Chicken Tacos

Yes, I'm a vegetarian / vegan.  But, remember, I live with carnivores.  During quarantine, I made quite a few vegan and vegetarian meals.  My family enjoyed my cooking.  I think they liked the normalcy of  sitting down for dinner and enjoying a nice meal.  After a couple of months of these meals, I decided that I should branch out a little and make them something that they would like to eat.  In other words, something with meat.  

I found this recipe for Chicken Tacos and thought I would give it a try.   It can be challenging trying new recipes when you can't taste them.  I rely heavily on my customer's  family's input.

I am pleased to report that after making these Chicken Tacos, I received a thumbs up from everyone.  In fact, they asked that these tacos become part of a meal rotation.  I would call that a success!  

Well, enough talking.  Let's get down to cooking.  Here's the recipe:

Chicken Tacos

ingredients:

2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 TBSP oil

12 mini flour or corn tortillas

1 cup pico de gallo

1 avocado, diced

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1 lime, cut into wedges

directions:
In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper.  Mix and then rub the mixture onto the chicken.

Heat oil in large skillet.  Cook chicken until golden brown, making sure the chicken is cooked through.  Let chicken cool before dicing into bite size pieces.

Serve chicken in tortillas.  Top them with the pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro and lime.

If you try these Chicken Tacos, let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

Study Hall

I was taking a little break from things and decided to hand write a letter to my friend, Patti.  Patti and I have been writing letters on and off since fifth grade.  When we entered high school, we decided to write our letters in code.  The code makes it easier on you if you are ever caught by a teacher writing a letter or a note during class.  If caught, the teacher usually reads the letter out loud to the class.  If the letter is in code, they have no idea what the letter says.  This happened a couple of times and the teachers were embarrassed because they could not read the letter and gave it back.

High School was many, many years ago and, believe it or not, we still remember the code.  

This time, as I was writing my letter, I felt a flash back to my many years  time in study hall where I would write many pages to Patti.  I instantly felt like going back in time, just so I could be in Study Hall, writing a letter.  Without any other interruptions.

It's funny, because I spent so much time in Study Hall in High School and couldn't wait to get out of there, and now, Here I am, many many years later, wanting to go back.

P.S.  As I was writing this post out long hand on paper, I used some of our code short cuts.

Karen Stories

I thought I would amuse everyone with another Karen story from my daily retail life.

I get to experience real life Karens every day and I thought it would be fun to share my experiences with you, because, why should I keep these gems all to myself?  

So, sometimes the customer is crabby and wants to speak to a manager.  I think there is a better word out there for the word crabby.  I can't think of it, can you?  And, well, sometimes the customer is just, well?  There really isn't a nice way to put it.  Sometimes, the customer is just ....  a psycho!

Remember, this is soon after the end of quarantine, when we re-opened the store back in the beginning of June.  So, these customers have been cooped up for almost three months with little to no social interaction.  Scary, right?  

By the way, feel free to comment on this (and all other Karen) posts.  I would love to hear your reaction!

OK.  Here we go!

I had a customer who was returning bear spray.  We have outdoor gear and bear spray is used by campers and hikers.  It's pretty strong and, well, used on bears.  Thus the name....bear spray.  Well, this customer told me that he purchased the bear spray so he could use it on people.  

Now, remember, it's bear spray.  It's specifically made for bears.  That is why it's called bear spray.  

The customer told me that he called the police and asked them if he could use the bear spray on people.  The police told him not to use it on people and that he could be sued.  He really wanted to use the bear spray so that he could, "Spray people dead."  Since he found out that he can't do that, spray people dead, he has to return the spray.  

I don't think that three months in quarantine was enough for this guy.  He could probably just stay in quarantine for a really long time.  

I know I wouldn't want to get on Bear Spray guys bad side.  Would you?

Vegan Diaries: Roasted Eggplant Hummus

I love the summer time.  Lots of sunshine and lots of fresh vegetables from the garden.  

This year I planted eggplant.  I think I must have picked a weird  odd different type of eggplant this year.  The eggplant that are growing this year are coming in crescent shaped.  I think they are either Little Finger Eggplant or the Organic Heirloom Long Purple Eggplant.  

Normally I make Eggplant Parmesan or Moussaka during the summer with my eggplant harvest.  I'm not sure my small, skinny eggplants will be able to make these dishes.  I would need quite a few of them in order to make one of these dishes.

I did some digging and came across this Roasted Eggplant Hummus.  You can find details and pictures here.   Because my eggplant are so small, I roasted three of them.  During this process, I also learned that roasted eggplant is quite tasty. 

Here's the recipe:

Roasted Eggplant Hummus

ingredients:

1 eggplant

3 cloves garlic

2-3 TBS Olive Oil

1 can chick peas

2 TBSP Tahini

3/4 tsp cumin

1 1/4 tsp paprika

2-3 TBSP lemon juice

2-3 TBSP Aquafaba

salt to taste

directions:

Oven 450.

Cut eggplant lengthwise and place onto lined baking sheet.  Score the eggplant and brush with olive oil.  Peel garlic, brush with oil and place in tin foil and place on same baking sheet.  Roast for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Scrape the inside into a bowl and set aside.  Discard the skin.

Add everything to your food processor (chick peas, roasted garlic, eggplant, tahini, salt, cumin, paprika, lemon juice and 2 TBSP of aquafaba.  Blend until you reach your desired consistency.  Feel free to add more aquafaba for a smoother consistency.

Feel free to add kalamata olives or drizzle with olive oil.  Serve with pita chips or fresh veggies.

*My eggplants were really small and skinny.  I used three eggplants and they were roasted in about 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Stay Safe

We have all heard those words.  For the last three months, just about everyone has either uttered those words or heard someone tell them to "stay safe."  

It started with the quarantine order.

Stay home.

Stay Safe.

Once in awhile, they would add:

Stay healthy.

Save Lives.

I understand the, "stay home," part, but, "Stay Safe?"  Do you think I'm going to run around with pointy objects because I'm now in my home without any supervision?  If you don't remind me to stay safe, will I forget and do something stupid?  What if I'm not safe when you tell me this, do I continue on as I normally would, even though it might not be safe or in a safe manner?  And, most importantly, do people need to be told to be safe?  Isn't safe something that people want to be every day?  Are we that forgetful that we need to be reminded every minute of every day?  "Oh, I was going to do something reckless, but the person on television told me to, "Stay Safe," 

I wrote this while I was on break at work.  When I got back to the register, I had a customer who told me how grateful she was that we were here.  I figured she meant the location of the store.  She continued, "I'm so glad you are here.  I'm glad that you came to work today."  

Me:  Oh.  Thank you.

Customer:  Thank you for putting your life on the line.  

Me, not sure what to say:  You're welcome.

Customer, as she was leaving the register:  Thank you and stay safe.

Me:  OK.  I will.

Customer:  No, really.  Stay safe!

And, guess what?

My thoughts of running around the store with a pair of scissors instantly disappeared!

Spider!

I walked out of my bedroom and heard talking coming from the kid's bathroom.  I peeked in and saw both Alex and Bella in the bathroom looking on the floor by the toilet.  When I asked what was going on, I was told that they were trying to kill a spider.

First, a little background.

When I had boys, I thought that they would be OK with killing spiders for me.  I mean, they are boys, right?  Instead, I had one child who liked animals and would not kill the spider and the other child who was absolutely terrified of spiders.   So much for that idea.

Time passes and Bella joins the family.  She likes animals but seems to have no problem killing spiders.  In fact,  one night I hear, "Bella, can you come and kill a spider?" And Bella responds, "I'll be right there."  I asked what was going on and it turns out that Alex had Bella killing spiders for him.  If you haven't figured it out by now, he is the one that screams like a girl when he sees a spider.  The funny thing is, Bella didn't mind doing it.  She would leave her room and go into Alex's bedroom just to kill a spider for him.  She would then leave the room and tell him that she killed it (he would be waiting in the hallway).  Of course, this situation did not last very long.  Bella got tired of having to drop everything and save her brother's life  and kill a spider for her brother. 

 

Back to the story.  

Once again, Bella was the one hired to murder  in charge of the spider's fate.  Alex told me that they have an agreement and that they take turns killing the spiders they find in the bathroom.  Bella responded, "It seems like it's always my turn to kill the spider!"

I guess if it works for them, I'm not going to get in the middle of their agreement.

Karen Stories

I have mentioned on numerous occasions about my retail job.  Let me tell you, working with the public can be very interesting.  Along with working retail, you get to experience real, live Karen situations.

I have accumulated quite a few stories since I returned to work after quarantine and thought I would occasionally share them here with you.  In retail, you get the super nice, kind customers, along with the crabby, impatient customers.  And, of course, the customers who go shopping just so they can pick a fight with someone.

And now, after quarantine, people have been stuck in their houses for so long with little to no social interaction, retail has been pretty interesting.  Well, I will try not to bore you.  Although, I'm sure you will find some of these stories amusing. 

Oh, and feel free to comment.  I would love to hear your reaction!

OK, here we go...

The first week back at work we had some really strange people.

I had a customer come to my register with clothes that she wanted to purchase.  I started ringing them up and she asks me about our return policy.  The fitting rooms are closed so people can not try on the clothes in the store.  I told her that she has thirty days to return the items, with the tags on and with a receipt.  She asks me: 

Customer:  "Can I wash the clothes, then wear them, then wash them again and then wear them and wash them and then return them?"

I'm thinking, so, you want to try them out for six months or just the summer season, if they don't fit your style, or the weather changes or you gain or lose weight, then you will return them?  Sure!  No problem!  

But, of course, I can't say any of that....

So, I had to tell her that if you wear and wash the clothes, then they are yours to keep.  We can't sell clothes that have been worn.  She did tell me that other stores let her do this (return clothes that she has worn and washed).  I almost asked for the names of those stores so I could avoid shopping there in the future.

Have you ever worn clothes and returned them to the store?

Fun National Days in July

I don't know how I always forget to post these days earlier in the month.  I promise to work on my timing so you can better prepare yourself for these fun holidays.

Here are my fun National Days picks for July:

July 10  National Pina Colada Day

Pina Colada means strained pineapple.  This, of course, references the pineapple juice used in the drink.  Pina Coladas remind us of sunshine and vacation.  The coconut makes us think of suntans.  If you can't go on vacation, just hang out on your back deck and drink a pina colada.  

July 11  National Blueberry Muffin Day

Yes.  Time to make your niece some blueberry muffins so she can enjoy this day.  (Don't worry.  He knows this is directed to him.  Right, Steve?)

It's also

National Mojito Day

Let's raise a glass today for National Mojito Day!  The Mojito consists of white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and mint.  Today would be a great day to make a pitcher of Mojito's and hang outside!

Oh, and don't forget, it's also

National 7-Eleven Day

Today is a beautiful (and hot) day to celebrate the slurpee!  Check with your local 7-Eleven store to see if they are giving away free slurpies today.  Be prepared to wait in line.

July 14  National Nude Day

Celebrated naturally by Nudists (aka Naturists).  And, there's no extra laundry involved!  Enjoy an open air bath today.  That is when you sit naked in a room by a window and let the air drift around you.  Great way to save water!  If you decide to participate, make sure you are at home or a nudist colony because I am not bailing you out of jail!  Oh, and don't forget to wear sunscreen!

July 19  National Ice Cream Day

At least I don't have to make ice cream at work today.  I can just stay at home and celebrate with some dairy free ice cream.

It is also:

National Daiquiri Day

Well, if we celebrated the Pina Colada, we MUST participate in Daiquiri Day.  It would be so much fun if I just lived by a beach!

July 20  National Get Out of the Dog House Day

When you are "in the dog house," that means that you have fallen out of favor with someone, usually your spouse or significant other.  If you are the one in the dog house, talk to the person, face to face.  Send a handwritten note, chocolates or flowers.  If you are keeping someone else in the dog house, it's time to let 'em out!  (Today is your lucky day, RT! )

July 23  National Vanilla Ice Cream Day

And, my other brother will be celebrating big on this day!  Can you believe that Vanilla ice cream is the second most popular flavor in America?  How will you celebrate?  Hot fudge?  Carmel?  Sprinkles?  I know that "I'll take the vanilla," with some sprinkles.

July 24  National Tequila Day

Mix up a little margarita or, just do a shot (or three).  I really need to live by a beach.  "Hey, honey, we need more Tequila so we can celebrate National Tequila Day!"  (I'm being serious.  We are out of Tequila!)

July 26 National Aunt and Uncle's Day

Time to celebrate your favorite Aunt and Uncles today.  We are the ones that fill you in on the funny things that your mom or dad did when they were young.  Send us a little note and let us know that you appreciate the laughs  funny  family stories.

July 31  National Avocado Day

Need I say more?  I mean, who doesn't love avocados?  Eat them plain, make guacamole, or try my Chocolate Avocado Chocolate Chip Cookies.  

today is also

National Mutt Day

A national day for everyone to celebrate my weird dog  mutt, Pippen.  How does he make it on every national day list?  It's also a great day to visit a shelter and adopt a mutt of your own.  

and it is

National Get Gnarly Day

Gnarly can mean bad or dangerous, but, in this situation it means exciting.  Surfers use this term to refer to the waves that they tackle.  Like surfers, let's all put some "gnarliness" into everything we do today!  

Different ways to add gnarliness to your life:

Try a new gnarly hobby.

Meet new gnarly people.

Find a new gnarly style (for yourself or your home)

Throw a gnarly party.

I know I'll be having some gnarly fun today!  "Gnarly, dude!"

It looks like it's going to be a fun month!