It was during one of my culture building moments, as I was listening to WHYY radio on 90.9 FM that I decided to become more organic and healthy. Instead of just shopping at whole foods, I wanted to take part in this interesting idea I heard in the report on the radio. It is called CSA or community supported agriculture. The idea is that you pay into a farm in advance and then when it's time for harvest, you get fresh produce that's in season every week. Some require that you actually participate by volunteering time. Since I have the opposite of a green thumb when it comes to plants, I decided to steer clear of those programs. I ended up joining a CSA already in progress that received items from numerous farms. I'll hold back the name of it as I am still deciding if I like it or not.
In the meantime, I have received two 1/2 shares of a lot of green leafy vegetables that I am determined to work into my diet somehow. Kale....um....ok. I have yet to try to make kale chips which friends have recommended. Other than that I am slightly perplexed at the idea of how to eat that many green things in one week. I decided to cook more often as that is the only way to eat many of these unknown items.
My first attempt was an easy mix of whole wheat pasta, chicken sausage from the grocery store, a little chicken broth, some mushrooms, stewed tomatoes and garlic and then...wilt some green stuff into the mix. I believe the item was tatsoi. To be honest, I have no idea what it was. I looked up pictures on random websites to get an idea of what I was dealing with. This would be part of the reason I am looking to switch CSA's. The guy at my pickup center is not really enthused or helpful when it comes to identification of items.
Anyway, the dish came out okay, minus the green part. That part was a little bitter and didn't fit with the rest of the items. I ate it under the premise that it was healthy.
My next attempt will be tonight although the prep work has been completed already. I am going to make butternut squash gnocchi. The recipe was right up my alley. I cooked the squash by cutting it up and then boiling it. Then I drained it and mashed it and kept adding flour to it until it became a dough. The dough is in the refrigerator for me to make pasta tonight. I am very excited to make it and hope it turns out really good. After all...I'm not Betty Crocker.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
My life is one big green dot...
My work recently instituted a new program called Office Communicator. For all intents and purposes it is an IM program for employees to expedite their side communications without cluttering the email system. The "bonus" to this new program is that it also broadcasts to everyone in the building whether you are actively working at your computer...or not.
When you are actively working, the dot next to your name is green. When you leave your computer for any extended period of time, the dot turns yellow. If you are in a meeting, the dot is orange. When you are offline, the dot is light pink
My life is one big green dot. I am actively working and available. I am in constant "go" mode. This could be conceived as a good thing. But something a co-worker said to me today had me thinking. He reminded me of a time when I was home sick. I had logged on to make sure that I was available if anyone should need me. He said every now and then he would check my status and see that my dot was green and chuckle.
I think sometimes that I need to unplug and do my own thing. Sometimes I need to have a pink dot: turn off the mind and get some rest. Maybe this weekend I'll do something artsy to get the creative juices flowing again and forget about work and responsibilities for a moment. That of course will have to be scheduled in after everything else has been completed! :)
When you are actively working, the dot next to your name is green. When you leave your computer for any extended period of time, the dot turns yellow. If you are in a meeting, the dot is orange. When you are offline, the dot is light pink
My life is one big green dot. I am actively working and available. I am in constant "go" mode. This could be conceived as a good thing. But something a co-worker said to me today had me thinking. He reminded me of a time when I was home sick. I had logged on to make sure that I was available if anyone should need me. He said every now and then he would check my status and see that my dot was green and chuckle.
I think sometimes that I need to unplug and do my own thing. Sometimes I need to have a pink dot: turn off the mind and get some rest. Maybe this weekend I'll do something artsy to get the creative juices flowing again and forget about work and responsibilities for a moment. That of course will have to be scheduled in after everything else has been completed! :)
Monday, October 18, 2010
The next big thing
I saw the Facebook movie over the weekend. I practically dragged my boyfriend into the theater against his wishes.
"I don't want to see this movie," he complained. "It's long and boring and for computer geeks."
I took no offense to this, as I am definitely not a computer geek. I actually took computer classes in school and was upstaged by techies that were nearly half my age. I pointed out that the movie was about someone coming up with the next big thing and how they possibly screwed over their friends in the process of making it work. No reaction. I listed the fact that the movie's music score was done by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and couldn't possibly be boring. He wasn't a Nine Inch Nails fan. After putting my foot down and listing all of the horror movies I've seen lately that were his preferred movie genre, he conceded and sat almost willingly in the seat next to me.
It was two full hours of movie. It was worth it.
The movie showed the way sometimes brilliant minds can be socially inept. It showed the logic behind the questionably original invention of Facebook. It showed how getting caught up in an idea can lead you to abandon your friends. It showed the way two people can start at one point together and be torn apart by different opportunities in life. Most importantly, this movie showed what can happen when one smart idea is turned into a multi-billion dollar company.
My boyfriend really liked it. It stirred his mind to think of what he could come up with that would make him the next billionaire. I share that restless search.
Oh, what I wouldn't give to come up with the next big thing.
"I don't want to see this movie," he complained. "It's long and boring and for computer geeks."
I took no offense to this, as I am definitely not a computer geek. I actually took computer classes in school and was upstaged by techies that were nearly half my age. I pointed out that the movie was about someone coming up with the next big thing and how they possibly screwed over their friends in the process of making it work. No reaction. I listed the fact that the movie's music score was done by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and couldn't possibly be boring. He wasn't a Nine Inch Nails fan. After putting my foot down and listing all of the horror movies I've seen lately that were his preferred movie genre, he conceded and sat almost willingly in the seat next to me.
It was two full hours of movie. It was worth it.
The movie showed the way sometimes brilliant minds can be socially inept. It showed the logic behind the questionably original invention of Facebook. It showed how getting caught up in an idea can lead you to abandon your friends. It showed the way two people can start at one point together and be torn apart by different opportunities in life. Most importantly, this movie showed what can happen when one smart idea is turned into a multi-billion dollar company.
My boyfriend really liked it. It stirred his mind to think of what he could come up with that would make him the next billionaire. I share that restless search.
Oh, what I wouldn't give to come up with the next big thing.
Fear of Commitment to a Pursuit
I picked "Restless Mind" for the title of this blog as I am unsure where to direct my energy and attention. I went through a list in my mind of what blogs are for:
Cooking Blogs - I am definitely not a cook or wanna be chef. Although I get the urge now and then to bake some goodies, I am also prone to eating the entire tray shortly thereafter. After which I am plagued by the guilt of eating too much and not exercising. Which leads to the next blog topic.
Healthy Lifestyle Blogs - I packed these together as there are exercise tips, eating right tips, going organic tips and so on... I fail utterly at this as I am torn between eating what I like, doing what I like and looking like what I like. It never really works out the way I intend. I find I have more time for other things when I skip that trip to the gym.
Travel - I would love to say that I travel enough to come up with enough new information or thoughts on what I do in exotic and fun places. The sad truth is that the most traveling I do is in my mind.
Reviews of [Blank] Blogs - You name it: music, books, restaurants, TV shows, etc. I don't want to ever be confined to one item. I like all of the items listed, but trying to focus on one is a commitment I am just not willing to make. To do so would limit my time to explore the other areas when I am so inclined. I am apparently a whore to all aspects of entertainment and leisure at the moment. I just can't be tied down to one.
I don't want anyone reading this to think that I lack motivation. I am a jack of all trades and master of...well, none. This is a very frustrating curse to place on someone. My time is spent spread thinly across many pursuits, facing the challenge of finding one that will draw me in enough to commit and spend quality time. Until I find this item, I will explore things that I find interesting for now hoping to catch that spark that leads to a long term relationship. Just me and my one passion.
Cooking Blogs - I am definitely not a cook or wanna be chef. Although I get the urge now and then to bake some goodies, I am also prone to eating the entire tray shortly thereafter. After which I am plagued by the guilt of eating too much and not exercising. Which leads to the next blog topic.
Healthy Lifestyle Blogs - I packed these together as there are exercise tips, eating right tips, going organic tips and so on... I fail utterly at this as I am torn between eating what I like, doing what I like and looking like what I like. It never really works out the way I intend. I find I have more time for other things when I skip that trip to the gym.
Travel - I would love to say that I travel enough to come up with enough new information or thoughts on what I do in exotic and fun places. The sad truth is that the most traveling I do is in my mind.
Reviews of [Blank] Blogs - You name it: music, books, restaurants, TV shows, etc. I don't want to ever be confined to one item. I like all of the items listed, but trying to focus on one is a commitment I am just not willing to make. To do so would limit my time to explore the other areas when I am so inclined. I am apparently a whore to all aspects of entertainment and leisure at the moment. I just can't be tied down to one.
I don't want anyone reading this to think that I lack motivation. I am a jack of all trades and master of...well, none. This is a very frustrating curse to place on someone. My time is spent spread thinly across many pursuits, facing the challenge of finding one that will draw me in enough to commit and spend quality time. Until I find this item, I will explore things that I find interesting for now hoping to catch that spark that leads to a long term relationship. Just me and my one passion.
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