2014 Resolutions and Recap

As with any year, 2014 was filled with its ups and downs. Hopefully the ups were far greater than the downs... what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. Right?

2014 Resolutions
This past year I had three resolutions:

1. Read 24 books - This may not seem like much, but reading books means that I have to take time away from everything else going on and dedicate it to an activity that I have grown to not enjoy. When I was a child, I couldn't help but read books. I read anything and everything I could get my hands on, but when I went to college, reading became a mandatory activity that lost all of its pleasure. So, reading and I needed to become reacquainted.
   
   The great thing about reading is that it is a lot like riding a bike... You just need to be willing to work out those lazy muscles and keep going when you encounter failures and obstacles. I started with books that were going to be made into movies such as the Divergent series, Fault in Our Stars (and any other John Greene book like paper Towns, Gone Girl (and anything else by Gilliam Flynn), However, my favorite by far was Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Hollow City by Ransom Riggs. I cannot wait for the next book!
   
         
   Needless to say, I made it to 26 books about a month ago and am almost finished with 27. I think that I could realistically go for 36 books this year as long as I can find some books to keep me motivated.  
   
   
   
   
2. Run a 5k - Soooo, this one I was not as successful at... meaning that I dd not do it but I did make it the gym and I have not dropped it as a goal. I have already purchased my tickets for the Color Me Rad 5k and plan to also sign up for the Color Run. The fact that I am still willing to participate in an event involving my least favorite physical activity should something about my dedication. So I will try this again in 2015!
3. Be Creative - I can't say that my job isn't somewhat creative but after spending a day in an office, it can become difficult to remember what gives us joy. This may come as a surprise to some but I do enjoy crafts of all sorts. I am probably most known for my baking but I know how to knit/crochet, paint/draw and sew, and always open to the possibility of learning more.
   
   However, I found that I was losing myself in my work... literally. Every moment consuming me where I was doing work before work, driving to work and staying late then driving home to make dinner so I could work from home until bed. I needed to find what made me tick again.
   
   A dear friend invited me to attend a social club where we would transform blank canvases into works of art. I almost didn't go because painting is not my thing, but "nothing ventured, nothing gained." So I went and I was instantly hooked. What started as sunflowers, became dragonflies, snowmen and pigs!
   
   
   
    
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   I have used this creative outlet to motivate me to broaden my horizons. I have now started trying new mediums such as fused glass and teaching myself graphic design on opensource software with the help of YouTube.
   
   

   

   My first project with Gimp. It looks incredibly simple, and is, but it takes a lot of steps to get there.

   
   

      

   

   Fused glass window hanger and pendant.
    Not the finished project but will update when I pick them up next weekend. 

   
   

Review:

It would be unfair to say that 2014 was uneventful. My family accomplished much. My daughter was active in cheerleading, which we made plenty of new friends through. She finished pre-k and started kindergarten. My husband got closer to finding his dream job, and we've grown stronger with each hurdle that we have been presented.We even gained two new additions to our family:

Spencer & Chase

However, life comes with balance... 2014 was also a year of great loss. It would be cheap and incorrect to say that we lost two of beloved pets when in reality we lost members of our family and very dear friends. 

Abby & Buggah

ABBY

Abbigail "Abby" Grace
May 28, 2003 - April 26, 2014

Abby was an amazing dog with a huge heart. She was always there to comfort me and fill our home with her amazing spirit. I could not ask for a better friend. 

BUGGAH

My Buggah
November 28, 2009 - August 8, 2014

Loss is hard no matter how you look at it, but it is particularly difficult when you feel like you should have had more time. No words can express the hole in my heart that was created when I lost Buggah.

Discovery:

Loss also comes in all forms. In a sense that you can lose yourself and have to lose another in order to rediscover who you are. 

I have spent many years resenting others in my past and blaming them for what never was, and it really hindered where I was going. I don't know how to explain it, but I made a decision that I was worth more than that and I wanted to be happy, I spent a lot of time discovering what the root of what made myself most unhappy. I realized that it was constantly seeking the approval of those who were never going to be satisfied. I was also letting their image of me reflect onto how I felt about myself and it was dragging me down. Why would one choose to be around such a person? I don't know, but I wasn't going to do it anymore. 

The decisions that I made to sever the ties that I have were not easy, and it does get lonely. But the comfront found in misery is still misery and is truly a weight that comes at a cost. Also, I have some pretty amazing people in my life, who allow me to feel good about myself. Some of them are family members and others are people who have surpassed being called friends because they are more like family than the traditional sense.  I have also watched as each of them has transformed their own lives in their endeavors and become an inspiration.  Whether it was always showing compassion and love through the willingness to help others, taking more time to spend with loved ones, or continue to challenge themselves and begin new journeys, I am always awed by them. In all, I am truly blessed to have them in my life.

2015?

I don't know where 2015 is gong to take me, but I going to continue to work harder and strive to be better -- better mom, better wife, better person. In comparison to that, everything else seems silly when I think about tangible goals. But as 2015 draws nearer, I can say that it will be like no other.

Burgers aren't just for cows... Salmon Burgers

Summer time means long days, warm nights and summer foods! However, I am not a big fan of the grill and standard burgers can get old. Salmon burgers are an excellent alternative and the they are surprisingly easy to make. The best parts about this recipe is that it is quick and versatile.

Salmon Burgers

2# Salmon, skin removed and cut into 1" pieces

1/4 c cilantro chopped

1 egg

1/4 c onion, diced

1/2 c panko crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 352 degrees.
2. Place half of the salmon into a food processor and pulse about 7 times. Place aside in a bowl;
3. Place remaining salmon in the processor, pulse for 4 times, and add to the other salmon;
4. Mix in remaining ingredients and let sit for 5 minutes;
5. Form into patties (will be looser than hamburgers). I use a boiling pan to reduce excess oils. 
6. Bake for 18-22 minutes. 

Siracha Mayo

1/2 c mayo

1 squirt of siracha

1 garlic scape and/or green scallion

Mix all ingredients into a bowl and let sit for a couple minutes to meld. Assemble on buns with favorite vegetables and enjoy! Other variations include adding or substituting lemon/lime zest, chili/cumin powder. 

Time Flies when You're Having Fun... (CSA's, Mushrooms and risotto)

This year I set myself up with some goals that I thought that I could realistically accomplishing (writing on my blag was not one of them). Most of them were the typical ones... be healthy, read more, run... etc. But the one that I felt was the most important and fulfilling was the fact my family joined a CSA.

"What is a CSA?" You ask... Well, a CSA is Community Supported Agriculture, which you buys shares to help pay for a farm's operating costs before the growing season starts and then you get a portion of the bounty. There are many things to consider when choosing a CSA... location, products, cost,  variety...etc. While all of these areas played a role in making our decision, we choose Food Joy in South Auburn because they offer organic produce, recipes and meal plans to ensure that you are using your share to the fullest potential. After reviewing our grocery bills' contents and costs, it only made sense to join for $134 a month to ensure that I was getting fresh, local, organic produce on a weekly basis; not to mention, the owner Karen is absolutely amazing. The best part of the CSA is not knowing what you may get. Quite a few of the items that we received are not typically available at the grocery store and, if they are, they would either be out of my price range or I would not buy them because they weren't on the "list"... especially the edible flowers.

A picture of our first crate that came with a chef's knife and apron!

Since I am so far behind on posting, I am probably going to have to pick my favorite meals that I made. One ingredient that I was extremely excited about receiving was chanterelle mushrooms. So excited in fact, that I cooked them up immediately.

Chanterelles are golden in color and have a nutty, sweet, peppery flavor. 

I decided to make a risotto with them and serve them with bay scallops, which complemented quite well. Though this recipe has a few steps involved, it is totally worth it! Hope you enjoy!

Broth:
1/2 c mushroom pieces
6-8 c chicken broth (low or no sodium)
1/2 ts black pepper
1/2 ts dry savory
1 ts soy sauce

Combine all ingredients in a stock pot and bring to a boil on high for 5 minutes then reduce to a simmer and cover. You want to keep this heated for the risotto.

Risotto
2 TB EVOO
2 shallots, diced
1 c mushrooms, chopped
1 garlic scape or 1 TB garlic
1 c arborio or other risotto rice
1/2 c white wine
2 TB butter
2 c Parmesan cheese

1.  Heat EVOO over medium-high heat then add shallots and cook until clear;
2. Add mushrooms and cook until soft then add garlic/scapes;
3. Add rice and coat well. Stir constantly and cook until toasted (about 5 min);
4. Add white wine, stir well and cook until most of the liquid is gone;
5. Add ladle-full of broth to the rice (about 1/2 c) and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir often and let the the mixture to cook down until almost all of the liquid is gone then add more liquid. Continue to do this until the rice has started to break down, rice is al dente, and sauce is thick.
6. Stir in butter and cheese. Set aside.

Topping

2 TB butter

1/2 c mushrooms, large pieces

EVOO

1# bay scallops

1 garlic scape/scallion

1 ear of corn with corn removed

1. Heat pan over medium-high heat and add butter until browned;
2. Add mushrooms and toss until covered. Continue to heat until mushrooms are crispy (about 7-10 min);
3. Remove mushrooms from the pan, toss with scapes/scallions, and return pan to the heat. Add EVOO and heat but not smoking. Add scallops, dust with pepper, and cook each side about 2-3 minutes. You want each side to be browned. 
4. Add scallops to mushrooms then toss corn in pan until warm. Serve everything over the risotto.  Enjoy!

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers Revisit

It is funny how quickly a year passes and with that things also change. If I didn't think my life could get any busier, but it has. It is easy to fall back on take out or processed foods, and trust me I am of the most guilty, but life strikes its balance and we learn to make it work. I love this recipe and I've adapted it to work I'm the crockpot and with fewer processed ingredients.

You will need:
4 Large Green Peppers (tops cut off, cleaned out, tops reserved and chopped)
1c Dry Quinoa
2 TB EVOO
1 Small onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
4oz button mushrooms, sliced
1 jar of tomato sauce

1. Start quinoa by adding to 2c of water, bring to a boil and cover. Reduce heat and cook10 minutes.
2. While quinoa is cooking, heat oil in pan and add veggies in two minute intervals in the order shown, ending with green peppers.
3. Prepare large crock pot by  placing 1c of sauce on the bottom and turning heat up to high. 
4. Add quinoa (it will still be al dente) to veggies then add remaining sauce. Mix up and divide into peppers. 
5. Reduce heat on crockpot to low and cook 3-4 hours. You can add cheese if the last 30 minutes if you want but I thought it was fine without it. 

So, now that I have shared both of my recipes. Let new know what you think of each.