5 Mar 2010

Foodie Night with Brandi

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I love my foodie friends!
Brandi and I worked together at SBTS before she went and had a baby. Last night was our last time to get together and hang out before I move on as well. Such is the life of seminary workers!

We had so much fun and I personally ate too much!
I made a huge salad: green leaf lettuce, roma tomato, cuk, feta cheese, pecans, dried cherries. YUM
Brandi made chuck bbq with Sweet Baby Rays sauce that she had slow cooked and then shredded. We ate it the only way you can: on a yellow bread roll that was garlic-ized in the oven on broil.
We also had baked doritos and baked ruffles.
For dessert: an eggo waffle topped with fruit, cinnamon, and maple syrup.

End the night with a Diet Doctor Pepper and my fave dude on TV solving a food-related murder – could it get any better?
I’ll definitely miss Brandi – and am thankful for social media and email!
5 Mar 2010

Food Mantras

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Bad food nights make me think so much about what needs to change in my life (usually on the morning after). Yesterday was just a bad eat day – I just ate all day. Especially with a yummy dinner with my friend, Brandi. Man, that girl can make some pulled bbq (and we had a salad).
So, I woke up this morning and thought more about this this morning (it wasn’t all thought of this morning, but I had just put some final touches on it). And with changes in my life coming the end of this month (moving, sharing a fridge and freezer, having a Trader Joes and state farmers market close by where I live)…I have greater opp to put these into action.
What are your thoughts on these?

1. EAT LESS. Yes, we all know that, but let me explain. I mean, use little dishes, use little tupperware for meals and snacks to bring to work, be more mindful of portion control, eating less so I will start to be satisfied with less.
2. EAT BETTER. I have now almost completely cut out all processed foods from my diet. But, potato chips (even good for me ones) still make it into the grocery cart, some frozen dinners make it in there as well. I want to make all my salad dressings (which I do), granola bars, meals, snacks, etc. Maybe I’ll start buying mostly organic, but I don’t know that yet – especially the few times I eat meat, organic meat is so expensive! I don’t think I want to go to a CO-OP of CSA because of the NC State Farmers Market that will be so close to me in a month. I am also excited about learning more about canning so I can do something with all these fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. SHOP MORE. This one may not necessarily go with the other two. I’ve always dreamed of living in a place like NYC or San Fran where I could walk down to the market and pick out what I wanted that day to eat and cook. I do love planning – but something about that is appealing to me. This will have to work because of sharing a fridge now. I need to have less stocked up and buy fresher ingredients. So, I want to go wknd farmers market shopping and then go suppliment that by TJ or HT or Super Walmart for the random things I need.
4. SPEND LESS. Am I really thinking this through? How can all these work? I have figured out that if I do the above three things, than I will actually accomplish this last one. I will waste less food, buy less because I’ll be eating less, and be more picky about what I buy.

What are your food mantras or what do you think about these?

5 Mar 2010

Cleavage and Pencil Skirts on the Toy Aisle

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Well…the doll industry has done it again.

Mattel, the leading industry icon for all things doll, including Barbie, has chose to market these new dolls to young girls.
Here are some things this doll can teach impressionable young pre-teen and pre-adolescent girls:

1. You are what you look like.
2. It doesn’t matter how you dress
3. The work force is the place for you (whatever work one might be doing dressed like that)
4. You can get where you want to in life as long as you dress immodestly.
That is just the beginning, but I’ll leave it at that.
Moms (especially), Dads, childrens pastors, babysitters…anyone…please read this…
Our girls live in an age that is dangerous for them and their eyes and ears. I was visiting with a friend last night and had the Disney channel on for most of the evening. I couldn’t believe the shows that were on, what they were wearing, how they talked to their parents, the topics of their conversations….
The magazine aisle or the checkout aisle is dangerous because of the scantily scad stars or models that boast the front page.
The bookstores are dangerous for the same reason.
The malls are dangerous because of stores like Victoria Secrets and even places like Rue 21 and other stores that sell mostly teen, pre-teen clothing.
What I am not saying is to guard your child so much that she never sees the outside of your home. I’m not saying that you should never let your daughter go to the mall, go to Barnes and Noble or shop at Toys ‘R’ Us again.
What I am saying is this:

1. Amazingly show your daughter that the gospel is more important in her life than what she looks like.
2. Dads (especially) tell your daughter that she is beautiful. The other day I was eating dinner with friends, and probably heard this statement 5 times in a matter of 3 hours. This Dad’s daughter was only 15 months or so (about) but she already knew that she was cherished by her Daddy. Priceless.
3. Teach your daughter biblical principles for attire. We don’t have hem line measurements in Scripture, but we do have principles.
4. Shop with your daughters and walk them through things that might not be appropriate and tell them why.
5. Be involved in your daughter’s life so she can come to you with her questions and her inadequacies and know that you care and love her.
6. Give your daughter a biblical world view of the gospel, her created self made in the image of the one true God, her role as woman, her spirit and heart that matter more than what she looks like on the outside.

Here are some Scriptures that teach on the above principles to pour over your daughter (maybe on a mom/daughter date night, or a wknd away, or just a morning breakfast of her fave pancakes): Gen 1:26-28; 1 Peter 3; Prov 7 (of how not to be); Prov 31 (of how to be); Col 3, 4; Gal 6.14; Prov 4.23.

Here are some books that might help you as well:

Girls Gone Wise – Mary Kassian (coming soon)
Your Girl – Vicki Courtney
Girl Talk – Mahaneys
Lies Young Women Believe – Nancy Leigh Demoss
Happily Ever After – Inquest Ministries

Talk with your daughter. Don’t let the images that Mattel and other worldly manufacturers distribute be chiseled in their minds. The gospel is better.
Colossians 3.16 – Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
5 Mar 2010

Roast Turkey with Rigatoni

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New babies! I love them. And with all the siblings – this recipe was a hit with the kiddos (one even went back for seconds). I served this with roasted broccoli and red peppers and peanut butter cookies.
I found a recipe similar to this on Simply Recipes, and just changed it up to my liking!
1 lb rigatoni (I like these shapes when serving to kids because they can eat them easier – trick I learned from Mrs Italian cook herself, Lauren)

12 oz sliced mushrooms
1 stick unsalted butter
1/4 cup flour
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup half and half
1/4 cup white wine (I used Quail Creek, a CA wine that the Whole Foods guy recommended)
2 cups homemade turkey stock (made from simmering the turkey bones from my roast turkey recipe a few recipes down)
3 cups chopped roast turkey – from Ina Garten recipe I made
1 1/4 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup parm cheese
1/2 cup mozz cheese, grated
juice of one lemon
s/p/pinch of nutmeg (nutmeg goes great with cream sauces)
1/3 cup parm cheese
1/2 cup mozz cheese
Cook mushrooms (I did in evoo and Quail Creek), for about 10 minutes.
In separate small saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour, then milk and half and half on low (so it doesn’t scorch or boil over), then the cheese, finally spices and lemon juice.
Cook rigatoni till al dente and drain.
Mix all together. Top with remaining cheese.
Pour into 9×13 pan, lightly sprayed with pam. Bake uncovered at 375 for about 35 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
Enjoy!
5 Mar 2010

Easy Shepherds Pie

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This month is cleaning out the pantry time! I had a can of Dinty Moore beef stew – which I do love by the way. So, on the back of the can is a great recipe for shepherds pie. I made it for a friend and her husband this past Wednesday since their nights are really busy with work and church (and traffic).
I kinda followed the recipe, but really not.

1 can dinty moore beef stew
1 cup sliced mushrooms, chopped
3/4 cup frozen peas
7 red skin potatoes
1/3 cup half and half
2 T unsalted butter
2 T parm cheese
s/p
1 cup cheddar cheese

Boil potatoes, mash, and mix with half and half, butter, cheese, and seasonings.
Dump beef stew in bottom of 8×8 pan. Break up bigger chunks of beef. Stir in mushrooms and peas. Spread potatoes on top. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Top with cheese and bake another 5 minutes. Serve.
Aarica and J both said this was wonderful – “best shepherds pie ever”!
2 Mar 2010

Shepherded

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A friend said to me last night, “Isn’t it nice to be shepherded?”
YES – a resounding YES.
I haven’t thought of the past few months – or even 2 years – in this term, but that is what has been happening in my life. I have had certain people come alongside me and encourage me, speak TRUTH into my life (exactly when I need it), care for me, spur me on, wish for me to succeed, pray for/with me, love me, and also realize that I’m stupid and listen to other voices.
Jesus talks a lot about sheep, and shepherds. I really liked this blog post from FL pastor, Timmy Brister: “Every one of Jesus’ sheep are safe and secure in the grip of the Good Shepherd who put the choke hold on death and crushed the head of the serpent.”
I always need shepherding – but not everyone is a shepherd, and I’m not easily shepherded. There have been pastors in my life who have been shepherds, and I look forward to having 2 more. These pastors have also been friends of mine, and for that I am grateful.
Most of the time I need shepherding is when I listen to other things and am being stupid: and for me, that is most of the time fear of man – I listen to that dude a lot. But, when people come alongside me and remind me that life is not about man, or you – but ultimately it is about the gospel – that is what I need to hear. That is when I need to be shepherded.
But, also another aspect of a shepherd is the ability to love. I love being prized and delighted in. It is amazing that people would do that to/for me. It doesn’t happen often. Its an odd thing: receiving love and/or praise. It is very hard for me to receive praise from just anyone – because I don’t trust the sincerity of it. Most of the time words of praise have to be matched with action. But, being delighted in – just because of who you are and the gospel story that is on display in your life – that is amazing. When God brings someone into your life that delights in you – cherish it.
Being delighted in helps you to see the God in you, helps you to see the God in others, and increases your chance to succeed in ministry. Because, ultimately, again, its not about you – its about God. God living in you, God redeeming you, God shepherding you, God cherishing you, God loving the world, God shaping you, God refining you, God making you in right standing before Him, God being God.
Two verses on shepherding:

Psalm 100.3 – “Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, we are His. We are his people and the sheep of His pasture.”
John 10.11, 27 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them; they follow me.”
I am thankful for earthly shepherded who reflect the love of the Good Shepherd to me in their guidance, delighting, and shepherding.

Who is your earthly shepherd?
Colossians 3.16 – Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
2 Mar 2010

Running and P90X

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Yeah – bring on March 1.
That means, typically, there is warmer weather out there. And, I have missed running because of a couple reasons:
1. I hate running inside (track or treadmill).
2. I hate running when its below 40 degrees.

Last night, by the time I had the chance to run, I had to run inside on the track. The past few months this has been almost impossible because my gym keeps the track at about 90 degrees so you can’t breathe. So, I would do interval hills on the treadmill. Last night, the heat/air was back to normal. It felt so good to run 2 miles. I didn’t lose much on my time, but I could feel a difference in my right ham and in my left ankle. I’ve been having knee issues – but amazingly not when I run. So that was a good thing.
I’m running tonight on the track again (just a time thing) and then tomorrow night I’ll run out at Seneca. I’m gearing back up for the Anthem 5k on Saturday.
But, I’ve missed the energy running gives me and the weight loss/shaping ability that running has. Definitely will be doing that. I love the parks here in Louisville, and I am looking forward to Shelley, Johnson, and Lynn Lakes in Raleigh and also Umstead State Park. They will be good preparers for the Half I’m doing over Labor Day wknd. Hopefully some running buddies in Raleigh too. (But I’ll def miss my running buddies here in the Ville).
Ok – now for P90X. I’ve heard and read so many blogs about how absolutely wonderful this is. And for some yes. This is the first time I’ve heard some negative reports of it.
You can read about it here. Basically – its a lot of money. But, if you can borrow someone’s to test before you purchase it, that might be a wise move.
Ok – go exercise people – its spring – that means its one more month closer to bathing suit season – yikes! 🙂

1 Mar 2010

Lemon and Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

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This might be the best turkey I’ve ever cooked – Thanksgiving or not! 🙂

Ina Garten comes through again as her little Barefoot Contessa. So thankful she did. I am trying to use things in my freezer so they won’t get to waste when I move at the end of March, and I found this turkey in the back of it. Don’t even remember why I bought it – maybe just b/c it was on sale. So, I looked on line. This morning I had plenty of time on my hands (after my 12 hours of sleep, 745-745, I was so tired and it was needed, some AWESOME sleep) so I just let it cook in the oven.
It was SO MOIST and flavorful! Loved it. I’m going to be using it on salads, maybe for a sandwich, mostly for turkey tetrazzini I am making for a family with a new baby on Tuesday.
Yum!

(slightly changed from original recipe because size of my turkey)

1 8 lb turkey breast
2 mega garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp rosemary
2 tsp italian seasonings
2 tsp kosher salt
1 lemon – juiced
2 1/2 T olive oil – very good, fruity olive oil works best
1 cup blush or white wine

Dry turkey breast with a paper towel. Mix garlic through oil into a paste – smear on and under the turkey (under the skin). Place skin side up in a roasting pan (or on a rack). Pour wine in the bottom of the dish. Bake for about 2.15 hours at 325 covering about halfway through because the skin will get too dark.
This is so moist, and the wine and lemon and olive oil are very good things!
1 Mar 2010

Tomato-Basil Toads in the Hole

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Panera puts out some mighty delicious bread. I got a loaf of their tomato-basil bread for dinner on Thursday night. I wanted to use it for my breakfast with Becca. I did – and it was yummy.

2 slices of your fave bread (tomato-basil)
2 eggs
mozz cheese
pepper
spray olive oil

Spray a griddle. On about med-high put the bread (cut a hole in it with a glass – that’s what I used). Crack open an egg. Cook till mostly done – or to your liking – then flip it. I overcooked mine a bit, but I will learn. Top with mozz or parm cheese and serve warm!

27 Feb 2010

Menu Week: March 1

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Wow – already here. Well, this is the start of the end for me here in Louisville. The next month of menus will have restaurants, dinners with friends, and few homecooked exciting meals.
Monday: making peanut butter cookies for 2 families with new babies. Enjoying some leftover soup that I just took out of the freezer. Dinner will be salad greens and turkey
Tuesday: Shiraz with Rayann – 2.99$ Falafel Tuesday. Dinner: I am making Ina Garten’s roast turkey (on Sunday) and using it to make Simply Recipes Turkey Tetrazzini for a friend and their new baby. Serving alongside roasted broccoli, rolls, and pb cookies
Wednesday: lunch at Lotsa Pasta – my fave deli place in the Ville – with my friend, Sarah. Dinner will be greens and turkey.
Thursday: Dinner with Brandi – just the two of us (and the little guy). Don’t know what we are going to enjoy yet – but it will be wonderful when we decide. You are getting two cookers together!
Friday: hanging with Tracy on Friday night but I think I need to eat some carbs for the Anthem 5k on Saturday morning.
Recipe of the week is Ghiradhelli’s Double Chocolate cookies – making to take with me to Nashville.
After the race, I’m driving down to Brentwood, TN to go to the Pfunky Griddle to enjoy some whole grain pancakes with pb and bananas on top. Dinner will be with my best friend from high school and a wonderful mexican chicken salad she makes for me every time I come (because I request it).
Sunday is hanging in Brentwood and Thompson Station, lunch, and then maybe dinner with a friend at PeiWei.
Always enjoy traveling, cooking, eating out! Good week ahead!