Worthy Read: Unbroken

Laura Hillenbrand is a literary master at writing non-fiction. She has a niche for taking a true story and making it read like fiction. The only downfall is I wish she could pump out books one right after another just as many fiction authors do. Laura obviously puts a staggering amount of time and effort into her research, then fuses her knowledge of her subject with her storytelling skills, resulting in captivating books that keep you engrossed.

I read Laura's first book, Seabiscuit, published in 2001, shortly after seeing the movie in 2003. I am a lover of all things equine, which was the main factor that influenced me to pick up the book in the first place. The story of the legendary racehorse and the people whose lives were committed to the horse's journey to success, was impeccably told. 

Laura Hillenbrand

When I recently found out that Laura was publishing her second book, Unbroken, I was extremely excited! It was worth the wait. Although the subject matter of Unbroken is dramatically different than that of Seabiscuit, one thing remains the same. Just as Seabiscuit had been impossible to put down, I found myself devouring Unbroken. I was captivated once again by Laura's ability to write narrative history. 

Unbroken, A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, is so much more than a book about WWII. It is the heart-wrenching, inspiring story of a man, Louis Zamperini. Louie's life experiences are an astounding example of what a human being is capable of enduring and achieving against all odds. 

In Unbroken, we learn about Louie's character and personality beginning with his childhood. As he grows into adulthood, Louis transitions from a trouble-maker into a young man with goals. He develops an interest in track and his ambition drives him to the point of becoming a U.S. Olympian. 

Louis Zamperini training for the Olympics, 1940

Unable to continue to pursue his passion for running, duty calls. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, Louie finds himself trading in his track-suit for an Air-force uniform. In 1943, the B-24, The Green Hornet, crashes into the Pacific Ocean along with it's crew, including bombardier Louis Zamperini. This catastrophe is the beginning of a chain of events that will test Louie's will to live, and test his dignity beyond what any human should have to endure. 

Louis Zamperini,

You do not have to be a sports fan of track & field, or a WWII buff to read this book. You simply have to appreciate an amazing story portrayed with ease by a talented author.

The Best Indie Music of 2011 (seventh installment)

Still plugging away at my Best Indie Music of 2011 list...
Enjoy!

Slow Club

Album: Paradise, released September, 2011

Another indie folk-pop duo, based in Sheffield, England, is made up of Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor. A fun fact about them is their creative use of inanimate objects as percussion instruments, such as glass bottles filled with water, and a wooden spoon used on the back of a wooden chair. Blue Man Group beware!

Typhoon

Album: New Kind of House, released March, 2011

Typhoon originated in Salem, Oregon, but is currently based in Portland, Oregon. Their multi-instrumental folk-rock sound and performance style reminds me a lot of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. "The group masterfully combines indie rock instrumentals and vocals with violins, percussion, hand claps, xylophone, horns and a choir of other instruments, making for inspiring and catchy songs." - Lauren Rosenthal -My Spoonful. They often perform with as many as 10 to 14 people on stage at once. The track Summer Home is one of my favorite songs of the year.

 

^{The Heavenly States}

^{Album: Oui Camera Oui, released April, 2011}

^{Based in California, the four-piece Heavenly States is made up of husband and wife team, Ted Nesseth and Genevievie Gagon, Genevieve's brother Jeremy Gagon, and Masanori Mark Christianson. Ted, being left-handed, taught himself to play a right-handed guitar upside down and backwards. They offer a creative blend of pop, rock, alt-country and folk. They have toured internationally in Australia, the U.K., Egypt, and were the first rock band to perform in Libya.} 

^{Nurses
Album: Dracula, released September, 2011}

^{Psychedelic pop claims gigabytes on my i-pod because of bands like Portland, Oregon's Nurses. This trio,}

Aaron Chapman, John Bowers, and James Mitchell, has a unique sound all their own. Chapman's idiosyncratic vocals set them apart from others in the genre. 

  

M83

Album: Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, released October, 2011

The name M83 is derived from a spiral galaxy, Messier 83. This indietronic band is from Antibes, France. The 2-disc album, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming was was produced by Beck and Nine Inch Nails bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen.

Sóley

Album: We Sink, released, September, 2011

Sóley's sound is very theatrical and has been described as, "sweet and weird at the same time." She studied composition and is passionate about playing piano. Sóley is the name of a beautiful yellow wildflower in Iceland, where she resides.

 

 Notable mentions: 

Active Child, Album: You Are All I See, released August, 2011

The Barr Brothers, Album: s/t, released Sept, 2011

Class Actress, Album: Rapproacher, released Oct, 2011

To listen to my Best Indie Music Of 2011 Playlist, click here: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/2011+Indie+Best+Of/52460159

Corinne's Kitchen: Stretching Fresh Herbs

I HATE throwing food in the garbage! It's a personal pet-peeve of mine! After a major grocery shopping trip, I pride myself on managing the perishables, as not to waste any. I make sure to first prepare meals using up fresh produce that has a short fridge life, before making meals that I can "put on the back-burner" until later... meals that require mostly canned goods, frozen ingredients, and other non-perishables.

Fresh herbs are my nemesis. It often seems that when I purchase fresh herbs, a recipe only calls for a small portion, allowing the remaining herbs to go bad in the crisper drawer. Large bunches of fresh cilantro and parsley are particularly challenging.

Recently, I purchased both a bunch of fresh cilantro, and a bunch of fresh parsley at once. My goal was to use up every last tidbit! I carefully chose three recipes in which to successfully utilize all of my herbs. I was generous with the herbs to make sure to use them all.

Green Chile Posole With Black Beans

serves 8

  posole; pozole
[poh-SOH-leh]
A thick, hearty soup usually eaten as a main course. It consists of pork (sometimes chicken) meat and broth, hominy, onion, garlic, dried chiles, and cilantro. It's usually served with chopped lettuce, radishes, onions, cheese and cilantro, which diners can add to the soup as they please. Posole originated in Jalisco, in the middle of Mexico's Pacific Coast region, and is traditionally served at Christmastime. (This particular recipe is from Everyday Food Magazine, and it swaps the meat for black beans, also a good source of protein .)

Ingredients:

• 1 poblano pepper
• 1/2 lb fresh tomatillos, husks removed
• 2 serrano chiles, stemmed, quartered, seeded
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup fresh baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 6 cups low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 (15oz) cans hominy, drained, rinsed
• 1 (15oz) can black beans, drained, rinsed
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• sea salt to taste
• grated Monterey Jack cheese for serving

Directions:

1. Broil poblano until charred, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper sack or zip-top plastic bag, close it tightly, and let steam 20 minutes. Rub poblano with paper towels to remove skin. Stem, seed, and place in a blender.
2. In a large pot of boiling water, cook tomatillos until soft, about 5 minutes; drain. Add tomatillos to blender, along with serranos, onion, garlic, cilantro, parsley, spinach, cumin, oregano, allspice, and 2 cups broth. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour tomatillo mixture into a large pot; stir in 4 cups broth, hominy, and black beans. Bring to a boil over high; reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, 45 minutes. To serve, stir in lime juice, season with salt, and sprinkle with cheese and cilantro.

Pasta And White Beans With Broccoli Pesto

serves 6

Another Everyday Food recipe. A magazine which I have been addicted to for years! I can never make all the recipes from the magazine I would like to, but I can't give up my subscription. I look forward to receiving it in my mailbox, curling up on the couch, paging through it, and folding down corners to mark the recipes I hope to one day try.

Ingredients: 

• 1 bunch of fresh broccoli, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
• 10 ounces of short pasta
• 5 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 oz Parmesan, finely grated (1/4 cup), plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon finely gratelemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 (15.5oz) can cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
• sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook broccoli until tender and bright green, about 4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer broccoli to a food processor. Return water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 2 cups pasta water; drain pasta and return to pot.
2. To food processor, add oil, Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, parsley, and garlic. Puree until smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping down side as needed. Transfer pesto to pot with pasta. Stir to coat, adding enough reserved pasta water to make a creamy sauce. Stir in beans and heat over medium until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper. To serve, sprinkle with Parmesan. 

Personal Note:

• I steamed my broccoli, it retains more nutrients than boiling. 

Chorizo Migas

serves 8

Migas, ("crumbs" in English), is a Spanish or Portuguese cuisine, in this case scrambled eggs with strips of tortillas.

Ingredients:

• 8oz chorizo, casings removed, chopped/crumbled
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 poblano peppers, chopped
• 1 T canola oil (optional)
• 6 (5-6 inch) corn tortillas, torn into bite size pieces
• 16 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
• fresh salsa and natural sour cream for serving

Directions:

1. Cook chorizo, onion, and peppers in large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chorizo is cooked and veggies are tender (6-9 minutes). Remove to a bowl with a slotted spoon.
2. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan; if there is no fat in the pan, add 1 tablespoon canola oil. Add the tortillas and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until beginning to brown and lightly crisp, (4 to 6 minutes).
3.  Meanwhile, whisk eggs, oregano, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Once the tortillas are browned, add the egg mixture and the reserved chorizo mixture to the pan; cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggs are set, (4 to 6 minutes). Remove from the heat and stir in cilantro. Serve with salsa, sour cream and more cilantro, if desired.

Indie Discoveries: Snowblink, Bloodgroup, Xylos

Snowblink

Snowblink is an indie folk band that originated in Toronto, Canada as a four-piece group. After relocating to California, they down-sized to a duo, Daniela Gesundheit and Dan Goldman. The songs on their recent album, Long Live, released in March of 2011, are very wholesome and earthy. A couple of the following videos were recorded outdoors among nature. Daniela even adorns her guitar with a set of antlers. This is definitely one of my favorite recent discoveries! I can't stop listening to Rut & Nuzzle, and when I'm not listening to it...it seems to be permanently fixed in my head.

Ambergris defined: A waxy grayish substance formed in the intestines of sperm whales and found floating at sea or washed ashore. It is added to perfumes to slow down the rate of evaporation.



Bloodgroup

Yet another brilliant group of musicians from Iceland! Bloodgroup's 2009 release, Dry Land, received rave reviews and is considered one of Iceland's most successful albums ever. They have put their own stamp on electronic music. I'm not sure if they have been in the studio, however they should be due for their third album soon, and I'm certain to be watching for it!

 

 

Xylos

From Ney York City, this pop band was featured by L Magazine as one of the "8 NYC Bands You Need to Hear" in 2009, after they released their first album, Bedrooms. Their s/t follow up album released last year in 2011.

 

Corinne's Kitchen: Cooking Healthy On A Budget

With today's economy and financial stresses, unfortunately, many of us have to live frugally at times. I, personally, hate cutting corners when it comes to what I eat. If I could, I'd shop at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's 100% of the time. Sadly, this is not my reality. Cooking is a passion of mine, as well as eating healthy. I decided to spend the past few weeks experimenting with preparing healthy meals on a budget. Another goal was to choose recipes that would feed my family of three not once, but multiple times, I'm a believer in leftovers! Here are a few of the recipes I have made that have passed the test.

Glorified Tomato Soup

serves 6-8

 I discovered this recipe in one of my Whole Living magazines. It is officially called White Bean and Mushroom Stew, but I like to call it a "Glorified Tomato Soup" because, frankly, that's what it tastes like. It is quite a hearty soup and is very filling.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 (28oz) can whole tomatoes, pureed in a blender
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 2 cups cooked white beans (equivalent to one 16-ounce can), drained
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion, celery, and carrot until tender, about 8 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add mushrooms, and cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
   
2. Deglaze with wine, scraping up any brown bits with a wooden spoon.
   
3. Add tomatoes, rosemary, beans, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
   
   *Personal Notes:
   
   • I substituted dried rosemary for the fresh, it was in my pantry and eliminated an additional purchase from the grocery store. I used roughly 1/2 teaspoon or so. 
   •  If possible, purchase jarred tomatoes instead of canned (although this is not always possible, depending upon where you shop). Tomatoes are naturally acidic and eat away at the lining of the cans, which contain BPA (bisphenol-A), a synthetic estrogen that may be harmful. The BPA's leach into the tomatoes. Another option is pureed fresh tomatoes. Also, choose sodium free or low sodium canned tomatoes when possible.
   • I purchased pureed tomatoes instead of whole to eliminate the blender step.
   • Serve with toasted whole grain baguette or favorite bread, lightly drizzled with olive oil. I chose a spicy cheese bread from a local bakery.  
   
   
   
   
   Hawaiian Tortilla Pizzas
   serves 8-10
   
   This is my own concoction. I've been making tortilla pizzas, using various ingredients, for some time. I appreciate the thin, crispy crust you get from the tortillas, and skipping the additional carbs that classic pizza dough packs on.
   
   
   Ingredients
   

   • one package of large tortillas (8 to 10 count)
   • one 32.5oz jar marinara sauce
   • one 8oz package natural nitrate/preservative free deli ham, chopped
   • one can pineapple tidbits in juice, drained (save juice for another use)
   • one bunch fresh scallions, chopped

    Directions

   1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
   2. On large cookie sheets, lay out the tortillas.
   3. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on each tortilla.
   4. Sprinkle ham, pineapple, and scallions evenly over tortillas.
   5. Bake about 7 minutes, or until tortillas are nicely crisp (keep an eye on the tortilla pizzas, they don't take long).

   *Personal Notes:

   • Choose healthy tortilla options, such as whole grain.
   •  Choose low sodium or sodium free marinara sauce. You likely won't use the entire jar of marinara sauce. I like to buy large jars and keep them in the fridge for future use.
   • You may vouch for fresh pineapple, or even frozen, however canned is usually less expensive. Choose canned pineapple in it's own juice rather than syrup. The syrup adds unnecessary additional sugar.
   •  One tortilla pizza sliced into quarters usually is a sufficient meal for one person.
   •  I like to prepare only enough tortilla pizzas that my family will eat in one sitting (typically 3). Leftover tortilla pizzas tend to get soggy in the fridge. I make a new batch each time we eat them. If you make them all at once, you may have to do them in batches, depending upon your cookie sheet/oven size.
   • I love to make tortilla pizzas using whatever ingredients I have on hand, leftover shredded chicken, mushrooms, spinach, etc. Use your imagination!

   
   
   

   Tuna Melts With Avocado

   serves 8

   This delicious nutritious recipe is from Cooking Light magazine, which I tweaked ever so slightly. I wasn't sure what to expect with the unusual combination of ingredients, however, it was fabulous! Tuna and avocado are a match made in heaven!

   
   

   Ingredients:

   • 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
   • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced onion
   • 1 tablespoon Dijon or brown mustard
   • sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
   • 1 (6oz) can tuna in water, drained and flaked 
   • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
   • 1 avocado, skinned, pitted, and chopped
   • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
   • 1/3 cup shredded Swiss cheese
   • 1 (8 count) package whole grain deli rolls, halved

   
   
   Directions:
   

   1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
   2. Toast whole grain roll halves in toaster and lay out cut side up on a cookie sheet.
   3. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring well to combine.
   4. In a seperate bowl, combine lemon juice and avocado.
   5. Add avocado mixture and tomatoes to the tuna mixture, gently mix until combined.
   6. Spread even amounts of tuna avocado mixture over each whole grain roll half.
   7. Sprinkle cheese evenly over each tuna topped roll.
   8. Bake approximately 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

   
   
   
   

   Chili with Chipotle and Chocolate

   serves 8-10

   

   Another recipe from Cooking Light magazine, this is quite possibly the best chili I have ever made, the best I've ever tasted! It is the perfect amount of spiciness. Once again, I made a few subtle changes to this recipe.

   
   

   Ingredients:

   • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
   • 2 cups diced onion (about 1 large)
   • 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
   • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
   • 1 1/2 lbs lean ground turkey
   • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
   • 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
   • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
   • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
   • sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
   • 2 (15oz) cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
   • 2 (14.5oz) cans low sodium diced tomatoes, drained
   • 1 (14oz) can low sodium chicken broth
   • 2 chipotle chiles, canned in adobo sauce, minced
   • 2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
   • 1 cup natural sour cream
   • chopped scallions for garnish (optional)

   
    Directions:
   

   1. Heat olive oil over med-high heat in a large pot or dutch oven.
   2. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, and turkey to pot and saute' about 8 minutes or until turkey is browned and veggies are tender.
   3. Add sugar and next 8 ingredients (through chipotle) to pot, stirring to blend, bring to boil.
   4. Reduce heat, simmer, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
   5. Add chocolate to pot, stirring to melt.
   6. Ladle chili into bowls and serve with a dollop of sour cream and chopped scallions.

   
   *Personal Notes:
   

   • I opted for a green bell pepper instead of red since red peppers are more expensive.
   • If you don't like too spicy, opt for regular chili powder instead of ancho chile powder, or use one tablespoon each. 
   • I keep extra chipotle chiles in adobo in a jar in my fridge. I like to add a little of the adobo to the chili as well, it has a great smokey flavor.
   • You may also serve this chili with whole grain saltines, or toasted baguette or your favorite bread.

   
   
   
   

   
   

Indie Discoveries: TRUST

TRUST is by far my favorite discovery in the world of indie electronica since Röyksopp, and that, for me, is saying A LOT!  I'm actually quite obsessed, really. TRUST is an electro-dance side project brought to life by Austra's drummer Maya Postepski, who teamed up with Robert Alfons. The duo is based in Toronto, Canada, where the harsh winter of 2009 motivated them. Maya's song-writing for the project exudes melodrama, wistful desire, and erotica. There are only a few tracks available currently, however, the debut album, TRST, is set to launch on February 28th of this year. Definitely something for enthusiasts to look forward to!

The Best Indie Music of 2011 (sixth installment)

Indie music is an indulgence for me, I am a glutton. The 2011 list continues...
Enjoy!

The New Division

Album: Shadows, released September, 2011

John Kunkel resided in Uruguay for 18 years, then moved to southern California. Attending college, and inspired by bands such as Depeche Mode, John's experimentation with synthesizers evolved in his dorm room. He gradually drew attention and progressively compiled a band. I have a weakness for a man with a confident falsetto, which John delivers!

Lana Del Ray
Album: Born To Die, officially releases January, 2012

Okay, so I'm cheating a little here. Lana Del Rey's album, Born To Die, doesn't officially release until later this month. However, I've been listening to tracks from the album for several months already, and I can't wait until the end of the year to share this up-and-coming star! Sultry singer-songwriter Elizabeth Grant describes herself as "gansta Nancy Sinatra." Learn her stage name, Lana Del Rey, you will no doubt hear more of her as 2012 commences!

Patrick Wolf
Album: Lupercalia, released June, 2011

The eccentric, flamboyant Patrick Denis Apps is a creative musical genius. He is English-Irish in decent and resides in south London. He masterfully infuses electronic and classical.

The Dø
Album: Both Ways Open Jaws, released November, 2011

The Dø ("doh") is a French/Finnish indie pop band based in Paris and comprised of the duo Olivia Merilahti and Dan Levy.

Mates of State
Album: Mountaintops, released September, 2011

Currently residing in San Fransisco, CA, husband and wife duo, Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel, have been making beautiful music together since 1997. They both quit their day jobs (teacher and medical researcher) to focus on their music career while raising two children. So cute!

Bombay Bicycle Club
Album: A Different Kind of Fix, released September, 2011

Bombay Bicycle Club is named after an Indian restaurant chain in London, England, the home of this indie rock band. The lead vocal, Jack Steadman's voice is one-of-a-kind, very dulcet and mellow. Jack and drummer Suren de Saram began creating music together at the tender age of 15.

Notable mentions: 

Ohbijou, Album: Metal Meets, released September, 2011

St. Vincent, Album: Strange Mercy, released Sept, 2011

Gauntlet Hair, Album: s/t, released Oct, 2011

To listen to my Best Indie Music Of 2011 Playlist, click here: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/2011+Indie+Best+Of/52460159

Indie Discoveries: The Weeknd, The Kills, Bonjay, Tinariwen

The Weeknd

I'm picky about hip-hip and R&B music. However, listening to Echoes of Silence, The Weeknd's latest album, released December, 2011, I was pleasantly surprised, and even listened to it multiple times and downloaded a few tracks to my i-pod.

 

Toronto, Canada based, Ethiopian descendant, Abel Tesfaye, has been called the "best musical talent since Michael Jackson" by MTV's John Norris. Ironically, Abel includes a cover of Michael Jackson's Dirty Diana on Echoes Of Silence, and at moments you may actually believe you are indeed listening to the king of pop himself!

The Kills

I've been following this duo, American singer Alison Mosshart & British guitarist Jamie Hince, for a while. They just released a new video for the track The Last Goodbye, off their album, Blood Pressures, released in April, 2011. I decided the song deserved a re-listen! I'm fascinated with how much Alison reminds me of Helena Bonham Carter in this video, it must be the hair and the ghostly lighting. 

The Kills: The Last Goodbye on Nowness.com.

Bonjay

I just discovered this dance-hall duo from Toronto, Canada. Alanna Stuart takes charge with the mic, while Ian "Pho" Swain compiles and layers the beats. Their sound has a reggae/soul influence. Bonjay is Spice Island slang for “good god!”

Tinariwen

From nomad to "rock star" this band of Tuareg-Berber musicians formed in rebel training camps in Libya. Currently based in northern Mali in the Sahara desert, they have earned fans the likes of Robert Plant and Carlos Santana.