I Bet You Didn't Know

So, today I thought I'd share some random things you probably didn't know about me.

1. I love pepper.  I hate arugula.

Which, should strike you as strange if you watch cooking shows where they are constantly referring to arugula as "peppery."  I also LOVE spinach- which seems like it would be really similar to arugula? I don't understand myself sometimes.

2. I love to go bowling, although i'm not extremely good at it.

3. I love board games. I think this is due to my only-childness and the fact that I rarely had other people to play board games with.  My FAV is trivial pursuit.

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4. I bought Julia Child's two volumes on Mastering the Art of French Cooking with the plan to make one recipe per week. And then I read it (well... not cover to cover obviously). Just a word to the wise, cook books have change a lot in the last 50 years.

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See? Very different from cookbooks you'll find on the shelves today.

5. I think the most important rule in life is to do unto other as you would have them do unto you.

Definitely cheesy. Definitely useful.

6. I had a pacifier until I was a kid- like a full-grown kid. Not a baby.

But you know what? I turned out okay, and it really didn't harm me that much (except for the overbite thing that was later corrected with braces... but I probably would've needed braces anyway, right?).

7.  I wrote my undergraduate thesis in French.

Oh yeah, I did.  It was FAR from perfect French OR perfect research, but I still learned a lot.

8. I do not understand extreme couponing.

Is couponing helpful? Yes. Taking it to the level of having a room in your home devoted to your 30+ year stock-pile of supplies that you acquired from your extreme couponing? I don't get it. 

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9.  I love The Judds.

I grew up as a kid listening to The Judds and loving every single song! 

I even had their farewell concert on VHS (Image below from that concert, duh!). Oh yes I did. I can also vividly remember being SO MAD that when their farewell concert came to our city, my dad took my mom! I mean of all people! I was the ULTIMATE 4 year old Judds fan and I didn't get to go. I'm still a little jealous about that.

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By the way- I don't have OWN on my tv, so I can't watch their new reality docu-series. Total downer.

10. I love to fold laundry- especially towels warm out of the dryer. 

I don't love to "do" laundry, but I do love to fold it. Weird but true. 

Well, that was sufficiently random. Happy Tuesday! 

Work It Out

A couple of weeks ago I made a commitment to start working out again. During my senior year in college, I did pretty well with working out and i've always had a consistent off-on relationship with it.  What I mean is, I went through slumps with working out but always got back to it eventually.

Well, when I moved to DC last summer, I didn't have access to a good gym until school started in September (paying tuition = access to the wellness center). The problem is, the wellness center is a little over 2 miles away from my apartment, and the best way to get there is by walking.  So, for a while, I used that as an excuse not to go.  Well, not anymore.  Now I am trying to make a better effort to get to the wellness center (or work out with my friend who lives around the corner in a building with a gym) at least three or four times a week.  

I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite work out songs.  I also need some new songs to work out to- so if you have any suggestions please let me know!

A friend also recently advised me that with some cable plans, you can access free exercise programs on-demand. I never even accessed the on-demand feature of my cable because I thought that it all cost money. So, this past week I tried Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred. 

Holy. Cow. Yall.  I only did 17 minutes because I accidentally hit the wrong button on my remote. And then I was IN PAIN for two days. Like couldn't sit down without intense pain.  So, I guess that means this thing works? I'm definitely going to give it another chance.  But word to the wise: Jillian means business. She is a little bit ruthless in the program, but I guess some of us need tough love.

Do you have any favorite workout plans? Songs? At-home workout tips?

Weekly Gratitude Post #5

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I am thankful for spring this week. For the beautiful weather, the tulips, and that people in D.C. just seem to be happier in general.  Please check out those tulip fields in the picture. Amazing. 

I'm thankful that this semester is almost over and that it has gone pretty well. Fingers crossed that it will end well for me.

I'm thankful for online shopping. Because when you live in a big city without a car, certain things are difficult to get.  Like dog food for example. 

I'm thankful for a computer that works well and helps me get my to-do list done.

I'm thankful for g-chat and for the friends who are on it all the time.  A special shout-out to Laura who helped me with a resume and cover letter this week.

I'm thankful for my dog Eliza. I'm hoping that our trip home in a couple of weeks goes smoothly. 

I'm thankful for a weekend with no plans. I hope I can get some school work done and get my apartment straightened out.

Chile Con Queso via Eating Well

A healthy cheese dip recipe? Could it be?  Really? Truly?

It is true, my friends!  This cheese dip recipe is not as completely satisfying as that sinful kind you get at your favorite tex-mex joint.  But it is good, and it is good enough to satisfy your craving without massive amounts of guilt!

Here are a couple of my notes before I get into the official recipe.

1. Buy block cheese and finely shred it before you begin, This is less expensive than buying pre-shredded.

2. I left out the pale ale because it was $6 for the smallest amount at Whole Foods and that just wasn't cutting it for me.  So if you try this with the pale ale, let me know. 

3.  I think next time, I will change up the cheeses and see what happens.  I think I might also toss in a jalapeno next time to liven it up a little bit. 
4. I also think next time, I might tone down the corn starch. the dip was a little thicker than I like it.
5. This did not keep that well for me. It was good when I first made it, but the next day the smell was a little "off." Maybe I was just being weird that day... but I say next time i'll make less or plan on having people over.

INGREDIENTS

         2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

         1 medium onion, chopped

         2 cloves garlic, minced

         1/2 cup pale ale, or other light-colored beer

         1 1/2 cups low-fat milk, divided

         3 tablespoons cornstarch

         1 3/4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar, preferably orange

         1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles, (see Note), drained, or 1 1/4 cups drained petite-diced tomatoes

         2 tablespoons lime juice

         1 teaspoon salt

         1 teaspoon chili powder

         Cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)

         1/4 cup sliced scallions

         2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

        

PREPARATION

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft and beginning to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. 

Add beer and cook until reduced slightly, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup milk and bring to a simmer.

Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup milk and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add to the pan and cook, stirring vigorously, until bubbling and thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. 

Reduce heat to low, add cheese and cook, stirring, until melted. Stir in drained tomatoes, lime juice, salt, chili powder and cayenne (if using). Serve warm, garnished with scallions and cilantro.

TIPS & NOTES

         Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Slowly reheat on the stove over medium heat or on Medium in the microwave.

         Note: We like the flavor of Rotel brand diced tomatoes with green chiles the best in this dip. Choose original or mild, depending on your spice preference.

NUTRITION

Per 1/4-cup serving: 84 calories; 5 g fat ( 3 g sat , 2 g mono ); 14 mg cholesterol; 5 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 0 g fiber; 307 mg sodium; 36 mg potassium.

Wordless Wednesday: Cherry Blossoms in DC

Traveling with Pets Part I

I have a couple of weeks off between the end of the spring semester and the beginning of the summer semester, so I decided to book a trip home (to Tennessee) to get some things at home organized and taken care of.  For fellow recent college grads or anyone who still has a room "at home" meaning your parent's home, you will understand what I mean when I say that I still have some things of mine there, and they are completely unorganized and messy.  It isn't a pretty site.

Anyway, because I'm planning to go for longer than a weekend, I'll be bringing little Miss Eliza with me.

I'm pretty nervous about this, and if I had the choice, I would leave her in D.C.  However, leaving her for an extended period is not something I'm willing to do. 

Since I'll be flying, there are several factors that I know have already impacted our trip.

1. Flying with a pet on the airline I'll be using is $125. Each way. This is for the pet to be in the cabin with you- under the seat in front of you.

(Does that strike anyone else as a little bit high?)

2. I will be flying non-stop because the idea of flying with a pet stresses me out enough as it is without connections being a factor.

3.  I will need a pet carrier for le puppy dog.  I'm considering several options right now.  If anyone has travelled with a pet and has an opinion about any of these, I would really, really appreciate it. 

This is the Bergan Pet Carrier. It is $29.99 at amazon. 

This is the Sherpa Bag Pet Carrier. It is a pricer $65.00 at amazon. 

4.  I'm considering buying some type of calming agent to give her.  In the past, she's been given Benadryl for her allergies or other illnesses and this has made her sleepy.  I'm considering doing that again, but would also like to consider other options.  I will be seeking our vet's advice on this subject.

Nutri-Vet Pet-Ease Wafers. $6.29 for 8 ounces. 

Have you ever used anything like this for your dog? How did it work for him/her? 

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide on this topic!  You may have noticed I titled this post "Part I" and that is because I plan on posting an update once we've travelled so that I can provide advice to anyone out there who might be considering a trip with their pet(s)! 

Delicious Banana Bread Recipe

This recipe for banana bread is guaranteed to knock your socks off!  It is seriously SO GOOD.

Here's what you'll need:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 eggs

1 1/4 cups vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

2 cups mashed ripe bananas (I used 2 bananas)

1 cup walnuts (optional)

First, you'll need to mash up the bananas. 

 In a large bowl, combine the four, sugar, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.  Set aside.

In another bowl, beat the eggs, oil and vanilla; add pineapple and bananas (and walnuts if you choose to add them). 

Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened.

 Pour into two well greased loaf pans.  I just used the sizes that I had. 

 Bake at 350 for 55-65 minutes.  The pan on the left took 55 minutes because it is wider. The pan on the right took 65 minutes. 

Let cool in pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to finish cooling.

 Cut into slices and enjoy! This bread travelled really well for me just wrapped in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil.  It got great reviews!