Tasty Tuesday...Kitchen Tips

This week I am bringing a few kitchen tips to the table.  Some you may know, others you may not...but they all come in handy for me from time to time.  A few of these tips are from my very own brother who is an entree chef at Binkley's, a five star restaurant here in Arizona.

Grilling:

1. When grilling meat, bring it to room temperature before placing in on the grill.  This helps to prevent the edges from curling, as well as keeps the cooking more even.
2. If you want a good sear on the meat (like steak), salt it.  This helps to bring the enzymes to the surface and will really help to give it a nice sear.  In addition to salting, make sure it is patted dry, any moisture will cause it to steam rather than sear.

Making Sauces:
1. When making a sauce, finishing it off with a small bit of butter helps to give it a velvety texture.
2. When adding cornstarch to a sauce, mix it with water first to make a slurry (equal parts cornstarch and water).  This will ensure it blends smoothly without leaving clumps.

Vegetables:
1. When blanching/boiling your vegetables, shock them before hand in ice cold water.  This helps to keep the vibrancy of color in the vegetables.  If you don't plan to eat them right away, and plan to reheat them a bit before serving, shock them in the ice water directly after boiling as well.  If you will eat them immediately, then before is enough.
2. When boiling your water, add a little oil to keep it from boiling over.  A tablespoon will do just fine.
3. Don't use potatoes that have gone slightly soft, and have begun to grow a lot of eyes.  With these potatoes you may notice a greenish color under the skin...that is actually a poison/toxin.  Now, you would have to eat large quantities to really be affected, but why even eat a little?  Just toss them out, or use them as mulch for your garden!

There you have it.  Back next Tuesday with a recipe.

Wiping the Slate Clean...and Ask Andy (my hubby) Anything!!!

For starters, I just want to say that I am not planning to do anymore giveaways...at least not for a while, or forever.  I love that I am doing this one, but I think they are pushing me in a direction I am not really ready to follow.  I love blogging, sharing my ideas through this medium, and I love the interaction I often get as a result.  Like many (or I suspect there are many), I had secret hopes of earning money doing this thing.  Ugh...no more is that my desire.  I was beginning to feel like a slave to my blog, obsessed (in a not so good way) about how many people wanted to read what I have to say.  Really, who cares?!  Isn't it nuts when you think about it?  Don't misunderstand...I do like people to read, but my first priority when writing a post should be whatever it is that inspired me to write...not "what will people think if I say this, or do that?" 

When I started blogging, it was just so much fun.  I was excited to post, and I enjoyed what I wrote.  Once I started being more concerned with the numbers of it all, some of that (okay a lot of that) pleasure went right out the window.  So, I'm busting the chains.  I'm letting go of my secret desire to be a millionaire blogger ;)  I'm gonna write about my kids, and show you pictures of the horrific fish cake I made Addyson...really, it's bad...and really I will share.  I'm going to post my recipes, because I love them, and if even one person tries one and likes it, then I have given something in some small way.  I am going to write selfish posts that no one really wants to read (except for my mom, and me in 40 years). 

I wrote this post just a short time ago, and I think I missed the boat.  I meant everything I said in it, and I believe it all 100%, but somehow I still derailed myself. Oh well.  New start.

Not sure what compelled me to explain myself this way...maybe just my way of wiping the slate clean.  Allowing me to get back to what I really loved about blogging to begin with, and if people decide to join me along the way...well, then all the better!

In an effort to do something I think would be a ton of fun...I decided to open the floor to any and all questions.  BUT...the questions are for Andy (my husband).  You can ask him anything you want.  ANYTHING!  Now, I will say this, he does reserve the right to not answer should something be out of line.  But I have faith that nothing will be.  I also give him free reign to answer anything about me.  So, get your typing fingers ready, and ask away.  What, my friends, would you like to know?

Two More Fantastic Giveaways...Adorable Sun Glasses and a Gift Certificate for Some Unique Jewelry

First, here is the winner from the nursing cover giveaway.  I used random.org, but don't know how to capture the picture...so I copied and pasted the results, and here they are:

True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 19
Result: 13
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Number 13 is Laura of The Bignell Family.  So come on over, Laura and learn the next step to getting your new nursing cover.  Congratulations, chica!
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Now I have not one, but two more giveaways for you all!  Crazy, huh?  The ladies offering the prizes for you today are sponsors of the Frazier Field Swap.  If you missed out on the most recent swap, shed not a tear...there will be another in November!  You can follow the Frazier Field Swap blog to stay informed.


First up is Myla of Pursenickety.  She is offering one lucky person a pair of her sunglasses.  Here's how to win.

For each entry, be sure to leave a separate comment.
Mandatory entry: 
Head to her blog, choose a pair of sunglasses, and come back to tell me which you chose.

Additional Optional Entries: (worth one entry unless otherwise stated)
Follow my blog publicly (not required...stick around only if you like what you read).
Add my button to your blog
Tweet the giveaway with a link
Blog about the giveaway with a link to this post (2 entries)
Join my Blog Frog Community
Start/participate a discussion in my Blog Frog Community

Next up is Kelly of Bella Be-jeweled.  She has some really unique stuff, and wants to offer one lucky person a gift certificate for $20.00.  Again...how to win:

For each entry, be sure to leave a separate comment.
Mandatory entry:
Head to her blog (via text link), look around , and come back to tell me what you would get with your certificate.

Additional Optional Entries: (worth one entry unless otherwise stated)
Follow my blog publicly (not required...stick around only if you like what you read).
Add my button to your blog
Tweet the giveaway with a link
Blog about the giveaway with a link to this post (2 entries)
Join my Blog Frog Community
Start/participate a discussion in my Blog Frog Community

A huge thank you to these two wonderful women for offering these prizes.  Now get started!  Oh...be sure to tell me for which one you are entering with each comment...you CAN enter for both!!




I was not compensated in any way, monetarily or otherwise to host these giveaways.  I consider it a great opportunity to support these women.

When Is It Ever Good Enough?

**My nursing cover giveaway ends today...enter if you haven't...winner announced tomorrow**

I am sitting here depleted of energy, thoughts, emotions.  The well has run dry.  Not truly, but that is my overall demeanor as I type.  I have just come home from the gym.  From a workout the likes of which I haven't had in a long time.  I mean it.  My husband has been going to a personal trainer, and tonight I went in his place.  I will be continuing to go in his place for a month...if I make it that long. 

On my way home from the gym I was thinking about how this has to make the change that has eluded me thus far.  If it doesn't, nothing will.  Of this I am certain.  Then, I started thinking about the fact that it never seems to be enough.  Never.  I don't know that I will ever be satisfied with my body.  Always five more pounds, then tone this more, and shape this more, and on and on and on.

Prior to my first pregancy I was in good shape by my own standards and great shape by other's.  In fact, here is a picture of me when I was 12 weeks pregnant with Addyson.

I look at it this and I long to look like that today.  My breasts weren't to my knees, and no muffin top existed.  Yet, at that point in time (well, before I was pregant...but this is the only pic I have that bares it all for that time) I wasn't happy about how I looked.  Oh, most days I felt pretty good.  I was fit, I worked out at least 5 days each week, and my clothes fit me well.  But I didn't like my legs, and my butt needed to shed a layer.  I could smack my former self right about now.

Today, two kids in rapid succession later, I am struggling to get that body back.  I keep saying I have just ten more pounds to go when the reality is more like fifteen.  I have been able to squeeze into some of my pre-pregnancy wardrobe, but not most of it...not even half of it.  It's so depressing.  So, now I am going to show you what I look like today.  The picture was taken in February, and honestly I look at it and I know that some of you are going to say things like "you're crazy, you look fine."  I can say that I look at the picture and I see that I look okay, but okay is not good enough.  It's never enough.

I couldn't even bare to do the picture in a swim suit.  So there I am...posing like a moron and smiling about it.

Now, to be clear, the point of this post is not to beat on myself.  I am working at getting myself back to where I feel comfortable.  The point is that for so many of us, it's just never good enough.  I believe it's great to live a healthy lifestyle, and be fit...but at what point do you say "Damn! I look good." (to yourself, of course).  Why do so many of us struggle to be able to simply feel content with who we are today? There is so much more than the outward shell we present.

I'll tell you this...I mentioned that if this month with the trainer didn't start to make the change, then nothing would.  I believe it, and I have made up my mind that it's okay.  I'm okay.  I'm perfectly flawed...and that's good enough. 

Mmmmmm......Chocolate!

This week Sailor and Company gave us our mission, and it's chocolate!  Who doesn't love chocolate?  Well, make no mistake...my son sure does.  So when I saw this moment I figured it was perfect for this week's assignment.

Here it is...my untouched photograph.  That's part of the deal,  you are not allowed to edit, in any way shape or form, the photo.  It's a fun task for all of us budding photographers.  Have you played along?  Why not do it now?  You have to link up by Friday (I think).  Be sure to check out her blog for the complete details.

By the way, for all of you who take the time to check out my little space...thank you!  Please leave me a comment so I know you were here...I always repay the visit with a visit in return.

Tasty Tuesday Gluten Free 5 Cheese Quesadillas by Heather of Marine Corps Nomads

**Note-My giveaway for a great nursing cover up ends soon.  Please enter if you haven't!**

I'm happy to be having another guest this week for a featured recipe.  Today Heather from Marine Corps Nomads is sharing a fantastic gluten free recipe.  I for one can not wait to try it! 

Gluten Free 5 Cheese Quesadillas

by Heather at Marine Corps Nomads

Ingredients:

• 1/4 C Shredded Cheddar
• 1/4 C Shredded Monetary Jack
• 1/4 C Shredded Pepper Jack
• 1/4 C Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 C Shredded Colby Cheese
• Wraps (I use Sandwich Petals or gf corn tortillas)
• Olive Oil
• Garlic Powder
• Sides: sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, olives, onions, peppers...

Directions:

1. Combine cheeses to create a cheese blend
2. Spray or brush olive oil on bottom of wrap & sprinkle with garlic powder.
3. Place wrap, oil side down, in pan and sprinkle with shredded cheese mix.
4. Cover with another wrap. Spray or brush top wrap with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic powder.
5. Heat on medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side.
6. Serve with sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, olives, onions, peppers...

***To be truly gluten free, you need to make sure all ingredients are gluten free***

For more gluten free recipes, stop by Marine Corps Nomads.

Thank you, Heather for putting this together for us.  Can't wait to try it out.  Now, will you all do me a favor and go say hello to Heather...check out some of her other recipes while you're there.  Oh, and don't forget to leave her a comment here!!

These are a Few of My Favorite Things Blogs

I'm an addict.  Blogging is my drug of choice.  Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you view it) for me, there are so many blogs to read.  The problem is, in addition to being addicted to the blog world, I am also a mom.  I don't have the time to invest in searching out blogs to read.  I have meals to make, a house to ignore clean.  Playdates to attend.  The list goes on.  I do, however, have some blogs I love to read... those which make me feel excited if they have a new post.  Today, I thought I would share some of them with you.

I will only mention a few today, and plan to do a series of posts like this over time.  The blogs in this post are in no particular order, and are not necessarily my most favorite...they are just in the forefront of my mind.

Let's get on with it.

Melis at Diary of a Zookeeper.  She's great.  Her writing is intelligent, witty, funny, endearing and compelling all rolled into one.  While reading one of her posts, I am often "in her moment,"  feeling as if I am seeing things through her eyes.  Her down to earth nature, and warmth make me feel as if we have been friends for a long time.  I'm sending you to one of her more heartfelt posts. If you are not reading her blog, you are missing out on a real treat.

Michele at Finding Trinity.  I love funny.  So, I love her.  She is an awesome blog friend, always leaving witty or thoughtful comments on my posts.  She has a raw honesty about her that is just charming and well...funny!  Again, she is down to earth (sensing a trend here), and easy to read.  What are you waiting for?  Go have a look for yourself.  Sending to you a post that will allow you to get to know her well right off the bat.

The last person I will tell you about today is Heide of From 3 to 5.  The thing about Heide is that she is as real as they come.  I think I first took a liking to her because she so reminded me of one of my old friends.  However, as I have gotten to know her more and more, I just think she is great in her own right!  She makes me laugh...like all the time.  Here's the best part, I think she's funny even when she's not trying to be so.  She just tells a story sometimes in such a way that I can't help but find humor in it. Please go see for yourself what I mean.  I am sending you to a Friday Fragment post she did, and there is a bit about nose picking that cracked me up.

Now...these are just a few on the ever growing list of blogs I dig....and dig 'em I do.  Stay tuned, next time you might be mentioned!!

What about you?  Do you already read these blogs?  Any that you feel crazy over and want to share?  Spill it here in the comments.

**When I say easy to read, I simply mean her posts are well written, not on the verbose side, not littered with gramatical errors, etc.**  Wanted to clarify that as I may use the term again.


P.S.  A big happy birthday to my sister in law.