Little Treats: Homemade ice-cream in less than 5 minutes

Greetings all!

One of my favorite quotes is by novelist and philosopher Iris Murdoch: "One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats."

Can ice-cream be considered such a treat? I think so! And ice-cream definitely sparks joy in my life!

I recently came across a healthy, easy and quick recipe for homemade ice-cream that takes less than 5 minutes. The recipe is similar to a smoothie but the proportions and the frozen fruits/berries make it an ice-cream!! 

Blend the following ingredients for about 1 minute:

-         ½ cup of frozen fruits or berries (banana, kiwi, cherries, apple, etc.)

-         ½ cup of dairy (yogurt, kefir, milk) or water

-         2-3 tsp of sugar or honey or jam (optional)

I loved my banana-and-kefir treat!

Start with the proportions/ingredients above and experiment! You can also freeze your dessert and enjoy it later. Freeze fresh fruits/berries when they are in season – and enjoy healthy ice-cream in the months to come!

Ideas (cut fruits to pieces/use whole berries and freeze first!):

- Cherries and yogurt

- Banana and kefir or milk. This works great for a ripe banana that you are not ready to eat – freeze it!

- Gooseberry and milk

- Kiwi and water (kiwi becomes bitter when mixed with milk)

- Apple and milk (try with cinnamon!)

- You can use melon, grapefruit, watermelon, peach, currants, etc. The list is endless!

This is Svetlana’s original recipe in Russian http://www.povarenok.ru/recipes/show/47893/

Which ice-cream treat will you have tonight? Drop me a line!!!

What is your love language?

Greetings all!

Recently a friend and I chatted about life over lunch. She is married and has a small child. She shared that she would love it if her husband helped more around the house – and then she said that this was her love language. Of course, I got curious!

My friend was referring to a theory popularized by Dr. Gary Chapman in his New York Times bestseller The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts (he later wrote several more books related to the topic). According to the book, a person's love language determines how they want to be treated. 

Here are the 5 love languages in alphabetical order (a person usually has one primary and one secondary love language):

1. Acts of Service: Finding ways to help – so yes, vacuuming the house IS an expression of love! And don’t wait to be asked – just do it!
2. Physical Touch: Holding hands and giving a hug will go a long way. Salsa lesson, anyone?
3. Quality Time: Giving undivided attention and really being there!
4. Receiving Gifts: It’s the thought that matters, and a gift is a visual representation of love. This is not about materialism!
5. Words of Affirmation: Giving compliments and saying “I love you” more often!

TAKE TEST HERE: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

We usually treat others the way WE want to be treated but that might create some issues.  If you want to hear “I love you” and hold hands, then your love languages are Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch. If your partner brings you flowers (Receiving Gifts) and then disappears into another room to finish a work project, you are not on the same page. If you want to talk about your day (Quality Time) but the other person is vacuuming (Acts of Service), you might not be communicating well.

My interpretation is this: we all want to be loved but how we want to be loved differs. Maybe discovering the other person’s love language and learning how to speak that language is one of the keys to a great relationship?

Take the test and drop me a line to let me know what you think!

I’d rather have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuff

I am not sure who said it but I agree with the sentiment! And I love this Pinterest image!

Greetings all!

Since I love travel, several friends have asked me to share travel tips. Today I will discuss documents and electronics. You can find a list of resources at the end of this post.

1. U.S. Passport/Driver’s license/Traveler programs/Travel documents/Travel insurance: Make copies of your documents and email them to yourself, as well keep a copy in a safe place.

a. U.S. Passport - Make sure your passport is valid at least 6 months or longer beyond the dates of travel. You can apply at the U.S. Post Office; Costco and AAA have passport photo discounts for the members. 

b. Driver’s license - Starting October 1, 2020, domestic flights will require a passport or a REAL ID. 

c. Traveler programs - If you plan to travel internationally quite a bit, consider enrolling in Global Entry ($100 for 5 years) or a similar program. Global Entry lets you skip the customs line upon your arrival back to the U.S. via visiting a special kiosk to scan your passport and have your picture taken. Many participating airlines also allow for TSA Pre✓® on your way out of the country (faster security line, no requirement to take off shoes or take out your laptop). The application process is pretty user-friendly and, once approved, you schedule an in-person interview or complete the interview upon arrival at a participating airport.

d. Travel documents - Read the fine print in all of your travel documents, especially for organized tours.

e. Travel insurance - Consider getting travel insurance. Also, review the terms of your credit card as many credit cards have travel protection as a built-in benefit.

2. Visas and vaccinations: Before your trip, check the country’s embassy/consulate website, as well as U.S. Department of State website, to see if your destination requires a visa and/or vaccinations. 

a. Visas - Some visas may be issued upon arrival or online. When available, consider using a Visa Service Center (e.g., CIBT Visas). You still complete the application yourself or pay extra for assistance but you do not have to go to the embassy yourself (not for all destinations). Make a copy of your visa.

b. Vaccinations – There are various travel clinics but also ask your health provider. For example, Kaiser has its own Travel Clinic, and some of the vaccinations might be covered under your health insurance.

3. Cash and credit/debit cards:

a. Cash - Always bring some cash in case you cannot use your credit/debit cards. You can bring U.S. dollars in different denominations and exchange locally or purchase destination currency at your bank in advance. 

b. Credit cards - Sometimes cards are rejected so it might be a good idea to bring 2 or 3 credit cards for backup. Some credit cards charge foreign transaction fees (~3%). Also consider getting a phone app for your credit cards to track your purchases in real time and be alerted for fraud. 

c. Debit cards – You might be charged double fees (by your bank and by a foreign bank), in addition to foreign transaction fees. However, some banks have affiliates abroad that waive the fees. 

4. Universal travel adapter/Voltage converter - Check the voltage at your destination.

5. Phone, charger, earbuds/headphones - If you plan to use your phone a lot (maps, destinations, photos, etc.), bring an external battery charger. It might also be a good idea to have a waterproof pouch to protect your device. Some airlines charge for headphones.

6. Camera, batteries/charger - If you do not use your phone for taking pictures or want to have a backup.

7. Kindle/iPad/other devices – Make sure you have all the necessary accessories.

8. Flashlight – Might be a life-saver when you are searching for your B&B at 2 am in a dark village!

Useful Resources:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html - overall: passport, visa, health, safety, etc.
https://www.usps.com/international/passports.htm - passports
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list/ - vaccinations
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs – travel programs
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_rdc – REAL ID (starting October 1, 2020) 

What other documents/electronics do you bring with you? Drop me a line!

Cherry Blossoms and Taxes

Greetings all!

What do cherry blossoms and taxes have in common? They are both fleeting! Cherry blossoms with their transient beauty are a reminder that nothing lasts. Of course, rarely do we rejoice in the tax season but remember - it too shall pass. 

Cherry blossoms are also tied to a Buddhist idea of being mindful and living in the present moment. Our lives are fleeting so we should pay attention and live each moment with joy!

Cherry blossoms symbolize beauty but also mortality. The samurai, the Japanese warriors, were taught to embrace the inevitable end of their short lives without fearing it. It is believed that a fallen cherry blossom was a symbol of a samurai’s short life. According to Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney, a Japanese-American anthropologist, the samurai and later other Japanese soldiers were told “You shall die like beautiful falling cherry petals for the emperor.”

Cherry blossoms, of course, feature in a lot of Japanese poetry. Haiku is a traditional Japanese poetic form, with 17 syllables translated in English as 5-7-5 syllables on 3 lines. Isn't this poem by poet Buson lovely?

Petals falling

unable to resist

the moonlight

I thought the two poems below will make accountants smile:

O springtime twilight…

Precious moment

Worth to me a thousand pieces

~Sotoba

Reply:

O summer twilight…

Bug-depreciated

To a mere five hundred

~Kikaku

If you are working on a difficult project or dealing with something challenging in your life, remember – it is not forever.  And to you, my samurai accounting friends - I hope you survived the busy season! Drop me a line! 

Spark Joy!

Greetings all!

I recently read a fantastic book by Marie Kondo “Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up.” Marie is a decluttering guru from Japan and a creator of KonMari Method. She also wrote “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” 

Since I am always searching for ways for find balance and joy in my life, her method definitely resonated with me and – dare I say it!? – it did spark joy and excitement!

Here is my interpretation: you can simplify your life by getting rid of “unnecessary” items and keeping only those items that spark joy. "Spark joy” will mean different things to different people. It could be anything from an item making your life easier (vacuum-cleaner) to an outfit that makes you feel confident.

As a consultant, Marie goes through a house and organizes possessions by categories (clothes, shoes, books, jewelry, etc.). Her method is to take everything out of the closet/drawer/box and get it in front of you. If you are organizing your shoes and they are in multiple closets (lucky you!), you have to take them ALL out. 

Then you put each item next to you (or try it on) and see if the item sparks joy. If it does not and you cannot remember when you last used it or cannot imagine when you will use it again, you say “thank you” (important!), and let it go. You can gift it, donate it, throw it away – but you LET IT GO!!!

This YouTube video with Katie Couric made me chuckle: black dresses (plural) and I go way back – and they still spark joy!

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or8pkOC6i0k

I also found the idea of a pending box useful for papers – I use a “Read Later” folder where I save interesting articles to peruse later. If I find an interesting idea online, I jot it down on a post-it and save it in this folder (e.g., a book that sounds interesting or a new restaurant). I use a similar folder in my work for non-urgent emails.

There were two major takeaways for me:

1)     Ask “Does it spark joy?” when shopping for new items. Your wallet and your closet will be happier if you do. Yes, this new sweater looks good, and the price is right, and maybe it is even on sale. But does it really spark joy? If not, then you might not really need or want it.

2)    Use “Does it spark joy?” as a litmus test in other areas of your life.  Things to do, people to see, books to read, how to spend your time, etc... Of course, certain things are out of your control and it does not matter how much un-joy they are sparking, there is nothing you can do (having an early meeting at work, anyone?!). But what about things that you CAN control? Your thoughts, your emotions, your actions…

Several friends have listened to me gush about this method. They told me later that they started applying it in their lives and found it very useful! What do you think? Will you try it? Send me a comment! 

Move over, Frappuccino – hedgehogs are coming!

Greetings all!

Imagine going to Starbucks but instead of getting a coffee or a tea, you actually get a little hedgehog to pet! I read that this is exactly what is happening at Harry Harajuku Hedgehog Cafe in Tokyo (http://www.harinezumicafe-harajuku.com/english/).

For ~$13 (1,400 yen), you can play with your own adorable squiggly living pincushion for about 30 minutes. If half an hour is not enough for you, hedgehogs are for sale so you can take your new friend home.

I came across this video of hedgehog bath, which  I think children and grown-ups alike will enjoy! It definitely put a smile on my face!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eSkmVRfirg

Will you go to a Hedgehog Café? Drop me a line - I would love to hear from you!

Row, row, row your boat (or Looking for privacy in the reeds)

Greetings all!

I love travel! I believe that travel opens your mind and also puts your life into a very interesting perspective.

A couple of years ago, a friend and I went on an organized trip to Peru to climb Machu Picchu, eat amazing Peruvian food, and meet the locals. The food was delicious, and the people we met were very friendly. Machu Picchu was breathtaking both literally (bring altitude pills because you might be out of commission for days!) and metaphorically because you stand there and realize your own insignificance. Did you know that the Incas built their amazing empire without a wheel, draft animals, or the knowledge of iron? 

Besides Machu Picchu, there were several things that stayed in my mind and made me more appreciative of the comforts I enjoy in my life.

Let's start with a guinea pig! Grilled guinea pig is considered delicacy but I was not adventurous enough to try it. Guinea pigs are also medicinal. Some locals are still following traditional medicine and refuse surgery. Something hurts, they put a guinea pig in a bag, attach it to the body part that hurts, and sleep with the bag (with the guinea pig inside the bag)! Then in the morning, a healer looks at the usually dissected (!!!)  animal, makes a diagnosis, and prescribes herbs. Alternatively, a wriggling guinea pig is rubbed over the patient. I think I prefer Advil for my aches.

Here is another recollection that I often pull from my memory banks when I need a reminder not to take things for granted. We took a boat on Lake Titicaca and visited the Uros floating islands. The islands are man-made of blocks of dirt and reeds and are anchored in the lake. If families on one island do not get along with their neighbors or just want a different scenery, they raise anchor and float away - hence the floating islands. The Uros people use reeds for food and construction, and they also fish and run craft stalls for tourists. The families we met were poor but did not seem particularly sad or depressed. Food for thought right there!

Before we disembarked, our tour guide suggested we visited the restrooms on our boat as there were none on the island we visited! What does one do?  Row the boat to the reeds to find some privacy.

How many of us will survive in such an environment?!  Next time something breaks in your house or another driver cuts you off in traffic, think of the humble Uros people and picture yourself in a boat rowing slowly through the reeds...

What are you grateful for? Send me a comment!

Are you a Van Gogh or a Monet?

Greetings all!

Did you know about Paintnite? It's a fun way to spend 2-3 hours while discovering an artist within you! This is a great idea for a date, friends’ or family gathering, or going solo.

You can choose a painting on Paintnite and buy a ticket right then and there - current price is $45. I prefer to buy discounted tickets on Groupon (search for "paintnite" and check the fine print!), which you then apply as payment on Paintnite site.

The events are held at restaurants and bars in different locations. You can have lunch or dinner first or you can order something while you paint. I find that a glass of wine helps unlock the creativity - just do not dip the paintbrush in your wine glass! The instructors are amazing and walk you through the process step by step, brush by brush, color by color - similar to painting by numbers. Three hours later you have a painting that you can put on your wall or gift to a friend! Here is one of mine!   

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Every artist was first an amateur” – how often in our adult responsibility-filled lives, do we have a chance to play amateurs? 

Drop me a line - I would love to hear from you! Let me know if you prefer your comments remain private.

Step back (and smell the roses)

Greetings all!

This is my very first post on my brand-new blog! I am still setting it up so enjoy the different stages it will go through. 

I will start with one of my favorite quotes by Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher and writer.

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people’s approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.

The only path to serenity.

I like this line – “Do your work, then step back.” How often do we actually step back? How often do we allow ourselves to be in the moment, to do nothing, while our mind and body and soul recharge and re-balance? How often do we find joy here and now? Most of us have goals and milestones that we work towards but what about little everyday moments that shape our being and bring joy?

Sometimes I feel that we are the “When” society – when I graduate, when I buy the house, when I get a promotion, when I get married, when the kids go to college, and my favorite – when I retire! What about now?! What if those big things never materialize or materialize differently from what we expected and hoped for?

How about finding more balance and joy in the present moment? Everyone is busy, and the usual excuse is “I do not have the time.” I say – make the time! Put away your gadgets, pause the Game of Thrones (or your current Netflix obsession), and find 5 minutes to sit quietly and listen to your inner thoughts.

My apartment complex has roses pretty much all year round. Every time I go to my car, I smell a rose. A bit trite but it always brings a smile to my face and a spark of joy into my day ahead.

What gave you joy today?