Today I was laying in bed watching the first season of Desperate Housewives ( I have recently become addicted... A little late compared to the rest of the country) and Nick came in a tossed a UPS package on the bed. Since it is not my birthday or any other special day, I was pleasantly surprised. Inside was a card, it had my mom's writing on it, the card was written beautifully, and inside the card was a small package.
Pearls of Success by Dogeared: From humble beginnings as a grain of sand, the pearl slowly grows into an object of beauty and simplicity, symbolic of honesty, integrity, prosperity and wisdom. Pearls represent the best within us.
Thank you mom for all of the support and inspiration.
Spin City! An amazing little spin studio that opened about a month ago. Two local girls, recent college graduate put their hearts and souls into this place, and with a little determination and sweat, they turned a old shop into an awesome workout room.
With a combination of support from all of you, Spin City, and the drive with in me, this year will be a piece of (dairy free) cake!
Last night was the second night of American Idol Auditions, it was fantastic! So naturally I had to make fish tacos!
The Recipe:
4 Tilapia Fillets
Red Cabbage
Tomato
Red Onion
Cilantro
Avocado
White Sauce*
White Sauce: (Thanks Mom, this is the best ever!)
Mayo
Better Than Sour Cream
Better Than Cream Cheese
Garlic
Cumin
Salt
Pepper
Red Onion
Cilantro
Needless to say it was a fantastic meal, and not so fantastic singing.
Yesterday was Missoula's Wedding Fair. I went with my best friend Holly, her mom, fiance, and one other bride's maid. We all went out to breakfast, and then walked over to the fair. It was a bit overwhelming at first, vendors everywhere, a million women with their friends and family as well, but as time went by we got used to the chaos, and started to enter for prizes and (they) sampled the food. There was lots of cup cakes, as well as finger food, all of which I was unable to eat. Lunch time came, and I was the only hungry one, I ordered a sandwich, it was pretty darn good... you can't really beat a good BLT. Later in the day they all started to get hungry again, and what did they order... oh man this cheese dish that had extra sharp cheddar, feta, jack, and one other kind of cheese, all finished off with a huge topping of a sour cream. Surprisingly it did not bother me... sure it smelled delish, but it was not unbearable.
Anyway, the point it, this journey has only just begun, and my willpower is growing stronger by the minute.
Last night I tried out a Dairy Free Mac and Cheese. I was hopeful when I purchased the stuff... maybe it would be good, and when I was craving some cheesy goodness, that I could pop some of that stuff on the stove, but I was way wrong!!
Also, I had a dream last night that I was cooking with Rachel Ray, and I ate this goat cheese thing. I woke up freaked out that I had actually eaten it. I hate these dreams!!
We are 9 hours from the one week mark! 51 to go!!
OH MY GOSH!
I just ate my new favorite peanut butter ( OF ALL TIME I MIGHT ADD)!! It is Earth Balance Crunchy No Stir. It is soooooooo good. Sweetened with Agave, it just can not be beat. The next time you go to buy peanut butter, give this one a shot... it comes in creamy too!
For dinner last night:
Chicken Noodle Soup:
Leek (2)
Celery (2 medium bunches, leafs includes)
Carrot (4, as well as 2 tbl. leafs)
Large Yellow Onion (2)
Garlic (4 medium, diced, and turned into paste)
Flat Leaf Parsley (1 bundle)
Red potato (4 large)
Chicken Breast (4-5)
Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil
Chicken Stock (homemade preferred)
Vegetable Stock ( homemade preferred)
Noodles (I like mini lasagna, or even raviolis are great in this as well)
Sweat all veggies, and herbs in olive oil, 20 minutes or so. Give each veggie a few minutes in the pot before adding the next, potatoes last. In a large pot boil water, add salt, and then chicken breast. Cook until breasts are done through. Add 2-3 cups chicken stock to veggies, and 1 cup veggie stock. Next take 1-2 ladles full of water chicken was boiled in and add to veggies. Bring pot up to a rolling boil, and let cook for 20 minutes, or until potatoes and carrots are tender. Shred, or dice chicken and add to pot. In separate pot boil noodles in salted water. Once noodles are done, put in a separate bowl, and set next to finished soup. (Doing it this way ensures that the noodles wont get mushy, and if you have left over soup, freeze it, and when you want it again, heat it up, and add fresh noodles.)
A great loaf of bread along side, and you have a delicious comfort meal any day of the week!
