Work Lunches

So I've been woefully remiss in blogging. I believe it's in part to Facebook and my ongoing like/hate relationship I have with it. I enjoy getting to keep up with folks,but dislike the extent to which people over-share on it, and have found it to be an interesting tool used by those who wish to complain/confront others and I just don't like it!

Anyway, on to my reason for blogging...I have found some nifty go-to lunch options that don't require much money and aren't heinously bad for you. Trader Joes has some amazing 99% fat free bean and cheese burritos, adn they totally hit the spot and cost about $3 for two. I am also a fan of bagged salad from Costco - there's enough in there for three-four big salads, complete with toppings for aobut $4. I recently discovered Trader Joes' Turkey Meatballs - DELICIOUS - and costs about $3 for a bag with approx 5-6 servings. Finally, Trader Joes chicken fried rice is about $3 a bag, and perfect. It just needs to be heated up with a little oil and voila! A ready lunch. We have a full fridge in our office, so it's easy for me to buy these things and keep them at the office to eat on during the week.

Anybody else have some good 'lunch on the go' tips?

Homemade Pasta

I made this pasta tonight, and, to use a phrase from my friend Celina, "Oh My Yum!" It was delicious. I read the reviews in advance, and they recommended using olive oil isntead of water, and to let it sit 15 to 30 minutes after kneading to let the gluten do its thing.

This is a photo of my finished product: I tossed it with sundried tomato and parmesan oil, sauted summer squash/garlic/onion and cherry tomatos, and ate it with a piece of salmon. SSSO delicious, super easy, and I will definitely make this again!

Basic Pasta
(From Allrecipe.com)

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water
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DIRECTIONS
In a medium sized bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the flour, add the slightly beaten egg, and mix. Mixture should form a stiff dough. If needed, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons water.
On a lightly floured surface, knead dough for about 3 to 4 minutes. With a pasta machine or by hand roll dough out to desired thinness. Use machine or knife to cut into strips of desired width.

I love these songs

I have the super cheap cable - the kind that doesn't even require a box, it merely plugs in the back of your tv. I only get the free channels, TBS and BET. That said, I've been enjoying videos again. If you miss them, check out BET. They also play a lot of good movies.

At any rate, I saw/heard this video the other day, and immediately bought the MP3. I love it! I think it's a super cute song, with a great musical undertone.

BTW - totally giggle every time Ne-Yo sings, "I was the captain of my pimp-ship," lol!


I love this one bc it makes me proud of my city!

Facebook

I deactivated my facebook, recently, bc I found it becoming too stressful. I find that people forget that posting things means its public for all to see, and it was beginning to stress me out.

A friend of mine recently shared some interesting things slash conversations others were having on FB, and told me that she thought, "I bet this is exactly the kind of thing that led to Alison deactivating her FB account."

Yep, it sure is. =) Good riddance, FB! Not sure I'll be back anytime soon.

Breathe Contented Sigh...

I love clean laundry. I also love being at home, with my clean laundry schlepped upstairs. I love the smell. Mmmmmm....

Now I am contentedly sitting in my bed, watching old episodes of The Closer.

Pad Thai on a Budget

These were on sale at Target this weekend. I bought two, thinking I would try it out and see how if it was any good. You know - did it taste like glorified Ramen, or is it actually good.

Crazy yummy. Such a great alternative to going to my favorite Thai restaurant. And easy to make in teh office.

What's a Girl on a Budget to do?

I am trying a little experiment. This month I am not going out to eat at restaurants if I'm the one paying (meaning dates and work are okay), and am attempting to not spend more than $10 a week on groceries (milk and fresh fruit.)

I have a freezer and cabinet full of food, and I am using it up! Tonight I made a box of mexican rice, and stir fried frozen vegetable blend with chopped peppers, onion, garlic, turkey sausage and shrimp. MMMMM.

I also found a box of rice pudding in the pantry, made it and set out some frozen peaches to thaw that can go on top. Couple of dinners, couple of lunches. Hooray!