Male Mystique

Appetizer (Quote) - Understand oneself before you judge others.....
Main Dish (Book) - "The Male Brain" by Louanne Brizentine
Spoonful Rating - 4 1/2 Spoons
Dessert (Featured Dish) - Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice
Drink (Desired Beverage) - Strawberry Lemonade

Learning is a life long lesson, where maturity and development are subsets of the growth process. Rarely do you find learning, maturity, development, and growth intertwined in one source, and oftentimes than not, one has to choose between the options. In "The Male Brain," the reader experiences all four (4) perspectives at the expense of delicate, academic objectivity without biases --- even more rare phenomenon.

Through the multiple stages of a male's life --- youth, adolescent, mature, seasoned, and andropausal --- he continues to discover, define, and develop his sense of self in his eyes, as well as, the eyes of others. The process of stretching himself socially, financially, and politically become second-nature to his life long journey in becoming a man, and his ability to transform the many learning episodes of his life into tangible benefits may (to some) determine where he ranks in the grand scheme of societal pecking order. To this end, his learning curve is both biologically and psychologically-driven. The endless tug-a-war between hormonal defenses and external societal pressures will shape his male mold, and if successful, he will gain 2nd and 3rd degree residual benefits through the learning stage.

Maturity will come as a sacrifice. As the male continues to grow mentally and physically, a complex cocktail of hormones will drive his decisions and mental perceptions --- whether accurate or falsely. This stage enables the male to stretch himself and challenge conventional wisdom, but he will need constant reassurance from the female population until he grasps the internal hunger to make an impact and leave a legacy behind. While no male is an island, the male brain is a sophisticated, mean-problem solving machine that requires little to no emotional support baggage. It is in this stage of the male's life that he defines and redefines his boundaries as he sets to leave his mark in society.

Development is continuous, and through many failures, set backs, and costly choices, the male will uncover intangible but necessary characteristics of who he is, and why he does what he does. No excuses or apologies will best explain the fully developed male brain, but one can ascertain a better appreciation for the myriad of differences --- not in size but complexity --- that shape the male brain. Unlike his counterpart's make-up [the female brain], there are fewer emotional connections driving the decision-making, instead more analytics and logical pattern-making. The simple landscape of the male brain at this stage resembles the 6-lane highway traffic heading in one direction, full speed ahead with limited cautions.

Having survived the previous stages, the growth dynamic is dual-fold: 1) it is a pragmatic puzzle; and, 2) it is a meticulous time machine. The male brain biologically is formed similar as the female brain; however, the distinct preferences for structure and less fuzziness helps one see how every calculating molecule, synapses, and/or connection is apart of the overall puzzle and time machine.

While I do not subscribe to the notion that the differences between men and women can be summed up in the simplicity of biological and varying reactions to hormones, there is something to be said for the acute dynamics that shape the minds of men and women, especially when it comes to the decisions made and choices preferred. If one gains nothing more than a greater appreciation for the way in which the male brain processes information and responds to different stimuli, then the reader has fulfilled one goal of the author. The best attribute to reading both The Female and Male Brain collection is delving deeper into the male mystique, if there is a such.....

Bon Appetit!

Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice
4-6 oz. of chicken quarters and/or thighs
2 ripe tomatoes
3 med. red potatoes
1 red onion
1-2 bunches of green onions
1 carrot
2-3 pieces of ginger
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 cups of water (H2O)
2 tbsp. of yellow curry spice
1 tbsp. cumin
1 tsp. of celery salt
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp Spanish or Indian paprika
Dash of salt & pepper (to taste)

Prepare chicken quarters separately, and cook rice as directed. Combine spices together in coriander. Heat olive oil over high heat and add seasoned chicken. Cook over high heat until brown, stir in water, adding tomatoes, red potatoes, onions, carrot, and slices of ginger. Repeat heating and stir vigorously over medium heat until chicken is soft & tender. Combine spices and sprinkle water to make paste. Mix ingredients and cook w/ top over slow heat for additional 30-minutes. Serve hot over jasmine rice.

Inside

Appetizer (Quote) - Loving begins within ...
Main Dish (Book) - "The Feast of Love" by Charles Baxter
Spoonful Rating - 4 Spoons
Dessert (Featured Dish) - Molasses-Glazed Salmon Summer Salad
Drink (Desired Beverage) - Mango Smoothie

Love does not choose its partner, it just happens. No matter what we desire deep down inside of the person we want to love, the raw feelings that eruptwithin your heart has no boundaries --- love feels the space of being understood, seen beyond the veil for who we are, manifested to reach our destiny, mostly, transparent regardless of who is around. When love abounds, one cannot plan every move, nor select the ideal person and package the love of one's life; instead, the opposite normally appears, where the unexpected feeling of quesiness in your stomach and heart frequency rates skyrockets and lands at the least undesireable time and relatively foreign partner one didn't expect.

In the Feast of Love, the reader journeys in the lives of a young married couple, seasoned married couple, and two heart-strung out teenagers that all experience different angles of love. Speckled in each story is a thread of uncommon events, such as the wife of the traditional husband falls in love with an untraditional lover - a woman - and decides to follow her passion. In the case of the seasoned couple, love escapes them in the death of their only, privileged son to ills that they couldn't foresee or derail the wreck that blinded them for years. And, for the two heart-strung teenagers, love is pure where every minute is precious, and believe it or not, in the short but purposed life together, they witness the essence every person should live to experience.

In a lifetime, one should get a chance to laugh in the rain, hold hands with a stranger, whisper sweet nothings to the girl/boy next door, giggle and tickle in bed. If you are blessed to love, then you need to run your hands through the hair of the one you love. Go ahead..it's not complicated..just love!

Bon Appetit!

Molasses-Glazed Salmon Summer Salad

2-3 pieces of Salmon

1 Head of Iceberg Lettuce

Handful of strawberries, blueberries, and mixed berries

1 8 oz. can of Pineapples

2 vine tomatoes

1 seedless cucumber

Craisins

Prepare summer salad in order of ingredients. Marinate salmon with molasses and cook for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. Assemble salad by slicing lettuce, grabbing some strawberries, blueberries, and mixed berries. Add pineapples, tomatoes, cucumber, and craisins. Top with with your favorite vinegerette dressing. Serve chilled.

Deposit

Appetizer (Quote) - Deposit in others rather than oneself

Main Dish (Book) - "Consequences" by Penelope Lively

Spoonful Rating - 4 Spoons

Dessert (Featured Dish) - Strawberry Poppy-seed Salad & Chicken

Drink (Desired Beverage) - Green Tea w/ Lemon

Choices are made. In the course of life, we, as individuals, will make a number of choices, producing desires results and relinquishing desires at the expense of others. Regardless of who we are or where we stand, the choices we make define our destiny and decides what legacy will we leave behind.

In the book Consequences, the exploration of 4 generations of love, relationships, family, career, dreams, and dead-ends explode off the page as the backdrop of WWII erupts in Europe. Amid the ruins, the author weaves together a wonderful love story that uproots a family and tradition in the face of uncertainty and gives birth to a kaleidoscope of dreams, passion, and unfortunately, the terminal illness that promises to destroy any relationship that stands the test of time --- unforgiven choices and hopelessness.

Four dynamic but very different women seek to find their place in society, and amid their travel one finds her soul-mate only to lose him within moments of their desires; another struggles to find love and settles for routine life in the suburbs; yet another manages to share her life and bare children with a partner but underestimates the power of the heart; and, finally, one discovers that being transparent with one person she least expected to share the most with is the ideal person. Life is full of choices, and the plan is not to figure out all the answers before you get there. Robert Frost was right when he said, "On the road to life one will [choose] the less road traveled by." The choices one makes defines our lives, and the decisions we opt for refines who we are.

Bon Appetit!

Strawberry Poppy-Seed Salad & Chicken
1 bag of Arugula
A bunch of Strawberries
A handful of Blueberries
Chopped Walnuts, Almonds or Pecans
Feta Cheese
Ripe Cherry Tomatoes
Julienne Carrots
One bag of Craisins
4-6 oz Grilled Chicken (if desired)
1-8oz bottle of Poppy Seed Dressing

Prepare salad in order of ingredients as followed. Wash arugula. Take a handful of strawberries and blueberries and sprinkle on the salad. Chop walnuts, almonds, or pecans coarsely. Sprinkle feta cheese. Add cherry tomatoes, carrots, and Craisins. Top with grilled chicken. Serve chilled with your favorite french baguette.

Spicy

Appetizer - Stuffed Cheese Shitake Mushrooms

Main Dish - The Female Brain (featured novel)
Dirty Rice

Spoonful Rating - 4 spoons

Drink - Diet Lemonade

Dessert - Tiramisu

The Female Brain is a complex and delicate muscle. Unlike no other body part, the brain is the control center that navigates the high traffic pathways of millions and millions of neurons. This muscle decides what to eat, when to get up, how to dress, who and how long to speak to someone, where to go, and most often, what and how to feel about any given situation.
In the Female Brain, the neuroscientist explores the multi-facet muscle that is the center of gravity for women but with one angle --- disclosing the perception that the female brain is inferior to its male counterpart; and, on the contrary, the female brain is a dynamic, complex powerhouse during the 7 stages of the female brain growth development.
One theme that permeates consistently through the book is, the female brain is not smaller, inferior, nor dysfunctional in comparison to the male brain but it is multitasking ability to compartmentalize differentiates the power, strength, and longevity of one of the female's largest muscles.
Two (2) sides of the same coin interest me most, including 1) Hormones in the female brain regulate more than 75% of the emotions, feeling, thoughts, and perception for women, and this unique characteristic plays an important role in how women relate to others and understand their environment, especially when it comes to relationships (both good and bad); and, 2) Every stage of the female brain growth development has a distinct yet essential clue to understanding who and what makes a women different.
Each woman needs to examine herself and know what makes her unique, and no book can tell you this. Growing to know who we are as individuals can be a lifelong course with no syllabus, extra credit, or re-takes. The female brain is the most diverse muscle --- learn to appreciate the delicacies that lies within at the expense of developing oneself.

Bon Appetit !

Dirty Rice
1 box of Basmati Rice (yielding 6-8 people)
1 lb ground meat (preferences differ - turkey, beef, pork, etc.)
1 lge. onion
2-3 green onions
1 ripe tomato
1 12-oz. can of sweet corn
Dash of salt/pepper/basil/Italian seasonings

Prepare rice as directed on box (set aside upon completion). Mix ground meat, diced vegetables, can of corn, and spices. Stir vigorously for 6 minutes. Cook on medium fire for approx. 12-15 min. and serve hot over rice.

A Fresh Start

Today's Menu -

“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful.”
― Sophia Loren

Appetizer (Quote) - Seize the day --- smile, laugh, and breathe!

Main Dish (Book) - "The Second Journey" by Joan Anderson

Rating - 3 1/2 Spoons

Dessert (Featured Dish) - Chipotle Chili

Drink (Desired Beverage) - Soy Hazelnut Latte

Taking a chance or trying something new requires at least two (2) subtle but essential things --- that is, courage to go beyond one's normal behavior and agreement to allow oneself to fail (if the desired outcome does not materialize).

The best of both worlds is having the wisdom to know that both courage and agreement to fail is freedom. Freedom to let go of expectations, preferences, and biases that may in any other case limit the experience. Freedom to release one's fear of being accepted and judged by external eyes. Freedom to understand that somethings will delight us, while others will disgust us.

In the case of our feature book, "The Second Journey," the author takes a trip inward to discover it's okay to have second chances. In the process of renewing her spirit, the heroine outlines the key pillars that have shaped her life --- the needs and desires of everyone else, including a husband, children, parents, the public and a host of other tangible bodies. All too often we, too, find ourselves policing the lives of others while our own requirements in life go unmet, or worst yet, not perceived as serious.

In the book, the heroine redefines life with an escape to find joy within herself --- her decisions, choices, mistakes, and relationships that have molded who she has become. Over the course of five decades, she unfolds the challenges of marriage, assists an ailing mother, raise children, volunteer, start and restart careers at the expense of finding true, transparent love --- the quiet before the storm self-love. I applaud the heroine for taking a break away from the normalcy of her life and asking the hard questions, like "What do I really want?", "Who am I?", and, "What impact do I have on the situation?" If one can manage to ask and wait for the appointed answers, then there's hope for inward joy.

To this end, the heroine does find joy in knowing she has made some choices, decisions, and yes, mistakes that could have directed her path in other directions, but the beauty is, she unveils who she really is by taking the risks and letting go. This is an act of true character under pressure, and to her credit, for all the divisions in her path and deposits made in her life, the author is all the better for each contribution.

Having said that, readers it is okay to release the expectations of ourselves to agree or disagree with others. It is perfectly okay to agree to fail --- sometimes. If on the course of life you encounter a path less traveled by and the fork in the road guides you in a direction unsure, then take the moment to ask and assess, the second journey may be better than the first.

Bon Appetit!

Chipotle Chili (serving 4-6 persons)

1 lb of ground meat (preferences include turkey, beef, pork, chicken)

2-3 green onions

1 ripe tomato (red or green)

3 cloves of garlic (shaved)

2- 12oz. can of kidney beans

1 -12oz. can of sweet corn

1 - 8 oz. can of Italian (Spicy) slices tomato slices

1 tbsp. chipotle chili sauce

1 tbsp. cumin

Dash of salt/pepper

Combine ingredients in order of preparation in large sauce pan and cook over medium heat for approx. 15-20 minutes. Serve hot with favorite corn bread, sour cream, cheese, or grated imported cheeses.

Enjoy!

Welcome Readers & Eaters !

There are two things I enjoy most --- reading and eating.

Cuddling up with a great book and delicious food soothes even the most stressed Metropolitan.

Today, we begin a journey of reading and eating together. Some dishes you will like and others you may not. So, as it goes for books and food, do not judge the cover before reading and/or dining with us.

Daily I will post a full course meal --- an array of intriguing book titles, lite appetizer of thoughtful quotes, main course commentary, dinner drink of choice, and dessert rater.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance.