Easing in to "Vegan August"

"I want to try to go vegan for a month".

You could have knocked me over with a feather....

Was this the same guy that just a couple nights earlier told me the "pasta would be even better with a lot more turkey sausage in it"? And the same guy who requests chicken and steak to be on every week's grocery list?

"I'll do vegetarian for a month. I can't do vegan. I like my eggs and Greek yogurt".
"I can't have eggs? Maybe I'll do vegetarian..."

There's a glimmer of that guy.

"Ok, so when would you like to do this?"
"Umm, maybe August".

And the randomness continues.

You see, two of the biggest changes when I moved to Baton Rouge (besides buying two of some items since J likes that "open bag stale flavor" besides the sheer volume of groceries) have been cooking every night (let's face it, when you live alone, some nights cereal and wine are a perfectly fine dinner) and the abundance of meat in the meal plans. Don't get me wrong, I'm a carnivore through and through, but my definition of moderation may differ slightly than my bigger-muscles-are-better-more-protein-please counterpart.

But since I'm feeling a bit meat-logged (is that a thing?), I'm all for this little experiment. And to ease him, ahem - us - into the idea, I've decided to try to cook at least one meatless dinner a week.

Recently, BuzzFeed did a two-week clean eating challenge with some pretty good recipes. (Here is the link to check it out http://www.buzzfeed.com/christinebyrne/clean-eating-2015#.fyMPzzYYw) Usually I have to modify recipes for my picky eater partner, and sometimes I just modify based on what I have. Tonight I made a version of Day 5's dinner, and I got a "this is good, Babe" with no pre-bite inspection. (For those of you who don't know, this is like being nominated for the James Beard Award. Not winning, but a solid nomination. Almost every new meal requires a thorough inspection of what I've put in it to make sure I haven't suddenly decided that seeing him gag over onions and "other crunchy things" is my new form of entertainment. This meal was tasty and apparently not scary looking. Win.)

So, here's my version:
-1 pack of "No Yolks" egg noodles
-EVOO or grapeseed oil, whichever you prefer
-1 bunch of fresh spinach
-3 cloves of garlic, chopped
-About 2 Tbsp of shredded parmesan (but hey, if you love cheesy stuff, add all you want. Maybe a sprinkle on top at the end)
-3 eggs (I used some of my farm fresh eggs from the local farmer's market. If you're in Baton Rouge and have been under a rock, GO CHECK OUT RED STICK FARMER'S MARKET. It's delightful.
http://redstickfarmersmarket.org/main/. If you're in my beautiful home town of Birmingham, head down to Pepper Place Farmer's Market - http://www.pepperplacemarket.com/#themarket.)
-seasonings: black pepper, Italian seasoning blend, and salt, if you must

Cook the noodles according to the directions (about 10-12 minutes after the water is boiling)
Drain the noodles and hit them with the Italian seasoning
In a pan, heat the oil on medium heat and add the garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds
Add the spinach, noodles and parmesan and cook until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts - about 1 minute
Set the noodle and spinach mix to the side off of heat
In another pan add the 3 eggs. Cook to "over easy". (NOTE: I used 3 eggs simply for J to have two and one for myself. You can use however many your heart desires.... or how few it needs.)
Scoop noodles and spinach into a pasta bowls and add the eggs on top. Sprinkle with a little pepper.
Now for the fun part.... break the runny egg and "Voilà!", you have a meatless dinner packed with protein, greens and tastiness.

Cheers,
Angela

Starting at the Beginning: Who Am I and What Am I Doing?

Since moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana about nine months ago, I've asked myself two questions on a fairly regular basis:
1. Who am I? 
2. What am I doing exactly?

Well, the obvious and quick answers to those questions are, I'm Angela Paumen and I'm writing a blog to chronicle my safari through the "world of being domestic", which to me is a lot like a jungle at times.

But here's the more in depth answers:

Lately, I've been doing all kinds of things I never thought I would do. I quit a job I LOVED, and moved to another state.....for a guy. We got engaged, and in a way that always seemed so "not me", in order for us to be in the same state, I gave up my life and moved to where he was. So began the trek from Birmingham to Baton Rouge, my journey into home ownership, and the overall domestication of Angela Paumen.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still very career driven. I've also always been naturally creative when it comes to design, decor, fashion and beauty. But along with a career and some "girly" interests, is this new role of "wife-who-cooks-and-keeps-a-house-and-grows-things-and-makes-things". More than once I've been covered in dirt and leaves or liquid being flung from a blender and wondered "how did I get into this mess?". Kitchen gadgets and a garden - I'm loving them - they're just new to me. Monogrammed towels? I'm for them, I've just never had them. And sharing a space as half of a pair is completely uncharted territory. At first, I would often times be left looking for a "me" that I recognized. But as the months have gone by, I've completely embraced this new addition to (not replacement of) who I am. I want to dive in head first - no, cannonball in! - to this new space. I mean, why can't displaying the first letter of my new last name be just as gratifying as another award on my wall at work? And Louboutin's come in pairs, and are better for it. Why can't being part of a "pair of Fox's" be just as glamorous?

And let's be real, this is probably going to be pretty entertaining at times. So, why not give people a front row seat to all of it?

So, all of this being said:
1. I'm someone on a mission to become a domestic badass
2. I'm documenting everything I learn about all things domestic or simply "useful' information right here on this blog. And I'm inviting you to follow along, learn with me, laugh at me...etc.

Cheers,
Angela