Posts by Liz

My First Time Trying Airbnb Was a Nightmare

my thoughts random

The Airbnb Nightmare

My best friends and I are used to staying in hotels when we travel. We like the convenience and predictability of hotels. We know that when we arrive, our room will be clean and comfortable. That’s why we were so excited to try Airbnb for the first time. We thought it would be a fun and unique experience.

We found a great-looking Airbnb on the website. It was a spacious house with a pool and a patio, and it was located in a great neighborhood. We were so excited for our trip!

But when we arrived at the Airbnb, we were shocked. The house was old and dirty. The pool was green and the patio was covered in leaves. It was nothing like the house in the pictures on the Airbnb website.

To make matters worse, there was a huge spider and webs were everywhere. We were so worried for our furbabies and our infant.

We were so disappointed. We had traveled a long way to stay in this house.

Finding a Better Airbnb

The next morning, we were eager to leave the house and stay in another Airbnb, hoping it wouldn’t be disappointing, especially since we had to travel for 5 hours to get there.

We were lucky that the second Airbnb we booked was great. It was a beautiful house in a great resort location, and it was clean and well-maintained. We had a wonderful time staying there.

Why We Chose Airbnb

We also opted for Airbnb because of its broad pet-friendly options. We have five furbabies, and it can be difficult to find hotels that allow pets. With Airbnb, we were able to find houses that were perfect for us and our furry friends. We don’t want to leave them out, and it’s awesome to share the experience with them, after all, they are our family.

Lessons Learned

What I learned from my experience:

  • Be careful when booking an Airbnb. Read the reviews carefully and look at the pictures closely.
  • Don’t be afraid to contact the host before you book. Ask them any questions you have about the property.
  • If you arrive at the Airbnb and it’s not what you expected, don’t be afraid to leave. You can always find another place to stay.

I’m hoping that other people who are considering using Airbnb will read my story and be cautious. Airbnb can be a great way to save money and have a unique experience, but it’s important to be aware of the risks.

 

Spicy Japanese Beef Udon with Spinach – Noodles for the Soul

My Recipes

 

Spicy Japanese Beef Udon with Spinach

I've always been fascinated by Japanese culture, from the art and architecture to the food. But it was the food that really captured my heart. There was something about the fresh flavors, the delicate textures, and the beautiful presentation that just made me want to eat it all.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Course Noodles
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 4 tummies

Equipment

  • wok or pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pack udon noodles with sauce included
  • 1 pound US premium beef sukiyaki thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 bunch spinach washed and trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 onion thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions
 

  • Cook the udon noodles according to the package directions.
  • While the noodles are cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  • Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil.
  • Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
  • Drain the udon noodles and add them to the skillet with the beef and vegetables.
  • Stir in the chili powder and cook until heated through.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a more authentic flavor, you can use dashi broth instead of water to cook the udon noodles.
  • If you don't have mirin, you can substitute dry sherry or sweet Marsala wine.
  • You can also add other vegetables to this dish, such as carrots, mushrooms, or bok choy.
  • For a spicier dish, you can add more chili powder or red pepper flakes.
Keyword Beef Udon, Japanese food

Chicken Indian Curry (Spicy Goodness)

My Recipes

 

I haven’t made a YouTube video for this recipe yet, but I will soon! I’ll upload it to my recipe YouTube channel, Quiet Coffee. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it.

By the way, if you’re interested to make this recipe, you can buy all Indian spices from this link:

 

 

Chicken Indian Curry (Spicy Goodness)

I've always been a fan of spicy food, and Indian cuisine is known for its bold flavors. I've tried a few different recipes from YouTube, but I decided to make my own version of chicken curry since I didn't have all the ingredients. I used what was available in my country, and it turned out great! It was so spicy and delicious!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 tummies (not recommended for weak tummy)

Equipment

  • Pan or Wok or Whatever you have

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 green chili chopped
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 bunch spinach chopped
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs halved

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides.
  • Add the onion, green chili, bay leaves, and star anise to the skillet. Cook until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the cumin, turmeric, curry powder, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute more.
  • Add the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  • Serve with rice or naan bread.

Notes

  • For a spicier curry, add more chili powder.
  • For a milder curry, reduce the amount of chili powder or omit it altogether.
  • If you don't have star anise, you can use 1 teaspoon of ground star anise.
  • You can also add other vegetables to the curry, such as okras and potatoes.
  • Serve the curry with your favorite toppings, such as cilantro, yogurt, or chutney.
I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Keyword Chicken Curry, Spicy