https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181228164834.htm
We’re packing up to get on the road and back to Michigan. We’ve been away since Christmas and everyone is totally off schedule and overloaded on sugar. Our goal for last night’s dinner: a vegetable. We succeeded with canned green beans to accompany…pizza.
I’ve seen numerous memes about the days between Christmas and New Years – What day is it? Am I working today? What time is it? Did I eat leftover cookies for breakfast, or was it cinnamon rolls? Each of these resonate with me. Oops.
However, it is now Sunday and tomorrow I am working. A little tease because I am, in fact, off New Years Day and then we will continue as regularly scheduled with a 2-day week for the kids. We’ll certainly be getting back into the groove by the time the weekend comes around. And by the time Mark gets over his man cold.
I’ve been sleeping well and sleeping in. Between no agenda and being fully transitioned to central time, tomorrow is going to be brutal. I woke up around 6am to go to the bathroom and my brain switched from vacation mode to “GO MODE!” in a millisecond. I desperately tried to go back to sleep but was conflicted with all that I was jotting down on my to-do list that cannot be trusted to memory: pack, blog, meal plan, grocery shop, pick-up the dog, workout, laundry, yada yada.
Motherhood is such a curse. P.S. In no relation to this post, I am having a good laugh over Confessions of a Domestic Failure. My goal was to finish in before returning to Michigan, but I am stuck driving so that Mark can nurse himself back to health in the passenger seat.
As we close out 2018 and I re-enter the world of our little family of 4, I figured it was most appropriate to post one of my family’s most favorite dinners. A crowd pleaser all around, this quick and easy meal is a keeper – chicken and pepperoni, what’s not to love!?
Looking for some other quick, easy, and healthy meals for the family? Be sure to check out our 8 favorite meals ready in 30 minutes or less from 2018! See you in 2019!
Be well,
https://preventionrd.com/2018/12/chicken-with-pepperoni-marinara-sauce-weekly-menu/
Hospitals are now financially rewarded by insurers for safety and efficacy — which often results in patients spending less time as inpatients.
(Image credit: Shalina Chatlania / WPLN)
This was one of those weeks in which nothing, big or small, went according to plan. From travel delays and disastrous commutes to missed deadlines and forgotten emails, it all felt like a mess.
Funnily enough, I was OK with it. It’s funny only because I don’t typically handle curveballs well. Anything that reinforces my lack of control tends to addle me at best, freak me out at worst.
This week, though, the rarest of things happened, which is that I greeted all of the chaos with a sense of humor. I had my moments, of course, but for the most part I rolled with the tumult. I fixed the messes I could and didn’t agonize over the ones I couldn’t. I took responsibility for the stuff I’d let slip without falling into my habit of anxious over-apologizing. I let myself feel frustration, but I encouraged myself to let the small stuff go. Ways of being that I’ve been trying to cultivate for a long time just seemed to…happen.
I’m not really sure what to make of this. It may be my job right now, which is interesting and often enjoyable, but also puts me in close proximity to a lot of suffering and loss. This week was particularly full of poignant exchanges, and I just didn’t have the energy to fret too much about train delays or forgotten deadlines. I certainly didn’t have the energy for perfectionism (I rarely do these days, but I still cling to it sometimes).
Maybe it’s the holiday season, too, which tends to resonate deeply with me, putting a lot of things into perspective. And perhaps all the work I’ve done to relax my grip on life is finally bearing fruit—wouldn’t that be nice
Whatever the case, I’ve felt a lot less brittle in the last few days—more resilient, more forgiving of myself and others, more relaxed. One of the hallmark symptoms of my depression/anxiety is feeling quickly and easily overwhelmed. That tendency comes and goes, but I do recognize (and give thanks) whenever I’m able to find ways around it. And I’m so glad that I had a different kind of reaction to what might have been a triggering week.
Wishing you the ability to bend, flow, and forgive in the week ahead. I’m heading into the last week of my clinical rotations, completely amazed by the fact that the finish line is here, and I made it in one piece.
Lots to be grateful for—including the recipes in today’s post.
A perfect easy, weeknight meal: vegan lemon butter pasta.
I’ve never made my own dumplings before, but Lisa is the perfect teacher. Her vegan savory Tang Yuan look so good!
A perfect plant-based side dish for the holidays: baked acorn squash with (dairy-free) creamed corn.
This vegan chickpea shepherd’s pie is calling my name! Hearty, carby, comfort-food goodness (that also happens to be both gluten free and no oil).
Finally, my holiday dessert wish list is growing by the day (we’ll see how much baking I can do between the last day of my hospital rotation and Christmas eve), and this gorgeous chocolate cake with gingerbread caramel is at the top of it right now!
1. An interesting new study examining the relationship red meat and TMAO (a metabolite that’s associated with greater risk of heart disease).
2. I really enjoyed Amanda Hesser’s Cooking for Mr. Latte; I found the book exactly when I was gathering up courage to date again for the first time in a long time, and its humor touched me. This past week, I enjoyed reading Amanda’s candid reflections on how her cooking style has changed in response to love, family, and the teamwork of marriage.
3. A powerful call to arms on how we might better treat newborn withdrawal (in which newborns who have been exposed to addictive substances in utero have withdrawal symptoms shortly after birth)—with compassion extended to both babies and their mothers.
4. In my work—culinary and soon-to-be dietetic—I give a lot of thought to helping folks be mindful of protein consumption. That said, protein overconsumption, often from non-whole foods sources, remains prevalent in America. This article offers a good perspective, especially when it comes to powders and bars.
5. Good news, via The New York Times: while many coral reefs are suffering in the face of climate change, some sturdy ones are doing OK.
In spite of the end-of-semester craziness, I’ve got two recipes to share this week, each too good (and too easy!) not to share. So, I’ll be back around soon. For now, a very happy Sunday to you.
xo
The post Weekend Reading, 12.16.18 appeared first on The Full Helping.
A dramatic increase in vaping among high school students is the largest yearly change ever seen in a long-running survey tracking substance use and abuse by teens.
(Image credit: VOISIN/Getty Images)
Terms and Conditions – Dermeze
The post Summer Giveaways – Win 1 of 3 Dermeze MoistureMatch prize packs appeared first on MiNDFOOD.
https://www.mindfood.com/competition/summer-giveaways-win-1-of-3-dermeze-moisturematch-prize-packs/
https://news.yale.edu/2018/12/17/school-based-nutritional-programs-reduce-student-obesity
While opioids get all the attention, rural communities struggle with substances like meth and alcohol too. One clinic is building up capacity to treat all of them, using both medicine and counseling.
(Image credit: Derek Montgomery for NPR)
A breakthrough nutritional study conducted at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and published in PLoS ONE has found that just 248mg of magnesium per day leads to an astounding reversal of depression symptoms in study subjects. “New clinical research results show magnesium is effective at addressing symptoms and is safer and easier on the […]
The post Magnesium found to cure depression better than antidepressants appeared first on Get Holistic Health.
https://www.getholistichealth.com/78480/magnesium-cure-depression/
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/give-vacation-gift-for-significant-other
Happy holidays all! What you see here is a holiday gift guide for cooks and culinary enthusiasts. I get asked for ideas every year, and know it can be tricky to find a thoughtful gift for the chef (or serious home cook) in your life. So(!) here’s my gift guide – one that primarily highlights small producers, and products I genuinely use and love. And, if you don’t spot something here, I also posted a round up of 15 Great Culinary Gift Guides yesterday.
St. Agrestis Amaro & Townshend’s Kashmiri Amaro
An after-dinner sip of amaro always hits the spot. And, part of the fun is tasting all the different ones available. These are two recent favorites in gift worthy bottles. The Townshend is chai-spiced, which, honestly, I thought might be a miss. Instead it is surprising, balanced, and feisty – in the best way possible.
Jacob May Cutting Boards
Jacob May end grain kitchen boards are contemporary classics. Heirloom quality, they get better each year. I’ve had mine for five or six years now (!?) and love it more each time I reach for it. The recipient of one of these should be extra, extra special ;)…
Donabe & Japanese pantry
I love cooking in clay pots, and despite a real effort to scale back, have growing collection of them. Toiro Kitchen is my favorite source for donabe, Japanese clay pots. The Kamado-san double-lid rice cooker is my favorite, but I also love the Ibushi Gin donabe smoker. Beyond donabe, everything in Naoko’s Torio Kitchen is gift-worthy, and a selection of the pantry items would make a great basket. If you can visit the Los Angeles store do it. You’ll find a helpful staff to explain their incredible selection of donabe, pantry items, and Japanese tableware.
All things Herriott Grace
Vitamix 7500 in white
I bought one of these years ago, and my pureed soups, smoothies, and nut milks have never been silkier. It is really is that good. In the years since, I’ve also experimented with other blenders, as well as the little Magic Bullet – and, at a much, much lower price point. Nothing I’ve tried comes close to this big guy. You know those commercials where someone gets a car with a bow in the driveway? That’s the realm we’re in. The Mercedes of blenders.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pure Stainless Steel Can Opener
A can opener for a gift? This is the smoothest can opener I know, it quickly opens cans with precision every single time. Wayne and I sometimes fight over who “gets” to open the can.
Iris Hantverk brushes
Here’s the entire Iris Hantverk kitchen line of brushes. They are beautiful, utilitarian, and a simple pleasure to use.
Weck jars plus wood lids
A set of Weck jars is a great gift. They stack nicely, and help turn chaos into calm. All my favorite dried beans and pulses go straight into them. I also use them constantly in my refrigerator (below), in the quest to minimize plastic, and single use containers.
Levo oil
I put this on my personal wish list. It just seems like it would be a blast to experiment with. I like to think that I’m not one for gadgets, wifi-connected devices and single-use appliances, but this is the sort of thing I can’t resist. For the right person who likes to experiment in the kitchen, this is going to perfect. Lots of cool ideas, ratios, recipes on their site if you poke around.
Moccamaster in white
We’re currently an espresso (and lots of tea) household, but friends have told me this is a great combination of style and functionality.
Jenni Kayne Tableware
Jenni Kayne always has a great selection of bowls and tableware (the wood bowls!). They’re the sort of kitchen items that get better and better the more you use them.
Wonder Valley Olio Nuevo
I’ve been working my way through a bottle of the Wonder Valley Olio Nuevo (Thanks Chanda!). Made with olives harvested in October 2018, this is the fresh, bright stuff. Limited to 600 bottles.
Diaspora Co. Turmeric
Sana’s Diaspora Co. sources turmeric from Andhra Pradesh, India. It is some of the best you can buy.
Coffee Manufactory Holiday Bundle
Not sure if you knew, but our friends at Tartine and Tartine Manufactory have a coffee venture. And like everything they set their sights on, it’s spot-on. Check out this holiday gift bundle.
Breakaway Matcha
Eric Gower’s Breakaway Matcha is one of the best sources of matcha tea in the United States. A great gift and introduction to the different grades of matcha is this matcha flight.
Lord Windsor Coffee
A local fav in Long Beach – a few bags of the Costa Rica blend or No Stresso Espresso in this colorful packaging brighten a friend’s morning ritual.
Canyon Coffee
Ally and Casey’s Canyon Coffee never disappoints – I like the Colombian blend, but they also offer gift packages. If you’re on the West coast, keep an eye out for them at a bunch of holiday markets, where you can have a cup in person.
For the adaptogen enthusiast: The O’CLOCKS – More about them here. And the collection as trio here.
For cooking Inspiration on Cozy Winter Nights – Strudel, Noodles and Dumplings: The New Taste of German Cooking
Ila Black Lava Salt
The perfect finishing element for anything from salads and spreads, to cookies or homemade crackers – we love the Ila black lava salt. Bonus points for the beautiful, weighty, black on black packaging.
Song Tea White Dragonwell
Peter Luong carefully sources tea from China and ships it back to the states with temperature control, so you get the freshest, most subtle flavors. I love the white teas in particular, and the description of this one with notes of chrysanthemum, rice milk, and marshmallow caught my attention.
Leaves & Flowers Turmeric Wellness Tea
This is the herbal tea blend I drink the all the time, select the glass jar for gift-worthy packaging. I really enjoy all the L&F blends, and you can’t go wrong with their seed tea, hibiscus blend, or peace tea (these are all the ones I buy most often) – I guess what I’m saying is, don’t be afraid to experiment, because it’s hard to go wrong here.
You’ve no doubt seen Sarah’s classic fermentation crock, but her ramen and salad bowls deserve to be in daily rotation.
Malinda’s pieces are all one-of-a-kind ceramics made in small kiln firings in San Francisco. We enjoy having them on the table and sprinkled throughout favorite corners of the house.
For your favorite cookie lover. My pal Natalie kindly sent me a box of these as a house-warming present when we were moving into our new place. And, while all of these cookies are super A+, I promptly fell in love with the GF Chocolate Chocolate Peanut Butters. I mean, each cookie goes into the oven weighing nearly 1/2 lb. Laugh/cry.
Luvhaus Ametrine
Sean has recently introduced bold glazes which pop on any table. I love this one called ametrine. For the bold table scape.
I’m never very far from a Colleen Hennessey bowl in my kitchen. They mix and match beautifully, can go oven to table, and are resilient (if you tend to be tough on bowls and plates).
Earthen Ceramics
Julia opened a fantastic shop in San Francisco’s Lower Haight neighborhood this year. But if you can’t visit in person, her site has a good selection of her work.
Julie Cloutier
Julie Cloutier’s bowls and cups, (and her signature style) are a score for the minimalist cook in your life.
Happy happy holidays! And, I hope this has helped your gift buying process a bit :)! -h
Continue reading Holiday Gift Guide for Cooks (30+ ideas) on 101 Cookbooks
