I wanted to see if I could turn vegetarian for a full 30 days. I love cooking and I thought it would push me out of my comfort zone. Ultimately, I just wanted to see if I could do it.
Dave announced he wanted to try it with me the day I planned to start. The guy that wont eat vegetables unless I hide them in meat wants to see if he can go a whole month without eating meat. The guy that started picking vegetables out of the vegetable lasagna until there was only cheese and pasta left and got more and more irritated with every zucchini chunk thinks he can eat enough vegetables to sustain life. The guy that gagged on a chickpea that I snuck into one of his sandwiches thinks he can get enough protein. I figured he would last a few days, cry uncle and send me off to the grocery store to replenish our supply of flesh.
That night I made poblano and mushroom tacos. I didn't bother making them look fancy. He knew there wasn't meat and I wasn't about to waste time on making it look good if he wasn't going to eat them. 6 tacos later he said "If all of our meals are like this one I don't think I'll miss meat"
We are a little over two weeks into it and I'm not sure I'll go back to eating meat. I thought I would crave meat but the longer I go the less appealing it sounds. I don't feel weighed down after meals, I'm enjoying tracking protein instead of calories, and I've dropped a pound and a half.
Poblano and Mushroom Tacos
Adapted slightly from Epicurious.
2 T Oil
1 poblano chile, seeded, sliced into thin long strips
1/2 small red onion, sliced
2 c crimini mushrooms, sliced
1 t cumin
corn tortillas
thin slices Monterey Jack cheese
cilantro
crumbled feta
diced tomatoes
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add poblano chile, onion, and mushrooms; sauté mixture until brown, about 5 minutes. Mix in ground cumin. Season and transfer mixture to medium bowl.
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add tortillas in single layer, draping up sides of skillet to fit. Divide mushroom mixture among tortillas, mounding on only 1 side. Place slice of Monterey Jack cheese atop filling in each tortilla. Fold plain tortilla halves over filling and press firmly. Cook until tortillas are brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer tacos to plates. Open tacos; sprinkle with cilantro, crumbled feta, and toppings.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
social asshole
Life caught up with me and I quit writing. Every time I sat down to write I would struggle with what was on my mind and not feeling comfortable writing about it on the webernet. I'm ready to move on.
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My brother and I took my sister out to sushi today to celebrate her birthday.
(saying "I went to sushi makes me feel like a grown up... except I still refuse to eat anything that comes out of the water and yes that includes the seaweed the stuff is wrapped in so I go straight for the avocado and vegetable rolls with soy paper and make gag noises over the real sushi)
At some point after we got our edamame and steeped our tea and before our food arrived I pulled my ipod touch out of my purse. I'm at the mercy of any random hot spot I can find so I check anywhere I think I might get lucky. The restaurant didn't have a public network so I put my ipod down on the table and rejoined the conversation.
We sat there for about an hour talking and eating. The waiter stopped by several times to refill our waters and check on us. I was having too good of a time to notice anything going on around me.
I figured I should pack up my stuff and get my wallet ready for the bill. I turn towards my purse sitting next to me on the bench and then I see it.
A maxi pad sitting on top of my coat.
Not just any maxi pad either. MY super long maxi pad that I hastily pulled out of the bathroom cabinet and shoved in my purse as I was trying to hurry out the door making a mental note to put pads on my grocery list. I had plenty of pads, I didn't have the travel kind that are neatly folded and wrapped in plastic to keep the crap that collects on the bottom of your purse from sticking to it and making it a little more discreet. It came out of my purse when I pulled my ipod out.
There it sat, 3 feet from the person sitting at the next table sharing the bench with me. Less than 2 feet from the waiter that I thought was so nice keeping my water glass filled. 4 feet from the host that was sitting just behind my bench waiting for more patrons to come in. The only way I could have made it more embarrassing was to remove the paper backing and wear it like a sticker on my shirt.
Lesson learned. Quit being a social ass hole and karma wont have a reason to publicly humiliate me.
*************************************************
My brother and I took my sister out to sushi today to celebrate her birthday.
(saying "I went to sushi makes me feel like a grown up... except I still refuse to eat anything that comes out of the water and yes that includes the seaweed the stuff is wrapped in so I go straight for the avocado and vegetable rolls with soy paper and make gag noises over the real sushi)
At some point after we got our edamame and steeped our tea and before our food arrived I pulled my ipod touch out of my purse. I'm at the mercy of any random hot spot I can find so I check anywhere I think I might get lucky. The restaurant didn't have a public network so I put my ipod down on the table and rejoined the conversation.
We sat there for about an hour talking and eating. The waiter stopped by several times to refill our waters and check on us. I was having too good of a time to notice anything going on around me.
I figured I should pack up my stuff and get my wallet ready for the bill. I turn towards my purse sitting next to me on the bench and then I see it.
A maxi pad sitting on top of my coat.
Not just any maxi pad either. MY super long maxi pad that I hastily pulled out of the bathroom cabinet and shoved in my purse as I was trying to hurry out the door making a mental note to put pads on my grocery list. I had plenty of pads, I didn't have the travel kind that are neatly folded and wrapped in plastic to keep the crap that collects on the bottom of your purse from sticking to it and making it a little more discreet. It came out of my purse when I pulled my ipod out.
There it sat, 3 feet from the person sitting at the next table sharing the bench with me. Less than 2 feet from the waiter that I thought was so nice keeping my water glass filled. 4 feet from the host that was sitting just behind my bench waiting for more patrons to come in. The only way I could have made it more embarrassing was to remove the paper backing and wear it like a sticker on my shirt.
Lesson learned. Quit being a social ass hole and karma wont have a reason to publicly humiliate me.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Happy Birthday Alex!
Finally posting this two weeks late...
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How is it possible that you're 5?
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How is it possible that you're 5?
I love that you still smash your face into your cake, just like you did on your first birthday.
You even got it up your nose.
I'm glad you had a good day...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
NyQuil blackout
Dave pokes me and says "Hey you wanna get busy later?"
"Um sure but I'm still kinda feeling like shit so I better go hunt through the medicine cabinet and find something that will get rid of the sludge in my head. Oh and the new season of Top Chef starts tonight so you'll have to wait until that's over." I'm all about the romance.
DayQuil and NyQuil are my only options. DayQuil gives me the shakes so I grab the NyQuil and convince myself I can shake off the drowsy feelings.
20 minutes later I can feel the pressure in my head lifting.
Another 5 minutes and I'm knocked out cold on the couch. Apparently Dave let me sleep on the couch for a couple of hours, woke me up and told me who won Top Chef Masters, I brushed my teeth and climbed into bed.
I have absolutely no recollection of anything past the Quickfire Challenge and this morning it feels like I got a donkey kick to the head.
Fucking NyQuil hangover.
"Um sure but I'm still kinda feeling like shit so I better go hunt through the medicine cabinet and find something that will get rid of the sludge in my head. Oh and the new season of Top Chef starts tonight so you'll have to wait until that's over." I'm all about the romance.
DayQuil and NyQuil are my only options. DayQuil gives me the shakes so I grab the NyQuil and convince myself I can shake off the drowsy feelings.
20 minutes later I can feel the pressure in my head lifting.
Another 5 minutes and I'm knocked out cold on the couch. Apparently Dave let me sleep on the couch for a couple of hours, woke me up and told me who won Top Chef Masters, I brushed my teeth and climbed into bed.
I have absolutely no recollection of anything past the Quickfire Challenge and this morning it feels like I got a donkey kick to the head.
Fucking NyQuil hangover.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
kindergarten
When we took Alex to his new school last week for Back To School night I wanted to turn around and walk back out. All of the kids looked so HUGE.
I was blown away as we made our way to his classroom. When did elementary schools start needing lockers?
I didn't have to wake him up on his first day of school, he was too excited to sleep in. I didn't have to push him to eat breakfast or to get dressed.
We took pictures, walked to his classroom. Hugged him and kissed him and left him.
Dave and I spent the next 6 and a half hours anxiously waiting to pick him back up. We fought every urge to go to the school and just peek.
Yesterday, his second day of school was a little easier. We had done it once and I didn't have to worry about him making it through the day.
Today was the hardest yet. Parents were supposed to stay outside. No more walking him into his classroom. He was on his own.
We pulled up to the curb, I got him unbuckled, handed him his backpack and lunch box, made sure he knew which way to go and watched him start for the doors.
HOLY FUCK. THOSE AREN'T KIDS. THEY'RE NBA PLAYERS. The kids streaming into the school looked even bigger than they did on back to school night.
I didn't cry on the first day but I did today. I held it back long enough for him to walk through the school doors then let loose. It felt so wrong to drop him off at the curb and see the apprehension on his face every time he turned around to see if we were still there.
Two hours left before I can go get him. Back to watching the clock.
I was blown away as we made our way to his classroom. When did elementary schools start needing lockers?
I didn't have to wake him up on his first day of school, he was too excited to sleep in. I didn't have to push him to eat breakfast or to get dressed.
We took pictures, walked to his classroom. Hugged him and kissed him and left him.
Dave and I spent the next 6 and a half hours anxiously waiting to pick him back up. We fought every urge to go to the school and just peek.
Yesterday, his second day of school was a little easier. We had done it once and I didn't have to worry about him making it through the day.
Today was the hardest yet. Parents were supposed to stay outside. No more walking him into his classroom. He was on his own.
We pulled up to the curb, I got him unbuckled, handed him his backpack and lunch box, made sure he knew which way to go and watched him start for the doors.
HOLY FUCK. THOSE AREN'T KIDS. THEY'RE NBA PLAYERS. The kids streaming into the school looked even bigger than they did on back to school night.
I didn't cry on the first day but I did today. I held it back long enough for him to walk through the school doors then let loose. It felt so wrong to drop him off at the curb and see the apprehension on his face every time he turned around to see if we were still there.
Two hours left before I can go get him. Back to watching the clock.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Scofflaw
Working from home isn't easy. Its tough to balance work and home and not ignore one side too much. So I start very early, so early the birds haven't started singing yet.
This morning I flick the power button on my laptop and stare at the computer trying with my uncaffeinated head to remember my new password.
sonofabitch.
Without it, my work laptop is less useful than a brick thanks to the hard drive encryption software my company forced me to install. What, they think I have sensitive data and that I'm irresponsible enough to let my laptop get stolen?
ok. maybe they're right
Tscreen taunting me with "incorrect login" also includes the helpdesk phone number. Good thing they do, I wouldn't have the slightest clue how to get a hold of them because all of that information is in the laptop.
"We're sorry, the helpdesk hours are from 6am to 9pm mountain"
sssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhIT. hour and a half to wait. I'm an all powerful administrator but I still cant get into my own damn computer.
I spend the time trying every possible curse word combination I can think of because that's how I roll. It helps start my morning off right when I get to curse at my computer as I'm getting started.
90 seconds after the helpdesk opened I was dialing their number.
I spend the next 20 minutes on the phone using their secret backdoor account and password into my computer.
helpdesk lady: normally windows would give you a prompt to change your password but since you're at home it wont and you'll be locked out of your computer again the next time you reboot. You'll need to be in the office to get it reset. Just call us back and we'll do this again
thanks a pantload lady.
After I got the kids up I loaded them into the car so they could take a trip down to my office to call the helpdesk. again.
We barely make it a half mile when I notice a cop car has pulled up behind me and is following very closely.
SHIT. the tags are expired. I was planning on getting them yesterday. you know when everything else was going down
me: Hey Alex, check it out. We're about to get pulled over. Wait for it... wait for it... Ahhh there's his lights.
Rolled down my window when the cop walks up and a light bulb goes off in my head.
me: I know, my plates are expired. You're Tony right? Dave is my husband. You were at my wedding.
cop: Hey, I knew the registration that came up on my computer was familiar. How is Dave? Is he still doing the pistolsmithing?
a minute or two of chatter continues...
me: do you want my license?
cop: nah, you're good just get them taken care of.
hell yes.
Dave forwards me a text a few minutes later. The cop had tattled on me.
"Just stopped your wife!! Lucky I know her or I'd throw the book at her!!"
Lucky for me Dave still has friends on the police department.
This morning I flick the power button on my laptop and stare at the computer trying with my uncaffeinated head to remember my new password.
sonofabitch.
Without it, my work laptop is less useful than a brick thanks to the hard drive encryption software my company forced me to install. What, they think I have sensitive data and that I'm irresponsible enough to let my laptop get stolen?
ok. maybe they're right
Tscreen taunting me with "incorrect login" also includes the helpdesk phone number. Good thing they do, I wouldn't have the slightest clue how to get a hold of them because all of that information is in the laptop.
"We're sorry, the helpdesk hours are from 6am to 9pm mountain"
sssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhIT. hour and a half to wait. I'm an all powerful administrator but I still cant get into my own damn computer.
I spend the time trying every possible curse word combination I can think of because that's how I roll. It helps start my morning off right when I get to curse at my computer as I'm getting started.
90 seconds after the helpdesk opened I was dialing their number.
I spend the next 20 minutes on the phone using their secret backdoor account and password into my computer.
helpdesk lady: normally windows would give you a prompt to change your password but since you're at home it wont and you'll be locked out of your computer again the next time you reboot. You'll need to be in the office to get it reset. Just call us back and we'll do this again
thanks a pantload lady.
After I got the kids up I loaded them into the car so they could take a trip down to my office to call the helpdesk. again.
We barely make it a half mile when I notice a cop car has pulled up behind me and is following very closely.
SHIT. the tags are expired. I was planning on getting them yesterday. you know when everything else was going down
me: Hey Alex, check it out. We're about to get pulled over. Wait for it... wait for it... Ahhh there's his lights.
Rolled down my window when the cop walks up and a light bulb goes off in my head.
me: I know, my plates are expired. You're Tony right? Dave is my husband. You were at my wedding.
cop: Hey, I knew the registration that came up on my computer was familiar. How is Dave? Is he still doing the pistolsmithing?
a minute or two of chatter continues...
me: do you want my license?
cop: nah, you're good just get them taken care of.
hell yes.
Dave forwards me a text a few minutes later. The cop had tattled on me.
"Just stopped your wife!! Lucky I know her or I'd throw the book at her!!"
Lucky for me Dave still has friends on the police department.
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