Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
What to do with surplus herbs?!
I've always been frustrated when I want to make a particular recipe but have to buy the herbs for it in big bunches. I try to use them up as much as I can throughout the week, but most of the time, they go bad before I can finish them up. I found this great tip in Martha Stewart's Cooking School. Make an herb oil out of your leftover herbs! Here's an excerpt from page 23:
*Tender Herbs: Basil, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Mint, Parsley, Tarragon
**Robust Herbs: Bay Leaf, Curry Leaf, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Thyme
CITATION: Stewart, Martha, with Sarah Carey. "Making Herb Oils." Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook. New York: Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 2008. 16-19, 23. Print.
Herb ouls can be used in cooking and garnishing. To infuse oil with tender herbs*, combine 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil and 1/2 cup vegetable oil (olive oil alone would overpower the flavor of the herbs. Blanch one bunch of fresh leafy herbs, about 5 seconds. Immediately tranfer to an ice bath. Drain and squeeze out excell liquid, then process herbs in blender with half the oil until smooth. Add reminaing oil and process until herbs are very fine, about 1 minute. Refrigerate in an airtight container 8 hours or overnight. Return to room temperature, then strain oil through two layers of cheesecloth set in a sieve, discard solids. Store in an airtight containe, refrigerated, up to one month.
For herbs** such as thyme or rosemary, combine with oil in a saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Transfer to an airtight container and steep at least 1 hour and up to overnight. Strain oil through cheesecloth before using or storing in an airtight container in a refrigerator up to one month.
*Tender Herbs: Basil, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Mint, Parsley, Tarragon
**Robust Herbs: Bay Leaf, Curry Leaf, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Thyme
CITATION: Stewart, Martha, with Sarah Carey. "Making Herb Oils." Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook. New York: Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 2008. 16-19, 23. Print.
I get to be a housewife today!
I love these days off. I finally get to tackle some of the things on my to-do list, which includes making this blog entry. Everything seems to be going well right now. We've moved to a new church (St. Patrick's Cathedral), I did well on my work evaluation, I've been off pills and on NFP for a week (and I feel great!), I get pictures every day of my little nephew, and finally the sun is shining in Manhattan! The only thing that I miss the most each and every day is my family. Everyone's scattered about right now, but I know I'll get to see them all next week. Thank God for modern technology! Without cell phone pictures, facebook updates, and online plane booking, I'd be lost!
My husband and I broke down and decided to move forward with having cleaning help. He will do a basic cleaning of our apartment once every 3 weeks. I'm a little hesitant about it for a couple of reasons:
1) It makes me feel a little inadequate about keeping up my tasks as a wife in this little tiny apartment. However, I've resigned myself to the fact that I am working 40+ hours a week. I can't manage decently keeping up the apartment and working that much at the same time. When (fingers crossed!) the day comes where I don't have to work full-time, I will most definitely pick up the household tasks.
2) It was a quick interview, and we didn't interview anyone else. TJ seems to really like him, however, and he got a good review from our neighborhood bartender.
3) Once we're in this commitment, the only ways forward are to keep working with him or to let him go. There's the "dealing with people" issue that's really hard for me, but always seems to fall on my shoulders every time TJ and I get involved with some sort of household help - whether it was grass cutting, insurance companies, or whatever.
So - we'll see what happens. I'm looking forward to coming home to a clean apartment that smells nice every so often, that's for sure!
My husband and I broke down and decided to move forward with having cleaning help. He will do a basic cleaning of our apartment once every 3 weeks. I'm a little hesitant about it for a couple of reasons:
1) It makes me feel a little inadequate about keeping up my tasks as a wife in this little tiny apartment. However, I've resigned myself to the fact that I am working 40+ hours a week. I can't manage decently keeping up the apartment and working that much at the same time. When (fingers crossed!) the day comes where I don't have to work full-time, I will most definitely pick up the household tasks.
2) It was a quick interview, and we didn't interview anyone else. TJ seems to really like him, however, and he got a good review from our neighborhood bartender.
3) Once we're in this commitment, the only ways forward are to keep working with him or to let him go. There's the "dealing with people" issue that's really hard for me, but always seems to fall on my shoulders every time TJ and I get involved with some sort of household help - whether it was grass cutting, insurance companies, or whatever.
So - we'll see what happens. I'm looking forward to coming home to a clean apartment that smells nice every so often, that's for sure!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
So far, so good...
1) Nutrisystem is going really well. We are sticking to it amazingly, and I think I've lost a pound already! By the way, I'm eating Chocolate Rainbow Delights (sort of like M&M's) right now. Seriously, this diet is really easy and pretty tasty. :::::keep your mind off the wine...::::
2) I made it to the monthly Young Adult Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral tonight. This was one of my resolutions (to participate in more Catholic activities). It was so nice! There's a whole 'nother part of the cathedral that I didn't know existed.... behind the altar! It serves as a mass place for smaller groups. They had a choir from Notre Dame singing the chants. I felt so much better after I left... way more peaceful and centered. I was also excited because since we live in New York, we have the opportunity to celebrate mass all the time at St. Patrick's. In fact, it's our secondary parish church (after St. John the Evangelist). It's just cool to be able to say that I went to monthly mass at St. Patrick's while I lived in New York. People travel from all over the world to visit it, and I feel so honored to be able to live so close.
3) My headache doctor appointment was also very successful! I had to wait 2 months for this appointment. I got a slew of treatment recommendations, and I'm starting with an MRI, vitamin & mineral supplements, and specific migraine prescription medication. I'm really looking forward to finally getting some sort of proactive relief from these pestering headaches!
4) tomorrow is ICE SKATING NIGHT!! yay! I wonder what I'll learn? I'll probably just practiced what I learned 3 weeks ago... I haven't practiced on my own since. oops! Well, I'm looking forward to skating more now that things are sort of slowing down a bit... kind of.
2) I made it to the monthly Young Adult Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral tonight. This was one of my resolutions (to participate in more Catholic activities). It was so nice! There's a whole 'nother part of the cathedral that I didn't know existed.... behind the altar! It serves as a mass place for smaller groups. They had a choir from Notre Dame singing the chants. I felt so much better after I left... way more peaceful and centered. I was also excited because since we live in New York, we have the opportunity to celebrate mass all the time at St. Patrick's. In fact, it's our secondary parish church (after St. John the Evangelist). It's just cool to be able to say that I went to monthly mass at St. Patrick's while I lived in New York. People travel from all over the world to visit it, and I feel so honored to be able to live so close.
3) My headache doctor appointment was also very successful! I had to wait 2 months for this appointment. I got a slew of treatment recommendations, and I'm starting with an MRI, vitamin & mineral supplements, and specific migraine prescription medication. I'm really looking forward to finally getting some sort of proactive relief from these pestering headaches!
4) tomorrow is ICE SKATING NIGHT!! yay! I wonder what I'll learn? I'll probably just practiced what I learned 3 weeks ago... I haven't practiced on my own since. oops! Well, I'm looking forward to skating more now that things are sort of slowing down a bit... kind of.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
I love the sun!
I need to take a break. I've been calculating minute numbers and matching receipts all morning. It makes me quiet and seemingly pissy. I'm in a decent mood, it's just that this type of work is so boring. I find myself thinking of all the other things I could be doing right now. But then, I shift back and tell myself that I don't have to reconcile these things every single day and that my work will become all the more interesting come report day (in 3 days).
On a positive note, I felt it yesterday! The light I needed came through and shined on me. I was relatively cheerful, focused, and energetic. It could have been me just getting back to work, or starting my meal plan, but I still feel that God had a hand in it. I'm looking forward to understanding my faith more. In fact, I've decided that one of my resolutions is to participate in more of the Catholic NYC activities. There are so many to pick from every month!
Still getting through Madame Bovary, working on the shower, cheering for our New Orleans Saints, and enjoying every waking minute with TJ! <3!
On a positive note, I felt it yesterday! The light I needed came through and shined on me. I was relatively cheerful, focused, and energetic. It could have been me just getting back to work, or starting my meal plan, but I still feel that God had a hand in it. I'm looking forward to understanding my faith more. In fact, I've decided that one of my resolutions is to participate in more of the Catholic NYC activities. There are so many to pick from every month!
Still getting through Madame Bovary, working on the shower, cheering for our New Orleans Saints, and enjoying every waking minute with TJ! <3!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Happy New Year!
I have had a great vacation celebrating Christmas, New Year's, and my birthday! It was busy, but also relaxing. TJ and I visited New Orleans for a week and saw so many friends and family members. We enjoyed lunch at Mat & Naddie's and dinner at my parents' houses and our friends' apartment. After Christmas, TJ and I came back to New York to spend a couple days of our vacation catching up on some errands. Well, he mainly nursed his broken ankle. (Poor thing! :( ) I can't say I'm looking forward to work, but I am anxious to get back to my routine. I have a few resolutions that I'm going to mull over tonight, then post a little later on.
One thing's for certain: I'm on Nutrisystem again. I lost over 15 lbs on it last year at this time, with minimal exercise (I do walk 20 minutes to and from work every day). Last year, my husband, family, and I were way more psyched about it though. This time around, it seems like a drag. I'm annoyed that I'll have to cut out my wine and martinis, and I'm a little paranoid that I'll slip in a cookie or piece of cheese every now and then. I know if I go into this meal plan with that kind of mentality, it will do me no good. So, as the ol' saying goes: take one day at a time.
Today, we celebrate the Epiphany, in which Jesus comes to shine a light in the darkness, beginning with the example of the three magi who came to visit Him. I was feeling some anxiety today (maybe because it's Sunday evening?), and I'm looking forward to having some of Jesus' light in my life tomorrow when I'm out and about in the world. I'm a much happier person when I'm doing something productive. :)
I'm not so concerned with working tomorrow as I am facing this ridiculously cold weather. It's fun at first, but then it just sucks! The worst part is knowing that you have to look forward to it for the next few months to come. The weather lady said this was the coldest day in New York so far this winter. Yikes! I've got my outfit all ready to go (including all the cold winter gear) as well as my and TJ's meals for the day. It always takes me so much longer to get ready when I have so much winter gear, so if I don't prepare the night before, I'll be a mess the next morning!
I'm looking forward to (hopefully!) getting in a few pages of Madame Bovary tonight... if I don't pass out from sleepiness first! Seriously, I've had to renew this book 3 times, which means I think I checked it out in early November. It takes me forever to get through a book because I always save it till the last minute when I can't stay awake anymore.
The last big thing on my mind is my sister Maddie's baby shower! Our other sister Mallory and I are throwing it for her in Louisiana in a few weeks. I hope we can pull off everything smoothly from long distance. I have some great ladies in my family helping out down south- and they have tons of party-throwing experience. I'm so glad they're able to assist me and Mal with some of the decorating!
Always so much going on, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Looking forward to a fun and busy week ahead!
One thing's for certain: I'm on Nutrisystem again. I lost over 15 lbs on it last year at this time, with minimal exercise (I do walk 20 minutes to and from work every day). Last year, my husband, family, and I were way more psyched about it though. This time around, it seems like a drag. I'm annoyed that I'll have to cut out my wine and martinis, and I'm a little paranoid that I'll slip in a cookie or piece of cheese every now and then. I know if I go into this meal plan with that kind of mentality, it will do me no good. So, as the ol' saying goes: take one day at a time.
Today, we celebrate the Epiphany, in which Jesus comes to shine a light in the darkness, beginning with the example of the three magi who came to visit Him. I was feeling some anxiety today (maybe because it's Sunday evening?), and I'm looking forward to having some of Jesus' light in my life tomorrow when I'm out and about in the world. I'm a much happier person when I'm doing something productive. :)
I'm not so concerned with working tomorrow as I am facing this ridiculously cold weather. It's fun at first, but then it just sucks! The worst part is knowing that you have to look forward to it for the next few months to come. The weather lady said this was the coldest day in New York so far this winter. Yikes! I've got my outfit all ready to go (including all the cold winter gear) as well as my and TJ's meals for the day. It always takes me so much longer to get ready when I have so much winter gear, so if I don't prepare the night before, I'll be a mess the next morning!
I'm looking forward to (hopefully!) getting in a few pages of Madame Bovary tonight... if I don't pass out from sleepiness first! Seriously, I've had to renew this book 3 times, which means I think I checked it out in early November. It takes me forever to get through a book because I always save it till the last minute when I can't stay awake anymore.
The last big thing on my mind is my sister Maddie's baby shower! Our other sister Mallory and I are throwing it for her in Louisiana in a few weeks. I hope we can pull off everything smoothly from long distance. I have some great ladies in my family helping out down south- and they have tons of party-throwing experience. I'm so glad they're able to assist me and Mal with some of the decorating!
Always so much going on, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Looking forward to a fun and busy week ahead!
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