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Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
leftovers recipe: chicken and cauliflower
Last night I had to make dinner. I only thought about it about 45 minutes until dinner was needed, so it had to be quick. I had to use a bunch of leftover chicken. Bonus points for using leftover cauliflower that had been blanched and then drenched in cheese (the cauliflower doesn't reheat well, so it's rarely eaten as a leftover).
Normally, I use leftover chicken for chicken alfredo lasagna. But we were missing about half of the other ingredients for that.
So I made up this fun dish, which I guess you could call Leftover Chicken and Cauliflower Pasta. Or something like that.
I cut up the leftover chicken and the leftover cauliflower and heated it up with just a little bit of oil. I added some garlic and crushed red pepper. Then, after everything was heated through, I added a can of cream of mushroom soup. Then I rinsed the can out with milk, adding the milk to the mixture.
Brought it to boiling, then reduced the heat and let it keep cooking until the pasta was done.
Then I put them together.
It was great.
I think next time I would add more red pepper and garlic, and I might use a can of condensed cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom. But it was a good meal and only took something like 20 minutes? Not bad!
Normally, I use leftover chicken for chicken alfredo lasagna. But we were missing about half of the other ingredients for that.
So I made up this fun dish, which I guess you could call Leftover Chicken and Cauliflower Pasta. Or something like that.
I cut up the leftover chicken and the leftover cauliflower and heated it up with just a little bit of oil. I added some garlic and crushed red pepper. Then, after everything was heated through, I added a can of cream of mushroom soup. Then I rinsed the can out with milk, adding the milk to the mixture.
Brought it to boiling, then reduced the heat and let it keep cooking until the pasta was done.
Then I put them together.
It was great.
I think next time I would add more red pepper and garlic, and I might use a can of condensed cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom. But it was a good meal and only took something like 20 minutes? Not bad!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
on willpower
In college I had a fantastic roommate. Actually, I had bunches of fantastic roommates, but I'm thinking of one in particular, whom I shall call L.
L was--and still is--an inspiration to me. All the time. Always.
One thing that struck me about her was her incredible willpower. She would decide to do something, and BAM. She was going to get it done. Once that decision was made, she followed through. Every time.
L was extra great because not only did she have incredible willpower, but she also encouraged me to have the same. She knew about my goals and she would invite me to come along with her, so we would both accomplish the things we wanted to. But at the time, I was too silly to realize what she was doing. In my mind, she was only able to do that stuff because she had willpower, a unique gift only given to that rare few, and I just didn't have it.
Now, I realize the truth: willpower is just another word for self-control.
And self-control is another word for self-discipline.
And what self-discipline means is that you discipline yourself.
In other words:
Now, maybe this is obvious, but it wasn't to me. I only just barely figured it out. But isn't it liberating?
It's a depressing thing, to realize that you and not your genetics are responsible for your willpower or lack thereof. But it's an empowering thing too. Because that means you can change it about yourself. If you see yourself as being weak-willed or spineless, lacking in willpower, well: good news! You can change that! You just need to practice!
Over the past few months, I've been working on developing my willpower, one workout at a time. One meal at a time. One day at a time. But I believe I have a stronger will now than I did at the beginning.
I wanted to share this because I feel like it's a potentially life-changing revelation. It is for me, anyway. In my life, there are so many things I would like to have done, and what kept me back was a lack of action that I blamed on a lack of willpower.
Now I know the truth: I have as much willpower as I want to have, and I access it with practice and work.
L was--and still is--an inspiration to me. All the time. Always.
One thing that struck me about her was her incredible willpower. She would decide to do something, and BAM. She was going to get it done. Once that decision was made, she followed through. Every time.
L was extra great because not only did she have incredible willpower, but she also encouraged me to have the same. She knew about my goals and she would invite me to come along with her, so we would both accomplish the things we wanted to. But at the time, I was too silly to realize what she was doing. In my mind, she was only able to do that stuff because she had willpower, a unique gift only given to that rare few, and I just didn't have it.
Now, I realize the truth: willpower is just another word for self-control.
And self-control is another word for self-discipline.
And what self-discipline means is that you discipline yourself.
In other words:
Willpower is a trait you develop in yourself through practice.
Now, maybe this is obvious, but it wasn't to me. I only just barely figured it out. But isn't it liberating?
It's a depressing thing, to realize that you and not your genetics are responsible for your willpower or lack thereof. But it's an empowering thing too. Because that means you can change it about yourself. If you see yourself as being weak-willed or spineless, lacking in willpower, well: good news! You can change that! You just need to practice!
Over the past few months, I've been working on developing my willpower, one workout at a time. One meal at a time. One day at a time. But I believe I have a stronger will now than I did at the beginning.
I wanted to share this because I feel like it's a potentially life-changing revelation. It is for me, anyway. In my life, there are so many things I would like to have done, and what kept me back was a lack of action that I blamed on a lack of willpower.
Now I know the truth: I have as much willpower as I want to have, and I access it with practice and work.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
baby is CRAZY
Last night Nathaniel did that thing again where he screams in his sleep. Totally asleep and screaming. Makes no sense. He did it from 11:30 pm until 6 am. We have been incredibly blessed in that this is only the 2nd time he's really bothered to scream at night at all, but MAN.
Then today, he went down for his normal morning nap at 10:30. And then woke up at 10:46, ready to go. Sixteen minutes of napping.
????????
He's been crazy all morning since, and now, at 2:50 pm, he just went down again. We'll see how long this nap lasts. Normally he sleeps for 11 hours at night, then takes 2-3 naps that total another 4-5 hours. He should be on his third or fourth hour of napping for the day, but he's on his first.
His tired circles have tired circles have tired circles. Seriously, there are three layers of tired circles on his baby face.
??????
What is his deal??
I'll let you know when I find out. Time for some internet sleuthing, I guess.
Then today, he went down for his normal morning nap at 10:30. And then woke up at 10:46, ready to go. Sixteen minutes of napping.
He's been crazy all morning since, and now, at 2:50 pm, he just went down again. We'll see how long this nap lasts. Normally he sleeps for 11 hours at night, then takes 2-3 naps that total another 4-5 hours. He should be on his third or fourth hour of napping for the day, but he's on his first.
His tired circles have tired circles have tired circles. Seriously, there are three layers of tired circles on his baby face.
??????
What is his deal??
I'll let you know when I find out. Time for some internet sleuthing, I guess.
Monday, March 5, 2012
so productive
Today is a PRODUCTIVE DAY! Capital letters for capital productivity. Or something.
To be honest, I probably haven't done that much. We're on the 2nd load of laundry out of 3; I mopped the kitchen and cleaned the counters; did the dishes; picked up some random stuff from Freecycle that will come in handy once I try making my own laundry detergent (later this week, hopefully); and yeah, maybe that's all I did. Oh well. Oh, I chopped up all the vegetables I got from the store, so we will be more likely to eat them.
I've found that if I just buy vegetables, often they go to waste. But if I buy them and then come home and actually prepare them--chop up the carrots into carrot sticks; dice the peppers up for omelets or tacos--then they actually get eaten. So I try to build in some time to prepare that food right away. I forgot on Saturday but now we are set!
Anyway, I was just feeling so good about being so productive, I had to tell someone. Blogosphere, you are that someone.
To be honest, I probably haven't done that much. We're on the 2nd load of laundry out of 3; I mopped the kitchen and cleaned the counters; did the dishes; picked up some random stuff from Freecycle that will come in handy once I try making my own laundry detergent (later this week, hopefully); and yeah, maybe that's all I did. Oh well. Oh, I chopped up all the vegetables I got from the store, so we will be more likely to eat them.
I've found that if I just buy vegetables, often they go to waste. But if I buy them and then come home and actually prepare them--chop up the carrots into carrot sticks; dice the peppers up for omelets or tacos--then they actually get eaten. So I try to build in some time to prepare that food right away. I forgot on Saturday but now we are set!
Anyway, I was just feeling so good about being so productive, I had to tell someone. Blogosphere, you are that someone.
Friday, March 2, 2012
my baby is buff
I decided to switch my workouts up. Instead of doing Insanity only, I've added in Jillian's 30-day Shred. The 30DS uses weights, so I've brought mine out. I only have 5-lb handweights, and they're too light for me now, but I use them anyway out of principle.
Anyway, two nights ago Nathaniel was chilling with me as I was working out, and it got to the cardio section of the workout and I put my weights down. Always wanting to copy his mama, he crawled on over and started messing with the weights. He was actually able to drag one partway across the room with him as he crawled.
I think it's safe to say my 7-month-old is buff. Considering I know babies older than him that can't even scoot, and he's crawling with 5-lb weights and all. But then again, I think he's always been buff.
It's because his bones were made to be Dorito strong.
Anyway, two nights ago Nathaniel was chilling with me as I was working out, and it got to the cardio section of the workout and I put my weights down. Always wanting to copy his mama, he crawled on over and started messing with the weights. He was actually able to drag one partway across the room with him as he crawled.
I think it's safe to say my 7-month-old is buff. Considering I know babies older than him that can't even scoot, and he's crawling with 5-lb weights and all. But then again, I think he's always been buff.
It's because his bones were made to be Dorito strong.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Breitbart is gone??
Just received word that Andrew Breitbart has passed from this life to the next.
I am in utter shock.
This is one of those moments--
memento mori.
Remember, you will die.
Breitbart has long been one of my greatest inspirations. I have loved him for years. I have loved his work. His passion. Ah, his passion--he was a warrior. The happiest of warriors. He fought with everything he had. And he did it so well. Once he figured out what he believed, he stuck to it.
I hope in my life, I can be like him in that regard. What an inspiration he is, in taking his beliefs and fighting for them with tooth and nail. He had such enemies! But how do you gain an enemy without doing something worthwhile? The worst way to die would be for no one to care. In the case of Andrew's passing, there are thousands of us mourning his death--and thousands more rejoicing, reveling in their hatred. When someone like Keith Olbermann hates you, you know you're doing something right.
Enjoy this video of Andrew's haters, courtesy of some of my old pals:
Andrew is a hero for everything he has done for America. I had no idea I would be so affected by his death. But it's like he was my friend--and in a very real way, he was. He spent his life fighting for me. That's what friends do.
If you're a hater, please take your hate elsewhere. I know that about 50% of people hate Andrew--and if you're one of them, go simmer in your hatred somewhere that isn't my comment section.
Love you, Andrew. Rest in peace. I pray for your family. <3
I am in utter shock.
This is one of those moments--
Remember, you will die.
Breitbart has long been one of my greatest inspirations. I have loved him for years. I have loved his work. His passion. Ah, his passion--he was a warrior. The happiest of warriors. He fought with everything he had. And he did it so well. Once he figured out what he believed, he stuck to it.
I hope in my life, I can be like him in that regard. What an inspiration he is, in taking his beliefs and fighting for them with tooth and nail. He had such enemies! But how do you gain an enemy without doing something worthwhile? The worst way to die would be for no one to care. In the case of Andrew's passing, there are thousands of us mourning his death--and thousands more rejoicing, reveling in their hatred. When someone like Keith Olbermann hates you, you know you're doing something right.
Enjoy this video of Andrew's haters, courtesy of some of my old pals:
Andrew is a hero for everything he has done for America. I had no idea I would be so affected by his death. But it's like he was my friend--and in a very real way, he was. He spent his life fighting for me. That's what friends do.
If you're a hater, please take your hate elsewhere. I know that about 50% of people hate Andrew--and if you're one of them, go simmer in your hatred somewhere that isn't my comment section.
Love you, Andrew. Rest in peace. I pray for your family. <3
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