PERSONAL BLOG

Dear Reader, It’s been over two months since I’ve posted or shared a recipe on Tina to Table. When I find it difficult to write about my emotions or how I’m feeling, I often roam into the kitchen to cook them out. Right now I’m working as a full time caretaker for my family and I’ve been cooking a lot lately — if that might tell you anything about the volume of cooking and the emotions I’m also experiencing. Family and food are a relationship that I’ve managed for over 24 years, one that I’ve turned from trauma to art and freedom (well, maybe with a little bit of trauma still stirred in — nobody’s perfect).

Read More

Dear Reader, There was a time when I was writing these newsletters weekly because I was inspired, living the life I dreamed of, full of freedom, possibility and with so much to share. Things have changed as of today, change is inevitable. But for one hour each morning I do get to meet dreamy Tina on her yoga mat. Around 6am, when the sun is rising, she’s there — I’m fully there — present and purposeful — with an open heart and looking toward the sky for answers.

Read More

Dear Reader, To write this newsletter from a harshly honest place the day before my 45th birthday — well it sort of pains me — but life is pain, ups, met with downs, unexpected turns and slumps. And, honestly, I don’t know what to do with myself aside from write when I feel this way. Sorry to burden your inbox with my brain. For the last 3 years I have been riding what could be identified as a high. Everything was flowing, my life was moving in the direction of my heart, I finally felt good about my body even though nothing changed but my mind.

Read More

Dear Reader, Mother’s Day is a few short days away and it can be a tricky time to navigate emotions — whether you have a mom, have lost a mom or never became a mom — the day can leave many feeling lost, empty or upset. But here I am, Polly effin’ Positive, to say, we always have reasons to celebrate one another and life, well, Mother’s Day or not. While I’d like to say the day is a day, it is important for those who celebrate and soy un fan of celebrating those I love and admire. Though I, myself, am not a mother and never knew if I really wanted to be one anyway

Read More

Dear Reader, While it’s the beginning of Spring and what I’ve always viewed as a time of renewal, to be honest, I’ve been restless. For me, being restless is a close cousin to a feeling of anxiousness. It’s like being in my body and mind with no escape, in waiting. It’s quiet and sneaky, not as heavy as depression or loud as anxiety, but it’s ticking, counts time, progress, doesn’t allow me to relax, read, paint or do things that I enjoy. It makes it very difficult for me to be still. It doesn’t allow me to receive help or feel close to love, it keeps me distant from my feelings and emotions. I am acutely aware of its presence

Read More

Here is what I know right now: I baked Irish Soda Bread last week and, although we’re past St. Patrick’s Day, I don’t think it’s ever too late to make an Irish Soda Bread. I secretly hope that you’ll get in the kitchen and bake this sometime soon. To make Irish Soda Bread, one need not be Irish or even a baker for that matter. A desire to cook or bake comes from just that, a desire. As of late, my desire to write has been lacking, but here I am so I’ll imagine the flame is still lit. 

Read More

I’ve been writing letters to myself, God, food and dead people for a long time. I guess this is what it’s like to be single or, well, to be me? Writing is a tool I’ve been using for as long as I can remember, one that I’m lost without. I wouldn’t necessarily call the periods of my life without writing “dark” but they certainly were not clear or as meaningful. The ultimate reflection of ourselves are our words on a page, they translate where we are now into where we’d like to be and, sure, it’s scary to write down everything we feel, want, don’t want and haven’t yet received - but there is liberation in getting it all out. I promise.

Read More

Dear Reader, Congratulations, you made it through the first part of the holidays! Well done! Alas, it is now time to say goodbye to 2024. And, I don’t know about you, but I plan to effortlessly step into 2025 with smiles and gratitude. What are you up to? I hate that question way less these days because I’ve learned that I don’t need to shout my way in to a new year, make a spectacle, nor create claims that I cannot adhere to.

Read More

Dear 2024, This year was big for us. Between giving up the apartment I lived in for 14 years and my hair growing so much that I can now put it in a bun without using so much as a bobby pin to catch those stray, pesky, itchy neck hairs - you came through in many ways. Thank you Oaxaca, Julie + Family, Jane + Laura, Nan, Susana, Frank + Frankie, Aunt Deb + Uncle Al, Mom + Dad for a home. And an honorable mention to smoothies, sweet potatoes, bone broth and $30 hair trims. I’ve had a lot to be grateful for, big and small. I donated the majority of my belongings and it felt special to give them away in a hope that they would be received by someone else in order to create their second chance at life. We all deserve a second chance.

Read More

Taking the time to dream a little bit can set the stage for living a bigger and brighter life. A bigger and brighter life is determined by you, your comfort, your hunger for growth and a desire to live in and leave this world better. It may seem juvenile or fruitless to have or talk about dreams, but I can guarantee you that it’s not. Having dreams expands our lives, health, and creativity; giving us something to aspire to and enjoy.

Read More

Dear Reader, Happy Holidays and Happy Almost New Year.  I understand that the holiday season and the end of the year can be a difficult time despite Christmas music, parties, booze and cheer. I’ve often been left wondering is this really the most wonderful time of the year?  When I questioned that statement, I questioned myself, wondering where to and when my childlike joy vanished. Life is, well, life, and I had to decide: do I wanna be a scrooge or do I want to at least feel the light of the holiday season?

Read More

Dear Reader, I have had a completely cranky month. Why am I telling you this? Because if anything could go wrong, come up, feel weird or be delayed - it is and it was. Have you ever gone through a period like this in your life? Even in taking my own Zen advice and that of podcasts, audiobooks and experts, I’m swimming in a sea of crank. I’ve asked the universe what it’s trying to teach me, and I’ve asked God too. The reality is that there is no answer or logic, in the moment, to our delays, pain, grief, fear and shit going wrong or haywire. Our job is to roll with it,

Read More