IDEA160: Go on a Solo Adventure to Connect and Reset

Everyday, we cheer folks on to squash the mundane and seek out everyday adventures... to satiate your wanderlust in-between those big trips afar. The best way for us to follow along and for you to be inspired by other global neighbors, is through our #LiveLikeYoureTraveling tag via Instagram. We couldn't help but notice Amy, full of curiosity, taking us through the colorful details of her surroundings in New Jersey and New York and a willingness to step out of her comfort zone. So we asked her to stop by to share her discoveries from these recent solo adventures, where she embraces two of our challenges: (1) Go Waterfall Hunting and (2) Shop Like You're Traveling, plus tips on how to have one ourselves...

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Some of my most successful adventures in which I really felt like I was able to live like I’m traveling have been where I was by myself. I am actually a big fan of going out and exploring the world alone - whether it’s a big trip to another country or just a local walk in your own town. Traveling with a companion / friends / family can also be extremely rewarding, but there is something so gratifying about being able to experience something for yourself and only for yourself without the presence or opinions of others potentially influencing your decisions. I’m here to share with you some of my experiences and tips for adventuring alone, and by the end - maybe you will feel inspired to go out on a solo adventure of your own!

One of the biggest benefits of solo adventuring is that you are able to connect on a completely different and elevated level - which applies to more things than one. In early September, I ventured by myself to a local park (approximately 30 minutes from home). Despite living in New Jersey for my entire life, I had never been to Schooley’s Mountain Park before. Of everyone in my family, I am probably the most adventurous one - always lusting for new people / places / things. I was determined to experience Schooley’s by myself - as I heard that there were two waterfalls and an overlook to be found.

I woke up early and packed a lunch (as I didn’t want to have to go back home just for food) and drove to the park. On the drive there, I rolled down my windows, turned up the radio, and sang loudly (something I don’t enjoy as much when other people are in the car… mostly because I’m 1000% tone deaf and fear for their ear drums). I also passed a lot of scenic farmland on the way there, which was really nice. I found the waterfalls myself - where I ate my lunch and dipped my feet in the water. I also made my way to the overlook, where I saw a family of hawks. I had never been that close to a hawk in the wild before. I ended up spending the whole day there, and to this day it was one of the best days of my life...

By myself, I was able to wholly connect with my surroundings.

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Another time where I was able to connect more with my surroundings while traveling on my own - was when I went to the historic town of Chester (NJ) by myself for the first time. I went the week before Christmas, and it was such a fun small-scale adventure around the holidays. I took my time in every shop that I entered looking at all the trinkets and objects. One of my favorite parts was that I had conversations with many of the shop owners. It was really fascinating to learn about the products they sold and the stories behind their businesses. It’s not one of the easier things to do - as our society has become one ridden by social anxiety. Trust me, some encounters were slightly awkward too. For the most part though, it was an extremely rewarding experience. I don’t know if I would have taken the time to talk to as many people as I did had I not been alone - nor would I have probably spent an hour at the large antiques shop there.

PLANNING TIPS FOR GOING SOLO 

• Get ideas where to go via Instagram. It's actually one of my main sources for travel ideas. To some people it’s just a silly little app, but to me it is a wealth of inspiration. I follow many locals in my area - who often share places that they go. One of my favorite accounts for NY escapades is @hiddengemofnyc because they tend to post ideas that aren’t your typical NY tourist ideas. Sometimes I find out about events / exhibitions / places via Instagram and then go to Google afterwards to find out more details.

• Keep a local bucketlist. I keep a list of local places that I want to go / things I want to see on my phone in my notes app. It’s like a short-term bucket list ;). I try to prioritize the items on the list by things I want to see from most to least, and then try to plan a day based on that. Some places require their own full day, while others can sometimes be combined into the same day. I always try to have some sort of “loose” plan - but am always open to straying from the plan too.

• Go without a plan. Planning is great and all, but sometimes the most amazing adventures happen when you stumble upon the unexpected. When I'm in New York, I often like to explore by foot, instead of taking the subway (destination & weather permitting). I've discovered a lot of awesome things that can't be found on a map this way. (ex. street art, cool doors, sidewalk shops, food trucks, etc). If you’re really feeling adventurous: just get in your car and drive (with no particular place in mind)...the ultimate road trip!

Many people have told me that I am crazy to go out wandering by myself - mostly for “safety” reasons. To some extent, this is probably true. I have been “cat-called” one too many times while walking the streets of New York (which is ten times more awkward / uncomfortable when you’re alone). I’ve come across multiple snakes on a path while hiking alone. I’ve gotten lost while driving alone, but would find my way back eventually. Life isn't meant to be lived on the terms of “what ifs” and the rewards of adventuring solo outweigh those potential negative what ifs. I know that I for one always feel refreshed and revived after having a good adventure by myself.

A good solo adventure to me is like pushing a reset button.

When I return to my home / my workspace - I come back more motivated than ever with a passion to be productive. While it may seem that initially I went out to procrastinate from getting things done, I find that getting away and experiencing new things often helps me get more done in the end.   

I hope that this has maybe inspired you to go out on some solo adventures yourself! Where are you headed next? Let us know in the comments below!

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Follow Amy for design, wanderlust and noms on amychendesign.com & @amyventures

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Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

Plum Tarte Tatin Recipe : Say Hello to Autumn with a Seasonal Dish

The heating went on in our house yesterday... Is this really the end of summer? How do we feel? Nostalgic already for the long days full of sunshine, trips to the beach and spontaneous jaunts for ice-cream? Or kind of ready to light vanilla candles, drink hot spicy teas and get cozy? Whatever the case is, we should learn to enjoy the beauty of the current situation... And that situation is... PLUMS! They're everywhere and they're sweet. 

Why not celebrate with a good-bye Summer, hello Autumn party? The last hurrah to say goodbye to Summer before we officially welcome Autumn with all her scents and flavors. 

Plum Tarte Tatin

275 g sugar
125 g butter (cubed)
1 egg beaten
200 g flour
100 ml water
500 g plums, halved with pits removed
powdered sugar

plastic wrap
tart form (22cm) buttered

Prep/Cook 
Add 75g of sugar, the butter, egg, flour and a pinch of salt to a bowl and kneed them together into dough. (Not too long, otherwise it may loose elasticity.) Wrap the dough into plastic wrap and put to rest in the fridge for half an hour. Meanwhile melt the rest of the sugar with water over low fire till it starts to resemble light caramel. Pour it over the bottom of the tart form so it covers the bottom completely. Lay the plums cut side down onto the bottom of the tart form. Warm the over till 180C. Roll out the dough. Lay it over the tarte form paying attention to tuck the edges over the form just a bit. Bake in the over 20-25 minutes. Let it cool and then carefully turn it right side up onto a large plate.

Serve
Finish it with powdered sugar. Serve it with sour cream mixed with lemon juice or with a ball of vanilla ice cream... 

(Recipe loosely translated: Original source) 

And if you're inspired to accompany your plum tart with en entire seasonal French inspired menu head over to Mimi Thorrison's absolutely magical blog Manger for a dinner menu straight out of the lovely countryside in Medoc, France...

(Photo via) 

• • •    LESSONS LEARNED    • • •

Nature knows best what and WHEN it's good for us! 

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

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Dim Sum Like a Pro - What to Order

{ Above : Steamed Sticky Rice - meat stuffing wrapped in lotus leaves }

Dim sum can be intimidating. Carts are zooming past you from all directions...filled with mysterious bamboo containers and the room hums with what seems to be a secret communication between the many attendants and guests. Well today I'm arming you with insider knowledge. Consider it your must-have list (more advanced delicacies will be saved for another day) Imagine for a moment that I will be your *friend* that takes you out to dim sum...who will do the ordering for you.  
 

Shall we begin? 

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The bill. There will be some furious scribbling on on a bill like this each time an attendant hands you a dish. All of the dishes are considered small, medium or large and are charged accordingly. Don't even worry about this.

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We have to start with a round of dumplings. Immediately.
All kinds of dumplings! Potstickers, steamed shrimp and veggie ones. One of everything!
They come in cute little bamboo containers... we just can't go wrong!

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Then we move on to root vegetable that is not as common....Taro Cake 
Crispy on the outside and soft (potato-like on the inside with savory little pieces of meat and shitake). Fantastic with soy sauce and a dash of chili oil! - We may have to order a couple as I might have one of these to myself...  

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Then we flag down a cart to get fluffy steamed BBQ Pork Buns with a semi-sweet and salty filling. This is almost always a favorite for the table.

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By this time, I will have ordered a large bowl of Hot and Sour Soup for the table.
We'll need it to help wash things down...and just because my all-time favorite soup! 

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Now just to balance things out a bit...we get in some Chinese Brocoli with Oyster Sauce

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And just when we think we've had our fill of little dishes...I put this light and refreshing dessert in front of you. Almond Jello with fruit. A childhood favorite! I used to make this at home all the time...just the smell of almond extract would make me so happy!

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And just because you need to try this too...we squeeze in ONE more. Red bean pastry.
It has a crispy chewy rice skin with a sweet red bean paste filling.

Are you full yet?!  The great thing about all these little dishes, is that you end up trying a variety of flavors, but not necessarily feeling stuffed at the end. In the spirit of trying something new this week...we are going to start a new tradition of celebrating Chinese New Years by introducing friends to dim sum at our local Chinatown. And with this little cheat sheet...now you can dim sum like a pro without me!  
 

• • •     LESSONS LEARNED    • • •

Even if you're feeling adventurous,
it doesn't hurt to have a guide.

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

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IDEA138: Cook a Chinese New Year Meal

One of the best ways to learn about another culture is to eat their food! Lots of little insights are revealed when we eat what our neighbors eat.  Even more so if we try to learn to cook a few dishes ourselves. What I found helps with getting started with cooking a brand new cuisine is to:

1 - Pick out a few inticing dishes to try.
In this case we are putting together a Chinese New Year dinner menu.

2 - Figure out the staple ingredients.
You should have these on hand so that when the inspiration strikes you're ready - Next week we will give you a full grocery list just in time to cook our Chinese New Year dinner.

3 - Choose a motivating factor.
Learning something new requires effort and energy. It's also something that we tend to push aside because we're busy, don't feel like it that day, think it's too hard, or the WORST one... we'll do it "later." You know that "later" never comes!! So, we really need to give ourselves a bit of a deadline and then a reward for getting it done. So my self imposed deadline is the start of the Chinese New Year (January 31st) and my reward will be introducing my family to a beautiful new tradition! (And watching my darling 3 year old Mo, eat with chopsticks, while my other darling, red bearded Vito, tries but can't.)  

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So without further ado we're so excited to introduce the lovely and neighborly Amy from sunny California. She is going to hold our hand and help us get started with Chinese cooking! Amy blogs delicious and beautiful Chinese recipes (and not only) over at uTry.it and well - we accept the challenge Amy! We want to TRY IT! 

Let's get to know Amy a bit better... 

There goes Amy, noshing on something delicious in New Orleans. 

Who taught you to cook? 
My parents love to cook. I'm their sous chef since I was a little girl (don't even remember how young! And no, my parents are just home cooks, not professional chefs.) So, I guess the passion for cooking runs in the family. But I didn't really start cooking on my own until I moved out to college. I explored so much in my dorm's kitchen.  ;) I started to "play with" my food (or you can call that recipe development), when my parents are not there to tell me "no"! hahahaha....

Do you still have family where you're from? How often do you visit?
I still have relatives living in Hong Kong (where I was born and raised), mostly from my Father's side of the family. I go back every few years to visit.  

How important is it that your kids eat Chinese food? 
(I asked Amy this because since the birth of my first son, Mo, I am much more into re-discovering and making Russian food so that he is familiar with the same foods I grew up eating, sort of a cultural injection. I wonder if, especially for those of us who do not live in the place we were born, having kids makes us yearn for our roots.) 

Hmm...good question.  I didn't really think of it much as I cook and eat Chinese food all the time.  It was just a natural thing to do.  My kids had been eating and tasting Chinese food since they were in my tummy, so they better like it too when they're out! Just kidding!  :-P  I encourage my kids to try different types of food, Chinese or not.  If they don't like it, it's okay.  But at least, give everything a try at least once.

What is your favorite Chinese dish?
Mapo Totu, that's also my kids' favorite.  

How does your family celebrate CNY? What is one family tradition follow with your family? 
It is the tradition that on the Eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a feast with immediate family.  On the New Year morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year (Gong Hay Fat Choi), and receive money in red envelopes. Another tradition on the Chinese New Year is that the families are to visit the oldest and most senior members of their extended family, usually their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents and so forth.  Along with our visits, we always bring some delicious treats. 
 

Thank you Amy for being a good global neighbor
and guiding us how to get started with Chinese cooking! 

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Chinese New Year Menu

Chinese New Year wishes are all about having a long, happy and sweet life full of luck and abundance. It's perfectly OK to wish for a raise, more money and success! I can get behind all that! It's also about honoring the elders in your family and strengthening family bonds. The foods you eat are in turn very symbolic of these concepts.  (For full recipes, cooking instructions and even a video just click through to Amy's blog.) 

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce 
(蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)

More Family Togetherness. These yummy pancakes are perfect to start the dinner with by having everyone share these and collide with each other trying to dunk at the same time. Get that family bonding moving along!

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Vegetarian Chop-Suey (羅漢齋) Semi-Home Made

Health and abundance is represented by eating vegetables and also to balance out many meat and fish dishes that are usually present at a Chinese New Year banquet. 

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Chicken Pot Stickers (雞肉鍋貼/餃子) With Video Tutorial 

Of course there must be these delightful crescent shaped dumplings. Amy tells us they resemble the shape of a traditional gold nugget, in Chinese called (元寶). The dumplings represent wealth for the family.  

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Coconut and Azuki (Red Bean) Glutinous Rice Cake (椰汁紅豆糯米糕).

A new year wish to be more successful, to be able to reach your goals and pretty much improve or 'rise up' is symbolized by eating rice cake. Amy says that Rice Cake in Chinese (年糕) sounds exactly like "grow (taller) every year", and so we should eat this cake and rise higher!

Well, I think this is more than enough for us to get started with. And while we're at it, why not pick out a few essential accessories, perhaps a garland of Chinese Palace Lantern Lights and a few Year of the Horse Envelopes for lucky money and if you have young kids here is an adorable book you can read together about Hannah the horse! 

A few parting "instructions". If you've never attempted to make Chinese food don't stress out and feel like you have to acquire a whole new set of utensils, new kitchen equipment and restock your pantry full with exotic ingredients, a lot of the time starting something new is much, MUCH easier then you've first imagined and then you want to kick yourself in the kneecap for not trying it earlier! Now go browse the recipes, decide on how you'd like to celebrate, and next week we'll be back to give you a shopping list to take to the store with you so you'll have NO EXCUSES!  

(Photo credit: All photos except otherwise marked via Amy)
 

• • •     LESSONS LEARNED    • • •

If you want to learn to ride you must get on the horse! 

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling

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Refresh Your Grocery List with 5 Essential Chinese Ingredients

about 11 years ago

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