One for You, Two for Me

Do you guys do this too?  You're out to buy a gift for someone and you come home with that gift plus a couple things for you?  Please tell me I'm not the only one.  Or if you're making cookies and you ice one, eat one?  We fall into that trap of "If it's good for you, it must be good for me, too!" from time to time.

So I have a proposal for you.  What if you applied that mentality to working out.  Seriously.  Studies show that working out with a friend is a good idea.  I know that doesn't sound real scientific, but truthfully, it's not a real tough concept to grasp.  Right?

Think about it.  You have a hair appointment tomorrow at 1:30.  Your hairdresser is waiting for you.  Do you bail?  Not show up just because?  Do you decide to bag it and figure you'll do it tomorrow?  No.  I think not.  So there's accountability that comes from working out with a friend.  You've made a date and you're not going to leave him or her standing there waiting, are you?  Surely you were raised better than that!

And then there's the fun factor.  Duh. 

Laughing burns calories, too, ya know!  How much fun is it to spur one another on?  To challenge one another to do one more rep or improve your form or take the weights up a notch?  Fun stuff.  Friendly competition and instant recognition for how hard you're working are great benefits. 

Working out with a friend also introduces you to new moves or programs.  We're not all addicted to cardio and we're not all comfortable tossing iron around.  When you workout with someone who follows a different program, you get a glimpse of something new and you may even (gasp!) try it.  Not to mention the idea of doing partner exercises like crunches with a medicine ball pass.  Can't really do those alone now can you?

How about the idea that you'll usually push yourself harder because someone else is there doing it with you.  Safely and within proper limits, of course, but think about any group class you've ever taken.  Are you that girl in the back, praying no one is watching you slink down to the floor in a neon-covered puddle of sweat?  Even if you are, the very idea that you don't want anyone to see you do so is proof that we want to do our best to keep up.

And when you're done working out, chances are that pal isn't going to let you head straight for a burger.  She's going to walk with you to a cute cafe where you'll order salads and talk about the goofballs at the gym.  Right?

Don't get me started on the gym.  I once was a regular.  Every day after work, my hubby and I would meet at the gym and workout for about an hour (see, that accountability thing is for real).  I never had a great system, instead I'd hop from open machine to open machine and kind of hodgepodge my way through a workout, ending with some cardio.  It wasn't really efficient.  I had a trainer for a while, but...cha-ching!

Once kiddos came on the scene, getting to the gym was more of a chore than anything, and I couldn't justify working all day then leaving my kids again so I could workout.

I tried various On Demand workouts on my TV.  They didn't quite do it for me.  Once again, I was far too random with them and I was getting lazy about doing them because I was on my own with it.

When I found Beachbody, I knew I was onto something that was going to (gasp!) work!!  I had the best of all worlds; I had a trainer right there on the DVDs...I didn't have to leave my house...I had a routine/schedule to follow...I worked out with friends...talk about a winning formula.

So I'll go back to the premise of my proposal; let's "one for you, one for me" our way into the New Year with a plan and a pal.  I've seen a ton of pictures lately of friends together for the holidays.  And I've gotten cards with greetings like "Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday season."  Let's embrace that.

Those friends in the picture?  Invite them to come along.  Who cares that you're only together, in person, once a year?  Through the beautiful magic of Facebook, we can create a group and workout in there together.  I love getting sweaty selfies of friends from Indiana, California, Florida and beyond.

Those people who sent the card with healthy wishes?  Invite them as well.  Bet no one is hoping they'll be heavier come December of 2016.  Bet everyone would love to know they're doing an awesome thing for themselves (and their loved ones) by being in great shape.

Those people who'll be sitting beside you at dinners, brunches and parties?  Invite them along, too.  Inspire them with a healthy choice, a moderation-style selection at the buffet. 

That person who's super hard to buy for?  Why not invest in their health with a workout, Shakeology, Coaching support or all three?  And it's not sending a "Hey, Fatty.  Get off your butt in the New Year!" note.  It's more of a "I want you to live your healthiest life, and I want to do the same.  Let's do that together." note.  But I guess, be careful, because that could be misunderstood as a proposal of a whole different kind.

Bottom line...working out with a friend is better than going solo.  And I have a pretty slick way to make it all happen.  I'll be launching an online group on January 11.  I'd love for you to be in it with me. 

It's called "Getting Better Together" and that's exactly what its aim is.  Please join us.

Warmest holiday wishes,
Amy

A Few of My Favorite Things....

These are a few of my favorite things....

We all know the song...and I bet some of us are singing it right now.  No?  Okay, just me then.  Whatever.  Remember, this is a place where there's no judging.

Hearing that song several times lately with the holidays upon us made me think about tossing together my own list.  Not that I have anything against "girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes" or "brown paper packages tied up with strings."  Not at all.  

This is hardly a complete list and thoroughly random (what did  you expect?) but it made me happy to create it.  I hope it makes you happy to read it.  That would also make me happy.  Now, the list (in no particular order, and the omission of something on this list does not, in any way, reflect my feelings on said omission--so we're clear!):

1.  LaCroix water.  Yeah, I know.  That's a goofy one.  But I do love the stuff.  I get my water in, a nice little taste of flavor and no guilt.  That's a win all the way around, don't you agree?  I especially love when it's on sale.  Helllllo, stockpile!

2.  Great customer service.  How can you not love great customer service?  Especially lately when it seems to be in relatively short supply.  I recently made a purchase (shopped small!) through a website and was blown away by how helpful, fun and courteous the gal was who helped me.  She even tucked a personalized note into the package---that arrived before its intended due date.  Man, that makes me happy!

3.  Kind words.  A compliment, sincere and unprompted, is one of the best gifts to receive---and to give, for that matter. It just plain feels good to hear someone say something kind about you or something you've done or made.  But kind words don't have to be compliments.  A simple "Bless you" when someone sneezes or a genuine, "I'm sorry" when you're wrong or someone has experienced some form of heartache or frustration.  And let's not forget the 3 magic words..."Please" and "Thank you" that go miles.  Miles I tell ya! 

4.  Sally Hansen InstaDri nail polish; I've written about this gem before, but it cannot be overstated.  It's exactly what it says it is; instantly dry.  And allows my hands to look instantly less beat up and more, well, polished.  

5.  Watching football (or any sport, really) with my husband.  I love how he gets into the game, calls penalties before the refs and coaches from the couch.  Doesn't hurt that I am not a total idiot when it comes to sports, so we can enjoy them intelligently together (if that makes sense), too.

6.  A loud, full house.  There is something about the sound of your favorite people filling your home with their voices, laughter and stories.  It gets loud, hot, even crowded from time to time, but it's so worth it to have everyone together.  I love having company, and I'm always sad when I close the front door behind the last of the guests as they leave.

7.  Being a Beachbody Coach.  It fulfills my desire to help others, follow fitness programs and live a healthy life while setting a great example for my family and friends.  All of that AND I earn money each week as a reward for doing something I love.  Being a Beachbody Coach is not a one size fits all kind of gig; some make it their full time job, others Coach in addition to other jobs and some are Coaches only to enjoy discounts on the amazing line of products and programs.  What's fantastic is that all of those routes are totally okay.  I'm so happy and thankful that I found this company and people a couple years ago; it's enriched my life far beyond any financial gain.  I've got plans for 2016...and I'm pretty excited about them. 

8.  My girls when they're asleep.  And no, this is not a "Mommy needs a break" moment.  This is about the innocence and sweetness that is so consuming when they're sprawled out, safe, warm and secure.  It's watching the features of their faces for as long as I want to because they're still.  It's about whispering all the things I didn't get to say in the chaos and clutter of any given day, praying that they hear me, that the words sink into their heads and hearts.  It's sneaking into Abby's bed (Alyssa's too when she's out of a crib) and snuggling her warm little body, feeling her heartbeat and thanking God that I get to be her Mama. 

9.  Music.  Finding a new artist, really hearing the lyrics to a song I've heard a million times, dancing in the car, singing along---music makes me happy.  Even sad songs make me happy because they usually bring on one of those ugly-yet-cathartic cries we all need from time to time.  You know the ones.  I love hearing a song that reminds me of a person, a place, an adventure.  I love the flood of memories that comes from that, and I love how songs can communicate those memories and emotions so beautifully.

10.  Making lists.  Yup.  I went there.  The order, the structure and the organization a list brings...  The satisfying sound of checking things off (and yes, I've added something I've already done just so I can cross it out!) and keeping myself on track.  I have been known to write and rewrite a list when it gets too sloppy, too.  Lists.  Ohhh, how I love 'em.





Bet you know what's coming next.  Share some of your favorite things with me.  You know a lot about me, especially if you've read some of my other posts.  So, let's hear it.  What's your story?  I'm all ears...

Quotes on Wooden Blocks

Preface:  I'm away from my normal computer, so I'm afraid I won't have this post all dolled up with pictures and such.  My apologies. Especially to those of you who only read for the pictures.  Please do read on despite this tragic flaw.

I was in TJ Maxx the other day and noticed a ton (and I mean a ton!) of those pretty wooden squares with motivational quotes on them.  Or funny quotes.  Or quotes about dogs.  Or some were simply one word; Wine!  You all know that I'm a quote-aholic, so as hard as it was, I resisted the urge to buy one of each and splatter my home and office with them.  I practiced incredible restraint (it was a miracle) and walked right on by.

But those little wooden gems got me thinking; aren't we always being bombarded with messages?  Do this.  Don't do this.  Buy this.  Buy lots of this (wine!).  Be this way, feel that way, say this thing.  It's enough to make your head spin.

I suppose you could argue that this blog is just another one of those messages, being shouted at you from the computer or phone or however you accessed it (is it on a wooden block yet?  I'll get there).  It's true, though.  This blog is simply another message in the myriad you hear/see/ignore daily.  Billboards, headlines, bumper stickers, paperwork, emails...they can be pretty noisy.  And it can be pretty tricky to cut through that noise.  Trust me.  Chatty as I am, I do crave quiet (let's discuss the irony in another post, please...not here!).

Recently, however, one message I saw has been clanging around, speaking up loudly enough to be heard above the rest.  It is, "You must be willing to do the things that others won't do in order to have the things that others don't have."

Did you get that?  Read it again, I'll wait.  Now...did you get it?  It's neat, isn't it?  And when I first read it, I won't lie; I felt a surge of "Oh my Lord, I'm behind, I'm failing and I'll never catch up to have the things that others don't have."  That was my first reaction.  Sigh.  I'm so not proud of that.  It's negative and it defeats the purpose of Susan's daily motivation. Whoops.  Swing and a miss there, Aim.  Try again.

I said it's been clanging around, and I meant it.  I've come back to these words time and again since I read them a couple weeks ago.  And last night, as I laid in bed (being pushed to the edge of said bed by a lonely 6yo who needed to snuggle), I had an epiphany.

Maybe (just mayyyyyyybe) it's less about doing and more about doing less.  Okay, that sentence sounded clearer in my head.  Let me try again.  The quote reads, "You must do the things that others won't do."

Maybe my "won't do" list is more like this; I won't try to keep up with the Joneses.  I won't compare myself to others 24/7 (deadly!).  I won't get caught up in the mishmash ratrace of life that wears me down and leaves me feeling hollow, defeated and discouraged.  I won't fall into the general mass of people.  I won't become "just one more follower."  I won't invest time (precious as it is) beating myself up for the whatever else I didn't do, can't do, should do etc.

Maybe that's my list.  And maybe it's yours too.  Maybe instead of feeling like we need to step onto the hamster wheel, maybe we need to step off.  Break the damn thing.  Maybe it's not about wanting or needing whatever those things are that the others have (who are the others anyway?) and more about enjoying what we do have and realizing that the constant desire for more more more can get ugly.

Alright, full disclosure--I do not condone complacency.  Yuck.  There's content and there's complacent.  One says lazy to me and the other says happy.  I like to work from a place of happy, don't you?  Happy people can still want to be better (define better how you will).  Being content doesn't mean you sit on your duff and figure, "Well, this is it.  I'm happy.  That's all she wrote."  You can be content and still strive for better (again, define that how you will).

So everyone and their brother may be doing something, posting something, sharing something.  And I'm not.  And I jump on my back and beat myself up instead of granting myself that sought after slice of individuality that provides me with perspective and my own voice (imagine that!).  Maybe it's in NOT doing what others are doing that I CAN have what others don't?

Those of you who've been here before know me; you know I'm a Beachbody Coach.  You know I work FT and I'm a Mommy to two sweet girls.  And you know I'm real, I'm honest and I'm open with you.  I rise, I fall and I get back up again.  I am consistently inconsistent (now THAT should be on a wooden block) and unafraid to share that with you.  Judge if you will, but I hope that you won't.

I put pressure on myself (raise your hand if you do it too) to do what others won't....but that pressure doesn't help me succeed.  That pressure jams me up and makes me downright mad.  Really.  Everyone else is getting up at 4am to workout.  If I really wanted it badly enough, I would too.  Do what others won't, to have what others don't.  Others won't sleep in, and don't have saddlebags.  I won't get up and don't have bags under my eyes.  Or something like that.

What really helps me succeed is a strong desire to be the best version of Amy I can be.  And frankly, sometimes the best version of Amy needs to step away, take a break and be in the moment rather than chasing something.

Am I complacent?  Nope.  Am I content?  Yeah, I think so.  I have a beautiful family, a rewarding job, several conversations a day about Beachbody and its place in my life and, most importantly, I have my health.  Is my body perfect?  Hellllllllllllllll no.  Do I work on it daily?  Hellllllllllll yes.  Does that mean exercise daily?  Helllllllllll no....remember, I'm consistently inconsistent.  But I do eat pretty well, I rarely miss my daily Shakeology and I am surrounded by resources--online, in person and beyond!--designed to help me.  That sounds like a pretty great plan, I do believe.  

I'd be honored to be a resource for you, if you'd like.  I won't harass you into 24 hour workout sessions.  I won't slap (virtually or otherwise) food out of your hand.  That's not what this is about.  I won't judge you when you check out for a day or two because, well, LIFE!  And what we won't have?  We won't have perfect bodies overnight (or maybe ever).  We won't have millions of dollars in the bank.  We won't have the stress that comes from comparing and competing.  How's that sound? 

That's another "I won't" list...and I like it.  We need to do the things others won't to have the things others won't.  Let's no do some stuff and not have some stuff together.

CTRL-ALT-DEL

It's been a week since I wrapped up the 3 Day Refresh.  Figured now would be a good time to share the results.  But I guess, it's not just about the results, but the whole process, right?  It should also be noted that I completed this 3DR during my anniversary weekend AND while there was a dangerous supply of molasses cookies in the house.  I don't want extra props for that---wait, yes I do.  Of course I do.  And you would too.  And I'd give them to you.  Those are some fierce obstacles to overcome.  Hands up if you agree.  That's RIGHT!!

Okay, so....the Refresh is hardly new.  It's not the "latest and greatest" from Beachbody.  It's been around for a while, and every now and again, it would whisper to me....taunting me to buy it.  It's not crazy expensive, and knowing how much I believe in every single Beachbody product I've ever tried, I wasn't sure what my hesitation was.  Other than being chicken. 

As we've established in other posts, sometimes I'm a ninny.  I over-complicate things that don't need to be so difficult and I get trapped in analysis paralysis from time to time.  This should not come as news to you (unless this is the first blog post of mine you've read, in that case, WELCOME!).  So, shockingly, I managed to build this up in my mind and push it off.

But then, I had another one of those "aha moments" and thought (a) why worry about failing, how about thinking about succeeding and (b) I sure would be fine with a few pounds and inches disappearing in a matter of days.  Yes even Coaches struggle on occasion (I know, I know--a glimpse behind the curtain, right!?) and need a little reboot.  The Refresh is perfect for that.  I had gotten a little off track and a little stuck.  Soooooooooooooo, I decided:  CTRL-ALT-DEL for my body it is!

I started the Refresh on a Friday which meant taking the process on the road.  Not too bad, really.  I do prefer my shakes blended, but I was willing to make do this one day.  Following the very detailed directions, I set off to make the most of these 72 hours.

What I did do:  Drink a lot of water, chug (and I mean CHUG like you're being paid to do so!) the Fiber Sweep, reallllllllllllllllly enjoy the scant amount of hummus I had with my red pepper, skip a snack because I wasn't paying attention (doh!), keep a sharp focus on my reason for doing this.  I also did very light workouts like yoga and light arm/core work during the 3 days, weighed in at the beginning, took my measurements (forgot pictures---dope!!) and kept "hangry" moments in check with decaf green tea.

What I did NOT do:  Live in the bathroom for 3 days, cheat on the meals, eat any of those blasted cookies, skip any other snacks (I mean, who does that!?), weigh myself during the process other than at the end, quit on myself, yell at Mark and the girls as they ate and drank normally in front of me (although I may have had a nasty thought run through my head once or twice, I won't tell).

Dinners were a super yummy (no, really) blend of veggies that I sauteed in a little bit of olive oil and garlic.  I sprinkled a little curry powder on them once and some Asian seasoning another time...delish.  Genuinely, I found myself making a mental note to add this side dish to the menu more often.  Lunch was the Vanilla Fresh, fruit, veggie and a healthy fat (I opted for hummus).  I still had my Shakeology, and even found that I liked it with water rather than milk!  I had a snack of celery with almond butter and plenty of water.

At the end of Day #3, I weighed in---actually, it was the morning of Day #4...I was down 5lbs and 2" from my hips and waist.  What I ALSO lost was that feeling of being stuck, of being frustrated, of not seeing results. I lost some cravings, bad habits and self-doubt. 
 

I felt a renewed sense of energy, I slept really well and woke up feeling a lot less stiff, groggy and generally blah.  I gained proper perspective and greater control over my choices. When it all comes down, that's what it's about, right--CHOICES.

Eat junk or don't.    
Exercise or don't.    
Skip meals or don't.
Try something new or don't.


Choices. 

This was one of my better ones and it's paying off. I'm pretty alright with that.  If you'd like to learn more about the Refresh, please let me know.  If you're a ninny like me and you're putting it off, I can assure you that it's not nearly as difficult as I made it out to be initially.  Seriously---I'm almost embarrassed to admit it! 

 

Discontinued No More!

Sooooooooooo, raise your hand if you've fallen madly in love with something and it's been discontinued.  A favorite nail polish.  A particular style of jeans.  A perfume.  A COOKIE.  Now we're getting serious.  I could find a new shade of red-brown for my fall nails.  I could suck it up and go with "the other" jeans.  I could even switch up my fragrance if left alone to select it (I'm talking to you, perfume sprayer ladies!).  But a cookie?  No.  That's just not right.

A few years ago, we made the unfortunate discovery of a cookie at the bakery of our local Costco.  It seemed like an innocent fall-y purchase at the time.  Until we tried them.  This is where it gets unfortunate.  They were good.  Like, "I'm not sure I could overstate it" good.  And, as everyone knows, you buy in bulk (duh!) at Costco.  So we had about 92,883,748,787,438,243 or so of these things in a plastic clamshell package.  Until we got to the car.  Where that number was immediately cut.  In half.

They were chewy.  They were sweet.  They were spicy.  They had a tiny but of crunch thanks to the sugary crust.  They.  Were.  Amazing.

And then---they discontinued them.  If this was a video blog, here is where you'd hear and see the gasp, horror and total shock that crossed my face when I learned of this unspeakable misstep by the bakers that be.  Rude and thoughtless, I tell you.

Fast forward to present day where I am juuuuuuuuuuuuuust about over the slight and have preeeeeeeety much come to grips with the fact that they're not coming back.  Ever.  Sigh.

Galloping into my life like a knight in shining armor, however---Pinterest and its infinite bevy of options.  And this recipe from a blog called (and I adore its name) Gimme Some Oven.

I hope you'll enjoy these as much as we did.  Okay...as much as I did---I really didn't share very well.  Shame on me.

Imagine this cookie with a mug of Constant Comment tea, an afghan and a great book.  Oh the beauty of it all....happy baking, happy fall!

What You'll Need:

• WILLPOWER!
• 1.5 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 eggs
• 4.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. salt

What You'll Do:

Say a prayer that you don't eat them all at once.
 
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat together butter and sugar on medium speed for 1 minute until light and fluffy.  Add in the eggs and molasses, and beat on medium-low speed until combined. 

Gradually add in the dry ingredient mixture and beat until combined.

Roll the dough into small balls, about 1-inch in diameter.*

Fill a small bowl with sugar, and roll each ball in the sugar until it is completely coated. 

Place on cookie sheet at least 1 inch apart, and bake for about 8-10 minutes, until the cookies begin to slightly crack on top.  (They may crack more while cooling.)  

Remove from the oven and let cool for a minute or two. Then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
 
Serve immediately or store in a sealed container for up to 1 week. (a week?  are you nuts?  these bad boys go FAST!)

*I found that it was helpful to chill the dough a little before rolling it into balls.  Maybe 30 minutes or so.

A Little Tex...A Little Mex...and a whole lotta YES YES YES

Alright, you asked for it and here it is.  A little gem I most likely found as I Pinned While Hungry (you all know how I love to do that!).  Good news is, this is a healthy PWH pin.  Win!!

I won't even give you a whole lotta preamble with this one.  I will, however, tell you that it made its way into the Make Again pile.  And "again" may be next week.  For real.  It was just that good.  And it made a TON!

Tex Mex Spaghetti Squash

Serves: 4-6

 

What You'll Need:

• 1 large spaghetti squash
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1½ cups black beans
• 1½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1½ teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• ½ onion, chopped
• 2 cups diced cooked chicken - optional
• 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Oil

What You'll Do:Spaghetti Squash
Carefully cut spaghetti squash in half. Scrape out the seeds and stringy insides. Lightly drizzle with olive oil and then sprinkle with salt. Place cut side down on a pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool until you can handle it. Turn squash over and use a fork to scrape across the squash short ways to make the spaghetti.

 

Everything Else

• Heat a skillet over medium heat. Drizzle with olive oil or coconut oil.
• Add onions and jalapeno and saute a few minutes. Add garlic, bell pepper, salt, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Saute around 5 more minutes.
• Add corn and black beans (and chicken if using) and saute until heated through.
• Add spaghetti squash strands to skillet and carefully stir and toss everything together. Adjust salt and seasonings if needed.
• Transfer mixture into both halves of the squash or into an 8x11 glass baking dish.
• Sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

We added a dollop of plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream) and a splash of salsa to the top before we devoured served ours.

Thank you, fromthiskitchentable.com!

Chicken On a Stick...Because apparently it's more fun that way?

Or so I've been told anyway.  I mean, it's the same little chunks of chicken, just cut up and placed on a stick.  Why that's more appealing escapes me.  But who cares.  These look, smell and taste amazing.  They may not be the world's cleanest chicken kebabs, but....you'll forgive me this one, right?  And besides, I'm balancing the rest out with lots of veggies, tons of water and no dessert.  There.  I feel better.

Sweet Maple BBQ Chicken Skewers (kebabs...on a stick, whatever!)


What You'll Need:

• 2lbs. chicken tenders
• 1 (packed) cup brown Sugar
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• ¼ heaping cup pure maple syrup, meaning a little over ¼ cup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons ground mustard
• 2 teaspoons Paprika
• 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper 

What You'll Do:

To make the marinade:

Mix brown sugar, ketchup, red wine vinegar, water, pure maple syrup Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, paprika, kosher salt and pepper in a large bowl. Place chicken tenders in marinade. Cover and let chicken marinade for at least 2-4 hours or overnight. I like to throw all the ingredients into a Ziploc bag and let it marinade this way.

To make the chicken:
Remove the chicken from the fridge, one piece at a time grab a tender and pierce through the skewer. Once completed drizzle extra marinade over the chicken, and let it sit while grill is heating up.

Heat gas or charcoal grill, remove chicken from marinade. Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Cover grill and cook 3 minutes, then turn over the kebab and cook another 3 minutes. At this point check the chicken. To know if the chicken is done the juices should be clear and the center of thickest part is cut (170°F). If not done, continue to cook, at this point I leave the lid open and just turn the kebabs so they are cooked evenly on both sides--about 8-10 minutes.

Remove from grill and serve immediately. Or cover with foil and serve later.  Great to serve with grilled corn on the cob and a tossed salad.  And while you've got the salad ingredients out, think about using the leftovers the next day for a grilled chicken salad.  If there are leftovers!

Deconstructed (and better for you!) Chinese Takeout

Every now and again, I splurge on Chinese takeout.  I usually regret it about 12 bites in, but I can't help myself....and I keep eating.  It's a guilty pleasure and one that thankfully I do not indulge too often.  Last week, I felt the urge creeping up.  I wanted a warm bowl of steaming rice and perfectly seasoned (okay, totally over-salted!) shrimp and veggies.  But I found willpower....and this recipe.  We are planning on making it this week, so you'll have to stick around if you want to get the full report.  I know what you're thinking..."Does this one land in the famous Make Again pile or is it destined to be shredded like the cabbage it contains?"  Stay tuned to find out...

Here's the scoop...it's Egg Roll in a Bowl.  Nothing deep fried, no crispy outer shell (wait, I'm starting to feel like I'm going to miss that...wait, nope, it's gone!)....just the warm goodness of the inside, outside!

What You'll Need:

• 1 pound ground pork
• 3-4 cloves minced garlic
• 5 scallions chopped
• 3 Tablespoons Low Sodium Soy
• Pepper
• 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 1 bag coleslaw mix (not the premixed kind, just the already chopped cabbage and carrots)
• 2 bags Success® Jasmine Rice

What You'll Do

• Brown the pork with the garlic and scallions.
• Add in the coleslaw mix, soy and brown sugar. Season with pepper.
• Cook until the cabbage is cooked down and almost caramelized.
• Boil your 2 bags Success® Jasmine Rice according to box directions.
• Serve the pork mixture over the rice.
• Top with crispy wontons or duck sauce if desired. 

 
We don't desire, so we'll probably serve it with fruit salad instead.  I'm pretty excited to give this one a whirl.  Who knows we may even find a lingering fortune cookie from a previous takeout order?!  

Blackened Salmon and A Quinoa Salad...not together, though!

Hey, hey, hey.  It's a Sunday night two-fer!  You're getting two recipes for the price of one blog post.  And I promise to get right to the point.  It's Sunday.  I've been in power-de-cluttering mode...and I need a break.  Plus, a dear friend of mine asked for this last week (gulp!) and I forgot.  So here goes....

Recipe #1:  Blackened Salmon

Those of you who have been paying attention may recall a post about how I made this and sent my entire family outside coughing and gasping--apparently the spices were a bit too much in the cooking process.  I also added a lovely smoke haze to the entire downstairs.  That said, it was a lovely evening and we should have been outside anyway, and the dinner turned out to be delicious.  Once the smoke cleared and we came back inside, we added this recipe to the (say it with me now, people!) Make Again pile.  Seriously--it wasn't overpowering at all when we plated and ate it.  It must have been the spices getting into the air while it was on the stove that did it!?

What You'll Need:
3 teaspoons cumin
3 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 (4-ounce) salmon fillets, skin removed*
2 teaspoons canola oil

What You'll Do:
In a small bowl combine all the ingredients except the salmon.
Coat the salmon fillets evenly on both sides with the spice mixture, pressing the mixture in so it sticks.
Heat the oil in a large heavy preferably nonstick skillet over high heat. 
Add the salmon and cook until blackened on one side, about 4 minutes.
Carefully turn the fillets and continue cooking until the other side is blackened and the salmon is tender, flaky, but not overcooked, about another 4 minutes.
*I had skin on filets and it worked fine; I only coated the one side with the rub, and when the filets were done, the skin was easily pulled away...trust me, there was no loss of flavor, either! 

We served this over a yummy salad and, of course, sauteed zukes as well.  I mean, come on...when you have a pile on your counter, you've gotta use those puppies often.  And we do.  Mmm!

Alright, onto Recipe #2:  Citrus Quinoa Chicken Salad

This stuff is good, easy and travels well.  I know this because my gem of a hubby packed a container of it for me last week so I could eat dinner during Abby's soccer clinic.  Awe.  Isn't he thoughtful?  Yes.  Yes he is!

What You'll Need:

1 and 1/2 cups cooked quinoa (again I sing the praises of the steam in the bag stuff!)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast, chopped into 1-inch pieces
2 cloves roasted garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large oranges, peeled and segmented
1 ripe avocado, peeled and cubed

Dressing
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (packed)
1 Tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon honey

What You'll Do:
Cook quinoa according to package directions.  Transfer cooked quinoa to a large bowl and let cool.
Pour olive oil into a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and roasted garlic, stirring it all around to coat with oil.
Sprinkle with smoked paprika and salt. Stir and cook until chicken is done, about 8 minutes. Add cooked chicken, oranges, and avocado to the quinoa.
Stir to combine. Set aside.

For the dressing:
Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together.
Pour over salad and toss to coat everything evenly.
Serve immediately. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Make ahead tip: This is a perfect recipe to make ahead of time because the flavors taste amazing by day 2. Simply prepare through step 3, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight.

Super easy, yummy and whoa the protein.  It was light and fresh, but I was definitely full.  A really great summer meal, and it's also a great picnic dish...no mayo to worry about!

I told you I'd get right to the point.  And I did.  So there you have it.  Two of the meals that hit our table last week.  Happy to share...and happy to hear what's hitting your table this week.  Share with me!

Veggies as Dessert....Well Alright Then!

When your Father In Law AND your next door neighbor deliver armfuls of zucchini to you, you smile gratefully and get to work trying new ways to enjoy it.  Fritters?  Done that.  Bread?  Yep.  Stuffed, sauteed, baked and breaded?  Yes, yes, yes and yes.

And when you cannot find the recipe for your favorite side dish made of the yummy green stuff, you realize that it is probably best because that side dish isn't so much on the clean side.  Anyway...you look around and find THIS recipe.  And you rejoice.  And then, when they're done, and you try them, you rejoice some more.  And then, when they're done, and you try them, and your 6yo tries them and gives them two thumbs up, well, I'm not sure what happens, but it's way bigger than rejoicing.

Give them a go this week with the surplus of zukes you probably have on hand like us!  Cheers and enjoy.

 

 

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bars*

Prep time 10 mins     Cook time 30 mins    Total time 40 mins   Serves: 12 (or 2..haha)

 

What You'll Need

• ¾ cup creamy almond butter
• 1 heaping cup grated zucchini (1 medium zucchini)
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¾ tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼-½ cup chocolate chips

What You'll Do

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Call upon your willpower--because you'll need it.  Spray an 8 x 8 pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Stir together almond butter, zucchini, egg, maple syrup and vanilla in a large bowl until combined.
3. Add in the rest of the ingredients (except chocolate chips) and stir.
4. Fold in chocolate chips.
5. Bake at 350 for thirty minutes or until a knife comes out clean.  
6. Contemplate topping them with vanilla ice cream, but realize that move sorta (totally) defeats the purpose of making a healthy dessert.
7. Remind yourself not to admit there's zucchini in them--at least not when your daughter is listening.  She loves her veggies, but claims that zukes are "not really on my favorites list."   

 
*found on hummusapien.com

The Pile

There is a pile in my basement.  It started off as one, single item.  That one, single item is on its way out, has a destination in mind and is simply waiting.  Then that one, single item became two and three and eventually, a pile.  And yesterday, I added something else to that pile.  My old and worn copy of What To Expect The First Year.  I placed the book atop the baby bath towels that now look impossibly tiny, yet once seemed to swallow Abby and Alyssa whole.  The towels were placed upon several receiving blankets that were the perfect weight to protect the girls from too much sun or a light fall breeze.  The blankets were placed atop the baby bathtub, the Bumbo seat and tray, the boppies, the bouncy seat and the Baby Bjorn.  Each item thoroughly cleaned, yet indelibly covered with sweet memories.  

Like the first time I placed Abby in that blue tub, her eyes its exact color.  The squeals of delight she let out as the water splashed on her toes, tummy and nose.  And even the last time I placed Alyssa in it, realizing that she was too big--and too capable--to need the confines of its plastic protection.  Into the big tub she went---joyfully!  The Bumbo seat, where both girls perfected the whole sitting up thing, transfixed by hockey games on TV or the lights of the Christmas tree.  The bouncy seat that became a fixture in our bathroom, allowing me to take a shower when I needed one as desperately as the baby needed a nap.  And the Baby Bjorn that didn't really seem useful until Alyssa came along and I needed two hands to help Abby yet still hold Alyssa.  She toured our neighborhood many times from that vantage point, the idea of her nestled so closely to me was incredibly comforting--even as I huffed and puffed up the hills with the extra weight of her warm body on mine.

Other vestiges of babyhood have disappeared as well.  The mobile that "Herc" broke (how Alyssa pulled it totally apart is beyond me!), the swing and even the changing pad that became obsolete pretty quickly as Alyssa figured out that squirming through a diaper change was a whole lot more fun than being peaceful and still.  To the floor we went for that chore.  Gone is the gigantic bink they give you at the hospital; neither girl liking it for more than a couple weeks anyway.  Packed away are my pumps; thrown away are all of the corresponding Medela bottles I used for months and months.  So, too, are the bottles Alyssa took--replaced with sippy cups and straw cups.  The crib and pack 'n play mattresses are both lowered and each week I clean out another drawer of clothes that no longer fit my Babe.

Yet walking downstairs and setting that book on top of that pile caught me emotionally off guard.  The first year is over.  Packed away in memories and pictures and experiences.  I wasn't expecting the reaction to be as visceral.  But there I was, in the basement, crying.  Over a pile.  I'm not an idiot; I know that Alyssa (and Abby too!) has to grow up.  I know she is a nearly-walking one year old with a mouthful of teeth and a headful of ideas.  I also know that there will be no more babies in our home...and although that is our choice, it still made me sad in the moment. 

The moments are so brief.  The crying all night long moments?  Brief (though not at the time).  The I wonder what her voice will sound like moments?  Brief (replaced with I wonder if there will ever be silence moments).  And in making this pile, I was reminded that these pieces of our kiddos' lives, once seemingly impossible to live without, are moving on to someone else who can use them.  For brief moments.

I'm sure it's no coincidence that I would find a perfectly-suited blog post on a friend's FB wall last week.  The week Abby and Alyssa turned 6 and 1.  The post was entitled something like "When Did I Last Wash Your Hair?"  And I thought it was a funny look at the life of a busy Mom who was so crazed she couldn't remember when she last bathed her kids.  I wanted to laugh, so I clicked on it.  Whoops.  No.  It was about not realizing that she had washed her daughter's hair for the last time because now, said daughter, could (and insisted upon!) do it herself. 

Abby now closes her door when she's getting dressed.  She works so hard to get her hair into a pony tail and select an outfit that matches and will earn my approval.  When she yells through the door, "I'm ready, you can come in now!" I open the door to a girl, beaming with pride.  She is, in that moment, both my little girl and far too grown up for my liking.  And I wonder, when was the last time you asked me to help you get dressed? 

We celebrate a ton of firsts, don't we?  We record them and mark the occasion.  But we don't do that with the lasts because we don't always know those moments are the last moments.  Like the pile in the basement, it creeps up on you.  One moment at a time until BAM, you're no longer rocking your baby to sleep as you nurse her.  One moment your tiny girl is in your arms and fits right there, the next, you carry her up to bed and there seems to be a mile of limbs and body and hair to hold.  One moment you're hovering behind the wobbly and excited steps of your little one as she attempts the stairs, the next, you're calling her to come downstairs for dinner.  One minute there's one, single item and the next, a pile of memories and baby needs.

 
The one, single item that started the pile?  Our family bassinet.  More than a dozen babies have used it, each of their names written on the bottom.  And now that bassinet is headed to my cousin for his first child.  And someday be the start of his pile, too.

While it might be nice to have that space reclaimed in my basement, I'm sure I'll be pretty thoughtful about having all that stuff leave.  And I'll be sure to mark the occasion, not simply let it slip by unnoticed.  It will be the last time that bassinet (and everything else piled on top of it) is in my house.  I'll notice.

Abby checking on Alyssa in the bassinet