Compass & Coffee Spoons

Weekend Brunch Special: Non Carb Zombie Edition

 

I love weekend breakfast/brunch. If I had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of my life, it would be breakfast. This is, of course, due to my being a carb addict. So many breakfast foods are carby, sugary goodness. The problem with this (yes, I said problem) is that your blood sugar crashes after eating a heavy pancake breakfast and you're a bump on a log for the rest of the day. Unless you have nothing to do, this is a problem.

Oatmeal pancakes to the rescue! I first discovered this recipe when I tried the South Beach Diet (which works great, but for me, is too difficult to sustain--the carb thing). These pancakes use oatmeal which has a low glycemic index and cottage cheese along with egg whites to create a pancake with high protein and no sugar crash later. This fact would also probably make the recipe a better choice for diabetics.

I found this recipe submitted by The South Beach Diet on Allrecipes.com. I've gotten between 4 and 6 pancakes from this. That's 1 serving, or 2 small servings.

1/4 c cottage cheese (or tofu--I've never tried that. I HAVE used ricotta, which also works nicely.)

1/2 c. old fashioned oats

4 egg whites

1 tsp. vanilla extract

(You can also add cinnamon and/or nutmeg or other spices as desired. The recipe calls for 1/4 tsp each of cinnamon and nutmeg. I've put more, I've left out--it's up to you!)

Couldn't be easier. Heat a pan as in making pancakes. Put all the ingredients into a blender (maximum easyness is a stick bender or Magic Bullet...I'm sure a small chopper/food processor would also work). Blend. Make as in making regular pancakes. Serve.

I eat these with regular maple syrup, because I don't trust sugar free stuff. But, the real South Beach thing of course requires that you don't use sugar. I should also note that I've made these with 3 egg whites--this makes them slightly thicker (see below for pictures of that time). I imagine you could also get creative and do some mix-ins: dark chocolate chip pancakes, blueberry, pecan...whatever you like with regular pancakes. The pancakes don't taste like regular pancakes...but in some ways, I like them MORE. They're very substantial. And I'm not catatonic afterwards.

 

 

 



Make Your Own Vanilla

I admit. I had no idea 1.) how vanilla extract was made or 2.) that it could be made in one's home.  Then, my wonderful cousin Lauren surprised me and other family members with these:

Aren't they the cutest? And it turns out Lauren was ahead of none other than Ms. Martha! Because I opened Martha Stewart Living this month (Christmas gift!), and this is what I see.

Lauren is so cutting-edge. What really surprised me is how EASY it is. I'm going to shorten this, but basically, you take vanilla beans, scrape out the seeds, and stick the pods in bottles with vodka...and then shake them every day for a month or two. That's it! I'm so going to try this one day once Lauren's runs out. I'm wondering if I can do the same with anise extract!

We're gonna need a bigger kitchen

I just bought this beaut at a big discount (still more than I had originally planned...but...):

 

I scored my deal ($199, normal price $300 or so) on Rue La La. (If you like being suckered into daily deals, use my link and I'll get credit...) By the time I got to the deal, the only choices were Blue Willow (shown) and Cinnamon. The Cinnamon would clash with my bright red KitchenAid food processor, so I went with the blue. (I really wanted yellow...but life is about compromise.)

Anyway, I had long wondered if I needed a stand mixer. I don't bake all that much, because I have an eating problem...if I bake, I eat. I had sort of taken pride in the fact that I could bake during Christmas with only my nearly broken Procter Silex hand mixer that I got years and years before at Kmart for under $10. It had some kind of gear loose, and you could hear it rattle around. That puppy was recently replaced with a Cuisinart hand mixer. But, in some ways the old dog was better for low speeds. I digress...all these appliance considerations had me thinking about how often I use various kitchen appliances and how that differs from others. Here's my list...

Coffee Maker: I have a drip coffee maker that I got in grad school after a sordid "break up" with a friend whose maker I was using which came after my college era 4-cup brewer bit the dust. I got it on Amazon.com for $19 after shipping. I use it nearly daily. Recently, it doesn't seem to get all that hot and is ugly given the missing carafe lid (unfortunate dishwasher accident).

Cordless Electric Kettle: I use this nearly daily. So helpful for brewing tea and for pre-boiling water with less time and energy than on the stove. Indispensible in my book. And, my dad would agree once I got him one for his birthday.

Toaster: This is one of the cheapest appliances I own--Toastmaster, under $10. I use this more days than not. Mine has a Pop Tarts level...I do not use that. Don't believe me?

KitchenAid Blender: This was acquired when I was on a smoothie kick and convinced I needed a blender...and not just any blender, but the granddaddy of blenders. It's helpful for soups and for smoothies, but I don't use it daily. Recently, I've used it for preparing popsicles. I've always kind of regretted having such a nice one.

Stick Blender: This was a more recent acquisition. Very helpful for blending soups, or for quick blending jobs. Also helpful for whipping with the included whisk attachment. Whips cream and egg whites sooooo easily.

Waffle Maker: I use this at least once a month. What's cool is that my waffle maker is also a pizzelle maker and sandwich maker. I never use the sandwich plates, but I do use the pizzelle iron during Christmas.

Popcorn Popper: Shamefully, I never use. However, I store. Why? Who knows.

Food Processor: As you may recall, I recently bought a KitchenAid food processor and am REALLY pleased with this purchase. I use it usually once a week or so for chopping or slicing or shredding or something. It's great for bread making too.

Now, if the food processor took up half my kitchen, this powerful bad boy takes up the other half and then some! I haven't decided where to keep it permanently. Right now, it's positioned beside its buddy. I'm glad I didn't get the cinnamon. I think they make a nice, patriotic couple.

Caulk-Sure

If I had to choose one thing I hate about my apartment, the bathroom would be up there. It's fugly. Okay, it's not that bad, but it has a lot that could be changed. Oh, like the cracked tiles and the tub where all the enamel has worn off and a huge area of yellowed disgusting adhesive on the tub where an adhesive tub mat once was. Add to that dried and cracked caulk, and the whole thing is a nightmare. I can clean until I'm blue in the face, and it's still disgusting. Examine:

Keep in mind this is AFTER I just cleaned with an abrasive cleanser.

Yes, gross. I mentioned the caulk (which was not in great shape when I moved in 5 years ago) to my landlord once, but you know, given that I have decent rent, I hate to push things too much for minor problems. So, I've thought about doing it myself. My first and only other experience recaulking a tub was in 2000 when I lived in a group house. The landlady there was more or less a slumlord, so having her do it was out of the question and there was NO way I was living with the caulk that my roommates had never cleaned.  And so started my first adventure with the caulking. That was enough of an experience to keep me from caulking. It isn't pleasant. What had me come back was, sadly an infomercial, for this:

I saw the infomercial a long time ago, but it caught up with me again at a moment of  particular vulnerability last Friday at Bed, Bath & Beyond. A stressful office move, a 20% coupon, and clearance price all conspired to put me down the path of recaulking again.

On Saturday, I geared up, I was ready, and this time I had the tools for a job: The "As Seen on TV" product, rubber gloves, a utility knife, and flat head screwdriver. I was PUMPED UP! That caulk was going to get it good!

Now, I feel the need to warn you. What follows is not suitable for all viewers. Proceed with caution.

First, you slice the caulk on either side to loosen it.

And then you just dig, and remove and dig and remove...it ain't pretty.

See what I mean? Eventually, it will all be gone. By eventually, I mean like an hour later. You have this.

After that, you clean it out a bit with some bleach to kill whatever gross mold is in there and let it dry. I used rags and a hair drier, just to make sure. Then the fun could begin. My tools:

The caulk came with the As Seen On TV tool. It has "Microban" which is supposed to fight mold. The snaky thing is backer rod. Essentially, if the crack is deeper than 3/8", you need to put something else in there. I just so happened to have some from one of my other escapades.

I didn't photograph the interim process because, well, my hands were a mess. It's times like this I wish I had a husband...to take blog photos! :) The tool helped smooth out the "bead." The end results were wonderful and made such a HUGE difference!

It doesn't change the cracks and lack of tub enamel, but at least I don't have gross cracked moldy caulk anymore!

All a girl needs for some fun is a big, rubber...

Spatula! (Get your mind out of the gutter, you cheek!) I scored a really awesome and BIG Le Creuset spatula/scraper in a fun olivey green at Home Goods yesterday. (A big THANKS to my friend Erin who incorporated a trip to Homegoods with a search for her new apartment. I don't go to Home Goods often, because they are not really accessible to me, but I like it because it's like the Marshall's or TJ Maxx home section (my favorite section of those stores) on steroids. Sure, you have to kind of ignore the sensory overload of the faux flowers and huge paper mache roosters, but you can find some good deals on essentials. I will definitely go there if I ever need table lamps; their selection in that department was fantastic. But, on to the subject at hand, my spatula.

The spatula is actually made of silicone with a wood handle. The head is detachable, too. I feel the spatula is really the unsung hero of the kitchen. What else can make sure you get that very last bit o' batter into your mouth...uh, I mean, pan? Or, the peanut butter out of the jar? This find was particularly exciting because it's added a new size to my collection:

 
  

I like my teeny one on the far left, from the Williams Sonoma Outlet, for getting the last bits out of jars. The two Pampered Chef ones are good all-rounders. I don't know why I have the black handled one...it was kind of a cheap, Kmart purchase a long time ago, but I guess I figure you can never have too many. However, as you can see, the new one trumps them all in size. Can't wait to dive into some new recipes to try it out!
  
  
  

The Food Processor Has Landed

Well, it's here! I didn't think it would be here, because the idea of Fedex is typically that you have to sign for it, but it is here. Not anything to do with the packaging done by Bed Bath and Beyond. Horrendous! I'd be embarrassed to say I packed it if I were them. But, the processor is here! Now, I am excited to take it for a spin.

How's that for "protection"?--the box was twice the size of the processor box.

 

Sure it takes up half my kitchen, but I'm psyched. It's out of the box...will be ready to try out tomorrow night!

Now Don't Y'all Pass Out...

Because I am posting a third time this evening. I got the duvet cover home and tested it poste haste. I himmed and hawed a bit (and emailed a pic to Mom), but ultimately decided to keep it. I washed it up and put it on the bed! My uncertainty was basically because the yellow seemed duller than it did in the store, but I still think it works and is a happy addition to my bedroom. I like the contrast of the yellow with the gray walls and black and white material.

Please Note: this pic (aside from the gratuitous placement of my new West Elm tray, purposely placed there after my earlier post) is NOT styled...hence the random pillow placement, wrinkly duvet cover, etc!)

 

Over a Barrel...a Crate and Barrel

Zee duvet... Looked good in the store. We'll see how it does at home. Dang you, Crate and Barrel and your mind control capabilities!

Spend-o-Rama!

I've been very remiss in posting, so I thought I'd take advantage of my commute (via bus, don't worry!) to catch up. I've been on a bit of a spending spree lately. I'm still on part time. 'nuf said. Most of these purchases have been innocent enough on their own...I'll elaborate.

Mom came to visit the last week in February we went out to celebrate her birthday. Then I noticed the sign shown in the photo. West Elm downtown is closing! I didn't need a better excuse than that to buy the white lacquer tray I'd had in mind. Okay, that's all okay. I also got a haircut...which led to my purchase of a multitude of hair products and a dryer. Having free time is dangerous. For example, on my way to return something, I said, why not stroll through Crate & Barrel and browse? Why not indeed. In order to console myself among the Annapolitans buying pricey furniture. I bought a duvet cover that was on sale and I sort of fell in love with. I'm carrying it with me now, as it was not in stock...we'll see if it works.

Then on to kitchen appliances...I have purchased a 12 cup Kitchen Aid food processor as a result of a perfect storm of a lentil burger recipe, a Bed Bath & Beyond Coupon, a rebate, and a"cashback bonus." I did get a "deal" though that doesn't negate that there was cash exiting pocket stage left. Oh well, sometimes there are times like this. I won't worry unless it continues, in which case I'll have to request an intervention!

The Thing about Things

So, I've been told by my "fans" that they miss me...specifically J and Rob and Kim! Sorry to keep you all waiting over a month for a post. Other than Christmas, I guess I've just been a bit uninspired. But, hopefully that will change once I get the juices flowing! That being said, this first post back promises to be a bit introspective.

I have been thinking a lot lately about "stuff." I've been doing a lot of sorting and cleaning...nothing new there. It just amazes me how much STUFF one can accumulate. This month, I cleaned out something for everything I got for Christmas, as well as additional things. I took a bag of coats and shoes to Green Door, 2 bags with clothes and household items to Goodwill, a bag of towels to the Humane Society, and a bag of books to the library. I also threw away quite a bit of stuff--paper and things worn beyond usefulness--and gave several things to Freecyclers. And what's sad is that I could still get rid of more stuff. AND, I had already donated bags of things in December. Seriously, even if you aren't a major accumulator or pack rat, without discipline, the stuff can take over.

This got me thinking about how much time the getting, managing, organizing, and cleaning out of things takes. Which is why if something is not presently bringing you joy or being useful in some way, it should not be in your life.  I can't tell you how many times I've examined and reevaluated whether or not to keep something. Over and over...the time that takes, when in the end, it's all going to the same place.

My friend Erin and I have been going to estate sales lately, and it's really eye opening, to see piles of old greeting cards, gift wrap, knicknacks, books...they really are JUST THINGS. We imbue things with memories and meaning, but in the end, they don't matter.  (That stapler up there is my sole estate sale purchase--2 buckaroos).

I like watching the A&E show Hoarders, because I find the compulsion to hoard fascinating. What many of these people share is an inability to differentiate between things, between what's useful, what's important, and what's just trash. We all have that to some degree. The little game I like to play with myself from time to time is think "If I was a refugee or if I was fleeing from a natural disaster and could only take one small box or suitcase of things, what would I take?"

For me, I immediately think: family photos, several pieces of jewelry, my diplomas, my birth certificate, passport, other documents...beyond that, it gets squishier. But I certainly wouldn't be hauling around DVDs and craft supplies, and plastic doo dads.

Obviously, there are things we use in daily life that can hang around, but it does help to think "how much does this add to my life" and "how important is it REALLY?'