Friday, February 25, 2011

I want to help.

lets exercise and eat better.  when I see things like this, I am reminded that real changes need to be made in our culture to combat this epidemic.  but its not that easy. at all.  I don't know what the answer is, (yet).  and it will never be straightforward. but, I know I want to help.

on a happier note, I just completed the hardest chem lab I have ever had.  but, it was the type of hard that completely absorbed my conscience for an hour and a half, and I feel proud and invigorated.  yes working hard and stretching to new limits is never easy or comfortable.  it is very very uncomfortable.  but it feels good after.  maybe not even at first.  I highly recommend getting into the work and out of the comfort. 

rainy day vignette

I have had a strange week.  Something has been off; the weather, me, I am not sure.  But Friday is here; my longest day of the week, and I enjoy the concentrated effort before the weekend.

rainy day vignette

happy friday!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

eggs over brussel sprouts

is one of my favorite meals, especially with good crusty bread.  I love brussel sprouts, especially when they are gently sauted. they remain bright green and slightly crisp, and the sauce created by the yolk is delicious over the slightly bitter brussel sprouts. here I am doing a fried egg, but poached eggs are also really good. 


Eggs over Brussel Sprouts

warm up a pan over medium, thinly slice the brussel sprouts, and discard the stems. add a small pat of butter and/or a splash of olive oil to the pan. add the brussel sprouts (about 5-6 large ones is a perfect lunch portion for me) and saute gently until slightly golden brown. add a splash of white wine and/or white wine vinegar and steam for 1-2 minutes longer.  remove from the pan and set aside.  add a bit more butter/non-stick spray, crack 1-2 eggs (per person) in the pan.  fry until white is almost set, than flip and cook until white is set, yolk is still runny (about 1 minute longer).  toast is the perfect side; whole grain sourdough is my choice. 

perfect healthy meal of champions.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

good food jobs

"Finding a good food job isn’t like becoming a doctor or a teacher. There’s no pre-set path, and sometimes it can be frustrating trying to figure out what to do next. My advice is to get a lot of experience, even if it isn’t in the perfect job or even paid. Learn more about the sector you’re interested in by diving in. Work a job, volunteer, go to conferences, and – most importantly – meet people. Once you’re in the sustainable food world, you’re much more likely to catch the jobs that do come along or find opportunities to create your own!"

-Anne Obelnicki, found here

Monday, February 21, 2011

silly/true. and I still love anthropologie...

"Gift card to Anthropologie. You might have walked past it a few times at your local mall and wondered how they crammed the interior of a late-nineteenth century barn into a shopping center that was built in 2005. It is the store equivalent of a Wes Anderson film, which certainly helps to explain its appeal, but it is also the most efficient way for white women to look and (hopefully) live like Amélie."

found here.

Friday, February 18, 2011

I believe this print was made for me...

"I have difficult hair. It's thick and curly, and I've wasted a good part of my life trying to control it, straighten it, and battle the frizzies. Enough of that - it's time to EMBRACE MESSY HAIR!"



found here

Thursday, February 17, 2011

I roasted a whole chicken last night:


I am a pretty good cook when it comes to vegetarian fare, seafood, grains, and desserts.

I am not, however, well-versed in big hunks of meat or whole poultry birds.

But, whole chickens were really inexpensive at Central Market on Sunday, so I bought one.

I was actually kind of nervous; I bought a roaster pan and used this equation to roast my feathered friend:

15 minutes at 425
15 minutes at 350
45 minutes + 7 minutes for each pound (I did 70 minutes for a 3.75 lb bird and it turned out perfectly)

I rinsed the bird under hot water and dried it really well with paper towels.  I placed it on the rack and sprinkled a generous amount of salt and pepper all over the top.  I had an extra, really large shallot, so I cut it in half and stuck it inside.  Then I tucked the legs and wings under the body.  I did not baste the bird at all because there was not much juice, and my chicken still came out golden brown with a crispy skin.  I also did not add any fat on the skin.

Give yourself a lot of time; but I really suggest roasting a chicken; you will be so proud of yourself!

silver sneakers

I love teaching silver sneakers; every Wednesday I look forward to seeing my dedicated class.  They push me to push them and I am never surprised by their fitness and strength. 

I think everyone should work with seniors at some point in their lives if they have a chance; I have learned so much from my classes and I am constantly reminded to keep my own life in perspective.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

love this interview

especially Mario Batali's quote to her:

 "Always choose joy, Turshen."

found here

finding balance

I like to think of myself as a frugal person; however, I am not sure if I live up to this notion of myself.  Yes, I buy local/organic groceries/vegetables (food is our fuel, our most important expense), and pretty things sometimes.

I do not budget though.  Sometimes I splurge, mostly I save and my method has worked for me.  But, I created a mint account at the beginning of the year and it is a valuable tool with a simple interface; all of my accounts are in one place and I can see how I spend money.  The more that I get involved with money, the more I want to save.  If you don't have an account, I highly recommend starting one.

"Last year, Harvard Business School professor Peter Tufano helped conduct a survey that asked a simple question: if you had to, could you come up with $2,000 in 30 days? In the U.S., he found that nearly half of us couldn’t."

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser Dish

Good food info here

LL Bean and seeds

beautiful sunset last night

I found this on my doorstep when I got back from a yoga/attack combo last night that kicked my butt:

I love the royal blue

I am a big fan of LL Bean. I had to use up a $10 gift card that I received back in November when I ordered a fleece, so I bought a small boat and tote bag:


I received these, too:

asparagus, zucchini, and tomato heirloom seeds

So excited to plant vegetables in the spring!

Monday, February 14, 2011

happy day of loove

I have been on the lookout for simple round earrings forever.  I found these at etsy:


 And they are just as pretty in person.  (They are very small studs; exactly what I wanted.)

I highly recommend apostrophie at etsy; beautiful earrings, perfect packaging, quick shipping, and a personalized thank you at a reasonable price.  Lovely!

ps my favorite chocolate:


And chocolove*:

*love poem included.

Friday, February 11, 2011

lovin


happy friday

Thursday, February 10, 2011

the cost

 of cheap greens in the winter.

Also, I think the ice storm finally got to me yesterday; as the snow whirled outside my window, I browsed pictures of heirloom seeds from here. I am hoping that I get enough sun on my little balcony to grow zucchini, tomatoes, and (this one may be a long shot...) asparagus.

Goldilocks' planets

So on Monday I learned about the term Goldilocks' planets; planets, like Earth, that are just the right distance away from a star to possibly have water.  Info like this makes my head spin, but it is good to get a dose of perspective once in a while. Here is NASA's press release.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

chem 2 test 1...

done.

not sure how I did yet.

in other news, I am digging the website which brought me here. personal annual reports? so cool!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

change

There was ice from Tuesday through Thursday last week and then a snowstorm covered it all up early Friday morning. 

I worked on Thursday afternoon, and driving in the ice completely changed my perspective.  It made me appreciate that I can normally go out at my leisure; it made me appreciate normal tasks like driving and class and grocery shopping.

For this reason, change is good.  Whether it is a change of scenery or a travel adventure, change of job, or even just trying something new, a slight change can alter our perspective and enhance our ability to appreciate what has always been there; to see through a new lense is so cool.

Change is hard, but worth it.

Friday, February 4, 2011

snow day

I am so thankful that there is a hot yoga studio twenty feet away from my apartment.  This week, I have gone there twice when I couldn't get out.  In Addison?  Check it out here.  So amazing!

Here is the view from my porch today:





heirloom design

"As I see the climate change and carbon dioxide problem, it is one way of figuring out how to live the best quality of life while using much less energy. Heirloom products are one way to make a significant contribution. It probably means you will end up owning less junk, your life will be less cluttered, and your stuff will be more beautiful and serve you with more joy."

Saul Griffith found here

Thursday, February 3, 2011

decreasing plastic

Lately I have been thinking about all of the plastic that surrounds us, especially plastic that has a very short use value.

Some of these items are easier to eliminate (plastic water bottles, plastic shopping bags) than others (food containers, packaging).

One of my first ideas to decrease food packaging plastic was to find a dairy in Dallas that uses/re-uses glass bottles.  When I was little, in Milton, Massachusetts, we had a milk delivery service with glass bottles; I always got excited around the holidays because of the eggnog which had a different color foil lid.

Anyways, my initial search has not been successful; apparently the only dairy in Texas that uses glass bottles is in San Antonio.  Check out the list here to see if there is a dairy in your area.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

A Food Manifesto for the Future

by Mark Bittman, found here.

"Encourage and subsidize home cooking. ...When people cook their own food, they make better choices. When families eat together, they’re more stable. We should provide food education for children (a new form of home ec, anyone?), cooking classes for anyone who wants them and even cooking assistance for those unable to cook for themselves."

ice day

so day two of the ice storm in Dallas.  the good news is that I am completely caught up on my Chemistry.  the good/bad news is that everything is cancelled again today.

snow day book recommendation:

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

the weather

is worrying me.  has mother nature finally had it with us?  or is this just a crazy Texas winter?

three days ago, the high hovered close to eighty degrees.  today's high is maybe thirty degrees...