Treatise on Midwestern Living

Sunday, March 29, 2009

spring organizing


i apologize for no posts lately. we moved into our new apartment and lost our free internet signal. i've somehow connected right now! and here comes a post!

i have a thing for organization (even though i'm a tad messy). daily planners, lists...these things make me giggle with glee. so as i was perusing my pottery barn catalog, i got super excited when i saw their family organizer. look at all the compartments! and the calendars! (a week one and a month one!) mail shelfs...ipod/blackberry holders...

lets just say, me likey!

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

chili out




so amidst my sickness i wanted comfort food.
i wanted mac n cheese.
i wanted grilled cheese.
i wanted soup soup and more soup.
i wanted a mcdonalds cheeseburger (b/c nana prinz always got them for me when i was sick).
and then i found this recipe.

cheesy hash brown chili
CAN WE SAY COMFORT FOOD!!!


2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 pound ground beef

Salt and pepper

One 15-ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed

One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes

One 1-pound bag frozen shredded hash brown potatoes

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat, for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Add the beans and the tomatoes with their juice and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, partially cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Transfer to an 8-by-11-inch baking dish.

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400°. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes and cheese. Scatter the potato mixture over the chili. Place the baking dish on a baking sheet and bake until the potatoes are cooked through and the chili is bubbling, about 35 minutes.


and plop on the couch, throw on a movie, snuggle up with a warm blanket, and enjoy :)

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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

nutty for neti!


i know the picture above is gross, but hear me out.
if you ever have a sinus infection.
or ever have a lot of congestion.
and you want to just be able to breathe.
then use a neti pot!
two co-workers told me about this wondrous creation
and i must say, i love it.
i just used it for the first time and feel delightful!

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