Filed under: Foreign Influence
Ok, the holidays are really, finally, at last over. I mean completely cleaned up and leftovers gone to that happy kitchen in the sky. But now you’re out of energy. And it’s dark and cold. And you are tired.
If you ask me, it’s time for a little attitude adjustment.
Remember our attitude is largely our choice! Maybe you like the cold and want to hunker down and have warm comfort food. Maybe you want to pretend that you’re on vacation in a tropical place (staycations get old after a while). Maybe you need to see the face of someone other than your loving family.
Attitude Adjustment Meal – 5 Easy Steps
1. Decide on your Objective. – What will really make you feel better? For me, it’s actually the cooking and eating. For others it’s the friends. Maybe it’s family game night around the fire. Picture the perfect setting and get it going.
2. Set the Mood/Make the Invites: – So this means you have to plan ahead and commit (boy do I sound like a broken record). Once it’s in the works, it’s harder to back out – even for a date with your husband or children. Is the mood suitable for paper plates or candlelight?
3. Pick one element that takes effort – make the rest easy. If it’s game night, take the time to find a new game that everyone will like or find a family favorite activity. Or make a new dish– a fun dessert to eat while you play.
4. Shop only once. Or better yet, don’t shop at all. I bet there’s enough in your kitchen to make a good meal. If you didn’t get that little last thing, forget it! It’s not part of the objective and you’ll be the only one to miss it.
5. Be There! – I don’t mean just physically. You set this up for a reason and it wasn’t to do dishes. Have fun, be part of the celebration and relax.
Easy cheese Fondue with great dipping tastes!
Fondue - Recipe for our ideal Evening
I actually love winter, firesides, being cozy. There’s nothing better at the end of a long winter day than that warm, comfort food. For us it’s fondue and fire, followed by a game of some kind. And it’s easy –all you need is a little melted cheese and bread? We like to jazz it up with some fresh fruit and sausages to dip too. The great thing about fondue is you don’t cook in the kitchen and it’ communal eating, where the act is part of the entertainment.
If cheese isn’t your thing you can heat up some broth and do meats as well. Check out these easy fondue recipes. Sure fondue was big in the 70’s – and we have a fondue pot from then, but it’s back and better. It can be a pot over flame or electric – or even in a microwave for cheese or dessert!
If you are having a group, have them bring potluck for dinner and you provide a dazzling chocolate fondue with fruit, marshmallows, angel food cake and just about anything else you can think of for dipping! (I‘ve even had potato chips which are pretty good!)
Then let the games begin: Trivia, card games and board games are big in our house. The sillier they make you feel the better.
Dig in and Feel better! 
Tweet This Post
January 22, 2010
We’ve made it through Christmas and New Year’s is upon us. We celebrate and vow to do things better in the New Year. We get to start with a clean slate!
New Year’s Celebrations Around the World
When we were living in different countries, one thing I learned is that New Year’s isn’t always on January 1. In one year as we moved from Europe to Asia, we were able to experience at least 7 different New Year celebrations – we started with ours in January, with our favorite bubbly and good cheer. Then there was Chinese New Year in the beginning of February with its fireworks, gifts and dragon dances. Nyepi in primarily Hindu Bali where noisy celebrations scare away the evil spirits followed by a day of silence. Songkran in Thailand where we were soundly doused with water to wash away the past. Hari Raya in Malaysia, although not technically the Islamic New Year is a great time of celebration at the end of Ramadan. Rosh Hashana with good friends in many countries. Deepavali (Diwali)Festival of Lights. Each had it’s own sights, sounds, traditions and foods. Yum! We had a lot of fresh starts that year!
Dragon Dancers for Chinese New Year
In fact, that is one of the great lessons learned from our travels – whatever our celebrations, we are much the same. Whether it involves new clothes, cleaning house – sweeping away the old – new year’s is much the same. Everyone gets a chance for a clean slate and to start anew.
Granted my history with resolutions isn’t very good. I make them (usually to lose weight, see Diet and Exercise (next week)) and then need to start over again a few months later. Instead of feeling guilty about making and breaking New Year’s resolutions, I prefer to think that I start every day with a resolution
At least I know this is a universal trait of all people – we are just human. You don’t need six new years celebrations to get it right. Resolve to make each day a little better than the last.. Make everyday New Year’s Day – embrace the future and start to make it a little better.
Happy New Year!
Tweet This Post
December 29, 2009
Ok, I give up. My carefully laid plans ran aground again. We all had different schedules–my son had an afternoon crew practice, my daughter an evening ballet class and I had a late, late meeting. Thankfully, my husband was home to feed the dogs! Let’s face it, on a night like this it’s impossible to sit down together for dinner.
But there’s an easy solution! Make it a “scoop and nuke night.” What’s that?…. Here’s the easy recipe:
- An easy, no fuss, semi–nutritious meal. It’s so quick that I had time to prepare it before the after school frenzy.
- One pan cooking. After all, no matter what time I get home that pan will be waiting for me in the sink.
- Make a lot. I always planned on leftovers, but never got any.
- A meal that everyone will eat!
My family isn’t picky too about food, but like everyone their appetite depends on the day. My daughter couldn’t eat a heavy meal before dance, but my son was famished. My husband still thinks he plays college varsity soccer and I require just one dish–fast.
Ideas for What to Put on the Dining Room Table:
- Soup with fresh bread – Make a pot of whatever is left in the refrigerator from the weekend – add broth.
- Chicken stroganoff. A little heavy for the dancer, but one of her favorites and she could have some before and after class.
- Spaghetti. If I boil the noodles and mix with sauce before leaving for my meeting (one pan remember?)
- Tacos. Smorgasbord of cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes, except for the meat with sauce which can be “nuked” as needed.
Or ask friends! Our all time family favorite is an Indonesian spicy rice dish called Nasi Goreng (fried rice). You might think we picked this up when we lived in Asia, but no, we never do anything the easy way.
We first heard about this lifesaver on a ski trip with our best friends, who are Dutch. Apparently, Dutch cooking is replete with Indonesian and Malaysian influences, as they were a global trading power in the 1600’s. In fact, the rijstafel (rice table) is a frequent Malaysian occurrence – an assortment of Asian dishes, largely including or served over rice and named by the Dutch.
Anyways, we stayed in a rental apartment and everyone was tired from skiing all day. Yvette, my friend, was graciously in charge of feeding the troops that night. The pot filled with Nasi Goreng must have been as big as one of the best lobster pots, but 30 minutes later it was empty.
Nasi Goreng Recipe: Try it with your family!
- Spice mix. I found the Dutch store and bought the Nasi Goreng by Conimex packets. For added interest you can also purchase Ketcap Manis (something like sweet soy sauce), to be truly authentic.
- Cook rice. Mix with spice, add onion and chicken (optional). Then it’s ready to go!
- Or you can make it from scratch (but not on a scoop and nuke night!)
Low and behold, a few years later my family was transferred to Asia. The first day there, my son saw Nasi Goreng on the menu and was thrilled to see something he both recognized and loved!
Well, let me tell you – the original native is not what comes out of the bag. After the first bite, and many tears of disappointment, I had to find the closest Dutch store and revert to our mix. We still horde it in our cupboards!
Share your scoop and nuke meals–and how they save your family!
Want some history on the Dutch East India Company? Makes for interesting dinner table conversation!
Nasi Goreng Ready to Go!
Tweet This Post
November 3, 2009
Next page
