I Held Out Until I Couldn't

I'd managed to avoid a pandemic video doctor's appointment, until this week. We attended our usual check-ups and tried our best not to need anything more from the health folks --they had enough to do. But, since my home test confirmed what I felt (yes you, Omicron), I decided to ask what the clinic preferred. 

It doesn't matter how well I try to prepare, I still get all fretty and sweaty about new experiences. At first, I thought the kitchen would be the best place to do the call (yes, over thinking is my thing), but when N suggested the dining room table I realized it was the better location. It was either a chair or a stool in the kitchen and neither was a good height. 

The first call rang out. It was Doc's nurse, to help talk me through the set-up. Of course, I accidently hung up on her ... trying to navigate between websites on my phone while fretty and sweaty is not the best of situations. And then, once I had the official website up and waiting for Doc to join, I began to wonder if there was another button to push ... why was it taking so long ... did I screw something up? Yeah, that was me for a good 15 minutes. 

Then he answered. Whew! He asked, I answered, we shared, he suggested and then it was over. Whew! Now I'm curious as to how many calories I shed in that time period. Hmmm, not a sustainable weightloss program, K. Okay then ... nevermind. 

Love, K 

3, 2, 1, Contact's --The Rotten Truth

 Happy (early) Earth Day! Where were you on the very first Earth Day?

Her Favorites

     My apologies to the author of "His Favorites", that I finished reading today (4/14), but ... that's what popped into my head. And also -- good intense, yet quick read.

    We all have our favorites brands, for a myriad of reasons. Whether it's how a company tends to its employees or pays heed to their affect on the environment, it matters in how we "feel" about their products. Or is that just me? I doubt it.

    I've been a long time fan of Paula's Choice, a Seattle company I first learned about while watching AM Northwest in the eighties. I used to order more products from PC, but now it's mainly the shampoo and conditioner. Unscented products can be difficult to find, but when you're sensitive to some scents, it's imperative. 

    Apologies to Paula's Choice, but I've recently begun switching over to Cerave's moisturizers and cleansers. I like how they make my skin feel and I appreciate the price.

    When it comes to jeans, the past 4ish years, I discovered LLBean's True Shape. I love the fit and the pockets hold what I need. Pockets --they're where it's at, baby. 

    Years ago, I used to find some interesting and well loved tops at Sierra Trading Post, until those searches no longer satisfied. My most recent enjoyed tops are from Orvis --love those sales. 

    Now that we've gone gluten free, thanks to N's gut issues, I've discovered Simple Mills as a tasty resource for cookies and crackers. Banza chickpea pasta has been another lifesaver, as well as Bob's Redmill gluten free flour and granola.

    About 4 years back, I found a pair of tennis shoes that pleased--mainly because of the color (love that dark red!). The fit was okay, but my right baby toe kept working its way through the shoe's edge. Tossing shoes after only a year, is not a goal I aspire to, so I was very glad when our Fran suggested Altras. After doing some review reading, I decided to give their last year's version of Lone Peak a try. After wearing them for a day, I began to feel a hot spot under the ball of my foot. I decided to put my orthotics in to see if that would improve the problem. It did. And now ... I love these shoes. Many thanks for the tip, Fran. 

    I'm sure there's more favorites. If I remember, I'll add them here. 

Love, K

Update #1:  Just remembered one of my latest favorites. I've had a rough bumpy nail, ever since I slammed my thumb in the car door as a child. Always trying to grow out all of the layers, but always failing. The wee folk were very interested the moment they'd discover it as we held hands walking in line. Then ... about two months ago, I was reading a scientific study about two ingredients used on cracking, splitting nails and how there was noticeable improvement. I traced down the name of the manufacturer and bought Isdin Si-Nails. It's not cheap --$32 a tube, BUT after over 3 weeks, I can tell ya'll that it works. The ingredients work together to moisturize the nails, which seems to be exactly what mine needed. In my circumstance, it felt like a miracle. 

Capri With Me

    There was a time, during my working days, when I was known for being one of the first to don capris and sandals, once Spring had popped up on the calendar. If memory can be relied upon, I usually pulled those capris and sandals out right after Spring break. 

    Now that I'm retired, I can't imagine what our heat bill would look like if I continued putting them on on April 1. AND the justifying of it wouldn't fly -- with me especially. Ah yes, the difference between being on the run and being at home. 

    Just me musing ... Love, K 

Beach Lot Video by Lise

 

And Speaking of Pork Roasts . . .

    We were still thinking of that first pork roast (in a long time). So two days back I bought another and did it again. I was just short of having enough for leftovers the following evening, so went searching for leftover pork roast ideas on the innerwebs. 

    None of the recipes I was seeing in my search resonated, until I landed on TheSpruceEats.com. How did I not know about using pork in stroganoff?! Probably because I've had the long time dependable delicious recipe on hand and never had to go out and sort through the multitudes of possibilities. Yeah, that's my excuse. And also-- YAY for gluten free noodles! 🎉🥳

    Here it is. It's definitely a keeper! One night of dining on roast and then two more nights of stroganoff--which equals winning when you're trying to eat less meat. 

Love, K 💓

Repurposed Leftovers for Stroganoff By Kevin D. Weeks.

Ingredients

4 ounces egg noodles

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

Salt, to taste

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

1/2 small onion, chopped

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1/2 cup wine

1/2 cup stock

12 ounces leftover roast chicken, or pork or beef, cut into strips

1/2 cup sour cream

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Prep your ingredients. 

Fill a pot of water and bring it to a boil. Salt it and, once boiling, add the egg noodles and cook per the package instructions. Drain and reserve.

Place the mushrooms in a large, dry, non-stick skillet and sprinkle them with salt.

Cook over medium-high heat until the mushrooms begin to brown and give up their liquid, or about 6 minutes.

Stir the mushrooms, add in the thyme, and add 1 tablespoon of the butter. Cook until browned, about 3 minutes. 

Scoop the mushrooms onto a plate and set aside. Using the same pan over medium heat, add the remaining butter, onion, and tomato paste and then cook until the onion is translucent, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes. 

Return the mushrooms to the skillet and add the wine. 

Increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the wine is reduced by half, approximately 5 minutes. Add the stock and cook for 5 more minutes. 

Reduce the heat to low, add the meat, and simmer for 5 minutes. 

Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream and pepper. Taste test and adjust the seasonings. Serve over the cooked noodles.