tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post379688547807902731..comments2023-11-23T09:51:07.448-05:00Comments on A Literary Odyssey: Weekly Wrap-up for January 29, 2012: Plans and Some Book Loot.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18420476898132383974noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post-36223125156403724652012-02-01T09:10:06.137-05:002012-02-01T09:10:06.137-05:00I am not really a cook but I do force myself to co...I am not really a cook but I do force myself to cook for my family every night. My husband has refined tastes in food, and I've experienced satisfaction in learning to cook for his sake. There is something satisfying in figuring out the mystery of how to make a mediocre meal into a fantastic one: what is this missing? Salt? More spices? Something else?<br /><br />I learned to cook from my husband, who loves cooking. But then, of course, once my son got here and we needed REGULAR meals, I had to do the cooking since my hubs doesn't get home until 7 p.m. I lately have been doing more lazy things that I'm familiar with: stir fry, pasta with parmasean/alfredo sauce, mac and cheese (the real thing; I don't like Kraft dinner), spaghetti. (blame it on pregnancy?) So I am not very creative with cooking ideas. But every now and then I get a few cook books from the library and challenge myself to try at least three new recipes that week. (Watch Rachel Ray or pick up a 30 minute meals cookbook. She makes it look so easy -- and it really isn't that hard.)<br /><br />I'm getting better, little by little. I figure it's something I have 50 years to figure out. Good luck to you as you find your comfort zone in the kitchen -- and step out side of it every now and then...Rebecca Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06062252252301802298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post-19979565651401478932012-01-31T04:19:19.091-05:002012-01-31T04:19:19.091-05:00That was nice of Matt! :) I can't wait to see ...That was nice of Matt! :) I can't wait to see what you think of <i>Volpone</i> I need to read some Marlowe. <br /><br />Great loot, Allie!*ೃ༄ Jillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139487177036647728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post-88521810641950971342012-01-29T17:23:40.712-05:002012-01-29T17:23:40.712-05:00Do you use, or have you considered cookbooks? Cook...Do you use, or have you considered cookbooks? Cooking Light has a couple that not only offer healthy recipes, but--and this is the important part--fast and easy. (<em>Fresh Food Fast</em> is a good one.) <br /><br />It looks like you have a nice book haul. I have a couple books on my list that I'd like to get but I haven't made it to a bookstore yet... <br /><br />A lovely reading week to you, too!amanda @ simplerpastimeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127945915013121105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post-68415789641067828322012-01-29T15:43:28.345-05:002012-01-29T15:43:28.345-05:00Have you tried stir-fry recipes? They're quick...Have you tried stir-fry recipes? They're quick, easy and healthy... my 'go to' recipes for extra crazy days. Looks like good shopping at the book sale, too. Matt is so thoughtful!JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post-4855509618091235642012-01-29T15:36:45.141-05:002012-01-29T15:36:45.141-05:00I love cooking. I try to cook a one or two big mea...I love cooking. I try to cook a one or two big meals a week and eat mostly leftovers. It cuts down on grocery bills and helps me monitor what I eat and how much. I never stick to diets either.Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10826716134008160506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post-18555206166071207112012-01-29T14:44:00.113-05:002012-01-29T14:44:00.113-05:00Looks like you had an excellent shopping trip :) I...Looks like you had an excellent shopping trip :) I think cooking for yourself and knowing exactly what you're putting into your food is one of the best healthy changes you can make. I know that I often find myself eating out so much, just because I'm lazy. I am trying to cook for myself and bring leftovers to work.Leslie @ This is the Refrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18027804132268043518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post-53409746466540100322012-01-29T11:06:10.158-05:002012-01-29T11:06:10.158-05:00Great stuff, Allie! I'm working on making heal...Great stuff, Allie! I'm working on making healthier choices, too. I get stuck eating out at work sometimes, especially if I have to work late unexpectedly. I've been doing more research into what healthy choices I can make if I'm forced to eat out. I also have been trying to cook more, and I'm following several cooking blogs that post healthier recipes. <br /><br />Great haul at the book sale! Enjoy!Andihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05220718933942181809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post-75464793490851489682012-01-29T09:07:51.495-05:002012-01-29T09:07:51.495-05:00I've been keeping track of calories as well an...I've been keeping track of calories as well and have some dishes that are staples in my house. I'll e-mail you sometime this week. Do you have a crockpot? It's a savior for me.<br /><br />And you know, not working and being in a funk (i.e. entirely different from not working cuz your on vacation) is EXHAUSTING. It's understandable that you're a bit out of it. Stress is one of the biggest draining factors ever. Keep pursuing your goal though. I know that these are the toughest times ever in education, but your ideals and passions is what is needed.christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16749333368560606659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post-13559437716891543292012-01-29T08:46:38.250-05:002012-01-29T08:46:38.250-05:00Have you ever looked at intuitive eating? It's...Have you ever looked at intuitive eating? It's a great way to not diet but to not take in too many calories, without ever obsessing about calories.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026099426503180472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543330341390707771.post-33829657843029694302012-01-29T08:27:05.141-05:002012-01-29T08:27:05.141-05:00I generally think diets are a bad idea - I just li...I generally think diets are a bad idea - I just live by the mantra "everything in moderation" when it comes to food.<br /><br />I cook meals from scratch every day and it's taken me a long time to get to that point. When I first started out, Jamie Oliver's 'Ministry of Food' cookbook was practically my bible - it's written for the absolute beginner and doesn't take anything for granted - it even explains how to boil an egg and chop your vegetables. I don't know if it's widely available where you are but if it has, snap up a copy. There's a good variety of simple dishes that are easy to make and turn out delicious :)Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.com