Concert Review: Arkona

This past weekend I saw one of the best live concerts I have ever seen in my life: ARKONA.  I consider myself an avid concert goer and have seen a variety of live shows in my lifetime. Lately they have been so expensive that I don't go as often as I would like. However, I have been known to take a road trip just to see a band perform. Music is that important to me and speaks to my soul. And this band does just that!



Arkona

Only recently have I discovered Arkona. They are a Russian folk metal band, with a woman as their lead singer. She is absolutely amazing. It doesn't matter that she sings in Russian, because the musicality and emotions of it all transcend any language barrier. They know how to rock and they put on a fantastic live show.  Even if you don't go for the style of music, I guarantee you will be inspired by their stage presence.
The show felt magical to me. It's rare that you just discover a band, then get to see them live a few months later. I really didn't think they would be coming to the states anytime soon. But they played at a small venue, Peabody's, last Saturday night, opening for another band. That was the only complaint I had, the set was only 42 minutes, and it was over so fast. But what an incredible show it was. I was so close to the stage that I was able to get this shot with my phone:


Frontwoman Masha Scream of Arkona

 It's actually hard to put down in words just how great the show was. Masha had the crowd captivated with her energy. She was so fun to watch and such a performer. The whole band just flowed together really well. Here is another pic I snapped:



Rockin' the stage at Peabody's


Headbanging, heavy guitar riffs, ethnic wind instruments, booming drums and a mosh pit all came together in a perfect combinatin that night. Simply put, Masha is a bad ass and her bandmates deliver equally. They are still touring. GO if you get a chance. Check out a video on youtube. Here is a great pic I found on google:


Masha rockin' out.

 I am SO glad I got to see them live. What an unforgettable experience. Thank you for touring North America, Arkona!!

Ceiling Cat:An Unwelcome House Guest

     This past week, the hubby and I moved into a (rental) house. And it came with a surprise: a cat living/hiding in the basement ceiling! It was not a nice surprise! It was quite unexpected and bizarre actually. Let me start from the beginning. We moved in on a Saturday, and the cat was already there. However, we did not know this. We found some poop in the basement, assumed it was from the landlord's dog and maybe he forgot to clean it up. Later that day, hubby says he thinks allergies are acting up and thought he heard a cat meow. I kind of brushed it off, not thinking more about it. Sunday rolls around, and there is more poop in the basement! Now we know there is there is some kind of animal in the basement. I felt like I was in an episode of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia", expect not as funny. Later on that day, we hear the cat loud and clear. Then hubby sees it later as it came out of hiding and into the kitchen. Hubby yells at it and it retreats to the basement. It finds a favorite hiding spot in the ceiling, and we try to coax it out, with no luck.
     At this time, we decide to call it am night and go back to our old place, which luckily we still had. Next day, we call animal control. Not much help. "Just because we can see it, doesn't mean we can catch it." Great. He did come and put two traps down though. They were meant for a raccoon or some other animal, but he put cat food in them. Then he left. I went upstairs and sat on a chair to study. I heard meowing really loud, but thought it was coming from the basement. To my surprise, the cat sauntered out from behind the couch! It scared the crap out of me. I thought it was still in the basement. Cat then ran into the basement, and I try to coax it out by meowing and offering it tuna. It ALMOST worked. I had it at the top of the basement stairs, on it's way out the side door. But as soon as I fully opened the door, where it was storming and raining outside, cat took one look and ran back down the stairs. NO! I was so upset, being so close to getting it out. Hubby comes home that night and we get smart and board up the door to the laundry room. At least we knew where it was at that point.
     We leave for the night yet again. Next night we return to the cat infested house. How are we going to catch this?! We thought it may be too smart for the trap. Filled with anticipation, we de-board the basement door to find the cat in the trap!! Yes! I was soo relieved. What an unwelcome house guest. It was hungry enough to go into the trap for the food. It went in the first trap and ate the food, but the trap didn't work. Luckily he got greedy and went to the second trap for more food, where he was finally trapped. Animal control came back to get him, and just let him outside in our driveway. It was definitely someone's pet because it had a flea collar on. So I hope someone got their pet back that night. I was just so relieved to finally have our house critter free!

Trapped!

My Crock Pot Makes Me A Good Cook

I have said it before, and I will say it again: My crock pot makes me a good cook! I have never been a natural in the kitchen. I have to follow a recipe. I'm not usually comfortable just making it up as I go along. Thank goodness for the slow cooker. My favorite meals are usually made in it: lasagna, sausage and peppers and a new favorite, buffalo chicken pasta. I made if for the first time last night, and it was delicious. It is also a clean eating recipe. You won't find any perservatives here! You can add lots of veggies as well. Here's the recipe:
You Will Need:
1 lb natural chicken
1 small container regular Frank's hot sauce (Don't use the buffalo flavors-lot's of icky things in them)
1 can cream of chicken (I use Pacific Natural Foods brand, all organic ingredients.)
1 can crushed (or diced) tomatoes ( I like Eden Organcis, BPA free!)
Diced onions and peppers-however much you like
1/2 cup of grated cheese
12 oz of pasta ( I used whole wheat rotini)
To Prepare:
Put chicken in crock pot. Season with salt and pepper if you like. Stir in hot sauce and cream of chicken soup. Add  tomatoes, peppers and onions. Put on either high for 2-3 hours or low for 3-4 hours. Stir in cheese after it's done cooking. Turn off crock pot. Cook pasta, drain and then add to mixture. Stir well and serve! Add ranch if you like. Absolutely delicious!

Wordless Wednesday: 40 Years Of Love

This Saturday marks the 40th anniversary of my grandparents, a.k.a. Marian and Charlie. 

1971

I feel lucky to have these two as my grandparents. They have been so supportive and loving through the years, always there when I needed them the most. They are truly an inspiration for unconditional love, support and understanding.  May they have many more happy years together! Happy Anniversary!!

2010

The Quiet One And Perception of Pesonality

I stumbled upon this article about quiet people and the assumptions you may make about then. Truth is, I tend to be one of these"quiet" people. I have never really thought of how this comes off to others. Partly because I am not always the quiet one, depending on the social setting. However, I was forced to think about it after a student conference with my professor yesterday. She said I was doing great and to keep up the good work. She also said that I am quiet, and she wants to hear my voice more. Okay, I thought. I could speak up more. But I am not silent. I do talk, not as much as others, but more than some. So what does my "quiet personality" say about me? That I am smart? That I am an introvert? That I lack confidence? The article does a good job dispelling the myths. If you are interested in the topic, it's a good read.

The other thing I want to touch on are the words introvert and extrovert. Everyone assumes that an introvert is  quiet, shy, keeps to themselves and doesn't like people too much. Same goes for extrovert, just opposite: loud, life of party, center of attention, doesn't like to be alone. However, Carl Jung was the first to come up with these ideas.  He described these terms not in the way we act, but how we perceive the world. An introvert is one who looks inside themselves for direction. They tend to feel their way through things more. An extrovert is someone who looks to the outside world for direction. They rely more on what others are doing as a source of direction. Therefore you can have an extrovert(looking to others for a source of energy) who is actually more quiet and emotional, but still wants to follow the "popular" path. And you can have an introvert(looking to themselves) who is loud and boisterous, maybe the leader of the group. Pretty interesting when you stop to think about it. Which term do you think describes you better?

Carl Jung-more of an introvert

My Niece Got Married:Wedding Pics

This past weekend my niece, Tara, who is only a few years younger than me, got married! What a fun wedding! With an open bar, cupcakes, good company and dancing, what more could you want? Here are some pics from the joyous event:

Maid of Honor + Bride and Groom

I do!

First Dance.

Me and the beautiful bride!

Yum, cupcakes!

Nephew Marco. How cute!

Cousins sharing a dance. 

My fav pic-Lucas rocking out!

Congratulations to Tara and Scott!

If You Don't, Who Will?

It's midnight! So why am I blogging now? (Actually, it's 12:28 a.m.) I suppose it's the night owl in me. (Even though I do need to get up early tomorrow). Anyway, I was playing around with the design on my blog, and it got me thinking about why I started blogging in the first place. I was transitioning over to cleaner, healthier foods and wanted an outlet for it. And I realized I haven't posted much more about the subject, besides recipes. I really have made some major changes in my eating habits. Here are the big ones:

• I have been eating more fruits and veggies in general. 
• I have been eating organic and local whenever possible. 
• Eating only grass-fed beef.
• Eating only free-range eggs.
• I never buy bread anymore and hardly eat it. I really don't miss it either. 
• I never buy lunch meat, hot dogs or any kind of processed meats. 
• I stay away from overly processed foods in general.
• Steer clear of anything artificial. Preservatives, additives, colors and all those yucky things. 
• I snack on almonds, dried fruit and veggie chips.

Of course, it took some time and money to get here. It's not always cheap. But it is worth the price of my health. Overall, I really do feel better. And I also believe everything in moderation. I still eat pizza. I even buy frozen ones. I do try to get a healthier brand. I still love popcorn and licorice. I just eat a lot less of it. And I really don't try to eat that good when I go out to eat, mainly because I don't eat out a lot.


Are you looking to make a change? Baby steps! Start by replacing your breakfast with oatmeal or eggs. Eat a salad or yogurt at lunch. And add more veggies to your dinner plate. Cook more. Eat less processed foods. Drink lots of water too. We all owe it to ourselves to nourish our bodies! If you don't, who will?

A Letter I Will Never Send

So I stole this post idea from Ashley. What a good idea! I have been thinking similar thoughts in my own head. Letters I maybe want to write, but never will. Here they can have a home.

Dear Me,
Stop being so hard on yourself. Relax a little and have confidence. You are intelligent and you can do it.

Love, Me

Dear Neighbor,
Please STOP slamming your door at all hours of the day. Seriously, how hard is it to catch the door right before it closes so it doesn't slam shut??

Thanks, your neighbor


Dear Kelly,
I am so sorry we have been playing phone tag forever!! I really want to talk to you and hear all about your trip!!

Love B dog

Dear littlest sis,
Your courage and determination are inspiring. Keep your chins up! LOL

Love B1

Dear Mom,
I am sorry you never got to have the life you wanted.  I am sorry life turned out so crazy for you.  Thanks for inspiring my love of music and making me never want to touch a cigarette.

Love, your daughter

Dearest husband,
Thank you for being so supportive and amazing. Things have not always been easy for us. Finally feels like a turning point in our lives. I love you so much and you make me happy to be alive :)

Love, your love.

Dear Verizon,
You can suck it, because I am never going to use your services again! I am so glad to be done with you soon. You could care less about your customers and only care about your profit. Good bye!!

Sincerely, one very unsatisfied customer.

Dear future Physics students,
Start studying now. Learn how to teach yourself.  Make sure you are an advocate for yourself.

Love, a current Physics student


Dear pregnant friends,
Get some sleep now (if you can.) Your little bundle of joy is about to change your life in a big way. I hope you are prepared and get to have the birth you want.

Love, your childless friend


Dear Makers of Bottled Water:
You can stop trying to fool us. We are catching on to your shenanigans. Do everyone a favor and just stop raping Mother Earth for a profit, okay? OK. Because we are destroying her fast enough as it is. Where exactly will we live without her?!?!

Sweet Potato + Quinoa Burgers

I did a quick internet search for this recipe, and found, oh, so many recipes. I finally just had to pick one out of the bunch. The one I picked claimed to have the secret recipe to "non-mushy" burgers. Who wants mushy burgers?? Not I!  Whoa. Close call. Here is my take on the recipe:

What You Will Need:
cooked sweet potatoes
cooked quinoa, cooled.
1 TB ketchup
1 TB curry powder
oats (not the instant kind)

Okay, so I played with the amounts. I only had one sweet potato in my house. So I only used one. I only cooked 1 cup of quinoa, but only used about 1/2 cup of it. I just played with the quinoa/swt pot mixture until I thought it was even. Then add onions, and seasonings/ketchup Blend them in a food processor or mash together well. Then I slowly add the oats in until the mix wasn't so sticky. I didn't measure it out.  Make into patties. Here's another secret to non-mushy burgers:put patties in the freezer for 20 min or so before you bake them. This helps with the stickiness factor. I then baked the patties in my toaster oven. You could cook on skillet as well. (I only had 3.5 patties)

 This was a super easy recipe and turned out delicious!!!

Warrior Dash!!

This past weekend was the infamous Warrior Dash. For those who haven't heard about this crazy event, think a marathon with obstacles. The course was 3 miles long and had approx 10 obstacles to get through along the way. The obstacles included: jumping over fire, running up steep hills, swimming through a mud pit and jumping through tires, etc.  Oh, and the MUD. IT was everywhere. I did not run the course, just watched and played photographer. Yet, even I ended up muddy. The event was quite entertaining, and I think I may actually try the next one.Check out some of the pics!

The warriors before the race. 

And after. Glorious mud.

My hubby after the race.

My friend Chewy all muddied up!

Vacation Destination: Hood River, Oregon

When I visited Pdx this summer, I took a day trip to Hood River, Or. I am so glad I did, because it was absolutely gorgeous. The kind of place ideal for retiring to. Hood Rive is a city that sits on the Columbia River, about an hour east of Portland. Even the drive there was relaxing. Picturesque mountain views and blue skies practically any direction you look. Hood River is filled with wineries, local farms, organic orchards, lavender farms, and much more. It is also a world-class windsurfing and kiteboarding destination. If you ever get the chance to visit, you must!

Columbia riverfront.

Gorgeous. 

Kiteboarders in action.

Mt Hood (does this even look real??)

Lavendar Valley

Organic cherry orchard

The biggest ones are at the top!

Day #15 And What I Learned From My Juicing Cleanse

I can hardly believe that it is day #15 of the cleanse. I made it to my goal. I did it. Feels good! I have lost a total of 8 lbs in only 15 days. This may not sound like a lot, but I do not lose weight easily. In the past, I would be lucky to lose one pound per week. So 8 lbs is pretty awesome for me. I juiced/made green smoothies for 15 days. Here is the breakdown:
The Good:
* I have lost weight.
* I feel healthier.
* I have reset my body's need for food. I get full A LOT faster now.
* I have a better relationship with veggies. They actually taste better to me now.
* Meal planning was easy since every meal consisted of juice. It was kinda nice not having to cook.
* It was fun trying different combos of fruits/veggies to see what tasted best.
* My workouts were much easier. Didn't spend nearly as much time in the gym.
The Bad:
* Sometimes you really just want a slice of pizza and not another glass of juice.
* I was hungry a lot during days 2-5. Sure, make another juice. Not want I wanted though.
* Day #3 was the worst. I felt tired, no energy, headachey and overall, BLAH.
* Food is such a social thing. I found myself turning down invites just so I didn't have to be around food.
Confession:
I tried to eliminate alcohol and caffeine during the 15 days. However, I am not perfect.I had a glass of wine one night. I had half a glass of Guinness another night. I had a cup of coffee one day. I ate popcorn.(Twice.) This was definitely one of the hardest things I had ever done, and so I cheated a bit. There were also some days when I actually ate a salad or had some soup.
Your Questions Answered:
1.Could you workout? Yes, but I took it easy. Light cardio or yoga. No weight training.
2.Was it hard to be around food? Yes and no. It depended on how far along I was. The first 5 days, I just wasn't around food in general. But if I was, then it would have been hard. On day #8 and #11, I went to birthday parties where I had to turn down food and cake. It wasn't so bad. I made sure I had juice with me. And peaches. They are delicious. I went to a restaurant on day #13, and just ordered some soup.
3. Did it get boring? Not too bad. It was fun juicing and coming up with different combinations to try.
4. Did it hurt? No, besides day #3 when I felt almost sick.
5. Would you do it again? Yes! It was worth it.
 Suggestions If You Want To Detox:
* Have some support in a spouse/friend/relative. It really helps. (Thanks to everyone who sent me encouraging tweets!)
*The first day was fun. Day #2 and #3 got harder for me. Try to plan minimal activities these days. Give yourself time to rest and relax. 
*Stock up with fruits and veggies. Otherwise, you will be going to the store a lot. They run out fast.
*Choose a reasonable time period and one you can realistically stick with. I was home a lot and that made it easier for me. Think about a 5 day commitment.
*If you slip up and eat something, don't beat yourself up about it.No one is perfect, and tomorrow is a new day.
Summation:
It was well worth the effort. It feels good to reach a goal you have set for yourself. I plan on keeping the green smoothies a regular part of my diet now. I would like to do a detox once every 1-2 mos. as well. I was hoping to lose 10 lbs, so maybe another detox would get me there. Green smoothies FTW!

I Dyed My Hair With Henna

When I was in Pdx, I had my sister help me dye my hair with henna. I have been trying to get away from chemicals and artificial things altogether. So my next step was to change the way I dye my hair. And what's more natural than  henna?! We went to a local beauty supple store and picked up a box of henna hair dye and some gloves. That's all you need. No developer, toner or harsh chemicals.

The henna powder mixed with water. 

The directions were simple. Mix the henna powder with water until you get a thick consistency, slightly like mud. Cover your entire head and leave on for one hour. Henna will only make your hair darker. So I choose a color that was only a shade lighter than what I already had.

Henna head.

The back.

 The henna felt like dirt or mud on my head. It was very earthy and sandy. However, there was no bad smell, no sting or burn either. I let it sit for 1.5 hours. After that, I rinsed it out in the bathtub. Big mistake! It clumps like mud and almost clogged the drain. I would suggest going outside and getting the big clumps out before you use the a sink or tub.

The results.

And the results! Shiny, soft, henna-dyed hair with a touch of red. It wasn't a dramatic change, but gave me the color boost I needed. Also, it didn't cover my roots as well as I wanted. I think next time I will try putting some henna on the roots for an hour and then pulling the rest through for another hour. Overall, I was happy with how it turned out. Yay for henna! :)

Green Smoothie Recipe: Orange Dream

Here is another of my favorite smoothie recipes thus far:

You Will Need:
1 orange
1/2 c pineapple
1 peach
1 cup of spinach
1-2 kale leaves
2 c water

Blend all ingredients together. Blend well-on high for at least 45 sec. Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday: Take A Peek Inside My Fridge

If you guessed that it was full of fruits and veggies, you would be right!!

Green Smoothie Recipe: Tropical Treat

This has been one of my favorite green smoothies so far.

You Will Need:
 2 cups of water
1 mango (approx 1 cup)
1 cup of pineapple
1 cup of spinach
1/4 cup of parsley
a splash of lemon juice

Put all ingredients in the blender, fruit first. Blend for a good 45 sec. Enjoy!

My Green Smoothie/Juicing Detox Plan

After watching Fat Sick and Nearly Dead, I decided I wanted to start juicing too. Well, blending anyway. I do not own a  juicer, but I have found a blender works just fine. Why? Many reasons: to detox, for better health, more energy, weight loss and feeling more well overall. It's also a challenge. How long can I go without eating? I am going to try 15 days. Today is Day #2. So far, so good. I feel good. I slept really well last night. I did feel some hunger pains yesterday, but I would just make another batch of juice. I think the more I do it, the more my body with get used to it.

If you haven't seen the doc, you should check it out. It really hits home and shows you how successful juicing can be. There is also an online community to help you should you decide to juice, Join the reboot. There are different programs. Choose the best one for you. The best part? It's free!

Even with changing my eating habits and eating more clean, I still wasn't eating enough vegetables. Juicing makes it so easy to do. You don't have to sit down and eat a big salad or worry about making healthy veggie side dishes. Cooking also destroys some of the nutrients in food. Juicing is more effective because it tears up the cells in the fruits and veggies, enabling a much quicker uptake. Plus, the chlorophyll resembles our blood cells. It's like recharging your blood-making it healthier and more natural. What's not to like??

Portlandia

What an amazing vacation. Truly relaxing and fun, as a vacation should be. I love this city so much. It feels like home. Here are some photos from my trip:

Aerial view of Mt. Hood.

Waterfront park.

Gorgeous day.

Burnside Bridge.

A Warning To Older College Students W/ Transfer Credits

I wanted to share this information with you because it's something I wish I had known when starting school. I am an older adult student, starting school this fall for an AS degree. I have attended college before, and came with 55 transfer credits on my record. These were basic gen ed courses, as I switched my major a few times. I never thought these courses would hinder me, as I needed some of them to count toward my AS degree. I was totally unaware of the SAP policy my school has in place. (Check your school, as every one is different.) SAP stands for satisfactory academic progress, of which there are two main components, grades and time frame. If you don't meet a certain GPA or finish your degree withing a certain number of attempted credits, you will be disqualified for financial aid.
Like I said, each school is different. My school has a cap of 93 credit limits. So I only get 93 credits at an "attempt" of finishing a degree. All of my transfer credits are included in that. So with my 20+ credits I have taken at the current school while waiting to start the program, I am nearly at 93.  This does not seem fair to me. I wasn't attempting a degree at my current school when I took these 55 credits. So now I have to appeal this policy in the fall so that I will be eligible for aid. I am not looking forward to it.
My point being: check your financial aid policy and know what you are getting into. I would have done some things differently if I was aware of this. The major blow for me? I was approved for the first time ever for a pell grant. Now I might risk losing it because of the maximum time frame. I was so upset when I found this out. I don't have extra money for college, and I really need financial aid, even if it is a loan. Sometimes life can just really suck. Plus, the decision of the appeal is final. I still have two more years in school that I have to figure out how to pay for.

Foodie Friday: Clean Eating Chicken Wings

This recipe is clean because I used all natural chicken, baked (not fried) and there are no icky preservatives! I found the on The Gracious Pantry's blog. Click the link for the recipe. I pretty much followed the recipe exactly. Except I left out the onion powder and molasses, only because I didn't have any. I did use Frank's Hot Sauce, but not the buffalo sauce since it has preservatives in it. I used 1/2 cup of honey, because it was pretty spicy. I also used my own spices, a combo of paprika, basil and pepper. They turned out freaking amazing!! I will def be making this again. Simple and delicious!

Wordless Wednesday: Voodoo Doughnuts

It's true what they say about Voodoo:the magic in in the hole. Or in the Old Dirty Bastard, Marshall Mathers, Butterfingering, or Dirty Snowballs (all doughnuts.) I am visiting PDX next week and can't wait to grab a doughnut.It's totally worth the  20+ minute wait in line.

Apartment Living: My Porch Garden

Do you live in an apartment? Don't have a yard for a garden? If you have a porch or balcony, think again! It is possible to grow your own food with minimal space. Time to get creative! Don't let your small space compromise your health.

My "garden" on the balcony.

 From left to right, aloe plant, mint plant, pepper plant and tomato plant.

Peppers are ready!

Tomatoes are not quite ripe yet. 

Aloe is good for burns.

Mint is good for mojitos!

Also growing, but not pictured, in the window of our spare bedroom: lavender, hot banana peppers, and an herb mixture. These are still in the early stages. My advice would be to start small, one plant at a time. I looking forward to eating my very own organic food soon! You can do it too. Your body will thank you.

Foodie Friday: Spanish Noodle Skillet

I tried this recipe for the first time this week. It turned out pretty good, so I thought I would share.
You Will Need:
1 lb of beef (I prefer grass fed)
1 small onion, diced
1-2 bell peppers, chopped
1-2 cups of noodles (I used whole wheat elbow macaroni)
2 cups of tomatoes, pureed in food processor or diced well
1-2 t. of paprika
1 t. basil
1/4 t. oregano
3/4 c  water
*bacon is optional but adds that extra kick (I used 5-6 strips)

To Prepare:
1. Cook pasta according to directions on box.
2. Brown the beef.
3. Cut up veggies and cook bacon while doing steps 1 and 2.
4. When beef is done, drain excess fat. Put back in skillet and add spices, peppers, onions, water and tomatoes. Cover and simmer for 10 min.
5. Add cooked noodles, stir well, cover and simmer for 5-10 more minutes. Top with bacon.
Manja!

Wordless Wednesday: My Favorite Bridge

This is St. Johns Bridge in Portland, Or. It is Portland's tallest and only suspension bridge, and by far the coolest.

7 Things To Consider Before Getting Tattooed

Thinking about taking the plunge and getting inked for the first time? Or maybe you are considering a 2nd or 3rd tattoo and want it to be better than your first? Let this motto be your friend " A good tattoo isn't cheap, and a cheap tattoo isn't good."

1. Find a good artist. This is really the key to your perfect piece of ink. Ask around. Check reviews. Do some research here. This is a big one. 
2. Give your artist some creative freedom.Sure, it's good to come in with an idea of what you want. Maybe even an exact reference. Still, always leave the tattooer room to tweak it. Why? They are the expert and the artist. They probably see something you don't. They will understand what works best, so give them some control. 
3. Go in sober. Don't drink. No drugs. Nothing. Let your body do it's thing. 
4. Eat. Don't go in on an empty stomach. Bring water and hydrate as well.
5. Forget about the pain. Focus on something else. Engage in conversation. Watch a movie. Listen to music. Text someone. The first 10-15 minutes are the most intense, and it gets better from there.
6. Breathe. Try and relax. Enjoy the experience.
7. Talk to your tattooer about aftercare. One of the most important parts to ensure the life of your ink!!

Foodie Friday: Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers

I love my crock pot. It makes cooking easy. Just toss it in and leave it for a few hours! Here is my recipe for Italian Sausage and Peppers. Use whatever seasonings you prefer.
You Will Need:
1 lb of sausage browned (I like to use nitrate-free turkey sausage)
3 or 4 bell peppers
1 large onion
4 cloves of garlic
one can of diced tomatoes
one small jar tomato paste

To Prepare:
1.Brown the sausage. Chop up your peppers and onions while sausage is cooking.
2.In a greased crock pot, layer onion, peppers, sausage, onion, peppers. I also like to add some baby spinach into the mix.
3.In separate bowl, mix the diced tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste and 1/ 2 cup of water. Top with whatever herbs/seasonings you desire. Stir well and pour over everything in crock pot.
4.Cook on low for 5-6 hrs.
I like to eat the meal with quinoa. The sauce soaks into the quinaa quite nicely. You could also make a sandwich with it or add rice to it. Manja!

Wordless Wednesday: Best Mouthwash Ever!!

You need to try this. Your mouth will thank you!

Concert Review: SADE

I can't get Sade out of my head. I saw her perform last Saturday at The Q in Cleveland. She was simply amazing.Brilliant. Beautiful. One of the best shows I have ever been to, and worth every penny. Her music is a mix of R&B, jazz and soul. Backed by a band that included guitar, bass, drums, sax and more, the mood was set for an impeccable performance. And perform they did, practically sounding better live than on the albums. The visuals were stunning as well. There were 2 giant screens on either side of the stage, zoomed in on Sade and other band members. The backdrop screens were filled with videos and other graphics that went right along with the music. If you want to see for yourself, check out this video of "Cherish The Day." The juxtaposition of her red dress with the black and white background is pretty cool.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzpyQ5NGZik

Here's a review of the show from the Columbus Dispatch:
http://bit.ly/q3jDck

I am very happy I got to see Sade. You should go if you get a chance. You will not be disappointed!!

Smooth Operator

Foodie Friday: Coconut-N-Garlic Chicken w/ Broccoli and Asparagus

What's for dinner tonight? Spice up the normal chicken dish with some coconut oil, garlic and paprika. I have been cooking with coconut oil instead of olive oil lately. There are numerous benefits to using coconut oil, but I really just love the taste.
To Make Chicken:
Heat coconut oil over medium heat. I like to saute some onions and garlic in the oil too. Throw chicken in and cook til done. I add broccoli on top the last few minutes of cooking until it turns bright green.

For the asparagus:

In a separate pan, I again sauteed more onions and garlic in the coconut oil over medium heat. Then I add asparagus. Sprinkle paprika on top. Cook til asparagus is tender.

Paprika is a new favorite spice of mine. It has antioxidants and adds that perfect sweet spice to any vegetable. I didn't really measure any ingredients. Just went by taste. Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with it!Manja!

(Oh and excuse the crappy cell phone pics. I need a new camera, bad. )

Garden Envy

This past weekend I went camping. Actually, I pitched a tent in my friend's backyard. So it was quasi camping. They live on 8 acres of land out in the country. The best part of it was their garden. It was huge and took up the whole side yard. I managed to get a few pics before my camera died. It's hard not to have a little garden envy, living in an apartment with no yard and all.

Some of the garden

Onions!!!

Zucchini (you can eat these flowers)

Cabbage

Tiger Lillies

Clothes hung to dry

Cool bendy tree

Ohh, to be able to go pick dinner from your yard. Someday!!