My Goals for the New Year of 2015...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

It's a new year and that means its time to make goals for myself. I have been thinking about my personal goals for this year and there are a few that I think are worth mentioning. The sad thing is that sometimes goals are made and never completed. This year I plan to complete every single goal I make. I won't let these goals go untouched this new year.

- Travel More -

Lately I have had some huge life changes happen to me and I decided its time to make explore the world that I live in. I want to go places and see new things. I would really like to go to Salem, MA. This summer I would like to go camping somewhere I have never been before. I also really want to go to Florida to see sea turtles laying their egg. I then want to go back when the eggs are going to hatch and watch them make their way to the ocean. 

- Read More -

I want to spend more time reading this year. Last year I only met my reading goal because I had to change it. So this year I would like to read my goal of twenty-five books. 

- Save More and Spend Less -

I work at a grocery store so finding things to buy is easier than it should be. I would really like to start saving more money. This would be a good skill to enforce now while I am still young. 

- Focus on the Important Things -

For the last couple months my life has been very stressful. I want to put the main focus on things like my job and my schooling. Both of these are very important and essential to further my dreams of life.  

- Live Life -

These are so many things I want to do with you with my life. This is the year that I complete some of them. I want to have more fun and do things I normally don't take time to do. For example, I've decided  I want to learn a language. I think I'm gonna pursue french but I might also try my hand at Spanish. It would be best to do one language at a time.

- Garden and Cook More -

I really want to grow my own vegetables. I also want to cook more. I really enjoy it and I don't get to do it enough.  I also want to start working out and eat better.

Garden Talk...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I learned a few days ago that I might not be able to grow a garden this year. I'm really bummed about it because I just started to get into this new hobby and it's already being taken from me. I guess I could still grow some flowers inside and possibly enjoy some home grown herbs and vegetables. I just won't get to enjoy the great outdoors the same way as I was hoping I would. I wanted to start gardening to grow my own food for the table and to get outside more. I guess I'll have to sit back and wait and see what happens. I'm not the most patient person in the world and waiting is always hard for me.

Also I just wanted to let you know that I plan to start cooking again. I just kind of have to have everything before I decide I'm gonna cook. Sometimes this means buying my own groceries to make it happen.

Life Lesson's and New Beginning's...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

If you haven't already noticed, I have been away from my blog for quite some time now. It was not intentional to stop blogging. I just had a lot on my plate. I lost interest in the blog and nothing seemed to brighten my day, well almost nothing.

I guess I should tell you all about what happened. In November, the guy I was dating broke up with me. He gave me this speech that it wasn't me and something was wrong with him. I cried and it really hurt and now we don't talk to each other anymore. I guess I got over him because I decided that he wasn't worth waiting for and there were a lot of things about him that annoyed me to no end. And of course the fact that he lied to me during our entire relationship of two years and eight months. That was the icing on the cake right there. So yeah my ex really sucked and I honestly don't give a shit about him anymore. He broke it off and I moved on. It was actually not as difficult as I expected.

Since the break up happened, I had to move in with my dad, little sister, dads girlfriend, and the girlfriends daughter. The house is beautiful and I love that we are out in the country. The only thing that kind of sucks is I'm forty-five minutes away from my job and the new guy in my life. But I can make it work. The drive isn't even that bad. Oh, I almost forgot. We can't have pets here and it sucks. I had to leave my cat and leopard gecko at ex's house. But I plan on bringing the gecko here when it gets warmer. I want to move the cat but I don't know where to move her too. I really wish I could bring her here. I think she'd like it here.

Also a few days ago, I started to have car trouble and it had to be towed. I'm waiting for a call from the dealership with news as to what is wrong with it. So I've been driving my dads jeep to work. It's weird not having a car. 

On brighter news, I did meet someone and we have started dating. We are taking it slow and everything. I must say though he is a much better man than any guy I've ever dated before. I think this one might just be a keeper. I mean its no big deal with a man decides to wait for you while watching you be with someone else. There aren't many guys in this world that would do that for a girl. I'm really lucky to have him in my life. So wish us luck.

Also, a stray cat has kind of adopted my family. He or she just showed up one day on our porch and now he or she lives in a cardboard box and a blanket behind the house. The kitty is so friendly and loving. Its great having animals around the house, even if we can't keep it inside the house.

Indian Madras Pie...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Indian Madras Pie

This recipe makes about 6 servings. It takes about 20 minutes to prep.

 Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces.
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 package of lean ground turkey
1 1/2 cup baby carrots, sliced
3 medium parsnips, peeled and sliced
2 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup frozen peas or frozen vegetables
2/3 cup milk
2 tbsp unsalted butter
Pinch cayenne pepper

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat; cook, boiling, for 12 minutes. Drain and return to pot.

2. Meanwhile heat oil in a large lidded 3 to 4 quart flameproof dish over medium, high heat. Crumble in turkey and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, for 4 minutes. Stir in carrots, parsnips, ginger, 3/4 tsp of the salt, the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne and 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring once or twice, for 17 minutes adding more water if necessary. Uncover and stir in peas or frozen vegetables. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat. 

3. Mash potatoes in pot with milk, butter and remaining salt. Spread potatoes over turkey mixture in dish and sprinkle with cayenne pepper, if desired. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

I made this dish last week and it was good but not nearly as good as my shepherds pie. I think I should change the amount of cinnamon in this recipe.

Where my Garden Grows...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I was walking among my garden earlier this morning and enjoying all the things I currently have growing there. I found some batteries for my boyfriends camera and started to take photos of nature at its best.

I found this little guy exploring my marigold flowers. I thought he was pretty cool and got some great photos of him. I was really surprised at the quality of the photos considering this is my first time I using the camera. I think they the photos turned out really good.




Is that caterpillar just the cutest? I don't know if he is good or bad for my flowers but I thought he's pretty cool.

I just love this picture of my tomato plants. I love taking the time to enjoy nature.




 I also harvested some produce while clearing out the garden for spring. I planted some bulbs that hopefully will come back every year. I also currently have two other flower plants that are growing that will also come back as well. I'm so excited for the spring season.


I also started my herb garden indoors. I currently have some seeds sprouting. I love watching my plants grow. Its really fascinating and a lovely wholesome experience.

Gardening Season is Coming to a Close...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I started Gardening earlier this Spring. I was sadly a late bloomer in this new found hobby of mine and now winter fast approaches. I'm so sad to see the gardening season go away so soon. I have a boat load of things I must do to prepare my garden for the coming spring. I also want to start composting to build better soil for my garden bed. I planted some herb seeds for my indoor herb garden a few days ago to keep the harvest going.

I grew my very own pumpkin patch in one of my raised garden beds. Something has been eating one of my pumpkins. I'm so disappointed. I wanted to use these pumpkin for carving for Halloween but they have yet to change color. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if that's just normal. I think next year I'm gonna skip the pumpkin patch.

It's so sad. My garden is decaying as the fall season rolls in. It makes me sad to see all my produce start to die. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that next season I have more experience and have a better plan of what I want to grow and what I want to try to grow. I can't wait to get started but first I need to draw out my garden bed. I must make plans on what I'm growing and what I'm not.

Thankfully cooking and baking will be able to fill the void until the Spring.

Sweet and Sour Sesame Seed Chicken...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Sweet and Sour Sesame Seed Chicken

Ingredients:

3-4 Boneless chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 - 1/2 cup canola oil

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

3/4 cup sugar
4 tbsp ketcup
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic salt
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Sesame Seeds are Optional

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

1. Trim and cut the chicken into cubes. Season with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch into a gallon - size plastic bag and add all of your chicken cubes into it. Seal and shake to coat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a large dish. Pour beaten egg over the chicken and stir gently to coat.

2. Heat the oil in a large skillet and pan fry the chicken over medium high heat on both sides until slightly brown. Place chicken into greased baking dish.

3. Mix all of your sweet and sour ingredients in a bowl with a fork. Pour or drizzle evenly over the chicken, save some as a dipping sauce. Bake the chicken for 45 minutes at 325 degrees. During this process, stir chicken a few times. Add the sesame seeds. Increase the oven to 375. Bake for 15 more minutes. Watch the chicken to make sure it doesn't burn.

I thought I wouldn't really enjoy this meal but as it turns out. I loved it. I can't wait to make it again. I encourage you all to do the same. I promise you won't regret it.