Whose Business is it Anyway?

I've decided to dedicate a post to why some people think that it is appropriate to ask certain questions. Only recently have I begun to experience this domain of humanity...and frankly, it's quite amusing. There are multiple facets, which I would like to cover.

For a bit of background, I starting noticing The Questions shortly after I found out I was pregnant. Actually, a bit before when one of my close friends "started showing". For some odd reason once you're pregnant (and certainly when you're showing) many people feel it's their right (or maybe just a good conversation point?) to bring up rude questions. Questions such as:

1. Are you pregnant? Or "Congratulations!!!" without asking anything.
Sure, I may be pregnant, but if I haven't said anything, then maybe it's that I'm not publicizing it yet (or ever). Or maybe I've just gained some weight, or ate a really big meal, or are wearing a shirt that makes me look pregnant for some reason. Basically, if the answer isn't "yes," then the questioner is going to feel really awkward and if the answer is "yes" then you're probably wondering why I haven't told you...so here comes Question 2.

2. Was it planned or unplanned?
WHY IN THE WORLD DO YOU THINK THIS IS ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS? Why does this matter to you? Why do you care? How do you even have the chutzpah to ask this? Whether you're my mother or a random person on the street, what is, is. Seriously, there's already a baby in there. For people that may be considering other options, I'm sure they'll let you know IF THEY SEE FIT! So basically, it's beyond rude. I've been asked this by my doctor, my friends, and even family members. Not sure if they're just nosy or just inadequate small talkers. If I'm happy about the baby, you better be, too! And if I'm not, I need some encouragement, not nosy questions!

As a follow-up, my doctor asked me Uncomfortable Question #2 after which he said, "Congratulations!" I couldn't stop laughing with my mom after when we were joking "Well what he would have said if I said it was unplanned?!" And by the way, my obgyn never asked that, just the primary physician. So it's not a required question and I'm sure it was my age talking. If I was 10 years older, I doubt he would've asked that. My friends and family, on the other hand, are a different story...

3. Unsolicited Rude Advice
So it's not exactly a question. But it's still just as rude. After Doctor #1 comes in (see above), Doctor #2 makes an appearance just to tell me that I need to take time off since "babies are hard". No way! I thought having a baby was going to be a walk in the park. I was expecting to sleep more than ever before! I was expecting to have no extra work on my hands! But excuse me, just because I'm not a doctor (yet) doesn't mean I can't think for myself. I feel sorry that I even felt I had to justify my plans. Frankly, my plans on how I'm going to care for my child (something women have been doing...well forever) is NONE of her business. But even after my well-thought out justification, she felt the need to continue pushing her opinion down my throat. Well, you know what, I just want to say that I can take care of my baby, thank you very much. And that thankfully, I have the energy to do it right now and a great support system. (This was just one example...I'm sorry to say I have many more.) So please, unless I ask for advice, don't give it. It's just mean.

I apologize for the harsh tone taken in some of this post. As you can see, I'm beyond frustrated with questions. I hope someone out there will be asked one less uncomfortable question (and someone else will get one less uncomfortable response) due to this post.

Thanks for reading!

Beginnings of Married Life

I've now been a married women for almost three weeks now. Honestly, I never thought I would be married in college, but life takes you in different directions as you grow. And frankly, it's great. The difference from "dating" to "engaged" is the wonderful very likely possibility of sharing the rest of your lives together. The difference between "engaged" and "married" is that you're now living that reality.

We had been dating for a bit over 2 years when we tied the knot, by some standards not long at all and by others an eternity. Since we knew each other quite well, transitioning into living with one other was pretty easy. The hardest part is probably figuring out how much food to make. When a recipe says that it's 6-8 servings, that generally is enough for one meal...and hopefully enough for lunch tomorrow as well. Since this is a food blog, I figured I might as well put some ideas out there for fairly easy dinners for newly married couples. Anything pasta related is cinch and there's so many varieties. Just mix up the type of sauce, vegetables, and meat or cheese and you have a new meal every time. Also a favorite is deviled eggs - lots of protein and super yummy and easy to make. For a more fancy dinner, turkey meatballs and salad can be fun. It's also a great activity to do together as one of your makes the meatballs and the other sautes them. Basically, cooking together can and should be fun!

Anyways, just wanted to say, if you've found the right person then keep him/her. I grew up in a secular community and getting married in your teens or early twenties is unheard of. People from back home found our decision odd, to say the least. On the other hand, people that knew me starting in college thought getting married now was the only logical decision - likely because they knew my relationship with my boyfriend (now husband) well and I was slowly starting to become more religious at the beginning of college and much more so by the second year. But, basically, you know what's right. Only you and your significant other know when's the best time to start your married lives together.

If you've found the right person, why wait? There's only so many years in a lifetime. When you're 60 or 70 or 80, won't you say you wish you had just a few more years being married to the love of your life? Well those few years are right now.

Getting Ready for Pesach

So Pesach is one of those times when eating seems, well, difficult.  I keep reading blog entries about how really it is quite easy to make food - just use fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish.  The problem is, though, I have too much of a liking for pasta and rice.  They're both quick and much easier to make.

Not only is it Pesach next week, but I also started a low-nickel diet.  I have hand eczema and it is highly recommended to try a low-nickel diet for a few months to see if it helps.
(If anyone else has similar problems, I highly recommend trying this out to see if it works for you! - http://www.pennstatehershey.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=0888ec6e-3d2f-4766-833e-b38bd920ffcd&groupId=102184)
Good news and bad news...the diet certainly seems to be helping, but that also means there are very certain foods I can eat.

Some restricted foods in the low-nickel diet overlap with both keeping kosher and kosher for passover - no shellfish, no legumes, no peanuts.  Yet, when we bring in the mixture no lettuce, no raw tomatoes, and no raw onions you just have to throw salads out the window.  Also, did I mention no chocolate? Who doesn't love chocolate?!

Basically, I will be having a very meat-filled week - that chicken is finally coming out of the freezer for some matzo ball soup and chicken salad fun!  I still haven't figured out how to cook fish - I'm so afraid of making the whole house smell - but maybe it's time to learn.  Also, mashed potatoes are a great staple food.  I can finally use up those three pounds of potatoes I bought awhile back.  So all in all, I think I can manage kosher for passover and low-nickel foods.  I mean it's just one week!

Good luck to everyone on the all the cleaning! Feel free to comment and share your favorite Pesach recipes!

Egg Salad

So here's my second attempt at the world of blogging. Not sure how this is going to go, but oh well.

Musing + cooking. I'll give you great (tested) recipes that happen to be kosher, if you follow that. If not, they're still great recipes, I promise! And, of course, some musings...about what it's like to be a bit of a of a different kind of college student.

Firstly, the basics (aka everything that is important for understanding the future of this blog as I see now):

1. When college comes up, I'm always asked what I want to be. So here's the debate...teacher or psychology researcher or anything else that pops into my head that day that seems super interesting for all of about 24 hours.

2. I fence. No, I don't build fences (obligatory joke). I hit people with a sword. Yes, like Zorro.

3. I love to cook. A lot. And bake. I'm not sure how much I'm helping the feminist movement at the moment with that phrase, but to be honest, why can't I (a person who happens to be a women) really enjoy cooking?! Side Note: I also enjoy Ladies Home Journal and Good Housekeeping.

4. I'm currently engaged. Yay! Yes, I'm in college. No, I'm not graduating this May. Yes, I will finish my education. I'll write more musings on this subject later...especially as we start to plan the wedding. Ahh! Exciting!

5. I've been taking on more religious observance bit by bit (hence the kosher part). It's been really great - certainly harder at times than others. Overall, though, I feel more fulfilled. I'll be sure to speak of my triumphs and tribulations of becoming more observant for anyone that is interested, going through a similar process themselves, or is thinking about it.

So the moment you've all been waiting for! The recipe of the day!

Story Behind It: I bought a dozen eggs about 2 weeks ago thinking I would use them. Of course, I didn't. I figured eggs are the main ingredient in egg salad so might as well give it a go! (Credit: Foodnetwork.com, with some modifications by me!) Also, this should give you food for about 4-5 lunches!

Ingredients:
12 eggs
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons dill weed
2 tablespoons mustard (whatever type you have on hand)
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
Sprinkle of pepper

1. Dice the onions and let soak in cold water for 15 minutes.

2. "In a large saucepan, with a tight-fitting lid, place the eggs and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Cover the eggs, remove from the heat, and set aside for 8 minutes. Drain the water from the pan and cool the eggs in the pan under cold running water. Peel the eggs and cut into sixths."

3. Combine the celery, mayo, dill weed, mustard, lemon juice, and salt in a separate bowl.

4. Add in the cut eggs to the combination in Step #3 and mix gently until coated.

5. Season with a sprinkle of pepper.

6. Eat in a sandwich, wrap, or salad. Yum!