Migraine

Another one. Lately they've been lasting 48 hours, or two nights. Today I pushed myself to drive 40 minutes for my allergy shots, and was hoping to feel lucid enough to food shop on the way home, but really, really, couldn't do it. (I probably shouldn't have been driving.) I had to come straight home and take more meds, which put me on the couch but didn't really knock the migraine out. The current meds just seem to dull the pain enough for me to almost stand it until the migraine wears itself out. I like Imitrex much, much better but my doctor took me off of it because of the risk of side effects.

My migraines started about 10 years ago. I feel really, really sorry for anyone who has had them since childhood. And unless you've had one, you have no idea how bad they are nor the (temporary) havoc they can wreak on your schedule and life.

Quick Sauteed Spinach

We must eat spinach at least three times a week, especially lately. That's because I've been craving it, which suggests to me I must need whatever nutrients it contains. Spinach is rich in Vitamins K, A, and C, as well as iron. Of course, the old Popeye cartoons spring to mind whenever I make spinach...maybe it will help my biceps and I can lay off the weights!

Prevention magazine printed a tasty spinach recipe a few months ago which I've made several times, and will probably make again tonight. Although the recipe calls for baby spinach leaves, I've successfully used frozen spinach. I know I've mentioned this before, but I always pick up several bags of frozen organic spinach when I food shop. They're an easy way to keep this vegetable handy. And honestly, the spinach E. coli scare of a few years ago makes me a bit squeamish towards fresh spinach.

The Prevention recipe has you saute some sliced garlic in a bit of olive oil for about a minute. Then you add 1/4 cup of raisins and 1/4 cup of chicken broth (you could use water) and cook until broth is evaporated, about 1 or 2 minutes. Add 1 lb. of baby spinach (this amount is flexible, but fresh spinach does cook down to almost nothing), and stir until wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with 2 tsp. of honey.

A Walk Through a Nature Preserve

Today was a lazy Columbus Day. DD18 had school, but the boys were home. We took S13 to the local Audubon Society Sanctuary, although that involved some discussion. He didn't want to come without his brother, but S16 had homework. And I think S13 maybe just doesn't want to hang with his parents...hmmm, a new development for sure.

Anyway, we went and had a lovely, peaceful walk. I don't think we'd been for a few years (shame on us, it's so close by) but life gets busy and we almost never have free time on the weekends anymore. And I'm not a huge fan of the place in the summer, what with the poison ivy and mosquitos and ticks. It's much more interesting in the other seasons.

In the Fall, the leaves are turning and some have already dropped due to our hot summer and stressed trees. The views across the marshes and lake from the boardwalk are clearer with a few less leaves. Today, since it was in the mid-60s, we saw so many turtles sunning themselves on lily pads or rock islands. One island was covered by turtles, and it was funny to watch other turtles swim up and try to climb on, only to fall off back into the water since it was so crowded.

We also saw three huge swans nesting in the woods off the marsh. Once, a few years ago, we had come upon one on a path and it hissed at us as we tried to pass by. They are sort of scary, although beautiful.

A wave of melonchaly came upon me as we walked with S13, remembering all the walks we took when the kids were smaller and in awe of nature. But today I did catch glimpses of the little boy hidden in the big thirteen-year-old body. He couldn't resist tossing sticks into the water and watching them float downstream. And he couldn't help but run off the paths and climb onto the big boulders in the woods and shout excitedly about the view from up there.

We didn't go in to the Nature Center because it was closed, but next time we'll go check out the mini wildlife museum in the basement, with stuffed specimens of local animals. It looked like the building had had some renovation work, and I suspect the museum might have benefitted, too.

We had let our membership lapse, but I will renew now because I'm reminded how precious these places really are and how much they need our support.

Food at College

So D18 is not loving the food at college. I never thought of her as picky, but I think she's evolved into a thoughtful eater. Where is the food coming from? Are the apples local? Anything organic? She toured enough colleges last year to realize these are selling points for some schools, and would like her school to become more sensitive to these issues.

A bigger problem is that the "nut-sensitive" cafeteria has bread with walnuts sharing the same toaster as nut-free bread. And the cream cheese, butter, and jellies aren't individually wrapped, so cross-contamination is a distinct possibility.

I suggested she voice her concerns to various higher-ups, so now she's on a committee to address food issues. Heh. Her school values activists, so I think she's fitting in just fine. She's not sure what the time commitment is yet, but she's raised some valid points that were, surprisingly, never considered before, so she's determined to make a difference. After all, everyone needs to eat and looking forward to mealtime is sometimes the best part of the day (if I'm remembering my college days correctly).

There are some good things about the cafeterias. The fresh fruit smoothies are apparently awesome, and the omelet station uses cage-free eggs if you ask. The stir-fry station has a varied assortment of veggies and sauces, and lots of protein choices. The pasta station is pretty good, too, from what D18 says. Yesterday she discovered that the grill serves turkey burgers along with beef burgers, and she might investigate further to see if veggie burgers are offered, too. Dessert is off-limits, since it's not made in-house and therefore could contain nuts, but the nut-allergic kids make do with soft-serve ice cream when they want something sweet.

Finally Fall

Big sigh of relief....it's finally cooled down here. I think we've had almost five months of hot weather, and we're all sick of it. Dare I say it? I'm even tired of fresh tomatoes. Lately I've been loving squash at every meal, in any form: baked, steamed, mashed with or without butter and brown sugar. I don't think I could live in a place without a change of season. A change in menus, clothing, where to exercise (inside or outdoors), recharges me.

Today it's flu shots for the boys. This year there is no panic, and not even a rush. D18 got her shot easily enough at school, and I'll probably just get one at a local pharmacy. Then fingers crossed for a healthy winter, for all of us.

Back

I'm back, and I'm going to try to re-start this blog. Well, it's always been at the back of my mind, but summer interfered. My computer is in the center of the house, and privacy is nil. And the College Stuff took up a lot of my energy, mostly mental, but it effectively zapped my intentions to keep blogging.

So, quick recap: D18 is safely ensconced in university, and loving it. Mostly, she loves the academics and has immersed herself in her schoolwork. But she's also found the students to be friendly and welcoming, which suits her personality, and she's joined several extra-curricular groups. (Well, her lab partner is the cut-throat pre-med horror story you always heard about, but she's learning to ignore her.) As a a non-judgemental person, she is accepting of all types of people, as long as they are kind. I think she was always like this, but I think her brain tumor experience heightened her sense of what's valuable in humankind.

S17 and S13 are back at it in school and sports, and I'm finding myself at loose ends. I've flirted with the idea of a part-time job, but we're skirting a fine line with financial aid as we look ahead to S17 applying to schools next year. This is an on-going debate in the college parent circle...working or not working, saving or not saving. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

I guess I'll devote more time to this blog if I can and see what transpires as we go forward.

Go-To Meal

Everyone should have a go-to meal...the meal for which you always have the ingredients at hand, and that all family members will eat. Hopefully, it's healthy, economical, and simple to prepare. This is the meal you pull out when you're too tired to think or too busy to cook elaborately.

My go-to meal is pasta with meat sauce and spinach. We like it for its taste (most important with kids), convenience, and ability to fill up teenage boys in a single bound.

There's nothing earth-shattering about my choice, but I do think it marries a kid-favorite with an adult sensibility. I add frozen, organic spinach to the sauce for a good dose of veggie nutrition, as well as color. I also keep small packages of grass-fed chopped meat in my freezer just for this purpose. You don't need a lot of meat for this dish, so better quality meat goes a long way.

I saute the defrosted meat in a splash of wine and olive oil, along with some finely diced onion or even shallot. When nicely browned, I add a can or two of diced tomatoes. Of course, you could add fresh tomatoes this time of year, but this recipe is about convenience. Add a pinch of sugar (to cut the acidity of the tomatoes, if necessary). A leftover rind of grated Parmesan or Romano cheese is good, too. I keep the rinds in a bag in the fridge...they are good for flavoring soup, also.

Bring sauce to a simmer, and cook as long as possible. The longer you let this simmer, the more flavor it will develop. Add a bag or two of chopped, frozen spinach near the end of the cooking time, and reheat until simmering again. Serve over pasta, preferably whole grain.

Today is one of those days. I know I will not feel like thinking about dinner eight hours from now, so this sauce is simmering along while I Get Things Done.

Still Hot

Well, there's a brief break today in the form of downpours. But the heat and humidity have been relentless and zaps my energy. Even the kids are tired of it. No one even wants to go to the beach, preferring to stay home in the air conditioning. Something's wrong when it's so hot you don't even want to be out during the only time of the year you can really be out.

Oh, I know, other people deal with extreme heat all the time, but if you're not used to it, it's a tough adjustment.

Still, it feels like the summer is flying by, and we're not really capturing all of it. Perhaps that's just my issue, and maybe everyone else is just living every moment fully. Or maybe it's just that I'm starting to see fall catalogues show up in the mail and back to school sales in the flyers, and it just adds to the sense that time is so fleeting. Why does our society always yearn for the next thing, as opposed to staying in the present? (I would add that a lot of parents are like that too, rushing the next milestone--boy/girl parties, for example, for preteens!--instead of enjoying the very brief time of childhood.)

Resuming Knitting

The Heather Hoodie Vest from the Fall 2009 issue of Knitscene has been sitting in the corner of the closet since last fall. I've been feeling a bit guilty at never having finished it, so I pulled it out today and got re-acquainted.

I can't believe I stopped knitting it when I did. (Not sure why I'm surprised...this usually happens to me, stopping a project after finishing almost three quarters of it.) I am half-way through the second front piece, then just have to do the bands and the hood.

I must have gotten tired of it. Or, more likely, I was overwhelmed with the College Application Stuff. I know I shouldn't have been. DD18 is very self-sufficient and never had to be reminded of deadlines. Really, she ran with the whole thing.

But that's the way I am. I get so into life events. Sometimes the fringe activities get pushed aside so I can live and breathe the main event. A little balance would be better, I think, and emotionally healthier. Do you just accept the way you are, or do you fight the tendencies and try to change, at least a little? I'm not sure which is the right answer, and sometimes you only have energy for the one big thing going on in your life, and that's OK, too.

Regardless, I'm determined to finish this project so I can move on to something else. Eventually, it will get cold around here and it's nice to already an already-finished item ready to wear.

Summer Black Bean Salad

Last year I came across this recipe in a book I'd taken out of the library. I can't remember the name of the book, only that the author was one of those famous doctors that claim to turn around health issues by diet changes. Interesting read, I do remember.

I LOVE this recipe. It's fresh, summery, and convenient with a southwest, Mexican taste. I made it yesterday, and should have doubled it because we went through it quickly. It's the perfect salad or even main dish for a hot, summer day.


Black Bean Salad

One 14-ounce can black beans, drained
1 cup sweet corn (frozen or fresh)
2 large ripe tomatoes, cubed; or 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2 teaspoons cumin
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
Juice of 3 limes
Zest of 1 lime

Mix all ingredients together and serve at room temperature or chilled.

The recipe suggest adding a bit of extra virgin olive oil or cubed, cooked chicken to make a complete meal. I never use jalapeno peppers, so I substituted a 1/2 teaspoon of hot red pepper instead.

I forgot how good this salad is, but the start of corn-on-the-cob season around here reminded me. I'm sure I'll be making it weekly for the rest of the summer.

It's Hot

The east coast is currently experiencing a heat wave. We have air conditioning, so we're not suffering terribly. Yesterday we went to the beach, along with a million other people. And it was a holiday, so it was more crowded than usual. It was okay until about noon, when it got very, very crowded. When the walk to the water means having to step on other people's towels, you know it's time to leave.

But we liked this beach a lot...the sand was fine and the water was clear with no seaweed or rocks. A couple of big fish swam by, but that's it. Kind of cool, actually. Nice waves, too. I think we'll return to this beach again. It had a family vibe, and they appeared to be strict about enforcing the rules. Even though I have teenagers, I don't necessarily want to spend lots of time with other people's (badly behaved) teenagers.

Grilling Portabella Mushrooms

Where have they been all my life? I know I'm late to the party, but this year I started buying and grilling portabella mushrooms. Wow. I never really believed the hype...that they were a good substitute for a burger on a bun, that they were meaty, that they were a good source of protein.

It's all true. They have a unique taste and are indeed a good stand-in for a burger. Grilled, the edges are firm yet crispy, and the center is juicy. They have plenty of flavor (not like any other mushroom I've tasted before) and don't even need toppings (but I add them anyway). Of course they are chock full of nutrients, like most other mushrooms. And the protein content does help to fill you up, so you won't really miss the meat.

To grill, simply brush with some olive oil on both sides and place on medium, direct heat. Flip once or twice when grill marks appear...you can't go wrong. If you overcook them, they are still juicy but they'll shrink a bit.

Place on a bun and top (or not) with lettuce, tomatoes, and a dollop of mayo with some horseradish stirred in. Along with the usual grilled fare this fourth of July, I'll be serving these as an option for those of us who prefer to eat a bit lighter and healthier.

Summer Starts

We're starting to get into our summer groove. It takes about a week or so for everyone to figure out how to get along and what to do after nine months spent mostly apart during the day. I like some structure to the day mostly for my own comfort level, but also because I think too much down time leads to boredom and (for DS13) video games.

Not that I think boredom is bad. I think all kids (and even adults) need the time to re-group and think about something different. You can only do that if you have nothing to do. When we are all going 100 mph in different directions, it's hard to re-energize. Sometimes you don't even know how tired you are until everything stops.

Still, we have enough going on in small chunks that the summer will go by too quickly. Today is such a beautiful day here, full of the promise and potential of summer. And yet, I feel a sadness that it will pass quickly as it always does. I remember when the kids were small and the summer days seemed endlessly long and nightfall never came. It was as if we could never get them into bed fast enough after a day of activities, boredom, naps, meals and more meals, arguments, constant supervision, and never feeling as if anything got done. Did I enjoy that time? I don't remember! I know I felt they were growing too fast, and yet not fast enough. I was so tired and it was so much work.

And now it's not so much work and one is poised to leave the house and another is not far behind. Life is not constant and things change, but for now I will enjoy the summer time and try not to think too far ahead. It's all good.

Strawberry Picking

Yesterday we went strawberry picking at a local farm. We love our local farms, and try to support them as often as possible. This one particular farm has been around for a couple of generations, and like most smaller farms, has gone to u-pick and birthday parties in the barn and corn mazes to try and stay afloat. Still, the owners are down-to-earth types, not boutique farmers. (I'm thinking of the type that ditch the corporate world and run what I consider "designer" farms with speciality produce and cute gift "shoppes." Not that there is anything really wrong with that--more credit to them for trying this life--but it seems less authentic to me.) Hmm, that sounds like my immigrant roots are showing.

A few years ago, when I started out on this health journey with my family, I gave up strawberries unless they were local....which means we only eat them for a few weeks in June. I had read so many scary things about imported pesticide-laden strawberries and strawberries from big production farms out west that use migrant workers...things unfit to print. It really grossed me out.

Too bad, because strawberries are such a healthy fruit. A cup of strawberries contains more vitamin C than a cup of orange juice. They are rich in antioxidants and fight inflammation that can lead to a host of diseases.

Local berries usually have more flavor, since they are eaten soon after they are picked (in our case, just 1/2 an hour later!). If there are any left and they start to get too soft, I'll toss them into smoothies or yogurt.

Since the season is so short, we'll try to pick a few times a week and eat our fill. Maybe I'll try freezing some, to use later in the year in muffins or smoothies or even stirred into yogurt. It won't matter much that they'll be mushy after thawing.

Graduation

Graduation came and went. I didn't even cry, although husband did. I don't know, I think I'm sort of cryed out. And this is a good thing. It's good to be here, at this point in time.

Now I'm just trying to plan a graduation party. It's a little stressful since I don't usually throw parties, but it's OK to step outside of my comfort zone. And it's important to acknowledge this especially important milestone and invite the people that have been supportive and kind through our journey.

Now if they would just RSVP already!

Another Mother's Day

Mother's Day came and went and I'm always most grateful for the handmade cards containing thoughts and thanks from the kids. We're not into big gifts for these occasions, preferring token items of affection. Still, the following YouTube video sums it up best for me: it's the ordinary days of motherhood that are most precious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSyCLJU3O0

Bloom Where You're Planted

The Scholarship School won. Well, we thought it would, just because it's too hard to turn down that kind of money. But DD18 has a very soft spot for the The Other School, so she wrote them a nice note declining admission but saying if she wasn't happy she'd reapply and hoped they'd accept her again.

I told her to "bloom where you're planted." But of course, we could always transplant her if necessary. I could not stand to see her unhappy.

Now, my next worry (you knew there would be one, didn't you?) is the roommate selection process. Unless we're still to receive more paperwork, the form only asks three simple housing questions. That doesn't seem right.

And, due to overcrowding, The Scholarship School has forced triples for 30% of the freshmen class. It's hard to remember back to my college days, but as a mother I think that's way too many kids in one small room. Not sure how DD18 will feel, but for now she is not worried. I'm thinking of her health, of course. More germs, less sleep.

This letting go process is very hard. Yes, I am a helicopter parent.

Decisions

We're still trying to decide between The Scholarship School and The Other School. (Well, there's a third attractive option as well as a very attractive waiting list option, but we're putting them out of our minds in order to simplify the decision.)

Seems like a no-brainer to choose The Scholarship School. Guaranteed free tuition for eight semesters as long as her GPA stays above 3.2. She can go abroad for a semester, and it's paid for. She can cross-register at other area colleges, including at The Other School, and it's paid for. She has no work-study. Any scholarships she might receive (which we won't know about until June) can be used towards room and board because of the laws concerning merit aid, which isn't true for grant monies.

The problem is that she loves The Other School. It's a beautiful campus, and some might argue "more elite." It feels like a victory to her to have been accepted, especially after the worries about her brain cancer and some of the possible problems she might have had with cognition. (And might still have, some day in the future.)

But it's so expensive. And we have other kids that will go to college. The math just doesn't make sense. Their view of what we can afford and what they think we can afford are very different. She will still go to its Admitted Students Day (even though I wonder if that's wise), if only to try to convince herself that she's better off at The Scholarship School.

Admitted Students Day

We spent yesterday at The Scholarship School. It was Admitted Students Day, and although DD18 was familiar with the school, it was a chance to see the school in all its glory. Most schools, I think, put their best foot forward for these events. Lawns are mowed, flowers are blooming, and everyone is really nice. They are trying to woo the student, and separate the parents from their hard-earned dollars. Well, that's not our problem here, so we could relax and let them try to impress us.

The Scholarship School is a Geek School. It has no pretensions to coolness, unless it's in a nerdy way. It has few winning sports teams, at least at the moment, so you wouldn't attend this school for its sport scene. But it does pride itself on easy access to professors and opportunities for undergraduate research. I do think DD18 would be happy there...the social pressures would be mimimal and most students enroll for the academics. It does not have a reputation as a party school, although I'm sure parties can be had if you want them.

We have another Admitted Students Day at another school in a few weeks, and then DD18 will have to make a decision. I know she's not looking forward to it...it feels like a life-changing big deal, but I tell her not to stress over it. It's a good problem to have, considering the kinds of problems she could have.

Catch-Up: College

This blog has lagged a bit while we've gone through that agonizing time known as college acceptance season. I haven't talked much about college on here. In general, I haven't let myself think too far ahead. It's just the way I try to stay sane.

After all, last year happened. Just as DD18 approached what is arguably the most critical time in her high school career (second half of junior year), she needed more brain surgery. Her toughest courses were on hold, AP exams were on hold, SAT testing was on hold: we just didn't know how it would play out. But she came through that with grit and determination and plowed through everything doggedly, as if she had a lot to prove. This cancer thing and its hateful side effects were not going to stop her if she had her way.

I think we can breathe now. She did well. She did very well. We are so thankful...in the toughest, most competitive college application year ever, she has very good choices (even great choices). She even has an offer of a full scholarship at one school, where they acknowledged her "significant personal resilience." I cried when I read that.

We never had any expectations...we thought it would work out, that she'd hopefully end up going somewhere close to home. There are a lot of choices around here, and there are a lot of ways to live your life. She didn't lose sleep over this phase in her life. I think she was just going to accept whatever happened. What other choice do any of us really have?

She might have made it look easy. I know she never complains about the hand she's been dealt, and it's been so hard keeping my mouth shut when I listen to other parents whine about the unfairness of certain teachers or coaches or other "obstacles" put in their kids way.

I don't know what the future may bring, but I do know I am very grateful for the opportunities presented to her. And I know she will take full advantage of everything offered her, because she has a deep appreciation for where she's been and how far she's come.