Try this for your holiday menu

Feast or famine.

That's how I roll.

My life is so boring that food is all I have to blog about.

Food is good.

... is my hobby.

... is my friend.

...I may need therapy.

Curried pear salad:

1 tablespoon curry powder
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup sour cream, plain yogurt or mayonnaise
2 cups turkey or chicken, shredded, or diced, whatever floats your boat.
2 pears, peeled and diced
4 green onions, sliced
2 stalks of celery, diced
Salt and black pepper
1-2 tsp. sugar
1 head romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and cut into large chiffonade
Sprouts optional

Mix the curry with the lemon juice, to dissolve. Mix in the mayonnaise. Fold in with the turkey, pears, and scallions. Season and serve on a bed of romaine leaves. Add some sprouts for extra crunch and flavor.

another recipe!

Those of you who follow me regularly and know me well, will recognize that the fact that I'm posting recipes means I'm cooking; and if I'm cooking, I must be feeling good. ! .

That and I signed us up for a local farmers market "box of the week" program. I'm REALLY loving it! Glacier Valley Farms delivers a big box full of local, Alaskan Grown and organic produce to me every week. It's been fantastic! I've never in my life bought, or even WANTED to buy bokchoy. I was even reluctant to use it. But I went on a limb and experimented. It was YUMMY! I would say it is a lot like celery with taste and texture.

So, without further ado, bokchoy stir-fry:

Oh, I forgot to mention. This recipe calls for tofu as well. I'm ashamed to say that I couldn't go there. They even gave us tofu in our box! Someday, I will like tofu. Just not today.

(I gotta start taking this food into my bedroom to photograph. I get horrible lighting in my kitchen in the evenings.)

This dish is so fast and yummy you will wonder why you ever ordered take out!

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon ginger, grated
8 ounces tofu, sliced into bite size pieces
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or sugar
2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup cold water
2 carrots, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1 zucchini squash, thinly sliced on the diagonal
4 baby bok choy, sliced and coarsely chopped
4 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal


In small sauce pan combine water, rice wine vinegar, honey and soy sauce and bring to a simmer and stir in cornstarch mixture. Simmer until sauce thickens. Set aside until ready to use. Heat the oil over medium high heat in a large skillet or wok. Stir in onions and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and ginger and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in tofu and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add carrots to the tofu mixture and cook for another 2 minutes. Add zucchini and bok choy to skillet and toss to coat. Pour thickened sauce over vegetables and tofu. Garnish with green onions and serve over rice. I prefer to use Quinoa. ;)

A happy anniversary

Today we celebrated our nine year wedding anniversary. I'm so happy and grateful God put Scott in my life.

Last night we went out to dinner and did a little shopping at Lowes for bug spray. (this is what we've become in 9 years)

Photography by Gracie

Today we enjoyed church and a lazy day playing outside.

Gracie playing photographer again:

In 9 years we've moved 11 times. (almost 12) Lived in Utah, Virginia, and Alaska. (adding Illinois to the list soon) Had 3 children. Earned a law degree. Survived a deployment. And had the time of our lives! Here's to 9 more!!

Because when it looks pretty it's more fun to eat.

banana. kiwi. mango. romain. kale. coconut water. whey protein.

Yum!
My kids eat their green smoothies MUCH better when it's in a pretty glass. The best thing is that I got these glasses at Target for $3 each, and their plastic!

And, I needed a little pick me up for the day so I chose to read the Ensign.

In Henry's case, when it looks like dog food it's more fun to eat:

I had no part in this except seeing and taking pictures.

Woof!

Naturopath or Psychopath?

As I've stated before, I'm willing to try just about anything before I begin taking freaky drugs to manage my Rheumatoid Arthritis.

When I say anything, I mean it.

2 weeks ago I began seeing a Naturopath. He tested my body, my organs and such and we figured out a plan. I now visit him once a week and am taking a whole regiment of supplements:

My morning routine looks like this:

Along with 12 drops of artichoke leaf juice added to water. (who would've thought?)

He is also helping me with my eating habits. Trying to reduce and/or eliminate all processed foods. On my first day he talked me through the difference between food and products. Food is something that is either grown or had a mother. (meat and plants) Products are anything else. The human body was not made to digest products and I tell ya, I definitely feel a huge difference when I eat real food for an entire day. But lets face it, I'm addicted to processed foods. We're working on that. On his business card he has the quote, "Let your food be your medicine, and let your medicine be your food." - Hippocrates

My hubby is not so excited about this direction I'm going. He's VERY skeptical. But he's being supportive as he can and I've promised to be objective and honest in my conclusion. We have agreed to a 12 week trial. (it worked out because that's when we move away)

However, I will tell you that I feel great! Today in class only my left ankle hurt, and only during one movement. Usually it's both ankles, my knees, my shoulder, my hands, my toes, and so on and so forth.
People keep telling me I look good and several have asked me if I've lost weight. NOPE! I wish. However, I think what they're seeing is a Chablis who doesn't look run down, exhausted, and sick. So, you tell me: naturopath or psychopath?

This is me

**WARNING**
This is a personal rant. It's long and probably boring. But that's OKAY!



The last few months I have come face to face with some self confidence hurdles, so to speak.

There have been several occasions where it has been blatant and obvious that someone does not like me.

WHAT!? Someone doesn't like me? Ah...hm...psh...eee....wha...sigh...

This is all part of growing up, I suppose. I am almost 28 for heavens sake. I should start growing up about now.

I first started exposing myself when I began teaching step and Zumba classes. There is one woman, imp-articular, who was horrid and mean. She affected me so much that when she would walk into the studio I suddenly forgot how to teach. I suddenly forgot all choreography and my smile quickly darted out the door. I would stumble over my words and feel like crawling in a hole.

You know what? I finally stood up to her. She was disrespectful and said something really rude in the middle of class...in FRONT of all the other participants! So, I told her she didn't have to ever come back to my class. And she hasn't.

At first I felt bad that she didn't come back. Then reality slapped me and I thought, "Hello! I am having fun teaching in this studio now!"

Most people are not as forward and vocal with their unsatisfaction. Some people love my classes, and some don't. Those who love my classes; I LOVE them!

There have also been a few other incidences. Particularly two different women who have made it obvious that they don't like me. One of which WAS a friend, whom I adored. It took me a long time to get over these doosies. I may still be working through them.

BUT!

I have learned SO much. It is OkAY that some people don't like me. Heck, there are a few people out in the world that I don't like.

The most important thing is that I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. He loves me so much that I feel overwhelmed at times. I'm not sure I'm capable of accepting as much love as He wishes to give me. And, most of the time I don't understand why He loves me. He of all people knows the worst of me...and yet He loves me the most.

I also know those who DO love me are the ones I care about loving me. Starting with my adoring husband, my ever forgiving children, my parents and sisters, my in-laws, and all of my dear, dear friends.

Lastly, I love myself. Sort of. I'm learning to love myself. I think that because I don't love myself fully, it shows ingratitude to God for creating me. I'm working on that.

I will ALWAYS remember:

I am the luckiest girl in the world, and I won't let silly haters get me down!

Home sweet Illinois

Well, we found a house to live in when we move to Illinois.

This makes the move very real to me and I'm feeling motivated to look on Craigslist for boxes.

To check out our new digs you can see it HERE.

***UPDATE***

After some thinking, (you see, it takes my brain a few hours to catch up with my actions sometimes) I realized that it was foolish of me to put up that link. "Hello evil world! Here is my address, even with Google Earth, attached along with some pictures of my cute kids."

Duh.

So, no linky. If you care, leave a comment and I can email you the link. kthanksbye.

The car door won

Let's talk about this chick for a minute:

I took this impromptu picture of her this morning after her bath to get at least the remains of her battle recorded. Unfortunately she got in a fist fight with a car door last weekend and lost. The goose egg she received mounded inches above her forehead. Now it's a vintage olive and brown kind of color.

I asked her to put on her "battle" face for this one. She looked at me like, "wha..?" So I told her to just look mean:

I can't believe how fast she has been growing the last few months. Ever since she turned five she suddenly grew into her own and her personality has been glowing. She loves her big sister and I think was overshadowed a bit.

A few things I LOVE about my Lydia:

* Not a day goes by where she doesn't tell me I'm beautiful and that she loves me.

* She is a GOOD big sister. Ever since her little brother has been interested in potty training she has been the one to run to his side and rip off his diaper. She even hangs out in the bathroom with him, waiting...waiting. They do a lot of that. You see I'm not interested in potty training at all. So, Lydia may have her work cut out for her.

* Whenever she isn't thinking about snacks, she's thinking about fashion. Everywhere we go she finds something that someone is wearing that she loves. The other day while we were in the car, waiting at a stop light I hear, "Oooh, mom! I love her watch!" As I gave her a confused look she pointed to the woman driving the suburban next to us and sure enough she had a chunky, fashionable watch on. Just this morning as we were walking into a building she pointed out a lady, "I just love her high heels!"

* To go along with this, she is my own personal stylist. Not a morning goes by when I don't have her by my side advising me on which eyeshadow color to use, whether to wear glasses or contacts, how to do my hair, and most importantly what to wear. Most days our conversations end with me saying,"Lydia, we are going no where and no one will see me, so comfy pants win." And she stomps out of the room. You see, to her, it matters not where we go or who we see, she must always be dressed to the "T". (haha, a little rhyme) She goes through at least 3 outfits a day and 80% of her waking hours are spent strutting around the house in my high heels.

* Her favorite music is always Jlo, but she especially loves E.T. by Katy Perry right now. I had NOTHING to do with this, she just loves it!

Aye, aye, aye what am I going to do when she's a teen? I get weak at the thought. But for now, I just LOVE it all!

I'm on a roll...

I was surprised at the response I got from posting that last recipe. I'm trying to make better, healthier meals for my family. A lot of times that means I don't want to plan meals for the week because I don't know any "healthy" meals off hand.

It's a good thing I'm not afraid to experiment!

So, here is another experimental success:

(I'm sorry I have no pictures, I wasn't planning on sharing this with you because I wasn't planning on it being very good)

Tomato & Bean soup:

2 cloves garlic, pressed
28 oz can diced tomatoes
2 cans white (or canellini beans)
14 oz can chicken broth
S & P
crushed red pepper
onion powder
basil
grated parmesan cheese to garnish

If I had an onion handy, I would've used one instead of the onion powder. Alas, this was a "what can I make for dinner without going to the grocery store" kind of meal. I did absolutely no measuring of the spices, so just have fun with that. The crushed red pepper did add some "heat" to it, which I loved. I don't think my kids loved that though. We had to settle for them just eating the beans.