a few simple moments with a side of eggs.

Once again, time has gotten a hold of me.

I twist and I turn and I try to pull free, but somehow it becomes 3 o’clock and I’m just eating lunch.  It becomes 6 o’clock and I realize that I’m eating spaghetti squash for the second night in a row.  And, somehow, it becomes 8 o’clock and I once again realize that I’m fighting a losing battle.  A losing battle that has really already been lost.

Time.  Where do you go?

I’ve learned over the years that I can’t control time.  As a little girl, I could never make Christmas morning come any faster no matter how hard I wished for it.  As a freshman in college, I could never make time go backwards for just “a little more time to study.”  And now, as I sit here in my fuzzy socks, drinking tea, and blogging I realize: Sarah, you can’t control time.

But..BUT!

There is always a “but”.  But, I can control what I do with my time.

Even on the busiest days, I need to remind myself what “slow” feels like.  What it means to feel the wind on my face.  Or a water droplet splattering against my cheek.  The sound of a mallard duck flying overhead.  Even the sound of my footsteps on the ground.  Just a few things.  A few things to settle me down and realize that I’m okay.  That despite how busy life feels, the slow things in life continue on as well.

Sigh.  This is so satisfying.

Eggs, spinach and quinoa are satisfying too (yes, together!)  Maybe it’s the fact that I finally broke away from the repetitive nature of my spaghetti squash.  Or maybe it’s because the meal felt so out of the ordinary and totally random.  A splash of surprise for an otherwise normal, busy day.

Yes.  It satisfied every tastebud. 😀

QUESTION: What are some of your favorite “simple” moments that you see or experience on a day to day basis?  If you’re not really sure, I recommend trying to seek them out tomorrow!  You’ll be surprised with what you notice. 😀

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my recent breakfast kick.

I have been on a French toast kick lately.

I think this is due in part to all of my frantic running around.  Not ever really knowing if I’m coming or going.

I mean, it’s one thing to wake up and forget what day it is.  It’s another thing entirely, to have my calendar virtually tied to my waist so that I will never forget where I’m supposed to be or where I’m supposed to go.

Yes.  This is exactly why I have been on a French toast kick lately.

Because there’s something—something—comforting about having a few spare moments in the morning to just…mmm…breathe.  I even read the newspaper(!!)

I can’t quite place my finger on it, but French toast, to me, signifies the very thought of slowing down.  It’s relaxed and easy.  Not at all fussy or needy.

Yes.  I have been on a French toast kick lately.  And I really don’t think I’ll be stopping any time soon.

French Toast

Serves 1

Everyone has a favorite French toast recipe.  This one is my favorite, go-to breakfast recipe for during the week.  It feels special.  It’s healthy.  And it’s as simple as they come.  Enjoy this breakfast with your favorite combination of fruit and nut butters.  Blueberries and strawberries would be a wonderful touch, as would a thick and creamy Greek yogurt.  Just have fun with it!

• 2 whole eggs (or 1 whole egg + 2 egg whites)
• splash of milk
• cinnamon
• splash of vanilla
• dash of sea salt
• 2 slices Ezekiel bread (or your favorite whole wheat bread)
• 1 banana, cut in half lengthwise
• 1 Tbsp. almond butter
• sprinkle of coconut

1. Heat nonstick pan over medium heat.  Spray with cooking spray.
2. Whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and sea salt.  Dunk in bread slices, flip to coat other side, and place on heated pan.  Place bananas in pan alongside french toast.  Let french toast cook until underside has browned.  Flip and continue cooking until desired doneness.  Bananas may be flipped at any time, as they begin to brown.
3. Place french toast on plate, smash banana on top, and drizzle almond butter over the top.  Sprinkle with coconut and ENJOY! 😀

QUESTION: What is your current favorite breakfast?

luxurious mornings

Most mornings include a hot cup of tea.

I’ll pull on a fuzzy, warm pair of wool socks, make a hot bowl of oatmeal, and check my to-do’s for the day. 

Most mornings.

And then there are those mornings when I just feel like being luxurious.  Luxurious beyond the basic tea and oats.

I buy a loaf of whole wheat oatmeal bread from Whole Foods.  Chosen because the crust gave in and *crunched* when I squeezed it.  Perfect.  I swirl a pat of butter on two thick, toasted slices. 

I make an omelet that has more veggies than your typical side salad.  Handfuls of spinach.  Diced bell peppers.  Onions, mushrooms, tomatoes.

And then, I eat in bed.  Luxurious.

The value of a special breakfast should never be overlooked.

The enjoyment of eating breakfast in bed should be enjoyed at least a few times a month. 

If you’re feeling a little fried from a busy holiday week, and/or if you’re walking away from the weekend without enough catch-up time (why does this always seem to happen?), I highly recommend planning a special breakfast for the week.  You’ll love it. 😀

Question: Do you ever eat breakfast in bed? 

roasting: making life easy

In case you didn’t know, it is perfectly okay to have breakfast for dinner.

In fact, it is more than okay.  I highly recommend it.  Especially when we’re talking fried eggs.  Whole wheat english muffins.  And loads of roasted broccoli (because this is way more appealing after 5pm than it is before 5am.)

I have been roasting so many veggies around here.  You’d think I was feeding a family of 5.  Which I’m not.  But I am feeding a family of 3 (that eats like a family of 5 when it comes to produce.)  And so, I’ve been mass-roasting broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, etc., and throwing them into big containers.  They’re quickly used up on everything from salads, to omelets, to an everyday wrapped sandwiches.

Honestly, I sometimes have a hard time convincing myself to take the time to cut up and roast a vegetable, especially during a busy week.  Laziness is what it is.  Sometimes I just have to give myself that push and make it happen.  Because it’s awesome to have a fridge filled to the brim with pre-cooked veggies at my convenience.  Well worth the effort.

Roasted Broccoli

• 1-2 large head of broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 T. olive oil
• garlic powder
• sea salt
• black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Combine broccoli, olive oil and garlic powder in a large bowl.  Place on a cookie sheet in a single layer.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Cook in oven for 10 minutes.  Stir and place back in oven for another 10 minutes or until browned.  Serve immediately or place in a bowl to be used for the upcoming, busy week.  ENJOY! 😀

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On Sunday, I went to the American Dietetic Association’s Food Conference in Boston.  It was, in one word, awesome.  And not just because of all the free food that I ended up with…

Yes, I am a food hoarder.  😉

There were hundreds of food distributors talking about their products, as they handed out sample after sample.  Awesome.

But anyways, I didn’t exactly go there for the food (although this was a definite perk! )  I went there to learn.  To meet practicing RD’s.  To hear some of the most recent research that dietitians are involved with.  I felt slightly overwhelmed with excitement, and found myself wishing that I had gone for the full, 3-day weekend.

I’ll be doing that next year.  In California.  I’m already dancing in excitement. 😀

Question: What are some of your favorite ways to incorporate veggies into your daily diet?