Recipe of the day - Lo-carb Shepherd's Pie

Michael has been trying to do a lo-carb diet lately.  He's been pretty successful at it, but my only problem is finding recipes that work for his diet that aren't either A) boring or B) have strange ingredients that I don't keep in the pantry.  So, I decided to adapt one of our favorite dishes to lo-carb.  Granted it was a risk.  I didn't know how it would turn out.  Fortunately, it ended up being pretty good and we will do it again definitely.

2 lbs ground turkey
2 bags of frozen cauliflower
1/2 cup milk
1/2 bag of frozen peas
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped red onion
salt
pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese
Shredded Parmesan cheese

Brown ground turkey in a saute' pan until cooked through.  Drain on a papertowel lined plate, reserving a small amount of oil in the pan.  Saute the onions and mushrooms until the onions start to soften.  Combine turkey, onions, mushrooms, salt and pepper to taste in a bowl and mix thoroughly.

Cook cauliflower according to package directions.  Don't worry about over cooking them because you want them nice and soft.  Drain and then mash them in a bowl, adding milk as needed.  You want these to be as close to the consistency of mashed potatoes.  They will not look like mashed potatoes, but will come close.

Spread the turkey mixture on the bottom of your pyrex.  Use a large spoon to even the mixture out.  Then spread all of the mashed cauliflower on top of that.  There should be enough to cover the entire pan.  Sprinkle that with the grated Parmesan and finally top with shredded Parmesan.

Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, uncovered.

Enjoy!

Quote of the day

Great things never came from comfort zones.

                                                                           Unknown (to me lol)

song of the day

I have loved this soundtrack for years.  Brilliant music and lyrics.  I have had this song going through my head almost daily for the past few weeks.  Something about it cries out to me.  I'm tired of being afraid and this has helped me tremendously.  Enjoy!

Thought of the day

In settling in to the routine of my new job, I am now seeking to find more balance in life.  I know, i know, it's something everyone seeks, so this is really nothing new.  The challenge for me is actively seeking it instead of just talking/writing about it.  I tend to have the best of intentions, but do not exactly always follow through with everything.  This time, I will at least try.

I have my vices.  We all do, let's be honest.  I have to be careful with mine because I tend to rely on my vices to decompress.  And, admittedly, my vices are not the most healthy things in the world.  Nothing illegal or anything, just unhealthy when over done.  So, I need to change things up, switch my daily routine, find new things to vary life.  I really need to start working out daily.  That would be a wonderful way to burn off energy after work.  I feel like I have been doing that "exercise imagery" where I just imagine myself working out instead of actually doing it.

I tend to get set in my ways because it is comfortable.  And, although there is something wonderful in comfortability, it can be detrimental as well.  At least, that is my opinion.  If I make small changes here and there, they will add up to something larger and better for me.  Like today, I normally make my coffee first thing, then sit down at the computer.  This morning, I did make my coffee per usual, but I sat down and read the paper instead.  I made myself do that for half an hour before checking my email.  It may sound like something small to you all, but to me it was a nice step in the direction I want to go in.

Anyway, that's my thought for the day today.  We shall see how I progress!

Cheers

Quote of the day

A good half of the art of living is resilience.

                                                                            Alain de Botton

Quote of the day

In life it takes personal courage and inner strength to ask for help.

                                                                            Donavan Nelson Butler

Thought for the day - letter writing

And here it is, the Tuesday after Labor Day.  Since I worked all weekend, this is pretty much like any other Tuesday and that is fine.  Right now, I work most every day at one job or the other, so days off are few and far between.  But that keeps me busy and brings in some money, which is always a good thing.  Anyway, I am back on my letter writing kick.  I know that it's old fashioned but, then again, so I am so this seems like a natural fit for me.

I enjoy doing it for several reasons.  Even though technology is very convenient, to me it cannot replace the thrill of getting a letter in the mail.  How nice it is to go to the mailbox and find something that is neither a bill nor junk mail.  Someone took the time to sit down and put pen to paper, all the while thinking of me.  That's a nice feeling.  I am trying to write several letters each week.  Most go unanswered, but that is ok.  That is not why I do it, as I have already stated.  I am not always successful in my letter writing quota, but some weeks I am.  And I have actually gotten a few responses, which is awesome!

I like to write letters early in the morning.  I get up several hours before Michael and Squirt do, so it's the perfect time to get it accomplished.  I put on some classical music, pour myself a cup of coffee (in a cup and saucer no doubt) and sit back at the chair by the living room window to write my correspondence.  I have a mahogany lap desk that John Ramsey gave me years ago which I still use.  I keep my stationary and address labels in there.  It's the perfect writing surface and I always use it.  I keep my stamps in a small brass turtle box on my desk, so they're pretty near by.

I just enjoy taking the time to sit down and write.  Granted, my handwriting is horrible.  I tend to print more than anything so that people might actually be able to read what I write LOL.  And sometimes I pick people at random to write to.  I find that to be fun as well because no one really expects letters anymore.  And, thanks to technology, addresses are pretty easy to find on the internet.  And I keep them all in a big address book I got one year for Christmas from Melanie Ashley who, by the way, did write me back.  Woohoo!

I have already written my letter for today and it is out in the mailbox ready to be sent.  But, who knows, you might just come home one day and find a letter from me in your mailbox!  And there's never any expectation of a response, I just enjoy doing it.

That is all for this morning...so far.

Cheers