Trying to Inspire You All!!!!

Last night the McGhee family went to see our local minor league hockey team play.  Mr. McGhee and the boy minis love going to these games.  Myself and my tiny mini are notsomuch the fans, but occasionally we like to tag along.  On the way to the game last night, my oldest mini (the one that donates stuffed animals to hospitalized kids and writes me poems every night) says to me, "Mom, tonight I am hoping for either a bench brawl or a goalie fight.  Because that would be something special."

My mini got what he wished for.  Something special.  And as the crowd was throwing aside their hotdogs, nachos, and beers to struggle up out of their seats and scream, "fight, kill, fight" I realized hockey is a very primitive sport.

And then I went home and I set my alarm to get up early so I could participate in this event to raise awareness for organ donation.  And at the finish line, there were people dropping their bananas, oranges, and water bottles to jump up and cheer for runners as they crossed the finish line.  I realized that running is a very encouraging and inspirational sport.

Someone after the race said to me, that today is a reminder to cherish every day because you never know in life what will happen.  And I agree with that, whole-heartedly.  But, after today's race, I walked away with a different message.  I have got to take care of what I have in order to honor all these people that are so sick and would do anything to be living life in a healthy body.  And I have to keep working hard to inspire other people to do take care of themselves.  It's the least we can do, right?  Take care of yourself....do it for YOURSELF and for pete's sake, do it for all the people that love you!

I'm bringing back one of the first recipes I posted here, mainly b/c it is an absolute favorite in our house!  We are very busy today, Mr. McGhee and our oldest mini are working on making my raised garden beds and I am busy spring cleaning inside.  Since I am cleaning, that means our minis are stuck outside for the day and I am just randomly bringing them bowls of food to keep them satisfied.  So far, they have seemed the most excited about kale chips.

Kale Chips

• 1 bunch of kale
• olive oil
• seasoned salt (or sea salt)

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F
2. Line a cookie sheet with foil.
3. Using a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner.   (or buy the bag of pre-cut kale....who says all convience food is processed?)
4. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
5. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.               

And because I am obsessed I made another batch of sweet potato, kale, and cranberry quinoa.  We have been randomly snacking on that throughout the day.  I made a late breakfast of spinach, goat cheese, and peppadew omelets with toast.  So, I have done lots of cooking today...but sorry, no new recipes!  Tonight, Mr. McGhee and the boy minis are heading back to another hockey game.  I have a girls night out with my favorite girl in the world and plans to set my alarm for a run early tomorrow morning.

Peppadews!

Last summer, I flew 2068 miles to Seattle to meet four girls I met on the internet.  Imagine this conversation.....

Heids:  Mr. McGhee, would you mind if I go to Seattle for a few days this summer to meet some girls from the internet?

Mr. McGhee:  Sounds good.  Where are are you going to stay?
Heids:  At the home of this girl I met on the internet.  

Mr. McGhee:  Sounds fun to me.

Now, this is how the conversation went with the other 20 people I told......

Heids:  I am going to Seattle to meet four girls I met on the internet.

other person:  You are FREAKING nuts!!!  Oh My Gawd, you are going to end up missing!!!  Where are you staying?
Heids:  At the home of this girl I met on the internet.  

other person:  You're joking, right? You can not be serious?!?!?  You are traveling 2068 miles to meet strangers from the internet and you are going to stay at their house!?!?!?  Heids, I seriously question your logic.  I mean, honest to God, who in their right mind flies across the country to meet strangers at their house?!?!

Heids:  Well, here's the thing.  Mr. McGhee and I made this New Year's Resolution to make 2011 the year of adventure, so I am thinking this sounds like a great adventure.

other person:  You and your freaking New Years Resolutions are ridiculous....

Well, the trip to Seattle ended up being ah-may-zing.  I got to spend the weekend with 4 girls that I had known for 8 years, even though we had never met.  We shopped, ate, and drank our way through Seattle.  We talked until 4 in the morning and then woke up at 7 because we had more to talk about!  And we laughed until we cried.  And then one of us started talking about something that made her cry and  then we were all dabbing tears because we're women and that's what we do.

Here is part of the group.  OMG, I am an AMAZON!!!

Shopping for that night's dinner.

The most beautiful bouquets I have ever seen.  $5 each.  Incredible.

I couldn't stop taking pictures of the vegetables.  

This was the most amazing experience I have ever had.  We kayaked with the Seattle skyline in front of us and mountains behind us.  This is on my must-do-again list.

So, why am I posting about this?  Well, part of it is self-indulgent because I totally miss these girls and it was at this time last year that we began planning our trip.  But, there is another reason why I was reminded of this trip today, and it's these babies right here.....

My fabulous friend from Seattle introduced me to the peppadew.  Peppadews are a  piquante pepper from South Africa that was discovered in 1993.  How cool is that?!?!?  They were discovered around the same time that The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was discovered!  You can find peppadews in grocery stores or markets that have the fancy olive and mushroom bar.  I had mine on top of my omelet today and Oh My.  Delish.  

Spinach, Goat Cheese, and Peppadew omelet

• butter, olive oil, or grapeseed oil
• handful of spinach
• salt and pepper
• cooking sherry
• 2-3 tbsp goat cheese
• 3 eggs
• 1-2 tbsp milk

1.  Melt butter, olive oil, or grapeseed oil in pan.

2.  Add spinach and a splash of cooking sherry.  Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.

3.  Saute until spinach is wilted.

4.  Beat eggs in a separate bowl.  Add milk and stir.  Add goat cheese.

5.  Dump eggs over spinach and cook until eggs are cooked thoroughly.

I enjoyed mine with a pomegranate spritzer  in my cup that I got at the original Starbucks in Seattle.

I have to be honest....I went back twice and added more peppadews to my eggs.

I REALLY want you all to try this dish.  You could easily turn it into a quiche and serve it for lunch or dinner with a side of breakfast meat.  Or, if you really wanted to impress someone, you could invite them over for breakfast and make this dish along with broiled grapefruit.  Just to warn you, if you do that, people may think you're getting all fancy on them.  I would recommend making sure your house is nice and messy just to offset the fanciness of your meal.