Tonight's dinner experiment

Dinner has become somewhat of an experiment for me and Joshua.

Recently at CrossFit someone passed around a sign-up to buy in for a side of bison meat. Joshua has wanted to try bison for a long time, so we joined in the purchase. Tonight we have attempted to make spaghetti and meatballs-- paleo-style.

Spaghetti, easy. Remember spaghetti squash? The hardest part of that is slicing the darn thing in half.

Spaghetti sauce from Earth Fare-- all-natural and yummy.

Bison balls.

Well...

How would you make meatballs when you cannot include breadcrumbs or milk?

We decided to substitute coconut milk for the regular milk, easy enough. Breadcrumbs are kind of an essential part of meatball making, though. They help hold everything together, you know? We figured that we would use the pulp from our juicer that is just going to waste. So tonight we juiced some kale, pineapple, pear, blueberries, mango, and apple (delightfully delicious GREEN juice!) and salvaged the pulp to put in the meatball mix.

The guy arranging the bison purchase recommended that we not overcook the bison meat. He says that it has a tendency to dry out easily. Since our meatballs are rather soupy anyway, we're disregarding his advice in this instance.

I'll let you know how it turns out tomorrow. I'm off to make some paleo butternut bisque soup. 

Writing

So the mystery appointment mentioned in yesterday's post was my first of eight intrinsic health coaching sessions. Sounds fancy, doesn't it?

Really, it is about discovering what you want and getting there. Hence the homework of a vision board... basically a collage of all you envision for your life.

I have loved making collages since I was a little girl. I would spend hours cutting up magazines, carefully choosing pictures that I loved. I think that it is what drew me to photography in the first place. I am eager to get back to that place in my heart and peer out through that lens-- I think that it will be a deep breath of "at home" that I have been looking for for awhile. 

Today's thoughts

Today was a blustery cold morning, and I decided to walk to my 8:00 a.m. appointment across the hospital campus to rack up some mileage on my pedometer. My employer is awesome in that there is a health program where certain activities equal points, and enough points equals cash. Yep, cash. One of the easiest ways to earn points is to purchase and wear a pedometer. Walk enough during the quarter and you're well on your way to easy cash money.

Anyways.

I decided to walk. I almost immediately regretted my decision, because I was trying to multi-task by eating my breakfast (a.k.a. banana) and my hand pretty much turned into a solid block of ice after the first two minutes. I ended up in a building I'd never been in before, lost, and late.

But I got there.

I'm going to leave you hanging about where I was headed. I'll just tantalize you by saying that I will be making a vision board, and I will take photographs and post them for you once it is complete. If I can overcome my perfectionist tendencies and call it complete, that is. 

Ancient computer

I wanted to post a funny video that I saw on Facebook, but I am relegated to blogging on the household's most ancient computer tonight, and YouTube refuses to show its face. Joshua is sick and laid up in bed and is currently occupying our PC with a movie. I'm sitting here with my apron tied around my waist and saying hello to the blogosphere in the midst of cooking Paula Deen's "Old-Time Beef Stew" and stealing spoonfuls of Coconut Bliss. Praise the LORD for Coconut Bliss!

Today in the mail arrived three books of poetry, sent by my dear friend, K-Smeltz. It's on my new 101 in 1001 to read a book of poetry. Plus, this season of fasting has been a melancholy one, and so some Emily Dickenson should come in right handy. K-Smeltz sent me her own personal copy complete with sticky tabs on her favorites.

Better go check on Hubs. 

Home again, home again

We are home from Myrtle Beach. Michelle found the *perfect* wedding dress and I am so glad that we made the trip with her to be a part of the process. I wish I could post pictures, but on the off-chance that Christian happens to read my blog, that would spoil everything completely and I might never be forgiven. :)

The sun only appeared this morning as we were getting ready to leave my in-laws' house. I stood in the kitchen for a moment, soaking up the warmth as the sunlight shone through the window and I wished-- like seriously longed for-- a beach vacation. We did go out to the pier on Saturday, but it was cold and damp and so foggy that you couldn't see where the ocean and sky kiss on the horizon. It was romantic in it's own morose fashion. Joshua and I stood wistfully on the pier, listening to the waves beating the sandy shore below and spoke to each other about our craving to live on the water. I asked Joshua if he would rather live at the beach than at the mountains. I was surprised when he said yes.

I took the beach for granted as a Floridian, and I miss it something fierce now. Even on cold, clammy days like yesterday, there is an unrivaled, mysterious beauty about the sea.

I am thankful for the rainy weather, though. We spent a lot of quality time with my in-laws, whom we don't see enough of these days. Goal to visit more often. 

Off to Myrtle Beach!

Off for a whirlwind trip to Myrtle Beach to get Shelly's wedding dress fitted!!! I'm going to love it even if it is raining the whole TIME!

I must blog

Internet was down again last night... the router has a mind of its own. Not that I minded too much-- more time to cuddle up with a book on a rainy winter evening. Definitely my style.

Tomorrow Joshua, Michelle, and I are headed on a road trip down to Myrtle Beach to go get her wedding dress fitting done.  Should be good times... I can't wait to step out onto the beach (rain or shine) and let my soul melt into the sound of waves lapping on the sandy shore. I am also excited to see my sister-in-love wrapped in a confection of white, and to spend time with my in-laws. 

Here's to three day weekends.