Creativity in the Kitchen

So, it’s the end of the month and the end of the week, so that means taking inventory of the fridge and pantry and making amazingly delicious and creative meals out of ingredients like, sauerkraut, eggs, and walnuts.  This is where I make some of my most interesting meals. (Interesting has many interpretations) I was in need of some breakfast, no wait, make that brunch, as it was already 11:30am.  I had slept in until 10am, which is pretty unheard of for me.  Was I out partying last night, you say?  No, but I did make it to that Halloween party:

I’m not much of a partier, so it was an early night, with a couple of episodes of Awkward before bed J.  I think I was just tired form having a busy week, and needed a good night’s sleep.

So, I took inventory of what I had in the fridge, and between my roommates plethora of leftovers that they never eat, nor will I, I found some eggs and left over sweet potatoes from dinner the other night.  So I decided to make a simple egg scramble.  I melted some Kerrygold butter in the frying pan, and if you haven’t tried it yet, you need to!!!!  It’s butter from Ireland and is made from cows that roam out on the green fields of Ireland and graze peacefully on the abundance of grass there.  Something like this:

It taste much better than your average butter, and is healthier, as cow products made from cows that are fed their natural diet of grass have a lower content of Omega-6 fat, and too much Omega-6 fat causes inflammation in the body…now nobody wants that!  You can find it at Costco and most grocery stores.  Here’s a visual for you:

So, after the butter was melted, I cut up some sweet potato into small pieces and warmed them in the butter.  Once the potatoes were warm, I added three eggs.  Now I am fairly lazy when cooking.  Well, maybe not lazy, but I like to make things as simple as possible.  So when I want scrambled eggs, instead of whisking them in a separate bowl, which just makes more dishes to do, and when you are the dishwasher, you care about these things, I just crack the eggs into the pan, let cook a little and then stir with my spatula.  When you have a nice amount of butter, coconut oil, or bacon grease, this works well, as the eggs don’t stick to the pan and can be mixed nicely.  I used about half a tablespoon of butter.  While the eggs are cooking, I stir periodically.  This whole process doesn’t take very long.  Maybe 10 minutes from when the idea sparked in my head to when I was sitting down ready to eat. 

When I looked at my finished product, it looked a little monochromatic; yellow sweet potatoes and yellow eggs.  As a health and nutrition coach, I teach my clients about eating colorful foods and having a variety of colors on your plate.  This ensures that you are getting a variety of vitamins and minerals.  Well, all I had was yellow, so what could I do to add a little color? I knew I was out of spinach, and I wasn’t feeling the red onion left in the veggie drawer, so I found some tid-bits of parsley left and added them to the top of my scramble.  Ahhh…this looked better.  And it was delicious!  The parsley made the dish. 

So when it looks like you have nothing to eat in the fridge, take inventory, and be creative!  You never know what you will get.

Awkward

I’ve been working on some research/educational articles for a personal trainer.  I like to head to one of my favorite coffee shops to work on them because it has A/C, super helpful in Hawaii, and Wi-Fi, super helpful for research.  It also provides a lack of distractions that my house does not! 

Taking a break from some in-depth research and feeling the chill of the A/C, I went and grabbed a coffee, and as I got in line, a friend of mine was in front of me.  We started talking small talk, and then she mentioned a party of a mutual friend the following night.  She started telling me about the jello shots that she made (she’s really creative and makes great jello shots!) and the dish she is going to bring, and how she’s heading home after she picks up her son to make some pumpkin rolls.  She continues telling me specifics about the decorations, what other people are bringing, and how many kids will be attending.  All the while, I am thinking in my head: “I do not know of this party you speak of.  I obviously wasn’t invited.”  As my friend is going on an on about the specific details of the party, as if I am going, I am feeling more and more awkward about what to say.  I had already missed the opportunity to tell her that I didn’t know about the party without it being weird.  We were definitely in too deep by now.  Do I tell her that this is the first I am hearing about said party?  Do I just pretend that I was invited and then not show up?  Or do I just take this as my invite? 

As all of this is running through my head, I feel like I am back in high school, unsure of my situation and weather or not I was invited to this party and if I should make an appearance or not.  Or if I did show up will it look like this when I walk in?

As I am pondering what to say or do, she suddenly asks me: “What time are you going?”

There was a bit of silence, and then some stumbling of words.  Um…you are 35 years old, this shouldn’t be a weird situation.  So, I simply say that I didn’t know about the party.  As soon as I said that she immediately said that everyone was invited and promptly sent me the invite.  She grabbed her coffee and was on her way. 

I was left to consider the situation.  Now, if this was back in high school, it would have been a different situation.  Millions of emotions and scenarios would be playing through my head.  Insecurities would be racing around inside of me, and I probably would not have gone in fear of being laughed at or called out. However, I was an adult now, and didn’t care so much about my social status.  In fact, I enjoyed quiet nights at home watching Awkward, I mean, reading a good book with a cup of tea.  And as adults we are past all of that “Who invited you?” B.S., right?

So, what did I decide to do?  I recruited another friend who wasn’t “invited” either, and we crashed the party!  We were welcomed and had a great time.  We admired people’s costumes, partook in a jello shot, and chatted with the crowd.  We left around 10pm and since there were no other parties to crash, we headed home, because after all, we are adults J.

Lessons to Learn from Grandpa Hale

Yesterday’s blog post got me thinking about my other grandpa who is no longer with us.  Combined with yesterday being his birthday and my mother sending me a pic of him, it mad me think about what a great person my Grandpa Hale was.  In fact, I quite often think about him and his amazing qualities he projected and shared with those who knew him.  To me, he is the greatest man I know.  If there is one person I strive to be like, it’s him.  He lived a long and healthy life.  I often wonder how he would handle certain situation that I find myself in, and then channel that to help me navigate them.  He has so many great qualities that I would like to share them with you.

So today I would like to impart on you Lessons to Learn from Grandpa Hale:

1.  Be Humble: My grandpa was a humble and selfless man.  He never bragged about himself or boasted about his accomplishments.   He was an amazing musician and wood worker, yet, he was always modest in his talking of his craft and talent.  He would show us his bowls that he made on the lathe from an educational standpoint, explaining his technique in making them and the wood they were created from, verses boasting about what he had made.  And even though he never bragged or sold himself on his musical talents or craftsmanship, he was well known in his community for his abilities.  He let actions speak louder than words.  He was also known for his beautiful garden that he tended up until the day he died.  He never bragged about his harvest, but was always curious about gardening, eager to learn more, and excited to share what his produce. 

2.  When I eat, I eat:  Grandpa was very zen.  He didn’t meditate in the way you think of sitting cross-legged on the floor and letting your mind be void of thought.  But he did meditate in his own way.  When he listened to music, he listened to music.  He sat in his chair and listened to the record or tape player.  He wasn’t reading the paper at the same time or doing the dishes, he was just listening.  All of his attention was on the music playing.  When he cooked, he cooked.  He wasn’t watching T.V. or talking on the phone, he was cooking.  All of his attention was on cooking.  He was mindful to what he was doing when he was doing it.  He slowed down and didn’t multitask to the point of exhaustion like so many of us do these days.  I never saw my grandpa get upset…EVER!  He was always positive!

Grandpa's workshop

3.  Whistled while you work:  My grandpa would whistle while he worked and he always had a spring in his step.  My grandpa would be cleaning up the kitchen, or coming up from downstairs where his workshop was and he would be whistling, always a happy tune.  Now, I lack the ability to whistle in any way, so whistling may not be for me.  But humming could work or singing a song in my head could prove sufficient.  Something to keep me spry and motivated in my day-to-day life.

Grandpa with my Uncle Ed

4.  Use your resources:  My grandparents didn’t have much money when they were young, however they made ends meet and then some by being resourceful and self sufficient.  Like I mentioned before, my grandfather had a beautiful garden that he tended to every spring, summer, and fall.  And with that food, he was able to feed his family.  With his extra harvest, he would can and save for the winter when the ground was frozen and covered with snow.  My grandma would make delicious freezer jam with the extra strawberries.  I can still remember eating her Texas toast with strawberry jam!  And if we were lucky she’d send a tub home with us.  Not only did my grandpa have a garden that helped to feed the family, he also fished and hunted.  He would go out fishing and literally bring home dinner.  How many of us can say that?  He would trap beavers and mink and sell their fur to make some extra money.   Along with his ability to produce food for the family, my grandfather was extremely crafty.  He built the house that my father grew up in and is still sturdy and strong today.  He also made most of the furniture in the house; dressers, the dining room table, and night stands.  He made beautiful and intricate wooden bowls, vases, and candlesticks on the lathe and sold them at a farmers market.  So, when I’m at the end of my budget, usually at the end of the month, I look to my grandpa and get inspired to be creative in ways I can be resourceful and self-sufficient. 

5.  Never stop moving:  My grandpa was a mover.  He would wake up every morning before the crack of dawn to walk the track at the local high school.  His house was about two blocks from the high school, so he would head down there and walk three miles.  Sometimes he would meet a friend and sometimes he would walk alone.  But rain or shine, he was there walking.  He was persistent and determined.  My grandfather never stopped working either.  He made wooden and later stone bowls on the lathe, played his tuba, and worked in the garden until he passed away. He was completely self-sufficient at age 98!  Who wouldn’t want to be him?

6.  Keep your lunch big and your dinner small:  Mealtimes where fairly predictable at my grandparents.  Breakfast was coffee, fresh squeezed OJ, and cereal or toast.  On special occasions, my grandma would make homemade cinnamon rolls!  Breakfast goodies were always set out on the table.  Dinner was served at 12 sharp without fail.  When planning trips to visit my dad’s parents, my parents would always plan around meal times.  We had to make sure we came before 12 or after 1 as noon was mealtime.  Dinner was their largest meal of the day.  It was a fairly nice spread of some sort of meat such as ham or turkey, a vegetable, usually from the garden, and a starch in the form of potatoes or rolls.  The table was set and we all ate together.  We also had desert after Dinner, which was my favorite part of visiting the grandparents ;).  At supper, served at 6pm sharp, a smaller and simpler meal was prepared.  Sometimes, this would be leftovers form dinner or the day before, or sandwiches and a simple salad, but definitely a smaller and lighter meal.  We also got desert after supper as well!  (sidebar: I asked my dad if he always got desert after dinner and supper growing up and he said yes!  Amazing!)  The lesson here is to eat a large lunch and a smaller dinner, as your body needs more fuel in the earlier part of the day rather than the later part of the day.  So many of us eat a smaller, quick lunch and gorge out during dinner when we actually have time to sit and eat.  My grandparents also created time to sat down at the table for their meals, there were no excuses!  There were no meals on the go or standing while eating.  No, when we ate, we ate.

Grandpa lookin' dapper 

7.  Find joy in small and simple things:  My grandpa didn’t live a luxurious life, he didn’t travel much, and his home lacked some modern conveniences that many of us take for granted, yet he was always so happy and full of joy.  He always greeted us with a smile and a hug at the door when we cam to visit.  He was never mad at his neighbor for this or that, or annoyed at the garbage man for being so loud.  My grandpa was a glass-half-full kind of man.  He always had a positive spin on life and when he talked about something bothering him, he wasn’t angry or mad, he was calmly looking for advice or describing the situation matter-of-factly.  He was able to find joy in the small and simple things in life.  I often times get wrapped up in the competition of life and am looking for something bigger, better, or newer to make me happy, and then I remember my grandpa and how he would find happiness in gardening, or listening to music, or having his grandchildren visit.  And it reminds me to look at what I have and to be thankful for that.  I live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, I can ride my bike all year round comfortably, and I live less than a mile from one of the most beautiful beaches that is swimmable all year round.  I have great friends and an amazing boyfriend who support me and encourage me to follow my dreams.  I have a small garden that brings me joy, especially when I eat from it’s harvest.  I have so much to be thankful for and so many things to find joy in all around me.  I don’t need to buy the latest clothes trends to make me happy, I don’t need a new car to find joy.  All I need to do is look around me and see the small things.

Nostalgia

Every now and then I take a look back through the archives of my life since the digital age…my photos.  Since I rarely print out pictures anymore, except for special occasions, I keep my photos on my computer, along with most everyone else. 

Yesterday was one of those days that I started scrolling through my iPhoto and took a trip down memory lane.  I had gotten really sick yesterday with a massive migraine and body aches, which pretty much confined to my bed.  I started watching Awkward, and then after I got completely annoyed with Jenna and the pure corniness of the show, closed the Amazon app and tried to get some shut eye.  But with my whole body hurting, I had trouble getting to sleep, so I pulled out the photos and started scrolling through the past few year of my life. 

Through the hiking adventures, road tripping pics, and knee-sock-clad-jump-in-the-air shots, I came a cross a photo that touched pulled at my heart.  When I saw this photo, I came to a realization that part of my life would not be the same, and that people near and dear to me were really gone.  It was a simple picture with no people in it.  But this picture said so much to me as soon as I looked at it.  It was a reminder of so many memories I had had as a child and young adult, it reminded me of family and the hard times and good times we had had together. 

I had taken this picture a couple of years ago upstairs at my grandparents’ house.  My grandparents had already passed away at the time I took the photo, but my family would stay in the house on our frequent trips to Montana.  And though my grandparents were not there, a part of them lived on in that house.  My grandpa had bought the house when he worked on the railroad after WWII.  As his family grew, so did the house.  There were additions that were piecemealed together over the years.  With six children, his once one room house needed to grow.  My mother grew up in that house.  The house was covered with photographs of family, children, grandchildren, cousins, aunts and uncles.  Everyone was welcome in that house…the door was never locked and you never needed to knock.  There was always food in the fridge and liquor in the cabinet J.  Family reunions were held in the back yard, and I can remember my aunties shelling peas in their chairs on the back patio.  It was a place of comfort and joy.

Grandpa during WWII

Grandma served as a nurse
during WWII

Now why did this photo spark such emotion in me?  Well, after a few years of deciding what to do with the house, my mother and her siblings decided to sell the it, and it finally sold earlier this year.  The house was the last piece of my grandparents.  It was a reminder and memorial of their lives and all the good they had brought to their community and to my life.  And it was gone.  The picture reminded me that I will never look out that upstairs window at the mountain to see what the weather was like up on the hill.  I will never again walk into the house and see the family portraits and tributes on the wall.  I will never open the fridge and make myself some cheese and salami rolls.  It was a sad moment, but I am thankful for the times I had with my grandparents and my family in that house.  I was grateful to have those wonderful memories.  And I will have this photo to remind me of those memories and that time in my life.