Life is a Series of Tradeoffs

Spending money wisely is something that has been etched into my mind. Without spending much time on the various sources that left me laced with the value of a dollar I would like to bring your attention to my skillful approach of how to justify the money that does get spent frivolously. If it were a new shirt I would say, "Yes, I do have 3 other black blouses. However, this black blouse is work appropriate." If it were a new camera I would say, "Even though my old camera was still functional, I needed a new one for my blog's pictures to look more professional. I can still bring the other out to the bar."

It's hard to dispute those benefits, right?

Well, anyway, perhaps we can meet at a common place and agree that a nice meal out never takes much effort to justify. After all, eating out turns a boring night in into an occasion celebrated by eating with family or friends. Occasions are easy to justify! (Exclamation added to mask my frustration over how many occasional boring nights were turned into occasions.) However frustrating, it is true that the memories created at these meals will always be close to my heart, could never be replaced, and are always my favorite thing to spend money on.

As the nesters gear themselves up for what is sure to be a delicious holiday meal to celebrate friendship tonight at Victoria's Gastro Pub I began stalking the restaurant's menu: 1/2 price cocktails, lobster grilled cheese, duck fat fries. Oh. Mon. Dieu! Yes! How on anyone on earth pass it up? Slap a $20 price tag on a grilled cheese- some might say, "No, thanks."

And so Dad's old expression, "Life is a series of trade offs" comes into play... again. Because I cannot say no to fancy cocktails, cannot omit duck fat fries nor substitute a plain grilled cheese for the one adorned with lobster I have been forced to trade off some smaller pleasures in order to cushion my wallet. Here are some easy ways to pinch $30 from your wallet this week:

1. Nothing else to eat Chicken Salad: Make it one week night by combining hummus, whatever veggies you've got in the fridge, and canned chicken. Season it to your taste- I, of course, prefer hot sauce. Eat it for lunch on salad, toast or with pasta. Save yourself at least $10 you would have spent on other lunches.

2. No excuse to stop at Starbucks: get your coffee ready the night before. When you run out, drink tea instead. (It's the same amount of caffeine, you know.)

3. Easiest pumpkin muffins ever: 1 box spice cake mix+ 1 15 oz. can of pure pumpkin puree. Mix, bake and grab for breakfast. No extra money spent on breakfasts forgotten at home either.

4. Ask for a ride: the benefits of carpooling go beyond environmental salvation. For those of you with SUV's saving $10 on gas means cutting down just 50 miles from your weekly commute to work, the gym, grocery store, or bar in downtown Baltimore (Wait, should you even be driving there in the first place?)

Note: One glass of Victory's Old Horizontal Barley Wine Ale will have you sawing logs

Now, sink your teeth into that lobster grilled cheese, wash it down with a perfectly paired micro brew and smile because it was worth pinching pennies during the week to afford. (Dad, you were right again.)

Chili Con Cornbread

Not my chili, but looks like it. MMM...

"The act of longing and belonging must be experienced in life." Yogi Well-Being Wisdom


I don't know who said that but they sure hit the nail on the head. I happen to do a lot of longing when it comes to my sweetheart, as do a couple of my girlfriends. I can vouch that once the weather takes a turn for down-to-the-bone cold not being able to get a nice warm hug from your mister is the WORST!! The solution: consuming comfort food. Warm, hearty, stick to your ribs and stay with ya comfort food. (Well, it at least tides ya over... kinda.)


The other night I had the opportunity to not only whip up this kind of meal but also share it with the object of all this longing. It was a treat in more than one sense! Plus the recipe is big enough for you to get 2-4 additional meals throughout the week and keeps very well. (Oh, and the chili takes less than an hour, total. You can't beat that with a stick.) Try it while you long for your mister or make it for both of you, curl up on the couch and stay out of the windy, ice-cold weather outside.


Easy, Quick black bean Chili:

3 15 oz. cans of black beans
1 15 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1 lb. of ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey-you pick)
2 tbs. red wine vinegar
chopped fresh jalapeno to taste
minced garlic to taste
onion to taste
chili pepper to taste
addt'l spices... to taste
approx. 1/4 c. brown sugar (I find the ratio of sweet to spicey a personal preference, however. Therefore, depending on how hot you want the chili to be you may want to add more or less sugar.)


This is your basic base to making a quick chili: sautee the onion, garlic and chopped jalapenos in olive oil in a large pot. Add your meat and brown. Add beans and tomatoes, red wine vinegar, all other spices and brown sugar. Allow to simmer up to an hour, stirring occasionally and adding more seasonings to meet your preference.


Serve with warm cornbread topped with more fresh cut jalapeno and cheddar cheese.

a la Alfredo

Truth.

I just didn't work out today. I gave myself one of those days that I packed up my gym bag, threw it in the back of my cute little red car, went to work and then went home instead of going to the gym afterward. There was no real reason: No sore funny bones or loss of sleep. I just didn't feel like it! Mwahahaha!

And then...

and THEN!!!!!!!!

I can home and ate angel hair pasta (or Capellini for you fancy folks) with ALFREDO!!!!!

Doesn't sound too dangerous of a statement on its own but I have a feeling this momentary lapse of gym judgement will lead to a downward spinning circle of bacon breakfasts, white sauce covered pasta adorned with pancetta and scallions, chocolate cakes and cookies and truffles. Feel free to b*&%# me any time, guys.

SIKE! I can't fall off that bandwagon like that!

Although I will tempt you all with this easier than pie* alfredo recipe:

4 tablespoons butter

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons flour

garlic

onions, optional

parmesan cheese to taste

In a medium sauce pan melt butter then add garlic and onions- cook until both are fragrant and transparent (about 5 minutes.) Incorporate flour until ingredients are sticky. Add heavy cream, slowly. Continue stirring and adding heavy cream ( you can add a bit more than a cup if you prefer a thinner sauce.)

Pour over whatever it is you want to treat yourself to. One of my favorites is Trader Joe's Perline pasta and prosciutto.

Oh yeah, that's the stuff.

*I really hate the expression, "Easier than pie." I haven't yet been able to master that skill. It can't be that easy...

Fat. Lip.

<--Those are mine. I'm not even pouting! I know my lips are normally big, but right now one is ABNORMALLY big. Bottom lip. Swollen. Mystery. Ow. It feels really heavy and almost numb. Maybe I ate something not so tasty this Tuesday =/ I feel like Hitch. 

Do's and Donuts

It seems almost everyday there is a new trend in the "things to avoid" category of life. My personal skepticism of the industrial process of food and household commodities makes it nearly impossible for me to turn my head to any of these heeded warnings. Although, I find some to be completely over the top. (My favorite crazy "don't" is drinking milk. In my opinion, unless you have a lactose intolerance you should drink milk. It's good for you.) Although, to be fair, some don't's are completely valid:

Ya'll Ready fo' This?! (Nice Plums )

1. Don't eat/buy certain vegetables unless they are organic. (Here is a great list of foods that you can buy non-organic, though!)
2. Don't litter
3. Don't drink soda

4. Don't buy (fresh) food from Wal-Mart. In fact, try not to buy anything from Wal-Mart.

5. Don't use cheap health and beauty products. (I really stand by this one, gals. If you haven't explored what goes into the makeup you're wearing, you should. Find out what's in your makeup HERE.)

While these don'ts can be rules to live by I still think the phrase, "Everything in moderation," prevails. Sometimes you need to go to Wal-Mart for socks! Sometimes you need a soda with your burger! Sometimes it doesn't make sense to get organic russet potatoes from the market across town when there is a grocery 1/2 of a mile away. Moderation is the key to most of life's choice, simple or complex. When we discuss the detrimental effects of sugar and fat on our diets we should also remind ourselves that a little treat is OK every now and again. Understanding food and how it can be used as a way to fill our lives with nourishment and keep our bodies and souls healthy is so important. I believe my ideas about food are similar to Jamie Oliver's:

"My philosophy to food and healthy eating has always been about enjoying everything in a balanced, and sane way. Food is one of life's greatest joys yet we've reached this really sad point where we're turning food into the enemy, and something to be afraid of. I believe that when you use good ingredients to make pasta dishes, salads, stews, burgers, grilled vegetables, fruit salads, and even outrageous cakes, they all have a place in our diets. We just need to rediscover our common sense: if you want to curl up and eat macaroni and cheese every once in a while – that's alright! Just have a sensible portion next to a fresh salad, and don't eat a big old helping of chocolate cake afterwards.Knowing how to cook means you'll be able to turn all sorts of fresh ingredients into meals when they're in season, at their best, and cheapest! Cooking this way will always be cheaper than buying processed food, not to mention better for you. And because you'll be cooking a variety of lovely things, you'll naturally start to find a sensible balance. Some days you'll feel like making something light, and fresh, other days you'll want something warming and hearty. If you've got to snack between meals, try to go for something healthy rather than loading up on chocolate or potato crisps. Basically, as long as we all recognize that treats should be treats, not a daily occurrence, we'll be in a good place. So when I talk about having a 'healthy' approach to food, and eating better I'm talking about achieving that sense of balance: lots of the good stuff, loads of variety, and the odd indulgence every now and then. " Source

While for many this sounds like common sense, some might find it to be a wake up call. Others might be surprised how much changing their outlook on food could benefit their life. Start tracking your food intake and find out how accurate it is to what your body actually needs. (USE THIS).

To get you started here is a recipe that I made tonight. It's fresh, it's fast, it's healthy and, um, super yummy :)

1 package of pizza dough crust
1/3 cup BBQ sauce (I didn't have any BBQ so I made my sauce with A1, ketchup and a little bit of Sriracha- it worked!)

black beans, roasted corn, tomato and scallions to taste (I used Trader Joe's Black Bean and Roasted Corn Salsa which worked perfectly)
Shredded lite mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roll pizza dough out to preferred thickness (be sure to flour your surface first), bake for approximately 5 minutes then turn over, coat with BBQ sauce, vegetable mixture and cheese. Bake for another 5-10 minutes, let cool, gobble up.

Adapted from: Smoky Corn & Black Bean Pizza

Say Bye to Crabs

Last night I had dinner with the 'rents. They brought crabs home from Steamers, a restaurant in Bethany Beach, which is now closed for the season. So very tasty, the crabs were! Yum. 


What condiment do you usually eat with your crabs? I've tried butter, mayonnaise and Sriracha, among others. But my very favorite thing to dip my crabmeat in is something my mom introduced to me as a child--it's a mixture of fresh-squeezed lime, salt, pepper, and sugar. It may sound WEIRD or GROSS to some, but to those of you with brave and/or curious taste buds, give it a try next summer! It may turn out to be your favorite too!


Below, you can see how much I love these spiders of the sea: 

The delicious Maryland Blue Crab, covered in inches of Old Bay

Well, you can't really eat these guys, but it doesn't hurt to try...unless they're poisonous...then you break out in hives...then start growing claws out of your forehead...and a stinger tail...and eyes on your temples. Ok, do not try this at home.

Sadly, since crab season is now over, I will have to go back to eating humans. Until next summer, my crustacean cronies!

Me, eating humans

Mama Always Said

Source

Feel good foods are essential when under the weather. With the cold and flu season's opener making its rounds, knowing what to eat and drink to stay healthy can be your ticket to avoiding what your coworkers/fellow students/friends/family members may have.

As a kid my mom always took the holistic route to keeping me healthy and remedying my colds. "Fluids and rest, fluids and rest, fluids and rest," was the motto she stood by. Antibiotics were an absolute no-go in our household because of my mild allergy to penicillin. Long story short: Bologna's Mama wasn't havin' none of it! We were doin' things the natural way (if ever possible, of course)!

However, one argument against holistic remedies is that a major part of its healing is a mental game. Mind over matter is what many attribute the success of both traditional and holistic medicinal treatments. Perhaps it's because my mother embedded the idea of holistic medicine's success in me from a young age, but it has certainly carried over into my adulthood.

Natural medicine > Traditional medicine.

In honor of Tuesday's food theme I thought I would share with you some tasty foods that have always made me feel better:

1. Egg drop soup: Rich in protein which our bodies use as fuel to fight colds. There are many easy recipes available but if the only energy you have left is reserved to pick up the phone- delivery restaurant egg drop soup has always done the trick for me. While this is one of my favorites, if you aren't a fan I suggest something with a lot of simple proteins and low in carbohydrates so your body isn't shifting energy to break down foods difficult to digest.

2. Homemade popsicles: Sore throat? Throw some apple, orange or grape juice in an ice cube tray with a wooden stick. The result- electrolyte full, economically friendly, sore throat soothers.

3. Simple garlic soup: 3-4 cloves of crushed garlic added to boiling water. Simplest recipe ever. If taken once a day, garlic soup can open up respitory passages leading to lower fevers while cleansing toxins from the system.

4. Ginger tea: Not just because it is oh-so-yummy (this time!) Ginger has healing properties that combat cold symptoms and fevers. While I typically love Yogi's version, it's recommeded that bits of ginger be added to boiled water for serveral minutes before tea leaves are added for best results.

5. Herbal Cough Drops: Mama stands by these until today. Great lozenges can be found at most health food stores but this year's cold has me motivated to make my own. The wonderful thing about making them yourself is that you can customize them with herbs/essential oils that will best treat your cold. Here is a list of ideas to get you started:

Horehound - pain reliever, stimulates digestion (hard to find... but apparently works miracles)
Echinacea - best before full onset of cold, anti-bacterial (echinacea+honey+lemon= my favorite!)
Peppermint - expectorant, decongestant and mild pain reliever (tastes yummy, too!)
Eucalyptus - decongestant
Camphor - decongestant

Ginger - pain-relieving, antiseptic and antioxidant
Licorice - anti-viral, chest and throat soother
Sage - good for sore throats
Yarrow - reduces fevers and inflammation

If you don't have a cold already make some now so you can have them on hand! RECIPE HERE

(NOTE: there are several methods of incorporating your preferred herb. Some suggest creating a strong tea and others recommend essential oil. The base of the drop is a simple plain hard candy which makes room for creativity/tweaking it make it your own!)

Do you have a favorite natural remedy for colds? What did your Mama always say about keeping the doctor away?

p.s. The image at the beginning of today's post is from ExplodingDog.com. If you haven't visited the site yet you should... really.

FALLing

Among this season's most celebrated treasures (pumpkineverything!leaves!applecider!coolweather!) I look forward to Fall because of food. October and November are hearty, earthy, rustic months and my appetite tends to reflect that. As the middle months of the year dwindle down I become increasingly lustful after the perfectly spiced taste of beer brewed for Fall. (Note: Fall beer is also usually brewed with the perfect ABV% to get the job done, quickly.)

Enjoying some delicious Oktoberfest beer at the Ol'Heidelberg in Huntsville, AL.

Last night the nest hosted an oven's worth of pumpkin scones topped with a spicy sweet glaze (bring it- Starbucks!) and this weekend some of the birdies are caravaning to a chili cook-off hosted in the forest of WV. In fact even tonight's dinner menu at the nest is loaded with foods that answer Fall's call: "Comfort me."

Just thinking about it has exhausted me with Fall possibilities! In fact, I'm ready for another relaxing mug of ginger tea followed by a long, somber sleep. Good night!


Do any of you have recipes or traditions reserved especially for Fall?


"To be great- feel great, act great." -Yogi Tea Wisdom