Gone Vegetarian

Another lapse in blogging.  I really need to get a routine down because I truly enjoy creating this, even if I'm lacking in the audience department.

Since my last post, I have made a big change and decided to adopt a vegetarian diet.  I don't even remember what made me make the switch, I think I was curious and just started researching it.  I'll be honest, though--  at first it wasn't even for the animals.  It was for me.  (And that's okay.)  I don't want to be one of those types of people who sits and preaches, telling everyone else they should become a vegetarian too.  Instead I will be happy to answer any questions and of course, share recipes!  If you are curious, I can point you in the direction of some helpful resources -->  Look {here} and {here}.

In other news, David and I went to see Nick Offerman last weekend.  As in thee Ron Swanson.  (Parks and Recreation, anyone?)  His whole act was based on his "10 Tips for a Prosperous Life."  It was a great show and one of his tips really got me thinking.  The tip was to get a hobby.  Pretty simple, right?  But as he pointed out, we are so wrapped up in our busy lives and especially our technological devices, that many of us forget to do the things we love.  He really said it best, "If you play 'Draw Something,' f*!#ing draw something."  Pardon his French.  One of my biggest hobbies, that too often gets put on the back burner, is art.  Art of all kinds, but mainly photography and a little painting.  A few years ago I bought a really nice digital SLR camera, or as I like to call it, my "big" camera.  It takes great photos but unfortunately, most of the time it sits in it's carrying case collecting dust.  But when I heard Offerman poking fun at the fact that so many of us live our lives through our Smartphones I decided I really want to change that.  So stay tuned because I will be sharing some photos!

What kinds of hobbies do you have?  Do you "practice" them frequently or do they often get pushed aside?

Have a great week everybody!!

Did someone say salmon?

One of our local grocery store's had 5 oz salmon fillets on sale this week that I just couldn't pass up.  I picked them up today and  began contemplating what exactly I'd do with them.  Leave it plain and pair it with spicy broccoli?  Maybe some red potatoes?  Nah.  Add it to some left over pasta?  Boring.  Give it some Asian flavor and saute some veggies?  Yes, please!

I don't know about you, but I love Eating Well.  I really should subscribe to their magazine.  After doing a few Google searches, I was led to a "Honey-Soy Broiled Salmon" dish.  This summer I've been on somewhat of a (reduced sodium) soy sauce kick so this totally tripped my trigger.  Like the website suggested, I cooked up some zucchini and red bell peppers as a side.  Delish!

I followed the recipe almost exactly, but I did improvise for a few things.

I started with two, 5 oz salmon fillets.  I love getting individual portions because then I don't have to worry about over-doing it. 

Next I mixed up the marinade.  I used:

• 1 Tbs reduced sodium soy sauce  
• 1/2 Tbs honey 
• 1/2 Tbs white wine vinegar
• a fresh garlic clove, minced
• a few shakes of ground ginger  

I mixed up the marinade and put everything in a big ziploc bag then let it sit for about 15 minutes.  In the meantime I cut up the veggies.  Love the colors!

The salmon is ready to broil.  Not the prettiest fish to photograph, but it sure is tasty!

While the salmon was in the oven (smelled delicious, by the way), I finished up the veggies.  I didn't want to use any oil so I started with just the zucchini in a hot pan.  After a few minutes I gave one half of a lemon a good squeeze and continuously moved the zucchini around in the pan.  Once I could tell it was softened up some, I added the red pepper and a bit more lemon juice.  I kept stirring and let them cook a few more minutes.  I never really looked at the clock, just eye-balled everything.  I thought about adding seasoning but I just wanted to enjoy them as they are.  The seasoning possibilities are endless...

And dinner is served.  I scarfed that down like nobody's business.

Overall, it was a really easy dinner.  I will definitely be saving this recipe for one of the next time salmon goes on sale.  Hopefully soon!  (You can find the exact recipe here.)

I'm glad I was finally able to include some pictures in a post.  I really love using my camera so I hope to do that more often :)  Perhaps tomorrow?  I'm meeting up with a friend for breakfast for her birthday and then we're heading off to the city's farmer's market.  Can't wait to see what goodies we will find!

Hooray for the weekend!

Kitchen therapy.

I work at a hospital and this weekend is my weekend on.  Even though I'm not a nurse or anything, my weekend shifts can be very draining and today was no exception.  Worse than usual actually.  I work in the food and nutrition department taking patients' orders over the phone, and today the computer program we use froze up.  It might not sound like much but I'm still fairly new in the department and this was the first time anything like this had happened.  Super frustrating.  Needless to say, I was ready to go home at the end of my shift.  Couch, pizza and pj's.  Perfect.

Yesterday I was craving some cookies but was too tired to make them.  David isn't home tonight so I decided to take advantage of my time alone and do some baking.  Plus I find it therapeutic.  I looked around online and came across these cookies.  I decided to give them a whirl.  I was intrigued by her secret ingredient.

The madness all mixed up.

Final product.

Dark chocolate, coconut and the secret ingredient!!

Photography is another passion of mine that I've kind of neglected lately.  I figure this blog is a good excuse to dig out the ol' Canon Rebel and snap some shots. 

...Just taste tested the cookies with some ice cold milk.  Two thumbs up!  I will definitely be making this recipe again.  I still have a few more batches to bake, so off I go.

Goodnight!