A winter storm approaching Houston. I’ve survived my share of Houston related inclement weather, I only have climate change to thank for this additional life skill. Those were: a potentially catastrophic flood in 2019 (nearly drowned my car) and a snowfall in 2021 that froze the pipes, paralyzed the city and gave me really great memories with lifelong friends. A few lessons I’ve learned along the way? Never underestimate the unpredictability of weather, and always prepare for the worst. That way, everything else feels like a best-case scenario. Best case scenario I work from home on Tuesday while my kid plays in the background. Worst case? We lose electricity for days and have to enable a generator in frigid weather, with a house optimized for cooling (we live in Texas!!!) Another thing I’ve learned along the way, is the importance of hearty hot nourishing food. I remember in 2021, lockdown rules were in place but everything is a blur now and we woke up to snow. We didn’t prepare, lost electricity in our apartment complex, …

I’ve loved beans all of my life. I remember as a small girl in the Dominican Republic, I’d ask my mother to serve them in a small bowl for me. Instead of pouring them over white rice which is la costumbre.