The top 11 in 2011

The end of a year brings much reflection. As I look back upon my year in always seem to find a theme. This past year was a year for travels and firsts. So in no particular order, her are the top 11 moments of the year 2011:

1. Getting the gift of perfect eyesight! Thank you PCLI and Vision One! Lasik eye surgery is life changing!

2. Taking the family to Pheonix AZ. We loved our time eating and shopping all around Pheonix. And nothing can replace the time we spent with my Brother Larry and his family.

3. Watching Ruby and Macy in their first Dance Recital! Ruby was amazing, confident, and polished. Macy ran off the stage crying. haha

4. Taking a Valentines trip to Seattle, one of my favorite cities!

5. Running Ragnar Las Vegas with my amazing, inspiring, and talented friends. While competing with Brian and my brother Larrys team!

6. Going on a cruise to the Bahamas with my sweetheart, then exploring Disneyworld and Universal Studios.

7. Partnering with the Doctors of Proactiv to expand the Boise market with their new anti aging market! The best investment I made all year!

8. Watching Ruby begin Kindergarten! She walked in and never looked back. I cried a little. Bittersweet. So proud of her, so sad to let her go.

9. Running Sawtooth Relay with a fantastic team, which my husband Brian was on with me!

10. Going on my first 12 mile, 25 mile, and 30 mile bike races. And I was absolutely how shocked at how well I did!

11. Gaining the confidence to live up to my potential. Thru the love of my family and surrounding myself with amazing friends.

This year treated us well. Very well. But I cant wait to see what 2012 brings! Happy New Year!

The Easy Bake Oven

This afternoon it was time to open up some more of the Christmas gifts. I know what you are thinking, its the day AFTER Christmas! The truth is, we got way, way, way, too much stuff for our kids this year! In fact, they have some unwrapped gifts that they dont even know about! Yes. Unwrapped, and still in the boxes, hidden under and behind all the other loot that is littering my home! It looks like a toy store threw up in my living room! So anyway, we were opening some of the unwrapped gifts today so we could play with them. One item in particular was causing all kinds of squealing and excitement.....The Easy Bake Oven!

Could it be hereditary? Are my girls simply a product of there environment, as was I? The mere idea of making their own goodies in their very own oven! I chuckled to myself and reveled in the excitement swirling around me. Really, I still kinda feel the same way when I am cooking something new in the kitchen! And then I thought about my mom yesterday. She had made a new goody for Christmas (btw, my mom is kinda of famous in the inner circle. She makes the most delish treats every year! Really, she should sell them!) she was so excited about them she was practically shoving them in my mouth while I was washing dishes! This is years of baking and cooking, and creating, and she is still excited and giddy about food!

So again, I propose the question.....hereditary or not? I am not sure. All I know is that those treats you make in the Easy Bake Oven should be a lot bigger! Nickle sized cupcakes and dime sized cookies aren't going to go very far in our house! Not with all these foodies! But the kids had no objection about the size whatsoever! Baking with this little oven brought sheer joy, because it was something they could make all their very own.

I am sure it won't take long before the girls get bored of the Easy Bake Oven. But when in happens (and it WILL happen), I hope I am ready to have a sous chef or two! I am sure the tradition of "the love of cooking" will prevail!

Food Challenge Revisited

Three weeks ago I announced a challenge. A food Challenge. Fifty two ingredients I have never used. One per week. I took right to it, but couldn't follow up because my computer was on the fritz, and then the holiday hit and I just didn't get back to it.

The first ingredient was parsnips. I made a parsnip, potato, carrot mash. It was wonderful. The great thing about parsnips is that they can pretty much take the place of the starchy potato. I cooked it exactly the same that I would a potato. Peeled it, chopped it up, boiled until soft, then mashed it with some garlic, butter, and half and half. Delish.

I know that I used those parsnips a couple of other ways, but I digress. It was 3 weeks ago. Cant remember. I do know that I will be incorporating this spicy little veggie into our dinners more often!

This week, I am going to be cooking with plantains. The plantain is related to the banana family. It is starchy and low in sugar. It is used cooked or baked more often than it is raw. It is referred to as the pasta and/or potato of the Caribbean. Plantains are used more in savory dishes as a vegetable. It is longer and thinner than a banana, with a thicker skin. They are highly nutritious. High in fiber, potassium, vitamin A & C. And, they are a an energy booster because they are high in carbs. I think I will be making plantains chips, plantain mojo (to go with cuban beans), and something else.....so stay tuned.

Food Challenge!

Food is a big part of my life. I love to cook it, and I love to eat it! However, I can easily get stuck in a rut making the same foods or using the same familiar ingredients. Over and over again. Its time to mix it all up a bit. So, starting this week I am going to use an ingredient that I have never used before. I am challenging myself to use this ingredient in at least two recipes and then report back. I am hoping by doing this, it will increase my cooking skills, broaden my palette, and I think it will be entertaining! The ingredients will vary, I mean they have to! I have to think of 52 ingredients or foods I have never used! This could get interesting....very interesting! And maybe I should take this a step further and make a rule that it has to be healthy? Now that would benefit the whole family!

What is going to be the first ingredient you ask? I am going to start out easy for the first week, I am thinking parsnips. I recently saw a chef use it on a cooking show, and it peaked my curiosity. It is an ugly root vegetable that doesnt look appetizing whatsoever. The parsnip is related to the carrot, but is supposed to be sweeter and even a little buttery. And the good news, it is good for you! High in potassium, and a great source of fiber! Not sure exactly how I am going to use it yet, but I guess you will just have to check back.