My First Kitchen

I am living off campus this year, and as such  have a kitchen all to myself (....and my 2 lovely roommates!) I am elated! I love food. Baking it. Frying it. Cooking it. Using rare and exotic ingredients to stretch my palate. Trying new recipes. Humbly crawling back to old faithful recipes for their comfort and reassurance after my escapades..

Food, for me, has always functioned as more than just a vehicle for nourishment and an appeaser for hunger, but as a therapist after a stressful day, a balm for a broken heart (chocolate anyone), a connection to a home and loved ones that are hundreds of miles away on days when I feel especially alone in spite of living in a crowded big city.... a friend. I LOVE FOOD and am beyond grateful for all it has and continues to offer me. And am sooooo excited to be off the college diet of love-less cafeteria food, and even less loving late night pizza.

I am committing to preparing all my meals each week, except one. That means No Starbucks, No Top Dog, No Fat Slice, and absolutely no Cafeteria food. I am excited, and nervous as to what to expect of myself. I am a fast food junkie and might be biting off more than I can chew. But i guess time will tell :)!

Here is my MENU for the week. Its based on 1) my college student budget and 2) the fact that its JUST ME these days and 3) my lack of "extra" time! So here's what's cooking this week:

....and here is Saturday night!!!

                                                                                                                .... yummy yummy in my stummy! The chicken was bought roasted and will be reincarnated in SEVERAL dishes this week, but the herb roasted potatoes and green beans were all me and sooo simple to make. And YES that is Ketchup! However on the green beens its A1 ^-^!

Herb Roasted Potatoes for One

1 Russet Potato

Seasonings to Taste (I used Lawry's Seasoned Salt, Garlic Salt, Pepper, and 21 Season Salute from Trader Joe's with a dash of Everyday Seasoning also Trader Joe's)

2 Green Onions

2 Tbs Olive oil

Preheat oven at 425 degrees

Scrub potato down vigorously (as you'll be leaving the skins on). Quarter length wise and then cube the quartered wedge (try saying that 5 times). Also chop green onions. Combine Seasonings and Olive oil in a mixing bowl and add potatoes and onions. Wash your hands and mix the cubes meticulously until all is thoroughly coated in seasoned goodness.

Place coated potatoes in foil wrapped baking tray, and back at 425 until golden brown, crispy and tender (20-35min) to poke of blunt wooden spoon. I DESPISE UNDERCOOKED POTATOES!

Bon Appetit!

Current Obsession: Clutches!!!

Absolutely adore them!

Now to find an occasion to go with them...or not. Maybe my next statement will be to wear a clutch with out an occasion attached. Wear the clutch simply because it's a Tuesday...I like it. ^_^. It's a testament to celebrating life for life's sake!

on that note...

One of my ultimate favorite bloggers, Rosetta Thurman of Happy Black Woman, created this idea of conducting a monthly review to check in with herself at the end of each month as way to track her progress and live more deliberately. The highest form of flattery is imitation and as such I hope she is flattered by MY attempt to mimic here wonderful personal development habits! So here it goes ^-^

Last month I...

Worked my tail off (literally :()

Saved more money than I thought possible for me!

Stayed within my budget for the first time EVER

Went to Church on a regular basis!

Rekindled old friendships

Fully understood the blessing of family

Slept on an air mattress for the majority

Went white water rafting on class 4 rapids...and lived

Saw amazing fireworks with amazing people

Watched the last piece of my FAVORITE trilogy (Dark Night all the way)

Gave up my diet :(

Got a New Job

Quit my old job (the one before the last one i quit lol)

Became more obsessed with Fashion (if that's even possible)

Interviewed for a position I REALLY WANT

Got a yoga mat :)

Cleared most of the post-move in clutter in my new apartment (will post before and after shots soon!!)

Biggest personal milestone: I can be financially responsible for myself (which if you know my history this is HUGE I've never been able to save before this month)!

Biggest professional milestone: I interviewed for this volunteer position I really NEED to get experience directly tied to my field of interest ALSO I changed career paths and am now working a grown up job!

Most valuable lesson learned last month: NO ONE is an island and everything is better when you treat your family like friends and your friends like family!

If I could describe July in one word it would be: Humility

My goals for AUGUST:

To be balanced:

Exercise regularly, pamper religiously, exercise my spirit and intellect, finish moving in, get ahead academically (START STRONG), read through my Nikon manual and take pictures everyday, maintain socially, and POST POST POST POST.

Also something I learned was the pure joy of not doing anything, not having any plans...there's really  nothing like it.