I have not updated in quite a looonnng time. Well, I failed miserably at the book challenge...I'm not sure if I even read one book on my list. Between getting married, moving to a new city, finding a new job and adjusting to all the changes I haven't had much time for reading or posting.
I am so excited for the holidays! I love this time of year! I love the music, family, food, and sense of love and human connection that seems to envelop everything. We've had our tree up since December 1st and have been wrapping presents like crazy! Here are some pictures of our tree and various decorations:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Non-Fiction Five Challenge!
I've decided to join my first book challenge!
I've been sporadically following Trish's Reading Blog and felt that instead of just reading about everyone else's books/reviews I should take the plunge and join! I've loved reading ever since I was little and my mother didn't know what to do with us in the summers except take us to the library. I'm constantly reading books and wanting to suggest them to others, but I never know who to suggest them to or how. So...I've joined a challenge and hopefully will make new connections and discover new books!!
The Rules:
1. Read 5 non-fiction books during the months of May - September, 2010 (please link your reviews on Mister Linky each month; Mister Linky can be found at the beginning of each month on Trish's blog)
2. Read at least one non-fiction book that is different from your other choices
I've browsed my bookshelf and have decided to read 5 non-fiction books I have had for quite a while but have never gotten around to reading so.....
My 5 Non-Fiction Books are:
1. The Omnivore's Dilemma: The Natural History of Four Meals, Michael Pollan
2. In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, Michael Pollan
3. They Fought For Each Other, Kelly Kennedy
4. The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch
5. Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time, Greg Mortenson
I'll be sure to keep you updated!!
I've been sporadically following Trish's Reading Blog and felt that instead of just reading about everyone else's books/reviews I should take the plunge and join! I've loved reading ever since I was little and my mother didn't know what to do with us in the summers except take us to the library. I'm constantly reading books and wanting to suggest them to others, but I never know who to suggest them to or how. So...I've joined a challenge and hopefully will make new connections and discover new books!!
The Rules:
1. Read 5 non-fiction books during the months of May - September, 2010 (please link your reviews on Mister Linky each month; Mister Linky can be found at the beginning of each month on Trish's blog)
2. Read at least one non-fiction book that is different from your other choices
I've browsed my bookshelf and have decided to read 5 non-fiction books I have had for quite a while but have never gotten around to reading so.....
My 5 Non-Fiction Books are:
1. The Omnivore's Dilemma: The Natural History of Four Meals, Michael Pollan
2. In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, Michael Pollan
3. They Fought For Each Other, Kelly Kennedy
4. The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch
5. Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time, Greg Mortenson
I'll be sure to keep you updated!!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
New Dish!
So...I've been very bad at updating...sorry!
I have not eaten meat since the first week of January 2010! I have been feeling really good and much healthier. I have also went from a pant size of 9/10 to 5/6!! I think the last time I wore a 5/6 pants was freshman year of highschool. :)
Anyways...I've been experimenting with a lot of new dishes and have found some good ones!
Veggie Lasagna
What you'll need:
Red Pepper
Green Pepper
Yellow Pepper
Zuchinni
Squash
Mushrooms
Onion
Ricotta
Spaghetti Sauce
Mozzarella or Asiago Cheese (whatever you prefer)
Salt/Pepper
Italian Seasoning
Lasagna Noodles (whole wheat or regular)
Cut up all the veggies and cook them in a bit of oil on the stove for about 15 min.
Start with the peppers and cook them about 7 min before adding everything else.
I added the italian season while they were cooking so it had time to cook through. Add spaghetti sauce and cook for about 10 more minutes.
While everything is cooking, mix the ricotta cheese with about 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese or more depending on how much ricotta you are using.
Prepare your bottom layer of lasagna. After the veggies in the sauce are good and hot begin layering your lasagna with a layer of veggies, then noodles, then ricotta cheese. Then repeat.
After you have completed your lasagna pan place it in the oven and cook, covered for about 45 min on 350. Take the foil off and cover the top with the remaining mozarella cheese when there are about 10 min left.
Let cool and serve with some garlic bread and red wine! Delicious!!
2nd Recipe:
Southwestern Spaghetti Squash
What you'll need:
Spaghetti Squash
1 Can of black beans (rinsed)
1 Can of Mexican style diced tomatoes
Cilantro
Ground Cumin
Garlic Powder
Mexican seasoning (optional)
Salt/Pepper
a bag of Mozarella Cheese
Cut the spaghetti squash in half, clean out the seeds and place the squash cut side down in a baking dish with a bit of water in it.
Bake on 350 for 45min-Hour. **Depending on the size of your squash you might have to bake longer or less. I had a 5 pound squash and baked it for an hour and 10 min. Be sure to cook until the insides are tender.
Take the squash out and shred the inside and place it in a bowl. Mix in the beans, tomatoes and seasoning. I tasted as I went and added seasoning as needed. Also add in a few handfuls of cheese at this time. Leave yourself enough to cover the top later.
Place the mixture back in the dish you baked the squash in (or you can use a new dish, I just used the same one to cut down on cleaning) :)
Layer the mixture in the baking dish and use the rest of the mozarella to cover the top and bake, uncovered, for another 30 min.
Serve with salsa, sour cream, and lettuce if desired. Depending on what tomatoes or beans you use, it could have a kick to it!
Makes a great Mexican dish!
These so far have been my favorites!!
I have not eaten meat since the first week of January 2010! I have been feeling really good and much healthier. I have also went from a pant size of 9/10 to 5/6!! I think the last time I wore a 5/6 pants was freshman year of highschool. :)
Anyways...I've been experimenting with a lot of new dishes and have found some good ones!
Veggie Lasagna
What you'll need:
Red Pepper
Green Pepper
Yellow Pepper
Zuchinni
Squash
Mushrooms
Onion
Ricotta
Spaghetti Sauce
Mozzarella or Asiago Cheese (whatever you prefer)
Salt/Pepper
Italian Seasoning
Lasagna Noodles (whole wheat or regular)
Cut up all the veggies and cook them in a bit of oil on the stove for about 15 min.
Start with the peppers and cook them about 7 min before adding everything else.
I added the italian season while they were cooking so it had time to cook through. Add spaghetti sauce and cook for about 10 more minutes.
While everything is cooking, mix the ricotta cheese with about 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese or more depending on how much ricotta you are using.
Prepare your bottom layer of lasagna. After the veggies in the sauce are good and hot begin layering your lasagna with a layer of veggies, then noodles, then ricotta cheese. Then repeat.
After you have completed your lasagna pan place it in the oven and cook, covered for about 45 min on 350. Take the foil off and cover the top with the remaining mozarella cheese when there are about 10 min left.
Let cool and serve with some garlic bread and red wine! Delicious!!
2nd Recipe:
Southwestern Spaghetti Squash
What you'll need:
Spaghetti Squash
1 Can of black beans (rinsed)
1 Can of Mexican style diced tomatoes
Cilantro
Ground Cumin
Garlic Powder
Mexican seasoning (optional)
Salt/Pepper
a bag of Mozarella Cheese
Cut the spaghetti squash in half, clean out the seeds and place the squash cut side down in a baking dish with a bit of water in it.
Bake on 350 for 45min-Hour. **Depending on the size of your squash you might have to bake longer or less. I had a 5 pound squash and baked it for an hour and 10 min. Be sure to cook until the insides are tender.
Take the squash out and shred the inside and place it in a bowl. Mix in the beans, tomatoes and seasoning. I tasted as I went and added seasoning as needed. Also add in a few handfuls of cheese at this time. Leave yourself enough to cover the top later.
Place the mixture back in the dish you baked the squash in (or you can use a new dish, I just used the same one to cut down on cleaning) :)
Layer the mixture in the baking dish and use the rest of the mozarella to cover the top and bake, uncovered, for another 30 min.
Serve with salsa, sour cream, and lettuce if desired. Depending on what tomatoes or beans you use, it could have a kick to it!
Makes a great Mexican dish!
These so far have been my favorites!!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Vegertarianism....Weddings....Life....
I have decided to become a vegetarian.
I know noone reads this, but I think if I document my progress and readings about this life style change it will keep me on track and help me along the way.
I have thought about becoming a vegetarian for a long long time and have attempted it a few times, but usually when warm weather, baseball, games and cookouts roll around my resolve waivers and I eventually cave. Not this time. I have not eaten meat since taco soup on New Years, not a bad dish to go out on, I might add ;) and I intend to stick with it. I have decided to make this life style change because I feel like it is a healthier choice and will benefit my overall well being. I have very strong feelings towards animal treatment/cruelty, slaughter houses, and the environmental affects of raising animals for their meat. I'm not going to use this forum to preach or persuade others to rethink their eating habits. I just intend to document my progress along the to help keep myself in check and use this as a place to keep recipes I like in one place. :)
Recipe #1--Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients:
1-Red pepper
1-Yellow Pepper
1-Onion
2-cans of black beans
1-can of chili/pinto beans
2-cans of corn
1-can of tomatoe paste, 3 cans of water
1 tsp-ground cumin
1/2 tsp-chili powder, salt, pepper
1-chili or jalapeno pepper
Cook everything in a crock pot for 2.5-3 hours and enjoy!!
It's very good with crackers and cheese or sour cream if you like.
Among other news....I got our Save the Dates in the mail last week!! I like them very much! They are super cute and now I just have to get them addressed and in the mail! I ordered them from VistaPrint...which I believe is an unconvential source...but I really like the design and they are resonably priced. I will probably go ahead and order our invites and other stationary from them as well so that all stationary having to do with our wedding matches! I apologize for my overuse of exclamation points..lol..but I am a bit excited that everything is finally coming together!
We traveled to Hermann this past weekend with my parents and sister to tour Hermann Hill, taste menu options, look at table decorations, cakes, ect. and I think everyone was thoroughly impressed. I am more happy about our decision now then ever before. I think everyone is going to like it very much!! Phil liked it a lot which I was very happy about since he had not seen it yet. I am now trying to figure something out for our reception thats fun and unique...we could get a DJ and play music/dance...but I'd like to offer something a little different. Phil and I really enjoy playing games with our friends and family and I'd like to incorporate that into it somehow....I'm just not sure how yet.
School starts tomorrow evening...two classes and I am done with my paralegal certification. Thank goodness. I'm not sure if this is the path I want to continue on for years and years, but I feel like it's a good start in the right direction. I still have a very strong desire to attend law school and become an attorney, and I will do that shortly...just the timing is not right.
I've begun journaling again...I really like writing everything down in a journal that I can go back and read later. Between that and you I might get sick of writing everything down...lol.
On the reading front...I am currently reading Teddy Kennedy's memoir, True Compass. It's very good. I enjoy the history of the political process and national events intermingled with his family affairs.
'til next time!
I know noone reads this, but I think if I document my progress and readings about this life style change it will keep me on track and help me along the way.
I have thought about becoming a vegetarian for a long long time and have attempted it a few times, but usually when warm weather, baseball, games and cookouts roll around my resolve waivers and I eventually cave. Not this time. I have not eaten meat since taco soup on New Years, not a bad dish to go out on, I might add ;) and I intend to stick with it. I have decided to make this life style change because I feel like it is a healthier choice and will benefit my overall well being. I have very strong feelings towards animal treatment/cruelty, slaughter houses, and the environmental affects of raising animals for their meat. I'm not going to use this forum to preach or persuade others to rethink their eating habits. I just intend to document my progress along the to help keep myself in check and use this as a place to keep recipes I like in one place. :)
Recipe #1--Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients:
1-Red pepper
1-Yellow Pepper
1-Onion
2-cans of black beans
1-can of chili/pinto beans
2-cans of corn
1-can of tomatoe paste, 3 cans of water
1 tsp-ground cumin
1/2 tsp-chili powder, salt, pepper
1-chili or jalapeno pepper
Cook everything in a crock pot for 2.5-3 hours and enjoy!!
It's very good with crackers and cheese or sour cream if you like.
Among other news....I got our Save the Dates in the mail last week!! I like them very much! They are super cute and now I just have to get them addressed and in the mail! I ordered them from VistaPrint...which I believe is an unconvential source...but I really like the design and they are resonably priced. I will probably go ahead and order our invites and other stationary from them as well so that all stationary having to do with our wedding matches! I apologize for my overuse of exclamation points..lol..but I am a bit excited that everything is finally coming together!
We traveled to Hermann this past weekend with my parents and sister to tour Hermann Hill, taste menu options, look at table decorations, cakes, ect. and I think everyone was thoroughly impressed. I am more happy about our decision now then ever before. I think everyone is going to like it very much!! Phil liked it a lot which I was very happy about since he had not seen it yet. I am now trying to figure something out for our reception thats fun and unique...we could get a DJ and play music/dance...but I'd like to offer something a little different. Phil and I really enjoy playing games with our friends and family and I'd like to incorporate that into it somehow....I'm just not sure how yet.
School starts tomorrow evening...two classes and I am done with my paralegal certification. Thank goodness. I'm not sure if this is the path I want to continue on for years and years, but I feel like it's a good start in the right direction. I still have a very strong desire to attend law school and become an attorney, and I will do that shortly...just the timing is not right.
I've begun journaling again...I really like writing everything down in a journal that I can go back and read later. Between that and you I might get sick of writing everything down...lol.
On the reading front...I am currently reading Teddy Kennedy's memoir, True Compass. It's very good. I enjoy the history of the political process and national events intermingled with his family affairs.
'til next time!
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