Things I Love Thursday // 1.30.19

• Trader Joe's Beef & Broccoli - What do ya know? It's another Trader Joe's go-to from our house to yours. You'll find this in the freezer section next to the Orange Chicken (Yum!) and Chicken/Vegetable Fried Rice (Love!). The package contains about 2 meal-sized portions when serving with rice. If you're also making Orange Chicken, potstickers, or an additional side dish, then the bag could stretch to 3-4 smaller servings. Preparing it on the stovetop is simple and takes about 15 minutes. While it is best served crispy from the pan, the girls enjoy this one in their lunches from time to time as well.
  
  
  
  
  
• Celebrate! - My favorite event of the year is right around the corner! As many of you know, I have been volunteering with the Children's Theatre of Charlotte for years. (This year, it has been my honor to serve as President of the Theatre's volunteer organization, Encore!. If any of you local peeps are interested to hear more about how you can get involved, do let me know.) Regardless of your availability to volunteer your time with me, attending the annual fundraising gala is open to the community and a MUST. The theme this year is Back to the 80's (music, arcade games, heavy appetizers, and themed cocktails from the open bar --all included in the ticket price). Yes, you should dress for the theme. Yes, you should purchase your tickets today. Yes, I will be the dance floor waiting for you to join me!
  
  

  

  Celebrate! moments from years past --in varying stages of sobriety.

• Wrinkle Warriors - Here I am again, behind the times on what I assume many of you have already been enjoying the benefits of: RETINOIDS. Wow. Wish I had started with a topical vitamin A serum a long time ago... better late than never, right? After a lovely lunch with girlfriends about a month ago where the topic of retinol was discussed at length, I did a bit of research (googling) and read a lot of articles --both sciency (definitely a word) and beauty-based. After being convinced of the benefits, I found this article in Marie Claire to be the most succinct and helpful in providing a simple, reasonably-priced starting point for an over-the-counter, topical treatment plan. My favorite of their suggestions (I have been using 3 of the 4 products for about 14 days) has been the Roc night cream. I can feel it working as a pleasant heat that feels almost cold (does that make sense?) blooms across my upper cheek/under eye area upon application. I have noticed minor flaking/peeling during makeup application --which is a nuisance but assures me that it's doing its job. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Snacks - I love snacks. Because my schedule is never the same from one day to the next, I especially love easy, grab-and-go snacks that are low in refined carbohydrates and sugar (two things that I try to be thoughtful about limiting). These individually portioned "California" packs of salami and provolone cheese are great! I find them at Costco and get 8 packs for about $11 in the store or a couple dollars more through Instacart. The downside: bad breath. I apologize in advance. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Musicians - This little monkey plays the French horn. Despite being nervous as hell and understanding all the extra work she was potentially adding to her already full plate, she auditioned for and made the All-District Middle School Symphonic Band. All of that anticipated extra work was packed into 16 hours of rehearsals over a day and a half followed by an amazing concert performance (that overlapped her first soccer tourney of the season). To say that these student musicians were impressive would be an understatement. Both our girls play instruments and have from 3rd and 4th grade, respectively. They have both wanted desperately to quit at one point or another because music can be challenging and their lives get busier and become more “their own” over the years. Despite the emotional protests, my husband and I remained united and clear: quitting was not an option. I’m happy to report that we've all survived the rough patches (so far). As one Band Director said this weekend, "I've met countless adults who say, 'I wish I had never quit playing my instrument.' But I have never --not once met someone who said, 'Gosh, I wish I had quit.'" ;) Cheers to this phase of their musical adventures where both seem to be enjoying it!
  
  
  

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Snack Fun: Apple Tasting Activity

G had a friend over to play after school last week and before I "released them into the wild" we had some simple fun with a healthy snack.

We had just come from the grocery store where I asked the girls to grab 6 apples as I gathered other produce items.
"What kind?" G asked.
"I usually get Gala, Fuji, or Honey Crisp," I replied.
They returned to the cart a minute later, "Can we get a Golden Delicious too?"
"Sure." As she reached to add it to the bag of apples she had already gathered, I explained that it needed to go in a separate bag because the apples would be weighed at the register and they all cost different amounts.
"Oh. Well... there are two Galas, two Fujis, and two Honey Crisps in that bag already." :)

So we reorganized the apples into their own bags and decided to have a little taste-test when we got back to the house. They devised a scoring rubric and were very thoughtful about rating each variety in categories like: Flavor (sweet or sour or both), Texture (soft or crisp), Color (pretty, not as pretty LOL). I would definitely let your little come up with their own score cards as that's part of the creative freedom they enjoy.

Each of the three had a different favorite and they all ran outside to play in the fall sunshine with full bellies. So simple; so fun!

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Recipe Review | Baked Kale

My family loves this healthy, simple snack. I make it about once a week and it couldn't be easier. The "chips" are light, crispy, and flavorful. I hope you try it. If your grocery store offers different varieties of kale, know that I typically used curly kale rather than Dino kale because the flavor is a bit milder and has a hint of sweetness.

Baked Kale

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What you need:

4-6 stems of kale

about 1 tablespoon olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste 

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What to do:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• Tear the kale away from the stems into bite-sized (or chip size) pieces
• In a medium-sized bowl, toss kale pieces gently with olive oil, salt and pepper 
• Layer your chips onto a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper
• Bake for 10-15 minutes

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