Monday, February 28, 2011

I have clips to view... blah

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Random Thoughts

- Should I get highlights?

- How much do veneers cost?

- I love coconut & almond

- Will I ever scuba dive or sky dive? I've never even dived from the high dive

- When will I get to Spain, Italy and Greece?

- Will I ever be done with my wedding photographer?

Lunch - revisted

Saturday's delish Indian food has become INSANE Monday left overs.

I normally eat my left over Indian curries over shredded or torn lettuce, trying to minimize my carb (even my complex ones) intake.

This tastes even better today than it did on Saturday. I must jot that down in the recipe!

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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Breakfast...

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Spelt Pancakes! A first attempt. B said they were VERY good!

Woo hoo!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Indian Dinner & a Movie(s)

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This was our Indian curry from our 660 Curries that B and I are eating out way through. Just a few things picked up from the market and we had this, brown rice, a a double feature.

1) Sherlock!



2) The Social Network. Great movie. Only Aaron Sorkin could keep me entertained with rapid fire dialogue at 11 PM and me NOT fall asleep. Two Thumbs Up!

IT was a wonderful night!

Ominous Clouds in LA

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Date Day

My therapist insists that the husband and I go on dates each week, so I've really been trying to use the opportunity to see parts of LA that I haven't seen yet.  My job, is to find things that B would like. His, it to find things that I would like.

It was supposed to rain all day, so we decided to go to the California Science Center... I have no idea how long its been here, but this museum is friendly for children... and Petunias. It cost $8 cash to park, and donation only entry into the museum. The Imax theater did have a cost though.

I never did have an easy time learning science from a text book.  Its too abstract.  But science museums are awesome for me.  The demonstrations and exhibits made a lot of things that were hard to grasp, really graspable :)

They have a new exhibit there right now called "Ecosystems."

DSCN0155There were rooms for Decay (which had a tank with a millipede, and even a decaying carcass of an animal complete with flies and maggots. Gross, but educational), Kelp Forest, Islands, Deserts, Rivers, and a few others.

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I got to see my first desert tortoise, which was something I was always on the look out for when we went camping at both Joshua Tree NP and Red Rock Canyon SP.  It would have been awesome to see one in the wild, but I was excited to see one alive! They had a cool demonstration on how quickly flash floods happen in the desert.

I even got to touch some sea creatures!

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Star Fish


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Really soft!

We witnessed feeding time at the big fish tank.

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Fish love food and feeding time as much as I do!

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and Sharks!



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Eels are one thing I love being behind glass for... ewwwww!


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Amazing school of fish, swimming together in unison!
All the underwater exhibits made me think twice about the possibility of one day, going scuba diving. Many of my close friends do it... but there is something about being at the bottom of the ocean freaks me out. But maybe, to see the opportunity to see stuff like this... maybe, just maybe.

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Date Day at the California Science Center was fantastic!  After 2 hours of leisurely navigating the various ecosystems, we made out way back into the real world of Los Angeles and decided to leave the rest of the the museum for another rainy day!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Um, did you even READ read my email?

Dear NY & Company Customer Service, 

I have been a long time customer of Lerner. Then Lerner NY. And now, NY & Company. I have seen customer service come and go. But this last week, I experienced truly great customer service. That which I have not experienced in quite a while.

I was shopping at the Los Angeles, California store, and specifically, I dealt with "Mandy" and "Frankie". Mandy rang me up and took her time, helping me with sale items and explaining discounts, while Frankie was like my right-hand gal, getting needed pants from the back, and switching out colors. It was truly a pleasure to shop there. I told both Mandy and Frankie of my appreciation for their quality of work, and now, I felt it was my obligation and honor to let you know as well. I will definitively be shopping back in March to redeem my City Cash.

Gratefully,

Petunia


 ------------

Their Response:

Dear Petunia,

Thank you for contacting www.nyandcompany.com.

We sincerely apologize you may contact our retail corporate customer service division at (800) 723-5333 (ext. 42015) M-F 10:00am- 4:00pm.
 
You'll find we're always adding new products and offers, so please stop by www.nyandcompany.com again soon.  We appreciate your patronage.

Sincerely,

NY&CO Customer Service

Thought of the day ...

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
 ~ Mahatma Gandhi ~

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Coconut goodness

I bought some coconut oil over the weekend and went halvies with Cousin. Becky had told me (and shown me) when I went to Oregon.


Here are the list of benefits from the website:

Raw Organic Coconut Oil

* Pure extra-virgin coconut oil
* 100% Oil
* Nutritional supplement
* Skin moisturizer
* Dairy Butter replacement
* Cooking aid (sautéing/frying)



So far, I made an omelet the other day, replacing canola oil or butter, with the coconut oil. It definitely had a coconut essence. I mean, i LOVE coconut so I didn't mind. But I don't know how others would find that.

This morning, I made some toast with Sesame Ezekiel bread, and I schmeered a little bit of the coconut oil (which at room temperature is like chicken fat that solidifies at the top of a soup when left in the fridge). It was mind blowing! It either hid the unique taste of this Ezekiel bread, or I'm getting used to it :)

Coconut Oil on Toast

12 Step Programs... for Cookery?

Oh man... Crate and Barrel just released an exclusive color of Le Creuset cookery... don't they know I have issues saying no???

The color is "Spinach".  Its amazing.


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Dill Weed

No, its not a insult, although it sounds like it might be!

I've had this container for a very long time, and from the looks of it, I think I used it maybe one time. Definitely a good indication that I do NOT need a bottle of this size in my already cramped spice shelf.

So I have done away with it. I brought it into work with the intention of getting a small jar from BBB and leaving the rest in our spice cabinet at work, which really only consists of fake salt, pepper, garlic powder and cinnamon (and Tums).  I'm trying to classy the place up!

Dill Weed

So naturally, after I bring the dill weed into work, and put it in the cabinet, I decide to check out some yummy recipes... now I secretly wanna take it home!  I guess I can always replensish my stash at work... I don't see it leaving any time soon.

Lime-Dill Grilled Chicken
8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup lime juice
1/3 cup olive oil
4 green onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon
Spice Barn Dill Weed, divided
1/4 teaspoon Spice Barn Ground Black Pepper



Combine juice, oil, onions, garlic, pepper and 2 teaspoons dill; add chicken and marinate 2-4 hours. Drain, discard marinade.  Grill chicken for 12-15 minutes; turning once.  Sprinkle with remaining dill before serving.

Dilled Cucumber Salad
2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
1/3 cup green onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon
Spice Barn Dill Weed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon Spice Barn White Pepper
3/4 cup sour cream
lettuce leaves

Drain cucumbers between paper towels.  Combine cucumbers with next 4 ingredients.  Fold in sour cream.  Serve on lettuce leaves.

Dilled Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta
2 pounds unpeeled medium shrimp
8 ounces angel hair pasta
1 cup butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups half and half
1/2 cup fresh parsley
1 teaspoon
Spice Barn Dill Weed
1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper
green, yellow, red bell pepper


Peel and devein shrimp; set aside.  Cook pasta; drain and set aside; keeping warm.  Melt butter in heavy skillet over medium high heat; add shrimp and garlic.  Sauté 3-5 minutes; stirring constantly.  Remove shrimp from pan and se aside reserving garlic and butter in skillet.  Add half and half to skillet; bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat to low; simmer about 15 minutes until thickened.  Add shrimp, parsley, dill weed, and seasonings.  Stir until blended; serve over pasta.  Top with sautéed strips of green, yellow, and red bell pepper and garnish with fresh dill.
 

Breakfast options

I had some Nature's Path Heritage Flakes this morning. I was first introduced to the brand while in Oregon.  I found these at my local Henry's Farmer's Market.  They've pretty tasty, super crunchy and even Brian likes them!

The ingredients are (and I'm copy and pasting this directly from their website) :

Made with love and ...

INGREDIENTS : Kamut® Khorasan wheat flour*, wheat bran*, whole wheat meal*, evaporated cane juice*, whole oat flour*, spelt flour*, barley flour*, whole millet*, barley malt extract*, quinoa*, sea salt, honey*.
 
I only wish that they didn't use evaporated cane juice to sweeten these.  I'm still trying to figure out what types of sugars I want to be putting into my body, but I don't eat the cereal everyday, so, right now, I'm ok with it.

I also found the Heritage O's at the Santa Monica Coop.  These I had in Oregon.  Even brought home a big ecopac bag seen below on the plane since I wasn't sure if I would be able to find them down here.  I was happy that I did, especially since Brian finished the O's in a week!  They are soooo CRUNCHY! its really fun :)

The O's are

Made with love and ...

INGREDIENTS : Whole oat flour*, whole wheat meal*, Kamut® Khorasan wheat flour*, evaporated cane juice*, spelt flour*, barley flour*, barley malt extract*, quinoa flour*, millet flour*, sea salt, honey*. 
 
The next ones I'm gonna try are the Millet Rice Flakes.  They are sweetened with concentrated grape and/or pear juice.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Mini Shopping Spree!
























I also got a belt and another shirt, that I couldn't find on the website. I got coupons and sale items!!!!

Best tag ever!

Tag from my new trousers.

Um... total elation.

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Friday, February 18, 2011

Business Friday

I threw casual to the wind today and went with Business Friday look... since casual is more of a Saturday-Thursday thing.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Is Geoge Clooney God's gift to women... um, HELLS YEAH!

The Bigger the Purse...

... the more $hit I can pack into it. I have seen this time and time again with my selection of purses. Not to mention that my back seems to suffer the most when I would try to schlep around my D-SLR camera, affectionately known as "The Beast."

But I found this same ... trend... occurs with me, and my spice cabinets. I wish I had a photo of my old cabinet at my last apartment, but when we moved into my current place, my spices definitely got an upgrade... But like Kevin Costner's Voice in the Wind, "If you build it, they will come," the same can be said for the occupancy and selection of spice jars that seemingly magically appear when more room is given for growth. Or like my therapist often relates to the laws of physics how empty space WILL be filled. Its called The Vacuum Law of Prosperity (google it, its REALLY interesting)

Here is my spice cabinet. It goes like, 3 rows back. I would love to find a better way to organize these babies without risking the domino affect of reaching for a spice in the back, and all the ones in front falling to the ceramic tiled floor... OH me and my projects!

My spice cabinet

Also please note my new Le Creuset mortar and pestle in Caribbean. It was a belated birthday gift from Becky. She has a matching one in Oregon. And if you click on the photo which will bring you to my Flickr page, I have tagged the distiguishable spices... cause, I'm a dork.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

another amazing Walk on the Wild Side

Me! Today

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If you click on the photo, it will take you to the Flickr page with all the notes :) I'm a dork. I love it.

Baby Browns

I don't know why, but I got my new shoes last Friday, but they sat in the shipping box until this morning.  I think, deep down, I was afraid they wouldn't fit. And I'd have to go through the rigamarag of returning to the vendor who I never bought from before.

So, in my mind, as long as I didn't try them on, I still had a chance...

Yup, makes great sense.

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I'm very happy to announce that they fit. And I'm wearing them to work today! Along with my "new" brown halter top ($5.99) and "new" green blouse($5.99). I use "new" because I picked them up at the Donation Store... come to think about it, I'm also wearing my "new" jeans ($7.99)... also purchased at the Donation Store. Seriously, this is a NEW me. Included with new underwear that I bought at the outlets last week!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Meet Sonny & Brenda

I couldn't help it. Le Creuset outlet. Oregon. No sales tax. And my dream niece pulled the 35% off scratch off card.

Sonny & Brenda

Look how nicely they play together!

Its the Le Creuset® Cobalt Two-in-One Pan. Not the Fennel that I wanted, but for the price, a mother can always want a girl and be happy with a boy, right?

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Eat, Craft, Love

My friend Jessi and I got together tonight to let our creative sides burst through.

She brought over the movie Eat, Pray, Love.

So to be in the spirit of the movie, I went and made some dahl aka Red Lentil Soup from the Food Network's star, Aarti Sequeira.

Red Lentil Soup

Jessi brought along some delicious whole grained bread, that was so dense... I can't describe it. But it was really satisfying. It also went amazingly with the roasted red pepper spread and pistachio basil!

Seeded Whole Grain

We made birthday cards and ate. It was great.

Friday, February 11, 2011

OUT!

YAY and the productivity continues! Christmas Tree/decorations, DOWN. ORGANIZED. STORED.

I'm eliminating much needed crap from my closest, my shelves, and my refrigerator! I am NOT a garbage disposal! Out damn ketchup packets with high fructose corn syrup! Out my beloved Pretzel M&Ms, OUT!

I did make some yummy cardamom scented chicken with garlic and ginger. Its another recipe from my 660 curries cookbook. I'm making way way through it!

Brian calls the new addition to the kitchen family, "Flamer". He's so cute. I'm thrilled that when I go to make a new Indian dish, I usually only need to go to the market for the produce, and not the spices :)

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Cardamom Scented Chicken with Garlic and Ginger

My bother in law came over for dinner. It was a wonderful day!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Grandma's Baked Chicken

I made my grandma's baked chicken!

Well almost.

Instead of using regular bread crumbs, I toasted up 4 slices of my Ezekiel bread, and then put that in the food processor. Then I added some herbs, coated the chicken thighs with canola oil and breaded. Threw them on top of my cast iron skillet and sprinkled with paprika. Into a 350 degree oven for about... well, until it smelt so good that I had to test its doneness.

VOILA!

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close up

My Grandma's Baked Chicken

I'm Home

And I have been very productive!!!

I tried on all things I thought might not fit any longer, and I made 2 piles. The Goodwill pile, and this pile. The pile I'm gonna have someone take my most favoriest things in. I might as well spend some money supporting people who work in this country, than to spend money and sales tax on new clothes!

My Favorite Clothes that don't fit me.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Bye bye Oregon

I'm sitting in Portland airport waiting to return to reAlity. The husband and I had a wonderful 5 days of good wholesome organic food bought locally from the local six counties. We saw the Oregon coast before the sky opened up. We went to the horse barn and got to see all the horses being rode and groomed. We had tremendous FaceTime with two puppies and my two-year old niecey. We even got to mill ou own slept and wheatberries and baked some cookies. yummy! a few photos to follow especially of my newest additions courtesy of the Le Creuset outlet in Woodburn!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

iPod fun

This is great! I'm watching "nighttime Daytime" from my iPod at the airport! I don't know if it's cause this airport has free wifi or cause I finally updated my software last might!

Friday, February 4, 2011

nighttime, DAYTIME!

YUMMMY!

My actual insane leftovers!

My Happy Vegan Leftovers

Tender Greens

 
I had a lunch date today with my Shannon and my work attorney.  We went to Tender greens on Sunset.  I haven't been there since my new eating change.

I got:

The Happy Vegan

Farro Wheat with cranberry & hazelnuts Quinoa with cucumbers & Beets, Green Hummus Tabbouleh, tender greens.

It was AMAZING. Especially the Farro with cranberry & hazelnuts.   I want to learn to make that at home!