Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Tales from my Kitchen: The Perfect Poolside Lemonade

I spent the last few weeks working and vacaying in the Los Angeles area and my dear, sweet friends from WB allowed me to couch surf their home LA between work trips. It came equipped with this bad boy!

Well, one most certainly cannot lay poolside without the perfect summer beverage. I wasn't sure what I was in the mood for, so I let Pinterest answer that for me. After the c

reative juices started flowing, I created the Perfect Poolside Lemonade (PPL).

Here is what you will need:
  • 5 cups water
  • 2 cups coursley chopped fresh peaches 
  • 1 cup chopped fresh rasberries
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh squeezed recommended)
Get Ready:
Boil water, peaches, raspberries, and sugar. Reduce heat. Simmer for 3-4 minutes

Set:
Place mixture in blender. Allow to cool for 30 minutes then puree

Just a little longer: 
Refrigerate for 5 hours. (I did this overnight)

 Approaching Heaven:
Sieve mixture into a large bowl. I suggest 2-3 times due to raspberry seeds. 

You made it:
Add fresh lemon juice and stir.

Enjoy!
Pour into an ice cold glass with fresh peaches and raspberries

What is your favorite summer drink?

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Think and Wonder, Wonder and Think

It is time to get real and there is no easier way of saying it than with the help of the brilliant Dr. Seuss:
deep breath

Being on the road long term sucks. 

“You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.”

There are so many things that you can lose.

Your phone charger.
Your eating habits.
Your ability to exercise.
Your social life.
Your sanity.
Yourself.
You. Lose. It.

“You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.” 

It can become gruesome. When you lose it, you begin to question everything, no matter how well you think you know yourself.

Why you packed this pair of shoes over those.
Why you haven't dyed your hair pink yet. 
Where you are living.
Your relationships. 
Your life decisions. 
You. Question. Everything.

"So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left."


It has taken 1 year of extensive traveling to feel like I have truly lost myself. 
It has taken 15 days of vacation to give everything in my life a big questioning. 

 “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” 


But you know what? When you lose something, it must be found. It could take weeks. It could take months. But it is there, waiting for you. Post your flyers, offer rewards, and check your local lost and found. 

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” 

It has taken 1 weekend at home with my family to find myself.
 It has taken 1 day of reflection to see what I have learned from it. 

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” 

I am going to take these learnings, and my baseball bat, and get back on the playing field. I am going to get back to me. When I hear that fastball flying at me again, I am going to knock it out of the park. 

“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!”