rare specimens.

It is time to show some love to my favourite pair of earrings that I purchased at one of my favourite shops in town, White Elephant.  

Never have I ever had so many compliments on a pair of earrings I have ever worn.  I have a distinctive earring style.  I have many interesting pairs.  None as lovely as these:

(Picture from an old Etsy transaction:  here.)  

I am not sure if they are being made anymore... you used to be able to find them on Etsy at Rare Specimens.  

I want another pair.  That is why I am making it my mission to visit White Elephant and bug them on Twitter about scoring another pair.   

fake bake: day one.

If you know me then you know I will try absolutely anything and everything for a healthy glow.  Especially in the summer.  I am an extremely pale girl.  However, once I have a base tan I seem to be able to keep a good tan.  Last summer I was golden all summer long.  

Here is a short list of the methods I've used to become a bronze goddess:

• Tanning beds.  (Yes, yes... I know they are terrible for you... but they are so relaxing and they really give you an amazing result.)
• Bronzers.
• Tanning oil and my backyard.
• Spray tans.  (They're pretty amazing once you know how to pose.)  
• Multiple brands and types of self-tanning lotion.  I have yet to find a lotion that doesn't turn me into an Oompa Loompa. 

Needless to say, I am trying again.  I was shopping and found Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer on sale.  For $2.50.  Seriously it is normally $13.  I had to buy and try it. 

Now I did have a bad experience with their Express lotion last year.  I am talking horrible streaks in the summer when I love to wear shorts and capris.  I thought perhaps foam would be the way to go.  I know it was likely the way I applied it.  Apparently this kind starts a natural glow gradually and takes a week to really see results.

DAY ONE

Don't make fun of my pasty legs.  This is a shot after application.  

I must say I was impressed with the application and the dry-time.  Usually while using a lotion you have to wait forever for it to soak into your skin.  You stand around waiting like a dolt, walking around not wanting to stain your clothing or furniture.  The foam dried instantly and my legs feel lovely and smooth.  I've had #dryskinprobz all winter and this stuff is actually HELPING.  Remind me that I said that in a week if I am whining about how awful my legs look.

So... that brings me to asking who wants to place bets on if I will be whining and regretting this in a week... place your bets, folks.

jalapeno popper chicken.

It was a bright, sunny, and warm March day today.  The sun was seeping through the windows.  I had them all open.  I decided to make one of our favourites tonight... jalapeno popper chicken.  The reason for this picture is to show off my lovely casserole dish.  I literally peeled potatoes in it just because.  It just makes me very happy.

Here is the jalapeno popper chicken before the oven and after cooking.  Mmm.  And now for the recipe!  In my pan's defense, it isn't dirty.  I am breaking it in and you can purchase it here:  Pampered Chef Large Bar Pan.  Apparently they turn really dark after awhile and it just makes them better.  Mine has been nothing but amazing so far and I highly recommend one for every kitchen.  

ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 
• 2 tbsp. low-fat cream cheese
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped into small pieces
• handful of shredded cheddar cheese 
• 1 egg, whisked
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• a pinch of salt and pepper
• toothpicks

directions

Preheat your oven to 375.  Mix your cream cheese, shredded cheese, and jalapeno peppers.  Slice "pockets" into your chicken breasts but be careful not to slice them in half.  Stuff your cheesy-jalapeno mix evenly into each pocket. Secure with toothpicks.  (I use 3 for each so that I remember the number and no one is eating them later.)  Dip your chicken into the whisked egg, making sure it is nicely coated.  Then dip into your panko breadcrumbs.  Repeat.  Bake in the oven for about 35 minutes.  Don't forget to take the toothpicks out before devouring this delicious chicken.

Probably one of my favourite ways to make chicken.  Absolutely delicious.

five dollar curry.

Or as I like to call it loudly... FIVE DOLLAH CURRY!!!  I am going to try to remember this recipe and what I threw into it.  It looks a lot like my chickpea, tomato, and chicken curry.  It isn't.  It is a vegetarian curry.  I honestly threw this together last night because I decided during the day that one pack of instant oatmeal was enough to eat and I was SO HUNGRY when I came home from work.

ingredients

• 1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 can of lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 can of diced tomatoes... I used Aylmer's Accents.  You can also use a chopped tomato.  The can was soaked in olive oil so I rolled with it.
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 tbsp. of curry powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tbsp. garam masala
• 1/2 tsp. coriander
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne 
• 1/2 tsp. Epicure Spices for Chutney (optional)
• squirt of ketchup (optional, I just threw it in)
• fat-free yogurt for serving
• naan bread for serving

directions

Heat a bit of olive oil in a large skillet.  When the oil is hot throw in the minced garlic, cook for half a minute, throw in your spices and warm them up for a minute.  Throw in your chickpeas, lentils, tomatoes.  Squirt some ketchup over it, mix everything together and let it all simmer for 30-45 on medium-low.  (Is that a real temp on an oven?  It is now.)  Serve with some naan and yogurt.  Enjoy.

As you can see... I almost forgot to take a picture of the finished project.  I was that hungry.  It was filling and delicious.  Next time I will remember to take a picture when I dish up.  Next time I will also pay more attention to the oil heating in the skillet and I won't almost burn the house down and burn three cloves of garlic. 

Cheapest curry ever?  Probably!  I'd love to try dried chickpeas and lentils... any advice?  

no excuse.

I have no excuse for my short hiatus, I've decided.  I've had some ENT issues the past couple of weeks so aside from being overly attractive with a suspected sinus infection I haven't been up to much... including cooking.  I've been sticking to simple items.  

Although... I did make a ginger chicken soup when my boyfriend was sick.  I forgot to take a picture but I have a recipe.  I had never ever made soup before and it actually worked which made me very happy.  We happily ate soup for dinner for a few nights and I was even able to  freeze most of it.

And I did make a $5 Curry in a Hurry tonight because we were both starving.  We have no meat at all because we haven't been grocery shopping so it was a vegetarian night.  (Fine by me!)  Mmm... lentils and chickpeas.

I've also been working on my crochet skills and working on a scarf for a friend.

I've been stressed/busy at work.  Four large coffees to get through a day is pretty much an every day ritual at this point.

I've also had some ups and downs over the past few weeks and that tends to turn me into a somewhat introvert.  

Basically, I have no excuse for not at least writing a little bit, especially when writing makes me very happy--whether it be about lipstick or yarn or rap music or food.  So, my two readers, please yell at me the next time I decide I am going to take a break for no particular reason.

Hey look,  I almost kind of get this crochet business.