Mae Recommends #3

Mae Recommends #3


Shark Tank: I like this show more to see what kind of businesses and inventions people come up with, but on quiet Friday nights (who am I kidding, every* Friday night) Will and I often have our TV timer set to catch the investors bantering and hopefully making offers to start-ups. On some scale the process depicts what was going on with Alkali a few months ago and we used it as a comparison to family and friends (and myself).

Flight Aware App: Thankfully, regular travel is not in Will's job description anymore, but for those of you who have husbands on the road or loved ones on vacation, this app is great to keep track of their flight plans. You can see where the plane is during flight, how long is left, when they arrive/depart, delays, flight stats (for extreme enthusiasts, I guess), etc. It basically lets you stalk people from your couch. It's great.

Consignment: It's amazing what you accumulate (and quickly) when you have the space. When packing up a 2 bedroom with basement and garage to then take to a tiny city 1 bedroom, I didn't even know where all our stuff was coming from. I had to downsize like crazy, but a lot of our stuff wasn't very old and still nice. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for donating and we had to do plenty of that too; but making an embarrassingly number of trips to the consignment store has been worth it. They take a cut, you get a cut and people get some really cheap, nice things. It's a win/win.../win. The great thing is, I cant even remember what I took there so apparently I certainly did not need all that stuff. Find your local consignment!

Target Athletic Fit tees: Will is long and lean and most men's T-shirts are short and wide. But for the 347th time in my life, Target has provided me with exactly what I'm looking for and no belly shirts for my husband. Their Mossimo brand of Athletic Fit are long and tailored and around 10 bucks. Will has very specific things he is particular about and with t-shirts one of them, Target has saved this headache. His wardrobe consists of one in every color and the same fit in button downs. If you don't have the belly shirt dilemma going on at your house, I would still recommend them.

Chobani Bites: I like Greek yogurt, but the thickness and protein packed recipe of Chobani often has me sick of it after 5 bites and the rest ends in the garbage. Enter, Chobani bites! They are smaller containers and have delicious favors (Carmel with pineapple, coffee with chocolate crumbs, raspberry with chocolate crumbs). Mmmmm. I suggest gracing your taste buds with this goodness.

Groupon: I'm late on getting on the bargain boat of Groupon, but in Waverly, Iowa it was the talk of the town when the movie theater featured a deal and that was our one option for participating. In a bigger town there are tons of deals on Groupon and it has become habit to check it often. It's also great marketing for businesses as after going to a "real" salon for a haircut, I'm not sure if I can go back to Supercuts again.
www.groupon.com

McDonald's Shamrock Shakes: It's that time of year! St. Patty's is just around the corner and Mickey D's is back with the Shamrock Shake. It's the one time of year I give this place business and business in booming. Delicious.

Edy's Fruit Bars: Coconut: This post is getting a little long winded and all you need to know is these are delicious and made with real fruit.

New Girl: Quirky and adorable Zooey Deschanel stars in this comedy sitcom. It's 2nd to "Friends" of course, but at some point it's time to move on and the similar wit of this cast seems to be helping with the separation.

Peppermint Cliff Bars: Also, delicious and I'm hoping they weren't a seasonal thing for Christmas.

Soup and Snuggles

I can't say I miss the snow and allotting extra time in my morning routine to get bundled and layered in preparation for the tundra that is Iowa.  I do miss the coziness of snow days or lazy Saturdays when the agenda is staying in from the cold and snuggling in with a good movie, hot drink, and grazing on soups.  This week the temperature has taken a plunge to a bitter 55 degrees and I have realized (with relief) this is as brisk as its going to get.  So, I have tried a couple new soups and they both turned out delicious.  My fellow Iowans need the comfort of a warm medley more than I so here are the recipes: 

Tomato and Chickpea Soup

Note: I threw everything in a pot and let it simmer for awhile rather than following all the steps below and it turned out delicious.  But for recipe followers out there, here it is: 

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans).  (*~2 cans)
• 4 cups water or bean broth (*I used veggie broth)
• 2 unsalted vegetable bouillon cubes (*I didn't include these)
• 6 ripe plum tomatoes OR 1 large can crushed unsalted tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 Tbsp raw cane or turbinado sugar
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 large carrots
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 pinch chipotle pepper or to taste
• 1 Tbsp dried basil, or 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley or basil

Soup Directions:

1. Combine drained chickpeas in a sauce pan with 4 cups water, broth, 2 veggie cubes, bay leaves
2. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer
3. Heat oil in a large soup pot
4. Trim and peel and thinly slice carrots and celery
5. Peel, core and mince the garlic cloves, and fry for 2 minutes 
6. Add the chopped carrots and celery, stir fry 5 minutes
7. Add the spices and stir for 2 minutes
8. Add tomatoes, turn the heat up to medium high and stir fry 5 minutes
9. Add the beans, bring to a boil
10. Stovetop: Cover and simmer covered for 1/2 hour or until veggies are tender
11. Crockpot: Add everything to the crockpot, cook on low for 4 hours
12. Add tomato paste, salt & pepper, optional soy sauce if desired
13. Spoon into bowls, sprinkle with fresh minced herb, parmesan cheese or shredded mozzarella (dairy or non-dairy) if desired
14. Serve with chunks of fresh chewy artesan bread to dip in the soup

KALE AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

(Again, I threw everything in a pot and let it simmer.)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 onion
• 3-4 garlic cloves
• 2 cans white beans (great northern or cannellini)
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 4 cups chopped kale (we used the Spigariello from our CSA box)
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1-2 teaspoons of chili powder
• kosher salt

Directions:

1. In a large pot, at least 6 quarts, heat the olive oil.

2. Dice the onion and garlic and add to the pot.  Cook until the onions are soft and translucent.

3. Stir in the kale and cook until it starts to wilt, about 5-6 minutes.

4. Add the beans (drained), chopped carrots and vegetable stock. Turn the heat up to medium high until the soup starts to simmer, then cover and turn down to medium low. 

5. Add chili powder and salt to taste. You can also add other veggies you have in your fridge. 

6. Let it simmer for about 45 minutes. Makes about 6 servings.

Bringing Home Bentley

Craigslist is two for two as Will and I have used it as our Pet Finder for both Miles and our new dog, Bentley.  Yes, we were a little leery about the exchange being made in a Walmart parking lot and taking claims posted online by strangers as facts.  And then we grew a little more leery when the text messages included responses like, "We be in da lot by da garden center".  But- other than what I'm hoping to be minor potty accidents caused by nerves, Bentley is proving to be a very sweet dog.  It is true that my life was easier 36 hours ago, but it's a nice addition to our little family. Our evenings this week will be including a doctor visit and some training.

Disclosure:  I never thought in a million years (and neither did others) that I would own a small dog and nevertheless, a Yorkie of some kind.  But he is the perfect size for our lifestyle right now and mark my words, as soon as we have a bigger space, he will have a giant brother or sister.  I am finding he is every bit lovable as a my coveted Newfoundland or St. Bernard.

Bentley
Age: 1.5 years
Breed: Morkie (Maltese/Yorkie)

Enjoying his "Welcome" doggy cupcake.

A bath was a priority.

Meeting his new friend, Sophie (we maybe should have waited for this one.  Bentley wasn't really havin' it). 

Cupid Cousin

Daisies; my favorite! They were a very nice Valentine's treat from my husband. He even wrote in the card! However, he could have forgone the flowers and fancy card and just written sweet nothings on toilet paper! I'm a sucker for love letters!

Going Veg

I hate to be the type that watches one documentary and am so influenced that I change my lifestyle.   However, awhile ago Will and I watched Food, INC. and after further research have decided to try to  stay away from meat.  By Will's request, our dinner table used to be served beef more often than not (several times a week- yikes).  So, this is a complete change for us both, but I am personally loving not having to cook meat and Will has only cheated twice. :) It's been fun to be a little more creative in the kitchen and I feel more "clean" and don't have as many stomach issues.  With this said, we are still flexible people and I'm not saying I won't ever eat meat again.  I eat what I'm served, but I just may not be cooking it.  Also, I still eat eggs and dairy (what they call an ovo-lacto vegetarian).  We will see how long this lasts, but so far we've liked the change.

Here are a couple of our favorite new recipes so far for those who want to try their hand at "going veg" (or just want try some new recipes)!

Pesto Pasta with Lemon, Spinach, Edamame & Toasted Almonds

serves 4 to 6
8 ounces spaghetti
1/2 cup pesto
8 ounces spinach
2 cups edamame (shelled and shucked, the peas, not entire pods)
juice from 2 lemons (plus fresh lemon wedges for serving)
3/4 cup almonds, crushed and lightly toasted
Heat a large pot of water to boiling, cook pasta until al dente. Remove from water, strain and rinse with cold water. In a large bowl, stir pasta, pesto and spinach until combined (some spinach will wilt, some will stay firm — this is a nice contrast of textures). Finally, stir in the edamame and squirt the lemon all over the finished dish. Reserve a few lemon slices for people to add more if they like. On a low heat, toast crushed almonds until just fragrant. Garnish pasta with the toasted almonds.

 

Quinoa and black Beans

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth 1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper salt and pepper to taste 1 cup frozen corn kernels 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1.	Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.
2.	Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes,
3.	Stir frozen corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro   Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers makes 7-8 large patties 2 cans cannellini white beans, drained 1 large sweet potato, baked/peeled/mashed (about 2 cups) 2 Tbsp tahini 2 tsp maple or agave syrup 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning OR Cajun seasoning (or another fave spice!) 1/4 cup wheat flour optional: additional seasoning (whatever you have on hand - I used a few dashes cayenne, black pepper and a scoop of nutritional yeast) salt to taste if needed plentiful Panko crumbs safflower oil for pan burgers: avocado, Dijon mustard, grain buns, romaine, onion, olive oil, pepper Directions: 1. Bake sweet potato. Peel, place in large mixing bowl. 2. Add drained beans to mixing bowl. Mash beans and potato together. 3. Mash in seasoning, flour and any additional seasoning. Your mixture will be quite soft and moist. But you should be able to form a patty. Add more flour or a scoop of breadcrumbs - or dry rice to thicken the mixture if needed. 4. Heat 1 Tbsp safflower oil in a pan over high heat. 5. Form a patty from mixture and coat in Panko crumbs. Thick coating. Then drop the patty in the pan. Repeat until the pan is filled. Cook until browned on both sides. You could also bake. If baking, use less Panko. 6. Transfer cooked patties to paper towel. Cool for a few minutes. 7. Serve on toasted bun with lotsa toppings. Note: yes this patty does fall kind of apart as you eat it. But that is OK because it tastes yummy.

We went somewhere without moving there! :)

Will and my vacation style has been a little unconventional as instead of visiting places, we just move to our destinations. So, for the short month we have been in FL we have been doing "normal" vacation things. We have been to 2 vacation places in the area and packed bags instead of boxes! We may have this figured out. This weekend we drove the hour and 45 minutes to the Key Largo area and experienced some differences in scenery and culture.

Will is definitely the adventurous type and has welcomed all this change with open arms and excitement, so his approach to the snorkeling we did this weekend was no surprise. He loved it and more of this kind of thing will be in his future. I approached the experience with every floatation device the crew had to offer strapped to me and arms length from the boat at all times. Once I relaxed it was pretty neat....until Will spotted 2 sharks and chose to tell me right when I was brave enough to venture out a little further. I could not get back to the boat fast enough and nothing is worse than having the urge to run as fast as you can but instead you are stuck with giant flippers that you don't know how to use, the fight against ocean waves, and YMCA swim lessons that you wish you would have tried a little harder at. The reassurance from the crew that they were the "nice" kind of sharks was no help and I called it quits. Maybe that was a ridiculous decision, but that's how much I value my limbs.

Fort Meyers

It was refreshing to see some Iowa down here yesterday as we made a quick trip to the west side of the state to see some friends from Waverly vacationing in Fort Meyers. It was fun to be tourists and experience more of the state and see a slightly different culture in Florida than Fort Lauderdale. It was a complete beach community and we enthralled ourselves in it for a short day as we rode bikes along the beach, enjoyed live music, had tropical drinks in pineapple "shells", and Will ate his weird raw seafood. :) I suppose you can do all these things in Fort Lauderdale, but it was nice to do these things and not have to work around the city. Either way...we are liking beach life!