3/30/2011

Homemade Sushi

I have made homemade sushi in the past but only with the help of my mom. I wanted to make a spicy tuna, avocado, and cucumber roll. Looking back I would have loved if I had some sesame seeds in there too. I went to a local gourmet grocery store and bought my ingredients. Although seemingly very difficult, the hardest part is the rolling of the sushi.


You need:
-rice cooker
-sushi mat
-sharp knife

Sushi Ingredients:
1/2 lb of raw tuna
4-5 nori (dried seaweed) sheets
1 cucumber
1 avocado
Sriracha hot sauce

Ingredients for rice:
-3 cups japanese sushi rice (short grain rice not long grain)
-3 1/4 cups cold water
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt

For the rice, put rice and water in the rice cooker to cook while you prepare the vinegar mix and other ingredients. For the vinegar mix that goes over the rice after it is done cooking, combine vinegar, salt and sugar in a small bowl or cup. Stir until dissolved. While your rice is still cooking you can start to cut up the ingredients that will go into the roll. Slice tuna into thick strips wile cutting cucumber into thinner strips and avocado into slices.

After the rice is done drizzle the vinegar mixture over the rice while slowly mixing it in. Let the rice sit until it is cooler, preferably room temperature. Now you have to prepare your work space for rolling. I like to wrap my sushi mat in plastic wrap so that the rice does not stick to it and make a mess. (ewww.) Place nori sheet on wrapped sushi mat making sure the shiny side is face down and the lines (creases) in the sheet are running up and down. Have a small bowl of water set to the side to dampen hands to spread sushi rice. Work the sushi rice over the sheet until there is a thin layer being sure to go all the way to the edges. Place your ingredients in a line at one end of the rice. (you can maybe see it in this picture)


Rolling sushi is the hardest thing ever!!!! I really can not give you too many tips on it because I suck at it. But I will try and explain my horrible process. Where to start.....let's see...ok I just rolled it as tight as I could. No other explanation needed
Once rolled you need to slice the rolls. Wet your knife and cut it once down the center. Place the two halves side by side and then cut those halves into thirds for a total of 6 rolls. I had trouble with this because of my super dull knife    -______-   meh it sucked!




You get the idea. Well I have no pictures of my completed project, because I literally ate them all as I made them. The rolls never touched a plate because as soon as I would cut one I would eat it. Although it might seem expensive and tedious at first it will become less expensive the more you do it. The initial cost of some one time ingredients like nori and rice vinegar become minimal because next time you make it you will have these items left over from your first time. The tuna was only $7 and the rice and veggies wee fairly cheap as well. So, the only stuff you might have to restock up on next time you make sushi is rice, fish, veggies, and the nori. That would probably come out to be around $12 dollars. That is not bad and it makes about 4 rolls. Lesson learned: homemade sushi, although difficult at first, repays you by being easy on your budget. Arigato<3





3/24/2011

The Butterfly Circus

Another short film review. The previous one I watched was dramatic and action packed. This one is feel good and insightful. "The Butterfly Circus" was written by Joshua and Rebekah Weigel, a couple dedicated to the creation of meaningful and inspirational films.  It was shot in only 12 days and focused on the struggles of a limbless man named Will. Who is played by Nick Vujicici, who is not an actor, but travels the world as an inspirational speaker for his non profit organization "Life Without Limbs". Will is befriended by the Butterfly Circus ring leader, played by Eduardo Verastegui. Verastegui's previous work includes "Chasing Papi" and "Bella". I love this film because it is a simple concept, and I have also found I am fond of short films. The butterfly circus is only 20 min long.

Awards
Clint Eastwood Filmmaker Award - 2010 Carmel Art & Film Festival
Grand Prize - 2010 Doorpost Film Project
Best Short Film and Audience Favorite - 2010 Heartland Film Festival 
Best Short Film - 2010 Feel Good Film Festival
Best Short Film and Best Actor - 2010 Method Film Festival
Best of Show - 2011 Fargo Film Festival
Best Short Film and Audience Favorite - 2011 Sedona Int'l Film Festival

I highly suggest you watch this film. It is very feel good and inspirational and fully worth your time. I wanted to take my lesson from the movie... but then I would ruin it. So instead, Lesson Learned: "Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” - Albert Einstein



3/23/2011

#9 - Go to DisneyWorld

Growing up in Los Angeles, DisneyLAND was a staple. I would go 3-4 times a year easily. But, Disneyworld was never of interest to my family, so trips east to Florida were never planned. Beyond the lack of interest from those around me in CA, I have always wanted to see many of the Disney parks around the world, especially Disneyworld.Therefor this trip has been on my bucketlist since day one. This is the first list item I get to cross off and share with you all this year!

I prepared by making a special top for the adventure featuring mickey ears on our school's mascot.
So this is the rides we went on and their comparison to the equivalent ride at Disneyland
Splash Mountain - no difference from DL
Space Mountain - 10x better than DL (seemed less outdated. faster?)
Mad Teacups - no difference from DL (still same sickness)
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin - much more lame than DL (DL has different point levels for targets and easier guns to shoot)
Peter Pan's Flight - no difference from DL
It's A Small World - DL kicks DW's butt with this one (the It's a Small World skyline at DL is majestic, also the ride at DL features many favorite Disney characters added to the scenes in the ride)
Bug Thunder Mountain Railroad- no difference from DL
Pirates of the Caribbean - no difference from DL
Haunted Mansion - slighty better than DL (it had all of the detail of DL but a few extras that made it special)
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress - Better than DL (at DL there is a rotating feature ride like this but it is called Innoventions. A completely different setup featuring the future of technology)

For a short trip Disneyland is better and is more bang for your buck. You can thoroughly see both Disneyland and California Adventure with a park hopper pass. These two parks together feature almost all of the ride that all 4 Disneyworld parks feature but in closer proximity and for less money.

For a longer (1 week) trip. Disneyworld is the way to go. You can spend your time exploring the entire world (all 4 parks). You will spend more money especially with a resort package and all of that food you have to eat. But it would make for a very memorable trip.
This concludes my review and comparison of the two parks. Everyone I was with at the time got especially sick of my constant comparison. So I am officially through being a Disney critic. But I will say..... Lesson Learned: I'm staying biased. DISNEYLAND ALL THE WAY!

3/15/2011

Fairways and Greens

SPRING BREAK!!! Music to every college students ears. No school means more time for sunburns, warm weather, beaches, pools, and golfing 8 hours a day. Yes, golfing. The Seton Hall Women's Golf Team traveled down to Port St. Lucie, FL for a spring training trip (notice the lack of a 'break' in that phrase).  We played many country clubs and got to practice at PGA village many days. My favorite was Bear Lakes in West Palm Beach, FL. It was the prettiest course I have ever been on, and regardless of the number of golfballs I lost, it was a memorable experience and the weather was perfect. We also visited, Jonathan's Landing due to the gracious invitation by a prominent Seton Hall alumnus. It was much more community oriented and less... ummm... "prissy" and what I believe an easier course to play. At PGA village we played the Ryder course two days. Once for practice, and another for a relaxed match play competition versus Rutgers University. Loved the course both times. Fairways in Florida seem wider than those in New Jersey. Our team was supposed to play the Jupiter Country Club but ended up getting rained out. Since we were unable to play we instead went to the Justin Bieber movie, Never Say Never. I must say my opinion about him has completely changed and am now a huge fan, and currently following him on twitter (@justinbieber). Reasons? Why Justin? watch the movie and I guarantee you can NOT help but love him!

 
Ok back to golf. I am not the best on my team. I am honestly probably the worst. But I loved this trip because it let me bond with my teammates, get lots of practice in and have fun. My coach helped me out a lot and I made a lot of breakthroughs in my swing. I learned that I love to learn and love to get better, even if the outcome is relatively minor. My goals remain a big deal to me regardless of how small they seem to others. This was a spring break that was inspiring and relaxing.
Lesson Learned (From both Justin and Spring Training): No matter what your goals. never lose your dreams, never lose your hustle, and NEVER SAY NEVER!

3/14/2011

Your Lucky Day



"Your Lucky Day" written and directed by Dan Brown (no not the guy that wrote the DaVinci Code). This Dan Brown is a new director and this is his first film. I watched this movie for the first time in late 2010, and after re-watching it today had the inspiration to share it with you all. It is a little over 15 minutes long, but is just as creative, dynamic, suspenseful, and exciting as a 2 hour box office thriller. I do not think this movie received enough credit, nor enough publicity. It premiered at the 2010 Seattle Film Festival. Somewhat predictable, it is still a very captivating 15 minutes of action.  You might even recognize the bad guy as Rider Strong orrr ever better known as Shawn from Boy Meets World.Besides Rider, I do not recognize any of the actors in the movie. But, back to Mr. Dan Brown, he is a Seattle-based film maker and did the opener for the television series House MD. He did some other stuff for the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, and also some short commercials for Nike and Microsoft. This is definitely a director to watch!
Lesson Learned: 2 hour movies are over-rated. 15 is the new 120 minutes
Enjoy!!!

Shalom!

Last night I got to go to the 2011 Kosher Food and Wine Experience at Pier 60 at the Chelsea Piers in NYC. My uncle distributes Colombian and Dominican rums and tequilas and featured his products during the spirit tasting portion of the night. I got to taste lots of kosher wine and eat lots of kosher food! It was great experience because although I have many Jewish friends, I have never been so indulged in the culture. I learned about what makes a dish kosher and how certain restaurants and catering companies keep their kitchens kosher. It completely changed my view on what kosher food is and how it tastes.
Favorites included but were not limited to:
Domaine du Castel - "c" Blanc Chardonnay (2007)
Herzog Wine Cellars - Reserve Zinfandel (2006)
Weinstock - Pink by W (2009) and White Zinfandel (2009)
Beaumes de Venise - Muscat (2006)
Ovadia Estates - Barolo (2004)
Schmerling/Binyamina - Sour Apple Liqueur (THIS IS SOOOO GOOD!! A MUST TRY)

I probably sound so snooty.. BUT if you were there you would have enjoyed yourself too :)
Lesson Learned: Kosher food is yummy!

All I Do is Win Win WIn

I love winning. A lot. Competition is in my blood, and losing stays out of my vocabulary. But what about something where you have no control over the outcome? This is the case with raffles, lotteries, gambling etc. So of course I always think I can win with all of this stuff too. Fact of the matter is I mostly break even. No losing, but no winning either. BUT! the lack of a win does nothing to my determination, because I always at least try. (Some call it a gambling problem, but I call it determination HAHA) I went to a Nets game, and upon arriving in the arena I fill out a little paper to be entered in a raffle to win something, with the reasoning, "You always have to fill these things out because you never know if you're going to win!" right? I got a message yesterday saying i won the raffle and to call back to hear about my prize. YES! I call back and I won an ALL EXPENSES PAID TRIP FOR TWO ON A CRUISE TO THE BAHAMAS!!!......................BUT! I had to be 21 (check!) I had to pay the taxes on the cruise (ok fine its like 200 bucks) (check!), I had to come in to pick up the tickets and sign some stuff (no brainer!) (check!) AND, you have to have a salary of at least $25,000/year.. WHAT! I am a friggin college student I barely have a part-time minimum wage job! (NO CHECK!) Where I should be mad... I was actually still quite excited. Because I still won! Lesson Learned: You can win but also lose, and still be ok with it
Bon Voyage!

Go Ahead and Laugh!

Today while using StumbleUpon (the greatest invention known to me) I stumbled upon this website --->  http://youmightlikethis.com/2011/01/this-is-america http://youmightlikethis.com/2011/01/this-is-america/   a website dedicated to pointing fun at the colorful citizens of America who (thankfully) put themselves on TV for our enjoyment. Lesson Learned: appreciate the crazy people in this world! Thank you crazy people :)


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The World is Your Canvas

I am fortunate to be a member of the lovely Seton Hall Women's Golf Team.The other day at practice coach surprised us by transforming our tiny golf room into a magnificent mini-putt course. She used colored tape, cups, LEGOS, bits of cloth and piles of shredded paper to section off the floor into specific holes.
After our initial rounds against each other she then assigned each of us a hole to re-transform into our own design. I should consider golf course management and design for a future career. Our coach was able to take another boring pre-season practice in our tiny golf room and make it into something memorable. Lesson Learned: Anything can be your canvas for creativity!
(Yes I put a RAMP for my hole!)

Sunday is Funday

    
Since this is the beginning of my blog I feel that it is fitting to talk about the end. The end of the week...Sunday, a day dedicated to rest relaxation and the dread of the coming morning. Tonight I plan on going out instead of staying in. Since I  have finished all my work I have no reason to confide in my room. Get rid of the idea of Sunday being the end of the week! Lesson learned: Stay out late enough to say hello to Monday!