Of Hiking Trails and Eggs

Happy Sunday evening, y'all!  

I hope everyone had a most joyous and merry Christmas. 

Today's been a ramblin' kind of day; please allow me to share a couple of such ramblings with you . . .  

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I met Karen last year at ITMI; we were classmates during those 2 weeks.  Karen was fun to hang around outside of class hours.  She was interesting to get to know; one such aspect is that she is a hiker. Actually, according to her Facebook page, she is a long-distance backpacker / hiker.    

"Long-distance" is not an exaggeration, neither.  

While tooling around town today, I stopped by the post office and found a Christmas postcard waiting for me in my box.  It was from Karen, and it boasted a lovely picture of her decked out in hiking paraphernalia, arms joyously outstretched and surrounded by lush green trees, in front of a PCT trail marker and monument.  

On the postcard, underneath her name, were the words:

Completed the Pacific Crest Trail

Departed Mexico April 19, 2009

Arrived Canada October 2, 2009

Wow!!  

Doing some quick research, I learned that the Pacific Crest Trail is approximately 2,650 miles in length.  For the 166 days that Karen was hiking the PCT, she hiked an average of almost 16 miles per day!  For 166 days!!! 

I find this to be extremely inspiring and encouraging.  Earlier today, I was participating in a conversation regarding people living their passions, whatever they be.  Karen is definitely living her passion.  

Congratulations, Karen, and thank you for sharing this amazing news with me! May you have many, many more Happy Trails!  

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My creative and experimental cooking juices have been flowing lately.  I have Don and Jo to thank for this.  They know why.  :)  Thank you, Don & Jo!  

Man, I love to feed people!  I spent the better portion of yesterday swirling various ideas around in my head as to how I will one day be able to realize this dream that periodically and tantalizingly whispers to me and makes its presence known once more.  

But for now, let's talk about eggs!  

The high-cholesterol controversy aside, I think eggs are absolutely wonderful . . . and quite versatile, to boot.  No, not the tasteless bleached white eggs that come from chicken farms focused on caged mass-production.  I enthusiastically enjoy the real deal; eggs with natural brown shells and rich orange yolks whose producers cluck and roam freely around the farmyard, sans cages.  

Lately, I've been focusing on eating even more veggies than I normally do . . . can one ever really have too many fresh vegetables?  I think not.  

So, combined with my love of eggs, I've been creating dishes that I've personally never seen in any restaurant. Having said that, I'm not going to claim this as an original idea . . . every time I think I have one of those, regardless of what it is, I find it listed on Google.  Go figure.  

However, the idea is new to me; I guess that counts for something.    

On that note, I happily share this recipe with you and I hope you enjoy it.  

Egg Nests 

In lieu of fat (butter, oil, etc.), cover the bottom of a skillet with your choice of stock or even any soup.  I especially like those boxed soups and stocks from Imagine or Pacific. They're so versatile; and not only are they good heated up in a mug, they also are great ingredients to scrumptious recipes. 

BTW, today, I used chicken stock.  

Gently heat stock (or soup) and add a generous portion of chopped or sliced veggies (i.e., leeks, various greens, broccoli florets, etc. . . really, your preference). 

Today, I used broccoli slaw (shredded broccoli and carrots).  

Sauté the veggies a few minutes, but make sure they're still fairly crisp (please do not overcook; there's nothing worse than mushy veggies).  

Crack open however many eggs you'd like to eat (2 is a good number for me).  The eggs sit nicely on top of the veggies.  

Cover the skillet and turn heat to low, cooking until eggs are done according to your your preference (the veggies will continue cooking during this time).  

Make sure you use enough stock or soup so that it doesn't evaporate dry in the cooking process. I've never measured, but I'm guessing 1/4 - 1/2 cup, depending on the size of your skillet.  

And there ya go . . . a lower-fat yummy egg dish, complete with a good dose of protein and veggies.  Comfort food & healthy, all in one dish! If y'all try this; I'd sure be interested in what you think  of it.

In the meantime,

Y'all be blessed,

Sharon-Marie

Sharon-Marie Jordan © 2010 - All rights reserved.

Last Chance 2009 Ramblings

Hey y'all! 

Greetings from under the snowy shadow of the Grand Tetons!

The weather has been all over the place in the past few weeks; ranging from -20° all the way up to the “almost-balmy” mid 30°s.  Currently, it's 16° and the mountains are slowly accumulating the season's collection of that beautiful, fluffy white stuff.  (BTW, being the American that I am, all temps are listed in Fahrenheit).

Speaking of weather, I hope all my friends on the East side of the States are fairing well through the storms tonight. 

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I've been contemplating learning how to ice-skate this year.  I've also been advised to armor myself in padded pants and elbow protectors, should I decide to embark on this wondrous winter activity.  The man who provided such sage advice is a hockey referee.  He has been zoomin' around on skates for the past 40 years and, amusingly enough, underlined such counsel by sharing a photo of him uniformed-up with blood running down his face because of his brow bone having a close encounter with a hard, thick sheet of frozen water during a game.

Anyone want to place bets on my ice-skating success?

Anyone want to underwrite me for insurance purposes?

Anyone want to sign-up to zip around the ice with me?  A fun time would be had by all, I’m quite sure!

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Y'all may remember my becoming a certified tour director this time  last year.  Employment-wise, the timing proved to be a bit of a challenge.  Many of my classmates have experienced the same thing; signs of the economic times and all that.  

To date, I have sent my résumé to over 90 different tour-related companies.  I still have not yet worked as a tour director.  But!  Being the eternal optimist, I always have hope!  New years bring renewed determinations; and I will continue my efforts into 2010.

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In the meantime, I’ve been having a great time participating in Toastmasters International.

I joined its local affiliate back in February of this year, and have enjoyed it immensely.  The information I have learned, coupled with the experience I have gained, has been quite invaluable.  If YOU want to hone your public-speaking skills, I highly encourage you to join your local chapter of Toastmasters.  Even if you do not “do” public-speaking, there are myriad ways in which you could benefit from your membership in Toastmasters.  Visit the link I’ve provided above and check them out!

To everyone at Teton Toastmasters, here’s a shout-out to y’all!  Thank you so much for being such an incredibly awesome group in so many ways.  The pleasure has definitely been all mine.

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The Elk Refuge recently opened for the Winter Season and is now busy providing sleigh rides.  It is simultaneously a most inspiring and humbling privilege to be able to ride through the herds and see these most majestic animals so completely up-close and personal.

As always, Jackson offers a plethora of winter activities.  Whatever the season and whether indoors or out, it’s impossible to become bored while living or visiting here.   Winter includes various snow activities, art that encompasses many genres, getting together with friends in front of roaring fireplaces . . . the list is practically endless. 

One of my favorite sources in keeping up-to-date with what, when & where is JH’s Chamber of Commerce.

Whether you’re a local, a local wannabe or a future visitor, sign up for “The Lowdown,” the Chamber’s weekly Calender-of-Events email!

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My thanks to Bobbie for forwarding to me this YouTube MOOSE video!

I played it twice through the first time I viewed it.  The frolicking of those baby twin moose, along with the care and watchfulness of their mother, brought many smiles to my face.  What a wonderful way to relax at the end of a busy day!

Incidentally, click here to visit Bobbie’s website - Carrousel Graphics.  Enjoy!

A couple days later after the moose video, I, then, found these photos of white-haired moose while weaving through the wonderful world known as the web. (Visit Snopes.com as to why I do not specifically refer to them as albino moose).

. . . Speaking of Snopes, I enthusiastically and wholeheartedly  encourage y’all to use them when ascertaining if what you want to forward onto 500 of your closest friends is truth or fiction.  :)

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Christmas is just around the corner.  I hope each of y’all have an absolutely JOY-filled Christmas.

May Jesus, whose birth I celebrate, bless each of you most abundantly.

Pax,

Sharon-Marie

Sharon-Marie Jordan © 2010 - All rights reserved.