Find joy in the sky, in the trees, in the flowers.
There are flowers everywhere for those
who want to see them.

~ Matisse

ENJOYING SAN JUAN LIKE A LOCAL

A little red book won fame once because it carried quotations

from Mao Tse-tung, the chairman of the communist party of

China. A little red book recently surfaced in San Juan but instead of

political slogans this one presents useful information about the city and its offerings related to culture, food and art.

Titled "Local," this guide, which in the words of its creators

"contains a distilled menu of selected goodness," invites

residents to rediscover their city and visitors to discover San

Juan as a local.

There is plenty to enjoy and a large area to cover so the

book is divided into sections, each devoted to a different part 

of the city. 

They are: Miramar, Stop 22 and surroundings, Barrio 

Obrero, Loiza Street and surroundings, Condado, Old San

Juan, Cupey and surroundings, Piñero Avenue and 

surroundings.

Each section opens with a brief description of the

area, encapsulating its character and history, followed by

equally short portraits of different businesses and spots worth

stopping by in that particular area.

Lean graphic maps are interspersed throughout to identify spot

locations, with separate listings providing addresses and phones.

With its bright red cover and strong graphic look that relies on

bold sans serif typeface and moody black and white photographs, 

"Local" is not only useful but a beautiful little book that can
easily be tucked into a pocket or a bag. It serves as a much needed
addition to the travel literature on Puerto Rico and, for regular
residents, as a handy listing of all that is worth visiting in San Juan. 

Look for "Local" at Libros AC, the bookstore & café located across
from the Ciudadela complex, near stop 22. Other local stores that
carry the book include Café con Cé on Loiza Street. It sells for $15.

I don't want a future. I want a present.
To me this appears of greater value.
You have a future only when
 you have no present, and when
you have a present, you forget to even
think about the future.

~ Robert Walser

✒︎ EYE ON PRODUCTS: 

Packaged foods make convenient meal alternatives for busy

people with little time to cook during the week but should

never replace the healthier choice of fresh ingredients.

After all, many packaged food contain additives, fillers and 

unfamiliar ingredients that you can barely pronounce.

There are exceptions and two recent finds prove that some

packaged foods can be tasty as well as healthy. 

Hilary's Adzuki Bean Burger is made with minimally

processed ingredients such as cooked whole grain

millet and quinoa, onion, sweet potato, green chilis, 

spices, vinegar, and psyllium Husk Powder. The packet contains

two patties, each providing four grams of protein and also
four grams of fiber. The sodium content is 270 mg. 

The patties are tasty and easily heated in a pan to which 

you've added a spoonful of sesame oil. Cook at low to

medium heat and serve with your preferred accompaniment,
like rice or pasta.

Premium Cod Fillets with multigrain breading, sold under

the Natural Sea label, come in a package containing

four fillets, good for two delicious meals. Occasionally,
the package contains an extra fillet, think of it as your
lucky day.

The breading for the cod is organic and a perfect balance
of unbleached wheat flour, organic whole wheat flour,
canola oil, water, spices, arrow-root starch, onion powder,
yeast, and garlic powder. 

Each fillet has 6 grams of protein and a sodium content of

230 mg. You can easily bake them in the oven or cook

them over the stovetop.

In Puerto Rico, both products are available at Freshmart
Supermarkets at a cost of $4.29 for the bean burgers and $7
for the cod. In every way, a felicitous choice at a modicum
price.

Melancholy is sadness
that has taken on lightness.

~ Italo Calvino

A SIMPLE TIP

Lavender makes an excellent natural repellent for moths.
Tuck lavender-filled sachets in closets and drawers to
protect your clothes and leave a pleasant scent.

©  2018 Lorraine Blasor All rights Reserved