Simply Sunday

Sometimes you just need a quiet Sunday and this was mine. During my chill-axation time I almost convinced myself to fix a big, comforting, Sunday dinner. But I know better than to think that I am going to be master chef on such a lazy day (or any day really). And why give up chillaxing anymore than I have to? So, I'm okay with not being a chef, especially since I am much more successful when I keep it simple.

Tonight's dinner was a great example of simple and yummy:

This is whole wheat pasta sauteed in a little olive oil, 1/2 a yellow bell pepper sauteed with pasta, spinach, baked orange roughy accented with garlic powder and italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese all over everything (which I cannot resist if eating pasta :) ). Very low maintenance, but satisfying nonetheless!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Springing into spring

If I had to choose a favorite time of year, I think I would choose Spring! I don't know if it's the the sun, warmer temperatures, no more fighting with snow, better fruits and veggies at the grocery store, or what. It has certainly taken hold on me; I've re-arranged, re-organized, and re-committed to all around wellness. It sounds hokey, but this is exactly what Spring can do to a person!

And its really the little pleasures that help you in your re-committment that can make all the difference. For instance...

I can hardly bear the thought of walking into a coffee shop and not purchasing coffee. Unless, of course, it's a Chocolate Banana Vivanno Smoothie from Starbucks! I was on-the-go the other day and was super hungry. Good thing I had remembered hearing about this or else I would've been in terrible shape by dinner time. Plus, you really do feel like you're indulging because its chocolate! Fresh ingredients really do hit the spot!

Stay tuned for more new discoveries!

Cause We're All Irish on St. Paddy's Day!

I see lots of people wearing green today and am hearing plans for celebrating the holiday tonight. But in the instance that you are looking to take your celebration to a deeper level, I think I can help (with a little assistance from who else but NPR :) ).

The first step to a deeper kind of celebration is letting it come from the heart. And how else do we get to the heart but through the stomach? How about a delectable St. Patty's day dessert?! That's what I thought. Check out this recipe for Chocolate Guinness Cake from Nigella Lawson. This may require an open-mind for some. In my case, I have tried Guinness-flavored ice cream before and am positive that trying another Guinness-flavored dessert is a step in the right direction. If I get a chance to try the recipe myself, I will certainly report back.

Now that the heart is covered, how about the mind? I will be the first to admit that I have a very romanticized idea of the Ireland. I knew that Ireland's economy is currently suffering in the same way as Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain. However, I did not know that almost immediately before that, they were experiencing an economic boom in the 90s that perhaps could've softened the blow. From history, we know that Ireland has never been a stranger to troubled times, but will they ever be able to leave the trouble in the past? Find out more by listening to today's episode of On Point entitled, "Ireland's Epic Boom and Bust".

All that being said, there is certainly no problem with celebrations that are only skin deep. I stumbled upon an amazing Etsy shop that sells handmade soaps some of which are made using our favorite brands of beer. I chose a Stout Beer Soap Made With Guinness and gave a couple as gifts and kept one for myself. My skin is oh so soft! Check it out!

Best o' luck as ye celebrate St. Paddy's Day!

Who's That Lady - Mothers of Ciudad Juarez

I first learned of the extreme, drug-related violence in Ciudad Juarez while in college. Recently, Juarez has just re-entered the collective conscious of the U.S. due to the recent the murders of U.S. families and a consular employee by suspected drug gangsters. While I gravitate toward women who have gained fame for the actions, I can't deny the incredible strength of everyday women just like those in Ciudad Juarez.

Here are the facts:

• It's believed that 400 women and girls have been murdered and more than 70 remain missing in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua, Mexico (Amnesty International).


• Exact numbers of those missing and dead still remain somewhat of a mystery.


• Many of the victims look chillingly similar: young, slim, dark complexion, shoulder-length hair, and poor daughters of the working class (NPR, 2003).


• Many victims disappear on their way to work in the maquiladora industry


• Mothers of vicitms have been featured in numerous news articles describing the extreme angst they feel from not knowing what has become of their daughters.


• Every type of homicide against women is common in the city, especially sexual- and drug-related killings (NPR, 2003).


• Families of victims do not believe that the murderers will ever be identified as they are believe to be the elite members of the city in powerful government and law enforcement positions.


• Juarez is headquarters to a major drug cartel.

For more info:

- A documentary film: Border Echoes: The Truth Behind the Juarez Murders

- Faces of the Missing in Ciudad Juarez

- Amnesty International, USA: http://www.amnestyusa.org/violence-against-women/justice-for-the-women-of-juarez-and-chihuahua/page.do?id=1108394

- NPR story, 2003: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1171962&ps=rs

- NPR story, 2010: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124572344

- NPR story about 3 people with ties to U.S. consolate who were killed in Juarez, 2010: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124676161&ps=rs

So here's to you mommies of Juarez, for your strength in this terrible, ongoing tragedy spanning year after year, You go girls!

Who's That Lady - WASPS

I know what you're thinking; Insect or acronymn. Well, it's an acronym, but not the one that probably first pops in your head. Try Women Airforce Service Pilots.

• About 1,100 young women flew military aircraft stateside during World War II as part of a program called Women Airforce Service Pilots — WASP for short.


• The women in this program were civilian volunteers who ferried and tested planes so male pilots could head to combat duty.


• The WASP expected to become part of the military during their service. Instead, the program was canceled after 2 short years.


• They weren't granted military status until the 1970s.


• They nearly fell through the cracks in history until March 10, 2010, when the WASP were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

I can't do these amazing women justice with my own words. You really have to see and here it yourself.

- http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124533914&ps=rs

- http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123773525&ps=rs

- Listen here: http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?

- WASP Interactive, courtesy of NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124367587

- WASP on the Web: http://www.wingsacrossamerica.us/wasp/index.htm

- There's even a PBS film entitled, Fly Girls. More info here, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/flygirls/

Now these are Fly Girls that I can understand! You go girls!

Who's That Lady - Natalie Randolph

In honor of Women's History Month, I am creating a column called "Who's That Lady?" Women all over the world and across history do amazing, so why not talk about it?

I'll start us off with several that I've heard of recently. But if you ever want to add to the list, send it my way!

First up - Natalie Randolph!

• Last week, Coolidge High School in Washington D.C. announced her as Head Coach of their varsity football team.
  
• She is 1 of only 2 women who currently serve as head coaches for U.S. high school varsity football teams. (Debbie Vance became head football coach at Lehman High School in the Bronx, New York in 2008.)


• Mayor Fenty of D.C. declared March 12 Natalie Randolph Day in the District.


• Her football cred includes serving 2 seasons as assistant coach at another D.C. area high school, playing 5 seasons with the D.C. Divas of the Independent Women's Professional League, and perhaps most important is that she is already well-liked as a biology teacher at Coolidge.


• Natalie on being recognized as 1 of only 2 women head coaches for high school football - "I don't want this to overshadow their glory and their goals and them making it on to the next level. I want to make sure that they just get the best out of their high school experience."


• Natalie on her goals for her players - "I want these kids to be prepared for everything," she said. "Athletics is a means to an end. I want them to be complete young men."

You go girl!

Read more here...

1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/12/AR2010031202576.html
2. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124636081

Julia Goolia

Since my previous post, I have not had a chance to make anything from Grandma's recipe collection... not yet anyway. However, as a result of my last post, I can't help but to keep thinking about the movie, Julie & Julia. For one, because I would love to come up with an idea like Julie's to revive my own blog, but also because there is nothing like escaping into a movie only to find inspiration! I think the Design Sponge bloggers would agree with me! They post a series called 'Living In' where they pick design elements from a particular movie that would surround you if you were 'living in' that movie.

Take Julie & Julia for example...

Now it doesn't have to be just a movie, but a way of life...

So cool, right?! Immediately I began thinking of many of my own favorite movies which includes a Julia of another kind.

Mona Lisa Smile (starring Julia Roberts, among others) in all of its early 1950s glory...

So how would it look if it jumped off the screen?

This is just my own interpretation, but I had a lot of fun with it! Maybe some day, in a house of my own I can fill every room with early 20th century vintage finds. When that time comes, I have only to look to the movies for inspiration!

Becoming Julie & Julia

Life certainly has a funny way about it. It keeps going on whether you acknowledge it or not. Then something happens and you think to yourself, how did we get here? My grandma passed away last week and so I spent the days leading up to her funeral looking back at her life as well as mine. Who was she besides my dad's mom and my grandma? I'm not out to garner pity or condolences but rather understanding. 

It turns out that Grandma self-identified as keeper of family history, so she saved and stored a great number of mementos in the form of pictures, letters, newspaper clippings, jewelry, and recipes. I only knew about perhaps 25% of things she had kept and was shocked to uncover so much more. She left it hiding in drawers and cabinets almost as though she knew that one day when she wasn't around we would all finally realize its value.

Last night, I began shuffling through her personal collection of recipes and finally appreciating just how important it was to her to stay connected with family members and traditions. Each recipe not only contains the name of a dish but also the name of the person who provided it. Chocolate Cream Dessert & Peanut Butter Parfait from sister, Lael; Pasta with Sugar Snap Peas, Asparagus, and Parmesan from niece, Jan; Tangy Meat Balls from sister-in-law, Marian; even directions for how to remove a deep splinter from her mother, my great grandmother, Hattie. 

I can't possible shuffle through every single recipe in this hand painted box without thinking of attempting at least a few of them. I've not seen the movie Julie & Julia but I know the basic premise and am strongly considering applying it to my own life. What could I learn from making at least a few of these recipes? I'll let you know when I find out!

Vintage Treasures

My love for vintage style and antiques is deepening as we speak! I've been searching for a secretary desk for almost a month, size, price, and style being my main considerations. Sounds simple, but I assure you that my search has proved to be quite the opposite.

During my search, I found my way to a small town antique mall while visiting family. I found a few desks, but none that were the right price.

I did however find several pairs of vintage earrings. I don't typically wear a lot of jewelry, but I feel that perhaps these finds will convert me. And this my friends is the power of a great antique find!

The thrill of a good find aside, I am still searching for my desk. I've already visited a bunch of cool stores throughout Nebraska and so I feel that it will be only a matter of time. Any tips or techniques for me? I would love to hear them!

No-Bake, No Problem

Is dipping various food items in chocolate part of anyone else's holiday traditions? Well, it is mine! For years my mom has dipped pretzels, strawberries, and peanut butter and ritz cracker sandwiches in white and milk chocolate in order to take them to parties or set them out for family gatherings. And when you think of all of the elaborate food dishes to cook, these no-hassle, no-bake treats are truly a perfect solution to the problem of providing christmas candy/dessert for holiday celebrations.

I settled on a new variation on the no-bake, chocolatey treat... 'Pretzel Turtles'! After making them a couple weeks ago for co-workers and friends, I really wanted to make more because they are soooo tasty.

Just after pulling the rolo-topped pretzels from the oven. Shiny quality of chocolate means just warm enough to squish with pecan, but not too warm that caramel will ooze out and stick to fingers.

How to add an extra holiday touch? Sprinkles of course!

Pretzel Turtles

Ingredients:

• 20 small mini pretzels
• 20 chocolate covered caramel candies (ex. Rolos)
• 20 pecan halves

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
2. Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place one chocolate covered caramel candy on each pretzel.
3. Bake for 4 minutes. While the candy is warm, press a pecan half onto each candy covered pretzel. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Of course, there is a lot of variations on this special little treat. In addition to rolos, also tried hershey kisses and peanut butter cups. And as you saw above, I added red- and green-colored sprinkles to help them look more christmasy. Other ideas include drizzling white chocolate on top or topping with crispy m&m's instead of pecans.

These are peanut butter cups with red sprinkles only to help me keep track of which is which.

When using other types of candy you may want to adjust the amount of time you leave them in the oven. With peanut butter cups, I only needed about 1 1/2 minutes because otherwise the chocolate spills over the side of the pretzel. Hershey kisses were 1 to 1 1/2 minutes because they are smaller pure chocolate (nothing on the inside).