Cooking with Love

I am a person that likes a variety, with food that is. My family may not believe it as I don't eat underwater animals and am skeptical of fluorescent colored bakery items, but it is true, I love an exposing of flavor with every bite. I like to be WOW'ed with every bite. Probably a downfall ultimate because it shows, but oh well, I can tell you that my pallett thus far has been happy. With veriety comes new challenges of release from boredom with the same ole' dishes. I have recently discovered a bible full of recipes from pampered chefs website. I know you are probably thinking Oh goodness here it comes, Heidi is going to ask me to buy pampered chef items. Nope, not me. I was skeptical to even attend one of these partys cause I have always heard the items are pricey. But I went and discovered some amazing recipes. That was exciting in itself. Bonus I got some gadgets out of the deal. So no, I am not selling anything.

What I require from a good recipe is several factors
A. The time involved cannot be long, prep to finish requires as little of my time as possible.
B. Ingredients can not be off the wall, must require spices I have, or spices I can use in other dishes.
C. Health, trying to be good to myself means buying food that is beneficial to my body, veggies are a must.
D. Taste I don't like bland, I like to be impressed.
E. The hubby likes it, if he isn't there is a problem.

With all that being said I have received and purchased many recipe books throughout my short adult life and find that recipe books tend to annoy me. I hate getting excited by the look of the picture, imagining what that will taste like and attempt to make something that comes out a totally different color (yeah that happened once). Or that its too salty or not enough flavor. So I have been reluctant to venture out for new recipes. Recently I have been inspired to introduce new food, I visited safeways and pampered chefs website and came out with about 10 new recipes. I have made a gorgonzola and fresh tomatoe pasta, gorgonzola and pruscito wrapped steak, chicken and asparagus risotto and today an asain beef and veggie noodle dish. Thus far I am pretty excited about all of these recipes and hope to get some more time to post the actual recipes and my modifications. That's all I have for tonight.

horseshoe of love

What I love about my family is that we are all unique, experienced different situations and do very different things, but when it comes down to it, everyone is accepting of one another and a cheerleader for each other. Tonight as I celebrated my Mom's birthday I looked around and saw underlying connections from everyone at the table. We may not always agree with each other, but we always love each other. I love my family and feel thankful to be from this family. I love you Mom, Happy Birthday

Romantical Romance

There is something so exciting about summer especially in the NW. Noone here stays indoors and looks forward to fall (if you do you are a weirdo). Most people I know do and have met their special someone during the spring or summer months. It takes me back to 7 years ago when John and I were first dating. I think most people know how we met and about 1 year into our relationship we had a trip planned to Arizona. This is a state I am fairly familiar with as I have been there many times. This was Johns first time there and we had to do all the touristy stuff. It was a warm night, we made it to the Grand Canyon and about 1 hour before sunset we got situated on Hopi point. We set on the edge of one od the cliffs and I remember my knees feeling wobbly afraid slightly that one wrong move and I may just fall in. John took several deep breaths, obviously distracted with what he was trying to accomplish. We both look down and see a rather large nest of big red ants. We resituate and John goes for his backpack. He asks me to spend the rest of my life with him, and Marry him? How could I possibly say no? He looks almost worried. I am trying to think of something witty to say and have nothing...my thoughts were yes, but I couldn't get any words to the surface. I say yes and he says I have made him the happiest man ever. We hug and kiss and say with excitement were getting married! The next day I call my bff and she says she already knew, and so did my Dad, John asked his permission and I hear my Dad says to him "son, do you know what you are getting into" HA! I love it. 7 years ago the man of my dreams asked me to marry him and I am so thankful to have him in my life. I love you John.

change of seasons

this summer has been incredibly fun and I cannot describe why. I wonder if it is because I have speant more time with John? Or maybe its because I am not incredibly depressed about losing my Dad this year? I will write something a little later about what was accomplished this summer. But for now this mind dump is about what is coming up. Fall is the time for nesting, watching football games (if you give a rip about that). And enjoing indoorsy activities. I have triedsince the beginning of summer to get into P90X and found the outdoors was far more appealing then sweating my ass off inside while I see the sunshine and watch my dog try to get involved with Ab Ripper X (don't ask) so here comes my goal, my commitment to myself, the week after we get back from our anniversary vacation its on like donkey kong! John has committed to do it with me, and well Raven will somehow get involved also I am sure. This will put mee into the new year hopefully substainally thinner, defined and make me feel good about where I am. I have much more to say but that's all I got for now