Instructions
June 29th, 2011 § 3 Comments
Day 179
Here’s a handy kitchen tip: when cutting basil, roll the leafs first then cut. That way it won’t bruise.
No, I didn’t know that from experience. My sister-in-law told me when we made this caprese salad. You think I cook? C’mon…
Surprise Cake
April 30th, 2011 § 5 Comments
Day 119
Do you know what the worst thing about this cake was? When it was cut and I saw it was strawberry, I immediately wrote it off assuming I wouldn’t like the flavor.
When there were two pieces left, I sliced my fork through a sliver and discovered it tasted exactly like the Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls, which happen to be one of my guiltiest pleasures (as are all of Miss Debbie’s treats) and best finds of my adult snack life.
#dessertfail
Breaking the Fast
April 21st, 2011 § 8 Comments
Day 111
Forget the oatmeal and the green monsters. Forget the fancy smoothies and cereal and even having to turn on an appliance in the morning. Give me a banana and some almonds and I am set for 4-5 hours with no signs of hunger. I discovered this combination as a result of trying to rid my diet of as much processed foods as possible. It also helps that I am perpetually running late from the second I wake up, leaving me with no time to cook. I suppose it’s a combination of proteins, good fats and a lot of other dietary things I don’t understand, but this grab-and-go option is where it’s at.
What’s your first meal of the day look like?
Basil Makes Me Happy
March 4th, 2011 § 5 Comments
Day Sixty-Three
This morning I welcomed back an old favorite. I used to make this breakfast for Carrie and I all the time. I found the recipe in a Hungry Girl cookbook and beefed it up a little bit by using whole mozzarella instead of the low-fat string cheese. Call it adventurous. Hey, it’s Friday, right?
This is super quick and ridiculously delicious. All you need to do is smear some butter (or margarine if that’s your thing) on an English muffin, sprinkle on some garlic, layer on a slice of heaven cheese and some fresh basil. Basil makes this whole dish – trust me. Fork over the $2.34 or $4.34 or whatever it is and get some. I literally ran around the grocery store with the little package under my nose Wednesday night. I may have declared there is no sweeter smell than basil. Ahem. Moving on. Heat your oven to 325 degrees. While you’re waiting for things to get toasty, cut up a Roma tomato – yes it has to be a Roma, just trust me – and sear it in a frying pan. When it darkens to your liking, place atop the basil and pop in the oven for about five minutes. Try not to dance around your kitchen in anticipation.
If you get the melt just right, you’ll probably want to inhale it in one bite. It’s savory and light and filling all at once – you’ll know what I’m talking about when you take that first big bite and have juicy tomato running down your chin.
I know I stand pretty firmly on the “I don’t cook” end of the spectrum, but this one is worth dirtying the dishes for. Promise.
Gotta Hand It To Us
February 11th, 2011 § 4 Comments
Day Forty-Two
Yesterday I took Andrew to my family’s favorite Texas burger joint – Mighty Fine. Aside from fresh produce, malty shakes and beefy burgers, I think my favorite thing about going there is washing my hands. It’s hard to explain this little device unless you’ve used one before, but the people at Mighty Fine describe it as a “jacuzzi for your hands.”
Call it what you want, it literally leaves people smiling. These reactions were not posed, staged or done for dramatics. Pinky swear.
And you get a sticker! I can’t think of a better way to validate my OCD tendencies when it comes to cleanliness than to tell the whole world with a bright blue badge saying just that.
It might add a little something to the story if I tell you we rocked out to Waka Flocka Flame’s “No Hands” before and after lunch.
Oh yes we did.
Mighty Fine asks: Red (ketchup) Yeller (mustard) White (mayonnaise) or All Three? All three for us – what about you?
Film & Food
October 21st, 2010 § 13 Comments
Last night, I was spoiled.
Last night, all five of my senses were indulged.
I saw the most beautiful displays of food I’d ever laid eyes on. There was the extraordinary – Tuna bocadito w/ red chili aioli & smoked salmon eggs. There was the traditional – artisan breads with locally made olive-oil. There was the exquisite – a variety of french pastries.
There were so many people there that it made it difficult to nab lots of great shots. If you were there, I was the girl with the crazy hair, getting all contortionist with myself amidst the masses trying to capture what I honestly have a hard time finding words to describe. I was also very, very hot. I don’t know why I keep forgetting I subject myself to face melting 2010 every time I step outside my air-conditioned abyss.
That was a selection from the duck table. No thank you very much. I did, however eat boar. Yes, I did, and it was amazing. It was slow roasted wild boar belly with a blackberry gatrique and soft white corn polenta and you know what? I didn’t hate it.
In true Austin fashion, there was Frito Pie. This table was swarmed with people all night. If you don’t know what Frito Pie is, I suggest you Google it and go make it this weekend. Or just come here and have some. It just screams Texas.
Another new food that I’d never heard of until Texas? Cake balls.
We sampled the Mexican chocolate – dense, rich chocolate that had a little kick of what I believe was chili pepper at the end. It could have been some exotic spice for all I know. We’ve established I am not a foodie here.
Do you want to know what I loved the most? Crisp Pork Belly with Asian Pear Diablo and Glaze Fried Mint. I don’t even know what that all means and it was the most delectable thing my taste buds have ever been witness to. Guess I’m not going to become a vegetarian anytime soon. The meat was so tender, it literally melted in my mouth. And before you say it, I don’t care that it came from the belly of a pig. It could have come from the belly of a bear and I would not have cared either way. Food like that should be a illegal. Come to think of it, so should letting me into an event like that, where I proclaimed (loudly) more than once, “OH MY GOD this is SO GOOD!!“
I guess there were some actors and film-like things going on, too? I was too busy stuffing my face.
What’s the best dish you’ve ever had? Would you eat boar’s belly and pig belly? C’mon don’t be shy!
You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me
August 20th, 2010 § 12 Comments
Not sure if I mentioned this before but I’m what you call a boomerang kid.
Seven years ago – almost to the exact date – I moved out of my parents house and into my college dorm. Not exactly the easiest time – I cried for the first 30 minutes of the drive. After things settled and I got into a routine I loved it. Throughout college I lived in two other apartments with roommates. After college, I lived in the Philadelphia area, again with roommates. After a year and a half there, I relocated back to Pittsburgh where I lived with Carrie until three weeks ago.
Now I live at home.
I went out. I came back in. Boomerang.
I am extremely grateful for the amazing parents that have welcomed me back with open arms. They’re the same parents who are going above and beyond to make this transition as easy as possible for me. (No friends = slight adjustment)
It goes without saying, though, (and you know I’m going to say it) that coming back after seven years is quite the shakeup. Seven years. That’s 49 in dog years which equals 157 in 20-something years. It’s a long time people.
With that being said, there are some adjustments made by both respective parties. Adjustments you will surely come to be made aware of via this lovely little vessel of words.
Today, the issue at hand is quite simple and yet oh so complicated.
Welcome to my parents house – aka the fortress of crack!
Eh, Christmas styles. You get the picture. It’s even worse then! Frosty has been known to untie himself at 2 a.m. and do some serious dealing.
Anyhow, perhaps we should start a little dictionary here at The Twenty-Fifth Year. When I say “crack” I am referring to anything that is addicting to the point where the only solutions are drastic, dramatic and often harsh. Most of the time, it’s food related. I go through phases where different food groups act as crack to me. One week of the year it’s vegetables. The word crack doesn’t linger on these lips that week, unless it’s to shout, “Hey crack open another bell pepper, would ya? I just can’t get enough!”
For now, crack remains notorious under this roof. Here’s the proof.
I’ve heard women refer to hair relaxer as “creamy crack.” I’d like to propose a new substance to bear the name. It would be this frosting. Unbelievably hard to find, the raw emotion upon finding it are not unlike striking gold in California circa 1849. Homegirl has been known to pass one of these bad boys around the lunch table in high school and polish it off with the help of six other girls. Or finish it off in a few hours during in a cross-country road trip. Details, details.
You know what’s absolutely great with creamy crack?
Animal crackers. I don’t even have to make anything up here. This one has crack RIGHT IN ITS NAME!!
And don’t you worry, if there’s no rainbow chip frosting creamy crack on your grocer’s shelves, you can bet my elastic sweatpants you can have a little party in your mouth with this.
And if you want to torment yourself further, just put a few gobs of these in cupcake liners and freeze them a la Gracie. Sitting around waiting for them to freeze knowing what will result is going to taste like a Reese’s Cup is reminiscent of jonesing for a cigarette (from what I can remember). Pacing ensues. You’re probably better off finding something to do while it freezes. Like running laps around your kitchen. Or eating brownies.
No Peanut Butter & Co.? No worries, just go ahead and have the real thing, would ya?
“Oh I picked up some snacks on the plane for you. Twix bars, two brownies and 19 Reese’s cups.”
Thanks, Dad.
When it gets this bad, my addictive personality just turns to another vice.
Perhaps the title of this post should be, “This Is Why I Run.”
What is your parents house like? Do you succumb to all the extra sweets or can you stay away?
What’s your guilty pleasure snack?
Midnight Munchies
April 23rd, 2010 § 20 Comments
My roommate and I are pretty creative people. She is actually the person I have to give credit to for coining the word “blend” which if you didn’t already know is a super cool way to talk about the friends you’ve made through blogging. Blogger friend = blend. Use it, people.
Another phrase we have come to create and love in our house? Clearwater. No, not like the beach in sunny Florida where you can run and sun and drink and be merry. Quite the contrary. Clearwater in our house relates to the state of your bank account. I don’t know about anyone else out there, but when it gets close to payday, things get stretched mighty thin here – I mean, I did put my best friend Chase Visa in the freezer and all. So what happens with all the little dolla bill fisheys swim away? You start seeing the bottom of your little ocean of funds. As in it’s clearing out. As in, I am in clearwater right now.
“Hey wanna go to the movies?”
“Can’t. I’m in clearwater.”
“Let’s go have a drink after work.”
“Sorry. I’m in clearwater.”
“OH EM GEE. I want everything in H&M right ne-OW. Dang, clearwater.”
So, when pay day does arrive in all its glory, we are two very happy little ladies. Not only can we stop eating spaghetti noodles with ranch dressing for dinner, we can actually go places and do things and you know, be a grownup and pay bills.
Yesterday our kitchen hit a sad state of nothingness. No produce, no bars (gosh do we love our bars) no eggs and even gasp no trash bags. So we decided to do what anyone in clearwater would and wait until midnight when our paychecks magically zinged! into our accounts to go grocery shopping. I mean sometimes, you just can’t wait. KnowI’msayin’?
So we ventured off to the GIANT! new grocery store in town, Market District.
Now, I feel kind of like a mean girl saying this, but Market District is just a wannabe Whole Foods. Giant Eagle is the primary grocery store around here and Market District is like a Giant Eagle that started watching “The Doctors,” got a gym membership and decided it wanted to be like the cool organic/all-natural stores on the block. The good thing about Market District is we found a lot of unique foods that I know Whole Foods carries, but at a fraction of the cost. Another good thing about this particular location? It’s open 24 hours and no one was there last night.
Now, I get the allure of Whole Foods. I love it just as much as the next health conscious chick. But, I tend to get overwhelmed in there. Like, nearly-an-anxiety-attack-meets-OD-on-food-porn kind of overwhelm. I feel like there’s just so much to look at and so many people and tiny aisles and finicky carts and oh! the hot bar, can’t forget the hot bar! So, taking a more relaxed pace was what I needed.
Here are a few things I was excited to find.
Popchips! We opted for the smaller 99 cent bag and whew! it’s a good thing we did or this house would be smelling like a garlic clove today. Strong flavor but I did like the consistency, it reminded me a bit of a rice cake.
OK confession: I only bought this because every food blogger I have ever talked to gets their drawers all in a twist over this. What can I say, I’m an impulse shopper. Did I squeal in delight when I saw these even though I have never had it in my life? Why, yes. Yes, I did.
Other great finds include strawberry pomegranate organic yogurt from Stonyfield, blue corn tortilla chips, more bars than I could have ever imagined – I am on a white chocolate macadamia nut kick – and the return of the one true love of my (food) life.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! (As in, angels, singing. Or more squealing.)
I have an addiction slight obsession with this stuff and about lost my marbles when Coffee Mate announced they’d be keeping it on board after the holiday season. Except I can’t find it ANYWHERE. That is like telling Carrie Bradshaw, “Oh I’m sorry Ms. Bradshaw, those Manolos you love? We lied. They’re GONE. Bye!”
I wanted to dump a baker’s dozen of those babies in the cart a la the scene in the Piggly Wiggly during “Steel Magnolias” where Clairee loads up the cart with pork and beans for Drum Eatenton while M’Lynn recovers from surgery. (Six million gold stars if you know what I am talking about.) Alas, I got two and now I know where I can get my fix, um, favorite creamer.
Waking up in the morning is just so much easier with a kitchen stocked with good food – don’t you agree???
Happy weekend y’all!
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
April 9th, 2010 § 24 Comments
Happy Friday y’all! Recently, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about something that many of us partake in on the weekends: grocery shopping. Specifically, the weekly ritual as seen from the eyes of someone trying to be frugal without the fructose aka your favorite sassy homegirl The Twenty-Fifth Year.
“Heeeyyy girl heeyyy!”
I know many of us in the Healthy Living Blog0sphere feel as if we just can’t escape food. We blog about it, we read about it, we photograph it – we live it. Julia Child I am not, I can appreciate a new twist on an old recipe or a great photo of a dish that I could almost lick my screen over. And I’ve got to hand it to you guys, I’ve welcomed quite a few delicious additions to my diet that do my body good.
However, it’s gotta be said: all this healthy grub? It’s killing my bank account. Now that I am into more greens than whites and browns, I find that I am dropping a pretty penny to buy the freshest produce and not-so-ordinary products. I’ve tried everything: going coupon crazy, planning out meals according to store sales, shopping several stores to get the best prices and even scraping my cupboards and shelves til weird college-like combos could be made no more! (Ritz crackers with pb&j anyone?)
Still, without a doubt, every time I trek it on down to whichever store I choose, reusable bags to boot, plan in mind, by the time I circle the perimeter 16 times – I am the most absent-minded shopper – I wind up at the checkout staring down my hard-to-swallow fate:
Do you know what would really make every day taste better? Cutting your prices in HALF!!
Granted, I got a decent amount of fare for this bill, but we all have learned our lesson the hard way that you can walk out of Whole Paycheck Foods spending this amount and all you have to show for it is some incense and tea that promises to make your hair grow.
It’s funny how at my ripe old age, I have less of a problem – it’s still a problem, though – dropping so many Benjamins a month on fuel for my belly. There’s been plenty a time where getting what I need to feel great trumps the cute, new outfit card. But it still doesn’t make it any easier.
Perhaps it’s because I care more now. Throughout college, I am not sure that I ate much in the way of health. I can remember an entire half of a giant cupboard filled with 100-calorie packs of crackers, cookies and little snacks that I wouldn’t throw in my cart nowadays simply because I am more educated on how uncomplimentary that kind of food is to one’s diet. Not to mention I can’t just delight in stuffing my face with any old thing I can get my hands on and not feel it – yes physically feel it - having a bad affect on my body. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate a few scoops of ice cream during the week or divulge in a cocktail come Saturday night, but I have come to understand and achieve a better sense of balance in my life. Healthy living to me is just that: finding what brings balance to your life and embracing it.
I heard somewhere – I think it may have been from Dr. Oz – that in the present day, we are spending less money on food and more money on health care. Whereas previous generations spent more on food and less on health care. Stop and think about it. We do have plenty of new diseases now and a growing problem of obesity, cancer and diabetes in our country. Are high food prices solely to blame? Good Lord by no means, no. I think we all know there are plenty of other factors to take into consideration here. But if you were strapped for cash and having to provide for one or even 10, which would you choose for your family’s dessert: the Chips Ahoy! on sale for $1.89 or the dozen and a half clementines for $4.98? It certainly isn’t a crystal-clear-black-and-white scenario for American families today, but it has to make you wonder, is there really a direct correlation with the food we put in our bodies to our overall long-term health? If what we’re feeding ourselves today is packed with more sugar, less fiber and a ton of genetically modified products, what will our society and its health look like in 50 years? Will today’s generations have shorter lifespans than their parents? The more I learn and read, the more passionate and – I hate to say it – the more terrified I become.
How do you treat your food budget? Do you shop the sales and get the best deals for the healthiest choices still spending more than you would like? Or do you forgo the “fresher is better” perspective and buy foods that you aren’t as healthy but are, in fact, cheaper? Y’all had such great insight in my last post I welcome your thoughts, opinions and even advice to those of us shopping on a budget! Let your voice be heard – comment below!!
Varying Views
November 30th, 2009 § 9 Comments
Happy Monday! How was the rest of your holiday weekend? I got a little too wrapped up in my time and didn’t get to post – sorry! Here’s what the rest of my time down South looked like.
Saturday night we went to dinner at The Oasis on Lake Travis. The story behind this place is that it was struck by lightning in 2005, completely destroying 80 percent of the decks. They immediately started rebuilding and now the restaurant can seat over 2,000 people and it serves as a great venue for parties, events and even weddings (there was one on Saturday – awww.)
The menu is mostly Mexican and American fare, but many people travel to this destination place for the views and the sunset. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
The homes on the shores of Lake Travis are like something you’d see in California – huge just absolutely huge. It’s the same area where Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey live. I don’t know who lives in the above pictured, but I would like to be their friend. 
As Sarah said, “You know you’ve made it when you live in Lake Travis.”
As I Tweeted Saturday, it’s views like these that make me grateful for my life.
If you ever visit Austin, make this a must on your list of places to see – at sunset obviously!
For dinner, I had chicken fajitas, which I could not finish because my appetite had ceased since my race – does this happen to anyone else?
But of course I saved room for some dessert – peppermint ice cream and cookies! Sarah and I split this.
Mmmmm peppy-mint! I must find some of this ice cream!
We spent the rest of the evening and yesterday just relaxing. I did attempt a run on Saturday and got very, very lost in my parents’ development. Cursing may or may not have ensued. I was also pretty sore, so more walking than running occurred.
I had minimal time between flights yesterday so the traveling went quick. I flew down on a different carrier where I could leave my larger suitcase plane side. On the way home – not so much. Homegirl held up the aisle ripping the bulge of workout clothes from suitcase to carry on in an effort to stuff it in the overhead bin. That left me in an even more panicked state trying to rummage through an already full bag to get out my book, iPod, laptop, etc. Oh, excuse me young teenage boy, that’s just my sports bra I flung across the aisle. Yep, I am pretty much that person who can’t keep their shit together on the flight.
And speaking of flying, does it completely drain anyone else? I mean it’s hard enough trying to lug 40 pounds of luggage across a tram and two terminals looking cute for my imaginary future husband, but daaaang some people are so rude. We all have to get somewhere, right? And technically it’s not my fault if you’re running late, right?!? OK then, glad we cleared that up – because you rammed past me like you were in the last stretch of the running of the bulls. Oh, and hey, just because the plane stops taxiing, doesn’t mean you have to leap out of your seat and park your toosh and over-sized manpurse in my face because guess what? sister’s gotta lug down her big blue suitcase and I really don’t think you want to get in the way of that, mmmmK?
Can you tell I was glad to be home?
If nothing else, my experiences flying will surely give me great material for my book.
Now – back to the grind!
