Yin + Yang

Life is all about balance... so I present to you, today's yin and yang. (In my head, yin=good, yang=bad, so let's go with that.)

Yin = I don't have a heart problem.

At least, I don't think so. Ever since my "episode" in December at the gym I've been really freaked out. And have had two other instances of dizziness and lightheadedness at the gym since. Today I finally went to the doc and got an EKG, blood tests, etc. Turns out I'm just mildly anemic. I still have to go take a treadmill stress test just to be sure, but I'm very happy the initial verdict is that I won't die. Happy Monday!

Yang = I have no sense of fashion.

I'll admit that this down of the day is much less important than the the upside. But for a girl, it's very disheartening. Recently, in my quest to find blogs to read that are healthier than The Pioneer Woman and Bakerella, I've stumbled across new reads. My favorite, is Kendi Everyday. Not only is she super cute and from Texas, she also touts the benefits of doing what you can with what you have in your own closet.

Well Kendi... I tried... and I failed... The end.

Triple Date Night

Tonight was one of those nights when I can't help but notice that I'm not so young anymore. I mean, I'm young enough to still slightly envy those fist-pumping, solo cup holding, night starts at 10 p.m.-aged people... but I'm old enough to be so thankful that tonight I had a fabulous evening - filled with food, friends and some delicious vino, and was home in my jammies by 10:14 p.m. - perfection!

The evening was hosted by the newlywed Betty (who by the by lives in the cutest apartment in one of my very very favorite cities!)

She had a fabulous menu planned, pappardelle (homemade!!) with mushrooms, braised short ribs, and a chocolate pecan tart. All ridiculously delicious.

Mushrooms...
Homemade pasta...
And a big ole bottle of zin from Ponte winery - mmm!

Selective Hearing

This past weekend I went to meet the newest member of our family, Kiyah! During the trip, my hubby discovered a new and annoying trait of mine. As long as I have a little baby in my arms, I'm apparently oblivious to anything said or done outside of a one foot radius from the baby. According to him, I ignored him for the 36 hours we were in Phoenix.

Sorry, Rick, but c'mon, can you blame me?

Haricots Vert (Frenchie Green Bean) Salad

Rick and I have been eating lots and lots of veggies recently, and I'm starting to realize that there are so many times you can eat plain old steamed veggies before you want to run away from the dinner table crying from boredom... which is why through trial and error I have managed to make green beans, errr, haricots vert, de-licious.

Start by chopping some cherry tomatoes

Throw in some roughly chopped walnuts

Pour in the feta

Then add the headlining ingredient, haricots vert (boiled till done, then chopped into thirds)

Make your favorite vinaigerett (I use a dollop of dijon mustard with red wine vinegar and olive oil)Add the dressingAnd then eat it... seriously... so... good.
While my food photography could use some work, please don't let the unappetizing lighting deter you from considering this. It's turned into a favorite recipe around here!