Homemade Flour Tortillas

This recipe blows my mind. I can't believe how easy it is! For some reason, I thought tortillas were made from  magical ingredients that only Abuelas (grandmas) knew how to get. Sorry to break it to you Mija, but the secret is out! Vamanos!

First off, I need to give a shoutout to one of my new favorite bloggers. She is the reason for this post because her blog is where I pretty much jacked this rad recipe from. Thank you, FearlessHomemaker for being a source of so many great recipes. And BONUS, she is super down to earth and writes in a way that makes you want to be her friend. Go check her blog out. You can thank me later.

Project Wifey Wife: The Savory
Homemade Flour Tortillas
from The Fearless Homemaker

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
3/4 cup of vegetable shortening
2 tsp of salt
1 cup of lukewarm water

1. In a large bowl, blend the flour and shortening together so that it resembles fine meal.

2. In another bowl, dissolve the salt in the water. I used my mixer with the dough hook attachment to incorporate the salt water with the flour mixture.

3. The Fearless Homemaker suggests dividing the dough into 12 equally sized pieces and then rolling them into a ball. Because I am so impatient, I just ripped chunks, flattened with my hand, and used a rolling pin for extra flattening powers. My way worked fine. Just make sure you get them as thin as you can.

4. Again, the patient Fearless Homemaker made hers into circles by using a plate as a cookie cutter and trimming off the access. I, on the other hand, just threw it in the pan. Both works. I should try to be more patient.

5. Cook each tortilla in a nonstick pan for about 2-4 minutes on each side on a medium-high heat. They will brown and puff, you will flip, then you will see the magic that is tortilla making. It's really that simple.

Then use this carne asada recipe and prepare to be transported to Meh-heeko.

My hubby absolutely loves these tacos and begs me each week to make them. I tell him "What do I look like? An Abuela?" Then he says Yes and we argue and thumb wrestle or tickle fight until it's ok again. That's what normal married couples do, right? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Happy Birthday Hubby Hub!

To my wonderful Hubs,

Happy 30th birthday, my love!

You are everything to me hunny. You're like the frosting to my cupcake, the ketchup to my french fries, the salt to my pepper. You are my partner in crime.

Everytime you celebrate a birthday, I thank The Man upstairs for blessing my life with such a kind soul. I'm so lucky that I get to celebrate the rest of your birthdays with you. I will be making you a cake until you're 100, ok? Get used to it Hubs! But, time flies when you're having fun, no?

My wish for you is that you get to live out all of your dreams and I want nothing more than to support you on your wonderful journey. You want to go to law school? I will make you snacks when you study. You want to play guitar in a band? I will be front and center throwing my bra at you. You want to run a marathon? I will be there, running in front of you because we all know I'm the faster runner in the family. I keed. I will be in front of you like a carrot on a string, motivating you until the end.

Your friends know how amazingly sweet and helpful you are, your family knows how incredibly funny and kind you are, and yes, your puppy even knows how wonderfully delicious your goatee is. You are perfect to all of us.

But to me, you are more than perfect. You are more than kind and sweet and delicious. You always give me so much more and that's my prize for marrying you. I love you, babe. Happy 30th birthday! Enjoy your special day!

Love,  Your crazy wife.

Pork Siu Mai/Shoe My/Shoo Mie

'Ello Govnah.

I'm a bit peeved right now. My Body and I are at war. Not just, Mind says "Run a 10K", Body says "no way, Jose." Instead, my body wants to be sick but that is not on my schedule at the moment. I don't want to be hocking up loogies, blowing my nose every 5.5 seconds until the skin from my nose peels off, or having nasty mouth. I just want to be a normal girl, gaw dangit! Seems as though Body does not give a flying shit. So, I will drown my body with Green Monsters, green tea, and cough drops while acting like the biggest baby so my hubby will feel sorry for me and do all the chores, cooking, and laundry. ::crossing fingers that hubby reads this::

Besides being sick, I've been having very strong cravings for one thing... Chinese food. What the what? Now before you start speculating that I am with child, I will tell you that I am in fact, not preggos. If I am, it must be a Chinese baby because all it wants is Chow Mein and Dim Sum. Lucy.... you have some splainin' to do.


Honey Walnut Shrimp. One of the best things on earth.

Besides begging my hubby to take me to Panda Inn, I also felt the sudden urge to make some dumplings. I made them before, but to keep in line with my resolutions I decided to try a new recipe. Easy, quick, and delicious. What more can you want out of a recipe?
Project Wifey Wife- The Savory
Pork Sui Mai
adapted from The Everything Rice Cooker Cookbook

Ingredients:
1/2 pound ground pork
1 package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of pepper
1 tsp of soy sauce
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 egg
wonton wrappers

1. Mix all of the ingredients together.  See how easy that is?

2. Put about a half to a full tablespoon of the mixture into a wonton wrapper. Make a little cup and squeeze.

3. Steam for about 7-10 minutes until cooked through.



If you're feeling crazy, you can also fry some!

And isn't it funny that TODAY is Chinese New Year? Maybe that's why I've been craving it all! Really, it's a plain coincidence because I had no idea.

Gung Hei Fat Choy!

Something daring, eh? ::strokes chin::

Teacher Talk Tuesday: The Job Slump

Remember last year, when I thought I was going to die?

I was so painfully unhappy with my job that I dug myself into the deepest hole and became depressed. Luckily, there was a kitchen and Blogworld down there. 

Guys, I don't know how my poor husband survived last year because I ripped his head off almost everyday. I came home crying almost everyday and wanted to quit right then and there. I let 18 immature boys ruin not only my work life, but my personal life as well. WHY, Joanna?

Thanks, Poster, but it was really quite difficult. Besides the fact that I'm overdramatic, I'm also obsessive and a perfectionist. God broke the mold when he made me, huh? (I never thought I'd use that phrase) Put those all together and what do you get? A teacher who wanted to be liked by her students, do well on her test scores, and go home on time each day feeling like a million bucks. Pshh... yeah...right.

So, I survived it right? Barely. Time passed ever so slowly and I'm here with a fun story to tell. Here's my advice to those who are in a lemon patch right now. Eff making lemonade, you gotta take life by the horns and make something more satisfying than that.

1. Breathe and know that it's not personal. 

If you're like me, you might get paranoid that people hate you ALL the time. Please say it's not just me. A co-worker doesn't say good morning? I shift into "Uh oh. What's the last thing I said to her? Did I call her fat on accident? Is she mad at me? Oh crap, was I supposed to call her or something?"

A client, or in my case, 18 teenagers act like total monkies and throw shit at you all day at work? I start thinking "What can I do do change myself so that they would like me and respect me?" 

Honey, the world isn't about you sometimes and you really have to say "It's not me, it's YOU." Instead of thinking how I can change myself, I think about how I can change my way of thinking. Maybe your co-worker had a bad morning, didn't see you, or has to pee really really badly or maybe those clients are really just A-holes. In the equation of A-hole clients and you, you are the only one stressing. Stop.

2. Vent to the right people.

If you don't do this, you'll end up being angry and hurt. I vented to anyone and everyone who would listen, and sometimes those who just had ears. Thanks, Sonic. I told a lot of non-teachers and I would get the "Did you call their parents?" "You should try giving them a book they're interested in." "You should talk to my friend, she's a teacher." These people all mean well and I appreciate them trying to help, but REALLY? Sometimes people don't understand what your job entails and what you are truly going through. They want to help in their own way, but that way isn't going to sound helpful to you if you're already depressed and angry . Talk to someone you know will understand.



My teacher friends



3. Find a really good hobby.

This is pretty straightforward. Do something that will make you happy. I found plenty.

Running

Reading



Cooking funny looking Chicken Butts

Eating

and eating...

and eating.

Ok, that could be very dangerous, but for me it was my ultimate comfort. I did balance it with running so that made it ok.

4. Know that everything will be ok.

I'm living proof. Hated my job last year and now I am living the teacher dream. I have a wonderful class, an awesome principal who just lets me do my job, and very helpful co-workers. God handed me a challenge last year but I kept with it and now, he's showing me that life is good.

via

5. Lastly, don't kill anyone.

My hubby was so patient with me. He felt the wrath of my depression and anger and held me lovingly as I sobbed and wiped snot boogers all over him. I took out my anger on him and if he left me or if I killed him during one of my Mr. Hulk episodes, I would've lost the only person on earth who could put up with my crap. Thank God I made him good food or else I would've been crying to Sonic and he is no good at listening. Thank you, Hubby.

photobooth fun

• Do you have any advice to someone who hates their job?
• How do you get through a rough patch?

Weekend Recap: I'm A Lucky You Know What

This weekend was full of good things... literally... good things.

Friday was Christmas Bunco. This is in fact, one of the best days of the year. I get to spend quality time chit chatting it up with 11 of my favorite girls. I truly love them so much. They don't know how happy they make my heart. (Many of them are camera shy so I spared them the embarrassment of plastering their beautiful faces on my blog.)

One of my students asked me what I was doing that night and after I told him I was going to have dinner with my friends, he proceeded to add that we will probably be talking about male ice skaters, "you know, because they have tight pants?" His words, not mine.

Sadly, we did not have time to talk about male ice skaters because we were too busy eating, laughing, and laughing some more.

p.s Brie plus cranberries equals heaven. It's simple math.

And we ate some more.

But, the highlight of my night was getting to rummage through my friend's NEW KITCHEN! Holy Moly! I died and gone to kitchen heaven.

Check out these sexy drawers. You can move those pegs around accordingly.

I really want to make food babies with this spice rack. Ohh my!

I love drawer. I love kitchen. I love friends.

Oh, and I'm loving this, too.

Hubby gave me an early Christmas present because my old phone decided to be a freakface and give me hard time. Even though it was being difficult, I feel bad for moving on to something bigger and better. I'm the type of person who gives feelings to inanimate objects. I am sorry Palm Pixi.

But, I have to admit, I have super obsessed with this thing and I am even more excited about the camera on this bad boy. Now I can take good pictures even when I forget my real camera!

See what I mean? Isn't Sonic just the cutest in my sweater?

• I need some cool Apps! What are some of your favorites?

Thursday Favorites: Another Flashmob

Favorite Drink:

Grande-Sugar-Free-Hazelnut-Soy-No-Foam-Latte-with-a-side-of-Madelines.

That's all one word, I think. At least when I say it, it is. I get this once a week, sometimes twice if I'm feeling sleepy. I don't know if you can see how they spelled my name...Joann... people always drop the last A! Bugs me. Some of my friends call me that, which I never mind, but when strangers do.... mmmm. ::shakes head::

Favorite Treat of the Week:
After Thanksgiving, all I could think about is PUMPKIN PIE! Last year it was ham, but this year.... I can't stop thinking about it. So I gave Hubby the puppy dog eyes and promised extra sexy time if he bought me one. Of Course he bought one.

Favorite Show:

Hubby and I watch this religiously every day. We could watch the same rerun over and over again.

via

HOLY CRAP! That zombie on the side scared the crap out of me when I enlarged it. Anyways, this show is just brilliant. And don't ask me why, but I love zombies. For some reason, I am not frightened by them. It's the ghosts and creepy kids in scary movies that make me crap myself. (I think I exceeded my use of the word "crap" for the day.)

Favorite YouTube Video:

Girls, get your tissues. Boys, take notes. Besides my own proposal, this is quite possibly the cutest proposal I've ever seen.

RIGHT?

Favorite Song:
An oldie but goodie. Weird video, but this song is awesome!

• What are some of your favorites this week?

My Blogiversary

One year ago I started this crazy little blog thing. I kept it private for about a month before I let the little beast run wild and free on the internets. At first, some of my family and friends questioned why I would even want to do such a thing. And in good mommy fashion, my mom was worried that someone would cook my recipes, stalk me, and find me to cut me up into pieces...or something like that. Regardless, I kept on going, starting Project Wifey Wife, continuing my Zelda quest for my "princess" named Healthy McHealthiness, and joining the fun of Bloggerworld.

Check it out!

I never revealed this, but I wanted to blog because my life was a little topsy turvy with being a newlywed, struggling with my job, and considering a career change. These changes were enough for me to throw up my arms and say "CURSES!" or something else that started with an F. This blog became my comfort. I've always been a journal person, heck, I even had a diary in 1st grade (which I forgot the combination to and haven't been able to open since 4th grade). I had a Xanga in college and continued to keep a handwritten one near my bed. Writing is a friend of mine, for sure.


My first header

This blog is my pride and joy. Even with the horrible spelling mistakes and grammar fumbles, (Did I mention I'm a teacher... I... is... so ...smarte!) and the time I let pass between each post (don't look down at the last time) I thank you, reader, for reading about my life and leaving sweet comments. To my friends and family, who now give me so much encouragement, Thank you. And of course, To The Man, The Mister, the Hubby Hub to my Wifey Wife, Thank you for always encouraging me to blog...AND you're welcome for all the food.

Here's to another year....


To celebrate I will cook my first Project Wifey Wife meal:
Boeuf Bourguignon

And just like the first time, I will forget to post the recipe.....maybe.

Weekend Recap: Meeting a Burger I Did Not Like

Well Happy Monday to ya! I think most everyone I know seems to be happy that this week is a short week. Thanksgiving HERE WE COME! But guys, I take that happy cake.... my fellow teachers and I are off for the whole week....I know I know, we are lucky sons of you know whats. I am loving every minute of it!

This weekend was full of new happenings. First up, I got a new do'. It was about time, too. I was starting to look a little crazy lady there. After I snapped this picture, I was so embarrassed with myself. Talk about letting myself go in the scalp! I haven't had a haircut in over a year!

Good job, Joanna for FINALLY getting a haircut...it's boring...but it'll do.

Moving on....

After playing with my hair for most of the day (so soft) hubs and I went on a double date with my Kuya and Katrina. We went to one of my favorite burger joints!

Their burgers are a step up from fast food burgers, but a step down from gourmet burgers. I love their meat and buns. Rawr!

I also appreciate their amazing condiment and produce station! Build it and they will come. 

Tell me that these stations aren't awesome opossum!

I opted for the Swiss and mushroom burger and it was nummy for my tummy.

Hubs went with a regular bacon cheeseburger and wanted to show off the salt and pepper shakers apparently. He's odd sometimes.

Kuya and Katrina were more daring and got different kinds of meats. I was surprised to see Katrina got an Elk Burger! That's surprising because 99.9% of her meals have only chicken. She's what we'd call a picky eater. But, luckily she's not those picky eaters that I hate...she actually tries things that we offer her no matter how weird they are. Kudos, Katrina! (My Kuya can be very odd. too. Him and Hubs get along just fine.)

I'm the type that would try everything once and I bravely tried the Elk Burger. I immediately spit it out. WHAT? I spit out a burger? I must be out of my mind!! But, I just couldn't stand the gamy taste. ::shivers:: This might go on my list... you know, my food foes list.

After our trip to burger town, we decided to go to what I like to call, Grown-up Chuck E. Cheese!

Dave and Busters is a place where adults can drink their fancy cocktails, eat their fancy chicken strips, and play their fancy race car games. It's a dream, really. 

We danced...like idiots.

We played trivia...like idiots. (Nothing makes your feel worse than not knowing trivial facts that everyone in the world seems to know.)

And then, I found my new favorite game!! FRUIT NINJA! HIYA!

I spent about $10 $20 playing this bad boy! It's super addicting. I mean....it has food AND I'm a ninja for the day! It's a filipino foodie's dream game!

And the best part about Dave and Busters is that you get TICKETS for real prizes! Hubs and I had enough for a blender...no lie.... but we decided to hold out for something better. I have my eye on one of those Chinese thumb trap thingys.

It was a fantabulous weekend! But the thing that made it better was knowing that I don't have work for a whole week! HIYA!!!