Not really. That's just what people normally say when they win a lot of money. No, I didn't win a lot of money either. I was just contemplating what I would do if I had an obscene amount of money like Oprah. Why was I contemplating this? I don't really know.
So, I once heard Oprah say that she has her sheets changed every other day (by a maid of course) because she just cannot stand it if her sheets don't have the crisp "just washed" feeling. This leads me down the rabbit hole for today's train of thought. What would I do if I made as much money as Oprah? (This is purely for fun, so no serious things like giving to the church, feeding the hungry, etc, will be included. Those are a given.)
1. I would only use fresh bars of soap. I love a big fresh bar of soap the first time you get it all sudsy.
2. I would have someone come to my house to wash my hair in one of those salon sinks every other day. The water is always the right temperature, they massage your scalp, and the Aveda products where I go are just amazing.
3. I would hire a really great photojournalist to take pictures at all major life events and then twice a year at random times to take family pictures.
4. I would hire a personal trainer like Bob or Jillian from the Biggest Loser to kick my butt every day in the gym.
5. I would build a Panera within walking distance from my house.
6. I would wear ridiculous amounts of diamonds all the time. (Diamonds match everything.)
Alright, now let me know what you would do...and be creative.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tasty Results
Alright, so my Rachel Ray recipe was a huge success. Taking a picture of the meal? Not a success. David and I dug into the meal so quickly that I totally forgot to snap a picture of the uneaten food. It looked very pretty though...I promise.
David said, "This is the tastiest thing you've ever made." This is a high compliment in my book.
So, I told you last time that I had some planned modifications to the meal, but once I got cooking, I totally strayed from the recipe. Instead of mashed potatoes, I quartered the potatoes, mixed in some olive oil and a fresh clove of garlic, and baked at 400 with some salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. P.S. the clove of garlic should have been with the broccoli. I ended up just steaming the broccoli.
Really, the only part of the recipe that I actually did right were the meatballs. They were amazingly delicious with the tomato/pesto sauce.
So, huge thumbs up to the meal even though I can't follow a recipe to save my life. Thank you Rachel Ray, you helped me break out of my recipe funk and make the tastiest meal ever.
David said, "This is the tastiest thing you've ever made." This is a high compliment in my book.
So, I told you last time that I had some planned modifications to the meal, but once I got cooking, I totally strayed from the recipe. Instead of mashed potatoes, I quartered the potatoes, mixed in some olive oil and a fresh clove of garlic, and baked at 400 with some salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. P.S. the clove of garlic should have been with the broccoli. I ended up just steaming the broccoli.
Really, the only part of the recipe that I actually did right were the meatballs. They were amazingly delicious with the tomato/pesto sauce.
So, huge thumbs up to the meal even though I can't follow a recipe to save my life. Thank you Rachel Ray, you helped me break out of my recipe funk and make the tastiest meal ever.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Rachel Ray = genius
In my effort to improve my repertoire of recipes, I have been watching Rachel Ray's 30 Minute meals whenever I can. Now, most days, I veto her recipe due to the ingredients being 1)things I don't like--I am picky 2)too expensive 3) too fattening--I eat enough sweets that I don't need my dinner to help me pack on the pounds.
However in a stroke of pure genius, Rachel introduced the following meal:
Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Sausage Balls with Tomato-Basil Sauce, Cacio e Pepe Potatoes and Roast Broccolini
Serves 4
•2 pounds baby Yukon Gold potatoes
•1 tub bocconcini (bite-size fresh mozzarella in water)
•2 pounds Italian hot or sweet fresh chicken or turkey sausage
•Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), for liberal drizzling, 4-5 tablespoons total
•Salt and freshly ground black pepper
•1 1/2 pounds broccolini
•1 head garlic
•1 can San Marzano tomatoes (28 ounces)
•1/2 cup milk
•1 tub grated Pecorino Romano
•1 tub good quality, freshly prepared pesto
Preparation
Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.
Quarter the baby potatoes and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then salt the water and cook until tender, about 12 minutes.
While the potatoes come up to a boil, place a nonstick baking sheet alongside a mixing bowl. Remove 12 pieces of bocconcini from the water and set them on your work surface. Remove the sausages from their casings, if bulk sausage is not available, and place in a bowl. Combine the meat into a single mound, then score it into four sections. Each section will yield three large sausage meatballs. To form each ball, take a handful of meat and wrap it around a piece of mozzarella. Roll 12 balls. Wash your hands after handling the raw sausage.
Coat the balls with a drizzle of EVOO. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until cooked through and evenly browned.
While the balls are cooking, trim the ends of clean broccolini and scatter evenly over a baking sheet. Grate or chop 2-3 cloves of garlic and drizzle the broccolini and garlic with olive oil, then season with the salt and pepper and roast for 12-15 minutes to crisp the broccolini tops.
While the broccolini is roasting, add the tomatoes to a small pot or skillet, mash with a potato masher and season with salt and pepper. Heat over medium heat, then simmer to reduce, about 8-10 minutes.
When the potatoes are tender, drain and return them to the hot pot to dry them out a little. Mash the potatoes with 1/2 cup stock or milk, 1/2-2/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, a few generous handfuls, lots of black pepper and a little salt.
Turn the heat off the tomatoes and stir in 1/2 cup of the prepared pesto.
Serve three stuffed sausage balls with tomato-basil sauce on top or underneath and the cacio e pepe smashed potatoes and broccolini alongside.
Here are my modifications: I will use baby potatoes with red skins and mash them with grated Parmesan cheese. I will use a dry pesto mix with just a little EVOO since the store made pesto is expensive and contains a lot of EVOO. I will use broccoli instead of broccolini.
Taste results and pics tomorrow....
However in a stroke of pure genius, Rachel introduced the following meal:
Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Sausage Balls with Tomato-Basil Sauce, Cacio e Pepe Potatoes and Roast Broccolini
Serves 4
•2 pounds baby Yukon Gold potatoes
•1 tub bocconcini (bite-size fresh mozzarella in water)
•2 pounds Italian hot or sweet fresh chicken or turkey sausage
•Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), for liberal drizzling, 4-5 tablespoons total
•Salt and freshly ground black pepper
•1 1/2 pounds broccolini
•1 head garlic
•1 can San Marzano tomatoes (28 ounces)
•1/2 cup milk
•1 tub grated Pecorino Romano
•1 tub good quality, freshly prepared pesto
Preparation
Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.
Quarter the baby potatoes and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then salt the water and cook until tender, about 12 minutes.
While the potatoes come up to a boil, place a nonstick baking sheet alongside a mixing bowl. Remove 12 pieces of bocconcini from the water and set them on your work surface. Remove the sausages from their casings, if bulk sausage is not available, and place in a bowl. Combine the meat into a single mound, then score it into four sections. Each section will yield three large sausage meatballs. To form each ball, take a handful of meat and wrap it around a piece of mozzarella. Roll 12 balls. Wash your hands after handling the raw sausage.
Coat the balls with a drizzle of EVOO. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until cooked through and evenly browned.
While the balls are cooking, trim the ends of clean broccolini and scatter evenly over a baking sheet. Grate or chop 2-3 cloves of garlic and drizzle the broccolini and garlic with olive oil, then season with the salt and pepper and roast for 12-15 minutes to crisp the broccolini tops.
While the broccolini is roasting, add the tomatoes to a small pot or skillet, mash with a potato masher and season with salt and pepper. Heat over medium heat, then simmer to reduce, about 8-10 minutes.
When the potatoes are tender, drain and return them to the hot pot to dry them out a little. Mash the potatoes with 1/2 cup stock or milk, 1/2-2/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, a few generous handfuls, lots of black pepper and a little salt.
Turn the heat off the tomatoes and stir in 1/2 cup of the prepared pesto.
Serve three stuffed sausage balls with tomato-basil sauce on top or underneath and the cacio e pepe smashed potatoes and broccolini alongside.
Here are my modifications: I will use baby potatoes with red skins and mash them with grated Parmesan cheese. I will use a dry pesto mix with just a little EVOO since the store made pesto is expensive and contains a lot of EVOO. I will use broccoli instead of broccolini.
Taste results and pics tomorrow....
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
These are my confessions (Usher style)
First: I apologize for being such a slacker over the past week or so. Confession--I've been feeling uninspired.
Second: 2010 Challenge from Remnant--not doing so great. I have trouble remembering to write down my one prayer a day and have not invited anyone to church yet. Confession--Maybe it's pride, but I don't feel like this should be so difficult for someone who has been a Christian for 8+ years now.
Third, I've been meditating a lot of the verse James 1:2-4. Not part of the Bible reading plan from the aforementioned confession, but I cannot get it out of my head. James says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience/endurance. And let patience/endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Confession--Like that usage of aforementioned? I have to use some fancy vocab once in a while because I'm pretty sure I'm getting stupider since I left college. See! I just said stupider. I don't think that is a word, but I'm not even really sure.
Third part 2, I have perspective. My life vs. someone in Haiti. My life is amazing. Don't get me wrong. It just seems like there has constantly been a trial for the past 2 or 3 years without down time. I would like some trial-less time, maybe a month even? Confession--I think the trial would even be more bearable if I knew what the perfect result will be. I'm not sure what I'm lacking exactly that I then am gaining from trials. What is this patience/endurance producing as an end result? If anyone understands this verse better, help a sista out.
Fourth, I have also been meditating on the Matthew 6:30-33, "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Confession--I still am worrying. It is just more subtle than it used to be. It is a challenge to seek His kingdom and righteousness above our own seemingly more immediate needs.
Fifth, Confession--I wish I had lyrics like Usher. I can't think of a poetic way to end this entry.
Second: 2010 Challenge from Remnant--not doing so great. I have trouble remembering to write down my one prayer a day and have not invited anyone to church yet. Confession--Maybe it's pride, but I don't feel like this should be so difficult for someone who has been a Christian for 8+ years now.
Third, I've been meditating a lot of the verse James 1:2-4. Not part of the Bible reading plan from the aforementioned confession, but I cannot get it out of my head. James says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience/endurance. And let patience/endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Confession--Like that usage of aforementioned? I have to use some fancy vocab once in a while because I'm pretty sure I'm getting stupider since I left college. See! I just said stupider. I don't think that is a word, but I'm not even really sure.
Third part 2, I have perspective. My life vs. someone in Haiti. My life is amazing. Don't get me wrong. It just seems like there has constantly been a trial for the past 2 or 3 years without down time. I would like some trial-less time, maybe a month even? Confession--I think the trial would even be more bearable if I knew what the perfect result will be. I'm not sure what I'm lacking exactly that I then am gaining from trials. What is this patience/endurance producing as an end result? If anyone understands this verse better, help a sista out.
Fourth, I have also been meditating on the Matthew 6:30-33, "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Confession--I still am worrying. It is just more subtle than it used to be. It is a challenge to seek His kingdom and righteousness above our own seemingly more immediate needs.
Fifth, Confession--I wish I had lyrics like Usher. I can't think of a poetic way to end this entry.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Puppy lessons
Believe it or not, I really think that God is speaking to me through the puppies. (Not audibly...I'm not that crazy.) David and I have been talking about this over the last week. Parents, you probably learned these lessons from your children, but we are learning from some slightly furrier babies.
Loving and caring for the puppies is not convenient. Just the potty breaks alone are enough to seriously put a cramp in our style. I began learning the lesson of loving when it's inconvenient when I fell in love with David. (Lol...just keep reading.) When you really care about someone, you are willing to sacrifice for them. This seems to be a lesson that I must continually learn because my self wants to be self-ish, but God wants me to be self-less.
Loving and caring for the puppies is unconditional. Even when they are disobedient--which is most of the time right now--I still want to care for them. I want them to be healthy, safe, and happy. I want their affection and companionship even when they have been bad. Ummm hello? If I feel this for some dogs, how much more does God feel it for every single one of His children? He loves us all the time, no matter what. He's so good to us, His little ones. AND He wants to be with us, even when we are disobedient.
Maybe while I'm working on training the puppies, they (and God) are really the ones training me?
Loving and caring for the puppies is not convenient. Just the potty breaks alone are enough to seriously put a cramp in our style. I began learning the lesson of loving when it's inconvenient when I fell in love with David. (Lol...just keep reading.) When you really care about someone, you are willing to sacrifice for them. This seems to be a lesson that I must continually learn because my self wants to be self-ish, but God wants me to be self-less.
Loving and caring for the puppies is unconditional. Even when they are disobedient--which is most of the time right now--I still want to care for them. I want them to be healthy, safe, and happy. I want their affection and companionship even when they have been bad. Ummm hello? If I feel this for some dogs, how much more does God feel it for every single one of His children? He loves us all the time, no matter what. He's so good to us, His little ones. AND He wants to be with us, even when we are disobedient.
Maybe while I'm working on training the puppies, they (and God) are really the ones training me?
Monday, January 4, 2010
RadicALL
I have never been so excited about what God is doing at Remnant. It feels like we finally are "Remnant" how we always wanted to be and how God created us to be. We've had tastes of it over the past year and a half, but now, it's on. The body of Christ at Remnant is radicALL. Every opportunity that we have to gather as believers is explosive, and people far from God are falling in love with Jesus. There could not be anything better on earth.
Over the next year, we will ALL be reading the Bible in 1 year, praying 1 faith filled prayer every day, memorizing 1 verse of scripture per week, having 1 guest per month attend the worship experience, giving our 1st fruits to God, and leading at least 1 person to Christ this year. Read more about what we are doing here: http://remnantloves.me and then click on the LoveStrong icon.
I am jazzed. I'll be updating you because there is a lot of goodness coming this year.
P.S. The puppies are named after Chloe O'Brien and Nadia Yassir from the tv show 24.
Over the next year, we will ALL be reading the Bible in 1 year, praying 1 faith filled prayer every day, memorizing 1 verse of scripture per week, having 1 guest per month attend the worship experience, giving our 1st fruits to God, and leading at least 1 person to Christ this year. Read more about what we are doing here: http://remnantloves.me and then click on the LoveStrong icon.
I am jazzed. I'll be updating you because there is a lot of goodness coming this year.
P.S. The puppies are named after Chloe O'Brien and Nadia Yassir from the tv show 24.
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