What recipe for today...

Well, well, well - Thursday already. How did that happen?!?!?

Here is my recipe for today:

Spinach quiche!

Ingredients:
1 package frozen spinach or equivalent fresh spinach (close to a lb)
1 frozen pie shell (preferably deep dish)
6 eggs
1/4 cup of milk
1 1/2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper (to taste)
2 cloves of garlic
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin

How to make it:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Boil water and cook the spinach until it is no longer frozen. If using fresh, shred it, and saute in a pan with a smidge of olive oil (yes I said smidge). Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk together with the milk and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Add all of the spices and mix together. Layer the spinach and the eggs and cheese into the pie shell. Sprinkle the extra cheese on top. Cover the edges of the pie shell with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

Cook for 45 minutes and then remove the foil and cook an additional ten minutes. Check the center to ensure the eggs have cooked through. Allow to cool for ten minutes before serving.

Back from Rome

We were in Rome all weekend for Austin's (Alex's brother) high school graduation. It was a great time seeing some of his family, but exhausting as always. His Mom and I went and picked out the dress she will be wearing for the wedding. She looked so lovely in the dress and it was a lot of fun to spend time with her doing girly things!

Also, I picked up the book "Eat, Pray, Love" and I am enjoying it immensely. I feel like I can really relate to some of the issues she talks about and it is really speaking to me on a lot of levels. I highly recommend this book to others. I don't really want to go into a ton of detail - it's just a really thoughtful and provocative book about searching for knowledge of yourself.

Today...

I feel like Kim Jong Il in Team America :(

That is all.

Chili Lime Tofu with Quinoa and fresh veggies

Ingredients:

1 Block Tofu, extra firm, 14 oz

For Sauce
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
3 Tbs Soy sauce
3 tablespoons
1/2 Zest of the Lime
1/2 tsp Red Chili Flakes (or 1-2 fresh hot chilies, minced)
2 Cloves Garlic
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, crushed or grated
1/4 tsp Salt
4 Mint Leaves, chiffonaded

Quinoa
1 Cup Quinoa, rubbed/rinsed in cool water, drained
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 Zest Lime
1/4 tsp Salt
2 Cup Water

Veggies:
1 bunch Kale
2 cups broccoli florets
1 teaspoon salt

Combine all the ingredients for the quinoa in a pot that has a tight fitting lid. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 20 minutes, then turn off heat. Do not open lid. Let steam for 10 minutes before serving.

Prepare the sauce by whisking all of the ingredients together until salt is dissolved.

Prepare kale by removing fibrous stalk in the middle and chopping into bite-size pieces. Blanch the kale and broccoli together in salted, boiling water for approximately 30 seconds. Drain and set aside.

Drain tofu and cut it into small triangles. Heat a well-seasoned cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Spread the tofu out in one layer in the pan. Using a spatula, press the tofu. After several minutes, flip the tofu over and press the other side. After about 10 minutes of shallow frying, add the chili-lime sauce and stir to coat the tofu. Turn off the heat. The sauce will bubble up, reduce, and form a glaze. After sauce has begun reducing, add kale and broccoli and stir until coated.

Serve tofu, kale, and broccoli over the quinoa - ENJOY!!!

Oh man!

Yesterday was a crazy day - I witnessed something that I never thought I would in my life. I can't mention any details because we have very confidential work. I'm just really overwhelmed right now though...

Also, I have decided to do vegan Wednesdays. One day a week cutting out all animal products. I think it is important that we try and limit our impact on this lovely planet we all call home. Let's see how it goes. I urge everyone to try and make a little sacrifice here and there when it comes to their meat consumption. It is amazing the wonders that would do for the earth and the animals :) That's my soapbox for the day!

Send thoughts my way at the moment and hope that everything turns out as it should at my job...

It never rains, but it pours...

I always found this to be a rather strange saying...

I have been really emotional recently. Not sure why. Just given to random bursts of emotion - typically, it occurs when something sad comes on TV, or I hear a sad story, or a sad song is on the radio. Take for instance, yesterday. I was listening to the Les Mis soundtrack in my car and "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" came on and I just started bawling! Not good...

What is funny about the story above, is that something almost exactly the same happened during my freshman year of college. Listening to Les Mis, driving home to my parents, the song was "Come to Me," and again I started crying. Although, that time, I proceeded to rear end the person in front of me. Oops! Minor damage to both vehicles, it was stop and go traffic, so it wasn't horrendous. I think I should learn my lesson and not listen to that in the car :)

Hahaha!

Anyway - shout out to Megan, my bestie, who I love with all my heart, and who only today discovered my blog :) Miss you, Megleena!

Happy Marrow Monday!

Today, I went to be swabbed to be on the bone marrow registry. It was super simple - they swab the inside of your cheeks to get your tissue type and then your information is in the bone marrow registry. When people are in need of bone marrow, their doctors search the registry for donors. The chances of you being a match are pretty slim, but I would be so happy to donate to someone in need! Think about doing it, people :)

Also, my Mom and I had lunch this weekend and stopped in DSW. We picked out some gorgeous wedding shoes!!!

I love them, love them, love them!!! Plus, I can dye them after the wedding to my favorite color - RED!!!!!!!! Yay! They were a steal for only $35!

Giveaway over at Allover Art

Allover Art

Allover Art is doing their May giveaway. She has a wonderful etsy shop that you should go check out if you need any unique jewelry for friends or family!

Tofu Enchiladas

Today will be another day on the road. We'll be off on another prison interview so expect me to be sore and exhausted when this one is over.

So, this Friday, Scrad (Adam) finally arrives from California. He is going to be staying with us for a few weeks. Scrad is one of Alex's closest friends and they are planning on an enormous recording fest while he is here!! I am so happy that Alex and Scrad will both be able to spend some time focusing on their passion.

It's recipe Thursday - so here is the enchilada recipe I made last night...

Ingredients:

16 ounce bottle or can enchilada sauce
6 low-fat or fat-free tortillas
1 jar salsa
2 cans refried beans
1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup shredded sharp Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
1/4 cup kalamata olives , pitted
1 can corn
1/2 red bell pepper
1 jalapeño , chopped and seeded
Baked tofu

Heat oven to 400°. Cut tofu into triangles and bake for 20 minutes, turning once. Roughly dice the red pepper and then saute in some olive oil for about 7 minutes.

Pour the can of enchilada sauce into a pie dish. Dip tortillas in the sauce to soften them.

On a cutting board, gently spread refried beans on one side of each tortilla. Add about 6 pieces of baked tofu to the middle. Sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Add olives, chopped jalapeño, corn, red bell pepper and salsa (optional).

Pour some enchilada sauce in the baking dish to avoid sticking. Roll up the tortillas and place seam-side down in a 9" x 13" baking dish.

Blend the sour cream into the remaining enchilada sauce in the pie dish. Pour over enchiladas and sprinkle remaining cheese.

Cover and bake for 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly

Mother's Day weekend and Hayley J. Sandum

This weekend, Mum, Gary, Foster, Alex, Yoshi, and I headed up to the cabin on my Mom's land. It was a beautiful sunny mother's day weekend. We had so much fun together, fixing stuff up, putting together the futon, playing games, toasting marshmallows, exploring the waterfall etc. Alex and I took some beautiful pictures down by the waterfall. It is so lush and green and gorgeous that it felt like being in the rainforest. On the way home, Alex picked two ticks out of my hair, that's love :)

Just a share, I love that boy so much that sometimes when a song comes on that describes how much I love him, I start crying. Sad, but true. I love Alex!!!!!

Also, introducing the newest member of the Sandum-Wallace family - HAYLEY JENNIFER SANDUM. She is gorgeous already. Such a long little baby. Jenny says that she is very sweet and calm so far. Her and Emily are getting along well - Emily tucked her in the other night :)

Welcome Hayley Jennifer Sandum

Our new niece, Hayley Jennifer Sandum, was born May 7th, 2009 at 3:30pm. A healthy 7lbs, 3 ounces. She joins Emily Leia Sandum :) I cannot wait to meet you, baby boo :)

Congrats to Jenny and Chris!!! I love you tons :)

My sister is in labor!!!

I can't even concentrate at work today. My sister went in to labor last night and will hopefully be delivering her second child at some point today! We don't know yet if she is having a boy or a girl. (I have a sneaking suspicion that it is a boy).

So nervous for her and excited. I can't wait to be an Auntie again!! Love you, Jelly Bean, and I am thinking of you all day!

Please send thoughts and prayers for a safe delivery for mother and baby :)

Out all day

Today, I am out on investigation all day. It is mostly going to be a lot of driving. Wish me luck!

I don't have much to say today. Oooh - I forgot! Saturday, my Mom and I went to pick up my dress and it is beautiful and looks amazing on and I felt like a princess. The dress is super heavy though and I am hoping for a nice, cool wedding day so that I don't turn into a sweaty beast! We went and looked for veils too. The veil we found was exquisite, but ridiculously expensive. I think I am going to get one from etsy that I found that was about $50 and this cute hair comb for the top!

HAIR COMB
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23271254&ref=sr_gallery_20&&ga_search_query=gold+and+pearl+hair+comb&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=1&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

VEIL
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19578233&ref=sr_gallery_18&&ga_search_query=cathedral+veil&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

What do you guys think???

Tagged by Ashley

I was tagged by Ashley and I love quizzes, so here goes...

1. What is your current obsession? Being more creative and trying to start this little coaster side project.

2. Which item of clothing do you wear most often? OOOH - hmmm - well, I wear my one pair of jeans all the time, these black wedges all the time, and this purple One Star top a whoooole lot.

3. What's for dinner? I think tonight we are making polenta cakes with red pepper sauce and some asparagus. Alex is in love with the polenta cakes :)

4. What are you listening to? Typing, nothing else, I wish I could play music.

5. Say something about the person who tagged you. Ashley is a determined and driven person.

6. Favorite vacation spot? Lake Bled was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my life.

7. What are you reading right now? I just got started on this Salman Rushdie book that Megan gave me - The Enchantress of Florence

8. 4 words to describe yourself: blunt, loyal, skeptical, and loving

9. Guilty pleasure? Way too much internet time. Oh, and peanut butter.

10. First spring thing to do? Take walks later in the evening, enjoy the daffodils, tulips and the other spring flowers.

I tag Bailey at Champagne Taste, Shan at Mr. & Mrs. In Training, and Jessica at Wedding Peephole

Sold my first set!

Sold my first set to Becky who was a volunteer with me in Peru. She is giving them to her father for Father's Day!!

Friday, Friday, Friday

Yay, yay, yay!!! I love weekends so much. Here is a list of some of my favorite weekend things:

1) The Farmer's Market
2) Not having to wake to the sound of an alarm
3) Casual clothes, no uncomfortable work clothes
4) Long walks with Alex
5) Craft projects with Alex
6) Naps
7) Being outside in the daylight
8) Yoshi cuddles
9) Getting things accomplished
10) Lazing in the hammock