A New Now: Living in Our Loves

A New Now: Living in Our Loves

I love food. It’s something that always makes me happy, challenges me, enlightens my senses, creates a sense of joy, and never ceases to carry my interest for more. And as you can see, I’m happily immersed in it most of the time. Lately, my 

The Hungry Cat and Santa Barbara Farmers Market

The Hungry Cat and Santa Barbara Farmers Market

Brandon and I seem to find our way out to Santa Barbara pretty often. It’s far from where I live, but only 30 minutes away from where he lives, so when I visit him, which is often, we have a tendency to head up there 

Happy Birthday Viet Linh; Dinner at Raphael

Happy Birthday Viet Linh; Dinner at Raphael

My sister-in-law, Viet Linh’s, birthday is just one day before my sister’s birthday.  I’m always exhausted and super busy during March, but it’s always fun. For Viet-Linh’s birthday I was happily invited to dinner at a beautiful restaurant called Raphael.  It’s located in the very 

Why Write Recipes When You Can Just Cook?

Why Write Recipes When You Can Just Cook?

I cook often. If I could blog as easily as it seems for me to whip something up to eat in the kitchen, I’m sure I could fill another four blogs with my recipes. But as most of you know, I cook with more intuition 

Snowy Trip to the Eastern Sierras; Mammoth Mountain and Hawaiian Bread French Toast

Snowy Trip to the Eastern Sierras; Mammoth Mountain and Hawaiian Bread French Toast

I recently took a four day trip to the beautiful Eastern Sierras, wherein lies Mammoth Mountain.  Normally my family and I have a traditional summer vacation to this area around my birthday; we enjoy eachother’s company in the breathtaking surroundings of fresh clean air, high 

Las Vegas: TOOL, Va Bene Caffe and Estiatorio Milos

Las Vegas: TOOL, Va Bene Caffe and Estiatorio Milos

I don’t know how to explain the magic that is TOOL live. It’s a complete experience that transcends me beyond what I think is honest and real, into the purest sense of reality without hesitation. My best friend, Virginia, and I traveled from the center 

Toshikoshi Soba (Year End Soba)

Toshikoshi Soba (Year End Soba)

On New Year’s Eve, as young girl I would sit in front of the T.V. and watch Japanese television. I didn’t know what the heck was going on, but every year since I can remember when I was little, we watched this same show. I 

Homemade Sauce and Wheat pita Balsamic BBQ Chicken Pizza

Homemade Sauce and Wheat pita Balsamic BBQ Chicken Pizza

For holiday presents this year, I decided to take on some jarring adventures. I made homemade tapenade with rosemary, tomatoes and black olives; marinara with mirepoix, fresh basil and parsley; spicy marinara with roasted garlic and red pepper flakes (Arrabbiata sauce); and balsamic barbecue sauce with 

Christmas Tamales and Morning Traditions

Christmas Tamales and Morning Traditions

I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. This whole holiday season has been the most amazing, honest experience I’ve had in a long time. I love Christmas! It truly does bring out the best (and the worst) in people, but I think that it’s 

Shaved Pattypan and Crimini Mushroom Salad

Shaved Pattypan and Crimini Mushroom Salad

  Sometimes we think of salads as those boring dishes that are on the table just because people should eat their greens. I have a blatant fondness of salads, but also a sheer disgust of them, because if I had to eat salad every day