Disqus - Latest Comments for alosha7777

Re: ‘Doctor Who': 10 Things You May Not Know About ‘Heaven Sent’

Melissa — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:54:00 -0000

You say he rarely punches anything or anyone, and that's true, but Nine punched the guard in Bad Wolf, when he and Jack and Lynda got out of their holding cell. Much more physical, that Nine. ;)

Re: Ode to Wine (...and it's not what you think)

Melissa — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 14:15:53 -0000

I feel like our drunk lives were very similar, Laura.

I too sometimes think I could have one again, but I force myself to remember why I never want to take that gamble. I've been drunk a few thousand times, blacked out a few hundred at least. Enough for a lifetime. I know many people think after XX number of years that maybe moderation is possible. And then one drink turns into ten and they are right back where they were. Am I so full of myself to think I will be one of the only success stories in all of alcoholic history? No way. I am not that special. And taking the risk isn't worth it.

Re: What AA Taught Me — the sobriety collective

Melissa — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 11:15:25 -0000

Laura, I would be happy to do that, if you can give me a few weeks. I am buried at work through the end of June and it's not leaving me much leftover mental energy for writing and social media. But if you can wait, that would be wonderful. Please feel free to email me at alosha7777@gmail.com and we can coordinate. :)

Re: What AA Taught Me — the sobriety collective

Melissa — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:42:18 -0000

This is a fantastic article.

I grew up in/around the rooms, as my dad became a member of AA and mom a member of Alanon in 1970 (I was born in 1975) and we spent our lives as a "program" family. When I first got sober, I went to AA for the first month or so. I figured it would be familiar and comforting - and it was, briefly. But then it wasn't. I realized pretty quickly that it wasn't what I wanted or needed. I left and never regretted it.

I still hold dear some of the lessons AA, and growing up with program folks, taught me: be of service and progress not perfection are two biggies you mention. But I am now five years sober, without AA, and very content. I rely on my own head and heart (i.e., continuous effort toward spiritual and mental growth) and the support of a loving husband, family and friends. No program required. :)

Re: Making Myself Better - Smile Friday-...

Melissa — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:06:47 -0000

Just started following you and WHAM! DOCTOR WHO SHIRT! So awesome. You look very healthy to me, by the way. Just one opinion. :)

Re: Making Andouille at Home

Melissa — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:37:26 -0000

Love this. I already grind my own for Italian sausage and breakfast sausage, so andouille is inevitable - no smoker right now, though, but soon.

Re: Voracious - Sonja Groset - Meet the Bloggers Behind The Nudie Foodies

Melissa — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:29:32 -0000

Jackie, I've been following the Nudie Foodies project since its inception. I know it isn't porn, at least not in the standard definition of the word. I know what the book is about. I just don't like it and I don't agree it needed to be done this way and I think it gives food bloggers a bad name. And in case it crossed your mind, I am not new to the food blogging world, not by a long loooong shot. Been around for 4 years and know - and am surprised at - many of the people who chose to do this.

All I'm saying is there have been numerous (plentiful!) blogger cookbooks for charity over the years that didn't involve nudity that were successful and helpful to their cause. So why take your clothes off? Why seek that kind of attention? If it's emotionally cathartic, then you're doing it for you. Otherwise, there is no reason for it, at least not to me and a whole lot of other people I know, who would have bought a good cookbook for charity any day - without naked people in it. Food and personalities alone would have drawn us in. Instead, skin + food just screams "look at me."

This is just my interpretation. Since this is the internet, I'm allowed to express it. Just as you all are allowed to express yourselves by going naked "for charity." And neither of us is going to convince the other, so I suppose that is that.

Re: Voracious - Sonja Groset - Meet the Bloggers Behind The Nudie Foodies

Melissa — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:15:50 -0000

"Clothes on would be just as good but the impact would not be nearly what it is with the book as it now."

Kim, I respectfully, albeit vehemently, disagree.

Re: Voracious - Sonja Groset - Meet the Bloggers Behind The Nudie Foodies

Melissa — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:40:37 -0000

Helping Japan, eh? The only people this helps are the bloggers who participated, particularly Linda, by giving them publicity.

Getting to know someone "intimately" doesn't have to mean getting them
nude. I know some of these bloggers, have read them for years. And I would have been thrilled to see some of them
interviewed, seen their humor and intelligence shine through... with their damn clothes on.

Good food, good recipes, warm personalities - that would have been enough to get me to buy a book to aid Japan. But this? This display of narcissistic nonsense? I won't touch it with a ten-foot pole.

Re: One Crafty Mother: Swept Away

Melissa — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:22:57 -0000

So beautiful. And man, Greta looks just like you. That same mischievous smile.

I'm so grateful to know I am not the only one that gets that tight coil in my chest and torso. It's inexplicable. And there's no reason for it, and I know it's me, but even knowing that doesn't always make it unwind.

I'm glad something was able to do that for you yesterday. Thanks for sharing that.

Re: One Crafty Mother: Monthly Giveaway - New Item!

Melissa — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:49:29 -0000

I never enter jewelry giveaways, Ellie, but I LOVED this necklace of yours from the first time I saw it. Want! :)

Re: Late Night Breakfast Tacos

Melissa — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:47:18 -0000

I'm so glad you tried it and appreciated it, even if it ended up being too much for your palate. Totally understandable! I have no idea where my insane tolerance for/love of heat came from, considering MY ethnic background (or lack thereof), but I have gone through 2/3 of a jar myself in a week. LOL.

Anyway, I'm just glad you're continuing to cook for yourself. I think doing the work of nourishing yourself and learning like this are so important. Great job!

Re: Turkish Caffè Latte at Kéan Coffee

Melissa — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:00:30 -0000

Ha! No, don't try again - if you didn't like it, you didn't like it. I've actually heard from other people who think that particular drink isn't Kean's best. I have unusual taste in sweets, so I think I like it more than other people.

I like the chocolate orange one too though. And I am always just happy to see other people appreciating Kean and other local shops instead of going to the chains, aren't you? :)

Re: Stick a Fork In It - Edwin Goei - Stick A Fork In It Welcomes Newest Blogger!

Melissa — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:57:30 -0000

Now this is great news!! Welcome Anne Marie!

Re: Turkish Caffè Latte at Kéan Coffee

Melissa — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:30:49 -0000

I love Kean. I live less than a mile from the Tustin one and it's a regular weekend stop. I agree the Turkish cardamom is fantastic. If you are craving something sweet, I also recommend their hazelnut white chocolate latte (Caffe Napoli). Or any of their daily brews if you just want regular ol' coffee. Great, great place!!

Re: Stick a Fork In It - Edwin Goei - Revisiting a Review: What Happened to True Food Kitchen's Chicken?

Melissa — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:36:45 -0000

Their banana chocolate tart is downright amazing. Too bad about the salad! I hope to return here soon myself and hope the rest of what I had is still just as good.

Re: One Crafty Mother: Ellie Tries To Write A Bio

Melissa — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:04:02 -0000

"once held the highest Bejeweled score on Facebook for one whole week." Wow. Heh.

Bios are the worst writing exercise. I had to write one once not long ago, to preface a food article that was being published, and it took me three days. The speaking about yourself in third person thing does become quite hilarious too.

Corinne's right though - you ARE funny. So at least there's that. ;)

Re: Stick a Fork In It - Edwin Goei - Eat Here, Not There: Ham-and-Cheese Croissant

Melissa — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:38:55 -0000

I LOVE. LOVE. the ham and cheese croissant at Cream Pan. Stupid good. That and the salmon onigiri are the things I crave the most from their little shop.

Re: One Crafty Mother: Your Voice Matters

Melissa — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:13:30 -0000

I've read CON since its inception and it was a HUUUUUGE help to me in the beginning. Still is, but that first part, yeah, I really needed those voices out there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for that, Ellie. And Corinne. And my dear Maggie. You're doing good work.

Re: First Meal. First Failure

Melissa — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:38:58 -0000

Don't get discouraged. I learned from nothing, and anyone can! You'll start to get the hang of it, I promise!

Re: Clicks for Friday, January 7

Melissa — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:32:58 -0000

Netflix button? Yes please.

Re: Social Media, Marketing and the Internet Elephant

Melissa — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 23:15:50 -0000

The internet really does never forget! I even have a personal experience to prove it. It's absolutely amazing, the power of this virtual world we all live in.

And I suppose the lesson is just to help, however and whenever and wherever you can, no matter what. Good way for people to live, good way for corporations to live. Seems so simple, doesn't it?

Re: The First Steps

Melissa — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 17:51:53 -0000

Oh! And I know I'm rambling now ;) but food blogs were probably the biggest help to me of all. Huge, huge learning resource out there. And if you're ever searching for a good recipe idea with a specific ingredient, try foodblogsearch.com instead of Google. It will only search food blogs. I love using it.

Re: The First Steps

Melissa — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 17:50:08 -0000

Hi! I am all for getting yourself started in the kitchen. I didn't start cooking until 31, 32 years old (I'm 35 now) and lo and behold it became the greatest love of my life.

Book suggestions: Mark Bittman's How To Cook Everything (the regular edition, or the vegetarian one) - these are so handy with learning about each ingredient, how they cook the best, etc. They were a huge help to me when I was still learning a lot about ingredients and techniques.

On the creative side, if you want a wonderful variety of recipes, try The Gourmet Cookbook (LOVE this one) or the Food & Wine Magazine Annual Cookbook (any from the last few years). I bet you'll adore the recipes and straightforward approaches from any of these, and they have recipes from appetizers to soups to salads to main courses to sides to desserts. And I'm with you - I like the variety. I don't want specialized books.

Best of luck and I can't wait to see what you cook!!

Re: Holiday Closures: Farmers' Market Edition

Melissa — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:44:00 -0000

Thanks for the notices. It would not have really occurred to me to check and I might have gone to Laguna Hills on Friday and been disappointed.