My Own Food Revolution

Jamie Oliver has inspired me. His "Food Revolution" show, website and petition have all encouraged me to rethink the food I serve my family, and the food and drink I put into my own body. Over the past few weeks, I've started making changes to our diet. I've started making chicken nuggets from scratch for the boys - being 3 and almost 5, it's one thing I know they'll eat regardless. I've cut soda from my diet almost completely - this is a big deal, since I had been averaging 32 oz PER DAY prior. Each meal I serve to my kids has one serving of protein, two servings' worth of veg, one serving of fruit, and a dairy. We've cut fast food out almost entirely, the exception being the occasional Chick-Fil-A lunch, Qdoba dinner or Dominio's Pizza.

I've discovered that cooking is rewarding and actually pretty easy. I've even started experimenting - this is the dinner I made tonight:

I had a bunch of mixed veggies, frozen and fresh, left over from previous meals this week. I also had an extra block of tofu - Sprouts had them on sale for 99 cents. So, I threw it all into the wok, and created a stir fry.

Then, I added a Japanese-style sauce I had in the fridge from a previous meal. The recipe is from the Wagamama cookbook Seth brought home from his last business trip to London. I also added a little toasted sesame seed oil, because the soy sauce in the sauce mixture smelled a little overpowering, and I thought the sesame oil would balance it out. I cooked up some buckwheat soba noodles to add to the stir fry. The kids will always eat noodles.

Table is set! I just bought some gorgeous strawberries and blackberries at the store - both on sale, and both perfectly sweet. The boys have been drinking lots of water since we bought them these cool Camelback water bottles.

After tasting mine, I randomly decided to add feta cheese. I know; Japanese-inspired stir fry with tofu...and feta. ??? It was really tasty, though.

Happy boys filled their tummies with this dinner. They ate every bite!

Having watched "Food Revolution" since the first episode, I've learned that food does matter. Even making these small changes has, I feel, made a difference in my family's health and well-being. The boys, thankfully, have always loved veggies, and I want to make sure that continues for the rest of their lives. They're both getting close to being in school; I'll probably send lunch with them when the time comes, so I know what they're eating. My next adventure: growing some of our own veggies in our backyard. We'll see how that goes - gardens are definitely outside my comfort zone!

If you haven't yet, please sign Jamie's petition to change the food served in American schools. It takes 30 seconds, but makes a huge difference. http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution The website has tons of great, easy, TASTY recipes for free, and you can even catch up on the episodes of the show. Thanks, Jamie, for making a difference!! xo

Book Review: How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly, by Connie May Fowler. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $23.99. ISBN 978-0-446-54068-1.

Synopsis: (from the publisher)

How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly is the transcendent story of a young woman who, in a twenty-four hour period, journeys through startling moments of self-discovery that lead her to a courageous and life-altering decision.

Analysis:

This book is amazing. From the opening scene, in which we meet Clarissa, her beloved garden, and a whimsical little fly, Ms. Fowler’s use of descriptive language skillfully creates a character whom the reader wants to succeed. The setting, Hope, Florida, is fictitious, as Ms. Fowler notes in the acknowledgements; however, thanks to the picture Ms. Fowler paints on the page, we wipe away imaginary sweat from our brow, and smell the swamp. We feel the oppressive heat, and squint in the brightness of the longest day of the year. The characters are so well-written, they become real to us. We believe that there really is a place where ghosts walk, flies love, angels interact, all while we are oblivious to their presence.

We all know someone like Clarissa, male or female – someone who, while unloved by a significant other, is used by that other for financial security and the easy life of no responsibility. Usually, that person we know is not able to see clearly his or her situation, while we are able to see only too clearly that the relationship is destroying that person. As we get to know Clarissa, and we learn that she is one of those people being used by her husband, we feel a strong urge to join in the disapproving chorus of the “ovarian shadow women” and Olga Villada.

Smart, talented, giving and quietly strong, Clarissa has been abused her entire life – first, by an alcoholic mother; now, by her leech of a husband. She is a successful writer, but suffering writers block; as the story progresses, she realizes she’s not suffering writers block, so much as suffering “life block”. Her husband, Iggy, is an artist. He gallivants around with “models” and lives off Clarissa’s success; although he’s a kept man, Iggy rules the roost. Clarissa is afraid to speak her mind, afraid to stand up to him, and afraid to upset him; when she finally realizes that she has nothing to fear, their dysfunctional relationship begins to unravel, but to Clarissa’s benefit. I found myself encouraging her as she found the courage to do what needed to be done. In the end, her husband got what he deserved, and so did Clarissa.

I loved Ms. Fowler’s use of “ovarian shadow women” as a description and name for the little voices that prompt Clarissa. Listening to the inner voice, the gut instinct that drives us all, is a lesson Clarissa needed to learn; in fact, we all could use the lesson. I also loved “Deepdeep”, an internal manifestation of Deepak Chopra that helped to guide Clarissa when the voices of the shadow women weren’t strong enough. The influence of the ghosts of the Villada-Archer family helped move Clarissa from a loveless relationship with both her husband and herself; their story provided Clarissa with enough inspiration to break through her writers block. The overall themes of redemption and rebirth manifested in various forms – the Villada-Archer ghosts, Larry Dibble, Clarissa the child, the shadow women, the love struck fly and even Deepdeep benefitted from Clarissa’s newfound freedom.

This book makes us believe that anything can be true - that souls do leave their mark, and that we who follow them are affected by the imprint they leave behind; that the scars of our past can be healed; that 24 hours really can change an entire life. It is a great read, perfect for book clubs, the beach or vacation. It’s a must-read for anyone who needs affirmation in her own strength and value.

White House Easter Egg Roll

I just read about the White House Easter Egg Roll that took place yesterday, and I'm green with jealousy at anyone who was lucky enough to attend. Such lucky-ducks not only met the President and his family, but watched the cast of Glee perform, and listened to JK Rowling read from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Seriously, throw in lunch with Ryan Reynolds, and that would knock out half of my "People I'd Most Like to Meet" list in one day. What's a girl gotta do to get an invite like that?

Book Review: The Memory Thief

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of The Memory Thief, by Rachel Keener. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $13.99. ISBN 978-1-59995-112-6.

Synopsis:

Hannah and Angel have lived totally different lives – Hannah was raised in a strict, religious family, and Angel was raised by poor alcoholics. Yet, both women have experienced the pain of a dysfunctional family, and each struggles to find her own identity. Their paths, by rights, should not have intersected, but the world is a small place. When their lives collide, both Hannah and Angel will learn who she is, and how to heal the wounds life inflicts.

Analysis:

This story is a beautiful, painful tale of misguided love, strength, dependence, and courage. It is as much a cautionary tale as it is a weaving of the past and present on lives. Through Hannah, Angel, and even Mrs. Reynolds’ stories, the reader is simultaneously warned against secret-keeping and lies, and encouraged to keep fighting, to keep hoping. Without hope, without the will to fight, if we subscribe to the lies we are told and allow the infection to spread and fester, our souls will hide away in self-protection. But, with love, with the truth in the open, the infection heals and the soul can emerge, fragile but ready to soar again.

This story, told from several viewpoints, allows the reader to connect dots throughout the story. Many times, the reasons behind events, feelings, actions and reactions of the characters throughout this book are explained or alluded to simply by switching viewpoints to another character. For instance, throughout the story, the reader may feel antagonistic or judgmental against Mrs. Reynolds, as we should, for she certainly has her faults. Near the end of the book, however, we learn a little about what makes Mrs. Reynolds so strict and, let’s face it, a little crazy. It does not, by any means, excuse her behavior; if anything, it adds humanity to the character and perhaps evokes sympathy we might not otherwise feel toward this seemingly callous woman. Interestingly, the author keeps this information to herself until the point at which the lives of the characters have unraveled to the point of near-catastrophe, and the secrets and lies have all but destroyed them.

From the beginning, it is apparent that, although Hannah and Angel have led extremely different lives, with totally different upbringings and families, they have something important in common: neither is allowed to become who she is really meant to become. Both are placed into an ill-fitting mold of someone else’s design, and beaten, literally or figuratively, into submission into these molds. Before long, each is convinced that The Mold is The Truth. The discomfort she feels as a result of her subconscious knowledge that something in her life is not as it should be, is pushed to the back of her mind. It resurfaces, as these things always do, with destructive consequences.

Hannah is the linchpin to the story – her journey is the framework; the beginning and end for each character hangs on Hannah’s story like vines on lattice. The reader is introduced to a shy, sheltered girl who is teased for being different. Immediately, we identify with her, and feel the fire of righteous indignation as we follow her through decades of a ruined life. We exult in her discovery of a talent, and pray that it will be her saving grace. We cautiously hope that finding true love will be the key to unlocking the cage that holds her true self captive, and as the truth of Hannah’s journey comes to light, we sit on the edge of our chairs, waiting for Hannah to see the light herself. For me, Hannah feels like a contemporary; she might be a friend or an acquaintance. I can see myself identifying with her on some level.

Angel is the catalyst of the story. She is the spark that sets change into motion, and when her path finally crosses Hannah’s, the effect is explosive. Throughout Angel’s tale, we pity the girl’s upbringing, cringe at her family’s obvious neglect, and worry for her mental and physical safety and well-being. We want to simultaneously shake her, and take her under our wing. We want to smack her parents and call the authorities, and we hope that someone in Angel’s life will realize that all is not well at home. When her path takes an unexpected turn, we begin to see how things might work out for Angel, if she would only get out of her own way. In the end, Angel brings out the mother in me – I want to protect her, heal her, show her the way to a better life.

Keener has created a beautiful tapestry of lives in this story. Her use of language and accents, her descriptions of people and locations, bring the story to life and add richness to the characters. This book is a great book club book, or vacation read. Be ready with the tissues.

Brag Alert: My Brilliant Hubby

My hubby is nearly halfway through school. He's getting his MBA, going to school and working full time at his job for a tech company. A lot of people do this; in fact, my husband is in the Professional MBA Program at Colorado State University - a program designed for students who work standard 8-5, Monday through Friday weeks. So, the fact that he's in school and continuing to provide for our family isn't necessarily what makes him so wonderful, although it definitely adds to his wonderfulness.

What makes my hubby so brilliant and wonderful is that he's carrying a near-4.0 while doing all of this. And even though work, classes, studying and homework pretty much run our schedule these days, he still does whatever he can to make sure he gets quality time with the kids and me. Most importantly, he doesn't complain about being tired, or stressed, or burnt out. He knows that furthering his education means the opportunity to do more in the world, and to continue to provide for us. It's making him a better person, even if he doesn't know it yet.

Book Review: Waking Up in the Land of Glitter

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of Waking Up in the Land of Glitter, by Kathy Cano-Murillo. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $13.99. ISBN 978-04465-09-24-4.

Synopsis:

Star’s family-owned restaurant is known for its food and promotion of local artists. Having been raised somewhat unconventionally by her hippie parents, Star is a free spirit, flitting from one idea to the next, and lacking in follow-through. One fateful night, Star’s inability to settle down sparks a chain of events that turn her life upside down. In addition to several ultimatums delivered by her father, Star is required to chair a committee charged with creating a centerpiece for an upcoming nationally-renowned and highly attended craft show call the Craft Olympics…then, duplicate the centerpiece for each table. The committee consists of Star, her best friend and crafting addict Ofie, teen handbag designer Benecio, and local television celebrity Crafty Chloe. Therapy and self-discovery comes unexpectedly to each member through the centerpiece committee.

Analysis:

The beginning of the novel is a little tough to follow and somewhat confusing, but once more of the details are revealed, it makes sense. The characters are funny and tragic, and full of life – from Star’s hippie parents and their eccentricities, to Ofie’s husband and daughter’s unconditional love for Ofie. The shenanigans the characters get into make the reader both laugh and cringe. We feel sorry for Ofie, and guilty, because we’ve all had that moment where we realize we haven’t been a good friend to a good friend. We want to shake Star, and tell her it’s time to become a mature adult, and we cheer when she finally “gets” herself. We mentally cover our eyes at Chloe’s Janus act, and brace ourselves for the impact from her inevitable crash and burn – and grin when she picks herself back up.

Throughout the novel, the strength, dreams, fears, insecurities and skills of each character emerge; the characters learn that each has a place in the three-sided friendship. Together, the group accomplishes more than any of them thought they could, and more than each might accomplish on her own. I liked the underlying thread of the story – that friends need to lean on one another, and to love each other for who each one is as an individual and for what she brings to the group as a whole.

This novel is a fun, fast read; anyone who has any experience with making crafts will appreciate the journey that Star, Chloe and Ofie make, and the bumps they encounter along the way. I appreciated being included in a culture that is completely different from my own, yet shares some similarities. Most of all, I loved that glitter was sprinkled throughout the entire book.

Starbucks Gift Card Holder/Album

I got the idea for this from a class that was held at Capture Scrapbooking + Paper Crafting, a store in Fort Collins. Made from the cup sleeves that keep you from burning your hand on a cup of coffee, it's a cute way to give a gift card and thank someone at the same time. This was a teacher gift at the end of the school year.