Recipe of the Week

I'm proud of this one. Actually had a hand in creating this success in the Raw Food/Vegan World. Yeee!!!

Indonesian Kelp Noodle Bowl:

Organic Kelp Noodles
Sweet Chili Sauce (our own recipe)
Bok Choy (Chopped)
Cilantro (Chopped)
Mint (Leaves left whole)
Garnished with Black Sesame Seeds, Strips of Nori, Curled Red Bell Pepper, and again, our own Spicy Paprika Oil drizzle (made of mostly paprika, agave, garlic, and apple cider vinegar)

Be hungry and enjoy :)

Back To It

Spent waaaayyyy too much time recovering from all the negativity that was 2009.

Back on my selfish tip. Its ME time, bitches! Get with it or get stomped :)

♪ Mya - All About Me ♪

Life

When it comes to life, I know for a fact that I'm not living what I was meant to do... Music & Cooking are passions of mine but I was put on this Earth specifically for one aspect...

I was meant to teach and/or be a missionary. Since I was in the 2nd grade, I've known what God wanted for me. I had this teacher, Mrs. Jones. Big eyes, brown skin, always a fresh perm & a fly outfit to match... She rarely talked about what we "needed", according to curriculum or what others said, and always talked about what we "should" know, according to the lives we were living. Even then, I was aware of what really is.

More often than not, we are told one thing when life has taught another. Every now and again we realize what's within us and more so often than not, we move onto the next based on what society makes us think is "real".

My thoughts: Give God all of you. Only then can you see the realness in your life. Whether it be talent, calling, or plan.

I don't think I've spent enough time living out my want to be a Chef. And as much as it makes me happy (beyond belief) to make others happy with my food, its not my need; its not my calling.

One day, your kids will come home saying "My favorite teacher ever is Ms. Jasper..." like I did with Mrs. Jones. And chances are, if I gain word about it, I'll cry like I am now. But to know that that's where I was meant to be makes life actually REAL to me...

In the end, that's all that matters. Live life accordingly :)
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My Love

My love comes rare, hard, & close. I love like people deserve & mentally, I can't comprehend those that don't love as hard as I do. I go in 100% for any and everyone that needs it.

The world could be beautiful if we all loved like we're supposed to.
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Based Magazine

I wanna publicly touch on a subject that I promised I would drop a little over a month ago. I've been getting a lot of flack from people, mainly people I don't even know nor want to know, on how things are run down at BasedMagazine.com. A couple people who are close to DatBoiBased went a little too far in taking their personal problems and using them through his business to bring him down.

Here's what I have to say. That's my fam. And if you're gonna throw salt on his name, you're doing the same to me and everyone else on the staff as well as our affiliates. If you have personal problems keep them personal so that when I get to writing in my public blog, I don't have to waste my time trying to be discrete about you & your negative situations. Business is business and if you don't like the way business is being done, ignore it and find someone or something else to rag on.

In the end, whats done is done and I plan to leave things be but trust if I'm put into another situation where I have to defend what I believe in, trust, you do not want to see my reaction, I go hard for my people. The End :)

Sunday Morning Movie Reviews

As most of you may know, I'm a music head. I tend to not watch very movies, especially in theaters. I take up 3 seats, lay down, fall asleep and/or talk through the entire thing. I am THAT friend. (If you plan on asking me out on a date, don't suggest a movie, you'll never invite me out again)

So here I am with 2 very late movie reviews: Precious & The Blind Side.

Precious

Golden Globe Award Winning (Best Supporting Actress went to Mo'Nique). It's up for 6, count 'em, 6 Oscars; Best Film, Best Actress, Best Supporting actress, Best Editing, Best Writing Based on Material Previously Produced or Published & Best Directing.

Clearly this film is not going unnoticed by the Academy and has gotten a lot of buzz and great reviews from the popular crowd. Unfortunately, I'm not apart of either. In my opinion, the movie wasn't very special. Yes, it was different & heart-wrenching, & I'm glad that I'm not in Precious' situation and it does make me grateful for what I have but that's about it. I feel like the nature of the film was overplayed. I didn't read the book but I'm pretty sure there was a lot less cursing & a lot more "real-life" content than the movie brought to life.

I also didn't think Mo'Nique's performance was exceptional by any means. When discussing it with a friend, he used the word "Brilliant" to describe her performance. "That last scene made you feel sorry for her even though she was a monster but she wasn't actually a monster, she was just sick. She's got the nominations to prove it". Sorry but I disagree. Yes she did play her part well but I want greatness. I want you to blow me off my feet & do something that no one else can do before I give you an award above all the rest.

Had this movie come out 3-5 years ago, I don't think it would have done as well. Like music, the caliber of films out right now are not as great as they've been in the past. I'm tired of entertainment being made just to draw people in. I didn't see Avatar (that'll be on the next review) but I feel like James Cameron made it with the intention of showing his vision/point of view regardless of the outcome, unlike Precious where I feel like it was put out to push the book, show a story, and apply to the masses. Everyone is drawn to a sad story, it's like singing a Gospel song in your American Idol audition; how do you publicly deny faith & religion??

Either way, if you haven't seen this film, I won't reccommend it but go check it out if you feel the need and chances are, you'll disagree with me but, c'est la vie.

The Blind Side

First up, I have to say that I'm a sucker for true stories. Chances are, I'll like any movie based on a true story. I'm a realist, I like reality. But regardless of my personal feelings, we're talking opinions here. I liked this film. It felt real & genuine. Won a Golden Globe (Best Actress by Sandra Bullock) which I felt was well deserved yet not well earned. Not super exceptional about her performance but she is one of my top favorite actresses and she did do a really good job. Maybe I expect too much from high paid actors but, don't try to impress me doing something that I can do too.

Moving on, it's up for Best Motion Picture & Best Actress by the Academy (Oscars) and I hope Sandra wins it again because the category is VERY forgiving this year. Either she or Meryl Streep is gonna take it, point blank. However, I will say this, if anyone deserves an award for this movie, it's Jae Head, the kid that plays S.J. It cracks me up when kids can act cause that's a true gift & talent in children should NEVER go unnoticed. Also, Tim McGraw surprised me. I'm a huge Country Music fan and he can actually act so yay! for him.

Anyways. The movie is about an inner city kid, Michael Oher, that gets into a private school & changes the lives of a family that takes him in & helps change his life. True rags to "riches" story, yada yada.

Funny in a lot of parts, heart warming in plenty of others. Good directing, and the fact that so many NCAA Football coaches took the time out to be in the movies makes you realize how true the film is to it's original story. In the end, I really like this film and if you haven't seen it, check it out for yourself.

Happy Sunday folks!

A tad late

Some uber late BDay pics.... Forgive me for we was crunk :)

Me & Mikala D, my cuzzo from the Mexican side.

Sheila E, Janet B, Mikala D. CCP

(My G Scouts por vida)

Oh-Ten

First sunset of 2010. It doesn't get much better.

Happy New Year bitches!! If you weren't up on your game in '09 (It was a horrid effing year so I understand if you weren't) It's time to GetItIN.com

Full/Blue Moon, good NYE with good people, great music conversation, and amazing love. I won't say this is "my year" cause I'm not greedy, we all in this. But trust, this Chef is takin OVER in 2010. Yeeee! "Fuck the rest, I'll see you all in success!" :)

Cause It's My Birthday, Bitch!

Holla!! I've missed you lovies! It's my Birthday Season and I'm sooo "on top of the world!!"

Cooked a dinner the other night for some friends. Cause whats the point in being a Chef & not throwing dinner parties every so often, right?! Good night, cold food (EVERYONE showed up late, oh well) But my Oven fried chicken & pasta in an alfredo cream sauce with homemade garlic bread & asparagus (everything I make is fresh from scratch) was bangin!

So yeah. It's my Birthday Season. I celebrate for a whole season. Hate on a hot bitch!!

I apologize in advance cause I probably won't have any pictures nor alibi's cause I plan on being wasted and getting all my peeps wasted, in some form, as well.

*side note* the first song I heard today was Notorious BIG - Juicy. CLEARLY, it's gonna be a good fuckin year!

I guess there's not really any point to this blog but, I felt like sharing. It's MY time & Happy Birthday to meeeee!!!

Thanksgiving

I'm very excited for this Thanksgiving. Family, food, & chillage; you can't get much better than that. I don't usually do this but I'm gonna go ahead and list some of the things I'm thankful for. 5th grade status.

1. God: The man that makes it happen. My best friend, my everything. I literally would not have survived this year (and, of course, all the rest) without his guidancem love, & strength. It's been a very trying year and I'm glad I have the Lord in my life.

2. Family & Friends that are all Family to me: When all else fails, they're there for me. Maybe not always the way I need and usually not the way I want but in the end, they're the ones I can rely on.

3. Life: I literally wake up every morning, pick up my Bible, & give thanks for another day here on this Earth. Nothing in this life is promised and the only constant thing is change & death. Lord willing, I'll be dodging the latter for a VERY long time ;)

4. Music: That state of music has downgraded dramatically within the last decade, in the popular sense. I recently lost my iPod to old age and have realized how much my most static source for music (radio) is failing. It's time for change and I feel it coming. I feel like the people are ready to stand up for the good and get rid of what's not working. More and more, people are demanding quality in quantity & I'm beyond thankful for that.

5. Food: As some of you may know, I'm a Chef. And I'm damn proud of the work that it took to get me there. The only good that came out of this year was my professional certification. So much hard work & passion. It's what I love to do and it makes me soooo happy that I can make others happy with my food. I get customers, hungry friends, family, etc. telling me daily how much it meant to them that the food I prepared was good/made them happy/the best they've ever had & I feel blessed everytime I'm remembered of the opportunity to do that for others.

6. Love: I'm really effing lucky to be so incredibly loved by family, friends, strangers, etc. Everyday, someone reminds me how much they love me. Sounds selfish but it keeps me going, keeps my compassion & care in check; keeps me ME. When it comes to love, I go hard; I'm all in for any and everyone that's open to it. I believe the world should revolve around music, faith, food, & love and I plan on being that change the world needs to see.

I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving and I pray that the most comes of it. When you think you have nothing to be thankful for, remember that I appreciate every single one of you that reads this blog/my life. Maybe I can be the one to give you some insight on how much YOU make a difference in my/the world and hopefully you're thankful for that. Love & Prayer!

*Thanksgiving Day update*:

Bad Blackberry flick but my food was GOOOOOOD!