2011

I am not really one for making resolutions and when I do they're usually really vague and non-committal. But this year feels different. I was even told by a very drunk friend that this is going to be my year because come Chinese New Year, it will be the year of the rabbit. I told her that that's actually bad luck. She replied that I did not know what I was talking about. I'm Chinese, I says. She yelled back, "I'M CHINESE!" She is, in fact, not Chinese but Korean, so that was a little weird. But anyway, according to this web page, How to Survive Your Very Own Chinese Zodiac Year, I found by Googling "chinese zodiac your own year bad luck," there are things I can do to change my luck for the better. It is sort of hard to navigate the site, but you'll get the gist of it. I definitely plan on bringing on the good vibes.

As I was saying, this year feels different, so I actually feel compelled to make some resolutions. One of them that I shall share with you today is to make the effort to have at least two thought-out homecooked meals a week. I don't mean homecooked as in my mom cooking me a week's supply of lunches because she thinks I can't take care of myself (yes, she still does this). I mean like really homecooked... like instead of buying jars of pasta sauce, I want to put the effort into making pasta sauce. Tom and I are not really the best at making our dinners. We do a lot of easy stuff just to have something to eat or just go out, but it's time we change that and start choosing better ingredients and using fresher, less processed food. Is it just me, or did that sound like a Papa Johns commercial? Anyway, in the end, it'll be healthier, we'll feel more accomplished and aware of what we are eating, and there will be less packaging going into the trash (=greener!).

We have been pretty good about it this week, having had homecooked dinners every night.

We've been experimenting with making pizza this week, dough and everything. Our first pizza came out tasting fine but the structure was a little weak...and pretty soggy. We probably could have cooked it a little longer. Our second attempt was much better but still a little sogs. Anyone have any suggestions besides trying to drain it?


Prior to putting it in the oven. Mmm...fresh mozzarella. You may notice that tray of lone pepperonis on the side. Tom really wanted to bake them on their own and eat them. We ended up leaving them in the oven a tad too long and they became like bacon coins. Delicious, delicious bacon coins.


The finished product. You can't see it, but under that sexy layer of mozzarella lies an even sexier layer of mushrooms and onions. As I mentioned earlier, there was some sogginess, but not enough that the pizza couldn't be held in my hand as it got gobbled up. Fresh pizza kicks delivery's butt. I used a recipe from Simply Recipes to make the pizza dough. The way the dough looked when it cooked makes me want to try to make bread.

Our friend Kevin happened to stop by after we finished eating. He polished off the rest of it in seconds. I was a little sad because I was considering bringing leftovers for lunch to work, but it was good to get an outsider's opinion!

Another dish I made this week is probably Tom's fave: chicken noodle soup. I'm not trying to get fancy with the homecooked meals now. I don't cook a whole lot, as you can tell, so I just want to start off easy and get creative later. I used a recipe posted by Teenie Cakes, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Goodness.


I basically doubled all the non-chicken stock ingredients to make it extra hearty and filling. I also like to cook noodles separately. Yeah, I know it wastes a bit of water, but I don't want my soup to get starchy! And if I have leftovers, I don't want these weird shapeless gelatinous things hanging out in my tasty soup. Someday I will do my own chicken stock, but for now Swanson, it is! Baby steps.

Other resolutions:
- what 84% other employees are thinkin'
- be more positive
- do as the locals do
- moar crafting!

On that note, happy new year! Yayz.