overmixing

I made my first batch of muffins in probably 3rd grade. I remember on cooking day with my 4-H group at my aunt's house overmixing muffins on purpose to see what would happen. I don't think I have ever done it other than that, until yesterday.

I was thinking of that lesson, like I do every time I make muffins, and yet I must have liked mixing too much yesterday. I can't believe I did this. However, they were still good and didn't have the peaking that can happen - so they look normal until the inside.

Here is the recipe:


1 cup old fashion rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup non-fat milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 egg whites
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. sugar
raisins or nuts (optional)

Soak the oats in milk for about one hour.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.
Combine the oat mixture with the applesauce and egg whites, and mix until combined.
In a separate bowl measure and whisk the dry ingredients together.
Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined. Add nuts or raisins if desired.
Do not over mix the batter or the muffins will be tough. Spoon muffin mixture into muffin pan.
Combine the cinnamon and sugar and top each muffin with some of the mixture.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done.
Remove from pan, cool and enjoy.
These can be frozen and reheated in the microwave for a quick breakfast.

Number of Servings: 12

New favorite comic

I found a new comic that looks amazing and has some deep philosophical ideas

The site is: http://www.boltcity.com/copper/

My favorite comic so far is this one:
http://www.boltcity.com/copper/copperstrips/copper_019_transit_web.gif

So today, along with my students, I attended a Myers Briggs workshop. I love MBTI! My type is ENTJ. I however am slowing becoming a P - maybe. I don't want to admit that, really. In ten years, maybe I will be a P. Not as much as my friend Jackie and probably not as much as Jim - but a slight P.

Jim took an online version and came out as I thought he would - INFP. I think that is what Dad is, or something quite close that. Jackie is a ENFP.

Comfort Food

It is no secret that my Dad is a great cook. He has great skills in prepping really hard and laborous foods; and yet one of his favorite dishes is gravy over white bread. Easy and real comfort food - real cheap too.

I was reminded of this in the last two meals I made.

Last night - I made the following lentil barley soup from Healthy Online Recipes.

3/4 cup dry pearl barley
4 cups hot water
6 cups Veal Stock or Beef Stock
1/2 cup dry lentil beans
1 medium white onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 ripe tomato, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 pound extra-lean ground round or ground veal, browned and drained

Method:

Soak barley in 4 cups hot water for 1 hour. Ina stock pot, heat stock just to boiling (do not boil), reduce heat to simmer. Add barley with soaking liquid to stock. Add lentils, onion and celery, simmer 2 - 2.5 hours, or until barley is tender and lentils are cooked. Stir in mushrooms, tomatoes, salt, pepper and ground round or veal, simmer 10-15 minutes.

It rocked. Jim noticed it, he liked the smell. We both thought it was good etc.
But tonight, I didn't get home in time to make the meal I had planned so I just made tuna salad melt for Jim and oven fries and I had just a tuna sandwich and oven fries. Jim loved the tuna salad - I used olives instead of relish - because we were out of relish. Easy to please he is.

New Recipe for Tuna Salad:

1 can of tuna, drained
mayo until I feel like stopping squeezing (Jim likes squeeze mayo)
the rest of the chopped olives from the jar
about 1 tbsp diced celery

Using Pam like substance, spray oil on wheat bread (and place in hot skillet), place cheese slice (Jim likes Kraft singles) and then place half of the tuna salad on top of cheese. Then place the other piece of bread on top then spray the top of the bread with Pam. Flip when needed and enjoy!

weekend

I went to the CMLC auction, had a great time. I bought a comforter that even Jim agreed matches our curtains. I was bidding on some stuff that got pretty close, probably too close. But it was way fun!

Yesterday, was declared packing day! We packed a lot of stuff! Our home is looking more and more like an apartment.

overheard at 949 W. 19th St.

Krista: "So I am thinking about bidding on a couple things at the CMLC auction...what do you think?"

Jim: "You are the one that takes care of the money, do we have it to spend?"

Krista: "I think, and it is for a good cause"

Jim: "Babe, with you it is always a good cause"

Krista breaks out laughing because it is so true. At least I have a problem giving to charity as opposed to giving to a slot machine!

Moving

I keep forgetting to post that we are moving. We have a great, great deal. Cheaper rent and right next door to work - literally, next door to Krista's work!! Ease of access to CTA for Jim to get downtown - more regular than what he was now. We are moving September 29!

CTA story

I was on a bus today headed to check in on an agency:

It was sprinking and the bus stopped for an elderly woman who had two shopping carts. The woman got on and pointed at me and said, "Come, help me!" I got up and went to the door. The bus driver said to the woman (and to me) that she would put the ramp down to ease the process. So I got off the bus to pull the shopping cart out of the ramp's way. The woman wasn't convinced I was doing it right. Saw me trying to move the cart and looked at the bus driver and said, "She is stealing my cart! Bus driver, she is stealing the cart!" The bus driver tried to explain what I was doing. But in the end, I just lifted both of the carts up and then am trying to live with the idea that an elderly woman thought I was stealing her groceries.

Journaling

So, the other day I assigned the RAD participants to journal. So at least for the next couple months - I need to be a good example and journal with them. I am going to do that here most of the time.

In the last couple days, we have done a lot of work - Wednesday alone we ripped up flooring in a Catholic parish house and then in the afternoon sorted 2000 lbs of bread. I learned several things - I have to be in the right mindset to do that kind of work and it is hard. A lot of my job is relationship, for this I am grateful. However, it was WAY cool to work hard and see something get done.

Yesterday, after reflecting in 4 different city locations on Psalm 30 (a journaling exercise), we went and stood on the sidewalk and even in the street and asked for money for a local non-profit. I have never thought I would do that. I even called Jim and had him come by to drop his change in our boots (our buckets) because I was worried I couldn't get anyone else to give money. All together we collected 505 in bills, and 181 in change!

Ways to be a kid

Have you ever watched a child completely engrossed in a project? They have the unusual ability to be serious about what they’re doing without taking it too seriously. You can do the same with your life. You can live every day with more focus, and every week with more motivation.
Here’s what every child knows that you may have forgotten.

See if you can apply some of these lessons to your adult life....

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