Post #98

I'm almost to post #100!  I never thought that I would blog for this long.  As a gal who enjoys trying new things and then abandoning them as soon as I'm tired of them, I am very impressed by my blog-endurance!  I shall use this post to talk about what I've learned throughout the course of these (almost) 100 posts.  Make some Hibiscus-Lime Tea (see below) and enjoy.

Lessons of AmeriCorps, Cooking, and Life at 25...

1. Mini-meatloaves are a terrible idea.  Why I chose to post that recipe is beyond me.  They were not even slightly tasty.
2. AmeriCorps is always harder than I ever imagined (and I've endured 3 MCATs, 2 marathons, raising a crazy rescue dog, and a 30-day Outward Bound trip.)
3. You can estimate measurements for a lot of things in life (salt/pepper, personal timelines/goals), but you should never estimate measurements for baking soda or baking powder.
4. No matter how nice you are to people and how much you pour your heart into your job, there are still going to be individuals who just don't like you (and want to throw a chair at you.)
5. A cold house in January will save you money on utilities, but it will not make dough rise.
6. Just because you have rules and values that you live by, it doesn't mean that an alternative path is wrong...always try to see value in other people's choices too.
7. A Saturday night out (2-3 drinks=$12.00, a cab ride home=$14.00) is no longer feasible every weekend on the AmeriCorps budget.
8. Life can be lived (and I dare say, improved) without cable television.
9. The Barefoot Contessa is a goddess and my Cuisinart Food Processor will always be queen of my kitchen.
10. The single life of my 20's is empowering and so fun, but there is nothing more exciting than having a crush.
11. Most people really are good.  We all want good things for our family and we are aiming for happiness and internal peace.  Even when people snap and say mean things during their stressful unemployed times, they are still good people.
12. People who commit crimes aren't necessarily scary... and they can actually be pretty inspiring.
13. Nothing goes better with winter than soup and baked goods.
14. Finding a friend to meet at early morning fitness classes is the key to making yourself wake up before 6am.
15. Goals are best achieved through a good solid plan, a strong support system, and a lot of elbow grease.
16. No matter how much energy and heartache went into my medical school application process, I woke up the morning after getting into school thinking about where to live and what to do next... there is always something new to be done.
17. The following activities can cure a stressful day: Running in the woods, listening to Keb Mo, doing Yoga, reading Elizabeth Gilbert, or snuggling with a dog (preferably Annie dog.)
18. Cooking healthy on less than minimum wage is possible, but it's really, really hard.  My heart goes out to people who make minimum wage and have little mouths to feed.
19. The homeless population is the most interesting group of people to be around.  If you haven't volunteered in a facility that serves the homeless, you are missing out.
20. AmeriCorps will end in August, my cooking will probably dwindle with school, and my blog will soon become a hobby of the past (in August too), but I will always view this year as a great journey... and I'm glad you've come along with me, my friends!

Hibiscus-Lime Tea
3/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers

honey, to taste

Grated zest and juice of 1 lime, plus lime slices for garnish

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.  Add hibiscus flowers, honey and lime zest and steep for 10 minutes (I added the flowers and zest in a tea bag to skip the straining step.)

Strain through a sieve into a pitcher, discarding the solids.  Add the lime juice, 2 cups of cold water and 2 cups ice.  Serve over ice.