Opposite Hand

So my mom called tonight with this little tid bit:

"Eat with the opposite hand, you'll eat slower and lose weight."

Seriously, I am so NOT coordinated enough to manage that. I'd have food all over my face or more likely all over my clothes and floor.

Just for the sake of argument, I experimented with that. CLUMSY!!!! I managed to eat a few bites and then said screw it and went right back to my "RIGHT" hand.

I love the 5 little digits on my right hand, the way they grasp the fork. The way they lift the food to my mouth to give me the tasty goodness. How I heart the hand. I will NOT forsake you again.

I got nothing

No home cooked meals tonight. Leftovers. Nothing to say.

NIGHT

Homemade Beef & Mushroom Stew

Ahhhhh!!!!! Comfort Food!!!!!

Growing up my mom always made soups and stews and chili's to feed the family. They were always delicious and filling...so tonight I made my own in the Crockpot.

Wild Mushroom Beef Stew (serves 5)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 to 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 TBSP all-purpose flour
1/2 TSP salt
1/2 TSP black pepper
1 1/2 cups of beef broth
1 TSP Worcestershire sauce
1 glove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp paprika
4 shitake mushrooms, sliced*
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium red potatoes, diced
1 small white onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, sliced

*If shitake mushrooms are unavailable, substitute other mushrooms of your choice.*

Directions:

1. Place beef in 4 1/2-quart CrockPot slow cooker. Mix together flour, salt and pepper; sprinkle over beef. Stir to coat each piece of beef with flour.

2. Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix well. Cover; cook on LOW 10-12 hours or on HIGH 4-6 hours. Stir stew before serving.

Notes:

I used regular white mushrooms and just cleaned and cut them in half for a thicker mushroom base (as I love mushrooms). Also I forgot to add the garlic which became clear when I ate it, but it was still delicious. I also added a 1/2 cup of red wine to the batch.

Ever Cry Cutting an Onion??

I just balled my eyes out. Cutting an onion is NOT a pleasant thing.

Word of advice from my mom AFTER I cut the damn thing up.....put it in the freezer for 10 min prior to cutting or run it under ice cold water....won't hurt as bad.

Thanks mom for the late advice...I'll remember it next time.

Tuna Pot Pie

When I was a kid my mom used to make Tuna Helper Tuna Pot Pie. I LOVED it. Then they stopped making it. It has been years since I have eaten Tuna Pot Pie. When my mom came to visit for Christmas, we decided to try and make it. I do believe we succeeded. Tonight I decided to make it on my own as I had all the ingredients for it. I must say it turned out yummy yet again, for those that wish to try:

Tuna Pot Pie (serves 4)

Ingredients for filling:

1 large pouch of Tuna or 3-4 regular cans
1 bag of Mixed Frozen Vegetables
1 can Whole Potatoes Drained and cut in 1/4's
2 can Cream of Celery soup
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Ingredients for crust:

2 cups Busquick
1 cup milk
1 TBSP Parsley Flakes
2 Eggs

Directions:

Spray 2 1/2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
Combine all Filling ingredients in a large bowl.
Place filling in casserole dish.
Combine all Crust ingredients in a large bowl.
Pour over top of filling.
Bake 30 min @ 400 degrees.

Variations:

For a lighter filling use 1 can cream of celery soup and 1 can chicken broth.
For a lighter crust use 1 cup Bisquick, 1/2 cup milk and 1 egg.
You can also vary the type of cream of soup and vegetables to taste and/or add 1/2 cup cheese to tuna mixture.

ENJOY!

Healthy Eating....already 2lbs lost

I just ate the BEST salad ever and I made it.

1 1/2 cups Romaine Lettuce
3 oz Chicken Breast cut up
15 Grapes sliced in half
1 Stalk Celery sliced
1/4 cup Blueberries
1/4 cup Pomegranates
handful of sliced Almonds
Non-fat Balsamic Vinegarette


I forgot how much I really do love salad. I was planning on eating something WARM...cause its 23degrees here, with a windchill making it feel like 9degrees....but it just jumped out at me from the fridge.

Currently looking through the crock-pot cookbook to make something homey and warm for tomorrow night. I'm also thinking Tuna Pot Pie might be on the menu for this week. Will post recipes later.

It's not over till you take the tree down

So I am home sick from work today....fought the cold hard.....finally gave in. One day of doing absolutely nothing but sleep and movie watching....I feel 100 times better. Back to work tomorrow, but now.....

I am sitting on my couch looking at my Christmas tree.....yes we are already in 2010 and it is STILL up. I haven't had the heart to take it down. It is the first year I have ever owned my own Christmas tree and I just don't want to take it down.

In the process all my Christmas presents are still surrounding the tree! Yes I am this lazy.

I got some great presents this year.

From the momma:

1. Orzo: I've had an obsession with Orzo since my mom cooked it for me....however have been unable to locate the stuff....so she gave me some for X'mas.

2. Wine Marker Tree: If anyone knows me....I love wine. This tree has the little decorations you put on the bottom of your glass to identify at parties. LOVE IT!

3. Handmade Leaf Plate: I'm obsessed with leaves. Seriously every room in my house has some version or another....even my Christmas Tree has leaves on it...more about that in a few.

4. Crock-Pot Cookbook: My mom gave me a crock-pot for a housewarming gift and I am in love with it....now I can use it more with my wonderful cookbook.

5. Handmade Leaf Pendant: Again obsessed with the leaves....mom knows how to step it up a notch.

6. Lots of cute stocking stuffers: Tissues w/an A on them. Dreamerz Tea, Star Candles, Cork Candles, Pie Crist Shields, etc.

From the bestest and her family:

1. An apron w/an A on it
2. Fingerless Gloves/Mittens
3. Best Friend Precious Moment (I cried when she gave me that).
4. Earring from her parents
5. Pampered Chef Square Baker in Cranberry

From my friend Ray:


1. Coach wristlet (awesome gift and WAY over the top)
2. Ralph Lauren HOT perfume (I'm in love with this stuff and I hear they discontinued!)




From the dad and the rest of the family:

1. MONEY!!

Okay so back to my obsession with leaves. I bought the coolest ornaments for my tree.

Pewter Leaf Ornaments!!! and then after X'mas I found Bronze ones. Love it!















I imagine this weekend I'll get around to taking down my tree but for the next few days, I am going to enjoy the beauty of the lights and the ornaments and eventually put away all the presents. I just don't want the holidays to end.....am I crazy?!?!