Tofu Obsession

First thought when I tried tofu: "What is this disgusting soft gooey substance that looks like it could be cheese?". Needless to say, after trying it for the first time, I was not in love with tofu. In fact, I hated it. Now, the tables have turned and I am obsessed with it. I cannot have enough of its soft spongy-like texture and distinct taste.
Anyways, my first recipe of the semester with tofu was whole wheat pasta with tofu, mushrooms, broccoli, and cauliflower.
I pretty much made it up as I went along, adding vegetables that I found in my fridge, and then served it with an arugula salad on the side (which I later realized would taste yummy if mixed in).
Enjoy.

New Year, New Me, New Attempt.

And off I go again on my zillionth attempt to keep a blog going. This time I am going to make it simple: blog about something that I plan on doing almost on a daily basis (at least 4 nights a week). I will blog about my cooking.
At the beginning of Fall semester, I moved into my own apartment with my best friend. But last semester was all about getting settled, and the excuse of ordering in since we were too tired or lazy was used one too many times. In light of my cooking-bum behavior last year, I decided that as a new year's resolution I would cook for myself and my roommate at least 4 nights a week. Not only will I be saving money, I will also be eating healthier than before, and I have a time to relax from school work every night.
Oh and the knowing how to cook factor is also a big plus. I am prepared to leave you guys awed with my future dinners!
Enjoy the pictures! Recipes will be posted soon.
DAY 1: Orange pork chops with broccoli and cauliflower salad.



DAY 2: Asparagus soup and shrimp cocktail.



DAY 3: Rosemary chicken tenderloin with roasted butternut squash and arugula salad.



Stay tuned for desserts...

2009 In Magazine Terms

CLOSING TITLES

Here are some of the magazines that unfortunately ended their printed lives during 2009. We will miss them (or at lest somebody will)

• Gourmet > my grandmother's gift to her daughters every month (her interpretation of a subscription is buying and giving the monthly issue), most recipes never failed to amuse my palate and were easy to bake. On top of that, I loved to read through it and look at the yummy food pictures. My favorite part was probably the "you asked for it" column.
  
  
• I.D. > I think I bought this magazine only one time, but I am sure artists all over the world will miss it like any college student misses home-cooked meals for creativity in its pages never lacks.
  
  
• Nickelodeon Magazine > when I was little I ached for a magazine like such: filled with comics and posters featuring Nickelodeon characters. Who didn't love watching Tommy escape from his playpen in "Rugrats," or Helga lust over Football Head kid in "Hey Arnold"?
  
  

There are other magazines that closed this year including Modern Bride, Vibe, Time: Style and Design, Best Life and Country Home.

REMAINING FAVES

These magazines have remained over the years and hopefully they will for many decades to come.

• Glamour > first published in 1939, this women's magazine is now printed all over the world in several languages with articles ranging from how to cook a meal to coping with life in various situations. Its sections include fashion, health, body, etc. and that is why it has reached the top of my personal magazine list.
  
  
• Teen Vogue > my second personal favorite is Vogue's little sister. Despite the fact that I am 20 years old, I still passionately enjoy reading through this teen fashion magazine. Its articles are simple but informative, and the pocket-sized format is very cute.
  
  
• Martha Stewart Living > I love flipping through the pages of this creative publication because its makes me feel (for about 5 minutes) like I will someday have a dinner party as pretty and organized as the ones portrayed, or bake a batch of cookies that look just like the ones Martha bakes (I already tried baking some cookies, and even though they weren't ugly or yucky, they didn't completely resemble hers).
• The Economist > I started reading this magazine first semester of college as a recommended assignment for my International Relations class, but with every issue, I started getting more and more interested in what the articles had to say about world affairs. It is definitely a magazine to read when you have time to spare, since it does require a lot of reading, but it is definitely worth the effort.

I'm sure there are many other magazines that I am yet to develop an intense liking for (since already almost every magazine placed upon me entertains me for a while for the simple fact of being a magazine), but for last year these were more than enough.