Author: the outside lane

Happy. That about covers it.
Food, recipe

Chef Lane: Capricorn Salad–part goat, part fish, all good for you

the outside lane

You will need:

  • 4 oz of goat cheese
  • 2 planks of salmon (I suggest the Cedar Bay Planked Salmon)
  • 1/2 lb fresh asparagus diced
  • 3 small red peppers diced
  • 3 small yellow peppers diced
  • 1 head romaine lettuce (or whatever greens you have handy–this is what I had handy) chopped
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 Tbs olive oil

While you are cooking your salmon (20 minutes at 425 for medium well–10 for rare), sautee all your veggies (not the lettuce!) over a medium heat in the olive oil.  When your veggies are just barely tender, remove them from the heat, transfer into something chill safe, and chill enough that when you mix them into your lettuce, your lettuce doesn’t wilt.

Mix all your veg and lettuce and remove fish from the oven.  Split into 2 large salads, top with 2 oz of goat cheese each, then lovingly nestle your salmon on top of the greens.  This will serve 2 adults and one child–if the child splits half your salmon with you.  You will have to peel and cut an apple for the child because he will look at the asparagus and start to cry.  You will have enough salad left over for tomorrow’s lunch.

You won’t need dressing because the goat cheese serves as flavor, but you could make your tastebuds very happy with a few drizzles of balsamic vinegar.

My favorite way to cook salmon.
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Ella-ella-ay-ay-ay

the outside lane

 

 

When the sun shines, we'll shine togetherTold you I'll be here forever Said I'll always be a friend Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
When the sun shines, we’ll shine together
Told you I’ll be here forever
Said I’ll always be a friend
Took an oath I’ma stick it out till the end

 

Now that it's raining more than everKnow that we'll still have each other You can stand under my umbrella You can stand under my umbrella
Now that it’s raining more than ever
Know that we’ll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella

 

It’s been a rough weekend, given I had what is probably the worst migraine of my life to date.  But my boys took good care of me (and my  mom took good care of my boy, taking him to her house for the night, last night.)  Thor got in bed with me yesterday afternoon and we lay there smiling at each other for a long time.  I love every freckle on that boy’s face.  The best feeling in the world is knowing he loves every freckle on mine.

I couldn’t have done better for a husband, and we couldn’t have had a child more perfect for us.  It’s pretty sweet knowing that even on my worst days, I am surrounded by the best people.

2013-02-16 19.28.08_1

 

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Buy the Shoes–These Shoes

the outside lane

I walk, stand, and clambor over things frequently throughout my day, while wearing tights and heels (I said tights for Sandy because she’s English, and when I say hose it makes her think of gardening and throws her out of the story.)  I try to look as professional as possible while I am doing, and I try to balance out comfort with style.  When my workmate came back from lunch one day with new shoes that looked like they fit the bill, I went and tried on a pair myself. 

I’ve been the proud owner of a pair of black, and a pair of nude Comfort Plus Pumps from Payless for about 6 weeks now.  Isn’t that a terrible name for a lady’s shoe?  Comfort Plus sounds so 18-Hour bra.  But, oh dear Lorax, just like those 18-Hour bras* they are amazing.  I’m not going to win any beauty pageants in them, but I can wear them all day long without my feet hurting, they look nice with my suit, and at $19 a pair, I’m not going to cry too hard if something awful happens to them.  …because I just used my Easter money to buy backup pairs of each, and a pair of Navy.  BOGO!  Free shipping!

You know that feeling when you have been in heels all day and the balls of your feet feel like they are on fire?  And you take off your heels and it almost hurts to stand flat-footed?  Or how sometimes your toes start to go a little numb?  Or how your pinky toe gets smooshed?  Or how your arches ache?  Yeah–none of that.  I was amazed the first time I wore these shoes all day and took them off.  I think my feet have been in better shape since I started wearing them.

I am going to highly recommend these pumps to any woman who has to wear heels for work.  I would not recommend them to men who wear heels to work because I think they just aren’t fancy enough for that.

http://www.payless.com/images/490×490/093861_4_490x490.jpg

The KARMEN, Comfort Plus Pump from Payless.

 

*I don’t care how comfortable those things are.  That is the line I will not cross.  Granny panties?  Sure.  Orthopedic loafers?  In a heartbeat.  18-Hour bra?  You will pry my push-up bra off my cold, dead ta-tas.

Chef Lane, Food, recipe

Chef Lane: Hakuna Frittata

the outside lane

It is super easy to make this savory dish, which will serve you all week for breakfast.  Better yet, it is easy to substitute for flavors.  Don’t like ham?  Have sausage.  Don’t like meat at all?  Add potatoes.  Too posh for cheddar?  Add something French and runny.  Hate cilantro?  Toss in some celery.  Throw in some dill.  Add a dash of garlic powder.  Squirt in some Sriracha.  Make it your own worry free dish.

For my favorite way, you will need:

  • 1.5 cups of Egg Beaters
  • 1/2 cup of chopped ham (I just minced up some lunch meat)
  • 1/4 cup of shredded  cheese (I used cheddar)
  • 2 Tbs of cilantro
  • 2 Tbs of parsley
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Cooking Spray

Turn on your broiler. 

Spray an oven safe skillet with cooking spray, then warm it on the stove.  In a separate bowl, combine all ingredients except for the cheese.  Hold on to your cheese!  When the skillet is hot, pour in your mixture and turn your heat down to medium.  Let the mixture cook until it is starting to set around the edges, then sprinkle half your cheese over the top.

When the mixture is starting to set throughout (and this takes between 10 and 15 minutes, depending), take it off the stove and put it in the broiler for 5 minutes.  Remove after 5 minutes (it will have puffed up like souffle–let it fall), sprinkle your remaining cheese on top, then broil for another few minutes, until the top is golden with gloriously toasted cheese.

Remove from broiler and let sit until cool.  Slice into 8 pieces.  Works out to about 2.5 WWPPV per slice, and you’ll be surprised how filling this is.

 

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Happy Birthday, Uncle Awesome!

the outside lane

Today is a wonderful day because it is my little brother-in-law’s birthday.  He turns 30, which seems impossible because he is only 18.  He will always be 18 to me.  19 tops.  My genuine affection for him is only topped by Thor’s.  Thor thinks his uncle is the coolest man alive.

Uncle C and Thor. This is Thor's idea of heaven. Legos and the Coolest Man Alive.
Uncle C and Thor. This is Thor’s idea of heaven. Legos and the Coolest Man Alive.

 

Happy Birthday, Uncle Awesome!  We love you.

(My personal Uncle Awesome had his birthday on April 1.  That would be Uncle Junebug.  Every kid should have an uncle like Uncle Junebug.  Life on earth would be better if they did.)

My Uncle Awesome with his coolest boy alive.
My Uncle Awesome with his coolest boy alive.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Junebug!