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.