Limbers de Coco

Mama getting her one armed Skype on!

Mama's bum arm has come with quite a few silver linings [some of which I'm sure I'm not even aware of yet], one being...drumroll please...new recipes!  Yaaay silver lining!  Since I have essentially moved back in until further notice, I am now playing part time chef and part time nurse.  Part time chef comes with its perks, the following recipe being one...you're welcome... in advance.

Limbers are Puerto Rico's version of a flavored icy.  These amazing cups of cool, sweet goodness don't come in your average flavors though.  Coconut, sesame, guanabana [soursop], and crema [cream] are just a few of the most popular.  Mama and Papa use to run a store from a renovated garage in the same house she still lives in.  The neighborhood would come for various grocery/snack items, one of the most popular being her limbers.

Recently, Mama had some visitors from New York, a step-daughter and her husband...and they absolutely love her coconut limbers.  Apparently, every time they come to visit Mama has a freezer full waiting for them.  Since she's got one arm down, the neighbor and I joined forces and became Mama's sous chefs.  In doing so, I got this amazingly simple recipe...and now, so do you! Mmmm icy....

Tools/Ingredients:
- Pot
- Plastic cups
- Can opener
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 bottle of coconut syrup
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla
- 1 can of coconut milk
- Water [use the empty syrup bottle to measure]
- Cinnamon [optional]

Step 1:
- pour the coconut milk, syrup and water into the pot

Step 2:
- add vanilla and sugar

Step 3:
- mix with a big spoon so that the sugar does not settle at the bottom of the pot
- add cinnamon, extra sugar, etc to taste [optional]

Step 4:
- Fill cups and place in freezer
- once frozen garnish with cinnamon [optional]
-ENJOY!

Enjoy!

New Beginnings

My first coco tree being planted!

Change is hard.  There is no secret about that.  But, change is good, even when its bad.  Yeah, I know, I might be losing you a bit so, let me take it back to December 2011.  The holidays this past year were a bit tough for me.  The year before I was smack in the middle of a Gonzalez family love fest...food, photos, music, even matching shirts!  We all came together, knowing that the lil bro would soon be overseas and I would be heading back to la isla.  We took advantage and celebrated con gusto.  Fast forward to December 2011, I found myself staying put in Puerto Rico.  As exciting as that sentence was written is as exciting as that experience was.  I certainly cried, wondered what I was doing there, and wallowed in self pity as I indulged in some greasy-poor-excuse-for-Chinese-food take out.  That was the turning point for me.  December 2011 I decided if I was going to continue living in Puerto Rico, it was going to have to be in my own apartment.

Don't get me wrong, living with Mama has been a blast, but I am a 30 year old woman...and for the last year, I've been a guest in her house.  Therefore, no (other) guests, no visitors, no entertaining, 9pm bedtimes, etc.  To be fair, Mama never laid out these house rules, but it wasn't to hard to read between the lines.  She, thank God, is still able to be independent.  So, by January, I was gone.

Uncles hard at work...well, one at least

Cousin digging the new garden

Like I said, change is hard.  And with every choice to make a change comes a learning curve of some sort.  So, the last few months have not passed without their fair share of challenges.  Initially, I felt like I abandoned Mama.  Like I got her use to having me there and then, once things started getting tough I just left.  I still struggle with that thought at times...but way less often than I use to.  Then, I felt like I wasn't really needed around as much as I thought I was and if I were to decide to leave PR it wouldn't be much of an issue.  But now, I've seemed to have come to a happy medium.  I do serve a purpose here but I don't have to live with her to serve that purpose.  Yes, the day will come when she can no longer live alone.  When that day comes, I will deal accordingly.  Until then, I will have to do what I can to ensure that I am prepared to handle that responsibility while continuing to move forward in my life.  So, I still lunch with Mama just about everyday, I sleep over twice a week, and I usually take Saturdays for myself.

Get 'er done!

Coco tree no. 2!

The upside, I have had several visitors already and that feels great!  A wonderful taste of home!  My aunt handed down just about every piece of furniture I now have, Mama got me a TV, my uncle and cousin came all the way from New York and gave me a jump start on my new garden, my parents came and put that overall home feeling in, my homegirl Amanda hooked me up with veggie dumplings (fresh from my favorite Chinese spot in THE BRONX) and chopsticks, oh and who could forget my other cousin who came and left me with enough Medalla and Sangria to entertain for quite awhile!  Needless to say, it's been a busy few months.

Family entertaining!

The downside, outside of vacationing visitors, I really haven't had time to entertain.  I work everyday except for Sunday, (which is for church).  I'm also trying to maintain my apartment as well as keep track of Ms. Mama's crib, which is something I knew was going to happen...but I made this bed, so I'm lying in it.   I will admit, the first few months I was totally stressed out, but now, I just try to take each day as it comes and each "challenge" as it presents itself.  The bills have increased while the income hasn't...yet the amazing thing is that it always seems to work out.  Blessings.  I've learned to count them.

Lunch in the new pad!  Don't worry, Mama was happier than she looks ;)

Customer Service for Dummies...

I am a pain in the butt...in a very general sense, just about anyone who has entered any sort of relationship with me (be it romantically, friendly, or family) has at one time or another said or thought these very sentiments (among others) about me.  In most of those situations, however, I have tried to curb my pain-in-the-buttness --- except when I am placed in the role of customer.  I'm sure it was a mix of my father and my sister/cuz who somehow drilled this into me through my developmental years, but either way, along the way, I have developed a need to support businesses that respect and value me as a customer.

Unfortunately, the days of "so sorry ma'am let's get that corrected" are seeming to slow down.  Here, in Puerto Rico, I am beginning to get the eery feeling that those days never really existed.  Here, it seems I am the only one up in arms about bad phone service, crappy mechanics, unjustified bill increases, $6 a gallon milk (I tell no lies people), incompetent city workers, office hours that obviously only work for the unemployed/retired crowd, doctors who shut their office down for a week AFTER booking days and days worth of patients (and not calling to reschedule), the list goes on.  Today, for sake of time and personal sanity I will touch on the "easiest" of all these.  The bad phone.

Had to "go white" on 'em

Back in August, Mama and I decided (after Mama was solicited by a telemarketer) to upgrade her home phone plan by adding wireless internet into the mix.  For $9 more, we'd have secure wi-fi and a free modem....done deal.  About a week later, our nightmare started.  For two weeks I had a modem but no service.  I called and was told it was being taken care of.  Two weeks later I discovered that was a blatant lie and a report hadn't even been made!  All of this information comes to me after hours of automated systems followed by hours of looped smooth latin jazz elevator music to keep me "entertained".  I also discovered that asking if the person on the other end could speak English so that we could better communicate the numerous issues was senseless.  Keeping me confused seemed to be part of the plan.  So, this week, when I received yet another erroneous bill from this company (Claro is the name becaues I need to name names), I took a deep breath and I "went white".  In no way am I trying to be offensive to any of my Caucasian American friends, but sometimes, unfortunately, to get things done the way you as a customer need them to get done, you gotta "go white".  So, as soon as the customer service rep picked up the phone and greeted me with her mile a minute Spanish greeting, I met her with my mile a minute Mish radio voice...never did I hesitate to worry if she could understand me nor did I bother giving her an opening by answering her in any way in Spanish.  She quickly put me on hold as I heard her hastily find someone, telling them they just needed to pick up the line because they couldn't handle me.  As soon as the English speaker picked up, and told me I had to be transferred to billing.  I put my "white" foot down and said "Let me bring you up to speed with what has been going on...I do NOT want to be transferred to anyone and if there is any way you can handle this issue, I would greatly appreciate it."  The result?  Ms. Santiago agreed, got on the case, and even brought in her supervisor, Ms. Pagan, in to really make some magic happen.  No elevator music.  No automated system.  Ms. Pagan even came back on the line every now and then to apologize for the wait and update me on her progress regarding fixing and FINALLY crediting my account.  It was one small victory but one that took over TWO MONTHS to accomplish.  I am not use to this nor do I want to get use to this.  Why did it have to come to this?  Why is getting what is just and fair from a company seeming like a part time job??

About a week ago I snuck in and out of New York for some family business (again Happy Bday Kris!) and during that time I was recounting my numerous frustrations with the manner in which business is done on la isla.  While reflecting, my mom just turned, looked at me and said "And why is it that you want to live there again?"  Initially, I shrugged her off, but it wasn't long before I had yet another oh-my goodness-can-you-believe-this-is-what-happens-in-PR story.  Again, she looked at me sideways and said "And your thinking of settling down there permanently for what reason?"  I hear her.  I get it.  She's not saying anything I haven't already (and continue to) wrestled with.  While for me the issue is Puerto Rico and its complete ignorance to customer service, the bigger issue is a lack of involvement.  A lack of demand.  Companies don't give it because we no longer expect it.  Sure, from my perspective, its way easier in the US to be up in arms about something, call the company or write a letter and get results.  But, more and more even that is getting difficult.  The checks and balances line has blurred and somehow we are beginning to believe that we owe them something.  That we can't live without what this company is offering.  Like we are not the ones who keep their business running.

Partially, like in the case of my issue with Jet Blue, these companies do have us by the cojones.  And so, they don't really have to do much for you....and they know it.  Let me explain, Jet Blue is to Western Puerto Rico what Greyhound use to be for Philly/New York commuters (before Peter Pan and the suspect but cheap China Bus...shout out to my TU folks).  Basically, if you're trying to get to Western PR and you don't want to embark on a 2+ hour drive from San Juan, you have to fly Jet Blue.  Sure, you could try Continental, but their schedules, seats, destinations and prices all SUCK.  So, for all intense purposes, Jet Blue has a monopoly because of their "cheap", comfortable and reliable service.  Normally, I am a Jet Blue fan, but as I've said before to be happy in life doesn't always mean you've got cash flow.  Tight budgets call for strategic planning.  So, on Monday when a ticket from NY to PR is $124 and I have to wait for a check to come in and on Tuesday its $165...well, that's an issue for me.  For most of you reading this, that price difference is nothing.  A drop in the bucket.  I know, I use to be you.  But, that is just not my reality.  And, more and more, it is not a lot of folks reality....watching your money is a necessity nowadays and watching how easily and quickly something that was originally valued at $99 can climb to as high as $900+ (it happened to my cousin) is just disrespectful.  So, in my furor I wrote.  I wrote a non-angry sounding, concise letter to Jet Blue explaining my situation, hoping for wonderfully-satisfactory-customer-appreciation-we-will-honor-the-lower-ticket-price loveliness.  Instead, I got a manufactured, run of the mill, sorry-you-have-to-take-it-up-the-tailpipe-we-can't-help-you-we-know-you-have-to-get-home-so-find-a-credit-card-or-sugar-daddy response.  Disappointment.  Utter and complete disappointment and worry about the seemingly waning power of the consumer.  I was jaded and beginning to lose hope....but then one supermarket changed all that.

One of the last times I went back home, I wracked up on groceries.  Puerto Rico isn't exactly packed full of Whole Foods or Trader Joe's or even Fairways.  Getting organic, vegan or vegetarian items are difficult and very expensive over here (uh oh here comes mom's sideway look and voice in my head again).  So, I did what I usually do and I rolled out to Fairway and went on a shopping spree.  It wasn't until I got back to Puerto Rico and began to balance my checkbook (yes, there are people who still do that) that I realized that I had been overcharged close to $25 dollars!  The cashier had made a huge math error with my Quinoa purchase AND the Quinoa flour that I purchased was expired.  I, by this time, was jaded and didn't want to deal with another damn customer service person.  In my mind I thought Let it go, what can they really do?  You're in PR, you can't prove the flour is old and you can't prove you don't actually have 8 boxes of Quinoa in your cupboard.  But, that little customer-is-always-right-I-must-be-heard-pain-in-the-butt person inside of me just couldn't let it go.  So, I shot them an email.  A few days later a very apologetic, very concerned customer relations person responded.  She asked me for  a few details from my receipt and within 48 hours I had an e-mail from her emphatically apologizing, informing me that my account would be credited and encouraging me to continue shopping with her store.  As a result of that experience, I heart Fairway.

I will continue to spend my precious money there and feel good about it.  We should feel good about the places we spend our money and feel good about the things we spend our money on.  No, you don't have to occupy Wall Street to make a change (although it is awesome if you decide to head down there for the right reasons...not just to be part of a circus), but YOU DO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.  Don't allow yourself to be kept "busy" with technology and day to day drudgery.  Take a moment and look at the big picture.  The power has, is, and will always be in our hands...as long as we remain conscious.  We are the 99%!  Write a letter, voice a concern, call a congressman, demand recycling in your neighborhood (that's more of a PR issue...yet again), whatever it is...but stand for something.  Not just empty jokes, I don't care attitudes, and ignorance is bliss demeanors...

Full Speed Ahead Batman!!!!

Icees after church!

“Full speed ahead Batman!” That’s how I feel nowadays.  My two-week trip to New York ended up being extended to almost a month long adventure.

Erto Berto on his way to Japan!

I arrived in time to see my little bro off to Japan and while we didn’t get to spend the quality one on one time I would have liked, in the manner in which I imagined it, we still got to be together.   The way I see it, he was given an opportunity to spend time with friends and family that truly missed him but he was also shown, that he’s changed.  There’s nothing like going back to where you came from to show you just how far you’ve come, and more importantly, how far you still have to go.  So, on July 6^th, he headed out…onto a two day journey that took him from New York to San Antonio to Dallas to Tokyo and finally to Misawa, Japan!  He had the privilege of being bumped up to Business and even First Class on the majority of his flights.  What luck right?!  Now, my fresh-faced 18-year-old hermanito and I are on similar yet very different journeys.  He’s experiencing the real life Top Gun, 13 hours ahead of all he’s ever known, financially independent for the first time in his life, while I’m sitting in a cafeteria, undergoing a Spanish-only orientation designed to prepare me to face 2^nd – 12^th graders beginning Monday morning.  I’m being asked to sign contracts that I can hardly understand and fighting feelings of panic.  Either way, we’re both in strange lands, embarking on new adventures, and prepping ourselves as best we can for what is to come.  We both feel excited yet disconnected, apart of a team and yet still lonely.  We’re navigating and looking to each other for support.

Don't miss this!

Did miss this!

Once Erto Berto left for Japan I realized I had a few short days to get a laundry list of things done.  I had already come to the realization that as far as my eyes could see, I wouldn’t be returning to live in New York anytime soon.  I also realized my parents garage was chock full of my stuff.  Letters, cards, notebooks, photos, books, clothing…the list goes on.  Some of that stuff, believe it or not, went as far back as elementary school.  It was time to start clearing that stuff out.  Letting go of what I no longer needed, finding use for whatever I “saved for later” and storing whatever I truly knew I’d use/need when I finally settle into my own place again.  So, I changed my cramped, no-space-for-my-knees-and-my-feet-Continental-Airlines-seat, for a nice and roomy Jet Blue seat 10 days later (no I’m not being paid for this endorsement although I should be)!  By the end of my bonus time in New York, I was ready to be home.  I missed Mama.  I missed Max.  I missed Titi Annie.  I missed Puerto Rico.  While in New York I got the good news that I officially got the teaching job at the school that my church has and I would begin August 1^st.  I also got all my paperwork in order to open my very own food stand!   Hence, why I feel like its been non-stop since I’ve gotten back.  Oh, and did I mention I chopped all my hair off?!  Yeah, check out my new haircut.  Its crazy short but I absolutely LOVE it.  More on the new job, the food stand and the decision to cut my signature mop aka hair in the coming post.  The blog slump is over!  Let’s celebrate! WoooO!

Went from this...

...to this!

AND I LOVE IT!!

Home?

Today is July 2nd.  I've officially been home for 7 days.  Apologies to those I have yet to reach out to as this trip seems to be going in overdrive.  Day 0.5 started in Puerto Rico.  I headed to the airport around 11pm prepped for a 2am flight.  The plan?  To land just before 6am, get home, catch a second wind, head to church (hopefully with my whole family), and then make it home in time for some much needed relaxing and catch up with my immediate family.  Now, as soon as arrived at the airport, I knew something was wrong...any time there are masses of people huddled around an airline counter, there's trouble.  I hoped it wasn't my flight, but I just knew it was.  It was.  My 2am flight had been delayed until 4:15am.  It was about 11:30pm.  I had quite an evening of waiting and then, traveling ahead of me.  I breathed deep, took the $6 food voucher and scoured for food I could kinda maybe eat under my new doctor prescribed diet (see previous post for that story).

I won't lie.  The waiting sucked.  Then, upon finally walking into the plane that was sure to take me home to comfort and relaxation, I realize someone is in my coveted window seat.  See the science behind my love for the window seat is as follows:  It is my mini zone.  I have the window to use as my pseudo shoulder.  If I can't sleep the window seat allows me to stare and zone, perhaps write, perhaps listen to music, perhaps to just think.  That night, my plans for the window seat involved lots of sleeping so I could be refreshed and ready.  There had been murmurs of a possible family BBQ on my arrival day, and while I really hoped those rumors were false, I still wanted to be ready to face it with a genuinely positive attitude.  I was determined to not allow any ridiculous 2 hour delay to set a negative tone to a trip I've been looking forward to (and at times using to help keep me pushing forward while in PR) for months.  As I zoned in on my seat, I realized there was a body in it.  I checked my ticket, yep, the larger sized older gentleman, complete with a cane, was in my seat.  Now, many would say "Mish, I know you asked him to move right?" and I would respond "Nope.", followed by a sigh.  At the end of the day, I didn't have the heart to.  He looked like a sardine in the window seat, had I moved him to the seat he belonged in (the middle seat) it would have been even worse.  Plus, if he had been my grandpa, I would have wanted whatever young lady's seat he took to take the high road and let him have that.  Was I pissed?  Yes.  Was I torn and contemplated throwing a fit all in the name of  understandable crabbiness and irritability? Heck yeah.  Did I give him nervous tension for most of the trip? Yup...until I pulled the tray table down and forced myself to knock out in an inhumanely uncomfortable position...with a dress acting as my sweater/blanket over my head.  I forced myself to sleep until we were told to please raise our tray tables (or in my case - beds) and prepare for landing.  I had a decision to make: continue to be a pseudo-jerk or snap out of it.  I snapped out of it and offered the neighbors on either side of me a Mentos.  That opened the line of communication.  Mr. Old Man Who Took My Seat told me he was landing in Newark and then had an hour and a half ride ahead of him down to Camden, New Jersey... in a pretty small vehicle.  I'm glad I gave him my seat.

Not too bad for no sleep right? Big bro Danny happy to see lil sis!

The BBQ wasn't a vicious rumor.  It was true.  Very true.  So true that cousins I hadn't seen since before I left were even present.  I'd be lying to say I was looking forward to this event.  Really, who wants to see anyone, much less extended friends and family after a very uncomfortable night of traveling?!  But, I locked myself in the bathroom for a bit and gave myself a pep talk as I showered.  I put a little more makeup on than usual (to try to hide my tired and borderline annoyed eyes), and faced the music.  It was lovely.  Person after person I embraced and exchanged information with.  It was a bit surreal and at times I felt like I was floating on a cloud but had I been better rested I may have shed a tear with every person I spoke to...and that may have just been awkward.

Me n my "twin"

That was Day 0.5 into Day 1.  The next few days were full of my three lil munchkins...Jaden, Renee and Phia.  They (minus Phia) hit the road for Florida on Thursday so I was sure to get my dose of them while I could...when they return I'll be back in Puerto Rico...unsure of when I'll return.  It was also full of cousin love.  I really do miss and love them so much.

Cousin n munchkin love!

Now, here we are, at the weekend.  I'm in Harlem and loving the Aloft Hotel!  Thanks to my lovely cousin Jeanine for introducing me to this place.  My boyfriend and I are taking these next two days together to catch up and continue to navigate the very difficult task of a long distance relationship.  As I sit here and type, the DJ in the lobby bar is spinning an oldie but goodie featured in one of my favorite movies (Dirty Dancing), titled "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow".  A perfect song.  Love is hard.  Distance love is harder... and one never knows what tomorrow will bring.  But, until then, I'll concentrate on enjoying today...

Radio Roots Revisited

It was surreal.  Truly surreal.  There I was, walking into the control room of a radio station...slightly envying the producer behind the board...stopping myself from blurting out "So what program do you guys use?  It doesn't look like Prophet nor any other program I've used before.  Do you have drops? What music do you use as filler?  Is it touch screen?"  Its felt like a lifetime since I've been in the studio of a radio station (save the quick visit to Colb in Ohio in November - what up Colby?!).  It was definitely a different experience though, because instead of the whiney baby rhymes of Nikki or Drake, there were opera like religious tunes playing in my headphones.  Yeah, you read that right LOL now let me start from the beginning.  Remember the wedding that I went to with Mama (where we killed the photo booth with our gangsta picture reel)?  Well, that day I was introduced to a woman who has her own afternoon program on a local Christian radio station.  My neighbor, knowing my background in Communications, made it a point to connect us stating "You never know what it could lead to!" and boy, was she right.

Annie, the radio woman, and I immediately connected!  She told me she started off as a secretary at the station and one day management recognized that she had a wonderful voice.  They especially loved her clear pronunciation.  She went on to give me a mini lesson in phonetics and diaphragm breathing (yes all in Spanish, yes in the middle of the wedding, and yes my life is a sitcom).  We exchanged numbers and she offered to tutor me on phonetics, pronunciation and anything else I may be interested in.  She also made a point to introduce me to her daughter who studied Television Production and seems to have interned or worked at just about every network this side of the island.

Annie in action

Before I knew it, Thursday had arrived and it was time for yet another cooking class...which happens to be steps from the radio station that Annie works at.  So, I gave her a call, and next thing I knew I was salivating at the sight of sound boards, microphones, and headphones.  It was a great feeling because I no longer have expectations or put ridiculous unnecessary stress on myself.  In the past, my immediate thoughts from the moment I entered the station would have been: What's my angle?  What am I trying to get out of this? Who do I need to talk to for a job around here? But as quickly as those thoughts came, I pushed them out.   Being there was enough of a blessing.  I am here to see what I've been placed here to do.  So, there was a calm over me, a peace that I really enjoyed relishing in.  By the end of the third talk break Annie was asking me to give her a few quick notes about me and my background.  By the fourth talk break she was signaling for me to have a seat and throw on some headphones.

Me tryna be slick with the camera phone LOL

Then, I got interviewed.  In Puerto Rico.  In Spanish.  I told my story.   In SPANISH.  Why I'm here, what I did before I got here, what being in Puerto Rico means to me, what the language means to me...which lead to what my grandmother means to me (which of course led to me crying for the first time in my life on air).  Was it perfect Spanish?  I'm almost positive it wasn't, but it didn't matter...it was AMAZING!  That was probably a bucket list item that I didn't even know I should have had until after I did it.  Once we got off the air she told me she could always use volunteers to help her with the phone.  I told her I had no problem with that and since I take that cooking class every Thursday we can designate Thursdays as our days together.  Then, she gave me a homework assignment.  I'm to practice the phonetic exercise she demonstrated the day of the wedding, I'm also to read the newspaper out loud daily and practice my diaphragm breathing...all in front of the mirror.  I assured her I would, took my 'homework' notes, and prepared to head out the door...then she dropped the bomb on me as she said "I sure hope you do practice because I'm going to have you do some reading on the air next week."  Pray for me!!!!!!

I had to try to get a shot of myself behind the mic again woo!

A wedding, an eye exam, and a life without rice or bread...

Mama getting her hair dyed!

Beautiful Wedding

Alright so I got to go to my first wedding here in Puerto Rico!  At first, Mama wasn't going to go but I after she saw how excited I was and after I told her we could dress up and get our hair done and yada yada, she was sold.  So, we started preparing for this glorious event weeks ahead of time.  Really, we started preparing Mama...meaning we had to get her a dress, accessories, hair, nails (luckily I'm her resident manicurist), shoes, etc.  She looked so beautiful!  And we got really lucky with a last minute trip to Marshall's the day of the wedding and found a little pocketbook that matched her dress exactly!  She was very excited.  So excited in fact, she didn't eat anything before we left.  She had breakfast, but that wasn't sufficient..especially because the wedding ended up being 2 hours away and while we were on time the wedding wasn't.  So, we were forced to stand out in the Puerto Rican heat for way longer than we should have.  That, unfortunately, resulted in Mama damn near passing out!  It was without a doubt one of the scarier things I`'ve experienced.  One minute she's resting on my shoulder, next she says she feels dizzy and then just starts to go down.  Luckily there were plenty of men around willing to lend a helping hand.  Thank God she did not injure herself and within a half hour was fine.  I took away some lessons from that situation and I do believe she did too.  I've tried to allow Mama to maintain her independence and I don't try to push her too much when we disagree but she now knows that there are some things that aren't negotiable...doctor visits and now, food.

LOVED the photo booth!

My favorite of the 4!

Speaking of food, I am now on a 'diet'.  Let’s have a moment of silence.  Ok, so anyone who knows me knows I don't diet.  I try to pick healthier food options, I don't eat beef or pork, but diet?!  Me?!  It's pretty hard.  Bread is my bestie and cheese is yet another great friend of mine.  Well, Friday afternoon, that all came to an end when I had my first appointment with a Naturalist.  My mom had gone to see this doctor with my aunt a few years ago and she came back raving about how on point he was with his diagnosis.  She also said she thought I'd really like him because he prescribes natural products (if you need them) and he aims to improve your health through healthier eating habits.  

Couldn't eat it but I heard it was delish!

So, upon my arrival to Puerto Rico, I asked my aunt to please make us an appointment.  Mom had warned me that appointments are made months in advance so I definitely wanted to get my foot in the door as soon as possible.  Finally, June came and it was time to see Dr. Gonzalez (no, really, he is Dr. Gonzalez and I don't believe there's any relation...but ya never know)!  The thing about this doctor is he uses a method called Iridologia.  Basically he takes a close up picture of each of your eyes and through your iris, he diagnosis you.  It may sound crazy, but my mom went and didn't tell him a thing before he looked at her eyes.  She walked out of there amazed.  He found all that she had been dealing with JUST THROUGH HER IRIS.  

Iris

Anywhoo, I walk in there and he asks me what brought me in to see him.  I found myself caught off guard because really, at the time I made the appointment, I just wanted to see what he was all about.  But, by the time I was sitting there in his chair, I realized that I had been battling with some skin issues.  The adjustment to the Puerto Rican weather has not been kind on my skin and come to think of it, my complexion was going through changes well before I got out here.  So, I went with "my skin".  We chatted a bit and then he set me up to take my photos.  By the time I walked out of there, I had a new face soap, a daily regiment of dietary supplements, face creams, a request for a thyroid exam (in two months) and a very strict diet (also for the next two months). According to Dr. Gonzalez, I am overdoing it on the bread and cheese.  I am eating a lot of starches that are filling my face with grease (hence the breakouts).  He also says I have low blood sugar because I'm eating the wrong kind of food that's not releasing the insulin I need into my body and so I'm craving sugar and continuing to snack on and eat things that contribute to the bad sugar rather than the good sugar (and so continues the vicious cycle).  My iris also told him that I’m stressed (unemployed and still struggling with the language will do that lol). 

My aunt was shocked because in her mind I eat great, I exercise and I’m not overweight.  I kinda was too, I mean those are the measures that many people diagnose themselves…as long as the exterior is ok, the interior is fine.   But, this exam went to show, that may not always be true.  Our bodies speak to us, they let us know that something is up, and usually with time.  It starts out small and we try to ignore it until it becomes something big and we can no longer ignore that a change is necessary.   I knew something was up because my skin never seemed to be able to maintain a clear complexion but I thought I could fix it with lots of water and continuing to try product after product…no dice. Therefore, I am determined to follow the doc’s instructions to a tee.  Worst case scenario, it doesn’t work and I learn how to eat without meat, bread, seafood, rice, corn, etc.  (yeah, that’s just a piece of some of my favorite things the list of things I can’t eat for the next two months)!  Best case scenario, it does work, I finally get GREAT skin and I also learn how to eat (and cook) new, interesting, delicious things that are also very good for my health.   Want to know the most interesting thing?!  I’m ALREADY taking cooking classes that are teaching me how to eat in the way the doctor just mandated me to eat (see last post).  God is so good!  I don’t know what he has planned for me but I think it’s very interesting that I was already in “training” for this new challenge before I even knew what the challenge was!

Morning supplements (yes, 9)

Now, saying you have a laundry list of things you can’t eat is one thing.  Saying your going to stick to the list is one thing.  But, waking up the next morning really hungry and actually figuring out how to stick to this new diet...that’s a whole other thing!  I literally wracked my brain for about an hour on Saturday.  What can I eat that will be appealing…fruits only isn’t going to cut it.  I don’t want this to feel like a jail sentence but when you can’t eat anything made with corn, wheat or regular flour, no eggs, no cheese, no meat, no almonds…its like come on!  So, I whipped out the book Dr. Gonzalez gave me (outlining what I can and can’t eat) determined to make something work.  The result?  Oatmeal with almond milk (yep can’t eat almonds but can have almond milk), a tablespoon of brown sugar, ½ a tablespoon of Agave Nectar, and a freshly chopped apple.  I let that simmer and when it was ready drizzled it with a bit more Agave and fresh apple slices.  Delish!  A majority of my diet calls for apples, potatoes and other root veggies so I was very proud of my breakfast!  For Linner (Lunch/Dinner Mama and I love so much) I made my famous Quinoa salad and heated up some chicken for Mama.  She boiled some ñame (a potato cousin) and I made a nice salad.  Successful day 1!  The only drawback is that 2 of the pills the doc prescribed have a horrible odor/taste.  It has definitely taken some getting use to.

Mmmm breakfast!

The wedding was also pretty tough, but luckily they had a vegetarian lasagna and a salad available (although I couldn’t eat the pasta or the eggplant).  I know what you’re thinking…Mish, this is extreme.  Believe me, my dad feels the same way, but there is a medley of things I CAN eat, the problem is they aren’t generally offered in restaurants out here….which means more cooking at home, more money saved, and more recipes mastered!  You connecting the dots for why I’m not so bummed about this?!  The only thing that I’m really concerned about is that in just a few short weeks I’ll be back in New York visiting Mom.  Mom is my master chef.  Mom’s BBQ’s are legendary.  I can’t eat a majority of the things Mom is famous for and she can’t make some of my favorite dishes!  I also have to revise my list of restaurants I had all ready to visit upon my return.  Good news is I believe Ethiopian, Thai and maybe even Indian is all still possible mmmmm I can’t wait!

The Lost Pictures

Time to take a trip down memory lane...well a mini trip at least.  So many things happen on a daily basis around here that I figured an update in pictures may be just the thing to get this blog up to date!  Plus, now that we are in the Facebook era where people can get lost in pictures for hours (usually during their work day...shout out to my office folks!), I think it may be quite enjoyable for most.  That being said...enjoy!

Ok so let's start with visitors...first my friend Melissa came to la isla.  Unfortunately there is no picture of her here because we never got to meet up :(  She was on the other side of the island (San Juan area) and it is about 2+ hours from me.  Our schedules never aligned so I am patiently awaiting her return trip!

Ellie

Whale in Rincón

Next, was Ellie.  Ellie has been a faithful blog reader, yard sale customer, commenter and all around cheerleader throughout this 'packin' up' journey.  So, she came into town and hit the road with her honey bunny to find Mish in PR!  She got to meet the infamous Mama and check out a few whales in Rincón with us.  Unfortunately we were so excited and concentrated on getting pics of whales that we didn't bother getting a picture of us together!  She did, however, supply me with a great pic of her during her time here in PR as well as some awesome pics of the whales!

Ponce

Old San Juan

Then, sistah/cuz came for a visit and we started her trip with a bang...hitting Old San Juan then making our way home to the West.  She took hundreds of gorgeous shots with her handy dandy camera and even contemplated staying a bit longer than planned.  She was offered a job with me as an English teacher but decided against it...good thing she did because two months later I still haven't started!  During one of our trips back from training for this "job" we decided to take a detour and stop in Ponce.  There, we found a waiter who looked like a young Benecio Del Toro -- no lie.  Old Mish would have at the very least posed with this hot hot hottie.  New Mish just appreciated the scenery and tried to convince sistah/cuz to explore her inner cougar LOL.  Now that I think of it, I should have at least asked for him to take a pic with her so you all could see just how much he looked like Benecio, it was crazy!!

Pics n driving? Do not try this at home!

Backseat view

Ok what else...oh!  So, one day we went to visit my granduncle (her uncle).  During that visit my granduncle (Tio Munchin) decided that he wanted to take us for a drive.  Then, his sister, my grandaunt (Titi Viña) said she wanted to tag along.  Before we left, I was warned that I should probably drive...so I did.  The adventure that commenced really cannot be put into words.  Tio wanted us to go up into the mountains and swore that a) it was close and a quick drive (we only had a few hours of sun left) and b) doable with my Smurf and completely safe.  Please note the pics of Tio and I picking up and tossing to the side HUGE rocks...yeah that is the road he had me on (which ended in a dead end of really tall grass).  Did I mention I had to reverse my way out of that road...in my very low to the ground NON 4x4 vehicle?!  I was just praying that nothing would end up broken as I had flashbacks of a very interesting New Years Eve (circa 2003?) in Philadelphia (long story short...a quick 11pm drive to a South Jersey liquor store ended with three friends sitting in the parking lot with a broken oil tank and nothing but booze to keep them warm as they awaited rescue before the ball dropped SHOUT OUT TO GRUMP FOR THAT RESCUE).

The infamous Rocky Road

"You will NOT hurt my smurf!"

Anyway, after successfully navigating our way out of that rock riddled road (say that 3 times fast), Tio continued to make me feel like less of a driver...saying that if he were behind the wheel we would be up the mountain and home already.  I begged to differ but I just stayed quiet.  Our final destination was a local waterway where Tio often stands to fish.  It was beautiful except for the excessive litter surrounding the road leading up to the water.  It never ceases to amaze me how litter bugs never think of the long term effects on our environment, our food, and subsequently, our bodies through their lazy actions.

Tio's fishing station

Finally, a few days before sistah/cuz boarded her plane back to the big city, we found a cozy restaurant to enjoy some delicious lobster empanadillas and take in the sunset.  It was relaxing and wonderful.  Sitting together, talking about everything and nothing...whether its over lobster empanadillas or gourmet mac n' cheese or pad thai....Riesling or Sangria...Black Whale fondue or fried ice cream.  It was good to capture that feeling with her once again in PR!

Sunset in Joyuda

So a few weeks after sistah/cuz left I discovered a double oil leak in my lil' Smurf (hmmm maybe thanks to that Rocky Road adventure?!)  Either way, I needed to get it fixed.  Low and behold my other granduncle (Mr. Miyagi) offered to pay for my car repairs in exchange for a weekend of working with him at his sunglass kiosk on the beach.  I was willing to do it for free, but the opportunity to also get my Smurf repaired was a definite bonus.  So, that Thursday night, there I was...behind a table of sunglasses offering a warm smile and a simple "Buenas" as folks strolled by glancing at what we had to offer.  Some ignored me, some returned the smile, and some were scared off.  I enjoyed this experience because  as I toy with the idea of opening my own kiosk on the beach, I was given an opportunity to see just how this beach vendor thing goes.  Things I took away from this experience:
1.get a good, tall chair (you can't stand for 5+ hours straight and expect not to have shooting leg pain and you want to be able to sit and watch everything as customers stroll by)
2. have some healthy snacks/beverages on hand (the beach is full of food...unfortunately its mostly greasy, overpriced appetizers)
3. come with your "patience" hat on...as customers are very indecisive and full of questions
4. Come with an empty bladder and have a bathroom relief person on hand in case you have to make a run for it
5. Make friends with local restaurant owners so that you don't have to go that far (nor pay...yes pay...there is one restaurant that actually has a person at their bathroom entrance asking for a $1 from everyone who tries to use it) to use the bathroom.

Tio & Carmen getting crazy in the kiosk! Don't be alarmed its only coconut water...no really, Tio doesn't drink!

So, in the end, I made quite a few sales, practiced my Spanish, and walked away with a clearer vision of my future kiosk....now I just need an actual stand to call my own! ; )

WHOA!  I just found a whole 'nother load of lost photos!  Stay tuned for more....