Author: Cultivate Wellness

NC. Health & Wellness Educator. Health, wellness, fitness, cooking, eating, joy.

Maybe Some New Goals

On By Cultivate WellnessIn Cooking1 Comment

That time between dinner and bed? It’s the least productive time for me. I’m tired from the day, low energy, and generally uninspired. I envy the people who spend those hours cleaning, creating something, or otherwise being industrious. My circadian rhythm doesn’t work that way. My most energetic hours are first thing in the morning.

I have always felt, though, that I could be doing *something*. Content enough to drink my tea or red wine and catch up on reading or Netflix, I haven’t spent much time considering what else I could be doing.

So, I’ve decided my next goal is to fix that. I am not crafty, so knitting, sewing, scrapbooking or similar activities are a non-starter. I generally do my exercising earlier in the day and it’s hard for me to even fathom moving a whole lot later in the day, so that’s probably not going to happen either (except for my weekly evening paddle league in the winter, occasional evening golf in the summer, and once a week or so dog walks with friends). I’m looking for something I can do most nights that makes me feel useful.

Any ideas? If so, please share! Tell me what you do in the evenings to pass the time. Maybe I’ll get inspired and finally land on the one thing for me.

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Let’s Talk About Stress

Confessional

Maybe It’s Time For Friday Cocktails Again. The Classic Daquiri

On By Cultivate WellnessIn cocktails, Recipes1 Comment

daquiri

Maybe when you saw the word “daiquiri” you were immediately envisioning those huge overly sweet frozen drinks you imbibed in your early 20’s (or now, I’m not judging).

The Classic Daiquiri is *not* that. Not even close. Invented in the late 1800’s in Cuba, the Daiquiri as it was imagined is fresh, light, and slightly sweet. It was also Ernest Hemingway’s favorite drink. We know he loved his drinks, so I sort of trust his judgement on this one.

It’s got only three ingredients (quality matters, so choose well). The best part is that it’s super easy to make and even easier to drink. Perfect for a Friday night when you’ve had that kind of week. Maybe it’ll become your new favorite.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 ounces light rum
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice (honestly, you could also try this if you’re feeling lazy)
  • 1/4 ounce simple syrup or super fine sugar

Instructions:

Pour the rum, lime juice and sugar into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into your favorite cocktail glass. An antique champagne coupe would be fun!

 

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Maybe It’s The Weekend And Weekends Were Made For Cocktails! The Rhubarbarita.

Friday Cocktails! The Hot-As-Heck Margarita

Maybe A Portobello Patty Melt For Dinner Tonight?

On By Cultivate WellnessIn Cooking, eating, family, RecipesLeave a comment

Ever since I cut down on my red meat consumption, I’ve really missed one of my favorite splurges: the patty melt. Maybe they taste good going down, but then reality sets in. Indigestion, the meat sweats, that brick-in-my-gut feeling. So when I saw this recipe I just knew I had to try it.

I made these Portobello Patty Melts last night for dinner, and they were GOOD. Like, really good. A few things I did differently: instead of caramelizing the onions for 40 minutes, I did it for about 20. Also, instead of roasting the portobello mushrooms for 40-45 minutes, I put them in a pan with the marinade and sautéed them with a cover on until they were ready. It saved about 20 minutes which is huge when you have a hungry family.

My daughter hates mushrooms so she opted for a grilled cheese but my husband and I really liked them. I can’t wait to have them again. Maybe next week?

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BBQ Chicken, Spanish Style

White Beans, French Style

Maybe I Need A Timeout

On By Cultivate WellnessIn health, Health and wellness, stress, wellnessLeave a comment

So, I woke up feeling agitated about something this morning. And I was laying in bed just ruminating and getting more worked up. And then I remembered a tool I always have in my back pocket anytime I need it: my breath. Thanks to the regular use of my favorite mindfulness app Headspace for the past few years, I have built up all kinds of tools and mechanisms for when I feel angry, sad, stressed, overwhelmed or just in need of a break. 

#1 is always go back to the breath. When we are stressed our breaths become shallow and restricted, which depletes our oxygen levels and makes us feel worse. Spend a few minutes focusing on helping your breath normalize. When we take a slower, deeper breath and hold it at the top for a moment or two before letting it back out, it sends a signal to the brain that things are OK. 

So, when you begin your day at 5:45 am already stressed like I did, try some relaxed breathing. Or check out Headspace and take advantage of their free trial offer. Maybe you could also look up free meditation videos on YouTube if that’s more your thing.  The point is to find something that works, and revisit it when you need it. 

Maybe It’s Monday (Again) And We Need An Easy Dinner Idea: Fettuccine With Asparagus

On By Cultivate WellnessIn Cooking, diet, eating, family, Health and wellness, Nutrition, RecipesLeave a comment

This crazy family of mine. They want dinner. Every. Single. Day. Like I mentioned last week, we usually do #MeatlessMonday as a way to eat a little healthier and do something nice for the Earth.

Maybe today I’ll just post this super easy but elegant looking Fettucine With Asparagus recipe I found this weekend. This is what I plan on making tonight for my hungry family.

Maybe you’ll make it too, and come back to tell me how it was?

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Maybe Some Rice Noodle Salad For Dinner Tonight?

Healthy Breakfast Recipe: Pumpkin Waffles

 

Maybe It’s The Weekend And Weekends Were Made For Cocktails! The Rhubarbarita.

On By Cultivate WellnessIn cocktails, Cooking, health, Health and wellness, Recipes1 Comment

It occurred to me that maybe some of you might think that I drink a lot of cocktails every week, seeing as I’m so enamored with trying new recipes. Truth be told, I drink maybe two a week, so I’m sorry to burst your bubble. I do have a small glass of red wine most nights. You know, for the resveratrol. I’m a very compliant patient, and since Mayo Clinic’s website says red wine is good for the heart (in small doses) then I feel like it’s my duty to oblige.

Anyway, it’s the weekend, and for me that usually means trying a new cocktail recipe (or at the very least an old favorite). This recipe for a twist on the classic margarita enticed me. It’s rhubarb season in Minnesota, so naturally a recipe for Rhubarbaritas seem like just the thing.

It’s supposed to hit 84 degrees here in the Twin Cities today. A cold summery beverage is maybe (definitely) in order. Cheers!

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Maybe I Want A Friday Cocktail: The Rosemary Greyhound

Mocktails — Green Tea Mojitos

Friday Cocktails: The Caipirinha!

Maybe I’ll Finally Stop Multitasking

On By Cultivate WellnessIn Uncategorized1 Comment

It’s possible I get distracted very easily. Maybe it’s actually very likely that on any given day, during any given task, I find myself checking texts, emails, Facebook, and Twitter far too often. Then I forget where I am in my task and it takes a while to get back up to speed. How much time am I wasting every day because of this? Probably hours.

I was on Twitter and saw a well known journalist mention the Pomodoro Technique for time management and I was instantly intrigued. So I did some research and decided to put it to the test the next day, when I had set aside a few hours to finish a school project.

It seems so simple and I’m kind of embarrassed that I haven’t used a time management technique in all the years I’ve been going to school and work. Real talk: my time management sucks. Well, it used to, anyway. So, here’s how it works: set a timer for 25 minutes (if that seems too long, start with 15). After the timer goes off, give yourself a five minute break to check email, read Facebook, make a cup of tea or check messages. After your fourth 25 minute work session, give yourself a longer break to take a walk, read a book, or watch a show on Netflix. Repeat repeat repeat as long as you have time.

If you sit down for a chunk of time without any sort of strategy, you might find yourself getting distracted too easily. When you have shorter chunks of time using the Pomodoro Technique, it’s easy to put off returning phone calls, texts or emails because you know you’ll have a reasonable amount of time to tackle those things. This strategy can even be used for household chores. For kids, break it down into five, 10 or 15 minutes depending on their age.

Give it a try, and let me know how it works for you! Maybe your life will be changed for the better! And if you like this post, please feel free to share with with family and friends!

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Maybe I Need To Watch More TED Talks

Maybe I Need To Make Rosa Parks’ Peanut Butter Pancakes

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Maybe You Can Grow Your Own Scallions Super Easily

On By Cultivate WellnessIn Cooking, Gardening, Health and wellness, Nutrition1 Comment

Maybe I will keep this post to the bare minimum today. 

Did you know you can plant the root end of a scallion with the roots facing down and a new scallion will grow? For real. 

It’s planting season in Minnesota, and I decided this year I’m not attempting to grow vegetables. Because let’s face it: I kill them all or the bunnies do and so either way it’s a total bust. I have a black thumb. But I WILL be planting the ends of my store bought scallions and maybe a few herbs and call it a day. I feel 100 lbs lighter just making that decision. Maybe I will do something amazing with all that free time. 

Happy Wednesday! 

Maybe Some Rice Noodle Salad For Dinner Tonight?

On By Cultivate WellnessIn Cooking, diet, eating, family, Health and wellness, Kids, Nutrition, Recipes, summer, wellness3 Comments

Maybe allergies are kicking my butt. I woke up yesterday with my ears completely clogged and everything sounded like I was underwater. I generally just didn’t feel great. So after I got home from picking up the 12 year old from school and it was time to make dinner, I was thankful I had planned on making this simple Rice Noodle Salad With Cucumber, Peanuts, and Basil. It took about 20 minutes from start to finish and there was absolutely no cooking involved. If you’re lucky, you have a kid that likes to cook and will make the dressing for you while you sit comfortably. This would make for a perfect summertime supper when it’s just too hot to turn on the stove. The recipe also fits with our Meatless Monday plans, which I would say we adhere to about 90% of the time. Going meatless once a week can reduce your risk of preventable diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce our carbon footprint. Plus, it’s generally cheaper to make a meatless meal. Win/win!

Asian Noodle Salad Meatless Monday

The original recipe came from Redbook Magazine but I made some changes to the recipe and adapted it, so here’s my version:

Rice Noodle Salad With Cucumber, Peanuts, and Basil

THE SALAD:

6 oz pad thai rice noodles

1/4 medium purple cabbage

1/2 sliced english cucumber

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

4 scallions, white and green parts sliced

1/2-1 cup fresh basil and cilantro, chopped

1 cup chopped peanuts, cashews or almonds

Sesame seeds

THE DRESSING:

1/4 cup lime juice (I love buying Santa Cruz organic bottled lime juice. It’s just so much easier)

3 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

2 tsp soy sauce

2 tsp honey

1/2 tsp garlic powder

HOW TO:

Pour hot water over noodles to cover and let sit for about 5 minutes, until softened. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, cut all the veggies up into thin slices, place the nuts in a baggie and whack them with a rolling pin to “chop”, and whisk together the dressing ingredients. Assemble the salads, drizzle dressing over the top, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. ENJOY!

NOTE: If you want more protein in your salad, it would be very easy to add rotisserie chicken, tofu, shrimp or any leftover meat you have. Maybe it’ll become a new family favorite.

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Maybe I Need To Make Rosa Parks’ Peanut Butter Pancakes

Maybe I Found A One Pot Meal I Love

 

Maybe I Need To Make Rosa Parks’ Peanut Butter Pancakes

On By Cultivate WellnessIn Cooking3 Comments

Maybe this will be my favorite blog post of May.

Not that long ago a treasure trove of mementos belonging to Rosa Parks was revealed to the public. Letters from Martin Luther King Jr., slips of paper, recipes written on bank envelopes, volunteer lists.

Back in the 1990’s I had the honor to be part of a team to greet Rosa Parks at the airport in Phoenix when she came to speak about the importance of instituting MLK Day. At the time, Arizona was one of the last holdouts in the nation. I remember she arrived in a wheelchair, and while no photo exists of me and and her together, the moment is seared into my brain. I’m lucky that as a teenager I realized how special that moment was. UPDATE: I went on Newspapers.com and found a photo of the moment. I’m somewhere in the periphery.

Rosa Parks Phoenix

As a person who loves to cook and try new recipes, I was ecstatic to see her handwritten recipe (on the back of an envelope, even) for “Featherlite Pancakes“. It reminded me so much of my grandma’s recipes, handwritten on worn scraps of paper. The secret ingredient: 1/3 cup peanut butter. The people of The Salt on NPR made the pancakes with Ms. Parks’ nieces and I can only say I wish I was in that room, too. I highly recommend reading the article to learn more about why peanuts were so important to African Americans in the south.

I will be making these pancakes and telling my daughter the story (maybe not for the first time) about the time I got to meet Rosa Parks .