paperwork (thank God I'm organized so I had all of it in 1 box), a lot (not all) of my piano and vocal sheet music, medicines, my laptop and a handful of my favorite cds (music that is not easily replaced). That is it. An easy decision.

It is eerily quiet in my cul de sac - I noticed all 3 of my neighbors left a couple hours ago with their dogs. We haven't been evacuated yet (not even voluntarily yet.) But they left once they saw the red glow of the fire over the hill behind us within our view of the Proctor Valley/Sweetwater Springs area (the Harris fire).

I would have left as well to either Patrick's house or my parents in Bonita - although my brother and his family of 6 and dog have already been evacuated and are there, so it's pretty full. That said, it is hard to leave because of my cat, Jordy -who is terrified of being in cars and doesn't do well just plopping him into a new home. So I am not leaving until we have to, IF we have to.

I have emailed a few friends whom were evacuated - offering them to stay at my house with their animals. I guess it's just as well they are in hotels. It will be much more comfortable as I only have one bed and would have stayed myself on the floor with Jordy in a sleeping bag.

The news station I am watching is close to a fire and they said they are probably going to lose signal very soon as they smell smoke even in the studio at this point, I guess I will turn to the radio.

It's weird, I realized I was starving - having not eaten much since breakfast. I made myself one of my delicious vegetarian pizzas and even allowed myself a coke - something I never do. And I actually thought to myself, "It's going to be a long night, I might as well let myself eat well and drink some caffeinated soda pop."

I had booked 2 great paying modeling jobs this week, too, but I imagine it won't matter my eating a pizza and coke since they will probably be cancelled anyway.

They said if you are close to one of the several fires all heading west that you shouldn't sleep tonite - or take turns - one listening to the updates in case of evacuation. It's only me, so I'll be staying up. I really feel alone.

"It's okay, Jordy..." I informed my kitty, "I am watching out for us..."

Prayers Needed

A prayer to those who are evacuated and/or have already lost their homes in San Diego due to the fires... It's a hard time for many. May God Bless and watch over us all...

This Magic Moment

This magic moment
So different and so new
Was like any other
Until I met you
And then it happened
It took me by surprise
I knew that you felt it too
I could see it by the look in your eyes

Sweeter than wine
Softer than a summer's night
Everything I want, I have
Whenever I hold you tight

This magic moment,
While your lips are close to mine,
Will last forever,
Forever, 'til the end of time

So why won't you dance with me?
Why won't you dance with me?

This magic moment
So different and so new
Was like any other
Until I met you

And then it happened
It took me by surprise
I knew that you felt it too
I could see it by the look in your eyes

Sweeter than wine
Softer than a summer's night
Everything I want, I have
Whenever I hold you tight

Learning Spanish

My full name is very hispanic. But I am of a growing hispanic minority born in the USA that didn't grow up speaking Spanish. My bilingual parents spoke it a little between themselves. And my mother did try to teach us a little bit. But, let's face it - they should have spoken it all the time to us at home because all of us kids greatly suffered in our personal and professional lives' at our not being bilingual. And, as children, it's the easiest way to learn languages - for you soak it up like a sponge. As an adult, one becomes self-concsious at making mistakes or having a bad accent. Point blank - I have suffered learning this language but have a lot of pride that I did so on my own. People just assume all latinos speak spanish. I am 3rd generation born American - I can assure not all of us are bilingual.

Here's a little walk down Memory Lane:

It was my first year of college, at the age of 18, that I really started yearning to learn more about my Mexican heritage and its romantic language. I became involved in the hispanic student organization MECHA to meet the few latinos who attended UC Irvine in the early 90s and sometimes wrote articles for La Voz Mestiza - the hispanic student school paper. But, mostly, I made a herculean effort to learn Spanish on my own. Interestingly, I mostly learned it through my huge love: Music.

I started listening to spanish radio all the time. I bought spanish-music tape cassettes (this is pre cds and mp3s). I would listen for hours to music and try to write down the lyrics in a notebook that I still have at my parents' home. I became a huge, screaming fan of handsome crooner Luis Miguel who was my age and a HUGE singing star. He was my favorite. I also started watching telenovelas (soap operas) during my vacations back at home in San Diego. The first one I watched was called, "La Picara Sonadora" - I even got my sister and mom to watch it with me. When I say it was the 'first one' I watched I refer to the fact that spanish-language soaps actually end after a few months. And they almost always end with a happy ending of the poor girl getting her prince *I mean rich, handsome man.

You can imagine, thus, that my spanish, from listening to music and watching over-dramatic novelas - was full of vocabulary about love, nature, revenge, romance and pain. HAHAHAH. Very dramatic. But not very useful, every-day language, one can say.

I needed to do more, then. So I decided that I could only have crushes on Latino boys. That way I could practice my spanish. Now, I was the biggest virgin in high school and college - and PROUD of it. But I had crushes, sure! And Latin men are muy romantico..... Spring Break of my freshman year - I was en route to having my first heart ache by a Latin man. I went with Diana, my roommate in college (and mentioned in the blog a few times) to Tijuana, Mexico for the first time to go dancing. We went with my younger cousin, Maddy, who was already highly-seasoned at going even though she was only in high school. She was also in a latin identity faze as well. She took us to where the real Mexicans were - not the bars full of drunk underage American kids and sailors. She took us to the OTHER end of Calle Revolucion ("Revolution Street") the main drag of bars and discos in TJ where there was a huge club called, "Las Pulgas" - The Fleas. I was in heaven with the spanish pop and roc-en-espanol on 1 floor and more traditional mexican music and dance on another.

I still remember it like it was yesterday. I set my eyes on a tall, Mexican boy across the room - I was a virgin, but I knew how to flirt! The girls nodded in approval. He was wearing jeans, boots, a shiny belt buckle, and a button down shirt and drinking a beer. His hair was straight, thick and longer on top - pushed back with a little gel.

I said to the girls we needed to walk past him and his boys so I could make eye contact (who knew this goody-goody was such a natural??!!) Well, we paraded past them and when I walked past, I gave him a sideways look and smile over my shoulder and he literally ran after me to catch up with me.I always thought he looked a bit like a Mexican Elvis. For he had full-lips and a handsome but baby-face that Elvis had. Even the hair reminded me of his circa 50s' look.

He asked me in spanish, "Como te llamas?" What is your name? And little did I know my life was to change forever. He was my first latin man. And my first heart break. Efren would figure in my life for the next several years - setting my even-nowadays standard of really trying with someone until they have absolutely killed me and there is truly nothing left of Elsa to give and cling onto.

By now, Diana is rolling her eyes and fanning herself over the memories and nightmare that would be my knowing him those many years. God bless her - she accompanied me many a night to TJ to meet him down there or to go to his baseball games.
And she stood by my side through the pain as well.

Was I in love with him? No. I knew we were young and inexperienced (he was my age). But I wanted to eventually be in love with him. I was crazy about him. He sang and danced mexican rancheros with me, literally sweeping me off my feet. "Six foot two, and all for you," he used to say, grinning that boyish grin of his. We met at 18 and he left my life at 28. We will eternally be remembered as young and stupid.

Too bad, with him, I set the precedent at being involved with men who can't commit and take but don't give much back. It's amazing when I look back now at 35 that I have always given much more in my relationships and continue to still do it. I know it's a latin trait in women - we are extremely giving. But, I've gone to hell paying for it and continue to suffer even now for possessing that character. A character that is so generous it is actually a negative fault when it comes to me and men.

I will say one thing though. Dating someone who speaks spanish was a great way to really accelerate my learning! Do you like elsamart's novela? Stay tuned for more. I figure something has to come out of all the memories in my head...

This is it: BLOG ACTION DAY!!

I saw this notice last week on blogger homepage and immediately signed up to participate in it.

On October 15th, bloggers around the world will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind - the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future. With 155,000 blogs and 12 million readers this is all about mass participation - and it's very exciting to elsamart!

Wanting to put my 2 cents about promoting awareness, I'd like to put something out there. TEACH OUR KIDS.

I have been working with teens mostly, but also younger kids depending on the project, for the last 10 years. I have seen first-hand the rewards and, sadly, the damages of this generation of kids not being taught many fundamentals by their families. None of you who are not in some sort of teaching position can remotely decipher how BAD it is and how WORSE it is getting each year.

But the one constant remains: no matter what the subject is - if we don't teach our kids to respect, love and be concerned for our environment and Mother Nature - then their really is no hope to help save it.

I do not blame the kids, folks - it is the parents that I'd like to address. It is simple. Teach your kids to turn off lights. Teach them to take a 10 minute shower - not 20 to (horrors!) 40 minute ones. Teach them to turn off the faucet when they are brushing their teeth - do you know that 2 gallons of water is wasted each time by people brushing their teeth leaving the water running?

Perhaps instead of them sitting around (a whole other epidemic) playing video games, watching too much TV, on computers or their cellphones or IPODS why not designate one day of the week to be "Fun Day with NO Electricity".

Take them to the park to play, make them play outside in the yard, teach them to make mud pies in the dirt, play in the snow, take them on a beautiful hike by the beach, in the mountains, in the desert, ride bikes, roller skate, go for a run with them, teach them to fly a kite (I know so many kids who have never TOUCHED a kite in their lives), play with their dogs or cats, go to the zoo, read in a hammock outside, plant a flower or vegetable garden in your yard. Watch a glorious sunset.

The ironic thing is that all the above are things that some of us and our parents did ANYWAY on a daily basis as after-school entertainment. Lamentably, it is foreign to many of our youth in America nowadays. And only by our suggesting it, forcibly designating it and hopefully participating in it WITH them - can we teach our kids that their are OTHER things out there to be aware of besides being plugged in to the latest overpriced gadget.

Teach them that the benefits of dedicating 1 day a week to this means they will get more exercise, they will not use up for 1 day a bunch of precious electricity, it can be a wonderful bonding time or play day between parents and their kids or teens. Tell them stories (kids of all ages LOVE stories of their parents) how you used to fly kites with your brother or how you planted a garden of flowers when you were a kid in 4-H club. Teach them that Nature and preserving it is of such great importance and that each one of us, truly: EACH ONE OF US - can do our part by being aware and not careless or lazy.

The benefits of my suggestion are boundless. Exercise, environmental awareness, actually talking to and spending time with your child or teen... come on - - there is not one single negative in this equation besides those of you who mistake my earnestness with being preachy...

Do your part and help conserve in some manner.

God Bless.

Editor's Note - I also highly recommend checking out this link about Blog Action Day.

80s Song of the Week: Howard Jones "What is Love?"

Ahhhhh... do you notice that there is hardly any feel-good music in this day and age? It's all so sex and bling-driven, it's no wonder our kids are all messed up.

Not quite with the 80s - - music still talked of love and feeling good and being romantic - - all to the tune of pre-recorded keyboard synthesizers. Here is a fine example of an 80s ballad by Brit crooner Howard Jones - his trademark orangish-peroxide faux-hawk hidden under a not so raspberry beret (alluding to another 80s phenom: Prince).

I love how he is portrayed having almost a magical power of insight and shows him do an action right before another character does it. The lyrics are beautiful and deeper than I remember giving them credit for as a teen. Perhaps it's because I've been so disillusioned myself with the subject. What is love anyway? Why does it seem almost impossible between 2 lovers, a mother and her child, 2 friends, 2 fighting countries with different religious beliefs? Only within ourselves can we find the answer...

Birthday Shoutout: Ciara

Patrick's daughter, Ciara, turned nineteen, I mean 9, on October 3.

 

After some school and home festivities it was "shakedown" time again as her parents bought her (don't remember my term? see here) a party at a place in Chula Vista.

















Ciara, some cousins and friends were able to play dress up, sing karaoke and ate some Costco pizza and cupcakes for 2 hours amidst some pink walls, and party lights - like a small disco.

 

Being very interactive with children,I surprised Ciara and her 5 friends by putting on some of the clothes and funky accessories as well and got them all to sing Gwen Stefani with me - no pictures, unfortunately, in my garb.

A fun time for the girls - Happy Birthday!

Congratulations to:

Al Gore for winning the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. I am in the Middle - but definitely leaning more to the Democrat side. That said: anyone of any party is okay by me by bringing awareness of our precious environment to the masses....

Congratulations to:

my dear friend from college: Heather and her husband Noel on the birth of their 2nd child: Jacob - born on October 3rd! He joins big brother, Robbie in their Hawaiian hut in Oahu where they reside... Gods Blessings to you all and your beautiful family!

Birthday Shout Out: Jenn AKA "Flaca"

I've know Jennifer since we were elementary-school kids. Jenn and her family lived across the street from us in Bonita, San Diego - where we spent a few years making mud pies, playing with dolls, getting kicked out of her sister's "Grease"-covered bedroom, etc. Heck! I even learned to ride a bike in her long driveway! Jenn and her family moved to Redlands, CA around 10 years of age and outside of the family Holiday card we lost track of each other until...

One day towards the end of my sophomore year of college at UC Irvine, I had the thrill and surprise of my roommate, Diana, coming home from rushing sororities to tell me that another girl who used to live in San Diego - Bonita - in fact! Di told her that her roommate and good friend (moi) is from Bonita and did she know Elsa Martinez? Well: Did she ever!!!! A half hour later Jenn came speeding up to our dorm in "Pumpkin" - der orange box-shaped car and we were reunited - going on to live together the following year and becoming swell friends again.

Being the hard-core democrat that she is, Jenn moved to DC, worked in the White House during her idol, the Bill Clinton regime, got a bill passed, met Mike, got hitched moved back to Cali - and now is a paralegal in Orange County. All this time, she is still one of my best friends making ours a great story! FELIZ birthday on this, her 34th. Mazeltaf!!!

100% Serious

If this doesn't move you, I can have nothing to do with you...
Rob Schwimmer, piano--Improvisation on Octet (Adam Guettel)

Description: When Adam Guettel first played me an early version (just piano and vocalise) of what would come to be called "Octet" from "The Light In The Piazza" I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever heard...still do! The form I do here is not "correct" but I've tried to retain what it was that I felt on that first go 'round

 


Hear that?


It's the World burning down...

A Don Quixote World

To quote the amazing and gentle mime, Marcel Marceau who passed away today, sometimes I feel "alone in a fragile world filled with injustice and beauty." May he Rest in Peace.

Why is is that artists' reflections and words have always struck me as the most insightful? In this modern-day world of war and political strife I also refer to a comment of his in reflection of those unmercifully killed in Auschwitz where he escaped (but his father did not). He profoundly commented in 2000, "Among those kids was maybe an Einstein, a Mozart, somebody who (would have) found a cancer drug. That is why we have a great responsibility: let us love one another."

Reflect on that one, folks.

God Bless..

Una Pausa....A Break

It's a rarity. Even with the "Gift to Gab" this gal just doesn't feel like talking or writing the last few days. It doesn't help that today is another 9/11 anniversary. Or could it be the continuous vivid nightmares I have that waken me nightly? Nah, a lot of it is linked to the bully that once again insisted upon bringing me down and taking the wind out of my sails this last weekend.

Sometimes I cry at the injustice of it all...

So I don't really feel like writing for a bit (hell, it's better than my other option that Patrick talked me out of) - which was to delete my blog completely. But, after all my hard work posting my journal memories and photos I decided not to do that but to take a break for a bit. (The good thing is that the spiteful old cats out there who read this won't be able to keep abreast of my unconventional life.)

Gracias por leer - thank you for reading this whole time. Like I've mentioned before: this blog was not meant to entertain the masses. It has been more a journal of my thoughts, life and travels more than anything. It's just in a different format than the many, many pages of the previous journals I have written since being 14 years old. If no one read this, I could care less. It was for me more than anyone else in the world. But those who learned anything, or liked looking at my travel pics or know me and wanted to keep track of me - I say: cheers!

I will keep standing firm on this stony ground.

Hasta pronto...

God Bless -

elsa

8 Foods U Should eat Every Day!

Okay Friends: The experts say it here plain and simple. Imagine how pleased I was to see that I already daily incorporate 6 of the 8 recommendations and the other 2 - or their substitutes - often enough. :) Diet is extremely important to me, folks. And it would be to you, too, if you taught public school for 8 years and daily saw the crap that kids eat and how overweight the next generation is. Or try traveling around the world and realize how pudgy and out of shape Americans tend to be compared to their foreign peers. The worst thing about it? It is all needless, laziness or ignorance!! Go have a salad and call me in the morning..

SPINACH

Sexual enhancement (HELLOO!!! And I thought I was just an extremely passionate Latina in her sexual prime of mid-30s!!!), Muscle growth, Heart healthy, Bone builder, Enhances eyesight

It may be green and leafy, but spinach is also the ultimate man food. This noted biceps builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the penis. And spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights age-related macular degeneration. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked per day.

SUBSTITUTES: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce

FIT IT IN: Make your salads with spinach; add spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara sauce and then microwave for an instant dip.

YOGURT

Cancer fighter, Bone builder, Boosts immunity

Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old food's health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body, which boost the immune system and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic though, so make sure the label says "live and active cultures." Aim for 1 cup of the calcium and protein-rich goop a day.

SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, soy yogurt

FIT IT IN: Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts, flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast — or dessert. Plain low-fat yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips.

HOME RUN: Power Smoothie Blend 1 cup low-fat yogurt, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup carrot juice, and 1 cup fresh baby spinach for a nutrient-rich blast.

TOMATOES

Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because they're packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it's easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice.

SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava

FIT IT IN: Pile on the ketchup and Ragu; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; double the amount of tomato paste called for in a recipe.

PINCH HITTER: Red and Pink Fruit Bowl Chop 1 small watermelon, 2 grapefruits, 3 persimmons, 1 papaya, and 4 guavas. Garnish with mint

CARROTS

Cancer fighter, Boosts immunity, Enhances eyesight

Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids — fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis — but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for 1/2 cup a day.

SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango

FIT IT IN: Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake

BLUEBERRIES

Brain stimulant, Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

Host to more antioxidants than any other popular fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname "brain berry"). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or 1/2 cup frozen or dried.

SUBSTITUTES: Açai berries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins, strawberries

FIT IT IN: Blueberries maintain most of their power in dried, frozen, or jam form.

PINCH HITTER: Açai, an Amazonian berry, has even more antioxidants than the blueberry. Mix 2 Tbsp. of açai powder into OJ or add 2 Tbsp. of açai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.

BLACK BEANS

Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Heart healthy

All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That's because they're full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily ½cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, and is low in calories and free of saturated fat.

SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans

FIT IT IN: Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with ¼cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes.

HOME RUN: Black Bean and Tomato Salsa Dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with 1/2 cup chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.

WALNUTS

Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts — about 1 ounce, or seven nuts — is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack.

SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts

FIT IT IN: Sprinkle on top of salads; dice and add to pancake batter; spoon peanut butter into curries; grind and mix with olive oil to make a marinade for grilled fish or chicken.
OATS

Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Heart healthy

The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA's first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per ½-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-building energy.

SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice

FIT IT IN: Eat granolas and cereals that have a fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt.

PINCH HITTER: Quinoa Salad Quinoa has twice the protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in a mixture of 1 cup pear juice and 1 cup water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss 2 diced apples, 1 cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt.

BON APETIT!!!

Luciano Pavarotti: 1935-2007

Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem. Dona eis requiem sempiternam....

AAAAAAAAAAACKKKK!

I TOTALLY messed things up with Picassa on my blog and now as you can see any photos on previous blogs have DISAPPEARED!!

A MAJOR UNDERTAKING will need to take place. Hopefully I can rectify the situation (as many of those pics I deleted after posting). DANG ITTTTTTTT!!!!

No more blog postings will occur until I try to fix my pictures. Please stay tuned my loyal readers: elsa still has so much to write about...

Mark Hiss' Last Supper

'Tis the End of an Era, my friends.
Alas, Mark Hiss, my ex-boyfriend of several years in my 20s (and for those who know me - they were QUITE a doozy) is all grown up. Happily for his girlfriend, Stacey, who moved to a new job in San Francisco 6 months ago, Mark put his foot down and declared, "That is just TOO long distance even for me!" And therefore is leaving his 1972 Carmengia and Aerostar family van (fondly known as the "Mother Ship) behind and heading to Northern Cal where he can rely solely on his bike and public transportation.

Mark - a wonderfully unique, dapper and intelligent gay-straight man has not co-habitated with anyone (male or female) since his marriage 18 years ago. (whew - how OLD did I say he was??!)

Thus I personally know this is a MASSIVE step for him to move up there and join his rock n roll singing concubine.

That said I know that he will be fantastic in San Fran. Full of like-minded Liberals, and creative-types: the men will adore him and the women will admire his wit. Another plus- he is able as a freelance writer to work anywhere as long as he has his computer. A no-brainer, huh?? And I'm STILL waiting, by the way, for the novel that he began with a character based on me.
Being on his coveted Short List of Favorite San Diegans (and after doing PR and writing for decades here he knows more than a truckload of peeps in SD) - I was invited to join his farewell dinner with some of his closest friends last week in Hillcrest. It was a lovely time seeing some old friends of his that I haven't seen now for at least 5 years - especially the coquettish and witty Stephanie Steiner, the always positive and giddy Lisa Baker and the indescribably unique Kevin Six.

Best wishes and mucha suerte - you certainly made your "mark" (he has always been into word play) on the theater, tourism and art worlds here in little San Diego. Your toss of the curls as you turn your nose up to scoff will most certainly be missed :)

Did anyone else in San Diego get this email today??

It feels like h-ll out here in East County (for all you non-San Diegans: it's the hottest part of San Diego county where I live). I will be watching my energy usage - and I don't even have air conditioning :(

"San Diego Gas & Electric HEAT EMERGENCY DECLARED!!!!!

Due to extreme heat conditions, a Power Emergency has been declared.

We are asking all customers to take immediate conservation steps through
Tuesday, September 4:

Set your air conditioning thermostat to 78 degrees or higher, health permitting.
Turn off unnecessary lights and computers.

Do not use any major appliances, ie. dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and electric stoves.

Please turn off pool filtering systems.

People who are temperature sensitive can visit Cool Zones throughout the county.

Due to the excessive heat, SDG&E is experiencing system outages. Both SDG&E and contract crews are working to restore power to all affected customers by late Tuesday afternoon.

In addition to continuing to conserve energy, be prepared for possible outages. Keep emergency supplies on hand, including fresh batteries and flashlights and non-perishable food and water. Have an emergency plan in place if a member of your household depends on life-support or needs other medical equipment. This may include a back-up power source or transportation to another facility."

Ciara's TV Debut

This growing bundle of energy and wit is Patrick's daughter, Ciara - pronounced Keer-rah - but spelled the traditional Irish way. Fondly referred to as Bo-Beera or Brat #2, this rapidly-growing weed made her TV debut last week after being chosen along with 1 other girl to be interviewed for Fox News while attending The Scripps Aquarium camp last week. (Man- when I got to go to camp I had to wait until High school age and it was Christian camp - shucks!!)



It doesn't suprise me at all that she was selected as Ciara possesses the elsamart Gift-To-Gab (NOT from her father, but obviously from her Mexican mother) and I have already taken her under my wing to some modeling auditions with me even though she doesn't have an agent and exposing her to Broadway musicals (Hairspray, Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music, etc). She has somehow even managed to imitate quite well my model runway walk having gone with me and watched me audition. Who knows what the Stars hold for her? Stay tuned, she will at least be a star on this blog....