Wednesday December 30, 2009 - Sale at Safeway

Its almost 2010 and I welcome it with open arms. My friend Anna challenged me to list the things I would like to do in the next year. I thought about the places I would like to travel to, dishes I would like to cook, the things I would like to learn more about. In 2010, what I want most is to learn to relax, let go, and enjoy the simple moments. I don't think any of the stuff I accomplish will mean much if I can't take the time to enjoy them more when they happen.

Oh...and in 2010, I'll be spending a lot of time with this beauty...

Thank you to my great friends who got together and made my dreams of owning a Kitchen Aid mixer come true. I love you.

May you all have a safe and happy New Year!

Here are this week's deals at Safeway:

Assorted Pork Loin Chops - $1.49 per lb
Split Chicken Breasts - $0.99 per lb
Chicken Legs and Thighs - $0.99 per lb
Cornish Hen - $0.99 per lb
London Broil - $1.99 per lb
Grape Tomatoes - Buy one container Get one Free
Fresh Scottish Salmon Fillets - $6.99 per lb
Red Grapefruit - $0.99 each
Strawberries - Buy one container Get one Free
Limes or Lemons - 3 for $1

Lost in Holiday and Vaction Land

I really wanted to write that it has taken me this long to recover from my 30th birthday hangover. The reality is that my good housemates gave me lots of water to drink and ordered me a pizza before I headed off to bed. My co-workers were very surprised to see me awake, at work, and properly dressed the next morning.

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind of holiday parties and family time. My friends and I tried out Henry's Soul Cafe on 4th and K Street NW (meh.) Adventures in Shaw, Urban Bohemian, Stop the Pota and I met with Dan Simmons at Founding Farmers to discuss the Washington Post article and his response to it. My friends and I had a cookie exchange that also turned into a cookie charity donation to a local Santa's Workshop. In California, my mom and I took at trip to San Jose to eat at my cousin Amanda's restaurant Gumbo Jumbo (delish!) What I will miss most about being here in California is waking up every morning and having breakfast with my 1 year old nephew Camden. We share a banana (you should see him stuff the banana into his little mouth. He starts chewing and he stuffed so much in that most of it falls out.) He is a good eater and I love watching a good eater enjoy his food.

But tomorrow, I will be back in DC and back to DC life. Grocery shopping sale postings will be up again as well as some fun recipes. Apparently I was a very good girl this year because I got a ton of new kitchen toys. I'll consider being a good girl again next year.

Wednesday December 9, 2009 - Sale at Safeway

Today is my birthday and I turn 30. Yep...30. Its been strange. I have moments when I'm really calm and I am taking it in stride. I have moments when I get kind of excited and I hear Frank Sinatra singing "the best has yet come." Then there are those moments when "30" feels very heavy and...dooming.

Taking it all into perspective, I've learned some things in this last decade. I've learned that I can move to a new city and build a home for myself. I've learned what it is like to lose a job and find one I like better. I've learned to fall in and out of love. I've learned to appreciate that I have the most amazing family and friends. I've also learned that there are a whole lot of people out there who love food as much as I do and its so good to share that love with them. And so, here are this week's deals at Safeway:

Top Sirloin Steak - $3.69 per lb
Boneless Pork Loin Roast - $1.99 per lb
Cornish Game Hen - $1.99 per lb
Barrilla Whole Grain Pasta - $1.00 per box
Variety of Pears - $1.47 per lb
Mangos - $0.99 each

Wednesday December 2, 2009 - Sale at Safeway

Happy December! Hopefully everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I spent my Thanksgiving with some family members and a whole lot of food. For lunch, I visited my Aunt Emily in Bethesda and we made a Ribeye Roast, garlic mashed potatoes, and Brussels sprouts with bacon and figs. Knowing that I had a large turkey dinner to eat, I tried to limit myself to a very small slice of the roast but we had marinated it in garlic, salt and pepper and rubbed thyme all over it so the crust around the roast was so delcious. And it was very easy to make. The roast simply sat fat up in a 330 degree oven for 2 hours and it came out perfectly medium inside. Safeway had it on sale for $4.99 per lb so for a six pound roast, we spent about $30. Its a great option if you are having a dinner party and want to impress your guests.

My Thanksgiving dinner with my Uncle Hoan's family was an experience. How did I fit a 10 course meal after my lunch? I don't know, I just did it.

Here was our menu:

Cheese and Pate Platter
Duo of Soups - Butternut Squash with Sauteed Shrimp and Seafood Bisque
Frisee Salad with Poached Egg and Fried Pancetta
Sage Butter Turkey
Duck L'Orange
Corn Gratin
Chestnut and Sausage Stuffing
Roasted Acorn Squash with Nutmeg
Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Figs
Sweet Potato Pie with fresh Whipped Cream

It was amazing and more amazing was that I was able to walk after all that food. But I am thankful for a loving family who allowed me to celebrate with them when I'm so far away from parents.

Here are this week's deals at Safeway:

Whole Pork Shoulder Blade - $0.97 per lb
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - $1.77 per lb
Banana - $.39 per lb
Fresh Scottish Salmon Fillet (Farm Raised) - $5.99 per lb
New York Strip Steak - $4.97 per lb
Marinated Artichoke Hearts - Buy One Get One Jar
Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail - $1.97 per 64 oz bottle
Avocados - 4 for $5
Variety of Potatoes - $0.69 per lb