See, What Had Happened Was...

I'm sittin' here, reading blogs, listening to music, feeling nostalgic, and for no real reason... Or maybe there is and it's just something I am suppressing.

I actually hadn't planned on writing a blog post today, but I never 'planned' on not writing in so long either. Somewhere along the way, I fell off the wagon. It's funny because I sort of 'dreaded' coming back here in a way, just because I hate doing the whole explaining why I haven't "been around" and I am too lazy to do an update for the length of time which I've been gone. But then I thought to myself, "you know what, who says I have to?".

It does feel nice to be back, reading peoples blogs though. It seems that others have also taken an absence from the blogosphere recently; some permanently, some temporarily, and some right now, according to what I read, are coming back. I guess the whole holidays/end of the year shenanigans can get hectic. Anyway, it feels great to "catch up" with everyone else, or at least, read/see y'all again :O)

Speaking of the holidays, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a great start to their new year. I am so optimistic about 2012; it just feels like it's going to be different - in a good way! But that seems like I start every year, pumped and amped lol. Then somewhere along the way, the 'fire' seems to die out. Maybe it's just that the last few years have been kinda rough (high stressors), but anywho!

Ohhhhh, YES! Speaking of the "new year", guess what was predicted to happen to ME this year? Either get pregnant or have a baby LOL! I really highly doubt THAT. I'm not trying to be preggo any time soon. The story of how this "prediction" came about is kind of long and maybe something I will save for another blog post. But, I will let you know, that the person who made this prediction, and proclaims herself to be a 'psychic' of sorts - you know Latino folk and their beliefs of witchery and all that weird shit! LOL - has been correct in predictions involving every single one of my family members. In some cases you can cay, "ahh, that can be a coincidence". But in others, you're like, "oh hell, there's no coincidence there!".

Another thing I (kind of) want to say, is that I've been feeling the need for creative expression lately. I have this sort of "hidden talent" that not many people know about me. In fact, only my family does. Somewhere along the way, I stopped nurturing it. There are many reasons as to why, but I won't even go into those details. All I know is that I been feeling the need to "create something" and have it out there, for others to see... if that makes any sense to you? *cues William Blake quote*

"I must create a system or be enslaved by another man's; I will not reason and compare: my business is to create."

THAT is how I feel. I'm not saying I want to get back into what I used to do - that hidden talent that I let go of. I'm saying I want to create something. I just haven't put my finger as to how I'm going to go about that yet. I've always had an interest in photography, but I have never taken a class or bought a professional camera. I also love cooking. I like to write poems, but I would never dare post anything online. I like keeping that to myself. Btw, none of these things have to do with my "hidden talent" lol.

And lastly, I will talk about the health kick I was on the last time I was here. Yeah, I am still at it; although don't get me wrong, I am still the foodie that I am. I got DOWN over the holidays too. I made it a Puerto Rican themed Christmas dinner, with roasted pork shoulder, arroz con gandules, pasteles (made from scratch and the old-school way by HAND using a grater, not a food processor) and the best part: COQUITO!!!!! This stuff is so good, I made it for Christmas AND New Year's Eve.

Anyway, after what I call the "trifecta" of weight gain (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve) lol, it was back to getting my ass back on track! You just feel that nasty holiday bloat lol. I did gain some weight during the holidays (not that that's anything new; I think most everyone does). I gained about 4 pounds and while I've lost some of it, I need to lose the rest.

I am still learning about and discovering new foods though, as well as keeping up with the latest nutritional health news, etc. In fact one of the foods I have tried since I was last here talking about "brown rice" is quinoa. This stuff is great! I love it and it cooks fast. To me, it tastes like a mix of regular white rice and brown rice. It has that 'nutty taste', but not quite as strong as brown rice, plus it is way healthier. I've also been doing research on natural sweeteners and am committing myself to using less salt.

Well, that's my time for now. This post was all over the place. It is now 2:30 a.m. and I need to get some shut eye. There will be a family function tomorrow (birthday party), so I will need all of my energy. Toodaloo!

***BTW, this was the song that I was listening to at the beginning of this post when I was feeling all emo lol. Great song! I love Julieta Venegas music! I am totally in that type of music 'vibe' right now***

Foodie Changes (+ recipe)

When did I suddenly become the stereotypical northern Californian whose politics are liberal and enjoys eating soy nuts and drinking skinny lattes? Oh, yeah. Over the 26 year lifespan that I’ve been living in California - although I mainly have the last two years of high school and my college experience and professors to thank for my political views.

Okay, so maybe I don’t eat soy nuts (everyday), but lately I’ve started paying more attention to what goes in my mouth - food wise, nasty pervs! Sure, I always knew what was healthy, but quite honestly, I never really cared to alter my diet because of it. A little of this, a little of that… oh, and some of this! I used to give into all cravings no matter how unhealthy. That is not the case anymore, even with my PMSi-ng self I’m proud to say. And if you know me, you’re aware: it gets real in these menses streets!

I think a large part of this new way of thinking has to do with getting older (don’t laugh lol). I find it hard to believe that I am closer to being thirty than twenty O_O. That, is simply craaaaazy to me! So, I’ve been paying a lot more attention to food labels. And no, not for the purpose of counting calories, because I HATE that and I swear I’ll never do it! It‘s more like going to the grocery store and seeing what the heck I’m putting inside my body, digesting and eventually… well, you get the picture. I’ve also been finding ways of still being able to make and enjoy the foods I love, only healthier and without sacrificing taste.

There are still many things I need to work on though. I am definitely not a health freak (yet! :P). It is very much a steady work in progress, but I prefer it that way. I want to take the time to ease into things ever so slowly, because I don’t want this to be a temporary phase for me, but rather a permanent way of life. Who says you can’t be healthy and a foodie at the same time? :)

With that said, here at the bottom of this post is a very basic and easy brown rice recipe. As you probably already know, brown rice is better for you than white rice (it has more vitamins, iron, fiber and healthy fats. WIN! :D). It’s like when you choose bread or pasta made with whole wheat flour, instead of one made with standard white flour.

If you’ve never had brown rice, you will find that it is grittier than white rice. It also has a flavor which I describe as “earthy” or nutty even. Aside from taste and texture, I personally find brown rice heartier than white rice. White rice to me now tastes a lot more “empty”, and lacks texture. Here is the recipe...

BROWN RICE & VEGGIES

Ingredients:

- 1 cup brown rice

- 2 cups water

- 1 tbsp. (or enough to your liking) Knorr chicken flavored bouillon

- 1 cup mixed veggies (carrots, peas, corn, Lima beans, green beans) frozen or canned. I avoid canned so use frozen.

- 2 garlic cloves minced

- 1 yellow onion chopped

- 1 Roma tomato chopped

- garlic powder

- pepper

- olive oil

What I do first is rinse my rice. Then I put it in a bowl with as much water as I am going to use to cook it.

The rule of thumb for brown rice is 1 ¾ cups of water for 1 cup of rice. I do 2 cups of water for 1 cup of rice, but that’s just my personal choice.

I let the rice soak for 1 hour before I cook it. That’s my personal choice as well. I find this helps the rice come out not so gritty.

After the rice has soaked for 1 hour, strain it by pouring the water you used to soak it in a separate recipient.

In a medium sized skillet, heat enough olive oil to saute the rice. Add your brown rice. Then add pepper and garlic powder to your liking. Stir for 3 - 5 minutes over medium heat.

Next, add the the garlic, tomato and onion. Add more oil if you need to at this point.

Once your onion is translucent, add the water you used to soak your rice. Then add the bouillon. Bring it to boil, cover and reduce heat.

Most directions for brown rice will advise you to allow it to cook for 45 minutes. I allow mine to go for 1 full hour, but that’s just me.

You may check your rice frequently, and stir it if you wish to make sure the rice is not sticking to the bottom (although I would do this as least as possible, to avoid interrupting the cooking process of the rice).

Finally, 5 - 10 minutes before your rice is finished cooking, add the mixed veggies and ta-daaa! :)

*If you are wondering why I use the water that I soak the rice in to cook with, I do this just in case the rice dispels any nutrients during the soak, that way I still get to incorporate them*

Beautiful and Enchanting San Francisco Pt. 3 (Muir Woods included)

Last post on San Francisco/Muir Woods... promise! lol

I only have a few photos of Muir Woods, mainly because my Blackberry was being SUPER slow AF that day and kept freezing. And secondly, we were in "the woods" that day. Picture taking drains my battery A LOT. Never know when you might need to use your phone in an emergency - not that it would work anyway! LOL... Either way, I had it off most of the time, in order to conserve the battery.

Ferry Ride

Here it is again, the GGB, up close and personal

Under

You know what this is. Alcatraz!

The weird thing is, it looks tiny, but it's not as small as it looks

If you don't know about Alcatraz, basically its an island off of San Francisco that used to operate a high security prison known for taking in many hard-core criminals.

It is no longer operating of course. It cost too much to run, so it got shut down. Now it serves as a tour place.

And yes, as you can imagine, there are many horror stories about this place!

The Bay Bridge - not to be confused with the Golden Gate Bridge - connects SF and Oakland

San Francisco City skyline by day

In the city now, this is city hall (covered in 14k gold)

Near Union Square

Farmer's market in Union Square

In French Quarters

Food stand near SF's Financial District

Financial District

Eateries in Financial District. The burger bar seems like something I'd hit up! :)

The building the to the right is owned by a company that makes special occasion dresses. In each window, they showcase a dress (their merchandise). I thought it was creative and clever.

Closer shot

Saks Fifth and Tiffany's - not that I could afford either, YET lol

Cartier

Banana Republic

The End! :)