Great Sounds: Jaspects

pic via [1]
A friend had posted a YouTube, so being the curious person that I am I clicked on it completely enamored with the sounds I heard. Jaspects has a really smooth mellow sound remnant of a jazz. But what makes them so fascinating is their unique twist on the beats reminding me of music my Dad would listen to integrates with a revolutionary modern sound which makes it so addicting to listen to. This is music you can pop in and listen to while at work. Loving this discovery!

Here's a little excerpt about the band: "Born during the hip-hop movement, Jaspects integrates their youthful skill to progress music and build a bridge between musical genres. Formally trained alumni of Morehouse College’s music department, Jaspects’ goal is to produce an exhaustive musical experience that involves TRUE freedom of expression via musical and lyrical creativity." [2]

Their last album is called The Polkadotted Stripe. The name alone is so intriguing. Apparently the band has split but their music still lives on so check it out!

Enjoy
xxx

Daddy Wasn't There

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I was fortunate enough to have my father raise me. It's one of the many things I take pride in knowing. It's unfortunate though that there are a number of men & women out there who were not as fortunate as I. Enter the "Daddy Issues". I'm sure these individuals subconsciously know they have issues with the fact their fathers were not present in their lives growing up. However admitting it is something completely different. Hence the reason why I occasionally bump into people who take out their built up frustration in the form of emotional hang ups, resentment and promiscuity.

Tasty Pallets: Lemon Blueberry Pancakes

Recipe via [1]
Greetings darling! I really wish I took picture of every meal I made verses looking for them online. But I came up with a recipe very similar to this one day and to my suprise found it online! The link above has some really great images so feel free to check it out. It's such a tasty breakfast treat.

Side bar: If you ever wonder why I put up recipes it's because I believe it's every hungry person's obligation to learn how to feed themselves (especially if you're single!).

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cup Cake Flour
• 1 Tablespoon (additional) Cake Flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1 Tablespoon (heaping) Baking Powder
• 3 Tablespoons Sugar
• 1-1/2 cup Evaporated Milk (more If Needed)
• 1 whole Lemon (more If Needed)
• 1 whole Large Egg
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
• 2 Tablespoons Butter, Melted
• Zest From 1 Lemon
• 1 cup Heaping Blueberries
• Extra Butter
• Maple Or Pancake Syrup

Preparation Instructions

Heat heavy skillet or grill over medium low heat.
In a medium bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, mix evaporated milk, juice of 1 lemon (more if lemon isn't very juicy), and lemon zest. Allow to sit for five minutes, then add egg, vanilla, and melted butter. Mix to combine.
Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir gently to combine. Splash in more evaporated milk if mixture is overly thick. Stir in blueberries. Again, check to make sure mixture isn't overly thick.
Melt butter in heated skillet. Drop batter by 1/4 cup measures and fry pancakes on both sides until golden.
Serve with softened butter and warm syrup.

Enjoy
xxx

Looking In The Mirror

pic homes [1] [2]
I made the decision to take a Facebook hiatus. Instead of the doing the usual "avoid it at all cost" I simply deactivated my account so I was less likely to be tempted into signing on. I realised in doing so that very few people would question my disappearance. Of the 300+ friends I have on Facebook, I can name about 5 who would have a slight curiosity about my disappearance. And of those 5 only 3 would genuinely be alarmed. It is so very rare that we encounter people who have a genuine interest in us. And those people fall into three categories.: Pets, Blankets, & Mirrors.

Good Reads: Lost Boys

It's been a while since I've read a decent fiction novel. Lately I've drowned myself in a number of how to's and books that can ultimately help me build my empire. Luckily in a random moment of boredom I came across this lovely novel by Orson Scott Card. At first I was apprehensive to pick up the book being that is was not a real story. And as I began sifting through the first couple of pages I had to truly encourage myself to continue reading not because the book was boring but because I could hardly see how I could relate to a Mormon family moving to North Carolina in the mid 80's. Nevertheless I continued reading and to my delight was pleased to find myself chuckling along the way.

Diary of a Hungry Man

{pic via} Today's topic came from an acquaintance of mine (bless his heart) who so audaciously stated that "chivalry dies with every woman who does not know how to cook." This declaration had many responses no doubt which comes as no surprise being that chivalry has become such a hot button topic in the modern age. I've been increasingly perplexed as to the root of chivalry's disappearance. I'm sure I'm not the only woman out there who gets slightly aggravated when a man walks to the door and only opens it for himself or for the instances when a man doesn't offer his seat to a woman standing directly next to him. It certainly has not gone unnoticed that the modern day man has virtually ceased all acts of gentlemen like behavior towards women.

When I Grow Up

When I was young I couldn’t wait to be an adult. I imagined it to be an end to all things I hated about youth. No more awkwardness, no more insecurity, no more trying to find a crowd to fit into. No more asking permission to go anywhere and most definitely no more judgment for my every move. Adulthood was supposed to be this glorious moment of freedom, confidence and total control over life.  In reality adulthood has turned into the next version of our youth. Think about it: professional societies, and private clubs have replaced the in crowd and mindless chatter at the water cooler have replaced the conversations by the high school lockers. Every day we require permission from the little man at the cross walk to walk , the green light to continue to driving, or the check from work to pay our bills, eat and virtually live. Our friends, bosses and perfect strangers take extreme notice to our every move so they can encourage our success or chide our mistakes. Depressing huh?

Keeping Your New Year's Resolution

I feel as if I just blinked and the year was already half done. Looking at the calender in amazement as time has not only hurdled past me but left my lengthy resolution list with it. With only six month left until the year's end it's no wonder very few people resolve to abstain from making a new year's resolution to begin with. Though life may at times seem a mundane slow moving turtle, it's hard not to be beside yourself with bewilderment when finally realizing time flies at a more rapid pace than we imagined. Rewinding back to January most of us stood outside in the freezing cold weather with great anticipation as 2010 slowly wound down and 2011 sprung up with such fever and hope. In those moments, a sigh a relief swept over us as we promised ourselves to start a bigger, better, and bright future sealed with kisses hugs and champagne.

Tasty Pallets: Lime Sorbet Margaritas

Lime Sorbet Margaritas:

Serves 8 | Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 10m
Ingredients

    * 1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
    * 1/4 cup sugar
    * 2 pints lime sorbet
    * 1/2 cup tequila

Directions

   1. Rub the lime wedges around the rims of 8 stemmed glasses. Place the sugar on a small plate. Turn each glass upside down and dip the rims in the sugar to coat.
   2. Place 2 scoops of sorbet in each glass and pour 1 tablespoon of tequila over the top of each. Serve with a spoon. (via)
Enjoy
xxx

Tasty Pallets: Chili Lime Salmon

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Ingredients

• 4 salmons
• 4 - 6 lime wedges
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• Salt & pepper to taste
• fresh cilantro

 Directions

• Preheat grill to medium high (you can substitute by using a Forman grill or skillet lightly coated with olive oil)
• First marinate by placing salmon in a shallow pan and add spices, honey, & garlic to the fillets. Make sure to properly coat each salmon.
• Place salmon skin side down on grill for about 20 minutes (do not turn the salmons on grill)
• When finished place salmon on plate and squeeze lime juice over
• Sprinkle cilantro for final touch

Suggestions: Serve with brown rice or grill red skinned potatoes

Enjoy
xxx

Nice Guys Don't Finish Last. Wimps Do.

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All too often I’ve heard this phrase yet bit my tongue unable to properly articulate why this statement is false. I have watched as movies depicted these modern day Romeos getting stomped on by the girl chasing after the bad boys. I have watched as reality played out the Hollywood version of “nice guys finish last” starring the man who is always a friend never a mate. In "He's Just Not That Into You" I was especially ashamed to watch the nice guy get used and manipulated by the woman of his dreams. It broke my heart to see the emotional pain and turmoil inflicted on these men in the pursuit of happily ever after, whose vision got savagely shred to pieces by some random woman’s shameless nonchalant behavior. Yet through all that I can honestly say that maybe these men deserve every bit of misery.