One Lucky Duck

Before I get into my post, I have a side post. No offense, but what is UP with vegan margarine? Seriously? If you've decided to be vegan for ANY reason (lactose intolerance, cruelty, health, environment, etc) what the heck are you doing eating margarine, even if it is 'vegan'? I can't think --granted, I am finite-- of a reason that you would become vegan and be okay with eating margarine in any form. Health - Margarine is horrible for your health. How do you think they got the oil that is naturally a liquid to become solid or semi-solid? Environment - You're saving the planet by eating processed garbage that causes carbon emissions, landfill waste, uses BPA, and a whole host of other things? Cruelty - It's great that you're saving animals from being inhumanely raised and killed for their flesh so they can die from starvation on a planet that can no longer support life because of the Environment issue listed above. Lactose Intolerance - Typically choosing to NOT consume something your body is having a reaction to falls under the Health category, so.....note the Health category above. There is no reason, in my mind, that a 'vegan' version of margarine should be a staple in cooking. I cannot wrap my mind around it. If I had a penny for every vegan recipe I've read that called for some form of vegan margarine.....I'd have enough money to pay off debt, quit my job and be a stay-at-home mom. Stop it already or start giving me pennies.

Off the rant and on to the post.

Last night, little KElet and I were out doing some major errand running after I got off of work and hour late. I had to get all of the ingredients to make homemade granola (for gifts), supplies to make gifts for our friend's Christmas Friday night, and the ingredients to make the food I am bringing to said Christmas party. Just so you know, last night was Wednesday night, which gives me tonight to make everything. Yikes..... KElet and I went to 3 different stores, and she HATES riding in the car, especially when Granna isn't able to make sure she has a sufficient nap. With a sleep deprived baby, anything that keeps her restrained so she cannot further fight sleep is scream-worthy. She did well considering, but it is never fun driving with a crying baby. We arrived home at 9pm, after 3 hours of the car and 3 different stores. She had a whole piece of toast and a few ounces of a bottle while we were out, and as soon as she was home my mission was to get as much food in her tummy as I could. Happy tummies = sleeping through the night. Momma like.

Rice noodles, some avocado, and 5 ounces of formula later, we were both zonked out on the chair in her room. After 30 minutes I was awake again and started the process of putting her in bed. We have a crib we got for free, thank you everyone who contributed. I literally spent about $100 on KElet's room, and most of it was on sheets, changing pad and cover, etc. I got a free leather recliner from a co-worker (really nice), free crib, and I paid $65 for the really nice changing table via Craigslist and a 3 hour trip in horrible snow with my poor younger brother. It's one of the older style cribs on wheels that stand off the ground, as opposed to the newer cribs that rest right on the ground, ie easier to lay a sleeping baby down. I'm only 5'6", and we recently had to drop her crib mattress down to the lowest level. Not only can she stand up, but she knows how to go about the process of climbing. I need not have her succeed by accident using her crib bumper as an access of escape...to the ground at least 4'6" away. Anyway, all this means that the edge of the crib is level with my ribs, which means trying to lay her in bed is a not-so-graceful, she-may-legitimately-fall-a-few-inches dance between trying to keep her asleep and trying to put her down fast enough that she doesn't start flailing and ruin the delicate, balanced position I have her in using only my hands, ie no forearm, chest, etc. I can barely touch the mattress with my fingers. It's hilarious. Bed at 11:30pm with nothing prepared for the morning, and waking up late at 6:15am this morning. Eeeeeeppppp!!!!

All that said, I'm still One Lucky Duck. In my scrambles this morning to make sure I had everything ready for Wren to stay at her Granna's while I went to work --I try to provide all food, water, cloth diapers, disposable diapers, etc-- I didn't know what I would eat for breakfast. Avocado Sandwiches have been the staple for lunch because they are just so easy, but breakfast is always tough. Lately, I've been eating Ezekiel toast with a mixture of homemade coconut butter and left-over homemade vegan chocolate from my raw vegan almond joy experiments, but yesterday I ate the last scrumptious bite. I opened my 'healthy' cupboard and looked frantically on my shelf --it used to be the 'snack' cupboard filled with cookies, candies, etc and now houses raw nuts, oat bran, oat groats, dried unsweetened coconut, homemade dehydrated fruit, etc, much to BigDaddy's dismay. I pondered making a quick mixture of hemp seeds, chia, almonds, and honey when I spotted truffles..... Two years ago, I ordered chocolate truffles from One Lucky Duck and didn't like them. I'd never had cacao nibs before, and the truffles are rolled in the nibs. It was before I had KElet, so I wanted to be healthy, but not enough to give up eating things like Hershey Bars. Today was the perfect day to try them again. I had 4 left, so I grabbed an organic apple and tossed it in my lunch box with my 96 fl oz of water (in containers, no worries), avocado sandwich ingredients, and One Lucky Duck truffles. I'm so glad that two years ago I wasn't serious enough about getting healthy because it means I have a superb breakfast this morning. Thank you, Sarma. One day I hope to have some extra cash to try your raw chocolate chip cookies AND I'd also like to go out to NYC and try some of your ice cream, among other glorious things. One day, Sarma..... One day...

Organic Gala Apple and One Lucky Duck Truffles...de-lish. That pic is of BigDaddy, myself, and BigDaddy's family at our wedding reception 6 years ago. Ah, to be 21 again.

P.S. One thing I have always thought was neat about ordering through One Lucky Duck is they have always sent a little sample of one of their treats with your order. It always seems really thoughtful, and I get to try something I may not have otherwise tried. I've actually gotten hooked on a couple of Sarma's treats because of the sample sent along. It just makes me feel like there's heart behind the business, ya' know? When OMGoodies is up and running, I plan on trying to send samples and emulate that kind of business model.

Snow and Avocado Sandwiches

Yesterday started the first serious snowfall of NW Ohio, ie......the snow is still on the ground and the roads ride like they haven't been plowed. It's great, especially if you like wondering if you'll ever see your KElet again for a job you strongly dislike. Really.... I couldn't ask for more.

This weekend, I made my first American Chinese dish, Mongolian Beef. It was good. BigDaddy always critiques everything I make. It's handy when you want it and not handy when you don't. I need a neon sign that says 'Praise' or 'Honest Assessment' I can turn on as needed. Poor BigDaddy is just trying to be helpful, or so I keep telling myself. 'Tis the nature of the beast. The thing I sometimes loathe is what makes him great at everything else he does.

We also had the yearly reunion with my FIL's extended family. One of the benefits of being a mom was that I was blessed enough to have to give KElet a bottle and stay with her for her two hour nap while everyone else was downstairs. In 7 years, that was the best reunion ever. We were around enough to say 'hello' and have people remark how beautiful KElet's eyes are but short enough that a bunch of people weren't trying to horn in on my holding time. The weekend really is my biggest opportunity to snuggle with my babe.

To top off the weekend our first meaningful snowfall started yesterday morning right after BigDaddy left for a Detriot Lions game, and little KElet went out in the snow for the first time in her snowsuit later that evening. I try to get as many 'firsts' in as I can since I work all day and my MIL is lucky enough to be around to witness everything I cannot. Oh to one day be a homemaker. A serious dream. Those of you who are able, I know it comes at a sacrifice of many things, but I do envy you.

Anyway, I chronicled our 5 minute adventure in the backyard at 6pm, which equals pitch black...... I did not, however, capture the lack of joy KElet expressed in putting the appropriate snow-wear on to go outside. I was reminded of Ralphie's brother in The Christmas Story.

She was not impressed...

After we came in, KElet decided snow was pretty amazing as long as we were inside and NOT in a snowsuit.

So amazing....it should be eaten.

Upon finishing her second helping of the snowmeal --yes, I went out and grabbed another handful of clean snow for her-- I decided it was time for a real dinner. Steamed beets for both of us; rice noodles, Ezekiel toast with coconut oil, avocado, and a little kale to play with while eating for KElet. I also had a massaged kale salad --thank you Gena of choosingraw.com-- and an avocado sandwich with my steamed beets. It was actually the first time I'd had beets not as a part of something else (I used them in chili earlier this Fall.), and KElet hadn't EVER had beets, unless my MIL is sneaking them in, which I doubt.

Massaged Kale Salad....and the carrot I got tired of grating.
Avocado Sandwich with Dijon Mustard and a side of steamed beets.

Avocado Sandwich Recipe
1/2 Avocado
1/2 Pita Bread
2 slices Roma Tomato
Green Onion to taste
Dijon Mustard
Sprouts ( I had alfalfa on hand)

Slice avocado into 4-5 long strips depending on size of avocado. Place tomato and mustard in pita first. Then add green onion, avocado slices, and sprouts. I have yet to make a pita that doesn't pop. It could be my American sized appetite, but it's all veggies for cryin' out loud!

All in all, it was a good weekend filled with good food and mostly good people, except the one uncle who is the shame of the family, literally. He creeps me out something fierce.

KE

Kari Eats and Jabbers...Just like KElet.

I've decided........this is pretty much a food blog. I might touch on other subjects--no doubt loosely related to food, but as a whole, I just need to accept that this is another, more poorly crafted food blog. So if you're looking for a food blog that stands out from the others, this is it. I won't post as often. I won't post as many pictures. I probably won't respond to comments as quickly. Forget customizing, and I have a questionable sense of humor. If you want really good blogs, check out my blog-roll and like-minded people.

I suppose my first 'official' food blog entry should be something catchy, cr-eat-ive, inspiring, but I don't always have those moments. This is real life, and working full-time and taking care of my 10 month old is time consuming. BigDaddy works a lot and helps just about anyone who asks, so that leaves a lot of just me and KElet ..... Oh, and our almost 3 year old fluff ball, Tucker. Thanks be to Heather (HEAB) and her "let" addition to her HEAB to signify child/children. Hence....KElet. I'm sure you'll also see some adaptations of HEAB's recipes here from time to time as well.

Here's BigDaddy and KElet the day before Thanksgiving (she's so tired...).

After some sleep...

And now for the FOOD!

Introducing...... Avocado Blackbean Salad Pita.

Food. I love it, which is obvious if you know me, but there's been a major shift. Growing up, my family always ate dinners together. I remember one time --I'm sure there were numerous times I've just repressed-- when I would announce, "When I grow up, I'm going to eat McDonald's every day." while staring at a pressed meat patty called.......Salisbury Steak. I HATE Salisbury Steak to this day. I just gagged thinking about it. True to my word, about a year after I got married I started eating out at least 4 days a week. I had a new job in the city, and I'd packed lunch or went home for lunch almost every day since childhood. Almost 100 pounds later --50 pounds left, I started a journey back to health. From, "Oh, I'm fat because it's not organic!", to, "Maybe I need to eat less, even if it IS healthy."............. It's been quite the journey, and even though I do not like the fact I had to make the journey overweight --still journeying-- I'm in a place of understanding that one cannot grasp without actually being where I've been.

It's difficult in a lot of ways. There's no lack of mocking from family members on both sides, and even though it still bothers me, I decided that I'm doing what I'm doing because I'm willing to always be learning about health instead of just thinking what I'm doing is 'right'. I didn't think there was an issue with eating out all the time but learned from experience. There's a lot of.....hostility....towards people who are not considered 'normal' by Standard American Diet. That's okay. We all struggle with ego trying to make ourselves better than the person next to us. We try to manifest that ego boot however we can unless we reach a place where we realize that it's all just a sad game we play with ourselves and others, trying to encourage them to feel less than ourselves.. Whoa........ Where's the food talk? I think it's all intertwined. Hundreds of years ago, people could only understand the body as one unit and paid far more attention to spirit (soul). Now, thanks to modern medicine, we understand that we are made up of a bunch of little units....but forgotten that one little unit can change the course of the whole body, and who needs spirit when you have logic? It's not just the food you eat but your mind-set (are you speaking negatively of yourself and/others verbally or in your mind), exercise, spiritual awareness, and a whole host of things I don't even understand fully myself.

So this is the journey. I'm willing to travel where it takes me --don't remind me of that if I complain about something-- and would be glad to have you join me with your wisdom and experience. Some will go without the option, like BigDaddy, KElet, and Tucker. Please feel free to comment, as long as it's respectful and not some spam about Viagra made in Japan. I'm excited to hear from you, and I'm excited for all of you silent stalkers. You're out there...... I'm a silent blog-stalker too. Either way, I'm glad you're here. I have some fun stuff, or so I think.

Hold onto your butts!

Kari

P.S. Here is your question: What did you say you were going to do as a child that you did as an adult and ended up working out or turning into a catastrophe?