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.

A spirit, soul, and legacy...

(Taken 2 days before Eve was shot)

Yesterday, a painful part of UNC-Chapel Hill's recent history came to a close.  Demario Atwater was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Eve Carson.  He was spared a charge of the death penalty, because Eve's parents (and Eve) didn't believe in it.  I hope that my parents would have done the same thing. 

Since Eve's death in Spring 2008, coworkers, family, and others have asked me if I knew Eve Carson.  I didn't know her, but I was still affected by her brilliant character and sunny disposition.  The judge on Monday illustrated her life perfectly when he told Atwater, "You can take a life, but you can't take a spirit and you can't take a soul.  Her soul and her spirit will live through her family and friends and the countless others she touched."

My only vivid memory of Carson was when she spoke at a Virginia Tech memorial service days after she was elected student body president.  I remember that she encouraged us, as students, to "find your counterpart at Virginia Tech and reach out to them...send them an email."  Her eloquence in front of a large group of her peers amazed me. 

Eve's natural sense of leadership and love of humanity would have been a driving positive force for our community.  Even though I didn't know her, I am still sad and angry about her death.  I'll continue to keep her parents and friends in my thoughts.

Avocado Pie

(The picture doesn't do it justice)

For the Crust...if you choose to make one:
5 T. unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 T. granulated sugar

Pinch of salt

For the filling:

2 medium hass avocados

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature

1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

2 1/2 T. fresh lime juice

1 1/2 T. fresh lemon juice

Pinch of salt

Whipped cream, for garnish

Make the crust:

Preaheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Brush an 8-inch springform pan with some of the melted butter.  Mix the remaining butter with graham cracker crumbs, sugar and salt in a bowl.  Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan.  Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.  Cool completely on a rack.

Make the filling:

Halve and pit the avocados, then scoop out the flesh and chop.  Transfer to a bowl, add the cream cheese and beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth.  Add the condensed milk, lime and lemon juices, and the salt and beat until fluffy, scraping the bowl as needed.  Pour the filling into the crust, press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface and chill at least 4 hours.

Remove the springform ring and slice the pie.  Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.

Mud Puddles and Watermelon

Muddy sneakers, muddy paws, a happy dog, and a perfect Sunday...

This morning, I woke up to heavy, big raindrops and regretted the gray sky and the dreary weather.  Channeling my positive mood from yesterday's yoga class, I decided that I wasn't going to let the weather dictate my plans for the day.  Besides, Annie's big brown doe eyes were begging for some outdoor fun.  

I laced up my sneakers, filled the water bottle, and headed for Umstead Park.  With big puddles added to the trail running adventure, Annie and I enjoyed every hill and curve.  By the end of the jaunt, the sun began to shine and we found ourselves leaping into every possible puddle to cool off from the humid May air.  It was a perfect way to spend the day with my best gal friend!

Watermelon-Cucumber Salad

1/2 thinly sliced red onion

1 cucumber, sliced

4 cups water melon, diced

cashews, chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

Juice of 1/2 lemon

crumbled goat cheese

Salt, to taste

Soak onion slices in cold water.  Pat dry watermelon and cucumber; toss together.  Drain the onion, squeeze dry and add to the salad along with cashews.  Add olive oil, juice of lemon; season with salt and toss.  Top with crumbled goat cheese.

(A handful of mint was also suggested for the recipe, but I didn't have any in the kitchen.)