Coffee Talk Mom

Meatless Monday…ish!

Want a fresh change for your week? Well, I am all about getting more veggies into my diet and I have discovered that roasting veggies rather than dumping dressing on "greens" is the way to go. It's easy and I love the colors and flavors. Lately, I am all about the "bowl" method. Throw everything into a bowl and eat! Today I tossed asparagus, brussels sprouts (be sure to slice and take ends off), and beets (be sure to peel and use a sharp knife) in olive oil and salt. Another quick trick is to wear gloves if you don't want red beet juice staining your hands. Personally, I just go all in and wash after I get them peeled. Roast for a good 35-45 minutes. You can make them just cooked, or go all the way to crispy by leaving them in longer. If you want a touch of sweet, drizzle honey over the top the last 10 minutes of cooking. You will get the sweet and salty thing going!

CTDad likes his meat, but alas he will chow this down without even thinking about it. Kind of... Last week I cooked a couple of eggs and slid them over the top into his bowl…DELISH! It adds protein and creates a bit of "sauce" for the top. One tip, if you have a hard time flipping eggs…once they are cooked through on one side, cover them with a lid and turn the stove off…Walk away and the top side will be steamed and finish cooking. You will look like a pro and save a ton of $$$. Local "farm to table" restaurants charge at least 12 bucks for something like this and usually there is plenty of filler in the bowl like quinoa or rice… You can prep the veggies ahead and cook the eggs in two minutes. EASY!

 

Happy Spring my Peeps!

 

CoffeeTalkMom

Can We Talk?

The past couple of months have got me thinking, "Why is everyone so angry?"  And "Why is everyone so offended?"  Can we handle conflict more wisely? 

 

I was in a church choir for 18 years and the most common statement made to me during that time was, "You're so TALL!".  I often thought to myself...what if I said back to them, "You're so SHORT!"  That's would seem like a cut down, an insult, and maybe they would be offended.  Maybe I was offended.  Im not sure...but I'm not protesting or marching.  I decided instead to start the "tall girls club" as a joke.  I would get my point across by being funny and, in the process, I would make friends and make people laugh.  I can close my eyes and try to be petite, but that is not going to happen.  

 

Fast forward.  I currently work for a great company but, let's face it, I am the oldest person there by decades.  I don't pick up 50 pound tables...I drag them.  I have just as much to give, and more experience, but I am older and therefore do some of event prep differently.  I am not marching or protesting.  I am choosing to be the "room mom" to the group and for that, they have more than accepted me.  Just because I may want to look and feel younger, that doesn't make me younger.  I like nurturing people, coming alongside to see how their day was, etc...  Life is fuller when you take what you are and what you have and use it!

 

Today, just like for the past 25+ years, I am a wife and a mom.  My kids are older, but one of my greatest joys is interacting with the boys.  I hope we have raised them to respect women and appreciate all of our qualities.  I can try to be like a man, but I'm not a man.  I can do everything, and be everything...but just not at the same time.  Im ok with that.  I like the differences between men and women.  We're different...so what?  That is how God made us.  I like being nurturing.  I like baking.  I like gardening.  I like dressing up and even how high heels make me feel (but only for a couple of hours).  I like men who open doors.  I like being treated to flowers.  I like contributing to the family in ways that don't come naturally to my husband and visa versa.  

 

Time "marches" on and one thing I have learned is to take every chance to tell people you love them, don't waste energy on anger, forgive people because un-forgiveness hurts you more than it EVER does the other person, spend your time wisely, and hard work never returns void. Someone once wrote, "People are tenacious when it comes to the treasure of their imaginary independence." We all need people in our lives who love and support us. We are not in this thing called life alone.

 

Hope everyone is having a GREAT week.  I appreciate and love all the women in my life (and the men too!)

 

Cheers,

 

CoffeeTalkMom