Continuing my break but wanted to check in and say Happy New Year. 🎆
Blessings always.
Category: Bariatric Surgery – My Story
Blogging Break
I will be taking a break from the blog. I am not putting into it what I feel needs to be done on a daily basis.
I had a goal to post daily a couple of years ago, and completed that commitment and goal. I went from seven followers to over 340 (still can’t believe that!). I enjoyed a lot aspects of it especially getting to know all of you.
Thank you for being on this journey with me.
Continued blessings.
Peace
“Those who promote peace have joy.” Proverbs 12:20
Trying to remember this as the Christmas season is coming soon. I am really wanting to jump ahead to Christmas but remember that I need to be so very thankful where I am and how far I have come.
Promote peace…have joy. ❤️ Thankful for you.
Blessings.
Diet
This is circulating the internet…again…posting more for myself than anything else.
I find it to be that positive affirmations can do wonders for every aspect of your life.
Blessings.
Spaghetti Carbonara
Cravings can be a wonderful thing especially for me in the kitchen. When it gets cold outside, I want to be in the kitchen. Cooking makes me happy. I enjoy it. I was craving spaghetti carbonara. Again, a pretty simple dish, and one that I normally have the items in either the pantry or the fridge.
Chop three to four cloves of garlic.
Cook bacon, and keep the fat in the pan. Remove the bacon from the pan, and coarsely chop.
Barilla has this wonderful pasta that has 17 grams of protein so I can have some pasta and not feel as though I am cheating completely (because we all have those days). Follow the directions on the pasta to al dente. Drain, but reserve one or two cups of pasta water for later in the dish.
Mix together two eggs and one cup of Parmesan. You can add more eggs just make sure that you whip or blend it with the cheese thoroughly.
Add the pasta to the pan (with the bacon), stir to coat. 
Quickly stir in the egg mixture, and add a generous amount of black pepper.
Add some of the pasta water if it seems thick, but just continue to stir until the cheese mixture is fully coated on the pasta.
Top with grated cheese and parsley if desired.
This made my night! It is rich and creamy, and completely satisfying.
Let me know if you try it.
Blessings.
Process
Blessings.
Difficult
Stepping out of my comfort zone today…good thoughts, vibes and prayers appreciated.
Blessings!
Broccolini
If you have read my blog for any length of time, you know that I love roasted vegetables. I tried roasting this broccolini to go with the Salmon and Orzo the other night. I used the same flavor profiles in the Salmon and Orzo, and I think it work out nicely.
Two pounds of broccolini, washed, and dried off. Place on a baking sheet (I line my with foil). Sprinkle olive oil, salt and pepper. 
Roast in a 400 degree oven for about 12-15 minutes until it is partially cooked. Grate two cloves of garlic over the vegetables, and the zest of one lemon. 
Bake for another ten-fifteen minutes or until they are tender. 
Sprinkle lemon juice over before serving, and enjoy!
Broccolini is a hybrid of kale and broccoli, and to me, not as bitter as either individual vegetable. Add in the lemon and garlic, this makes a wonderful side dish. At least for me.
Blessings.
Orzo with Spinach and Parmesan
I cooked Salmon en Papillote (Salmon in Parchment) for dinner with friends, and wanted a nice side dish.
I had tri-colored Orzo pasta in the pantry, so I decided to dress it up. First, finely chop a medium shallot.
Saute’ in Olive oil, salt and pepper for about two minutes. 
Add the dried Orzo to the pan, and saute’ until bits are browned. Gentle stir to coat the orzo with the oil on a medium high heat.
Add in two garlic cloves grated (won’t be as bitter as chopped, and you just want to heat it through).
Bring three cups of chicken stock to a boil, and add in the browned orzo. 
Simmer until the Orzo absorbs most of the stock. Taste, and add salt and pepper if needed.
Add in one medium bag of spinach leaves, coarsely chopped.
The spinach will wilt as you stir it into the orzo.
Then add cheese (I added a half of cup of fresh mozzarella, and let it melt before adding the Parmesan). I used about two cups of Parmesan – largely grated – reserving 1/2 cup for the table.
I loved it, and it was a nice accompaniment to the Salmon.
My plate with the added Parmesan cheese to the Orzo, Salmon with the fried capers and homemade dill/tarter sauce, and roasted broccolini.
Blessings.
Salmon en Papillote (Salmon in Parchment)
I love fresh Salmon, and used to eat it at least twice a week. It is super easy to cook, and comes out perfect every time, especially when you cook it in parchment. We had friends over for dinner, and I made sure to ask if they liked Salmon. They do–score.
I purchased a whole filet, and made sure it didn’t have any bones or scales.
Cut the Salmon into equal portions (I didn’t weigh them), and place them in parchment paper cut to approximate size (you will need to measure before cutting to ensure that the paper will close tightly).
Salt, pepper, a bit of olive oil, and two slices of fresh lemon on each piece of Salmon. 
Wrapped them. Start at one end of the parchment working your way to the other end, crimping the paper as best you can until fairly sealed. Place on a foiled baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes. If you only have thicker slices of Salmon, check them at 15 minutes. My piece was a thin slice, and was a bit overdone (you can tell with Salmon if it ‘bleeds’ white). But it was still super tasty and tender. 
Our guests seem to enjoy the dinner as well. I made a nice, cheesy orzo with spinach and roasted broccolini (hybrid of broccoli and kale – I think it is sweeter), both recipes to come later in the week.
Blessings.
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