TASTE: Artichoke & Olive Quinoa

Artichoke & Olive Quinoa

You deserve a healthy lunch. But it can be hard to eat healthy when you're busy in the middle of the day! This month I am going to share with you a few easy make-ahead lunches that are easy to pack in a bag and eat on the go. I've started meal-prepping my lunches at the beginning of the week to make sure that I stick to my goals and eat healthy, even when I'm being pulled in many directions throughout my day. It's so easy to give in and chow down on whatever is accessible. For me, this often means chocolate-chip Kind bars and popcorn. Not exactly a balanced meal. And I need lots of energy, so I have to make sure I fuel up properly.

I came up with this little meal, which is super easy to prep, and some of the ingredients can even be swapped out for other options. This way, you can make it a few weeks in a row and slightly modify the mix-ins to change it up for your taste buds.

Ingredients:

- 1.5 cups Quinoa, rinsed and drained

- 3 cups Chicken Stock

- 1/2 jar Kalamata Olives

- 1 jar Artichokes

- 1 bunch Chives, finely chopped

- 1 lemon

- Salt and Pepper, to taste

- Optional swaps: green olives in place of Greek olives, parsley in place of chives, cherry tomatoes in place of artichokes - the possibilities are endless!

- Optional Add-ons for extra protein: tuna, shredded chicken or salmon

Method:

1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly and set aside.

2. Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add quinoa and lower the heat. Cover the pot. Stir frequently until the liquid is completely dissolved.

3. Add in the artichokes, olives, chives. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with lemon juice.

4. Add in your preferred protein, if you choose. I like it with tuna!

Lunch is Served.

I hope you get a small moment for yourself to enjoy this delicious bowl of health! Let me know what you think about this super easy make-ahead meal :) Happy Monday to you, friends!

When Two of Your Favorite People Meet.

When Two of Your Favorite People Meet.

This happened a few weeks ago. Technically there are three of my favorite people in this picture, but Stevie and my dear Aunt Shirley know each other well. But it was the greatest privilege for me to witness my son meeting the snazzy, savvy, sweetheart that is my Aunt. Somehow my heart managed to melt a bit more. I thought it had done all the melting it could possibly do.

My Aunt Shirley has been a life-long inspiration. Not only is she overly-accomplished with an impressively long resume and all the accolades of the world, she is a woman of endless compassion and unparalleled conviction. She's basically Mother Theresa, serving all her extra time for others, and encouraging her students to join her many efforts. If I could emulate her character a tiny little bit at the end of my life, I would gladly call myself blessed and be done. And her joy! I don't know anyone who is more positive! Well, she and my mother-in-law can duke it out, because they are the two most positive people I know. FYI It's a really beautiful thing to be surrounded by practically blind positivity, by the way. Makes you feel like the world is your oyster. And why wouldn't I want my darling boy to be surrounded and influenced to believe that (because it's true!) But her kind of positivity isn't blind. It's fierce, statuesque, absolute in it's hope for what is the best kind of good. I am so lucky to have this woman as my guidepost, looking out for me, correcting me, smiling her big gorgeous, mischievous smile at me. Oh that Italian broad.

I hope your holiday weekend is filled with family time that makes you feel uplifted, full of hope, and encouraged beyond measure. Because that is a treasure not to be diminished. And if you don't have family like that? Well, then BE the family that does that. We have such a few precious days on this Earth. If you have the opportunity to be a person like Aunt Shirley to a little person like Everett, DO IT. The impact will be a pulsating, rippling, life-changing kind, and really, what else matters? Not career. Not money. But a little person being shaken by absolute love, acceptance and sheer hope for the future? Well, you could say that's kind of what this holiday weekend is all about.

Happy Easter, friends.

Exploring Atlanta's Krog Street Market & the Beltline.

Exploring Atlanta's Krog Street Market & the Beltline.

We took advantage of last weekend's heavenly spring weather and trekked into the city for some fun. Stevie and I (over) packed our gigantic SUV with every imaginable baby-wrangling item and met our dear friends Elliot and Lena (and their perfect baby daughter) for lunch at Krog Street Market, followed by a stroll down the ever-expanding Beltline trail. We tried not to overly-matchmake our kiddos. We sort of failed.

Map. Krog Street Market is the newest addition to Atlanta's Inman Park community. Set in a 1920's warehouse, this market houses a bevy of specialty shops and restaurants in an open-tavern environment. Situated on Krog Street across from an entrance to Atlanta's Beltline, this location boasts yet another reason to believe, nay, know, that Atlanta is indeed becoming more and more stupendous with each development.

These two. Twinning.

THAT BRAMBLEBERRY CRISP.

A fetching choice.

They're in love. The just don't know it yet.

Mmm.

We ate some killer barbeque from G.C. Barbeque (get the brisket! And the mac and cheese! THEY'VE WON AWARDS) and downed the most delicious canned beer of my life from Hop City - the famously refreshing Hell or High Watermelon by 21st Amendment. Other delicious treats found in the Market? The scrumptious, 2-ingredient chocolate bars from Xocolatl (the Trinidad Single Origin has been on my mind ever since I tasted it) and of course, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, providing a winning array of flavors that can only make you leave feeling like you haven't possibly tasted enough. Stevie was so giddy to be out and about that he had ice cream twice - once at Jeni's and again at Jake's across the street. That man seriously loves his cow's milk. It's a point of contention.

All I could think was, "I wish I had brought my blades!" And also, "THAT DOG IS ENORMOUS."

The cutest mother-daughter duo there ever was.

The brotastic toothy smiles happening here. Flawless.

Maybe he will drink from this bottle? No. Just no.

Moment.

There were all kinds of hilarious, happy moments throughout the day. But at one point I might have lost my phone. Okay, I definitely lost my phone. But as we 6 lounged along the Beltline and watched our babies roll around on the attempting-to-turn-green grass (well, on the waterproof outdoor blanket that protected our children from the grass) and I realized I had lost my phone, a brave sense of "who cares?" washed over me. So calmly. So serenely. I think I was drunk on some preeminent springtime pollen or something. And then when we turned on the Find my iPhone app and actually located it (still at the last restaurant along our string of stops), I was simply on a high. BEST DAY EVER. I misplaced my iPhone, didn't lose my mind over it, and literally found it ten minutes later at a random restaurant! Bless. What a grand, wondrous day. What a marvelous community, this Atlanta town. WHAT A WONDERFUL MATCH FOR MY BABY SON. Okay, too far. I understand that I've gone too far.

But really - too much?

What is too much?

Conquered.

It was the happiest day. Frisbee on the lawn, strolling with the babes, imbibing with old friends, munching on savory treats, and most exciting of all, doing something new in our old stomping grounds. It's not often that something takes us by surprise in our home city. But these two developments, the Krog Street Market and Beltline, I am all in favor of their harmonious presence in Atlanta. Next time, I'm gonna bring my roller blades and leave everyone in the DUST.

TASTE: (My) Lentil Tabbouleh

TASTE: (My) Lentil Tabbouleh

I had no idea how delicious tabbouleh truly is. What a healthy, fresh way to take in some lunch! This is a twist on the classic recipe, using lentils (how Christ-like, right?!) which means it's super packed with protein. I have really been getting into mixing grains in with my salad at lunch - it makes them much more filling, and honestly, just way more fun. I am so bored with salad, but in an attempt to clean up my diet and eat super healthy during the week, salads are making more of a presence in my life lately. This one still counts as a salad because of all the awesome raw veggies. The mustard in the dressing gives the whole dish a bright fresh finish.

Try it! You will be surprised at how super easy this is to make this ahead of time and have stocked in the fridge for mid-week lunches. Also, the colors are so pretty I kind of want to wear it AND eat it. 

Ingredients:

- 2 cups cooked, drained lentils (I used the dark green variety)

- 2 large bunches parsley, roughly chopped

- 2 cups shredded carrots

- 1 small red onion, finely diced

- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

- 1/2 cup olive oil

- 1 tablespoon course, seeded mustard (I prefer whole-grain mustard)

- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard

- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

- juice from 1 lemon

- 3 garlic cloves, minced

- 1 tablespoon salt

- Pepper to taste

Method:

1. Prepare lentils according to package. Drain and set them aside in a large mixing bowl.

2. In another bowl, whisk together the olive oil, mustards, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.

3. Add the dressing to the lentil mixture. Stir in the onions, tomatoes and parsley. Add a pinch more of salt and pepper, if you'd like.

Party in your mouth. Yes.

Happening Lately.

Happening Lately.

TGIF Guys. I am happy that we have reached the weekend!

Reunited.

My husband is home from another work trip, and it feels good to all be reunited. He's been traveling every week lately for work and it's been me and Everett against the world. I am so grateful to have my little partner-in-crime, but obviously we are always waiting with bated breath by the door for when Stevie gets home. This week, especially, because Everett started saying "Dada"! All week long its been "dadadadaaaaa" and I've been videoing it and sending it to Stevie. Needless to say, I am really looking forward to the weekend so we can just be a normal family, all together :)

Running?

I'm running a race next weekend. I registered a while ago, intending to "train" and prepare for such an event... and well. Well. Then I sort of forgot. I've been exercising more, jogging/walking almost every day (see below, my cutie mom, we went trail hiking the other day!), but by no means would I consider this serious running. I've been doing lunges when I can, squats while I hold the baby, crunches when I can squeeze them in. But I really don't have a formal workout time everyday. And now I feel like I'm going to pay for it. Because this race! It's only a 5K but I would really like to run the whole thing and not take walking breaks, you know? Oh my pride. A lot of you have sent me your tips and ideas for post-baby workouts, which has been super helpful and inspiring. I will have to post some of them when I get in the groove of actually, consistently doing them! Thanks for sharing.

// 1. Cherry blossoms at Zoo Atlanta! // 2. So much joy in the morning. He's the best best best. // 3. Our growing book collection for Everett (we're giving away a book this week, enter here!) // 4. My mom in the woods of Serenbe, doing a bit of trail hiking with me and Everett. A few of our other visits to Serenbe here, here and here. //

Summer Clothes.

I've done a bit of clothes shopping lately. Trying to restock my wardrobe a bit. Summer is quickly approaching, and with a few trips on the horizon, I am in serious need of bathing suits and shorts. I can't wear anything I wore last summer since I was a giant. I haven't really done any shopping since having a baby, because going into stores to try clothes on takes so much effort. And it's often fruitless since I don't even know what sizes I am these days. I've done all this shopping online, and I have to admit, getting all these packages in the mail has been super fun! I am loving the shorts here, dresses here and sportier bathing suits here. What are some of your favorite places to stock up on summer essentials?

Site Makeover!

One other fun tidbit for you - and I could use your help! My site is currently undergoing a significant re-design. I would love to know what you love/don't love so much about the look, feel and content of this site. What do you love reading here on Oy! and why? Any random bits of feedback you have would be super helpful! If you're up for taking a moment to share with me, you can just leave it in the comments section below! Many thanks, friends.

Hope you have the BEST weekend! :)