Yet another dish in the I-love-this-but-I’ve-never-made-it series. Hearty, healthy, delicious, and also relatively simple to make, this soup makes a great weeknight meal since it comes together in under thirty minutes. I served it with cornbread and salad, but it would also pair well with flour tortillas or even cheese quesadillas. If you’re feeding an especially hungry crowd, you could round out the feast with sides of beans and rice. It will keep well in the fridge and make excellent leftovers, if it isn’t gobbled up in the first sitting.

1 red onion, diced
6 mini sweet peppers or 1 large bell pepper (red, yellow, orange), diced
1 lime, juiced
2 cloves garlic
1 cob of corn
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 can diced green chiles
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 cups chicken broth
cilantro
paprika
chili powder
garlic powder
cumin
salt and pepper to taste
ghee

Melt a little ghee in a large saucepan, and lightly sauté red onion in a little salt and pepper until translucent. Add diced peppers and heat for a few minutes. Season onion and pepper mixture with paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder, and allow for mixture to become fragrant. Add lime juice, stir until vegetables soften. Add can of tomatoes and can of green chiles. Press garlic cloves directly into saucepan and combine with vegetables. Add broth, cob of corn, and chicken breasts, and bring to boil. Pull out chicken breasts once cooked through, about seven to ten minutes, and shred with fork. Return meat to saucepan and remove cob of corn. Separate kernels from cob, discard cob, and add kernels back to saucepan. Add cilantro, and simmer for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with tortilla chips.

PS: I posted the sixth piece of my miscarriage recovery story, if you’re interested.

While we’re on the subject of reading, I thought I’d share a little more about our bedtime story ritual. Reading aloud to my children is easily one of my favorite ways to spend time with them, and it’s something I’ve been doing since my eldest was just a babe in arms. When they were much younger, I would read to my two older kids together, usually something from the Brothers Grimm or Hans Christen Anderson. But as they grew, I began reading each of them their own chapter book, and that is where the fun really began. I love that they both still enjoy this daily tradition as much as I do.

We’re currently making our way through these two:

Wildwood Imperium – The third and final installment of the Wildwood Chronicles, a fantasy trilogy by Colin Meloy (lead singer of The Decembrists), and illustrated by his wife Carson Ellis. It’s an excellent middle-grades story, not too scary, but definitely thrilling. A little bit dark, a little bit adorable, and an all around good read, I highly recommend this series.

A Little Princess – Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic tale of Sara Crewe, orphaned as a young girl while living in an uppity boarding school in London. The language is beautiful, the story important, which is why it is still in print after more than one hundred years. Our copy came in this lovely box set, with charming cover illustrations by Anna Bond.

The toddler loves his before bed story time as much as the other two, but we’ve not quite graduated to chapter books. He does enjoy some longer stories mingled in with his favorite board books, and the rotation is constantly changing.

Here’s what he’s loving at the moment:

Curious George – Our copy is old as it’s been with us since my big kids were little, but Roux is loving the longer stories about the mischievous little monkey. I always forget that The Man in the Yellow Hat actually poached George from Africa, so the first story in the collection is a little peculiar that way.

The Way Back Home – My husband bought this for the baby while he was still in the NICU and for the longest time I couldn’t get through it without crying. But it’s a cute story, with super cute illustrations, and a sweet family memory to boot.

Hello Ninja – We love love love this one. And Roux has actually memorized the words, so he likes to “read” it himself, which is just about the most precious thing ever.

Longjohns – This was actually Emet’s first favorite book, and it became Roux’s first favorite. It’s brilliant in that it tells the story of an entire day with only single words on each page. Another one that Roux has memorized and loves to “read”.

We also have several books checked out from our local library about firetrucks, big rigs, and space shuttles, the kind with photographs and straightforward information. Roux is absolutely obsessed, and it was actually his big brother who took him to the library to look for these books, which is definitely as precious as it sounds. When he wakes up in the morning on the weekends, inevitably earlier than I would like, I can bring a few books to him in his crib, and he’ll happily sit there and “read” to himself for a decent amount of time.

All three of my kids love to read independently, and I like to think our reading together since early childhood has a little something to do with this.

PS: I posted the fifth piece of my miscarriage recovery story, if you’re interested.

I used to devour literature, yet I think I can count on one hand the number of books I read last year. Maybe two hands, but still. This is, of course, not counting the books I read to my children. We are still very much with the bedtime stories over here, even with my big kids, a practice I cherish. But I haven’t gotten nearly enough personal reading done, and I’d like to change that.

The first book I finished this year is an autobiographical compendium of funny stories by Anna Kendrick, best known for that infamous “Cup Song”. Turns out she comes by her vocal prowess honestly, as a bona fide Broadway veteran – she was nominated for a Tony award at the age of twelve for her role in High Society. I had no idea!

She chronicles her many misadventures on the path to building a successful career in entertainment, from her humble formative years in Maine through her struggling early years in Hollywood, to her current status as a busy single gal who will always value “work over relationships.” She’s incredibly honest, with a charming sense of humor and a healthy dose of self-deprecation. I enjoyed her take on the industry, primarily because of her perspective of how ridiculous the whole thing is.

My favorite bit, by far, was the way in which she described her turn as an Oscar nominee set against the backdrop of barely being able to make ends meet. At one point, as she was being flown all over the country promoting the film for which she was nominated, she asked if she could stay at a less-fancy hotel and pocket the difference. That’s not how it works, is the answer she was given.

Admittedly, I haven’t seen much of her work, and I picked up the book simply because it was on display very close to the checkout desk at our local library and I liked the title. I did enjoy Pitch Perfect, so I figured I’d give it a go. It seemed like an excellent way to counterbalance all those dense Holy Nights lectures I was reading, and it was exactly that. A quick and delightful read, written by someone who seems to have navigated the most brutal business without losing her sense of self. I can say from personal experience, that is not an easy thing to do. And yes, I’m definitely going to watch Up in the Air.

PS: I posted the fourth piece of my miscarriage recovery story, if you’re interested.

The first full moon of 2017 is upon us, and she is glorious. She rose in the early hours of this morning, and I have been feeling her power all day long. She’s in the watery sign of Cancer, an opportunity to cleanse, to wash away all that isn’t necessary. But also an invitation to feel, deeply, like salt on a open wound.

Traditionally, this moon is known as the Wolf Moon, a ripe opportunity to declare intentions for the coming year. Less like resolutions, and more like aspirations. Where would you like to be at the end of this year? What would you like to achieve?

I’m a big fan lunar cycle self-care. My rituals almost always include soaking in a candlelit bath infused with crystals, oils and epsom salts. Journaling and taking the time to quietly clear my head before climbing into bed so as to better connect with my sleep life are also high on my list of ways to honor the occasion. If I manage to make it to a moon lodge, all the better. There’s nothing I like more than sitting in circle with other ladies in the light of the moon, holding space for ourselves and each other, in reverence and appreciation of sisterhood.

Tonight I brought lepidolite and black tourmaline with me into the tub, stones of transformation and protection. I thought about how times of great adversity are, more often than not, opportunities. Regardless of what is happening globally or governmentally, I am choosing to perceive this moment as a chance to be love, to spread kindness, to absorb light and reflect it everywhere I go.

Just like the moon.

PS: I posted the third piece of my miscarriage recovery story, if you’re interested.

When I lived in NYC, my apartment was conveniently located within walking distance of three different Au Bon Pain locations. I used to call ahead to find out which one was serving corn chowder that day, and would promptly head in that direction. Corn chowder is definitely one of my all time favorite soups, so when I realized I had never actually made it myself, I remedied that right quick.

This soup is rich in flavor, satisfying, and super easy to make. Plus, it is soooo good. I made it last night, and had the rest for lunch today. I served it with cornbread and a simple green salad, but it would be especially delicious in a bread bowl.

4 ears corn, husked
1 red onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, sliced
4-6 small gold potatoes, medium diced
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
enough chicken stock to cover the corn, about 6-8 cups
4 tablespoons butter
ghee
cream
salt and pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, melt about a tablespoon of ghee. Lightly sauté onion with a dash of pepper until translucent, then add celery and 2 of the three carrots. Stir the mirepoix for a few minutes before adding 2/3 of the red pepper. Let cook another few minutes, then add 2/3 of the potatoes and all of the corn still on the cob. Cover with broth and let simmer for at least thirty minutes, or longer. Remove cobs of corn from the soup, and then remove kernels from cobs. Add 2/3 of the kernels back into the saucepan. Add cream to the soup and using an immersion blender, puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add to the smooth soup the reserved carrot, bell pepper, potato, and corn. Add black beans and butter. Simmer for another 30 minutes, until vegetables soften. Season again and serve.

PS: I posted the second piece of my miscarriage recovery story, if you’re interested.

So, maybe I’m starting to like tea? It is definitely not coffee, not even close, but it’s something else entirely and I think I’m beginning to understand what all the fuss is about.

For starters, there are many different types of tea. Most of which, by the way, are like health tonics. I’ve been researching a variety of caffeine free options, and am overwhelmed by the choices. Some don’t sound good at all, but many of them sound delicious. Currently, I’m enjoying these four blends:

Mighty Leaf Organic African Nectar – a rooibos tea with tropical notes. I drink it in the morning, and it’s sort of growing on me. Rooibos tea is known for having several health benefits such as reducing hypertension, promoting circulation, and improving the quality of hair and skin.

Pukka Organic Three Mint – a refreshing blend of spearmint, peppermint, and fieldmint. Even my daughter enjoys sipping on this.

Yogi Peach Detox Healthy Warming Blend – a slightly spicy blend of herbs, peppers, dandelion, and fo-ti root which supports liver and kidney function and increases circulation.

Traditional Medicinals Organic Raspberry Leaf – because I’m a laaaady and this one is good for supporting the healthy function of our lady parts.

If you have a favorite (caffeine free) tea, let me know!

And PS: I posted the first piece of my miscarriage recovery story, if you’re interested.

He who was once an extreeeemely chubby baby of seven weeks, is now thirteen and a half years old. A veritable red blooded American teenage boy. And he couldn’t be more remarkable, with a heart of gold and razor sharp wit.

His thirteenth birthday was overshadowed by the fact that I was in the ICU, recovering from a complicated surgery. And by recovering, I mean tossing and turning in a hospital bed, anxious out of my mind to get home to my family. I had never even spent the night away from Roux! Yet there I was, trapped on a gurney, full of all kinds of drugs, feeling awful that this would be what my firstborn remembered most about his first moments as a teenager. I’d finally had enough, and after hemming and hawing for hours, the medical staff gave in to my request and released me Against Medical Advice, which is a fancy way of saying I signed a liability waiver and went home in the middle of the night.

We mustered up the best celebration we could given the circumstances: dinner at BJ’s and a trip to Barnes and Noble. He never did blow out any candles.

So, today we celebrated again. With burgers and ice cream sandwiches for dinner. But still, no candles.

Happy Half Birthday, Emet! I truly can’t believe how much you have grown. You’re nearly half a foot taller than me, your body rapidly maturing. I remember at the end of last summer, I’d thought you’d had a cold for three weeks only to realize that you weren’t sick at all, your voice had changed! Yet despite all of the physical transformation, you remain as genuine and thoughtful as ever. You are a good person to the core, I simply could not be more proud of the young man you have become. We share a truly special relationship, and our closeness means the world to me. The past six months have been hard, for each of us, and you have been such a source of strength and comfort through all of it. You are wise beyond your years, you always have been. Thank you for being such a wonderful son, I am so very lucky to be your mama.

The baby’s tissue had grow soft and fragile after a week of decomposing in stagnant amniotic fluid, these footprints were the best the doctors could get after the baby’s body had been removed from mine. There were complications with the anesthesia and I would have to be fully sedated and intubated – a medical coma, in other words – for several hours after the operation. Once I finally woke up in the ICU, my surgeon and my OB came to visit me and presented me with this simple memento of the baby I carried inside for seventeen weeks but would never get to hold in my arms. So tiny, so blurry, so infinitely precious.

Six months ago, today.

Officially, the first week of 2017 is behind us and on a scale of one to ten, I’d give it a solid seven. Not too bad, but definitely room for improvement.

For the first time ever, I kept up with a twelve-lecture cycle over the Holy Nights. I’ve been remarkably dedicated to my journaling practice for the past five Holy Nights seasons, but I’ve never actually participated in any readings. I’ll be honest, I was pretty pleased it was Three Kings’ Day yesterday because it meant I didn’t have to read another lecture before bed! The material was inspiring, don’t get me wrong, but Rudolf Steiner isn’t known for his brevity or his accessibility and these lectures were true to form: long, dense, and deeply esoteric. Still, it felt like an accomplishment to complete the entire cycle on schedule – one lecture per night for twelve consecutive nights – and I’m hoping to carry that kind of perseverance with me throughout the rest of this year.

I seemed to have turned into a night owl recently. A few months ago, I could barely stay up past the toddler’s bedtime, which is to say that I would fall asleep attempting to put him to bed. Now, I’m awake well past midnight on a daily basis, and not just awake, I’m productive. And all without caffeine. Today I finally managed to finish that looming writing assignment, and was given positive feedback from my editor. Not sleeping seems to be working out. Except, I definitely look tired.

Tomorrow night will bring back the dreaded setting of the alarm clock as it’s the first school night after a lengthy and luxurious winter break, so we’ll see how long this nocturnal activity lasts once we’re back to our regularly scheduled weekly programming. I’m counting on the dedication I managed to cultivate through the Holy Nights to guide me toward striking a balance between my family duties, my work obligations, and my personal projects, even if it means a year of late nights and early mornings.

Nine months ago, exactly. I was pregnant, though I would not find out for another four days.

No matter what has happened since these photos were taken, no matter what has yet to happen, I will always look upon these images and remember how beautiful, how special, how loved I felt that day.

Mister Baker, my love for you is boundless. I believe in us, forever.