Well, I have some awesome news on the Kale front. It might be a little silly for me to be this excited about it, but I can't help it. I just love cooking too much.
Anyway.
I was a little frustrated the first couple times I tried making Kale. First, I tried juicing it. I had heard that it was super healthy, and if it was juiced with an apple or some other sweet fruit it would counter-act the bitterness. Wrong. I couldn't even get it down, it was g-r-o-s-s. And I'm not even a picky eater. It even looked inedible- so vibrant neon green, it reminded me of antifreeze.
Next I tried cutting it into strips and sauteing it with some evoo (extra-virgin olive oil), a little sea salt and pepper, garlic, and just a splash of lemon juice. The taste was wonderful but it was extremely tough and chewy. Perhaps I didn't cook it long enough, or perhaps sauteing isn't the best method. I will probably try that again sometime and just cook it longer.
I guess the third time is a charm! This method worked so well I didn't even bother trying it another way. I just sliced it into large strips and boiled it in shallow salted water for about 3-4 minutes, lifting the lid every minute or so to vent. If you don't do that, it will go from that nice vibrant green to dark forest green quickly (a.k.a. less nutritious and less flavorful). I was so excited when I put it in a bowl and saw that it was still a nice bright green, smelled wonderful, and the texture was soft and tender, it was just perfect! It reminded me a lot of spinach, except it didn't cook down as much which was nice, and it doesn't tear nearly as easily. Until I get sick of it, I will most likely be using this method for a long time. I think it would go really well in soups! I have also heard it goes great in smoothies, haven't tried that yet. Perhaps sometime soon.
So that was my Kale experiment! Until next time!
Lindsay
Friday, August 31, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
A Good Quote To Live By
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."
I am going to put this quote on some pretty paper and frame it and hang it somewhere I can see it every day, as a reminder of God's blessings and presence in my life.
Lindsay
I am going to put this quote on some pretty paper and frame it and hang it somewhere I can see it every day, as a reminder of God's blessings and presence in my life.
Lindsay
Oatmeal-Banana Smoothie!
Hey all!
I just have to share this recipe I just made! Zachary and I have some mild allergies, so I'm always looking for certain alternatives to dairy. I got the idea for the smoothie from pinterest, and added my own twist to it. Unfortunately I don't have a camera at the moment to take a picture, so I guess you'll have to trust me that it looks just as delicious as it tastes!
Here it is!
Oatmeal-Banana Smoothie
1 cup cooked oatmeal (or raw, soaked until soft)
1 large banana
1/4 cup almonds, blended or processed to a fine powder
2 tbs honey
1/3 cup rice milk
2 tbs Stevia (optional for extra sweetness)
Throw it all in the blender and voila! I think next time I will use raw soaked oats, only because the smoothie is a mildly warm otherwise. I suppose you could experiment and throw a few ice cubes in there to blend. :)
Enjoy!
Lindsay
I just have to share this recipe I just made! Zachary and I have some mild allergies, so I'm always looking for certain alternatives to dairy. I got the idea for the smoothie from pinterest, and added my own twist to it. Unfortunately I don't have a camera at the moment to take a picture, so I guess you'll have to trust me that it looks just as delicious as it tastes!
Here it is!
Oatmeal-Banana Smoothie
1 cup cooked oatmeal (or raw, soaked until soft)
1 large banana
1/4 cup almonds, blended or processed to a fine powder
2 tbs honey
1/3 cup rice milk
2 tbs Stevia (optional for extra sweetness)
Throw it all in the blender and voila! I think next time I will use raw soaked oats, only because the smoothie is a mildly warm otherwise. I suppose you could experiment and throw a few ice cubes in there to blend. :)
Enjoy!
Lindsay
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Transitions and Random-ness
I think it's safe to say I am at a time in my life where I am making a lot of changes. Marriage, stay at home mom full-time, with the exception of my salon job on Saturdays where I get to take out my creativity on unsuspecting clients... and this running thing. That has actually been a long time coming. I think I need to let ideas brew for awhile in my head before I take action, and possibly have a few failed attempts in between.
The running thing (I guess that's what I'm calling it) has been going great thus far. Next week I move on to week two of the program which will prove a little more challenging, and I'm ready for it. In all honesty, I've never made it this far in the consistency department, and I'm giving myself some credit for sticking with it this far.
It's not only the running that I'm transitioning into, but a healthy lifestyle in general. I have been researching healthy "eating styles" for what seems like forever, and have pretty much decided one thing: I'm not going to stick to any "one thing". I am not ever going to call myself a vegetarian or a vegan or whatever else because I don't feel like putting those limitations on myself. Once you make the "declaration" of what you "are", it becomes your limit, your confined box, in a sense. I want to focus on eating as healthy as possible MOST of the time, but still eat turkey on Thanksgiving without people questioning me, "Aren't you a vegetarian?" I want to make chicken marsala for Dave on his birthday or other special occasion without feeling like I'm cheating.
Speaking of chicken marsala, that is exactly what I made for Dave tonight for his post-birthday dinner, since we were at a wedding and out to eat with his grandma on his actual birthday. This is my absolute favorite dish to cook that I've come across, partly because it's one of the first so-called skilled dishes I made when I first started cooking, and party because it's Italian and fresh and yummy. Here are some preparation pictures of tonight's dinner:
The running thing (I guess that's what I'm calling it) has been going great thus far. Next week I move on to week two of the program which will prove a little more challenging, and I'm ready for it. In all honesty, I've never made it this far in the consistency department, and I'm giving myself some credit for sticking with it this far.
It's not only the running that I'm transitioning into, but a healthy lifestyle in general. I have been researching healthy "eating styles" for what seems like forever, and have pretty much decided one thing: I'm not going to stick to any "one thing". I am not ever going to call myself a vegetarian or a vegan or whatever else because I don't feel like putting those limitations on myself. Once you make the "declaration" of what you "are", it becomes your limit, your confined box, in a sense. I want to focus on eating as healthy as possible MOST of the time, but still eat turkey on Thanksgiving without people questioning me, "Aren't you a vegetarian?" I want to make chicken marsala for Dave on his birthday or other special occasion without feeling like I'm cheating.
Speaking of chicken marsala, that is exactly what I made for Dave tonight for his post-birthday dinner, since we were at a wedding and out to eat with his grandma on his actual birthday. This is my absolute favorite dish to cook that I've come across, partly because it's one of the first so-called skilled dishes I made when I first started cooking, and party because it's Italian and fresh and yummy. Here are some preparation pictures of tonight's dinner:
I just love this idea of storing parsley, or any other herb. It keeps much more fresh than sitting in a bag in the fridge, and it's nice and dry when you want to chop it! Bonus!
This dish is just so fun to make with some music on in the background and a wine glass filled with water in one hand. Or filled with wine. Whatever floats your boat!
Dave and I had a nice little date night at home, the marsala turned out awesome, we played scrabble slam which is basically four letter scrabble with cards, and we had a great conversation. I think tonight was a nicer date night than the past few times we've actually gone out to a restaurant! Next time I'll make sure to take a picture of the finished dinner. :)
The next transition was brought about in Dave and I's dinner conversation, about spiritual discipline and how we plan be creative in implementing it into our lives and keeping each other accountable. We plan to set goals and have disciplines that form habits that eventually becomes our pleasures. I am really looking forward to this transition, and I know it will be challenging in an awesome way!
So, here are some significant transitions from the last four-ish months:
1. Marriage
2. Stay at home mom
3. Living with Dave
4. Perks that go along with marriage ;)
5. Keeping house, running my own schedule
6. Starting running
7. Change in eating habits
8. Spiritual disciplines
I'm really enjoying all this change! I love growing and challenging myself, I love having a wonderful husband and son by my side through it all, I love tackling challenges that I thought I never had time for or could never do, such as running and changing my eating habits. I am not perfect by any means and definitely not where I would like to be yet, but I'm working toward that which is where you have to start!
So before I sign off, I thought of an idea today that I think will help get my creative juices flowing as far as cooking vegetables are concerned. Does that seem random to you? Maybe it is. But it's still a great idea right? The biggest problem I have with vegetables is that no matter how much I love them, they get boring after a lifetime of eating them the same. exact. way. So, what I would like to do is pick one vegetable a week, and try cooking it a few different ways! Not necessarily cooking every time, but even just preparing. Vegetables don't always need to be cooked. (Captain obvious over here...) I think this would be a great way to get creative with vegetables and make it easier to incorporate them into every meal!
So for this week, the vegetable I'm going to pick is Kale. Why Kale? Well, it's chock-full of vitamins and antioxidants and one of the best darn leafy greens out there, not to mention bitter, chewy and tough. But I know there are ways to prepare it to where it's yummy, so I will attempt to do just that.
Wish me luck!
Lindsay
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Running! Running! Running!
This post is going to be quick, since the little guy will wake from his nap shortly. :)
Just a little update on my running challenge, I started last Friday and had my second run yesterday morning (Monday). I am going very first thing in the morning, and find it so much better than when I've tried to run any other time of the day. Since I have only just woken up, I'm fresh and ready to go, unlike later in the day when I'm already tired from chasing Z around and running errands (or doing whatever else). I just eat a super light snack, literally a small handful of nuts and berries or grapes. It gives me just enough energy to get through.
On Friday's run I had to push through a terribly painful stitch in my side, which I found easier to manage toward the end when I started breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. That method also helps with not getting out of breath too quickly. I breathed like that through the entire run yesterday and, voila! No stitch. I also found that after the run yesterday I had a lot more energy throughout the day, which was really nice!
So far I'm sticking to it, even though I'm only two days in. You have to start somewhere, right? When I finish the first two weeks I get a new pair of running shoes... incentive enough! More updates to follow!
Lindsay
Just a little update on my running challenge, I started last Friday and had my second run yesterday morning (Monday). I am going very first thing in the morning, and find it so much better than when I've tried to run any other time of the day. Since I have only just woken up, I'm fresh and ready to go, unlike later in the day when I'm already tired from chasing Z around and running errands (or doing whatever else). I just eat a super light snack, literally a small handful of nuts and berries or grapes. It gives me just enough energy to get through.
On Friday's run I had to push through a terribly painful stitch in my side, which I found easier to manage toward the end when I started breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. That method also helps with not getting out of breath too quickly. I breathed like that through the entire run yesterday and, voila! No stitch. I also found that after the run yesterday I had a lot more energy throughout the day, which was really nice!
So far I'm sticking to it, even though I'm only two days in. You have to start somewhere, right? When I finish the first two weeks I get a new pair of running shoes... incentive enough! More updates to follow!
Lindsay
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Couch to 5K
This post is going to be more of a reminder for me of what I am committing myself to- running! I have been agonizing over a workout routine for awhile now, and have decided that I am going to give it a fair shot. I have always HATED running, but I've never given it a decent chance. I stumbled across a running blog (by accident, even!) and found it inspiring enough to do my own research and make a commitment. Right now I am going to write down all the things I have learned and need to remember about running before I start. So here goes:
1. Get fitted for a GOOD pair of running shoes.
2. Get a sports bra. 'Nuff said.
3. Since I am going to try morning runs, I am going to need to eat something light beforehand due to a history of low blood sugar. Homemade granola, half-bowl of oatmeal with flax, half a banana w/ peanut butter, energy bar, fruit and nuts, saltines with peanut butter, etc. Whatever it is it needs to be a small amount so it's not heavy when I'm running.
4. Drink lots of water beforehand and bring water with me.
5. Might want to eventually get a small, sporty back-pack to carry certain things with me.
6. I'm going to start running three days a week and NOT push myself too hard. That's what I usually do and probably why I end up hating it.
7. I keep reading about women who were on the fence about running, then once they run their first 5K they are hooked. So, I am setting a goal to enter into a 5K race sometime next year! I am sure Dave will run it with me- he ran one in 2011 but couldn't run it again this year because it was the day after our wedding. :) I will also ask a couple other friends if they want to join- training as a group is always a good thing! The Fifth Third River Bank Run is the big one in Grand Rapids, but next year it is on our anniversary so we will have to see about that! If we don't do that one, there are always others, even just in Lowell! I would really like to do a color run if they have one next year :)
8. Stay consistent. If I am going to make this work, I am going to need to do it at the same time of day while I first start out. I plan on running three days a week, with a rest day in between, until my body gets used to it.
9. This is the program I'm using to start!
I think that's it for now! I have it all written down for me to come back to before I start this Friday- wish me luck!
Here's a little inspiration, just in case I decide to talk myself out of it in a couple days:
"If you're tired of starting over, stop giving up."
"Thinking about it won't do it, dreaming about it won't do it, only doing it does it. So go do it, now!"
"If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done."
"The more I run, the more I love my body. Not because it's perfect, far from it, but because with every mile it is proving to me that I am capable of more than I ever thought possible."
Lindsay
1. Get fitted for a GOOD pair of running shoes.
2. Get a sports bra. 'Nuff said.
3. Since I am going to try morning runs, I am going to need to eat something light beforehand due to a history of low blood sugar. Homemade granola, half-bowl of oatmeal with flax, half a banana w/ peanut butter, energy bar, fruit and nuts, saltines with peanut butter, etc. Whatever it is it needs to be a small amount so it's not heavy when I'm running.
4. Drink lots of water beforehand and bring water with me.
5. Might want to eventually get a small, sporty back-pack to carry certain things with me.
6. I'm going to start running three days a week and NOT push myself too hard. That's what I usually do and probably why I end up hating it.
7. I keep reading about women who were on the fence about running, then once they run their first 5K they are hooked. So, I am setting a goal to enter into a 5K race sometime next year! I am sure Dave will run it with me- he ran one in 2011 but couldn't run it again this year because it was the day after our wedding. :) I will also ask a couple other friends if they want to join- training as a group is always a good thing! The Fifth Third River Bank Run is the big one in Grand Rapids, but next year it is on our anniversary so we will have to see about that! If we don't do that one, there are always others, even just in Lowell! I would really like to do a color run if they have one next year :)
8. Stay consistent. If I am going to make this work, I am going to need to do it at the same time of day while I first start out. I plan on running three days a week, with a rest day in between, until my body gets used to it.
9. This is the program I'm using to start!
I think that's it for now! I have it all written down for me to come back to before I start this Friday- wish me luck!
Here's a little inspiration, just in case I decide to talk myself out of it in a couple days:
"If you're tired of starting over, stop giving up."
"Thinking about it won't do it, dreaming about it won't do it, only doing it does it. So go do it, now!"
"If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done."
"The more I run, the more I love my body. Not because it's perfect, far from it, but because with every mile it is proving to me that I am capable of more than I ever thought possible."
Lindsay
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Is it August already?!
So.... I realize it has been a long while since my last post and, well, a lot has happened since then! I will admit my lack of blogging has been due to more personal journaling (longhand) and learning to maneuver through the first few months of being a newly-wed and mostly stay-at-home mom. Boy has it been a wonderful journey!
Dave and I were married on May 11th, 2012. The day was absolutely perfect! We stayed on schedule, the weather was so so perfect, Dave was super amazing (as always), we were surrounded by family and friends and just felt so blessed the entire day. We honeymooned at an all-inclusive resort in the Mayan Riviera, and all I can say about that is I WANT TO GO BACK! It was so wonderful.
The past few months we have just been settling into life together as a family, organizing the house, all the usual post-wedding stuff. I love staying home with Z, and I love working one day a week at the salon, and I love our get-togethers with good friends and the wonderful community we are a part of! Dave and I are hoping and praying that we can get into a house of our own in the next few months, and I'm just looking forward to fall in general, especially now that I have time to actually enjoy it (which hasn't happened in YEARS).
Now that you're up to date on what's been happening, I'll share a little bit of what's been going on inside this head of mine!
1. I've been studying diets like crazy! My goal is to eat as healthy as possible while not breaking the bank because let's be honest, organic is expensive. I've been hitting up farmer's markets and have decided to bring on the venison this fall (more about that in a minute). I've decided that a raw vegan diet is probably the healthiest way to eat, but I'm not sure if I'm willing to do that at this point. Maybe someday. For now I am trying to eat fresh, organic whole foods and complex, nutrient-rich carbohydrates (making my own bread, yay!). Of course I am not nearly where I would like to be at this point BUT I am getting there.
2. I have decided I'm going hunting this fall- I really want to shoot a deer or two! What an awesome and healthy way to feed my family, plus how exciting would that be! I can't wait! If I don't get one for some reason, I plan on asking Dave's friends to shoot an extra with me. Either way, I'm getting that venison! :)
3. I am working really hard to educate myself on child development where Zachary is at right now. In his newest phase of development, I've had some trouble the past month or so managing my anger when it comes to mothering him, and honestly have had to take a good long look at myself and be proactive in my parenting skills. It is a work in progress, but becomes so much easier to do when I understand Z better through what I'm reading and learning about this new phase he is in. I'm reading the book "No Cry Discipline Solution", and it is so amazing! It has an entire chapter on managing your anger as a parent, which is so great because it reassures me that I'm not alone in this! My little boy is so sweet, and this is such a blessing and privilege to be learning alongside him and being challenged in these new ways.
4. Dave and I are growing exponentially, and I am so pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to do life with him. He treats me so well, he loves me and respects me, supports me and encourages me. Every single day. We are not perfect people by any means, and do not lead perfect lives- we definitely have our ups and downs. But our similar style of communicating and just being open and listening to each other well really helps us get through the downs! He is teaching me so much about love, and I feel closer to God through being loved by Dave.
5. I am loving my salon job so so so much, and feel creativity bursting through me every time I get the chance! I also had my launch party for Mary Kay and just absolutely love the company. Lately I have been feeling very creative and inspired my hair and makeup and just beauty in general. I've been doing a lot of different things with my hair now that it's getting longer, and experimenting with different makeup styles. I could go on and on about this, but I think I might just make it a separate blog post, because I do need to sleep tonight at some point. :)
6. I am reading the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People", and have set a goal for myself to finish it before Christmas. Yes, I am a reader, but this is not a luxury read. It is a very slow process, letting this stuff absorb and implementing it into my life. I am only on the second habit "Begin with the end in mind", and I want to fully absorb it before I move to the third habit. I just love this stuff.
7. After many painstaking weeks of trying to have some sort of schedule in my life, I think I am finally beginning to get the gist of it all. I have always had my schedule set for me through employers, and staying home all day at first was way to much freedom with my time and I had no idea what to do with it all. I have finally begun to settle into a routine with Zachary of straightening up the house at the same time every day, right after breakfast, so we start the day with a clean house. We've been doing it for a couple weeks now and so far it's been going great! The house has been regularly clean and picked up, and doesn't take much time or effort as long as I keep the ball rolling. I've learned that if I stop that ball just for a minute, accumulation of a mess can become overwhelming very quickly. And ohhh, I love a clean house! I just love being home, period. Making soup and baking bread, playing and watching movies with Z, loving on my husband, adoring a glorious God who blesses us beyond belief...... this is the stuff life is made of.
8. Zachary is on the waiting list for pre-school this year! He is sixth on the list, and the lady I spoke with said last year there were over 20 kids on the wait list and they all got in, so here's to hoping! It is also a volunteer opportunity for me, so I am double excited about that!
It is getting late, so I will leave you now with some inspiration:
Nighty-night!
Lindsay
Dave and I were married on May 11th, 2012. The day was absolutely perfect! We stayed on schedule, the weather was so so perfect, Dave was super amazing (as always), we were surrounded by family and friends and just felt so blessed the entire day. We honeymooned at an all-inclusive resort in the Mayan Riviera, and all I can say about that is I WANT TO GO BACK! It was so wonderful.
The past few months we have just been settling into life together as a family, organizing the house, all the usual post-wedding stuff. I love staying home with Z, and I love working one day a week at the salon, and I love our get-togethers with good friends and the wonderful community we are a part of! Dave and I are hoping and praying that we can get into a house of our own in the next few months, and I'm just looking forward to fall in general, especially now that I have time to actually enjoy it (which hasn't happened in YEARS).
Now that you're up to date on what's been happening, I'll share a little bit of what's been going on inside this head of mine!
1. I've been studying diets like crazy! My goal is to eat as healthy as possible while not breaking the bank because let's be honest, organic is expensive. I've been hitting up farmer's markets and have decided to bring on the venison this fall (more about that in a minute). I've decided that a raw vegan diet is probably the healthiest way to eat, but I'm not sure if I'm willing to do that at this point. Maybe someday. For now I am trying to eat fresh, organic whole foods and complex, nutrient-rich carbohydrates (making my own bread, yay!). Of course I am not nearly where I would like to be at this point BUT I am getting there.
2. I have decided I'm going hunting this fall- I really want to shoot a deer or two! What an awesome and healthy way to feed my family, plus how exciting would that be! I can't wait! If I don't get one for some reason, I plan on asking Dave's friends to shoot an extra with me. Either way, I'm getting that venison! :)
3. I am working really hard to educate myself on child development where Zachary is at right now. In his newest phase of development, I've had some trouble the past month or so managing my anger when it comes to mothering him, and honestly have had to take a good long look at myself and be proactive in my parenting skills. It is a work in progress, but becomes so much easier to do when I understand Z better through what I'm reading and learning about this new phase he is in. I'm reading the book "No Cry Discipline Solution", and it is so amazing! It has an entire chapter on managing your anger as a parent, which is so great because it reassures me that I'm not alone in this! My little boy is so sweet, and this is such a blessing and privilege to be learning alongside him and being challenged in these new ways.
4. Dave and I are growing exponentially, and I am so pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to do life with him. He treats me so well, he loves me and respects me, supports me and encourages me. Every single day. We are not perfect people by any means, and do not lead perfect lives- we definitely have our ups and downs. But our similar style of communicating and just being open and listening to each other well really helps us get through the downs! He is teaching me so much about love, and I feel closer to God through being loved by Dave.
5. I am loving my salon job so so so much, and feel creativity bursting through me every time I get the chance! I also had my launch party for Mary Kay and just absolutely love the company. Lately I have been feeling very creative and inspired my hair and makeup and just beauty in general. I've been doing a lot of different things with my hair now that it's getting longer, and experimenting with different makeup styles. I could go on and on about this, but I think I might just make it a separate blog post, because I do need to sleep tonight at some point. :)
6. I am reading the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People", and have set a goal for myself to finish it before Christmas. Yes, I am a reader, but this is not a luxury read. It is a very slow process, letting this stuff absorb and implementing it into my life. I am only on the second habit "Begin with the end in mind", and I want to fully absorb it before I move to the third habit. I just love this stuff.
7. After many painstaking weeks of trying to have some sort of schedule in my life, I think I am finally beginning to get the gist of it all. I have always had my schedule set for me through employers, and staying home all day at first was way to much freedom with my time and I had no idea what to do with it all. I have finally begun to settle into a routine with Zachary of straightening up the house at the same time every day, right after breakfast, so we start the day with a clean house. We've been doing it for a couple weeks now and so far it's been going great! The house has been regularly clean and picked up, and doesn't take much time or effort as long as I keep the ball rolling. I've learned that if I stop that ball just for a minute, accumulation of a mess can become overwhelming very quickly. And ohhh, I love a clean house! I just love being home, period. Making soup and baking bread, playing and watching movies with Z, loving on my husband, adoring a glorious God who blesses us beyond belief...... this is the stuff life is made of.
8. Zachary is on the waiting list for pre-school this year! He is sixth on the list, and the lady I spoke with said last year there were over 20 kids on the wait list and they all got in, so here's to hoping! It is also a volunteer opportunity for me, so I am double excited about that!
It is getting late, so I will leave you now with some inspiration:
Nighty-night!
Lindsay
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