Year of the Ox

Happy Chinese New Year! I'm looking for as much positive energy and karma I can get for this year, and by my horoscope, hopefully it'll be coming my way soon. (This also goes for anyone else born in 1981. Check out your Chinese Horoscope.

Rooster Overview

Get ready for an outstanding year. Aside from the Snake, the Rooster has the best prospects in the year of the Ox. This is the kind of year you have been waiting for, as everything seems to go your way. You have been diligently working towards some long term goals that finally come together this year. Your relations are felt at new levels, as you find a sense of satisfaction that you may not have experienced in a long time. Things you may have thought not possible will become a reality for you in this positive year.

Rooster Rating

72% (10 favorable and 2 neutral months)

Rooster Career

Determination and diligence are two key aspects that put the Rooster over the top this year. 2009 is a year that you should promote yourself: Your ideas and your talents will be highly regarded and you will be recognized for past and present efforts. Give it your best this year and seize any opportunity that presents itself. This year will certainly be a landmark for years to come, as you will remember it as one of your most productive times in your life.

Rooster Relationships

Domestic matters will fare well for the Rooster this year. You will find comfort in the support and encouragement of family members and friends alike. Seek advice from your seniors, as they may provide information that opens doors to areas that are not known. The social life for the Rooster is a busy schedule. You will enjoy the company of others in many social functions and parties. Romance is highly favorable for the unattached Rooster, so flaunt your feathers.

Rooster Health

Health issues are minor for the Rooster this year. Though exercise and diet are not an issue, you may have a problem maintaining the discipline of a steady routine. Take the time to get the exercise you need and everything should work out fine for you. Being somewhat of a risk taker, you may want to try something new that holds your interests. Consider surfing or parasailing to indulge your fancy.

Rooster Wealth

This a great year financially for the Rooster. If you have any available funds, you may want to reinvest it in your work. This could prove to be highly favorable and you will reap the benefits in your return. One key issue is your spending habits. Make sure you don't spend the money before it is in the bank or this could pose a problem with your budget. Receive professional advice for any large investments in areas that you are unfamiliar.

Blanket

I'm attempting to make a blanket for a friend of mine that is having a baby. I don't have the greatest track record when it comes to finishing projects like this, so hopefully posting it on here will help me get it done. I've added another row and a half since this photo, and it still doesn't look like it's getting any bigger!

January 16, 1981

to me!

The Secret Ingredient is...

I'm not even close to being an Iron Chef - but often I find myself in the dilemma of taking something out of the freezer for dinner, and then having no idea what to do with it. I've tried meal planning - but usually whatever I have planned for dinner that night I don't feel like eating it once I get home for work - or it takes too much to make after I make the 40 minute commute home, Chris or I take the dog out, working out - then it's finally time to make dinner - usually around 7-8 pm every night.

Last night I had to figure out what to do with Chicken tenders - so after asking around at work - I made semi-homemade chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes. (And I say semi- just because I didn't make the noodles or mashed potatoes. I make homemade mashed potatoes all the time - but I have never made fried chicken (I know, shocker!) so I just wanted to concentrate on that.

So here's what you need:
• package of thawed chicken (tenders or breasts, doesn't matter)
• egg noodles
• chicken stock
• chicken bouillon granules
• evvo
• chopped carrots, onions and celery
• heat and serve mashed potatoes
(My chicken, noodles and chicken stock was all organic, just because we're trying to eat healthier)

This is what you do:
• Bring chicken stock and diced veggies to a boil in a large pot - then add noodles. Noodles will absorb the stock, so there's no need to pour any off at the end.

• While all that is cooking, add evvo to another pan (just enough to cover the bottom) and add chicken tenders. While the chicken is browning, it will break apart into smaller pieces, which is what you want.

• After the chicken is done, add it to the pot of noodles - but we're not done yet!

• This is the part that will add a TON of flavor - add a little water to the pan that you fried the chicken in. Put in back on the burner to "de-glaze the pan" - basically just scrape around the sides and the bottom to get any leftover chicken stuff into the mixture. Add about a table spoon chicken bouillon granules (not cubes!).

• Add all of that into the chicken noodle pot and salt and pepper to taste!

• Heat up the mashed potatoes and you're done!

Because this is such a carb-overload - I served this on our small "salad" plates and was definitely full after just one helping! Chris went back for another one and I think this is going to be put into our winter food rotation. From start to finish, it only took around 15-20 minutes.