Time to blow the cobwebs off...

May 9, 2009.

That's the date of my last blog post.

To say "a lot has happened" might be the understatement of the century.

Let's see if I can summarize it quickly.

Quit job.  Found new job teaching college mathematics.  Loved job.  Decided to pursue teaching college full time.  Started prerequisites to get MS in mathematics.  Decided to lose weight.  Started Weight Watchers.  Started Zumba.  Lost weight, gained fitness.  Started Pilates.  Tried spin (yuck).  Went back to Pilates.  Started running.  Ran.  A lot.  Lost more weight.  Pilates instructor left, gave up Pilates, started yoga.  Fell in love with yoga.  Hit massive plateau after losing 75 pounds.  Kept running.  Started weightlifting.  Kept doing yoga.

Now we're up to 2012.

Eye started acting up.  Went to doctor.  Random eye issue.  Treated with Prednisone.  Continued to run.  Ran.  Lifted.  Ran a 10K.  On and off Prednisone, and when off, eye issue came back.  Saw a multiple specialists.  Decided specialists were full of baloney.  Drove my happy behind to Miami to see "the best" doctor.  Diagnosed with Multifocal Choroiditis.  Was told I needed to be on auto-immune therapy to save my eye.  Went to Europe, drank a lot of German beer.  Came home.  Went back to doctor, started medication. 

And that is pretty much where we sit.  The cycles of Prednisone packed about 10 pounds back on me - I am happy to be tapering down.  The stress of the year, the diagnosis, and graduate-level mathematics, have all chipped into my workout routine and eating habits.  The medication I am on has serious risks - but is generally well tolerated.  It forced me into 100% sobriety, though - no more wine for this wino.  I will be on it for 2 years and, we hope, then be in remission and lead a normal life.

However, the "we hope" part is the part that I couldn't accept without stacking the cards in my favor.

There has been an onslaught of movies that have hit regarding diet and health.  The main theme in most of these trendy films is that a plant-based diet can cure all your ills.  Especially if you have something that is auto-immune, which is where I sit.

I have a few things that could be causing this.  One, I do believe it's hormonal.  I am hoping that as I age and shift closer into menopause (I sit at 33 right now), that things will simmer down.  Two, and this plays into the hormones, I find it very interesting that this all came on at the end of a 75 pound weight loss.  So, perhaps, this is just my body adjusting.  Thirdly, my eyes took a turn in July of 2011 - when my son brought home a viral pink eye.  They were problematic since that virus, and then issues exploded 6 months later.  Perhaps the auto-immune reset will help.  Finally, I have a history of granuloma annulare, another auto-immune thing.  The good news is that this WAS hormonal, and DID go away as I drifted away from puberty.  I am hoping that this will bode well for me in the future.  (Of course, this is all speculative.  Since no one seems to know very much about the disease, though, speculative seems to be very appropriate).

Given all that, I can't help but feel that if I'm really GOOD to my body - I will be able to cure myself.  So, we are shifting into a plant-strong diet + fish including eliminating all dairy, and we're working on flour and sugar.  I figure, also, if I'm not allowed to drink...and I'm having my coffee sugar/cream free...this is the PERFECT opportunity to lose the Prednisone weight and the last 10 that I just couldn't seem to trim off. 

So, why the blog? Well.  I decided I needed a diary to record my thoughts.  I discuss them with my husband...but then they disappear into oblivion.  I also wanted a place where I admitted my failures, successes, and hopefully hold myself more accountable.  I am good 75% of the time - the last 25%?   Not so good.  Lastly, I needed a place to record my "invented" recipes and food ideas.  I was going to start a whole NEW blog.  When I came to blogger, I saw this link and thought "wait, I'll just fire this up!"  Looking at some of the deliciousness I used to post...well...this will be a different sort of blog now!  But none the less, the direction (green, healthy, planet-loving) is the same. 

So.  There is the re-introduction and manifesto.  Now, to make good on it!    


 

When Life Hands you Lemons, make some kickin'...

Life around these parts has been a little hairy lately. I have my regular job, which seems to take up monumental amounts of time. By the end of the year, I've always managed to efficiently whittle down the hours I spend working. This year I've not yet hit my stride - and find myself working until 5 PM nearly every evening, bringing home hours of work to do on the weekend. I have some of the highest regard for my former teachers, now knowing that they must have given up their own family time grading my papers and assignments. I feel bad for ever turning in anything mediocre.

I've also picked up a tutoring gig - which has been phenomenal. They're a couple of bright, friendly, advanced middle school students that have been an absolute joy to teach. While I love my job and the challenges involved with working with struggling students, I never hear the words "wow, that's the coolest thing I've ever seen" in regards to a math problem. I get that with these kids. Even better is the fact that they are an Islamic family, from Pakistan, and currently celebrating Ramadan. I get Pakistani food every Monday and Wednesday evening (I am there when they break their fast), and I am thoroughly enjoying the education. It's a blend of Thai, Mexican, and the expected Middle Eastern flavors. One unique thing I've learned, that I completely intend on trying out at some point, is adding Garam Masala to fruit salad. It's really wonderful! I've also now been exposed to Samosas, mostly made with a blend of kosher meat. I will be trying these at some point, likely with a vegetarian blend.

On top of all of this, my husband officiates school-aged football. High school on Thursdays and Fridays, little guy on Saturdays. So, with all of the above, we're all home Tuesday nights, the occasional Thursday night, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon. In that time, we have all the chores expected and I like to squeeze in a little family time too.

What I haven't had time for, clearly, is food blogging. Part of this is my own perfection complex. I have a hard time doing anything "half way." Even if I have a tasty recipe, I don't want to post it without the perfect picture. This new photograzing interest has not helped this. Plus, I enjoy getting myself involved in all of the other food blogs out there. However, when I started this, I just wanted an outlet to discuss my views on homemaking and cooking. Lately, it's become more about doing whatever is necessary to get recognition for the blog. I've discovered that's a full time job. The problem is, as a full time working mommy, I simply don't have the time for that kind of blog. That is, unless, I want to have one at the expense of my family. Clearly not an option. Neither is it worth it for me to give up other things I love - searching for deals, scrap booking, and my friends - for this one area that I also love. I need to strike a balance.

So, it's time to ratchet things back and give myself a break. I'll still post - don't get me wrong...but it's going to become about quality rather than quantity. 2-3 posts per week will be my goal (instead of the 5 - 7 I had been shooting for). Pictures will be great, but not necessary. Readers loved and appreciated, but not chased down.

Maybe then I'll have time to actually ENJOY the food that I cook - and not just photograph it and eat it cold. Kidding....sort of.

Thanks for reading this little cathartic confession. Glad you're here, hope to continue to have you here, even if I don't post every day!

The VGT Omnivore's 100.

I was over visiting the Leftover Queen, and just loved one of her recent posts. "VGT" stands for "Very Good Taste," who is the original author of this list. There has been a follow up post written as well.

Here's how you play:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tar tare (unofficially - as that's not what my parents called it - but I'll claim it)
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding: I MIGHT do the sausage, but would not touch the pudding.
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna Cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S'mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaoline When I googled this, I got a whole host of ugly things.
64. Curryworst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis – there is a vegetarian version I would try.
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe Beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft Shell Crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Now, the meat things that I left on this menu are difficult for me. I left them blank, as given the right circumstances I would try them. However, I have some serious reservations about the meat industry and it would become an ethical thing for me. I don't have a problem with people eating meat, I have a problem with how some meat facilities treat their animals.

Also, there are several "spicy" things on this list. While I would try them - I am NOT a fan of fire flavor. Sooo...I'd probably make my husband get it and try his.

That aside, it seems I have a few things on my list that I would like to try. I think I will make that an effort in the coming years. I was surprised to find that I had tried some things, but without the official name.

Anyhow, how do YOU stack up on this list?

A little recognition is always nice.

In early July, a representative from Foodbuzz emailed me explaining that she saw that I had a food blog, and thought that I would be interested in their "Featured Publisher" program. After (what seems like) oodles of emails back and forth, the contract is in and my "widgets" are up. If you're not sure what a "widget" is (I sure wasn't) look to the left of the blog where you will see my new "featured publisher" badge and a Foodbuzz advertising spot. Neat-o, huh?

My main reason for wanting to do this was bring more readership to the blog. I really enjoy sharing my "niche" of knowledge with whomever wants to read it. By joining with Foodbuzz, I will be featured on their website and have more opportunities to share said knowledge.

Anyhow, if you're a veteran or newbie foodie, head over to Foodbuzz and see what's cooking. It's basically a community of foodies with LOTS of neat stuff to share. You're guaranteed to find something interesting, so give it a whirl.

Why I love Dads.

In this morning's paper, I ran across an associated press blurb about how fathers today are really feeling the struggles in the workplace. In short, they are beginning to feel the same pressures that women have been feeling for years - not enough time at home, not enough flexibility for family needs, and a general desire to be as active as possible in their primary position of Dad. A similar article can be found here.

My idea was that I would pop online, find the article, and then post it for all to read. I went to Google news, and typed "dads." No avail. Seems like everyone had an article about Dads today. Shocker, I know. So, then I tried "dads involved." Again, too many articles. Finally I tried "dads work" and went forward three pages to find the article I linked.

In this process, what I discovered was that there is a wealth of information out there about how Dads are becoming more actively involved in the home. How Dads are feeling the pressure AND desire to be far more involved and active than their fathers were. I had a hard time identifying with these articles because I always thought that's the way Dads were supposed to be. After all, it was how my Dad was. I guess I never appreciated that he wasn't the norm.

Some of my earliest memories are not of my mother staying home, but my father. I remember watching this nature-type show that was on the earliest version of the Disney Channel. Every morning, Dad and I would sit in his chair and watch, and then he would take me to my afternoon preschool. I vividly remember his brown chair and I would always sit on the right side of his lap. Then we would eat lunch, and he would drive me to school. The following year, I would go to morning Pre-School, and he would pick me up and take me to Taco Bell. I would always get a taco, with Dr. Pepper, and cinnamon twists. I swear Juneau, Alaska must have gotten the first Taco Bell ever; this was the early 1980s. Afterwards I would go with him to his work sites (he fixed and maintained modular homes). He called me "his shadow," a nickname that would resurface every time I found myself at his workplace.

Taco Bell and nature shows aren't the only thing I can thank my Dad for. While my mom definitely taught me a lot of what I know about the kitchen - it was my father that really instilled the importance of culinary skills. My 8th grade year, my mother moved to a job in Oregon. My father and I were left behind in Hawaii for a period of time. We cooked twice a week - on Sundays my Dad made Pot Roast with fresh garlic cloves stuffed inside. On Wednesday, I made goulash (well, a version of it, anyway). We ate the same thing every week - which hardly sounds gourmet. However I learned to cook those things well, and by the end of our time living there without my Mom, I gained an appreciation of "experimentation." I would add spices, more salt, less salt, cheese, no cheese. I learned what it really meant to be "one" with the kitchen.

My Dad was never one of those who worked his job and ignored his kids. Even in a time where that was acceptable. I owe who I am to my Dad as much as I do my Mom. However, I also owe something even more important - my marriage.

You see, I knew what I expected of in a partner. Boyfriends were great - but I was looking for something special in a husband. After all, a husband would inevitably be the father to my children. Because of the father that I had, I saw that as a very important job.

While I was cooking dinner tonight, my husband entertained my children with pictures on the Internet. No, not those kinds of pictures - but those of airplanes, sharks, killer wales, dolphins, and I'm not even sure what else. As I chopped the tomatoes and stirred the bread dough for the menu he ordered, I smiled at the elated sounds from our youngest household members. They delight in the company of their father. And not because he's novel - but because they are bonded, and connected. Their father is as integral a part of their life as I am. Neither he nor I would have it any other way. It's what I was raised with. As they say, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Happy Father's Day - to the man that gave me life, and to the man I chose to give my life to.

Pledge Time.

So this is summer. No assignments to grade, lessons to plan, or students to stress over. All I have are my little children and husband to care for. I am taking a couple of online courses for professional development, but other than that, I am school-free.

So now, I am going to devote my time to this love - cooking, family life, and green living.

I have many projects lined up for the summer:

(1) I am going to feed my family homemade bread. I am also going to find sustainable, go to recipes that will allow me to feed my family homemade bread all year long.

(2) I am going to see how cheaply we can eat, while still eating well and organically wherever possible.

(3) I am going to learn to make homemade tortillas. Low fat homemade tortillas.

(4) I will master the balsamic reduction. We had that at a restaurant lately, and LOVED it.

(5) I will master the Panna Cotta recipe.

(6) We will be making a family trip out to Portland, Oregon - to see more family, and determine the steps necessary to make it our new home. While in Portland, we will be taking a tour that I am VERY excited about. I will be sure to post a review.

(7) This is the one that bears most on you, my reader - I will be posting daily. Even if it's a "the kids are sick, I can't think of anything to post, so here is a good article..." I will post daily. I promise! From now until my vacation - I will post daily. So, if you would like to reciprocate my devotion - please feel free to share this blog with friends and family. I hope to have more of what I've already put here, just MORE of it .

For today, I thought I would change things a bit and put something up about me, but first let me call your attention to the right of the blog. See? I have posted some new links for your referencing pleasure. I have posted many more recipe sites, a link to my Amazon list if my blog gives you a dose of consumerism, and a new food blog. I've updated!

Madam Meow isn't just a food blog - she's another Mommy who dabbles in the culinary, and I just really dig the blog. In her most recent post, she gave me the idea for an "about me" mosaic. LOVE it!

Here's how you do your own.

(1) Do a search in flicker for the answers to the questions I posted (and answered for myself) below.

(2) Pick a picture on the first page of each search (NO cheating!)

(3) Go to the Mosaic Maker - choose your dimensions (come on now - it's just FACTORS!) Input the links, and create your mosaic.

Here are the questions:

1. What is your first name? Hollee

2. What is your favorite food? Caprese Salad

3. What high school did you go to? Forest Grove High School

4. What is your favorite color? RED

5. Who is your celebrity crush? Barack Obama. Oh come on...you didn't see this coming?

6. Favorite drink? Mojito

7. Dream vacation? Wine country, Italy

8. Favorite dessert? Chocolate Martini

9. What you want to be when you grow up? Loved - which I am already, but a little extra love never hurts.

10. What do you love most in life? life

11. One Word to describe you. Organized

12. Your flickr name. "no name" (I don't belong to flicker).

1. Graduation weekend, 2. Insalata Caprese Salad, 3. IMG_2971, 4. Blood-Red Flower, 5. Senator Barack Obama, 6. Mojito, 7. Italy-Wine Bar, 8. Chocolate Martini, 9. Love XOXO, 10. Life, 11. Organized, 12. What? No name?!?

The countdown and BIG GRIDDLES

Well, ladies and gentlemen. This time next week, you should be reading lots and lots of inspired posts with new recipes galore. Why, you ask? Well, because starting next week....it's....

SUMMER VACATION!

Yes, yes. Teachers are teachers for two reasons. If he/she is worth anything in the classroom - the primary reason is for the children. I mean, all the vacation in the WORLD can't make up for the school year when you loathe caring for and teaching other people's kiddos. However, even from the most saint-like of teachers, right behind "love for children" comes "love for breaks." I'm an "all at once" kind of gal, and LOVE the working really hard to enjoy peace later. Hence why I love the classroom, and why I just buckled down and made FOUR full batches of pancakes yesterday. Yes, four. No, I'm not crazy. I'm griddled. But, I digress.

I am a little nervous about the break this year. You see, I have two energy drainers that live in my home with me. They've each discovered strong opinions that often diametrically oppose the other's. This results in screaming, scratches, biting, and black eyes.

Well, maybe not so much the black eye part.

Anyhow, while I am jumping up and down at the thought of two glorious months of freedom, I am nervous to be on lock down with terrible twos and even worse threes. Now, give me a day when my beautiful daughter and loving son act wonderfully towards each other - I'm SO there. Unfortunately, I get about four of those a year.

Ready or not, here comes the summer...

To ring it in I went ahead and made those batches of pancakes. I was running out of breakfast food and needed some for the freezer. Blueberries went on sale this week, so I bought some of those, and some sweet potatoes, and got cooking! It went MUCH faster than expected as I recently got a griddle that will make 9 pancakes at once. NINE! Can you believe it?

For those that have never used a griddle, I HIGHLY recommend it. Breakfast making is SO much easier with these around. I originally discovered it when I married my bacon-loving husband. I noticed on the griddle bacon and eggs cooked up so much nicer. Then I discovered perfect pancakes were within my grasp. These days, we're not so much on the bacon, but pancakes are still crackin'.

The worst thing to hit a food blogger...

A stomach bug!

I must apologize, dear readers, for neglecting you an entire week. Alas, life got BUSY and then I got SICK...and well...here we sit. Consequently, I have precious few tidbits to give you. However, I will try to scramble a couple of things together.

#1 - Right before the icky hit, I discovered a wonderful new mushroom dish. While vacationing in Minneapolis, MN, we once hit dinner at a great restaurant called Manny's. It is NOT a vegetarian's delight. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The husband and I suffered through, though. We're vegetarians from the health and political perspective, not moral, so cheating every now and again is allowed. I think ball and chain felt it was a good cheat, indeed. One of the family-style "side" dishes was a stewed mushroom that was phenomenal. I wanted to dive in and bathe in it. And, I was eating LIVE MAINE LOBSTER (well, it was dead when I ate it, clearly). So...for me to be impressed by mushrooms. Well...you get the idea!

Speed forward to this last week, when mushrooms went on sale. I found recipes, all the while actually forgetting about the heavenly mushrooms in Minnesota, until I whipped up these. Oh my goodness, they are SO close. I made them with whole baby portobello mushroom caps. Heaven. I served them over rice, but I really think they needed a good cous-cous, polenta, or maybe even a pasta. White rice just didn't meet the flavor and substance of the shrooms head on like I wanted.

#2 - I am spring cleaning and I simply MUST sing the praises of a grand household cleaner that ALL of you should have in your pantry right now: vinegar. Just plain 'ole white distilled. I keep it in a spray bottle, with a hefty amount of lavender oil (lavender is a natural anti-bacterial substance). I'd say about 15 drops or so. Vinegar dissolves oil and grime well. Trust me, with two little ones - I give it a WORK OUT. It also can double as a wonderful window and mirror cleaner - with no streaks. I used it on my TV, my kid's toys, everywhere! Once it's dry, the vinegar smell goes away, leaving the faint hint of lavender. Plus, I'm cleaning all the areas of the house with a kid-friendly substance that they can DRINK and will never be hurt. Really, it's a household miracle as far as I am concerned.

It's just one of the suggestions from a book I recommended ages ago. Seriously, give it a whirl. I adore that I spent a solid hour cleaning without any damage to my hands. AND, my house is a clean as it would have been with harsh chemicals. Cleaner even - that other junk always leaves some sort of residue somewhere. The vinegar does not!

Tomorrow I am making tomato soup. In double, triple, batches. I will post about that this weekend, tomorrow even. It's a date!

Quick Props.

A bit ago, I plugged a great recipe for Cilantro Lime Rice - a knock off of the Chipotle version. I never plugged WHO gave me that recipe, just that she was a "friend" from an Internet forum.

Well, said "friend" is actually named Lizzy. She's a mommy and a teacher (just like me). While she dabbles in the culinary, she excels in....HEADBANDS.

Just in case you didn't actually click on the link, I wanted to go ahead and post some pictures. This is Lizzy, who has long hair, in one of her creations:


And here I am, with my short hair:

I just LOVE supporting the average, everyday, Mommy trying to earn an extra buck.

Genesis

I'm a math teacher. I think it terms of the rational and absolute all day long. I live and breathe rules, expectations, procedures, and structure.

This is why I have a love affair with my kitchen and all things creative.

A person cannot live on bread alone. While Algebra is some pretty kick-ass bread (I know, all you math phobics are wretching) - I still need something to work the other half of my brain.

For the last several months, I have renovated my pantry, cleaned out the freezer, and completely changed my family's eating habits. I started by throwing out just about anything in a box, and replacing it with an extra bag of flour. Then I tackled the refrigerator and freezer. Why should I buy someone else's product when I can make my own that's (a) cheaper, (b) better, or (c) both? Oops. Multiple choice. There I go again....

Whatever, as I whittled away my processed foods I found myself full of pride. I tossed the eggo's for homemade pancakes. Out with the Stouffer’s meals and in with frozen Ziti and Lasagna. No more Atheno's hummus, I've got "Save Your Marriage" hummus.

My husband thinks I'm nuts. Especially in light of the fact (by his report) he was the best cook out of all his previous relationships. Scary. Still, as we sit amongst the natural goodness that is now our diet - he can't help but smile as he snidely calls me "Mary F*&K*$# homemaker".

Nice, eh? It's said with love, believe it or not. The muffins disappear way too fast for it not to be a compliment.

So, here I rest. I may be talking to myself, or people may come across my blog and find it helpful. I'm hoping that I can lend a hand to other Moms who are tired of this world full of preservatives and harsh chemicals. No doubt that I'll toss in some other household-related items outside of the culinary world. I also love scrapbooking (okay, maybe LOVE isn't the word....obsession might be a more accurate description) crafts, and do it yourself home projects. Plus I do the whole "socially conscious save the world" crap that every other child-of-a-baby-boomer tries to do. All-in-all, I try to be a younger Martha Stewart gone Green. Avoiding the whole jail thing might be cool too.