It's Not Easy Being Me

Another week sped by like a comet across the sky, and I am totally exhausted. My joints have been screaming constantly, especially my neck.  My rheumy (rheumatologist) put me on plaquenil again and it is going to take at least four weeks for them to kick in. I could take steroids but I refuse to take them unless I'm absolutely dying.  They make me bloated, puffy and crabby. Sooo not worth it to me. I get down enough without having to get bummed by gaining weight and feeling fat & ugly. I have body issues. I've never, ever liked my body and it doesn't help that I love, love, love to eat.

Speaking of eating, I currently have two addictions.  One is Noosa Yoghurt (and yes, that's the way they spell it).  If you haven't tried it, I can't suggest it strongly enough.  For me, it's like crack. I. have. to. have. it. every. day. Before Noosa, I ate yogurt because I don't eat a lot of fruit and I figured it was good for me. Now I eat it because it is a dreamy, creamy delight and it comes in delicious flavors like strawberry-rhubarb. There are, however, a couple of drawbacks. a) it comes in an 8 oz. container that holds two servings. Really? Two?  Do you think I can stop at half the container??  and b) it is a little pricey at around $2.70/container.  Which I guess isn't terrible if you consider it has two servings (at least for some). My second addiction is rice pudding. I haven't eaten rice pudding since I was a kid. My grandmother used to make it all the time for us. All of a sudden, I'm practically dreaming of the stuff. I had to find some. Lucky for me, they had some at the grocery store right next to the Noosa Yoghurt. Maybe I am craving sweet stuff because I quit smoking five months ago. Wow. I can't believe it's been five months. I'm really not counting days because I have quit so many times I don't want to jinx it. After smoking for 30 years, I'm so glad I've gotten that monkey off my back.  So for those of you out there who are struggling with that addiction, hang in there. Never quit quitting. I know that sounds cliche, but it's true. Eventually it will stick. I promise.

To satisfy my new rice pudding crave, I found a very simple yet delicious recipe.

Dreamy, Creamy Rice Pudding

1/2 gallon milk (=8C)
1 C sugar
1 C long grain uncooked rice (I just used Arborio, and it was wonderful)
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 C milk
1/4 t salt
2 t vanilla
ground cinnamon to taste

In a large sauce pan over med-low heat, combine 1/2 gallon milk (use whatever milk you like, if you want to go less calories, use 1% or if you want to go all out, use whole), sugar and rice.  Simmer covered for one hour, stirring frequently (it is labor-intensive, but so worth it).  Remove pan from heat and let rest 10 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine eggs, 1/4 C milk, salt and vanilla.  Stir into rice mixture and return pot to low heat, stirring constantly for two minutes.  Pour into 9x13 inch pan (I used a glass cake pan) and cover with plastic wrap, folding back the corners to allow the steam to escape.

When pudding has cooled to room temp., remove plastic wrap and sprinkle w/cinnamon and wrap tightly with fresh wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

If you are like me, you wont be able to wait. Don't worry, I won't tell. I'm the only one who eats this in my house (my husband and step son won't even try it-their loss), and yet I believe this dish was empty in 5 days. Geez, I can't understand why I'm gaining weight!