So I’ve just returned from spending 5 fabulous days in Daytona Beach for the DB International Festival! Talk about the best blockbuster movie scores performed by world’s most famous London Symphony Orchestra. I went to 3 of the LSO’s concerts (among other cultural excursions). Imagine being an enthusiast since you can remember, and all of sudden you’re sitting front and center, watching synchronized up and down bow movements of the Olympic Games theme, or better yet the Star Wars soundtrack, performed by the originally recording LSO! The only better situation would have been John William’s himself conducting the unparalleled musicians.

And then there was the food! I couldn’t resist posting a pic on Facebook, of a certain cocktail I was sippin’ on Friday night. Check it out here. After 3 tries over the last month, finalmente, someone got it right! But, I’ll blog about my trip to Daytona sometime next month. I’m so damn behind in my other stuff, and I realize I haven’t offered you a recipe in a long time (i’m so so sorry).  Speaking of which, how many of you really print or email and use the recipes?

I’m so curious.

As you can imagine, 17 hour days of being tugged here and there and seeing everything there is to see in one city, I’m exhausted and don’t feel like cooking. Plus I got spoiled, being able to eat b-fast, lunch and dinner; unlimited amounts of everything, including custom cocktails and cappuccino’s left and right to make up for not having Bustelo with me. No lie. That’s just how these press trips go.

When I get home from such luxurious trips (’member St. Maarten, Barbados, Trinidad, etc…), all pooped out, I sit for at least an hour and simply reflect. Not just on the city I’ve just visited, or their culture or even their culinary traditions. I think about how blessed I am to not only travel the world, but eat all of it! IT really does boggle this brain of mine. I gain an average of 3-4 pounds every time I do these trips. OH, trust that I’m not complaining.

I just think about all the people in the world that aren’t as fortunate as me, us, to eat what we want, when we want. Especially the children. Some cases of poverty are avoidable, other are inevitable and just the way things are. I get it. On the other hand, it doesn’t have to be so bad to the point where babies and children don’t have enough nutrition.

To that end, and in my contribution to help feed the children, a group of food bloggers have joined hungry forces and started a project that will benefit hunger organizations (see note below).

Below is the dish I submitted for the project: Guava Stuffed Meatballs with Mint and Brandy Sauce! Hells yeah, mis amigos, feast on this! It also happens to be one of the favorite recipes included in my cookbook. It’s something I came up with and just love! It has all the elements of a great meat dish. Courtney over at Coco Cooks was one of my early taste testers and has given it her two thumbs up!  I’m not able to publish the recipe here, but to the one person that comes closest to the ingredients, I’ll share with you. Ladies, you have to swear off to me, all your sexiest shoes if you break the rules and share it… fellas, you will be committed to telling all your friends about me, if you decide to spill the beans!

In all seriousness, check out the picture, enjoy it, lush over it, and tell me these are best looking meatballs you’ve ever seen in your life! Ha.

I also have a huge project that I’m undertaking related to world hunger. I’ll explain in more detail later this next week. I’m asking you to please come back to read and comment. Consider it a free, fast, super simple and easy way of getting involved in ending world hunger! There really is something we all can do!

Remember, email me what you think is in these meatballs and I’ll respond in kind!

**WHAT’S YOUR FAVE MEATBALL RECIPE**

(at the time of original publishing of this post, I was not aware of some discrepancies with the project  for the aforementioned hunger book. To that end, and until I feel more comfortable, I have deleted my comments within my text regarding the blogger effort)