Peanut Butter Pancakes with Bacon

Most people dislike grocery shopping.  They feel it's a chore to be endured.  They might procrastinate it until they have nothing but crackers and cold cereal left to sustain them.

I enjoy grocery shopping.  I like seeing the new food products and tasting the samples.  

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Shallots

I went to the dentist today.  Many people don't like going to the dentist, but I don't mind it.  Going to a doctor stresses me out more.  Even if I have a cavity, it's a painless experience thanks to local anesthetic.

As always, I was told to floss more.  I was more frightened by the warning this visit.

Mango and Banana Smoothie

According to Wikipedia, the smoothie was created in the United States after the invention of the blender.  In the west cost of the US during the 1930s, Brazilian fruit drinks were popular at health food stores.

Mabel Stegner first used the term smoothie in a June 23, 1940 article published in the New York Herald Tribune.  The Waring Corporation, who sold electric blenders, distributed a booklet in the 1940s with 12 smoothie recipes.  

Chai Spiced Applesauce

This is a weird recipe to be posting in spring.  I have read lots of food blog posts recently with citrus fruit, but apples are usually reserved for fall.

I have a coworker who brought a box full of tart but delicious apples to work.  It was either apple sauce, apple crumble, or apple pie.  I chose the healthier but still satisfying option.

Citrus Beet Salad with Feta and Walnuts

Yesterday was a big day for me.  I moved to a new area.  I actually moved to a different state.  In the DC metropolitan area, that could mean the difference of just a few miles.

I'm really excited for the change.  It will be fun spending the summer getting to know a new area.  During the summer, this area has a farmers market, weekly 5K races, and outdoor movies, among other things.

Chicken Congee - Zhou

Several years ago I taught English in China.  During the week, I ate all three meals at the school's cafeteria. 

The students complained about the quality of the food, but I enjoyed the meals.  It exposed me to many Chinese dishes that are still favorites. 

Candy Bar Blondies

It rained all day today.  I like rain.  Everything smells fresh, and I appreciate that rain brings life.

My complaint is that my shoes got wet walking to work.  They still haven't completely dried.  I need a pair of galoshes.  I would prefer a pair with polka dots.

Chocolate Pancakes with Mini M&Ms

This weekends felt like spring.  The flowers in the area are in bloom, and the weather is warm.  It has been a beautiful weekend.

There is a Cherry Blossom Festival in DC this weekend.  There was a parade, street festival, and about a billion tourists yesterday.  

Picadillo

I'm moving this month.  One of my least favorite things is moving.  I don't have many things, but I move about every two years.

If I had a house full of stuff, moving would be unbearable.  I would probably end up paying someone to do for me.

Chocolate Pancakes with Granola and Chocolate Chips

Today was one of those work days that goes by painfully slow.  I think it was because the weather was beautiful.  Every time I looked out the window, I could see the sunshine.

I ended up eating my small stash of chocolate to help pass the day.  I feel pretty proud of myself because I didn't replenish it.

Navratan Korma - Vegetarian Korma

Happy Easter!  When I was growing up, we would spend the Saturday before Easter looking for our Easter baskets in the morning and then hiking in the desert in the afternoon.

On Easter, we would go to church and eat something like stew or pot roast afterwards for dinner.  Pot roast and stew were common Sunday dinners.

Brownies with Peanut Butter Chocolate Ganache

I participated in a Toastmasters competition today.  Toastmasters is this public speaking club where you give speeches in front of your fellow club members and someone critiques you.

I joined about a year ago.  I get nervous when I speak to crowds, and this seemed like a good way to overcome some of that anxiety.