Yesterday morning was a morning like any other...well, like any other when our holiday home is alive with visitors! My sister-in-law, Jan, & I got up early & went for a beautiful walk down by the water. We proceeded to go to two coffee shops to satisfy our divided tastes in the afore-mentioned beverage & then home to enjoy. Soon, Jan decided that she needed a quick professional "wash & blow-dry" so we scrambled out the door again to the salon. And this is where the morning turned interesting...
I had, the day before, noticed a great top in the window of Suzannes. So, while Jan was at her hair appointment, I had decided that I would go & try on this shirt. Of course, once I was in the shopping environment, I gathered quite a few other items to satiate my wardrobe urges. As always, I was debating over the size required, with the sales attendant, as she tried to lower my selections down from the ceiling-high displays. And, as always, my bosoms were at centre-stage in the conversation.
"Oh, I don't think you will need an XL in that!" "Oh, yes I will - I always need the XL to allow for my big boobs!" And on & on I went about my seemingly problematic body parts. After getting a change room & trying on several of the items, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I did, indeed, not need the XL as I had presumed. And the kind sales attendant said, "There, you see! I knew I was right!"
Then she went on to tell me how I should never complain about the size of my "boobs!" At least I had two of them regardless of their preposterous size. I was quite taken aback...she told me how she had lost a breast to breast cancer & that she was, in fact, not feeling very well at all that day as she was still undergoing chemotherapy. She liked to work when she felt well enough but had just called in another sales associate, to cover for her, as she was not feeling well enough to stay...
Well, I apologized as best I could & will forevermore be more chaste about my "body parts" grumblings. And, if this was not enough, as I was paying, my cell phone rang & it was our son, Anson, skyping me from the Dominican Republic where he was in a remote village visiting one of our World Vision foster children. He had her & some of her family members there on the phone thanking us & blessing us for our support. Well, that did it - the flood gates opened & right there in the middle of that store, I was an emotional mess. I was already overwhelmed by the life's lesson from the store clerk & now this emotionally-charged skype call.
An overwhelming lesson for me on gratitude and appreciation. I know it sounds cliche but I really need to live in the moment; ever aware of all of the abundant blessings in my life. Am I ever truly thankful for the two breasts that I do have, however shapely the may be? And is it even possible for me to fathom what a difference our pittance of a sponsorship makes in the life of a family across the continent from me?? Well, for whatever reason, today I am aware. What a fabulous, emotional, victorious, crazy, eye-opening morning that was. And my little world has, once again, been forever expanded!!
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Monday, 26 August 2013
Pesto Processor Predicament
Well, what's for dinner tonight...Pappardelle With Kale Pesto...once again with recipe cred to Rachael Ray. The weather in the beautiful Okanagan Valley was a little soggy today, so I definitely felt as if my mood and the chill air could hold up to a pasta night.
Pappardelle With Kale Pesto
I had bought a gorgeous bundle of kale at the Kelowna Farmer's Market on Saturday & was very excited to try this recipe. Everything was shaping up beautifully. I had made a quick stop on my way home, from a most relaxing pedicure, at Valoroso. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Valoroso is an Italian market & deli located in Kelowna & West Kelowna, BC. They have a plethora of sumptuous olive oils, pastas, cheeses, meats, canned delicacies and any number of other Italian foodie fantasies!! Specifically, today, I was after pappardelle noodles, pecorino cheese & a new olive oil brimming with flavour - nothing for the faint of heart. I was, indeed-in-need of an oil delicious enough to stand in with few other ingredients, as a pasta sauce, and Valoroso did not disappoint. This is the little beauty:
The problem, if there was one, with this simple supper was with the support staff. Every good cook knows that there are a few staple kitchen helpers albeit human or mechanical. One of my real workhorses is my food processor and tonight, as I made the pesto, the processor processed its last. The end was not glamorous, no grinding of gears, no smoke, no loud commotion - just a full stop. My husband endeavoured to intervene, & as is his way, gave it a thud on the counter & turned it over with a bang a couple of times. When we put it back together, it took off once with force, but only of its own accord - we had not turned the "on" or "pulse" switch at all. That was the last big hurrah, I'm afraid, and my pesto sauce came to its completion in the blender for tonight (a poor second to the food processor, for this job, I'm afraid) All is not lost. Supper was still delicious and now I am in the market for a new food processor...woot, woot!! Small appliance shopping would not light up the eyes of every girl, but is a highlight for me!
I followed this recipe as printed in the link. I do wonder, however, how much 1 bunch Tuscan kale, trimmed and chopped really is. We used 1/2 of the bunch I bought & made the other half into kale chips that we devoured as we fought with the food processor.
Kale Chips: 4-6 C chopped kale (with all stems & veins trimmed - u really can't eat them!)
2 tbsp. olive oil
season with salt & pepper
Put parchment on a cookie sheet. Toss the kale with oil & seasonings. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-12 mins. Watch carefully, as you want the kale to crisp up but it turns dark & overcooks very easily. When you get it right - it's delicious!! Especially with a crisp pour of Okanagan white on the side :)
I had bought a gorgeous bundle of kale at the Kelowna Farmer's Market on Saturday & was very excited to try this recipe. Everything was shaping up beautifully. I had made a quick stop on my way home, from a most relaxing pedicure, at Valoroso. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Valoroso is an Italian market & deli located in Kelowna & West Kelowna, BC. They have a plethora of sumptuous olive oils, pastas, cheeses, meats, canned delicacies and any number of other Italian foodie fantasies!! Specifically, today, I was after pappardelle noodles, pecorino cheese & a new olive oil brimming with flavour - nothing for the faint of heart. I was, indeed-in-need of an oil delicious enough to stand in with few other ingredients, as a pasta sauce, and Valoroso did not disappoint. This is the little beauty:
The problem, if there was one, with this simple supper was with the support staff. Every good cook knows that there are a few staple kitchen helpers albeit human or mechanical. One of my real workhorses is my food processor and tonight, as I made the pesto, the processor processed its last. The end was not glamorous, no grinding of gears, no smoke, no loud commotion - just a full stop. My husband endeavoured to intervene, & as is his way, gave it a thud on the counter & turned it over with a bang a couple of times. When we put it back together, it took off once with force, but only of its own accord - we had not turned the "on" or "pulse" switch at all. That was the last big hurrah, I'm afraid, and my pesto sauce came to its completion in the blender for tonight (a poor second to the food processor, for this job, I'm afraid) All is not lost. Supper was still delicious and now I am in the market for a new food processor...woot, woot!! Small appliance shopping would not light up the eyes of every girl, but is a highlight for me!
I followed this recipe as printed in the link. I do wonder, however, how much 1 bunch Tuscan kale, trimmed and chopped really is. We used 1/2 of the bunch I bought & made the other half into kale chips that we devoured as we fought with the food processor.
Kale Chips: 4-6 C chopped kale (with all stems & veins trimmed - u really can't eat them!)
2 tbsp. olive oil
season with salt & pepper
Put parchment on a cookie sheet. Toss the kale with oil & seasonings. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-12 mins. Watch carefully, as you want the kale to crisp up but it turns dark & overcooks very easily. When you get it right - it's delicious!! Especially with a crisp pour of Okanagan white on the side :)
Sunday, 25 August 2013
Sunday Supper
Well, earlier today I commented to my husband that I would try to blog about things of a spiritual nature on Sundays, and I still may do so this evening, if I don't run out of steam, but I had to get this little gem up. I really do love Rachael Ray and I have complete success with her recipes on a continual basis. If you look up the recipe on the link provided, you will gasp with delight, as I did, of course, at how much my effort actually resembles the magazine photo - hee!
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/grilled-chicken-cutlets-with-zucchini-corn-and-cherry-tomato-sauce/
*My only changes were:*
Subbed 1 tsp. of dried thyme for the fresh, as I couldn't get my hands on any fresh this weekend
Used only 2 chicken breasts, as was only my husband & I home this evening (and 1 invited guest that couldn't make it - you missed a gooder Lindsay!)
Subbed some romaine lettuce for some of the arugula, as I was short & also tossed the greens in a wee bit of vinaigrette, that I had on hand, before topping with chicken & zucchini-corn sauce
Used fresh parmesan cheese and made no effort to find the pecorino pepato (I would have loved to, as sourcing interesting ingredients is one of my fave things to do & I bet my friends at Valoroso Foods in Kelowna, BC would have provided, if I had made it there...)
This was a near "spiritual" experience. I would have to confess to "near." I am not the swearing type but expressed my own type of frustration when "lightly browning" the corn. I guess my pan got a wee bit too hot & I soon had popcorn. I didn't know that corn would actually do that! On the floor, on the wall, inside the gas burners - yuck!! All that aside, this dish is soooo delicious. Much credit goes, once again, to the good folks at the Kelowna Farmer's Market. The corn, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, zucchini, scallions, & chile pepper, all came from there! It came quickly to mind as we blessed our food, the sheer abundance & quality of ingredients available to us here. Especially in these summer through fall months, there is simply no reason not to eat well.
*Couldn't resist putting in a little pic of dessert!! Also from Kelowna Farmer's Market - I didn't even know they could grow cantaloupe here, but are we ever glad they can - amazing!!*
So...Reg on Sunday Supper...summation would be: simple satisfaction. A delight to cook & delish (Rachaelism) to eat!!
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/grilled-chicken-cutlets-with-zucchini-corn-and-cherry-tomato-sauce/
*My only changes were:*
Subbed 1 tsp. of dried thyme for the fresh, as I couldn't get my hands on any fresh this weekend
Used only 2 chicken breasts, as was only my husband & I home this evening (and 1 invited guest that couldn't make it - you missed a gooder Lindsay!)
Subbed some romaine lettuce for some of the arugula, as I was short & also tossed the greens in a wee bit of vinaigrette, that I had on hand, before topping with chicken & zucchini-corn sauce
Used fresh parmesan cheese and made no effort to find the pecorino pepato (I would have loved to, as sourcing interesting ingredients is one of my fave things to do & I bet my friends at Valoroso Foods in Kelowna, BC would have provided, if I had made it there...)
This was a near "spiritual" experience. I would have to confess to "near." I am not the swearing type but expressed my own type of frustration when "lightly browning" the corn. I guess my pan got a wee bit too hot & I soon had popcorn. I didn't know that corn would actually do that! On the floor, on the wall, inside the gas burners - yuck!! All that aside, this dish is soooo delicious. Much credit goes, once again, to the good folks at the Kelowna Farmer's Market. The corn, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, zucchini, scallions, & chile pepper, all came from there! It came quickly to mind as we blessed our food, the sheer abundance & quality of ingredients available to us here. Especially in these summer through fall months, there is simply no reason not to eat well.
*Couldn't resist putting in a little pic of dessert!! Also from Kelowna Farmer's Market - I didn't even know they could grow cantaloupe here, but are we ever glad they can - amazing!!*
So...Reg on Sunday Supper...summation would be: simple satisfaction. A delight to cook & delish (Rachaelism) to eat!!
Saturday, 10 August 2013
The Beginning and Banana Bread
Like "everything" there is a beginning & an end. And so it will be with my blog. This is the very beginning. I feel excitement & trepidation all at the same time. Who might end up reading my ramblings, be offended by them, inspired by them, or will this just be an exercise in writing to stimulate my own limited intelligence. If it is nothing more that the latter, I will consider this effort in blogging to have been a grand success!
Today was a day like any other except that at 2:00 p.m. my husband's freelance marketing associate came by & I was granted an hour or so of her time to set up this blog. I had plenty of time to ponder the fine details of this blogging journey as we have been trying to arrange this appointment for quite a while. But, when asked, what I would like to call it, the name came as kind of a knee jerk reaction. However, I think "everything" would safely leave me spare room for all my ponderings & interests. I did not want to be pigeon-holed into food blogging, book & movie reviews, travel posts, family or decorating - I wanted to be able to just mishmash on any number of these topics. I think my blog will be a lot about "everything" that I'm about. And I am a Wannabe in many forms: writer, food & wine enthusiast, decorator, book/tv/movie buff...
Specific to today, I would fit into the foodie category. I do love to cook & if too much time passes where I cannot spend simple creative time in the confines of my own kitchen, I start to lose a little bit of my person. Well, I must say, she was beginning to be lost but today I found her again. She emerged in the form of Morning Glory Muffins, Banana Bread, Hummus, Banana Fudgesicles, Frozen Yogurt Drops, & the crust for the Banana Split Dessert that I will make for company tomorrow.
I will include the Banana Bread recipe as follows only because I was pleasantly surprised with the lovely little loaves that emerged today. For whatever reason, my banana bread often wants to sink a little into itself even though it is well cooked. But today, no way...viola!!
1 individ serving size container of apple sauce = 1/2 C
1/2 C butter
2 tsp vanilla
Whip together well until creamy looking & then add
1/2 - 3/4 C white sugar
6 over ripe bananas mashed together (or the ones from your freezer that you threw in there skins & all quite some time ago - no need to bash those bananas together & dirty another dish either - just thaw out a bit & squeeze out of skins right into mixer bowl)
4 eggs (any recipe will tell you to beat them well before adding, but here's a little secret - I never do, I just pop them in with the sugar & bananas)
Whip again till all ingredients come together & are a light colour
Add in
1 C white flour
1C whole wheat flour
1/2 C spelt flour (I live in the Okanagan where a lovely little vendor has this flour readily available at his Farmer's market booth. If you can't find some, sub something healthy like wheat germ, ground flax seed, all bran or the like - I have used all of the above at different times)
2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
Mix on low speed until combined & then at a little higher speed until well mixed. (some recipes will say to sift, combine ingredients alternating wet & dry, etc, etc - but this is real life - I'm making banana bread, I'm not in a cooking show challenge)
Add in (last but definitely not least!)
1/2 C peanut butter chips
1/2 C butterscotch chips (I know this sounds weird but is delicious & is a bit of a wink & a nod to my dear brother who I miss so terribly much every day - he loved my baking but had a real aversion to chocolate chips so I often subbed b'scotch & found we often preferred the taste. *and again, if I'm being honest, without the chocolate, I can sneak my dog the odd little nibble too*
Now, just give that all one last whir in the mixer, divide evenly between two loaf pans that you have sprayed with Pam & pop in the preheated 350 degree oven for appx 50 mins.
Cool in pans on rack for a few mins. before trying to remove. Run a knife around edges & pop out of pans to cool further. Then, when completely cooled, what I do is slice into generous pieces & put into ziploc bags & freeze. Then everybody can easily take an individual serving & enjoy! Of course, all the end pieces are for sampling & are calorie free :)
*I have a stand mixer & that is what I have based this method on - I think a hand held mixer would serve you equally as well. All beaten by hand would not be out of the question, but not for the faint of heart!*
I think this blogging is as good a thing to do for menopause sleep therapy as anything else I have tried...but now my lids are getting a little heavy, so I'll call it quits for this late-night effort...this is "Reg on Everything" winding down...here's hopin'!! zzzzzzzzzz...
Today was a day like any other except that at 2:00 p.m. my husband's freelance marketing associate came by & I was granted an hour or so of her time to set up this blog. I had plenty of time to ponder the fine details of this blogging journey as we have been trying to arrange this appointment for quite a while. But, when asked, what I would like to call it, the name came as kind of a knee jerk reaction. However, I think "everything" would safely leave me spare room for all my ponderings & interests. I did not want to be pigeon-holed into food blogging, book & movie reviews, travel posts, family or decorating - I wanted to be able to just mishmash on any number of these topics. I think my blog will be a lot about "everything" that I'm about. And I am a Wannabe in many forms: writer, food & wine enthusiast, decorator, book/tv/movie buff...
Specific to today, I would fit into the foodie category. I do love to cook & if too much time passes where I cannot spend simple creative time in the confines of my own kitchen, I start to lose a little bit of my person. Well, I must say, she was beginning to be lost but today I found her again. She emerged in the form of Morning Glory Muffins, Banana Bread, Hummus, Banana Fudgesicles, Frozen Yogurt Drops, & the crust for the Banana Split Dessert that I will make for company tomorrow.
I will include the Banana Bread recipe as follows only because I was pleasantly surprised with the lovely little loaves that emerged today. For whatever reason, my banana bread often wants to sink a little into itself even though it is well cooked. But today, no way...viola!!
1 individ serving size container of apple sauce = 1/2 C
1/2 C butter
2 tsp vanilla
Whip together well until creamy looking & then add
1/2 - 3/4 C white sugar
6 over ripe bananas mashed together (or the ones from your freezer that you threw in there skins & all quite some time ago - no need to bash those bananas together & dirty another dish either - just thaw out a bit & squeeze out of skins right into mixer bowl)
4 eggs (any recipe will tell you to beat them well before adding, but here's a little secret - I never do, I just pop them in with the sugar & bananas)
Whip again till all ingredients come together & are a light colour
Add in
1 C white flour
1C whole wheat flour
1/2 C spelt flour (I live in the Okanagan where a lovely little vendor has this flour readily available at his Farmer's market booth. If you can't find some, sub something healthy like wheat germ, ground flax seed, all bran or the like - I have used all of the above at different times)
2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
Mix on low speed until combined & then at a little higher speed until well mixed. (some recipes will say to sift, combine ingredients alternating wet & dry, etc, etc - but this is real life - I'm making banana bread, I'm not in a cooking show challenge)
Add in (last but definitely not least!)
1/2 C peanut butter chips
1/2 C butterscotch chips (I know this sounds weird but is delicious & is a bit of a wink & a nod to my dear brother who I miss so terribly much every day - he loved my baking but had a real aversion to chocolate chips so I often subbed b'scotch & found we often preferred the taste. *and again, if I'm being honest, without the chocolate, I can sneak my dog the odd little nibble too*
Now, just give that all one last whir in the mixer, divide evenly between two loaf pans that you have sprayed with Pam & pop in the preheated 350 degree oven for appx 50 mins.
Cool in pans on rack for a few mins. before trying to remove. Run a knife around edges & pop out of pans to cool further. Then, when completely cooled, what I do is slice into generous pieces & put into ziploc bags & freeze. Then everybody can easily take an individual serving & enjoy! Of course, all the end pieces are for sampling & are calorie free :)
*I have a stand mixer & that is what I have based this method on - I think a hand held mixer would serve you equally as well. All beaten by hand would not be out of the question, but not for the faint of heart!*
I think this blogging is as good a thing to do for menopause sleep therapy as anything else I have tried...but now my lids are getting a little heavy, so I'll call it quits for this late-night effort...this is "Reg on Everything" winding down...here's hopin'!! zzzzzzzzzz...
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