Coming at you live from my iPhone - woot woot! How are you doing? I myself am trying not to freak out. Why? Ohhhhhh you know I'll tell you why lol.....
I was watching my 'Pushing Dasies' season 1 DVD when all of a sudden my Mac froze. I waited a bit and it was still just frozen. So I did what anyone who isn't computer saavy would do- I turned it off and took the battery out and waited. When I put the battery back in I turned it on to see if my brilliant idea had worked.....And of course it didn't. It still makes the "bummmmmmm" noise when I turn it on like it's going to work (lol @ my attempt to recreate the Mac hum) and then itjust stays frozen on the white screen while my favorite television show disc is stuck inside making a funny noise.
F.M.L.
What's ironic is a couple of weeks ago when my car Gertrude (yes I named my car) was having troubles I made a comment like "at least my laptop is in great condition! I'd cry if anything happened to it!" ........sigh lol.
For those of you that are new to CCH (and to refresh the memories of those who might've forgotten) right before I moved back to OH from FL over the summer my MacBook refused to turn on and long story short I had to drop $600 on my credit card to fix it. I'll be damned if I have to fix this thing again. I am broke as a joke. I mean seriously. I can't afford to fix it. So hopefully when I take it to the Mac depot they will tell me it's an easy low cost fix. But if not I fear it will get super awkward for the employees when I start bawling my eyes out in the middle of the store and rolling around on the ground screaming "help me I'm poor".....but I digress lol. My laptop is broken til further notice which means it'll be terribly difficult to blog. I apologize ahead of time if I don't get a chance to blog due to this. If it looks like its going to be an issue I will just use my parents Mac until I figure something out!
When all is said and done it's just a piece of equipment. Sure it sucks that it isn't working right now and it will suck even more if it's expensive to fix, but it just a silly computer. It isn't like my livelihood depends on it. My job is in a kitchen, not on my computer. As much as I love blogging my little heart out, it isn't my job. I can live without a laptop for a couple of weeks. Morale of the story is: I have it pretty good on life if my stupid MacBook is my only problem.
In the midst of all my angst and tears and calling my mom and getting an unnecessary attitude with her about this - I got really really mad at myself. Why? Because I hate when I 1. Get mad at things that are out of my hands 2. Take things out on other people and mainly 3. Exude negative energy. I absolutely refuse to ever knowingly or willingly be in a bad mood about things, and it kills me when I am. I am in full control of my emotions and the way in which I handle certain situations. Plainly being put- i am in control of my life and the energies I am giving off. So why on earth would I ever choose anything but happiness and positivity? Shame on me. Shame shame on me.
Life is wonderful. Sure my $2200 MacBook may or may not be broken beyond repair. But like i said before- it's just a silly piece of equipment. I hope you can look at my situation and see that you might be dwelling more on something than you should be. If this is the case then my advice to you is to just let it go. You know it isn't worth it! I mean if you're reading this then chances are you have your own phone or computer to be doing so - so in my book you already have it better than a great majority of the people in the world. (I'm not implying that people with cell phones and computers are better off than people without them, just merely stating that if you own these things then you most likely have somewhat of a income, food, clothing, etc. Which I.e. means you have it good in my book.)
It's time to bid you farewell and go back to sleep.
Be sure to be kind to everyone you come across because you really don't know how bad they may have it!
Xoxoxo - JB
Let us begin....
[[Todays restaurant]]
(1) BLIND RESTAURANT - DANS LE NOIR? - LONDON ENGLAND
"You are going to live an unbelievable experience: eating or having a drink in the pitch darkness.
If this idea seems to be a little strange to you at first, it is maybe because by suppressing the dominant sense of the sight, each person naturally starts a deep self-questioning. With the help of our blinded guides you are going to completely re-evaluate the notion of taste and smelling through our gastronomic and pedagogical process.
Dans le Noir? London is located at 30-31 Clerkenwell Green in a trendy area of Clerkenwell. It can accommodate sixty people in the dark room, the main dining area. It also has a lit bar and a lounge where delicious cocktails are served before and after a dinner."
"This extravagant cocktail bar and restaurant is positioned on Haymarket in the heart of London’s West End. Complete with carousel bar, lavish Vegas mirrors, stunning monochrome Fibonacci patterned walls and floor, imposing black stallions, giant bird cages, turquoise hand shaped chairs and lashings of fluorescent pink, the exaggerated splendour of The Electric Birdcage creates a magical environment in which to savour a superlative range of innovative cocktails, alongside contemporary Pan Asian cuisine."
"The teacup is made up of two hemispheres. Between the hemispheres is a thin net which prevents the tea leaves from entering the cup. While the aroma from the tea leaves is mixed with hot water, the cup is covered with the top hemisphere, preventing the aroma from evaporating into the air. After 3 minutes, when the tea leaves have released their flavor, the tea cup is ready to be flipped 180 degrees and the leaves will be separated from the tea. All that is needed is one hand movement in order for the leaves to be separated from the liquid, in other words, for the tea to enter into one hemisphere from the other without spilling."
(2)
TEA TIMERS
[[Todays random]]
(1) MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL - BARCELONA
(2) $1000 SUNDAE
THE GOLDEN OPULENCE
"This is currently the most expensive ice cream sundae in the world. It's name on the menu at Serendipity 3 in New York is listed as "The Golden Opulence Sundae". It's a big, luxurious and unique dessert but comes at a price only affordable by a few people for it costs $1,000. Serendipity 3 introduced this unique dessert in 2004 to celebrate the restaurant's 50th anniversary. It's an ice cream sundae made from only the finest things and when you read the list of ingredients you begin to realise just how special an ice cream sundae this is!"
Once you start eating them you won’t be able to stop.
Not a recipe for people with little to no self control.
…..which is why I rarely make these ;)
::Ingredients::
1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup of peanut butter
¼ cup of margarine or butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
9 cups of chex cereal
::Directions::
-Pour cereal into a very large bowl and set aside.
- In a microwave safe bowl combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.
- Microwave on high for about 2 minutes
-Once removed from the microwave stir in the vanilla
- Your chocolate mixture should look similar to mine.
-Very creamy with no lumps.
- Pour chocolate mixture over the cereal, stirring until all pieces are evenly coated.
-Be very careful and gentle with the cereal when you're mixing.
If you aren't then the cereal will break into pieces
**An easy way of mixing: Take a large spoon and scrape along the sides of the bowl with an inward motion- carefully folding the chocolate into the cereal. By mixing around the outside of the cereal instead of through the center- you’ll be avoiding breakage.**
((Since I’m using my ‘Kitchen Aid’ mixer bowl
I am able to pour the powdered sugar directly over top the cereal.
This is because my bowl is huge and I have enough room to mix the cereal until the powdered sugar fully covers it.))
--If you don’t have a large bowl…..--
-Find a gallon sized baggie with a good and sturdy zipper to scoop
the cereal into.
-Top the chocolatey peanut butter cereal off with the powdered sugar and seal the bag.
Now give it a really good shake until all of the pieces are coated.
(This is the technique most people use)
This is how my puppy chow looked after mixing in 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar.
I really like my cereal pieces to be completely covered so I added more until I was satisfied.
((If you want to use more or less of the powdered sugar than I put in the ingredient list- then don’t let me stop you! This part is all preference really))
I bet you can't guess who got her curls cut this evening.....
This girl right here!
Woooooo!!
I'm sooooooo glad I finally got my hair cut!!! I'm pretty sure Mary (my stylist for the past 15 years or so) cut about 5 inches off. I usually go to the salon every 2-3 months, but seeing as I've been low on funds ever since I moved into my apartment it's been more like 5-6 months! My hair really needed it.
I'm not much of a long hair girl anyhow. I think short suits me much better. I'm too impatient to deal with anything longer than my shoulders. Not to mention it gets in my way during my dance parties :)
I'm not trying to brag, but my curly little pony tail is the cutest :)
Well that's all from me today!
"So what Jenna you're just going to talk about your hair and leave?" Why yes hypothetical question asker.....yes I am lol. As always -I hope each and every one of you are having a splendid week so far! Be sure to brush off the silly negatives and embrace every little positive in your life! Sweating the small stuff is an absolute waste of time. Believe me.
xoxooxoxoxo - Jenna Black Attack
Let us begin.....
[[Todays music]]
(1) GOTYE - SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW
Based on lyrical content - this song is absolute perfection. The male & female perspective on breaking up is on 100% on point (at least compared to my life it is). Oh too familiar words have never been sang....
"Now you're just somebody that I used to know."
(2) JENNY O. - WELL OK HONEY
Love the dancing.
Love the lyrics.
Love the song.
Love it all.
[[Todays restaurant]]
MINUS 5 - ICE BAR - LAS VEGAS
"The Minus5 Ice Lounge, named for its constant frosty temperature of minus five degrees Celsius (23-degrees Fahrenheit) was created in New Zealand. Minus5 Ice Lounge is an ice lounge where you can touch, feel, and explore intricately handcrafted ice sculptures and ice architecture made from 100% pure Canadian ice. Enter an icy wonderland where everything that surrounds you is pure, crystal-clear, glacial ice from the seats you sit on to the glasses you sip your unique premium vodka-based cocktails from. You and your guests will be treated to the coolest experience in all of Las Vegas."
(4) TWENTY ONE SUGGESTION SFOR SUCCESS - H. JACKSON BROWN, JR.
Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
Work at something you enjoy and thats worthy of your time and talent.
Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
Be forgiving of yourself and others.
Be generous.
Have a grateful heart.
Persistence, persistence, persistence.
Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.
Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
Commit yourself to constant improvement.
Commit yourself to quality.
Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.
Be loyal.
Be honest.
Be a self-starter.
Be decisive even if it means youll sometimes be wrong.
Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, youll regret the things you didnt do more than the ones you did.
Take good care of those you love.
Dont do anything that wouldnt make your Mom proud.
[[Today's curly head]]
HALLE BERRY
[[Today's recipe]]
HEALTHY FRENCH TOAST
::Ingredients::
2 pieces of whole wheat bread
2 egg whites & ½ of an egg yolk
1 packet of splenda (or) ¼ teaspoon of pure sugar
3 tablespoons of fat free milk
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
½- 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (for the skillet)
::Directions::
--You’ll need a large enough bowl to fit the egg mixture and two pieces of bread
-- Separate the eggs & add the 2 egg whites and ½ egg yolk to the bowl
--Add splenda, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla to the egg yolk mixture
--Whisk this mixture vigorously for about 20 seconds
-- Soak each slice of bread in the mixture, flipping sides every 10 seconds until the bread has soaked up a majority of the mixture
--If you’re preparing this in the morning then continue on to the next step. But if you’re preparing the French toast the night before: this is the time to cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator
--The next step is to put a skillet over the stove top between medium and high heat
--After about 1-2 minutes add just enough of the extra virgin olive oil to coat the skillet. About 1 tablespoon.
(be careful, it might pop on you!)
--Once the olive oil is hot (test by dropping a teaspoon of water on the skillet…if the water sizzles like crazy then it’s ready) it’s time to add the first piece of battered bread
(A trick I use to prevent the toast from sticking to the pan is: right as the bread hits the pan, shake the skillet back and forth for a couple of seconds so the bread floats ever so slightly on top of the olive oil)
--Use a spatula to check the bottom of your French toast, once it’s to your desired doneness (I like a medium brown color) it’s time to flip!
(Use the same trick to prevent it from sticking mentioned in the above step)
--After you’re done with your first slice of bread, continue on to your second!
(You may or may not need to add more olive oil)
Top with your favorite healthy toppings and enjoy!
(I usually top my French toast with: ½ tablespoon of honey and my favorite fruits : banana, apple, and blueberries. As a substitute for syrup I use Dannon ‘Fit & Lite’ yogurt to dip my French toast in.)
Jenna is the name blogging about food appears to be my game. Self declared funny gal, and budding chef-to-be. I prepare food for a living at @olivedive . Click the 'About Me' tab to learn more!
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