Evolve With Mary: September 2013

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Sausalito’s 35^th Annual Chili Cook-Off

I did it! My chili was tasty, my booth was creative, I networked with local residences, and I faced my fears. Enjoy the pictures...

I cut up all of my vegetables the night before which was genius.

I’m so proud of myself for being brave and fearless. I got a good night sleep Friday night, woke up ready to seize the day and cook some chili. After 5 trips to the car and two stops for ice I finally showed up to the Dunphy Park, where the cook-off took place.

As soon as I arrived everything got that much real(er). I realized I was about to cook 15 gallons of chili all by myself, which didn’t seem like a big deal until I saw the other teams had at least 8-15 people helping and I was all alone.

I unloaded my car and set up my “kitchen” area, then started browning my meat, which took about an hour.

After all the meat was done, it was time to cook my vegetables, that took 20 minutes.

Then it was time to add beans, tomatoes, and seasonings. By the time all of my ingredients were added it was past 10am and my friend arrived ready to work.

We spent the next hour setting up my booth.

Before I could take a deep breath it was time to serve chili. I wasn’t able to taste my chili but my helper and my customers let me know it was delicious.

I spent the next 4 hours passing out chili, talking about my business and networking with Sausalito residences.

My chili was amazing. It had a smoky flavor that wasn’t intimidating or too spicy. I also set out mild cheddar cheese, sour cream, and my famous hot sauce that I made the day before. I had an overwhelming response to my chili and my booth. People kept coming back for more chili, most of the day there was a line for my booth. At least 50 people told me I had the best chili at the event. I ran out of chili 45 minutes before the event was over. The people next to me had at least a few gallons left over, but not me, I had to scrape the bottom of my pots.

Sadly I didn’t place, I didn’t win any prizes, but that wasn’t the point. I won in my mind. I faced a fear and accomplished something out of my comfort zone. I met people, I passed out positive affirmations, I made wonderful connections, and I did it all by myself.

SO HAPPY!!!

By the end of the day I was pooped.

The breakdown

I plan on participating in the Chili Cook Off next year. I am proud of myself for taking on such a big challenge. When I first arrived at the park I didn’t want to unpack the car, I was nervous, a little scared, and very intimidated. But I thought about all of you. I thought about all the positive affirmations I post on my blog, how I tell people to get uncomfortable, be brave, try new things and believe in yourself, which is exactly what I did and it paid off. Now I know I can do anything I put my mind to.

I can’t wait to see what I get myself into next.

Blessings

Mary

Today is the day before the big day, and I’m feeling the pressure. Most of my crafting is done but I still have some important components to create.

This posting is going to be short in sweet, the next time we get together I will have tons to talk about and pictures to share.

So far this has been a positive process, I’m scared shitless, but I’m not telling anyone how nervous I am. The plan is to get all my computer stuff done by 8am then finish my crafting my 10am and leave the house by 10:30 to get shirts made, pick up all ingredients for my chili, grab my propane stove from Party Central and any other last minute things I'll need.

Lets Talk about Chili Cook-Off Crafts

First try on Crayon Poster

Second try on Crayon Poster

Third try on Crayon Poster

New business cards

Origami hearts and paper airplanes will be hung like streamers around my booth

Creative card holder, a slinky

Lets talk about Animal Sightings

I was in my kitchen yesterday making origami hearts when I felt something watching me. I looked up and a fox and chilling in my herb garden looking straight at me. I jumped, frozen with fear and surprise, then my mind kicked in and I reached for my iphone to grab a pic. Of course the fox retreated as soon as I was ready to capture its soul with my camera.

When I called animal control they told me to enjoy the fox. They are locals, just like me, plus they are very very shy, fox's usually don’t attack. Ummmm Ok. I’m still not sure how I feel about it,it's super cool and a lil creepy.

Time to hit it friends!

Blessings,

Mary

Wow! What a week. Its almost over, but I need a few more days.

Everything is coming along slowly, my website needs a little more love, my chili recipe isn’t finalized yet, and I have 2-3 additional craft projects to finish before tomorrow. Not to mention prepping 5 pounds of onions, making my own hot sauce, and trying to stay positive and not loose it.

I went to bed a little early last night, this morning I was up with the sun, ready to tackle another day, and get ahead of the game.

Lets Talk about Life Hacks

I am an avid Pinterst user.

At first I didn’t understand pins and boards but now I’m a fan that can’t live without it. I found this awesome list and had to share it with all of you.

Figure out someone’s name with this easy trick

When you forget someone’s name, say “What was your name again?” They’ll respond with their first name, albeit somewhat hurt that you forgot. Then emphatically reply, “No, no, your last name.” Much relieved, they’ll happily oblige. You now have their first and last name without insulting them. Works every time

Use Lip balm to heal small shaving nicks

Rubber bands open stubborn jars

Get rid of yellow armpit stains with stuff you already have around your house

· Mix one part dawn with two parts hydrogen peroxide.

· Pour mixture over stain and let sit for one hour. You can also add baking soda and scrub lightly for harder stains. Wash as usual and stains will be gone like magic.

A fan and some dryer sheets quickly destinkify a

stinky room

Figure out which side your exit is on immediately

On the first day/week/month of school, save your

schedule as your phone’s lock screen.

Break in your flats in under 5 minutes

Put on thick socks, then your flats
Blow dry your shoes around the tight sections for a few minutes
Keep your socks/flats on while it cools
Test them out, repeat process if you need them more stretched out.

(pic of breaking in flats)

Put clear nail polish on the inside of your rings

Your fingers will be free from green stains

Hang your purses with shower curtain hooks

Chill your white and red wine with frozen grapes

When you pack a suitcase, wrap your shoes in a shower cap

Mount Cutlery trays to store your jewelry

Glue old wine corks to a picture frame to make your own Cork board

Put your necklaces through a straw to keep the chain from tangling

I love these life hacks, it seems like they will make anyones life just that much easier.

It’s time to tackle another day. I’m off to the gym for an hour of cardio, then time to work, work work!

Blessings Friends

Mary

References: http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/life-hacks-every-girl-should-know-about#1338433

It's hump day, we are half way to the promise land.

I hit a milestone yesterday. I pushed out 20 miles in 1 hour on the spin bike. I even got fancy and started doing abdominal exercises on the bike.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, now my abdominals feel like they are ripping apart. Today is my killa killa killa workout that can take up to 3 hours to complete. Always looking for an excuse to skip it, I’m not going to give in, I’m going to complete this workout and feel 'Strong Like Bull' when I’m done. Looking forward to feeling the burn.

Lets Talk Healthy Cooking

I’ve been cooking a lot more lately. I’m enjoying creating new flavors and trying out new techniques. Plus I had a lot of left over cheese from my pizza excursion, this recipe uses both of the cheese I had in the fridge.

I’ve always wanted to know how to roast tomatoes. It was a lot easier that I thought it would be.

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

*Use a baking dish or pan big enough, do not crowd your tomatoes

*If you use a metal pan make sure its not aluminum that might react with acidic fruits

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 clove garlic, peeled and thinly sliced

8-10 branches of fresh thyme

a few springs of fresh rosemary

fresh cracked salt and pepper

1 pound tomatoes, (8 small or 4 medium-sized)

Preheat oven to 325°F

Pour Oil oil into a shallow baking dish or pan, add garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper

Cut tomatoes in half horizontally, remove stems, toss tomatoes with oil and seasonings, then lay them cut side down in dish

Bake for two hours, or until the tomatoes are completely softened, wilted and start to wrinkle.

*Depending on the tomatoes, they may take short or longer to cook.

All that work for this tasty meal

Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

I cut the recipe in half, since I was only feeding myself.

18 eggplant rounds ( ¼ inch thick at least 3 inches thick, about 3 eggplants)

1 cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil

3 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced

3 plum tomatoes (about 1 ½ pounds) coarsely chopped

3 roasted tomatoes

1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh oregano leaves, save some for garnish

1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

4 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced and torn into small pieces

3 ounces finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese ( ¾ cup)

Crushed Red Pepper flakes

-Preheat oven to 425°F.

-Season eggplant rounds with salt

-Heat 1 cup olive oil in large skillet over med-high

-Working in batches, fry eggplant rounds, turning once, until soft and pale golden. 1 to 1 ½ -minutes per side, drain on paper towels

-Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in skillet over med-high, add garlic and cook 20 seconds (do not let brown)

-Add tomatoes and season with salt. Cook down, 10-15 minutes, stir in chopped oregano and basil.

-Place 6 slices of eggplant on a rimmed baking sheet, top each slice with 1 tablespoon sauce and a few pieces of mozzarella, sprinkle with 2 teaspoons Parmigiano-Regiano cheese.

-Repeat layering twice

-Bake until heated through and cheese is bubbling, serve immediately, garnished with more oregano and red pepper flakes

These came out freaking perfect. I snacked a little while cooking, so when it came time to eat dinner I could only eat one of these stacks of love. It was delicious. Can’t wait to devour the rest of these for lunch.

Per Serving: 573 calories, 51.77g fat (11.07g saturated fat) 27.22mg cholesterol, 19.96g carbohydrates, 12.8g proten, 10.33g fiber

Lets Talk Fitness Tips

I’m constantly worried about fueling my body correctly before and after my workouts. I know how it feels when I don’t eat the correct foods, and my body starts shutting down. It’s a feeling a dread and disappointed all because the pain is self inflicted. I vowed to myself never to overwork and under fuel myself again.

These lists are pretty cool, they are a great starting point for me.

I’m obessesed with flat abdominals. My stomachs been looking pretty good, but there is always room from improvement. I’m going to add these three exercises into my routine.

You can't forget your cardio, this workout looks challenging and fun.

That’s all folks, time to get back to work…

Blessings,

Mary

References: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2012/05/oven-roasted-tomatoes-tomato-recipe/, Meatless: Clarkson Potter publishing 2013

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