Modern Gal

Ma Po Tofu

Elizabeth — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:41:44 +0000

This is one of my favorite dishes to order in a Chinese restaurant, so I decided I should learn to prepare this myself. Tofu is not one of my favorite foods, but I like the spicy sauce. I typically don’t have a lot of pre-pared seasoning mixes, but I make exception for this black-bean chili [...]

Menu Plan for Week of February 6, 2010

Elizabeth — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:35:13 +0000

Another busy week, some things will be taken from the freezer. Breakfasts: Healthy baked oatmeal (w/ cranberries), boiled eggs, Lunches: leftovers Dinners: Sunday: Ham and cabbage skillet (w/ white beans), sweet potatoes, apple ginger coleslaw Monday: Grilled chicken, simple sauteed cabbage, pear and arugula salad Tuesday: Chicken chili, sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli Wed-Thurs: out Friday: Enchilada stacks (leftover chili), Aztec vegetables, pear slices Saturday: [...]

Financial Advice for Thirtysomethings

Elizabeth — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:11:55 +0000

My colleague Debbie, who is in her mid-twenties, has decided postponed graduate school for a year. Part of her concern is accumulating even more debt from graduate school to accompany her already high undergraduate debt. In chatting with her, another colleague Jeanine was curious about what financial and life I might have for her. Jeanine [...]

Tips for Tax Time

Elizabeth — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:29:17 +0000

I spent much of today trying to gather all of the records from 2009 to expedite the filing of taxes. while I’m still waiting on several pieces of info (like 1099’s), I find that breaking up the gathering and collating of tax info helps to make it a bit less onerous. I used to outsource [...]

Cheater’s Seafood Gumbo

Elizabeth — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:23:41 +0000

I enjoy making and eating tasty, spicy food. I also have no problem changing up a dish to diverge from the original, as long as the results are good. I have posted in the past on speedy red beans and rice, a version of the dish that comes together quickly, takes advantage of canned ingredients, [...]

The Challenge of Investment Income

Elizabeth — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:10:27 +0000

One of the hardest aspects of an investment portfolio to get right is planning for income. Many people (including me at times) are mistaken in thinking that the total balance should be the sole focus of investment and retirement planning. For retirement, trying to plan a sufficient stream of income is one of the most [...]

Menu Plan for Week of Jan 31, 2010

Elizabeth — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:37:44 +0000

A lot of quick fix meals this week as I will be super busy. I’m also incorporating a lot of citrus and sweet potatoes, since they are in season. Breakfasts: Healthy oat and banana bars, boiled eggs, orange slices Lunches: Loaded miso soup, leftovers Dinners: Sunday: Mexican rice bowls, Aztec vegetables, sliced pears Monday: Leftover pinto beans, collard greens, rice, [...]

Frugal Veggies: Cabbage, part 2

Elizabeth — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:51:46 +0000

Tonight for a quick vegetable side dish, I made a simple sauteed cabbage that really took only a few minutes to shred the cabbage and quickly stir fry it. The cabbage didn’t taste sulphery, but was actually kind of sweet tasting. At one time, during winter, cabbage was one of the few available and affordable [...]

Conserving Water: Rain Barrels

Elizabeth — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:31:29 +0000

It has rained here everyday for almost two weeks straight. Although people in other climates might think of that as normal, the continuous rain is unusual in these parts. However, I should be relatively happy for the rain, since the reservoirs and snow pack have indicated very dry conditions in the last few years. This [...]

Loaded Miso Soup

Elizabeth — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:13:11 +0000

Like many people, I have been trying to add more fermented foods into my diet. I generally have a serving of plain yogurt or kefir each day, and I like kimchi in Korean restaurants (have never tried making this). Another ingredient that I have been tinkering with is miso, a tasty paste that forms the [...]