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I’m the kind of person who gets super excited about the first of the month. It’s the Virgo in me. It’s like an Uber-Monday, a time for new beginnings. Frankly, I’m stunned it’s May already. I’m flabbergasted that I’ve been unemployed for one year and have *maybe* stepped in the gym once. Meanwhile, I have managed to lose about 8 lbs since last May (20 lbs total since Feb 2009) so good for me…considering the alternative.

One thing blogging has taught me is it’s good to have goals. So my goals for May are to increase my exercise to 3 x week, stick to my WeightWatchers plan, continue to try new recipes, and work on my photography skills. In the meantime, we will also be closing on our weekend getaway place in Portland:Pay no attention to the fact that gas is now over $4.00 a gallon, and we’ll be driving at least 700 miles in May. The real challenge will be to stay on track eating-wise with the sensational Portland Food Carts beckoning. I guarantee there will be some fine eating in May.

I continue to spend and save; Couponing has been an interesting process (they’re already calling me The Coupon Queen at my local grocery store). Though I spent more in April on groceries than I thought we spent in a typical month, we did save an average of 41%. I did not spend money on any groceries we didn’t “need” (I suddenly decided Alexia Onion Rings were a necessity once I had a coupon, and they were on sale), and we have a nice little stockpile of things that we will definitely use: toilet paper, paper towels, aluminum foil, Saran Wrap, soap, detergent, cleaning supplies. This also allowed us to stock up for the Portland place. It feels really great to run out of something and know there’s a replacement waiting for you that cost a fraction of the retail price. I do expect our grocery bills to be lower in May as we use up some of what we have.

Even though it’s supposedly Spring (yes, I always capitalize the seasons. I just think they deserve it), it’s still been soup weather around here:

Photo courtesy of My Recipes

This recipe was ridiculously easy, filling, and delicious:

Ravioli and Bean Soup

4 cups vegetable stock

1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, undrained

1 to 1 1/2 cups spinach/cheese ravioli (the original recipe called for tortellini but ravioli was on sale)

2 tsp olive oil

2 carrots, diced

2 celery ribs, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp crushed rosemary

1/2 tsp dried oregano (I left this out b/c Chris doesn’t like it)

1 box/bag (10 oz.) of frozen green beans

1 1/2 T prepared pesto sauce (we added some to individual portions. Too many PointsPlus for me)

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1. In a 3-quart saucepan, combine the stock and cannellini beans (with their liquid). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium and add the ravioli. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, warm the oil over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, garlic, rosemary, and oregano. Cook until vegetables are tender.

3. Add vegetable mixture to soup mixture, and stir in the frozen beans and pesto. Reduce heat to low. Simmer about 5-10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with black pepper or parmesan cheese before serving.

Makes 4 or more servings depending on the size. Approx 5 WeightWatchers PointsPlus, mostly in the ravioli so you can estimate from your package label.

Do you have any goals for May you’d like to share?

Seattle is actually supposed to get snow this morning, which is CRAZY! No wonder every Seattleite seemed to run outside last Saturday when the sun decided to grace us with its presence. We went for a 7 mile bike ride after a day of running errands. Afterwards, we grilled:Grilled Portabello mushroom with hamburger topped with Artichoke Tapenade and Red Pepper flakes. Yum!

Since we’re pretending the weather’s a bit warmer, it might as well be strawberry season!Almond Butter and “Jelly” oats! I finally finished up my bag of Bob’s Red Mill oats that it seems like I’ve had in the freezer forEVER. A healthy dose of cinnamon and this makes one fine breakfast! (PointsPlus = 7)

The dessert experiment of the week was Berry Custard. Normally, I’m not a huge custard fan, but I’m coming around. My grandmother used to make the most divine custard (that’s how she would say it too) that had some boozy ingredient. I’ll have to find that recipe. In the meantime, I had berries, ricotta cheese, and eggs to use up so I searched the web and came up with a recipe that I modified (I seem to be doing a lot of that lately):It’s no Cherry Cheesecake, but it’s a nice, sweet treat packed with protein. It also makes a yummy breakfast!

Individual Berry Custards

(Serves 12)

3 large eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/3 cup sugar, divided (I used Splenda)

1 lb mixed berries (I used frozen because I had them on hand)

Instructions

Fill a roasting pan halfway up with water (I actually set the empty ramekins in the pan and then filled it up so I wouldn’t overflow it later. Then I took the ramekins out and put the pan in the oven). Place roasting pan in oven and preheat to 350 degrees.

Combine beaten eggs with ricotta cheese, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1/4 cup of sugar in a medium bowl until well blended.

In 12 small ramekins, layer ricotta & egg mixture with berries.

Carefully place ramekins in roasting pan, being careful not to scald yourself. Bake until the tops just start to turn brown (about 35 – 40 mins). Carefully remove ramekins and allow to cool on baking rack for about 30 mins.

Top with additional berries or whipped cream.

PointsPlus – 3 without whipped cream.

I have to admit that the ricotta maintains its gritty texture but maybe that’s a good thing for those who don’t like “flan-y” desserts.

Happy “alleged” spring!

So last Thursday, I woke at 5 am to catch the 7:30 train to Portland, OR. Chris dropped me off at the station a little after 7 am, and there I sat until 8:30 am. You know when your eyes are so tired they sting? At least at an airport I could have grabbed a cup of coffee. It wasn’t a full train so once we finally boarded (italics denote irritation) I closed my eyes and snoozed for a while without fear of drooling on the passenger next to me.

We proceeded to stop at least three times for reasons that still don’t make sense. Door to door, my 3.5 hour train ride had turned into a 5 hour test of patience. (God Bless You, little IPad and my IPhone from which I could text folks I was meeting up with to tell them I’d be late.)

One of my dearest, oldest friends, who lives in New Jersey, met me at the station with his four year-old son whom I hadn’t seen since he was a baby. It’s SO great to get together with old friends who love you, no matter what. This was one of these visits. So the focus of the visit was to see my friend’s partner in OPUS at Portland Centerstage. He’d just gotten out of his matinee so we all met up for lunch at Baja Fresh (that 4 year-old has good taste in restaurants, his choice). We got all caught up over fish tacos:

10 WWPointsPlus for 2

After lunch, I shopped a bit (Powell’s! West Elm!) while the guys rested, and then I met up with Lisa from 110Pounds, who was joining me for the show. We met at Gilt Club, which was quite charming and cozy. It was a beautiful night, and I walked there from the Mark Spencer where I was staying. (PS. You can name-your-own price through their site, and I got it for a steal. Breakfast’s included and not too shabby.)

I was still kinda full from lunch so I ordered two apps, the Burrata and the artichoke soup.The Burrata was described as Burrata with basil seed, basil puree, petite flower salad, grilled bread. I’d never had it before though I know people who have made it at home. I think I built it up in my mind because I was expecting something much creamier and served warm. This was barely room temperature and so mild it was almost tasteless. The artichoke soup was very good, and, frankly, none of it mattered much as Lisa and I got caught up on our lives since we last saw each other.

We both really liked the play, which is always a relief when you’ve invited someone AND you know someone in the show (seriously, if you’re reading this in Portland go see it. I can get you discount tix!). I’m so proud of my talented friends!

The next day, I joined the boys on a trip to the Portland Children’s Museum (which ROCKS, by the way):

grabbed a quick lunch at the Deschutes Brewery (I had the hummus plate):Source

and then it was time to get back on the train. Sometimes you just need a whirlwind trip to another town! What’s amazing is that next time I’m there it will be in our own place! Can’t wait!

When we first got Cady almost 9 years ago, Chris had a very wise uncle who told us that pets will always work it out.

For the most part, Cady and Ink have done just that, and it’s so fascinating to see how their relationship is completely unique. Of course, Cady’s much older now, and she was here first. I wouldn’t say they’re buddies, but they are happily co-existing.

PS. That’s Cady’s innocent look. Don’t be fooled.

Happy weekend everyone! We’ll be cozied up (Hello? Where the heck is Spring???) eating HEAB’s Meatza. WeightWatchers update: I’m .2 lbs away from losing my second 10 lbs since I started blogging. If only I would start exercising more! Argghh! But I did finally have to buy new jeans. Thanks everyone for the support!