Dinner is served, and it's: Shrimp Ceviche Tacos

This recipe is an oldy but goody. I tend to forget about it during the colder months and then put it back in the weekly menu rotation towards summer. These tacos are very healthy and low in calories, so feel free to eat 2 or 3. They're even lighter if you omit the avocado, but who wants to do that? Most ingredients (besides lump crab meat) can be bought at Trader Joe's, or any other local grocer.

Here's what you need:

Corn tortillas
1/2 lb shrimp
1/8 lb lump crab meat
5 limes
1 bunch cilantro
1 red onion
1/2 avocado
1 medium tomato

1 can black beans
1 can sweet corn
1 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper

First we'll make the black bean and corn salad that I like to serve with these tacos. I make this ahead of time because the lime juice really tastes great in this dish once it's had a chance to sit for an hour in the refrigerator. Drain black beans and corn and pour into medium sized bowl. Add 2 tbsp of fresh chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup chopped red onion, the juice of two medium sized limes, and 1 tsp of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to liking. Toss well and put in the fridge while making tacos.

Rinse shrimp and remove tails (if applicable), cut into small pieces and pour into medium sized bowl. Chop 1/4 cup of cilantro and 1/4 cup red onion and mix with shrimp. Add lump crab meat, 1/2 cubed avocado, and chopped tomato to the bowl. Squeeze remaining two limes over shrimp mix and stir well. Add one more lime if necessary (I personally think the limier the better!). Let ceviche sit in the fridge for 30 minutes (or as long as you can wait).

Before eating, heat corn tortillas according to package in the microwave. Serve 3 heaping spoonfuls of ceviche in tortillas alongside bean salad. Enjoy!

Soccer Star

Madeleine recently started playing soccer for the YMCA, and last weekend we went to her second game (we missed the first one because we were in Napa). I felt like I entered another phase of parenting -- one I didn't realize would be such a milestone. Attending her game was a lot of fun and, I hope, the beginning of many more Saturday morning sporting events. I went for a long run that morning and got home just in time to get Madeleine dressed in her (very large) uniform. Keith and I loaded the kids up in the double stroller and walked a few blocks to the field where the game was scheduled. The kids had a 30 minute practice before the whistle blew, and we watched as Madeleine took turns kicking the soccer ball into the goal. Like everything she does, she was cautious and precise -- no big, animated kicks, just controlled dribbling of the ball, right up to the net and then a gentle, direct kick into the goal. I realized that she'll play sports the way she lives life -- with reserved enthusiasm. I, on the other hand, was not reserved at all and found myself cheering and yelling loudly (in true form). Just when her little legs made it to one end of the field, the ball would inevitably be kicked back to the other end, and at one point she stopped and said, "I'm so sleepy!". Keith and I had to laugh.

The game was a blast. We met other parents, some as enthusiastic as us, and I felt bonded with these people instantly because watching your child's introduction to a team sport is a unique experience. I think I learned a lot of life lessons when I was a kid by playing sports, and I'm amazed that my daughter is already at that age. Her first lesson was a kick in the face. Literally. Towards the end of the game, Madeleine fell and while on the ground she accidentally got a cleat to the face. Almost a rite of passage when playing an aggressive team sport. It was a combination of pain and humiliation that made her cry, and I as held her and comforted her, I told her a story of a time when I got hurt playing soccer; I fell and someone stepped on my hand while running past me. I said that after I cried for a minute, I got back up and continued playing the game. I have to admit, it was a white lie, but I wanted her to understand that she'll probably get hurt occasionally and that shouldn't deter her from ever getting back on her feet.

As we quickly approach this Saturday's game, I look forward to seeing her out there again. I'm aware of the fact that she may decide she doesn't like soccer, and of course that would be fine with me, but in the meantime I'll enjoy this process of watching her uncover her talents.

Dinner is served, and it's: Lemon Peppercorn Talapia

Based on my previous recipe postings, it's easy to see that I like fish. But I do know quite a few people that don't like it -- or, don't think they like it. I say, try it again and start with a fish like talapia. It's mild tasting, easy to make, and very healthy. The following recipe is popular in my house, but you do need to like peppercorns in order to enjoy it.

Here's what you need:

3/4 lbs talapia fillets
1 lemon
3/4 cup of chicken broth
1 tsp green peppercorns
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp butter (I buy Earth Balance)
1 tsp olive oil

whole grain rice/quinoa/couscous - your favorite grain
asparagus

All of these items besides the peppercorns are available at Trader Joe's.

Here's what to do:

First, begin by making your rice or quinoa, because the fish doesn't take long to cook. When your grain has about 10 minutes left to cook, heat oil in a medium pan. Lightly flour both sides of fish and saute in the pan for 2 minutes on each side. Remove the fish from heat and keep covered. Pour chicken broth into the pan and squeeze in fresh lemon juice. With the back of a large chopping knife, crush peppercorns (as much as possible, they're thick!), and add peppercorns to the broth. Bring broth to boil and let it reduce for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn to simmer and whisk in tbsp of butter. Place fillets back in the broth for 2-3 minutes, to heat through.


Steam asparagus in a shallow glass dish in the microwave with 1 tbsp of water for 2 minutes, covered with saran wrap.


Serve fish with grain and vegetable, and pour lemon, peppercorn broth over talapia and grain -- it's delicious.


Bon Appetit!

Home, sweet home

Just like that, I'm back to reality. Our 3 days in Napa was everything we thought it would be and more. The weather was perfect, the house was beautiful, the wine delicious, and the company, lovely. Being away allowed me to physically and mentally remove myself from the daily demands of motherhood and working (though, for the most part, work is pleasure). I was able to see Keith through different eyes -- the eyes of my younger, carefree self -- and while fatherhood definitely accentuates the best in him, it was nice to rediscover the other qualities that originally made him so attractive to me.

Husband aside, it was refreshing to be with my friends in an environment that wasn't interrupted by children. While our kids were never far from our minds, they didn't take precedence, and we could give each other the attention we all deserved. I walked away from this trip feeling more balanced, more blessed, more prepared for life. I feel stronger in my relationships and therefore, more able to approach today with a zeal that isn't always there. My children also have a mom that's more relaxed and better able to attend to their every whims. I've kissed my children's lips more in the last two days than I have in awhile -- and that's saying a lot considering how much affection they get. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and with children that's true to another degree.

So I guess it's fair to say that while I'm sorry the trip is over, its benefits are lasting. I'd love to be lying poolside, with a book and glass of wine, but then I'd be missing all the other things that make my life so rich. For now, remembering the feelings I had in Napa is enough. At least, until next year.

Bon Voyage!

For the last two days I've woken up much earlier than my children because I'm too excited to sleep. Tomorrow at noon, Keith and I leave to Napa for 3 days and 3 nights. This is a trip we did last May with a group of friends, and it was so relaxing and so fun, that we decided to make it an annual event. Personally, I can't think of a better way to spend a vacation -- delicious wine, savory food, spa treatments and, best of all, wonderful company to share it all with. We're staying in a beautiful house in Healdsburg that's surrounded by vineyards and total silence. There's an infinity pool and plenty of room for us to lie around, be lazy, and live a little bit like we did before children arrived. Of course, as mothers, we can never totally detach ourselves and there will be constant chatter about preschools, tantrums, eating habits, and plenty of periodic check-in phone calls to make sure the kids are sleeping and eating well. But, overall, it's as much of an escape as we can allow ourselves at this phase of our lives.

Besides the aforementioned reasons, the other huge benefit of going away is reconnecting with my husband. I think we have a great relationship but it's overrun by children and work, and there is little time left for us to be a couple. A vacation strips away the everyday stresses and allows us to focus on each other again. It's refreshing, and necessary. I recently read a statistic that said couples who vacation at least once per year together are happier. It didn't say whether happy couples vacation more or vacations resulted in happier couples, but either one works. I want to continue being a part of that statistic.

My in-laws arrived from the Midwest yesterday and they'll be with us for the next 10 days. It's so wonderful to see how much my children light up when they're around. Having them here eliminates any concern I could have about Madeleine and Owen's well-being while we're away. Knowing that makes this escape even more enticing. Hopefully I'll be able to get some sleep tonight, but I wouldn't be surprised if I'm up again at the crack of dawn, excitement rumbling in my stomach. On Sunday, I know I'll be just as eager to come home to kiss my kids and get back to the life I'm anxious to take a break from. But I guess that's why vacations are so important -- they allow us to see our lives from another perspective. In my case, a perspective that will be slightly skewed by wine, but that will only make me more enamored of a life I already treasure.

Dinner is served, and it's: Dijon Crusted Salmon

I made this delicious, super fast recipe for the first time two nights ago, and it was a hit. It was sent to me by a friend, Lori, and I'll definitely be making it again. As you know, I try to make quick and healthy meals usually with ingredients I can buy from Trader Joe's. This recipe calls for planko, Japanese breadcrumbs, but can be replaced with regular breadcrumbs if you don't want to have to go to another grocer (planko isn't sold at TJ's).

Here are the simple and few items you'll need:

2 BBQ cut salmon fillets
coarse ground Dijon mustard
planko breadcrumbs
non-stick cooking spray

long grain rice
spinach
1 tsp olive oil

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Cook rice according to package (usually takes about 25 minutes). Pat dry salmon fillets and then coat them with mustard. Press planko crumbs into each fillets (top and sides). Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray and cook salmon, skin-side down, for 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to overcook. While fish is in the oven, heat oil on a saute pan. Add spinach and saute for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove skin from salmon and place on bed of spinach. Serve with rice and enjoy. As it easy as it gets!!

Downtime

I have a hard time sitting down. Don't get me wrong, I love T.V. and I love reading, but I always feel like there's something else I should be doing when I'm engaged in either of those things. Right now is a perfect example -- I worked this morning, raced home to pick up Madeleine for preschool, and then rushed back in the door to put Owen down for his nap. The kids were with their beloved babysitter this morning and the house shows it -- toys everywhere! I cleaned the downstairs bedrooms, put on a pot of coffee, and jumped on the computer. The couch looks so appealing and I could use a few minutes of mindless distraction, but while the sun is shining I have a problem indulging in leisure activity (and lying on the couch watching morning television is considered leisure in my book). I'm obviously not unique in my obsession to keep busy -- I realize that many people have a hard time relaxing, too. There are others, my husband for example, who can do what needs to be done and not worry about the rest of it, especially if it's going to impede on any scheduled relaxation-time. I remember quietly seething a couple of weeks ago over his ability to watch sports on a Saturday afternoon while I raced around emptying groceries and trash cans, and picking up what seemed like a thousand toys. The kitchen needed to be swept and mopped, laundry needed to be folded. These were all urgent to me. I was part angry that he didn't see the significance in completing these tasks and part incredulous that he could happily focus on T.V. while all the other "priorities" fell to the wayside.

I'm lucky to be married to someone that is similar to me in ways that matter (common interests and beliefs, general outlook on life), but different in ways that give us balance. If I was married to someone who couldn't stop to smell the roses, we'd never slow down to enjoy the daily pleasures of life. I have to work at being more present and stop myself from constantly thinking of the next thing on the list. I need to allow myself to lie on the couch more and sink into a book. These things are just as important as daily exercise and good nutrition because it gives the brain a much needed break. My husband falls asleep within 2 minutes at night because he knows when to work and when to play; he knows how to turn-off the chatter in his head (another ability of which I'm in awe). While he may not see the necessity of always having a crumb-free kitchen floor, he does appreciate cleanliness and order -- just not in place of well-deserved leisure.

As a multi-tasking mom of two toddlers, organization is a must. Life runs much more smoothly if the kids take their daily naps, eat well-balanced meals, and have time to play outdoors in the fresh air. These are all things I must fit into each day in order to maintain their happiness and mine. But I also need to show them that along with schedules, there needs to be spontaneity. Sometimes it's okay to skip naps or push back bedtimes, just like it's okay to leave laundry unfolded and dirty dishes in the sink. Definitely an important lesson worth learning.

I'll add it to my to-do list.