Corn Bread Disaster

I have been dying to try out this corn bread recipe that calls for whole wheat and cornmeal...I thought that the company's chili cook-off would be a fun place to showcase this tempting treat that was Petunia's-new-lifestyle-of-eating-friendly.

But when I pulled out the box of cornmeal... the box was like... covered in black mold?! I have no idea how that happened. So in the trash it went, and I had no energy to go to the store.

This morning, I figured, I'd throw together the box of Jiffy mix that I keep on reserve in the pantry. I wanted to put a little twist on it, so I added some ground chipotle pepper and baked them in the mini muffin tins.

I certainly overcooked them. But whatever, you dunk them in the liquidy chilly and you're good to go. Jiffy is NOT on my new lifestyle plan, so I didn't sample.

I snuck a taste... GROSS!!!! I am embarrassed that I even served them!!! ahhhhh. I just have NO luck with Jiffy. I have to get rid of any other "reserve" boxes that might be lingering in my pantry... but how the f*ck does someone mess up 1 egg and 1/3 c of milk?

Is that YOUR cat's puke?

I am not a cat lover. I always found them rather b*tchy. It doesn't help that I'm highly allergic to them. So whenever a friend announces the addition of a new little pussy around the apartment, I silently die a bit cause it means limited time at their house. The more additions to the household, the shorter my stays. But that's my problem.

I came home last night after a very long weekend... to find some cat puked on my doormat... I was not really happy about this. Especially since... the cat had to go out of its way to walk down to where I love, just to give me that little gift...

PLUS, there is no way that the owner will see the cat puke on my doormat, cause they certainly don't mosey to my 'hood' like its four-legged friend does...

And to make matters even worse, if its the cat that I'm THINKING it is... the last time that cat puked on its own mother's outdoor couch... it sat there for WEEKS. So no hope in her cleaning up my rug...

I did you all a favor by NOT taking/posting a photo of my poor doormat.

Death Valley!

Your Daily Escape Mysterious Sailing Stones January 28, 2011

If you are unable to see this message, click here to view. Make this photo your desktop Though the population of Planet Earth will hit seven billion people this year, not one of them has ever seen one of Death Valley's famous sailing stones do its thing. Sailing stones (some just pebbles, others 700-pound boulders) move along the floor of the Racetrack Playa, at times dramatically changing direction. Scientists are still baffled as to why or how they move, though many have theories (including high winds, mud, ice, or a combination of the three). Still, no human has ever witnessed this phenomenon firsthand, and the meandering scars on the desert floor are the only proof of its existence.

I've been through Death Valley 2 times now... The last time we tried to go see this, but it would REALLY out of the way... Like 27 miles each way. And we had already put a good day's site seeing in.

So, the NEXT time we're in that part of California, it might be the ONLY thing we go to see! Cause its supposed to be really cool. At first, I thought it was a desert tortoise!

I want to go here

Your Daily Escape Whitehaven Beach, Australia   January 26, 2011

Make this photo your desktop This just may be the most beautiful beach in the world. The sugar-white sands, so colored because they are roughly 98 percent silica, form shapes like a billowing scarf, bridging the space between sea and lush tropical forest. Whitehaven is popular—chiefly with sailors, Great Barrier Reef tourists on day trips, and just about anyone else who's ever heard of it—but don't let that dissuade you. Photos of you touring the Whitsunday Islands by sailboat will impress your Facebook friends nonetheless.

Stereo Love

My little niece Austynn has inspired me every day to turn on the music and shake my butt. Over Christmas, I saw her and when she would hear music, would shake her little rump and tell her own mom that mom has a "chunky butt."

It was sooooo cute.

So lately, I've been shaking MY "Chunky Butt" to this song...



The signature instrument in this song is an accordion! Brian has really laughed at me as I attempt to belly dance / hip hop/ and roger rabbit to this song :)

My Petit Poterie

When I got to work yesterday, this beauty was sitting on my desk.



It was a birthday gift from one of my supervisors. I LOVE it. I no longer need to heat up my food in toxic plastic containers or paper plates.

This feels like a treat whenever I prepare a meal for myself!

I christened it with my french onion soup leftovers, and I felt like a princess.



Now... if I could only get a normal spoon :)

Mnnnn Chai Latte

I had this as a part of my Birthday Breakfast with Shannon last week. I've been really dreaming about it ever since. I'm sure it was full of sugar, but I want to try my hand at making a Petunia friendly version. I loved the creaminess against the cardamom.

I found a recipe on the foodnetwork that I think I'll try out this week. YUMMY
Masala Chai on the Food Network

Nutella - you're crackin my heart!

I'm still thinking about that French Toast I had for my birthday breakfast . And thinking, how amazing it would be to smear Nutella on... you know... ALL my food...

I'm not an idiot.  I KNEW that the first ingredient was sugar... But it was fun to pretend it wasn't... just for my birthday!

        

• Over 50 Hazelnuts per 13 oz. Jar

• Contains No Artificial Colors

• Contains No Artificial Preservatives

ingredients: sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, skim milk, reduced minerals whey (milk), lecithin as emulsifier (soy), vanillin: an artificial flavor.

Cinnamon & Nutmeg Oatmeal

OMG, my ridiculously healthy breakfast was fantastic!!!



1 cup of milk
1 pinch of salt

1/2 cup of oatmeal
Freshly shaved nutmeg
big dash of cinnamon
1/2 handful of raisins

Cook to stove top directions.

AMAZINGLY Comforting!

Welcome to the Family

My beautiful 3.5 qt Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron Buffet Casseroles in Flame...

I got it for my Birthday. He/She will be named later.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Shannon invited me to breakfast this morning at Aroma Cafe. Only the 2nd time I've gone there. Its great cause it is literally half way between our 2 homes!

I totally indulged!!!! With the Brioche Nutella and banana french toast, with a side of scrambled egg whites, and a Chai Latte... I'm so stuffed. It was such a great "Happy Birthday Petunia" kinda meal!

Dinner

Yesterday was Whole Food's $2 off per pound salad bar!!!  So I included a photo of last night's grub.



I was sad that they didn't have black olives or some sort of wheat berry salad, but, maybe next week.  Their selections are always changing to mix it up :)

Wyoming Skies

My buddy Emily helped me tweek the composition of this photo I took in Wyoming at Yellowstone National Park.

I loved how the clouds played such a role :)

Like Mike... If I could be like Mike

You know those beer commercials where hot chicks in bikinis appear every time a guy opens a can of beer? ...

That's how I feel about these yoga pants.  If I BUY these $80 yoga pants... will I be able to do this??? Cause if the answer is YES, I'm SOLD!

The pants HAVE inspired me to want to give Yoga another try... I know a yoga teacher in the Valley that can hook me up with free Saturday classes that she teaches.  Now... I got to get me some pants...

Lunch!

I made this Salmon and Lentil Salad Monday morning, after trying to get around to it for 2 weeks! Thankfully, the dill (which was the only thing that had a real expiration date on it) was still in good shape.

It's very tasty!

Click on the link if you want the recipe!

 

Lemony Lentil Salad with Salmon


I paired it with some spinach. The same spinach I had with my omelet this morning. Its even EASIER to make at work. I keep a jammed pack Tupperware full of it at my work fridge. And when I want some, pop it in the microwave and cook for like a minute. Sprinkle on some salt, garlic powder, and a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive that I keep in my work drawer, and we're good to go!

Breakfast!

It always excites me when I find the energy and wake up a little bit early and indulge in a proper breakfast! my normal ones these days consist of hard boiled eggs that I grab from my fridge and eat at work. Sometimes its just coffee. Sometimes its a smoothie.

Today, I successfully made an egg white omelet with onions, spinach and cheddar jalapeno cheese! I had the onions pre-diced from something I made a few days ago, and I have a big bag of pre-washed spinach. I shaved some cheese off my block and VUALA! Breakfast, a top my always cheerful Winnie the Pooh plate along with a cup of joe.

But Shannon was COCO - YES!

Different brand. Different Packaging. Different taste... but still, yeah, um, no.

Coco-NO!

Shredded coconut - YES
Coconut Shrimp curry - YES
Toasted Coconut Donuts from Dunkin donuts - YES
Pina Coladas - YES
Coconut milk - GOD YES!

Coconut water... not so much!!!

I was a little put off by the taste of this trendy drink that everyone has their mitts on... I don't, NOT like it, but I think I'd choose something else too.  Like, Kombucha.

This stuff is WEIRD and strong and has something to do with vinegar... yet, it reminds me of hard cidar. And I am sure i prefer it over the coconut water.

Fennel... where have you been my whole life?

Le Creuset and Sur La Table ... those two French dueling duos just unleashed a exclusive product color line of my most favorite-est cast irony cookery... FENNEL.

This not too light, not too dark, and not too neon.  This green is JUST green enough... and would look amazing with Cassi (see below to get acquainted with Cassi, my 6 quart French Oven in Cassis)

If I were to choose 1 pot to get in this delicious color, I would have to say that the Two-in-One 8" frying pan / 2 quart capacity sauce pan.  I'm not holding my breath. But its nice to have dreams :)

Hehehe... you said Dingle... huhuhhuh

I subscribe to "Away.com" and this was today's Daily Escape. This is their write up about Dingle, Ireland.

Framed by sandy beaches and staggering cliff edges, the small peninsula of Dingle, Ireland, has 50 pubs for its 1,800 residents. In the 18th-century, local businessmen could get a liquor license for a couple of shillings and ran two businesses at the same time. After a few pints of Guinness, don't be surprised if a local puts his arm around you and makes you join in for a round of Irish folksongs before seguewaying into the Irish national anthem. To work off the beer, cycle along the 100-mile road tracing the Dingle Peninsula, where green hills abut gold, sandy beaches. 


I want to go... Just to say I've been to "Dingle" Ireland. Makes me think of my cousin James who used to laugh when he's talk about his dog's dingleberries...

50 pubs for 1800 seems a bit excessive for my taste, but damn, check out that view!

New Chapter ! New Year

I'm about to turn the big 3-1 and I have found a new lease on life!  I'm currently eating a diet that does NOT include white sugar or flour, and sticking with whole grain and natural unrefined sugars.

That being said, it was suggested that I need a new type of daily multiple vitamin.  I have a huge bottle of Centrum.  Apparently, the molecules in Centrum are big, so the body can not break them down therefore, the body only absorbs about 20% of the actual vitamins and minerals and you... pee away the rest of the 80%.

New Chapter is what I was given to try out.  Found in Whole Foods and specialty health food and vitamin shops (ie = expensive), the make up of THIS vitamin is that the molecules are small, and the body digests it like it does food.

I take direction.  So I bought. I am taking. And trying to see if I have more energy.  The jury's still out, but when I spoke to a nutritionist about the brand, she agreed that its the real deal!

Check out the website below!

http://www.newchapter.com/multivitamins/every-womans-one-daily

PS... did you know that MDs are only required to take 1 semester of nutrition...

crap! I have LOTS of thoughts!!! This is gonna be a roller coaster!

Hello

I have thoughts... try to follow along if you dare!