" Sometimes its better to be LUCKY than GOOD" -D. Trump JR.

So, the quote is what the quote says, but I can't help but think it should read something more like this ..." Sometimes its better to be LUCKY than SMART!" Suck on that for a while , we'll come back to it, but while you pacify yourselves with that chunk of REALNESS, check this out.

First, I'd like to say thank you for checking out my new blog. I want this to be interactive so, get talking and leave your comments-good or bad.  This blog is gonna get REAL and sometimes it might even offend you, but at the end of the day my hope, is it will inspire each of you to be as REAL as you can, with everyone you meet, including yourselves!  Let's make the world a better place, one neighborhood at a time. (jeez! that was cheesy, oh well...cheese is delicious!)

I don't really know how I find time to watch all of the TV I'm watching these days but, www.HULU.com is a hint. So, I'm watching an abnormal amount of television ...Hell, was I not born from TV!?  Anyway, there is no doubt  I have a certain weakness for good writing, clever concepts and entertaining personalities. Growing up in Miami back then was BooooRING for a young girl like me. All there was to do between hurricanes and heat waves was watch TV, find frogs, climb trees (not so many trees) and well....we'll get into that at a later date/in a future blog.  For now we'll start with TV, since that IS how most of you reading this know me.

My TV playlists reads like this: Celebrity Apprentice, Spartacus, Jaime Oliver's Food Revolution, Breaking Bad, LOST, Big Love, 24, Kitchen Nightmares, Millionaire Matchmaker, Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, TOP CHEF MASTERS and oh man...I know I'm gonna catch a lot of flack for this one, American Idol.

I mean, how can you not LOVE love LOVE Cyndi Lauper and Sharon Osbourne? These two women are so amazingly rock and roll, I don't even know what to do with myself. Cyndi Lauper, an artist, philanthropist, diva of REALNESS and activist, existing to move people through her music and lyrics while helping to change the world- She is a rock Goddess and my hero! The charity she is playing for is www.truecolorsfund.org   She says -"I'm not above doing whatever it takes."     Sharon Osbourne you're my second hero these days #1 'Cause  you stand up for Cyndi #2  You represent 'MOMS'  #3 Just look at your family, FIERCE and REAL #4 You give face-I'll explain that in person. Her charity- Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program, Cedars-Sinai    She says, "I don't play well with other women, and I can be the nastiest bitch in the world."  As far as Celebrity Apprentice goes there are a collection of dynamic personalities, including Mr. Rock of Love himself, self proclaimed "ladies man" and glam rock front man-Brett Michaels. Brett, my mother has diabetes and I will too if I don't drop about 30 lbs (new Israeli Army Style training starts on Tuesday, watch what happens ..Ha!). So, I'm familiar with the mood swings associated with the fluctuations of your normal sugar levels, but c'mon man-GET A GRIP!  You're a friggin' ROCK AND ROLLER!  Just communicate without getting frustrated or, make sure they have  Snapples on set at all times. It worked for Sam (Sam Talbot of Top Chef).  All in all, there are some great charities these celebrities are playing for, so go check out the site and familiarize yourselves. 


SPARTACUS = scantily dressed primitive Chelsea Boys having sex with everything that moves while ripping to shreds all opponents in the ARENA!!!!! The historical facts are brutal and not for the weak hearted, but this show definitely proves we've come a long way...I mean, kinda.

Jaime Oliver's Food Revolution= Probably one of the cutest Chefs on the scene- talented, compassionate and determined.

 I believe that every child in America has the right to fresh, nutritious school meals, and that every family deserves real, honest, wholesome food. Too many people are being affected by what they eat. It's time for a national revolution. America needs to stand up for better food! 
You live in an amazing country full of inspirational people and you have the power to change things. With your help, we can get better food into homes, schools and communities all over America and give your kids a better future. Sign the petition to save America's cooking skills and improve school food. It could be the most important thing you ever do for your family. America's health needs you now!

NEW SEASONS ...I can't wait for are Weeds, True Blood and Dexter! Woo hoo! 

* side note Anna Paquin, star of True Blood,  just recently came out in the news with a statement -"I'm Anna Paquin. I'm bisexual, and I give a damn,"    Got to love it!

Now,  We can keep on talking about TV for days, years, but let's move onto something else.

MUSIC!!!!! 

These are just a few songs in my IPOD right now. Just a peek into the music that helps inspire the girl! Next week, we'll be working it out and I'll be introducing some new and old artist on the independent label scene. Some folks you may already know and others you'll be happy to discover. So, here are a few videos for your viewing pleasures:

Ciara and Justin Timberlake ...if you're nasty

A soul diva, Chaka Khan

Back to the basics of just being creative when making videos, Feist

Imogen Heap - Hide And Seek

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Rich (Reading Festival 2003)

YELLE "A CAUSE DES GARCONS" TEPR Remix-

FOOD CULTURE-have you ever heard of a CAJA CHINA? Well, simply put its a pig roaster. As the weather is changing ...The Summer soon arriving, we all get ready to throw down with our best BBQ recipes. Though, since I'm originally from Miami and having a very good grasp on Cuban cuisine, I want to share with you what it was like growing up in South Florida.  We never needed a good reason to have a pig roast. It seemed, all we needed was good weather, a few accompaniments (yucca with garlicky lime mojo, congri, y platanitos maduros), some friends and a cooler full of nice cold beers!  (well, we were kids so...NO beers -although, we did sneak a few sips and bottles behind the palm trees) . Soon, I'll head back home and when I do, I'll take all of you with me! Bienvenidos a MIAMI!  

Here are a few of my favorite spots around the ways.  I  almost don't want to share them with you because for some strange reason, I have my theories, once a place gets popular the quality of the food goes down the drains. Its rare that a hot spot maintains a level of consistency mirroring their early days. This is one of the biggest challenges of being a successful food operation, but any good business owner/Chef will set standards and be able to maintain them through the growing times. 

IPPUDO, Pam's Real Thai Restaurant, El Farolito's Taqueria, La Sandwicherie

Next week in FOOD CULTURE I'll be featuring the growing MIAMI food scene and we'll take a sneak peek at what those clean air breathing San Franciscans are eating!

GLOBAL SOUL-Chef Josie travels, as much as possible in search of the souls of a culture.  Traveling is mode of inspiration and education. It allows our minds to open and think expansively. These days, I've been extremely fortunate to enjoy the world I live in. I've had the chance to dig deep into the souls of a culture and what I've found is beautiful. 

Mexico

Kusadasi, Turkey

                                Alaska

                                                             Venice

  

Alaska

GYM CLASS-Ok, you got me! I'm into sports, not all sports, but sports. 

NFL

New York Giants

Stats | Schedule | Roster | Depth Chart

New York Jets

Stats | Schedule | Roster | Depth Chart

Miami Dolphins

Stats | Schedule | Roster | Depth Chart

New Orleans Saints

Stats | Schedule | Roster | Depth Chart
MLB

Florida Marlins

Stats | Schedule | Roster | Depth Chart

New York Yankees

Stats | Schedule | Roster | Depth Chart
NBA

Miami Heat

Stats | Schedule | Roster | Depth Chart
WNBA
MMA
BOXING 
And of course my next goal...To win a WSOP bracelet!  Btw, I'm looking for sponsors
POKER

*THE GREEN TIP*- Each week I'm going to share with you a tip to help you be greener. This is the only inhabitable planet we have (the last I heard) and if we do not take care of it, there will be nothing left for all of the children and young people of the world. We MUST live consciously and educate about saving our trees, our rain forest, our oceans OUR PLANET!!!  So, next time you head to the grocery store-Bring your own bags and when given a choice between plastic and paper, opt for paper. 

Wow, so there it is folks! The first official Chef Josie Blog. I know it was a lot to take in at once-I'll work on that. Though, this is the first, and I wanted to make sure you knew what to expect. Leave your comments, share the link and keep coming back for more. Now, that wasn't so bad...Was it?  

Check back in next week for MORE of EVERYTHING!

I sure have a new respect for the blogosphere! 

Until next time...Remember, "One of the best ways to check the hygiene of any restaurant, is to check the bathrooms." -G. Ramsey and My Dad.....

 
(Thanks to all of my family and friends. You guys mean the world to me- I love you!  I can't forget about the BIG GUY UPSTAIRS, yes that guy! tks)