Easy Eggnog Cheesecake

I made this cheesecake for a work party this weekend. It was a huge risk, given that I've never made the recipe or even a cheesecake for that matter! BUT it was a huge hit and I've had people asking me for the recipe! And I'm only a little proud of how popular it was. :)

Easy Eggnog Cheesecake

CRUST
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons white sugar
3 tablespoons melted butter
Dashes each of cinnamon and nutmeg

CHEESECAKE

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 and 3/4 cup eggnog
2 eggs
2 tablespoons rum or vanilla extract
1 pinch ground nutmeg

TOPPING
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Dash of cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
In a medium bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Press into the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan. (Cover bottom of pan with foil for easy removal later.)
Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Place on a wire rack to cool.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
In a food processor combine cream cheese (softened in the microwave), 1 cup sugar, flour and eggnog; process until smooth. Blend in eggs, rum/vanilla and nutmeg. Pour mixture into cooled crust.
Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
Reduce heat to 250 and bake for 45 minutes, or until center of cake is barely firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and immediately loosen cake from rim. Let cake cool completely before removing the rim.

Whip cream with powdered sugar in blender or mixer until peaks form. Spread generously on top.

Chill for 1-2 hours.

Serves 16.

My big break

So I've finally launched my modeling career. Yes, it's late, but through hard work I'm finally a cover girl.

Or maybe my friend writes for a news magazine and asked me to do their cover as a favor.

But what a fun favor!

I got all dressed up while my friend did my makeup, then we headed over to the 99 Cent Store, who graciously let us roll around their aisles throwing coupons around. The cadre of ogling onlookers was a bonus.

So check out The Times publication next month to see the final copy of yours truly. I'm sure my phone will be ringing off the hook!

Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

I love Christmas. I really do. The music, the treats, the family traditions. All bring joy to my soul.

So imagine my disappointment this weekend when I went to buy Christmas decorations for J Place, Tony's new house that will become ours in May.

My priorities were pretty simple going in: I was looking for garland and lights to hang outside; a tree and centerpiece for inside. I didn't think I would be looking for something more.

But as I looked at the displays in Target, Wal-Mart and Michaels, I noticed that anything resembling Jesus or the nativity is a little hard to come by. Sometimes they are even banished to one seemingly "Christian Corner" out of all the rows and rows of items. Instead, you can choose from fancy Santa, cute Santa, toy Santa, NASCAR Santa and any number of snowmen, reindeer and elves.

The worst was the row that offered Christmas decorations in hot pink and neon green.

I was surprised at my own revulsion. I happen to own a little white tree with pink lights. I buy into the commercialism every year it seems.

But this year was different. Maybe I was just looking for something unique. I hope it is because for the first time I am decorating MY HOUSE, the future site of a 2-person family with hopes for more. And I want Christmas to be about Christ. About joy. About the brave Mary and her loyal husband. About the grand sacrifice for mankind.

I want my home to feel warm and loving all the time, not only during Christmas. But you'd think it would be a little easier to create a Christian environment during such a holiday.

My first wedding gift

This 8-piece Serva-Snack came from my Nana Payne. She said she received it when she first got married but never really used it. I think that makes it 50 or 60 years old.

Inside are glass cups and dishes just right to Serva Snack to your friends. I love it for its 50s authenticity. And that it came from Nana.

She's 92 years old and frequently has falls or little trips to the emergency room. I'm honestly not sure she will be around for my wedding, but I really hope so. She is an anchor to a family of hundreds, with three generations proudly bearing her name. She is sweet and tough as nails, ready to give a word of encouragement or an honest assessment.

I feel honored that she would give me such a personal gift. I hope it will serve to remind me to be hospitable, generous and lighthearted like my Nana.

Yes We Can

yes we can.

Third favorite holiday of the year!

OK so maybe every two years.

I just couldn't contain my excitement to vote today. Even when I showed up and the line was down the street. I really think Election Day should be a holiday. I almost didn't have a chance to go this morning, and I could have been stuck going tonight and waiting in an even longer line!

But why don't we have the day off? Would too many people go boating instead of voting? Maybe we could save it for national election years.

I think more people would vote. And then I would also have more people coming to my Election Party!

Fiber is #1!

I met with a nutritionist this week, and it was very enlightening. Most of it was not new info (take half your meal to go, portion your meat to the size of a playing card), but it WAS nice to have the official word on food.

I am easily swayed by the advice from the last article I read, be it "focus on protein" or "carbs are OK," or "it's totally cool to eat Zebra Cakes for breakfast and lunch."

I took two major messages away from our meeting (and several minor ones): 1. Eat little snacks between meals. 2. Focus on being fiber-iffic!

Already the little meals are helping a lot. I'm not nearly as famished by dinner when I've had an apple or something at 4 pm.

And as for fiber, I was sadly uninformed about where it's found. Apparently it is in ALL fruits and vegetables! Wow! So I was given carte blanche for all fruits and veggies. I can go crazy with it.

So if you want some free second-hand nutrition advice, eat 2 snacks a day, and add veggies, fruits, beans and whole wheat to your menu.

A dyslexic man walks into a bra

We saw David Sedaris at Gammage last night, and it was wonderful! He is one of my favorite writers and so very hilarious. This was the second time we've seen him, and both times were fantastic.

Adding to the enjoyment was something I didn't expect: The sign language interpreter. (Aside: Why would a deaf person attend a book reading? Much of the humor comes from the author's vocal nuances. Oh well)

The interpreters stood to Sedaris' left onstage and did a phenomenal job of keeping up with his fast-paced stories.

The best interpretations:

"Throwing up gang signs," where the interpreter promptly put her hands up in front of her chest with index and pinkie fingers at attention.

"Slave monkey," where the interpeter curls her arms under her armpits in classic monkey fashion.

"Human feces," which is some kind of gyrating stomach movement.

Anyway, good times had by all. Oh, and he shared the joke listed in the title, in addition to "A baby seal walks into a bar. Bartender asks, 'What'll it be?' Seal says, 'Anything but a Canadian Club.'"

An open letter

I stole this idea from my shore. I was feeling a little sentimental tonight, so I thought I would partake.

Dear Colin Powell: Thank you. Your wisdom and courage has inspired me and given me hope for my future.

Dear Stress about the wedding: Can you please wait? How bout just a month or two? do I really need to decide everything now?

Dear Worries about my weight: I know you're important. I want to address you. And I'm going to try. But in the meantime, maybe you could just take a break.

Dear Tony: I love you more every day. I'm so lucky. None of this would be worth it without you.

Dear Starbucks: Thanks for making a little treat for me when I need one. I can't wait to try your salty caramel hot chocolate.

Dear Halloween: I love you! You're so fun!

The BIG News!

Collect your bets! Tony and I are tying the knot!

Last night, Tony invited me to come by his (well, almost his) new house in Mesa. There, he was waiting with a table and a vase of flowers. On our ninth anniversary as a couple, Tony proposed to me -- and I said YES! Then we had to leave because technically we were trespassing.

Stay tuned for more details on a May wedding.

The worst 'healthy' foods

I really appreciated this blog by David Zincenko and Matt Goulding, authors of Eat This, Not That.

It talks about supposedly healthy foods that are lined with corn syrup or full of fat. Like granola bars -- held together by high-fructose corn syrup. Or bagels -- up to 700 calories if you get the schmear (and I always get the schmear!).

I really appreciate blogs like these. I get totally suckered into thinking, "oh it can't be that bad," and basically ignoring the facts or calorie counts.

However, I almost always come across blogs like these at the wrong time -- like how I just bought a huge box of granola bars. :)

Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood?

You meet a lot of interesting people when you run at 6 am on Sunday mornings:

Shopping cart guy

Pretty harmless. Usually has a destination. Still, avoided by me when possible.

Punk rock guy

This is one that threw me for a loop. I saw two separate guys dressed all in black, smoking and walking down the street at 6:30 a.m. Was he up all night? Is this when he does his best thinking? Is he trying to get his cholesterol down?

Bikers

Very flashy outfits. Extremely muscular legs. Usually good about warning you before they run you over.

Other runners

Pretty friendly. Generally running faster than me. But hey, they're out there. And so am I.

Borrrrrring!

Have you ever been so bored you actually get tired because of it? It's so sad to go to bed at the end of a day feeling like you didn't deserve the rest.

PS don't you love Google image search? Fun time-filler: Google words that should not have an associated image (divorce, humiliated, or yay!) and see what pops up.

Happiest Race on Earth

Yesterday my good friend Catharyn and I ran the Disneyland Half Marathon in Anaheim. It was wonderful! The path took us through the actual park, where we were greeted by Pinocchio, Buzz Lightyear, Belle and the Beast, Alice and the Mad Hatter and many more.

The medals are awesome, too. Golden Disney castles. I plan on wearing mine for the next month.

The only disappointment was the time. I finished my last half marathon, PF Chang's, in 2:25 (two hours 25 minutes). This one was 2:47, due to the several times we actually had to come to a dead stop during the race because the running path was too narrow and we had to wait to get through.

But aside from that small setback, we had a great time and I would definitely do it again!

So what, did they use real moles?

Last Saturday I ran 9 miles in anticipation of the Disneyland half marathon on Aug. 31. I've spent the past two days nursing three blisters and two sore shoulders.

Today I bought insoles, moleskin and $25 socks. These accessories are in addition to the $80 shoes, $100 GPS tracker and $249 iPod.

I can't help but wonder...why do I NEED all of this crap? And I really do need it, unfortunately. My feet blister at the very mention of cotton socks. And I can't go 5 minutes if I don't have some overly peppy song blasting.

But the cavemen didn't need Adidas or moleskin to chase sabre tooth tigers and wooly mammoths. All they needed was an empty stomach and a spear.

I would have made a terrible cavewoman. I would have been forced to be a vegetarian, because carrots don't run that fast.

Halloween spirit

This week I walked in Michael's to see they had put out all of their Halloween decorations. Fall-colored leaves, pumpkins and spooky characters were on display. It made me so cheerful, because I love Halloween! Of course, it's the beginning of August so it seems a little premature, but it made me want to decorate and start planning my costume.

Tony and I have pulled together some pretty sweet duos in the past, but sometimes it can be hard to come up with an interesting couple costume. Any ideas out there?

Ricky and Lucy Ricardo





Poison Ivy and Two Face











Illegal Immigrant and Border Patrol Agent

The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie

This recipe was compiled by a New York Times Writer after interviewing several top chefs. Turns out, the secret recipe is letting the dough sit for 24-36 hours. Maybe that's why store bought dough is always SOOO delicious.

Time: 45 minutes (for 1 6-cookie batch), plus at least 24 hours’ chilling

2 cups minus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content (see note)
Sea salt.

1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
4. Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.

Yield: 1 1/2 dozen 5-inch cookies.

Note: Disks are sold at Jacques Torres Chocolate; Valrhona fèves, oval-shaped chocolate pieces, are at Whole Foods.

Scrub

I observed my first surgery today!

It was very cool. Got to see the appendix, liver, uterus and ovaries thanks to a laproscopic camera. It was pretty short, but I was very impressed with the stuff I did get to see, which was all broadcast on a screen.

I just kept saying "Wow" under my breath.

Technology!

Victoria's Secret shame

Look, I am the last person to criticize how someone looks at the gym. That would be due to my usual getup: 80s scrunchie, high school band Tshirt, Wal-didas pants and sweaty, lobster-red face.

But there is a certain look I just can't stand. And this one goes to all the ladies. It begins with the hair. Leaving your hair down, perfectly placed? That means you're probably going level 1 on the elliptical. For 18 minutes. Just enough to avoid breathing hard. Then comes the jewelry. Big hoop earrings? Hope they don't get stuck in your luxurious hair.

The rest has to do with the outfit. Victoria's Secret tank top with matching "exercise" pants? Or the halter top sports bra? Listen, folks. This is Pure Fitness, one of the cheapest gyms in the Valley of the Sun. The only thing you're going to attract is some sweaty riff raff. And this is some of the riffiest raff you've ever seen. This is not LA Fitness, or even the gym at Arizona State. Put on a freakin T-shirt! Please! Show off your Bud Lite abs at Martini Ranch, why don't cha?

I'm not saying everyone should look like me. I probably shouldn't even look like me. But if you aren't there to run until you're coughing, you don't even deserve to beep your card at the door.

The quarter life crisis

Well, it happened. I turned 25 on Monday. Quarter of a century. The Arizona quarter was released on my birthday. How appropo.

I've had two parties - both were raging successes. And, as usual, everyone was way too generous with the gifts and just made it an absolute blast. I am truly blessed to have such friends and family as this.

As usual on my birthday, I like to reflect on the past year and what I've accomplished. Or not. I was looking at what I posted last year, which was a list of things I wanted to do. Of all the things - getting closer to being debt free, publish three freelance articles, win an award, get a passport, run another half marathon - I only did one or two.

Since this time last year:
- Visited Boston and Washington, DC for the first time
- ran my second half marathon
- quit my job and got a better one
- remodeled my bathroom
- did NOT publish three freelance articles, win a journalism award or get a passport. I guess the new job will help me get debt-free, so that counts.

By next year, I want to:
- remodel my kitchen
- run a full marathon
- get a passport and make plans for international travel
- get involved in charity work
- take a web design class
- hire a Spanish tutor

Anyone else have some good life goal ideas? I'm taking suggestions.

Summer 2008 superlatives

Lindsay's best ____ of the summer:

song: "A-punk" by Vampire Weekend
blockbuster movie: "The Dark Knight"
non-blockbuster movie: "Sex and the City"
book: "Bonk" by Mary Roach
food: bacon-wrapped hotdog
drink: cantaloupe juice
activity: lounging by friend's pool
hangout: Cheeburger Cheeburger for the chocolate malt
phrase: "It happened!" (to be used when the inevitable occurs, such as getting paint on your new tile shower)
vacation spot: local hotels offering sizzling deals for AZ residents
reunion spot: Austin, TX

worst summer experience so far: pool at Fernwood Manor found CHAINED with a padlock at 10:30 p.m. first swim of the summer ruined! lame, Fernwood. LAME.

The moment of triumph!

My bathroom is finally done! It went from fiberglass countertop and bathtub held together by stains to tile and walk-in shower. In short, I feel very fancy. Next stop: kitchen. Here come the cabinets.

See below for the bathroom transformation from when I moved in September '06:

Food at the Tempe Marketplace

While some might say Tempe Marketplace is just another power center, I can't help but find myself hanging out there almost once a week. Usually for dinner or happy hour. If you haven't been there, here's a few highlights:

Maria Maria: Carlos Santana's restaurant has a lot going for it, but one of the top qualities is the atmosphere. The patio is big, the music is live on the weekends and the crowds tell you it's a pretty popular place right now. The food is also good, but not really the reason you go.

Cheeburger Cheeburger: Any place that has 80 different kinds of shakes or malts has my vote. I recommend the chocolate malt or the birthday cake shake. The burgers are also pretty tasty, with nearly limitless toppings.

Kabuki: If you're not a sushi purist, but enjoy rolls and cheap happy hour appetizers, this place is for you. A good place to introduce someone to sushi.

Other assorted chains: Chipotle, California Pizza Kitchen, Paradise Bakery, Cold Stone Creamery, etc.

new tastes!

Today I tasted cantaloupe juice and a bacon-wrapped hotdog.

Cantaloupe juice was cold and sweet. I'm in love.

Bacon-wrapped hotdog? Kind of a disappointment. But I think if I were running the grill it could be improved.

Had both of these during a trip to Rocky Point, which was fabulous. Got a nice toasty tan, spent some time with the gals and haggled to get some Coach-knockoff sunglasss down from $12 to $9.

That's what I call a successful vacation!

PB, J, and C

Here's an idea for a snack that is both cute and delicious.

Peanut butter and jelly crackers. I prefer wheat thins, creamy peanut butter and strawberry preserves.

The benefit? no bread crust

A Bathroom Obsessed

I am having my bathroom redone this month. The look I'm going for is on the top. But given the fact that my bathroom is the size of a postage stamp (see bottom pic), it will have to be a little abbreviated.

I am extremely excited about the remodel, however I am really bad at making these kinds of decisions. I'm wracked by the numerous options in tile, glass, cabinets. I just want to give someone an idea and let them make it wonderful.

Are there people you can hire who already know what you want?

got tagged!

OK this was a little more personal than I planned, but oh well...

10 Years Ago...
I was finishing my freshman year in high school

5 Things on my To-Do list today...
* find out what breakfast cookies are
* work on a memoir for my business, Your Legacy in Print
* make pizzas with Tony
* watch the Suns

Snacks I enjoy...
• Wheat thins
• peanut butter MMs
• cheese with said wheat thins
• almonds

Things I would do if I were suddenly a billionaire...
* buy a house
* fix car
* new wardrobe
* TRAVEL: italy first, then france, England, japan, brazil

3 of my bad habits...
* Bossing people around
* eating too much, exercising too little
* swearing

Jobs I've had...
• ABCO grocery store associate
• Dancing monkey at Zoolights
• Take-away girl at Outback Steakhouse
• Tour guide at Zoo
• News reporter


5 Things people don't know about me...
* I love karaoke
* I want to get married
* I wish I were thinner
* Driving my car makes me feel sassy
* I would do my job for free if it were possible

DUH

Breaking news from New York Times story about texting:

"Children increasingly rely on personal technological devices like cellphones to define themselves and create social circles apart from their families, changing the way they communicate with their parents."

New York Times: Reporting news from the 90s for your busy schedule

blast ye tiny peddlers of sweets!

Ahhh.....Girl Scout cookies. So good. Yet so short-lived.

The question: Would they be as good if they were available year-round? Methinks not. It makes them more valuable and delicious.

My problem is choosing between my two favorites - Tagalongs (chocolate and peanut butter) and of course Thin Mints. So I don't actually choose. I just hand over 8 bucks to some sports writer's adorable 8-year-old daughter.

What are your picks for the best Girl Scout cookies?

I'm all, like, cultured and junk

Last night Loc took me to see the Phoenix Symphony. Loved it! The music was amazing. I'd forgotten how much of a difference a live performance can make.

This is another in our series of seeing live shows: We saw a taping of Wait, Wait, went to a discussion with actress Cloris Leachman, and, well, saw The Shins a while back, but that was more of a rock concert.

I would still like to see Ballet Arizona, another opera, a play and a jazz orchestra.

Wait Wait......WAIT!

Thursday we got to attend a taping of Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me! The NPR News Quiz. It was awesome! I got to meet the host, Peter Sagal, who incidentally looks exactly like his voice sounds, if that's possible. We also got to learn some of the secrets of the show:
- The callers leave a message at NPR. They are chosen by wit and conversation skills. Then they are told to wait by the phone Thursday nights, when the show tapes.
- To get Karl Kassell's voice on your home answering machine, winners write out the message they want, he records it and a CD is sent to your home.
- After the taping, they retape certain parts that didn't go well or got flubbed.

Overall it was freakin awesome! Listen on Saturday to see how much AZ Governor Janet Napolitano knows about college basketball coach Bobby Knight.

The future of the Suns?

I hope he has some kind of magic power to stay off the injured list.

one thing I HATE SO MUCH

Tonight I ran into someone I see from time to time. Someone I met in high school. We worked at the zoo together. We went to a Blink 182 concert together. He criticized me for driving my mom's van too fast. I have seen him at other events. So in other words, he's an acquaintance, right?

Well apparently that's wrong. He had no idea who I was. Didn't know my name, barely showed recognition that we'd met before.

And it kills me. Because, you see, this is something that happens ALL THE TIME. People I have met before completely forgetting me. Tell me the truth - is it my face? Do I just have a forgettable face?

Ruined my night. I could barely enjoy my overpriced tiramisu.

can i get a witness?

This morning I was cleaning out the litter box when I heard a knock on my door. I never get knocks on my door! I checked the peep hole and opened the door - but left the chain on. I was still in my pajamas after all!

And who was at the door? Some Jehovah's Witnesses. Two ladies who wanted to give me literature. They didn't want to come in from what I could tell, and I didn't invite them (pajama factor).

But I felt like it was a big step as a homeowner.

an oldie but a goodie

on my mind

Totally stolen from Beckbot's blog
--
On My Bedside Table:
cup of undrank water
Outrageous! The Charles Barkley story
Naked by David Sedaris
Born Standing Up by Steve Martin
New Kings of Nonfiction
lotion
sore throat lozenge wrappers that I inevitably use as bookmarks

Latest Interests:
old James Bond movies
sewing on my new sewing machine!

On My Mind:
running marathons
working on my business

Learning:
sewing (Ok I haven't sewn anything yet but I want to!)

[Thinking about] Making:
floor pillows for Tony
little purse
tilapia with white sauce made of neufchatel

Looking Forward To:
Shanna's 1992 prom night
April trip to Boston

Enjoying:
Daily Show now that we have cable
tamales

Amused By:
Tony, who always makes me smile

It's done!

Today I crossed the finish line for my second half-marathon, this time in Phoenix. I cut about 20 minutes off my original time (still one of the slowest of the people I know - ask me if I care) and had a pretty good time the whole way.

It was sunny, but not too hot. Came off with a little sunburn. Also feeling a LOT of soreness in my hips (who knew that you have to use your hips for so much?) which means I'm hobbling around like an old woman. And some overall tiredness. I've been fighting off a cold for two days, and now I'm scared that since the race is over it will wash over me with a vengeance. Stay tuned for an "I'm sick!" blog in the next couple days.

Overall, another great experience. One of the things I was talking to my sister Amy (time 1:43 because she is a rockstar) about was the urge to cry when you cross the finish line. We decided that it's not so much that you conquered the impossible - since thousands of people finished the race. It's more that you have been aching and blistering and burning for two hours or so, suppressing the urge to slow down or give up. And when you see the finish line and you know that you conquered the urge to quit, it's just too much and you kind of choke up. Even watching the finish line at a marathon can be very emotional when you see people near the end.

Though I may take it easy for a couple weeks here, I think I'm still aiming for a full marathon on June 1 in San Diego. You all are invited!

calibrate good times

So I just realized that my iPod Nike+ hadn't been calibrated this entire time. That means when it told me I ran 4 miles, I actually ran about 3.75.

It also means I'm an ol slow poke, just as I suspected.

Countdown to half marathon: 5 days