Yes, someday I will move away from Thanksgiving and on to the next season. But, I made A LOT of food this past week and would love to share it with you all. I found another great recipe here for my stuffing. I'm a Tofurky girl myself, so I figured I could go crazy with the stuffing as I wouldn't be digging into it. It was pretty much gone after the 1st helping of leftovers.
Ingredients:
12 ounces bulk sausage or 12 ounces sausage links
1/2 cup butter
3 cups onions, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
6 cups cornbread stuffing mix
6 cups bread cubes
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 cup pecans, chopped
2 cups turkey broth or 2 cups chicken broth
2 eggs
Directions:
1. Saute sausage until brown; remove from pan and cut into small bites.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter and cook onion, celery, and mushrooms over medium heat for 3 minutes or until softened.
3. Transfer sausage and veggies, including any butter that is left in the pan to a bowl.
4. Add stuffing mix, bread cubes, sage, thyme, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, pecans, turkey stock, and eggs.
5. Toss well and adjust seasoning.
6. Stuffing should be moist but not soggy. Add more stock if needed.
7. Transfer to a baking dish.
8. Bake in a 325 degree Fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes covered and 10 minutes uncovered until heated through and crust forms on top.
9. Or better yet stuff it into a big fat turkey.
I had plenty of stuffing here for my 18 pound beast and a full casserole besides.
**By the way, I did not have any leftover room in my oven for my Tofurky- so I cooked it up with onions and carrots on Saturday night for dinner. Served with a side of my new sweet potato recipe, I was set! That recipe will follow.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Oreo Balls (Reindeer Balls)
I call them Oreo Balls. My mom-in-law calls them Reindeer Balls. I think her name limits you to a small part of the year to enjoy these tasty little guys. Let's go with Oreo Balls and have them all year round. Sorry mom-in-law...
**I found the recipe here.
Ingredients:
1 package regular size Oreo cookies, crushed (I cruch mine using a zip lock bag and my rolling pin)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 package white almond bark
1/4 package chocolate almond bark
Directions:
1. Using a blender or hand held mixer, mix Oreos and cream cheese together.
2. Roll into walnut size balls.
3. Chill for an hour.
4. Melt approximately 3/4 package of white almond bark.
5. Stick a toothpick in an Oreo ball and dip it in the melted white almond bark.
6. Allow to harden on wax or parchment paper.
7. Takes about 15 min.
8. While waiting, melt about 1/4 package of chocolate almond bark.
9. When Oreo balls are no longer sticky to the touch, decorate with drizzles of chocolate almond bark.
10. I just use a sandwich bag with a tiny hole cut in one corner to drizzle the chocolate almond bark.
**I found the recipe here.
Ingredients:
1 package regular size Oreo cookies, crushed (I cruch mine using a zip lock bag and my rolling pin)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 package white almond bark
1/4 package chocolate almond bark
Directions:
1. Using a blender or hand held mixer, mix Oreos and cream cheese together.
2. Roll into walnut size balls.
3. Chill for an hour.
4. Melt approximately 3/4 package of white almond bark.
5. Stick a toothpick in an Oreo ball and dip it in the melted white almond bark.
6. Allow to harden on wax or parchment paper.
7. Takes about 15 min.
8. While waiting, melt about 1/4 package of chocolate almond bark.
9. When Oreo balls are no longer sticky to the touch, decorate with drizzles of chocolate almond bark.
10. I just use a sandwich bag with a tiny hole cut in one corner to drizzle the chocolate almond bark.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Ritz sandwiches
I made these for Thanksgiving. They turned out pretty well and seemed to be a tasty treat for the kids.
1 package of chocolate/white bark
1 box of ritz crackers
1 jar peanut butter
1 jar of marshmallow fluff
Lather one ritz with peanut butter. Lather a second ritz with marshmallow fluff. Put the 2 covered ritz crackers together to make sandwiches. Melt the bark in the microwave using 30 second intervals until well melted. Cover the sandwiches with the bark and let sit on parchment paper to cool.
**you can use both white and dark bark to make them more festive. I dipped mine in dark bark and used the white bark to swirl on the top for decoration. You could also use candies or sprinkles on top for a nice touch of flair.
1 package of chocolate/white bark
1 box of ritz crackers
1 jar peanut butter
1 jar of marshmallow fluff
Lather one ritz with peanut butter. Lather a second ritz with marshmallow fluff. Put the 2 covered ritz crackers together to make sandwiches. Melt the bark in the microwave using 30 second intervals until well melted. Cover the sandwiches with the bark and let sit on parchment paper to cool.
**you can use both white and dark bark to make them more festive. I dipped mine in dark bark and used the white bark to swirl on the top for decoration. You could also use candies or sprinkles on top for a nice touch of flair.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Turkday!
Yes, I said it... Turkday!
Well, we Fitchburg Nytes' (or maybe it's called Nyti as we are plural here) decided to start our day off with a kick. OK, not a kick but a good morning run. We participated in the 2011 Berbee Derby to get our energy levels up and running. We had a great time racing and motivating each other to a strong finish. We were all winners as we got to dive into the comforts of a home cooked meal afterwards to celebrate. There were a few sideline spectators cheering us on too (drinking Bailey Joes to keep warm). This is my type of run, as costumes are optional and everyone loves to show off their creativity.
Well, we Fitchburg Nytes' (or maybe it's called Nyti as we are plural here) decided to start our day off with a kick. OK, not a kick but a good morning run. We participated in the 2011 Berbee Derby to get our energy levels up and running. We had a great time racing and motivating each other to a strong finish. We were all winners as we got to dive into the comforts of a home cooked meal afterwards to celebrate. There were a few sideline spectators cheering us on too (drinking Bailey Joes to keep warm). This is my type of run, as costumes are optional and everyone loves to show off their creativity.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
showing some gratitude
As tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I would like to make a short list of those things in my life that I'm thankful for:
my son
my husband
my 3 amigos
health
happiness
yoga
walking in the morning
my home
a job
oven smells
my co-workers
pizza
diet coke
4 seasons
holidays
clean sheets
new kitchen area
music
good books
tv watching with my boys
family snuggles
baking
fresh paint
high tea
scones
farmer's market
new recipes
a good sweat
humming
a hot shower
company coming to visit
my son
my husband
my 3 amigos
health
happiness
yoga
walking in the morning
my home
a job
oven smells
my co-workers
pizza
diet coke
4 seasons
holidays
clean sheets
new kitchen area
music
good books
tv watching with my boys
family snuggles
baking
fresh paint
high tea
scones
farmer's market
new recipes
a good sweat
humming
a hot shower
company coming to visit
Monday, November 21, 2011
Curry Quinoa Salad
I adapted this recipe from Martha Stewart's collection. I was envisioning Martha mixing up recipes while she was in jail and it brought a smile to my face. I wonder if she critiqued the prison food while she was in or if they consulted with her on how to make the slop taste better. She probably was given catered goods to eat at her posh prison though.
So, here goes:
4 cups water
2 cups quinoa
1/3 cup honey
6 tbsp olive oil
4 green onions sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarse pepper
3 tsp curry
juice from 3 lemons
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 small apple or pear, cut into small pieces
1.Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a fine sieve; drain. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add quinoa; return to a boil. Stir quinoa; cover, and reduce heat. Simmer until quinoa is tender but still chewy, about 15 minutes. Fluff quinoa with a fork; let cool.
2.Whisk together honey, onion, curry powder, salt, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Season with pepper. Whisking constantly, pour in oil in a slow, steady stream; whisk until dressing is emulsified. Add quinoa, cranberries, apple (pear), and almonds; toss well.
So, here goes:
4 cups water
2 cups quinoa
1/3 cup honey
6 tbsp olive oil
4 green onions sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarse pepper
3 tsp curry
juice from 3 lemons
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 small apple or pear, cut into small pieces
1.Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a fine sieve; drain. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add quinoa; return to a boil. Stir quinoa; cover, and reduce heat. Simmer until quinoa is tender but still chewy, about 15 minutes. Fluff quinoa with a fork; let cool.
2.Whisk together honey, onion, curry powder, salt, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Season with pepper. Whisking constantly, pour in oil in a slow, steady stream; whisk until dressing is emulsified. Add quinoa, cranberries, apple (pear), and almonds; toss well.
Quinoa and its benefits with Diabetes
Quinoa (pronounced Keen-Wah)
I saw this great article from Tracey Roizman, D.C., and it made me hungry for some quinoa salad (recipe to follow). The article is great at explaining some of the benefits of this delicious seed.
Quinoa originates from the Andes, where it has been cultivated for the last 6,000 years. Though not a true grain, quinoa seeds are eaten like a grain and the leaves are also eaten, though they are not widely available commercially. Quinoa is gluten-free and its protein quality is comparable to that of cow's milk, according to the Purdue University website. Recent research has revealed some compelling benefits of quinoa for blood sugar control and diabetes treatment.
Glucose Reduction
Quinoa reduced blood glucose by 10 percent in rats fed a high-fructose diet, according to a Polish study published in the December 2010 "Plant Foods and Human Nutrition." Other elements were similarly improved on the quinoa diet, including a 26 percent reduction in total cholesterol and an 11 percent reduction in triglycerides. Additionally, the researchers noted that while quinoa decreases triglyceride levels, it did not, however, have any ability to prevent adverse effects caused by the elevated triglycerides from the high-fructose diet.
Appetite Control
Its appetite-controlling properties may give quinoa an edge in the weight control aspect of diabetes treatment and prevention. An Italian study published in the November 2005 "British Journal of Nutrition" compared alternative grains, such as quinoa, oats and buckwheat to conventional grains, such as wheat and rice. The researchers concluded that white bread resulted in the least satiety. All of the alternative grains had higher degrees of satiety, resulting in lower overall food consumption. The researchers recommended quinoa for its ability to encourage less food consumption.
Blood Lipids
Decreased oxidation of blood lipids and increased antioxidant capacity of the blood, heart, kidney, testis, lung and pancreas were observed in a Polish study on quinoa in rats fed a high-fructose diet. As part of the study, published in the June 2010 "Plant Foods and Human Nutrition," researchers fed quinoa to the test animals at 310 g per kilogram of body weight for five weeks, along with a high-fructose diet. The researchers noted that the quinoa helped to maintain normal enzyme activity for certain enzymes and decreased levels of malondialdehyde, a byproduct of oxidation.
Antioxidant
In a study of 10 Peruvian Andean grains, pseudocereals and legumes, quinoa was found to be among the richest in the antioxidant quercetin and exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, at 86 percent. The Brazilian study, published in the August 2009 "Journal of Medicinal Food," indicates potential benefits for using these foods as effective management tools for Type II diabetes.
I saw this great article from Tracey Roizman, D.C., and it made me hungry for some quinoa salad (recipe to follow). The article is great at explaining some of the benefits of this delicious seed.
Quinoa originates from the Andes, where it has been cultivated for the last 6,000 years. Though not a true grain, quinoa seeds are eaten like a grain and the leaves are also eaten, though they are not widely available commercially. Quinoa is gluten-free and its protein quality is comparable to that of cow's milk, according to the Purdue University website. Recent research has revealed some compelling benefits of quinoa for blood sugar control and diabetes treatment.
Glucose Reduction
Quinoa reduced blood glucose by 10 percent in rats fed a high-fructose diet, according to a Polish study published in the December 2010 "Plant Foods and Human Nutrition." Other elements were similarly improved on the quinoa diet, including a 26 percent reduction in total cholesterol and an 11 percent reduction in triglycerides. Additionally, the researchers noted that while quinoa decreases triglyceride levels, it did not, however, have any ability to prevent adverse effects caused by the elevated triglycerides from the high-fructose diet.
Appetite Control
Its appetite-controlling properties may give quinoa an edge in the weight control aspect of diabetes treatment and prevention. An Italian study published in the November 2005 "British Journal of Nutrition" compared alternative grains, such as quinoa, oats and buckwheat to conventional grains, such as wheat and rice. The researchers concluded that white bread resulted in the least satiety. All of the alternative grains had higher degrees of satiety, resulting in lower overall food consumption. The researchers recommended quinoa for its ability to encourage less food consumption.
Blood Lipids
Decreased oxidation of blood lipids and increased antioxidant capacity of the blood, heart, kidney, testis, lung and pancreas were observed in a Polish study on quinoa in rats fed a high-fructose diet. As part of the study, published in the June 2010 "Plant Foods and Human Nutrition," researchers fed quinoa to the test animals at 310 g per kilogram of body weight for five weeks, along with a high-fructose diet. The researchers noted that the quinoa helped to maintain normal enzyme activity for certain enzymes and decreased levels of malondialdehyde, a byproduct of oxidation.
Antioxidant
In a study of 10 Peruvian Andean grains, pseudocereals and legumes, quinoa was found to be among the richest in the antioxidant quercetin and exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, at 86 percent. The Brazilian study, published in the August 2009 "Journal of Medicinal Food," indicates potential benefits for using these foods as effective management tools for Type II diabetes.
Friday, November 18, 2011
A bigger loser
So... the weekly tally is in! I have lost a BIG 3.4% of my body fat! I have walked my dogs a couple of times this week and I just know that made all the difference. It wasn't the HUGE bag of Clary's popcorn that I gulped down this morning for breakfast and the HUGE snack of candy that I gobbled up the other night (Logan was gobsmacked at that display). He couldn't even believe his eyes. It was probably the first and only time that I've done that type of sugar intake in a couple of years. I had a moment of weakness and I'm over it now. WOW! Was I absolutely sick the next day. Not a good thing to do when you are not used to it. My body didn't know what to do. Tootsie rolls, Dots, and Charleston Chews until I couldn't chew no more!
I'm blaming the sugar fest on my worthless fantasy football team, who is still in last place. I need to give up the hope of making the play-offs and use my energy on something more worthwhile.
I'm blaming the sugar fest on my worthless fantasy football team, who is still in last place. I need to give up the hope of making the play-offs and use my energy on something more worthwhile.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Pickled Radishes
It is fall and I do love all things pickled. A great way to pop something in the fridge and pull out a week or two later for a delightful surprise! This type of 'cooking' is not for those that are procrastinators. Unless you are trying to find that last ditch recipe to save those fruits or veggies that are wilting on the counter or on the bottom of your fridge. This is a great way to save them now, to enjoy later! My radish recipe comes from here. I threw the radishes together last night in about 15 minutes and popped them into the fridge. Not all the radishes fit in the canning jar and made it into my mouth instead. Don't tell on me! I will report back in a couple of days to let you know how they all turned out. I will be posting a series on pickling in the next week or so. Stay tuned...
*** UPDATE- Spoiler alert... These are GREAT! Crunchy and delicious! I am going to make these all the time. They would be fantastic on a salad or just by themselves. The problem will be stopping myself once I get started on them.
*** UPDATE- Spoiler alert... These are GREAT! Crunchy and delicious! I am going to make these all the time. They would be fantastic on a salad or just by themselves. The problem will be stopping myself once I get started on them.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
My Life List
My Life List
This isn’t a bucket list. These aren’t things I need to cross off before I die. I will not accomplish everything here, but that’s not the goal. This list exists simply as a collection of things I would like to do in my lifetime. If writing them down helps me focus, and in turn helps me achieve some of them, the list has served its purpose.
A list should never make you feel guilty for not accomplishing something! It should serve as a compass, opening you up to experiences that you may have discounted otherwise. I hope to hold myself more accountable and achieve more. I tend to do well with public lists.
I have italicized those that I have completed.
Experiences
• Live in a foreign city for a year
• Spend a week without electricity or running water
• Go on a 'Girls Only' holiday
• Host a traditional Turkday dinner
• Shake the President’s hand
• Have a hobby farm
• Raise chickens
• Host a baby shower
• Organize an event
• Throw a surprise birthday party
• See a tree that I’ve planted grow to maturity
• Keep a houseplant alive for at least a year
• Be completely debt-free (mortgage included)
• Help build a home for charity
• Host a murder mystery party
• Write my will
• Learn how computers work
• Find a cure
• See the top 1% share their wealth with the rest of us
• Experience equality among humans
• See compassion in everything
• Stop the hatred
• Cure the ignorant
• Win an Olympic medal
• Run in the Boston Marathon
Sights
• Look out over Paris from the Eiffel Tower
• Cross the Brooklyn Bridge
• Cross the Golden Gate Bridge
• Visit Costa Rica
• Visit the Robie House, Fallingwater, and visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio in Oak Park
• Take the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s River Cruise
• Cross the Canadian border, eh
• Visit the Frank Lloyd Wright® Taliesin & Visitor Center
• Visit Japan
• Have a cheesy photo taken of me holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Visit all 50 states
• Go to China
• Walk on the Great Wall
• Travel in a 3rd world country
• Go to India
• Travel using a train
Just Plain Fun
• Picnic in the park
• Ride a roller-coaster with my hands up
• Experience weightlessness
• Fly a plane
• Write a haiku
• Solve a Rubik’s cube
• Wear a flapper dress
• Eat something new with a blindfold on
• Make a popular Youtube video
• Create a dance
• Skydive
• Scuba dive
• Ride a pogo stick
• Walk on stilts
• Eat the best gourmet dark chocolate
• Go cliff diving
• DJ at a club
• Practice yoga on the beach
• Family
• Have grandkids
• Go sledding
• Visit the state fair and listen to some bands
• Go roller skating again
• Have a professional family photo taken
• Watch Logan graduate from high school
• Watch Logan graduate from college
• Renew my wedding vows
• Home
• Paint all of the trim in our house white
• Make every room in our house exactly as I’d like
• Make the outside of our house as cute as the inside
• Have a home library with a rolling ladder
• Buy my dream home
• Own a coffee plantation
• Style
• Only wear lovely undergarments (that match)
• Ruthlessly edit my closet down to only my favorite things
• Determine a wardrobe’s essentials, then buy them in the best quality I can
• Find my perfect shade of lipstick
• Sew a dress for myself that I would actually wear
• Wear perfume regularly
• Skills
• Learn how to play the harmonica
• Learn how to use my camera in manual mode
• Play the guitar
• Matte and frame an original painting
• Take self defense classes
• Professional / Career
• Write a novel
• Be a keynote speaker
• Have a monthly column in a magazine
• Launch a magazine
• Direct a photo shoot
• Judge a dog competition
• Create a perfect resume for myself
• Figure out what my dream job would be
• Meet my Guru
• Find a mentor
• Mentor somebody
• Launch my yoga career
• Make enough money to support my family
• Make an appearance on TV
• Celebrate my retirement
• Compose a cookbook of original recipes
• Start a dog kennel
• Hire an assistant
• Volunteer on a regular basis
• Teach someone a new trade
• Projects
• Take a photo every day for a year
• Start a tradition
• Choose a good cookbook and cook every recipe in it
• Give only handmade gifts for the holidays
• Create an original painting
**I fully expect this list to change as time goes on.
This isn’t a bucket list. These aren’t things I need to cross off before I die. I will not accomplish everything here, but that’s not the goal. This list exists simply as a collection of things I would like to do in my lifetime. If writing them down helps me focus, and in turn helps me achieve some of them, the list has served its purpose.
A list should never make you feel guilty for not accomplishing something! It should serve as a compass, opening you up to experiences that you may have discounted otherwise. I hope to hold myself more accountable and achieve more. I tend to do well with public lists.
I have italicized those that I have completed.
Experiences
• Live in a foreign city for a year
• Spend a week without electricity or running water
• Go on a 'Girls Only' holiday
• Host a traditional Turkday dinner
• Shake the President’s hand
• Have a hobby farm
• Raise chickens
• Host a baby shower
• Organize an event
• Throw a surprise birthday party
• See a tree that I’ve planted grow to maturity
• Keep a houseplant alive for at least a year
• Be completely debt-free (mortgage included)
• Help build a home for charity
• Host a murder mystery party
• Write my will
• Learn how computers work
• Find a cure
• See the top 1% share their wealth with the rest of us
• Experience equality among humans
• See compassion in everything
• Stop the hatred
• Cure the ignorant
• Win an Olympic medal
• Run in the Boston Marathon
Sights
• Look out over Paris from the Eiffel Tower
• Cross the Brooklyn Bridge
• Cross the Golden Gate Bridge
• Visit Costa Rica
• Visit the Robie House, Fallingwater, and visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio in Oak Park
• Take the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s River Cruise
• Cross the Canadian border, eh
• Visit the Frank Lloyd Wright® Taliesin & Visitor Center
• Visit Japan
• Have a cheesy photo taken of me holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Visit all 50 states
• Go to China
• Walk on the Great Wall
• Travel in a 3rd world country
• Go to India
• Travel using a train
Just Plain Fun
• Picnic in the park
• Ride a roller-coaster with my hands up
• Experience weightlessness
• Fly a plane
• Write a haiku
• Solve a Rubik’s cube
• Wear a flapper dress
• Eat something new with a blindfold on
• Make a popular Youtube video
• Create a dance
• Skydive
• Scuba dive
• Ride a pogo stick
• Walk on stilts
• Eat the best gourmet dark chocolate
• Go cliff diving
• DJ at a club
• Practice yoga on the beach
• Family
• Have grandkids
• Go sledding
• Visit the state fair and listen to some bands
• Go roller skating again
• Have a professional family photo taken
• Watch Logan graduate from high school
• Watch Logan graduate from college
• Renew my wedding vows
• Home
• Paint all of the trim in our house white
• Make every room in our house exactly as I’d like
• Make the outside of our house as cute as the inside
• Have a home library with a rolling ladder
• Buy my dream home
• Own a coffee plantation
• Style
• Only wear lovely undergarments (that match)
• Ruthlessly edit my closet down to only my favorite things
• Determine a wardrobe’s essentials, then buy them in the best quality I can
• Find my perfect shade of lipstick
• Sew a dress for myself that I would actually wear
• Wear perfume regularly
• Skills
• Learn how to play the harmonica
• Learn how to use my camera in manual mode
• Play the guitar
• Matte and frame an original painting
• Take self defense classes
• Professional / Career
• Write a novel
• Be a keynote speaker
• Have a monthly column in a magazine
• Launch a magazine
• Direct a photo shoot
• Judge a dog competition
• Create a perfect resume for myself
• Figure out what my dream job would be
• Meet my Guru
• Find a mentor
• Mentor somebody
• Launch my yoga career
• Make enough money to support my family
• Make an appearance on TV
• Celebrate my retirement
• Compose a cookbook of original recipes
• Start a dog kennel
• Hire an assistant
• Volunteer on a regular basis
• Teach someone a new trade
• Projects
• Take a photo every day for a year
• Start a tradition
• Choose a good cookbook and cook every recipe in it
• Give only handmade gifts for the holidays
• Create an original painting
**I fully expect this list to change as time goes on.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Whey drink recipes
I just made fast friends with the rocket blender at work. Decided to mix up a few different whey shakes for lunches this past week. I am HOOKED. Here are a couple of great ones to try.
Peanut Butter and Banana Blast
1.5 cups bananas (sliced frozen, frozen approx)
6-8 oz soy milk
1 scoop whey protein powder (vanilla flavored)
1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
2-3 packets splenda or stevia (sugar substitute)
*Whip it up and enjoy!
Perfect Pumpkin Pie
1 sweet potato (steamed, boiled, or baked in micro)
1.5 cups soy milk (unflavored)
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1 dash pumpkin pie spice
*Again... whip it up and enjoy!
Peanut Butter and Banana Blast
1.5 cups bananas (sliced frozen, frozen approx)
6-8 oz soy milk
1 scoop whey protein powder (vanilla flavored)
1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
2-3 packets splenda or stevia (sugar substitute)
*Whip it up and enjoy!
Perfect Pumpkin Pie
1 sweet potato (steamed, boiled, or baked in micro)
1.5 cups soy milk (unflavored)
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1 dash pumpkin pie spice
*Again... whip it up and enjoy!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
I'm a big loser
We have decided to do the 'big loser' competition at work. Kind of a rivalry between co-workers and a little incentive to lose a few pounds in the midst of the holiday season. It started on Nov 1st and runs through Dec 20th. There are some great prizes for the winner and a lot of fun stuff along the way. We had a fitness/protein shake demostration yesterday and another fitness guru coming in today to educate us on health and well being. Here are the current standings (as of Nov 8th):
** I have initialed the others names to protect the innocent.
BIGGEST LOSER UPDATE
TOP TEN LOSERS -- WEEK 2*
1. D. V. -2.6%
2. S. K. -2.5%
3. M. W. & S. T. -2.4%
4. V. M., C. U. & P. M. -2.3%
5. B. S. -2.2%
6. J. L. -1.7%
7. L. G. -1.6%
8. D. S. -1.2%
9. Me , L. H. & S. B. -1.0%
10. N. C. -0.8%
As you can see, I have made it to the #9 spot. Much better than my fantasy football team ranking of dead last of 12 players.
I've lost 1% body weight in the first week. No bad for not trying. I won't tell anyone about the 2 mini snickers I had this weekend of the 2 bowls of cheese puffs I had on Monday night. After the weigh-in, I mentally decided to take up the challenge. If I win, I'm donating my 'winnings' to charity in some fashion or another. This will give me the extra push I need to lose the weight. Plus, it will be nice to slim down before more snow falls. It's going to be hard, as comfort food is nice to have when it's cold outside. I have some strong competition though. It's no biggie to win or lose. It's about finding yourself along the way.
Do I bake cookies for the office or do I bring in donuts every day? Just kidding fellow losers... or am I?
** I have initialed the others names to protect the innocent.
BIGGEST LOSER UPDATE
TOP TEN LOSERS -- WEEK 2*
1. D. V. -2.6%
2. S. K. -2.5%
3. M. W. & S. T. -2.4%
4. V. M., C. U. & P. M. -2.3%
5. B. S. -2.2%
6. J. L. -1.7%
7. L. G. -1.6%
8. D. S. -1.2%
9. Me , L. H. & S. B. -1.0%
10. N. C. -0.8%
As you can see, I have made it to the #9 spot. Much better than my fantasy football team ranking of dead last of 12 players.
I've lost 1% body weight in the first week. No bad for not trying. I won't tell anyone about the 2 mini snickers I had this weekend of the 2 bowls of cheese puffs I had on Monday night. After the weigh-in, I mentally decided to take up the challenge. If I win, I'm donating my 'winnings' to charity in some fashion or another. This will give me the extra push I need to lose the weight. Plus, it will be nice to slim down before more snow falls. It's going to be hard, as comfort food is nice to have when it's cold outside. I have some strong competition though. It's no biggie to win or lose. It's about finding yourself along the way.
Do I bake cookies for the office or do I bring in donuts every day? Just kidding fellow losers... or am I?
Friday, November 11, 2011
Zen poetry, pure and simple
It is as though you have an eye
That sees all forms
But does not see itself.
This is how your mind is.
Its light penetrates everywhere
And engulfs everything,
So why does it not know itself?
Foyan
That sees all forms
But does not see itself.
This is how your mind is.
Its light penetrates everywhere
And engulfs everything,
So why does it not know itself?
Foyan
Thursday, November 10, 2011
A great read for the day
The True Nature of Temper
A Zen student came to Bankei and complained: “Master, I have an ungovernable temper. How can I cure it?”
“You have something very strange,” replied Bankei. “Let me see what you have.”
“Just now I cannot show it to you,” replied the other.
“When can you show it to me?” asked Bankei.
“It arises unexpectedly,” replied the student.
“Then,” concluded Bankei, “it must not be your own true nature. If it were, you could show it to me at any time. When you were born you did not have it, and your parents did not give it to you. Think that over.”
A Zen student came to Bankei and complained: “Master, I have an ungovernable temper. How can I cure it?”
“You have something very strange,” replied Bankei. “Let me see what you have.”
“Just now I cannot show it to you,” replied the other.
“When can you show it to me?” asked Bankei.
“It arises unexpectedly,” replied the student.
“Then,” concluded Bankei, “it must not be your own true nature. If it were, you could show it to me at any time. When you were born you did not have it, and your parents did not give it to you. Think that over.”
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Leaf Me Alone
Not sure where this come from, but I laughed out loud when I read it. I hope you enjoy as much as I did.
Leaf me alone.
Don’t bark at me like an angry dog
Don’t tell me to branch out or try and spruce me up.
Yew maple* me any way you wish
But I don’t want to go against my grain.
I like the roots I’ve got
And willow-er* my standards not a jot
(Though you wood say they’re low enough already).
I’m knot going to rowan* my life pining for you.
Don’t give me sage advice to make me poplar.
I’m alder than yew, your changes walnut* stick.
I have the balsa knot bough* before your Ivy League education
And I’ve found my grove,
Don’t blame me if I like acorny joke every now and then.
Yew can take that “holly-er than thou” attitude and shove it up your ash.
(I love puns)
Leaf me alone.
Don’t bark at me like an angry dog
Don’t tell me to branch out or try and spruce me up.
Yew maple* me any way you wish
But I don’t want to go against my grain.
I like the roots I’ve got
And willow-er* my standards not a jot
(Though you wood say they’re low enough already).
I’m knot going to rowan* my life pining for you.
Don’t give me sage advice to make me poplar.
I’m alder than yew, your changes walnut* stick.
I have the balsa knot bough* before your Ivy League education
And I’ve found my grove,
Don’t blame me if I like acorny joke every now and then.
Yew can take that “holly-er than thou” attitude and shove it up your ash.
(I love puns)
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Drywall Dust
Drywall dust is a known health hazard and a huge nuisance in remodeling and new construction.
Drywall dust can also cause various adhesion problems and contaminates paint finishes. We have had clients spend hundreds of dollars trying to remove drywall dust from ventilation systems. People have spent several thousand dollars replacing ductwork, after dealing with continual dust the first two years in their newly constructed house. (The furnace was operated during drywall sanding, without covering the return air ducts). There are homeowners who have had major cleanup issues in the rest of their house after a remodeling project. This nuisance can easily be avoided with some widely available tools and equipment. Make sure to ask your general contractor for advice about the possibility of drywall dust and your new home project, whether it a small or large project.
Drywall dust can also cause various adhesion problems and contaminates paint finishes. We have had clients spend hundreds of dollars trying to remove drywall dust from ventilation systems. People have spent several thousand dollars replacing ductwork, after dealing with continual dust the first two years in their newly constructed house. (The furnace was operated during drywall sanding, without covering the return air ducts). There are homeowners who have had major cleanup issues in the rest of their house after a remodeling project. This nuisance can easily be avoided with some widely available tools and equipment. Make sure to ask your general contractor for advice about the possibility of drywall dust and your new home project, whether it a small or large project.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Bruce Roy Brown
Poor Bruce broke his toe over the weekend. Actually his dew claw. I guess that is equivalent to a toe. He has surgery tomorrow on both dews and a little face lift while he's under anesthesia. His eyes need a little tuck I guess. Helps with the entropian issue with his Shar-pei heritage. He will have to deal with the 'cone' for a few days. He is not going to be a happy camper. Anyone want to dog sit for me?
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