[29 before 29]: reading the classics

One of my goals this year is to read four classics as a break from academic reading. I finished the first on my list last week, and I thought I'd say a bit about it here in case any of you are looking for a quick and interesting read!

On the strong recommendation of a friend, I picked Machiavelli's The Prince to start out.  I felt like everyone in the world had read this book, and I was lagging behind, wanting to get to it eventually but never feeling particularly inspired. In a way, I'm glad I waited as long as I did, because I know some things now about ancient biography and historiography that made it really interesting in a way it wouldn't have been had I picked it up in high school or college.

Anyhow, you all know what it's about: "the ends justify the means." Except that isn't really what's going on in the book at all.  Instead, it's a rather conversational collection of what are basically short advice columns for young rulers trying to figure out the best way to gain, consolidate, and preserve their power in the face of common internal and external threats.  And there are fascinating examples drawn from classical history that spice things up.


Here's a link to the book online via Project Gutenberg if you're so inclined.

P.S. Coming up soon: new yarn and photos from a weekend in Cincinnati!

[29 before 29] bread of the week

Crazy, stupid good. I can't even explain.
On Sunday morning I made English muffins. It was a pretty fast and simple process, and the result is so delicious. It's really really difficult to eat just one at a time.

 

This is the recipe I used, from Michael Ruhlman's blog.

[29 before 29] Red Kale, Dutch style

It's not particularly glamorous, but it sure is delicious! Meet my spin on a traditional Dutch winter meal (vouched for repeatedly by my Dutch friend, who was totally right about its filling, warming qualities), using new-to-me veggie #2, red kale.

Ingredients:
4 stalks or so of red kale
6-8 baby potatoes, red or yellow, your preference
1 cup or so of baby carrots
1/4 milk
1 tbsp butter or margarine
salt and pepper to taste

Boil some water and add chopped potatoes and carrots.  Chop the kale and set it aside for a few minutes while the other veggies boil away.

When the carrots and potatoes are nearly fork-soft, add the kale to the pot to wilt for about 1 minute.

 Drain all the veggies and do a rough mash with butter and milk, then add salt and pepper.

Enjoy your simple, hearty meal or side!  This probably makes enough to serve 4 people, but I ate it in two sittings because I treated it as a main dish.

Comments on kale -
This green is a little bit bitter for my taste, so in future I'll probably try to disguise that a bit by preparing it with some kind of sweet sauce or dressing.  Nonetheless, it was great in this dish to balance the heaviness of the potatoes.

[29 before 29] Collard Greens, 2 ways

For my first new vegetable, I decided to try out collard greens. I looked up a few recipes using Pinterest and settled on two exciting options.

This first is really my adaptation of a recipe called "Asian stir-fried collard greens." If you'd like to try it for yourself, my concoction was made a little something like this:

Ingredients:
4-5 collard greens leaves, stalks cut out and leafy greens roughly chopped
1/2 small red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp crushed red paper flakes
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
for sauce: 
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp ground ginger (fresh if you have it)
2-3 tbsp water

Add olive oil to skillet over medium-high heat.  When the oil is heated, saute onions with garlic and red pepper flakes until onions soften, stirring occasionally.  Meanwhile, whisk together sauce ingredients in a small bowl.  When the onions are ready, add collard greens to the skillet and pour sauce over the top.  Saute until greens are slightly wilted, about 7 min.  Makes 2 generous servings. Enjoy!

Recipe #2 was one I followed more exactly, just subbing in the collard greens in place of kale, so I'll just show you my picture and send you to the original recipe post on the Happyolks blog. I took this to a holiday party on Saturday, and people seemed to enjoy it, plus the colors were so festive!

Vegetable review:
Consider collard greens a new staple in my winter kitchen.  They're a good change from spinach, especially because they're a bit more sturdy and can stand up to different types of cooking.  Overall, I preferred the first dish, mainly because I like my vegetables served with plenty of salt and garlic; this felt more hearty and appropriate for winter. Let me know if you try it out or if you have any other collard green recipes I ought to make.

[29 before 29] a goal list

This last year I have really enjoyed the challenge of working to complete goals from my list of '28 before 28' goals.  It has been a great and positive change from the type of New Year's resolutions lists I've made in the past; one of those old goals was "shower every day in the coming year" - hey, I was in college! What do you want from me?  While I didn't make it through all of the goals I set for myself, that just means I have a chance to do even better on this coming year's list!  My 29 goals are listed below in various categories, with what you might call "reach" goals in italics.

Healthy/personal goals:
run (at least) three 5k races
try twelve new vegetables/fruits
keep an inspiration and contemplation journal
restart and continue my yoga practice
take one personal day a month for reflection and relaxation
regular phone calls, e-mails, and snail mail with distant friends
get in the best shape of my life so far

Crafty/domestic goals:

knit socks from my own handspun yarn

grow my blog by adding more DIY tutorials and crafty giveaways

learn to make macarons

bake a loaf of bread a week (this might also inspire me to try new bread recipes)

office/craft studio decorating project

knit down the stash, especially sock yarn leftovers

stranded colorwork sweater for me

Adventure/learning goals:
go to six new-to-me Chicago restaurants
take a non-academic class to learn a new skill (can't pick one yet, but I'll narrow it down)
read four literary classics I haven't read before
take and pass my comprehensive exams
submit my dissertation proposal
take a hike. no, really.
road trip to... mystery location!
international travel

Outreach/service goals: 

do at least one random act of kindness each month

help a friend with a major cleaning or moving project

make ten winter hats and donate them through church

organize and participate in 3 service projects for my on-campus club

teach someone how to knit (not sure this is service since it's basically passing on an addiction!)

increase shop sales to donate to MSF

save for and make a significant half-birthday donation to project heifer

Any goals you're making this time of year? What are your big plans? I'd love it if you'd share in the comments!