Don’t vote. No, really. Don’t vote!

Expectations

Gemini Horoscope for week of October 2, 2008

Do you believe in higher love at first sight? How about instant enlightenment? And what about higher love at first sight that brings instant enlightenment, or instant enlightenment that provokes higher love at first sight? These are themes I suspect you’ll soon be flirting with, Gemini. In order to get all of the blessings from the lessons they’ll offer, you must dispense with your preconceived notions about what they might entail. You’ve got to wash your own brain so it’s nice and clean and empty of expectations.

I don’t even think this has to do with love-love for me. I think it ties in with expectations. And really focusing on what I want.  And the Visualization stuff. I just read a woman’s blog who attends WW meetings. She was writing about the power of positive thinking. (The thought of “I will lose 80 pounds,” “I will work out every day this week,” whatever–these were her goals, mind you. I know I can’t lose 80 pounds!).

I think it’s time for me to learn a new lesson. Things have been stagnant for awhile. I’m swirling the waters with eharmony, for one. I’m trying new persepctives on things that bother me. I’m trying to work out of the stagnation…. as I sit here at 8:00, almost already ready for bed.

I know I need to work on it, but I also know when I come home, I just want to chill out. (I did do the 20 minute TJ workout, so I did do something.)  I made dinner tonight, which I haven’t done in awhile. Enough lunches and/or dinners for 5 more times.

I’m trying to get more into blogging–getting it out. I’m meeting neighbors (yes, more stories there).   Sometimes fake it till you make it, right?

I need to wash my brain, clear it out, lose my expectations about a lot of things.  I really do feel I’m on the verge of the great accident.

Un-wasted Mexican Polenta Pie

When I worked at camp, one time during staff training, we were served this awful Tamale Pie crap. It was so bad. It was so wasted. I mean, it was beyond edible. All the other food–okay, not all–most of the other food was edible. Anyway, I’ve shied away from the stuff ever since.

I tried this tonight. It was delicious. I recommend it. It’s from a WW cookbook.

Mexican Polenta Pie

• 1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 10 oz. frozen corn kernels
• 1 zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch chunks (I used mine from my CSA. YUM!!)
• 1 cup frozen, shelled edamame
• 1 cup jarred chunky salsa (I used a mango one I had in fridge)
• 2 t. chili (I didn’t really measure, would have needed more)
• 1.2 t. ground cumin
• 1 16 oz. tube polenta
• 1 cup shredded reduced-0fat Mexican-blend cheese (and don’t skimp with fat free, b/c we all know that’s not cheese)
• I added one of my jalapenos from my CSA, too. (Still not as spicy as I would have wanted!!)

1. Preheat oven to 400. Spray with cooking spray (oops, forgot that!)
2. Combine beans, tomatoes, corn, zucchini, edamame, salsa, chili powder and cumin (and jalapeno) in big pot (it says Dutch oven, but what the hell is that anyway–and no, you don’t really need to answer that). Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, about 10 minutes.  Put it in the dish and spread evenly. Arrange polenta slices on top, overlapping if necessary.
3. Bake until bubbly, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle polenta with cheese and bake about 3 minutes more. Let it stand 10 minutes before serving.

Just thought I’d share a recipe. I’ve got a million of them.

If you make it, let me know your thoughts. I think it’s tasty.