Mind Your Own Grief (published 2017)

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

With today being the anniversary of a childhood friend passing away, I thought it would be appropriate to share something rather heavy on my mind and heart.

At work this past week, I overheard a conversation a woman was having where she spoke about the passing of a loved one and how it's annoying  that other family members constantly share memories of that person on the day of their death &/or birthday that she would rather not have the public reminder.

I felt like I had my heard on a swivel - I'M THAT GIRL! Every birthday, heavenly anniversary, Mother's Day or holiday I'm sharing some type of memory or feeling I have about my mom so I was highly offended to hear her say such a thing!

But I'm a very rational person and I get that death is hard and every one is entitled to their opinion. I also realize everyone is different in how they deal with grief so who is anyone to judge how someone else handles it?

Because social media has the like option, I think many people assume when we share publicly we're doing it for attention but I don't think that's the case most times. Maybe we just want our loved ones memory to live on. Maybe we want people to know we haven't forgotten about our grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, parent, child, friend, or even their childhood pet. Maybe we never saw a grief counselor so this is our therapy. Or maybe we are doing it for attention because deep down we don't know what else to do... regardless of our motivations --

I mean look at me, I'm sitting at my computer taking the time to write out my thoughts on a conversation I overheard. Not because I'm seeking likes or approval because people might not even share the same opinion as me and I could very well get some nasty comments. I'm doing this because I want to raise awareness and truly make people think a little deeper. Perhaps someone reading this will have their eyes opened just a little bit more.

There is no handbook on how to deal with the loss of a loved one. Our grief is our own burden to bear and no one should be shamed for dealing with it the only way we know how.


Written in honor of Tyler & my mom <3

Mother's Day (published 2017)

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

There's no doubt that Mother's Day is a beautiful holiday and absolutely every mom deserves to have a special day all to themselves to be celebrated. However, aside from sharing a few small tokens of my day Sunday, I didn't spend much time scrolling my social media feed.

Mother's Day is a painful reminder that my mom is spending her special day in Heaven. Every mother standing proudly next to their high school or college graduate daughter is a reminder that she missed those milestones. Every blushing bride in her white wedding dress makes me think of how she won't be there for our wedding next year. Every 'three generation of women' photo makes my heart ache for my future children who will never know their wild and caring grandma.

I know there are more people out there like me who are longing for the mom who was taken too soon or even the child who never came or perhaps did but went to be with our maker. I know I'm not alone in my grief so for those of you going through this with me, I'm thinking about you. I'm sending you all the love, prayers and positivity.

I am very thankful for the women who helped raise me after she passed, but she will always be irreplaceable.

Spinach Pancakes

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

I find it really difficult to pair a vegetable with breakfast foods. I've tried making zucchini hash browns, adding spinach to my eggs or peppers and onions to an omelet but aside from those ideas it's REALLY hard especially when I'm craving a sweet breakfast food.

BUT I think I found the solution to my dilemma: spinach pancakes!

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 c. rolled oats

1/4 c. wheat flour

1/3 c. almond milk

1 cup spinach

1/2 banana

(you can use 1/2 c. rolled oats and omit the flour if you'd like, but the flour helps the pancakes rise)

Directions:

Put all the ingredients in a blender & blend on medium until smooth. Cook on a griddle or in a pan like any other pancake. Simple enough?!

I use either pure maple syrup or peanut butter as a topping. This recipe makes about 6 medium sized pancakes. I double it & have leftovers that I can reheat, add peanut butter & fold over like a taco (ha!).

If you try this recipe, don't forget to comment & let me know what you think!

Mediterranean Meatballs

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

On Sunday, I went to the Kamms Corner Farmer's Market not really realizing that fresh vegetables in Ohio aren't even close to being ready to harvest. I settled for getting fresh grass-fed meat from a local vendor and some fresh dill (which I was honestly clueless on how to prepare).

Last night, Kevin was supposed to come home and cook turkey burgers on the grill, but he ended up going to physical therapy for his back so I had NO idea what I was doing for dinner. When I opened the fridge I saw turkey meat that needed cooked and I smelled the dill and suddenly I was inspired to create this recipe straight from my head and it turned out AMAZING!!! 

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey

1 fist full of kale, sliced

1 c. onions, chopped

1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt

1 tbsp. fresh dill

1/4 c. parmesan cheese

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Goya seasoning

Directions:

This is the tough part... mix ALL the ingredients (except EVOO)  in a mixing bowl and form meatballs to your desired size. Either in a frying pan or baking dish, coat pan with EVOO and cook the meatballs until golden brown.

Considering the heat I'm dealing with in Cleveland (without A/C in our house), I opted to NOT turn on the oven and use the stove top.

Don't forget to leave a comment if you try this recipe! It was a hit with Kevin who claims to not like meatballs - who doesn't like meatballs?!

When I Look To The Sky (published 2017)

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

As each year passes, I keep thinking it's going to get easier and some years I'm so distracted with my own shit that it doesn't affect me as much, but this year is not one of them. This year, I will be turning 29 years old - the same age my mom was when she passed away.

My mom's last New Year's celebration ringing in 2000

Isn't it weird how the mind works? I can remember turning 24 and thinking, "wow, I've officially lived as long without my mom as I did with her" and when I turned 25 I thought, "well now I've lived longer without my mom than with her." Definitely not the healthiest thought process, but I can't help my mind from going there...

Momma's girl (date unknown)

I usually avoid allowing myself to feel anything on these significant days, but this year felt different. I've allowed myself to feel it and I've been feeling it all day. I woke up this morning and immediately opened a photo album and I decided to drive to work (instead of take the train) so I could have some music therapy which ultimately just turned into me bawling in rush hour traffic (that wasn't the safest idea...sorry, dad).

Here are a few of my 'music therapy' songs (in no particular order):

Train "When I Look to the Sky"

Dixie Chicks "Cowboy Take Me Away"

Pearl Jam "Last Kiss"

Gary Allen "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)"

Don Henley "Boys of Summer"

And thank you to everyone for reaching out and sharing such kind messages and even memories of my mom. It means more to me than I can say. If you knew my mom, I'm interested in knowing what songs make you think of her and why. Or what songs make you think of a lost loved one in your life?

Chicken Parm

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken, cut into tenders

2 fists full of spinach
1 c. onions, chopped
3-4 mushrooms, sliced (optional)
1/2 c. parmesan cheese

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

3 c. liveGfree organic brown rice & quinoa noodles
6.7oz Priano Roso (Sun-Dried Tomato) Pesto Sauce (pictured)
Goya Sazonador Total

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut chicken into tenders and season with Goya on both sides. Bake for 20-30 minutes. While chicken is cooking, bring a pot to boil for the noodles and prepare veggies. In a saute pan on medium-high heat, use extra virgin olive oil to saute chopped onions, whole-leaf spinach and sliced mushrooms. Add noodles into the boiling water while the veggies continue to cook. If timed right, everything should be cooked around the same time. Drain the noodles, add sun-dried tomato pesto and veggies into the large pot and mix thoroughly. Plate the pasta first and add chicken then top with parmesean cheese. If you want the cheese baked onto the chicken, add the parmesean cheese when there are 2 minutes left in the oven.


I serve according to the 21 Day Fix portion fix system to ensure I'm not overeating because I could eat ALL the pasta! 

Comment below if you try this recipe, I'd love to hear your thoughts! And if you want more information on the 21 Day Fix and the portion fix system email me!

Shrimp & Spinach

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

I'm a huge fan of seafood - huge. However, my fiance only likes certain things: scallops, light fish mainly. Not shrimp. So I'm not able to cook shrimp as often as I'd like because who wants to cook two meal?!

One night he wasn't really 'in the mood to eat' - psh, men! Who's ever not in the mood to eat?? & I whipped up this quickie with some shrimp I always have on standby in the freezer.

Ingredients

1 tsp. EVOO

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 sweet onion, sliced

2 c. spinach

1 c. shrimp (I used frozen)

Directions

In a saute pan, add EVOO and shrimp for a minute or two. Add garlic, spinach and onions. Saute until shrimp is pink, spinach is wilted and the onions are tender.

Talk about an easy recipe! & as always, let me know what you think of any of the recipes of mine you try!