the mission is now closed...

Sometimes you need to say, "Enough is enough!"  Sometimes it is time to say cue the finale and ed the show. Today is that day and I wanted to let all 12 of my dedicated readers know that.  Okay, that's a slight exaggeration, but you get the point. I started blogging in May of 2005 as a creative release and to have a place to share my sometimes outside of the box thoughts on life, God, politics and sports.  Now my life is going in another direction and I need to free up the time to make things fit. I'm still passionate about politics.  As recently as this weekend, I thought we should offer Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) who said on Saturday that Obamacare should be repealed because it "...shows a disregard for the will of the people" a deal.  Here's the deal I'd offer since he seems to believe it is the job of our political leaders to follow the will of the people. Pass the gun control initiative that was defeated in Congress.  The people overwhelmingly support it. Raise taxes on those making more than $150,000.00 a year.  Again, the people overwhelmingly support it. End all this talk and pass the debt limit extension and a continuing resolution to fund the government so even more people do not lose their jobs. Finally Mr. Stutzman, if you feel strongly that we should follow the will of the people regarding Obamacare, fine, repeal it, but then replace it with a single payer government backed system for all Americans since that would truly reflect the will of the people. Of course I am still passionate about God and in fact, my time serving in Mexico as a host receiver for short-term teams increases every year.  I will continue to write about that over at Notes from Dave, where my latest post is about American Exceptionalism and Mission.  I also send out a weekly Monday Mission Moment that you can subscribe to through my ministry, Adventures in Life. I still love sports and will continue to follow my teams, albeit not as fanatically and I will still be thinking and writing about life, just in another context.  After over 20 years of living, working and traveling in Mexico, I've decided to dedicate the majority of my writing time to that great country.  I'll be writing about the people, the culture, the art, the food and the beauty that can be found not just in the normal tourist areas, but off the trail as well. To that end, along with my good friend Joe Ramirez, who will providing most of our top level photography, I have started a new WordPress blog dedicated totally to my experiences in and around Mexico and her culture. It's up now, has a few posts and I'd love you to visit, give us a look.  If you like it, please take the next step to subscribe and recommend it to your family and friends, asking them to also subscribe.  We want to win a few awards next year for our work and no matter how good your blog is, you need readers, so please, come on over to Dave Miller's Mexico and follow me on the journey to My Mexico! Blessing to all of you.  I'll still be commenting here and there when something catches my fancy or gets my goat, but this will be my last post here at the mission. (All material posted on this blog is the sole property of Dave Miller (c) and represents his personal views.  This blog is in no way, nor has it ever been officially associated with Adventures in Life Ministry, for whom Dave has worked for over 20 years.)

Tlayudas Done Right... San Jacinto Amalpas, Oaxaca

The tlayuda sometimes spelled clayuda, is a handmade traditional Mexican dish consisting of a large, thin, crunchy, partially fried or toasted tortilla covered with a spread of refried beans, asiento, lettuce or cabbage, avocado, meat, Oaxacan cheese and salsa. But the above description from Wikipedia is like saying Willie Mays was just a baseball player, Josh Grobin just a singer or Michael Phelps just a swimmer.  They are all technically true, but woefully miss the mark in explaining true greatness. You see, when it’s done right, the traditional tlayuda is more than just a Mexican dish, it is one of the anchors of the gastronomical galaxy known as Oaxaca. The tlayuda is an all star baseball player, an award winning singer and a multiple Olympic gold medal winner all in one.  And if you ever find yourself in Oaxaca, you need to get a taxi right away and head over to Tlayudas San Jacinto. When you arrive the outside is going to worry you if you don’t typically eat off the beaten track in Mexico.  It’s just an opening in a residential area with blue steel doors and a banner that tells you the place has a good, clean atmosphere.  Yet, as soon as you walk in, you realize you are somewhere special, like an enchanted garden.  Lots of greenery, bamboo like plants, umbrellas and a rich almost tropical feel.  It is as if you could sit there all day, and you can because once you walk in, you are treated like family.  There’s even a playground if you bring the kids. The menu is simple and hangs from the ceiling.  Tlayudas.  Pick your topping.  Beef, pork, ribs, skirt steak or eggs from the grill.  Add your drink, soda or beer, and you’re all set. Once we ordered, it took about 15 minutes for our food to arrive. And here’s what you get.  A gigantic fired roasted quesadilla like creation stuffed with cheese, black beans and finished with your desired topping.  I had the eggs, which came perfectly fried hard.  Now, I’ve had lots of tlayudas around Oaxaca, but this one was different, because the tortilla was cooked to perfection. When I picked it up, there was no sag at all.  This wonderful creation was crispy through and through, the result of just the right amount of time over the coals.  The beans were not over the top and there was just the right amount of that great Oaxaca string like cheese, quesillo. Once I added avocado, chepiche, a Oaxacan herb, and a some roasted chile de aqua, it was off the charts wonderful. Now, I’ve got to tell you, this place can be hard to find.  It’s in the Colonia San Jacinto but it is not along the row of the other locations that sell tlayudas.  Look for the San Jacinto signs that call you to this little slice of heaven in Oaxaca and prepare yourself to fall in love with this all star of Oaxacan cuisine, maybe for the first time, or all over again. Tlayudas San Jacinto Colonia San Jacinto Amilpas Calle Benito Juarez #11 Tlayuda and a soda... $6.00 con una cerveza… $8.00

Wahaka Mezcal... on location with Dave Miller

I am pretty busy with greenhouses, kids camps, and ministry in general here in Oaxaca, but occasionally I get the chance to get away and experience a little of the culture of this amazing area. Mezcal is an important part of the lifeblood of Oaxaca, much like tequila is to Guadalajara. Here is the first of a short series of videos at the Wahaka Mezcal micro distillery I did for a friend who heads up the MultiCultural Cooking Network. What an interesting process. Enjoy

Coffee, Pot Pies, and the Classic Club... checking out the food in San Diego...

Looking for some local color and food flavor for your upcoming summer get out of Los Angeles weekend?  Are you tired of the same old routine that includes all of those chain food joints when you visit a town? Fret no more!  In a whirlwind two days in the beautiful city of San Diego, I had some great food and a chance to experience some wonderful areas in one of America’s most beautiful cities. We all know everyone these days is drinking coffee, or at least one of those sugar laden concoctions we all call coffee.  A great local café to start your visit is Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge.  Located in the North Park area of the city, this place is surrounded by Starbuck’s outlets.  Don’t let that discourage you, and don't pass this place up.   I had the house blend coffee, straight up, unsweetened, and it was wonderful.  Bold, fresh, and steaming hot, this coffee finished with a nice fruity after taste.  I’m guessing it would be fantastic on ice. The place is huge, full of tables inside and out.  This gives you a great place to people watch.  If there is a drawback, it’s that there is no wi-fi, but with all of the tables, take a game along and you and your partner can make an evening of it. In the same North Park area and within a few blocks is a San Diego tradition, The Chicken Pie Shop, on the corner of El Cajon and Utah.  This is the diner you've seen on television a thousand times.   Since 1938 they have been serving up their classic Chicken Pie Plate.  For $7.50 you get soup, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, vegetables, bread and the star of the meal, a chicken pot pie. Hand made and bursting with chicken, these little gems were wonderful.  Mixing both shredded and chunks of chicken, light and dark meat, I could eat one of these everyday.  And I am guessing some people do. Once you add the slice of homemade pie that comes with this meal, I am not sure you could find a better bargain anywhere in the city.  It’s a wonderful lunch, in the perfect retro setting, complete with a counter, and if you need, they’ll even pack it all up to go so you can take it back your hotel. Once you are rested up, or have spent your afternoon swimming in the pool or nearby Mission Bay, it’s time to head on over to the Gaslamp District for some dinner.  16 blocks of urban cool, this area is the heart of San Diego. Catch a baseball game, hear some great music, pick up the latest fashion accessory, or laugh the night away at one of the local comedy clubs.  It’s all here along with a host of trendy restaurants, some with less than 20 feet of street frontage, but packed with energy, vibe, and great food. We ate at Nicky Rottens Bar & Burger Joint, but don’t let the name scare you.  The food was anything but rotten.  We started with sweet potato fries and beer.  I had Yellowtail Pale Ale from Ballast Point, a local microbrewery.  On draft, this was a nice beer alongside the fries, which were served with a maple dipping syrup. For dinner, I had the club sandwich, made with a wonderful applewood smoked bacon.  Crisp toast, all the right ingredients, and served with fries... they call it the Classic Club, and they delivered. As good as the club was, perhaps the star of the night was the “Dirty Sanchez” Baja Burger.  Served with jalapeños, salsa, guacamole and topped with pepper jack cheese, this 100% organic burger was a handful.  Top it off with a nice cold one, and you can’t beat this burger. But maybe you are a vegetarian, or are just in the mood to skip red meat.  Not a problem in this place.  Everyone of their burgers can be made with a vegetarian patty, chicken, or even turkey.  That shows you how importantly they take the customer at Nicky Rottens. So next time you are in San Diego, skip the chains.  Look for the local flavor and be amazed.  You can eat at Chili’s every night when you get home and you can get your favorite caramel laced coffee the next time you pass through the Starbuck’s Drive-Thru on your way to work. Getaways are about a change in the routine. Next time you are in San Diego, go get a great handmade chicken pot pie, people watch, and experience a great burger.  Without a doubt, the Gaslamp District and North Park, are two area you should not miss next time you are in San Diego.  a nice hat tip to joe ramirez of mission focused for helping with the pictures!

In Celebration of Street Food

I know the foodies of the world may turn up their noses, but the reality is that the streets of a city often offer some of the best food around. No, you will generally not be getting some great presentation like you would at Four Seasons, but if you are even a little adventurous, let me tell you, the street's where it's at! Now while this is true in a city like Los Angeles, where I've had many a memorable meal from las loncheras, it is even more so in Mexico, where I spend almost half my life. Sadly, many people will never experience anything like a steaming plate of tacos right off the grill because they fear what might happen. Too bad. I still fondly recall the night my son Joseph, and friends Jose Luis and Cesar joined me for a night of tacos at El Flacco's in Guadalajara. An hour after arriving, we walked away from that little stand completely stuffed after a feast of 64 tacos! One of my favorite places for street food in Mexico is Tonalà, one of the cities that make up the greater Guadalajara area. On weekend nights, the main plaza is alive with people, excitement, and food. Tacos, bacon wrapped hot dogs, hamburgers with pineapple, tamales, pozolé and fresh fried potato chips are just a few of the offerings. Once you've had your main course, if you can pass by the tres leches cake booth, make your way to where they are serving bionicos for dessert. This amalgam of freshly cut fruit, nuts, honey and cream is the perfect way to top off your food tour of the main plaza in Tonalà. Another favorite of mine is Taqueria El Rodeo in Oaxaca. Located across the street from the ADO Central Bus Station in Barrio Jalatlaco, this place has some of the best alambre in Oaxaca. Thin strips of beef, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms are all covered in melted quesillo, a wonderful Oaxaca cheese. Order a plate and Antonio, pictured below at his grill, gives you an order of ten tortillas so you can share with your friends. Now here's the beauty of Mexican food stands... your food is made when you order it, you can eat all you want, they are incredibly cheap, and they trust you to pay afterwards when you are all finished. Imagine that, you can run a taco tab! Looking for good food when you travel? Want to eat where the locals do? leave the five star places behind and hit the streets and the markets. Look for the crowds, follow your nose and be adventurous... you, and your stomach will be glad you did! Here's a few more photos, many shot by my friend Joe Ramirez from Mission Focused. Corn on the cob at one of the many carts in Oaxaca In front of Taqueria El Rodeo, Oaxaca One of the candy vendors in the market, Ocotlan, Oaxaca Here I am getting some tejate from a little market stand, Ocotlan, Oaxaca

Lunch at La Capilla Restaurant, Zaachila, Oaxaca...

The menus at La Capilla are printed on oversized wooden planks Oaxaca is known for it’s great food and with good reason. Molé, tlayudas, tasajo, cecina, quesillo and of course the famous chili de agua are all Oaxacan delights that you will come across if you ever find yourself traveling in this region. One of the best places to experience the breadth of the Oaxacan gastronomic world first hand is at La Capilla, or in English, The Chapel, a rustic restaurant near the entrance of Zaachila, about 30 minutes from the center of Oaxaca City. I had the pleasure of sharing a meal there recently with some good friends. The moment you get here, you realize this is not your grandmothers restaurant. Entering under a bougainvillea archway, you are quickly transported away from the hustle and bustle of the city and into a world of private palapas, banquet tables and the biggest open kitchen you will ever see. While the service here is impeccable, the food is the real star. We started with quesadillas, in this case fried tortillas stuffed with quesillo and epazote, a local Oaxacan herb. They came with a delicious black bean puree and a choice of salsa verde from tomatillos, or salsa roja, made from chile de arbol. Alongside our appetizer, we shared a large pitcher of ice cold jamaica, a light sweet fruit punch made from a hibiscus like flower, la flor de jamaica. It was perfect on a hot day. Next up was our consume, or soup, I had the chicken while my friends had the lamb. Both were light and wonderful, but perhaps even more so with a little bit of salsa and lime. That was followed by a plate of tender beef or tasajo, chorizo, more quesillo, and one of the best chile rellenos I have ever had. Unlike the typically heavy greasy variety you find in so many Mexican restaurants in the US, this delight, made from a dried pasilla chile, was light, fluffy and not greasy at all. Of course, every part of our meal was accompanied by all the fresh handmade Oaxacan tortillas we could eat, making for a wonderful afternoon. Unfortunately, many people will never find this wonderful jewel of a restaurant because it is off the beaten path. Don’t be one of them! A short bus or taxi ride from Oaxaca City, or one of those little moto-taxis from the center of Zaachila will get you right to the door of one of the best restaurants you’ll ever visit. Just like a visit to Oaxaca is not complete without a trip to the ruins of Monte Alban, the same is true with La Capilla. Ask any Oaxacan and they will tell you food is central to their culture. Don’t miss an opportunity to learn why at La Capilla, one of the true temples of Oaxacan food. Here's a short video I shot after lunch...

There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch

The other day I was in a restaurant with my mother-in-law. Yeah, I know but she offered to pay so I rolled with it. As we were looking at the menu everyone at the table noticed something horrible under every item. The damn calorie counts! I don't think anything can spoil a lunch with your mother-in-law quicker than to see how many stinking calories you are gonna be eating for free. It kinda takes the fun out of the afternoon. Seriously, about the only thing under 8500 calories on the menu was the 4 ounce fish filet boiled in lemon water and served on a bed of lettuce. Who wants that? I went in for lunch, not an appetizer. Just looking over the menu was depressing. Are you aware that a hamburger is something like 1250 calories if you get the fries? After my three egg breakfast, sausage, hash browns and toast, 1250 more calories would mean I'd have to skip the ribs for dinner and eat a salad. Even the free bread is not free... 450 calories, per roll! Must be the butter that is dripping off of it. Anyways, a friend of mine passed this on to me a while back and for those of you who like to watch what you eat, it has some sage advice on nutrition and health. If you are like me, I am sure you can appreciate the simple clarity that comes from this list. 1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans. 2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans. 3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans. 4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.. 5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans. CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you. By the way... I am actually pretty lucky... my mother-in-law is a jewel!