Valentine's movie review and recommendation: Her (the movie) starringJoaquin Phoenix directed by Spike Jonz

Hello love bugs!!!! I'm so excited to bring you this valentine's film review and recommend probably the best movie I've ever seen. I'm a real movie head and have seen many movies and now being a writer trying to grow in my craft, I want to start doing in depth movie reviews without spoilers so here it goes! 

I want to preface this ode to a magnificent work of art by director Spike Jonz with the fact that I'm a hopeless romantic who hasn't experienced the love I deserve but still hasn't been calloused by my experiences and waiting patiently for a love that will feel right till the end. This notion was made all the more stronger and revived by the movie: Her. 

The movies centers around Theodore, a socially awkward thirty something professional who is very much a recluse, this is however the norm at the time which the movie is set. Most people are into heir highly developed technology more so than human contact. It almost chronicles someone's love affair with a Siri like entity blurring the lines of sexual and emotional contact and connection between a human and a computer operating system (OS). 

The man set off on an emotional journey forming a connection deeper than he could with a human woman with expected obstacles including technical glitches and the unhealthy nature of it all with obvious results in places and some suprises along the way. 

The movie was very moody and sepiated which made it somewhat comforting and and an easy watch. What made it scary for me was the how close to home if felt because some of the apects, though set in the future, it included exaggerated and advanced version of technogy which we have today. It also served as a forecast of where we could end up and a society with the way we depend on technology, social media and our gadgets. 

The protagonist in this movie was so relatable yet exhibited behavioural traits that are not so much common in this age of technology in our western society but could be seen in a lot of people today. A few people can relate to his affection less childhood, we can all certainly identify with the change of what's perceived to be the norm and our dependancy on inanimate objects and gadgets. I couldn't survive without my iPhone and sometimes use to write drafts and whole posts of my blogs when my laptop is down; my life is in my phone. It hit home for me how I too am in danger of losing a connection with present and tangible people in the room and yet connect with strangers on social media. 

There's also a dark undertone to this storyline and the sheer unhealthy nature of Theodore's relationship with his OS. It's just unheard of for a human to get hot, bothered and frisky with Siri in 2014 however it's a sign of the times we are heading to if we carry on numbing ourselves and losing touch with our friends, neighbours and society as this is set in the future. The fact that people can fall in love whilst online dating which would have been unfathomable in past decades but is very much the norm now, to be done with caution, makes the movie much more impactful and relatable. 

Please go out and watch this movie to understand this riveting story and be forewarned as to where we could end up as a people if we don't put our phones down and engage with the people around us. 

10 by 21......10 lessons I've learnt by the age of 21

Hi interneters!! Me and my throwback fro send you the warmest and kindest regards in this cold and cruel winter! I hope this blog post finds you well and most of all that you are going strong with your resolutions and goals! Remember it doesn't matter how many times you fall, what matters is that you got up! 

Before we get into the post please head over to www.theravenousreport.blogspot.com

It's my new blog where I talk all about food and nothing but food!!! Please subscribe for recipe emails, restaurant reviews and more!!! 

I was racking my brain thinking about what to write about for this fortnight's release. At the least expected time (I will not allude to it because it's rather intimate....ok I was showering!) It dawned on me that I'd come a long way and grown in certain ways in a short space of time though I still have a long way to go. I began to remember my teenage years and how much of them were spent either in strife, depression and in tears! I began to remember the things my dearly departed grandmother used to say which didn't take form till now and some of the lessons my parents told me through their words and their actions. An overwhelming sense of joy filled my heart, nothing beats seeing and feeling growth and change. At this point I was dressed and moisturised FYI!!! 

There's a saying that goes "the man who knows something knows that he knows nothing at all.

Even the bible in it's many translations clearly says the same in 1Corinthians 8:2. My favourite translation is the Complete Jewish Bible which pretty much says that  you may know something but you don't know it in the depth that you ought to or you think you know it. 

This leads me to my first lesson; 

• You don't know everything- get over it.

The more I realise that there is more to learn, know and grasp and what I have spent 21 years learning and knowingly and unknowingly is just merely the tip of the iceberg. In my teens I knew it all, adults were annoying and often went out of their ways to annoy me. 

The general dialogue in my household went as follows: What, I can't get those shoes? You just don't want me to have nice things. Bills? You want to pay bills? You're lying to me you have money you just don't want me to have what I want and see me happy. I hate you and you're ruining my life!!!! *insert tears and a door slam*

It was then a triumphant moment when I came across their picture:

The fact that I was amused by it and not a single eye roll was made is a true testament to the fact that it takes time but the "brat virus" will pass your system. I also love and respect my mother even more. Some of the harsh lessons I learnt in life, in the workplace and in relationships could have been less painful had I listened. Not one for the "shoulda coulda woulda" stance I look at all the pain and tough lessons as blessings. Certain things I had to see for myself and get burnt so I know not to play with fire. 

• Your parents see your fake friends/ boyfriends before you do-

Let me go on record and say that mother has a sixth sense for bull excriment!  I've introduced her to so many people and she's told me to either be careful or cut ties completely and has turned out to be right in the long run. This is not to say I listened! I shrugged it off and ended up hurt, disappointed but all the more richer for it! When parents tell you they don't like your boyfriend/ girlfriend upon introduction it's either one of two things. 1) they either see aspects of themselves at that age,  in them and  can only imagine the motives, priorities and ideas running through their young heads. After all it takes one to know one, reformed or not. 

2) they once knew a Jimmy (or whomever) type who has the same tendencies as your boyfriend and he ended up sowing his wild oats around the neighborhood and breaking many hearts in the process, on his way to jail! 

To say you grow more judgemental with age tarnishes the good nature of your growing intuition. Judging body language, first impressions and motives become second nature with maturity! Let me tell you how an xray has nothing on my mother! She sees through it all and I've learnt to rely on that and also listen to my inner guide for signs guidance. 

• Life is lived in seasons

Change is a big part of life that we face on a regular basis. Some change comes as a result of a conscious effort while some other change is simply out of our hands and we have to adapt to it. However there are times we don't see change and get frustrated because things aren't going our way. Frustration comes when we lose sight of the bigger picture be it a goal, dream or a promise or we fail to achieve instant gratification. The knowledge however that life is lived in seasons which are subject to change because as time remains, seasons will change and things don't stay the same, is sure to combat any worries and frustrations. It's hard to keep the bigger picture and hold on to this notion when times are hard. Detaching yourself from your problems, looking retrospectively and introspectively will give you the chance to see progress, appreciate and process. 

I remember being frustrated after my heart procedure, I was in a lot of pain, weak and unable to get out of bed. After fighting for my life I  was tired as I was on the outside, internally. It took me seeing that this was a season for me to build strength and character to restore some level of peace to my healing process.

When I looked back I saw what I can only describe as God's grace through tough times. I realised I couldn't have made it through and  it could have been worse. I spent a lot of time whining about the summer I was missing and all the goals I had set but was unable to pursue and accomplish. I felt useless until I looked at all the blessings in the process. I was able to reconsider my goals and dreams, a had a new found depth and appreciation for life.

 I was ready for the next season of going after my passion with vigour and accomplishing the goals I'd spent nights crying about not being able to accomplish. I got to appreciate that in the season I got to rest, dream, imagine, write and create as I had nothing but time. I simply couldn't be frustrated about things I couldn't change any longer  and this prayer came to mind:

• Worry is a waste of energy

This one is a daily struggle for most people as it is for me, I'm working on it and it's a daily effort. Generally worry is fear and dread of what could be that comes from not knowing an outcome whilst not being in position to change it. I'm naturally predisposed to worry, my grandmother was the chief worrier of the century and it's one thing I inherited from her that I've had to work hard to disinherit! 

Remember the last time you worried about something? I have two questions for you:

1) Did your worry alone change the situation and outcome?

2) That big old thing you were worried about,when and if it came true, did it kill you? 

If you're reading this I'm guessing your answer to number two is no and to number one is most probably no too! 

Worry is rooted in fear and fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. It gets you to live through potentially bad things twice, first time in your head (a dramatised version with the worst case scenarios and outcomes) and then when it happens. I've learnt through experience that worry is a waste of calories! I could be using the same passion and energy to either pray about it or do something about it. That's the thing, worrying is idle.   It only takes over when you allow it to do so and if you focus your mind on the wrong things. 

I had to say to myself, "my health comes first, if I can't change it, it's out of my hands and it's in better hands if it's not in mine. Some burdens are not for you to carry!" 

• Money talks but character speaks louder

I used to be impressed [keyword] impressed by flashy things, money, cars, designer fashion and all the trappings of an opulent lifestyle. I used to equate it to respectability and looked up to the person who had obtained it or displayed it. It was until I got to an age of interacting with men of a certain affluence and made friends with females with nice things. I got to see some of the shallowness [from not all but some] some people who were owned by their possessions and reputation. 

I dated a guy who had a money but didn't treat anyone, including me, with respect. That bubble burst quickly! I got to learn the importance of character over reputation and affluence. Picture a guy who drives a Spyker C8 and is wearing a Tom Ford suit, a Rolex, Christian Louboutin loafers and looks like the second coming of Pierce Brosnan meets Geoff Goldblum with a hint of Denzel Washintgon and smells like angel tears and cinnamon. Sound perfect? Well he does to me anyway I like old men! But imagine then being on a date with him and he talks down to the waiters, isn't attentive to you, shows up late with no excuse or remorse and won't stop talking about himself. All of the money and possessions pale to isignificance! Good morals and a good character are far more valuable than money and status. 

I've learnt that you must treat everyone the same from the janitor to the president. Treat everyone with respect, love and warmth and anyone who isn't capable of doing the same doesn't belong in my close circle! Remember reputation is what people think of you, character is who you are when no one is watching. 

• Opinions- if it doesn't pay your bills or die for your sins on a cross, it doesn't deserve your time or energy

This is self explanatory. This time last year I went through a character assassination by way of gossip and other low down practises at my expense. This was done by people I had loved and trusted. So much that I valued their opinions more than my family and despite my mother's warning about the people I pushed her away and gravitated towards them. When it came to my attention what had been said  about me and done to me I was so hurt. I've never felt no greater pain bar grief.

 This however toughened me. It taught me that I know who I am, I know where I'm going, I know my intentions and I know my motives. No one can then change that with their opinion however it's delivered, via gossip or to my face. Have you ever seen a "hater" that is doing better than you? Doesn't the notion of pulling you down itself depend on you being higher? So then count it a joy that you're polarizing! 

People will always talk, they will always have an opinion, as long as what you're doing is good and wholesome pay no mind to them. Don't apologize for who you are! What they think of you won't put money in your pocket stop staying up at night worrying about what they say or what they will say!!! 

• Your opinion isn't fact or bible

Again the same applies to yourself! We spend our whole lives developing and discovering ourselves. It's innate in us to to serve self and the whole idea of ego revolves around our natural predisposition to seek and serve self over others. We are quick to judge others but naturally justify ourselves. It's human nature and something we have to consciously work on order to be partial and empathetic towards others. So when it comes to opinions and what you think of others, it really doesn't have a bearing on their identity. Their truth and their motives and what they do and don't deserve doesn't revolve around your perception of them. This makes the concept of hate, jealousy and judgment null and void as it does nothing but harm whoever plays host to them. Be it in their heart, character and actions. Hate is pointless! 

For instance I was outraged Trayvon Martin's murder case. I remember vividly feeling an overwhelming sense of grief and anger when I woke up to the news that George Zimmerman had been acquitted of his charges and was a free man; on my birthday. His trial had been on July 13th 2013 and because of the time difference the UK where I'm  based and the US where the case took place and received wide coverage, I found out the verdict on my birthday morning on the 14th.

 I felt that he deserved his own quarters in hell's hottest chamber alongside the devil himself. I alongside a multitude of others, driven by compassion for Trayvon and his family, hated Zimmerman and wished every misfortune to befall him and his bloodline. However my stance changed when I realised that my hate for him didn't mean that he wouldn't sleep at night nor would it make it a difference to his livelihood. I chose to pray for the Martin family and rest in the fact that for every measure of evil there is a recompense. What Zimmerman deserves will reach him in due time, karma has everyone's address.

In the mean time there are other injustices that we can individually pray for and collectively make a stand in order to see change. There's world hunger, human trafficking and war that we need to consider and try and change in any way we can. 

• You only regret what you didn't do not what you've done! If anything it's a memory, a lesson or a blessing! 

This is pretty much self explanatory! I've learnt to embrace everything that comes my way. I've learnt that courage isn't the absence of fear but act of facing what you fear regardless of how you feel. This is something that I want to grow in as time goes by because there are some things that still invoke trepidation in me. I believe the change starts in knowing then acting on it so come back to me in a couple of years and I hope to be able to give you a fearless report! 

• Be like a child, think like there are no obstacles, be like a cat, always land on your feet!

I remember when I was a child, innocent, afflicted but not affected by some of the world's injustices. If I genuinely wanted something no one could dissuade me otherwise. My mother still speaks of my big faith from childhood, if I wanted something I would patiently wait and pray and one way or another I would get it. I'm talking from toys and dolls to books and money. If I asked for it, even if I got a no, I  had a quiet confidence at a young age that got the attention of my parents. I've tried to hold on to that despite the dissapointments we all face and the status quo that makes it seem unreachable. I've learnt to dream without inhibitions and then practically make attainable goals in order to bring those dreams into fruition. Whatever happens I know that if I land on my feet, I can always dust myself off and try again. 

Every failure is just another lesson on how no to do it next time. I found this quote encouraging: "Thomas Edison's teachers said he was "too stupid to learn anything." He was fired from his first two jobs for being "non-productive." As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps." 

I've learnt that the fear of failure should never deter you from doing anything you wish to do! 

• Success happens when opportunity meets preparation, stay ready, stay hungry, stay dreaming and stay grafting

This is one thing I remind myself every day! Not a day goes by that my dreams don't cross my mind and the goals I've set in order to achieve them affect my daily routine! I know that it will pay off one day and it's some work towards my brand. 

If you read this through to the end, thank you for bearing with me and my waffling! I hope you're encouraged and some of you don't have to make the same mistakes I made however I've never met a bad idea I didn't enjoy at some point so go out, grow and have fun but keep the injuries at a minimal! 

My food posts have a new home!!!! Please head on over to www.theravenousreport.blogspot.com

I've posted some recipes and will continue to do so along with reviews and much more!!!

Much love and many blessings!

Kymmiisha

Xo

New Year new post: Powered entirely by my phone because my laptop is being a diva. Including pics and recipes

Top of the New Year humans!!!! Forehead kisses and good will to all mankind! I hope you all enjoyed Christmas, mine was nothing short of Merry! I also hope you all are looking forward to a prosperous and productive year! Tis the season to make resolutions and my twitter timeline and Facebook feed have never been more full of hope and strong will with an equal dose of scepticism and nay saying. 

I'm truly in awe of the power of the human will and the depth of perspective which we all posess at the beginning of each calendar year. Almost osmosically, social media has been the megaphone for many resolutions and good intentions which quite frankly has been beautiful to watch. Everyone has either gone down the "new year new me" route,which is receiving the most amount of ridicule from the half empty glass tweeters and facebookers, or "I'm unstoppable and a change is gonna come." I admire the infectious positivity but also have a degree of scepticism which is however wrapped up in bows, balloons and all things pretty as opposed to my down right doom and gloom counterparts. 

I understand the thrill of making resolutions but we also forget to put into account the hard work requires to keep it up. It seem as if we have all the good will but missing the discipline to carry on at the best of times. My message has never been "don't dream or expect the best" but it's always been for everyone to practically and informatively make the right steps to a better future. This is irrespective of time, circumstance or popular opinion.

I decided to change my life and started gradually eating healthier in November of of 2012 and by March 2013 I was exercising with as much vigour as an Olympian in training. By April I was dropping dress sizes and by July I had achieved the silent goal I had made three years earlier at my heaviest, to lose weight by my 21st birthday. I say all this to stress the point that you don't have to wait for the new year to change your life for good. Change comes when you put action to words and stick to it! 

Before and after 

I say this to encourage all the people who want a change in their lives for the right reasons and have weighed all the aspects to practically go about it. I also urge everyone who has been caught up in the wind of the "new year new me" phenomenon to put thought into what they are saying saying. I congratulate you on being discerning and capable of brining change into your life, it's not an easy thing to do! But I urge you to have the courage, discipline and grace to carry on what you have boldly declared at the beginning of the year when it's in vogue. Remember those words and that same will power when it's raining and the trip to the gym is daunting, when you're emotional and all you want to do is drown your sorrows with cake but pick up a piece of fruit instead. It's then when it matters and counts and deserves a thousand retweets!

Speaking of food here's a run down of how I fed my family and myself over Christmas. Some of the recipes work all year round! Enjoy!  

Christmas face stuffing (pics and recipes)

2013 was very tough for myself and my family and most of our hanging out was done around me in a hospital bed and they were always worried and helping me in every way. As a result I wanted to treat them to a good Christmas dinner even if it killed me! I mustered up every ounce of energy I had and made them a feast. Let's not however mention how I fell terribly ill for a week later and was unable to get out bed for day. They were worth every effort and they enjoyed it so that's all that matters! 

Starter: Smoked Salmon salad with sour creme ramoulade

There wasn't any cooking involved in this dish which is why I chose it. I didn't want to add a complex starter when I was doing four courses on borrowed energy amidst a recovery and ongoing symptoms from the list of ailments I'm daily kicking butt. The only recipe here is for the spicy sauce and it was:

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup mayo

1 tbsp dill

1 tbsp parsley

1 tbsp chives

2 tbsp spring onions 

1 tsp paprika 

1 tbsp habanero hot sauce (more to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste 

Mix everything and get right balance of herbs-sour cream-salt-spicy 

Adjust accordingly. Put in bowl to serve with the salad and garnish with a splash of hot sauce and chopped chives. 

Main: Turkey/ Salmon Encroute with red wine and cinnamon red cabbage, crushed and herbed new potatoes, creamed leeks and cranberry sauce

We had two mains, a side of salmon encroute mainly for my pescetarian self and a crown of turkey for the meat eaters. Whereas there's no one standard recipe for turkey I have tips to keep it moist and give it more flavour!

Turkey tip1- for extra flavour add herbs to the butter before you put it under the skin for the turkey baste itself when cooking. I used thyme, rosemary, chives, garlic and a bit of paprika alongside salt and pepper

Turkey tip2- since it was just a crown I cooked our turkey for the recommended 1hr 45min with an extra ten minutes just to be safe even when the juices were running clear (to check if poultry is cooked when roasting- pierce with a knife, press it against flesh and let the juices run, if cloudy it's not cooked yet and if clear it's cooked)

Turkey tip3- cover with foil for half the cooking time and then took it off to brown and crisp up. a) it makes sure it's cooked on the inside by keeping the heat from escaping 

b) it stops any garnish (bacon, herbs etc) from burning prematurely and being wasted 

Turkey tip4: Make a vegetable trivet ( veg between turkey and oven dish) from root veg. I used quartered onions, potatoes, carrots, celery and parsnip. The tip to this tip is to keep the veg cut very big so it's doesn't disintegrate when cooking. Try and and achieve a uniform cut so they cook evenly. These veg not only get all the flavour from the turkey and taste good but also if left in the oven for 10 minutes to crisp up, they can make a good garnish for your bird!   

In the left corner we had the salmon encroute which was every bit tasty and tantalising. This can be made all year round for dinner parties, gatherings and such.  I didn't make my own pastry on account of life being too short to make your own pastry for a four course dinner and I refuse to go into Tachycardia on Christmas Day from all the stress. Ready rolled pastry had to suffice and it actually worked well. I also made another short cut by asking for the fishmonger to take the skin off the salmon for me since my knife set containing my filleting knives hadn't been touched since the day I gracefully bowed out from my position as Commis chef at Brasserie Blanc; it made sense and it was free! 

To prepare it I greased a large, square oven dish. 

Placed one sheet of ready rolled pastry. 

Added the raw side of salmon on top

Topped with leeks (sautéed with garlic, dill, parsley and stirred in Philly cheese)

Applied egg wash to the sides 

Added top pastry

Folded in edges tightly, scored the top with a knife to let air out and brushed with egg wash. 

Cooked for 45 mins- 1hr on gas mark 6

Mains went with creamed leeks and red cabbage. I did the traditional creamed leeks. For the red cabbage:

Sautée cabbage with red onion and add cinnamon stalk. Add red wine and then cook in the oven with the rest of the food for 25 mins. I prefer to make a cartouche out of grease proof paper instead of a lid. That's how we did it in chef school and that's how it stuck! 

Instead of roasting potatoes I boiled mine  (baby potatoes) whole with skins on. Crushed and added sour cream, chives, spring onions, salt and pepper

Dessert and cheese courses: Christmas pudding, Ice cream, chocolate mousse and profiteroles cake,cheese and fruit platter plus coffee, port and baileys

This colourful feast fit for Roman gods was easy as 123 to assemble. I bought a variety of cheeses including Cheddar, Red Leicester, Brie, Stilton and Wensledale with cranberries. In lieu of my French culinary training where cheese is usually served with walnuts and dried apricots etc I went for grapes, crackers, breadsticks and persimmons which worked well. Try Stilton with crackers and persimmons, it's amazing! I totally mellows out the sharp notes in the Stilton, rounds the flavour up with a creamy finish!

The filtered coffee ended up making Irish coffee with the baileys with a hint of cinnamon which went well with the cheeses and desserts. 

The Christmas pudding was the best I've ever had thanks to Harrods, the profiterole chocolate mousse cake was also a shop bought delight which only required putting on a platter and dusting with icing sugar!  Usually don't take this many shortcuts but I've been unwell and on bed rest since coming out of hospital. 

Leftover Makeover: Leftover Birdie Pie

The next morning the unexpected happened, I felt hungry again! After the big feast the day before I never thought I'd want for another morsel of food but lo and behold, the whole household woke up ravenous!! Overwhelmed with the amount of leftovers also nursing a slight hangover I came up with what I feel will be a tradition in my house for years to come! I made Left Over Birdie Pie! 

I put the left over parsnips, carrots and stuffing in the good processor. 

Shredded the turkey

Put it in an large oven dish alongside some left over veg for texture, turkey bechamel sauce from the night before, paprika, dill and parsley and mixed 

Made breadcrumbs with the left over French stick, breadsticks a little bit of cheese to bind and some chives and parsley. 

Topped it with breadcrumbs and browned in the oven for 45 minutes. Served with left over red cabbage and a selection of salads (beet, coleslaw and green salads)

It went well with both red and white wine suprisingly! 

Deserted dessert:

Again I still had some leftover dessert and decided to do a frothy baileys custard and topped it with left over Christmas pudding crumbs, served with the profiterole mousse cake and Irish coffees ......And that is you keep on gaining weight, even the day after Christmas! 

The night after two nights before: 

The day after Boxing Day I still hadn't used the left over potatoes and for dinner I made quorn cakes with a Brie cheese center. 

I added flaked quorn chicken, spices and herbs (paprika, chives with salt and pepper) bound with an egg. Placed Brie slice in the middle of the patties. Baked for 25 minutes turning halfway though and served with a (mayo, honey, Dijon mustard and lemon dressing) salad and Shiraz. 

That did away with all the leftovers except the salmon encroute I froze which came to my rescue New Year's Day when the meat eaters where having a leg of lamb which I wanted no part of. 

I hope you indulge with the timeless recipes all year round and put a twist on next Christmas with the rest. If you have any food questions please leave a comment. 

I will be doing the Daniel Fast (Google it!) from the 5th for 21 days. I call it the meat free, Christian sister to the Paleo diet! With that I will be posting Daniel Fast, vegan and vegetarian recipes and a few treats along the way, in the month of January. 

That's all I had on my heart to share with you this time! Thanks for reading and don't forget to share and spread the good will and good food! Finish as you started, let's go ahead and keep at these goals till we see results! 

Happy new year!

With every blessing

Kymmiisha 

Xoxo