Vegetarian Challenge

The new project isn't a craft project - it's me trying to get healthy again. I kept telling myself that I would get back on track after I got a full time job - routines definitely are good to my body. But, alas, the full time job still alludes me so, it's time for action.

Now, I know eating vegetarian doesn't automatically make you healthier. In fact, it is really easy to over eat on certain foods/nutrients (think cheese and carbohydrates) and really easy to under eat on other foods/nutrients (think complete proteins).

I have been meat free for a week now and while I've noticed digestive changes - no weight change yet. Although, I know it will take time to see real improvement in energy levels and body weight.

Last night I made a zucchini "casserole" - should have been called zucchini quiche. It was tasty but very eggy.

Zucchini Casserole 

 Tonight I made "Mary Lou" Casserole. Any one whose knows this recipe knows it's not vegetarian. Well, it was tonight after I used soy protein (meat substitue) instead of ground beef. For someone who has never experienced the joy of Mary Lou Casserole, it would have been fantastic. But, it just wasn't the same as the real thing. I guess I'll keep experimenting with ways to get quality protein in my diet.

Modified Mary Lou Casserole

Next step: Increase the exercise :)

Mary Lou Casserole*

1 box of pasta (tastes best with white pasta - healthier with wheat)
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
Diced onion
1 family sized can of tomato soup (don't add water)
1 pound of cheese (original recipe calls for velveta, I usually only put in about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar)
Shredded cheddar sprinkled on top
Basil and oregano to taste

1. Cook pasta (drain and rinse in cold water)
2. Brown meat and saute onion
3. Mix ingredients in a large bowl
4. Spread in a greased 9X13 casserole dish
5. Bake 30 min at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and bubbly and pasta on the top is slightly crispy.


* My family names our food after specific events or random thoughts that occur at the time of preparation. This recipe we ate for the first time at a family friends house and ever since that day (I was 5) it has been affectionately known as Mary Lou Casserole.

Working?

I have been trying to post this forever, but my internet keeps being dumb. 

There are some benefits to being "sort of" employed. I guess technically I have three jobs, but none of them are full time and only one is somewhat regular.

I have to say, there are a few perks to this irregular employment. I get to make my own schedule and I can take breaks pretty much when ever I want. Although, these are the down sides, too - I have to be totally accountable to myself and my bank account!

One of the perks of administering surveys for the Indiana State Department of Health, is that I get to travel all over the state. (Down side is that I am putting thousands of miles on my car). But, I've seen some pretty neat (and not so neat) places. Two weeks ago, Nathan joined me on a survey trip to southern-ish Indiana. we didn't stay there, although we are now planning a trip back. We headed over to Cincinnati, OH and Newport, KY. I love that this was a day of "work."

Three states in one day!

Authentic German Beer and Food in Newport, KY.

Hofbräuhaus

Proud of his beer.

I "helped..."

Spatzl with chicken

Pretzel with mettwurst

Shopping at Ikea. (No photos...apparently I forgot during this part of the day)

Buying yummy international food at Jungle Jim's.

Reminiscing about the first time we talked. That's a story for another day.

The first time Nathan and I talked was on a bus trip while we were passing through Eaton, Ohio. 

Since my whirlwind of three states, I haven't been anywhere interesting - just a lot of miles in Indiana.

YUM

Last week was a week of delicious food.

Sunday: Asian stir-fry with Chinese Eggplant, rice and chicken. I don't like regular eggplant, but while I was in London, I went out for Taiwanese food and tried Chinese Eggplant and it was delicious. I tried to recreate it for Nathan. It didn't taste a thing like I had hoped it would, but it was still delicious. 

Monday: For the men's counterpart to Valentines day, I made Nathan steak. Now, I have never made steak before - on a grill or indoors. So, I went to the actual butcher shop and asked the guy working there what I should make. I believe it was rib eye (which according to Wikipedia is good for indoor cooking). I Googled how to cook steak indoors, marinated the meat while I was at work and then cooked it, made bread, roasted garlic, steamed broccoli, and whipped up some Cajun sweet potato fires. I also bought him beer. I sound like Susie-homemaker. It was quite tasty and actually quite easy! 

Wednesday: We made falafal! I was a bit uneasy about "deep frying" in a pan, but in the end it turned out great. We made a "Greek" salad to go with it and a sour cream and cucumber sauce (this is when a food processor would come in handy). We'll make a few changes next time, but all in all - success!

Ireland

I feel a little less silly about celebrating and decorating for St. Patrick's day after spending some time in Dublin. I made this quote-thingy for my seasonal shelf - you may have seen it in some other pictures.

Then, as I was getting reading to post today, I realized that in all my blogging and adventuring last Fall, I some how never managed to blog about my trip to Dublin. So here are a few pictures of Dublin in honor of st. Patrick' Day.

Inside St. Patick's Cathedral

There he is, banishing the snakes.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

St. Patrick was a real man. And he banished the snakes from Ireland. But that's not all Dublin has to offer....

They have beer.

And buses

And convenience stores with yummy cheap food.

And yes, much much more. Like....

A stunning National Library

Beautiful Castles (Malahide) - this one is not in Dublin but a short train ride away.

And really cold water in the Irish Sea

 Can I go back now?

Stuffed Onions (and spinach omelets)

WARNING: You must love onions to like this recipe.

Nathan usually starts dinner on Wednesdays while I am at work (he’s so sweet). A few Wednesdays ago, when I got home, I helped him – really all I did was beat some eggs. Well, I guess I chopped all the veggies before I went to work so all he would have to do is cook - and let me say, taking the core out of an onion is no easy task.

I got the recipe for the stuffed onions from College Vegetarian Cooking: Feed Yourself and Your Friends by Megan Carle, Jill Carle and the omelet recipe from the April 2008 edition of Martha Stewarts Everyday Foods. I’m fairly certain that Quinoa is a complete protein – so the eggs really weren’t necessary – but a growing boy doesn’t see a stuffed onion as a whole meal. Even though he loves his veggies, he still said halfway through the meal, “this would be really great with meat in it, maybe sausage?”

Carrots, mushrooms, peppers, celery, and Quinoa in an onion.

Baked omelet with spinach, asparagus, and cheddar cheese.

Unfinished Business

Really this post is about unfinished projects and crafts that have been laying around my house.

I have a problem with leaving things 90% done FOREVER and I really do mean a long, long time. Last weekend I was on a mission to finish projects that I already had started instead of starting on new ones. I was mostly successful…

Finished: Grey Fleece Jacket

Jacket and one of the storage boxes.

I bought the fabric and the pattern for this jacket in February of 2010. I remember because I thought it would make a cute light-weight jacket during the spring. Well, I cut it out. That was it. And then, it sat until February 2011 when I took it out again. I spent about 4 hours sewing (I’m very slow when I’m actually doing a nice job)and then I raced out to JoAnn Fabrics to get buttons/snaps so I could finish it. Well, it sat for another two weeks. But here it is! All done, and I’ve even worn it!

Finished: Fabric Covered Storage Boxes

Thanks to Katie, I finally finished the boxes I’ve been trying to cover since the beginning of January. I had used packing tape originally, but it was starting to come off. So, I took her advice and hot glued the 2 I had in the works and finished the last one! Yay. Now Nathan’s games really are hidden.

I cut card stock to fit the insides of the box, so if someone peaks in, they don’t have to see that I was too cheap to buy enough fabric to cover the insides, too.

Started and Finished:  Kitchen Bottle Silhouettes

I didn’t mean to start a new project. Oops. But I started this one and finished it in two days. I was inspired by a picture on the Better Homes and Gardens website . So instead of birds – which have nothing to do with my decorating scheme, I used bottles. I found inspiration in a photo from iStock photos (http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-illustration-10313485-bottles-silhouette.php ). So I cut out bottle shapes on black card stock. Glued them onto forest green card stock (I wanted to use a burgundy color but I didn’t have enough). And then, I stuck them in cheap–o matching frames. Yes please.

Half of my kitchen - my photography skills need serious help

 Started and Finished: RENEW Blocks

 

So, again I failed at not starting a new project….I’ve been wanting to make pretty blocks for my seasonal shelf. I found valentine blocks on super sale (2.50 for 4) at Meijer. So I had to buy them to repurpose and blocks with a spring time saying on them - you can’t buy plain blocks for that price. Any how, the first try was hideous – I wont even show you the evidence. But the second try was better.

Almost Finished: Fish Tank

I stole Nathan’s fish tank. But of course, I had to scour the whole thing and then rinse the chemicals out exceptionally well. Old dead fish guts and snails – icky. But it’s clean. I’ll post a picture once it has fish in it.

TO DO:

Satin Dress

I finally bought the interfacing for the pattern – I keep holding out on the notion that I will be loosing a few pounds - since the dress is very fitted. So, it could be a while. Did mention that I bought this fabric at the same time as the fabric for the grey jacket?

Burgundy Dress

So, I cut this out and even began sewing this dress over spring break 2010, I think…could have been winter break 2009. But, none-the-less I know I bought the fabric in July 2009 when the long jersey dresses were in style. Needless to say, some one my height does not need to be wearing an ankle length dress – EVER. So the one I’m making is knee length. Maybe someday I’ll finish it. It just needs sleeves and a hem.

Fish Tank

I still need to buy chemical to keep water at a safe pH, food, plants, new light bulbs, a new filter, and of course FISH!

Tax Party

A few thoughts on paying taxes,

1.     This is tedious business (at least the state of Indiana has WAY complicated forms)

2.     Who had the wherewithal to develop such complex formulas, terms, forms, steps, deductions, ect - I am seriously impressed. I think we take a lot of things like this for granted. People some where a long the line came up with the complex ways to make sure that the government functions (sort of).

3.     My dad is always saying things like, “if you are able to pay taxes, you are lucky to be making enough money to live.” I think he’s right. Some day, when I have a grown up job, I’ll be happy to contribute to the better functioning of society. Until then, I'll take my refund!

Nathan and I had a tax paying party. We gathered all of our forms and spread out at his dining room table. We enjoyed scrummy tuna casserole, rhubarb/apple crisp, and grown up hot chocolate!

Tuna Casserole

(part Mom’s recipe, part tastytuesday.com, part me)

3 cups uncooked pasta

1 can chicken broth

1 can water

1 to 2 cups frozen peas

1 medium onion

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 cup milk

1 large can of solid white albacore tuna

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In a sauce pan or skillet

1.     Bring chicken broth and water to a boil

2.     Add pasta and cook until slightly undercooked (9-10 minutes)

3.     With about 2 minutes of cooking time left, add the frozen peas (most of the liquid should be cooked off at this point)

4.     Drain any remaining liquid

In a large fry pan (oven proof if possible)

5.     Lightly brown onions.

6.     Add cream of mushroom soup

7.     Then add milk, cook until milk is well incorporated into soup

8.     Drain tuna and then add it to the soup/milk mixture – break it into smaller pieces if necessary.

9.     Add drained pasta and peas to mixture.

If the fry pan is not oven proof, transfer to a casserole dish.

10. Mix half of the cheese into the mixture.

11. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is lightly browned bubbly.