Too much of a good thing?

I tend to eat things I like, over and over and over again... I get on "kicks", my roommates can attest to a Little Debbie Fudge Brownie obsession that lasted well, the whole of my unemployment (3 months). Or maybe my addiction to Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough which I just haven't been able to quit since early childhood. Then there's my love of McDonald's or mashed potatoes or Dr. Pepper and Orange Juice (not together). So yes, I get in phases where I tend to eat the same things and I've just discovered something that is delicious and that is actually somewhat healthy! I know, check me out!

On top of being healthy, my new food crush is something I can cook myself! Which just so happens to help in one of my Resolutions of learning to cook more. I know, I know, I'm quite amazing, eating healthy and cooking....hahaha, if you didn't notice my usual food cravings are not exactly "light eating".

Anyhow, my newest food craze is a recipe I found in Taste of Home's "Everyday Light Meals" (which I totally picked up at the Library), Skinny Tortilla Soup and it's so good! For those of you food connoisseurs, I'm going to post the recipe, so try it out. I highly recommend it; I just made it for the second time in 7 days and devoured it!

Skinny Tortilla Soup
Prep/Total Time: 30 min

1 can (16 oz) fat free-refried beans
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 oz) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1-1/2 cups frozen corn
3/4 cup chunky salsa
3/4 cup cubed cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup water
2 cups (8oz) shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese, divided
28 baked tortilla chips, divided (any tortilla chips will do!)

In a large saucepan, combine the first seven ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add 1 cup cheese; cook and stir over low heat until melted.
Crumble half of the tortilla chips into soup bowls. Ladle soup over chips. Top each serving with two crumbled chips; sprinkle with remaining cheese. YIELD: 7 servings (or 2 Miranda servings ;) ).

It's even more delectable in the freezing cold weather we've been having, but I'm sure it's just as tasty in warmer climates. Let me know what you think! I may just have to go and finish those leftovers now...

First day of the rest of my life

I couldn't sleep last night. Tossed and turned, anxious I would sleep through my alarm. Sat straight up at 5:30am certain I had missed it. When I realized I still had a while to sleep, I laid back down and tried to relax, by 6am I was out of bed and working out downstairs. Ya, you read that right-working out...which really only consists of doing "8 Minute Abs" (Seriously, try it sometime, it's a killer!), some lunges and free weights. But hey it got the heart rate going and I was pumped for my new job!

My new job as mentioned before is as an Accreditation Specialist for NACCAS, which is basically an accrediting agency for cosmetology schools. It is a pretty fancy title(which I will get a business card for!!) and basically consists of reviewing applications from schools in the process of accreditation and conducting visits either evaluating schools based on our standards of cosmetology or consulting them on how to apply for accreditation. And for those of you who are like "What the heck is Accreditation?"- it is the process of meeting a national standard, of ensuring educational integrity in schools of higher learning. In this case, we are making sure Cosmetology schools offer their students the quality programs they are paying for. Make sense? Hey, it was just my first day, so I'm still trying to get it too! :)

Anyhow, so yes my first day was today and luckily I had a partner in crime whose first day was also today. She and I were able to bounce ideas off each other, study the standards together and just share our concerns. Everyone was really friendly though and basically this whole week will consist of training, which will entail reading and learning all the standards, rules and what not that goes with accreditation.

We learned also that we'll be traveling to the Agency's workshop in Vegas the end of February, as well as another trip to Cleveland to witness how a school visit goes. Once I'm familiar with the process and comfortable with the information, I'll be traveling all over the country to different schools about 2 weeks a month! Which you all know is perfect for me! I love to travel and am eager to see every nook and cranny of our country!

All in all it was a steady first day and I honestly don't feel too overwhelmed, like any new job there is lots to learn and it will just take time and I've got plenty of that. I'm just so grateful to be here, for this really is just a great fit for me. I'll keep everyone posted on the progress of it all, for now I gotta figure out what to wear tomorrow!

Celebrate!

I finally got a new job, as I mentioned in my first post, and since I've been unemployed for 3 LONG months, some friends and I went out to celebrate! We ate at this rustic little place in Old Town Alexandria which was having a deal for 4 courses, so you know I had to go with that! The food was delicious and didn't disappoint. As you can tell from the photo, the place was called "Geranio" and was mostly Italian. And ya I took pictures of the food, which was a habit I picked up in Europe... it's not like I haven't seen fancy food before, but hey it is really pretty!

This second picture of food was a bit delayed. Ya, so after devouring my first 2 courses, I was still so famished that I had to jump all over this course before I realized I hadn't taken a picture yet, which explains why it's not so pretty. This would be Pork Loins with polenta (I believe that's what it was) and spinach. I know most of you are looking at this food and thinking "Really? Miranda eating this?"; I have been a rather picky eater but I'm branching out and trying new things! It is a whole new year!

Inauguration Day 1.20.09

Though I didn't vote for him, I couldn't very well stay away from history. Plus I figured this would be the only time I'd witness a Presidential Inauguration and so I was one of the 1.8 million on the National Mall when Barack Obama was sworn in.

Since I live only 4 miles outside of the city, in Northern Virginia, a few friends and I walked in instead of waiting in the endless lines for the Metro. It was a very frigid day, though thankfully there was no rain or snow to deal with. I most definitely would have stayed home had that been the case.

Once we got into the city, it was clear there were tons of people everywhere. We arrived in the Mall around 9:30 and began maneuvering the crowd, attempting to find a good enough spot to see one of the many Jumbotrons-there was no way we could get anywhere near the Capital, especially since word leaked out that those with tickets couldn't even get in. We passed the Bike Valet, ya the only time I've seen more bikes would have been in Amsterdam this summer and there were still hundreds everywhere. We decided on the lawn in front of the Washington Monument, and just stood on our toes to see the TV.

All in all it was a freezing cold day, but I'm glad I went. There was a palpable excitement in the air, comparable to a rock concert (not sure if that's fitting for a President..haha) and people were really happy, minus some disrespect to our departing president. Witnessing democracy in action was a powerful thing and made me proud to be an American and grateful for this country. I just hope the things that make us great will be preserved and we won't forget what brought us here.

Only the Beginning

I've done it! I've created a BLOG! It's been a long time coming, especially considering how much I love to talk about myself..haha (Melissa). This is a new beginning though and I'm looking forward to sharing what is going to be an amazing year with all of you. 2008 will be hard to beat and I may even have to digress and post about past adventures but I'm sure new ones will be happening daily. Especially with my NEW JOB! Yes, if you didn't know I took a step away from the classroom and have been exploring other options. I was blessed with an offer at the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) as an Accreditation Specialist and will get the opportunity to TRAVEL all over the country. I start on Monday and am very eager for this next step!

http://www.naccas.org