Secret (Spinach and Carrot) Brownies

March 9th, 2013 | Posted by Alison Spath in Short or Sweet - (13 Comments)

Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld was one of the first books I read when I was beginning to learn more about cooking and nutrition.  (The Family Nutrition Book by Dr. William Sears was another one if you’re just getting started.)

I remember looking at her recipe for brownies with spinach and wondering if you truly couldn’t tell there was vegetables in them.  This was about a year before I discovered green smoothies and did not yet understand the invisibility powers of spinach when prepared the right way.  Read more...

, , , , ,

Life of Pi

January 24th, 2013 | Posted by Alison Spath in Good Reads - (6 Comments)

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I just finished Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I didn’t know much about this book before I read it, and for that reason I don’t want to share too many details here.  It was nice picking this up and knowing very little about it, simply believing it was going to be good.  I liked having nearly every part of the story being left to surprise, so I want to leave much of it a surprise for you too.

I will tell you what little I knew going into it though, in case what intrigued me might intrigue you.  Read more...

, , ,

Lunch Lately

January 10th, 2013 | Posted by Alison Spath in Lunch - (8 Comments)

Today I’m here with a couple of my recent lunch time regulars.

Some days I eat lunch all by myself. When the big kids are at an afternoon class and the baby is napping, I get to eat late lunch in peace and quiet with just myself and maybe a literary friend too. I’m re-reading (/ skimming) The Primal Blueprint – I’m finding it more relevant now that I’m eating meat again.

Turkey Burger Lunch

A turkey burger with provolone on top of greens, shredded carrot and celery tossed in olive oil and balsamic. I am now one of those people who eats their burger without a bun. Some of the time, anyway.  Read more...

, , , , ,

New Groceries

January 8th, 2013 | Posted by Alison Spath in Healthy Habits - (12 Comments)

I rarely buy books. I much prefer to spend my money on late fees at the library. I did buy Deep Nutrition because it’s not in our library system and b.) I need more than 3 weeks to get through most books these days. (I can read Goodnight Moon in about 3 minutes flat though. Just saying.)

When I bought Deep Nutrition, I also bought The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth because hello, free supersaver shipping! And b.) I get this dorky smile on my face whenever I read the myriad of awesome things that good foods can do for our bodies.  Read more...

, , , , , , , , ,

The Life Changers of 2012

December 31st, 2012 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life - (8 Comments)

At the end of last year I wrote about The Life Changers of 2011 – the books, blogs and other ideas that effected my life in a positive, meaningful way.  I’m here today to do the same for 2012!

Of course, the biggest life changer for us this year was addition of this guy to our family:

Kaz 6 months  Read more...

, , , , ,

Project Weight Loss, Deep Nutrition and Vegetarian No More

December 8th, 2012 | Posted by Alison Spath in Good Reads - (26 Comments)

OK people, we need to talk about Deep Nutrition.  I wrote briefly about this book last week, but to put it mildly, it’s been shaking things up around here.

Project Weight Loss

First, Deep Nutrition has changed the direction Project Weight Loss because it has inspired me to start looking beyond calories.  I still believe there is value in counting calories if you are looking to lose weight and you’re struggling with slow or no progress.  After nearly 10 weeks of calorie counting here, I know what portions sizes are supposed to look like and have been reminded about how quickly calories can add up and sabotage weight loss efforts, even when you’re eating well.  Read more...

, , , ,

Project Weight Loss: Week 10

November 30th, 2012 | Posted by Alison Spath in Weight Loss - (Comments Off on Project Weight Loss: Week 10)

Week 10 of Project Weight Loss was not a weight loss week. Week 10 was about weight maintenance.

Actually, Week 10 was about survival.

I won’t go on and on about how over-committed I was this week. I won’t bore you (you’re already bored, aren’t you!) with talk of all the usual madness topped with extra meetings and multiple birthday parties and traveling with three small children and food for fundraisers and strange smells wafting up through the forced air ducts that eventually leads to the discovery of a fried circuit board in the furnace.  OF COURSE the furnace would crap out during the craziest week of all the crazy weeks that ever were!  Read more...

,

Let’s Grow Green

April 5th, 2012 | Posted by Alison Spath in Vegetable Lovin' - (5 Comments)

It’s that time of year again. Here in Zone 6A the early spring like weather is upon us and has been hanging around for a while now. It’s time get some greens and spring vegetables in the ground.

Spring Greens

First up, I did my part in expanding one of our small, city lot beds into an ever-so-slightly bigger bed.

More Space

“my part” = moving the boarder to the edge of the tilled soil that Zak dug up a couple weeks ago.

One Foot Bigger

more garden = less grass to mow. Check it.

Slightly Bigger Garden Bed  Read more...

, , , , , ,

You Need a Reason in This Season

February 15th, 2012 | Posted by Alison Spath in Motivation - (13 Comments)

This is the time of year that can be the most challenging when it comes to finding the motivation to exercise.

Bike

It’s cold. It’s dreary. Your bike is in the river.

(That’s not my bike, but you get what I’m saying.)

Here’s a little ditty that has nothing to do with bike riding, unless you like to ride for exercise in the winter. Then this can have everything to do with bike riding.  Read more...

, , , ,

The Magical Fruit

January 3rd, 2012 | Posted by Alison Spath in Dinner Time - (13 Comments)

Let’s say you laid down on the couch this afternoon, kids busy and frolicking to and fro, and you decide to close your eyes for “just a minute”.

Then let’s say you woke up some unknown amount of time later, living room dark, kids off entertaining themselves some place else, and suddenly you realize you’ve got about a half hour before your hungry husband would be home from work and ready for dinner.

In other words, let’s say you needed to throw something together for dinner fast.  Read more...

, , , , , ,