MU vs. kU - the basketball showdown

I love a good college rivalry. I think it's fun having as close as a person will ever get to an arch-enemy epitomized in a college rivalry. Living in Alabama, I am on the front lines of the Bama-Auburn debates. I just came down here half a year ago, but even in my first weeks I was told that I must pick a side. I mean, I picked Alabama, roll tide, but I want to talk about my alma mater, the great University of Missouri.

Our rivalry between the University of Kansas is this disgusting display of pure hatred. I mean, it's kind of fun, but at times it's sad the depths we'll go to, just to affect the other team. There's kU's ever-not-funny "Muck Fizzou" shirts. Mizzou's Quantrill's raid shirts about burning Lawrence to the ground are always a talking point.

I have been to a couple of the football border wars when we played at Arrowhead Stadium in KC. I went to school in Kansas, so naturally a bunch of my friends went and graduated from kU. I was visiting Mizzou classmates on their tailgating side and my kU friends from high school in their tailgating area. The Mizzou fans ribbed my kU friends when we were in the black and gold side. You know little quips like, "Who dressed you today?" and so on. Then, when I entered Jayhawk territory I got an empty bottle of Burnett's thrown at me. Really? Does that seem equivalent to you?

Now we are set to play kU at Mizzou Arena and tempers are at an all time high, according to the Kansas City Star. New examples of rivalry madness are surfacing. There are rumors Mizzou fans were set to wear shirts that said "No Mom Tom" on them. This was in reference to one of the kU players mothers dieing last year. I bleed black and gold and I wouldn't condone this. Apparently, some think kU fans actually started this, and I hope to God they did. If a Mizzou fan started that I would be so disappointed. We need to started carrying our school with class. Let's not fall in line with that Bama fan that poisoned Auburn's super traditional trees, k? Fight hard for our school, be proud, some taunting is necessary, but that is obviously not a topic to laugh about. There are lines, we don't want to cross them and be the white trash, double-wide dwelling hick relatives getting too drunk and saying things that make everyone want to stick their head in the dirt like an ostrich, do we?

So, a kU fan has actually topped that.

Brendon Hudson tweeted this: "Dude I hope there's a school shooting at #Mizzou." @ColinJokisch

Well, bless your heart, Brendon. In what world is it OK to joke about school shootings? I know, you were probably being super frat and showing off by how witty your were, but that is way over the line. Sorry my school was upset by what you said, I guess we just care about human life more. Now tell me, who wants to try and defend this ignorant and completely disrespectful kid?

I don't care how kU conducts themselves once we're in the SEC. I would even love to see our rivalry continue once we're in different conferences. If kU wants to show their true colors like this, I guess we'll let them, but if anyone wants to call us uncultured bumpkins, you better look twice. MIZ.

Fight Tigers you will always win, proudly keep the colors flying skyward, in the end we'll win the victory, so Tigers fight for old Mizzou.

My birthday wish list

Here are things I will probably have to buy for myself with the money I hopefully get for my birthday.

1) A skirt and to blouses from the new Jason Wu collection for Target. I reeeeeeally want the pleated light blue skirt with the stripes on bottom, the red no-sleeve blouse and white blouse with the black bow at the collar. A lot. If I have to take my break from work early to get those when they hit the stores Sunday morning, I'll do it.

2) This beautiful stella & dot necklace. It's a gold arrow necklace, and for some reason I love it because it's so different. It's pretty expensive though, so that might never actually happen.

3) A Walmart and/or Target gift card. I spend way too much money both places. I mean I buy food at Walmart, what can you do?

4) Anything from Kate Spade. They have the cutest, simple jewelry. I especially love this bangle, and it matches the necklace. Granted, I do love the sailor knot jewelry a lot too, and the spade ones.

5) Anything from Mod Cloth.

6) Any bracelet...basically...from Kiel James Patrick. Really my favorites are the ones that are striped like ties, but they're bracelets, and the new ones with the anchors as clasps. This one is my favorite though.

7) A pet fox or a pet deer. Obviously I would want them as babies. What? That's not weird have you seen how adorable baby foxes and baby deer are? No? Well, check out that picture up there, I know right. So, adorable.

I'm sure I'll think of more things I'll never be able to afford or that are illegal to own.

Gumbo

I totally cheated on this recipe. Seriously, it was the easiest and most delicious, possibly most fattening thing I've made so far. All you need to get is smoked sausage, I use Conecuh sausage that's made in Alabama, and it is unbelievably good. Then you just buy a box of gumbo mix by Zatarain's and read the instructions. For real, this is perfect. I actually had frozen okra hanging out in my fridge so I made that and put that in the mix.

I didn't actually realize that okra is slimy when you cook it, but really, slimy as in slime comes off of it. You can see the slime. It's like in the Princess and the Frog when she complains because she's slimy, but really she's secreting mucous. You know what I'm talking about? If you don't, go watch the movie, it's amazing. Actually, she makes gumbo in the movie now that I think about it...

The finished product was so so so good. I'm thinking of adding corn or peas next time with the okra, it just added so much to it. Try it out, you won't regret it.

Bacon Crescent Wraps

This recipe, found on The "Unworking" Mother blog, produces really delicious bacon-y treats. Unfortunately for me, mine turned out looking nothing like pinwheels. They actually were described at work as "bacon cookies." Which sounds gross, but considering they were always supposed to be savory it actually ended up being decent.

For the Alabama v. LSU game all my coworkers that worked late brought something and these were my contribution.

If you want them to look pretty, I'd recommend putting the rolled dough with filling in the refrigerator before you try slicing it. I just think my dough got too warm and I was too lazy to wait for it to cool off.

Bacon Crescent Wraps

Ingredients:
1 3 oz package of cream cheese, softened (or just just 1/2 a block - 4 ounces)
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup real bacon pieces
1 8 ounce package crescent rolls
2 tablespoons chopped onion

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cream cheese, bacon, onion and pepper. Separate crescent rolls into 2 rectangles. Pinch seams together. Spread cheese mixture on each rectangle. Roll up, starting at the longest side and seal. Cut each roll into 16 slices. Place on baking sheet with cut side down. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes:
For parties - I always double this recipe, sometimes I triple it - they go fast.
I usually buy bacon pieces in the jar (for salads). This saves time and mess from having to cook bacon.

Garlic, spinach and egg whites frittata

I made this to bring for lunch this week. It was delish. I added feta on top and it looks really fancy but in reality it was one of the easiest things I've ever made. It's kind of like a quiche without the crust. Which is the best part of quiche but also probably the most fattening part.

I'm only talking about fattening because technically I'm doing Weight Watchers right now. I'm not doing a very good job though because, not joking, I've gained 4 pounds in the 2 weeks since I started. Now, tell me how that makes sense? At least you can't tell, and to be honest, I don't need to do Weight Watchers I just wanted to learn to eat more healthy.Which...I guess I'm not learning. Maybe by the end it'll be better.

Back to the frittata. Here's how you make it.

Garlic, spinach and egg whites frittata

Ingredients:
2 cups Baby Spinach, fresh,
1 medium Onion chopped
1 to 2 tsp Olive Oil
Garlic, 2 to 3 cloves peeled & finely chopped (use less if you are not a garlic fan)
1 cup of egg whites (about 6 large eggs worth)
splash of Milk (I guesstimate 2 tablespoons)
12 - 15 grape Tomatoes sliced in half lengthwise
1/4 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
2 oz Pancetta (2 slices Boars head pancetta) torn into small pieces
1 tbs *Balsamic Vinegar

Directions

In non stick pan, warm the olive oil. Add the Garlic and sautee for about a minute. Add the onions and continue. Once the onions are translucent (but before they are golden) add the pancetta. Cook all until onions are deep golden. Add balsamic vinegar. Cook another minute then stir in Spinach and cook until it is wilted. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile in bowl mix egg whites & milk. Add salt and pepper to taste (I also add some freeze dried basil)

Assemble

Place spinach onion mixture in bottom of 9 inch glass pie plate that is coated with non stick spray. Top with the egg/milk/seasoning mixture. Drop in the grape tomato halves, distributing them evenly. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan.

I just mixed Parmesan from a bag in, but then again, I'm lazy.

bake at 375 for 15 to 20 mins, or longer if you like it more golden.

Southwest Black Bean Casserole

I made this recipe last week and honestly this is one of my favorites, so far. A Pinch of Yum had this great recipe. I actually combined it with another recipe so mine was a little different. Like I left out the jalapeno peppers, bacon and chicken broth. I also used a jar of black bean and corn salsa in it as opposed to the tomatoes and such. I still used a can of black beans though, they're delish and good for you. And I used the cheddar cheese as opposed to Monterrey cheese. Instead of serving it with chips or tortillas I ripped up flour ones and mixed them around in the mixture before I baked everything.

I made the casserole and then I cooked some brown rice and put it with Goya's sofrito tomato base. You just spoon some of it, let's say three or four tablespoons of it, into the rice mixture and mix it around. My friend Joe likes to use the cilantro base, which is also very good if you're a fan of cilantro.

Southwest Black Bean Casserole

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. ground extra lean turkey
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds and ribs removed, diced
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp ground red pepper
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 2/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1-2 chopped seeded tomatoes
• 1/4 cup crumbled bacon
• 1/2 cup (2 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and a handful of the onions to the pan, sauteing until meat is browned. Remove turkey and set aside.
3. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion, pepper, and jalapeno, sauteing for 4 minutes and stirring occasionally. Add salt, cumin, red pepper, and garlic. Saute for 1 minute, stirring constantly (I added a tablespoon or two of water to keep things from sticking in the pan.)
4. Stir in broth and black beans. Bring mixture to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Mash beans to desired consistency.
5. Spoon mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with turkey, bacon, tomato, and cheese. Bake at 425F for 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Top with green onions and let cool for at least 10 minutes (otherwise it will be too runny).
6. Serve with sour cream, tortilla chips, on tacos, on a salad, or just eat it plain!

2012 thus far

So, it's not that I haven't been wanting to blog, I've just been too lazy to blog. So, I figured I'd take this time to 1) start blogging again and 2) talk about all the things I've been doing in the new year that take up my time other than writing my thoughts.

These are things I recommend you do as well because...well...they're entertaining or good for you. Just consider it, k?

1) Pinterest - That's a surprise, right? I know I get all of my recipes and crafts from Pinterest already. But it's just so addicting and makes me actually want to craft or work out or, you know, decorate my apartment better.

2) Cooking - After my few decorating disasters where I almost set my kitchen on fire, I decided that the things I'm good at making go in the oven. I'm talking casseroles and such things. Anyway, the stuff I've been making has actually been really good recently. Before I'd get bland things, or slightly not cooked all the way rice in one instance. And, thanks to my friend Joe, I've actually started making full meals (entree and side dish.) If you don't know how to cook, try learning sometime, it makes you feel really accomplished and is pretty relaxing.

3) Working out - I had really lazy about working out for a while, but recently I've been trying to get back into it. I try to at least do something four times a week and now I even have an idea for things to do after work during the week. They're circuits, and yes I found them on Pinterest, but when I was training for soccer in high school we'd do similar things, but we called them plyometrics. These include sets of squats, lunges, jumping jacks, push ups, crunches and so on.

Here's an example, I did this one today:

You will be sore, but after a while it should really tone you up.

4) Reading - I'm on the third book of The Hunger Games series and I'm not going to lie to you, I love them. I've been recommending them to everyone recently. One of my friends made a good point, though, that I'm pretty embarrassed about, I also recommend Twilight when I first read them. I was in high school, don't judge me! It was a phase! These are actually really good, I haven't finished them, but I'm expecting good things from the ending.

5) See movies - I saw three this weekend. And I realize how expensive this is, but I wanted to see them, and I get great joy out of seeing movies. It makes me forget about everything I'm worried about. I saw My Week With Marilyn, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and The Iron Lady. I'm going to say My Week With Marilyn was by far the best movie of the three. Meryl Streep was brilliant in The Iron Lady and it was a very impressive film as well, just a little too historical and real-life for me to see multiple times. But Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close was just so hard to watch. It was emotionally draining and frustrating and tragic all in one.

2012 has been going well so far, let's just hope it keeps getting better and better.