Where There's a Will There's a Way! #candied #ginger

I've always been the motivated type.. When I was younger, it was identified as stubbornness, but  I grew up, made some choices, shifted my perspective and found my "burdens" to be true gifts.

So when I really want something, I go for it. 

When I need something I get it. 

When I can't find the candied ginger I crave anywhere in California, 

I make it. 

It's so easy to make candied ginger its almost ridiculous.

 The ingredients:

*Sugar (of your choice) I opted for Sugar in the Raw, I used about 1/4 cup of sugar- most recipes have you use equal parts ginger to sugar but to each their own.

*H2O about 2 cups

*1/2 lb. fresh ginger 

The Tools:

*Measuring cup

*Wooden spoon

*Cutting board

*Small sauce pan

*Small strainer

*Mandolin knife

*1 Cookie sheet

*Parchment/wax paper

Directions:

Step 1: Cut away ginger peel and slice the ginger into super thin slices using a mandolin knife, or a very sharp one.

Step 2: Toss all of the cut ginger into the sauce pan, pour all of the water over the ginger slices, just enough water to submerge the ginger fully in water. Allow the water to boil then reduce heat for approx. 30 minutes, you'll need to check the tenderness of the ginger ever so often. 

Step 3: When the ginger is tender, drain the water with a strainer *but keep 1/4 cup of the ginger water..

Place the ginger, 1/4 cup of remaining ginger water and all of your sugar back into the sauce pan, stir well and bring to a boil.

 ***Make sure to stir often and slowly for approx 10-15 minutes. Eventually all of the water will evaporate and you will be left with a gooey darker brown syrup and tender ginger.

Step 4: Have your parchment paper set out on the cookie sheet, and transfer your melty goodness to the sheet, and spread it all out, trying to avoid any ginger on top of each other.

Let sit out over night and BOOM! There you have it, your own home made love filled batch of candied ginger.

I add my magic ginger to mediocre coffee, and it adds wonders it's like a Moscow Mule in the morning! I'm going to start adding it to overnight oats, and perhaps a salad as well, the sweet possibilities are endless folks.

Sweet ginger filled candy dreams.

Lesson Learned: If you want something go get it, even if you have to make it your self (especially if you have to make it yourself, the process is that much sweeter.)

Hey YOU, Twinkle Toes...

Hey Twinkle Toes, welcome to 2015! 

It's time to take those who want to join, on a journey into my world of learning's, discoveries, adventures and my undying drive to live this one life I was gifted to the fullest. 

Come on follow me, I dare ya.

I'm also using this tool to record my happenings, like last night.. December 31st 2014, the night I was supposed to go to Sea of Dreams and dance the night away to Flying Lotus- the same night I decided to sell my ticket, and take a bus to the Mission to take a two and a half hour yoga class all while chanting and laughing and sweating my booty off right into the new year... 

As I grow, I learn that by saying yes to myself I am bettering the experience and lives of others who I care for most; if I am happy, I want nothing more then for others to feel the same enlightenment- the full comprehension of living in the moment, surrounded by gratitude, happiness and love.

I had never been to Laughing Lotus S.F., it was all a gamble, an adventure with my beauty of a friend Becky.. We took the *free bus (note: all the buses in the city of S.F. run free of charge after 8p.m. on NYE, because the city is amazing like that..) to this incognito studio off 16th street. To my surprise we walk into a huge, warm colorful studio, blues, oranges and yellows cover the walls... We swear we just transported to India, there is glitter all over the floor, a shrine upfront and just enough room for us to set up our mats next to the harmonium- the next two hours were mind blowing. Jasmine and Astird are a total recommend if you are in town.

I said hello to what I want, I said thank you to what I had, and I challenge and beckon the continuation of life's adventures and happiness.

Lesson Learned: Two and a half hours of yoga makes a Biker Booty tight, and the hip release was plesent. 

Oh, and don't forget to say yes to you.