Would You Like to Be My Hobby?

A couple weeks ago, I traded one workload for another [read: my day job for one week with three pre-adolescent girls].

On one of our lazy afternoons, we went to Grafitto so we could paint our own ceramics.  I've been there a couple of times and love how therapeutic and relaxing it is to sit for hours and concentrate on nothing but your masterpiece - or whatever it turns out to be. 

Below are photos of our experience from beginning to end. 

THE PLACE

 

  

MINE

Off the Shelf

 

Painted but not finished...

My new favorite mug!

 THE GIRLS' PICKS!

 

 

I had so much fun that I'm thinking of making this a regular hobby...maybe my pay-day treat every now and then!  I can relax, hone my mediocre painting/artistic skills and begin a collection of hand-made pieces. 

PMS Munchies

You know the feeling, about a week before you drain your evil, when you're stuffing handful after handful of popcorn in your mouth while thinking about what you want next?  That's me tonight all day.  I started with some perfectly fried potato oles from Taco John's for lunch.  I literally wiped out all but about 25 pennies from my wallet to get their $1.79 goodness.  After that desire was satisfied, my mouth began watering at the thought of eating leftover stir-fry when I got home from work - which I did almost immediately upon entering my 85 degree house.  Oreos came next, followed by sour cream and onion pringles and a pickle (odd combo, right?).  I ended up devouring an entire bowl of popcorn, which is what brought me to my blog - because eating so many random things can't not be documented.  The popcorn's salty dryness made me crave something cold and refreshing like the frozen fruit smoothies I make.  So far, I've been able to resist making that, but I have a feeling it's on the menu sometime tomorrow, perhaps after a bowl of guacamole...mmmm!

Finding Beauty in Destruction

Yes, my mother would be proud; I have seen the beauty.  Every winter she gracefully listens to me bitch about how ugly the dead trees are or how depressed and angry the wind and snow are making me.  Her response is always an unwavering, "Jita, you just need to look for the beauty in things." 

So what if the snow sparkles like glitter?  That doesn't mean I have to think it's "pretty," right?  It's not pretty when I'm shoveling it in 20 degree weather, that's for damn sure! 

But today something was different.  Today, after the hail storm raped my trees and shrubs of their leaves and murdered the flowers and plants I'd worked so hard on, I grabbed the shovel and headed out to clear the sidewalk.  That's right, I needed a shovel to get rid of the golf ball sized ice balls strewn across the neighborhood.  Yet, as I shoveled, I couldn't hep but notice the beautiful fog emanating from the battered ground.  With the ominous sky still hovering above me, I felt more at peace than I was prepared to admit.  I saw my neighbors outside helping each other clear the sidewalks and I felt the warm air against my bare arms (definitely better than winter cold).  My positive outlook clearly outweighed my negative thoughts about all the raking that would be required once the hail melted and the ground dried up a little.  In fact, at one point, I clearly recall thinking what a good work out the raking would be.  So maybe (just maybe) my mom was right.  Maybe through whatever storms we face, we have to find the beauty.  It surely doesn't hurt.

Street Flooding

The Vine Was Stripped

Yesterday These Bushes Were So Voluminous

So Many Leaves!!

Another  Tree Minus Its Leaves

And Someday Will Be Again

4th of July Pot Roast

I'm a week overdue in posting this one; forgive me.  While not your typical 4th of July (or even summer) meal, I decided to try my hand at making a pot roast while I took my fabulous little cousins out for a swim that day.  I suppose I can't claim all the credit for this meal since the crock pot really did all the hard work, but I have to say I was proud of my accomplishment.  It's one more notch on my counter top, adding to my various other kitchen conquests (yes, I just used a 1 night stand metaphor; don't judge).  Below are a few photos - enjoy!

Finished product!

 
What I did:

• Brown the roast in a bit of olive oil (seasoned with salt & pepper) before putting it in the crock pot.
• Add veggies of your choice. 
• Top with finely chopped celery, garlic and green onion.  
• Add about 1/2 to 1 cup water.
• Set on low heat, cover, and go on with your day.

Thrifters Anon Link Up - Outfit for Less Than $25

On a recent outing to my local Ross I perused the dress racks not expecting to find anything I'd actually want to by or anything in my size for that matter.  That was until I found this made-for-the-office nude dress at a price of only $9!  The heels are something I picked up on 15dollarstore.com a few months ago for, you guessed it, $15.

Always happy to snag a deal,
Me

Tilapia at Thai Phoon in DC

On a recent trip to DC, I had the pleasure of eating at a restaurant called Thai Phoon located near DuPont Circle.  I'm always a little nervous about trying new food because I have a fear dropping a decent chunk of change on a meal I may not like and will subsequently be left hungry and disappointed.  This was not the case at Thai Phoon.  I could not have been happier with my breaded tilapia covered in a sweet and spicy chile sauce.  It was topped with juicy bell peppers, onions and crunchy cashews, which totally hit it off with my taste buds!  The shredded purple cabbage and carrots were a cool, refreshing addition to the spicy meal.  It was a meal I wished my stomach had room to finish and was worth every penny.

Opposite of disappointed,
Me

Mexican Food For a Week

Last Saturday, I wanted to make my grandma a homemade Mexican dinner since she had grown tired of the hospital fare.  I made homemade beans, pork green chile and tortillas.  Even after feeding the family, I ended up with a fridge full of beans and chile.  In my family, it's almost unheard of to waste leftovers, so I made a fresh batch of tortillas and smothered burritos found its way to my dinner plate two nights in a row (and a burrito snuck its way into my lunch, too). 

Once the beans were all gone, I still had tortillas to use up.  So tonight's menu consisted of beef enchiladas with a side of guacamole. 

I accidentally ate half the bowl before I remembered to snap a pic

Life doesn't get much better than when amazing flavor assaults your tastebuds.

As always, happy eating,
Me

Amazing Pineapple Upside Down Cake

If you're looking for an amazing recipe for pineapple upside down cake, you HAVE to try the Emeril Lagasse one (found here).  I made it today and am currently on my 2nd piece!  This was my dessert after having made pork green chile, beans and tortillas today.  Unfortunately I was too frazzled with family running around the house to take pics of all the greatness.  So for this one, I guess you'll just have to trust me that all turned out great!

Thanks, Emeril; you have made my day!

UPDATE:  I made this cake again and now have a picture! Please don't judge my pineapple slicing skills.

Can you tell I like Cherries in my cake?

If Only I Had a Better Camera

Ever since I can remember I've been enamored with the sky - from its vast blueness accompanied by minimal clouds to the sunrises and sunsets and from storm clouds to starry night skies.  If I had a better camera, I would have been able to capture the beautiful rainbow amongst the storm clouds last night.  But since I don't, I hope you can engage your imagination a bit to still enjoy the photo.

And, speaking of rainbows, here's another shot I captured back in February when the temps were frigid.  Winter rainbows are a beautiful sight, also.

Look closely to see it vertically standing in the sky.

Now, any suggestions for a good camera that won't set me back and entire month's salary?!

Make Traditional Breakfast Less "Bad" For You

I have always had an affinity for bacon, eggs & hashbrowns, despite anyone's claims that it's an unhealthy breakfast (lunch or dinner) choice.  I've always hated the stigma attached to eating this traditional meal.  It's like people are staring at you with that "O.M.G. you're gonna die of heart disease" look on their faces.  Well, eat your heart out bitches because my breakfast just got better for me! 

My personal food philosophy is that I never eliminate any one food group from my diet.  I just don't believe in that type of eating because every nutrient - carb, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, etc. - have a purpose in our bodies.  Instead, I try to make eat more of the healthy fats and less of the not-so-good for ya fats.  I also try to eat my fruits and veggies and eat leaner meats and other high protein foods.  But, on those days when bacon and eggs just feels like the right choice - there's a few things you can do to make it less "bad" for you.

Bacon.  Only make the serving size listed on the nutrition label (usually 2 slices), but cut them in half.  You create an illusion of having more than you really are.  I went with applewood smoked (sooooo good) bacon tonight!  Bacon is high in protein, which keeps you feeling fuller for longer.  Also, I always opt for real bacon, not that turkey crap.  The turkey variety usually has more than just turkey meat in it, and I'd rather it be pure pig rather than a mix of birds and other animals.  Some of the additives that are put into turkey bacon to make it taste bud-friendly are also not good for you.

Eggs.  I made only 1 egg tonight so I didn't consume too much cholesterol.  I bought the eggs at a natural grocer's so they are cage-free (meaning they don't have antibiotics or hormonal products swimming around the yolk).  They are also higher in omega-3 fatty acids (brain food).  Eggs are also high in protein.

Hashbrowns.  Okay, here's where my weakness lies because I enjoy the taste of bacon grease on my potatoes.  So, I washed an organic russet potato and shredded it into my hot bacon grease.  I leave the skin on because that's where the potassium is primarily housed on potatoes (assuming the bacon grease didn't destroy it).

Drink.  Normally, I drink water with my meals, but tonight I had a craving for high-pulp o.j.  While it does have lots of sugar, I reason that because it's natural sugar I shouldn't worry about it.  It also has potassium and vitamin C. 

Dessert.  When my house is 80 degrees and a/c-less, nothing brings me pleasure like something ice-cold and sweet.  I took about a cup 1/2-1 cup frozen mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries & blueberries), one probiotic drink (liquid yogurt), a splash of grape juice and ice.  Mix it in a blender and let it firm up a little in the freezer.  Enjoy this healthy pseudo-sherbert concoction.

Bedtime Snack. I'm a snacker; it's in my DNA (and mostly because I feel hungry almost all the time).  So, I had 3 medium size fresh strawberries and a handful of bing cherries.  I read that cherries promote sleep so it's a sensible choice before bed.  They are also an anti-inflammatory fruit so they help relieve any pain you might be having due to inflammation (like arthritis or other joint pain; maybe even allergies). 

Here's to happy eating & not sacrificing flavor,
Me