When I put a fancy pants rice cooker on my wedding registry, some people thought it was silly. Why would anyone need a $150 rice cooker (this is the smaller sized one; they have bigger, pricier ones too) when you can cook rice in a pot on the stove?
I have a lot of kitchen appliances that I never use. Ahem, Breville juicer, I’m talking to you! But aside from my food processor, I’d say the rice cooker gets the most use. I used it not once, not twice, but three times today!
For dinner, I made Lentil and Couscous Salad (although I used millet instead of couscous). Stuck the lentils in the rice cooker and went to the grocery store. When I came back, they were done. Same with the millet. Went downstairs to do some laundry and the rice cooker took care of everything itself. Yes, it would have been faster to cook both things on the stove at the same time, but then I would have had to attend to them and couldn’t do other things. And I probably would have burned something.
The Lentil and Couscous Salad was good. I omitted the extra olive oil because I didn’t think it needed it. The arugula didn’t get 100% coated with the dressing, but it was still good. This will be good to take to work for lunch, I think.
The third time I used the rice cooker? That was for muffins. I love making muffins on Sunday nights. (Who am I? Seriously.) I made these Strawberry Banana Quinoa Muffins. I changed up the ingredients a little bit. I just couldn’t make muffins for breakfast that have 2 cups of sugar in them (although, in hindsight, the recipe made a lot more muffins that I expected; I got 19 of out the batter.). So, I halved the brown sugar, used Stevia for the white sugar and used 1/2 white ww flour and 1/2 all-purpose flour. Oh, and I used a different flavor of Chobani. Even though I already had dessert, I had to have a little one. Just to make sure they were good! I mean, you can make muffins (or anything for that matter) and not taste them, right? Success!
Truth be told, I was feeling a little sorry for myself today. It was absolutely gorgeous out – 80 degrees and sunny – and Jason had to go to work. I’m used to him working on the weekends and, for the most part, it just is what it is, but on really nice days like this, I get a little mopey because I can’t spend time with my husband. On the flip side, I did get a lot of things done. Seriously, a lot:
• cleaned off four tables (I realize this doesn’t sound like much, but it took effort and the house looks substantially cleaner. Plus, I cleaned both bathrooms yesterday. I’m working on my ever present goal of keeping the house cleaner, although Jason thinks we should have the goal of hiring a cleaning service instead. I don’t disagree.)
• Got a pedicure. My post half-marathon feet were in dire need. I got purple polish. You know, to cover up the fact that two of my toenails are purple already.
• Did Day 40 of the LiveFIt Trainer (shoulders) including the cardio portion
• Took Murphy on a walk
• Did a million loads of laundry
• Went to the grocery store
• Made the aforementioned lentil and couscous salad and muffins
• cooked a spaghetti squash for a meal for later in the week
You got a ton done, good for you! I got a rice cooker as a wedding present too and I absolutely LOVE it. It’s so nice to just stick things in there and then walk away and not have to worry about it! I don’t remember the last time I cooked a grain on the stove…
I always feel SO good when I get a ton done on a weekend day!! I think I would use a rice cooker a lot if I had one!!
cleaning service = best decision i have EVER made. seriously. if you can afford it [or can think of something you could give up to be able to afford it], DO IT!
We’ve gotten various Groupons for cleaning services before, but never actually hired one to come on a regular basis.
I would have never thought a rice cooker would be so handy. I’m thoroughly impressed by your productivity!!
Hopefully Jason will have free weekends soon.
Woooo for getting things done
Eeeep, last time I had a purple toenail, it was actually a blister underneath and my whole toenail came off.
Ew, I hope that doesn’t happen to me.
I totally feel you on the work schedule for your husband – until very recently, I was in the same boat with Scott working most weekends and holidays and some nights too. I mean, it was great for me to find things to focus on that were just for me, but sometimes — on a day like you describe above, you just want your husband there to enjoy the day with, huh? I’m glad you used the day to be productive AND to pamper yourself. I got a pedi this weekend too, it was glorious
I hate it for you thay Jason has to work weekends!!
YUM! I def want to make that lentil couscous salad! Maybe tomorrow for my sister dinner with Jess (post run!)
(literally just IMd her about it – haha. obsessed with lentils lately!). I was on a cooking kick yesterday too. Made a lentil soup with kale and turkey bacon (speaking of lentils!), chia muffins and oatmeal bars. So good. Glad you made the best out of the day despite Jason working!
You weren’t kidding – you really were productive! You also succeeded in making me want a rice cooker…
I was worried about buying a rice cooker too since they are a bit pricey, but I use mine almost every day and while the cooking time is a little longer than stovetop, it’s faster to get it started and you can completely walk away from it. I still have only used it for rice and grains though, I really should try one of the fancier baking recipes.
I want a rice cooker! Sounds fabulous. I suck at slow cooking rice, so I just do the kind that comes in a bag most of the time. Lame.
We eat a lot of grains, I’m in desperate need of a rice cooker and I’m waiting for one to go on sale one day so i can buy one
Yay for a productive Saturday! I hear ya on cleaning off the tables, when our table is cleared off, it makes the whole room seem cleaner and brighter
That lentil and couscous salad looks beautiful! I love the pops of green!
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