Well, all my effort went out the window when I came back from my lunch break to see this:
This is my moment of beauty today... a little gesture gave me a big smile (and a much needed caffeine boost)! :)
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Breaking the rules... already
I had a cup of coffee this morning - that I made (that's $5 for my "mini vacay" fund) and for lunch, I had OJ with an Emergen-C for an extra vitamin boost and for a zing of energy. Diet coke? Nope, not here! I was jones-ing for one big time, but settled myself with a diet Snapple... I know I said organic, but it's hard to find something organic that is also virtually calorie-free.
Well, all my effort went out the window when I came back from my lunch break to see this:
My boss decided to surprise me with a diet coke!! How can I refuse??
This is my moment of beauty today... a little gesture gave me a big smile (and a much needed caffeine boost)! :)
Well, all my effort went out the window when I came back from my lunch break to see this:
This is my moment of beauty today... a little gesture gave me a big smile (and a much needed caffeine boost)! :)
Crepes
Crepes are French, but when we were in Barcelona, we found this cute little crepe restaurant just a short minute walk from our hotel in the historic district.
We fell in love with these crepes and the cozy, laid back atmosphere... it was one of the few places I felt comfortable going to.
When we came back, we decided to try our hand at making our own. I quickly realized that I do not have the special, light touch needed to make such delicate pancakes. JD however, a pro!! I have (enthusiastically) handed over the torch and I give him free reign of the kitchen on these special nights.
Last night happened to be one of those nights. Poor JD didn't get home until after 7pm, but after a shower and a glass of champagne, he was ready to crepe!
We use this recipe to make the batter (so, so easy):
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/crepes-recipe/index.html
You have to be very careful about measuring the right amount of batter to add to the pan. For our size pan, JD used just a tad less than 1/3 cup.
I was in charge of fillings - here's what I had:
Homemade pesto (made with walnuts since we think JD is allergic to pine nuts)
Tomatoes
Apple butter (homemade - see previous post)
Sliced pears
Goat's cheese
Asiago cheese
Maple syrup
Agave syrup
Mascarpone cheese
Our combinations:
Pesto and tomatoes
Asiago and tomatoes
Goat's cheese, pear, agave nectar
Apple butter, pear, lemon zest and lemon juice and maple syrup
Asiago cheese, pear and agave nectar
Mascarpone cheese, pear and maple syrup
The ones we liked the best and will definitely be repeating are (in order of best to better):
1. Apple butter, pear, lemon zest and juice and maple syrup
2. Asiago cheese, pear and agave nectar
3. Goat's cheese, pear and agave nectar
4. Pesto and tomatoes
We had a great time coming up with new combinations and spent about an hour cooking and eating!
When we came back, we decided to try our hand at making our own. I quickly realized that I do not have the special, light touch needed to make such delicate pancakes. JD however, a pro!! I have (enthusiastically) handed over the torch and I give him free reign of the kitchen on these special nights.
Last night happened to be one of those nights. Poor JD didn't get home until after 7pm, but after a shower and a glass of champagne, he was ready to crepe!
We use this recipe to make the batter (so, so easy):
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/crepes-recipe/index.html
I was in charge of fillings - here's what I had:
Homemade pesto (made with walnuts since we think JD is allergic to pine nuts)
Tomatoes
Apple butter (homemade - see previous post)
Sliced pears
Goat's cheese
Asiago cheese
Maple syrup
Agave syrup
Mascarpone cheese
Pesto and tomatoes
Asiago and tomatoes
Goat's cheese, pear, agave nectar
Apple butter, pear, lemon zest and lemon juice and maple syrup
Asiago cheese, pear and agave nectar
Mascarpone cheese, pear and maple syrup
The ones we liked the best and will definitely be repeating are (in order of best to better):
1. Apple butter, pear, lemon zest and juice and maple syrup
2. Asiago cheese, pear and agave nectar
3. Goat's cheese, pear and agave nectar
4. Pesto and tomatoes
We had a great time coming up with new combinations and spent about an hour cooking and eating!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Challenge
My challenge for the next 49 days until Thanksgiving (thanks to Cassie at http://backtoherroots.com/ for this inspiration!) will be:
1. Volunteer for one day
2. Log 630 fitness hours
3. Save $25/week for a "mini-vacay"
4. Start and finish a creative project
5. Eat vegan 2 times/week - all day
6. Eat gluten-free 2 times/week - all day
7. Replace daily diet cokes with organic beverages
8. Start and finish, Fighting Fear with Faith by Denise George
9. Change my thought process (see previous post)
Nine used to be my favorite number, so I think this is a good start!!
If I reach my goal, to complete each of these tasks in 49 days, than I will treat myself to a mini vacation of my choosing. More on that later..........
Ready, set, go (okay, starting tomorrow....)!!
1. Volunteer for one day
2. Log 630 fitness hours
3. Save $25/week for a "mini-vacay"
4. Start and finish a creative project
5. Eat vegan 2 times/week - all day
6. Eat gluten-free 2 times/week - all day
7. Replace daily diet cokes with organic beverages
8. Start and finish, Fighting Fear with Faith by Denise George
9. Change my thought process (see previous post)
Nine used to be my favorite number, so I think this is a good start!!
If I reach my goal, to complete each of these tasks in 49 days, than I will treat myself to a mini vacation of my choosing. More on that later..........
Ready, set, go (okay, starting tomorrow....)!!
Fear
This blog started out as a recipe sharing site, mostly for my friends and I to easily access each other's recipes and inspire each other to cook more creatively.
There is a two year gap from when I started this blog and when I returned to it. During these two years, I was diagnosed with general anxiety, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). One therapist said that I had a psychiatric break with reality. Long story short? I allowed fear into my life and slowly but surely, it invaded every aspect of my life and reduced me to an empty shell, afraid of my own shadow and lost all trust and faith in myself. I lost myself and fell down the rabbit hole and for a while, I honestly wasn't sure I'd ever recover.
I was put on all kinds of different medications in order to "fix" the problem.... all but one didn't work. Two sedated me so much that I was a walking zombie and was numb to everything - everything but fear. I gained 80 pounds as a "side effect" from several of the medications. I was chained to pills... taking them at regular intervals, including having to wake up in the middle of the night in order to take another pill.
I finally really broke and wound up in the mental wing of our hospital. I was there for 3 days. I was in an outpatient hospital for two weeks. After that I was seeing a therapist twice a week and a psychiatrist once a week. My doctors were on speed dial and yes, I used them.
I've never experienced anything worse in my entire life.
Finally though, finally, I am on my way out. I have not only seen the light at the end of the tunnel, I have bathed myself in it a few times and have tasted the first glimpses of freedom and peace for the first time in three years.
Why am I sharing all of this?
Two women have inspired me. backtoherroots.com and ohsheglows.com are two blogs that I am currently following. They are very different from each other, but what they do have in common is that each are hosted by very strong women. Women who have been at the bottom and have fought their way back out. They took a chance in telling their story and they have inspired me to tell mine.
I'd like to say that I have all of these brilliant insights into anxiety and especially OCD, but I really don't. I'm still trying to figure it out. But I guess I hope that maybe, some day, someone will read about my journey and feel hope... hope that they can make it out of their current situation too and that there is a better day coming.
Cassie at backtoherroots.com has started a challenge for herself as a motivation to stay healthy and this has really encouraged me to do the same. In my next post, I will break down my challenge. First though, I have to back up and explain something....
The past three years, I have used fear and negative thinking as a protection against bad things happening or scarier yet, doing bad things. If I'm always checking and watching for the other shoe to drop, than I will always be aware of the evil that exists. Like, if I keep my hand on what I fear, than I will never be caught off guard.
In almost everything, I accuse myself of being guilty until I can prove myself innocent.
My challenge?
For the next 49 days, I will stop this thought process. I will think positively and assume the best of myself. I will take my proverbial hand off the fear and allow God's Light to fill the spaces where fear has been residing. I will replace thoughts of fear, worry and doubt with thoughts of love, especially self love.
This will be my hardest challenge for sure. But that's not enough.... I need to learn to look at myself in a healthy manner, treat myself with love and care and create positive goals for myself.
With that in mind.... my challenge for the next 49 days until Thanksgiving is..............
There is a two year gap from when I started this blog and when I returned to it. During these two years, I was diagnosed with general anxiety, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). One therapist said that I had a psychiatric break with reality. Long story short? I allowed fear into my life and slowly but surely, it invaded every aspect of my life and reduced me to an empty shell, afraid of my own shadow and lost all trust and faith in myself. I lost myself and fell down the rabbit hole and for a while, I honestly wasn't sure I'd ever recover.
I was put on all kinds of different medications in order to "fix" the problem.... all but one didn't work. Two sedated me so much that I was a walking zombie and was numb to everything - everything but fear. I gained 80 pounds as a "side effect" from several of the medications. I was chained to pills... taking them at regular intervals, including having to wake up in the middle of the night in order to take another pill.
I finally really broke and wound up in the mental wing of our hospital. I was there for 3 days. I was in an outpatient hospital for two weeks. After that I was seeing a therapist twice a week and a psychiatrist once a week. My doctors were on speed dial and yes, I used them.
I've never experienced anything worse in my entire life.
Finally though, finally, I am on my way out. I have not only seen the light at the end of the tunnel, I have bathed myself in it a few times and have tasted the first glimpses of freedom and peace for the first time in three years.
Why am I sharing all of this?
Two women have inspired me. backtoherroots.com and ohsheglows.com are two blogs that I am currently following. They are very different from each other, but what they do have in common is that each are hosted by very strong women. Women who have been at the bottom and have fought their way back out. They took a chance in telling their story and they have inspired me to tell mine.
I'd like to say that I have all of these brilliant insights into anxiety and especially OCD, but I really don't. I'm still trying to figure it out. But I guess I hope that maybe, some day, someone will read about my journey and feel hope... hope that they can make it out of their current situation too and that there is a better day coming.
Cassie at backtoherroots.com has started a challenge for herself as a motivation to stay healthy and this has really encouraged me to do the same. In my next post, I will break down my challenge. First though, I have to back up and explain something....
The past three years, I have used fear and negative thinking as a protection against bad things happening or scarier yet, doing bad things. If I'm always checking and watching for the other shoe to drop, than I will always be aware of the evil that exists. Like, if I keep my hand on what I fear, than I will never be caught off guard.
In almost everything, I accuse myself of being guilty until I can prove myself innocent.
My challenge?
For the next 49 days, I will stop this thought process. I will think positively and assume the best of myself. I will take my proverbial hand off the fear and allow God's Light to fill the spaces where fear has been residing. I will replace thoughts of fear, worry and doubt with thoughts of love, especially self love.
This will be my hardest challenge for sure. But that's not enough.... I need to learn to look at myself in a healthy manner, treat myself with love and care and create positive goals for myself.
With that in mind.... my challenge for the next 49 days until Thanksgiving is..............
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Splurge
Song of the day: Needtobreathe, Keep Your Eyes Open
Moment of beauty:
Food processors and I don't usually get along... I have broken every single one I've ever owned. I think I overestimate what their capacity is and wind up jamming it or burning out the motor.
So, I've given up... I have been working with little $5 food choppers for many years. Amazingly, I've never broken any of those... I just wear them out.
Every recipe that calls for the use of a food processor becomes an annoying task... I have to break apart the amounts and "process" in 2 or 3 batches, rather than just dumping it all in like I see Ina Garten or Giada deLaurentis do on Food Network. I always watched the simplicity and ease of use with jealous eyes.
Yesterday though, I really wanted to make a recipe for apple butter, but knew it would be a mission with my little chopper. So I finally broke down and made a trip to the dreaded Walmart.
One panic attack and $69 later, I am now the owner of a fancy new food processor!! It's GREAT!! It comes with two bowls - a big one and a little one, a shredder/slicer and all parts are dishwasher safe. Best part? For $7, I bought a 2 year warranty, so if I break this bad boy, I'll get a new one for free!
Happy Days!!
Moment of beauty:
So, I've given up... I have been working with little $5 food choppers for many years. Amazingly, I've never broken any of those... I just wear them out.
Every recipe that calls for the use of a food processor becomes an annoying task... I have to break apart the amounts and "process" in 2 or 3 batches, rather than just dumping it all in like I see Ina Garten or Giada deLaurentis do on Food Network. I always watched the simplicity and ease of use with jealous eyes.
Yesterday though, I really wanted to make a recipe for apple butter, but knew it would be a mission with my little chopper. So I finally broke down and made a trip to the dreaded Walmart.
One panic attack and $69 later, I am now the owner of a fancy new food processor!! It's GREAT!! It comes with two bowls - a big one and a little one, a shredder/slicer and all parts are dishwasher safe. Best part? For $7, I bought a 2 year warranty, so if I break this bad boy, I'll get a new one for free!
Happy Days!!
Apple butter
It feels like fall....inside. It's still about 85-90 degrees outside with about 70% humidity (hey, that's low for FL!) and everything is still very green. Inside in the 75 degree A/C, with the scent of apples cooking and cinnamon, it sure feels like fall in my kitchen!!
I recently found a vegan blog that I really like - ohsheglows.com. She posted a few days ago a recipe for apple butter. I read it and it sounded easy enough (you don't even have to peel the apples!), so I decided to give it a whirl.
It's delicious!! Incredibly easy as well!
First you slice the apples and place them in a crockpot. (The recipe calls for different kinds of apples, but I only used Mcintosh because they were on sale, sold in bulk.)
Transfer apple mixture to food processor and puree until smooth. Transfer back to crockpot and cook at high heat for about an hour, or until it is the consistency that you prefer. At this point, you can add what seasonings you like. I added a dash of ground ginger, a dash of Allspice, about 2 tsp of cinnamon and 2 tsp. of ground cloves. I also added less than 1/4 cup of brown sugar, so my recipe wasn't exactly totally "naked", but for 5 lbs of apples, I didn't think 1/4 cup of sugar was bad!
ENJOY!!
I recently found a vegan blog that I really like - ohsheglows.com. She posted a few days ago a recipe for apple butter. I read it and it sounded easy enough (you don't even have to peel the apples!), so I decided to give it a whirl.
It's delicious!! Incredibly easy as well!
First you slice the apples and place them in a crockpot. (The recipe calls for different kinds of apples, but I only used Mcintosh because they were on sale, sold in bulk.)
Let the apples cook for about 3 hours on high heat (the recipe says 4 hours for 5 lbs of apples, but it took less than 3 hours for me), stirring periodically.
When the apples are soft, mash with a potato masher.
For the full recipe, please visit http://ohsheglows.com/2012/09/26/slow-cooker-naked-apple-butter/
It's a great blog with all kinds of vegan recipes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
