TROPICANA

Just a reminder that I'm playing at the TROPICANA in the Tropicana Showroom next SATURDAY (September 10th). I'm opening for the famous U2 coverband, Unforgettable Fire. I'll be playing from about 8pm til 9. I hope to see everybody there...the whole crew is coming, this isn't to be missed! I'll be playing half originals and half covers.

Buy Your Tickets Here:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/020046FAADA08A2D

...frothin' fool!

I just received the milk frother that I ordered!! Hooray! I have been frothing the shit outta anything that is froth worthy, and of course I frothed my milk for this mornings coffee. I feel like my coffee arsenal is now complete. Whether your in the market for a latte, cappuccino, or even for just a touch of life to your hot milk- these frothers are a cheap but essential purchase.

For a fabulous cup of coffee you need the following tools (along with COFFEE of course)...

Milk Frother.

Milk.

Coffee Cup.

Espresso.

Here's how it's done:

Break it down into 1/4's...

• 1 part milk
• 2 parts espresso
• 1 part water (optional...this is for those making a cup of Americano- not for lattes or capp's)

1. Start making your espresso...
2. Pour your milk into your cup. It can be heated on the stovetop prior to drinking it, or if you're lazy (like me), just put it in the microwave for 30 seconds to heat it up.
3. Completely submerge the milk frother into the milk, THEN hit the on button. If you want a cappuccino, the frother will be in the cup for atleast 30 seconds...lifting the frother dangerously to the top and then lowering it down. Lift and lower, lift and lower -- this helps to create more foam. If it's a latter that you're in the mood for, then the frother will only be in the cup for about 15 to 2- seconds, with only a few "lifts and lowers". If you're having a cup of coffee then just let the frother hang out in the cup for a few seconds, bringing some lift to the milk, before adding the other part (hot water).
4. Pour your espresso into your cup and ENJOY.

Buying Fall Crop...

I've had a few inquiries about where we bought our fall crop. If you haven't started greens from seed then you need to buy the plant. In the spring, this is easy and most things are widely available. For some reason you don't find as much in the fall. Why? I dont know. Maybe because we live in a seasonal area. Anywho- SEA GROVE GARDEN CENTER on Rt9 in Ocean View has a decent selection of baby greens. They didn't have any KALE, CABBAGE, or RUBY RED LETTUCE though- so if anyone finds a place that sells these (again, not seeds- but plants) I'd greatly appreciate it.

Again, plants for you fall crop can be purchased here:

Sea Grove Garden Center
2661 N Route 9
Ocean View, Nj
609.624.3540
*it's always good to call ahead and make sure they still have what you need in stock

Hope this helps!

Sent from my iPhone

God Bless Fresh for Less.

I went to the produce market around the corner today to stock up on fruits and veggies. FRESH FOR LESS is located on Sea Isle Blvd, next to the WaWa. The owner and the employees are some of the sweetest people I've ever met, and I almost lost it this morning when I went to pay. They know about Dad (mom is in there CONSTANTLY stocking up on produce to juice), and when I was checking out the girl said to me...

"You know, you don't have to come and pick these up. You just give us a list and my boss or I would be more than happy to drop it off at your house. Whatever you need-- don't hesitate to ask. We would love to help any way that we can."

Bah! The kindness of strangers always moves me. I sniffled, smiled, slid on my shades, said thank you and was out the door. Deep breath in, deep breath out. So now that I'm home and I've collected myself, I wanted to make a request. If anyone lives around this area (seaville/sea isle) to please support these people and shop at Fresh for Less. They are some fine human beings (and the produce they sell is pretty dang delicious)!

Fall Crops.

Momma, watering our freshly planted greens.

Boston Lettuce, one of the many things planted.

Planting Partners, job well done.

The Hoe rack (dads old hunting ladder).

Yes, I farm in dresses and in my bare feet...

It's finally starting to cool down a bit- which means time for the fall crops to go in. Today Mom and me planted collards, cauliflower, escarole, spinach, romaine, boston lettuce, and iceberg. More will be added soon, but my mom was most anxious to get the greens into the ground. There is nothing, and I mean NOTHING as tasty as a handpicked salad from your garden. And greens are easy-peezy to grow. I'm excited for whatever it is we will put in next. It's fun to dig around with your hoe, bare feet in the dirt- alongside your momma. Life is good.

Au Revoir Auntie D

My favorite Auntie D was in town this week, just in time for the hurricane. It may not have been bronzin' + beachin' weather, but we still managed to eat and drink our way to a good time. See you on the west coast pretty soon Auntie.....

Little Birdie Love.

My darling dearest Janice, aka Dr.J, from Seattle sent along a little gift for me with Jules. She sent me the most epic sunglasses ever (she owns a pair and I've probably complimented her about them a hundred thousand times), along with three little hand knit birdies. Yes, Janice knitted them herself. Yes, I agree- she is super badass. I know, I know- I'm lucky to have such a great friend. Anyways- the birdies that she knit are me, my mom and my dad :). I put them on my meditation altar, which is filled with things that I love and from those that I love. So now I've added the family of birds- made with love by someone I care about, representing those I can't live without. Thanks Janice. You're the bestest.

Quick Pickle Savory Salad

I was putting a salad together last week when Julie was here. I said, "What else does it need..? It needs something." She replied, "QUICK PICKLE". Quick pickle Onions, that is. Here's the ingredients for the salad (which will feed 6 as a stater, or 4 as an entree) along with the recipe for Quick Pickle Onions:

Savory Salad with Quick Pickle Onions

- spinach or mixed greens. NO romaine, no hearty lettuce. If you want this salad to work it's simply spinach or mixed greens, no substitutions

- one can of pitted black olives, cut in half

- one can of chick peas, rinsed and drained

- 2 or 3 large ripe tomatoes, diced

- generous handful of grated pecorino Romano cheese

- several cranks of fresh ground pepper and a mild sprinkle of salt

- Quick Pickle Onions

QUICK PICKLE ONIONS:

• *1/2 cup water
• *1/2 cup white wine
• *1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cloves of garlic, whole (not diced)
• A few cranks of black pepper
• 2 spoonfuls of sugar, or agave.

Slice two small onions, or one large onion into thin half moons. Place in pot with the ingredients above and bring to a boil for a minute. Then put on medium heat and let cook for an additional ten minutes.

Scoop out the onions and place on salad. Because they are pickled, there flavor is mild- so don't be alarmed by the quantity of them on the salad. For the dressing you'll drizzle the salad with EVOO and use the vinegar/water/wine concoction as well. *be sure to discard bay lead and garlic cloves.

SUP Yoga

Stand Up Paddleboard YOGA. It wasn't an official class or anything, but this is what Jules and I did the day before she left...

Julie in full Wheel.

Julie in Down Dog.

Me, coming into a hip opener...

Me and my fat ass in Down Dog.

Me in Full Camel.

Good Friends.

We are very lucky to have amazing friends. I dont think that we would have survived these past two years without them. Yesterday Joe King, dads best friend (and his Best Man) sat in traffic to pull dads boat. Then he sat in insanely long lines at the gas station to fill up canisters of gas for our generator. When he got back to our house it began to pour rain- blinding rain- while he tested our generator to make sure it was alright. Now he's put back building a shelter out of our pool deck for the generator, so that it will be close to the house. If this isn't love then goddamn, I don't know what is!! Thank you to all of our amazing friends out there who have cooked for us, prayed for us and have showered my Dad with love and affection. And of course, a big thanks to Joe King for prepping us for hurricane Irene!

My Matty.

My little cousin (who in fact is a foot and a half taller than me), Matty, came in for dads birthday party last week. Despite being an all-star rugby player, ladies-man, and party boy- he is also a great chef. His mother never cooked much growing up, so I don't know where the inspiration or skills came from...perhaps his latest job working in a restaurant. Anyways, when he left to head back to maryland for college, mom and I sent him home with heaps of goodies. Included in his goodie bag were cherry tomatoes and white eggplant. WELL, Wednesday night he MMS'd me a picture of the dinner that he made: tandoori chicken, roasted with onions, cherry tomatoes and white eggplant. I was so proud! Love you Matty- keep sending on the creations.

BTW: Matty introduced me to an awesome application for your iPhone, it's called STUMBLE UPON. With this app you select categories that you like, and then it collects things of interest. Mattys selections are rugby, drinking and cooking. He has gotten some amazing recipes from this thing, so check it out!

Mooch's Mummas Hot Artichoke Dip

Mel, Mooch and Amber.

I met Monica, also know as "Mooch" to her friends, during my first week in Cambodia. We met at a cooking class in Siem Reap, and she invited me along to tour the temples (Angkor Wat) with her and her girlfriends. Monica is from Australia and despite the distance we keep in touch and she regularly reads my blog. In response to my healthy artichoke dip, she sent along her mothers (not so healthy) artichoke dip recipe!! Though I do try to eat healthy, it's fun to splurge now and again. This dip is DEFINITELY worth the splurge!! Thanks for sharing it Mooch!

Mooch's Mumma's Hot Artichoke Dip - low cholesterol & low-cal... NOT!!

Ingredients:

2 cans artichoke hearts

1 ½ cups mayonnaise

2 cups shredded (or grated) mozarella cheese

2 cups grated parmesan cheese

1 large onion, chopped

Method:
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl
- Put into a lightly greased casserole dish (about 20 x 30cm)
- Bake uncovered at 200 deg for 30 minutes
- Serve hot with crackers – and serviettes!

Mayhem.

What can I say...madness runs in the family. Julisa, Auntie D, Momma and Me. Oh yeah, and our friend Mr.Margarita.

The Only Thing Missing...

....is Jer and Janice.

Night Out

Recipe for Fun

Recipe for Fun:

1. Yoga in the morning, on the beautiful sunny, breezy beach.

2. Hours of paddleboarding around the back bay in Ocean City.

3. Attempting yoga on the paddleboards.

4. Bronzing on the dock, sipping beers, laughing with your best friend.

A minor earthquake tried to damper our experience, but we survived and continued to enjoy our day!

Today Jules and I enjoyed some time bayside. We paddleboarded and sipped beers, bronzed and chatted away. Did i mention how happy and complete I am now that shes here...

Bestie Bestie Bestie LaLaLa...

I wrote a song, and here's how it goes:

Bestie Bestie Bestie
La La La
My bestest friend is in town
Yahooooo
Sipping prosecco by the pool
Laughing laughing laughing
La La La
Life is good
With your bestest friend by your side.

SUP AMAZINGNESS.

I <3 Stand Up Paddleboards!