Root Canal and eating, is that possible?

Hello, im back after some busy days at work.But as i say better much work than no work. So yesterday i was schedule for a root canal, since i have never have that procedure before i check on the web for info on that root canal....Wrong idea, majority of the people complain about how painful and the days they spend in a liquid diet, so i was a little nervous. I get to the dental office and they call me and put anesthesia in the mouth, so i know if im nervous the anesthesia will be hard to work so i try to dont be nervous, do some prayers and i get relax.
 Dr came and explain me the procedure, he told me dont worry its doenst hurt like people use to think, and to tell you the truth i dont feel any pain during the procedure. Well enough about the procedure, when it end it was around 1pm so i was very hungry, i havent eat breakfast because i was nervous. So im not a soup kinda of guy, to me soup is more like a appetizer.
So i went home and start to think what should i have for lunch, that fill me up but dont hurt my tooth. So i check on the fridge, i saw some potatoes, some ground beef, some steaks, chicken. So i think what can i do real fast, and then...
Lets make a loaded mashed potato, so i broil the potato, then prepare the ground beef with adobo and garlic. When potato ready i mashed with butter and a little cream cheese, then i put the ground beef on top, cover it with mild cheese, pizza cheese and bacon bits that i make in the microwave so no crunchy. Thats the best loaded mash potato i ever had. 
So root canal and eating good, isnt a mission impossible.

 

Xmas Puertorican Style

After some holidays and vacations im back, and what better time to eat than holidays.In case you didnt know im from Puerto Rico and Christmas celebrations in Puerto Rico begin in Thankgiving and do not stop on December 25th. The celebrations can continue into the middle of January if you consider the "octavitas" and San Sebastian Festival. The big Christmas celebrations are; December 24 - Nochebuena; December 25 - Navidad; December 31 - Despedida de Año; and the biggest and most important of all for the children, of course, el Día de Reyes on January 6th.  Puerto Ricans are known for their unforgettable "parrandas or trullas navideñas". A parranda is when a small group of friends gathers together to "asaltar" or surprise another friend. It's the Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling. Most parranderos play some sort of instrument, either guitarras, tamboriles, güiro maracas, or palitos. And they all sing. A parranda tends to be more secular than religious however many of the traditional aguinaldos (Puerto Rican Christmas songs) retain the holiday spirit.

The parranderos arrive at the destination and then very quietly gather by the front door. At a signal all start playing their instruments and singing. The parrandas usually begin after 10pm in order to surprise and wake the sleeping friend. The parranderos are invited in and refreshments, music and dance follow. 

The party goes on for an hour or two then everyone, including the owners of the house, leave to parrandear some more. The group grows as they offer their parranda at several houses during that night. At the last house probably around 3 or 4 in the morning the homeowner offers the traditional chicken soup or asopao de pollo. The party is over at dawn.

Part of the holiday festivities includes cooking a pig on a spit. Most Puerto Ricans will feel their Christmas was a little incomplete if they did not get to participate or enjoy an old fashioned lechón asao. Cooking the pig is a big event. The pig is purchased and prepared a couple of days ahead. On the "big day" the pig is mounted on a stick and put to cook as early at 4 in the morning. At least two people must be on "watch" with the pig to turn it and make sure all goes well.

 

Friends and relatives begin arriving later in the morning (this is an all day party.) While the pig roasts there is lots of holiday music. Older women will be in the kitchen cooking side dishes that will accompany the lechón. Children will be playing tag and getting in trouble. Guests bring traditional holiday desserts.

Traditional Puerto Rican Christmas foods such as pasteles, lechón asado, arroz con dulce, tembleque, and coquito give Puerto Ricans a separate identity from the rest of the world. Before Puerto Rican traditions became influenced by American culture Christmas Day was a joyful day and some gifts were received at some houses, but it was not from San Nicolás. Santa couldn't make it to the tropics in his hot wool suit with cap and raindeer. Our holiday gifts used to be from Los Reyes Magos.

Our Reyes celebration begins on the eve of Three Kings Day. On the evening of January 5th Puerto Rican children go outside with scissors and shoe boxes to cut grass for the camels to eat. The grass goes into shoe boxes and the boxes are placed under the beds of parents, grandparents, godparents, uncles, aunts, etc. Some time during the night Los Reyes come and while their camels eat the grass Los Reyes fill the shoe boxes to overflowing with gifts, and sweets, and many wonderful things.

This is one of the stuff i miss from my island, and living here in connecticut with a cold weather make me think more about my island and family.  Despite that me and my wife decide to have a Puerto Rican Dinner for Christmas so after went to mass and let Jesus enter in our lives, we start to marinate a pork butt, cooking it in the oven and make some mofongo. Then we thank God for the opportunity of have this dinner.