Sweet Potato - The Gateway Vegetable

Ever since I was little I wasn't particularly crazy about vegetables.  In college I became a self proclaimed "foodie".  I loved trying new dishes but most of them actually didn't include a lot of vegetables either. At restaurants I gravitated to things in the menu that were often breaded.  Foods from different countries were my favs - like Schnitzel, but I really wasn't that adventurous at all.

At home I still stuck with the regular stuff - meat, potatoes, pasta.

A couple of years ago a friend of mine introduced me to the sweet potato.  She suggested I "had" to try some sweet potato fries she made and she insisted I would "LOVE" them.  Well. . .I didn't.  Honestly I wasn't too keen on sweet potato based on that experience.

But, last year I found a recipe that included sweet potato and gave it another try.  Turns out it wasn't so bad after all.  Recently I've actually started to LIKE IT! *Gasp!* Sweet Potato turned out to be kind of like a Gateway Vegetable, leading to a willingness to experiment and try new vegetables . . .

This year, based on my sweet potato experiences, I'm really becoming more "adventurous".  We're trying to try new vegetables that are in season.  Tonight we tried turnip for the first time.  Honestly not the best vegetable out there but combined with beets and potato, some spices and chicken very edible. :)

Turns out vegetables aren't that bad after all. . .It's all in how you make them.  :)

Here's a link to the recipe I used tonight so you can also give it a try! :) Turned out pretty good! 

Crock Pot Chicken & Root Vegetables (Serves 3 to 4)

Ingredients

• 2 lb. chicken legs back attached
• 1/4 onion, sliced
• 1 beet
• 1 turnip, chopped
• 1 potatoes, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon thyme
• 1/2 tablespoon oregano
• 1/2 cup water
• oil to grease crock pot

Instructions

1. Chop potatoes, onion, turnip, and beets about the same size and thickness and put in 6 quart greased crock pot.
2. Shake spices over top of veggie mixture.  Add water.
3. Place chicken on top of vegetables.
4. Cook on high for 4 hours.

 Original recipe modified from: http://www.dietsinreview.com/recipes/crock-pot-chicken-and-root-vegetables/

Non-Scale Victories

I came across this on Pinterest tonight and I liked it.  I think it could be applied to me and my weight gain and general health issues.  I have to remember not to forget like they say "Non-Scale Victories".

So here is my edited version :)

Don't Forget about. . .

Non-Scale Victories

they are just as amazing

Pants are tighter

More endurance

Rings are tighter

Inches have been gained

People ask if you've gained weight

You feel healthier

You have more energy

You can lift heavier

You ARE healthier

As a person who has Celiac disease and lost a lot of weight in the past that I really haven't gained back yet, it can be very frustrating to stand on that scale.  I'm sure anyone who is trying to loose weight feels much the same but opposite.  The numbers are harsh.  I have tried not to let them get to me and am trying to focus more on eating right and taking care of myself and hoping that things will come in time.  Patience is a virtue.

However, I am still hoping for at least some non-scale victories (or scale victories - not going to lie they would be nice) this month!! :)

Sick

If you have kids you might relate to this post.  It seems like we just got over the last flu when the next one is here!


It all started when Monkey woke up on Sunday night at 2:30am with a fever of 101.3.  She was incredibly uncomfortable and complaining that essentially her entire body was "achy".


Fast forward to today, it's now Wednesday and I'm burnt out.  Two nights, 3 days of near constant fussiness, both day and night with high fever and general illness on Monkey's part and now today Hubby came home from work early because. . . .he's sick.


Joy.  . .


So far the house is holding up - a few dishes - a lot of toys on the living room floor but all is not lost!


Today I decided that I was too tired to do much of anything so I borrowed a recipe from Crockpot 365 and made a very quick and easy dinner for everyone.  Monkey did not eat it.  All she will eat currently is popsicles and cake with her sore throat. . .but it was tasty so here's a link for you to check out and below I've included the slight modifications I made for our family. :)


Herb Garden Chicken:


http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2010/10/crocktober-is-coming-to-end.html


My Modifications:
* I used 2.5lbs Bone in, skinless chicken breasts instead of a full bird.
* Amounts of the recipe were halved
* I used a 4 quart slow cooker instead of a 6 quart because I was making less chicken. :)
* I served this with white rice and cooked carrots.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 17

On day 17 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge the topic is "Your Highs and Lows of the Past Year".  I thought about this topic for most of the day because I really wasn't sure what I wanted to write but here goes:

The Lows:

1) Money - We've incurred a bit of debt, and we've struggled since we moved to Barrie in early 2009.  The move cost us a lot of money and the lack of work when we moved up there cost us more.  It was unfortunate how things worked out there and we're still not back on our feet but I couldn't have picked a better medical team than the ones we had when I was pregnant so I believe that's why God sent us up there.

2) Changes in relationships with friends - I've changed as a person since our daughter was born.  I don't feel like I have a lot to contribute to conversation any more with some of my old friends and I can feel us going our separate ways.  I think once our married friends start having children things might even out a little more again.

3) Health - My health hasn't been the greatest since 2008.  I still wear out easily and I'm discovering more and more allergies and intolerances.  It can be frustrating at times.

The Highs:

1) Moving into a new apartment - We moved into a new apartment at the beginning of this year and it's great!  We have friendly neighbors who we actually talk to and who don't slam doors in your face, we don't come home to pot smoke smell so strong you can taste it in your living room while you're cooking your own food, we have a pool and a great backyard in the back for our daughter to run around in!  Not to mention. . .carpeting!!  After having school style tile for a year carpeting was complete luxury.  I love waking up in the morning and stepping onto a fluffy floor. :)

2) Health - Yes, it's been a rough year for health but I am gradually getting better!  It's a really slow recovery and some days are better than others but I'm very very slowly putting on weight and getting more energy. :)

3) Our daughter - Though she's trying at times she's a lot of fun to play with and it's amazing to see how she looks at the world.  Everything is "oh wow" lately.  She clearly appreciates God's creation. :)

4) Cable - I really in truly appreciate Treehouse tv.  It has kept me sane at least a few times. lol.

5) Friendship - I've become closer to some of my old friends and developed some new friendships.

So, I guess that's it. :) I've been trying lately to focus more on the positive so I decided to end with the highs. :)