This week has been pretty hectic for me. Mostly, I’ve felt like a hermit, holing myself in my room, trying to meet my Daily Trojan article deadline, scavenging interviewees who never deigned to answer, and in the meantime preparing for two mid-terms and one quiz. And oh, hell, I’ll admit it— I was also busy trying to finish my Netflix DVDs, and catch up with Lost and Heroes on Hulu. What? Girl’s gotta have her recreation.
Anyway, my point being…I was sort of losing my sanity. My eyes have been glued to my laptop for 16 hours each day. I’ve had limited human contact. I missed Sunday’s service because I overslept. I was getting increasingly cranky, bitter, and irritable. I was, frankly, turning into a monster.
Well, I’m back. And I’ve learned my lesson. Don’t shun human contact, no matter how many things you need to do. Socializing isn’t an option, it’s necessary in a person’s well-being. No wonder God created Eve for Adam, because humans need companionship. That, and also because males are pretty helpless and stupid without us fabulous females to complement them. 
This afternoon, I had my first real human contact in a whole week. My church friends came over for our weekly bible study at my apartment, and it was my turn to prepare lunch. And I decided to kill two birds with one stone by participating in this week’s BSI as well.
It’s been a while since I participated in the BSI contest. Unlike Biz, who has entered and won like a bazillion times, I’ve slacked off (and never won) in blogging events like this, and I have lost track of it for a few weeks. But after finding out that Biz won again last week at Megan’s coconut milk challenge, and smiling to myself about how elated she must be, I realized that I really miss participating in blogging events.
This week’s BSI is hosted by Mardi of Eat Live Travel Write, and she chose lemon zest as the challenge ingredient: 
For those of you new to the foodie blogosphere, BSI is a contest among bloggers, short for Bloggers Secret Ingredient. Each week, a new host picks one challenge ingredient, and you submit your recipe featuring that particular ingredient. The host gets to pick the winner by the end of the week. I was host once, and I picked corn. It’s really fun to host such an event; it makes you feel like you’re really part of this blogging community.
So. I shall shamelessly welcome myself to socializing, both in the real and online world, by shamelessly promoting my creation with you guys. But I need to warn you: it isn’t very pretty. I literally whipped this up 20 minutes before my friends arrived. It was a very impromptu dish, and I was maniacally grabbing every ingredient I can think of. So…it might be a bit messy.
“Whatever I Can Get” Pasta
Or: Lemon-Garlic Pasta-Stuffing with Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, & Avocado, Topped with Soft-Boiled Egg… 
Heat up the olive oil in a pan, and when it gets hot enough, throw in the garlic and onion. Stir-fry for a minute, then toss in the lemon zest, dried herbs, and squeeze in the juice. Take a moment to breath in the heavenly, zesty fragrance. Mmm… Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain, and immediately toss with cottage cheese in a big bowl. Pour in the cornbread-lemon-garlic mixture, add the sweet potatoes, tomatoes, avocado, green onion, and feta cheese. Mix, mix, mix until well-combined. Ladle out a serving into a plate, and top with the soft-boiled egg. I’m also liking that I finally participated in BSI again! It’s always lovely to be part of a community. Whether I win or not is secondary…Participating is half the win! Question of the day: How often do you socialize (other than blogging)? Do you participate in blogging events, too?
Next, pour in the cornbread stuffing, and add in chicken broth. Let it cook and simmer, and soak up all the flavors. Add more as necessary as the flavor concentrates. Pour in the half-and half. 
There you have it. A lemony, garlicky mess. I have no idea what it is. Pasta? Stuffing? Salad? Whatever it is, it was downright tasty. 
Sorry to brag, but my friends loved it. One of them is a really, really picky eater – she will not eat any pizza that has vegetables on it. She doesn’t even eat sushi, or any sort of weird fish, for that matter. And she inhaled this. 
I finished up the last remainder of my Moose-shaped pasta from Ikea. Sad. You’re probably wondering why the heck I used cornbread stuffing mix in this. Well, I didn’t have enough pasta, and I wanted sufficient carbs in my dish. So I added that cornbread and the sweet potatoes, and they worked out perfectly. 
Of course, the main attraction was the softly oozing egg! Gosh, it’s like the rock that was hit by Moses to draw water. Precious and magnificent! 
But I have to say, the lemon zest may have been hidden in this dish, but it was certainly a key supporting actor. It really livened up the whole dish, and lemon is such a great combination with avocados and garlic! 
After this lovely dish, my friends and I had a great bible study together. As much as I treasure my privacy, I love socializing, especially with like-minded, spiritual sisters like these church friends. I feel so blessed, and belonged, as we share about our common love for Christ, and our common goal to know and love Him more. 
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I also think socializing is healthy! I wish I had more time to do it; rotations and classes pretty much suck up all my free time. I try to hang out with friends on the weekends when I can.
haha moose shaped pasta? how random! BSI sounds really fun. socializing is definitely so important in maintaining your sanity! unfortunately socializing “in person” has become hard for me, but i’m workin on it
Cornbread + pasta actually sounds really good!
My roommates are my best friends though, so it’s easy to catch up.
I’m still trying to find a balance between blogging, school, and a social life. It’s not easy
I’m participating in my first blogging event this week! I should do more of them…they’re fun
I definitely need more socializing. I don’t have any friends here except Johnny’s sister. Most of my socializing is long-distance through blogging, IM, phone calls, Facebook, and email, SADLY.
I have had that same kind of week – because of the snowy weather I stayed in a week – I didn’t realize how much I missed socialization until I was actually out for a little bit this evening.
Oh I love these moose shaped pasta!! They’re so fun to eat! Your dish looks amazing, especially with that ooey gooey egg.
I don’t participate in blogger events only because there are none over here! Sad sad..
This looks great! I love pasta that’s in fun shapes and moose pasta probably tastes better anyways!
The only blog event I ever went to is Food Buzz! I lay low with my hubby and some of our mutual friends! I agree socializing is good and necessary!
I love the name of your dish! “whatever I can get” pasta haha (: It made me smile! -Kylee
BSI = Iron Chef of the Blogging world. I get it now! Your secret ingredient tonite is: venison! Kidding
I would love to do something like that; the challenge of it would be so fun!
How often do i socialize…OMG dare I say almost never. Aside from the bloggie meetups i post about, I have no life here in Phx. Sounds awful but am in a limbo place of hopefully being outta here so what’s the point in putting down roots…but I miss my social life and friends in San Diego, tons!
hahaha…I love the moose shaped pasta. I try to socialize a few times a month at least. That way I won’t lose my sanity, too. Once or twice a week would be better. Plus, that way I’d still be in the loop of the real world rather than cooped up in my own home.
OoooOOO! I loveeeeeeee socializing, esp with like minded bloggers!
And in Msia, food r everywhr and u knw I organise a lot of food hunts
anyways, its Chinese New Year here in Msia, (or rather in this part of the world – Asia)
wanna wish u Gong Xi Fa Cai!!! ;p
“being social isn’t an option, it’s necessary in a person’s well-being”
Well said!!!
I am shy by nature, but am trying to become more social… my twin is the outgoing one!
As for the fiber gourmet, these are the ingredients: (Lite Cheese Snacks):
Modified Wheat Starch, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Shredded Cheese, Natural and Artificial Cheese Flavor, Low Linolenic Soybean Oil, with TBHQ and Citric Acid added as a preservative, Yeast Extract, Salt, Yeast, Lactic Acid, Paprika, Red Pepper, Yellow Mustard Seed, Annatto Extract. Contains wheat, soy, and milk ingredients.
SO it definitely looks like fiber was added.
Unfortunately, they aren’t all natural
Have a great saturday!
I can’t agree more on that… human contact is a MUST… I used to be hesitant to do it but found out that I always felt better afterwards, so my resolution this year is to be in contact with my family and friends often. I’d probably talk to at least a friend everyday
can I have the yolk please?
I AGREE that socializing is vital to human existence- as much as I love my alone time, I really have to be social every day in some way or another or else I begin to feel isolated and lonesome- especially here in college- plus it’s good for me not to isolate myself
That recipe looks incredible- damn woman I wish I had your creativity! Lemony-ness, garlic, and avocado are a winning bunch ALWAYS…and I LOVE that you added cornbread for enough carbohydrates- SO REFRESHING to see another lady with that mentality!
You are one creative cook girl! I would have never thought to mix stuffing with pasta… but why not? I also love that you put a soft boiled egg on top! YUM!
The pasta looks delicious. I’m always excited to read your blog because you come up with crazy delicious meals
That egg on top looks amazing! My hubby and I are homebodies but we do go out every weekend at some point. And I haven’t been to a blogging event…I’m hoping to go to one.
That moose pasta is amazing
And the dish looks delicious.
I need to socialise more. I’m really bad for isolating myself.
oh what a great dish!
I think that pasta dish looks AWESOME! LOVE the ingredients
Moose-shaped pasta?! OMG, my husband would LOVE! He is obsessed with moose lol. I need to get some ASAP.
I don’t socialize online or offline as much as I should, which I am embarrassed to say. I’m a really shy person for the most part. I love meeting other bloggers and readers though, it’s one of the biggest joys in my life.
Networking is so important to our community, I would love to know and meet everyone!
Jenn
This recipe is so creative! I never would have thought to mix most of this stuff, but it sounds like the final product was great! I try to socialize with real people every day and not be a slave to my homework, blogging and other activities. I’d love the meet more bloggers in person though!
your first two paragraphs sum up my week nicely. haha. i’ve never done a big blogger meet up but i have done some 1-on-1 things like running and doing races with other bloggers. it’s been fun
and i’ve been really bad about socializing this semester (sooo much work. wtf?!) but i do something social every day whether it’s doing a meal or movie or going out and getting crazy
A great combination of ingredients in this yummy lemony pasta salad! The moose-shaped pasta is neat!
I do find socializing very important and I regularly spend time with my friends, just eating a meal and talking. My friends are very special, and I get lonely without enough interaction with them.
Does shopping count as socializing?
I love how you can just take a mash-up of ingredients and make it into something fit for an upscale menu. Seriously, if you ever opened a restaurant it would probably be my favorite place on earth.
I like to get some purely fun and social time everyday. I need time alone to reflect, but I also need plenty of people time!
I do different social things at least a few times a week between church, the mom’s group, my sister’s weekly visit, and get togethers with friends on weekends. I thrive for interaction.
I haven’t done any blogger meetups, but I have met quite a few good friends through my old fitness journal on the Oxygen website forum. In fact, I am seeing one of them today
I admit, I could do more socializing. However, I’m living in a city where I don’t know many people, so I rarely get the opportunity to. On the weekends, my boyfriend either visits me or I visit him. So that is my “socialization” for the week. I definitely need socialization, but I’m fine being by myself too.
Sometimes deadlines can really get to me–college definitely brings on a lot of anxiety and cramming, but just keep your head up and I am sure you will do FINE!
How come some of the best dishes are ones that everything is just thrown together?! Love it! Hope all is well dear–I am playing blog catchup still!
I rarely ‘socialise’ outside of the blog world due to my social anxiety disorder, but it is something which I’m working on! Living in the UK, there aren’t any blogger events to attend but if there were I’d be there in a snap
I am always amazed at how you manage to capture your runny egg-yolks. I swear you’d have a career as a food photographer if you wanted one.
<3
~Jess~
I stay as social as I possibly can, but sometimes im so lazy and just wanna stay in a read a good book. I havent done any bloggy events because there are none out there that i know of.
You may give me a run for my money this week Sophia!! Love what you came up with – and how did I know you would somehow get a runny egg in there?!
Have a great weekend!
Socializing is definitely key in my life. School is important. But life isn’t worth it if you don’t have good friends. And some fun every once in a while.
And this is why I don’t have netflix. I always think I really want to get it. But then I woudl do even more procrastinating that I already do. Which would essentially mean that I would spend all of my time procrastinating LOL.
I really wonder sometimes how you come up with these ingenious food ideas. Pasta. Sweet potato. Avocado. Cornbread. Really. Amazing.
I socialized ALL the time. The hubby and I have a big group of friends that we hang out with usually twice a week, and sometimes 3 or 4 times. We travel together, go out for dinner together, go camping etc..
I haven’t socialized with many bloggers
I don’t live near any of them.
I want some moose shaped pasta! The dish sounds really creative and yummy!
I try to socialize several times a week; I agree that it’s so important to have contact with other people! I need to do it more though…
I am pretty isolated- I think social connections are underestimated in their power towards mental and physical health. No man is an island
Speaking of which- so pumped for August! Are you going to the Healthy Living Summit?
I want an egg. When we DO meet up, you are going to teach me to make an omelette!
True again Sophia! Socializing is so important…
And about the truffle honey…really something you should try! I think you can make it yourself too if you have some truffle (not something I have available all the time;) )
Have a great weekend!
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
You are amazing at throwing things together to make amazing meals! This looks delicious. I love the BSI idea.
I don’t socialize too much with other bloggers but I really want to more. There are more in LA than I thought. My first meet up was when I met you! But I would love to participate in more events.
Ikea has pasta? strange. That dish looks soooooooo freaking good and what a creative array of ingredients. I want some now. As for socializing, I def. don’t do it enough. Such a bummer. I need to work on that bc as we know, it’s sooooo important!
I definitely socialize a fair amount. I probably go out to dinner with friends at least once a week. I’ve participated in some blogger social things, like the Valentine’s Day secret gift exchange, but have never done the BSI because I don’t know how to make up my own recipes!
Love your blog!! I honestly don’t think I’ll ever be a very big socializer. I get better the older I get but some people are just homebodies ya know? I do like to spend times with friends and catch up on life though, because you care about them and want to know what’s going on in there life. My new blog may not be all that successfull partly because I feel like I live in such an isolated place no where near enough to meet other bloggers, but I hope to make some friends through it atleast.
Sometimes I think I get really caught up in trying to complete all of my assignments, and working out all the time, that I realize sometimes it’s been days since I’ve seen friends! But, I am definitely an introvert, and thrive in alone time, so I like to have a nice balance of both….
sidenote: is that a poached egg on top of your pasta? is it difficult to make? I’ve always wanted to try, but have been really intimidated!
I am in love with that moose pasta! True I’ve never tasted it, but anything that adorable can’t not be fabulous.
While I definitely would go into the isolating hermit category, it’s something I’m trying really hard to work on. I find that without some sort of connection to others it’s WAY too easy to grow disconnected and lost in your head.
Rachael*
I’m a bit of an introvert and my husband meets the majority of my social needs. My friends have moved all over the place, but I am in contact with at least one of them (email, phone, etc) pretty much every day. I see my family members at least once a month. Between that and working full-time (which involves lots of chit-chat with co-workers), I feel pretty fulfilled in the socializing department. I guess most people have more friend outings, but I’m ok as I am right now.
It’s so true that getting out and being social is more important than anyone truly understands. I have to sometimes force myself to go out and be social because sometimes I think I’m “too busy” but then I remind myself that in order to stay sane I MUST go out and be social! I try to get out at least once or twice a week. Tonight I am getting out to see my friend Amanda who is in town
This dish looks fantastic Sophia. I love your use of a soft boiled egg on top! Perfection.
*breathes in the heavenly, zesty fragrance* Yum! Soft-boiled eggs make me go weak in the knees. I’m definitely bookmarking this recipe.
That egg almost looks fake it’s so perfect!
I’m making my dish that describes me and my name on Monday, I think! I’m excited! Such a fun idea!! That’s not too late, is it?
We don’t socialize too much — we’re still new to the area here and kinda starting from nothing as far as people we know. I do attend blogging events…or will as of this year, and I’ve had a few bloggie meet-ups!
As a college student, I have socializing overload; I love it though, I am SUCH a people person!!
Socialize? What’s that?
Although your BSI dish looks great… um, the only thing that really caught my attention was your soft-boiled egg.
Master egg-boiler, anyone?
(That would be you.)
love
aletheia
SOPH! blahh you always get me hungry now dont you? that moose pasta is amazing looking(: who wouldnt want to eat that? its so cute. and topped with that delicious looking egg- you better hide that. i socialize using mostly facebook and talking with my friends. i love talking to other bloggers though- its great! have an amazing vday! xoxo soph
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