Yams

Chris and I eat pretty healthy most of time - but I'm trying to get more veggies into our diet. I came across a recipe on how to make sweet potato french fries. I'm not a big fan (at least of the Thanksgiving casserole variety) but I have had sweet potato fries and chips before and thought they were pretty good. At the grocery store yesterday, I accidentally bought yams instead of sweet potatoes. I've always thought the two were the same veggie - but they're slightly different.

Yams are high in Vitamin C, dietary fiber, Vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese; while being low in saturated fat and sodium.They also generally have a lower glycemic index than potatoes, which means that they will provide a more sustained form of energy, and give better protection against obesity and diabetes. (via wikipedia)

Neither one of us had ever eaten a yam before, so we didn't know what to expect. They were YUMM! I usually stick to the veggies I know we like and not try anything new, but we might be a little more adventurous next time! I think if you didn't tell people what you did, they would have no idea it was a yam instead of a potato (and it's healthier!)

Here's what I did:

• Wash and cut about three yams into french fry size. (This step probably took as long as baking them did)

• Put fries into a large mixing bowl. Tossed with a little extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic powder and Mexican seasonings.

• Bake for a total of 20 minutes at 450 (after ten minutes, flip fries over). Then throw broiler on for a couple minutes to make them crispy.

Enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

New Portfolio and Resume!

I've just spent all week rewriting and updating (many times) my resume and had a photo shoot in my dining room for my portfolio. Please check it out and feel free to pass on to anyone you know in the Columbus area that might need a graphic designer.

Join the Club

There's seems to be this club that is growing by leaps and bounds that no one wants to become a member of - and I had the unfortunate opportunity to become a part of it yesterday - The Club on the Unemployed.

It seems unnerving to me just how fast this group is growing - and everyone has their own stories. The shock is starting to wear off a little - but I don't like this "new" me. I've never been unemployed since I graduated high school and I can't help but feel like a loser. I feel lost - like I don't have a purpose. I'm also not sure what direction I want to go in. I would like to take whatever position will hire me as quickly as possible - but at the same time, I've always wanted to have my own business of designing invitations.

I can't help but hope that these changes in my life will be for the better - maybe a higher paying salary, or a job closer to home. I know that we'll be ok and make it though - but I've also seen my dreams of starting a family go down the tubes with my job. And that is what hurts the most.

Gettin' back on track

I'm finally getting over the remnants of the flu and getting everything back in order. I was in bed for four days straight and the apartment suffered from it - so I need to get it back on track.

I really need to get my butt in gear and work on that baby blanket that I started. It is bigger than the photo I posted, but no where near big enough to cover anything. Maybe big enough to be a scarf, but that's about it.

Also keep your fingers crossed for me because it'll soon be time to find out again whether Mother Nature hates me or not - if she does, it's back to the doctor to find out what we can do next and hopefully not lose a month.

Trying to find the rainbow

The past couple weeks, I've been feeling a little lost in life - not knowing where to turn or who to turn to. Things keep happening to my family in which I have no control over. I know bad things happen to good people and am no way putting blame on anyone - my family, myself, God. I also know that the things happening in my life right now are not as bad as things happening in other people's lives - which doesn't make it suck any less or make it any easier to deal with.

How do you find your footing? How do you make sense of these things that happen? I keep thinking not one more bad thing can happen - then it does. I'm not going to think about that anymore because I don't want it to be the reason things keep happening.

I read two great pieces of advice over the weekend that hopefully I'll be able to apply to the situations in my life. The first one being to not blame myself for the things that are, or are not, happening - to not think that I am any less of a person because of it. To put the blame on God - because even though He didn't cause it or wants to see harm to me and my family - He's the only one that has shoulders big enough to handle it.

The other advice that I heard is to look for the rainbows in the midst of the rain. It might be pouring sometimes, which I feel like it is now, but somewhere in that rain there is a rainbow just waiting to be found. While I'm trying to make sense of what's going on in my life right now, I'll keep looking for those rainbows, no matter how hard it rains.

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.

My friend Renee just announced to everyone that she'll be having a new addition to her family at the end of July! As of yet, she doesn't know what she's having - but I'm pulling for a girl so that I have an excuse to buy lots of frilly stuff! I'm definitely happy for her new little blessing and can't wait to meet the baby face to face - if the baby is anything like her mommy, he or she will be BEAUTIFUL!

Renee was really worried about my reaction - just because Chris and I have been trying to have a little one of our own for almost a year. It'll happen for us eventually - hopefully Renee will share some of her water with me! I totally believe that we control how we react in any situation and I decided at the beginning of this process that I didn't want to be bitter or angry towards anyone that was pregnant when I wasn't - what purpose would that serve anyway? Babies truly are miracles - it's amazing what all has to line up in order for them to happen! Definitely not as easy as they make you think it is in high school! It'll be my time soon enough - and until then, at least I have one that I can love on and spoil! (And give back when they need changed!)

Christmas

It seems like we spend half the year getting ready for Christmas, then it's over so quickly! The past five days have flown by so fast - but it was great getting a chance to see my family - especially those we don't get to spend nearly enough time with!
A short recap: One of Grady's many presents! The Lattig family The great Pickled Walnut eating Champions of 2008 (From left to right: Shane, Kyle, Dad, Jon and Chris) One of Santa's reindeer escaped to Canton!

What I've been doing at work...

This process has seemed like it's taken forever, but I'm glad that we're finally done because it looks AWESOME! The local humane society in the county where I work, received grants to not only purchase a cargo van to transport animals to the prison program and back, but also for their new endeavors of transporting animals to a shelter in Minneapolis, Minnesota to find forever homes. I'm a big supporter for adoption of animals - and I really hope that this van stirs up the cause and plenty of long deserved attention to the cause! The company I work for was fortunate enough to develop the concept of the art work, as well as printing and installation. Our team put in lots of hours all the way around and it looks great!

Happy Birthday, Chris!

We went out on Friday with some friends to celebrate Chris' birthday - and even though not everyone was able to make it, with Christmas parties and get togethers - we had a blast. It was so nice to take a break from the business of the season and kick back with those that are important in our lives. We went back to the apartment after, and played the Wii, which gave us even more laughs. Thanks for celebrating with us!

Header

After hunting for a couple weeks, I finally found the image that fits my blog perfectly! A big thanks to MorgueFile.com that hosts free high-res digital photos for all creative pursuits; corporate, public and private use.

Also, a big THANKS to Mary R. Vogt for taking this great photo and posting it on MorgueFile.com for others to use!

Resolutions

Holidays are a time of year for celebrations with friends and family - catching up with those you haven't seen in a while and a great time to reminisce of holidays past, as well as creating new memories. We also reflect on our lives of the past year and look forward to all the possibilities in the new year.

Instead of waiting until the clock is striking midnight on December 31 to try and convince yourself that you're finally going to lose those 10 and some pounds - take some time between the hustle and bustle and really think of what you want out of your life and where you want to be a year from now.

I came across a great website that helps you through this process with very minimal effort. goals.lululemon.com

Goals do not have to be earth shattering - but even the smallest goals will have an impact on your life. A couple weeks before Christmas last year, Chris and I made a goal to give up fast food. I once read somewhere that it takes 30 days of doing something over and over again to become a habit. I'm proud to say that a year later Chris and I are fast food free. We do have the occasional Quizno's or Subway or Tim Horton's (sandwiches only!) Let's face it, it's hard sometimes to pack a sandwich is your purse when you're out with friends. I feel so good about the both of us that we made an attainable goal and stuck to it.

This is what I have planned for this upcoming year:

Happy Thanksgiving...a day early!

We're going to be traveling up to Michigan tomorrow morning to spend Thanksgiving with my in-laws. I'm definitely going to miss spending time with my sister while she's in town this weekend, but at least I'll get to see her when she comes home for Christmas. (I'm already counting down the days, Katie!)

Even with all this turmoil going on in the country right now - I have lots to be thankful for- a loving husband and family, great friends (that I consider my extended family!), my job, health, and insurance, all while living in this great country. There's many people out there now that can't say the same thing, which is why it's a great time to help out the community. A little goes a long way, so please take the time to help out those around you. Pay it forward - you never know when you might be in need.

Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!

Lego Fashion Show!

JCDC Versus LEGO from Four H on Vimeo.

via craftzine

Go Bucks!

Twas the night before game time,
And all round the shoe,
Not a creature was sleeping,
They were screaming "Beat Blue!"
The banners were hung by the lamp posts with care
In hopes that Pryor would find Beany through the air.
Drunken and crazy and burning their beds,
While visions of kick-off danced through their heads.
When all of the sudden there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the keg to see what was the matter.
When there in the sky, in a Coupe DeVille sleigh,
Was Woody Hayes decked out in scarlet and gray.
He looked on the crowd that was gathered around,
And said that he heard that a game was in town.
"I came here to watch it, and wish you good luck."
"Though it's not like you need it, cause Michigan still sucks."
(Poster and poem by annon.)

Tinkerbell Party

This past weekend while I was in Canton visiting family, I invited my little cousin Caitlyn over for a Tinkerbell party. I bought my mom, Caitlyn and myself fairy wings and we popped lots of popcorn and watched "Tinkerbell" -- which is probably one of the cutest movies that I've seen in a while and hopefully will be owning soon! Afterwards, we colored in coloring books (which I haven't done in forever and definitely don't do nearly enough) and had some fun taking pictures. I gave Caitlyn all of our wings and the movie, and while on the way out the door, and prompted by her mom, she said "Thanks, Grady!" (Grady is my dog).