Claudia Sandoval Day! Oh it's a thing!

Among the most incredible things that have come from my success on MasterChef and my philanthropic work in my community, the accolades that bring me the most joy are the ones where I am being recognized by the communities that I live in and am actively working to better. 

Some of these include, California State Senate Women of the Year 2016, a Commendation from the City of La Mesa, which I lived in when I was on the show, and the most fun of all, December 15th being declared Claudia Sandoval Day! 

Yep you read that right... there is such a thing as Claudia Sandoval Day! Because on December 15, 2015, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors proclaimed this: 

"Be it proclaimed on this 15th day of December 2015 is hereby declared to be "Claudia Sandoval Day" throughout the County Of San Diego."

Many of you have asked how I will celebrate. The truth is, with a couple of signature Claudia things! So I made a list in hopes that you will join me! 

1. MEDITATE: Wake Up and Meditate for 15-30 minutes. Don't check your phone before. Just wake up, open your eyes, close them again, focus on your breathing, relax yourself, and allow your body to relax and allow any thoughts to go right through you. Don't start making a list of what you will do in the day. Just try to relax and meditate. 
2. DELICIOUS START: Have a delicious breakfast of choice. If you ask me I will likely have Chilaquiles, eggs over medium and some refried beans. Don't forget the cotija cheese! 
3. HUMILITY: Identify three things in your life that you are grateful for. If they include people, you should call them and tell them. 
4. SUSTENANCE with ROCKS: Who are the FEW people you call when you need an ear, who always have your back, don't judge you, and who always answer your phone call. Invite those people out to lunch! Thank them for their time and support. You wouldn't be you without them! 
1. Now if I can provide some encouragement. I suggest going to a local taqueria and asking for an Adobada Mulita! Two delicious corn tortillas with melted cheese, adobada meat, avocado, onions and cilantro... You can thank me later. Otherwise, tacos always do the job! HAHA!
5. CONSCIOUSNESS: Think of 2 things you have done well lately. Give yourself props for it. Now Identify 2 things you could do to take your day-to-day life to the next level. It can be reading, writing, drinking more water, walking, attitude, meditation, smiling more, whatever.
6. RECORD YOUR LIFE: Get outside, to the mountains, the forest, the beach, a ranch, your garden... anywhere! Get out there and take pictures of your surrounding area. Take pictures of your kids running in the sun. Take a couple selfies until you get just the right one. Or simply, take a picture of yourself consciously enjoying the outdoors. Sometimes we record our lives by posting pics of our coffee or our lunch on Social. This time. Record it for YOU! Take real life memory snapchats of how amazing you are today. How much smarter you are than the day before, and how far you have come! You rock! Record it!  
   
7. NIGHT CAP: Enjoy your favorite drink or vice of choice. In my case: Nikka Coffee Grain Whisky on the rocks. If you love Chocolate Milk, drink Chocolate Milk! Whatever your favorite drink is! Enjoy it. Now, find a good fun way to laugh, watch a video, dance silly with your kids, make funny faces in the mirror or play a game with friends, whatever you do, it must be FUN! Go on be a kid! 

I know some of these seems silly. But these are all inspired by friends in my life who have taught me how to be conscious, be silly, meditate, have fun, and enjoy a night cap! Hope you enjoy Claudia Sandoval Day as much as I do! 

Cheers~ SLM

The Hardest Thanksgiving

Growing up, some of my Mexican friends would tell me about how they didn't celebrate Thanksgiving because it wasn't a Mexican holiday.

My mom grew up in the states being naturalized in her pre-teens and attending schools in National City, California where my aunts and family settled. For us, Thanksgiving was part of our traditions. A part of our assimilated ways. Some very American turkey was always at our table, but my Mom's very Mexican stuffing also make it to the table as well. I still can't forget my Tia Gloria's salsa and my Tio Cuate's famous Ham. I swear that ham's glaze was to die for!

Over the years, things have changed, the dynamic of the family has changed, and some people have come and gone. People have moved away, but what always stands when my Mom and me come to the table in prayer, we always prayed for all those near or far, close or forever gone. Always wishing them a blessed Holiday no matter where they are.

This year, on paper I had two huge opportunities come up that would mean I would not be here for Thanksgiving. I specifically say on paper because as per usual... things always look good on paper.

When I mentioned these opportunities my awesome Mother turned to me and said, "These are amazing opportunities you can't turn them down! Go! Do it! You don't know if you will have this opportunity again." She is right...as per usual.

It is the day before Thanksgiving at 4pm and in less than 24 hours I will be traveling to Mexico City for the IV Foro Mundial de la Gastronomia Mexicana... that pretty much translates to the Fourth WorldWide Forum on Mexican Gastronomy. It is the who's who of Mexican Cooking and products, and I am excited to be there. This will be my first visit to Mexico City and being thrilled is an understatement.

What I didn't mention before is that Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE Holiday. I prefer it over Christmas.

Why?

For me, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to share with everyone you love, your close friends, your family, your acquaintances, with God and even yourself, how Thankful you are for everything you have been given this year. Some years, are harder than others, but every Thanksgiving, we are reminded to be grateful and take note of each blessing we have been given throughout the year.

This is by far the Hardest Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for. I have had one of the best years of my life. This last year has afforded me opportunities beyond my wildest dreams! I have met incredible people from all walks of life, in all kinds of businesses, and from all over the world. I have traveled, shown my daughter places I have only dreamed of, and visited paradises I only wished to see in pictures. I have paid off my debt, both school and personal, I have established a home, furnished, it, and somehow, still have my bedrock of die hard friends and family who never leave my side, keep me grounded, fight with me, cry with me, work with me, and continue to push me to say... you can fucken move mountains if you set your mind to it.

I am working so hard to continue to achieve long term success, to prove to my munchkin that nothing that is valuable will ever be given to you, you must bust your ass and work HARD for it.

On this Hardest Thanksgiving while I am flying to Mexico City, I want you to to remember all of the people who have to work on this day. Who have to spend time away from their families. Who want to be there but can't. Who wish they could hug their family member because they are serving over seas, or are stationed far from home. Who wear a badge or scrubs and have to work 12 hour days to make sure sick people get treated, our streets are safe, and any turkey fires get put out. I want you to hug your families tighter and remember that we are all SO blessed to have each other. To be alive.

May god bless you and your families on this Hardest Thanksgiving no matter where you are in the world.

Provecho Familia~ SLM

Updating the Bucket List!

Woah has this been quite a year!

2016 is well underway and I realized today when Mr. Brewer mentioned that he wasn't feeling creative, that I myself, had stepped away from some of my more creative endeavors. 

Things, like this very blog have just been low-lying on the totem pole. What with interviews, appearances, events, dinner services, being a daughter, owning a business (WOOHOO), missing my family, and trying above nothing more to treasure every moment with Munchkin. 

The journey has been longer, more arduous, and less glamorous than most would think, but I am thankful for everything that I have been given. Even the not so glamorous. 

One thing I got to thinking about was figuring out what things on my bucket list I had crossed off. Over the last couple of months, if not the last year, I know there have to be a couple, and I wanted to do an update so here we go~! 

*Find joy in life again *************DONE

* Learn how to swim (So afraid of the water!)

* Swim with Dolphins

* Take a cruise *************(Planned for November 2016)

* Learn how to scuba dive (Doing this on the Cruise)

* Visit a white sand beach *************DONE -Okinawa, Japan

* Fly on an airplane (so afraid of heights) *************DONE

* Stay at a job for more than 5 years *************DONE

* See Mariah Carey in concert again

* Get married at a church (since I never did)

* Write a book (or finish one for that matter) *************DONE! Published 5/10/16

* Visit Greece! (Ahhhh to walk where Socrates once roamed!)

* Visit the Vatican and Coliseum in Rome

* Visit France (ahh...To visit the land of love…)

* Visit Italy (eat the food, and gelato… mmmmh)

* Earn more than $70,000 per year *************DONE

* Own my own business (Preferably a Restaurant) *************DONE

* Have GREAT credit

* Ice Skate

* Have another child (as I always intended it)

* Go camping again

* Visit the Grand Canyon

* Visit the Museum of Modern Art in New York

* Run a full marathon (26 miles)

* Buy myself a Louis Vuitton Bag

* Have a Mercedes (a NEW one)

* Have one full week of worry free vacation *************DONE

* Have lobster in Puerto Nuevo again (mmmm) *************DONE

What about you? What would be on your Bucket List? Have one?

If you dont, Make one! Its a great way to track your progress and make sure you are taking EVERYTHING you want from your life and creating the experiences you want from it! ;)

-Cheers~ SLM