Monday, April 30, 2012

Ramen Weekend

In a past lifetime I thought food was my enemy. In particular, I thought ramen was radioactive processed food that you eat only when you are in college or when you get too busy and careless to mind your diet. Now, it's one of my favorite things to eat. My fiance's version, of course.

The prep work for D's ramen is neither cheap nor easy. There is nothing processed about it when you take an entire weekend to prepare one simple dish. He's been perfecting his ramen for about two years now, and outdoing himself each time. At first bite, one word popped up into my head: euphoric. I seriously felt elevated after a bowl of this stuff.

The finished product. Umami overload!


It took at least fifteen tries to get the perfect meat/vegetable broth/dashi ratio.


The chef at his work station.


There was pork belly prepared two ways. Here it is all rolled up and ready for the oven...


...and here's the pork belly confit being seared. 


Probably my favorite part of the ramen.

Thanks to the bestie, Lauren, for documenting the entire process!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

April Lilies

Building the family practice, studying for exams, searching for a new home. These are all things that have been weighing me down and keeping me uber busy to the max. Of course I receive enormous support from everyone around me (and I'm extremely grateful), but here are some material things that have helped to make life a little easier. My lilies of the moment.
My beautifully minimalist-designed travel tea mug from DavidsTea.com. Recommend their tea accessories but definitely not their tea, unless you like drinking potpourri and/or chemicals.


My sister introduced me to my new favorite iPhone app = Nike Training Club. If you're serious about getting fit, download it. Right now. The workouts range from whole body workouts to more targeted ones, and I've been doing them after my morning runs. The workouts totally kick your ass. Promise.


Melissa + Campana Zig Zag shoes in red. Best impulse buy ever. I'm not usually a fan of jelly shoes, but these babies are ridiculously comfy, recycled & recyclable, beautifully packaged (cylinder box not pictured) and ethically responsible. Completely guilt-free. My only complaint is that they're heavily perfumed, probably due to it being made of recycled plastics.

What's brightening your days lately?