Complaining to Enjoying... tough but doable

I have complained. A LOT over this never ending Chicago Winter. I have complained to every one who'd listen, not listen. I have ranted long and I have ranted hard. You get the Idea!

But then, something changed. Sumit showed me a link of the CPD for Polar Days, the theme of the event: Its cold, but get out and enjoy yourself. Hmm, I honestly felt like it was targeted at me.

 We had friends visiting this Saturday and they loved the idea of being out as well, only for a bit, but out.

So we layered, buckled up, layered some more and headed out to the Northerly Island. It was AWESOME. Awesome to see huskies sledding in Chicago. Awesome to hear about their natural habitat, awesome for our kids to pet them and feed them and not so awesome to hear: I think I want a husky as a pet!

The kids did crafts, tried slipping on ice, the babies hung around the indoor camping tent. We clicked silly pictures, laughed so hard!

It was actually liberating- to be out and enjoy the winters as against complaining about them. Of course it did help that it was 32 F/ 0C which is balmy for Chicago standards. But yes, for what's left of winter (I think 3 more months) I am going to make an effort to be out a little more and complain a little less.

Quick Food Fix : A salad transformed

I am really bad at following through on the 'Getting Fit' business. When Fit Bit was new, I was completely hooked on and then health became a bit unmanageable, the first thing out- Being healthy. Sad as usual, but true.

But once again, trying to make better choices, a day at a time. In addition, we are contemplating a beach vacation which is motivation enough.

This weekend we had our besties in town and needless to say we pigged out. Every single meal. So by Sunday night, we all were done. Salad- Juice was the way to go.

Sumit made one of his delicious Juice concoctions and I decided to make salad.

My chatter box said- Salad is not going to fill me up. So I decided to twist it up.

Calling it

Transformed Salad: Cross between torta and Open Sandwich: Or just Something Delicious

Ingredients:

Finely  chopped

1. Zucchini - 1/2 cup

2. Carrots - 1/2 cup

3. Peppers - 1/4 cup

4. Onions  - 1/4 cup

5. Parsley- 1/4 cup

6. Lettuce - 3/4 cup

7. Garlic  - 1 clove

8. Shredded Cheese  - Per taste (Or substitute with Goat Cheese)

9. Hummus  - Per taste

10.Spices: Chili Pepper, Black Pepper, Dried Basil, Salt

11. Pita bread/ Any flat bread

To make:

1. Sauté onion garlic in olive oil.

2. When translucent add the spices per your taste

3. Add all remaining vegetables except parsley and Lettuce

4. Cover and let the vegetable steam

5. On a pan, let the pita bread get warm

6. Sprinkle cheese and then add vegetables on half of sandwich (Just so you can close it)

7. Add lettuce and parley.

7. Close sandwich and Enjoy when crisp.

We ate it with hummus dip and sriracha!

It was our dinner last night and lunch to go today. And needless to say this will be on our dinner rotation menu.

What I loved about it was, its like a warm salad. But the pita (I used whole wheat with sundried tomato) helped transform it in a complete meal. The simplicity of the spices bring out the complete taste of the vegetables.

The cheese helps close the sandwich really well and I cut it in Pizza shapes for lunch for the kiddos.

Welcome to try out the 'Transformed Salad: Cross between torta and Open Sandwich'

Negotiating with kids

In my next edition of Kids say the darnest things.

I have a 6 year old who is convinced she needs a pet. Since we have a few friends who own cats and dogs, she is not as charmed with them. She decided she wants a Fish.

V:    I think we should have a fish
GN: Hmm, let me think about it
V:    How about a deal? I write every single day and then you get  me a fish
(You see, we are encouragin her to write a bit more)
GN: Hmm, let me think about it.
V:    Ok, today is February 1, how about every single day this month
(She is really not letting it go)
GN: Hmm, let me think about it.
V:    Nothing to think about, its done. Final! Yay, I cant wait to tell me friends I am getting a fish!
(Really!!!! That's it!)

Second case:
V: I think I want a spider or a lizard for a pet.
(This is not going to end well!)
GN: Why?
V:    Because you are scared of them.
GN: But, that's just not fair.
(Oh my gosh!!!)
V:   Ok, when I grow up and have my own house, I will have a spider or lizard pet. And then you have to come every day
(Huh?)
GN: Why will you have your own house?
V: (Eye Roll) Look around you, you, papa, mama, bhua, friends everyone has their own house.
GN: Aah.
V: Done! So a spider as a pet, 10 years from now. You have to visit everyday and sleep in the room where my spider's cage is!
(Again, I loose, she moves out: I still have to visit her daily and sleep in the darn spider's room!!!)

Can I have my toddler V back, Miss Chatter Box? Please?