Refresh.

So it has been a while since I last updated my tumblr…sorry for that..for the few who might be reading this, LOL. Today it is raining cats and dogs.  Kind of ironic, with Gov. Brown about to sign a repeal of a law that gives funding to animal shelters for medical treatment and euthanizing stray/lost animals.  

ON TO THE POINT! 

So…everyone has had that moment when their car breaks down or something falls off of their car and they need to get it fixed.  That happened to me.  The plastic shield under my engine came down and began to drag on the street as I drove my car.  It caused so much noise that people hundred of feet away started to turn around to stare at me.  Needless to say, I wanted it fixed. ASAP.  I was able to take my car to a place called Gilman Collision Repair in Berkeley, CA, where a lady named Nicole and a guy named Craig were SUPER friendly and really helpful.  They had multiple cars waiting to get seen and quoted from the rainy day’s victims, but they still took the time to see my car, write me a quick quote for the replacement, and then had a technician get a jack and take out the plastic shield (which I found impossible to do on my own).  Since it was so easy for them, they just gave me a smile and told me that it was on the house and to have a great day. 

…..really? 

It has been such a long time since someone has done something so kind to me.  Usually I am the one who holds doors open for people and does random kind acts for strangers.  It was actually extremely refreshing to have someone you don’t even know repay that kindness.  Other body shops wanted to charge me $20-30, but they did it for free. 

I am a believer in karma, and I sincerely hope that the people at Gilman Collision Center have a good deed coming their way.  

Pay it forward people! One person can make a huge differenced if they can start a chain reaction of good deeds from one simple act. 

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/air-force-shelves-3b-worth-brand-drones-215342660—abc-news.html

So it seems that the United States Air Force will be putting $3 Billion of brand new unmanned reconnaissance drones in storage.  It’s ironic that this highly sophisticated technology still cannot beat out a decades old U-2 spy plane used during the Cold War.  

It costs too much to purchase each drone and to maintain them for active use.

My solution: Let’s make some poor kids very happy this Christmas 2012. ;)

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/future-is-now/zboard-spnkix-solowheel-high-tech-people-movers-050046395.html

Today I learned that I still have a bit of that inner skater inside of me.  I have never been one to be adventurous with skateboards.  I have always stuck to my rollerblades, razor scooter, and bicycle.  However, seeing some of these gadgets like the spinkicks and the Zboard makes me want to be a teenager again (O God, I’m that old now).  

Main take-away: It’s never too late to be a kid! 

I am a huge foodie.  I believe that food is a way into a man’s heart, a woman’s heart, and a hungry child’s heart.  That being said, some foods like CHEESE cause me much stress because it is absolutely delicious in many recipes but also high in fat and calories.

HOWEVER! I learned today the 5 healthiest cheeses that you can eat with LESS guilt (notice I don’t mention zero guilt). 

1.) feta (good with salads!)

2.) mozzarella (good with basil and tomatoes)

3.) parmesan (pasta! yum!)

4.) swiss (panini anyone?)

5.) cottage cheese (Extremely delicious with yogurt and fresh fruit)

I’m sad that muenster, cheddar, fontina, and gruyere wasn’t on the list, but life must go on! 

So today I learned that I could cook chicken thighs from costco in a new way that I haven’t tried before. 

Ingredients: 

one pre-packaged Foster Farms pouch from Costco (4 thighs)

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup sake 

8-10 garlic cloves

table spoon of minced ginger

dash of roasted sesame oil

olive oil

Directions: 

1. Mix soy sauce, sake, crushed/finely chopped garlic, and minced ginger in a bowl.

2. Add a teaspoon of roasted sesame oil to the bowl (this will meld the flavors well and add in a new dimension to the saltiness)

3. Marinade the chicken for 30 minutes in the bowl. (Be careful not to marinade too long.  The chicken will get really salty from the soy sauce.)

4. On medium heat, heat up a pan with olive oil and put in the chicken thighs.  While cooking the chicken thighs, be careful not to use too high a heat, or you will get burned sauce and chicken.  Add in about 1/4 cup of olive oil to the pan and continue to cook with a lid over it to thoroughly cook the chicken thighs. (WARNING: Never eat undercooked chicken or risk food poisoning!)

5. Before serving, put in the sauce from the bowl and let the chicken simmer in the sauce at medium heat for about 8 minutes. 

6. Serve and enjoy! 

A fun, tasty, chicken recipe for the poor college student.