Welcome to Wednesday! Yesterday I found it hard to believe it was only Tuesday. Today, I dread the fact that tomorrow is already Thursday. Why? Because we will be leaving around 10 pm to drive overnight to the Philadelphia area. If you can, go ahead and add safe travels for us to your prayers. I really don’t want M to grow up without parents. Okay, that may be a bit melodramatic, but I have to admit to freaking out. Remember one of my three fears is the gut feeling that one day I will be in some sort of terrible car-wreck? Driving overnight for 12 hours stokes the fire. I might conveniently forget about the pesky “no or limited caffeine during pregnancy” rule. Then again, maybe not. Adrenaline is more powerful than coffee.
Enough of that discussion. Today I managed to turn my day around for the better, so I can turn my fear into reason as well. When I saw today’s 30 Days of Insight topic for the blog, something powerful hit me. The topic = what is your vision of paradise? My answer = what you make of your current life. I don’t know where that answer came from. Directly from the heavens? Who knows. One thing I do know is I am not nearly that profound at 6:30 am. Wherever it came from, I’ll take it. I greatly needed that message today because the day was not starting out on the best of feet.
I awoke still feeling wrong. I don’t know if I would classify myself as sick. I don’t have a fever, stuffy nose, sore throat, or anything of that nature. My body simply aches. Something fierce at that. I do occasionally feel some stomach ache symptoms, but nothing really happens. I started getting down in the dumps, knowing I would not push attempting a workout in this state, even though I could really use one to help with traveling stress. Then, I thought about Paradise. I could take the easy route and picture paradise as lying on a tropical beach with a magical margarita (that somehow was safe for fetuses). Or I could imagine standing in line at a CVS with some pain medicine safe for pregnancy that actually works. Sorry, Tylenol. You just don’t cut it for me. However, neither of those played out in my mind. Instead, I pictured my day, my current situation, and what I wanted to make of it. I say it turned out pretty good.
I took the extra time I had from not working out to play with little M. We even cleaned up the living room and playroom. I utilized the “pick up some yellow/red/pink things” game. I’m so sneaky. Hehehe.
I scheduled in some productivity on the computer by preparing for tomorrow’s Examine article, catching up on emails, visiting bloggers to return the love and support I receive, brainstorming more on my September plan for the blog, and other random tidbits.
I conquered the laundry and dishes that battle me on a daily basis. And tossed in some toilet bowl cleaning for good measure. I ran errands to the store, bank, and library. Shockingly, I left the library empty handed. I’m finding less time to read and only want to read books I am thoroughly interested in. Other things need my focus right now.
I devoured a delicious lunch. Mushroom burger with tomato, pickles, and laughing cow on a sandwich thin, Grapes and raspberries (my current fruit obsessions) on the side. That right there is paradise.
I even managed to finish the teensy weensy invites I shared on Sunday for my friend’s lingerie shower AND pick up the wedding present for the wedding we are attending this weekend. So what if I procrastinated and had to get something off the registry?
Lastly, I remembered to share my Hawaiin Tofu recipe and Tofu Xpress review with you all. The gist of my review = If you make tofu at home, buy the Tofu Xpress NOW. It really does such a great job at pressing all the water out.
The texture of the tofu surpassed any other time I have prepared it. It was also much easier not having to press the ‘fu using bowls, paper towels, and other homemade contraptions. I’m so thankful the kind people at Tofu Xpress sent this to me for review. Please note that I am not compensated for the review and was given the press for free solely for reviewing purposes.
Now, the “recipe”. It’s not really a recipe. More a marinade. I mixed up the following to create a Hawaiin flavored marinade.
- 2T honey
- 1/4 c low sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 c pineapple juice
- 1/2 tsp minced ginger
After pressing the tofu, I sliced it into long strips about 1/2” thick. I allowed the strips to marinate in the mixture for around 30 minutes. From there, I simply seared the tofu in a medium heat pan for about 3 minutes per side. You could also bake it at 350 for around 30 minutes, turning halfway though. I honestly prefer baked tofu but was using the oven to roast up veggies – sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts.
My two favorites. You know? I’ve come to realize something. That dinner may well be the source of my “What is paradise?” enlightenment this morning. Nah. I know where my inspiration and answers come from. 😉
- Favorite marinade mix?
- Your paradise? Beach, mountains, with a certain someone, etc?
- Any love you got to give. 🙂
