Why I'm a vegetarian + Pilaf for Ricky

Me, age 5.

Alright, I feel like it is time to address something on here. You might notice that every time I post a recipe on my blog it is missing what you might consider one key ingredient, meat. Pork, Chicken, Beef, Seafood, or any other delicacy, you name it, I don't eat it. I haven't since I was five(ok, my parents will tell you there was an occasional hot dog until I figured out that they were made of meat). You see, it isn't a moral, animal rights issue, that would have been pretty heavy for a five year old me; it's just that I have never liked the taste of it. On top of that, when I was five my great-grandmother passed away from colon cancer and when my parents tried to explain it to me I was told that she "ate a lot of red meat and it made her sick." In all fairness I'm sure my parents had no idea that they were sealing my fate as a vegetarian, but it made a pretty big impact on me. I try meat every now and again just to make sure that I haven't changed my mind, and the answer every time, not surprisingly, is no. Even if I wanted to eat it, going 20 years without it has made me essentially the equivalent of someone who is lactose-intolerant but with meat instead of milk. However, I have made some giant leaps recently and have started eating small, tiny, minute portions of calamari(heavily sauced) and lobster(lots of butter) and don't find them completely horrifying! I have no revulsion to others eating meat, in fact, when I have a willing participant I like to try my hand at cooking dishes with meat. I am glad we had this chat, I feel like a weight is lifted and now I can share this yummy recipe with you:

This recipe is great for when you want to make something cheap that will last for several meals throughout the week, or to feed a group of 6! You can also use it to stuff grape leaves(not my fave), artichokes, or eggplant(yummmmm); and if you are a meat eater it would go great with some lamb-kebobs. I also find the simplicity of this dish extremely comforting, such as after a day like today when I found out that Ricky Martin is gay. I know, I know, and in other news a man landed on the moon, tell you something you don't already know, right? But a girl can always dream... this one's for you Ricky.

SHAKE YOUR BON BON GREEK PILAF

adapted from Moosewood Cookbook by Molly Katzen

1 1/2 cups raw brown rice

2 1/4 cups water

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 1/2 cups minced onion

2 stalks celery, minced

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup lightly toasted sunflower seeds

freshly ground black pepper to taste

5 medium cloves garlic, minced

3 Tbs. lemon juice

1/4 cup freshly minced parsley

3 Tbs. fresh mint, minced

1 cup crumbled Feta cheese, to garnish

1. Place rice and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer until tender (abt. 40 mins).

2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small skillet. Add onion, celery, and salt, and saute until the vegetables are tender (5 to 8 mins). Add sunflower seeds , black pepper, and garlic. Saute for 5 mins.

3. Stir the sauteed mixture into the cooked rice along with the lemon juice and herbs. Mix well.

4. Sprinkle with feta cheese, serve, and enjoy!

Dry Shampoo: Best Thing Since Sliced Bread?

Have you ever had one of those days where you pressed the snooze button one too many times and now you only have 30 minutes to get yourself out the door and into the office? Oh, and you have to look presentable too? I am embarrassed to admit how many times this happens to me, fortunately I have a job with a little bit of leeway on the start time. I can't believe that I have gone my whole life without this little invention that I now whole-heartedly believe that every Post-College Working Girl (or In College Non-Working Girl, or House Wife, or Grad Student, you get the picture) needs to own. Dry Shampoo, I'm upset it took me 24 years to jump on this bandwagon. Apparently invented in the 70's, the first dry shampoo was called Psssst!. As in, psssst, your hair is looking like the Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez ran aground. I myself have fine hair, a lot of it, but it is very fine and needs to be washed every day or I'll look like Greasy Gertrude. They say that washing your hair every day is bad for it, that's why I recently decided to give the whole dry shampoo thing a try, plus the time it saves in the morning is awesome for this non-morning person. I bought three different brands and tested each of them out to see which one I liked best. Here is what I found:

Frederic Fekkai Au Naturel Dry Shampoo

2.9 oz

$23

-I really had to blend this product into my hair to make sure I didn't look like I had dandruff(that would be a whole different post).

-There wasn't any static that is usually associated with putting powder in your hair and it works really well.

-Fairly neutral scent, not over the top.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo

1 oz

$11

-This product really added some unexpected volume to my hair. It instructs you to apply the shampoo to the roots which I think helped.

-I thought it had a really nice scent, kind of like when you just get back from the salon, but it was a little over-powering when I smelled it more than I smelled my perfume.

-Sephora charges $19 for this product in the store, but offers it for $11 on their website, so make sure that you buy it online!

Finley Hair Powder - Blonde

.95 oz

$18

-I tried this product from Amazon.com because it advertises that it is specifically for blondes. I didn't notice any difference between this product and the others in regard to my hair color. However, this brand offers the same product for brunettes, which is nice because the other brands have had complaints from brunettes that it turned their hair white, a problem that I as a blonde did not have.

-It performed similarly to the other two, but is MUCH more expensive. A price a brunette might be willing to pay for the added benefit? I will never know.

My final verdict was a toss up between the Frederic Fekkai and the Oscar Blandi. Both products worked great, and while I liked the body that the Oscar Blandi shampoo gave me, the scent was really a little much. The Frederic Fekkai shampoo wins, not only did it make me look like I had freshly washed hair it is relatively inexpensive compared to the other two, it is 2/3 the cost of the Oscar Blandi and 1/3 the cost of the Finley. Now that is something that this Post-College Working Girl can appreciate! Next time you are running late for work, camping, or just don't feel like washing your hair, consider giving this miracle product a try!

Bridal Brunch, Line Dancing, and Crosswords.

Pieces of my weekend.

Sunny breakfast on the patio.

Bowling!

crossword puzzles.

Line dancing at this place was humorous.

I want to put this in my yard.

Mr. Lew

Metaphor?

Happy Friday everyone! So glad it is the weekend!

It's a humorous YouTube Friday since it's been a rough week and laughter is the best kind of medicine. I don't know why I haven't stumbled upon these literal video versions before, but it had me cracking up so much I think I scared my dog:

And, because I love Zach Galafianakis and think that anything he does is hilarious and will openly admit that Fiona Apple is one of my few girly music indulgences...check out his dancing here in her video...I will be sure to bust out some of these sweet moves this weekend:

Slap Chop Broccoli and Almond Pasta

So today I was in a very minor fender bender. I am going to admit that it was 100% my fault, no doubt about it, but man did it still suck. I have NEVER, ever, ever been in any kind of accident. I have never even gotten a ticket(not that I didn't deserve it for speeding, but somehow I keep getting away with it and that makes me feel like a modern day Bonnie minus the Clyde). I still feel terrible about the bumper bump though. Have you ever gotten in an accident? Was it your fault? If you have any stories that will make me feel better about this then please by all means share it in the comments section below, because right now I feel like I might as well be branded with the driver's equivalent of the Scarlet Letter...

Moving on to more bloggish things...like a new recipe! Tonight I made a sandwich, because all the stress of the day took away my appetite, but the other night, oh it was a cooking night and I cooked up something scrumptsch(yes that means scrumptious in my vocabulary). The best part about it was that I got to use my Slap Chop like machine that I got for Christmas, and no, I didn't slap chop any hoes like Vince(if you don't get it, check out the link!).

We are going to call this:

Slap Chop Broccoli and Almond Pasta

ingredients:

Pasta - your choice of any type that can be fished out with tongs, enough for two people

1 head's worth of broccolli flourets

two handfuls of toasted whole almonds

3 cloves of garlic

white wine

2 tbsp. olive oil

parmesan cheese

salt

pepper

Optional: wearing a headset and 1 head of Cauliflower flourets

1. Cook the pasta according to the package's instructions. I am still in love with my pasta pot!

2. While the pasta is still cooking, Slap Chop your garlic and almonds, ok, ok a knife will work fine, but honestly, why would you not slap chop when applicable?

3. In a skillet heat olive oil and garlic on medium to high heat, when it starts to smell like yummy-ness add in the broccoli and almonds. Cook until broccoli becomes tender.

4. Reduce heat to low and add enough white wine to loosen the broccoli from the bottom of the pan but not too much that the broccoli is swimming. Take the heat back up to medium and let the alcohol cook off of the wine.

5. Add parmesan(the measurement is really subjective to how much you like) to thicken up the sauce.

6. Use tongs to remove the pasta from the water and place it in the skillet with the sauce. This will transfer a good bit of of the pasta water to the sauce which really adds to the flavor.

7. Mix the pasta with the sauce. Salt and Pepper to taste. Feel free to play around with adding more cheese, wine, or pasta water to get the mix just the way you like it.

8. Serve and drink the rest of the white wine while you eat it!

Peep Show No Mo'

It has been a long, busy day so here I am doing a little late night posting. Today was the day of my big, scary doctor's appointment, and it lived up to all of it's expectations. I am just sitting here wondering why I didn't beg for some valium since I knew what I was getting into. I mean, hook a sistah up...

The bright spot of my day was the fact that my mom was in town to go to the doc. appt. with me. Not only have I gotten to hang out with her all day, she brought my finished curtains for my room that have been several months in the works!!

This is what I was working with before:

bathroom window

Bedroom window, note my pretty back yard tree!

I didn't know it when I bought them, but these shades were COMPLETELY see through....oops

David, if you are reading this I am SO SORRY that I took these down. I know I begged you to help me hang them two years ago and you did a great job, but it was time to move on to bigger and less see-through things(sorry next door neighbors!). Like these bad boys:

LOVE!

Mama Dixon working her magic

This is a black and white zinnia print, the black and white really stands out nicely against most paint colors.

I'm torn as to whether to mark these as "On The Cheap" or "Splurge Urge," because here are the facts. I got the fabric for around $150, not exactly cheap, but it is REALLY nice fabric. I got it from a discount fabric store, which on the outside looks like a great place to go and get sold into the sex trade and never see your family again. On the inside, however, it was chock full of great fabrics all at a reduced price. Then, my wonderful mother measured my windows and sewed rectangles of fabric to fit the exact measurements; so essentially the labor for the curtains was free. Some grommets from the fabric store and curtain rods from K-Mart kept the hardware total very low(I know you are probably wondering how I resisted the urge to get some finials from Anthropologie....and the answer is a lot of willpower).

My final verdict on these curtains is that they belong in my "On The Cheap" segment. I will be able to use these curtains for years and will take them with me no matter where I move!

Spring, Sprang, Sprung

Have you seen them? I saw them driving down the highway today. They are very tiny, but they are there. Hello, baby leaves! Spring is here! It has sprung! I have decided that it is time to put away all of the dull colors of winter and get inspired by these verdant sprigs that are popping out like Janet Jackson's left boob. What better color to celebrate the season with other than, GREEN. Check out these great, slightly vintage (and cheap!) finds to get you in the spring spirit.

Can I wear this everyday without it being weird?

I'm thinking these vintage green doilies would be awesome to repurpose into a pillow!

I blame Lily Pullitzer for the fact that I am a sucker for anything with bamboo handles.

The entire set may not be green, but pour yourself a retro cocktail, like a Tom Collins, and won't you be the bees knees?

To Shea!

Little known fact, bachelorette is French for: congregation of women with intent of inebriation. It is something that every Post-College Working Girl should experience and be prepared for. I survived the weekend without too many casualties to my dignity or personage, which wasn't an easy task given the number of phalluses that were poking out at every corner(fake ones mind you ;) All in all it was a rip roarin' good time, one that I, and my liver, will not soon forget. Here are a few weekend snapshots from my friend Shea's Bachelorette Weekend, Savannah, GA, March 2010....or at least the ones I won't be booted off Blogger for showing... Bo, thank you for proposing to Shea, because A) she can finally say that you locked it up, and B) we got JAETTAD(just another excuse to take a drink), bachelorette style...

Got Nothin' Better To Do...

Today I am driving all the way down to Savannah, Georgia with two other friends to join a group of ladies for a raucous weekend. Sunglasses-check, mischievous intentions-check, full tank of gas-check. You see, we will be celebrating the last days of single-dom for one of our nearest and dearest, for what is sure to be a bachelorette party that legends are made of. I will come back next Monday with pictures, or at least the ones that my friends will allow me to show...I just have a slightly dorky vision of if things get a little out of hand and several of us end up in the Georgia slammer that it will be something like this....

Please just let me be Leann Rimes' character and lead everyone in choreographed dances in our prison dresses...

Dixon Women's Roasted Pear, Onion, and Bleu Cheese Salad

I had the pleasure of cooking with my mom who was in town with me on Tuesday. One saying goes that you can have too many cooks in the kitchen, but this was not the case with mom and I. We are like the cooking dream team, the dynamic duo, peppers and onions, we just work together. Some people are bossy in the kitchen, and it's their way or the highway, but what works for us is that we are laid back and open to change. I will suggest lemon thyme and then she will see my lemon thyme and raise me some bleu cheese. What we ended up with was a sumptuous collaboration on top of a bed of salad greens. This salad is definitely going in my recipe holder as a keeper. It's quick, it's easy, and it is darn delicious. I can guarantee that if you serve this to company you will get rave reviews. I wish I had smell-o-internet because it is mouth watering when it cooks up too!

Dixon Women's Roasted Pear, Onion, and Bleu Cheese Salad

2 large ripe pears, (I used Red because they roast nicely)

1 red onion

bleu cheese

olive oil

balsamic vinegar

salt

pepper

lemon thyme to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375. Cut your pears in half and remove the core with a spoon. Then slice the pears into even pieces and place them on a baking sheet.

2. Cut the onion so that you have very thin, long slices.

3. Place the onions and the pears on the same baking sheet and coat with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Salt and Pepper to coat the pears and onions.

4. Place the pears and onions in the oven and let them roast for about 10-15 minutes, keeping your eye on it to make sure that it doesn't burn. When you feel like the pears are just about ready to be pulled out of the oven add enough bleu cheese crumbles to get a pear to cheese ratio that suits you. Add the fresh lemon thyme at the same time. If you don't have lemon thyme feel free to substitute another herb. Rosemary would be an interesting substitution!

5. Let the cheese melt and and pears brown up and when they are done pull them out of the oven and place it on a bed of salad greens. Sparingly drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over top.

Mom holding our final creation!

6. Serve and eat up!

My brother Ben eating his plain pasta, chicken, and bread. We need to teach him the finer points of cuisine.

You'd Have Better Luck With a Beer...

I thought that tonight I would put aside my English heritage and forget about the fact that my ancestors have repressed the Irish for centuries and give a quick Happy St. Patty's Day shout out! I was tempted to put the ubiquitous Leprechaun in a Tree YouTube sensation on here, but decided instead to honor my two favorite Irishmen of all time, hands down, end of story!

PS. Has anyone seen the new Boondock Saints 2? Thoughts?

Beach Bumming

I feel like there are not enough hours in the day or days in the week to fit in all of the things that I want to do! I am finally getting around to posting my weekend shots from the beach and it is Wednesday night...running a wee bit behind! A slightly twisted ankle didn't keep me from walking my seagull hunting dog on the beach everyday. In fact, I have always thought that salt water cures everything, but now I'm convinced because all I had to do was stick my swollen ankle in the cold water and it would make it feel a million times better, or it was so numb I just didn't feel it. This will be the only time this year I was glad the water wasn't warm!...Enjoy the snapshots!

Sir Beef, looking for more birds to stalk

What you will get when you send a 19 yr. old to pick up some snacks.

View from my rocking chair