Saturday, May 5, 2018

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry.

Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Grab some friends and host a party or spend the night in with your honey. Prepare a Mexican meal, make some margaritas, throw a couple Mexican blankets over the couch, light some candles and create your own sensual adventure. Check local costume shops for Cinco de Mayo outfits and do some role playing or dancing.





For some amazing Margarita recipes check out The Best Margaritas of Texas.





Visit the Food Network for some yummy recipes to celebrate the holiday.



If you need help turning a hum-drum day into a Mexican fiesta you need a little help from CHEF AARÓN SÁNCHEZ. Sanchez is the Owner/Executive Chef of Centrico & Paladar as well as a Food Network Star & Cookbook Author Award-Winning Chef. Check out his website.


Friday, May 4, 2018

#WeekendRomance #Food&Wine

I love chocolate (the darker, the better).
I love cherries and I love wine.

 On a whim, I bought a bottle of Cocobon Wine. I liked the description on the lable.
Experience Cocobon, a harmonious blend that tantalizes the senses and transports you along a spell-binding journey to Nirvana. Become immersed in deep crimson tones that deliver decadent aroma and flavor, from dark cherry to rich vanilla, mocha and cocoa.
Oh the lable wasn't kidding!  This beverage is an orgasm for the tounge.
When inhaling the arroma, the scent was sharp but sublte with only the faintest hint of berries.  The smell carries dark raspberries with vanilla and the flavor is even better. At first you taste a rich full flavor of red fruits. The soft, mild tannins were completely overpowered by the luscious flavors of rich vanilla and dark chocolate. This powerful combination then melted into a blueberry finish with just a hint of bite to help the flavor linger on in the mouth. Even after you swallow, the flavors continue to dance on the back of your tongue.
I highly recomend to enjoy this drink slowly for the wonderful experience! 
Perhaps the wine is so appealing because it was created by a lady winemaker Georgetta Dane.
It takes a woman to know what a woman really wants in a wine!
She continues her journey at Cocobon, where she harnesses the power of all her senses and creates a Zen-like balance at the intersection of art, science, and soul.


Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Tasty Tuesday - Oatmeal Cookie shot

I belong to a Coffee Club, a fun group of Divas who drink coffee when we meet in the morning. But when we meet at night...we just drink.  On Friday, I was given an Oatmeal Cookie and I don't mean the one with oats & raisins.  It was delicious.

Ingredients

  • 1-ounce Jagermeister
  • 1-ounce Irish Cream Liqueur
  • 1-ounce Butterscotch Schnapps
  • 1/2-ounce Cinnamon Schnapps
  • Raisins, for garnish, optional

Directions

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass over ice.

Here are a few variations.

Dirty Oatmeal recipe

This is a layered shot - the Bailey's must be on top.


Oatmeal Cookie recipe

Pour ingredients into a stainless steel shaker over ice, and shake until completely cold. Strain into an old-fashioned glass, and serve.


Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe

Combine ingredients in equal parts in a shot glass.

Monday, April 23, 2018

A Personal Note - "You Don't Look Sick"

I’m not one to put my personal laundry out there,
but today I feel the need to rant a bit.


I have Lupus, a “sub-category” of Connective Tissue Disease and at times my body is racked with pain to the point of sitting and doing nothing hurts even more. Most people don’t know I have it, and many that do know don’t understand what it is.... because I don’t look sick.



"My immune system attacks itself. What does yours do?"





What is Connective Tissue Disease?
Connective tissues are groups of fibers and cells that “connect” the framework of the body and literally hold it together. Their functions include cushioning, protecting, supporting, insulating and strengthening the body’s tissues and organs. Examples of connective tissue are tendons, ligaments, cartilage, blood, bone, and the dermis of the skin. Because connective tissues exist in so many structures of the body, disorders of these tissues may involve a variety of symptoms, including pain and dysfunction in different areas of the body.
Overall, treatment should include a lifestyle plan to optimize health and reduce symptoms. A well-balanced nutritional plan, regular physical activity, plenty of rest, and routine testing to monitor the progress of disease will aid in controlling this disease.

Complications of connective tissue disease include:
■Difficulty performing daily tasks (uh... like opening the lid to the pancake syrup or snapping my jeans.)

■Increased pain and dysfunction (hurts to walk, move, breathe)

■Joint deformity and destruction (don’t even want to think about it)

■Severe discomfort or pain (due to side effects from pain killers, secondary medications may be needed to treat those)

Basically, there is no cure... the pain will only get worse. One may have to fight depression if the thought becomes to consuming. Suicide rate is high; I guess you could say lack of relief from pain and lack of compassion can make a person literally go crazy.  "Brain Fog" is hard to explain when others get upset with your lack of attention and forgetfulness.
LUPUS -
A chronic inflammatory condition caused by an autoimmune disease. May cause depression, fatigue, hair loss, sensitivity to sunlight and changes in weight.
OR...
May cause optimism, excuse to stay in bed, experimentation with new hair styles, getting to flaunt your Derby Hat all year round and more shopping sprees.



A positive goal is to live a life of some kind of remission and have a strong network of people who will be there when things get tough, even though you don’t look sick - they know when your body and heart hurt.
I hope this helps and if you know of someone with CTD, please share this with others. Sometimes the pain is so bad I want to cry, but even crying hurts. However, what wounds the most is when I’m in pain and others look at me as if I’m lying and say, “You don’t look sick.”



Lives

Unlocking
Powerful
Unexpected

Strength

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Graduation Day!

My first baby graduates from college today. 

To say I'm proud is an understatement. Son #1 decided a long time ago to attend the same college I did many years before.



He has been referred to as a Legacy Student.

Trading in high school football pads for college

Senior year - Pres of the Frat
 Once the dust settles from this exciting event, he plans to continue to graduate school with hopes to be the first "Doctor" in the family.
He's kind, caring and witty as well as a wonderful son and role model for his younger brothers.

It seems like it was yesterday I watched him board the bus for the first day of kindergarten.

Time flies.

Where's that box of tissues?