tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61314342360051470092024-03-14T00:47:34.319-04:00Shorty on the RunA short girl who loves to move, eat and cook delicious and healthy foods.Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-34987111350139518472012-10-09T22:57:00.001-04:002012-10-09T23:07:42.452-04:00Jersey Shore Half Marathon UpdateSo, I completed my first Half Marathon last week! I am so happy I <strike>didn't stop to walk even though my legs/feet were killing me and I had to pee</strike> finished the race. My time was 1 hour 56 minutes and 20 seconds. Also happy that I finished at a time that was way faster that what I expected and was pacing for originally (2hrs 20 minutes, or about 10 minutes per mile). I actually kept it around 9 minutes per mile. I know that's not like an all-star pace, but I thought it was pretty awesome considering that I've never been on my feet for that many consecutive miles in my life.<br />
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This was Ralph's 2nd Half Marathon. He finished 6 minutes faster than his last time. Good job honey! He also broke a 2 hour Half Marathon.<br />
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I remember reading about other people's Half Marathon experiences, and all I can say is that, while the descriptions were SOOOOO helpful as far as preparing me mentally, nothing could compare to going out there and experiencing this race for myself (oh, except for this <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2010/06/02/1000-words-how-i-explain-running-to-my-husband/">awesome post</a> by Angela of Oh She Glows. Now I relate a bit better, too.) I really want to do more long distance races like this in the future. Currently, I don't have any plans for another Half, but I do have my eye on a Halloween themed race in 3 weeks, hosted in Manayunk and, aptly named, Hallowyunk. How cute :).<br />
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Better get off my butt and start running again (now that my knees no longer feel like someone took a hammer to them).<br />
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Oh another thing: Ralph and I are volunteering at the Philadelphia Marathon this year. Obviously, running in that race would have been really cool (and hopefully we can do it this year) but by the time we wanted to sign up, the price was quite expensive (I gather they all are, at least if you don't jump on it as soon as they open registration). Though I'd love to be in the race, I look forward to being part of the volunteer crew- you get to share the energy of the crowd with the runners, cheer them on, just have a good time hanging out around this beautiful and historic town. I can't wait!<br />
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-EmmaEmmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-7123766992760049872012-08-30T22:04:00.001-04:002012-08-30T22:04:37.750-04:00Summer Breeze<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday was my 24th birthday. Ralph and I celebrated by eating German Oat (bundt) Cake. Naturally it was bigger than my head. Ralph, after kicking me out of the kitchen, spent most of Tuesday night baking (the best cake ever) my birthday cake. </div>
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I should note, he topped it with homemade butter cream instead of the usual caramel/coconut topping. What a guy!</div>
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Yes, that is a set of weights on the table, perfectly positioned next to the tomatoes. </div>
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Today I ran 2 miles, not because I was trying to run off the delicious cake and Indian food from last night, but more-so for my general sanity. I admit, it helped. And I was very happy to be running/jogging, since the weather has been a lot cooler here the past two days. </div>
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Hmm... I think I just might run in the nearby park after getting out of work tomorrow....</div>
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Have a happy Labor day weekend!</div>
Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-89529367059944023942012-08-28T20:17:00.004-04:002012-08-28T20:17:36.248-04:00Jersey Shore Half Marathon<div style="text-align: center;">
Just signed up for this on Sunday: </div>
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<img alt="Jersey Shore Half Marathon Home" height="65" src="http://jerseyshorehalfmarathon.com/images/header.jpg" width="400" /><a href="http://jerseyshorehalfmarathon.com/half.htm">http://jerseyshorehalfmarathon.com/half.htm</a>
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In preparation, Ralph and I ran 5 miles on Saturday, 6 miles on Sunday. I will probably run low mileage during the weekdays.</div>
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This is my first Half Marathon ever. To be honest, I'm looking to establish a base and see how I feel about running more halfs in the future. In the past, I would have preferred to be running more consistently (about 5x a week), for at least 8 weeks ahead. This time, it will probably be about 4 times per week. </div>
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Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-73569888396164032522012-08-09T20:21:00.002-04:002012-08-10T16:38:43.084-04:00Tuesday Farm Day<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Thursday everybody! </div>
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Here's my recap of my adventures on Tuesday.</div>
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I didn't get out and go running on Tuesday, but I did pick up my vegetables at the farm. I literally had to pick up the paste tomatoes:</div>
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These paste tomatoes are great for making tomato sauces due to their lower water content/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paste_tomato">'higher solid content'</a> than other tomatoes. Basically, you can use any kind of tomato you'd like to make sauce, but these tomatoes produce a less watery sauce.</div>
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Also picked up some ground cherries. The ones that have fallen off the plant are ripe for 'picking':</div>
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They are the little yellow things above and left of my fingers. The ground cherries are encased in a husk, much like a tomatillo.</div>
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See?</div>
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Remove the husk to find a cute little yellow or green little fruit. They are similar to cherry tomatoes, but just a little bit sweeter. Here's a recipe showing how to <a href="http://henrygotcrops.blogspot.com/2012/07/ground-cherry-pie.html">use it in a pie</a>, which I will test out if I can save enough to make two little pies.</div>
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So, when I came home from the farm with my loot, I immediately began cutting up my tomatoes and threw them into the slow cooker.</div>
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Yep, that guy is filled to the brim.</div>
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A few hours in on high:</div>
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After cooking overnight:</div>
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I threw in some fresh basil, too. </div>
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I also made some <a href="http://henrygotcrops.blogspot.com/2012/07/salsa-verde.html">salsa verde</a> on Tuesday, with 1/4c tomatillos from the previous week's share:</div>
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Yum!</div>
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The end product after blending in the food processor. I have to say I was a little hesitant about making this because I thought it would be labor intensive; I was mistaken. All I had to do was chop up the veggies and throw them in the pan with a bit of water!</div>
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And it was so worth it. The salsa verde was AWESOME on tonight's burrito!</div>
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Needless to say, I did a bit of cooking on Tuesday night. </div>
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Wednesday events:</div>
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Yesterday, Ralph and I ran 2.85 miles in 25 minutes. This was the perfect distance for us on a weeknight.</div>
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Our next run is scheduled for this Saturday (hopefully in the morning before it gets too hot and humid!)</div>
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On another note/while the Olympics are still in session:</div>
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I heard about this tumblr on Gawker, <a href="http://mckaylaisnotimpressed.tumblr.com/">Mckayla Is Not Impressed</a>. 1. McKayla Maroney's expression is priceless. 2. I like that she is so okay with being the inspiration for an Olympics meme. I'm sure so many other people would take this wayyyy too seriously and get upset. She's rolling with it and displaying so much class. </div>
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That's all for today. Yay, it's almost Friday!!!</div>
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<br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-44596696142123539422012-08-07T20:44:00.002-04:002012-08-07T20:44:40.349-04:00Summer Run<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday, I went for a short run, about 35 minutes, and covered about 3-3.5 miles in the Wissahickon Valley Park (part of the reason I'm having trouble getting the exact distance is because much of my run was on the trails. </div>
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Needless to say it was pretty hot and sticky out yesterday, somewhere around 90 degrees, but I was very motivated and happy because I was wearing these Blur 33 asics :</div>
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Yep, I'm pretty sure I was the brightest thing in the park. </div>
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Today, I did not got for a run, but instead took a day off to visit my CSA and pick up veggies, visit the grocery with Ralph (to pick of the rest of our staples for the week) and cooked with the veggies I picked up at Henry Got Crops. I'm so excited to share what I'm making/made, so stay tuned.</div>
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Before I go, let me leave you a pic of the farm</div>
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Very far away, but I assure you, it was a great day for picking vegetables.</div>
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<br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-13690188396201862282012-08-06T16:52:00.002-04:002012-08-06T16:52:35.535-04:00Weekend Activities<div style="text-align: center;">
On Saturday, Ralph and I rode our bikes down to Reading Terminal Market for lunch. We ate gyros there and then biked around town for a little while. We then rode back home in the late afternoon. All in all, we rode about 2 hours (from home, to the city and back). Guess how far we rode? Nearly 20 miles! (Before mapping that, I figured, oh maybe 14 miles, but 20 in 90ish degree weather?) No wonder I was so tired!</div>
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Sunday morning, I wanted to go for a short run up into the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia for breakfast (Don't you love how I am so motivated by food?). We ran about 1.5 miles, but I think that was pretty successful considering that it was so humid out yesterday morning. </div>
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Sorry for the lack of pictures today. Luckily, I took pictures of my newest project- a t-shirt memory quilt.</div>
You know all those t-shirts you collect over the years from races, team sports, volunteer events, shirts you grew out of/too old for etc. Yeah, I am one of those girls who couldn't bear to part with them... any of them. So, I decided I'll use them to make a quilt. Here we go!<br />
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Ralph measured out a 13"x13" piece of cardboard:</div>
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I wrapped the t-shirts around the cardboard square and outlined the edges/corners.</div>
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Ralph helped cut out the squares of fabric:</div>
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But after a weekend of biking, running, and cutting between 20 and 30 squares of fabric, Ralph was pretty tuckered out.</div>
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I think that's a pile of t-shirt scraps he's sleeping on..... or is he?</div>
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And then to end the weekend on an even better note, we went for a walk/hike in the park. </div>
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Up ahead:</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">More updates on the great Memory T-Shirt Quilt of 2012.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">More on my effort to get back into consistent running since I'm looking to run my first half marathon this fall. Details to follow. </li>
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Happy Monday!</div>
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-Emma</div>
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<br />Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-29964986811588208052011-01-30T22:43:00.000-05:002011-01-30T22:43:12.431-05:00Cinnamon Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Balls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello there! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A couple weeks ago, I used Momma pea's awesome recipe for <a href="http://peasandthankyou.com/2010/11/09/having-a-ball/">dough balls</a>. They turned out awesome and Ralph and I devoured most of them happily. But one day (before we devoured them) I shared some with a friend who told me she was allergic to chocolate! And so began my challenge to make a delicious dough ball sans chocolate:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Cinnamon Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Balls (w/o chocolate)</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Very much inspired by Peas and Thank You's <a href="http://peasandthankyou.com/2010/11/09/having-a-ball/">Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Balls</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 c. Earth Balance</div><div style="text-align: center;">3/4 c. natural peanut butter (I used chunky)<br />
1/2 c. brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">3/4 c. organic powdered sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 t. almond extract</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 t. baking powder</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 t. baking soda</div><div style="text-align: center;">3/4 t. salt</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 T. cinnamon</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 t. ground ginger</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 1/2 c. unbleached flour</div><div style="text-align: center;">a few tablespoons of non-dairy milk</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Directions: Mix the sugars, butter almond extract and peanut butter in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder/soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. At this point, I began to add a little bit of rice milk because the mixture was getting too dry. If this happens to you too, add just enough milk to make it mixable, but no more. Once you finish mixing, let rest for about 30 minutes, then bake for 10 minutes at 350 F. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The tools:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYmc94S8lI/AAAAAAAABDg/OzXODuaYFnQ/s1600/2011-01+257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYmc94S8lI/AAAAAAAABDg/OzXODuaYFnQ/s320/2011-01+257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> First, I mixed the sugars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYmpWEdS2I/AAAAAAAABDs/XBjxEHUKsmc/s1600/2011-01+261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYmpWEdS2I/AAAAAAAABDs/XBjxEHUKsmc/s320/2011-01+261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then threw in the butter and peanut butter:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYmwsWGWjI/AAAAAAAABD4/cs1xhC6Yk1Y/s320/2011-01+264.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
Mixing:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYmzIXBgeI/AAAAAAAABD8/ROPoBBKqOtg/s1600/2011-01+265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYmzIXBgeI/AAAAAAAABD8/ROPoBBKqOtg/s320/2011-01+265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mixed to contentment:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYm2P19k2I/AAAAAAAABEA/VKsoKyL2HXI/s1600/2011-01+266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYm2P19k2I/AAAAAAAABEA/VKsoKyL2HXI/s320/2011-01+266.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once I finished mixing, I began to mix my dry ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYm7tU7W_I/AAAAAAAABEI/1G6maTIuUkw/s1600/2011-01+268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYm7tU7W_I/AAAAAAAABEI/1G6maTIuUkw/s320/2011-01+268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And then added the flour mixture to the sugar/peanut butter mixture:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYm-Oh9kdI/AAAAAAAABEM/7_K_J361Myk/s1600/2011-01+269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYm-Oh9kdI/AAAAAAAABEM/7_K_J361Myk/s320/2011-01+269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't photograph it (well technically Ralph was my photographer, so I didn't photograph any of these actually), but I did add a little bit of rice milk toward the end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh and here's a little blooper: I thought I had to chill it in the fridge (like a pie crust?), and we took this pic, but I didn't actually chill this for the 30 minutes. It's fine resting at room temp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYnAdRUKrI/AAAAAAAABEQ/k3rtSuXH1vo/s1600/2011-01+270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYnAdRUKrI/AAAAAAAABEQ/k3rtSuXH1vo/s320/2011-01+270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the rest period, bake for 10 minutes at 350 F.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYnC3wigKI/AAAAAAAABEU/u_CfmOvsMoc/s1600/2011-01+271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYnC3wigKI/AAAAAAAABEU/u_CfmOvsMoc/s320/2011-01+271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And you will be left with the most scrumptious cinnamon spiced dough balls.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYnFJGfGpI/AAAAAAAABEY/ft_Tp3dnmaA/s1600/2011-01+272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TUYnFJGfGpI/AAAAAAAABEY/ft_Tp3dnmaA/s320/2011-01+272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I though they turned out well. However, I love pretty much anything with cinnamon and sugar, so I guess I'm biased. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you're not into chocolate treats, or you just want to bake something a little different, please give these a try! And if you do, please come back and let me know how your's turned out, or if you made your own variations on this recipe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a nice week!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-34504533364571817792011-01-02T21:19:00.000-05:002011-01-02T21:19:12.443-05:00Happy New Year! Plus Goals for 2011!Happy New Year all! It's time for a fresh start, and while I'm not usually one to make New Years Resolutions (okay, okay, I have in the past, but I can't remember any of them!) or make a list of goals, so I figured why not start now? <br />
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1. Find a job after finishing my Americorps term, which ends in late August. <br />
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2. Prepare for and take the GRE- I've already signed up, so I just need to hunker down for the next month and a half. I take the exam on Feb 21st, 2011. <br />
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3.Lose the few pounds I've gained since graduating college. More importantly, get back into a healthy lifestyle. <br />
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4. Run at least one 5k this year, maybe even a longer distance (Ralph wants to do a 10-miler. If so, I'm in!) <br />
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5. Balance my spending- I earn a living allowance, not a wage, so this is a good opportunity to learn how to budget!<br />
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6. Get back into blogging- I've been away for the last few months, but I definitely want to get back into it as I think it will help to hold me accountable (and it's also great for making memories that I can always come back to in the future)<br />
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7. Do yoga at least 3 times per week- it's awesome for dealing with stress, and it helps me stretch after running. <br />
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8. Research different career areas to decide what direction I want to go/ decide if I definitely need to go back to school. <br />
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9. Keep my living space clean and organized (this will be tough, but I can do it!) <br />
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I was shooting for 10, but 9 goals is definitely a good start for this year.<br />
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<strong>What are your goals for 2011?</strong><br />
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(Fun fact: Every time I tried to type 2011, I ended up typing 2001! Whoops!)Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-71856944412155355022010-11-30T21:49:00.000-05:002010-11-30T21:49:34.000-05:00Welcoming the holiday season (or an ode to delicious eats)Hey all! Sorry for my extended hiatus. My life has just started going back to normal (okay, not really back to normal, but less chaotic) since I started my term of service with Americorps! I think I've finally gotten adjusted enough to come back and show what I love to do: make yummy foods! Here's what I've been up to recently:<br />
<br />
Sunday was my cooking day after the long Thanksgiving weekend.<br />
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I made some soup:<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TPWy8c552AI/AAAAAAAABDM/PMBAjiK1KjE/s320/IMG_2404.JPG" width="320" /></div> This soup was super simple to make. I threw lentils, 4 cups of water and a vegetable bouillon cube into my slow cooker and put it on high for an hour or so. Then I added some chopped carrots, and after another 30 or so minutes it was done. Yes, it's a bit plain and not really fancy or anything, but I found that it goes well with the fresh bread I made:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TPWy_So-taI/AAAAAAAABDQ/mhI99p4S_IA/s1600/IMG_2403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TPWy_So-taI/AAAAAAAABDQ/mhI99p4S_IA/s320/IMG_2403.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Usually, I'm completely afraid of making bread unless Ralph is with me (he's the best at kneading it and letting me know when it's ready to rest). However, I stumbled upon a great french bread recipe <a href="http://steamykitchen.com/75-baking-the-perfect-loaf-of-french-bread.html">here</a>. Okay, okay, I know I'm not making the most perfect loaf of bread, but that's okay. If you have a good recipe, you should always be as accurate as possible with your measurements. Despite doing that, your bread will not turn out the same every single time you bake it. I mean, it will definitely come close, but if you change the way you knead it or give it more or less time, it will turn out slightly different each time, and that's what makes bread baking so much fun!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Another fun thing I made: Pumpkin scones! (I had 1/2 cup leftover canned pumpkin, so this was the perfect way to use it!) </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TPWzEBsoLFI/AAAAAAAABDY/fTsefBWxPO4/s1600/IMG_2407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TPWzEBsoLFI/AAAAAAAABDY/fTsefBWxPO4/s320/IMG_2407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I adapted a recipe from the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/26/health/nutrition/26recipehealth.html?ref=nutrition">NY Times</a>'s Pumpkin and Ginger Scones recipe. I modified by totally omitting the ginger pieces and maple syrup. Instead, I added pumpkin pie spices, such as 1tsp cinnamon and 1/2tsp nutmeg. I also used 2Tbsp brown sugar and also dusted a bit on top of each scone for a little more sweetness.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Other than those small changes, I followed the recipe to a T and ended up with 13 1/2 palm sized scones.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TPWzB2ucPGI/AAAAAAAABDU/iresIQS4ee8/s1600/IMG_2406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TPWzB2ucPGI/AAAAAAAABDU/iresIQS4ee8/s320/IMG_2406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Yum! All autumn I've been dying to make pumpkin scones. These were worth the wait!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay tuned for more seasonally inspired eats. Since tomorrow is the first day of Hanukkah, I'm thinking of making latkes, but we'll just have to wait and see. Until then, have a good night!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-30581223879065624922010-09-15T23:27:00.000-04:002010-09-15T23:27:55.269-04:00My week in eats<div style="text-align: center;">Last week, I was convinced I could hold out no longer... in regard to making Angela's <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2010/07/15/in-a-jiffy-curry-chickpea-burgers/">In-A-Jiffy Curry Chickpea burgers!</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TJGEmHMBJaI/AAAAAAAABCc/reDR1_cvdNg/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TJGEmHMBJaI/AAAAAAAABCc/reDR1_cvdNg/s320/IMG_2313.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With one batch of the recipe, I made 7 palm sized burgers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TJGEyA56LfI/AAAAAAAABCk/GeI2EChRPr8/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TJGEyA56LfI/AAAAAAAABCk/GeI2EChRPr8/s320/IMG_2317.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Curry burger topped salad beast, which was repeated at least one other time over the weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Monday, I was a busy baker. It started out with muffins:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TJGFc5hBkSI/AAAAAAAABCs/y1OH3tOEXTI/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TJGFc5hBkSI/AAAAAAAABCs/y1OH3tOEXTI/s320/IMG_2318.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used a recipe from <a href="http://www.onefrugalfoodie.com/2010/09/01/free-school-time-recipes/">One Frugal Foodie's Smart School Time Recipes</a>, which is a free downloadable cookbook featuring easy, healthy and not too expensive recipes. (sorry, I had to share- how can you go wrong with a free cookbook, right?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The muffins were delicious! I didn't have the vanilla extract that the recipe called for, so the next time I make it with the extract, I bet they'll taste even better!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later on, I decided to make Baked Ziti for my sister. After I was finished cooking, (and just as we were going to dive in and take our portions), this conversation took place:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Me: "Wait, wait wait... I have to take a picture." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Melissa: "You're going to post this even though it's not healthy?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Me:" Well, you just got back from your trip to Asia and you said you didn't like the food there so... for</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> that reason, maybe this is kinda healthy?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I guess what I meant by that is that indulgences are part of every healthy diet. True, I wasn't the one who went to Asia and who has jet lag, but I figure we were also celebrating her birthday and I was celebrating her return.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anywho, the pictures, the pictures!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TJGJpxj-L-I/AAAAAAAABC0/p-ucgODbjeU/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TJGJpxj-L-I/AAAAAAAABC0/p-ucgODbjeU/s320/IMG_2322.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I was baking this, I like to think I was channeling my dad (who is infamous in my household/family or maybe just to me, for his baked ziti. I didn't make his sophisticated version though, I was kinda strapped for time) and my old roommate, Marc (who, after school vacations, would come back with ingredients from the Italian shops in his neighborhood. I also vaguely remember his pronunciation of ricotta as "rih-gutta", but that's another story, haha!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anywho, the ingredient list:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cooked ziti </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cooked ground beef (or meatballs!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ricotta</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mozzarella</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Favorite or homemade tomato sauce</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now for the layers:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Little bit of tomato sauce on the bottom, to prevent burnt ziti)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ziti>Sauce+meat >ricotta> sliced/grated mozzarella</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Repeat until you reach the top of your container or run out of ingredients</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking back, I think I needed to add some things to it, mainly the ricotta. In future, I'd take 1-1.5 cups of ricotta and mix it with salt, pepper, garlic powder/minced garlic and maybe even mix it with mozzarella cheese. I think this is how it's usually done, and I think this batch would have been even better with some more spices. Ah well, we live and learn!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TJGLCDsZcXI/AAAAAAAABDE/8GCL7m9CHmM/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TJGLCDsZcXI/AAAAAAAABDE/8GCL7m9CHmM/s320/IMG_2323.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My happy meal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Question: Can a 'for your happiness' meal still be a 'healthy' meal? What's your favorite indulgent meal/food?</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-61054372403406293322010-09-13T10:59:00.001-04:002010-09-13T10:59:57.971-04:00Coleslaw Nostalgia<div style="text-align: center;">Last week, I went to the grocery with one thing in mind: I wanted to make carrot ginger dressing for a salad. But as I was walking around the grocery store, I started thinking: "So if I'm going to get this bag of carrots and red cabbage (I love red cabbage, I would eat with a little bit of balsamic and French dressing any day!), why don't I make cole slaw too?" And so I was going to make cole slaw, but not just any cole slaw. Let me explain:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I was little, my parents and I would go to this little restaurant called "The Iron Horse". It had this train station feel and was kind of quirky. See, instead of serving bread before the meal, they would come around with pickles and cole slaw. I loved eating them together so much that, these days, I'd rather not have pickles without cole slaw or vice versa (especially if it's creamy cole slaw!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fast forward a couple years (roughly 10-13 years old). My parents and I were visiting my grandma and step-grandfather in Arizona. My step grandfather Ben likes to cook and bake a great deal, and at this point in my life he was well known for his "cakes" and ruggelahs. The dough always tasted of a hint of cinnamon, a dash of lemon and very little sugar. They were filled with a dried fruit mixture that I would mistake for chocolate (if only for the color, not necessarily the flavor). This time when we were visiting, I was obsessed with his homemade cole slaw. I asked my grandma what he put in his cole slaw, but Ben didn't have recipes for what he prepared, he would just go based on what he was trying to make and how it tasted. She did, however, tell me some of the things she knew he put in his coleslaw, so I could try to reproduce it at home: tarragon vinegar, a very little bit of mayonnaise (Ben's cole slaw was not heavy- it contained just the slightest bit of creaminess), salt and pepper, and maybe a little bit of lemon? These were my guides and after I came back home from my trip, I tried to reproduce his cole slaw. I remember making cole slaw a couple times, but I felt that I could never get it right, so pretty much stopped trying and that was that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Flash forward ten or so more years and here I am again, making some cole slaw. Luckily, I had this baby to help me out with the shredding:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TI40DaNOnjI/AAAAAAAABB8/kWIs19ySBic/s1600/IMG_2303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TI40DaNOnjI/AAAAAAAABB8/kWIs19ySBic/s320/IMG_2303.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Six or Seven cups of shredded cabbage, red cabbage and 2 carrots later and I'm ready to make the sauce!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TI40IGVXyvI/AAAAAAAABCE/6KyLXj9QA0o/s1600/IMG_2306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TI40IGVXyvI/AAAAAAAABCE/6KyLXj9QA0o/s320/IMG_2306.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TI40K5DrWkI/AAAAAAAABCM/pR3Oppb_1H0/s1600/IMG_2307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TI40K5DrWkI/AAAAAAAABCM/pR3Oppb_1H0/s320/IMG_2307.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dressing:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/3 cup rice vinegar (though I would recommend tarragon if you can get your hands on it!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3 tablespoons light mayonnaise</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pepper to taste</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 small pinches of salt- makes it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My little bowl of cole slaw</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TI40NCY8h8I/AAAAAAAABCU/mHbNKm9uQyg/s1600/IMG_2311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TI40NCY8h8I/AAAAAAAABCU/mHbNKm9uQyg/s320/IMG_2311.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I first tasted this, I was so sure it tasted just like Ben's cole slaw. Right now, I'm not so sure, but I do think this was the closest I came to reproducing it. If nothing else, it brought back wonderful memories of my family while we were celebrating the Jewish New Year. </div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-42880973053945293632010-09-09T14:01:00.001-04:002010-09-09T15:45:36.363-04:00Carrot Ginger Dressing<div align="center">Hello and happy Thursday!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Ever since Ralph and I went to Moosewood on Saturday, I have been dreaming of making carrot ginger dressing. Yesterday, that finally came into fruition.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIkckm4fA0I/AAAAAAAABBs/17sG6070Y5s/s1600/IMG_2300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIkckm4fA0I/AAAAAAAABBs/17sG6070Y5s/s320/IMG_2300.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, I admit it turned out a little more like a puree than a dressing, but I don't have a juicer or anything, which would probably solve the problem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Carrot-Ginger Dressing</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3 carrots</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 inch piece of ginger (though I'd use a little less, it was a bit spicy)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 tbsp vegetable oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 tbsp rice vinegar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 tbsp soy sauce</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~2 tbsp rice milk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shred the carrots, then use the food processor to puree the rest of the ingredients.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I let the dressing chill in the refrigerator for a little while, and then went for a jog. I ran 2.75 miles in 25 minutes. I would have gone further, but I was ready to take on a salad beast:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIkcplAGfkI/AAAAAAAABB0/-YLHg8D1CP8/s1600/IMG_2301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIkcplAGfkI/AAAAAAAABB0/-YLHg8D1CP8/s320/IMG_2301.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know it looks small from this angle, but this was a huge salad. Underneath the dressing, I had lettuce, tomato, yellow pepper, red cabbage and a dab of hummus, yum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This morning, I biked 7.8 miles to the post office and back in 50 minutes. It was such a nice day for a ride!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay tuned- I'll be posting my favorite cole slaw recipe later! Until then, enjoy the day!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-28063054966610050522010-09-08T10:21:00.001-04:002010-09-09T15:46:15.242-04:00How I mixed two recipes- and still ended up with something edible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monday night, Ralph and I were itching to make some curry. I pulled up my web browser and searched for a chicken curry recipe on allrecipes.com and set to work. Upon starting however, we hit a tiny snag. Our recipe asked for 5 tbsp curry powder, but we really didn't want to use the premade stuff (You know how it is- the premade, no name brand of curry always feels like it's missing something.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I pulled up another tab and went digging for my go-to recipe for <a href="http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/lamb-biryani-recipe-8323?click=recipe_sr">Lamb Biryani</a>, a recipe I've used many times in the past and which has a flavorful sauce. I still wanted to use the original recipe I had for Chicken Curry (found <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Curry-III/Detail.aspx">here</a>), but I wanted to make a powder using the spices in the Biryani recipe and quadrupled it:</div><strike>1/8</strike> teaspoon(s) cayenne- used 1/2<br />
<strike>1/2</strike> teaspoon(s) ground cumin- 2tsp<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>1/4</strike> teaspoon(s) fresh-ground black pepper- 1 tsp</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>1 3/4 teaspoon(s) </strike>salt added to taste while cooking</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>1/4 teaspoon(s) ground cardamom or ground coriander</strike> 1 tsp cardamom pods</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>1/4</strike> teaspoon(s) turmeric- 1tsp</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>5 cloves</strike> didn't have any available :(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 cinnamon stick<strike>, broken in half</strike></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I then went back to following the Chicken Curry recipe, by maxing the powder with a little bit of water, just enough to make a paste.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3 cloves garlic, <strike>crushed</strike> minced</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>3 small onions</strike>, 1 large onion minced</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 slice fresh ginger root</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>5 tablespoons</strike> curry powder, recipe shown above +cinnamon stick</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>5 tablespoons</strike> water, enough to make a paste</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 tablespoons olive oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3/4 <strike>1</strike> cup yogurt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 <strike>cup</strike> can (lite) coconut milk(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>1</strike> <strike>cup milk</strike>- substituted with 1/2 cup rice milk, to balance out the extra coconut milk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 cup water (used this, but I wouldn't recommend it, unless your mixture looks especially thick)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>2 large potatoes, cubed </strike>1 cup green beans</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 (4 pound) whole chicken, <strike>cut into 8 pieces</strike> meat cut off the bone,cut into 1 inch pieces</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">salt to taste</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 cup Jasmine rice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Overall cooking process:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ralph and I mainly followed the recipe from here- sauteing the onions, garlic and ginger, adding the curry paste, and then following with the milk products*. We brought the mixture to a boil, then added the chicken and green beans. Afterwards, we covered the pot and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes. We also put up 1 1/2 cups of water to boil for the rice, then added the rice once the water was boiling and let it simmer uncovered. After 25 minutes or so, the chicken was cooked, but the curry overall was a bit watery. We tried to fix this by adding a little bit (1 tbsp) cornstarch and let it simmer a little longer (again, in future, I would just add less water at the beginning). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And voila!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIeSVdA_pgI/AAAAAAAABBc/70Vs9U7CdtI/s1600/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIeSVdA_pgI/AAAAAAAABBc/70Vs9U7CdtI/s320/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+069.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Note: The only reason Ralph and I used the whole can (diverging from the recipe) was because I didn't want to waste the rest of the can of coconut milk. If you plan on making a second curry very soon or just don't mind having leftover coconut milk, then I'd follow the original. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My bowl:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIeaO7k_eoI/AAAAAAAABBk/3x00-PWGBIY/s1600/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIeaO7k_eoI/AAAAAAAABBk/3x00-PWGBIY/s320/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+071.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Afterthoughts: It was only when I posted the recipes that I realized how many changes Ralph and I made to the recipes, whether out of necessity or practicality. While we were a little disappointed that the curry was a little watery, it still ended up tasting very good, and for that reason I feel this was a successful meal. I know we didn't make it in the most traditional way, but I was happier using the separate spices to make the curry sauce than going with a generic curry (again, you have no idea what you're going to get and it always feels like a flavor is missing). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have you ever had an experience like this, adapting two recipes? Did it turn out better or worse than expected?</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-37614092092140462102010-09-07T12:31:00.001-04:002010-09-07T15:22:08.721-04:00Ithaca IS Gorges- Buttermilk Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good Morning! Aside from the Hurricane Earl Storm warnings and associated funky weather, this Labor Day weekend was beautiful in Central New York! Ralph and I had to head to Ithaca (to look for a car), but we also went on some cool excursions, like a trip to Moosewood Restaurant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIZc7eLgJpI/AAAAAAAABBE/wl7quhRP4l8/s1600/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIZc7eLgJpI/AAAAAAAABBE/wl7quhRP4l8/s320/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+022.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Had to document <strike>the best veggie burrito I've had in my life</strike> this burrito. It was soooo delicious with their homemade guacamole. I ate every little bit. Ralph got their lasagna, which I got last time and it was as amazing as I remembered it to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After lunch, Ralph and I put our game faces on and headed to Buttermilk Falls, a New York State Park showcasing some of the beautiful Gorges in and around Ithaca, NY. The state park has a few different trails, some connected by roads so you can take the 0.6-0.75 mile trails and connect them into a longer hike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To give you an idea of what we hiked:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIZiAd1oDiI/AAAAAAAABBM/3AFLLSgkybE/s320/buttermilkmap.jpg" />(<a href="http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/fingerlakes/ithaca/buttermilk/index.htm">Source</a>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starting at the bottom of the map, we took the Gorge trail, the Bear trail and the Treman trail, and then doubled back on the Bear and Gorge trails.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starting at the bottom of the Gorge trail, looking up:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW2zXTrqjI/AAAAAAAAA_c/XgZHffeVStA/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW2zXTrqjI/AAAAAAAAA_c/XgZHffeVStA/s320/IMG_2247.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First view of the falls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW3BsXSuDI/AAAAAAAAA_k/J--UGxyV2So/s320/IMG_2249.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking down on the falls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW3O8F74lI/AAAAAAAAA_s/-XOn3c8SpbY/s1600/IMG_2255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW3O8F74lI/AAAAAAAAA_s/-XOn3c8SpbY/s320/IMG_2255.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A waterfall along the trail</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW3Z9PcDSI/AAAAAAAAA_0/9qaUVLN6Pko/s1600/IMG_2258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW3Z9PcDSI/AAAAAAAAA_0/9qaUVLN6Pko/s320/IMG_2258.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW3k8BO3fI/AAAAAAAAA_8/KTYtN3SdaSQ/s1600/IMG_2266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW3k8BO3fI/AAAAAAAAA_8/KTYtN3SdaSQ/s320/IMG_2266.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW3yGFyZpI/AAAAAAAABAE/8f4AVQfynPY/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW3yGFyZpI/AAAAAAAABAE/8f4AVQfynPY/s320/IMG_2267.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW33ItQ15I/AAAAAAAABAM/xhj9vrF3k3Q/s1600/IMG_2271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW33ItQ15I/AAAAAAAABAM/xhj9vrF3k3Q/s320/IMG_2271.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ralph standing next to Pinnacle Rock. This piece stands alone due to the erosion around either side over many many years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4HUxpcXI/AAAAAAAABAU/omWE02nKGFo/s1600/IMG_2272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4HUxpcXI/AAAAAAAABAU/omWE02nKGFo/s320/IMG_2272.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To my left is one of many pools found along Buttermilk Creek</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4MccvBVI/AAAAAAAABAc/6_ONv6IaQRo/s1600/IMG_2275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4MccvBVI/AAAAAAAABAc/6_ONv6IaQRo/s320/IMG_2275.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once we got to the end of the Gorge trail and started on the Bear trail, the view was a lot less picturesque (no more falls up here and the Creek was a bit dry further up)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIZlUX71aeI/AAAAAAAABBU/PtB5vOhX1-c/s1600/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIZlUX71aeI/AAAAAAAABBU/PtB5vOhX1-c/s320/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+055.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the very top of the Treman trail/ Treman Lake</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4WxZJWbI/AAAAAAAABAk/8NqnsZoKipw/s1600/IMG_2281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4WxZJWbI/AAAAAAAABAk/8NqnsZoKipw/s320/IMG_2281.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">View above the lake. That curve right there, we realized very quickly, was what we would be walking on very shortly. I was thinking "Yikes!" but I was also distracted by the amazing view from here.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4lfDisNI/AAAAAAAABAs/s6pfc5Ewo44/s1600/IMG_2286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4lfDisNI/AAAAAAAABAs/s6pfc5Ewo44/s320/IMG_2286.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Apparently, this is what a really old damn looks like.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4u9XmlPI/AAAAAAAABA0/ASgwmKu7-9E/s1600/IMG_2288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4u9XmlPI/AAAAAAAABA0/ASgwmKu7-9E/s320/IMG_2288.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4y_R9fUI/AAAAAAAABA8/XOdzIET8KJ8/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIW4y_R9fUI/AAAAAAAABA8/XOdzIET8KJ8/s320/IMG_2290.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A view on our way back, on the Gorge trail.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">On a side note, as we were backtracking, Ralph and I decided to take a short break, and sit on a wall just near the beginning of the Gorge trail. A second later, someone behind us yelled "You can't sit there!" and we jumped up only to realize it was our old Backpacking instructor, Josh! Josh was studying at Binghamton for his Master's while Ralph and I were undergrads. We talked for a few minutes and found out he worked at the state park and that he has an 18 month old daughter (Congrats!!!). It was really great to run into Josh, especially since he was one of the few people who knew Ralph and I before and while we began dating, and because we ran into him a lot in the past 3 years after we took his course. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">All in all, we had a really fun day exploring Buttermilk Falls. I really want to go back in the future to check out more of Ithaca's gorges. For now, I have pictures and great memories of the day.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Edit: <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2009/02/26/so-what-about-this-chocolate-giveaway/">Chocolate Covered Katie</a> is doing a Larabar giveaway, so I'm linking back to put in my entry. I also wanted to mention that, after making coconut butter, it dawned on me that Katie has lots cool recipes and she'll also be doing a coconut butter theme very soon. I can't wait to check it out and start creating awesome eats with coconut butter!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-83019663363672333232010-09-05T15:48:00.000-04:002010-09-09T15:48:57.651-04:00Coconut Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good afternoon! Happy Birthday to my sister, Melissa! (Although she probably won't be viewing this, but that's okay)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's step back to a couple months ago. I saw that Angela, from Oh She Glows, posted how she made coconut butter from scratch using a food processor and dried coconut. So began my yearning to make this coconut butter stuff I'd been hearing about all over the blog world. Most bloggers buy Artisana coconut butter, which was hard for me to find, and when I did find it, I also found that it was very expensive. However, making it at home sounded absolutely amazing and very cost effective. I pulled out my old but handy food processor and coconut flakes and began processing. Thirty minutes later and a cup of almond milk later (I was convinced that maybe it just needed some liquid?), I pretty much gave up on making coconut butter. My food processor was just not fast or powerful enough to pulverize the coconut into a butter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two months or so later, Ralph got me a 7 cup food processor for my birthday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIPchJMhJWI/AAAAAAAAA-0/Pgq2c9F-zKA/s1600/IMG_2235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIPchJMhJWI/AAAAAAAAA-0/Pgq2c9F-zKA/s320/IMG_2235.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As much as I loved my old food processor, this one holds more food, is powerful enough to knead dough (!!!) and is surprisingly quiet compared to other kitchen appliances. On Sunday, when I received the processor, mom, dad, Ralph and I 'broke it in' by making a huge smoothie, which turned out very delicious and creamy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later in the week, I found myself having a coconut craving. I really wanted to try to make coconut butter again. Here's how it went:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIPcmTdLo4I/AAAAAAAAA-8/7x6cLxiJKcM/s1600/IMG_2238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIPcmTdLo4I/AAAAAAAAA-8/7x6cLxiJKcM/s320/IMG_2238.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 3/4 cups shredded coconut + 1 Tbsp sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIPcsD7niBI/AAAAAAAAA_E/ZVgyoy6WdGE/s1600/IMG_2239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIPcsD7niBI/AAAAAAAAA_E/ZVgyoy6WdGE/s320/IMG_2239.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I blended the coconut for about 15 minutes, scraping down the sides when I felt the coconut was getting stuck on the sides a bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After about 15 minutes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIPcw8no_qI/AAAAAAAAA_M/D7AAYdrUqCs/s1600/IMG_2241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIPcw8no_qI/AAAAAAAAA_M/D7AAYdrUqCs/s320/IMG_2241.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Relatively creamy, and warm from the food processor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Put the butter in plastic, then popped it in the fridge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIPc1aIeT2I/AAAAAAAAA_U/fCAVcsH8NN4/s1600/IMG_2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TIPc1aIeT2I/AAAAAAAAA_U/fCAVcsH8NN4/s320/IMG_2244.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I later took it out of the fridge, and I think I can store it out of the fridge because it's solid in or out of the fridge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That was my journey with making coconut butter. Now all I can think of is this: what can I make with this stuff? Time for me to research and get creative!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-28476728381341849922010-09-01T18:09:00.000-04:002010-09-01T18:09:28.754-04:00Tree Hugger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good afternoon! Happy September 1st!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I started my day bright and early at 7:30 (that's early for me these days, but I promise I can wake up very early when I have work an such), noshed on a piece of nut cake and then headed out for a run. I did a 10 minute warm up, then 40 minutes steady state. I'm not sure how far I went (I ran in a nearby park that had a nice walking path, but let's just say I off-roaded it now and then to stay in the shade haha!). When I concluded my run, I was quite hot since it was just after 9, and I was sure it was already in the 80s. Wrong! When I got back in my car, the temperature showed it was only 75*F. I guess it was a humid 75? Oh well, I was just happy to have done a total of 50 minutes running.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Came home and made a smoothie:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7EBHlMPhI/AAAAAAAAA98/bxK4eIGy8lQ/s1600/2010_09+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7EBHlMPhI/AAAAAAAAA98/bxK4eIGy8lQ/s320/2010_09+022.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Used about 1 cup rice milk, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1 banana, some bits of peach and apple and lastly some chia seeds to thicken it a bit. Yum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also had some toast with peanut butter and 2 dates to round out my breakfast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Afternoon Activity:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, I am a self proclaimed food and running enthusiast, but I may also have to add 'arborist' (not to mention semi-professional dog walker) to my resume. Let me get you caught up to speed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7EDzkzreI/AAAAAAAAA-E/mQpGJHRb9iY/s1600/2010_09+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7EDzkzreI/AAAAAAAAA-E/mQpGJHRb9iY/s320/2010_09+023.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My sister's cute little pine trees look like they're withering away, no? Well, they are kinda dying, but it's not due to the lack of rain. Take a closer look:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7EG5osgdI/AAAAAAAAA-M/wZra3iHVmUs/s1600/2010_09+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7EG5osgdI/AAAAAAAAA-M/wZra3iHVmUs/s320/2010_09+024.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7ERPhzxkI/AAAAAAAAA-U/xOLtFjO9WVQ/s1600/2010_09+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7ERPhzxkI/AAAAAAAAA-U/xOLtFjO9WVQ/s320/2010_09+025.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Those things hanging off the trees are little sacs of pus/yucky stuff/possible moths? Either way, these things are killing the tree, so Melissa asked me to cut them off and either drown the sacs or burn them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7ET8RBqDI/AAAAAAAAA-c/OQ1JZ1ATluQ/s1600/2010_09+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7ET8RBqDI/AAAAAAAAA-c/OQ1JZ1ATluQ/s320/2010_09+026.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I cut off a bunch of them and threw them in water, thinking that playing with fire, (especially on a hot day) was probably not a safe idea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, I love<strike> trying to be hardcore</strike> hiking, biking and running, but like most girls, bugs kinda creep me out (she mentioned that they were filled with worms!!! Luckily, no worms crawled out). However, I'm always up for a challenge, so I tried to cut off as many of the ones as I could reach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7EWMbbB2I/AAAAAAAAA-k/dWFsknTGuVQ/s1600/2010_09+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TH7EWMbbB2I/AAAAAAAAA-k/dWFsknTGuVQ/s320/2010_09+027.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My cutting tools. I asked Dave for some gloves so I wouldn't have to touch the sacs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">New adventures- to be continued...</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-49586719597613616452010-08-30T14:51:00.001-04:002010-08-30T14:52:25.256-04:00Birthday Weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello Blog world! I turned 22 yesterday, so naturally I celebrated all weekend with my family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Saturday, Ralph and I took a trip out to Long Island to visit my aunt, uncle and cousin. We had a nice sized lunch (salad and my first cheese fondue) and later on took a drive around the area, eventually stopping at a beach on the North Shore. The weather was so nice on saturday- warm, but not too humid! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My aunt also baked me a beautiful and tasty heart shaped chocolate cake:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THvwPep3rwI/AAAAAAAAA9A/c6j1fPiy3vo/s1600/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THvwPep3rwI/AAAAAAAAA9A/c6j1fPiy3vo/s320/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+012.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long story short, we all had a great time and ate yummy food and my aunt, uncle and cousin met Ralph, yay!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Sunday, I was happy to spend the day with Ralph and my parents. We went into Jersey (to look at cars for Ralph, just to look) and then drove up to West Point for lunch, heading to the Thayer Hotel right on the campus. They are well known for their Sunday Brunch buffet and my parents kindly treated us to lunch there. It was such a beautiful setup- truly the most awesome brunch or buffet I've ever been to! Needless to say, we were all completely stuffed once we left. After lunch, we went for a little walk, heading to the museum. We wanted to go for more of a walk, but we were sure where we could walk on campus and it was unusually hot (compared to the last 2 weeks). We did go for a quick little walk around the quiet town, and then headed back south toward home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I guess the reason I wanted to talk about this weekend is because I ate a lot (i.e. ate really big meals till I was practically stuffed), and especially a lot of cake (wouldn't be much of a birthday with out it though, right?) and 2 drinks on saturday. First, I've noticed that the day after I've had a drink, whether it's beer or a mixed drink, I always tend to feel bloated (i.e. yucky) the next day. So yesterday, on my birthday, I put on my favorite dress, ready to enjoy the day. But instead of just enjoying my birthday, I was beating myself up about how I felt (yucky and bloated and worrying that this weekend's indulgences are going to make me fat). To make everything worse, I then ate a lot at the buffet on my birthday and felt even more gross, lethargic, sweaty, hot etc. Today, I'm feeling much better and now wondering why I beat myself up so much? Instead of being happy to be with my parents and boyfriend, I'm was preoccupied with how I looked in the mirror and because I was mad about that, I was acting like a jerk the whole day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, I go to bed, wake up on a brand new day and I actually feel okay. I still felt the need to scrutinize myself in the mirror because I'm wearing a new shirt, wondering whether or not to hate it because I didn't find it flattering. Well, despite those thoughts, I went outside and ran some errands. When I came back home and took another look, I didn't feel the need to beat myself up- I felt like I looked okay (i.e. not feeling "fat" because, naturally, we can all feel "fat" or "not fat". I'm shaking my head at myself right now!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I drank some water to stave off dehydration and than I kinda made this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THvxmg_CfyI/AAAAAAAAA9U/fKzcgtLnMMs/s1600/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THvxmg_CfyI/AAAAAAAAA9U/fKzcgtLnMMs/s320/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+017.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love hummus and tomato sandwiches. This tomato was from my parents' garden, so it tasted delicious (seriously, those red things at the grocery store that look like tomatoes? Who are they kidding...)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And even though we tried to give Ralph the rest of the cake (I'm still convinced he's a growing boy and that he's going to whither away unless I stuff him with food), we still had a good quarter of it, so I had a little piece, mostly guiltlessly, with iced coffee to balance out the sugar shock on my system, haha! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THvxpHWqZxI/AAAAAAAAA9c/Q8EHQvvPPeU/s1600/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THvxpHWqZxI/AAAAAAAAA9c/Q8EHQvvPPeU/s320/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+018.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THvxsuLj1-I/AAAAAAAAA9k/OYOLCSk7Z_c/s1600/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THvxsuLj1-I/AAAAAAAAA9k/OYOLCSk7Z_c/s320/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+020.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All eaten while staring at these pretty carnations Ralph got me for my birthday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THvxvrdUbTI/AAAAAAAAA9s/PWzr9AT7uvw/s1600/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THvxvrdUbTI/AAAAAAAAA9s/PWzr9AT7uvw/s320/Emma%27s+22nd+Bday+Weekend+021.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks Ralph!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, now that I feel a lot better getting that all off my chest, my next task is finding something to get for my sister's birthday, yikes! My sister's birthday is exactly a week after mine, and despite this consistency, I'm always spending the week in between wondering what to get her. This year, she's actually going away on a business trip starting the day before her birthday, so I feel like it's even more important for me to do something really nice for her this year (plus, I'm living with her again for the first time in years). Long story short, any suggestions? I'll keep you posted, especially if (God-willing) I have an epiphany this year and figure out something nice by myself, haha!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a great day and a wonderful week!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-8631122856282922702010-08-26T14:58:00.000-04:002010-08-26T14:58:31.179-04:00Back On My FeetHello! Is anyone still out there? I hope so, because I'm back and ready to continue this blog, with some minimal changes. See, I took this unintended hiatus due to several things: deciding to change up the way I plan to blog, I was camera less for the past 2 weeks when I went back home, and procrastinating because I wanted to figure out what to say when I came back. So here it is...sorry ahead of time for the long post, but there are things I need to say.<br />
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As much as I like holding myself accountable for what I ate, I found it to be getting less and less enjoyable for me. Although I didn't photograph and post every little thing I ate, the most annoying thing was deciding whether or not I should post such and such thing, if for instance I grabbed a piece of chocolate or a rice cake. I would prefer to cook something and post a picture of what I made because I really enjoy cooking and I haven't been doing much of that lately. So, I plan to post things I cook or something I didn't make that was interesting and tasty, instead of posting and obsessing over every little thing I ate.<br />
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I really want this blog to be a therapeutic experience for me and to help me move into my twenties with a healthy body and body image. For most of my teen years, I was very concerned and obsessed with the way my body looked. I was very lucky to have gotten through those years without an eating disorder, but I definitely think I partook in disordered eating. I can't really remember how I ate, but I just feel like I would do weird things, mainly ignoring my body- sometimes waiting too long to eat, causing myself to eat until I was uncomfortable full. I was a runner who had no clue how to fuel herself- eating a small breakfast and lunch and then running at practice after school. Not surprisingly, I would be quite hungry when I got home around 4:30. Looking back, I just don't feel that this was very healthy and I guess I just didn't really know how to eat 'right'. Right now, I feel like I'm still learning how to eat 'right', but I also think I've learned that there no one 'right' way of eating, it depends on the person. Let's put it this way: I'm still learning the best way of eating for me. <br />
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Okay, next tangent, I guess. For many years I've been self conscious and body conscious. I still am to some degree, but getting out of my teenage years has made it easier to be happy with myself. I like myself more these days, but I still want and need to work on these issues. Even though I'm still body conscious, I'm happy to say I don't really have a love/hate relationship with food anymore. I mean, granted, I'm probably still weird about my food choices (like touting that I much prefer meatless meals, even though I will eat meat, especially chicken wings or buffalo chicken flavored/topped anything.) But, I don't fear food the way I used to. Again, I love to cook things, and I still debate whether or not to "healthify" something, or just make said thing the old fashioned and more satisfying way. I'm trying to listen to my body and be in tune with my hunger and fullness cues. And as I do that, I'm trying to conquer my fear of the mirror. And that's all I want to say about that right now.<br />
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Anywho, remember the last time I posted, I promised to post a picture of my new haircut? My parents and Ralph have finally seen my hair, so here it goes:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THaz4k1Kf8I/AAAAAAAAA8g/xtRItDR0lM4/s1600/2010_08_26+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THaz4k1Kf8I/AAAAAAAAA8g/xtRItDR0lM4/s320/2010_08_26+029.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, I know the pics a little cut off, but I had to pick the one that showed off the infamous dimples, haha! It's a lot shorter than this, right?:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THa16THPeGI/AAAAAAAAA8w/JXU5cPipCUQ/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THa16THPeGI/AAAAAAAAA8w/JXU5cPipCUQ/s320/IMG_1395.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Recently made food:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last night, my sister Melissa and I made pizza! She picked up some ready made whole wheat pizza dough (so convenient!) and we fixed up this beauty with lotsa pizza sauce, lotsa cheese, half supreme pizza and half buffalo chicken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THa4I9u1WZI/AAAAAAAAA84/UCpEYKHXowY/s1600/2010_08_26+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/THa4I9u1WZI/AAAAAAAAA84/UCpEYKHXowY/s320/2010_08_26+036.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you tell which side I favored more when adding the toppings?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Melissa and I decided on stir fry for dinner tonight. I really have no plan for it except for that I'm thinking of surprising her with sesame or general tso's chicken to go with it. I'll let you know how it goes, see you later!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-46426194823114978702010-08-09T11:49:00.000-04:002010-08-09T11:49:00.440-04:00Turning Up The Heat<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Good morning again!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday breakfast.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAbp80n99I/AAAAAAAAA7I/BBWPikk_bfo/s1600/IMG_2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAbp80n99I/AAAAAAAAA7I/BBWPikk_bfo/s320/IMG_2156.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">PB&J anyone?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday was a lazy day. I could tell my sister was tired from a long week (she looked like she was ready to nap) and I knew we were picking up Dave (her hubby) at the airport. I went back to my room until about 3:30 to read blogs and such.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Lunch was my leftover veggie fajita.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAbsTgVNWI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/AA7RfW1sGGg/s1600/IMG_2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAbsTgVNWI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/AA7RfW1sGGg/s320/IMG_2157.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Soon after, we took Rudy for a walk. At 4 we left for the airport and picked up Dave and around 5 we headed out for dinner. We went to an Outback Steakhouse in Delaware for dinner, and ate at the bar. I got a small steak with sweet potato and veggies on the side. I'd prefer to not get meat, but hey, we were at a steakhouse and I'd rather get and eat a small portion of meat than an overpriced/nutrient less iceberg lettuce salad. I have to admit it was very good. When I think about it, there's nothing that wrong with meat, but I really don't like to eat it as much as I have been (more like 1-2 times a week at most). </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAcdEqFchI/AAAAAAAAA7g/45K1OarHLe4/s1600/IMG_2158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAcdEqFchI/AAAAAAAAA7g/45K1OarHLe4/s320/IMG_2158.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Started off with PB&J again.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Then Melissa and I were off to the mall.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAb4YDrBNI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/7glYZ6jrY-A/s1600/IMG_2159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAb4YDrBNI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/7glYZ6jrY-A/s320/IMG_2159.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">First stop- a smoothie place. I got blueberry-banana, she got strawberry colada. Then we walked around a bit and shopped. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Once we left, we headed to the supermarket. They also had a Supercuts in the outdoor mall, and I was in desperate need of a haircut, so I popped in there while Melissa went grocery shopping. I will post my new pic later this week since it's a lot shorter than it was (I did want it shorter, but sometimes the ladies at the hair salon get scissor happy, you know?)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Rest of the fruit mix: </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAcgOEtK-I/AAAAAAAAA7o/KZO0pIIM1Qk/s1600/IMG_2160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAcgOEtK-I/AAAAAAAAA7o/KZO0pIIM1Qk/s320/IMG_2160.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And then Indian food for dinner! I chopped and watched Melissa and Dave do their thing:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAcjLfmQdI/AAAAAAAAA7w/yR8ImCONndU/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAcjLfmQdI/AAAAAAAAA7w/yR8ImCONndU/s320/IMG_2162.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chutney with cilantro and mint</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Their experiment for the rabbit in the family- a corn and squash curry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAcmfOzeGI/AAAAAAAAA74/jG0J4ncyGiA/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAcmfOzeGI/AAAAAAAAA74/jG0J4ncyGiA/s320/IMG_2163.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tandoori chicken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAcpRw9F9I/AAAAAAAAA8A/UP7UKaA6sFM/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAcpRw9F9I/AAAAAAAAA8A/UP7UKaA6sFM/s320/IMG_2164.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long Grain rice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAc1HU2wRI/AAAAAAAAA8I/xYE5kTWrD2s/s1600/IMG_2165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAc1HU2wRI/AAAAAAAAA8I/xYE5kTWrD2s/s320/IMG_2165.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My plate, with chicken because although I may be a rabbit, I cannot pass off the most wonderfully spiced chicken in the world!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAc37wZ6FI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/aJKkH7f1Kz4/s1600/IMG_2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAc37wZ6FI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/aJKkH7f1Kz4/s320/IMG_2166.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was quite, quite spicy, but SO good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAc6LKBk5I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/t16_b7VrV8k/s1600/IMG_2169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAc6LKBk5I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/t16_b7VrV8k/s320/IMG_2169.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then ate ice cream while watching True Blood, because truly the best way to eat ice cream is while viewing blood and gore? Sure, why not?</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-73641934813022383452010-08-09T11:15:00.000-04:002010-08-09T11:15:10.193-04:00Monster Faces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good morning! I hope you're all having a good Monday so far!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday began with a peach:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXXrmtYtI/AAAAAAAAA6A/_8VoCbUHIko/s1600/IMG_2146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXXrmtYtI/AAAAAAAAA6A/_8VoCbUHIko/s320/IMG_2146.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(And all I could think about while photographing this was how weird my hand looks when flattened out behind the peach!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And my monster faced breakfast:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXdLZR3TI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/CnL3LRJKAXc/s1600/IMG_2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXdLZR3TI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/CnL3LRJKAXc/s320/IMG_2148.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Was I going for a happy faced pancake breakfast at IHOP? I don't know, but for some reason I see funny faces in my breakfast sometimes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think this was a late breakfast (oddly enough because I was trying to catch up on blog posting...)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By mid-afternoon, I really wanted to go for a bike ride. I ended up doing a 15 mile loop, stopping about halfway at the nearby Amish Farmer's Market. I also wanted to pick something up because I was hungry for lunch. I snacked on some dates and buffalo flavored pretzel chips. Here's my loot:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXf6PwDnI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/GACYuTaB-Lg/s1600/IMG_2149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXf6PwDnI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/GACYuTaB-Lg/s320/IMG_2149.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I got back from my ride, I was quite hungry. I really wanted to make some kind of sandwich... I was thinking about a hummus sandwich, but when I found my hummus in the caverns of the fridge, it was a little bit moldy- yuck! I chucked the hummus and went for a grilled cheese:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXjP7XkHI/AAAAAAAAA6g/MvykamfV_7g/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXjP7XkHI/AAAAAAAAA6g/MvykamfV_7g/s320/IMG_2151.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peek of the inside:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXnH_Nf-I/AAAAAAAAA6o/5VlGHQ7R6L4/s1600/IMG_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXnH_Nf-I/AAAAAAAAA6o/5VlGHQ7R6L4/s320/IMG_2152.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not quite as good as when my mom makes it, but was still gooey and delicious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I showered and changed and waited for my sister to come home with Rudy. A couple times a month, Rudy goes to 'camp' to play with other dogs. I spent the whole day without him and it was weirder/lonelier than I expected.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, Melissa and I went out to Don Pablo's for Mexican. I got the veggie fajitas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXqg2DiQI/AAAAAAAAA6w/cwjIiWDO2z4/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAXqg2DiQI/AAAAAAAAA6w/cwjIiWDO2z4/s320/IMG_2153.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAX5NgUZOI/AAAAAAAAA64/f9WwHLVTaFw/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TGAX5NgUZOI/AAAAAAAAA64/f9WwHLVTaFw/s320/IMG_2154.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And while taking pics, I think I was a decent ninja and was able to take the pictures quick enough to avoid weird looks from the waiters/other patrons, sweet! And if not, that's OK too- it was delicious and picture worthy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On that note- if you're a blogger, do you feel weird about taking pictures in public or around family that knows/doesn't know about your blog?</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-18783236584859345232010-08-06T12:21:00.000-04:002010-08-06T12:21:23.554-04:00Back On Track!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good morning!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm finally onto thursday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Breakfast:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvHtaEJRI/AAAAAAAAA5A/OKR2dhwBHEE/s1600/IMG_2132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvHtaEJRI/AAAAAAAAA5A/OKR2dhwBHEE/s320/IMG_2132.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvCvLnYEI/AAAAAAAAA44/jr4CxmPhkQI/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvCvLnYEI/AAAAAAAAA44/jr4CxmPhkQI/s320/IMG_2129.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pre-bike ride snack- Frozen Fudge Baby!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvbM1aesI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/b8YswY4ybbI/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvbM1aesI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/b8YswY4ybbI/s320/IMG_2140.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I then proceeded to go for an hour long bike ride- about 11 miles- in the middle of the day. It was very warm outside, but still nice for a bike ride. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I came home hungry and whipped up a quick olive oil sauce for my spaghetti- with onion, farmers market tomatoes, garlic, basil, black pepper and salt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvO8Z8jrI/AAAAAAAAA5I/4Jx_9jYj3pg/s1600/IMG_2136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvO8Z8jrI/AAAAAAAAA5I/4Jx_9jYj3pg/s320/IMG_2136.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then threw in the spaghetti:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvRg7VfcI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/a0y2LCwJc14/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvRg7VfcI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/a0y2LCwJc14/s320/IMG_2138.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took a shower, went for a walk with Rudy and then went for a longer walk by myself. Only then did I realize how HOT it was!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Got back and started cooking dinner. So a few weeks ago, when I saw <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/">Angela</a> cook patty pan squash, I knew I wanted to try these cute vegetables too. Luckily I found some at the farmers last weekend and snatched them up! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvifMDNqI/AAAAAAAAA5g/jVbCTR8j0zo/s1600/IMG_2142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvifMDNqI/AAAAAAAAA5g/jVbCTR8j0zo/s320/IMG_2142.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I cut out the middle of each squash and popped them in the oven at 350*, for about 30 minutes. Then I started cooking the ground beef. I actually used 2 pans- one for the ground beef, one for the vegetables. While the ground beef was browning, I sauteed a white onion and my red, orange and yellow tomatoes. After the meat was mostly done, I poured off the fat and added the vegetables, plus garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and cumin. After squash and meat mixture was done, I stuffed the squash, then threw some extra meat on my plate (I was thinking stuffed pepper when making these babies, but the squash were very small!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After finishing dinner, Melissa mentioned how she could go for a hot fudge sundae. I could, too. So I ran to the nearest store (CVS) and they did a buy one get one free.... so I got 2 flavors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvxgkw9jI/AAAAAAAAA5w/fd8iObnxcnA/s1600/IMG_2145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvxgkw9jI/AAAAAAAAA5w/fd8iObnxcnA/s320/IMG_2145.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ate butter pecan with chocolate sauce and cherry!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvs6J4xrI/AAAAAAAAA5o/0Bxo0WrDMUQ/s1600/IMG_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFwvs6J4xrI/AAAAAAAAA5o/0Bxo0WrDMUQ/s320/IMG_2144.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> YUM! I'm so glad to really be back! See you later!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-86463004610168094872010-08-06T11:18:00.000-04:002010-08-06T11:18:25.572-04:00Almost There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuesday:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Started with a fresh peach (which is making me crave another one now, hah!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOC6HEPbI/AAAAAAAAA3g/9C-dGfWOqvU/s1600/IMG_2116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOC6HEPbI/AAAAAAAAA3g/9C-dGfWOqvU/s320/IMG_2116.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
Mid- meal pic- I actually had another deviled egg plus a near plate-full of fruit, promise!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOFX-0f-I/AAAAAAAAA3o/bAEPMWrIdIY/s320/IMG_2118.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then somewhere mid morning I realized that I couldn't just send a signed document asking to have my background check released. That's not how NY rolls. Instead I had to make an appointment to get the fingerprints done (Luckily, there were openings on Tues) or request to have a packet sent to me so I could get it done in Jersey. Sadly, I decided to go the quickest route- rush out of town to get to my appointment in time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lunch was quick but satisfying:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOIAx4S2I/AAAAAAAAA3w/kHXYtMNNrME/s1600/IMG_2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOIAx4S2I/AAAAAAAAA3w/kHXYtMNNrME/s320/IMG_2119.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took Rudy for a quick walk, and was out of there by mid-afternoon. The drive was a little over 2 hours, so I got to my appointment at 5 on time yay! And after I was done, I was in my friend's neighborhood, so I gave her a call and we met up for a little while after ~1 year of not seeing each other. Not a bad day at all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since I was close to my parents house (~20 minutes) I went home and surprised them! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom and dad had dinner, so I just had a frozen red beans and rice type meal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOKK5HaqI/AAAAAAAAA34/K-geAuz0xBs/s1600/IMG_2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOKK5HaqI/AAAAAAAAA34/K-geAuz0xBs/s320/IMG_2120.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And afterwards went out for ice cream (soft serve vanilla again + rainbow sprinkles, because I was feeling adventurous ha!) One of these days I will get the chance to take a picture of my ice cream, I'm so bad about it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And before bed:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOSePw2YI/AAAAAAAAA4A/_LZhd2FTT80/s1600/IMG_2122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOSePw2YI/AAAAAAAAA4A/_LZhd2FTT80/s320/IMG_2122.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOVDJI9DI/AAAAAAAAA4I/ZOx68vBOPWw/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOVDJI9DI/AAAAAAAAA4I/ZOx68vBOPWw/s320/IMG_2123.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sliced up a nectarine, plus a buttered bagel. Sadly, I don't think I've ever had a soft/ripe nectarine before. If I have, it's a rare occurrence. Yet somehow I've been able to find a ripe peach... I think I will have to search NJ or PA.... or maybe even Delaware.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My dad and I ran some errands, then at noon we went out for pizza. We both got a slice of whole wheat pizza.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At about 4/4:30 I left for my sister's house again. Midway through, I picked up an iced latte, and snacked on a banana.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOXfz2g_I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/bzQLLi1gfYs/s1600/IMG_2124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOXfz2g_I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/bzQLLi1gfYs/s320/IMG_2124.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOZZI1VXI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/SOtoNa9G3sg/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOZZI1VXI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/SOtoNa9G3sg/s320/IMG_2125.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got home around the same time as Melissa, so we took Rudy for a long walk and made a quick dinner. I cut up and half of a golden zucchini while Melissa made Cajun spiced chicken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpObdzO3OI/AAAAAAAAA4g/6nJ7qACxB3E/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpObdzO3OI/AAAAAAAAA4g/6nJ7qACxB3E/s320/IMG_2126.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My plate (including leftover favorite, spaghetti and meatballs)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOjs5ingI/AAAAAAAAA4o/d9NyTuE_T0U/s1600/IMG_2127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOjs5ingI/AAAAAAAAA4o/d9NyTuE_T0U/s320/IMG_2127.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rudy licking his chops, getting ready to chow down </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lastly, Peanut butter pie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOl85dsaI/AAAAAAAAA4w/FoAd-8c5zwE/s1600/IMG_2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpOl85dsaI/AAAAAAAAA4w/FoAd-8c5zwE/s320/IMG_2128.JPG" /></a></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-84182756135797148412010-08-05T01:36:00.000-04:002010-08-05T01:36:58.148-04:00Bits and Pieces- Sunday and Monday<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Breakfast</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpGyW0RgSI/AAAAAAAAA1o/R5jASJ0vscE/s1600/IMG_2091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpGyW0RgSI/AAAAAAAAA1o/R5jASJ0vscE/s320/IMG_2091.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ralph made blueberry pancakes! I had this one topped with pb and honey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpG9qmfV1I/AAAAAAAAA1w/feZtrKo6IPs/s1600/IMG_2092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpG9qmfV1I/AAAAAAAAA1w/feZtrKo6IPs/s320/IMG_2092.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ralph and I rode our bikes to run some errands (picked up rechargeable batteries for my camera, whoot!). I love Ralph's town. Granted, it's a small town, but you can easily bike, if not walk, to even the furthest stores.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lunch repeat:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpG_2G6vMI/AAAAAAAAA14/dnghS3anKIo/s1600/IMG_2094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpG_2G6vMI/AAAAAAAAA14/dnghS3anKIo/s320/IMG_2094.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Butter lettuce + red cabbage (I LOVE red cabbage and would eat it on it's own if need be)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More quiche, yum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpHCHeDypI/AAAAAAAAA2A/1_djnTaPpSc/s1600/IMG_2095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpHCHeDypI/AAAAAAAAA2A/1_djnTaPpSc/s320/IMG_2095.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still having an excess of eggs, we boiled some eggs while preparing lunch, then made deviled eggs!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpIErzST_I/AAAAAAAAA2I/dVJGX0PaoGA/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpIErzST_I/AAAAAAAAA2I/dVJGX0PaoGA/s320/IMG_2096.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Ralph's putting the paprika on them.<em> </em>I added cayenne to a few of them for a little heat.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Had this one with cayenne</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpIHSRG_kI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/r4hhW6jnQ1g/s1600/IMG_2098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpIHSRG_kI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/r4hhW6jnQ1g/s320/IMG_2098.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And then had the crazy idea to go for a run while the weather held up. I say crazy because I had just eaten a deviled egg. Luckily, I didn't get really sick or anything, but I really don't like to run right after eating. I ended up doing 4 miles, while Ralph biked the route with me.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Later on, pasta, the last of the creamy tomato sauce topped with parm. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpIJnGw9DI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/4YRNpboXgbE/s1600/IMG_2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpIJnGw9DI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/4YRNpboXgbE/s320/IMG_2101.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And then pretty much lounged the rest of the night.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Monday:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Breakfast:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpLcLOwWGI/AAAAAAAAA2g/kgB73O8_9ps/s1600/IMG_2105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpLcLOwWGI/AAAAAAAAA2g/kgB73O8_9ps/s320/IMG_2105.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpLfsvVwwI/AAAAAAAAA2o/yBPdWPYTEvg/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpLfsvVwwI/AAAAAAAAA2o/yBPdWPYTEvg/s320/IMG_2107.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And then I hit the road after Ralph left for work. I drove about 3 1/2 hours from Central NY to my sister's house in South Jersey.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I was greeted by my new best friend/nephew, Rudy:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMAFMhLmI/AAAAAAAAA2w/RWrphfP5_aY/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMAFMhLmI/AAAAAAAAA2w/RWrphfP5_aY/s320/IMG_2108.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">He was a bit camera shy here. I hope to post a picture/video of when he first sees me... He goes crazy! He wiggles his tail and butt and then jumps on me. Ok, ok, I know that's probably a pretty normal reaction, but it's just so cute!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Lunch:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMC-0dbVI/AAAAAAAAA24/SZQrwLyx1G0/s1600/IMG_2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMC-0dbVI/AAAAAAAAA24/SZQrwLyx1G0/s320/IMG_2109.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMGqdqBzI/AAAAAAAAA3A/3_GNS0HwZ9o/s1600/IMG_2110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMGqdqBzI/AAAAAAAAA3A/3_GNS0HwZ9o/s320/IMG_2110.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Melissa made the fruit salad- so refreshing! The last of the quiche :( </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Rudy was happy to see me, but I think he still missed his mom :(</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMOZiRo1I/AAAAAAAAA3I/bndm38w93Bc/s1600/IMG_2111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMOZiRo1I/AAAAAAAAA3I/bndm38w93Bc/s320/IMG_2111.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My sister, Melissa, made meatballs and sauce, so I cooked up some pasta before she got home from work.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMRK2olTI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Hi0Oekuo4IY/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMRK2olTI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Hi0Oekuo4IY/s320/IMG_2113.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Delish!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Melissa's peanut butter pie</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMUWE5gdI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/Ryfdhj28WZk/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpMUWE5gdI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/Ryfdhj28WZk/s320/IMG_2114.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I was so happy to be in one place again, but not for long....</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-88093042874529701212010-08-05T01:04:00.001-04:002010-08-05T01:05:15.455-04:00Bits and Pieces 3- SaturdayHappy Wednesday/Thursday! Before I begin my recap (still trying to get caught up, sorry!), I was hoping to make yesterday my big catch up day, but alas, life threw me for a loop again. Basically, I'm trying to get an Americorps position in Philly and since I'm not from PA, they want me to send them my NYS criminal background check. I found out yesterday that in order to get your background check, you have to get your fingerprints done... so more or less to get that done asap I had to do an impromptu drive back up to NY. I mean it wasn't that bad of a drive (little over 2 hours) but it was such short notice and I felt like I was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off :( Anywho, I'm back here in Jersey, and hopefully I won't have to rush out of the state again, at least for a few days haha!<br />
<br />
Saturday morning: <br />
So, although we still had a lot of eggs, Ralph and I went out for breakfast. I guess we reasoned out that it was on our way to the farmer's market and blueberry farm? Either way- Ralph's breakfast:<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo6pczSx8I/AAAAAAAAA0A/eAH5n3DkjEk/s1600/IMG_2077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo6pczSx8I/AAAAAAAAA0A/eAH5n3DkjEk/s320/IMG_2077.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Egg and salsa on a bagel with a frozen mocha latte?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Mine:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo60l7GyZI/AAAAAAAAA0I/G3ovzaTyG1k/s1600/IMG_2078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo60l7GyZI/AAAAAAAAA0I/G3ovzaTyG1k/s320/IMG_2078.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Cinnamon raisin cream cheese on a banana nut bagel. Sadly, we're not near enough to NYC to get hardcore chewy bagels, but the ones up in Binghamton/Ithaca have fun flavors and that was good enough for me! I had about half the bagel (knowing I'd probably want to snack later on....)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We went to the farmer's market and picked up peaches, patty pan squashes, an assortment of different colored tomatoes (to be seen tomorrow) and a golden zucchini.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Ralph picked up this lovely looking Blondie. Of course we had to have a taste...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo6_p-9NSI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/41mzM-7IEgc/s1600/IMG_2079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo6_p-9NSI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/41mzM-7IEgc/s320/IMG_2079.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And then went to the blueberry farm again (it was my last day here... and we ran out of our fresh blueberries from last time....)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo7nXLwqBI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/UMrYvPnaOpI/s1600/IMG_2084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo7nXLwqBI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/UMrYvPnaOpI/s320/IMG_2084.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Very happy to be picking blueberries again!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo7qQeflVI/AAAAAAAAA0g/vw92EbidDL8/s1600/IMG_2086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo7qQeflVI/AAAAAAAAA0g/vw92EbidDL8/s320/IMG_2086.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Ralph sneaking a taste... It's okay, that's the best part, no?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After picking blueberries, we figured it was time to go home and make lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo787ElyVI/AAAAAAAAA0o/X_HGArJxeq8/s1600/IMG_2087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo787ElyVI/AAAAAAAAA0o/X_HGArJxeq8/s320/IMG_2087.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo7_k7j3QI/AAAAAAAAA0w/Qu3aO8QHJZQ/s1600/IMG_2088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo7_k7j3QI/AAAAAAAAA0w/Qu3aO8QHJZQ/s320/IMG_2088.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">More quiche, plus butter lettuce and cabbage We decided to finish the last of the Honeymoons</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo8SfR3OeI/AAAAAAAAA04/C0MNXF6IlyI/s1600/IMG_2090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFo8SfR3OeI/AAAAAAAAA04/C0MNXF6IlyI/s320/IMG_2090.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Blueberry crisp I froze from last time- still tasty!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And then it was time to pack. Saturday was the last day of my lease, so we had to get moving. I think we started moving at 1:30. Sadly no pictures of the craziness, but I will say that even though I started packing last week, I (surprise) still left a lot of things to do until the last minute. I always leave the kitchen stuff too long and that always contains a LOT of stuff. And then the little bedroom knick knacks. And we also had to run out and pick up a new set of blinds (other ones broke in half). Well, I think we finally got out of there around 7:30 (after filling my car and half of Ralph's) and went to check out a friend's new apartment (he had to move out too). We left Binghamton a little after 8 and drove the hour to Ralph's apartment. When we got there, we were both pretty hungry so we went to a nice little restaurant in his town for tapas, yay!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We walked the few blocks to the restaurant and bother decided to start with beer/wine</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(The last few are from my camera phone)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpEVDOa7kI/AAAAAAAAA1A/zMRwW9ZUJ8o/s1600/554521137_1964055927_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpEVDOa7kI/AAAAAAAAA1A/zMRwW9ZUJ8o/s320/554521137_1964055927_0.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I got a California Zinfandel</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpFTyrAdDI/AAAAAAAAA1g/4MBim9f1kX4/s1600/554521473_1964057157_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpFTyrAdDI/AAAAAAAAA1g/4MBim9f1kX4/s320/554521473_1964057157_0.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Ralph's Sam Adam's Summer Ale</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My tapas:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpFL36YATI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/fTz0-NXMJhY/s1600/554521571_1964057521_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpFL36YATI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/fTz0-NXMJhY/s320/554521571_1964057521_0.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Pesto flatbread</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Ralph's:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpFNkx6MjI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/TJXOq0zvwPQ/s1600/554521767_1964058237_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFpFNkx6MjI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/TJXOq0zvwPQ/s320/554521767_1964058237_0.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sun dried tomato dip with extra bread.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We both split our dishes equally and both left stuffed.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Overall, it was a busy day, but we definitely saved some time for the fun stuff!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131434236005147009.post-59638854124953471932010-08-03T10:00:00.001-04:002010-08-03T10:04:31.553-04:00Bits and Pieces 2Good evening again! Sorry I'm late, but I'm finally in one place and connected again yay!<br />
<br />
Anywho onto Thursday's recap- forgot to take a picture, but I believe I had 2 fried eggs and toast.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I returned to my apartment reasonably early, so I went for a 3 mile run. It was fun and not too hot and it felt good to run and clear my head. I came back to my apartment, cleaned up, got changed and did some work on my online course. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Then I had a burrito for lunch:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgVYFY1USI/AAAAAAAAAyw/hw_sWlE3gM0/s1600/IMG_2062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgVYFY1USI/AAAAAAAAAyw/hw_sWlE3gM0/s320/IMG_2062.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And sadly that's not sour cream on the bottom, but rather Greek Yogurt. 'Twas okay. I'd been trying to get rid of as much stuff in my fridge as possible before moving, so it was a decent replacement.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After lunch, I went to mall to use an American Eagle gift card I had, and ended up getting a few new cute tops. I also walked around the mall for a little while. When I got home I did some more work on my computer (and in hindsight, I realize I should have spent some more time packing for my final move, but that's just how it goes.)</div><br />
And then somewhere along the line I started feeling sad and lonely. Maybe it was the impending final move far away from Ralph, friends, the last 4 years of my life. Or maybe it was the tumultuous week I had (driving down to Jersey, back and forth around Jersey, up to the NYC area and then back to central NY). Maybe it was because I missed my blog activites/friends/etc. (No joke, I wasn't able to catch up ALL week. I'm sorry if it seems like I fell off the face of the earth!) Either way, I was not feeling being in my apartment alone and couldn't get ahold of friends in town. I had a quick early dinner:<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFdjCpzH5_I/AAAAAAAAAyg/Y2Ju9S1nZCw/s1600/IMG_2063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFdjCpzH5_I/AAAAAAAAAyg/Y2Ju9S1nZCw/s320/IMG_2063.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And then drove to Ralph's. When I passed through his town, I saw a large gathering of people and heard music playing. When I got to his apartment, I told him about it and we walked over to the concert. We found out it was a Blues Concert, and although it was cool to see this happening in the center of town, we're not really into Blues. We decided to walk to the ice cream shop located a few blocks away (ok, more than a few blocks... maybe 1/4 mile?)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I chose a regular size vanilla soft serve with rainbow sprinkles. Sadly, no pic available, but I think we can all picture the deliciousness pretty well. I ate half of it, and tried to salvage the rest on our walk back to Ralph's apartment. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday was a lot better. I had a plan. I was going to head back to my apartment, then head out to the University to say bye to friends I worked with in lab and at my on campus job.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The day started with my fav:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgZfHxoGJI/AAAAAAAAAy4/KlZG9cvejSQ/s1600/IMG_2064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgZfHxoGJI/AAAAAAAAAy4/KlZG9cvejSQ/s320/IMG_2064.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Peanut butter + honey toast, plus banana.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I drove back to Binghamton. I stopped at my apartment to drop some things off, picked up my bike and rode over the University. I spent about 2 hours walking around and meeting with old friends. Around noon I came home and made chocolate banana soft serve:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgZo-qGmnI/AAAAAAAAAzA/iXIx2yDQvgw/s1600/IMG_2065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgZo-qGmnI/AAAAAAAAAzA/iXIx2yDQvgw/s320/IMG_2065.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And then found room for a real lunch:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgZysDnSQI/AAAAAAAAAzI/TwfOHi3iass/s1600/IMG_2068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgZysDnSQI/AAAAAAAAAzI/TwfOHi3iass/s320/IMG_2068.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Homemade torilla chips.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgZ3evQVpI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/MCzf5folKgo/s1600/IMG_2069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgZ3evQVpI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/MCzf5folKgo/s320/IMG_2069.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Kinda burnt, so I only had half.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I did some work on my computer course and then went back to around 4 to meet up with friends I couldn't catch up with earlier.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Around 6, Ralph arrived. We were planning to make quiche since Ralph gets a dozen eggs every week from a coworker, and well, let's just say he had a few dozen that needed to be used, figure 3-4 dozen (including the dozen I had in my fridge already and the dozen Ralph brought with him friday night). Please keep this in mind as I recap this weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">For now, let's just say I really wanted to use up some of these eggs. We ran to the supermarket to pick up some things to make quiche plus something to eat while it was cooking:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgbmULXDwI/AAAAAAAAAzg/p2_-NEQxF-w/s1600/IMG_2070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgbmULXDwI/AAAAAAAAAzg/p2_-NEQxF-w/s320/IMG_2070.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Ralph had most of it, since I knew he was starting to get hungry after working all day, but he was nice enough to share a few pieces with me</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Our creations:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgb1Z7zKPI/AAAAAAAAAzo/DY_xb1EEWTk/s1600/IMG_2073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgb1Z7zKPI/AAAAAAAAAzo/DY_xb1EEWTk/s320/IMG_2073.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Broccoli and red pepper with asiago</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgb6PtahHI/AAAAAAAAAzw/sPg0DuKxNIk/s1600/IMG_2074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgb6PtahHI/AAAAAAAAAzw/sPg0DuKxNIk/s320/IMG_2074.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sundried tomato with asiago</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My plate:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgb-G0ZvqI/AAAAAAAAAz4/c2hGhIP468A/s1600/IMG_2076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r0wplHcK97k/TFgb-G0ZvqI/AAAAAAAAAz4/c2hGhIP468A/s320/IMG_2076.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Plus a sliver of the sundried tomato quiche.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The weekend- to be continued....</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765507700267804167noreply@blogger.com3