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Feasting with Friends

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Day 298 in my sugar-free, low sodium eating to be healthier when I meet up with Mickey in October

Today’s plan was to have our friends, Ken and Chris Hall, over for dinner tonight.  We had picked up groceries for dinner on Sunday, so today we just stopped and picked up a few last minute things.  We thoroughly enjoyed visiting with our good friends.  It had been a long while since we had had a longer visit, so it was a real treat.  We feasted on Cranberry Pine-Nut Quinoa; White Bean , Herb and Tomato Salad; fresh veggies with hummus.  Then for dessert we had fresh blueberries and strawberries and freshly whipped heavy cream.  It was delightful.  The meal was scrumptious and the company was even better.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Sunday Shenanigans

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Day 296 in my keeping busier than I used to so I am healthier when I meet up with Mickey in October

My plan today is to eat well, shop for groceries, get our guest room ready for my daughter’s visit, and visit with my son and daughter-in-love tonight.

  1. After sleeping in and showering up at the sauna, Mike (my squeeze) and I went to brunch at Maevery Public House in beautiful downtown Lake Bluff.  I ate there yesterday and was so taken with it that I had to get Mike there today.  He ordered the BELT (bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato sandwich) with potatoes fried in butter.  I ordered Croque Jasper (brioche with a lean sausage patty and a bit of cheese sauce).  We both had black coffee which was Douwe Egbert.  For those not familiar with Douwe Egbert: it is a Danish coffee, very full bodied and yet mellow.  It comes in somewhere between Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donut coffee.  Maevery Public House is not inexpensive, but pamperingly delicious!)  Yes, I know I just made up a word, but it seems so apropo.  Now usually I make a habit of cutting my entree in half and bring half home for another day.  Today I ate the WHOLE thing.  I used the excuse that it won’t reheat well.  🙂  So I will not eat a full meal until dinner tonight.  If I get hungry, I have a piece of fruit or something else light.
  2. Our daughter Emi, who lives in Bristol, England, comes tomorrow!  She’ll be here for a week.  Woo hoo!!!  When she’s here, we end up eating out quite a bit so, we picked up just enough groceries so she (a vegetarian) will have some choices for lunches.  And also we got the groceries to have some friends (Yay, Ken and Chris Hall!) over for dinner on Tuesday evening.  On the menu for the evening: Cranberry-Pine Nut Quinoa, White Bean, Herb and Tomato Salad, fresh veggies and hummus, and fresh berries and whipped cream for dessert.
  3. Gotta change the bedding and straighten our guest room for Emi.  I’m so-o-o excited to see her and hug her and kiss her face!  She’ll sing with Damascus Road (the contemporary band at our church) next Sunday, and she’ll sing with Ken Hall and a friend at Cafe Pyrenees in Libertyville on Friday evening.  Mike may play some guitar there, too.
  4. Tonight Jake and Eliza come to dinner and to hang out.  We are having Apricot-Almond Chicken with last night’s leftover Chicken Rigatoni with Broccoli and Peppers as a side and a nice large spinach and Romaine salad.

That’s it for today, dear readers.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: All recipes mentioned are from Betty Crocker’s 30 Minute Meals for Diabetes.  Seriously, if you’re watching your sugar intake, then this is a GREAT cookbook to have.

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Scrumptious Day

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Day 295 in my eating my way to a healthier me to meet up with Mickey in October (4 months and 13 days to go)

My plan for today is to make the healthiest choices possible for my meals today.

  1. Breakfast:  We went out with our friends John and Joan Webster to celebrate Mike’s and my birthdays.  We’re a little behind; our birthdays are in November and December.  🙂  We went to a restaurant  called The Point Pancake House in Gurnee, IL.  I ordered a Multigrain Waffle with Yogurt and Strawberries.  The yogurt was plain, unsweetened.  (Ish, right?)  I can’t eat many strawberries because I have diverticulosis, so I ate a couple and gave the rest to Joan.  I asked for and was given sugar-free syrup. I ordered a side of bacon as a treat.  And I had a cup of coffee. I put some syrup on my plate and gently dipped a forkful of the waffle at a time.  It was so good!
  2. Lunch:  After writing out my bills for this pay period, I skipped to town (Lake Bluff) to mail them.  While there I decided to go to brunch at Maevery Public House.  Monday through Friday they are only open for dinner, but on Saturday and Sunday they are open from 10 to 3 for brunch.  I ordered an egg white frittata with locally grow seasonal vegetables and goat cheese.  The locally grown seasonal vegetables turned out to be clover. (Early Spring-sheesh!) This was unexpected to say the least.  It was served with tomatillo salsa.  I opened my small mind, and decided to give it a try.  OMGoodness!!!!  It was to die for and was complimented by a cup of black coffee and the cold water that they serve in a refillable bottle.  Mike and I will go there tomorrow after church, so he can see how wonderful this place its.  What a local gem!
  3. Dinner: Back to my favorite cookbook: Betty Crocker’s 30 Minute Meals for Diabetes.  On tonight’s menu: Chicken Rigatoni with Broccoli and Peppers.  We haven’t tried this one yet.
  1. Ingredients:
  2. 2  1/2 (does anyone know how to type this as a number on a MacBook Air?) cups uncooked rigatoni pasta
  3. 2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
  4. 1 medium red, orange or yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  5. 1 cup cut-up cooked chicken
  6. 1/2 cup reduced-fat Alfredo pasta sauce (from 10-oz jar)
  7. 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (1oz), if desired
  1. Directions:
  2. Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli and bell pepper for the last 2 minutes of cooking.  Drain; return to saucepan.
  3. Stir in chicken and Alfredo sauce.  Cook over low heat about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken and sauce are hot.  Sprinkle with cheese.

Betty Tip: Any tubular-shaped pasta (I’m using whole wheat elbow macaroni), such as penne or ziti, will work fine in this dish, and , to make it vegetarian, omit chicken and increase broccoli to 3 cups.

That’s my eating day today.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Unexpected Grace

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Day 294 in my realizations on the way to a healthier me when I meet Mickey in October.  (4months and 14 days to go)

Today’s plan was to go to work and give it my all. I did, and it feels good to have put in my first full week since surgery.

Here are some surprises that God had for me today:

  1. The weather: It was an unexpectedly warm and mostly sunny day here today.  As a matter of fact I am sitting on my front porch with my kitty writing this blog.  She’s very helpful and keeps rubbing her precious face on my hands and on the laptop. 🙂
  2. A friend from church stopped by the office to offer Mike and I two tickets to the musical Anything Goes at Marriott Lincolnshire tonight.  What a lovely and unexpected gift.  Thank you to Mike and Carol Bennett.  So my honey and I get to have a date night.  Yay!
  3. Also while at work a dear friend and former congregation member stopped in to visit.  We had a lovely chat about what’s going on in our lives.  What a joy to spend some time with Kim Minichiello today!

I hope you take time today to stop and reflect on the unexpected blessings in your life.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Of Water and Birthdays

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Day 293 in my research into activities while we visit Walt Disney World and meet up with Mickey

Today my plan was to check out the latest version of WDW Magazine.  It’s an online magazine, and it’s a bit expensive, but for a Disney buff like me, it is magnificent!  The latest issue is about the water parks and all things water at Walt Disney World.  I started looking  at it because my daughter-in-love Eliza asked if there was any place to rent kayaks or canoes at Walt Disney World.  Lo and behold there is.  For only $11 for 60 minutes, you can rent a canoe at Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Campground.  With any luck at all the kids will canoe to their hearts content, and perhaps their dad will join them.  Me?  I’ll be sitting in the shade, in a rocker at Trail’s End Restaurant with a good book.  Sheer bliss!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW:  Happy birthday to my brother Gary yesterday.  Happy birthday to my mom (me littl’ English mum) in heaven today.  Happy  birthday to my brother Howard tomorrow.  I love you all, and wish we could share a cuppa to celebrate. xxoo

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Retirement Joy

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Day 291 in making life changes to be healthier in mind, body and spirit when I meet up with Mickey Mouse at Magic Kingdom

Today’s plan was to submit my letter of retirement at work.  I am retiring from my job as secretary at St. James Lutheran Church.  Here is part of my retirement letter:

As you may know, I have recently been through a bout of cancer. In the process of being diagnosed and treated, it was found that I have several other health issues. These issues make it impossible to perform my job in a timely and efficient manner. So it is with some regret, but with more hope for the future, that I wish to retire from my position as Church Secretary as of December 31, 2015. I turn 60 in December, and I wish to spend my “golden years” writing and pursuing opportunities to volunteer as I am led.

Wow!  This is huge!  I believe with all my heart that this is the Lord’s leading.  I feel such a peace about it.  It’s nerve-wracking because our health insurance is through the church, but I will pursue our options and keep praying about it.  I never suspected when I became a card-carrying Democrat supporting Obamacare, that I might soon be using it. 🙂  I sure am glad it’s in place!

I so look forward to not having to drive to and from work in the snowy, icy winter weather.  AND I have three book ideas, that I am anxious to have the time to work on.  I am so excited about what God has in store for this next phase of my life!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: I have the most supportive husband!  He is my soul-mate, my best friend, my true love.  He is an amazing man of God, and I am so grateful for him!  Thank you, Jesus!

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Trying to Tidy

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Day 290 in my attempting to not sit on my can all day, so I can be healthier when I meet up with Mickey Mouse at Magic Kingdom in October (4 months and 18 days to go)

Today’s goal was all about getting ready to organize  and keep a tidier house.  A friend of mine has agreed to clean for me one day every two weeks.  She will start the day after tomorrow.  So today Mikie-mio, my dear one, and I went to Ace Hardware and stocked up: broom and dust pan, mop, dust mop, dusters, new toilet brush, cleaning products for kitchen, bathroom and the rest.  We hadn’t done a good cleaning product shop in 20 years at least.  Now we’re ready for my friend Diana to come and help me out.  Yay!

I picked up the book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: the Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo.  The only thing I really know from the book so far is one of the guiding principles: When you are tidying, if something does not still bring you joy, then out it goes.  Isn’t that a simply wonderful concept?  I believe this could make it much easier to get rid of stuff that I’ve been holding on to for years.

I’ve already done my spice shelves and medicine shelves and my canned goods selves.  They look so neat.  And today when we got home from our shopping spree, Mike put up hooks near our pantry wall that hold the mop, dust mop, dust pan, broom and dusters.  It’s looking good!

When my daughter, Emi comes for a visit one week from today (YAY!), she is going to help me clean out some stuff.  In particular: my bedroom closet, my shoes and my cookbooks.  Those three things are gargantuan tasks, and I will feel well on my way to a simpler, cleaner lifestyle once they are done.  Here’s hoping so anyway.

I’ll keep you posted as I progress.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: Thank you to those who gave their all, so that we can live free. Blessed Memorial Day to all.  As we remember those we love, may God be with us with his comforting presence.

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Busy and Blessed

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Day 288 in my striving to be healthier to meet up with Mickey in October at Magic Kingdom  (4 months and 20 days to go)

Today’s plan was to take care of some personal business.  I first drove back to the church where I work, because I wore my computer glasses home yesterday, rather than my everyday glasses.  My computer glasses are only effective at the distance from the computer to my chair, so they make it difficult to read, drive, watch TV, or anything else outside that range.  Since it is Memorial Day weekend, I chose to get my glass so I can see properly to enjoy the long weekend.

Next I treated myself to breakfast at Eggsperience, in Bannockburn.  I had an egg white and veggie omelet with mozzarella (I ate about half of it and took the rest home), one piece of rye toast with butter and a skim cappuccino.  Wow!  A healthy and delicious start to a busy day!

Then I went to Bent Fork Bakery in Highwood.  We are having a lovely Nigerian family of four over to brunch tomorrow after church.  Mike (my sweetest) will make kropsua, a Finnish pancake.  (It’s actually a lot like Yorkshire pudding, except you cook it in butter rather than in beef drippings.)  We will also have fresh cut-up fruit, sausage, juice, coffee, sweet rolls from the Bent Fork (for my guests and Mikie, not for me) and bacon.  (Speaking of bacon: it is really hard to find bacon without sugar in it.  I was shocked!!  I finally found some that claims to have not more that 2% sugar, so I grabbed that.)  I’m looking forward to visiting with the Bakfwash family tomorrow!

Next I went and knocked off our weekly grocery shopping.  This was a huge undertaking for me, as I continue to recover from major surgery.  My doc told me to listen to my body and if something hurts, I should quit doing it.  So with that in mind I moved at a turtle’s pace through the store, and when I felt my tiring, I skipped the last few items on the list.  A lovely Heinens worker helped me to the car and loaded the groceries for me.  (In the course of our visit, I found out he will turn 20 on Monday, and wants a cookout for his birthday.  Luckily Heinens is closed on Memorial Day, so he is off.  Isn’t that a wonderful policy?  I dig it!)

Then I went home where Mikie unloaded the groceries.  (I am not supposed to lift more that 10 pounds for 16 weeks at least.)

Whew!  A productive and beautiful (thank you, Lord, for this glorious weather) day.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Friday Night Feast

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Day 287 in my becoming healthier to meet up with Mickey in October

My plan for today in eating healthier was to try out a new recipe.  I turned to my current favorite cookbook Betty Crocker 30 Minute Meals for Diabetes.  I decided to try Steak Marsala .

Prep time: 20 minutes  Start to finish: 20 minutes  4 servings  Carbohydrate choices 0

Ingredients:

  1. 4 beef tenderloin steaks, 3/4 inch think (about one pound)
  2. 1/2 tsp salt
  3. 1/4 tsp pepper
  4. 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  5. 1 Tbs drained capers
  6. 1/2 cup Marsala wine or nonalcoholic wine

Directions:

  1. Sprinkle both sides of each beef steak with salt and pepper.  Rub with garlic.  Spray 10-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat.  Add beef; cook 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until desired doneness.  Remove beef from skillet; cover and keep warm.
  2. Add capers and wine to skillet.  Heat to boiling over high heat.  Cook uncovered 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until liquid is slightly reduced.  Serve over beef.

It was delicious!  Like close-your-eyes so you can really appreciate the taste and texture delicious!  There is a bit of sticker shock on this though.  I ended up paying $28 for the steaks.  I justified it by realizing that it is four steak dinners for the price.  I had a small leftover baked potato in the refrigerator, which I fried up.  Then I made us each a large romaine, green pepper, yellow pepper and broccoli salad.  Mike topped it off with rye bread and butter.  Tonight we feasted like royalty!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Fangirl

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Day 286 on my way to hug Mickey in October

Today’s goal was to be as productive as possible during my four hours at work while trying to listen to my body and slow down as necessary.  I did work very hard today, but I pushed it a bit too far again.  I’m starting to wonder, if I’m ever going to be able to work a full day.  I am exhausted!  Yet I am encouraged, too.  It feels good to do normal things a bit more.  I will keep praying for patience and for strength to see me through.

I want to share about some absolutely fun greeting cards that I found.  There was a blurb on Facebook about them, so I clicked to take a look.  They are by Emily McDonald.  Google her to take a look.  Some are a bit too racy for me, but some I love!  For example:

  1. One more chemo down! Let’s celebrate with whatever doesn’t taste disgusting.
  2. You’re like a sister to me. Except I never hate you.
  3. I promise never to refer to your illness as a journey. Unless someone takes you on a cruise.
  4. Well, this just sucks.  I wish I had a better way to say it, but my brain feels totally stuck right now.  But I just want you to know that even though I might not always have exactly the right words, you will always have me.  I’m not going anywhere.  So I hope you’re cool with that.  Because I love you.

Fun, right?  She sells bags and other things, too.  I’m a fan!

Meet you at the Kingdom!