I’ve been pretty fortunate so far not having too many unhealthy food cravings in my pregnancy. Mostly my cravings are dairy based — cheese, milk, & frozen yogurt (bless you Tutti Frutti for being in walking distance!) — though the evils are starting to creep in a bit at a time. Think Doritos, mac n’ cheese, enchiladas, chocolate… I can’t remember the last time I had Doritos, must be years, but just thinking about them is making my mouth water. Isn’t that strange? I haven’t given in to these evils yet, except for a bit of the chocolate. (Of course I’m waiting for my trip back home to Houston to plow into the enchiladas!) And then I remembered this recipe that I’ve been saving for months. Healthy brownie-bar things made with beets, kidney beans and cocoa powder. I know it sounds strange but they’re really good, especially with some ice cream on top — pure bliss for a pregnant lady!

I wrote the recipe on hubby’s site. Try it and let me know what you think

He did it again. Twice in 3 days this husband of mine made me brekkie in bed. I truly am the luckiest girl in the world.

Dreams do come true. Happy Valentine’s Day.

We had the episode taped on our DVR and just as the judges asked “Why did you pick that song?” to which she replied, “Because I wanted to appeal to an older audience.” Randy scoffed/laughed a bit “Are you calling us old?”

DO YOU WANT TO SAVE OR DELETE RECORDING?

I guess our DVR decided that was enough for us to see. Or as I’d like to believe, it was Dad playing a prank on us. Why? Well a few seconds later the poor girl fainted off the stage while Nigel yelled for a medic. I just now watched the clip and it’s hard not to wonder if Dad had a hand in that, too. I can hear him now, “An older audience–I’ll show you!” Plonk!

Whether he did or didn’t have his angel wings involved, it certainly made me think of him and for that I am grateful. I’m positive at least one wing was involved in that.

“I had an interesting call right before the holidays set in as, some of you already know, about a position I’ve wanted for a long, long time. The good news was that I did get the position and I will begin my new role in June this year.  I was so joyful that I jotted down a few words that I’d like to share with you this evening.

My new position
I’m told Does not rely
On being young or old

There are no barriers
And no forms to fill out
It doesn’t matter if
I’m thin or stout
Or short or tall
That doesn’t matter at all

I don’t have to be smart
Or have a degree
What I was told is
They want me for me!

I won’t have to call
The Secretary of State
To renew any filings
No one will make
Or call any clients
Or answer the phones
Or go to the office
I can just work from home

I don’t have to type
Contracts or forms
Or sit at a desk
Or plant rows of corn

I’m not expected to work
Long hectic hours
Or put up with bosses
Hungry for power
Or take all the guff
That I usually do
We want you to be, they said
Your most wonderful you!
Said they’d been thinking
For an awful long time
That whenever I wanted
This job would be mine

And it doesn’t matter
If I can cook or not
But it is helpful to know
How to wipe snot!
And giving out hugs
Will be a daily chore
And changing some diapers
And a few things more
For the first few months
As she gets on her feet
After losing that baby bump
This will be a treat!

And rocking and rocking
In my loving arms
A sweet little baby
With such baby charms
That coos and wiggles
And looks very sweet
Asleep in the cradle
Or red as a beet
Grunting and smiling
And leaving me treats In heavy filled diapers
That usually stink.

But I don’t mind
I’ll stand up to the call
Step into position
In no time at all.
I know I am ready
I’ve waited so long
And practiced
Some dances
And little kid songs
Like patty cake, patty cake
Baker’s man
I sing in the bath tub
Whenever I can
And rub a dub dub
When taking a bath
With 12 rubber duckies
I’m on the right path

And the best part of all
This sweetness and light
This position is mine
For the rest of my life”

It’s official! We recently shouted out into cyberspace about our pregnancy so now all y’all now know our little secret. I can’t tell you how hard it was to keep this secret for so long. You’re advised to wait to disclose your pregnancy until the “danger zone” is over, at around 3 months, but we kept it within close friends and family until, well until now.  I guess we just wanted some time to get used to the idea but I didn’t think we would need half my pregnancy to get there!

Now with my growing protruding belly it has definitely sunk in. And fast. Before our trip to Ireland over Christmas I wasn’t showing at all–but a week after returning I couldn’t fit into most of my jeans. Normally this would mean I drank and ate WAY too much while on holiday but not this time, especially since I didn’t drink my way through the countryside. Of course there’s no turning back, I can’t just work off the extra size — the belly is only going to get bigger, which I’m learning to embrace. Slowly but surely I’m learning.

I’ve kept a journal of my pregnancy since day one but finally decided to share it here. I’m tellin’ ya — I’ve got some funny takes on it. Like, is it gas or is it “fluttering?” Is swimming ok or will the chlorine turn my baby blue? Am I going to end up with itty bitty but sagging boobies like the tribal women in Africa? What do you mean I have to suck (literally SUCK) out my baby’s boogers?!

Oh yeah, I’m learning a lot along the way. As blindly as we’re going into this baby mama and daddy thing, we’re beyond thrilled for all the changes. Maybe that’s why I haven’t read one baby book yet (much to Mo’s chagrin). Maybe I’m scared of what I’ll learn. (I mean seriously, sucking boogers?) I quite like the happiness we’ve got going on from not knowing too much. Ignorance is bliss, isn’t that what they say? But don’t worry — of course both hubby and I are tiny control freaks so I know my ignorance won’t last too much longer. Until then, I’ll continue to ride the wave and fill all y’all in on how it’s going.

xx

I’m just a little tree
Buried in snow all around
No one notices me
Will I ever be found?

Doesn’t anyone care?
Don’t I even matter?
Hey you over there
Wait!  Don’t everyone scatter!

I am very handsome
If I stand very tall
Don’t cost a king’s ransom
Hardly anything at all.

I’m light as a feather
Will fit in your car
Don’t need any tether
I even have my own star!

One set of lights
Will fill me with grace
I’ll soar to great heights
Yet won’t take up much space.

I’ll bring joy to your life
And light up the room
You’ll forget all your strife
No more doom and gloom.

Just add a few ornaments
And you will see
One or two adornments
And I’m a Christmas tree!

I see that you’re back
The Carolers have come
They’ve brought big old Mac
He likes to hum diddle de hum.

You’re all standing round
This tiny tree
I love all the sounds
Surrounding me.

Perhaps one of you
Will give me a break
Take me home, will you
For heaven’s sake?

It’s happening now
They’re paying my price
In the car I go,
Now isn’t this nice!

MO:
My grandfather loved to fish.  He had the most impressive gear a fly fisherman could ever hope to attain.  It wasn’t that he was a wealthy man, but that throughout the years he gradually added to his gear the boots, the rods, the reels, lines, waders, special vests with pockets everywhere, and hats that carried all his flies.  He carried a small worn journal where he wrote down secrete notes.  He even learned to fashion his own personal lures or flies as he called them.

As a child I was amazed at the equipment he kept in his “man cave” that amounted to a corner in the garage.  The array of feathers and hooks and fishing lines made an impressive scenario to a young girl who idolized her grandfather.  He would sit me on a stool where I could watch him as he assembled his flies.  They were beautiful flies assembled with beautifully colored feathers; and he made it more interesting as he sang little songs, silly songs that made me laugh.  And when he finished, I almost fell in love with him for I knew the fish would love the lures so much they would wholeheartedly jump on his hook.  My grandpa could do almost anything.  And when we went fly fishing, he caught the biggest and most delicious trout I’d ever tasted.  He was a hero to me and I loved fly fishing with him.

DAU:
I had a dream the other night. I was camping in the Sequoias in the fall. It was brisk during the day, downright cold at night. So cold I could see my breath as I chatted to my guide. I came alone to get away from the city life of San Fran and hired a guide to show me the ways of nature. He took me on long hikes through the impressive trees, which were more like beautiful freaky giants, and he taught me how to start a fire with nothing more than a few sticks and brush. We even went fly fishing, and if I’m being totally honest, I sucked at it. This big city gal didn’t have the patience required for fly fishing but I did enjoy the simplicity of skipping rocks instead. Seeing the ripples in the water was peaceful.

And that’s all I remember. I awoke feeling calm and almost nourished if that’s possible. That day I booked my next vacation at a spa on the waters of Lake Austin. I’m not quite the camping type but that didn’t mean I couldn’t find somewhere to skip rocks and find peace.

(Originally written November 8, 2011)

2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3 Tablespoons Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

1/2 Teaspoon Himalayan Sea Salt

1/4 Cup Pine Nuts (or any nuts you have on hand, but not the relatives)

1/4 Cup Golden Raisins or Currents (soaked 10 minutes, drained, rinsed)

1/2 Fresh Mango (peeled, sectioned and diced)

1/8 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper (or to taste)

Stack four of the kale leaves lengthwise on a cutting board.  Roll tightly to the end and slice crosswise into thin strips.  Repeat with the remaining kale leaves.  Chop the kale strips crosswise a few times for shorter pieces.  Place kale in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with olive oil, lemon juice and salt.  Toss by hand working the liquids into the greens to break down the cellular structure.  Add the pine nuts, raisins and mango and toss gently.  Season to taste with black pepper.  Serve at room temp.  Can be stored in a air tight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.  You can create other variations using ingredients such as kalamata olives in place of the raisins and oranges or diced tomato and avocado and add Swiss chard to blend the greens.

I was introduced to the basic recipe while taking a raw food prep class from Chef Allie Kent here in Houston.  She has now moved to LA you lucky people, so seek her out and enjoy her classes!  www.askchefallie.com

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