6/15/2011 0 Comments Coconut Sauce and Powdered SugarFor today's Life au Cochon post, I'd like to excitedly advise you to read this quote :) ...And here it is:
"Whatever you love, you are." I ran into this quote while immensely absorbed in this lovely memoir I started reading yesterday (it's called A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg, who not only wrote this intimate life account but also created the well-known food blog Orangette, and who recently opened a pizza restaurant in Seattle; I truly admire her and all her accomplishments!). Wizenberg seems to effortlessly douse each word of the quote in a rich, creamy, pearl-hued coconut sauce, before lightly coating it in a delicate floating cloud of powdered sugar; then, in a final flourish, she heats and molds together this meltingly delicious combination, turning into a succulent union of all things one person can love. In other words, Molly sends a warm sense of comfort to the reader, letting us know that you have the freedom to throw all the things you love and enjoy into one nicely-wrapped bundle of yourself. You can bring yourself closer and closer to showing exactly who you are to the world, by fulling devoting yourself to your own fusion of coconut sauce and powdered sugar. And to that, I couldn't agree more. I personally love this quote because it convinces me that I can pick and choose what I want to devote myself to; thus, the things I choose define me--Like when I draw in my sketchbook, randomly decide to bake a blueberry cobbler whose recipe I found online (I did this last night actually...And I can still hear the subtle bubbling of the hot blueberries huddled safely under the oat-flour mix), and when I decorate my ears with the so-relaxing-it's-like-I'm-listening-to-the-sounds-of-nature jazz tunes by Madeleine Peyroux or Norah Jones. It seems relaxing and even like a giant sigh of relief, to know that you have all the power to decide who you want to be. Your identity is in your hands, and just like how you can mold a thick, charcoal-hued block of clay into any shape of bowl or cup or anything else you want, you have the all-encompassing potential and ability to shape your colors and textures that make you. What are the things that make you sing and dance on your tip-toes? What things make you want to leap with joy and start to hug random people (well, that might be going a bit too far but oh well)? :) ~~MC
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6/10/2011 0 Comments Cloud-Like EchoesHere is one of my all-time favorite Jack Johnson songs that I'd like to share with you.
I have been playing this song on my stereo every night before going to bed, or I would play it as background music while reading a book in bed, before turning the lights out. In all his songs, his calming breath of a voice takes you away within a single, melodious phrase; but this particular song will relax you and your every sense, so much so that the sounds of his voice with the cloud-like echoes of the acoustic guitar may just lull you to sleep, even when it's the middle of the day! I can honestly say that this will become the most relaxing three minutes of your day. :) So sit back, relax, and press play. ~~MC P.S. And how could one not feel even the slightest bit more relaxed just by looking at the picture of the album cover on this YouTube video? ;) 6/10/2011 0 Comments Chocolate CroissantsHello! I will start this blog with a question: What is one way to enjoy a cloudy summer day that slightly motivates you to stay within the comforting walls of your home? That is the situation I am in right now, which is why I am watching a movie...Which is my personal answer to the question. :) I am watching the movie It's Complicated, probably for the billionth time. You will never cease to be amazed by the visual appeal that Nancy Meyers puts into her movies! The brief yet profound snapshots of Jane Adler's (Meryl Streep's character) life, well-accompanied by the soothing acoustic music, will set you in a trance of relaxation. As soon as see the first shot of her adorable bakery that bursts with vibrant, bustling energy, you will find yourself wishing that the bakery sat right next to your house so you could eat their pastries whenever you wanted...and the fact that Jane makes her own honey lavender ice cream in the middle of the night makes you want to do the same! Plus, she lives in what I can pretty much call my ideal home. :) For me, this movie can be set to define your surprisingly cloudy (well, I guess not 'surprisingly' if you live in Seattle..) summer day...It sets you in a quiet comfort that wraps around you like a warm, cozy blanket you don't want to snuggle out of. This may be due to my personal love for romantic comedies and regular comedies, but I can't help but say that It's Complicated is a great movie for you to watch to get that sense of escape...Especially to watch Meryl Streep and Steve Martin make delicious chocolate croissants in the bakery! Have a lovely (croissant-filled) day! ~~MC P.S. I also strongly recommend Something's Gotta Give (which is even more comforting and relaxingly lovey-dovey than It's Complicated...It's a movie my mom and I love watching together!). P.P.S. I decided to post this video just to give you a delightful taste of the calming music. Enjoy! :D 5/24/2011 0 Comments BananasI have a new lovely Life au Cochon suggestion for you today. :)
And here it is: Listen to a Jack Johnson song. Any Jack Johnson song. You will instantly be swept away by his overwhelmingly calm and soothing voice, as he takes you on a vacation to Hawaii through the swinging sounds of drums and instruments, all accompanied by the lyrics that make you want to take every moment of life in your body! If you ask me, I particularly enjoy "Banana Pancakes" and "Upside Down." Jack Johnson is an artist that actually makes you think about how to look at life and all that comes with it. Thus, when you listen to "Banana Pancakes," there's a chance you'll suddenly find yourself stirring up a big batch of creamy-golden set of warm, cozy banana pancakes for you and your honey. :) Enjoy! ~~MC 5/18/2011 0 Comments BiscottisMy advice to you for today (and in fact for any day) is this....Lend someone a comforting word.
It will make that person feel like you just gave them infinite pots of hot steaming tea, along with a plate of homemade biscottis laid out in perfect arrangement. He/she will all of a sudden feel lighter, more filled with sunshine, and just a bit more careless; because it seems that people sometimes need that feeling, even when they don't realize it. Have a lovely sunny day (particularly to all you Seattleites!!), and excitedly give someone a biscotti (chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, which ever flavor you may choose...). :) ~~MC P.S. I dedicate this post to my mother, whose comforting words always bring me closer to the best version of myself. |
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