Osso buco is translated from Italian as “bone with a hole.” (Thanks Wikipedia!) I call it delicious! I first had this dish when I was in New York and saw it on the menu. It sounded tasty and whoooo doggies it was! It wasn’t cheap, but it also wasn’t a small dish. My plate could’ve been enough for two people. Most osso buco are cooked with white wine and served with gremolata. Mine is made with marsala and tomatoes, no marsala. Also, mine doesn’t have any seasoning, ok, bay leaves. Sorry, I lied. Yes, bay leaves, but that’s it. Everything else is the natural flavors of the foods. And who doesn’t love natural? (Why yes, that’s my Texas Tech snuggie taking a peek. Yes, this is 10:30 at night and I’m watching a recorded Downton Abbey under my snuggie in the living room. Yes, this was 2nd dinner. )

GOODS

1/3 cup flour (we used gluten free all-purpose flour)

salt ( a few tablespoons)

3 T unsalted butter

1 cup celery (finely chopped)

1 cup onion (finely chopped)

1 cup carrot (finely chopped)

3 or 4 cloves of garlic (sliced)

1/2 can of San Marzano tomatoes (I like that Cento brand)

1/2 tablespoon of Better than Bouillon (chicken or beef base, both are really good)

1 cup or so Marsala (yeah, I didn’t measure—you’ve never cooked with Marsala? That’s ok, it is a wine that you find near the Port wines. I don’t know if I’d drink it, but you could if you were desperate enough, I’m sure. It adds some great flavor, though. I use the Sperone Marsala brand that’s like $8 for a liter bottle)

Water (like a large glass or so, depends on how you like the sauce)

2-4 osso buco shanks

PROCESS

1. In a bowl, combine your flour and salt, then dredge your shanks through the breading. Make sure all sides are generously coated.
• Tip: I like to add a bit of salt to the shanks directly before dredging through. Set aside.
2. On medium to low heat, add your  3 T of butter to a Dutch oven (or oven safe skillet). Once the butter is melted, add your shanks and lightly brown on all sides. Use some tongs for this. Once browned, remove from your dish and set aside on a plate. Now add the onion, carrot, and celery to the delicious brown butter and fat currently residing at the bottom of your Dutch oven. Let the veggies get soft. I could be about 5-8 minutes. Now add your garlic, your better than bouillon, tomatoes, and Marsala.
• Tip: Feel free to take a generous swig of wine while cooking, maybe not your Marsala, but something else.
3. Stir it up. Gently break apart the tomatoes with your spoon to give it a saucy feel. he he he…saucy-sauce RAWR!
4. Mmmm…smells, good, huh? I let it cook for about 5-8 more minutes. You should have the beginning of a delicious looking & smelling sauce.
5. Add your osso buco to the mixture. I like to place it in, then cover it generously with sauce. Now add your 3 bay leaves to the top. Go ahead, make it a fancy triangle, I won’t judge. It’s fun!
6. Cover with your lid (or foil if you don’t have a lid for your pan) and let it bake for an hour and a half to two hours (check it at an hour and twenty minutes, because some ovens are speedy!).
• Tip: Pour a generous glass of your wine you’ve been drinking and watch an episode of Downton Abbey or do a yoga for wine lovers workout.
7. When your alarm goes off, check the awesomeness! If it is cooked (meat falling off the bone, braised goodness), then remove from the oven.
8. Here is where some recipes will have you remove the meat, then reduce the sauce and blend it finely. Not me. I like the sauce to be chunky and feel like a veggie side dish with my meat.
9. Let cool.
10. Place meat with a generous amount of sauce in a large bowl and serve.
11. Enjoy! (maybe with the rest of your wine!) Cheers!

Crocheting: Beginner Slippers Great for the Polar Vortex

The other evening, I was hanging out with my cousins and we were having a good laugh at my crocheting endeavors. (Hi Michelle in Japan! Remember that MNI you hosted and I couldn’t even make a circle?!?) I’m pretty good with scarves and bulky yarn, but that’s like saying you can draw a straight line with a ruler. At the time, I was wearing my new slippers from Beanies By Stacie and my cousin liked them. I told her that I would gift them to her if she would make me a replacement pair. She smiled and we made a deal. Then we started to talk about youtube and how you can learn so much there. Especially because you can pause, rewind, and start over. DUH!

I found myself with a bit of time the next evening and happened upon this gem by someone named Emi! The next day, we had some time before my Beloved had to go to work. We found ourselves at JoAnn’s picking out yarn, using a coupon, hurrying home to make some. I discovered, I needed his foot when I made it (because I didn’t measure it), so I made a pair for myself. I watched a movie and had one slipper completed. I put on a second movie to complete the 2nd slipper.  You can see that the right one is my “learner” slipper. It is looser on my feet than the one on the left. But they still work and are quite warm.

 

I’ve since whipped up a single slipper for my Beloved and my eldest (who wanted a pair with my yarn). I hope to finish those as I have time this week.

I used one skein of yarn for my pair (size 9 womens) and should have enough to finish up the Sugarbean’s (size 11 kids). I will go through 1 skein for my Beloved’s (size 12 mens). If you want to make baby booties, I highly recommend this video by Emi, as well!

2014: Adelante

I was asleep by 9:30 PM on New Year’s Eve. By my side was my youngest daughter (my Beloved is a part-time server and was out working that evening), and my eldest was tucked in bed. At 10:45, my mother called me to wish me a Happy New Year…East Coast time. And the next hour and a half, the flood of love poured through my phone. Phone calls and texts flooded through. At 11:58, my Beloved called me and on the phone, we celebrated together. In that moment, happy tears, gratitude, and joy because I could hear the elation of everyone there in the restaurant. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My one little word this year is Adelante. This word is very powerful and holds special meaning to me. In fact, is one of the title words in a book I’ve been working on for the better part of a decade, that I fully intend to revisit this year. For you non-Spanish speakers, it means forward. But more than just forward…

forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead…philippians 3:13

Moving forward, moving ahead, moving in the direction that you want to go. I’ve pretty much done this my entire life, but now…now my focus is less on self and more on raising those around me, helping to push them forward. I’m constantly making goals: quarterly, yearly, 5 years, 10 years. The new year is just another starting point, a frame of reference to guide along the way. Goals for this year include travel to both coasts and possibly one international trip, writing, trying new recipes, new product reviews, monthly dates with my Beloved, quarterly artistic dates with my Sugarbean, launching a new project, and being more involved with my faith.

Happy new year to all of you! May this year be filled with infinite laughter, love, and light. Let’s go have an adventure.

2013…

What a year. I’m grateful for the life I’ve been given, the incredible people in my life (especially the guy by my side), and the opportunities & adversities I have face this year. I prepared myself for 2013, choosing the word COURAGE as my one little word. I had no idea the ways it would present itself to me.


I took a bit of a hiatus from writing my thoughts in this medium, popping in and out only in moments (really 47 posts for the ENTIRE year??). I had to take a few months to process some very personal things. Rather than spewing my most personal thoughts on the interwebs (like really, who wants to read all of that? who needs to read all of that? I’m not that important.), I took some time to write them the old fashioned way, pen and paper, and loads of self-conversations while running. I probably could have published some of it on here, but it boiled down to a simple concept. I have been blessed with a gift. Rather than use words as weapons to destroy (no matter how vindicated or justified I’d feel in spewing so much snark), I’d rather use words to motivate or uplift (because who wants to hold onto that negativity? I have certainly felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulders when I finally released some of my demons. Too much baggage, gah!). Instead of sharing what I saw as my own truth, I opted to contain it so as to not hurt others and myself. It took a great deal of courage for me to come to that decision, especially when I felt like I was being attacked. Then again, when you are in the thick of things, it is easy to latch onto the smallest of things and run with it until you are positively insane. We’ve all been there, consumed by madness! In any case, I wanted to say thank you to all of my friends and family who lifted me up. Many of you reading this had no idea that the tiniest bits of things you’ve posted online, texted me, emailed, written, tiny gestures…meant so very much to me when I was feeling quite low. If you feel compelled to share exciting news or come across a phrase that motivates/inspires you, then share it. You have no idea the ripples you create in doing just that!

I had the courage to embrace my imperfections. I began to appreciate that I was a broken pot, used to water the plants along the side of the road. I hadn’t really understood my own rippling effect, until I was forced to push pause on my life an reflect. I’m gonna own that as a major win. I’m also going to celebrate that I kept on keeping on.

These were the goals I’d set forth and nearly accomplished them all. (We didn’t go camping and I flew on aerial silks instead of a trapeze):

These are my major accomplishments for the year:

1. I jumped out of a plane and lived.
2. I ran a half marathon and amazed myself with my finish time. (I even amazed myself with my 5K improvements.)
3. I saw my eldest off to her first day of school.
4. I also witnessed her happily read her first several books to me.
5. I also cried a great many tears of joy after she completed her first 5K with an average pace of 12 minute miles (she’s 5!!!).
6. I witnessed our youngest master potty training and running her first mile in a race with a 13 minute mile pace (outstanding! She’s 2!).
7. I also saw her vocabulary expand exponentially. She also knows how to flip off of the ottoman, jump on one foot, dance whenever music is playing, and sings along to the radio.
8. I went to a great number of concerts, even scoring a media pass to document the experience.
9. I had a year’s worth of dates with my Beloved (at least one a month). Several of them were overnight dates, too!
10. I visited California 3 times, dug my toes in the sand, climbed a mountain (twice), and sat under the redwoods breathing it all in.
11. I got a new car!
12. I hosted my very own 5K for my birthday (and will be doing it again in 2014).
13. I survived the health scare of my fractured vertebrae and venous cavernous malformation.
14. I let go of personal aches, made peace with my past, and found myself better for it.
15. I began a type of art therapy for myself by incorporating devotions/scripture in a journal.
16. I drank a lot of coffee. ha ha!
17. I worked out a lot with my Beloved.
18. I started to incorporate skills from my professional life and began a new project that will hopefully launch next year.
19. I had SO MUCH TIME with my bests!!! It wasn’t weeks on end, but hours, certainly, and such good quality hours, too!
20. I ate a lot of really good food!
21. I tried to grow a garden, which basically amounted to basil.
22. I held two new babies birthed by my friends (even helping one of them through pre-labor).
23. I stood next to my nephew/godson as he was Confirmed this year.
24. I had my first ever facial…which is big because I don’t like anyone touching my face.
25. Embraced gluten-free cooking/baking and have had much success!

Whew.

Cheers to 2014! Looking forward to it!

Happy 1st Anniversary: Samantha & Roy

Last Winter Solstice, a small group of friends and some family members gathered in an intimate chapel to celebrate life, love, and happiness. My husband and I were there to capture these moments. It was our gift to the bride and groom, my sister and her new husband. Happy first anniversary, Samantha & Roy!

 

 

Fitness Buddy: 5 Keys to Helping Your Partner Train for the NYC Triathlon

If you are like me, you may possibly yo-yo between fitness routines. Usually, when I have a scheduled race with an actual goal in mind, I commit to the race, then the training tapers off and I get back to being a lug until a few months pass by, my pansa gets a bit large, my clothes get a bit tight, and I rush off to find another race. Vicious cycle.
But I am quite competitive, especially against myself. I also like having support and someone who will cheer for me. It’s fun to feel strong, look your best, and you can’t beat those endorphins!
Early last month, my Beloved came to me and told me what he wanted for his 40th birthday. You can imagine my surprise, because he NEVER asks for anything, let alone that far in advance of his birthday (it is in May). He told me he wanted to do the NYC Triathlon. Not only that, but he wanted to commit to raise $3000 for the Semper Fi Fund.
wow.
So, in that moment, I beamed with pride and dedicated myself to help him train for the race. Here’s the breakdown:

1500m swim – .93 mile open water swim in the Hudson River
40k bike – 24.85 miles along Manhattan’s West Side highway
10k run – 6.2 miles of running through Central Park

With that in mind, here are 5 keys to help your partner train for any event, but in my case, the NYC Triathlon.

1. Meal Planning
2. Train with Your Partner
3. Keep them accountable
4. Encourage your partner
5. Education

1. Meal Planning…DIET, DIET, DIET
No hormones, no additives, no preservatives, organic (as much as possible), natural…to you, it may sound like EXPENSIVE, but to me, you can’t put a price on your health.
You may have heard that phrase that abs are made in the kitchen. It’s true. Diet contributes 100% to your fitness. Put crap into your body, and you will see the results. I did the vegetarian diet before with great success. However, I have since altered my stance and have become a flexitarian. Freshly caught wild fish (not farm raised), grass fed beef, free range/vegetarian fed poultry, and other local sources are what I aim for. Pay now for better food or pay later for your health-related costs. Plus, not everything HAS to be overpriced! Ethnic foods are more than affordable and quite flavorful!

The Method: Each week on Saturday, I spend about half an hour meal planning. I jot down each day’s meals on our weekly meal plan page. Alongside it is my grocery list, where I check off or list what we will need for each meal.  On Sundays, we go grocery shopping for the week. The weekly meal plan, then lives on the front of the fridge. Sunday nights, we may do some meal prep.
Getting the Goods: We shop at Market Street, Trader Joe’s, and HMart. Market Street for veggies, fish, beef, cheeses, and dried goods. Trader Joes’s for eggs, more veggies, almond/soy milk (Both of our daughters have an allergy to milk--yes, even hormone-free milk--, so we have gone to more soy and almond milk. The evidence of the dairy issue presents itself with certain cheeses, but not Greek yogurt.), gluten-free flour,  canned San Marzano tomatoes, and on occasion flowers (yes, just checking to see if you were still paying attention!)

In the late evenings when I want a snack (especially after a workout), we will make ourselves a juice. This is so much better than nachos, cereal, or even a Twinkie (yes, I’m giving you a side-eye Tracy Anderson because not only do I think the juice has some nutritional value, you have me wanting a Twinkie in the worst way). Also, you still have to be sure you get your fiber!

Daily Routine: Breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, juice

2. Train with Your Partner
Creativity lends itself better with twos, and I believe the same could be said when training. Otherwise, why else would all of the group fitness options be made available if people didn’t enjoy the camaraderie. But this isn’t just exercise, it is actual training. Every single day we grind. Every workout is thought out with the idea that we will be better than what we were yesterday and we will keep pushing forward to reach the goals.

“Different physical tasks require different physical adaptations; running 26.2 miles is obviously a different task than squatting 700 pounds, and the two efforts require completely different physical adaptations. If a program of physical activity is not designed to get you stronger or faster or better conditioned by producing a specific stress to which a specific desirable adaptation can occur, you don't get to call it training. It is just exercise.”—Mark Rippetoe

Daily Routine:  This requires that we run together, we lift weights together, we stretch/yoga/meditate together, we cycle together, and we swim together. We also recover together.

3. Keep Them Accountable
Two facts: I am not a great swimmer. I am an even worse cyclist.  When he has to bike or swim, that’s when I mostly focus on myself for things that will not cause bodily harm to me. When he is biking, I am out running. When he is swimming, I’m doing plyometrics or a cardio activity. In both instances, I’m doing something during the time he is doing something. The buddy is putting in the time, so must you! On those days where neither of us feels like doing anything, it is up to me to remind him why he started this journey. If I’m ever in doubt of myself, I just need to lean to my online friends and they do a great job of motivating me and keeping me accountable. I can’t escape it, thus he can’t escape it. It’s a good problem to have. Also, when in doubt, revisit this video:

4. Encourage Your Partner
Be a cheerleader. Cheer yourself for sticking by their side, but also scream your lungs out when you can. Be there for the slumps. Be there for the gains. Either way, give encouragement. If you can be there on race day, make signs, wear the cheesy shirt, and get others to yell with you.


5. Education
Research training plans. Establish a baseline, then grow from there. Learn all you can about preventing injury, things to prepare for the event, and training in conditions that will be present on race day. Also, learn the route. If you are going to be on location to cheer them on, come up with points along the way and communicate those places with your partner. It is so much easier for them to spot you, than it is for you to spot them!

Review: Stitch Fix – An Online Personal Styling Service

Are you a busy gal? Like, so busy, when you think of shopping, you really don’t want to hassle with getting dressed, then going to several stores, browsing through everything and then not really finding what you were looking for? Or even worse, NEEDING to find something in particular, but coming away unsuccessfully.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a way for you to try on several things in the comfort of your own home, pairing the pieces with the shoes you hand in mind, but weren’t really sure about because you didn’t wear them on your outing? Enter Stitch Fix.

They are a personal styling service. It costs a $20 styling fee that is applied as credit towards clothes that were sent to you. This $20 is charged when the stylist picks your items, NOT on the day you schedule your fix. One day out of the month, you are sent a lovely box filled with 5 items (clothing and an accessory). You login to their website, and create your style profile. At first glance, it may seem daunting because there are a lot of questions. No worries, answer them honestly. They are “interviewing” you to get an idea for the things you would like and what would work for you. It almost seems like filling out an online dating profile, but it is fun! Even better if you have a Pinterest board and they can check out your style on there. Ok, style profile filled out, date picked for the delivery. Now what?

Like I said, your box is delivered and you have 3 days to decide what you want to keep and what you want to send back. . In the box, your clothes are carefully packaged and on each tag is a style card, which gives inspiration and ideas for your pieces, very similar to what you’d find on Polyvore. Anything you don’t wish to purchase, you mail back in the pre-paid mailing bag. For the items you wish to buy, you login to your account and pay for what you keep. They have a space for notes as to why you didn’t like the different pieces you weren’t fond of. This helps with future styling. Don’t forget about your $20 credit, also, if you buy all 5 items, then you save 25%!

Stitch Fix is ideal for women from size 0/XS-14/XL. You don’t have to sign up for a monthly membership, but they do have that option. Average price point per item is $65.

In my first fix, I requested blouses. I was sent 3 blouses, a dress, and a necklace. The blouses didn’t work for me, but this 41Hawthorn red wrap dress is DIVINE!! It even has pockets on the side! What?? I love the quality of fabric and how it fits. This was a perfect match. The cost of the dress was $68, which is a great deal for me because most of the work dresses I currently own are $80-$150 range.

I recommend Stitch Fix and looking forward to my next shipment next month. You can click on my referral link and upon receiving your first fix, I receive $25 in credit. https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3222052

What a convenient and fun new way to “shop” for new clothes!

Show Review: Phosphorescent and Shakey Graves–House of Blues Dallas 2013

I stumbled upon Phosphorescent after hearing a recording of “Song for Zula” on NPR back in April. There are times when my heart ached and I would find myself listening to this song. Often, I’d go for a run and my cool down was to this song, watching a glorious sunset. Matthew Houck’s voice, so vulnerable and raw, and how the rest of the instruments meshed together, well, it was beautiful music to me. When tickets went on sale in August, I bought a pair through the presale, anxiously looking forward to what was  to come! I’m a big fan of the Americana/alt-country/electronic thing he has going on.

We had a lovely date down in the Bishop Arts District just before the show. It was nice to feel relaxed and in the mood to absorb some good music for the evening.

We were afforded a media pass and I poked my head backstage (cozy and busy hallways, filled with people going to and fro, which had me nostalgic of my old theater days). They put on a great show, especially for die hard fans. I spent the better part of the opening performance* sharing time with a local surgeon who works miracles! It was so inspiring to meet and talk with a real-life hero there on the little couch in the corner. It had me almost as excited as being at the show.

Unfortunately, the sound was a bit off in the Cambridge Room at the House of Blues. It is a smaller venue, so I guess it could be tricky trying to get it right. But it was quite noticeable moving from one side of the room to the other (I tested every corner several times to see if there would be a sweet spot), with an overwhelming amount of unintentional distortion. However, all that to say, in spite of that, his voice, the instruments, the energy was all wonderful and moving. Everyone in the crowd swayed as he crooned “Song for Zula” and all were clapping along to “Ride on/Right On.” There was such a dynamic group of people there from all walks of life, it was nice to be a part of a very different crowd. If you like indie music, then you next time they are in town, you need to do yourself a solid, learn the lyrics, go to the show, and sing along at the top of your lungs.

(As an added bonus, when I went to the bathroom, I was treated with sounds from the Mowgli/Walk the Moon show happening in the lower level.)

 

*Opening for them was Shakey Graves, a one man man show who’d rigged up a drum/bass triggered with his feet. Impressive!

**While we were afforded a media pass, in no way did that sway my review. The photos were all captured by my darling and talented husband. I purchased my own tickets for the show and the opinions are my own.**

Gluten Free Bread Machine Bread

DRY GOODS

2 cups almond flour

1 cup all purpose gluten free flour

2 tsp xanthan gum

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

4 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 tablespoons active dry yeast (I used Fleischmann’s dry active yeast for breadmachines)

WET GOODS

1 1/2 cups  warm  milk*

2 teaspoons vinegar

1/4 cup  olive oil

2 extra large eggs, room temperature

extra olive oil and tapioca flour for the pan

PROCESS

1. Take your extra virgin olive oil and tapioca flour and oil and flour your bread machine pan.
2. Whisk together all of the dry ingredients in a bowl, then carefully pour into your breadmachine.
   *I realized I didn’t have regular milk in the house. We seldom do these days because both girls seem to have a negative reaction to drinking cows milk. If I have some, it is because I know I’ll be baking or making paneer. I just happened to make paneer that morning, thus using all of my milk. Oops, so anyway I took 3/4 of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of water to make “milk”
3. Pour (or crack) all of your wet ingredients on top of the dry mix directly into the machine.
4. Close the lid and set your machine to process for regular white sandwich bread. This will take about an hour and a half or so, depending on your machine and altitude.
5. When done, take out immediately from the machine so it doesn’t stick to the sides.
6. Enjoy!

I adapted my recipe from this one here found at the Art of Gluten Free Baking. I also referred to Gluten Free Goddess’ tips for bread machines.

Notes: Xantham gum is expensive. I was lucky to find it in the bulk goods section. I knew I only needed 2 teaspoons, so I took the smallest container and filled it only halfway. This was quite a bit of savings. Also, my all purpose gluten free flour comes from Trader Joe’s. Don has enjoyed everything that I’ve made with it so far, so it seems to be a quality substitute. He prefers it over the Bob’s Red Mill Gluten free. Speaking of Bob’s Red Mill, that is who I used for the almond flour. Going forward, I will use 1 cup of almond flour and 2 cups of the all-purpose flour. This bread tasted nuttier and earthier than I wanted, but it was still good!

Mushrooms are Not Only a Funghi, but a Vegetable #Fall4Mushrooms

Ahhh mushrooms! When you look at this photo, you either salivate or you shudder at the thought. Me, I’m someone who salivates. I love mushrooms! They bring all sorts of flavor to any dish, they are packed with Vitamin D, and they work with any meal of the day. From fancy chanterelles, to plain white all the way to oyster, portobello, shiitake, and cremini, larger trumpet and one of my favorites morels, all of them make me smile. September is National Mushroom month and there are sure to be many varieties in the store for you to consume!

To get you started, I will share with you one of the first dishes I’d learned to make on my own. This dish not only made me fall even deeper in love with mushrooms, but also started my love for cooking! Thanks to my Tia Vickie for showing me how she prepared them back when I was 7.

Simple Sauteed Mushrooms

1 package of white mushrooms (pre-sliced or whole, but if whole, you will slice them)

2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

3 pinches of sea salt

In a sauce pan, over medium to low heat, add the butter to the pan and a pinch of sea salt. When the butter has melted, add the entire package of mushrooms. Swirl around the mushrooms until they are sufficiently coated with the butter. Now add your second pinch of salt. Toss the mushrooms in the pan around and let cook until each one has turned from white to brown. Scoop out onto a plate, not trying to add the excess butter. If you like, you can add your final pinch of salt. Serve and enjoy!

 

What are some of your favorite ways to use mushrooms?

**I was selected to participate in this campaign by the one2one network and my be eligible for prizes because of my participation. The statements are my own.**