Not Quite Vintage

crispy and salty

Have you seen the craze going around the health and fitness and foodie blogs lately? It is the potato chip craving crusher of kale chips - yes I said kale! I have to admit that I had never knowingly eaten kale until this week. It always looked a little too green and curly laying there in the grocery store and since I never had it growing up I had know idea how to cook it. Turns out is is pretty darn yummy, especially when it is baked up crispy with some olive oil and sea salt.

Honestly this was heavenly - crispy and salty at the same time. The texture made them addictive and they were really fun to eat - both by themselves or with a little organic ketchup (I never really tasted ketchup before until I bought an organic version and wow, real tomato taste).

This picture is from my second batch this week - this may be a new addiction. At least they are healthy, right? I used Smitten Kitchen's recipe as a guide - only thing I added was a little bit of garlic powder.

I am trying to eat more mindfully and as part of that I have made a goal to try at least one new food/ingredient each month. This month is kale. So far I have tried it as chips (twice in one week!) and tomorrow morning I plan on putting some in my green smoothie instead of my typical spinach. I am a little bit scared.

Not sure what I will try next - any ideas?

a new perspective

You know how you can hear (or read) something a million times and never have it sink in... but then you can hear is from a slightly different point of view and a light bulb suddenly goes off? There is just something about the presentation and context of a message that can make it even more meaningful and possibly life changing.

This happened to me recently while reading the book AntiCancer. I have read a long list of health, nutrition and diet books, newsletters, blogs (I may be a food blog junkie) etc in the past few years, but haven't been quite as affected by any other book. Honestly, this book was a life changing read for me. No worries, it wasn't life changing because I am sick (nope, pretty healthy overall I believe - but did you realize each and every one of us have cancer cells, they just may not be in the right environment to replicate?) but because it put a lot of the same advice I have read many times into a context that makes sense to me. A context that says "come on Colleen make some more positive changes in your life and you'll live a longer, happier and healthier life for it." Pretty darn good motivation.

Let me back up a bit. I did buy the book for a reason (well other than because my niece Nicole recommended it to me) - it seems like every single person I know has a person in their lives facing cancer. In my family there are a couple facing it. And while my Momma never fought it, she did fight the extremely unforgiving disease of Alzheimer's. I can't pin point what might have made that a reality in her life, but I can tell you what predisposed my Pop to lung cancer - yep, smoking and his not smoking for the past 20+ years and exercising almost every single day didn't keep it from happening. I want a different future for myself and feel it is necessary for me to learn as much as I can, take a good look at my lifestyle and make some changes. Yes, I know I can't guarantee that the changes will keep me healthy, but they will help me feel like I did my best. Knowing that can take away the what ifs. And to me, what ifs are the worst! (My mind just doesn't know how to quiet down... especially when it is time to go to sleep.)

I will be sure to share some of the changes and choices I am making along the way - you may start seeing more healthy cooking, exercise and green product posts. I hope that is okay with you :)

And as you can probably tell, I highly recommend this book (there is also a website). It is written by a doctor who fought brain cancer twice - his voice is clear and relate-able. The book provides a lot of technical information in a not too technical manner and offers up a holistic approach to staying healthy. Pretty darn good book for anyone and even better for someone who might be facing cancer right now - I know from family experience that many doctors don't supplement typical treatment protocols with a whole body approach to wellness. And just because it is about cancer doesn't mean it is a depressing book - it was quite the opposite for me, it was empowering.

Do you have any favorite health and/or fitness books I should put on my reading list?

time flies...

Wow, it has already been a week since I last posted. I had the best of intentions, I even put “blog at least 2 times” on this weeks to do list. Honestly there just hasn’t been much to blog about.

Over the past two weeks, I have been trying to figure out what is going on with my stomach. It has been really unhappy lately and I have tried a bunch of things – eliminated foods, eaten simply, added probiotics etc. I haven’t been able to find a common thread. As a result, I haven’t felt all that creative and have been pretty darn lazy. The past couple days have been better (knock on wood) so things are looking up, but one things for sure ginger tea and a hot water bottle have become my two best friends.

I am loving the Yogi tea. The tag on each tea bag has an inspirational quote – today’s quotes include “oneness is achieved by recognizing your self” and “your infinity in you is the reality in you.”

Yesterday I was able to take off a half day from work and attend the “businessman’s special” Cardinals game at the Busch Stadium. It was a positively gorgeous day (80, sunny and breezy). A perfect day to sit in the bleachers with good friends, be entertained by a beer-buying group of strangers and just relax. Too bad we couldn’t bring home a winner.

When I got home, I took a few minutes to fit in a little bit of creativity. I pulled out some summer-themed papers I bought from the dollar spot at Target a few weeks back with everything was half off. I have a few notes I need to send out this weekend, so I threw together a few simple cards. I was too lazy to go to the other room to get my good camera so please forgive me for the fuzzy iPhone pictures or to find a better back drop than the wood floor.

Afterwords, I relaxed in bed and watched Project Runway with my trusty hot water bottle and went to sleep early. It was a pretty good day.

Have a great Holiday weekend!

my first green monster

Over the past few months, I have really become reenergized when it comes to health and fitness. I have been revamping my diet, adding in more exercise and general daily activity. I have to say that I am really feeling better.

I think I say that every time I get into the groove health and fitness wise, but something happens and I fall of the wagon. I really don’t want to fall of the wagon this time, so I am focusing on taking things step by step. No crazy dieting or restrictions - just the intention of eating a balanced diet that keeps my metabolism fueled, exercising to keep energized and taking every opportunity to move forward in my life.

One thing that keeps me on track, helps me learn new things and inspires me every single day is reading health and fitness blogs. Just like crafty blogs, health and fitness blogs are inspirational and insightful – both add to my to do list and make me feel part of a bigger, like-minded group.

Here are a few blogs I find interesting. You may or may not - I find that a lot of finding blogs you like is in the tone of voice, the picture taking or even the design of the blog. A lot is very subjective, but for some reason, the blogs below draw me in – probably mostly because of their journeys.

For a long while now, these blogs have been daily reads:

Roni’s Weigh
Green Lite Bites
Kath Eats Real Food  

More recently, I have found these:

Eat Live Run
Oh She Glows
Catapult Fitness

I think most of these came from guest posts on Kath Eats Real Food or from links on other blogs.

One of the things the new blogs have introduced me to is a smoothie called the Green Monster.  A green monster is a smoothie with fruit and some sort of green, like spinach. Honestly I was a bit nervous to try one, but after reading how amazing people thought they tasted, how great they made them feel, not to mention how glowy it made their skin, I had to.

I picked up the ingredients for a basic green monster at the grocery on Friday – spinach, unsweetened vanilla almond milk and berries (I already had a nice stash of bananas in my freezer). Many people add other things like flax or protein powder, but this was my first attempt, so I decided to keep it very simple. Out came the blender on Sunday morning and in went the ingredients. My green monster didn’t turn out as green as I have seen, probably because I used a few berries and a whole banana, and it wasn’t quite as smooth as I expected (blame my blender), but it was SOOOO yummy (much, much yummier than it looks).

I made another for breakfast this morning and am planning the ingredients for my next variation! I dare you to try one  : )

Next up on my health and fitness journey is this. More on that later – I plan to start on next Monday.

a spring walk

There have been a few times over the past month when I have thought Spring might have actually made its way to St. Louis and there have been other times when it still felt like Winter. We have had snow, rain and temps in the 70s over the past month. When you wake up, you never really know what the weather will be like and you just can't trust the weather guy/gal.

So yesterday when the temp got into the 60s, the sky was blue and the wind wasn't gusting I decided to take advantage and head out to the park for a walk before crochet class. My favorite neighborhood park is right across the street from class, so it was a perfect opportunity.

Francis Park is a great place for walking. It is square and one time around is just over 1 mile so it is really easy to gage how much exercise you actually got. Plus, there is much to look at: a pretty church or school on every corner, large houses, five year old giddy girls learning to play softball, boot-campers getting weighed and measured, puppies - lots of puppies and more. It really helps keep you entertained while you walk.

Typically my niece Shannon and I walk the park together and catch up while we walk. It is always nice to have a fitness buddy, but I have to say I am enjoying solitary walks too. I just turn up the tunes on my iPhone and set out, breathing deeply, walking fast and enjoying the scenery. I think I am going to make this a habit before crochet class.

How is Spring going for you so far?

And sorta on another subject - do any of you use a heart-rate monitor while exercising? Any recommendations? Pros/Cons? I am considering investing in one.

my spot at the kitchen table

As inspired by Kath Eats Real Food, I decided to clean all the clutter off my kitchen table (yes, again) and set a nice place setting. I thought it was about time that I sit down, relax and enjoy my meals.

This is actually really hard. I am used to sitting on the sofa and watching TV while I eat. I even grew up in a house that had a TV prominently displayed, and always on, on the top of the refrigerator. No wonder I always need "company" while working around the house, studying, sewing... and by company I mean TV noise.

I know, not such a good thing... but I am really going to give eating at my table a good try. It will help me be more mindful of what I am eating and pay attention to when I am full.

But, I have to be honest... I still flipped casually through a magazine for a little bit of dinner. But at least it was health and fitness oriented, right?

The entree last evening was Agean Bean Stew with Winter Squash and Quinoa from the New York times. It was quite yummy. It was easy to make, just took a good amount of time with all the soaking, simmering, cooling, simmering and all. Wish I had some crusty bread to enjoy it with... but TJ's multi-grain thins were a pretty good substitute. Next time I think I may break out the laughing cow.

Seriously, this was my second stab at this post... I tried first from my iPhone and got a phone call in the middle and poof, no more post. Ugh. And of course, I think the first post was much better. Oh well.

this week, I will...

• Turn this crafty idea into a finished product. I promise, I will actually craft. Wow. It is about time.

• Complete my 9 ways to pain ab workout every day. I have been easy on myself for the last week or so. I need to get back to it.

• Start reading Go Put Your Strengths To Work by Marcus Buckingham. I received it as a gift a while back but haven't started yet. I keep seeing the author’s books referred to on a few of my favorite sites including Carrie and Danielle and Unclutter. When things keep popping up like that for me, it tends to mean that I need to focus in on it, so here I go.

• Pack a craft on the go kit for next week. My Pop is having back surgery (outpatient for stenosis) next Monday  and I will be spending a bunch of time waiting at the hospital and will stay with him for the majority of the week. I am thinking knitting.

• Allow myself to watch my favorite TV show premiers without interruption. It may be hard not to multi-task, but I am going to just try to enjoy Heroes, Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy. Update: I couldn't help but change the laundry and flip through a magazine while watching Heroes most excellent season premiere last night. I will try to do better on Thursday, but it is hard to sit still for 3 hours!

• Finally get rid of this darn cold. The cough is lingering and after a week I am ready to be done with it.

What do you have planned for the week?

knit dishcloth number 1,628

... no just kidding, but it feels that way. I knit up so many of these dishcloths - they are so easy to make and I hardly have to think, but I get the relaxation and rhythm that knitting helps create. I know I will keep knitting the and I will always be on the lookout for other variations of variegated cotton yarn (even though I have a huge stash from when they were last on sale). I guess this may make the list of my craft obsessions along with stashing fabric, collecting Sharpies and bookmarking tutorials. Do you think most crafters are a bit obsessive compulsive? In a good way, of course!!

Oh and on a completely different subject, in preparation for a weekend trip to Chicago with Miss Dawn, I was trying on a bunch of old clothes last night... and my old jeans fit! They aren't loose or baggy, but they are definitely wearable. I couldn't believe it. It isn't like they are a way smaller size, but they are a different style and have pretty much no stretch. I am happy and feel like I am making progress. The progress is what makes me keep going. It has been hard lately to get motivated to exercise and I have had a few splurge meals, but overall I am making some positive changes that I am pretty content with

new ingredient two: quinoa

It is official, I LOVE cilantro. I know I have  always liked it, but now I know I love it. I should just collect recipes with cilantro as an ingredient. I don’t think I have met one I didn’t like. Okay, I just got a little off track with the cilantro love...  But, I have a reason. Last night, I tried a new recipe. I whipped up a batch of Black Bean and Tomato Quinoa... And yes, cilantro is an important ingredient, hence my rant :)

Overall, it was an easy recipe. Cooking the quinoa was a bit involved, but simple. With all the boiling, rinsing, steaming and resting, the dish took a little longer to make than I was expecting, so I ate later than normal. It actually worked out for the better because my volleyball game  was at 9 p.m. The dish was definitely good fuel for three long games (yay, we won!).

You can taste all the ingredients – the nice fresh and crisp flavors of lime, scallions, cilantro and tomatoes. And the “creamy-while-crunchy” texture (as described in Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks – she is right, I couldn’t figure out how to describe it on my own) of the quinoa is fun to eat. I know I will be trying more quinoa recipes. It is nice to have some additional grains in my ingredient arsenal (bulgar too), so I don’t always have to rely on brown rice as a staple.

I am really enjoying this one new recipe/ingredient a week goal I set as part of my 5 in 5 Challenge. I forgot how therapeutic quiet time in the kitchen can be. I am both energized and relaxed afterwards. I know, odd combination. Maybe it is closer to physically energized and mentally relaxed? Either way, I plan to keep this up.

new favorite ingredient: bulgar

Have you cooked with bulgar yet? I really hadn't until a couple months ago when I came across a bulgar and cranberry salad recipe on delicious days. I didn't even know exactly where to find it in the grocery store. I searched and searched and was unable to find it in bulk isle and ended up buying a boxed tabbouleh mix and just didn't use the mix. (Full disclosure here, my grocery was being remodeled and the next time I visited, it was right where it should be in the bulk foods isle.) The recipe turned out really well and was yummy both warm and cold.

So, when I came across another bulgar recipe on the Eat Better America site for bulgar with mushrooms and blue cheese, I had to give it a try. Yummy.

On Thursday night, I was looking for something semi healthy to make for dinner. Three main criteria: I needed to have the ingredients on hand, it needed to fit my challenge nutrition goals and it needed to make enough for left overs to take to lunch on Friday. The bulgar with mushrooms and blue cheese recipe met all the criteria, I decided to make it again.

And it was just as yummy as the first time. I did make a couple adjustments to the recipe:

• It totally needs to be seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
• One tablespoon blue cheese is just not enough
• and, I only add apple right before I serve so it doesn't brown (for my lunch today, I just brought half an apple and will cut it up and mix it in right before I eat)

I am glad I added bulgar to my panty. Next up is this tabbouleh recipe from 101 Cookbooks. Maybe after that I will try another grain... maybe quinoa.

Goodness, I really need to work on my food photography!