tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91318451591868279422024-02-22T01:39:35.087-07:00Bohemian CupcakeTashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-90072832370762038442010-03-10T12:55:00.002-07:002010-03-10T13:04:56.478-07:00Decorating<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.digsdigs.com/photos/ikea-2010-bedroom-design-examples-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 274px;" src="http://www.digsdigs.com/photos/ikea-2010-bedroom-design-examples-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'm moving again and it's got me thinking about decorating. I have a color scheme of sorts but what I'm really looking for is a look that allows me to add or change out the things in my room without destroying the look.<br /><br />I've spent hours searching sites for ideas. I've looked at almost every bedding available and nothing has interested me. I think of my furniture and I just can't imagine it all working together. I'm really just getting frustrated and depressed about it.<br /><br />Too bad I can't hire a decorator who can read my mind and put together a plan for me.<br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/TPIANE%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-5.jpg" alt="" />Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-84699536167460515452009-09-09T14:35:00.001-06:002009-09-09T14:37:27.224-06:00Wordless Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://th03.deviantart.net/fs29/300W/i/2009/239/a/e/ZZZzzz_by_Deimos2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="http://th03.deviantart.net/fs29/300W/i/2009/239/a/e/ZZZzzz_by_Deimos2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-17563684850587665962009-09-08T12:19:00.009-06:002009-09-08T13:17:50.295-06:00New Beginnings<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;" times="" new="" roman="">"It take's courage to grow up and be who you really are."</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br />~ e.e. cummings</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://th05.deviantart.net/fs41/300W/i/2009/044/9/3/Meditation_by_Caracolinas.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 454px;" src="http://th05.deviantart.net/fs41/300W/i/2009/044/9/3/Meditation_by_Caracolinas.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I haven't written a post in over 2 months. I know some of you hang on my every word and have probably been having panic attacks due to my absence. Too those people, I'm sorry. To the rest of you, deal with it!<br /><br />Actually, a lot has happened in the last 2 months. I moved to a condo in S. Provo where I only have one roommate and I'm pretty much allowed to be myself and do what I want (boo to BYU approved housing!!). I've started classes again and by the end of the semester I'll be a few steps closer to an associates degree. It's not much but it's a move in the right direction.<br /><br />And last but not least, after much thought and consideration and trust in my instincts, I've left the LDS church. I know that's a big thing to put in a blog, especially one that's read by family and friends, many of who are LDS. So far, my family and friends who know (both LDS and non-LDS) have been supportive. I didn't jump into this lightly. I've been thinking about this for about 3 years and I had to be honest with myself about how I felt about the church and my beliefs. My befliefs about lots of issues differ greatly from those of the church. I still think the church teaches some good values and I know many great and wonderful people who are memebers. I want you to know that I don't hate the church or it's memebers. And I understand if it's hard from some people to understand why I left, but I hope that doesn't change any of my relationships with any of my friends or family.<br /><br />I was going to write a whole lot more but once I started it sounded all weird so I decided to stop for today. But I'll try to write more, especially about some recipes I'll be trying out and some new projects I'll be getting into.<br /><br /><br /></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-44297855795661177332009-06-30T20:36:00.000-06:002009-06-30T20:38:38.914-06:00Vegan and Raw Food<div style="text-align: center;">This video is from THS Investigates: Diet Fads.<br />A very brief overview of vegan ism and raw food eating.<br /></div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jvYiN-HMQpU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jvYiN-HMQpU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-36683779167797245562009-06-26T12:05:00.000-06:002009-06-26T12:37:59.160-06:00Magazines Go Green<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.earthdayvb.com/images/earth_day_logo_2009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 349px; height: 322px;" src="http://www.earthdayvb.com/images/earth_day_logo_2009.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> In honor of Earth Day, Yoga Journal made<br />it's May issue <a href="http://www.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=401488885&o=ext">free online through Zinio Digital Magazines</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.zinio.com/">Zinio Digital Magazines</a> is an online service where you can get subscriptions or download individual issues of magazines. The subscriptions are cheaper (since there isn't the cost of paper, etc), but the individual issues can be a few dollars more than what you would pay at the store. The subscriptions or issues you pay for can be download and read at a later time.<br /><br />There isn't a huge selection, especially for things I'd want (Martha Stewart, etc), but there are common beauty magazines and of course, Yoga Journal.<br /><br />If you're looking for a way to cut back on the amount of paper you use, this is a great way to do so. And if more people use Zinio, then you'll probably be seeing more magazines offered.<br /></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-81167275371809319032009-06-25T13:08:00.000-06:002009-06-25T14:53:46.701-06:00Coming Alive<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Wherever we may come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">- David Steindl-Rast</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lbjsbrownbag.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/raw-beets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 448px; height: 336px;" src="http://lbjsbrownbag.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/raw-beets.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've had a lot on my mind for the last month<br />(actually for quite some time but it came to a head in the past month).<br />I've been thinking about where I'm going, who I am, what I want out of life, etc.<br /><br />My spirituality is something that keeps coming up. I've gotten back into yoga and have spent a lot of time reading about yoga, but not just the actual poses or yoga as an exercise. I've always felt that yoga was more for my mind than it was for my body.<br />When I do it I feel at peace and relaxed. My further study into yoga has gotten me thinking about peace and relaxation in my life, not just when I'm doing yoga.<br /><br />I have a feeling that finding peace will mean changes in many parts of my life, but a big one that I've decided on is in my eating habits. I've decided to become a vegetarian and slowly ease into veganism. At first I thought I would still eat animal meat, but VERY, VERY rarely, and only if it was organic and if I knew that the animals had lives a humane life, but now I'm not sure if I'll do even that. It is something that I'll have to give more thought.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://imagecache.allposters.com/images/pic/STFPOD/400225%7EGreen-Puy-Lentils-Posters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 450px;" src="http://imagecache.allposters.com/images/pic/STFPOD/400225%7EGreen-Puy-Lentils-Posters.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I don't think that being a vegetarian will be too difficult for me because I already eat animal meat so rarely, and when I do it's chicken and fish. I will be cutting out ALL meat from my diet, from here on out (well, today is actually day 2 for me). I'm looking forward to trying new recipes full of flavor and my new 4 main food groups: whole grains, vegetables, fruit and legumes.<br /><br />So far, most people have been really supportive of this decision. I'm not expecting others to make the same decision, cause it's a personal choice. My reasons have more to do with saving the earth than with my love of animals, but the treatment of animals in slaughter houses is something that isn't ok with me, and me not eating meat is a small sacrifice compared to the treatment the animals I would be eating would have endured.<br /><br />I'm sorry if this sounds preachy, that's not my intent. I just want to let people to know what is going on with me and the path my life is taking. My food choices tie in with my new views on spirituality and on who I want to be.<br /><br />Again, I'm very grateful for all the support from my friends and family!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lbjsbrownbag.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/raw-beets.jpg"><br /></a></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-12487907498413375992009-06-05T11:18:00.000-06:002009-06-05T11:51:50.743-06:00Getting Off The Couch...<div style="text-align: center;">...right after I finish this cupcake!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I'm very, how should I word this, <span style="font-style: italic;">plush </span>right now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://z.about.com/d/thyroid/1/0/1/b/saladvscake.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 219px;" src="http://z.about.com/d/thyroid/1/0/1/b/saladvscake.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Every since my sophomore year in high school I've been gaining weight. I've gained at least 70 lbs but probably closer to 85. That's 8.5 lbs every year for the last ten years.<br /><br />When I think about that, 8.5 lbs doesn't sound like a lot, but when I look at the big picture, 85 lbs IS A LOT! I'm not very happy with my weight right now. Exercise is constantly on my list of things I'll do tomorrow and clothes shopping is just plain depressing.<br /><br />I don't lose weight often and I don't really fluctuate, I mainly just slowly gain. The only times where I experiences weight loss were times I was really sick or recovering from surgery.<br /><br />In short, this sucks. It's not fun being fat. So if I don't want to be fat I have to make some changes in my eating and exercise habits. My biggest problems are <span style="font-weight: bold;">calorie intake</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">portion control</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">lack of exercise</span>.<br /><br />Over the course of the next year I want to adopt new, healthier habits, exercise regularly and lose 70-80 lbs.<br /><br />I'm going to be tracking my progress, trying new recipes and ideas and tracking it all here!<br /><br />I'm going to leave you with a couple of sites of inspiration!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/cook-yourself-thin">Cook Yourself Thin</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.myallnaturalweightloss.com/">My All Natural Weight Loss</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007/10/24/weight_scale-jj-001.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 226px;" src="http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007/10/24/weight_scale-jj-001.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-88460377764973336372009-04-23T17:45:00.000-06:002009-04-23T18:27:22.922-06:00100 Things About Me<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >1. Last beverage→ Fruit Punch Gatorade<br />2. Last phone call→The nurse at UVU<br />3. Last text message→ Clarissa<br />4. Last song you listened to→ Let Me Kiss You - Morrissey<br />5. Last time you cried→ About 2 months ago<br /><br />HAVE YOU EVER:<br />6. Dated someone twice → Sort of. We broke up and then tried to make it work again but it didn't.<br />7. Been cheated on? → No<br />8. Kissed someone & regretted it?→ Yes.<br />9. Lost someone special?→ No<br />10. Been depressed?→ Yes<br />11. Been drunk? – Yes<br /><br />LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS:<br />12. Pink<br />13. Orange<br />14. Purple<br /><br />THIS YEAR HAVE YOU:<br />15. Made new friends→ No<br />16. Fallen out of love → I wouldn't call it love but but yeah.<br />17. Laughed until you cried → Yes<br />18. Met someone who changed you→ No<br />19. Found out who your true friends were→ Yes<br />20. Found out someone was talking about you→ No<br />21. Kissed anyone on your friend's list→ No<br /><br />TRUTH:<br />23. How many kids do you want to have → 2<br />24. Do you have any pets → No<br />25. Do you want to change your name→ Been there, done that<br />26. What did you do for your last birthday→ Went to lunch with some friends and worked.<br />27. What time did you wake up today? 6:45<br />28. What were you doing at midnight last night→ Sleeping<br />29. Name something you CANNOT wait for → To move to Washington<br />30. Last time you saw your father→ Maybe 2 months ago, but he's been traveling ever since.<br />31. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life → Skinnier and out of debt<br />32. What are you listening to right now → Depeche Mode's new album, Sounds of the Universe<br />33. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom → lol, yeah. He's really funny.<br />34. What's getting on your nerves right now? → People on the phone who don't come out and say what they want.<br />36. What's your real name → If you're reading this and you know me, you know what it is. If you don't know me, too bad.<br />37. Relationship Status → Single<br />38. Zodiac sign → Aquarius<br />39. Male or female→ Female<br />40. Grade School→ Forbes, Dupree and Grandview Elementaries<br />42. High school → Provo High School<br />43. Hair color → Brown but usually died dark brown or red<br />44. Long or short → Short, but getting longer<br />45. Height → 5'8"<br />46. Do you have a crush on someone? → Sort of<br />47. What do you like about yourself? → How goofy I can be. And sometimes I'm super witty.<br />48. Piercings → Nose and ears<br />49. Tattoos → Cupcake on my left foot<br />50. Righty or lefty → Righty<br /><br />FIRSTS :<br />51. First surgery → Wisdom Teeth<br />52. First piercing → Ears when I was only a few months old<br />53. First tattoo → The cupcake on my foot<br />54. First best friend → Andrew who lived on the corner<br />55. First sport you joined → Is ballet a sport?<br />56. First pet → A crazy wolf/husky mix that bit me and was totally scary.<br />57. First vacation → The Peppermill (I think) in Reno (I think) or Disneyland.<br />58. First concert → Damien Rice<br />59. First crush → I can't remember the first but there has been hundreds since. Maybe thousands.<br />60. First alcoholic drink→ Jager Bomb<br /><br />RIGHT NOW:<br />61. Eating → Nothing. I'm hungry. (I'm always hungry)<br />62. Drink → Nothing. I'm thirsty.<br />63. I'm about to → Smack a sales guy, just for the fun of it.<br />64. Listening to → Adam Lambert singing Tears for Fears' Mad World.<br />65. Waiting for → Work to be over<br />66. Want kids? → Someday<br />67. Want to get married? Yes<br />68. Careers in mind? → Something to do with video editing. But I've always liked the idea of Anthropology.<br /><br />WHICH IS BETTER<br />69. Lips or eyes → On me? My eyes. I love the color of them.<br />70. Hugs or kisses → Kisses<br />71. Shorter or taller → Taller<br />72. Older or Younger → Older<br />73. Romantic or spontaneous → Romantic. Sometimes I'm too uptight for spontaneous.<br />74. Nice stomach or nice arms → Nice arms<br />75. Tattoos or piercings? If it's on a guy, tattoos. But if it's just in general, I can admire both.<br />76. Sensitive or loud → In relation to what? Sensitive I guess.<br />77. Hook-up or relationship → Relationship<br />78. Trouble maker or hesitant→ Trouble maker in theory, hesitant in real situations.<br /><br />HAVE YOU EVER :<br />79. Kissed a stranger → Yes<br />80. Drank hard liquor → Yes<br />81. Lost glasses/contacts → Yes<br />82. Kissed on first date → Yes<br />83. Broken someone's heart → Yes<br />84. Had your own heart broken → Yes<br />85. Been arrested → No<br />86. Turned someone down → Yes<br />87. Cried when someone died → No<br />88. Liked a friend more then just a friend: Yes<br /><br />DO YOU BELIEVE IN:<br />89. Yourself - Sometimes. A lot more lately.<br />90. Miracles → Yes<br />91. Love at first sight → No. But love during first conversation, yes.<br />92. Heaven → Not sure.<br />93. Santa Claus → No, but I love the idea of him.<br />94. Kissing on the first date → Depends on the situation, but overall, yes.<br />95. Angels → Not really. Plus I think angels are tacky. But I like wings.<br /><br />ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:<br />96. Is there one person you want to be with right now? → Yes<br />97. Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time? → No<br />98. Do you believe it’s possible to remain faithful forever?→Yes<br />99. What's the one thing you cannot live without?→ Food and apparently drama<br />100. One thing that most people don’t know about you → I feel like I don't fit my life.<br /></span>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-8474387164584920642009-04-16T18:42:00.000-06:002009-04-16T18:44:42.556-06:00Common People Ft. William Shatner, Ben Folds, and Joe JacksonVariation on the theme of Common People. My friend Tom sent me the link to this video. Ben Folds and Joe Jackson make this video!<br /><div><object width="480" height="380"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x3mmo3_joe-jackson-william-shatnercommon-p_music&related=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x3mmo3_joe-jackson-william-shatnercommon-p_music&related=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="480" height="380"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3mmo3_joe-jackson-william-shatnercommon-p_music">Joe Jackson & William Shatner-Common People</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Zemeo">Zemeo</a></i></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-51022789107403617782009-04-15T19:12:00.000-06:002009-04-15T19:38:18.623-06:00Common PeopleI want to present this video to you with one eyebrow cocked and a classic William Shatner face and pose. <br /><br />Out in the world, there is a dude who is cute in a looks-sort-of-like-my-ex-and-makes-similar-facial-expressions way. He is into making random "music videos" where he lip syncs to different random songs. This video, is by far, his best. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AzlwKNbwxkw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AzlwKNbwxkw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-63578541428380536972009-04-14T19:41:00.001-06:002009-04-14T20:10:34.665-06:00Duffy and Dusty<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Duffy+Plays+Sydney+2Zf7LhW1K-ll.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 361px;" src="http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Duffy+Plays+Sydney+2Zf7LhW1K-ll.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/04/03/dusty_original.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 361px;" src="http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/04/03/dusty_original.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="width: 300px;"><object width="300" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/pl/hdKyfgcSCW/aus=false/autoShuffle=true/"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://media.imeem.com/pl/hdKyfgcSCW/aus=false/autoShuffle=true/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="300" height="340"></embed></object><div style="padding: 1px; background-color: rgb(230, 230, 230);"><div style="padding: 4px 4px 0pt 0pt; float: left;"><a href="http://www.imeem.com/"><img src="http://www.imeem.com/embedsearch/E6E6E6/" border="0" /></a></div><form method="post" action="http://www.imeem.com/embedsearch/" style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"><input name="EmbedSearchBox" type="text"><input value="Search" style="font-size: 12px;" type="submit"><div style="padding-top: 3px;"><a href="http://www.imeem.com/ads/banneradclick.ashx?ep=0&ek=hdKyfgcSCW" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://www.imeem.com/ads/bannerad/152/10/" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/ads/banneradclick.ashx?ep=1&ek=hdKyfgcSCW" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://www.imeem.com/ads/bannerad/153/10/" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/ads/banneradclick.ashx?ep=2&ek=hdKyfgcSCW" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://www.imeem.com/ads/bannerad/154/10/" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/ads/banneradclick.ashx?ep=3&ek=hdKyfgcSCW" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://www.imeem.com/ads/bannerad/155/10/hdKyfgcSCW/" border="0" /></a></div></form></div></div><br /><a href="http://www.imeem.com/people/FpIyqXD/playlist/FicVMuNu/duffydusty-music-playlist/">Duffy/Dusty</a></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-26478273433345973222009-04-09T16:22:00.000-06:002009-04-09T16:40:22.040-06:00Dead & Bloated Part 2 (hahahaha)I stole this off the blog of a coworker. I'm not ashamed to admit that I LOVE stuff like this!<br /><br />RULES:<br />1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.<br />2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.<br />3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.<br />4. Tag whoever you want including me<br />5. Have Fun!<br /><br />IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY....?<br />Nightspots - The Cars<br /><br />HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?<br />How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You - James Taylor<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?<br />All She Wants To Do Is Dance - Don Henley<br /><br />HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?<br />I Walk The Line - Joaquin Phoenix<br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?<br />Wake Up - Arcade fire<br /><br />WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?<br />Downtown - Peaches<br /><br />WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?<br />(I Got That) Boom Boom - Britney Spears Feat. Ying Yang Twins<br /><br />WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?<br />I Love You (Joffa Bond - We Miss Ya) - H.I.M.<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?<br />Harder To Breath - Maroon 5<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR FIRST KISS?<br />Dangerous and Sweet - Lenka (LOL, that makes it sound better than it was.)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?<br />I Could Show You How - Naked Eyes<br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?<br />Make Me Over - Hole (So true!)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?<br />Perfect Girl - Sarah McLachlan<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?<br />No One Mourns The Wicked - Wicked Soundtrack<br /><br />WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?<br />Trevor - U2<br /><br />WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?<br />Got Me Under Pressure - ZZ Top<br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?<br />I Don't Love You - My Chemical Romance (I feel like I say that a lot...maybe so much so that it's becoming a hobby!)<br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?<br />Personal Holloway - Bush<br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?<br />Sweet Tangerine - The Hush S<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?<br />Reason Why - Rachel Yamagata<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?<br />Billie Jean - Michael Jackson<br /><br />WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?<br />Dead & Bloated Part 2 - Stone Temple PilotsTashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-14781344112977702012009-04-05T17:41:00.001-06:002009-04-06T10:39:03.473-06:00Food FailuresThis weekend I did a fair bit of cooking, but none of the dishes were anything to get excited about (except for the buttermilk chicken, but more on that later). I made strawberry lime hand pies, 2 different roasts that both ended up in a Shepherd's pie, a loaf of bread, and buttermilk and panko chicken tenders.<br /><br />The pies weren't too bad, they were just missing something. I mixed about a cup of chopped strawberries with the juice and the zest of one lime and 2 tablespoons of sugar. I used some ginger crust my sister gave me. Next time I'll probably use more juice and zest.<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321370477212640306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9JdtMwFVAP1fy_XeoXWc1m6umFtpzd6kab5m6Pm_zWQBLvzAFy780JN4Fu8iPFHTFQDMGp2QqrNX1VDxAoIQnOcQuLMcIeg85cc4m7jkgws3xrMjpw3kIkV-gzwvROmNnIXAcq813n7D/s320/0405091801.jpg" />The bread was very close to a complete loss. I don't know how much of it was my fault and how much of it is the recipe's fault. About a year ago I tried making bread for the first time. I used this same recipe and the bread came out of the oven smelling good and tasting like crap, not to mention it was shaped like a flat brick.<br /><br />This time I felt like I was armed with a wider knowledge of baking (since I've been baking for about 2 weeks!) and I was going to use some buttermilk to give it some added flavor. Well, it came out slightly taller than a brick and was too dense to truly enjoy. But I decided to have a warm slice slathered with butter because I feel that even crappy bread can taste decent when you have a slice as soon as it comes out. Imagine a commercial where someone is having their first bite of something good...their eyes are closed and you can see pure joy when they finally taste it. That was me, until we get to the part where I tasted the bread. Why did it taste like it needed salt? I called my sister so I could complain about the recipe. I was explaining all this when I realized that the recipe had called for salt, I just forgot to add it. Oops.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321370475462990194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4f2SrWy_ytO8oeMsqE2ThJmDM2z9tcz9vuJViyopze6TErE1EONO3vNiRYNcVBdsXuj9tsr9gTQHTyLuMJIYWJyZrEzBUsIg3P37MAOCeBeWMDGSr6hRTGaocRKkvIN6JHpi2MAmxrmAE/s320/0405091800.jpg" />I had a large London broil that I wanted to use to make more steak sandwiches. I cut the roast in half and browned both pieces, then used 2 different cooking methods just to see what the results would be. One roast went into the slow cooker with some soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, a can of cream of mushroom soup, broth and onions. The second roast went into my Rachel Ray dutch oven with broth, onions and smothered in horseradish. The slow cooker roast had more flavor, but was tougher. The dutch oven roast didn't have much flavor, except for horseradish, and it was dry, but it was more tender than the slow cooker roast. To get the roasts ready for the Shepherd's pie, I chopped them into cubes and then simmered the cubes in a couple of cups of water with a little salt for a few hours.<br /><br />While all that was simmering away I decided I'd make Shepherd's pie (notice how I didn't even know what I was going to do with this cubed steak broth mixture until it was done cooking). I added some leeks and carrots and while those cooked I started cooking the potatoes. Long story short, I have a Shepherd's pie I just pulled out of the fridge. I didn't take care with it so it looks a little (VERY) sad. But I know it tastes super good and I'm the only one eating it so it's ok.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321370474987001810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDShlyfX40HbfNXWkc8-iNR2ZFBRh0ypGGSUKgtAM3PcH3jJO3sPHnZqe8yL7ne7IjidhB_3DQh52Jqxits6iKUnxSR_0YkBaMwsjT2eweaj_Rb1fTtINhBBLHmnk41ej6NEUhlk-KYkMK/s320/0405091802.jpg" />Now I'm super worn out and only have a few hours of weekend left. Maybe I'll try making something else before I head to bed. :) <p></p><p></p>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-87416279671503652042009-04-05T00:06:00.000-06:002009-04-05T00:32:45.189-06:00Journal Wrecking Update<div align="center">I'm painting an idea not an ideal. ~Euan Uglow<br /><div align="center">Let me ask you something, what is not art? ~Author Unknown<br /><br /><div align="justify">I've had my journal for a few days and have done a couple of the assignments. Some were easy and some were hard. Some went against what I was always told about books (don't get them wet, don't burn them, etc.) and some of the assignments tested my ability to create. My journal is already getting worn and I'm keeping it closed and together with a rubber band.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Tonight, I probably did the hardest assignment...I SHOWERED with the journal! I kid you not. I casually tossed it onto the floor of the shower and with a weird sense of freedom, I took a shower. I was laughing most of the time and I couldn't believe I was actually letting a book get soaked in the shower!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5Ky-qrOvJfJj2xoNGVInoRPEbA2_BTIMTfjEDSIWDKBHKGby3A8zHQ_z0Fgq_stOVtB0NPI5y2rrcIDC6DO2z_G0uNqEYGKalg1sBi8m4A-wAxSHtZsIHiC3JTc4ulGNGo60YBEv3pLh/s1600-h/0404092343.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321087091944164898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5Ky-qrOvJfJj2xoNGVInoRPEbA2_BTIMTfjEDSIWDKBHKGby3A8zHQ_z0Fgq_stOVtB0NPI5y2rrcIDC6DO2z_G0uNqEYGKalg1sBi8m4A-wAxSHtZsIHiC3JTc4ulGNGo60YBEv3pLh/s320/0404092343.jpg" /></a>After the shower I did the burn page. At first I burned a hole through the page with a lighter but then I thought it would be fun to use the stove to burn it. It ended up leaving scorch marks through a few pages, but oh well!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCndSGzkscn8L4T0jgDp4n2nALN_ZoNhCJyPGMJp-AixSvEnzGo4c475sLyib35fyLqm5sgUwO9jDkGGQSZd7elRUX9zDq61NA-C0k6biTf20AJnA0agmg3tztyjqrPv3CqKZSEKTH9NEm/s1600-h/0404092341.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321087092304028050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCndSGzkscn8L4T0jgDp4n2nALN_ZoNhCJyPGMJp-AixSvEnzGo4c475sLyib35fyLqm5sgUwO9jDkGGQSZd7elRUX9zDq61NA-C0k6biTf20AJnA0agmg3tztyjqrPv3CqKZSEKTH9NEm/s320/0404092341.jpg" /></a> Earlier in the day I watched some season 1 of Buffy and colored this page. The shower ruined some of the drawing but the eggplant portion of the drawing stayed in tact. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRRZzdYK3f7OSP7Enzl0DOI5b0DgVzkxXJIHj_Zqaz8hcjJBmylZjYkYfBJurxyr6yCihARvVnzONIy_V98llcjpNbtLhAat0PZ41slnUfi1bFwM7paWOln0iCKoAIsyho27pnUzOFjH1/s1600-h/0404092340.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321087086206681778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRRZzdYK3f7OSP7Enzl0DOI5b0DgVzkxXJIHj_Zqaz8hcjJBmylZjYkYfBJurxyr6yCihARvVnzONIy_V98llcjpNbtLhAat0PZ41slnUfi1bFwM7paWOln0iCKoAIsyho27pnUzOFjH1/s320/0404092340.jpg" /></a></div>I have a few pages that are being worked on as I write this. I have a page buried in the flower bed, decomposing. I have a page that I wrote a note on, left on a bus for someone to find. Last but not least, I have a page folded up and stuck in the back pocket of some jeans I'm going to wash tomorrow. And as strange as this may sound, I'm really pleased by all this! </div></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-88280250104703335142009-04-02T13:35:00.000-06:002009-04-02T15:08:07.344-06:00Destruction and PerfectionI woke up needing a little cup of comfort. That can be many things for many people but for me, that is a cup of Chai Tea. After getting off the bus, I moseyed on over to Borders to pick up a cup of perfection.<br /><br />As I was heading back to the cafe I saw "Wreck This Journal". Funny thing was, I was thinking about this book just this morning. This was fate! I had to have it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a0.vox.com/6a00ccff8b449e673100fae8d7da30000b-500pi"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 316px;" src="http://a0.vox.com/6a00ccff8b449e673100fae8d7da30000b-500pi" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />For those of you who aren't familiar with this book, it's a journal that is meant to be destroyed. Actually, destroyed in the wrong word. Really, this book is a creative outlet, but helps you be creative in unusual ways. Some pages makes you draw, other you rip the pages, some you color, some you write on, some you just throw away. <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssqJ1LE9bSiK6QNeZoL9yWTW_-UCFwuSIeq5cgDaeetHC2jADFr7KhAmzAndQfsT8BQpKgdAx1_bSEl70NL1p9ojApWSjHU9YIaaiCP5sP11ZPj8v1GXnq_caIbIQ0BLRj1Fq5CtCv0E/s320/20070616-Found.jpg&imgrefurl=http://embea.blogspot.com/2007/06/wreck-this-journal-keri-smith.html&usg=__GeOMM_IdeijLmP0aH3MducoGy0c=&h=255&w=320&sz=19&hl=en&start=12&sig2=Skvvns7HYpEGa-NpQBU2Eg&um=1&tbnid=VcCVbl-PMOeuxM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwreck%2Bthis%2Bjournal%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3D6q8%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=MxvVSeyPMprqtQOFoPGoCg">Click here to see someone else's journal. </a>The hardest part is deciding if I should do a page a day or do a ton of pages at once.<br /><br />I picked up the book and I also got my Chai Tea. I took my first sip of what I expected to be perfection but what I got was a strong taste of pepper. I'm not sure what brand Borders uses but it's too spicy. I was a little bummed but I drank as much as I could. This got me thinking about what makes a perfect Chai Tea. I'd like to tell you that I'm going to start playing chemist in my kitchen and spend hours crushing cardamom and cloves with my mortar and pestle, but I'm too lazy for that. I'll probably go out and buy different brands and hundreds of dollars later I'd tell you that the best kind I found was something like <a href="http://www.oregonchai.com/">Oregon Chai</a>. lol, I'll let you know.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://wahlstroem.org/bjorn/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/DSC_4488.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 169px;" src="http://wahlstroem.org/bjorn/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/DSC_4488.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-43509489157022542542009-03-31T19:15:00.000-06:002009-03-31T19:36:48.761-06:00Love Means Never Having To Say You're Sorry<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznmu9bI5MyFxSp_Ry4Xu7tuMePVyYZ0EGT26zR-tvPCy5_KoLETcrGC4s-gZxxTNHlAlDg6ufwKlkSNQPBCNv-IXQYzPWqzN8eTnxluI84Gzzg80lZWJqLP-vz5-XHZIfe1nXvARbzpj_/s320/Love-Story_Ryan-O'Neal_10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznmu9bI5MyFxSp_Ry4Xu7tuMePVyYZ0EGT26zR-tvPCy5_KoLETcrGC4s-gZxxTNHlAlDg6ufwKlkSNQPBCNv-IXQYzPWqzN8eTnxluI84Gzzg80lZWJqLP-vz5-XHZIfe1nXvARbzpj_/s320/Love-Story_Ryan-O'Neal_10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not actually a fan of Love Story, but I came across a remix of the song "Where Do I Begin" on the show The L Word. I loved this mix so much that I wanted to share it with everyone!<br /><br /><div style="width: 300px;"><object width="300" height="110"><param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/m/hs81lqZy2L/aus=false/"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://media.imeem.com/m/hs81lqZy2L/aus=false/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="300" height="110"></embed></object><div style="padding: 1px; background-color: rgb(230, 230, 230);"><div style="padding: 4px 4px 0pt 0pt; float: left;"></div></div></div></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-4864719903806331492009-03-31T09:55:00.005-06:002009-04-02T14:33:14.150-06:00Citrus Salad and No-Knead Bread Recipes<div align="left">I've had a few requests to post some recipes. I'm always happy to provide these, considering I get most of mine from other people who in turn, got it from someone else. I suggest (and I've learned from experience) that you read the recipes all the way through before you start cooking. For example, if you're going to make the Citrus Salad and Vinaigrette, you can get the zest and the juice you need for the vinaigrette from the oranges you'll be using in the salad. Reading all the way through will help you save time, ingredients and sometimes money. It will also stop you from making a mistake that might ruin the whole dish (trust me, I've done that before). If you have any questions on these recipes, let me know!<br /><br />I'm also considering having a dinner party that will also double as a cooking class. If people are interested in this, I'll give it some serious thought. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><u>RECIPES</u><br /></div><p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319382998106564146" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_FLc7gMW90U-n2Ol8beD7uAebHoB4M6IzVcDcH0ZmY0Dv6UCo_s9xcZQdsbJ3LDjPkbfs-LeMB6zoH7cxji0FzgnidiNFfj8bYv7gEL0E2weKllvPyWu6T9TEbb2liGAst0FSoVwe7pN/s320/PICT1634+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br />Citrus Vinaigrette (Thanks to Caitlin for providing this recipe)<br />1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)<br />1 teaspoon grated lemon zest<br />1 teaspoon grated orange zest (collect the zest from the 2 oranges used in the salad)<br />2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice<br />1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice (see the note about orange segments in the salad recipe)<br />1 teaspoon honey<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper<br /><br />Combine all the ingredients for the Citrus Vinaigrette in a jar or a tight-sealing plastic container. Shake to blend.<br />Caitlin said she didn't put in all the salt the recipe called for or all the EVOO, she just eye balled it and tasted it. I followed the recipe exactly and I can say that when Caitlin made it, it tasted WAY better, so next time I'll follow her suggestions.<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319383639879861074" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxBZHFb8VMQ9Qpdgcj5aLvfcfU1b9sBMN6PaMYpnB7vQrNrUZp04_r1trhe0aq-G8ZmnKK400A2UyxsYWVl1Xyb0G-vSiHv4uvLOZoc-EfTBR-14_TM2AmQC717WDGmH5-8Fb1wJj9z8S/s320/PICT1663+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br />Spinach Salad<br />1 (10-ounce) bag of spinach (about 6 cups)<br />2 oranges, cut into segments <strong>*<br /></strong>1/2 cup sliced almonds toasted<br />1/2 red onion, thinly sliced.<br />Salt and freshly ground black pepper<br /><br />Combine the spinach, orange segments, almonds, red onion, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Toss with the Citrus Vinaigrette and serve.<br /><strong>* </strong>If you would like to see how to segment an orange, <a href="http://beyondsalmon.blogspot.com/2006/02/how-to-section-orange.html">click here</a>. Also, if you segment the oranges over a bowl and then squeeze the pulp over the bowl after all the segments are removed, you'll have the tablespoon of orange juice that the vinaigrette calls for.<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319383008282701170" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm6ibl4DXZA71CYiGswk5-LRCp4qNE3cM6XVlAsGu2esT1NetmuZtWu7k1mqCaYRIvWJlBEqTknbDqA0vTOEfwav5Ih4HhxEJfU9l64RHHv0t2ebDy4AavtruejseMLnp2m7jNNREIO2U/s320/PICT1601.JPG" border="0" />No-Knead Bread<br />Adapted from <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/dining/081mrex.html">Jim Lahey at the Sullivan Street Bakery via Mark Bittman at New York Times</a> and <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/11/one-for-the-sling-files/">SmittenKitchen.com</a></p><p>Yields one 1 1/2 pound loaf<br />3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting<br />1/3 teaspoon active dry yeast<br />1 1/4 teaspoons salt<br />Cornmeal or wheat bran as needed (I didn't use any so you don't need to unless you want to)<br /><br />1. In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1 5/8 cups water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.<br />2. Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.<br />3. Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.<br />4. At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450°. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is O.K. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover with lid and bake 30-35 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Don't skimp on these cooking times because they're very acturate and shortening of these times will result in an undercooked bread. Cool on a rack. Store wrapped in towel or in a ziplock bag , depending on how hard or soft you like your bread.<br /></p><p>Update on Bread 4/1/2009 - This bread (as I'm sure is the case with most homemade breads) doesn't keep well after a couple of days. Today I made a sandwich and the bread had strange dry/moist texture and had an unpleasant taste. I recommend using the bread up within two days of making it.</p>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-90580405263210597762009-03-29T18:47:00.000-06:002009-03-31T11:07:50.040-06:00Sunday's Cooking<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQHhIyIVVWWtZOLuZdo49y313GcvInkdZ71oQuncghU2n7_c5iR60cawjaXk_fGfAy9VUdhWgdCJ9P5ZHBK4BBo3SCJYxwzDHtaVvIgK3ZYsrPsraOPpLeRCkFJPj0xRVnjCbaTRlK-Oq/s1600-h/PICT1658.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318839685552640066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQHhIyIVVWWtZOLuZdo49y313GcvInkdZ71oQuncghU2n7_c5iR60cawjaXk_fGfAy9VUdhWgdCJ9P5ZHBK4BBo3SCJYxwzDHtaVvIgK3ZYsrPsraOPpLeRCkFJPj0xRVnjCbaTRlK-Oq/s320/PICT1658.JPG" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318780564350822562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIo7Na-j-MYkSV3xcEd6IfAIs8eY8i8dxCzA7mNPbrH71Nfr14wCP3jLP_8PICtSRdULvOCFrUCt33PZivX5pkmg5d24-hDphZ5Vy2LO117ixBMnTt5WZTSBgdOCObCEyBVbqyzGKD-LL/s320/PICT1641.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyM26JUfiPrWSsmiydLiMLGvyhFd1TKZtUSy-FFoq8rsYTiekwdvcnkA1IHTOOv8QWzRNb57d1mwAD7s-ZCtFuFozv3xYzSqf1bUfewTkM5Mn30GmfOZclr1nyO101JcAnmfFhMUmhMsg/s1600-h/PICT1646+copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318839680803573682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyM26JUfiPrWSsmiydLiMLGvyhFd1TKZtUSy-FFoq8rsYTiekwdvcnkA1IHTOOv8QWzRNb57d1mwAD7s-ZCtFuFozv3xYzSqf1bUfewTkM5Mn30GmfOZclr1nyO101JcAnmfFhMUmhMsg/s320/PICT1646+copy.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bqWszQbnKNUyI_-QghBsPIz04JbkvRDkV1VNvWYOkMS51C5CnO-wvVyAuMhX_qNwveYojMHIpD10ulu40_vsmS9kBAlq9rZW-mKgXCCUGc-BGhINEUvJjOBivr6OFxG5slalDNlRblUn/s1600-h/PICT1663+copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318839680067799954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bqWszQbnKNUyI_-QghBsPIz04JbkvRDkV1VNvWYOkMS51C5CnO-wvVyAuMhX_qNwveYojMHIpD10ulu40_vsmS9kBAlq9rZW-mKgXCCUGc-BGhINEUvJjOBivr6OFxG5slalDNlRblUn/s320/PICT1663+copy.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpyeYu7Vm-yFycqccj2azeU6aETlZeG-I1tvGwOpL68XZ1a9vFcQ1lhYJet4hiH2Xw8Mx_0oa62T6nrMeYiZfqrRcGdIIGVMAIgXSocamgJxPJAqgudAML_Qxw1LZwSkmaAmpks51mDdD/s1600-h/PICT1634+copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318780562975676162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpyeYu7Vm-yFycqccj2azeU6aETlZeG-I1tvGwOpL68XZ1a9vFcQ1lhYJet4hiH2Xw8Mx_0oa62T6nrMeYiZfqrRcGdIIGVMAIgXSocamgJxPJAqgudAML_Qxw1LZwSkmaAmpks51mDdD/s320/PICT1634+copy.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJdntGbeLGwIzvp0XhJLWlmnf40ujYK0TlyH1unSc4RwZOZAZIsF73GNoX5vtuvNb83XWR-R2YLflQzLv9eH74iCxEiLO2P70Z-oIhQuX5B3kkBXRG0mkeMq0udzkYD9Fhof_DflneCAA/s1600-h/PICT1625+copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318780557851297186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJdntGbeLGwIzvp0XhJLWlmnf40ujYK0TlyH1unSc4RwZOZAZIsF73GNoX5vtuvNb83XWR-R2YLflQzLv9eH74iCxEiLO2P70Z-oIhQuX5B3kkBXRG0mkeMq0udzkYD9Fhof_DflneCAA/s320/PICT1625+copy.jpg" /></a> </div></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-32851263868294383012009-03-28T18:13:00.000-06:002009-04-01T17:29:35.246-06:00No-Knead Bread and Chocolate MousseHave you ever tried your hand at something and it didn't quite turn out, despite your best efforts?<br /><br />THAT'S NOT MY PROBLEM TODAY! I am SO excited because my second ever bread making try came out AMAZING! I also made so very decedent chocolate mousse that goes straight to the hips.<p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318399312930445346" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZISSSF6rSAM-M53nnZ59n_4VA-mXg93Xs6urZTyrXyObvBMJmzLz7i3J8374p0U25iQblfmnNNkcE7EVD8IxBuYsDMJvz6Fr4SY9SN9hnVB1Y2grJSuy4WzgjXzyg_fdydUQwyIda33yc/s320/PICT1571.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">My mom and sister make the best chocolate mousse. It's got a light texture and a heavy taste. A few spoonfuls are all you need to be satisfied. It's what a chocolate mousse should be. I found <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/bittersweet-chocolate-mousse">this recipe</a> that seemed to be similar to my families and it gave my an excuse to use my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">IKEA</span> scale for the first time. <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318399319977160194" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4ZE71RmNabjaahO3lhahhEFDjbVL4adofvkU7qmq4GPZYJbPycK0ok5Uu5HQN5u2qS_vedYsWB9fT5VMaG6mbswMpJtRzxPPtrBCNJSzPhkzFZB4jb77g6FnnQy6eML6_IzqazaGUsMf/s320/PICT1584.JPG" border="0" />The texture that this recipe produced wasn't ideal because it was a little too thick, but when I make this again I'll incorporate more whipped cream and I'll make the whipped cream a touch stiffer. I also learned there is a right way (slowly) and a wrong way (rushing) to put the mousse into cups. Can you guess which is the wrong way?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x4PZXD5EfvOYK55qLKqZivvac4HGz5suUGLbxDGWdy75C26X6_pOsOh0_PV1jVzAOfJRQx81K_-kJS5w7HJI6PVfnvnJ4SQY1F357-3vvJ7xDfM-dqYWGPQYwnTmQFvsafkOBlpBoCKY/s1600-h/PICT1600.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318399318367014258" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x4PZXD5EfvOYK55qLKqZivvac4HGz5suUGLbxDGWdy75C26X6_pOsOh0_PV1jVzAOfJRQx81K_-kJS5w7HJI6PVfnvnJ4SQY1F357-3vvJ7xDfM-dqYWGPQYwnTmQFvsafkOBlpBoCKY/s320/PICT1600.JPG" border="0" /></a> Now on to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">pièce</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">résistance</span>!</p><p align="justify">I've already sang the praises of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.smittenkitchen.com">Smitten Kitchen</a>, but I have to mention this site again because it's where I ran into this <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/11/one-for-the-sling-files/">bread recipe</a>. Making this bread couldn't be any easier, and I loved that I could make the dough and forget about it for 18 hours! Plus, there didn't seem a way I could mess this loaf up.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318397750025048290" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98SbDf7Btd2AbPsYavhNj8BoNR_u3F8y9ro7e0SevNDdQ9ftpm20foIU37B_LgTq9_rA8W8g-yqEF8lwqS7KZvoJ48RgFuFh-88BfHbB3ygHxhJ20K09OgMg8CujJs-jE0WkWp44EsPLO/s320/PICT1554.JPG" border="0" /> I actually did mess it up a teeny tiny bit because it was ever so slightly doughy, but the perfect crust made up for any error on my part. I think the doughiness came from me not going the full 30 minutes on the first half of the baking and then I only did the second half of cooking for 15 minutes. Honestly, I almost cried while cutting into the warm loaf. Last time I tried bread it came out as a tasteless brick. This is the complete opposite and I feel like I can impress almost anymore with this bread! On a side note, I followed her note on using active yeast if you don't have instant. You just use 1/3 of the active in place of the instant. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_PitvBWg8pB29yejFLY-1U0ENB66B1t-vtI_sF0ktkjGZmkqIXhOWbETDlQ_7hjnkShZMTzjfet5KBlrAHBu0kmTSi1T57eUQMZ9zzBTlodQo44uJq-SvXx9JxphNVgZlvBC-PDRpeWW/s1600-h/PICT1608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318397757142920034" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_PitvBWg8pB29yejFLY-1U0ENB66B1t-vtI_sF0ktkjGZmkqIXhOWbETDlQ_7hjnkShZMTzjfet5KBlrAHBu0kmTSi1T57eUQMZ9zzBTlodQo44uJq-SvXx9JxphNVgZlvBC-PDRpeWW/s320/PICT1608.JPG" border="0" /></a>I feel like I've cooked so much this weekend! And there is still more to come. I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">unthawing</span> some steaks for steak <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sandwiches</span> (on this delicious bread of course!), fruit <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hand pies</span>, citrus and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">arugula</span> salad, and anything else I have the energy for. Now I just need to find a guy to help me eat this all!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjte3GQ07a-jXW53WTwBDEsHfBz1PLEtWVcl2usB8nWASHXBJ-jZi4m7tRTn1jE-bQRsrSZW_Riy8IApcYEp-NZo3lnzW0vInWjkZUMXXBczbDo9HM7KpqHtX_9SJuFMBwh2BhspagKWfSd/s1600-h/PICT1610.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318397757245561682" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjte3GQ07a-jXW53WTwBDEsHfBz1PLEtWVcl2usB8nWASHXBJ-jZi4m7tRTn1jE-bQRsrSZW_Riy8IApcYEp-NZo3lnzW0vInWjkZUMXXBczbDo9HM7KpqHtX_9SJuFMBwh2BhspagKWfSd/s320/PICT1610.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Update on Bread 4/1/2009 - This bread (as I'm sure is the case with most homemade breads) doesn't keep well after a couple of days. Today I made a sandwich and the bread had strange dry/moist texture and had an unpleasant taste. I recommend using the bread up within two days of making it.<br /></p>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-53863970749293153282009-03-27T21:44:00.000-06:002009-03-31T11:07:18.067-06:00Chicken and Dill Dumplings<div align="center">Necessity is the mother of invention<br /><div align="center">~Plato<br /><br /></div><p align="justify"></p><div align="justify">In this case, necessity was the mother of me <em>reinvention</em>. The last couple of months I've been cutting back on expenses and food was an area that saw some cutbacks. This led to some creative meals with my almost non-existent food storage. But I was getting sick of tomato bean stews and wimpy pasta dishes. I needed something more satisfying, and not just for my stomach, but also my soul!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318090674952602898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykqRvZIbudgXVPd7ehtDt2dYG3IkyoKT7_3f4tEq3-D6At2S13gT55bsYWPw9RquLUDJN4Iyf8EBfFF_3mK5J3Hgd_cJRJI2bPHhsDwrznXZLksrgsljHbX9zPxQuxRaIsergkueAhgTk/s320/PICT1498.JPG" /> <div align="justify">That's when I fully became addicted to food porn. I'd dabbled in it before, when I'd been down for two weeks after a surgery, but once I got busy with school and work, the addiction seemed to vanish.<br /><br />Hindsight is 20/20 and now I know that it didn't vanish. It was only lying dormant, waiting for the perfect time to get me back into it's delicious clutches. The sleeping beast was woken, mainly due to the photos provided by Deb of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.smittenkitchen.com"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">SmittenKitchen</span>.com</a>. Yes, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nigella</span>, Martha and Bobby had all kept a my food passion at a low simmer e<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ver</span> since the surgery, but nothing got the fire stoked like Deb's pictures of <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/02/knotted-and-stacked-disappearing-acts/">soft pretzels</a>. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318090697284834834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhwpxHwRHf-GzZnRr1QbprX9oQ8X4Q5B7be46gE-gC9HOAYpygTJX29G7-VmHU3sX3Lu-304VkgqQ500IJd2p6AE0KsFQAGOaJ0QHlamnAmDmoSFWWa9VkZcP_XU1fsnX07OmGa51hSf_/s320/PICT1527.JPG" /> <div align="justify">To truly understand the impact these pretzels had one me you have to understand two things:1. I am NOT a pretzel person and 2. Pretzels from scratch call for yeast. Ever since my first and last experience with a yeast bread, I do NOT do yeast.<br /><br />Long story short, it's been less than 2 weeks and in that amount of time I've gone from Hot Pocket girl to domestic goddess! I'm not just baking, I'm making dishes and meals that are mouthwatering and wholesome and seriously soul feeding. I'm experimenting with ingredients that I previously didn't like and trying out new ingredients and new recipes. <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc3Is188jZskfsvwzfRPyn9Xlrr4KmY7GVd5OPZEciwf6mhK7d-MzY0vny8uyIBvu9urdTSZWJ2YayFesce8HwWYNn2FuEvUFoSk9OYJrv52tS3N9RSvT8OtfiKZKnAYiGpei8yhmWW8H/s1600-h/PICT1502.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318105116472311426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc3Is188jZskfsvwzfRPyn9Xlrr4KmY7GVd5OPZEciwf6mhK7d-MzY0vny8uyIBvu9urdTSZWJ2YayFesce8HwWYNn2FuEvUFoSk9OYJrv52tS3N9RSvT8OtfiKZKnAYiGpei8yhmWW8H/s320/PICT1502.JPG" /></a>I wasn't planning on my post to be about how I've gone from a dabbling foodie to someone who is rapidly descending into food obsession (and for those of you who know me and thought I was already addicted, all I can say is that isn't only going to get worse). I was only planning on posting some pics and comments about the Chicken and Dill Dumplings I made this evening.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-oEc4PN0CaJ7QrnoBl7uY4rwDHO2fQrnGAhTJAqAvNzgjrVGQpOSRvToMgN7_SXZx3XVmapUoyJll7BejhUClJIC712hsAePSLHJzHZkPO7A4DG6bVoI3oTaQZn4peVvSa2QZVrrGbQZ/s1600-h/PICT1546.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318105097217392930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-oEc4PN0CaJ7QrnoBl7uY4rwDHO2fQrnGAhTJAqAvNzgjrVGQpOSRvToMgN7_SXZx3XVmapUoyJll7BejhUClJIC712hsAePSLHJzHZkPO7A4DG6bVoI3oTaQZn4peVvSa2QZVrrGbQZ/s320/PICT1546.JPG" /></a> I use to ask my mom to make chicken and dumplings. I don't remember her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">original</span> version because I'd always ask her to make me the kind like you'd buy at the store. I'm not really sure what kind you buy at the store, but I know how I love my chicken and dumplings. The sauce has to be creamy, the chicken has to be really tender, the dumplings have to be extra flavorful and there must be an abundance of peas.<br /><p>Martha Stewart's show, Everyday Food, had an episode featuring one pot meals. This recipe jumped out at me because of it's simplicity and it's simple, yet oh-so-perfect-together flavors. And if I'm being 100% honest, it is that time of the year when I have my chicken and dumpling cravings.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI8CjCCkq5Lza5BAb5seEGltCPsss30U0DkNeZrFMN8Q79n43bJ3AbwcNK4qr0jxewKgiynetEGc9XCiBhwr8h1l3IYIJHFPGRPJiK7TVvGpNnSQ-7H7BU2zKCRWSiOXndRZLWTTDu01f/s1600-h/PICT1560.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318105085461185202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI8CjCCkq5Lza5BAb5seEGltCPsss30U0DkNeZrFMN8Q79n43bJ3AbwcNK4qr0jxewKgiynetEGc9XCiBhwr8h1l3IYIJHFPGRPJiK7TVvGpNnSQ-7H7BU2zKCRWSiOXndRZLWTTDu01f/s320/PICT1560.JPG" /></a> I didn't read the directions thoroughly, so when I was making the rue I put in the whole cup of flour, instead of keeping 3/4 out for the dumplings. I was really tired and I was a little discouraged by the thought of having to start all over, but my craving kept me going and in the end it was worth all the extra time. For being as tired as I was/am, I did a lot of cooking in the last 24 hours. I made crepes, chicken and dumplings, <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/bittersweet-chocolate-mousse">chocolate mousse</a> and started a bread dough.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRofp5AGXWNgXgmuOGq4gyky4Hs2oQvwXTPGeaaLlOi5_ni-deEN7UromVXZOhahbKchzmgwe-XzrvWWNu_gCsINPYOTz7onSl5vCxfFs2-cRDiRJc6mo5A0ICh-1orfzwbVuNx8qzzabp/s1600-h/PICT1522.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318105113195863426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRofp5AGXWNgXgmuOGq4gyky4Hs2oQvwXTPGeaaLlOi5_ni-deEN7UromVXZOhahbKchzmgwe-XzrvWWNu_gCsINPYOTz7onSl5vCxfFs2-cRDiRJc6mo5A0ICh-1orfzwbVuNx8qzzabp/s320/PICT1522.JPG" /></a> I'd also like to mention that I think my photography is getting better. The lighting in my kitchen is still a problem but I'm working on it. I'll try posting pics of some of the other things that are coming out of my kitchen this weekend. :)<br /></p></div></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-83486338276094553772009-03-23T23:31:00.000-06:002009-03-24T00:07:42.307-06:00Paved with good intentions...<div align="center">I had good intentions, I promise!</div><br /><div align="center">While making pretzels I ran out of flour, so I made a mental note to stop by the grocery store right after work, but only for flour. Then I found a Martha Stewart chocolate mousse recipe. Ok, just some cream and the flour. But my shopping list grew even more when I saw an episode of The Cooking Loft where they made a really yummy mac and cheese. Long story short, I bought a LOT more than flour. I got some great lettuce, a few cheeses, a few herbs, eggs, steaks and 2 different yeasts. </div><div align="center"><br />But I have plans for all this food. :)Here are a few things I'll be making in the next week:</div><div align="center"><br />Steak and onion sandwiches</div><div align="center">Fish with an arugala and herb salad</div><div align="center">Chicken with dill dumplings</div><div align="center">Chocolate Mousse</div><div align="center">Hummus and homemade pitas</div><div align="center">Homemade bread</div><div align="center">Peanut butter cookies <p></p></div><p align="center">Tonight I settled for a simple dinner of artichokes. <br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316623114962034930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNKuGmQ7y2-KztlVC-9CycS2VjBQBoz7l6TFE_DFap_8RN0q5MQNPOkfKfLKRUiVxlIvD-tuTVIHOLAvf9Azhvd9AvrYGSGdTE6pgcYxf_4_7Phn3CjlH6pR6tqFreHLSG9x1KPTMHUOu/s320/PICT1434+copy.jpg" /> <div align="center"></div><div align="center">Normally I just trim the stem, boil and eat, but while looking online for the cooking time I found some suggestions on </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000262how_to_cook_and_eat_an_artichoke.php">adding additional flavor</a> to the artichokes. It demonstrated trimming the tips, which I had never done before, and now after doing so I can't say it was worth it. It is prettier though.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316623122072913362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC5Bgj8onOoH8u6lOtSTSYd4I17il2sh0FGTtK6pSvpKQU-_73NlWe2A08PVtwH8kid7LYZxSPWRmil9wak3sdmer1d022zNLiLrw4C7dDebNELGJ5mfgy_DvgB21CKEiPVc8owGZ4nd6/s320/PICT1439.JPG" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I added a tablespoon of garlic, a tablespoon of lemon juice and a bay leaf to the boiling water.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316623130355452306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYGb4WaVtQFEDlctxNAV1xyb6dlFln-tJDsOzy_TmBeBunEH27UrpNbxYsogrR-_i22Nj_J4YAJHnsB6sjrboNEqX1bN5p8okH-6yUhXDLhGEobASGxm6lddOP6h4XYkmdqHoI2EXrVo6/s320/PICT1441.JPG" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I made a simple dip of 2/3 part mayo and 1/3 part lemon juice.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRetrzkZHxHqJ3nbHeNPQpqQnRHuVqghZx7dv8CoVXJoPO1j_kRwe3yFQhfZSJ1EUGBq9m3Qk_jN5liNJVXkaeOToQp-g4zjUK6id3kFKJioW-D2z2VfCldvh1bQCPzEk_PrfkTtrDfmp8/s1600-h/PICT1456.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316623131748440418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRetrzkZHxHqJ3nbHeNPQpqQnRHuVqghZx7dv8CoVXJoPO1j_kRwe3yFQhfZSJ1EUGBq9m3Qk_jN5liNJVXkaeOToQp-g4zjUK6id3kFKJioW-D2z2VfCldvh1bQCPzEk_PrfkTtrDfmp8/s320/PICT1456.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">It's simple and delicious and well worth the burned fingers I seem to always get! </div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-16921954211717735062009-03-21T23:59:00.000-06:002009-03-23T14:15:02.233-06:00Cooking From Scratch: Pretzels<div align="center">Tonight I realized that almost 1/4 of the year is already gone! Where does time go? Sadly, I waste a lot of time doing nothing, but this weekend I was a little more productive. I've been cleaning, listening/watching a concert with Ray Davies from the Kinks and doing a little cooking. </div><br />Since I've been trying to spend less money and not make as many shopping trips I've been doing a lot of random cooking, but slowly that random cooking is turning into cooking from scratch. I've also been frequenting the blog <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Smittenkitchen.com">Smitten Kitchen</a>. This lady is one of my cooking idols. She makes cooking look so easy and she has an amazing talent at taking pics of food that look like they came straight out of Gourmet magazine.<br /><br /><div align="center">A couple of her posts were about pretzels. I thought back to the times I've had cravings for soft pretzels with pizza sauce or a sweet dip. Instantly I was having another of those cravings and I knew I should make these pretzels. <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/02/knotted-and-stacked-disappearing-acts/">Here's the recipe</a>!<br /><br /></div><div align="center">The only problem: it involved yeast and I have a fear of yeast. My first attempt at bread making ended with a brick of bread and I blame the yeast, or at least my lack of knowledge on how to handle yeast. This time I figured I'd<br />give this a try and if it failed I'd stop trying to use yeast.<br /></div><div align="center">I also failed to read the recipe fully before I started. Let's just say, I had NO idea that </div><div align="center">pretzels involved steps that seemed like something out of science lab!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Making the pretzel shape wasn't too hard... <div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315898217881724674" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_bgfOvCy_7rnzMSVKA352FRpYCe5LrvrtBVwLamrrL35AKumAiurI84_DXmS8SF4NmvViBtn-YXpzDZzlryrS_Sm49AVZarkxfJRSD1iYfXTKbdqRoAUlq65UCMle99m-EJzgquT9Ysj/s320/PICT1413.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">but when it came to boiling the pretzels in water and baking soda, I was a little suprised...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315893501149266162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDcga-mtFcXbKcThM7goOg8oJUCNZeJNzCLR6Jkp1UGdhE8e9ctWcC4vs1bSoaYeCjuMb2e5ZqHiFPJx6RWlydYzWV7XOz83SyH9EBCnI2gOxegVMHEMebqugK1q7VH4OaIaqcDh67vTV/s320/PICT1414.JPG" border="0" /></div><p align="center">but I guess it was all worth it in the end. </p><p align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315897279104793458" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xFo-nHK2-t0mMYP9vcVoV5hAFvC8ibtWcVirLQPDssr2V0G_EB6CUQ0tUmHktkuULQ8F4jE9Qm49n91Eg2Nz-W3vCkAjSwsZcPB8sQGQS-NxwxdGUbmLjsRgYqFNJJtwbErj3r8RcbJ3/s320/pret.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">I put too much flour in the dough and that made it difficult to roll the dough into long strands. The boiling also cause a few problems because some of them didn't hold the pretzel shape, but I reshaped them when I pulled them out of the water. I shaped some of the dough into little balls and insead of salt, I put decorating sugar. Those ones turned out the best...not too much pretzel and the sugar made them even better. </p><p align="center">Overall, this took me about 2 hours but it was worth it and I didn't even noticed it took that long because each step took only a few minutes, then I'd go do something else while I waited for the next step. I'll be making these again, and next time making some great sauces to go with them, maybe for a party!<br /></p></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-7795247876764598302009-03-17T22:48:00.000-06:002009-03-18T11:36:55.722-06:00Shopping Savings!<div align="center">I just got home from my first shopping trip where I used coupons I've been clipping. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314388721869206018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNmBf4qG_aKnKfd5IgGg6qa5ITyDDlFQ13weMyaKM1YbgyIaq5kL4Ai7cW3daqcf_DeTjUmhJj-1ZpqnEtikDILYJfm7L8aat1t3_prjbRvDv2aTy4Vf3ZzLCFe4ld94n5HisRCOZLB_b/s320/PICT1404.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">Retail Value: $60.09</p><p align="center">Paid: $36.36</p><p align="center">Total Savings: $23.73</p><p align="center">The best deal was probably the free gum (I had a coupon for a free gum and then I used an Albertson's matching coupong so I got both packs for free).</p><p align="center">I was a little annoyed because I had 2 coupons that didn't get scanned, or at least that's what I'm guessing happened, because the savings didn't show up on the coupong. :( </p><p align="center">But overall it was a good experience and I can't wait to keep learning more and saving more!</p>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-8337360170538930272009-03-12T22:22:00.000-06:002009-03-12T22:38:07.276-06:00German Pancakes<div align="center">I made my first German Pancake! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">1/2 stick of butter</div><div align="left">4 eggs</div><div align="left">1 cup milk</div><div align="left">1 cup flour</div><div align="left">1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)</div><div align="left">1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While it's heating put the butter in a pirex dish and then place the dish in the oven to melt the butter. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Beat the eggs well with a whisk then ad the remaining ingredients until mixed thoroughly. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">When butter is melted, take dish out of the oven, pour in the batter and replace the dish in the oven. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I baked mine for 21 mintues but anywhere from 20-25 should be fine. Serve with syrup or fruit or anything you want really.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQDNt0VxKNeJxwXtLhMlaVuDGEfYpoX3R-aupianpNH1tdM6gzSq1LX56ruzFKk2um7mChfB7NOyJ4ni2p48c8XwgxsDC7-uYS1AoJIbD578VcCLGn1rYb1CHRHmThTU71DIaoR_pTMyo/s1600-h/PICT1397.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312523566131175186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQDNt0VxKNeJxwXtLhMlaVuDGEfYpoX3R-aupianpNH1tdM6gzSq1LX56ruzFKk2um7mChfB7NOyJ4ni2p48c8XwgxsDC7-uYS1AoJIbD578VcCLGn1rYb1CHRHmThTU71DIaoR_pTMyo/s320/PICT1397.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center">This is mine. It didn't get as pouffy as some of them get but it tasted well. The pic looks weird because I had cut it in half before I remembered to take a picture. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">It tastes a lot like a thicker crepe. Don't let the crazy shape scare you!</div></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131845159186827942.post-46310379702972403912009-03-11T22:57:00.000-06:002009-03-11T23:36:58.238-06:00Lastest cooking endeavors<a href="http://theweightinggame.ivillage.com/dietfitness/woman-cooking.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 341px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://theweightinggame.ivillage.com/dietfitness/woman-cooking.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center">Lately I've been trying to cut back on the money I spend on groceries which means I've been trying to only buy basics and then make creative meals with what I have. Sometimes this turns out OK but usually it turns out kind of nasty because I've just been throwing things together, not really following a recipe. <div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><div align="center">But this last week hasn't been too bad. I made a chicken and vegetable soup that was pretty tasty and then I made an Asian lettuce wrap filling but I mixed it with pasta instead of putting it on lettuce. It turned out really well. <div align="center"><div align="center">My next plan is for a chicken, tomato and pasta soup. Last time I made a tomato soup it was AMAZING so I'm hoping this one will be the same. <div align="center">I also found 3 additional recipes that I'm going to try in the next week.<br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">German Pancakes<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blisstree.com/articles/german-pancakes-97/">http://www.blisstree.com/articles/german-pancakes-97/</a><br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">Slow Cooker Cassoulet<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://phemomenon.blogspot.com/2009/03/slow-cooker-cassoulet-nablopomo-day-6.html">http://phemomenon.blogspot.com/2009/03/slow-cooker-cassoulet-nablopomo-day-6.html</a><br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">Reuben Sandwich<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=204&sid=5803349">http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=204&sid=5803349</a><br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">For this last recipe, I don't plan on making it a Reuben because I hate sauerkraut, but the basic concept for this baked sandwich can be used with lots of different fillings such as pesto and chicken and mozzarella.<br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">Now I can't finish this post without mentioning my new favorite pasta.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.barillaus.com/Home/Pages/PLUS_information.aspx">http://www.barillaus.com/Home/Pages/PLUS_information.aspx</a><br /><div align="center">This pasta is healthier than regular pasta and has a much better taste and texture than whole wheat pasta. It has a slightly thicker texture than regular pasta but not the gritty texture of whole wheat. It has a lot of protien and fiber in just a single serving and it's very filling. It's worth the slightly higher cost because of the multiple benefits.<br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">I'll try to post pictures if I cook anything really good. :) </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07841866074008965851noreply@blogger.com0