Being sick....sucks

Catching any bug is not fun. The last few days I have dealt with different symptoms: sore body, fever, phlegm (sexy), headaches. Whenever I have any ailment, my go to book for about the last ten years has been EveryWoman's Guide to Natural Home Remedies by Sally Freeman. This was no different, especially having congestion and developing a dry cough. The book gives you herbal and folk remedies; and I find it interesting what people in different regions in the world do. I decided to make the Puerto Rican cough syrup, the recipe follows.



Juice of two lemons
1/2 ounce honey
2 cups whiskey or other hard liquor (I used rum)
2 pieces of fresh anise or 2 teaspoons anise seed

Boil for ten minutes and take as needed.

I did change alittle something in the recipe. Because I buy raw honey, I did not want to cook it and kill it's health benefits. Therefore, I boiled the fresh lemon juice, rum, and anise seed for ten minutes, when it cooled I mixed in the raw honey. Please note that the liquor does reduce, so you will end with a solution of atleast half of what you started with. Also, take it off the heat and transfer after the ten minutes because it can continue to reduce.

Verdict: This cough syrup tasted so yummy to me, tangy and sweet. I also slept better than the night before where I kept waking up with constant coughing.

Compassion and Setting Limits: Finding the Balance

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Firstly, I was going to title this entry: Compassion vs. Setting Limits, but it hit me, these two areas (amongst others in our lives) should not be put up against eachother, instead, somehow work together. It's easy to feel conflicted and confused when we pull ourselves in two or multiple directions. The challenge comes when trying to make situations, thoughts, feelings work in harmony rather than against eachother. Setting limits to me is about not tolerating such behaviors or treatments from others that are negative in any way. It's knowing you are important, that you matter and you shouldn't be abused in any form, you shouldn't be made an option when you have made them a priority and so on. Which brings me to a very recent situation that inspired me to write about this topic: a man. A handsome and intelligent man at that, trust, on paper he looks great, unfortunately I didn't get to find out.

Subtle was his initial approach, and it was in essence his interest in me that eventually piqued my interest in him. (I can really appreciate men that are not thirsssty and only trying to get their holleration on). From the jump, he proclaimed his shy nature, and I took that into account. I experienced shyness in my teen years, and I knew how hard it could be to get the courage to speak or merely contact someone. So I understood when he wasn't aggressive or too forward. I decided this was a good guy and with a little nudge, figuratively speaking, maybe it would help him open up. I decided to put my big girl draws on and my pride aside. With that came some reaching out on my part; suggestions on things we could do, a couple text messages, and one phone call. Some texts got replied to, others didn't, the suggestions and the phone call went ignored. Anyone looking from the outside in would simply say... He is just not that into you! And you know, to some degree that is correct. I feel men are pretty simple creatures when it comes to women. I have a theory which is- either a man is feeling you or he is not. Women, mujeres, sisters! there is no reason to make a list, notify or convince a man on how fly you are; any man that truly sees your light will be attracted to you (and put in the necessary work).

At this point I had to realize: was I being compassionate or making excuses? I took a look at my limits and it just didn't sit right with me to be disregarded. So after a week, his number and any trace of him on my phone was erased. There is absolutely no reason for women to chase men (umm, please see theory above) if a man wants to get to know you, meet up for coffee or fly across the nation to see your face, he will do it!

Ok, ok so it was only a week, dramatic much? Not really. If one week was unproductive, why would I want to waste a month? And if this is any indication of how future communication will be, then surely I can do without it...

When in NOLA.

Oh, New Orleans, you are a wonderful town! And as a foodie, I must mention some great spots we ate at. For the first time I stayed in the arts district, this gave us access to walking to different areas of the city I hadn't explored before. For starters, sis + fam arrived before us so they got to eat breakfast at Surrey's Cafe and Juice Bar, which they relayed the info about. And of course we had to go. photo source

The place is small and eclectic. We waited a cool 20 minutes, but that was on a weekday, it does get thick. We all got dishes and shared; I tried eggs, potatoes, french toast, coffee...and who know's what else?! It was however, delicious. A yummy breakfast spot.

For details click here>>> Surrey's Cafe and Juice Bar

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To close off our trip we headed to Cochon for dinner. I noticed this restaurant as we were walking to some club that it was in the cut. I suspect Cochon was closed that night because I didn't really see anyone, but the night we went, maaan, we waited atleast an hour. When we got called in, we were seated in a large table near the back. The restaurant was beautiful, simple, with wood tables and some paintings. Very urban farmer-ish. Best way I could describe it. I wouldn't be surprised if this was at some point a warehouse. The menu had a variety of stuff, but none was chicken. As you would guess pork is the main thing here, which I don't eat. They did have gator though! But I didn't go for that neither. I opted for some side dishes. I found the cucumbers and herb to be particularly delicious. We also had dessert, vino, but most importantly a lovely experience.

For details click here>>> Cochon

the study living of life.

"Your planet is very beautiful," he said. "Does it have any oceans?"
"I couldn't say," said the geographer.
"Oh!" The little prince was disappointed. "And mountains?"
"I couldn't say," said the geographer.
"And cities and rivers and deserts?"
"I couldn't tell you that, either," the geographer said.
"But you're a geographer!"
"That's right," said the geographer, "but I'm not an explorer."

-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Little Prince (1943)

I'd like to add that you don't necessarily need to jump on a plane to explore (though it is wonderful to see different people and places). So many jewels can be found in your own town and surrounding. Los Angeles offers so much, and it's great to drive atleast a few miles to experience new things. Support mom and pops restaurants and stores; visit cultural centers, shows, art. You'll be amazed at all the lovely things that are waiting to be explored.

sights & words.

Some months ago I had a conversation with a co-worker; though we have had small talk in the time we worked together, this was the first time we had a full conversation. And it was great! We talked about travel, cultures and food. He then asked if I had read The Road to Lost Innocence, which I hadn't. So lovely he brought the book the next day for me to read. And read I did. The book is the true story of Somaly Mam, a child in Cambodia sold into sex slavery. Somaly is now an adult and risks her life to help other children. A great book and look into the reality of children sold into the sex slave industry.

I had caught a glimpse of the trailer for Biutiful, and was like... I gotta see that. I didn't even know what it was about, but it looked so aesthetically beautiful, or should I say, biutiful? Ok, that was too easy. Finally on a rainy day in LA, sis I and headed to one of the theatres that was showing it (limited release). I sat down, oblivious to even the synopsis of the movie, and took the 2 hour and 43 minute journey. I loved this movie, as sad, funny, horrid, ugly and triflin' as what happened was, it is reality. Watch it if you can.

In the meantime, the trailer is here.

Traditional Pickling Class

From the flyer:

Class description:
Learn to make sauerkraut, sauer-reuben (turnip/rutabaga), & kombucha beverage. Samples of each to taste and recipes to take home.

Where:
Milagro Allegro Community Garden, 115 S. Ave. 56, Los Angeles, 90042 (behind the Highland Theatre)

When:
Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

Fee:
$5-10 suggested donation

“Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject.” Thomas Mann

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Grant it, sometimes I think there is a village developing in the backseat of my car. Ok, maybe it's not thaaat bad, but you get my point. However, with my home I really do make an effort of keeping stuff organized. It may sound odd that you should have respect for your stuff, but when you do, you take care of it. Part of this respect would be having a place for it. The hooded hair dryer I had on my living room room floor for 3 days? Yea, that is no place for it. Organizing and keeping things organized just feels good. For example, when I travel I make sure everything is tidy before I leave; when I return back to my home the energy is right and I don't have those dreaded feelings of having to clean up, it's the continuation of my trip if you will. Over time I think of new things I can do to improve my way of living, and I also get great ideas from others (especially reading other blogs). Here are some tips that have helped me with home organization:


1. Keeping bills together. I have a beautiful wood-carved mail holder that I got at the thriftstore for just a few bucks, but all that would not serve it's purpose if I didn't use it. You need not have a mail holder, it can simply the corner of your desk. The main thing is keeping your bills organized so you can easily look at the days payment must be received, which ones you owe on, etc. It's happened to me in the past, I open mail and stick it in my purse or leave it in my car and find it way later. Paying a $39 late fee is never cute, this is definitely a case where being organized pays!


2. Have a place for important documents. Places like office supplies stores and Target sell safe boxes that are fire and water proof, they range at about $50. Make the investment if you can, this will fully protect important papers in case anything should happen, and that includes tipping over a cup of water.


3. Keep your records for 7 years. That is always the recommended time. I keep them tied up together by year in a bin and can easily access them should I need to. Digging through drawers and boxes is not usually fun. I shred receipts a couple months after they have posted to my account, but I do keep those of large purchases and add to my records.


4. A yearly binder. This one I thought of a few months ago when I got a hold of dividers with the months on the side of them. I thought about how I could utilize them, and then it hit me to but them in a big zip up binder that I have and with pockets between them and keep my bills paid, statements or important papers I get in the mail and organize by month. My method before was keeping everything on a yearly basis in a shoebox sized bin, but even then that could be a pain trying to find a certain paper from a certain month. At the beginning of the year all those papers get transferred to the larger bin (see #3).


5. The kitchen. For me having stuff organized by their purpose makes it easier for me when I am cooking. Spices together, cookbooks together, anything-with-a-plug together and so on.


6. Seasonally cleaning. It makes it easier to think of doing big cleanses during the changing of seasons (and while your at it, change your toothbrush around the same time too.) There is usually some stuff that we just will never wear, or don't care to. Someones trash is definitely somebody else's treasure. If it's in decent condition, donate it. If it's stained, ripped or just plain not worth it, throw it away or find another use to it like cutting up a shirt to make rags to wipe down counters with.


7. Weekly/bi-weekly/monthly cleaning. When you get a chance, vacuum, wipe down counters and so on. Smudge (cleansing the air with burning sage) if that's something you like and which I happen to. Take a good look at your home cleaning products. Lots of them may smell good but that is because it's loaded with chemicals. I keep just a couple products to clean my home completely which is very different from how I grew up. The whole space underneath the sink was filled with cleaning products. Ahh the smell of Pine Sol may be nostalgic but there are other alternatives.


8. Open the windows. If even a bit, it will help circulate the air in your place.


9. Calendars and planners. Having a planner is a wonderful thing to have. You can spend time organizing your week, things like which days to work out, completing things on your to-do list, and sometimes we need to schedule when we will have our Me-Time.


It seems when dishes start piling up, the more clothes on the floor, messy papers and everything seems chaotic the less we want to deal with it. You will notice when there's a place for the stuff around you, you tend to feel more free. When it comes to organizing it isn't about micro-managing your life, it's about simplifying it.