Happiness is....

Happiness is...walking into a supermarket and bringing all those wonderful ingredients into my kitchen. I realized this a few days ago after having a crappy day at work. Side note: I’m not working in the food business in any aspect at this time. I work in the exciting world of insurance…*smiling hard because it pays the bills*. Back to my crappy day or should I say on to my happiness.

It was one of those days where you wake up and you don’t even want to go in. You’re thinking what excuse can I use to call in…pipes busted, gotta take the dog to the vet, just got a call to save a small Indigenous tribe in Australia.  One of those days! So, of course the day just got worse while I was there. Eight hours later I quit, I have written down all the names of people who I will stalk & kill and finally I blow up my building. All of these things occurred in my head of course. Well, I finally leave and drive home.  I had that scrunchy, tense eye thing going on and I cursed out all the bad drivers on the way. I ran over something or someone but I didn’t hear any screams. So, it probably wasn’t that bad. But then I pulled into the parking lot and entered my local supermarket.

As soon as I walked in I started picking out my produce. I felt an ease instantly come over me. No more tense face, I was finding everything I needed, my mind was focused on my stuffed flank steak and basil was even there chillin. I completed my shopping and darted home to get into my kitchen. I felt so good! I forgot that I had previously blown up my job and killed several people. I wasn’t in that mood at all anymore. I once again realized that happiness is living my dream and absorbing myself in my passion. So, if you’ve had that bad day at your 9-5 make sure when you leave that you do something you enjoy. Absorb yourself in your passion. Get on your computer and figure out how you’re going to start your business. Pick up the paintbrush you haven’t touched in months. Start on that book you’ve always wanted to write. Whatever it is just do it! I promise you it will change your day and bring your happiness.  And you don't even have to put any bodies in the trunk. Dang, which reminds me….

Until next time!

What! No Basil?

 

I decided to go to my local supermarket to pick up some ingredients for dinner yesterday and I was pressed for time. Produce section first then supermarket sweep through the rest of the store. I knew I was going to make Bruschetta and some Sofrito. So, tra la la…I scoop up organic cilantro, garlic, tomatoes and green pepper…oh I’m so happy for my luscious Sofrito. But have you seen the size of a “regular” green pepper? Ok, I must move on from that.

I turn the corner where my lovely Basil always hangs out. Insert confused face…What! No Basil? Maybe they moved it or maybe Basil didn’t want to hang with Thyme anymore. She has the right to move. So I turn around to where they have the little containers of herbs. No Basil. I’m trying to relax for two reasons. One, I have to hurry and I don’t have time to turn my head like Cybil looking for this Basil. Two, I’m craving for this Bruschetta that I Tweeted about.  Of course if I tweeted it I must make it. I turn back to Basil’s original hang out and I look at the pricing label. Yep, it says Basil should be here so she hasn’t moved. At this point I can tell my face has changed. Contorted is probably a good description. I look down under the drapery of the stand to see if there was some “extra” stock. You know the spot where you look for extra t-shirts. Then you look under the drapery and your size is right there! Nope no luck for Basil. I see the sixteen year old “I could care less I just want to be on Facebook employee stocking some onions.” I say, “Hi…do you guys have anymore Basil?”  He says, “Basil? Ummmm Basil?” I think to myself this is not happening right now. He says “It should be over here”. I already know where Basil hangs. Of course we get there and no Basil. He says “Nope guess we don’t have anymore. We should have some tomorrow.” What? No Basil! What? No Basil! What am I supposed to do now? Lady please don’t look at me like that and you don’t have to hold your kid tight either. I’m not that dangerous.

But then the Basil Gods tapped me on the shoulder and pointed me to the herbs in a tube section. I never tried them but I read the label and it sounded cool and it was organic too. I’ll try the $25 tube…ok $3.50…and see what happens. Well, I make the Bruschetta and it was as tasty as could be. Tube Basil is a success and I’m very happy. As I was blending my ingredients I knew that I had truly found my passion in cooking. You just don’t get upset over an herb and then become a carpenter.  I love to cook and everything that goes into it. Cooking is definitely a pure joy for me and I want to share it with the world.  So, tomorrow I think I’ll get a t-shirt made up saying…”What? No Basil!” Yeah, I really like that.

Until next time!

Enjoy your food with True Flavor!!

No animals were harmed while writing this post

Today I received emails from three different farms and I was filled with absolute joy! The thought of that joy just tickles me to death. Never in my life did I think I would be elated over communication with farms. I sure didn’t think I would be running my mouth about it all day. You see I’m originally from the Bronx and I can’t say I talked about cattle or steer. Now, I just get on the computer and peruse the Department of Agriculture for all the farms in my area. Ahhh...change is such a wonderful thing.

Right now I have 3 farms to choose from for my upcoming Tasting Party. I am extremely excited about my options. Choosing a farm is not just about those lovely pics of the cows looking at me but their practices.  Each farmer took the time to explain how many steer they had in their herd, what they’re being fed and their living arrangements. It’s a shame when they say “they get plenty of sunlight, drink plenty of water and roam free”. Aren’t animals on a farm supposed to do these things?? Unfortunately in factory farming these things don’t happen. Animals are raised in large scale operations and treated with hormones and antibiotics. Sadly these animals usually live shorter, painful lives and produce lower quality food. So, I’ll take the cows behind door number one.  

My next step is purchasing some delectable beef for my amazingly flavorful burgers. These burgers are going to be full of flavor and just so juicy. OMG my mouth just watered…I’m sorry…just wipe that off your screen. I’ll also be visiting these farms so I can verify that these lovely facts, pictures and testimonials are valid. You know farm raised farmers really enjoy what they’re doing and take pride with their product. Factory farms are completely in it for the profit and could care less if they kick a chicken or two while feeding them. I’m not trying to bash the other side I just want to make people aware of the difference. Most of my life I didn’t think twice about where my food came from. I just knew where it was going…right in my belly. I didn’t care if thousands of animals where on top of each other and couldn’t see the sun on a daily basis.  I knew I was about to have a steak and baked potato and I was going to be full. We live and learn. My goal with True Flavor is not about making millions of dollars. It’s about making a product that is healthy and delicious for you and your families to enjoy. I want you to be excited when you taste the difference just like I was the first time. Then I’ll take the million dollars J

Until next time!

My First Post

I'm so excited about sharing my journey on starting my business with the world!! And if the world doesn't show up at least I know my mother will read this. So, here it goes…do most people say that? Ok, let’s try this…let’s start the journey….

Almost two years ago I started cooking more in my kitchen instead of on my lovely grill. Now, this wasn’t a bad thing for me but a little new so to speak. You see I’m a grill master and I did most of my cooking on that grill. I would cook inside a few times and had a few “signature” dishes I would brag about. But my heart was on that grill. But I decided to cook more meals inside. It started becoming more of a joy to cook on the stove and my meals were pretty darn good. Then I saw a documentary called Food Inc and it changed my eating life. I was taken aback at what I had just witnessed. It was amazing to find out what I was eating and what I was feeding my kids. So as a family we made a conscience decision to make changes on what we were putting in our bodies. I then experienced the supermarket of all supermarkets…Trader Joe’s. I was in food heaven. It was great and so enlightening that I could buy food and it didn’t have 75 ingredients listed. Now, I was never a label reader but after I watched that doc I started to briefly look at the amount of ingredients that was in my food. I didn’t know you needed a hundred things just to make cheese, apple juice or a green pepper…ok maybe not the green pepper. But have you seen the size of a green pepper? So, organic and all natural food became my life. The flavor was amazing! I mean my taste buds were like what is this pleasure happening in my mouth right now.

Now two years later I’m still cooking up a storm and loving it! I’ve cooked countless dishes that have a flavor just to die for. And of course I’ve made them both on the grill and on the stove. I decided to go back to school to become a Chef and now start my own business. I’ve finally found my passion and that is to cook. Not only cook but cook with fresh ingredients that just burst with flavor. Now I want to share what I’ve made for my family with the world. If the world decides not to hop on this food bandwagon you know who will be my number one customer (mom).  I’m ready to go all out and give this my all. I’m ready to fall and get back up. I’m ready to succeed at this too. I’m also ready to share the entire experience with you. We will be excited together through this journey that is about to take off. Only joy and laughter will be allowed here because there is no crying in cooking. Well, there is when you dice those onions. But besides that this is going to be a positive adventure that I know you will enjoy. Thanks so much for taking this ride with me!

Until next time!

Enjoy your food with True Flavor

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same - Marianne Williamson