Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Turkey Meatballs, yum!

I am cooking at home these days and for those who know me, well, you know I am not so great in the kitchen.  "I've got to admit it's getting better...A little better all the time" - The Beatles  


I recently made what could be the most simple recipe ever of turkey meatballs.  They were FANTASTIC, and not just according to me - Phil, Jake, and John ate all 18 meatballs in one sitting.  I was shocked.  I made them again a week later and all but 5 were left between Phil and myself.  That means Phil ate 10 meatballs himself!

Here's the super simple recipe:

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 package ground turkey
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon of oregano, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 350
Coat 9x13 dish with 2 tbsp. olive oil and place in oven. 

In large bowl combine beaten egg, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, turkey, and seasonings.  Mix well by hand until ingredients are mixed completely together.  Roll into balls and place into preheated baking dish.  Push down so bottom of meatballs are flat.   Bake for 15 minutes then flip meatballs.  Bake for five more minutes. Makes 18 meatballs.

Voila!  They're delicious.  I didn't have pasta with mine, just sauce (or gravy) and they were scrumptious.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

A months' time

On March 3, 2011 I started working out and started a fairly strict low-carbohydrate diet.  I hit the gym four-to-five times a week.  I eat enough salad to keep even the oldest of ladies regular (sorry, that was gross.) I am making a conscious lifestyle change.  I feel stronger.  I lose my breath less quickly.  I've lost 3.5 inches from my waist!  And...wait for it...19 lbs!!!  I am writing this to remain accountable to myself.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Growing up...growing apart

I never thought I would be in a situation where a friend and I break up...until recently.
One of my longest friendship is, painstakingly, coming to a bitter end.  OK, that's a bit dramatic but it really does hurt something fierce.  It feels like I got dumped...which is a horrific feeling.  Rejection is brutal, especially coming from someone who was the closest person in your life for a decade.
I noticed my friend was growing more and more distant over the past few weeks, months, perhaps years.  I, too, am a changed person and was not consciously distancing myself but it appears I wasn't exactly moving towards a stronger, more connected friendship either.  We met in the eight grade; we were kids then.  We became "best friends" in the ninth grade.  We purposely took the same classes in high school so we'd be in them together.  We went to the same college and skipped the same classes.  We bought the same brands of  shoes/jeans/clothing, etc. We learned how to drive and got cars the same year.  We were inseparable.  We were like sisters.  She met a guy.  I moved to the Midwest.  She visited me twice.  She moved to Florida then back to Massachusetts.  I never visited her in the four or so years she was in Florida.  Phone calls were less and less often made.  Texts started to decrease as well.  We'd Facebook message each other here and there and send Christmas and birthday cards. We just...grew apart. It was obvious we weren't the same best friends we once were but I guess holding onto what we had was worth the strain to me.
Then I asked her if she was purposely pushing away and she said yes.  I think bitterness, resentment, and the fact that we're totally different people who lives so far apart caused a rift.  It's only been a week or so but I am at a loss.  I guess you must let go sometime.
I'm sure we'll reconnect in time.