Planning Barn Snacks and Meals

I wanted to write a some Post Script to my last post. While I am in New Jersey visiting my horse for at least two full or half days per week, feeding myself doesn't come cheap. The sodas, shakes, sandwiches, sushi and salads I consume sometimes top twenty bucks a day for two meals and snacks. Thanks to some great barnmates, I did find out that the local diner where I usually get lunch does have a special soup/salad deal for about ten bucks.

But I wanted to try and make a conscious effort to prepare some food at home and bring it with me. Current ideas include:

-Pasta salad (penne w/ cherry tomatoes, yellow pepper, onion, garlic and parmesan) in tupperware for lunch.

-Ziploc baggies of BareNaked granola to keep my energy up. I like the various mixes they make.

-Fresh fruit (I did buy pre-cut Honeydew, just to save time so I don't have to grab breakfast at 7:30am tomorrow)

Anyone have other fun suggestions which travel well?

Getting In Touch With My Inner Stepford...

Today my mother and sister left for their annual family trip to the Cape. I have stayed home the past few years and missed out on this excursion, which works out well, as I love having some downtime and having the house to myself for a few days (I'm not REALLY alone, as the three resident felines are ever present).

One of my recent resolutions was to be more resourceful in terms of cooking dinner. I rely on a list of about six amazing staples in my area to order takeout from, or pick up food from, on a pretty much daily basis. While none of these places break the bank, at about 10 dollars a night, it quickly adds up to a large lump sum per week.

After sleeping in (I wandered out of bed at around noon), I was determined to make up for missing the morning by taking of a laundry list (which yes, included doing laundry) of activities which had been on the backburner for quite a few weeks.

Immediate tasks included washing some leftover dishes, throwing my sheets in the washer/dryer and feeding Mr. Blue, my sister's dear friend's (wordy I know) Beta fish. After those were accomplished, I decided to be extremely ambitious and attempt to grocery shop for the next five/six dinners for about fifty bucks.

In NYC, at grocery stores like Whole Foods and Garden of Eden (where I go, Whole Foods has TOO MANY options), fifty bucks will disappear while just buying fresh produce. Instead of making a list, I worked the grocery store on the fly, creating dishes in my head as I perused the various aisles.

I will never be of those girls who can keep a detailed blog of the scrumptious meals they cooked, whether following a published recipe, inventing their own concoction or revamping an old classic. But, hey, I can try to be a little domestic and get in touch with my inner Stepford er...woman?

I did go a little over my fifty dollar goal, and spent about sixty bucks and some change. However, I know how that tonight's feast was an awesome skirt steak w/ asparagus, tomorrow will be garlic chicken and left over asparagus (I really like this veggie) and the following two nights I can have pasta salad. Just need to get some sort of greenery for the week ahead.

Also got breakfast for the week taken care of, with BareNaked Granola and Honeydew Melon. For me, today was a major accomplishment. I did buy one spinach pizza which I can just shove in the oven if I am really tired, or totally, utterly unmotivated. But for me, this cooking at home is a new venture and I am determined to succeed at making dinner at least 3x per week. I am planning on keeping proteins, garlic, chili pepper and other bangin' flavors in the apartment so my palate continues to be entertained.

A Weekly Recon...

In all honesty, I just wanted to use the term 'recon' in a blog post title. I've been watching way too much 'Dual Survival,' in which two men, Cody and Dave, brave fictitious scenarios in which they show you how to, well, survive, in a variety of disaster situations. They are always using the term 'recon' to review and go over their provisions and surroundings, taking note of what they have and maximizing everything's use.

So, I am going to do my only weekly recon, as a sort of survey of the wonderful things, beings and happenings which took place and which I have. Some silly photos, of Strider nibbling on his new found and surprising passion, watermelon, a close-up shot of Benji's hard earned and well conditioned muscular shoulder and the scrumptious choctail I had at Max Brenner's (the word Satisfying was in the title and it definitely hit the desert spot, after some sangria and pasta).

So here's my brief recon...I have a wonderful, supportive family, seven highly entertaining, thoroughly invigorating animals to fill almost every waking moment with love and laughter and the occasional yell, and a group of amazing and compassionate friends.

Memorable moments this week included catching up with a few dear friends, a certain meeting which left my mind at great ease and alleviated a lot of lingering anxiety, one hell of a date (see Facebook status update for details) and watching 'The Change-up,' tonight in theaters.

This movie was quite raunchy, with humor ranging from the visually disgusting (think on a very primitive level, like babies spewing poop) to smart one-liners and definite genius ad libbing. Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds were a formidable team of 'bros' and had more chemistry and many more scenes together than those involving Leslie Mann, who is an amazing comedic actress in her own right.

If you want to laugh till your stomach hurts (but not 'till you cry), desire some a light non-fluffy movie with something for everyone with a strong stomach and who is over 17 or so, go see it. The plot line is solid, the actors are great, and it's definitely a refreshing take on the 'Freaky Friday' scenario.

Take it easy,

M