Help! Apparently I'm a teenager again.

I've discovered I have a problem - a regression issue that I don't think can be cured :oP And, I'm not sure what kind of transformation has take place over the past month or so, but I feel like I'm 17 again - and not in the cool Zac Efron movie way.

One minute I was off on a business trip to Denver (very adult of me) and the next minute I was stealing every minute I could to read The Twilight Saga books! Seriously, those damn beautiful things became my life for 3 weeks. And, now I know why girls find Rob Pattinson so dreamy. My friends are sick of hearing me go on and on about it so I'll just leave you with the New Moon trailer and shut up on this subject.



On top of that, my music tastes have regressed as well. A hilarious blogger I subscribe to recently posted about his guilty pleasure songs. Let's just say that I was inspired to let the cat out of the bag and share mine with you as well. So, here it goes - my favorite 'lame' songs:

1. N'Sync - "This I Promise You"
I'm going to admit that I've transferred this one from iPod to iPod - at one point I thought it might be suitbale for my wedding someday, then I realized that sharing this with anyone would mean I'd never get married. But, I just can't help but think of the video of the guys in the forest crooning out this tune...awesome.

2. Hanson - "MmmmBop"
So about 12 years ago this song was THE 'jam' for most teenage girls. Even though you couldn't tell what the F these boys were saying, the tune was unbelieveably catchy. So catchy, in fact, that I just may or may not still rock out when my iTunes shuffles it out of the archives.

3. Lady GaGa - "Paparazzi"
I've avoided liking her for so long and she finally got to me - with a song about stalking someone. Go figure.

4. Miley Cyrus - "The Climb" and "Party in the U.S.A"
Yes, not one, but TWO Miley Cyrus songs - and I actually find one inspirational. Not that my cred was that high before, but it's definitely gone way down with the admition of my love for the music of a 16 year old. I dare you to put on "Party" for a bit and then try and tell me you don't at least like it a little...

OK, that's enough of shaming myself for now. Next post will definitely be more 'adult-y'. I like, totally promise.

Peanut Pumpkin Curry Noodles = AMAZING.

Sometime last week I was talking about my cooking adventures. I was asked what my favorite dish to make was - and so I had to share it with all of you! Given the 'autumn' theme of it, I usually only make it 2-3 times a year, but it's so delicious that I even dream of having it on even the warmest of summer days. It's my vegetarian adaptation of a Rachael Ray recipe, so feel free to add 'five-spiced' chicken if you're a meat eater or fancy it up with scallops or another kind of seafood. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Peanut - Pumpkin Curry Noodles with Five-Spice Asparagus
(Serves 4)

Ingredients
• 1 pound whole wheat spaghetti
• Salt and Pepper
• 3 tablespoons oil (whatever you have is fine)
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 inches ginger root, minced or grated
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter ( I use low-fat Jif)
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup tamari dark soy sauce, eyeball it
• 1 (15-ounce) can cooked pumpkin
• 2 rounded tablespoonfuls Curry Powder or paste
• 3 tablespoons five-spice powder
• 1 bunch Asparagus, cut in to 1-inch pieces
• 4 scallions, chopped

Directions
Heat a large pot of water for noodles. When water boils, salt it and add pasta to cook to al dente or with a bite to it.

Heat a small to medium skillet over high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil to hot skillet. Place the asparagus and five-spice powder (along with some salt) in the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Set aside.

Using the same deep skillet over medium heat, add in 2 tablespoons oil. Add garlic, ginger, red bell pepper, and pepper flakes to the pan and cook together a couple of minutes, then add peanut butter and melt it. Whisk soy into peanut butter, then stir in pumpkin and curry powder or paste. The sauce will be very thick. Turn down the heat to low. Add a ladle or 2 of pasta cooking water to thin sauce a bit and simmer over low heat. Add asparagus back to sauce. Adjust salt, to taste.

Drain pasta and return pasta to the pot. Add the curry-pumpkin sauce and toss thoroughly. Serve noodles topped with the chopped scallions.

Denver and a California Wedding.

I've been a bad blogger.

Unexpected work projects, vacation preparation and travel have taken me away for a couple of weeks. It was all a whirlwind, the stress of trying to tie up loose ends, figuring out what to pack (I'm not a good traveler) and then actually leaving town for a week - but I had forgotten how amazing it is to go on vacation!

To escape from most things - work email, facebook, twitter and everything in between - just to breath in the fresh air of the Colorado mountains and feel the warm California sun on my face, it was refreshing. And, it was quite the experience to see one of my dearest friends get married. It still seems surreal, but I am sending all of my love and best wishes to the new Mr. and Mrs. Shelton!