Menu Swap: October 6th

Its amazing the transition from one life to the next. My time spent in Philadelphia for the past 20 years seems all but a blur to me now or an uncomfortable dream that has finally reached a finale. Just to think that a month or two ago I was in a hospital, watching my grandmother slowly drift from stability into a brittle and weak state. Now I have a job, I’m driving, volunteering for community events, attending mass almost regularly, and playing semi-mom to my mother-in-law’s nephew’s daughter. She’s a little treasure yet a handful; however, at least I’ll have some prior mom training. Oh, yeah, and I’m engaged too. I still have to get used to flaunting my ring about.

Cooking still is a primary part of my life, especially baking once again. Now I feel complete because I can bake things for other people and not just myself. I absolutely love doing that and when I found a gracious gift in the mailbox from the mailman, that really made my day. I got a mini banana and a small bag of M&Ms - hehe! He and a few other people are diabetic and I tend to also cook sugar-free 90% of the time so they really appreciate it as they’ve never experienced good sugar free goods before. Again, it fills me up with warmth that I can make another individual - no matter the amount - happier by something that I’ve done, which is why I love assisting at community events!

I also have been cooking for my father in law and fiancée, of course. Half of the time, however, I eat something different because they love their meat or requires something containing gluten. For example, the other day I made cheese steaks for them - authentic “Philly” cheese steaks - and they had them in rolls. I was totally fine and un-envious because I had a fabulous curry afterwards. If I have my curry, Manda’s an extremely happy camper. In this upcoming week, I’m going to a con again! YAY! I miss my cons so the following week won’t have a planned menu. Have no fear for I shall still upload fabulous recipes for everyone to drool over as typical. This doesn’t mean that this week totally sucks either.

Pears is the choice ingredient for the week, by Cheryl at Gluten Free Goodness, which ironically enough I just bought. I don’t have a recipe including pears but I’ve been eating them daily since they’re currently cheaper than apples since I haven’t had my usual bag of apples in hands reach. No worries as there are many fruit to obsess over. Bananas are my current thing apparently and they are ridiculously cheap.

Week of October 6th
Dinners
Roasted Cornish Hen with Fenugreek Gravy - Indian
Tuber Tzmmies - Jewish
“Dragon Phoenix Paradise” - Chinese

Lunches
Curried Kasha Salad

Baked Items
Something to be determined but it might be some cookie...I think.