4-weeks of homemade meals: Day 2

Yesterday was Day 2 of my 4 weeks of homemade meals challenge. Although a big part of my energy goes into fixing flavorful, healthy dinners, I have to also make sure we have breakfast, lunch and snacks that are homemade as well. Yesterday was a busy day of hospital appointments and errands. In my rush to get to our appointment on time, I forgot to take snacks with me for my 1-year old daughter. Of course, Starbuck's is conveniently located inside the hospital. It was very difficult not to cave in and buy a small snack for my daughter to keep her happy as we waited, and waited, and waited for our medicine. But I managed to keep her entertained long enough and then made a rush back home. Note to self--always have snacks handy, no matter how short or long your trip away from home will be. Once back home, I

proceeded to get dinner ready. It was fairly simple, since I dedicated part of Monday to meal prep--cutting vegetables and making sure I had all the other ingredients for all of the weeknight meals. I roasted a chicken with garlic and lemon and some fennel seeds and then took my chopped bell peppers and zuchinni to the grill and cooked those for about 10-12 minutes, enough so that they weren't charred but were soft. I cheated a little and used frozen tortellinis as part of my pasta salad. You could easily use plain pasta or couscous with the veggies and toss in some shredded parmessan for extra flavor. I tossed the tortellini and vegetable salad with a homemade lemon and garlic vinaigrette that was super delicious. Want to give this meal a try? Just go to www.foodnetwork.com for Ina Garten's Perfect Roast Chicken recipe. I got the idea of a tortellini and veggie salad from Southern Living magazine--the October 2014 issue.

Buen provecho,
Gaby

The 4 week challenge- Day 1

Day 1 of the 4-week challenge came and went with a bang and of course, lots of learning on how to improve cooking healthy meals for 4 weeks straight. I decided to make cauliflower crust pizza. I had fixed the recipe before and the kids seemed to have liked it so I gave it another shot. I ended up making two pizzas, a large one with hams and mushrooms and a homemade spaghetti sauce. I made a smaller "white" pizza for my son who does not like tomatoes in any shape or form. No big surprise: the mushroom and ham was much more flavorful than the white. As my older daughter said: Mom I like the pizza, but I wouldn't eat it everyday. She then said the top was much better than the bottom. So this will not be a staple at our household, but I would definitely make this tasty pizza again. My thoughts for next time are to try to boost the flavor of the cauliflower crust with a little more garlic in the egg, cheese and cauliflower mix. The crust itself held up pretty nicely, much better than on my first try. Just make sure you strain the water from the cauliflower after cooking it in the microwave. If you're interested, you can find this recipe at www.theironyou.com .

Buen provecho,
Gaby

Surprise: I am not alone!

Not too long ago, I figured that my beliefs on healthy eating and cooking homemade meals were shared by only few people. Sure, we all have the desire to eat healthy, but it truly is hard to dedicate the time and effort that goes into planning meals and later on fixing them. My simple ways of thinking have been opened by talking to friends, acquaintances and of course, reading a large number of blogs, all of which are dedicated to a healthier eating lifestyle. I underline the word lifestyle, because it truly does become part of your life. I read at least one healthy eating blog a day. I’m forever learning new recipes, ingredients and ways of cooking that will hopefully help me put a healthy plate of food at the family dinner table.  

Some of you may ask: But why are you so concerned with eating? You seem healthy, you’re not overweight. I think the answer is probably the same one any one of the bloggers I read would give—it was not a want but rather a need. Once I was aware of some of the preservatives and additives in some of our packaged food, it became harder and harder for me to turn my back and plead ignorance. Of course, I’m not a scientist and no one will probably ever crack the code for what exactly you have to eat to be at your optimal best. But why not, try to cook at home where you can at least control some of the extra ingredients that do not have to go into your food and then your body. So cooking has evolved for me, from something I dabbled in whenever I had to take a dish to a party, to something that is part of who I am.  I’m not an excellent cook by any means. I’m just a mom, trying to eat healthier and get my children and husband to do the same. I know many excellent cooks and truly admire their innate talent. While I still use my measuring cups and spoons religiously, they’re out there using the palm of their hand to measure a teaspoon of salt and have no problem throwing an extra pinch of this or that. Someday, someday I hope to be there too! For now, I’ll settle for a smile and thumbs up from my kiddos after cooking a healthy meal.

 

 

My month-long challenge

The goal to eat healthy meals has been a long-standing one for my family. Both my husband and I are aware of the extra calories, chemicals, salt, sugar and preservatives added to some of the foods served at restaurants. This month however, I’m putting my foot down and actually making myself accountable, to you all, to commit to a long-term, full month of healthy, home-cooked meals. We typically eat pretty healthy, but there’s always the desire to eat better. Especially, after we’ve eaten cheeseburgers and fries followed by a full-size milk shake. Or, after eating chocolate chip cookies.

The rule is that I will cook breakfast, lunch and dinner at home. The kids of course, will have their packed lunches, with the exception of the princess who still considers it a treat to eat a cafeteria lunch once a week. Hubby will take leftovers, fruits and chopped up veggies, the exception will be mandatory work lunches—which believe it or not, are mandatory in his particular job. Peanut and I will eat at home. Chic Fil-A, Sonic and Starbucks are banned from our eating lists, as well as any other restaurant and fast-food place.  The only exception will be dinner invitations to friends’ homes. When we do eat at friends’, we will stick to whole foods rather than pre-packed meals, etc.

I will be incorporating a few more veggies into dinners than I typically do in order to boost nutrition. I will also try to have one meatless meal and one with fish or other type of seafood. With the exception of the occasional frozen or canned vegetable or fruit, frozen foods are not allowed. Sorry DiGiornio pizzas—not that I am used to eating these—I will not be purchasing you. I do buy some canned artichokes and sometimes beets to add to my salads so these types of foods will be part of the meals. Pastas and uncooked, whole-grain rice will also be allowed.

Now here’s the accountability part. I will be posting a picture of dinner every day on Facebook and on the blog. I’m very excited about the prospect of eliminating all fast-food for a month. We don’t do it often, but going to Chic Fil-A is considered a treat by the kids. I would like them to understand that fast-food is not necessary and that there are other ways to treat yourself that don’t involve a milk shake and French fries.

 

Disappointment

There's a song with that title by the 90's group, The Cranberries. I'm dating myself, but I totally loved the Cranberries and still do. Dealing with dissapointment is where I'm at right now in life. It's ironic, because in the grand scheme, my life is wonderful. But yes, just like everyone else, there are moments, expectations and even people that can cause disappointment. Ironic also, that I deal with getting over dissapoinment every day with my children. It's a constant. I use so many techniques--there's the distraction -- but look at this instead! There's a promise of a better thing or activity. There's explaining that what they are disappointed about is really not worth their energy --there's so much else to be grateful for!!
It's harder to try these techniques and for them to be effective and, more importantly, long lasting on myself. Ha! I'm not a genius, just a mom. Dealing with disappointment is probably God's way of teaching us so many lessons--humbleness comes first to mind. There are so many feelings that come with it too--anger, sadness, self-doubt, it can go on and on. I'm realizing that those feelings are so real, so raw at times, that it's ok to feel them; it's ok to feel human and acknowledge these feelings. Yesterday, in the middle of my own pity party, full of tears, angry and lying in bed experiencing all these emotions and also trying to stop them or rationalize them, I realized that it's ok for me to feel them. To let them come and then to let them go. Let the tears flow. It's a way of getting in touch with something very human, that's part of me. Perhaps one day I'll transcend these feelings, when disappointment occurs. Maybe even, disappointment will be something so small to me because there will be grander things--who knows--with age comes wisdom and many other virtues. For now, I'm dealing with the dissappointment and trying those techniques I use with my children. Getting up and dusting my pants and grabbing a pair of sneakers to go for a run instead. It's also giving me a little extra fuel, because after dealing with dissappointment, you're a little tired, but once that goes away, you're also energized by some of those same feelings of anger that you felt before. So in a way, dissappointment is a low but usually one that goes away gradually. Once you come out of those emotions--there are definite highs.

Spring is here

Spring is here. In my neck of the woods it is warm and rainy sometimes. But the birds are chirping, flowers have already budded and some blossomed. It is gorgeous and I consider myself very fortunate to live here. My kids are also enjoying the outdoors, and it is my hubbie and my desire to get them out into nature every day this spring and summer (even on rainy days)--that's what raincoats and rainboots are for!
Spring for me is also a time for cleaning. Physically, mentally, spiritually. It's been hectic so I haven't been able to do a lot of religious things here at home or at church. I'm hoping after Emma's birthday we can have more time for the religious. One of the things I'll be doing is reading a little more about John Paul II--whether you're Catholic or not--a great man, who accomplished a lot in a very little time.

Loyalty

I read a quote on Pinterest that grabbed my attention. Respect is earned. Honesty is Appreciated. Trust is gained. Loyalty is Returned. Loyalty. Something which I consider to have and to be -- loyal. This week felt like in many parts of my life--those who I considered loyal were not. Interesting though that sometimes people who you least expect to be loyal, become so out of pure circumstances and sometimes, for their own interest. So maybe this isn't the true description of loyalty--maybe it's convenience or fear that drives people to betray someone else's trust.

This week also reminded of when I am at my best. On the recovery after a blow to my psyche or my morale. It's that instant that you realize you have to get up, that self pity is not an option, that there is hope, and that honestly: life is GOOD, by God, life is sooo Good! Even when it's bad, there's almost always hope. In my life, I'm lucky enough to be blessed with many wonderful people and with good health. So all the other things, are really trivial and hopefully in the end a reminder to me that I have been dealt a very easy hand in life. Today I went running, and it felt good. Getting up at 6:30 to run felt good. It's the hard work and knowing that you are doing hard work and capable of it that feels good. So today, I am so happy. Happy to be at a place where I realize how good life is. How the trials and tribulations in life are really a sign from God to appreciate the great moments, the wonderful people, the beauty of nature--these were all giving to us by God to inspire us and to give us hope.

Today, I'm grateful for that 6:30 am run and for a husband who watched the kids while I took time for myself. Tomorrow when I'm running with the children, I'll be grateful that I have a stroller that can push them and two healthy kids that I can take running with me. I'm grateful that I have time to write this, from the comfort of my home. I'm thankful for the two hours of silence while the baby sleeps. I'm thankful for my mid-afternoon cup of decaf. Out of that realization also comes another one. That I have to give back, that I have to be more charitable. There are others that are not as fortunate and that is where the time should go to. And also, that I may not get a thanks everytime. And that those acts of charity have to be done as selflessly as possible. Every day I hope that I can remember this and that I can put my energy in the right things.