Friday Five

1. You are looking at my department’s newest employee of the month! Yep. That’s me. The best part about it is getting a reserved parking spot. That’s a hot commodity here, people. HOT!

2. Seeing how today is Veteran’s Day, I need to pause and say a big thank you to the men and women that have served and currently serve in our military. Freedom is not free and I have each of you to thank for the freedom that I enjoy. Thank you!

3. We have some friends coming into town this weekend. Today the guys are all hanging out. I don’t know what they will end up doing. Us girls will be cooking a Thanksgiving feast to be enjoyed at dinner. Yummy! I am supplying the Green Bean Casserole (recipe to be shared later), Pumpkin Cake (also to be share later), and some other odds and ends.

4. Tomorrow the guys will be going to the Maryland vs Notre Dame football game. It’s a night game so they won’t be getting home until late. Very late.

5. And while the guys are doing manly football things, the girls will be going shopping! I really need to get cracking on my Christmas shopping.

Friday Five

1. I picked up a small vacuum last Saturday since we have to vacuum up kitty litter every few days due to an enthusiastic kitty. I got it home and excitedly took it out and put it together. It wasn't until I had everything out that I noticed that it was missing the charger. Great. A small cordless vacuum doesn't work well without being charged. Good news though - I was able to exchange the vacuum last night. And yes, I did check to make sure this one had a charger.

2. I am going to help my BFF tomorrow with a crafty project for her oldest daughter. We are decorating a paper turkey. Should be fun.

3. Have you started Christmas shopping yet? I have some things, and should probably pull it all out to make sure I remember everything I have. Shhhh, what I already have is classified TOP SECRET!

4. Rusty and I are going to a church barn bash tonight. Should be a great time - pig roast, desserts, bonfire, wheelbarrow joust, games, entertainment, and more! It's going to be in the 40s this evening, so I am going to be sure to bundle up. Brrr!

5. If you have a few moments, can you pray for my friend and founder of Hannah's Prayer Ministries, Jenni? She had a stroke on Tuesday which caused a seizure and left her unresponsive for a number of hours. She is still in ICU but hopes to be moved to a regular room in a few days. She is having some double vision in her left eye and a little paralysis on the left side of her face, but she is able to talk.

Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes

Recipe adapted slightly from here.

This was super easy and quick. We really like the light pumpkin flavor of the cupcakes. I used a store bought vanilla frosting, but these cupcakes definitley need cream cheese frosting. I have a fabulous cream cheese frosting recipe, but I don't want to take a super easy recipe and complicate it. So, next time I will look for cream cheese frosting in the baking aisle.

Ingredients:
1 cake mix - yellow, white, or vanilla
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
Cream cheese frosting

Directions:
1. Combine cake mix, pumpkin, and pumpkin spice. Mix well.
2. Bake according to package directions.
3. Frost and enjoy!

Ingredients 101: Tofu

Flavor
Tofu has a very light and somewhat bland flavor. Tofu picks up whatever spices and flavors are in a dish, so I like to use it in recipes that have bold flavors.

Nutrition
Tofu is low in calories and fat, and high in protein and iron.

Texture
Fresh tofu comes in several different textures, from soft/silken to extra firm, all of which are packaged in water. It's texture resembles soft to firm custard. Fresh tofu can also be “dry.” Dry tofu has not been dried out, but rather it has been pressed in order to get rid of a large amount of liquid.

Varieties
For fresh tofu, I prefer using extra firm because it holds up better in cooking, whereas softer tofu can fall apart and get mushy.

An example of dry fresh tofu is spiced tofu. Spiced tofu has 5-spice seasoning in it and is much firmer than regular extra firm tofu.

There are also some processed varieties, such as pickled tofu and stinky tofu.

Cooking Preparation
Fresh tofu – cut tofu into pieces (shape and size depends on recipe), and place in a mesh colander over a bowl. This will allow extra liquid to drain from the tofu pieces.

Dry tofu does not need to be drained. Simply cut it up as the recipe indicates.

Recipes
Here are a few recipes that I have used tofu in:
Schezuan Bean Curd (Mapo Tofu)
Zha Jiang Mein (Pork Sauce Noodles)

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Leave any questions you have in the comments.

Modifiable

I recently took a health risk assessment questionnaire with my employer’s health insurance. Taking this assessment will save me $500 on my health insurance next year. The assessment asks questions about blood pressure, weight, eating and exercising habits, and so on. At the end it tells you if you are at risk for anything from cancer to heart disease to strokes.

What struck a chord with me was that what I am at risk for are considered modifiable risk factors. I can do something about them…making an appointment, eating better, exercising…it’s in my power to change and minimize my risk factors.

Convicting much?

Oof.

This really is something I will battle forever. What can I say…I love food and not exercise.

Lord, help me love you above all else. Help me make good and healthy choices, and avoid the bad ones. Strengthen my resolve and my will-power. Amen!