When your see a word you think "oh how the heck can I remember that?" Well I think I am going to make myself a list. I will be short but sweet...
Craptacular-because we have so much crap in our lives
Fucktard-we all know at least one
buttmunch-sometimes I just don't know if it's a compound word or hyphenated but heck it's a great word regardless.
Smarticus-because I know my kids are...
bitch-clean and simple, doesn't bother me one bit if someone calls me that either...I am one, deal with it.
Happy Frickin Holidays peeps...
Kristin
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
So There Is This Blog Thingy
So I have this blog thingy that I don't seem to use, well that's just not right is it. Or should I be smarmy and put write but that would mean I was funny while trying to be and again that's just not right.
You know when you try to be funny and well, it's just painful. Yeah that's me. I mean I gots LOTS of great quotes I get from others, like what you may ask. Well I used to be a Vol. Firefighter and I would use the station to do my homework for quiet and no distractions but of course the guys would come out and bug me with the questions about what I was writing my paper on. So my answer was, "Oh it's about Nymphomaniacs, compulsive behavior or just plain fun". It shut them up and I could get my stuff done.
It would be great if I was one of those stand up people but that's just not me. Hell I am just thrilled these days I can get my kids to eat Brussels Sprouts...and like them! Ask me how and I will tell you!!!
I want to start using my blog more often. I mean I have all these great ideas but to focus my mommy brain on any one thing for more than 5 minutes would be something for you all to amaze at.
My latest best quote is regarding the New Moon media crap...Don't get me wrong I LOVE these books and movies and I want to be Kristen Stewarts new BFF and Robert Pattingson's, well anything (I swear that man can eat crackers in my bed anytime) but all the media hype AAAHHHH I am over it. So I say, "If I hear another thing about Twilight or New Moon, I am going to punch a baby"
You know when you try to be funny and well, it's just painful. Yeah that's me. I mean I gots LOTS of great quotes I get from others, like what you may ask. Well I used to be a Vol. Firefighter and I would use the station to do my homework for quiet and no distractions but of course the guys would come out and bug me with the questions about what I was writing my paper on. So my answer was, "Oh it's about Nymphomaniacs, compulsive behavior or just plain fun". It shut them up and I could get my stuff done.
It would be great if I was one of those stand up people but that's just not me. Hell I am just thrilled these days I can get my kids to eat Brussels Sprouts...and like them! Ask me how and I will tell you!!!
I want to start using my blog more often. I mean I have all these great ideas but to focus my mommy brain on any one thing for more than 5 minutes would be something for you all to amaze at.
My latest best quote is regarding the New Moon media crap...Don't get me wrong I LOVE these books and movies and I want to be Kristen Stewarts new BFF and Robert Pattingson's, well anything (I swear that man can eat crackers in my bed anytime) but all the media hype AAAHHHH I am over it. So I say, "If I hear another thing about Twilight or New Moon, I am going to punch a baby"
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Special Request...
A dear friend of mine has been requesting this recipe from me since I had made it for her I think about a year ago. Well me being not one to rush into things, my dear Kathy here you are!!!
It's for Pan-Seared Scallops-I like the frozen one's from Trader Joe's the "Japanese Scallops". two things to take note of, the packages are 1lbs and the recipe is for 1 1/2 lbs and yes you do need to remove the tendons from the side of the scallop!
1 1/2 pounds sea scallops (about 30 per pound).
small tendons removed from the side
salt and pepper
1 1/2 Tblsp. unsalted butter
1. Sprinkle the scallops on both side with salt and pepper to taste. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat until hot, about 1 minutes. Add half the butter and swirl to coat the pan bottom. Continue to heat the pan until the butter begins to turn golden brown.
2. Add half the callops, one at a time, flat side down. Cook, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent the fat from burning, until the scallops are well browned, 1 1/2 minutes to 2 minutes. Useing tound, turn the callops, one at a time. Cook to medium-rare (the dise have firmed up and all but the middle thrid of the scallop is opaque), 30 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes longer, depending on size. Transfer the scallops to a warm platter; cover with foil.. Repeat the cooking process using the remaining butter and scallops. Serve immediately.
Then when you want to really WOW someone try this...
Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon, Shallots, and Capers
1 recipe Pan-Seared Scallops
1 medium shallot, minced
1 cup dry white wine (I have always used vermouth)
1 tsp. grated zest and 1 Tbsp juice from a small lemon
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley leaves (flat leaf ONLY)
1 Tbsp minced capers
salt and pepper
After searing the scallops adn transferring them to a warm platter (I just put them in a warm oven), pour off all but 1 Tbsp of the butter in the skillet and saute the shallot in the fat until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Addthe wine and lemon zest and simmer until treduced to about 1/3 cup, 6 to 7 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the butter, parsley, lemon juice, capers, and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the sauce over the scallops and serve at once. I usually serve it w/bow tie pasta.
These are from Cook's Illustrated or aka America's Test Kitchen
I like to make this during the week only because I can do all my chopping/prep work during nap time and be able to make it really quick along w/some simple veggies and I call it DONE....I hope you enjoy it.
It's for Pan-Seared Scallops-I like the frozen one's from Trader Joe's the "Japanese Scallops". two things to take note of, the packages are 1lbs and the recipe is for 1 1/2 lbs and yes you do need to remove the tendons from the side of the scallop!
1 1/2 pounds sea scallops (about 30 per pound).
small tendons removed from the side
salt and pepper
1 1/2 Tblsp. unsalted butter
1. Sprinkle the scallops on both side with salt and pepper to taste. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat until hot, about 1 minutes. Add half the butter and swirl to coat the pan bottom. Continue to heat the pan until the butter begins to turn golden brown.
2. Add half the callops, one at a time, flat side down. Cook, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent the fat from burning, until the scallops are well browned, 1 1/2 minutes to 2 minutes. Useing tound, turn the callops, one at a time. Cook to medium-rare (the dise have firmed up and all but the middle thrid of the scallop is opaque), 30 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes longer, depending on size. Transfer the scallops to a warm platter; cover with foil.. Repeat the cooking process using the remaining butter and scallops. Serve immediately.
Then when you want to really WOW someone try this...
Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon, Shallots, and Capers
1 recipe Pan-Seared Scallops
1 medium shallot, minced
1 cup dry white wine (I have always used vermouth)
1 tsp. grated zest and 1 Tbsp juice from a small lemon
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley leaves (flat leaf ONLY)
1 Tbsp minced capers
salt and pepper
After searing the scallops adn transferring them to a warm platter (I just put them in a warm oven), pour off all but 1 Tbsp of the butter in the skillet and saute the shallot in the fat until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Addthe wine and lemon zest and simmer until treduced to about 1/3 cup, 6 to 7 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the butter, parsley, lemon juice, capers, and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the sauce over the scallops and serve at once. I usually serve it w/bow tie pasta.
These are from Cook's Illustrated or aka America's Test Kitchen
I like to make this during the week only because I can do all my chopping/prep work during nap time and be able to make it really quick along w/some simple veggies and I call it DONE....I hope you enjoy it.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Evil is Thy Name
But you probably know it as High Fructose Corn Syrup! The basis for this rant you might ask?
Well have you seen those stupid commercials that really I found to be super insulting and the add in the magazines were no better. They tried their hardest to make it look like HFCS is "just the same as sugar". Well the only 1 thing that you mentioned was that they have the same calories as sugar and "in moderation it's ok for you to consume". I love how they left out the fact that when you consume HFCS you become addicted to it and you crave more of the product. And now HFCS has been linked to Fatty Livers Disease. What the hell? These commercials all by them self made me thrilled that we have TiVo!!!
So now that I have this off my chest, as a mom I took it apon myself to do my best to remove as much HFCS from the foods/drinks I give my family. Soda's-I try really hard not to have it in the house, but I have found Coke from Mexico uses sugar and it's sold at our local store and Jones Soda is made w/sugar, and same goes for Hansen's Soda. Juice-100% juice in the house or I will dump it out. Yes I loves me a COLD Vitamin Water but at least that is made w/sugar and really not that much. Now my mission was to look for "hidden" HFCS and I found it in the form of ketchup! There is TONS of it in ketchup so I found that Trader Joe's Organic Ketchup not only uses sugar it had a really nice zip to it, also the Heinz Organic Ketchup is safe. I also found that items sold under Safeway's "O" organic brand uses sugar instead of HFCS (I am not a huge fan of the organic items but that is another post). For some reason many makers of salad dressing seems to think we need tons of the HFCS in our dressings...you can make your own or just go w/the "O" brand again. Yogurts have a ton of sugar, read your labels and and find the brands that sweeten w/honey or sugar, the Greek yogurts are getting easier to find.
I urge everyone to read your labels in the foods you eat, educate yourself and demand the best for your family. When in doubt, make it yourself then and only then will you truly know what you are eating. I know it's not always possible, heck I love a cold cold fountain Coke every now in then but just watch yourself and be healthy.
Well have you seen those stupid commercials that really I found to be super insulting and the add in the magazines were no better. They tried their hardest to make it look like HFCS is "just the same as sugar". Well the only 1 thing that you mentioned was that they have the same calories as sugar and "in moderation it's ok for you to consume". I love how they left out the fact that when you consume HFCS you become addicted to it and you crave more of the product. And now HFCS has been linked to Fatty Livers Disease. What the hell? These commercials all by them self made me thrilled that we have TiVo!!!
So now that I have this off my chest, as a mom I took it apon myself to do my best to remove as much HFCS from the foods/drinks I give my family. Soda's-I try really hard not to have it in the house, but I have found Coke from Mexico uses sugar and it's sold at our local store and Jones Soda is made w/sugar, and same goes for Hansen's Soda. Juice-100% juice in the house or I will dump it out. Yes I loves me a COLD Vitamin Water but at least that is made w/sugar and really not that much. Now my mission was to look for "hidden" HFCS and I found it in the form of ketchup! There is TONS of it in ketchup so I found that Trader Joe's Organic Ketchup not only uses sugar it had a really nice zip to it, also the Heinz Organic Ketchup is safe. I also found that items sold under Safeway's "O" organic brand uses sugar instead of HFCS (I am not a huge fan of the organic items but that is another post). For some reason many makers of salad dressing seems to think we need tons of the HFCS in our dressings...you can make your own or just go w/the "O" brand again. Yogurts have a ton of sugar, read your labels and and find the brands that sweeten w/honey or sugar, the Greek yogurts are getting easier to find.
I urge everyone to read your labels in the foods you eat, educate yourself and demand the best for your family. When in doubt, make it yourself then and only then will you truly know what you are eating. I know it's not always possible, heck I love a cold cold fountain Coke every now in then but just watch yourself and be healthy.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Still Alive and Kickin
So I haven't dropped off the face of the earth...I really haven't. Just in fact I saw Julie and Julia and was quiet inspired to cook and write about it. This story really touched my heart to try and really step up what I cook for the family. But let's be real here cooking w/two screaming kids doesn't always make the best environment for trying new things but I have a few stand by's I would like to share
One of my go to meals for the mid-week i.e. I am so flipping tired I am lucky to have my eyes open enough to turn on the stove dinners. I like to keep frozen chicken breast in the house, the one's from Costco that are already packaged in sets of two and nicely sealed up so you don't have to. I just pat them dry. I take a large handful of almonds and grind them up into dust add them to about 3/4 c of panko bread crumbs, mix it up and put it on a plate (I like to use pie plates), then I make up my wet in another pie plate. I put in one egg, 1 Tblsp of mustard (any kind on hand), salt n pepper. If I have an orange I add juice from half of it and the zest from the entire orange.
Turn on the oven to about 300 and then dip your chicken in the wet stuff and then to the dry. Get a nice coating of the bread crumbs and put in on a wire rack. Put a little EVOO in a non-stick skillet and brown on both sides. Then put them in the oven to finish up the cooking and then you can get the rest of dinner done!
If you go to serve the chicken and it feels a little soft or it's not quite done for your liking, just zap it in the micro for a minute...my kids love this.
Kitchen Bytes:
To get kids to eat veggies you may want to try what my Mom called "Secret Sauce"...yeah it's just some mayo and a bit of mustard mixed together for dipping. It works great on Broccoli!
One of my go to meals for the mid-week i.e. I am so flipping tired I am lucky to have my eyes open enough to turn on the stove dinners. I like to keep frozen chicken breast in the house, the one's from Costco that are already packaged in sets of two and nicely sealed up so you don't have to. I just pat them dry. I take a large handful of almonds and grind them up into dust add them to about 3/4 c of panko bread crumbs, mix it up and put it on a plate (I like to use pie plates), then I make up my wet in another pie plate. I put in one egg, 1 Tblsp of mustard (any kind on hand), salt n pepper. If I have an orange I add juice from half of it and the zest from the entire orange.
Turn on the oven to about 300 and then dip your chicken in the wet stuff and then to the dry. Get a nice coating of the bread crumbs and put in on a wire rack. Put a little EVOO in a non-stick skillet and brown on both sides. Then put them in the oven to finish up the cooking and then you can get the rest of dinner done!
If you go to serve the chicken and it feels a little soft or it's not quite done for your liking, just zap it in the micro for a minute...my kids love this.
Kitchen Bytes:
To get kids to eat veggies you may want to try what my Mom called "Secret Sauce"...yeah it's just some mayo and a bit of mustard mixed together for dipping. It works great on Broccoli!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
I Did What???
I think I have gone totally insane, not only have I signed up for a 10K race, I also put in for a job at Murphy-Goode Wineries.
Let's start w/the race thingy shall we. Ok first rule about me: we don't run. Well, that rule can only be modified via the proven fact that Satan himself is chasing me. Not one of his minions but actual Satan. Other than that main rule things can be modified. So when I signed up many people kinda laughed and totally understood when I put in the fact that I will be walking it, not running.
I will say that this is a really cool race called the "Wharf to Wharf". You run, I walk, from Santa Cruz Boardwalk to Capitola Wharf. This "race" is right on the coastline so I hope it won't get too hot, if it does, we slow down.
Now the job thingy. This is ssssoooo cool I could scream, but I won't. It's a really cool media/PR/Blogger job at a winery. I would so kill for this job...You had to submit a video as a part of your apilication process. Mine is a little raw but that's me. I am not perfect but obessed w/good food and good drink. I hate that a part of this is a populartity contest-those things have never been my forte. But I do need as many votes for myself as possible or if you just want a laugh here I am... http://www.areallygoodejob.com/video-view.aspx?vid=g6SZteK-tFk
Thank you for your support...I know I have a snow balls chance in hell but at least, so far, Satan isn't chasing me...yet.
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
Let's start w/the race thingy shall we. Ok first rule about me: we don't run. Well, that rule can only be modified via the proven fact that Satan himself is chasing me. Not one of his minions but actual Satan. Other than that main rule things can be modified. So when I signed up many people kinda laughed and totally understood when I put in the fact that I will be walking it, not running.
I will say that this is a really cool race called the "Wharf to Wharf". You run, I walk, from Santa Cruz Boardwalk to Capitola Wharf. This "race" is right on the coastline so I hope it won't get too hot, if it does, we slow down.
Now the job thingy. This is ssssoooo cool I could scream, but I won't. It's a really cool media/PR/Blogger job at a winery. I would so kill for this job...You had to submit a video as a part of your apilication process. Mine is a little raw but that's me. I am not perfect but obessed w/good food and good drink. I hate that a part of this is a populartity contest-those things have never been my forte. But I do need as many votes for myself as possible or if you just want a laugh here I am... http://www.areallygoodejob.com/video-view.aspx?vid=g6SZteK-tFk
Thank you for your support...I know I have a snow balls chance in hell but at least, so far, Satan isn't chasing me...yet.
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Sharing a part of me...
This may be kinda a silly post but I wanted to share a speech that I gave for my graduation. The silly part is how it came about. You see I was taking the bus to school and I had this amazing sense of emotion about graduating, I think all of us would. So I decided to whip out my PDA and keyboard and put the words down. I was totally bawling as I wrote these words:
Kristin Ghbeish
Speech Submission-Dec 19 2003
Faculty, graduates, family members and friends. We welcome you all here
tonight for our celebration.
As we go forth into our future after achieving a great accomplishment we
should never fail to look back and remember how we got here today. For some of
us it was expected, some of us had to fight, and some of us totally
shocked our families that we wanted to take on this great task of getting
our degree.
Class of Dec 2003, go forth and celebrate our great accomplishment
because no one can take it a way from us. In time this piece of paper
can fade or become a victim of a natural disaster, but nothing can take away
your accomplishment of getting a degree.
This degree was earned, not given to us. We have all had the sleepless
nights to prove it and our family members can remember the phone calls from us
students in hysterics asking "Why are we doing this to ourselves?" We
did it for our own self worth and a passion for a better us.
Class of 2003, WE DID IT. Today we celebrate; tomorrow we work for a
better place for the future. Graduates--dreams and goals in life may change, but never forget to live life with passion. Because w/out passion we will forget why we had our dreams and goals in the first place.
Congratulations graduates.
Then in my mind I remembered that we could submit a speech or basically volunteer to be the "Student Speaker" at our department ceremony. So after auguring with myself for a few minutes I dared myself to submit it. I did, and thank goodness for weeks I heard nothing, I was grateful! So when I went into the office I was greeted with a, "Hey Student Speaker!!!!", I swear my heart went to my toes, I thought I had escaped this challenge, uh NO! My Mom was with me at the time and I hadn't told her about the submission, heck it took me two weeks to get up the nerve to tell my own husband! You see I don't do well speaking in front of people, in grade school I had to sing the Star Spangled Banner by myself in front of the class. Yeah well I did it w/my eyes closed. My wedding? Oh that was bad, I could only get out about three words at a time before choking up, not from emotions of love, it was pure hard fear of speaking while "people were looking at me"!
But I digress, here I was being told I was going to speak to a huge crowd of people. I couldn't back out because they had just given my name to the printers. All the time of this news was sinking in my mother was laughing up a storm, it's always important to have support during a crisis-thanks Mom! Crap I was stuck giving the speech! I made my mother and my husband promise not to tell anyone. I didn't want anyone to feel obligated to attend, I wanted the people there that would truly support me and they did.
The good news was that I got two rounds of applause during my short speech and it was over quickly, but I did it. I faced my fears and pulled it off. Go me!
Live, Laugh, Love,
Kristin
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Paula Deen Drinking Game
I know that some people hate her some love her, I am in the "love her" camp.
When spending time w/my Korean twin sister we were chatting about our favorite Food Network people. We both loved Paula, and she started talking about the "Paula Deen Drinking Game" that came to her and some friends. So I can't even really admit to creating this game only putting down some guidelines to it.
It's based on the "quarters game" that's played at parties that we shouldn't have been drinking at. So every time Paula says these specific ingredients you take a shot...just for the record we did try to keep the list short or you would be needing a liver transplant by the first commercial break...yes we know that it's only a 30 minute show but these ingredients are used many times over.
You drink for these foods only:
Butter (well dur here people)
Bacon
Mayonnaise
Sour Cream
Avocado
That's it, have fun people and please don't drink and cook. If you do take pictures for a good laugh in the ER later.
Food Byte:
If your re-heating up pizza use a non-stick skillet w/just a few drops of oil and low heat. It's best if you can use a lid on the skillet too. If you pizza is thick you may need to pop it in the microwave for about 35 seconds and then in the skillet. You will have a nice crispy crust and a hot melted pizza. No soggy crust for me thank you!!!
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
When spending time w/my Korean twin sister we were chatting about our favorite Food Network people. We both loved Paula, and she started talking about the "Paula Deen Drinking Game" that came to her and some friends. So I can't even really admit to creating this game only putting down some guidelines to it.
It's based on the "quarters game" that's played at parties that we shouldn't have been drinking at. So every time Paula says these specific ingredients you take a shot...just for the record we did try to keep the list short or you would be needing a liver transplant by the first commercial break...yes we know that it's only a 30 minute show but these ingredients are used many times over.
You drink for these foods only:
Butter (well dur here people)
Bacon
Mayonnaise
Sour Cream
Avocado
That's it, have fun people and please don't drink and cook. If you do take pictures for a good laugh in the ER later.
Food Byte:
If your re-heating up pizza use a non-stick skillet w/just a few drops of oil and low heat. It's best if you can use a lid on the skillet too. If you pizza is thick you may need to pop it in the microwave for about 35 seconds and then in the skillet. You will have a nice crispy crust and a hot melted pizza. No soggy crust for me thank you!!!
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
Friday, May 8, 2009
How and Why I Fell In Love w/My Husband
This story may sound so sappy and nuts but what the heck, I am nuts anyway.
You know that when you see someone across the room and you get total tunnel vision, well that's what exactly happened to me when I saw Tarik for the first time. Then I politely said to my friend, "I want that for Christmas". Later that day he was walking around sharing some chocolate covered blueberries, I had never tasted anything so wonderful in my life. Coming from a back ground of not eating at all (I was anorexic mostly in my teens) and now I was working for a flavor company I was teaching myself what flavor was and how much I loved it. Here I was learning to like flavor but I hated food, and here was this amazing man that took me on a flavor journey that was amazing.
While we were dating we plan out dinner all day long, going from store to store like a treasure hunt. Because he was so passionate about many things of course not only did I gained a good 20lbs but I fell in love. My Sister-In-Law calls it "happy fat", well hell I gained so much I could throw my own ticker tape parade!
All these new flavors I was introduced to really helped me at my job too. I would work w/our flavor chemist when she would try to duplicate things and even helped me get the job of QC for the company.
There were a few draw backs to my new refined palate, my friends hated going wine tasting with me. I could find all these different flavors that they couldn't! I loved chatting w/the people at the wineries but they were mad that they couldn't find the flavors in the food and wines.
So I can easily say that falling in love really effected so many aspects of my life, it put me on this footpath to what I am now and who I am now. Welcome to my crazy life.
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
You know that when you see someone across the room and you get total tunnel vision, well that's what exactly happened to me when I saw Tarik for the first time. Then I politely said to my friend, "I want that for Christmas". Later that day he was walking around sharing some chocolate covered blueberries, I had never tasted anything so wonderful in my life. Coming from a back ground of not eating at all (I was anorexic mostly in my teens) and now I was working for a flavor company I was teaching myself what flavor was and how much I loved it. Here I was learning to like flavor but I hated food, and here was this amazing man that took me on a flavor journey that was amazing.
While we were dating we plan out dinner all day long, going from store to store like a treasure hunt. Because he was so passionate about many things of course not only did I gained a good 20lbs but I fell in love. My Sister-In-Law calls it "happy fat", well hell I gained so much I could throw my own ticker tape parade!
All these new flavors I was introduced to really helped me at my job too. I would work w/our flavor chemist when she would try to duplicate things and even helped me get the job of QC for the company.
There were a few draw backs to my new refined palate, my friends hated going wine tasting with me. I could find all these different flavors that they couldn't! I loved chatting w/the people at the wineries but they were mad that they couldn't find the flavors in the food and wines.
So I can easily say that falling in love really effected so many aspects of my life, it put me on this footpath to what I am now and who I am now. Welcome to my crazy life.
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
Warm and Fuzzy
Today was an amazing day! I got my DVD work out done (yeah yeah only 20 minutes climb off!) but I did get a great 45 minute power walk w/Amirah and Grandma.
Then things turned crazy trying to get back home and cleaned up and then to the school. I think it would be much easier to heard a bunch of cats than to rush a toddler to get anyplace! In the end we made it.
I was quickly taken to my seat were I found a "shadow picture" of Amirah, a card that had glued flowers on it and her signature inside, and a tissue paper flower that she made for me! Right away all the kids came out to sing some cute little song, I was snapping pictures and crying I couldn't tell you for the life of me what they were singing. They could have be singing the praises of eating dirt and poo mixed together I would have thought it just lovely.
Right after that the kids were all hauled away so we could have an adult lunch!!! I almost forgot what those were like. I sat next to a "working outside the home Mommy", she was super sweet and worked at a company I would KILL to work at. So it's great to have contacts when companies actually hire people.
So that's what a good "Mommy Day" was.
Live Laugh and Love,
Kristin
Then things turned crazy trying to get back home and cleaned up and then to the school. I think it would be much easier to heard a bunch of cats than to rush a toddler to get anyplace! In the end we made it.
I was quickly taken to my seat were I found a "shadow picture" of Amirah, a card that had glued flowers on it and her signature inside, and a tissue paper flower that she made for me! Right away all the kids came out to sing some cute little song, I was snapping pictures and crying I couldn't tell you for the life of me what they were singing. They could have be singing the praises of eating dirt and poo mixed together I would have thought it just lovely.
Right after that the kids were all hauled away so we could have an adult lunch!!! I almost forgot what those were like. I sat next to a "working outside the home Mommy", she was super sweet and worked at a company I would KILL to work at. So it's great to have contacts when companies actually hire people.
So that's what a good "Mommy Day" was.
Live Laugh and Love,
Kristin
Thursday, May 7, 2009
I Haven't Forsaken You All
I wanted to apologize for not posting for so long. I started to get tunnel vision about doing my work outs. You know finding a schedule that works w/being a mom and the loss of an amazing human, my Mother-In-Law. It's just been nuts!
I have been a little off a bit, but I want to get back to the grind in my kitchen and make amazing food for my family. It also goes w/o saying along w/good food comes the working out everyday, for health reasons I need to lose 15lbs. So now I try to do 20 to 30 minutes of a cardio work out DVD. Yeah, let's be real here people, it's more like the 20 minutes. But I have been adding a 1 hour walk. Trust me this is no sissy walk! I do this walk pushing a 30lb stroller w/usually at least one kid, sometimes two! I am so just waiting around for this weight to melt off...not happening CRAP!
So I am going to try something a little different here. I am thinking about doing that "couch to 5k" training. Yes, running. Now usually I only run if Satan himself is chasing me, not his minions, Satan himself. While I really don't see myself running in any form of public race, I need the training to get healthy.
So you say, "Kristin, well sweetie that's just well, NUTSO". I beg to differ, I want to live by example for my kids. I have taught Amirah (almost 3) that we have certain things in moderation. Take juice for example, a little is good for you, a lot is just a sugar dump in your system. You may offer her some juice and she will look at you and say holding up her fingers, "Only a little because too much isn't healthy and I want to be healthy like my Mommy". I love that little girl to death.
Right now I know I am not inspiring w/my "mommy pouch" hanging down but I am almost 40 and I want to feel fabulous when I do turn 40. Anyone care to join me?
I promise to post more often...about how my body is fighting me by hearing the words, "Don't go running, there is ice cream in the freezer that loves you."
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
I have been a little off a bit, but I want to get back to the grind in my kitchen and make amazing food for my family. It also goes w/o saying along w/good food comes the working out everyday, for health reasons I need to lose 15lbs. So now I try to do 20 to 30 minutes of a cardio work out DVD. Yeah, let's be real here people, it's more like the 20 minutes. But I have been adding a 1 hour walk. Trust me this is no sissy walk! I do this walk pushing a 30lb stroller w/usually at least one kid, sometimes two! I am so just waiting around for this weight to melt off...not happening CRAP!
So I am going to try something a little different here. I am thinking about doing that "couch to 5k" training. Yes, running. Now usually I only run if Satan himself is chasing me, not his minions, Satan himself. While I really don't see myself running in any form of public race, I need the training to get healthy.
So you say, "Kristin, well sweetie that's just well, NUTSO". I beg to differ, I want to live by example for my kids. I have taught Amirah (almost 3) that we have certain things in moderation. Take juice for example, a little is good for you, a lot is just a sugar dump in your system. You may offer her some juice and she will look at you and say holding up her fingers, "Only a little because too much isn't healthy and I want to be healthy like my Mommy". I love that little girl to death.
Right now I know I am not inspiring w/my "mommy pouch" hanging down but I am almost 40 and I want to feel fabulous when I do turn 40. Anyone care to join me?
I promise to post more often...about how my body is fighting me by hearing the words, "Don't go running, there is ice cream in the freezer that loves you."
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Yes, I would like that back please
I say this lovingly to my doctor when she hands my ass back to me on a platter! Oh that was the hardest doctors apt I have ever had! I mean I was lectured about EVERYTHING. High BP, high sugars, high cholesterol and since I have that stuff I am now eligible for the bonus round of Heart Disease. She didn't even go over the over weight of 12lbs cause if I work at all the other stuff that will melt off of me.
Yes folks not even 40 and the doc brought up that fun stuff too. I held it together until she said the magic words of "if you don't do something about these issues you will be on lots of medication AND then someone else will be raising your children".
That did it. That was enough. I heard her, I really did. Now every chance I get I try to move a little extra more. I will be focusing more on doing my work outs and seeing the different docs that I need to see.
This also makes me think about two women that I know and care for very dearly. These women are the total package when it comes to being a "Warrior Momma". You see they are fighting for their lives, their invader is cancer. I started to think about how if all they had to do was change their diet and work out everyday they fucking would. Me? That's how I can stay healthy pretty much, two very simple things. If I don't I think I am the most selfish human on the world. I want to live by example not by how many medications I am on to keep me alive.
So here I go, I want to raise my children, I want laugh as much as possible, and I want to love as many good humans as I can (well all the dumb asses are so on their own). Join me won't you?
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
Yes folks not even 40 and the doc brought up that fun stuff too. I held it together until she said the magic words of "if you don't do something about these issues you will be on lots of medication AND then someone else will be raising your children".
That did it. That was enough. I heard her, I really did. Now every chance I get I try to move a little extra more. I will be focusing more on doing my work outs and seeing the different docs that I need to see.
This also makes me think about two women that I know and care for very dearly. These women are the total package when it comes to being a "Warrior Momma". You see they are fighting for their lives, their invader is cancer. I started to think about how if all they had to do was change their diet and work out everyday they fucking would. Me? That's how I can stay healthy pretty much, two very simple things. If I don't I think I am the most selfish human on the world. I want to live by example not by how many medications I am on to keep me alive.
So here I go, I want to raise my children, I want laugh as much as possible, and I want to love as many good humans as I can (well all the dumb asses are so on their own). Join me won't you?
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
A little story
Let me tell you a little story about a burger that could.
A very tired Mommy just came home from the hospital w/her new little baby boy and all she wanted was a good burger to make her life complete. You see she had been in the hospital for a few days trying to eat what was called "food type product" but not "true food" (listen sport that shit was NASTY), it was even close.
You see this burger had a garlic butter put in the center of the meat patty, so it would melt during cooking. This burger had caramelized onions, bacon, heirloom tomatoes (no matter the cost), avocado, butter lettuce, and home made BBQ sauce that was made with love at an earlier date. All of this put on a tender kaiser roll toasted to perfection. Not shadow over the burger but a nice side of fries cooked perfectly in the deep fat fryer. All of this hard work was done by a loving husband and very happy father on new baby.
Now that's what I call a "push present". A good burger and fries...I could have had a milkshake but I passed, I didn't want to be greedy.
Thus brings us to last night. Tarik called from "Whole Paycheck" offering up pre-made burgers and some frozen onion rings and fries. I was all for it-easy dinner oh yeah baby, bring it on!!
I will admit those burgers last night were almost as good as the one made for me when I got home. Never throw stones on a little help from your store when it's good, clean, and eatable. It will prob cost you a bit more, but when it's that good it's that worth it.
Food Byte:
Try to keep a spray bottle of diluted bleach and water in the kitchen. You will be ready for any raw meat or some other major bacterial dump. I like to use it at the end of each day to clean off my wooden cutting boards. If you do this and notice that your cutting boards are getting dry and kinda icky looking just rub some mineral oil on them. Don't get the mineral oil from the fancy kitchen shop (can you say bend over) just get a small bottle from a drug store, I swear it's the same stuff.
So have a burger in my honor-Garden burgers ROCK too!
Live Laugh Love
Kristin
A very tired Mommy just came home from the hospital w/her new little baby boy and all she wanted was a good burger to make her life complete. You see she had been in the hospital for a few days trying to eat what was called "food type product" but not "true food" (listen sport that shit was NASTY), it was even close.
You see this burger had a garlic butter put in the center of the meat patty, so it would melt during cooking. This burger had caramelized onions, bacon, heirloom tomatoes (no matter the cost), avocado, butter lettuce, and home made BBQ sauce that was made with love at an earlier date. All of this put on a tender kaiser roll toasted to perfection. Not shadow over the burger but a nice side of fries cooked perfectly in the deep fat fryer. All of this hard work was done by a loving husband and very happy father on new baby.
Now that's what I call a "push present". A good burger and fries...I could have had a milkshake but I passed, I didn't want to be greedy.
Thus brings us to last night. Tarik called from "Whole Paycheck" offering up pre-made burgers and some frozen onion rings and fries. I was all for it-easy dinner oh yeah baby, bring it on!!
I will admit those burgers last night were almost as good as the one made for me when I got home. Never throw stones on a little help from your store when it's good, clean, and eatable. It will prob cost you a bit more, but when it's that good it's that worth it.
Food Byte:
Try to keep a spray bottle of diluted bleach and water in the kitchen. You will be ready for any raw meat or some other major bacterial dump. I like to use it at the end of each day to clean off my wooden cutting boards. If you do this and notice that your cutting boards are getting dry and kinda icky looking just rub some mineral oil on them. Don't get the mineral oil from the fancy kitchen shop (can you say bend over) just get a small bottle from a drug store, I swear it's the same stuff.
So have a burger in my honor-Garden burgers ROCK too!
Live Laugh Love
Kristin
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Salt Your New Best Friend
As promised I wanted to post/talk about brining. I am totally in flavor of it, It's a step that can really help produce a good meal.
So let's start off with just that "salt", usually most recipes that call for a brine use Kosher salt, but not all Kosher salt is the same Mortin's and Black Diamond are "flaked" different is the best way I can put it. I always use Black Diamond so if you use/only have Mortin's add 2 Tbls. to the brine. There is usually some sugar to the brine part too, I have never tried to use a "sugar replacement" in this step so if you have or want to try PLEASE tell me your thoughts on the subject. But you have to be totally true to the concept; you need to do it w/sugar and then w/your favorite sugar replacement to get a true taste.
Right now I will give you my favorite Pork Chop recipie, I will do my chicken just as soon as I can. This post alone has taken me a day and a half! It’s really hard w/2 sick kids. I do want to add that if someone has an “issue” w/eating shallots or onions you can always bread up one chop, then add the shallots and proceed w/the rest. I must reference America’s Test Kitchen for this one, and most of my cooking has been learned watching this show, using their cookbooks and web site. Me loves them long time.
Crunchy Baked Pork Chops
This recipe was developed using natural pork, but enhanced pork (injected with a salt solution) will work as well. If using enhanced pork, eliminate the brining in step 1 (see related How To Cook). The breadcrumb mixture can be prepared through step 2 up to 3 days in advance. The breaded chops can be frozen for up to 1 week. They don't need to be thawed before baking; simply increase the cooking time in step 5 to 35 to 40 minutes.
Serves 4
| | |
| 4 | center-cut boneless pork chops, 6 to 8 ounces each, 3/4 to 1 inch thick, trimmed of excess fat |
| 4 | Slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces |
| 1 | Small minced shallot(about 2 tablespoons) |
| 3 | Medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon) |
| 2 | Tablespoons vegetable oil |
| | Ground black pepper |
| 2 | Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese |
| 1/2 | Teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves |
| 2 | tablespoonsminced fresh parsley leaves |
| 1/4 | Cup unbleached all-purpose flour plus 6 tablespoons |
| 3 | Large egg whites |
| 3 | Tablespoons Dijon mustard |
| | Lemon wedges� |
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Dissolve 1/4 cup salt in 1 quart water in medium container or gallon-sized zipper-lock bag. Submerge chops, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 30 minutes. Rinse chops under cold water and dry thoroughly with paper towels.
2. Meanwhile, pulse bread in food processor until coarsely ground, about eight 1-second pulses (you should have about 3 1/2 cups crumbs). Transfer crumbs to rimmed baking sheet and add shallot, garlic, oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss until crumbs are evenly coated with oil. Bake until deep golden brown and dry, about 15 minutes, stirring twice during baking time. (Do not turn off oven.) Cool to room temperature. Toss crumbs with Parmesan, thyme, and parsley.
3. Place 1/4 cup flour in pie plate. In second pie plate, whisk egg whites and mustard until combined; add remaining 6 tablespoons flour and whisk until almost smooth, with pea-sized lumps remaining.
4. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees. Spray wire rack with nonstick cooking spray and place in rimmed baking sheet. Season chops with pepper. Dredge 1 pork chop in flour; shake off excess. Using tongs, coat with egg mixture; let excess drip off. Coat all sides of chop with bread crumb mixture, pressing gently so that thick layer of crumbs adheres to chop. Transfer breaded chop to wire rack. Repeat with remaining 3 chops.
5. Bake until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of chops registers 150 degrees, 17 to 25 minutes. Let rest on rack 5 minutes before serving with lemon wedges.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Healthy Is Out The Door People
So it goes, healthy shmealthy is what the motto of the week. I am totally using the fact that Tarik was in TX from Monday to Thursday and then I get to take him back to the airport first thing Friday morning...oh and get him AGAIN on Monday. Yeah I am your airport taxi bitch. Yuppers I just love it.
So I will totally admit to not being as healthy as I should be. The kids are eating healthy but why not me? Why can't I take the few minutes to make sure I have a good breakfast and not dive into the ice cream carton in times of stress? I mean really, we all do it, self sacrifice...but at what cost? Who wins in this game? If we don't take care of ourselves then who will take care of everyone else? And if someone else is doing it you all know it will be just, well, WRONG!!! No one can do my job as good as me but if me is sick? Oh heavens help us all.
We must make time for our health and mental health, in the few hours Tarik is here I took off w/o kids. I was constantly thinking something was wrong or I didn't feel ok...I needed to be chasing a kid in Coffee Cat just to feel normal now? WTH? I used to dance on bars and close down the place and now if a kid isn't pulling on my pants I don't feel ok? AAAAHHHHHHH I didn't authorize these feelings, I received no memo that this was going to happen, did you?
I was only gone for one hour but it was an amazing hour w/a Momma I love and would stand in front of a moving freight train for. I mean I wouldn't give up my anti frizz hair cream for but I would consider it. So the lesson for today is if your kids eat healthy so the fuck should you. You will feel better, take a few minutes each week for yourself or you will go nuts. Just go to Coffee Cat, I will even meet you there, but just take care of you Momma, because most likely NOBODY can do it better than you.
Food Bytes...forgot this the last few posts, sorry about that!
When boiling potatoes for mashed or a potato salad always start in cold water and don't forget to salt that water too. Something about keeping the potatoes firmed up and not get all mushy. I think it's fine for mashed but if your making a potato salad your potato's will look nicer and not all broken and mushed up.
I promise my next post will be about brine ing your chicken and pork chops, oh hell yeah its worth it...
Live Laugh Love
Kristin
So I will totally admit to not being as healthy as I should be. The kids are eating healthy but why not me? Why can't I take the few minutes to make sure I have a good breakfast and not dive into the ice cream carton in times of stress? I mean really, we all do it, self sacrifice...but at what cost? Who wins in this game? If we don't take care of ourselves then who will take care of everyone else? And if someone else is doing it you all know it will be just, well, WRONG!!! No one can do my job as good as me but if me is sick? Oh heavens help us all.
We must make time for our health and mental health, in the few hours Tarik is here I took off w/o kids. I was constantly thinking something was wrong or I didn't feel ok...I needed to be chasing a kid in Coffee Cat just to feel normal now? WTH? I used to dance on bars and close down the place and now if a kid isn't pulling on my pants I don't feel ok? AAAAHHHHHHH I didn't authorize these feelings, I received no memo that this was going to happen, did you?
I was only gone for one hour but it was an amazing hour w/a Momma I love and would stand in front of a moving freight train for. I mean I wouldn't give up my anti frizz hair cream for but I would consider it. So the lesson for today is if your kids eat healthy so the fuck should you. You will feel better, take a few minutes each week for yourself or you will go nuts. Just go to Coffee Cat, I will even meet you there, but just take care of you Momma, because most likely NOBODY can do it better than you.
Food Bytes...forgot this the last few posts, sorry about that!
When boiling potatoes for mashed or a potato salad always start in cold water and don't forget to salt that water too. Something about keeping the potatoes firmed up and not get all mushy. I think it's fine for mashed but if your making a potato salad your potato's will look nicer and not all broken and mushed up.
I promise my next post will be about brine ing your chicken and pork chops, oh hell yeah its worth it...
Live Laugh Love
Kristin
Friday, March 13, 2009
Turbo Tax is a dirty whore
Yup I said it, I hate the Turbo Tax. I would have less stress in Vegas, I swear. I know I can't be the only one either.
We are humming along putting in the numbers, seeing those lovely green numbers and then Tarik hits this "import info" button and BAM I see my life flash before my eyes and there they are, the red numbers. You dirty bastards. Yup that's what you are. Then you add insult to injury there are commas in that red number. Well kiss my ass back you...
Does this sound familiar to anyone? I really think Turbo Tax aged me about 8 years and being that I am pushing 40 that does not bode well in my life.
I am happy to say that after correcting the numbers that the wonderful "import button" put in we are back in the green but for those few short hours I was in a major panic. I had no idea where on earth we could come up w/that kinda cash.
My heart is with you all and I hope Turbo Tax doesn't act like a dirty whore for you all...
Live Laugh Love
Kristin
We are humming along putting in the numbers, seeing those lovely green numbers and then Tarik hits this "import info" button and BAM I see my life flash before my eyes and there they are, the red numbers. You dirty bastards. Yup that's what you are. Then you add insult to injury there are commas in that red number. Well kiss my ass back you...
Does this sound familiar to anyone? I really think Turbo Tax aged me about 8 years and being that I am pushing 40 that does not bode well in my life.
I am happy to say that after correcting the numbers that the wonderful "import button" put in we are back in the green but for those few short hours I was in a major panic. I had no idea where on earth we could come up w/that kinda cash.
My heart is with you all and I hope Turbo Tax doesn't act like a dirty whore for you all...
Live Laugh Love
Kristin
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Quail, it's the other OTHER white meat
It's sad to say that my titles don't come w/their own echo machine...but when both of my kids ate it I heard it in my head! Tarik had found some frozen quail at Costco (or what the kids call the Pizza Store) I wanted to try something different. I mean I was simple-defrost, pull out of the package, blot off the moisture and stick on a wire rack and put in the oven for 25 minutes!
It was pretty good too. But I was pulling off the meat for Elyas who couldn't get enough meat but he is like that. A human garbage disposal more like it. We did enjoy it but it's small and there is a lot of bones to try and eat around. Not something I would recommend for anyone that has an aversion to eating meat off of bones. But for those manly carnivores, you would be in a major place of euphoria for hours. And when the kids ate the quail, brocolini AND wild rice w/mushrooms I think I should go to Vegas? Ok they didn't eat a lot of the rice and veggies but they ate some and that's all I ask! Go us for having great kids. Now if I can just keep them from eating the furinture.
So not to digress at all from this lovely topic of meat to bone ratio meals, I wanted to take some pride and admit to doing some type of workout yesterday...I found some "Total Body Sculpting with Gilad" show on the Health Channel...ok this dude is German and I swear to GOD I kept waiting to hear "I am here to PUMP YOU UP" insert claps in the approapate places. Then that afternoon I walked down the hill to get the mail...I usually drive because I am a lazy ass and it's what I do. Today I only got the mail, yes I walked. I will also add that last night I did this thing called sleep!!! I have only seen pictures of it but last night I got some, the sleep was a thing of beauty. About 11 hours of it...yeah I think I want to try that again.
So let's see if I can keep up this work out thingy that my doctor is SO on my arse about!!!!
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
It was pretty good too. But I was pulling off the meat for Elyas who couldn't get enough meat but he is like that. A human garbage disposal more like it. We did enjoy it but it's small and there is a lot of bones to try and eat around. Not something I would recommend for anyone that has an aversion to eating meat off of bones. But for those manly carnivores, you would be in a major place of euphoria for hours. And when the kids ate the quail, brocolini AND wild rice w/mushrooms I think I should go to Vegas? Ok they didn't eat a lot of the rice and veggies but they ate some and that's all I ask! Go us for having great kids. Now if I can just keep them from eating the furinture.
So not to digress at all from this lovely topic of meat to bone ratio meals, I wanted to take some pride and admit to doing some type of workout yesterday...I found some "Total Body Sculpting with Gilad" show on the Health Channel...ok this dude is German and I swear to GOD I kept waiting to hear "I am here to PUMP YOU UP" insert claps in the approapate places. Then that afternoon I walked down the hill to get the mail...I usually drive because I am a lazy ass and it's what I do. Today I only got the mail, yes I walked. I will also add that last night I did this thing called sleep!!! I have only seen pictures of it but last night I got some, the sleep was a thing of beauty. About 11 hours of it...yeah I think I want to try that again.
So let's see if I can keep up this work out thingy that my doctor is SO on my arse about!!!!
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
Monday, March 9, 2009
Oh Come On, We All Do It
From time to time we need a lazy, easy dinner. I know that's pretty much a normal thing for me everyday! So I gave in and made a breakfast dinner. I loved these as a kid and I still do today. I like to bake my bacon to save room on the stove top. I just use a rimmed cookie sheet and a wire rack, but because I am so lazy I put foil under the wire rack so I don't have to scrub the cookie sheet. I bake it for about 18 mins on 400.
The next thing was that I was luck to have some lox in the house and Tarik had been sweet enough to pick up some bagels and cream cheese for breakfast that we didn't end up using that day. Those bagels were my inspiration for dinner. Of course we had to have eggs, I had some left over cheese so when they are almost done I threw the cheese in. I just love cheesy eggs, don't you?
We were blown away watching the kids eat bagels and lox, eggs w/red bell peppers! I was thinking that they wouldn't touch any of it.
Fancy Eggs: I did have one request-to learn how to make soft boiled eggs. We had them on our last day in Paris-they were AMAZING so I was up to the challenge or so I thought. I read about them and WOW is there some influencing factors that just suck trying to make that happen. And yes I wanted to start trying ASAP on that request so I tried it...a complete f.a.i.l.u.e.r But tomorrow is another day and eggs are pretty cheap. And Tarik got the "extra" egg for breakfast, lucky guy.
Even More Fancy Eggs: May I recommend eggs p repaired this way...over a double boiler. OMG they are so so SO tender and yummy. They do take some time but it's worth it in the end. Just keep the water at a low simmer, water not touching the top pot/bowl and just keep turning them w/a spatula. One side note-the bowl is a pain in the ass to clean if your using a glass bowl.
Kitchen Germ a Phobics, this is for you...to "de-germ" your kitchen sponge you should microwave a wet sponge for 2 minutes. Bacteria just loves a nice damp place to hang and grow-zap the little bastards I say!!!
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
The next thing was that I was luck to have some lox in the house and Tarik had been sweet enough to pick up some bagels and cream cheese for breakfast that we didn't end up using that day. Those bagels were my inspiration for dinner. Of course we had to have eggs, I had some left over cheese so when they are almost done I threw the cheese in. I just love cheesy eggs, don't you?
We were blown away watching the kids eat bagels and lox, eggs w/red bell peppers! I was thinking that they wouldn't touch any of it.
Fancy Eggs: I did have one request-to learn how to make soft boiled eggs. We had them on our last day in Paris-they were AMAZING so I was up to the challenge or so I thought. I read about them and WOW is there some influencing factors that just suck trying to make that happen. And yes I wanted to start trying ASAP on that request so I tried it...a complete f.a.i.l.u.e.r But tomorrow is another day and eggs are pretty cheap. And Tarik got the "extra" egg for breakfast, lucky guy.
Even More Fancy Eggs: May I recommend eggs p repaired this way...over a double boiler. OMG they are so so SO tender and yummy. They do take some time but it's worth it in the end. Just keep the water at a low simmer, water not touching the top pot/bowl and just keep turning them w/a spatula. One side note-the bowl is a pain in the ass to clean if your using a glass bowl.
Kitchen Germ a Phobics, this is for you...to "de-germ" your kitchen sponge you should microwave a wet sponge for 2 minutes. Bacteria just loves a nice damp place to hang and grow-zap the little bastards I say!!!
Live Laugh Love,
Kristin
Friday, March 6, 2009
Pulled That Rabbit Out of a Hat
I am thrilled to say that I pulled off what I thought was the impossible. Let me explain a little more. I went to Costco, I saw what I thought would make some yummy lunches and/or dinners for us. Brie and Roasted Garlic Raviloi.
Well it sounded good and now I had a ton of it. The first night I made up a meat sauce for the ravioli, oh that was nasty. They had a sweet flavor to it, that was just wrong.
So after waiting a few weeks and truly pondering throwing the rest away-knowing how much I hate throwing out food I thought of something else...An Alfredo Sauce! Then to make it just a bit move fancy a Lemon Alfredo.
It worked, it was a home run and the sauce didn't curdle like I thought it would. Here is the recipe from Americas Test Kitchen:
"Fettuccine Alfredo" I use any type of pasta I choose
1 2/3 C Heavy Cream
5 Tbls unsalted butter
Salt/Ground black pepper
2 ounces Paramsean cheese, grated or 1 cup
pinch of nutmeg-you grate it yourself it makes a BIG flavor difference
1) cook pasta in salted water till al dente
2) combine 1 1/3 c of the cream and the butter in a saute pan large enough to accommodate the cooked pasta. Heat over low until the butter is melted and the cream comes to a bare simmer. Turn off heat and set aside.
3) After draining the pasta add it to the saute pan. Add the remaining 1/3 c cream, the Parmesan and salt/pepper to taste, add nutmeg. Cooke over very low heat, tossing to combine the ingredients, until the sauce is slightly thickened 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately in heated pasta bowls (you can use the pasta boiling water to do this, just put a large bowl under the stainer to capture the water)
To make it all lemony and creamy (oh this just rocks, we love it long time)
"Follow the recipe for Fettuccine Alfredo, heating 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice w/the cream and butter in step 2 AND toss in 2 tsp of grated lemon zest w/the pasta in step 3.
I will totally admit the only reason why I can get most of my cooking done is b/c my wonderful husband watches the kids for me. Hey, he wants good dinners he has to help out-family is all about teamwork.
Something to ponder:
"4 out of 5 people are in therapy because of you"
Live Laugh Love
Kristin
Well it sounded good and now I had a ton of it. The first night I made up a meat sauce for the ravioli, oh that was nasty. They had a sweet flavor to it, that was just wrong.
So after waiting a few weeks and truly pondering throwing the rest away-knowing how much I hate throwing out food I thought of something else...An Alfredo Sauce! Then to make it just a bit move fancy a Lemon Alfredo.
It worked, it was a home run and the sauce didn't curdle like I thought it would. Here is the recipe from Americas Test Kitchen:
"Fettuccine Alfredo" I use any type of pasta I choose
1 2/3 C Heavy Cream
5 Tbls unsalted butter
Salt/Ground black pepper
2 ounces Paramsean cheese, grated or 1 cup
pinch of nutmeg-you grate it yourself it makes a BIG flavor difference
1) cook pasta in salted water till al dente
2) combine 1 1/3 c of the cream and the butter in a saute pan large enough to accommodate the cooked pasta. Heat over low until the butter is melted and the cream comes to a bare simmer. Turn off heat and set aside.
3) After draining the pasta add it to the saute pan. Add the remaining 1/3 c cream, the Parmesan and salt/pepper to taste, add nutmeg. Cooke over very low heat, tossing to combine the ingredients, until the sauce is slightly thickened 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately in heated pasta bowls (you can use the pasta boiling water to do this, just put a large bowl under the stainer to capture the water)
To make it all lemony and creamy (oh this just rocks, we love it long time)
"Follow the recipe for Fettuccine Alfredo, heating 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice w/the cream and butter in step 2 AND toss in 2 tsp of grated lemon zest w/the pasta in step 3.
I will totally admit the only reason why I can get most of my cooking done is b/c my wonderful husband watches the kids for me. Hey, he wants good dinners he has to help out-family is all about teamwork.
Something to ponder:
"4 out of 5 people are in therapy because of you"
Live Laugh Love
Kristin
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Welcome
Hello,
At the suggestion of a wonderful Momma (she will remain nameless but it rhymes with athy) I have started at "foodie type blog". I would like it to be more than about food, but mostly about my journey to find balance in life as a Mom of 2 small children and one big one. I do or did watch a lot of cooking show but in no way am I anything close to a cook or professional chef, I am just passionate about cooking good nutritional food for my friends and family-with as little of processed foods as humanly possible.
My first task in life is to figure out how to work out on a regular basis. I have to, no exceptions. I have sugar issues since I was pregnant w/my son. If I work out I can hopefully avoid Type II diabetes and bring down my cholesterol. I must be healthy or someone else will be raising my kids.
Food bytes:
I was asked to start out slow on this part, ok I will ML, I will.
Pasta notes:
-Always always ALWAYS salt your boiling water. It should taste like salt water. It will make a huge impact on flavor in the end. It's recommended that you salt the water after the water is boiling to prevent pitting of your pots. FYI I salt before the water boils or I will forget.
-Never rinse your pasta after you cook it, you will wash away all the starch and the sauce won't cling to your noodles.
-If you sauce seems a little thick don't hesitate to add some pasta boiling water to it.
That's it for now, as I cook and explore this world of balance and heath I will post from time to time with recipies and advice (ok just what works for me and my family) with how to or how I am acheiving this. Thank you...live laugh love Kristin
At the suggestion of a wonderful Momma (she will remain nameless but it rhymes with athy) I have started at "foodie type blog". I would like it to be more than about food, but mostly about my journey to find balance in life as a Mom of 2 small children and one big one. I do or did watch a lot of cooking show but in no way am I anything close to a cook or professional chef, I am just passionate about cooking good nutritional food for my friends and family-with as little of processed foods as humanly possible.
My first task in life is to figure out how to work out on a regular basis. I have to, no exceptions. I have sugar issues since I was pregnant w/my son. If I work out I can hopefully avoid Type II diabetes and bring down my cholesterol. I must be healthy or someone else will be raising my kids.
Food bytes:
I was asked to start out slow on this part, ok I will ML, I will.
Pasta notes:
-Always always ALWAYS salt your boiling water. It should taste like salt water. It will make a huge impact on flavor in the end. It's recommended that you salt the water after the water is boiling to prevent pitting of your pots. FYI I salt before the water boils or I will forget.
-Never rinse your pasta after you cook it, you will wash away all the starch and the sauce won't cling to your noodles.
-If you sauce seems a little thick don't hesitate to add some pasta boiling water to it.
That's it for now, as I cook and explore this world of balance and heath I will post from time to time with recipies and advice (ok just what works for me and my family) with how to or how I am acheiving this. Thank you...live laugh love Kristin
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