Lovin’

• Even though in recent days they’ve predicted snow (and it has), I’m already starting to scout out area farmer’s markets for season opening dates.
• My deep freezer.  Filled with a true hodge podge of items:  flours, oats, meals from my younger sister, peanut butter chips, butter (salted and unsalted) soups, stock, ground turkey, chicken thighs/breasts, cranberries, flaxmeal just to name a few things…!
• That, when asked what kind of adventure she’d like to go on Sofia replied, “An ice cream adventure!”  I’m going to try to make that happen this week when we join Jon on his business trip.
• The one Crocus that is getting ready to bloom in our front yard.  We check on it every day.  There are other green things coming up but as I am so not a gardener I’ll be learning right beside Sof as things grow and bloom!
• Healthy, crazy baby kicks in my tummy and Sofia asking to “Just take a peek.” inside my stomach to see the baby. If only it were that simple – imagine what we could save in ultrasound bills!
• The plans to start some sort of container garden with Sofia.  I’ve got to learn some time.  I’m thinking herbs as they’re ridiculously overpriced in the grocery store.

 

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Don’t Let a Runny Nose or Uncontrolable Cough Stop You From Cooking For Loved Ones.

During my week of uncontrollable secretions (as we term it in the biz) I did manage to do a bit of cooking.  And I’m pretty sure I didn’t sneeze or cough into anything I made. While some veggies were left to decompose there were a few things I really didn’t want to see go to waste.  Not sure why I chose the tofu or spinach and the kale and red leaf lettuce got the short straws but – I wasn’t myself.

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Funny thing about becoming unprocessed…

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…perishable foods aren’t very sympathetic.  Being sick last week and eating a lot of stuff from the freezer, soup, soup and more soup.  I didn’t do a whole lot of prep work that I had planned to do and am looking inside my fridge.

The kale and red leaf lettuce got tired of waiting for me to get better.

The kale is no longer green but more of a cross between Chartreuse and yellow. I had planned to make kale chips – have heard so many great things about kale chips.

The lettuce has turned slimy – totally unsalvageable.

I hate the waste of perfectly good food and therefore money.  Just a couple more reasons to not like being sick.

Another possible hinderance/obstacle is family.  Immediate and extended.  While Sofia is an innocent bystander with not much say as a 3 year old and Jon willing to anything I put before him, knowing I wouldn’t steer him wrong (he owned three pizza cutters when we first met).  Close friends and family, as I mentioned in a prior post, can make one’s transition to more responsible eating a bit more challenging.  Maybe you’re nodding your head in agreement right now, it’s tricky, you don’t want to offend or have hurt feelings of those near and dear but you don’t want to sabotage your efforts either.

Speak up and speak out for you and your family.  Educate and introduce those close to you about your efforts.

Damn, that’s awesome advice.  I think I’ll take it.  I’m putting too much work into this endeavor not too.

Related articles

• Becoming Unprocessed. (pickahling.wordpress.com)

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Lovin’

• Hate being sick but you know when you’ve been sick for a while and then you wake up one morning and you just know you’ve turned the corner and are heading to Wellsville – you’re whole mood picks up and shifts.  I’m nearly there!
• I am now the mother of a three year old.
• My older sister is coming this week to help me get my act together and get organized.  Sooo need this intervention.
• My homemade granola.
• Oven lights.  Ours has been burned out since we moved in (last October)- what a difference it makes!  And how easy it is to change!
• How very very tolerant our gray cat is with Sofia.

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• Chubby little baby toddler legs.
• Amazing family and friends, near and far, that shared Sofia’s birthday celebration with us.

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Becoming Unprocessed.

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I was successful in my baking and cooking endeavors last Friday (for the most part – slacked, as usual with the last of the clean up).  Thankful for the prep work I did the day before because good gawd cooking from scratch and eating less processed food can and does mean a lot more work for someone (me).  You really need to be dedicated and buy into the philosophy of whole foods, clean eating, etc.  If you don’t you won’t be able to sustain the practice.

It’s a lifestyle.

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What a Day!

Phew, finally a chance to sit down and put my feet up.  Been going for, oh about 12.5-13 hours today.  It’s been a busy week with our house having the revolving door for different family members this week.  It’s been great but I’ll be glad for a day of just Sofia and I tomorrow so we can get stuff done.

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Lovin’

• Going to work this weekend after taking care of a sick Sofia all week and Jon out of town for work.  I was asked if I wanted to go home early on Sunday and declined!  How many people do you know actually look forward to going to work every week?!
• All of this fantastically sunny weather we’ve had here in the Pacific Northwest lately.  Now that I’ve had my week of snow, I’m so over winter.
• Soup, the recipe I posted Friday and then the chicken rice soup I made Friday night.  Have I mentioned how totally easy it is to make soup and, like bread, it’s very forgiving.
• How totally adorable Sofia looks in her princess/hello kitty panties!  Let the potty training begin!
• That my parents are coming to take care of Sofia this week while I work an extra shift rather than me schlepping her to their place.
• Plus, the prospect of my younger sister “sending some food” with my parents for us – oh it’ll be like Christmas all over again.
• That Sofia wants to invite our two cats to her birthday party in a couple weeks.
• A husband who indulges my now (thankfully) diminishing pregnancy cravings – Must. Have. Thai food.
• That my older sister wants to help me/us get organized before baby #2 arrives.  I’m not sure if she knows what she’s gotten herself into (or us for that matter) but she’s an older sister, very determined and always ready to dole out the tough love.  I’m expecting a (slightly painful) transformation to occur in our house.  Stay tuned…

Related articles

• Lovin’ to Learn (pickahling.wordpress.com)

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Soup Friday – a clean eating recipe that’s just plain good.

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I like red lentils.  They look cool – though I think they’re more orange than red but, whatever.  I don’t see them at too many stores so when I do find them I try to pick some up.  They’re more interesting than the plain old brown ones which look more olive green than brown to me.

So I’ve had this big bag sitting around for a while and finally happened upon a interesting recipe.  That is interesting to me right now is using my crockpot, an interesting spice combination and simple ingredient list. 

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Back in Business

For a few days actually.  Jon found my new computer on Sunday and set it all up with security, commonly used programs, programs he thinks I should be using and strict instructions to:  not agree to or download anything (anything) without his approval first.

Because I’ve gotten into trouble in the past.

More than once.

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