Stuffed Mushrooms

My version of stuffed mushrooms is probably my husband’s favorite item that I make.  It is great to munch on with salad or soup for a relaxing night with a few drinks and a movie.

Ingredients:

• green onion
• bread crumbs
• wheat germ
• feta
• olive oil
• garlic
• spinach
• chopped mushroom stumps
• walnuts

Saute everything but the cheese in olive oil.  Combine with the cheese.  Stuff the mushroom caps (preferably baby bellas) and heat in the oven until the cheese melts.

Stuffed Mushrooms

For those that are not vegan, cheese can be added, such as fresh mozzarella and parmesaan.  After I made it and served it, I realized I could have added sun dried tomatoes for more flavor – just got a huge bottle from Costco that I think was a good deal – along with all the other items that totaled $500.

2 tblsps olive oil

2 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4″-thick half-moons

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tblsp chopped fresh rosemary leaves

1 14.5-ounce can plum tomatoes, drained and chopped

1 1/2 cups cooked or one 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound penne or other short, tubular pasta

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add the zucchini and cook until slightly softened, about 2 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.  Stir in the rosemary, tomatoes, chickpeas, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste.  Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.

Meanwhile, cook the penne in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes.  Drain and place in a large, shallow serving bowl.  Add the sauce and toss gently to combine.  Serve at once.

Serves 4

Source:  Vegan Planet

With my son and daughter at a park on Mother's Day

Sometimes I feel like my brain is constantly seeking potential SNL skits.  My preteen son has joined me in this and sometimes when we are left alone, we come up with amusing scenarios.  This occurred recently at a strip mall while my husband left to get a few items from a store, leaving me in the car with my son and toddler daughter.  One of the shows I tease my son and sometimes my husband for watching is “Survivorman.”

It is a reality show about a man surviving for a week at a time in different challenging circumstances, such as the ocean or the Amazon.  I told them that there should be a show called “Survivorwoman,” which I would gladly be the star of.  In this show, I would have to endure trying out top class hotels the world over.  I would be shown comparing the best food, the best massages, the best spa treatments, you get the picture – I would have to survive all such scenarios…

Anyway, as we waited at the strip mall, we wondered what “Survivorman” would do in such a scene.  It would be called “Strip Mall Survivorman.”  We imagined him waking up in the parking lot, surrounded by a chinese restaurant, Kmart, a liquor store and various other stores.  He would of course do a pan on his camera of the scene.  He would explain to us how he would eat lunch at the chinese restaurant, and what he would eat.  We would then get to see him eat it.  He would then potentially get some alcohol at the liquor store…you get the picture.  Exciting show!  As exciting as watching me enjoy spa treatments on “Survivorwoman,” a show every woman would want to try to survive on…

“Storage Tips

Here are some storage tips for you to help you get the most out of your produce:

APPLES – Refrigerate or store in cool area. (4-6 weeks)

APRICOTS – Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate. (1-2 days)

ARTICHOKES – Refrigerate. (2-3 days)

ASPARAGUS – Refrigerate, unwashed, covered. (1-3 days)

AVOCADOS – Ripen in warm, humid place. Refrigerate only if necessary.

BANANAS – Ripen at room temperature. (2-3 days)

BEETS – Cut off tops 2 inches above crown. Refrigerate, covered. (3-4 days)

BERRIES – Refrigerate, uncovered. Wash just before serving. (2-3 days)

BROCCOLI – Refrigerate, in closed bag. (4-5 days)

BRUSSELS SPROUTS – Remove wilted leaves store covered. (3-5days)

CABBAGE – Refrigerate in closed bag. (1-2 weeks)

CARROTS – Remove tops, wash. Refrigerate in closed bag. (1-2 weeks)

CAULIFLOWER – Refrigerate in closed bag. (2-5days)

CELERY – Wash, refrigerate in closed bag. (1-2 weeks)

EGGPLANT – Refrigerate in closed bag. (3-4 days)

GARLIC – Store at room temperature. (1-2 months)

GRAPES – Refrigerate in perforated bag. (1-2 weeks)

KALE – Wash, refrigerate in closed bag lined with paper towel. (3-4 days)

KIWIFRUIT – Ripen in warm humid place. Refrigerate. (1-2 weeks)

LEEKS – Refrigerate covered. (5-7 days)

LEMONS – if washed and dried and sealed in a ziplock bag will last for weeks with no change in taste or look.

LETTUCE – Wash, drain, refrigerate in closed bag lined with paper towel. (3-4 days)

LIMES – if washed and dried and sealed in a ziplock bag will last for weeks with no change in taste or look.

ONIONS – Keep dry. Refrigerate or store in pantry. (1-2 months)

ORANGES – Room temperature (3-4 days) or refrigerate. (2-3 weeks)

PEARS – Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate, unwashed. (1-2 weeks)

PEAS – Refrigerate unshelled. (1-2 days)

PEPPER – Refrigerate or store in cool, moist area. (1-2 weeks)

POTATO – Keep cool, dry and dark.

RADISH – Refrigerate. (5-7 days)

SPINACH – Refrigerate covered. (3-4 days)

SQUASH – cool and dry in pantry. If cut, refrigerate covered.

SWEET POTATO – Keep cool, dry and dark.

TANGELO – Room temperature (3-4 days) or refrigerate. (2-3 weeks)

TANGERINES – Room temperature (3-4 days) or refrigerate. (2-3 weeks)

TOMATOES – Store at room temperature (stem end down) until ripe. Then refrigerate”

Source:  Door to Door Organics

Observing birds and their nests on a bridge during a nature walk on Mother's Day.

Boredom is a subject many moms are looking at these days as summer break approaches for our kids. It’s a dreaded, scary word that prompts mom to feel inadequate. That’s not a difficult feat for moms on any given day. Seems to be a part of motherhood – our constantly trying to reach the perfect image in our minds. This is continually challenged by a toddler as she continually goes into and touches things she should not – and worse yet, when these items need to be explored with her mouth.

As I’m trying to keep my toddler from eating and touching things she shouldn’t, I am trying to make certain my preteen is “entertained.” Since when did the role of entertainer become a part of motherhood? Kids are getting increasingly entertained by the media and my specialization of marketing. Parents have to be the follow-up act, and it’s tough to accomplish.

My son brought up yesterday that he was bored, after a full few minutes of being in-between activities. I told him that was good! We’ve been engaging in chats here and there about the idea of boredom as we approach summer break. Some of the agenda behind this is selfish, so I don’t get inundated with continuous preteen shows that I already know more about than I care to.

Moms, the next time your child mentions the dreaded “I’m bored” sentence, accept it as a healthy part of life rather than feeling guilty and like you have to be a clown for your child. It is healthy for children to have “down time” when they can reflect and imagine.

Remind your child that if they feel bored, it means they’ve lost touch with the fascinating world around them and that now they can be more conscious of it. When they were younger, boredom was not a concept they knew about. I point out to my preteen how my toddler never gets bored because everything is new and interesting. This is a concept we should retain forever!

In fact, I don’t know of a single adult that ever complains of boredom. At least not a parent. Adults work hard to go on vacation and maybe, hopefully, “get bored.”

Birds building nests under a bridge

My hand with butterfly strips once stitches were removed

As a matter of fact, my physical therapist told me yesterday that it might be the last time I would see them depending on what my surgeon says next week. This was a big deal. I was potentially graduating from physical therapy and go back to normal life, although the bones will take about two more weeks to fully heal.

The healing has meant most significantly that I can change my daughter’s diapers with both hands and can more adequately carry her. It’s also meant that I can type with both hands. I’ve never appreciated this as much as I do now! Right after the fall, I accepted new writing work and this past week, some more.

This means I now have deadlines to meet. It’s somewhat of an adjustment and maybe a little stressful, but a good stress. I think I thrive on deadlines and goals that need to be met. I’ve always had a strong drive to excel and have probably taken on too much at times in my life. I may need to watch for this, but for now, I feel revved up by taking on as much as I can.

Probably my biggest incentive to work as hard as I can working from home is to not have to see cube walls again. Maybe for me, wanting freedom, flexibility, and balance, the image of being in a cube is starting to feel like failure for what I want. I remain amazed at how telecommuting has still not taken become more of a norm in civilized society. There seem to be so many benefits for all parties, including the planet in less driving. Technology exists to do much from home.

I imagine that when my children are adults, there will be more “hubs” for telecommuters – places where people have occasional face-to-face meetings while the majority of work is done from home or wherever the individual desires. What should matter is the end result of work getting done, and not the geographic location of an individual.

My hand without strips

Maya being the epitomy of happiness at Easter

According to a feature on The Today Show, 50% of how happy we feel is based on genetics. We can control the other half.  There is a level of hard-wiring in terms of how happy we feel, but we can work around it.

Perspective, attitude, and optimism matters.  There are ways to be more optimistic and studies have shown that optimists are much happier.  They appreciate what they have and don’t think about what they don’t have.

Tips on being happy

• 5 random acts of kindness per week
• keep a gratitude journal – focusing on what you are thankful for keeps you in that positive space
• forgive – it releases you from a psychological imprisonment
• write someone a thank-you letter – pen to paper, not email.  The process of thanking someone makes a difference.
• getting enough sleep
• having fun
• think about what’s true for you, e.g. don’t force yourself to find all your happiness from motherhood if that is not true for you.
• make your bed!  There is something about the tangible act that helps people feel there is order in their lives and that they are starting their day right.  I have been trying to tell my husband and son this!  I am a stickler about a bed being made first thing.
• strong relationships – joining a group, throwing a party, and just showing up.

Source: The Today Show, 4/30/10

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and it’s a great day to reflect on ways we can be more environmentally-conscious.  Being conscious of my actions on the environment is a daily part of my life.   Ways that I maintain this consciousness on a regular basis include recycling and being a vegetarian.

I have been a vegetarian my entire life.  My diet and lifestyle began as a result of being from a vegetarian Indian family.  I’m glad I was raised that way as it seems much easier to just remain in the lifestyle rather than switching.  I chose to give my kids that gift by raising them vegetarian.

As a teenager, I researched vegetarianism and decided the lifestyle made sense to me at numerous levels, including environmental.  I was interviewed by the Vegetarian Times regarding my thoughts and beliefs.  I chose vegetarianism as my topic for Original Oratory in debate class competitions in high school.  I memorized the speech overnight and competed the next day with veterans.  I ended up being a quarter-finalist in the state of NC.  Judges told me that the speech opened their eyes and they would consider the diet.  I think the part of my speech that stood out the most for them was regarding the composition of hot dogs.

As an adult, I’m devoted to recycling.  My husband might call me somewhat of a hoarder at times because I don’t like to waste anything.  I was the first in my neighborhood to request an extra green bin from my town to hold my recycling and had my second regular black bin picked up (never need it).  In my family, we are trained to evaluate every piece of trash and determine if it goes into our recycling bin or regular trash bin.  This includes my preteen son.

I rarely use paper towels, preferring dish cloths for wiping up spills.  We regularly use cloth napkins at meals.  We use energy-efficient bulbs throughout the house along with any appliance purchases.  Left-over food is stored for future meals or given to our dogs.  Dogs can help a lot with recycling and preventing waste.  We make sure our dishwasher and washing machine is completely full before running it.  I remind my husband at least a few times a week to stop idling when I’m in the car with him.

We also compost.  We have a compost bin in our yard and are trying to perfect the art and science of composting.  Next to our trash and recycling containers in my kitchen pantry, we also have a compost container.  In there we put our vegetable scraps and anything else that can be composted, like dryer lint.  My husband and I debate somewhat the ingredients that will result in perfect compost.  It is a shared interest and goes perfectly with my gardening interest.  I like that not only am I not wasting and creating more junk for landfills, but helping my yard and garden out at the same time.

At my boutique, I offer environmentally-conscious fabric gift bags.  They are reusable, affordable, and save trees by replacing paper.

Fabric gift bags at Komal Style Boutique

What are ways that you honor the Earth in your life?

Finding others with such an interest is not very common, particularly in the dating scene I experienced.  Small talk can get boring fast if it doesn’t lead to more depth.   To engage in deep conversations, people have to be willing to expose themselves at some level.

The article states that “substantive conversation seemed to hold the key to happiness for two main reasons:

• human beings are driven to find and create meaning in their lives
• we are social animals who want and need to connect with other people.

By engaging in meaningful conversations, we manage to impose meaning on an otherwise pretty chaotic world.  And interpersonally, as you find this meaning, you bond with your interactive partner, and we know that interpersonal connection and integration is a core fundamental foundation of happiness.”

If talking deeply has not been your thing, you can experiment by trying to do some more every day and see how you feel, perhaps with your significant other.  You may find that you two become more intimate.  If you are male, I can almost assure you of it as a female.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard a female friend complain that her mate spoke too deeply with her.

Source:  New York Times

Mint in March

It’s been exciting seeing signs of Spring and being able to get started on the gardening season.  I was hopeful when I saw a few new mint leaves and my bulbs start to peek out.   My crocuses have been showing off their lovely purple colors in the sun.  How uplifting!  Only in Colorado can you have snow on the ground in the morning and be able to garden in the afternoon as I have been able to do last month.

Crocus in March

Here in Denver, we’ve been blessed to have a few days since March from the 50s to even 70.  We were even able to bathe our dogs.  One day, the temperature would be in the high 60s and then we would have a storm coming in the following day dumping about 7 inches of snow.  That means Denverites have been desperately trying to make use of any pleasant weather to get out and perhaps tend to their yards as I have tried to do.

I have also been fortunate that my 1 year-old has been cooperating with me by peacefully playing on a blanket near me outside while I squeezed in some gardening.   I was able to plant spinach and Asian radish.  We’ll see how it goes!  Last year, I was some-what successful with the spinach.  I was able to use some before the insects got to it.