Delicious dinner

Dinner tonight was delicious!  I made Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs from Practical Paleo and served it with some roasted asparagus spears and mixed greens.  I made the following dressing:

¼ cup white wine vinegar

¼ cup olive oil

2 T honey dijon mustard

2 tsp honey

It was a big hit!

Day One and Two Breakfast

Breakfast on Wednesday and Thursday morning was delicious! We had this crustless quiche with grated carrots and zucchini.  It was seasoned with a little sea salt and rosemary.  The recipe can be found in Practical Paleo.  I am following the Fat Loss menu plans.

For day one's breakfast, I also made the "Perfectly Baked Bacon" from Practical Paleo.  It was delicious.

Starting the Year off right!

A new year brings with it resolutions, the same familiar ones.  But are they?  In the past, my resolutions have been about losing weight, without any real plan.  

As they say, "A goal without a plan is just a dream".  

This year, I feel I have a GOAL, not just a resolution to be broken.  

My resolution is to say No. That's also my word for 2013. No, I can't. No, I'm not available to do that and sacrifice my time with my family. No, I don't want to. And saying 'yes' to myself, and all the things that I want and need to do.

I need to say yes to myself, so I can put myself first.  So I have the time I need to exercise, to prepare healthy meals for myself and my family and so that I have the time to nurture what is really important to me.  

Goals should be SMART.

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time Bound

Here are some of the things inspiring me today:  My pinterest page for health and fitness

Intentional Homemaking

One of the goals I have for 2012 is to do a better job as a homemaker. I often feel like I am drowning under the weight out housework. I am my own worst enemy when it comes to getting things done. Chores just aren't a priority, or I suppose I should say, they weren't. No longer. I want my home to be my family's sanctuary. A place where they are not embarrassed to bring people to.

I am so grateful for two resources I found (thanks Pintrest!). I have been using these this week, and everyone in my family has noticed a difference. And because Mommy cares about chores and cleaning up the house, the kids have been too!

First, I have been using the January calendar from Clean Mama. I have been working on deep cleaning my kitchen, which is a big job... but a rewarding one!

The other resource I have been using is this declutter calendar from mysimplerlife.com. The tasks are easy to complete, and are often things the kids can help with. I like being able to cross off each day as I complete the job and not having to think about "What do I need to do?" So many times I stall my own efforts by over-thinking what needs to be done. This way, I don't have to think at all!

Tonight, on this 12th day of Christmas, all the decor has come down. It's always a bit sad to take it all down and the house looks plain, but it's a great opportunity to clean and get things spruced up a bit.

2012 One Little Word

Ali Edwards is someone who inspires me. Her concept of "one little word" resonates with me.

My one little word for 2012 is Intentional. I want to live with intention. To live with purpose. To live on purpose.

The word intention, as defined by dictionary.com, is a noun meaning "an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result" and "the end or object intended; purpose".

I want to be intentional about how I spend my time. I need to ask myself, is this something that I enjoy? Or is this just another stressor, something I do because I feel like I "should"?

I want to be intentional about who I spend that time with. Does this person build me up, or drag me down?

Intentional about how I/we spend our money and continuing to pay down debt and save. Do I really need another skein of yarn? Do I really need that latte, or would I rather go on a vacation and make a memory with my family?

Intentional about health. I need to make time for myself to eat well and exercise more. Not only will I will feel better, but I will be setting a good example for my children. And, as a start, I am signing up for the St. Paddy's Dash. Better get going on that Couch to 5K again!

Intentional about how I give of myself, both time and money. This means practicing a word that is so very hard to say... "no".

Intentional about homemaking. I think part of what I love about the holidays is the house is always ready for guests. My house should always be ready for my favourite people... my husband and kids.

Intentional about simplifying. I am cutting the clutter. I am using this calendar.

Intentional about my faith. I have committed to a good friend that I will sit with her for services, ensuring my bottom will be in a pew on Sunday mornings. For me, my faith goes far beyond Sunday morning though, so making time for my practice is important for me.

It's so easy to watch crap, read crap, eat crap... and then feel like crap. A new year is the perfect time to re-commit to the quest I began last year of living with intention.

What's your One Little Word?

Fabulous New Recipe for Banana Bread

We had some bananas on the counter that really needed to be made into banana bread. With the food sensitivities in our home, baking has become a huge challenge for me, and I love baking, so it's been especially tough. I decided to try Gluten-Free Girl's recipe for Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Crystallized Ginger. It smelled incredible while baking! Gluten-Free Girl's bake time was 50 minutes. When the timer when off, I used the cake tester and it came out clean. I let it sit for 15 minutes before turning it out of the loaf pan... and the loaf split down the middle. After a not so wholesome word or two, I put it back together into the loaf pan and baked it for another 20 minutes. I again let it sit, and then cut a piece for my husband and I to share. I thought it tasted fabulous, and my husband declared it the best wheat-free baking I have made yet!

Here is the recipe, and my modifications in italics.

Gluten-Free Girl's Banana Bread with Chocolate and Crystallized Ginger, adapted from A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table

6 tablespoons unsalted butter (vegan smart balance)
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup potato starch
1/2 cup teff flour
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs (3 tsp. Ener-G egg replacer mixed with 4 Tbsp. water)
1 1/2 cups mashed banana (about 3 large bananas)
1/4 cup full-fat yogurt (or sour cream) (vanilla soy yogurt)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup crystallized ginger

Preparing to bake. Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a loaf pan (the usual size). Melt the butter on low heat. Set it aside to cool.

Combining the dry ingredients. Sift the four gluten-free flours into a large bowl. Stir in the xanthan gum, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir them all up together.

Combining the liquids. In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, yogurt, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until they are just combined. (If you are using a stand mixer for this, be sure to mix until the liquids are just combined. You don't want to over-cream the liquids.)

Finishing the batter. Slowly, sift the dry ingredients into the wet batter, until everything is just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and crystallized ginger. Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan. Smooth the top.

Baking the bread. Slide the loaf pan onto the middle rack in the oven. Bake about 45 to 50 minutes (70 minutes, minimum), or until the loaf is golden brown and a knife slides out of the bread clean.

Cool the bread for 10 minutes in the loaf pan, and then tip it out, slowly. Allow it to cool before you slice your first piece. (well, good luck.)

Feeds about 8.

Current Read Aloud

Each night, we read aloud to our children. Our two year old loves picture books. Our seven year old is now savoring a chapter book with us. Our current read aloud is
The Mysterious Benedict Society. While Mango is at camp, I am finding it hard to not read ahead without her- now that's a great kid's book. But, A Promise is a Promise ! I am enjoying the mysterious aspects of the story, finding humor in the characters and situations they find themselves in, and really enjoy a well-written children's book.