Happy Tuna Melt and Lightning Bugs

A couple nights ago, I spent the evening sipping wine on the back porch of a friend’s house. It is really amazing how her and I can solve all the world’s problems by the end of bottle number 2. On this particular night, we started discussing how our generation is the last to know the yester-years. In our life time the world became digital!! It is crazy to think of today’s kids vs what we grew up with…

They have never used the dewey decimal system.

They have never had to stand up to change the channel.

They have never rolled down a car window.

Life seemed simpler when we grew up. Not so many rules. My mom would leave my brother and I in the car when she went grocery shopping, we did not die. I would play outside with the neighbor kids until it was dark outside. If you fell down and scrapped your knee, your rubbed dirt on it not antibacterial soap. We had block parties on the 4th of July.

My favorite summer activity was sitting on the back porch at my grandma’s house eating tuna melts. The glow of lightening bugs in the distance. I thought life was perfect!!

1 Can sustainable tuna fish

1 Dallop of mayo

2 Shakes of dry dill

1 Squirt of dijon mustard

2 Pinches of Happy Hemp seeds

1 Toast

1 Cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Mix tuna, mayo, dill and Happy Hemp seeds in a bowl.

Scoop you tuna on to your toast and place cheese on top.

Put in over for about 10 min or until cheese is melted.

I recommend a little tomato soup on the side.

Enjoy and live life to the fullest!

xo Happy Hemp

Happy Youth

After my mom and grandma left, I was inspired to create food from my youth. Growing up my Obachan (grandma) was a huge influence on my personality and my palate. She came to the US in 1954 after meeting my grandfather during the Korean war. She was born in Yahata, Japan… I promised I would not put the year.

Taken a day before the were married 58 years ago.

In 1952 she was working at a military office and going to an English school. To get home after work she had two options a city bus or a military bus. She would always ride the city bus, due to the rumors she had heard of American soldiers. On this particular day she was standing in line to get on the city bus and my grandfather was waiting for the military bus. After seeing her…. it was love at first sight.  He followed her on to the city bus. She tells me..He started to try to talk to me… it was so rude! I get off bus and he follow me.”  She says…. every time I turn around he right there behind me (she giggles) and after 58 years he is still always there right behind me!! She says the rest is history….

This is a spin on one of my favorite meals she used to make me.

Cook 1 cup of brown rice per instructions on bag.

Take 2 leaves of kale and chop into 1 inch strips.

Saute in a skillet with olive oil. Set aside.

Next fry an egg in the same skillet. I like mine slightly runny in the middle.

Combine in a bowl from bottom to top.

Brown rice, kale, Happy Hemp seeds and the egg.

The next part is the most important part. You add the sprinkles.

When I was a kid that was the most important part.

It was my parmesan cheese!!

You can buy at most grocery stores in the Asian section.

Enjoy!!

Happy Hemp Hello…

Whew!!  What a whirlwind couple of weeks. First my mom and grandma came to visit. It was a fun filled trip of sight seeing and lots of food. Some of our highlights was enjoy the patio at Perla’s and happy hour at La Condessa. My mom and grandma were able to see me in full action at Farmers’ Market for the first time. It was truly a week of memories.

3 Generations…Priceless!

After they left, I packed my bags and headed Westward to Coachella.

Full of Life Flatbread was kind enough to invite Happy Hemp to be apart of the music.

We made a Happy Hemp Chanterelle ‘Shroom flatbread.

Happy Hemp Flatbread… OH MY!!

Our booth was darling located in the heart of VIP.

Full of Life Flatbread Booth

Here are some of the highlights and lowlights of the trip…

Highlights: 

1. Sold Happy Hemp to ton of celebrities.
2. Saw amazing music. Santigold, Snoop, Florence, Black Keys, Mike Snow, Madness, Radiohead and more!!
3. My BFF Sam who is the amazing designer at Adesso rocked out with me the whole time.
4. Made tons of great new friends.
5. Learned how to Instagram.

Sam and I day 1

Lowlights:

1. The weather was one of the hottest weekends on record. 103 to 106!!
2. I camped for 5 days. That means port-a-potties and showers in shipping containers!! For the record camping in Mother Nature is way different that camping with human festivals goers. Just Say’in…

 He and I are now Facebook friends

When I got home… home never felt so sweet!!

I took  5 hot showers with no shoes on.

I cranked up the AC and sat in my sweat pants feeling cozy.

Last but not least…I was so happy to be able to sit on the toilet!!!

Happy Home. Happy Me. Happy Hemp.

Happy Butter Bean Pâté Lunch

I feel like I have not embarrassed myself on the blog for a while, so thinking I need to fix that! Dating… should do it.

One of the reasons I decided to leave LA is due to my mid 30, brunette locks and real small-ish boobs are not quite what the males fancy in Lala. To put it blunt I don’t look like barbie and I am not twenty. Now what I lack in cup, I make up in personality, but who can get a word in edge wise when two double d’s have hypnotized the guy?

So I packed up and headed to Texas where single men are free range and grass fed. Right?

After settling into my new digs and started to familiarize myself with the locals, I started to realize I had a whole different set of issues. Marriage!! In LA all my friends are single and the few who took the plunge do not have kids. We have dogs!!

All my new  TX friends are married and I mean… ALL of them!! As much as I was confused by them, they were confused by the single me.

Here are a couple observations between married species and single species:

1. Married women are far nicer to single woman than single female vs single female. They are loving and extremely encouraging to put a ring on it.

2. Married women love to set-up single girls. For them it is more about the set-up than an actual personality match. Again goal put a ring on it.

3. Married women love to ask age and then promptly.. Are you married? Kids? When I reply no. A sound of sadness is quickly followed. I think they assume I live on a hill with multiple cats.

I have always been a career girl. Again one of the reasons I left LA, less career more life. Enter online dating. According to everyone, they know a thousand people who met online and are happily in relationships and married just last month. With those odds, I don’t know why I had waited so long to join and be happy!!  According to the ads 1 out of 5 relationships start online, I guess they never said 1 and 5 are happy relationships.

So the timeline has to be simple. 1. Sign up. 2. Go on a handful of dates. 3. Change facebook status to “in a relationship”

Well that is not quite how it has worked out.

1. I did sign up…. as a matter of fact for two sites. Better odds!!

2. Go on a handful of dates. Well that part is true, I have only been on a handful of dates. 3 to be exact.

Guy #1 was 20 years older than the photo. Like I was not going to notice!!

They guy I thought I was meeting vs actual guy.

Guy #2 Sweet as he may have been. Having a job is kind of important in your late 30′s. No go!!

Guy #3 Awesome… but when I was ordered glass of wine #2 he was ordering whiskey #5. Yikes.

I know the saying.. you go to kiss some frogs to find your prince, but frogs don’t email. Whew… Let’s just say online dating is also a place for just hooking up. Usually these emails come in at 3 am, so that is always a great way to start my day!! Ha ha.

3. Change relationship status… not yet, but will keep you posted!

Here is an amazing dish for whatever relationship status you are sporting!!

Take a can of butter beans, 2 cloves of fresh garlic and 1 cup of mushrooms and sauté in a skillet with olive oil.

Throw everything in a food processor and add 1/4 cup of Happy Hemp.

Put lid on and turn on. Pour a steady steam of olive oil into the mix until the mixture turns into a think puree.

Scoop the mixture in a bowl. Serve with crackers and side salad.

Yummy!! Enjoy!!

Happy Salmon Sheet Dinner

My mom called me raving about the sheet dinner idea in Bon Appetite magazine.

I loved the idea! I loved the simplicity! I love the minimal clean up!

So here we go…

Tonights dinner is wasabi mayo Happy Hemp crusted salmon with a side of roasted veggies.

Take a aluminum cooking sheet or line one in foil.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2 Bok choy

1 Bundle of scallions

1 Small napa cabbage, halved.

Toss all in olive oil until lightly coated with a pinch of sea salt.

Spread out the veggies out on one side of sheet.

In a small dish mix wasabi and  3 TBSP of mayo together.

Remember you can always add wasabi, but not take it away.

So taste and see what heat level is good for you.

Spread the mayo dip on top of the salmon and then sprinkle the top with Happy Hemp.

Lay the salmon on the open end of the sheet.

So to recap veggies one side, salmon chilling out of the other side.

Everyone happy!

Last but not least grate some fresh ginger over the top of the veggies.

Cook for 10 min.

Take left over wasabi mayo and spread over the cabbage.

Thanks Mom! Thank Bon Appetite!

Now let’s eat!

Happy Birthday Happy Hemp

Happy 1st Birthday.

You have taught me so mush this year about myself.

I know longer fear the unknown. I wake up everyday eager to greet the day and face what life has planned.

 I have learned to see myself in the mirror. I love who I am… just as I am.

 I now listen to my inner voice.

 I am rich in the things that matter. Friends, family and memories.

 I have learned to forgive. I no longer hold on. I am free.

 I have passion.

 I see.

  I have true happiness.

The true meaning of being happy is right here right now…  In the moment.

I am.

 Thank you Happy Hemp!

Happy Artichoke. Happy Me.

Have you ever eaten an artichoke?

No? You are missing out!!

Head to your local farmers’ market immediately.

Got mine at Hairston Creek Farm .

Let’s get the facts straight.

1. Easy to cook.

2. Amazing flavor.

3. Great for you!

Cut the stems off.

Place a stock pot on medium heat with a couple of inches of water.

Add in a steam basket and place artichokes on top.

Cover and bring to boil, turn down to a simmer.

Cook for 30 to 40 min or until leaves easily pull from base.

I am a big dipper.

Mix a spoonful of mayo, fresh dill, Happy Hemp and a squirt of lemon to a bowl.

Stir.

Add a pinch of salt to taste.

You are ready to rock and dip.

Plate. Eat. Enjoy!

Happy Black Radish Chips

Potato Chips are the evilest of all evil snack foods. These light and fluffy little liars lure you in with their promise of just eating one, one won’t hurt. The problem is and I am pretty sure there is scientific research proving my point, no one has EVER eaten just one potato chip in the history of mankind. I have on several occasions sat and mindlessly eaten an entire bag without realizing what i was doing. My choice was simple 1. go to chip rehab or 2. come up with a healthy solution. I have chosen to by pass going to Passages at 32k a day and found a fun chip option to satisfy snacking and won’t lie to my thighs.

Black radishes are the perfect veggie to turn into a a yummy snack.

This root vegetable is great for stimulating digestion!!

They have a wonderful pepper flavor that is perfect for a snack.

Ingredients:

• 2 Black radishes. Thoroughly washed or peeled.
• Olive oil
• Happy Hemp
• Sea salt

Directions:

1. Take the washed radishes and thinly slice them. I suggest using a mandoline if you have one. The thinner the better.
2. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
3. Place slices in a bowl and drizzle olive oil, 2 pinches of sea salt and 2 TBSP of Happy Hemp.
4. Mix together until all slices are lightly covered in oil. The less oil the better. Don’t soak.
5. Spread the slices out in a baking dish. Try to keep them from over lapping to much.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Enjoy! 

Happy Oscars and Fancy Grilled Cheese.

I was excited to watch the Oscars this year due to the return of Billy Crystal. The first thing to do when planning for the big night is… What are you going to eat? Very important. Earlier in the day, I had been watching the Food Network. The show was about my favorite thing I have ever eaten. One of the segments was about the most Awesomeness Sandwiches ever. There was a Croque Monsieur that was jumping off the screen calling my name. So my options were 1.  buy a ticket to NY or 2. make my own spectacular version and share with you. I am going with option 2 and you!

I have never made a CM, but knew the ingredients….. Cheese, ham, bread, spread of some sort and of course my addition of Happy Hemp. In my opinion the cheese is the most important element in the dish. I realized that once I arrived to select the cheese, I had forgot to look up what was the best option. As it was Sunday, I have a new no cell phone rule and did not have my handy looker upper device at my finger tips. This posed a real problem due to the cheese selection at Central Market is a small grocery store within itself. The dazed look of being completely overwhelmed by all the choices must have been completely obvious. A cheese 911 staffer quickly saw the fear on my face and rushed to aid me in my selection. Whew…Disaster avoided!! He suggested a Comte which is the french version of Gruyere, the croque cheese of choice.

Warning: The following recipe is not the real deal French version. I do not claim it is in anyway shape or form. Nor am I French in anyway shape or form. This is simply a lazy Austin Sunday fancy grilled cheese recipe inspired by (insert French accent) Monsieur Croque.

My last big decision was finishing the night with popcorn or ice cream. I went with both clearly!

Shopping complete T minus 45 min to show time.

Ingredients:

• Wheat Bread
• Comte cut
• Sliced ham
• Mayo
• Happy Hemp

Directions:

1. Turn on the broiler.
2. Toast 2 slices of bread.
3. Spread mayo on both slices.
4. Layer on top ham, a pinch of Happy Hemp and cheese.
5. Place in oven until cheese on top is bubbly and lightly browned.
6. Server with a side salad or bowl of your favorite soup.
7. Enjoy!

Overall the food was yummy! The ice cream and popcorn were slightly over the top, but worth it!!

The Oscars on the other hand were less than thrilling and I found myself asleep on the couch half way through.

Happy Cooking Shows

Well y’all this has been a long time coming. I have been planning and plotting for months to start adding Happy Hemp video vignettes. Whew it is a million times harder than what I thought. There is really something to be said about TV magic. Hours and Hours of taping… to be edited down to only 2-ish wee little minutes.

My journey started with homework. Watching cooking shows and taking notes. How do they start the show? How do they end the show? How do they tell the story? Well watching someone else is far different than actually doing it yourself.

Preparing to start the bruschetta episode.

First thing to figure out is my intro and my closing. After watching several shows, I see how each show starts with same 3 things.

1. Introduce myself.

2. Explain the overall theme of the show. For example Rachel Ray cooks 30 min meals.

3. What you are making. I am going to make x dish in 30 minutes.

Ok I can do that. Wrong! I would expect having trouble in the beginning explaining my cooking objective until I got comfortable, but my name!?! When the camera is on and the lights are on you like you are being questioned by the police, even my name seemed to escape me. Good thing for TV magic… Cut! Bruschetta take 3.

Next problem…. I was beyond nervous and had about a pot of coffee that moring trying to get ready, with no food before they arrived.

Definition Nervous:

1. Highly excitable; unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive: to become nervous under stress. 

2. Of or pertaining to the nerves: nervous tension.

3. Affecting the nerves: nervous diseases.

4. Suffering from, characterized by, or originating in disordered nerves.

5. Characterized by or attended with acute uneasiness or apprehension: a nervous moment for us all.

I was experiencing #1 and #5 for sure. On scale of 1 to 10, I was about a 12 in the butterfly nerve department. Luckily I was working with professionals and they knew exactly what to do.

1. Eat something. I quickly woofed down a muffin and 2 TBSP of Happy Hemp right out of the bag.

2. Take a shot of Tequila. They did not recommend this, but I thought it was  good idea. Down the hatch!

After the second taping, I seemed to be getting into a groove or the tequila was working? Regardless my personality started to come out. Words were exiting my mouth in complete sentences. I did not cut or hurt myself during the filming. I started picturing the film crew in their underwear and thank goodness I was able to remember my name again.

So in just a couple of weeks, the next stage of Happy Hemp will begin. I am excited and hope you will love it! If not… I have a wonderful 4 part mini series documenting me making a baboon’s ass of myself for my friends and family to enjoy for years to come!!

Happy Butterflies. Happy Cooking. Happy Hemp.