Loving: MasterChef

Before I tell you about one of my favorite shows, I wanted to clear something up. I'm not pregnant. Yesterday's Spearmint Baby post seemed to have confused some people (who I suspect didn't read the entire thing) and while I was pregnant, I'm not anymore. Now, I don't need sympathy; that's not why I'm sharing. I just wanted to clarify the post and make sure you all didn't think that was some big announcement. It was just another part of our journey. And I promise, I'm ok. We're actually very hopeful because now we know it is possible for us to get pregnant. Thank goodness.

On to MasterChef!

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Last summer, when my husband and I were in Australia, I found MasterChef Australia while channel surfing and watched the last few episodes of the season. I loved it and was sad when we left before the finale aired. Luckily, a couple months after we returned, MasterChef USA came to the states! I watched every single episode of the first season and was so happy when Whitney won.

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Isn't she cute? My favorite part was one of the first challenges when they taught them how to chop onions properly. I was so excited because the method they used was one I had been using for years, ever since I learned it from Martha on The Today Show a while back. My husband used to make fun of me for the way I chopped onions, but I was right all along! It's the MasterChef and Martha way! Here's a confusing helpful tutorial for chopping onions our way: http://www.marthastewart.com/271798/chopping-onions

However, I'm no MasterChef. Check out these nasty burns from making my perfect salmon the other night.

This picture doesn't do them justice. They're really red and bumpy. Actually, that night, I developed a huge white rash of sorts that covered my whole forearm. We were a bit worried and my husband even called his fire fighter dad, but after a few hours, it was back to this.

While I might not have a future as the new MasterChef, I'm loving season 2 so far. Almost every time someone makes it through to the next round, I cry. I just love the underdog stories! I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff.

Do you have a favorite food-related show? 

Television Debut

The last few days have been incredibly stressful. You already know I got a RIF, aka pink slip, but yesterday I found out that even if it gets rescinded, the enrollment at my school is going down so much that they won't have a position for me there next year. This means that, best case scenario, I will be put on a list of displaced teachers and I could be placed anywhere in the district. Since I've only been teacher for four years, other displaced teachers will be ahead of me in line and take the jobs at the decent schools and I'll get whatever school is left. Basically, I need to find a job outside of the district no matter what. I'm trying to see it as an opportunity for growth, but that doesn't make it any less stressful. If I could stay at my school, I would, but that isn't an option at this point.

On to happier news, I was checking the HGTV website yesterday and saw that our episode is in the schedule with a little description. My husband doesn't want me to tell anyone when it's on because he's nervous that we'll look like fools, but I can't keep it to myself.

From the website:

"Emily helps the Carters combine their clashing styles into one clean and contemporary look. A quick tour of the home and a style diagnostic determine this newlywed couple is a combination of Chic Boutique and Rustic American. With a concept in mind, Emily re-styles the Carters living/dining space, layer-by-layer. Her first look is inspired by the sophisticated feel of a boutique hotel. Clean lines, glossy textures and low-level furnishings create a sleek and savvy environment for this trendy young pair. For her second look, Emily incorporates a few rustic, colonial-style furnishings for a warmer, more all-American feel."


The episode is titled "Mantique Minimalism" and will air April 2nd at 9pm. If you have DirecTV, you can watch it at 6pm on the west coast. Tell your friends!

Another random post

I like these random thoughts posts, so I'm giving you another one.

I got to be in the audience for the filming of the Glee regionals episode the other night. I got to go last year, too, but this year was way better because we got to see all 3 groups perform (they don't sing live, but it is still pretty cool) and we saw 4 songs total. Last year, we only saw one performance, but they did it over and over again. Plus, it wasn't New Directions - for all you non-Gleeks out there, that is the main cast's group. There were also some celebrity guest judges, though you'll have to wait for the show for that bit of info.

I haven't been to the gym in a while. I'm feeling really crumby about it and I'm hoping to get my butt back in gear this weekend.

My week of being a vegan went really well. It was surprisingly easy and I felt really good. I had meat and cheese for Valentine's night dinner, and though I had every intention of going back to being vegan again, I haven't been following the rules since. I think it is just too difficult, especially living with someone who wants to eat animal products.

Secrets from a Stylist premieres tomorrow night at 9pm on HGTV!! It isn't our episode, but I've seen some pictures of the home and it looks pretty amazing. You should definitely watch, or at least set your DVRs if you plan on going out.

We get to go to the press launch party as Emily's guests. I have my outfit all planned and am so excited to get all dressed up and go out with my husband. The party is in Hollywood and while it will probably be raining (maybe even snowing!!), I know it'll be a blast.

TTC update: I haven't had a visit from Aunt Flo since I got it in December after taking Provera. I keep feeling like I'm going to get it and then I don't. I've never hoped and prayed to get my period like this before. I've always wanted to avoid it at all costs. I'll go in to the doctor in a couple of weeks to get the whole clomid thing started. I'm not really looking forward to it, but I'm hoping it works because after reading about what I'll have to do next over at Always Looking for Something New, I don't know if I will be able to handle it. I definitely can't give myself shots everyday.

I actually discussed this with my husband last night and he said he'd give me the shots. So romantic.

I'm so excited for the Oscars on Sunday. I can't wait to see Natalie Portman and I really hope she wins. She's my favorite.

I went to Kohl's today to get some tights for tomorrow and picked a pair that I thought were $10. I only had to pay 81 cents including tax. That is cray-cray.

Off to snuggle with my puppies on this cold rainy night. Have a great weekend!

Pumpkin Soup and my favorite TV show

Tonight I made roasted pumpkin soup for dinner with a pumpkin that we grew in our garden and some onion from our CSA. Wow. I'm so granola.

While we ate our very organic and homegrown soup (with our very inorganic store bought bread), we watched my very favorite TV show ever, Glee! It was a good one this week. There was even a strip tease and some barf to keep my husband interested.

My favorite character is Brittany. She is such an amazing dancer and the writers give her the best lines. She cracks me up each and every week!

The I'm-gonna-be-on-tv Diet

There is no doubt that I've put on a bit of weight in the last couple of years. I haven't been exercising and I have been eating whatever I want for a while. If we're going to be on TV, I need to feel better about myself, so the diet starts today.

Here's the plan:

I'm going to eat mostly these

and these

with a little bit of this

 

and occasionally this

I'm going to try to avoid most carbs and anything too fattening, like cheese or dessert :(

Good-bye old friends... I will miss pigging out on you.

The taping will be in November or December ***EDIT - they just told us today it will probably be in January... not sure I'm going to last that long on salads, but we'll see ***, so Christmas will be ultimate pig-out time for me (or maybe not if we're filming mid-Janurary). I might have to hold back on Thanksgiving if we have one of the later weeks of filming, but that's ok. I can handle it.

I also am going to take my dogs on a nice long hilly walk everyday. I'm going to try to do this even if it is raining, like it is today. I'm not going to weigh myself, I'm just going to go off of how my clothes fit. I'll let you know how it goes!

omigosh omigosh omigosh!

Have I said that I'm a huge fan of Glee? Well I am. Actually I am obsessed. Not so obsessed that I buy merchandise or wait in line for hours to be a free extra, but pretty obsessed.

Have I said that I have connections? Well I do.

Yes, Cory Monteith is my cousin! No, I'm lying... but I have a connection and I got to go watch a taping last Wednesday!!!

I am a 27 year old woman. I am not a teenager. However, I am such a huge fan of the show and I think this kid is just so adorable. I think the whole cast is adorable. And Amazing. And hilarious. And talented.

It was so fun. I didn't get to meet anyone and I couldn't take pictures (we had to pretend we were cool and not super duper stalker fans), but I did get to see most of the cast in person, standing just a few feet away from me at times (wow, I sound crazy).

Jane Lynch, who plays Sue Sylvester, was by far the nicest cast member. Now you're thinking, "How do you know? You didn't even meet her." I could tell by how she reacted to those random people who did go up and say hi. There were little kids there too, who were probably sons and daughters of the crew, and she was so nice to everyone. She would talk to people and ask them questions. She seemed like she really cared, even though she probably just wanted to get back to the book she was reading between takes.

Lea Michelle was, just from my observations, the least friendly to randoms (people who just came up to her to say hi). She was, however, SUPER friendly to other cast members.....

I also saw...

Mathew Morrison is dreamy... but he had a rather large head in person... literally, not figuratively.

Diana Argon looked exactly like she does on TV.

Chris Colfer rushed past us on our way in.

Kevin McHale can walk! It's a miracle!!

Amber Riley was playing with her shiny new iPad - the whole cast got them as gifts.

Jonathan Groff was performing on stage almost the whole time we were there because they were shooting the Vocal Adrenaline performance (for those non-gleeks out there, VA is the rival Glee club).

We waited around for.ev.er to see a performance with the main cast, but it was 8:00pm when we realized we hadn't eaten dinner and wanted to be ready for work the next day. I was just happy to be there and get to see these people, who I watch on TV every week, in person.

What I'm Watching

I am a bit of a TV addict. I have been trying to spend more time outside lately, but I still need my daily dose of mindless entertainment. These are some of my favorite shows as of late:

#6:

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This is a reality show about women who have had problems in past relationships. They come on the show and go through "boot camp" to change how they deal with men and form lasting romantic relationships. My husband was (surprisingly) the one to start DVR-ing this one and we both have falling into it's trap. When I found out it was produced by Drew Barrymore, I was hooked (I love her). The show's season finale is this week and I can't wait to see what happens!

#5:

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If you're not watching Modern Family, it's time to start. This hilarious new sitcom about families today is so relatable it almost hurts! With fresh talent like Sofia Vergara and Eric Stonestreet and those who we've become familiar with like Ed O'Neill (Married with Children) and Julie Bowen (Boston Legal and Lost), this show has everything it needs for Seinfeld-esque staying power.

#4:

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Who doesn't love Ellen? Enough said.

#3:

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This reality show is a spin off of MTV's 16 and Pregnant. This show follows the young women who got pregnant at 16 as they deal with life after baby. I know I'm not 16 anymore, but I just love this show. It paints a real picture of the struggles teen face when they find out they're pregnant. No Juno sugar-coating here, Teen Mom shows the pain and joy of raising a family at such a young age.

#2:

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I you're already watching Modern Family, The Middle is another show I suggest you start Tivo-ing. This hi-freakin-larious sitcom about a family living in the midwest pokes fun at the life we all have. Annoying teenagers, dorky daughters, weird little kids, over-worked moms, clueless dads... this show has it all. I really hope it gets more viewers and publicity, because I can't get enough.

#1:

 

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I was in choir in middle and high school. I am now a high school teacher. I love glee more than sushi. And I really really love sushi. I have the two volumes of the season one soundtrack and I listen to them while driving and singing my brains out. If I had one wish, it would be to have just one line on this show. I could be a teacher, or even a student if the MUA (make-up artist) is good. I could just walk in the hall and brush by Lea Michele and say, "oh! sorry!" and then we could all break out into song and dance...