Chronicles of a Curly Head: February 2011

Hellooooooooooooooooo everyone!!!!!

::Today's post is extremely long in my opinion - so don't feel compelled to read it all at once - just saying lol::

(I've been sitting in front of my computer ALL day. Getting a little tired lol)

How are you doing today? I'm doing just FANTASTIC. I had a great weekend at work.

And now I'm just anxiously awaiting the next couple of weeks.

Why you ask?

Because.....

My mom, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, and the rest of my family (minus my dad :( due to work) are coming to visit!!! WOOOOOO!!!!! My cousin Katie (whom I live with) is getting married on March 11th, so they're all coming down to Florida for the wedding, and they're going to be staying with us! It'll be a full house here at the Hipp/Edge/Black household.

So even if this week blows - and even if work next weekend is absolutely horrible - I am going to stay in a great mood because I'm super super excited to see my family in two weeks! Talk about something to look forward to :D

After years of deliberation, uncertainty, and countless conversations with myself......

I've made up my mind: I'm going to own and operate my very own food related business within the next 15 years.

I was sitting at my kitchen table this morning - going through the countless food blogs that I read every day - and it snuck up on me like a ninja. I need to start my own business. I'm going to start my own business. This notion is crazy because I've always sworn against having a one. The thought just came out of no where. As if someone planted it in my mind without my noticing. It was an epiphany of sort.

Every once in a while I will reach crazy epiphanies such as this. And I always act on them. Examples:

(1) I decided i was going to move to Florida and BAM - here I am.

(2) I decided to spontaneously go to Los Angeles and three days later BAM I was there.

(3) Out of the blue I decided I was going to get a tattoo and four days later BAM I got inked up.

(4) I randomly decided I liked food enough to go to school for it and WOOOPAAAAHHH four months later I was in culinary school.

These epiphanies are set in stone in my mind. Once my mind catches these thoughts there is ABSOLUTELY NO GOING BACK. I don't think I can stress enough how seriously serious I am about this right now. My friends and family understand because they know me and know how I can be - but for the rest of you....the fact that I even said it aloud means it's going to happen.

Perhaps this is an unhealthy habit/mode of thinking to have - but it hasn't failed me yet. It's brought me more happiness and life experiences than any other crazy thoughts I have.

So my most recent epiphany: own and operate my very own food related business within the next 15 years

I have no clue where to start or what I want to do. But I know I'm going to do it. End of story.

I recently stumbled upon a wonderful website called “High Existence”......
that has an incredible “50 life secrets and tips” list. I spent quite a long time reading this list yesterday, and it really hit home for me. Perhaps you don't care for this type of thing - if so then you can move along - but if you're interested (which I hope you are) I’ve outlined the 50 tips below. If you’d like to read their full explanations just click
HERE :

I find this list to be extremely important….

1. Memorize something everyday.

2. Constantly try to reduce your attachment to possessions

3. Develop an endless curiosity about his world

4. Remember peoples names

5. Get fit!

6. Learn and Focus on the present.

7. Even more specifically, live in THIS moment.

8. Smile more often.

9. Drink Water.

10. Don’t take life so seriously!

11. Think positive thoughts.

12. Read books.

13. Get in the sun.

14. Help others.

15. Set aside a specific time to worry each day.

16. Be honest at all times.

17. Sleep less.

18. Read “Bringers of Light” and “Conversations with God” by Neale Donald Walsch.

19. Figure out what your goals and dreams are.

20. Start your day off right

21. Utilize ‘The Burning Method.’

22. Travel

23. The Rubber Band method

24. Learn to be unaffected by the words of others

25. Read “Zen and the Art of Happiness” by Chris Prentiss

26. Develop the ability to forgive.

27. Be the person that makes others feel special.

28. Learn to lucid dream.

29. Visualize daily.

30. Meditate everyday for at least 20 minutes.

31. Learn to control your mind.

32. Learn to control your emotions.

33. Take a class in speed reading.

34. Relax!

35. Work on making good first impressions

36. Learn to use your eyes to their full potential

37. Be mysterious.

38. Come up with a life mantra.

39. Get good at something.

40. Work out those abs.

41. Keep your brain sharp

42. Read something inspirational right before bed and after waking.

43. Do what you love.

44. Choose your friends wisely.

45. Don’t burn bridgets.

46. Keep a journal/diary.

47. Read “New Psycho-Cybernetics” by Dr. Maxwell Maltz.

48. Learn to use and trust your subconscious/intuition

49. Develop a charismatic personality.

50. Love is all there is

Which leads me to one final topic.....

There is too much negativity within social media.
I'm seeing it every which way I turn. Just a bunch of negative Nancy's.

I hope Chronicles of a Curly Head can be some sort of outlet for all of you. A happy factory of sorts.
A little place you can visit that'll make you smile for a while, or make you say "hu, I never knew that!!" or "I never thought of that!" or "Jenna is just the most splendid person there ever was to grace the internet!" (ok....perhaps I was a little flowery with that last one lol). Even though I touch base on some heavy and disheartening topics on the rare occasion - I do my best to keep CCH happy, funny, interesting, and insightful - even if I am in the worst of moods.

I will continue to do my best to keep things positive, because to be quite honest - the whole "woe is me" thing is getting old. I know misery loves company - but no one likes a Debbie Downer. Unless your name really is Debbie downer, and you're just a big ol' ray of wonderfully wonderful sunshine - then I'm sure everyone likes you :)

To sum it all up: I can assure you that CCH will always be a positive place.
End of story.

Well that's quite enough ramblings out of me.....

I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful week!

Just remember: Your body is not an ornament - it is an instrument. Treat it as such.

Let us begin...

[[Today's music]]

THE CRANBERRIES - ZOMBIE

Even though I was just a child when 'Zombie' came out in the 90s. I distinctively remember singing it ALL of the time. That and every single Ace of Bace, Boyz II Men, and Hall & Oates song lol. I was rad in the 90s... a rad little curly head listening to awesome music. Because come on - who doesn't love 'Zombie'??????

(2) BON IVER - FOR EMMA

I know I've featured this before. But some music is so amazingly amazing that it deserves a repeat. This song is def in the category of repeats.....

(3) TOKYO POLICE CLUB - IN A CAVE

Love.

[[Today's restaurant]]

I really wish I would’ve went to this ice cream shop while I still lived in Ohio. I used to go to Columbus all of the time! Man….I really missed out lol. It's such an amazing company with a such a great product! Perhaps when I come home for a visit I’ll take an hour or so out of my day to swing on over to cbus to try this wonderfully wonderful delight!

In terms of the whole - me starting my own business within the next 15 years - this ice cream shop and everything Jeni is doing/has accomplished is truly truly inspiring.

JENI’S SPLENDID ICE CREAM – COLUMBUS OHIO

"Jeni Britton Bauer became inspired to make artisan ice creams while working at a French patisserie. Drawing on the practices of a traditional pastry kitchen, Jeni created her own techniques to make American ice creams that are less sweet and more flavorful.

Each batch of Jeni's ice creams is carefully tended to; each flavor artfully achieved with fresh ingredients found in the Ohio countryside as well as responsibly-raised exotics from around the world. All of Jeni's ice creams, sauces, pralines and marshmallows are handcrafted in Jeni's production kitchen in Columbus, Ohio.

Jeni's is family-owned and operated. Jeni Britton Bauer and her husband Charly Bauer co-founded the company in 2002; Charly's brother Tom Bauer became a partner one year later. Together with their small team, they make every batch of ice cream that is served in their four (soon to be seven) stores in Columbus or shipped to doorsteps nationwide."

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams / Made in Columbus Ohio

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams / Made in Columbus Ohio

[[Today's kitchen gadget]]

(1) TEA SWIZZLE

(2) UNZIPPED GLASS BOWL

(3) MUSTACHE MUGS

[[Today’s news]]

(1) MARCH 1ST IS NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY - SO IHOP GIVING AWAY FREE PANCAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"IHOPs are hawking free short stacks tomorrow (Tuesday, March 1) from 7 A.M.-10 P.M. in honor of National Pancake Day. Pancake Day is technically in reference to Shrove Tuesday, the British version of Mardi Gras—though this marketing gimmick takes place a week before Fat Tuesday on March 8 (but whatever, free pancakes).The short stacks are complimentary, but if you want to donate to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals for your free pancakes, they would really appreciate that. Conveniently, IHOP has a restaurant locator to help find a participating location near you."

IHOP Gives Free Pancakes Mar, 1 | The Feast

(2) TOAST IS BURNING

Toast craze in NYC???? I see absolutely NOTHING wrong with that lol. I'm moving to NYC to get me a piece of the toast action.

"You may not have even noticed, but we are in the middle of a toast craze. We’re not talking about the sumptuous slabs abutting your scrambled eggs, but the sudden plethora of grilled, griddled, or oven-toasted slices exquisitely topped and sent out as ritzy bar snacks, elegant appetizers, or elaborate knife-and-fork affairs at some of the buzziest new restaurants in town.

Bruschetta and crostini are nothing new, true—and browned-bread pioneers like ’ino and Blue Ribbon Bakery Market have been toasting away for years—but New York has officially reached carbo-critical mass. We’ve got toast menus, toast bars, and toasts of the day. Locavore toasts, Danish toasts, and Texas toast. Today’s toasts aren’t mere repurposings of leftover loaves. They’re scene-stealing conduits for inventive toppings, miniature works of art that turn top-notch bread into blank canvases for inventive chefs.

At ABC Kitchen, toast ninja Dan Kluger carves through fifteen loaves of rustic sourdough a day. The new uptown pub Jones Wood Foundry honors the grand British toasting tradition with Marmite and crumpets. And for a bit of theater, you can watch your bread cook in “see-through” toasters at David Burke Kitchen’s Treehouse Bar, where jars of toppings come on the side. (We like to think of the woman who greets you there, and sees to your toast, as no mere hostess, but a toastess.) Toast might not be the new sandwich— yet—but it’s at least halfway there."

Why We Are in the Middle of a Toast Craze -- New York Magazine

(3) RISING FOOD PRICES PUT A DAMPER ON CRUISE SHIP DINING

[[Today's random]]

I think I've reached a record total of random items today.

I've never had this many lol.

I'm on random overload!!!!

(1) 50 PEOPLE, 1 QUESTION

Wonderful.

(2) SIDE WALK CHALK GUY

http://gprime.net/images/sidewalkchalkguy/

(3) SUPER SPRAYER

This is so amazing.
Mindblowingly amazing.

(4) THE "LOST IN SOFA" SOFA

(5) KEN ROBINSON SAYS SCHOOLS KILL CREATIVITY

Equally funny and insightful. I quite like this fellow.

(6) URBAN COMOUFLAGE BY LIU BOLIN

(7) CARVED CANDLES

I’ve ALWAYS wondered how these things were made!!

SO. FREAKING. COOL.

(No person should get this excited over carved candles lol.)

What an artist.

(8) SUITCASE CHAIRS

(9) TOILET PAPER ROLL SCULPTURES - JUNIOR FRITZ JACQUET

[[Today’s food clip]]

(1) AWESOME MILK TRICK!

Right after I watched this video – I went to my kitchen and tried it out.

And the results were so cool!!!

(2) PANDA CHEESE/NEVER SAY NO TO PANDA

Am I the only one that thinks this is ridiculously hilarious.

Hahahaha. I LOVE the Panda Cheese commercials.

(3) COOKIE MONSTER INVADES KEEBLER

Perhaps I have a terrible sense of humor.
Or perhaps this is as funny as I think it is lol.

(4) POPCORN KERNEL POPPPING IN SLOW MOTION

Need I say more?

(5) HILAH COOKING - VEGAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Hilah and I are wayyyy too much alike.... I watch her and go "thats me.....that's me....that's totally me" which is awesome because I think she's the absolute bees knees.

Does that mean I'm the bees knees too??????? I think so :D