Posts from — June 2010

Confirmed.  It’s a bulls- eye rash indicative of Lyme disease.  Little daughter will be fine.  Just has to guzzle this for the next 30 days…

Thankfully, she doesn’t upchuck this medicine.  Yay  

Glad we were able to catch it early on, though.  I have a few friends who had very serious health issues due to undetected Lyme disease.  It can be scary! 

So the day started off with worry and a trip to the gym.  I changed up my routine just a little – 30 minute express circuit workout, then 25 minutes on the Arc Trainer.  Basically, I flip-flopped it.  I pushed hard on the Arc Trainer today.  It’s so fun! <—-weirdo

I fixed up a yummy breakfast of press and an Ezekiel cinnamon raisin english muffin with almond butter goodness…

The daughters and I spent most of the morning getting our summer reading schedule going.  Big daughter aced a advanced reading test at school, then we headed to the library to stock up on more material.  I get so excited to hang out in libraries and book stores!  Could I be a bigger dork?!

We rushed home for lunch because little daughter was “hand-on-forehead- eyes-rolling- back- moaning-and-complaining” starrrrrrving.  She is not at all dramatic. 

I made everyone lunch in a nanosecond and just did a heat-and-eat for myself…

Leftovers!  I mixed the white bean salad with the remaining whole wheat orzo.  So tasty and fiberlicious

I picked up something new for me to try as an afternoon snack – Jay Robb Whey Protein…

Now, I’m not a big fan of protein powders.  First, I much prefer to eat food instead of drink.  Second, many of the protein powders that I’ve seen have so much junk in them – artificial flavors, sweeteners and additives- that I’d rather have real food.  But, I saw this in the vitamin store the other day and noticed that the ingredients are fairly decent.  Also, there is no added sugar, however it is sweetened with stevia.

The nutritional facts were pretty good…

I gave it a whirl with some water and frozen strawberries…

It wasn’t bad!  There was a tinge of aftertaste that comes with most protein powders, in my opinion, but it wasn’t chalky or gritty.  I would try this again (however, it is PRICEY – one packet cost me $2.50!) maybe with nonfat milk next time.  I just might become a protein shake convert!

Dinner was more leftovers…

• grilled shrimp
• white bean salad
• diced grilled zucchini

all on top of my favorite salad- tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and avocado!  Please don’t get tired of seeing this salad because I have a bazillion tomatoes and cucs exploding in my garden right now and I will be making it a lot!

I love cold, no-cook leftovers on a hot and muggy night!

I think some Chocolate Banana “Ice Cream” may be calling me!

Have a great day, everyone!

Do you use protein powders? 

The healthier Father’s Day menu was a success! 

We started off with hummus, carrots, Arnold Sandwich Thins and pita chips made with Ezekiel whole wheat pitas topped with an herb seasoning…

and Trader Joe’s Creamy Spinach Dip with the same dippers…

The main dishes were all about the grill.  The guys gotta have some steak…

I was really excited for this dish from Eating Well Magazine – Grilled Shrimp over White Bean Salad…

It was very fresh tasting and light!  My only change would be to cut back on the lemon in the dressing for next time.  Otherwise, it’s a keeper…

Another Eating Well Magazine keeper – Grilled Zucchini Salad with Shaved Parmesan…

I loved the addition of the toasted almonds! 

More green…

and some red!  I made bruschetta topping and put it on sliced Ezekiel hot dog buns.  The buns aren’t pre-sliced so you can slice them just as you would a baguette.  I toasted the slices in the oven, turning so that each side was crisp, then topped them.  Awesome…

Dinner at our house wouldn’t be complete without some sort of pasta.  I opted for whole wheat orzo and tossed it with bruschetta topping and 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese…

I filled my plate without trepidation …

and had plenty of room for dessert…

Chocolate Banana “Ice Cream” !!!  No sugar!!!  I will share the recipe with you this week. 

Right now, I have to go… unfortunately, this put a little damper on the festive night…

Little daughter has a bulls-eye rash on the back of her leg.  Off to the doc for a Lyme confirmation

Hope everyone enjoyed their day!  I was thrilled to be able to share the day with my 3 Dads!

left to right:  Dad-in-law, Dad of my daughters, My Dad

and with their “matching” presents…

Love you, DADS!!!

Have a great day, everyone!

What is your favorite health-related magazine?

As I am preparing for our Father’s Day celebration dinner today, I couldn’t help but look back at last year’s eats (one of the fun things about having a blog!).  My menu is so different this year.  I really strived to focus on offering healthy choices.  Of course, we’ll have desserts and some steak, but everything else is healthy and balanced. 

And I’m okay with it.  I’m not worried that no one will like it.  I’m not worried that they will be disappointed to not see their favorites on the table.  I’m doing it because I care.  I love my husband, my parents and my in-laws so much and I want to serve them food that is healthy and good for them. 

Food will always be love to me.  It’s part of my culture and how I grew up. But, I can change the food that shows love.  They will still know I made it with love and with healthy hearts in mind

It’s a total paradigm shift.  I guess it’s all part of the journey, right?

It’s the Journey that’s Important…

by: John McLeod

Life, sometimes so wearying
Is worth its weight in gold
The experience of traveling
Lends a wisdom that is old
Beyond our ‘living memory’
A softly spoken prayer:
"It’s the journey that’s important,
Not the getting there!"
Ins and outs and ups and downs
Life’s road meanders aimlessly?
Or so it seems, but somehow
Leads us where we need to be,
And being simply human
We oft question and compare….
"Is the journey so important
Or the getting there?"
And thus it’s always been
That question pondered down the ages
By simple men with simple ways
To wise and ancient sages….
How sweet then, quietly knowing
Reaching destination fair:
"It’s the journey that’s important,
Not the getting there!"

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads

Have a great day, everyone!