tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16478428398419511892024-03-12T21:08:16.451-04:00savor everydaycelebrating the everyday miracles in this one wild and precious life*Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.comBlogger438125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-45763376852417954652014-02-26T20:32:00.000-05:002014-02-27T00:14:24.881-05:00life lately: kitchen therapy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In between moments of dissertation craziness, I've been de-stressing quite a bit in the kitchen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Loving the fiery red-orange hues of blood oranges </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Isn't it amazing that in the darkest, grayest time of the year we are gifted with these amazing colors in citrus fruit? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/147c3502958611e3831d0e1516b1d75a_8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Prepping for blood orange marmalade</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I can't get over these jewel-like hues. </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/3c0e8ade958611e3931d0e6209f07faa_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/3c0e8ade958611e3931d0e6209f07faa_8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sliced blood oranges go into a large bowl, to soak in water overnight</i></td></tr>
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Our apartment smelled heavenly while the blood oranges were simmering down in sugar and water.<br />
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I'm not a cereal kind of gal when it comes to breakfast. Though I'd love to have cake for breakfast every morning, I really enjoy the simplicity of fresh bread, good butter (Kerrygold or Lurpak), and jam or preserves of some kind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/a42cb9a49ef711e3a65612f68b44a1e7_8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No-Knead (!!!) whole wheat bread recipe from <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/no-knead-100-whole-wheat-bread-recipe" target="_blank">King Arthur Flour</a>. Darjeeling tea steeping in my new(ish) favorite mug.</i></td></tr>
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That is all. <br />
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-59242534518223666292014-02-17T21:17:00.000-05:002014-02-27T00:18:30.693-05:00date night pizza<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm proud to say that <i>A. </i>and I have gotten quite good at making pizza at home. We have a system going: I make the dough, he rolls it out, I put the toppings on, he puts it in the oven and watches the time (it doesn't take long at really high heat!), then I slice it and we both eat. Extra olive oil for me, and extra hot pepper flakes for him. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVyMsylXQ2GYkqYDvVhyphenhyphenP6owClHQbiU_Y7izzGhi1oY4v2_xdxKQBV8zG2Yete_AWPZRjUEqkoSSj3HJXWCh080ipXdfS4f-KFtiMjMz-7qx2xQBSAnetZm3j0ki-Z0GTCG51h8ooC0Ix/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVyMsylXQ2GYkqYDvVhyphenhyphenP6owClHQbiU_Y7izzGhi1oY4v2_xdxKQBV8zG2Yete_AWPZRjUEqkoSSj3HJXWCh080ipXdfS4f-KFtiMjMz-7qx2xQBSAnetZm3j0ki-Z0GTCG51h8ooC0Ix/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil. Simple and perfect.</i> </td></tr>
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I use <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/white-pizzas-with-arugula-recipe2.html" target="_blank">Ina Garten's pizza dough recipe</a> - it's pretty simple using a stand mixer with a dough hook. Although her recipe says to let the dough rest for 30 minutes before rolling, I find that the taste and texture improves the next day. When I went back to check her recipe and read that it "serves 6", I chuckled to myself. Ummmm.... not in this household. Although it does make enough for us to have leftover dough for more pizzas the following day.<br />
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We like our pizzas REALLY thin, and <i>A.</i> is really good at rolling it out. He wishes he could hand toss the dough the way they do in pizzerias. My rolling skills, on the other hand, leave much to be desired. I still can't roll round roti the way Indian women do - the way they let their rolling motions rotate the dough without having to lift it from the surface. I always have to lift the dough every now and then and move it a quarter-turn, the way you would for pie dough. The last time I was in India with <i>A.</i> and his family, his 7-year-old niece was already learning how to roll roti. I thought, "so that explains it...". There she was beside me, a little apprentice standing on a stool to reach the countertop, doing a roti-rolling throwdown with me. I always concede. But seriously, she was getting quite good. I joked to her that between the two of us, she could roll the roundest roti and I could roll out the best rectangular, square, and oddly shaped ones that resemble the map of India more than anything remotely round. <br />
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I'm much better with a mortar and pestle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXq1eQrZwuG8w1V95bemBIhVHG1BcID41ZFn0d7sOx5ycMi2WDsLhCKbPf6iHvi7g2JlY3NtQvwVbtCpVak-a6dOFtILpLDhyphenhyphenRfUWO_73RhBC1Ogdzn_Kx42hQvLWxdW9Kh0Bph8utb2B/s1600/basil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXq1eQrZwuG8w1V95bemBIhVHG1BcID41ZFn0d7sOx5ycMi2WDsLhCKbPf6iHvi7g2JlY3NtQvwVbtCpVak-a6dOFtILpLDhyphenhyphenRfUWO_73RhBC1Ogdzn_Kx42hQvLWxdW9Kh0Bph8utb2B/s1600/basil.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Which is why I prefer to make basil pesto this way, rather than in a food processor (especially if it's just for the two of us). I like the rustic, unevenness of the resulting pesto when made by hand - there's just something indescribably satisfying about it. Though I doubt it makes a significant difference on the flavor - I just find it stress-relieving to do manual labor in the kitchen. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpcDbm7E3PuTWs-dnWTrkbvekUvGdjZUixkWWxZT9eUo89pShmkt3xnc4xnfi2kNnFeAKoMbjZLjdssx0AOFyvquWNuWsNNuVKOtrXaVkjgqaFhE4SuzYHVylrtifGXF_fN0l1gJevEDY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpcDbm7E3PuTWs-dnWTrkbvekUvGdjZUixkWWxZT9eUo89pShmkt3xnc4xnfi2kNnFeAKoMbjZLjdssx0AOFyvquWNuWsNNuVKOtrXaVkjgqaFhE4SuzYHVylrtifGXF_fN0l1gJevEDY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>basil pesto and fresh mozzarella</i></td></tr>
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So this is what we did for Valentine's day. It was perfect to just stay at home and cook something together. (Although I did make his favorite chocolate chai pots de creme in advance by myself, because it needs to chill for a few hours.)<br />
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Then on Sunday we went to see the world-famous Cleveland Orchestra at the Severance Hall. This concert hall is just stunning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT__JClzoZ5iITmQYowjNy-Mc7ZsVXRC-gVnPaFiZvaq3vpn8kdeOHtlEiS1GFWXqPAV0kvKtl_6B5MPgPgk969XEwUqMVI8ooJnxas5cf_2aT5ayogK-mCF-xUhigpFTMiLPAHChB4uUI/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT__JClzoZ5iITmQYowjNy-Mc7ZsVXRC-gVnPaFiZvaq3vpn8kdeOHtlEiS1GFWXqPAV0kvKtl_6B5MPgPgk969XEwUqMVI8ooJnxas5cf_2aT5ayogK-mCF-xUhigpFTMiLPAHChB4uUI/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
They played pieces from Mahler and Brahms. Actually, Mahler was the reason I wanted to see this performance. After my first exposure to Mahler - it was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X9wP8-D63o" target="_blank">Ekaterina Gordeeva's first solo skate</a> in 1996 as a tribute to her late husband and figure skating partner Sergei Grinkov in the "A Celebration of Life" show. The music for her program, Mahler's Symphony No. 5, was so haunting, and her skate so heartfelt that it left an indelible impression - it makes me get choked up and cry every single time. Although the Cleveland Orchestra didn't play Mahler's Fifth specifically, I still enjoyed the performance. Symphonies just amaze me, and not just because I can't play a musical instrument to save my life (I had a short-lived piano career when I was...seven?). It's a different kind of energy. It makes me so grateful that there are people in this world who make music. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzARxuB_cV10FC7Hwz7VuRfC534ZirnXpSjVGHwJvr5icCQS_U3rMi4PYvVfPftdyMA1lZj6rzo_T_eUdJblWpKwRwT1nL0wCZS0RpxJzw3RFX9h63Jnwlq8Ht-x7F1jQjh-poqozdtIq5/s1600/postcard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzARxuB_cV10FC7Hwz7VuRfC534ZirnXpSjVGHwJvr5icCQS_U3rMi4PYvVfPftdyMA1lZj6rzo_T_eUdJblWpKwRwT1nL0wCZS0RpxJzw3RFX9h63Jnwlq8Ht-x7F1jQjh-poqozdtIq5/s1600/postcard.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a postcard from <a href="http://eatveggiesdrinkwine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this</a> sweet friend - wise words indeed</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvJeyjacrTGQfnh2zDbZjiFIoYx0AF_G8TjlAApyVF-qOE6QDJYS48WQg3bgre5Gd4tfBMt6eWXCjUsFgF91e-_-UT_ppf_ZXsrNl4zUUPfkjP5y3FOMmklCEoXLCBultmBDdlykCCqcD/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvJeyjacrTGQfnh2zDbZjiFIoYx0AF_G8TjlAApyVF-qOE6QDJYS48WQg3bgre5Gd4tfBMt6eWXCjUsFgF91e-_-UT_ppf_ZXsrNl4zUUPfkjP5y3FOMmklCEoXLCBultmBDdlykCCqcD/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzdk9EEiwJ-7oUbkxhBIABFj7MdZ88VwPh3HdWNOE5Cgi4GTIW6sQ2blnRSOz8DweyzQViPLHCwKk4rKRBBeGUX1Uv6leatVA8fUVY1t09u9gLvZe1_R4imbd2lblJ3Ntn0IVvgQrR4Xs/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzdk9EEiwJ-7oUbkxhBIABFj7MdZ88VwPh3HdWNOE5Cgi4GTIW6sQ2blnRSOz8DweyzQViPLHCwKk4rKRBBeGUX1Uv6leatVA8fUVY1t09u9gLvZe1_R4imbd2lblJ3Ntn0IVvgQrR4Xs/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Pizza, a concert, A Valentine's day postcard, and yellow flowers to brighten up those long winter days.<br />
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Spring will be here soon. <br />
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-3767258349499009802014-02-05T01:21:00.001-05:002014-02-06T18:35:50.034-05:00excited for olympic greatness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Quick confession: I'm not a sports fan.<br />
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Except for a few sports like figure skating, gymnastics, swimming, synchronized swimming and maybe a little tennis (only because my dad and brothers played), I am not one to follow state sports teams.<br />
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Ten or so years ago when I moved to the US and heard about the "Superbowl", I would have been inclined to ask if that's a special kind of serveware. Sacrilegious, I know. And fast forward 10 years to now, I still don't quite understand football - and with all honesty, really have no desire to. If I had said that at a Superbowl party last weekend I might have gotten pelleted with hot wings or pretzels.<br />
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But... when it comes to the Winter Olympics, you'll probably find me glued to the TV with a bowl of popcorn, nervously chewing on my fingernails. <br />
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Particularly because I am looking forward to watching the return of these Olympic greats...<br />
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<b>Yuna Kim, 2010 Olympics figure skating gold medalist </b><br />
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I somewhat lost interest in watching figure skating after Michelle Kwan stopped competing. I still watch her <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzcUIuD4xfo" target="_blank"><i>Tosca LP</i></a> from 2004 every now and then when I want a little trip down figure skating memory lane. Then Yuna Kim came into the scene, redefining figure skating greatness.<br />
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Yuna's 2009 short program, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZAvsv93ZFM" target="_blank"><i>Danse Macabre</i></a>, one of my favorite figure skating programs:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xZAvsv93ZFM" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
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The fire and passion in this skate, combined with technical precision and artistic expression... just incredible. And unique choreography that allows her to showcase her skills and artistry - I love how every movement is intentional, including how she moves her head and arms with the music. What's even more impressive is the maturity in her skate - she was only 18. This was pre-Vancouver Olympics, but you could already tell from this skate that she was bound for an Olympic medal. I'm neither a skater (I'm clumsy enough in flat shoes on regular flooring) nor a professional skating critic by any means, but her <i>Danse Macabre</i> in my opinion is one of her best.<br />
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And of course who can forget her sassy "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed__N46IS3g" target="_blank">Bond Girl</a>" short program of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ed__N46IS3g" width="420"></iframe></div>
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So much personality in this skate, along with the usual complex choreography, transitions, and difficult jump combinations that you've come to expect from her. Her speed going into the jumps, and the distance she covers in her triple-triple jump combination is amazing. This <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/sports/olympics/olympics-interactives-figure-skating.html" target="_blank">New York Times interactive article</a> shows how she covers 25 FEET from takeoff to landing in her triple-triple. <br />
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And the brilliance of her <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH7vsyqiVjk" target="_blank"><i>Gershwin</i></a> long program:<br />
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It just leaves you speechless. Such elegant skating, and she made it look so effortless. She broke her own personal best and made world records in both her short and long programs.<br />
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I love what her coach (at the time), Brian Orser - himself an Olympic silver medalist - said to her at the Olympics: "Appreciate the space we're in. Pressure is a privilege." Now that's Olympic gold-medal attitude. <br />
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<b>Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, 2010 Olympics ice dancing gold medalists </b><br />
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Sigh. These two are just captivating, with their grace, daring acrobatic moves, and on-ice chemistry.<br />
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Here's their <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6mge7uZbLo" target="_blank"><i>Flamenco</i></a> OD from Vancouver:<br />
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Flamenco is a complicated enough dance as it is, but to do it on figure skating blades on ice is another story. Virtue and Moir express it so beautifully here with the lines and shapes they create with their movements, without giving up the fiery intensity of the flamenco.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ0_sEIphqs" target="_blank"><i>Tango Romantica</i></a> CD, Vancouver:<br />
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And their gold-medal-clinching FD to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiHKNVQWis4" target="_blank"><i>Mahler's Symphony No. 5</i></a>, also from Vancouver. I was in tears after watching this.<br />
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I read that before they compete, they hug and synchronize their breath. How sweet is that.<br />
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What's really remarkable is that Virtue was in great pain during the Olympics due to recurring problems in her shins (for which she needed surgery). </div>
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Do I sound like a groupie yet?<br />
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I think what lures me to watching these events is being able to witness art in the human form and in movement. It's just amazing to watch these competitors express their craft of combining art and athleticism - and the kind of mindset it takes to get to that level of excellence. It's the kind of experience that gives me goosebumps - in a good way. And I think we all need that in our lives. <br />
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Counting down to Sochi! <br />
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-61564740485408801562014-01-29T17:39:00.000-05:002014-01-29T19:34:58.690-05:00don't cry over spilled chocolate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm not sure if it is helpful or harmful when I have sudden urges to bake at 9 in the evening. <br />
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Last night I had an intense craving for a chocolate tart. I wanted something rich yet simple to make, and found a recipe that appeared to meet both requirements.<br />
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The recipe called for 150 g chocolate, and my 4-ounce/113 g chocolate baking bar came up a bit short, so I put the chocolate bar on my baking scale and proceeded to add chocolate chips to make up for the difference until I had 150 g total. In the process, the (open) bag of chocolate chips slipped from my hands and fell on the floor, spilling half of the chocolate chips.<br />
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<i>Aaaarggghhhh!!!! </i><br />
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Then <i>A.</i> comes rushing into the kitchen, asking what happened and if I was ok. He's used to hearing random sounds from me when I am in the kitchen, whether it's because I bumped my head on an open cupboard door (for the <i>n</i>th time) or spilled something, or both. And in his typical calm, gentle, grounding self he always says something in response to my P.O.'d state. I really dislike wasting food.<br />
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<i>"Maybe it was bad chocolate and it was meant to be spilled,"</i> <i>A.</i> says.<br />
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But me and my usual stubborn self - I wouldn't hear any of it. <i>"But it WAS good chocolate!!"</i> I say. <br />
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And this is usually when he starts telling me a story. <br />
<br />
<i>A.</i> always has these short stories and fables. I'm not sure where he gets them, but they must be stories that he's learned from childhood. I've probably heard 3 or 4 different ones (maybe more) over the course of our relationship, which I regrettably haven't written down anywhere - until now. <br />
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There he was, on his hands and knees, helping me collect the chocolate chips from the floor, and he proceeds to tell me this story.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>Once there was a king who lost a battle and ran away with his horse to go in hiding. After some time, the king was so tired, hungry, and thirsty. He heard some water dripping from above and started collecting it in a bowl. Just as he was about to take a sip, his horse kicked the bowl, knocking all the water out of it. In his anger, he beheaded his horse. He later realized that the dripping liquid was coming from a snake. The snake had been hitting a tree branch above, causing the venom to drip from his mouth. By knocking the bowl over, his horse saved him from getting poisoned. </i></b></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
Moral of the story: Perhaps things do happen for a reason. (Even spilled chocolate.)<br />
<br />
<i>My</i> moral #2: ALWAYS have extra chocolate. <br />
<br />
On to the recipe...<br />
<br />
This chocolate tart was inspired by Mimi Thorisson's <a href="http://mimithorisson.com/2013/01/19/la-tarte-au-chocolat/" target="_blank">recipe</a>, as written in her stunning blog, <a href="http://mimithorisson.com/" target="_blank">Manger</a>. Seriously - I can get completely lost in her site, in her stories of living with her family and dogs in the countryside in southern France. <a href="http://mimithorisson.com/my-recipes/" target="_blank">Her recipes</a> exemplify rustic yet elegant (how she makes that combination possible, I'd love to know) French cooking at its best, highlighting the fresh flavors of the season's produce.<br />
<br />
I used her chocolate filling recipe but added some vanilla. I like a nutty crust, so I used almonds as the base instead of making a regular pie pastry crust as directed in her recipe.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73b_ZbEiRfYYcsuwq48NcqNXB7HeE-tHuho4YloOnhc1HJDvNb_XFR5g2mZPcZTUXJuBjmGFwmrNifmWN4AwoCZpeBARVhybTr1uhAKiikYjJUJMUOlmAaXBSV91rKqZmUuePwoCGgk-7/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73b_ZbEiRfYYcsuwq48NcqNXB7HeE-tHuho4YloOnhc1HJDvNb_XFR5g2mZPcZTUXJuBjmGFwmrNifmWN4AwoCZpeBARVhybTr1uhAKiikYjJUJMUOlmAaXBSV91rKqZmUuePwoCGgk-7/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<i><b>Chocolate Tart in an Almond Crust</b></i><br />
(adapted from Mimi Thorisson's <a href="http://mimithorisson.com/2013/01/19/la-tarte-au-chocolat/" target="_blank">la tarte au chocolat</a>; crust recipe is my own)<br />
<br />
Crust:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>2 cups almond meal (I get it from Trader Joe's. Alternatively, grind almonds in a food processor. Skin on is fine for texture. I actually prefer grinding the almonds myself for this type of crust as I like the texture, but I was out of whole almonds)</li>
<li>a pinch of sea salt </li>
<li>scant 1/2 cup dark brown sugar</li>
<li>4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted</li>
</ul>
<br />
Filling:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1/4 cup whole milk (Please do not sub with skim milk! I always use whole milk in baking and ice creams as a general rule. Go big or go home.)</li>
<li>1/2 cup heavy cream</li>
<li>1 tbsp unsalted butter</li>
<li>tiny pinch of sea salt </li>
<li>150 g semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces (I used one 4-ounce bar of Ghirardelli semisweet baking chocolate plus about 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips to measure 150 g total)</li>
<li>1/4 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1 egg, at room temperature, lightly beaten </li>
<li>extra chocolate, for grating on top </li>
</ul>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a pie dish, measure out the almond meal, sea salt, and brown sugar. Mix together well, making sure to break any lumps of almond meal or sugar. Add the melted butter and mix well until mixture sticks together. Press onto the bottom of the pie dish with your (clean) hands or the bottom of a measuring cup. (You can also mix this in a large bowl and then transfer it into your pie dish, but I try to keep dirtied bowls to a minimum when I can). Bake it in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the crust browns slightly. Take it out of the oven and set aside. Switch off the oven. </li>
<li>To make the filling, mix the milk, cream, butter, and salt in a saucepan. Bring it to a gentle boil, then take it off the heat and add the chocolate. Stir it well to allow the chocolate to melt in the hot liquid. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth.</li>
<li>Have the lightly beaten egg ready in a bowl. When the chocolate mixture is smooth, slowly pour a small amount (about a quarter cup or so - no need to measure) into the beaten egg, and stir it gently. This process of taking a small amount of hot liquid into a cooler liquid (like egg) is called <i>tempering</i>. This is not in Ms. Thorisson's recipe, but I like to take this extra step when I'm mixing eggs with a hot liquid, such as for custards and puddings. It sounds technical, but it's actually quite easy. Instead of pouring the egg into the hot chocolate (which can make the egg "scramble" in the chocolate - not good.), by tempering you are trying to bring up the temperature of the egg gradually without cooking it. Add a small amount of chocolate again, and stir gently once more. Repeat one more time, stirring until the mixture is homogenous. At this time, pour the rest of the chocolate into the egg mixture. Mix until smooth. (So, if you happen to prepare this for a party and you are asked how to make it, you can say "<i>I tempered the egg" </i>and sound really smart :) )</li>
<li>Pour the filling over the crust. Return it to the oven (switched off) - at this point your oven should be at about 300 degrees F. Keep the oven turned off, and let the tart bake in the residual heat for 15 minutes. </li>
<li>After 15 minutes, take the tart out of the oven and let it cool on a cooling rack for at least 2-3 hours or until set. </li>
<li>Refrigerate the tart for an hour or so for easier slicing. Grate or shave (using a vegetable peeler) extra chocolate on top. Serve with lightly sweetened whipped cream.</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWYhCqb8275mvhCvf-U1SDNeVURbp-VRjoEuqgmHGRS62RfLq7F8rIu2Fr3yep6mjYA4cQpTotWUP4_EjnYhSJYIfSQCQD8hw5obQyIzVLQOMFXult-Lq6NFcjsc_Xx-LPj3k8632b5We/s1600/DSC_0542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWYhCqb8275mvhCvf-U1SDNeVURbp-VRjoEuqgmHGRS62RfLq7F8rIu2Fr3yep6mjYA4cQpTotWUP4_EjnYhSJYIfSQCQD8hw5obQyIzVLQOMFXult-Lq6NFcjsc_Xx-LPj3k8632b5We/s1600/DSC_0542.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjER8n6Q4zrFdeUFXW9mrzTmdCsqixhcpdJ0Gd2MOPkFvghh726NODmG2Va4k3jcDXeklFiuzEX98cwlSW-HmtXTFa0DqQC8bAeUChAB5zfbT6OjtoSCfBma6lw905qa17ZlOSVKuWhnZY3/s1600/DSC_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjER8n6Q4zrFdeUFXW9mrzTmdCsqixhcpdJ0Gd2MOPkFvghh726NODmG2Va4k3jcDXeklFiuzEX98cwlSW-HmtXTFa0DqQC8bAeUChAB5zfbT6OjtoSCfBma6lw905qa17ZlOSVKuWhnZY3/s1600/DSC_0552.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
This chocolate tart is a great base for experimentation. Here are a few flavor variations:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Toast some coconut flakes and sprinkle it in a circle around the edge of the tart (if you like an "Almond Joy" type of flavor) </li>
<li>Use orange extract in place of vanilla in the chocolate. Serve the tart with whipped cream spiked with a little Triple Sec or Grand Marnier and a little bit of orange zest.</li>
<li>Sub some pistachio in place of some of the almonds. When heating the cream and milk, infuse it with cardamom (open whole cardamom pods, crush the seeds using a mortar and pestle, and let it infuse the cream for 10-15 minutes. Strain the cream before adding the chocolate. Once the tart is done, sprinkle some chopped pistachios in a circle around the edge of the tart.</li>
<li>Infuse the milk/cream mixture with dried lavender flowers (culinary grade) for 10-15 minutes. Strain the cream before adding the chocolate. Serve the tart with a drizzle of warmed lavender honey.</li>
<li>Drizzle the tart with salted caramel. </li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6nA8xsHrnnvQTliwoD4l_RvuDAodVolUQWMD94B3O6VenUwl5OqhSJ9eNF-IhAb2yW61a3xpUtv0JmLXqZaCfYfsVK8KCZQpV49ni0AWi_EePQfGEoCC-Sp-2fwBSUe6LhVu1G37JPTe/s1600/DSC_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6nA8xsHrnnvQTliwoD4l_RvuDAodVolUQWMD94B3O6VenUwl5OqhSJ9eNF-IhAb2yW61a3xpUtv0JmLXqZaCfYfsVK8KCZQpV49ni0AWi_EePQfGEoCC-Sp-2fwBSUe6LhVu1G37JPTe/s1600/DSC_0566.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r5HT_rFR7dVGWWTSGJ5W4eoAnbuc9Y5NovCw7bCvFppBnz3jaTc9qs7MTjpswPA9S39HZblqZa2UGbHQ3ONEx-41m7Q2YBHmC4IEhGWNRu4nH2XMBaaQHGk5bu3oTldTbHTXtX4EIfOz/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r5HT_rFR7dVGWWTSGJ5W4eoAnbuc9Y5NovCw7bCvFppBnz3jaTc9qs7MTjpswPA9S39HZblqZa2UGbHQ3ONEx-41m7Q2YBHmC4IEhGWNRu4nH2XMBaaQHGk5bu3oTldTbHTXtX4EIfOz/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
Now that I've listed all those variations, I'm thinking of which one to try next! Those tend to be my favorite flavor combinations, but I'd love to know what you come up with.<br />
<br />
So, I'll no longer cry over spilled chocolate. I may just get <i>slightly</i> teary-eyed though. It is chocolate, after all.<br />
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-7830245129739637162014-01-28T12:22:00.000-05:002014-02-04T13:08:26.012-05:00random<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm feeling especially grateful for a warm home today.<br />
<br />
Deeply grateful that my husband made it to work safely this morning. <br />
<br />
And grateful for the people that tirelessly work to keep our roads as safe as possible.<br />
<br />
Stay safe out there, friends. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>~</b></h3>
<br />
Update on my progress on the <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2014/01/in-spirit-of-new-year.html" target="_blank">30-day plank challenge</a>: I've been working at or around 2 minutes the past few days. Almost halfway to the five-minute mark. Not too bad for a few days' progress, as I started the challenge pretty late in the game. And I got <i>A.</i> to join me in the challenge - yay!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIm6Im381ULgvqOv_c6QHk3pNVX2CAdx9MVqZZRv4LaLDbEcr6gzkmor1PoOslytrriT6iEYWBd2B3KM9oj-ggPaREeoQW35Cxq7dpfmZiN7JvglbdVC0-tBelVHAlKFFPzihFL5SbNAn/s1600/planktime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIm6Im381ULgvqOv_c6QHk3pNVX2CAdx9MVqZZRv4LaLDbEcr6gzkmor1PoOslytrriT6iEYWBd2B3KM9oj-ggPaREeoQW35Cxq7dpfmZiN7JvglbdVC0-tBelVHAlKFFPzihFL5SbNAn/s1600/planktime.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as of January 27th</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>~</b> </h3>
<br />
Last Saturday we had dinner with some friends at <a href="http://crostatas.com/" target="_blank">Crostata's</a>, a nearby restaurant that serves Neopolitan pizza. I've been wanting to go for a long time now, except that we've been loyal to <a href="http://flourrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">this restaurant</a> for the past couple of years when we have a pizza craving. Lately it seems that <i>A.</i> and I have been into researching and trying different Neopolitan style pizzas like it's our job, going as far as Toronto's <a href="http://ossington.pizzerialibretto.com/" target="_blank">Pizzeria Libretto</a> upon the recommendation of <a href="http://cheeksandchubs.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">this friend</a>. There's just nothing like the simplicity of a really thin crust, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil quickly baked in a 900-something-degree wood-fired oven. <br />
<br />
But with all the snow we've been getting, we decided to stay closer to home. I now regret taking this long to try this restaurant. In the spirit of research, I <strike>memorized</strike> browsed through the menu and Crostata's uses 00 flour and San Marzano tomatoes, so I trusted that they take their pizza seriously. We sampled the burrata (can't resist) to start, and for pizza we had the Margherita D.O.C. (<a href="http://www.fornobravo.com/vera_pizza_napoletana/VPN_faq.html" target="_blank">D.O.C. is a designation or standard for Neopolitan pizza</a>) and Amalfitana. Both were excellent, and so was the ravioli. I love that the food here has as its foundation good quality ingredients. Everything we tried was uncomplicated, fresh and delicious. The tiramisu and cannoli we had for dessert were excellent as well. The tiramisu was so flavorful yet light, like you were eating a cloud -- a cloud of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone. The cannoli was up there with one of the best cannoli we've had so far, which is from <a href="http://www.mikespastry.com/" target="_blank">Mike's Pastry</a> in Boston. If not for it being in the evening I would have had affogato as well, but I'll reserve that for when we visit again, and I'll make it a lunchtime visit. <br />
<br />
I don't have pictures, but I'll direct you to their <a href="http://crostatas.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. <br />
<br />
I'm glad we went, snow and all. Not just for the pizza but also because I was able to get this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGvXfSEyj2tHIBVCLO2QAvZjyIadGztHe-pYWTiF5KX64v3ma-lJUgvMb23Xr7eZwciCW_jSNx59sCgajtV3vDo-Wsxq1HRwvPpvMNHTpf1CWxkyLXdWX-oW_XrVRrenwfYZjrJSAh1Xz/s1600/agrumato.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGvXfSEyj2tHIBVCLO2QAvZjyIadGztHe-pYWTiF5KX64v3ma-lJUgvMb23Xr7eZwciCW_jSNx59sCgajtV3vDo-Wsxq1HRwvPpvMNHTpf1CWxkyLXdWX-oW_XrVRrenwfYZjrJSAh1Xz/s1600/agrumato.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>Agrumato</i>. Or what I call liquid gold. All for the low price of $11. I know, it sounds like a lot for a small bottle of olive oil. But olive oil is just my thing. And this kind of olive oil makes my heart skip a beat.<br />
<br />
I've been intrigued about this ingredient ever since I tried an appetizer at Michael Symon's <a href="http://lolitarestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Lolita </a>restaurant that used agrumato as a finishing oil. When I spotted it at Crostata's last Saturday, it was a no-brainer. I had to buy it. I was like a kid in a candy store. <br />
<br />
The things that excite me...<br />
<br />
It's <i>not</i> the more commonly found "olive-oil-infused-with-lemon-flavor." This is actually olives and lemons <i>crushed together. </i>Olives
and lemons married to produce this bright, citrusy finishing oil that
I've been adding to almost anything - including avocado toast, white
bean and vegetable soup, salads...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFwsp5uER6XZJGHAyALULJU8bd0iMhvPvxZ0hI6Afpg9nNTooNzzOJPrbon4PyOMU-E2dr_jq-xm5B-JHyJgWR_v8hjBha0EYX-DY1zXsb6E3ckc7xUpa0FDQ0pvucZiTZZkvFuNGKsJP/s1600/avo-toast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFwsp5uER6XZJGHAyALULJU8bd0iMhvPvxZ0hI6Afpg9nNTooNzzOJPrbon4PyOMU-E2dr_jq-xm5B-JHyJgWR_v8hjBha0EYX-DY1zXsb6E3ckc7xUpa0FDQ0pvucZiTZZkvFuNGKsJP/s1600/avo-toast.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avocado on toast, drizzled with agrumato</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
(I may or may not have eaten mashed avocado with agrumato directly from the bowl, with a spoon.)<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"In Abruzzo, on the Adriatic Sea, at the end of each harvest, farmers
create a special oil for their family and friends. In their "frantoio"
(olive mill) on the farm, the farmers crush and press small amounts of
hand-harvested olives with fresh citrus fruit to create oils such as
Agrumato. Agrume means "citrus". The crisp freshness of Agrumato is
achieved by the whole-fruit crushing process, which cannot be duplicated
by the more common infusion method of other citrus flavored oils. By
crushing the olives with the citrus, the purity of each fruit flavor is
maintained. The resulting oil is an exquisitely versatile condiment." </i>(description from <a href="http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Agrumato" target="_blank">here</a>)</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
Doesn't that sound amazing? And trust me, it is.<br />
<br />
I did a quick search, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Asaro-Agrumati-Lemon-Extra-Virgin/dp/B004ROBF4A" target="_blank">it's available online</a> as well. You need to try this. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>~</b></h3>
<br />
In other news... so I wrote about <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2014/01/when-was-last-time-you-did-something.html" target="_blank">taking the Krav Maga Level 1 test this year</a>, right? So as if on cue, I get an email with news that the next test is on February 22nd - that's less than a month away, and realistically, I know I'm not ready yet. So I'm aiming for later in the year. <br />
<br />
To get there, I really need to meet my sub-goals of increasing my classes from 2 per week to 3 or even 4 per week. Some weeks I've been able to do 3 classes a week. But this snow and sub-zero weather has not been on my side lately and I just don't want to be out there driving right now. I'll try to stay at 2-3 classes a week for the month of February and if the weather subsides in March, I'll increase to 4 classes. I am really, really, really hoping the training center opens in their new east side location in May, which I believe has been in the works. The potential location is 10 minutes from where I live, and <i>A. </i>jokingly worries that I might start living there. He started calling me a little ninja.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>~ </b></h3>
<br />
Speaking of little ninjas. If I could be a cartoon character, I would be this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhila5Nh7bTzLXuwL8W_lYCl_bXlY3CY03iaBIHGKbfAUgxkDaKYmMXeNMXjzi6CZtnjuiHYRbkBYk-bdwIofasjunC_JOz-9oRP3zm1uTw6vk02pyJoZVRCCmRexyvmJEm0S3k4d0S1kpx/s1600/five-spatulas-of-fury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhila5Nh7bTzLXuwL8W_lYCl_bXlY3CY03iaBIHGKbfAUgxkDaKYmMXeNMXjzi6CZtnjuiHYRbkBYk-bdwIofasjunC_JOz-9oRP3zm1uTw6vk02pyJoZVRCCmRexyvmJEm0S3k4d0S1kpx/s1600/five-spatulas-of-fury.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source unknown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
She's not exactly a ninja but she does look like a fierce little character, doesn't she?<br />
<br />
I wish I knew where this came from so I could credit it appropriately, but it's a picture that's been passed around among <i>A.</i> and a few other friends after I jokingly said that I'd like to go around with a spatula when eating out so I can scrape every last bit of food (if it's life-changing food, that is). They all joke that no one should mess with me lest the spatula comes out from my purse. So the "five spatulas of fury" has been a running joke for a while now. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>~</b></h3>
<br />
How's that for a random list of updates and stories. Stay warm, wherever you are!<br />
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<br />
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-84063420574932644952014-01-23T19:05:00.000-05:002014-02-04T20:39:32.248-05:00in the spirit of the new year...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/0885ef560c1811e3a5e422000aaa08f8_7.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
I've been thinking about my health goals lately, in particular those having to do with fitness. Realizing that I'm now in my mid-thirties (<i>hello, slower metabolism and decreasing bone density</i>) and there's no way I can go back in time, I had to evaluate where I am health-wise. I'm focusing more on how I feel and how my body functions - in particular, my bones.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/b93db4261bf611e39d7122000a1f97c6_7.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoping I can still cartwheel when I'm old and gray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I try my best to get as much calcium as I can from food, such as dark leafy greens, yogurt, kefir, as well as calcium-fortified almond milk and smoothies throughout the week. In addition to that I take a vitamin D supplement (prescribed by my doctor for my deficiency, determined through a blood test), which also helps the body absorb calcium.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/6ee356109c7b11e2aeda22000a1f973b_7.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/04/wishing-for-green.html" target="_blank">matcha green tea smoothie </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Aside from that, exercising for bone health is something I always have to consider. Especially because I have a lot of risk factors for osteoporosis, with genetics playing a large part: my grandmother had osteoporosis, and my mom also discovered her low bone density years ago - as a blessing in disguise - when she fractured her wrist. When she recovered she went on long walks, daily - and was able to strengthen her bones over time. <br />
<br />
For that reason, one of the things that always nags me is strength training to keep my bone density up. I have to admit that I really, really, really dislike free weights. I've purchased free hand weights a couple of times in the past that tend to gather dust in some forgotten corner in our home. They're just not for me. <br />
<br />
Thankfully, an asana practice offers strength training postures, using your own body weight as resistance. I've always preferred strengthening this way; so when I do my home practice, I try to hold planks a bit longer, or squeeze in a few push-ups within each sun salutation (after <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/470" target="_blank">high plank</a> and before moving into <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/474" target="_blank">upward-facing dog</a>). My home practice is usually <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/2881" target="_blank">sun salutations</a> along with its variations and <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/video/287" target="_blank">warrior sequences</a>, and I throw in a few balancing poses as well. I don't do any of those <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/81768549457957470/" target="_blank">fancy yoga poses that you might see on magazine covers</a>. I think those who do advanced inversions and arm balances are just <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/81768549457957337/" target="_blank">beautiful to watch</a>, and remind me of <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/81768549457953634/" target="_blank">how amazing the human body is</a>. But over the years I've actually become more cautious about trying inversions especially without an instructor - and I just haven't been able to commit the kind of practice needed to do them. But mostly they just haven't been a focus of my practice, and that is ok. I've also come to prefer more restorative poses and long stretches, though I still practice supported inversions for the benefits. So after all is said and done, the strength training that I get in yoga may be quite minimal. <br />
<br />
Last summer, I started taking <a href="http://www.trxtraining.com/suspension-training" target="_blank">TRX</a> at the same place where I train for <a href="http://www.fightfitohio.com/" target="_blank">Krav Maga</a>. I love the concept of using your own body weight as resistance, but with the addition of these "suspension trainers" or bands to make things more challenging. I'm starting to feel stronger over time, but I think results are taking longer overall. As it's a long drive for me to get there (and also I am a real wimp when it comes to winter driving - don't judge), I'm just taking this class once a week. I'm hoping I can go more often once winter ends. <br />
<br />
So that is my long-winded way of telling you about this <a href="http://www.athleta.net/2013/12/27/30-day-plank-challenge/" target="_blank">30-day plank challenge</a>. I thought it was a perfect way to slowly build strength - it's something I can do anywhere, with no equipment, and it literally only takes a few minutes out of the day. I love planks because it's such a multi-purpose exercise in which you work different parts of the body at once. I like being able to work smart.<br />
<br />
(Here's a good <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2463" target="_blank">tutorial</a> on proper alignment in plank pose. And <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/2356" target="_blank">here's</a> another one.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="plank_HP" border="0" height="218" src="http://www.yogajournal.com/media/originals/18726-bas_245_opener_sized.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/2356" target="_blank">Yoga Journal</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
OR</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.yogajournal.com/media/originals/2710-99.jpg" height="248" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="248" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2463" target="_blank">Yoga Journal</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here's how the challenge goes:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQXF03r9NmQastedRwKmn6MN10P4CHsVbqMwLmt5h7StaSMs6bERqUSi3tJkdGgWEoYQEaCSRFP2kag08jb7wUtXxs33dhiuSq9PzeCAc4zWr2HYwGlxh-bN1pm4GsCs86lCto7aLSwEl/s1600/30-day+plank+challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQXF03r9NmQastedRwKmn6MN10P4CHsVbqMwLmt5h7StaSMs6bERqUSi3tJkdGgWEoYQEaCSRFP2kag08jb7wUtXxs33dhiuSq9PzeCAc4zWr2HYwGlxh-bN1pm4GsCs86lCto7aLSwEl/s1600/30-day+plank+challenge.jpg" height="441" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.athleta.net/2013/12/27/30-day-plank-challenge/" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In my home yoga practice last night, I thought I'd hold plank as long as I can to get a baseline. I was still a bit sore from my Krav training a couple of days before, but felt strong enough to hold it. I did 70 seconds before I felt like I would lose the alignment in my spine (which I don't want), so I ended it there, then took a <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/475" target="_blank">child's pose</a> after (aaaahhhhh....) and then stretched in <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/491" target="_blank">downward facing dog</a>. So I'm going to work at the 70-second level for the next couple of days and then challenge myself to 90 seconds (Day 12). <br />
<br />
So, the challenge is to work up to FIVE WHOLE MINUTES. I'm sweating already just thinking of that.<br />
<br />
But on second thought - it does seem attainable. I like the idea of breaking down a goal into smaller subgoals. <a href="http://topachievement.com/smart.html" target="_blank">SMART</a> goals, so to speak. I think SMART goals set me up for success better than vague "resolutions". <br />
<br />
For accountability's sake, I'll document my progress here every few days. Anyone care to join me?<br />
<br />
~<br />
<br />
On an unrelated note, I've really been craving this "<a href="http://www.loveandlemons.com/2013/12/30/superfood-sunshine-smoothies/" target="_blank">superfood sunshine smoothie</a>". Doesn't the color just brighten up these drab winter days? As we've been having subzero wind chill temps, I had it without ice. I didn't have goji berries on hand, so I just doubled the orange juice. The ginger provides a nice subtle kick.<br />
<br /></div>
Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-51463710755021360702014-01-22T14:40:00.002-05:002014-01-28T11:26:27.023-05:00when was the last time you did something for the first time?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I used to be into New Year's resolutions and word-for-the-year reflections and such. It didn't quite happen this time when we transitioned from 2013 to 2014, for various reasons I need not delve into. But, I find that it's also perfectly fine to spend the first month really reflecting, rather than going all gung-ho on the first of the year and then losing steam by the end of January (guilty). I realize that it's important to consider schedule changes, work changes, and other expectations and make sure goals are challenging yet realistic.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I have this silly feeling that if I put my goals out there, I set myself up for these expectations - almost with an anticipation of, "but what if I don't achieve it?" And yet, when I look back... the goals I wrote down somewhere (whether on a post-it note, a notebook, or here on the blog) and to which I set my intentions tend to be ones that I have met. Perhaps not all of them, but at least the ones that mattered and made sense at the time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://olivejuiceontherocks.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/quote-11684c3c1b12034ade73d6fd1108d638_h1.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://olivejuiceontherocks.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/quote-11684c3c1b12034ade73d6fd1108d638_h1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://olivejuiceontherocks.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/when-was-the-last-time-you-did-something-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
I saw this question above - "<b><i>when was the last time you did something for the first time?</i></b>" on a travel brochure, and it made me stop in my tracks. I love thinking of this as a guiding question. Perhaps not just at the start of the new year, but really, <i>throughout</i> the year. To keep myself open to experience, challenged, motivated, and dare I say, youthful?<br />
<br />
So, here goes.<br />
<br />
1. <b><i>Finish my dissertation this summer.</i> </b>Ok, so this one may not sound particularly exciting, but still - I MUST/NEED/WANT TO finish this baby this year. I've come this far. As they say - the PhD is not just/always about how smart you are. It's about <i>persistence</i>. Now that I feel "<a href="http://phdcomics.com/comics.php" target="_blank">piled higher and deeper</a>", I realize there is nothing further from the truth. I'm following my professor's advice: "Treat your dissertation like it's your job."<br />
<br />
2. <b><i>Take the Krav Maga Level 1 test. </i></b>I've never actually said this one "out loud". <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/04/overcoming-fear.html" target="_blank">When I first started taking Krav Maga</a>, I hadn't really given much thought into going up the levels. I've never really been competitive (not that KM is competitive), and tests just...intimidate me (flashback to memories of taking a college math exam, college chemistry, the GRE, and breaking into a cold sweat.). But I heard that cliched little voice, barely a whisper, say, "<i>what if?</i>" And then, "<i>why not?</i>"<br />
<br />
I do feel a bit behind, because I was told that on average people can take the Level 1 test after 4-6 months of training consistently and regularly. Regularity has been a barrier for me because this school is about a 40-minute drive (on a good day) for me, so I'm not always able to go on weeknights. I make up for it by getting into weekend-warrior mode and taking classes back-to-back on Sundays. But at the same time, I cut myself some slack - I'm doing the best I can under the circumstances, and I'm going at a pace I feel comfortable with. Of course, we are not forced to take the test - some people may decide to just stay at Level 1. It's all optional.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/ab40e626342011e39b8622000ab5b9d2_8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a picture of the <a href="http://www.fightfitohio.com/" target="_blank">training center</a>. I took this picture around Halloween last year. Note the sign above: "Torture Chamber" ;-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Level 1 test requires that you demonstrate 30-something skills and from what I've heard, it's a pretty grueling 4-hour experience. Well, to be accurate, the first 2 hours is a workshop to review, practice, and ask questions, and then the next half is the actual test. So, the last time I trained, I picked up the sheet that had the Level 1 curriculum which listed the skills that will be covered during the test. I checked every skill that I knew, and realized... I'm doing pretty ok. There are definitely skills I still need to learn and master, and I still need to practice the basic skills more, of course - confidence has always been my issue. But my instructor said that I'm getting the technique, I just need to be more aggressive. Followed up with, "you don't have to be so proper!" Ha! Thanks to my mom's manners and etiquette training :) And my thought is - "Me??? Aggressive??" But just to put this out there - their take on being aggressive has to do more with getting your energy out, not being unsafe or being violent. They're always big on safety, which is why I feel comfortable training in this school. Towards the end of one class my instructor gave me a headlock and I thought I defended myself pretty well. :)<br />
<br />
I'm not going to lie - this experience has not been easy. It has taken me out of my comfort zone more than anything else has (including skydiving). For starters, you get into really close contact with another person and in uncomfortable positions (like mounting for a ground fighting drill) - which is a challenge for someone like me who values personal space (at least with strangers). I've gotten bruised and <a href="http://followgram.me/i/444108602902948649_10753689" target="_blank">scraped</a> and scratched. I've been sore for days after an intense class. But more than the physical part of it - it's the emotional aspect. At a recent weapons defense class, I found myself having to fight back tears as the simulated knife attack just made memories surface - of my cousins who died of multiple stab wounds. It was more than 20 years ago, but it still affects me to this very day. But I remind myself, this is why I made the decision to learn. This is why I show up, even when the thing I want to do so much more on a wintry Sunday morning is bury myself under the covers or have a leisurely breakfast. <br />
<br />
On a lighter note. I haven't heard when the Level 1 test will be this year - but last year I believe there was one in August and another in November. So, something to work towards...<br />
<br />
3. <b><i>Try <a href="http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/paddleboarding.html" target="_blank">stand-up paddleboarding</a></i>. </b>I have to admit, winter makes me long for the water so much more. Particularly the warm, clear, turquoise tropical waters in the Philippines... sigh. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="SUPsized" border="0" src="http://www.yogajournal.com/media/originals/SUP_256_open_sized.jpg" height="271" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/3212" target="_blank">Yoga Journal</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
This goal isn't as intense as #2 above, but I've always wanted to try it. I used to be so into watersports when I lived back home and had easy access to beaches. But, I shouldn't forget that we do have a lake here!<br />
<br />
I also had in the deep recesses of my mind to try surfing and windsurfing, but stand-up paddleboarding just seems so... calming. And I suppose windsurfing is, too, once you're done wrestling with the sail :) But SUP needs less equipment - and although I'm sure it's one of those things that just <i>look</i> easy, but I figured if I learned wakeboarding I could probably learn SUP. There's even <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/3212" target="_blank">SUP yoga</a>! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaJ9xVN9-tv1KmfAdVPo03tn_n84QmN6VGkzJQvWDLqVf7WnCgSf13bB2GizNjKgeS5VWkn_E0qWL1BjRhlExxy_Cc3GBwuufPFAxgMV5Zrxpv6YQRbyIOqb2gTj_HuBs3nFV9QpJde8O/s1600/SUP_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaJ9xVN9-tv1KmfAdVPo03tn_n84QmN6VGkzJQvWDLqVf7WnCgSf13bB2GizNjKgeS5VWkn_E0qWL1BjRhlExxy_Cc3GBwuufPFAxgMV5Zrxpv6YQRbyIOqb2gTj_HuBs3nFV9QpJde8O/s1600/SUP_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zNBDlZS8IrDLjorFVYzA9BHxgBFRy9phpJ4aBZ_Yz4CADw8nfJTqMhUWM8PeJjosaoOu_-ypf7DO9TXPIf5dKT3cWhm9PcxbvL576fHeYxR28m6mByuhrxZ0UXy4n2VCghxUTHZUfJBr/s1600/SUP_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zNBDlZS8IrDLjorFVYzA9BHxgBFRy9phpJ4aBZ_Yz4CADw8nfJTqMhUWM8PeJjosaoOu_-ypf7DO9TXPIf5dKT3cWhm9PcxbvL576fHeYxR28m6mByuhrxZ0UXy4n2VCghxUTHZUfJBr/s1600/SUP_1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images from <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/3212" target="_blank">Yoga Journal</a></td></tr>
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So, there's my top 3. Nothing groundbreaking, but definitely something to look forward to. There's a first for everything, and <i>everyone</i> was a beginner at something at some point. Let's see how this year unfolds...<br />
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-86271322044118571062014-01-19T19:58:00.002-05:002014-01-21T10:53:09.551-05:00homemade no-bake protein bars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now that I've been in <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/04/overcoming-fear.html" target="_blank">Krav Maga training for the past 8 months</a>, I sometimes just find myself... hungrier. If that's even possible.<br />
<br />
Last Sunday I spent all day at the KM school. It was my first day back
at training, having been away for 3 weeks. I went to my usual
back-to-back classes in the morning (Krav Maga Level 1 and TRX). It so
happened that they had 2 special classes in the afternoon: a 2-hour
Ground Fighting (meaning, defending while you're on the ground) and a
1-hour Weapons Defense class. I had a half-hour break in between the
morning and afternoon classes. It was quite ambitious for my first day back, and I have to say I was sore till Wednesday. As always, classes were excellent. The learning is worth every sore muscle. <br />
<br />
The place where I train is about a 40-minute drive (on a good day) from where I live, and on weekends when I do 2 classes back-to-back, I am just ravenous afterwards. I usually take along some plain almonds, or a mix of almonds, chocolate chips, and dried cranberries, or one of those commercially available snacks such as <a href="http://www.larabar.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">LÄRABAR</span></span></span></a> or <a href="http://www.kindsnacks.com/" target="_blank">KIND</a> bars, so that I can re-fuel (myself, not the car) on my drive back home. I was never into granola bars or protein bars, except for these two brands that I have in my rotation. I have to admit I'm picky about these things. They tend to be either too dry, too sweet, too hard, too bland, too this and that and the other. I liked LÄRABAR and KIND since they were whole-food based, with mostly dates, fruit, nuts, and seeds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPqz5-7nYD3e7KK6tv_YjYHSD8SYA03j-COIh58ZMFOSd6PdZWg7on6Nk_xArLheMAefEGEGaLknQAQwA_9m4PGZr4lpEIeM1fWY_Jy_haRuPWfec6y6GAz24POqsu42WiZVBvwvOY9-b/s1600/KINDbar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPqz5-7nYD3e7KK6tv_YjYHSD8SYA03j-COIh58ZMFOSd6PdZWg7on6Nk_xArLheMAefEGEGaLknQAQwA_9m4PGZr4lpEIeM1fWY_Jy_haRuPWfec6y6GAz24POqsu42WiZVBvwvOY9-b/s1600/KINDbar.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Available in a variety of flavors (see <a href="http://www.kindsnacks.com/store/#All-KIND-Products" target="_blank">here</a>)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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But lately (a) plain almonds get tiring, and (b) I needed some more variety besides the usual LÄRABAR and KIND bars. Also, I've been finding the LÄRABAR to be a little to sweet. I used to love them, but I think something has happened to my sweet tooth. (I never thought it would be possible). I also don't like eating the same old thing again and again - I need variety.<br />
<br />
On my all-day training last Sunday, the girl I partnered with for the drills had homemade protein bars. Her recipe had peanut butter, honey, oats, and protein powder. I didn't get the chance to ask her for her specific recipe, so I set out to make my own post-training snack. <br />
<br />
I was never into protein powders before, as I was always leery of whatever ingredients they put in it. Last summer at our local grocery store, they were giving out samples of a smoothie with <a href="http://www.gardenoflife.com/Products-for-Life/Foundational-Nutrition/RAW-Protein.aspx" target="_blank">Garden of Life Raw Protein</a>, which is based on grains and seeds. I was familiar with the brand as I've taken their vitamins before. The smoothie I tasted had blueberries, bananas, spinach, chocolate almond milk, and the Garden of Life powder. It was SO good. Not overly sweet, no grainy texture, no strange aftertaste. They happened to be offering a discount as well, so I bought one, and since then I've often made that same combination that I tasted. I did not use it everyday as I like to mix things up; on other days I add protein to my smoothie by using plain kefir, yogurt, or almond butter. I haven't used it the protein powder in a couple of months now as it's been too cold to make a smoothie. So homemade protein bars are a great way to use it, and it can help with muscle recovery.<br />
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(Did I just sound like a fitness buff??? I feel like an impostor saying that.)<br />
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Here's what I came up with:<br />
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<i><b>Homemade Protein Bars </b></i><br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>2/3 cup nut butter (almond, peanut, etc - I used Trader Joe's creamy almond butter)</li>
<li>1/3 cup honey</li>
<li>1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>pinch of salt</li>
<li>1 cup oats - ground in a food processor (I ended up with about 2/3 cup after grinding; I did not grind it till perfectly fine, there were certainly some coarsely ground bits, which I felt was ok for texture)</li>
<li>1/3 cup almond meal (I use Trader Joe's)</li>
<li>1/3 cup protein powder (I use <a href="http://www.gardenoflife.com/Products-for-Life/Foundational-Nutrition/RAW-Protein.aspx" target="_blank">Garden of Life RAW Protein</a>, in vanilla)</li>
<li>1/3 cup ground flaxseed </li>
<li> 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)</li>
<li>~3 tbsp water </li>
</ul>
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*Just to simplify things, it is a fairly straightforward ratio of 2 parts nut butter, 1 part sweetener, 1 part protein powder, 1 part almond meal, 1 part ground flaxseed, and approx 2 parts of oat flour. I wouldn't sub all-purpose flour for the oat flour here as it is a no-bake recipe. The other additions (vanilla, salt, chia seeds) are just extras for flavor and texture.<br />
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Over low heat, I warm the nut butter and honey together - this step makes it easier to mix. To that I add the vanilla and salt. </li>
<li>Mix all the dry ingredients together. Combine with the nut butter and honey in a large bowl. Add enough water to make the mixture moist enough to stick together, but not too wet. </li>
<li>Line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper or grease the inside with a little oil (I used coconut oil), then spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Make sure to press it firmly into the pan to pack everything tightly. Dampen your hands with water to smooth the top, or use the flat bottom of a measuring cup.</li>
<li>Refrigerate for a few hours to set, then slice into bars. Wrap or pack them individually in containers for your lunch or gym bag.</li>
</ol>
You can also double the recipe and use 2 loaf pans or a square pan -
these are just the proportions I started with because I didn't want to
make too much and and end up not liking it. This recipe yielded 6 bars, which was enough for a week. <br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Pg_Eku8BuatTThiT2n9xCZFJSxEWeZGbnfmzAaDiP6uk9Zqofdl7Bgbt_HjsCuPeQ0sZYMOXBAVVxBsxd6ftObHgXrzY7kns2KxMsmT39opiz4_6TNWZ4J_Z-HKQW6Nf7E2cLA6pfl_I/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Pg_Eku8BuatTThiT2n9xCZFJSxEWeZGbnfmzAaDiP6uk9Zqofdl7Bgbt_HjsCuPeQ0sZYMOXBAVVxBsxd6ftObHgXrzY7kns2KxMsmT39opiz4_6TNWZ4J_Z-HKQW6Nf7E2cLA6pfl_I/s320/image.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEUGxYt8Yw3QyUhNSLrQ5o_2RJGLx1Hs2knxt6xTtAPbU6foF0mD-tYmRRn6D7V4usUgENGBFH1mzd5IW-x74NoC2BnfkAOW1FKDmQwL4cpitwxT7fTsccEMHeXdx8_oqB0y8kmWkADGi/s1600/image_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEUGxYt8Yw3QyUhNSLrQ5o_2RJGLx1Hs2knxt6xTtAPbU6foF0mD-tYmRRn6D7V4usUgENGBFH1mzd5IW-x74NoC2BnfkAOW1FKDmQwL4cpitwxT7fTsccEMHeXdx8_oqB0y8kmWkADGi/s320/image_1.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I really loved these! They were not overly sweet, and the chia seeds added some nice texture. Just make sure that after you eat one of these, do a quick check in the mirror to be sure you don't have a chia seed stuck between your teeth. Trust me on this one.<br />
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You could certainly experiment with flavor combinations. You could omit the flaxseed if you don't have it and just sub an equal part of protein powder for extra protein, or an equal part oats. If you're going gluten-free and can't use oats (gluten-free oats are a bit harder to find, as they tend to be milled in the same facilities that handle flour), sub more almond flour or almond meal. Maybe add some chopped dates, some slivered almonds, or unsweetened dried coconut flakes. Or even drizzle some melted chocolate on top if you're feeling indulgent.<br />
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I can't give you nutrition facts - in terms of how many grams of protein and fiber etc - for this recipe, but I'd say it has a nice balance of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and healthy fat. Or I'd say it's just yummy. That's reason enough, right? <br />
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-89714068729478433022014-01-15T11:39:00.002-05:002014-01-15T11:39:22.204-05:00wonder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/9ef4f5fe66ae11e3be4112cd881a590b_8.jpg" /> <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389757205605_23191">"He who marvels at the
beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and
admiration in winter.... In winter the stars seem to have rekindled
their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a
look of a more exalted simplicity." ― John Burroughs</i></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
I've come to appreciate the four seasons. Although Cleveland has more than its fair share of snow, complaining about it doesn't do any good. I love that each season is distinct here, and I've been learning to appreciate the winter maybe almost as much as the other seasons. There's a certain quiet quality in winter that you just don't experience at any other time. </div>
Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-6693300349676915402014-01-10T16:21:00.000-05:002014-01-13T09:29:45.622-05:00snapshots from India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just got back from a 2-week trip to India in December/January. We made it back home towards the end of this epic polar vortex, so thankfully we didn't experience significant delays coming back.<br />
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We traveled to Jaipur, which is in the state of Rajasthan in
northwest India.<br />
<br />
We took a train ride first from <i>A.'</i>s
hometown to Sawai Madhopur, which took close to 6 hours. Traveling by
train in India is an experience. It's the real-deal India, <i>A</i>. says. In my opinion, it's where you experience the fervor and intensity of India. I don't know if <i>fervor</i> and <i>intensity</i> are the best words to capture it, but it's how I (as an outsider) would describe the experience. You take it all in - the rush, the crowds, the sounds, the sights, the fully saturated colors.<br />
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As
we went farther away from the city and into the countryside, I saw this
for miles and miles:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EI-pszYNnJU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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(Side note: I believe that is A.'s niece you hear talking in the video. She loves the expression "<i>Arrey!</i>" - their equivalent of "Hey!")<br />
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The
yellow flowers are the flowers of the mustard plant. Indian cuisine
relies heavily on the <i>tadka</i>, which refers to spices - including black mustard seed - tempered in hot oil. <i>Tadka</i> is then added to flavor dishes such as <i>dal</i> (lentils), vegetable stir-fries, and stews. <br />
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We
spent one night in Sawai Madhopur:<br />
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India has no shortage of forts, one of which being <a href="http://www.ranthamborenationalpark.com/ranthambore-fort.html" target="_blank">Ranthambore Fort</a>. While exploring the fort, we were treated to this beautiful sunset: <img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/472c716873aa11e38c92125e9fe3ffd9_8.jpg" /><br />
I saw an area that has multiple piles of rocks. I asked <i>A.</i> what they were, and he said that they symbolized people's wishes and prayers. People would pile rocks into these tower-like formations, as you can see below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV63TERg8Gbv3fRjPQnOZS2JBSeZlUNERL-ZTj4fU6c_SAt6MQsgQFxGIGVImcehUnuW0jZak3nRBBUxLCQKq8OT4GAjJsHxyWNf1UtCzFEPCIMzx_zKYpoQ_xUQXpgHu_zfHZon01NDY/s1600/rocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV63TERg8Gbv3fRjPQnOZS2JBSeZlUNERL-ZTj4fU6c_SAt6MQsgQFxGIGVImcehUnuW0jZak3nRBBUxLCQKq8OT4GAjJsHxyWNf1UtCzFEPCIMzx_zKYpoQ_xUQXpgHu_zfHZon01NDY/s1600/rocks.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I saw a man and a woman who seemed that the were measuring something on the ground using the length of their bodies. It was something I had never seen before. <i>A.</i> explained that some people pray so fervently and promise God that if their prayer is answered, they would travel the entire length of the fort all the way to the temple at the end, not on foot but by laying on the ground. The man and the woman each laid down on his/her side, extended an arm up to mark the spot, then stood up and laid down again starting from the spot where their hand reached (does that make sense? I thought of taking a video, but decided against it as I thought it may be disrespectful - it seemed like such a sacred act). They did this again and again, as they promised. It's indescribable, and yet again an illustration of the fervor and intensity of India. <br />
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The next morning we went on an animal safari from an open truck. It was so cold that we
bundled up in our jackets, shawls, and woolen blankets. We saw deer, spotted deer, and antelope. Unfortunately I don't have a lens with good enough zoom for wildlife photography, so I don't have visuals to share on that one...<br />
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We then drove about 3 hours to Jaipur, where we spent 4 days. I loved the many patterns and colors in the decor of our <a href="http://www.thelalit.com/the-lalit-jaipur/overview?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=lalit%20jaipur&utm_campaign=Jaipur+Brand+-+IN" target="_blank">hotel</a>:<br />
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Aside from forts, India has no shortage of palaces either, particularly those built during the Mughal empire.<br />
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<img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/ada0ea1e749511e3b8ce12f13d1b19f2_8.jpg" /><br />
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<img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/9941f88c74ff11e3bb0e1278ed1a3b5d_8.jpg" /><br />
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Apparently, I have a thing for doors, windows, and arches. But how could you not with such amazing architecture?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2-BMr61G6MiQTzdCUiOFNJvcJPch93yGvpynxrvy_HJcsbYr_yErJfUv2v_ETZS-LmjMPRzG2Q6frNCS3zppWHTCvd0zVeEFKUi3p9wy9WzaXmyc_oZz1Lsjsyn_mnEIpvZ4pZvWNKE/s1600/arches.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2-BMr61G6MiQTzdCUiOFNJvcJPch93yGvpynxrvy_HJcsbYr_yErJfUv2v_ETZS-LmjMPRzG2Q6frNCS3zppWHTCvd0zVeEFKUi3p9wy9WzaXmyc_oZz1Lsjsyn_mnEIpvZ4pZvWNKE/s1600/arches.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A.'s niece and nephew</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A random window, spotted while driving in Jaipur: <br />
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Another illustration of the vibrant color in India:<br />
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This was my first Christmas spent away from my immediate family. Prior to the trip, I wondered what Christmas would be like in India. My in-laws, once again, continue to amaze me with their graciousness. My sister-in-law and niece chose a Christmas present for me, a figurine of the Blessed Mother and Child. They even took me to church for Christmas. <br />
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On our previous trip to India in 2012, we went to Agra and visited (yet another) fort/palace built during the Mughal empire. (I realize I haven't even organized my pictures from last year's trip!) There was a pillar that caught my attention, due to its many intricate patterns.<br />
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The guide explained, each row of patterns symbolizes one of the world's great religions (in no particular order): Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam. Each pattern was so intricate, so precise - the level of detail is just incredible. The Mughal emperor at the time was a progressive-minded one, to showcase a design that captured the great religions in a pillar supporting a structure. Quite symbolic.<br />
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The names of the forts, palaces, emperors, and other historical details all start to blur for me, but what struck me most is this idea of <i>connection</i>. It's all there - the connections, the sameness - as <i>A</i>. and I figure out our interfaith life, it's all about the connections between the unique histories and cultures of our respective families. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>"Travel is not always about newness, sometimes the beauty of travel is in discovering connections rather than the differences."</b></i> - Eram Agha</blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666169257493898483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-38583522376829260572013-12-18T00:00:00.000-05:002014-01-15T11:31:59.000-05:00happy holidays<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-77798792593745494212013-11-30T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-30T15:52:42.926-05:00the recipe that made me a pumpkin pie convert<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy Thanksgiving weekend everyone!<br />
<br />
I hope you all had a great time giving thanks with your family and loved ones over delicious, coma-inducing food.<br />
<br />
I have to admit I was never a big fan of pumpkin pie. Or sweet potato pie. It may sound like a crime to those of you steeped in Thanksgiving tradition, but I only started celebrating this holiday when I moved to this country ten years ago. So I don't have a lot of memories attached to pumpkin pie. Apple pie, however, is a different story, but pumpkin pie just didn't appeal to me that much.<br />
<br />
Until I tried this bourbon pumpkin pie from <a href="http://www.hm-cafe.com/" target="_blank">Harvest Moon Cafe</a> , this delightful cafe and restaurant (with an attached garden herb shop) in Columbus. Since then, I've been determined to re-create it at home. A friend of mine joked, "maybe it's the bourbon?" Ha! Maybe it is. The funny thing is, I don't even like to drink (alcohol). My body just does not tolerate it well at all. I do like to use it in my cooking and baking though, as the heat allows the alcohol to evaporate, leaving behind some good flavor.<br />
<br />
This recipe has been adapted from a couple of different recipes, including <a href="http://camillestyles.com/thanksgiving/tuesday-tastings-pumpkin-gingersnap-pie/" target="_blank">this one</a> and <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/bourbon-pumpkin-pie-with-pecan-streusel" target="_blank">this one</a>. I use a deep pie dish for this as I like a thick crust, and also because the recipe makes a pretty good amount of filling.<br />
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<img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/d62066fe592911e3894c0efd4fef123c_8.jpg" /> <br />
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This pie is insanely addictive. I even had it for breakfast. You've been warned. (Hey, pumpkin is a vegetable, right?)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/531b0c5c59cc11e39a3d129ccd9180c7_8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://followgram.me/i/600640805127432630_10753689" target="_blank">breakfast of champions</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Bourbon Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust and Pecan Streusel</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Crushed/ground gingersnap
cookies (about 1 ¼ cup crumbs, ground in a food processor)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">10-12 graham crackers (ground in a food processor) - <i>you could also use more gingersnap cookies in place of the graham crackers, but I found that the cookies were already very sweet and I didn't want an overly sweet crust. I suggest you taste your ginger cookies first :) You'll want to end up with about 2 cups of crumbs total (gingersnaps and graham crackers combined)</i></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">6 tablespoons unsalted
butter, melted and cooled</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ teaspoon salt</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Filling:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1 ¾ cup whole milk</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ cup bourbon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1 teaspoon pure vanilla
extract</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ teaspoon ground
nutmeg <i>(freshly grated makes a world of difference, trust me)</i></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ teaspoon ground cloves</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">a dash of allspice</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ cup packed dark brown sugar</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ teaspoon salt</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2 large egg yolks</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1 whole egg </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ cup cornstarch</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ cup granulated white sugar</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1 ¼ cups pumpkin puree (from
one 15-ounce can)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1 tablespoon unsalted butter,
at room temperature</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Streusel:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">4 tablespoons unsalted
butter, at room temperature</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ cup packed dark brown sugar</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">½ cup flour</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">¾ cup chopped pecans</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Topping:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1 cup heavy cream, whisked to
medium peaks <i>(make sure your cream is very cold when you start; I also like to keep the bowl and beaters in the fridge to keep them cold before I whip the cream)</i></span></span></li>
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<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Make the crust: Preheat
oven to 350 degrees. Combine gingersnaps, sugar, and salt
in a medium bowl. Stir in melted butter. Press mixture into bottom and up sides
of a 9-inch pie dish (use a deep pie dish). Refrigerate for 15 minutes,
then bake until the crust is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In a medium bowl, </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">combine 4 tablespoons of the butter and 1/4 cup
of the brown sugar with the flour and pinch into moist crumbs. Stir in the
pecans. </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Make the filling: Bring
milk, bourbon, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and salt
to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, whisk egg
yolks and whole egg with cornstarch and granulated white sugar in a medium bowl.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Gradually whisk about
1/2 cup milk mixture into the egg mixture. This process of adding a small amount of a hot mixture to eggs is called tempering - instead of mixing the egg mixture directly into the hot milk (which can result in the eggs getting scrambled in the hot liquid), we need to slowly bring up the temperature of the egg mixture. Slowly add a little more (about a quarter to a half cup) of the milk, stirring to blend. Gradually whisk in remaining milk
mixture. Return entire mixture to saucepan. Cook over medium heat,
whisking constantly, until bubbly, about 3 – 5 minutes. Remove
from heat. </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Immediately whisk in pumpkin, stirring until no longer lumpy. Then add 1 tablespoon of butter, for good measure. Julia Child would approve. </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Pour the filling into the cooled
gingersnap crust, smoothing the top. Sprinkle the pecan streusel evenly over top. Bake for 45
minutes, then let cool on a wire rack.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Refrigerate until set,
at least 4 hours. Serve with whipped cream. </span></span></li>
</ol>
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Recipe adapted from <a href="http://camillestyles.com/thanksgiving/tuesday-tastings-pumpkin-gingersnap-pie/" target="_blank">Camille Styles</a> and <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/bourbon-pumpkin-pie-with-pecan-streusel" target="_blank">Food & Wine</a> magazine<br />
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-18775331744611330272013-09-24T00:00:00.000-04:002013-11-22T17:44:41.019-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/7a515a2a068e11e2b71422000a1e9f9b_7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>Love so vast, love the sky cannot contain.</b></i><br />
<i><b>How does all this fit inside my heart?</b></i><br />
<br />
~ Rumi</blockquote>
<br />
Happy 2nd (2b!) anniversary, A. You are the best part of my day.<br />
<br />
<br />
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</div>
Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-45746022681294078282013-06-22T17:00:00.000-04:002014-01-13T19:42:08.078-05:00taking a break<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've missed writing here, but work has been eating me alive lately. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<br />
Follow along on instagram:</div>
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-63780108430365977392013-05-08T10:53:00.000-04:002013-05-09T13:34:11.123-04:00stress relief, two ways<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When I'm under stress, there's something incredibly gratifying about making homemade mayonnaise. I don't know what it is - perhaps it's the act of whipping something by hand until my arm feels like it will fall off. But most likely it's about creating simple magic in the kitchen.<br />
<br />
It's amazing how you can transform the humble egg yolk with a few other simple ingredients -- salt, a little water, a little lemon juice, and vegetable oil (and some arm muscle) -- into something so luscious and decadent. Even the word for the process to make mayonnaise sounds luscious: <i>emulsion</i> (in general terms, a mixture of ingredients that generally don't mix - like oil and water). Come on, say it to yourself. Doesn't the word "<i>emulsion</i>" sound like something so silky-smooth?<br />
<br />
Ok, I know, I'm a bit strange like that. Kitchen chemistry just fascinates me. I actually never liked chemistry, but I bet if I learned chemistry in the context of food, I would have aced that class. <br />
<br />
I use <a href="http://ruhlman.com/" target="_blank">Michael Ruhlman</a>'s foolproof method and <a href="http://ruhlman.com/2012/04/homemade-mayonnaise/" target="_blank">recipe</a>, though I usually go a bit heavier on the lemon juice. And I added some fresh lemon zest for good measure. Occasionally I might add some minced garlic and chopped fresh rosemary -- <i>so good</i>. After making homemade mayonnaise a few times, the store-bought kind just doesn't compare. Since we actually don't use mayonnaise very often, I just don't buy it anymore, but every now and then I crave mayonnaise. I can't wait to slather it on toast with some slices of <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2012/08/panzanella-and-warm-marinated-olives.html" target="_blank">fresh summer tomatoes</a>. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="addthis_shareable thumbnail" id="main-photo" src="http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/675da206b7ec11e28b9a22000a1f9d42_7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">homemade mayonnaise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But, the problem with making homemade mayonnaise is when one makes it <i>after</i> dinner for no apparent reason, and decides that some roasted baby potatoes would go so well with it, and proceeds to roast said potatoes with some olive oil, salt, and pepper and then dip them in the mayonnaise... <i>after </i>dinner. <br />
<br />
Or one can also go to Krav Maga class, which is what I did last night, after work.<br />
<br />
I don't know why, but I always feel somewhat nervous walking into the class. I arrived early, and for a while I was the only female there (aside from the receptionist). Thankfully another woman arrived and we talked for a bit before class. The Padded Guy (see the back story on my previous KM update <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/04/krav-chronicles.html" target="_blank">here</a>) saw me and jokingly told the other woman, "Watch out for that girl," [meaning, me] "...she's vicious." Haha!<br />
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The other girl and I decided to partner up for the drills. I know it's important to also train with men - who are bigger and stronger - but I'm almost always the smallest one in the room anyway, so man or woman, they tend to be bigger than I am.<br />
<br />
But the nervousness goes away. We are all just learning and doing the best we can.<br />
<br />
Last night we did "focus mitts" for punching and elbow strikes, as well as kicks, knee strikes, and defense for choking. We also practiced a situation in which you had to do punching practice on focus mitts and then someone comes up to you from behind to simulate a choking situation - in which case you had to defend yourself against not one, but two people.<br />
<br />
After all that punching, I realized I needed something like these:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="260" id="irc_mi" src="http://di1-2.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/75/28/7b/125730829-260x260-0-0_everlast+everlast+evergel+weighted+pink+hand+wraps.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 67px;" width="260" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hand wraps, photo from <a href="http://www.shopping.com/" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
...Otherwise, I might come in to work and have people look at my knuckles and wonder what kind of fights I'm getting into. :)<br />
<br />
And despite my nervousness coming into class, I <i>always</i> - without a doubt - feel so great afterwards. Tension just seems to dissipate with every punch, strike, and kick.<br />
<br />
A yoga class would have been perfect after this, but they weren't offering it on the schedule that day - so I just drove home, took a shower, and laid in savasana for several minutes. <i>Aaaaaahhhhh....</i></div>
Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-64088268139600237552013-04-30T10:54:00.000-04:002013-04-30T10:54:19.225-04:00meyer lemon mini cakes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Before I went home to the <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/01/bits-and-pieces-of-home.html" target="_blank">Philippines</a> last December, my childhood friend T. told me: "you HAVE to try the calamansi muffins in Real Coffee in Boracay!"<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamondin" target="_blank"><i>Calamansi</i></a> is something I most definitely miss here. It's a citrus fruit that's smaller than a key lime and native to the Philippines. We use it in almost everything - squeezed to make lemonade (although that is a heck of a job to squeeze so many tiny fruits to get enough juice), as a marinade for seafood and meats, a flavor enhancer for grilled food, and so many more. In fact, many times a plate of food at a Filipino restaurant would include a calamansi, sliced in half, for you to squeeze the juice over top. We also make fruit shakes out of it. The taste is quite distinct - it's like a cross between a lime and a tangerine.<br />
<br />
I'm shaking my head in disbelief now because I was going through my many photos from my trip and could not find a single photo of it. Perhaps because it's something I grew up with? <a href="http://burntlumpiablog.com/2013/04/calamansi-shrub-syrup-a-cocktail-recipe.html" target="_blank">Here</a> is a photo from the Filipino food blog <i>Burnt Lumpia</i>. My good friend K, who came with us on this trip, took a photo of it - scroll about halfway down <a href="http://porkbierbelly.blogspot.com/search?q=philippines" target="_blank">this post</a> and you'll see it right beside a heap of noodles. Thank goodness one of us took a picture :)<br />
<br />
So when T. told me about calamansi muffins, I was intrigued. This was not something I remembered from previous trips to Boracay island (and I do have a good food memory).<br />
<br />
I imagined something like a lemon poppyseed muffin, like what you would get at many coffee shops nowadays... but <i>so</i> much better. Biased, I know. <br />
<br />
The first time we attempted to go to <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294260-d1147322-Reviews-Real_Coffee_Tea_Cafe-Boracay_Visayas.html" target="_blank">Real Coffee and Tea</a>, I was disappointed to see it was closed. I wasn't online much during this trip and didn't check the website for their hours. It was after dinner after all, and apparently it is only open during the day. We were leaving the next day, and I wondered whether we could still make it there. The day before, we got rained on all day so we missed out on being able to explore further.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXZ_qOQ4UbZAxUmqtbNf6uuYtbGsWZlPOmNIhy6UIKKNeRtHxyCxD4Hdf3DZUOFhjxkUx6jgZokQbxquhANdbr8clo4jlWSMiz8BpIrICLHKf3KQ7GrFubw7G1SGBwuPS_6cre2BhTW2M/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXZ_qOQ4UbZAxUmqtbNf6uuYtbGsWZlPOmNIhy6UIKKNeRtHxyCxD4Hdf3DZUOFhjxkUx6jgZokQbxquhANdbr8clo4jlWSMiz8BpIrICLHKf3KQ7GrFubw7G1SGBwuPS_6cre2BhTW2M/s640/DSC_0169.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank goodness the sun came out. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The day we were scheduled to leave, we booked morning massages for all four of us right on the beach. Let me tell you, there is absolutely nothing like it. And for the equivalent of... maybe $8 for an hour of massage, with the sound of the waves, the sea breeze, and the warm sunshine... oh what I would trade to have that right now...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcT5GzX3ryHM5dSNZP24KKt6vuMzyqMWYXlNwxSYAfTKTFtjrLGR4r4IrNgV9-x09Xk6l68e3whyphenhyphenaqwVdpfdIC1d0V7GmVrm-BkzJ5sS5buEXY2xv7mAXy2ldimK3l-hNNksWuVCXRci95/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcT5GzX3ryHM5dSNZP24KKt6vuMzyqMWYXlNwxSYAfTKTFtjrLGR4r4IrNgV9-x09Xk6l68e3whyphenhyphenaqwVdpfdIC1d0V7GmVrm-BkzJ5sS5buEXY2xv7mAXy2ldimK3l-hNNksWuVCXRci95/s640/DSC_0098.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A massage with a view. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And of course, after the massage, I had to maximize my time in the water, down to the last possible minute. I found out that Real Coffee offers delivery, so it was the perfect solution. Tracking down this muffin was important business, right? I thought, "go big or go home", so I went ahead and requested a dozen muffins for delivery.<br />
<br />
When the much-anticipated muffins arrived at our resort, I went ahead and sampled one immediately. It did not disappoint. (I don't have a picture of it either... it was so good). It had the perfect sweet-tart flavor of calamansi, and a moist crumb. <br />
<br />
If I remember correctly, the four of us took turns schlepping this <strike>precious cargo</strike> box of muffins through multiple modes of transportation (hotel shuttle, bus, plane, and finally the car ride home from the airport). <br />
<br />
So this is a long story to say that I have been craving these calamansi muffins. But I think Meyer lemons can stand in for calamansi for now, because that's all I have. And this might be my last hurrah with Meyer lemons until next winter. This isn't a recipe for muffins, but they're just as good, if not better. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow2BVRhb4AbITMtnyhLqvOI0dOPof1-7on1GQlakSsv-nbgWg5QUpK4ek-acsXMwNlQVb9upA30AlQjLdLQXjuV9uC_OH_Kr_eqBHQR01TDpw2w-Bpind8oXu_gkXDFPGTrOM2me57IS1/s1600/DSC_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow2BVRhb4AbITMtnyhLqvOI0dOPof1-7on1GQlakSsv-nbgWg5QUpK4ek-acsXMwNlQVb9upA30AlQjLdLQXjuV9uC_OH_Kr_eqBHQR01TDpw2w-Bpind8oXu_gkXDFPGTrOM2me57IS1/s640/DSC_0477.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><b>Meyer Lemon Mini Cakes</b></i><br />
(adapted from Cooking Light, August 2007, <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/glazed-lemon-buttermilk-cake-10000001646353/" target="_blank">lemon buttermilk cake</a>) <br />
<br />
3/4 cup granulated sugar<br />
2 tbsp Meyer lemon zest (zest of 4-5 meyer lemons)<br />
1/4 cup butter (half a stick)<br />
1 1/2 tbsp Meyer lemon juice <br />
1 whole egg<br />
1 egg white<br />
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
1/2 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 cup buttermilk, shaken<br />
<br />
Glaze (optional)<br />
1/4-1/3 cup confectioners sugar<br />
Meyer lemon juice <br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Preheat the oven to 350. Butter and lightly flour your pan. For this recipe, I used a 6-cup mini-cake pan which I scored on sale and absolutely love. It's no longer available, but <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/nordic-ware-mini-bundt-cake-pan/?pkey=ccake-pans&" target="_blank">here</a> is a similar one. You could also use a muffin pan or perhaps even a loaf pan, though I haven't tried it in those. </li>
<li>Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to a bowl and whisk together. </li>
<li>In a large bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, rub the sugar and lemon zest together. I like doing this step, just as I did with the <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/02/grapefruit-yogurt-cake.html" target="_blank">grapefruit yogurt pound cake</a> I wrote about a few months ago. This step helps perfume the sugar and also separates the clumps of zest so that they get thoroughly incorporated into the batter. </li>
<li>Add the butter to the bowl and cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.</li>
<li>Add the lemon juice, followed by the whole egg and egg white, beating well after each addition.</li>
<li>Mix in the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk in two parts (so you begin and end with the dry ingredients). </li>
<li>Mix together just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined. Do not overmix - excessive mixing activates the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough or rubbery cakes - which is a tragedy in my book. <br />Spoon the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the tip of a knife inserted in the center of one of the cakes comes out clean (a few crumbs sticking to the cake are ok).</li>
<li>Place the cake pan on a wire rack to cool for ten minutes, then loosen the cakes from the pan and allow them to cool further on the wire rack.</li>
<li>While the cakes cool, make the glaze: add enough Meyer lemon juice to the confectioners sugar to make a thick liquid. Whisk together until smooth. When cakes have completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the cakes. </li>
</ol>
<br />
These cakes turned out so moist, thanks to the buttermilk. The Meyer lemons impart a sweet, almost floral and citrus flavor that is just so distinct from the tartness of regular lemons. Although not exactly the calamansi muffins from sunny Boracay, I'd say it's close enough, being on the opposite side of the world where the earth is just waking up from a long winter*. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2LJguwuzNSKuSZHnWgBqlmH6eY5JQGAfTAolPKWe3mOkoD0m8b9X4oOc5AIZqAblVjbKCMLa44YDGmXVe__8iPfs23e9ITl1IZIjeBNgEG_SjhjiR4Do7XK-Jr9xnF8NkalPCnw0lQRJ/s1600/DSC_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2LJguwuzNSKuSZHnWgBqlmH6eY5JQGAfTAolPKWe3mOkoD0m8b9X4oOc5AIZqAblVjbKCMLa44YDGmXVe__8iPfs23e9ITl1IZIjeBNgEG_SjhjiR4Do7XK-Jr9xnF8NkalPCnw0lQRJ/s640/DSC_0475.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As a final note - you'll be zesting more lemons than you'll need for juice for this recipe, so might as well go on a Meyer lemon-themed meal after making these cakes. I am craving a Meyer lemon vinaigrette over some roasted asparagus or blanched peas... sounds like the perfect winter-to-spring meal to me.<br />
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*I know it's nearly May, but Cleveland always gets the memo pretty late. We still had a brief moment of flurries last week! <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-32060313766457138172013-04-28T21:27:00.002-04:002013-04-29T15:29:51.715-04:00krav chronicles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So recently <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/04/overcoming-fear.html" target="_blank">I wrote about how I started Krav Maga</a>.<br />
<br />
As I've said before, this is unlike anything I've ever done. Right now, I'm bruised in three places and my knee is skinned raw after practicing knee strikes on a 6-inch-thick pad.<br />
<br />
I will admit that I'm kind of a wimp when it comes to these things. Which was why med school was out of the question for me. It's a bit strange, because I can watch my blood getting drawn for yearly check-ups and such, but I just don't like injuries of any kind (then again, who does?) and I have to admit I don't have a high tolerance for pain. Like I said, wimpy. And really guilty of it. <i>A.</i> was a bit amused by my situation, and jokingly asked why I need to put a gauze bandage as thick as a mattress over my skinned knee. What can I say, he exaggerates sometimes... and in my defense, I also had to wear jeans over it and didn't like the idea of denim rubbing against, um, exposed flesh. Still, his jokes are pretty funny. ;-) <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="addthis_shareable thumbnail" height="320" id="main-photo" src="http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/e92bddaeb01511e2984f22000a1fb895_7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ouch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
But the learning is so worth it. It definitely pushes me to do what's uncomfortable - because in a real-life attack situation, "<i>uncomfortable</i>" would be understating it. <br />
<br />
At the 2-hour class I attended recently, we practiced self-defense and offense moves in response to a variety of attack situations specifically targeted towards women -- including chokes, getting pulled by the arm, "bear hugs" from behind, as well as mounts (which is probably the most uncomfortable one - meaning the situation in which you are down on the ground with the attacker right on top of you).<br />
<br />
I met another girl there who was about my size, and she has been going to class for about 2 months now and I was just so amazed by how strong she was. We partnered up for the drills, and her strength just really inspired me to try harder.<br />
<br />
On a lighter note, the highlight at the end was when the instructor asked for any volunteers who wanted to try "beating up" this fully padded guy (who is actually one of the instructors there). I have to say, I'm not the type to be the first one with a hand raised whenever an instructor asks for a volunteer, no matter the setting. (Think of Monica from <i>Friends</i>, in that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taKNA1lIcWQ" target="_blank">episode</a> in which she was in a literature class and kept raising her hand. Um, no. Not me.) <br />
<br />
After a few participants went, my fellow-petite-partner volunteered. She was awesome. After her turn, she told me, "how often do you get to beat up a padded guy??". After a few more people went, I thought... <i>what the heck.</i> I raised my hand.<br />
<br />
So I went. It was a bit intimidating with - I don't know - maybe 40 or so people watching. Here I am, five-foot-nothing, in front of a guy who was six-foot something with full padding and a protective helmet. The situation was that an attacker (the said padded guy) was going to pull me by the arm. We were taught that when you are pulled by the arm, instead of resisting (which would likely be the reflex response) you actually move into it with more speed/force - almost like you're using the attacker's energy to counter-attack with more energy. And I just went, punching and kicking until he was on the ground.<br />
<br />
(Granted, I knew it was <strike>partly</strike> largely theatrical that this guy ended up on the ground. But still.)<br />
<br />
It was a rush of adrenaline! It's not that I really had to think of what to do. Even if I never thought of myself as aggressive in any way - they actually encourage you to channel your inner aggression. You'll need it to save your life. As the instructor said, <i>you need to want to survive <b>more</b> than they want to hurt/kill you. </i><br />
<br />
That said, it's certainly not about unnecessary aggression, or picking fights for no good reason. Many times, there are situations that are better avoided and prevented in the first place. But, when an attack does happen, they say that "<i>the best defense is a good offense</i>" - to eliminate the threat and escape the situation. That being the case, aggression (along with skill, of course) is necessary. <i> </i><br />
<br />
Although I'm still really new, this already has been such an empowering experience. Even if I had been nervous going into it, I never regret it afterwards. Skinned knees and all.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>~ </b></h3>
<br />
<i>Just as a disclaimer... I'm absolutely no expert on Krav Maga by any means. I'm just writing about my own experience and perspectives, and I am not speaking for any Krav Maga school or instructor. All that said... if you find <a href="http://www.kravmaga.com/" target="_blank">a school near you</a>, give it a try. :) </i></div>
Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-34065815109734230402013-04-16T00:05:00.000-04:002013-04-16T00:05:00.079-04:00praying for clarityBig day today... I'm <i>finally</i> defending my dissertation proposal! This was 2 years in the making...when I went through all those hiccups (and emotions) last year, I actually considered quitting. But I'm still here. Still going. So as nerve-wracking as today is, I'm actually quite relieved to be at this stage.<br />
<br />
If all goes well, I can officially start my research and <i>maaaaybe</i> get done next year. Collect data this summer, analyze data in the fall, write up my last chapters in the spring, defend and be done. But if there's anything I've learned in this PhD program, it's never such a clear-cut process. If anyone has had a really straightforward experience from point A to point B, I'd love to know that secret. <br />
<br />
In the meantime, I need some peace and calm. I get all nervous and jumpy about these things.<br />
<br />
If only I can simply transport myself to the ocean, sink my toes in the sand, feel weightless in the water... <br />
<br />
But since I can't do that, I'll post a picture instead.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2Y1MO5i84igBQOWLJKbNThI57NwinLooRuJ4jmesy0pq2e6IN6sujFzsdCO9fnTqwJ1B56J01_PCeMTKTyshMevhOceO2y2oEi2UXm20pJDBwurX4b5UG07v4xvAMmx1gQh2YZXN0wUl/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2Y1MO5i84igBQOWLJKbNThI57NwinLooRuJ4jmesy0pq2e6IN6sujFzsdCO9fnTqwJ1B56J01_PCeMTKTyshMevhOceO2y2oEi2UXm20pJDBwurX4b5UG07v4xvAMmx1gQh2YZXN0wUl/s640/DSC_0111.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boracay, Philippines | December 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Despite having grown up in the tropics, the clarity of this water never fails to amaze me. <br />
<br />
I'm praying for this same clarity right now... and reminding myself that I am absolutely privileged to be in this place. That I can pursue an education and the causes that are important to me, and find solutions to problems in ways that will positively impact issues I care about. I know people sometimes resist this notion of privilege for fear of appearing "high and mighty" or "more-than". On one hand, I think it's because there are those in positions of privilege that use power in the wrong ways or feel automatically entitled to certain things.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, I think it's important for me to keep in mind that what I do now, where I am now... while certainly not privileged by way of material wealth or fancy titles (um, I call myself a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1269&bih=515&q=phd+comics&oq=phd+comics&gs_l=img.3..0l10.523.2110.0.2323.10.8.0.2.2.2.284.991.4j3j1.8.0...0.0...1ac.1.9.img.YHZD308I3y8#tbm=isch&sa=1&q=phd+comics+publishing&oq=phd+comics+publishing&gs_l=img.3..0i24l2.1142.3494.0.4125.17.9.3.5.7.1.173.848.5j4.9.0...0.0...1c.1.9.img._dtPuNFTIQw&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45175338,d.dmQ&fp=6a129cc0618d6e74&biw=1269&bih=515&imgrc=b_1DiHwxC0RaAM%3A%3B0rSDPCW01YKgvM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-0O5Hm3liqMM%252FUEn_Jln3ckI%252FAAAAAAAAAY0%252FQDslzIKiEsY%252Fs1600%252Fphd022509s.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmeandmyresearch.blogspot.com%252F2012%252F09%252Fhow-to-succeed-as-phd-student.html%3B600%3B260" target="_blank">doctoral slave</a> if that gives you any idea!) - still puts me in a position of being able to change things. To make things better. Even in little ways. And <i>that</i> is a privilege.<br />
<br />
One of my mentors said, "teaching is a privilege." It truly is. And so is this. So it's only right that I put forth quality work and strive to be the very best version of myself.<br />
<br />
<i>A.</i> always gives me the best pep talks before "big days" like this one. A few minutes ago he said:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>"We have a saying in India, 'No one can stop a rising sun.' YOU are a rising sun." </i></b></blockquote>
<br />
He's amazing like that. I am so incredibly thankful. <br />
<br />
And for even more inspiration...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="if your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/cc/28/81/cc2881b71e461344b65acd9ff16d2022.jpg" style="height: 531px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 354px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/218283913159882623/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
P.S. If the <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/03/student-for-life.html" target="_blank">last few</a> <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/04/overcoming-fear.html" target="_blank">blog posts</a> were any indication, I've been addicted to "<a href="http://pinterest.com/SavorEveryday/everyday-inspiration/" target="_blank">pinning</a>" inspirational words on Pinterest lately...Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-53896342521000273562013-04-15T12:26:00.001-04:002013-04-15T16:16:05.297-04:00Locks of Love haircut, v.4.0This is no longer news to those of you who know me, but... <br />
<br />
Every few years, I grow my hair really long and donate it to <a href="http://www.locksoflove.org/index.html" target="_blank">Locks of Love</a>. Although my hair is generally healthy and grows well, it does take some time to reach ten inches (the minimum requirement) and also have enough hair left over. <br />
<br />
Usually, I just go to a salon that offers Locks of Love haircuts as part of their services - meaning they will cut your hair (for free!) and send your "locks" to Locks of Love for you.<br />
<br />
But this year, I really wanted a haircut from the expert hands of Drea, a good friend of mine in the Philippines with whom I went to college. She's actually uber-successful back home, and my other college friend and I joke that we can now say that our claim to fame is <i>"we went to college with Drea!"</i><br />
<br />
Since I was in the Philippines in December and January, I thought, might as well get my haircut then. So I went to her <a href="http://piandre.com/" target="_blank">salon</a>, armed with a little zip-lock bag where I can place my cut locks until such time that I can mail it myself to Locks of Love. This was my fourth time doing this, but I've always just had it done at an affiliated salon and never mailed it in myself. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNGl3lBlxXMqfLJ1yFSLUDbKNqkzpseHiHzhZ2eYFoZtF28EOL-_eV6N-Ne1sH5upUIHEutnNsWsbOkPxaixih9VCkuaQozO8XLijJQj89diKh_EmsWIdrQRVu-HElACccSOYF0-WNB-V/s1600/locks-of-love-2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNGl3lBlxXMqfLJ1yFSLUDbKNqkzpseHiHzhZ2eYFoZtF28EOL-_eV6N-Ne1sH5upUIHEutnNsWsbOkPxaixih9VCkuaQozO8XLijJQj89diKh_EmsWIdrQRVu-HElACccSOYF0-WNB-V/s320/locks-of-love-2013.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>SNIP!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHobmkknltEXdw_54uz7T7e64ng_x_EVWxg6bJWL25sYCZnqDZmJbtmJOSdVvcdsn_D-6ep91sodyMKpJULMxwR0l_xPD5ER1KLIoNPD8lP57cSRcXXa3OJqjzhzbIsF4T3jl-4BP9hXG4/s1600/locks-of-love-2013-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHobmkknltEXdw_54uz7T7e64ng_x_EVWxg6bJWL25sYCZnqDZmJbtmJOSdVvcdsn_D-6ep91sodyMKpJULMxwR0l_xPD5ER1KLIoNPD8lP57cSRcXXa3OJqjzhzbIsF4T3jl-4BP9hXG4/s320/locks-of-love-2013-2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Drea joked that my hair was so thick, it dulled her scissors!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Needless to say, we had a great time catching up on our lives while she cut and styled my hair, not having seen each other in years!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~</div>
<br />
I thought it would be funny if my baggage got searched at the airport upon arrival in the US and an officer found my little plastic bag of hair... just imagine: <i>"Ma'am, can you explain this organic material???"</i><br />
<br />
Thankfully, that did not happen. So the week I arrived back here, I went ahead and mailed my locks. <br />
<br />
I kept wondering if they received it or not, and finally last month I received this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC7wDyDbIossjHlkVIT-L5Afgb5aZUfy8a45Y-9vmXtTDUdPbTgvdnrKs7VyZUEHSGYdWCNljuqmvEKEWL8bf7nD9oir387WOCMTcYG-cCryKQCXMq4gx-6TzbYUW8DL1trmxl02YIi5E/s1600/Locks_of_Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC7wDyDbIossjHlkVIT-L5Afgb5aZUfy8a45Y-9vmXtTDUdPbTgvdnrKs7VyZUEHSGYdWCNljuqmvEKEWL8bf7nD9oir387WOCMTcYG-cCryKQCXMq4gx-6TzbYUW8DL1trmxl02YIi5E/s640/Locks_of_Love.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Since this was my first time mailing it in myself - instead of the salon mailing it for me - I was pleasantly surprised to receive a little "thank you"!<br />
<br />
(It really had my legal name on the certificate, but I'm not posting that here.)<br />
<br />
Consider donating your hair to Locks of Love! Click <a href="http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html" target="_blank">here</a> for more information. <br />
<br />
<br />Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-37300169778380607962013-04-09T10:12:00.001-04:002013-04-09T21:25:37.227-04:00overcoming fear<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Ditch that comfort zone!" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/0b/22/da/0b22dacbdbaa299379ffb8154f387fcf.jpg" style="height: 397px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 403px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/276408495851905217/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I did it!<br />
<br />
So <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/03/student-for-life.html" target="_blank">last week</a> I talked about trying <a href="http://www.kravmaga.com/programs/women/" target="_blank">Krav Maga</a>. And last weekend, I gathered my guts and finally went to my first class.<br />
<br />
Before I go any further... in case any of you are asking, "Krav Ma-wha???", here is a brief excerpt from the <a href="http://www.kravmaga.com/about-us/" target="_blank">website</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>"Krav Maga is the official self defense system of the Israeli Defense
Forces, and has been taught to hundreds of law enforcement agencies and
thousands of civilians in the United States.</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>Krav Maga is a simple, effective self defense system that emphasizes
instinctive movements, practical techniques, and realistic training
scenarios."</b></i></blockquote>
<br />
I was really nervous, I have to admit. The night before, I only got 4 hours of sleep (me and my overthinking again). I almost chickened out and talked myself out of it that morning. <br />
<br />
But I'm glad I didn't. <br />
<br />
I have to say that this is unlike <i>anything</i> I've ever done before. I'm probably the most non-confrontational person and I don't think I have an aggressive bone in my body. I've always been somewhat adventurous, having tried various things like skydiving and wakeboarding and gotten certified in scuba diving (in my previous, more active life, that is). But I've never been into intense workouts, always preferring yoga, walking, and non-competitive swimming. I'm someone who loathes the gym and has never been a member in one, <i>ever</i> (not unless you count my childhood gymnastics gym, but that is different). Generally I'm not a fan of weights and counting reps and all that (ugh). What I do love, is <i>movement</i>, but I don't like it to feel like "exercise". <br />
<br />
But this is more than just exercise for me. It's self-defense, which <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2013/03/student-for-life.html" target="_blank">as I've said before</a>, I think everyone (especially women) should learn and feel confident in. It's not about being violent... it's about being safe. It's about keeping your promise to go home safely to the ones you love. <br />
<br />
I knew I was pretty out of shape, and I am definitely feeling it now. I went to class over the weekend, and now it's Tuesday and I'm <i>still</i> sore.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, my routine weekend baking did not happen. And neither did my boatload of laundry, as I stare at the full basket and wishing it would just magically get done. <br />
<br />
But all that said... my first class was an empowering experience. The place is owned by a woman (who also taught the Level 1 class I attended). She is quite petite, but she is <i>strong</i>. So, there's hope for me! <br />
<br />
It's amazing what happens when you set an intention to do something. It could be anything - big or small. It could be something you're afraid to do.<br />
<br />
So. I'm putting this out there and expressing my commitment. <br />
<br />
How about you - do you keep a list of intentions? What's on your list?<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-511886639486341432013-04-05T12:23:00.001-04:002013-04-08T10:08:00.666-04:00discombobulated<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
...is what I'm feeling today.<br />
<br />
You know how there are just certain words that sound just like what they mean? <i>Discombobulated</i> is one of them.<br />
<br />
Ok so I have to say right from the start that I don't really have a point today other than the fact that I'm feeling out of sorts, and I can't put my finger on why.<br />
<br />
But even if I don't have a real point, I thought I'd write here, as it calms me.<br />
<br />
I feel tired yet restless, if those two could even co-exist.<br />
<br />
My sleep routine got messed up again this week - I was doing so well for almost a month - getting to bed and waking up at decent hours like a normal human being. Then one day this week I started overthinking about a decision I made, and then the tossing and turning came back. <br />
<br />
The sun is shining today, and typically when the sun comes out I'm practically running out the door to be outside and soak it all in, since sunshine has been in short supply for several months. <br />
<br />
And then I see these words:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>"It's only cold if you don't let the sunshine in." </b></i></blockquote>
(from <a href="http://unmiserablecleveland.com/awesomeness/" target="_blank">Unmiserable Cleveland</a>'s facebook page) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXX88MSoa4yV0GOo8oO-i-TSs0LJ-JfFjDmgCDcm-7LIf4igejy8GmsInPFSaUNKYxLEi7hSu6aTY5CcH1dTknm6cNHZBGm9eJHMkhIoSafocffl3koNjxt5ys3Rv6TVmn0nzy5CkhHiHT/s1600/DSC_1020_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXX88MSoa4yV0GOo8oO-i-TSs0LJ-JfFjDmgCDcm-7LIf4igejy8GmsInPFSaUNKYxLEi7hSu6aTY5CcH1dTknm6cNHZBGm9eJHMkhIoSafocffl3koNjxt5ys3Rv6TVmn0nzy5CkhHiHT/s640/DSC_1020_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>It's always a choice.</b> <br />
<br />
As I write, I'm starting to feel some motivation coming back in.... I'm going to hit "Publish", tie up my shoes and head out. It would be a shame to waste a sunny (albeit still cold) day like this. <br />
<br />
So maybe I did have a point after all.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MiEhozoQ1d_LECR5OyyYMDCVN3Y5hSTH4R75AR_WF3lfe27z4dgKHxIeg1Xcjb8xvfx8tEyt2LXyJYJyLzriS9yR7MEvY8kKv_uzocaSQ6nlntfFk9bbyKHiF4RIoCt6ZLxKm-qovyiD/s1600/DSC_0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MiEhozoQ1d_LECR5OyyYMDCVN3Y5hSTH4R75AR_WF3lfe27z4dgKHxIeg1Xcjb8xvfx8tEyt2LXyJYJyLzriS9yR7MEvY8kKv_uzocaSQ6nlntfFk9bbyKHiF4RIoCt6ZLxKm-qovyiD/s640/DSC_0254.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/255" target="_blank">Fatehpur Sikri</a>, Agra, India | December 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-31483513972886573152013-04-03T13:12:00.001-04:002013-04-10T12:09:46.708-04:00wishing for green<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As always, Cleveland has missed the memo that it's supposed to be spring already. On Monday morning, I woke up and it was flurrying! Cleveland's version of April Fool's.<br />
<br />
That said, I am so happy to see more sunshine the past few days, compared to the monochromatic gray days we've had. I can't wait to see more green though - the thought of baby leaves makes me beyond excited in anticipation for spring.<br />
<br />
It's not quite green outside yet, but I'm having my own dose of green at home. Enter my new obsession: matcha green tea smoothies!<br />
<br />
Matcha is supposedly really good for you. It's the whole green tea leaves ground to a powder, and unlike regular green tea leaves that you steep, with matcha you actually consume the whole leaf (though in ground form), and so you get all its benefits.<br />
<br />
Typically I get most, if not all of my teas from <a href="http://essencha.com/" target="_blank">Essencha</a>, this lovely specialty tearoom in Cincinnati - a favorite of mine when I used to live there (and I always make a trip every time I visit my old stomping grounds). <br />
<br />
But recently, I couldn't wait for the shipping time if I had ordered it online, so I decided I would check our <a href="http://heinens.com/" target="_blank">neighborhood grocery store</a> to see if they carried it - and they did, so on my last grocery run I came home with a tin. I love our grocery store - it's within walking distance, and it's cozy and not too big like the big-box stores that are so common in suburbia. They also keep their shelves well-stocked with everyday staples as well as specialty items, but because it's a smaller store I don't get overwhelmed with too many options!<br />
<br />
It's actually still too cold for smoothies (30-something degrees out), but usually when I'm working from home I eat alone, and I don't really have much of an appetite. So liquid lunches, in the form of smoothies, become my go-to meal.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="slideshow_stream_img" src="http://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/6ee356109c7b11e2aeda22000a1f973b_7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my dose of green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matcha Green Tea Smoothie</b></i><br />
<br />
~ 1 cup vanilla almond milk<br />
a squirt of honey (~ half a tablespoon or so?)<br />
1 small frozen banana*, cut into pieces<br />
1/2 - 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder (start with the smaller quantity if you're unsure)<br />
<br />
Just whizz everything in a blender, and you're good to go!<br />
<br />
*I buy bananas but tend not to eat them as is - something about the texture bothers me. But I love them in smoothies and baked goods, so I let them ripen on the countertop. Then, once they're very ripe, I peel and cut them into chunks and store in a zip-lock freezer bag. Whenever I want a smoothie I just take out however much I need, and it makes the smoothies so creamy - no need for ice! I also thaw them out for banana bread or muffins. <br />
<br />
As a warning, I do think that you have to like green tea to begin with to like matcha. But as a lover of green tea anything - hot tea, iced tea, green tea ice cream, green tea scents.. this was right up my alley.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZx2-68alSEgKn8KIgcTOXroKM1oi8BjmCM-FYVttvz70vkqCWRq3NSFovY6Z267p2uBkWTi0vJdkpcVQenEQ0lqwBcCgamsqQj_A9Mc3znfN_2E2KB-ZeDstFSDYqcrtswJZJPL8yH4t/s1600/DSC_0473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZx2-68alSEgKn8KIgcTOXroKM1oi8BjmCM-FYVttvz70vkqCWRq3NSFovY6Z267p2uBkWTi0vJdkpcVQenEQ0lqwBcCgamsqQj_A9Mc3znfN_2E2KB-ZeDstFSDYqcrtswJZJPL8yH4t/s400/DSC_0473.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">matcha green tea powder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The only downside is that the smoothie doesn't stay bright green for very long, as you can see above - likely because of the banana that has oxidized . If you're like me and very visual when it comes to food, I would try and drink it pretty quickly before the pretty color changes. You can also opt to leave the banana out and add ice instead, and that might keep it a brighter green. But it makes me wonder what's in that green tea frozen drink in that popular coffee shop that will remain unnamed... and how it is just <i>so</i> green - like a pastel shade of green that almost looks a bit too perfect to make me suspicious. I feel better off making it at home, also so I can control how much sugar goes into it.<br />
<br />
<i>Slurp.</i><br />
<br /></div>
Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-40717364449376269402013-03-29T11:49:00.000-04:002013-04-15T23:31:32.290-04:00student for life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I'm supposed to be on spring break this week. But only in theory. It feels like I haven't stopped working... and I'm exhausted.<br />
<br />
Finally had a quick break and thought I'd stop in here...<br />
<br />
I'm often asked what I want to do after I graduate. It's funny because as wonderful as finishing (finally) would be, life outside of school can be scary. Every new degree takes you further into your career, and life after a PhD sounds... intimidating. I'm not quite sure yet what I'll do. I know what I <i>don't</i> want to do, but I'm certainly getting ideas as to what I would enjoy doing given the opportunities I have now to try my hand at certain things, like consulting.<br />
<br />
All that said... if I had a choice I would really want to keep on learning. I want to be a student in some way for life. I know that sounds weird, but perhaps it's my desire for kaizen, as in my manifesto <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2012/02/burning-question-from-danielle-laporte.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
I started making a list of all the (other) things I want to learn...<br />
<br />
1. <i>How to speak Hindi conversationally</i>. Meaning not just the words for food so I can order a meal in Hindi in India or at an Indian restaurant (which I can do). Apparently I mistakenly impressed my mother-in-law when we first talked on the phone years ago and I rattled off the Hindi words for Indian dishes. Except I couldn't really carry on a real conversation as I may have led her to believe! I'm hoping that being bilingual already (Filipino and English) and having learned other languages somewhat (French and Spanish, in college) offers an advantage - at least in terms of language-learning readiness - but there are just some Hindi sounds that are difficult for me because I did not grow up hearing or being exposed to those sound combinations. It's so true how they say babies are "citizens of the world" and their brains are ready to learn any language, but all that changes as they get older and especially in adulthood. But never say never!<br />
<br />
2. <i>Photography</i>. I still haven't taken any formal classes, and I do want to learn the technical aspect of taking pictures. I did download some <a href="http://photographyconcentrate.com/" target="_blank">tutorials</a> and e-books and such, but I'm embarrassed to say I haven't really dug into them yet. I'm still neck-deep (or maybe over my head is more accurate) in educational research, for my day job(s).<br />
<br />
3. <i><a href="http://www.kravmaga.com/programs/women/" target="_blank">Krav Maga</a> or some other self-defense training.</i> I love NCIS and think Ziva David kicks ass with her Krav Maga moves. I even named my car Ziva. :) Just like reverse parking skills (which I'm proud to say I've been doing almost for as long as I've been driving), I think every woman should know how to defend herself in some way. Krav Maga is designed for practical, real-world self-defense, unlike other martial arts. I just can't believe it's taken me this long to gather my guts and do it. There's a <a href="http://www.fightfitohio.com/" target="_blank">training center</a> about a half hour from where I live, and they have classes on Saturday mornings. There goes my lazy Saturday mornings (or crazy-baking mornings), but I think it will be so worth it. <br />
<br />
4. <i><a href="http://www.totalimmersion.net/home" target="_blank">Total Immersion</a> swimming</i>. I remember putting this on my list years ago, when I still lived in Cincinnati and discovered there was a TI instructor in Cleveland! And now I'm living here, and I still haven't gotten into it. I love swimming - it's like meditation in motion for me, but I'm sad to say it has been on the back burner as well. But <a href="http://christineduque.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this friend</a> has really inspired me to get back into the water. <br />
<br />
5. Other random things, like <i>calligraphy</i>. I know - I sound like I'm all over the place, but really I want to learn this too. As much as I love the digital age, the old-fashioned ways appeal to me as well. <br />
<br />
It's funny how I list all these and yet feel so exhausted with my main job(s) that I don't know when I'll get to these "other" stuff. But, a girl can dream. And work. One thing at a time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="dream + work" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/88/23/43/8823432a8c3b147597b0d894573af41a.jpg" style="height: 626px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 500px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/309552174357535061/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-61778456512345028802013-03-19T00:00:00.001-04:002013-04-05T12:38:39.647-04:00i will be your witness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok, so before our Catholic wedding ceremony, and before our Hindu ceremony (I promise, we are not really wedding-crazy ;-) )... this happened exactly two years ago. <i>A.</i> and I made a promise - to be a witness to each other's lives.<br />
<br />
I realize I haven't shared pictures from that amazing day - March 19th, 2011 - except for a few <a href="http://savor-everyday.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-season-of-life.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Partly because I wanted to treasure the memory to myself or to just the two of us (and the few people who were there), but partly because it was hard to choose which photos to share here on the blog. Even if I only have a handful of readers, <i>A</i>. had some reservations about posting "people pictures" on cyberspace - especially close-up shots - and I don't blame him. In fact, I also don't post many pictures of myself here either, so this is me going out on a limb. But I also want to look back at this, years later...<br />
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So, all that to say that this is the reason the pictures here don't show us directly looking at the camera, or were taken from a little more discreet, not so in-your-face close-up angles. I had to be selective :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxoyqHVfYUaObMH7Y_2xeoqgf-STtEG1zhW42Gy5Qiggg2uQSP1edYMTpAKEdn-FmlCDUCKm_m_5B-1HqLcepM3vQlGEkISZ0mWUdlydbS-7GdQriLWoPpViZgiPcZvu3s-s7n00AI1eu/s1600/AuburnTwinOaksGrounds.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxoyqHVfYUaObMH7Y_2xeoqgf-STtEG1zhW42Gy5Qiggg2uQSP1edYMTpAKEdn-FmlCDUCKm_m_5B-1HqLcepM3vQlGEkISZ0mWUdlydbS-7GdQriLWoPpViZgiPcZvu3s-s7n00AI1eu/s640/AuburnTwinOaksGrounds.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.auburntwinoaks.com/" target="_blank">Auburn Twin Oaks Winery</a>, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. <i>A.</i> and I had been to this family-owned winery a few times before and met the owners, who are just lovely people. They are not actually open to the public every day, but on some weekends they have food and wine tasting events. We talked to the owners to reserve this location, and had the whole place to ourselves! It felt like we were in Northeast Ohio's best kept secret. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2RWlykqAo8pqqHBOoYRtyD8MfbnJIrZOAQtccGmLDcaMSChyphenhyphenLcTzIdSWrCJPf_oEgdzf86qD1GCJkOj9hYVe3mxwC4qBONBREaodaExV89MYsABVOaaJmEWfa9tiqa19JSCIGQfFm-y-/s1600/AuburnTwinOaksExterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2RWlykqAo8pqqHBOoYRtyD8MfbnJIrZOAQtccGmLDcaMSChyphenhyphenLcTzIdSWrCJPf_oEgdzf86qD1GCJkOj9hYVe3mxwC4qBONBREaodaExV89MYsABVOaaJmEWfa9tiqa19JSCIGQfFm-y-/s640/AuburnTwinOaksExterior.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a beautiful, clear day, on the cusp between winter and spring. So fitting. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PXaiOVEMwD-0YN6DiIoqgGQWtof2ZIUW8cp8j2aOdqPol5FoBEfMlRZw3R9B_FhCWH0-Pv2AyMLIStrxpi9Zu_Fvb7m_jDYtaf3EQatWXcp4OMYXYZK0Zm9k94Q2KRIEAHLDatZY8VHz/s1600/wedding.3.19.11.auburn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PXaiOVEMwD-0YN6DiIoqgGQWtof2ZIUW8cp8j2aOdqPol5FoBEfMlRZw3R9B_FhCWH0-Pv2AyMLIStrxpi9Zu_Fvb7m_jDYtaf3EQatWXcp4OMYXYZK0Zm9k94Q2KRIEAHLDatZY8VHz/s640/wedding.3.19.11.auburn.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OGHLvsyqxayTQce7SEEF_c-MqGI7AlguyDJSoQJcFYK8_9gjWmVHnsILDeFlozNwaITbYC-U8ELi4veIjS1UnYUDmYS8NYtTf_hyphenhyphenfRSdrD4603OlnI39rQKT7k3penU5rFIfL_bRABVO/s1600/wedding.3.19.11.amit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OGHLvsyqxayTQce7SEEF_c-MqGI7AlguyDJSoQJcFYK8_9gjWmVHnsILDeFlozNwaITbYC-U8ELi4veIjS1UnYUDmYS8NYtTf_hyphenhyphenfRSdrD4603OlnI39rQKT7k3penU5rFIfL_bRABVO/s640/wedding.3.19.11.amit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think "walking with a purpose" would be a fitting caption for this photo, don't you think?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaPcGhjbsi48zTb1Ial_GcXq8v0Vqg2TnYb0eIuaTXELH5n6JSkaDa_oqDzVBPrRtoUDbuNH6unGfgeS326gv2Z9CTs6m8KbHfh9X2h2uICp60nU8KBmvHCFo3DvE0qvxo78kM1AhzIXj/s1600/AuburnTwinOaksInteriors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaPcGhjbsi48zTb1Ial_GcXq8v0Vqg2TnYb0eIuaTXELH5n6JSkaDa_oqDzVBPrRtoUDbuNH6unGfgeS326gv2Z9CTs6m8KbHfh9X2h2uICp60nU8KBmvHCFo3DvE0qvxo78kM1AhzIXj/s640/AuburnTwinOaksInteriors.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior of the winery was drenched in sunlight. I had to squeeze in a few minutes to take photos of my own. :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSz8WkELl105Xx2gvWGnaqPKEOEtBL2I6opiesPxfHfAwR77Ev4Shrc7qXtiIosqdVbj8XEpNMcZdp5jsdSjjg3pA02mnokqDrSKnk3buHas6PaALilhBor8NzhWmPQ4pXGcUqJZJOo9r/s1600/DSC_3795_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSz8WkELl105Xx2gvWGnaqPKEOEtBL2I6opiesPxfHfAwR77Ev4Shrc7qXtiIosqdVbj8XEpNMcZdp5jsdSjjg3pA02mnokqDrSKnk3buHas6PaALilhBor8NzhWmPQ4pXGcUqJZJOo9r/s640/DSC_3795_2.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bouquet of happy yellow flowers. My sister-in-law took care of this, aghast after hearing me say I would just pick up flowers myself from the store (I was trying to keep things as simple as possible). She had it executed perfectly. When asked what kind of flowers I would like, all I said was, "yellow and spring-like". I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful arrangement. Thanks so much, <i>G.</i>!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE-NttRVBYHWOdpWkix0BnkKBD3Hdt_jaw33JVtUyY3oU7c2aql6ZMdrctpGeypPvGkGBTaJyC5bBMaqbLonp3uXKk1DYuYaadTf18cLCWMMAAPlxIEYI1SkQv_oHRwNXYeYoe2mGsa_T/s1600/wedding.3.19.11.miaphoto-op.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE-NttRVBYHWOdpWkix0BnkKBD3Hdt_jaw33JVtUyY3oU7c2aql6ZMdrctpGeypPvGkGBTaJyC5bBMaqbLonp3uXKk1DYuYaadTf18cLCWMMAAPlxIEYI1SkQv_oHRwNXYeYoe2mGsa_T/s640/wedding.3.19.11.miaphoto-op.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo-op of photo-op. I can take pictures at my own wedding, can't I? </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNNwKkKLuyr7fV5Y-43GsIjZVlAM9pwOOh_sMoIwgQySMcJYJowj5GCsxBdTfdyqIEW_nbkXvbMnbYppBnQ1ZLNLvFN2tICZpAe1ekVjn-kdmicCUmXbV_veucIEZyVtdF72RRsP9v8EM/s1600/wedding.3.19.11.exchangingrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNNwKkKLuyr7fV5Y-43GsIjZVlAM9pwOOh_sMoIwgQySMcJYJowj5GCsxBdTfdyqIEW_nbkXvbMnbYppBnQ1ZLNLvFN2tICZpAe1ekVjn-kdmicCUmXbV_veucIEZyVtdF72RRsP9v8EM/s640/wedding.3.19.11.exchangingrings.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stood in a room on the top floor, with large windows that give you an almost 360-degree view of the grounds. The room was bathed in afternoon sunlight. We took turns reading verses of Oriah's <i>The Invitation</i>, which is one of my favorites. No matter how many times I've read the poem, reading it aloud on this important day got me all choked up and teary-eyed. We said our vows and exchanged rings, then we were married in front of 8 witnesses (8 including the marriage officiant, that is).</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5EfPiyCCF6b_xHOPOYGfflv6ueBnXTPn4M7WcfSQ-F_QzaiNnSz9KmjZU-sz3aOEDPH9kBw4Vt7atIH_eYsE-bOLao28i6Q68xsV0PlQWB1i7K9Xys6hhKoPTLMMFs_ckh4KndxHvJs-/s1600/wedding.3.19.11.stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5EfPiyCCF6b_xHOPOYGfflv6ueBnXTPn4M7WcfSQ-F_QzaiNnSz9KmjZU-sz3aOEDPH9kBw4Vt7atIH_eYsE-bOLao28i6Q68xsV0PlQWB1i7K9Xys6hhKoPTLMMFs_ckh4KndxHvJs-/s400/wedding.3.19.11.stairs.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJt3tW9uyj0GDUnkF84i3CTAFi30e3Jo0N7XYjS2G1x0tsRRp8R8oW9M4lcJ6eAFPYlB1h9jS9Z9XEAso1wPbxJo-VYM9xlr8hFY_5SZQVpA5HFXtq6Ps7sfT4_Zttgg4qz1DDdFXdOK-/s1600/wedding.3.19.11.funshots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJt3tW9uyj0GDUnkF84i3CTAFi30e3Jo0N7XYjS2G1x0tsRRp8R8oW9M4lcJ6eAFPYlB1h9jS9Z9XEAso1wPbxJo-VYM9xlr8hFY_5SZQVpA5HFXtq6Ps7sfT4_Zttgg4qz1DDdFXdOK-/s640/wedding.3.19.11.funshots.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After we exchanged vows, we took a walk outside. My brothers asked <i>A.</i> to
carry me for some goofy pictures.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08dkSbbWUcxLU6PirmsVV8jTOoPYSbclMuBUJeeh6sd-XoRdXda4aEG3ywzIw77NvEgtNvvxda0IrgJFHbANO6495f0irDH4TxBO7NOMWjwVlwLo70dwb9dB4xo7wqsUAfSrHTR0YU77C/s640/wedding.3.19.11.back.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a beautiful day - the sun was
out, but do not be deceived... it was actually quite cold!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz57A8opBGlKSnLwxDCVuVbs67KCA3pVw3xglElGT2ieOXhQ4Dl4LsKciwxmgLoJjeXVGdlmZjy-gIQtMxzjFWArBzaQDw-kmCxvRM7yfbKtHMsDY9rmId3Y4nlxSNwZWzvlPBfrI6H4bA/s1600/wedding.3.19.11.cakeandapps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz57A8opBGlKSnLwxDCVuVbs67KCA3pVw3xglElGT2ieOXhQ4Dl4LsKciwxmgLoJjeXVGdlmZjy-gIQtMxzjFWArBzaQDw-kmCxvRM7yfbKtHMsDY9rmId3Y4nlxSNwZWzvlPBfrI6H4bA/s640/wedding.3.19.11.cakeandapps.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went back inside to enjoy wine (for them) and cake (for me! Ok... for them too). I had no idea my friends were baking a chocolate cake in my kitchen while I was out that morning getting a haircut - which, in my world, is my version of getting my hair "styled" (I know... clueless.). It didn't occur to me when I got back home, why they were both standing in the kitchen, leaning <i>strategically</i> on the oven door so I couldn't see what was baking inside. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJhnRifPmI5rUrONZdMoDt3Eq62gFyP0E9XqTrHx0sVqDJEfRiCqnPYadwoV_mkaob9PTQOJHW8lntboLTqLuDCBtefyemgGqWIqwmwbVGJ55viyh5yCEqtl4zX-RUhcMFa6FBLBdhdis/s1600/wedding.3.19.11.collage.happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJhnRifPmI5rUrONZdMoDt3Eq62gFyP0E9XqTrHx0sVqDJEfRiCqnPYadwoV_mkaob9PTQOJHW8lntboLTqLuDCBtefyemgGqWIqwmwbVGJ55viyh5yCEqtl4zX-RUhcMFa6FBLBdhdis/s640/wedding.3.19.11.collage.happy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So happy.</td></tr>
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<i>(Photos taken by my brother, a dear friend, and me.)</i><br />
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As I look back, I think one of the reasons this day was so special was that the whole ceremony was stripped down to the bare essentials - without any extraneous details that could potentially take away from the essence of what was happening. And yes, this is coming from a detail-oriented person such as myself. Even my mom was amused that I didn't buy anything new to wear. We only bought very simple wedding bands. The place was already beautiful and needed no additional decorations. And everything else (flowers & food) was taken care of by family and friends. <i> </i></div>
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It wasn't about the details this time.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>~</i></b></span></div>
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I'll end with one of my favorite quotable movie lines - from the movie <i>Shall We Dance</i>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wrOtwuW3Pmo" width="420"></iframe><br /></div>
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Susan Sarandon: "Why is it, do you think, that people get married?"<br />
Richard Jenkins: "Passion."<br />
Susan Sarandon: "No."<br />
Richard Jenkins: "It's interesing, because I would have taken you for a romantic. Why, then?" <br />
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Susan Sarandon: "Because we need a witness to our lives...there are a billion people on the planet, I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything...the good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things...all of it, all the time, everyday. You're saying, '<i>Your life will not go unnoticed, because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed, because I will be your witness.</i>'"<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>~</i></b></span> </div>
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<i><b>Happy anniversary, A... here's to being each other's witness. </b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>All my love.</b></i></div>
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1647842839841951189.post-70249616732152042892013-03-04T15:43:00.000-05:002013-03-04T15:43:05.873-05:00little milestones<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So happy that the sun is out today!!! Even if it snowed here all
weekend, I am so happy with the thought that spring is just around the
corner... hope the sun is shining there too, wherever you are...<br />
<br />
The past few weeks have felt like a marathon of sorts, work-wise. Surprisingly, things seem to have settled down by the end of last week. Last Saturday, I did have one work-related conference call on my schedule in the morning. After it ended, I actually said to <i>A</i>., (but really, more to myself), "I'm not going to work anymore today."<br />
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This may not sound earth-shattering to you, but it felt like a breakthrough to me. A little milestone. To actually say it out loud: "I am done working today" and then turn off my laptop, and not obsess about work-related emails the rest of the day. And more importantly, to not feel guilty about it. Because feeling guilty about not working keeps me from fully enjoying periods of rest. <br />
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This time, it felt really, really good. <br />
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Do you have trouble "turning off" or letting go of work on weekends? Or are you able to set boundaries between work and rest? I'd love to know.<br />
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Mia (Savor Everyday)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14765585509553777607noreply@blogger.com2