Sunday, February 27, 2011

35. still working on getting my shit together (yeah, and Shrimp Marsala - Housewife Style)

Shrimp Marsala - Housewife Style

With 35 beating my door down I feel that more than any other birthday milestone, this one has caused the most obnoxious case of naval gazing I've ever undergone. This post, may, just may not make any sense as I'm pretty much just gonna shoot from the hip with what is going on in my almost 35 year old brain. Here goes:

I feel that, by this age, I really should have gotten my shit together, and when I say that, I literally mean "my shit" - like the way I feel about myself and what I've done with my time and life so far. Older readers of this blog may think, 35, that's still young, you've got time, etc, etc, but frankly, its the oldest I've ever been, and by now, I would have hoped that I could see my reflection in the mirror and say "that works".  

I wear my past like a second skin, my reflection clouded by images of all the parts of me that I haven't liked, like dust, sure you can brush them off, but its a futile exercise, dust always finds its way back to the same exact spot.

Growing up we're always told that we should love ourselves. I don't think I love myself. If I do I've got a pretty disfunctional and f'ed up way of showing myself that I do, what, with the constant go, go, go, more, more, more, push push, harder, harder tempo of my life, like maybe if I move fast enough, the dust won't have a chance to settle and I won't have to face it. 

This year, for this birthday I just want an honest image in the mirror, and I want to honestly say to my twin looking back at me.  "That'll Do". And mean it. This will take some work and I'm scared to pull on that thread in case the whole thing unravels around me, but I owe it to the person that I should be, and I owe it to the man that has so graciously asked to share this life with me. So, here goes….

Seems awkward to transition into a recipe now, right, but I've never been one for gracious segues, so moving right along, here is a really awesome dish from Mario Batali…dig in.  

PS. I served this over pan seared organic polenta with garlic roasted asparagus on the side. For wine we served it with an awesome california cabernet. 

Due to copyright and all that crap I'm just including the link the recipe: 
Please let me know if you make it and what you think of the recipe.

Rating = Damn Good

Also, comments on the above rant are welcome as well.


35. still working on getting my shit together (oh yeah, and Shrimp Marsala - Housewife Style

Shrimp Marsala - Housewife Style

With 35 beating my door down I feel that more than any other birthday milestone, this one has caused the most obnoxious case of naval gazing I've ever undergone. This post, may, just may not make any sense as I'm pretty much just gonna shoot from the hip with what is going on in my almost 35 year old brain. Here goes:

I feel that, by this age, I really should have gotten my shit together, and when I say that, I literally mean "my shit" - like the way I feel about myself and what I've done with my time and life so far. Older readers of this blog may think, 35, that's still young, you've got time, etc, etc, but frankly, its the oldest I've ever been, and by now, I would have hoped that I could see my reflection in the mirror and say "that works".  

I wear my past like a second skin, my reflection clouded by images of all the parts of me that I haven't liked, like dust, sure you can brush them off, but its a futile exercise, dust always finds its way back to the same exact spot.

Growing up we're always told that we should love ourselves. I don't think I love myself. If I do I've got a pretty disfunctional and f'ed up way of showing myself that I do, what, with the constant go, go, go, more, more, more, push push, harder, harder tempo of my life, like maybe if I move fast enough, the dust won't have a chance to settle and I won't have to face it. 

This year, for this birthday I just want an honest image in the mirror, and I want to honestly say to my twin looking back at me.  "That'll Do". And mean it. This will take some work and I'm scared to pull on that thread in case the whole thing unravels around me, but I owe it to the person that I should be, and I owe it to the man that has so graciously asked to share this life with me. So, here goes….

Seems awkward to transition into a recipe now, right, but I've never been one for gracious segues, so moving right along, here is a really awesome dish from Mario Batali…dig in.  

PS. I served this over pan seared organic polenta with garlic roasted asparagus on the side. For wine we served it with an awesome california cabernet. 

Due to copyright and all that crap I'm just including the link the recipe: 
Please let me know if you make it and what you think of the recipe.

Rating = Damn Good

Also, comments on the above rant are welcome as well.


Monday, February 07, 2011

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies | WW 1 Points Plus


Everyone needs a little guilt free snacking every once and a while, and these little cookies are just the ticket. Packed with a chocolate punch, they really satisfy, and at 1 points plus per - why not have a couple, seriously, you deserve it. 

I can't decide whether I like the new weight watchers as much as I like the old one, the weight definitely comes off slower, but you are given way more snacking options as fruits and vegetables are free, even bananas - oh, how I missed bananas on the old plan. 

So, new plan - you eat more, you lose weight slower, hey, I'm not getting in a bikini anytime soon, so I can take my time. Although one thing that sucks the big one on the new plan is that wine is twice as many points as on the old plan - like a stake through the heart that one was.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies | WW 1 Points Plus Value 

1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp table salt
1/4 cup(s) butter, softened
1/2 cup(s) dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup(s) sugar, granulated
1/3 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa
2 large egg white(s)
1/3 cup(s) semi-sweet chocolate chips, miniature
1 spray(s) cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine
flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

Beat butter and brown sugar with a mixer at medium speed until light and
fluffy; gradually add granulated sugar, beating well. Add cocoa and egg
whites, beating well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating until blended. Stir
in chocolate minichips.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 11⁄2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated
with cooking spray. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes
or until firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
Yield: 40 cookies (serving size: 1 cookie).