Sunday, November 27, 2011

My Prince Charming

Yesterday was my husband's birthday...or birth anniversary as he likes to call it.  One thing you should know about him is that he doesn't like a lot of fuss about his birthday.  Maybe it has to do that he has always had to share it with Thanksgiving, or that he's just such a modest guy, I'm not sure.  Then there's me...the polar opposite.  I LOVE to fuss about his birthday...probably much to his dismay.

It's important to me because I want him to know how happy I am to have him in my life.  When I met my husband, I knew I had met the man I wanted to marry.  It's weird how life works like that.  I could be myself around him and he seemed to love me...even with all of my flaws.  He is smart, caring, loving, thoughtful, compassionate, giving and so much more.  He is my rock and I cannot imagine my life without him in it.  He has been my Prince Charming and my "happy ever after."  I love him more and more every day and am blessed to have such an amazing person as my husband.

To me, birthdays are important...they are a reminders that we should be grateful for the presence of amazing people in our lives.  Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband...I love you very much! 

Friday, November 18, 2011

Getting By with a Little Help

Personally, I find it hard to ask for help.  I like people to think that I am cool, calm, collected and that I have everything together.  In fact, most of the time when someone offers to help me, I decline, almost insulted that they would even think that I need help.  That's messed up, right?  Maybe it has something to do with trying to prove myself all of these years...perhaps it's my pride that gets in the way...I'm not sure.

When it comes to my infertility journey however, I knew that I needed some help.  Our minds are amazing...always in motion...always churning out crazy thoughts...and I swear that as women, our brains work over-time.  So, when I found out about my infertility, I knew I would need some support. 

I knew that some people have really benefitted from talking things out and I felt that I might benefit too.  I did some research and found a wonderful therapist.  She even specializes in infertility.  It's a relief to have an outlet for talking about my infertility journey.  Friends and family are great, but they don't need to be burdened by all of this and they don't always know what to say.  As weird as it may sound, I look forward to seeing my therapist, because I know that after I leave, I will have some good advice to take with me.  Not only that, but I always leave feeling a little lighter and a little more hopeful. 

Here's my advice to you.  If you are having any troubles in your own life, seek help.  It's not a sign of weakness.  In fact, in my opinion, it's a sign of strength.  Everybody's journey in life is different and sometimes we need a little help in getting through it all.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The Rick Bayless Project: Slow-Cooked Chicken with Tomatillos, Potatoes, Jalapenos and Fresh Herbs.

This past week was the 6th week of the Rick Bayless Project.  Can you believe it?  Neither can I!  Time sure does fly when you're having fun.

The recipe I chose to re-create was Slow-Cooked Chicken with Tomatillos, Potatoes, Jalapenos and Fresh Herbs.  Not much to explain here as the recipe name says it all.  The dish is literally all of those ingredients cooked low and slow in the crock pot.  Super easy! 

I believe the intention of this dish is to serve it was a side of rice and beans, but because everything always tastes better in a tortilla, I decided to serve it as tacos. 

This recipe is delicious, but very similar to a couple that I have already made.  In fact, when I asked the husband what his favorite Rick Bayless recipe has been so far he said, "I don't know, they kind of all tasted the same."  Oh no!!!! 

Point taken...it's officially time to switch things up a bit....next week could get interesting!


Check out that mis en place!

Loaded and ready for some slow cookin'

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Is that a cupcake???


Let me provide a little backstory on the above picture....I went on a leisurely trip to the grocery store last night with my amazingly fun sister-in-law.  After our responsible trip through the produce aisle (butternut squash...check, pearl red onions...check...shiitake mushrooms...check...), she suggested a trip through the bakery department.  Sounded like a good idea to me!  After some deliberation (it didn't require too much debate), we made our selection and chose the charming and "normal-sized" carrot cupcakes (not pictured). 

We were admiring the rest of the selection of pre-packaged goodies, when suddenly I felt like something behind me was staring at me. I turned around and came eye to eye with the beauties (pictured above) in the bakery case.  It was as if the hideous lighting and smell of high fructose corn syrup was calling to me. 

"Are you kidding me!?"  I called out to my sister-in-law.  "Are those for real?"  We both stared at the cupcakes in complete awe.  All of that icing?  Is it something you eat or something you put on your table as a centerpiece?  Really, who needs flowers when you can place a huge turkey or Christmas tree cupcake on your table?  We got asked twice if we needed any help before we decided to leave...but not before I asked her to take this picture.

I suppose there is no point to this post, which I am personally ok with.  I really just wanted to share this picture. I mean, I have never seen such a creation before and it really was something to behold.  No, we did not purchase it and no, I am not sure I would want to, but I can say with almost complete confidance that there is someone out there right now enjoying that piece of baked good insanity and to them I say, "well done...and don't forget to brush your teeth!" 

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

'Tis the Season...For Eating More Kale

Beautiful Tuscan Kale photo from marthastewart.com
It's the most wonderful time of the year...no, I am not talking about Christmas (really people, it's only November 9th!), I am talking about the fact that kale is officially in season!  I suppose this excitement is evidence that I truly am a dietitian...I mean, who else gets excited about kale being in season?  Call me a nutrition nerd, but this beautiful green plant makes me feel good just looking at it.

Kale comes in many varieties, with the most popular being curly kale (the most recognizable) and its darker green counterpart, Tuscan kale.  Both are delicious and amazingly nutritious.  Kale is loaded with antioxidants like Vitamin C and beta-carotene (a precursor to Vitamin A) and is a good source of non-dairy calcium (perfect for you Vegans out there!). 

This time of year, kale is especially sweet, so now is the time to try it if you never have.  The stems can be a little tough, but totally edible.  Just trim them from the leaves and slice thin.  Sautee them a little longer than the leaves (add them first) and you'll enjoy a little crunch and some good fiber! 

If you're new to kale, try making chips out of it.  Kale chips???  Oh yes, they are delicious and even the most skeptical out there will find them addicting.  Clean the kale, remove the stems and cut or tear leaves into large pieces.  Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper and maybe even some cayenne, place on a cookie sheet and bake in a 350'F oven for about 15 minutes.  Halfway through the cooking time, give a stir and keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.

So go on...get yourself some kale...your body will thank you!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Unexplained Infertility

Here's the deal about me...I like things very black and white.  Because of this, I prefer when a problem can be met with a solution.  When things start to dip into "grey" territory, I get uncomfortable.  There's no security in "grey."  I can't feel 100% sure about "grey" like I do with "black and white." 

Oh my, that sounds crazy...which, perhaps is, but work with me here. 

Let me explain...

Recently I had some testing done to see if there was anything physically preventing us from having a baby.  It turns out that I have Stage 1 endometriosis (totally minor), but other than that, I was told that my uterus was "beautiful" with pictures to prove it (thank you doctor of mine).  The black and white of this is that I do have endometriosis, but the grey of it is that this endometriosis is so mild, it may or may not be having any effect at all on my infertility.  In fact, during this whole journey I have responded so well to medication...my hormone levels were great, I had some great looking follicles...the stars were in-line for a perfect little baby to come into this world...then...nothing....and more nothing...and more nothing!  Grrrr!!!

Now, I haven't exactly been told that I have unexplained infertility, but this is my unofficial diagnosis. So you can imagine my frustration with this, seeing as I am a "black and white" kind of girl.  There is no obvious solution because there is no obvious reason.  This is hard for me to grasp because I have ALWAYS been told and taught that there is a reason for everything...that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  Not true with inferility.

I guess my point is this...infertility for me is like swimming in a deep pool of "grey."  This of course scares the crap out of me. But maybe this is an obstacle that I need to overcome in order to move forward in this journey. As a mom, I know there will be plenty times when things won't be so black and white.  Better to embrace the "grey" now and teach my future amazing children that life can be more interesting with a little bit of "grey" in it. 

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Rick Bayless Project...huevos.

And so the RBP continues...

This week I tackled Rick's "Mexican Scrambled Egg Tacos" recipe. 

What?  Scrambled eggs in a taco?  Absurd! 

Oh no...quite the opposite!  In my mind, this is the perfect combination.  Eggs, I think, must have been put on this earth for the sole purpose of sitting their little fluffy scrambled selves in that beautiful creation that is the tortilla.  I mean, think about it...have you ever had a breakfast burrito?  No, not the one from T. Bell, but a good one.  Tortilla + scrambled eggs + spicy salsa + Rick Bayless = perfection.

Pretty...fresh tomatoes, serrano peppers and garlic.  Photo courtesy of the husband.

Onion, serrano and garlic getting sauteed

Added the tomatoes and cooked until dry.  Then added my pretty cage-free eggs.

Ta da!  Delicious, especially with my leftover Smoky Chipotle Salsa from last week.