For Everything There is a Season

For everything there is a season,

     a time for every activity under heaven.

~Ecclesiastes 3:1

A time for eating lots of of delicious holiday food,

     a time for getting back on the wagon.

As lovely as Thanksgiving was, I certainly do not want my stomach to get accustomed to pie & stuffing at every meal :)  I was blessed with taking Friday off and having the long weekend as the perfect opportunity to make a few new recipes & try my new yoga DVD! 

The "Soup-er Cleanse"

(recipe from the Eat Clean Vegetarian Cookbook by Tosca Reno)

This recipe was the classic example of Julia Child's attitude that mistakes in the kitchen should not be hidden but used as learning examples!  Despite taking the recipe with me to the store I came home without chickpeas & substituted quinoa instead.  My sweet husband helped me with prep work the day before; however, I did not mention the celery & zucchini needed to be separated because they are added to the soup at different stages.  That took a while to separate!  I also failed to abide by my food processor's "max liquid" line...  But I managed to save my soup & use an immersion blender in the stock pot :)  After 2 hours of cooking & cleaning up after the food processor incident, I was able to enjoy this soup! 

Taste Test ~  the soup had a very fresh, sharp taste due to the lemon, garlic & ginger.  It was a great light meal (yet the quinoa made it filling). However, if I was not eating it as a cleanse I would prefer other soups.  For a cleansing soup though it was one of the best detox-type foods that I have eaten!

Sassy Water

(recipe from Pinterest)

After being very confused at the strange language I did manage to find the recipe at the bottom of the blog entry in English (friendly tip!).    I used my infusion pitcher (which I LOVE! because I don't like floaties in my drinks) from Bed Bath & Beyond, perfect for adding fruit to water or tea.  This has been a great impulse purchase! Back to the sassy water, it was a very simple recipe, I just layered the ingredients & voila!  I had about 1/3 of the lemon slices that did not fit, so I left them whole & floated them in the pitcher.  

Taste Test ~ After letting the sassy water "infuse" overnight I can say... It was perfect!  The flavors were not too strong, very refreshing!  I might make this all the time, not just for "sassy" detox time.  

A.M. P.M. Yoga

(Rodney Yee & Patricia Walden by Gaiam)

DVD thoughts ~ I loved A.M. yoga!  I like my yoga to be straightforward with not a lot of fluffy / new-age type of talk.  I find it more relaxing that way.  Rodney has a great & pleasant voice that is very soothing for the morning :) The A.M. is a quick 20 minutes and focused on stretching & opening up joints than some of the more challenging poses.  It's the perfect morning wake up :)  Maybe I can convince myself to get up 20 min earlier for work...  

James & I did end up going to BestBuy (not at midnight, but at 7:30 on Friday) and the recipe pictures are taken with my new camera! :)  I am sooooooo excited!

     

Thanksgivings

For a holiday without presents, I sure do love Thanksgiving :)


On a domestic note...

The first Abarquez Thanksgiving was pulled off above my expectations!  After hearing every year the horror story Mamma Kay tells about her first Thanksgiving, I was not getting my hopes up.  The food was delicious & I pulled out our china/crystal for our first fancy meal  (I mean that literally~ in my tiny kitchen we have no room for china/crystal so they are still in original packaging stacked in the corner near the buffet table... it is like jenga getting out the pieces you need)!  We made a spicy pepper rubbed Turkey breast from Bon Appetit, green bean casserole, my sister-in-law's stuffing recipe, rolls & a marvelous Pumpkin & Pecan Pie from Paula Deen. I'm glad everything was yummy because we will be eating leftovers forever!  All in all it was a lovely day!

On a scary note...

My dear husband is convinced he's going to BestBuy at midnight...  I am NOT a "Black Friday" shopper.  I do not want to go.  I told James if he makes me go then I finally get to replace my camera that I loathe.  I have never been.  Correction- I have never been shopping on Black Friday.  My years of employment at Bath & Body Works had me working 12 hour shifts (6 am to Noon, home to sleep, 6 pm to midnight).  I don't feel my time working has embittered me.  Most of my convictions are simple ones.  I love football.  I love shopping.  They should be all mixed up.  Shopping should not be a timed-contact sport.  Thank you!  Maybe that streak will be broken tonight... who knows?  I do hear James softly snoring on the couch :)

On a sentimental note...

During this time of thanks I have been reflecting on the year and come to realize that big life events magnify the importance of true friendship.  I am so thankful to have so many great people in my life that show love, support, encouragement & wisdom.  When I think of so many people who have touched my life and helped me grow... When I think of the laughs :) the fun times, the hard times, and everything in between ~ I am blessed beyond belief.  Thank you :)