Author: MS

Food: Dinner Tonight – Salad with Chickpea, Corn, Tomato, Avocado

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Ingredients that go way back in my culture, are now coming to light – in all sorts of ways. But the only difference in this case, is that we used to eat roasted lightly salted chickpeas as a snack (instead of candy) and never have considered it in salad. 🙂 So, since I am on the verge of converting to plant-based ‘not-diet’ – I figured I’d give this salad a try – with the feta cheese. Because…I have trouble letting-go of cheese. INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, and or parsley, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives 1 can (14 ounce) chickpeas, drained 4 ears grilled or steamed corn, kernels removed 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 2 Persian cucumbers, diced 1 cup cubed feta cheese 1 avocado, diced SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 shallot, finely chopped 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice + the zest of 1 lemon 2 teaspoons honey 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 pinch crushed red peppers flakes kosher salt and black pepper {more} On another note, what films have you seen lately and recommend? yes, I did go..and..see…Hobbs and Shaw

Food: Home-made Pizza Night

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I love home-made pizza, even if making the crust is sometimes challenging – since I am not one who loves kneading dough to perfection. But…there is so much to be said about home-made and this recipe sound delicious…and naturally you are always welcome to bring your butter/oil of choice. INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil and Sea Salt 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for serving 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 pinch black pepper 1/2 pound pizza dough, homemade or store-bought 1 cup baby spinach 3 ounces crumbled goat cheese 1 heirloom tomato, sliced ¼” thick 1 cup cubed provolone or mozzarella 2 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved flaky sea salt   2 tablespoons balsamic or white balsamic vinegar  {more}  

Lifestyle: We Do Feel Unmotivated Sometimes

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I tend to stick to a daily ritual in order to stay motivated. This has been the case for a while now –  because I realized since my days consist of  dealing with too many unmotivated individuals who have an excuse not to work on self-improvement or perhaps simply cannot, I needed to do my best not to be that way.  But, once in a blue moon or a silvery one 🙂 I feel uninspired, and perhaps a bit unmotivated,  mostly at the end of summer and the beginning of Fall. Which I’m sure you feel the same way too, at some point in a week, a month, or a year, and need direction, or advise, from online or books to help you through whatever is making you feel this way.  For that, I am sharing  my picks for books that may inspire…from a list of 12 suggestions, which you can find here:

Culture: Let’s Talk Entertainment

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There is much buzz about shows, films and simple entertainment news, which sometimes is a fun topic to discuss and exchange opinions about – and so here is mine – about… In Comedy Tune In Period Series For This Fall Upcoming Movies from Books have you read the books?   What are you looking forward to? Or what shows have you seen on television and recommend?

Travel: Have You Been To Mallorca, Spain

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I’ve been to Spain many a times but never to Mallorca, but only because of having to fly there- we decided to pass up on Mallorca – which of course was a big mistake, and proceed up north from Barcelona towards southern France . But no fretting about it – I am planning a future trip to Mallorca – and only Mallorca and staying right here {all image source}

Food: Plant Based Desserts

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Would you ever consider a plant based diet? You know, to help flush out the impurities in your system and somewhat recharge your body. Well, I’ve been leaning towards this concept and have been doing much research to determine if this style of life is the right one for my body. With that said, the first thing I did was research if desserts could be made with only plant-based ingredients and look what I stumbled upon! Would you try the diet or the way-of-eating since plant-based diet isn’t considered an actual diet? Or are you too much of a meat lover? I’d love to hear your side of the story

Travel: Top Restaurants From Around the World

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I seriously could not decide what category to place this article under – Food or Travel?  Because if you happen to be lucky enough to live where the top restaurant is located, then it’s a food topic, but if you happen to be travelling in the near future and want to know the best of restaurants to go to – then it’s a travel topic – I suppose either way, it is a win-win to have access to this list of top restaurants:   And oh, I have highlighted the restaurants in San Francisco for your convenience 🙂 and maybe we can meet up for dinner there – you know, when you get into town… 1. Mirazur (Menton, France) 2. Noma (Copenhgagen, Denmark) 3. Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo, Spain) 4. Gaggan (Bangkok, Thailand) 5. Geranium (Copenhagen, Denmark) 6. Central (Lima, Peru) 7. Mugaritz (San Sebastian, Spain) 8. Arpège (Paris, France) 9. Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain) 10. Maido (Lima, Peru) 11. Den (Tokyo, Japan) 12. Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico) 13. White Rabbit (Moscow, Russia) 14. Azurmendi (Larrabetzu, Spain) 15. …

Fashion: Style Parisian and Mermaid Inspired Bodice

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I’ve been too focused on travel these past few weeks, but only because it is that season and I am having withdrawals. Since this year, everyone I normally visit has decided to visit me in San Francisco during the worst of seasons – FOG, and more FOG and cold and no visibility, just white with much sprinkles. 🙂 So fashion came to be the topic today because, I happen to love Parisian style, and Italian ones and the idea of creativity in terms of design.

Travel: Cornwall, England Did Not Disappoint

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I fell in-love with Cornwall in May 2018, after carefully spending a month before planning a trip there. The thing about Cornwall is that it is best experienced driving and since I have family living in England, this option was a simple matter of getting them to take me around in a car, the incentive, an all-expense paid week long holiday. You see, I am not yet confident in driving on the other side of the road in England – being an American and all. But after the six plus hours it took us to get to a destination which normally – or on American roads – take about two hours for a 200 mile drive, in this case from near London – Cornwall did not disappoint. Sadly, the destination is a place I know I need to discover again, in great detail – because normally the first trip anywhere is just touching up on the surface of things and only staying in touristy areas. Next time it will be beaches and more breaches…where the …