my new (old) love... and an explanation

I know I have been MIA for awhile... and I can finally explain.  I have made three fully homemade meals in the last 7 weeks.  Isn't that pathetic?  Thank you, Lord, for the creative genius behind Trader Joe's and their frozen food section.  Otherwise, I would be ridden with guilt.

I am 11 weeks pregnant.  And the thought of cooking has been, well... bleh. Thankfully, things are looking up.  The heartburn has yet to die down, but the nausea is dwindling.  Again, thanks Lord.

So, enter my new (old) love.  I am not a regular partaker of protein bars. But in my baby's interest, I picked up a few this week so that I am eating something besides fruit and noodles.  And cereal.  Tonight I opened up a Carmel Nut Brownie Luna bar.  Oh heaven.  Crispy, chocolatey goodness.  With protein, folic acid, the whole nine yards.  Everything good for the little one.  And man, they are tasty.

healthy hobbies

Spring is here. Finally. We have had consistent sunshine for three whole days here in the northwest - is that a record for April? And for those three days, I have been to the nursery, prepping my garden, and getting my containers ready.

I have never ever been into gardening. I definitely wouldn't say I have a green thumb. But last year I decided to try my hand at a few flowers, some herbs and a tomato plant. I was pretty successful.  I give some of the credit to a book I picked up, You Grow Girl, which is also an extensive gardening blog. Totally inspirational!

This year I am stepping it up a notch: strawberries, beets, zucchini and carrots. We'll see what happens!  I'll try to keep you updated - maybe I'll even incorporate some of my goods into some recipes.

Being healthy extends beyond diet and exercise. How do you unwind? Express creativity?Get involved in the world around you? Are you a knitter? A seamstress? A cook or a baker? Do you teach classes, volunteer, try to learn something new on a regular basis? I want to hear from you and what keeps you going.

And if you want a little more gardening inspiration, you can also check out the Pioneer Woman... she is good at giving you the lowdown on the basics. Growing stuff is easy - and it's so fun to watch it happen!