I Cannot Say Why

I wanted to embed a video for this post, but for some reason, YouTube wont let me. So, if you want to know the kind of mood I'm in, you'll have to follow this link. I know, I know, clicking on a link is just so much work, but trust me, at the very least you'll get a grin out of it.

Maybe one day, I'll tell you the why, and not just the what.

Chicken Stuffing Casserole

Well, it's been a while since my last post here, be it for a recipe or for just what's happening in my life in general, and while I will be updating you soon regarding my so called life, today I'm just going to give you my recipe for a tasty casserole dish.

This one is a particular favorite of mine. I made it for a recent potluck at work, and decided to make it again today to take to church for the homeless. I hope you enjoy it to.

CHICKEN STUFFING CASSEROLE

• 1 package (6 oz) chicken stuffing mix
• 1 can (10 3/4 oz) cream of mushroom soup with garlic, undiluted
• 1 cup milk
• 1 can (12 1/2 oz) chicken meat (water packed)
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables ( I like the "country style")
• 1 can (8 oz) mushrooms, stems and pieces, drained
• 2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Prepare stuffing mix according to the package directions.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine soup and milk and set aside.
3. Spread the stuffing into a greased 8" square baking dish.
4. Layer with chicken, vegetables, mushrooms, soup mixture and cheese
5. Bake at 350*F for about 30 minutes.

You will find this a warm, satisfying meal in one ready to serve dish. Remember, as always, eat and enjoy.

A Little Haiku from My Heart

I'm in a mood, and tried to think of a haiku poem to describe, with inscrutability, how I'm feeling.

You would think that a such a short, simply style of poetry would be relatively easy to write, but you would be wrong, as my example shows;

Time is running out,

The embers are growing cold.

So little warmth left.

I've done better, but the more that I think about it, the more I think this poem's essence encapsulates how I feel at this moment.

Thank You God!

I have heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but my question is "What will those words she wrote on her palm cost Sarah Palin"? What am I talking about? Watch the video and see for yourself.

I just want to thank God for the opportunity this gaff of Ms. Palin's has provided to "Saturday Night Live" and comedians everywhere. I'm counting down the days till this coming Saturday, and to the new season of "South Park".

I would also like to thank the FixedNews Channel for providing the video for this post.

I'm In Training & It's Working!

O.k., so far it's only been 5 days in a row I've managed to drag my fat ass to the gym for my hour of cardio per day I made as part of my new years resolutions, but in that 5 days I've managed to loose 3.5 lbs. I'm Ecstatic!

I know there is someone out their with a snide attitude just dieing to tell me how "It's only water weight and it's only 3.5 lbs. Don't get so high and mighty with us!", but I don't care, it's still weight loss. So, you can keep your toxic attitude, I'll keep my joy, confidence, and renewed sense of self-esteem.

What's my secret? Eating less, eating better, and getting regular exercise (see the first paragraph). Yes, I put down the bag of cookies and took a walk, and for the moment I'm averaging .5 lbs a day in weight loss.

If I were able to keep that up, I could lose 100 lbs well before my next cruise with Atlantis and Royal Caribbean, but I know full well, that as I get closer and closer to my ideal body weight goal, the gains (or should I say losses) will come slower and slower and harder and harder, but I'm o.k. with that.

I'll try to keep you updated on my progress, but I cannot decide how to present it. Should I let you know each time I get to an even weight (eg 240 lbs, 230 lbs, 220 lbs, etc, etc), or should I talk about the weight I've reached on a weekly or monthly basis? I'd ask for your replies in the comments section, or maybe take a survey, but we all know how likely it is anyone will respond or reply. I guess I'll just have to wing it.

Either way, don't worry, I'll keep you informed.

A Romantic Dinner for Two

I met someone really nice recently, and last night (1/27/10) I had him over for dinner and a movie.

I wracked my brain trying to think of the perfect thing to serve. It had to be lite, it had to be delicious, and it had to be easy to make. It took a while, going over and through every cook book in my somewhat extensive collection, but fortunately, I found it just in the nick of time.

My choice? Broiled Chicken, wrapped in prosciutto, served with roasted green beans, and potatoes with mushrooms.

We had a wonderful evening and he seemed to really like the food a lot, so, I've decided to share it all with you as an extra "Recipe of the Month".

"Broiled Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken with Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms with Potatoes"

• 8 ounces, fresh green beans, stem ends removed
• 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil (E.V.O.O.)
• Salt & pepper
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 6 thin slices of prosciutto
• 2 lemon wedges, for serving
• 1/2 lb small, redskin potatoes
• 1/2 lb bulk mushrooms
• 1 tblspn extra virgin olive oil (E.V.O.O.)
• 1 clove minced garlic

1. Set your oven (or toaster oven) on broil.
2. Line a baking sheet (or the small rimmed baking sheet) with aluminum foil (makes for an easier clean-up. Remember, no "unsafe-cooking").
3. Toss the green beans with 2 teaspoons of the E.V.O.O. and season with salt and pepper in a small bowl and then arrange on one side of your foil lined baking sheet.
4. Season the chicken with a little salt and pepper, then wrap with the prosciutto.
5. Place the chicken (seam side down) on the same foil lined baking sheet and rub with the remaining 2 teaspoons of E.V.O.O.
6. In a separate bowl cube your 1/2 lb of small, red skin potatoes and mushrooms (stems removed*) and drizzle with 1 tblspn of E.V.O.O.
7. Add 1 clove of minced garlic and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.
8. Toss to evenly coat the mushrooms and potatoes before placing them on the baking dish with your prosciutto-wrapped chicken and green beans.
9. Broil till chicken is opaque throughout. About 15 to 20 minutes.
10. When done, transfer the portions to two separate plates and serve with the lemon wedges.

I would like to add that this is a very versatile dinner to make. If you want to serve it for a group of four, just double the amounts. If you want to make it just for yourself, cut the amounts in half. It's just that easy. The temperature and cooking time remain the same. It's just that simple.

Well, that's all for now. I hope you're all doing well. Remember, as always, eat and enjoy.

AT&T, Say it Ain't So!

A friend told me recently that AT&T supported the "Yes on 8" campaign. If this is true, I cannot and will not continue to remain a shareholder regardless of how satisfied I am with AT&T's stock performance.

I've sent an e-mail to the investor relations department of AT&T, and if they tell me they did indeed support Prop Hate, I will sell my position and invest my money elsewhere.