Table for One

Jenna: Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?

2011-06-22T01:04:00.003-04:00

I've returned to the world of internet dating in an effort to curb my boredom and excessive drinking and channel my pent up energy in a different direction. Plus, I've grown tired of looking at the same people every Saturday night and figure that even the worst case scenario is not so bad. Lately, I've been drawn to the rugged, masculine, woodsman type, but have been finding them in short supply among the New York online dating community. Surprise, surprise. But I have not let this deter me.

I went on two dates a couple of weeks ago with attractive, interesting gentlemen. It wasn't that I had a bad time. It wasn't that I didn't find them engaging. They were both just, in their own unique way...for lack of a better word...dainty. The first was immaculately well dressed and put together, but had a strong, feminine energy that was impossible to ignore. He felt more like the Will to my Grace than the Fred to my Ginger. Lovely to be sure...but kind of like a lady. Behind Door Number Two, was an equally delightful person, very intelligent, with whom I had a very interesting conversation about the world and other important things. He was a slight, bespectacled guy with slender wrists and calves the size of my forearms. My physical self and energy felt so extremely overpowering despite our good banter, that I couldn't help feeling larger than life in comparison. Whilst checking people out on the subway (which I do with embarrassing and borderline creepy frequency), I can't help but notice this epidemic among the men of New York. Sure, you can blame the hipsters, the indie rock scene, or the introduction of skinny jeans...but the fact remains; I think I might be more masculine than 75% of the men in this city. What's happened to the strapping, burly, manly men in this town? Ones with strong arms, broad chests, and deep, sexy voices with a bit of testosterone still coursing through their veins. In other words...where have all the cowboys gone?

I don't need a mountain man or a football player. I am a fiercely independent woman who might certainly threaten such a man. So maybe I'm asking too much. Maybe the pushy broads of the world are better off with mensches (if you don't know what this word means, ask a Jew). But every once in awhile, a sassy girl like me really wants someone to take control, act like a man, and treat me like a woman. Make plans, take responsibility for things, buy dinner, hold the door open, kiss me deeply and passionately, and throw me around in the sack a little. Every once in awhile I like not having to make every single decision. And I'm not too keen on moving to rural America to find my Stetson man. I'd never survive. So...where are you urban cowboys? I'm now accepting applications and have no intention of giving up. If it means a revolution, so be it. Gentlemen of New York, hide your skinny jeans. I'm prepared to destroy them one pair at a time.

Jenna: The Early 30's Divorcee

2011-06-16T18:30:00.001-04:00

There's a new phenomenon I've come across lately that implies one of two things. One is that the institution of marriage just ain't what it used to be...or dreaded number 2: that I must be getting old. This phenomenon is the recent appearance in my dating pool of a creature I'd like to refer to as 'The Early 30's divorcee'. I have encountered not one, but several of this species of late...and let me tell you, it's incredibly confusing. They are a wily bunch. At the start, there's something about them that exudes maturity and an energy seemingly focused on you. From past experience, they know how to talk to a woman (and generally, what to do with one in the bedroom), act the gentleman, and how to be on their best behavior. After all, they've already been through one round of training. In an effort to prove to themselves that they've moved on, they may appear completely healthy and non-commitment phobic...on the outside.

But bubbling deep (or not so deep) beneath the surface, lies the beast. Of course, it all depends on how their marriage ended. This series of comments generally excludes arranged marriages, marriages of convenience, or citizenship oriented marriage situations. The young divorcees I've encountered, however, have harbored some pretty serious feelings of anger, jealousy, bitterness, and the urge to drink, strangle things, and wish venereal diseases upon their former loves. Something about the vulnerability of opening themselves to someone new unleashes this flood of emotions within them, ripping the scabs off old wounds and resulting, ultimately, in an emotional nuclear meltdown. Do not be fooled.

And though I seem to have found myself on the wrong end of this situation more than once (is there really a right end of this situation?), I cannot say I blame them. If I blame anyone, it is myself. I knew what I was getting myself into. The facts are these...

These damaged individuals have been through an ordeal I never hope to understand. Entirely unlike myself, they thought they found the person they loved so much that they were done looking. They decided that this person was the one they were going to live and die beside. They were courageous enough to take that information and share it with their partner, friends, and family. They actually went through with it and got married. There was probably a wedding and lots and lots of pictures. Aside from that, lots of firsts, lots of memories, lots of moments shared with this person, in this relationship, that will forever be etched in their mind. Maybe their tradition was to make crepes together on Sundays, or read the New York Times every morning. The details are not important. They built a life and a routine and, at one time, felt certain that this was right and all was well with their little world.

Until everything changes. And it ends. Whether it happens quickly, with a painful cataclysmic event, or slowly, wearing away over time...there's still the day they realized it was over. That some things would never be the same again. That they couldn't fight hard enough to make it work...and maybe...they had been wrong. Then there's this whole other process of coming to that decision, and all of the pain, anger, and discomfort of mourning the loss of someone and systematically extricating their lives from one another. Then, there's the healing process. The days they feel okay and the days they don't. Feeling like they're ready to move on one moment, and the overwhelming awareness that they are still an absolute mess, in the next. The fear of repeating past mistakes, or the realization that maybe their instincts can't be trusted.

There's no amount of ego stroking (or stroking anything else for that matter) that can actually heal the wounds of the past. I'm pretty sure that time and therapy are the only things that can do that. Plus, there's absolutely no way that in my life experience (disappointment and heartbreak included) I can ever really understand what this is like. There's no way that I'll ever be in the same emotional place as someone who has been through this. I can empathize with the situation, I can acknowledge and be supportive, but I cannot really understand. I hope I never do. But after much deliberation, I've concluded that in the future, I'd be better served to date people with emotional baggage similar to my own.

Note: It is not my intention to offend any of our readers that may have been through a divorce. My parents are divorced, I have friends who are divorced, and 9 times out of 10, getting out of a bad marriage is a courageous, if difficult decision, that allows people to go on to lead more fulfilling and happier lives. My love for anyone who has been through this difficult situation is boundless...I'm just expressing my frustration with my own romantic attempts to manifest that support into anything more than friendship.

Jenna: How to Sleep With the Bartender (a step-by-step guide)

2011-05-26T21:23:00.009-04:00

Sometimes, you're looking for love at first sight. Sometimes, you're seeking your soul mate. Sometimes you just want someone to go out and do cheesy, romantic NY summertime things with. And sometimes you want to sleep with the bartender. There are many webs that we city folk weave and there is justification for all of them. But I'm not here to justify my 'once every so often' desire to sleep with the bartender. I'm here to share my strategies (developed over time) in order to help you, my faithful readers, to achieve your goals. Should those goals include sleeping with the bartender, of course. So...without further ado, I present to you the DO's and DO NOT's of sleeping with the bartender.

D0:

*Case the joint. Make friends at bar; appear social and jovial. Good times all around is the way to go.

*Nonchalantly ask the bartender his/her name after they serve your first drink and continue to address them in this personal fashion.

*Tip generously (then add $5)

*Order a specific cocktail. If it's delicious, then comment on how impressed you are with the tender or tendress' execution of said cocktail. If it's lousy, keep your mouth shut.

*Cast lingering (but not creepy) gazes in his/her direction.

*Bring food...and share.

*Drink in moderation. You will need your wits about you.

*Sleep all day and hydrate. You will need to hang out VERY late in order to close the bar. Stamina is key in this situation.

*Engage in conversation topics that can pass between you in short snippets instead of trying to carry on a continuous train of thought while he/she is tending to the rest of the bar.

*If possible, bring a friend for the earlier part of the evening. Engage in sparkling conversation. Laugh a lot. Maintain a carefree attitude.

*Seize any opportunity to step away from the bar when your object of affection does. Cigarette breaks are a good example and opportunity for quality time. If you don't smoke, smoke with aforementioned bartender, anyway. You're on a mission, correct? Sometimes, you have to take a cancer stick for the team. The team, being your sex life.

DO NOT:

*Show up at the bar before 2:30am, if you're serious about this. If you've already established a familiarity/flirtation (preferable), make sure that you get there late, if you're realistic about this. You will spend way too much time killing time by drinking otherwise, which leads me to my next point...

*DO NOT GET SLOPPY DRUNK. There is a fine line here. Between drinking all night at the bar, flirting with the bartender, and becoming dishonorably drunk. This happens to be my Achilles Heel. That's right. I said it. I'm disappointed in the fact that sometimes, my mild alcoholism gets in the way of my promiscuity. Everything is wrong with this statement. It's probably a blessing in disguise. But I digress. Monitor your alcohol intake. Get tipsy, not collapse-ey drunk.

*Do not become frustrated or angry at the bartender for not wanting to close the bar early to come home with you.

*Do not get depressed. No matter how drunk you get. Or how sad it makes you that you are alone at the bar at 3 am, surrounded by similarly pathetic strangers (perhaps also trying to sleep with the bartender).

*Do not directly solicit the bartender until the 11th hour. The home stretch. We're talking 4am. Trust me...if things do not go your way, this becomes awkward QUICKLY.

And last, but not least, know when to accept defeat. Know when all of your attempts simply will not work and take your drunk booty home. Perhaps you are slightly worse for the wear...but you'll live. There are lots of cute bartenders in New York City.

Happy hunting.

Don't judge me.

Kat: Bacon Challenge

2011-04-14T17:00:00.001-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from Foodbuzz announcing their Baconalia recipe challenge. Bacon? The chance to win some cash? More Bacon? Yes, please!

After a few miliseconds of thought, I came up with the perfect bacon sandwich. A B.O.P., if you will. I give you:

THE BACON, OLIVE & ROASTED PEPPER SANDWICH!

INGREDIENTS
(makes two sandwiches)

4 slices BACON (I used some fancy brand the husband picked up for me)
Whole wheat baguette, sliced into sandwich-sized pieces
A few slices of Dubliner cheese
1/4 c. olives, pitted & diced
1 red pepper
handful of parsley

1. Cook the bacon.

2. Roast the pepper (instructions here).

3. Assemble sandwich: Layer cheese, then bacon;

Olives;

Sliced pepper;

Parsley, then top with the other slice of bread.

This may be my all time favorite sandwich. Seriously, it might just make your day!

p.s. don't forget to visit my new blog: Big Apple, Little Kitchen. All cooking, all the time!

Kat: Ain't isn't a word and I Ain't Gonna Use it

2011-03-14T01:49:00.000-04:00

I can't tell you how much I love Christina Pirello's Cooking the Whole Foods Way. Technically, it's a book of macrobiotic cooking, but don't let that scare you off! Every recipe is simple and 10 times even more delicious that it sounds on paper! This is a great book for vegetarians or anyone who needs some simple but delightful vegetable dishes in their life...who doesn't need that?!

This week, I tried out Quinoa and Roasted Veggie Salad.

Couldn't be easier to prepare either. All you do is roast whatever veggies you have laying around:

Saute some carrots, celery, and onions:

Cook your quinoa:

Throw the veggies on a plate:

Cover with quinoa:

And squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top!

The dish is light, but hearty enough to be an entree. Go buy this book! You can thank me later.

Jenna: Fairytales Ain't Just for Princesses

2011-03-13T20:33:00.001-04:00

I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you, our faithful readers, a story. A true story. So grab a beer, glass of wine, or one of Kat's yummy smoothies and settle in...

Once upon a time there was a young woman from Brooklyn (Jenna) who was traveling to the far away land of Arizona to watch her best friend (Kat) get married. Kat even asked Jenna to be the person who officiated her wedding ceremony (knowing that she loves to be the star of the show...even if that show is a wedding). Kat also decided that the wedding gang would climb down a giant hole (the Grand Canyon) and camp there for a few nights; so as to test their survival skills and patience to make sure they were good friends and good husband to be...and also to bear witness the beautiful sights.

The four friends began their journey to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and though the road was rocky...they weathered the hardships with gusto and aplomb. On the second day of their journey, upon reaching camp, the weary travelers were welcomed by a tall and brawny park ranger with a nice smile and a sonorous voice. Jenna thought the park ranger charming and handsome...but she was dirty and camping, and laughed about her PG 13 related observations to her friends. As night fell, the hungry travelers were faced with the disturbing fact that they were short on food rations for dinner!

What were the hungry campers to do? The young man among the ladies had a resourceful idea (which young men often do), that one of the ladies should walk up to the ranger station and inquire (in our delicate female way, eyelashes aflutter) as to whether or not there happened to be extra food lying around anywhere. Jenna quickly volunteered and traipsed her way up to the ranger station, tossing her dirty, dirty hair, attempting to look her best. She knocked on the door and the park ranger answered, inviting her in and introducing himself (still adorable, by the way). She relayed the hunger troubles, they chatted about life in the canyon, and discussed the insane snow storm that had hit New York the day prior (of which the hungry campers had no knowledge). In fact, the conversation was easy and the company lovely, and Jenna had no REAL desire to leave the ranger. However, there were people counting on her, Ranger Danger (as we'll affectionately call him) showed her the big box of food outside the cabin, and they said their farewells. Jenna grinned as she rummaged through the box of food gathering items in her arms like a raccoon and thinking about how cute the ranger was, when he suddenly reappeared, offering items from his own cupboard. He liked her. She knew it. She thanked him profusely and made her way back towards the campsite, gushing about the interaction to the others.

The group feasted and joked, energy renewed by their good fortune and full bellies, and at the end of the meal it became obvious that the overzealous Jenna had grabbed a bit too much out of the community bin which would need to be returned. She crept back up to the cabin, intending to quietly put the food back where she found it and scurry away, but the ranger saw her coming and opened wide the front door upon her approach. She thanked him profusely, returned the excess food, and continued to make pleasant conversation. After a few moments had passed, silence fell...there was really not much more for the two to say to one another. Jenna turned to go, then paused and looked at the ranger for a moment before asking 'What are you doing the day after tomorrow?'. What did she expect him to say? He lived in the Grand Canyon for chrissake. But to her surprise he responded,'I have a few days off actually. I'm heading up tomorrow. Why?' To which Jenna, surprised at the words coming out of her mouth, responded 'Would you like to go to a wedding?'. The ranger said yes, phone numbers were exchanged, and Jenna retreated back to camp, giddy with the news.

The next morning (or rather at 4am, just a few hours later) the campers began the trek out of the canyon. As they neared the top, huffing and puffing along, Jenna spotted Ranger Danger just below, quickly walking the same path just a few paces behind. As he caught up with her, Jenna feigned surprise. 'Fancy meeting you here,' she quipped, to which he replied, 'Oh, you know...just the morning commute.' Ha. Ranger humor...right? There were some quick introductions to the gang, and as he took off ahead of them he called back 'I'll call you later...', which made Jenna blush and grin, yet again. Once the hikers finished the long journey up and were enjoying their celebratory drinks, Jenna's cellphone buzzed with a text message from Ranger Danger, asking her out for a cocktail that evening. She agreed to meet him for a drink before family dinner (the wedding was the next day and the guests were set to arrive in the afternoon).

Showered, dressed, and feeling like a new woman, also completely nervous and ridiculous (had she really asked a park ranger out on a date?), Jenna set off to meet her date before dinner. And it was a wonderful date. The two were so completely different, led such opposite lives, that there was no shortage of things to talk about or information to share. They talked about where they came from and what they loved about what they did for a living, what they found most interesting about the others' experiences. And though they were passionate about very different things, there was a very exciting chemistry between them. Time flew by and before they knew it, it was time for Jenna to leave for dinner and the ranger to be on his way stay the night with some friends in a town an hour away from the Canyon. After an incredibly romantic kiss beneath the stars, they went their separate ways, looking forward to reuniting at Kat's wedding. Jenna fell asleep dreaming of the ranger's soft lips and charming smile, filled with excitement about the wedding the next day.

When the wedding party awoke, however, there was a disturbing surprise. A blizzard! In full force, 2 and a half feet of snow on the ground, and coming down hard. A sobbing Kat in her arms, a group of family members worried about the fact that they wouldn't catch a plane that evening, and an impossible plan to wed her best friend at the rim of the canyon...things were looking bleak to Jenna. But the gang banded together, scouted out a new location inside the lodge (along with 34 additional snowed in wedding ceremony witnesses), and pulled off a truly beautiful wedding ceremony. The snowfall was beautiful beyond the windows, Kat couldn't have been a more stunning bride, and there were tears of joy shed all around. Everything was so unexpectedly perfect...except for one thing. The ranger was snowed in an hour away, and Jenna at the Canyon, wishing it weren't so. But alas, the universe works in mysterious ways, and it would seem that a blizzard between them is how this chapter of the story was meant to conclude. Tragic? Maybe a little. But something told Jenna this was not where it would end. She had a feeling that she was meant to know the ranger; that they had come into one another's lives for a reason. And continued phone calls, emails, and daydreams later...this may be a story unfinished.

Perhaps one even just begun. Pretty freaking romantic, huh?

And they all lived happily and hopefully ever after.

Kat: Surprise!

2011-03-08T21:07:00.000-05:00

I feel very privileged to know what makes me happy; cooking, food, wine and all things culinary put a smile on my face and a spring in my step. Whenever I have a lousy day at work, or am just feeling blue, I know that I can turn to my kitchen and...Surprise!...I instantly feel better. When I caught myself feeling depressed a few weeks ago, I decided to take it to the kitchen. A couple of months of stressful wedding planning had drained my enthusiasm in the kitchen. I knew the remedy to my blues was to crank up the creativity in the kitchen. The only catch was that I felt like I had forgotten how to cook!

After some thinking, I decided to turn to some old reliable friends....my favorite cookbooks! I knew if anyone could help me out, they could. I picked one recipe for each night of the week, went shopping, and jumped into my week of culinary therapy.

I started with the book that was most recently added to my favorites list...Amanda Hesser's brand new masterpiece The Essential New York Times Cookbook.

It's a wonderful book full of readers' favorite recipes from the past 150 years. I picked a couple of recipes that I could make with pantry staples:

Moroccan Chicken Smothered in Olives (page 482)

and Moroccan Carrot Salad (p. 187)

Both were easy and delicious and very simple to make; just a couple of ingredients and plenty of spices in both recipe.

If you're interested in becoming a better cook, I suggest that you invest in this book! There hundreds and hundreds of recipes ranging from very simple to complex. I plan to cook my way through this book and soak up all the techniques that I can!

...more recipes from my cookbook week to come!

Jenna: Surprise!

2011-03-08T21:02:00.000-05:00

I'm fairly certain over the development of this blog how much I enjoy having sex. I love sex. So much so that I am often led down unseemly paths or do things that would make conservatives blush in an attempt to have it when I want to. Well and often is my motto. When it's been too long, I get restless and distracted, unable to concentrate on much more than where my next meal is coming from, so to speak. That being said...I won't have sex with just anybody. I am a woman with high standards. I would like to believe I've had pretty sensational luck in my past experiences. I can say that I have had a very satisfying sexual existence up until this point. Which is why something that happened to me recently completely took me by surprise. I have had sex in exciting places, with healthily endowed men, I've had multiple orgasms...blah blah blah...which is why I figured that there was little uncharted territory before me. Sex could continue to be good, of course, but I don't run around expecting to be surprised anymore. Is that sad? Anyway...I have been proven wrong at the ripe old age of 26. I have seen the light. I have experienced what may have been sexual NIRVANA. I took home a cute boy, expecting a good light hearted roll in the hay and had THE BEST SEX OF MY LIFE. I can't quite define what it was about the experience that made it so grand...but I found myself completely and totally in the throes of absolute animal passion. And I may never be the same. I MAY never have sex again for fear that sex will never be this good. Perhaps, it was the excitement of embarking on a new adventure, or the simple thrill of the no strings attached visceral experience...but I lie awake thinking about this sometimes, still. I fell in absolute sex love.

And that was all it was, ladies and gents. One magical night (and long, lazy morning) of naughty, naughty joy. With which I'm totally fine and more so...glad that the memories I keep with me will go unmarred by whatever kind of person this gentleman might actually be. One of those experiences that completely took me by surprise, reminded me that I don't know as much as I think I do about the world, and most importantly, rocked my socks. I'm not posting this as a suggestion to go out and whore yourself around, friends. The lesson I learned is that there is a lot out there that we can't anticipate...and life surprises you all the time. I certainly am going about my business with an open mind and newly expectant loins. I encourage you to do the same. You never know...enlightenment could be just around the corner.

Kat: How Can It Be Wrong When It Feels So...Wrong?

2011-02-12T17:47:00.000-05:00

While planning this post, I was thinking about writing a clever rant about fast food and how terrible it is for you....then I realized that if you're already reading this, you're probably interested in healthy food and cooking for yourself. So, I'll save you the lecture* and get to the good stuff.

I have a couple of recipes up my sleeve to help me during times I'm craving take out. I love this recipe to replace Chinese, this entire website for Indian, and when it comes to pizza, nothing beats this crust.

On pizza night, I look in my fridge and pull out any vegetables that look like they're on their way out...Voilà!...interesting new toppings that you didn't even have to plan! Here's an example of a delicious combo that I threw together recently.

1 large leek
3 cloves garlic
1/2 eggplant
1 small can tomato paste
1 cup water

1. Prepare crust as directed
2. Saute leek, garlic, and eggplant until tender

3. Mix tomato paste with water. Spread on prepared crust
4. Scatter veggie mixture over sauce
5. Extra toppings:

Veggie option: fresh tomatoes

Meat option: cooked chicken sausage

6. Bake until crust is crisp

Note: I was out of cheese *gasp* when I threw this together, but it wasn't even missed it with this topping combo! Feel free to smother yours with the good stuff.

*I will however, let you take a look at this article that I have read recently and loved (thanks, bro!).

I'm looking for a few new anti-fast food recipes. Anyone know some good ones?

Jenna: How Can It Be Wrong When It Feels So...Wrong?

2011-02-12T10:08:00.008-05:00

What is it about doing something we know is bad for us that can be so enticing? We know there are healthy, delicious things to eat out there, but we really want a pint of Ben and Jerry's or a slice of pizza. We know we should go home early and rest up for work in the morning or study for that big exam, but can't resist that one cocktail that puts us over the edge. Or there's this boy that you know has trouble written all over him (sordid past, flighty present, slutty, commitment phobic, recently divorced, etc.) that is suddenly irresistible because you know he's so bad for you. Maybe it's just me...but sometimes nothing is better than that vaguely mischievous feeling of knowing you've done a bad, bad thing. I'd like to clarify that I'm not talking about bad things that hurt the feelings of others or cause general harm in the world. I'm talking about victimless crimes...things that you kind of grin and shake your head at simultaneously after all is said and done.

What exactly do I mean when I say I love to do the 'wrong' thing, you ask? To be honest, it's almost exclusively sex related. I could blame it on my inability to make a rational decision that might keep me from having sex, since I love sexy time so much. But it's not the same impulse that men have; that tendency to ignore reason completely in order to get laid. In my case, the added element of taboo (you work in my office, you're separated but not divorced from your wife, your own friends call you a slut, you're too young, you're too old...must I go on?) makes the situation much MORE exciting for me. Not only do I still want to do the wrong thing...but more so because there are probable negative consequences, albeit nothing life threatening. Screwed up right?

I don't know what it is about me that can't get enough of the wrong thing. Who's with me? Show me an emotionally unstable, hot mess of a guy and I'm instantly smitten. The less available they are, the more I want them...if only for a short while. It never takes long, however, for me to get a proverbial stomachache from eating a bunch of crap or making a series of poor romantic decisions...but I never seem to learn! And to be perfectly clear...it's not like I don't know what I'm doing. If I had a nickel for every time I said (out loud!) to another person that 'this is a bad idea', but proceeded to move forward anyway...I'd have a large, large pile of nickels. I could chalk it up to fear of actually succeeding at a relationship, a deeply rooted love for dramatic disaster, or a hint of emotional sadomasochism...but at the end of the day it certainly keeps things interesting.

Kat: Easy Like Sunday Morning

2010-10-04T16:26:00.000-04:00

I think it's a fact at this point; we are all ridiculously busy on a daily
basis. I could go into how I just want to drop everything right now
and move to Coasta Rica a al Toby Flenderson, but I'll save you from that.

Many people get caught up in their crazy schedules and don't take the time to think about food;
especially breakfast first thing in the morning. I constantly hear my friends and co-workers
talk about how they don't have time for breakfast, or even ::gasp:: that eating it will make them fat.

I call their bluff.

Number one, it is proven that eating a good
breakfast (not just coffee and a handful of cereal) jump-starts your
metabolism, thus you actually burn more calories throughout the
day. Just think about it; you haven't eaten for about 8 hours at the
time you wake up. Your body is in famine mode and tries to
conserve energy by storing fat. If you don't eat in the mornings, you are
encouraging your body to store the fat you ate the day before!

Now, I think the key to a successful breakfast (eating and eating healthfully) is planning ahead. Here are my three favorite easy breakfasts.

1) Oatmeal. It's fast, easy, delicious, nutritious, and the topping
possibilities are endless!

My standard cooking formula:
1/2 c. oats
1/2 c. soy/rice milk
1/2 c. water
1/2 banana, thinly sliced

Bring water, milk, & banana to a simmer. Stir in oats. Simmer until grain is cooked to taste.

More about oats

2) Eggs are always a favorite, but in lieu of grabbing a greasy egg
mcmuffin (HFCS much??), I like to make a crust-less quiche on my day off and stash it in the fridge so that I can have a delicious & quick egg sandwich on the weekdays...and a serving
or two of vegetables without even thinking about it!

Eggs (2 x's the number of days you plan to eat the dish, I usually do 8 eggs = 4 breakfasts)
2 cups of greens (kale or spinach)
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic
2 to 3 cups of veggies, chopped (I have used tomatoes, zucchini, squash, eggplant, bell peppers; basically whatever I have in the fridge!)

1. Saute garlic and onions in an oiled pan until onions are tender
2. Add all veggies except tomatoes, if you are using them. Saute until tender.
3. Add greens and saute until wilted
4. Add the tomatoes and saute for only 1 minute.
5. Pour mixture into an oiled baking dish.

6. Break eggs into a small bowl and wisk like you would for making scrambled eggs. Pour eggs slowly over the vegetables.

7. At this point, I would crumble some cooked bacon or cheese on top if I choose to use any.
8. Bake at 375* until eggs are browned on the top.
9. Let cook for 15 minutes, then cut into single servings and store in tupperware (in the fridge) for the week.

It's surprising how well the eggs keep! All you have to do is heat a serving in the oven for a couple of minutes while you're getting ready. Slap it on toast or an english muffin, and you're ready to go!

3) homemade granola:

I also make this ahead of time on my day off. During the week, I scoop half a cup of on some yogurt and eat!

5 cups rolled oats
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup ground flax seed
2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup canola oil
1 cup honey

1. Preheat oven to 325*
2. Combine oats, walnuts, seeds, coconut, flax, and pumpkin pie spice
3. In a small saucepan, combine honey and oil. heat on low and stir until thoroughly mixed
4. Pour oil mixture over oat mixture and stir until evenly combined
5. Spread onto two baking sheets and place in oven for 20/30 minutes....until browned
6. Let cool completely and then store in an airtight container

Jenna: Easy Like Sunday Morning

2010-10-04T15:41:00.004-04:00

I've been doing a lot of thinking on a difficult subject, lately. Since coming back from my trip abroad, I've been questioning a lot of decisions in my life, looking at relationships, job responsibilities, my world in general and searching for the passion and excitement I used to have for the world around me. The truth is, the change of perspective, that traveling warranted me...the necessity of standing on my own two feet and experiencing a completely new environment, awakened a sense of adventure inside of me that had been snoozing for quite some time.

So how does this relate to this post, 'Easy Like Sunday Morning'? I've been taking a long look at some of the situations in my life and have come to realize that I have fallen into the trap of doing what's 'easy' for me, and not necessarily what is making me happy. As this applies to relationships...I've been in one. One that's constantly sending me back to the drawing board and questioning whether or not it's the right thing. I care about this guy, we have a history, and there's no doubt that we've shared a lot in the years that we've known each other and dated off and on. There's something incredibly comfortable and easy about being with someone you know and who knows you very, very well. Someone with whom you don't have to make conversation all the time...that you can just make dinner and watch a movie with and sleep next to at night.

I started asking myself why I was with him. What I got out of the relationship. Did we enjoy the same things? Were we genuinely interested in one another's lives? Did we deal with difficulties and challenges like adults that are committed to making a relationship work? Did we love each other, really, after all this time? I couldn't answer any of these questions the way I knew, deep down, I should be able to. Unfortunately, difficult questions just don't have easy answers.

No doubt, I've gotten lost in the ease of it all. And even though I haven't been happy exactly for awhile...I've been too scared of the great unknown, the inevitable pain that comes from ending a relationship, and the fear of missing him to do anything about it. But a few months of looking at the bigger picture has led me to a different place. I have way too much living to do to take the easy road right now. I will choose happiness over just getting by. And even though it's scary not to know what lies ahead, I know I'll sleep better at night knowing I got myself out of an lukewarm situation.

Don't get me wrong...endings are sad, no matter what the circumstances are. But I'm done doing what's easy. I'm ready to pay attention to what will bring me passion and joy. I figure I'll start with my love life...and then take it from there.

Random Recipe of the Week: Two Bean Tempeh Stir-Fry

2010-09-30T08:17:00.008-04:00

Like every other stir-fry, this dish comes together very fast in the end, but the prep takes a few minutes. Prepare the tempe, sauce and chop all of your vegetables before you even heat up your large frying pan. The trick to a good stir-fry is to not over cook your vegetables!

1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 to 3 cups fresh green beans, trimmed and cut to about 2" pieces
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cooked beans (I used pintos, but you could try anything)
1 package tempeh
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup arrowroot starch (you can also use cornstarch)
2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tbsp olive oil

Prepare tempeh:
If you haven't used tempeh before, don't worry, it's easy to prepare (you could actually just eat it right out of the packaging) and it never fails to surprise me how delicious it is!

1. Bring a small pot of water to boil
2. Cut tempeh into 1/2" strips
3. Place tempeh into boiling water. Turn down temperature slightly and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Drain, then place in a heated & oiled frying pan.
5. Drizzle tempeh with a small amount of soy sauce
6. Saute for a few minutes on two sides. When browned, remove from heat.

Prepare sauce:
1. In a small bowl mix together water, tomato paste, soy sauce, starch, red pepper, and ginger. Set aside.

Start stir fry:
1. Heat large frying pan with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
2. When pan is hot, add onion and garlic. Saute for about 2 minutes.
3. Add the green beans. Saute for about 5 minutes (make sure they are still crunchy!)
4. Add tempeh, beans, and tomatoes. Stir to combine.
5. Pour in the sauce and stir to cover all the vegetables.
6. Let the sauce boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 4 minutes.
7. Take the pan off the heat. Let the dish sit for couple of minutes; the sauce will thicken.

You can serve this on top of noodles, rice, or any grain. I ended up serving it over some leftover spagetti squash, which I highly recommend! It added a little bit of sweetness to dish. Delightful!

Kat: Sabotage

2010-09-18T11:45:00.000-04:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again.....I get really anxious whenever I try a new recipe or culinary technique. I have taught myself to make yogurt, sushi, and I finally got into the swing of cooking meat after having been a vegetarian for eleven years. Even though most of my attempts turned out successfully, there are occasional few that do not; which totally ruin my confidence. Taking risks makes for an interesting life, and not letting your nerves sabotage your decisions is the key to confidence.

I've been avoiding cooking a whole chicken for about a year now, just because I am scared of failing and disappointing whoever will be joining me for dinner. My curiosity has gotten the better of me, however, and I finally took the leap. I now present to you my first ever attempt...

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (I used a free-range, vegetarian fed, antibiotic free 3.5 lb-er)
2 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic
1 tbsp salt & pepper
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp poultry seasoning (this mix included thyme, sage, marjoram, rosemary, pepper & nutmeg)

1. If your chicken is frozen, let it thaw in the fridge for two days
2. Preheat oven to 450*
3. Rinse chicken in cool water then pat down with a paper towel (this is supposed to remove most bacteria) & remove the bag of "stuff" from inside the chicken
4. Mix spices in a small bowl then get your hands dirty by massaging the outside of the chicken with butter and then again with the spice mixture

5. Place a small amount of butter inside the chicken along with the whole cloves of garlic
6. Put chicken on a lightly oiled baking or roasting pan
7. Cook for 15 minutes, then turn down the oven temperature to 350* and continue to cook for 20 minutes per pound of your bird

And the results after all of worried buildup...

...INCREDIBLE!

This was probably the best chicken that I've ever eaten in my life. The trick of cooking the bird on high and then lowering the temp worked like a charm; the skin was crisped to perfection. My boyfriend was completely overjoyed and could not stop 'mmmm'-ing through the entire meal.

To round out the feast, I sauteed some fresh kale leaves and tomatoes together with garlic and leeks.

Small culinary victories like this do wonders for my spirit. It encourages me to try new things and keeps me excited about teaching myself new tricks. Maybe someday I'll be able to pick up the spatula with the confidence and not worry about failure.

Question for the readers: What culinary technique intimidates you the most??

Jenna: Sabotage

2010-09-18T11:00:00.000-04:00

I have a definite tendency towards sabotaging myself...it's undeniable. I cut things off at the pass before they have a chance to truly get going. I undertake a personality my future roommate and I have coined as "crazy girl" and ask too many questions, make too many assumptions, and live out the beginning, middle, and sordid end of dating scenarios in my head before they have any chance to play themselves out in real life. I usually just make the decision that things are probably not going to work out anyway and it takes all of the pressure off my subsequent behavior. Which is defeatist and ridiculous in nature because I'm usually more scared of things actually working out than anything else. This nature is synonymous with neurotic Jew from Brooklyn with a fear of commitment. But I digress.

I was working on another internet date. Rather, an actual real life date with someone I'd been conversing with via the internet. I was still not paying for dating on the internet, but I hadn't given up on it completely, and being a part of the scene at the Onion personals isn't all that much to be ashamed of. As a matter of fact, this present prospect seemed kind of promising. He got in touch with me, we'd exchanged a few emails, the banter was good, and he seemed intelligent and confident. He earned brownie points for asking lots of questions and seeming interested in what I do as an artist. I'm kind of psyched to meet this dude, he seems pretty cool.

Enter dramatic irony. Or grand coincidence. Or the world being way too small sometimes. My online friend, in our correspondence, had been offering pertinent details about his life, as well. Including a general description of his job and the fact that he worked in Brooklyn. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say, from his description, I figured out that he worked for the same establishment as my mother. Not just at the same place, but in the same department/area/field...meaning that my mother MOST LIKELY had some kind of daily (or at least bi-weekly) interaction with this dude. Clearly, this is a fact that I must keep to myself. At least for now. Better to go out with the guy and see what's up before I get into the, guess what you totally know my mother nonsense. Not to mention the threat of guilt by association. But as the week and a half crawled by, I found my impatience getting the best of me. I wanted to know if my mother did, in fact, know the guy and, if so, what she had to say about him. Despite the fact that I knew I'd be opening a can of worms and unleashing my mother with this knowledge in the work place. Something I would probably regret. I knew it was a bad decision. I knew I should keep my mouth shut. But patience has never been among my virtues and the absolute worst thing about going on a 'blind' date is not having ANY idea what to expect. The uncertainty drives me INSANE. So, I break down and call my mom, explaining the coincidence and inquiring about the gentleman in question. She's uncertain of his identity (though she has a feeling who he might be and has only nice things to say), but confirmed that she'd do a bit of incognito reconnaissance. My mother is not the most subtle person. I beg and plead with her not to say or do anything that might imply that we've had the conversation we just had. I implore her on behalf of potential happiness. I know I've done a bad thing, one that I will probably live to regret. But I get bored without a challenge, and heaven forbid my mother should blow up my spot, the kind of guy I'm looking for would be able to laugh at the whole situation, right?

Maybe not. Maybe I'd just look crazy. Or my mom would look crazy. Or all of the above. Suffice it to say, the story never came to meaningful fruition and I actually never wound up going out with this guy. The point is that sometimes it's best just to let things lie. And not try to muck them up before they ever have a chance to play themselves out on their own. I really ought to stop betting against myself as far as these things are concerned...maybe then I'll have more control over the odds.

We're Bringing Sexy Back...

2010-09-16T18:37:00.006-04:00

Ladies and gentlemen...back by popular demand...is Table for One!

My sincerest apologies to all who have been anxiously awaiting our return. Much has changed, life does that thing where it moves too fast and you look back a year later and wonder what on earth has happened for the past several months.

We went on crazy vacations, Kat went back to school, I traveled the world (well, Greece and Israel, at least), and we're both having a grand old time. Growing up is weird, huh?

But we're back again this fall, with more crazy adventures and food for you to read all about. Some topic you'd like to see us cover? Zany suggestions? Things we can do to make this blog more fun for you to read? Email us at jenna.tableforone@gmail.com or kat.tableforone@gmail.com and let us know.

Get ready for a whole lotta table for one. Coming back atcha.

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Turkey Fritters

2010-07-21T13:47:00.006-04:00

So, I know that it's been a million years since Jenna and I have posted, but we promise to get back to it ASAP (if anyone is still reading!!).

To make up for it, here is a quick recipe that I was saving to post during the holiday season, but Eggland's Best beat me to it. Check it out on their website.

Spicy Egg Salad

2010-02-24T08:10:00.006-05:00

Hello ladies and gents! It's been awhile! Jenna and I are in the weeds of life; we're balancing a new apartment, new kitten, 1 full-time job, 2 part-time jobs, 1 Microbiology class, and countless rehearsals/performances between us. Can you guess who is doing what?! We hope to be back in the swing of things soon, so stay tuned!!

In the meantime, I am still cooking and enjoying delicious food. One of my favorite creations recently was made possible by Eggland's Best. EB and Foodbuzz sent me a sample of, what else, EGGS! EB attached a note that listed the benefits of their eggs verses "regular" ones. Their hens are fed a vegetarcian and all natural diet (which is good, because I refuse to by eggs that are not veggie fed). Since their diet is well-maintained, EB's eggs contain a higher nutritional value, including more Vitamin D (bones & muscles), B-12 (nervous system), A (eyes & tissues), riboflavin (energy), and healthy saturated fat (heart health). Sounds good to me, now let's see how they taste!

....delicious! I honestly couldn't tell a difference between EB and my regular choice of Trader Joe eggs, but then again, I didn't do a side-by-side taste test. These EB eggs definitely boiled very well and tasted delightful in this recipe:

Spicy Egg Salad

4 boiled Eggland's Best eggs, roughly chopped
1/3 cup low-fat mayo
2 tbsp mustard (i used TJ's garlic mustard)
1 tsp horseradish
1 carrot, shredded
1 stalk of celery, diced
2 green onions, chopped
handful of fresh parsley, chopped
sprinkle of cayenne pepper
salt & pepper to taste

1. Mix together all ingredients EXCEPT the eggs in a medium bowl.
2. Gently fold in eggs
3. Refrigerate until serving, but at least for 30 minutes.

I toasted some whole wheat bread and made sandwiches for lunch. They were delightful. The boyfriend and I couldn't get enough!

Kat: Pasta Salsa Soup

2010-01-12T21:26:00.006-05:00

The nice people at foodbuzz and pace sent me a couple of jars of salsa to try out...and I used them both so quickly that this is the only picture that I got of either jar! I used the first during my holiday potluck party in a recipe that I picked up from our college roommate, Rachel. Simple and the hit of the party....

1 jar of salsa
1/4 cup lite cream cheese
1 cup cooked black beans
-mix, heat through on the stove, serve and enjoy. Best. Dip. Ever.

THANKS RACH!!

I used the next jar in an experimental soup that turned out pretty damn delicious.

1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large carrot, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 cup vegetable stock
3 cups water
basil, hot pepper flakes, oregano, salt & pepper to taste
1 jar pace salsa
1 large tomato, chopped
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
2 cups cooked pasta

1. Saute onions and garlic in a splash of oil until translucent. Add carrots and celery, saute until tender.
2. Add water, stock, and spices. Simmer for 10/15 minutes.
3. Add salsa, tomato, and beans, heat through.
4. Add pasta then check seasoning.

This makes a LOT of servings....perfect for packing lunches!

I found the Pace salsa pretty yummy. It has a good texture, not too thick/not too thin, and it was very fresh tasting. I also loved that the medium actually had a kick to it....I usually find that I have to add hot sauce to most other brands. I like it hot!!

Kat: Jackpot

2009-11-17T01:29:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite feelings in the world is throwing together random ingredients from your almost-bare kitchen and making a surprisingly delicious meal out of what you considered nothing. This is one of those JACKPOT! moments...

Artichoke & Carmelized Onion Pasta

1 can artichoke that has been sitting in your pantry for about a year, drained and halved
1 onion, chopped in large pieces
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/3 cup veggie stock or water
1 cup chopped tomatoes
3 tbsp chopped olives
Cooked Pasta for however many people you are feeding (I used TJs tricolor egg ribbon pasta)
Dash of soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and basil
Salt & pepper to taste

1. Caramelize onion by sauteing it in 2/3 tbs EVOO over low/medium heat for about 15/20 minutes. Cover while the onion is sauteing and make sure to stir occasionally.
2. Add artichokes and heat through.
3. In a small bowl, combine tomato paste and stock (or water), stir until paste has dissolved
4. Add the paste mixture, tomatoes, olives, soy sauce, pepper flakes, and basil and to the onions
5. Simmer for about 5/10 minutes, add salt & pepper to taste
6. Serve over pasta and enjoy

Another Jackpot recipe that happened to turn out on the same night....an easy whole wheat baguette. Usually, baking with yeast scares me, but this was fairly easy to put together.

Whole Wheat French Baguettes

1 envelope dry yeast
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 c warm water
4 c whole wheat flour
1 egg
splash of water

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast, sugar, salt, and warm water. Let stand for 10 minutes
2. Stir in flour. Turn out onto floured surface. Knead for 10 minutes (adding more flour if dough is too sticky)
3. Put dough in a clean bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 45 minutes)
4. Turn dough out onto a floured surface, pat flat, and dust with flour. Fold in half and then fold in half again. Return to bowl and let rise for 30 minutes
5. Turn dough out onto floured surface and divide into 4 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball and let rest for 5 minutes
6. Shape each ball into an oval and roll up like a jellyroll. Place on greased baking sheet. Let rise until almost doubled
7. Beat together egg and water. Brush each loaf with the mixture
8. Bake at 450* for 20 ro 25 minutes

Jenna: Jackpot

2009-11-17T01:27:00.002-05:00

I got a new job! Well, an additional job, actually...but never mind the details. The point is that I'm working in a whole new environment which is a great thing for many reasons. The more obvious among them are that I'm now employed at a multi-purpose arts venue in Brooklyn doing things that I'm passionate about and stimulated by (namely producing/marketing/performing in various types of theater and events). I'd say that this kind of initial excitement and promise of new experiences is better than sex, but you know I'd be lying.

'Oh no!', you must be thinking, 'How will our girl Friday find time to juggle two jobs and still have time to have hilarious dating experiences and blog about them?' The answer? These things are not as mutually exclusive as they appear. Among the other perks of this new job is the fact that this venue is heavily trafficked by attractive people of all kinds doing all sorts of wonderful things. There's a cafe where cute and pensive freelancers come to have a coffee and get work done during the day, various performers rehearsing or having meetings, and lastly, a gym upstairs that houses a super intense physical training program. In short, I feel like I've hit the jackpot. All day long, while I sit at my computer, central to all of the action in the building (there's no office space, per say), I chat with super cute guys on their way to or having completed a very strenuous workout. Id be lying if I said this wasn't a huge turn on and welcome distraction in my workday. Its true, I'm aware of the old adage warning about shitting where you eat, but my defense is that I only really eat there part time...how much harm could it do? Besides, there's nothing wrong with looking...and engaging in a bit of friendly conversation.

Plus, being employed in a publicity/marketing related capacity gives me an excuse to socialize, not to mention some relevant things to talk about. Not to mention a sense of ownership and confidence in the space. It excites me that the pool of people I interact with on a daily basis has suddenly expanded. Even if the focus isn't always romantic, it's fun to maximize the number of somewhat meaningful interactions I have throughout the day. I've already met a score of cool, new people which is always key when looking to expand your social pool, dating or otherwise. Of course, I'll have to focus on doing a good job too...but there's no reason I shouldn't get to flirt with some cute boys along the way. Especially when they happen to be everywhere I look. And some of them are sweaty.

I've definitely hit the jackpot.

Guest Post: Macro 101

2009-11-14T20:39:00.005-05:00

By: Marisa Marinelli of Cooking Macro the Italiano Way

Let's start with: What's Macro? I usually get a response from people "Macro like Big?"

Yes! I'm talking Big, Great, Larger than Life. How about a GREAT-LIFE! How about we talk about Macrobiotics, in standard definition meaning "Living a Great Life."

At 26 years old I've seen enough doctors, needles, and medications than anyone should in their lifetime. You would never know it because five years ago I found a practice and a belief that would save my life. I discovered Macrobiotics. You may have heard that word before used vaguely, or some might associate it with being a stereotypical "hippie" life style. Believe me when I say I've never been a hippie. I'm more like the brainy beauty queen who wants world peace. Some of you might think macrobiotics is a strict diet where you eat seaweed off the beaches. "Um, yuck!" I'm here to clear some of these stereo-types that macrobiotics has been given. I'm here to say that because of this practice I'm alive today, and living HAPPILY and HEALTHY.

So, what is Macrobiotics? Is it a diet or a life-style? Well I say it's finding Balance with in both. Let's think scientifically for just a minute. For those who believe in the "Big Bang Theory," the world was created one day with one big burst of energy. Everything we are, to everything we eat is made up of energy. Energy moving up, energy moving down, energy expanding, contracting, etc. Have we ever stopped to think about what kind of energy we are putting into our body when we think about the food that we eat? When you eat something like a steak and pour salt all over it (contracting), don't you usually get really thirsty after that? And what do you crave, maybe mashed potatoes or french fries (expanded).

Expanded and Contracting are two types of energy that in Macrobiotics are considered Yin and Yang. I don't want to get into the scientific details too much because that would be boring. I'm sure what you really want to know is how all this knowledge and balancing act saved my life five years ago. I'm here to explain briefly how a diet that consist of Whole Grains, Non-animal source of protein, Leafy Greens, Fruits and Root Vegetables, and yes a little sea vegetables can actually put your body back into Balance.

Whether you are over-weight and just can't seem to shed the pounds, or if you have a serious illness which is preventing you from living a fulfilled life, or even worse if you're life is a risk, please know that most likely it's due to what we are eating. The quality of the foods that we put in our body can actually cause our bodies to attack themselves -- All auto-immune diseases fall into this category. Sometimes cells begin to over produce rapidly and can not be killed off -- Cancers are formed. And sometimes we can over-simulate our bodies with processed chemicals such as sugar and drugs where we can give our-selves heart attacks and strokes.

Food is the answer to a Great Life!

Without going into too much of the scientific of food energy, I want to provide a starting point for people. We all know changing your diet is probably the hardest thing anyone will try to do in their life-time. Avoiding sugar? I think I can probably convince more people to sell their souls to the devil. Here are my top Five suggestions in starting to make some changes in your life. I call them "Marisa's Suggestions for a Road to a Better Life"

#1 -- AVOID ALL SUGARS! This does not necessarily include natural sweets such as fruits, honey, and pure maple syrups. And who say anything about avoiding desserts. Eat away! In fact, most Americans don't even realize how their taste buds have been tainted so much with poor chemical sugars that we can no longer taste the natural sweetness of desserts. For more info and recipes I can be contacted at a later date. ;) Basically you're torturing yourself by doing this because sugar is not a natural product. It is "man-made." Sugar canes are cut down, grated and heated at a very high temperature which causes it to crystallize. Our bodies do not have the capability of breaking down this material therefore we store it as fat. The reason we crave so much sugar is because it's a glucose. We all need glucose in our bodies to give us fuel. However, this fuel is a very poor quality. We eat that snickers bar and an hour later we're crashing on the floor. We need to eat substances with a complex carbohydrate that will provide with a complex glucose molecule that will be used slowly and not burned off quickly. You might also have heard of this refereed to as an "empty-calorie".

#2 -- EAT ORGANIC - HORMONE FREE FOODS. Yes it's true that many people who are macrobiotic do not eat animal meat. The reason is because it's extremely hard to digest in our bodies and can cause acid in the blood. However, some people (and this is very individual) need more protein in their daily lives. Us who are very active is not going to get what we need from a salad. Fish is an excellent source of protein for the body. Other forms of protein are soy, beans, and even sea vegetables. I know how difficult it is to cut out meal completely. My suggestion is to cut-back meat and replace it with a more variety group of protein. And most importantly, when you do eat meat, it must be FREE-RANGED, AND GRASS FEED.

#3 -- EAT A VARIETY OF FOODS. Especially for those out there who are not trying to recover from severe illness and are just trying to make it through the day. Maybe you live in Manhattan like I do and we all know how much stress we are surrounded by. We are just looking for ways to feel better. The best thing you can do is eat something different every day. Always try to eat a whole grain every day. Bread is NOT a whole grain. Brown Rice, Millet, Quinoa, Barley, Oats. Bread and pasta are processed grains. Okay on occasion but not going to cut it for 7 days a week. Always try to eat a Vegetable with your meal and this means a green leafy vegetable and maybe something that's round or root. Be adventurous try new recipes. Home cooked meals are the best way to go. If you always eat something different every day and try to eat as much vegetables as you can you will always be fill of proper nutrients and energy.

#4 -- AVOID DAIRY -- 95% of people in this world do not possess the enzyme necessary to break down casin (which is found in dairy). It's stored in our bodies as fat and causes acidity in the blood. Just avoid it as much as possible, you might find out you don't even miss it.

#5 -- DIET IS NOT ENOUGH -- People, especially those who reside in large cities, are just so incredibly busy today. Working a corporate 9-5 job, or an artist trying to get a big hit, or single parents trying to raise children. We can get so wrapped up in the daily grind that we never stop to think about ourselves. When was the last time you asked your body "how are you feeling today? tense or relax?" I'm going to guess the answer is tense and stressed. We can't avoid stress in our life but we can learn how to handle it. Take time for yourself everyday! Read a book, take a bath, do some yoga, meditate and put your mind at peace. It's so important to constantly bring your body back to balance physically. As important as food choices are they can't solve everything when you can't even sit down peacefully and breath. There needs to be a balance between work and play. Who says you can't have fun when you get older...listen to your body.

Thanks for reading today and hopefully letting me inspire you. You can do it!

Ask me more about my experiences and guidance by emailing me at MACROMARINELLI@GMAIL.COM.

Have a peaceful day!

Random Recipe of the Week: Pumpkin Pancakes

2009-11-13T12:05:00.000-05:00

You had me at pumpkin....

....just looking at this can makes me drool.

OMG. I have been converted. I make pancakes every weekend, and I admit that I have....until now....always used a packaged mix. Trader Joe's Multigrain Pancake Mix was my favorite. I fell for it because it's packed with whole grains and is super quick and easy to make.

I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com last week. I made a couple of substitutions for things I didn't have on hand (pumpkin pie spice for the all spice, canola for vegetable oil, and rice vinegar for regular vingear). The best part was that it only took 5 more minutes to throw together than pre-packaged mix, but the difference was immedeatly obvious! The pancakes were light and fluffy and you can really taste all the different spices in the batter...it was fantastic.

Did I mention that I grew up in the PUMPKIN CAPITOL OF THE WORLD, Morton, IL? Some of my most vivid memories as small child was attending the Pumpkin festival which is held every fall. I just looked at the schedule for this years festival; I wish I could have been at this tent:
"Pumpkin Delight Tent: featuring pumpkin ice cream served in cones or dishes, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin fudge, pumpkin chili, and pumpkin pie"
...This is my heaven.

Guest Post: Who wears the (sweat)pants in your relationship?

2009-11-08T23:12:00.003-05:00

Written by Mara Weinberg (Guest Blogger)

Who wears the (sweat)pants in your relationship?

In my case that would be me. Heck come to think of it my current boyfriend and previous guys I’ve dated would probably look better in a mini skirt and tube top than I would anyway (minus my c-cup rack of course). I’m 21 years old and through my 7 years of dating I have ALWAYS been heavier than the guy that I was dating. From the first to the current, that has simply been the trend, some girls have skinny jeans, I have skinny guys. Growing up I was always the chubby one. In my defense, I’m big boned, pleasantly plump, and simply have some stubborn baby fat that just doesn’t want to leave. I would always joke around with my friends saying “Ya know if I was only a few inches taller this (pointing to my tummy and thighs) wouldn’t even be an issue, I’d be a supermodel!” The truth is, I have grown as tall as I’ll ever be (unless you want to consider stilettos) and I’ve come to embrace my curves.

At times dating was a bit difficult as I was always looking for clothes most flattering to my figure, and hey let’s face it the “muffin top” was never really “in”. I would dread going shopping and looking at what size I was that month. My weight would always fluctuate between ten and fifteen pounds over the years, and after all that time I have finally decided to do something about it. I have joined Weight Watchers and have started a walk/jog routine with a close friend to get to a “better weight“. I have been on this routine for the past 7 weeks and have lost a total of 5 pounds so far. This may not seem like a lot to some people but to me it means a lot. To see the numbers go down on the scale little by little every week feels great.

I am currently in school to become a police officer and in order to do so I must pass a physical test. This test includes climbing over a fence, running up and down stairs, a push/pull exercise, running laps etc. I did not pass the first time around and I was crushed. I am now motivated more than ever to lose weight and to be in shape. Over the course of the past few weeks I have learned that I didn’t have to give up foods that I loved just simply eat them in moderation. Although at times counting calories, and tracking points is a bit annoying, it works. This program not only teaches you what are the good things to eat but also trains you in a way to stay away from things that are a waste. For example, a simple grilled cheese sandwich, when made with white bread and a slice of American cheese would ordinarily be 6 points, where as if you make a grilled cheese with a slice of weight watchers American cheese and two slices of weight watchers whole wheat bread it would only 2 points. (This may seem like gibberish to many but there’s a point system thing, you have a daily points allowance yadda yadda yadda)

Back to the dating aspect of things. Am I simply attracted to skinny guys? Deep down do I secretly like having the extra rolls on me in the relationship? Do I LIKE wearing the sweatpants in the relationship? The answer to all those questions is absolutely not. Out of all the guys I have dated I can’t remember one ever making a comment about my weight. There have been times where I have asked them, and the response would be something along the lines of, “as long as your comfortable”, “you’re just fine the way you are”, ”you could lose a few if you really wanted to”, and finally one I will never get tired of hearing from my current oh so lovely and charming boyfriend, “in my eyes you’re perfect no matter what”. So with that last comment stated you might think, “hey why work at this weight thing now? He really does love you no matter what, who cares if you lose weight?”

Since being in this positive and happy relationship for over a year now I have learned a lot about myself and just about life in general. I have learned that if you want to do something, you have to do it for yourself. Sure you can have motivation from a partner, friend, or family member, but first and foremost you have to want it for you. If you want it bad enough for yourself you can do it. Being in a relationship such as the one I am in now is probably the closest I can get to having my own personal motivational speaker next to me at all times. He pushes me when I want to be pushed, he’s positive when I’m having a bad day or week, and he’s there for me and supports me in absolutely every sense of the word.

It has been challenging too in many ways to be so open with my boyfriend about this because I know that he has never had to deal with being overweight and doesn’t really understand what it feels like not to be able to fit into a pair of jeans, not to mention he’s a guy so its always an emotional rollercoaster for us girls. Honestly, that used to drive me crazy! I didn’t understand how he could sit there and talk to me about my weight when he really didn’t know what I was going through, but as I sat back and actually listened he wasn’t trying to lecture me about eating better or telling me how beautiful I was he was just being there. He was being that supportive rock that I needed in my life so I wouldn’t get so down on myself, a sweet, 6”4’, handsome, nice and slender rock, my rock.

So now I can ask that question again, who wears the sweatpants in your relationship, and for me, I can proudly say that’s me, because I don’t need that mini skirt or dress or tight pair of skinny jeans to make me feel pretty cause I love my curves.

Guest Post: Thanksgiving Tips and Recipes

2009-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

By: Amie Valpone, HHP, AADP Culinary Nutritionist and author of The Healthy Apple, www.thehealthyapple.com

The turkey table can be a real challenge if you are watching your waistline. This holiday harvest feast ranks in extra, unnecessary calories through mindless snacking and miscellaneous extras. By simply cutting back and replacing these extras with healthy substitutes, you can enjoy your turkey and fixings guilt free. With a little pre-planning and commitment to moderation, Thanksgiving doesn’t have to sabotage your healthy lifestyle. Here are a few of my tips for staying fit and healthy without depriving yourself.

Get Active.

Make fitness a family adventure; take a walk after dinner or play a game of tag football in the yard with the kids. Give a helping hand around the kitchen, offer to help set the table and clean the dishes after dinner.

Eat Breakfast.

Don’t save up on calories by skipping the most important meal of the day; be sure to eat a protein-packed breakfast that will hold you over until it’s time to dive into the turkey. Try a poached egg with whole grain toast or a bowl of oatmeal with chopped nuts and cinnamon; this will ensure you are not starving when you arrive at the feast.

Lighten Up.

It’s easy to experiment and create healthier versions of your favorite comfort foods with less fat, sugar and calories. Here are a few of my turkey tips for how you can reduce your caloric intake and become aware of your food consumption. All it takes is a pantry makeover of your family’s favorite recipes to reduce the ‘bad’ fats and empty calories, replacing them with healthy and nutritious fats and fiber-filled foods.

How to Navigate the Turkey Table- Thanksgiving Survival 101

Moderation is the key; if you cannot control the ingredients in your feast, simply limit yourself to a smaller portion as many side dishes are loaded with hidden fat and sugar.

Use chicken broth in lieu of butter in mashed potatoes
Instead of 1 whole egg, crack open 2 egg whites
Cook stuffing outside the turkey to lower the fat content
Substitute nonfat Greek plain yogurt for cream in green bean casserole
Ditch the sweet potato casserole and reach for a sweet potato (eat the skin too). These spuds are full of vitamins, fiber and flavor…drizzle with honey and top with Greek yogurt and dried cranberries.
Skip the butter on veggies and steam them with a drizzle of freshly squeezed lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of ground flax seeds.
Replace processed cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries; create your own unique chutney or salsa.
Opt for a turkey rub made from olive oil, thyme and sage instead of butter.
Replace white breads and white bread stuffing with whole grain bread and hearty side dishes such as a wild rice pilaf tossed with asparagus, apples and Dijon mustard.
Don’t swear off desserts, allow yourself a few bites and keep your portions in check. Choosing fruit is safe way to cure your sweet tooth instead of reaching for mom’s cheesecake.
Substitute agave nectar or stevia for refined sugar.
Opt for whole wheat flour over white.

Control Your Portions.

Be conscious about what you are putting into your mouth; sit back and take a sip of water or seltzer after a few bites to ensure you don’t overeat. Enjoy the harvest flavors; this is what Thanksgiving is all about, it’s more than just food, it’s about gratitude, family and community. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full, so savor your food, drink water in between bites and slow down. Give your mind a chance to catch up with your body and stop when you are full.

Overall, when Turkey day arrives, be sure to have a plan set; make smart choices, eat in moderation and keep moving. Most importantly, don’t forget that Thanksgiving is about much more than Aunt Suzie’s mashed potatoes and Grandma’s pumpkin pie. It’s about community, family and giving thanks, after all, these are the things that stay with us after the turkey leftovers have disappeared.

Thanksgiving Favorites

Recipes

Roasted Root Veggies

Ingredients

4 large onions
5 large parsnips
5 large carrots
2 large zucchini
1 medium butternut squash
2 Pinky Lady apples
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
¼ tsp. star anise
½ tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
Dash of sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Chop onions, parsnips, carrots, zucchini, butternut squash and apples into 1” thick chunks.
Transfer chopped vegetables and apples into a large roasting pan; drizzle with olive oil, add rosemary, cinnamon, star anise, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and pepper; gently toss to ensure even coating.
Bake for 1 hour or until onions are translucent and all vegetables and apples are tender.

Mushroom Macadamia Nut Stuffing

Ingredients

1 lb. macadamia nuts
3 Tbsp. olive oil
3 Tbsp. vegetable broth
3 cups onions, chopped
2 cups leeks, chopped
2 cups baby Portobello mushrooms, sliced
5 slices whole grain bread, sliced into crouton-size pieces and toasted
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup golden raisins
2 Tbsp. sunflower seeds
½ tsp. coriander

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
On a baking sheet, bake macadamia nuts and sesame seeds for 10 minutes, or until toasted and fragrant.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and vegetable broth until hot. Add onions and let cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Slowly add leeks and mushrooms.
In a large mixing bowl, combine macadamia nuts, coriander, sunflower seeds, mushroom mixture, cranberries, raisins and toasted bread cubes.
Stuff stuffing into the turkey or transfer to a casserole dish. If using as a turkey stuffing, bake according to turkey directions. If using as a casserole, bake for 30 minutes or until browned and completely cooked.

Pumpkin Orange Bread Pudding

Ingredients

12 slices stale bread, crust removed and cut on the diagonal
2 Tbsp. freshly grated orange zest
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/3 cup canned pumpkin
3 cups milk
5 eggs
½ cup sugar
2 tsp. honey
¼ tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter, melted and cooled
2 tsp. ground flax seeds
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. all spice

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Create three layers of bread in an 8 x 8 baking pan sprayed with baking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk orange zest, juice, ground flax seeds, pumpkin, honey, milk, sugar, butter, eggs, butter, cinnamon, all spice and salt; mix well. Pour over the bread layers and let sit for 45 minutes.
Bake for 1 hour or until top is browned and edges and middle are set.
Serve warm.

Turkey Leftovers?

Try this Tasty Turkey Chili when you can’t face another turkey sandwich. Simply toss remaining turkey leftovers into this deliciously spicy chili. This recipe packs a hearty punch of protein with the addition of white beans and a powerful boost of antioxidants from the veggies.

Tasty Turkey Chili

Ingredients

2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 cup broccoli, cooked and chopped
1 can (19 ounces) white beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups shredded leftover turkey
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. brown sugar
½ tsp. crushed red pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. whole wheat flour
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 cup brown rice, cooked
1 tsp. lemon juice
½ tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. black pepper
Optional Toppings: Nonfat Greek yogurt, low fat cheese, chives

Directions

In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook garlic, onion, broccoli and green pepper in olive oil for 7-9 minutes or until softened.
Slowly add turkey, beans, flour, chili powder, cumin, lemon juice, brown sugar, honey, salt and pepper; mix well. Add broth and continue to stir.
Bring to a boil over medium heat; reduce to a simmer for 25 minutes.
Serve warm with a dollop of nonfat Greek yogurt, low fat cheese and chives.

Kat: The Morning After

2009-11-05T21:53:00.001-05:00

This post is my love song to oatmeal.

I discovered oats as a breakfast choice about a year ago. Actually, "discovered" is the wrong word. I ate my fair share of those single serving sugar-drenched oatmeal packets as a kid; I vividly remember fighting over the strawberry packet from the variety box with my brother, and wanting to die when there was only banana or blueberry left. Nowadays, I don't think I could digest that much sugar in one sitting, and I think those things should not even be considered food, but I digress.

Oatmeal is by far my breakfast of choice. I eat it almost every morning and love every bite. My boyfriend looks at me like a crazy person when I dive into what he considers the exact same breakfast day after day. I think he is crazy for underestimating the possibilities of this warm, nutritious, and delicious food.

I generally rotate between three varieties of oats; steel cut (Irish), quick-cooking (Old Fashioned), and oat bran. Each have different textures and cooking times. Here's what I have learned from my Year of Oats:

Steel Cut
The inner part of the oat kernel and the least processed of the oats, making them chewier (in a good way!) and lengthening the cooking time
15/20 minutes to cook

Quick Oats
The oat is flattened, giving the kernel more surface area, thus shortening the cooking time
About 5 minutes to cook

Oat Bran
The finest texture of all three; produces what I consider a porridge-like consistency
Takes 5/10 minutes to cook

I use the same formula for cooking no matter which oat I choose:
1/2 c. oats
1/2 c. soy/rice milk
1/2 c. water
1/2 banana, thinly sliced

Bring water, milk, & banana to a simmer. Stir in oats. Simmer until grain is cooked to taste.

After the cooking is done, the creativity begins! When I first began eating oats this way, I had to mix in a lot of fruit, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla in it to make it sweet enough (like training wheels!). Now, I usually don't put much more than almond butter and a sprinkle of chia seeds or ground flax. Here are some variations:

The basic: steel cut oats topped with ground flax and a spoonful of almond butter

Steel cut again with frozen raspberries (my trick is to put 1/2 cup still frozen berries on the bottom of my bowl, and then pour the hot oats on top...this instantly thaws the berries and cools the oats down enough to start eating!), chia seeds, and almond butter.

Oat bran with ground flax and pecans

My all time favorite...pumpkin oats! Right before I take the cooked oats off the stove, I stir about a 1/2 cup of pumpkin and heat through. This is topped with chia and pumpkin seeds.

Oh, and I almost forgot, oats are good for you too! They are a great way to lower bad cholesterol and are good sources of both fiber and iron.

Bon Appetit!

Jenna: The Morning After

2009-11-05T21:50:00.001-05:00

Scene:

Bright beams of morning light stream through the unshuttered window and my heavy eyes open slowly. Vision bleary, head aching from lack of sleep and hydration, I quickly take account of my surroundings. This is not my bed. This is not even my borough. I am sleeping in someone else's old tshirt and I have no idea where the closest subway is. Where do I have to be today? When do I have to be there? Can I be wearing the same thing I wore last night? My whole day is turning into a walk of shame and I haven't even left the bed yet.

On the other hand, I'm being spooned, quite comfortably, this bed is warm, and I don't really mind the guy snoring softly in my ear, at present. Our feet are touching and its kind of sweet. Last night was fun, and though I know we don't have a morning's worth of conversation in us, I don't exactly want to dine and dash. Maybe I'll just lay here for awhile until he wakes up and we both start to feel a little awkward. Plus, I need directions to the train. I think I might be in Queens.

So riddle me this. How do you handle the morning after with someone you don't know that well? For you snarky people out there who answered "don't go home with them"...when was the last time you had some fun? You should try it sometime, asshole. I am open to actual ideas though. I sleep out a lot. I don't always have the sex when I spend the night with someone, however. I'm not that bad. But for the last few years, I've lived in one of the most geographically undesireable locations in all of New York when it comes to getting home late. I'm moving soon...which will change a lot of things, but that's a subject for another blog. Based on this fact, though, I have seen my share of apartments in this city (and several outer boroughs) by the grey light of morning. And its usually fine, but there is a bit of discomfort in knowing what to do next. A lot of the mystery is gone, obviously. It somehow cheapens the experience to discuss sports, the weather, or what i studied in undergrad when I was enjoying the throes of passion mere hours before. Its a little too late for first date banter, now. But its not as if this guy is my insta-soulmate, either. I don't want to tell secrets or discuss my plans for the future. So what's the happy medium here?

General conversation topics I find safe are adorable pets may have sighted, books that appear on his bedside table, how much he pays for the big and or convenient apartment he lives in, etc. Nothing too complex. You can always get into the whole "I had a really great time last night", which can transition into an early morning repeat performance if you both fancy it. Depending on how much I like the guy and if I still look like a human by the light of day, I might try my hand at charm. A little "Good morning sunshine," never killed anyone and worst case scenario, I look dorky. I try to avoid saying things like..."Man, was I wasted last night. That got out of hand."...but I'm not always successful.

If you're like me and don't like to chit chat early morning, you'll pretend to be asleep (or go back to sleep) til your new friend wakes up and invent somewhere cool you have to be fairly soon. It makes you seem important and in demand. Sometimes, I actually have something important to do...in which case this day is fucked. But I will smirk to myself about it, probably call a friend or two to brag, and be generally more satisfied with my actions than I would like to admit. Not to mention relaxed.

And the long train ride home gives me just enough time to collect my thoughts, take out my smart phone, and blog about it :). Mission accomplished.

Mediterranean Things I Love

2009-10-24T00:52:00.000-04:00

The Art...

The Beaches....

The Boys...

and the FOOD!

I have to share my new obsession: Dedemed.com. This blog has all the Mediterranean recipes that I've always wanted to try, in one fabulous place. Some of them seem a little complicated (homemade baklava anyone!?!) but one of the cool things is, there are videos for every recipe.

The first thing I made was Baba Ghanoush. IT WAS DELICIOUS. I've never really liked baba ghanoush from resturants (I guess I thought that I was more partial to hummus), but seriously this knocked me on my ass. I loved every second of eating it. Putting it together was insanely easy and the recipe only calls for four main ingredients (eggplant, lemon juice, garlic, & tahini) plus spices that you most likely have on hand all the time. Throw everything in a blender, put some pretty garnish on it, and VOILA! One of the most delicious things you'll ever eat.

Hummus
If you read my very first post, you already know that I love hummus. I've tried making it once before (can't remember which recipe that I used) but it was disgusting. I was a little hesitant to try Dede's recipe because I still feel a little scared from my last experience, but after that delightful baba ghanoush, I was tempted to give it a try....

....and I'm so glad that I did! IT IS FANTASTIC! Lindi and I polished off the whole plate in about 4.5 seconds. I am scared to keep chickpeas in the cabinet because I will eat it constantly.

Here's a Mediterranean dish that I pieced together from a few different recipes:

Stuffed Cabbage

1 lb fake "ground beef" (or real, if that's what you're into)
1 head of cabbage
2 servings brown rice
1 carrot
1 leek
1/2 large onion
4 cloves garlic
handful of parsley
1 can diced tomatoes (with juice)
shredded cheese (garnish)

LARGE dash of each:
cayanne
curry powder
corrinder
cumin
paprika

1. Trim off stem of cabbage (I almost cut my entire hand off doing this....be careful) & boil as a whole for 30 minutes.

2. Get rice cooking
3. Pour out hot water and rinse cabbage in cold water to cool it off
5. Remove large outside leaves from the head an reserve for later, chop the rest

4. Saute chopped onion, cabbage, leek, garlic, carrot, & fake (or real) meat together
5. Mix in cooked rice
6. Stuff the filling (about 1/3 cup) into into the large cabbage leaves and roll
7. Place rolls into a baking dish and cover with sauce and cheese

(I can't believe I call myself a foodie and I don't own a 9 x 13 baking pan....how amateur)

8. Bake until cheese is bubbly (about 15 minutes)

Not exactly pretty....but delicious!!!

Jenna: Things I Love

2009-10-24T00:51:00.000-04:00

I love going out with a mission. I love manipulating a situation so that I accomplish exactly what I set out to do, especially when my mission involves making out. One of my favorite things to do is to get dressed up all fancy for a night on the town with some friends (and friends of friends), throw caution to the wind, and charm somebody new. It's one of those fun things about being single...the ball is always in your court if you have a clear vision of what your immediate goals are. I love having a stimulating conversation with someone new, the thrill of the chase, and making myself blush with unapologetic flirtation.

I love brushing fingertips seemingly by accident. And kissing on the street. I love making every attempt to be charming and having someone silence my nervous banter with their bedroom eyes. I love looking closely at somebody's face, trying to remember the best details for future reference. I love being the little spoon. Or holding hands. And being a big softie on the inside, despite my outward appearance. I love feeling close to someone else, when everything is still exciting and brand new. That way you find yourself grinning for no reason for a little while...and no matter how long that lasts, it's unbeatable right then.

Think about the first time you really fell for someone else. It's hard for me to remember sometimes, having lived a little, been hurt, grown up, and realized more and more that people aren't perfect most of the time. I don't know if I'll ever put anyone up on a pedestal the way I did in my youth and be able to fall quite as I did before I knew better. It's a form of evolution and self preservation to protect our hearts from disappointment by talking ourselves out of hopelessly romantic notions. That moment before you think too hard though; when nothing but chemistry is surging through your veins and creates a sort of blissful euphoria...? I wish they bottled that shit.

Kat: Teaching Myself New Tricks

2009-10-22T23:23:00.000-04:00

About a year ago I was feeling pretty crappy. I got sick frequently, did not have a great deal of energy, and just felt gross. All I wanted was to feel better. I decided that I needed to start with the basics and eat healthier; because everyone knows if you put crap in, you're going to get crap out (is that really a saying!?!?)

My first step was to cut out processed foods. This was fairly easy for me since I was never a huge junk food eater, nor a soda drinker. Next, I amped up my fruit and veggie intake...also not very difficult for me since I loooove eating plants.

I once heard a nutritionist say "you can't get fat if everything you eat is cooked by YOU". Meaning that even if you eat similarly to what you would have at a restaurant, there is no way that you can pack as much crap into the food as they can...simply because you don't know how to. I took this to heart and was onto my next challenge: cooking the majority of everything I consumed all by myself....and learning to do it in a healthy and appetizing way.

This can seem like a pretty overwhelming task to take on, but it really doesn't have to be. When I started this process, I found it helpful to look at the things I already loved to eat (like pizza, canned soups, Chinese food) and tried to make that food myself at home. If I was craving pizza, I would make it at home with tomato sauce, cheese, and veggies on a pita. If I wanted soup for lunch everyday, I would make a big pot of it on sunday and save it to eat throughout the work week. Craving Chinese take-out? I've got a great recipe for you...

Eat-In Stir Fry

Sauce (got this off of All Recipes.com, but quadrupled the amount!):
1 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup cornstarch
4 teaspoon honey
2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Stir-Fry (be creative with the veggies...it's not a science!):
1/2 head broccoli
1 red bell pepper
handful of green beans, trimmed
1/2 zucchini
1 medium sized onion
3 cloves garlic
1 green onion
16 oz shrimp (you can replace with tofu or just ignore all together)

1. Roughly chop veggies
2. Mix sauce and set aside
3. Grill/saute shrimp in a separate pan until cooked
4. Saute onions for about 5 minutes and then add garlic, cook for 2 more minutes

(Sometimes I'm amazed my tiny stove hasn't died yet...)

5. Add rest of veggies and continue to cook for about 5 minutes
6. Add sauce and shrimp and heat through
7. Turn off heat and let sit (sauce will thicken) for a few minutes
8. Garnish with green onion & serve immediately over rice, or my favorite, soba noodles!

....this dish is just as delicious as take-out!!

Sure, I eat the "real" stuff every once in a while, but I consider it a treat. It feels great to like what you cook even more than what you can get from a resturant. Knowing what's going into your body feels pretty amazing, saves money, and it doesn't taste that bad either.

Jenna: Teaching Myself New Tricks

2009-10-22T23:22:00.000-04:00

I'd like to discuss a conundrum I've been faced with over the years. The thing about good sex with a partner is that (not all the time, but a lot of the time) it takes practice. So what's to be done when you're not in a regular, committed partnership and can't get in your sex practice time? If you're not getting it on the regular, I find it necessary to have a bag o' tricks up your sleeve to up your bedroom savvy. After all, knowledge is power, and sometimes you don't have luxury of time to figure out the combination to an enjoyable roll in the hay. I like to know what I'm doing in bed, know what makes me happy, an exactly how to communicate that to whoever is lucky enough to wind up in bed with me.

I'm not talking about the 69 hot sex tips you find in Cosmopolitan magazine every month that involve ice, propping yourself up on a pillow, or sticking food in strange orifices. You can't exactly show up in leather chaps on a second date. BUT, there is some research you can do on your own that makes you all the more ready to take an exciting plunge when the time is right.

We all know that masturbating is great. The whole world knows it. No surprises here. But as a woman, masturbating is incredibly crucial in helping you figure out the right formula for gettin' off. The more successful you are at knowing what tickles you right, the more likely you are to be able to communicate that to a partner and have a grand old time in the sack. Because let's be perfectly honest with ourselves. If you don't know how to crack your own code, you're going to have a hell of a time having a newbie figure it out on the fly. Of course, you have to be comfortable enough to make your point, but I think that kind of ownership over your sexual happiness lends itself to the necessary confidence. Plus a person who knows what they want and can communicate it gently and effectively makes their partner's job a whole lot easier and everything much more pleasurable for everyone involved.

What it boils down to is that good sex takes practice at first, no matter how connected you are to your partner. Knowing what you like in the bedroom and being able to openly and honestly share that with another person is 80% of the battle. The number one way to accomplish that is by doing a little recon on your own time and getting pretty damn comfortable with yourself. Plus, no one will deny that a bit of sassy assertiveness in the bedroom is totally hot.

I would like to state, for the record, that I always take the utmost precaution when having sex. Use condoms, people. Ain't nothing worth the stress of what comes from trusting anyone but yourself. And I stand by that. It's like my mom used to say for no good reason that I can discern, 'Herpes is forever.' Wear a condom when you have the sex.

And here are two amazing videos. I couldn't pick just one. They're both too brilliant.

Review: Nature's Pride Bread

2009-10-18T17:38:00.005-04:00

Nature's Pride recently sent me a sample of their new breads; 100% Whole Wheat and 12 Grain. A side-by-side comparison:

The whole wheat tasted pretty similar to other brands that I've tried in the past. Tasty, but nothing special.

The 12 Grain on the other hand, was surprisingly unique. The first thing I noticed was the the literal whole grains and nuts in the surface. Biting into a slice, it was hearty, crunchy, and a tad bit sweet.

I tried both in grilled cheeses, as toast, and as a vehicle for pumpkin butter. But, my favorite was as a sandwich, specifically with Lindsay's mock tuna salad. SOOOOOO good.

Kat: Seeing is Believing

2009-10-14T22:06:00.002-04:00

Let's cut to the chase....I did not BELIEVE this recipe was going to work until I SAW (and tasted) the results!! I came up with this gem after a chilly day at work (no one else seems to think that working in a 65* room is uncomfortable!). I knew that I wanted some comfort food (I LOVE traditional chili), but I also had some beautiful bell peppers and fresh wheat berries sitting on the shelf. Somewhere in the middle of my brainstorm Chili Chili in a Pepper was born!

I had never cooked with...or even tried...wheat berries before this meal. I was a little scared to throw an ingredient that I've never worked with before into a dish that I was making up on the fly. Thankfully, wheat berries are a delicious alternative to rice. Before you cook them, they look like this:

After you simmer them in water for about an hour or so, they turn chewy...a delightful combination of the taste of rice and the texture of fresh corn kernels. YUM.

I highly advise you to try asap!

Now to the main event:
Chili Chili in a Pepper

3/4 c. wheat berries, cooked
1/2 c. black beans, cooked
1/2 c. red kidney beans, cooked
1 large onion
2 large red bell peppers
1 serrano chili, diced (if you don't like spicy things, remove some/most of the seeds)
1/2 small zucchini, diced
1 c. tomatoes, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chili spice
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp cumin
dash red pepper flakes
handful of parsley, chopped
salt & pepper to taste

1. Cover beans & wheat berries (in separate pots!) with water and simmer until tender (about 1 hour)...you can also use canned beans if you don't have the time
2. Cut the tops off (reserve for later) of the red peppers and onion.
3. De-seed the peppers. Hollow out the onion like a pumpkin:

4. Pre cook the onion, peppers, and their tops on a baking sheet at 350* for 25 minutes
5. While they are cooking, saute onions and garlic in a bit of oil (2-4 minutes).
6. After the onion turns translucent add a pinch of salt, tomatoes, and zucchini. Saute for
two minutes then add the spices.
7. Add the chili, wheat berries, and beans. Stir well until everything is evenly coated with the spices. Saute for several minutes.
7. When peppers and onion are done pre-baking, take out of the oven and fill with the bean mixture.

8. Place back on the baking sheet, close up onion & pepper with their "lids" drizzle with a little oil, then bake for 30 more minutes

9. When the peppers and onion are soft, wilted, and easily pierced with a fork, they are done
10. Serve with chopped parsley, maybe some grated cheese, salsa....get creative!

I was really shocked how well this turned out. The taste of chili and roasted vegetables along with the texture of wheat berries was a unique and delicious combination. I'm so glad I took the leap and incorporated a new (to me) ingredient....from now on I plan to make a habit of expanding the horizons of my taste buds. Any suggestions???

Jenna: Seeing Is Believing

2009-10-14T22:00:00.000-04:00

I did it. I went on a date brought into action by the wonders of the internet. And ladies and gentlemen, I survived. Turns out I just had to bite the bullet and DO it. It wasn't even half bad...and the experience overall was a highly valuable one.

After a brief exchange (most of which was initiated by my colleague, Kat, because I was too busy bitching about the difficulty of beginning contact with anyone to actually do so), I agreed to meet an Internet Guy at a bar for a drink a few weeks ago.

The day was spent regretting this decision and worrying about how potentially embarrassing this whole situation could prove. As social as I am, I'm also pretty easily flustered and can prove an uncomfortable date. I have my theories about this which all lead back to a lack of confidence and probably fear of commitment...but that's another discussion entirely. Either way, I can't say I was exactly looking forward to my date, despite the fact that this is what I joined the cyber cruising community to accomplish in the first place.

I saw a show in Williamsburg at the Brick Theatre earlier that evening with a friend. The play was one of the more brilliant and thrilling pieces of theatre I'd seen in a long time (Infectious Opportunity, by James Comtois...who is probably a genius) and left me feeling refreshed, excited, almost giddy about all things life. I was truly intellectually and artistically stimulated, and it put me in great mind space to meet/talk to somebody new.

So I haul ass back to the city (I was still late, but this is indicative of who I am that someone should start getting used to sooner rather than later) to meet this guy for a drink. I am ready. Internet Guy was totally nice and we proved to have lots of things in common (he's involved in the arts as well) and carried on an excellent and lengthy conversation. He was a great sport about the meet a new person and go with it thing and we didn't have an awkward time of it at all. The unfortunate part is that despite all of these lovely aspects of him, I wasn't attracted to him in a way that made me want to be on a date. I would totally be friends with this guy and think he's awesome. Sometimes that spark isn't there though, and there's really not much to be done about it. Two bourbons later, we parted ways and said goodnight, mentioning what a nice time we'd had, but nothing more really. Though I got the feeling he wanted to hang out again.

He sent me a text the next day that I didn't know how to respond to, mentioning that he'd had a really nice time the night before. I chickened out and didn't respond...not wanting to have to break the news that I just wanted to be friends, and not even sure that it was an appropriate thing to do. What is the etiquette here? I figure most people aren't on dating websites and going out with others because they're looking for new friends...though I could be wrong. I wanted him to get the point without my having to come clean, of course, but I obviously also sort of ruined the possibility of us being pals with my negligence in responding to his communication. I feel bad, but it seemed like the gentlest option, and perfectly valid seeing as how we'd only met once. I probably should've emailed him. It would have been the brave and respectable thing to do.

But I never claimed to be a respectable woman. Though I must say, although I'm not about to focus on it, I haven't quite given up on dating via the interweb. And I've learned something new about myself. I win.

Kat: There's No Crying in Baseball

2009-10-05T19:07:00.011-04:00

I don't know if this happens to anyone else, but there is this horrifying time between grocery trips when all of my produce turns bad OVERNIGHT. I'm not joking. LITERALLY overnight.

I'm pretty good at assessing the veggie freshness situation in my fridge and adjusting meal plans/recipes to incorporate the things that are on their way out. I even did this last night and mentally noted that everything looked pretty solid. Then, I start making dinner tonight AND EVERYTHING WAS ROTTING. I swear I almost screamed. I hate food to go to waste, so what do I do? Cry? No. I sharpened my knife and turned those lemons into a delicious lemon meringue pie. : )

More specifically, I had a roasting extravaganza.

Exhibit A:

Red and yellow onions, parsnips, carrots, asparagus, and yellow squash.

All you need to do is preheat your oven to 350*, chop everything up into any size you like, drizzle with EVOO, salt & pepper to taste, and if you're feelin' sassy, sprinkle with Cajun spice.

Cook for about 30 minutes and toss halfway through.

End product:

I could live on roasted vegetables.

I also had a ton of garlic laying around, so I decided to throw one into the mix.

Just remove the excess leaves and and chop the tops off of all the cloves, like so:

Wrap in foil, and sprinkle a little EVOO on the bottom and top of the cloves. Bake for 30 minutes or until the garlic is soft.

You can then pluck a clove off and squeeze the garlic out. Spread it on bread, crackers, or just eat by itself. It pretty much the most delicious thing ever.

Lesson of the day: There's no crying in the kitchen. Unless you cut off a digit. Then I'll give it to
you.

p.s. Jenna, this is just to make sure you read my posts. I CUT MY HAIR OFF (time noted, waiting for a phone call)

Jenna: There's No Crying In Baseball

2009-10-05T19:00:00.002-04:00

I love playing games. Not emotional games that screw with peoples' heads or hurt somebody else...but child-like games played for sheer pleasure, fun, and excitement. The actress in me just loves a good round of make believe.

As a grown up, this has also manifested in a kind of joy for different sorts of games. The sexy kind. Don't worry, I'm not going to use this as a forum to tell you all about my kinky self, but I found a pretty great connection the other day that might be worth sharing.

I have a friend who was about to embark on his first rendezvouz with a "cougar". Now, I doubt this term requires any elaboration, but for those of you who live under a rock, urban dictionary does a good job of explaining the cougar phenomenon here. Anyway, my friend was getting ready for his date and expressed a bit of apprehension, fearing that the situation might be awkward.

Being the loyal and pro-adventure friend that I am, I tried to reassure him. I told him that he should just treat the whole thing like a game. A dirty little game. Its not like they both didn't know what was going on, or how it would probably end. There was no use in denying it, so why not treat the whole interaction with that kind of sassy, knowing smirk? It adds this other layer of doing something "taboo and naughty" that only makes the situation that much sexier.

I drew a comparison from my own experience. I went out with a guy a few times who I found interesting and attractive, great in bed, but not exactly dating material. Did I mention he was great in bed? This fact kept his number in my phone, to be called upon as necessary. It was a matter of convenience and good times, two things I can never turn down. The one tricky thing was that we had mutual friends and professional acquaintances, but obviously desired discretion when it came to our little arrangement. No one wants to be the slutty talk of the town...or lose out on other opportunity based on a bunch of rumors. So we started to play a little game. That game where we would show up at the same function, exchange brief pleasantries, and move throughout the party flirting, chitchatting with others, having very distinct and separate good times, knowing that we would wind up in a cab home together at the end of the night. The 'pretend to barely know you until were playing footsie in the cab' game is very sexy. It was my favorite part about that liason. The game made everything that much better: it made me feel naughty, him seem sexy and aloof, and the hole thing feel very bad ass and hot. Its not like the game was all that necessary (it didn't really matter if anyone knew, we were both single and just messing around) but it sure was fun. And ensured that we never got awkward and ruined everything by taking ourselves too seriously.

The point was to love the game, the adventure, and the sexy challenge of it all. There's no point in worrying about what might happen and the fun lies in letting the thing play out the way it will. That's the thing about fantasies; be it a cougar or a dirty little secret. They're larger than life, based in myth and the idea that anything can happen. So you might as well sit back and enjoy the ride.

Random Recipe of the Week: Pinto Bean Salad

2009-09-29T21:28:00.004-04:00

I just threw this together one night when I needed a quick side to round out a meal. I was pretty shocked how delicious it turned out...

Ingredients:
1 can pinto beans, rinsed
1 tomato, roughly chopped
1 handful of fresh dill, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
splash of apple cider vinegar (pretty key ingredient...the appleness gives the salad another
dimension of flavor that it wouldn't have otherwise.)
salt to taste

1. Combine all ingredients
2. Chill for at least 30 minutes
3. EAT

P.S. The fruit stand guy gave this to me the other day....does anyone know what it is?!?!?

Kat: Some Things Never Change

2009-09-22T20:32:00.000-04:00

I have to give my mom credit for this recipe. It was one of the things she taught me before I went off to college: how to win friends and make a kick-ass lasagna all at once.

I really didn't know how great this recipe was until I noticed my friends asking me to make it if it had been too long since the last one disappeared. So here it is, ladies and gents, my infamous:

Vegetable Lasagna!

ingredients:
1/2 package lasagna noodles
2 leeks, chopped
1/2 medium eggplant, sliced in rounds
1/2 large yellow squash, sliced in rounds
1/2 zucchini, sliced in rounds
2-3 cups of spinach, de-stemmed
28 oz. can marinara sauce
handful of fresh thyme, de-stemmed and chopped
1 small tub cottage or ricotta cheese (I recommend ricotta, but TJ's only had cottage when I
needed it!!)
1 bag shredded mozzarella
1 egg

1. Cook lasagna noodles
2. Once they are cooked, lay out noodles on sheets of parchment/wax paper to dry (so they don't stick together and rip apart)

3. Preheat oven to 350*
4. Mix the egg and thyme (and any other additional spices you wish to use) in with the cottage/ricotta cheese
5. Grease your baking pan
6. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the pan
7. Start your assembly line:

noodles, sauce, & cottage cheese mixture

(don't judge me by my crappy throwaway foil pan)

eggplant & leeks

squash & zucchini

spinach & shredded cheese

8. Repeat step 7 until you get to the top of the pan
9. Place one more layer of noodles and pour the remainder of your sauce and shredded cheese to form the very top of the lasagna.
10. Bake in oven for about 45 minutes or until cheese is brown and bubbly

(oh my god, I am so embarrassed by my bakeware. I hope the Le Creuset fairy visits me soon)

11. Take out and let cool for around 15 minutes (so that the layers will not fall apart when you cut into it.
12. Serve and DEVOUR!

Jenna: Some Things Never Change

2009-09-22T20:30:00.001-04:00

To all the ladies out there who think that being in a crappy relationship is better than being in no relationship at all:

A person who is lousy to you will probably always be lousy to you. You should never have to work hard for someone's love or attention. It's hard to remember this and easy to excuse going to great lengths in order to get someone to respond to you, but if things start out that way, it's never going to get any better. And without a mutual effort on both ends, the chase becomes very, very tiresome. Take it from a woman who's been there and done that.

I have a friend who I call my other single friend, because we always keep each other sane and entertained in the midst of our singledom. She's gorgeous, intelligent, and talented, as well, so I know it's not just me. :) Over a few glasses of wine the other night, we were discussing the pros and cons of being part of a couple, with her sister providing the perspective of the "others".

Don't get me wrong. It's nice to have someone to share experiences with. Someone who calls you first to tell you about the weird/funny/sad/amazing thing that just happened to them. A person who's voice you love the sound of, to watch movies with when it's shitty outside, a person that makes you want to go out of your way to do something nice. And sometimes you go a really long time without feeling that way about another person, and it drives you to look for this potential in others. To really search for those qualities about someone that you might be able to love. Because everyone deserves to love a little. It's hard to recognize somebody's bad qualities, the red flags, an imbalance in the way you care for one another when things are passable, a relationship is okay on it's good days, and the desire to not be alone overtakes your reason.

But here's the flip side. When you spend a lot of time with yourself, when you learn to be your own ally, cheerleader, best pal, and captain of your personal team awesome...you're investing in something. You're making an investment in the improvement and evolution of yourself and working on making yourself a sincerely fabulous person to be around. You build something for yourself. You learn that you don't need someone else to validate you, that you can be independent, and that youre completely worthwhile on your own. You learn how to talk to strangers, how to be in new social situations, and grow a confidence that you're entirely responsible. For those of us that have made it that far, I present a question. In what universe is it worthwhile to compromise all of that for a lukewarm relationship? You owe it to yourself to find someone who's worth it. Someone who doesn't require you to compromise any of it, but who was attracted to all of that in the first place. Someone who celebrates it and makes you want to be a better person around them.

And if that's not there from the get go, no amount of work is going to make that happen. Don't work for it. You're wonderful. And way, way better than all that.

And here's an interesting link to an article in the NYTimes sent to me by my friend Andy. Who sends the best articles and has always celebrated my inner goddess.

This one's a winner...

2009-09-21T00:23:00.000-04:00

If I could only be so lucky as to find a stud like this on the internet...

And even better...this is what things were like BEFORE the internet. Seriously. Please watch this.

Relationship Survival Guide: Pick Up Lines - Watch more Funny Videos

Random Recipe of the Week: Summer Squash Succotash

2009-09-17T08:30:00.001-04:00

I went to a nice restaurant the other day and had a delicious side dish that trumped my main course....this is my attempt at recreating it. Make it quick....before summer gets away from us!!

Summer Squash Succotash

Ingredients:
1 leek, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 yellow squash, diced
1/2 zucchini, diced
handful of fresh green beans, stemmed and chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, de-stemmed and chopped
splash of vegetable broth (probably not necessary to use, you can substitute with water)
salt & pepper to taste

1. Sauté leeks in olive oil over medium heat until they become tender (about 7-10 minutes)
2. Add garlic, zucchini, squash, beans cook for a couple more minutes
3. Add broth, salt & pepper, and rosemary. Cover and cook until all veggies are tender (about 10 minutes)

Kat: Empty Fridge

2009-09-11T01:52:00.000-04:00

This is a great recipe for one of those nights after a long day of work when you need a quick meal and barely have anything left in your fridge. I always have an extra package of tofu, some parsley, garlic and pasta laying around, so if you're anything like me, you could make this at any given moment.

(Pssst....I can not remember for the life of me where the base of this recipe came from (I should really write these things down before I go to jail for copyright infringement). I do remember that I changed the herb to parsley...sorry ahead of time to whoever I stole this from!!!)

Ingredients:

1 package firm tofu, drained
1 cup fat free soy milk
a fist-full of parsley
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp onion flakes
black pepper to taste
1/2 tsp nutmeg
small pinch red chili pepper flakes
1/2 cup shredded cheese

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender
2. Blend until smooth
3. Heat in a saucepan over low until warmed

4. Smother your pasta with it

...for this specific meal I sauteed a few veggies and layered them in between the pasta and sauce. It added a bit of a crunch for a completely satisfying meal!

Jenna: Empty Fridge

2009-09-11T01:49:00.000-04:00

I hate that feeling of staring into an empty fridge, starving, lazy, and just wishing that exactly what you wanted to eat was sitting in there waiting for you. Forget exactly what you want to eat, you kind of wish that there was anything at all in there for you to snack on. But life gets busy, career situations, social calendars, trips and personal obligations...so time goes by and you keep on picking on whatever is in there until finally, it's undeniable. You have absolutely nothing to eat. There's a gnawing hunger in your belly, but you've got very little time for food shopping, so you're just gonna have to deal with it for now.

One can liken this experience to having a complete lack of romantic prospects, based on one thing or another. This is totally boring and lame. It's not like I want to be dating all the time, or make it the main crux of my daily life, however it's nice to have a crush on someone, at least. I never value a crush so much (even one that'll never go anywhere) as much as when I'm staring out into the barren wasteland of no one interesting to think on. It's nice to get have someone to grin about occasionally, to make too much of small, insignificant interactions, and to add a bit of pep to your step when you see 'em. A person that makes me take the extra 5 minutes to put on makeup on the subway before I might potentially run into them. The point isn't the crush actually going anywhere, it's just nice to work those charming muscles we flex when we flirt. Heaven forbid we let them atrophy waiting around for the next best thing.

But sometimes, there isn't anyone on the agenda and one must simply keep an open mind. It's hard to have patience though...especially as it's starting to get colder. It's part of our natural instincts to want to stock up on the necessities for the winter time.

How does one distract themselves from the empty fridge syndrome? Go shopping? Try to stock up for the winter time and get some options in there to turn to when the weather gets too bad to do much adventuring? Or just grin and bear it. Things will get better, my time and attitude will shift, situations will change like the leaves on the trees and there is much to be discovered. Clearly, patience is the answer. And none of these analogies are working. Besides, I hate being one of those people who's preoccupied with finding someone to cuddle with, even though cuddling is nice.

Maybe I'll just go food shopping at Trader Joe's and wink at cute boys in the produce aisle. Yeah. That sounds good.

Kat: Things I Used to Hate

2009-09-05T23:30:00.002-04:00

Here are a few simple recipes based on a three foods that I used to hate....that is until I stumbled upon the right way to cook them!!

Fish: Rosemary & Lemon Broiled Salmon

This recipe works for a number variety of fish, but my favorite is salmon

Salmon fillets (number depends on how many servings you need)
1 lemon sliced
Fresh rosemary, chopped
salt & pepper

1. Lay fish out and salt & pepper both sides
2. On the side w/out skin, sprinkle chopped rosemary & layer lemons like so:

3. Flip the fish over so the lemons are on the bottom and broil (line your pan with foil for this one) in the oven for about 12 minutes. Eat immediately!

Brussel Sprouts: Oven Roasted
10 oz brussel sprouts (about 18 sprouts)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp Chili powder
1 tsp cumin
dash red pepper flakes
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/3 cup veggie broth

1. Preheat oven to 400*
2. Prepare the sprouts by cutting the stems off each and removing any outside leaves that come loose
3. Mix together broth and spices then with the toss sprouts
4. Place sprouts on a lined baking sheet and drizzle with remaining spice mixture.

5. Bake for 30 minutes- toss once halfway through cooking time

Coconut: Macaroons
from Martha Stewart’s Cookies

3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups unsweetened, shredded coconut
2 large egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt

1. Preheat oven to 325*
2. Mix all ingredients then drop 2 tbsp worth of mixture onto a lined baking sheet
3. Bake until slightly golden brown (about 20 minutes). Let cool completely before you move from the sheet.

For the chocolate drizzle I mixed about 3 tbs Agave with 2 tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder.

Jenna: Things I Used To Hate

2009-09-03T10:34:00.000-04:00

Everybody has something they don't like about themselves. Whether it comes down to a character flaw, a tendency towards inaction, or a bad habit that you can't seem to break...the feeling of hating something about yourself is a very common human experience. I like to think that I learn from all of the experiences I have, good, bad, and ugly. That every time I make a mistake or less than respectable choice based on a whim or impulse, I acknowledge and accept it, knowing I won't make the same mistake again. I think we all like to believe in this process of emotional evolution for ourselves, but that doesn't always make it true. There are certain things that I will never do again, for sure. I'll never stay in an unhealthy relationship that makes me feel like shit, causes me to lie to friends, or be a watered down version of myself in order to please someone else. But aside from a few big no no lessons I've learned well, I've come to accept that, at this point in my life, there are some things about me that are simple true. And I can go on hating and judging myself for them, thinking that maybe with enough self-flagellation, I'll change...or I can accept these things for what they are and get on with it already.

I have an active libido. I like having sex. I like it a lot. Being perpetually single, this creates something of a dilemma. I'm not promiscuous either (I value my physical health above all else), but to me, being single has never meant being celibate. I know there are people out there who consider sex a sacred act, only to be shared with someone with whom you have deep, meaningful affection for...and that's totally fine for them. I've realized, it doesn't work for me. Its not that I'm not looking to meaningfully connect, I'm just a little impatient and need to get my rocks off every once in awhile regardless of my relationship status.

This is where old habits die hard. I leave myself open to all the opportunities the world has to offer, but usually tend to have a gentleman caller on the side. Call it what you will: A Johnny, a booty call, a fuck buddy, a friend with benefits...a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. About as sweet as a familiar, safe, attractive individual whose one and only function is to pleasure you once or twice a month. The guy in question, for me, is often someone I've gone out with a few times with whom I had immediate physical chemistry, but not much past that. I used to feel very, very guilty about this. Thinking that the reason I let it happen was because I didn't respect myself or lacked will power or dignity or some combination thereof. There was a time in my life when I would try to force relationship chemistry to try to validate and make myself feel better about the dirty part, but it doesn't work that way and I'm over it now. Is it ideal? Clearly not. Is it a convenience that keeps me sane and happy, while allowing me a firm emotional distance from my romping? Absolutely. I've learned to stop hating/judging myself for this aspect of my world that isn't shifting and making a sincere peace with it, regardless of what society at large may think.

Of course there are negative consequences for engaging in "bad" habits and I'm not pretending I'm not aware of them. My preference for casual sex (even with one constant and familiar partner) affects the way I treat having sex in general. I look at it as a shared pleasurable experience, but not necessarily as something super special that I should make someone wait for to prove a point about my chastity. I think that game is silly and if I decide I think you're worthwhile after getting to know you, I think its ridiculous to wait on principle, alone. And I know that this can impact the level of respect men have for women in a new relationship. Guys like girls who are dainty and demure and being perceived as 'easy' can end things before they really get to begin. Having sex with a guy too soon or just coming off like I would be willing to has definitely worked against me in the past. But the way I figure it now is that if I've learned to stop playing games and respect myself for who I am, others should do the same. And if they don't, good riddance. The kind of person with whom I eventually have that meaningful kind of where you cry at the end or some shit, will not be the one who goes running for the door because I gave it up before a month had passed.

Besides, as far as bad habits go, it could be much worse. And I've definitely gotten over hating myself for it. I am what I am. Love it or leave it.

Jenna: Having Sex with an Ex Is Like Eating Sushi from Yesterday

2009-09-03T10:29:00.000-04:00

Everybody does it every once in awhile. You break up with someone and a few months/weeks/ days later...you find yourself kind of drunk, very horny, and seriously considering calling that person you so recently swore off forever for a late night booty call. I'm almost always a little drunk when it happens and the fearsome barren land of zero prospects before me coupled with the appeal of instant gratification leads me to believe that this is the most logical choice. But in a moment of brief and sober clarity, I will share with you this wise analogy that may make you think twice next time you go to drunk dial that guy/girl whose number is now saved in your cell as 'crap on my heart'.

Having sex with your ex is like eating sushi from yesterday. You know you shouldn't do it, that you're not really supposed to eat leftover sushi. But, it was only yesterday that you ate it the first time, you remember how delicious it was, and you figure that so little time has passed that it can't be that much worse, right? Definitely not enough time for it to have spoiled completely. Additionally, its right there in your fridge, waiting for you when you get hungry, zero work required. It takes a lot more effort to make yourself fresh food and time/money to order something else. You're lazy and you want satisfaction now, this seems like the best idea. It can't be that bad. You convince yourself that tossing it out would be wasteful, even.

Lies. Madness and lies. Here's why, after all is said and done, the sex and leftover sushi are both bad ideas. Its never going to be as good as the first time around, when you first ordered your meal at the nice restaurant and it was served to you in all of its decadent glory. Never. No matter how hungry you are or how much you want it to be the same. You're a day late and a buck short and you'll have to settle for what's left. It might even ruin whatever nice memories you'd retained from the first time you'd eaten it as you realize that this present experience is somewhat unsatisfying. On that note, you only have a few pieces of sushi left! Definitely not enough for a whole meal. And even if you eat it and its not so bad, there is no way that the tiny portion remaining is going to satisfy your hunger. When you're done, you'll still be hungry and frustrated that your appetite remains unsated. You'll find yourself craving more, which isn't readily available as technically you've finished you're allotted portion. In terms of ex sex, this can lead to some very unsavory behavior in the form of reigniting a relationship that for all intents and purposes, you ended for a good reason. Thus, partaking in this sushu, dwindling and past its prime can truly only end in disappointment. At least that's been my experience. Toss that shit in the trash...its already past its prime.

After much consideration, I've found that its a better idea to suck it up, scrape up some cash and what's left of your dignity and just try something new. Even if its not the best meal you've ever had, you're avoiding certain frustration by not moving backwards, and you never know...the next thing you order might totally hit the spot. The possibility of discovering your new,fresh, favorite food is worth a little extra effort on your part isn't it?

Kat: I. Love. Sushi.

2009-09-03T10:28:00.000-04:00

I. Love. Sushi.

I completely blame Jenna for the lack of sushi in my life pre-New York City. Indiana in the 90's was no place to find sushi, and especially in my house (my parents still refuse to try the stuff), so there was no way that I was going to get introduced. In college, however, there was a sushi restaurant a rocks throw away from our house. Being from the city, Jenna was a sushi pro. Or at least that's that she led me to believe. Long story short, I was not informed that you were supposed to use the ginger and wasabi on the rolls. I just though they were for show (glaring at Jenna). It wasn't until years later in Brooklyn when someone finally showed me how sushi was meant to be eaten. After that first heavenly bite I. Was. Addicted. After another year or so of eating restaurant sushi, I decided to give it a shot and make my own rolls. It took a couple of tries to get the technique down, but as long as you have the correct supplies, its as easy as pie. And the best thing is - homemade sushi is even better than takeout. And it happens to be dirt cheap to make!

Lets get started...

I get all my ingredients at a little gem of a Japanese market called Sunrise Mart, but you can find all of these ingredients at health food stores or large markets.

Basic Ingredients/tools you'll need:
A VERY sharp knife

Bamboo rolling mat

Square of saran wrap large enough to cover bamboo mat

1/4 cup brown rice per roll you plan to make (I'll usually make 2 rolls per person)

1/2 tbsp rice vinegar per roll

1 tsp wasabi powder per person (mix with a small amount of water until it forms a paste)

Nori sheets

Pickled ginger

Soy Sauce (get the economy size....you'll be making a LOT of sushi from now on!)

Filling (this is just what I used this time around; get creative!):

Asparagus

Cucumber

Carrot

Avocado

Spinach

Tofu (I suggest trying a fried tofu....not the healthiest of choices, but it is damn delicious!)

How to:
1. Get your rice cooking (for me, that means get out the rice cooker....I couldn't make rice on the stove if my life depended on it)

2. Steam any of the tougher veggies you're using (in this case asparagus, carrot, spinach)

3. Cut the rest of your veggies (or fish if you're using) lengthwise as slender as possible

(the pile of diced tofu is for the miso soup)

4. Lay out your bamboo mat and cover with a layer of plastic wrap

5. When rice is done cooking, mix in the vinegar and set aside

6. Place a nori sheet on top of the plastic wrap and scoop 1/4 cup rice in the middle of the sheet

7. Smooth a thin layer of rice over the face of the nori

8. Place a few slices of the filling at the end of the mat

9. Roll everything together slowly and as tightly as possible

10. Slice and you're done! Serve with the usual; soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi

I always make a miso soup to go with sushi. It is delicious and incredibly easy to make:

Boil as much water as you want soup (I usually make about a cup per person), as soon as the water boils, add one heaping teaspoon of miso paste per cup of water.

Once the paste has dissolved, add a handful of chopped (firm) tofu and one diced sheet of nori.

Stir and place in bowls. Top with a chopped green onion.

My mouth is watering. If you don't love the recipe....you're crazy.

p.s. Jenna, I'm still angry about you denying me the pleasure of sushi for all those years. You owe me. Lets talk about it over homemade sushi.

Recipe of the Week: Eggplant and Polenta Stack

2009-08-25T21:39:00.001-04:00

1/4" eggplant rounds (I used 3 for one stack)
1/4" polenta rounds (" ")

Salsa (or a tomato sauce)
Green onion
1/4 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup black beans
1 dollop plain yogurt

1. Grill eggplant and polenta slices until heated through

2. Place one eggplant slice on the plate that you will be eating off of (you will not want to move after you put this dish together). Top with 1 polenta slice, a dollop of salsa, cheese, beans, onion, and yogurt.

3. Repeat step 2 with the two other eggplant rounds.

4. Enjoy!

Raw Day 7

2009-07-22T11:49:00.001-04:00

Well, we made it to the last day.

Breakfast: Chia Tapioca Pudding

Delightful again : )

Lunch: Mini Batch of Raw Tacos & Salsa on Romaine

I loved the raw tacos so much, that I had to make a half batch just to satisfy my cravings. I also threw together some salsa...I'm definitely going to start making this instead of buying the pre-bottled stuff because it was so fresh and flavorful!

(this makes about 1 cup....double/triple if more than one person will be eating!)
1 tomato
handful of chopped cilantro
1 green onion
2 garlic cloves
freshly squeezed lemon juice
dash of salt & pepper

Chop all veggies and toss in a bowl with the salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Chill for about 30 minutes, so the flavors mesh together. Enjoy!

Dinner: NOT RAW

ok ok, I'm going to be honest here. I broke my week of raw on the final meal....lame, I know. I started to feel really crappy by the middle of the day, and I listened to my body and officially ended my raw stint with some cooked veggies and pasta.

Fast forward to 3 days later...I just found out that I have bronchitis. I can't help but wonder if it was due to my body going through detox from the raw diet. I didn't think detox was supposed to happen that quickly, with just a week under my belt. However, I do have an autoimmune disorder that hasn't flared up since I graduated college and started living a healthier lifestyle. Maybe this is a signal that my body needs other nutrients that it wasn't getting over the course of the week. Guesses anyone??

What did I learn from my raw week? Raw food is quick, easy, and delicious. I don't think I'd be able to go raw as a full time thing (maybe I'm still scared from the bronchitis) but I will be incorporating more raw recipes into my regular diet and, as always, I encourage everyone to try some new recipes too.

Here's a list of my favorite raw resources....if you didn't catch them throughout the week:
Choosing Raw
Kristen's Raw
Ani's Raw Food Kitchen
The Fitnessista

....and since this post hardly had any photos, I give you Mr. James Dean:

Raw Day 6

2009-07-21T11:37:00.001-04:00

I can't believe that it's day six already. This week has really flown by.

Breakfast: Banana w/ nut butter & a green monster

This combo satisfies my taste buds, keeps me full until lunch, and gives me a wonderful boost of energy (I think it's the greens!)

This green monster was made of 1 cup of almond milk, 2 cups packed kale, 1 tablespoon flax seed, a handful of strawberries, and a half of a banana. There's nothing like a smoothie in the morning!

Lunch: Blended Spinach Salad (another one from the lovely Gena....have I mentioned how much I love her site?!?!) & Leftover Alfredo Pasta
I wanted a little change from the salad for lunch routine, so I took Gena's advice, and tried her recipe for a chilled spinach soup. I blended this up before I headed off to work, stuck it in the fridge all morning, and it was perfectly chilled by lunchtime.

(It even looks pretty in tupperware!)

Spinach, avocado, cilantro, lemon juice, salt, pepper, water, and oil made up this soup. It was just alright. I think it needed a bit more salt & pepper...maybe it'll come out better next time.

Dinner: Raw Tacos

I had other plans for dinner, until I saw Gina's amazing creation of Raw Sloppy Joes. I knew immediately that's what I needed for dinner! I made several changes because of what I had around the kitchen, and here's what I used:

1/2 cup cashews (soaked overnight)
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1/3 onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 stick celery, diced
4 sun-dried tomatoes, diced
1 clove garlic
splash of apple cider vinegar
splash of soy sauce
dash of: oregano, cajun seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes, chili powder, & cumin

Combine everything and chop in a blender or food processor. I followed Gina's lead and wrapped the mixture up in lettuce leaves.

EXTREME CLOSE-UP:

I can't tell you how much I LOVED THIS RECIPE. I was obsessed with the combo (tasted just like tacos!) and scarfed the whole batch down in one sitting. This is definitely an example of how the right seasoning can make anything delightful!

Raw Day 5

2009-07-20T15:52:00.001-04:00

I made it to day five!....and it was delicious!

Breakfast: Uncooked Oats & Fruit w/ Almond Milk

I was craving a little grain, so I decided to go with an old favorite....OATS!

Lunch: Collard Wraps w/ Ginger Dressing (from Ani's Raw)

I enjoyed these wraps more than the ones I made on Day 1. I'm thinking it might have been the dressing, since I've always loved bottled ginger dressings. I've never made my own, but it was quite easy...just blended together fresh ginger, a carrot, a dab of miso paste, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. YUM

Dinner: Raw Zucchini Alfredo with Basil and Cherry Tomatoes (another good one from Choosing Raw)

Since I so thoroughly enjoyed my last mock pasta, I was every excited to try my hand at this recipe. I "peeled" another zuchhini and a small carrot for the pasta. On top of that, I threw a handful of cherry tomatoes, freshly chopped basil, and a few chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

For the sauce recipe, click on the link above. I still have no idea how this sauce, which has a cashew base, tastes just like alfredo sauce! It really surprised me...and a couple of days later, I'm still drooling over this picture:

Jenna Versus the Interweb

2009-07-20T11:46:00.005-04:00

I can't stop laughing at this photo.

So the panic has subsided a bit, and I'm taking long, deep breaths about the idea of this internet dating thing. After talking to some folks (including Kat who has a boyfriend for just about ever and for whom this is all hypothetical, thus I take her calm logic with a grain of salt), I've realized that this could possibly be a lot of fun. Well, maybe good for a laugh or two at least. After spending way too much time trying to figure out how to make myself most marketable (choosing photos, writing and rewriting witty internet banter, I think that I'm ready. Plus browsing around the personals on nerve.com and The Onion hasn't been an AWFUL way to spend my insomnia ridden evenings...it's rather interesting to see the attempts of others, as well.

But this is all still in the realm of not interacting with actual people. It's indulging in a kind of voyeurism, kicking back, and hoping that something nice comes along. That is, until Kat and I get drunk and she starts emailing suitors she finds acceptable in all sorts of sassy, one sentence variations. I squeal and blush and write the post that immediately precedes this one. A few days later, I calm down and think that I could maybe do it myself. What the hell? It's not like I know these people. A sort of faux confidence sets in. And then a couple of guys actually email me back. Confidence disappears. What do I say? Do I meet these guys for a drink? When I do, what will we talk about? What if it's absolutely awful and awkward? I find it hilarious that I'm one of the most socially comfortable people I know (I'm great in a room full of people I don't know at a party or professional situation), but put me in a bar on a date and I'm an absolutely self conscious mess.

So I'm nervous at first, I sort of still am...BUT I had a few good thinks and conversations on the subject and decided I have little to nothing to lose. At the very least you practiced meeting a new person and working on your uncomfortable break the first date tension conversation. And you know that you're meeting someone who is ALSO interested in meeting new people. Plus, you kind of know what they look like so it's not quite as bad as a totally blind date. The reasons I think that people also look for new friends and companions online is because they're trying to date outside of their social circle, perhaps feeling sort of stagnant in their scene at present and seeking to expand their horizons. I can get down with that. I've been hanging out with the same guys since high school, and though I love them dearly, there's not exactly a lot of adventure into the unknown there.

The guy I've been emailing briefly, as a matter of fact, seems like quite a cultured fella who seems to suggest activities that are unique and interesting to me. So there's a start. We'll see what happens. I'm trying to go into this with an open mind and a great sense of fun. Like a grown up play date.

In the meantime, I'll enjoy what this strange, new world has to offer. And make some suggestions to all those looking to join me. The sites I've put profiles up on because they appear somewhat reputable and most importantly, free, are nerve.com and The Onion personals (owned by a company called Fast Cupid). If you log into the Onion personals through the Onion's website, you have much broader access to viewing the profiles of other users than if you log in through the Fast Cupid home page. It's obviously a bit of a scam to try to get you to pay for something that there's clearly a way around. Nerve is pretty much a free service that you can view everyone's profiles (and email anyone, maybe?), and I'm not really sure what this paid upgrade they're constantly pushing actually gets you. There's no way I think it's necessary to pay for anything when almost all social networking on the internet is free of charge and there are lots of ways to offer up alternative methods of communication without compromising your privacy. I'll let you know how that experiment goes. The other sites I've looked at and not been terribly thrilled by were OKCupid (which is insanely cheesy, albeit free) and Match.com (who really, really want you to pay for the service). The thing about Match.com, is that half the time, the other people you're looking at haven't paid for the service either, so even if you are a paying member, you can't email these people anyway. And I think that paying for this stuff is stupid.

The big scammers to watch out for, it would seem are Chemistry.com. Read all the horrible things people have to say about it here. I signed up for a free personality test or something and they WON'T stop emailing me even though I will never ever give them my money. They also keep sending me matches, but popping up the 'buy a membership' screen before you can even see these people that are allegedly "interested" in you. It smells like Sheepshead Bay to me.

Stay tuned for the next chapter in the saga. I can hardly wait to see what happens next.

Raw Day 4

2009-07-19T12:42:00.001-04:00

Today I'm feeling feeling great again. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were all huge sucesses.

Breakfast: Chia Seed Mock-Tapioca Pudding

What??!! Pudding for breakfast??? Yes. I was very hesitant to make this for breakfast, mainly becasue I had seen what chia seeds turned into after they soaked for 10 minutes in the Chili Cheese Dip. I could not imagine that it would taste good A) in the morning B) mixed with something sweet C) not blended because the texture it kind of creepy.

It was SOOOOO GOOOOOD!!! It really did have the texture of Tapioca pudding (actually a better texture, if you ask me) and it was perfectly sweet with the cinnamon and vanilla. I was smiling the entire meal. Do not be afraid of these lovely chia seeds! Def try this at home!

Lunch: Huge Salad

The chia seed pudding really held me over well until lunch. The salad consisted of kale & romaine, avocado, raw corn (think this made the dish!), tomatoes, lemon juice, green bell pepper, carrots, and cucumber. Simple, full of veggies, and completely satisfying.

Dinner: Chili Burger and a Mountian of Salad

After yoga in the park (which was one of the most amazing experiences that I've had so far in NYC!) I met up with some friends, went to a couple of art openings, and then headed to dinner at Caravan of Dreams in the East Village. Caravan is a cute little vegetarian/vegan/raw restaurant. The menu was HUGE so I was glad that my choices were narrowed down to only a couple of pages or raw dishes.

The raw special of the night was posted on a chalkboard simply as "Chili Burger". I had no idea what this would be made of, but they had me at "burger", so I jumped at it. I'm still not 100% about what all it contained, but I know the base was lentils, it definitly had some chili powder thrown in there, and was topped was shredded carrots and a tahini sauce. I was starving and it totally hit the spot!

A nice surprise was the giant salad it was served with. Again, didn't take notes here, but there were tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, raddishes, carrots, cabbage, romaine, and lemon juice. This also hit the spot and was both light and filling.

I would recommend Caravan to any veggies/vegans out there. Do note that it was a little on the pricey side (at least in my opinion) so its not an everyday destination. Definitely a place I'll take my vegetarian brother and his girlfriend next time they visit....hint hint ; )

Raw Day 3

2009-07-17T08:07:00.002-04:00

I'm feeling better today and am mentally ready to enjoy eating raw again. Dinner was FANTASTIC...keep reading to find out what made me so happy.

Breakfast: Banana w/ nut butter & a green monster

This was a simple breakfast. A banana cut in half with almond butter sandwiched in the middle and a good old fashined....green monster. (Note to Jenna: do you remember what an "Old Fashined" is....I think it belongs on your page)

For my green monster, I blended 1 cup of almond milk, 2 cups packed spinach, 1 tablespoon flax seed, a handful of strawberries, and a half of a banana. It turned out more brown than green, but it was magical.

Lunch: Leftover Kreamy Avocado Soup and a salad

The avocado soup was just as lovely the second time around. At the last minute, I added a handful of chopped basil leaves, which I totally recommend. The salad was half kale/half romaine, topped with yellow bell pepper, broccoli, green onion, cilantro, lemon juice, and salt & pepper. AND a little leftover guacamole. I was avocado-ed out after that....but nicley full.

Dinner: Zuchinni Pasta & Marinara Sauce

This recipe was the main reason that I started this week of raw indulgences. I was fascinated and really wanted to know what zucchini pasta tasted like. Jenna came over for a dinner/blog work date so she can back me up on this when I say:

O.M.G. This was the best raw OR cooked thing I have ever tasted!!! If Jenna hadn't been around to confirm this, I would have just thought I felt this way because all I had been eating this week mainly resembled salad. This. Was. A. Delight.

If you haven't tried this yet, I suggest dropping everything and "cooking" it tonight for dinner.

Just to note: I was finished making this entire meal before Jenna could even log into her Blogger account! It was ridiculously fast, easy, and delicious. That's what she said.

The base recipe is from Ani:
* 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
* 1 medjool date, pitted
* 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
* 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, fresh
* 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
* 1/3 cup olive oil
* 2 teaspoons salt

I added (and definitly reccomend):
4 sundried tomatoes
1 handful chopped basil

1. Make the "noodle" base by slicing a zucchini lengthwise with a vegetable peeler...

...until you get this

2. Blend all sauce ingredients together until smooth

(my blender and I have been bffs this week, sorry jenna)

3. Spoon sauce over "noodles"

4. Laugh at Jenna because dinner is finished before she could sign in to her email

Raw food day 2

2009-07-15T17:11:00.001-04:00

Ok. I was a bad blogger today. Here I am, trying to show you all what I ate for a week of fooding....and I did not take any pictures of breakfast or lunch. Why? Because I was not happy about eating raw today. I read that this might happen...one's palette is not used to the taste of raw food, so you don't want to eat a lot...but I've never NOT had a huge appetite, so I didn't think it would happen to me. So, of course it happened. I ate, but I didn't eat very much, and did not enjoy it.

Wow....could that have been a more horrible intro to make you want to eat this food??

Here's the menu:

Breakfast: Uncooked Oats with Almond Milk and Fruit
1/2 cup oats
1 cup almond milk
a TON of blueberries
1/2 banana

This was good, and pretty much exactly like my usual bowl of oats in the morning....only not hot.

Lunch: Guacamole (another killer recipe from Gena) and a huge salad
...click on the link for the recipe

Dinner time came around and I still did not have a huge appetite. I did need to eat though, so I threw together this soup. It was so tasty that I immediately got my appetite back... I then proceeded to devour the majority of it!

Kreamy Avocado Soup
1 ½ avocados
2 tbsp miso
2 tbsp olive oil
2 ½ c water
1 lime’s juice
2/4 tsp rosemary
1/3 tsp chipotle
¼ c. tomatoes diced (topping)

I'm hoping that I'll feel better tomorrow....I'm planning to eat less straight salad-like dishes (the thought of a cabbage roll right now makes my stomach turn) maybe this will help my will to eat raw.

Internet Dating is So Fucking Awkward.

2009-07-15T17:10:00.001-04:00

Online dating is so fucking weird and awkward even before you go so far as contacting another actual human being.

Kat is sending obscene emails to boys on nerve.com. Because I am lame and have no idea what I'm supposed to do. Thanks be to good friends in low places.

First, you have to fill out this ridiculous survey about your personality, likes, dislikes, etc. It's just like a job interview except that you're a loser, sitting at home, trying to find a date and probably feeling intoxicated and sorry for yourself. Now, you're expected to be clever. Who can possibly be any good at filling these things out unless you are a writer or average stand up comedian? How am I supposed to know what the most attractive and funny answer is to: My personal motto is:...?
My personal motto is, I wish I didn't have to go on the internet to find a fucking date.

This is in no way meant to insult people who have found true love on the interweb...I just don't understand when it stops being weird and starts being fun. You know, like when you browse Zappos.com to check out the shoe selection and you check out all different kinds of shoes...ones that you'd buy, and not buy, but in general, kind of a fun thing to do. But with shoes you don't have to email them and ask them out on dates and sound like a giant loser asking a stranger out to coffee. My hand is being forced here...and I'm beginning to have second thoughts. I AM WAY TOO AWKWARD TO DO THIS!!!!

Kat: Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands

2009-07-14T21:25:00.000-04:00

I've been very intrigued by raw food for a few months now. I haven't made any recipes because I am a little intimidated (have I mentioned I'm scared of new recipes!?!). Now that I have the freedom to cook as crazily as I'd like (the BF is overseas for a few weeks) I feel like I should take advantage of it and try something new (I don't think Lindi would be too keen on becoming a raw/vegan guinea pig!).

Enter the week-long challenge of Raw "cooking". I'm very excited to try a few new things and even more excited to get to share them with you! I will be sampling a variety of recipes from several different websites. My choices are a bit limited because I do not own any fancy machinery. A lot of raw recipes that I have read call for either a dehydrator, a spiralizer (to make fancy thinly-cut veggies) or a food processor. All I own is a crappy blender that barely chops tofu....so we'll see what happens!

This is what I'll be eating this week:

My first day actually turned into two thirds of a day eating raw. Jenna convinced me to have brunch with her after a night of shenanigans, so breakfast was the complete opposite of raw. Lunch, dinner, and dessert turned out to be a success:

For lunch, I made a raw wrap with and Chili Cheese Dipping Sauce. These combos were stolen directly from Gina...almost no changes were made...and it was delicious!

The base of the wrap was collard leaves. I had never tasted a raw collard before, so I was nervous buying an entire bundle when I knew they weren't going to be cooked. You know what? they were not bad at all! For some reason, I imagined that they would be very bitter, but that was not the case (thank god!).

The filling consisted of yellow bell pepper, carrot, tomato, cilantro, and a raw goat cheese (that I cannot remember the variety of).

2 tbsp chia seeds (soak in 1/2 cup of water for a few minutes.....gels up like crazy!)

1/2 yellow bell pepper
1/2 ts chili powder
2 tbs nutritional yeast (cheesy-tasing vegan "spice")

2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
Dash of sea salt & pepper

Blend the gelled chia seeds and everything else until smooth. It was delightful and had a wonderful spicy kick to it.

Hours later, I was on to dinner: Nori Rolls with Ginger Almond Pate from Ani's Raw (obsessed with this site!)

I'm not even going to post the recipe here, because I changed absolutely nothing. Click on the link above.

This was a very good mock-sushi wrap, and I think it would definitely satisfy any cravings of sushi with rice. The only thing I would NOT suggest, it to make my aforementioned lunch and dinner on the same day. Kind of similar = both wraps of veggies, so I was not that into dinner halfway through it.

SO.....i HAD to have dessert! I tried Gena's infamous This Post Will Change Your Life Banana Soft Serve. This recipe is taking over the internet, and for good reasons.....D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. You need to try this.....NOW! GO!

Who knew frozen bananas could be so delightful.....

...with "chocolate" sauce (agave nectar mixed with cocoa powder)!

And this concludes Day 1 of raw food. Learned some great new recipes....but we'll see if I can keep it up!

Jenna: Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands

2009-07-14T20:58:00.003-04:00

When I first moved back to the city after college, for MONTHS, I had not been on ONE date. I've always found it difficult meeting guys I want to date for reasons that never seem clear to me. I've been told that I have standards that are too high and little sense of adventure for diving face first into the world of random dating and meeting men at bars. My defense here is that I have very little patience for people I don't like and can't find a good reason to be around. Thus, I don't think it's really worth the free meal if it means I have to spend 3 hours hanging out with someone I can't stand. Even if you get a really good story out of it. Mind you, this may sound extreme, but I like and get along with MOST people so this shouldn't really be that much of an issue. It just seems when romance is concerned things get very complicated, very quickly. I say that a lot don't I?

I'd been seeing this guy since August that was a strictly friends who fool around scenario. Every few weeks I'd develop guilt about this situation, thinking that I should be seeking more from my interactions than a late night movie, a few shots, and strictly physical satisfaction. According to society, I SHOULD expect more from both myself and others. However, this situation was completely workable in terms of my life right at that moment, especially considering the gentleman in question, with whom I have just enough in common to entertain us both during our brief trysts, but very little interest in beyond that. We all know what people say about relationships like this, how one person starts feeling differently and things go wrong, blah blah blah, but this was really not the case here. I wish more guys believed that sometimes, women are REALLY only in it for the sex. Things can't continue on that road forever, unfortunately and eventually two people in that situation tire of one another and decide that it's best to go there separate ways. No harm, no foul, but no fireworks either.

So aside from various welcome casual distractions, I haven't really been in a position to meet/date new guys. My free time is spent doing things of a theatrical nature, so, like in college, my circle of new friends remains limited to a certain "artsy" demographic. The rest of the time I'm generally serving Italian food at a family style restaurant in Park Slope in a remarkably unattractive get up. Not exactly a hot bed for singles.

Whilst lamenting this lack of opportunity to a friend, he brought up how active his dating life had been since he'd moved to New York after going to school in Boston. He'd put up a profile on some sort of internet dating service and has had at least a date or two a week since he's lived here. He seemed shocked to find that I have had the opposite experience, considering I'm a young, able bodied, fun loving, lady in our fair city who isn't all that difficult to look at and even less difficult to hang out with. He suggested I do the same and start experiencing some different people who I could be compatible with...or at least new restaurants in this bustling metropolis. Here's where all of my excuse-making comes in as I claim to lack the patience to deal with the "many duds I will meet before finding a stud" as my coworker, Jana (a success story of Match.com) so cleverly and cheesily puts it. While discussing this with Jana, I came to a stunning realization. As far as dating is concerned, I expect the perfect guy (or perfect enough) to just waltz right through my door without my having to make any kind of effort at all. Essentially, I expect to have a functional relationship and thrilling sex life to be handed to me on a silver platter. When I compare this nonchalant attitude to my commitment and perspective regarding my acting career, I realize what's going on. I work on my acting repertoire and go on auditions ALL THE TIME. I submit headshots and resumes for things that are good or bad, things that might work out, or things I don't have a shot in hell at getting because it's all part of the experience and you never know when something might pay off. I spent months doing a show I didn't like because I needed and valued the experience. And I do all these things, and bust my butt mind you, because I care about finding success in my art. In whatever form it manifests. And I realize now that this is how some people feel about dating. Because it is their top priority and so they work hard in hopes of finding something great because it really matters to them.

So I'm proposing a dating renaissance (for me at least). Perhaps the reason I've been hanging out with so many jerks of late, is because I'm not putting the appropriate effort into seeking someone better. I shall take these lessons that I've learned and create a new set of standards, then look for people that fit these standards. I think the shenanigans I've gotten myself into of late have brought me to this need for something better. At least something that I can honestly say that I enjoy. Plus it's the summer time! In New York City! And there are so many fantastic things to do, it's a great time to start dating on the internet? Right? Right!? If it sucks, you never see this person again, plus you have the option to do some serious weeding out of people you're not into, beforehand. So hopefully from the pool you do you have to choose from, there should be some folks to have some fun with. Plus it's the summer, so nothing really matters anyway.

So who has some good, free suggestions for dating online? What's there to know? Believe me, I'm sure I'll have plenty to say about it once my foray into this adventurous world begins, but any advice would surely be appreciated. My friend Carly mentioned that half of these services you pay for are kind of bullshit because the people you're interested in contacting generally don't pay for the service themselves. Plus, I draw the line at paying to find people I like on the internet. I thought Facebook meant that we no longer have to do such silly things. Even though it's totally creepy when someone you don't know sends you a message on the Facebook. I clearly have a lot to learn. But I'm ready. The sun is out, and this girl is on the market, so watch out New York City. It's about to get serious, for this girl is taking matters into her own (very capable and feminine) hands.

It IS too bad that the whole package, the guy who is fun and mentally stimulating enough to hang out with and also wants to have mind blowing rolls in the hay all the time isn't just waltzing into my little cave apartment on Avenue V anytime soon. I do so love to sit at home and wait for things to happen to me. But I guess you can't have your cake and have sex with it too.

Random Recipe of the Week: Sauteed Scallops

2009-07-04T16:51:00.000-04:00

...with a light garlic tomato sauce. This is a great quick seafood dinner.

4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1 package TJs frozen scallops
1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
handful fresh parsley, chopped
1/3 cup veggie broth

-Place frozen scallops in a bowl in the sink and run cool water over them for a few minutes (this starts the defrosting process)
-Saute garlic and onions together for about 3 minutes on low low-medium heat so garlic doesn't burn
-Add scallops and continue to saute for another 3 minutes
-Add broth, tomatoes, and parsley.
-Cover, continue to saute on medium heat until scallops are fully cooked (around 10-15 minutes)

I served this over pasta, but any grain would do. Perfect with a glass of white wine and good conversation!

What's In My Fridge

2009-06-22T23:18:00.004-04:00

OMG! I feel like a celebrity!!! Tina over at Carrots 'N' Cake posted my fridge pic!

Random Recipe of the Week

2009-06-18T16:25:00.002-04:00

How do you cope with such a crappy New York rainy day...throw a fiesta!!

Tofu & Black Bean Enchilladas:

1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 block of tofu, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tbsp dill
1 tbsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
8 whole wheat tortillas
1 cup shredded cheese
1 avocado, sliced
1 jar enchillada sauce

This recipe make a LOT of filling. I think I had 2 to 3 cups leftover after filling 8 tortillas...you'll have leftovers!

-Saute onions and garlic for about 5 minutes
-Add tofu, beans, tomatoes, and spices. Simmer until heated through
-Fill the tortillas with the mixture and place on a baking sheet
-Pour enchillada sauce over tortillas and sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese
-Bake on 350* for 15 minutes.
-Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese
-top with avocado slices

Emily says: "Don't Forget the Margaritas!"

Kat: Excess Baggage

2009-06-16T13:35:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I get really caught up in preparing elaborate meals made of several different dishes. It's a good way to get a balanced dinner, and a great way to practice your multitasking skills, but it can be very taxing night after night. Every now and again, I like to go back to the basics; use under 5 ingredients to turn out a delicious and filling meal.

I got these recipes from my boyfriend's mother. Lindi is from Kosovo and grew up on a diet that I have only dreamed about. His family had a summer vegetable garden and daily bought fresh milk and meat from their neighbors. His mom made all of the family's butter and yogurt, woke up early every morning to bake fresh bread, and cooked something warm for every breakfast, lunch, and dinner; all while raising three children and working a full time job. (And my friends complain that they don't have time to cook!) With a job description like that, you've got to have a few "trick" meals up your sleeves; dishes that seem like you slaved forever to prepare, while in reality, they're a simple as pie...and go a very long way.

These two recipes are exactly that.

15 cups of water
1 16 oz. bag of butter beans
2 medium onions, minced
2 green peppers, minced
4 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp corn starch
hot pepper flakes to taste (I used about 2 tbsp and added more at the table!)
2 tbsp Vegeta (Eastern European spice) can substitute with poultry seasoning
parsley for garnish

1. Place beans in your largest soup dish and cover with water (only a few cups)
2. Boil beans for 15 minutes
3. Drain and rinse beans, put back in pot and bring to another boil (this time use 15 cups)
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours
5. At this point, the water level will have greatly diminished. Add more water to the pot until you have about 15 cups in the pot again.
6. Saute onions (in a separate pan) until they turn translucent
7. Add onions and rest of the ingredients in with the beans.
8. Simmer for 30 more minutes
9. Chop parsley and add to individuals bowls.

Serve with warm homemade bread:

2 eggs
2 cups plain yogurt (a thick Greek is best)
1 tsp salt
3-4 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
*******************
1. Preheat oven to 350*
2. Mix eggs, yogurt, and salt in a small saucepan.
3. Heat over low flame until mixture reaches room temperature.
4. Pour into medium mixing bowl and gently fold in baking soda and powder.
5. Fold in a cup of flour at a time, being careful not to over mix (this is not a kneaded bread!!)

6. Add more cups of flour until the dough does not stick to your hands then pour dough into a nonstick baking dish.
7. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

Jenna: Excess Baggage

2009-06-16T12:06:00.003-04:00

Here's an awkward situation we've all been in. A simple misguided judgement of character that leads to an uncomfortable series of events in which you cannot effectively or tactfully get rid of someone who's company you no longer desire.

It's not like you're trying to be mean. Or hurt anyone's feelings...but sometimes, people just don't get the hint. And there's very little you can do to imply that you don't want someone around without being glaringly obvious.

This has happened to you right? You meet a person who you seem to hit it off with at first (perhaps romantically, maybe as a friend), and invite them out to some fun group enterprise with a bunch of other friends. This way it's not a date and you get to see how this person will acclimate to your social group. You are the common link with everyone though, and you are obligated to spend time making your new friend feel comfortable. This is fine at first, but suddenly you run out of things to talk about. Or that habit they have of constantly mentioning that time they lived in Prague, or their restoration of a new car, or some band they've been following for years, becomes less endearing and increasingly irritating. Your friends think he's kind of lame and time seems to move in fast forward until you quickly realize that you can no longer stand to look at this him anymore. However, because you have put yourself in this situation (due to innocently misplaced enthusiasm) there is no tactful escape route.

Depending on the person in question, there are varying levels of awareness of the fact that your presence is no longer desired. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to sound like a bitch. I'm sure I've been on both sides of this situation, having overstayed my welcome in many a social situation. But I, at least, have the social aptitude to know when it's time to throw in the towel. Some don't. And with those kinds of people, as mean, rude, and awful as it may make you feel, one must be extraordinarily clear about your intentions. As in...you no longer have any. That this experiment has been a failure and must recorded in history as such.

My basic tactic is to start talking to your unwelcome guest less and less until they kind of wander off, get bored, and decide to leave. It's not the best way to handle the situation, but in my opinion, it's the path of least resistance. And until I develop a stronger ability to see into the future and head these things off at the pass, I will work on my tact and stop inviting near strangers out to day-long social events. Lesson learned.

Kat: Getting Back to My Roots

2009-06-13T10:21:00.000-04:00

I was raised in the midwest, but my entire family tree is planted in good 'ole Alabama. Up here in Yankeeville, USA, it's a rare occasion to meet someone else with a family history like mine. I can name two people. That is, TWO people out of the ZAMILLION that I've met since I moved to New York. Alan and Liz are near and dear to my heart. One of the reasons: because they get it. They really understand what it's like to spend time in a place that feels like another world; where the salads are made of mayonnaise, the iced tea is sweeter than the dessert, and everything that can fit in a pan will be fried.

I grew up eating southern home cooking and it wasn't until years later when my brother and I became vegetarians that my mom started experimenting with some new dishes. We began eating less meals from my grandmother's cookbook and more meals consisting of what my extended family calls "Yankee Food" i.e. anything that is not a giant slab of meat.

Fast forward 11 years. I have given up my strict vegetarian diet which included a ton of overly processed vegetarian "meats". Now, I am eating fish and organic chicken in order to replace those highly processed foods. When my mom heard that I was enjoying fish (after she stopped jumping for joy) she gave me one of my grandmother's favorite recipes; Salmon Croquettes. I was a little hesitant to try it because I was no longer used to heavy dishes, so I made a few minor changes to lighten it up. I swapped the corn meal for whole wheat flour, added a few choice spices, and instead of deep frying the patties, I browned both sides on a stove top grilling pan.

1 small can salmon
1 small onion minced
1 bell pepper minced
1 medium potato cooked
1 egg
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dill
1 tsp red pepper flakes
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tbsp evoo

1. Boil the potato then mash into a medium bowl
2. Mix in everything else except oil and flour.

(At the last minute, I realized that I only had frozen bell peppers. And since we do not own a microwave and I couldn't find my steamer, I had to improvise. Saucepan + 1/4 c. water + hand strainer = instant steamer! Note: I do NOT recommend doing this. I'm pretty sure that all the nutrients were completely drained out of the peppers by the time I was done.)

(Don't be scared of the canned salmon. It may look and smell like cat food...but it sure tastes like...canned salmon.)

3. Chill mixture for 30 minutes so it crumbles less
4. Shape into 8 patties & lightly coat each in flour

5. Brown with small amount of oil in a skillet (on med-high) until golden brown.

Delicious. They came out more potato-y than salmon-y, which is fine with me, since I'm still not quite 100% with heavy fish tastes/smells.

I served it with a cool quinou salad and some grilled asparagus:

The salad included:
1/2 cup cooked quinou (cool completely before using)
1 cup kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
1/2 small cucumber, chopped
handful fresh parsley, chopped
a dash of freshly grated Parmesan
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

....mix and enjoy!

Remember the best thing about cooking dinner...

...someone else has to do the dishes!

Question for my readers: Does your family's heritage influence your eating habits? For better or worse? Have you made your own creative changes to your family's favorite recipes?

Jenna: Getting Back to My Roots

2009-06-13T10:20:00.001-04:00

I'm from Brooklyn. Deep Brooklyn, as we nicknamed my neighborhood in high school. The area I describe is technically called Gravesend (sounds charming right?) and is approximately 15 minutes (or 5 stops on the Q train) from Coney Island, and a little bit east of Bay Ridge. Most of my friends from high school were from Park Slope and we'd spend our free days roaming up and down the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights, lounging on the beach until curfew, or playing skee-ball and riding the Cyclone at Astroland.

I was born, raised, worked, and went to school in Brooklyn until I left for Indiana for college. And it wasn't until I lived somewhere completely different, that I realized how much of my personality has been shaped and defined by the place that I come from. It completely affects the way I relate to the world around me. It's also proved a challenge in my dating life, as well.

With the exception of one or two fine fellas I dated at IU, I never really felt like I had much in common with most guys I met in college. I had a close group of friends from all over the place, a lot from the midwest, that I got on with swimmingly, so it wasn't like I was close-minded about not having anything in common with people from outside of New York. But for some reason, those differences caused more of a rift when it came to romantic relationships. Maybe it was a communication thing, or a perspective thing, I'm not quite sure...but it often felt like there was a part of me that I felt like no one I dated could understand in Indiana. I believed someone had to understand where I was from to really "get me". I have a friend from Brooklyn, when reminiscing about her first boyfriend, the quintessential guy from Bensonhurst, wondered if she could ever truly be happy with someone who didn't grow up where we did. Who's favorite pizza wasn't a square slice from L & B, for example. At the time, I agreed with her.

Since I've moved back to New York and still meet people from all over the place, my opinion has changed. Now that I've got the home advantage, I've realized how exciting it can be to share all of those things that you associate with home with someone who's never experienced them. There's something very romantic about taking a guy for his first ride on the Wonder Wheel or introducing someone to the best bagel store in Brooklyn (Brooklyn Bagel Boys on Ave. Z and Coney Island Avenue). Not to mention that it's great fun to learn about where other people come from and what makes them tick. Those differences in the way you see the world can make a relationship that much more dynamic and exciting and allows you to expand your horizons. The place where I'm from will always be an important part of my life that I'm eager to share, but I no longer think that a New Yorker only dating policy is the way to go.

This post sort of just turned out to be a love letter to Brooklyn. I think I'm okay with that. If Brooklyn was a dude, I'd totally marry him. On the boardwalk next to the Parachute Jump, of course.

Kat: Taking Things for Granted

2009-06-10T08:40:00.000-04:00

"You can't solo on a bass!" -me
"have you EVER listened to a song by Three Rivers Jackson??!" -jenna

...Touché Jenna, tres touché.

What did I learn? Don't take things for granted. No, not just the lovely instrument that is the bass, but other wonderful god-sents. Such as GREENS!

One of my favorite things in the world. I wasn't always so open-minded about these gems. I used to be scared of the mile-long green produce isle in the grocery store. I mean, what do you do with all those things?? I would grab my spinach and lettuce and get the hell out of dodge. With the help of some mind-expanding drugs (kidding) I have opened my heart to other things like kale, mustard, turnip, collards, and the list goes on and on.

A quick, easy, and delicious way to sneak greens into your diet is drinking a green monster. These have quickly become famous in the blog world, and I'm pretty sure Angela is to "blame". The basic recipe that I follow is:

1/2 ripe banana
1 cup Original Almond Breeze (or soy milk)
1 T almound butter
3 cup kale

Before:
After:

If you're a green monster virgin, I suggest starting with 2 cups to see what your tolerance is; you really have to work into the 3 cups of kale (you could also substitute spinach for the kale). It should taste like a peanut butter & banana milkshake. It's so delicious that you can eat it for dessert!

Tonight's dinner was an amazing way to cram a helluva lotta greens into one dish....I give you Green Greens & Mac stolen directly from Kath Eats. Basically, this dish is a twist on mac & cheese....still cheezy, still macky, but with an entire POUND of lip-licking, ass-kicking, energy-boosting, free-radical-fighting GREENS. love love love this dish.

Kath's recipe is so great, that I only made a couple of very minor changes in regards to what I had in my fridge.

whole wheat pasta (1 1/2 cups dry for me, the boyfriend, and leftovers)
1 pound greens
3/4 small container of mushrooms (I'm a mushroom wimp)
2/3 can sweet potato puree
1/4 cup vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes to taste
3 cloves garlic
Nutmeg to taste
1 cup shredded cheese
2 tsp olive oil
Freshly grated Parmesan for garnish

Instructions:
-Cook pasta
-Sautee mushrooms in olive oil for about 5 minutes,
-Add pound of greens, 2 tbsp vegetable broth, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and garlic and cook until greens reduce, around 5 minutes.

-In another pan, heat sweet potato with the remaining broth and a pinch of nutmeg.

(Note: you're not cooking until you're using more than half of your burners!)

-Put half of the greens in a blender with the squash and puree until smooth. Add a pinch more broth. Return to original pan.
-Stir in cheese
-Once cheese has melted, assemble your creation!

If you're not into "sneaking" a pound of green into your main course (I know It's scary. Shhhhhh....baby steps), then why not start with some yummy side dishes. You could simply saute some spinach with garlic and onions, or roast brussel sprouts (cut in half, sprinkle w/ salt and evoo, bake on 400* for 30 minutes) until they are crunchy and golden brown.

If anyone has a great greens recipe, let me know....I'm always looking for new ones!

My challenge to you is to try and work some extra greens into your diet. Don't take these babies for granted. EAT YOUR GREENS...and feel like a rock star....Three Rivers Jackson style.

Jenna: Taking Things for Granted

2009-06-10T08:37:00.001-04:00

Oh, Three Rivers Jackson. You know when your friends are in a band in college and you think they are just the bees knees? Like so talented. Then you brush the dust off that CD a few years later and have a listen...and realize that every song on the album has a 30 second bass solo.

Though 3RJ did not sell a million records with this approach (they were ahead of their time), I do agree with Kat on the merits of thinking outside of the box. Trying not to assume that just because something isn't what you're used to, it might just be good for you.

Much like the produce aisle, the pool of singles is expansive, often frighteningly so. There are so many kinds of people with vastly different backgrounds, interests, and occupations, it often seems easier, when dating, to stick with what you know. And I'm starting to think that this is why, even though I'm constantly meeting new people, I rarely see much dating potential in anyone.

I think my problem is that my focus is too narrow! I am only drawn to the types of guys I'm familiar with (much like spinach and lettuce- safe because you know what you're getting into) instead of opening my mind to other possibilities. For example, I was going to a friend's party last weekend and another friend emailed me mentioning that she wanted me to meet a single friend of her boyfriend who she was going to bring to the party. She described him has a cool, clean cut guy currently taking the bar to become a lawyer and working for the dept. of corrections in the meantime. So far, this guy does not sound like my type. She goes on to mention he has a motorcycle, attempting to play up a wild side. This makes things slightly better. I wrote her back that it sounded like a plan (though still uncertain) and tried to convince myself that there was no harm in meeting someone new, even if he turned out to be lame.

But to be perfectly honest, it was over before it began. I'm the kind of girl that dates artists, actors, musicians (and when I'm really desperate, comedians). That very special group of guys who have no shortage of burning passion, right alongside a complete lack of maturity, paralyzing fear of commitment, and approximately $15 in their savings account. I like guys that stay up too late and drink too much. A lawyer with a trust fund just sounded too far out of my comfort zone (even one with a motorcycle). How could I possibly have anything in common with someone who seems so unlike the type I'm usually attracted to? The conversation would be forced and polite, awkward at best. It's the way I feel about lawyers, financiers, accountants or anyone else who works in a cubicle.

So, of course the guy didn't have a snowman's chance in hell. It was brief and awkward and I was unforgiveably rude. I was totally unwilling to try something new. Lesson learned? Maybe. I think I might be pleasantly surprised if I could learn to open my mind a little. Besides, the real, human part of me would much rather be somebody's girlfriend and respected companion than a fly-by-night muse. I hear the benefits are better.

Random Recipe of the Week

2009-06-08T17:28:00.007-04:00

Taratoj
(A chilled Kosovar soup; pronounced "tara-toy")

This is one of my favorite soups of all time and it couldn't be easier to make. I'm thrilled that summer is around the corner and now I can start "cooking" it again!

2 cups plain yogurt
1 1/2 cups cold water
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cucumber
dash olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
(if you're feeling sassy, try adding a couple of green onions and/or a handful of fresh parsley)

It doesn't get any easier than this:

1. Wisk yogurt and water together
2. add the rest of the ingredients
3. chill for at least 30 minutes (the longer you let it sit, the stronger the flavors become)

On lazy summer days (does anyone even have those anymore!?!?) I put this together right after breakfast and let it chill until lunch or even dinner....just make sure to stir again, right before serving.

Kat: Expecting to Fail

2009-06-04T13:23:00.001-04:00

I consider myself an optimist...that is, until I'm confronted with cooking a new recipe. It always makes me nervous: 1) because I think I'm a "good cook" and I struggle with this unhealthy illusion that one unsatisfying dish would automatically make me a "bad cook," 2) because I really want to eat whatever I'm about to make!

I've been toying around with the idea of making my own yogurt for quite a while now. There are several yogurt-making techniques out there and I was beginning to feel weighed down by all the choices; until I found a youtube video by Simply Living Smart. I knew immediately it was the one to go with. Why, you ask? Because it did not call for using a slow cooker or any other "fancy" equipment. Simple. Just like the name says; so I broke down and bought the ingredients.

Here's what you need to start up:
7 cups milk (1 or 2%)
½ c instant nonfat powdered milk
½ c yogurt (make sure it's a "real" yogurt with cultures)
4 mason jars
Fleece blanket
Small Styrofoam beer cooler

For all you visual learners:

1. Mix wet and dry milks together in a saucepan (if you want to make vanilla yogurt, you can add 1/3 c sugar and a tbsp vanilla at this step)
2. Scald milk over medium heat (5-10 minutes). The milk has scalded when bubbles form around the edge of the milk and it begins to rise in the pan (or 180* if you're fancy and have a kitchen thermometer)
3. Transfer milk into a big mixing bowl (don't use plastic...mine started to melt!!)
4. Let cool on the counter for about 40 minutes. When it "feels warm like a baby’s bottle" (or 100*), it's cool enough
5. Mix in the yogurt (make sure to take it out of the refrigerator for 20 minutes before you're ready to use it “so it won’t shock the milk”
6. Pour mixture into 4 mason jars & put lids on tightly

7. Line beer cooler with fleece blanket
8. Place mason jars in the cooler, 2 on bottom, 2 on top.

9. Wrap the blanket around the jars and close the lid of the cooler
10. Let sit undisturbed for about 11 hours

So did it work??

You bet it did!!! I still can't believe it! Look how much it firmed up (that's what she said). Creamy and delicious.

...and after an uncontrolled taste "test"...

I'm used to whole greek-style yogurt, so I prefer a yogurt that is thicker and more sour than what I ended up with. If you do like low fat yogurt, I would suggest going with this recipe. Next go-round I'm going to use whole milk instead of 2% and try heating the cooler (possibly with an electric heating pad?) to see what a difference it makes.

Overall, I think this was a pretty successful first try. It felt kind of like baking bread...working for 20 minutes, sitting back to let chemistry do its work, then *POOF*, a few hour later you've got lunch.

Looking at all of this yogurt sitting in my refrigerator has inspired me to make a cool summer yogurt soup...keep a look out for the recipe; its an essential for the hot summer days to come (soon, I hope)!

Jenna: Expecting to Fail

2009-06-02T00:29:00.005-04:00

It's kind of intense (and very scary) to walk straight into something that you know might not be successful. There are certain situations that demand a bit of boldness along with a sense of neutrality about the outcome.

A recent experience comes to mind. I met a guy recently. He was an actor/writer working on a play with a my friend; talented (read: sexy) articulate, charming, the works. We hit it off from the beginning. Get drunk at a bar, go on a postcarding adventure, have a swell old fashioned good time. My curiousity is piqued...this could get interesting.

It didn't take long for him to come clean about the catch, though: he's about a week and a half away from leaving the city for more than a month. Things obviously can't go anywhere at the moment. This is lousy. I hang out with him a few more times anyway...knowing full well that this brief liaison is pretty much a waste of my time. He goes his way, I go mine. No harm, no foul, but no fireworks either.

BUT, in retrospect...I'm happy for the experience, and even about the outcome. Was the result of our brief and exciting flirtation successful? Yes and no. It's been quite a long time since I'd met anyone who excited me this way. I dug him and he made me laugh, but most importantly he made me realized that somewhere along the way, I'd lowered my standards.

I've been expecting the guys I meet to have one or two qualities I appreciate and forgiving them all of those unsightly things that make us less than compatible. I figure they'll grow on me, or I'll get bored and it's just a matter of time either way. This dude reminded me that it's perfectly fine to be picky; that I am no dating beggar and the choices are all mine.

And in a city that's as fast paced as this one, where free social time is a luxury, it seems silly to waste time on anyone that's less than spectacular. I'm a busy woman, after all.

Kat: Dr. Ruth Meets Julia Child

2009-06-01T17:44:00.001-04:00

What a better way to start a blog than a "getting to know you" post. Remember the first day of school when you were a kid and had to everyone had stand up to state their name, favorite color, and something 'fun' about themselves? I used to hate doing that. Well, times change and I've gotten a little less shy so, here goes.

My name is Kat
My favorite color is pink
and I AM SO EXCITED TO START A BLOG WITH MY BEST FRIEND JENNA!!

Whew. Glad that's over. In case that wasn't enough...here's a bit more. I live in New York City, work in a art gallery, and my real passion is FOOD. Anything that has to do with food. Recently, I've given my diet a makeover. I realized that feeling my best is worth ALOT so, I've sworn off processed foods and have began eating as healthily as possible. This means cooking almost everything I eat and, living in this city, that's pretty much unheard of. I have a lot of people ask me how I do it; cooking my own healthy food within a budget.

Enter this blog.

I'm hoping to show how it's possible (and delicious!)...because where I come from, seeing is believing.

Ok. Let's just jump into it. Now, I know this is not the best place to start, since I just said that I barely eat out, but I need to get this off my chest, so here goes. If I do eat outside of my own kitchen, you can usually find me here; I give you the Hummus Place!

There are four branches spread around the city, but I've only eaten at the one in the West Village. It's a little hole in the wall with only about eight tables, but the service is pretty fast (probably since they have a small menu), so you never have to wait for a table very long, if at all.

You have the choice of hummus topped one of 5 ways as well as a handful of sides and appetizers.

My standard choice is Hummus Fava. It's a combination of hummus (obvi) fava beans, a hard-boiled egg, tahini, some green goop, olive oil, and paprika; served warm with fresh just-out-of-the-oven whole wheat pita. What could be better for $5 a plate? Not. Much.

And this is the rest of the table (note to self: work on food photography skills)

I am drooling over these pictures. This is the best hummus that I've ever had. I dream about this hummus. Seriously.

There you go. Keeping it simple with this first post (i am a bloggie virgin after all!).

Jenna: Dr. Ruth Meets Julia Child

2009-06-01T16:18:00.003-04:00

Woohoo! Hello wide world, we are thrilled to join the blogosphere. Look no further, for all of your needs about learning the ins and outs of dating and food will be satisfied by this blog.

Kat and I joked about starting a blog a few months ago (well into our second bottle of wine) following a delightful meal she'd cooked at her place on Spring Street. The subject of blogging came up (who knows why?) and we somehow determined that we could write a brilliant blog together. But what would we write about? What do we know enough about that other people might benefit from reading from our experiences?

We settled on sex and cooking.

I'm good at gallavanting around our fair city, enjoying the trials and tribulations of being a 20-something lady on the prowl. I always have a ridiculous story to tell. Kat cooks amazing, healthy, delicious food all the time. She ought to write about it.

That's how 'Table for One' was born.

My name is Jenna.
My favorite color is burgundy.
I run this awesome theatre company. We even have a blog. I, for one, am NOT a blogging virgin. (Big surprise.)

I live and work in Brooklyn and was born and raised here. I love Brooklyn. I'm probably as passionate about Brooklyn as Kat is about food. I started my own theatre company 2 years ago and we're finishing up an Off Broadway run of a original play. I subsidize the income of an artist with a serving job (painfully cliche, I know) at a fabulous family style Italian restaurant in Park Slope. I work at the restaurant 3 days a week and spend the rest of my time producing theatre, seeing new bands, and absorbing all of the wonderful, energetic culture the city has to offer. Or at least, what I can afford to.

I tend to be busy. I tend to stay single. I tend to meet lots of interesting types in my line of work and travels through this town. As any person dating in New York will tell you, it can be a pretty wild ride. There are so many different kinds of people here, you never quite know what to expect. It can be hilarious, confusing, disheartening, and fun (not to mention all sorts of nonsense in between) and we've all experienced it at one time or another. I've always enjoyed hearing the sordid tales of others because they help remind me that it's a shared insanity, this dating thing. My hope is to share some stories with you that you might learn from my mistakes, laugh at my follies, and maybe empathize a little. A little empathy never killed anyone.

So here's to day one of our blog! A New York infused orgy of information to satisfy your palette and tickle your funny bone. And here's to you reader, as we begin this mad journey together.

And, for the record, I fucking LOVE the Hummus Place.