Day 20, 21 & 22

Wow, I have been seriously slacking on updating this. I'm so sorry to my many many followers who hang on my every word and check daily to see what I did for myself. Don't worry, I'll bring you up to speed on my week.

On Monday for Day 20, I decided to take a personal day. After class in the morning I decided not to go to work and instead go the next day. I didn't have the SO over. I didn't pick up the work I've been putting off, and I didn't put my mind on anything I didn't want to. I think it's important to spend a day like that every now and then, to just let your brain rest. I caught up on Homeland (needed to finish it so I could get back to the real world), I had a healthy dinner, and I had a great night of sleep. Worth it.

On Tuesday for Day 21, I made dinner and hosted a few friends. The SO, his brother, and Emily. There was plenty of wine, and food and everyone seemed to have a good time. I made the enchiladas for everyone, this time with a side of Spanish rice, and they were successful. Lots of good conversation and laughs, and it was good to spend time with people after spending the day before alone. It's all about balance people!

On Wednesday for Day 22, I came up with a plan at work. I am hosting a huge work event on Friday, and I'm feeling a lot of pressure because it is the first time I've hosted this large of an event since I've been in this position, and it will reflect on how well (or not) I do my job. So to be prepared, I wrote out a big list of what needs to happen before the event, and a schedule of what needs to happen the day of the event, as well as during the time of the event. I planned who will be responsible for what job, and we will all be having a brief meeting before the event to all get on the same page. I know it's probably common sense to do something like this, but I included it in this challenge because it made me feel better myself in my work life by feeling more prepared and empowered that I can pull this event off. Wish me luck!

Cheers!

Day 19

Yesterday was a good Sunday. Had breakfast with my mom and sister and the dogs at OHSO, ran some errands, watched more Homeland. I needed to buy new sheets and went to Homegoods to get them. I was very excited to see a set of Diane von Furstenburg super soft sheets for only $16.99, but when I got home and laid them out, turned out to only be the top sheet.. No matching fitted sheet, no pillow cases. Big bummer, but the sheet was super soft and cozy so I decided to keep it anyway.

The day ended with the series finale of Breaking Bad, a show I've been following not since the beginning, but for awhile now. I'm relieved that I feel satisfied from the finale, but still sad not to have those characters in my life anymore. It's crazy how attached we become to our tv families, isn't it?

And for Day 19, I tried yet another recipe. Baked Mahi Mahi with a Wine & Herb Sauce. This recipe ended up being a complete dud.. And I was pretty bummed to say the least. I can't remember the last time I tried a new recipe and it didn't turn out awesome, so I felt defeated. It took a lot of prep time, the ingredients sounded so good, and the fish was fresh, but when the SO took his first bite and said "It tastes like chicken", I knew it was doomed. Just so bland and flavorless, despite the awesome ingredients of fresh rosemary from my flower box garden, my favorite Whole Foods wine, fresh lemon juice, thyme, etc. But that's okay, you win some you lose some. Cooking fish is new to me, so I'm bound to have a couple of fails here and there. Even though it didn't give me the turn out I had hoped, at least I tried another new recipe and completely a task for Day 19.


Cheers!

Day 17

Today I went to work in the morning, had lunch with my mom (finally able to see me after the tattoo news), and then accompanied her to get some new work clothes for her business trip she has coming up. I love my mama. Also cleaned up a bit around the apartment. It's amazing how many times I have to clean the kitchen in a week. I don't understand how it gets so messy so quickly?

So for Day 17, I tried a new recipe. Black bean and spinach enchiladas I found over at The Garden Grazer. I've never made enchiladas before and I think they turned out very successful. They were easy and the SO was happy with the turn out, even though he had quite a long wait for them after somehow losing one of the ingredients, and discovering that he had grabbed parsley instead of cilantro.. Boys. I will post the recipe for them in a little bit.

I love trying new recipes, it's exciting to see what the outcome is going to be and I love being pleasantly surprised by how tasty it ends up, or enjoying a laugh when it's a disaster.

Cheers!

Spinach & Black Bean Enchiladas

I know the picture doesn't make them look that awesome, but trust me they totally are. And easy to boot!

For the sauce:
3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp chili powder
Pepper to taste

Make the sauce in a saucepan. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add tomato paste, flour, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Cook 1 minute, whisking. Whisk in broth, bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Pepper to taste, and set aside.

{Or if you're crunched for time or just feeling lazy, I'm sure using canned enchilada sauce and adding your own spices would be just as awesome.}

For the enchiladas:
15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
15 oz can corn
Bundle of fresh spinach
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
2 tsp cumin
3 cups shredded three cheese blend
6-8 whole wheat or flour tortillas (I ended up using 6 medium sized)

Preheat oven to 375.
Saute the spinach in olive oil over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until slightly wilted.
In a large bowl, combine beans, 2 cups cheese, spinach, corn, green onions, 2 cumin, and cilantro.
Lightly spray a 9x13-ish inch baking dish, and pour a small amount of the sauce to coat the bottom.
Generously fill tortillas with mixture, roll up tightly with ends tucked in, and place seam side down in dish. Pour remaining sauce over the enchiladas, coating evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup cheese on top.
Bake about 20 minutes, and garnish with cilantro and/or green onions if you're feeling fancy. Obviously I wasn't.

And I gotta say, they made AH-MAZING leftovers the next day. I just pooped one in my toaster oven for a few just to warm it up, and ugh, de-lish.

Let me know if anyone tries this!

Olay!

EDIT: It's hard to believe, but they make EVEN BETTER 3 am munchies!!