Happy Thanksgiving! From an Immigrant's Perspective.

Today we celebrate what was originally a successful undocumented immigration story. I myself am writing this 5,587 miles from my original birthplace of Chicago, so I too, am an immigrant.

Hoy celebramos lo que originalmente fue una migración indocumentada. Yo mismo estoy escribiendo esto a 8.992 km de distancia de mi ciudad natal de Chicago.

This gives me a unique perspective that I did not really have before. I mean, sure, within my family my own parents migrated to the USA many years ago, settled down, met and raised a family. So yes, there always was this link to immigration. But it is very different being told about it and actually living it yourself.

Esto me da una perspectiva que no tenia antes. Claro, dentro de mi propia familia, mis propios padres emigraron hacia EEUU hace muchos años, se conocieron, trabajaron, armaron su familia. Pero, es muy distinto que te lo cuenten a vivir-lo personalmente.

I find myself so far away from my original home, with the seasons flipped on their heads, or rather with me flipped on my head about the seasons. The seasons go about their business just like they have for millions of years.

Me encuentro a largas distancias de mi país natal con las temporadas dadas vueltas.

And I just realized that these Thanksgiving parties that we celebrate in a new land should be celebrated with people who already call this place home. Just like the pilgrims, I came to a foreign land, albeit with a little more knowledge of what to expect, and with legal documentation.

Y me doy cuenta que estas fiestas que celebramos en una tierra nueva (nueva para mi), debería ser celebrada con gente a quien ya llaman a la Argentina suya. Igual a los peregrinos, yo llegué a una tierra desconocida, pero con un poco más de información sobre lo que me esperaba (y con los papeles que correspondían).

However, I still needed help figuring out how things are done here; I needed help in getting a grasp of the language, the customs, etc.

Pero igual necesitaba ayuda en aprender como se hacían las cosas acá; necesitaba ayuda en aprender el idioma, las costumbres, etc.

So yes, aside from being grateful to my family and friends; grateful for having my own business; a loving wife; beautiful kids; grandparents to spoil those same kids; I am also grateful to Argentina.

Aparte de estar agradecido a mi familia y amigos; de tener mi propio negocio, una hermosa esposa, lindas nenas, abuelos para malcriar a esas nenas. También estoy agradecido de Argentina.

I have not run into much xenophobia here.

No he tenido mucha experiencia con xenofobia acá.

The country has allowed me to come here and stay (yes, after much bureaucracy, but still finally made it).

El país me ha dejado entrar y quedar. (claro, después de mucha burocracia, pero finalmente todo bien).

I am not treated like a secondhand citizen.

No me tratan como un ciudadano de segunda mano.

I can complain about the government all I want and I don't feel like I would be pepper sprayed for it.

Siento que me puedo quejar del gobierno sin que me rocíen con pepper spray.

And then I see my own country from afar and I can't help but feel a little sad over her. In some ways she could learn a little from Argentina. The world is not black or white, but full of complicated shades. Yes, the USA does need to look a little beyond it's borders and not in a condescending way, but in a curious way. Yes, Argentina can do a better job, but she does some things right already.

Y despues miro mi propio país y me siento un poco triste por ella. En unas cosas puede aprender de Argentina. El mundo no esta divido entre lo que es negro y blanco; esta lleno de todos los colores mezclados.  Mi país debería mirar hacia afuera no en una forma condescendiente pero con curiosidad.

How do other countries deal with immigration, healthcare, civil rights, etc. We clearly are not the leaders in those areas anymore. We should look around and ask questions.

Como los otros países manejan el tema de inmigración, cuidado de salud, derechos civiles, etc. Claramente no somos lideres en esas áreas. Deberíamos mirar y hacer preguntas.

Friday Music Feature: Tycho

Once in a while iTunes gives out a free song that turns me on to some new acts that I have never heard of before and that I absolutely fall head over heals in love with.

De ves en cuando iTunes regala una canción que me da a conocer un artista a quien nunca había escuchado y con quien me enamoro inmediatamente.

Tycho's music is soothing, it's beautiful and hopeful sounding music. The album cover is a perfect symbol for the music that lays behind it.

 La música de Tycho es relajante, bella y llena de esperanza. La foto del disco nuevo es un simbolo perfecto de la música que representa.

You can listen to the whole album here.

Se puede escuchar todo el nuevo álbum acá.

Meanwhile I leave you with the song that is playing at Sugar & Spice.

Mientras tanto les dejo para escuchar la canción que tenemos en el local de Sugar & Spice.

ISO50 - Tycho's blog

Me Has Great News!

Yep, Cookie Monster (The real one) heard about us; he knows about us. Those of you who know me are now within one degree of separation with him!

Sí, el verdadero, autentico Cookie Monster nos conoce!

He being the cookie specialist that he is, even managed to get his blue furry little hands briefly on our cookies, since they were promptly devoured.

Siendo el especialista en Cookies logró conseguir cookies nuestros, hechos en Argentina! Logró conseguirlos en Plaza Sesamo!

In the cookie business I can't think of no honor higher than this.

No puedo concebir de otro honor tan prestigioso como este.

I also can´t believe that he has heard about us in Sesame Street. I grew up watching him and loved him as a child. As a grown up, I realized that I also love his humor; it´s not just directed at little kids. This is one wicked funny monster.

No puedo creer que nos haya encontrado! Como niño lo amaba. Como adulto también lo amo y especialmente me encanta su humor. No es un humor solamente dirigido a chicos. Este es un monstruo genuinamente gracioso.

Just watch these two examples to get an idea as to what I am talking about:

 Miren estos dos ejemplos para ver de que que hablo.

Cookie Monster vs Stephen Colbert where Cookie considers himself the Robert Downey Jr. of Cookies

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Here he is interviewed and gives a lesson on how to eat cookies:



And one of my favorite Cookie Monster moments was when he appeared on the Martha Stewart Show. The quality of the video is not great, but trust me, this is hilarious. This one comes in two parts:




Special thanks to Allie from Pick Up the Fork. She is the one who is related to the real Cookie Monster back in our mutual home town of Chicago.

And also to Ronald Pronk of Vamos 360 who sent me the following picture:

A Simple Bagel and Honey?

"the first printed mention of bagels...is to be found in the Community Regulations of Kracow, Poland, for the year 1610 which stated that bagels would be given as a gift to any woman in childbirth."
'The Joys of Yiddish' by Leo Rosten

I never knew Bagels were given to pregnant women as gifts before, but the very first mention of bagels in print form basically says that is what should be done with bagels.

Nunca supe que los bagels fueron regalados a mujeres embarazadas, pero la primer mención escrita en el mundo dice que eso es exactamente lo que se debe hacer con los bagels (ademas de comerlos).

I will have to keep that in mind for any future pregnant gift baskets from Sugar & Spice!

Voy a tener que tener eso en mente para algún futuro regalo a embarazadas de Sugar & Spice!

This morning though, I wanted to share another bagel inspiration. This one is simple (sort of). I drizzled a little Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey on our toasted cinnamon raisin bagel.

Hoy quise compartir otra inspiración culinaria sobre los bagels. Esta es simple, mas o menos. Le puse un poco de miel de Tasmania sobre un bagel tostado de canela y pasas.

I just love this honey and to be honest I don't even remember where I got it. It is a very unique tasting honey. It is not overly sweet and I can get a vivid picture of what the leatherwood flower might be like from the aroma and taste of this honey.

Esta miel es una de mis favoritas en todo el mundo. Ni me acuerdo donde la compramos. Es muy particular el sabor de esta miel. No es super dulce y cuando la pruebo me puedo imaginar como seria la flor del arbol Leatherwood.

Here is a blog post that waxes poetic on this particular honey and why it is so unique.

Encontré un blog donde escriben específicamente sobre esta miel y describen porque es única.

Finally now I have something noble and worthy to go with one of my favorite honeys in the world. Now I have my own freshly baked bagels.

Finalmente tengo algo noble y digno para acompañar unas de mis mieles favoritas, los bagels de Sugar & Spice.

Elena Roger in a Benefit Concert

Elena Roger will be performing a benefit concert this September 9th at 9pm. The proceeds for this concert go to The British Hospital´s Social Responsibility and Awareness programs.

La cantante y actriz Argentina de gran conocimiento internacional, Elena Roger, brindará un concierto el viernes 9 de septiembre a las 21 horas en el historico Teatro SHA a beneficio del programa de asistencia médica a pueblos originarios que lleva adelante el Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires.

The programs are undertaken by staff physicians and basically they travel several times a year to Salta where they give medical attention to the native aboriginal people (Wichis, Tobas, Chorotes).

Desde hace una década el proyecto de Responsabilidad Social a través del cual un grupo de médicos del Hosptilat Britanico de Buenos Aires, visita varias veces por año a esta comunidad cuyas enfermedades aumentan cada año afectando principalmente a niños.

The poverty that afflicts these people is shocking.

Elena Roger has decided to help and she will be performing some of her most famous interpretations from some of the plays she has worked on that have helped her garner critical appraise and awards like "Piaf", "Mina, Che Cosa Sei", and "Evita". She is doing this right before heading back to the States to perform in the revival of "Evita" with Ricky Martin on Broadway.

En esta oportunidad, Elena Roger decidió colaborar con el proyecto ofreciendo este recital a beneficio, en el cual interpretará piezas musicales de las obras que le valieron los más prestigiosos premios y le otorgaron el unánime reconocimiento del público y la critica nacional y local, tal como "Piaf", "Mina, Che Cosa Sei", y "Evita". Cabe recordar que, en unos meses, Elena partirá hacia Estados Unidos para interpretar en Broadway nuevamente el aclamado éxito de Lloyd Weber "Evita" junto al cantante Ricky Martin.

Facebook page of the event.
Pagina en FB del evento

Friday Music Feature: Gangster Nancy Sinatra (Lana del Rey)

There is a lot of on-line buzz regarding Lana del Rey (aka Lizzie Grant). Thanks to Matt Chesterton who posted a video up on G+ I have fallen in love again.

Mucho se habla de Lana del Rey (Lizzie Grant para sus amigos). Gracias a Matt Chesterton, quien publicó un video en G+, me he enamorado otra vez.

When I say fallen in love I mean the way I did when I first heard Nirvana playing in a CD store (remember those?). Way back when, I stopped halfway to the CD racks; I made a detour and asked the guy at the counter, "who the fuck is that?"

Cuando digo enamorado estoy hablando de amor como cuando me enamore al escuchar a Nirvana por primera vez. Entré a una tienda de CD's y pare y le pregunte al chabon detrás de la caja; "Quienes carajos son ellos"?

Yes, the explicative was called for.

I also remember falling in love with Primal Scream and their Screamadelica album (remastered collector's edition).

También me acuerdo de la primer vez que escuché el CD de Primal Scream "Screamadelica".

I could go on and on, but you get the picture. And while I would not go ahead and rush and put her quite in that category, as those two albums (clearly those two are classics in there genre), she is clearly creating an image that has the potential to go big.

Puedo seguir, pero creo que entienden a lo que voy. Y quizás ella no esta a la altura de esos dos ejemplos (esos dos son clásicos de sus géneros), pero sí esta creando una imagen con una potencial muy grande.

Lana is currently working on her first new single release. The video she had for "Video Games" was beautiful. I say was because all you see now is a message saying that it's no longer available due to a copyright claim by Ryland Bouchard.

Lana esta trabajando sobre su primer disco. El video que tenia para la canción "Video Games" era bellisimo. Digo que era porque ahora no se puede ver. Se ve un mensaje diciendo que hay un reclamo por derecho de autor por Ryland Bouchard.

In any case, you can see this other video of hers that I also love.



You can also read more about here at the following links:
También pueden leer un poco más sobre Lana:

Facebook page
YouTube Channel
Music Ninja Blog Post
Oh So Fresh Music Blog Post


And yes, I currently have some of her music currently playing at our Sugar & Spice store in Palermo Hollywood.

Y sí, algunas de sus canciones las tenemos tocando en nuestro local de Sugar & Spice en Palermo Hollywood.

Peanut Butter Brownies at Sugar & Spice!

"What has two thumbs and likes brownies?"

Points to himself and says: "This guy!"

Kelso to Hyde (Garage Sale episode of That 70's Show)

Hyde's brownies had a special ingredient. Our special ingredient happens to be Peanut Butter!

Los Brownies de Hyde tenian un ingrediente especial. Nuestro ingrediente especial es manteca de mani!

Now we are making Peanut Butter Brownies in small batches exclusively at our Sugar & Spice store in Palermo Hollywood.

Ahora estamos horneando brownies con manteca de mani in tandas chicas exclusivamente en nuestro local de Sugar & Spice en Palermo Hollywood.

So now you have specialty cookies, bagels and peanut butter brownies to tempt you into visiting our store.

Ahora tienen cookies especiales, bagels y brownies con manteca de mani para tentarlos a visitarnos.

Friday Music Feature: Jim Tomlinson and Stacey Kent

Brazilian Sketches

I have to admit that I don't know much about Jazz or even Bossa Nova. I do know that I love the sound of some of this music though.

Tengo que admitir que no se mucho de Jazz ni de Bossa Nova. Lo que sí reconozco es que me encanta el sonido de esta música.

This is a husband and wife team that put together a fantastic album. I can't help but be amazed at the sound of this album. It sounds like it should be a classic, yet it was made in 2003.

Esta pareja (esposo y mujer) creo una álbum fantástico. Me asombra el sonido de esta música. Suena como si fuese un clásico y lo hicieron en el 2003.

This is one of those albums in which every single song is fantastic. That is usually a rare find.

Cada canción es fantástica. Eso en si es un poco raro de encontrar.

And now we have it playing at our Sugar & Spice store in Palermo Hollywood!

Y ahora tenemos esta música tocando de fondo en nuestro local de Sugar & Spice en Palermo Hollywood!

Sugar and Spice Bagel Promotion!

Yep, Sugar & Spice is running a special bagel promotion. The price just doesn't get much better than this.


Sí, Sugar & Spice tienen una promoción con los nuevos bagels!

The Sugar & Spice Bagels and Specialty Cookies!

Yep, you are seeing this right. We decided to go more bakery on you!

Every Tuesday we will be baking small batches of bagels. We will have sesame seed bagels (dark and white sesame's and sometimes both seeds together), plain and cinnamon raisin.

Todos los martes vamos a hornear bagels. Vamos a tener bagels con semillas de sesamo (blancas y negras), con pasas y canela y también simples.

Truth be told, we have been working on these for a while. We even have some feedback from some local food bloggers.

Hemos estado trabajando sobre los bagels ya hace un tiempo. Es más, tenemos unos comentarios de un par de bloggers como...

Allie from Pick Up The Fork said of our bagel trials: "Once toasted with queso crema, I fell in love with the bagel and wanted more."

Dan from Saltshaker wrote of our bagel trials: "Nice aroma, smell of freshly baked bread, a touch of malt, very appealing...Color, beautifully browned on top and sides...with Amarantha gone, they're certainly the best I've tried in BA"


Now, more than ever, check out our tweeter feed @SugarandSpiceAr (it's side linked here on this blog as well for your convenience) and I will let everyone know when the bagels come out of the oven.

Ahora, más que nunca, visita nuestro Twitter @SugarandSpiceAr para saber cuando salen del horno nuestras nuevas delicias!

We will also have specialty cookies available that you can buy individually. These are not wrapped, they are baked in small batches and taken downstairs to our store.

También vamos a tener cookies especiales que se pueden comprar individualmente. Las horneamos en lotes pequeños y van directamente a nuestro local.

Pictured are orange biscotti and chocolate chip walnut biscotti for example. We also currently have some dark chocolate beauties like the ones pictured below:

Las que figuran en la foto son unas biscotti con trozos de naranja y unos biscotti con trozos de chocolate con nueces. También tenemos unas cookies de chocolate negro con avellanas como figuran en la foto abajo.

Those are hazelnuts poking out of a dark chocolate dough. We also couldn't help ourselves and made some dark chocolate cookies with large orange chunks!

Sí, esas son avellanas las que salen de la masa de chocolate negro! También horneamos unas cookies de chocolate negro con trozos de naranja!

So, if you are in the neighborhood now you have a really good reason to stop by our store. I won't take it personally if you come for the cookies instead of to see me. I think I can live with that ;-)

Por lo tanto, si están por el barrio ya tienen una excelente razón para pasar por nuestro local. No lo tomare en forma personal si a lo que vienen es por las cookies y no para verme a mi.