Cooking Thai!

My mom and I took a Thai cooking class over the weekend. It was held by her co-worker who was raising funds for the upcoming Heart Walk. We not only learned how to cook, but we received menus and were treated to some excellent libations provided by a seasoned bartender from The Sandbar. Guess where I'm going for Happy Hour!?!

Anywho... we made chicken satay, fresh papaya salad, tofu salad rolls, pad thai (that's what I'm about to wok up), chicken coconut curry, and mango sticky rice for dessert. Oy! We were bursting at the seams.

I learned that in Thai cooking it's about these three elements: sweet, salty, and spicy. Yes, those three things combined equal heaven in your mouth. I must have been Thai in a past life because it's my favorite food in the WORLD.

If I could have gone to a cooking school in France and learned to concoct food that would melt the mouths of the Western world I would have...

...instead, Sarah and I took a Thai cooking lesson right here in San Diego to help a good cause, shared a meal with somed friends, and made my ma proud

                                                           ...and that is enough. (S~M)

Ensenada

In typical Annie fashion... I went away for a meditation weekend. This time, I went with some friends, and it wasn't silent. It might as well have been because everyone was speaking Spanish. Oddly enough, I took French because the teacher gave out candy. It's so easy to bribe a six-year-old.

So here's what I learned at the OSHO Meditation Center in Ensenada:

Drinking is strictly prohibited - unless you're a resident artist

Jumping up and down saying Ho Ho Ho can lead to extreme pleasure - just not to me

Mr. OSHO was a very simple man: he ate the same thing every day, hung out in the bathroom for 3 hours every day, and drove his Rolls Royce down a road dedicated to him every day - ZEN

The best compliment in the world - 'You dance like a Mexican'

Guys in ski masks carrying guns aren't bank robbers - they're military

When scared of guys in ski masks... don't hide underneath the bed - try the closet instead

12.45 Pessos gets you $1 - $1 gets you 12.28 Pessos

Don't sweat the exchange - buy a street taco instead

Beans are magical - unless you have a roommate you don't want to offend

After a sober weekend - hit up the wineries on the way back 

Border crossing - pack some good CDs and say no to churros (oy so tempting!)

La Cetto Winery ~ Valle de la Guadeloupe

Did I have a good time? You bet I did! $70 US provided a weekend in a lovely place with great company, some stories I'll never forget and I even tried out my very broken Spanish. I learned that Mexico is beautiful, poor, rich, dirty, clean, colorful, friendly, smelly, frees your spirit, family is always first, and life is good when the sun is out.

Vegin Out

Hi Ya'll,

I'm on a blogging binge! Something inside me just wants to express... so here I am writing again. Yesterday, Sarah and I went pick up box of vegetables delivered from our local grower - The Be Wise Ranch. I have to give them so much love and props for being a source of health and happiness. Check 'em out San Diego! It's all about 'Community Supported Agriculture'.

www.bewiseranch.com/

So here's the deal: you get on the list, they drop off somewhere in your neighborhood every 2 weeks on Monday. You can opt for a large or small box. (Just a tip - small is plenty for a 4 person family) My parents and I share and we always have carrots to spare.

You get fresh fruits and vegetables - whatever is in season. Don't be that uptight picky person who wants what they want when they want it... just go with the flow. You may find yourself using epicurious.com to figure out what leek and cabbage recipes are out there. You'll be surprised!

To further promote my health and well being, I like to walk. It's downhill on the way, uphill returning. Ok, so you can imagine I've got my bags of veggies with me and I'm hauling them back up the widow-maker (as my friend, Brett, likes to call especially steep hills). No need to imagine! I provide evidence of my efforts. Voi la! Don't I look cute as a button? Some nice neighbor man took my picture. Thank you kind Sir!

Ok, so this house that I'm standing in front of planted fake flowers in their front yard. What's up with that? Who knows. We'll just let that one slide, and keep marching upward.

When you finally get home, you are handsomely rewarded with a rich assortment. A bounty! This time I had 3 packs of blackberries (OMG so good!), nectarines, yellow squash, cabbage, carrots, avocados, beets, oranges, cilantro, and that's just what I can remember off the top of my head. So enough... you know what to do - go get you some! Sarah says :o)

(Picture not taken from most recent box. Fall photo - ahh look at those persimmons. Oy!) 

Happy 4th of July!!!

Happy 4th of July to ya'll! Well everyone is in town and I mean EVERYONE. My family comes together for this special time of year to celebrate at my house with a glorioso delicioco taco fest. No... we are not a hamburgers and hot dogs family. We love the tacos, the homemade guacamole and salsa, and plenty of chicken enchiladas.... enough to make this gringo family's mouth water.

So here's the breakdown: We have my sister and her husband flying in from New York (Represent)
My mom's oldest brother and his wife and two kids from North Carolina (What What?)
And my mom's youngest sister and her husband from Oregon (Ya heard?)

We're sad this year that some of my cousins aren't able to make it, but they are here in spirit for sure - we'll eat an extra taco in their honor!

As for the firework extravaganza... we'll be headed - in true family tradition - to the Coronado golf course. The display is shot out of Glorietta Bay. One year, the barge caught on fire. All of the fireworks lit at once and the finale was so fantastic, but over all too soon ;)

Last night the family went to the Padres game. Thank goodness we won because I need some home-team pride to last me through the weekend.

Special BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS to: Darcy, Lindsey, and my Uncle Tom.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY and be safe :o)

I'm off to get a margarita!