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JonPaul and I are in Florida this week with the kids and it feels sooo good to get away. Even though I get to spend most of my days at home with my little guys, there is something so special about spending time together as a family out of our home, and away from the everyday hustle and bustle.
We’re spending most of our time here in Florida riding bikes, jumping waves at the beach, swimming in pools, and of course, eating as much ice cream as we can.
JonPaul always teases me that “Grace in the Crumbs” should really be titled “what Katy’s having for lunch”. He thinks he’s funny. And I think he’s kind of cute, so I let his awful jokes slide 😉
But in all seriousness, most of the food I share on the blog IS what I’m having for lunch. I really try and share with all of you, real meals and recipes that I make in my own kitchen.
Like this buffalo cauliflower wrap.
How does that saying go….”how you do one thing, is how you do everything”?
I love that quote and find that it applies to so many areas of my life from how I respond to the kids, to how I eat, to even something as silly as how I spend my morning.
I find that how I start the first part of my morning, really sets the tone for how the rest of my day goes. If I wake up frazzled and rushed, the rest of my day feels that same way too. But if I set time to get up a little earlier, slow down and focus on my priorities, the rest of my day falls into place a little smoother. A somewhat seemingly small step, in what trickles down to be a pretty big change. Read More
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, well how did I get here? Letting the days go by…
Every time I hear this Talking Heads song I find myself silently responding….I’m not really sure.
I’m a “stay-at-home-mom” to four kids, living in the suburbs of Chicago, but deep down there is still a very real, and very much alive, part of me that wants more.
And I find myself wondering; how did I get here, and where am I going?
__________
JonPaul and I are getting close to finalizing some plans on a home here in Wilmette. Like really close. And it’s stirring up a lot of emotions for me that maybe I’ve pushed aside for too long.
It has nothing to do with the house. The house is “the one”. I’m crazy about our house. It’s more than that. It’s the idea of settling down again. Committing. And even more, the final decision to create a life for us and our kids in the suburbs.
Choosing to raise our kids in the suburbs wasn’t something JonPaul and I ever really “decided”. It was more something that just happened.
This has been one of those weeks where I feel like I just can’t get myself going. I’ve felt behind all week, not to mention incredibly tired and with little motivation.
I don’t usually feel like that, so rather than fight it, I gave into the swell and rode the wave. Our bodies usually tell us what they need, and mine was telling me I needed to take it easy.
Normally I would have pushed through the lull this week and tried to be my normal “productive” self, but I’m learning that you can’t push 100%, 100% of the time. Rest is good, for all of us. Even me.
So this week I took it really easy, which meant taking it easy in the kitchen too. I kept cooking to a bare minimum, for my family, and for the blog. Instead of making something new, I made an old favorite. Easy comfort food. Mediterranean stuffed sweet potatoes.
JonPaul and I just got back from a quick 48 hour trip to New York. It felt so great to get away. I LOVE our life here in Chicago with the kids. I sincerely do. But I equally love getting away and exploring with JonPaul. We do pretty well together raising our kids, but do really well traveling together. And for those of you who are married, you know how special that is.
We had such a great time eating and drinking our way around the city, stopping at some of our favorite neighborhood places. We’ve spent a lot of time in NYC, but we still seem to find ourselves at the same neighborhood spots. (I’ll have to share a post soon on my favorite places, and my favorite way to spend 48 hours in New York).
We arrived home late last night, and while we had the very best time, my body is not used to eating and drinking the way I did. I ate ALL the things. And while I don’t regret it for a moment, it’s time to slow down and get my system back on track.
So to start, today I’m making this hearty winter vegetable soup.
JonPaul and I are usually not big “gift” people when it comes to birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. Instead, we usually opt for an experience together, which if I get to pick, usually means traveling.
Traveling together is one of our favorite things to do together. I think it’s because it gets us away from our day-to-day responsibilities, work, and let’s be honest – the kids. It’s time for us to just focus on each other and experience something new together.
This Valentine’s Day we’re headed to NYC for a quick trip (JonPaul’s already in NYC for work, so I’m just meeting him there for a few days). We’re also celebrating our 40th birthdays while we’re there. Our birthdays are two weeks apart, with Valentine’s Day falling right in between (I know, how cheesy, right?). So lot’s to celebrate this month.
We also just planned a trip to Paris this spring to celebrate both of our big milestone birthdays (I’m kind of dying over this one. Beyond excited). So needless to say, we are not exchanging “gifts” this Valentine’s Day.
Instead, I made this rose and pistachio white chocolate bark and am planning on taking a few of (if not all 😉 the pieces with me on the plane to surprise JonPaul. Just something small to say “I love you.” I know it’s probably a little cheesy, but I still think “homemade” gifts are the best kind – especially when they involve chocolate.
I’m not much of a baker. I wish I was though. I have such an appreciation for bakers. Baking is an art form, but it requires such a different skill set than “cooking” (at least in my mind). One is all about precision and accuracy, and the other is about creativity and being flexible. Cooking is about trusting your instincts. Baking is about trusting a recipe. A precise recipe. That, I’m not so good at.
So most of the desserts I make are either someone else’s recipe, or they require no baking at all. Which is why I love this easy dessert. A handful of ingredients (that you most likely have), a food processor, and that’s it. The result is a sweet treat that’s so decadent and delicious you’ll forget it’s even good for you (and required no baking ;).
It’s really starting to feel like winter here in Chicago. We had a big snow storm a few days ago, and although it was beautiful, it has made hibernating the only thing on my agenda (that and making soup!). It has been so cold and dreary this week that all I really want to do is lay on our couch, cuddle with my kiddos and fill up on this warm and hearty roasted red pepper soup.
We make a lot of soups in this house, a lot. But this is my first time making a red pepper soup and I’m so glad I did.
Creating a healthy lifestyle and taking care of ourselves is more than just about what we eat. It’s the every day, often small, choices we make which add up to create a larger impact. One that either helps to create a life that serves us well, and keeps our mind and body healthy. Or one that has the opposite effect. It’s up to us. But feeling good is always an option.
Today I’m sharing some of the habits and routines I try and follow to create a healthy way of life. Everything from my diet and “cleansing” to my exercise and mindfulness practices.
These habits are just what works for me. But finding a health and wellness routine that works for you may look very different. My biggest advice is to listen to your body. It usually gives us clues as to what we need. When I’m not taking care of myself, my back hurts more than normal, I may feel anxious, lethargic, or impatient. All clues that something isn’t working. Most of the time, when I just slow down and listen, my body clues me in to what I need.
Hopefully some of these habits I’m sharing inspire you to find a routine that leaves you feeling your best, inside and out. Read More
