Great Healthy Dinner Ideas

Need a dinner idea that feeds a lot but doesn't require much prep?  And it should be healthy?  You've come to the right place.

At home, my husband and I are vegan.  I am also gluten free when we don't order out pizza.  (which also means we're not vegan when we order out pizza).  So how to do mend that technicality?  We have agreed to be vegetarian when we are out (fish, cheese, and eggs), but at home we're really good about being vegan.  This is going on year two!

So, sometimes, we are in a pinch to eat something that's not stale or redundant.  If we don't keep it interesting, the same flavors repeatedly can become very boring.  And after a weekend of vegetarian eating at a family's thanksgiving weekend affair, we really wanted to eat clean today!

So here was our list for today:

Fruit in the AM

Kale chips - baked in the oven for 30-40 min drizzled in olive oil with garlic and salt
Dolmas (from trader joes - they're g-free and vegan)

Cauliflower baked (tried to make the buffalo cauliflower recipe I've seen, by it was an utter failure!)

Almond butter spoonful

And then we got to dinner.  My husband and I, after eating clean finally all day, were definitely hungry by dinner time, so I wanted to ensure we had enough food in case my husband could eat dinner and his left arm.  So I made:

Sauteed whole onion and 2 bags of broccoli (get them from trader joes or whole foods in a pre-cut bag)
Baked Potato (4 large)

SO YUMMY!!!! lots of seasoning and some Earth Balance butter to finish off the potato!  Highly recommend it. Plus it could make a good "take to work lunch" meal!

Gift for Spanish Teachers!

Have a Spanish teacher on your list of teachers to buy for this holiday season?!  Here's a GREAT idea to give them a gift that they will love.  How do I know?  Because as a former Spanish teacher I used it regularly!!

http://www.amazon.com/Quotes-Spanish-Grammar-Stephanie-Caprini/dp/0615859909/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1417040020&sr=8-3&keywords=stephanie+caprini is by Grammar Topic

http://www.amazon.com/Quotes-Spanish-Theme-Stephanie-Caprini/dp/0615859933/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1417040020&sr=8-4&keywords=stephanie+caprini is by Theme

Show your teachers they have helped you and give back to them what will help them.  They will remember how special it was.

Summarizing Movies

So recently I was having a discussion with a co-worker about movies, specifically, The Hunger Games, and he was convinced it's a critique of America after the 2007 recession.  We took that thought further and decided that it was also a marriage of 2007 and the Vietnam draft, being forced to send boys (albeit not actual children less than 18 years of age) to fight.  It was an interesting concept, to look at the bones of the movie and the social critique it may represent.

We also took that idea to Harry Potter, and it quickly went to an ID and EGO / Freudian take on relationships and marriage.  Nonetheless, it's a fun way to theorize about movies and could even be a great exercise for teaching students about thesis writing and finding proof to back up an opinion.

..just a thought ;)

Now on to seeing the newest Hunger Games!!  Can't wait to see how our Vietnam War / Recession America theory turns out!

A New Standard

I was talking with a few friends this weekend about models.  You see, I'm obsessed with Project Runway.  However, having been a former eating disorder sufferer, I have this abhorrence for the models...

That's a loaded statement I know.  And here's the thing: I get it!  I get that you want a skinny model so that the clothes stand out and the perfection of the vision is shown.  But that's also where I have a problem.  NO ONE LOOKS LIKE THAT!  And the eating disorder in me taunts and mocks and screams at me to work on looking like those girls.  that's where the clothes "look best" so that's, therefore, how I should look.

WRONG!  Clothes should look good ON ME or I should keep looking until I find something that does - not force myself into unhealthy habits just to fit an industry desired norm.  That's what I challenge.  I had this vision a few years ago that if I were to be a designer, my models would be a minimum size 4 and up to a size 8, because THAT's what people want to see.  They want to see clothes that reflect the curves of a healthy woman.  And those are standards that give hope and real reflection, not self-deprecating enhanced self-hatred.

The fashion industry would tell me I'm crazy and that if I want to see a "plus size model" I should look to plus sized fashion.  But why is it one or the other?  Why is it size 0-2 or size 12-14-16?  Why can't it be size 6 is a new norm and everyone can work to feel better about clothes and themselves upon seeing the clothes reflected in magazines?  How terrible of us as a society to say "well, if you're not the size 2 then you better start reflecting yourself in the plus sized people."  Shame on you, fashion industry.  That's not how women's bodies exist. 

And is it the fashion industry's responsibility to promote good self-images?  There are those who would say "No, far from it.  That's on you," but I challenge that and say "Yes, yes it is."  It's not SOLELY their responsibility, but it's wrong to think it should play no part.

So here's to the real-woman, who knows how to be healthy and loves herself for it.  You are beautiful.

A Few Good Reads

Maybe you've heard the adages that go something like "A lifelong learner" or "be a student of learning", or something to that affect.  Maybe you didn't pay them much heed at the onset, but they have powerful messages of i you think about it more closely.  It's been said that nothing is ever stagnant, that there is never a time when something isn't moving.  If that's true, then you're never "just existing".  It's more like, because you're in constant motion, you're either always improving, or you're declining.  Which do you want to be?

So how to you work to regularly improve?  Regularly read. 

And I don't just mean the NY Times best-sellers.  I mean books that help you grow and develop as a person.

Here are my current top 3:

Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - by John C Maxwell
How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie

If you can't get them all at once, any of them is a good start.  I'm excited for your growth and forward movement in life! 

Bank Account Gratefulness

I remember once hearing a story about a genie who granted wishes.  One person asked for a million dollars, and "poof", he was rich.  Quickly, though he spent all his money on extravagant things and wound up broke. So the next man asked for 10 million dollars and "poof" he was also rich, and while he had more money than the first man, he spent it rapidly.  Therefore, the third man said to the genie "I always want to have enough in my pocket to pay for whatever it is I need or want" and "poof" he had his wish.  From then on, the third man always had exactly enough money in his pockets for whatever it was he wanted.

When I was younger I didn't understand the story.  I thought "Sure, it's great to always have enough, but why wouldn't you want the big amount and then just not be stupid about it?"  And yet, the story stuck with me.  After my mom died and I was basically 22 and learning to fend for myself, working at any given point 2-4 jobs, I always felt like I was grappling.  Gasping.  Barely breathing at times.  I stuck to my saving budget: 10% to long term savings (ROTH IRA, etc), 20% to long-term bills (health insurance deductibles, car fixes, insurance, etc) and the rest to my bank account for what I actually needed that month.

And there were times I wondered how I'd do it.  I didn't carry credit cards until about 2 years ago, having had the blessing of mom's life insurance paying down what was racked up while she was sick and in and out of hospitals, so I had an innate and true fear of them.  I felt like if it didn't directly come out of my debit account or wasn't there the minute I needed whatever it was I was going to buy, then I wasn't supposed to have it / didn't really need it.  Luckily, that worked well to keep me in check.

And there was a time I had $5.36 in my debit account that needed to stretch 4 days.  I remember not driving AT ALL if I didn't absolutely have to.  And I think I must have scrounged whatever food was in the pantry and at work that week, but somehow I made it.  At the end of that week, I remember reflecting back on that story.  I didn't have much, but it was exactly what I needed.

I wouldn't say I'm rolling in dough now.  I don't think anyone ever feels completely "secure" unless they have passive income in the six and seven digits coming in on a regular basis, but I may be wrong there too.  All I know is I'm not 29, and seven years have passed since I was more or less completely on my own.  Since then I have paid off a car, paid down some student loans, bought a house, helped pay for a wedding, gone to Europe twice (living there for 4 months at one point), started a business, and enjoyed numerous little life perks in the between times.  And although I've never had a surplus of "EXTRA" - I'm not the man who wished for 10 million dollars to find it "poof" at my feet - I've always found I'm the third man: the one who always had just enough.  (long term savings aside). 

But you know what?  While surplus brings with it the sense of comfort and is important for planning retirement and "what if" scenarios, the reality is if you need $150 in groceries and you have $151 or $500 in the bank account, you can afford the groceries and eat for the week.  Having enough is sometimes all you need. 

So take a moment to be grateful for all the times you maybe didn't feel rich but had enough to take care of what you needed.  Smile, and send out a big thank you to the universe or God, because that, awesome readers, is the best gift of all.

Ein Turns One!

Happy update from Ein!!! We are almost 1, about 11/12 inches off the ground, about 33-35 inches long (I kept moving so mom couldn't measure) and 27.8 lbs.

I love looking out the front door and moving the curtain so I can see, or running out the door when dad forgets to tell me to "stay" or I'd rather pretend I don't hear him (but then I get in trouble so I usually listen).  I talk all the time, and am an awesome guard dog (sometimes mom and dad don't realize how dangerous wind can be! So I let them know).  I love talking to the neighborhood dogs, even if they aren't as awesomely social as I am.   If I could just talk all the time I would.  I want one of those collars like the dog is "UP" has! 

Fetch is my favorite, but so is snuggling when I'm tired. I have a fave toy (the dead blue lion in the pic) and he's always wet with slobber and in my mouth when I'm not in the crate or sleeping.  I don't like when mom washes him because then all the awesome smells are gone, so I have to go right back to work.

Rolling is also super fun. I roll on the cement patio and rugs and carpets, and it's awesome.  I have mom and dad pretty well trained but I'm really good at listening and can do sit, down, stay, over, up, speak, and when I feel like it, quiet.  I don't understand their obsession with Paw/shake, so I'm holding out as long as possible.

I have a buddy, Charlie- my cousin the mini schnauzer. I love him but then get really sad when they leave. He's my size which is so fun and he loves to play!

That's all! Yay for birthdays!!!

Build an Oasis

Sometimes offices are fun.  Sometimes offices are sterile.  In which do you work?

I've always found when offices host their employees in cubicles, it tends to feel impersonal and distant.  Even grating (on your sanity that is).  People thrived for thousands of years in nature, and the work cubicle seems to defy all of those things that we evolved to appreciate.  So it's no wonder that many people often feel drained, stale, and agitated from sitting in a cubicle all day.


Well, it's time to fix that.  After all, many people rely on their jobs for their livelihood, so the question becomes, can I deal with my cubicle?   Or, if not, how to I modify it to bring me more joy and peace?

(Please note, there are some offices that do not allow modifications to their cubicles.  You should understand your office's policy before proceeding)

Here are some tips:
1)  Make it comfortable.  Add things like a heating pad or back / lumbar support to your pillow.  Buy a workout ball and store it under your desk to alternate with your chair to change up your posture and even invite a little office based exercise in.  Buy a footstool or footrest of sorts to help elevate your feet to a level that is comfortable, or to, again, change up the posture of your 8 hours.  I've even had a coworker stow work-appropriate slippers/moccasins and tennis balls at her desk to massage her feet and even double as a back roller.

2)  Don't forget your wrists.  If you can't request a laptop that is ergonomically designed for constant typing, (and/or a mouse for that matter) invest in a wrist/forearm rest.  It'll help alleviate some of the constant stress from resting your wrists on the desk while typing and navigating.  You can also elevate or tilt the keyboard to make it more suitable for your hands.

3)  Bring in the outdoors.  Maybe it's a bud vase for a new flower or set of flowers every week, maybe it's a fluorescent light ok plant like lucky bamboo, or maybe it's just a picture of the ocean, beach, mountains, river, waterfall, etc.  Either way, make sure it's not sitting somewhere cramped or hiding behind anything else.  The less stifled or hidden it is, the more it will have a positive effect on you.

4)  Go for feng shui.  Not sure what that is? This is a super quick overview or this one is more detailed.  There are also certain colors and themes associated with different areas of the bagua map to help bring the best energy into the space.  Keep photos and colors in their rightful place to help circulate the energy in your (probably) 5x5 space.

5) Make it personal.  This should feel like a reflection of you.  If you love animals, then find some animal print stickers or post-its, some neutral colors, or your favorite animal picture to keep around.  If you're a sports person, sport themed pens and pencils or a calendar with your favorite team will welcome you to work every day and start you off with a great smile.

Remember, you spend 8-10 hours here every day.  This should be as much of a sanctuary for you as your favorite place in your house.  If it's not, work on it pronto.  Don't wait.  Happy and positive people tend to get more done!

Have a few great ideas from how you've decorated your workspace?  Share them with us!

Bathroom Renos

So we are in the middle of thinking about redoing our bathroom.  We had a few quotes, and none of them had us smiling. In fact, we just felt like we kept seeing more red.  our first quote was 9,000, and the last quote came in at 13K, and that was before we look at the actual fixtures and tiles we still need to buy.  We were extremely deflated.  Our dreams of redoing it for 5K were slashed like a fresh baguette being prepped for a sandwich. 

So we are starting over and rethinking.  Do we really need inlets in the shower?  Or would shelves suffice?  Do we need the built in shelving in the wall, or would do-it-yourself IKEA type shelves work?  Could we live with the shower tile?  Maybe just new floor tile and some great paint instead? 

Then we decided to price it all out.  Instead of looking at the quote and then having to add on fixtures, we are going to find the fixtures first, "purchase" if only by saving enough to have already "paid" for them come the time we want to redo everything, and the go from there.  This includes pricing out tile we want from stores like Century Tile, HOBO, Tile Outlet; bathroom fixtures from Kohler, Ikea, The Bathroom Outlet, etc; shelving from IKEA, Bed Bath & Beyond, and paint colors from Sherwin Williams.  Once all that is done and priced out, then we can look at redoing the bathroom with the things we actually need, versus those we have on our big wishlist. 

That's not to say that our absolute perfect bathroom wouldn't pull out all the bells and whistles, but without an inside man to give us "cost" pricing, as opposed to profit pricing, we may have to pull back on the extras and just stick with the basics.  Everyone knows the kitchen and the bath sell a house, so as long as it's gorgeous and beautiful, it may not need to be our perfect to still work.

What bathroom ideas have you rethought and how have they worked out?

Who's Going to Save You?

I either read somewhere, or I had someone say it to me, but here's how the saying goes:
"If you are waiting for someone to save you, you are living in a victim mentality"

Do you live with this mentality?  And before you blaspheme the idea, take a minute and really do an inventory check on yourself.  It may seem weird, or it may be difficult because you do fall into this category.  The reality, though, I believe, is that everyone falls into this category at least once at some point in their life.  Now, of course there are those who stay in this mindset, but there are those who can break free of it.

But first, here are a few examples of what that mindset sounds like:
"Oh, it won't matter because my parents will help me pay the credit card off/come up with the downpayment/etc"
"My husband will pay off my loans for me"
"My inheritance will be great enough, I'll pay off my mortgage/loans/debt then"

The thing you need to start to consider, is how often do you default to that kind of thinking, and how often do you default to "What am I going to do to fix this?," because the latter shows courage and strength, and the former indicates you still believe you are the victim.  So, I challenge you: what are the items you have been leaving for someone else to help you "fix", and how can you change that around?  Taking control means empowering yourself, and by doing so, bringing more greatness into your life.  It's always easier to believe someone else should do it - in the short term - but greater happiness always comes in doing it yourself.

For the Love of Maya

With the passing of Maya Angelou, we realize the reasons we so loved her is because she not only brought us happiness and messages of fulfillment, but that we loved the fact that she made a living helping people and bringing them joy.  And we all wish that for ourselves.

The question is, having you taken mental inventory for yourselves yet?  Have to taken a check on how you're doing in fulfilling those needs within yourself?  Maybe you're someone who doesn't feel fulfilled by the above, but then you in a small percentage of people who aren't driven by helping others.  That's perfectly fine, but if you've just convinced yourself that you do not need to bring job and help to people to feel fulfilled, stop.  It's emotional equity, and that's just as important as the tangible equity your paycheck can help bring you.

So if you're wondering how to find that fulfillment, help yourself by running through a few quick questions:

What are you good at?

What do you do that brings you joy?

When are you happiest?

What do you do to help people that doesn't feel like work?

And lastly, if it paid you, how would you bring more joy to people?

Start there.  I mean, who knew that we would fawn over cards and quotes and books filled with poems and look forward to when the new ones arrived?  So who's to say what you do can't have the same impact?  Happy Thursday, and here's to your happiness!

The Grandpuppy

It's a new wave hitting Millenial's parents, or rather Baby Boomers:  The Grandpuppy.

Many Millenials are forgoing children in their twenties, and some even completely, and opting instead for a fluffy baby.  Their new either purchased from a breeder or adopted baby becomes the talk of the family, the pride and joy of the "grandparents".  Baby photos are often swapped for portraits of parents and puppy, puppy dressed in holiday gear, and even some appearing in engagement and wedding photos. 

The grandparents are equally enthused.  One woman became overtly giddy upon describing her pride about becoming a "grandparent," noting the new addition would get along greatly with her husband and her current dog.  "Would my dog be the aunt?" she asked me.  And it posed a rather interesting conundrum.  What is that relationship?  Or is it negligible at best?

And then, of course, as grandparents do, the new grandpuppy must be overly spoiled!  Think new toys, top-of-the-line crates, multiple dog treat options for when the puppy comes to visit, and, of course, some even compete for "nannying" rights when the parents are away on business or vacation!  Others simply rejoice for the times the spend together, but don't necessarily berate the parents for visiting times and playdates.

But these new parents certainly spare no expenses for their fluffy babies!  Dog sitting services are the newest craze, catering to everything from simple daily walks to overnights, potty and crate training, and even extended-stay care, one company will keep the dog for up to a month!  If Millenials are pushing back starting a family, these trial run periods with their four-legged alternates are certainly providing great insight to later baby-dom, even though they are not perfect mirrors, I'm sure.

Either way, we are seeing more changes in the family "unit".  And the Millenials and Baby Boomers are, again, leading the way.

Wine Glasses

Not all wine glasses are created equal.  We have the most amazing family; they donate their wares when they upgrade, saving us from having to fork over the cost of everything all at once. 

So, that said, we had the most eclectic collection of wonderful wine glasses in our home.  Most of them were the small kind too - think old Italian restaurant.  And we loved them: they were always full at home.  Well, more like, 4 oz of wine literally filled them!  We always felt super blessed to enjoy the most wine at all times!

Then my father-in-law came to visit.  We poured wine, had a good time, and then at the end of the bottle he and my mother-in-law laughed kind-heartedly and said, "I lived through the sixties.  Time you got some 21st century wine glasses."  Well, more to our amazing family wares: new Lenox wine glasses!  It's amazing what appreciation can do for you!  Now, we can just fit more wine in the glass :-)

Get Healthy, Stay Healthy

I recently listened to a few audio recordings from health professionals: JJ Virgin of The Virgin Diet and Brendon Brazier, founder of Vega.  They are extremely interesting, yet they have some very contrasting views in dieting.  Here's what I mean:

JJV:  Will Power is a myth.  If it were real, we as humans wouldn't have made it this far
BB:  Being and staying healthy and well nourished will help promote more and stronger will power

JJV:  Sleep is by far the most important thing you could do, if I had to pick one
BB:  If you feed yourself better, you'll have more energy which means you won't need as much sleep so you can have more time to get things done

JJV:  I believe that we are more like chemistry labs than simple math equations.  It's more than simply calories in, calories out, and more of the quality of the food you put in.
BB:  I love liquifying my meals.  You get more nutrition and it takes less energy to absorb.

So whom do you follow?  Who do you choose to listen to?  Can be tricky right?

Well, they do agree on some things, which is very welcoming!

#1)  Not everyone's the same.  Don't expect the exact same eating patterns of person A to work for person B

#2)  The better the quality of the food, the more nourished you will be.  Get rid of toxic foods like gluten, dairy, and sugars. 

#3)  It's never about dieting.  It's about truly changing the way you eat and the mentality around food. 

#4)  Listen to your body. 

So, what have you found that works for you?  Share with us!  Meanwhile, I'm going to take JJ's advice and get some shut eye!  One of the best ways for me to get over a cold!!

Semi-Warm Activities

You wake up in the morning, realize it's sunny and above 40, and think "WOW!  It's finally nice!" and walk outside.  Still, it's not warm enough to just "be" outside, so you find yourself stuck in a funky middle place.  I want to be outside, but I don't want to freeze.  What can I do and still enjoy the wonderful hints of spring?  Here are some ideas to keep you outside, even if it's just for a bit:

Have a cup of coffee on your porch.  The warmth will alleviate the cool breeze.

Have a glass of wine with gloves on.  It'll keep your hands warm, but you'll enjoy the flavors of the wine more!

Take the dog or just go for a walk for an extra few blocks:  The added walking, especially if you can walk at a decent speed, will warm you and keep the coolness at bay.

Work in the garden: you'll work up a bit of a sweat in the process!  Great exercise. 

Park further away when you run errands.  You'll not only get some extra exercise in, but you'll also enjoy a few more moments of the outdoors!

Let me know how they worked out!