Tag Archive | Cooking

Rituals

Jan25

Good morning!  This was my comment after watching this video this morning.  You’re going to laugh!

“May 6, 2013… that’s how long I have been saving this video in my email inbox. Today is January 25, 2016! It’s about time right?!?! Yes! So, I watched this 1st wonderful video (while chopping an acorn squash in my kitchen, instead of sitting on my butt. Which is how I started it.) and am thinking… hmmmm… what kind of ritual would I like to have in the morning? Something different than I already have from my amazing life? Ha!! I’ll let you know when I figure that out. Thanks for all you do ladies! Can’t wait for day 2 tomorrow. 🙂 ‪#‎Healthy‬ ‪#‎TheLifeOfAMother‬ ‪#‎JustForMe‬ #TheSelfLoveRevolution”

I’ve been saving them for the right time to focus on “Me”.  Haha, can you believe it!  Focus on me? You would think I would have watched these a very, very long time ago.

The truth is, I try and focus on myself as much as I can.  Yes, I have a super busy life, yes, I like it that way. Husband, Father, 4 Children, Myself… all in one house. Believe it, or not, we have a pretty damn good balance.  This doesn’t mean that I don’t get off kilter from time-to-time, because, believe me I do.  It just means that this wasn’t first on my list.  Does that also mean that, I am not first on my list?  No, I definitely try, I just get sidetracked.

After watching this video, I really feel like I need to stop and figure out a ritual that I would like to have that is different from what I already to. Take today for instance… My Husband kissed me goodbye. I got up, used the restroom, put my contacts on, combed any lasting lice eggs out of my youngest Son’s just-washed-hair, cleaned up, washed my face, flossed my teeth, brushed my teeth, put on my skincare products, brushed my hair, then got dressed. Kissed my 3rd Son goodbye for school, cooked 5 scrambled eggs for the 4th Son, ate a yogurt, powdered the two dogs with flea powder, put them in their kennel, then was off to take my 4th Son to school. There was my morning, thus far.

If I just look at that little part of my morning, I think that it was pretty productive.

I didn’t even mention everything that I did after I got back from that school drop off. Let the dogs out of the kennel, the 3 of us made our way upstairs to my room, chatted with the cable company, chatted with the sales guy, Alec, at the gym my boys want to join, cleaned my room, text with my 4 of my girlfriends and 2 of my Nieces, did Day 1 of a 30 day Squat Challenge, vacuumed my bedroom, watched this 1st video while chopping an acorn squash and putting it away for later, then made myself a yummy #LunchForOne, said good morning to my two oldest that have today off from school, had an intense conversation with my 2nd Son about his behavior towards others and how it makes them feel, then finally sat down to blog.

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Phew! Haha! Yes, a pretty normal day for me.  Now that I read back through all of that, what have I really done for me?  Perfect reason for me to find a new ritual.  Time to get my head together and figure that out ASAP. Maybe on the drive over to pick up my little Cousin from school?  Or, maybe while I’m sitting in the carpool line picking up my youngest Son and 2 others that I drive home on the daily?  Haha!

I’ll figure it out. I love to journal. I love to paint. I am a woman who goes through spurts and doesn’t really stick to the thinks I love, unless it is washing my face and tending to myself that way.  At least I can say that I take care of myself with using amazing skincare products, having clean and nice clothes, a beautiful closet that I love to dress out of, books that I love to read and living in a town that I can never get enough of.  🙂

xoxo

Savvy Curls with Kathleen Shelfer

Nov5

The Savvy Curls new commercial is out.  Take a look and let me know what you think.

If you would like to purchase a Savvy Curls Curling Headband, please contact me here or go to…

http://www.SavvyCurls.com, but don’t forget to use my Client Code for your discount and to link you directly to me.

Client Code: kats1 (all lower case)

I can’t wait to see your results!  🙂

xo

A Sweet Sunday

Oct4

Today was a good day.  It stated out with watching a couple of episodes of Orange is the New Black in bed. Relaxing and easing into the day.

About 9:30 I rolled out of bed, washed my face, brushed my teeth, moisturized, brushed my hair, then threw on some clothes. Down the stairs I went. Had an apple and gathered my things to head out with my family to the beach.

Sunday is the rest of my families day to hang out with the guys and the kids.  They’ve done soccer, ultimate frisbee and now they are on to beach volleyball. It’s a joy to watch them all gather, join teams and play for fun.  All of the laughter and smiles on their faces makes me so happy inside.  I truly enjoy watching them on Sundays.

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After a bit of watching the guys, my friend, Laura, and I walked over to Armida’s tasting room for a little wine tasting. It’s always a treat, both the wine and the wonderful company.

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After some wine tasting and great conversation, I made my short trek back home.  I had some wonder food to prepare.

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Today I made Falafel’s, Garlic Hummus, Basil Pesto and Mint Garlic Pesto. All from scratch. Everything turned out beautiful.  Super yummy too.

We had the Falafel’s and some of the hummus for dinner. I’ll use both of the pesto’s this week with my meals. Yum! 🙂

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I baked a batch and also friend a batch.  I wanted to be able to compare them.

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Garlic Hummus

Garlic Hummus

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Basil Pine Nut Pesto

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Mint Basil Cashew Pesto

By the way… the hummus came out kick-ass! Maybe I should rename it, Kathleen’s Kick-Ass Garlic Hummus? Ha! 🙂

xo

Scones For My Boys

Oct1

This morning I woke up and really wanted to finally make my Boys my scones that they love so much.  2 years overdue.

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Woke up two to shower and headed downstairs to get started.  Found my recipe and then gathered my ingredients.  Replacing 2 with others, because I was out of buttermilk and sugar.  No worries, I’m good at improvising and replacement.

My Boys were stoked! Scones for breakfast!! Even the two that stayed home today.  Of course they were happy, they munched on two each.

It’s the little things that really matter.  The little things that they remember that you do for them that they love.  Even the little things that you may not even think matter.  They were still thanking me when they went to bed tonight.  I’ll have to grab another bag of chocolate chips tomorrow, or maybe butterscotch this time, and make them for them again.

There isn’t nothing I would do to see my Boys smile and feel loved.  🙂

xo

Delicious Fish Tacos

Sep30

I made some kick-ass Fish Tacos tonight! Tilapia isn’t my favorite white fish, but I seasoned them so beautifully, that it didn’t really matter.IMG_6499 2

I cooked the fish in a teaspoon of clarified butter and coconut oil.  Seasoned it with Seafood Seasoning, Garlic Salt, Lemon Pepper and Paprika.  Both Sides.

I cut the kernels off the corn and sautéed it in a half teaspoon of clarified butter and fresh minced garlic. I then added the shredded cabbage at the end.  Just to warm the cabbage. Set aside.

The salsa was made by my Father this afternoon.  He makes the best salsa EVER!  Hands down!

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Everyone enjoyed dinner, with the exception of my youngest. He isn’t feeling great today and needed to just head to bed.  He scrounged for a bit of string cheese and a nice cold vanilla Italian soda that he made with the Soda Stream.  Hopefully, he’ll wake up in the morning feeling 110%. 🙂

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xo

Brilliant!

Sep17

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This really stuck with me today. It can’t express how I feel any better.  It also reminds me of what I need to do in my life. What I think about constantly, but don’t follow through with. That I need to just speak and not walk on eggshells. That I need to do more for myself and what makes me feel good.  

I want to thank, Rachael, a friend on Facebook. One of the very few friends that I have on Facebook, that I have never actually met in person. I adore your drive for life. For peace. For health. For education.  ♥

xo

Food Freak-Out

Feb11

This commercial freaks me out every time I see it. Scares me really.

When I was at the grocery store today getting some tortilla chips and cereal for my Boys, along with a few other items, I look around freaked out. I bought the  few things I needed, then I only bought Bananas, Grapes and Cuties in the produce area. I didn’t even see a reason to get anything else. I told myself that I would just hit the fruit stand today later on.

What it all comes down to, is that things have really changed since I was a kid. Yeah, the soda and snacks are still around, but the ingredients have changed. It scares me. I also scares me how much more of it all there is. I don’t want to give my children something that I would regret for their health later. Yes, I said regret. I say that, because I don’t believe in regrets for myself, but for my children it would kill me if I wasn’t feeding them healthy enough today and it affected their health later.

It is up to me to teach them right from wrong. Healthy, and non healthy. I most comfortable with beef, chicken and seafood. Along with fresh vegetables and fruit. Rice on occasion. Pasta on occasion too. It’s hard to care for others.

Don’t get me wrong, I still bake with sugar, butter and flower.  I would way rather bake for my children than to buy them junk from the store.  It’s not every day though.  I’m hoping that I can teach them some balance.

I saw this video again today after Super Bowl, because I was in my Weight Watchers account. Logging my 3.7 ounces chicken breast that I just ate for lunch. I clicked on the link and it just struck me.  Hard.  Sometimes I feel like what they eat is so out of my hands, it freaks me out.  Sigh, I just worry about their healthy future.

Just thought I would share my thoughts. 🙂

xo

Chia Seeds For My First Time

Oct18

Today I added a scoop of Chia Seeds into my water bottle as I was heading to for my days worth of Pop Warner Football Games.

I’ve read a lot about them.  Have friends and family that use them in there daily diet and food preparation.  Wy not me? They are supposed to have over a dozen different health benefits.  Such as, helping with dehydration, boosting energy, stabilizing blood sugar, aiding digestion, and lowering cholesterol. These are just a few that I have read about.

I’m hoping that if I use them regularly that I will see some changes.  If you know of any that I need to be aware of, please post them in the comments area.  Thanks!  🙂

xo

Round 3 – Day 11

Jun16

As I prepare myself for the weekend I am trying to be careful what to pack for myself and family to go camping.  I went back and forth a few times with my friend H and she helped me a bit.  I have a list in my head and I am going to try to give myself some limits.  Snack more with fruit and veggies to stay full, I’m not brining any tortillas, eggs for breakfast, White Chicken Chili for dinner tomorrow night, chicken for Saturday… fruit and veggies, cheese and crackers, chips and fresh salsa for my Boys.  Safe snacks, so if I snatch one here, or there it’s all good.  Light Beer and Wine.  Not bringing stuff for cosmos.  Water, water, water, water.

I was 176.6 this morning.  I have been snacking off and on today, but it was on Wasabi Almonds, Rose Sangria, fruit, carrots, humus, two small pieces of baguette, a few slices of salami and 3 slices of cheese.  That was basically what I had for lunch too.  I’m stuffed.  Easy-peasy grilled cheese sandwiches for my family tonight with Country Sourdough from this last Saturdays Bountiful Baskets.  It is super yummy.  I just cut mine really, really thin and put a slice of pepper jack cheese… yummo!

See now, I am totally full and have hardly eaten anything… well, not much of a meal is what I mean.  This is the feeling that freaks me out.  It is a feeling of having extra weight gain on me tomorrow.  One of the reasons it is hard for me to get my mind around eating every 2 or 3 hours, it is weird to feel like I over ate throughout the day, when I haven’t.  I am hoping that the scale will be down tomorrow to prove me wrong.  🙂

xo

Round 3 – Day 5

Jun10
Glass of iced tea

Image via Wikipedia

As I sit here waiting for Safeway to deliver my groceries I am anxious to get over to a friend’s house to hang out with the girls.  I didn’t think that I was going to be able to go, because I watch two Babies during the week and also have my 4 Boys.  Well, the Babies are home sick with their parents and I would love to hang out.  Obviously, I am feeling really good today.

One of the reasons I am feeling so good is that I am watching my weight go down and for some reason this time around it is making me really excited.  The scale read 176.0 today.  I love that!  What is even cooler is that this new scale that I am using tells me how much until my goal…  41 pounds!  A few days ago it was 44 … PAUSE… GROCERIES ARE HERE…

… as I was saying… A few days ago it was 44 still to go.  I like thinking about how much I have left to go, I think that just might help me mentally.  41  pounds doesn’t seem so bad.  Just imagine, I am almost in the 30-something pounds to go.  How cool is that!!

Well, the weekend is here and as usual I am freaking out a bit.  Friday is our Family  Pizza Night and I am pretty sure that once my Husband gets home we are off to Grimaldi’s Pizzeria.  My plan is a small plate of salad, one slice of pizza & a glass of wine.  I don’t feel so bad, because all I have really had today is a huge cup of ice tea, a banana and a cup of quinoa and Spinach & Artichoke Humus.  Good stuff.  Let’s see how my scale likes that in the morning.  🙂

xo