Great way to start off blogging. Go stealth for a week.
The only excuse I can offer is that I am a Catholic youth minister. The start of Lent is normally busy and this year has proven no different. There are several special events happening each week that lead to long hours at work.
However, as most likely know by now, the Pope surprised the world with his retirement announcement last Monday. This of course has led to a bit more work than anticipated as the teens will have their mock conclave and many questions from adults and teens alike have needed answering.
I hope tomorrow will give me a chance to get back on track with things. Including a posting of a recipe!
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
An Old-Fashioned Girl
Besides for being the title of one of my favorite books by Louisa May Alcott, I love my old-fashioned steel cut oats.
According to this article, we've been making our oatmeal the wrong way.
So I gave it a try. I figured I love steel cut oatmeal as prepared according to the normal package directions.
After making a batch and tossing it into a Mason jar (a minor obsession of mine) with a bit of almond milk and maple syrup, I headed to work. It was a Sunday and those days are my craziest. I ended up basically drinking the gruel and it was a wonderful, warm comfort to have as I ran through my day.
I just made another double batch. This time I added some spices - cardamon, itsy bit of ground cloves, dash of ginger. I put some maple syrup and brown sugar in too. I was running low on the syrup.
Try the method outlined in the article. Curl up on one of these cold winter days with a good, old-fashioned book, and enjoy a bit of comfort.
So I gave it a try. I figured I love steel cut oatmeal as prepared according to the normal package directions.
After making a batch and tossing it into a Mason jar (a minor obsession of mine) with a bit of almond milk and maple syrup, I headed to work. It was a Sunday and those days are my craziest. I ended up basically drinking the gruel and it was a wonderful, warm comfort to have as I ran through my day.
I just made another double batch. This time I added some spices - cardamon, itsy bit of ground cloves, dash of ginger. I put some maple syrup and brown sugar in too. I was running low on the syrup.
Try the method outlined in the article. Curl up on one of these cold winter days with a good, old-fashioned book, and enjoy a bit of comfort.
P.S. Looking for some good old-fashioned books? Here are a few suggestions:
- An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott
- Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- The Ramsay Scallop by Frances Temple
- Masha by Mara Kay (If you ever find a copy of this at a bookstore, I envy you. But many libraries carry it!)
If you have any other ideas, let me know!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Confession of a Carb Lover
I have a problem.
I love carbs.
Normally I maintain control of myself. However, I blame Gordon Ramsey for my current lack of any control. One day I caught an episode of his show that is a cooking course, Gordon Ramsey's Ultimate Cookery Course. Danger, Will Robinson!
It was the episode, Baking. Not something I am a complete novice at, thank you very much. However, one recipe caught my eye. It was beautifully simple and required no exotic ingredients.
The recipe is simply entitled: Flatbread with Lemon Thyme Ricotta. Since I am a stickler about copyright and honoring the hard, creative work of others, if you want the recipe follow the link. I will not be posting it.
[Side note: I will always try to point in the direction of the original source. Should I be mistaken and you know otherwise, provide the information and I will be happy to correct anything. Any errors are made in good faith and I am not young enough to think I know everything!]
I fudge on the ricotta. I use dried thyme (it is February in the Midwest and I'm a girl on a budget). I don't go for the lemon as I'm not a huge fan of lemon anything (except lemonade). I also sometimes add garlic to the ricotta because I don't think I could ever have too much garlic.
May I have helped you with your carb addiction. Go ahead, give it a whirl. You won't regret it!
I love carbs.
Normally I maintain control of myself. However, I blame Gordon Ramsey for my current lack of any control. One day I caught an episode of his show that is a cooking course, Gordon Ramsey's Ultimate Cookery Course. Danger, Will Robinson!
It was the episode, Baking. Not something I am a complete novice at, thank you very much. However, one recipe caught my eye. It was beautifully simple and required no exotic ingredients.
The recipe is simply entitled: Flatbread with Lemon Thyme Ricotta. Since I am a stickler about copyright and honoring the hard, creative work of others, if you want the recipe follow the link. I will not be posting it.
[Side note: I will always try to point in the direction of the original source. Should I be mistaken and you know otherwise, provide the information and I will be happy to correct anything. Any errors are made in good faith and I am not young enough to think I know everything!]
I fudge on the ricotta. I use dried thyme (it is February in the Midwest and I'm a girl on a budget). I don't go for the lemon as I'm not a huge fan of lemon anything (except lemonade). I also sometimes add garlic to the ricotta because I don't think I could ever have too much garlic.
May I have helped you with your carb addiction. Go ahead, give it a whirl. You won't regret it!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Wisdom from Fashion
I'm watching an episode of What Not To Wear (season 10, episode 6). The woman on the receiving end of the make over is plus sized. I am so amazed by the episode. Watching the fashionistas, Stacy and Clinton, work with her regarding her self-image even more so than her wardrobe. I do not know if it is really what they think, but their words of encouragement and genuine behavior (at least on film) is so great to see.
Right now I'm at a point weight-wise that isn't fabulous. As Stacy said to Heather, the young woman receiving the make over, she is young and where she is today is not where she will be tomorrow.
One of the most amazing parts of life is the ability to change. Whether it is simply changing one's shirt after a morning coffee "oops," or creating a new lifestyle for oneself, change is always possible.
So, I'm going to tuck myself into bed, read a bit (Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco), and start fresh tomorrow.
Are you up for the challenge?
Right now I'm at a point weight-wise that isn't fabulous. As Stacy said to Heather, the young woman receiving the make over, she is young and where she is today is not where she will be tomorrow.
One of the most amazing parts of life is the ability to change. Whether it is simply changing one's shirt after a morning coffee "oops," or creating a new lifestyle for oneself, change is always possible.
So, I'm going to tuck myself into bed, read a bit (Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco), and start fresh tomorrow.
Are you up for the challenge?
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