Wednesday, November 27, 2013
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When you
own a dog (or pets in general) - you are generally connected to your home. They
are children that depend on you for food, water and care. When you make travel
plans or extended time away from the house - you have to consider who is going
to care for them while you are away.
One of
the greatest rewards that my babies bring me is no matter how bad my day went -
they are excited to see me when I walk through the door. It quickly brings you
back to reality that you are loved.
In the
Thanksgiving spirit I think it’s appropriate to share an observation I made
this morning.
Every
morning we have a routine. All the babies (even the Nuisance) sleep in the bed
with me (the reason we needed a king size mattress!). I can tell when it’s time
to wake up because they start to stir when it’s time to go out.
Like a
coach – I get them amped to go outside. I start with the chant “Which babies
want to go outside?!?” – this way, even if it’s windy or cold – everyone is
excited to go outside (when it’s raining they get to go out the front door for
a quick supervised outing). I count them off as they run out the side door and
they all run out like gang busters to inspect the backyard and the boys
generally piss on everything that doesn’t move.
While
they’re out – I take care of my stuff… I usually have about 15 to 20 minutes to
prepare my day before the babies want to come back inside. When Ed starts “yelling”
(it is THE MOST annoying single bark) and Poopie & Shady start scratching
at the door, and Weeshy is bouncing up and down – I know they are done and it’s
time to come in… which brings me to my observation.
After
the babies come back in the house – they run right to the kitchen to the pantry
(where I keep their snacks). It is very routine and calculated which they get
excited about every morning! Poopie (who is 10) jumps up and down like a puppy,
Ed begs with both paws, Weeshy jumps straight up in the air (about 2 feet vertically)
and Shady bolts back and forth and jumps on me. To me, this is a routine. To
them, it is obviously a highlight to their day.
So, how
many things do you do - day in and day out… the routine – but you take for
granted? In the scheme of things – wouldn’t it be nice to have that much
excitement and anticipation for something that seems like it’s a given but is
truly a treat?
This
Thanksgiving we won’t be having a big elaborate meal. My family is all over the
United States – but I have so many things that I am thankful for.
Some
things like…
I have a
big comfy bed that I share with my loved ones
I have
electric to brew my coffee (and COFFEE!!)
I have a
car to drive to go buy dog snacks
Not to
mention the multitude of friends and family that make every day special for me…
You
always hear “Take time to smell the roses”… I think my dogs really showed me
that lesson this morning.
Happy
Thanksgiving 2013!!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
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This is definitely for the lazy cook!
The entire prep took me 10 minutes (most of that was peeling / cubing the potatoes)
Great meal for
1. you don't feel good
2. you don't feel like cooking
3. you're freezing
4. you're cleaning out your fridge / freezer
I made enough for dinner and a couple days of leftovers (so, adjust accordingly)
2 Boneless Chicken Breasts (chunked up)
4 Potatoes (peeled and diced into cubes)
1 medium onion diced
1 lb bag of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
1 carton (I think it's 32 oz) of Chicken Stock
1 pack of Goya Chicken Broth
1 cup of water
1 tbsp. parsley
Salt & Pepper to taste (I would wait till it's done to add salt & pepper - the broth / stock combo can be a little salty)
Put all the ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Let it boil for about 10-15 minutes (to cook the chicken). Simmer for 15 minutes on medium heat.
That's it!
Serve with bread and maybe a salad! Chicken soup ALWAYS hits the spot!
In the craziness of life I try to take time out to reflect on how blessed I am and how much I've accomplished.
As I'm growing older, with everyday - I try to become more optimistic. I like being happy. I like how I feel when there is no drama in my life. I like laughing.
Most importantly, I love my life.
By no means is it perfect. Shit, I thought because I survived teenagers - the rest would be smooth sailing! No one warned me about adult children!
But, it's all good. I try to take each challenge and make it into an opportunity to learn and gain from it. There is no need to dwell on things I can't control. There is no need for me to worry about things that inevitably will work themselves out.
So, I wanted to put down on "paper" all the things that I am grateful for...
1. My health
2. My ability to think and verbalize the thoughts that cross my mind
3. My humor and being able to laugh at myself
4. My family (including my pets)
5. My job with ***
6. My bed & TV - both give me a way to relax
7. My ability to coupon which also encompasses my talent to make something from nothing
8. My computer & the internet - including facebook and other social media, which is not ideal - but it is a nice way for me to stay connected with family and friends and keep up with daily life
9. That I am not perfect - it gives me something to aspire to
10. That I can do things for others and use my expertise to help them improve their lives
I invite you to do exactly what I did.
Things may not be going great for you. You might be in the middle of a shit storm... but, if you sit down and list out just a few of the positives that you have in your life - the Law of Attraction will open up the door for other things to start looking up.
I promise.
If you're not familiar with "stacking" - it is a great way of combining a store coupon with a manufacturer's coupon to save additional money. If you take that combination and add it to a store sale... JACKPOT!!
Some grocery stores, drug store chains and big box stores offer store coupons.
A few weeks ago I went to Target and stumbled on this great deal:
Target had a sale on L'Oreal Hair Color
I had a Target coupon + a Manufacturer's coupon
The Target coupon was actually for $2 off (misprint from the Target website).
My total out of pocket was $1.99 each - plus tax.
I found this recipe on Facebook. I have made it a few times and when you're in a rush or don't know what you feel like eating - this is very quick and easy. I always make sure I have the ingredients on hand.
I can promise you - the taste is restaurant quality!
I like to add some garlic bread and a glass of red wine. If I play some Billy Joel, I feel like I'm back on Long Island eating in my grandparent's kitchen!
Tomato Basil Pasta
12 ounces pasta (I prefer linguine or fettuccine)
*depending on the thickness of the pasta - you may need to add a little water
1 large can diced tomatoes with the juice
1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 large sprigs basil, chopped
4 1/2 cups vegetable stock
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese for garnish
*I also add about a pound of Asparagus cut into 1 inch pieces - I like the flavor it adds to the pot. Aldi sells frozen asparagus - so, I always have a couple bags in the freezer.
Directions:
Place pasta, tomatoes, asparagus, onion, garlic, basil, in a large stock pot. Pour in vegetable broth. Sprinkle on top the pepper flakes and oregano. Drizzle top with oil.
Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or so. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated – I leave about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot because the noodles are going to absorb it anyway once it cools.
The starch leaches out of the noodles and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles. The other ingredients cook right along with the pasta Ingredients.
No straining, just stirring!
Season to taste with salt and pepper, stirring pasta several times to distribute the liquid in the bottom of the pot.
Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
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O. M. G.!!!
Today began Souper Sunday. My first selection is Roasted Vegetable Soup.
I always do chili or stew, so adding a real "soup" is nice... especially because it is absolutely dee-lish!
I found the recipe here
1 head garlic
3 pt. cherry tomatoes
2 large bell peppers, cut into ½-inch chunks
2 medium zucchini, cut into ½-inch chunks
¼ cup olive oil
½ tsp. smoked paprika
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
4 Tbs. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
Preheat oven to 450°F
- Rub papery skin off garlic, and cut off top of head to expose clove tips. Place on square of foil, and drizzle with 1 Tbs. water. Wrap garlic, and roast 35 to 40 minutes, or until soft.
- Toss tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and oil with paprika in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread on 2 baking sheets, and roast 35 to 40 minutes, or until vegetables are browned and tender, stirring once. Cool 10 minutes.
- Squeeze roasted garlic cloves into bowl of food processor; add half of roasted vegetables and 1 cup water. Blend until smooth, then transfer to large bowl or saucepan. Pulse remaining vegetables in food processor until chopped, then stir into puréed soup with corn and vinegar. Warm, if necessary.
So, I have to tell yous... it is Uh-MAY-Zing!
I added a variation (because I beat to my own drum)....
I only did 1 TBS of Red Wine Vinegar
and I added a 1/2 roasted eggplant - to the ingredients (I had it in the fridge)
Instead of water I used vegetable stock
and I added extra corn
and a can of black beans...
The hardest part was the mess. You have to run the roasted veggies through the food processor... but other than that - I am very pleased!
It is very hearty and full of flavor!!! The Paprika added a nice yum to it!
And, I baked bread!!
Another meatless meal - added to the menu!
Saturday, September 28, 2013
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I've been away for a
few days - attending to life.
I had an old friend come to town on Monday. We met for drinks and
dinner. It was the first meal I'd had since the week before so, my
selection was a Spinach Salad with Apples, Tomatoes, Walnuts and
Cranberries. It was very satisfying. I washed it down with some Bud
Light - my other favorite juice!
Tuesday I started my exit from fasting. I have lost 15 pounds total on
this fast. I have 15 more to go. I will do another fast in a
couple of weeks. I need to keep my body guessing to keep my metabolism
up and also allow it to catch up to the rapid weight loss.
The Transition
Everyone probably has their own way of transitioning back to whole
food. Mine works for me and helped me keep off almost all of the 23
pounds I lost last year.
Some thoughts for the transition:
- Continue to
drink a lot of water. Sometimes I add Lemons
to my water. Lemon is a natural internal antiseptic which helps remove
free radicals and toxins.
- Continue to
have juice for a couple meals per day (meal replace). Choose a meal (I
usually do dinner) that you add in food. After a couple of days, add in
a second meal - until you're completely transitioned back.
- You have
been drinking fruits and vegetables for "X" amount of days... start
adding those fruits and vegetables as food, not juice.
- Find some
recipes that utilize beans (black, pink, red, white). Beans are a great
source of protein and make you feel full when mixed in with vegetables
and a starch.
- Try to stay
away from meat for the first few days. If you must, have a piece of
chicken, turkey or fish (preferably baked or broiled) - no larger than
a deck of cards.
- Portion
control. Don't let your mind trick you into thinking that you've been
deprived. On the contrary, your body has been getting everything it
needs. Your mind controls a lot of what you put in your mouth. Win that
battle.
- Don't get
into a routine (this is my personal struggle). It's easy to go back to
your old ways - because it's more than likely your old ways were easy.
Make the effort to make fresh juice. Make the effort to prepare your
food from scratch. This is just disciplining yourself to take care of
yourself.
- Stay away
from processed and fast food. No explanation needed.
Everyone is on a
journey. We may be on different paths but inevitably most of us have
the same goal to live a happy rewarding life. Getting there is all
about balance. You can't eat cookies and chips everyday without adding
in more healthy choices to balance it out. You are what you eat and
food like products generally don't come from the earth, they come from
a science lab. Don't be a science project.
I think (on a food perspective) if we get back to a simpler time before
fast food restaurants and boxed foods - we'll all start to see some of
the chronic illnesses that are crippling our society, reverse
themselves.
I truly believe that.
