MTV: America's Favorite Cookie

The Biggest Loser airs tonight!  In honor of the tradition NS and I have of eating Oreos every time we watch the Biggest Loser, I give you this video.

Sorry about the poor video quality!

What to make?

I have this problem where I go to church on Sunday, come home, and have not planned for lunch.  It happens almost every Sunday!  You think I would learn!

Today I was trying to think of something to eat after church.  The Piler and I usually go grocery shopping on Monday, so by Sunday food is often in short supply!  So I was digging around in the refrigerator looking for something to make.  I came up with some peppers, mushrooms, green onions, and half a bottle of wine.  Heaven sang as I realized I had nearly all the ingredients to one of my favorite recipes from Rachael Ray!  I quickly pulled some chicken out of the freezer. 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon flour

• Salt and pepper

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter

• 10 ounces mushrooms, sliced

• 1 large shallot, finely chopped

• 1 cup red wine

• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

Directions

1. In a shallow bowl, combine the flour and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Coat the chicken, shaking off any excess.
2. In a large, heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the chicken and cook, turning once, until just cooked through, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter and the mushrooms to the pan and cook, stirring, until browned, about 5 minutes; transfer to the plate of chicken. Stir in the shallot and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add the wine and chicken broth and simmer until reduced by one-third, about 5 minutes.
3. Return the chicken and mushrooms to the pan, add the thyme and cook, turning, to heat through; season with salt.

I had white wine instead of red.  I prefer the red, but white still tasted delicious.  And I used green onions instead of a "shallot".  What is a shallot any way?  A glorified garlicky-onion?  And I used dried thyme instead of fresh - I can't afford fresh herbs in the winter!

 

 

 

I sliced up the peppers and threw them in a container with some garlic and olive oil.  I poured them into a pan and roasted them for 25 minutes at 450.  Delish!

Then I made some "Harvest Grains" - one of NS's favorite sides.  I stock up on it every time I go to Trader Joes!  Usually I make Harvest Grains with chicken broth, but I didn't have any so I used Vegetable Stock and water.  I definitely will stick with the chicken broth in the future.

Please forgive my horrible photography skills.

Anyways, NS and I thoroughly enjoyed the meal!  Strangely enough the Piler wasn't hungry.  So I actually got to eat for a change!

 

What's a blog post without a picture of the Piler?

Round Two

I'm beginning the Mustard Diva again.  At least for now.
We'll see how it goes.  My problem is, I don't take pictures.  And blogs aren't very fun without pictures.  But carrying around a camera isn't fun either.  I'm all about enjoying each moment and don't like to be hindered by trying to get a 'freeze frame' of every thing, so maybe blogging just isn't my thing.  I guess I'll find out!

Any ways, here's what's going on in my kitchen:



I love the smell when I am cooking onions and celery in butter. And it just so happens that two of my favorite foods start this way...

Chicken Noodle Soup and Stuffing.

I think I could probably live off Chicken Noodle Soup and Stuffing.  Except that I would miss mashed potatoes...

... and She Crab Soup
... and Reubens
...and Bacon
...and Sushi
...and Cranberry Juice
...and Bread
...and Fruit
...and Hot Dogs... just kidding!
 

MTV: Miles TV

I think Miles could host his own talk show!  He sure has a lot to say!

Birthday Sandwich

Last week I turned 25!  Yikes!

For every meal on my birthday I ate a sandwich.  Breakfast sandwich, turkey sandwich, and a burger (which I guess technically isn't a sandwich.. but close enough!)  I even enjoyed and ice cream sandwich!  So maybe I have an obsession with sandwiches...  and I agree with Liz Lemon when she says:

So in honor of my love of sandwiches, I've decided to rank my top 10 sandwiches of all time:

1. The Irish Reuben at McGrath's Irish Pub, Killington, VT. 
Cornbeef, Red Cabbage, and Mustard. Nothing. Can. Compare.

2. Artichoke Sub, North Country Brewery, Slippery Rock, PA
Marinated Artichokes,with tomatoes, onions, and peppers on a ciabatta roll.  Delish!  This may sound like artichoke overload for one meal, but you have to get the artichoke 'Backwoods Country Dip.'

3. Fish Sandwich, Wholey's, Pittsburgh, PA.
Any type of fish, they are all delish.  And get some sushi from Andy while you're there.

4. Ok, so this is a burger, not a sandwich, but I love it, so I'm putting it on here: 
The Polish Hill Burger at Burgh'ers, Harmony, PA.
A pierogie with caramelized onions on a burger.  Heaven!  If you know anything about me and my love of mashed potatoes, you would understand.  And get the rosemary fries, for one dollar extra... its worth it!

5. Veggie Delight at Loafers, Cranberry Twp, PA
Hummus and Veggies on a-mazing bread.  It's delightful!

6.  The Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich, Trader Joe's, Nationwide.
I may be biased since I ate one of these yesterday and the temperature is currently in the mid-90s.  But dang, those things are good!

7. Breakfast Sandwich, McDonald's, Cranberry Twp., PA.
Bacon, cheese, and eggs on a bagel.  I craved this baby when I was pregnant. And yes, I did specify which McDonald's, because when I ordered the same sandwich elsewhere, it was not nearly as good.  Or maybe it was just the pregnancy hormones.  Oh well!

8. Open-Faced Hot Turkey Sandwich, Still Searching.
I am looking for a hot turkey sandwich with homemade 'not-to-salty' gravy and a side of 'real' mashed potatoes.  I have been looking for this sandwich for a LONG time and have yet to find a winner.  If you've eaten one, please let me know!  I've tried making my own, but its just not the same!


9. Crab Cake Sandwich, The Sea Captain's House, Myrtle Beach, PA
Though by no means the star of the menu, still a solid pick.  I've heard good things about the Po' Boy too, but have yet to check it out!


10. Peanut Butter Sandwich, Kiski Area School, Leechburg, PA
I ate one of these every day for lunch growing up.

What's in a name?

So why do I call my hubby NS?

Here's a throw back picture to answer that question:

Anna and I in 2007(!)

 Yep, its that 'nice stride' he's got going on!


And why is the cutest little boy referred to as 'the Piler'?

Because of his large poops!  Which if you are really interested you can witness a rather 'small' one here.

Before and After: Ecclesiates Three Years

Not one, not two, but three (!) years ago, I married my best friend.

We've had many seasons:

 We've had a time of birth..

The Piler- Born March 7, 2012

     We've seen death..

One of my many victims.

 Hopefully all we've killed is a few plants (and the occasional roadkill)!
    NS's foot has healed so that he could run again.

NS (in the yellow singlet) placed 2nd at the Mars Band 5k.

We tore down wallpaper in our home,
   And we've built a little family.

   

 We've wept over tough times,

  And laughed with friends.

Me, Anna, and Tim

We've mourned the loss of a wonderful Grandma.

Miss you Gram.

    And danced in the kitchen.

We've thrown stones out of our garden 

    And built paths with them in Little Kettle.

Connor in the 'crick' at camp.

 

We've nearly always embraced!

NS and I on our wedding day.

    Well, except for after someone goes on a run and comes back smelly and
            sweaty.... then someone else refrains from embracing.

We searched for a home (and found one!),

   NS gave up on Syracuse basketball when Melo was suspended.

We've kept a lot of wonderful memories.

   And thrown out some nasty diapers. 

Yes, I did just post a picture of a dirty diaper.

 

We tore out a sink in the bathroom,

   And mended missing buttons.

Most of all... we have had a time of love.