In case you haven’t heard about Austin’s most-talked about natural soup, Holy Posole, now is your chance to learn more about it and support a local product. This ancient soup, known for its healing properties, is quickly gaining popularity with more and more stores stocking it on their shelves.

For those of you who don’t know what posole is, its roots come from Texas and New Mexico. A combination of Hatch green chiles, Chimayo red chile, tomatoes, hominy, garlic and other spices, including chicken, flavoring create a soup that people say “tastes like home.”

I had a wonderful opp0rtunity to chat with Holy Posole creator, Sharon Ely, and ask her a few questions about her amazing soup.

Emil, Sharon, and Gary at HEB with Holy Posole

Q: What first inspired you to start making posole?

A: The first time I made Holy Posole was after tasting it in Santa Fe, New Mexico at my friend’s house, after my husband and I had driven 14 hours to get to a wedding on time. We were exhausted when we arrived, and my friend had made this wonderful soup from an ancient recipe that a hundred-year-old lady had given her.The taste of this magical soup made us feel so warm, comforted, happy and energized, that I decided from then on I, too, was going to make posole. After more than thirty years of making this delicious soup, I have finally decided to sell my soup in jars and give it the wonderful name of Holy Posole. It is such a healing soup for anything you may have.

Q: Without giving away the recipe, are there any special ingredients that you use?

A: Yes, I use very special spices from the region where I first tasted the soup. I use Chimayo red chile, which comes  from a little town near Santa Fe . I also use Hatch green chiles from another region in New Mexico that are very high in nutrients and vitamin C. We use as many natural ingredients as we can, including the natural chicken broth with low sodium. I have worked very hard to make this soup as naturally good for all of us as possible, and to use the best ingredients from Texas and New Mexico. Everyone that makes posole has their own special recipe which makes it their own. I, too, have evolved an ancient recipe to make it my very own so that many people may enjoy this wonderful healing soup.

Q: The name is so creative, is there a story behind it?

A: The name I give Holy Posole is simple. I love the way it rhymes. I also love it because this soup is made with Chimayo chile, which adds to the flavor and healing power of the soup. I feel that it may very well be a sacred soup, and is appropriately named Holy Posole for that reason. Chimayo is very well known for its little ancient church that has healing dirt all around it. Since the chile we use is from this region, I believe it could also make our soup healing.

Q: With Holy Posole becoming so popular, has it been difficult to keep up with the demand?

A: There is never enough Holy Posole. We always run out. I am constantly asking the factory to make more Holy Posole. Right after New Year’s 2012, we got an order for three truckloads of Holy Posole to be delivered to HEB. We continue to get orders every week. So yes, we are continually surprised by how many orders we are getting, and thus trying to make more posole. Actually, for 30 years this has always been the case. No matter how big a pot of posole we make, we always run out and people are always saying, “where’s the posole?”

Q: Where in Austin can you purchase Holy Posole?

A: You can purchase Holy Posole at 49 HEB grocery stores that have the Kitchen Connections in their store. I have a list on my website, holyposole.net. Also you may find my Holy Posole at Fresh Plus on West Lynn in Austin, Texas. Amazon also carries my soup online for people not living near an HEB grocery store or in Texas.

Q: Do you see Holy Posole expanding beyond Texas?

A: Oh yes, I see Holy Posole being served all over the world. My soup  spreads peace and harmony and comfort and it will allow people all over to world to enjoy this feeling. It is all I can think of to help the world right now, make soup to help us all heal from whatever problems we may have. I would love to provide soup for all the hungry people that may need food.

Q: Would you ever consider selling another natural soup besides posole?

A: Right now we are manufacturing two new natural soups….a Verde Holy Posole and a tortilla soup with hominy. I also have a habenero sauce we are finalizing this week. All of these products are all natural and very tasty. Harmony through hominy and peace through posole!

Check out local HEB’s and Fresh Plus on West Lynn to try out Sharon Ely’s famous Holy Posole, while supplies last. You can also stay up to date with what’s happening with Holy Posole by visiting their blog or Facebook page.

Support a local product and unlock the healing powers of the Chimayo chile with your purchase. Besides tasting great, this natural soup has restorative powers and is made with love. Keep in mind, this also makes a great gift to those not familliar with regional Texas and New Mexico cuisine!

Citizen Generation’s Second Annual Charity Bash and Masquerade Ball will be held Saturday, February 18 benefitting Capital Area Food Bank. The Winter Wonderland will include an open bar, food, entertainment, and art from Generous Art which donates 40% of each piece of art to nonprofits.

The dress code is black tie. Early ticket purchasers will be charged $80 or $150 per couple. Otherwise, the event is $100 per person at the door. VIP bottle service packages are available by emailing info@citizengeneration.org. Click here to purchase tickets.

The artists from Generous Art have also been making headlines. Six Generous Artists were filmed by KLRU during E.A.S.T.  TREND magazine featured Jennifer Chenoweth’s Heaven and Hell piece from the two-part show Hell and Heaven in Santa Fe. ART LIES magazine recently reviewed Virginia Fleck’s 2011 solo exhibition CONSUMED at the Holly Johnson Gallery in Dallas, Texas.

"CO2 Mandala" by Virginia Fleck; plastic bags and tape; 60" in diamter; courtesy of the artist and Holly Johnson Gallery, Dallas

Carol Haymen was selected as one of the ten winning artists of the Austin Art Board’s competition. Lastly, Southwest Art named Generous Artist Kerry Schroeder as their “Arist to Watch” in the November 2011 issue.

In 2011, the combined total donated to charity was $124,390. Generous Art has grown to represent 23 artists and 30 nonprofits in Austin.

Generous Art and Artists will be featured on an upcoming episode of Arts in Context on KLRU airing Thursday, Fenruary 23 at 7:30 pm. Generous Art will have a viewing party.

If you would like to help a Generous Artist raise money to attend a residency at the Vermont Studio Center in March, you can visit Emily Moore’s studio sale online. Additionally, a live event will be held February 5 at Texas French Bread at 2900 Rio Grande from 3 to 7 pm with refreshments provided.

"Home" by Emily Moore; monoprint and watercolor on paper; 10"x6.25"; $100 unframed

If you would like to see more work by the Generous Artists, many have their work on view in Austin. The 2012 People’s Gallery Exhibit at Austin City Hall will feature the work of Jennifer Chenoweth, Larry Graeber, Renee Nunez, and Sydney Yeager. Chenoweth will show her hanging steel sculpture titled Heaven and Hell. Renee will show her work titled Inertial Haze which consists of a reclaimed materials wall installation. She will also show Octofloss, a 7 foot cut canvas painting. The opening reception will be held Friday, February 24 from 6 to 9 pm.

Carolyn Kimball is a part of the upcoming Women Printmakers of Austin show. The juried Monoprint/Monotype Exhibit will take place at the Gallery at the J in Austin, Texas through February 28.

Two of Sydney Yeager’s paintings hang in the restaurant and bar of the W Hotel as a part of their collection. See them at 200 Lavaca St. in downtown Austin.

With Austin’s art scene taking off, these are great oppurtunities to see some of these masterpieces live in person.

Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail

Whether your New Year’s resolutions involve getting active, eating right, de-cluttering, guilt-free shopping, or saving a little money, we’ve got you covered with a few ideas and mentions to kick off 2012. Many larger gyms around town are also offering membership savings for the new year as well.

Sometimes even just changing up your normal workout routine can give you more results.  The Bar Method Austin on West Fifth Street creates a sculpts bodies and elongates muscles by blending isometrics, dance conditioning, and physical therapy. Ask about their new client special.

One of Austin’s favorite green trainers, urban animal, has recently merged with Dynamax Training to incorporate medicine balls into their workouts. Partner-based Velocity Boot Camp offers fast-paced workouts with killer results. For the duration of a month, Phase Ten Training will use a scaled sequence of programs, drills, and medicine ball work. Both classes are offered at multiple locations.

Another local favorite, with it’s donation-based classes, Black Swan Yoga features heated yoga with their Sweaty Yoga and more advanced Power Yoga. Don’t worry, beginners can still take Vinyasa classes. Bring your own mat or rent one for a $2 donation. You might want to bring a towel as well if you take a heater class!

Remember, you can always get in shape on a budget. Take a stroll, jog, run, or bike ride around Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail featured above. There are 3, 4.5, 5, 7, and 10.3 mile loops that span the picturesque Barton Creek area to Austin’s downtown, all surrounding the lake. Just gorgeous!

Another free way to work out is just by cleaning up! Try de-cluttering and some other housework to burn up to an extra 170 calories on average.

For many people, eating right with little time or while on the go can be tough. Ditch the fast food and opt for some nutritionally balanced take-out from My Fit Foods, Mel’s Meals, or Snap Kitchen. Click for locations and ask about vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Many offer delivery options as well.

For tons of delivery options, check out Greenling for local food and organic products from Central Texas. Save money, gas, and time with their free delivery. You can even get a profile of all of their farmers.

Engage in some guilt-free shopping with new fair-trade accessory line from Ghana, Della. Della helps empower a team of women through education, jobs, and skills training. Instead of buying from China, they use 100% West African textiles to make unique prints that stimulate the local economy. All items are signed by the women that made it.

Saving money can also help out in the new year. Find a large jar or container and start putting your spare change away. Don’t be afraid to put a few bills in there. The reward will be taking it to the bank once it fills up.

They say time is money, but sometimes spending a little extra time to look for deals and coupons means not spending a little extra money. If you’re not in a hurry, take your time at the store and peruse the coupon section.

Start the new year right - it’s never too late to make a change! Happy 2012!

37th Street Lights

Dreaming of a white Christmas? It might not be too likely to happen in Austin this year, but all of the holiday lights make it easy to get into the spirit of things! No matter what side of town you’re on, there are plenty of options. As Christmas draws closer, Austin’s best-lit neighborhoods can definitely draw a crowd.

Just east of Guadalupe, the 37th street lights are particularly famous. What started as just a single resident adding on each year to a Christmas lights display now encompasses the entire neighborhood with everything from trees, rooftops, and light poles to old motorcycles, cars, and lawnmowers all coated with lights. This fantastic light display is truly one of the most spectacular in the entire state. Due to its popularity, be prepared to park several blocks away. Just start at Guadalupe and keep walking, it is absolutely magical!

Photo by David Weaver, A-List Photos

The majority of Hyde Park decorates lavishly. Don’t miss driving though the avenues to see some of the other lit houses in this area of town.

Photo by David Weaver, A-List Photos

When discussing Christmas lights in Austin, it’s impossible not to mention the Zilker Holiday Tree. Although there has been some controversy as the Holiday Tree replaced the famed Trail of Lights due to city budget cuts, the Zilker Holiday Tree still makes an impressive display. The tree composed of 39 streamers stands at 155 ft tall and totals 3,307 lights all together. The double star on tops measures 10 ft from point to point. It’s a true Austin-holiday tradition to stand under the center of the tree, look up, and spin around. As you drive to the park, check out on some of the neighborhood lighting surrounding the Zilker area.

Photo by Chris Williamson

Though not quite as big, the Domain will feature a 40-ft Great Tree. The Domain will have other yuletide activities going on including complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides, marshmallow roasting, holiday entertainment, and traditional strolling carolers on Fridays and Saturdays in addition to fireworks displays on Saturdays beginning at 8 pm.

Head to Austin’s highest point at Mt Bonnell to see more holiday twinkling. From your elevated vantage point, it is easy to see the lit-up residences along the lake. Driving through the surrounding neighborhoods is also worthwhile to see all of the lit-up houses.

You can even contribute to charity and view Christmas lights all in one stop. 8304 Roan Lane in the Oak Hill features thousands of lights timed to music. The house collects donations for Make-A-Wish Foundation. Last year, the light display raised over $1,200 for the charity.

Also in southwest Austin, the Circle C neighborhood boasts excellent holiday lights with many of the cul-de-sacs joining in together to create a theme. Escarpment Blvd and its side streets have some of the best lights.

Downtown even features some lights on 6th street, parts of Congress, as well as the 2nd Street District.

Besides being just plain fun, Austin’s incredible light displays are an easy way to get into the holiday spirit and see some truly artistic representations of the Christmas holiday.

Photo by David Weaver, A-List Photos

Don’t miss out on a unique chance to do some holiday shopping – Austin-style! The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is the city’s hub for seasonal shopping, live music, and all-around fun. Back for it’s 36th season, this year’s Armadillo will feature even more new artists and bands alongside longtime favorites, making this the coolest shopping scene in town.

The event is a music festival and an art fair all rolled into one, with over 160 artists and more than 30 live acts over an 11-day period. At least three bands will take the stage every day. Bands encompass all sorts of genres, including country, rock & roll, salsa, bayou, gospel, and soul. See the full music line-up below.

Discover one-of-a-kind gifts, ranging from funky to sophisticated, at the veritable pop-up museum of art. Click here to check out the artist gallery for a full listing.

The fun begins on December 14 and runs through Christmas Eve, with daily festivities from 11am to 11 pm. Food and drink will be served from open to close, with new brews and faster service available at multiple stations.

Admission is $5 on weekdays before 7 pm, and $8 on weekends. Children under age 12 can get in free.

Live Music Lineup

Wednesday, December 14
12:00pm Kyle Park
3:30pm  Brian Keane
8:00pm  Band of Heathens

Thursday, December 15
12:00pm  The Drakes

3:30pm  Deadman

8:00pm  BoDeans

Friday, December 16

12:00pm  Sahara Smith
3:30pm   Hank & Shaidri Alrich w/ Special Guest Andrew Hardin
8:00pm  Patricia Vonne
9:15pm  Del Castillo

Saturday, December 17

12:00pm  Terri Hendrix
3:30pm  Eliza Gilkyson
8:00pm  Jimmy LaFave

Sunday, December 18

12:00pm  Kat Edmonson
3:30pm  Ruthie Foster
8:00pm  James McMurtry

Monday, December 19

12:00pm  Biscuit Brothers
3:30pm  Robyn Ludwick
8:00pm  The Eggmen

Tuesday, December 20

12:00pm  Kalu James
3:30pm  Albert & Gage
8:00pm  Marcia Ball

Wednesday, December 21

12:00pm  The Trishas
3:30pm   Suzanna Choffel
8:00pm   Twangbangers

Thursday, December 22

12:00pm  Hot Club of Cowtown
3:30pm  Warren Hood and the Goods
8:00pm  Ray Wylie Hubbard

 Friday, December 23

12:00pm  Sons of Fathers
3:30pm  Shelley King
6:30pm Mary Hattersley’s Blazing Bows
8:00pm  Slaid Cleaves

Saturday, December 24

12:00pm  Cienfuegos
3:30pm  Jitterbug Vipers
8:00pm  Texana Dames

The magical forest of tinsel trees has returned to the Toy Joy parking lot!  These mystical plants love sunlight and family gatherings, and are easy to care for.

Tinsel trees will be available every Friday – Sunday in the Toy Joy parking lot, during daylight hours, weather permitting.  These trees are quite rare, so supplies are limited! Be sure to arrive early for the best selection.

Trees are also available inside Toy Joy during the week.  

So stop by, and take home your very own tinsel tree for the holidays!

Toy Joy
2900 Guadalupe  Austin, TX 78705
(512) 320-0090 

Modern organic architecture and boutique amenities on Lake Travis start at $245K. Enjoy the Summer kitchen, waterfall edge pool, large hot tub, day docks and lake swimming area.

Waterstone is a luxury private enclave comprised of 71 limited-edition condominiums offering you Lake Travis waterfront living without compromise. Waterstone was conceived by Larry Speck, celebrated architect of the renowned firm PageSoutherlandPage and recipient of 33 national design awards. His concept for Waterstone stems from the desire to create a uniquely sensitive merger of landscape and living.

Adventure from Sunrise to Sunset. Waterstone offers a relaxed lifestyle as well as plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure. Spend your day anchored in a secluded cove, hiking the Hill Country foothills or Waterstone’s private nature trail, windsurfing along the shore, mountain biking, or gathering for a family cookout. Take advantage of Waterstone’s amenities that include an outdoor kitchen, day dock, swimming pier and a fire pit, or pass the time indulging in the resort-style pool and spa. All in all, Waterstone provides the perfect place to call home.

Markets change, but lake property is forever. There’s never been a better time to purchase your second home on Austin’s beloved Lake Travis. Because now you can take advantage of new ownership’s deep discounts on these new, luxury condominiums. Originally priced from the $420’s, Waterstone is now offered beginning in the $240’s.

For more event info, go here.

Booths featuring the works of 14 local artists will have artwork for sale including painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture, woodwork, mosaics, and more.

Music and entertainment will be held on the main stage by Sara Hickman, Joe McDermott, Low Expectations and Isadora Duncan dancer Meg Brooker with students from The Girls’ School of Austin. In addition, performances  will be held throughout the garden by Circus Chickendog, Anthropos Arts, Tiny Tails to You, and Storytelling by Karen Hodges.

Children activities presented by Abrakadoodle will include paper flowers, origami, model magic animals, face and cheek painting and Paint Me a Garden murals.

Save some room! Amy’s Ice Cream, Bananarchy, Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, Boss Hogs Kitchen, Hot Dog King, and Sugar Shack BBQ will all be serving up their specialties.

Come celebrate the birthday of one of Austin’s most beloved artists and support the arts with a weekend of community fun!

Click here for further details on the artists, music, directions, and tickets. Hours are from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and noon to 5pm Sunday. Save $3 when you buy your ticket in advance.

'Icarus' by Charles Umlauf; bronze; 1965

With the recent 10th anniversary of 9/11 and after witnessing some extraordinary people step up to help those affected by the fires in Central Texas, I’m reminded of the good we’re capable of and curious why it isn’t more common. Why do we need catastrophic events to bring out the best in us? I recently wrote about neighborly behavior, and the key point, I think, comes down to consideration. Like, understanding the consequences of bad manners vs. good manners within our neighborhoods and communities. Now, it’s time to recognize how much neighbors contribute to our quality of life.

The Expert Animal Trainer

Maybe we don’t give it much thought, yet take a look at list of the things that impact our neighborly feelings:

• Parking. Do we own the curb in front of our house? Is it polite to dominate the same space of a neighbor?
• Trash. Throw the cigarette butts on the street? Leave bottles, wrappers and other junk for another neighbor to retrieve? Doesn’t take much effort to do the right thing.
• Pets. Big fan of the move towards sustainable food sources – welcome, chickens! Remember, not everyone else shares the same feeling. Pick up after that dog and leave wild animal training to the experts (read = please refrain from feeding raccoons and possums).
• Construction/deliveries. I’ve covered this, and it’s quite simple. Be proactive, or expect negative consequences.
• Water. Wow, is this critical (see photos). We’re in a drought, please don’t take the defiant “I need a green lawn” role here. It’s not a renewable resource, treat it with respect.
• Weirdos. Probably not you (or me), if you’re reading this. Hey, I like the unique-ness of Austin. Sometimes, it goes a bit too far: Thong-guy-on-a-bike, this means you!
• Noise. More food for thought in the condo/shared wall world than single family homes. However… tell your neighbors you are having a party if it’s more than dinner with friends. Even better, invite them.

Hiding!

There’s more to add to the list, though it really boils down to how we handle disputes. Too many of us hide behind 311 or anonymous letters. Imagine if we tried the same strategy in a relationship with a spouse, or kids, parents, even a colleague. It wouldn’t make the relationship and environment a bit testy at all, would it? Uh-huh. Constructive, shared communication rarely creates more problems, and often turns into healthy relationships. If we’re going to spend 7-10 years, on average, next door to someone, we should like to know a little about them. So get off Facebook and Twitter and try it. It’s called a conversation, a little goes a long way and I bet you enjoy your new (old) neighbors.

The Austin Yoga Festival was formed to celebrate the traditions of yoga, by bringing together Austin’s traditional yoga studios, teachers, ayurvedic practitioners, and holistic wellness providers. The aim is to raise awareness of the benefits of yoga, to provide a family-friendly space to practice yoga, listen to ayurvedic and wellness providers, shop among yogic vendors, listen to yoga or kirtan musicians, chant, sing and of course have some fun.

Weekend passes are $40 and single day passes are $25 with options for children’s passes, “buddy” passes, and T-shirts. Click here to purchase your tickets to Austin Yoga Fest for October 8-9. Gates will open at noon.

On Saturday, Joel Laviolette and Rattletree Marimba will play from 8:30 to 10 pm.  Mehtab, Siri Bahadur, and special guests will follow the closing ceremony beginning at 6:45 pm on Sunday.

There are classes for all levels. Mel’s Meals will be offering healthy food choices for carnivores, vegetarians, vegans, as well as gluten-free selections. Austin Yoga Festival will also have snacks offered by nutrition and energy bar companies.

Bring a yoga mat, or you can buy one from one of the vendors and wear appropriate, loose fitting yoga-friendly clothing. You may also bring a water bottle and yoga props like blankets, bolster, zafu, etc.