Zootopia

We are just 2 weeks away from Disney's latest animated film Zootopia opening in theaters everywhere, and in case you weren't keeping track it's Walt Disney Animation Studios' 55th animated feature!

Here are some details on what this upcoming film is all about:

Zootopia is a city, inhabited by modern mammals. It has neighborhoods like the ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it is where animals from every environment live together. It's a place where you can be anything, but when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia,” a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard (“Tangled,” “Bolt”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “The Simpsons”) and co-directed by Jared Bush (“Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero”).

This is probably my favorite clip from the movie, probably because I know how slow sloths are and have seen them in the wild. They really are slow! We are excited and can't wait to see Zootopia. Follow all the Zootopia fun on Facebook, Twitter, and their official website. Zootopia opens in theaters everywhere on March 4th! 

And to celebrate it's upcoming release, I'm happy to share with you some coloring pages of Officer Judy Hopps and friends. 

Hey, remember me?

Happy New Year!

It's been a while since I last posted something new. It's not that we haven't done much, it's more like we've done a lot. In the past 3 months we've traveled to visit family, dealt with family health issues, been busy with volunteering at schools and getting to know more of the area we live in as well connecting with new friends. I have continued to be active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Hopefully you are following there me too, as I post several times a week on there. 

As the year began the area we live in was hit by several rainstorms caused by the "El Niño", which meant that in January I barely got to go out for my runs or take brisk walks. 

This month, began with sunny skies and we've even broken high temperature records something that has my allergies acting out. I am enjoying the sunny skies to take walks. When you stop running for over a week it's as if you lose your momentum and your speed and then again for someone as new to running as me you basically start building up to where were and that is what I've been doing since February 1. 

In fact, as of February 1st, I have set my first walking goal on Runkeeper and that is to reach 50 miles in February. It sounds easier said than done though, considering our area will have a week off from school and I don't usually take my runs/walks on weekends to enjoy my family to the fullest. I am optimistic that I will achieve it though.

Why did I chose 50 miles? For starters February has 29 days this year, so I figured if I were to run at least 1.72 miles per day all month long and of course being me that is not the case. Between volunteering at schools and other responsibilities there are days I don't make it to my run, so some days I'm reaching 3.5 miles others 2 and then there are days like last week when I reach almost 4 miles. 

I've chosen to reach 12.5 miles a week and last week I reached that goal. It was fantastic to do so, to share that feeling of accomplishment with my family and my body is feeling stronger with each walk. 

Playlist is key! Since I first began being active in 2012, I began creating my own playlists depending on what my mood could be. This year my playlists goes according to tempo and what I'm doing, for example when I run my playlist is mostly Calvin Harris with Ellie Goulding and faster music. For a brisk walk I sometime listen to some Spanish Urban music which is like Reggaeton or Bachata. For a slower paced walk I will listen to Reggae, Sade and Michael Bublé. 

Each person has a personal preference and for me these playlists have worked perfectly. There are times when during my walk I kind of want to just relax my mind and that is when I listen to instrumental music, to relax my mind and just breathe while enjoying the scenery. 

One more goal I set for myself, is that I want to try at least 2 new recipes each month. I have so many fantastic recipes on my pinterest board waiting to be made and slowly but surely I've been trying 2 -3 new recipes in January and again in February. Recently we tried a Rosemary, Butter, Garlic Steak that was simple to prepare and so delicious! 

Have you tried any new recipes you liked lately? I'm also planing our dinners for the week, this is great when you are shopping with a budget and also prevents the usual: "what should I make for dinner" dilema that I am very familiar with. This has also helped my not-anymore-picky eater be more open about what he eats. He's even eaten peas!!! I can't believe he is beginning to try new foods and is enjoying figuring out that when you try something new it can be a good thing. 

Well, I guess this update means I will be back to blogging... right? It's a start... Until next time have a great time enjoying what you do and being open to new adventures and connect with people in your life, because you never know what adventures your destiny holds for you. 

Rajas con Crema {recipe}

One of our favorite Mexican recipes is called "rajas con crema" which is slices of pasilla {poblano} chile in a special cream based sauce. It is creamy and full of flavor, it is perfect as a main dish or as a side and it can also be a topping for meat or poultry. It will also work with fish. It is that delicious!

Served as a taco or added to your quesadilla mmm, so good! There are several ways to prepare them, some people add zucchini to them others add corn and hatch chiles... However you chose to serve them, I can guarantee you will love them as much as we do. Finding pasilla chiles in Costa Rica was always a challenge, we were only able to find them on 3 different occasions in 2 years. However, now that we are in California and can find any ingredient we need to prepare delicious home cooked meals we are enjoying them as much as we can. Here is how I prepare our rajas con crema, this week I served ours with a side of Mexican Rice, breaded chicken breast and beans. 

INGREDIENTS:

4 Pasilla Chiles {also called poblano peppers} 

1 Medium size yellow onion

1 Tsp Knorr Chicken Bouillon 

1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

1 Garlic clove minced OR 1 tbsp of minced garlic

1 Can of Nestlē's Media Crema aka table cream

Salt and Black Pepper to taste

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS: 

1.- Charr pasilla peppers, this can be done by placing them over a gas flame or underneath the broiler and cook until they are blackened on all sides or placing them on top of a non-stick griddle and blackened on all sides {this is how I usually charr peppers at home}. It will look like the skin is bubbling. Then enclose them in a plastic bag -any plastic bag will do and let stand for 8-12 minutes. The steam from the peppers will make them easier to peel.

2.- Peel the pasilla peppers, take the seeds out and slice them into long strands. Peel the onion and cut into half, then slice the onion. You want the onions to look like crescents. Place a large skillet on medium heat and add oil.

3.- When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and onions. Sauté for 3-5 minutes mixing constantly. Add the sliced pasilla peppers and mix all together. Add salt, pepper, Knorr seasoning and continue mixing. 

4.- Add Nestlē's table cream and combine all ingredients, continue mixing until all ingredients are combined. Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low-med heat, let cook for 5 minutes. Enjoy!