Feng Shui? Why not?

Happy Friday!



I recently read a Feng Shui article in the current issue of Domino that got me thinking...

So I went to my local library hoping to borrow a couple of books about it. Unfortunately, the library was all out of feng shui go figure! So I had to rely on the good old internet for this one.

I never gave it much thought before, but having a clean and organized apartment brings so much joy to my heart. There's nothing like seeing an empty dish rack, hair/soot free tub, tomato sauce free stove top, and a desk free of annoying catalogs and junk mail. So can rearranging furniture and strategically placing mirrors here and there really bring more harmony to the home?



So I began by drawing up a simple floorplan of Lifeflix HQ. I then referenced the 8-point feng shui grid to figure out where the 8 key segments were located. You see, feng shui divides your home into 8 segments, representing the key sectors of our lives. Match up the front door on the map with your own front door to see where the 8 sectors fall in your own home.



It's comforting to know that my LOVE sector is represented by the entertainment zone. No wonder my relationships have been going so well, there's nothing like a new shiny iMac to spruce things up in the love department!

It also looks like the kitchen represents the FRIENDS sector, not bad - since the kitchen is usually full of life during the afternoons but always gets a nice clean scrub down at night.

What worries me most is the fact that the bathroom represents MONEY. Or maybe the fact that there's no sink in there works in my favor. Less drainage?

There's obviously more to it that this but I think it's a good place to start if you're interested in feng shui-ing. The whole thing is fascinating, does it work? I'm not sure but as I always say - if you're not harming anybody else, whatever works for you!

TIPS
- Do you have junk under the bed? Bad news - accumulated junk weights you down and the hidden piles block the engery flow through the home.

- Get rid of cracked or chipped vases and old flowers. Dead flowers (including dried flowers) and broken containers is bad for wealth.

- Fragrance is one of the many “cures” of Feng Shui. If something isn’t quite right or needs to be activated, fragrance is a wonderful possibility. If you have a romantic corner where you go in the evening to sip wine together, why not assist the experience with the deep aroma of Midnight Madness Petunias draping from a hanging basket. Perhaps a potted Heliotrope nearby would be pleasant. And who could deny the lovely smell of roses in a bed below. If the breezes are just right, that fragrance will be there to enhance the romance.

- So if you’ve been bickering lately, it’s not ALL your fault. But what can we do? From a Feng Shui perspective, the Love sector, far right, is about communication in any relationship. So where ever you are when communication breaks down, suggest that the conversation be moved. Find a place where you will be in the far right sectors where both of you can see the door. And of course, that’s an ideal seating for a romantic dinner out.

- Your Desk: Whether you are composing music at your writing desk in the den looking out at the river in the back yard or planning business strategies on the twenty-seventh floor overlooking Central Park, your desk is your creative station. First and foremost, it should be in a position of power. This means that it should be kitty corner from the door facing out so that you can have a full view of anyone entering. If you must sit looking at a wall or out a window with your back to the door, PLEASE position a mirror so that you can see movement.

Interested in more tips? Visit fenshuibasics.com
Tips courtesy of fenshuibasics.com

NPR Live Concert Series

I've been hiding under my rock again - I just discovered the best thing NPR's Live Concert Series. You can listen to full concerts - Lily Allen, Regina Spektor, Modest Mouse, Wilco, Travis, Björk, The Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Emily Haines just to name a few!

So if you're at work, plug in the earbuds - go discover someone new...

Thanks to alilovescurtis for coaxing me out from under the rock.

1 2 3 4 ...

I'm slightly obsessed with the song featured in the latest ipod nano commercial 1234 by Feist. Listen to it. Ahh the power of marketing.

I also found this impressive list of songs featured in past iPod commercials.

Relapse

I woke up feeling crappy again this morning. Cotton-head. I was feeling so good yesterday... I guess it's time to OD on more vitamin C.

Good thing Evening (Claire Danes and whole bunch of other people) arrived last night and I have Bionic Woman on DVR. Did anyone else catch last night's Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, it was an awesome episode. The restaurant featured was in NYC and it was soooo sick, cockroaches and flies everywhere.

Anyway, not sure how postings are going to go today =(

Last Night's Dinner #33: Chilean Sea Bass with Red Wine Reduction

I can't believe it, my first ever dish with dots!



Chilean Sea Bass with Red Wine Reduction
Recipe inspired by Gordon Ramsay's Halibut Bourguignon
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 40 mins
Difficulty: Medium
Serves 2

You'll need:
2 fillets (5 oz each) Chilean Sea Bass or Halibut
1/3 cup pancetta cubed
3 -4 shallots unpeeled
6 white button mushrooms (whole)
4 cloves of garlic unpeeled
2 cups of red wine
2 tbs unsalted butter
4 tbs olive oil
package of pre-washed spinach
~ 2 tbs of water or more for spinach
course salt and pepper to taste

This dish can be broken down into 4 elements:

1. Pancetta & Vegetables
Blanch shallots (skin on) in boiling water for 2 minutes. Remove skin and set aside. Cook the pancetta until crisp and set aside. In the same pan, add 2 tbs of olive oil and sauté shallots, garlic and mushrooms until tender. You want the shallots to caramelize. Set aside and try to keep warm. Season with salt. Don't add salt while cooking because it will draw out the moisture from the mushrooms and make the whole thing too watery to "grill". All in all, it probably took 10-12 minutes to get the vegetables nice and tender.

2. Wine Reduction
In the meantime, boil 2 cups of red wine in a small pot until it's reduced to 1 cup. Pour the reduced wine into the pan used for the veggies and deglaze the pan. Scrape the bottom and sides. You'll notice that the wine will start to thicken. Set aside.

3. Fish
You can also use Halibut. Heat up 2 tbs of butter and 2 tbs of olive oil. When it starts to foam up, place salted and peppered fillets in the pan. Cook each side for about 3 minutes or so (4 minutes for thicker cuts), be careful not to over cook. Cook spinach while fish is cooking.

4. Spinach (Cook while the fish is cooking)
I used an entire package of pre-washed spinach. Put a couple of tablespoons of water in the pan with th spinach. Turn the heat up to high and shake it until the spinach starts to wilt. Throw in a pinch of salt, you'd be surprised how quickly it cooks. Drain well. Pile a small mound in the centers of each serving plate.

How to assemble the dish:
- Place fish on top of the spinach.
- Spoon over vegetables on top of the fish.
- Drizzle the wine sauce around and on top of fish and veggies.

We had leftover whipped potatoes from the Coq Au Vin dinner, so I placed it in ramekins and baked it until the top was nice and brown.

Tote Bag Prototype Update

Quick update on my tote bag project...
Z and I have learned that it pays to take breaks when it comes to "making". Sometimes, you get so caught up on wanting to finish a project that you end up compromising the craftmanship. It took some major self-control but I managed to tear myself away from the machine and quit while I was ahead.

So as you can see, that aint muslin. I decided to be hopeful, rather than chance getting it right but not being able to enjoy the fruits of my labor with a bag made out of muslin =)

So here it is - I've sewed the two separate pieces but I still have to sew the lining to the bag, add a hook/button, and add pockets... still lots to do.

"Always buzzing just like neon"

I'm amazed at how some people choose to live their lives. Sometimes I wish I too had enough energy and will to accomplish maybe half of what they do, but most of the time I'm grateful for being too lazy and content.

I started thinking about this because I was talking to Nicole, one of my spin instructors who was telling me about her hectic schedule. Not only does she have a full-time job but she also teaches 4 nights during the week, not including her two morning spin classes on Saturdays. She said that she used to have another part-time job on top of it all but luckily that's no longer the case. When does she have time to see her friends? When does she have time for herself, or does she consider the classes that she teaches "her-time"?

It's also not uncommon to find her spending her Friday nights working on a CD for Saturday morning's class! She's not the only one I've met with a crazy life schedule, another spin instructor I know is an "extreme cycling" competitor and competes in weekly races. She too has a full-time job, an aspiring dancer, a spin/dance instructor and a personal trainer.

Hillsy thinks it's all a product of the fast city life. He said that his parents who are from a small village in the UK wouldn't even be able to fathom such a life. They're actually amazed with our measly lives, so I can just imagine their reaction to Nicole's. I do notice that we're always running errands, meeting up here for lunch, brunch, drinks, dinner; checking out this new exhibit; taking a new culinary course for fun; viewing the premier of a friend's friend's short movie; meeting up with ex co-workers; meeting up for someone's birthday, anniversary, last day at work... wow it never ends!

In a way, I tend to agree with him. There's this huge pressure of having to always do something. What are you doing this weekend? How was your weekend? The same pressure that makes me despise New Year's Eve - the pressure to do something to ring in the new year. You almost feel guilty for sitting on the couch watching Nanny 911 on Friday nights and going to bed at 11:30 while the students are just about to start the weekend festivities.

It's as if the same city that offers so much life and energy feeds off of its own dwellers' thirst and the more we spin and buzz around the brighter the lights get. But the brighter the lights get the more energy it needs to sustain the same level of brightness.

I guess I haven't been that thirsty lately and I don't mind when the lights flicker off every now and then.

Last Night's Dinner #32: Coq Au Vin inspired Braised Chicken

Coq Au Vin inspired Braised Chicken
Prep Time: 30 mins.
Cook Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Medium

As you know, Top Chef is one of my favorite shows and last week Casey inspired me to attempt Coq Au Vin. I will not, however, make the same mistake she did and call mine Coq Au Vin since I'm using good ol' chicken as opposed to an old rooster. There are millions of recipes out there (see links below) for this traditional French dish and I didn't really follow just one. I modified and modified like I'm sure you will. Since this is the first time I made this, I don't exactly have a recipe that I can share since I completely winged it - adding a little bit of this a little bit of that. So, the next time I make this, I'll definitely share the recipe.

I had to be mentally prepared to make this dish because like all things French, it was a little intimidating at first (requiring 10-12 hours - you have to let the chicken sit in wine overnight and then slowly cook it for 2 hours) but if you prepare properly, it really isn't that bad. Now that the ordeal is over, I can truly say that it was surprisingly easy.


Marinate chicken in wine and herbs overnight


Caramelize cipollinis (water, butter, pinch of salt and sugar)





I also made some fluffly whipped potatoes to serve as a side dish. I wish I had a loaf of French bread to sop up the sauce!



Next time I'll use less tomato paste and use Côtes du Rhône (a fuller bodied wine). Other than that it was perfect, you could really taste the wine and flavors in the chicken. It's definitely a dish worth perfecting! So get yourself mentally prepared and give it a shot.

Here are some of the recipes that I referenced:
cuisine-france.com
leitesculinaria.com
bravotv.com
marthastewart.com

Tote Bag Prototype

Yes, that's my floor a.k.a craft table. I'm getting ready to make my tote bag prototype with lots of help from this great tutorial by a very talented lady at the tiny happy blog.

Rather than waste good fabric (because I know I'm gonna make lots of mistakes), I'll be making my prototype on muslin. I also don't have paper big enough for the pattern, so I found some big envelopes that should do the trick. Wish me luck!!

Under the weather

I woke up so cranky and fussy yesterday - I didn't know what the heck was going on because it was way too early for the monthly bitch-fest.

I woke up a little late (8:30am) and I had to get out of the apartment by 9am. I hate the feeling of being rushed and knowing that I couldn't la di da around the apartment set me off instantly. You see, I like to enjoy my mornings with a nice tall glass of iced coffee next to my laptop as I publish "Last Night's Dinner" and read my favorite blogs. Anyway, I felt so lethargic all day and I couldn't figure out why... until I heard a little whisper (coming from my throat).

I guess my mother was right-- walking in the rain = sick. I sensed some pressure (feeling cloudy and foggy) in my head so I've stocked up on some ammo to help out the little guys fighting the battle. We'll see how it goes. There's nothing worse than being sick in 80 degree weather.

Anyway, gotta go dry my hair now before I go nuts.

Going to see Martha...

I almost forgot to share the news... guess who's going to a taping this month!!??!!

I'm not sure what the show will be about or who the guest will be, but I'll definitely provide a full report!!

I'm so excited, I can't wait.

Last Night's Dinner #31: Tilapia en Papillote & Ode to Summer Salad

Fish is so easy to cook, I really should make it a staple. If you can't be bothered to go to the fish market the day of, Trader Joe's carries a wide variety of vacuum packed fish that I've cooked with several times. I've never had a bad catch from there!



Last night I decided to cook "en papillote" in parchment bag. It's the easiest thing in the world. Preheat the oven, stuff the parchment pouch with fish fillets and herbs and you'll have a deliciously healthy and simple meal in less than 10 minutes.

I decided to serve this with a refreshing ode to summer salad - a mixture of avocado, mango, apple pear (Asian pear), red onions and cilantro. I love salads with fruit. You can also serve this with cous cous or a mashed/baked potato if you're looking for something heartier.

Tilapia en Papillote
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Serves 2

You'll need:
2 Tilapia fillets
2 sprigs each of thyme, parsley, oregano
2 slices of lemon (wheels)
2 Tbs of butter
1 shallot cut into slices
coarse salt and ground black pepper to taste



Preheat oven to 400F. Wash fillets and pat dry with paper towels. Season well with salt and pepper. Place fillets on top of cut parchment paper (ehow.com and latimes.com have excellent "en papillote" step by step instructions) and top with shallots, butter, lemon wheel and herbs. Seal the pouch and cook for 8-10 minutes.

Other good combos to try:
:: cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic, lemon, oregano, thyme
:: thyme, lemon and cinnamon sticks

Ode to Summer Salad
1/2 mango sliced in 1/4" strips
1/2 apple pear (Asian pear) sliced in 1/4" strips
1/2 avocado cut into thin slices
handful of mixed greens

Combine ingredients and chill until ready to serve.

Red Wine Vinaigrette
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/8 cup lemon juice
1 tsp honey
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Combine all ingredients minus the oil. Drizzle in the oil little by little while mixing.

Self-discovery

Mr. Shrew-head, the latest member of the collection

There's nothing better than finding a hobby that you love.

Fortunately for me, I've never had a problem with finding new hobbies - from truffle making, finger-picking folk songs, knitting, shortbread cookie baking to felting barn animals. I think I may have a different sort of problem ;-)

A close friend Wanda* was once very self-conscious because she felt that she wasn't really "into" anything. She went to work, went to the gym, watched some TV, slept and woke up the next day to do it all over again. Recently, Wanda has finally discovered something that not only is she really into but she's actually quite good at it. Although, I may have to stage an intervention because it seems like the new hobby might be taking over her life. How? Well... she recently opted to stay home to complete one of her projects rather than enjoy a flick with her fiance and friend. She rushes home from work or the gym so she can get back to her craft. But what's got me really worried was a conversation we had last Friday. Some background info: Wanda is pretty obsessed with going away and is known to go on frequent Caribbean getaways during the fall and winter months. Not long ago, she called me in fear of becoming a "pasty monster" due to a cancelled sun holiday. Anyway, I couldn't believe it when the following words came out of her mouth:

Maybe it's a good thing if I don't end up going away this fall. I can save the money. I'll just take the days off anyway and stay home and make my animals instead.

She said this in all seriousness, without an ounce of sarcasm or ha ha in her voice. Be assured that I'll be monitoring this and will keep you all posted if an intervention is needed.

With all joking aside, I'm so happy you found something you enjoy =) Don't get frustrated if the passion for this particular craft fades away, don't worry you'll find something else you're good at... or maybe you're one of the committed ones - either way, it works out!

*names have been changed to protect identities

Critic's Corner: Into the Wild

We've all had them.

They're the vacations that look amazing on the slickly produced resort web-sites. Step into the hotel lobby for the first time, and your pre-trip excitement gets even higher. Life seems perfect after a couple of cocktails by the pool and you're all set for a memorable trip.

But by day three or four you start inexplicably thinking about home. You know you shouldn't.....you know it doesn't make any sense, but you can't help yourself. You're almost wishing the time away to get back to your comfortable domain.

After we hit the two hour mark of Into The Wild, the agitated rustling of popcorn boxes and cat-like stretches of people in the front row captured the general mood that it was time to pack our bags, take one last photograph and hail a cab back to the airport.

And therein lies the major flaw of this Sean Penn directed film. The previews look great and the first 15 minutes set-the-scene for something that looks like it will inevitably be an enthralling ride. But as time progresses, the film almost collapses underneath the weight of its own bulk and nearly crushes the audience in the process.

Based on a true story, Into the Wild follows the remarkable journey of Christopher McCandless who - after graduating from college - ditches his material possessions and decides to hitchhike to Alaska.

Along the way McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch) meets a series of characters who help shape his life and mold his perception of humanity as he continues his relentless trek to the Alaskan wilderness.

Some of the characters that cross paths with McCandless include a South Dakotan farmer (played by an impressive Vince Vaughn), a pair of middle-aged hippies (Brian Dierker and Catherine Keener) and a retired military man (Hal Holbrook).

But for every colorful splash of humanity, it's never easy to connect with McCandless' character - which often comes across as 2 dimensional and contrived. That's not a problem for the first hour, but by hour two it's asking the audience for a lot to stick with it and overlook the flabbiness that creeps in.

This film has a genuinely interesting story to tell - it just takes too long to share it. But if you can last the distance, you'll be rewarded with some breathtaking scenery of the American wilderness and a strangely inspirational tale of human relationships and aspirations.

Written by Hillsy

Weekend Wrap-up

Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend. Mine was semi-busy. We kicked it off with a nice dinner on Friday night at Vatan's with a few of Hillsy's friends. I've twisted his arm and he'll soon be providing a full review of Vatan. It was nice to catch up with everyone. New boyfriends, new jobs, great vacation plans - all around the group was in good spirits.

Saturday was business as usual - spinning bright and early followed by a gigantic bread basket at Le Pain Quotidien. Walked home in the rain (completely unexpected). I usually hate getting rained on, but it got to the point (soaking point) where I couldn't help but just laugh it off. It was fun after a while, I just hope I don't get sick. I know I know that there's no scientific proof but I grew up with a mother that thought sleeping with your hair wet could lead to depression! Anyway, we then caught an early showing of Into the Wild - great movie, go see it. It's one of those movies that are so powerful that it actually makes you think about your own life. I'll provide a proper review shortly. Saturday buzzing ended with a trip to the groceries and a final stop to pick up Vietnamese food for late lunch/early dinner.


I also saw a surprisingly great film on DVD last night - Broken English. Again, highly recommend it. It's a typical story where Parker Posey plays a thirty something single in the city looking for love. Her character has the worst luck when it comes to dating, then she meets a French guy (of course the guy is hot and lives in Paris)... I don't want to ruin the whole thing. I guess you can categorize it as a chick flick but a quiet and subtle one. It goes a little deeper than a typical Cameron Diaz flick. Parker Posey is great in it, as usual. And if the story doesn't end up moving you, I know you won't really kill me because I'm sure watching the typically romantic hot frenchy wasn't too torturous (well at least not in that way).

Unfortunately, my plans to meet up with the long lost friend on Sunday fell through. But hey at least my apartment is clean! We've rescheduled for next week, so the saga continues. I spent most of Sunday organizing for the week and preparing for a couple of new projects. Did anyone else catch any other good movies this weekend?

Argggghh Babe... WTF!!!!

The only moments when I question my love is when someone lets out big ones that seem to linger forever (he just busted one out a second ago). It was so bad I had to share as retaliation (sorry).

11:41pm update: Zandra, Dallas BBQ is officially OFF the list. I should've listened to my instincts from Day 1.

Pep-toe

HAPPY FRIDAY!! Another week zooms by. I had takeout last night from our favorite Thai place, so no recipes I'm afraid. I'll be hitting the food shops this weekend so expect loads of new stuff next week. Have a great weekend everybody.

Like a good blogger, I actually do try and test out as many of the products that I mention (budget-permitting). So without further a do...



Dear Real Simple editors,
Liar liar pants on fire! You obviously did not test this product (OPI La Pazitively Hot) properly before recommending it. Uhmm, I look like I borrowed Barbie goes to the nail salon polish. How could you possibly claim that this color "works for everyone"? Nope, FALSE! Can I have my $8 back?


So you can see it in comparison to a neutral color

I honestly don't even know what to say about this - I'm lost for words.

One last thing, one of my sisters emailed me last night with a product recommendation. It's funny because there's nothing I find more gross than seeing dry cracked heels in sandals. I know that summer is over and I'll be seeing less and less of this, but a little prevention has never hurt anyone.

"Sally Hansen's Just Feet Visible Effect Foot Cream: Instantly smooth & soften dry, rough feet. It is soooo good that they even have a Money-back guarantee. It's only 5.99 for the 4 oz @ Target."

Not having a Target... hmmm another reason to leave the city =)

Can I really make it anywhere?

I've lived in New York for about 23 years now after we moved from the Philippines when I was just a little kid. Like your typical immigrant story, we moved around quite a bit, living with various aunts from Long Island to Queens.

When I hit 9, my mother finally decided to settle down in Queens where we lived in numerous rented homes. I recall taking the F train from Queens to Herald Square 34th Street where my mom took me for my yearly back to school shopping trips. It was such a treat, going to the world's largest Macys and Conway. Yes my mother had a thing for Conway (for those of you not familiar - it's like a budget retail store where you can get tons of clothes and housewares for cheap) and I remember being so embarrassed of walking around holding the bright pink shopping bags (god, I was an awful kid!) For lunch, my mom would buy us two personal super supreme Pizza Hut pizzas - her favorite. Then it would be time to head back to Queens. I always dreamed of living in the city that never sleeps and 3 years ago that dream finally materialized - woohooo!!! One can argue that living in the other four NYC boroughs (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, or Staten Island) counts as "the city", I say a big uh-uh to that.

There comes a time when Manhattanites (well at least this one) think to themselves will I ever be ready to leave this place ?

I love living in the city. It's not like I take full advantage of living here, but I just love the options that I have. I love the IFs. The food, the sounds, the lights - it just makes you feel so alive. Of course, there's the traffic, the lovely smell of garbage in the 95 degree heat, the needle exchange program in front of Tompkins Park on Wednesdays... but it's all part of it, it's part of the appeal. Underneath it's hard glossy exterior, you find a nice pub that the trendsters have overlooked, a hole in the wall Mexican stand where you can still eat a meal for less than $6, a brunch spot where you don't have to be on a 2-hour long waiting list to enjoy a Croque Madame. Where else can you be in Paris for breakfast, buzz "Down Under" to munch on baby Kangaroo kebabs for lunch, back to Germany for a quick Brotzeitteller snack, quick stop in Madrid to enjoy a glass of sherry before suppering in Ethiopia? All without stepping foot in a private super sonic jet.

Will my love affair with this city I call home ever end? Like all good love affairs, you discover the quirks, reach an all-time high and slowly it all fades into a memory.

Lately I've been day dreaming of a small garden, more space for my hands to work...

Introducing "Mr. Who the Professor"

I finished my latest project...




What next? A shrew (no joke). And I'm also working on a tote bag idea. I was in the women's locker room at the gym yesterday and the idea dawned on me... more on that later!

Cheddar Biscuits (Take 1)

I remember how much my mother loved going to Red Lobster when I was kid. It was sort of a ritual - Sunday matinée movie in Fresh Meadows followed by the Captain Jack Seafood Platter in Glen Cove Long Island ... ahhh those were the days.

There are two things that will be forever ingrained in my mind - the Shirley Temples and the fresh out of the "oven" Cheddar Biscuits. All pompous-foodies can knock Red Lobster and its likes, but I don't care what anybody says... those biscuits ROCK. I don't know how much lard the recipe calls for, but it is damn good.



I've been trying to recreate these biscuits for some time now and I have not been successful. Maybe it's because I refuse to dump a whole can of crisco in the batter. I made a batch yesterday but they didn't even come close. They weren't BAD, just not as good. So, I'll continue to tweak the recipe until I come up with something post-worthy.

Life could be bliss

It's so beautiful outside today, I wish I could bottle it up and save it for a dreary December day.

Taking a non-New Yorker pace stroll this morning, feeling the sun on my arms and face, a KT Tunstall melancholic tune in my ear, slight breeze every now and then - I couldn't help but think... I'm so happy. I can't quite pinpoint the last time I thought that to myself, so I'm assuming it's been a while since I've been genuinely happy. It wasn't too long ago when I felt that my whole world was crumbling down. A failing marriage and everything else that comes along with one was probably the second hardest thing I've had to go through (the first, well... I'll save that one for another post). I remember hating my job so much that I would start to feel knots in my stomach at 4pm every Sunday; co-workers getting under my skin; not having the time or energy to speak or see my friends; eating way too much take-out; complaining about everything to anyone who would listen - the list goes on and on.

I don't mean to be all "na na na na na, my life is great, I'm so happy..." I just wanted to offer some hope to those who may not be prancing around the streets with a grin from ear to ear these days - take it from me, LIFE COULD BE BLISS. Surround yourself with people that love you and who you love. It took me a while to realize but true love (family, friends, partner) is when the actual act of loving that person makes you truly happy and brings a smile to your face.

I find sharing my thoughts/feelings so therapeutic. Especially when it comes to not-so-happy thoughts and memories, I think it somehow makes it easier to just let them go once I've tossed them out into the cyber world. Thanks for allowing me to sit on your couches! Lord knows I don't have health insurance at the moment, so I truly truly appreciate it =)

Couch courtesy of anthropologie.com

Let there be light...

The lighting in our apartment is pretty awful. I've walked out of my apartment thinking that I had black on, just to find out that it was navy blue half-way down my block. My cheeks have also been known to look like they've just been burned due to liberal amounts of bronzer/blush - it looked ok to me ;-/ Fortunately for me, the apartment is usually drenched with natural sunlight during the afternoon hours, so it's not dark and depressing. I think the issues are largely due to the brick wall, it casts a yellow/orange hue over everything and really causes havoc on colors.

So you can just imagine how challenging it is to work on crafts, maybe that's why I end up felting obscene body parts instead of animals. Anway, I finally got myself a lamp ($19.99). I clamped it to my work table and ta da! I even bought one those fancy natural sun light bulbs (Verilux Natural Spectrum Light Bulbs)- it supposedly provides natural light. What? I'm a sucker for things like that.



Anyway, I started a new project yesterday and my eyes were beaming with happiness. Look at all that light. No more straining!!! Now I just need a bigger table.

Last Night's Dinner #30: Spicy Shrimp in Coconut Milk & Easy Baklava

I was so happy with how this dish turned out. I was a little weary since I've never really cooked with coconut milk before. I wanted to use up a cup of left-over coconut milk that I've been saving in the fridge as well as 1/2 lb of frozen shrimps in the freezer. I also had cilantro that I forgot to use when I made the fish tacos. Plus I had a can of whole tomatoes in the pantry, so here's what I came up with...

Spicy Shrimp in Coconut Milk
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 15 mins
Difficulty: Easy



You'll need:
1/2 cup of chopped onions
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
2 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger
1 tbs of ground coriander
1/8 tsp of cinnamon
1/4 to 1/2 tsp + of crushed red pepper depending on how spicy you want it - you can even add cayenne
1 tsp of lime zest
1/2 cup of canned tomatoes (2 mashed up tomatoes and a little bit of the juice)
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 tsp brown sugar
1 1/2 cups of coconut milk

1/2 lb uncooked peeled, unveined shrimp (frozen ok but thawed)
2 tbs lime juice
about 2 tbs of fresh cilantro (leaves and stem torn)
salt and pepper to taste - add the salt little by little

Heat up 1 tbs of vegetable or canola oil. Add onions and garlic and cook for 2 mins. Season with salt. Be careful not to brown the garlic. Add ginger, coriander, cinnamon, crushed red pepper, bit more salt and pepper. Keep stirring. Cook for 3 more minutes. Mix in sugar, zest then add tomatoes and peas. Season with salt. Bring to a boil and add in coconut milk. Mix well. Add shrimps, season with salt and lower heat. Simmer until shrimps are cooked. Remove from heat and add lime juice and cilantro. Serve over cous cous or rice.

Bite size Baklava
I was watching the Food Network and saw this really easy to make bite size baklava recipe. So easy, would be a perfect ending to a dinner party or a party of two! If you have some pistachios around, grind some up and sprinkle on top with a drizzle of honey before serving. The nice hint of green color would look really cool =)

When do you call it quits?

I feel as if I've been beating the topic of friendship to death recently, but there's something else that I want to discuss. We've already established that as we get older, our relationships change and we find ourselves spending less and less time with our girlfriends. But have you ever (or maybe you're in one now) been friends with someone for the sake of being friends?

We get rid of loser boyfriends, tell off moronic bosses, cast off dead-beat dads but why is it so hard to call it quits when it comes to girlfriends?

I met most of my close friends from college, a few from high school and a couple from grade school. I hardly see the ones I met prior to college and somehow I fear that most of those friendships have fallen through the cracks. It's funny because you somehow expect each other to be the same person you met in the playground, the same girl you used to cut classes with, the same girl you used to smoke with while hanging outside the window of your NKOTB-poster infested room. Unfortunately, we change by the minute... the person we were yesterday may not necessarily be the person we are today. We may not like who the other turned out to be and if we had a choice today, we may not necessarily choose to be friends.

At what point do you call it quits? Is there a friendship standard, some sort of minimum requirement in order to be considered a "friend"? Is there a minimum for how many times you talk/see someone in a year. Is there a quality check - do conversations need to be more substantial than how's work? how's your family? Have you hit the point of no return when being friends is more work than play - or when you no longer feel like you're getting anything out of it besides high blood pressure or tourette's? I honestly don't know the answer.

I'm actually meeting up with a friend that I haven't seen or spoken to in more than 4 years. We've been trying to schedule drinks for a while now but just couldn't get it together. Hopefully this time it works out! We used to be super close, attached to the hip actually and somehow we drifted into a no-contact abyss. It's been so long I honestly don't even remember how it happened. I guess we'll meet up, talk about old times, catch up about new times and then decide if the women we've turned into these past 4 or so years can stand each other once again =)

Image from chelsbaydesign.com

Beauty: Eye Brightener Update

I went to Sephora yesterday to try the Wonder Wand, Laura Geller. Unfortunately they didn't have the product so I browsed around looking for similar products. Ces, I didn't get a chance to try the Benefit Bright Eye stick, I was too scared to catch an eye disease using the Sephora tester. But I did find a product worthy of a mention - Photo Op Under Eye Brightener (Smashbox). It comes in a tube, a soft brush applicator - the formula is super light and definitely not cakey.

Here's the marketing shpeel:
Photo shoots often start at the crack of dawn when even models and celebs don’t look their best and dark circles loom. That’s why we created this innovative under eye brightener that immediately wakens and brightens skin while adding moisture to prepare for concealer application. Contains lots of skin-boosting ingredients too, like Vitamin C, red wine extract, peptides and marine collagen, to help fill in those nasty little wrinkles.

I can't vouch for the peptides and collagen claims, but I definitely liked the feel of the formula. It wasn't oily or heavy. It had tiny tiny beads of pearly shimmer so it really did highlight the eye area (I applied it all around, even on top). The pearly mini beads allow the light to reflect thus brightening the overall eye area. I wanted to wear it around for a couple of hours before shelling out the $18. I will more than likely go back and make the purchase!

It's available at Sephora or directly from Smashbox (they're currently running a free shipping offer)

Last Night's Dinner #29: Pasta al Limone & Millefeuilles

My goal this week is to use up ingredients that I have in the fridge and pantry. I tend to go nuts at the grocery store and have been taking way too many trips to Whole Foods. So as a challenge to myself, I can only cook with ingredients that I already have (yikes!)

So last night, I made the most simple pasta dish that you can possibly make - well that's a lie because my grandmother actually used to feed us spaghetti and butter as an after school snack... hmmm, maybe I'll make that tonight ;-)

Pasta al Limone
Recipe adapted from travelingtoitaly.com
Prep time: 5 mins
Cooking time: 7 mins
Difficulty: Extremely easy

You'll need:
1/2 package of spaghetti
5 tablespoons cream
1 tablesoon butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Zest of 1 lemon finely grated
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Juice from 2 lemons (adjust according to size)
1 1/2 cups freshly-grated Parmesan Reggiano
1 garlic cloves finely chopped
10 Kalamata olives cut into small slivers (optional)
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces

Cook the pasta in rapidly boiling salted water until al dente, then drain.
Toss with cream, butter, then with salt, pepper and lemon zest.
Working quickly, toss with the olive oil, lemon juice, Parmesan Reggiano, garlic and olives. Transfer to a serving dish and scatter with the basil.
Add a thin stream of excellent Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Serve at once, with extra lemon and Parmesan for those who desire it.

Eggplant, Zucchini and Goat Cheese Millefeuilles


I also prepared a simple appetizer because I had to get rid of the eggplant, zucchini and a lonely potato in the fridge. Lucky for me, I found a great recipe for Eggplant, Zucchini, Potato and Cheese Millefeuilles from one of my favorite food blogs La Tartine Gourmande. I'm mildly allergic to eggplants (they make my lips/mouth itchy) but I manage to ignore the reaction because I love them so much - wow that sounds like an abusive relationship.


TIP: Most eggplant recipes will ask you to salt the eggplant for a minimum of 30 minutes then either rinse off or rub off with paper towels - this supposedly removes the bitter taste. I personally don't think eggplant is bitter but I do approve of the process because I find that it makes the eggplant more absorbent. You end up having to use less oil and instantly absorbs more of the flavors.

Gown in 60 Seconds!

Zandra always held the title for fastest pisser. The girl can empty her bladder faster than I can quit a job. That's why I wasn't so surprised to hear about her latest antic... sources say that it took her longer to drive to the Vera Wang boutique on Saturday than it did to pick out the dress and say put it on my Amex.

Congratulations Z!!!

(title courtesy of Hillsy)

Sunday School (craft class)

Zandra and I took the plush-making class yesterday at City Quilter. Although we were disappointed with the class, we both managed to complete the assignment with flying colors! Zandra made a cute pink puppy in pants and I made a bunny in a skirt. They naturally became the best of friends.






Class picture

Banana Cream Pudding - a winner!

I was initially going to bake a traditional banana cream pie, but after reading tons of rave reviews about this recipe; I just had to try it.

This is a definite winner! So easy (NO COOKING involved) and so tasty. This will definitely be a hive regular. The perfect amount of sweetness and banana flavor. The pudding is light and the Nilla Wafer is a perfect match and makes this so light. It's a perfect dessert to bring to any party! It keeps pretty well, I made it Friday afternoon and it was still as good last night.

Magnolia Bakery's Banana Cream Pudding
Recipe from More From Magnolia
Prep time: 20 mins
Chilling/setting time: min 4 hours for pudding mix, 4 additional hours before serving
Cooking time: 0

You'll need:
1 14oz can of condensed milk
1 1/2 cups of ice cold water
1 package of Jello instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups heavy cream
4 very riped bananas, cut into slices (Karen suggested putting bananas in a brown bag with 1 riped apple to speed up the process)
1 package of Nabisco Nilla Wafers (you may want to get an extra box)



Step 1. In a big mixing bowl, beat the condensed milk with the ice cold water with a blender. Add the pudding mix and blend for another 2 minutes or so. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap, allowing the plastic to touch the top of the mixture. This prevents a film from developing at the top. Refrigerate and allow to set for a minimum of 4 hours. The pudding must be set in order to continue.

Step 2. Once the pudding has set, whip up 3 cups of heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the pudding mixture into the whipped cream until all streaks are gone.



Step 3. Using a 4 - 5 qt container (I used a 2qt and had some extra filling) begin layering Nilla Wafers (it's ok to overlap wafers). Try to have as few gaps in the first layer so it acts more like a crust. Add slices of bananas on top. I ended up with 3 layers and crumbled the wafers for the topping. Cover with plastic wrap and set for another 4 to 5 hours. Enjoy!

Felty Porn

Oh my goodness.

I was attempting to make a new zoo member yesterday - mr. glow worm. Then I realized that I had created something that resembled a baby... well, look at the picture and draw your own conclusions! HAPPY FRIDAY!

Last Night's Dinner #28: Taco Night

Tilapia Tacos


Chorizo Tacos

Sarah first introduced me to Mercadito a couple of years ago and it's been my go-to taco spot ever since. It's not the type of place to go to if you're starving, or you'll end up with a pretty hefty check. Although they have the best fish (Tilapia) tacos (Mojarra) and Mango Margaritas, I do think it's slightly overpriced. One drink can cost you about $10-12.50 and five teeny weeny tacos will run you about $13.50.

Anyway, last night's dinner was inspired by Mercadito's Mojarra tacos ( tilapia, huitlacoche, manchego cheese, sauteed corn, tomatillo salsa). They turned out really really good - you have to try it. I wouldn't even consider it cooking, it's more like assembling! If you love Tilipia or Mahi Mahi, this is a perfect dish for you! Grilled Tilapia, roasted corn and Manchego cheese were all made for each other, such a great combo.

You'll need:
- Tilapia fillets (I used Trader Joe's frozen vacuum packed fresh Tilapia), thawed if frozen
- 1 lime
- coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed (Trader Joe's again)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Manchego cheese
- jar of Salsa Verde (I used Trader Joe's, can be found next to their nacho chips)
- pack of corn tortillas (can usually be found near the pizza dough, cheeses etc)



Heat up a Foreman, panini or stovetop grill. Marinate the fillets in lime juice, salt and pepper for about 5 minutes.

In the meantime, pan grill the corn. Drizzle it with a little bit of olive oil and cook until nice and toasty brown, approx 10 mins high heat. Set aside.

Place fillets on grill and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and season with a little salt and pepper. Cooking time will vary, depending on the thickness of your fillets. It should take approximately 4-5 mins each side. If you press the fish with your fingers and it feels like it's pushing back, then it's done. It's kind of hard to explain, but if you give it a shot - you'll know what I'm talking about. It shouldn't feel stiff. Or you could also pierce it with a fork, just remember that it will continue to cook even after you remove it from the grill.

While the fish is cooking, you want to start heating up your corn tortillas. I used my cocktail shaker's top to cut out smaller circles. You don't have to, but I wanted to make bite-sized tacos. You can also use a cookie cutter. If you have a microwave, this is the easiest way to heat them up. Just layer them in between damp paper towels and heat up for a couple of seconds. I don't have a microwave, so I used a pan. It's not that bad, it only takes a minute or two.

Drizzle lime juice and sprinkle cooked fish with a little more coarse salt and pepper.

Now it's time to assemble. Sprinkle each tortilla with a small amount of cheese, top with fish, some corn, a teaspoon of salsa verde and then top with a little more cheese. SO GOOD. Enjoy!!

Beauty: September Must-try's

I get so excited when I see a stuffed magazine in my tiny mailbox. I also get anxious because I know that I'll soon be ripping out sheets and sheets of must-try products. Here's what caught my eyes this month...

Wonder Wand, Laura Geller
A sheer, light-reflective loose powder for the eyes.

What it does:
Supposedly a small touch of it can make you look more wide awake and refreshed. (sephora.com)




Intense XXL™ Volume & Length Waterproof Microfiber Mascara

What it does:
This mascara creates up to 60% longer lashes and 7X the volume. No clumps And it’s waterproof! (duanereade.com)



Nature's Cure Body Acne Treatment Spray

What it does:
Ever since I started spinning, my back has grown super sensitive to my own sweat! It now tends to break out if i don’t hit the showers immediately. I know, sexxxy. This product claims to clear and prevent acne on hard to reach places. Hmmm, other than the back, I'm not sure I want to know other hard to reach places that could possibly be victimized by acne! (drugstore.com)



Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers Natural Radiant Look SPF 30

What it does:
Provide sheer, natural-looking coverage for a radiant glow, plus SPF 30 and skin-friendly anti-oxidants to safeguard skin from environmental damage. Who doesn't want to look radiant and safeguard themselves against radicals?? (drugstore.com)





OPI La paz-itively Hot

What it does:
I know it looks a little out there... a little "I threw up pepto all over my nails and allowed it to set overnight", but it supposedly flatters all skin tones. I think we have about 2 more weeks of fuchsia pink acceptable weather =)
(amazon.com)



Armani, Eyeshadow #1 (Navy)

What it does:
As the weather cools, makeup meltdown will be a thing of the past. I had some bad experiences with blue eyeshadow in my heyday (hi Lyn!) but I think I may be able to redeem myself with this royal blue-toned shadow by my side. (giorgioarmanibeauty.com)

Last Night's Dinner #27: Penne with Sausage

Don't kill me, it's another (adapted) Giada de Laurentis special - I can't help it, the girl has really great pasta recipes!!

Penne with Sausage, Artichokes and Sun-dried Tomatoes
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: Approx. 20 minutes
Serves 2



You'll need:
1/3 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes sliced, reserve 1 tbs of the oil
3 large italian hot sausages, casings removed
1 large handful of frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and coarsely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/4 c dry white wine
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1/2 package of penne (I used whole wheat, I don't recommend it)
1/4 c of grated parmesan, plus a little more for serving
A handful of chopped fresh basil
1/2 handful chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1/2 handful cubed fresh mozzarella (optional)

Prep prep prep

Making sure that I have everything prepped and organized prior to lighting the stove, really helps to keep me sane (specially when I'm cooking more than 1 dish)! If I've learned anything at all from watching hours and hours of Top Chef and other cooking shows, it's prep prep prep - spending a little more time on prepping, pays off big time.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (for pasta)

Heat oil from tomatoes. Cook sausages (break up with a fork) until brown, about 8 mins. Set aside in a bowl. In the same pan, add artichokes and garlic. Season. Sauté until garlic is tender, about 2 mins. Add broth, wine and sun-dried tomatoes. Boil, stirring occasionally until sauce reduces slightly, about 8 mins. Season.

Start cooking the penne, until tender but still frim to the bite - 10 mins. Drain pasta and do not rinse. Add the pasta, sausage, 1/4 cup of the parmesan cheese, basil and parsley to the artichoke mixture. Toss until the pasta absorbs most of the sauce. Stir in mozzarella, if using.



For me, the pasta had a little too much going on. Personally, I prefer simple pasta dishes with one or two killer ingredients. This was a more hearty dish, so of course Hillsy gave it a thumbs up. It's more of a Sunday early dinner/late lunch type of dish.

Betty Crocker: Special Helps

I mentioned that I would share the 30 or so "special helps" from my new favorite book, I'll just sprinkle them here and there...

Disclaimer:
These do not in any shape or form represent my thoughts, beliefs and ideas. I just simply found them amusing and thought I'd share =)

Your mind can accomplish things while your hands are busy

Do head work while dusting, sweeping, washing dishes, paring potatoes, etc. Plan family recreation, the garden etc.

Alternate sitting down tasks and standing up tasks. Don't be on your feet too long at a time.

One clean-up process instead of several
Before washing the breakfast dishes, do any necessary baking or advance meal preparation. Then wash all at once.

Fall sweaters to inspire...

Soon we'll be stashing away the flip flops and summer dresses and replacing them with wool socks and boots. I know it's not music to your ears, but hopefully with a couple of sweaters like these the transition will be a little easier!


All three are from Tulle - love this site.

Last Night's Dinner #26: Tuna Artichoke Panini & Peach Pie

Here's another easy and tasty dinner idea. I got this panini recipe from Giada's Family Dinners.

Tuna and Artichoke Panini
Prep time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 15-20 mins

You'll need:
3/4 c pitted kalamata olives
2 tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp lemon zest
1/4 c mayo
2 (6oz) tuna in olive oil, drained (my favorite kind is Genova's, Progresso's is also good)
1 (12oz) jar marinated artichokes drained coarsely chopped
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 (1lb) loaf ciabatta
1 tomato sliced (optional)



Combine olives, garlic, oil, zest and puree in food processor. Blend in mayo toss tuna, artichokes, lemon juice pepper in a separate bowl. Carefully hallow out the bread leaving mostly crust. Spread olive spread on bread, add tuna mixture on top. Gently press down and throw it on the grill or a heated pan. If you're using a pan, use a smaller one to place on top and with oven mitts on, press on it to weigh it down =)

Farm Fresh Peach Pie
Prep time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 35 - 45 mins



I was on my way to Trader Joe's yesterday and noticed these lovelies. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. I was initially planning to make Banana Cream Pudding pie but my bananas aren't quite ripe yet. I found a recipe from my Betty Crocker Book. I couldn't be bothered to make my own crust, so I tried out TJ's for the first time (I'll probably make it from scratch next time). I was happy with how it turned out, the filling was nice - sweet and tart, just the way I like it!.

Preheat oven to 425F
Bake for 35 to 45 mins



filling (for 9" - 9.5"):
4 peaches, peeled and sliced
1 c sugar
1/3 cup (minus 1 tbs) of all purpose flour
splash of vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 pinch of salt

Mix all the ingredients together and gently mix together. Dot peach mixture with 1 1/2 tbs of butter before placing top crust.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I never thought I would still be working on this question at 30.

Betty Crocker Cook Book & the good old 50s

Hillsy and I stumbled upon a small block fair this weekend on 11th street and 2nd Avenue. I was so happy to see old stuff! Usually the street fairs around us are filled with thai food, fresh fruit smoothie stands, fake bags, summer gauzy dresses and miniature food plastic magnets. This fair was full of vintage goodies. Other people's trash.. my treasure!



I scored a Betty Crocker picture cook book for $4, which is now my new favorite book. I can't even describe how much I love the book. Not only does it have an endless list of classic recipes accompanied by 50s style illustrations, but it has a section called "SPECIAL HELPS" that really gives great insight into this era.

For personal outlook.
Eat proper food for health and vitality. Every morning before breakfast, comb hair, apply make-up, a dash of cologne, and perhaps some simple earrings. Does wonders for your morale.

There are about thirty of these. I'll try to share 1 per day this month - each one cracks me up.

I've been inspired to make banana cream pie!

Last Night's Dinner #25: No-fry Fried Chicken with Bubble & Squeak

I finally tried out the No-fry Finger Lickin' Good Fried Chicken recipe last night and it was definitely a winner. It actually tasted like fried chicken, I swear! One taste of this chicken and you won't go near a fryer again!



I modified it slightly by soaking the drumsticks in buttermilk for 5 hours but I honestly don't think it makes a huge difference. It took approximately 45 minutes to cook (turning over halfway through). So good!





I also had leftover veggies (mashed potatoes, green peas and cherry tomatoes) from Sunday night's dinner at Westville; so I decided to make bubble and squeak. Bubble and squeak is a traditional English dish made out of leftover vegetables from Sunday night's roast dinner. You basically chop up leftover veggies and mix it with mashed potatoes and brown both sides.

Heart-made goodies (bunny + pin cushion)

The craft department was busy this weekend...



I made Julia (Karen's daughter sheesh Karen you're getting a lot of press today!) a bunny for her room.

I was flipping through Softies: Simple Instructions for 25 Plush Pals (great book) at Barnes and Nobles on Friday and saw a really cute pin cushion I wanted to try making. Here's what I ended up with:


It was really hard to get the flowers right but at then end I think I got the hang of it.

Zandra made a great comment last week about hand-made crafts. She was complaining about her hands cramping up while she was embroidering her needle wallet...
"now I know why people charge so much for hand-made goods!"
It's so true, I don't think you can really have a true appreciation for hand-made goods until you try making something yourself.

Sometimes, you look at something and think "I can so do that, why should I pay $80 for a bunny sitting on a can covered in tissue paper?". Now I know it's because someone actually spent time pouring their heart and love (not to mention the hand cramps) into it.

How to... make perfect cold brewed iced coffee

Last week Karen asked me how I made my Cold Brewed Iced Coffee. I told her that it was pretty simple, I just used a pitcher and hand filtered the brewed coffee into another pitcher when it was ready.



Yesterday, Karen gave me an advanced birthday present... she said that it would make my life easier.

I'd like to introduce you to my new favorite kitchen equipment...


Thanks Karen!! All I had to do was press and presto! The iced coffee came out perfect!

I used 8.5 rounded tablespoons (Cafe Du Monde French Roast) for 32oz of water (left it in the fridge overnight). Mr. Angel made us 2 extra large glasses of super-strength iced coffee. I think it's the final press that gives it that extra ooomph of bean-goodness. I handed Hillsy his glass this morning and (no joke) 3 seconds later I heard the straw slurping air/ice. Hooverific =)

Next I'll be trying Maxwell House - Ms. Karen swears by it!

2 awful, 1 ok and 1 eh movie-weekend + Hillsy's 5-star Kettle Popcorn

We saw lots of movies this weekend. ONCE was ok, Luis probably built it up too much. The one song that kept playing over and over again irritated the crap out of everybody but overall I enjoyed it but I wouldn't go around telling people that they had to see it!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE 4:06pm
[Amanda asked me what I thought about ONCE and I gave her a little more than "OK" and thought I'd share it...]
Once was Okay. It was one of those nice and quiet movies. Not a lot of "doing" but a lot of underlying "feelings" buried in the background and in the music. I feel like it's a movie that you have to let "IN" (wholeheartedly), in order to love it. The more I think about it, I think its affect is highly dependent on the viewer's mood. I liked it but I didn't LOOOVVE it. I guess my heart was kinda closed on Sunday =)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The other three movies wasted 6 hours of my life (Bobby was not as bad as the other two), so I will not waste any more of my life and will not be providing a summary of how bad they were but will leave you with a DO NOT ADD TO YOUR NETFLIX QUEUE warning:



Thank goodness for Hillsy's 5-star Kettle Popcorn!

A Blast From the Past

It's funny how I can't even remember why I left the kitchen to go to the livingroom, or why I just opened a new tab in Firefox ...

But as I stood at the bus stop this afternoon waiting for the bus to come, I recognized a man probably in his 80s and blurted out Are you Mr. Kroenig?

Kroenig? Where did that just come from, I thought to myself. How did I just pull that name out of my ass? ... still thinking to self. How could I have possibly remembered the name of my 7th grade Social Studies teacher!? I didn't even strain to remember it. I could understand if he was my all-time favorite teacher; you know, like teachers in the movies - Hillary Swank the Freedom Writer or even Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson who managed to change their students' lives. Although Mr. Kroenig didn't inspire me to send my journal to one of the last living Holocaust survivors, I guess he must've done something right!

Isn't the mind such a beautiful thing?

I spent the entire ride catching up with Mr. Kroenig, reminiscing about the good old days. He said that I wasn't the first student that he's bumped into on the bus. As I left the bus, he handed me a slip of paper and said if you ever need to contact me just shoot me an email. The paper had his email address and the name "Leo" instead of Mr. Kroenig =)

ONCE... will it be good?

Happy Friday!
Wow that was fast, gotta love the after-effects of a 3-day weekend.



Not much planned for the weekend. We're finally going to see ONCE. I have no idea what it's about because I prefer seeing movies without any expectations so I haven't read anything about it. It's bad enough that Luis keeps telling me to watch it coz it's soooooo good. Karen and Raul will be joining us for this week's Sunday Pork Shank - Mmmmm can't wait.

Have a great weekend and thank you for reading and participating this week! See you on Monday. What to expect next week? Bite-size Bahklava puffs, grilled fish tacos and hopefully more felt goodies!

Korean Honey Citron Tea

One of the things that makes my monthly treat-trip to Jin Soon Hand and Foot Spa so relaxing and worth it is a nice cup of citrus tea that they serve you to kick it all off. As always, it's the little things, the details that really matter. Although this brand isn't the exact tea that they serve there, it does come pretty close. It has such a nice subtle citrus flavor and is made from Yuja. Yuja is a round, lemon-like citrus fruit, also known as yuzu in Japanese and English. I could picture this being a favorite sore throat remedy during the coming winter months (ecckk!)

It's gelatinous in texture, like orange marmalade and comes in a jar. You just add a tablespoon or so to hot water and mix. It's so tasty, I can drink this stuff all day even on a hot day like today. But I am a little skeptical of it's "tea" claim and still need to look into that one. I'm sure it would also be good as some sort of cocktail. Maybe I'll try making some citrus mojitos this weekend ;-)

I bought this jar from M2M (Asian grocery store) on 3rd Avenue betw 10th and 11th street. I'm sure you can find it at any Asian food store.

Last Night's Dinner #24: Tagliatelle with Shrimp & Peas in a Saffron Cream Sauce

I got a massive headache around 4 in the afternoon and I couldn't go to my favorite Pilates class. I love the class because of the instructor, he is so cheery, so un-New York City. I love his attitude and I even love the random cheesy songs that seep into his playlist. He always throws in a song in the mix that cracks me up. Music in a Pilates class is already unconventional but Paula Abdul's Cold Hearted Snake? C'mon... you gotta love it =)

Anway, here's last night's dinner...

Tagliatelle with Shrimp & Peas in a Saffron Cream Sauce

You'll need
1/2 package of Tagliatelle pasta
2 tsp olive oil
1 tbs unsalted butter (if using salted, adjust seasoning accordingly)
1 shallot, minced (can substitute onion if you don't have a shallot)
1 cup of frozen peas, thawed
10 pieces of uncooked, peeled, de-veined, shrimp (thawed if using frozen)
a pinch of saffron threads - soak* in 4 tbs of cold water for 2 hours
1/2 cup of white wine**
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
salt & pepper to taste

*Some people find the flavor of saffron too overwhelming and I find that when I soak the threads, I get a milder flavor but it still stands up well against the cream, cheese and the shrimps. If you don't have saffron threads, you can use saffron powder. If you don't have the powder, the dish will still be good without it. I would just add a clove of garlic finely minced. Add it when you add the shrimps.

** If you don't have white wine, you can also use chicken stock - it will still be good =) This dish is pretty flexible and really hard to mess up.



Boil water for pasta. As soon as it boils, you can start cooking the pasta and sauce at the same time. You want the pasta to be ready at the same time as the sauce.

step 1. Heat up oil (medium heat) and butter. Add shallots/onion and season. Cook for 3 minutes.
step 2. Add peas and shrimps, season again. The idea, is to add salt every time you add a different ingredient. This is how I usually season all my dishes.
step 3. Cook the shrimps for about 2 minutes, add strained saffron threads and then add the wine.
step 4. Allow to reduce for 2 minutes, then add the cream (lower heat). Be careful about overcooking the shrimp
step 5. Lower the heat to the lowest setting and slowly add the cheese while stirring.
step 6. The pasta should be ready by now. Take tongs and simply transfer the pasta into the sauce pan. I don't bother straining it, I find that the dripping water that comes along with the pasta as you use the tongs helps with the whole coating process. I also don't like to run cold water on cooked pasta, because it washes off the starch that helps bind the pasta and the sauce.
step 7. Top off with a little more parmesan cheese and a splash of olive oil before serving.

Frozen peas, frozen shrimps, a block of parmesan cheese and a weekly supply of heavy cream are must haves for me; especially on days when I have a headache and I don't want to fuss around too much in the kitchen.

This is one of those dishes that looks like you put in loads of effort; but it's really fast, simple AND really good!

The New York Public Library - My new love

I'm not really sure what took me so long to get a NYC library card. I always took advantage of the library back in Forest Hills, but I completely didn't even think about it once I moved to the city. I didn't even know that there was one 2 blocks away until last week when I overheard a mother telling her son that they had to run a couple more errands after the library. So I asked her where the library was and she said right there across the park. I must've been living under a rock for the past 3 years living in this neighborhood.

So I made a trip over yesterday and applied for a card. It was surprisingly painless. I just had to show my driver's license and a utility bill and off I went. I remember back in the day it was a little more trickier than that. You actually had to wait to get a little postcard in the mail to prove that you really lived in that address, hand that in and then and only then would you get the plastic go card.


2 cooking books - I love to hate Giada deLaurentis and I'm currently obsessed with Mr. Ramsay these days. I just love his TV shows, Hillsy and I love his expressions "Ahhwww for fuck sakes"... is our favorite one! 2 drawing books - I can't draw to save my life so I thought I'd read up on doodling. I also borrowed an embroidery and a making mobiles book; two projects that have been swimming in my head lately. Lastly, The Christmas Spider - for no special reason other than the fact that the pictures inside were so colorful and inspirational!

Then I discovered the ultimate thing this morning, I can simply log on to my account and create a list for myself. I've already requested two books and I'll get a notification when they arrive at my branch. How cool is that? (I know I know, remember the rock?!)

Crafting: Morning Fix

Zandra (my crafter in crime) sent me an email last night titled "Good Craft Find...", she apparently ordered some supplies from Save on Crafts and thought I should have a look around. The gesture seemed innocent enough...

Well Z, not sure if you read the "I have CADD" post but your little innocent act of sharing was like wrapping a rubber band around a crack fiend's arm, smacking the crap out of their veins and then injecting a lethal dose --- thanks, thanks a lot (Amex thanks you too!)



I spent 30 minutes this morning oooing and aaahing at everything from wires to miniature flowers. But I was good and controlled myself, well sort of...



I'm not sure when I'll ever need 45 yards of ribbon or 8oz of biodegradable natural packing filler material but I just had to have it. I also bought the book that I'll be needing for the Making Plush Toys class that Zandra and I signed up for. Can't wait for that one! We discovered that the City Quilter shop offers classes at reasonable prices.

If you live in the area and you've always wanted to make a goofy doll - it's only $45 (4hr) + cost of supplies and book. Give them a call. They also have sewing and a bunch of other classes if wacky doll-making isn't for you.

Last Night's Dinner #23: Chicken Adobo & Alfajores

Some may argue but I consider Adobong Manok (Chicken Adobo) Philippine's national dish. The flavor is very hard to describe (savory, sweet garlic, tart & sweet, salty but good salty), the chicken is slowly braised in a vinegar and soy sauce mixture. What's really interesting is that no one family makes it the same way. I don't even make it the same way my mother or my sisters make it. It also seems that everyone has a special trick when cooking - my mom likes hers lighter in color, Karen takes a whiff of her mixture and senses whether it requires more vinegar or soy sauce, I don't stir mine until I see a rolling boil, some keep the lid on the pan to keep the flavors in...

I'm sure you'll eventually come up with your own version (if you don't have one already) but here's one you can start with.

6 chicken thighs
1 head of garlic, smacked with the flat-side of a knife
1/2 cup vinegar
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup water
1/2 tbs black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
pinch of sugar (preferably brown sugar)
2 tsp vegetable or canola oil
1 large potato (optional)



- Heat up oil in a medium pot (medium high heat).
- Add the chicken skin side down. Pan fry for about 5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Add garlic and turn the thighs. Careful not to burn the garlic.
- After 3 minutes add the black peppercorns and bay leaf.
- After two minutes, add in soy sauce.
- Add potatoes on top of the thighs if using.
- Once it simmers, add the vinegar, do NOT mix until it starts to simmer.
- Once it starts to simmer again, stir in water.
- Sprinkle in the sugar then lower heat to the lowest setting and cover with the lid slightly off (see image).
- Allow to simmer for about 30 - 40 minutes, the liquid should reduce to about half.
- Serve over rice.

I'm currently addicted to dulce de leche so I managed to find another dessert that showcases this lovely thick gooey of goodness. I recently found MattBites, an awesome food blog and found a recipe for Alfajores, a traditional Latin American cookie. I couldn't stop eating the cakecookies as they came out of the oven - so good. Just like Matt, I ate too many and got a stomach ache as well!

Alfajores


Homemade Dulce de Leche


Some boil the entire can but I'm too scared to do that. I use the water bath technique. I pour a can of condensed milk into a glass pan and place the pan in a bigger glass pan filled with water. I sprinkle in a pinch of sea salt and tightly wrap it in foil. Bake it for 2 hours in a 425F pre-heated oven. *Check constantly to make sure it doesn't brown too quickly and to see whether or not you need to add more water to the bath.


These are more cakelike in texture, sort of like madeleins. I used a zip lock bag
to pipe in the dulce de leche filling.

See MattBites for full Alfajores recipe.

A perfect gift for a little one who already has (almost) everything!

Aren't these the cutest?

I worked with Ms. Katragadda back in my Amex days; Katchenkoo was started by her and a friend. High-end extraordinary jewelry for children -- why didn't I think of that?!?

I also love these handcrafted modern sterling silver bracelets - new from Boon.

Mom, it's never too late to give me a diamond necklace ;-)

I have CADD (Craft-Attention Deficit Disorder)

I'm feeling overwhelmed again.



Thanks to a Martha show and a trip to a local craft supply store, I finally started making things that I've been talking about making all summer long. But this new found craft-energy comes with a few strings attached. Rampant thoughts have been occupying my already crazy head - I want to make make ornaments; no, I should make more animals; oh it would be perfect with some hand embroidery (I don't even know how to do that!); I want to make this, oh what should I make next; this looks dumb; urggh; pffff; I need to organize these supplies, they're everywhere... The thoughts are endless! HELP!!

I'm even planning to go to the local library this afternoon. Which means trouble. I can already picture the stacks and stacks of books that I'll be carrying home Patchwork & Quilted Gifts, Doodle Stitching, Plush Pals, Sublime Stitching, Japanese paper crafts... thank goodness for library maximums.

Will this phase end?

Meet Giger [gahy-ger] the latest zoo member

Last Night's Dinner #23: Toastie (Ham & Cheddar)

Hillsy's mom makes the best toasties is the world and I've been trying to persuade her to open up a Toastie shop in NYC (no luck so far). She claims it's the bread but I'm convinced that she puts an extra layer of lard when I'm not looking. I've tried and tried to replicate Kay's famous toasties but my version is only half as good. There's just something about how moms cook things. I guess I'll have to wait my turn!



You'll need:
- a panini grill or a large cast iron skillet and another heavy one to use as a weight
- bread* (I used Ciabatta )
- ham (thinly sliced french ham would be preferable)
- English cheddar, shredded (can be substituted with Irish cheddar)
- olive oil for brushing
- spreadable butter

* I have not been able to find a good loaf of white bread that's comparable to the ones found in the UK. The white bread over there is much denser/compact and really lends itself well to being pressed. If you're lucky enough to have a chinese bakery close, you can try buying a loaf of white sliced bread. I find that it's more compact than WONDER. Pepperidge Farm's "bread with substance" loaf isn't bad either. A third alternative would be Whole Foods' White Enriched White Bread. Wow, I didn't know I could write an entire post dedicated to white sliced bread!



- Butter both sides of the bread.
- Place cheese on top of one side.
- Distribute desired amount of ham evenly (don't lay out flat, create air pockets) on top of the cheese.
- Place other half on top and brush both top sides with olive oil.
- Place in the grill and press down to flatten as much as possible.
- Grill for about 8 minutes and turn. Grill for another 8 -10 minutes or until golden brown. Don't worry if you hear the cheese sizzling.
- Cut and serve with a simple salad.

Kid-approved "No-Fry Finger Lickin' Good Fried Chicken"

Want your kiddies (big kiddies included) to look
this happy at tonight's dinner table?

Then try Karen's easy to make No-Fry Finger Lickin' Good Fried Chicken. Thanks Karen for our first reader-submitted recipe and pictures! Keep them coming!!

No-Fry Finger Lickin' Good Fried Chicken
Recipe and images courtesy of Karen
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 45-50 mins or until browned
Difficulty: Mom with 2 kids running around in the background EASY



You'll need:
- 8 drumsticks or whatever is on sale at the store *except wings
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese *feel free to mix in Romano if you have some around
- 1/4 cup panko *Karen is adamant that you use panko for optimal crispage; so go out and get some!
- dried herbs you have in the pantry (ie. paprika, parsley, garlic etc)
- salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven at 400F.
Step 1. Beat eggs in a medium bowl, add a small pinch of salt and set aside.
Step 2. Wash chicken, trim fat and dry with paper towels. Season very lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 3. In a separate bowl, combine cheese, panko, dried herbs and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Step 4. Using your right hand, pick up a drumstick and dip into egg mixture and coat. Still using your right hand, pick up and drop into dry mixture. With your left hand, throw some of the dry mixture over the piece and toss around to fully coat. Pick up and place on a broiler pan so that the oil drips down and doesn't make it soggy. Repeat. Just remember to use one hand for dry and one hand for wet ;-)
Step 5. Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until browned.

* Karen warns that the blood slowly ooozes out during the cooking process. Don't be alarmed - just simply scrape it off before serving.

Keep the spark alive!

MJ (one of my sisters) added a comment to the "Is 35 the new 30?" post and she brought up a really good point about dating - dating your husband that is.



I'm probably not the best person to be giving marriage advice, but I have definitely learned some things from my mistakes. Deafening silence on a 4 hour drive upstate or during a 6-course pre fixe dinner is a sure sign to get the jumper cables out, pronto! Isn't it so easy to take the person next to you for granted? Oh he/she won't mind, it's no big deal.

I think it all goes back to the time issue I brought up last week. With so little discretionary time, it's so easy to slip into a sparkless routine with your partner...

Wake up for work, say goodbye, send one or two instant messages during the day, eat dinner on the kitchen table (if you're lucky), clean up, put the kids to bed (if you have them), wash-up and _______.

a) watch TV
b) have sex
c) talk about your frustrating day at work
d) sleep
e) all of the above

Do it all over again the next day.

Living with someone makes it that much harder to spend quality time together. When I say quality, I'm not referring to sitting next to each other in front of the TV or even watching a two hour long movie. Unfortunately, living together gives us a false sense of how much time we spend with someone. We're almost tricked into thinking that we spend enough time together, but I guess it's what you're doing during that time and whether you're making a connection that makes the difference. It was so much easier to do back in the dating phase - you went out for dinner and had long chats, even had long nightly phone conversations until the wee hours of the morning just getting to know each other. I don't even think it's an issue of falling into a routine, because quality time can still be part of the "routine". Scheduled dates throughout the week, movies that could spark discussions about life/issues afterwards that you no longer have time to do or throwing yourselves into a new activity that neither of you have experience with to spark a new challenge that both of you could relish in. It's all possible, but as many couples who are about to celebrate their 50th anniversary would say it just takes a little (sometimes lots) work!

I was watching the trailer for The Hottest State and this quote just got stuck in my head - "People who give up on love are not worth loving". Although there's nothing wrong with giving up on love - because I know that sometimes you just fall out of love and NOT giving up is even more ridiculous and mind-numbing than giving up; BUT I can truly appreciate the statement or at least my interpretation of it. I think that there is this imaginary line in any relationship, you either cross it and you hit the point of no return OR you teeter on it and decide to keep the spark alive!

By the way, this applies to friendships as well. Personally, I feel that some of my friendships have been reinvigorated... more on that another day!

Image courtesty of www.rattanladifference.com

Fruits of Labor

A nice close to summer...

Inspired by Martha's show on Friday, I decided to start making animals. Don't ask why... it was just one of those "Ooooh I wanna make that!" moments. Here's a preview of what they look like - don't worry they'll have limbs too! I'm not really sure what I'll do with my new zoo, I'm sure I'll think of something ;-)



Don't have time to whip up dessert? No worries... Ice-cream Sandwiches to the rescue!



Ice-cream Sandwiches:
Place a scoop of slightly-softened ice-cream on top of a homebaked or store-bought cookie (soft cookies work best) and place a second cookie on top of the ice-cream to create a sandwich. Place on a cookie sheet and immediately put it in the freezer so that the ice-cream can set.



Not in the mood to make pie crust? Make cobbler instead!

30 min prep time
35 mins cooking time at 370F
Preheat 370F

Crumble topping:
1 cup flour
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1/4 c rolled oats (chopped)
pinch of salt
1/4 c breadcrumbs
7 tbs chilled butter cut into cubes

Mix everything except the butter. Add butter and quickly work into dry mixture with fingers until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs (bigger clumps ok).

Blueberry Cobbler Filling
4 1/2 cups of fresh blueberries
1 tsp flour
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp brown sugar brown

Last Night's Dinner #22: @ Pistahan

*make sure to read the comments, some interesting thoughts on Filipino culture

Written by Hillsy
Last night we had dinner at Pistahan (1st Ave between 13th and 14th St) and to give it a fair non-biased review I called in a special favor from the English muffin. So, without further a do...

It wasn't until I reached the ripe old age of 7 or 8 that I made one of those eye-opening discoveries that completely turn your perception of the world upside down. Dogs can swim.

It may not seem that remarkable now, but at the time it was something my young brain struggled to grasp. Not only can they swim, but they're actually pretty damn good at it.

But how would somebody ever know that a poodle or golden retriever was nature's equivalent of Flipper with fur? I mean, they hardly advertise the fact to the casual observer. They don't have any gills, flippers, fins or other naturally evolved floatation devices and they don't even seem to like water THAT much. Yet behind this smokescreen of land dwelling bliss, lay a creature that was not only happy in H2O but could probably beat most Olympic swimmers in a 100 meter freestyle sprint.

And that brings me to Filipinos and food. Ask somebody you know to name 5 of the top cuisines in the world and you'd expect to hear the usual suspects – Italian, Chinese, Japanese, French. It's highly unlikely the Philippines would make the list, and more to the point it's equally unlikely that the average Joe on the street could even name a single Filipino dish. But if you served the same average Joe a Filipino meal, the discovery of how bloody good it is would be akin to my canine revelation as an 8-year-old.

The truth is that Filipinos make some amazing food that completely confounds expectations and at the end of a meal leaves yourself asking the question "Why the hell don't these people blow their own horn a little more and showcase what they can do in the kitchen?"

A classic example of this is Pistahan – an under-stated Filipino restaurant on 1st Ave Btw 13th & 14th that Madame Lifeflix and I visited on a hazy New York Labor Day evening.

Walk in the front door and you could be forgiven for thinking that you'd mistakenly stumbled into your grandfather's broom cupboard. Small and cramped with the character of a mouse, the only real sign of life is the waft of charred pork smoke that freight-trains up your nostrils as you walk in.

We shoehorned ourselves into a seat and ordered the Pork Barbecue Skewer for appetizer, followed by Relyenong Talong (Stuffed eggplant cooked with egg and ground pork ) and Crispy Pata (Pork hock deep fried to a crisp served w/ vinegar and soy sauce).

The pork skewer was sweet and tender with just enough chew to keep things interesting, and when eaten with white rice was a great set-up to the main course. And what a main course it was.


Pork BBQ skewers

The Relyenong Talong resembles a bloated omelet with the added bonus of ground pork thrown into the mix. Rich, heavy and satisfying – this is exactly the type of simple, yet distinct food that I'd be happy to dine on every night. This is the kind of stuff that features in the wet dreams of the makers of Lipitor.


Relyenong Talong (Eggplant stuffed with egg and ground pork)

Then there was the pork. This huge plate stacked high with dark, succulent meat and crispy, golden skin. They even threw in a couple of hooves for good measure, just to make sure you got your fill of crunchy, crackly, velvety deep fried swine.


Crispy Pata (Deepfried pork shank)

We devoured both dishes like killer bees in a 1-800-FLOWERS warehouse and finished off the meal with some Cassava Cake – a sweetened cake with coconut and jackfruit. Again, the presentation was horrendous (served in a beautiful foil tray that looked like it belonged in the backpack of a US Marine) but the food itself was sticky, heavy and fulfilling.


Casava Cake served in a foil take-out container
(Gordon Ramsey would have a shit fit)

Throw in a bottle of water and a Diet Pepsi, and the check came to 29 bucks – one of the cheapest eat outs we've had for a long time.

The Filipinos need to borrow the same marketing book as Thai and Indian restaurants have obviously read and digested. The truth is the Filipino food can easily hold its own against Pad Se Ew and Chicken Korma, it just needs somebody out there to start making some noise and telling the world about it.


I wish that they would rethink this "15% Gratuity is very much appreciated"
(bordering tacky but not as tacky as not leaving tip!)