Tag Archive | Food

What Makes You A Stronger Person? How Do You Handle Life?

In my life, I have been through a huge list of unfortunate things that have happened to me where people would be bully me emotionally and mentally, putting me to the curb when not needed anymore, people who have used me for material gain, people who only come to me if they need something from me,  the feeling of being isolated, and being an option to people and not a priority in their lives. I remember all those times and still comes back to haunt me to this day, but things have changed so much for me and for the better. Because of all the anguish and pain I had to endure personally, emotionally and mentally, now I have become a stronger person, I have a whole new pizazz on life, a whole new approach to trusting very few people, choosing my friends wisely, opening up my eyes more and making sure I make the right decisions about hanging out with the right people. Everything in my past that I went through, has shaped who I am today and its made me better in making judgements on who should be in my circle and who should not. I think and I know that I have handled my life wonderfully and I learned a lot from myself and have spent so much time with myself just thinking about life, about what the next step is to further myself in a social aspect of life.

What made me a stronger person is that I look things into a positive perspective, I look at things as a cup that is half full, and no matter what life throws at me, I am always positive in the end. I know it is easier said than done, but being positive is easy, all you have to do is be strong, be who you are, always be yourself, make sure that you surround yourself with positive and great energy throughout your day everyday. When I was heavily bullied as I was in school back in the day, I put into thought that this is just temporary and things will get better and it did get better for me. I am so strong now that nothing or no one can break me. I have learned to stand on my own two feet, I’ve learned and I am still learning to this day. Life is a never ending learning journey. Sometimes things come in our way, but in the end the ball is in your court, but make sure you hit a slam dunk and be strong.

Everything happens for a reason, and people come into your life as a blessing or a lesson and that will determine your strength to move on to bigger and better people and things in life. What shaped me to be stronger is that I cut out negativity, and I always instill in others that they too can do the same, all they have to do is try their best, and do it. I know sometimes it easier said than done as I said, but it will workout in the long run. I know that life is not perfect as we want it to be, and sometimes we get lucky and sometimes we do not get so lucky with how our lives are and have turned out to be and what we went through in the past, but take a look around, be blessed with what you have and who you have become. What have you learned from your past? Have you been a victim of bullying? What did you do to make yourself stronger?

What steps did you take to conquer and defy all the odds? Did you seek for help from others? did you dust yourself off and pick yourself up on your own? Did you tell someone about how you were feeling or are feeling? Always know you are worth it, you are important, you are a unique, special, confident, strong and beautiful person. As long as you know that for yourself, you do not need others to tell you all that. When you know yourself that you are enough and that you are all those great things, that is the greatest thing you can do for yourself. You have those gifts that are so precious. You are a precious human being who came to this earth for a reason, each one of us serves a purpose in our world and we can all make a positive influence, difference and change the world into a stronger and happier place only if we try and do our best no matter what life throws at us. Kindness, Respect and doing great things is the way to go.

Now tell me what has made you stronger? Life is a beautiful gift from God, and its such a lovely thing.  always be strong. Remember what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, and somehow struggles become success, and success becomes everything you want your life to be emotionally and mentally. Be positive, be strong, be you, and everything in life will come to place. Just believe in yourself, believe that you can conquer anything and throw negativity away and do not think about what might have been, or what could have happened differently. Keep going. Do not stop. All the best to you, keep smiling, be happy!

Happy Mothers Day To All Mothers and Future Mothers To Be.

Hello everyone,

Today, I want to wish all mothers of the world a very happy mothers day, I wish you all the best, health, happiness, goodness and all great things of life. Our Mothers sacrifice and do so much for us. They are our guidance counselor, give advice, nurture, raise,  doctors, nurses, cook, cleaner, driver, sending us to school, going grocery shopping, putting a roof over our heads, filling our empty stomach when we are hungry, and they do so much more. The list is endless and one of the toughest jobs to do in the world. Not only should today be considered mothers day. It should be everyday. Mothers need to be celebrated everyday. They do so much for us, they carried us in their body for 9 months, and went through so much to get us here. My mom is my rock and my everything. We shouldn’t just celebrate what they do for us, but how and who they are is important too.

I want to send thoughts and prayers to all mothers who are no longer physically with us on earth and some did not even get a chance to meet their mothers, some didn’t get to enjoy their mothers, unfortunately, but they are with you in spirit and in your hearts and your lives forever. That will never change. Just because someone is not there with you physically, it doesn’t mean they are not there. They will always watch over you and they will always be your mother no matter what.

It is really not about materialism and everything that our mom’s want from us on Mothers day, its really about our well-being and about what we do, the life choices we make, the decisions we make in life and who we become. Mom’s always worry about their children, it is a fact, and our mothers want nothing but the best for us and to make sure we are safe, happy and how we get through life.

So lets celebrate our mothers no matter if they are still here with us or have departed. Lets get together today and celebrate our beautiful moms. What are you going to do or already did for your mother today? What are your traditions every year to celebrate with your mom? Have a beautiful day everyone.

The Joyful Moments Of Cooking. How Much I Love It

In my life, one of the most joyful and satisfaction I receive is when I cook, bake and enjoy my time in the kitchen with all my favourite kitchen appliances that make my cooking a lot more enjoyable and fun at the same time. I was 8 years old and I remember cooking rice for the very first time. It was the best feeling in the world when my mom taught me how to wash it and cook it. Now with my mom’s supervision she watched me as I cooked and she said, great job and it was my first time doing it. I got so excited. From then on, I started cooking a lot for my family and then as soon as I turned 14 years old, I did not need supervision anymore, and I could do everything on my own. I learned how to make lasagna, chicken soup, and other different types of food since I was 10 years old. When I turned 20 years old, I began to take over the kitchen and I would tell my mom to go relax, and I told her I got this. So now without my mom being in the kitchen, I do all sorts of dishes, I bake cakes, cupcakes, I make cookies, jello, home-made ice cream, fruit platters, salads, I marinate meats, I make meatballs, Ravioli, Armenian and Middle Eastern Dishes, I make my famous Chilli, different types of breakfast, dips, sauces, and everything, Among other delicious things that my family, and who comes over to my house, that always want seconds and even thirds sometimes. I sometimes think, I should have made extra, but I love it when there is no left overs.  I love making everything from scratch. I seldom go and buy ready-made easy stuff, I enjoy making it all on my own. The best way to make it and you know exactly what is going into your food without all the added calories and ready-made products. Sometimes you see ready-made pasta, and lasagna trays from the grocery store, I never even touch those. I make mine fresh. You never know how long those things have stayed like that. I’d rather do it myself and it is a lot more fun that way.

I remember a time when I invited my whole group of friends over for Armenian Style Ravioli Called (Mante, Manti, Mantuh, Mantee, However they spell it), and the whole extra-large pot finished amongst everyone and to this day, they want my Armenian Style Ravioli, but that day will come again when I will invite them over.  I remember a time when I cooked for over 20-25 people and all on my own. I had over 4 or 5 different dishes with salads, meats, and rice. It was a lot of fun although it was very hard to take it all on myself, but I made sure that the flavours were perfect and that everyone enjoyed it and they sure did. I love taking on big tasks on my own. Although it is great to receive help too, but I like taking on challenges and doing things on my own. especially when it comes to cooking. I don’t know, but I have become a perfectionist in the kitchen and I just love things to be cooked evenly, the sizes and I love the presentation. Even if it’s just for my family on a regular dinner night. I just love the presentation. I get the joys and satisfaction when doing so.

When I go grocery shopping, I also donate food to the less fortunate, and I put food in the food bank boxes that are put in front of grocery stores or in certain shelters, at my church they have food banks and I put a few non-perishable food items in the box. I love donating food to them. Knowing that a family out there who is less fortunate and needy is fed, that also makes me happy and that also makes me feel great that someone doesn’t have to go to bed hungry at night. It feels great to donate.

Food is my specialty and knowing that my family enjoys it and knowing that I made this with my love and care is what it important to me. I don’t cook because I have to everyday and I don’t cook for the sake of it, I actually love doing what I do and making sure my family is fed with the best possible nutrition.  Happy Cooking everyone!

What Is In A Blog? Why Do We Blog?

In this day in age, social media, blogging, and networking is booming and blooming like wildflowers, a lot of places on the internet now have blogs. There are all sorts of blogs out there, some for personal use, business, hobby, interest, travel, food, recipes, pleasure, topics of the world, issues, life, advertising, writing about a product, introducing an artist and getting yourself out there for the world to know about you and who you are and what your purpose of a blog is. Blogging is such a huge thing now in our generation, in just a few clicks and writing a username and password, your on your way to making a blog. To me, blogging is therapeutic, its where I am able to write about my feelings, write about issues, introducing others, promoting someone or something. Before even starting with WordPress, I did a lot of thinking before I started this blog site, I said what will I use it for? How will I contribute to the world with my words? Will they be read? Will they be noticed? Will my content be read by so many people? Will my blog be successful? I asked myself several questions before dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s. I am glad I made the decision to say yes and start my journey in blogging. I am glad and happy on where it has taken me. The world now is filled with bloggers like us.

I have had my ups and downs in the past year and few months into my blog, but that didn’t stop me from pursuing my dreams and making a difference in peoples lives with my words with positive approach on life, to always be optimistic, happy, and enjoy life. That is one of the main reasons why I started to blog in the first place, but then as I went on, I started to post recipes of my favourite dishes, invested time in other topics, issues, and about technology, social media, and among so many other topics that came to mind. Ladies and Gentlemen, writing is a very difficult thing to do, but it doesn’t matter when it comes to blogging, how to write, the content, structure, the topic, the title, tagging your post. I know its supposed to be done well, but it really doesn’t have to. It depends on individuality, how you want your writings done, how you want your blog website to be portrayed. It is all up to you and you have the freedom to structure it the way you want to, but always make it visible, easy on the eyes and easy to comment, follow and organize your blog, so that way you get more people to come, but then again its your blog and you are entitled to make it the way you want it to.

Blogging is something very incredible. When you search for keywords on the internet on major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, and all the other ones, There are several sites that come up and your blog is included into the list. Some people prefer either Wikipedia, or right on a persons blog. Someone Somewhere will click on your blog and engage into it and if they like what they see, they will follow it and they will become a member on your site and get e-mail subscriptions, they will comment, and bookmark it, and there are all kinds of people interested in all kinds of things. There are billions of people who are online now, and the sky is the limit. You never know how many people maybe viewing your blog, you never know from where, which is why I love WordPress Stats, it tells you by country, clicks, search engines, how many peoples visited, viewed, your blog counter, and amongst who has been following your blog and so much more. I love looking at the stats. Its incredible. Blogging is such a great tool and I love it. I encourage everyone to start a blog, and I encourage everyone to get started on how great social media and networking can be. To advertise your business, and to promote yourself, a blog does wonders. You never know who is looking at you. Some people go places and get far in life just by blogging.

I remember a few weeks ago I went to a party and a friend of mine approached me and said, someone I know writes movie critics on his blog, and someone from an agency or a critic from a big movie company noticed and he was offered a career path in New York City in New York and now he is living there and making a lot of money, by just blogging. He was noticed from online and now, hes living very comfortably and hes doing so well. I am telling you, blogging is a very powerful thing now. Anybody can see what you write and if you get lucky someone big sees it, you have it made. All the best to you and your blogging journey. I know its hard, but you will get there someday, I know that for sure. Enjoy blogging, and enjoy what you do. All the best!

Did You Smile Today?

In life one of the most incredible and beautiful feelings are the ones that we can see and that is smiling. In life I have learned to be positive and take things as it comes by. In the morning when I wake up, I look in the mirror and smile. When I smile I feel like my day is going to go well and it does. I know some people smile physically, but they are hurting on the inside and they try to hide their true feelings with smiling on the outside. I know sometimes smiling can be painful and nobody would know the hurt they are enduring. Trust me, it is normal and we all go through phases in life and things happen in our lives that we least expect, but nothing is as great as a smile. It is contagious and felt by many. It makes the public atmosphere a lot more better. When I see someone smiling, and laughing it is something that I really enjoy. It makes the world beautiful, it makes everyone beautiful. A smile is one of the most beautiful things in the world.

Now in this fast paced world we live in with so much changed in the last 10-15 years sometimes people forget to smile and laugh because there is so much stress, work, school, cost of living is increasing, so many unfortunate things are happening in this world and there is a lot less time now for family and friends, leisure, outdoor, and activities and learning how to keep the balance and managing time and there aren’t enough hours in the day, but never forget to smile and spread good cheer to everyone around you. It is a beautiful thing to see. A smile is something that I really love to see. Do you smile everyday? Do you encourage others to smile when they are down ? What measures do you take to make someone elses day? I barely see people smiling anymore when I am out and about in the public. When I go to a shopping mall, when I am out walking somewhere.

What positive thing do you do? What is your key to happiness, and to show positive emotions? Would love to hear from you. All the best to all and remember Keep smiling always. It’s a great thing. Make it part of your lifestyle and make it a habit.

Had A Great Birthday Yesterday – Thank You For The Wishes

for 28 years now on April 30th, I celebrate my birthday. I am so happy and glad for all my birthdays and I am ever so grateful to God for giving me this life and I thank my parents for bringing me into this world and to experience everything I have experienced in my life, with traveling to many places, for giving me everything, a roof over my head, a nice warm bed to sleep in, food to eat and so much more. I am so thankful for everything as I look around the world and people do not even have running water to drink and bathe from. I am so fortunate and I have learned not to take anything from granted in my life.

There were times where some of my birthdays did not go as well as I had hoped for. Once in high school when I turned 16 years old, I had invited about 30 people to come over to my house for my sweet 16 birthday party and it was one of the most embarrassing yet humiliating things in my life where only one person showed up out of all the others. I was thinking they were my friends and everything but they really weren’t. I was devastated that I could not have a sweet 16 party, and also I never knew what it felt like to have a surprise birthday party or even had a big party to celebrate me and my day. I never knew what that feeling was like. I didn’t even know the feeling of when I turned 20, 21 years old where I would have a great party, but I did go to Montreal for my birthdays quite a lot in my early 20′s and to get away from things and to enjoy a dance club here and there with my friends in Montreal. The only parties I have ever had was when I was a kid where a lot of my family came over to celebrate and that is about it. To me The gifts weren’t important, but being with my family and couple of friends is what I want.

I know parties should not matter and everything, but in my case it does. In my early adult life and as an adult now, I want to be able to know what it feels like to have a party. I know that I can create my own party and have people over and stuff and go out but I just get those bad memories again when I was 16 years old. I really never had a lot of friends to begin with and I invited all those people and never showed up except for one. I was crushed and cried for days. I just want to know what it feels like to have a party and its all about me and having people around me that has come to celebrate me. I am hoping that will happen soon. I sometimes feel so isolated and they are feelings that I never want to get back. Nowadays everything is great. My beautiful friends took me out for my birthday over the weekend and surprised me with a cake which was so sweet of them. I will never forget that.

What have you experienced in the past about your birthday? Did you have a birthday that was a blast or not such a blast?

Anyways, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family, friends and fans for all the birthday wishes, the phone calls, text messages, e-mails, facebook messages, the birthday cards, the birthday e-greetings, virtual cakes, flowers and everything. I really appreciate it so much from the bottom of my heart. I love you all!

My Blog Site Is About To Get A Makeover – New Changes To Come

Hello everyone,

Hope all is going well. I am here to announce to you changes coming to my blog in terms of colours, layout and incorporating more pictures in some of the blog articles I write, and among so many other surprises. I will be working on it in the month of May and it should be up within the month. I really enjoy searching on google, tumblr and other sites for positive, inspirational quotes, and I post them up to my Facebook Fanpage for people to see. the following link will have all those and that is mainly where I will be posting positive, happy, clever, cute photos and quotes as well.

If you have Facebook, click on the link, like and join my fanpage so you can get my updates right into your news feed.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Writer-named-Talin-Orfali/161201797312096

I am very excited about all these changes to come your way and I decided it is time to give up the blue Blog I have had for quite some time now and just give it a little boost. It will not change completely, but the changes will be visible and if your are just joining in on my blog and its one of your first times engaging into my blog, I thank you all very much and I thank all of my readers, viewers, fans and those who have searched on Google or anywhere else for me and my blog. It is much appreciated. I love you all very much and you all are very dear and in my heart. Any reader, supporter that comes here is automatically part of my life and part of my family.

Thanks again and I look forward to these changes.

Love Always,

Talin Orfali

 

A Clean House Is A Happy Talin – I Love Cooking & Cleaning

For several years now since I was a little kid, I have always had this eye for organization, wanting to learn new things, cooking, and how to clean efficiently and among everything else. I learned how to cook since I was 8 years old, and I started to clean and tidy up when I was 4 years old. My mom and dad always taught me the importance of cleanliness, organization and neatness so that when I want to look for something it will be easy to find when things are organized and neat. Now that I am almost 28 years old 7 days from now, All those skills and things I experienced is something that my mom tells me that you clean better than I do now, and your always finding new things to do in the house, how to organize, and everything better than I do. I said I only learned from the best and when I have my own home one day, you will be happy with what I am going to do with it. My mom has looked after me all these years for the past so many years now I keep telling my mom to relax and put her feet up, I will do the cooking and stuff. I love to cook a lot. It takes a lot of my stress out and I enjoy doing these things, and looking after the house. I find complete joy when I do. My parents really appreciate all that I do and to make sure the house is in tip top shape.

Every person we have who come over, they say this place is so spotless and so clean. Everything is well maintained. I said thank you. To me it is important to keep my place clean and tidy and up to date. I like to hear compliments and leave a great impression on family and guests who come over and I don’t like to hear that this persons place is so filthy and they don’t know how to clean a house. I don’t like hearing those things, so I like to maintain my house every 2 or 3 days, but the kitchen area I always maintain everyday, clean out the fridge, and never leave dishes in the sink and I always wash them, dry them and put them away, wash down the counter tops and kitchen table with vinegar and water, and clean my floors with vinegar and water. I don’t use other chemicals for my home. The house does smell like a salad for a couple of hours, but it shines and cleans it right down. Oh happy joy joy. I get so excited when it comes to cleaning. I know you must say this woman is crazy, but it fills my day with joyfulness.

I have so much to do everyday. There aren’t enough hours in the day. I love doing laundry too and the smell of the laundry detergent is so great. I love the smell of it, and folding my laundry after is something I enjoy too. When I put laundry away, I co-ordinate by colour too so as I know what I have and don’t have. I designate a day in the week to do Laundry, to vacuum, to mop the floors, but I usually do all the floor work in one day. I have a central vac in the house so I never sweep my floors anymore. I only vacuum and then I mop after. Its so much easier without dust and stuff going all around with the broom. You just vacuum and its done in less time.

Do you like to clean, cook and do you find joy in doing housework? What does a clean house mean to you?

Would love to hear from you.

Grocery Shopping – A Cool Story

The other day, I had gone Grocery Shopping in the meat produce section of the store and all of a sudden I was just talking to myself on cooking and finding new ways to cook chicken with different spices and herbs and sauces, and all of a sudden there were about 3 or 4 people who are women around me wondering what I was saying and they heard me talk to myself, then they started asking me questions, what do you do to cook chicken? What spices do you use? I said I use different spices and mix them together, then make my own sauce with the ingredients I buy. I said I usually cook chicken with a sweet and sour twist to it, and I make sure that I bathe my chicken in a lot of sauce, marinate it and all that. They said oh wow, that is great. They told me you must be an expert cook and you must do all the cooking in the house. I said, yes I do. I love to cook for my family and I enjoy creating new types of recipes and experimenting with flavours, spices, sauces, herbs, and more. We became instant friends and we took each others contact information and now we are in touch and share with each other our recipes, and soon we will be getting together for coffee to discuss our food preparations and more.

It is so amazing how people cross your path and especially from a grocery store, so Thank goodness I was talking to myself. I thought it was strange talking to myself while grocery shopping, but it was really cool to get my thoughts rolling and enjoying my time shopping. I love grocery shopping and I always look at prices and sales from the flyer.  They are very nice ladies and 2 of them were together shopping, the other one was just alone shopping, and we ended up having a 15-20 minute conversation by the meats about food, and everything. They love watching the food channel and they are avid cookers and love baking too. I am so happy to have found them as we share the same interests. You meet people where you least expect it, and its an ideal place to meet in a grocery store. A lot of people have asked me questions at the grocery store, but this one struck out the most. I wasn’t going to go shopping that day, but then I ended up doing so anyway, so I was glad I did.

So excited to get together with them. probably this coming week. lets see. Has it ever happened to you where you meet people in a grocery store or where you least expect it? Did you make friends with them? Do you enjoy meeting new people all the time? I was really happy with meeting them.

Talin’s Special Pomegranate Vegetable Salad

Pomegranates are one of my favourite fruits to eat and pomegranates can be used in so many ways as juices, a snack, salads and so much more. Pomegranates Originated from Armenia. Even though the Apricot is Armenia’s National fruit, but Pomegranates are equivalent to that. Pomegranates have so much nutrients and health benefits. You can get them at your local grocery store or specialty grocery stores. They are lovely fruits and I like them a lot. Well, here is how you make Talin’s Pomegranate Vegetable Salad.

You will need:

- 1 Red Onion – Chopped into Salad Size…

- 1 or 2 Romaine Lettuce – the full thing —- depends on how many people will be having salad.. Wash the romaine lettuce

- 2-3 Pomegranates — take the red seeds out — first before doing so, wash the pomegranate from the outside….

- Washed 1 Green Pepper — chop into salad size pieces.

- Half of a Cucumber or a whole one — Washed and chopped  into salad size pieces.

- 1 or 2 tomato’s on a vine — washed and chopped into salad sized pieces.

- 2 or 3 Celery Sticks WASHED. Chopped into elbow macaroni like pieces but slightly bigger…..

- 2 Lemons washed skin — Squeezed  ————— Mix this with the 2 ingredients below:

- 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

- 2-3 sprinkles of SEA SALT

—- Optional — You can put Feta Cheese, A little Cracked black pepper, Black Olives…

*****Remember to wash all your ingredients very well and discard the ends.******

To Prepare:

Just incorporate all the salad ingredients into a big salad bowl, then add the pomegranate seeds on top then the Lemon Olive Oil juice, then toss and mix the salad very well until all the ingredients incorporate with each other and there you have it. A HEALTHY SALAD.

Enjoy!!!!

Happy Easter Everyone! Wishing You The Best

Hello everyone, I am going to keep this short and sweet today as Today for some people it is Easter and I’d like to wish you all a happy Easter and wish you all the best. Many blessings to all of you. Thank you for your continued support in reading, and engaging into my blog. It is much appreciated. What are your Easter traditions? What do you cook for Easter? Is there anything in Particular that you and your friends or family do during Easter time? In My Family we get together for dinner, then we have egg cracking contests, distribute Chocolate, and then we usually pray and Thank the Lord for all that he has done for us.

Remember, it is not just about the Chocolates, Bunny Rabbits, Eggs, and the Pretty colours of Easter, it is about our Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life for us all and his love for us and he was crucified on the Cross. Today, Jesus Rose, and he is watching for all of us, but Easter may mean different things to different people and that is all okay too. What are you most Thankful for when it comes to Easter time? Being with Family and Friends is the most important and coming together during days like this is something great. It should always be that way right?

Well, I am going to keep this short today, so I wish you all the best and have a blessed and joyful day.

The Joyful Moments Of Cooking. How Much I Love It

In my life, one of the most joyful and satisfaction I receive is when I cook, bake and enjoy my time in the kitchen with all my favourite kitchen appliances that make my cooking a lot more enjoyable and fun at the same time. I was 8 years old and I remember cooking rice for the very first time. It was the best feeling in the world when my mom taught me how to wash it and cook it. Now with my mom’s supervision she watched me as I cooked and she said, great job and it was my first time doing it. I got so excited. From then on, I started cooking a lot for my family and then as soon as I turned 14 years old, I did not need supervision anymore, and I could do everything on my own. I learned how to make lasagna, chicken soup, and other different types of food since I was 10 years old. When I turned 20 years old, I began to take over the kitchen and I would tell my mom to go relax, and I told her I got this. So now without my mom being in the kitchen, I do all sorts of dishes, I bake cakes, cupcakes, I make cookies, jello, home-made ice cream, fruit platters, salads, I marinate meats, I make meatballs, Ravioli, Armenian and Middle Eastern Dishes, I make my famous Chilli, different types of breakfast, dips, sauces, and everything, Among other delicious things that my family, and who comes over to my house, that always want seconds and even thirds sometimes. I sometimes think, I should have made extra, but I love it when there is no left overs.  I love-making everything from scratch. I seldom go and buy ready-made easy stuff, I enjoy making it all on my own. The best way to make it and you know exactly what is going into your food without all the added calories and ready-made products. Sometimes you see ready-made pasta, and lasagna trays from the grocery store, I never even touch those. I make mine fresh. You never know how long those things have stayed like that. I’d rather do it myself and it is a lot more fun that way.

I remember a time when I invited my whole group of friends over for Armenian Style Ravioli Called (Mante, Manti, Mantuh, Mantee, However they spell it), and the whole extra-large pot finished amongst everyone and to this day, they want my Armenian Style Ravioli, but that day will come again when I will invite them over.  I remember a time when I cooked for over 20-25 people and all on my own. I had over 4 or 5 different dishes with salads, meats, and rice. It was a lot of fun although it was very hard to take it all on myself, but I made sure that the flavours were perfect and that everyone enjoyed it and they sure did. I love taking on big tasks on my own. Although it is great to receive help too, but I like taking on challenges and doing things on my own. especially when it comes to cooking. I don’t know, but I have become a perfectionist in the kitchen and I just love things to be cooked evenly, the sizes and I love the presentation. Even if it’s just for my family on a regular dinner night. I just love the presentation. I get the joys and satisfaction when doing so.

When I go grocery shopping, I also donate food to the less fortunate, and I put food in the food bank boxes that are put in front of grocery stores or in certain shelters, at my church they have food banks and I put a few non-perishable food items in the box. I love donating food to them. Knowing that a family out there who is less fortunate and needy is fed, that also makes me happy and that also makes me feel great that someone doesn’t have to go to bed hungry at night. It feels great to donate.

Food is my specialty and knowing that my family enjoys it and knowing that I made this with my love and care is what it important to me. I don’t cook because I have to everyday and I don’t cook for the sake of it, I actually love doing what I do and making sure my family is fed with the best possible nutrition.  Happy Cooking everyone!

Talin’s Spinach, Mushroom, Red Onion, Whole Wheat Spaghetti in Mushroom Sauce

I have not written a recipe in a while, so I decided that today is all about a healthy recipe. My new years 2012 resolution is to get more healthy, eat well, have regular physical activity and have a well-balanced diet. Eat everything of the food groups, but everything has its limits. Now today, I’d like to start with Spinach, Mushroom, Red Onion Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Mushroom Sauce.

Ingredients needed:

Basil,

Oregano,

Salt (Mushroom Sauce will have Salt in it, but just add a little bit more into it)

10-15 Mushrooms(Regular and cutting them until each mushroom becomes 4 Pieces),

2 Red Onions Chopped,

Fresh Bagged Spinach — One or Two Bags

Whole Wheat Pasta — 750 g or 900 g —– Serves 3-5 people.

Mushroom Soup Sauce — 1-2 cans

Olive Oil

To Prepare the Sauce: Remember to wash the spinach, then wash the mushrooms and the onion before chopping.

you put olive oil into the Spaghetti Sauce Pan — make sure its deep enough to then put the whole wheat spaghetti to mix together….

Put in the chopped red onions to cook, but do not overcook the red onions as it will lose its colour…. cook on medium heat.

then quickly put in the mushrooms after the onions cook just a bit

then put in the basil, a dash of salt and Oregano into the pan and start mixing….

then after without chopping the spinach, just put it all into the pan and it will shrink in size. you do not need to cut the spinach.

then your done….. make sure the onions are still red to make it look good and the nutrients from the onions will not go away….

Then you will put in the Mushroom sauce and let it all cook until warm to hot….

To Prepare the Whole Wheat Spaghetti

In a pasta pot put water, but just enough and keep an eye on it so it wont overflow when it boils… add salt and olive oil into the water.

after the water has completely boiled put in the whole wheat spaghetti and let it cook for 10 minutes to 12 minutes MAXIMUM until its al dente. don’t overcook spaghetti or any type of pastas.

Remember to mix the pasta in the water instantly after putting it in and keep mixing the whole wheat spaghetti so it wont stick together every 3 minutes until its cooked

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Then you drain the water from the spaghetti and you mix in the spaghetti with the sauce and your done…

—— Eat Immediately. You can put Parmesan cheese on top or feta cheese, but make sure the feta cheese is not so salty… there are different types of feta you can buy from a specialty grocery store or a cheese factory or something.

Then your done!

BON APETIT!

Introducing You An Award Winning Talented Chef – Suman Roy

I would like to introduce you to an award winning and talented chef named Suman Roy. Chef Suman and I met after I joined the WordPress community, where we crossed paths and became friends. Over the years Chef Suman Roy has been on various television programs, news articles and culinary magazines. Chef Suman Roy demonstrates a passion for cooking, and the culinary industry, Chef Suman has also published a book “From Pemmican To Poutine – A Journey Through Canada’s Culinary History,”

Here is a biography and introducing you his life: also can be viewed on http://chefsuman.ca

The Early Years.

From his early days, Chef learned the most valuable lesson from George Bernard Shaw: “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” Though this got him occasionally in a lot of trouble. Chef recalls his early days, when his father would attend the local market every morning, to get the freshest seafood and vegetables. With a few culinary steps, and the addition of a few fresh herbs and spices, these were transformed into a delicious piece of culinary art.  “Chef Suman” as he is popularly known by his apprentices and peers, learned the importance of local, sustainable, healthy cooking from his childhood days from his mother, a very renowned Chef in India.

The Apprentice.

He has apprenticed under the able guidance of many of the World’s most renowned Chefs, in Michelin Star Restaurants, The Leading Hotels of the World, and the World’s finest Kitchens.

The Professional Chef.

During his more than 15 years as a renowned and creative Culinarian, Chef has traveled across the globe with culinary careers across the breadth of four continents.  All of this, and a commitment to his profession has led Chef to his current career as Corporate Executive Chef for Campbell’s Soups, a world leader in their class. was also a Chef of the Athlete’s Village for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics serving up his delicious, healthy and culturally sensitive culinary styles to some 2,600 athletes from 82 nations participating in the games. Chef Suman was nicknamed “Gourmet Alchemist” during his tenure as a Chef on the US Presidential Yacht. Chef is often finds himself confronted with this question; “What makes you different from your colleagues?” he replies Flavours… Flavours… Flavours… “It’s knowing how to marry the rich and varied International Flavours, this is an art, not a trade.”  As an avid Locavore, Chef has become as master at working with local sustainable ingredients, fusing International flavours and creating masterpieces.

The Teacher.

Chef Suman teaches Culinary Art at Centennial College in Toronto.

The Award Winner and Author.

Since 2006 Chef has been trying to find the answer to the question; “What is Canadian Cuisine.”  To his surprise, there has not been a consensus.  So,  he decided to travel around the country trying to define what he calls OUR CANADIAN CUISINE.  After almost 3 years of extensive research, came Chef’s award winning book, “From Pemmican To Poutine – A Journey Through Canada’s Culinary History,” which rightfully summarizes his philosophy: “Using fresh, local and in-season ingredients is the basis of much of my cooking.”  This Literary creation scored Chef two International Recognitions – The Gourmand World Cookbook Award in Paris, France in 2010, and the Cordon D’Or Culinary Academy Award in Florida, United States in 2011. Chef was also recognized by the Premier of Ontario for this magnificent creation. In 2007, Chef was awarded “Hero of Everyday Life” and “CEO’s Marketplace Excellence Award” by Sodexo, and “President’s Award” by The Escoffier Society of Toronto in recognition of his contribution to the Community. In 2008, Chef Suman was invited to be the first Chef member to sit in Toronto Food Policy Council, in recognition of his knowledge and passion towards a Greener Culinary journey. In the same year, Chef became the first Canadian Chef to be invited to visit Singapore by IE Singapore to explore the Singaporean Cuisine.  During this part of Chef’s journey, he brought back many authentic Singaporean flavours to the daily life of Canadians. Chef also visited China, the same year as an ambassador of Canadian Cuisine.

Join his fanpage on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chef-Suman/294167643938185

Join his twitter page — https://twitter.com/Chefsuman

I wish Chef Suman continued success in his culinary career and his devotion and dedication to food and safety and health. Congratulations to him and all his accomplishments. Wishing him the best.

Talin’s Healthy Avocado Apple Spinach Salad.

I have not written a recipe for sometime now. Today is the day I want to share with you all a recipe I came out with this past week. My Healthy avocado, apple, spinach Salad with other healthy ingredients. Since I am on the path of weight loss and getting fit, I has to do with the food consumption and what you eat as well. Remember to have a balanced diet and as well as exercise incorporated into it. I have been eating with smaller portions and have been incorporating a lot more greens, veggies and fruits. It’s very important to have when losing weight. without further delay, here is my recipe:

Ingredients & Amount Needed

1 or 2 bags of Fresh Baby Spinach — Wash them really well. – Do not get rid of the stems as the stems have a lot of nutrients in them as well.

3 Avocado’s —- Cut them into medium cubes — Put them aside in a bowl— Add this one last on top then toss — Avocado’s do not last for a long time, so you must consume it when you cut it.

2 Green Apples — Washed really well — Sliced then stack them together and cut the slices into long pieces — then toss

1 Red Onion — Medium Sized — Chop it in the middle, then make 2 – 3 slices on each side horizontally, then cut 3 times vertically. then toss

1 cup of Almonds — With the skin on top — Non Salty Non Seasoned – then toss

15 Fresh and Very red Cherry Tomatoes or as desired — Washed well— then toss

Dressing Ingredients All Mixed into a separate bowl before adding to Salad.

3 tbsp of Dijon or Regular Mustard

2 tbsp of Olive Oil

half to 1 teaspoon of salt – flattened

sprinkle of cracked black pepper

2 tablespoons of balsamic Vinegar

1 teaspoon of ground powdered Mint – OR Mint Leaves

1 tablespoon of squeezed Lemon.

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Mix the dressing ingredients very well before adding it to the Salad —- Then toss the salad with the dressing mix.

You can serve this with grilled chicken breast with natural seasonings, with Brown Rice.

Or you can eat it just like that.

Then Voila! you have a healthy and great salad

 

BON APETIT!