Lessons Learned

So, why does it take getting to my wits end before I wake up and realize some of life's simplest lessons?  Like the fact that worrying gets you nowhere.  I seem to have made an art out of it.  I used to actually pride myself in the fact that I tend to expect the worst and hope for the best.  Which almost sounds logical - in a sad sort of way.  I hoped my son's arm was simply  strained and that he was still on the road to complete recovery.  But I feared he had re-torn it and would need another operation - with 6 weeks of total immobilization of his right arm, and 6 more months of therapy before he could throw a ball or comfortably write an essay.  The thought of it was making me crazy.  The reality of the situation ended up landing where it usually does - somewhere in between. 

We went to the doctor today and he said that, short of re-operating, there is no way to be sure if my son's stitches have come apart.  We have to base what we do on how he feels as time goes by.  The good news is that he actually did feel better today.  The better news is that, at his age, enough healing should have already taken place to prevent a re-tearing.  We will see the doctor again in 2 weeks to make sure he is still improving.   Which leaves us, well...much better off than we were last week.  Tonight I am optimistic.  And happy.  A weekend of fasting was very good medicine.  Coupled with prayer and reading, it left me feeling wonderfully optimistic.   The "good" news was just the icing on the cake.  I highly recommend it and will provide specifics if you wish.  That's what I'm here for! 

 

Finding Strength in Times of Pain

2012 has been a sucky year.  Starting in January when my younger son first injured his shoulder, and moving on to April when I  realized I had been bitten by a tick and was reacting to the bite, it has been one thing after another.  My son ended up needing shoulder surgery (something we could not figure out until June!), and I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, something that has come back with a vengeance.    In between and since then, there has been what seems like a non-stop barrage of disappointments, bad news, and pain.  But that is not the reason for this post - to whine and complain about how unfair life can be.  Because we all know: Life. Isn't. Fair.  What I want to share with you is how awesome God is - especially when it seems like you have been pushed to your limit and can not take any more.

A few days ago, I got pretty close to hitting rock bottom.  I was ready to throw in the towel and give up.  No, I wasn't suicidal, but I didn't care if I lived or died.  And, worst of all, I was angry at God.  Didn't He promise us that He would never allow us to go through more than we could bear?   My son was hurting - badly - may need another operation on his shoulder, and, to me, that was it.  You can mess with me all you'd like, but mess with one of my kids?... I am convinced that a mother has a connection with her children that is stronger than super-gluing your fingers together, stronger than a paper clip on a 5-pound magnet, stronger than - well - you get the picture.  Since January, I watched my son slowly spiral downward on the injury trail.  And, finally, he was on the mend.  Then this?!  Since stress exacerbates most other ailments, my health took a dive as well.  Pain increased in all my joints and my heart felt like it would burst.   And each day, it has gotten worse and worse.  Until, that is, today.

Today I did what I should have done weeks or months ago.  I cried my heart out to God and then waited...and waited...and listened.   Not only did God soothe and calm me, filling me with that peace that passes understanding that you hear so much about, but He gave me specific instructions.  First of all, He directed me to His Word - I and II Samuel.  I am to read those books this weekend, along with fasting and praying.  And what is even cooler than that is that He directed me to call a friend who often fasts and prays when her son or any loved one is ill to ask her how she fasts and to follow her advice.  I was going to go on an all-liquid diet, but that isn't what she does, nor is it what I will do.  God is so good.  With the way I am feeling, an all-liquid diet would have weakened my immune system further.  I am to give up meat, including fish and eggs, and not eat any pasta or bread until dinner.  During the day, I can eat cottage cheese with fruit and all the veggies I want, including potatoes.  Sounds almost the way we Orthodox Christians eat during Lent and Advent (minus the cottage cheese).   I am really excited about doing this!  

Do I believe the result will be that my son will miraculously be healed and will, therefore, not need another operation?   Not necessarily, although I certainly "hope" that will be the case.  But I do believe that, no matter what happens, my son will be fine.  Better than fine, he will be great.  After all, his faith is often exemplary and he has been an encouragement to me on many occasions.  I even wrote about it in a post entitled "Reflections on a Recent Chat With My Son" (September 9th, 2011).   Also, I need to make it clear that I do not believe that God caused my son's injuries.  I don't believe He causes anything like that to happen to anyone.  Things happen in life, and activities my son engaged in resulted in his shoulder getting bursitis and his labrum tearing. 

I don't know who reads my Blog anymore.  For reasons beyond my understanding, it seems that many of you who do read it, can not comment on anything I say.  The Blog post, "How to Post a Comment on This Blog" has gotten the most hits out of anything else I have written!  So, when I write to you all,  I feel like I am talking to the wind.  I know that not everyone believes in God and that some people who read this post may be offended or think I am nuts for attributing my feelings of peace, and subsequent instructions on maintaining it, to an omniscient being.  So be it.   My hope is that, whatever you believe,  you can find encouragement in the strength I found today.  Although I am a Christian, my friend whose dietary advice I was instructed to take is a wonderful, God-fearing Hindu.   Our God is bigger than "religion", bigger than any one "church", and I love Him for that with all my heart. 






Cucumber Water - Easy, Healthy, and Delicious!

Since my husband and I visited Woodward House in Front Royal for my birthday weekend, 3 items have become staples in my diet: a poached egg over a slice of homemade bread, grated orange-peel infused sugar (that I have with Oolong tea), and cucumber water.   I am ashamed to say that I used to be one of those people who just did not like water.  I tried it filtered and could taste metallic and even chlorine-tinted undertones.  I concluded that Nestle's Pure Life was the best bottled water, but I still had to almost force it down to get the up to 8 glasses I needed each day.  It was, for lack of a better word, boring.  And then, I discovered cucumber water. 

 

So simple and yet so refreshing, cucumber water is a delicious and healthy alternative to just about any other "water" out there.  The pitcher in the photo above holds about a quart of water.  I do use bottled water - usually Nestle Pure Life - and add to it 1/2 peeled and sliced cucumber.  I cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator where the flavors become infused.  The finished product, served with or without a slice of cucumber in the glass, has elevated water to a whole new level for me.  The cucumber taste is subtle and very pleasant, making the water taste fresh, crisp, and light.  I believe the cucumber undertones mask any possible unpleasantness inherent in plain water.  But it also elevates it to the level of a "beverage of choice".   I have never really been a huge fan of eating cucumber slices, but in my water, I love them!   And the best part - the "bonus", you could say - is that it is a healthy addition to your diet. 

 

As soon as the cucumber slices hit the water, they begin to impart, not only their crisp clean taste, but their nutrients into the resulting beverage.  Each glass provides Vitamins C, A, and K, as well as Potassium and trace amounts of Iron and Calcium.  And whether you choose to add a small slice of actual cucumber to your glass or not, the water contains fiber and is a natural diuretic.  Ever since I have been drinking this delightful water, I have had no problem with irregularity or with accumulating water weight.  And let's just say that both used to be issues in my life... How much do I drink?  To be honest, about a pitcher to 2 pitchers a day.  Whenever I want water (as opposed to green or herbal tea), I drink cucumber water. 

 

As the water level goes down in the pitcher, I just pour another bottle over the cucumber slices and I'm ready to enjoy another glass (or 2 or 3...).   Make sure to use new cucumber slices every 3 days to keep your water fresh.  I hope that, like me, you too will become a fan of cucumber water and that it will help you to drink those 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, giving you some healthy benefits as well.

 

Until next time, happy and healthy eating (and drinking!) 

 

Posting a Comment to this Blog

I have noticed that many of you still are having trouble posting a comment to this blog.

Today, 3/14/13, I posted a comment to a post and it was so simple.  I typed a comment in the comment box, my initials (AG) were automatically in the little box below.  I hit "publish" and it was published.  Maybe this will work for you, too??    Here's hoping!

If it doesn't please feel free to e-mail me at apibinfo@gmail.com.   Good luck!   I so look forward to hearing from you. 

Aqua Excels for Fine Dining in Duck, North Carolina

Every year for the past 11 years, we have gone to Duck, North Carolina for our summer vacation.  And, every year, we make it a point to go to The Blue Point - a restaurant that would impress even Chef Ramsey from "Kitchen Nightmares".  The food is beautifully presented and the atmosphere is elegant yet tranquil.  It is nestled at the end of a row of quaint shops and most seats offer a view of the Sound.  For 11 years, it has been the place my husband and I have gone to on our "date night".  And this year was no exception.  No restaurant in Duck has ever come close to it in terms of food quality and elegance.   Until, that is, this year.  Just down the road (heading toward Southern Shores from where The Blue Point is) we discovered a new restaurant - Aqua.  Aqua is a combination restaurant and spa, of all things.  We did not pamper ourselves with a spa treatment, but went to the restaurant for dinner twice. 

Aqua is not quite as elegant as The Blue Point, which offers intimate, candle-lit suppers in a deep red-toned dining room.  The walls at Aqua are stark white and you can see everything and everyone around you at all times.  But we sat at a table by the window both times we went there and also enjoyed pretty Sound-side sunsets.  See below:

 Where the two restaurants are surprisingly similar is their cuisine.  At The Blue Point, I had a delightful Parmesan custard with ham and greens as an appetizer, and scallops over a Hoppin' John (rice with field peas) with a corn relish on top for my main dish.  The scallops were perfectly cooked and all the elements of the meal combined beautifully. 

At Aqua, I had the best fish tacos I have ever had as an appetizer and a delightful main dish consisting of organic chicken over a pasta with fresh tomatoes and herbs bathed in a light white wine sauce.  See below:

My husband had beef tenderloin at both restaurants and preferred the one at Aqua.  It was served with a wine reduction that put it just over the top.  At both restaurants we enjoyed a nice Malbec and dessert.  There was nothing we ate that was not delicious at either place.  But the reason we went back to Aqua for a second meal in one week was twofold:  first, we were actually craving those amazing fish tacos.  The fish is lightly fried and is crispy, served alongside a refreshing cole slaw and placed within a soft flour tortilla.  The second reason we preferred Aqua is that it is not nearly as pricey as The Blue Point.   The first night we went, our bill was a good 20% lower than it had been at The Blue Point.  And, the second time, we actually did not spend much at all - having 2 fish tacos each and a couple of glasses of wine for a "lighter" meal.   

If you plan a trip to the Outer Banks, you will undoubtedly enjoy both restaurants.  The Blue Point can't be beat for its ambiance, and the food is always delicious.  And, even though its decor is not as fancy as The Blue Point,  Aqua has the elegance of the Blue Point without the high price tag when it comes to its cuisine.  They each make for a lovely "date-night" meal (although you do see families at both restaurants).  If you go to Aqua, make sure to try the fish tacos - whether you are a fan of fish or not.  And enjoy the sunset!  (Note that reservations for The Blue Point must be made a few weeks in advance if you go during the Summer season.  For Aqua, we were able to make reservations for Thursday night on Tuesday.  I would be wary though.  As people discover Aqua, that will more than likely change).

Until next time, happy and healthy eating! 

Tired of Squash

Last year, the first five or six weeks of farm ownership meant greens - Kale, Swiss Chard, and Collards mainly.  And I loved them all.  With the addition of such things as bacon, golden raisins, and broth, they became a favorite of mine and I really looked forward to cooking them again this year.  Unfortunately, this year there have been very few greens (I think we got Kale once) and tons and tons of squash.  Each and every week we receive zucchini - both green and yellow, and my favorite (not!), patty pan squash (see attached photo).  I have figured out what to do with the zucchini.  I have made bread with them, including such ingredients as chocolate, cinnamon, and walnuts, and they make a nice breakfast side.  Today I made a cake that called for 3 cups of shredded zucchini, along with cocoa, walnuts, and an orange glaze.  And it actually was quite a hit.  But I can not find anything good to do with the patty pan squash.  I have tried stuffing them - they are pretty huge - but have not been satisfied with the results.  I tried a recipe that called for fresh bread crumbs, Parmesan, and bacon, and it was so-so.  Last week I used turkey Italian sausage and mozzarella and was still not impressed.  Any ideas?   I would greatly appreciate it.  I thought the CSA was joking when it said we would be getting 104 days of squash!  I guess they decided to replace their fields of greens with zucchini and patty pans.  Too bad.  I think the squash took over the place!   Squash can do that, you know...

Yes, we have also been receiving fruit each week - from tart cherries to peaches, plums, and apples, and they have been good.  But most of the vegetables have been in the squash family.  Pout.  : (      I used to actually like squash - a lot.  Now, I am sad to say that I am sick of it.  This does not mean that I will not join a CSA again next year, but I may have to try a new one.  Oh well...

Until next time, happy and healthy eating!

Woodward House in Front Royal - Bed, Breakfast and So Much More



Last year after my husband and I came back from our first visit ever to a Bed & Breakfast, I wrote about it, asking you all, "Are all Bed & Breakfasts this good?"   After what we experienced this past weekend, I would have to say that, in Front Royal Virginia, they are!   Woodward House is a refurbished 1910 home that sits atop a small, steep hill off of what once may have been the main drag.  Upon arriving, we were warmly greeted by the owner's twin sister and were told that, because the house was being occupied by a family of 12, we had been upgraded to one of the 2 cottages that sit in the woods above the main house.  Our cottage was, for lack of a better word, adorable.  It was decorated in a country motif and contained a cozy sitting area with a fireplace that was off of a small kitchen and breakfast nook.  Because it was my birthday, the owner had left us a small carrot cake (my favorite cake, by the way!) on the table-for-two, along with a handmade card, some homemade (of course) cookies, and a bottle of wine.  To the left and tucked into its own cozy corner was a comfy four poster bed that was about 4 feet off the ground and was covered with a soft down quilt and a wide selection of pillows.  The bathroom was more than ample in size and had a heart-shaped whirlpool tub for 2 that, with the addition of rose-shaped bath beads, was so relaxing that I felt like I was floating after spending time in it.  After wrapping yourself in one of the "his and hers" bathrobes, you'll find a variety of lotions and scented talcum powder to make you feel just that much more pampered.  The cottage itself would have been reason enough to recommend this charming home away from home.  But the accommodations were just the tip of the iceberg.

Joan and Bob, the owners,  have gone out of their way to make sure your stay at their home is a special and unique experience.  They have set up an open bar area off of the sitting room in the main house where you can help yourself to home-brewed beer, wine, or ice cold water infused with cucumber slices and mint any time the mood should hit you.  After a 102 degree day, I found the cucumber water to be a real treat and plan to make it at home. 

The star attraction at Woodward House house, however, is breakfast.   Joan is an accomplished baker and, after being served a plate of fresh fruit, we were treated to arguably one of the best orange/cinnamon rolls I have ever had.  Cinnabon, step aside!  This perfectly proportioned treat (it was about the size of a baseball) was warm and tender and had just the right amount of glaze.  See photo below:

After the delectable roll, Joan sweetly asks what you would like for breakfast.  She can make you pancakes, waffles (with or without blueberries), french toast, eggs cooked any way you'd like them, homemade breakfast potatoes, and ham.  My husband chose a Western omelet and I had poached eggs atop Joan's homemade cheesy biscuits.  Both dishes were amazingly delicious!   See photo below:

This was our Monday morning breakfast.  On Sundays, Joan makes a sausage gravy that is served over her cheesy biscuits with eggs any way you like them.  Her gravy is another unbelievably delicious addition to her repertoire.  And as if that isn't enough, Joan makes spiced apples and granola that you can have over oatmeal, along with one of her homemade flavored sugars.  I loved the way her orange sugar complimented the Japanese green tea I chose to accompany my meal.   I must have had 3 cups each morning. 

Joan and Bob make you feel at home, not only with their comfortable accommodations, and the  outstanding meals and snacks they prepare for you, but with their wonderfully warm personalities.  I wish I had more time to have gotten to know this lovely couple.  But from the time we spent with them, I know that they are generous, kind, and devoted to making their guests feel comfortable, and special.  You know how you find that place that is "you"?   That makes you feel like you can be yourself while at the same time feeling  special?  Woodward House in Front Royal is that place for me.   And I hope to be able to go there again soon.  In the meantime, thank you so much, Joan and Bob, for making my birthday weekend an unforgettable one!