Date of Expiration

Now normally I am a stickler for not eating past the expiration date including the "best by" date on milk or other items but I that is over.

As an expat there are things you crave from home, it can be small things that make you feel better.  I was having a moment (or two) of life sucks and what do you eat when that happens? Kraft Macaroni & Cheese!  I had a box sure (my last box) and I boiled the water and got ready to drain and thought huh wonder what the expiration date/best by date is and it was July 2011! I laughed to myself and said, "screw it" as its pasta and its dried cheese stuff.  I dipped my finger in and it was FINE! I ate it.  It was fabulous and it made me feel a bit better.

After quitting smoking and other shit happening in my life - I put on about 15-20 pounds and I know Mac & Cheese isn't the best for you but sometimes you just need that comfort - don't judge me as I did share it even though I could have demolished the entire box. 

I am still weird about the expiration but not as much as I was in the states because here stuff expires or has a best by date the moment you open it!  Cheese even has a best buy date of a week - a block of cheese! I mean come on, we all know cheese can last longer.  Bread lasts longer here because it isn't so warm and humid and that rocks but mine still goes moldy because bread would last me months if it didn't go moldy.

Just another thing you do as an expat and if you really need a comfort, you seek it out even if it "expired" almost a year ago.

snow wife

I am not Italian but....

The British need to figure out what a Stromboli is because here it is all wrong.

I mean a Stromboli is "made with a square shaped pizza dough that can be topped with any pizza toppings and is then rolled into a log and baked."  You may have tomato sauce (NO not ketchup) on the side for dipping if you choose but the sauce doesn't belong on the Stromboli!

Go on check wikipedia as I quoted it above as well.

Now I am taking one example of a restaurant here that I have been too and I got excited for a Stromboli and then I read the description: 
Stromboli - 8.95Pepperoni on a mozzarella and tomato base.We'll add extra chillies if you like it hot.
What the heck? tomato base Oy Vey


This is what a Stromboli should look like:

I know I am a picky eater but I didn't make up what a Stromboli was, the British just adapted to be a pizza and call it a Stromboli because I can't tell the difference.  Then again I do like pizza but let's not get started on that subject ;-)

snow wife

New location to shop? My attic?

Yeppers - the attic! I can fit back into my clothes from a few years ago.

For the few people that know me in this world my weight has always fluctuated between 135-155ish which for me was a pretty happy weight.

Few things happened in my life then add moving to a new country and WHAM the beef was adding up - I was the heaviest I have EVER been 185!  It crept up and I didn't even know it.  Well you know but honestly, "Its not that bad." Yes it was.  Soon as I saw myself in a picture I thought OH MY GOD that is me?

Oh hell no...time to do something about this.

Thank you to the Wii as it was my starting point and then I started paying attention to what was eating and chowing down on tons of fruit and veg.  It has been working.  It is no miracle and no its not an overnight thing to happen but I guess I had to take the baby steps.

I am about 10 pounds from my "self" goal.  It has taken 8 months but I am down to a happy 160 and this is without a fancy gym membership or anyone telling me I am "fat" because that shit isn't cool.

I think the encouraging thing and frustrating thing is Prince Charming doesn't say a word on it either way which I was thankful when I was "fat" but frustrated as I drop it - HA right?
I say honey I have lost 2 pounds this week...He says: you should fix that hole in your pocket

*eyeroll* At least I know he didn't marry me for my weight because let me know tell you there is more to someone then their body.  If you truly love someone, you love them for everything and support them.

Speaking of support - I had Price harming do P90X and he had to stop 5 minutes in claiming he was still too hung over. I laughed but he sat on the cough to watch me to that crazy lady Gilliam 30 day shred!

I guess I am just happy taking baby steps as it makes me feel so much better about myself and not doing it on any stupid diets.  I still drink and eat bread *gasp* and have take out!

snow wife

Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but they can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake.
Mrs. Anon

Dinner and I mean dinner not lunch

Ohh I have always dreamed of the following scenario...

Me: Dwarfs! Time to set the table for dinner please

It would look something like the below and yes I know I am dreaming but work with me!

Dwarf:#1 I will get the plates
Dwarf #2: I have the silverware and napkins
Dwarf #3: I will get the drinks

Prince Charming: Thanks guys (as he is BBQing the steaks outside)

after dinner?
Me/Prince Charming: Dwarf #2 its your turn to load the dishwasher and Dwarf #1 you bring the plates in and Dwarf #3 you clear off the table

Dwarfs: Easy peasy

How wonderful would that be?

Now reality ha

Grab plates already made up and go eat on your lap...Set the table? What table? Wash the dishes? noooooooo just leave them as I don't trust the dwarfs to hand wash dishes since we don't have a dishwasher.

Oh how a girl can dream of a table someday.

snow wife
All great change in America begins at the dinner table.
Ronald Reagan

Passion for what?

Back Story:
So I have decided in the last month or so to change my eating habits just a bit - ok alot. I am now eating fruit as snacks as breakfast and some type of vegetable with lunch and dinner.  This seems obvious to most to do so but not me - I never liked most fruit or veg.  I am older now and realise I need these nutritious things in my daily diet.

So I am telling Prince Charming about meal planning and explaining this new recipe which is part of my eating plan and it is so yummy and our conversation goes like this.

Me: oh honey I went shopping and got this steak and marinating it and yummmm.  Best part it is on my new eating plan

PC: Do I have to be on this diet too?

Me: It's not a diet. You can have rice, potatoes, meat and chips BUT you always have veg or fruit

PC: So I have to eat this way?

Me: Yes darling and we get to try a bunch of new recipes

PC: Well you have that passion for cooking and love trying new cooking adventures

Me: Passion? haha it's not a passion it's a necessity.  Are you going to cook?

PC: Haha I cook anything right out of the freezer and that's cooking!

Me: That's reheating and that's why I do the cooking since frozen food and canned beans are not the healthiest of meals haha

PC: Fair enough you keep your passion and I will keep eating it

Me: It's not a passion and now I will be teaching you to follow basic recipes because I know you can do it ;-)
PC: but you are so good at it I don't want to interrupt you and your cooking (sarcastically)

Me: Nice try mister - game on

Amazing how Prince Charming made it thru years without me and is still fit.  Now its my turn to get fit since we can't afford a chef to cook every night it will be me and in turn Prince Charming learning to cook.  Hey we take turns and I got him cooking enchiladas from beginning to end and it was good!  It takes baby steps. 

snow wife

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Chinese Proverb

Food...All expats talk food, we can't help it.

Well whether you know it or not I love and I mean love Mexican food.
I want to present and educate people who don't know what Mexican food is and maybe link a few recipes...
BUT wait there is more. Its such a suspense thing and you have to wait till the end.

There is such joy in good queso, guacamole and lightly salted thin tortillas chips presented to you before your meal and having it with a Mexican Martini. For your meal (anytime of day) you can have Breakfast Tacos (think bacon, sausage, bean, potato, cheese, egg), Fajitas, Regular Tacos, Burritos, Chimichangas, Flautas, Enchiladas, Chile Relleno or Quesadillas.

Now if you are outside the United States to make a few of these things can be not so easy.
So let's take a few things.
1. Queso - I always used Velvetta and Rotell but there has to be other ways!
Here is a cheat, I just needed an cheese sauce easy recipe to use when in a pinch or this one which would be ok too!

2. Mexican Chicken Soup - One of my favorite things to make - YUM!

3. Chicken Enchiladas - This was a decent recipe and you can change it up as needed.

Ok now that you have an idea of what Mexican is to me and a few recipes I can move on...
I would kill for a Mexican restaurant or would love to even open one which maybe in my 7 year plan, we will see. For now what is a girl to do when she has cravings?


Eat Indian! It's everywhere! I have come to love it loads. It doesn't taste anything like Mexican but it has that kick that is awesome.
I am not an expert on Indian but I can tell you what I do like.
1. Chicken Vindaloo - every place does it different so it can be tricky and some can be quite HOT

2. Lime Pickle is my absolute favorite if it is HOT on a poppadom! It is like my chips and salsa.
Recipe is here or buy this kind

3. Bombay Aloo - good potato recipe

4. Chicken Makhani/Indian Butter Chicken - One of my Favorites and then I get a side of vindaloo to give me a spicy dipping sauce.

You must have naan bread to soak up the sauce and it can help cool down your mouth as well.

Well now that I have made myself hungry maybe I will have some M&S chicken fajitas tonight - they are decent for being store bought.

I am always up for hearing about an excellent recipe that has some spice but wont take me tons of money and ingredients to make.

what's yours?

snow white

The perfect cup of Joe

Yes I know it is Valentine's Day and who blogs about coffee on such a loving day, well I do.
I think Valentine's is great but I also feel you should do this everyday not just one day such as random flowers, cards and the occasionally breakfast in bed.
This leads me to the perfect cup of Joe aka coffee.

I have never ever been the type of person who would touch instant coffee although in my experience British people will ask for instant because it is standard. It is a better grade the the US instant water garbage but no thanks I prefer the drip coffee at all costs.
We do have a pretty kick ass machine that will grind the beans and go on at a certain time (which I have never read the manual to make it do this yet).

I love flavored coffee. Full Stop.
I love flavored creamers. Full Stop

Can you find this easily? NO NO and NO
Thank goodness for friends and family who can feel my pain and send me flavored coffee and creamers. Even my wonderful hubster knows how much I love flavored coffee and I got some in my stocking that are BEANS so I can grind them...awww heaven.

I am not sure why the British haven't got hip with the idea of flavored creamers considering in London there are coffee shops on every corner - no kidding.
The big names are:
Cosca
Starbucks
Cafe Nero
Pret a Manger
Esquire Coffee
Plus there are a TON of smaller ones everywhere. So obviously the UK does like it's coffee and I am guessing it isn't just flat white coffee. Doesn't anyone see the market for creamers? I sure do.
International Delight makes tons of flavors but a few of my favorite ones are:


So since I don't have access to these beautiful creamers I learn new ways to make some kick butt coffee, yes a cheater way.
I head to a big warehouse store where the coffee shops by the pump syrup and get a bottle of Caramel syrup. I now own a milk frother that you just add milk and pump. You must also have some good coffee to make and I do prefer Taylor's of Harrogate if you can't get the good US stuff.
1. Store your coffee in your fridge in an air tight container
2. Use fresh filtered water
3. Make it fresh each day

1/2 teaspoons of said syrup, frothy no-fat milk and 3/4 cup of coffee = 1 happy camper.
Now this is the simple morning routine but below are a few links to recipes to make your own flavored coffee's as well. (Yes I used to use carnation condensed milk as a creamer but man the fat content in that is INSANE!)

Gingerbread Latte
Spiced Pumpkin Lattee
Make your own Creamer

So go on and try making a flavored cup of coffee oh and a small hint...if you have pumpkin pie spice when you add coffee to the filter sprinkle it on before brewing and it will taste like pumpkin.

What is your secret to a perfect cup of Joe, without going out to buy it?

snow wife
"Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds."
-Shakespeare

Tea is not a meal

I know I know beating a dead horse...I am going to bitch anyway - sorry.
Meals are the following in *my* world:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert

NOT
Breakfast
Dinner
Tea
Supper

I despise, detest, hate and every other single bad word to describe a meal as "tea". I flat out refuse on the grounds that "tea" cannot be a meal, it is a drink. My hubster tries very hard to speak what I call normal to me but throw in the dwarfs and man it makes it hard.
I will say this, we went to the school for an event and the teacher was talking to us about one of the dwarfs eating and she called it lunch! LUNCH NOT dinner. I did BEAM just a bit and hubster even saw me smile.

Example #1:
Dwarf: What's for dinner?
Me:Roasted Chicken and Veg
Dwarf: I mean lunch
Me: Oh sandwiches

Then let's add supper *pull hair here*

Dwarf: What's for tea?
Me: You are too young for tea *smile*
Dwarf: *they laugh* and then ask whats for dinner?

After dinner it turns into:
Dwarf: whats for supper?
Me: you just ate 1 hour ago?
Hubster: Go have some cereal

These are not normal sized portions either, since a HUGE bowl of cereal is like 3 portions it is crazy. That is another rant for another day. Too many meals in my opinion as every person should have 3 meals a day and a snack when they get home from school/or midday for people who work.

Calling dinner "tea" will not leave my mouth as it sounds like craziness, maybe I will reply with "yes please, 1 sugar and a little milk"

Want to read about "tea time: in the world check out wikipedia

Anything that drives you batty tell me, I am sure I can relate. Most things I can giggle off and I don't try hard to pick up words but with dwarfs it makes it so much more complicated but I am educating them on using words such as bless you, thank you (NOT TA), My not Me and all those other things that need pronunciation like W A T E R. Heck I still call pants - underwear...I can't stop!

Oh joys a new day but please just don't ask me what's for tea ;-)

snow wife