I Remember

Posted on May 27, 2012 by shanapowell

I remember.

I remember a boy who joined the service to save himself from a life of factory work.

I remember a teenager who said goodbye to his family and hello to bootcamp.

I remember a man coming home after graduation.

I remember a boyfriend being sent to war.

I remember a husband being sent into battle.

Again.

And again.

I remember a soldier who pretended he didn’t wake up next to shrapnel in the morning.

I remember a husband who hates the Fourth of July because he doesn’t see the entertainment in explosions.

I remember a firefighter who fought insurgents to save people he’ll never even meet.

I remember a son who left the safety of an American base to convoy to a foreign bazaar to buy his mom a Mother’s day gift.

I remember a husband who hears helicopters flying overhead……of our bed.

I remember a husband who hates when I eat cereal because the sound reminds him of boots approaching on gravel.

I remember a husband who tells me “the weather is bad” when he really means “I got shot at this morning.”

I remember a husband who would walk four miles and wait three hours to tell me that over the phone.

I remember a husband who told me he would sacrifice for our family.

We remember our fathers and grandfathers who sacrificed for us.

We will remember.

And never forget.

Who will you remember this Memorial Day?

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Mac Attack

Posted on May 24, 2012 by shanapowell

My mac is back!

It was a long week without my computer while it was being repaired.

Subsequently, I had a lot of free time to get some things done.

Like sleep.

And read.

And fall asleep while reading.

I read a lot.

I read the local library’s entire collection of books about Veganism.

All two of them.

I also read four cookbooks, three novels and two owners manuals.

I now know the intricacies of my new KitchenAid food processor and the complete maintenance schedule recommended for my 2004 Mazda.

Apparently the Mazda was due for a tune-up.

50,000 miles ago.

I decided it might be a good time to go ahead and get that done.

The mechanic informed me that I would need new tires.

Mine should have more or less exploded.

In 2010.

It will only cost $1000 to replace them, he told me.

Great.

My computer is broke. My tires are broke. And now I’m broke.

With all the green gone from my wallet, there wasn’t much left to buy any groceries or greens for my body.

The whole ordeal was stressing me out.

Normally, I would just get drunk on dregs of wine leftover from holiday parties, but I killed that stash back in March after an exhausting day of replacing a lightbulb.

What I really needed was to feel rejuvenated.

I needed some healthy, restorative green nutrients.

I needed a spa day.

And it needed to be free.

Leftover produce like citrus, fruit, herbs, and crisp vegetables can be juiced to make a refreshing “spa” beverage.

It’s easy, it’s economical, and its green!

MEET THE GREENS

(AGAIN)

Cucumber

Lime

Sad looking celery

Parsley

Mint

Pear

+ Lemon

Roughly chop your ingredients and place in blender.

Puree and strain into large glass pitcher.

Serve your spa beverage in a fancy glass with a slice of cucumber.

WAIT!

DON’T THROW AWAY THE PULP!

All that green goodness is still beneficial!

Wipe that disgusted look off your face.

You don’t have to eat it.

You just have to slather it all over your body.

While you cry in the tub because you have no internet, no money, and read owner’s manuals for entertainment.

Herbal Body Scrub

1 cup pulp from mint, parsley, cucumber, pear, lemon, and lime (or whatever you have on hand)

1-2 cups coarse sea salt

Combine pulp and sea salt.

Use as rejuvenating body scrub.

Or brine for your next pig-roast.

Feel better?

I do.

Because my husband thinks car tires cost $1000 dollars and that I most certainly did not go on a summer wardrobe shopping spree during the computer famine.

Now that’s refreshing.

1 Comment

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Blog Break

Posted on May 15, 2012 by shanapowell

My ~~heart~~ computer is broken.

I don’t even have a fancy phone I can blog from.

I’ll be back with more recipes to “Get Your Greens In” when the ~~surgeon~~ geek squad

is done working on my ~~lifeline~~ Mac.

The good news is the geek squad will

“e-mail me when my computer is fixed.”

With logic like that, I just know my computer is in capable hands and should be fixed in ~~two to six weeks~~ no time.

I might throw in some random tidbits to let you know I’m alive.

Even though I die a little inside each day without a computer.

I tried to go to the library to try to get a computer fix.

They were all taken.

But did you know they have other things at the library?
Yeah.

Shelves and shelves of these hard covers filled with papers.

With words on them.

And there were no advertisements in the margins.

You can even rest them on top of your lap.

Plus they’re portable.

You should check them out.

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Work It Out

Posted on May 10, 2012 by shanapowell

Happy hour.

That glorious hour where you thank God, Allah, Buddha, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph that you are no longer at your place of employment.

Eight hours is a long time to spend in one place.

I don’t even spend eight hours in my own bed.

And while my work is rewarding, fulfilling, enriching, blah, blah, blah,

there are some days that I just can’t wait for that sweet moment of freedom when I walk out the door at the end of the day.

I don’t spend my happy hour in a bar, though.

I usually spend it walking dogs, doing yoga, or spraying my furniture with coconut scented air freshener in a pathetic attempt to make my house at least smell like I cleaned it.

But then there are those days that are so hectic, so frantic, so chaotic, that all you want when you get home is a good, stiff drink.

And I don’t even know what a “stiff” drink is.

I’m just pretty sure I need one.

Sometimes just the thought of an after-work cocktail is enough to get you through the day.

On one particular day, I made a resolution that if I worked really, really hard that I would reward myself with a fruity concoction when I was finished.

I tackled my inbox.

I finished assessments.

I pounded out progress notes.

I scheduled long overdue meetings.

I consulted with partnering agencies.

I completed evaluations.

I paid my 5 bucks for the office baby pool.

I made copies, sent faxes, answered the latest round of e-mails, and cleaned up the coffee I spilled all over my calendar.

Ah, not much longer until cocktail hour.

I looked at the clock.

9:17.

Damn.

This was going to be a long day.

It is my understanding that supervisors don’t really like it if you have cocktail hour at your desk.

Especially if it’s 20 minutes into the work day.

And you arrived 10 minutes late.

But I really, really wanted that mojito.

So I had one.

Actually, I had about 12.

Mojito Melon Balls

Meet the greens:

Lime

Mint

Honeydew Melon

1 honeydew melon

1 cup chopped, fresh mint (a handful will do)

1 lime (zest + juice)

Cut melon in half and remove seeds.

Use melon baller to scoop out the honeydew.

Zest and juice the lime and add to melon balls.

Chop and add the mint.

Toss gently.

*Tidbit: Add 1/4 cup of rum if you will be enjoying this after work.*

Otherwise, you’ll have to just put it in a pretty glass and pretend.

Just like you’re pretending to be too busy answering e-mails to go to that staff meeting.

You might as well get those greens in your body while your busy getting’ that green in your wallet!

2 Comments

Posted in The Food Life and tagged 12 challenges of 2012, cooking, get your greens in, healthy, honeydew melon, melon mojito balls, mojito, recipes. Bookmark the permalink.

Green Thumb

Posted on May 6, 2012 by shanapowell

I do not do well with choices.

I get easily overwhelmed.

When I was little, my mom probably had to tell me which toys to play with so I didn’t stare into the toy box for an hour and a half trying to decide between Alf and Teddy Ruxpin.

Alf is clearly the better choice. Always.

The refrigerator is my new toy box.

Sometimes I spend a solid 20 minutes staring at its contents trying to decide what to pack for lunch the next day.

And I eat the same thing every day.

It took me four months to decide which food processor to buy.

It’s been six months of carpet samples and still no decision.

I’m that annoying friend who says “whatever you want to do is fine” when asked to make plans.

So is my husband.

We haven’t gone on a date since 2007.

When faced with all the choices of green recipes I could make for May’s “Get your greens in” challenge,

I was instantly overcome with indecision.

There are so many possibilities!

With the weather warming up, cold salads are a no-brainer.

Serving them in lettuce cups is a super easy way to get your greens in.

Actually, serving it in endive is a fancy way to get your greens in.

Meet the greens:

Endive

Endive helps remove toxins in the digestive tract.

Cucumber

Cucumber is an excellent source of vitamin K and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Parsley

Get pumped! Parsley is a good source of iron.

Dill

Got dill? Dill is a good source of calcium!

Bulgur Wheat Salad in Endive Cups

Don’t be intimidated by bulgur wheat. It’s simply a whole grain that has been partially cooked and it adds great texture to cold salads. Combined with cucumber, fresh herbs, and a citrusy dressing, bulgur wheat salad is an easy and light dish to keep in the fridge all summer long.

1/2 cup bulgur wheat, prepared according to package directions.

1/2 medium-large cucumber, diced (about 3/4 cup)

1/4 cup chopped parsley

2 tablespoons of chopped dill

2 tablespoons chopped red onion

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons olive oil

half lemon, juiced

Salt, to taste

*Tidbit: Everyone has a different preference for the amount of salt in a recipe, which is why I rarely include a measurement for it. Start shaken’ and tasting’ until its at a level that brings out all the other flavors of the dish. I used about 1/4 tsp. for this recipe.

Add bulgur wheat to a small sauce pan and add 1 cup of water.

Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed.

Rinse with cold water and set aside.

If you haven’t already done so, chop your cucumber, herbs, and onion.

Add to bulgur wheat.

Add garlic, pepper, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil.

Toss gently to combine.

Serve in endive leaves.

*Nutrition information found here and here.

GET YOUR GREENS IN

Now that my belly is full of green goodness, it’s time to get those other greens in the ground!

Now I just need to decide what I want for a snack………..

2 Comments

Posted in The Food Life and tagged bulgur wheat salad, cooking, cucumbers, dill, endive, healthy, parsley, recipes, vegan, vegetarian. Bookmark the permalink.

Livin’ La Vida Verde

Posted on May 3, 2012 by shanapowell

If I MAY,

I would like to take this opportunity to do some reflecting.

Just a quiet moment to ponder some of life’s existential questions.

……….

In case you didn’t catch it, the four sets of ellipses indicated that I was deep in thought.

And I have come to one universal truth.

But it is the words of another great philosopher which have brought me to this state of enlightenment.

If I MAY, I would like to share this kernel of knowledge with you now.

Bear with me as I try to get the wording just right.

I believe this wise and gentle soul said…..

…….

“IT AIN’T EASY BEING GREEN.”

True, dat, Kermit.

True dat.

May begins the 5th month of THE 12 CHALLENGES OF 2012.

In case you missed it, you can check out the first four challenges here.

In April, I set out to get the garden ready for spring planting.

Now that May is here, its time to

GET YOUR GREENS IN.

In the ground and in your body.

Let’s face it.

Its not always easy to get all those beneficial green nutrients in your body.

So for the month of May, I plan to focus on recipes that will make it easy to eat those good for us greens.

It doesn’t have to be just leafy greens either.

Things like apples, grapes, peppers, onions, herbs or even pistachios are all fair game.

I also plan to get my vegetable seeds planted in the ground so that I can reap the benefits of organic produce all summer long.

May isn’t just the beginning of the growing season.

It’s also when we get to celebrate a holiday that has absolutely no reason to be celebrated in the United States of America:

Cinco de Mayo!

What’s that, you say?

Mexico is no longer under French rule?

CORONAS FOR EVERYONE!

I’d like to tip my sombrero to Mexico for kicking France in the baguette with this celebratory recipe.

And what better way to kick of a month of gettin’ in your greens than with salsa verde?

(In case you were taking a siesta during Spanish 101, verde means “green”)

This salsa gets its color from tomatillos which look like small, green tomatoes.

Tomatillos are more firm than regular tomatoes but broiling them for a few minutes softens them up and brings out their inherent sweetness. Even with this extra step, this recipe comes together in about 20 minutes and can be used as a dip for chips or a sauce for tacos, chicken, and fish.

SALSA VERDE

1 lb tomatillos (about 12 medium)

2 poblano peppers, seeds removed and roughly chopped

1 bunch green onion (about 1 cup, chopped)

1 cup chopped cilantro

1 clove garlic, roughly chopped

1/2 lime, juiced

1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Set the oven to broil or 450 degrees.

Remove the husks from the tomatillos and place tomatillos on baking sheet.

Broil tomatillos for 8-10 minutes or until skin begins to char.

In a food processor or blender, combine broiled tomatillos, poblano peppers, green onion, cilantro, garlic, lime, and salt.

Blend to desired consistency.

Serve with tortilla chips.

*TIDBIT: My boss turned me onto these popcorn snack chips*

They’re super crunchy and have great stats.

Twenty chips have 120 calories and only 2.5 grams of fat. The best part? They contain only three ingredients: Corn, sunflower oil, and salt.

Salsa verde is muy delicioso.

It can be easy being green.

I’ve got a month to prove it to you.

6 Comments

Posted in The Food Life and tagged cinch de mayo, cooking, healthy, recipes, salsa verde, vegan, vegetarian. Bookmark the permalink.

In-A-Garden-Da-Vida

Posted on April 29, 2012 by shanapowell

Hello.

I’m David.

The Gnome.

All of the rumors you heard are true.

Gnomes are magical creatures.

While you are busy Pinteresting and stalking food blogs, we are busy in the garden.

Unless there is no garden.

Then we have to make one.

It only takes a few essential tools:

Soil

Tiller

Wheelbarrow

Garden Rake

Ho.

Don’t get your booties in a bunch.

I’m just kidding.

Hoe.

Rotting wood.

Hockey stick.

To stir the rotting wood and check for snakes, of course

First you need to spread the soil.

Then you need to till the soil.

Next, you need to rake the soil.

Use the wood to make the beds.

Use the hoe.

To get some weed(s).

Make sure to clean up after using the hoe.

They can be quite dirty.

Ah.

Home sweet gnome.

I guess this makes April’s “GET YOUR GARDEN ON” challenge complete.

All that weedin’ gives me the munchies.

Do you gnome where I MAY find some good food?

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Lost and Found

Posted on April 26, 2012 by shanapowell

LOST:

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS DOG?

My dog ran away last weekend.

Don’t be alarmed.

She’s home now.

After TWO HOURS of searching Saturday morning, that is.

I let the dogs out into our completely fenced in backyard while I tackled some yard work in the front.

When I headed to the back, I noticed that 50% of my pet family was missing.

The search was on.

I walked the entire neighborhood three times with no luck.

A neighbor kindly suggested that I contact the SPCA since she’s a rescue and has a microchip.

I hysterically notified the woman at the SPCA that my dog was missing.

She took my information.

Then…..nothing.

Um, doesn’t that microchip have GPS or something?

Isn’t there some sort of fancy satellite navigation system that will hone in on the exact location of my dog child?

NO?

Well are you at least going to put out some sort of APB and contact city and state officials?

NO?!?

REALLY?!?!?!?!

But my dog is missing.

Is your supervisor available?

Or the governor perhaps?

The police were certainly on top of the situation when she tried to eat that fluffy, little ankle biter in 2010.

She got mug shots and everything.

We’re talking head-on AND profile shots people.

Like a criminal.

She was quarantined for a month.

I should have known the little convict was an escape artist too.

Since the police were obviously dragging their feet on this case, I continued the operation myself.

I looked everywhere.

I went to a nearby pond, the park, even Target.

Hey, if I was going to run away somewhere, it would definitely be to Target.

I didn’t find my dog, but I did pick up this fun water bottle.

(Source)

Finally, finally, my furry friend ambled on home and my kindly neighbor corralled her in the yard.

I was so relieved that I bought dog child a pretty, new collar.

She loves it.

Clearly.

Since I had spent the morning working out, doing yard work, and trying to convince local authorities that the amber alert should most certainly apply to k-9′s, I was starving by time lunch rolled around.

When you need something fast and filling, is peanut butter and jelly not the most perfect food?

Except all of my jam was currently frozen.

SON OF A BISCUIT!

Homemade jams and preserves take hours of cooking, cooling, and canning.

But what if I told you that you could have real fruit jam in about 20 minutes?

With no added sugar?

Just pure, tart, berry goodness.

Oh and it’s only two ingredients

FOUND:

RASPBERRY CHIA JAM

Chia seeds are not only loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they also make a great thickening agent. Just a scoop of chia seeds and a bag of your favorite frozen berries are all you need to make this delicious all-fruit jam.

1 ( 12 oz.) bag of frozen berries

2 tablespoons of chia seeds

Pour frozen berries into a small saucepan over low heat. Cook until fruit begins to break down. Add chia seeds and stir until dissolved.

Jam will thicken when cooled.

Spread it on toast, sandwiches, or even into your oatmeal.

This jam is like finding your way home after a long journey.

It will make you happy.

4 Comments

Posted in The Food Life and tagged cooking, healthy, instant jam, raspberry chia jam, recipes, vegan, vegetarian. Bookmark the permalink.

Sweet-Ish

Posted on April 22, 2012 by shanapowell

I had book club last night.

We all got together to watch a movie and drink wine.

What?

Did you think we sat around discussing character development and the use of dialogue?

No.

We sat around drinking a variety of wines and discussing all of the gratuitous sex scenes in the movie.

Which there were plenty.

Don’t worry.

We did read the actual book.

Well, some of us did.

Probably.

The book?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

(Source)

The movie?

(source)

Uh, The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo.

Duh.

In the book, the main female character, Lisbeth Salander, is brilliant and socially awkward.

Despite her petite stature, she is edgy, hard, and quite frankly, tough as shit.

Think Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta.

Only slightly more insane.

Case in point: She rapes her rapist in then tattoos “I am a rapist pig” across his entire upper half.

Then she disembowels his lower half.

Too graphic for you?

You should have seen the movie.

Both the book and the movie are set in Sweden so I wanted to bring a traditional Swedish dish.

Um, I don’t think veganism exists in Sweden.

My options were Swedish meatballs or pickled herring.

I almost resigned to showing up with a box of Swedish Fish.

Then I remembered the delicious confection the Swiss are famous for:

Chocolate.

Coming to a book club near you:

Chokladboll

That’s right.

Chocolate Balls.

Say it again.

Chocolate Balls.

I can’t say it with a straight face.

The traditional Swedish Chokladboll is made with cocoa, oats, butter, sugar, coffee and rolled in shredded coconut.

My version uses maple syrup and melted Swiss chocolate in place of the butter.

In honor of Lisbeth, I added cinnamon and ass-kicking cayenne pepper.

And like Lisbeth, these will rape your senses.

Too graphic for you?

Wait until you try one.

Chokladboll

1 cup quick cooking oats (not instant)

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup maple syrup

1.5 oz. Swiss chocolate (or 1/4 cup chocolate chips), melted

2 tablespoons coffee

1 cup shredded coconut, for coating

Combine oats, cocoa powder, spices, and salt and mix thoroughly.

Add maple syrup, melted chocolate, and coffee.

Stir.

Let mixture rest for a minute or two to firm up.

Scoop 1 tablespoon of mixture and shape into a ball.

Roll in coconut.

Serve room temperature, chilled, or frozen.

GUESS WHAT?

It’s Earth Day!

In the spirit of the holiday, I’m saving all of my garbage.

For the compost!

All this saving the Earth stuff leaves me ravenous.

I’m going to go stuff my face with Chokladbolls.

I still can’t say it with a straight face.

10 Comments

Posted in The Food Life and tagged chokladboll, cooking, gluten free, healthy, recipes, swedish chocolate balls, vegan, vegetarian. Bookmark the permalink.

Sweet Tooth

Posted on April 19, 2012 by shanapowell

Do you brush your teeth before you go to the dentist?

I don’t.

Isn’t that what you’re there for?

To get your teeth cleaned?

I also commit other horrific acts of dental deviancy such as eating popcorn before appointments, not flossing, and only brushing once a day.

No wonder my hygienist hates me.

Truthfully, I’m not too keen on her either.

First of all, she never talks during the cleaning.

I know I have all sorts of gadgetry and shiny metal objects in my mouth, but I still enjoy a good conversation.

And a break from that scraping metal on bone sound.

Second, she never compliments my teeth.

Every hygienist I have ever been to comments on the health of my teeth.

“Ooooooh, they’re so healthy…..and……tooth-y.”

“Why thank you. I brush them once I day and forget to floss 364 days a year.”

Is it too much to ask for a little external praise for not showing up with mouth full of decay?

I’ve only had one cavity in my entire life.

And most of my teeth are straight.

So suck it, Helen Hygiene.

My teeth are terrific.

But with age comes wisdom (teeth).

I decided to clean up my act and actually brush my chompers prior to an afternoon appointment.

At least, I thought about doing it.

Then I totally forgot to pack my toothbrush before heading to a work training.

But did you know that there are foods that can actually help clean your teeth?

Crunchy foods like celery and apples are especially efficient.

Good thing I packed a snack that’s practically the next best thing to Crest.

It tastes better too.

Forget boring, old ants on a log. Sink your teeth into crisp celery sticks with yogurt coated apples, raisins, and sunflower seeds for a healthy snack or emergency oral care kit.