hmmmm, guess i will need to stop by the store to pick up some carrots.
Carrot, Tuna, and Avocado Salad
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Eata whatcha gotta
or in other words, quit shopping so much. i'll admit it. i have a food addiction. it's not what you think. i don't hoard doughnuts or secretly hit all of the fast food drive thru windows each day. no, my problem is that i really really like good food. and by good food, i am talking about the vibrant produce, fresh cheeses, interesting whole grains and new and different spices.
i love to search the internet for recipes and the challenge of preparing something is exciting to me. but, my problem is that i am known to spend most of my paycheck at the grocery store. not a good thing. while healthy eating can be a budget nightmare, i am convinced that it can be done on the cheap. in fact, that is what i spend my time "in career" telling folks each and every day. it is time for a personal challenge. so...
i found a few blogs that give very specific guidelines about "pantry eating". http://goodcheapeats.com/2011/12/join-me-for-a-pantry-challenge/
http://www.gettingfreedom.net/category/pantry-challenge
the basic idea is that you figure out what staples you need each week and then use what is in your pantry, freezer, and cupboards. most americans keep such a large amount of food on hand that we never use. it eventually molds, collects dust, or expires and we pitch it. hundreds of dollars of food waste each year.
i will post my progress. look for this challenge to begin in february. till then, i plan to enJOY.
i love to search the internet for recipes and the challenge of preparing something is exciting to me. but, my problem is that i am known to spend most of my paycheck at the grocery store. not a good thing. while healthy eating can be a budget nightmare, i am convinced that it can be done on the cheap. in fact, that is what i spend my time "in career" telling folks each and every day. it is time for a personal challenge. so...
i found a few blogs that give very specific guidelines about "pantry eating". http://goodcheapeats.com/2011/12/join-me-for-a-pantry-challenge/
http://www.gettingfreedom.net/category/pantry-challenge
the basic idea is that you figure out what staples you need each week and then use what is in your pantry, freezer, and cupboards. most americans keep such a large amount of food on hand that we never use. it eventually molds, collects dust, or expires and we pitch it. hundreds of dollars of food waste each year.
i will post my progress. look for this challenge to begin in february. till then, i plan to enJOY.
Friday, December 16, 2011
hiattus: blogger late, than never
okay. i realize that my last post was in july. it has been a busy 5 months. i finished up the fall semester of graduate school and was accepted into my program. if all goes as planned, i should be able to complete my master of education in health education and promotion by spring '13. between driving to columbia 2 days a week, managing 3 daughters, a husband, a new puppy and a full time job- i have been a bit neglectful of my blogging goal. about a year ago, i decided that i really wanted to start a blog...you know, just keep record of all of those fun and interesting tid bits of life. well, ha! those tid bits get lost in the shuffle of miscellaneous items that seem to endlessly stack up on my kitchen counter. lucky for me, i have an amazing husband who was thoughtful enough to throw me a suprise 40th birthday party in august and present me with a beautiful new camera for my blogging experience.
ha, again! i think i have taken a total of 7 creative photographs since receiving this awesome gift. however, big sister has decided that she has quite a passion for photography (this may actually turn into a career goal for her) and has taken some amazing photographs this fall. thanks to her, we have a visual of all of those tid bits.
middle sister is the singing, musical instrument playing one. during this time of year, we get major brownie points for our time in the audience...taking up large sections of seats with siblings and grandparents in tow. note to self: turtlenecks are not appropriate concert attire when attending with 600 other parents. whew!
one more share. this one from little sister, who is the artist of the family. we actually had this one made into a canvas which we have proudly displayed in our house. personally, i think it could be at the Nelson, but that's just me. enJOY!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Too bad it's already a memory
Cool antique store in Appalachicola. I am a sucker for old nautical junk! I love the worn colors...
These are my attempts at "artistic photography".
Think I'll keep my day job.
Good times, St. George Island!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
i'll have a side of patience with that, please.
what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger
eventually, everything becomes history
i can do anything for 1 day
HA! i have actually said these very words. the ones i distinctly remember NOT saying were "Lord, give me patience" because through life i have learned that if you ask for patience, you invariably get opportunities to grow in your ability to be patient...long lines, crying babies, crabby neighbors, slow traffic. Here's the funny part. Our recent family vacation was a series of stress-inducing, patience-building opportunities. We chose to drive the 16 hour trip in 2 days. First mistake. From Mid-Missouri to Mid-Alabama was the goal. We got a late start on Friday afternoon and did not arrive in Birmingham until midnight. Stopped at the first group of hotels to find that they were all full. Not a problem. There were plenty of other options. We hit the next exit. Full. The next exit. No vacancy. The next and the next. All the way to Montgomery. This is normally about an hour and a half drive. But after stopping at every available hotel along I-65, it took about 2 1/2 hours. There was a baseball convention in Birmingham and every hotel within 100 miles was sold out. Go figure. We did finally find a place to stay south of Montgomery and crashed about 3 am. Patience.
Next day, we headed out for the beach. Only 7 more hours. Holiday traffic. Arrived at the beach later that evening. After enJOYing 2 great days on the beautiful island of St. George, a gigantic storm blew through the area and knocked the power out to the entire island. The reports say it was a possible waterspout in Apalachicola Bay. And we thought we left the tornados behind in MO.
http://www.wmbb.com/story/14986758/st-george-island-power-outage
Like I said, patience. We were completely dark for 2 nights, 2 very hot, sleepless nights. But I must say, during the day...a cooler of beer and a flat of fresh oysters makes you forget. We finally got 70% power by Thursday. That meant a bit of up and down emotions as the power would come on and off randomly. Lots of booing and cheering going on. Ultimately, the beach was amazing. Sanddollars, starfish, scallops, shells, shops, and OYSTERS all fresh from the bay. Gotta love the gulf.
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What I learned from this vacation: I AM stronger. It IS history. And I can do anything for 4 days. Also, a week on the beach with your family is not nearly enough time...enJOY!
eventually, everything becomes history
i can do anything for 1 day
HA! i have actually said these very words. the ones i distinctly remember NOT saying were "Lord, give me patience" because through life i have learned that if you ask for patience, you invariably get opportunities to grow in your ability to be patient...long lines, crying babies, crabby neighbors, slow traffic. Here's the funny part. Our recent family vacation was a series of stress-inducing, patience-building opportunities. We chose to drive the 16 hour trip in 2 days. First mistake. From Mid-Missouri to Mid-Alabama was the goal. We got a late start on Friday afternoon and did not arrive in Birmingham until midnight. Stopped at the first group of hotels to find that they were all full. Not a problem. There were plenty of other options. We hit the next exit. Full. The next exit. No vacancy. The next and the next. All the way to Montgomery. This is normally about an hour and a half drive. But after stopping at every available hotel along I-65, it took about 2 1/2 hours. There was a baseball convention in Birmingham and every hotel within 100 miles was sold out. Go figure. We did finally find a place to stay south of Montgomery and crashed about 3 am. Patience.
Next day, we headed out for the beach. Only 7 more hours. Holiday traffic. Arrived at the beach later that evening. After enJOYing 2 great days on the beautiful island of St. George, a gigantic storm blew through the area and knocked the power out to the entire island. The reports say it was a possible waterspout in Apalachicola Bay. And we thought we left the tornados behind in MO.
http://www.wmbb.com/story/14986758/st-george-island-power-outage
Like I said, patience. We were completely dark for 2 nights, 2 very hot, sleepless nights. But I must say, during the day...a cooler of beer and a flat of fresh oysters makes you forget. We finally got 70% power by Thursday. That meant a bit of up and down emotions as the power would come on and off randomly. Lots of booing and cheering going on. Ultimately, the beach was amazing. Sanddollars, starfish, scallops, shells, shops, and OYSTERS all fresh from the bay. Gotta love the gulf.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
cooking with kids
We are off and running this summer...doing cooking classes for lots of area kiddos. It is a lesson in organized chaois, i tell you! I am learning as much as they are; like how you can cut almost anything with a paper plate and a plastic knife, that electric skillets make great stovetops, that it is fun to shop with someone else's money, and that fresh green beans in veggie fajitas and eggplant in meatballs are fantastic. My job is different everyday and that is one of the great things about it. I am the "newbie" and I still get excited for the challenges and experiences.
Here is a cool little recipe to try with your kiddos this summer:
Veggie Meatball Subs
1 eggplant, peeled and quartered
1 bunch of carrots, washed
1 box of brussell sprouts
2 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey
2 eggs
1/2 loaf day old bread
1 tbsp. italian seasoning
spaghetti sauce
shredded cheese
hotdog buns
Shred all of the vegetables into a large bowl. Tear the bread into small pieces and add to the veggies. Add eggs, ground meat, and seasoning. Combine all ingredients and shape into little meatballs. An icecream scoop is a great tool to help make the balls uniform in size. Cook in an electric skillet or in the oven at 350 degrees until internal temperature is 140 degrees. Those mini meat thermometers are super handy! Once the meatballs are cooked, add spaghetti sauce and heat through. Put 3 meatballs on a hotdog bun, top with some shredded cheese and wah-lah!!! Dinner is served. EnJOY.
Here is a cool little recipe to try with your kiddos this summer:
Veggie Meatball Subs
1 eggplant, peeled and quartered
1 bunch of carrots, washed
1 box of brussell sprouts
2 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey
2 eggs
1/2 loaf day old bread
1 tbsp. italian seasoning
spaghetti sauce
shredded cheese
hotdog buns
Shred all of the vegetables into a large bowl. Tear the bread into small pieces and add to the veggies. Add eggs, ground meat, and seasoning. Combine all ingredients and shape into little meatballs. An icecream scoop is a great tool to help make the balls uniform in size. Cook in an electric skillet or in the oven at 350 degrees until internal temperature is 140 degrees. Those mini meat thermometers are super handy! Once the meatballs are cooked, add spaghetti sauce and heat through. Put 3 meatballs on a hotdog bun, top with some shredded cheese and wah-lah!!! Dinner is served. EnJOY.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
old dog, new trick
Let the graduate school begin. On Monday, I officially started summer school. i am in the process of figuring out my first online graduate course. i now know what Blackboard is, how to post on a discussion board, what a thread is and how to create one. Gee...what a crazy thing it is to feel so old in the academic world. my post-graduate hours are over 15 years old. i am hoping they might still consider them for transfer because i am entering into the same program again. we shall see. conducting all business online is great, but also prohibits me from actually talking to or reasoning with or pleading my case with any actual person. hmmm...need to figure out the best way to type big sad eyes. More to come. But I really think I am going to enJOY this course. We began with introductions and most of the people in the class have backgrounds that parallel mine, so I think I am in the right place. Wish me luck...
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