The Internet is Mad, Relationship Read, Boxing Stuff and an Easy Risotto Recipe

Three Things the Internet is Mad About This Week

I'm sure Starbucks is super sad at this

Starbucks Cups:  When I saw all the articles about people being mad about the all-red Starbucks cups, I was sort of perplexed. What people?  I have a pretty wide range of friends on my social networks and the consensus across the religious and political spectrum seemed to be "Who gives a fuck, really?"  As a Christian, I'm not offended... there are a lot of other holidays celebrated by various religions this time of year.  To say that acknowledging that is waging a 'War on Christmas' is dumb.  I couldn't sleep last night, and around 3am I decided to see who was really mad about it...it appears Donald Trump jumped on the hate train this week, but aside from a few really 'out there' folks, I couldn't really find anyone who was legit mad about it. What I did see is people talking about it, complaining about it being a thing, and people drawing various things on their red Starbucks cups. I even saw it trending on Instagram. So...  good for you, Starbucks.  Starbucks PR Team - 1, News Alarmists - 0.  If you want to be mad at Starbucks, be mad that their hot chocolate tastes like an asshole. Like really, Starbucks. How do you screw that up? 

Seriously guys

Decorating too early:  Holy crap do people get mad about this. I lost count of the "OMG HALLOWEEN IS BARELY OVER WHAT ABOUT THANKSGIVING WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS UP" Facebook posts I saw over the last couple weeks. Relax folks.  The nice thing about the holidays is that the grocery stores put the egg nog and whiskey right next to each other, right at the front of the store. Grab some, throw on some Thanksgiving music, and enjoy your holiday demarcation.  Head on over to Nordstrom, even, and do some shopping, as they have drawn the line on decorating before Thanksgiving. Whatever you do, don't come to my place. My boyfriend has already constructed a miniature holiday scene in our living room.  


Trump on SNL:  Donald Trump hosted SNL last Saturday amid protests and calls for the show's cast to boycott.  Some people promised never to watch the show again.  John Leguizamo even got in on the action.  I'm all for a Trump pinata, and have no beef with folks protesting and boycotting the show.  As with most controversy (see Starbucks above), it worked in Trump and SNL's favor, as the show saw its highest ratings in years.  I don't know how you bring attention to your cause without actually helping your target get a ratings bump.  Somebody get on that. 


Great Relationship Article

My friend Gabriel Montoya posted this article on Twitter yesterday.  The tl;dr, for those of you who want a preview, is that there was a study done among happy couples and divorced/unhappy couples that tried to determine why each group was in the state that it was.  Basically, the happy couples were better at being kind...not just in every day gestures, but in acknowledging their partners' words, interests, desires, etc.  It sounds simple, but it really opened my eyes to some shortcomings I have in my own relationship. It's a great read, and has applications for any relationship, not just romantic ones.  Check it out here:  Lasting Relationships Rely on Two Traits

Boxing Stuff

• This Thursday, Top Rank Boxing will host a press conference in Tucson, Arizona, to announce its December 12th card, promoted in association with Iron Boy Boxing, and featuring Oscar Valdez and Jose Benavidez, Jr. in separate bouts. Media, contact me for information.
• Brandon Rios announced his retirement after his fight versus Timothy Bradley Saturday. I would be remiss not to thank Brandon for all he's given to boxing and its fans, both inside the ring and out. Best of luck, Brandon.  

Easy Risotto Recipe

This risotto is adapted from Julia Child's Risotto recipe in The French Chef Cookbook.  Julia Child is, by far, one of my favorite cookbook authors.  This was one of the first cookbooks I owned. I bought it at an antique store in Globe, Arizona, and when I got home, I was jazzed to find that the previous owner had left some newspaper clippings of Child's recipes in the book. The one pictured here is from 1972.  One of the philosophies I loved of Julia Child's is this idea that cooking for your friends and family is a way of loving them. Spending the time it takes to make appetizers and different courses, and to set the table nicely...that's a way of showing love.  Don't be afraid to jump in in the kitchen.... I made several recipes from this book over the years... it's a classic...everything is explained in detail.  This risotto  goes great with my Greek style salmon as well.   Anyway, on to the recipe: 

You'll need
1c short (or medium) grain rice
2c chicken broth (the yellow chicken stock box works great. Don't know the brand name offhand). 
1/4 white onion, grated
2TBS butter
Herbs de Provence (in spice section)

Melt butter over med high heat in sauce pan
Add onion, sautee til soft
Add rice, mix til grains turn clear, then white again (keeps rice from sticking)
Add chicken broth and 1tsp herbs de Provence
Bring to a boil
Cover and reduce heat to med low
Cook 18 mins






Okay bye

On a serious note, the holidays are a really tough time for some people. They used to be for me.  Some people don't want your dumb Christmas cheer in their faces, and I get that. If you need to talk someone, talk to me, talk to a neighbor, talk to a counselor.  You're absolutely not alone in struggling this time of year. It can be pretty shitty for some people.  Hugs <3

You can find me on most social media platforms as @emilyboxing.