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Lifestyle

having a hysterectomy at 44

I’m sitting here, writing this blog post, four weeks post-hysterectomy.  

Never did I ever imagine having a hysterectomy at 44.  It was something the generation above me did.  Not young healthy women “like me”.  And even then, not something ever talked about.  Yet here I am.  Weeks out from having this live-giving organ removed, still feeling a little tender and raw. 

Although I knew that the surgery itself wasn’t as physically invasive as some procedures, what I didn’t realize is emotionally invasive it would be.  How this “simple” procedure would change me. Our wombs and this sacred space are so deeply connected to our identities and our emotions.  Our creativity and our energy.  A connection that many of us, myself included, are just now beginning to understand.  

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Lifestyle

How I ruined my birthday

I single-handedly ruined my birthday.  And I was only upset with one person. Me. 

We had arrived in Maui the evening before my birthday and things weren’t going smoothly. We had planned the trip really last minute (which is typical for us), done no research, and it showed.  Between the mixed-up hotel reservations, Sloan throwing up all over himself and our luggage, the kids and I all being over tired and hungry.  Our trip was not off to a great start.

I could feel myself tensing up right away on that first day.  My inner chatter growing louder and louder, “I knew I should have planned better.  This is my fault. We’re always moving so fast. There’s never enough time.  And this is what happens….”

As I sat on the beach that night, watching the kids swim in the Ocean, staring at what was supposed to be paradise, I could feel my anxiety swell. I tried my hardest to put a smile on my face. Go through the motions. Repeating to myself… “just relax. It’s fine. You’ll figure out the hotel situation. We’ll get organized tonight when the kids go to bed. It will all be fine.”

But I didn’t feel fine.

Read more: How I ruined my birthday

By the time my birthday rolled around the next day, I couldn’t shake the tense feeling. I went and meditated alone on the beach before the sun came up, something that usually brings me so much peace, but it felt off. My mind never settled.

When I returned to our room (which felt like chaos with 6 people’s stuff thrown everywhere ) I made a quick decision reactively (which is never a good idea) and announced to the group to pack up their stuff because we were going to rent a car and hike to the top of Haleakala, and that I didn’t want to hear anyone complain.

Before coming on this trip I literally knew nothing about Maui, other than the fact that there’s a volcano called Haleakala that’s supposedly pretty spectacular.  I had done zero research on it but had heard rumblings that it was considered to be the Earth’s heart chakra

So of course I had to go. And today was going to be THE day. It was going to turn our trip around. I pictured our whole family, all six of us, on the top of this mountain above the clouds in meditation, together. It was going to be magical. How could it not be? It’s the Earth’s heart chakra for God’s sake and it was my birthday.

See, you’re fixing it. You’re turning things around.

But as we began making our 3-hour trek up to the summit of Haleakala I had a gut feeling that maybe it was a bad idea. I kept thinking to myself “is this really what you want to be doing? This seems like an awfully far drive for something we know nothing about. Maybe today’s not the day. Just tell them you made a mistake. We can still turn around.”

But I couldn’t.

It was as if I was watching myself in a movie, yelling at the person on the screen to just stop. But I couldn’t. I was too stubborn. Set in my ways. Too proud to admit that I had messed up.

To admit that maybe the trip wasn’t feeling off because of our hotel, the kids, or any external issues.

That maybe the trip was feeling off…because of me.

I wasn’t ready to say it. So instead I pushed us forward to the top of this mountain while everything in me knew it was a bad idea.

The drive-up was actually ironically beautiful considering the state we were all in. We passed through the clouds and literally felt like we were on top of the world. But no one could take it in. The car was too tense, nauseous, and I’m pretty sure afraid of me (although they all sweetly acted like they were fine).

JP, in his sweet way of trying to ease the tension, found a hiking trail we could take the kids for a short hike around the summit. But when we got to the trailhead and opened the door we were literally blown over. The wind and the cold were so intense (clearly winning travel planner of the year), you couldn’t even walk away from the car without being blown over.

As the kids all rushed to climb back into the car, I stood out in the wind with JP and just started crying. There would be no hike. No magical mountain meditation as a family. We spent the first day of our vacation driving 6 hours for absolutely no reason.

I was so upset with myself. For doing what I always do.

For trying to force and control things on the outside because I feel out of control on the inside.

I thought I was past this. Knew better. Changed. I thought I had outgrown this behavior.

Our vacation wasn’t off to a bad start because of anything on the outside, it was off to a bad start because of me. It was my energy affecting everyone and everything. The kids could feel it. JP could feel it. And they were all responding to one thing, me.

As I stood there in the blistering wind, next to our vomit-covered rented minivan, in tears, I apologized to JP for all of it. For forcing us to drive up here. For being tense and impatient with everyone. For letting my old habits get in the way of our current life. I took full ownership of all of it. And more importantly, realized that I needed to change for anything else to change.

The next 3 hours as we drove back down Haleakala to our hotel, I’m pretty sure I cried the whole time. Letting go of the guilt and shame and disappointment that always seems to come after moments like this. Forgiving myself. Starting over.

at the summit of Haleakala

I share this story with you now not because of what happened on our trip, but because no matter where we are on our personal growth journey, we are still the same person.

We like to believe that because we do the work (whatever that even means). Because we meditate, journal, or go on yoga retreats. Because we do somatic therapy or some special breathwork somehow we’ll become someone different.  Better.  A shinier version of ourselves.

One who doesn’t yell at our spouses on the top of a mountain. Or at our kids before school drop off as we’re running late out the door. Someone who is calm and patient, gets up early before sunrise, and drinks green juice every day.

But the thing is. We don’t really change.  We are who we ARE.  

Instead, we do the work simply for the ability to SEE ourselves.

To become aware. To witness. And if we’re lucky, to know ourselves a little better.

To have moments where we can catch ourselves a little faster.  Moments of, “ah, I know this feeling.  This is where I ruin our family vacation”. And the ability to CHOOSE a new path.

To find that small gap between seeing ourselves, in any given moment, and the moment we respond.

That small window between us, our thoughts, and our reactions. That is where our FREEDOM lies. Where our power lives. And why we keep coming back home to ourselves day after day and doing the work.

I wasn’t a different mom in Maui because I sit and meditate every day. I was the same me as I’ve always been. With the same anxieties and flaws. I just now have the gift of being able to see myself. To catch my patterns. And the gift to choose a different thought. A different mindset. A different action.

We don’t have to be perfect to be on the path of growth and self-discovery. I don’t know if being buddha sitting on top of a mountain has ever been the goal. We are imperfect beings, living in an imperfect world. But we can learn along the way.

We can choose to pay attention. To live awake. To notice our patterns and our thoughts and choose a new thought.

At any given point we have the opportunity to see ourselves and choose again. Even standing on top of a mountain in Maui.

Lifestyle

A new kind of partnership

I recently shared on Instagram how JP and I are both 100% in when it comes to parenting. Not 50/50, but instead both of us, 100% in. And I got a lot of questions about how. How we make it work. How I have a husband home watching four kids working full time, while I’m here in Panama sitting here writing this blog post.

And the answer is both super simple and equally hard.

We both asked for what we needed.

Not what we wanted. But what we needed.

We both listened. To each other. Put our egos aside and then chose to show up, committed to giving each other what we needed, and doing the work.

But it wasn’t always that way.

So let me take you back a few years, or rather a decade….

Read more: A new kind of partnership

“The dishwasher. That’s what I needed. For him to unload the dishwasher every morning before he leaves for work.“

It was a simple request and all I could think of as we sat in our therapist’s office

over 10 years ago after Lillian was born. She asked me to come up with something tangible JP could do for me, every day, to help bridge the gap between us.

Without any real thought or the ability to come up with something better, I reactionally blurted out that I needed him to unload the dishwasher every morning before work. That it would be a symbol to me that I was “thought of”. Cared for. To this day, he still unloads the dishwasher every. single. morning.

At that time, sitting there in that therapist’s office, discussing dishwasher responsibilities, we were at one of our lowest points. We had just had our second baby, within our second year of marriage. We were drowning.

We were just babies. Babies having babies.

With no clue how to take care of a baby. Let alone ourselves, and especially not something as fragile as a marriage.

At the time, JP was busy building his career. Traveling. Entertaining. Working as hard as he could to build a secure life for us. While at home, I was busy proving that I was working even harder.

Quickly becoming a martyr (and a very vocal one).

Doing it all, while always making sure to remind him constantly of where he was falling short. Each of us feeling underappreciated. Unseen.

Both feeling as though the other was failing, but silently feeling as though we were too.

It wasn’t working. Any of it.

We had only been married at that point for a few years, but we both knew that if we didn’t do something, quickly, we would end up another statistic.

After that evening at our therapist’s office we slowly (and I mean slowly, over years) began making changes.

We started scheduling in more date nights (at least one every other week).

We started taking trips alone together (even though we couldn’t really afford it). It started with just one night in a hotel in whatever city were living in at the time. And then as years went on, it grew to weekends away. And more recently full vacations together. Just us.

We changed the way we argued. Rather than listening to respond. We started listening to understand. Repeating back to the other person first “what I’m hearing you say is….”. And not moving on until we ensured the other person was fully heard.

I can remember when we first started this how time-consuming and exhausting our fights were. How in the moment, my ego could have cared less what he had to say. But the more I felt “understood”, the more I softened and was willing to equally “understand”. And our walls began to soften.

We started seeing each other differently.

But it’s taken years. And didn’t happen overnight.

After our fourth child, Frankie, was born 6 years ago things in our home felt really chaotic.

With four little kids, you have no choice other than to surrender. And it requires both partners to survive.

It was during those years that JP really started to become more active in our home. Putting the kids to bed every night. He started his tradition of making pancakes every Saturday morning so I could sleep. Helping me plan out dinners, and going over his work schedule on Sunday nights so we could adjust when he’d be around to help.

It felt like a real team. And it was working. But it was still 50/50. We weren’t both there 100%.

A few years later we both realized things were once again becoming more complicated.

You could feel it in our home. Things felt stressful and fast-paced, and we could feel ourselves once again not on the same page.

What once “worked” felt like it no longer was. So we adjusted.

We had many hard conversations about our priorities. What we both needed. What we wanted our home life to FEEL like. What we wanted our marriage to FEEL like, and what it would require from each of us to make that happen.

And somewhere in that conversation, we agreed that we both had to be 100% all in when it came to our family and raising our kids. That things weren’t necessarily my responsibility, or his, but rather both of ours.

We agreed that mentally he would take over two of our kids, and that I would handle the other two. So things like scheduling school conferences, remembering dentists, scheduling haircuts, etc were no longer just on my plate. But on his too.

The mental load shifted from two shoulders to four. And it’s made all the difference.

I can’t say that things are always smooth with J and I when it comes to parenting, but it’s pretty great. The thing that keeps it working is that we’re constantly checking in and adjusting. Making time to go over our calendars and asking each other the simplest and basic question…

How can I help…?

And the bonus of all of this…

is not just that parenting is now so much easier, but that somewhere along the line, from that therapist’s office over a decade ago to now, JP has not only become an amazing partner but my favorite person to travel this life wife.

I just really, really like him. A lot.

And I think it has something to do with the fact that I feel seen and secure with him. Cared for. Thought of.

Which makes me feel secure to let my guard down. To be in the full expression of myself. To explore and challenge myself. To make room for things outside of our marriage or motherhood because he’s helped me make space. And in turn, I want to do the same for him.

Maybe it took learning to parent together in a new way. To learn how to support each other in a more selfless way that made our marriage deeper. That made me fall more in love with him. I don’t know.

Either way, I’m so grateful for this partnership we have and for being able to travel this life together.

….and J, if you’re reading this, thanks for finding all my typos and for just being you. I know I may not say it as often as I should, but thank you. I’m so glad my soul found yours. Always and forever. xo

Soup & Salad

Curried butternut squash soup

I have been really into soups this winter, especially ones that are warm and spicy like this curried butternut squash soup.

I have been making this curried butternut squash soup for years, and it really is so easy and so good. Don’t worry about following the directions to a tee. Make it your own. Add in an extra spice you love, or take one of the ones I use out.

I’ve been focused on eating a more anti-inflammatory diet these days, so I added a lot of turmeric which is amazing at fighting inflammation. When using turmeric you always want to add some freshly cracked black pepper as well, which is needed to help your body absorb the benefits of this spice (isn’t the body wild?)

curried butternut squash soup

This recipe couldn’t be simpler. You simmer together a chopped onion, cubed butternut squash, a little ginger, and some salt/pepper. Then add in the turmeric and bone broth. Let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes and then blend. Add a little coconut milk, and some lime, and you’re good to go.

This curried butternut squash soup freezes great as well so make a big batch and store the extra in your freezer/fridge for an easy weeknight meal.

I promise you’ll love soup as much as me.

And for other soup inspiration be sure to check out our hearty winter vegetable soup.

Recipe:

Curried butternut squash soup

Prep Time :5 minutes
Cook Time :30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 1 white onion, chopped
  • 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1 tbsp minced ginger
  • 1 tsp tumeric powder
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 4 cup bone broth of choice (or vegetable stock)
  • 1 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 1 lime
  • handful of seeds, or sprouts
  • pinch of red pepper flakes
Print Recipe Card

Instructions:

  • In a large dutch oven (or other heavy bottom pot), add 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, squash and ginger. Allow the vegetables to cook for about 3-5 miutes. Season wih salt/pepper.
  • Next add the spices and allow them to "toast" for just about a minute until their flavors are fragrant.
  • Then add the bone broth/stock. Give everythign a big stir and bring to a low simmer. Allow the soup to cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the squash is nice and tender.
  • Tranfer the soup to a blend (working in batches) and puree until nice and smooth.
  • Returning the soup to the pot once again, adding in the coconut milk and the juice of one lime. Add a sprinkle of salt/pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
  • To serve, ladle soup into individual bowls. Garnish wish a srpinkle of chili flakes, seeds, or sprouts of your choice. And a little drizzle of olive oil as well.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Tag us on Instagram @katyrexing
Use the hashtag #KRRecipe

curried butternut squash soup

Body, Wellness

My journey into hormone health

I turn 44 next month. I know as I share that I’ll get a lot of eye roles about how that’s nothing…and to just wait until I turn 50 (or fill in the blank with whatever number).

I know. I get it. Yes, 44 is young.

But for me this year, it feels different. Because my body feels really different.

For the most part, I think I’ve lived a little naively that I had some type of control over my body. It has always “bounced back”. From years of drinking, laying in the sun, not eating well, pounding the cement running a marathon, to having four babies. Despite how I’ve treated it over the decades, my body has been really good to me over the years. And for the most part, I’ve felt really good in my skin.

Up until recently.

Over the past year or so I’m starting to feel a major shift happening.

My energy has decreased, I’ve gained weight (without changing my diet/exercise), my mood swings are more intense, and my cycles more unmanageable.

Without any real answers, my first guess into what was causing this new shift was my hormones.

If you’ve been around with me for a while you’ve probably heard me share a little about my journey into my hormone health but I wanted to share a little more with all of you today because it’s not something talked about enough, and yet something ALL women experience.

My journey into my hormone health started back in the winter of 2022. My cycles had always been extremely heavy, but even more so that winter. They were debilitatingly heavy with large clots. I had low energy, was gaining weight (even though my diet/exercise had not changed), had more extreme mood swings than usual, and just overall wasn’t feeling myself.

I could tell something felt “off” or different, I just didn’t know what. But I was determined to figure it out.

So I started seeing a new OBGYN in Chicago who I felt really hopeful about. She ordered some basic blood work to test my hormones. When the results came back, I was told everything was in the “normal” range (whatever that even means)

At that same appointment, we also did an ultrasound that showed I had some fairly large fibroids, with one being of particular concern based on its size and where it was located. She seemed to think that maybe the large fibroid was the culprit behind most of my symptoms.

So a few weeks later my OB scheduled me for a myomectomy. The procedure was fairly painless. I was in and out of the hospital the same day and was feeling back to my normal self within a few days.

However, in the months that followed, nothing changed. My bleeding levels remained the same, along with my mood, energy, and weight gain.

I felt so deflated and frustrated.

At my eight-week follow-up with my OBGYN I was told that there was nothing else they could do (unless I wanted to pursue a full hysterectomy), that my labs looked “normal”, and in not so many words, to just tough it out and wait until menopause.

I felt like I had hit a wall and that maybe my symptoms were all in my head. I wasn’t sure where to go from there, but I knew I wouldn’t get what I was looking for at that practice. And as luck would have it, it wouldn’t matter anyway as at that same time we left Chicago and moved to California.

Once we were settled in California, I was ready to pick back up again on my search to get some answers, but this time I wanted to do it differently. Traditional western medicine had only left me running in circles with no answers, so I wanted to try something different.

I began working with a great functional medicine doctor through Parsley health.

I have absolutely no affiliation with them, but can genuinely say I’ve been really pleased with my experience with them. Finding a good functional medicine doctor can be challenging, especially since they’re typically not covered by most health insurance plans. Which is why I also really like Parsley as it’s both convenient and cost-efficient, and most importantly I really love my doctor and the care.

After sharing with my doctor all of my previous blood work and history with the unsuccessful myomectomy,

she suggested something called the DUTCH test.

Which is essentially a comprehensive hormone test. But unlike traditional blood tests done by most western doctors, this was a much more comprehensive test that uses saliva and urine over a 24-hour window.

While blood work can only give a snapshot of one moment in time, a 24-hour test allows you to see how your hormones fluctuate throughout the day and how your body metabolizes (or processes) them, which is really critical. Your hormones spike and fall naturally throughout the day, so understanding that bell curve (or lack there of) is really important.

The test was really easy to do, but it does take a little bit of planning since you have to collect the samples on a specific day in your cycle.

I recently received the results from my DUTCH test back, along with a new full blood panel, which gave us a lot of great information to work with. And explained why I’ve been having all of these symptoms.

Without going into detail, we learned that my thyroid is low, as well as my progesterone and that my body is not metabolizing estrogen properly. In some ways, I was really relieved to get the results as I finally had some answers about why I was feeling this way.

My doctor sweetly reassured me that these symptoms were NOT just in my head and that numbers like mine would in fact cause heavy bleeding, weight gain, fatigue, and mood swings.

Now we just had to decide what to do about it.

The first thing we decided to do was to add in a few targeted supplements to help with my low thyroid levels and help my body flush some of the excess estrogen I was carrying.

But just as importantly we decided to do a full gut test.

My doctor helped me understand how our hormones are produced in our gut and that while supplements helped, we couldn’t balance my hormones without also being 100% sure of the health of my gut and microbiome. That one couldn’t be done without the other.

I had always assumed my microbiome was healthy – and felt like I had done all the things in control to help (taking probiotics, digestive enzymes with my meals, eat clean, limit caffeine and no acohool). But the reality is, we don’t truly know unless we do tests like this and truly see what’s going. A “healthy” gut is much more complex and subtle than just taking a few probiotics.

The test itself was easy to do right in the comfort of my home over a three-day window. I just mailed it in and now we’re waiting on the results.

While we do, here are a few things I’ve learned, that I’m implementing now.

  • Just because something is common, doensn’t mean it’s normal or better yet optimal. And we all deserve optimal health.
  • Supplements are a great starting point for balancing hormones, as well as optomizing your diet.
  • My doctor suggested I start a Mediterranean diet (adding in more fish/eggs) as it’s an anti-inflammatory diet and been shown to help naturally balance hormones. She recommended the book, The Cancer Fighting Kitchen.
  • Shifting hormones takes time. I was told to expect changes to happen within 6 months, and that testing every 6 months or so will be really important. So I’m planning on repeating the DUTCH test again this spring.
  • If we don’t see a change in my numbers after 6 months post supplements (and gut healing protocol pending my results) then we’ll look at hormone replacement therapy.

Overall I feel really optimistic about the path I’m on now with my functional medicine doctor. I know that for many of us, just finding a doctor we feel truly listens to us, believes us and who is pasionate about us not just survigin, but thriving.

I’ll say it again because I think its really important, Just becuase something is COOMMON, does not mean it’s normal or optimal.

EVERY single woman reading this will go through a shift in hormones, and it effects us daily. And yet so many of us are told that things like migranies, weight gain, fatigue, irritability, dry skin, low libido, excessive bleeding are just par for the course. But they don’t have to be.

We can expect to feel out best, in every stage of womanhood, even in perimenopause. I know that I’m just getting started unlocking some of the answers to optomoze my health and I’m excited to be able to continue to share what I learn with all of you.

Until then, I hope this inspires you to find some of your own answers. To maybe push your doctor when told that how you’re feeling is “normal”. To learn to trust your own knowing about YOUR body. If something feels off, it’s probably becuase it is.

So now the rest is up to you – and I’m behind you one million percent.

Here’s to aging in a way that feel good – for all of us.

xoxo

Soup & Salad

The best easy macro bowl recipe

When I first started this blog (remember when she was “Grace in the Crumbs”), J used to joke that it should be called “what Katy’s eating for lunch”. And I think he was kind of right.

What I share here, is what I actually eat. And usually ALL of it.

I’m a big believer in eating really really well. Food is sort of a love language for me. Especially the food I make for myself. It matters.

And yet, so often we don’t treat it as importantly as we should.

We spend so much time worrying about feeding our kids and our families. But we don’t always give the same care to our food. Espeically during busy days.

I never used to sit and eat lunch (always telling myself I didn’t have “time”), and a few years ago that all changed. Now I SAVOR this sacred time. And I make myself something yummy, and nourishing, like this easy macro bowl recipe almost daily. It makes me feel loved, and well cared for. Even if it’s just for me.

easy macro bowl recipe
Read more: The best easy macro bowl recipe

BOWLS are my favorite types of lunches. Especially easy macro bowl recipes like this. A macro bowl is essentially a meal made up of all the macronutrients our body needs, carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.

Esentally creating a really hearty & nourishing meal that gives your body all the energy and fuel it needs to work at it’s best. When you’re making up your own macro bowl, play around. Don’t be afraid to mix it up.

This easy macro bowl recipe is one of my go-to’s. I usually just grab whatever I have on hand. Some cut-up veggies, a cooked grain, something pickled and tart, some type of fat like avocado, egg or salmon, sprouts, some seeds, and then I love a yummy spicy dressing. I used my spicy ginger lime dressing here.

For this easy macro bowl recipe I used quinoa, lentils, chickpeas, roasted sweet potatoes and cabbage. I love adding something fermented to my bowl too, like saurkeut or kimchi (this kimchi is realy great and can be found in most grocery stores). I didn’t have either hand, but I did have some pickled red onion (this is my go to recipe for easy pickled red onions) which really great too.

Recipe:

Easy macro bowl recipe

Serves: 1
Prep Time :10 minutes
Cook Time :15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup washed and shredded kale
  • 1/2 cup of cooked quiona
  • 1/2 cup of shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup of roasted sweet potatoes
  • 1/4 cup of drained and rinsed chickpeas
  • 1/4 cup shredded purple cabage
  • 1 radish, sliced
  • 1/2 of an avocado
  • 1 tbsp of picked red onion
  • 1 tbsp of hemp seeds
  • handful of sprouts of your choice
  • 2 tbsp of spicy ginger lime dressing
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Instructions:

  • To make the roasted sweetpotatoes, preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut your sweet potato up into small cubes (about 1/2 inch). Drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt/pepper. Place in the oven and roast for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are golden.
  • Meanwhile cook your quinoa and lentils following the instrucions on the package (I like to make a large amount of both to keep on hand in the fridge for easy meal prep).
  • While your veggies/quinoa/lentals are cooking, prep the spicy ginger lime dressing following this recipe.
  • Next prep all your other veggies. Chop the kale (I like my kale sliced really thin), grate your carrots, drain and rinse your chickpeas, chop the cabage, and slice the radish. Now you're all ready to assemble!
  • To assemble the bowl, grab yourslef a really large bowl and add your kale. Drizzle it with just a toch of olive oil, a little salt, and give it a quick massage. Massaging the kale first make such a differnece. Now add your hot items, the cooked quoinia, lentils, sweet potatoes. Followed by your veggies. Arranfe however feels good to you. Top it off with half of an avocado, a few pickled onions, a sprinkle of hemp seeds and sprouts.
  • Finally, drizzle a large serving of the spicy ginger lime dress (or dressing of your choice), mix it all up and dig in!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Tag us on Instagram @katyrexing
Use the hashtag #KRRecipe

Soup & Salad

Spicy ginger lime dressing

This spicy ginger lime dressing is one of my favorite go-to dressings. Don’t be afraid to not follow the directions to a tee. Make it your own. Dressings don’t have to be complicated. If you’re missing an ingredient, skip it. Love another flavor note, add it.

I personally love this spicy ginger lime dressing just the way it is. Lots of lime, curry paste, and garlic for a little kick, and then of curse tons of ginger. I use it on just about everything.

Enjoy!

Recipe:

Spicy Ginger Lime Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp of fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tsp of red curry paste
  • 1 the juice and zest of one lime
  • 4 tbsp of olive oil
  • 1 pinch of salt and pepper
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Instructions:

  • Add all ingredients to a high speed blender. Blend and enjoy. If dressing is too thick you can either add a spalsh of extra olive oil or water (adding 1 tbsp at a time).
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as ncesseary. Can be stored in the fridegefor up to one week.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Tag us on Instagram @katyrexing
Use the hashtag #KRRecipe

And for another one of my other favorite dressings, be sure to check out our copycat Sweetgreen’s spicy cashew dressing.

Body, Mind, Wellness

My morning routine

Over the years, my morning routine has become my life raft.  

It started years ago when the babies were all really little and life felt out of control.  Never feeling like I had any time or energy for myself.  Living with this feeling of always being “behind”.  I decided to create this really simple routine of getting up a little earlier before all the kids were awake.   Just an extra 15 minutes, but it felt like a lifetime.

I’d go downstairs, with the house still dark and quiet, light a candle, and start my coffee.  While my coffee brewed quietly, I’d sit by the candle in my kitchen, pull out a little notebook and write.  It was nothing formal.  Just whatever was on my mind.  A brain dump.  There were no prompts or journaling.  It was literally just me a pen, some paper, and my candle.  It was that simple.  

With a hot cup of coffee in my hand, I’d take a few more moments sitting at our kitchen table taking a few deep breaths before heading upstairs hearing the sounds of little feet.  And the day would be off.  That quiet moment never found again.

My morning routine at the time was so simple. Basic.  I’m not even sure I had any real intention or plan behind any of it.  It was before I even knew what a “morning routine” was.  Instead, it was just me simply knowing that I needed a minute.  I needed a pause.  Something for myself.  A way to connect deeper with me.

My life at the time was feeling so out of control, and in some small way, I think this was my way of feeling as though I had some agency over my day.  My energy.  My attitude.  

That simple act of lighting a candle, and being alone with my thoughts empowered me.  I felt a small spark in me relight.  I was still there.  

Over a decade later, I’m still getting up before the babies, now teenagers.  My alarm has moved back quite a bit and I’m carving out even more space for myself.  

The space and time has changed and evolved.  Adding in different types of movement and meditations, different drinks and teas, journaling styles, and writing approaches.  But the intention behind all of it has remained the same.

To move my body and clear my energy

To take care of myself, before taking care of others. To reconnect with my authentic self.  And intentionally choose how I want to move into my day.

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Lifestyle

What I’m craving for 2023

I’ve had a hard time writing lately.

Sometimes things pour out of me and other times, not so much. Right now I’m in a season of the latter. Feeling stuck. Maybe it’s just this season, the weird state of in-between, post-holidays yet not quite normal life. Or maybe it’s just this past year finally catching up with me. A much-needed exhale after holding my breath for far too long.

This has been a massive year of growth for me, and our family. In many ways, I’m just now beginning to decompress. The dust finally beginning to settle.

I don’t think while I was “in it”, I understood what was happening. How transformative and impactful these past 12 months would be on me. Day to day it just felt like small tiny changes, while in reality, those small individual shifts added up to a totally different life.

And I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.

This has been a huge year of change and growth, of transformation, for so many of us.

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Lifestyle

Taking yourself on a solo trip

I had never traveled alone before until last weekend. Espeically somewhere as remote as the desert. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever truly been alone before like that, ever.

Sure I had moments at home by myself. When JP would take the kids to dinner or the park. Hours to myself when the house is quiet.

But I’d never actually truly been anywhere, by myself, for multiple days like that. Where it’s truly just me. No kids, no husband, no friend, no one.

I went to Joshua Tree to get some momentum going on a book I’m writing, but I had no idea it would be such a life-changing experience for me personally as well.

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