Change

I haven't blogged in a long time- sorry about that. Life has been insanely busy and a lot of things have changed. Starting with selling the house and moving back to California. Moving has been a tough transition- I love California, it will always be home to me. However, I lived in Minnesota for so long, trudged through an intense 8+ years of schooling and made a life, lifelong friends, and even had a Minnesota accent (so I've been told...). Minnesota also became home too. The transition relocating hasn't just been tough on me :) The only one this transition HAS been easy on is the darn dog. He loves California, just misses his play mate Cletus. 

I will start blogging recipes and crafts again

I'll start my blog with the top 10 GREAT things about living in California

10. The ocean (too bad it doesn't help with the drought)
9.   The ethnic diversity..... MN was land of Scandinavians (which trust me I'm into that...) but there really isn't much diversity. California is like the melting pot of cultures and it's great!
8.   The food- fresh seafood, Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Italian--- all 100% authentic food whenever you want it. I learned that I am addicted to Pho soup.
7. Laura- No other words other than I missed the heck out of this girl living in the Midwest for so long.
6. The weather- 95 during the day, 60 at night and perfect at around 4 pm every single day.
5. The hospitals- Some of the greatest hospitals are right here in the Bay Area
4. The lay of the land-- Ocean to the West, Redwoods to the North, Desert to the south, and Yosemite and Tahoe to the East.
3.  New friends I've made- I've met some cool ladies since I moved here!
2. No snow ruining my commute
1. My FAMILY ~*~ Kristen

Paper Flower Tutorial Part 1 (Tissue Paper Flowers)

Hi Guys, I had this tutorial on here a long time ago and somehow it along with the youtube video were accidentally deleted when I updated my blogger address. I'm doing the paper flower tutorial in 3 parts. Part 1 for how to make a tissue paper flower is below. To make tissue paper flowers you need: Tissue paper (any color)-- I made these for a friends wedding and I use light pink and cream color. Floral Wire (I bought the long ones from The Hobby Lobby and cut them in half) $2.99 for like 40 of them. Steps: 1. Cut a square of tissue paper. You need at least 6 pieces of tissue paper so I usually just cut 1 square chunk out of the tissue paper. The larger your square, the larger your flower will be. 2. Fold your square of tissue paper accordion style. 3. Fold your accordion in half and in the middle point cut two tiny slits on both sides 4. Wrap the floral wire around the area you just made a slit. 5. Cut the edge of the tissue paper in the shape you want (Round, pointy etc) 6. Fan the flower out 7. Pull up the individual layers of tissue paper Yep it's really that simple :) You can make the flowers pointy or round, and I've even done variations where I used different colors of tissue paper within each flower (switch up the colors in between layers of tissue paper before you fold it). Have fun!

What's in a Vitamin?

I spend a fair amount of money between GNC and the Vitamin Shoppe every month. I try not to buy a bunch of weird supplements, and I'd say most of what I'm buying ends up being some form of vitamin or mineral supplement. So why take all these vitamins? Well because the human body requires 13 essential vitamins and amino acids to function, growth, and for metabolic processes. Vitamins are broken up into 2 categories:

Fat Soluble Vitamins: Stored in your fatty tissue, and are typically absorbed by the foods we eat such (dietary fats, vegetables, fruits etc). Fat soluble vitamins are stored in the body and therefore are not needed as often as water soluble vitamins. Over consumption of fat soluble vitamins can lead to toxicity.
A- Necessary for vision, bone growth, and a healthy immune system. This is normally found from animal derivatives (milk, egg, butter) as well as a beta- carotene precursor. The body is able to convert the beta-carotene precursor to a usable form of vitamin A from dark green vegetables, squash (pumpkin, sweet potato, summer squash), and from fruits such as oranges, apricots, and melon.
D-- Necessary for calcium absorption necessary for bone health. Found in milk, cheese etc. In the presence of sunlight the body's skin is also able to synthesize vitamin D.
E -- Necessary for healthy cells. It's found in plant oils, leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds.
K-- Necessary for clotting factors. Your liver utilizes vitamin K to make clotting proteins in your blood. Ever taken care of someone who takes coumadin (warfarin) and they are cautious about consuming too many OR too little green/leafy vegetables? That's because green veggies are rich in vitamin K. Coumadin works against vitamin K by preventing your liver from its ability to use vitamin K to synthesize clotting factors. If you are on anticoagulant therapy make sure you work with your provider and coumadin clinic and keep a consistent amount of vitamin K in your diet. This vitamin is also produced in the intestinal tract by bacteria.

Water Soluble Vitamins: These are vitamins that can dissolve in water. Water-soluble vitamins travel to the body's tissues but are not stored in the body and excess amounts of vitamin are excreted by the kidneys. The body needs water soluble vitamins in frequent and small doses, and because these vitamins are not stored in our fat, there is a lower risk for toxicity. This doesn't mean that water soluble vitamins are a free for all; toxicity can still occur with. Water soluble vitamins are found in plant and animal foods or dietary supplements and must be taken in daily. Vitamin C and members of the vitamin B complex are water-soluble. Most people obtain these vitamins directly from foods they eat each day (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C etc..). However, some individuals (elderly, those with absorption issues, pregnant women, those on certain diuretics/medications, vegetarians) may need to use supplements to obtain enough of the required vitamins. If you start out on a new vitamin go slow and always make sure you let your provider know what supplements/complementary alternative therapy you're taking.

Here's what I take each day:
Multi Vitamin (1), Omega 3-6-9 (2), Apple Cider Vinegar (1), and CLA (2).
If you take a vitamin and your urine is turning green or some other weird color-- guess what-- you're excreting vitamin and whatever you're taking isn't needed by your body. The guy at GNC tried to tell me to take 2 horse pill vitamins each day and I explained to him that I was wasting them if I did that. I suppose that's how they make their money.

Happy Saturday,
Kris

Eeek sorry for not posting

Hey guys,
Life has been insane lately, so sorry for not posting since November. My days are spent working/in the hospital 24/7 (or so it seems), but hopefully I'll have some time to update soon. It's felt like the worlds longest winter ever and I can't wait for summer, sunshine, and BBQs.

I promise to update soon
~K

DIY mug

Looking for something easy/fun to personalize as a gift for a co-worker, neighbor, kids teacher etc? These mugs are super easy and fun to make. You can buy mugs from the dollar store... Make your design with a sharpie permanent marker, and then bake at 250 for 30 minutes.

Gumbo

Out of no where I got this cold...sore throat, achy body.....runny nose. My sister offered to fly from CA to MN to make me chicken noodle soup (which she make the best...) but I ended up making some Gumbo. This recipe is pretty easy to make, and prep time is ~ 30 minutes.

Here's what you need:

1 lb of italian or spicy italian sausage
Andouille Sausage
1 lb of fresh shrimp (uncooked)
1 green bell pepper
1 red or yellow bell pepper
6 cups of chicken broth
2 cans of diced tomato
1 TBSB creole or cajun seasoning
1 yellow onion
1 1/2 cups of fresh or frozen okra
1/2 cup of uncooked rice

A mini step by step below:


I make this recipe in a dutch oven- I'd love to get one from Le Cruset, but I actually got this one from Ikea for $19.99 and it's been pretty great!





Cook your italian sausage and andouille sausage



Chop your onion (and remember not to chop the "butt of the onion off" or you'll be crying...and add to the sausage as it's cooking. Also chop your 2 bell peppers and add.



Here's what the cooked sausage, onion, and peppers look like.




Add your 2 cans of diced tomato + your 6 cups of Chicken broth and simmer on low




Add your creole or cajun seasoning. If your seasoning has salt in it, go easy on it. I also added 1 TBSP of red pepper flakes to add a little heat.




When the soup has simmered on low for 45 minutes add your uncooked shrimp, 1/2 cup of rice, and your fresh or frozen Okra. cook another 30 minutes.

 ~*~ Kris

5:30 am crockpot beef

I made this half awake on my way out. Let it cook on low for 12 hours. It was really good. I felt bad that poor Koda had to sit at home and smell this cooking all day. He never drools and when I came home he actually was drooling :-)

Total prep time- 10 minutes

Roast

1/2 bag of baby carrots

6-8 baby red potatos washed and halved

1 packet of Lipton's Beefy Onion Soup Mix

Garlic powder/thyme/Sage seasoning

Put the roast on the bottom of your crockpot and season with garlic powder, thyme and sage. Cover your roast with 1 packet of beefy onion soup mix. Surround the roast with your baby red potatoes, and lastly add your carrots to the top. You put the carrots on top because they don't take as long to cook, and if they are near the bottom they'll be too soft. Add about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of water over everything. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

~*~ Kris

Football Chili

Is it fall yet? I keep thinking it's here and then another 80+ degree day sneaks in. Don't get me wrong this California girl loves summer, but I'm so ready for Fall to come. I know I've talked about it before but Fall is the BEST time for soups, and stews, and baking, and crockpot creations. I decided to make some Chili tonight. Normally this is a crockpot dish for me b/c I'm bringing it to a potluck or feeding people on football Sunday. Tonight I just made it on the stove. I'm curious if any of you guys have chili recipes your willing to share?

Here's what I put in mine:

1 lb ground beef
29 oz can tomato sauce
2 cans dark kidney beans
1 can light kidney beans
1 can of garbanzo beans (no reason other than it makes it look different :)
1 jalapeno
combination of chili powder, cayenne pepper, blended seasoning mix, garlic powder

Occasionally I will buy a chili seasoning mix, but I try not to because of the amount of salt in those mixes. Also word of caution on those jalapenos. I don't think it's hot at all, sometimes I'll even throw in 2 especially if I have mouthy guys I'm feeding that claim they like hot food.....BUT in general if kids are eating this chili you may want to keep them out.
 

 

 

 

Now you know why I had to chop the onions in my previous post... :)

~*~ Kristen

Onion without tears

I think I watch too many cooking shows! I'm always in awe how fast they chop things, especially onions. It's not a race, and I don't really want to lose any precious fingers, but I still try. The reason I want to chop them so fast is because my eyes are watering and stinging the second my knife hits the onion. You know how it goes....you start chopping and then you're running to the sink with cold running water hoping it some how will alleviate your burning eyes and it works for like 2 seconds....WELL not anymore. I recently learned the "butt" part of the onion holds a majority of the amino acid sulfoxides (what makes your eyes water). Instead of madly chopping the onion as fast as you can try to keep the butt end together and chop around it. It really works!

Other tips I've heard of- refridgerate the onion prior to cutting. I just cut this purple onion tonight and no tears...not a single one!

Cut lengthwise keeping the butt end of the onion intact

Once you've cut through lengthwise, chop away!

I've kind of been off the grid the past couple of weeks, life has been busier then normal + there was a 3 day holiday weekend thrown in the mix. I have a couple of posts I plan to do this coming weekend.

Stay tuned- good things to come I promise :)

On a side note here are some things to keep you entertained until then (got this in an email today):

Your favourite virtue ::
Integrity

Your favourite qualities in a person::
Being funny, open minded, respectful, and love life.

Your favorite occupation :: 
Healthcare/Medical Field but of course!

Your idea of happiness ::
loving and being loved

Your idea of misery ::
Constantly worrying and hating everything about life.

If not yourself, who would you be ::
A chef--- seriously--- I LOVE to cook and every time I watch top Chef I get goosebumps :)

Where would you like to live ::
Back in the sunshine state


Your favorite color and flower ::
Blue and any flowers that are colorful! 

Your favourite heroes in fiction ::
Game of Thrones-- Kahl Drogo 

Your favourite heroines in fiction :: Game of Thrones--   Daenerys Targaryen (ok I feel like a dork but the TV series was so good)
 

Your favorite heroes in real life ::
Our troops fighting for our country, the police and firemen who go out there day in and day out without ever thinking twice about saving your life/helping you. Also teachers because they are amazingly patient with little kids :)
 
Your favorite food and drink ::
Sunflower seeds, Chicken Pesto, and Riesling

Your favourite names ::
eh? I have no idea

Your pet peeve ::
When you ask for my opinion and then argue with me....

The change you most anticipate :: 
I try not to anticipate change/future and try to live in the right now and take it a day at a time.

A gift of nature which I would like to have ::
patience

How I would like to die ::
emotionally and physically ready (Ego integrity vs Ego despair)

What is your present state of mind ::
Tired really tired BUT happy :)

Of what fault are you most tolerant ::
People who try to be perfect and are extremely Type A--

Your favourite motto(s) ::
What you want is often at odds with what is right.


 

DIY Fall Wreath

It's still August, but Fall is just around the corner. It's been a hot/humid MN summer and I can't wait for fall. It's the perfect time for good casserole's (aka hot dish as they call it in the Midwest), soups, cookies, and nice crisp weather.

I was at Michael's and they have all their fall foliage out already along with Halloween stuff. I picked up a grapevine wreath for $4.99, a pumpkin berry garland for $5.59, (4) fall berry sprouts for $1.39 each, and (2) maple leaf sprouts for $0.90 each. Total was $17.94 before tax; not bad!

The best thing about this wreath is that all you need are your hands! No glue... no glitter... no paint.

 

 

 

18" Grapevine Wreath ($4.99 @ Michaels)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Berry Garland (bottom right), Fall berry sprouts (bottom left)

Step 1-- Unwind your Pumpkin berry garland so that it looks like the picture above. The garland should be approximately 5 ft in length so that you have enough garland to wrape around the wereath.

Step 2-- Start wrapping your garland around the wreath and use the natural grapevine branches to intertwine the garland and the wreath. In the picture above I would lift up some of the branches within the wreath and run the garland under to hold in place. 

 

Garland wrapped around the entire wreath.

Step 3-- Add the additional berry sprouts around the outer edges of the wreath. You can poke them into the grapevine wreath and secure by twisting the ends. The last step is to add maple leaves (or pumpkins) to the bottom right corner. 

I'm sure I'll have this hanging on my front door some time in September. For now it's tucked away but ready to go. Another cute idea is to paint a wooden letter and then hang the letter from the wreath.
I made one below ($0.99) that I painted all black and then painted the edges with gold paint.

Happy (almost) Fall ~*~

Kristen