Just say YES

“Just say no” has had it’s day in the sun. Remember the 1980’s anti-drug marketing campaign? It was ubiquitous when I was growing up and it certainly stuck with me. In fact, I possibly took it a bit too far and said no to lots of things where I could have (and maybe should have) said yes!

Saying no is safe. But it’s also limiting. And sometimes boring. So when it comes to building a life in which you can truly thrive, I propose you consider a new mantra – Just Say Yes!

Saying yes opens doors. It broadens your perspective,  builds connections, expands your horizons. Saying yes brings life in. There are times of course, for saying no. For putting boundaries in place and taking control of a situation. So say no when you must.

But for a moment today, look at your life and consider where you might just say yes! Yes to playing outside with the kids. Yes to having lunch with an old friend. Yes to accepting the volunteer position that will stretch you. Yes to donating to the charity that needs your dollars. Yes to the friend request you’re not sure you should accept. Yes to trying a workout you’ve never done before. Yes to the unexpected job opportunity. Yes to the neighbor’s dinner invitation. Yes to registering to run the 10K. Yes to the first date.

Saying yes requires energy in reserve. I’ve blogged about this before; it’s so important to set yourself up to be able to say yes. If you’re finding yourself saying no because you simply don’t have the energy to say yes, check out this post.

During yoga classes (here I go again), we routinely lie on our backs with our arms at our sides and our palms facing upward signaling to the universe that we are open to possibilities, welcoming them in.  Where can you strike this pose in your life? Just say yes.

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Upgrade your PB&J…with Barney Butter

I can hear you now, “There are a lot of things I’ll do to be healthier, but do NOT mess with my PB&J.”

It’s one of those sacred sandwiches – right up there with grilled cheese or tuna salad that are as much about nostalgia as they are about taste. Your mom made them a certain way with a certain brand and certain bread and they are not to be tampered with by someone like me!

I can understand why you might feel this way. Really, I can. But if you’ll indulge me for a moment, let me show you why you’re mistaken.

Almond butter is peanut butter’s younger, healthier cousin. Its health benefits are anchored by its lower level of saturated fat – half that of peanut butter – but sometimes its texture doesn’t live up to that of the processed brands most of us were raised on. Many versions are a little less sweet, a little less creamy, a little less rich than peanut butter. And to be clear, peanut butter’s whole claim to fame IS its sweet, creamy richness!

Enter Barney Butter. The story is a fun one. You can read the long version here, but the short version is that a California mom (Jennifer Barney, so that explains the name) started whipping up batches of this stuff in her home, so enchanting friends and family that they urged her to make it commercially available. She did, and now we can all enjoy it. Locally, it’s available at Whole Foods and Fresh Market (which I suspect is true nationally) and you can also order it online.  It doesn’t separate or need to be stirred so your kids may not even notice the difference. It comes in smooth or crunchy varieties, just like your favorite peanut butter and it also comes in convenient snack packs that are great for travel! They’ll even make it through airport security.

If you’re a peanut-free family, this is manufactured in an almond-only facility. And if you’re simply trying to find great tasting healthy upgrades for your favorite childhood treats, you’re in sweet, creamy, rich luck.

 

*Just in case you’re wondering, I do not get paid for product recommendations. I simply share what I’ve discovered so you can save yourself some homework and experimentation.

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Mothers Day Meal Idea – Chicken and Asparagus in Lemon Sauce

This morning on the Cincinnati Fox Affiliate (Fox19) I shared a “weeknight simple” meal that is special enough for an occasion like Mother’s Day. Let’s face it, in most homes, once her annual breakfast-in-bed is over, Mom is quickly back on duty in the kitchen and she deserves a little inspiration! This dish provides just that. It’s a shining example of what we believe at Nourish – that dinner can be delicious, healthy and simple!  Since asparagus is in season right now, I’ve used it in this dish, but you could also use red peppers, or green peas and mushrooms, or even broccoli florets in place of asparagus. This cooks in one skillet which makes cleanup extra easy. And since it’s Mom’s special day, hopefully someone else will be doing the dishes anyhow…

If you’re new to Nourish, welcome! Please take a look around the site to learn more about what we do – and be sure to subscribe to the blog and to our monthly e-newsletter so we can provide you with ongoing inspiration to feed your well-being.

Update: Here’s a link to the clip from FOX19.

And, here’s the recipe!

Chicken & Asparagus in Lemon Sauce

This dish cooks quickly and all in one skillet. Serve it over whole wheat pasta, brown rice, or quinoa. Add a salad and a glass of mint lemonade and you have a Mother’s-Day-ready meal!

Serves 4

 

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed, cut into 1” pieces

1 lb. fresh asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 1” pieces

1.5 c. low sodium chicken broth

3 Tbsp. lemon juice (squeezed from ½ lemon)

1 tsp. corn starch

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley or thyme

salt and pepper to taste

 

1. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet and add chicken. Saute until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add asparagus and sauté 2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.

2. In a small bowl or cup, combine broth, lemon juice and cornstarch, and whisk to combine.

3. Pour broth mixture into skillet over chicken and asparagus and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook 3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken.

4. Serve over a cooked whole grain starch of your choice, prepared according to package directions  (e.g. brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta), and garnish with a lemon slice and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme.

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