#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Asian Turkey Meatballs and {Eat. Live. Be.}

April 18, 2012 · Narrative

saturday dinner
This should make Joanne very happy.  Eat. Live. Be.  I’m here.

As a multitude of 5ks and Zumba classes permeate my calendar and Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred dvd gets plenty of play time.  I’m here.  I’ve been here.

Clean eating?  Yep, I’m there too.  Oh how I’ve missed it.   There’s just something so very satisfying about it that is sometimes hard to articulate.  Unless you’re there too.  But the rub?  Eat good food and you feel good.  I’ve noticed the shift again, as I’ve purposefully made my way back to where I’m supposed to be.

The familiar feelings of euphoria when an early weekend morning is punctuated by sweat stinging my eyeballs.  Which is, I swear, the sign of an awesome work-out.

The words “No, I can’t, we’re doing a 5k that day” coming out of my mouth.

The friends that get it.  To the point that we just scheduled another 5k.  In September.  Out of state.  After we get through the three we already have on the calendar.

When I’m in the zone, I have blinders on.  And I instantly remember why I’m doing what I’m doing.

For me.

For them.

my life

Always and forever.

Amen.

Mary Fischer’s quote rings in my ears.  “Tell me, what are you going to do with this wild and precious life?”

“You have exactly one life in which to do everything you’ll ever do. Act accordingly.” Colin Wright

“…to know there is a better story for your life and to choose something other is like choosing to die.” Donald Miller

A co-worker and I were talking about that last week.  Tomorrow being guaranteed to no one.  I worry that I won’t have time enough to do everything I want to do.  For me.  Or with my kids.  And I’ll be darned if we’re just going to laze our days away turning into zombies in front of the tv.

Sure there is tv time.

Down time.

Chill time.

But it’s dotted by play time.  Spring Bucket Lists.  Playgrounds.  Activities.  Adventures.  Memory making.  In our backyard.  And in the great outdoors.

Last weekend?  The kids killed it.  And have the medals to prove it.  (More tomorrow)  The pride that went along with it?  Still.going.strong.

One sharp realization that came to a head for me after The Ex and I separated is that I never want to live with regrets.

And so it is with this same determination that, after a bit a lot of unfortunate downtime with my sprained ankle, I’ve found my way back with a vengeance.  It started a few months ago, but now is finally starting to feel like the place I was in before the sprain.

And oh, what an awesome place that is.

Your takeaway today?  We have but one life.  Live it.  If you’re not doing what you need to do to get where you want to go, no matter where that is, rechart your course and start again.  Whether it be a new career path, getting out of a bad relationship, training for a marathon, revamping your eating habits, or eeking every possible moment of joy out of the sunshine that’s shining brightly today, take a note from the folks at Nike, and just do it.  No regrets.  Just look forward.

nikeNow for those meatballs.  Clean eating.  Even Weight Watchers-friendly if you happen to be following that program.  Fifteen minutes in the oven.  Delicious, completely guilt-free meaty little morsels that are even kid-approved. I originally made them for Mystic’s oldest, because she loves this meatball recipe I make, so I thought it was time for something new.  This new recipe originally comes from Skinny Taste, and she suggested serving them with brown rice.  I made a yellow and green olives Spanish rice that I know the kids love, but it is totally delicious with either.  You can find the complete recipe right here.

April 18, 2012 – Bonus Photo
masterpiece
One of Madeline’s friends gave me this drawing today at school. Love, love, love it, and it’s the newest addition to our art wall.  Totally a well balanced kitchen, with everything represented, from fruits and vegetables, right down to french fries from McDonald’s.  All things in balance, folks, all things in balance.

PS – Plenty of time to enter the Similasan Visa gift card giveaway… details can be found right here.

PPS – Double post today!  Check out the very cool freebie you can score for your very own right at your local Walgreens…. right here.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: 30 Day Shred, 5K, Asian meatballs, Eat. Live. Be., Jillian Michaels, Skinny Taste, turkey meatballs, Weight Watchers, Zumba

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    April 19, 2012 at 6:38 am

    LOVE LOVE LOVE! MAJOR congrats on the 5K…and on the gazillion more you have planned! Catching the racing bug is kind of the best thing ever. And I love the message behind this post…why put off actually living your life?

    Reply
  2. Shelby Donaldson says

    April 19, 2012 at 9:49 am

    That’s right.. live your life to the fullest! And oh, that Asian turkey meatballs looks delish! Already bookmarked the recipe.

    Reply
  3. SaraMarie says

    April 19, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    You are such an inspiration; I always feel a million times better about myself and the future when I read your writings. I’m so happy that I stumbled across your blog (whenever that was)!

    Reply
  4. Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says

    April 21, 2012 at 10:47 am

    A very inspirational post and wonderful meatballs too. Congrats on the run and those cute kids.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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