What Goes Around Comes Around?

It was the weekend of my first work AGM, I was in Halifax with G gearing up for what would be an awesome weekend of meeting new people, motivational speeches and of course, free booze! 700 people registered for the AGM, which included staff from head office that I was yet to meet. You can bet I was intimidated, so to make sure I made a perfect first impression I needed the perfect outfit. Within hours of being in the city I had new clothes and accessories arranged on the bed at the Hotel, and one beautiful pair of purple pumps that robbed my heart of only 30 bucks.


On Saturday night I was dressed to impress and proudly wore my cute new shoes. One hour into the evening I realized these cute new shoes were HELL on heels. I cringed with every step I took knowing that blisters were taking over my poor little feet, but in trying to act professional I sucked it up and kept going. When the night was finally over we were given a chit to call a cab, but of course we had no luck getting a cab at 3am in the middle of a blizzard. Arm in arm, G and I crawled through the snow storm towards our Hotel until finally, a cab pulled up. ACT OF KINDNESS #1. A young couple very generously offered to share the cab with us because the weather was so horrible and clearly I was struggling.


I started complaining about the shoes. I said things like, "Remind me to NEVER wear these again!" and, "I'm throwing these shoes in the garbage when we get home!"  So I asked the girl beside me what size feet she had, and when she replied 7, which is my size, I offered them to her. I warned her that they were super uncomfortable and that she too would hand them off after one wear but gave her the option of tryign them out. The shoes were BRAND new and so adorable, so I wasn't surprised when she said she'd take them. Perhaps she did the smart thing and bought insoles, or wore them somewhere that didn't involve standing, dancing or walking all night long. I wonder if she still have them in her closet? ACT OF KINDNESS #2 AND #3. Not only did she get a new pair of shoes out of the deal, but a free cab ride thanks to our chit!


If you're wondering how I got into the Hotel, I wish I could say G carried me in, but instead I pranced through the slush in my tights and it felt so good.


So it's 3am-ish and we have a killer craving for munchies. Vending machine in the building? Nope. Order pizza? Why would we when our friends down the hall have leftover pizza? I run down the hall, but our friends weren't back yet. No luck! On my way back up the hall a random stranger, an older man that should have been in bed at that point, walked towards me with a grocery bag in each hand. He looked at me and said, "Want some of this?" I nodded at him with a raised eyebrow, without even knowing what it was I was agreeing to, and sure enough, ACT OF KINDNESS # 4, he hands me a bag of junk food. How RANDOM is that? He kept down the hall and entered a room as I stood stunned, sure that I was just visited by an Angel from Munchie Heaven.


So that is my totally random story of four acts of kindness, all directly effecting me in one weekend. I wanted to share this story because some of you may find it inspiring, and although it's a bit weird, it may motivate you to do something kind for a stranger.

Rachel
XO

MELT MY HEART!

I am very proud to introduce my beautiful niece Sophie singing Christina Perri's hit single Jar of Hearts. Sophie is only 4 years old, but is quite possibly the funniest, cutest, most energetic and fun loving person I have ever met. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do!

"Macaroni & Hamburg"

This is a quick and easy meal that my Mom used to make for us all the time when we were growing up. Although this simple 3 step meal doesn't show off my Mom's culinary abilities, she is an amazing home Chef! My sister, her family and I gather at our parents place almost once a week for a family meal together that is delicious every time. Like many of her recipes this one falls into the comfort food category that I pull from every now and then. Mom would always have fresh rolls and salad on the side, but we aren't the type that require a veggie with every dish so beware, this is a veggieless dinner idea. It takes less than 30 minutes to make, a few ingredients go a long way, and it's even better the next
day. Just remember, it's comfort food!

Sweet & Spicy Chili

If it's not spicy, it's not Chili!

1LB BACON - Cut small, fry and set aside. (Do not cook and then crumble.) Drain grease and in the same pan...
4-5 HOT ITALIAN SAUSAGES - Remove casing, cook and crumble as you would ground beef. Set aside and in the same pan...
 1LB GROUND BEEF- Cook and crumble. *Optional - Season ground beef with a mesquite/or smoked seasoning of your choice.*

Cut small, 3 MEDIUM ONIONS, 1 GREEN PEPPER, 1 RED PEPPER and saute (sweat) in a pan with 1 tbsp EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and 3 Large cloves of minced GARLIC.

In a large pot, combine 2 Lg Cans of HUNTS TOMATO SAUCE (4 Cheese or Roasted Garlic) 1 LG CAN OF DICED TOMATOES with juices, your cooked meat and vegetables.

Drain and rinse well 2 LG CANS KIDNEY BEANS and add to Chili.

Add 1 TBSP PEPPER FLAKES, 2 PKG CLUBHOUSE CHILI SEASONING, 1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR. Stir and combine well, simmer on the stove as long as you can (1 hour minimum) before serving to allow the flavours to combine.

*If Chili appears to be thin, add 1 CAN OF TOMATO PASTE. 

Galloping Cows Jelly

2012 came with a new addiction.

Crackers, cream cheese and Red Pepper Jelly. Mmm, I could eat it everyday! It's sweet and spicy, jazzing up any breakfast bagel or cheese tray it can get it's sticky fingers on.




This little jar of jelly, and other delicious Galloping Cows products travelled all the way from our little town of Mabou, NS to the Oscars and Golden Globes to be sampled by the stars! You can read more about Galloping Cows products, and even make an order online at www.gallopingcows.com!

Take my word for it, order now!