Friday, June 17, 2011

what to do with fruit about to go bad

This week had some hard lessons.  I was needing others to validate something for me that wouldn't.  Some did, and I have some wonderful people in my life.  A lesson worth learning is that some people can't/won't will never be the person you want them to be.  Some people are in your life for a reason, a season, or a life time.  So far, the people that are in my life for a life time are my family and I love them so much.  My brother had a beautiful wedding, and he's really happy.  My mom is eternally optimistic though being tried and tried again.  Love you mommy.
Sometimes you see the relationships in your life and you realize they are not working, yet for the life of you, you dont know how to fix it.  You know that if they saw your side, they would understand, show love show compassion of course they will!  They are your friend.  Nothing bothers me more than when others can't see my side, because I do try to see others sides.  Sometimes you just can't win no matter what you do, and you feel the need to defend yourself.  I just realized that the urge to try and change others opinions or behavior self destructive or not, is futile.  To see that someone you've known for 25 years really secretly doesn't/never? really liked you is a blow, but I don't want to be a victim about it.  there have been signs all along, but I just tried to ignore or see past.  I just couldn't anymore, I had to say how I felt and now the "friendship" is over.  Even though it was already.
The fruit was going bad long ago...but instead of making a cobbler, I threw it against the wall and it's left a stain.  It hurts.
Today I made a cobbler with fruit going bad, and it turned out wonderful.  So this is my lesson today.
Plums
nectarines
blueberries
strawberries
peaches

put in a glass pan with some oil on bottom.  In fruit, add  cinnamon, earth balance butter, and agave, drizzles.

For the crisp on top:
1 cup oats
1 cup flour
1 cup sweets (brown sugar but I used maple syrup)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 tbs soy milk/almond milk

hmmmm I think thats it, mix and pour on top bake at 350 for 45 minutes.  Yummmmmmm
Gratitude is key, love is key.  I'm not perfect, but I want to try and be better.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Polenta Lamenta

Hello out there.  This may be uber quick...not sure.  If there are any punctuation or grammatical errors then that means that I A.  Don't know the rule or B. didn't have time to fix.

I made the ymmiest polenta last night.  I had this package of Bobs red mill corn grits for the last year I think.  I made the cereal once, and didn't like it too much.  Luckily my sister was here the last few days, and we made cornbread and then polenta.... mmmm mmmm good

Tomato sauce: (posted in last blog)

slice roma tomatoes and put face down in pan, cook on low heat until smooshy.  (btw I got this from some master chef show like two years ago)  when smooshy, smoosh down with a potato masher.  simmer simmer add garlic and simmer  add basil leaves olive oil, salt and pepper, and a little agave (I used maple syrup) simmer simmer.

In another pan, sautee shallots, garlic and ...ok tangent.  I washed and salted zucchini in a collander (thanks to annies suggestion otherwise the zucchini lets off too much water) and forgot them otherwise I would have sauteed them too but I just added them later and it was fine.

add corn grits and water bring to a boil and then cover and simmer like rice.

In a glass dish, put oil.  I just read that canola oil is way better for you than olive oil.  I try not to use too much oil in stuff, but it just darnit tastes better when you do.

lay down polenta add some seasoning..I used 21 season salute.  tomato sauce on top, and foil.   bake 350 for 30 min.  Annie added basil leaves and Brewers yeast to the top.  (Brewars yeast is the vegan parmasan cheese sub, but it's dairy free and loaded with B vitamins and protein.)

It was delish!!!

On another note.  This last month there was a shocking accident and one of my neighbors who I loved so much passed away.  On top of that my Step moms mom passed away.  My condolences to the family that lost a beloved father and husband. I can't even imagine how they are dealing with it.  At the funeral, the family was so strong and together and full of so much love.  If you have to go through this, this is how you do it.  I admire them and their courage and strength.  A testiment to their father and husband.  Also, I will miss my step moms mom.  She was the classiest lady I ever knew.  (aside from my mom of course)
It takes things like this to appreciate what we have in life unfortunately.  The world seems to be full of so much sadness, war, grief, negativity and pessimism.  I want to strive to be better.  I want to strive to know that now is all we have.  We can't hold on to the past, and we don't know what will happen in the future.  I want to stop being afraid that every moment, something terrible will happen, because it does happen.  Every second something is happening that breaks people.  How do we still keep strong, have faith, believe, not fall into it?  I admire the people that do/don't.  I want to stop judging so harshly.  Be more calm, aware and peaceful.