A Sinful Climax at the End of the Road
The overseas highway, built in late 1930s, as the southernmost leg of US 1, is the most colorful way to get to Key West, that last remnant of civilization before hitting a string of uninhabited barrier keys that lay like a necklace dotting the Atlantic and parts of the Gulf of Mexico. For much of its 113 miles of roadway linked by 42 bridges, it’s a one-lane affair where 55 mph is the recommended speed. Not that much goes by the book here. Built on coral bedrock, often atop remains of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railroad, the highway itself is an engineering marvel. And the sights along the way to Key West give even the most jaded traveller a sense of freedom. From tiny Key Deer the size of small dogs to incredible Giant Heron with four-feet wingspans, this is a remarkably fertile seascape of color, form, vegetation and wildlife so active that there isn’t a second that you won’t find something shadowed against a sky so blue that not even the cotton candy clouds can compete.
It is somehow appropriate that after the 3 hour and 45-minute journey from Fort Lauderdale, leaving all this bounty of sea and nature behind for the rough-around-the-edges Bohemian rhapsody that is Key West would be a let down. And so it would be if it weren’t for the oasis known as the Island House Resort (1129 Fleming St, Key West, FL 33040, 800-890-6284). Drive down the small alleyway streets of Key West, past the tourist vendors and T-shirt shops, the bars alongside the Conch Train with its tourists, cameras poised under oversized hats shielding from the heat, and arrive at this all-male, private compound of lush tropical gardens surrounding a large clothing-optional pool heated by the sun to the perfect walk in temperature that soothes as much as it invigorates.
You reach the front desk of this resort by a short brick path up an alleyway off of Fleming Street just west of White Street. The front desk is contained within a small comfortable lobby and populated with smiling faces that immediately nurture the road weary traveler in you. Just off the lobby is a complete, if petite, fitness center with all the essentials to keep you tight and toned, plus the additional features of a sauna, steam, and Jacuzzi where magic has been known to happen.
The rooms are all decorated in a chocolate brown, gold and beige theme that says masculine, sophisticated and luxurious in the same breath. The 300-count ironed linens, the thick towels, the flat screen TVs, the powerful showers, and the L’Occitane bath lotions and shampoos are standard whether you select the smallest accommodations, with shared bath priced at a low-end $99 during the summer months, to a standard room with queen bed and private bath at $259, to the grander double queen rooms with writing desk, sitting area, refrigerator, wet bar and deluxe walk-in closet priced at $359 during the off season.
We stayed in an immaculate one-bedroom apartment, with its own leather sectional sofa and large flatscreen TV, full kitchen, king size bed and full bath area, that tallies a sweet $359, or bring the whole family and occupy the two-bedroom apartment with its king and queen beds at $379. Either unit comes with private parking, always at a premium on the tight streets of the Key.
Next week, we’ll fill you in on the various free events staged weekly at the “House,” including a Sunday raffle orchestrated by the always friendly Richard. Until then…
]]>
Many dermatologists will tell you that hormones are responsible for most of the cases of acne. This is true, but the foods you eat have a major impact on your overall health and the way the brain functions to send these hormones through the body.
The hormones involved are called androgens or male sex hormones. These hormones prompt the skins oil glands to enlarge and produce excess sebum (the oily substance that lubricates the skin). With this surge of androgens the body also stimulates hair growth, which in turn increases the shedding of keratin (a protein in hair), resulting in a clogged pore. This clogged pore then forms a whitehead or closed comedo. Sometimes the pores and glands become infected with bacteria that usually inhibits the skin, thus causing the most severe case of acne–cystic acne. Cystic acne can be hereditary and past down from generation to generation.
There are certain foods and lifestyle choices that can cause this skin disease. Salt is a major contributor to acne and should be avoided in large doses. These large doses can cause a flare up and provoke a more deleterious case of acne. Heavily cured meats should be avoided during bouts of breakouts. Another food that should be used in moderation is kelp supplements. Kelp is mainlyused as a salt substitute and can cause severe cystic acne.
High doses of B vitamins are also linked to acne. Red meats have lots of vitamin B6 and B12, portions should be cut back or used in moderation to the standards of the food pyramid plate. High doses of vitamin A can cause dry and flaking skin that can bring acne to the surface. Self-treating acne with supplementation can have a very adverse effect. Constant over-exposure to the sunlight can exacerbate conditions of acne as well. Sunbathing and the heavy use of tanning beds while covered in tanning oils can cause breakouts to occur. Steroid use is a lifestyle choice that features acne as a side effect. Using steroids of any kind for whatever reason without a doctors prescription is a bad choice all the way around, especially for your overall health.
There are also many ways to prevent and combat acne’s evil grip on your skin. One is having a diet consisting up to 50% fruits and vegetables. Eating fresh fruits and vegetable that have higher concentrations vitamins A and C tremendously improve skin health. Whole grains and cereals with B vitamins and zinc helps lower acne incidences. Lean cuts of meats like chicken, fish, pork is recommended in the fight against this skin disease. Portions of these lean cuts of meat should be 4oz or less if eating only three meals per day. When treating or preventing acne, try not to scrub abrasively or use harsh chemicals that dry out the skin.
Choosing to have a proper diet, regularly exercising, keeping stress low and getting an adequate amount of sleep will be your best defense against this troublesome skin problem. Good nutrition; clean skin.
]]>Real Bruschetta
2 lbs of ripe tomatoes
6 cloves of garlic, skin removed
24 basil leaves (12 to cut up, 12 to use as garnish)
1 loaf good whole wheat or white bread
1/4 cup good extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt, in a grinder
Black pepper, in a grinder
Chop tomatoes into uniform pieces, about 1/2 an inch by 1/2 an inch wide; place in large attractive bowl. Roll 12 basil leaves into cigar-like shape; using kitchen shears, cut into ribbons. Pour over olive oil. Grind generous amount of salt over mixture, about eight turns of grinder. Very delicately, using clean hands or rubber spatula, toss. I say delicately because you don’t want the tomatoes to break down too much. Place in the refrigerator for no more than 30 minutes.
Next slice up the bread. Now…many recipes online say baguette, that’s not what you see in Italy. There they use a hearty, wide bread, which we might call “peasant” or “country bread.” Slice bread into a dozen, one-inch-wide slices. Place on cutting board, head to grill with big bowl of tomato salad and serving spoon, six cloves of garlic, remaining basil leaves, large serving platter, and pepper grinder.
Make sure grill is good and hot. Place sliced bread on the grill and grill for 1-2 minutes on each side. Like a steak you want to see the “grill lines,” but you don’t want the toasts to overcook or burn. So, pay attention! Next, here comes the fun part, after toasts are finished take a clove of garlic and gently rub it on each slice of bread – the firm, crunchy toast acts like a fine grater.
Lay toast on the platter – garlic side up – then spoon generous amount of tomato salad mixture onto each toast. Place a whole basil leaf on top. Grate black pepper over everything.
The only “trick” about this recipe is to have the garlicky toast warm underneath while the tomatoes are slightly cold. Serve with a good, cold, dry, white wine!.
Buon appetito!
]]>
]]>
Ingredients
1 quart of demi-glace
1 cup of red wine
¼ cup of chopped shallots
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
In a large saucepan, combine the wine and the shallots. Heat until the liquid boils, and then lower the heat a little and continue simmering until the liquid has reduced by three-fourths. Add the demi-glace, then lower heat to a simmer and reduce for about five minutes. Most chefs will then strain through a mesh strainer; I love shallots, so I just leave the sauce “as is.” Remember: You are the chef. Season to taste with salt and black pepper, and serve right away.
]]>Ingredients
2 cans of stewed tomatoes
1 can of tomato paste or sauce (no additives)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon of dried oregano (or you can use fresh thyme or herbs de Provence)
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
6 tablespoons of olive oil
1 big finely diced onion
½ cup of white wine
1 dash of hot sauce
In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over a medium-high flame. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, herbs, and bay leaf, and all the other ingredients, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens, about one hour. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, to taste. The sauce can be made one day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. (I always make a big batch and freeze it in small quantities.) You are the chef!
]]>Relationships: Whether we like it or “not,” we are the product of them, born into them and our lives defined by them. The word almost sounds soothing to the ears. Even the individual words that combine to form the new word—“relation” and “ships”—seem happy and smooth-sailing. But, just wait until you are onboard.
Our primary relationships (with our parents) help to form our personality and our attitude towards our other life connections. Many mental health professionals, me included, believe that a turbulent and rough relationship with our parents sets the tone for the other relationships developed along our personal journey.
If you are involved in a good relationship, everything is hunky-dory. There is little conflict and the boat ride progresses easily to its destination of bliss and satisfaction.
But what about the relationships that are rough and tempestuous?
Relationships can provide many benefits. They can offer companionship, security, romance, and support. They can also be riddled with mixed messages, communication breakdowns, disappointments, misunderstandings, and conflict. Some partners have a difficult time expressing their needs to each other. Arguments or disagreement may follow, but they may have positive or negative consequences. I believe that a “fair fight” or “heated discussion” can produce a positive outcome if both parties use this opportunity to resolve that issue.
A negative outcome might include one partner sulking or tuning out the other partner’s concerns. Words of disrespect may be expressed, and the parties stop listening to each other. My experience has been that, no matter what the argument is about, it is typically doesn’t represent the real issue.
Here are some suggestions to find successful solutions to relationship conflict:
It’s important to realize that you may be willing to sever a relationship over an issue that can be mutually settled with ease and calm. Is it worth giving up a great friend, supportive family member, or a loving partner because you weren’t willing to hear their side of things?
Howard M. Cohen, M.S. is a Wilton Manors-based Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern.
]]>Empire Stage
1140 N. Flagler Dr., Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 678-1496
islandcitystage.org, empirestage.com smarttix.com
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 5:00pm, through April 7.
$30.00
It’s been a long time since I was blown away by an evening of theater. Empire Stage’s production of the 2009 Drama Desk Award-winning “Body Awareness” is a perfect storm of excellent writing, a strong ensemble, and adept direction. Even the set design is perfect.
The play is set in the fictional small town of Shirley, Vermont, where Phyllis, a college professor organizes Body Awareness Week (with topics that range from a dance troupe of refugee Palestinian children to an eating disorder
seminar). She lives with her partner Joyce, a high school social studies teacher, and Joyce’s 21-year-old son Jarod, from a prior marriage. Jarod, a self-described autodidact, shows several symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome (a form of autism), but he refuses to seek treatment.
The family hosts Frank, one of the artists who is in town for the event. Frank is a middle-aged photographer whose artistic photos of nude women offend Phyllis. His presence exacerbates the already existing tension between the three family members, and when Joyce contemplates posing for one of Frank’s pictures, it threatens her relationship with Phyllis. Meanwhile, Jarod asks Frank for advice on how to attract women. In a climactic scene, his misinterpretation of Frank’s advice puts the family on the edge of crisis.
Clay Cartland is exceptional as Jarod the man-child. His spot-on interpretation of a young man struggling to cope in a society he doesn’t completely comprehend is nothing short of breathtaking. Janet Weakly takes the role of Joyce, a familiar mother/wife who is trying to keep all the roles in her life spinning, and adds an inner strength and depth of character that a lesser actor might have over-looked. Merry Jo Cortada does an excellent job of adding a layer of vulnerability to her interpretation of Phyllis, a feminist lesbian college professor. A scene late in the play, in which she shares a snack with her damaged stepson, is almost heartbreaking as you catch a glimpse into the woman she hides from others. David Gordon as the visiting artist Frank, who triggers Jarod’s life-changing decision, avoids the cliché of playing the role as a macho outsider. By taking the character in a subtler direction, Gordon opens up the interpretation of the other characters in the play.
The Tony Award-nominated Michael Leeds’ direction is phenomenal, allowing each character to unfold like a flower, while keeping the action moving forward. Michael McClain’s set design is spot-on and makes excellent use of the small space.
One of the themes in the play is how the artist as an outsider interprets his or her subject and how we, as the viewer, interpret the subject of an artist’s work. “Body Awareness” also reflects this. The characters to which you most relate will affect how you relate to the play. Playwright Annie Baker is an outsider observing these characters in a world she has created. It is a testament to her success in constructing this world that we as outsiders can relate to each character.
The small theater seats maybe 30 people and if this production isn’t sold out every night there’s something wrong in this world.
]]>Ingredients
2 lbs of lean stewing beef or sirloin tip
3 tablespoons of good olive oil
2 tablespoons of flour
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
1 large clove garlic, crushed (optional)
2 pints of Guinness Stout
4 carrots, cut into chunks
1 lb of mushrooms
2 pints of beef stock
Bouquet Garni
Trim any fat or gristle from the beef, and cut the trimmed beef into cubes of about two-inches. In a container, cover the meat with the Guinness and leave overnight in the refrigerator. The following day, drain off the meat, and reserve the Guinness. Heat the olive oil in a thick saucepan over a high heat. Add the onions and crushed garlic, and cook for about five minutes or until golden brown. Scoop out all this with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Toss the meat in the hot pan, and brown the meat on all sides. Add the flour and stir. Add the stock, the Guinness, and the bouquet garni. Bring to a boil and with a wooden spoon stir and scrape to dissolve the caramelized meat juices on the bottom of pan. Add the carrots and the mushrooms. Simmer very gently until the meat is tender, about two-to-three-and-a-half-hours. Stir often. Top up with a little broth if you feel it’s needed. Taste and correct the seasoning. Stir and stir, taste, and add a little more salt if necessary. Serve with egg noodles or mashed potatoes. Garnish with lots of chopped parsley. You are an Irish chef!
]]>