Adventure in the Northwest

Over this long weekend, my family decided to go on a hike in the woods at Paradise Valley so our toddler could breath fresh air and experience nature... Also to get away from the 90F temperature/heat that is very foreign to Seattle mild rainny climate.  To our surprise, we had an experience.

Our hike started out with greetings from hikers who just finished theirs.  We had the simple stroller and situated our toddler, who seemed to be enjoying the new scenery.  I had on a backpack full of diapers, snacks, water, toy, and sunscreen.  The backpack was light but my heart grew heavy as we spoke with the friendly hikers.

The couple, who looked exhausted and were sweaty, shared that there was a bear sighting this morning in the woods off the trails.  Of course, they're coming oit of hibernation.  There and then I was excited and worried at the same time.  They told us to stay on the main trail and the bear was not that close to it.  We thanked them and head onward.

The news hasn't set in that much yet.  I was still excited that there is a bear!  Oh wow!  Nature and bears and woods... Wow!

Quickly, as we were surrounded by trees, I realized that there is a bear in the woods... Should we just chickened out and head home instead?  So I asked my husband, "should we just go to the park instead?"

He asked, "Why?"

Me with a nervous tone and embarrassed to admit I was scared, "Because there is a bear here?"

Our toddler stayed quiet and actually seems very entertained by the surroundings.

My brave husband stated in his manly voice as he pushed the stroller uphills, " Well, if we see the bear, you and Aiden should run for it!"

I objected, "No!  You should take Aiden and run for it!  I'm slower!"

He disagreed and reasoned, "I'm bigger and taller, so I can stand a better chance to distract it.  If it doesn't have to run to get you guys because I'm standing here as food then you can get away.  You and Aiden should run away.  Wild animals know how to pick off the youngs and the females!"

At this point, my throat started to feel tight and my eyes a little watery... All the adrenaline and emotion of feeling so loved by my husband who is behaving heroic to sacrifice himself for his wife and son's survival.  I can't imagine losing him to a bear.  All these scenarios playing in my head.

I fought back the tears, "Um... No you can run faster and Aiden has a better chance with you... I can throw food at the bear and run the other way... He would go for me since I'm smaller."

My sweet husband once again being logical said, "I'm six feet tall, I have a better chance with the bear... You wouldn't make it."

Our hike and conversation was interrupted by a hiker who was running downhill, against our direction.  He appearred to be finishing with his workout for the day.  He stopped and spoke with us, huffing and puffing. "There was a bear sighting today... Big red eyes, 12 to 14 feet tall, scary looking... He was spotted off the trails."

We thanked him and kept hiking... Aiden was quiet the whole time... His instinct must have told him to stay quiet while there may possibly be danger in the woods.  Or not to interrupt while mom and dad argued on who to save him. Haha. Or he just liked the new fresh air.


The air was fresh and cool, but I started to feel sweaty from the hike.  So after hearing the confirmed bear sighting, I shared my thoughts once again with my husband. "So I wonder how big that bear is... Is that like a house?"

My husband responsed, "well, I'm six feet, so he would be twice as tall as me... Pretty big and taller if he raises both his hands."

So that immediately scared me... That would be too big for either of us to outrun the bear.  Or play dead. "Hey, I dont think we should put ourselves in this situation anymore... The bear sounds dangerous.  Let's head back and go somewhere like the park."

Apparently, my husband had the same idea.  But men seem to not want to admit their fear and turn back around.  But he agreed and started to turn the stroller around.

Thanks goodness I didn't marry a stubborn macho idiot!  I married someone who sees big picture, can put his ego aside and think of the family first.  So we headed back towards the parking which seemed like forever... My eyes were scanning the woods constantly looking for big brown shapes... And checking on our toddler and my husband.

I got more nervous and walked so fast that I almost ran.  I sticked close to the two though... Just to grab Aiden in case the bear was close by... He looked too cute to be eaten by wild animals.  May be I was over worried, but my motherly instinct told me that this was not safe and we can hike another time without possible danger lerking in the woods.

As soon as I spotted the parking lot, I was pretty happy... That short amount of time seemed like forever!  I grabbed Aiden off the stroller, and walked to the car.  I love hugging my baby, we escaped the bear!

We saw a family heading towards the trail with a baby strapped to the father's chest and the mom holding the dog's lease.  We shared the news with them, and they thanked us and continued on the hike.

In the car, we decided to go to a park and continued our conversation.  My husband said, "I was more worried about cougars, those are quiet and you won't know they're there at all!"

Me thinking to myself, "Yikes!"

The day finished with a nice stroll in the park by the water, Aiden playing on the big toys, us heading to have food at Brown Bag in Kirkland.  Baby went on a two and a half hours nap in his air conditioned room.  A good day, safe and sound.

Local Picks: Snoqualmie Ice Cream

It's hot and I want ice cream!
But which ones?  I don't want them too sweet... or too creamy... just needed to satisfy the cravings and cool me down.
Finally found the perfect ones.
These are smooth and flavorful.  You can feel the fresh ingredients used in the formula to create such perfection.

The brand is Snoqualmie Ice Cream!  Locally made in Seattle... need to visit their factory soon!

Here are my favorites!
Cascade Mountain Blackberry -- if you're looking for something fruity but not over the top.
Green Tea - the not overpowering green tea blends very well with the cream.
Island Coconut - the best of the best, cannot get bore of this.  The added bonus, if you're a coconut lover is there are small chunks in the ice cream.  Makes it feel like you're eating right out of the fruit.
Bold Espresso - if you love coffee, you will love this.  I have trouble keeping myself from it.  I can only eat it in the morning, anytime afternoon will keep me up until 2am.  So I get really sad seeing my husband eat this for dinner dessert.

Sources: http://www.snoqualmieicecream.com/progallery/pints-and-cups


Soon to review: http://whidbeyicecream.com/?q=content/43-ultra-premium-flavors

Food: Steak and Prawns Salad

Steak:  wash and dried, room temperature or leave out of fridge for 20 minutes.  Salt and pepper lightly.  Add olive oil, very small amount to pan.  Heat pan until hot, add in meat.  Sear each side of meat for 3-5 minutes, or until light brown.  Only flip it over once.  Move meat to pan (layer with foil paper) and bake for 15 minutes in oven at 350F (25 minutes for well done).

Caramelized onions:  heat pan with remaining oils/juice from steak then add in chopped onions.  Cook until golden brown, stir occasionally.

Prawns:  heat up pan with olive oil and butter or coconut oil.
Add thrawed out prawns to pan, add in salt pepper and Cajun seasoning (paprika, cayenne pepper, lemon zest, garlic powder).  Cook until all prawns turn pink... Don't over cook or it will be rubbery.

Salad: wash and chop lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell pepper, anything else you would like to add.  Salad dressing could be olive oil, pepper, salt and balsamic vinegar.

Recommended to serve with warm bread (garlic and butter).

PROJECT: Organic Hot Oil Treatment for Dry Scalp and Hair

Ingredients:
**all organic**
1 tablespoon of honey
3 tablespoons of olive oil / coconut oil
1 teaspoon of lemon juice

**Bonus** If there is left over, you can use it as a face scrubs!!

Direction (quick version: use it like your shampoo, just wait until it's warm, not hot)
COMBINE all ingredients in a microwave safe mason jar (or safe plastic so if it does drop in the shower, you won't step on broken glass).
MICROWAVE for 20 seconds, mix with a folk or spoon to combine the ingredients
COMB through hair to remove tangles ( I do this anyways, less hair will fall during shower to plug up the drain * life hack*)
RINSE hair in shower for at least 10 seconds
TEST oil for heat -- wait if it's still hot -- you want it warm... Take time to shave your legs or massage your neck... But do not pour hot oil on yourself ( yes, it should be called warm oil treatment LOL)
When oil is warm to the touch but not hot, POUR half onto your head. Use your hand to lather up the roots of your hair and massage your scalp.
FLIP your hair over, and pour the other half of the oil onto the back of your head. Massage the rest of your scalp and oil the rest of your hair.
You may wait for a few minutes before rinsing off the oil treatment... Be careful of the slippery floor now that oil is probably everywhere.
Rinse off the oil and use your regular shampoo to wash your hair.
I didn't use condition since the oil leaves my hair very soft already.
Dry hair and enjoy the new soft, sleek, moistured locks!


Description/Explanation:
(1 Tablespoon) Honey.  If you have dry or damaged hair, honey can help. A natural humectant, honey attracts moisture. It’s also full of antioxidants and nutrients to feed hair follicles that house the live part of hair, encouraging hair growth.

(1 teaspoon) Lemon juice helps remove buildup. This is a great way to remove dandruff that can cause the scalp to become itchy and uncomfortable. Removing buildup on the scalp can also help your hair grow more effectively

(3 Tablespoons) Olive Oil
Olive oil is full of antioxidants that help to keep the skin of your scalp in better shape. It also contains other nutrients like vitamins A and E that reduces the damage done by hair care products (chemical based) or overuse of styling products.It contains mono-unsaturated fatty acids which help to coat the shaft of your hair that helps to keep it healthy and protected. It coats the damaged outer layer of the hair and finally gives silky, shiny, smooth healthier hair.It acts as a natural moisturizer when it applied on the scalp it moisturizers the scalp and reduces the appearance of dandruff by preventing the dry and flaky scalp. It contains vitamin E (super moisturizing property) that helps to moisture your scalp and hair.It contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that fight against the common scalp and hair problems like dandruff, head lice, etc.The scalp will be much cleaner after taking an olive oil treatment as it contains polyphenols (water-soluble substance). It also helps to smoothens out the dry and frizzy hair without the buildup of greasiness.Olive oil when applied makes lifeless and damaged hair as manageable that easy to style. It softens your hair and makes it pliable by extra moisturising and strength to your hair.

Sources:

http://homeremediesforlife.com/olive-oil-for-scalp/

http://www.md-health.com/Lemon-For-Hair.html

http://everydayroots.com/honey-hair-treatment

Sleeping through the night for babies 6 months and older

There is the cry it out method but I did the gentle controlled cry and night nursing weaning. For sleeping in the crib and getting used to it, do it at nap time.  Rock him feed him until he is very sleepy, put him in the crib gently, he'll fuss.  Stroke his head, his back or stomach to calm him. If he started to scream then pick him up to calm him.  Basically don't let him scream, stressing out makes it harder to sleep.  Want to have baby calm and think of sleep is relaxing.  It takes at most two naps to get him used to it.  Then after that used to sleeping in the crib, have a night time routine and break up the food is sleep association or any props for sleeping.  All baby need for sleep is himself.  If you nurse him to sleep or pat him or rock him then he wont know how to fall asleep without you there to pat, rock or nurse him.  If he scream in protest give it a few minutes before picking him up.  Once you calm him, put him down on his crib again.  Some kids will rock themselves to sleep or do various things but they will learn.  Here it the routine: bath time, nurse ( with lights on), reading, then lights off to sleep.  Sit next to the crib, and slowly move away through the weeks or leave the room once he's asleep.  If he wakes at night wanting to feed, you can feed him water or trying rocking him to sleep for a bit but put him back to his bed slightly awake.  Don't let him associate sleeping is mom holding me.  If he is persistent on nursing you can nurse him but make it business and short, nurse only no sleeping on mom.  Shorten the feeding at night a few minutes every day and soon he won't want it.  Make sure you feed him well during the daytime, he won't need much food at night.  You can try spacing out daytime nursing from two hours into three or four hours instead, hopefully he will get used to not wanting to feed every two hours at night.  Don't immediately reward him milk when he wakes at night.  If you wake up and get a special favorite treat, you wouldn't want to sleep through the night either.

Some good books for reading / YouTube
The sensible sleep solutions by Sarah Blunder
Sleep Solutions for your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler by Ann Douglas
Happieast baby on the block - a guide to great sleep

Dana Obleman - YouTube

RANT: the pros and cons of pregnancy

As I am near my due date, I would like to leave myself a note for the next time I'm pregnant!  There are pros and con's that my body, mind, and spirit have experienced!  Probably a lot is missing since I have pregnancy brain right now.  But know that there is nothing I rather do than do the best I can to grow this baby! Here goes the rant!

The food is absolutely amazing!

Everyone treats you a lot nicer, OK to cut in long line for food, barista give you free drinks, people bring food to your desk at work or lunches, husband treat you out as much as you crave for certain food, sweet kisses from parents and husband, you look absolutely gorgeous due to the new glow without make up on, people smile when they see you, prenatal vitamins make your nails/ hair soft silky smooth strong and only a strain or two fall out a day, husband does most of the cleaning and cooking, work from home option, boobs get about three sizes larger (this is actually a con for me), mom cut my toesnail, husband rub my feet, massages every week, feeling baby move, growing a life, feeling a love that is so true and selfless, rubbing my belly, tickling little one and he reacts, having husband kiss/ read to baby every night, grandparents are thrilled, fun baby shower, maxi dresses, having a reason to be fat, feeling proud of my giant belly, I take better care of my body like eating more greens drinking more water and checking out the ingredients on food, baby kicking during a horrible work meeting makes me smile and careless again and no one knows our little secret, baby kicking at night and poking out his knee or feet and then I touch him and he hides away, his little hiccups, following the pregnancy growing chart and seeing his fruit size of the week from blueberries to watermelon, I make body parts on a weekly basis, holding my belly while I waddle, hearing his heat beat on the Doppler or seeing him on an ultrasound, anticipating what his future life will be like or his personality, caring very little about how everyone sees me because all I care about is his well being, my husband and I grow closer knowing we are creating a life together, my extended family is stronger as we prepare for the arrival of the little one, naming our baby, making better decision for ourselves due to our influences on his future, the incredible nesting urges which causes me to clean and organize my house, discovery of new foods that are good for my body like coconut water that relieves cramping, diy projects to keep my house clean and without using toxic chemicals such as vinegar and dawn to clean bathrooms or natural laundry detergent that costs a lot less,  his little butt sticking out when he rolled, I can teach myself a lot by reading and learning about motherhood and pregnancy through blogs articles published medical journals ... All other fears/old wives tales are nonsense, it is only 9 months, it happened and it is a miracle, the immense pressure on my pelvis when he is close to term... He is ready!

The only downfalls to being prego are missing out on parties with alcohol, not eating sushi or oyster shooters, morning sickness isn't in the morning... It is at night, morning, noon, it is whenever the body smells something foul like garlic or onion, getting really fat, stretch marks, can't travel anywhere on a plane after 25 weeks, reading about miscarriage or any old wives tales, swollen feet and hands, can't see my own toes, can't put on socks without help, can't clip own toenails without help, visiting the bathroom every hour, excessive sweating at night while sleeping, dreaming about sweets but can't eat them, the horrible glucose test, the many vials of blood tests, hormonally charged...cry at every sad movie scene, leg cramps, horrible and weird pregnancy dreams, incredibke sense of smell ... I smell everything good or bad, waddling instead of walking, back aches, side aches, whole body aches, can't stand / be in one position for long, can't do hobby like painting, can't bend over to pick up stuff, and takes a long time to do anything, rolling in bed with a giant belly is a workout, can only sleep on my sides with tons of supporting pillows, dropping everything, horrible memories, lost for words during a conversation, people telling you that you're having twins when you know for sure that there is only one kid, when everyone becomes an expert on your pregnancy and start to tell you when your baby is due or that your having twins, when your mother starts to tell you that you look bigger than when she was pregnant or that your belly button looks gross compares to when she was pregnant, when everyone tells you to eat for two while your doctor or midwives told you to slow down on the food or else baby will be too big for natural delivery, very blowed and gassy, when there are cake in front of your face but you can't have two zlices , can't eat alcohol infused cake, can't eat raw cheese, when you're hungry you feel like you have starved for days, you can't lift anything above your shoulders, freak out at every new thing your baby didn't do or did according to the weekly pregnancy expectations, freaked out when they give hour false positive test results, shots and vaccination, a very unbalanced body or your center of gravity is way off, having lots of cravings but can't eat everything since there isn't much room in the tummy, and last but not least none of the cute shoes or clothes would fit anymore!

FOOD: CAJUN PRAWNS SOFT TACOS

 

FOOD: CAJUN PRAWNS SOFT TACOS

 

INGREDIENTS:

CAJUN PRAWNS

PRAWNS (WILD FROZEN WITH SHELLS)

ONE LIME / LEMON

1/4 CUP OF BUTTER

1/4 CUP OF ORGANIC COCONUT OIL

SALT, BLACK PEPPER, CAYENNE PEPPER, PARIKA, GARLIC POWDER

 

SALAD

(EQUAL PORTION OF EACH -- I USED ORGANIC PRODUCE BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO)

1 ORGANIC HEAD OF PURPLE CABBAGE

3 ORGANIC TOMATOES

2 ORGANIC AVOCADO

FETA CHEESE

1 BUNCH OF CILANTRO (1 CUP)

1/2 CUP OF LIME / LEMON FRESH SQUEEZED JUICE

SAUCE

2 TABLESPOON OF MAYO

1 TABLESPOON OF HUMMUS

1 TABLESPOON OF HORSE RADISH

1 TABLESPOON OF SRIRACHA (MORE IF YOU LIKE SPICY)

2 TABLESPOON OF THAI SWEET CHILI 

WRAP

MISSION CHIP TACO/BURRITO WRAPS -- VERY FLEXIBLE 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

SAUCE

MIX ALL INGREDIENTS INTO A BOWL -- STORE IN FRIDGE UNTIL USE 

2 TABLESPOON OF MAYO

1 TABLESPOON OF HUMMUS

1 TABLESPOON OF HORSE RADISH

1 TABLESPOON OF SRIRACHA (MORE IF YOU LIKE SPICY)

2 TABLESPOON OF THAI SWEET CHILI

  SALAD

PREPARE EQUAL PORTION OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS

REMEMBER TO CUT / CUBE THEM IN EQUAL SIZES

1 ORGANIC HEAD OF PURPLE CABBAGE

3 ORGANIC TOMATOES

2 ORGANIC AVOCADO

THEN ADD IN A LARGE MIXING BOWL

MINCE 1 BUNCH OF CILANTRO (1 CUP)

SQUEEZE IN 1/2 CUP OF FRESH LIME / LEMON JUICE
MAY ADD SMALL AMOUNT OF SALT/PEPPER FOR TASTE (BUT PRAWNS WILL BE PLENTY OF FLAVORS)

 

FETA CHEESE CAN BE ADD INTO SALAD OR SEPARATELY WHEN WRAPPING THE TACO.  I LIKE MELTED CHEESE, SO I ADD THE CHEESE ONTO THE WRAP, MICROWAVE FOR 30 SECONDS THEN ADD THE REST OF THE INGREDIENTS TO THE WRAP.

 

   

 

CAJUN PRAWNS

COOK THIS LAST SO IT'S WARM

TURN ON OVEN AT 350F

HEAT BUTTER AND COCONUT OIL TO MELT (2-3 MIN)

THEN ADD IN SLICES OF LIME/LEMON WEDGES

TOP OFF WITH PRAWNS

SPRINKLE ON GENEROUS AMOUNT OF SALT, BLACK PEPPER, CAYENNE PEPPER, PARIKA, GARLIC POWDER 

BAKE FOR 30 MIN IF USING FROZEN PRAWNS OR  20 MIN IF THAWED PRAWNS

THE PRAWNS SHELLS ADD TO THE FLAVOR OF THE SAUCE, BUT REMOVE THE TAIL ENDS OR ALL SHELLS WITH SCISSORS BEFORE SERVING -- YOUR HOUSE WILL SMELL AMAZING!

 WRAP

PILE ON THE INGREDIENTS AND ENJOY WITH CHILL BEER (I THINK CORONA MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THIS OCCASION!)

FOOD: BANG BANG (SHRIMPS) CHICKEN

FOOD: BANG BANG (SHRIMPS) CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE BANG BANG CHICKEN
1 CUP OF FLOUR
2 EGGS
2 CUPS OF BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST/THIGH
1 CUP OF OLIVE/COCONUT OIL

FOR THE BANG BANG SAUCE
2 TABLESPOONS OF SRIRACHA SAUCE (MORE IF YOU LIKE IT SPICY)
1/4 CUP OF THAI SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE
1/2 CUP OF MAYONNAISE

 FOR CLEANING COUNTER SPACE
PAPER TOWEL
RUBBING ALCOHOL


INSTRUCTIONS:
STEP 1: BEAT EGGS WITH FOLK OR BEATER TO LOOSEN THE YOLKS.  CUBE THE CHICKEN INTO BITE SIZES. 

STEP 2: IMMERSE CHICKEN, A HANDFUL AT A TIME, INTO THE EGG YOLKS.  THEN TRANSFER IT TO THE FLOUR TO COAT.

 

STEP 3:  ADD 1/2 CUP OF OIL INTO A DEEP PAN, TURN HEAT ON HIGH.  ADD CHICKEN TO PAN WHEN OIL IS HOT.

STEP 4: LEAVE EACH SIDE OF CHICKEN FOR 3-4 MINUTES OR UNTIL IT TURNS BROWN.  USE A MESH COVER TO PREVENT OIL SPLASHING.

STEP 5: CHECK FOR DONENESS ON ONE PIECE OF CHICKEN BY CUTTING IT IN HALF, MAKE SURE THERE IS NO RED.  PLACE THE REST OF THE CHICKEN ON A PLATE WITH A COUPLE OF PAPER TOWELS TO SOAK IN THE OIL.

STEP 6: MIX THE INGREDIENTS TOGETHER TO MAKE THE SAUCE... DON'T RUB YOUR EYES AFTERWARD.

STEP 7: DRIZZLE THE SAUCE OVER YOUR CHICKEN OR COAT IT IN A PAN.

 

SERVE WITH A SIDE OF SALAD AND FRUIT
DRINK TO WASH DOWN THE GOODNESS: ORGANIC COCONUT WATER WITH STRAWBERRIES

LAST NOTE:

CLEAN COUNTER SPACE WITH RUBBING ALCOHOL TO CLEAN OFF BACTERIA AFTER COOKING WITH RAW MEAT.  A GOOD COOK IS A CLEAN COOK!