Hello. I hope Monday was kind to you. I hit one of those, “Ahhhh…there is so much going on right now that I can’t focus on anything anymore” moments around 5 p.m. so I evacuated my office to go for a run. It was sunny and mid-fifties and the next couple of days are supposed to be rainy and cold so I wanted to take advantage of the sunshine while I could. (Seriously though, come on warm weather and time change.)
The run was exactly what I needed. As I was making my way through the park I ran past a woman walking a giant, fluffy, beautiful white dog and stopped to tell her how pretty her dog was and inquired about the breed. She told me that she was a Great Pyrenees and Golden mix (no wonder I loved her!). The dog was a little skittish and she explained to me that she had just adopted her from a rescue organization the day before. By the end of our conversation the dog had warmed up to me and let me pat and kiss her. It totally turned my afternoon around to see this woman and her newly adopted dog who has a second chance at the happy and new life that she totally deserves.
It’s easy to get really wrapped up in all the crap that we deal with on a day-to-day basis but it’s really important to be able to take a step back to take care of yourself, take a deep breath and see good and positive things.
Rewind.
I had time to cook dinner last night so I cooked one of my recent faves – Joy the Baker’s Baked Risotto and Ina Garten’s Lemon Chicken. I discovered these recipes around Christmas and they are both so delicious and worth repeating over and over. Of course I made some changes to the recipes this time around. To the risotto…I added sauteed mushrooms and sundried tomatoes. And to the chicken…I reduced the garlic, used stock instead of wine and used boneless skinless breasts that I browned on both sides before baking. Regardless, I love these recipes so much and you should try both. Also, I have been loving serving my chicken sliced lately for presentation.
Breakfast this morning was my first bowl of oatmeal in weeks and I could barely finish half of it. Was not feeling at all.
Lunch was butternut and bean chili with avocado, cheese and sour cream.
And dinner tonight was a salad with avocado, green pepper, carrots, strawberries, goat cheese and a tuna burger drizzled with olive oil and balsamic.
Two more randoms…#1 these Blue Diamond Pepper Jack Cheese Almond Nut Thins are ridiculously addictive.
And #2, I’ve been so good about giving Sullie her fish oil supplement with every meal (on right) but I haven’t taken mine (on left) in many months. Changing that today. I need the Omegas AND the Vitamin D badly.
Do you take a fish oil or vitamin d supplement?
That risotto sounds delicious! I certainly can tell a difference when I don’t take fish oil. I take Norwegian Gold Critical EPA, and am a firm believer in the power of EPA in re: to mood!
I would love to hear how taking it affects your mood. If you don’t mind me asking!
I recently bought flax oil in liquid form. I don’t recommend it at all. It’s hard to get down. Where do you buy your omega vitamins? Thanks!
always online through amazon because it’s cheaper and free shipping with prime. i just do research and figure out what brand i want. i am sensitive to the taste and texture too. really love the lastest omega + d that i got from nordic naturals.
Thanks so much!
Okay, I NEED to take fish oil/omega 3 & 9 supplements! I don’t know why I haven’t picked up a bottle yet, but I know that Omega 3’s are so important! That chicken-risotto recipe looks amazing 🙂
mm those meals all look so delicious and are screaming at me!
I can’t wait to adopt a dog from humane society someday 🙂
rain isn’t too bad.. the snow just keeps on falling here. wanna switch!?
Such a lovely story. I can’t wait to adopt a dog once I live somewhere I can have one. I don’t take a fish oil pill, but I do take a DHA pill (which is a vegan version of a fish oil pill).
I only take a Calcium pill, otherwise I try to get all of my nutrients from food. Although right now, I could use more Vitamin D ASAP! I am not ready for this snow storm and beyond ready for spring/summer. So glad that you were able to get a nice run in before the temperatures changed.
That story about the dog is so sweet! I love hearing about rescued dogs!
Fun fact- north of the 35th latitude there are no vitamin D producing rays from Nov-March!
Everyone in my household takes fish oil – 3 chocolate labs and 2 humans 🙂 The humans also take a vitamin D supplement…
Hey Jen! Always curious to get others’ perspectives on supplements…What made you decide to start taking an omega + D pill? Did a blood test show that you needed these, did you do research on your own, etc.? I have a hard time deciding how I feel…On one hand, I want to be able to get everything I need from food, but on the other hand, nobody’s diet can be perfect all the time, and it seems better to be safe than sorry! Looking forward to what you have to say.
I made the lemon chicken tonight!! it was incredible! i used your substitutions too…SO good!!! Definitely going to be a staple!