Pretty much sums it up...

(First, watch this clip.  DO IT!)

So...

... the first time I saw snow I was five.  On the beach.  When big semi-trucks dumped snow so we, the deprived ones, could use our K-mart snow coats and mittens.

... I learned (while in Russia) that you should not go outside with wet hair if the temperature is way below freezing.  Remember Cool Runnings?  Yeah...

... the number of times I have been to the snow?  Probably about 12.  Number of times I have enjoyed the snow?  More like four.

... the thermometer said 66F today and sunshine is streaming in.  All is made right in my world.

The Wednesday Files

Friends & Family

One of my favorite people visited me during my birthday week.  I made her work for me as I had some house projects I wanted to get done and so we were pretty busy, but we did manage to sneak away for a bit to hang out in Monterey.  We saw the jellyfish and hammerhead sharks at the aquarium and then caught the sunset over Cannery Row.  It was quick, but it was just what we needed.

Food

Being on a low-residue diet kind of sucks.  But I am getting better and adding more and more things to the list of stuff I can eat right now.  While I wait to get back to full-on cooking I did try a couple of new recipes, but took pictures so terrible that they might make you cry.  That's what I get in the Winter when the sun sets early and the day is long.  But if you would like to have some of the best turkey burgers around and/or a great baked potato with egg, feta, and spinach, have at it!  Maybe your pictures will turn out better than mine.

Fun

I am a Packers girl in my heart.  For a very serious reason: their colors are green and yellow (gold).  And when I was told I needed to pick at a team at age 12, that sounded like a pretty good reason to pick a team at the time.  You know what?  I have stuck by them all these years... until they played the 49ers this past weekend.  I may be a Packers girl, but I am a Bay Area girl now.  It is in my blood.  And so I didn't wear green and yellow last Saturday night, but gold and red.  Yes, I know... traitor!  Hey, when in Rome, right?  (I must say, I was mighty proud of our local men.  Let's see how far they can bring it this year!)

Happy Wednesday, Friends!

Sushi Bowl {Low-Residue}

A few months ago I shared my 'little secret' with you -- that I have Crohn's Disease.  I know I don't talk about it a lot, and there is a reason for that: I don't want it to be a part of the definition of me.  And most of the time, thanks to very good doctors and a husband who smacks my hand away when I reach for things like popcorn (and I personally believe, in answered prayers), I have been in remission for the past few years.  It has been AMAZING.

But sometimes little things pop up here and there and I have to back up a bit and remember that my colon and I don't always get along.  When that happens the very first thing that I change in my life is my diet.  Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast... the BRAT diet is kind of bland.  Yet it can be necessary sometimes.  Next step up?  A low-residue diet.  Basically, you cut out anything that causes lots of poop.

Yes, I just said that word.  In a food blog.

Here's the deal though: less poop = less pain.  And we all know that less pain = happy person, right?

Although a low residue diet does not cure or take away the issue itself, it does make the symptoms of Crohn's or ulcerative colitis more tolerable.  (Let me insert here I am not in any pain right now, so no need to feel sorry for me.  I am just doing what I can do to avoid that pain while I am in a small flare-up.  So far so good.)

Basically a low-residue diet is everything your doctor ever told you not to do: eat white breads instead of whole grains.  Stop eating leafy greens, or any greens really.  Fruit and veggies?  Yeah, be careful.  Stick to bananas and avocados, applesauce or other 'mushy' things.  And for me, cut out that dairy!  I know not everyone is sensitive to it, but I have definitely noticed that an increase in dairy (except yogurt) usually means an increase in discomfort.

As you can imagine, this diet can be very boring.  So what to do, what do do... ?

Time to get creative!  According to my list I can eat white rice.  Avocados are always good.  Tuna, fine.  And soy sauce?  No problem.

When I stopped to think about it, I realized those were the ingredients (or variations of them) of one of my favorite foods: sushi!  So I threw it all in a bowl, mixed it up (yes, you see some salt there, I had 'healthy' soy sauce and I wanted some saltiness in my life!), and enjoyed.  Much cheaper than hitting up Tokyo Tokyo and I can eat it in the comfort of my living room.  A low-residue meal that tastes pretty darn good!

Have you ever needed to eat a low-residue diet?  Any good 'recipes' to share?

The Last Day of my Twenties {Wednesday Files}

I am one of those people who sees the good in everything.  You probably have noticed that already, and maybe have been even slightly annoyed.  As my aunt said the other day (after I declared that our botched plans would be OK because our new plans would work out even better): "Ah, there is Tiffany's true personality shining through.  You know what?  I want to feel to mad and annoyed, at least until we reach that trashcan!"  Ah, yes, I am the 'excessively happy' one...

Except when it comes to having my birthday two weeks after Christmas, one week after new years.

Then I am very realistic.

It sucks.

I can't count the number of people who are too fat, broke, or tired to go out and do something for my day. Oh wait, yes I can... pretty much everyone I know.  Which has led me to celebrate my birthday whenever I feel like, say March...?  Whatever.  It can be a very-merry un-birthday, right?

But this year -- my 30th birthday year! -- I put my foot down.  I was having a party and I was having on, or very close to, my birthday.

So that people wouldn't feel too broke I invited everyone over to our place.  Free, really.

And to avoid people having fear of getting fatter I just served cake and punch.  Simple.

Of course, everyone is still pretty tired after all the festivities, so we just hung out.  Nothing too grand.

And it was perfect.

By far, best birthday ever.  Right there, doing nothing, going nowhere, just eating cake.  I think I might have found a winning combination...

Nah.  Just wait.  Next time I will do something BIG.  Maybe in March ;)

(A 'Wednesday Files' Post, except it was shared on a Thursday.  Oh well, as you read above, actual dates and I don't always get along...)

Hello World! You've treated me right...

That's me.  My very first picture, 30 years ago today.

Looks like someone didn't want to this party to start ;)  But it did, and I went along for the ride.  Some parts were bumpy and rough, but overall it worked out perfectly.  This grumpy pants above now is known for her smiles.  Thank you, Life, for being crazy good...

And now that I am a little bit older and maybe a bit wiser, bring on the thirties!  This decade of joy starts NOW.

Feliz Ano Novo! (The Wednesday Files)

Happy New Year, Friends!  I know this isn't officially my first post of the year, but it is my first Wednesday post, which makes me happy.  I love Wednesdays and the freedom I allow myself to share anything I feel like for that day.  Cooking is fun, but it does make up my entire life, and Wednesday is the day I can share some of the rest with you.  Like talking about New Years...

So, did you make resolutions this year?  And more importantly, do you plan on keeping them?

I, for one, did not.  I used to.

Make the bed everyday
Floss more often
Eat sugar less
Exercise more

The lists were good.  All of those things, good, for sure.  But inevitably I would fail and then I would feel guilty, which would lead to discouragement.  So this year I am trying something new.  Another kind of list or two, if you will...

Things I want to keep doing...   and things I want to do a little more.  No real measurement tool, just hopeful growth.

Things I want to keep doing:

1. trying new vegetables and fruits
2. getting dressed up for me (as in, who cares if I am going to be running errands and won't bump into anyone I know?  I know me, and I want to feel good when I look in the mirror.)
3. focusing on the moment.  This past year was really good for me in this area, and I feel more blessed than ever.

Things I want to do a little more:

1. create things
2. get up early and seize the day, even on weekends
3. listen to the unexpected stories of others

Happy 2013!  May it be one of great memories, real growth, and love.

What things would you like to keep doing/do a little more of in this coming year?

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PS -- I never posted it, but I made Joy the Baker's bourbon-spiked chocolate banana bread this past weekend for my Sundays with Joy group.  Didn't change the recipe, just did it as it was, and it was to die for.  Grab her book off your shelf and make some!

Dinner in a Flash: Salmon with Fennel, Bell Pepper, and Orange

BEFORE (above)...

Twenty minutes from start to finish.  I kid you not.

Chop some veggies and fruit, throw on some salmon, sprinkle salt and pepper, and then broil.  Drop some olives on top and... that's it!  Dinner is done in flash.

Who knew healthy eating could be so fast -- and delicious?!

AFTER (below)... 

Don't thank me, thank Everyday Food.  Unfortunately, they no longer have a print version of their magazine (yes, a tear almost slid down my cheek...), but I hear they are keeping the love of good, wholesome food alive online.  I will for sure be following along.  You should, too.  Either way, I will be eating good tonight... :)

Salmon with Fennel, Bell Pepper, and Orange

Recipe from Everyday Food, Dec. 2012

Prep: 10 Min    Total Time: 20 min    Servings: 4

ingredients

• 1 navel orange
• 1 large bulb fennel, cored and thinly sliced, 1/4 cup fronds reserved
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 skinless salmon fillets (4 to 6 ounces each)
• Salt and pepper
• 1/3 cup pitted black olives, quartered

directions

1. Heat broiler, with rack 8 inches from heat. Grate 1 tablespoon orange zest, then cut orange into wedges. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together orange zest and wedges, fennel, bell pepper, and oil and arrange in an even layer. Add salmon and season vegetables and salmon with salt and pepper. Broil until vegetables are browned in spots and salmon is opaque throughout, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with olives and fennel fronds to serve.
   ( You can eat the cooked oranges (peel and all) or squeeze the juice over the fish.)

COST: $10.40   COST PER SERVING (4): $2.60