Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are hands down the GREATEST chocolate chip cookies that will ever reach your mouth. Ever.

½ cup butter
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
½ tablespoon vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
¼ cup quick oats
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Cream butter and both sugars.
Mix all dry ingredients (flour, oats, baking soda and salt) in a separate bowl.
Add egg to creamed ingredients. Add vanilla. Mix well.
Add dry ingredients a little at a time until it's all well incorprated. (Mixture should be really thick and not real sticky. If too sticky, add extra flour 1 T. at a time until dry enough that you can pick up the dough and roll it without it sticking to your hands.).
Mix in chocolate chips.
Roll dough into balls and bake at 350 for 12-13 minutes. Take them out just as they are barely beginning to brown. Do NOT over-bake. I can't emphasize this enough.

Make these. Trust me, you definitely will NOT regret it.

falafel

I recently (I'd say within the last few years) have discovered falafel. Why it took me so long to discover this amazing treat, I have NO idea. I'm sure glad I did though. Such a good alternative for vegetarians. And hey, even meat eaters enjoy them. hahaha

Cucumber, lettuce, falafel, hummus, wheat pita, feta cheese, hot sauce, white rice. So. Good! Then, put some white rice on the side with a little seaweed paste. Oh, and if you're feeling super frisky? Some amaretto. Can't say no to that, can you?

Guacs and cold

Omg, it's been freezing here lately. Okay, not literally. It's just been so cold for me. ugh, hate it. I miss summer so much. I should really consider moving somewhere that summer happens 80% of the time.

On the bright side, I made guacamole. I love guacamole. My sister and I could probably eat it for every meal, which is crazy because when we were younger, we hated it. We must be so mature now.

Honestly, I know this won't be helpful, but I have no set recipe for guacamole. I mean, obviously avocados. I try not to mix it up TOO much because I love chunks of avocado still floating around in there. I also put salsa, cilantro (omg, lots and lots of cilantro!), jalapenos, any form of hot sauce (here in Portland we have a famous hot sauce named Aardvark. You should try if if you're ever here), lime juice, maybe some black beans? I mean, it's all what you want. And as far as how much, experiment! lucky for me, it's hard to get guacamole wrong and I'm usually making it for myself since The Boyfriend hates it.

I had my ER rotation a few nights ago. Sort of strange. I saw a young girl who was doing a back hand spring and popped her elbow out of it's socket. When they sedated her and popped it back in, it just looked so easy. I just kept thinking "Uh, I could totally be a doctor, that was simple". I mean, obviously, it's wayyyy harder than it looks and they've probably done a ton of these, but I was just shocked. The body is so weird.

p.s. Rest in Peace Whitney Houston

Eggs and potatoes

I made what's called an Idaho Sunrise. So good. Super easy too, for when you want to mix it up a bit. Basically you bake a potato, then, carve a hole in it and put egg, cheese, and bacon (I put vegi-bacon. I'm always trying to get the boyfriend to try vegetarian options. He even liked it :) You can definitely use real bacon though). Bake until the egg is done. Ta-da!

My ambulance ride along was pretty great. I liked it a lot. The only down side? When you're waiting for another call in the FREEZING ambulance at 3 in the morning. I met a lot of people. Loved the paramedics I rode with. The very first patient we had was a woman who had a stoma. If you don't know what that is, it's an open hole that is permanent. Often there is a tube that goes in it to keep from closing. Anyway, that was a sight to see.

We also had a call to an epileptic. She had seized quite a few times before she had called and even seized while in the ambulance. Talk about fast moving. It was so intense.
Other than that, I've been focusing on school and being boring. Wah-wah

I'm Baaaaaack!

I know, I know, I disappeared for a long time, like every other forgotten blog that thousands of people start and never finish.  Don't you worry, I'll never leave you forever.  Much has changed since I last posted.  I live in Portland now.  Wow, right?  I'm going to school again to become an EMT.  Fingers crossed.  I have adopted another bunny (Charlie needed a friend, right?).  And of course, I've been baking.  I even got a kitchen aid for christmas!

The most recent thing I baked was Amish White Bread.  I've made a vow to bake more bread, you know, to cut back on money.  I must warn you though, before giving you the recipe, that I modified it a bit.  I've cut back on the sugar, as well as the flour.  Use your best judgement.  The recipe is:

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. 
   
   
   
   Next on my list of breads to make?  Tortillas and Sour Dough Bread.  Recipes?

Cinnamon Bread

I made cinnamon bread a week or so ago.  It was delicious.  I gave one loaf away, but the remaining was plenty.  I would like to get better at rolling, so I may work on that, but I'd much rather try more things.

I'm certain I am meant to be a stay at home mom... determined, even.  At least for a few years after I have kids...

Puppy Chow

I haven't had this in sometime, but I do have fond memories of it.  So good.  And SO easy to make.  Try it, you won't regret it.

Puppy Chow Recipe
Ingredients:
9 cups Combination of Corn, Rice, and Wheat Cereal squares (Chex) *For gluten-free, omit the wheat chex.
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoon vanilla *make sure to check vanilla for gluten-free
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 1-gallon ziplock bags

Directions:
Place cereal in a large bowl and set aside. In a medium microwavable bowl, add chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Microwave on High for 1 minute and stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer and stir mixture until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour sauce over cereal and stir until evenly coated. Spoon half of the mixture in each 1-gallon resealable ziplock bag. Add 3/4 cup powdered sugar to each bag, and seal. Shake the bag until everything is coated. Spread on waxed/parchment paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.