Pan Seared Salmon with Light Dijon Cream and Garlic Butter Croutons

Health food this is probably not...but good food it is!  I made this for dinner one lovely evening I had the house to myself and plenty of time to cook in the kitchen.  It was fun to make and delicious to eat.  And then I curled up on the couch with a glass of wine and watched the odd movie Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.  Odd.  Kinda cute.  Sweet ending.  But odd.

I'm not sure how I feel about low-fat evaporated milk.  Actually I do, I'm nervous about it.  But I haven't experimented enough to figure out what what I can use to replace it.  So there you have it...proceed with caution on the evaporated milk, but know that it does make this meal taste fabulous.

Pan Seared Salmon with Light Dijon Cream and Garlic Breadcrumbs

Source:  How Sweet It Is

Ingredients

1 lb salmon filet, skinless

Salt and Pepper

2 Tbs olive oil

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1 1/2 Tbs unsalted butter

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 small shallot, diced

1/2 Tbs dried sage

1/4 cup dry white wine

3/4 cup low-fat evaporated milk

1 1/2 Tbs dijon mustard

Directions

Prepare breadcrumbs first by heating a small pan on medium-low heat and 1 Tbs of butter.  Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in bread crumbs well, tossing for a minute or two until the mix is slightly golden.  Place into a bowl and set aside.

Rinse the salmon under cold water and pat dry.  Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.  Season the salmon with salt and pepper and then place in the skillet and cook until opaque in the center and golden on each side, about 5-6 minutes for salmon that is 1-inch thick.  Remove salmon and set aside under a foil tent.  Then add remaining 1/2 Tbs of butter, shallot, garlic and sage.  Stir well to coat and then cook for 1-2 minutes until sizzling.  Add in the white wine.  Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to bubble and slightly reduce, then whisk in milk and mustard.  Continue to whisk and cook while milk bubbles on the sides and thickens, stirring for a minute or two.  Taste and season additionally or whisk in a bit more dijon if desired.

Serve salmon immediately, drizzled with dijon cream and then top with breadcrumbs.  Serve with roasted potatoes and asparagus.

Christmas 2012

Lots of catching up to do this week!  Next up, a Christmas recap :)

Christmas this year was busy but wonderful.  We started out Christmas Eve morning with a visit from my dad dropping by so we could celebrate.  We had a yummy breakfast quiche and then opened gifts.  Lucy was so excited about her gifts and had a great time with Grampa Scott!

Opening presents!

Look at all this fun food!

Crafting with Daddy

Christmas Eve night we headed out to my mom and Craig's house for another Christmas gathering.  We had a yummy fish fry and hung out with the Unc, Abby, Kendra, Kendra's friend Nate, Papa and a sick Grammy.  We were all glad that Grammy was feeling just good enough for us to still come and visit!  It ended up being a really fun night and Lucy loved her tunnel tent she got!  We also had a ton of fun with a super crazy gift from my mom.  She got each of us our own Moo Popper.  I don't have any pictures of the actual war that was waged, but let me tell you it was hysterical!  Below is a quick video of what it is.  So fun!

Opening her tent!

And then it was time for our very own family Christmas.  Lucy woke up around 7am and I quickly headed out and plugged in the Christmas light and started the fireplace.  Lucy walked out and was surprised by all the presents under the tree.

Here she is probably telling me it's dark out...her favorite thing to point out! :)

Yay!  A new chair!

Lucy had gotten sick with an ear infection a few days before Christmas and was still a little punky on Christmas morning which quickly turned into a bit grouchy and whiney.  So......although it was a lovely morning...we are hoping she is her usual perky self next Christmas :)

Then we were off to visit our Knox family for the day.  Lucy actually perked up there and even let some of the cousins hold her and play with her which is a huge step! :)

Trying to get a picture with all the little cousins!

Lucy makes fast friends with anyone willing to share their phone with her :)

Family picture with the Knox clan!

Being silly!

Then we headed home and crashed in the basement for a few hours.  Lucy ran around and played with her new toys and Pat and I just vegged out and watched the best Christmas movie ever....National Lampoons Christmas Vacation!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too!!!

Lucy turns 2!

So much catching up to do!  Turns out our sweet little girl turned 2 about a month ago.  How did that even happen!?!  She makes us laugh on a daily basis and says the sweetest and funniest things!  As we all know, she has been on the slow side of things in terms of hair growth.  Poor kid gets that from her mama! :)  She has recently hit a growth spurt for her hair and it seems everyone, including Lucy is noticing.  Many family members in addition to Pat and I have taken the time to stroke her thin and wispy hair and tell her how much hair she is getting and that it is growing!  So of course the other morning Lucy comes up to me and holds my face her in hands and says, "Mommy, wook at me.  Your hair is reawy growing!"

She is also quite the chatty Cathy!  We often hear her just talking to herself or repeating anything we say to her.  And in addition to chatting, she loves to sing.  She sings her ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle, Jingle Bells, Jesus Loves Me, Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider and a few daycare fav's, Are We Ready?, and Clean Up Everybody.  Sometimes she will even make up her own words to songs.  The other day she starting singing Jesus Loves Me, but tweaked the lyrics a bit and was singing, "Yes, Jesus loves Grandma Cindy.  Yes, Jesus loves Grandma Cindy......"  It was hilarious!

She was pretty into her birthday this year and was excited to have a day (or a few) for just celebrating her!  Here is a sneak at some of her birthday moments!

Waking up to balloons all over!

Streamers on the door were a big hit!

Favorite dinner?  Pumpkin pancakes and eggs!  Yum!

Sweet birthday girl!

My little love!

SO excited to see Daddy bring the presents in!

Notice her babies on her blankie....we can't go anywhere without babies!

Yay, a baby stroller :)

Sit-n-Spin

Celebrating with Grammy and Papa

Stylin' in her new vest

Happy birthday sweet girl!

I know there is all the talk about Terrible Two's, but so far Pat and I love this age.  Sure she has her moments of screaming and throwing herself on the floor when she doesn't get her way, but for the most part she is a hilarious, beautiful, sweet, smart little girl.  Our sweet baby is growing up way too fast, but we are loving every single moment with her!  Looking forward to another great year with our favorite kid :)

Reflections and Visions

I have been reflecting a lot  the past few days on 2012 and what it meant for me.  I would say it was a year of highs and lows.  A year of loss and heartache, but also a year of self-discovery and growth.  The sadness of losing two babies is not something that goes away easily.  I work on myself daily to not live in fear of losing another baby in the future.  I know that I must believe and continue to hope for good things.  However, in the midst of my messy storms this year, came the most sweet appreciation for the baby girl I do have right now.  The older she gets the more she makes me laugh and think and just flat out feel joyful.  She was my bright spot and my shining star to guide me through some of my darkest days.  I have said numerous times that I will forever be grateful that I already had my little Lucy before I went through these losses.  I would have lost all hope had it not been for her cheerful face each day.

There were some really great moments to this past year too.  Pat and Lucy and I took a mini vacation just down to Indy for a long weekend and I still think about all the fun we had.  Pat and I were even able to go away for a few long weekends just the two of us a few times as well.  And while I always struggle leaving Lucy behind, I feel I am getting better about embracing the moment at hand and knowing that she is safe and loved where she is and that it is good for her to see that Mommy and Daddy have special time together.

I attended the Influence Conference this year as well which I think about daily.  It was so out of my comfort zone, but I know God directed me there as he placed some wonderful and amazing women in my path during that trip.  It was also the first trip away from home where I wasn't wracked with homesickness.  Instead, I was able to fully enjoy and be present in each and every moment.  I learned that trying new things can just be really incredible!

This past year also lead me to the start of a new adventure for me in Health Coaching.  I am currently 9 weeks into the program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and am totally and completely loving it. It is certainly hard to balance a full-time job, being a mom and wife in addition to my classes, and I would be lying if I said I felt like I was devoting enough time to any and all of them.  But, I am learning how to remain calm and find my center and not get too overwhelmed by all of it.  I think that was one of the biggest surprises to come out of the program so far.  In addition to the nutrition piece included in the program, they spend a significant amount of time looking at your lifestyle (stress, happiness, money, act) and how that can play into your health as well.  It's so holistic and so healing and I just can't wait to start working with clients!

As I set my sights on all that 2013 has in store, I remind myself that I don't need to wait for a whole year to roll around before getting a fresh start.  Each morning is a new chance to try again.  Each day I can strive to do better.  And each night I can remind myself that it's ok if I messed up somewhere along the way.

I pray that 2013 offers hope and peace and joy and love.  I will strive to be kinder, bolder and more gracious with my actions.  I hope to be adventurous and curious and to let go of fear.  My prayer and vision for 2013 is for a happier and healthier life...and to never lose hope.

Wishing each and every one of you and incredible and wonderful Happy New Year!

Music

Music is something my soul requires.  It is almost a basic need for me.  I have various sets of songs I listen to when times are tough, when times are fun or just when I need to unwind.  I love that music has this magical quality to transport you back to a place in time with images so vivid you can't believe it's been years since the moment actually occurred.  Music is powerful that way.

As you will see I have a distinct love for melancholy music.  There's just something about their haunting lyrics and sound that touch my soul.

Recently I have become mildly obsessed with several different songs that I thought I would share.  You may have heard of them already, but I love it when I run across a new and great song and so maybe some of my favorites will in turn become some of yours.  And even more important, hopefully they can serve as a reminder to a time in your life!

First up...one of my absolute favorites, The Bahamas- Lost in the Light.  I heard this on a blog a few months back.  She has this ongoing series on Dating Her Husband and she decided to film one evening of making dinner and getting ready for their date.  I probably watched the video 10 times and then downloaded the song and practically lived on it for a week straight.  Plus I love the quote at the top of her blog post. "Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired" It's beautiful song.

Next up, The Lumineers.  I love them!  My favorites are the now mainstreamed Ho Hey and also the lesser know (I think) Stubborn Love.

I am also jumping on the Mumford and Sons bandwagon.  My new fav, I Will Wait.  I almost cry every time I hear it because I love it so much.

There was a movie made a few years ago called Shall We Dance and it quickly became one of my favorite movies.  There is a beautiful scene at the end and the whole time Peter Gabrial's song The Book of Love is playing.  I cry every single time. The movie with the music moves me in such a way every single time.

Another soundtrack fav is Give Into Me from the movie Country Strong.  I just picture slow dancing in the kitchen lit only with candles every time I hear it.

I of course have many more favorites...but these are at the top of my list for right now.  Perfect for cold, wintery nights and soaking in a bubble bath!

Less thinking, more doing

I am an chronic overthinker.  I overthink everything.  And in my thinking I have great ideas of what I want to do.  I have lists of blog post ideas (complete with pictures I have already taken).  I have great plans to sponsor a precious little kid in Africa.  I want to go on a missions trip (although scared out of my mind).  I think about what I can be doing better here at work.  I think about health coaching ideas for school.

I think and think and think....and then suddenly do nothing.  What the heck is that about?  Why can't I put my ideas into motion?  Thinking and having great ideas does no good unless I act.  That sweet kid in Africa isn't being helped anymore by my thinking.  I need to do.  I need to act.

As the year comes to a close I have been thinking about my goals for next year.  I have never been one for goals because...I don't follow through on them.  Big surprise right?!  But I am learning about being intentional and how important goal setting is at Integrative Nutrition.  I am learning how the most successful have a plan and that they business wasn't just a result of haphazard events. 

My guess is that my fear is bigger than my motivation at times (most times).  I am really very skilled at talking myself out of just about anything.  Convincing myself that if I wait until tomorrow, or next week or just later I'll be better prepared.  But all that thinking just makes me a thinker.  And I want to be a doer.  I want to act.  I want to help.  I want to make a difference.

So in the spirit of full disclosure and in keeping myself accountable here are a list of things I want to DO.  My hope is that I actually manage to check a few of these items off my list in the next year.

*Do yoga 2 times a week
*Try to run 1 time a week
*Set aside 15 minutes each day for prayer/meditation
*Find a legit organization and sponsor a child
*Obtain 5 paying clients by the end of 2013
*Blog at least 1 time a week
*Finish that dang pinterest Christmas wreath before Christmas is actually over
*Take more pictures of my family
*Work on my business plan 2 times a week
*Love more

I am sure there are more things I am thinking of doing...but that is a good start for now.  Maybe now that you know, you can help keep me accountable and encourage me on my path of doing!

A Lovely Lunch

This past Sunday Pat took Lucy with him up to his parents for the day so she could visit and he could hunt.  Yes, I had the whole house to myself for the whole day.  And yes, it was lovely!  I cooked, I baked, I cleaned, I had some coffee, I caught up on my shows, I read, and I listened to music.  And in the midst of the day I made myself the most perfect little lunch.  It was one of those simple little lunches that I would never make if everyone was home, but it was just right for me.  I had the most scrumptious avocado toast with smoked salmon and poached eggs on sourdough bread.  It was delightful.  Well....ok, so the first one was delightful.  The second one felt less delightful and more like I was gorging myself, which I was.  But who cares.....it was a day just for me and I loved every second of it :)

Avocado Toast with Smoked Salmon and Poached Eggs

Inspiration: Pinterest

Ingredients

1 (or 2) slices of sourdough bread

Pat of butter (I use Earth Balance)

Garlic Salt

1 Avocado

Small package of smoked salmon, flaked

2 eggs

Salt and pepper

Directions

This recipe is really a non-recipe.  There is no specific technique.  I toasted my bread and then slathered a tiny pat of butter onto it and sprinkled with some garlic salt.  I smashed up my avocado and layered that onto the toast.  Then I flaked off a bit of smoked salmon and added that to the top.  For egg poaching, try whatever technique works best for you.  Deb at Smitten Kitchen has a very good tutorial I have used before that can be found here. Once your eggs are poached rest gently atop your toast and sprinkle with just a bit of salt and pepper.  Enjoy!