It’s the Journey, Not the Number

The past two weeks I met stress and the verdict is still out on if I conquered it. Over-scheduling and multi-tasking are nothing new but a new job, a new home and a new age can be a bit cumbersome at 33.

No longer are schlepping boxes, meeting new people and waking-up in unfamiliar territory easy tasks to feel comfortable in. The body just isn’t as flexible, despite all the yoga, Pilates and dancing. Perhaps the memory needs to be worked on. For those of us that are sensitive, maybe leaving a house because there is one better suited does not always mean it’s easy to uproot.

Nonetheless, a new position and deciding to move are two choices we can make in life. Turning a year older however . . . well, it’s better than the alternative. I was recently inspired by Karlen Chase’s article, in which she counts what she has learned in the past 33 years, not so much the number of moves or gray hairs. So I decided to reflect on where I’ve called home for the past three decades and what I took away from my stays as I globe trotted.

New York State: Where life began and dreams were sprouted. Imagination got its start and Western New York is always home to go back to.

Ohio: Middle America. A roller coaster summer of awesomeness.

Dublin, Ireland: The closest place to heaven on Earth. The farther from home I got, the more people I met that were like me. Rosie cheeks, pints and tiny cigars. Stumbling upon a cottage George Bernard Shaw lived in during my usual hike up Dalkey Hill and going past the tower where Joyce wrote Ulysses because it was on my morning commute.

Rochester, NY: A first real (and still favorite apartment). Roving reporter. Real relationship. Good practice for life.

New York City: “Came here for school, graduated to the high life, Ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight, MDMA got you feeling like a champion, The city never sleeps better slip you a Ambien.” The Village and the Upper East Side, still a second home and where my heart is. Went there searching for life and got a story of a lifetime, friends forever and learned how to walk away.

Massachusetts: I didn’t want you. Serendipitous to have met certain people and two that moved there at the same time. Historical. Beautiful. Quiet.

Buffalo, NY: Apparently you can go home again, and pick up right where you left off. But this time, life is really fabulous and there are great friends, many laughs and expectations that I can’t even begin to map out because they are just going to be that good.

Single: Many aren’t afraid to tell me they always thought I’d be married by now. Sometimes I think it’s sad to admit I am incredibly happy because I am not, nor have I been, married. Perhaps it’s because I’m content and it’s hard to meet someone with the same life experiences. I’ve decided the latter is actually a great problem to have, because I’ve filled a life with lots of stories in a somewhat short period of time. I also have a hunch, what is around the corner will be worth the wait.

Gray: The plan is to age gracefully. Welcome gray hair because it will make me more distinguished and others will treat me with more respect. Wrong. The aforementioned is achieved in via mind and wisdom. Sure, presentation is important, but seeking that polished yet sexy Diane Sawyer look isn’t done by being natural. I recently went back to my roots – literally; and guess what, blonds do have more fun.

Jewel of WNY is for dinner

It’s harvest and storage time for raspberries in Niagara County, but don’t put these tasty bites of nature away so soon! Besides using them in morning cereal, on top of ice cream or to bake with in desserts, these tiny sweet treats can be made into a delicious marinade for steak, yes steak.

If you want to pick your own raspberries, ask City Girl Country where to find a nearby farm.

Raspberry Almond Steak
½ cup fresh raspberries
Sirloin boneless steak
¼ cup sliced almonds
Salt
Pepper
Filippo Berio Olive Oil

Some of the hardware and main ingredients

Marinate the steak in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper
Combine the almonds and raspberries in a mini-chop. Puree for a few seconds (until smooth with a little crunch)

Raspberries . . . yum!

Sprinkle with salt to bring out the sweet taste
Meanwhile, heat some olive oil in a small skillet on medium heat
Coat the steak with the raspberry/almond mixture
Grill the steak to your liking. When you are ready to flip to the other side, make sure to coat the bottom with the remaining mixture, straight from the mini-chop

Enjoy the fresh, roasted raspberry smell –
an amazing mid-autumn aroma!

Garnish with a few sprigs of fresh basil and raspberries

Voila!

Take a bite out of the Delicious New York State apple

Columbus Day weekend brings with it the height of apple picking season. If you are in Upstate New York, especially Western, your buckets are probably runneth over with Delicious, McIntosh and Cortlands. So what to do with all of those apples? Here are two recipes to try after a day of apple picking. Perfect for an indoor picnic on a chilly autumn night.

Apple Crusted Pork

1 boneless pork chop
3 slices, ground whole wheat bread
2 inches fennel fronds
½ coarsely chopped onion
1 coarsely chopped tart apple
2 sprigs fresh sage
1 Tbsp. ground thyme
2 tsp. brown kosher sea salt
Ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 farm fresh egg
½ lemon

1. In a mini-chop, ground the 3 slices of whole wheat bread. Put in a separate glass bowl. Combine fennel fronds, onion, apple, sage, thyme, 1 tsp. sea salt, and ground black pepper, to taste, in the same food processor until finely chopped. Mix with the bread and season with freshly ground pepper.


2. In a small-size skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. In a glass bowl, whisk the egg and marinate the pork chop.
4. Coat the pork chop with the mini-chop mixture.
5. Brown the pork chop on both sides, until it’s no longer pink in the middle, in the skillet, about 10 minutes on each side.
6. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top.

Still have apples? Splurge on dessert!

Apple Crumb

Heat oven to 350 degrees
Spread in 8-inch square pan: 4 cups sliced apples
Sprinkle with mixture of:
¼ cup water
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
Work together until crumbly using pastry blender:
1 cup sugar
¾ cup sifted Gold Medal Flour
1/3 cup soft butter
Spread crumb mixture over apples
Bake uncovered about 40 minutes
Serve warm with rick milk
6 servings

Apple anecdotes

Small local apple producers tend to use fewer pesticides, especially when apples are in season.

Eating the peel of an apple is healthier for you. It contains 2/3 of the fiber and loads of welcome antioxidants.

Coco Chanel wasn’t a simple girl

And neither am I

As yet another wedding season comes to a close (at least for my own personal calendar) I successfully absorbed and dealt with the awkward questions about my single-status. Seeming to always have a date, boyfriend or “roommate” in my twenties, I suppose it was just assume that marriage would be on the horizon.

Dates today often ask me, “Why have you never been married?” I usually pause and tactfully respond with something like, “I’ve had a few long-term relationships.” But sometimes I would really like to respond with the truth, “I’ve been asked twice and turned them down?” Or “I wasted some months in my early thirties with someone totally unmarriable?” Perhaps these latter responses would make me seem like a bitch, control freak or high maintenance so I refrain.

At the start of this season’s Grey’s Anatomy, the fictional character Dr. Christina Yang is recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and accepts a marriage proposal. Unlike her true character, she is entranced by the “simple” girls, grinning from ear-to-ear in their cookie cutter wedding gowns, showcased throughout the pages of supermarket bridal magazines. “I think you're either born simple or you’re not. I want to be the person who gets happy over finding the perfect dress.” she said.

Wouldn’t it be easy to have such a simplistic idea fill you with all the answers, happiness and goals fulfilled, even if for just a small amount of time?

Looking at some leading significant and single women, they were anything but simple. Coco Chanel changed fashion forever with an innovative and proud demeanor, ahead of her time. Oprah Winfrey never married and changed the way we view media. Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a professor, politician, diplomat and author. No matter what your political views are, there is no denying her credentials are impressive. Actress Cameron Diaz is gorgeous and never been married. Of course she has her critics because sadly, sometimes women are just jealous. Don’t forget Janis Joplin, a rocker ahead of her time with men answering to her when she was just in her mid-twenties.

All of these women could all be described as analytical, innovative and ambitious. So why is marriage still such institution that needs so much emphasis in 2010, especially when not everyone can legally marry in all U.S. states?

In my twenties, I never thought I’d get married. I guess I was correct. Growing up in Western New York, people get married very young and it’s not the norm to be highly educated, well traveled, sane, successful, normal and single; and for some reason this scrutiny is highlighted if you’re a woman.

Wanting to achieve a high level of education, move to New York City and travel the World, these goals squeezed out potential suitors in my own personal life. Is marriage still held to a higher regard because it’s just been considered the norm? What about a celebration for those choosing to follow their goals beyond graduations?

If you’re a single guy in or from WNY or comparable areas and get similar questions, please, write in!

Stay tuned next week for how to picnic in the chilly months!

WNY using its noodle: The latest food craze hits the left side of New York

There’s nothing slippery about it. A noodle bar is one of the latest and hippest dining trends. From Manhattan to LA, foodies are noshing at these Asian haunts. The noodle bar craze finally arrived in Western New York this summer. Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel unveiled its newest restaurant, The Noodle Bar at Koi.

The Noodle Bar at Koi restaurant offers a quick, healthy, savory, and affordable dish and a new alternative for lunch or a late-night snack. Everything is fresh, authentic from China, and made to order – and the experience between chefs and diners is interactive.

A part of this friendly and attentive staff is Executive Chef Gary McHale, a self-taught chef who has absorbed the technique of preparing innovative dishes throughout the world. His creativity can be seen in his sushi rolls, from decorative sushi to rolls with sausage, this chef does not disappoint.

The comfortable, modern environment is welcoming with plush booths, warm colors and an open kitchen. Watch master chefs prepare items such as noodle and rice dishes, congee (porridge), and dim sum (dumplings) in front of guests.

A first class dining experience at Koi

I recommend a bowl of petite noodles in chicken broth, with steamed juice dumplings of pork and crab meat. The carbs in this dish may be a small portion, but they are plentiful. There’s no delicacy in eating this dish. Served in a ceramic bowl with a spoon, do not be afraid to cut these meaty treats with a knife.

A bowl of steaming noodles at the Koi bar

Be sure to wash down this piping hot dish with a glass of Pennyworth or Coconut juice (both $3.50 per glass). Both herbal drinks, the latter is blended on ice, and is a clear drink of young coconut. So sweet yet refreshing, you’ll be asking for a cup to go.

Pennyworth - - worth every cent

Forget the slots and crap tables, The Noodle Bar at Koi hits the jackpot.

Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel – The Noodle Bar at Koi Restaurant
310 4th St., Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (near hotel entrance doors)