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 oppurtunity 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!

"Gun", 2011, pigment print, 16"X24"

Elaine I-Ling Shen explores the complex nature of childhood and human impulse in her latest exhibit, Everything is Possible Again, through a series of photographs and sculptures. The exhibit opens February 11 with a reception from 6 to 9 pm.

A series of photographs depicts a group of children in an unscripted, mysterious environment. The children stand in defiance of what a “good” child is supposed to look like. Instead of being well-scrubbed and properly dressed, they are gestural, bold, raw, confident, and breathtakingly beautiful. The painted, feral images read part Lord of the Flies’ crash survivors meets Peter Pan’s Lost Boys. These wild creatures inhabit their own world where tenderness and aggression, chaos and hierarchical order can coexist without confusion. The savage vista reigns without technology or the dominating presence of adults.

Alongside the photographs, Shen presents several sculptural assemblages that use found weapons constructed by very young children. This speaks to notions of instinct, origin, and the desire to collect and categorize in attempt to make sense of our place in history. Fashioned by anonymous hands, the primitive weapons share the common material language of sticks, wood chips, bamboo, and duct tape. Considering the makers’ age, these complicated objects show the contrast between innocence and violence.

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Elaine I-Ling Shen received her BA from The University of Texas at Austin and her MFA from Yale University. She has taught at Yale University, Fordham University, and the University of Texas. While her work has been shown in several group shows, this will be her first solo show.

Blackbox is an art space that presents contemporary art exhibitions and diverse creative ventures. Blackbox is located at the home of its facilitators, Stella and Leon Alesi, at 1017-A West Milton St, Austin, Texas 78704. Hours are from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and by appointment. For more information, contact Leon Alesi at (512) 460-9756 or leonalesi@gmail.com.

Blackbox

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.

The annual Dell Children’s Gala benefitting the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas will take place on Saturday, January 28 at the Austin Convention Center Grand Ballroom. Event chairs Kay and Eric Moreland invite Austinites to attend the first social event of the year in Austin, which raises approximately $1 million per year for the Medical Center’s area of greatest need.

Event guests will enjoy a cocktail party at 6 p.m. and an elegant dinner and program at 8 p.m. followed by dancing with live music by The Sauce and a Casino lounge from 10 p.m. to midnight. During the event, guests will enjoy bidding on live and silent auction packages including an unforgettable getaway at the Four Seasons Resort, Nevis, West Indies; a seven night stay at Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley; and a Viking Outdoor Kitchen with consultation and dinner prepared by award-winning Chef Kent Rathbun.

From the moment guests arrive, they are mesmerized by the vibrant and cutting edge lighting displays by Ilios Lighting. Stunning floral design and centerpiece arrangements are created by David Kurio Floral Designs. Once inside, the grand ballroom is brought to life by world-renowned projection designer, Bart Kresa, through his kaleidoscope-like art projections on the interior walls.

The evening concludes with an after party at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. with live music and late-night fare by Trio.

The theme of this year’s gala is The Art of Healing, which speaks to the holistic, patient-centered care that the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas offers. “Dell Children’s has made healing an art form through child life services, art therapy, pet therapy and more,” says Kay Moreland. The family-centered environment at Dell Children’s includes meditation gardens, areas for children to play and study, as well as a collection of more than 950 pieces of original art – the largest non-museum art collection in Central Texas.

Sponsorships for the Dell Children’s Gala start at $2,500 and individual tickets are $500. To purchase either, contact Judah Crossland, jlcrossland@seton.org or 512-324-0170. Tables or tickets are also available for purchase at the event website.

Now you can slurp with style even in the a.m. hours at Houndstooth Coffee’s Fancy Fridays. Instead of the normal “casual Fridays,” the Houndstooth baristas are sprucing it up every week. It all began when one employee, Rudi, began wearing his bowtie on Fridays to add some style to the work week. The weekly ritual became a growing fad with the baristas, and voilà! The new, refined Fancy Fridays was born.

“Customers love it and it adds a special feeling to the whole day,” commented Houndstooth barista Sean Henry.

The quirky personalities of Houndstooth employees further complement the sustainable, quality ingredients they use. Much like a bartender, these coffee “mixologists” have even gone through lengthy training sessions and truly master that perfect cup of coffee. The baristas set the tone of Houndstooth by conversing, building relationships with customers, and embracing a sense of community.

With a plethora of coffee shops to choose from, it can be difficult to find the right place to feel comfortable enough to hang out. Houndstooth fosters a creative and social atmosphere without being uptight or pretentious.

This locally owned and operated coffee shop serves premium coffee, tea, beer, wine, and pastries from sustainable sources. The coffee is ever changing, depending on the the life of the bean, the season, and even the time of day. Distributors include Counter Culture, Cuvee, and Intelligentsia. Coffee and tea are both available in bulk. The Steeping Room supplies a large variety of tea. Even if you don’t care for coffee or tea, Houndstooth offers beer on tap from Real Ale, Breckenridge 471, Thirsty Planet, and Anchor Brewing. Bottled beer and wine by the glass or bottle are also available.

Houndstooth also offers public and private “cuppings.” Available by request or appointment, cuppings consist of three different kinds of coffee, cupping utensils, and a personal barista for one to six people. Public cuppings happen Mondays at 1:30.

Stop in for a morning coffee, afternoon tea, or wind down in the evening with a beer or glass of wine. Anyone can pour a cup of coffee. However, Houndstooth will craft you one. Don’t be shy, meet a barista and make a friend!

Houndstooth Coffee
4200 North Lamar Boulevard #120 | Austin, TX 78756
512.531.9417 

Do you have what it takes?

America’s Got Talent is holding auditions this weekend, January 14th and 15th, at the Austin Convention Center. Doors open at 8am and close at 7pm on both days.

What promises to be very competitive auditions are to be a contestant on the 7th season of the NBC talent show hosted by Nick Cannon and judged by the likes of  Sharon Osborne, Howie Mandel, and Howard Stern. Show Creator Simon Cowel (of American Idol and X Factor fame) has promised that, moving into the 7th season, the show will undergo a top-to-bottom makeover, including the addition of a mysterious fourth judge and a big move from LA to NY.

The team of judges have already scoped out the talent in New York, St. Louis, Washington D.C., Anaheim, and Tampa. After giving the mic to the folks in Austin, they will be moving on to Charlotte and San Francisco.

If you’re ready to show off your mad skills to the world, be sure to pre-register for you audition, download the paperwork, and check out the FAQ for audition tips and preparation advice.

Austin Convention Center 
500 East Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, TX 78701

Known for its steak, seafood, and fine dining, Finn & Porter truly wows with their sushi happy hour. Located in the Hilton hotel downtown, Finn & Porter offers half-price items off their sushi happy hour menu. However, this isn’t your typical sushi happy hour. Flawless technique and creativity set this menu apart.

For instance, the sea dragon comes with tuna, macadamia nuts, and then gets topped off with shisho pesto and green apple. The green apple gives it an amazing crunch and texture. Sushi Chef Triet Huynh really knows his sushi, using traditional techniques with nontraditional ingredients. The result is an deliciously unique menu.

For more simple sushi items, the nigiri is amazingly fresh and flavorful with a nice selection of fish that includes hamachi, walu, and tombo. I had maguro for my first time, a Japanese big eye tuna. Yum!

Sushi might not be for everyone. Luckily, there are still several delicious options available on the menu. Executive Chef Ryan Gossett’s “direct farm-to-table” approach comes through solidly with his attention to freshness and locally-grown foods.  Try the crab cake. Thai seasoned jumbo lump crab meat served beside a jicama and red pepper slaw with a mango coulis… It’s hard to beat.

Happy hour takes place Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 pm. Also, don’t forget to ask about Finn & Porter’s new champagne flight. It’s a fun way to try a variety of champagnes and decide which one is your favorite.

If you enjoy your sushi with a little sake, look no further than Finn & Porter’s list of premium sakes. If you’re like me, you might enjoy sake without knowing too much about it. However, Pearl from Finn & Porter is my new go-to on any questions about sake. Part of the excellent waitstaff team, Pearl explained several nuances on sake I had never known. Like fine wine, delicate conditions like the amount of sea salt in the air can temper the sake.

While not on the happy hour menu, try Chef Huynh’s take on east meets west in the lobsteryaki roll.  Saffron rice surrounds a vanilla butter poached lobster tail with cucumber and dried fig. Seared foie gras and truffle balsamic teriyaki crown the roll to give it a delightfully rich and buttery taste. This unique roll pairs well with sake or champagne.

The sweeping staircase, open space, and modern design elements of Finn & Porter make this a comfortable and lovely place to relax and get a bite to eat. The dining room includes two different nooks that have private and semi-private dining options. The parking is easily accessible with an entrance on Red River. For reservations, call (512) 493-4900.

Don’t miss out on these sushi masterpieces offered at happy-hour prices!

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!

No matter what your idea of the perfect way to usher in the New Year, Austin has an incredible amount of options if you’re ready for a night out! Several bars, clubs, and restaurants are offering special menus, party favors and entertainment.

Lambert’s BBQ Downtown is hosting a black/white tie optional party with an open bar, champagne toasts, late night tacos, and performances by the Black and White Years and Ritzz.

Not every place is over $100 either. J. Blacks has individual tickets to their New Years Eve 2012 Party for $40, where DJ Arsenal will spin from 7 pm to 2 am.

Parties will be happening literally all over town, with events held at Seaholm Power Plant, Speakeasy, ND at 501 Studios, Republic Live, the Mansion, Dogwood, the Omni, Kung Fu Saloon, Scoot Inn, Mohawks, Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Austin Music Hall, La Zona Rosa, Spiderhouse Ballroom, and Uncle Billy’s BBQ. Click here for a full list of events.

If music is a little more up your alley, there will be some real stand-out shows with some local favorites. Gary Clark Jr. will play at Antone’s. The Black Angels will also put on a show at Emo’s East and T Bird and the Breaks play Stubb’s.

For some foodies, a meal with multiple courses may be your key to a perfect New Year. If this is the case, several restaurants have made special New Years menus. On the upscale side, TRIO at Four Seasons will offer a four course menu and brunch the following day.

The Carillion, Parkside, Max’s Wine Dive, Aviary, Trace, Asti, Carmelo’s, eleven plates, Finn and Porter, Fino, and Perry’s Steakhouse will all have special menus.

The NYE menu at Fleming’s boasts steak and seafood with Moët & Chandon Impérial Champagne served from magnum bottles all night long!

Cheers and Happy New Years!

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