Cheers To Twenty-Four Years

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Greetings, friends! I’m currently in Florida’s Gulf for the week to celebrate my birthday, which is today! I enjoy celebrating in some way, even if it’s small. So far I’ve spent most of the day just floating in the ocean. What’s the most special thing to me though, is all of the love that gets sent my way. It keeps me smiling all day long, and I feel so blessed.

Just thought I’d drop in and say hello with a few pictures.

Birthday bliss
Birthday breakfast: I made slow-cooked omelettes with a fruity surprise…

The omelettes were filled with sautéed strawberries with cinnamon, diced apple, banana, and cherries. On top I served some goat milk yogurt, chopped pecans, and carob chips. Good morning!

Breakfast outdoors on another day.
Having the beach all to ourselves, one more reason to jump in the ocean in my birthday suit!
Leaning back to back with my mom…
while watching the sun set over the ocean.

I hope you all enjoy the holiday weekend!

The Mom Was Back In Town

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Start the day right

My mom was in town last weekend, on a last minute trip to spend Mother’s Day with each other. It was more motivation to clean the apartment, and get all domestic making sure she’d have everything she wants. I made sure she brought her walking shoes! I was so excited to have her visit, and to share my life up here with her. Plus, she always leaves  such positive energy behind. It must be all that love she has inside.

A breakfast fit for the Queen of Mothers

A baked sweet berry omelette topped with dried orange slices, strawberries, and Greek yogurt. I think I whipped the egg white too much though, since it didn’t come out quite as fluffy as the original recipe.

It was such a lovely Mother’s Day breakfast.
My mom, a lover of salmon, is so happy that I eat fish now…

We walked to the market together, since I wanted to show her the wonderful fish selection at Citarella. Also, I’m not sure if it varies by location but the one in the Upper West Side has very knowledgable and friendly fishmongers. I made grilled chili-lime salmon, which is a little spicy, sweet, and citrusy. I also tried lime juice with balsamic vinegar and it was so delicious… I’ll have to make a dressing including those two ingredients.

I also found caperberries at the store, and added them to the accompanying salad.

While my mother was in town, my friend was shooting a music video at my place.

It was so awesome to finally see it come to life!

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Breaking Bread With Olives

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Since I’ve been back in New York I almost feel like I’m in a new place, although familiar because now I know my way around. One of the ways I’ve been enjoying this city is by going out to eat and reuniting with friends. On this particular day I was meeting up with a friend I knew from college (it’s a funny story actually), and she recommended this place called Bread in Nolita. I was up for it!

There was an old scooter parked in front of the restaurant in Italian fashion.
I took a seat by the bar to wait for my friend, and just observe the restaurant.
Then my friend arrived and we were reunited!
Like the name implies, their specialty is anything bread, but they have plenty of other options…

Like pastas, salads, vegetable starters, soups, sharing plates, entrees, and desserts! They also have plenty of beverages to choose from–especially wines. It took us–no joke–more than 30 minutes for us to finally decide what we wanted. Most of that time we were talking away, catching up with each other. The waiter checked back on us frequently and had a good attitude about us taking forever. Eventually we decided that we needed to change our focus to the menu. What to choose, what to choose.

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Shortening The Distance

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Recently, I paid a first (of many) visit to Foragers City Grocer. I found out about it when I asked a good friend of mine–and fellow conscious eater–where to buy fish around  the city. The farmer’s markets weren’t happening for me that day since rain was in the air, but I did go to one of her recommendations: Foragers City Market. There are two locations actually. One in DUMBO and the other in Chelsea. I went to the Chelsea location, which is apparently smaller (note to self: check out other location when I find myself in Brooklyn). Despite the small size, I found what I was looking for.

Here’s a little foreword about them from their site:

Foragers City Grocer was born of the idea that our neighborhood in DUMBO lacked quality food options. Over the years we have built a unique, independently owned neighborhood grocery whose sole focus is on the pleasure that food should bring to the lives of our customers and to the producers that grow and make what we sell. Our goal is to always strive to shorten the distance both emotionally and physically between farm to fork.

They also have a restaurant in the store where you can enjoy a meal or a snack, and a wine store as well–Foragers City Wine.

I love admiring the variety that occurs in nature

Whether it’s the funky shapes, the brilliant and surprising colors, and sunspots. I love it all.

The mushrooms were a sight to behold.

I perused through their selection of artisanal and quality goods, quaint varyingly colored eggs, and their fish selection (my main reason for going there). This is a small location, but that didn’t bother me. Sometimes I love going to places that have a seemingly endless selection, but this felt more like a gallery than a museum. A selection of curated goods, and a place where quality makes the idea of quantity fade to the background. Being “new” to fish I didn’t feel overwhelmed with selection since it was quite small. I ended up taking the Alaskan Wild Coho salmon home with me, along with some other produce goodies.

Here’s an interesting article about the Chelsea location, and some features: Foragers City Market Coming To Chelsea.

These crimini mushrooms looked so earthy.

Things like this encourage me to seek out produce from local family farms or my own garden because the organic produce from the big farms just isn’t as inspiring. With that in mind, what else can one expect when something is mass produced? But there are days when I “need” something, there’s little time, and perhaps the market isn’t even running–that’s when I make a quick run to one of the corner stores (luckily there’s one that has a good selection). Those quick runs can be exciting though, and I appreciate how convenient it is to live in this setting. Then there are times when I go to the market and see questionable items and prices that make me think, “seriously?” Oh boy, I’m a picky produce shopper aren’t I? Let me get back on track…

The beautiful piece of Wild Coho salmon…
With its brilliant skin…

Now the question was, “what to make with these?”

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The Weekend-Long Date

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A little over two years ago, my best friend and I had wedding ceremony as a symbol of our friendship. Some of you may recall the recap I shared as a testament, We Are Gathered Here Today. This weekend she made an impromptu visit to see me, and it was her first time in New York City!

It all started with a little temptation…

Next thing you know she drove through the night to get as much time as she could. Finding a great parking spot for the weekend only a couple blocks from my place was just the beginning of the lucky penny that shined over our next couple of days.

Always beautiful, even when she barely gets rest.

She had her coffee black with sugar, and then off we went to explore the city’s west side.

Awfully tall representatives

 They were having a family street fair over in Tribeca, which was a part of the Tribeca Film Festival. There were lots of kids with painted faces walking around, getting into character. We walked through Greenwich village, perusing through chocolate shops, boutiques, stationary shops. Strolled through Washington Square and made our way through Union Square…

On our way up we went to a book lover’s haven–Strand.

My friend was overwhelmed and in love all at the same time. I imagined having a weekly ritual, going there to pick up a “new” book. You can find books that are out of print, on any subject from psychology to banned titles, or even old fortune books. Eventually we headed over to Eataly–a great place to take vistors, and I wanted to check out their fresh fish selection.

Here you can find refrigerated cases of fresh, handmade pastas.

While you’re browsing the pastas you can smell the aromas of sauces cooking, and look over and you’ll find someone enjoying a delicious platter at one of the many dining areas in this establishment. It’s a large cafeteria with a market and “restaurants”. Whether you’re in the mood for a morning cappuccino, a glass of wine, beautiful pastries, gelato, cured meats, chocolates, or vegetables… you will find something. Another neat thing is that you can try things based on various regions throughout Italy!

The smell of cheese lingers through the air over in this section.

After we toured Eataly, we headed back up to my neighborhood for dinner. We had planned on going to Candle Cafe’s relatively new Upper West Side location (I feel spoiled only living a couple blocks away), but the wait was too long for our hunger to wait.

I ended up taking my date to a nearby restaurant and jazz club

Cleopatra’s Needle by night always caught my eye when walking home. It seems like a place that’s been there for a long time. I’d look in through the paneled windows, to see tables of people leaning in over wine glasses, grooving to the live jazz music that goes on every night. I also often see patrons dining alone, simply enjoying their own company. Something about this place, with its dimly lit and old-fashioned setting, is so inviting.

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Insights Can Come In Small Ways

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Hello, hello! Today a friend told me that she spotted an article I submitted to Apartment Therapy featuring my parents’ garden. I had planned on sharing some of my latest memories from their garden already, so that exciting news came in seamlessly! Check it out:

Katharina’s Food Revolution

With that in mind, I just want to express some mushy love towards my parents. Like the article said, in the beginning when I was studying I left a tiny garden behind for my parents to watch over. Low and behold when I came back, it was untouched and had dried up. It’s okay though… no hard feelings, Mom and Dad! But a few years later, my parents stepped up to their own plates and started a venture into the world of organic gardening. I think it’s an examples of all those sayings that talk about going on or making our own paths. What’s important to each of us is something that we discover through our own experiences, and we add them to our files, sometimes making them a part of our daily priorities. And the thing is… what matters to me may not matter to someone else. Hearing about the beginnings of the garden when I’d talk to my parents on the phone, and seeing its growth on each visit–especially during my last one–has been a joyful experience. From  my parents triumphantly sharing the gardens’ bounty, to hearing about all of the efforts that go into keeping an organic garden. It’s just helped bring something back into my parents’ spirits that I can hear in their voices and see in their eyes. It lies within their hearts. I must say though, that I’m glad that me and my family have a strong kinship, made even stronger by being able to share the things we care about. It wasn’t always like that either though.

Shades of red

Actually, taking a step back, I think this garden has inspired and revived a wholesome way of being within my family. Much how I meditate on the parallels between life and what goes on in a kitchen or a yoga mat, my family has been living those lessons through the garden. A garden doesn’t just come out of nowhere, unless it’s the Garden of Eden. Although things do grow in the wild, there is a caring and thoughtful energy that goes into tending a garden. You learn where the plants seem to thrive the most, next to which plants, how much to water them, when to water them, rubbing olive oil on their leaves to protect them from hungry worms, all their little secrets. Similar to how we take care and learn from  the relationships we have with people in our lives. When I would walk through the garden, checking up on the plants, I would breathe out a loving feeling. After all, they do “eat” CO2. And as I’m walking through life I see my words and actions as a bridge–a connection–to this world. An opportunity to build one.

A tiny plum tomato meets something its own size… my eye!

With tomatoes being picked by the basketful, my family was coming up with ways to prepare them, aside from popping them into our mouths.

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A Fresh Take

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Hello everyone! Quite a few things have happened since my last post.

I’m no longer in Florida

I spent my last few days enjoying myself, and working on some projects. So I arrived back in New York the other day…

… in time for the beginnings of Spring!

   

I’m already missing these two buggers though, and I know little Matilda does too.

Since I’ve been back…

I officially enrolled to study to become a holistic health coach!

I’ve enjoyed running along the Hudson River again and realizing that I live in a great city.

… realizing my blessings and truly appreciating them is a daily practice now. I don’t want to lose sight of things again.

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Grains Coming To Life

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Welcome! And I’m glad to see you could make it.

Did you think I would share this wonderful dish with you, without sharing the recipe?

… Eventually!

Forbidden Rice Congee

Note: this recipe cooks overnight, and also calls for a slow-cooker. The rice and water are the only necessary ingredients, and the others are optional for your personal preferences. It’s a congee–you can add whatever you’d like!

Ingredients

1 cup forbidden rice, uncooked

4 cups water, distilled; more if needed

Eggs, optional

Spring onions, chopped, optional

Soy sauce, optional

Sesame oil, optional

Directions

1. Pour the rice and water into a slow-cooker and set on high. Wish it well and let it cook overnight.

2. In the morning you will see it has thickened and become more like a porridge. If you would like it to be more watery, simply add more water.

3. For the eggs, dig  little holes in the rice, and pour an egg into each hole. Cover and let it cook till till they’re set. Cooking it in the slow-cooker on high took at least an hour.

4. Gently ladle the congee with the egg into a bowl.

5. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, and spring onions to your liking.

via Instagr’am

Later on I thought the colors of this picture reminded me of the congee–with a tiny yolk amidst the purple, tropical night.

On another note, I’ve been wanting to share something else with you all. Awhile ago I had attempted to make manna bread or “Bible bread”. This involves sprouting whole wheat grains (untreated ones or else they won’t sprout).

via Instagr’am

So here’s a little tutorial…

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Heavy Thoughts For A Lighter Heart

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Today I had two things in mind that I wanted to share… make that three, but the third would somehow be linked to one of the original two. So, Eeny Meeny Miny Moe!

I choose you!

You don’t have a soul, Doctor. You are a soul. You have a body, temporarily.

- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve always found the mechanics and wonders of natural sciences to be incredibly fascinating, and it inspires my spirituality as well along with the idea of an infinite blank.

Lately, I’ve been transforming my mentality. A fews years ago my private life started to feel like a battle zone. Anticipating the fatal missile to launch at any moment, all the while landmines were going off one after the other. But it all seemed to happen all at once. It was a time that felt as brute as weapons and as fragile as a flake of snow. Those years deeply affected me, and I didn’t realize how much they did until recently… until I realized that its the heaviness in my heart. I came to a realization while I was punching down repeatedly with intensity during a kickboxing session. All of a sudden I started crying, and felt this surge of emotion running through me. I kept punching. Then an image came to my mind. Recently, I’ve been physically challenging myself in ways that have helped me tap into my feelings and uncovering the “whys”. I have a tendency to brush over my feelings, reflecting more on logic. Overtime that’s what I taught myself to do till it became second nature. Facing my feelings is something I’ve been wanting to do though, but I became so disconnected with them that I confused it with indifference. Maybe I didn’t feel those things?

A video I made a few years back.

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For The Love Of Vegetables

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Ever since I was little I always remember having a love for vegetables. Whether it was my grandmother’s sopa de auyama or a plain bag of carrots and lettuce, I was known to be a veggie monster. Or perhaps I thought I was a bunny?

Proof lies in the spinach beard I proudly showed off for the camera

Although I don’t have it often, one of my all-time favorite breakfasts is a plateful of latkes. I would usually just eat them with applesauce, but people also serve them with sour cream. My dad likes to add corn to them when he makes them–something I definitely recommend trying.

Over the weekend I went on a full-blown cooking storm, and I’m pretty sure that’s what I spent most of my time doing. But really there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t prepare something. Anyway, I had stumbled upon a recipe for Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers. Having just used the sweet potatoes for another recipe, I used delicata squash instead. Besides it had been hanging around for too long. For the spices I used a ‘blackened seasoning’ blend, nutritional yeast, and thyme.

After the veggie burgers were done, and I had gone on a late night run (my prime running time), by the time I came back… I don’t know what it was but I decided that the veggie burgers would be great for breakfast! Not just that, but instead of serving them as a patty I thought they’d be interesting as pancakes. Something reminiscent of potato pancakes or latkes.

Something was missing...

It needed something to contrast in color and in flavor.

Aha!

I love how spring onions are a mild yet put a skip in a dish’s walk. They tasted good, but were a bit dry even if I had served them as veggie burgers. Next time I’ll experiment by adding in some eggs and oil to the equation.

So remember I said I was part bunny when I was little?

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