How to Make Life Flavorful

Flavorful.

I used to think of food whenever I heard of the word 'flavorful.' Well, I still do but now, on an entirely different perspective. After reading a few articles and hearing a number of talks that use this adjective to describe work, relationship and life as a whole, adding flavor has become my daily goal.

I once attended a seminar about prayer and the speaker told us that continuously adding flavor to our prayer hour can strengthen our relationship with God. She said that she wakes up at a certain time in the morning each day, goes to a particular room, and spends an hour or two with God. Basically, what she does is she reads the Bible first, then prays intently, then does journal writing. Imagine yourself doing this same routine for one whole year or more. There's nothing wrong with it, of course; but perhaps sooner or later, you would forget its essence and merely do it out of habit. It's usually how our mind and body work. Nevertheless, the speaker chose to give her seemingly dull prayer hour a twist. From time to time, she changes a bit a few things such as:

• Instead of just sitting with eyes closed while praying, she plays her guitar and sings songs of worship to the Lord;
• She still reads the Bible but this time, moves on to reading a devotional or inspirational book afterwards;
• How about a background music while writing a journal?
• She prays while peacefully taking sips of her morning coffee as if God is her morning buddy.

Interesting, isn't it? I say, this is insightful creativity. Why have I never thought of doing this? I reckon, maybe such things are very basic but not apparent. Ever since, my thinking has been 'there is more to it than there seemed on the surface.' Flavorful. Usually, the most luscious ingredients settle at the bottom. You got to dig it, scoop it then stir it whole to make the food more delectable.

Elsewhere, adding flavor isn't just about being creative and initiating changes. It could also mean taking delight in new things such as involving yourself in something/somewhere you've never been such as:

• joining a friendly organization,
• attending an interesting talk or seminar,
• going to a retreat with people you don't know.
• traveling to different places,
• studying a diploma course or an online course, 
• or watching alone in a movie house.

Fancy up your calendar with colorful post-its, multicolor pen, photos, or anything that would remind you of what to look forward to. Flavorful. Put more spices on your schedule and wake up each day with a smile on your face.

If you're currently having a bad taste of life, be thankful! It's your chance to become the best cook existing, for a good cook can make good food but the best cook can turn a bad-tasting dish into a palatable one.

Dear Lord

Dear Lord,

My teachers in Coursera told us to write a gratitude letter to a person whom we have never properly thanked. And I thought, it had to be You.

I'd like to start this gratitude letter with a big big SORRY. I am so sorry, Lord, for I've not been grateful enough. I know You have loved me and is still loving me unto the depths of me. I know, as well, that You've given me all You thought I needed. However, I've never been amply thankful for any of that. All I chose to see was darkness. I've been too perfectionist over my life when I've also been well aware that there's no such thing as 'perfect' life. I want to sincerely say sorry, Lord.

Writing this gratitude letter makes me realize that my life isn't an empty bowl. Actually, it is an overflowing one. You've filled it and still pouring in it gallons of nourishing water. I was expecting for something else. I forgot that Your blood and water is more than enough to keep me alive. I forgot that Your love alone should suffice.

You are in everything, Lord. I can feel You through the sweet refreshing breeze of the morning. I can see You in those calm and brightest rays of the sun. I can smell You in the fragrance of fresh flowers, water and leaves, all combined together. I can touch You by grazing upon the cheek of my loved one. I am surrounded by Your love and beauty, Lord, without me realizing it.

Thank You, Lord. I know that it is You who help us find food to eat and water to drink each day. It is You who shield our shelter from violent earthquakes and heavy rain. You, who protect my loved ones whenever I'm not around to save them. You, who find us money to buy shoes to cover our feet and clothes to warm our body. It is You, and nothing but You, the Great Provider.

You are there for me whenever I thought You're not. I had the most difficult times. My faith came to a point of failing. I even thought You forgot about me. I thought I've become too much of a sinner to lose Your favor. But in the end, I realized that I was completely wrong. You were there, You've been there, and You'll always be there for me. That all I needed was for my eyes to see and my heart to feel that You've been a faithful lover. That there must be the hard times for love to grow.

You are there in my success, happiness and dreams. You lift me in victory, laugh with me, and daydream with me. I forgot how You would love to see me smile, and to hear me speak of beautiful things. I forgot how You would love to put sparkle on my eyes and fill my heart with deep gladness. Thank You, Lord. I am very grateful; no other words could suffice.

Lord, I am genuinely thankful, most especially, for my family, relatives and friends. Truly, Your love is personified in each of them. Living wouldn't be more meaningful without such a great company. I thank You, Lord, for I am surrounded with loving people; for I am cared for; for I am helped in times of need; for I am comforted in times of grief; for I am directed whenever I am lost, and; for I am forgiven whenever I am at fault.

I don't know how to end this letter, Lord. There's just too many things to be thankful for. Was I able to properly thank You? Your goodness is endless...and (aha!) so is this letter...

I Wanna Pig Out, But I Can't.

I wanna pig out, but I can't. It's difficult to live in destitution (I'm referring to all types, I guess) and crave for mounds of food at the same time. I actually find it hard to sleep every night because each time I close my eyes, salivating images of pizza, burger, chocolates, sushi and a lot more penetrate my mind. (Alright, that's quite an exaggeration. But real or not, haven't you, yourself, experienced a craving akin to that in your whole life?) So to put somewhat an end to my voracious thoughts, here I am, making a list of foods which I swear to eat once my lucky wealthy days come. That'll come, of course. I declare it. So here my list goes:

Lugawan sa Herran

I'll never forget the first time I chanced to eat the flavorful special goto in Lugawan sa Herran.
I learned about the humble legendary eatery when I was in highschool. I don't know if it already gave birth to branches, but that one I visited was in San Andres, Manila. I think their goto was the best I've ever tasted. With the first sip or bite or however you want to start it, you'll surely be surprised by the rice's dense flavor produced by the well-tempered blend of meat and condiments. Combine it with a hard-boiled egg and some pig or chicken parts, and certainly, you'll find yourself craving for more (like me)!


Lots a Pizza

You might have already heard about, or seen Lots a Pizza in several places. It's so far the cheapest, but definitely worth-more-than-the-price pizza I've ever chowed down. And they come in different sizes and toppings! Fortunately, as it can be read on the image above, you can avail two large boxes plus 1.5 L of Coke for only P299 and P399, depending on the type of pizza you want! I personally don't have a particular favorite because based off of my experience, almost all their flavors can render satisfying bite.



Ramyeon

I'm really not a fan of Korean gourmet, but this one has, indeed, delighted my taste buds. Specifically, I've learned to love the Ramyeon of Seoul Express located at the Fort. I've actually tasted other Ramyeons, but none save this, got me craving for more. I wish I got a picture of that mouthwatering (and I guess, nose-watering too) noodles so I can post it here, but I think that that hearty evening meal made me forget everything else in the world. The seafood, noodles and all other ingredients (which I'm not that familiar with) in it plus the punch of spice made this Korean noodles perfectly palatable!


McChicken Burger

I believe I've already tried all types of burger in McDonald's when I was in college. But among these, I personally declare McChicken as the best and I think, the healthiest too. For me, its mere smell is appetizing (but for others, it's a bit the other way around). And it's quite given that Mcdo's chicken is a far-out, so putting it in a bun plus lettuce and mayonnaise makes the whole burger more than a far-out.




Big 'n Tasty Burger

Big 'n Tasty Burger is, for me, Mcdo's second best and, as it appears, second to the healthiest too. What I love most about this burger is that it's stuffed with vegetables. The veggies put a crunch in every bite, and help neutralize the overwhelming cheese and rich meaty flavor of the patty. In relation to that, I could say that this burger is generally balanced in terms of nutrition compared to other burgers. Really, what's spending a hundred for such a "big" and "tasty" burger as this? I should ask that to myself, isn't it.




Chicken Joy with Jolly Spaghetti

Gosh. I know this looks like any other ordinary for-birthday-bash, or easy to cook, home-made foods, but we, Filipinos, know that Jollibee has a way of making chicken and spaghetti super extra special. You know, I just can't stop thinking about that crispy-licious, juicy-licious chicken dunked in that gravy, and of that lip biting, luscious, (always) well-cooked pasta. Got a tagline for this: Once tasted, always wanted! I can eat 3 orders of that at maximum if my purse and stomach would allow it.

Saisaki's California Maki

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I don't know what's with Saisaki's California Maki, but I personally think that it stands above other california makis I've tasted. I've actually been to a lot of sushi stores (well, not that "a lot"), so I got quite a chance to compare it. Maki is specifically my favorite sushi. I enjoy the unique blend of mango, rice, crab stick, nori and the measly orange eggs, all huddled together, then dipped into kikkoman with calamansi. But the moment I took one whole chunk of Saisaki's california maki into my mouth, my eyes widened and some crazy heavenly music played to my ear. I feel like there's something special in it which is not present in other makis.

Hershey's Cookies and Cream

Of course, I've also been thinking about my dessert. I actually love white chocolates more than brown or dark chocolates. Milk and sugar formed into a bar seems to be way too satisfying for me. However, Hershey's Cookies and Cream has always always blow me away. I like the idea of having the sweet cream overpowering the itsy bitsy tinnie winnie yet numerous cookies. Just a little square of it can make me really happy!