Hello World!

Autism Speaks Now!

I am participating in a walk for Autism Speaks next month and would love it if you would support me in this endeavor. Come out and join me or donate to the foundation.

You can support the foundation through me on my FaceBook page

OR right on the Walk Now For Autism Speaks site and enter my name

Christina Baita

Thanks for supporting these wonderful and beautiful children that need our help.

Today started out really bad because I could not seem to get my computer to work anywhere in the house. For some reason, I have little to no patience with electronics that do not work when needed. Okay, pretty much anything that doesn’t work when needed! All is better now, the panic attack has subsided and it’s time to have fun.

First, I made my first smoothie as part of the Green Smoothie Challenge, which included Romaine Lettuce, Bananas and water. This particular one doesn’t even taste like anything to me. This may be a good thing since drinking lettuce could sound a bit strange. It’s blended and not juiced, which I think was throwing me off. I will probably write more on the nutrient side of this on my medical blog.

Now, on to the really fun stuff!

I am going to be making  some cupcakes that I found in a new cookbook The Craft of Baking by  Karen DeMasco & Mindy Fox

Carrot Cupcakes with Mascarpone Cream Frosting.

Off to grate some carrots….

Two and a half cups of carrots to be exact. I think that I only added about two cups because I couldn’t stuff any more into the extra thick batter. I made the recipe gluten free by using an all purpose flour I got from a guest on Martha Stewart‘s show, Cybele Pascal who wrote Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook. Because the mix included potato starch, I added about 1/4 cup of plain rice milk and also one and one half tsps of xanthan gum to replace the missing gluten.

The icing, Marscapose cheese, cream, creme fraise. Do I need to say more? I made these a bit smaller since they are NOT fat free with that icing. I may try them again with a lower fat icing since the cupcakes themselves are really good. Almost like a meal so I am really glad that I didn’t add that other half cup of carrots.

Next, some chocolate and raspberry cupcakes de Paris!

While I am not saying that Cincinnati does not have it’s own charms and advantages, I just spent the last few hours walking around the Cleveland, Ohio and am still on a high from everything I saw. From what I was told, I didn’t even see half of it. That may be true but this city is a lot bigger so it’s not a fair comparison to judge apples to apples. What I can tell you is that this city has a thing or two we should pay attention to.

The city is broken down into Districts and are easily accessible free Trolleys, buses or taxis. With maps of each District, the city is also easily accessible by foot.

I really like Fountain Square and think that the hotels around it offer great choices but am I going to get hit while trying to get from the mall to Fountain Square? The traffic at 5th Street and Vine is insane! People trying to cross the streets from Carew Tower to Macy’s, Macy’s to Fountain Square, The Westin Hotel or restaurants and Fountain Square. This area could definitely benefit from a road closure, at least on weekends. a suggestion is to offer paid parking farther out with free transportation around the big areas.

With that said, I am not convinced that Cincinnati’s transportation is adequate. Does this mean that I am a Street Car fanatic? Not sure. What about the  trolley car that is used for special occasions? I just rode one here and it’s only some Wednesday in April, not a holiday. It’s there, doesn’t require tracks and could bring more revenue into the shopping and eateries. They have a bus system also and trains too. Yes, trains! Right underneath the Tower City Center/Terminal Tower, there is a rail system that is part of the RTA and will take you not only to the AIRPORT but other places as well.

I do not expect anyone to put train lines under Carew Tower; however something that just popped into mind is that just like Cleveland is made up of different areas,

(i.e.,Playhouse Square, Gateway District, Civic Center, Warehouse District and more), what if the  Cincinnati Museum’s train station was used more efficiently and had a train that went out to/toward the airport? If it were also able to go up to Columbus and beyond, like I heard was a recent discussion, that could serve the traffic problem, right? I am sure that it would cost a pretty penny to complete however, how could so many other cities be wrong? I have been in two cities in less than a week that offer this transportation. I am sure that there are those who believe grid lock and smog are the better answer but they probably don’t drive it everyday.

We have the “Theatre District” already in place and I love it. We even have a “Financial District”. So the city is on to a good start. I wonder if a museum on the bottom floor could bring in some extra funds. Would anyone find it beneficial to add signs showing a map of the city/areas? The Gateway Quarter looks to me like it could be a move in the right direction also, if enough people can be convinced that downtown is a place they want to be but will that project continue all the way to Liberty? It worries me that just a couple of blocks away hasn’t shown any signs of clean up. Bringing Kroger in to the mix for a better Downtown store may be the final touch on the street to add to the great restaurants and chic shopping. Personally, I’d like to know what’s going on with Main Street and the Casino.

Speaking of the Street Car Debate, what exactly would this offer and how quickly could it be put in to place? The cable cars/trolley system in San Francisco is fantastic however, it has been in place for a long time. I know that there are trolley’s in Cincinnati somewhere because I rode them. Again, during the holidays. Why just the holidays? Have you ever tried to park at Findlay Market on the weekend? Have you ever tried to get to a ball game with limited parking and $20 event parking? No thanks, I’ll walk for $20! Even the Museum Center is a joke sometimes to find a spot. Why not use a parking garage farther out, charge a reasonable fee and shuttle people around by those lovely trolley cars collecting dust somewhere? Sure, you can take a bus, when it decides to show up but some people (the ones we need to come into the city and shop, stay and play) still have to drive at least part way. There has to be a better way to make money and serve the people than annoying parking “police” that meter watch.

So many questions, so little time! So much potential.

What I did get to see was the amazing architecture not unlike Cincinnati, where old meets new, glass and brick. Big and small, grand and meager in size not taking away from the view but adding to it. I was simply looking around enjoying the scenery when I saw an amazing statue area that intrigued me so I crossed the street to take a close look. What I saw as the objects grew closer, were soldiers carrying weapons of the past. It was an honor to the soldiers of the civil war from the area. Inside, stood an even greater tribute with the names of 9000 names written out on the wall and life size statues of some of the war hero’s and the women behind them, including one I recognized right away to be former president, Abraham Lincoln.

The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument

Downtown, Public Square.  Free

Another thing that stood out as amazing as doable in Cincinnati was Cleveland’s 4th street. Set between Euclid and Prospect Avenues, 4th street is not accessible to vehicular traffic. It is simply a block of restaurants on either side of the street with inside and outside dining with fantastic choices of all different cultures. I am told by the waiters there that it’s really popular on the weekends and allows for guests to mingle with each other and really have a great time.

In the Tower City Center, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fantastic mall. it’s not your typical mall where everything is clumped together though. Shops and restaurants are scattered (nicely) amongst at least three floors. Everything from Greek to Chinese, Houlihan’s to Taco Bell and then the popular Auntie Anne’s, The Sweet Factory graced the bottom floor along with a Foot Locker, Bath & Body Works and a few stores I had never heard of. I grabbed a quick bite to eat and took it over to where a jazz band was setting up as a preview for tomorrow’s start of Jazz Fest.

Even with the problems that every city faces, Cincinnati is making improvements that I hope works. I live Downtown and love it. I can walk to anything and can only imagine how much better it would be if better planning and transportation were put into place because:

Cincinnati Rocks Too!

When people ask me where I live, I say “Downtown”. If I say Over The Rhine, I get one of two responses; either “Oh?”, or “Oh.” Either it’s a great thing or they’re suddenly afraid for my life. I just laugh and say, oh please, I live across from an over priced Italian restaurant. Not exactly the ghetto even if the occasional happens.

Last night I walked to what I call the ghetto Kroger, even though I know it’s not really the ghetto, it’s my ghetto because it’s a world still unfamiliar to me. something that I cannot comprehend. The people that work there are really nice and the locals don’t bother me so who cares. The thing is that if you walk a block south, you come upon a new neighborhood. One of glass and steel, possibly more over priced and trendy restaurants, although I hear the Senate is really good, chic shops and a nice if not yet expensive plant shop. So, how do you go from total poverty and graffiti to what you want to make a trendy area to live?

Today, as I walked down what used to be a great street bustling with nightlife on the weekends, the one we call Main Street, I am saddened to see people dressed with such disrespect in their clothing and their mouths. Every other word contains only 4 letters even when speaking to the little children they drag along or yell at to keep up. Painted screams on the walls of abandoned buildings telling no ones business and the names they want to represent even if in poor representation. Where are the parents? It’s something I often ask and yet I may already know the answer.

The court house on Main Street is once again a flutter with new stations parked in the lot across the street, anchors telling the story to be sent back live. I do not even need to know what’s going on because it’s just another case of out own war being fought right here on our streets against each other. Where is God? Standing by and trying to remain a part of our every day lives yet being pushed further away each day from the children who really need him. I guess that the violence and the loss of hope is better for some. Not me.

Once you get further into the downtown area, things start to shape up. Newer buildings, or at least ones that are kept up. Just like on vine street only blocks from the rubble of old, life is trying to be stirred and redirected into the structure. Is it enough though? Restaurant row, beginning on 6th and Main, is the first thing that I saw after my bus started to move. I mention to the woman sitting next to me that “Mr. Sushi is supposed to be a good place”. As I should of expected, the reply was that it’s expensive. I am not sure what she thinks is expensive though since is it is after all sushi. It’s good to see though that assuming it is expensive no matter what it is that I have noticed a lot of buzz and people filling the restaurant every time that I have passed. This has to be a good sign, right?

For now, I will just have to wonder and go to work as we pull up to my stop. Have a great day!

Since I am going back to work after yet another knee surgery (I think we got it right this time), I want to keep up the training. The problem is that the trips I noticed that are available these days can have really, really long breaks in between flights. What am I supposed to do then?

Well, I just ran across a site that shows you which airports have gyms, where they are located and how much it costs to use for the day. I’ve always wished that they would put in a gym but never really thought it would be possible.

Now, some of these gyms are in nearby hotels and some are down the street at an actually workout facility. I did not have the time to travel around the world (although they have) to look at them all but I checked my biggest airport for those “productivity breaks” *insert sarcastic tone here*, JFK!

Check it out for yourself and keep up those New Years Promises.

This is my last week of physical therapy before I return to work (as a flight attendant). I am almost sad. For the last two months these have been my friends, my support and encouragement. Rick, my therapist says that he is impressed by my will power but really it comes from the fact that he doesn’t let me give up. When I go in, if he is busy, I immediately get on the exercise bike. instead of the 5 minutes with no resistance, I like to do the 7 minute warm up. Definitely more intensive that it even sounds. I have been switching it up over the last couple of weeks so that my thighs burn so bad I can barely walk over to the table. I am determined to have legs with some muscles on them for once in my life.

As I do my routine today, I am looking around and listening to everything going on around me. I find this to be so helpful because there are often others there that are dealing with the same things that I myself have dealt with over the last few years and it’s a great reminder. You can have a great conversation with someone and learn a lot or even teach them a thing or two based off of your own experiences if you only say “Hi”.

I look at the ceiling and picture how it was made. The new building is an amazing difference over the old one. The equipment although they still complain about it, is definitely much better. Yet even with how much larger the new place is, certain times of the day, like a Monday morning, are so busy it’s often a game of musical tables to even find one. You have to spread out your things to reserve a table. I first put my coat on the table with my bag next to it and went to the bike but when I returned, I found my coat under the table. So, I went to a different table. The problem is I needed to go to the bathroom. I left my shoes purposefully spread apart ON the table and my coffee too as to say, don’t even think about it. It was all still as it was left when I came back.

I will miss meeting new people where it’s okay to talk about what’s wrong without boring them or fear of the person rendering you pitiful and useless.

I think that I will have to go back at least one day a week when I am in town. I could use the encouragement to keep on working hard at my knee’s bending potential and keep up on the news of the twins my therapist’s and his wife are waiting to deliver.

Thanks Wellington for the impression that you have made and all that you have done. The therapy after the surgery is the most important part so I’ve learned the hard way and you provided that.

St Patrick’s Day

So, what exactly is St. Patrick’s Day and how did it all begin?

St. Patrick was born as Maewyn Succat in Britain, who was kidnapped, taken to Ireland and forced to be a slave. After he turned to God, he had a dream from heaven telling him to escape and go back to Britain. Once there, he had another dream telling him to go back to Ireland as a missionary and teach the Irish about Christianity, which he did. He served the Lord for 30 years before dying on March 17^th, 461 AD, using his Christian name Patrick.

A religious holiday was then adopted for named Saint. Each year a religious holiday was held on the day of his death with a feast. Eventually it gained in popularity and began as a day of reprieve during the lent season, which included drinking ale. It did not become a public holiday until 1903!

The color of this day used to be blue yet was changed to green due to the fact that St. Patrick used the green clover in his teachings to describe

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

In the mid 1990’s, the Irish government began a campaign to use the holiday to showcase the Ireland and it’s culture by having a festival. It began as a daylong festival and immediately grew to five days including concerts and fireworks.

Here in the US, the Chicago River is died green each year along with many other things like beer and eggs to celebrate the day and people even wear as many green clothes as possible as well as hats and other Irish traditional wears. Be careful, if you do not wear green on St. Patty’s Day, you’re likely to get pinched! Where did that come from?

This morning I had the opportunity to attend the February meeting for the Cincinnati Women Blogger’s Group held at the Red Tree Gallery & Coffee Shop in Oakley.  Jennifer McClure, Vice President at Centennial, Inc., spoke to the group about using blogs and other social media tools in your job search.

First, I would like to thank Jennifer for meeting with us today and the Red Tree Gallery & Coffee Shop for having us. I have seen the sign before however, never had the chance to check it out. If you are ever in the Oakley area, I recommend it because of it’s charm and atmosphere. I liked the different levels and areas along with being surrounded by paintings from local artist. A large conference like table in the back almost fit all of our mighty group. It was definitely nice to see such a great turnout of both regulars and new bloggers.

I enjoyed meeting Jennifer and found her thoughts regarding the topic as both informational and interesting. A lot of people misunderstand mediums like Twitter and Facebook as mere child’s play however, they fail to factor in the power of the web in whole as a tool. Using sites like those above can introduce you to contacts and friends that you may not have otherwise been able to make.

An important thing to remember is to be true to yourself and think about how you want to be portrayed to the public. As discussed in the meeting, some may wish to use FaceBook as simply a way for friends to keep in contact or as part of your social life. If used properly though, it could land you a job when needed or as I know in my own company, cost you your current job (not my own thank goodness). This is why one needs to pay special attention to what words come out of their mouth. Remember something that you say online is not like speaking one on one to a close friend but one on hundreds if not thousands,!

Don’t be afraid to ask for something you may need however, respect others privacy and don’t demand something from someone you don’t even know. You need to make connections and show desire to really know someone before you ask them to help you. Why should this person help you? A perfect comment made by a group member is that “you wouldn’t ask a dentist to clean your teeth for free”.

A great place to start is by reading others blogs that relate to you and commenting if you find their posts relative and interesting. If you run your own blog, be sure to thank the person and reply to a comment that they leave. Look for common interests through searches on Twitter and LinkedIn and tweet when you have something to say again watching how you want yourself to be seen.

Check the cincinnatiwomenblogger website for more details on the meeting.

For some reason, I am now into cupcakes. They are not only a yummy treat but also portable requiring no utensils and I have more than one shot at being creative with the icing. I recently purchased a new Wilton cupcake set that comes with different tips and bags for decorating. Honestly, I love the cake boss on the Food Network.

I picked up Great Gluten-Free Baking from the library and set off for home. The cupcake choices in this book are  limited and include ones that call for ingredients like Lavender, which funny enough I actually have. Another one  that I am dying to try are the Tiramisu cupcakes. Unfortunately, I did not have the Marscapone cheese or Marsala wine. Later then.

I finally decided on the Victoria Sandwich Cake and simply poured the batter into the cupcake liners instead. The one thing that I liked about the recipe is that it did not call for anything involving beans or potatoes. What I like about gluten free baking is that unlike most regular recipes, all of the ingredients are mixed together at once. With only 7 ingredients, prep time was minimal. The recipe calls for a baking time of 20 minutes. Since they are cupcakes and I used the top part of my oven, I set the timer for 12 minutes. Perfect.

My favorite part of course was the icing. Made from  scratch, I know exactly what’s in it and it’s not hydrogenated or filled with high fructose anything. Meringue powder, powdered sugar, water, extracts of vanilla, butter and almond. I even added some organic  juice for the color.

Just cooled right after baking, they were pretty good. Very little flour was used and that was brown rice flower. The texture and taste was nice and with nothing extreme in the ingredients, the icing or any fillings used (the cake recipe calls for raspberry jam in the middle of the two layers) is the dominant flavor.

The next day, they tasted as if they were made with a corn flour since the taste and texture was like sweet corn bread muffins. Also, the icing lifted right off of the top. I wonder if store bought icing would make a difference?

I have to admit that unless they were to be eaten right away, I am not sure if I will use this particular recipe again since they are only really good that first day.

Victoria Sandwich Cake

3/4 cup butter, 1 1/2 sticks        Mix  ingred, together and bake

3/4 cup sugar                               20 min in a 400degree  oven.

1 cup brown  rice flour                Once cooled, spread jam

3 eggs                                               between layers and dust

1 Tbsp GF baking powder            powdered sugar on top.

few drops  of vanilla extract

1 Tbsp milk

For the filling

4 Tbsp raspberry jam

Powdered sugar to dust

What does writers block have to do with flight delays you say?

I have a lot of time to write now that I am not flying due to a knee surgery. I was under all hopes to return to work in the middle of February and then the 1st of March. My knee is still causing me excruciating pain and my doctor says that his date stands, which is the 22nd. I have an appointment close to that and we will discuss it then. So, my flying has been delayed.

With all of this time to write, what do I write about? The good news is that I did find something new to write about about on the other blog, so this one may need a day or two to cool down.

Please stay with me and leave a comment if you are actually reading this and have any ideas.