B-Girl and B-Boy Do It Again

Hey, guys!  Well, it's that time of year again - my BIRTHDAY!  Yes, time does certainly zoom by and this year was a small, but significant, celebration that involved a dash of shopping and a huge dollop of food (courtesy of B-Boy, of course!).  But instead of laboring through all the particulars of the former, I'll just focus in on the latter.  So I've put together an abridged synopsis of the day's culinary events if you're at all curious.  And judging from the fact that you're still reading this, I'd venture to say that you are...

The day started out early with a hearty breakfast at a well known local eatery (Roscoe's, anyone?) where I ordered my usual when in attendance: a leg, wing and two waffles.  B-Boy ordered something similar that I now cannot totally recall, but it did include a waffle as well.  My chicken was piping hot and surprisingly well seasoned.  I say surprisingly because I don't really consider their fried chicken to be all that great, but just OK.  My waffle, on the other hand, was the polar opposite as  it had arrived the luke-est of warms, hovering just a hint above butter melting status.  I didn't complain, though.  I muscled through it.  However, when I asked B-Boy about his dish, he replied with the same disappointment.  Even the extra waffle he ordered after finishing the first round of waffles arrived at a bland temperature.  I'm beginning to think that perhaps it may be this particular location's (they have several) issue with quality control as this is the second time he and I have had this problem with our food.  At least I HOPE it's an isolated issue.  Either way, we weren't going to let this influence the day and so we pressed on...

We zigzagged through the city and hit up a couple of retail spots to, you know, treat moi to some treats.  Some colorful thangs and some cute thangs...  You know - birthday treats.  Gifts.  Thoughtful gestures.  Anywho, as dusk settled onto the horizon, he surprised me and pulled up to the Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park.  I had never been, but the initiated already know that I'm totally down for new adventures as this particular venue has large trampolines on which you can play games like dodgeball or shoot hoops OR simply bounce around until you run out of steam.  Sounds cool to me, so we went in... and when I tell you it was a madhouse in there, please believe it.

Kids running, screaming, falling, crying...  Little kids, big kids, medium kids...  It was ten times worse than Chuck E. Cheese!  (Yes, THAT bad!)  After inquiring at the front desk, we were told that general admission (the kids) would be ending soon and then it would be "adults only", complete with DJ and strobe lights.  Sounded cool.  Waiting around 45 minutes wouldn't be too bad, right?  Well, we sat around on their hard red bleachers for about a full five minutes before hunger compelled us to give up the fight and find sustenance instead.  So we made our way outta there and shimmied over to my fave spot... my birthday staple...

I remain unapologetic in my overt affection for The Cheesecake Factory as I always enjoy the food there and absolutely L-O-V-E cheesecake!  I mean, this noshery never disappoints, which is why it remains my "born day" staple.  Now, we had made plans earlier to go to a different restaurant, but we were so far out because of Sky Zone that it just made sense to go to CCF since it happened to be in the vicinity (#YAY!  #WINNING!).  And so we ate.  First on the menu for me was a tropical smoothie made with mango, raspberry puree and coconut milk.  #YUM

Now, we did order an appetizer - fried calamari - but it had no chance of getting its picture taken as I immediately tore into it as soon as it made port at our table.  And when the main dish finally came out - a robust serving of truffle honey fried chicken over mashed potatoes and asparagus - I mean, I completely lost myself and almost forgot to document the tasty victuals before quickly disappearing from my plate.  But somehow I managed to put my fork down, if not for a brief moment, to do my due diligence.

And since it was my birthday (as well as just about every other patron's in attendance that night), they brought out a complimentary mini-sundae, complete with birthday candle, and - YES - sang their version of "Happy Birthday" to me.

But who the heck goes to CCF for a sundae?!  I certainly do NOT!  And so my night of eats did not - COULD NOT - end there and I took home a slice of their celebration cheesecake.  A layered decadence of vanilla confetti cake, strawberry/chocolate/vanilla mousses, cheesecake and cheesecake icing, it's quite a collection of confection.  One that I had never tried before.  But I'm so glad I did because it is sooooo good!  #DOUBLEYUM!

And just look at who was able to tag along for the festivities as well!  B-Boy brought my two babies to celebrate with me!  He's been taking care of them while I've been in "hustle mode" and seeing them in person made my heart sing.  #JOY

Yep, so my birthday this year was pretty cool.  But it usually is.  I made a bunch of plans prior to the day to go here and do this and there and do that, but ended up doing something more casual and laid back.  And you know what?  It was good.  Seeing my babies?  Good!  Spending time laughing and yucking it up with B-Boy?  GOOD!  Eating good food and good dessert the entire weekend?  GOOD-GOOD!

No matter what, I always ring in my birthday like it's a major holiday, even if it's just me flying solo.  Life is way too short and every year/day/hour above ground is an absolute blessing.  No day is promised, which is why I like to make an extra effort on my day.  And besides - birthdays are fun.  At least mine are.

So with an emphatic shout, I'd like to send a resounding Happy Birthday to me!  Yepper!  And may I have many, MANY more...

Changes...

Hey, guys. You know, it's really important for you to be in tune with your body.  You may not immediately notice little changes here and there, but should be aware enough to pick up on signals your body is trying to send you - both the subtle and the loud.  Sickness often presents itself in the hair and nails and when I noticed a huge change in the former, I grew very concerned.  Over the past year, I noticed that my nails had become brittle and were breaking constantly, but chalked it up to me doing dishes bare-handed combined with the water being harsh, perhaps.  Annoying, but no biggie.  However, it was when my hair started falling out that I really started to become alarmed.  I would comb my hair and the comb's teeth would be filled with an inordinate amount of hair.  I would run my hands through my hair and multiple strands would fall to the floor.  My hair had become wiry, wouldn't lay down after styling and, after months of shedding, THIN!  I could actually see through my hair!  That's when I really started to panic.  What in the heck was going on?!

Well, my Google fingers went into overdrive and I soon had my answer.  The painful leg cramps, chronic fatigue, pale complexion, constant hankering for ice, my hair thinning and falling out... dizzy spells.  It was all adding up.  And there it was - my answer in black and white.  I had anemia: a fairly common condition that is not fatal, but it can be extremely disruptive and serious if not addressed.

Anemia is when your red blood cells do not have enough oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in it.  A lack of hemoglobin or healthy red blood cells leads to a lack of oxygen being properly distributed throughout your body, including your organs.  Hemoglobin needs iron to maintain a healthy status in your cells.  Therefore, an insufficient amount of iron can cause iron-deficient anemia (which is the type I have).  So I need to up the ante when it comes to my iron intake and have taken a double-fisted approach with regard to getting better.

I've slacked on my vitamin intake for the past couple of years, so I re-upped on my multi-vits and have now added iron pills to my regimen to keep a steady course towards recovery.  These iron pills are small and I take them with orange juice as Vitamin C is recommended to help with iron's absorption.

I have also taken on the challenge of imbibing a hearty teaspoon of blackstrap molasses every night before I go to bed for good measure.  Not only is it high in iron, but it also has potent amounts of potassium and other minerals that are super beneficial.  Now, I'm not gonna lie.  The taste of this dark, thick elixir is one that could be duly called "acquired", but I take this, too, with a swig of OJ to help get it down and I think my taste buds have now adjusted.

So there you have it.  I've been on this iron-rich regimen for almost two months now and I am slowly seeing improvement.  I no longer have muscle cramps or the other symptoms, and my hair shedding has significantly slowed down.  But my feelings are still a little hurt.  I don't know how long it's gonna take for my hair to rebound and get back to its full glory, but I'm doing my best to be patient... and am ever so thankful for it not being a more serious issue.

My First Aloe

Hey, guys!  Well, if you follow me on Instagram then you know I've sorta kinda been on a serious health kick.  I've always been health conscious and tried to be nutritionally aware, however, I've stepped it up a few notches, incorporating a wider variety of veggies and other nourishing notables to my daily regimen.  Which brings me to my latest indulgence - aloe.  Potently packed with a myriad of vitamins that almost run the full alphabet, including A, C and E, it also boasts skin hydrating, immune boosting as well as body detoxifying powers.  If that's not enough, it's also a competent antioxidant and antibacterial agent.  For the initiated, all this may be old news.  But for the rest of us, this ACE of a plant has an impressive resume that is hard to ignore any further.  And so I bought my first aloe vera leaf... and prepped it for consumption as well as topical use.

Built like a shark's fin with spiny sides, the aloe vera leaf (single) usually comes sealed at its base.  Not knowing how to pick one out, I just grabbed the one that felt the fattest around its mid-section and didn't look too beat up.

Next, I cut the leaf into three parts, cutting both above and below the meatiest part of my plant - the middle.

I then placed all three parts into an empty bowl with the exposed sections down so that the yellow sap of the leaf can drain out.  This yellow substance, or the latex of the plant, is layered just beneath the aloe's "rind" and contains aloin, which can act as a natural laxative and cause irritability to both the skin (if you're sensitive to latex) and stomach if ingested.  Therefore, to avoid any "issues", it's best to let as much of it drain out... especially if you plan on incorporating it into a drink or meal.  

At this point, also, you may notice a smell, which I would describe as a slightly sour green onion, if that makes any sense.  It is pretty pungent as it filled up my entire kitchen and even started to creep upstairs.  But I wouldn't go so far as to call the smell repugnant even though I have heard it referred to as "off-putting" and "foul".  So if your nostrils are super sensitive, keep the area well ventilated (i.e., open a window... or two).   

Once fully drained (I let mine sit for about an hour), you are ready to fully expose and extricate its gelatinous core.

Using a sharp knife, I cut the thorny sides and then peeled the top layer right off.  Next, I slid the knife between the remaining skin and flesh, completely freeing the diaphanous "fillet" inside.

In addition to the uncovered "meat" of the plant will also be drippings of the ooey-gooey gel, which is not tacky/sticky at all and coats its entire innards.

After gutting the leaf completely, I put the contents into a blender and whipped it a few seconds until it turned into a foamy liquid.

 

Finally, I put the elixir into a air-proof container and placed it in the refrigerator.  Still sporting a frothy "head", this aloe vera juice is now ready to work its medicinal magic and - from start to finish -  it didn't take much time to prepare at all!

I even managed to spare a chunk to put into my veggie/fruit-filled smoothie (which turned out totally delicious, if I do say so myself.  And I do!).  #WINNING #YUM

So there you have it!  I am thrilled to have finally tried aloe vera out; it has proven to be a subtle addition taste-wise to my power drink and I am trying it out on my skin as we speak.  Will it be for me the so-called medicinal panacea that many aloe adherents tout it as being?  Well, I don't think I'm looking for it to be.  But if it can and will boost my health in any type of way then I'm all for it.  Therefore, I look forward to reaping all of the benefits from this green-leaved gem... and can't wait to see the results from using it on my skin!  

Rebels With A Cause

Hey, guys!  Well, no sense in me beating around the mulberry bush and/or trying to play coy, so I'll just jump right into it with both feet: this past week was a very good week for me.  Besides getting a lot done as far as furthering some personal plans, B-Boy (aka Birthday Boy) and I took a much needed timeout to indulge in a week-long helping of sporadic shenanigans.  Oh, you know how we do; it was a total mash up of food, frivolity and fun that ran well into the week's end.  Yes, we were a couple of rebels with a cause... and here's just a small sampling of some of the "trouble" we were able to get into.

Now, I hardly ever order takeout or go out to eat during most weeks, opting for a casual chow down at home instead.  However, all that usually goes out the window when B-Boy is involved and last week was certainly no exception.  Before hooking up with my "partner in crime", I treated myself to a guilty pleasure that had been invading my daydreams for some time now: orange chicken with a side of fried rice.  Generally speaking, Chinese food is not my customary go-to, but when it comes to this particular dish, I easily (and eagerly) fall victim to its savory siren song every time.

In addition to going to the movies to see the latest Bond flick Spectre, we also tooled around a few shops, including one of my favorite stomping grounds - Sephora.  B-Boy patiently lingered outside its doors while I ogled some of their shoppers' rewards.

You guys know how infatuated I am with collecting miniature versions of perfumes, so this reward I found especially interesting.  However, despite having plenty of points to cover the tab, I didn't bite.  I decided to hold out for something better and wait.  I don't know what I'm waiting for, but I'm waiting nonetheless.  Oh, and speaking of biting... 

I almost missed out on taking this picture as I was elbow-deep in my mission of shoveling this huge portion of fried calamari down my impatient throat.  OH. EM. GEE.  This calamari was so G.O.O.D!  I am so serious, y'all.  I love seafood and this delectable delight rides high on my list of all time faves.

Now, the calamari was just the appetizer... the prelude to the main course, you see.  And what a course it was!  To those familiar with my previous exploits, it's nothing new: fried catfish with mashed red potatoes and corn.  In lieu of broccoli as the green veggie, this time it was accompanied by string beans.  I'm not a fan of string beans at all, but its appearance on my plate did little to hamper my overall eating experience.  #YUM!

And while I'm stuffing my face with both hands, guess who ordered the lighter, greener fare?  Yes, it was a total gender role reversal that night!  Just to be clear, I am not an "Oh, I'll just have a salad" type of girl.  When I go out to eat, I EAT!  So while I'm in full-on Hungry Jack mode, it was B-Boy who played the "demure damsel" and noshed only on lettuce and cucumbers... and tomatoes... and some other healthy stuff.  Yeah.  I was a little surprised, but hey, that's what he wanted.  #BOOORING!  #Zzzzz!

And you know I had to top the night off with some sugar, honey!  Since my favorite pineapple upside down version wasn't available, I put an exclamation mark on the night's feast with a hunk of vanilla bean cheesecake, complete with a seismic dollop-ing of whipped cream.  Oh, my!  It was heaven on a plate.  I mean, I actually heard white robed angels singing gospels of praise while I slowly savored each bite in my mouth.  (OK, I didn't actually hear angels singing, but you get my drift.)  It was de-LISH!

So there you have it!  I had an awesome week, which was spent with awesome company eating super-dee-duper awesome food!  I mean, what more could you ask for?  Bonnie and Clyde were back at it again; two rebels on a mission to indulge in some gastro-centric mischief (as well as other delights).  And based on the evidence gathered, I think it's pretty safe to label this latest venture as #MISSIONACCOMPLISHED!

About Last Night...

... and the day before that... and pretty much the entire weekend!  Indeed, what was supposed to have been an allotted time for rest and leisure ended up being overtaken by the same frenetic whirlwind of organizing, coordinating and planning that has consistently consumed me for the past few weeks.  But leave it up to me to find someway to indulge.  Desperately seeking some distractions, I ambled over to my local discount department store just to take a look-see and found enough eye candy to keep me occupied... like this pair of black "red bottoms".  Well, "red bottoms" of the acrylic kind. 

Not putting the cart before the horse by buying house things before actually getting a "home" is still a directive I'm striving to adhere to, but this white vase adorned with abstract, gilded leaves was calling my name.  It spoke to me in all types of languages, especially the language of L.O.V.E, but I stuck to my guns and left it looking pretty on the shelf. 

And do you see this huge mortar and pestle?  Ooh-wee!  So purty.  I have to tell you that I engaged in a groping and fondling session of this stone specimen for quite a number of minutes.  It was only after assessing that I had no fresh herbs to crush nor wicked potions to whip up that I finally unhanded the device.  And why was I so taken by this rudimentary contraption in the first place, you ask?  Well, it's a mortar and pestle, for goodness' sake!  Outside of pharmacies and serious kitchens, you really don't see them everyday.

When it comes to makeup, I've been doing a whole lot more purging than splurging; nothing, and I mean nothing, has really captured my interest as of late.  But I did mosey on down to Ulta and laid my eyes on an item I became familiar with last year - the Multi-Colored Cheek Powders from jane.

And so after indulging in a short, but veritable feast for the eyes, I decided to pay my stomach the same favor and indulge in some good eats... starting off the weekend with an organic Margherita pizza.  #YUM!

Believe it or not, Birthday Boy swung through and made a brief appearance this weekend!  Yepper, and he did not come empty-handed, bringing an assorted trio of seafood delights to mark his arrival - a salmon burger; halved baked potato stuffed with crab, shrimp and lobster; and a crab/clamshell medley.  #MMM!

And finally, to close out the weekend, I noshed on a hunk of lasagna stuffed with ground beef, spinach and extra provolone.  #DELISH!

So there you have it, guys!  That is the complete rundown on how I spent this past weekend.  I did a lot of work and got a lot done, but managed to squeeze in some downtime, too.  All work and no play makes for a dull and bored Dolce.  I needed this little reprieve and relished every moment.  And, needless to say, I'm all the better for it.

An Evening Quickie

It's not even the end of the week (not even close!) and I'm already up to some tomfoolery thanks to my part-time partner in crime, Birthday Boy.  But this one's a quickie.  Yep.  Without warning or any type of notice, he came by, scooped me and whisked me off to the movies.  Oh, but let me not get so ahead of myself.  When B-Boy came, he didn't come empty-handed.  He came bearing gifts... Caribbean gifts... gifts of the edible persuasion.  Scantily clad in the thin, white, plastic takeout bags he had swinging from each of his hands were filled-to-the-brim, styrofoam boxes of Jamaican goodness!  And you already know that I was more than happy to take part in the spicy spoils! 

He handed me a box and when I opened it, my jaw nearly hit the floor as the culinary vision of rice and beans, cabbage, and oxtails danced before my eyes.  He knows me oh, but too well to have ordered this for me on his own.  And so I indulged, delighting all five of my senses in the process.  I savored every morsel, every bite.  And it was so good, y'all.  Mmm!  And do you see the lavish portion of my platter?  The box was barely able to contain it all; it was overflowing!  It was so much that, alas, poor Dolce could not finish it all.  But don't cry me a river yet 'cause I, of course, saved the surplus so I could revisit it the next day and pleasure my palate all over again.     

OK, do you see this?  This is a boxful of Jamaican patties, both chicken and beef.  OH-MA-HEAVENS!  What can I say, guys?  Yeah, mon!  (sorry, guys!  It just slipped out...)  Anywho, if you've never had an authentic Jamaican patty and love spicy food then you should definitely treat yourself to one.  They are awesome!  It's what we Americans would consider a meat turnover... only BETTER.  So, yes, you are certainly missing out if you've never tasted one.  It should go on your bucket list under "Foods To Try Before I Die".  Yep.  I said it.  They're that good.

For his main meal, B-Boy had the jerk chicken served with the same sides I had.  He caught me eyeing his plate so he shared a bit of it with me... and when I tell you that the chicken was so off tha chain that it made you wanna slap somebody's mama and scream bloody murder in patois, please believe it!  It was so smoky and spicy that my woefully under-sophisticated tongue thought it was ribs.  That's what it tasted like to me; it didn't taste at all like chicken, but some of the best tasting, spiced down ribs you ever had in your life -  #YUM!  Oh, and he also brought two huge mounds of coco bread, which is a slightly sweetened bread made with coconut milk, but we tore that up on sight so, unfortunately, I wasn't quite able to visually capture its golden goodness quick enough.  Umm... yeah.  #MYBAD

(A Christmas-themed advert shown before the film)

Anywho, after filling our bellies, we shuffled over to the local theater and saw Chris Rock's current feature Top Five.  In my opinion, it was just OK.  I saw what Chris was trying to do with the film, but it meandered too much, jetted awkwardly back and forth between tones (serious-comedic) and just wasn't as funny as I had hoped it would be.

But still, a good time was had by all.  Or by the both of us, I should say.  Yep, the Awesome Twosome of B-Boy and Dolce has struck again.  Late night shenanigans are our specialty!  We laugh in the face of weekday curfews!  (HA!)  Where will our next adventure lead us?  Who knows?  But one thing is for sure: whether it's a weekend excursion or a weekday quickie, we're always down for whatever.  I'm the Darla to his Alfalfa -  just a couple of crazy kids trying to live life to the fullest... one adventure at a time.