One Sweet World

It should be a no-brainer, yet, most of us don’t even think about it.  And it’s so simple.  Even I just started to make my own.  Because not only is it easy, it is such a cost effective way of using ingredients that you usually already have lying around, or better yet, about to go bad.  What am I talking about?  Stock, of course.  That is…chicken, vegetable, beef, fish.  Whatever your fancy.

So, what is the difference between homemade stock and broth purchased from your local grocery store?  Mainly taste.  Broth is made using the actual meat, whereas stock is made mostly from the bony parts - yielding a more flavorful and rich taste.  You can always enhance your store-bought broth by adding the ingredients that are present in stock, but why bother when the whole process of making your own stock is so simple.  And in making your own, you have complete control over how much sodium and other flavors you would like.   

If all of that isn’t convincing enough…there is more.  When buying chicken, save money by choosing the whole chicken or breast with the bone, debone it yourself (if necessary), and freeze the bones - cooked or uncooked.  You can also freeze the skin that you have trimmed away.  These bones (and skin) are going to be your substance for your stock.  Therefore, you have not only saved money, but now you have not wasted anything either.  The same goes for vegetables, any pieces that you have that you are not going to use or are about to go to waste, place in the freezer.  For example, stems of mushrooms, peppers, celery, leeks, tomatoes.  Whatever you would like.  Just remember that some vegetables have a very distinct flavor, such as, broccoli and cauliflower.  Plus, your homemade version is going to yield about 4 times as much as store-bought!

When you see your freezer starting to overflow (like mine) with all of these pieces and parts or if you’re ready to just give it a go, then it’s time to toss all of this stuff in a pot and let it cook.  It really is that easy.

INGREDIENTS:

3-5 lbs. Chicken bones (and skin)                                                             
1 - 2 Large onion, peeled and quartered           
2 - 3 Carrots, broken into large pieces               
2 - 3 Celery stalks, broken into large pieces     
2 - 3 Garlic cloves, whole (optional)                   
2 Bay leaves, whole                                        
Parsley, fresh or dried
Thyme, fresh or dried
12 - 15 Whole black peppercorn                            
2 -3 T Salt (optional)                                              

NOTE:  The amounts of each of these ingredients are not precise, just guidelines.  Please feel free to alter any of them, as well as, change or add herbs that you like.  (Just a reminder:  always use LESS of dried herbs, than fresh herbs).

Place all of the above ingredients in a large 8-qt (or larger) stock pot/dutch oven.  Cover with cold water.  Bring to a boil, skimming off any scum (impurities) from the top.  Reduce the heat and simmer for 3 - 4 hours.  Remove from the heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth and discard solids.  Cool stock in a container in an ice water bath for about 30 - 45 minutes.  Refrigerate.  The fat can easily be skimmed off of the top.

The stock will keep in the refrigerator for about one week or can be placed in the freezer for several months.  After freezing, just simmer it for about 10 minutes before using.

Now you’re ready to use this in place of your store-bought broth.  I have found myself replacing water for stock when cooking couscous, barley, quinoa and anything else that needs just a little more body and flavor.

And, of course, this can be made entirely with vegetables.  Simply replace the chicken bones with different pieces of vegetables.  I use mushroom stems (which I save and freeze), and pieces of pepper (that may not be in the best shape for eating).  But like I said earlier, you can use anything your little heart desires.  Experiment, create and have fun!

Good Luck!  Let me know how it turns out or if you have any questions.    

Seriously, how much more can we possibly handle of these two ladies?  Both are decomposing…let them R.I.P (respectively). 

Just a quick update on yesterday’s post…it seems as the saga has ended.  The victim of the stolen NY Times has cancelled her subscription in response to the thief’s message.  She left another note; however, it was torn down before I could take a picture of it.  (I was weighted down with a thousand grocery bags and starving and somehow forgot all about it!)  So, I guess my entertainment is over for now. 

Coming home from work on Saturday, I noticed that one of our concerned neighbors had left a cordial note for all of us in the building, regarding the theft of her (I assume only a woman would do this  ) New York Times.  I just had to share this because it has given me such entertainment over the last couple of days.  When I saw it posted above my mailbox, I immediately ran upstairs to grab my camera.  

Then last night, I ran out to get some milk and lo’ and behold…

Again, I was thrown into fits of laughter, and ran back upstairs to grab the camera once more.  Huffing and puffing (you would think this running thing would help with the heart)…I burst through the door, giggling and trying to slow down enough to tell Victor that I think we live in a building full of crazy people.  Which isn’t completely true, I guess, but I have definitely seen my fair share of “abnormal” behavior from my so called neighbors.  Yet, instead of being a little weirded out by this episode (or every other one)…I actually find myself really enjoying it.  It’s almost, as if, I feel like “only in New York” can you see stuff like this.  And I find myself saying that ALOT!  Sometimes with feelings of pure disgust and frustration, while others just make me glad to be experiencing all of this.  Almost like the glass half-empty/half-full effect.

So, I guess that was a NO……

I guess the title pretty much sums up how this week went in terms of my running expedition…not so much!  Due to snow and ice having finally showed it’s face around here, I didn’t get in much running.  Plus, I actually had a schedule to work around for the first time in many months.   

For those of you who know what the sidewalks of Manhattan look like around the 5 o’clock hour (or any hour, for that matter), you know it’s tough enough to weave your way through all of the people and every other obstacle.  Then, throw in a little snow (frozen stiff) and ice…and it becomes a place that no uninsured runner should be!  So, I felt I should take the necessary precautions and wait it out a few days.  But the few miles that I was able to squeeze in, took me again through some undiscovered streets, this time on the Upper East Side. 

Since the Sports Club/LA (where I am working again) is located on 61st Street, I thought I would make a nice 3.5 mile loop from there.  Going north on York Avenue, I somehow managed to end up on the curb alongside FDR Drive - not so smart - where I was face to face with rush hour traffic.  (My parents are having an anxiety attack at the moment.)  After a couple of blocks, I decided that wasn’t the best idea and headed back to York Avenue.  Where I continued on to 85th Street and then made my way over to Lexington Avenue.  There I headed south, making my descent back to the Sports Club.  It was another life-affirming run, with some hills (which are hard to find in the city) thrown in, and the energy of the world all around me.  However, I made a strategical error in planning this run.  After re-examining the map, I realized that I’m going to have to re-run more than 10 blocks at somepoint.  Which in the end, is not bad for my health, but not good for my time and efficiency.  (Always learning the hard way!) 

So, now that the weather has reached temperatures above freezing, the snow has begun to slowly melt away.  Hopefully, this will allow me to get in some good miles and make some progress this week.  (Patience has never been one of my strengths.)  And I’m also looking forward to getting to use my newest toy (in blue), which has taken care of my dilema from last week.  No more coat necessary.  Thank you Victor! 

Here’s to reporting on more miles covered next week…

In keeping with my celebration of Chinese New Year, I figure it would only be fitting to learn a little about it.  Also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, it is a two week celebration recognized internationally in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and other Asian communities.  (Not just China, as I had originally thought.)

2007 (4705 on the Lunar calender) is the year of the Pig and anticipated to be the year of “closure and completion” due to the pig being the last animal in the 12 year cycle.  There are 12 animal signs under the Chinese zodiac - rat, ox, tiger, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, rabbit, dog and pig.  Much like Western Astrology, each is said to have different characteristics.  Persons born in the year of the Pig are said to be easy-going, lucky, loyal, caring, trustworthy, industrious and sometimes naive. 

However, this year is believed (rumored) to be an exceptional year due to the combination of the element Fire, the sign Pig, and the Yin/Yang components creating a ”Golden” Pig.  It has been said that the Chinese and Koreans have taken this “Golden” prophecy to the next level by planning marriages and births around this very special year.  Sources have reported that there could be an increase in fertility this year by at least 10%.  Children born in this year are believed to be twice blessed with happiness, wealth, luck and prosperity.

Here in New York, there are many celebrations around the city, especially in Chinatown.  Today, there will be firework spectaculars and ceremonies, in an attempt to ward off evil spirits.  Followed by many on-going festivals and cultural celebrations.  The Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade will take place next Sunday, which is an international event featuring spectacular floats, costumes, musicians, dancers and other performers.  An event I’ve always wanted to see, but, somehow, have never managed to make.  Maybe this year will be different… 

Gung Hay Fat Choy!  Happy Year of the Pig!     

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL VALENTINE’S DAY! 

Although, I’m not a fan of eating these conversation hearts…it’s hard to deny that they are simply classic icons of this day.  And they’re always fun to read!

(It’s been a busy week…but I promise to post something of more substance soon.)

Thought this picture was very fitting for the blog.  Almost looks as if I’m following in your footsteps!

Hope you have a WONDERFUL day, Dad!

xoxo,

LARA

Week #2 of this crazy adventure brought some of the coldest temperatures that we’ve seen this winter.  (Note the ice in the above picture.)  And as I continued to check in with the local meteorologists before heading out for my run, each of them (no matter what channel or radio station) described our condition as the “deep freeze.”  Temperatures that are 20 degrees well below the normal average for this time of year.  And the “real feel” is even colder.  Awesome!  Just what I wanted to hear…again.  [Now wait, what is the difference between the temperature and the "real feel"?  If it really feels like 0 degrees, how is the temperature 24 degrees?  Just curious!  I'm having a hard time comprehending this whole weather terminology.  I digress.]   

But that’s the beauty of having goals.  No matter what the obstacle (weather included), there are no excuses allowed.  Instead you find yourself adapting and answering back.  Fine, I tell myself, I guess I need another layer today.  And that’s it.  No talking myself out of it or putting it off for another day.  It’s winter, remember…still gonna be cold tomorrow!

Though, as much as I could convince myself to fight the cold, I couldn’t speak for my MP3 player.  It wasn’t hearing any of my explanations.  And in much of the same manner as a child would talk back to his/her parents, my player decided to rebel against me by shutting down.  Not even half way into my run on Monday, just as the blood was really starting to flow and the heart starting to pound, and the Dixie Chicks are belting out “Not Ready to Make Nice” (quite the motivational tune)…SILENCE. 

Wait, what just happened? 

Press Power.  

Ahhh, there’s Natalie Maines.  

Wait, where did she go? 

Power. 

Natalie. 

Silence. 

Seriously, I say to my player…what is wrong with you? (As I shake and hit it.)  I still have at least another mile or so to go. 

Then I realize, it’s rebelling against the cold.  I guess the good people of Dell (sitting out there in Texas) did not equip this thing to handle 20 degree weather (or rather, 0 degrees).  So, I continued on in silence (which would be nice if this wasn’t NYC and “actual” silence wasn’t so hard to come by). 

I never use to run with music.  Not even when I trained for marathons.  I would spend hours alone in the mountains or pounding the pavement, with only my thoughts to keep me company.  So how did I get to this point?  Where I felt this sense of desperation.  Pleading with my player to just stay on for one more mile.  Just one more mile!  Promising it that I would get it a “coat” for the next trip if it would just do me this one favor.  I lost.

My only conclusion (for this desperation) is that in order to survive in this city (or maybe just stay sane), sometimes we need a filter.  Something that can drown out all of the noise and commotion that is our daily soundtrack.  And as funny as it sounds, sometimes the only way to do that is to create your own background noise, even if for just for a few miles…     

But as I fill my ears with musical motivation, my eyes are inspired by the sights of this diverse city.  I managed to cover about 10 miles this week.  And with every step, I discover something new and unique to the changing blocks that I pass.  The sense of euphoria overwhelms me each time I enter into unfamiliar territory.  The discovery of the “west” side of the city was just what I needed this week.  Somehow, we (humans) tend to be creatures of habit and don’t venture out of our comfort zone unless absolutely necessary.  That’s how I feel when I realize how much of this city I have been missing over the past two years.  But I guess that’s one of the reasons I decided to do this running extravaganza in the first place…to discover everything that is right outside my door.

So, I continue to look forward to each new week…excited about the unknown.  Creating the soundtrack of my life, with the help of my much happier MP3 player (now that I have gotten it a coat). 

I would like to send my Congratulations and Well Wishes to my dear friend Abby and her husband Louie on their newest additions to their family, Catalina and Gus!  After a long and arduous adoption process, they were able to bring their babies home from Guatemala yesterday.  I’m so happy that their prayers have been answered, and they can now move onto the next phase in life…being a family. 

WELCOME HOME CAPUTOS!