Sunday Cortado 20

These posts are so therapeutic for me to get out there. I love reading articles early in the morning. To wake up, leave my phone for a few hours, and have my own time. I do my routine and sit myself in front of the laptop for an hour or so and read. I usually find myself wanting to share what catches my eye or attention.

Thankfully, I have a partner who usually asks me if I read anything good. But, why not talk about it here too… through my blog. For those that come around and visit, here’s what I’m reading, cooking, and feeling as of late.

~

This is a Podcast! Puerto Ricans are asked what is their race and the question is not so easy to understand.

I’ve been reading, The Turkish Lover. Esmeralda lets me see my grandma, mother, and myself in each book she wrote.

When they were just beginning. If you love some vintage photos and NYT article features, this is for you.

Do you want to know what Stanley Tucci is cooking during this quarantine? Yes, you do.

Grocery bills are rising. Something that hurts my soul every week while I still try to navigate possible options.

I’ve been getting some amazing reviews on these biscuits. Please make them. Easiest recipe ever.

And the cake from my last post, this Tres Leches. My new go-to.

This pandemic taught me how important it is to have a go-to brownie. These cocoa brownies are a must.

I finally started baking bread like the rest of the world! I stink, but these pitas give me hope.

Esquites. This is more for my partner than for me, but I’ll take them all summer long.

Sunday Cortado 16

Augusta St, Elizabeth NJ

By the time I can get this too you all, I highly doubt it's "cortado" time, but it's Sunday, none the less.  As I write to you in a dimly lit kitchen, while the Florida sun is shining down, I can't help but give you a little bit of honesty.  I have been on a emotional rollercoaster.  Weekends to many, are a time to recharge, explore, and most likely to be spent with friends and family.  Mine as of late, and what I thought I accepted, is the hustle part 2. 

I wake up before 6am and put all my energy to get once step closer to my vision until sundown.  Cleansing, yoga, markets, kitchen, recipe, photography, and blog.  Yes, these are things I love, and I could never picture my life without, but I can't help but think what if I wanted what was "normal".  To go out with friends on a Saturday night, brunch or bbq on a Sunday, and spend time with a significant other, before another week begins.  

I found myself going into an anxious, doubtful, and exhausted hole.   Falling into an all too familiar space of loneliness, usually pretty dark and filled with fear.  What if I don't make it?  Will I sacrifice everything, for nothing? I've told myself it's part of the deal.  As a striving woman looking to make her WILDEST dreams come true, that space of loneliness is inevitable.  Right?

I was reminded last week it's not.  The depressed driven deaths of a few creative souls was a reminder to many.  Yes, we may all feel like this from time to time, it's just the extremities and how we deal that might separate us, but it doesn't have to.  As an introvert and one who rather read a story, then speak, reaching out can seem like the hardest thing to do.  But, here is my way of reaching out to you, with my honesty, hoping you feel the comfort of not feeling alone.  

I'm here for the connection.  For the shared journey.  

~

One that hit me pretty hard was Bourdain.  I do believe there is a strong connection when it comes to food and us, people.  

Families are being separated, all because they want to feel safe in our country.  That's. Not. Right.

Puerto Rico is the example of colonialism gone horribly wrong, and it's shamefully known.  So do you walk away or stay home.  Is your loyalty questioned?

Adobo.  Would you believe they questioned my Puerto Ricaness because I do not use adobo.  Rude. 

If you can make a good story out of enchiladas, I'm all for it.  

Food is therapy.  And, I plan to do a lot of it this summer.  Here's what to make in June. 

I leave you with this.  Reach out.  Speak out.  

Sunday Cortado 15: Siempre Con Amor

Life lately has definentily been all over the place and unpredictable, and I'm just not talking about my own.  When I started Sunday Cortado, I wanted EVERYONE to feel connected.  There are wars on the fence, innocent children too common becoming victims, and history being made in the name of love.  How can you not feel something all the time?  

Even with all the shit and fear, is it still possible to feel that light?  The one that makes everyday doable and worth a little more.  Whether smiling and feeling love with another or with a passion still fiery inside you.  I ask you give it a chance, this thing called love... amor.  

If you fear you haven't yet felt it or don't have enough in you, like I sometimes do, maybe something as small as this cortado can help.  Because, I still believe in the simple things, and the ones we hold close us to enjoy them with.  

1.  I've been working incredibly hard trying to create and bring together new content to share with you all.  Whether new recipes or pages OR news, I'm excited for the changes that lie ahead!

2.  Rekindling my love for Ayurveda through this fool-proof Idiots Guide.  I only just begun, and already started making connections I haven't seen before. 

3.  Flowers.  I have never been a flower kinda girl, and I say girl because it is the norm for girls to receive flowers for any occasion/reason.  That's cool and all... but they die.  So I never understood the point.   Although, I guess for that moment, the beauty is simply that... beauty.  

4.  These 70's NY photos.  One amazing point made, no-one is looking at their phones.

5.  I love women who empower women.  Nothing says empowerment like owning and knowing your body.  I've already tried the menstrual cup once, but I love this honest and positive review to inform even the most skeptical lady.  

6.  Speaking of empowering women, you can hate on me all you want, but she has the confidence, heart, and badass I will always need in my life.  

7.  A Kitchen Alter.  How have I not thought of this before?!  Where the therapy, joy, magic, dance, and even tears happen all at once. 

8.  The farmers market, because nothing there is nothing like mother earth working her own magic to make this world a little more beautiful . 

siempre con amor,

~yesenia

Sunday Cortado

Have you guys ever had a cortado?  A strong espresso shot, always served with a little milk and your choice to sweeten.  Basically, a Cuban coffee.  It brings me back to my cafe con leche days as a child first drinking coffee.  Then later to the days I lived in Florida and happily drank my Pilón or Bustelo every morning.  

During the week I enjoy my coffee black, always Bustelo, always in my coffee pot, half full.  With me gone early in the morning I like to have my coffee strong and while I have my quick me up, I use it to serve the purpose to jump start my day... maybe heart.

But the weekends... Oh, how I love the weekend.  I start it (after my lemon water, of course) with a full bodied strong cup of coffee lightened with hot almond milk and sweetened with traditional cane sugar.  Not exactly a latte, not a exactly a cortado, but my version of a homemade spanish coffee special.

We are calling this a cortado, for no other reason to give you something short, a little bold, with a sweet touch.  Let's start with the key ingredient, that morning shot...

White Nationalists March on University of Virginia.  If you haven't heard, this happen, and it kind of blew my mind.  There are not many words I can say, but what I think is obvious, or maybe it's not.  So wrong.  So shameful.  We cannot accept this and let it go unspoken.  

I'm all about how one person can make a difference.  Whether if it's just one who made a stand, or each individual unknowingly making the same commitment and now all of sudden there are thousand of just "one person."  Climate change is real, and it's refreshing to see individual cities are looking to make a change.  

New book!  I became a bit of a book nerd as of late, so this might become a thing.  The Unit, used a fiction novel that maybe covers the deep underlying thought of many woman feel the pressure to have children and contribute to society, and the growing number who choose to childless.

I love a good review.  Especially ones that give research, honest trial and opinions.  If you haven't been able to get your hands on my Whipped Cream Deodorant, I highly recommend giving this article, The Best Natural Deodorant for 2017, a read and maybe get your hands on another trustworthy product!

I've become a lover of the farmer's market in many ways.  Plants and cactuses included.  I post my trips pretty frequently through instagram, so keep updated on my post and stories here!

I'm making scallion pancakes soon.  It's necessary.  Hopefully they are as good as these Zucchini Fritters.  I'll keep you updated though.