Best New Recipes of 2012

This year has seen some changes in our diet; basically, we've been talking for a while about how to incorporate more vegetables and grains into the mix; but actually making it happen was much more difficult. One day I was at a Relief Society activity at the cannery with some friends from a former ward; as I chatted with one of them, Barb, she was telling me how she and her husband started eating a full plant-based diet. It started as an experiment, and they ended up liking it so much they have stuck with it. She recommended some books and documentaries (Forks over Knives). Then, as often happens, I started finding other friends who were doing the same--or at least, moving in that direction. Barb challenged me to take a mental note of all the things I ate that were somehow animal-product related. It really was quite eye-opening. I have to say: I don't have ANYTHING against eating animals (mmmmm, steak...). But it was surprising to see just how much of what I ate was from an animal.

Anyway. We are plant-based eaters (vegans, but it's such an awful, cult-inspiring word that I prefer plant-based, especially since for us it's just a dietary thing, not an entire lifestyle) on weekdays and omnivores on weekends. It just works out for us--and I love it! It's still an experiment, and definitely a challenge to find things that are both plant-based and taste good without freaky ingredients. Seitan, anyone? No, thank you. The other dietary change was that we wanted to eat more whole, non-processed foods as well. Soy and other protein substitutes all seem sort of "Martians ate my brain" kind of creepy. I'd rather eat something "real," like beef than something like tempeh (perhaps I'm not open-minded enough; but I really think it's got to be crazy-bad voodoo to eat something called "seitan." Just sayin'...). Also, I'm much more concerned with eliminating animal fats and proteins than in eliminating animal carbs (honey).

ANYWAY. If you want all the gory details, you can e-mail me. I only mention it, because it's probably reflected in the choices below. And before you start thinking, "Ew. Lentils?" Seriously. It looks like a hot mess, but it is GOOD. Not just for a "vegan" recipe, but for any recipe. I think I've said quite enough. Shall we get on with it?

1. Banana Oatmeal Smoothie. My new breakfast staple, even though it has dairy. I use 1 TB almond butter instead of almonds--and I add cocoa powder (1 tsp is just a few cals, and you don't need to add any extra sweetener) and cinnamon, because it just tastes better that way.

2. Slow-cooker lentils from OBB. Seriously. I've always appreciated lentils, but I had no idea they could taste this good. Seriously. If I'd been alone when I first tried them, I might have cried. Seriously. We're talking straight-to-your-heart comfort food right here that is less than 100 cals/serving. I serve it with coconut jasmine rice (add 1/2 can coconut milk and 1 tsp ginger per 4 servings of rice). I can't even describe what it does to my mouth when I eat it, but it's like my taste buds light up like fireworks the way they do when I eat a chocolate chip cookie, and I can tell my brain is responding to it the same way. I don't understand it. I just know that's the way it is. Plus, it's a great way to sneak in spinach.

3. Spicy Honey Chicken. This was a big hit during the summer months. This year, we used the grill a ton, and this was part of the regular rotation. I toned down both the heat and the vinegar, but this is sincerely amazing. 

4. Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. The buck stops here, folks. My friend Kate and I have both been on the hunt for the perfect CCC. I have tried several recipes (thanks to Pinterest), and I really don't feel the need to try anymore. Which is saying a lot. Even the NY Times recipe can't hold a candle to these delectable babies. They embody what is (to me) perfection in CCC-dom: they are sturdy yet soft and gooey; the cookie part tastes more like caramel than flower--and if you use dark or semi-sweet chips, they won't taste too sweet. The flavor is wonderfully complex. 

5. Vanilla Roasted Pears. One word: YUM.

6. Multigrain Bread. Has become another regular part of our rotation. A wonderful way to get a diversity of grains into your diet. This recipe had been sitting on my Pinterest board for ages and ages; when I finally tried it, it just blew me away.

7. Baked Eggs w/Tomato and Parm. These were sooooo satisfying. A great dish if you're doing brunch or breakfast for dinner. Next time, though, I think I'd mix all the ingredients except the tomato into a bowl; beat the eggs; then pour the mixture into the ramekins. Then I'd top with the tomato (which I'd chop up) and bake it.

Also, I need to print a corrx; last year, I posted a tomato soup recipe as a "best" then gave you a link to the wrong recipe. If you made it and (like me) thought it tasted like feet, I apologize. This is the correct one. I made it again last night, and it is indeed fantastic.

What were your favorite new recipes of 2012?

Some Holiday Lovelies for Inspiration

On one hand, Pinterest often seems to whittle life down to a series of never-ending to-do lists and never-satisfied to-purchase lists. It can be easy to be overwhelmed by the numerous ways one could look/do/be better.

On the other (and more dominant) hand, Pinterest has been enormously helpful to me in defining my sense of style--if I weren't able to collect these images (I was never really one for making collages/binders), then take a step back and view it as a whole, I'd have no idea how to articulate what I like/don't like. It seems funny for someone who works with words to have trouble describing something so basic, but so it is. I'm not (never have been) one of those people who can look at an object and just "know" it fits into my style. I've made a lot of bad clothing/decor purchases in the past--loving something in the moment, getting it home, living in/around it, then positively hating it within days. I used to think I was fickle; now I realize that narrowing my focus a bit and asking myself whether an individual item works within a general image/tone/set of visual values. I've realized that the overall tone and image something inspires is much more important to me than whether I actually really love any specific item. Thinking this way has helped me make much better choices; it would have been impossible without Pinterest. Sometimes I pin things as examples; sometimes I pin things that I don't specifically like, but love what they do to an outfit/space in general. (I think there's a deeper life lesson there, but I'll look for it another day.) Sometimes I pin the impossible, because I find that time on Pinterest is a lot like reading--you don't look for real life as much as you look for the reflection of an ideal; however far away that ideal may be from reality.

Bottom line, Pinterest serves for inspiration, leads you to other people with similar views of the world--and most of all, lets you see what your own individuality is; no one's taste--however similar--will be exactly the same as yours. And that's something worth celebrating. In any case, here are some particularly beautiful things I've discovered recently that have helped me define a greater sense of my personal style. Aren't they pretty???

1. Gold place settings. Yes. Clean lines, bold statement, entirely simple in design, something different from the norm.

2. My favorite color palette. Blues, greens, yellows; calming, inviting. This picture also shows my ideal proportion of patterns to solids. Mostly, I like straight lines and angles; a few curves, even fewer curly-cues. In spite of the straight lines, there's a friendliness and softness that dominates the tone of the space. Also, everything you see serves a practical purpose; no decorative excess=visual nirvana.

3. My favorite spaces to travel are places where I can feel alone, even in a crowd. I like an inward journey as well as an outward adventure. I like places that feel isolationist (even if they are actually crowded with people), almost sacred. Where I can feel that the earth and the people are connected and that God is close at hand.

4. Romantic things. I used to think I'd become too 'pragmatic' to appreciate romantic kinds of things. This is perhaps something that rather has been buried beneath the endless day-to-day needs that seem far from romantic ideals. Example: this necklace. Romantic, earthy. But that sharp tip of the arrow is a no-go around babies, as it would inevitably end up swallowed or in an eye. Am I right? I put these things in my mind on a "someday" shelf. In the meantime, they're on my Pinterest boards to remind me that they are still part of me; just temporarily dormant. Like exotic and romantic trips in #3.

5. Contrast and crisp lines. There is a lot going on here that I appreciate. I love that it's menswear-inspired yet feminine; simple but elegant. There's a big contrast in colors, but those colors are separated by strong lines. Paisleys and such are too confusing for my eye. The colors are often pretty, but usually too complicated. Patterns like polka dots and stripes are good, because they are often also structured (and once again, lend themselves to contrast).

A couple more things. I found this article to be endlessly helpful. Even though it's about design/decor, it applies to wardrobe as well. Also, am I the last person on earth to discover Oh, Joy? Love her!

Thankful, 2012

It is interesting (and ironic, if you know the song I wrote about) that I am sitting down to write this post exactly one year since I wrote this one. This was not a planned coincidence, and yet writing that post has been so much on my mind lately; mostly, I think, because I know there's so much that I did not say then that I was feeling and am feeling still, a whole year later.

Gratitude. It's been a problem lately. I have so very much to be thankful for, and yet I'm having a hard time connecting to those feelings of thankfulness. I am feeling impatient, wanting things exactly the way I want them, right when I want them. Demanding blessings? It's an attitude/temptation that has hung around long enough for me to recognize that it's not only ineffective, but eating away at the better parts of my Spirit. This version of myself was never meant to get so out of control.

But let's leave the confessional before things get too dark and depressing.

Something happened recently that has made me step back and reexamine my blessings; a generous opportunity was made available for me to sort of "fix" one of the things I've felt ungrateful about. I apologize for speaking so cryptically, but specifics aside, the important thing is that it made me realize that there was so much in my unchanged situation to be thankful for--some pretty substantial things that had somehow gotten swallowed up by my list of grievances. I am not naive. I know that things in my life can and will change. But while I've still got them, please indulge me while I wax sentimental and share some of the things I am so very grateful for this year:

*My parents: Their unfailing generosity and appreciation of our circumstances blesses my life daily, hourly, by the minute. Perhaps this is true of all parents, but it nevertheless must be acknowledged that (like my Heavenly parents), there is no blessing in my life that has generated without them. They have given me the means to make my life better--no matter what I may do or accomplish in this life, it will never be without tools they gave me for success.

*Where I live. The Avenues and downtown SLC just might be my favorite places in this world. As much as I love some truly lovely towns in England and the East Coast, Salt Lake City is my city. I have learned here, been heartbroken here, had tremendous fun here, laid foundations here, fell in love here, raised my children here. This is actually the first place in my life I feel like I can call home. I have felt "at home" other places. But here I feel a connection to the actual earth (which I have trodden and climbed) and the stone (which builds up this inspiring city) and the sky (to which I have looked for answers on numerous occasions). I am in the middle of a heated love affair with this particular spot in the world. I spend absent-minded hours during the day dreaming of walking down the various streets in the Avenues, admiring the tall trees, the old homes, the leaves in piles on the sides of the roads, recollecting the crunch underfoot of snails after a rainstorm.

*The stories I am writing. Maybe only writers understand that we are not crazy for talking back to the voices in our heads. That said, some truly wonderful characters have decided to start talking to me (one, in particular, who's been hanging around for ages, has finally decided to open up and tell me more).

*The work that has come my way. A few months ago, I found myself down about not using my set of editing/proofing skills; I was beginning to take those skills for granted, downplaying in my mind just how much I enjoyed them. I even went so far as to caution a friend against going into this line of work. But recently, I've been hired by a generous client who gives me wonderfully interesting and meaningful work (sorry, confidentiality agreement, or I would totally spill the beans!) to proofread. Not only am I rediscovering how much I love to do this, but I feel like the projects I work on will actually make a tangible difference in people's lives. Plus, it helps pay the bills. Word UP.

*My in-laws. When I was single, I was totally terrified of having rotten in-laws; and was pretty convinced that no matter how wonderful they actually were, I would never be satisfied with them, because in comparison with my own family, how could I possibly love another set quite so much? But my in-laws are truly some of the greatest blessings in my life. My MIL/FIL are inspiring examples of charity and dedication to the gospel and its principles. I love them and feel loved by them. And I can't imagine anyone on earth has better sisters-in-law than I do. When I've got a motherhood question, they are generally the first people I go to. They are funny and wise and nonjudgmental, and I love them.

*My trip to New York with my mom. It felt like one giant gulp of fresh air before having to get back into the deep end of a pool; only, instead of feeling like I'm drowning again, I now just feel busy treading water--which is great. I was able to get in touch with grown-up Becca, find some new passions, discover some new places, and spend time with the one woman on this planet that means more to me than any other.

I was reading in Ether 6 earlier today about the Jaredites' passage to the promised land. It was talking about how, at times, their ship would be swallowed up by mountain-sized waves; they sailed around for almost a year before landing in the promised land, all in an air-tight ship, with only a couple stones to see by. One could think and think about the hardships they must have endured: perhaps some of the women were pregnant during all this, or had very young children. Perhaps all the tossing about made them all very seasick. Perhaps they were often bored and stir-crazy. But when the ship landed and they left the boat, they fell to their knees and thanked their god that they'd actually made it. Aside from being a remarkable story of faith and gratitude, this is also a wonderful metaphor for the scope of our lives. I'm sure I don't need to go into detail. But I am grateful for an airtight ship, for light to see by, for the family and friends that surround me. For the Savior who guides my way.

Some Unsolicited Thoughts about Turning 30

I turned 30. It happened. I'm still in denial a bit. The other day I took a survey and realized I was no longer in the "25-29" range; not even in the 20s at all. Shudder. I wonder why the idea of being 30 is so awful to me, when just like that cheesy (and wonderful) Jennifer Garner movie, all I've ever wanted to be is a 30-something. And married to a 30-something. I think it probably has something to do with the fact that I have been carrying around pretty much the same set of insecurities I had when I was a 'tween (again, shudder).

I was lucky enough to be with my family at my parents' for my birthday. Which means that I got to spend the day with the people who mean the very most to me in this life. I was feeling down a couple days before my birthday, wondering if I'd exactly done all the things I wanted to by this time of my life. Wondering if my life meant anything, was good for anything, etc. I don't mean this in an "I'm so depressed" kind of way, but more of an academic, if-someone-were-to-study-my-life-in-a-history-book kind of way. Then, as if on cue, Miss Ada was having a rough evening the night before my birthday, in need of some serious one-on-one "mom" time, which is pretty rare, since she's a daddy's girl (which I love about her). I was about to get upset. I was about to feel put out, that my birthday wasn't going to be all sparkly and perfect--and that once again, there was going to be something I couldn't do because I am a mom. Terrible attitude. But before I could even complete the thought, something else more powerful overrode it. I am needed. Profoundly and intimately needed by my family and especially my children. Because I am their mother, no one on this earth is more important to their well-being than I am.

I am famous on this blog for proclaiming a lack of sentimentality. I blame my English-literature education, particularly my education in poetry. In good writing, overt sentimentality is unforgivable. Nostalgia is never as interesting to anyone else as to the person to whom it belongs. Plus, looking back means opening up yourself to regrets and leads to dangers of living in the past. I worry that looking back will turn me, like Lot's wife, into a pillar of salty bitterness. I do my best, move on, and don't look back (as much as I can).

Anyhow, one night we settled into the family room to watch "the Becca tape," the one my mom so carefully edited together all the clips of my life. I must say that because I generally don't ruminate on my past life experiences, that the experience was a bit surreal. You know how people say they have near-death experiences and see their life flash before their eyes? Like that a little bit. It was immensely rewarding to me to see how my life has taken shape as though I were an outsider looking in. After not looking back for so very long, I felt like I was watching someone else entirely.

 I remember one of my comm professors describing me once as "demure," as one of my strengths--and so ironically, I had no idea what he was talking about until I watched these clips of myself. In fact, I'd say it's a pretty accurate way to describe the Becca that the world tends to see. I really wish I hadn't wasted so very much energy trying not to be as embarrassing on the outside as I felt on the inside. Truly, aside from a few particularly horrendous fashion choices (hello, fanny pack), I really didn't have anything to worry about. I looked just fine. I acted awkwardly like all 'tweens do. I grew out of it. I'm fine. Perhaps the most valuable insight I gained from the experience is that a quiet life of consistently trying to do the right thing (and often succeeding, many thanks to my parents) perhaps does mean more in this world than lives that start, stop, sputter erratically into fantastic and brilliant greatness, decline into dissolution, and make the world wonder which part of the person's life meant the most.

Well. It's not often one has occasion to say, "Hey. Listen to me, I've got something to say." Well. It's my birthday (ish), and I'm 30. So I'm going to hand out some completely unasked-for advice. I hope you'll read it. It's the best of what I have to show for these 30 years so far. It is born of my mistakes and triumphs. I'd say that makes it pretty valuable.

1. Be nice, to everyone. Including yourself.
2. Don't ever wrong-number a member of the opposite sex. As sure as the day is long, he will turn out to be your boyfriend's roommate or your ward member (or, in my case, both).
3. No amount of saved money is worth your conscience; keep your conscience clear and be honest.
4. Except when exercising, chances are you almost always look better than you think you do. To help ensure that this remains true...
5. Avoid extreme trends in your appearance, including extreme boring-ism. Your fluffy, fourth-grade, country-star bangs WILL come back to haunt you, as will attitudinal graphic tees that say things like, "WHATEVER," "I'm with stupid," and "BUM athletic equipment." (Really? Ew.) Also, do not borrow your Barbie's scrunchy.
6. Love in the movies is not love; the real thing will make you impatient (and nevertheless amused) with its on-screen counterfeit.
7. "All you need is love" is completely true--as long as that love is charity, the pure love of Christ; and as long as both members of the marriage are genuinely striving to obtain it.
8. What's funny on TV sitcoms (making fun of people) is NOT funny in real life. Cheap jokes at others' expense usually means you end up laughing alone.
9. "Do not, under any circumstance, belittle a work of fiction by trying to turn it into a carbon copy of real life; what we search for is not so much reality as the epiphany of truth."--Azar Nafisi, Reading Lolita in Tehran. I'll also add that the converse is true: Do not underestimate reality by assuming it plays by the same rules as a piece of fiction.
10. "Who you are" is a fluid concept; tastes and character and personality are a constant work in progress for all people. Figuring out "who you are" is an elusive and futile pursuit. Just decide what's  important to you and live accordingly. "Who you are" will emerge from there.
11. Your mom is right. Someday, you will like tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach.
12. Great literature is great because it espouses eternal truths about Jesus Christ and his gospel while adhering to a strict standard of literary finesse. This is true because--like body and spirit--form and function will always prove to be powerful.
13. Take time to feel grateful every day. I find this happens naturally while sincerely praying, writing in my journal, or studying the words of a prophet.
14. Being well rounded is good. Being good for something in particular is even better.
15. Be gentle with yourself. Surely, God and most of the rest of the world are not criticizing you as harshly as you worry they are.
16. "If you've got it, flaunt it" is the best mindset to feel cheap and trivial.
17. You have a Savior. There is no need for Prince Charming, politics (or politicians), or anyone/anything else. All the "saving" you really need was accomplished some 2,000 years ago; place your faith in him. No substitutes.
18. Don't point out your own flaws. Chances are, people won't notice them so much if you don't. Which leads me to...
19. You teach other people how you ought to be treated. If you're constantly apologizing for your own perceived shortcomings, people will see you as a flaky, unreliable person. What you tell people you are is how they will treat you.
20. Someday, you will die. Stop trying to cheat death and start making the most of what you've got while you've got it. I live in a building full of old people. Some are candid about the fact that they'd like to just die and be done with it. This attitude is only depressing when the person is also not strong enough to get out and about on their own. The truth is at some point you may actually be ready to go. But there is a huge quality-of-life factor that determines just how pleasant that waiting game may be. There is an astonishing difference in an 80-year-old who is very active and one who is not. One man who lives here celebrated his 90th birthday by going skydiving. Trust me, probably the only thing worse than wishing you could die (and not being able to control that) is having to stay in bed all day, left alone with your thoughts while you wait for it to happen.
21. Take lots of pictures and videos of your kids. You'll start forgetting things much sooner than you think.
22. Take your doubts and insecurities in stride. Perhaps they will never go away. But you don't have to give them a listening ear just because they want it.
23. Carve out some time for recreational "laziness." Rest and recreation are essential.
24. "Sacrifice" does not mean always putting yourself last; rather, it means allowing life to be more difficult while you juggle your own needs into the mix. Be willing to do things the hard way.
25. Admit when you are wrong.
26. Give credit, especially to your parents and your spouse.
27. Words matter. So do punctuation, spelling, and verb tense.
28. Get your (especially political) information from a variety of sources. News writers and reporters are crafty people. I was openly taught at the U how to "spin" the facts. Just watch the presidential debates. Neither side thinks they're lying; they've just interpreted "facts" differently. So don't let "the facts" form your opinion. If you're confused about an issue, wondering why the media hasn't addressed issue Y when they've "clearly" explained X and Z, don't assume you're dumb; explore your questions further; there's probably a very good reason why that question has been so sneakily left out.
29. Speak up if you know something to be true; even if it may get you in trouble.
30. Be the voice of confidence in your friends' and family's lives. Often, helping people "see reality" makes people feel like their insecurities are well founded. Usually, helping someone by giving them confidence and support is more helpful than pointing out the various pitfalls they might run into.

So, there you have it. 30 of my life's most valuable insights. Now I'm going to bed. Because if there were a #31 on this list, it would be "Get enough sleep. Life comes at you fast."

I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends

Several weeks ago, my dear friend Katie came to town with her charming kids, a boy W's age and a girl Ada's (works out nicely, no?). She said she wanted me to show her SLC, "Tingey style." It took some thought, but I figured that because of proximity, I ought to show her some of the church sites around here.

Not many people know about the tiny little Brigham Young cemetery park on 1st Avenue. So many people come from all over the country (and the world!) to see Temple Square, but so few know that just a half a block away is the resting place of a beloved prophet (Brigham himself) and a true heroine, Eliza Snow. Several others are buried there as well. W and Winston had heaps of fun exploring, and it turned out to be, um, an excellent opportunity to teach my kids about respecting peoples' (somewhat) eternal resting places. But truly, if you're in the area, this park is definitely worth the small hike up 1st Ave (I say this as if most of the people reading this haven't also lived on 1st Ave... whatever). In addition to the gravestones, there are some beautiful monuments and statues.

We then wandered down to Temple Square. It would have been awesome to show the kids the visitors' centers as well, but we just ended up not having the time, as we also planned on having some lunch. There's a long list of "next times" piling up in my head, Katie, including lunch at the The Garden at the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. The Ws will get a kick out of watching Temple Square from the viewing window--and all the trains running up and down South Temple. Also, seeing the Christus. And a few other things. It'll happen someday.

I hadn't seen Katie pretty much since high school. I was a bit nervous as to how this meeting would go. I'm so glad I didn't chicken out. Katie is a lady through and through, and was so gracious to spare time away from visiting her family. I've been so grateful for her friendship and example.

Here's a pic of us trying to corral the kiddies for a shot in front of the temple: