Did I mention I took Monday off work? Hallelujah. Not that I don’t love my job, because I do, but I like long weekends better. My company’s vacation policy is “use it or lose it,” and for the past couple years, I lost it (think weeks of time). Not this year though. This year I plan to use all my time even if it means random long weekends. Especially if it means random long weekends. A girl could get used to this.
So I took advantage of the extra day to get some things accomplished. Did you really think I would just lay around all day and eat bon bons. Not likely. I caught up on some blog stuff and reorganized my Pinterest boards. I separated my “Good Eats” board into foods I’ve tried (Been There, Done That) and foods I still want to want to make (Must Try). I love reorganizing; it makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over; brings a sense of order to my world. Yeah, I’m not a control freak at all (Hubby – stop laughing).
I made some granola for the week; think walnuts, almonds, cinnamon and cherries….I can’t wait to try this latest batch, and the freshly baked granola completed eradicated the weird beet smell from the night before. I whipped up a batch of Energy Bites using Almond Butter instead of PB, and I also made the Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Pudding since the Hubby has been asking for weeks now. And really, he doesn’t ask for much. If I can make him happy, even though I have to eat chocolate pudding in the process, then so be it. I’ll force myself to put it down. 🙂
I finally got around to making an appointment with a new Ob GYN. Sorry fellas, but this was long overdue. I’ve been married to the Hubby for seven years now, we’ve been together for sixteen (it’s been that long!), and the first thing my (now former) doctor says at every visit is, “Are you seeing anybody special?” Really, hello! Read my chart, take a look at my ring finger, something, anything before you go poking around down south of the border because nothing sets me at ease then having no idea who I am. So yeah, it was time.
I hit up the dry cleaners to hem some new pants I bought weeks ago. My existing work pants are literally falling off me. I got a case of the saggy booty in the worst way. It ain’t pretty, but it sure feels great to drop a size. Drop it likes it hot!
Hard work really does pay off, and since I’m going to be hitting the beach with the family in less than six weeks, I need to keep working it. I would love to go to the beach and feel 100% comfortable in a bathing suit, something which has never happened before. At least not since I was a little kid and had no clue what I was wearing or how it looked. I don’t want to worry about sucking in my tummy or how my back, thighs, or butt looks. I just want to have a good time and feel strong and proud. Doesn’t that sound nice. That’s my summer goal, and I think it’s pretty fabulous. You’re welcome to join me. The more the merrier.
Keeping in line with my summer plans, I did a quick 30 minute workout while catching up on my DVR shows. How’s that for killing two birds with one stone (what a weird phrase, why do we have to kill anything?). I watched some episodes of So You Think You Can Dance, and I might have cried once (or twice, whatever). I love this show and can’t wait for the auditions to be done and the real season to start. It’s one of the few shows I actually watch in the summer time.
I swept our front stoop, added some plants and repotted the Zinnia’s. I did more laundry (how can two people generate so much dirty stuff) and cleaned the living room, including vacuuming out the sofa. I also did a five-minute meditation (not very well),read some back issues of my People magazine (things have been piling up around here) and even started Book Two in the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. Wow; I know these books are all anyone can talk about, and I understand why. Even the Hubby has been asking what’s the hype, since they were recently mentioned on Sport Center’s PTI. And the best and easiest way to describe the books is one word: Foreplay. Seriously, let’s just say I’m 50 shades of hooked.
Last week, we picked up our first CSA share, and we are well on our way towards using everything. It was a small week, but the first few generally are, and it’s a good thing. It allows you to ease into learning how to use, prepare, cook and enjoy everything you get.
As you know, we got beets (and rhymes), which we used in Sunday night’s pasta sauce, and a big beautiful tomato, which made its way into Saturday night’s sauce. We also received a giant bag of red leaf lettuce, strawberries, green onions, rainbow swiss chard (look at those pretty stems), and a pound of ground beef. The Hubby forgot I did an “add-on” order this year, so we’ll get a pound of organic ground beef every week. It’s a lot of meat, but the price was right, it’s easily freeze-able, and it’s perfect for summer cook outs. Needless to say, he was thrilled. You’re welcome, my crazy carnivore.
I used some of the strawberries last week and ate the rest for a snack today. For dinner, we had corn (not from the CSA) smothered in cilantro lime butter and swiss chard in a balsamic vinegar reduction (sounds fancy). The Hubby had a burger, and we also polished off the previous nights whole wheat garlic bread. It was an impressive meal if I do say so myself.
Basically, the only thing left from week one of our CSA is the green onions and the lettuce. If history repeats itself, I’m pretty much done buying lettuce for the summer, because we’ll get at least one bag per week from here on out. The green onions will be easy to use, maybe in my Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette or a new quinoa salad I’ve been dying to try. Either way, I’ll keep you posted, and I’ll share the corn and swiss chard recipes later in the week.
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