Thank you thank you THANK YOU to Tammy, Lauren and Robert, and Aunt Kathy for donating to TX Scottish Rite Hospital! As a reminder, the link is:
http://www.active.com/donate/tsrh08/heatherbakes
I’ll put it on the sidebar, too. Don’t forget to check it out between now and December 14th!
Hey, if y’all are bored at work (and I know you are because you’re reading this right now), check out this site where you can can South Park yourself. Here’s me… heehee
It’s a dead ringer. Except that I have a nose.
Last night Brian picked me up from class and we finally tried a restaurant that I’ve been wanting to visit for years: Taverna. Their specialty is risotto but pretty much everything on the menu looked good. We ended up splitting the Risotto al Parmigiano All’ Olio Tartufato (we just pointed)- Risotto with Parmesan Cheese and Truffle Oil.
And the Mare Monti pizza, with 3 of my favorite things as toppings: shrimp, arugula and mushrooms…
The risotto was AMAZING. It’s so rich that we both had two little spoonfuls and were fat and happy. Some people will tell you that truffle oil is overrated… I’m here to say that it most certainly is NOT. The pizza was delicious as well. A lot of restaurants with woodburning ovens tend to burn the crust, but this was thin and perfect. It’s a great date location, too- the lighting is so dim that it was super obvious when I shot the photos. Last night we had crazy weather (windy, cold and rainy) and it was definitely a cozy place to eat dinner.
Today I had to work from 12-8, so I got up, went for a fast run and grabbed a quick breakfast of a Chocolate Brownie Z-Bar and milk:
Lunch was a couple slices of leftover pizza and an apple:
Work was good but I’m tired. Is it bad that as I’m working I’m mentally taking stock of all of the stuff I want to buy that night? Tonight I came home with yet another flavor of tea (Sugar Cookie), clementines, oats, a Kashi Black Bean and Mango frozen meal, cheese, salad, and a corn muffin for Brian.
Guess what today was? SLOW COOKER TUESDAY!! I’ve been slacking off on the slow cooker Monday recently. My parents go to Michigan every year for vacation and about 2 years ago my mom brought me back this package of Wheatberry Chili Mix:
It’s been sitting in the pantry ever since. Many people would have thrown this away looooong ago, but not us! It basically consisted of about a cup of dried wheatberries and a packet of spices- including a GIANT dried chili pepper. I tossed that in the crock pot with some browned ground turkey (cooked with garlic, onion and green pepper), a 28 oz can of diced tomatoes and some chicken broth and cooked it on low for 8 hours.
Turned out great! Here it is topped with cheese and sour cream, ciabatta bread (it’s the bakery specialty at our Whole Foods- we always have hot ciabatta and people go insane if we run out), and salad with Annie’s Woodstock dressing:
Hope everyone has had a great Tuesday!
SURVEY TIME!
This is a selfish one:
What are your favorite snacks (preferably portable)?
I have an 8 hour shift with a 30 minute break, so I’m trying to come up with healthy snacks (other than bars) that can stay in my bag without refrigeration. I bought some Newman’s Own pretzels, but those seem to disappear reallllllly fast in our house. Hmm…
Fresh fruit! I was a retail manager for 5 years and that was the ONLY way to keep me on track because there are always so many bad for you things around!! (aka never ending doritos)
I love PB&J! It’s one of my favorite snacks. Half in the morning and half in the afternoon.
If you have time for Chobani – that always works for me!
Omg, the southpark cartoon is too cute.
My favorite snack is hummus. I have a Tex-Mex hummus and I make it every week. If you want the recipe, email me.
I have no favorite portable snacks… at least none that could be considered anything close to good for you! (read mini-Snickers, M&Ms, trail mix w/M&Ms and raisins and cashews, etc)
I do have to say, though, that you are one lucky gal that your sweet Brian will actually eat – and LIKE – the things you cook! That chili looks awesome, but alas, the guys at my house would not eat it… at least not without much grousing! Which is pretty much true for all your wonderful meals, cupcakes notwithstanding! LOL (they LOVE those, of course)
Also, props to you for supporting (and encouraging us to support) TSRH! My stepniece continues to be a recipient of their goodness and superior treatment and I am proud to say that she continues to do well, is no longer on medication and is now seen only for routine checkups…. and she and her family live in Dalhart, not exactly in our ‘hood! The doctors, ancillary staff and treatment are that good! Again, way to go Heather, for getting this word out!
A portable nonperishable snack that I like it a serving of Cinnamon Puffins or Kashi Heart 2 Heart mixed with roasted/unsalted almonds. You could also throw in some dried fruit for a little extra sweetness.
String cheese and crackers! I just found your blog and I love The Office too! Ha.
I like z-bars, banana with peanut butter and yogurt. Separately, of course.
I like veggies and hummus, trail mix (duh), prunes with PB in a sandwich, huge chocolate chip peanut butter cookies, pieces of cake with chocolate frosting and peanut butter smeared on top, bacon cheeseburgers with a side of chili cheese tater tots, etc.
I’m kidding about the last two.