Category Archives: cooking

December 11, 2010 · 1:54 am

If You Know What’s Good

Today was one of those day where I needed to do exactly what I wanted to and not anything else.  I know, I am very fortunate that my life is such right now that this is possible but honestly, if I did anything else today it would not have gotten my full attention and focus.  Just one of those days.  So I let studying and exams and insurance research and business card designing go out the window.

I went for a 4.7 mile run.

I started doing a yoga dvd and realized that it wasn’t what I needed.  I turned on Om Mani Padme Hum and did my own practice.

I threw my ideas of green vegetables and lean protein out the window and ate what sounded good.

Leftover Matzo Ball Soup

Second course, a Pink Lady apple (the best apples EVER) and some incredible Sharp White Cheddar

And third course, steamed Butternut Squash

I shopped for furniture at the Salvation Army.

I drank homemade Kombucha from a wineglass

I cleaned the kitchen.

I talked to an old friend on the phone for a long time.

I walked in the sunshine for the sake of walking in the sunshine.

I got a massage.  There was a gift certificate that I bought at a silent auction back in September that needed used up.  Considering I got a deep discount on the massage it was fine.  Had I spent the full $100 plus tip I would be seriously complaining.  Enough said.

I went out for tacos and beer (ummm, Hoppyum IPA) with my husband.  We walked around in the cold because it was too early to go home and debated frozen yogurt.  We opted for home and wine instead.

I had a challenging week but something about changing my attitude and not expecting so much from myself today really helped turn around my outlook.  This is a hard time of year, with the cold, the dark, the holidays, the obligations, and so I encourage you to check in with yourself throughout this month.  Make sure that you are doing a few things each day just because it’s exactly what you want to do.

If you know what’s good for you, DO IT!

4 Comments

Filed under cooking, food, running, workouts, yoga

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

December 10, 2010 · 2:35 pm

Souper Crack

Last night was a clean out the fridge kind of dinner.

It worked out alright, my friend Jessica ate with us and she is either overly polite or really enjoyed everything because she raved about it.  Probably mostly A and a little B ;).

I did hit it out of the park with these crackers though.

These totally passed the Tate Test, in fact he proclaimed the “the best crackers” he’s ever had!  Whoa!

So here’s how I did it,

Mix together

  • 1 1/4 cup whole wheat bread four
  • a pinch of baking soda
  • a pinch of baking powder
  • a teaspoon of red pepper flakes
  • 2 teaspoons of sesame seeds
  • a few shakes of smoked paprika
  • a dash of good quality salt

After mixing the dry ingredients thoroughly, make a hole in the center of the bowl and pour in 3 tablespoons of olive oil.  Mix.  Add 1/4 cup water and mix.  Pretty soon the mixture will get to dry to mix with a spoon and this is where you gotta get in there with your hands.  If there is still a lot of loose flour after working the dough with your hands than add a spoon or two more water.  You want to end up with a dough that is firm and not sticky.

I rolled my cracker dough out on a piece of parchment for easy transfer to a baking sheet.

See how nice and thin that is?  I think Tate liked these better than my other batches (which he gobbled up) because they were uniformly thin and even, thanks to my new rolling pin.  I used a wine-bottle before, a reasonable substitute but only if you don’t drink the contents first ;).

Just before the last roll I sprinkled on some smoked salt and it gave them a nice texture and flavor burst on top.  You could use regular salt or more sesame seeds also.

Once you have your cracker-thin sheet of dough you just score it into bite sized squares and pop it into a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.  Advice from the experienced cracker eater maker, wait until these cool before breaking and/or tasting!

I served these with a very thrown together Curried Pumpkin Soup

Into the food processor went a pie pumpkin that I baked off a few days ago, a can of lite coconut milk, and  a few tablespoons each of red and green curry paste.

As the soup was heating up I raided the cabinets and fridge looking for something to add to give it more texture.  I settled on some frozen corn and it was a good choice.

The meal was rounded out with a salad and some baked tempeh.  I am debating whether to put off groceries another day…our fresh food supplies are dwindling (apples, plums, and carrots) and I have a real hankering for some broccoli so I may have to shop.

I also have a hankering for some yoga.  After my Yoga Mission my body became accustomed to a session nearly every day but this week I’ve only practiced once so far.  Must be yogatime!

Do you make clean-out-the-fridge meals?  Mine always involve soup!

5 Comments

Filed under cooking, food, goals, recipes, yoga