Brussels Sprouts Made Easy

When your significant other favors veggies over carbs and fruit over dessert, you learn how to be creative in the kitchen. It’s actually been a delightful challenge veering from the high-fat, southern fried main dishes and decadent, sweet-laden desserts to some lighter, and more heart -friendly fare.

The result: our relationship continues to flourish while my waistline steadily diminishes. And, everyone’s happy.

I experienced Brussels Sprouts for the first time at my sister’s in-laws for Thanksgiving dinner this past November. They were delicious. So, I decided to try my hand at them the other night for a weeknight dinner.

Here’s the skinny:

• Rinse

• Cut off ends

• Slice in halves or quarters

• Throw in olive-oil-coated pan

• Turn up heat to medium

• Sprinkle with sea salt

• Squeeze on fresh lemon

• Sauté for up to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally

• Serve immediately with desired complements (We had honey pork tenderloin with sweet potatoes).

Bon Appetit!

The Station

THE STATION 

by Robert J. Hastings

Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We’re traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination–for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the Station with bells ringing, flags waving, and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.

“Yes, when we reach the Station, that will be it!” we promise ourselves. “When we’re eighteen. . . win that promotion. . . put the last kid through college. . . buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz. . . have a nest egg for retirement!” From that day on we will all live happily ever after.

Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion–it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday’s a memory, tomorrow’s a dream. Yesterday belongs to a history, tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday’s a fading sunset, tomorrow’s a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.

So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.


******
I've been engaging in a new "practice" the past couple of months that goes along nicely with the above mindset. Stay tuned for an upcoming post in which I plan to share more with you on my newfound joy. There will also be a complementary giveaway. Have a nice Friday!

It's the Little Things, Part II

Sweetness
(Miss Francine Mae Turner, 2 mos.)

Friendship
(with Reba at Vulcan Park)

Baseball 'n BBQ
(at the SEC Baseball Tournament with Bradley)

Feathered Food Theifs

Pool Time with Ro

Helping Hands
(Lakeshore's Tri-It-Your-Way Triathlon)

Foxie Knoxie
(My new niece, the blue tick coonhound)

Thoughtfulness
(and one of the many ways to a woman's heart)

Nomadic Existence
(Move #10 in Birmingham)

Home
(for now)

2-Year-Old Birthday Party
(Hank, Ro & Kat)

Super Pilgrim
(Why Dad doesn't let Momma Sissy have unlimited time with Ro)

Best Birthday Present Ever 

(Why Mom doesn't let Momma Sissy have unlimited time with Ro)

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." 

~Robert Brault

The Green Monster (aka Green Machine)

Sometimes it’s tricky getting enough fruits and veggies in your diet. If you’re always on the go like me, breakfast is usually consumed betwixt hair blow-drying, bed making, and other get-ready-for-the-day tasks. That’s why smoothies are so fabulous. You can fill a blender with as many and any combination of fruits and veggies as you like and drink it on the go.

The Green Monster has become my favorite. To make, I blend up to six cups of raw spinach with 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, half a banana and four cubes of ice. When on hand, I add in a fresh peach, frozen berries and sometimes a spoonful of peanut butter. What do you add in your smoothies? I’d love to hear what makes your smoothie especially delicious to you!

Mother's Day Waffles & Blackberry Compote

+

1 TBSP sugar

Over medium heat for 10 minutes

 = Blackberry Compote

Prepared with love for my mother on this special day

It's the Little Things

My very first pair of trail running shoes

Chicken tacos with brie and sweet potato fries

Jones Valley Farm radishes

Fresh cut flowers

Baby Francine

Surprises in the mail from Jennifer

Homemade chocolate chip cookies

A box of wild lavender from Beth's garden for On.a.Whim heating sachets to be

Tear-It-Up-Tuesdays: Stadium Workout

Welcome back Tear-It-Up-Tuesdays!

This week we're getting back in gear at Samford's baseball stadium with Exercise Physiologist Kelly Bonner. We'll begin with some box jumps. Stand in front of a secured box or platform. Jump onto box and immediately back down to the same position. Repeat up to 20x's for three sets.

Moving on to stadium runs! Ascend, skipping over a step, then walk back down. On the next ascent, don't skip a step. Go as quickly as possible without stopping. Try not to fall and face plant.

Catch your breath, smile, then turn around and run back up.
Repeat.
As many times as possible.

Next up? How about some good 'ole air squats? Keep your feet shoulder-width apart; sit down into the squat until your knees are parallel with the ground and creating a 90 degree angle. Squeeze your buttocks as you push back up to a standing position. Repeat 10xs for up to five sets.

Let's finish the workout with some arm strengthening. First, tricep dips. Place hands on the back of a chair (or bleacher). Extend your legs and then dip down, adjusting your arms only to create a 90 degree angle. Keep abdominals engaged and legs straight. Return to arm extension. Repeat 10xs for up to five sets. 


Finish with three to five sets of 10 push-ups (not shown). Nice work! You've earned a shower.