puppy therapy

So I'm gonna come right out and say it, I've been a horrible blogger the past few weeks.  .

Life's been a bit hectic with work and it's hard to find the energy to do much after putting in 9 hours at the office and then another hour or two at home.  The only thing I've really been able to dedicate my time to, other than work, is running.  So at least I'm happy to say I'm in week 5 of my Cto5K program!  I'm not back at that 'in love with running' feeling I once had, but I am at that 'feel crappy if I don't do it' place...progress.

With Hubster and I working opposite schedules, it's nice to have the down time after a hectic day at work, but at the same time it sucks.  Sucks that I don't have anyone at home to hug me after a rough day.  Sucks that there's no one to rub my shoulders and tell me a funny story to help take my mind off of things.  Sucks to not have someone to eat dinner with.  Not ideal first year of marriage to say the least.

But at the same time what I do have to come home to is pretty awesome.  Walking in the door at 8pm after a rough work day is not my idea of a good time, but seeing my pup Latte, who is so excited to have mommy home that not just her tail but her whole body wags is quite possibly the best greeting I could get (oh and she's gotten over that whole 'leave a present if you're home late thing, thank.you.jesus.).  Last Friday, I had the pleasure of dog-sitting my in-laws' dog, Buddy, and oh let me tell you, I was in puppy heaven!  Double the love, double the kisses....stress gone.  I honestly don't know what I'd do without my pup..she's my baby, my littlest best friend, my sleeping buddy, my therapist.  She's caused me her fair share of stress as well, but when she looks up at me with her big ole coal like eyes looking all cute and rolling on her back for belly rubs, I've forgotten what she ever did to upset me.  I bet Hubster wishes he could master that trick!

And now, some puppy love:

This is Buddy, my in-laws' dog.  He's a Havanese and poodle mix.  He's a big love bug and I've nicknamed him Loaf...cuz after about 5 minutes of playing with Latte, he gets pooped out and just plops down on the floor...or in your lap...and if he makes it in your lap...well it's not yours anymore.  Don't believe me...here's the evidence:

Yup...dead front and center.  I lost some feeling in my thighs that day.  But I loved it!

I call this Latte's 'worried grandmother' look.  I was out on the deck watering my (now dead) plants and what do I see when I turn around but this face.  I love how she's peeking our behind the curtain.  And look at that expression.  Oh...my dog has personality I tell you!

This last one is her 'rug slug' pose.  She does this so you try to get down as low as she is and then she pounces and slimes you with wet puppy kisses...which in this puppy mommy's opinion are divine!

Dogs...such great therapy.  Just thinking about her and her silly personality calms me now.

{ cindie }

stinky butt pup...don't get her mad

Meet the many faces and names of Latte

a/k/a Bad Puppy

I remember when I was just a young pup in old Russia

a/k/a Monster

and...Stinky Butt Pup

What a sweetie she looks like, right?

Rrrrriiiigggghhhhtttt

Stinky up there has a tendency to get a little vindictive at times.  See...I'm convinced that she can tell time.  Like read clocks (if I could prove that I'd be a millionaire).  She knows that Mommy usually comes home anywhere from between 6-7 pm.  If Mommy is not home by 7pm at the latest...

yup...it's poop

...there's a present waiting for her.  Now you're probably thinking...aww...well she's been holding it for about 5 hours, of course she has to go!

Yah...not so much...because (and here's where the vindictive part comes) when I am home on time and we go out for a walk....

She doesn't poop!

 Never...never ever...never ever ever

In fact, her last poop of the day is when Daddy walks her before leaving for work.  Unless Mommy is late that is.  So suffice it to say, she has successfully taught Mommy...come home on time, or clean up my poop...Biatch!

Honestly...what can I say? My dog is brilliant...and as proof (and because she's too damn cute)

just getting some work done on Mommy's computer

{ cindie }

the day after hump day means...

I'm lazy and un-imaginative.  And so ready for the day after the day after hump day.  What were you expecting me to say? 

In the blog-o-sphere there's a thingy (yes I said thingy because my brain hurts that much to come up with a better word) going around and I decided to hop on the wagon.  I'm pretty sure this has made its rounds on Facebook too...

the ABCs of me

A - Age: 31...but that's only my physical age...mentally I think sometimes I'm a bit stunted

B - Bed size: King...just enough room for Latte to sleep horizontally in the middle and Hubster and I to get the edges of the bed.

C - Chore you hate: washing dishes...I blame this on my mother.  Love you Mom!

D - Dogs: Latte...how can you forget her?

E - Essential start to your day:  does hitting the snooze button 4 times count? no? ok then showering I guess.  It's a way I can multitask...get ready for work while sleeping standing up.

F - Favorite Color: green or yellow...right now it's a color that makes me think of spring and warm weather

G - Gold or Silver: silver...it just looks better with my skin tone.  Although I prefer the value of gold

H - Height: sans shoes 5'2".  With shoes, add anywhere from an inch to 4.

I - Instruments you play: I took piano lessons when I was really young then I stopped when my piano teacher moved.  Then I played the flute in middle school and stopped when I realized that I wasn't as good at it as I thought I was. 

J - Job title: clinical trial manager/hopeful lotto jackpot winner

K - Kids: remember this?  Not just yet.  But I'm hoping when we do have them, they've figured out a way to make it so that they come out tiny and once they are out and hit the air they 'poof!' plump up.  Scroll on down to 'N' and take a gander at one of my nicknames...I'm screwed.

L - Live: Stockton, NJ (or is it Sergentsville...I dunno)...too far from NY and too close to PA for my liking...but it's where I call home and it's cool

M - My mom's name: Mommy

N - Nickname: technically Cindie is a nickname (points if you know my real name!) but otherwise, Lala, BabyBigHead (because of the enormity of my noggin) and of course there's these.  I wish I could say Hubster calls me SexyMcCutiePants or something like that but no...I get BabyBigHead. FML

O - Overnight hospital stay: When I was in the 4th grade I had to stay in the hospital for a week because of my asthma.  I think I thought it was cool because my class made me 'Get Well' cards, then they (the doctors, not my classmates) had to stick a thermometer in my butt to read my temperature because of my breathing problems and I didn't think it was cool anymore...what? TMI?

P - Pet Peeve:  Fork spokes down in the dishwasher, toilet paper rolled under not over, water puddles around the sink, PA drivers, people who yawn loudly in public, leg shakers, people who can't park, people who drive in between lanes, when people don't use blinkers, when people who use blinkers don't turn their blinkers off after changing lanes...are you or aren't you moving over?!, when wiper blades don't get turned off when there's no more rain...am I sounding neurotic yet?

Q - Quote from a movie: What is this? A center for ants?

I actually own this tshirt and it's awesome

R-  Right/Lefty: Righty

S - Sibling: An older brother.  He's awesome

T - Time you wake up: My alarm goes off at 6:35...I get out of bed 20 minutes later...if I'm feeling daring...30 minutes.  Yah I'm a rebel

U - Underwear:  bloomers.  The kind that Strawberry Shortcake wears.  Not really but I think it would be kind of awesome if I did.  I don't think Hubster would share the sentiment tho.

via

V - Veggies you dislike: Eggplant...it's a texture thing.  Oh and those potato impersonating sweet 'potatoes'...and lima beans.

W - What makes you run late: usually it stems from my love of sleep but often it's my indecision on what to wear

X - Xrays you've had: Hmmm...teeth, knees, hip (hip! seriously?! how many 31 year olds have had a hip x-ray?) but thankfully never a broken bone...knock on wood

Y - Yummy food you make: what isn't yummy? oh the SND fail from two weeks ago...otherwise I think most of what I make is pretty yummy

Z - Zoo animal: Giraffe!!!  I just love them!

why hello there!

and turtles...mainly because of this kid

{ cindie }

lost

You know it's going to be one of those weeks when you feel totally uninspired. 

This pretty much sums up how I feel.....

I'll be back later this week when I find my inspiration

{ cindie }

take me to Brussels...sprouts

I feel bad for brussel sprouts.  They always seem to get a bad rap as the red-headed stepchild of the cabbage family.

You poor cancer-fighting mini cabbage...don't worry, I love you

One of Hubster's favorite side dishes to one of his favorite meals is Brussel sprouts.  So for SND this week that's what we had.

Sauteed Brussel Sprouts and Onions
*Hubster wanted me to ensure to give props that it was his idea to add the onions

Ingredients

Pretend the olive oil isn't even there

 1 package Brussel sprouts
1 clove garlic
1 small yellow onion sliced
3 TBS butter
1/2 lemon
salt & freshly ground pepper 

Wash and trim the ends of the sprouts.  Cut shallow cross-hairs into the ends of the sprouts.

  
Bring approximately a quart of water to a boil and add the sprouts.  Cook for about 7 minutes until they are a nice bright green.

Drain and put the sprouts into an ice bath to cool and stop the cooking.

While the sprouts cool, slice your onion and roughly chop the garlic.  Set aside.

Remove the sprouts from the ice bath and halve.  Seriously, how freaking cute are these little cabbages?!

In a sautee pan over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of butter.  When the butter has stopped foaming, add the garlic.

Butter? Garlic? Yes please!!!

Cook the butter and garlic (mmm) for about 30 seconds then add the onion slices.  Let the onion sweat a bit before adding the halved sprouts, face down.  Once all the sprouts are in your pan, add the remaining butter.

Cook for about 7 minutes and then squeeze in juice from your lemon (the lemon juice helps to cut some of the bitterness of the sprouts).  Continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until the bottoms of the sprouts have a nice golden brown color to them.  Off the heat and salt and pepper to taste.

I usually serve these as a side dish to steamed rice and panko crusted chicken breasts.  They're a hit in our household...even Latte likes them!

Hey! Where's my plate?!

{ cindie }

thursday night special

*Edit: I started writing this post yesterday evening and woke at 2am Friday morning to learn about the tragedy in Japan.  My heart breaks for all those affected by this disaster.  I personally do not know anyone in the area, but if you do, I pray that they are ok.  Tsunami warnings are still in effect for the Pacific so please stay safe.  

I debated publishing this post in light of what occurred, but decided that it was too important not to capture the emotions that were felt before these horrific events (not that what I did was important, but my joy).  Terrible things happen around the globe daily, and if we don't allow ourselves to be happy about the things in our lives (whether great or small) than life will be pretty glum.    

What in the world could possibly elicit an insanely ridonkulous reaction such as this?

Simple...three things:

1. It was a Jersey Shore night (what?! I delight in the mindless dribble of these people...let's not try to fool each other that you don't enjoy it too)
2. A rarity occurred.  Hubster was able to go in to work early AND come home early so that we could actually spend some time together...and have dinner..
3. which Hubster was making for me!

So yeah...I was beyond the moon happy.  So happy that I wanted to document the amazing meal I was being treated to.  We'll call this meal

Special # 7

Ingredients
To be honest, I don't really know how much of what (and exactly what) went into creating the meal.  These are best guesses

Eggs
Brown Rice
Shrimp
Some roast pork I think
Beef
Scallions
approximately 3/4 gallons of 93 octane or higher gasoline
Menu for chinese takeout

Present menu.  Indulge your wife as she feigns indecision on what to choose (when really I knew two days ago when I originally planned to get takeout)

hmm...what should I get...oh just tell them the cindie special

Place order.  Use the approximate 3/4 gallons of gas to pick-up order.  *Important* make sure not to dillydally on the way to and from picking up order.

Return home with bag o'goodness to a very excited (and hungry) diner.

I swear I did not change, I took this pic when I first got home from work

Present your meal.  Plate and enjoy!

I had my egg drop soup, egg roll and shrimp egg foo young (apparently I like foods that start with the word 'egg') usual and Hubster had beef and scallions and an egg roll.  I was a wee bit too excited about the food to take a pic of it and this pic <~ was taken after the carnage.  Mmm...I can't wait for tomorrow to have the leftovers for lunch!

*Disclaimer...Hubster for real did offer to cook dinner, but before I knew he was going to be home I had decided that I was going to get takeout this night.  Hubster's a pretty good cook, but where he excels is on the grill and it's not quite grilling season yet.

Oh how I love lazy day dinners.

And, just because she likes making appearances in my posts...

I got to lick the plates! So happy!

{ cindie }

watching what I eat

And I don't mean me watching what I eat.

A foodie watching what they eat just means they look at it and marvel at the pure beauty of the creation in front of them.

Sometimes they have a ridiculous look of excitement on their face.

only THE best mushroom ravioli in a sage butter sauce EVER

Or they just plain old take pictures of their food...

mmm..tempura

or with their food...

that's a big paella!

...no matter where they are...like their own wedding (I.have.problems)...

photo by Allure West Studios

or they will even go so far as make out with their food (serious.problems.people)

I heart you Mr. Crawfish..now get in mah belly!

So, yah...that's how I watch what I eat.  Oh and I am totally not nekkid in that ~> pic I swear...although it would be funny considering I'm making out with my food...but I digress...

I'm talking about almost everyone else watching what I eat...or rather how much I eat.  And how I dress (I like flowy styles), and what I do.  You see, we still live in a world that believes for the most part, the order of adulthood is as such:

Go to school ~> graduate ~> get a job ~> fall in love ~> get engaged ~> get married ~> buy a house....have a baby.

Here's the thing about that timeline, the things that come after graduating school and getting a job are choices, not requirements (ok maybe falling in love is not a choice we make).  And they happen not according to anyone's 'plan'...they just happen when they happen.  Moving on...

So we've done all of the above, except for the baby part.  And for some dang reason, people are starting to watch my eating habits and waistline a bit more closely.  Here's a thought, maybe I just like food and am getting fat (ok, time to start running again!). Honestly, I don't really mind, I actually find it kind of funny.  For instance, this past weekend we went to another couple's (who happen to be preggers - so excited for them!) house for a party and here's how some of my conversations went:

Convo #1

Friend 1: Hey

me: Hey.  Oooo chicken wings! Yum!

Friend 1: So how are you guys doing?

me: (snarf...munch munch) We're good. mmm chicken wings (less talk, more eat!)

Friend 1: So...(looking at me funny as I devour a chicken wing nearly whole)...

me: (pausing to notice this glance)...ummm....hold on, let me chug this beer

Convo #2

Friend 2: How are you guys? Haven't seen you in awhile!

me: We're good.  House is good, keeps us busy...ooo bacon and cheese dip! mmm bacon.

Friend 2: So what are you drinking there?

me: Beer...see watch me chug it!

Friend 2: Hmm...is that really beer, are you sure you didn't put water in there?

me: (grabs friend's beer) chug...chug..chug

Convo #3

Friend 3: Hi!

me: Hey...going out for a smoke*.  Toss me a beer will ya?

This is pretty much for reals the conversations I had.  I chugged A LOT of beer that night!

Now don't get me wrong.  We want to have a baby.  The itch crept up on me quickly after my birthday and around the time most of our house was furnished.  And maybe that itch has meant I've been talking about babies more.  OK, so maybe I'm ready...Hubster, on the other hand, is not quite there yet.  And since it's so important that both people are on the same page...we're waiting a bit.  And I'm OK with that.  In the meanwhile, I just treat our Latte like she's our baby.  Our furry, spastic, bark at anything baby who may or may not be wearing one of Daddy's shirts like it's a christening gown (again, problems).

Momma...you crazy with a capital 'C'

But until I actually am preggers, I might need to walk around in spandex with a glass of wine in one hand and a Starbucks in the other.  Or a T-shirt that says, 'Nope...Not Yet'

*it's a nasty habit I partake in when I drink a lot

{ cindie }

(not so) fat tuesday dinner

Happy Fat Tuesday!  Oh how I wish I was down in NOLA to partake in the festivities...oh well maybe another year...

Tonight is a dinner for one night, so in honor of Mardi Gras I am cooking up a couldn't-be-anymore-non-completely-Mardi-Gras-inspired-meal (I made an awesome Jambalya last week a bit prematurely...will post the recipe and pics for that when I make it again).

Chicken & Broccolini Stir Fry

Recipe inspired by what I have in my fridge and pantry (hey it's better than ramen and hot dogs)


Ingredients

For the broccolini:
* 1 bunch broccolini
* 2 tsp sesame oil (or some other oil with a high smoke point.  If you're not sure, you can check here)
* 2 -3 TBS water
* 2-3 tsp low sodium soy sauce

For the chicken:
* 1 TBS sesame oil (or other high smoke point oil)
* 3 chicken breast fillets (I use the Purdue perfect portions)
* 1 TBS minced garlic
* 2 TBS finely chopped scallions

For the sauce:
* 1 TBS tomato paste
* 2-3 TBS low sodium chicken broth
* 2 tsp garlic and black bean sauce (purchased from the asian market [being chinese this is a staple in my fridge])
* 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
* 2 tsp sesame oil
* 1/2 tsp kosher salt
* 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
* 1 tsp sugar
* 1/4 tsp red chili flakes (or more depending on your heat tolerance)
The chili flakes are optional.  Since I love heat, I add them...plus it makes it a little Mardi Gras-esque since I'm adding heat no?

If you plan on eating this with rice, start cooking your rice now.  I enjoy this over a bed of hot, steamed Jasmine rice.

Wash the broccolini and chop into 1 inch pieces.  If you've never had broccolini, here's Wikipedia's definition.  If you want my definition...it's yum.  Imagine the best, crunchiest part of broccoli and add a little sweetness.  Don't mistake this treasure for it's cousin broccoli rabe, which cooked well is delish, but poorly is bitter city.

mmm...broccolini

Rinse and prep your chicken.  The Purdue perfect portions come pretty flattened, but I just like using my tenderizer (especially after a long day at the office) so if the spirit moves you, pound away!

 

Slice the chicken into roughly 1 1/2 inch strips.  Add a pinch of salt and then set aside.

okay...maybe those aren't exactly 1.5 inch strips

On a clean cutting board, finely chop the scallions and mince the garlic.  Set aside.

Mix together your ingredients for your sauce in a small bowl and set aside.

I didn't add the wet ingredients to the sauce mixture yet

Now that the prep work is done, let's start cooking!

Start with the broccolini.  In a medium size saute pan (or if you got it, rock the wok...teehee, that rhymed), heat up the oil over medium heat.  Add the chopped broccolini and toss to coat with oil. And the water and stand back and watch out for jumping drops of hot oil but delight in the sound of the crackle and sizzle.  Let the broccolini simmer for about a minute then add the soy sauce.

Simmer for a few more minutes (let's just say 4) and remove to a bowl.  Admire the bright green color of your well cooked veggie.  Wipe down your cooking vesicle with a paper towel to remove some of the excess moisture left behind.

On to the chicken.  On medium-high heat, add the oil to the pan and let it heat up a bit (careful not to let the oil get too hot because you don't want to burn your aromatics).  Add the scallions and garlic and stir for about 15 seconds.

Take in a whiff of that delectable scent.  By now your little kitchen scavenger will be at your feet staring up at you.

Drop something..PLEASE!

Add your chicken and again, watch out for the jumping oil.  Stir the chicken (make sure those strips keep moving) and cook for about 6 minutes.  Add the sauce and continue to cook for another 6 or 7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Add the broccolini, reduce heat to low and let cook until warmed throughout.

Serve over a bed of steamed rice (or whatever floats your boat), sit down and enjoy while watching Gwynnie and Shuester ridiculously flirt on Glee.
 
Take a picture of your pup who is ready to eat...

is that nomz for me?!

but then is pissed off at you for not sharing.

i see how it is, fine mom, you bitch!

*Btw...this recipe actually makes about two servings, so pack up the leftovers and bring them for lunch the next day!

{ cindie }

sunday night dinner

Hubster and I have opposite work schedules which essentially means Monday thru Friday we see each other for 5 incoherent minutes in the morning when I kiss him good-bye and 15 sometimes coherent minutes when he gets home and tucks me in for the night.  That being said, it's not very often that we get to sit down to have dinner together, so when the weekend comes around, I'm cooking up a storm.
This morning, hubster turned to me and asked what I was making for Sunday Night Dinner - and then proceeded to say that we were like the cast of Jersey Shore because of this new tradition (hmmm....not sure how I feel about that).  Since it's sunday and rainy the first thing I thought of was comfort...and nothing says comfort more to me than Mac and Cheese..with some lobster thrown in to make it a little more special.

Lobster macaroni and cheese recipe adapted from here


Ingredients
1lb whole wheat elbow macaroni
3 lobster tails
8 tablespoons room temperature butter
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 pint whole milk - room temperature
2 cups fat free milk - room temperature
2 1/2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese - shredded
3 cups Gruyere cheese - shredded
1 small onion diced
1 shallot chopped
1 small garlic clove minced
5 slices of whole wheat bread with crusts removed
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt

pepper

Preheat the oven to 375.

Remove crusts from bread and use a small food processor to make breadcrumbs.

In a small fry pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and combine with breadcrumbs.  Set aside.

Wash the lobster tails and cook for about 15 minutes (depending on size of tails) in a pot of salted boiling water.  While the lobster tails are cooking, prepare the ingredients for the roux.

Dice the small onion, chop the shallots and mince the garlic.  Proceed to curse yourself out about your inability to properly dice an onion despite having watched this video numerous times.

If you're like me with the onion dicing issue, your lobster tails will be ready.  Remove the tails from the boiling water and put in an ice bath to stop the cooking.

Use the reserved water from cooking the lobster tails to cook the elbow macaroni (I find this helps to infuse the pasta with some of the lobster flavor).  Cook the pasta until al dente and drain.



De-shell the lobster tails and coarsely chop the meat.

 Stop for a moment to take a picture of the scavenger who found her way into the kitchen.

Something dropped? I'll get it!

Shred your cheeses and set aside.  At this point as well, you should have your milk, flour, and spices measured out because you will soon be too busy whisking to do this later.

In a small saucepan, sweat 1/2 of the onions with 1 tablespoon of butter for about 2 minutes, then add milk, shallots, garlic and some fresh ground pepper and reduce heat to low, you want the milk mixture to be hot, but not boiling.

In a medium sized dutch oven or casserole pot, melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter on low heat.  When butter stops foaming, add the flour and cook for 2 minutes.
Whisk in the milk mixture and continue to cook until smooth.  (this is the part where you'll be whisking...and whisking..and..you get the idea).

Turn off the heat and in batches start adding your cheese..and whisk..then cheese..and whisk...

After you've added all the cheese, add your spices and some salt to taste.  Whisk away!

 

Add the cooked pasta, chopped lobster meat and remaining onions to the cheese and stir (oohh, variety!) well to combine.

Oooey, gooey, cheesy yumminess!

Top with the breadcrumbs and pop in the oven uncovered for 30 minutes.  Let sit for 5 minutes (or as long as you can hold out), serve it up, sit in front of the couch and watch a marathon of Chopped (if that's how you do dinner) and enjoy!

This is totally an inaccurate representation of how much I actually ate

Speaking of Chopped...is anyone else as excited as I am for Chopped All-Stars premiering tonight?!

{ cindie }