Crema de Vie, a delicious Cuban style Eggnog that packs quite a kick! Our family recipe includes, Brandy, Rum, Cointreau-quite a kick! What is your special eggnog recipe? Chef Marta
It is now exactly 9 hours after our first anniversary. Our restaurant Havana Road Cuban Café opened September 30th 2011.
To be an entrepreneur you have to have passion, drive and an I can do attitude when things don’t always go your way. I cannot explain to you what it feels like to open a restaurant. The dreams, the butterflies in your stomach, the long hours and the great many new friends that you make!
I want to thank all my diners, my guests for making this dream possible for me. To my staff who give me 100 % when they are there-both front of the house and back of the house, to my Mother who shares the oldest recipes with me and makes sure that your lunch or dinner is perfect, to my daughter Ines, for her desserts, to my sister Maria for helping me out when I needed her. Finally to Alan, Laura, and Michael, who are there every day working towards success.
Havana Road is part of all of us who work there. To my diners, it is my home that I open to you to share a meal with your friends. Thank you for supporting me, for helping our restaurant grow, for helping us stay. I love each and every one of you!
Cuban hugs always,
Chef Marta
I wonder how many of us used Google yesterday. That odd-looking logo is in homage to the Great Les Paul, on his Birthday. Les devoted a lifetime to the design and perfection of the guitar and its music. I guess in one way or another we all end up devoting our lives to something; a book, our children, the other dent on the pillow, our garden, golf (!) I think that it is vital that we all have something that provides sustanence, the fuel that we need to move ahead. I find this at Havana Road in odd little things. I happen to delight in watering the plants (my Mother called it 'water playing' when I was a kid) I love to prepare for Happy Hour, even when I slice my index finger instead of the limes. I delight in talking to Diners who have enjoyed our food.
There is something special about the twelve individuals who make a living by working together at Havana Road. To see where they are going, where they put their money, is sometimes as if I were there too. Ashley spends time in the Appalachian wilderness. Kate and Danni study dance. Ray, who truly has a talent for food, spends his off time in the Marine Reserves. All of the Havana Road Human Resource lives lives of willful expression. They all move forward, sometimes, it seems, not sure where the next rock is out in the pond, as they jump of the one that they are on. I wait for the splash.
So I was looking through an old hand written recipe note book that my Mom gave me, looking for a quick and simple recipe to post with our lunch specials. As I am thumbing through this notebook full of history, memories and great recipes, I found a letter that my Grandmom Ines Maria had written to me back in 1974, the year that my Dad suffered a tragic death.
This letter must have been in response to a letter, or communication of some sort from me letting her know how devastated and lost I felt without Daddy. The essence, the message in her letter was this: "You can live life two ways, in a roller coaster, and experience happiness, anxiety, sadness, anticipation and be thrilled by it all at the same time, or you can choose to live your life on a merry go- round--steady as she goes. No surprises, no thrills, every move planned. I think you are a roller coaster girl, and I know that your father was too. Get back on your roller coaster, I love you, Tati".
Tucked inside this letter was her avocado salad recipe that she made for Daddy all the time. Quick, simple and good. It is an honor to share it with you!
Serves 4
4 Hass Avocados, seeded, cored and diced ( reserve the shell)
1 cup of diced mango -Trader Joe's has great deals on this
1/2 cup finely diced red onions
1/2 cup rosted red peppers
2 cups of diced Roasted Chicken --I get it roasted at the market.
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp sour cream
1 tsp ground brown mustard
1 tsp lime juice
Salt and fresh Black Pepper to taste
Mint for garnish
Place 1 shell of avocado on a plate. Mix all ingredients and spoon into avocado shells and garnish with mint. A delicious simple recipe that can make a light supper or a delightful lunch! Buen Provecho!Chef Marta
It is a quiet day on the Havana Road. We have a few friends in for lunch, and we're expecting a birthday party group soon, so while people are scurrying around behind me, in that way that restaurant people do, I thought that I'd conjure up a relevant thought or two. Marta is busy making her famous Brandy/Rum sauce reduction that tops off some of our desserts. Speaking of desserts, Ines will be adding some of her hand made ice creams to our menu. They will be a refreshing compliment to any dessert, or as a dessert itself! We can't wait!!
The day started early with a trip to the warehouse and the Fruit Guy. He's funny and has really nice fresh, all-natural products, but he has a way of leering at Marta that I find uncomplimentary; you know how some guys seem to be able to look down a turtle-neck sweater? Well, he's like that, so I go alone. I know how much Marta likes to pick out produce, and now, when things are not screaming at the speed of light, it would be possible, but to paraphrase the great Clint Westwood, 'A girl's gotta know her limitations...'
On that happy note, we are looking forward to a bus-load of young people from The Park School any minute. The success of the previous Park School diners has inspired others to try our menu. Marta comes out and speaks to them in Spanish and in English, shares her memories of Cuba,and speaks to them about the importance of freedom. A spendid luncheon experience is to be had by all. I remember similar experiences 45 years ago when I was their age, and the effect that horizon-expanding experiences meant, and to my fortune, I still, because of those early moments, seek them out. I am sure that we are planting good seeds with these young people.
We took a very interesting meeting with our associate Samad yesterday. We drove over to Mercy High School and met with Sisters Mary Anne and Tess. They are working on a program to enhance the Latina peresence at Mercy, and have sought our help. Marta will be leading the girls to form a Latino Chamber of Commerce to include all the Latin American countries that are represented by different students attending Mercy High School. Marta hopes that this program will expand into a global Chamber of Commerce at the school. Marta and I felt their sincerity, and look at this as a huge opportunity for the company as a whole, as well as for the community.
The bus is here. I gotta go. A couple of dates to remember, first:
June 5, The Marta is on WJZ Morning Show at 7:30 until 8:00.
June 12, The Marta in on WBAL at 7:40 for a Cuban Breakfast, and at 9:40 with Great Cuban Barbeque Recipes.
June 19 Father's Day Brunch. Here. It's gonna be great. Make your reservations early early early. I won't be here. I mean, if I were entitled to any day off, it should be Father's Day, right?
So Michael (the Partner) and Judith (his Bride-they are to wed 17 September-Remember where you heard it first) reported yesterday that they fresh-caught crabs on the Choptank (the River) on Sunday. They also reported that they (the Crabs) still had the taste of the mud, where all good crabs go to spend the winter. This is a natural happening, and soon passes, after a few more weeks of sideways walking around on the bottom of the River, eating whatever they can fit into their mouths. (Well, you would be hungry too, it you hadn't eaten since Halloween.)
With this invaluable piece of show-and-tell, our great Cuban crab dishes will wait for early June. We refuse to buy 'imported' (read out of state) crabs; Cuban crab dishes are designed so that the preparations, for coastal folk, begin before the crabs are selected, to insure the very freshest. Stay tuned for Cuban Crab Cakes, Stuffed Portobellos with Crab, and Croquetas con Cangrejo.
There is a lot, speaking of food, construction going on around here. We are devining our New Summer Menu, which of course we test out first on you, our friends and fellow diners.
I am sure that you remember our last week specials, such as our Jose Marti stuffed plantain with our picadillo filling, fairly bursting out of the plantain. It looked like a Gaugan painting, with the warm colors, the lushness, not to ignore the onion rice; have you ever tasted anything so fresh, so simple? "Good recipes are the simple ones," So says Marta's mother, Martha. (La Reina), who has been confined to her home recently. We are all looking forward to her full recovery and return to our kitchen. I'll be sure to keep you informed.
This afternoon, after several false starts ('okay, who's driving? No, we have to wait, my mother's getting her nails done. Do you want to drive? Will you meet us thee? Look, I don't see why we can't all drive together....') we finally did manage to meet at the intersection of Fayette street and Broadway, just a little south of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, at the Jose Marti Memorial. Our Social Media friend Samad was there with a camera worth more that I make in a week. As Samad shot the statue, and the women, and the roses, I managed to hover over his shoulder, providing the off-camera narrative. In the end, it was a sweet, touching, dignified tribute. I am sure that we all have someone, or something in our lives that deserves our reverence and tribute. I was most pleased to have been there today.
Meanwhile back at the Kitchen, Alan and Jesse worked on some delightful specialties for the weekend and the Happy Hour Celebration menus. Marta took Martha and Inez home, and returned to help plan out the weekend.
It was a most pleasant day.
Simple Recipe
Yuce Frita!
Yuca frita is our version of a steak fry, but we use yuca instead of potatoes! We boil the yuca first so that it releases some of its starch then we cut it into thick wedges and fry it. Served with Havana Road Mojo and lime wedges this recipe is a must!
Serves 4-6
2 lbs yuca washed and cut into fat wedges
6 cups water to boil
3 tsp salt
vegetable oil for frying
Mojo for dipping
Pour the water and salt into a deep pan and boil. Add the yuca wedges and bring to a boil a second time. 15-20 minutes until yuca is al dente.
Remove the yuca and drain over a paper towel or in a colander. Heat the oil to 360 degrees. Make sure that the oil is hot before you fry the yuca--the yuca will be too oily if you don't do this.
Fry the yuca until golden brown. Sprinkle with salt while hot and serve ! Don't for get the Mojo for dipping:) Buen Provecho!
Marta Quintana
i ♥ QBA
443-744-4428
The Ghost Blog
YOU NEVER KNOW
I was sitting with Michael at lunchtime today, working on the JOSE MARTI WEEKEND SPECIALS, and a fella walked by and used the restroom....
'He just walked in off of the street!'
'So? Wht do ya wanna me do? Escort him to the curb?'
'Well...'
'Hey Buddy! I just wanted to remind you to join us this Thursday for our Jose Marti celebration! Complimentary Cuba Libre's!'
So it turns out that the guy is a well-known chef, famed from Boston to Atlanta, Just the kind of fella we like to meet. His name is Sammy Davis, Jr. (Can you beat that? And I just saw the original Oceans Eleven on Turner last night!)
So there's a lesson here: You never know. That's the lesson. We made a new friend, a really cool friend...What if we had objected to his use of the restroom, believing that he had just ambled in from Pennsylvania Avenue? You never know.
'
Havana Road News.
THE GHOST NEWSWRITER
Marta is putting on her makeup, so in the ensuring 45 minutes, I am writing the news.
Thursday. The anniversary of the death of Jose Marti Perez, a great, great champion of independence throughout the hemisphere. We will be celebrating here at the restaurant, and La Senora Martha de Quintana, Marta, and Inez, the three generations of Quintana women, will first place a freshette of yellow and white roses at the Marti monument at the corner of Broadway and LaFayette streets in Baltimore. It is a solemn and joyous occassion, the celebration of the life of a great hero of all humankind.
So, we will see you Thursday, and then again on Friday, the 109th anniversary of Cuban independence from Spain. Every great culture honors its own Independence Day like no other political day. More Great Food and Drink, more Great Celebration.
Elsewhere in the news, Havana Road recently provided food service as a gift to our friends at the reception held for the Trustees of the Creative Alliance at the Patterson on Eastern Avenue. The food was great, the crowd was wowed. We were delighted.
Nothing to do early on a Sunday morning? Well, you can commune with Marta on channels WJZ and WBAL. Tune in JZ on the 5th at 8:30 and BAL on June 12th at 7:40 and again at 9:40.
The sweetness and beauty of a fresh roasted red pepper is a wonder to be admired! For our soup of the day, I roasted big , nice Red Peppers and was flooded with memories , as the sweet aromas filled the kitchen. it was an inspiration. Slowly I started to build my Great Grandmothers Roasted Red Pepper soup, taking great care that each pepper was just so and each ingredient had time to give off its flavor. The result is a smooth, sweet ,flavorful soup that is addictive to the palate. Come try some----it might bring you a memory!
Havana Road News
As May 19th, the anniversary of the death of Jose Marti approaches, our crew is getting ready with special menus, dedications and the excitement permeates our restaurant!
Jose Marti, a Cuban national is known as the " Apostle of Cuban Independence" . He dedicated his life to promoting liberty, political independence for Cuba and intellectual independence for all Latin America. His death on the front lines , on may 19th 1895, was a call to arms to the Cuban people to unite parties and seek their independence from the mother country Spain.
Jose Marti is also considered on of the greatest turn of the century Latin American writers. His works consist of poems, essays, a novel and children magazine. One of his most popular poems from his Versos Sencillos book was adapted into a song " Guantanamera"~~ a very patriotic Cuban song.
Throughout his writings you will find the concept of freedom, liberty and democracy as common and prominent themes.
There is a statue of Jose Marti on Broadway Street here in Baltimore. Underneath it lies the soil of 21 Latin American countries. A symbol of unification amongst all Latin American Countries, and a reminder of the different Latin American countries that have made Maryland their home.
I am proud of my Cuban heritage, as well as my Spaniard heritage. As I celebrate Cuba's independence from Spain on May 20th, I won't be turning my back on Spain, but rather will be celebrating a historic event tat marked my fellow Cuban's patriotism, nationalism and their fight for freedom and democracy. I will be visiting Marti's monument this Thursday to pay homage to a fallen hero, and place yellow roses as a symbol of gratitude.
the next Independence that I will celebrate will be Cuba's independence from Dictatorship-
Que Viva Cuba Libre!
Many of you know that my Mother Martha, is an instrumental part of all the dishes that we serve, for they are her recipes. She is eighty four years old and I find myself cherishing our time together even more and from a distance watch her move about, doing everything she can to help me. Mom, I want you to know that the mundane tasks that were sometimes taken for granted, reinforced the platform, the essence of what made me feel safe in this world.
All my accomplishments would not have materialized had I not believed in myself first. You pushed me to do so. You always believed and still believe in me.
You came to an unknown country literally fleeing for your life and that of your family. You stood strong against adversity, never gave up and helped my father, your husband regain his self worth. You always held your head up high and told me that dignity is the one thing that on one can take away from you.
When the day comes that time parts us, I hope that you will reach across the eternal bridge and let me feel you presence. For all that is, your presence in my life, i will always be most thankful. I love you Mom.
Havana Road News
Chef Marta Quintana will be visiting Mercy High School, were she will have the opportunity to meet with about twenty Latina girls from all countries. A mentoring program is on the way. Through the summer, Marta will meet with the parents of these girls to discuss, cultures, raising teenagers in a different country and culture and bringing together the best of both worlds.
Havana Road is set to take five Mojo Sauces to market. Mango Lime Mojo- Mojo Bar-B -q- Sauce, Herb Mojo, Mango-Coconut Mojo. We will me meeting with Whole Foods June 2nd, More to come later on this topic.
Fresh Pack---WHEN??? Soon, we are working on the last recipes, then costing then to market. We will keep you posted!
On the Summer Menu Front, we report this. New lighter fare for our summer menu and more dessert options! We will also have more Vegan and Vegetarian options. Cuban cuisine always had these--we just didn't know them as such!!
Kudos to all Havana Road staff who kicked butt Saturday night. Thank you guys!! You ROCKED! Thank you to our diners who came in in spite of the rain--YOU TOTALLY ROCK!! Thank you!
Havana Road Bathroom Art. STOP by and see our bathroom this week. Ashley, a local Towson University artist should complete our Bathroom Art this week:)
Join us for Happy Hour Thursday and Friday as we celebrate the anniversary of Jose Marti's death May 19th and the Cuba's Independence from Spain may 20th. Complimentary Cuba Libres! Que viva Cuba Libre! Have an awesome day! See you at Havana Road:) Chef Marta
As summer approaches and my girls ( wait staff) go home for the summer, I feel like a Mom that is watching her 5 year old go to kindergarten for the first time. The college kids that work with me at the restaurant become a part of Havana Road. I get use to seeing them every day, hear their stories about life, love and academics. We bond, they care ---then they leave. That is life. I know that they take with them some pride in knowing that they were a part of the growth of Quintana Enterprises Inc., t/a Havana Road. I tell them that ten years down the road when they have new jobs, husbands, kids, to remember and feel good about the role they played as Havana Road went from infancy to blossoming as a company. Thank you. Thank you for working with me, for treating our guests as family and for sharing little bits of your life with me. I will miss all of you that are leaving. It is the circle of life-something good must come to an end to give way to the new. Carinos, Marta
Havana Road News
On the horizon, our new Summer Menu is shaping up quite nicely! With summer comes fresh produce from Farmers Markets which translates to lower costs, that will allow us to pass on these savings to our old and dear friends who dine with us every week and to new friends that we will meet this summer!!
If you are reading this and you have a menu idea, send it in to martaq.havanaroad@gmail.com. We would love to know about it and accommodate it in our new menu if possible!
Havana Road to become a mentoring partner for Latina girls from the Sisters of Mercy High School. This is going to be an amazing program that will have that feel good feeling all around. We are in the planning stages as I write. An update of this story will hit our news at a later time! Lets Bridge Cultural Gaps!
Remember that we take reservations Monday through Thursdays. We take call aheads for Friday and Saturday and we Cater. Have your next event be a huge success-- have Cuban!
With summer upon us, I feel the anticipation of fresh produce and fruits from local Farmer's Markets. The smell and feel of a sweet, large beef steak tomato grilled and drizzled with a little reduced balsamic, yes! Or, a fresh pineapple chunked and made into a Cuban Batido with ice cold milk--uumm--fresh fruit baditos ( milkshakes) all summer long. A very Cuban thing!
I await eagerly the afternoons when I can linger with the ambiance and freshness of our local Farmer's Markets. Smelling and caressing each piece of fruit , vegetable or flowers that are available, and just taking it all in . Summer brings sunshine, happiness, hope and romance. Embrace it, its' on its' way! Que siga la fiesta~~ Let the good times roll:)
Havana Road News
Good morning America!! Buenos Dias! Today our event committee will be planning 2 very important events- the anniversary of the death of Jose Marti who was instrumental in Cuba's liberation from Spain , on May 19th, 1885 and the Independence of Cuba from Spain on May 20th, 1898. Every day i will be posting small facts about Cuba's War of Independence, please tune in for a bit of history!
Havana Road will be having special Cuban dishes on its Weekend Specials the Weekend of May 19th- May 21st and will be offering complimentary Cuba Libres with its Happy Hour Menu! Please join us , as we celebrate this special day for all Cubans!
On another note, if you want to see Chef Marta cooking live and sharing recipes, please log on to WBAL's web site and follow the link to Hispanic Heritage. More videos and recipes to come soon-have a special recipe and care to share???? Please e-mail them to martaq.havanaroad@gmail.com!
Our fundraiser for a local SPCA is on the planning board and we will be selecting a date soon. Stay tuned!
Graduation celebrations? Remember that we cater and deliver. Offer a spectacular meal to your guests--Havana Road!
This is all for today, thank you for tuning it. Tomorrow---what's new? See you then--have an amazing day!
Today, my blog is dedicated to the person behind the success of Havana Road-my Mom! My Mom is 84 years old. She is an amazingly creative and dynamic woman who never ceases to amaze me. She gives me comfort, support, holds me when the chips are down. With her magical hands, she creates such amazing food, that when diners say this tastes like my Mom is in the kitchen cooking I say" My Mom is in the kitchen cooking!" Wow!!
You know, we all get busy with work, marriages, errands, kids and we forget to call or go see the person who gave us life and raised us- our Moms. Pick up the phone this morning and say,- Hi Mom, just called to say hello! If your Mom is no longer , say hello anyway, she'll let you know she heard you:)
Moms--the best creation of God.
Come celebrate Mother's Day with us at Havana Road. We have a special fixed price Mother's Day Brunch and still have a few seatings left. Reservations only--Mom's can't be kept waiting! Call us today to make your reservations!
Havana Road News.
On todays broadcast-Havana Road--what is next for this company?? Our friends want to know!
Quintana Enterprises Inc. trading as Havana Road has BIG plans and visions! First on the docket- Havana Road Fresh Pack! We are currently in discussions with a large production company that will enable us to mass produce our Entrees in Fresh Pack form!! Lunch or diner to go, to be found at a Whole Foods Market near you! Our goal is to make this happen by end of June---might I add that all production will be made under the watchful eye of my Mom to ensure taste and quality!! Go Mom!
With the creation of the Fresh Pack line will come restaurant expansion--YEAH!!!! 8 West Pennsylvania will be able to expand the existing restaurant towards the back of the house and create more cozy room for our diners!
Havana Road's Chef Marta goes live on WBAL's website. Marta shares cooking videos, techniques and recipes in both English and Spanish. Go to www.wbal.com and follow the link to Hispanic Heritage----you will love!
Coming up on June 12th, you will be able to catch Marta live on WBAL at 740 am and 940am , whipping up some amazing recipes! Stay tuned for more on this topic!
That is it for now my friends! We hope to see you today at Happy Hour at Havana Road where we will be offering complimentary Sangrias from 4-7pm with our Happy Hour Menu!
Don't forget Mom and daughter M&M will be serving lunch tomorrow-come meet my Mom!!
Buen provecho y Que siga la fiesta!! Have an amazing day:)
Holy Week is the last week of Lent, the week immediately preceding Easter or Resurrection Sunday~~ .
It is a time to regroup. A time to soul search, and to be thankful for what we have. It is a time to forgive those who have trespassed against us and turn the page . This is the last weeks of Jesus' life on Earth.
In Catholic tradition, the conclusion to the week is called the Easter Triduum (a triduum is a space of three days usually accompanying a church festival or holy days that are devoted to special prayer and observance).
Holy week starts with Monday, and I regress..... 1964 ,we visit seven churches every day until Easter Sunday. We have I guess, our own Christian Seder every evening. We eat no meat, and as a family we pray and thank God for the gift of life.
We at Havana Road thank God, and thank you for your support. We will be offering daily seafood dishes during this traditional Holiday Season. Please check our daily specials. WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG!!!!!!! MARISELA PEREZ FROM HANOVER , MA HAS JUST CALLED IN A DELIVERY ORDER ---MASSACHUSETTS --------FOR HER SON CHRISTIAN WHO IS AT LOYOLA COLLEGE!!!!!!! GOD IS GRAND:) We are getting calls from Massachusetts!
Saturday morning, April 2, 2011, 10:32am. I am sitting in my living room, cup of coffee in my hand, trying to sort out a million things in my head. I am feeling overwhelmed and weak. I close my eyes and I revert back to a scene in 1963.
It has been close to a year since our departure from Cuba. We still live in Hollywood, Florida in the apartment that Bill and Evelyn Stepp have so graciously let us have rent free, and I am standing behind the corridor, listening and observing my grandmother, my mother and father sitting in our small kitchen table. My Dad is crying--he never cried. I here him say " I can't go on,I have lost everything that I worked so hard to build. Cupboards are empty- I don't know how to work anymore." I had always seen my Dad as a very strong man, he never broke down, our departure from Cuba had almost destroyed him.---Strong men don't cry- I know better now, a strong man who can cry is a very strong man.
My grandmother Ines- one of the strongest, wisest and determined women I have ever met took over, and I remember her saying something like this.
This is what I call a lesson in perseverance.
Miguel Angel, she said escuchame ( listen to me)--and this story followed: Have you ever taken the time to observe the behavior of birds when they face adversity?
Ines Maria, my Dad said, this is not a bird situation, this is real life.
Oh, but it is, she said, now listen to me.
Birds, build their nests for days and days. Sometimes gathering materials from far away. Sometimes when they have completed their nest, and are ready to lay their eggs, something goes wrong. it could be the weather, the work of humans, or just other animals that destroy what they worked so hard for. All that they did with so much effort now lies on the ground destroyed. Do they stop, leave their work? No, no, no. They start over. they rebuild the nest again, and again they lay their eggs. Sometimes--very
often, before the chicks have hatched, mother nature, or again the work of humans destroys it, but this time with valuable cargo.
It hurts to go back and rebuild again. Even so, they do just that. They don't stop. They continue to sing, rebuilding and continue doing this until the nest is rebuilt once again.
Miguel, she said, you say that your life, your work or lack of, and your family situation is not what you dreamed of, and inside you , you are saying enough. The effort is too much for me, I am tired of the daily struggle. Life, she said can and will strike you down many times. My advise, she said is to go on, say a prayer, put your faith in hope , not darkness. Do not worry if you are hurt in the battle, that is to be expected. Gather yourself together and rebuild your life so that it goes well again. No matter what happens, DO NOT shrink back, move forward with more determination.
Life is a constant challenge, but it is worthwhile-accept it! Never stop--I promise myself that I won't.
Daddy went on to get a job as a book keeper for Sears, or Singers Inc. I don't recall right now. This was his first job in America, and shortly after he was re hired by the Frederick Snare Company. He had worked for them in Cuba. Frederick Snare was a nickel mining company based in New York at that time.
He never fully rebuilt all that he had lost, but he never stopped trying. His life was cut short at age 56 in an accident- he was run over by a bus in Puerto Rico. My mother continued his legacy, she gathered herself-a woman that had never worked, found a job, put her three daughters through college, and now is my constant companion at my restaurant.
In the face of the adversity that I face now, I will say a prayer, hold onto faith and know that this too shall pass.
DO NOT give up---there is a wonderful life out there.I wish you a beautiful one. Remember the birds~ Marta
Mention that you saw this video and get 10% off your bill! And try our Midnight Sandwich with our Signature Nali Tea today!
Good morning America!! Its a beautiful quite afternoon, the rain has passed, and the smell of Spring-new life is in the air. Tell me my friend have you listened to your body lately? CALL TO ARMS CHECKLIST!!
1-Colonoscopy- March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Know someone who just turned 50??? Then give them this advise as their birthday present if you want to see them alive in their 70s and 80s!
Every adult should discuss colonoscopy screening with a doctor at age 50 or sooner for those who are at high risk. If you have a family history of polyps, colorectal cancer or bowel disease, your doctor may recommend that you undergo a colonoscopy before age 50. People who smoke or drink heavily, who are sedentary or obese, or who eat a low-fiber, high-fat diet including red meat and processed meats are also at greater risk. African Americans have a higher mortality rate from colon cancer than others.
There is no proven preventive protocol for avoiding colorectal cancer. However, doctors agree that a healthful lifestyle may lower your risk. Eat plenty of high-fiber foods, including fruits and vegetables, beans, legumes and whole grains. Maintain a healthy weight and get plenty of exercise. Limit your consumption of alcohol, red meat, and processed meats. Don't smoke, of course, and begin getting screenings as soon as your doctor recommends it.
A colonoscopy may not seem like the most festive 50th birthday gift. But more people would be around for their 70th, 80th and 90th birthdays if they marked the big 5-0 by getting this invaluable preventive test!!! Que Viva La Vida!!! This simple test saved my life:) I get checked every year--not fun, but I love life!
2- Mammogram-- The first to die of my high school class Maria Reina Rio Piedras Puerto Rico 1975 was Gail Lancer. A person so sweet and so graceful. So honorable. A great mother, great friend. She fought this disease for five years, and at the end she said" I need to die with dignity" She died one week later. I remember getting the e-mail ( all 99 of us keep in touch via e-mail) that asked for a moment of silence on a Friday night to honor such a wonderful life. I had not seen Gail in years, but high school came back all over again and I saluted her for her bravery. May you rest in peace Gail.
During our lifetime 1 in 8 of us will develop breast cancer. These facts have been taken from the National Health Institute.
Risk factors you cannot change include:
Age and gender -- Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. The majority of advanced breast cancer cases are found in women over age 50. Women are 100 times more likely to get breast cancer than men.
Family history of breast cancer -- You may also have a higher risk for breast cancer if you have a close relative who has had breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer. About 20 - 30% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.
Genes -- Some people have genes that make them more prone to developing breast cancer. The most common gene defects are found in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These genes normally produce proteins that protect you from cancer. But if a parent passes you a defective gene, you have an increased risk for breast cancer. Women with one of these defects have up to an 80% chance of getting breast cancer sometime during their life.
Menstrual cycle -- Women who get their periods early (before age 12) or went through menopause late (after age 55) have an increased risk for breast cancer.
I was diagnosed with Lobular Hyperplasia at age 30. I was proactive and kept asking for a biopsy. Don't stop, for it is you who will have to do the dying.
Friday April 1st- Havana Road will donate 10% of its sales that day to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Lets help find a cure!
3- Pap Smear
Every year 10,000 women will be diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. A yearly test Papanicolau or Pap Smear can be a proactive approach in detecting early stages of Cervical Cancer, and can save your life.
Cervical cancer, or cancer of the cervix, is an abnormal growth of malignant (cancer) cellsin the cervix. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers that affect the reproductive organs in a woman's body. One of the most common causes of cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted infection of HPV, or the human papillomavirus. Cervical cancer cases usually occur in women between the ages of 35 and 55 years. The death rate from cervical cancer has decreased significantly over the past five decades, because Pap test screening has allowed for more instances of the cancer to be caught early.
Act now! Get your Pap Smear before its too late--like Colon Cancer, Cervical Cancer won't let you know its come to visit until its too late. This simple test gave me a new lease on life. Do this for you, for your partner, for your kids----JUST DO IT!
Amigas, friends, we are more beautiful as we age, but we must take better care of our bodies! Keep the bumps--just bumps. We don't have to be twenty to say we ROCK~~ BUT, we do have to be ALIVE!!! Here is to life~~~ SALUD:) Chef Marta
Good Afternoon, and Happy Monday. Set your tone for the week~ yeah, come on make it a fantabulistic (my word) one! Look at your day, draw in some deep slow breathes, let it out, and know, believe that THIS will be your week to shine. Yes it will!
We lead such hectic, stressful lives, that in the midst of the comings and goings with people holding down two even three jobs, mortgages, elderly parents that need our care, our children, everything, it is no wonder that over half of our population suffers from anxiety attacks, depression and constant worry, that lead to a number of illnesses –even cancer.
I have a lot of experience in this field and don’t always take my own advice. Let me share with you.
As I look back at some very dark moments in my life, I came to the realization that those moments did pass, and that things fell into place, and life went on. I did what I could do during those times and the rest I left to the Almighty. Tough thing to do, since we as a society want resolution NOW and control of every situation. Let go. Do your part, but let go of the worry~~~ this is energy not well spent. When things fall into place you have probably cut your life span by worrying.
Now, let me introduce you to two of my best friends, Patience and Positive, These two came along about twenty years ago, when I lost my job with Eastern Airlines. I was a single Mom with my little Ines, and for the first time since age seventeen was facing unemployment. A very dismal thought. All sorts of things ran through my mind~~ what if I never got a job, what if I had to go on welfare, what if, what if, what if. All those what ifs landed me with all sorts of health problems including an Adenoma in my colon at age thirty-five.
So what I was accomplishing was worrying more about the what ifs and getting sick, then taking a proactive approach to change my situation. This door closed, let me look for a bigger one to open or even a window. I learned patience and trust. Trust that if I kept being proactive one step at a time, I may not see results right away, but I would see them in time. PATIENCE.
Patience. I trusted, I envisioned ~~~~ envisioning a very powerful tool that we rarely tap into~~ I envision all the time now, and I practice patience. Know that the situation right here, right now will resolve itself in a way that may surprise you.
Know that everything, I mean everything good and bad happens for a reason~~ . We may not understand it and it may seem totally unfair, but it is always good even if it feels like the heavens are falling on you. I promise you, there is always light at the end of each tunnel my friend, there is. Do your share; be proactive, envision an outcome, be PATIENT, TRUST, and love yourself!
I then met Positive. A man that I much respect and who mentored me when I started my first company API Conference Management, Mr. Guy Parr introduced me to the works of Norman Vincent Peale~ his books changed my outlook on life and made me feel invincible!
I wanted to employ myself by starting my own company – API Conference Management. We would specialize in planning government conferences- from marketing to securing speakers, printing collateral, daily conference schedule, hotel negotiating, conference registration-the works .Did I mention I had no money and no collateral for a bank loan? But, I had a great attitude, a killer Business and Marketing Plan, and I was not taking no for an answer. I had to sell my idea to the bank. And I did just that.
Armed with all my gusto, I went to the bank. The Vice President of Small Business Loans read my Business Plan and Marketing Plan, looked at me and said,” what collateral do you have”? I have me, I answered. Failure is not in my vocabulary, I am a hard worker, I have a dream, and I am my best collateral. I will succeed.
After some back and forth, he was so excited with my idea and how I was going to make it work , that he extended the forty thousand loan that I needed to get the company started. Subsequently due to my sales numbers I was able to secure 60k more in loans within two years for company expansion. I lead that company successfully for nine years. All the loans were paid off on time, and I enjoyed every minute of it! However, every good thing must come to an end, to make way for the next adventure.
I was not afraid to put myself out there, reach for a goal and make people believe in me. You can do it too.
Granted things are different now-banks won’t give you a loan without pledging your first born!! But, a Positive attitude- can change the way you look at yourself, your situation (there is always someone that is worse off then you), and the world.
Right now, the world needs us to stay positive, as we navigate this turbulent year.
You can do it. We can do it. Take time for you. Relax. Think of beautiful things, and of the great future that awaits you. Whatever your situation is. Don’t say I don’t have time—5 minutes of “me” time will make your day a GRAND AFFAIR!
YOUR SITUATION WILL GET BETTER! I am Marta Ines Quintana, and the day that I share my life story with you, you will see that I am proof of Patience and Positive, and I have overcome many things and will continue to do so.
Have a wonderful, energetic, positive, blessed week. I love you America!
Chef, Marta~ Buen Provecho!
As I write this blog, I have Willy’s song Viva La Libertad running through my mind. The sway of the music, the strength of the lyrics, the passion in his voice, and the loneliness that I feel for those who are not free.
It is Friday afternoon at Havana Road Cuban Café. The kitchen is popping with wonderful smells, as we get ready for our Happy Hour, and our Weekend Specials. The garlic, the flaming brandy sauces, the energy of the staff as excitement peaks. It’s a small revolution in our kitchen!
Four o’clock and the people start coming in for complimentary Red Sangria, Camarones al Ajillo, our hot Pan Cubano with Mojo Sauce~~ Buena Vista Social Club playing and Havana Road comes alive!! Libertad, oh yes, libertad~
I think back to this morning when I woke up~~ WAKE UP AMERICA, I woke up free. You did too. So often we take for granted all great things that this country, the United States of America offers us. Wake Up America, we woke up free. Free to work, free to worship, free to write, free to protest. The list goes on.
It is now pushing on seven o’clock. In my restaurant, there are Nicaraguans married to Irish, Italians and Egyptians gather around a table, Puerto Ricans and Sudanese share tostones with Mojo. It is a global reunion. Laughter music and wine fill the air as plates of piping hot Lechon Asado or Shrimp with Rice entrees are placed in front of diners. “Table five wants to talk to you Marta”. “Ok give me a minute!”
Fresh chef’s coat goes on, I walk over to “my” corner where I take a look in the mirror, touch up my lipstick, dab a little Violet Water cologne on ( a very Cuban thing), take a second look and here I go. I am humbled by what I see. So many people from all over the world sharing moments over one common denominator~~ Food. I am out in the dining area for over an hour, talking to every table, passing the word of freedom and the need to embrace this great country. We exchange stories, laugh, hug and sometimes share a tear.
I take a moment to step outside and look from the outside in. I close my eyes and I see myself as the four year old, who stood in front of a militiaman in the “caseta” as we were getting ready to depart Cuba. He took my doll. He tore her limb by limb looking for stashes of cash or jewelry. He decapitated her; I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. My lower lip trembled, but I would not cry. I stared with blank eyes into a young face who was starting his revolution> A revolution that killed men, women and children.
As I walked across the hot tarmac to an airplane that read Pan American, I felt with every step the heaviness that engulfed my country. I saw my father climb the stairway into the airplane, stopping, looking back and saw a tear run down his cheek. He did not cry. He saluted his country and whispered, “I will return”. He took my hand as we climbed onboard~ “ I am brave too, Daddy”. The airplane took off, full of people looking, yearning for freedom. A few minutes later, I heard the pilot say over the intercom~~ “We have reached International Waters~~~ You are now free!” The tears that I had kept inside came flowing out. I was now FREE.
The United States of America, the land of the free. Cherish it, embrace it, and love it. With all its Tea Parties, Health Reforms, Congress, Senate, it still is the land of the free.
I pledged allegiance to this nation at age nine.
I will forever be Cuban, and will never stop loving my country and my people, but I will always be grateful for the sacrifices that my father made so that I could be free .
I open my eyes , look inside of my restaurant , and I toast—to you father, to freedom~ Viva Cuba Libre!
In today’s world where women have made their mark of courage, as humanitarians, political leaders, and entrepreneurs just to name a few diverse areas, it is beyond my comprehension why there was no mention in any media form of a woman, any woman that has made a difference in a single life or in the lives of many in the United States and abroad. Here is my salute to a few:
1. Mother Teresa. She was the most famous woman in the entire world during her time on earth, and she continues to be famous after her death. She was one of those women who will go down in the annals of history because of the change that she brought to the world by simply living her life in a way that she believed was right, and by putting others always first. I SALUTE YOU Mother Theresa.
2. Oprah Winfrey. There are many famous celebrities in America but the one who is recognized by everyone is Oprah Winfrey. She had the courage to move forward and make something out of nothing always remembering where she came from and always helping others . Her fame has persisted for years and will continue to do so. I SALUTE YOU Oprah.
3. Anna Loginova. This woman from the late 1920s gained fame in Russia as the most famous bodyguard . Did you get that? She was a woman! Female bodyguards are rare and that made her famous. However, the real fame came after her recent tragic death which occurred when her Porsche was carjacked and she was injured in the high speed chase that ensued. I SALUTE YOU Anna.
4. Kim Hee Sun. Hard to break into Hollywood? Yes, but this woman has been voted the most famous actress in China. She persevered, has appeared in many films and is recognized by both face and name whenever she is out and about. I SALUTE YOU Kim.
5. Hillary Clinton. A woman of courage and hair on her chest( not literally) . She is strong. At the present time, one of the most famous woman in the world is Hillary Clinton. She has gained a lot of attention since she started running for president and the whole world is paying attention to see what is going to happen with the presidential race. If she indeed wins, then she would of course, be the first female president in the United States which would definitely up the ante on her lasting fame. I SALUTE YOU Hillary.
6. Calamity Jane. This feisty, courageous, hard Wild West woman may be long gone but she is still revered today by pioneering women who look to the females of the past, like me, for their strength. She ignored all of the boundaries and prejudices of her gender and lived a life of freedom. I SALUTE YOU Jannie.
7. Princess Diana. A woman who was more interested in the welfare of others than the crown she wore. The true embodiment of a world leader . Princess Di her fame continues after her death. I SALUTE YOU Di.
8. Coco Chanel. This female woman of gusto and great taste, let nothing stand between her and her dream. The worlds best fashion designer continues to be a household name . I still wear Channel No. 5 do you? I SALUTE YOU Coco.
9. Margaret Thatcher. A true female political leader . When it comes to women who are famous for their politics, Margaret still holds the lead . I SALUTE YOU Margaret.
10. Martha De Quintana. Last, but not in the bit least, a woman who taught me courage, strength, integrity, and the meaning of being a mother. To the woman who has made my life brighter, better and whom I will always admire. I SALUTE YOU MOM.
There are many women in the world who every day make this world a better place. We do not know them for they are the unknown. I SALUTE YOU, and I thank you for doing all that you do behind the scenes without recognition.
WOMEN LETS CELEBRATE! WE ARE WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR!!!!