Since learning a few years back of my increasing lactose intolerance, the one thing that I've really missed is ice cream. I haven't really explored the workarounds of pills and lactose-free milk, because, really - who NEEDS ice cream? The threat of abdominal agony has worked wonders at keeping me from the calorie-laden treat.
It recently came to my attention that you can make a pseudo-ice-cream from bananas. Did you know if you puree bananas and freeze them, they taste remarkably like ice cream? Apparently, this is a well-known trick amongst sneaky moms. I must have missed the memo...
So, now I eat this yummy treat while the rest of my family devours ice cream. It satisfies my craving, and allows me to feel smugly superior for my healthy choice. :) If I'm willing to forgo the feelings of superiority, I add chocolate sauce and nuts, and it tastes like a banana split!
I've dubbed it "Nice Cream" - 'cause it's N(ot)Ice Cream.
Nice Cream
3 ripe bananas, sliced
1/4 cup of unsweetened almond (or rice) milk (optional)
1 tsp vanilla (optional)
Combine ingredients in blender and puree until smooth. Add to ice cream maker, following manufacturer's instructions. It may need additional time in the freezer to fully harden. Enjoy!
A note on banana ripeness: the riper the banana, the richer the flavor, but the darker the color of the finished product. I usually use bananas that are moderately freckled.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
It's Not All in My Head...
So, I've had knee pain for about 5 weeks now, and I've been starting to feel that perhaps I am just not very tough. A suspicion strongly reinforced when I recall how poorly I handled the epidural-free birth of my first child. Fourteen years later, I still feel bad for the other women on the floor who had to endure an entire day of my screams of agony lady-like utterances.
Today, the doctor called with results from my MRI, and, while the question of my wimpiness is still unresolved, I do have legitimate cause for pain. Turns out I have a posterior medial meniscal tear. It's not all in my head - there is actually something wrong with my knee! Strangely, this makes me very excited. I have the name of an orthopedic surgeon, and will be calling first thing in the morning to set up an appointment.
The lure of Google was strong, so I googled my condition, and it's not encouraging, at least in the long term. Seems that people who have the surgery to repair the tear (it's not really an option - it often doesn't heal on its own) end up with a greatly increased risk of osteoarthritis in their knee. Also, pain relief occurs in about 60% of patients. I don't want to be one of the 40%.
So, I'll go to the surgeon, learn more about what's wrong, and make plans from there. It does look like surgery is in my future, though. I'll keep you posted...
Today, the doctor called with results from my MRI, and, while the question of my wimpiness is still unresolved, I do have legitimate cause for pain. Turns out I have a posterior medial meniscal tear. It's not all in my head - there is actually something wrong with my knee! Strangely, this makes me very excited. I have the name of an orthopedic surgeon, and will be calling first thing in the morning to set up an appointment.
The lure of Google was strong, so I googled my condition, and it's not encouraging, at least in the long term. Seems that people who have the surgery to repair the tear (it's not really an option - it often doesn't heal on its own) end up with a greatly increased risk of osteoarthritis in their knee. Also, pain relief occurs in about 60% of patients. I don't want to be one of the 40%.
So, I'll go to the surgeon, learn more about what's wrong, and make plans from there. It does look like surgery is in my future, though. I'll keep you posted...
Tried... and failed
So, I tried riding my mountain bike on a casual ride to the elementary school and back (less than two miles) yesterday. I was riding at a Madi pace (which is surprisingly fast - 10-12 mph) and there were no hills.
My knee was stiff, but I expected as much, seeing as I haven't done anything in the last 5 weeks except lose muscle and gain weight. By the time I was close to home - about mile 1.5 - the knee was really starting to complain.
I came home, and took 2 Aleve (which my doctor tells me is prescription strength). Hours later I was still in pain, and it was getting worse. I called the doctor to see what last Friday's MRI said, but I haven't heard back. My biggest fear is that the MRI will be clean, and then what?
Regardless, it doesn't appear that I will be hopping back on the bike anytime soon. *sob*
My knee was stiff, but I expected as much, seeing as I haven't done anything in the last 5 weeks except lose muscle and gain weight. By the time I was close to home - about mile 1.5 - the knee was really starting to complain.
I came home, and took 2 Aleve (which my doctor tells me is prescription strength). Hours later I was still in pain, and it was getting worse. I called the doctor to see what last Friday's MRI said, but I haven't heard back. My biggest fear is that the MRI will be clean, and then what?
Regardless, it doesn't appear that I will be hopping back on the bike anytime soon. *sob*
Monday, July 25, 2011
That Makes Two...
Two new Trek bikes in my household this year, that is, and neither one belongs to me.
*sulk*
But, truth be told, I love Old Blue, and I'll be OK - as long as I never allow myself to ride a current-generation road bike. According to the owner of the LBS (local bike store), Blue was primo in her day, but today's carbon fiber bikes are a huge leap forward in speed, agility, and comfort. I'll just keep Blue and use her as my scapegoat every time Gary smokes me on a ride.
I digress.
There is a new bike in the house! In honor of the newest bike rider in the family, who outgrew her old bike before she ever really learned how to ride it, we've added another bike to the rack. That makes 6 active bikes, as well as several others hanging in the shed, for 3 riders. Yes, we realize we have a problem, but we don't care. People collect all kinds of stuff. Give me one good reason why Hummels are a better collecting choice than bikes. *silence* Yeah, I thought so.
Again, I digress.
Madi's birthday is next month, and since she's now been riding a bike for all of 4 weeks (not kidding), all she wants is a new bike. Gary and I want her to have a fighting chance of keeping up with us on rides, so a discount-store bike wasn't going to cut it. We didn't, however, want to put a top-notch bike in the hands of someone so young... after all, we all know how kids treat bikes.
So, after much searching and many, many test rides, I found a (new) 2010 Trek Skye S on clearance for a reasonable price that also met Madi's exacting specifications - it had to be fast, and it had to be blue.
Here's our girl on her new bike.
I want to point out that this is a women's bike, and not even the smallest frame size. The picture below compares it to my (red) mountain bike. Obviously, the geometry is different, but Madi's bike fits me fine when you raise the seat. The truly sobering knowledge is that this bike will likely be too small when she's fully grown. Sigh.
Here's her current bike (on the left) parked next to her new bike.
I am filled-to-the-top with happiness.
One of my greatest disappointments as a parent was that, in spite of my love of cycling, neither of my children were interested enough to even bother to learn how to ride a bike. It just seems so basic for a kid to ride a bike, and it always broke my heart that I couldn't share my passion.
But now, in a few short weeks, all of that has changed - for half my children, at least. It is ironic that Madi literally learned to ride the day after I damaged my knee, putting my cycling on hold, but at least she's been able to ride with her dad.
I'm SO looking forward to the day when I can get back in the saddle and have some fun rides with my not-so-little girl!
*sulk*
But, truth be told, I love Old Blue, and I'll be OK - as long as I never allow myself to ride a current-generation road bike. According to the owner of the LBS (local bike store), Blue was primo in her day, but today's carbon fiber bikes are a huge leap forward in speed, agility, and comfort. I'll just keep Blue and use her as my scapegoat every time Gary smokes me on a ride.
I digress.
There is a new bike in the house! In honor of the newest bike rider in the family, who outgrew her old bike before she ever really learned how to ride it, we've added another bike to the rack. That makes 6 active bikes, as well as several others hanging in the shed, for 3 riders. Yes, we realize we have a problem, but we don't care. People collect all kinds of stuff. Give me one good reason why Hummels are a better collecting choice than bikes. *silence* Yeah, I thought so.
Again, I digress.
Madi's birthday is next month, and since she's now been riding a bike for all of 4 weeks (not kidding), all she wants is a new bike. Gary and I want her to have a fighting chance of keeping up with us on rides, so a discount-store bike wasn't going to cut it. We didn't, however, want to put a top-notch bike in the hands of someone so young... after all, we all know how kids treat bikes.
So, after much searching and many, many test rides, I found a (new) 2010 Trek Skye S on clearance for a reasonable price that also met Madi's exacting specifications - it had to be fast, and it had to be blue.
Here's our girl on her new bike.
I want to point out that this is a women's bike, and not even the smallest frame size. The picture below compares it to my (red) mountain bike. Obviously, the geometry is different, but Madi's bike fits me fine when you raise the seat. The truly sobering knowledge is that this bike will likely be too small when she's fully grown. Sigh.
Here's her current bike (on the left) parked next to her new bike.
I am filled-to-the-top with happiness.
One of my greatest disappointments as a parent was that, in spite of my love of cycling, neither of my children were interested enough to even bother to learn how to ride a bike. It just seems so basic for a kid to ride a bike, and it always broke my heart that I couldn't share my passion.
But now, in a few short weeks, all of that has changed - for half my children, at least. It is ironic that Madi literally learned to ride the day after I damaged my knee, putting my cycling on hold, but at least she's been able to ride with her dad.
I'm SO looking forward to the day when I can get back in the saddle and have some fun rides with my not-so-little girl!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
New Glasses!
Last month, Sarah lost her glasses.
More truthfully, I probably lost her glasses. Either way, they're gone. They are nowhere to be found, and believe me, I TRIED.
I had always wondered, upon seeing eyeglasses in lost-and-found bins, how someone could actually LOSE their glasses. Now I know. Just another way that having kids opens your eyes to how the world really works.
This has been a drama of epic proportions. With the exception of a brief break while we were on vacation (cousins are a wonderful distraction), Sarah has mourned the loss of her glasses with a passion that (I can only imagine) rivals the loss of a beloved family pet or close friend. Several times a day, every day, we revisit the issue.
She seems to have difficulty with the definition of "lost". "Sarah, I can't tell you where they are, because I don't know where they are. That's what 'lost' means!" This explanation is almost always followed by weeping (hers), wailing (mine), and eventually a commandment to go find them. Then the loop starts again.
It's been miserable for both of us.
Patience growing thin, I finally admitted to myself that the glasses were not going to reappear. I needed to bite the bullet and get new ones. It had been almost a year since her last exam, so I made an appointment with the eye doctor. She did NOT want to go. She did NOT want new glasses. She wanted the same frames which were, of course, discontinued at the time she selected them 4 years ago. We had been living on borrowed time anyway, since the optician had told us that the frames were no longer strong enough to survive yet another set of lenses. I knew that I needed to tackle this problem.
Remarkably, even while declaring that she did NOT want new glasses, on the day of the exam she went into the optical shop and started trying on frames. When she said she liked the ones pictured below, I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief.
Here's a closeup of the temple. (The white band is the price tag.)
So cute! There was definitely Divine Intervention involved, because really, it was too easy. She did break down once while I was handling the paperwork and purchasing details, but I was able to keep her reasonably calm with the help of the wonderfully distracting iPad.
Thankfully, the doctor was quite firm with her that she needed to wear them ALL THE TIME, not just when she's in school. That should help with keeping track of them; she's always been very good about putting them on her nightstand before bed. The trouble came when she would take them off midday, in someplace other than her room.
Of course, it will take about a week to get the new glasses made, but hopefully, knowing that glasses are on the way will help in her grieving cycle.
postscript: it's been about a week since her exam, and she really hasn't mentioned much about her glasses, except to ask when they will be in. !!! :)
More truthfully, I probably lost her glasses. Either way, they're gone. They are nowhere to be found, and believe me, I TRIED.
I had always wondered, upon seeing eyeglasses in lost-and-found bins, how someone could actually LOSE their glasses. Now I know. Just another way that having kids opens your eyes to how the world really works.
This has been a drama of epic proportions. With the exception of a brief break while we were on vacation (cousins are a wonderful distraction), Sarah has mourned the loss of her glasses with a passion that (I can only imagine) rivals the loss of a beloved family pet or close friend. Several times a day, every day, we revisit the issue.
She seems to have difficulty with the definition of "lost". "Sarah, I can't tell you where they are, because I don't know where they are. That's what 'lost' means!" This explanation is almost always followed by weeping (hers), wailing (mine), and eventually a commandment to go find them. Then the loop starts again.
It's been miserable for both of us.
Patience growing thin, I finally admitted to myself that the glasses were not going to reappear. I needed to bite the bullet and get new ones. It had been almost a year since her last exam, so I made an appointment with the eye doctor. She did NOT want to go. She did NOT want new glasses. She wanted the same frames which were, of course, discontinued at the time she selected them 4 years ago. We had been living on borrowed time anyway, since the optician had told us that the frames were no longer strong enough to survive yet another set of lenses. I knew that I needed to tackle this problem.
Remarkably, even while declaring that she did NOT want new glasses, on the day of the exam she went into the optical shop and started trying on frames. When she said she liked the ones pictured below, I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief.
Here's a closeup of the temple. (The white band is the price tag.)
So cute! There was definitely Divine Intervention involved, because really, it was too easy. She did break down once while I was handling the paperwork and purchasing details, but I was able to keep her reasonably calm with the help of the wonderfully distracting iPad.
Thankfully, the doctor was quite firm with her that she needed to wear them ALL THE TIME, not just when she's in school. That should help with keeping track of them; she's always been very good about putting them on her nightstand before bed. The trouble came when she would take them off midday, in someplace other than her room.
Of course, it will take about a week to get the new glasses made, but hopefully, knowing that glasses are on the way will help in her grieving cycle.
postscript: it's been about a week since her exam, and she really hasn't mentioned much about her glasses, except to ask when they will be in. !!! :)
Friday, July 8, 2011
I actually cooked dinner!
Last week, in Wyoming of all places, Gary introduced me to Qdoba, a Mexican fast food restaurant that he often visits when he travels. Turns out, there are even some here in the Twin Cities, just not in my normal stomping grounds.
I had the super incredible Naked Mango Salad. The "super incredible" is my descriptor, and lest you get all kinds of crazy thoughts, "Naked" means that they omit the tortilla bowl (which I'm sure would have been delicious, but not very healthy). I still dream about that fresh mango salsa. Yum!
Anyhoo... the refrigerator contained half a rotisserie chicken and loads of fresh lettuce from our garden that were begging to be eaten, so I decided to look to Qdoba for inspiration for tonight's dinner, and create my own version of the Naked Burrito.
Yes, I not only cooked dinner, but actually used recipes and some creativity! Circle this day in red, people. It doesn't happen often. :)
Listed below are the basic ingredients; combine them in whatever proportions please you. Gary likes to cover his bowl with plastic wrap and shake to combine. I just stir with a fork. However you prepare it, your taste buds will thank you! You could, of course, combine the same ingredients in a warm flour tortilla to make a regular (clothed? non-naked?) burrito.
The best part about this meal is that all of the components can be prepared in advance and then reheated at dinner time. Combined with the tasty flavors (which, of course, my kids HATE) this makes for a meal that is sure to grace our table often. Enjoy!
Adobo Chicken
Cumin Black Beans
Cilantro-Lime Rice
Leaf lettuce blend
Salsa*
Shredded Mexican cheese blend
*Because I had absolutely no time or energy to make fresh salsa, I used canned peach salsa. It was good, but a fresh salsa would really make this dish shine. I need to convince Gary to make a batch of Qdoba's fresh Mango Salsa. Salsa is his specialty, after all, and the main reason he plants a garden each year!
RECIPES:
Adobo Chicken
Shredded, cooked chicken
Adobo marinade
Add enough marinade to coat shredded, cooked chicken; refrigerate for several hours. To serve - warm in skillet over medium-low heat until heated through.
Quick Adobo Marinade (from Qdoba's Facebook page)
7 oz can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp Mexican oregano (yes, it's different from standard "Mediterranean" oregano)
2 T. lime juice
Combine all ingredients in food processor, process until smooth.
Cumin Black Beans
1 can black beans, undrained
pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 clove garlic, crushed/chopped fine
1 bay leaf
Combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving. To serve - warm gently on stove.
Cilantro-Lime Rice (modified from Allrecipes.com)
1 cup Basmati rice
2 scant cups water
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 T. lime juice
Rinse the rice in water, then add to small stockpot with water and EVOO. Cover and heat on high until water begins to boil. Immediately turn to low heat and cook for 17 minutes.
Remove cover, stir rice. Cook for additional minute if rice is too wet. Add cilantro and lime juice, toss to coat.
I had the super incredible Naked Mango Salad. The "super incredible" is my descriptor, and lest you get all kinds of crazy thoughts, "Naked" means that they omit the tortilla bowl (which I'm sure would have been delicious, but not very healthy). I still dream about that fresh mango salsa. Yum!
Anyhoo... the refrigerator contained half a rotisserie chicken and loads of fresh lettuce from our garden that were begging to be eaten, so I decided to look to Qdoba for inspiration for tonight's dinner, and create my own version of the Naked Burrito.
Yes, I not only cooked dinner, but actually used recipes and some creativity! Circle this day in red, people. It doesn't happen often. :)
Listed below are the basic ingredients; combine them in whatever proportions please you. Gary likes to cover his bowl with plastic wrap and shake to combine. I just stir with a fork. However you prepare it, your taste buds will thank you! You could, of course, combine the same ingredients in a warm flour tortilla to make a regular (clothed? non-naked?) burrito.
The best part about this meal is that all of the components can be prepared in advance and then reheated at dinner time. Combined with the tasty flavors (which, of course, my kids HATE) this makes for a meal that is sure to grace our table often. Enjoy!
Adobo Chicken
Cumin Black Beans
Cilantro-Lime Rice
Leaf lettuce blend
Salsa*
Shredded Mexican cheese blend
*Because I had absolutely no time or energy to make fresh salsa, I used canned peach salsa. It was good, but a fresh salsa would really make this dish shine. I need to convince Gary to make a batch of Qdoba's fresh Mango Salsa. Salsa is his specialty, after all, and the main reason he plants a garden each year!
RECIPES:
Adobo Chicken
Shredded, cooked chicken
Adobo marinade
Add enough marinade to coat shredded, cooked chicken; refrigerate for several hours. To serve - warm in skillet over medium-low heat until heated through.
Quick Adobo Marinade (from Qdoba's Facebook page)
7 oz can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp Mexican oregano (yes, it's different from standard "Mediterranean" oregano)
2 T. lime juice
Combine all ingredients in food processor, process until smooth.
Cumin Black Beans
1 can black beans, undrained
pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 clove garlic, crushed/chopped fine
1 bay leaf
Combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving. To serve - warm gently on stove.
Cilantro-Lime Rice (modified from Allrecipes.com)
1 cup Basmati rice
2 scant cups water
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 T. lime juice
Rinse the rice in water, then add to small stockpot with water and EVOO. Cover and heat on high until water begins to boil. Immediately turn to low heat and cook for 17 minutes.
Remove cover, stir rice. Cook for additional minute if rice is too wet. Add cilantro and lime juice, toss to coat.
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