Oranges!

So last week. Kari at work was going to throw out this huge bag of oranges. That weren't even rotten in any form or way. They had sat in the fridge since the day we opened so that was her motivation to toss them out. But I saw a window of opportunity to use every single piece of those oranges so I brought home these oranges that then sat on my counter for almost two weeks... The first week in. I made these awesome. Orange "brownies" with a strawberry Orange Glaze that are still insanely moist after sitting for a week.  The recipe I used is here . The original recipe is made with Lemon but oranges work just as well.! In fact that website is packed Full of so many neat recipes that I think it's worth a better look at.  

Though John hasn't had a appetite so I haven't had much of reason to really cook so I have not been cooking much lately.  This week I finally dealt with the rest of the oranges. Mostly. I still have a portion that I have not used yet, 

Last night I sat down and zested over 30 oranges. I chopped it finer and set it out to Dry. Dried Zest is wonderful to use in recipes when you don't have fresh orange on hand.  I then Peeled the oranges and chopped the rest of the peelings into pieces. Some were laid out to dry( they will be submerged into a big bottle of Cheap Vodka. Half will become orange Oil and the other half will be orange extract!)   Some of the Peels were shoved into over 6 cups of Vinegar where it will sit for a few weeks then It will be my nice citrus cleaner!.A small amount was covered with about 2 cups of olive oil. which will probably be gifted to my brother with a bit of the Orange extract as a gift because he cooks often and would enjoy it. 

What I have left is the actual Oranges which John and I don't actually want to eat.  I'm not 100% sure what do with them.  I did read I could freeze them then use them on salads... But we all know how I feel about salad. 

Last night John kept looking in the fridge so I just knew it was time to do some real cooking!. And I went with it. 

First I made up a batch of Black Refried Beans! I made up a small Batch of Crispy Hash browns with Chunks of Ham. As I waited for them to cook, I made up a batch of Tortilla Shells and Fried up some Ground beef with tomato and Taco seasoning. I then turned them into Beef and refried Bean Quesadillas with a side of hash browns.  Instead of just picking. My Love consumed two and a quarter of them and a generous serving of the hash browns. I was beyond thrilled.  

Which in Turn has given me the motivation to make Buns today. and a nice Flax, oat, bran Bread.  Which I'll probably have all baked up in time for when john emerges from bed at like 2.lol. Okay I hope not but who knows. 

Unfortunately I have never found a recipe for bread that I adore and so I tend to switch recipes very often. I linked to the recipes that I am using today.  The last Oat bread I made was tasty but when I put it in the oven, It fell then expanded and fell over the edges. Maybe I'm just to rough? Who knows.  but both doughs are looking some what promising so far.  Since I didn't make the doughs at the same time. I have to close all my windows so my house stays warm and draft free...I don't look forward to it

My Shifts at work have been changed again. On thursday I went to a friends grad party but to be able to attend I had to switch shifts with someone, which means I got to do the 7am til 2pm shift.    waking up at 5:30 is not pleasant but I kicked that shifts ass. I had soup ready for 7:15 due to my awesome prep skills. lol. By 10 I was wandering around.Bored out of my mind but I watched Chopped for a bit. Then I had 5 orders at lunch. 3 monte cristos, one burger and a grilled ham and cheese.  Easy.  I finished them quick and needed no help which made Kari decide that I should work  the morning shift again. So now every Thursday I get to work the morning which in turns means I don't have to work Ladies night. Bonus. lol

Because I dislike the nights that we have events because it means i end up being there past 10:30 which isn't cool. 

As well as switching my thursday. She made it that I work every other Sunday. Which means every two weeks. I only have one day off. While the other lady always gets two days off and every second week she gets three days off. 

I question how that makes sense. But what ever. 

As Most know. I take a string of pills. All which have a purpose.I'll go through them in a second. But for the past two? months I can't seem to bring my self to take them, Even though I look at them nightly as I brush my teeth. 

Every morning i have liquid Lemon Cod Oil- helps brain functions and memory

Every Night-

                         Iron- I have low iron which makes it so I cannot donate blood

                        Cal Mag D( calcium, magnesium and vitamin D) magnesium is known to help with depression, anxiety,  and it's supposed to help you go regularly. 

                       Vitamin D- The vitamin that you soak in a lot of  from the sun. it also is known for helping with depression and just making one feel happier. 

                       Prenatal Pills- No I'm not pregnant. When I remember to take these bad boys. They make my hair and nails grow quicker and thicker. meaning my weak ass nails don't bend or break as easy. 

                     Lavender- Though I dislike the smell, it helps relax and helps one sleep a little deeper

                    Garcinia Cambogia- appetite control

I think originally I kind of stopped taking them because when I added in the Cod Oil, it made me have upset stomachs and fish Burps.(Yuck) But I also took most of my pills at the same time.   If I actually get around to it. I could/will set up proper times for pills so they won't affect each other and make me have gross burps. 

The Challenge!

I know it hasn't been that long since my last Blog but I had to add this in. I really did. I swear.

I've given John some Motivation to go to work on time.. Because he's always at least 15 minutes late. Which drives me nuts and his bosses aren't to found of it either. 
I told him I'd make him a awesome meal if he went to work on time each day.  If he's late he doesn't get a amazing meal.  He'd get maybe cereal or a smokie.
Today I made Pasta Sauce and Garlic Sticks. Really Yummy garlic sticks. well at least I thought so( John likes them). The garlic sticks were coated with a herbed parmesan garlic Butter... Enough Said. Amazing.  
Tuesday: Mushroom and Cheese Stuffed Burgers( John really enjoys the burgers i make,Seems I recall John asking for some Private time with his Burger while kissing it..) With Fresh made hamburger buns.   
Wednesday: Herbed Sour Dough pepperoni, Mushroom and pineapple pizza
Thursday: Quiche- Chicken,potato and onion
Friday: Lasagna and Ceaser
Saturday- BBQ Pulled Pork, Roasted Veggies, Butternut Squash, Creamy Nutmeg Mushrooms. 

I don't have anything planned for the next week but I will think it over and in theory think up something. maybe meat loaf? Calzone? Salad....

Tuesday: Beggers Colabac

I'll think about it Longer I guess. 
Lately since I've gotten the 2-9. It's a rare thing if I get back by 9:45. Then I finish making supper then it basically we go to bed because John has to get up early. I barely get to spend time with him. It makes me feel down.  He's not much of a texter so I don't hear from him during the day either. I don't like it. I really enjoy seeing the man I love. and I hate that I only get to see him Saturday evening, Sunday and monday morning for a bit. At work it's a busy month so Kari asked Tina and I if we could take more shifts. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I already work over time. But I agreed that I could help on Saturdays But I down right refused to work Sunday. I told them it's my Only day to see  my Jobn and she was fine with that. At the end of June they are supposed to be going over my file and seeing if I deserve a raise. 
I had to go to Food Safe on Saturday. It really sucked and was the same course from when I took it in 2006, Even the same test. I finished the quiz kind of fast and I feel confident that I did well but who knows. I don't think it matters because I had passed it when I was younger.
I got a call from Cormicks which I had applied at when I first left Mr. Ribs. They wanted me to come out to Epson? Alberta ASAP because they needed a flagger which is cool. But to get there then get a hotel room is kind of expensive. and financially I can't afford that and adding Stress to our situation and distance? It really would not work for me.  I told him if he has a Saskatchewan Job I should be able to make it happen but I will probably be forgotten about. 



Today I am making a smores cake. Yes I've made something of the sort in the past. a four layer cake with graham cake, fudge cake and a marshmellow icing. but this is. grahams cake with no flour, it's made with Graham crumbs and stuff.... I baked it in a spring form pan. Next I'll be mixing up a batch of Marshmellow and Pouring it directly on top of the cake. letting it settle then browning it quickly in the oven to get that roasted marshmellow taste. then pouring melted ganche on it. The cake is cooling now. It is very Moist. 
I mixed up some Pie crust which is cooling in the fridge, Next I am making up a Mixed Berry Pie.Both Should be crazy good. Hopefully. 

Interesting week

As usual my last Blog

It has been a interesting week.  Orginally it was planned that I would have a week of 2:00-9:00 pm then a week of 7:00-2:00. But after the first week we quickly discovered who worked best where.  Tina isn't amazing alone and she tends to like to do things her own way which is a no no. Carrie the women who covers the days off, isn't any better. She was supposed to cover Tuesday Men's night at the golf course and the manager ended up doing most of the work because She had panicked.  It was only 8 people but what ever.  So now Tina has Monday and Tuesday off. Then Works 7-2 Wed to Friday then Saturday and Sunday she worked 2-9. Carrie works 7-2 Saturday to Tuesday.    So I worked Monday to Friday 2-9. and have the weekends off.Which is such a rare thing. It really makes me happy.
This weekend was my first weekend off that i didn't need to beg for or trade things for. It was Nice.   Well sort of. the Boss asked me to work Saturday evening as the front staff meaning I was to run the register and the Beer Cart. I was excited for the beer cart.  But it was a slow evening because of the weather and I only made about 12 for tips.   My First stop on the cart. was for a group of six that were already fairly drunk. They ordered two whiskey and ginger ale with Lime, Two Vodka/Pepsi and Lime, a water and a bag of chips.I was so Nervous and one of the guys noticed. I was so Nervous that I was shaking. He made me stop what I was doing and hold up my hands for everyone to see how bad I was shaking. I got a hug for it. lol.  I managed to forgot to charge them somewhere. We were out for $2. There was another group. two guys who both wanted Whiskey/pepsi. Then he had two Whiskey Shots. He insisted one was for me. It made me laugh.  He was very Very Drunk though. 

Today We made it to Saskatoon. And it turned out to be a very Good Day. I spent time on Kijiji yesterday looking for Windows and I hit the jack pot. We looked at them today. Picked out 5 good ones. Doubled paned, PVC and stuff, just need to replace the screens. It only cost $95 for all of them!  We had gone to Saskatoon thinking it would cost at least 400 for used windows. We didnt even want to Think about how much it would cost for new.  He asked us to make a offer and John was like Uhh( later he said he was going to say 300!) the Man said here I'll start. 75 for four. We quickly agreed then we found another window, he only wanted 10 for it. I didn't have any change so we gave him 90 for it all. We saved so much. We picked up three water storage bins for 50.  We went over to the Ex Bf's(Tony) house. He donated two boxes of nails and lent us his air nail gun!. The two Boxes is about 10 Thousand nails a box.! I won't say no to that. Then headed home. Where we picked up some much needed groceries. There has not been much in the fridge put milk. I've been digging out things from the bottom of the freezer and adding potatoes to it for the past week!. 

Though on Saturday while John was at work, Some one that he helped at work gave him a flat(30) of Farm eggs. It was a great surprise!.

In the Dog world. I have two Clients. Rufus and Tucker. One is a large dog and one is small. Rufus is walked four days and Tucker for three. but I earn the same amount for Both.  I take them both out to Carolime's farm and they run and fight with her Four dogs. 

We are getting a puppy eventually. It's in the making. Literally.  Stripe is due on June 25. So in theory the end of August? Stripe is a Pure Black Lab. A gorgeous Gal. I spent the whole summer with her last year.  Then the father is a Rotti.   I get Second pick from the batch. My John wants a girl and I kind of wanted a boy. But I guess we will see who we notice first.  I'm a bit worried about raising a puppy. they are a lot of work.   But I am going to Socialize it a lot. makes sure it's used to all dogs so it hopefully stays friendly.  It can come to the farm four days a week. I dread training it. I dont have a clue how to train a dog. 

Steak and Mushroom Enchiladas

My Last Blog is Here

Today I am challenging my usual Enchilada recipe.  I am twisting it beyond my usual Awesome recipe.  My classic is ground beef and ground turkey with a handful of what ever veggies are in my fridge. A home made enchilada sauce, lots of garlic and cumin then Drowned in Cheese. My John loves it.  Today I am changing almost everything about it.  I say almost because I'm still going to drown that Bitch in Cheese.  It's a must for all enchilada recipes and a must for anything I make for John or he may question our relationship(Jk) 
First I made up a batch of Corn Tortillas. Usually I make just flour tortillas but I am making this gluten free as well.  Corn tortillas suck to roll. (it took forever... Nessa is lucky that I like her)  Then I had John chop up Portabella mushrooms, carrot, onion, celery and some diced Round steak.  I admit I struggled with stripes or small chunks. In the end I chose small chunks because I'm trying to feed a crowd.
Sautee them all together with garlic, Lime juice, Black pepper and a bit of Cilantro. I left my meat a more Medium! because they still have to bake in the oven. So they should equal a tender medium well by the time they are done. 
The sauce is a creamy Cumin and Cilantro sauce.   Then Cheese...!! so much Cheese. 
My John will taste them later and tell me which is better. my usual recipe or these ones.   
*Update--> They tasted good but I attempted to much in one try.  My J thinks if I had done it slowly over a couple tries, they would of been better.
Lesson Learned

So I've worked a Big Lou's(BL) for maybe three shifts? like ten hours then I started at Leisure Land(LL). I gave my schedule to the lady at BL and she was not impressed and she told me she'd call when she figured out when she would get me to work. She doesn't want to over work me or anything So it looks like I'll mostly work at LL which is fine by me.    This week at LL we are making up desserts and making other random things to get our menu in Order and to make sure everything is possible for everyone to make the same. 

I would of had more shifts at BL but unfortunatly I've had some health issues which I won't talk about.

LL has finally opened it's doors to the public but with no advertising. No one has really come in the door.
The shifts I have had, I've been sent home early because there was nothing to be done. I did make Lasagna and help the boss figure out what to serve for the Ladies and men's Nights for the next two months. 

New Job

I know I usually wait a week to write a new Blog but this is Great news. One I am excited about. Very Excited about. I just can't contain myself.
It's not even about the Super Yummy Honey Oat bread that I made two days ago and we all know how I feel about food/bread in general. It tends to be pretty Important to me, my hips agree with that statement." A moment on the lips, forever on the hips. "
Any ways where was I? Today I had a interview with a very friendly women who I've encountered more then once in different areas in Life. From the Day I started talking to her(Saturday) She basically decided right then that I was hired. The Bonus.? It was originally supposed to be a part time job. But she changed it up and now it's 35 hours a week with big chance that there will be over time!  She is a tad touchy. touched my hands a couples time, my arm while she talked and she was so Excited that I wanted to work there that she hugged me...After I finished being creeped out it. It was good.
For those who don't really know me. While I'm at a professional job, I HATE being touched.  Outside of work, I'm a bit better but I'm not huge on. There are only a few people who can touch me without making me feel creeped out.  Granted it all started when I worked with a older man at Chick Allan's. Everyone thought he wanted in my pants. But he called me sweetheart, Rubbed my back alot, always stood really close to me and if he wasn't prepping he'd put his arm around me. Eww.  He didn't listen to Steve at all. I called the shots it seems and he was always in praise of what ever I did.  But after that. No one could touch me. I was just to weirded out. Any ways back to my main subject   In theory on Monday I'll head out there(Leisure land) and start checking out the menu as well as figure out things I personally would like to serve. :) 
        I also had a interview today at 2:30 at Big Lou's. I'm pretty sure I've made fun of them on here... There food is a bit questionable. I actually applied for a waitress position but she was more interested in hiring me as a cook. I told them I would try to work for them when I was done my shift at LLand. So most likely 5-10... John won't be pleased.  We'll go back to rarely seeing each other. 
I guess we shall see about it in the end though...

A very interesting thing. They Both raved about my resume which is really a first for me.   Big Lou's said they've never worked with anyone with such a impressive work history and experience! 
And Kari at LLand kept telling me I was way over qualified to work there and when we discussed Soups she blurted out how she excited she was about such "modern Ideas and modern cooking techniques"

Another Odd thing.
For the past month,I've been eating things that bring back memories.I'm not sure if I'm seeking them out or not
At work, the Brand of burgers bring back memories of the Allan Rink Burgers. So ive eaten a couple and just think about my time at the rink. 
A grilled cheese topped with Relish. Brought back all the memories of my mum's home made relish. the times we'd sat as a family chowing down on them. 
Celery topped with peanut butter or Cheesz whiz and raisins. okay i use craisins now. Just memories of rushing home to catch the after school shows and munch of that snack.   Or eating it with a friend. 
It's Crazy how such random things bring back such memories. Hell sometimes memories are rare for me because my memory is horrible.
Sometimes it's just amazing how a bite of something will bring back a flood of memories.
Confetti cake makes me think of my dad's funeral and how I snotted all over Tim's Sister Bright red sweater. What a memory!

Unemployed but Falling for Iced Tea and sharing my love of Green Tea Baths

    Last blog is here --> LINK<-- Where I wrote about glasses.

        I have yet to pick up glasses. Though I did get a call about picking them up.  I was going to go in on Thursday with my buddy Shaun but he cancelled on me because he wanted to get a oil change instead. The bonus is that John finally fixed my car. He by passed the problem that would of cost 200 plus for the part. Instead we spent about $ 15. 8.50 for the hose and a bit for some power steering fluid. My car purrs like a kitten now and turns like a pro. She doesn't sound Ill any more. She used to growl loudly when she turned and always had a constant low growl.
      

                I've been having a bad week. Saturday night, I woke up in pain. it hurt to breath, My neck,jaw, shoulders were sore. Extreme stomach area pain. It

Glasses

It hasn't been a good day? , Week?, Month?  I'll Settle on Month... for now.
It's been a down month I guess. I haven't been feeling myself... I don't feel like anybody right now.
I fully admit my self esteem is at it's lowest. Everything seems to be low. My happy meter needs a recharging.More then usual any ways. I guess a lot of people have noticed as well.  Which alone i thought was strange. I usually stay around the unnoticed category.
Sam has asked me why I'm not myself and if someone was bothering me.Peter kept asking me why I was quiet then got upset when he tried to hug me and I slightly freaked out and basically ran from him.  Ashley asked why I was a sad little monkey which made me giggle. no one calls me a monkey ever.
I can't really say for sure what has got me to down.

Yesterday I hit Saskatoon and picked out some new glasses. I picked out two pairs. if I remember I will post selfies with them on after I get them.
I tried to get a pair that was more subtle and a pair that was bold and fun looking. Hopefully I picked right.  
Last night I attended a Amway plan group this. They claim it's not a pyramid scheme. They claim that pyramid schemes don't have products which they do.they say its the reverse of a pyramid.
I'm iffy on their products. They claim they use all natural products and want the best for their clients. But I really question that.  I've tried a energry drink that claimed to have no sugar that made my anixety issues spike through the roof.
A product called perfect water that has 35mg of sodium because they add Sodium and Potassium chloride to it. I've also encountered nutrilite(best of nature, best of science) that has 29g of sugar alone, their ingredient list boasts multi juice but one called Natural flavors which equals down to a link i posted a while ago. How the flavor is created in a lab.  The thing that worries me is the may contain which is such: Milk, Soy, Sulphites, wheat and tree nuts
I am also trying a vitamin from them called Cal Mag D advanced. I'm trying to up my magnesium. It's non medical ingredients have a interesting selection, corn starch, maltodextrin, tocopherois exciplent. the one that really makes me wonder is hydroxypropyle mthylcellulose. meaning these pills are not gluten free,  in lab made vitamin E and a artificial coating..

It's easter this weekend. As most know, I'm not huge into the the holidays but I attend so I can see my little neices and nephews.  This year my sister planned it for Friday so I could attend.  Then it snowed and snowed that made it way to dangerous to drive anywhere. So the Big Bailey's Tin roof cheesecake that I made didn't have anywhere to go.  John's parents invited us for supper so they got a piece of the cheesecake. they were in Heaven.  It was insanely easy to make. A simple  Bailey's chocolate cheesecake. topped with peanut brittle. When I made the brittle.I added a bit of bailey's so it wouldn't get super hard. So it was a soft brittle.   I wasn't a huge fan of it though. John will get to enjoy it for a couple days.

My mother came on Wednesday. So On Tuesday. Like a good girl. I Cleaned my house top to bottom. Everything was spot less by tuesday evening. The bedroom moved around even. But when I got home from work that evening. I made up some PIzza which was tasty by the way.   So it made my kitchen a bit messy. grating cheese, etc.  Then in the morning. There was Water every where under the bed because i accidentally covered the vent. Opps. So things were tossed round.
So When my mother saw my house for the first time. It didn't look as awesome as it could of.  But we spent the day together. In the morning we wandered round shopping because that is what mothers do. Shop. In fact she bought me three pairs of socks! but she took them home with her.
She got her hair trimmed. We went for lunch at boston pizza. I had a chipotle chicken pizza taco. and Dear god it was a amazing. I fully recommend it. Of course. Mum had a salad. but later we went for Coffee and had the peanut butter stack dessert served at BV. it's sold by sysco. It's a decent cake.  That evening I made Tacos. Which sounds pretty normal except I made the tortillas first. Then I whip up a batch of Black refried beans and my taco meat is full of veggies.  So its a bit time consuming but so worth it. Though my refried beans were a tad salty.
   
     I've been reading lot about carrot cake lately which is kind of weird since i"m not really a huge fan of it but what ever. Carrot cake pancakes. And Oatmeal!!!1
I'm trying to eat breakfast and hit salads again So why not start my week with Carrot cake oatmeal! It was a smart decision.   It definitely makes you think of carrot cake!.

in fact. Here is the ingredients. You could it like you would normal oatmeal so Im not giving instructions because everyone should know how to cook oatmeal... Stove top not just microwave.
1 Small carrot-grated (1/4 Cup)
1 Cup hot water
1/3 Cup Oats or Porridge mix
1 Tbsp Craisins or raisins
2 Tbsp Coconut-Optional
2 Tbsp Walnuts- Optional
1 pinch of each-GInger, Nutmeg, and cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Vanilla extract
1 or 2 Tbsp Of Honey or Brown sugar.

I made mine with a porridge mix so it was full of flax and other healthy Crap.  I made enough for John as well. Who is still Sleeping(11Am) .Even made him a coffee. it's probably sitting by the bed getting cold.   I really wonder why I do Nice things for him because they sure as heck don't seem to be noticed very often.