No matter how you spin it, everything comes down to choices. Some days you are presented with a cornucopia of choices, other days it may seem that you are constrained and stripped of any free will. Making decisions of any consequence can be overwhelming. Yes or no, left or right, paper or plastic, chicken or beef. Sometimes you have so many options, your mind can't even begin to process it all and sometimes you have to face a choice that can change the course of your life.
When recently faced with a monumental decision, I realized how many choices I had been making everyday. I wanted to make changes in my life, and this was not an easy task, I faced many obstacles. However, I chose to continually be proactive and strive for change, despite how challenging and exhausting the process had been. I could have easily decided to do nothing and wait for something to happen, eventually. By making choices, suddenly I found myself with a "good problem to have", I was presented with 2 distinct, yet appealing offers. My career and lifestyle were at stake here. And no, you can't always have both.
I spent 2 days weighing the pros and cons of each option, spinning my wheels, trying to come to a conclusion that I wouldn't regret in the future. The bottom line came down to the choice between a lot of money but a lot of stress or less money but a much more enjoyable existence. While money can provide a certain lifestyle, how good can it be when you are too tired or busy to enjoy it? There were other key variables involved in making this decision, but in the end I chose to have a great life. One of the most difficult decisions of my life, to date. I am so happy with the choice I made and it only took a few hours, endless conversations and some lost sleep. Quality of life trumps all.
It's time to make a choice. What do you say to taking chances?
After writing this blog post I found an article that highlights the factors that went into making my decision on which job to accept. It is about more than just $$ - read more for yourself here
Monday 30 January 2012
Sunday 8 January 2012
Soup's Up
Soup has to be one of the easiest things to cook from scratch. Even for the most novice chef, you need to walk away from the cans (and tetra packs) head over to produce, put a few colourful and flavourful things into your basket and head back to your kitchen. Soup is also an awesome dish to cook up on a cold winter weekend, and make a big batch so you have extra during the week.
To begin you can make your own stock (chicken + onion + celery + carrot + water x heat to boil and simmer) or you can use a premade stock or quickly make some with a bouillon and water.
Once you have stock ready on the side, you want to start with a flavourful base, definitely saute some onions, you can add celery and carrots, or whatever tickles your fancy. Once that is aromatic toss in the rest of your chopped up veggies and stock, bring it to a boil and then let it simmer to bring out all of the flavours.
Personally, I enjoy a thick and hearty soup, but not necessarily cream soups, so I usually toss in a potato or two. After about 20 minutes on the heat, I like to use a hand blender (or potato masher) to thicken up the soup and make it less brothy. I only do a few quick blends, because I like the soup to be thick and hearty, and still chunky with lots of veggies floating around. If you prefer something completely pureed, just keep the blender in there until you have a smooth consistency.
For those who like a brothy soup, you can always add some pasta toward the end for added texture. The best types are small ones like alphabets, orzo, ancini di peppe, etc. If you are making a simple chicken soup, you can use something with more substance like tortolini.
I often hear people complain that they don't know how to cook, or are not creative enough. Soup is a great place to start, and it is pretty difficult to mess it up. Vegetable soup is one of the most basic things to start with. And for those who need a little inspiration here is what I put in the soup I made this weekend:
- onion, celery, carrot, zucchini, potato, white beans, tomato, spinach; and for a kick of flavour I added some garlic, marjoram and just a light sprinkle of curry powder
This is a wonderful, healthy and inexpensive meal to make. When I plan to cook with lots of produce, I head over to a small independent grocer in my area, it is not a fancy place, but the savings are well worth it, I bought 2 bags of produce for $7.00. Significantly cheaper than your big box grocery stores!
To begin you can make your own stock (chicken + onion + celery + carrot + water x heat to boil and simmer) or you can use a premade stock or quickly make some with a bouillon and water.
Once you have stock ready on the side, you want to start with a flavourful base, definitely saute some onions, you can add celery and carrots, or whatever tickles your fancy. Once that is aromatic toss in the rest of your chopped up veggies and stock, bring it to a boil and then let it simmer to bring out all of the flavours.
Personally, I enjoy a thick and hearty soup, but not necessarily cream soups, so I usually toss in a potato or two. After about 20 minutes on the heat, I like to use a hand blender (or potato masher) to thicken up the soup and make it less brothy. I only do a few quick blends, because I like the soup to be thick and hearty, and still chunky with lots of veggies floating around. If you prefer something completely pureed, just keep the blender in there until you have a smooth consistency.
For those who like a brothy soup, you can always add some pasta toward the end for added texture. The best types are small ones like alphabets, orzo, ancini di peppe, etc. If you are making a simple chicken soup, you can use something with more substance like tortolini.
I often hear people complain that they don't know how to cook, or are not creative enough. Soup is a great place to start, and it is pretty difficult to mess it up. Vegetable soup is one of the most basic things to start with. And for those who need a little inspiration here is what I put in the soup I made this weekend:
- onion, celery, carrot, zucchini, potato, white beans, tomato, spinach; and for a kick of flavour I added some garlic, marjoram and just a light sprinkle of curry powder
This is a wonderful, healthy and inexpensive meal to make. When I plan to cook with lots of produce, I head over to a small independent grocer in my area, it is not a fancy place, but the savings are well worth it, I bought 2 bags of produce for $7.00. Significantly cheaper than your big box grocery stores!
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