Mm Mm good!

Now that I feel super poor and am applying for part-time jobs and collecting my pennies again (who am I kidding..I hate pennies.!), I feel inclined to post an update. Since I've gotten a semi-job, I haven't felt worthy..but I'm back. Here I am! Helloooo. Just paid this months bills and realize that something needs to be done. We've spent the last week "living it up." Eating fancy breakfast at restaurants and hitting up the Jewel Osco for midnight snacks. It's definetely time to get back on track.

Mat and I went grocery shopping last night. Since we have been on a sandwich kick, we hit up Whole Foods, due to our snobbiness and desire for Tofurky cold cuts and Almond cheese. We love sandwiches. Spent too much money, but have enough food for awhile.


I did make a pot of soup for the week. Nothing special. Used 32oz of Veggie Broth, 2 cans of Cannelinni Beans, chopped carrots, celery, a cup or 2 of frozen corn and about 8 small white potatoes. Seasoned with salt, pepper, Bay leaf, parsley and a few squeezes of a lemon. Mom suggested using a potato masher at the end to break the potatoes and beans up to make it thick!.. Thanks Mom. All of the starch thickened it up over-night.

Soup and Sandwiches! Yummmmmy Fall Food.

Difficulty keeping on task..

I am having the hardest time grocery shopping and making meals/dinner. I think so much of it has to do with Mat and I having weird work schedules. I haven't been eating the normal meals at normal times...We've been getting up late and eating big breakfasts and then I feel like the rest of the day has been snacking..
Last time I went grocery shopping I bought a lot of frozen veggies because before they were going bad too quickly. I am also considering buying more cereal and a lot of easy sandwich making stuff, that can be thrown together at any time..

Any suggestions??


One thing I have learned about keeping the budget low is free trials at gyms!! Today a couple of friends and I went to a well-known nationwide gym for a 7 day trial. We went to a Spinning class, which I am not exactly sure how I feel about.. It didn't seem that hard, but I was sweating like crazzzzyyy.. We will see how I feel tomorrow.. Anyway, the dude who signed us up gave us his whole schpeel afterwards and asked us if we were "free-loaders". I almost said "yes! I barely have a job and wanted to see what this gym had to offer!" I also told him that I go to Yoga, and he knocked Yoga studios as well... and said something about having the money to do Yoga at a pimp studio but not having the money to get a gym membership is ridiculous!... I could have kicked him in his un-toned, meat-head body! For that, I am going to buy a Yoga package tomorrow!!!!!!

Getting Back in the Groove of Things.

Went back home to Michigan this weekend and was sick all last week. Haven't done much of anything- no cooking, grocery shopping etc. Last week was a mess of Puff plus tissues, canned chicken noodle soup, saltines and popsicles. I thought I would start this week with a photo update.

When I arrived this afternoon, it was sunny and in the 60s. Mat and I took a long bike ride to Millenium Park and back. Probably about 12 miles total. We took some photos of our new city, got some food and let Jack try on his Halloween costume! He is evening learning to "bawk!"

Jack's Lazy Afternoon.

Sunday's will now be Jack's Lazy Afternoon posts. Just a quick photo to keep you updated in the life of Jack.

So Incredibly Incredible.

 

photo courtesy of @robertgray

With two or less hours of sleep, due to my new work schedule, I awoke at 7am to cheering outside my apartment window. I knew the Marathon was today, but had no idea that the race went right down my street! I immediately jumped out of bed, threw on some jeans, a hoodie (coincidently a Cross Country hoodie that I have had forever), boots, scarf, hat, and winter coat. I grabbed my keys and ran for it. I got downstairs just in time to see the wheelchair racers finish up and it was time for the runners. I have never watched a Marathon, but love amazing runners, and could really watch people run all day. I love running. Well, I used to love running and still absolutely love the idea of it and would really like to start training for a half marathon, but somehow I can't get myself to dedicate to a strict training program. I did go out an run 3 miles the other day, but didn't go the next day or the next day.. Anyway, I COULD NOT wait to see the first pack of runners! I nearly peed myself when they were approaching. It was INCREDIBLE! My first year of Cross Country in High School,we used to have Kenyan Day, where the captains would tell us inspiration stories about well known Kenyan runners, then we would go on Kenyan Runs.. and I don't even remember what they were.. Anyway.. here they came.. I wanted to cheer sooo loud, but have lost of voice due to the weather-changing illness that we all have around here! I was amazed. I then watched every single runner go by for about 2 hours.. and haven't been able to sleep all day. I feel like a child who goes to the Zoo for the first time! I guess I really love Running. I am truly inspired!



From WAtoday.com.au

Kenya's Wanjiru wins Chicago Marathon


* October 12, 2009 - 3:34AM


Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru, the reigning Olympic and London marathon champion, won the Chicago Marathon on Sunday in a course record of 2hrs 5mins 41secs to make a triumphant US debut.


Wanjiru defeated Moroccan runner-up Abderrahim Goumi by 23 seconds with Kenya's Vincent Kipruto another four seconds back in third in 2:06:08.


It was the fourth triumph in five career marathons for Wanjiru and his third major triumph in a row after last August's gold medal effort in China and his London victory six months ago.


Wanjiru, 22, was one second under the old Chicago Marathon mark set in 1999 by Morocco's Khalid Khannouchi.


Russia's Liliya Shobukhova won the women's race in 2:25:55, defeating runner-up Irina Mikitenko of Germany by 36 seconds.


Surging ahead of a pack of four at the final water tables, Shobukova left her rivals unable to answer the challenge although she was 91 seconds off her personal best and 8:37 off British star Paula Radcliffe's course record.


Mikitenko, the reigning London Marathon champion, was second in 2:26:31 with Russian Lidya Grigoryeva third in 2:26:47 and Ethiopia's Teyba Erkesso fourth, another nine seconds back.

WOO WOO.

DEAR MOM AND KATE,
Since you in Malta and I can't speak to you, I wanted to let you in on some news....

I GOT A JOB! I START TOMORROW! It is at a Tavern called Redmond's about 5 blocks away. woot woot. I also have an interview tomorrow at the YMCA as a Bi-lingual Case Manager for the Healthy Start Program, which is a program that assists pregnant mothers and their new babies. Sounds great, but, to be honest, I think I will stick with the serving job, due to my desire to start school again in January. I am also volunteering at the Chicago Women's Health Center every Tuesday from 1-4pm, and so far I really love the Organization (not to mention it looks fabulous on my grad school resume..). Don't you, or anybody else worry. I will still be cooking and shopping on a budget! And updating this guy every chance I get!! Love you and miss you! I hope you are having a great time. Tell the fam I said "hello and nice to meet you!"

Love,
Em =) xoxoxo

Shopping Update.

That whole shopping exertion from last week is still going strong. I may have purchased too much food. There is a half-eaten pan of Lasagna and an enormous tupperware of Fried-Rice in the fridge..
Mat had made a few small purchases from Trader Joe's on Sunday. Like, stuff we've run out of.. Earth Balance, Bread, Oatmeal, Soup, Veggie Broth, Yogurt, Yogurt Cheese (my request!!) .. we haven't even touched any of that yet..
We have definetly out-done breakfast and need more eggs, but hey! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Jack's Lazy Afternoon.

A little off topic, but you may be curious to what Jack the cat does during all of this domestication.

 

This is it..

Obviously he hates his new life in Chicago.. ;)

Tofu.

The secret to making crispy-intact tofu is draining, drying and putting in a VERY hot pan with oil. This last batch I did a little different than normal. In order to experiment with crispness  I made a little roux when the tofu was nearly "done." I added about 1 tbsp. of flour and some soy sauce which created a little coating for the tofu. As you can see, I like to load on the sesame seeds as well.

Perfection!

Got this recipe off of RecipeZaar.com

Makes about 2 cups

Change to: cup US Metric

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Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons margarine
• 2 tablespoons of finely chopped onions
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 cup water
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. Put margarine in a pot and saute the onions and garlic over med-high heat.
   
   
2. Reduce heat back to medium after onions and garlic have become golden brown.
3. 
   
   

   Make a roux by gradually adding the flour, while continuously stirring to avoid lumps.

   
   
4. 
   
   

   Still stirring, add soy sauce and water to the mixture.

   
   
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.
   
   
6. Once the gravy has reached desired thickness, turn off the stove and you are done!
   

    

   *I didn't use onions 'cuz I don't have any so I made sure to add lots of spices (crushed red pepper, italian herbs) to the gravy before serving. I also sauteed a half tube Gimmie Lean Sausage Style in with the garlic and margarine. Tastes delicious. Just waiting on these Trader Joe's square biscuits to come out of the oven and we will eat!