Yes! The title says it all. I put $4000 towards my debt this year. Yes, it's a crazy amount. No, it's not a trick. Yes, it did take a lot of work. A couple of years ago, prior to me getting my own apartment, I did something similar - I was able to save enough to pay off all debts and have enough to put down 3 months rent and security deposit. I had wonderful financial independence and money in the bank to furnish my place as I pleased. But what happened to that 'freedom' was that in the back of my mind I saw the saved money as a cushion. Which it should, but it shouldn't be a readily available cushion. It should be that emergency cushion. The one you rely on after falling 100ft with ...
Archives for January 2018
Vegan Mangú
Growing up in the Bronx I was surrounded by so many different cultures. I grew up in a pretty traditional Nigerian home, foods and customs traditional to how my parents grew up while at home. This is no exception for many immigrant children like me growing up. So when I'd leave the comfort of my home and gel with the customs of others, whether it be school, work, or events, I got to experience foods and witness traditions and dressing - all because I lived in the melting pot of New York City. Just like other boroughs, The Bronx has very distinct groups that come in and settle into different pockets around the city. It's like the first person in that neighborhood - holds down the forth ...
Serendipitous Blueberry/Orange Waffles
An accidental delight? My oranges were supposed to become a sorbet - orange sorbet to blueberry waffles is pretty drastic, but it saved me some time with deciding breakfast for my second edition of $20 Grocery Run. I realized that everything needed to be frozen, and I needed more than a serving. So no dessert this week - but I'm excited that I thought fast and came up with these lovely waffles. They're moist enough where I'm skipping out on the maple syrup. I've put them in baggies to take to work for breakfast. Hope you enjoyed this accidental mistake. Serendipitous Blueberry/Orange Waffles Recipe Type: Breakfast Cuisine: American Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total ...
Zobo Soda
Hibiscus is a drink that I grew up on, mainly seeing it at Jamaican restaurants as a child in the form of a sorell drink. Its made out of dried hibiscus leaves, you're probably familiar with the typical shot of a hummingbird sucking nectar out of the flow. Hibiscus comes in different types all from the same family. So you can imagine my brain activity when I discovered that sorell was also a drink in Nigeria. It's called Zobo - my excitement to identify it when I was on vacation back in 2011 was matched with unimpressed stares from my cousin. I guess I was excited that I was able to see a similarity in Caribbean Afro foods. Something I'm learning more and ...
Teriyaki Rapini
Soo apparently broccolini is also known as rapini! R-A-PEEE-NI. I just feel so fancy saying it that's all, but who can’t help feeling fancy eating FANCY broccoli. Like HELLO? Broccoli rabe is one of those veggies I didn’t get to experience until much later in my life – usually, I’d see it on television on cooking completions or as part of an entrée on a restaurant menu. When I first tried it – it tasted bitter, but mellow at the same time? Rabe is naturally bitter, that’s why I cooked it separate from the base and created a teriyaki sauce that’s sweet and balances out the taste. Speaking of teriyaki, did you know that you could make your own? Literally, soy sauce is the ...
$20 Groceries: Edition Two
Saturday's are for grocery shopping. Again I went the route of not truly having an idea what sort of meals I wanted for the week, so I went in blindly - but came out with some great buys. I was most excited about the Broccoli Rabe - I don't usually see it in the Bronx so I got the smallest branch they had and started thinking of some great recipes. Here are some ideas I had: Jollof Rice Orange Sorbet Mangu Teriyaki Glaze Sushi Fried Plantains Fruit Soda The Goods [one-third-first] 1. Hunt Tomato Paste 2. Seltzer 2ltr 3. Loose Beets 1lb/$0.79 4. Broccoli Rabe 1/$2.49 5. Lemon 5/$1.99 6. Navel Orange 3/$0.98 7. Green Plantain 5/$2.00 8. Yellow Plantain 3/$1.99 9. ...
