It’s all Simply Work in Progress

Yesterday, still (and forever) inspired by Dolores and Ted’s garden and kitchen, I threw together a stir-fry using red cabbage as the main ingredient.  In a little bit of oil in the wok and some fresh garlic for flavor, I added sliced sweet onion, bell pepper and carrots, about half of a red cabbage.  Once the cabbage looked wilted and soft, I added just a drop of fresh grated ginger and soy sauce.  I also made a dish of some deconstructed guacamole (chopped avocado, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro and lime juice and salt).  With some homemade hummus leftover from the day before, I brought it all out to the table, with some La Tortilla Factory small wraps,  just in time for 1pm Dolphin vs. Steelers kick-off.  Mitch added some turkey breast to the mix and not only was lunch delicious but in the first 7 seconds of the game, the Dolphins were already making their impression on those Steelers.  If you have never had stir-fried red cabbage, give it a try!  It completely changes texture and taste as it sweetens when it cooks.  I will definitely be adding on to that recipe and building a dinner around it for the “kids” one Thursday night, soon.

The football game was great, but in the end they were basically robbed.  Obviously it was the guys in green who had recovered that very late in the game, fumble, but not securely enough and the Steelers got us by one point.  In the give and take of life, and relationships, I am thrilled to say (on this, our 29th wedding anniversary) that I am honestly enjoying watching Dolphin football with Mitch, this year.  I believe he is honestly enjoying our Monday walk/run, together (as much as one can say they “enjoy” the brutality of running!)  as well as the bounty of colorful dishes I have been preparing this past year.

Though we clearly don’t have all the answers, and any relationship, especially the long-term ones, have many ups and downs, I think one of the keys to keeping things together is allowing space to grow independently, but somehow continuing to grow together, as well.  With both boys now on their own, I am glad we have the house, the animals, our physical and mental health, billiards (of course), the beach, red wine and our garden to enjoy together!  Just this weekend we added a Meyer lemon tree to our yard.  I use at least one lemon every single day so we thought that would be a good tree to have.  Vesting time and energy in our shared pleasures is a great way to bring peaceandfitness into our marriage.  Let’s face it, without peace in a marriage or relationship, there is NO peace at all.  Happy 29th, baby–and yes, here’s to 29 more!

I can’t believe I am going to say this, but I am re-reading The China Study, again!  I know that some of you are just starting it, and I know for me, I jumped around a bit my first time through it.  I am starting right from the beginning again because there is no way I can retain all the incredible information I got out of it the first (and second) time around.  Now that I am no longer conflicted about my eating, I cannot believe how much I enjoy my time in the kitchen.  Last night I made a huge salad sprinkled with some field greens and herbs from the garden.  I sauteed up some kale and a blend of gourmet mushrooms.  Kale needs to sit longer than spinach and you MUST remove the long, tough stems before cooking.  I add some water to it after it is all wilted and let it sit on a low fire for a while as the softer it gets, the better it tastes. With a couple of Gardein chicken cutlets on the side it was a very satisfying, well rounded meal.  If you haven’t tried the Gardein products yet, they are a GREAT alternative to meat or poultry.  Some of their items are found in the freezer — I buy the “chicken” wings for Tuesday night, to eat while watching Biggest Loser.  I love spice, but the sauce is SO spicey, I add a little Earth Balance butter to mellow it out.  You can eat the whole box of wings for just a few hundred calories and they only take a few minutes to cook.  There are also other “chicken” dishes and some cubed “meat” that is also pretty good!  The cutlets I had last night are found in the produce department, next to the tofu and soy products.  They come 4 in a package, and I generally eat 2 at a time.  I believe 2 of them have a total of 120 calories.  They, too, cook up in no time, but are best on the grill or sauteed, though they can be nuked if in a rush, just don’t OVERCOOK them or they will get tough.  I am forever grateful to chef Tal Ronnen (and Oprah) for introducing me these products!

After TFC this morning, I will be coming home to meet Mitch to get in a 1.5 mile run around the “loop” in our neighborhood, before I head to Bally for back to back SilverSneaker classes.  Then, it’s off to an anniversary lunch at my favorite local place, Falafael Bistro.  That is the ONE and ONLY place around that I KNOW I can get a healthy, clean, meal.  There soup is always to die for.  Because I am eating TOO many lunches out this week, I am awfully glad 2 of them are at the Bistro.  The 3rd is a birthday lunch for Wendie at Big Bear Brewery where I actually also have several choices.  They make a great veggie burger, a beautiful house salad and a delicious and very satisfying grilled veggie platter, served with rice and beans.  Carol, we need to make a plan, too–but NOT for lunch.  Let’s do something that doesn’t involve sitting and eating, ok?  Expect an email 🙂

I am out for now.  I hope I have wet your appetite for some colorful foods, inspired you to move yourself just a little more, and most importantly to work towards inner peace and peace in your relationships.  Remember we are all simply: