New York, New York

So, I normally use my blog to update people in the south about my life, share recipes, etc. But today isn't any other blog post.
When I moved from Irving, TX to Shreveport, LA, I will admit I was very naive and close minded. I was an admitted republican probably because I didn't know anything different. Moving out of my comfort zone led me into having to really form my own view of the world, politics, and religion. While I won't go into all my findings and the details of the theology I've come to believe I am going to comment on the wonderful success New York had last night.
I have many friends that are nursing students, singers, teachers, worship leaders, etc, that live in America yet don't have even close to the same rights as I do. How is that fair?! Do they pay the same taxes? I find it so astonishing that people won't get out of their own comfort zone and educate themselves to understand what is happening.
I have never in my life felt so ashamed of my country as when I realized what exactly we are going through here. My best friend, an amazingly gifted choir teacher, can get called a faggot by a student in the middle of a school hallway, administers all around, and no one says a word. Yet if I was a teacher at the same school and a student called me a bitch, they would be suspended. It is shocking how we are in the midst of another civil rights era and a lot of people don't seem to recognize it. It's embarrassing to read about a UM pastor, who is an out lesbian and married two lesbians, is now on "trial" and in hot water for doing something that everyone should be able to do.
When I found out a little more about the gay rights/marriage equality issue, I realized it's people not willing to look outside the box and maybe admit they were wrong. I'm not writing this to get under anyone's skin or offend anybody, but I do want to challenge you to rethink your stance. Educate yourselves. New York had an amazing victory last night. One more small step towards equality becoming a reality.
So please, let my friends have the same rights we all do. Let them dance to Lady Gaga at their wedding. Let me attend their weddings and support them in the same way they supported me.
Born this way, baby! Paws up for marriage equality!
#LesleyJustGotSerious

Pad Thai

Well, I've become quite the little amateur chef here lately! I have been looking for recipes everywhere! My friend Jana has a wonderful blog(here) that I have tried several things from like Chicken Tikka Masala, French Onion Soup, Poblano Cream Sauce, etc. AND bunches from my mom(of course:)) So I've been inspired to start cooking more often!

Michael, our friends and I LOVE Thai food! Pad Thai is a staple within our friend group. So, I decided to try and make it our own. I found this recipe in a magazine, but changed a lot of it. What I liked about it was that it didn't involve fish sauce, tamarind and the thousand other ingredients the authentic recipe calls for. I know I eat that when it's in a restaurant but I don't want to cook with it haha
Also, keep in mind, I'm cooking for 6 people. We have the FAB Sorensen crew here for Gabbi's ballet program for 5 weeks, so I'm feeding the 3 of them, Michael, the ever fabulous Whitney Starkey, and myself.

Chicken (or tofu) Pad Thai

Ingredients:

16 oz box of Rice Noodles (I use "A Taste Of Thai" Rice Stick noodles
3 Chicken Breasts, cubed
2 tsp Tony Chachere's Seasoning (I use salt free, but that's just me)
5 tbsp of Brown Sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving
4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 squirt of Sriracha(we call it rooster sauce haha its the red sauce you find at Thai or Chinese restaurants) (optional if you don't like spicy)
2 teaspoons EVOO
3 scallions (green onions), white and green parts, separated and thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
4 large eggs
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1 bag of bean sprouts
1/4 cup chopped roasted, salted peanuts

Instructions:

So, start with your chicken. I am very weird about my meat. I cut the chicken in half vertically, cut off the fat and the parts that look questionable to me haha and then cube them.
Then I put the EVOO, chicken and Tony's in a skillet and sauteed for about 10 min or until cooked through, then took off of heat and set aside.

While the chicken is cooking, soak your rice noodles in a bowl of the hottest tap water you can get (NOT boiling) for 25 min.

Chop your cilantro, peanuts and slice 2 limes and put aside

Now, in a bowl, put your brown sugar, soy sauce, lime juice and Sriracha, whisk together until the sugar dissolves

Chop your green onion. Cut the root off the bottom and throw away. Chop the bottom whiter part and then cut the top green part into 2 inch ribbons

Mince your clove of garlic

In another bowl, beat your 4 eggs.

Once your noodles are done soaking, heat a couple of tbsp of oil in a wok or skillet. If they don't feel done yet, that's okay.

Now collect ALL of your pre-prepared items. It will go very quickly from here on out. Grab another clean plate. You will need it in a min.

Throw in the white parts of the green onions and garlic. Saute about 30 secs, stirring constantly

Now pour in your eggs let cook, scrapping the bottom until ALMOST fully cooked. fold all together and set in your clean plate.

Toss the noodles in the pan along with the rest of your green onions and your sauce. Stir all together until the noodles are soft (about 1 min)

Add eggs back into the pan, break up the eggs gently, and add some chopped peanuts.

Serve with a lime wedge, bean sprouts, cilantro, and chopped peanuts.




Voila! It is very good and not very spicy. I add a lot more rooster sauce to my plate and don't like bean sprouts :)

Makes 6 servings
Per Serving: 315 Calories

New Apartment, New Roommate, and its SUMMER. Finally.

Well, I haven't written in here since my birthday. To say I can't keep up with this thing is an understatement. I've got to get better!
We just got back from a long weekend in Dallas for my brother Austin's graduation! We had such a blast. Some of our best friends we met in Shreveport all got together for a night and we had such a fun time!! We also got to see a plethora of family and our best friends from high school. It was the best weekend we've had in awhile.




Just an update on our life in ChiTown--
We moved apartments! It is still in Evanston where Michael's school is, but a little further away from the University (crawling with college students just trying to work my nerves). It is still filled with boxes that I must put up soon, it is just SO incredibly hot today and we have NO air conditioning. Which should just be a crime. My BFF, partner-in-crime and soul mate, Emma Elizabeth, moved in with us! It will save on some money and it is really great to have someone else in the house to help out! We are loving it.
I got a new job! I am the newest Jenny Craig Consultant here in Chicago! It is such an amazing job and I am loving it so far! I will be going part-time doing hair and this part-time! I'm very excited!!!
We are so looking forward to exploring the city this time of year and I will try and update at least once a week to keep everyone updated on our life here in the big city!

xoxo
Lesley

Birthday!

Well, I turned 23 today. I feel old and young all at the same time. AND to top it all off, our 6th month wedding anniversary is on Saturday!! We have had a great 6 months and a lot of change. :) So in love with my boy, MPJ.

During my 23rd year of life, I've decided to do some things differently. For starters, I think I may take up either yoga or pilates. I'm thinking more on the yoga side so I can "find my balance". I'm making fun of myself as well, don't worry. Also, I'm considering learning either spanish or french. I'm thinking more of french. I know this is not as useful, but it is a more beautiful language I think. (I am crazy, I understand) I just need to stimulate my intellectual side more than new trends in the hair world and the 6 magazines I read each week. Any more suggestions to make myself healthier, more fit, and smarter?

xoxo
Lesley

Life, Mexican Food and Fitness

"How long, oh Lord, beFORE you let me die?" (repeat about 23 times, no other lyric)
This is what is coming from the other room as I type this blog.

Living with a Michael Jarboe is the most hilarious, annoying and adventurous thing I may have ever done. Our sweet family, including bells, is pretty amazing. We spend most days figuring out which meal we will get delivered and which meal we will search to find food at home. I miss my friends like crazy. It has been really great to see Kaci, Michael Rafferty, Lauren and Nick whilst being here. But even crazier than that, I miss my sweet family. I give my mom and sister some credit for listening to me blabber on and on almost everyday about pretty much nothing. PS love you both

But more than that, WE MISS MEXICAN FOOD. I can't tell you how much I love Chicago and Evanston. There is anything and everything I could ever want within walking distance of me. It really is amazing. But, NO mexican food. We had to go to Chilis the other night just to get some chips and salsa. It really is awful. I cant tell you what I would give up for some Superior queso or El Compadres mushroom quesadillas, or tacos from Taco Diner, or fajitas from Chuys. I'm seriously dreaming right now. haha
On another note, it's a chilly 31 degrees here today and about to start snowing. That means alot of things to us. That I will, without a doubt, ask Michael to drive me to work instead of walking the 14 min it takes me to get there in the morning. It also means we haven't been able to work out. Besides the few times Emma and I have done Zumba in my house trying not to wake the sleeping children that live underneath me.
So, alas, we have joined a gym. LA Fitness is in the same building as my work so it couldn't be more convenient. No more excuses. Besides, we are going home and the end of April for our friends wedding!!! Must lose some more weight. No more chipotle or deep dish pizza. Or Andys frozen custard (we had this in springfield when I went to college there!!! the only good thing about springfield)

Anywho- If you have read until here you must be my mom, sister, or husband. haha But if you made it to the end, you are a trooper.
Until next time!
xoxo Lesley

Grammy's Fashion

Best Dressed:

I'm loving Selena Gomez and Sara Bareilles classic look! and look at that HAIR. Fab.



J. Lo is ROCKING that disco ball mini and Florence and the Machines Florence Welch looks straight off the runway with that tousled hair and Givenchy Couture swan gown.


Kelly, George and Guiliana are who I want to be and Jennifer Hudson has a new bod and I'm loving that and her dress... she looks amazing.


Worst Dressed:
Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry couldn't look cheaper in those sparkly cheap looking dresses. Sorry ladies.



I'm obsessed with awards season, so shoot me. I can't believe I haven't done this before!

chicagooo, look out!

We. Have. Arrived.
FINALLY we have cable and internet! Sorry I haven't updated in awhile! Our lives are pretty great/strange right now and we are having a blast. I got a job at Asha Salon and Spa here in Evanston (www.ashasalonspa.com) and I started this past Sunday! It is a great place to work and very close to our apartment. Michael has applied at a bunch of coffee shops and is waiting to hear back from them.
Thank you all for your kinds words and your prayers. We have appreciated them all!

Lesley