Dear fudge cake, you're evil!

Processed foods make me feel sick - why do I keep eating them?!!!! Is it cause I have no self control when it comes down to cakes, cookies, chips, donuts, etc. That's just a sad thing to think about. Damn you artificial flavors and preservatives!!! I have to keep telling myself that the sugar in processed foods only create a vicious cycle. I crave sweet, I eat sweet, I feel sick, yet I crave more sweet right after and the cycle repeats itself.

This is more of a note to myself - a way of getting it off my mind and on paper - maybe when I'm swaying back and forth about whether I should be eating a slice of cake, I'll remember that it physically makes me feel sick. IT PHYSICALLY MAKES ME SICK!!!! Lather, rinse, and repeat!!!!!!!!!

Is there anyone out there that has this same problem? Anyone?

Cheesy Cauliflower Pancakes - Yes, please!

I love cauliflower, but other than in a zesty salad, roasted, or steamed, I didn't know how else to prepare it.
That is until I came across this recipe on Pinterest that had my taste buds wanting more after each bite! The recipe I followed, and have copied below, comes from the blog A Good Appetite. It was almost like eating cheese biscuits. I would have never imagined cauliflower tasting so yummilicious!!!

The Recipe:

Cheesy Cauliflower Pancakes

1 head cauliflower
2 large eggs
1/2 c cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 c panko
1/2 t cayenne pepper (more of less to taste)
salt
olive oil

Cut cauliflower into florets & cook in boiling water until tender about 10 minutes. Drain. Mash the cauliflower while still warm. Stir cheese, eggs, panko, cayenne & salt to taste.

Coat the bottom of a griddle or skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Form the cauliflower mixture into patties about 3 inches across. Cook until golden brown & set, about 3 minutes per side. Keep each batch warm in the oven while you cook the rest.

Makes 8 pancakes

Changes I made:

* I mixed in a handful of finely minced chives into the batter - it gave it more flavor.
* I added more panko as I see fit in order to make the batter less liquidy.
* Next time, I will drain the cauliflower in a colinder for a couple of minutes before mashing to give it a chance to relieve some retained water from the boiling.
* I will also work off of a larger pan or two medium sized pans so that I can do it in one sitting - I might even try to bake it instead.

via http://agoodappetite.blogspot.com/2009/09/cheesy-cauliflower-pancakes.html



The poem of my life...

"Sick"

By Shel Silverstein

'I cannot go to school today, '
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
'I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more-that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut-my eyes are blue-
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke-
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is-what?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is...Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play! '

Heart Art

you hold my heart in your hand

I love making hearts out of paperclips -

As a child....and....as an adult

As a child I…	As an adult I…
Always wanted name brand Crayola crayons but that was a luxury item in my family – I got the melt in your hand if you hold it for too long wax crayon knockoffs instead.	Have a secret box in my house that holds an unused collection of Crayola crayons, markers, and pencils.
Tasted my boogers on occasion – salty! (don’t get disgusted – it was only a handful of times)	Can proudly say that I tasted my boogers on occasion and find it funny when I stick my finger up my nose just to weird people out.
Fell way too many times – the scars on my shins and knees are a testament to that.	Know how to pick myself right back up again, dust my bottom off, and laugh it off!!
Hung out with the boys way more than the girls (drama free is the way to be!!)	Still prefer to be hanging out with the boys rather than the girls – apparently, the drama is exponentially more as you get older!!
Had my mom tape my ears back for hours at a time because I looked like Dumbo from ages 6-11	Can laugh about this while I stick my ears out and cross my eyes to make a funny face!
Had really short hair.	Have long hair and have brief moments that I want to chop it off – when I look at a picture of me as a child, I forget all about it!
Hated all cheeses – stinky stinky stinky!!	Like eating cheese – except for the stinky ones – stinky stinky stinky!!
Did not know the taste of yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, cheese, and milk. Cereal was eaten with juice or water!!	Just recently started using yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, and cheese in the foods I eat. Milk is still a no no unless it’s chocolate milk – then all is okay!
Loved soggy sandwiches	Love soggy sandwiches
Was never afraid of the dark or thought there were monsters under my bed or in my closet	Hate creepy, horror, scary movies – haven’t seen one since I was 16!! When I saw The Exorcist at the theaters – I was the ONLY one that screamed when the telephone rang in the beginning of the movie! Wimp!!
Never had a favorite blanket, toy, teddy bear, etc.	Don’t have material attachments or store anything away because of sentimental value – except for the Crayola crayons!!
Loved Sesame Street , Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, The Berentain Bears, all Disney movies, and The Power Rangers.	Will stop and watch these shows from time to time when they’re on tv – except for The Power Rangers (what was I thinking??)

What were you like as a child that, in turn, affects you as an adult?!