Discussing the adverse affects on e-waste in one of my classes, another student shared this video with us: E-Waste Hell. I encourage you to watch as there are surprising facts about where our old tv's, laptops, computers and several other electronic items go when we are through with them.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
My Perfect Day
Walk into the office, turn the lamp on lowest setting while squinting my eyes, swivel my chair a quarter of a turn to easily slid into it, swivel back toward computer screen, turn on the computer and wait mere seconds to load up my previous work from the night before. Click on my emails, read through the "From" section on the new ones as a grin reaches across my cheeks. The Smart Cookies are asking me what my perfect day would be. This is easy, I have a couple perfect day scenarios. Open the email to read the rest but only skim through the contents of the email before returning to the others. No time to read each and response so I stuff my laptop into my backpack, zip it closed and ready for when I head off to school.
It wasn't until Friday, three days later, that I reopened this email and fully read it. Again, a couple answers came to mind with almost each question asked. I grab my CAN (catch all notebook, Brook Noel) and write down each question; I want to find these questions and my answers months, years to come. I will type the questions and my response.
My perfect day. What would I do? How would I feel?
Scenario: It is Friday morning, still need to go to work.
1) What time do I wake? How am I feeling as I face the day?
I awake at 6am, sun is thinking about rising or has risen a little. I am feeling refreshed and excited
for the day ahead, a quick yoga practice is going to solidify my feelings. I am calm, collected,
ready to make decisions.
2) Where am I? If home, what does it look like?
I am home, about 20 miles outside of a large city in a quiet neighborhood where the neighbors are
good to have around and keep out of my personal business. My one story house is moderate sized
and open; brick outside and inside on a few walls in my bedroom, kitchen and living room. All
rooms within the house are larger than normal to provide space necessary for people, pets and
furniture as we entertain often and love not having to around pets and furniture.
3) Who is with me? People, pets?
The love of my life is with me, continuing to sleep, now wrapped up in all the covers, hiding from
the sunlight coming through the window outside of the bedroom. The dogs, one, two or three of
them, are stretching their legs and darting out of the bedroom heading toward the back door to
the large backyard where they spend time as I prepare my coffee.
4) What are my activities this day?
My activities consist of practicing yoga, sipping on coffee while reading my personal emails,
feeding the dogs, preparing breakfast and lunch, work - making decisions, contacts and
opportunities, preparing dinner and enjoying it with my love.
5) What kind of work do I undertake and with whom? Consider the qualities I want in the work I do, including the ideal workplace environment.
I am in the business of environmental and social responsibility and traveling worldwide for it, in the
business of consulting for LEED specifics, in the business of writing books, and touring for their
release as well as a yoga teacher at a small studio near my home. My workplace environment is
vibrant, busy, open to all communication, getting tasks accomplished with a team effort. This work
is performed in an office building lit with natural light, powered by natural resources, and holds like
minded people and enthusiasts.
6) As I head to work, what am I wearing and how do I look?
I am dressed in a dark business suit pencil skirt with a light shirt and a colorful scarf along with
killer heels, because heels mean business; my hair is pulled up at the sides so it looks as if my hair is
down but it remains out of my face so my colleagues and clients can see my eyes and my intentions
clearly.
7) When and where do I work and how do I get there?
I work a pretty normal 8-4 or 9-5 for my responsibility side of business, consulting hours for LEED
business and on my spare time for writing and publishing. I get to all activities in my electric car or
when traveling across the nation or world, by plane, train, and cab.
8) When work is done, what do I do with my spare time?
I practice and teach yoga, I run, cook, read, and spend time with great friends whether eating,
drinking wine, hiking, canyoneering, or learning to knit.
9) Who do I spend my time with and how do they relax?
I spend my time with the love of my life! We communicate freely without t.v., we walk, hike, go
camping and canyoneering. When the busy is done, a book is opened as the night falls.
10) What is my evening like? What do I eat for dinner? Who am I with?
My evening is full of playing with the dogs, preparing a tasty dinner, opening a new bottle of wine,
listening to my love's day, walking the dogs, and not to forget to watch Bill Maher's HBO weekly
show. Dinner is a big bowl of creamy pasta with garlic bread and a spinach salad.
11) As my day winds down, what am I grateful for? What am I excited about as I drift off to sleep? What am I looking forward too?
I am grateful for the sun rising, for the dogs excited to rise with the sun and explore their new day.
I am grateful for my jobs, contributing to the world, making it better when I can. I am grateful to
wake up next to my love and grateful to spoon with him each night, his arms wrapped around me.
I am grateful for the opportunities I have created.
There is my perfect day! Doing what I love, making the necessary choices in life to better me, my family and my society. The trick here is getting to my dream jobs; on my way yes but want to be there today...yesterday.
All of my dreams are possible, yet some of them require money, like my house or my electric car. The ability to feed me, my love, and our many dogs. Yet, my dreams here are not far away, I have a feeling they are closer to me than I think. They are here, before the horizon meets my eyes.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Best Damn Chicken Enchiladas
Is there one activity in your life that you wished you were not so intimidated with? My intimidation is cooking. My sisters and brother have been able to rope this up and turn it into an easy process; yet, for one reason or another the stove, pans, and utensils mock my intentions and if I do let them get under my skin, they win - my creation ruined. I dream of being a pro in the kitchen, to walk in, stand legs barely hip distance apart, hand on hips - leaning more to my left side, scan the area and start my actions to conquer the mocking and to prove to myself that this task, this activity is not as bad as I think.
In passing I have mentioned to G that I have made (yes, past tense) tasty chicken enchiladas. Then a few days ago I said I wanted to make them again. A shopping trip later there are my ingredients for chicken enchiladas. Earlier today I did some searching on the internet for a great recipe since I vaguely remember mine to taste...a little bland, perhaps because I boiled the chicken in unflavored water (I hear your cringes now, quiet it down before the utensils hear you and they mock me again). I binged (bing.com) "best damn chicken enchiladas" and one of the few top caught my eye so I clicked on it, read the ingredients, the "how-to" and thought this would be a delicious one to try. But before reading everything I notice the site name, blog name and the ingeniunity of it, which made my desire to pro kick ass this kitchen mocking to grow and create my own blog for recipes I make with a catchy, fun name. Thanks to pinkparsley there was no mocking, no spitting food back into my face, no missed ingredients that failed... her recipe was a surefire for success!
If you know me and my relationship with recipes, I need to read, reread, and reread a recipe, then as I begin to make the dish I reread again and of course throughout the process. There have been many times that I have forgotten to include an ingredient in several dishes; you got it, I am super special! And yes, I did tangle a couple items up from this recipe but it didn't matter because my tangled version was mouth watering delicious!
There were just a few things extra I needed for this recipe, like an onion, a jalapeño and a can of tomato sauce, I ran to the store several hours before I needed them so I wouldn't cut time short. Throughout the day I imagined this process taking at least two hours so when I started it at 7:30pm I stressed a little because G was going to be home not long after 8pm and starving, I was sure. I know when I am hungry, waiting sucks! Several people will confirm this and they may have colorful words to replace my "waiting sucks". Anyway, 7:30 is here so I get things chopping, sautéing, cooking, simmering then what do you know, I am minutes away from plopping all the ingredients into the tortillas to be filled with cheese, rolled tight then topped with more cheese and tossed into the oven for 20 minutes. Whew! We didn't have to wait long at all, it wasn't much longer than 30 minutes when he walked in the door to us sitting down and trying out my new creation.
First bite and I was sold on this recipe, G said it was delicious also! Next time though, there will need to be more chicken in each tortilla, he says. Easy to add in more. Also for the next time I make this, I will add more cumin and chili powder and less sugar (I was excited a recipe not named dessert wanted me to add sugar). Maybe more than 15 oz of tomato sauce (but not 30, that would become soupy, right?). Oh, maybe add a couple seeds from the jalapeño.
Take that stove, take that pans, take that utensils, soon you will have nothing on me because step by step, storm by storm, I will conquer and you will oblige.
Happy kitchen time and cheers!
Here is the recipe I found and my version :)
Chicken Enchiladas with Red Chile Sauce
adapted from Tide and Thyme, orginally from America's Test Kitchen
Combine the onion, jalapeno, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and oil in a large saucepan. cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the onions and peppers have softened, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and sugar, and cook until fragrant, less than 30 seconds.Stir in the tomato sauce, water, and chopped tomato. Bring to a simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, 5 minutes. Here I added stock, simmered for 10 minutes then transfered only the chicken into a simmering tomato sauce with more spices and sugar and simmered maybe another 10 minutes.
Nestle the chicken into the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until chicken is cooked through (thickest part reaches 160 degrees), about 12-20 minutes.Transfer the chicken to a plate, and set aside to cool.
Strain the sauce through a strainer into a medium bowl, pressing the onion mixture to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the onions to a large bowl and set aside. Season sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add to the onin mixture, and add 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce, 1 cup cheese, and the cilantro. Toss to combine.
Stack the tortillas on a plate and cover with plastic wrap; Microwave on high until warm and pliable, 40-60 seconds. Spread the tortillas on a clean work surface, and spoon 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture evenly down the center of each. Tightly roll each tortilla and lay seam-side down in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
Lightly spray the tops of the enchiladas with cooking spray. Place in the oven, uncovered, for about 7 minutes, or until the tortillas start to brown slightly (skip this step if you don't like the crunch).
Reduce heat to 400.Remove enchiladas and pour sauce evenly on top. Top with the remaining cheese. Cover dish with foil, and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until heated through.
Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes, until cheese browns. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, additional cilantro, etc.
In passing I have mentioned to G that I have made (yes, past tense) tasty chicken enchiladas. Then a few days ago I said I wanted to make them again. A shopping trip later there are my ingredients for chicken enchiladas. Earlier today I did some searching on the internet for a great recipe since I vaguely remember mine to taste...a little bland, perhaps because I boiled the chicken in unflavored water (I hear your cringes now, quiet it down before the utensils hear you and they mock me again). I binged (bing.com) "best damn chicken enchiladas" and one of the few top caught my eye so I clicked on it, read the ingredients, the "how-to" and thought this would be a delicious one to try. But before reading everything I notice the site name, blog name and the ingeniunity of it, which made my desire to pro kick ass this kitchen mocking to grow and create my own blog for recipes I make with a catchy, fun name. Thanks to pinkparsley there was no mocking, no spitting food back into my face, no missed ingredients that failed... her recipe was a surefire for success!
If you know me and my relationship with recipes, I need to read, reread, and reread a recipe, then as I begin to make the dish I reread again and of course throughout the process. There have been many times that I have forgotten to include an ingredient in several dishes; you got it, I am super special! And yes, I did tangle a couple items up from this recipe but it didn't matter because my tangled version was mouth watering delicious!
There were just a few things extra I needed for this recipe, like an onion, a jalapeño and a can of tomato sauce, I ran to the store several hours before I needed them so I wouldn't cut time short. Throughout the day I imagined this process taking at least two hours so when I started it at 7:30pm I stressed a little because G was going to be home not long after 8pm and starving, I was sure. I know when I am hungry, waiting sucks! Several people will confirm this and they may have colorful words to replace my "waiting sucks". Anyway, 7:30 is here so I get things chopping, sautéing, cooking, simmering then what do you know, I am minutes away from plopping all the ingredients into the tortillas to be filled with cheese, rolled tight then topped with more cheese and tossed into the oven for 20 minutes. Whew! We didn't have to wait long at all, it wasn't much longer than 30 minutes when he walked in the door to us sitting down and trying out my new creation.
First bite and I was sold on this recipe, G said it was delicious also! Next time though, there will need to be more chicken in each tortilla, he says. Easy to add in more. Also for the next time I make this, I will add more cumin and chili powder and less sugar (I was excited a recipe not named dessert wanted me to add sugar). Maybe more than 15 oz of tomato sauce (but not 30, that would become soupy, right?). Oh, maybe add a couple seeds from the jalapeño.
Take that stove, take that pans, take that utensils, soon you will have nothing on me because step by step, storm by storm, I will conquer and you will oblige.
Happy kitchen time and cheers!
Angela
Here is the recipe I found and my version :)
Chicken Enchiladas with Red Chile Sauce
adapted from Tide and Thyme, orginally from America's Test Kitchen
- 1 medium onion, chopped fine
- 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped fine
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 3 medim cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 large beefsteak tomato, seeded and chopped
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 large breasts)
- 1 cup extra sharp white cheddar, shredded
- 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
- 12 (6-inch) soft corn tortillas
- cooking spray
- salt and ground black pepper
Combine the onion, jalapeno, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and oil in a large saucepan. cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the onions and peppers have softened, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and sugar, and cook until fragrant, less than 30 seconds.
Nestle the chicken into the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until chicken is cooked through (thickest part reaches 160 degrees), about 12-20 minutes.
Reduce heat to 400.
Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, additional cilantro, etc.
Thanksgiving...the Old-Fashioned Way
"I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land."
~ Jon Stewart
~ Jon Stewart
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Sticker Loot
In my younger years, ten, 11 maybe 12 (perhaps earlier) I would frequent the Hallmark store in Trolley Square retail center, Salt Lake City at least every week, usually on Friday's after school. Once I got the courage to sweet talk my dad into $20 (like it was ever a task). Back then $20 was gold! Each week I was either with some friends or by myself (can you image walking by yourself to Trolley Square today...at 10?!) One of my most favorite stores to rush into was Hallmark. The allure of stickers on rolls! Yes people, stickers on rolls and the rolls were huge and the amount of rolls on top of another continued. Wax paper city graffitied by stickers to fit an array of personalities and ages. I was a collector of fine stickers.
That's right, a collector. I would select my findings with time and patience, then trim the wax paper leaving a fine line in between the stickers...when I say "fine line" I emphasis my non-straight lines that today I still choose to cut, and for this story we will call it my artistic cut. There was always more than one sticker purchased each week; if I can remember right, it was a loot full of stickers, five, ten, 20. No, I didn't spend the entire $20 on stickers...I think. But it was a great margin of my money going toward their profits. Close your eyes and envision me skipping through Trolley Square with my bag full of stickers and a huge grin upon my face!
The best was when my eldest sister worked there, it was two bonus' in one fun filled trip! To see my sister out of home life, see pride behind her inviting smile, and then to browse through the stickers! This was a skilled art you see, not many had the patience to turn the huge wheel of wax paper with art stuck to it, one inch wide and, in my ten year old mind, 500 feet of stickers rolled up. She also worked at Taco Bell sometime in this story line...loved Taco Bell back then, "Bean and Cheese Burrito with no Onions." Picky then and a pickaterian today. Back to the story...
I frequented another Hallmark today as I waited for my car tires to be worked on; sadly, I did not find stickers on rolls upon rolls of wax paper. Instead, it was 10 hideous stickers, all the same, packaged into one. Where did the creativity go with being able to choose 10 different designs? Now the marketers think the kids today, or adults, want all of one the same thing...not using their own heads to come up with what they desire. I know what I want, I want the rolls of stickers back!
Vera Bradley and hopefully soon Curly Girl Design, but no rolls. What has this world come too? Ah, you wait, with my persistence and persuasiveness the marketers will come back and it will be like Madonna coming out with Material Girl again.
I am perplexed as to where my coveted stickers ended up? I am sure I had bags and boxes full of stickers, but where are they today? Sure I put a sticker on a book here or a sticker on a pencil there but for the most of their lives they stayed on their wax paper, pristine.
That's right, a collector. I would select my findings with time and patience, then trim the wax paper leaving a fine line in between the stickers...when I say "fine line" I emphasis my non-straight lines that today I still choose to cut, and for this story we will call it my artistic cut. There was always more than one sticker purchased each week; if I can remember right, it was a loot full of stickers, five, ten, 20. No, I didn't spend the entire $20 on stickers...I think. But it was a great margin of my money going toward their profits. Close your eyes and envision me skipping through Trolley Square with my bag full of stickers and a huge grin upon my face!
The best was when my eldest sister worked there, it was two bonus' in one fun filled trip! To see my sister out of home life, see pride behind her inviting smile, and then to browse through the stickers! This was a skilled art you see, not many had the patience to turn the huge wheel of wax paper with art stuck to it, one inch wide and, in my ten year old mind, 500 feet of stickers rolled up. She also worked at Taco Bell sometime in this story line...loved Taco Bell back then, "Bean and Cheese Burrito with no Onions." Picky then and a pickaterian today. Back to the story...
I frequented another Hallmark today as I waited for my car tires to be worked on; sadly, I did not find stickers on rolls upon rolls of wax paper. Instead, it was 10 hideous stickers, all the same, packaged into one. Where did the creativity go with being able to choose 10 different designs? Now the marketers think the kids today, or adults, want all of one the same thing...not using their own heads to come up with what they desire. I know what I want, I want the rolls of stickers back!
Vera Bradley and hopefully soon Curly Girl Design, but no rolls. What has this world come too? Ah, you wait, with my persistence and persuasiveness the marketers will come back and it will be like Madonna coming out with Material Girl again.
I am perplexed as to where my coveted stickers ended up? I am sure I had bags and boxes full of stickers, but where are they today? Sure I put a sticker on a book here or a sticker on a pencil there but for the most of their lives they stayed on their wax paper, pristine.
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