Chocolate fest again....

Im trying a new diet : no carbs no sugars no dairy. bahahahaha - is what I say to it during this season. I will try. Had chicken and salad for lunch today. Every year around this time, one of my patients goes out of his way to drop by even if he is seeing me in a couple weeks for an appointment or if he saw me a couple weeks ago - he makes it a point of dropping by right before Christmas to give me chocolates. Not just any. But one of my favorites. (little do they all know, though Im thankful for all the goodies - there is no way that I can possibly eat all of it - so I give it to the staff every week I put it on the lunch counter. This usually goes on until February or March) BUT! - I never give out this patients chocolates. I can eat the whole box in one sitting! (I havent lately though) .........mmmmMmmmm ..... I love turtles!




My patient knows that these are my favorites!

though.....side note to Mr. Nestle, of the Turtles Chocos .....Dont think that I did not notice that the turtles are a tad bit smaller than usual this year!!!!

:( wish it was this easy

I think Italy is courting me.....

So one of my favorite patients came in today. The elder Italian lady and once again, she brought me home made lunch.
I think its home made pizza and veggie soup with orzo.

Her husband passed away about 2 years ago and she is still mourning him.
So very sad.
Today she said to me "When he was around you know, I felt STRONG. He would do things for me, like open the door, I miss that. I miss him."

You know, with all this womens independance movement (which I am thankful for in many ways) I still appreciate that whole idea of "being treated like a lady".
Chivalry.
Really............ its not something so grand and difficult, no slaying of the dragon or warding off enemies with a sword and suit of armour, no riding miles and miles on horseback through horrid weather to see me................. its just little thoughtful gestures to show they care. What a wonderful feeling to have when you know someone cares about you to think about your needs before theirs. Something that seems to be disappearing lately. Of course its a two way street as well. Im no Princess , or Queen that needs to be served hand and foot. Just gestures to show you care about each other. Simple. And should come naturally. And should not be demanded of the other.

Anyhow, how nice she described it that way : "I felt strong"


However, its not lunch yet and I feel weak... wanta give in and start eating this delicious food right now! Im supposed to be following this low carb diet. Damn, Im not gonna fit into my dress for that cocktail party tonight!

Vanish

I woke up this morning and the world around me vanished!

This was my view outside my kitchen window. I had to go up close to see any faintness of any buildings. It was almost like I was living in a cloud. Sooo foggy. Quite erry actually.

A friend reminded me: "Its just human nature, to want something more, when you feel you are going to loose it, or that you cant have it"

Hope

... is a funny thing. A couple years ago, I had hoped to erradicate this "hope" from my system.
But somehow, it keeps coming back, even when I dont want it to -  because it can be torturous having this when it seems forever unfullfilled. (I think I put too many l's in that word).

I wonder how much of this word is too much. I wonder how much of it is necessary in helping us find our destiny.

Anyhow, I know Ive said it before but I dont like "mushy" stuff because I feel it gives me a false sense of hope.

Anyhow, some things fall through the cracks.

Like this song. And yes, yet again, its country!

(its an oldie, but it was on Xfactor tonight so just reminicing)

3rd time is a charm ! TURKEY time.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
There is alot that Im thankful for. Especially my family and health.

I attempted the Turkey again for the 3rd time.
It usually always stresses me out. I keep checking and checking and basting and opening the oven (bad bad bad).

I think I got it now.

• Butterball Stuffed frozen Turkey
• melt 1/2- 1 cup salted butter or non salted butter
• brush whole turkey with butter
• Oven at 325 until stuffing is 72C and leg is 82C
• cover stuffing and neck area with foil from the start.
• cover after 5 hours with foil to even out cooking.

This 3rd time it was goooooood. Not too dry, not raw haha. Just right!
And I was less stressed about it this time. Opened the oven less and didnt have to baste it much. Just woke up 6 am (it was for Thanksgiving lunch) did the prep and popped it in the oven and went back to sleep until 930am.

I wonder what it is about 3rd times. And 3rd times being a "charm". Wonder where that came from.
Does that mean then the 4th time and 5th time I make a turkey it is going to suck? Does it mean that I will never cook a turkey ever after #3?
Riddiculous!
Lets hope it justs gets better and better after this.

"honey, what are we having for dinner tonight?"
"meh..... nothing big tonight, Im too tired to make anything..... just a FREAKIN Turkey Dinner!"
BAAHM! just like that.

Ima be a great cook.

Some guy is totally missing out!

Yea dude, that means you! Cause after the 3rd time it just gets better and better!

AND cause apparently I can cook goooood!

(yes, its true, one great turkey and I'm Julia Child, no Martha Stewart, no....Both! All in one and in a pretty package too! bahahaha!) - work with me here, Im trying to get over him.

Randoms of the day

so I have to keep my mind busy right now cause if I dont it drifts to where it shouldnt.

Random this morning :
Didnt realize how cool this song sounds until just now. Or maybe its cool because its nostalgic for me hummmmmm



And the second Random of the day:

I think the sexiest sounding shoes are

Ferragamos - ooooooo those Italians. Damn them and their sexiness!
This pic is also from the Island of Capri.

Ok, enough randoms, carry on with your day.....

Pasta Carbonara

.... is what I made for dinner tonight.

and it is what I made many a time when I was living on my own over 10 yrs ago.

At this point, I just wing the recipe: pasta, egg, parmesian, parsley, salt, pepper, bacon, garlic, milk/cream, I added mushrooms today before they went bad.

Maybe I will post a pic after this lethargic fullness goes away.


So I was talking to a friend, Janet tonight.

"if you are hungry long enough, the hunger goes away, the first 24 hours is the worst then you just get used to it"


"experience is never a waste of time, unless you do not learn from it."


"we regret the things that we didnt do than the things we have done."

Chicken and Wine sauce

..... I miss him :(

Anyhow, I have this older Italian lady patient who brings me lunch every time she comes in for her appointment. She knows I love Italian food and I love the food she makes.
So yesterday she brought me home made spagetti and a side of chicken in white wine sauce.
AHHHH how I appreciate such small delights!
I asked her how she made the chicken.... without showing my desperation for the recipe. Playin it cool hahah.
Of course, it was said with no measurements, so I guess Im going to have to practice a few times to get it right.

• chicken breast thinly sliced so it is easier to cook. I have to figure out how she makes the chicken so tender.  - mix salt , pepper, garlic powder, dry parsley - set aside (not sure if she marinates it in wine here or not)
• then after over night or a few hours then dip the chicken in a scrambled raw egg and then roll it in flour and place it on a cooking sheet that has some oil on it
• bake - for how long??
• then get make the sauce: carrots, celery, mushrooms, grated onion, salt, add water and also some white wine.
• Cook this all with the chicken and until the carrots are soft.
• And serve!

Oh btw I was at the Distillery District last night and just had a salad (I ate a bit before I went there) - spinach with walnuts taste good - though the vinegarette dressing was way too tart and salty.

Feelin a little bit of Cher this Monday morning....

:(
"If I could turn back time, If I could find a way, I'd take back all the words that have hurt you..... and you'd stay."

When was wanting more of a good thing.... a bad thing?

Sarciado

another fish recipe. Either fried salmon, talapia, cod .... as this website mentioned.

and for some reason I always put some ginger into it.

• onion
• garlic
• diced tomatoes
• ginger
• 1 egg

Pretty simple, sometimes you can put red peppers but of course that changes the taste quite a bit. Though I had this before and liked it alot, when I made this on the weekend, it seemed like the taste was lacking something. Hummm. I will have to try again and figure it out.

Whining about Wine

I went wine tasting before a few years ago. It was the tasting and tour in one of th bigger well known wineries. I was saddly disappointed. I mean, the grounds were beautiful! But the wine they had us taste was gross. BUT, then again, Im really not a big wine fan. It has to be light and sweet like juice, haha. I remember the white being too sour, the icewine too syrupy and too sweet, and the red tasting exactly how they said it was made - burning the inside of the barrel for that "burning of the inside of the barrel" taste.

This April I went again with some friends. And boy what a different experience! We went to the smaller intimate wineries that are still in the Niagara escarpment area but further away from the main areas. We went to about 5 - or was it 7? I cant remember. I thought the plan was really over kill when I heard how many we planned to go to. I also wondered how we would drive around to each one without being plastered from the tastings.
Regardless of my thoughts, it all worked out. We shared glasses so we didnt have to drink too much (no we didnt spit it out like you sometimes see them doing) and we all seemed to gravitate towards trying the whites - which were lighter. We didnt waste time with tours and we got to choose from a larger variety.
My plan was to really just buy this one white by Joseph's, since I tasted it at my friends place and really liked the sweetness of it.
I ended up buying 5.
5! - from someone who is not really that much into wine!
I got 3 reislings from 3 different places and 2 icewines that did not taste like syrup.

Now Im hesitant to even open them! Crazy huh? Some were not avail at the LCBO so once I drank it, I would have to go all the way back to get it.

Now..... On to my present favorite! Im excited just thinking about it haha.
30 Bench 2011 Riesling - which is a blend of a few types of wines.
Ah J'adore.
Since Im a worrry wart - and thinking -" what will I do when it runs out?, I have to go all the way back??" I finally called them and asked them if they still had alot and when they would expect to run out and did they sell it at the LCBO now (last I checked it was only 2010 - not so good).
Turns out they do, only at selected stores!
Im pretty excited now to open it up ! Now, if only I had an occassion to do so.....

Chicken noodle veggie soup.

A few weeks back I was sick. Sore throat then cough then stuffiness and sneazing. Im still not sure it is totally gone.
But, I did get a lot of practice with making my chicken soup!
I didnt want to get tired of making Sotanghun all the time, so I decided to make regular chicken soup - which actually has more ingredients.

• chicken breast (better than dark chicken - leg or thy - for the soup) - cut into small pieces.
• flour
• salt
• pepper
• chopped carrots
• chopped celery
• chopped onions
• chopped garlic
• minced or finely chopped ginger
• italian herb spices
• small pasta noodles (any kind)

- saute floured, salted chicken with olive oil,ginger, garlic, onions. Add the veggies. Continue to saute and add water so it doesnt burn. Add italian herb spices. Add desired amount of water and salt and pepper.
Add cooked pasta last. Ta - da!

Little chicken, big taste! (Chicken Little)

Sweet and Sour asian Salmon

(serves one - 2 persons)
1/2 cup water
1/4 or 1/3 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2.5 tbsp sugar
2-4 tbsp flour to thicken (dont thicken it too much ugh)
tsp or so of soya sauce
ginger
carrots
red and green pepper
onion garlic
- pour on fried salmon after simmering
- serve with rice

not sure I believe in soul mates anymore... but this is nice

Home - Phillip Phillips

I havent really been keeping up with AI these days, or even for quite sometime. But always near the finale there is so much hype.
And guess who caught my eye. What a cutie!! No doubt he was to win. Love this song too. And love how he cried and went to his family without finishing up his song...

Easter Ham

Ok so I guess Im just catching up on things I have made - just trying to learn how to cook things now that Im back living on my own.

Waaaay back at Easter I made this. I still prefer Turkey over ham. I made a Turkey a couple times a while back - find it kinda stressful (over cooked = dry, under cooked = sick/killed relatives, dont open the oven door too often, Check the temp etc etc). Good thing my sister in law made her always fabulous turkey that day too. OH so much food.

This was a ham from a butchers shop - apparently tastier and better quality meat than those pre- made grocery store ones - though I must stay the spiral ones look easy and are tasty too.
The hams are already cooked so they say... its just the seasoning and prep that makes it more complicated. Funny how we still gotta cook for a couple hours even though it is already cooked.

This was a mix of two receipes (Picked things out of each):

Ham Braised with Maple Raisin Sauce

Epicurious Maple raisn ham

and


Martha Stewart's glazed ham

Sotanghun Soup

Weird. Looked this up and it seems that there are different kinda receipes for this.
Some use a chicken soup base but for some reason my mom doesnt add that and it tastes so chickeny wonderful! - No idea how she does it.
Anyhoots here goes:

• Soak Longhou Vermicelli in water, set aside
• onions & garlic
• equal amound of ginger (ahhhh :)  )
• chicken - small pieces
• you can add veggies if if you like
• salt - to bring out flavor
• pepper
• add water for soup
• simmer it for a bit to bring out flavor - I guess....
• Add noodles
• Add chopped green onion to flavor
• maybe some roasted garlic?

.... no actual pic for this one though....

Pancit

• longhou vermicelli and E& B brand Egg stir fry noodle - soak for 10 min in water.
• Satay onions , garlic
• add chicken
• salt, pepper
• celery, carrots, beans - diagonal thin sliced
• add oyster sauce and soy sauce
• water
• simmer for 20 min covered
• drain separate sauce and meat & veg
• to sauce wisk in Mama sita's Achuete ~achiote powder dissolved in cold water (half a teaspoon to teaspoon) - bring to boil
• keep stirring in noodles until cooked and not dry
• add cooked meat and veg.
• soy sauce and lemon to taste

Sharing.....

.... is caring!
Seriously, smells like someone is heating up some delicious chicken soup at work.
If you are going to make the whole building smell like that you better be sharing it with everyone!!
UGH
Im hungry.

Dang you, Oprah, again.....

haha.
In 2006, I was determined to see the Oprah Winfrey show in Chicago. Months in advance I put in an application. I also booked plane tickets to Chicago.
Oh well, at least I got to discover the wonderful City anyways!

Now, this morning, I heard on the radio on my way to work, that Oprah and her Life Lessons tour will be stopping off in Toronto April 16th!
I could not get to work any faster to get online and try to get tickets!!
I already txted my sister in law and she was already planning to invite a friend of hers too. The price range was from 49$ to 395$.

So I thought ... Ok 49 is do-able!!

I was delayed in finding tickets - the radio station said ticketmaster, but they didnt have them, the metro convention centre did not have them and directed me to Tony Robbins number which messages were full. Finally I went on the Oprah site.
The 49$ were all sold out, even the 395$ ones were too. They only had the $169$ tickets.

Um..... cant do that. And my sister in law wasnt up for that cost either.

So, yet again. I miss Oprah. Dang you! ;-)

anyhow a quote from one of the speakers on this tour (that I wont be able to see - yet again! )

Iyanla Vanzant :


CREATE WHAT YOU WANT INSTEAD OF BEING STUCK IN WHAT YOU DIDNT HAVE

To Be, or not To Be....

Surround yourself by people that inspire you!... People who you respect.

Whitney

Its so very sad. Such a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice. And yet such demons she battled. Its also a shame that we celebrate and appreciate ppl more after they have left us than when they are with us. Though that is human nature. And with all the demons she was battling while she was on this earth, I can only imagine how hard it was for her loved ones to reach her. I do believe, many were rooting for her success. Her come back.

Such a gift she was given, so many lives she has touched with her music.

Her notible ones:


And her latest (a few yrs old) that I thought was awesome:



R.I.P and God Bless you Whitney

"just go out there and trip someone"

"but make sure he is rich and good looking.... you need to be pampered"

- Oh its starting again, this is early. That was the advice my 80 yr old patient said to me today when he found out I dont have a significant other for V-day coming up.
He even added, "if I was alot younger.... I'd be going after you..." haha - hopefully not in a creepy way - all older ppl say that when they feel sorry for ya that you dont have someone.

Im supposed to go out with some friends this weekend and thought that it was pretty far away from that day that I wouldnt have to be bombarded with the Vday stuff for the weekend. But now Im second guessing that thought.

Anyways Im going to randomly name off 3 things that I like about that day - or that relate to Valentines day - since it is unavoidable:

1. The fact that the senior patient referrs to his gf as his "Lady-friend" - I love that term! Its an older term and I find it sweet. Much better than girl-friend. When I heard my cousin (who is younger than me) refer to his gf (now wife) that way, I thought that was so cute!
2. Heart Shaped Macarons:
3. Flowers, especially champagne roses:


There. I said it all. Now Im going to brace myself for yet another Vday.

Yummy goodness!

I really appreciate when patients give me things for no reason at all what so ever... you know, especially food!

But most especially this particular patient. She is a senior Italian lady. Her husband passed away over a year ago and he used to come in and bring me a tomato plant every year to give to my mom, (he knew my mom loves to garden and that I dont have a green thumb at all).

Today she gave me her infamous minestroni soup! OMG - what a surprise - this is like a little piece of heaven!

I dont know what it is about Italian food that I love. Heck, I think most ppl like italian food. But I like the home made stuff the best. I wish I could make this soup. I tried, believe me.

My mother said once, you eat pasta all the time, maybe you will end up with an Italian guy.

Riight. Are you kidding me? I would say those guys are the hardest to please as far as cooking goes. I have always assumed that no one can cook better for them than their own mothers.

I guess I will have to find an Italian guy that loves to cook - instead of me cooking for him haha.

Anyways - I digress. This soup is awesome, its 9:54 am and I cant wait for lunch!!!!

Slow start

This is what my 8 yr old nephew gave to my sister in law to give to me. How thoughtful of him!!!
Yea.. Im starting to feel the added pressure.
Im in the process of moving. But it seems to be taking months now. Its overwhelming starting from scratch...from nothing. I think furnishing is harder than the process of looking for a place to move.

Im realizing how picky I am and it keeps ringing in the back of my head of how this may be extrapolated to that other area of my life that seems to be taking forever to get going. I guess its either pickyness or fear of making the wrong decision or both.
It is pretty frustrating for myself - but even more when there is external pressures.
Im learning to be more decisive and trying to learn to have blind confidence that everything will work out just fine.

Oh and another one of my "new words" - though not really new because Ive used it so many times already:
Hermitizing.
Similar to hibernating - except the physical part. Maybe it can be described as the chosen act of  social hibernation. Sometimes needed to sort things out or to work out life changes or to re-energize or to declutter.

Anyhoots it is day 12 of my riddiculous cold. Not so much the runny nose or stuffiness. But congestion and cough, and HACKING away like no other. This thing is a bitch and I need it to $*&#@! - off so I can get on with the rest of my life! UGH!
Happy thoughts... happy thoughts.... :-)

400g. Done

The only reason I get through Toblerones is to get to the tastey honey and almond NOUGAT! They should simply make a bar that is made  up of only the nougat. Save me the hassle of all that useless chocolate....
400g done all by myself. (Took me a couple weeks though)

We are not put on this earth to see through one another, we are put on this earth to see each other through
- Gloria Vanderbilt