My almost three year old is becoming very adventurous but his sense of danger and coordination have not quite caught up with his sense of independence, the result- endless scrapes and "boo-boos."
For his minor scrapes and cuts, I make my own antiseptic. Antiseptic is extremely easy and inexpensive to make and you don't have to worry about errant chemicals and additives.
To make your own antiseptic, you'll need: a one ounce glass jar, witch hazel and tea tree essential oil.
I start by placing twenty five drops of tea tree essential oil in my one ounce jar.
I am now ready to add my witch hazel, which I pour up to the top.
I cap the jar and shake vigorously until all contents are blended and my mixture is a bit whitish.
I like to use a jar with a dropper because it is easiest for me to drop the antiseptic directly on the cut or onto a cotton ball.
A note about the ingredients- both tea tree essential oil and witch hazel are natural cleansing agents being by nature antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Your cuts and abrasions with this duo are in very good hands.
As with most antiseptics, there is a slight sting upon contact. My little guy remains impervious to this, so it's not too bad.
Oh, and the smell (the rose blended with the tea tree) is quite lovely.
Now that you have this recipe, don't hold back. Teach yourself to roller blade, take on that home improvement project, take up woodworking, because you now have a simple and natural way to clean minor wounds and scrapes, just in case.
My friend and fellow writer Tracy Sayre is on an inspiring mission. Her mission, if you choose to accept it, is to make sure that you as a writer are connected with the people and resources to help you become successful in this difficult and often times isolating profession of passion and love.
Tracy, is the creator of the Writers Work Conference, a brand new writer's conference set to take New York by storm this fall.
I had a virtual chat with Tracy to get some details about this conference as well as to secure a discount for all of you. Here's what she had to say:
1) Hi Tracy, can you give us a little background about yourself as a writer? (When did you start? What genre do you work with, etc.)
When I was five years old, I used to write stories about how I was born on Mars and raised by apes. I would make photocopies of these stories and sell them to my neighbors for a nickel. As I grew older, I became self-conscious of my writing because I had poor grammar and I couldn't spell. My teachers told me I was a terrible writer, and unfortunately I believed them. It wasn't until freshman year of college that I rekindled my love of creative writing. I awoke from a dream and I had to write down a very particular image that stuck with me. The next day I kept thinking about the character in that scene, and started writing about her. I worked on that story for over two years, never caring about the grammar, realizing that a misplaced comma couldn't hold back my passion and creativity.
2) What is the Writers Work Conference?
The Writers Work Conference is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of writing. The next conference is Saturday, September 20 in Times Sq. Here's what the day will look like: Learn about writers' residencies from the best-selling author Aryn Kyle. Eat lunch with literary agent Shira Hoffman and pitch your story to the group to get feedback. From a senior copywriter at Simon & Schuster, hear what happens once a publishing house receives your manuscript. Learn how to protect your work and your sanity from publisher Deborah Emin. This is all on top of an hour-long writing class, and a group discussion where you can share your questions, tips, fears, and frustrations. There's going to be a lot of information, but overall it will be fun and relaxed.
3) How did you come up with the idea for Writers Work?
When I first realized I wanted to be a professional writer I kept reading that I had to go to conferences to network. I researched a bunch and they were all way over my budget. I talked to other writers who had attended these conferences and they complained that it was impossible to really network because there were too many people, and they spend most of their time in line. I wanted to make a conference series that is affordable and intimate. I go out of my way to find speakers that are approachable and encouraging. My hope is that people leave these conferences not only meeting an agent or editor, but also meeting a new writing friend.
4) What makes the Writers Work conference unique?
Besides for the tickets being under $100 (including lunch and breakfast), and the size limited to 50 people, the most unique thing about this conference is the sense of community. As a writer, there is nothing quite like talking to another writer. They just get you better than anyone else. Because I keep these conferences small, and because there are lots of guided discussions, and group meals, there is really time for you to meet a kindred spirit. Writing can be so lonely, and I never want that to be the reason why a talented writer gives up. I'm helping to build writing communities so that we can share our work, get feedback, and cheer each other on!
5) What advice do you have for new writers who are actively pursuing publication?
First off, always introduce yourself as a writer. This seems simple, but if you're anything like I was you'll cringe the first time you do it, but you have to do it anyway. Nowadays, I go to a party, introduce myself as a writer, and inevitably someone says "oh my friend's an agent. You two should meet!" two years ago I didn't know anyone in the publishing industry. Now I have friends in almost all of the large publishing houses. I think deep down people love to connect their friends, so if you give them the information they need (and that's as simple as telling them you're a writer), they will help you out.
Secondly, there are no short cuts. You have to put in the time and the work. You can't just stay behind your computer screen - you have to get outside and network. Your first draft isn't going to cut it. Your second and third draft probably won't either. Put in the time and the work, make personal connections with people in the business, and eventually you will get published.
Tracy has been kind enough to gift you, my lovely readers, with a 10% off code. Simply use the code: SOJOURNER when prompted after registering to claim your discount.
If you're a writer and you're in or will be in and around the NYC vicinity, I hope to see you at Writers Work. If you're one of my readers, please tap me on the shoulder and say hello, I'd love to meet you and find out what you're working on!
"Sorry folks. One more big wave and there should be smooth sailing." The captain announced as I wondered whether or not my lunch would remain respectfully tucked away inside my stomach.
A series of storms in the Atlantic Ocean made for unusually mischievous water. The water wasn't the only thing feeling mischievous. We'd been out to sail for over an hour without a single dolphin sighting.
The water sparkled in the sun, the Atlantic City boardwalk glistened in the distance. Seagulls and dragonflies circled our small wobbly vessel, it was a lovely afternoon (minus the incessant rocking), but there were no dolphins.
"To your left, you'll see an oily surface on the water, the dolphins are close!"
"To the front of the boat, you'll notice a school of fish, the dolphins are close!"
"Behind us, you'll notice bubbles coming to the surface of the water, the dolphins are really close!"
Our captain called out all of these promises, yet there were no dolphins!
Then they arrived.
Keeping a safe distance, a small pod of young dolphins approached. Their dorsal fins cut through the water, encircling our boat with ease. Every few moments, they surfaced in a slippery synchronous arc, before disappearing beneath the waves to hunt for food.
It all happened so quickly.
One moment they were there, the next, they had sailed on. The entire time, the small pod kept their distance.
Pictures were hard to come by, but the experience, though ephemeral, was humbling. After all, how often do you get to sail alongside these graceful guardians of the sea...
Recently I received a box of Hemp Hearts to try and review.
Despite my affinity towards healthy foods, hemp was uncharted territory.
I'm so glad I had the opportunity to give hemp a try!
Hemp Hearts, which are ground hemp seeds are lovely. Almost soft, slightly nutty in the manner of a pistachio, slightly fishy (subtle, but like an omega-3 vitamin aftertaste), I found the Hemp Hearts to be a welcome addition to my meal.
I sampled the hearts on vanilla Greek yogurt, but your options are limitless: in smoothies, on cereal, in granola, in your baking, to name a few.
Hemp Hearts are a great protein source for people like me who eat very little meat. In one serving, there are ten grams of protein ( not too shabby). Hemp is also heart healthy as it's full of omega-3's.
I'm so grateful to have been selected to review Hemp Hearts. I now have a new product to add to my health boosting arsenal.
I see a trusty trio forming- hemp, chia and flax in everything!
Chia seeds make me happy.
I pop them into my mouth directly out of the bag by the teaspoon, I bake with them, I soak them in juice and drink them, I sprinkle them over pasta and salad. I should have a chia garden, the way I go through the seeds.
Chia seeds are a powerfully rich superfood, I can't get enough. Chia is amazing because it contains many nutrients and minerals in small user friendly portions (you only need three tablespoons a day).
From chia seeds alone, you get omega-3's, calcium, antioxidants, fiber, protein and minerals like phosphorus, zinc and manganese.
Chia provides sustained energy throughout the day, promotes mental clarity, has anti-inflammatory properties, is heart healthy, is a calorie blocker, the list goes on...
All of this comes at about three tablespoons a day (recommended daily dose).
One of the easiest ways to get a full days worth of chia is to have chia for breakfast as a porridge. Chia porridge is easy to make and starts you off for the day on right foot. The recipe I make is slightly sweet and flavored with vanilla. My toddler and my husband both love to begin their day this way (when I'm not making biscuits that is ,) ).
Here's what you'll need:
1 mason jar
chia seeds
unsweetened almond milk
raw honey
vanilla extract
cinnamon
*This is a recipe of ratio. The measurements will be different for the honey, vanilla and cinnamon. Work according to your taste. You'll want one part chia to three parts almond milk.
Here's what to do:
First, you want to fill your mason jar with one part chia (about 1/4 of the way full). Then, take your almond milk and pour almost to the top of the jar. Take a spoon and stir your liquid so the seeds mix and don't mush together at the bottom.
You'll want to place this jar in the refrigerator overnight so the seeds have the chance to gel.
In the morning, open your jar and stir with a spoon. Your chia seeds should be thick and gelatinous.
Pour your mixture into a saucepan and warm. Once off of the fire, add your honey, vanilla and cinnamon to taste, serve and enjoy.
I challenge you to make this everyday for a week. You'll feel amazing and might never have to see a cardiologist.
*Note: The consistency of this porridge is slightly gelatinous and may be off-putting to some. I don't tend to like gelatinous textures, for example, I can't stand okra or bubble tea, but I have no problem with the chia porridge which reminds me more of cream of wheat.
There are those destinations that we seek out, then there are those we serendipitously happen upon. Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania was one of the latter.
This was an excursion, I hadn't planned. I had intended to spend my time resting and nursing in the hotel room. After all, when Mark said he had a gig in Pennsylvania approximately ninety minutes outside of Philly in some Mt. something or other farm town, I rolled my eyes and wrote it off. We were driving in from our quick mini-trip to Atlantic City and I was tired, I figured I'd put the boys to bed and read the book I didn't get to leisurely read on the beach.
Then we hit traffic and our calm drive turned into a hectic sprint to make sound check and so it was that the boys and I ended up in a most surprising little place.
Tucked away amidst sprawling farmland and cornfields in Pennsylvania Dutch Country lies the Mt. Gretna Chautauqua- a beautiful wooded and restored collection of charming historical cottages, impressive performance spaces and stately lecture halls.
One of the handful of chautauquas that remain, Mt. Gretna is meticulously preserved and honored by the Mt. Gretna Arts Council.
So, what is a chautauqua?
I had the pleasure of speaking with several members of the Mt. Gretna Arts Council about the topic since I had never heard of them. Here's what I learned- a brief history lecture for your reading pleasure:
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, chautauquas were ubiquitous in rural America as institutions for adult learning and culture. With a focus primarily on the arts, chautauquas were known for bringing music, dance, painting, literature, cooking and other arts to rural America. The original chautauqua, which is still fully functioning, is in Chautauqua, New York- hence the name. Around the 1950's, as almost every family in America had a car, chautauquas began to die out as people had the ability to travel to attain culture. Only a few chautauquas remain, Mt. Gretna is one of them.
Fascinating-eh?
Mark played this night with a swing band as part of the Mt. Gretna Cicada Musical Festival.
Mt. Gretna seems to have it all. In addition to regular concerts, there is a complete season of theatre and theare for young audiences, you can find author lectures, rotating art galleries, religious and philosophical talks, live comedy, a film series and cooking demonstrations (and I'm sure I've left a few things out).
The majority of the chautauqua attendees come from the Mt.Gretna and surrounding areas, but a good number of people travel to attend. The events are inexpensive and completely open to the public.
About 90 minutes outside of Philly and three hours or so outside of NYC, the Mt. Gretna Chautauqua (depending upon where you live of course) makes for a wonderful woodsy mini-break.
I have plans to return in another week for the illumination of the cottages, farewell to summer celebration.
We made our way slowly towards the boisterous boardwalk. The sun, overhead, bore down, creating a shimmering cascade that blanketed and softened everything.
Our feet clamored and clanked over the sturdy planks. Dragging our sandaled feet through the sizzling sand, we searched for a quiet place away from the crowds.
Eventually we settled for an almost quiet and slightly less crowded spot off to the right and settled our rumps on the single towel we brought from the hotel.
There were no lawn chairs to rest on. The beach at Atlantic City is a DIY beach.
After filling a pal with sand, Mark and Ohm set off to explore the water.
Unable to swim after my emergency cesarean, Jai and I were left on our sandy blanket to stare at the birds. Within five minutes, our slightly less crowded spot drew a crowd. At least twenty people circled us, cigaret smoke and music wafting towards us. Then, for the first time, I begin to notice the pieces of glass in the sand, thick jagged shards. I begin to panic, I just sent my two year old with his father to play in the waves and he didn't have his shoes. Cigaret butts, broken shells, glass, and a tampon lay in the sand before me. In the distance, Mark and Ohm jogged towards us. "Watch the glass!" I began to scream and motion. My oblivious neighbors eying me like a crazy woman. It was time to go.
"We're not swimming in that water." Mark grimaced.
With that, we were off strolling dejected down the loud and overstimulating Atlantic City boardwalk.
We had lasted maybe thirty minutes.
I am not an Atlantic City Beach and Boardwalk person!
We got into our car and took a drive. We drove past the ferris wheel towards the very end of what would have been a boardwalk if hurricane Sandy hadn't destroyed the area.
Eventually the clamor and crowds became muted. Gaudy boardwalk shops gave way to a somewhat quaint coastal aesthetic.
We decided to explore and found the aquarium, quiet restaurants in old Victorian houses and a square of adorable ocean front shops.
Was I on the same beach?
Slowly we eased back into a rhythm of ease. After exploring the shops from our new vantage point, we sat down to an ocean side seafood feast with nothing to do but watch the waves roll in and slowly recede.
It was lovely.
Perhaps I am an Atlantic City beach and boardwalk person after all.
This is a simple and natural lip balm recipe that is completely free of synthetic preservatives, fragrances and colors.
This recipe is trombonist approved ( yes- horn players need to revitalize their tired chops) and is also second grader approved (I used to teach my glittery lip gloss obsessed second graders to make this- it was a huge hit).
For this recipe to be successful, you simply need to follow the ratio that I will outline below. This being said, you can make as little or as much as needed. Vitamin E oil is used as a preservative. Your lip gloss will easily last a year or two.
Here's what you need:
Carnauba wax
Jojoba Oil
Vitamin E
Essential oils of your choice (I love the tingle of peppermint)
*Your ratio is three parts oil to one part wax!
Here's what to do:
In a double boiler (if you haven't got one, no worries, simply place a smaller pot inside a larger one containing boiling water) add your one part carnauba wax (I used a tablespoon because I wanted a small batch) and your three parts jojoba oil.
Stir continuously until the wax is completely dissolved into the oil. Remove your pot from the heat and add your Vitamin E oil (a few drops to a teaspoon depending o the size of your batch).
Stir your mixture and set aside to cool for five minutes.
Add about ten drops of essential oil to a 3:1 ratio measured with tablespoons (you can use this to adjust for larger batches). I like the refreshing tingle of peppermint, but you can use whatever you like. Rosemary, lemon, fennel and eucalyptus essential oils are also lovely for the lips.
Okay, seriously, more biscuits?
I know, I know, I've been a bit biscuit crazy lately. If you're a regular on my blog, you've probably noticed a definite biscuit theme. I plan to take a bit of a biscuit post break after this one, I promise, but since we're talking biscuits, can I tell you how awesome this gluten-free recipe is.
A few of you have written to request gluten-free biscuit recipe options. I've been experimenting in the kitchen and this creeation is a keeper. For these biscuits I use almond flour and instead of using xanthan gum to bind the batter together (I can't stand the after taste) I've opted to use extra baking powder (to ensure a nice rise) and egg. Coconut oil in lieu of butter adds a lovely flavor and is heart healthy and to provide a hint of sweetness, I use a tablespoon of grade B maple syrup (better for baking than grade A) which provides a great flavor and has a lower glycemic index than sugar.
These biscuits are moist, tasty, healthy and easy to make.
Here's what you'll need:
2 1/2 cup almond flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
4 tablespoons coconut oil
4 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
2 eggs
1 tablespoon of pure grade B maple syrup
Here's what to do:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
In a mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt). Make certain to thoroughly blend the baking powder and salt because the almond flour is moist and takes more effort than traditional flour to blend.
Add your wet ingredients (eggs, milk, oil and maple syrup) and mix thoroughly.
The batter will be on the crumbly side, don't worry, that's just what happens.
Using your hands, shape each biscuit into a half-inch thick round.
As a person who prefers to use all-natural, organic products on my skin, I was really excited as the product is marketed as all-natural. After spotting ingredients such as cyclomethicone, phenyl trimethicone and phenoxyethanol, I decided to do some research to see what these ingredients were. They were definitely not all-natural, however the chemical complexes used in Frownies tend to be a lot less irritating and milder than oh, say, parabens and other chemical compounds that could potentially be used.
I gave Frownies a try.
Here's what I liked:
Frownies is a light weight and silky cream. My face and decollette felt hydrated and light. Frownies had a natural aesthetic. The cream is brown and is fragrance free with a slight hint of earthy/chocolaty notes. Overall, my face felt great. The cream was definitely intensly moisturizing in a non-irritating way.
Here's what I didn't like as much:
Frownies left my skin feeling slightly sticky. The cream was very moisturizing, but had a sticky residue that I noticed whenever I touched my face.
Overall, Frownies is a great product if you're looking for continuous active hydration. My face was wonderfully hydrated. The slightly sticky feel of my skin was something I could easily overlook. What I personally couldn't overlook was the presence of the chemical compounds cyclomethicone, phenyl trimethicone and phenoxyethanol. If you are not a person who requires organic skin care however, Frownies presents a wonderful solution to dry aging skin.
This week my cousin Brielle, a postpartum doula, was in town from Seattle to help out with our new baby. It was her first time in New York, so I got to play tour guide. It was great to get back on my feet for a little bit while re-discovering the sights and sounds of Manhattan.
DIY Hand Sanitizer: Clean hands on the go without the harsh chemicals!
The idea of hand sanitizer is fantastic. No water, no soap, clean hands with a squeeze and ta-da, you're ready to go.
The reality of store bought hand sanitizer is not as fantastic. Yes, you'll have germ free hands, which is the main idea, but the chemicals used to kill those germs also kill the good bacteria and lead to the development of uber-resistant bacteria that eventually will be impossible to kill- yuck!
So what is a person on the go to do?
Make your own hand sanitizer, without the harsh chemicals.
DIY hand sanitizer is extremely easy and quick to whip up and will leave your hands clean and refreshed without the use of harsh chemicals like triclosan and triclocarban (scary endocrine disruptors that can lead to hormonal changes and disturb your thyroid function).
So here it is, for your hand sanitizing pleasure, a quick, easy way to sanitize your hands.
My recipe for a DIY Hand Sanitizer: Clean hands on the go without the harsh chemicals!
Here's what you need to do:
In a bottle of your choice combine 60% rubbing (Isopropyl) alcohol and 40% aloe gel.
Shake this mixture vigorously to mix the aloe and alcohol.
Add ten to twenty drops of tea-tree essential oil and 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil.
Shake again and ta-da!
This blend is light, refreshing, and not at all sticky. Store in a cool dry place for best results.
Note: You will most likely have to shake before each use.
Making this sanitizer couldn't be easier and is a great product to pop into your purse or your child's backpack.
I love biscuits. With this love, comes an unbridled enthusiasm for experimentation. Oh, the many glorious forms your basic drop and cutter biscuits can take on.
Recently, I created my chocolate chip cookie biscuit recipe. It's a variation of my easy sweet drop biscuits. This glorious chocolaty recipe is virtually vegan (minus the 70% dark chocolate chips), very heart healthy and quite reminiscent of a not so sweet warm soft baked chocolate chip cookie.
Here's what you'll need:
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon whole flax seed
1 tablespoon chia seed
1/2 cup 70% dark chocolate chips
Here's what to do:
Preheat your oven to 475 degrees, with your rack in the middle.
In a coffee grinder, grind the chia and flax seed down to a coarse powder. Set the mixture aside in a small bowl.
In a large bowl, combine your flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, and chia/flax mixture.
Add the olive oil to this mix and stir until crumbly.
Add the almond milk and chocolate chips and stir until a smooth texture is accomplished.
Prepare an oiled baking sheet. Scoop about a tablespoon of dough onto your sheet for each biscuit. Create enough space for your dough to expand and rise (about an inch all around).
The luxury bus, slowly winds its way up the narrow forested hills of Cascais, Portugal. Cascading around us in shimmering golden bands, the afternoon sunlight is radiant. Pockets of azure water shimmer in the wake of elegantly fluffed evergreens. Pressing our cameras against the window, we attempt to capture the scene. Speaking in rapid Portuguese and then in English that also sounded like rapid Portuguese, our tour guide was impossible to decipher, we had no idea when we would be stopping or even, what, aside from the beautiful flora and seascape, we were looking at. At last, we arrive at a rocky clearing. The bus pulls to the side, the doors open, for how long, we don't know, but we're thrilled to be able to experience and capture the view.
Sound familiar?
You're in a new city and you're excited about a particular site. You book a tour because you want behind the scene information only to be herded into a bus or van or boat where you have a hard time seeing whatever it is you came to see. You have a hard time hearing whatever it is you came to hear because of the couple speaking German behind you or the teenagers giggling in front of you. You can't take the pictures you want to take, you can't ask the questions you want to ask and by the end of the tour, you're tired and confused and simply want to retreat to your hotel room.
Tours by Locals, a Vancouver based company does precisely what the name implies, they connect travelers with local guides across the world for private, customizable tours.
If you ask me, the idea is ingenious. You log onto the site and browse a list of guide profiles organized by country and city. Once you identify a guide (and all of them come pre-screened and trained), you contact them, let them know what you would like to get out of your experience and you arrange a time and place to meet. Suddenly, you are connected with a knowledgeable and passionate local who can not only provide you with the individualized attention you need, but will work at your pace to ensure that your needs are met. It's like an instant cultural connection wherever you're traveling.
Boasting 1700 guides in over 130 countries, Tours by Locals is a unique way to travel like and with a local.
The next time you take a trip, whether it be out of state or out of the country, visit www.ToursByLocals.com to see if there is a tour guide available for your destination city. There's nothing like a personal connection when you're on the road.
Tours By Locals
inquiries@ToursByLocals.com
1.866.844.6783
Tours By Locals has in no way endorsed this post. I am writing solely based upon my own enthusiasm. Too many of my organized group tour experiences mirror the one I had in Cascais. The next time I travel, I'm going to search the data base to see if a local guide is available for a more intimate and personalized experience.
I love the idea of french toast, but I don't like the smell or taste of eggs; or for that matter, the mess that accompanies the preparation.
What I do love, is the taste of warm butter, sugar and cinnamon toasted to a perfection with a hint of vanilla. My grilled french toast is my answer to conventional french toast. It's easier to make and focuses (in my humble opinion) on all of the good stuff.
You don't have to use a baguette, I just happen to love the crispy texture and delicate little bites that they yield, but regular bread will work. You also don't need to add the chia/flax mixture. I add chia and flax to everything I bake. It makes for a nice texture and I derive peace of mind in the knowledge that while I'm saturating my body with butter and sugar, I'm also ingesting some heart healthy anti-oxidants, fiber, omega-3's and calcium.
Whichever variation you choose, here are the instructions-
Grilled French Toast:
1 baguette loaf (I like to use whole wheat)
1/2 cup butter (melted and soft)
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 dash of nutmeg
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of ground chia/flax blend (optional, but a great touch!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a small bowl, combine your butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, vanilla and chia blend. Mix until the ingredients are blended and the consistency is creamy and spreadable.
Cut off the heals of your baguette loaf and set aside for another day or recipe. With what remains of the loaf, take a knife and cut 2" pieces.
You have options when it comes to cooking. I find a panini press or George Foreman grill work best. I love knocking out two sides at the same time. The uniform heat, keeps the bread from burning too. Also lovely is an indoor stove top grill. If you don't have any of these, a frying pan will also do the trick.
Dip both sides of your baguette pieces into the butter mixture until heavily coated then place on your grill/pan of choice. You'll know your toast is ready when you smell the delicious scent of heated butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Once toasted and golden brown, you're ready to plate and toast the next batch.
Blueberry Cream:
1/2 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 teaspoon sugar
5 Blueberries
Place ingredients directly into a blender (if you have a single serve blender or magic bullet- these work the best!). Blend until stiff.
If you don't have a single serve blender, a hand blender and a bowl will work as well.
Preparing the plates is really fun. I like to add a trio of fresh berries. Here, I opted for blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. A drizzle of pure maple syrup always sweetens the deal, but most importantly, don't forget to add your dollop of blueberry cream with a fantastic flourish.
Disclaimer: This is a review. I received a free product in exchange for an honest write-up. All opinions expressed are genuinely mine.
Not so long ago, I received several cans of diced tomatoes and a recipe book from Redpack Tomatoes. The company is promoting the use of their diced tomatoes in summer salads and asked me to give a recipe a try.
So there I was, at home, with several 28 oz. cans of diced tomatoes- what to do, what to do? I've never actually cooked with canned tomatoes before. I have always been a fresh heirloom and cherry tomato girl.
After staring at the cans for a week, my sister in Albany, sent over an amazing recipe for creamy tomato soup with tarragon. I cracked open my first can with enthusiasm and made my first tomato soup from scratch (ish). It was met with rave reviews from my husband and two year old.
I was ready to tackle another can. The next recipe for bruschetta style pizza came from my friend Elise, in D.C. When I saw that this pizza called for diced tomatoes and not tomato sauce, I was excited to dive in. The pizza was a winner! The diced tomatoes were a perfect compliment to the medley of vegetables and provided a nice burst of tomato flavor in lieu of the more intense flavor of sauce.
Canned tomatoes, not too shabby I conceded.
Finally, I opened up the cookbook Redpack sent and decided to attempt to make one of their summer salads, a mango chicken salad, minus the chicken (I wasn't in a meat mood). Aside from leaving out the grilled chicken, I followed the recipe exactly. Overall, the salad was good, but I truthfully must admit, it wasn't the same with canned tomatoes.
The canned tomatoes worked well in warm recipes, but in the salad recipe, alongside a host of fresh ingredients, the canned diced tomatoes didn't really do it for me. I'm definitely going to use fresh tomatoes on my next salad.
I will however, buy Redpack's diced tomatoes in the future when I'm ready to pull out my new creamy tomato soup with tarragon recipe or my bruschetta style pizza recipe.
Have you ever tried canned tomatoes in a summer salad?
On Sunday, I had a truly transcendent experience.
I arrived at Brooklyn Bridge Park, a waddling, hot, 42 weeks pregnant, disgruntled woman, but left, strolling gracefully, sated, cool, and in excellent spirits.
What happened during that hour and a half on the water beneath the intense sun?
The Brooklyn Smorgasburg happened- a pleasure filled gastronomical wonderland!
I love to eat. I adore teasing my taste buds with new flavors and combinations. I get a kick out of sampling innovative concoctions and textures. Brooklyn Smorgasburg was the answer to everything I always knew I wanted but didn't know to ask for.
Imagine an expansive outdoor market, on a beautifully renovated turquoise boardwalk with open views of the gorgeous Manhattan skyline, featuring purely delectable food and beverage. I'm not talking your typical street food fair (hot dogs, pretzels and funnel cakes), oh no. I'm talking about the succulent intersection of the finest artisanal breads, cheeses and baked goods with the latest and most innovative preparations from gourmet restaurants and food trucks, mixed with a variety of exotic ethnic cuisines. A place where you can sample 15 different types of horseradish sauce, snag a taste of the cuisine from Togo, discover a host of vegan, gluten-free and raw options, drink from the cool water of a whole coconut, and sample soul food/Korean BBQ fusion- this is Smorgasburg!
A huge fan of the Brooklyn Flea, because of the delicious food vendors, Smorgasburg, dedicated solely to food is a dream come true. I found all of my Brooklyn Flea favorites and discovered many, many, more.
Smorgasburg truly has something for everyone.
It's a great place to simply relax and slow down. It's a place to meet and greet your Brooklyn neighbors. Smorgasburg is kid friendly, first date friendly, date afternoon friendly, and let's just go and amble friendly. If you're from out of town, and visiting New York for the first or fiftieth time and have always wanted a tantalizing reason to cross over the Brooklyn Bridge, look no farther!
Bring your appetite, enjoy the boardwalk, do a little people watching, gaze at the sailboats, take in the views of the Manhattan skyline, and eat, eat, eat!
Smorgasburg is FREE, every Sunday 11am-6pm at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5
This weekend, my trombonist hubby had the honor of playing at the Blue Note with the fabulous jazz vocalist Nicole Henry, which means, I had the honor of attending.
Perhaps, one of the most iconic jazz clubs in the world, the Blue Note, located in the West Village of Manhattan has hosted one of the most elite who's who lists of musicians since its opening in 1981.
Inspired, by Blue Note Records (est. 1939), the record label that launched the careers of such greats as Miles Davis and John Coltrane, the Blue Note offers an intimate and cozy setting in which to relax, enjoy the dying art of live jazz music and enjoy a good meal and drink.
The house was packed the entire weekend.
It's nice to know that America's classical music has a home.
Perhaps nobody enjoyed Saturday night's sets more than Ohm, who surprised everyone by sitting silent and entranced through two sets while playing the air trombone. I prepared myself to have to run to the green room every few minutes, but my two and a half year old was one of the most well behaved patrons of the evening.
The highlight of the evening for me, was Nicole Henry's performance of Blues in the Night! It was a knockout!!!! I always forget how great this song is until I hear it performed live and I get chills.
Now, I love my husband. I've never truly been "burned" by love. I don't know what it is, but I just love this song!
For those of you not familiar with the piece, I've attached a clip of Nicole Henry singing Blues in the Night. This is not from the Blue Note as recordings are not permitted. You get the idea though.
My name is Kelley Akhiemokhali. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and blog at immigratingwithapurpose.com. The name came because my father is a Nigerian immigrant. I’ve been fascinated with immigrant and migrant stories since adolescence. Now that I have chosen to work abroad myself, I’m tracking my own experience as an immigrant in a loose sense of the word.
Where do you currently live and what is your occupation?
I currently live in Valencia, Venezuela. I am an English and Social Studies teacher.
What is the first country you traveled to internationally? What were your impressions?
The first country I traveled to was Australia in 2007. I was extremely nervous when I sat at the gate waiting for my plane to take off. I remember thinking what am I doing? I had never been out of the country with family or friends, let alone by myself, and I choose to go to Australia…as far as you can get from the US. I went there to study abroad. Australia is a crown jewel in my memories. It was such a beautiful and happy time in my life. The people are very warm and the country is beautiful. My friends and family thought that I would move back there after graduating. I actually have never returned for a visit. A part of me is scared to return because I don’t think I can “top” that experience. I don’t want anything to sully the beauty that was Australia. I’ll return one day though.
When did you first realize you were bitten by the travel bug?
After a few weeks in Melbourne, Australia I realized I had the travel bug. I was so excited to go around the city and just experience as much of the culture as I could. I think my need to travel really came on full force when a group of us went to New Zealand during Spring Break and drove around the South Island. The road trip was fun, we gelled extremely well, and I just got to see another beautiful place. You arrive in some spaces and you’re just humbled by nature, beauty, the people, and the food, and you’re just thankful. I need that feeling. I love that feeling. It’s like a re-set button for me to be able to connect in some way to a different culture or country.
Do you have a travel mantra?
I do not have a travel mantra per se, but I do have some guidelines I follow when deciding whether or not I can travel. I try to travel to international locales where friends are to save on housing. I travel when I’ve saved up for a trip, and I travel when it moves me. To date, I’ve never regretted the money I’ve spent on a trip. I might regret buying some material thing, but buying a plane ticket to a foreign place? Never.
If you could spontaneously pack up tomorrow and head anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?
That’s a really tough question! I just started traveling so there are still so many places I want to see and get to know. I think Italy or Turkey would top my list right now. I want to visit Italy because of the food. I’ve always loved Italian food. I honestly don’t know why I’m drawn to Turkey. When I think of Turkey I think of warm colors and just have a soothing sense about the place. It being at the nexus of Europe and the Middle East and its long history with other peoples due to trade and travel make me think it will be a wonderful place to visit.
Travel, exposes you to so many new and wondrous things- landscapes, people, food, but this post is not dedicated to any of those things. Instead, I've opted to pay homage to the animals that touch, scare, ground and endear us while we roam.
Sometimes the most memorable encounters and interactions on a trip are not human to human, but involve our furry, scaly, or winged friends.
I love animals. Throughout many of my long term travels, the animals that I adopted and invited into my life created stability and comfort while I navigated my way through foreign languages, customs, landscapes and cultures.
Here are some of animals I have loved, run from, or been freaked out by, on my travels:
These koi fish (a type of carp), are everywhere in Japan. Koi ponds dotted the frenetic cities of Tokyo and Osaka and provided a much needed dose of calm. I loved watching the koi swim around in silent loops and flutters of colors.
I encountered this elk in Alaska. Thinking an elk was as innocent as a dear, I galloped in to take a picture. He was not happy to see me. After I took his picture, he charged at me, emitting an absolutely terrifying growl. I made it to the car without incident, but never again will I stop to photograph an elk.
I loved my time feeding and petting baby elephants on a reserve in Phuket,Thailand. I've always had a fascination with elephants and being able to stroke their soft velvety trunks and look into their enormous and soulful ebony eyes was truly amazing. I also felt really bad for these little guys because they spent the majority of their day chained to a stake only able to walk in circles. I wanted to liberate them, but my fear of a life sentence in a Thai prison was stronger.
Do you know what this is? I have no idea what this scaly little lizard/dinosaur is called, but I do know that I almost walked right into it during a vacation in the Bahamas a few years ago. What you can't see are his sharp teeth, which he revealed as I came in contact, his little head cocked back, ready I assumed to lunge. Imagine throwing your beach towel on top of that guy! Eek!
These dogs were the fuzzy little loves of my life in Ghana. They lived between the banana trees behind the house I was staying in and provided much needed activity and companionship when the power went out and during rainy season downpours. A large crocodile was rumored to live just beyond the gates of the house where I was staying. Now, I'm not sure if the locals made that up to scare me, since I never saw him, or any sign of him, but walking around with my little fuzzy friends in tow at night made me feel safe. Dogs are so wonderfully perceptive, and I, unfortunately, am not.
This guy, also one of the lovely dogs of Ghana, would keep me company every time I visited the Cape Coast Cafe (almost daily). We shared many chicken and rice platters. This little guy was a skilled hunter and would eat the flies that buzzed around me mid-air so that I could eat in peace. We were kindred spirits this one and I.
Have you ever heard a peacock? The sound that comes from these luxuriously adorned gentlemen is far from dignified. A cross between a honk and a blood curdling scream, this is the sound we heard non-stop while vacationing last year in Jamaica. We stayed on a nature reserve where the peacocks had free rein. I'll never forget the heavy thud of their bodies and the sound of their nails on our roof as they jumped from our roof to the nearby mango trees every night to sleep and then every morning in reverse to hop down. These lovely gentlemen are absolutely beautiful to watch and observe though. They add instant ambiance wherever they roam.
When I was in Arenal, Costa Rica a few years back, I had the opportunity to spend the day with some horses. Combing and petting these beautiful animals in this rich setting was so grounding. Not at all grounding, was my wild horseback ride up a volcanic mountain on a horse who refused to take directions from our tour leader. I ended up off course and ducking vines as my horse decided to take an alternate route to the top of the mountain. Luckily, I made it back to my hostel at the end of the day, unscathed and feeling like a cowgirl.
This kitten, this beautiful little purring kitten, lived beneath the hammock, that was right outside our bungalow door in Cahuita, Costa Rica. Every morning, she greeted us. Many a afternoon, we spent quality time swaying together beneath palm trees in the hammocks that lined the Caribbean Sea. It was so tempting to put her in my suitcase and take her home with me.
I was on my way to a shared guest house kitchen during a stay in the Berkshire mountains in Massachusetts, when I encountered this curious little guy. Luckily he was just a baby, but where there is a baby bear, the mama is never far. Needless to say, I let him have the kitchen and decided I would take his picture, from a distance instead. From that day forward, I made a point of humming and singing out loud any time I walked around to avoid any surprise encounters- boo!
This lovely lady lived in the courtyard behind my guesthouse in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Every morning and early evening, she'd sing and howl outside of our door. In the afternoons, I'd find her grooming meticulously in the sunlight. Some days she would follow us to the main road where we would hail our taxi, other days, she'd pretend we didn't exist. She was a steady and calming presence.
I can't remember which part of Zanzibar this took place, but we were staying with a friend of a friend who had a beautiful house right on a private beach. In the back, attached to a tree, lived his pet monkey. I remember being so amazed. I'd never encountered a tame monkey up close. I spent a lot of time hanging out with the little guy who let me pet and carry him as if he were a cat. I remember that he'd curl his little hands around my finger like an extremely buff newborn. He had quite a grip!
On a hike through the forest in Zanzibar, we noticed a lot of racket in the trees and vines above us. Looking up, we discovered we weren't alone, we were surrounded by monkeys. They swooped above us and put on a very entertaining show. We stopped and admired the lush and active canopy above.
Chameleon crossing! On the same hike in Zanzibar, we encountered this vibrant chameleon. He was crossing the busy road at the entrance of the forest when a local man decided to help him along safely by offering him a lift on a stick. Before setting him free, we had the chance to pet and hang out with him a little bit. He was quite the quirky little fellow.
Behold the mighty Tanzanian Jungle Rat! When I was living in Mozambique, I encountered these helpful and intelligent banana loving creatures. These rats, are more than mere rats, they save lives. Cuddly and friendly, with the oddest mole-like snouts, these beady eyed and intelligent creatures are trained to sniff out land mines (a horrible reminder of the twenty year civil war). They are light enough, that they don't set the mines off and are able to clear fields, so that they can be restored and returned to the people for farming and living. Go rats go! As my friend Tamika said- "It's ironic how we need to train rats to save people from other people!"
This wily rascal of a kitten lived in our backyard, beneath the shade of the well in Mozambique. I must admit, she had us trained. I mean, look at that face. I remember walking an hour to the central market to buy tuna and sardines to feed her. She came inside and ate dinner with us every evening and provided hours of lively entertainment, even ripping our curtains down one evening during a thunder and lightning storm.
I saved the best for last. This dog, literally wandered in through our open front door in Mozambique. It was an ordinary afternoon. I stepped outside to draw some water from the well and when I returned with my full bucket, there he was, the dog, we eventually named Nutella, curled up on our couch. I was startled at first and screamed for my roommate Tracy, but within seconds, his little tail began wagging and we were petting and cooing to him. We tried to find his owners for days, to no avail and before we knew it, we were the proud owners of a beautiful dog named Nutella. He followed us everywhere and turned what used to be somewhat uneventful hour long walks into town into fun adventures.
What animals have you encountered on your travels?
My almost three year old is becoming very adventurous but his sense of danger and coordination have not quite caught up with his sense of independence, the result- endless scrapes and "boo-boos."
