26/ 52

"a portrait of my husband, each week, every week in 2013"

It's Sunday, and Sundays are such a bittersweet day for me.  I cling to every minute knowing that it will come to an end and Monday is waiting to sink it's claws into me.  Chores and appointments and errands loom over my head, but on Sunday they can wait.  Sundays are for being together, when we can be, and enjoying every moment it has to offer.  I live for Sundays.  I hope everyone is having a nice one too!

It happened. We were spontaneous

One of the things that I sometimes struggle with is the chance to do whatever we what whenever we want.  I feel guilty admitting that, but I'd be lying if I never thought about how much our schedules rule our lives.  Between David working so much, our schedules not lining up and, oh yeah an almost toddler we are  busy.  Not being bound by our schedule is something I'm slowly learning to let go of.  I have been so wrapped up in Quinnes naps and eating and everything else I forget how much fun we can have by letting go.  I'm never going to fully ditch a schedule, they do have their benefits too!  Yet, it won't kill me to have a little fun.  

On Wednesday spontaneity paid us a visit.  All morning we were dealing with car issues and dragging Quinne around.  No fun for anyone and it was the first day we've all been together in a long time.  And then it hit me.  Let's get out of here and go to the zoo!  Yes, we were going to be adventurous and it was all my idea.  I was so proud of myself for making a fast decision and not putting much thought into it.  For being carefree and spontaneous, two qualities I lack in a major way.  Once we were both on board I tried to talk David out of it( I'm such a freak), but he was set on seeing some gorillas and nothing was going to get in his way.  I'm so happy we made it happen.  Quinne had the best day and so did we.  I'm realizing that I can't control everything around me, and when I try to I usually end up ruining my own day from too high of expectations.

I'm so grateful for new days and new opportunities.  Remembering how much fun you can have at the drop of a hat was something I needed.  Something I didn't even know I was missing.  

all a girl needs: iced coffee and a map

this makes me laugh every time! 

feeding the giraffe was pretty cool.  And a little unnerving 

Q had her tongue out the whole time

my mini David

And that was our adventure!  

mid week carrots

My week of detoxing has been hijacked by a surprise dinner date with the hubby and an impromptu day at the zoo.  I'm not sad at all and would rather cheat with the ones I love then miss out!  I made dinner tonight to get us back on track with a simple turkey burger and carrots.  So good.  Here's the recipe:

Ginger Carrots ( a lot of ginger happens around here)

4 large carrots cut into skinny slices
2 tbs. olive oil
4 tsp. finely chopped fresh ginger
a few drops of sesame oil
1 teas soy sauce
1 tbs toasted black sesame seeds

Heat olive oil in a large pan over high heat.  Add ginger and cook, stirring for about one minute or until you can smell the ginger.  Add carrots, mixing ginger oil throughout the carrots.  Next add 1/4 cup water and turn the heat to medium high.  Cook until the carrots are tender, about 7 minutes and the water is evaporated.  Stir in sesame oil, soy sauce and sesame seeds.  Serve and enjoy!

In case you were wondering the turkey patties were dry.  So dry we had to add hummus just to get them down.  The day I don't over cook any sort of meat I will alert the news.  At least we ended the night with silly smiles and strawberries.  

Happy mid week everyone!

bloat be gone

It's safe to say that I have a very sensitive stomach.  Too sensitive for my liking, but it is what it is.  And after having Quinne it has only gotten worse.  I am a pretty good and healthy eater for the most part.  I can't eat dairy without having the worst stomach ache of all times and I've cut out gluten almost all together.  My sister has ciliac and my mom and I are both gluten intolerant so it's just the safe thing to do.

Lately I've been splurging more than usual and my body is mad.  I inhaled a slice of pizza the other night and instantly thought I was going to throw up.  Maybe it had to do with the fact that I ate it in about 30 seconds, but I think it was more.  I was on the floor of the bathroom taking deep breaths like I was sick from drinking too much or I was pregnant again!  Neither of the two were the case.  So it's easy to put myself on a detox week after the pizza fiasco and a bloated stomach that is not cute at all.  And it's really so sad because I love pizza so so much.  I just wish it liked me back.  

Over the week I'm going to share some of my favorite things that I eat and drink.  A lot of veggies and smoothies are on the menu.  For today I'm making ginger tea.  I love ginger, and it is so good for you.  It helps with digestion(yes!), blood circulation, strengthens immunity, and helps relieve stress.  It does more, those are just my favorites!

Ginger tea

I made a lot so I could use it for a few days.  You can serve it cold or hot, both are delicious.  Store up to three days in the fridge.  
per 4 cups of boiling water

4 teaspoons of finely grated ginger
4 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice
3 teaspoons of raw honey( more or less depending on your sweet tooth)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and let sit while water is boiling.  Pour boiling water into bowl and whisk all together.  The ginger pulp will float to the top and it you want to remove it use a fine mesh strainer.  Or you could leave it if you like that pulpy feel.  

Enjoy right away or not.  It's a perfect beverage from morning to night.  

very simple ingredients 

do yourself a favor and get a zester! 

whisk away

I don't mind a little pulp, but that's too much for me!

Yum.

25/ 52

"a portrait of my husband, each week, every week in 2013"

He told me a funny story the other night of when he was just out of high school, playing capture the flag with a bunch of his friends during the hot valley summers.  They would play down by the river, camouflaged, carrying BB guns.  He explained the strategic plans of hiding the flags and capturing them.  Of climbing trees and rolling around in the dirt trying desperately to avoid getting shot, escaping the 'out' part of the river bed at all cost.  It was so funny imagining him and all his friends I love so much doing just what boys love to do.  Be crazy, and get dirty.  And I realized how little I know of what boys do and love.  It's such a foreign world to me and if we ever were to have a boy I'll be in over my head.  I'm much more comfortable with manicures and making up dances to Spice Girls than guns and the dreaded car stuff.  But, I still love hearing about David and all the wild things he's done!  

BEACH!!

From the moment Q wakes up we hear three words over and over again. 
1. "beach!"
2. "Park!"
3. "MoMo"(aunt Monique)

And all day we say, "yes, we'll go to the beach, park, call MoMo today." or, "we already did all those, it's time to eat" and so on.  You get the picture.  We're so beyond lucky to call the beach our home, and we take advantage of it as often as our schedules and the weather allow.  David has been gone all week so this morning we headed to Avila for some fun and sunshine.  And I wore pants that are a chicer version of MC Hammer pants.  (At least I tell myself they are chic)

our lives lately..

>>popsicles are a huge hit around here<<

>>Mexican food done right<<

>>Sweet post-nap cuddles<<

>>trying new recipes, and having them come out good! <<

>> I love seeing all the events coming up!  Lots of dancing is in our future<<

>> Her happy place<<

>> Finally! A date!!<<

>>Juicing has become my new obsession<<

>> A happy baby and her MoMo<<

I hope everyone is enjoying their week!! 

Love, 

Noelle