Change Is Good, Like Mimosas

There are unexpected events in life, some are big and some are small such as joining an indoor soccer league on a Sunday night.  I have never played soccer before, but my brother-in-law needed another player on his team and my husband volunteered me.  I was extremely apprehensive and a little pissed for several reasons: Number #1—I had a grant submission deadline. Number#2—I have never played a sport like that…ever. Number#3—I look like a fool often enough and this was going to catapult my foolery. And Number #4—I was just recovering from a butt bone injury after falling flat and hard on my butt while roller-skating (I couldn’t believe it either because I have lots of jelly on my derriere).   The last reason made me think that since I had dragged my husband roller skating, then I guess I better try something new. 

Trying new things is scary when you get into your 30s, but in my 20s, I would have just agreed to play soccer without any question.  Why do we get so set in our ways, when despite our control, changes occur all the time?  Instead of embracing the change, we get all stressed out first and think of all the negative things that might happen.  We are even so unwilling to change ourselves or our lives even when our situation or traits do not serve any purpose or are causing damage.  This could mean attitudes, habits and situations.  There was a lesson in playing soccer last night and I learned it and am willing to play again.  I fell down, missed the ball between my legs, kicked a pathetic several feet instead of several yards, but I had fun, got some exercise, met some cool people, and learned something new.  So I challenge my readers to do the same thing and tell me about it. 

Well on to food.  What new foods have you tried lately?  Try olive oil…and a good one.  Whole Foods 365 brand have delicious olive oils. 

Sprinkle some on some air popped popcorn (place popcorn in a paper bag and put in microwave) keep a close eye on it.

Use it in salad dressing…I love an orange salad dressing this time of year (Mimosa Salad Dressing)…zest half an orange, add a little of its juice,  4 tbls white wine, champagne, or apple cider vinegar, a half tsp  minced garlic, 1 small minced shallot, a handful of minced fresh parsley, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, ½ cup of good olive oil.  A little salt and pepper. Shake it and pour.

Pestos galore!!! 

Place nuts, parsley, olive oil, parmesan, salt and pepper and process into a paste or spread.  Dip veggies in it.  Yum.  This time of year, I like to use peas, broccoli, plain parsley, and arugula.  I may even try cannellini beans with some lemon juice.

Simply dip warm bread in it and enjoy with wine.

Weekly Menu

Monday-Leftover Cream of Broccoli Soup and grilled cheese

Tuesday- Broiled Wild Salmon, with olive oil herb spread, winter veggie gratin

Wednesday- Tamales and beans with fried cabbage

Thursday- French dips on GF bread, Green salad with mimosa dressing

Friday- Brown Rice Spaghetti with marinara and chicken sausage. More salad

Saturday- out Poker night

Sunday- GF chicken empanadas (a first timer), beans