Cathedrals

I can barely open the door as I walk in from work; half drank coffee cup in hand, purse, lunch box, planner…all the while trying to keep my cell phone from meeting the ground for the 50^th time.  The kids, who were previously engaged in some other activity, immediately begin…”moooommm, can I have a snaaack?”  The door hasn’t even shut behind me.  You were perfectly fine, playing by yourselves seconds before I opened the door…why the moment I come in does your world fall apart?  

“You may have fruit or applesauce or raisins, but I am about to start dinner. “  Queue whining.    “But I want goldfish, but I want crackers, but I want chips…”  need I continue?

I kick my heels off and start right in on dinner, still in my suit or dress complete with those dreadful pantyhose, before these ravished children starve to death. “moooommm, I’m thirsty.”  “moooommm, I need to tell you something.”  “moooom, I can’t reach the markers.”  “mmmoooooommm can you get me a piece of paper.”  “mooooommm WATCH THIS.”

“CAN’T YOU SEE I AM TRYING TO MAKE DINNER?”

Some days I feel like all I do is help.  All I do is…do.  All I do is complete tasks demanded by two four year old dictators.  I read a blog post the other day that that mentioned grand Cathedrals in Europe.                How there are no records of their builders names, how the builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished, who made great sacrifices and expected no credit, and who’s passion was fueled by God and for God who’s eyes see it all.

It went on to say that it’s almost as if God is whispering, {my adlib} “I see you.  I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one else is around to see them.  No act of kindness, no already-past-bedtime story, no new menu or creative way to get someone to eat their veggies, no last minute errand… is too small for Me to see.  You are building a great Cathedral, but you can’t see what it will look like right now.  Keep up the good work, my good and faithful servant.”

It was as if God knew that I needed a pick me up.  As parents (dad’s included), we should take a step back from time to time to see that we are building something grand.  Does it mean that we won’t get weary?  No.  Does it mean that the 1,000 questions the moment we walk in the door won’t annoy us?  No.  To me it means that I am so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work on God’s precious Cathedrals, my children.  That I am to diligently mold them and structure them so that they will eventually stand strong and beautiful in the eyes of an almighty God. 

Like those builders so many years ago, I don’t know if I am doing it right, but my hope is that one day the world might marvel at these beautiful, kind, giving individuals that have been molded by the sacrifices of a mom. 

Yes please...

Daddy out surfing, zucchini cupcakes in the oven, kids happily painting...yes please.  

Trying to pretend I don't have a pile of laundry to do and a house in desperate need of cleaning.

#enjoyingsundayafternoon

Eat Your Plants

I used to think Vegetarians were all tree hugging, PETA loving weirdos.  I mean, my friend Jen has been basically vegetarian her whole life, but that’s because she just doesn't ‘like’ meat, not because of any over the top aversion to animal treatment and food.  I couldn't imagine being vegetarian…and hardly even knew what Vegan meant.  To me, vegan was just a weirder vegetarian. 

A few months ago I watched the documentary “Forks Over Knives” and it has completely changed my view and our family’s life.  FORKS OVER KNIVES examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases (particularly cancer) that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods and adopting a whole food, plant based diet. We are beginning to adopt somewhat of a Vegan philosophy and certainly a more holistic, plant based diet.   

This week we take on our first, all vegetarian menu.  We aren't quite willing to take on an all vegan menu yet, as this new way of eating is still in its infancy, but every day we are taking steps to vegetarian/vegan yumminess.

Where to begin?  Let’s talk about my relationship with greens.  I’m not talking about lettuce. I could eat a salad every day, but if we are going to be serious about this, I can’t eat salad for every meal for the rest of my life.  So  I’m talking about all those oh-so-good-for-you but sometimes too-healthy-to-eat greens like kale, collards, and Swiss chard, to name a few. Let’s just say that we’re still getting to know each other. 

So I am on a mission to find recipes with these super foods mixed in where you really don’t know they are there.  Greens without tasting the greens…win win.

This week I will try my hand at a Kale, Avocado & Black Bean Bowl below…yummo!  Here is our weekly menu…full of veggies and whole foods!

Sunday – make your own pizzas (a kid favorite).  Toppings include green pepper, onion, zucchini, mushroom, tomatoes & spinach with FRESH mozzarella and organic pizza sauce

Monday – Soy marinated Portobello mushroom burgers with ugly ripe tomato, red onion and spinach with ‘Simply’ brand French fries

Tuesday & Wednesday - Kale, Avocado & Black Bean Bowls with whole grain brown rice, fresh corn, tomato, cucumber & red onion

Thursday – Veggie loaded Pasta with zucchini, squash, onion, mushroom, broccoli slaw, organic pasta sauce (yes store bought) and regular noodles (fam isn't sold on the whole wheat ones yet)

Lunch – Veggie subs with cucumber, tomato, avocado, green pepper, marinated red onion & chive cream cheese spread.  Cucumber red onion dill salad.  Chick pea kale salad.

So…there it is.  Here’s to my Vegetarian/Vegan attempt this week.