Control your Goals

One of my biggest downfalls is keeping up with myself; staying consistent with my weight and dieting, also managing my time so that I can do what I want to do for ME!

 It becomes so hard for me sometimes. I start off good and then just start slacking. If I miss one day at the gym, then more excuses start to follow and then I never make it. I have been paying $53 a month for a gym membership however haven't seen the gym in months, SMH!! Just sad! I have bought planners to keep organized, wrote down schedules for the way my days/ weeks should go, but nothing helped.

I'm lacking self control.

I told myself that once I came back from vacation last month I would stop drinking alcohol, GO TO THE GYM, stay on top of my schoolwork and finish my website. Tuh! NOTHING on that list has been done. I mean I am on top of my school work, Thank God! But My website (even though up and running) isn't complete because I have had a complete creative block. I want to do so much to give my site audience but I started feeling lost when coming on here. I was looking at the site so much it made me want to change the whole template all over again(which I ended up doing), its really hard when you have a vision and can't find a way to express it the way you would like. The site is coming along but its just taking a little longer than expected.

As for the gym, I have slacked because I started school and wanted my body to adjust to that schedule, and fit the gym in between school work and weekly catering orders. I am definitely going to get in the gym next week. Even if its for 2 days. I feel myself getting FATTER AND FATTER. From vacation binging to cupcakes to the Super Bowl treats, all I've been doing is eating and drinking. Food is so GOOD, I not only love creating it but I love eating as well. I am too short to be this heavy though, well at least for my liking. I am not yet ready to buy over a new wardrobe so I need to get it together! Diet and exercise go hand in hand so I think I'll start writing out my diet plan. Maybe I just start lent early and cut out meat, liquor and starch (which is what I cut out every year) from now. Or at least work my way into it. The diet plan may help me because my problem is not that I eat a lot, because I don't, it is the things I eat and the times I eat it. I've gone days where I would be so busy that I forget to eat and then night time comes and starvation takes me. By the time I'm done eating I really just want to shower and sleep. It is the life I have come accustomed to. 

My main goal for this year is to work on ME. When I look good, I feel good and when I feel good my life seems to be in order. Theres just a different air surrounding you when you feel at your best, when you step outside with your skin looking good, nice outfit on and your body just right or at least close to what you want to look like. That Confidence right there is everything, it exudes positive energy, attracts positive people and allows the things you're doing in your life to flow the way they should. I know for me it does.

Letter to myself:

Dear Simone,

     I know you've been struggling with some life changes but lets start here. Here is a list of goals for you to start with. Take your time accomplishing them but make sure you DO THEM ALL. Some of these goals may seem too big to reach now, its okay, work towards it and your vision will come to life. Make sure you do not overwhelm yourself so that you start making excuses again. Everyday is a new start of life. Wake up and pray and lets check these GOALS off the list! 

   GOALS

  1. Look your best at ALL times; EXERCISE even if its crunches in your bed, EAT CLEAN so that when you have a "cheat day" you wont feel too guilty (lol).                      
  2. TRAVEL A LOT; See the beauties of the world and EAT from every cuisine possible.

  3. Work on building your FRIENDSHIPS; Sometimes you let life takeover and become distant from those close to you, I know its not on purpose and theres no love lost but it happens. Do better in COMMUNICATING.

  4. Build a strong NETWORK; You've always dreamed of  a network of strong business minded individuals around you that you all can build and LIVE a life you don't need a vacation from. WORK towards it.

  5. Stay on top of your SCHOOLWORK; put your all into it so that you achieve STRAIGHT A'S

  6. Last but not least STAY CONSISTENT; Start small even if its drinking a cup of tea every morning and keep creating tasks weekly/ monthly that require consistency.

YOU CAN DO IT!

Best Wishes,     

Simone J.    

My Trip to the Isle of Spice; Grenada

From the moment I landed I was excited to finally be back on such a beautiful Island, MY beautiful Island. Both of my parents are from Grenada and as a child I would come here frequently. As I got a little older school and work became my priority and I wasn't able to visit as much. However, I did manage to make my way every few years. For the past 3 years, I have been fortunate to bring in the new year in Grenada with friends and family. This year I landed on Old Years day which didn't leave me much time to prepare for the all inclusive party I was attending that night. From the airport, my mother and I went to visit my grandmother and a close family friend then went home to shower and nap. Home being my stepfathers house in Woodlands, Grenada. 

Later that night some of my friends, family and I headed to Port Louis where Dj Puffy was playing and we set out to have a good time. We were late as usual so we walked in as the clock striked 12 and the fireworks were blasting off. The night was still young for us. As the music played and we danced, I had the Hennessy and Pineapple juice flowing. After all I was determined to get my money worth. The ambiance was nice even when we had to run for shelter in the rain for a short while. The rain didn't stop the party, people were dancing in the rain celebrating a new year of life. There were multiple bars set up throughout the venue; so the lines were short and also some young men selling food under a tent. Of course I had to taste the food. I bought jerk chicken and chips (Jerk chicken and french fries). It was really good. The spices were flowing through the chicken and the chips were good in itself although I added ketchup and hot sauce. Normally I like mustard on my chips as well but it wasn't available. 

Breakfast at Coconut Beach

Trying not to freeze my toes off (I am in the black dress) (Grand Anse Beach)

After we left Port Louis at 4:00 am we headed to Grand Anse beach to the after party. For the past 3 years I've been helping Aunty Pat, my moms best friend in her restaurant that she co-owns with her husband. Coconut Beach has the best New years breakfast party and normally lasts until the wee hours of the morning. Doors opened at 4:30am and people started pouring in. The menu consisted of freshly baked bread, sweet bread, salt fish souse, ham, fishcakes, green salad, provisions, fruit skewers, tania log and waters which is a broth seasoned with local ingredients, provisions and most times with fish. There was also a full bar, local juices, lemongrass tea and cocoa tea. As soon as I reached I was called into the kitchen for assistance. After helping chop some salad and serving several guests I finally was able to escape. I went to sit on the outside tables with friends where I continued to drink Hennessy as if it was my morning coffee. I went to wet my feet in the clear blue water but it was kind of cold. After a minute or so it warmed up and my body became accustom to it. 

Everyone continued to eat, drink and dance! It was a celebration. The sun came up and people started fading away slow. By 9:30am there was probably still about 20-25 of us left. Food was done, kitchen was cleaned and closed and most people were lingering outside and conversing in drunk talks. It was another successful year and as much as I enjoyed it I was still jet lagged and couldn't wait to go home and crash. Shortly after we finished closing up the resturant I went home and slept for the remainder of that day.

The rest of my trip was filled with much relaxation. I slept a lot the first week being there. Before my trip I was so overwhelmed with school, work and catering that I literally had no time to sleep. I used this time to catch up on much needed rest. I also worked on my website almost everyday of this trip. The Clear air was refreshing and a great workspace.

 As soon as I landed people of course kept asking me "So when you cooking?", "When you making me one of those cakes?" (in reference to the strawberry shortcake cheesecake I've been posting) and my only answer was "soon!" LOL! That first week I made 3 cheesecakes with the strawberry shortcake crumble and some Shrimp & Chicken Rasta Pasta. Everyone who was able made sure they came to get some. I actually enjoyed feeding them. I love cooking so anytime I get some new taste testers to give me feedback, I am glad. 

Lobster Thermidor w. Breadfruit Au Gratin and Freshly Squeezed Guava Juice

Other than hanging out with my amazing friends and family and drinking rum and a bunch of Stags (beer), I ate some good food. Every Thursday night we would head down to Coconut Beach Restaurant for $1 wings and lime there until closing. I always got the hot wings because I loved the spice. They were sooo good. I mean everything I tried here was pretty amazing. On this trip (because I frequent this restaurant on all my vacations here) I had the Lobster Thermidor, the Crab Cakes, Plantain Chips, and the Fish broth. All of which I would definitely order again. Another great place I would reccomend for some great food is Umbrellas Beach Bar. The service wasn't as great but the food and drinks definitely helps. Both times I came here on this trip I had the nachos because they were so good. The first time I had the Fish nachos and on my last day I had the Chili nachos. The trick to their nachos is not only that its bursting with great flavors but the chips are actually Doritos! Delicious! I also ate Jerk Chicken, Fried Chicken, Fish and Chips and much more from various local bars and food trucks. 

Crossroads/ Adelphi Waterfalls

One of my favorite memories on this trip was visiting Adelphi waterfalls. Last year my friends and I set out to find it however we got lost and never did. They went back 2 days later but unfortunately for me it was the day I was departing so all I got was pics. This year I was determined and we succeeded. It was BEAUTIFUL!! I literally would've stayed under that waterfall all day if possible. We set up a bar on some rocks under the waterfall, listened to music, took pics and just enjoyed the moment. It was freeing. It was beautiful and in that moment I didn't have a worry in my head. It was healing. 

I would advise anyone who goes to Grenada to go for at least 1-2 weeks because there is really so much sights to see and places to eat. Be sure to hit up Wall Street (location in the Grand Anse area) where theres a bunch of food trucks and a few restaurants/bars thats open late for people who are coming from fetes and need a bite to eat. You can go to club Bananas on a Tuesday where drink specials are 2 for 1. Be sure to see the multiple waterfalls, visit various restaurants and different beaches. I'm positive that you will enjoy it the way I do. And if you're up for a good time go in August for Carnival where you're ensured to have an AMAZING time.

Oh Sweet Grenada land of spice and everything nice, until next time... I Love You!

What is your favorite food/cuisine?

Some of My Famous Lasagna

My first pick will always be anything shrimp, pizza or pasta. Not sure if I can pick just one. I just love them all! I remember being on lent one year; fasting from meat, rice, liquor and pasta then going to a baby shower and being tempted. For hours I debated if I should dig into the lasagna or not. The lasagna won. I prayed to God for forgiveness and indulged. It looked so good, afterwards I was disappointed in myself because it wasn't as good as I thought it would have been. Or maybe it was because I knew I shouldn't haven't eaten it. I don't know but I just couldn't help myself. The thought of the pasta, marinara sauce and the hot melted gooey cheeses, yuummmm!! I'm getting hungry for some pasta now just talking about it. LOL

-Chef Simmi