That being said, I've always found this particular lecture to be very very helpful. Abraham uses a really simple image (A Stream) to illustrate how we unnecessarily struggle in life.
Nothing you want is upstream.... for real!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Be Blessed: The Stream by Abraham
For those of you, unaware with Abraham, you can find a little backstory about Abraham, as well as Esther Hicks, Abraham's channel by clicking here. A lot of people say that channeled speakers are scam artists, but I feel that it's not the messenger that's important.. it's the message and leave it at that.
That being said, I've always found this particular lecture to be very very helpful. Abraham uses a really simple image (A Stream) to illustrate how we unnecessarily struggle in life.
Nothing you want is upstream.... for real!!
That being said, I've always found this particular lecture to be very very helpful. Abraham uses a really simple image (A Stream) to illustrate how we unnecessarily struggle in life.
Nothing you want is upstream.... for real!!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A Little [COMMODORES] for a Saturday Night
They really don't make songs like this one anymore, huh? Such a smooth song about some fantastic musicians no longer with us! I call this song one of my favorite "taxi tunes": It's late at night and its raining... you're in a taxi heading home and this song comes on the radio. It just makes the trip so much more enjoyable!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Cinema, Cuisine and Cocktail : "Soul Food" with Well... Soul Food!
I decided to create this new blog posting because (as I've mentioned before) I love the idea of having friends and family over for a good old fashioned Movie Night: Great flick, great food, and loads of fun. Rather then rip off the TBS station show "Dinner and a Movie", I thought I would do it one better and include a yummy yummy cocktail to accompany dinner.
What better movie to start with than "Soul Food"?!? Here is a meal that will make Big Mama proud! Enjoy!
Southern Fried Chicken
Recipe Courtesy of The Gutsy Gourmet
INGREDIENTS:
Buttermilk pulls double duty in this recipe, providing flavor and tenderizing the chicken. Although the
recipe traditionally calls for lard, shortening is a fine substitute. Serves 4 to 6.
INGREDIENTS
3 1/2- to 4-lb. chicken, cut into 8 pieces
2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp. black pepper, divided
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt, such as Lawry's
1 lb. lard (or solid vegetable shortening)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
Step 1
Rinse the chicken pieces and blot them with paper towels. In a large bowl combine the buttermilk, 1/4
teaspoon of black pepper and the salt, and stir to combine.
Step 2
Add the chicken pieces and turn to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight,
turning the pieces occasionally.
Step 3
Combine the flour, seasoned salt and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon of black pepper in a shallow baking
dish and blend well. Line a baking sheet with three layers of paper towels and place it near the stove.
Step 4
Put the lard and butter in a large cast-iron frying pan or pot big enough to hold the chicken pieces in
one layer without touching. Melt over medium-high heat. The fat should be about 1/2-inch deep.
Step 5
Heat until it registers 365 degrees on a candy thermometer or until a small cube of bread dropped in
the oil browns in about 1 minute.
Step 6
Using tongs, remove the thighs from the marinade, draining well. Dredge them in the flour mixture,
turning to coat evenly. Shake off any excess flour. Place them skin-side down in the center of the pan.
Step 7
Coat the remaining pieces in the same way and add them to the pan in a single layer without touching.
Work in batches if necessary.
Step 8
Don't move the chicken for about 5 minutes or until the coating is set and looks firm. Check the
underside by lifting with the tongs--it should be deep golden. Cook the pieces between 8 and 20
minutes (depending on size), turning them periodically until crispy brown and cooked through.
Step 9
To test, cut into the thickest part of a piece. The juices should run clear and the meat should be opaque
throughout. Place on the paper-lined baking sheet to drain.
Step 10
Arrange the chicken pieces on a platter and serve hot, room temperature or cold.
Vegetarian Southern-Style Collard Greens
Recipe courtesy of Sunny Anderson, Food Network
Ingredients
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1/2 large onion, chopped
* 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
* 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
* 1 pound collard greens, chopped
* 3 cups vegetable stock
* 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and butter. Saute the onions until slightly softened, about 2 minutes, then add the red pepper flakes and garlic, cook another minute. Add collard greens and cook another minute. Add the vegetable stock, cover and bring to a simmer. Cook until greens are tender, about 40 minutes. Add tomatoes and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Candied Yams
Recipe Courtesy of AllRecipes.com
Ingredients
* 1 (29 ounce) can sweet potatoes
* 1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Place sweet potatoes in a medium baking dish. Distribute butter pieces evenly over the sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Layer with miniature marshmallows.
3. Cover and bake in the preheated oven 25 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender and marshmallows have melted.
Cornbread
Recipe courtesy of About.com
Ingredients:
* 2 cups yellow cornmeal
* 1 1/2 cups flour
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 tablespoons sugar, optional
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 1 tablespoon vegetable, for skillet
* 2 cups milk
* 1/4 cup melted butter
* melted butter for brushing top
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 425°. Put oil or shortening in a 10-inch iron skillet and place in the oven to preheat while making batter.
In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and sugar, if using.
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and butter. Combine with dry ingredients and stir until all ingredients are moistened. Batter will be like a thick pancake batter.
Carefully, with heavy oven mitts, lift skillet out and turn to coat all of the inside surface with oil. Pour in batter and return to oven. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, until browned. A toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.
Memphis Iced Tea
Recipe courtesy of The Neelys, Food Network
Ingredients
* Ice
* Whiskey
* 1 can soda
* Sweet iced tea
* Lemon slices, for garnish
Directions
Fill 4 tall glasses with ice cubes. To each glass add a shot of whiskey, a spritz of soda and top with sweet iced tea. Stir to combine and garnish with a lemon slice.
What better movie to start with than "Soul Food"?!? Here is a meal that will make Big Mama proud! Enjoy!
Southern Fried Chicken
Recipe Courtesy of The Gutsy Gourmet
INGREDIENTS:
Buttermilk pulls double duty in this recipe, providing flavor and tenderizing the chicken. Although the
recipe traditionally calls for lard, shortening is a fine substitute. Serves 4 to 6.
INGREDIENTS
3 1/2- to 4-lb. chicken, cut into 8 pieces
2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp. black pepper, divided
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt, such as Lawry's
1 lb. lard (or solid vegetable shortening)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
Step 1
Rinse the chicken pieces and blot them with paper towels. In a large bowl combine the buttermilk, 1/4
teaspoon of black pepper and the salt, and stir to combine.
Step 2
Add the chicken pieces and turn to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight,
turning the pieces occasionally.
Step 3
Combine the flour, seasoned salt and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon of black pepper in a shallow baking
dish and blend well. Line a baking sheet with three layers of paper towels and place it near the stove.
Step 4
Put the lard and butter in a large cast-iron frying pan or pot big enough to hold the chicken pieces in
one layer without touching. Melt over medium-high heat. The fat should be about 1/2-inch deep.
Step 5
Heat until it registers 365 degrees on a candy thermometer or until a small cube of bread dropped in
the oil browns in about 1 minute.
Step 6
Using tongs, remove the thighs from the marinade, draining well. Dredge them in the flour mixture,
turning to coat evenly. Shake off any excess flour. Place them skin-side down in the center of the pan.
Step 7
Coat the remaining pieces in the same way and add them to the pan in a single layer without touching.
Work in batches if necessary.
Step 8
Don't move the chicken for about 5 minutes or until the coating is set and looks firm. Check the
underside by lifting with the tongs--it should be deep golden. Cook the pieces between 8 and 20
minutes (depending on size), turning them periodically until crispy brown and cooked through.
Step 9
To test, cut into the thickest part of a piece. The juices should run clear and the meat should be opaque
throughout. Place on the paper-lined baking sheet to drain.
Step 10
Arrange the chicken pieces on a platter and serve hot, room temperature or cold.
Vegetarian Southern-Style Collard Greens
Recipe courtesy of Sunny Anderson, Food Network
Ingredients
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1/2 large onion, chopped
* 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
* 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
* 1 pound collard greens, chopped
* 3 cups vegetable stock
* 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and butter. Saute the onions until slightly softened, about 2 minutes, then add the red pepper flakes and garlic, cook another minute. Add collard greens and cook another minute. Add the vegetable stock, cover and bring to a simmer. Cook until greens are tender, about 40 minutes. Add tomatoes and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Candied Yams
Recipe Courtesy of AllRecipes.com
Ingredients
* 1 (29 ounce) can sweet potatoes
* 1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Place sweet potatoes in a medium baking dish. Distribute butter pieces evenly over the sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Layer with miniature marshmallows.
3. Cover and bake in the preheated oven 25 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender and marshmallows have melted.
Cornbread
Recipe courtesy of About.com
Ingredients:
* 2 cups yellow cornmeal
* 1 1/2 cups flour
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 tablespoons sugar, optional
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 1 tablespoon vegetable, for skillet
* 2 cups milk
* 1/4 cup melted butter
* melted butter for brushing top
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 425°. Put oil or shortening in a 10-inch iron skillet and place in the oven to preheat while making batter.
In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and sugar, if using.
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and butter. Combine with dry ingredients and stir until all ingredients are moistened. Batter will be like a thick pancake batter.
Carefully, with heavy oven mitts, lift skillet out and turn to coat all of the inside surface with oil. Pour in batter and return to oven. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, until browned. A toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.
Memphis Iced Tea
Recipe courtesy of The Neelys, Food Network
Ingredients
* Ice
* Whiskey
* 1 can soda
* Sweet iced tea
* Lemon slices, for garnish
Directions
Fill 4 tall glasses with ice cubes. To each glass add a shot of whiskey, a spritz of soda and top with sweet iced tea. Stir to combine and garnish with a lemon slice.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Quest for *THE* Bag: Lost in Ebay World!
At the advise of my handbag guru, Elaine... I stalked Ebay for the past 7 days, looking for *THE* Bag, only to find some information and an ethical dilema.
According to several online reports, most of the "Authentic" designer handbags sold on Ebay are very convincing fakes.
I wish I could say that this surprises me, but it doesn't. How else would you buy a $25,000 handbag online for crackhead prices unless it's bogus?
Message to Ebay Sellers: You know the bag is fake, I know the bag is fake... Don't insult my intelligence by asking for over $250. For real.
Do I have a problem with fakes? No. Do I drink the "Oh these poor, poor designers are getting ripped off.. boo hoo!" Kool-Aid? No. Do I have a problem supporting counterfeiting? Kinda, actually. Primarily because I don't know exactly who is making a profit from my support (The conspiracy theorist in me SWEARS it's the "Poor Designers" themselves. Because the same people that complain about losing money are the same people that clamor to give celebrities these bags FOR FREE so that they could be seen and photographed wearing them... which makes us want to buy them. And of course we can't afford them, so we buy knock offs. But I digress..lol).
Right now I have to weigh the pros and cons... One the one hand, I can get a very reasonable impostor of *THE* Bag for a song (So what if it's a GOUCHI instead of a Gucci? lol). On the other hand, I am concerned about who benefits from the sale of this merchandise (drug dealers, mafia, etc.)?
What's your philosophy on designer knockoffs? Do you buy them?Would you?
According to several online reports, most of the "Authentic" designer handbags sold on Ebay are very convincing fakes.
I wish I could say that this surprises me, but it doesn't. How else would you buy a $25,000 handbag online for crackhead prices unless it's bogus?
Message to Ebay Sellers: You know the bag is fake, I know the bag is fake... Don't insult my intelligence by asking for over $250. For real.
Do I have a problem with fakes? No. Do I drink the "Oh these poor, poor designers are getting ripped off.. boo hoo!" Kool-Aid? No. Do I have a problem supporting counterfeiting? Kinda, actually. Primarily because I don't know exactly who is making a profit from my support (The conspiracy theorist in me SWEARS it's the "Poor Designers" themselves. Because the same people that complain about losing money are the same people that clamor to give celebrities these bags FOR FREE so that they could be seen and photographed wearing them... which makes us want to buy them. And of course we can't afford them, so we buy knock offs. But I digress..lol).
Right now I have to weigh the pros and cons... One the one hand, I can get a very reasonable impostor of *THE* Bag for a song (So what if it's a GOUCHI instead of a Gucci? lol). On the other hand, I am concerned about who benefits from the sale of this merchandise (drug dealers, mafia, etc.)?
What's your philosophy on designer knockoffs? Do you buy them?Would you?
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