Growing Up Savvy Posts

We’ve been on a health-kick the last few weeks. Not because we really feel like we have to, but because I’ve been looking for a fresh set of flavors to enjoy during the doldrums of winter. I am a believer than healthy doesn’t have to mean boring and is in fact almost always exciting. For example, last week I made a quinoa with herbs and sautéed garlicky kale for lunch to take to work. It was incredibly delicious and I could eat my fill without feeling like I have to head to the gym. Besides, that afforded me the freedom to indulge in some ice cream. A local brewery is making wart ice cream. Only in Philly!

This past weekend we made guacamole and this new (to us) tartine. Recipe here. It was delicious. There were salty, briny and creamy elements that paired beautiful with hearty bread to make a delicious lunch meal. The whole dish takes 10 minutes of active preparation, too. That was a must given our very busy weekend; We had a long-awaited and twice-postponed lunch date with a good friend of ours and her 2-year old son. Then, we ran from that to a second lunch date with Evan’s cousin who is visiting from Israel. We were honored that he thought of us while visiting Philadelphia on business since the last time we saw each other was (gasp) six and a half years ago at our wedding.

I must admit that two lunch dates really took a toll on me and I was exhausted for the rest of the day; I am not used to going out so much. Of course, the only way to remedy this is with extensive training which we will hopefully undertake with enthusiasm when the weather is a little more pleasant.

Alas, Sunday was spent at home, where we are most comfortable, with the girls. I also made chicken wings, polenta-crusted sweet potato fries, and a chermoula dip which deserves its own post.

I looked around the apartment yesterday confirming that we are still living with unpacked boxes (more than three months after moving into our current place). Our New Year’s tree is also still up. We are obviously procrastinating and for good reason—we are spending time with family.

The last four years have been a hibernation of sorts and we are finally thawing out and enjoying what we value most. Our house has become a bit of a revolving door and we couldn’t be happier. Sophia routinely asks “who is coming over today?”.

As expected, family gatherings always involve good food and even the grey of winter cannot put a damper on bringing big, bold flavors into our home.

That’s home-made carrot soup perfumed with ginger and garnished with cilantro, lime and almond gremolata (a radical twist on the traditional) with grilled cheese. Recipe here.

Good food, you see, demands good company. There is an old Russian saying that translates to your food is only as good as those for whom you make it. The soup was delicious and helped spread a gingery warmth throughout the entire house. It was enjoyed by everyone including little Eliza who we are trying to get accustomed to a little bit of spice even at her ripe age of 7 months.

There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book. –Marcel Proust

Books, books. Our shelves are heavy with books and we don’t mind it one bit. I am not even talking about Evan’s and my books, which are in storage, but the kids’ books. Shelves upon shelves full of books ranging from the classics like Goodnight Moon to more rare books like Pancakes with Findus. I love most children’s books but there are some that stand out. Rosie Revere, Engineer, a gift from good friends of ours, is a recent addition has become a favorite at home. It is beautifully illustrated and tells a wonderful story about a girl who embraces her love of engineering. Besides teaching all children that trial and error are a necessity for big successes, that innovation is a natural byproduct of failure, it shows girls that engineering is a field they can participate in. That message in itself is important enough.

My friend Amanda and I met in grade school and we became fast friends keeping in touch all through the years. We’ve stood by one another when we needed someone most and I know that I can be myself with her. What’s more is that she will always be honest with me even if what she has to say is not what I want to hear. Having moved to Maryland and having had kids had made getting together very difficult. But now that we’re back in Philadelphia, meeting up for a little girls’ get-together was much easier. And so on a very rainy and icy Sunday afternoon, two women popped into a neighborhood pub for a drink, some snacks and wonderful conversation. The magic that is long-lasting and meaningful friendship is that we picked up right where we left off the last time we saw each other just the two of us. And after catching up for a while and giggling like school girls, we were joined by Evan for a few minutes, too. It was just like the old times, it was wonderful.

In addition to spending time with a good friend, Evan and I also managed to capture some pictures of the girls to mark Eliza’s 7th month birthday.

Sophia is 39 months going on thirteen now-a-days. She’s quite the sassy lady, too.

Getting the two of them organized and taking these pictures is not an easy task, but it sure is enjoyable.

Topping off my weekend was a bit of time with one of my favorite pastimes—knitting.

I was young when my mom taught how to knit. She’s a master knitter, you know. I wasn’t particularly good at it then because it required patience and I was and still am, very impatient. I am getting better at knitting because I also work on my patience. Besides, the craft is incredibly relaxing and I love to see my work take shape.

Sunday night came too fast and I suppose it’s true that time flies when you’re having fun. As such, I don’t mind Monday because the weekend was so satisfying.