Blog Archives

Soul Searching

10/28/2014

I tend to keep things pretty light-hearted here on Enticing Healthy Eating and mainly focus on the foods, recipes, and healthy lifestyle ideas that I hope inspire my readers. But today I wanted to get a little more personal and just write about a few things that have been weighing heavily on my mind as of late.

Some soul-searching has been occurring over the past few months and the searching hasn't quite lead to what I feel like it's leading me to be found. Not yet. But life is more about the journey than the destination, yes? Or so they say.

I do not have a personal journal I keep at my home to write out my stream of thoughts or insights in, but I do have this little space online.

Bare with me, this will be a long one.

Let's start with a weekend recap, shall we?

Now, don't get me wrong, this weekend was FANTASTIC with a capital "F", all caps, and bolded. It began on Friday with Wade visiting my home here in Northwest Arkansas for the weekend. If you're a new reader, Wade and I are in a long-distance relationship with him living about 3 hours away, closer to central Arkansas. We are celebrating our 4 year dating anniversary next month. Woot!

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It started with a date night dinner at one of my local favorite restaurants, Tusk and Trotter. Wade ordered their Friday special of Fish and Chips while I decided to try the charcuterie board with a side seasonal berry salad.

The charcuterie board did not disappoint with chef's selection of meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, olives, fruit compote, and dijon mustard with fried capers. My first time ordering a charcuterie board and it will not be my last.

Saturday started off with a midday wedding for my good friend, Corissa. The wedding was lovely and had a very laid-back, casual atmosphere in a beautiful location.

Myself and Corissa--the beautiful bride!

Saturday evening was equally relaxing with a homemade dinner of slow-cooked pulled pork, sauteed garlic and onion swiss chard, roasted okra, corn on the cob, and rye bread. Pictures were forgotten, but the meal was enjoyed by my parents, myself, and Wade just before we started up the newest X-Men movie Days of Future Past.

The movie was alright, but not one of my favorite of the X-Men movies. Half the time, I think I just watch the X-Men movie series for this sexy beast.

I had signed up for a Arkansas Women Blogger's Event to be held at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville to occur at 12:30pm, so Wade departed just before then. I will see him again for our 4-year anniversary the weekend following November 13. But before he left, I cooked up a giant, mixed batch of whole wheat oatmeal pancakes and Bisquick pancakes with scrambled eggs for my parents and Wade.

These are our Sunday morning happy faces.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the Blogger Event at Crystal Bridges. We started with lunch and a short presentation on a bit of the history and background behind how the State of the Art exhibit and each of its art pieces came to be selected and displayed at the museum.

What followed was a tour through the exhibit lead by one of the very curators who went on this grand adventure all over the country and even different parts of the world to collect these art pieces, Chad Alligood.

The tour was fabulous, but I have to admit I think I enjoyed the times spent visiting with my fellow Arkansas bloggers even more. They're always the sweetest, funniest, and most insightful group of people to be around and I hope to join up with more events in the future.

Now for the soul-searching explained a bit more.

When Wade visits it is always a bittersweet time. I always enjoy every chance I get to be around him since I don't get to enjoy his company every day. Having been together for almost 4 years now, it's hard being apart from the person who completes you, who lights up your heart, your best friend.

The truth is, though, that Wade and I both don't know what our futures hold with how exactly we will end up living together and where. While he does live in Central Arkansas and is originally from that area of the state, I have visited many times and never felt quite right while I was there. He obtained his first "big boy" job out of college and has been working and living there since this past June.

I am very happy for him and proud of him! But the second I found out he'd be accepting a job away from Northwest Arkansas, my heart sank. Central Arkansas is a whole different world from Northwest Arkansas and the jobs and opportunities aregrowing faster here in this part of the state than down there.

I'm a firm believer in that you can't force yourself to live somewhere that will only make you miserable and make you constantly wish for something better in life, should you have the chance to change it and move somewhere else that makes you happier.

My environment has always had a great effect on my happiness. I feel more tied to my location, the memories it holds, and the vibe I feel coming from it than I believe most people do.

Could I ever imagine myself living in Central Arkansas? No. I know I could not. Yes, some of you may be thinking that I am just being stubborn or should give the area a chance....but if there's one thing I know, it's my instinct and gut feelings never steer me wrong.

On the flip side, Wade also claims he could never live here in Northwest Arkansas and truly be happy. And I know, growing up in Northwest Arkansas my entire life, that I could happily live here in this region for many years to come.

I'm still job-searching for my own "big girl" job (that's a story entirely on it's own...for anyone else who has had a rough time finding their first career out of college, I feel for ya because I've been there for months now--I've had a few leads and hope to remedy this situation soon to finally get into a career field I can grow, learn, and enjoy waking up for each day).

There are days I wish I could enlighten him and make him see this region through the same lens that I see it. Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing areas in the entire United States for job growth, and yet it still retains it's smaller hometown quaintness and quirks.

I'm amazed at the number of new events and opportunities that are brought into this area every year. I've got a lot of hometown pride, no doubt.

Quite the situation we've gotten ourselves into, yes? The only other location we have looked at for a possibility of eventually moving to for us both to finally start our lives together and possibly remedy this problem is Austin, TX. I have not visited Austin before, but Wade and I are planning a short vacation there to celebrate this upcoming New Year's.

This is why Wade's visits are always bittersweet. I could try and give myself a pep talk and look on the bright side--after all, I am also a firm believer in this little gem:

In all honesty, this situation sucks. I cannot tell you how many disagreements and arguments this subject of our futures and where we should plan on living together has caused. How many times I've ended up crying and falling down to my knees in grief from the pain I feel in my heart.

My soul is is being torn apart every time this situation is brought up. How does one choose between where their soul feels most at-home and "right" in the world and being with their soulmate?....

Sometimes you have to make sacrifices in order to make a relationship work because you love the other person and you would do anything in the world for them.
Have we discussed getting married? Yes. It's not a question of IF, but WHEN that will happen.
Have we talked about spending the rest of our lives together? Yes, a million times.
Would I take a bullet for Wade? Absolutely. No question.
Would I equally trust him with my life? Yes, no doubt.

For any of you who have found your one and only, you know you'd do anything in the world for them. Then why is this particular thing so hard for me to give up? Why is my home, here in Northwest Arkansas, so hard to sacrifice for the man I want to spend the rest of my life with?

Never in a million years did I see myself having to make this decision. Never in a million years did I imagine I would end up falling in love with someone who didn't fall in love with this particular area--my home, my original love--unlike everyone else that moves here or has the chance to visit. And I would never wish having to make this decision on anyone else.

For something that may seem trivial in other's eyes--this is what has been troubling me and weighing most heavily on my mind for months now. I think about it every day and wish it would just go away, but I know it will not.

In the end, can their really be a happy ending for my heart in this story?

Linking up with Heather's Friday Favorites over at Housewife Glamour today!

Have you ever been in a long-distance relationship?

Have you had to move somewhere new and you had no desire at all to move there?

14 Comments

Pan-Seared Rainbow Trout with Herbed Tomato Sauce over Sauteed Cabbage

10/22/2014

22 Comments

*Full disclosure: I am so thrilled to have this opportunity to receive a complimentary Sizzlefish package to allow me to try Sizzlefish products and review them. All opinions are my own.

This is a supremely satisfying recipe that could be your next favorite fish dish. The end result plates beautifully for a fancier dinner but the recipes themselves are simple enough to be incorporated into any weeknight meal.

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When the kind folks at Sizzlefish sent me some of their best products to try, I was absolutely elated!! As a seafood lover, it was like Christmas day at my house when I received the Sizzlefish package.

Here's the great gift to a seafood lover--Let me introduce you to Sizzlefish’s Omega 3 Protein Mix. Two pre-portioned fillets of seven different types of fish flash frozen and delivered to your door. The variety of fish give you plenty of options to try some different recipes. Each fish is delicious and high quality, so you really can't go wrong.

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When looking for inspiration for a creative and new recipe to try using the Sizzlefish, I turned towards my childhood. I found this cookbook at a garage sale a few years ago for $1. I couldn't resist. Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook.

As a 90's child who is also female, I think it is almost a requirement to be a Disney fan. I still repeatedly watch classic Disney movies, fawn over cute Disney paraphernalia, and can walk through a Disney store with childlike wonder and amusement. My personal favorite Disney movies include Pocahontas, Lion King, 101 Dalmations, Lady and the Tramp, Tangled, and Beauty and the Beast.

This recipe is adapted from Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook with a few alterations to create a unique fish recipe to my liking, and hopefully yours as well. You could use any white fish of your choice for this recipe. I reached for the rainbow trout and Atlantic cod and they both turned out splendidly. Though I was a little partial to the rainbow trout because I do prefer the "fishier" tasting fish like salmon and trout over the "cleaner" fish like cod, tilapia, or halibut.

Pan-Seared Rainbow Trout with Herbed Tomato Sauce over Sauteed Cabbage

Ingredients:

Fish:

4 6-8 oz. white fish fillets (I used Sizzlefish Rainbow Trout and Atlantic Cod)
1 lemon, zested and juiced
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 cup white wine
1 tsp. stevia
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Herbed Tomato Sauce:
1 tsp. olive oil
1 shallot, diced
1 cup vegetable or fish stock
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. cornstarch
3 tsp. water
8-10 whole, peeled, plum tomatoes (I used canned)
2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. marjoram

Sauteed Cabbage:
3 slices bacon, minced
1 shallot, diced
1 tsp. white vinegar
6-8 cups napa cabbage, shredded
1 tsp. stevia
1 tsp. salt

Directions:

If using frozen fish, thaw fish according to package directions. Once thawed, pat dry and set aside.

In a small baking dish, mix together lemon zest, lemon juice, 3 Tbsp. olive oil, white wine, 1 tsp. Stevia, and 1/2 tsp. black pepper.
Place fillets in dish to marinate for 45 min.-1 hour. Flip fillets halfway through marinating time.

While fillets are marinating, start preparing the sauce.
Heat 1 tsp. coconut or olive oil in medium-sized saucepan. Saute shallots until just becoming tender and opaque in color.

Add vegetable stock and salt, bring to boil. In small bowl, mix together cornstarch and water to form a thick paste. Reduce heat in saucepan to medium and add cornstarch mixture. Mix to combine.

Add remaining ingredients and allot to simmer 20-30 min. You may add more cornstarch/water mixture if you want the sauce to be thicker.

For the cabbage, cook 3 pieces of bacon in large skillet. Once cooked, remove bacon from pan, allow to cool, and tear or slice into minced pieces.

Drain most bacon grease from the skillet. Heat pan to medium heat and add shallot, allowing to cook until tender and opaque in color. Add vinegar, shredded cabbage, salt, and stevia.

Toss the cabbage gently until it wilts down and becomes tender. Add bacon pieces back into pan and mix to combine.

To cook the fish, heat another skillet to high heat. Remove fish fillets from marinade and lay each piece into pan gently. Leave the fish alone! Don't try to move it around in the pan. Allow to rest for 2-3 min. Flip fish and cook onto other side until flaky and cooked through (about additional 2-3 min., depending on thickness of your fillets).

To serve, pile cabbage onto a plate, place fish fillet onto the cabbage, then top with herbed tomato sauce. Beautiful!

Healthy Recipe Tidbits

Our bodies cannot produce the super-nutrients that are omega-3's and that is why we have to obtain them from our diets. One of the best sources?....Fish.
Omega-3 fats found in fish are one of nature's best performance enhancers. They have been shown to give cardio-pulmonary and anti-inflammatory benefits to athletes and others alike AND they can help you manage weight.
Capsules and pills are not the best ways to get more omega-3's in your diet--eating omega-3's directly from their source has been shown to increase their absorption and overall performance of benefits to our bodies.
When you eat cooked tomatoes vs. raw tomatoes, your body absorbs more of their cancer-fighting lycopene.
Napa cabbage has a wide variety of beneficial nutrients, especially for a vegetable that is so low calorie (about 20 calories per 1 cup, raw and shredded). Napa is packed with carotenes, thiocyanates, lutein, sulforaphane, isothiocynates and, in addition, is an abundant source of soluble and insoluble fiber.
Napa cabbage is also an excellent source of folates, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K.

Linking up with Heather's Friday Favorites over at Housewife Glamour today!

Also linking up with Delicious Dish Tuesday over at Mary's blog, Eat Drink & Be Mary

Have you heard of Sizzlefish before? Have you tried it? Do tell your favorite seafood recipes!

What's your favorite Disney movie?

22 Comments

Sweet and Smoky Snack Mix

10/14/2014

22 Comments

A healthier take a classic snack mix with an addicting combination of sweet and salty flavors.

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I'm sure most of us have tried some sort of homemade "party mix" similar to this one. Baby showers, wedding showers, football games...all are common places for this snack mix to make it's appearance.

Another thing this mix is good for? Gift-giving. That is how the recipe came about for me--I was trying to come up with a homemade gift (because those are the best kind, right?!) for my great friend, Ashley's, birthday.

Ashley and I met our freshmen year of college. I remember when I was looking for a good spot in the theater seating of our basic nutrition class on the first day of college. I usually sit near the back of the class. Not because I'm a bad kid (we all know those stereotypes) but because I see screens and boards better from farther away. And yes...I would like to be able to take my phone out and text occasionally or work on other homework if needed without the professor knowing. Don't judge me.

Anyways, Ashley was sitting by herself near the back of the giant theater seating area. I sat near her, we exchanged the normal nervous first-day pleasantries. We began to talk more and more over time and became fast friends. We clicked. It was a true peanut-butter-meets-jelly kind of moment

I was even invited to attend her wedding to her husband that November. And happily took notes for her in all of our joint classes while she was away on her honeymoon cruise since our schedules were very similar.

With Ashley's birthday approaching, I wanted to make her a homemade treat, but while I usually lean more towards the sweeter treats to give out as gifts, I knew Ashley would appreciate a more savory snack. Hence, the salty and sweet snack mix was born.

Thank you for being a friend I can always rely on, for being a die-hard Razorback fan just like me, for all of the hand-written snail mail cards

For being there to lend an ear when I had stressful things going on in life, for understanding and being open to talking about our mutual past anxiety struggles, for supporting me through every new venture I've taken on.

For being my buddy through some great adventures (SoFabCon, Silver Dollar City trip...), for reading my mind when we just give each other those "looks" in class when the professor requests or says something ridiculous, for understanding and accepting my sometimes overly sarcastic and blunt personality, for making me laugh.

For sticking through college with me, through the rough times and the fabulous times, and agreeing to walk at graduation day (I told you the walk would be worth it!)
Thank you, Ashley.

Here is the Sweet and Smoky Snack Mix, made originally for and inspired by my BFF.

*Note: You can always switch out the mix ingredients with various ingredients of your choice. Some good substitutes or examples of other add-ins would be:
--cashews, dried fruit, pretzel sticks, sunflower seeds, pistachios, other small crackers like Cheez-its, other Chex cereals, Cheerios, etc.

Sweet and Smoky Snack Mix

*Makes approx. 9 cups snack mix*

Ingredients:

For the Mix:
2 1/2 cups mini pretzels
1 1/2 cups peanuts (roasted, unsalted)
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
2 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
1 1/2 cups Original Goldfish crackers

For the Seasoning:
2 Tbsp. coconut oil (melted)
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. liquid smoke
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 Tbsp. maple syrup (sugar-free, optional)
1 Tbsp. Splenda brown sugar blend (OR 1 1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Add all of the mix ingredients into a large bowl and toss to combine.

Add all of the seasoning ingredients into a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave 30-40 seconds. Stir to combine ingredients well. Gently and slowly pour seasoning ingredients over mix ingredients into the large bowl while tossing to combine.

Prepare 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil (this allows for easier cleanup). Evenly separate snack mix between 2 baking sheets and distribute evenly over the sheets.

Bake in oven for 1 hour, gently tossing snack mix every 15 minutes. I find it quite tasty to eat hot, fresh from the oven. Can also be served once cooled. Store in airtight container or bag.

Healthy Recipe Tidbits

Used Splenda brown sugar baking blend in substitute for regular brown sugar to make the recipe diabetic-friendly.
Coconut oil is a healthier choice of oil to use versus your regular vegetable oils.
Paprika is noted for it's large abundance of carotenoids--the pigmen that gives it it's deep red color. Paprika benefits your eyesight by helping to prevent harmful light rays from damaging your eye tissue and it's Vitamin A abundance helps aid in healthy cell development.
Peanuts are great sources of Vitamin E, niacin, folate, protein, and manganese. Peanuts also pack a powerful punch of monounsaturated fats, which are known for their heart-health benefits.