a little "happy meal"

Ahhh, the little "happy meal." I thought it was great when I was a kid and every once in a while, I still crave one. What 's funny is as a child I wasn't allowed to have soda, so instead my Mom would order the "orange drank" as I called it; to this day, I can't eat my happy meal any other way. How can a "foodie" appreciate the "happy meal?" Simple. The "happy meal" is simple, I don't expect it to be a 5 star meal, or get me full. I enjoy it for what it is.

Nostalgia and defending my snack choices aside, the happy meal makes me think about how it's a simple meal designed for kids-who are simple. Although, these generations are so stylish and knowledgeable about art, music, dance, and technology, they are still kids.

For example, watch the talented enactment by these soon to be superstars:
American Apparel Kids
The video shows these dancers performing against a "grown up world" backdrop with adult sized ego's projected onto them as they emulate adults. In the video, it's cute. In real life, when adults make kids into adults, it is an injustice to both parties.

Children are apart of the simple pleasures in life, they are like a little walking happy meal. When we as adults, partake in interactions with kids and demand too much from them, we can become irritated rather than fascinated by them. Demands like, expecting them to behave and talk like "short adults" or expect them to fill your adult sized portion of emotional needs, or become your sole focus of attention to distract you from a troubled marriage. Kids aren't meant for that. If it's a "happy meal," enjoy it for what it is. Don't be irritated or mad at it when it's not meeting your expectation of being an adult sized 3 course dinner.

Like the video, take life slow. Enjoy their "bite sized" moments that can bring joy and laughter without costing anything, i.e., when they ask embarrasing questions in public using a not-so-inside voice- charming! (And, no, I'm not a parent yet lol). Playing, dancing, conversing and being happy  with kids, like a happy meal on a playground, is how they should be enjoyed.

If we accept simple pleasures for what they are and don't demand too much from them, life can be full of mini happy meals around every corner, waiting to be savored, bringing a little joy that doesn't cost much.

These EARS Wanna Eat..

Valentines day, the day for the senses. Red, EVERYWHERE... including coming out of my ears...they’re are bleeding from hearing the word “love.” If You didn't exercise your love on Tuesday or are celebrating on the weekend, then here are some Valentine's Day leftovers...



We are fed so much regarding what Valentine's should be, and who and how to spend it. I prefer to spend it loving those who have been loyal all the year through, not just those who come around on the 14th wanting some dessert...

Nonetheless, this blog is dedicated to the things I love, MUSIC being one of them. When I think of love songs, I think of Miquel. He hits all of the senses recognized in your brain; by fusing funk, electro and hip hop, he melodiously feeds your ears and activates your dream center with vibrant visualizations of relationships at their yummiest. His transparent emotions and extreme talent won't confuse your palette or make you wonder if it's good; no, it's effortlessly enjoyable leaving your mind tentalized and your entirety satisfied, like soul food. The lyrics resurge throughout the day, like cravings of candy as I find myself humming or singing them involuntarily. Overall, Miguel's music reminds me of sweet memories of a great love affair, you only need to experience it once and you'll want more.All that being said, I hope you enjoy this soul food by a musical chef who put his foot in this one, and seasoned it up with his trademark- a heavy hand of sensuality..

"Come and get yo' soul food...." Douzo! (means "enjoy this food I present to you" in Japanese)

other fav's by this ART-TIST: QUICKIE, SURE THING (live), All I want is You (of course).

Drive-Thru

The voids and hunger pains in our lives push us to seek our path, fulfill our purpose, reach our potential, and follow the plan. #perspective

I tweeted (@DrLaJoi) the aforementioned after watching the movie, "The Adjustment Bureau." *Spoiler Alert* Matt Damon's character finds what he is looking for by not going along with the status quo. When he was lead by his hunger pains to find the love he wanted, his career was pushed forward but he was still unfulfilled. Many of us can relate to that. It's like when we are driving around aimlessly looking for what can quickly satisfy our craving, and we think perhaps our favorite fast food joint will do. But, when we get it, the fries are greasier than we remember and the burger or taco wasn't as good as you recalled when you were craving it. Damon's unsatiated hunger led him to continue his search which propelled him to finding that which was missing and changed not only his life but all of those connectd to him. 

There are aspects of our lives which we might still be unsatiated. 
This entry is one of reconcilliation with our past and hope for our future. Let's just start with the premise that the people of our past gave us 
the best they could with what they knew and had.Sometimes, as we age, 
we might feel like "if Mom were only more...." or "if Uncle hadn't..." 

Perhaps if we don't try and satiate the hunger for our healing with fast, junk food, we might keep driving down the road of life and get what will truly satiate us. What we get, might even satiate the passenger who is going along our life's journey with us.  So don't settle into the routine of fake food. Let those hunger pains experienced early in life serve a purpose #LetYourHungerDriveYou

"Nat-o" Fan, but still hungry.

Hummus, guacamole, nato, phó, crawfish, saag paneer, báhn mi. What they all have in common is, I had to "put my big girl panties on" and try them for the first time. Most of the aforementioned were a big hit, dare I say pleasurable experiences. Some, AHEM, like nato, not for me. But I tried it. I wanted to get in touch with more of my Japanese culture, broaden my palate, it's supposed to be really good for you so I wanted to see if I could add one more to all the foods I love. For the non-nato familiar readers, nato is.... indescribable. Watch at :15 seconds, you won't need to watch the whole thing to get the point.

If you didn't watch, I'll give you the "quick and dirty" it's 1) slimy, 2) stinky 3) bitter 4) aftertaste 5) messy to eat. I still aim to experience more of my Japanese culinary culture but nato is "nat gone be" one of the japanese foods on my soul food list.

Why is trying something new such a challenge? For me, trying something new more to do with "fear." I've had food poisoning too many times, so I am leery. Now just because nato "burned," doesn't mean I am distancing myself from ALL Japanese food. That would be stupid, and I would really miss out.

I think eating new foods is a lot like meeting new people. Just because I've had food poisoning more times than I would like doesn't mean I am going to stop get pleasure from loving food, or loving people for that matter. With new food or new people, we draw on our past experiences and judge, will this person give me the "runs?" Will they leave me feeling heavy from their complaints like poorly fried food, or make me nauseous with their hatred towards life? Trying new people can be tricky. Unfortunately, we take these mental short cuts based on the region, "I don't like middle eastern food" or "if it looks xyz then no way, I only date..."

Whether it's Nato, or the "New Guy," what I am really talking about is how we handle "difference." Do we Demonize? ("that soul food is fattening and will kill you") Distance? ("I will never eat Indian because curry smells bad") Devalue? ("Street food is 'poor' people's food"), leaving us to disrespect a people, a tradition, and some of the best food  ever tasted?  

The funny thing about me & nato, or me and some people in my life is, at first glance, we might look like an old school "what doesn't belong together" picture. As incongruent as one might guess, Nato, like some "different" people, were more akin to what/who I love. I love okra so slimy is no problem. Fermented? Bring it! Kimchi burns so good. A Soybean? I know the type, me and "those kind of folk go way back." As different, yet similar as nato was, it still wasn't for me. But, I am glad I tried it; it may not have been pleasure, but it wasn't poisonous as it looked. 

The Ethnic Entrée

"EWWW what's that smell?"..."What is that?"..."You might have to eat that somewhere else"

A few premises must be established.  Firstly, all of us have an "ethnic" background.  Secondly, "normal" food is relative to its region and culture of origin.  That being said, some of us may have experienced the shock of realizing that our parents who packed our lunch with so much care, failed to explain that this bag o collard greens and cornbread would soon get us ostracized at the lunch table. Thanks Mommy. Some of my friends have experienced the horror of their kimchi waifing in the air, or their daikon clearing rooms.  

It is interesting how many people I come across who explain their first accounts of thinking themselves as ethnically "different" (in the US) refer to childhood lunchroom experiences. The 

teasing, questioning, and consequential isolation resulted in many of us many of us begging Tia, or Nona or Mummy-ji to make a "plain," "American," "white bread sandwich." No hummus and pita, no beans and tortilla, just a plain sandwich.  We rejected the heavy lunch bag of being alone and different in exchange for a knapsack of privilege-the privilege of being "our kind of people." This new knapsack also went unexplained in that it wasn't filled with just "regular" food instead of balut (Vietnamese fertilized duck egg) and "regular" fruit instead of durian, but it also contained shame, guilt, and the potential for higher cholesterol.  

As "they" and I ate the next day, with the victory of the soft white bread sandwich, we still somehow knew that we lost something that day.  We might have overcome the ostracism, but we succumbed to rejecting the welcoming smells of our motherland.

Cravings...

Ever get that craving? It's so deep within you, that sometimes you don't even know what you want? What you're hungry for?

Seems like that has been my issue for many months now. I'm not just talking about food, but something satisfying in life. Like my dating life, seems like clubs and parties that were once like exciting tapas have now become sources of irritation. The small portions of character and substance served, leave me wanting more and resenting the unsatisfying, pseudo entrée portions.  Don't get me wrong, I still go to these "hole in a wall" places, and stupidly hope to get some meat and potatoes.  Alas, I only end up seeing at the unappetizing buffet of douche bags, pigs blanketed in obnoxious cologne.  Maybe I will become a vegetarian...