AUGUST 2017

#213 This Is Doug

01 August 2017 // San Diego, California

This is Doug. He’s a great co-worker who lets me take some time out of his work day to let me film a video that makes him look like a total coffee addict. Thanks, Doug!

#214 Amoris Laetitia

02 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“Married couples joined by love speak well of each other; they try to show their spouse's good side, not their weakness and faults.  In any event, they keep silent rather than speak ill of them.  This is not merely a way of acting in front of others; it springs from an interior attitude.  Far from ingenuously claiming not to see the problems and weaknesses of others, it sees those weaknesses and faults in a wider context.  It recognizes that these failings are part of a bigger picture.  We have to realize that all of us are a complex mixture of light and shadows.  The other person is much more than the sum of the little things that annoy me.  Love does not have to be perfect for us to value it. The other person loves me as best they can, with all their limits, but the fact that love is imperfect does not mean that it is untrue or unreal.  It is real, albeit limited and earthly.  If I expect too much, the other person will let me know, for he or she can neither play God nor serve all my needs.  Love coexists with imperfection.  It "bears all things" and can hold its peace before the limitations of the loved one.”

–Pope Francis

Book No. 29 of 2017

Legitimately, this has been one of the best and most helpful marriage books I’ve read.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

#215 Empanadas Two Ways

03 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission No. 29: Make at least two types of empanadas that take me right back to Buenos Aires.

The Results: I decided to be bold and attempt fried empanadas… campo style. These are way better in texture (flaky, man!) but can easily become a mess. Thankfully the risk was rewarded and they held together alright.

I stuffed one with the classic- ground beef, olive, and egg. That turned out to be decent, although I could’ve probably seasoned the beef a bit better to get a stronger flavor out of it. The other style, mozzarella, spinach, and mushroom turned out to be even tastier, mostly thanks to that mozzarella.

#216 Always and Never Returning

04 August 2017 // Isla Vista, California

I spent a night in Isla Vista. I’m now undeniably an old guy around these parts, but it’s a place where I can always and never return.

I can never return, because it’s a place that has seen a few generations of students come and go, emptying itself of most of my friends in the process. (Thank God for the ones who’ve hung on.) Half the businesses have closed. It’s no longer a place where I’d skip whole nights of sleep to talk to a crush, where I’d go moon-bathing by the ocean in the dark, where I can spend months rent-free because of all the couches I could surf.

But in other ways I always come back. Every time I say a prayer that doesn’t fit into words, I know I learned that waves can crash the way prayer beads click. Every time I feel like I’m surrounded by people with whom I definitely belong, I know I first felt that while inhaling bonfire fumes in backyards. Every time I feel like life can start fresh, I remember that this is where it did over eight years ago.

#217 The 805

05 August 2017 // Santa Barbara, California

I love this place so much.

It’s been five years since I lived in Santa Barbara. The majority of my friends have managed to move out over that span of time, too. I’m thankful I still have enough people here to pay visits to.

We’re back for the first time since our wedding day (not counting the 15 hours I spent here once a year ago for a job interview). In some ways it’s strange getting to physically feel how far removed we are from those chapters in our story. The ever-expanding circles of friends. The student slums. The self-discovery amidst Spanish architecture.

In other ways, coming back will always feel like a homecoming. Suddenly it’s 2009 and we're following the tacky font on brown street signs back to my car and I’m just waking up to my own life.

#218 Double Fisting

06 August 2017 // Ventura, California

A little self-awareness goes a really long way.

It’s totally different than self-absorption. I remember times where I directed way too much energy towards trying to craft some sort of image, to come across as a certain way, or to impress the right groups of people. It’s amazing how much time you can spend thinking about yourself without self-awareness.

Self-awareness takes honesty. Knowing your natural strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and tendencies can be such a difference-maker. The more I’ve understood these things about myself, the more I’ve understood the best ways for me to help people, things I should commit to that challenge me, and why the same event might trigger different reactions from me than other people I’m close to.

I’ve learned to embrace my adventurous side, while realizing that the things that grow me more are long term, patience-testing commitments. I’ve learned to appreciate the fact that I’m an inevitable optimist without expecting the same amount of belief from other people.

Everyone has their own path to growth, but it’s so much easier to commit to growth when you know your starting points.

#219 Lila

07 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“I was getting along with the damn loneliness well enough. I expected to continue with it the rest of my life. Then I saw you that morning. I saw your face.”

–Marilynne Robinson

Book No. 32 of 2017

This book follows the character of Lila, who in Gilead and Home seemed to have way more depth to her character than those books had the space to delve into. Indeed she did, coming from a rough and brutal background and finding a new undeserved life in the town of Gilead. This book toggles between her rocky background, and reconciling the lovable, unsaved people from her past wth her new, unlikely marriage. Her relationship with John seemed awkward at times, but also really sweet.

And now, I’ve completed the Gilead trilogy. The order in which I liked the three books couldn’t be more clear. I liked this installment a lot better than Home, but it doesn’t enthrall me the way Gilead did. It did help me understand a good bit of why I liked the first book so much better than the second: John Ames.

The gentle preacher has a way of taking on big questions with such humility and insight that you feel like you’re reading an encouraging essay alongside a novel. The moments where his responses to Lila’s questions were among my favorite.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#220 Interns Last Week

08 August 2017 // San Diego, California

This class of interns ran into their last week way too fast. Great having them for the summer.

#221 The Yellow Tower

09 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Confessing and Repenting:

“Everyone loves the idea of reconciliation– until it involves… confessing, repenting.” (– Eugene Cho)

Everything that happened in Charlottesville happened in response to a moment. A political moment. A social moment. A cultural moment.

That’s a difficult reality. I’ve always been a super big idealist. I recognize the good in people who have different views than me, and I want to encourage that. In a more perfect world, I’d say that political differences are no big deal, and our moral choices are what mattered.

In the world we get, those things are a lot more tangled.

The most important thing isn’t to find your opposing side that’s doing everything wrong and to heap on more shame and guilt. This only creates an unhelpful back-and-forth where defensiveness and anger drives people to extremes.

Instead, it’s more important (and really, just more practical) to look at your own realm, your own beliefs, your own communities to see what needs to be changed.

Politically: What do you tolerate just because somebody is wearing your “team colors?” How will you recognize when you’ve accepted sins like racism when they’re attached to your usual tastes?

Relationally: Do you always back down from the hard conversations? When is it worth it to challenge an idea?

Spiritually: What are you called to do now?.

Tough questions are called tough for a reason, but we only suffer when we avoid them.

#222 BBQ Chicken Pop Tart

10 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 28: Make a BBQ Chicken Pop Tart. Actually, the goal of doing any sort of savory pop tart style item’s been on the radar for a little while.

The Results: I was so pleased with how this came out. The casing was a simple pie crust, but the fillings were what completed the dish. Some juicy marinated chicken, green chives, mushrooms, tangy bbq sauce, and most exciting- a few of our homegrown cherry tomatoes that have started to come through.

I’d do this again, and I’d also be curious to see what other savory tastes lend themselves well to a pop tart format. I’m thinking chicken curry.

#223 Apertif Night

11 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 32: Appertivo night done right. After falling in love with the Italian habit of aperitif hours thanks to a @splendidtableepisode, I had to give it a shot.

The Results: Let's do this again soon, please! I was really happy with the charcuterie I built around the cocktails. I even managed to figure out where to buy morcilla! And the cocktail I improvised came out just right:

🍸 Crater Lake Vodka + Dry Vermouth + Lavender Syrup + Orange Bitters

(👆🏼That sucker still needs a name... open to suggestions!)

I'd love to start experimenting with more open aperitif nights- invite friends and have everybody bring just one fancy thing.

#224 Seaport

12 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Forgiving and Peacemaking:

“Everyone loves the idea of reconciliation– until it involves… forgiving and peacemaking.” (– Eugene Cho)

Peacemaking is so important; unfortunately, peacemaking is also a really misunderstood word. I’ve been reading Break Open The Sky, where Stephen Bauman explains it really well:

“[It] means reconciler, one who having received the peace of God in her own heart, brings peace to others, and someone who is concerned with bringing a cessation of hostilities. Peacemaking is by no means passive. It involves taking risk. Peacemakers are not afraid to enter the fray in order to establish peace.”

I can really relate to the desire to not speak on hot button issues. It’s easy to think that by staying silent, you’ll at least stay “above the fray” and “avoid the pushback.” There is nothing holy about being silent while others are oppressed.

It can also seem really politically correct to respond to events by saying “I see all sides.” In most cases, it’s good to be able to understand a diversity of viewpoints. But when it comes to something like racism, this mentality is dangerous. If your response to a Nazi rally is “all sides need to get along,” then you’ve done a few things”

It allows the oppression to continue. It dismisses the pain of the victim and allows the oppressor to feel justified.

Here’s a challenge to those of us who like to avoid confrontation. The affinity for peace that we have is a good thing, but if we aren’t aware and careful to avoid passivity and permissiveness, it can quickly allow more harm to people than anything else.

#225 Charlottesville Vigil

13 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Truth-telling and Dismantling:

I went downtown for a Sunday night vigil for Charlottesville. I’m so thankful to have been a part of it. I’m thankful for the many spiritual leaders and organizations I’ve followed and served under who have spoken up. I’m a little disappointed by the ones who haven’t, but hey.

In the words of Eugene Cho, “Everyone loves the idea of reconciliation… until it involves truth-telling, confessing, repenting, dismantling, forgiving, and peacemaking.” These aren’t easy things, but I’m going to give them my best shot this week.

There is a problem with racism in our country and world. A lot of us were shocked to see an unmasked KKK rally out in the open. But if you were surprised by that, then that likely means you aren’t among those who have to deal with it every day. Those in the margins are far less surprised.

It’s easy to recognize racism when it carries a torch. It’s harder to recognize it when it denies a home loan, or passes over a job application. It’s easy to recognize on a television screen. It’s harder to recognize at a dinner table conversation. It’s easy to recognize on angry mobs. Harder to see in ourselves.

We need to listen a whole lot more. I’ve been in several conversations about these things where people have a lecture or long-winded anecdote prepackaged and ready-to-go. Never assume you have all this stuff figured out. Do the stuff they teach in pre-marital counseling instead. Don’t negate the experiences of someone else with your own. Listen and repeat back what you just heard. It’ll at least be a start to some better conversations that need to be had.

#226 Ginger Beef Vermicelli

14 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 32: Recreate one of my summertime favorites- flank steak with julienned carrots and ginger over a bed of vermicelli noodles.

Results: This was the meal I hoped it would be. While fairly wide strips of ginger can be pretty strong, they also work really well in this meal when they’re well sautéed and paired with something milder like carrots. The pho-quality flank steak pieces were perfect to top things off with.

#227 Phillies-Padres

15 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Date night at the most intense sports rivalry there ever was: Phillies versus Padres.

Highlights: $2.50 fish tacos on Tuesdays, Jorge Alfaro's first career homer, Rhys Hoskins: #unleashtherhys, no line at Hodad's, 1:1 fan ratio between fans.

Lowlights: Mark Leiter Jr.

Man, I’m gonna have way more fun when the Phillies are finally decent again.

#228 Philly Pizzasteak

16 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 34: Have a go at one of my Philly favorites- the cheesesteak spin-off, the pizza steak.

Results: This was actually a great meal to make in a short amount of time. I got to use up the remaining steak shavings from the ginger beef vermicelli and we were able to whip this up and eat it early enough for an evening beach trip. Not such a bad go-to meal for something quick but worthwhile.

#229 The Sower: We Did It!

17 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Know how I found out about Plant With Purpose before working there? Some friends of mine gave a presentation at my now-office, and took back one of their quarterly newsletters for me. I kept tabs on the organization and applied to work there four years later.

I wrote the cover story for our latest newsletter, featuring some stories from Tanzania. So things have pretty much gone full circle now. 

#230 Low Key Date Night

18 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Sometimes a low-key date night will take you right into a café made for Instagram. Who knew sea salt cream cheese foam would taste so good on top of iced oolong?

#231 Ivy’s Tasting Night

19 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Yay for Ivy’s birthday! This evening was a super fun food tasting and wine pairing night, with a chaser of board games. Such a great idea.

#232 Communal

20 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Coffee shop table: Claimed.

Laptop: Flipped open.

Current Book: On table.

Currently Listening: Everyone else’s conversations with Lone Bellow in the back.

In the Mug: Usually just a black coffee. Flat white, maybe.

Make it as cliché as it gets, this will still always be the setting that gets my creative juices running, and my favorite work environment.

#233 Eclipsey

21 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Beauty will save the world.

I wrote a bit about that quote a couple weeks ago on the Plant With Purpose account- It’s from Dostoyevsky’s novel, The Idiot, which offers a very complex perspective about how beauty and suffering can co-exist. It offers beauty as a path to truth and faith in spite of a modern world trapped in darkness.

I posted that up last week, but it's not like there would've been some sort of really timely event that I should've waited for or anything.

#234 Jeremy’s Downtown

22 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“The assumption that what currently exists must necessarily exist is the acid that corrodes all visionary thinking.”

–Murray Boochkin

#235 Nashville Hot Chicken

23 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 34: Nashville Hot Chicken has over time become more and more of a favorite- heat turnt up, super crisp skin . Problem is, it's really hard to find outside of Nashville. Basilisk in Portland did a pretty good job, but I don't live in Oregon anymore. Guess I gotta try making my own. (Or go to Nashville, but my poultry budget doesn't currently allow it.)

The Results: I was so happy with the nice coat I put on the chicken, probably the best I've made. I also liked the flavor of the spice rub. I could've turned the heat up even more, but now I have a baseline to go off of.

#236 Baby Art

24 August 2017 // San Diego, California

When Beignet finds her mural on the side of the Carson Animal Shelter.

#237 Break Open The Sky

25 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“Converting our fears into faith is the business of God. But he’s not interested in a gnostic faith, a faith disembodied from the earthiness of day-to-day living. Instead, God desires a faith that engages our emotions and volition as much as our intellect, a faith that shocks those around us because our words or actions, although occurring in the natural world, have their origin in the divine.”

–Stephen Bauman

Book No. 33 of 2017

This book really needed to be written, and Stephen Bauman was just the right person for the task.

Faith can’t just be a theory. It’s not something to make us feel smart about ourselves while the rest of the world feels despair. Actually doing something takes a whole lot of risk, but it’s the risk we were actually made for. We’ll be unsatisfied until we take it.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#238 Fortuna Saddle

26 August 2017 // San Diego, California

We picked a pretty hot day to take on this hike. I have to remind myself that the best time of the year for hiking and camping down here is the total opposite of what we had going on in Oregon.

In what dream life can I live my Augusts & Septembers back in Oregon, my Junes & Julys in Southern Europe, my January in Patagonia, and everything else over here?

#239 We Need New Names

27 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“Leaving your country is like dying, and when you come back you are like a ghost returning to earth, roaming around with missing gaze in your eyes” 

–NoViolet Bulawayo

Book No. 34 of 2017

So I liked Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche’s Americnah quite a bit. This book tackled similar themes through a different character’s journey, and to be honest I think I like this book just a bit more. The story is told through a younger perspective, less filtered and more wide-eyed towards immersion in a different world.

I also found it interesting, probably intentional, how the entire time, you’re given a sense of Darling’s increasing disorientation by what she sees in each place. It’s rare for this book to outright tell you where you are, instead it paints a picture. In fact, I don’t think it even mentions Zimbabwe by name.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#240 South Asian Penne

28 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission No. 37: A while ago, I was improvising with rigatoni noodles and curry powder and I really liked the results. I added some mushrooms and thought I needed to try something like that again, fully committing to adding the South Asian flavors and veggies onto a typically Italian dish.

The Results: It was even better while doing this on purpose! I went with eggplant, mushrooms, and green beans to be the main veggie items, and in a dream scenario I would’ve liked to add chunks of paneer cheese and maybe some fried potatoes. Unfortunately I didn’t have rigatoni noodles around this time, so I had to make the switch to penne. I prefer the al dente bite of rigatoni, but any noodle with a wide surface area that you can lightly sear goes well with this.

#241 Hillbilly Elegy

29 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“There is no group of Americans more pessimistic than working-class whites. Well over half of blacks, Latinos, and college-educated whites expect that their children will fare better economically than they have. Among working-class whites, only 44 percent share that expectation.” 

“What separates the successful from the unsuccessful are the expectations that they had for their own lives. Yet the message of the right is increasingly: It’s not your fault that you’re a loser; it’s the government’s fault.” 

“I don't know what the answer is, precisely, but I know it starts when we stop blaming Obama or Bush or faceless companies and ask ourselves what we can do to make things better.”

–J.D. Vance

Book No. 36 from 2017

This book was a learning tool, to better understand some of the populations that often seem to think on a different wavelength than I do. The rural-urban divide is quite real, and considering I work on rural poverty issues at a global level, I wanted to get a better understanding of its domestic manifestation.

J.D. Vance was a great storyteller. I was surprised by how much his book leaned towards memoir rather than social commentary- and really I think that was the best way for him to tell the story of his world. It’s one riddled with contradictions and sadness, but it did remind me of one thing: the growth we need the most isn’t an economic kind, but a spiritual one. And then there are all the understated links between them.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#242 The Most Dangerous Place on Earth

30 August 2017 // San Diego, California

"These are not your kids. These are your students. Last year they were someone else's, next year they'll be gone. You can't be their mother. You certainly aren't their friend. You are the person who gives them grades. And if you go on caring for them in this way you won't survive.”

–Lindsey Lee Johnson

Book No. 35 of 2017

This was a debut novel, and one that I enjoyed more than I expected. It had the light-and-easy feeling of watching a rom-com from the early 2000’s, while actually carrying a lot of layers of depth.

The “Most Dangerous Place” is a Bay Area high school, full of wounded and insecure personalities that express themselves vibrantly in the group of teenage friends it follows. Throughout the book, we get to see each character open up more and the layers peel back.

It wasn’t perfect- (heads up, typng n txtspk doesn't mk u a teen especially in the era of autocorrect) but it was so fast-paced and compelling that I blazed through these pages pretty fast. 

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#244 North Park Stripes

31 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Doesn’t it often feel like it’s an age where nothing is really safe to say? Taking almost any sort of stand is met with criticism, accusations of being too-liberal, too-conservative, too-biased, too-partisan, too-much.

I’ve seen a lot of institutions, leaders, and brands try to do a couple things:

• Go along with the flow of culture, political party, etc. that they’d rather be associated with – the challenge with that is that when your culture, party, or tribe makes decisions that are wrong or harmful, you’ll be complicit
   
• Play it safe and try to appease “all sides.” Not only is this getting harder to do, but in some scenarios, neutrality isn’t a real option. Plus, there’s no better way to weaken your message than to try to make it all-accommodating

So what to do? 

Know what you stand for. What your deepest beliefs and convictions are. Know what message you want your life to send and how it’s helping the world. Take the time to wrestle with the contradictions, doubts, and ambiguities. Always leave room to grow, but know your true north.

Then, when debates, controversies, or new issues arise, you can always hold it against your compass: In light of what I believe to be true about treating other people… in light of my convictions about what’s fair… in light of what I think is deeply true about people… 

MAY 2017

#121 Remembering Grandma

01 May 2017 // Bakersfield, California

Just got back from a very quick trip to Bakersfield with my family-in-law.

Today we celebrated the life of Deanna's grandma. The last few years were pretty rough on her, physically. I got to meet her just before that started, to get to experience the way Deanna remembered her growing up- with lots of personality.

I remember that meal at IHOP fondly. She will be missed.

#122 Life From Scratch

02 May 2017 // San Diego, California

“Being happy takes constant weeding, a tending of emotions and circumstances as they arise. There’s no happily ever after, or any one person or place that can bring happiness. It takes work to be calm in the midst of turmoil. But releasing the need to control it– well that’s a start.”

–Sasha Martin

Book No. 16 of 2017

This book was totally different than what I expected, but totally beautiful, honest, and adventurous.

I know Sasha Martin from her blog and the project it revolves around– cooking dishes from every single country in the world. I was a fan of both, and I figured this book would capture much of the same spirit of adventure and culinary insight… it was, but that definitely wasn’t the foot that the book led with.

Instead, I got a book that explored her rocky and ever-changing childhood and all the emotional baggage that it came with. It was honest and vulnerable writing that I loved. There was definitely food involved, especially in the latter chapters, but it was the soul-bearing that left a more lasting impression.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#123 Meeting James Bishop

03 May 2017 // San Diego, California

This is James. He’s about to represent Plant With Purpose as he spends his summer on a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. In addition to being an advocate for the people we work with and an adventurer, he’s also a talented musician.

I’m excited to launch the Plant With Purpose Ambassador Program to give artists and adventurers the chance to promote our work while doing the things they love. Let me know if you’re an adventurer or artist wanting to tie your passion to the service of others.

#124 The Crack Shack

04 May 2017 // San Diego, California

My birthday week pretty much turned into my own personal San Diego restaurant week. Knowing myself, I shouldn’t be too surprised.

Here are a few of my early favorites in town:

The Crack Shack – Anyone who does fried chicken right has a fast pass to my favorites list. If only some Nashville Hot Chicken were also on the menu.

Farm & Fork – Not exactly in my neighborhood, being all the way out in La Mesa, but such a great spot for brunch.

Otono Sushi – I have many more sushi places to discover and explore, but for now, I’m glad I know I can count on this one.

#125 Twentyseven

05 May 2017 // San Diego, California

I looked in the mirror in this morning and what did I see? A few strands of white hairs mixed in amongst my sea of black. Wisdom. Experience. No wait... just Beignet's hair.

Thanks to everyone who made my day a fun one- everyone who greeted me here or texted me or bought me a pint or picnic'ed at the bay or got trapped in the Aztec temple with me. Thank you.

I'm happy about where I get to be in life right now. It's worth saying so many thank you's.

#126 Windy Cove

06 May 2017 // La Jolla, California

When I’m with you I have fun. 

That’s been our bread and butter since day one.

#127 The Magicians

07 May 2017 // San Diego, California

“For just one second, look at your life and see how perfect it is. Stop looking for the next secret door that is going to lead you to your real life. Stop waiting. This is it: there's nothing else. It's here, and you'd better decide to enjoy it or you're going to be miserable wherever you go, for the rest of your life, forever.” 

–Lev Grossman

Book No. 17 of 2017

This book was pitched to me in a way that made it impossible to not be intrigued– Harry Potter for adults, plus a large amount of influences from Narnia. Of course I’d want to check that out.

That description was definitely accurate in a sense. The similarities to those classics were one-for-one enough so that it didn’t even seem “in the spirit of Harry Potter or Narnia,” it was intentional. A school for magicians otherwise invisible to muggles. A parallel land accessible through a grandfather clock… one that was visited by four siblings around wartime.

Unfortunately I didn’t find much more in the book beyond those curiosities. The characters weren’t likable… it was like Harry Potter but with Draco Malfoy as the protagonist. And the book blitzes through time. Midway through the first book, they’ve already made it through their academic career.

I’ll probably still try out the rest of this trilogy, under the rumors that it gets a little better, and because the ending seemed to be missing something.

⭐️⭐️

#128 PB Macarons

08 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Every now and then I’ll head over to the massive Asian mega-mart for my lunch break. It’s always a bit of a scramble to find the rare ingredients that are on my list in such a short time frame and it kind of feels like I’m on Guy’s Grocery Games.

Sometimes, though, I don’t need to hurry so much, and that gives me a chance to stop in for a snack at Paris Baguette and take a gander at some of their visual splendor. 

#129 Grown Up Toaster Scrambles

09 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 14: I’m about to confess something… Pillsbury makes these things that are basically savory breakfast versions of toaster strudels. Ever see them? They’re usually filled with bacon or sausage and can be found near all the microwavable Jimmy Dean stuff.

Okay, here’s the confession. I really like them. Like, guilty pleasure status. They’re a total atrocity to put into your body with all the saturated fats and sodium, but in the most artificial way, they’ve hit all the taste- and-texture notes I love. Flaky crust, tasty fillings, breakfast meats.

I wondered if I could make some that were homemade and less awful for you.

The results: I went with my go-to puff pastry recipe and filled it with goodies. Japanese style scrambled eggs. Shredded cheddar. Bacon. I froze the insides earlier so the consistency would stay right. And these things kept pretty well in the freezer.

Now I want to make these in bulk, so I can have them on hand with out the awfulness of having to go the factory-made route.

#130 Farmers Market Sampling

10 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Wednesday nights adventures at the Farmers Market lead to samples galore.

#131 Kimchi Bulgolgi Pizza

11 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 15: A Korean inspired pizza, some form of kimchi being absolutely necessary.

The results: Somehow the spiky acidity of kimchi and the sour-umami of bulgolgi are perfect matches for the rest of the flavors in a typical pizza. Just to make sure, I reduced the tomato sauce with some sriracha and hoisin to tie it all together.

#132 Massive Sushi Roll

12 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Our fusion food- It's like a sushi roll, but instead of fillings, there's a whole other sushi roll inside of it.

It's been great being able to hang out and make so many meals with Chris and Katie since moving to San Diego.

A) We have so much in common. A heart to see people grow. Interests in a pretty wide variety of anything and everything. A goal to build life around what we value the most.

B) We have so much not in common. Spontaneity versus structure. Doing versus becoming. Yet we benefit from the way those differences gel.

C) We've been friends for nearly a decade. With the past few years of my life consisting of so much movement and changing adventures, it's a real treasure having friends you can be confident about staying close after another decade goes by.

#133 PCT Trailhead

13 May 2017 // Campo, California

We woke up at three so we could get to the U.S.-Mexico border by sunrise. We met James at the Southern Terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail, as he was on day one of his thru hike all the way to Canada.

James is an Adventure Ambassador for Plant With Purpose. His vision for his trek lines up so much with the things we value.

“It’s not about this rugged individualism,” he mentions. “It’s a pilgrimage. One that helps me realize my own dependence- on God, on other people, on nature.”

He nailed it. The best adventures are quests of humility.

#134 Ultralightbeams

14 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Compassion fatigue is real.

Lately, there’s been a rise of “positive news” sites. On the whole, I love them. They’re an important counterbalance to traditional journalism which is biased towards negativity, and there are many ways in which our world continues to get better. On the other hand, I’m not entirely comfortable with the escapism that this sort of curation suggests. I know I have the tendency to over-focus on the good, which can be a weakness if not managed.

Last week I heard an interview with the New York Times’ Tina Rosenberg. She writes the “Fixes” column which began when she tried to write about how big pharmaceutical companies and the Clinton Administration were fixing the prices of AIDS treatments and restricting generics, keeping medicine out of the hands of the sick.

She tried pitching that story. No takers. There’s that compassion fatigue in action. She then pitched a different story about how Brazil was working around these challenges to provide the treatment for free. That story had legs. It revealed the injustice alongside a sense of hope– and it challenged any major actors to question why they weren’t trying a similar approach.

The interview was a great reminder that positivity and spreading joy should never be an act of escapism. Good stories are reminders that a better world is possible, and a defiant challenge to injustice. Hope outlasts outrage.

#135 #DEANNAPROBLEMS

15 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Happy Monday. Every new day, every new week, brings with it a new set of decisions– choices to make that will have subtle or drastic impacts on our lives.

Should Deanna go with Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel or Caramel with a Touch of Sea Salt?

#136 Design Grind

16 May 2017 // San Diego, California

I’ve been having so much fun at work ever since my design software subscription started!

With so many shirts and poster boards and website drafts to design by the first week of June, this week has been crunch time in the world of Adobe Products.

It’ll be so fun to see the finished products this week leads to.

#137 Johnnyswim Surprise

17 May 2017 // La Jolla, California

I told Deanna to come by the office for a little surprise when I got off of work.

The surprise was this– date night featuring Johnnyswim at the Birch Aquarium! We got engaged to their music so it wasn't exactly the first time I surprised her with their songs.

What a show. Gorgeous outdoor stage with paragliders overhead and the sun setting in the backdrop. Plus these two are pure chemistry, and I'm pretty sure I'll make a good effort to see them every time they come around.

#138 Bike to Work Day

18 May 2017 // San Diego, California

National Bike to Work Day, AKA, sorry for the sweat, co-workers!

It’s also a good day to discover all the points along your daily commute that would be so much more dangerous without a car.

#139 Pleasant Surprises

19 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Starting a sunny weekday morning up atop Downtown SD. Urban. Idyllic. All at the same time.

Some notes taken from earlier at Creative Mornings inspired by Jeni Amaraneni’s talk.

+ Talent is evenly distributed throughout the world, but opportunity is not.

+ The solutions to a lot of the world’s problems already exists, and it’s often a matter of bringing them to the people who need them.

+ You get to be somebody else’s pleasant surprise today… how fun is that!?

#140 Out of the Darkness

20 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Got to participate this weekend in the opening festivities for the Out of Darkness #overnightwalksandiego to prevent suicide.

It stood out to me were how many lives are affected by suicide. Most walkers were walking in honor of somebody who they knew personally. I think at least half of the people gathered in Ruocco Park were there on behalf of parents, partners, children, friends.

This isn’t something I really think about too often. But my own blinders aside, it’s such a real pain that confronts people every day… way more people than we’d probably realize until it confronts us directly. 

It also stood out to me was the instant connection between people who had gone through the same sort of profound loss. The presence of community was powerful. Struggles can bring people together in a way success can’t. I don’t think it can be said enough times– you are not alone.

#141 Weekendsea

21 May 2017 // La Jolla, California

Need a quick lesson in humility? Don’t we all? I highly recommend hopping into the ocean when the waves are in full effect and letting them thrash you around a little bit. It usually does the trick.

I really respect people who show restraint when it comes to taking on projects and ventures if they aren’t sure their motives are pure. That definitely doesn’t come natural to me. At the same time, there’s something to be said about jumping in and doing a cannonball into life. It’ll probably get messy, but life is a pretty good teacher if you take notes.

#142 Tteokbokki Burger

22 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 16: Confession– Mac & cheese cheeseburgers have become such a trend lately, to which I raise an eyebrow. Macaroni noodles underneath a bun simply double up on the starchy-carny ingredients, and I’d rather have a gooey patty of cheese rather than the inconsistent texture of mac & cheese. That said- if we’re going to be putting noodles in burgers, I thought the one with the most potential was tteokbokki, the large, super-gooey Korean rice noodles with their own distinct taste.

Results: I remain skeptical of noodles in burgers, but I did like the taste of this. The tteokbokki sauce played nicely with the beef patty, and I was able to marinate shredded lettuce in leftover kimchi juice with a few more pieces of cabbage to complement the flavor. I like the way these turned out.

#143 Age of Anger

23 May 2017 // San Diego, California

“Our unit of analysis should also be the irreducible human being, her or his fears, desires and resentments. It is in the unstable relationship between the inner and public selves that one can start to take a more precise measure of today’s global civil war.”

–Pankaj Mishra

Book No. 18 of 2017

I think I totally had the wrong expectations for this book going into it. I was expecting a pretty thoughtful reflection on the current hostile social climate that seems to be a global phenomenon, and thoughts on facets like online discourse, outrage culture, and the false promise of overconfident authoritarians.

Instead, this book is simply a synthesis of different philosophical and political-scientific writings throughout history as modernism comes into being. I didn’t really catch on to any thoughtful insights or ideas that came as a result of different thoughts being connected. It was my only reading material on a flight to Portland, though, so I ended up finishing.

⭐️

#144 Fried Green Tomato BLT

24 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 17: Essentially recreate a sandwich from Prodigal Son Brewing Co. in Pendelton- a fried green tomato BLT.

Results: An overpriced green heirloom tomato from the farmers market cut into steak like slices, breaded and fried were the centerpiece of this sandwich. Complementing it were crisp bacon, lettuce, pepper jack and pesto. I was pretty happy with my results here.

#145 Write Space

25 May 2017 // San Diego, California

It’s amazing how much a good physical space can do to get my creative juices flowing. A couple hours at Moniker before work means I’ve done some of my best writing in weeks before the clock turns nine.

I’m making it an active goal to try and do more of my creative work in spaces outside the home or office… also, it makes pleasant surprises a little more likely to happen. 

#146 Mom’s Birthday Dinner

26 May 2017 // San Diego, California

You may not know who half of the celebrities are when we play Heads Up, but that doesn't matter because you raised me to be kind and to always do my best at everything... including accents and impressions.

Happy birthday, mom! Here's to many, many more years of nobody believing you when they find out your age.

#147 Noble Canyon Trail

27 May 2017 // Pine Valley, California

This became a very familiar sight for miles and miles. I'm now back from the wilderness after a long weekend's backpacking trip with the bug bites, sore legs, and exhausted puppy to show for it.

Felt so good to get outside. Now if you'll excuse me, putting on a movie marathon and sitting very still sounds like it'll feel pretty good too.

#148 On The Trail

28 May 2017 // Pine Valley, California

I lived in Italy for a summer, years ago. Adapting to my surroundings, I did everything really slow. I walked wherever I needed to go. I got my ingredients at the market every night, not weekly. I'd start conversations I wouldn't expect to end for hours.

Oddly, it felt like there was more time for everything. What a paradox. The slower you went, the more time also slowed to accommodate you. It started to make sense why Rome gets called the eternal city. There was no rush from one day to the next, but each one held so many flavors, so many new sights, so much life.

When you're in a familiar place, it takes more effort to slow things down and take it all in. That's exactly what I want to do right now, though. There are so many people to get to know, so many new things I can't wait to try. But I want to slow things down so I don't miss any of it.

#149 Ginger-Garlic Shrimp and Grits

29 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 19: Make some shrimp and grits with a bit of an Asian twist. I’ve heard of people taking the ginger spin on grits before, and I figured I could add some miso as well and double down on the Southern/Asian fusion.

The Results: Hey- not so bad! The market didn’t have maize that I could use for grits, so instead I went with millet and that wasn’t a shabby replacement. I cooked trace amounts of shredded cheddar into the grits too so I could get it even creamier.

#150 Collapse

30 May 2017 // San Diego, California

“Two types of choices seem to me to have been crucial in tipping the outcomes [of the various societies' histories] towards success or failure: long-term planning and willingness to reconsider core values. On reflection we can also recognize the crucial role of these same two choices for the outcomes of our individual lives.” 

– Jared Diamond

Book No. 19 of 2017

During my job interview, actually, I asked my now-boss if he had any book recommendations to help me fill my void in knowledge about environmental science. He recommended Collapse, and I immediately added it into my Amazon cart.

I had a few other books to get through, but I eventually took on the quest of reading this. It is a large, thick book that is pretty dense with information. It took me much longer to get through this book than any other this year, even when adjusted for pages.

Safe to say, this book was terrific. I learned a whole lot about what it’s looked like when different societies fell apart when resources were poorly managed, when cultural sins led people to destroy their environments, and when leadership put people into conflict with their places. That’s led to the fall of some really powerful civilizations. Much of it seemed ominous when put up next to today’s leaders and societies.

It’s not a doom and gloom book, though, as Diamond also gives plenty of examples of how people have done things right. He’s especially hailed certain big business efforts, and pointed out how economic interests and environmental interests were often linked. I got a lot out of this read.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#151 Thai Basil Peanut Butter Meatballs

31 May 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 21: Recreate the signature item of one of my favorite food trucks that I left behind in Eugene– a Thai peanut butter coated meatball wrapped in bacon and basil.

The Results: Hey, not too bad! The key was making meatballs that were good enough to stand on their own, and that wasn’t so hard when you have quality ground beef and bacon wrapped around them inside the oven. The basil and spicy peanut butter helped round out the flavor- I only wish I had better noodles to pair it with. Some flat pad thai noodles would’ve been perfect.

APRIL 2017

#91 Medford Dog Park

01 April 2017 // Medford, Oregon

As her last act as a Doggy of Oregon, Beignet decided to take a dive into the juiciest mud puddle in the park.

Exactly what I wanted to share the rental truck with – a soggy donut. 🍩

#92 Beignet the Copilot

02 April 2017 // Bakersfield, California

For how much energy this one has, she was a surprisingly good passenger in a fully loaded moving truck.

She ended up making the road down to California a whole lot better. I’m so glad that the bulk of this move is behind us.

I’ve been slacking on good-things posts lately, so here are a few other things making me happy:

The USWNT scored in their push for equal pay, and deservedly so. They shouldn’t need to be the powerhouse team that they are in order to justify being paid equally, but just to make it clear that they are, they cruised to a pretty easy win versus Russia to celebrate.

Also I finished reading the food memoir Life From Scratch– more memoir than food, but the personal story was so strong and unexpected that I plowed right through the book.

#93 Beignet’s New Digs

03 April 2017 // San Diego, California

The moving process must look so weird from a dog's perspective. Then again, what doesn't?

Glad she's settling in to her brave new world.

#94 It’s Only the Himalayas

04 April 2017 // San Diego, California

“Wherever you go, whatever you do, just… don’t do anything stupid."

–S. Bedford

Book No. 13 of 2017

This was a fun read. Nothing fancy. Just a fun, simple travel-logue that I blitzed through in two sittings.

A sense of humor carries throughout the book, and the stories are interesting in their own right. It successfully made me pretty ready to get up and travel somewhere remote.

⭐️⭐️

#95 After Work

05 April 2017 // San Diego, California

The hope was to find a job I loved, that would allow me to come home and keep living a life that I loved.

Achievement unlocked.

#96 Seaport With Beignet

06 April 2017 // San Diego, California

“I am ready for my yearbook photo!!!”

Keep hamming it up, Beignet.

#97 PDX-a-Lot

07 April 2017 // Portland, Oregon

Third trip to/from San Diego and Oregon in the past month.

My wish was to still be able to visit Oregon a LOT after moving out. So far that's come true, though I wouldn't mind these visits spacing themselves out just a bit more.

At least I'm in Portland this weekend for a real good reason.

#98 Jesse & Raquel

08 April 2017 // Canby, Oregon

It was a good weekend for sure.

Congrats Jesse & Raquel – so glad we could be there this weekend. Can't wait for the next time we get to hang out with you two.

#99 PDX Outro

09 April 2017 // Portland, Oregon

It’s probably gonna be a little while before I’m back in Portland.

I’m gonna miss this city, including my favorite airport in the world. To make sure I made the most of my last few fleeting moments, I spent the wait for my flight stocking up on PDX goods and eating some last bites of my favorites for a little while, including:

Trying out the matcha and orange cointreau brulee flavors of Blue Star. That last one was absolutely amazing, and even better than the rum brulee release I’ve had before.

Grabbing a bottle of Som drinking vinegar, because it’ll be a while before I get to stock up.

Picking up a couple jars of Yumm Sauce. They aren’t terribly hard to reverse engineer, but I want to get right to making some Yumm bowls this week.

#100 Silence

10 April 2017 // San Diego, California

“Kichijiró was right in saying that all men are not saints and heroes. How many of our Christians, if only they had been born in another age from this persecution would never have been confronted with the problem of apostasy or martyrdom but would have lived blessed lives of faith until the very hour of death.”

–Shusaku Endo

Book No. 14 of 2017

I want to learn and read so much more of Shusaku Endo right now.

The sad realities of martyrdom and persecution are so real globally and historically, and yet, in my immediate world, I have the hardest time truly grasping what that confrontation is like.

Shusaku Endo’s novel, set in mid-1600’s Japan, explores the religious persecution and the pressure to apostasise put on a group of underground priests. The book goes through a lot of grit and ugliness and is definitely not the sort to just put a pretty bow on things. I loved it and I do have a pretty good interest in seeing the Scorcese adaptation.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#101 Run & Bloom

11 April 2017 // San Diego, California

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”

–Robert Louis Stevenson

#102 Croque Madame

12 April 2017 // San Diego, California

I've really lapsed on my cooking goals for this year, for a number of life-reasons: moving, lent, etc. - Now that I have my kitchen workstation all set up though, it's time to make up for lost time.

Made this croque madame tonight, and was pretty pleased. Swiss emmentaler, some fake but convincing tofu-ham, and bechamel in a triple layered toast, topped with the egg and shaved cheese of course.

The one and only thing I would've done differently is try to make the bechamel less salty. But that is it!

#103 She’s Here

13 April 2017 // San Diego, California

Finally! The house is now a home.

As fun as San Diego has been so far, now it really starts to get good.

#104 Good Friday 17

14 April 2017 // San Diego, California

It feels like there's some degree of appropriateness that our move coincided with Lent the way it did- that I was offered the job on Fat Tuesday and that Deanna finally arrived in San Diego on Maundy Thursday.

It's been forty days of waiting, excitement, patience testing, celebrating, missing, hustle, and adjustment, and now, a new life.

Getting to pray through the Stations of the Cross was so appreciated for Good Friday. Thankful for life, in every sense of the word.

#105 Meat Market

15 April 2017 // San Diego, California

The discovery of this meat market and where to get some of the more exotic cuts of meat around town was definitely a high point of the weekend, especially if anyone wants gator burgers. And, it’s totally along my route to work.

Hooray for Siesel’s Meats.

Actually, I’m simply thrilled to know where I can purchase some black pudding. Depending where you live, it’s a pretty elusive food item in the USA.

#106 Easter & Earth

16 April 2017 // San Diego, California

"The tree, which had brought about the fall and the loss of Paradise, shall be the instrument of redemption."

–St. Augustine

Happy Easter everybody.

Feeling so thankful for life. Spiritual life. Physical life. My new life. My love life. The kind of life you extend to others. All kinds of life.

Also, California is a pretty sunny place.

#107 Together

17 April 2017 // San Diego, California

It’s a era of so many new things and I’m loving it.

In the middle of so much excitement, the days have my permission to trickle. To move as slow as they’d like.

To me, a new town feels like a playground. But we’re here for the long haul, so it’s all good to move slow now.

I have my whole crew in town. I have the chance to chase down so many possibilities, but in the process, I don’t want to miss any of it.

#108 Salmon Miso Broth

18 April 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 10: This idea is one I’ve been sitting on for a little while- making a ginger miso broth infused with salmon and scallion oil that plays a perfect host to udon noodles, mushrooms, and a little cut of salmon.

The results: After putting it off for a few days, I made the soup and this turned out to be one of the best soups I’ve ever made! For how easy it was, it came with a pretty high payoff. The broth had just the right amount of sour and tang to it. This is one I’ll be making again for sure!

#109 Staff Volunteer Day

19 April 2017 // San Diego, California

I have at least a few family members who think I spend my working hours physically planting trees.

Sometimes they're right.

Had an awesome volunteer day getting to visit Coastal Roots Farm. I love what they do!

#110 Pachinko

20 April 2017 // San Diego, California

“A God that did everything we thought was right and good wouldn't be the creator of the universe. He would be our puppet.” 

–Min Jin Lee

Book No. 15 of 2017

Wow, what a beautiful book.

The things I initially heard were comparisons to Cutting For Stone and the Kite Runner- and I kind of get it. Set in complex cultural boundaries, following multiple generations of a family’s story but with enough focus to really flesh out and bond with characters. Plus some deep and truthful themes of family and faith.

I liked the characters. They were honest, sincere, and didn’t fall for the tendency that most contemporary authors have of equating cynicism with authenticity. It was just the sort of book that at the end leaves you with a strong appreciation for family history, strong women, and perseverance.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#111 Duck Poutine

21 April 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 11: One of the meals in Eugene that I’ll miss the most will be the poutine at Rye– for less than ten bucks you can get a pretty good size portion of really good duck poutine. Of course they wouldn’t reveal the whole secret recipe, but I did get the waitress once to admit one of the key ingredients. Duck fat. With that knowledge, I sought out to try and recreate it.

The results: I don’t make gravy often so I definitely didn’t quite make it the same as theirs. Also in retrospect, beef broth would have been a good addition. But overall I thought the gravy turned out better than any previous attempt of mine to make gravy, and the fries were satisfyingly done.

#112 North County Earth Festival

22 April 2017 // San Diego, California

"I want creation to penetrate you with so much admiration that wherever you go, the least plant may bring you the clear remembrance of the Creator ....One blade of grass or one speck of dust is enough to occupy your entire mind in beholding the art with which it has been made."

–St. Basil the Great

Happy Earth Day!

Fun times repping Plant With Purpose at the Earth Day Festival in Oceanside. Doing it all over again tomorrow in Balboa Park. Come give a shout!

#113 Earth Day 2017

23 April 2017 // San Diego, California

Balboa Park has the largest outdoor Earth Day shindig in the country- and it was so fun to be there on behalf of Plant With Purpose!

So much sun and so many people with so much passion for so many causes I didn't even know existed. Hopefully more people are aware of ours now too.

#114 Grapefruit Macarons

24 April 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 12: I’ve been on a roll with macarons lately, and feeling a bit more daring, I decided to see if I could start with a totally out-there concept and turn it into a macaron. Grapefruit rosemary is a great combo, I figured, let’s go with that!

The results: Well, my hot streak ended, because these macarons puffed up and got out of hand. I meant to make a whole batch of them but wound up with only six survivors. Fortunately, those six survivors were pretty good.

I still don’t know what went wrong, but the texture just didn’t come out the way it was supposed to. I got the shells to puff up way too much. The redeeming factor was that they all came out tasting pretty great. The grapefruit buttercream filling was refreshing- made from the real deal. If only those shells turned out, these would’ve been even better.

#115 Around the Block

25 April 2017 // San Diego, California

This city is extremely diverse. And I love that. It’s diverse in so many different ways- race, age, politics, walk of life. I definitely missed that living in the Northwest the past few years. It also happens to be one of the most segregated cities I’ve come to know, but I love that it gives me an opportunity to connect people who might not otherwise interact.

Got to spend an afternoon in City Heights to get oriented for a volunteer opportunity. I love this neighborhood in a way many in San Diego miss out on. The diversity. Lots of life. A bit of an edge too, of course, but I need to be connected to that.

#116 Dreaming & Dinner

26 April 2017 // San Diego, California

I love having Chris and Katie over to talk about big dreams we have and the most generous, joyful people we know… and how to help develop more people like them!

No doubt, getting to reconnect has been a big perk of coming back to San Diego.

#117 Salt & Pepper Chips

27 April 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 13: Homemade chips are far and away better than the packaged stuff. I remember trying homemade chips for the first time as a twelve year old and being totally amazed that chips could actually taste that good. I decided that it wouldn’t be too hard to make a batch.

The results: Salt and pepper are my favorite chip flavors, usually, so I figured I’d keep it simple and go with those, plus just a bit of chopped parsley. I loved the chips and wouldn’t have changed much. They paired perfectly with the Modern Times guava gose we ended up eating them with.

#118 Creative Mornings: Beyond

28 April 2017 // San Diego, California

This was such a fun way to start off a workday– I finally got to attend a Creative Mornings San Diego Meetup, something that’s been on my radar for quite a while.

I had a blast getting to meet all the other creatives working locally over communal coffee and doughnuts, plus Kirstie and I totally got free headshots from Shuttershock/Stacy Keck.

I will definitely keep coming back!

#119 Liberty Market Time

29 April 2017 // San Diego, California

Sinking our teeth into an alfajor at Liberty Public Market’s Paraná and getting all nostalgic for that Argentine life.

One of the most dangerous bits of temptation is a subtle one- it’s to accept life as a casual occurrence instead of a miracle. It’s to eat simply because it’s lunch time, without taking in the flavors. It’s to look at a sunset with a list of chores stuck in your head. It’s to jump into new days without the awareness that each one is a temporary, wonderful gift.

Stay on the lookout for this temptation, and resist it with a few deep breaths and a pause for wonder.

#120 Dog + Nephew + Pool

30 April 2017 // Bakersfield, California

Dog plus nephew plus swimming pool equals a real good time.

It’s not quite summer… but it’s been feeling more and more like it lately, and I’m totally okay with that.