2013 Year in Review

     It is the last day of 2013...Wow that went fast!  I am a sucker for reflecting back on periods of time and trying to determine if I accomplished my goals.  Do you guys do this too?  This year was tricky because I definitely set goals (run 13 races in 2013), but I wasn't specific what I wanted from those goals (i.e. what I really wanted was a faster running time, not to just complete the races).  So I am not quite sure how I did?

     My biggest accomplishment was becoming an intentional athlete.  I have secretly always wanted to be "sporty spice," but never thought of myself as athletic.  It wasn't until others referred to me as an athlete, that I started to believe.  I used to think that being an athletic meant being the best and/or winning.  I have come to understand it means being YOUR best and not quitting.  I am not the best at running or CrossFit or yoga, but damn it I am an athlete!  And when I saw our new CrossFit hoodies said ATHLETE on the front, I knew the universe agreed with me:

     
     Whether or not 2013 was a complete success, I gave my best effort and made progress.  I want to thank all you who have shared in my adventures and misadventures this year via Rice Kracker Girl. Did you have a good 2013?   What were some of your year's highlights?

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Years!!

Reading Reviews- December 201

     I counted and this year I managed to read 85 books!  Reading is an adventure and you never quite know what you are in for- some were good, some were bad and a few were really terrible.  Here are my December reads and my top 10 for 2013!

 

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

     I have been wanting to read this book for some time, but the library did not have a kindle version, so I finally got it as an audio book.  I did enjoy listening to it, but thought the author might have tried a little to hard to incorporate historical events.  The whole story almost felt a little forced, but it was overall good.

Verdict: I had heard so much hype from it being made into a movie.  It was good.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

     After going to see "Catching Fire" at the theater, I had to re-read the third book of the Hunger Games series.  This book doesn't have the happiest of ending. Things are better, but Katniss is permanently damaged.  I wonder how they will end the third movie, because American movies tend to end with a "happily ever after" feel.

Verdict: The whole series is good and they are doing a really good job with the movies too. Highly Recommend.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey by J.R.R. Tolkien

     I haven't read this book in years, but with the second movie coming out I read it again.  It is a good story, but the movies really do bring it to life and make it better.

Verdict: You can skip the book and just see the movie (and this isn't something I say often).

Maddaddam by Margaret Atwood

    This is the final book of the trilogy, which brings the narrative and characters from books one and two together.  I really liked this story- it kept me interested and moved me.  The author did a wonderful job bringing the story to a hopeful and satisfying conclusion.

Verdict:  This book series were part of my top 10 favorites for the whole year.

Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris

     This is a collection of personal essays by the author. I got this via audio book and the author read them himself, which gave it an even more personal touch.  The author is definite honest and has a knack for bringing seemingly random together together.

Verdict: I don't know if I would have continued reading the book, but I did enjoy listening to the audio book at work.

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon

  

     Per the author's title, this is what Downton Abbey is based on.  There is a castle and a town and a staff to run it, however, the TV show does it better.  This book is written like a book report based on a collection of hearsay.  It is an uninteresting mix of facts and guesses.

Verdict:  If you like the show, watch the show. This book will not add to your enjoyment.

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt

     I listened to the author's podcast "This is Your Life" and was pleasantly surprised the kindle edition of this book was only $2.99.  As in the podcast, the advise is practical and well-laid out.  I actually took notes.

Verdict: Totally worth the price and I suggest checking out the podcast.

 

Here are my top 10 recommendations from 2013:

1.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.  This was my favorite book of the year. It was a moving story told from the perspective of a dog (and I am a sucker for dogs!).

2.  The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker.  This story was engaging and the ending quite surprised me. The world didn't end and people never gave up hope. This was a beautiful story of people adapting to change and still living life.

3.  Cooked by Michael Pollan.  I love the topic of food and Michael Pollan is a such a gifted writer, who has an ability to weave together stories and facts into a bigger commentary.

4.  Gone Girl by Gillan Flynn.  I was fully expecting to roll my eyes at this popular novel, but instead I got pulled in and even I couldn't guess the ending.  It is crazy good!

5.  Good Kings, Bad Kings by Susan Nussbaum.  This book started off sad, got dark but ended with a lot of hope. Good people can make a difference, even when the odds are against them.

6.  Heads in Beds by Jacob Tommsky.  Have you ever worked in the service industry?  Do you stay in hotels?  You will truly appreciate this memoir for its witty stories and practical advice. 

7.  The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker.  This I read along with taking a self-defense class and I think everyone should read it.  The basic message is trust your instinct, fear is your friend.

8,9 &10.   Margaret Atwood's post apocalyptic trilogy of Oryx and Crake, The Year of the Flood and Maddaddam.  I read a lot of post-apocalyptic tales this year, this was by far the most engaging and original. 

Is It Worth It? Peppermint Edition

  I am a peppermint person!  You know how some people get into their pumpkin lattes, candles and muffins- that is how I am about peppermint.  I love the smell, the taste and the feel of peppermint. Not all peppermint things are created equally though, so in this edition of "Is It Worth It?", I take a look at peppermint products.

Bath Petals Peppermint Twist Sea Salt Souffle

     In the store, this smelled amazing and looked so pretty with the shiny sea salt and bits of candy candy.  I am not a huge bath person, but since it was peppermint I wanted to try it. I was kinda of underwhelmed with the smell once it hit the hot water. It diffused and I ended up using the whole container and since didn't get much of a peppermint smell. I think I prefer bubble bath.

Chocolove Peppermint in Dark Chocolate

     This is a magical blending of dark chocolate and peppermint.  The peppermint flavor is infused in the chocolate (rather then there being chunks of mint). It is so smooth and rich. Just a lovely delicious perfect pairing.

Republic of Tea's Ginseng Peppermint Tea

     I've been on the look out for a loose-leaf mint tea and I have found a winner. This tea is light with a sweet mint after taste. It is perfect for curbing a craving for dessert.

Peppermint Twist Marshmallows

     I got these from Target. They were labelled gourmet. I like marshmallows, so I figured peppermint was just going to make it better.  They were actually really good. The peppermint was a nice flavor, not too spicy not too sweet.  I enjoyed snacking on them or adding them to hot cocoa. I will be going back to Target to get some more. Yum!

Trader Joe's Peppermint Hot Chocolate

     I bought this to make peppermint mochas.   It took a few tries for me to like this. It is not the peppermints fault though.  It  is made with bittersweet chocolate, so it isn't very sweet, but after a couple of time in mochas or just as cocoa it grew on me. 

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile Soap

     This comes in bar and liquid form.  The main selling point is it is organic, rather than it being a peppermint product.  It does have a nice peppermint smell and tingles.  It does create a good amount of suds, I just don't feel "clean" and end up washing myself a couple of times?  I tried the bar soap, maybe the liquid is better?

Pinkberry Peppermint Swirl

 

     I am a huge Pinkberry fan, so I've been checking to see if peppermint was available since December 1.  It was worth the wait and I plan on enjoying this seasonal flavor for as long as it lasts!  It is like a candy cane, but ice cream.

 

     So do you like peppermint like I do?  If so, any recommendations?

Keeping Holiday Treats in Check

     Do you struggle with the sugar monster?  I sure do and this is the worse time of year. Goodies are everywhere!  For me, the worse place is work.  There seems to be a new tray of temptation every time I walk by the break area.  If you have obscene amounts of will power and have no problem resisting all the holiday treats that beckon this time of year, you can stop reading this post. For the rest of us, I have a plan:

 

     Eat "real" food.  I know this seems obvious, but we get busy or forget or it is just easier to eat a cookie.  Don't allow yourself to be starving, if you are hungry you will be less likely to resist.  Try to plan and prepare your meals out as much as possible. Eat breakfast and pack your lunch for work. Feed your body the good stuff first.

 

     Set some standards.  One way I eliminate some temptation is to automatically refuse anything that is store bought.  It is not "special" enough to consume. I know these sounds snobby, but it works by cutting down on my choices.  If it is from a speciality store or homemade, I perk up with possibility.  So create your own standards i.e. I only eat chocolate ones or nothing with nuts.  Narrow down your choices and pick your battles.

 

     Manage the sugar fest.  At work, the treats started appearing the day after Thanksgiving- that means I can expect 4 weeks of sugar temptation.  Why not try to get that down to 1 week by suggesting a holiday snack table week. Set up a table and for ONE week people can bring in goodies to enjoy.

 

     Begin again.  Yesterday I ate an entire box of candy all by myself. Yep I admit it!  Of course the sugar cravings are now in full gear, but today is a new day. I don't have to keep shoveling sugar into my face.  Just because it went to hell one day, doesn't mean all it lost. Reset every day and do your best.

 

     If you eat it, enjoy it.  I am in no way advocating holiday goody abstinence.  Indulge a little and really enjoy what you do decide to put in your mouth.  Don't sneak eat it either. Own your choices and relish every sugary morsel. After all it is the holidays!

 

     So those are my best tips for managing sugar consumption in the workplace. I think some of these apply to social gatherings as well. I just tend to have more issues when at work, perhaps because I can't run down an 8 hour clock against cookies!  Cookies will generally always win, sometimes even the  store bought one.  Do any of my fellow sugar addicts have tips to share?

DIY Christmas Wreath

   

     I finally have a Christmas wreath! I've searched for years, but have never been willing to shell out the $40-60 the stores want for one of those. I've even looked at the "discount" stores like Home Goods and still I thought the price was steep.  So when my sister said she wanted to make Christmas wreaths, I agreed hesitantly. For some reason, it just seemed hard, 

     I studied up on You Tube and found a video that used a wire hanger to string the ornaments on.  The women bought cheap balls at the dollar store and had to glue each top to the ornaments so they wouldn't fall off. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but it was 80 balls!  

     Fortunately, my sister had a better plan.  She found wire frames at JoAnn's for $3 that the ornaments could be tied too. Now we did have some cheap dollar store balls that did fall off after being attached. So I recommend either purchasing better quality ornaments or gluing each and every top on so the ornaments stay put.  

     The wire frame had 6 sections so I attached about 5 ornaments to each section with pieces of pipe cleaner.  Then I filled in the space by wrapping garland around the ornaments, This added a fullness to the wreath and further helped secure the ornaments in place.  There were still some gaps so I filled those in with smaller silver balls and used wire to secure those.  I also added two sparkly bows!

     For  about $20 I made my own Christmas wreath. It was easy and fun, it just took some patience and time.  I am impressed at how nice it turned out.  It looks like something I could have paid $40-60 for at the store.  If you have been wanting a wreath, this post is for you. This would also make a nice gift.  Thank you to my sister for suggesting this DIY project! 

Mom's Portuguese Bean Soup

    One of my favorite things about Christmas time is my mom would make a big pot of her Portuguese Bean Soup.  Making soup in Hawaii is a big deal because it is hot, even in December, so we all relished this holiday treat.  The hardest part about this recipe is finding ham hocks (ankle joint of the pig).

     Most stores do carry them (Safeway, Raley's), you just have to figure out where they put them. I've found them with the other pork cuts, in the frozen aisle and sometimes they are in the back freezers.  Once you've got those, you are ready to go!

Ingredients:

1-2 lbs of ham hock

3 large potatoes, diced

2 large carrots, diced

1 onion, diced

1 head of cabbage, shredded

1 lb of Portuguese sausage diced  (also call linguica)

2 16 oz can of tomato sauce

2 15 oz cans of kidney beans

Preparation:

• In a soup pot add ham hocks and 2 quarts of water.  Boil for 2-3 hours, until hocks can be easily pulled apart

• Remove meat from bones (there will not be a lot of meat) and return meat to broth.

• Add veggies, sausage and tomato sauce. Add another quart of water, if needed. Simmer for 1-2 hours until veggies are tender.

• Salt and pepper to taste.

     This recipe makes a lot of soup, but it does freeze well. Also, I don't add in the beans. As a child, I had to pick out the beans. Now I make my own soup and it is just the way I like it!

20 Days of Christmas

     I am so into Christmas this year!  Normally, I rival the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge for the Christmas spirit award, but this year I decided I am all in!  The past three months have been filled with activity and I am in need of some down time.  Christmas is the perfect opportunity to have less busy and more enchantment with the present . To slow down and enjoy the glitz, the gatherings and of course the grub! 

     Every year, I get busy, busy, busy with holiday stuff and forget to actually enjoy it. Then before you know it, Christmas is over and all the shiny stuff gets put away and I feel like I missed it. That is why I always say I am not "into" Christmas.  So this year, I am not going to miss out.  Enjoying Christmas is the priority, not the hundred item to-do list this time of year always seems to generate.

     I've got Pandora on the Christmas station.  I am decorating my house and work space.  I am baking cookies and organizing a holiday snack table at work.  I am lighting holiday candles, making a DIY wreath and most importantly taking the time to savor it all!  So prepare yourself, Rice Kracker Girl is celebrating 20 days of Christmas, starting now!

Fa la la la la la la la la

13 Races in 2013

     I have never been considered a runner, but this year I set out to change that. 13 races in 2013!  What I really love is that though there were many races, I can still remember something special about every one. It is like a snapshot of what was going on in my life every month.  Here is a recap of how Rani became a runner.

Resolution Run 5k

     There are not many 5k options in January.  I understand why now- it is cold!  Still is was a beautiful morning and the course was along the Sacramento River. This was my first 5k in a loooong time and my only goal was to run it- no walking.  I did it! I bought those socks, just so my outfit would be complete :)

Davis Stampede 5k

     I really liked the race course through downtown Davis.  About 10 minutes into the race, I regretted all my bad nutrition decisions- I felt it! Still my deal with myself was running, no walking. So I ran as best as I could. Though I knew I was struggling, I thought I was keeping it inside, but the picture tells the truth...this is work/toruture. I will never eat bad again before a race (fingers-crossed).

Lucky Run 7k

     This is a popular race. So popular, I had to park a mile away, run to the start line and still did not make it on time.  Then I spent 15 minutes trying to get past all the walkers. I was not feeling lucky, but I did eventually settle into my pace and found that 7k (4 miles) is a nice distance to run. I will probably never do this race again though because of all the hassle.  But I did get to rock the crazy socks again!

Running of the Elk 5k

     This race was a party!  It had big sponsors (Kaiser, McDonald's and IHop, etc).  There was music, pancakes and a fitness person who did a pre-race warm-up!  You even got a tech shirt upgrade as part of the regular registration.  The swag and race atmosphere were so good, I don't even really remember the running part?  I did get a picture with an Elk- see how cool  this race was!

Capital City Run 5k

     What I will always remember about this race is that it happened a week after the Boston Marathon attack. Instead of wishing me luck, people told me to "be safe."  Race crowds are usually pretty friendly, but there was definitely and extra sense of comadaire in the air. For some reason, this was a tough race for me. I struggled a  lot? Then towards the end of the course, there was a stretch through Old Sac on cobber stone. I had visions of breaking my ankle.  I made it injury free, but a little beat up mentally. Some days are just like that and you push through them.  I ran the whole thing- that was an accomplishment.

Run with Nature 10k Trail Run

     After 5 successful 5k, I thought I am ready for a 10k.  Then I saw it was a trail run and thought- I love trail runs! The race started late, because the trail was on fire- that was exciting! I completely underestimate this race. The first 3 miles were amazing and I enjoyed the trail run. Around mile 4, I started to struggle and by mile 5 it was a hike not a run.  I spent the last mile eating humble pie. I have never been so happy to see the word FINISH. I do love trial runs though and will totally do this again next year, but maybe as a 5k.

Run 4 Independence 5k

     This race happened two weeks post my box jump injury, so there would be no running for me.  Still, I did the best I could and walked it. My gracious sister joined me to keep me company and tame the competitive Rani, who wanted so badly to run! It was a nice community race event and a man in a bunny/tortoise costume lapped me while doing the 10k- hey I was injured :)!

Davis MOOlighting Run 5k

     I tapped up my shin, but I still couldn't run. Fortunately, I had a support team- my sister and my 2 pals from CrossFit Abbey and Gideon.  It was nice to have company and conversation  We grabbed some dinner from Sophia's Thai kitchen and then walked it off.  Walking is just not as fun as running, but I committed to 13 races, so I did what I could.  I also got my Tour de Fit Part 1 finishers medal :)

Davis Labor Day Races 5k

     This was my return to running after my infamous box jump injury.   I woke up to rain in September? So I got out a hat and jacket and prepared to run in the rain. It did sprinkle a little, but that just made me run  faster. This was in  my old stomping grounds of Davis, so I met up with my friend Monica.   The race shirts were a fabulous color and it felt good to run again!

Rock the 80's 5k

     Neon, headbands, wrist bands and side ponytails- oh yeah this was a 1980's celebration!  The day before it poured rain, but race day was just overcast.  I felt very good and found the first 1.5 miles actually enjoyable. The next 1.5 were work, but it got done.  I did spend most of the race thinking about an outfit for the Octobrewfest race though.

Oktobrewfest 5k

     I can now say I've run in a tutu.  I had extra tulle and creativity from my DIY Halloween costume, so I got into character for this race. Honestly, I did not feel like running this race, but I did it. I think I've finally come to terms with running. I can do it, but I don't like to run.  Still I am going to finish- only 2 more to go!

Clarksburg County Run 5k

     Is it over yet?  Sorry, but by now I am sure I don't like to run. Thankfully my friend Lauren joined me on this run through vineyards and country roads.  I focused on breathing and not giving up and 34 minutes later I was done!  I realize that every run- I think about the next run. I wonder what I will think about on the last run?

Davis Turkey Trot 5k

     It is fitting that the last race is the first 5k I ever did, way back when.  It was a cold but beautiful morning and I ran without much struggle.  As I spotted the finish line, I thought "this is not so bad."  I almost allowed myself to think about doing more runs- almost. I crossed the finish line and collected by Part II finisher's medal feeling accomplished.

     Someone asked me if I will be doing 14 in 2014- no thank you!  Racing is fun, but it takes time and money. I am glad I did the Nor Cal Tour de Fit series because it exposed me to races, I probably would not have chosen to run.  Overall, my times were consistent, between 30-35 minutes. What really improved was my mental game!  I used to say "Rani doesn't run."  Now in all honesty, I can say "Rani doesn't like to run, but she can and she did."  I am officially in running retirement.

Reading Reviews- November 2013

     I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Eat, give thanks and then eat some more!  I got back into reading this month, but could not really get into anything I did read. Then I found Margaret Atwood's post-apocalyptic trilogy and fell in love with reading all over again!  Here they are November reads:

Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedel Smith

     This is the story of Elizabeth II- the currently reigning queen of Britain.  The queen is known for being a rather private and reserved person, but this book attempts to show another side.  I found the  first few chapters interesting.  Once she becomes queen it is all business and ceremony.  I definitely don't want to be queen, just a member of the royal family living off the money.

Verdict:  According to my Kindle, I only made read 15% of this book.

Third World America by Arianna Huffington

     This is a heavy dose of reality and the author has facts and personal stories to back-up the current state of things in America.  None of this information is new or surprising but the collection of it all in one place is well- depressing.  I almost stopped reading it, but the last chapter promised a summary of "what we could do about it."  Everything in this book is pretty much why I don't watch the news.

Verdict:  I didn't like it, but it is all true. So if you need a summary of how badly things are going, this is a great resource. Sigh....

How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul by Ruth Soukup

     Don't worry I am not trying to monetize, but I am interested in the topic of blogging in general.  I found this book to be very big picture with not a lot of details on how to actually do what the author recommends.

Verdict: Definitely not worth $4.99.  Thankfully, I got to read it for free through my Amazon Prime membership.

The End of San Francisco by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore

     This book got a lot of praise for being a deeply personal memoir and pushing the boundaries of gender identity.  Okay I will give it that.  The writing style is pretty unbearable and disjointed. This is my absolute least favorite kind of story- where the content or theme is somehow suppose to trump the author's actual ability to write.  I just don't get "art."

Verdict: To steal a quote from Despicable Me  "This is literature?"

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

     First book I really got into, in a loooong time.  I started reading it and couldn't stop. It is (another) story about a post-apocalyptic future, but  is still very original.  Told through one character's point of view, the author does a great job keeping you interested and in suspense on how it came to be.

Verdict: This book is part of a trilogy and I look forward to continuing the story.

The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood

     This is the second book of Atwood's post apocalyptic story and it is told from different character's point of view.  I found the first half of the book kinda boring, but then the time lines from the first and second book overlap and the dots start to connect.

Verdict: Can't wait to start book 3.  I am on the waiting list at the library, so it might be next month.

  

An Apple a Day by Emma Woolf

     I have never understood anorexia, but after reading this memoir I feel more enlightened.  I still don't understand not eating. If I miss a meal it is a minor crisis and reading this book made me feel very hungry.  But the author did a really honest and sincere job of sharing her experience.  The author points out that most woman have hang-ups about food and that is what helped me to empathize.

Verdict: Highly recommend. This is really written and relatable.

Teatime for Firefly by Shona Patel

     This started off being very interesting but I got less and less interested as the story progressed. It is very well-written in that the author creates a captivating scene. I just didn't see what the purpose of the story was?  Towards the end it kind just drags on.

Verdict: It is just a nice story. Nothing more, nothing less.

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

 

     This was a story within a story within a story! This was truly a work of art- an amazing story, beautifully told. It has one of those endings that makes you think.  It was the first audio book I borrowed from the library and the author read it herself.  I really would suggest the audio book, as the author has a very lyrical style.of writing. 

Verdict: This is literature at its best!

Is It Worth It? Skin Care Edition

 
   In today's post, I am going to talk about some skin care products I have been using on my face.  With the cold weather approaching my skin has been in a full revolt.  My main problems are dark spots (as my summer color fades) and dryness, so I decided to try some new products this past month. Here is what worked and what didn't.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

     This is a heavy duty exfoliate facial cleanser.  My skin is flaking off and this stuff definitely seems to help.  I notice a clearer and smoother complexion after using it.  I was told to only use this once a week, but I have been using it every other day. It is expensive ($36), but you only need a little bit, so it will last me through the winter months.  With my dry skin, I foresee using this product forever.

Clinque Even Better Clincial Dark Spot Corrector

     This is a serum you apply before moisturizer and it is suppose to lighten dark spots. I have a lot of freckles, but I also have dark pigmentation spots that "age" me.  Initially, I did notice some lightening of the dark spots, but that seems to have stopped. I guess it works until a point, so I won't be getting another one until next year.  It is a good start to repairing the summer sun damage.

Alba Facial Toner

     I have not used a toner before. I could never figure out what they actually do? "Prepare your face for moisturizing"- what does that mean? Still, I got one and gave it a try.  I am still not sure what it is doing? It does get off the last bits of makeup, which is nice.  I will continue to use it, but once I am out I am not sure I will repurchase.  I don't think this is a necessity.

Alba ccCream

     This is marketed to be a 6-in-1 color correcting marvel. It is suppose to be a foundation, sunscreen, moisturizer  and three more things that I don't really care about.  It gives a very nice light foundation coverage.  I hope it has a decent amount of sunscreen.  As for being a moisturizer, it is not enough for my skin. I do need to apply a moisturizer first, but overall I really like this product.  

Lush Lip Sugar Scrub

     My lips are following my skin and shedding- not attractive!  I have actually used this lip scrub before and love, love, love it!  It comes in several different "flavors."  My favorite is the mint which I use with their chocolate lip balm. Chocolate minty goodness and soft lips. A girl can ask for nothing more.

Cotton Rounds

     This is more of a skin care accessory- cosmetic grade cotton rounds. I use them with eye make up remover and toner. They are thicker and softer than the square ones I was using. Those square ones were like rubbing tree bark again my face.  I do like them better, but they tend to leave little cotton residue on my face.  When I run out, I will look to see if there is something even fancier.

     Before this, I had really let my skin care slack. Seriously, I was washing my face with bar soap, using coconut oil for moisturizer and going out in the sun without sun screen. For the past month, I have really been making time to take care of my skin and it is finally paying off. Of course, it got worse before it got better.  TLC for skin!

The Kitchen

    I first heard about the The Kitchen a couple of years ago.  A farm-to-fork fine dining experience sounded right up my alley. But the menu is preset and I am a picky eater.  I forgot all about it, until this year.  A co-worker randomly shared her experience with me and then I went to a party catered by a chef from The Kitchen. Oh my!  It was like I had never tasted food before and I knew it was time for me to experience it!

      I had to make reservations 2 months in advance and the menu was still unknown.  Having tasted the chef's talent, I decided I would at least try everything.  Fortunately, the November 2013 menu looked amazing:

first course: A Caesar Salad of Brassicas

Petite Broccoli, Romanesco, Cauliflower, Cured Ebodai & Duck Egg Dressing

second course:  Warm Mussel and Sunchoke Soup with Butter Poached Lobster, Creme Anise & Flowering Herbs

third course (Intermission):  You are invited to explore the kitchen and interact with the chefs.  Various stations were set up and I got to sample sushi, pork sausage, oysters, soft shell shrimp, potato salad and a squash soup.

fourth course: Carnaroli Risotto with Italian White Truffles

fifth course: Roulade of Wagyu Beef, Gratin of Okinawan Sweet Potatoes & Roasted Beets

sixth course: "Sweet Potato PIe"

Sweet Potato Cremeaux, Tahitian Vanilla Sable, Bourbon Marshmallow, Maple Meringue & Buttermilk Gelato

     Everything was very well balance in flavor, the presentation was immaculate and it was a very interactive.  The abundance of squashes really reflected the in-season element. The white truffles in the risotto was a last minute addition,as they were able to acquire a limited amount. The only drawback for me was it lasted 4,5 hours, which was just too long.  But overall, I relished this culinary experience.

Standing Desk Project

      I have been wanting a standing desk for some time now, because sitting all day is killing my lower back.  My cubicle space had a cabinet hanging from ever wall, so elevating a computer monitor was not possible. When a new cubicle space opened up and I saw it had an open wall, I started planning my stand up desk!!!

     Now you can buy a pneumatic sitting/standing workstation for $500, but there are cheaper DIY options. So I started searching the interwebs and came across this YouTube video.  I knew this was the hack I had been looking for: simple, affordable and it used Ikea furniture. Here is the stuff needed from Ikea:

• Lack table 
• 2 Ekby Lerberg Brackets
• Ekby Laiva shelf
• 4 screws

     I told my boss and he seemed very open to the idea, but once he saw the You Tube video he deemed it "jankie".  My dream of a stand-up work station was shut down.  However, I wanted to share this information in hopes someone else can take advantage of it.  If you need convincing siting is bad for your health, read these articles:

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/25/135575490/sitting-all-day-worse-for-you-than-you-might-think

http://lifehacker.com/5879536/how-sitting-all-day-is-damaging-your-body-and-how-you-can-counteract-it

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/sitting-unhealthy/#axzz2iaUlPNe4   

     If anyone else has other suggestions please let me know.  I am not giving up on this yet and neither is my chiropractor.  Where there is a will, there is a way.

Butternut Squash Soup

     I love soup weather!  I threw this recipe together and have been enjoying it as a side dish with dinner.  I used bacon lard to saute the veggies, which gave this soup a nice smokey flavor.  It is thick and hearty.

 

Ingredients:

 

Butternut squash, cubed

Chopped carrots, celery and onions

Vegetable broth

Cooking oil (I used bacon lard)

 

Preparation:

 

• I cheated a little with the veggies and bought pre-cubed butternut squash and mirepoix (chopped carrots, celery and onions) from Trader Joes. 
•  I put the cubed butternut squash on a pan, drizzled with olive oil and baked it for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.
• I sauteed the mirepoix in bacon lard* in a pot for 10 minutes.Then I added the butternut squash, and vegetable broth.  I broth to a boil and then simmered for 40 minutes on the stove.
• I then pureed it in a blender and added salt and pepper to taste.

 

     I also thought about adding some coconut milk to make it a little creamier, but wasn't sure how that would go with the bacon flavoring.  Maybe next time. For now, this soup is delicious and freezes well, so I have been enjoying it over the past weeks.

*I bake bacon on a pan and filter the remaining grease. I save this bacon lard for other cooking. It really adds a nice layer of flavor to dishes.