show and tell

As I was trying to not make eye contact with my crazy next door neighbor, I noticed one of our trees is a Banyan. They are beautiful and symbolize eternal life. I'm sure there's a lesson there between the almighty Banyan and me ignoring the crazy neighbor lady, but it's Monday and I'm just not getting it. So I'm going to have a second (ok, maybe my third) cup of coffee and share a couple tidbits instead...

* Apparently, coconut water has had its day and new 'it' drinks are moving in. I actually have started drinking aloe vera water. It tastes better than you would think. Then again I've unknowingly tried deep fried fish lips and they were much better than chicken feet! 

*I admit I have chosen vacations based on one picture (Here's looking at you, Angkor Wat). Here are several more photos that you may want to put on a must go to list. But sorry, if you select 9 or 10, I am definitely not your travel partner.  

* Need a new soup recipe? My new go to is an easy carrot ginger soup that's great for lunches and a dinner appetizer. It even works into your detox- if you're into that sort of thing. 

* If you haven't checked out The New York library's digital collection, it should be your next click. They have added almost 200,000 images to their public domain and it is easily search able. I found lots of photos of Hong Kong past. 

* Have you ever tried mochi? It's a delish Japanese dessert like cake, but very dense with a firm gooey center. I am not selling it very well. I used this recipe the other day to take dessert to a party. It was awesome!! There's only six ingredients. If you can find glutinous rice flour, I would definitely give it a try. 

So three of those revolve around food. I have been trying new foods. My new thing is fermenting veggies. I must admit. I normally abhor beets, but have discovered I like beets fermented. Are you trying anything new? Please do share. 

xox, 

Christine

Show and tell...

I'm always open to a late birthday gift. Isn't everyone? See above? It's a huge diffuser complete with white michelia flower oil. So now our whole family room smells fabulous. The white michelia flower is related to the magnolia and is only found in Asia. It's commonly the flower that spas and resorts have floating in pretty bowls. My apologies, for the lack of smell a vision. 

How was your weekend? Ours was the usual with sports and homework, but we also had a bunch of friends over for Mexican. Hard to believe I know, but Mexican food isn't to easy to come by here in The Kong. Have you ever tried making Chipotle's cilantro lime rice? It was really good. My kids even ate something that had green in it! I found a couple of other things I thought you might like as well...

• Have you heard of phone pinching?!? Apparently, it's an internet craze started by Twenty One Pilots. And, yes, it's a  crazy craze! Unless you are in the market for a new phone, which I'm not.

• One of my good friends pens an advice column. And yep, I do call her when I need advice! (Sometimes I even listen.). So here's a couple of her favorite posts. 

• The Celiac Disease Foundation just released an app. It includes foods, companies, recipes, and much more.  I just started playing with it. Looks quite promising!

• Stuck on the eighties? May I suggest putting away your scrunchies and instead watch  The Goldbergs while the minors are awake and Red Oaks after they are tucked in. Unfortunately, both shows are very good at reminding me how old I really am...

• Ever dream about rolling in money? Now how about sitting on it? Now, you can do just that. With these stools utilizing decommissioned currencies as the cushions.

•  David Beckham has a new movie coming out as well as his new H&M clothing line. So imagine a shoot where Kevin Hart follows Beckham around working on his method acting while in Anderson Coopers Manhattan home. (Sorry, Anderson does not make an appearance, though.) Just go watch it. Maybe twice?

• So the newest study states maybe we should never have switched over to low fat dairy. I don't think I can just switch to whole milk after one study. How about you?

So are you ready for Monday? I like to think of Monday as 'the back to school day' of the week. A fresh opportunity to get it all right. Doesn't mean that I do, but hey, lets think positive today!

xox,

Christine

show and tell...

We had a fabulous time last week in Danang. We were there last July and it was so nice to not feel the tourist to do list. You know making sure you hit all those 'must sees.' I had days I left my phone in the room. Which did lead to less photos. Except  I was quick enough to grab a real camera (gasp!) on the way to cooking class. So know I have photographic proof I can make pho! That maybe a great item to share. But first let me share these tidbits with you...

• Bored of your playlists? Same here. So its a good start to check out Burberry's new iTunes channel. Burberry will feature new British artists so you can be the first to be in the know.

• This wig vase makes me want to return to the flower market. 

• Anthony Bourdain and Anderson Cooper might both be massive silver foxes with names beginning with A, but that's where the similarities end apparently. Watch this video of Anthony forcing Anderson to eat (and watch it again- well, at least I did!).

• Need a unique clutch no one else will have at you next black tie? I 99.9% guarantee this is the one! But now that I've let the cat out of the bag...

Ok, it's Monday, friends. Carpe Diem! 

xox, 

Christine