2020. New Year. You Are Entirely Up To You

“Life is not a puzzle to be solved. Life is a masterpiece that you create.”
― Brittany Burgunder

Puerh tea and music

We are at the end of January 2020. After all the post-party blues, the new year will not be a new year soon. But still, it is another year, it can either be the same old year or it can be a different year, a better year, it’s is entirely up to you.

I remember I had ambitious resolutions the past few “new years”,  big wishes, big goals, grand visions.  Most of the time, I tried to accomplish multiple tasks at once and I was distracted by too many  different things. I was restless and desperate. In the end, I often found myself feeling trapped and disappointed because I had a hard time achieving my goals.

Hello 2020. Brooklyn, NY

 

Now here I am, at the beginning of 2020. I know I have no time to feel confused, so I decided to make changes. The new year for me is about self-observation. I know what I need to take do  in order to make changes in my life, no matter how big or small. I want to develop my potential, I want to feel fulfilled, I want to be happier with myself, I want to live alive. So here are my conclusions for things I need to focus on More and things I should do Less.

 

Illustration: More

More: More courage; More patience; More healthy food; More tea; More action: More yoga ; More meditation;  More books; More positive network; More art; More creation: More self-love

Less: Less fear; Less complaining; Less alcohol; Less procrastination; Less stress; Less laziness; Less soap opera; Less negativity in my surroundings; Less ” do nothing”; Less self-pity

This is not a new years resolution note. It is just about small but necessary tasks that need to be done , and if you feel the same, let’s do this together. I believe this year will be a different one. You are entirely up to you.

 

 

 

 

 

Cool as a cucumber

 

Cucumber pattern

 

juicy cucumber

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A funky snack

Sweet & Spicy Yogurt  

 

A funky snack

For Full video, please visit my youtube channel

 

This recipe was discovered by accident during a serious snack craving with limited ingredients, and it accidentally became a successful experiment of food pairing. Yogurt and chili oil sounds like an unlikely pairing, but, in fact, they worked well together. The sweetness of the yogurt and honey helps cool the spiciness of the chili oil, With pecans and Goji berries, the taste is full of layers. It is sweet and spicy, nutty and fruity, crunchy and smooth, and the snack is full of nutritious benefits as well. Magic.

An addictive homemade snack

This snack is easy and quick to make, it can be served as a  dessert, or as a dip.

Ingredients :

• 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp homemade chili oil
• 2 tbsp chopped pecans or walnuts ( or substitute with chopped cashew nuts))
• 1 tbsp Goji berries (optional)
• A generous squeeze of honey

 

Method:

• Get greek yogurt, chili oil, pecans, Goji berries, honey ready
• Scatter the chili oil on top of the yogurt evenly
• Pour the pecans  into the yogurt bowl
• Pour the Goji berries into the yogurt bowl
• Generously squeeze honey on top of everything

 

 

 

 

                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ma La Pasta

 

 

The inspiration for  Ma La Pasta is the crispy, fierce New York winter and also the short busy day time. This is the 10th winter I’ve spent in New York and although February is almost over it is still 100 percent winter here. Grey sky, chilling wind, wet floor. I would define the winter here as tough and fierce, but not depressing. The beauty of living in New York is there are always so many things going on & to explore and you can get stimulated and inspired by tiny little things. A look of street fashion, a piece of graffiti art, a movie, an indie rock song,  an exotic cocktail….. Nothing is perfect, but everything can be interesting.  This is how I get inspiration for the quick and interesting pasta dish: Ma La Pasta

First things first this is not necessarily a “comfort food”. The taste can be challenging yet intriguing.
Ma La is a combination of numbing spicy taste and is commonly used in Chinese cuisines. Ma La sauce consists of Sichuan peppercorn, chili pepper and various spices simmered with oil.

Pasta is a staple Italian cuisine which is popular worldwide. I choose Linguine pasta for this dish due to the thinner and narrower texture, which can hold strong flavor well.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound linguine pasta
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 4-6 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1-inch ginger(minced)
• 2 scallions (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon red chili flakes
• 4 dried red chili peppers
• 12 Sichuan peppercorns
• Salt & pepper, to taste
•  Toasted Sesame seeds( optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley  or cilantro(chopped)
• Fresh grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

 

Method:

1. Boil the Pasta in salted water for 8 mins. Drain the pasta in a colander. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
2.  Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add garlic, scallion( white parts), ginger, saute till fragrant. Add dried red chilli peppers, saute for a minute, and take them out. Add chili flakes, saute for a half minute, and add Sichuan peppercorns, saute for another half minute.
3. Toss the pasta in the flavored oil, stir consistently, and make sure the pasta is evenly covered by the oil. Add the reserved pasta water, stir for a minute.
4. Turn off the heat, and top with herbs and cheese.

Let it start with pink.

I’m Terrisa, I live in Brooklyn, New York. I’m passionate about fashion, food, and art. I’m here to share my inspirations and my visions with you!:)

 

Pink has always been one of my favorite colors. Because it carries so many characters. It can be gentle and seductive, it can be tough and hardcore. I love to have fun with this color, especially in this cold weather, it’s just simply pleasant and cheerful.

 

Me in pink shades

 

 

My cat Tinky is truly a wonder. Tinky always inspires me with her “go with the flow” life attitude. Tinky is an extremely easy going cat ( as long as feed her on time), her laid-back style is totally opposite to my anxiety, that makes her a muse to me, it is just so healing.

 

My cat Tinky

 

Morning rose petal tea:

Starts the day with soothing and refreshing

 

Homemade beets yogurt dip brunch:

*Homemade beets yogurt dip

*Crumbled goat cheese

*Roasted cashew nuts

*Poached eggs

*whole wheat flat bread

 

Homemade beets yogurt dip (turns out sooo pink) :

I like to add spice to all my meals, including dips.

*4 medium beets

*3 minced garlic cloves

* 1 red chili

* 1cup  greek yogurt

* 3 tablespoons olive oil

* 1 tablespoon agave

* 1/4 cup chopped roasted cashew nuts

* 2 minced green onions

* Sea salt

* Chili flakes