Lean, Mean and Back in a Routine.

Welp! We are back to a routine and it feels so good. At least for now. Stay away Hurricane Maria! You are not welcome here. I’m sending huge hugs and strength to those still very much in recovery. These storms are just devastating.

When I say routine, I don’t necessarily mean anything normal. I just *mostly* mean that brilliant and caring teachers are now in charge of my childrens’ manners, eating habits and overall well-being… While I get to mastermind make-up doctor appointments and such behind the scenes. And THAT my friends is how I can get that much needed exhale. Bring on the pleasure that comes with your own time to slash through (stale) items on a to-do list! And by the way, bless you and thank you to our teachers! I know it ain’t easy getting children back in the fold after being cooped up, socially deprived and snack overloaded around the clock. You truly rock.

Speaking of snacks around the clock, I’m not sure exactly when the willpower I had for insanely delicious snacks vanished, but I have lost all tools to politely decline just about anything. And evacuation hostage has played a big part in this. Most recently I’ve been like “YaaaaasssssSS Puhlease!”

“Oh you don’t want to finish your deliciously, perfectly crispy chicken fingers that taste like a flashback to my childhood days chilling by the pool having all the time in the world and writing notes to boys at camp? I’ll gladly polish those off. And any of those fries too.”

“Dessert? Well we aaaarrre at a restaurant so that makes it a special occasion, right? Oh and paass the butter.”

(side note: I just had an image of Audrey from National Lampoons European Vacation when she heard that dreamy Jaaack was cheating on her. (hashtag Croissants ;)

However, when I am in a ROUTINE, I tend to stick with good eating habits simply because I try not to keep those kind of temptations around the homestead. Probably a trick my mom subconsciously taught my brother and me when she would be “famished” diving into a sliced tomato on a seemingly cardboard cracker. Like…look out, big splurge! Props to my Mama; early adaptor to the healthy eating revolution and still actively on board!

So, this past Sunday upon getting home, perhaps it was “shedding” the evacuation stress and starting a-fresh at home– doing laundry, packing lunches and backpacks— I started to feel that Meatless Monday cleansing feeling approaching (a day early!).  I hit up the produce stand and this is what I came up with…A totally thrown together concoction with whatever I could find in a pretty barren pantry and fridge. I have to say that it was so delish! A take on Thai meets lazy, hungry and desperate to be healthy.

Here’s what you need to do for this snack, dinner or lunch! We’ll call it…..

Zuchibell Crunch

1 chopped zucchini

1 chopped bell pepper (I only had green, so the picture isn’t that exciting, unfortunately)

1 chopped jalopeno (optional)

handful of crushed (raw?) cashews

olive oil

1/2 lemon

red pepper flakes (optional)

Heat olive oil in a skillet, throw in zucchini, bell pepper and jalopeno. Toss around for 2 minutes. Next a handful of (raw?) cashews (left over from my drive home); roughly break/crush up as you drop them in. Squeeeze a little lemon juice, add some red pepper flakes. Toss for 2-3 more minutes. (I like my veggeis to still have a little body and crunch)…..then voila! Dunzo and delish.

Back on track, people! Here’s to a healthy kick off and seeing if I can *maintain the “refrain” * ;).