Salmon and (Kid-Friendly) Mojito Tea

Have you ever bought fresh salmon? Over the weekend, for the first time ever, I bought a pound of fresh salmon. Now, don't get me wrong. I eat salmon often, though not as often as I'd prefer. I typically, and ashamedly, buy the frozen stuff. The baby girl actually likes salmon, and considering she refuses most meat, that's pretty awesome. So mid-morning on Saturday we ventured out to the grocery store, despite the fact that my lungs were threatening to shut down due to this awful chest congestion I was experiencing, and we shopped. It happened to be a day for sampling some on-trend healthy foods. Salmon was one of those samplings.

I love salmon so when I got the chance to sample I was so excited. I was inspired to make a fresh fish purchase, but it wasn't until I was offered a coupon for it that I took the bait. *I have paused to admire my fish humor* So, I bought a pound. On the counter of the seafood section was this little ruler that measures up to 2 1/2". I picked it up and it turns out that it's a tool to use to measure your fillets and it gives you the cooking information based on thickness. So clever. Also, this little, brilliant find was free. It says on the ruler that you are supposed to cook fresh fish at a temperature of 450 degrees for 10 minutes per inch of thickness. So you use the ruler on the one side to measure the thickness of your meat, at the thickest part of the fillet. My fillet was 1 1/2" at its thickest area so I baked mine for 15 minutes. Let me tell you- it was perfect. It was so perfectly cooked. Juicy and flaked so easily. If you are like me and you love fresh fish but you are terrified of how to cook it, take my advice- try it! You won't believe how easy! Oh, and before I forget, it also says that you add 15 minutes to the cook time if you're starting with a frozen fillet. I made a salad with mine, but I think that some asparagus baked with a bit of olive oil, sea salt and pepper, and a spray of citrus would really pair well with the fish.

Now, for my second triumph of the weekend- Mojito Tea. I love mojitos, almost as much (and in some instances, even more) as Margaritas which have always been my fave. I'm not much of a drinker. In fact, I probably enjoy a Margarita (or Mojito) only twice a year. What I love about Mojitos are the mint and lime juice. I am a big fan of both mint and limes. So, here's how I made a non-alcoholic Mojito Tea that can be enjoyed anytime.

Mojito Tea

In a large glass container, microwave 6 tea bags in 6 cups of water for 6 minutes. Once it's done, leave the tea bags in and allow to steep. Take 1 small lime or 3 small key limes and rub them on the top of a counter to get the juices flowing. Cut them in half and combine with lots of mint leaves in a coffee filter. Seal the filter well. *Note: It's a good idea to take the leaves off of the mint stems so that no sharp ends poke through the filter. Drop the filter into the hot tea and allow it all to steep together for at least an hour. Coffee filters work great for adding flavors to tea where you don't want to actually mix the stuff into the water. You can combine any number of things- oranges, lemons, anything- in a coffee filter and get the flavors you want without adding pulp or grit to the actual drink. Enjoy. It's super refreshing and crisp.

Happy Life

I have to admit. It's been a long time since I've felt so....happy. I mean, really happy. The thing is, I know people tell you that you can choose joy. That's true. Joy can be a choice. But just like love is a choice and that choice sometimes takes great pains to achieve, so does joy. But what I mean here is not something that has been worked on or forced. It's just sort of happened.

I remember in the pilot episode of the Golden Girls that Blanche was about to marry a man, who it turned out, was a bigamist. She felt like a fool and she was really depressed. At the end of the episode she came out of her bedroom, cheerful (and not for the reasons you might think, if you know anything about Blanche). She told the girls that she was in the shower and heard someone singing and realized that it was her. She was singing and that meant one thing- she was happy. That always stuck with me for some reason.

There are lots of reasons for me to realize my happiness. Let me tell you about a few of them. Over the course of the past year and a halfish, God has been done some amazing things in my life. First, He led me on a road of great healing. As I healed He slowly revealed truths to me about choices I had made in my life that brought me to that place. But, in His infinite wisdom, He only revealed these things to me as I was ready to realize them. With each realization and revelation, I healed a little more. Those revelations have taught me so much about myself. I mean, shouldn't we, of all people, know ourselves already? Yet, in fact, we don't. Even now He continues to reveal things to me. The healing and continual growing that I have done have also opened this door to knowing more of God's love for me. His infinite, perfect, unconditional, passionate, crazy love. I mean, that right there is a big reason for happiness.

Then there's being a mom to this amazing little girl. She's only 3 and yet she talks like a grown up. I'm sure that's my fault. But when it's just you and a three year old you either talk on her level or somewhere in between. I can't baby talk. I just can't. It annoys me. And my baby girl is a smart one. She picks up on ideas and analyzes things all the time. So, I think it would be rather demeaning to her to talk to her on a lower level. She has such an amazing faith in God already, and of course, that makes my heart sing. She can be a handful sometimes, don't get me wrong. After all, she's 3. And every bit of 3. But she is also compassionate and nurturing. She will say, "I love you Mama," out of the blue. Melts me, as you can imagine. And I love her too. No person, other than God and Jesus, has brought me such love and joy. She is my heart. She is my favorite person in the world.

I've also reached the point in my life (and so incredibly glad to do so) that I don't feel pressured to be in a relationship. It's not that I'm bitter, love-scorned, or anti-men. Not at all. But I finally realize that I don't need a man. If God has plans for me to be married, He has already been well informed that for me to be willing to give up spending time with Lainie, he'd have to be amazing. It would truly have to be that "can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, world series" kind of thing. God knows. If I have a Prince out there, well, he's going to have to chase me. Because I finally get that I'm worth the chase. =)

But, if God doesn't plan to knock my socks off, that's ok. My Bestie and I have had many talks about relationships and men over the years and we've both decided that when our children are grown we will be like the Golden Girls. That's fine by me. My Bestie is a pretty fabulous chic and we'd have a fantastic time. We'd travel and shop and laugh. Maybe we'd eat cheesecake, too. That's what the GGs did.

I'm gearing up for a trip to Florida for my brother's graduation. We're going to Disney and we're going back to St. Augustine to the beach and to shop. Maybe I'm on a high right now because I'm getting ready to take a much needed vacation. But, I feel happy. I notice myself smiling more and more these days and it reminds me of what Blanche said- if I'm smiling (or singing) that means I'm happy.

And, can I just say for the record- it's about freakin' time! =)

So You Think You Can Dance

Well, I can dance. I might have even done a little jig after I weighed in today at 4 whole pounds lighter! Woo hoo!!! I love weeks like this. Especially since I've been trying so hard and had two weeks in a row where I was good yet only lost .4 pounds. 1.8 pounds in two weeks is sad, if you ask me. But, my brother reminded me of what I should really be focused on and the scale is not it. Being healthier, developing better eating and activity habits, and just being happy with me are what's important.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some more dancing to do!

Happy Weighsday!

I've Got the Joy

You know that feeling you have when the guy you like notices you and then you start talking and you know he likes you and it fills you with this bubbly, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling and you get that can't eat-can't sleep-reach for the stars-over the fence-world series feeling? Strangely, I feel that way and there isn't a guy that has noticed me (that I'm aware of) or talking to me or liking me (again, that I know of). But I feel so bubbly and butterflies-in-my-stomachy these days. No clue why.

I have been dancercising with my baby girl. I also spent every morning last week up at the butt crack of dawn doing some pilates and yoga. It's so fun to see the results in the form of my daughter dancing around telling people she's exercising and she is mimicking my pilates and yoga video. She likes to sit on the couch in the wee hours of the morning watching me. One day she even tried to do it with me, on the floor, entirely in my way- but super fun! She loves Richard Simmons and asks for more dancing. We also discovered on one of her Barbie movie dvds that there is a dance instructional feature and then the music video to dance to. We love that too. I also purchased Michael Jackson- The Experience for the Wii. Although, much to my chagrin, I have yet to do it, I plan to. I'm dancing Thriller at my brother's wedding with my brother and his will-be bride. I'm gonna rock that joint.

I've also been stretching myself in the cooking world. Last week I made two new dishes- Italian Chicken (much like Italian beef) and Sweet Curried Chicken. Check out the recipe of the week for the Italian Chicken. I'll post the Sweet Curried Chicken later.

Tomorrow is Weighsday so I'll have to report back on how I'm doing. But, last week, after all of the schmexercising I did and eating so healthy I lost .4 pounds. I was a bit crushed but then my brother offered lots of encouraging words and thoughts and he made me realize that these weigh-ins don't matter as much as where I am in 6 months matter. I can't let one minor weight loss when I was expecting so much more defeat me. I mean, ok, duh, right? But, I still needed to hear it. Thanks, Tommy!! He's a pretty swell little brother (that looks older than me thought I'm 5 1/2 years his senior- thanks for looking so old, Tommy!) I'm not being mean. It's a running joke. The little buggar gave me a Happy 40th Birthday card for my 28th birthday. He deserves a jab here and there.

Happy Tuesday!

Welcome to a New Era

So, this is going to be my year- FACT! But it's also the start of a whole new era for me. I have many plans for myself this year and it all involves being more selfish. Now, don't get me wrong because I'm not talking about selfish in a bad way. I'm strictly speaking about devoting a little more time to me and taking care of myself. I just realized right before Christmas that I couldn't remember the last time I had purchased for myself a new article of clothing. It must have been the last time I had a gift card. Probably to Old Navy and I distinctly recall the last time I shopped there I used a gift card to buy myself a shirt and Lainie a dress and some cute socks. I just feel that this is shameful. More so because I do have new clothes and they have all been hand-me-downs from Christie (my Naomi) or purchased by my mom. Please don't doubt for a second that all of the clothes I have received have been fashionable and thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. But, to never buy myself something new is getting on my nerves just a little. Especially because I've been losing weight and working on getting in shape and I think a new outfit every now and then is just the motivational boost I need. So, I budgeted for it. In my monthly budget I have added a line item to buy myself something special each month. Doesn't have to be a new outfit. For instance, this month I'm getting myself the Michael Jackson Experience for the Wii. It's going to be part of my new dancercise regimen.

 Also part of this new era is getting fit. I can't call it that horrible word that rhymes with shmexercise. I mean, some people hear the word diet and instantly crave pizza, mozzarella sticks, and an oreo cookie blizzard (or is that just me?). Well, truth be told, I've been on a diet of sorts my whole life so the word diet is really not that scary. But that dreaded "e" word is just too much for me. It immediately makes me want to do nothing but sit on my couch and watch a marathon of Golden Girls whilst devouring cheesecake (because, let's face it, you can't watch an episode of Golden Girls without craving cheesecake). So, I'm calling that "e" word anything but the actual "e" word. From de-stressing to dancercise, it has to be called anything but that "e" word. So, what else is part of my getting fit routine you might be asking. Well, Sweating to the Oldies (yes, the one with Richard Simmons- the original STTO), for one. I'm not gonna lie because, quite frankly, I have no shame when it comes to Richie S. I love him. He's hysterical. He has a good heart. I love the songs. So, yeah, STTO. Plus, Wii Fit and Wii Play and my beloved Denise Austin Pilates and Yoga dvd. I'm sure I'll add more as time goes along, but for now that's it.

 To round out the continuation of the new me, I'm back to attending Weight Watcher meetings. I have been doing it online since June, but they recently began a new program and so my co-worker and I are back at the meetings. By the way, I'm likely the only person in America that lost 1.5 pounds over Christmas (I weigh in for my New Year's test tomorrow). Score!

 So, here's to 2012. May there be pounds lost, fitness gained, clothes purchased, fun had, kisses from a prince, and a brand new me by the end of this year! God bless you in 2012!!