Salt Fat Acid Heat

Have you read the mega-cookbook Salt Fat Acid Heat?  Truthfully, I checked this book out from the library and found it a bit daunting.  It's packed with useful tips, tricks, and information to understand and master the art of cooking, using the four essential elements of food; salt, fat, acid, and heat.  But...it is extremely text and science heavy, which was too much for me to digest.

However, the Netflix original TV show of the same name was much more my speed!  Samin Nosrat travels the globe in search of flavor, and her travels and culinary adventures are a joy to watch.  Plus, it's only four episodes, so a quick binge.  One episode for each element.  Salt. Fat. Acid. Heat.  Check out this preview below.

Sex Education

When I initially saw the ad for the new Netflix original series, Sex Education pop up on my Netflix

feed, my knee-jerk reaction was, nah, no thanks.  Another high school show?  Really?

However, my tune changed after a close friend suggested I at least watch the two minute trailer, and give the show a chance.  This I did, and now I am recommending this show to friends and family alike in droves.  

Here's my quick synopsis.  Set in a high school in England, Otis, the main character is an awkward, sexually inexperienced boy on the outskirts of the school's social scene.  He virtually moves through his day unnoticed by most peers.  He lives with his Jean, a single mom, and successful sex therapist who is forward thinking, progressive, and very open with her son regarding dialogue about topics surrounding sex.  Otis' world mainly consists of his mom and his best friend Eric, a dynamic, energetic, openly gay kid, the only son in an immigrant family among four sisters, who while loved by his parents struggles to have them fully understand and accept his gender identity and is personal choices.  

The story takes off when Otis is unfortunately paired on an after school project with the school's bully (and headmaster's son), Adam.  After Adam exposes Otis' mom's professional life online, to unfettered ridicule and embarassment, a string of unforeseen circumstances lead Otis and mystery-girl Maeve to stumble upon Adam in an embarrassing situation, the tides having turned.  Otis, being the kind, affable teenager that he is, offers to help Adam, offering words of advice which Adam takes to heart and subscribes to.  

Maeve, who is essentially orphaned and struggling to survive on her own, sees the potential in Otis and capitalizes on this moment, suggested he provide similar sex advice to other kids in the school, charging a small fee, making this a lucrative operation for both of them.

The show is explicit, NOT little kid-friendly in the slightest - please be aware...there's nudity, explicit language, and many sexual topics covered. On the flip side, it is also incredibly heartfelt, with moments that inspire laugher and tears.  The music is spot on, and the storylines have elements of truth, humor, and believability.  I like that is is a window into high school life, highlighting that no matter where you are in the social hierarchy, everyone struggles with something, whether that be insecurity, pressure, challenges, or navigating touchy topics with parents.  

I laughed and I cried, and highly recommend!  (Truth be told, I've have already rewatched the series twice!).

Somebody Feed Phil

Have you seen Somebody Feed Phil?  It's a Netflix original series that originally began as "I'll Have What Phil's Having" on PBS, but got picked up an renewed via Netflix.  Always a sucker for a good travel show, then throw in a focus on food, and I'm sold!

The host, Phil Rosenthal is a Los Angeles based TV writer, best known for his work writing Everybody Loves Raymond.  He's not your typical travel host - he's quirky, eccentric, but an affable and lovable host who seems to truly connect with the people he meets abroad.  In the show, he travels all over the world, interacting with famous chefs, partaking in culinary traditions and regional cuisines and activities, all the while peppering the show with a slough of eye popping facial expressions.  While he's no Anthony Bourdain, he does bring a certain sentimentality to traveling.  

My husband and I love this show and save it to watch together.  Favorite episodes include Copenhagen (hands down), then Bangkok, Tel Aviv, Lisbon, Dublin, and Venice.  I love shows like this, they give me inspiration for all the places to see someday!

Have you watched it?  If so, what do you think?

Atypical

I've found that a key marker of a good book is one where eager anticipation of what is to come supersedes schedules, priorities, and healthy sleep habits.  This may also the marker of a good TV show.  One where you are itching to find out what happens next, wide awake despite the late hour, and feel paralyzed when the screen casually rolls into the next episode and you agreeably, willingly follow along.

This is Atypical.  While I was sad that it was only 8 episodes, this show is well rounded, and on the whole, an insightful and heartwarming comedy about one individual's life in high school with autism. Meet Sam Gardner, a quirky, Antarctic obsessed high school senior with high functioning autism.  The show invites us into Sam's little world, giving the viewer insight into how he thinks, what he feels, and how certain situations downright frustrate him and why. In addition to navigating the daily challenges of high school life, Sam triumphantly decides that he is ready to start dating and acquire a girlfriend.  However, this turns out more challenging than his research suggests, and Sam finds himself completely unequipped and perplexed on how to date.

The cast is excellent, Bridgette Lundy-Paine shines as Sam's blunt, often abrasive younger sister Casey, who is equally annoyed and protective of her older brother.  Sam's dad, Doug, is earnest, frank, and likable.  As the show develops, we learn how he's struggled to connect meaningfully with his son, having attempted many times, only to be rebuffed as his efforts - while genuine - did not resonate with Sam. As the show unfolds, they soon turn a corner as Sam begins to see his dad as the most suitable candidate to dole out advice on how to get a girlfriend.  With this shift of parental involvement and trust, Sam's mom, Elsa, (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, my least favorite character in the series) finds herself in the throws of a mid-life crisis as she struggles to understand her identity apart from being Sam's advocate and mom.  The cast is well rounded with strong supporting characters such as Sam's friend Zahid, his friend and co-worker at the electronics store is ever present with string of cheesy one-liners and sage advice to pick up girls.  Also likable is Casey's persistent friend turned love interest, Evan, who wears her down with his affable, stoner charm.

While I recognize that this show doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what it is like to live with autism, I think it's a good place to begin a dialogue about autism and educate oneself.  Having worked in the public school system as a paraeducator and teacher for many years, I myself have taught many students on the autism spectrum,  and while it is important to note that while no two students with autism are the same, I recognize attributes, language, and mannerisms of former students in Sam.  I was pleasantly surprised at how heartwarming the story is, while being sensitive to the challenges that may come with parenting, and being a friend, and sibling to a child with atypical needs.  

If you haven't yet, go check out Atypical.  It's worth a watch!

This post is part of my partnership with Netflix where I share what my family and I are watching each month on our favorite streaming platform. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  #StreamTeam

image/netflix

Documentary Pick: Find Me

I find myself watching a lot of documentaries these days, a genre I never had much interest in before becoming a parent.  Perhaps it's just that now movies garnering less press or fanfare are simply more accessible with streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, among others.

I recently read about the documentary, Find Me on another blog, and my husband and I watched it last night.  It's a film about the varying aspects of Chinese adoption, including three families who have adopted children from China, as well as the foster families who cared for the children, after they were found and placed in orphanages.

One of the concepts focused on in the film is a child's "finding place."  Literally, the location or address where they were surrendered and "found," before being placed in an orphanage.  As I learned, a finding place can have tremendous significance for the family adopting, to actually touch the ground where their now child was surrendered, some commonly abandoned for medical or health related reasons, for example the family being unable to provide adequate care or fund necessary treatments.  

Another aspect of the film focused on the "find me," aspect, how social media is helping many children find families who would otherwise be at risk of aging out of the Chinese orphanage system.  

Ultimately, this film resonated with me in many ways.  One of my close high school friends was adopted from Korea, and I grew up with several friends with younger siblings that were adopted internationally.  I feel humbled and ignorant now, recognizing how little I knew about that experience and what an emotional, transformative journey it likely was for their families.  

On a personal level, while not an adoption persay, my grandfather was an orphan, left on the steps of the New York Foundling Hospital when he was just days old.  He and his younger sister (who were identified as related by handwritten note left upon surrender) bounced through twelve foster homes by the time my grandfather was nine.  Inevitably, they did not find a forever family, and he ran away at sixteen, though he likely would have aged out of the system. 

This film is about the human experience, and it's heartbreaking and both heartwarming in many ways.  Regardless of your position on the subject, I'd recommend this film.  Find Me was a glimpse at a whole world I was not aware of, and has given me with a lot to think about.  

Here is a link to a trailer for the film, as well as another film testimonial by blogger, Shay Shull, who adopted from the same Xi'an, China orphanage in the film. 

This post is part of my partnership with Netflix where I share what my family and I are watching each month on our favorite streaming platform. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  #StreamTeam

image/netflix

Master of None in Italy

My husband and I just finished binge watching the second season of Aziz Ansari's Master of None.  While I enjoyed the first season for its refreshing candor, this season is by far my favorite.  First the first episode debuts in Modena, Italy, following an ever enthusiastic Dev throughout Italy on his pasta pilgrimage.  While planning imaginary vacations to all corners of the globe that I one day dream to visit, I often forget about the loveliness and warmth of Italy until I see it onscreen.  Now after living vicariously through Dev and Arnold's Italian escapades, I'm itching to get back there.  And rewatching my favorite movies set in Italy in the meantime to get a fix...Under the Tuscan Sun and Only You to name a few.

This season follows Dev on his pasta internship, where we meet the lovely Francesca (Alessandra Mastronardi) who is a delight to watch, magnetic and captivating in her own right. Then of course, fan favorite Arnold joins Dev in Italy where they embark on a series of hilarious adventures, navigating narrow Italian roads in a too-small-for-Arnold car, biking through Tuscan hilltowns, and dining at the famous Osteria Francescana (home to famous chef Mossimo Bottura of Chef's Table Season 1).  

Perhaps my favorite scene of the entire season is a charming scene between Dev and Francesca, features this catchy Italian song, Guarda Come Dondolo (surprisingly not featured on the Season 2 soundtrack).  I've since downloaded the track from iTunes and have spent many replays dancing alongside my kids to it.   Ahh...it's so lively and fun, you just can't help but dance and twist along - I love it so much!

If you want to explore more of Master of None in Italy, follow along with this Master of None guide to Italy.  And if you haven't started Season 2 yet, this is your nudge to partake!

This post is part of my partnership with Netflix where I share what my family and I are watching each month on our favorite streaming platform. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  #StreamTeam

Anne of Green Gables

Have you heard?  A remake of Anne of Green Gables will be available this month on Netflix!  I read and loved the first few books as a kid, but wasn't a huge fan of adapted movie or TV mini series.  Hence, I am excited to see if this does the books justice!  Here's a preview, the trailer looks promising and the setting verdant and wild.

What do you think?  Will you watch?

This post is part of my partnership with Netflix where I share what my family and I are watching each month on our favorite streaming platform. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  #StreamTeam

Embracing Minimalism

Ever watch a movie you find yourself thinking about days after the fact?  Recently, for me, that movie was Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things, streaming on Netflix.  Always a fan of a worthy documentary, I initially heard about this movie on one of my favorite DIY podcasts of all places, Young House Love Has A Podcast. 

Let me back track a bit...first off, initially I was skeptical.  Could a documentary on minimalism keep my interest for 79 minutes?  I mean, come on, I'm definitely not a minimalist, I like my stuff.  I shop online.  I know the thrill of a delightful find at Target.  I cultivate clutter...  And as it turns out, yes.  It was eye opening, and enlightening. And as I now know, minimalism goes far beyond the reaches of just 'stuff.'  

Ever bought something simply because it was on sale?  Or feel the need to shop online simply because you received a coupon code in your email?  Fall victim to the algorithms that put items you've previously searched into pockets of space in your social media feed?  If you've said yes to any of these (as I have), then this documentary might resonate with you. 

"We spend so much time on the hunt.  But nothing ever quite does it for us.  And, we get so wrapped up in the hunt, that it kind of makes us miserable." - Dan Harris 

The film begins with the story of Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, and a series of interviews with others, who like them have embraced the concepts of minimalism in their daily lives.  Take Dan Harris, an ABC news reporter whose panic attack on live TV caused him to take a hard look and reevaluate how he was living his life. He shifted his mindset, took up meditation, wrote a book, and has never looked back, all because of choosing less instead of more.  Embracing minimalism. 

"What meditation can help you do is figure out when you cross the line between what I call constructive anguish and useless rumination. And so on the 17th time that I’m worrying about all the awful consequences of whether I’m going to make a flight, I’ve learned to ask myself: “Is it useful?” And often I’m able to cut myself off before I go down the rat hole of rumination and resentment." - Dan Harris

So why did this documentary strike a chord with me?  Because I think in a lot of ways it is so true.  Our culture has hard wired us to constantly feel hungry, empty, fueling this urge to spend, spend, spend.  Bottom line, this movie is worth a watch.  And if you're feeling extra ambitious and want to kick up this Minimalism streak, might want to pick up Dan Harris' book 10% Happier too.  

This post is part of my partnership with Netflix where I share what my family and I are watching each month on our favorite streaming platform. #StreamTeam

image via theminimalists