Saturday, April 28, 2007

Graduation

Hello all! Just wanted to put some picts up from Graduation! We went to both the Dick Cheney commencement, and the Ralph Nader alternative commencement. Cheney avoided speaking about anything political, and there are rumors that he used an already given speech from 2005 and just added some opening remarks about BYU. Nader was captivating and had many interesting ideas. Jack Healy (amnesty international) and Pete Ashdown were also motivating. We watched KSL News to see what they had said about the Nader commencement, and there was a shot of ME watching Nader speak! It is only for a brief second, but it was very exciting. Try to catch the brief shot of my profile at this link http://www.ksl.com/?sid=1152128&nid=148 You can only watch the link while using Internet Explorer however.

After the Nader commencement, I got his new book and had him sign it while Dad made me shake his hand for an awkwardly long amount of time while he took a picture. I especially like the background body guard guy who also posed for the picture. Above to the left is me with the BYU Cougar, and Chris and I in shades (Chris wearing Dad's fitovers). Good times.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Welcome to Atlanta



Im off to Atlanta to try my luck in the security business. Most likely I will come home within a week so I will look forward to seeing everyone then.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Kate and Neil say "Adios"


Kate and Neil officially head out to Mexico for 4 months, or if all goes well.... forever. We will fly into Guatemala City & head up by bus to San Cristobal, Mexico. We will live on the New World Archaeological Foundation's compound where Neil will be working & Kate hopes to join the Zapatistas & fulfill her lifelong dream of being a revolutionary. Visit us at www.kateandneil.com for regular updates!

Tofu Queens


Anne and Donna enjoying a little snack during their whirlwind tour of Utah promoting their new cookbook "101 Things to do with Tofu."

Tofu makes big news!

deseretnews.com

Deseret Morning News, Monday, April 23, 2007

Reunited pair blend a love of cooking

By Sara Israelsen
Deseret Morning News

PROVO — There's a pot of southwestern chili bubbling on the stove alongside a layered vegetable lasagna and a glistening chocolate cheesecake.

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Donna Kelly, left, of Provo is the birth mother of Anne Tegtmeier. They met again in 1999 and have written a cookbook.

Jason Olson, Deseret Morning News
It's the latest series of "test" recipes by cooking aficionados Donna Kelly and Anne Tegtmeier — a dynamic recipe-producing team that share a bond stronger than the love of food.

As birth mother and daughter, Kelly and Tegtmeier hadn't seen each other since 1972, when Tegtmeier was put up for adoption. Decades later, when the two finally met, they found the kitchen was the perfect place to rekindle a relationship.

Growing up in Colorado, Tegtmeier loved to cook but said her mother saw cooking as just another chore. Except for a few favorite recipes that would surface at Thanksgiving or special occasions, there wasn't much passion to pass on.

However, when Tegtmeier found Kelly in 1999 and began the process of developing the mother/daughter relationship, they discovered they shared the love of cooking.

"We're making up for lost time," Tegtmeier, 35, said with a smile as she pulled ingredients out of the refrigerator and sliced a piece of "Rebirth by Chocolate" — a chocolate cheesecake without an ounce of dairy, thanks to the hidden, well-blended tofu.

Kelly, a deputy Utah County attorney, has long welcomed cooking as a break from what she calls a stressful, adversarial job.

"It's kind of like my therapy," she says. "It's totally different from what I do in my 8 to 5 job. It's a positive, nourishing thing. And it's cheaper than therapy."

Kelly has published several cookbooks under the "101 Things to Do With" title, including one about tortillas and one using chicken.

So with Kelly's cookbook connections and a vegetarian daughter's passion for tofu, the newest book, "101 Things to Do with Tofu," was born.

"I've been a vegetarian most of my life, Donna's been a fabulous cook all her life, so we put our heads together," Tegtmeier said.

The team pitched the idea to Kelly's publishing company last December, and the book is hitting shelves this month. See www.101thingstodowithtofu.com for more information.

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Kelly and Tegtmeier's tofu cookbook includes chocolate cheesecake.

Jason Olson, Deseret Morning News
Tofu can be used in two ways — hide it or flaunt it, the women both say, as they flip through recipes they created together. "Tripleberry Tarts" calls for ingredients like firm tofu, lemon curd, sugar and frozen limeade concentrate. There are also recipes for healthy hollandaise sauce and their all-time favorite of "Tomato Onion Chowder."

Tegtmeier visits Utah several times a year from Connecticut where she works as a licensed massage therapist.

However, the cookbook frenzy has pushed her to consider more catering, personal cheffing and, yes, writing more cookbooks with Kelly, she said. They're considering a mother/daughter-themed series next.

Kelly was 16 when she gave birth to Tegtmeier and was just too young, she said. However, both Kelly and Tegtmeier still keep in touch with Dan, the biological father who lives in Arizona.

Kelly and her husband, Jim, have four children ranging from 26 to 18 and have welcomed Tegtmeier as another member of the family.

During this visit to Provo, the theme is a Mexican fiesta, complete with a tofu-posing-as-hamburger mix for the enchiladas, especially requested by one of Kelly's other daughters.

"We're lucky to have a happy reunion story," Tegtmeier said. "Everybody loves a happy ending."

Tomato Onion Chowder

1 large yellow onion, diced

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 cup minced fresh basil leaves

2 cans (28 oz. each) crushed tomatoes in puree

2 cup vegetable broth

16 oz. silken tofu

salt, to taste

In a large stock pot, saute onion in butter until translucent. Add garlic and saute another 2 to 3 minutes. Add basil and tomatoes. In a blender, blend broth and tofu. Add to soup mixture and then simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Add salt to taste and serve. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Variation: For a smooth and creamy version, add onion, garlic and tomato to blender with the tofu and broth. Return to pot and add basil, continue as directed.

We're on the web!

To keep up with the world-wanderers in our family we have started this blog so we can all keep in touch.
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