InspireNow with Tamy - The Power to Choose

It has been a couple of emotionally powerful weeks for our family. As you all read about Lauren and Eric's trip abroad complete with earthquake and a very real Tsunami scare, I experienced a 4:00am wake up call from my beautiful daughter who was in Phuket, running and telling me she loved me. This tested every bit of strength I was gifted with in this life. I found myself walking in circles thinking the worst. I had to shake myself from going to a negative place. No matter what happens we all have the power within ourselves to shift our thoughts. I actively made myself focus on positive scenarios, to assist her and Eric, instead of contributing to the rising fear. I focused on a positive visual of Lauren and Eric in the Keys with our entire family together. We were all laughing around the dinner table enjoying a delicious meal that Eric had just whipped up. Over and over during the six hour time period until we knew they were out of the woods I would coax my mind back to a positive place.

The power to choose is ours in every situation. As I write this post I am in the Keys at my father's magical home on the ocean. He has been very recently diagnosed with lung cancer. I choose now to see all the gifts my father has bestowed on me and my wonderful daughters. I was talking to my husband, Bob, about Lauren and Eric's recent adventure and said that the gift of wonder and excitement for exploring the world comes from my father. He is a soulful man who loves to sail the ocean and has always had such wonder for life. My father would take me beach combing in the eye of a storm. His outlook was put on a rain jacket, we are going exploring. He never held me back or put fear in me but instead gave me a sense of go forth and see the world. And that sense has been passed on to all my girls -- you see it in their eyes. Thank you Dad for the gift of wonderment of the world which shines brightly in all of us.

Paradise Found: Naka Island, Phuket

The first stop of our Thailand vacation was a small island in the Andaman Sea off of Phuket called Naka Yai island. The hotel, a Luxury Collection property, was formerly a Six Senses and everything about it was eco-luxury. The island was reached by ferry and there were no cars. The resort was comprised of villas with phenomenal views of Phang Nga Bay (James Bond island). All of the villas are adobe style and embody minimalistic Thai decor. http://www.nakaislandphuket.com/

Here we enjoyed the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. One of the big highlights was a day trip to Ko Phi Phi (where the movie The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed). This was the perfect destination to begin our trip.

Ko Phi Phi

 

Naka Island

The amazing spa at Naka Island

Morning yoga in our villa

Perfect Sunday Snack: Shrimp Shumai

My husband is beyond amazing. He has so many talents, passions and interests and lucky for me one of them is cooking! The kitchen is a place where my skills are lacking. I can set a beautiful table (thank you mom) but when it comes to cooking I always feel overwhelmed. I am trying to become more comfortable in the kitchen so have been cooking some of my husband's specialities with him. This weekend we were catching up on sleep (still off from our Thailand trip) and after a food shop at Eataly http://eatalyny.com/ (our favorite neighborhood spot) we decided to whip up one of my husband's favorite dishes, shrimp shumai. He is the best teacher!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Calories: 63 per piece

Ingredients
Filling:
- 2/3 pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined

• - 2/3 pound ground pork
• - 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
• - 2 tablespoons scallions
• - 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro leaves
• - 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
• - 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
• - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• - Couple dashes of chili oil
• - 1 egg white
• - Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• - 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• - 1/2 lemon, juiced
• Other:
• - 1 (10-ounce) package round wonton wrappers (about 40 to 50   
•   wrappers per package) - you can purchase at any Asian specialty    
•   market
• - Savoy cabbage, for lining the steamer
• Dipping Sauce:
• - Quarter cup soy sauce
• - Tablespoon of sesame oil
• - Teaspoon of chili oil
• - Chopped scallions
• - 1/2 teaspoon sugar or honey
• 
  
• Step I: Make the Filling

Combine the shrimp, pork, ginger, cilantro, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions, chili oil and egg whites in a food processor. 

Season with salt and pepper, add the corn starch and lemon juice and pulse to combine.

Step II: Place Filling in Dumpling Wrappers

First hold a wonton wrapper in the palm of your hand. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the filling into the center of the wrapper.

Dip your finger in water and dampen the circumference of the wrapper before beginning to fold - this makes it stick.

Take both sides of the dumpling and bring to the center then fold and pinch.

To make shumai gather the edges of the wrapper up around the filling and squeeze the sides together with your fingers forming a little pleated cup. 

                    

Step III: Steam

Line the bottom of a bamboo steamer with cabbage leaves so the dumplings don't stick. Bring about 2 inches of water to a boil in a wok. Set the bamboo steamer in the wok, cover it with the bamboo lid and steam until the dumplings feel firm, 10 to 12 minutes. 

Garnish with green onion and serve from the bamboo holder.

Bon Appetite!!!

Do Good, Receive Good

While in Siem Reap we toured the temples of Angkor. Bayon temple left a lasting impression. The temple features 216 giant Buddha faces some with large smiles. The faces are serene, calming and create an environment that triggers personal reflection. 

Being in a place where 90% of the population is Buddhist sparked my curiosity. I asked our friendly and super chatty tour guide, Jzudy, what is the guiding principle in Buddhism? His reply was "do good, receive good; do bad, receive bad." His answer was simple but had such profound depth to it. Buddhism calls for people to be deeply aware of their thoughts, actions and the importance of being mindful in everything they do.

Montauk on My Mind

Since returning from Thailand/Cambodia my mind has been stuck in vacation mode. The nice weather is making it hard for me to contain my excitement for weekend trips to Montauk.

Montauk on My Mind by ldewind featuring Scotch & Soda

Favorite spots:
- Surf Lodge (daytime cocktails) http://thesurflodge.com/
- Sole East http://www.soleeast.com/
- Ruschmeyer's http://www.kingandgrove.com/
- Montauk Beach House (expected to open this summer where 
  Ronjo Hotel was)
- Sloppy Tuna http://www.thesloppytuna.com/
- Gurney's (Day & Night brunch) http://gurneysinn.com/
- Zum Schneider MTK (bierhaus opening this summer) 
- Liar's Saloon (Friday night karaoke)
Restaurants:
- Navy Beach (delicious lobster roll)
  http://navybeach.com/restaurant/
- Harvest on the Pond http://harvest2000.com/hfp/
- Dave's Grill http://davesgrill.com/
Pictures from last summer:

InspireNow with Tamy - Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Here is a very powerful, fun way to transform yourself. Studies have recently shown that people who were told to smile in the mirror daily improved their depression more than those on anti-depressants. 

I have always used this with my beautiful daughters, friends and myself. Every morning look in the mirror and give yourself a complement. Say something like, "Damn girl you are HOT, you are beautiful, you are smart, I am a magnet for all good things!" Make positive statements on whatever makes you feel good or areas you feel need a boost. Practice this starting in the morning when you brush your teeth, throughout the day anytime you walk by a mirror and before bed. Try this and I promise you will notice a change!