... Because everything I learned about living a good life, I learned in my kitchen.

I won't always show you recipes, because I don't measure. You can't really measure life, so how can I teach you that?

On our journey I will share stories of self-reflection as we cook and reminisce. The kitchen remains to be my "hall of epiphanies" . Stay with me as we explore the depths of our cooking pots, and of our soul...



Monday, October 28, 2013

Comfort takes time...


Do you know why I despise dating?  Because it takes me a long while to get comfortable with someone. It takes time to see if that person is legitimately all of the things that they say that they are.  Actions speak louder than words ever can.  Cliche but true.  I want you to show me what you are.

I appreciate your words, but it's what you do and how you handle even the small every day decisions in your life that determine who you are, and who you will be to me.

That's why being comfortable with another person takes time. Even when it doesn't work out and you're back to the drawing board, you have to stay committed to yourself and be prepared to wait.  I love that expression, "Hurry up and wait..."

In the meantime, keep being true to yourself and what you want.  Settle for nothing but the best, especially if you treat others honorably, you equally deserve that same treatment from yourself.

This weekend, rather than wrestle with the disappointments that come with dating, I chose to spend time with good friends and loved ones.  I had such a fun time!  I was in the mood to cook and entertain, which my sister and my mom jokingly refer to as my "Nesting" state.

It's a joke, but it has some truth to it too.  I do enjoy making a beautiful home, cooking and nurturing my loved ones.  If it brings me happiness to do so, and it allows me to show the people that are important to me love, bring it on!

Friday, I had my sister over.  I had such a great time!  I ran home for lunch and threw some chicken tenderloins that I had marinating in the fridge.  I put those in the crock pot with peppers, onions, a dash of wine and added some curry seasoning.


 Then, I threw in some organic brown rice in the slow cooker with a can of Goya pink beans, a bag of frozen corn, 2 envelopes of Sazon, oregano and pepper.  I added 2 table spoons of homemade Sofrito too. 

Once I got home from work, that smelled delicious. I took some corn tortillas and filled them with the chicken that had been cooking in the crock pot.  I smothered that in shredded cheese.  Then, I added the juices that had cooked with the chicken, sofrito and a can of fire roasted diced tomatoes.  I let that cook in the oven for about 25 minutes.

That was so delicious garnished with avocado, sour cream, queso blanco and shredded Mexican slaw (multi-colored cabage, cilantro, lime, red onion).  Then I topped them off with a special SPICY sauce made with a can of Goya Chipotle peppers and sour cream.  The peppers are so smoky and spicy, so add in sour cream to your liking to make it either spicier or less.


It went delicious with white wine.  We had sparkling peach Moscato. I love that girl for how she makes me laugh.  It was a great night!





Tuesday, October 8, 2013

The Lonesome Bride...

When you wake up in the habit of praying every morning, you sometimes wake up amidst conversations with God.  Most of the time, I express gratitude.  Sometimes, I wake up asking why.  This morning, I woke up mid-thought, declaring that it would be a better day.

It's funny, really. Things are better than they have been in a really long time. The thing is this, sometimes when we get what we pray for it's terrifying.  You see, I know how to lose things.  I learned how to let go.  I learned how to grieve in peace.

What, then?  What do we do when we get a glimpse of happiness and joy approaching around the corner?  It sometimes means that you are about to succumb to trust.  Trust in another.  Trust that your joy will not be short-lived or based on false pretense.

My parents always said, "This too shall pass".  They meant that the rough times will soon pass and that things will get better.  Somehow I taught myself to hear it differently.  I taught myself that when I start to feel joy, that too will pass. It's life.  It's a fact.  I'm not being negative.  I'm being real. Everything ends.  Pain ends, joy ends.  Right?

Or is that a cowardly view of what we are meant to pursue in this life?  Joy and peace.

I've learned that both are within each of us.  We spend a lifetime pursuing happiness in another, when really it's inside us the whole time.  Why then would we, do we, need another.?  I don't know why, but I do know how it feels to crave for human communion with another.  A level of intimacy that surpasses anything that is worldly.

This morning, in my drive in to work, a procession of tall and regal oaks adorned the road.  They were dressed in their most elegant autumn attire shining brightly in hues of red, greens and gold.  They stood tall and proud as one would stand about to welcome a bride to the altar.

And then I remembered the lonesome bride, dressed all in white that was about to grace us with her divine presence.  Winter was approaching dressed in her gown of diamonds and snow, and I wondered what mysteries she is about to reveal....

Photo from fanpop.com