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Dinner for the Week

written by Parita 18 Comments

At the end of this week, I’ll be moving out of my apartment.  Yep, the one I pretty much just moved into…7 months ago!  I can’t believe it’s already that time again.  Before you know it, I’ll be blogging from Florida!

In an effort to use up some of the random foods I have in my pantry and refrigerator, I decided to make a meal that will (hopefully) carry me through the week in terms of dinner.  I have a lot going on this week, so I wanted to be proactive and make a big pot of something.

It just so happens that the something was Red Curry Coconut Tofu and Veggies… 

Foodie Pen Pals 010

…in other words, Thai inspired comfort food. 

This dish took no time to throw together.  And most importantly, it’s flavorful, a little spicy, and filling.  Mmm mmm good!

Red Curry Coconut Tofu and Veggies

1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons Red Curry paste
1 block extra firm tofu, cut into cubes
1 can lite coconut milk
1 16 ounce bag of frozen stir fry vegetables
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon red curry powder

Heat olive oil in large pan over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.  Add curry paste and mix well.  Once incorporated, add cubed tofu.  Mix well, being careful not to break the tofu.  Allow to cook for 5 minutes.  Add the coconut milk and let cook for another 2-3 minutes.  Add frozen vegetables and mix well.  Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes.  Then add the sea salt, ground ginger, and red curry powder.  Mix well and let everything simmer together on low heat for 10-15 minutes.  Serve over rice or quinoa

Foodie Pen Pals 009

I know what you’re thinking…that simple?  Yes, it really is that simple!  And I’m actually looking forward to eating leftovers almost every night this week.  Smile

Are you a fan of Thai food?  What’s your favorite dish?

Written on October 23, 2011 Related:Food, Moving, Recipe

Apartment Hunting in My New City

written by Parita 14 Comments

Random updates from my weekend…

1. I just got back from apartment hunting in Tampa. Smile  I’m happy to report that I managed to find a pretty awesome place for a great deal! 

2. I decided to take a “blogging break” this weekend.  This means I didn’t blog at all and took about two pictures the entire weekend.  My reason is a pretty good one (at least I think so).  Vishnu was able to join me on this trip so I just wanted to spend time with him – no worrying about being picture perfect or photographing everything we did or ate. 

And to be honest, I forgot my camera in the hotel room on the first night, and it all went downhill from there.

3. Speaking of our hotel, it was pretty amazing.  We stayed at the Intercontinental by the airport and were very impressed.  The room was cozy, the bed was comfy, and most importantly, the bathroom was immaculately clean.

4. Florida is full of bugs and lizards.  I don’t know how I feel about that.  Actually, I do know.  Ick!  I tried to keep an open mind all weekend though.  I mean, I do have a mouse (or worse…mice) in my current apartment <— yes, I think it/they is/are still around.  Pest control came and set up glue traps all over my kitchen.  Nothing yet!

5. Last night’s dinner is worth mentioning.  We met up with some friends and went to a Greek restaurant called Acropolis.  The food was so fresh and delicious.  We started off with a dip sampler that included hummus, an eggplant dip (it reminded me of baba ganoush), tzatziki, and a creamy feta cheese dip (my absolute favorite).  For our actual meals, Vishnu ordered a Mahi Mahi dish, and I went with a roasted vegetable, goat cheese, pine nut salad.  I can’t wait to go here again.  If you’re ever in the Tampa area, check this place out!

6. I know I talked about the mixed emotions I’ve been feeling about the move, but after this weekend, I really am excited about it all.  Yay!

What was the best part of your weekend?!

Written on October 16, 2011 Related:Moving, Uncategorized

Mixed Emotions + Stress

written by Parita 14 Comments

It seriously feels like I just packed up all of my things and moved across the country from Arizona to good old Massachusetts.  The reality is that it has been almost eight months since that move.  And I honestly can’t believe I’m about to move again to the sunny state of Florida.  Sun

Don’t get me wrong – I am SO excited for a number of reasons.  A new role at work, being (somewhat) closer to Atlanta, and most importantly, living only (yes, only) four hours away from Vishnu.  We’ve been in a long distance relationship for the past three years, so these next eight or so months are going to be a breeze.  Woo hoo!  See, I’m excited!

But on the flip side, moving brings with it a number of other emotions.  As excited as I am, I can’t help but feel sad about leaving the Northeast.  For one, I love where I work, especially because of my coworkers.  I keep telling them how much I’m going to miss them come November.  Secondly, I’m going to miss my friend Monica.  Even though we haven’t been able to hang out as much as I had hoped, it is still so nice knowing that she’s in the same state as me.  Friends make all things easier!  And finally, the area I live in is so beautiful and peaceful, especially right now.  The leaves are finally turning color, and the air is a bit crisper.  It just feels like Fall. 

I remember feeling the same exact way when I left Arizona for Massachusetts.  It was very…bittersweet.  You’d think I was used to it all by now!  However, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to good-byes.

Anyway, couple the mixed emotions with the stresses of moving, and you have a very worked up Parita.  There’s so much to do!

This past weekend, I gave myself a pep talk (a great strategy in and of itself) about staying cool and collected.  I basically told myself that it will all get done, and by freaking out, I’m only going to make it harder on myself.  I also put together an action plan for this move.  Sounds kind of dorky, but I think it’s the thing that’s going to get me through the next month.

Operation Moving to Tampa

1. Make lists…lots of lists.  With a move like this one comes a lot of shifting parts.  At the moment, I’m working with a rental agent, the actual movers, the company that is going to transport my car, and my current apartment complex.  In addition to that, I am booking flights, hotels, and rental cars galore.  I find that just by making lists and crossing things off (even the most minor items), I feel like I’m really on top of everything.  Small victories, people!

lists3

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2. Be old fashioned, print everything out, and keep it in a folder.  In the post Internet and smart phone world, papers and folders don’t really exist.  That bothers me sometimes because I’m not a huge technology person.  I’m actually pretty old fashioned when it comes to staying organized.  And things are not about to change with this move.  My goal is to print out all invoices, receipts, and files just so I have them at all times while I go from my current apartment to my temporary housing to my apartment in Tampa.  That way I can pull out whatever I need whenever I need it, as I hate being caught off guard and unprepared (Type A much!?).

folders

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3. NO procrastination.  This one is broad, but it mainly applies to the actual move.  Because the movers do most…err…all of the work, it’s easy to put off organizing and cleaning.  My goal is to start cleaning out all of my junk the weekend before the scheduled move.  That way, even if things move slowly, I will still be ahead of schedule.

Procrastination-cartoon

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4. Stay positive.  Even though moving is emotionally draining in many ways, I’m going to do my best to focus on all of the wonderful things I’m gaining from this move – Vishnu, my family, a lot of my friends, and a new role at work.  Also, I’m staying with the same company, so I know I’ll be in touch with my current coworkers on an almost daily basis. Smile

5. Remember these quotes and others like them…

“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.” – Winston Churchill

“I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.”  — Jennifer Yane

“There cannot be a stressful crisis next week. My schedule is already full.”  — Henry Kissinger

What stresses you out?  How do you deal with it?  Please share any other tips or strategies I may have forgotten.

Written on October 10, 2011 Related:Moving, Self

Where I’m Headed Next

written by Parita Leave a Comment

After weeks of waiting…and waiting…and waiting some more, I finally learned where I’m headed for my next rotation. Smile

tampa-beaches Source

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I’m moving to Tampa, FL!!! :Sun

Now please excuse me as I search for apartments all night long!

Written on October 4, 2011 Related:Moving, Self

A Creed to Live By

written by Parita 14 Comments

HAPPY FRIDAY, friends!!!

After work, I got the urge to look through my old journals – all 5 of them… Smile

journals 003

I was hoping to find an interesting entry to share from back in the day.  And I didn’t find just one – I found 3.  The awesome part is that each one is from a different time in my life – 2000, 2003, and 2008.  The old Parita was a pretty wise girl! Smile

But then…I found something else I wanted to share.  Something that touched me when I found it a few years ago, something I forgot I even saved.  It’s called A Creed to Live By, and it’s truly beautiful and inspirational.

Don’t worry, Parita’s original journal entries will be shared…there’s no rush!  But until then, please enjoy this and have a wonderful Friday night!

A Creed to Live By

Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others,

It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don’t set goals by what other people deem important,

Only you know what is best for you.

Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart,

Cling to them as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless.

Don’t let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or the future.

By living one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

Don’t give up when you still have something to give.

Nothing is really over…until the moment you stop trying.

Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect,

It is the fragile thread that binds us to each other.

Don’t be afraid to encounter risks,

It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible to find.

The quickest way to receive love is to give love.

The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly,

And the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Don’t dismiss your dreams.  To be without dreams is to be without hope.

To be without hope is to be without purpose.

Don’t run through life so fast you forget where you’ve been,

But also know where you’re going.

Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored every step of the way.

Author Unknown

Written on May 20, 2011 Related:Inspirational, Moving, Self

Moving Day aka Snow Day

written by Parita Leave a Comment

I am officially all moved in!  But really, all this means is that my stuff is in my apartment.  There is a ton of organizing and cleaning that still needs to happen…bleh. 

Mother Nature did not want to cooperate yesterday, hence this is what I woke up to…

I saw this and wanted to cry...

No worries, I didn’t cry – I think I actually laughed. 🙂  Before I tackled the weather, I wanted to get in a filling, yummy breakfast, so I ate this…

Breakfast cookie (bowl)

I was catching up on a few blogs Thursday night, and when I got to Amanda’s, I was super excited because I had everything I needed to make her Breakfast Cookie recipe!  Thank you, Amanda, because this was absolutely delicious – creamy, pudding/mousse-like, and so filling!  I can see myself making this all.the.time.

I’m glad I had a good breakfast because lunch didn’t happen until 2 pm in the form of Papa John’s pizza.  I hadn’t had chain pizza in a really long time, and after yesterday’s lunch, I made the decision to avoid it as much as possible from now on.  It wasn’t very good.  Oh well, it filled me up, and that’s what counted yesterday. 

Well, after a long chain of events, including lugging my stuff from the hotel to my car in six inches of snow, realizing that I have way too much kitchen stuff and that my new kitchen is actually kind of small, staying up past my bedtime sifting through my stuff, I have a home!  There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done, but I hope to be finished by tonight.

Here’s what I’m most proud of…

A neat and organized closet 🙂

I promise there’s a method to my madness!

And here’s what needs to be worked on a bit…

Random stuff everywhere

I did some cleaning this morning, so this is actually pretty good.

Oh and this…hey, laundry, can you please go wash yourself?!  Please!

Bleh bleh bleh

I hope y’all are doing something super fun this weekend!  If for nothing else, please do it for me since I won’t be able to get out much.

Written on April 2, 2011 Related:Food, Moving

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