Work-at-home Mom and Living: is it possible?
This is supposed to be my year of ACTION. A new year in which I accomplish my goals. I just have not been able to set them yet.
I am having such a hard time figuring out what to do with this blog. I named it “Mom on the Rise” because of the Maya Angelou poem “Still I Rise.” My mom thought that having a child (even after married and in my late 20s) was the end of my life. But I always felt that it was the beginning of a new one. I am a Mom, and still I rise. I completed my Master’s Degree and started a business.
But then I got tired.
I thought about letting it go and then about writing in more of a focused niche. And yet, neither has has sat well with me. I love this blog. The design. Some of the posts that I have written in the past. I’m not sure what the heck is keeping me from writing. Maybe it’s because I have WAY too many blogs. Or maybe it’s the web designing, consulting and running We of Hue….
Obviously, I tend to spread myself too thin. I have a problem saying “no” to people and focusing on what I want to do. In some ways, I think that I prevent myself from focusing because I don’t want to commit 100% and then fail. Or maybe it’s because I keep trying to live out the definition of “mom blogger” as set by others. Truthfully, I have been making decisions based on what I SHOULD be doing (as dictated by others) as opposed to what I want to do for a long time. It’s the result of coming from a very overbearing mom who really did not… Continue reading
Kristina’s Veggie Bean Soup
Ingredients
- Carrots, raw, 3 medium (chopped)
- Mushrooms, 8 fresh (chopped)
- Onions, raw, 2 medium (chopped)
- Garlic, 4 clove (chopped)
- Celery, raw, 1 stalk, large (chopped)
- Red Ripe Tomatoes, 2 medium (chopped)
- Swiss Chard, 3 cup, chopped (chop stems and tear leaves; keep separate)
- Leeks, 5 leek (chopped)
- Asparagus, fresh, 3 spear, medium (chopped)
- Potato, raw, 3 large (chopped)
- Beans, great northern, 1.5 cup (dry and presoaked)
- Olive Oil, Extra Virgin, 2 tbs
- Water, tap, 8 cup (64 oz)
- Sage, ground, .5 tbsp
- Thyme, ground, .5 tbsp
- Cinnamon, ground, .5 tsp
- Bay Leaf, 1 tbsp, crumbled
- Adobo Goya, 0.25 tsp
- Pepper, black, .5 tbsp
Directions
- Serving size is 2 cups. Should make 10 servings.
- Saute onion, garlic, carrots, leeks, celery. mushrooms, tomatoes, and asparagus in olive oil using a large stock pot or dutch oven.
- Add all remaining veggies except for the potatoes, Chard leaves. DO NOT ADD BEANS YET.
- Add enough water to just cover the veggies and add all spices/seasoning.
- Bring to a boil and then simmer for 1 hour.
- Add beans and potatoes and the remaining water.
- Stir and allow to simmer for 2 hours. Be sure to stir and check water level periodically . Add more water as needed. Soup should be brothy not thick.
- When soup has finished cooking add Swiss Chard leaves and cover fro 10 minutes. Serve in bowl.
Number of Servings: 10 | Serving Size 2 cups | Here is the nutrional info
Recipe: Garlic and Herb Pork Chops with Yams and Kale
The nice thing about being so determined to lose weight is that I am cooking more. This week alone I made hummus, applesauce, vegetarian chili, portobello burgers, and more. Tonight, I decided to make garlic and herb pork chops and yams with kale.What I liked about tonight’s meal is that it was quick and different. My husband and I always complained that hos family loved to make steak and salad but no other sides. This is definitely not that kind of meal
Everything was so good.
To Make the Pork Chops:
In a blender or chopper (I use the Magic Bullet), combine:
- 9 cloves of garlic
- 2 shallots
- olive oil (about .5 cup)
- sage
- fresh basil
- rosemary
- a little water or balsamic vinegar
Chop until everything is very fine. If it is too thick add more water or vinegar. Pour into a large Ziploc bag with 3 Bone-in Porkchops. Seal the bag and work the mixture until it coats the chops. Grill or oven bake on till done.
The Sweet Potato-Kale recipe is not mine, so go here to learn how to make it.
A Weigh to Go: The Aftermath
Well by now you probably know that I am not one of the Mamavation Moms. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t highly disappointed. Of course, I am happy for the new moms, but the fact is that losing is a big blow in a long line of blows when it comes to my health. As motivated as I am to get healthy it often feels like every attempt that I make to do so fails.
At any rate, this is not about getting anyone to feel sorry for me. I am just being honest which is something I have always done while blogging. The point of this post it to put in writing (type) that I am on a mission to fix things in my life and that nothing will stop me…