MY ANOSMATIC LIFE

Happy February! It’s already February! Time flies! It’s been almost two years since I last wrote a post and that’s OK…who’s counting? No clue where the time went but here’s a little rundown of what’s been happening:

Traveling tales

Traveling always helps me appreciate the senses and the blessing to live in the moment of life’s experiences. There is so much to see, feel, touch, hear, and when I can…smell. Last year, I traveled to three countries (Kenya, Tanzania, and Brazil) and tried various types of food (e.g. Kenyan and Tanzanian beef curry, Brazilian fried chicken, Bolinho de bacalhau – Brazilian cod fritters) what I could taste was amazing. I had hands down the best churro in Brazil.

I also saw some beautiful animals during safaris and visits to the Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Centre and even walked amongst some on Crescent Island. I have a new obsession with giraffes. Still can’t believe how close we got to hippos.

Still getting my cook on

Cooking is absolutely therapeutic. Somehow, maybe two years ago, I became the person to make mac and cheese for the holidays and it’s totally fine. I made some mac and cheese for Thanksgiving with my mother’s help and then without my mother’s guidance for the first time on Christmas (pat on my back). After visiting Tanzania and getting up spices, I took a stab at making East African Pilau rice (no picture for evidence but my friend and cousin can vouch for my attempt). I also realized that I have a serious obsession with making stuffed peppers.

Tried some new things

I have never tried so many new foods until I lost my sense of smell and have definitely become a more open-minded eater over the years. Don’t quote me when I can smell cause I am a well-known picky eater. During a recent trip to Houston, TX, I had some amazing food. Lucille’s has some of the best fried green tomatoes. I ate at Pappadeaux and tried crawfish for the first time in a dish called Salmon Alexander. Confession: I’m not the biggest fan of having to unpeel seafood or take food apart. So eating the itty bitty pieces of crawfish was “progress.” But still means that I don’t mess with lobster, crab, crab legs…etc. Yes, I have tried crab legs, and they are just not my thing. Another spot I ate at was Turkey Leg Hut which had this delicious turkey stuffed baked potato with cheese and barbeque sauce. It was so good that I did not add seasoning which is shocking because I add salt and pepper to EVERYTHING but fruit.

Lastly, I could smell for almost a month from like a couple of days before Christmas to mid-January thanks to a sinus infection I had for months. I got some antibiotics and ding ding… steroids that 9/10 bring my smell back. It was wonderful to fully smell and taste everything I could eat under the sun. My sense of smell has temporarily left the scene but will hopefully make its appearance again soon.