The Lifetime Value of an After School Snack

My mom was the master of the after-school snack. When I think back to my early years of school, I have incredibly vivid memories of getting off the bus and making the short walk to our house with her, hand-in-hand, where she’d have the table set with a special set of dishes and something delicious to munch on as we talked about my day. In my memory, we used those dishes only for after school snacks, but in reality they were probably a set of dessert dishes she used for entertaining!

I don’t know if we used the special dishes every single day or not. Some afternoons, we probably just ate on a napkin at the counter. I don’t know if we even had a snack every day or not; there must have been days when we were running off to do errands or she had something else to do at 3PM. But what I know for sure is that we sat down for a chat and a bite to eat often enough, that after a lifetime of after-school moments, it feels like something we did every single day. It was a ritual.

That kitchen table was a place where I learned that my stories mattered. I learned to process what had happened in my day by talking about it. I learned that accomplishments were even more exciting and hurts weren’t quite as painful once shared, and that fears that overwhelmed me lost their power once we hashed them out together. The snacks were always delicious, but what was most important was having the chance to sort through the highs and lows of my day with the fixed attention of an adult who loved me.

I’ve been thinking about that ritual lately because my oldest starts first grade today and this is her first year of being in school all day. Her childhood will be a little different than mine. For one thing, I work longer hours than my mom did, and as another, her afternoons quickly become packed with playdates and after-school activities. It may not be realistic for us both to sit down for a snack with special dishes every day (though you can bet I’ll do that as often as I can!).

What is realistic is for me to carve out time every single day to hear about her day. It may be not happen until an hour or two (or three) after school ends; it may even take place over the phone.  But she will feel for that little piece of time,  that she has center stage in the fast-paced play that is our life . She’ll learn that someone is always there to help her sort through the events of her day. And she will know that her stories matter.

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Simple Summer Squash

There are some foods that take you right back to your childhood. For me, one of those is yellow squash. My parents always grew squash in our garden and my grandmother always grew it in hers as well. My favorite preparation as a child involved slicing the squash, salting and peppering it, dipping it in flour and then pan frying it in butter. Delicious, but not exactly health food. The method used in this recipe is a much healthier one that I’ve adopted over the years. Simple sauteed squash and onions is a frequent summertime side dish in our house. You can even turn this into a light vegetarian meal by mixing the squash with cannellini beans and serving it over brown rice or barley. Topping it with pine nuts and goat cheese and an extra sprinkling of fresh thyme takes it right over the top. Enjoy!

Simple Summer Squash

Adapted from Mollie Katzen’s The Vegetable Dishes I Can’t Live Without

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons olive oil

2 medium sweet onions, thinly sliced

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 pounds yellow squash cut into 1/2″ thick slices or cubes

1 teaspoon minced garlic

freshly ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves

Optional garnish: lightly toasted pine nuts and crumbled goat cheese

 

Directions:

1. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Allow to heat for 1 minute and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and swirl to coat. Add the onions and salt. Cook, stirring often until the onions become very tender and lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer onions to a bowl and set aside.

2. Return the pan to medium heat. Coat with a little more olive oil. Add the squash in a single layer and cook without stirring 1 to 2 minutes, or until very golden on the bottom. Scrape loose and flip the squash, cooking an additional 1 to 2 minutes, or untl the other side is also very golden.

3. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for about a minute and then return the onions to the pan. Sprinkle with thyme and mix well. Season to taste with additional salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Garnish with pine nuts and cheese if desired.

4. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

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Home is Where Your Health Is

as originally published in CincyChic

This morning I woke up early to work out in the small gym we built in our basement a number of years ago. All three of the children and my husband were fast asleep upstairs and I was close enough to hear them if anyone woke up and needed me, but far enough away to focus on my workout. It made me think about how valuable it’s been to have that space to work out in my home. Truth be told, I’d prefer to run outside with my girlfriends or to head to the yoga studio for a class taught by someone other than my DVD player, but many days, our home gym is my safest bet to ensure I get in a workout at all.

Does your home support your healthy living goals? To answer “yes” you don’t have to have a treadmill in your basement. I’m simply asking if you’ve set up your home to support the lifestyle you want to achieve. Here are a few areas you might want to consider:

 

Kitchen

If you intend to cook some meals at home, it’s important that your kitchen is set up to support you! Is your pantry well stocked with healthy ingredients? Is your refrigerator brimming with fresh produce and free from expired items? Do you have the right cooking tools? Are your appliances clean and in working order? Taking care of these basics will make it feel less daunting when you decide it’s time to channel your inner Martha!

 

 

Eating Area

Once you’ve prepared a healthy and delicious meal, it would be a shame to eat it while standing up at the counter! Have you kept the table clear of clutter? Do you have linens, tableware and silverware that make you happy? Are there enough chairs for everyone who will be at the table? Investing a few dollars in table accessories that make you smile will be well worth it when you are motivated to eat at home more often.

 

Workout Corner

Home gyms are terrific, but you don’t have to go all out to make this idea work. Can you keep a yoga mat and exercise ball in a designated workout corner with some workout plans you’ve cut out of SELF magazine?  Some people have great success keeping them near the TV so that they can get in some exercise while catching up on The Bachelor. Also, keep your workout clothes in one drawer so it’s easy to get dressed when it’s time to exercise. If you’re digging through laundry baskets looking for a clean sports bra you are far less likely to work out!

 

Quiet Zone

Your healthy living intentions probably go beyond diet and exercise to include some form of relaxation or meditation. Can you set up a peaceful corner where you can retreat for those moments of calm? I have a favorite chair in a sunny corner where I can steal a few minutes to sit and think or to read something for inspiration. Carve out a space that’s just for you and cherish it!

 

Following a few of these suggestions will help you bring your home in line with your healthy living aspirations. Instead of battling with your surroundings, you’ll wake up each day knowing your home has been set up to support you, which is exactly what it should do!

 

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