I need your help!

 

 So I need your help! Someone please! I came across this....mmmm...via Cannelle et Vanille and I can't have it, remember the whole doc Margatrite thing ,well...no sugar for me...for a while. So I need someone to make this and describe it in detail, come on, who will take one for the team? and if you are going to do it, I need you to do it right, perfect crusty bread, good chocolate and the sweetest of olive oils. I'll be waiting :)

Chocolate, Olive Oil and Fleur de Sel Bocadillo

1 crusty baguette
2 70% cacao chocolate bars
2 tsp organic arbequina olive oil or any good quality extra virgin olive oil you like
Couple of pinches of fleur de sel
Cut the baguette in half and toast it under the broiler. Remove it from the broiler, drizzle some olive oil and place the chocolate on top of the bread. Place it back in the broiler for 5 seconds so the chocolate warms up a bit but remember that we don't want to melt the chocolate! Remove from the oven and finish it with the salt. Open your mouth big and eat right away!

this inspires me everyday

The best winter Thursday EVER!!!

Today was an amazing snowy day...Louise and I left work in the middle of the day, cuppa tea and camera in hand, we headed out to the horse pastures up the road, and we hit the nosy horse mother load. He came right up to us and said hi. Such gentle giants. They made my week.

 

A SOCIAL EXPERIMENT

As of lately I've been inspired by a few people and I'm trying to live with less and purge some stuff. So I'm pledging  not to buy myself a single stitch of anything until September, not a single THING, only experiences. I will travel, I will buy toiletries, and food, take a class or two or three, but I will not acquire  any material possessions.
I will however like to put a clause on this experiment/contract: If  by any freak chance I become a size 2, I'll be allowed to get one pair of jeans and a shirt, and if George Clooney walks up to me and asks me out on a date I will have to buy a new outfit, go for laser cellulite removal , hair AND make up.....and if he asks me to marry him before September I will need a wedding dress, the proper clothing to wear around our Villa in Lake Como and a Vespa...listen! this is my dream and I want a Vespa in it!

Picture found here.

 Anyone care to join me, with this or another social experiment?

Save the earth! It's the only one with chocolate!

So I started recycling at home, this cute little basket does the trick.
I'm still trying to figure out how to set it up at work, but we are making some good strides :)  Thanks everyone for all the great email suggestions! #26

I got $20 on Margarite

It is fair to say that I internalize my stress . I've always felt like I must be everything to everyone at all times. It's no secret that the past 12 years I have been completely consumed and in~love with my job and the people I serve. No mater how hard I've pushed this body of mine, it has worked for me, supported me and preformed for me without holding grudges, always with a smile and all of this with minimal maintenance.

I remember when I turned 16 my dad gave me my first car, his  1979 Chevy Caprice limited addition, it was perfect, it could fit 9 of us girls on a Saturday night out dancing at the Prime and Tender :), he also made sure to get me an converter  for the a~track player, so I could play my Modonna cassette tapes, and he said to me " You are now responsible for this car, as long as you make sure you keep up with the oil changes and pay for your insurance you should be Ok". I think all these years I felt the same way about my body, I got health insurance, got my teeth cleaned every six months , went to the gynnie once a year and pushed myself to the limits. Everything was great  until a few years ago, a few things started breaking down , I thought...."Oh these late 30's are starting to show wear and tear".After all, a group of friend that was a bit older had gone through it, but I soon noticed there were too many little things and I began to wonder what was going on~

Here is my girl....she was a beaut

 A friend of mine suggested I get a primary doctor, and she told me they had one in the woman's clinic where her obgyn was, that all the doctors worked together, I could get test done there, they had a spa.It sounded perfect! I went to see the doctor  for my yearly female exam, the space was lovely and they had flowers on the counter, that is all I needed to see, SOLD! 
The very first time something did go wrong with me and I really needed someone to listen to my concerns and symptoms, the doctor suggested it was in my head and asked if I wanted something for my anxiety, I explained to her that I felt like I was dying and that if I was going to dye I wanted to have a clear head so I could properly express to all of those who  have helped and loved me how much I loved them! She looked at me  and said IF you want I can order some blood work, I said I WANT!
A nurse called me five days later to tell me everything looked great and so it was just easier for me to pretend I was Ok and I just kept pushing myself as usual. Honestly I have no clue why when it comes to my body or health I loose every bit of back bone or assertiveness~ maybe because I was taught that I should respect doctors and I should always wear good socks and underwear when I go for a visit....not sure why really, but I kept going to this woman just so she could continue to belittle me, under mind me,and  rush me out. I even started thinking I was the problem and brought a friend into the exam room so she could tell me if I was crazy or if my doctor was. I choose my friend Michelle, she is my go-to girl, for when I need to be told the brutal truth, she can shake me like no other. If you don't have one of these, you should get one. We went in, Dr said hello and  "why are you here today?". I told her, I still don't feel right, my left hand gets numb, I can't stop clenching my jaw, I'm loosing hair in clumps, my blood sugar drops real low, I have low blood pressure, I have a pain under my right breast every time I eat and several other things I will spare you from...YOU... not the doctor. She said to me, "Well there is only a certain amount of time allotted per visit and this is too much to deal with." I looked at Michelle with  my eyes welling up with tears and she signed with her index finger going across her neck  "I am going to KILL you!" .I knew right there and them, the one who really needed help in the room was my doctor.

I never went back~ I still owe her $200 hundred dollars for that last visit, I'll probably pay her when it's time to buy a house or a car and it shows up on my credit score.... am still angry :)

Not to long ago I hurt my back and it was taking longer then usual to get back on my feet, at my wit's end, I followed the advice of another friend and went to see her chiropractor Dr Margarite, I checked in and was given the same chart you have to fill out at a first doctor's visit, but more detailed, 8 pages.
Doctor came out herself to greet me and take me in, she was young and earthy, very smiley and welcoming, she went through my answers and asked me so many questions I felt I needed to ask for a life line! After a 2 1/2 hour appointment, she said to me , "It is my believe that your adrenal system is exhausted  and not working properly and with your permission I would like to help you change that" I said YES please!
She changed my diet, changed my breathing, she's drowning me in water, and makes me focus on feelings I have been avoiding for 39 years every time she adjusts me. It has only been a hand full of visits, I feel like a million dollars but I only pay $75 for over 2 hours and she takes my insurance. She is also an acupuncturist, and kinesiologist, specializing in woman's health and nutrition.Oh and apparently she has a masters in listening.
So for now I will file this one under # 38  (I'll be kinder to myself). What about you? What have your experiences been like?....with eastern or western medicine.

#17

I've been trying to have less coffee and more green teas~ I'm told it's better for me and so why not, in the spirit of new and good health here we go~  My sweet papa (love him so)got wind of this and send me these magical blooming  teas. You can get them at Teavana there is one in Oak Brook, one on Michigan Ave and one in Orland Square. I'm also loving, loving a beautiful cuppa ginger peach tea from The Republic of Tea this stuff is like gun powder (as it warns on the tin) I like to get it loose and  use it sparingly. Whole Foods carries it, sometimes I find them at HomeGoods for half the price. I just ordered a Red Velvet Chocolate tea ....???? interesting right? I'll keep you posted on that!  I'm only drinking caffeine~free teas, I feel less dry over all its a good thing!

QUINOA stuffed peppers

 Let the record show that I will be using this as part of #13, #24, and #38 of my 39 things :)
Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is an ancient food that has been cultivated in the South American Andes for centuries.
The quinoa seed is high in protein, calcium and iron, a  good source of vitamin E and several of the B vitamins. It contains all eight essential amino acids needed for tissue development in humans. Quinoa also contains albumen, a protein that is found in egg whites.The seeds are gluten-free which makes this a nutritious and flavorful alternative grain for those with gluten sensitivity.
All of 2010 I've tried new recipes with quinoa. This is one of my favorites. If you have any good ones please share with us!

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 4 ribs celery, finely chopped 
• salt and pepper to taste

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pint of mushrooms
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cup quinoa cooked
• 3 large carrots, finely chopped
• 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 5 large red bell peppers,tops cut off
• 5 pepper tops finely chopped

Cook quinoa according to package instructions and set aside.
In a pan saute on medium heat, onions, peppers, celery, carrots, and garlic in olive oil until translucent, then add mushrooms and cook for another 5 to7 minutes.
Remove from heat and mix in large bowl with drained quinoa. Set aside and let cool.

Once mixture is cooled add Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and egg.Mix together well, and fill peppers pressing tightly. Place peppers  in baking dish , sprinkle tops with Parmesan cheese and bake at 400 until the top of the peppers are golden brown. By the way, they freeze well and one is the perfect lunch.

shinny, new and greatful

Like a new penny sparkly and shinny, that is how our 2011 started. Louise had a bath and we put on a brand  new , bigger and brighter red collar. Her baby one was causing asphyxiation . We only came out to potty that day...Louise... my neighbors don't like it when I potty outside. I kept a fire going all day and night, made soup, it's all about soup and a cuppa tea lately. After I cleaned up the mess from the prior night's festivities, I begun to indulge in a day of writing and reading. Writing about my experiences in the year that passed and reading my french books and listening to french music, in preparation for my trip to Paris, I know it's early yet, but I can't help myself, am so excited.
As I reflect on 2010 can't help but to be overwhelmed with gratitude for so many important experiences. Some happy, some sad. Making new friends getting closer to old ones, the loss of life and the heartbreak it brings to dear ones. The joy of new babies and the hope. I love that about life, how it just makes you stop and take notice.You could be doing the most mundane task and within a split second everything changes. It has taken some work getting here ,but I've gotten much better at finding the good, it's a very comforting feeling knowing that God is constantly walking alongside me.
I'm grateful for reinvention and new inspiration at the shop, part of the new friendships of 2010 cheering  squad (you know who you are) and there aren't enough vinegary meals to thank you , come to think of it you should really stop, it can't possibly be good for you...all of that acid... anyway, I'm happier then I've ever been, still learning and trying to reach further and experience new things.
Louise and I like to wish YOU a happy new year and want to thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts and also for walking alongside in our journey. Can't wait for new surprises :)