Guess Who?

Working on Saturdays is really not my favorite but sometimes I just have to. A few weeks ago I found myself working on a beautiful Saturday along with the other Speech Therapist (Jennifer). We decided a cognitive group was a good way to kill several birds with one stone and head home early. We settled on the game Guess Who thinking it would be a good cognitive exercise and our sweet confused patients would get some socialization and learn something new. Playing this game numerous times as children we thought it would be easy to learn and teach, maybe even too easy. We didn't want to offend our patients. However, we quickly realized we were wrong. I explained the game, Jennifer explained the game, we explained the game together, even the patients tried to explain the game. Nothing got through. They asked questions like..."Does your person have eyelashes?" "Does your person have whiskers?" "Does your person have a hat on (they all had hats on at this point)." They even asked "Is your person colored?" after which they couldn't figure out who was "colored." They gave away the answer, they argued with us, they argued with each other. In the end 3 out of the four patients hated us and the game. They we probably more confused than ever. Jennifer and I were mentally exhausted and definitely earned our pay. Lesson learned...Guess Who is not a game for the elderly population. I think I will stick with Scrabble.

Eggplant Flop

I usually write about my cooking successes but today I am writing about a cooking failure :( Ever since I ate the Eggplant Parmesan at my favorite Italian restaurant (http://www.finezzabistro.com) I have been itching to make it myself. I've only had a few culinary experiences with eggplant in my 25 years and most have been eating what a professional has cooked. One memory in particular of eggplant was when I was younger and I some how convinced my mom to help me make eggplant "french fries." I think I saw it on TV. Being the wonderful mom that she is, she agreed to let me wreck her spotless kitchen. Although I had great fun making these mock fries the end product was not that memorable. Perhaps that is why I've stayed away from eggplant. Anywho, my first attempt at Eggplant Parmesan was pretty pathetic. I made several mistakes, one being I sliced the eggplant a little to thick. They looked like hockey pucks. Second, I staked them way to high. It looked like an eggplant big mac. Oh well, maybe I will try again in the future. All was not lost with this dinner however, my salad not only looked delicious :) but it also tasted delicious!

Grandmaw Bunion

Bad news... I have official been diagnosed with a bunion. Yes that's right me 25 years old with a bunion. It was a sad day. My lovely doctor who has yet to make eye contact with me gave me my options: a) Bunion surgery-I will be on crutches for 2 months and there is a good chance the bunion will grow back, b) Spend $500 on a custom made shoe insert, c) Spend $125 on a non-custom shoe insert, d) Spend $65 on a really shitty shoe insert. Its really a lose lose situation. Goodbye cute wedges and stilettos and hello Easy Spirits. For your enjoyment I have included a picture of my Fred Flintstone'ish foot.

Best Pizza Ever!

What to do with left-over balsamic barbecue sauce? I know... make a barbecue chicken pizza! Seriously this might be the best pizza ever. It comes really close to The Works pizza at Mellow Mushroom. A little mozzarella, spinach, red onion, bacon, and chicken was the perfect combination to go with the left-over sauce. I'm not trying to brag but it was really delicious. If you like pizza you gotta make this one!

Green Shopping

Here are my latest green finds. These tees can be found at www.raintees.com and the organization states...

"For every Rain tee sold, a child involved in Kids Saving the Rain Forest, Costa Rica will receive a tree they can plant to replace one that has been destroyed."

They have several different designs ranging from $32-$38.

I love unique jewelry and these earrings made from newspaper are right up my alley. This website also has some really neat coasters, bowls, and necklaces. Check it out at www.wellpaper.org

Sunday Dinner

I finally broke down and bought Giada's newest cookbook the other night. I know it's kinda stupid when you can look all the recipes up online...but I really like having a bunch of cookbooks to display. It makes me feel like a real chef. With all that said Chad and I made two of the recipes tonight...Balsamic Barbecue Chicken with Parmesan crusted potatoes and zucchini. The Balsamic Barbecue sauce was really easy to make and delicious. I've never been a fan of barbecue chicken but this was GREAT! It is definitely something we will make again. Thanks Giada!

Blackberry Pie

I have a new favorite recipe...Blackberry Pie! Its so easy and delicious. I found the recipe at the nurses station at work one day last year and tried it. I forgot how much I enjoyed it and thought I would share it with others.
- Prepared graham crackers crust
- 10 oz. jar of blackberry preserves (or any other flavor)
- 1 cup of whipping cream (or cool whip)
- 1 softened package of cream cheese
- Beat one egg white and brush crust, bake at 325 for 5 minutes. Let cool for 10.
- Beat whipping cream on med-high until it forms stiff peaks (or just use cool whip)
- In separate bowl beat cream cheese until smooth, add in blackberry preserves.
- Fold in whipping cream and pour into crust.
- Refrigerate for 4 hours or more.
- Enjoy!