Sunday Morning Groceries

I like to go grocery shopping early Sunday morning. There is never anyone there, I can go in, get the items on my list, and get out -- usually without speaking to anyone.

The Rainbow by my apartment has never been my favorite, but it has the best deals. I used to complain they had so many lanes but no one working. About two months ago, they finally added the self-checkout lanes - my favorite.

Now, these self-checkout lanes are perfect for my Sunday morning grocery shopping extravaganza. Except... every Sunday the same little girl grocery clerk is working. She stands at the end of the four self-checkout stations and watches. Now, bless her little girl heart for working Sunday morning and helping those who cannot figure out the machines. However -- you see me every Sunday; you know I know how to use the machines; LEAVE ME ALONE.

Today -- she came over and told me about some stupid program. I think I heard her voice, but it went in one ear and out the other -- all I wanted was to scan, bag, pay, and bolt. She wouldn't stop. I think she finally got the hint when I just went around her to continue with my purchases.

Note to all grocery clerks: those of us who are in your store before 8:30 on a Sunday morning -- yeah, we don't want to talk. We want to get in and get out.

On Kol Nidre...

I'm not one to publicly go out and ask for forgiveness between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It's never been my style. I am more the type that does it internally, has that conversation with whomever you believe is up there. There are no awkward converstaions or false forgivenesses. It's a time between me and the big guy.

This year, as I sat listening to the beautiful notes of the Kol Nidre service, I couldn't help but reflect on the year past. I sat and thought about everything my family has been through; about the ten days I spent at Israel -- the two times I davened at the Western Wall -- with tears in my eyes, not for any other reason than being totally overwhelmed with where I was; about my friends; about the scandal at my office; about this engagement and that engagement and my relationship; about him, and about you.

This year, I will go to shul alone on Yom Kippur, and frankly, I am glad. I am going for me. Tonight, Rabbi Allen reminded us that on Yom Kippur, we think about the people we are, the people we want to be. This year, as I look at everything goin on around me, I am glad I will able to go into this alone -- to have my day of attonement -- and to come out of the fast cleansed and ready to start a new year...

I wish each and every one of you an easy fast, and a sweet, happy, and healthy New Year.

L'shana tova.

Typo of the Day...

"Done. Thanks for your patients."

By Popular Request...

So it has been requested I start posting recipes...

The rules:

1. I will not post pictures. If you want to know if your recipe turned out like mine, take a picture and send it to me -- I'll tell you.
   
2. If you try the recipe, comment and let me know what you think.
3. I love garlic. I mean, I love garlic. When I make a recipe, I almost always add extra garlic. If I post a recipe, I will list the amount of garlic I used. Note this is almost always at least one clove more than the original recipe. If you don't love garlic, use one less clove than I note in the recipe.
4. I don't eat red meat. If a recipe I think sounds yummy calls for red meat, I substitute chicken or ground turkey. You can do the same to the recipes I post here if you prefer red meat or want to mix it up a little.
   
5. Most of these recipes I have found elsewhere and adapted to my liking. Adapt away -- it's how you find out what you like and don't like and it then becomes your own.
6. Beteavon! (Bon appetit!)
   

Orange Chicken Stir-Fry*

What you need:

• 1 orange
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 package chicken, cut into thin strips
• 1-tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large can mandarin oranges
• 6 scallions, chopped, green parts only

How you do it:

1. In a small bowl, zest and squeeze juice from orange. Add garlic and soy sauce.
2. Toss sliced chicken in cornstarch until coated. Heat 1-tablespoon oil in a large. Brown chicken (add more oil if necessary); transfer to a plate.
3. Pour juice mixture into skillet and heat until bubbly, about 1 minute. Return chicken to skillet; add mandarin oranges and scallions. Toss until coated and heated through

*This recipe originally called for 1-1/2 lb. sirloin or rib-eye steak. I substituted chicken.

Quote of the Day

"There are too many fat men driving VW Beetles."

-Nathan

PS. The license plate was "CYBRBUG"

Fill in the blanks...

Dear ___,

I hate your stinking guts.
You make me vomit.
You're the scum between my toes!

Love, ___.

---

(Name that movie!)

Some things just shouldn't be made into juice...

I love juice, I really do. However, this morning is case-in-point #2 that watermelon should not be made into a juice. The first instance of this was when I was in Israel. Once we got to the bottom of Masada, there was a juice stand. My sister, smart as she is, got the orange juice. Our tour guide, Iftah, got the watermelon. Not a good idea. He said adding some orange juice didn't even help it.

So Sunday when I was at the store, I picked up some Naked Juices to take to work for breakfast this week. One pound of fruit in every bottle -- a great, and healthy!, breakfast. I saw the new watermelon flavor, thought twice (seeing as Iftah had the negative watermelon juice experience), and then decided to go for it. It couldn't be that bad... there were other fruits in it as well.

Wrong.

I don't really know how to describe the taste, but it's not good. Maybe all the water content in watermelon "waters" down the juice, or if it's just the watermelon flavor altogether that doesn't do it, but it wasn't good. Too bad, too... I was really looking forward to that bottle of juice for breakfast this morning.

Note to self: no more watermelon juices.