the hideous photo that was my wake up call

Have you ever hit rock bottom? Have you been that mom who is burning the candle at both ends? I have. I was… no, I am. {This is the post I referenced earlier, when I said I was going to share the "really great thing". The post has been sitting in draft form for, oh, a few weeks. Anyway, this is it. No, not this photo. But it's the photo that started something positive...}

The photo above was the one photo that I am in from our family trip to my in-laws at Christmas. It rained all week, and we'd taken the kids bowling. It's not my best photo. {Achem, by a long shot.} In fact, when my mother-in-law emailed it to me in a batch of nice ones of the kids, my husband and themselves, my first reaction was, "Are you kidding me? Who sends a totally unflattering picture like that to someone?" And at first I was completely annoyed with her. I mean, really, who does that?

And then, I realized that, while completely unflattering, if I was honest with myself, this photo also summed up the way I was feeling-- and to some extent still feel. Bloated. I'm trying to put on a happy face, but I'm exhausted. I don't feel pretty. No, I definitely don't feel pretty. My clothing is too tight, but I refuse to go buy anything new in a bigger size. So, instead I wear loose tops to cover my muffin top, and big necklaces to hopefully distract you from the butt that's gotten big sitting in front of a computer working from home. I'll eat and drink anything I please, because I'm already so far gone that it doesn't matter. Which, of course, simply perpetuates things.

But this is not the mom and wife I want to be. I miss feeling good. I miss feeling pretty, and energetic, and clear-headed. I know there's a way to dig out… but sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to realize you want to change things. 

I know how to take care of myself. Or at least I think I do. It's been a while… 

I know what I should be eating. Or, at least I know what I shouldn't be eating… but oh those cookies/chips/pick your sugary/floury/processed vice, they call my name. 

Anyway, this isn't a pity post. I let myself go, lost sight of priorities, and got myself in this pickle. And it sucks. And now I'm going to have to get myself out. 

 

These first few weeks, I've been trying to get the wheels back on the bus on my own. It's taken discipline, creativity, research and planning. I've made it delicious, but I'd be lying if I said it was easy. I've kind of ebbed and flowed, which is why I put my name in the hat when I heard Mark Hyman MD was looking for a few bloggers to beta test his new 10-Day Detox {available for pre-order now, due to be released on February 25, 2014}. And he picked me. We start Monday, and I can't decide if I am absolutely thrilled or slightly terrified? What I do know is that I really want to feel happy, energetic and svelte again. And I hope this helps get me there.      

P.S. I debated whether to share this personal story with you at all, since the expectation is that this blog will focus on make-ahead meals {and besides, who wants a hideous photo like that floating around?}. But the notion that I do it all, and do it well, is sometimes smoke and mirrors. I can stock a freezer like nobody's business, but I struggle, just like many of you may have at some point in motherhood, to juggle it all. So, consider this a "coming clean" post, on many levels. 

Take me to Day 1 of the Detox!

Note: I was given an advance copy of The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox, and given the opportunity to participate in daily calls with Dr. Hyman, and/or an RD from Dr. Hyman's staff, and a life coach from The Handel Group, as part of my chance to review the book. I was not compensated in any other way for participating in the program, and all opinions are my own. The above links will take you to Amazon. When you click, it takes you to their website, and anything you purchase there will help support swellmom and the full plate blog. Thanks in advance for the support.

another snow day on the horizon? put the day to great use and stock your freezer with family dinners!

The news is all abuzz with the latest winter storm coming our way, which in our town means one thing: another snow day for the kiddos. Fret? No. Plan ahead? Yes. After a lazy day spent as a family playing lots of "Settlers of Catan", tonight we enjoyed the last container of Mediterranean Beef Stew {pictured above-- "fancy" family dinner in our dining room, which in reality was just the aforementioned Mediterranean Beef Stew from our homemade freezer stash + Seeds of Change brown rice/quinoa blend + arugula salad with my favorite lemon vinaigrette but note to self: it's funny how the manners change when we walk 5 feet from the kitchen table to the dining room table and I light a few candles…anyway, dinner was "made" in the 15 minutes it took to defrost the beef stew}.

With many a ski weekend ahead, and a kind of nutty winter schedule of chauffeuring to tennis lessons, tae kwon do, and robotics team right up until dinnertime, I could use a few more nourishing family meals everyone loves at the ready. So, in anticipation of the next storm/possible snow day, I've whipped out my freezer-friendly recipes and I'll be filling my grocery cart, so if we're holed up Wednesday, at least I can crank Zac Brown up and put the day to good use restocking our freezer stash.

Want to join me? The "Stock Your Freezer in a Snap" program is an instant download, meaning that there's time for you to purchase it, print it, and put this week's snow day to excellent use too! So, what are you waiting for? The 5am call from school? Come on, join us and make the most of a snow day!

healthy dip idea: black bean hummus

Don't want to derail your new year's healthy habits during upcoming football gatherings? Or maybe you're hosting book club and are looking for a casual crowd-pleasing appetizer that you can quickly whip up between ice hockey chauffeuring and bedtime stories? In my case, I wanted a healthy, protein-packed after school snack that I could have on hand when the kids tumbled off the bus… but since then, this dip has graced Super Bowl spreads and mom's nights out! I recently shared it with shoppers at our local market, to rave reviews.

It requires just a few ingredients: black beans, tahini, garlic, jalapeño (optional), cilantro (you can substitute parsley if you're one who doesn't like cilantro), scallions and fresh lime juice.

Pop all of the ingredients into a food processor, and pulse to desired consistency. You can add water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, to thin the dip to desired consistency, then salt and pepper to desired taste. So easy!

Black Bean Hummus
(makes about 2 cups)

15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
2-4 cloves garlic
1 jalapeño, seeded (optional)
2 limes, juiced
1 bunch of scallions, white parts only (about 1/4 cup)
2 Tablespoons tahini (sesame paste, usually found by nut butters)
water (to thin, optional)
salt & pepper, to taste

Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse to desired consistency. Will keep, in an air-tight container, for several days in the fridge. 

Serve with sliced veggies or pita chips… or both. This is a healthy, crowd-pleasing appetizer-- and nourishing after school snack. Hope your family enjoys it as much as I family does!  -Eila

what I'm reading right now...

It's been a little quiet on the blog, hasn't it? I have a really great-- and pretty darn personal-- post to share soon. Maybe. Depending upon how it works out. I need another week to make sure I'm on track...

In the meantime, here's a little peek into what's stacked up on my bedside table {alongside the angel pillow my younger son made in school a few years ago and recently re gifted}. While I haven't been blogging too much since the New Year, I have been reading a lot. Here's what's in the current stack, top to bottom:
Hands Free Mama
The Little Book of Thin
Me Before You
Beat The Market
and
In The Kitchen With Westy (a local school fundraising project that I participated in)

Looking for other book ideas? Here are some of the other books I've recently read and enjoyed, and here are the ones I hope to get to.

What are you reading now? Do you have other suggestions I should add to my "can't wait to read" list?

This contains amazon affiliate links, meaning the amazon price is the same to you, but The Full Plate Blog earns a small commission of sales, which go towards operating expenses of the blog. If you plan to make a purchase, thank you for considering doing so via these amazon links!

perfect New Year's Eve

Cheers and Happy New Year to all! I hope that you had a fabulous end to 2013. After an apres ski beer  out with friends, we enjoyed a cozy dinner in last night. I made everything ahead of time, which allowed me to

ski all day

warm up

and play a ferocious three generation game of Mexican Train before we sat down to eat together.

I'd made and/or prepped everything ahead of time, so all I had to do was toss the salad {one of my favs, particularly on a chilly winter day: jicama, mango with a lime vinaigrette}.

Then I put a bunch of toppings out,

and we all enjoyed a test-run on my Winter White Chili. It was so, so good. A total keeper, which is great because I'm trying to come up with more top-notch, freezer-friendly meals to add to the current "Stock Your Freezer in a Snap" batch of crowd-pleasers.

It was a perfect, casual New Year's Eve meal-- great for any time you want to feed a crowd, big or small, and get the cooking done ahead of time. Here's a link to other freezer-friendly meals and resources I've jotted down here on the blog, in case you're looking for some make-ahead meal inspiration as we head into 2014. Cheers!       - Eila

spread the joy of a freezer stocked with in a snap!

I am beyond thrilled that so many families will be stocking their freezers and sitting down to family dinners in the new year. {But really, it's the collective number of "bonus hours" that will be enjoyed across the country that make this busy mom smile!}

For those that may have missed the exciting announcement, the 2-for-1 offer runs through December 31st, 2013! You can spread the joy to a friend, relative, co-worker… anyone who you know wants to sit down to family dinners in the New Year, but needs a plan that includes simple family-friendly recipes, done-for-you shopping lists, and an easy-to-follow plan. Click here for all of the details. 

Cheers to the happiest of holidays, and freezers overflowing with deliciousness!  - Eila

easy holiday appetizer: red and green antipasto tartlets

What's that? You have guests coming over and you want an easy app to have on hand? Or... you've been asked to bring a little something to the neighbor's holiday soiree? Well, between the cheesy broccoli puffs I shared earlier this week, and now this simple festive app, I've got you covered! Originally shared with the shoppers at Walter Stewart's, our fabulous local market market, this one's a keeper b/c it's so easy, and everyone LOVES it. Plus, so festive, right?

Another bonus: this is a great cooking project that the kids can help make.

Red and Green Antipasto Tartlets

• chive cream cheese
• mini phyllo cups (which are in the frozen section of your market)
• dry salami
• small fresh mozzarella balls
• red and/or green pesto

While you are preheating the oven to 350, pop a little dollop of chive cream cheese in the bottom of each phyllo cup. Then place a thin slice of dry salami on that (the cream cheese will help hold it in place), and gently press a small fresh mozzarella ball into the center. Bake the cups on the middle rack, for about 8-10 minutes, until the phyllo shell is crisp and the cheese is melted. Then place a small dollop of red and/or green pesto on each piece. These may be served warm or room temp. 

The search function here on the blog is still not working well, so here's a link to all of the appetizer posts, and as always, don't hesitate to reach out if there's a recipe you need help locating. I can probably quickly dig up the link for you!!  Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season! - Eila

the gift of a stocked freezer! {two-for-one special holiday offer}

Wondering what thoughtful gift you could give that would truly bring joy and ease into someones busy life?

I recently stopped by a friend's home who is doing the "Stock Your Freezer in a Snap" program, and she excitedly showed off her stocked freezer.

Later that same day, another friend texted me this photo of her freezer jam-packed with deliciousness.

Which got me to thinking, as I restocked my own freezer with a few of our all-time favorite recipes... In this time of giving, wouldn't it be nice to give a friend, relative or co-worker  the know-how to stock their freezer with nourishing, delicious meals? So, I am offering a very special holiday promotion to my Full Plate blog readers: for every person who purchases the "Stock Your Freezer in a Snap" program {$49.99} between now and December 31st, 2013, you will have the chance to give an instant download of the same easy-to-follow cook ahead program to one friend, co-worker, or family member as well!

This two-for-one special is guaranteed to make your life easier, and bring a tremendous amount of joy into someone else's busy life!

The fine print: upon receipt of payment, you will be sent a link, from SendOwl, to download the complete program {which includes: done-for-you shopping lists, helpful packaging information, simple recipes laid out in manageable cooking days, and a set of my tried-and-true personal chef recipes that freeze beautifully-- more info on the recipes can be found here}. I will then reach out to you, within 48 hours, for the email address of your friend, relative or co-worker, and have a complimentary download sent to them, entitled "Gift Download of the 'Stock Your Freezer in a Snap' program". You will also receive an email, from me, which will describe the program, which you can either print out and wrap, or email to your gift recipient, so they know the download is from you!

So if you have been on the fence, now is the time to purchase the program and look forward to a New Year of nourishing, delicious family dinners... even on the busiest of days. Happy Holidays!!

recipe testing + my list of stocking stuffer and children's gift ideas

I'm recipe testing this week {insert wild applause}, and while test-running the next batch of freezer-friendly family meals, am finding myself with lots of "bonus hours" as I simulate the reheating of all of these new recipes... so you all can recreate them perfectly in your own home kitchens.

Today, while baking a frozen batch of kale-stuffed pasta with roasted pepper cheese sauce, I did some holiday shopping online, and put together a list of stocking stuffer ideas. These are the small{ish} gifts Santa has brought the kids over the years, that were-- and continue to be-- total hits. I'm also passing along my amazon affiliate links to favorite gifts given to the kids, in case you'd like some ideas. I hope that between sharing some made-ahead meals or tried and true gift ideas, I might help you accrue some bonus hours in your weeks ahead too. Enjoy!    - Eila

elf antics

our Elf helps me out during the week, but apparently she needs to be clear on the timing expectations...

oops. well, that's what happens when she's left in a super messy art area for 2 days. the girl got hungry...

{must be accompanied by loud thumping drum music when the kids come in from playing, or the whole drum circle thing will be totally lost on one of them, and he'll think "the elf is trying to teach the dinosaurs how to eat marshmallows with chopsticks"}

and... this is what happens when you ask your husband to do something with the elf before he goes to bed

mozzarella and kale pesto grilled cheese

Remember all of that power green-almond pesto I made a few weeks back?

Well, a small tub of it it became a super easy, total hit dinner the other night.

LaBrea whole wheat bread + a thick spread of my kale-almond pesto + some fresh mozzarella. Laid each sandwich on a rimmed baking sheet and baked them in a 375 oven until golden brown and crispy on the outside {flipping halfway}.

Served with a cup of store-made Zucchini Soup I picked up at our local market. Bliss. Everyone loved it. So easy. Nourishing. Delicious. My recipe for power green-almond pesto is here, kale-walnut pesto is here, and there is an easy pesto recipe included in the Stock Your Freezer in a Snap program too.