Quinoa Recipe

In an effort to be healthier, we are making some lifestyle changes including daily vitamins, exercising more (okay, that's just me), and changing our diet to include more natural, whole foods. Part of this diet change is to incorporate more protein in every meal and snack. I have been searching for good recipes for home made granola bars, oat meal, and general recipes with quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah by the Canadians), millet, and kamut. Those last three I hadn't heard of before a few weeks ago. Well, I have a good recipe for quinoa and thought I'd share it with you. I adapted it from a pasta dish I used to make.

Ingredients:
1 C quinoa (rinsed and lightly toasted in the pot you will cook in)
2 C water (vegetable stock or chicken stock would be good too)
1 C shredded cheese (parmesan or cheddar would be good)
1 large zucchini, chopped into bite-size pieces
2-3 roma tomatoes, de-seeded and chopped into bite-size pieces
extra virgin olive oil
S & P to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse quinoa and toast on medium heat, stirring until it's dry and slightly brown. Add 2 C of liquid and bring to a boil. Cover with lid and simmer on med-low heat for about 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
   
2. Chop zucchini and tomatoes and place in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with e.v.o.o. until coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (I like to use Montreal Steak seasoning sometimes).
3. Spread the zucchini and tomatoes on a baking sheet (preferably one with sides) and broil until they are brown and look nice. You may want to oil the baking sheet with Pam or e.v.o.o. on a paper towel.
   
4. When everything is done, add the vegetables and cheese to the quinoa and stir until the cheese is melty throughout. Enjoy!
   

enlightenment and cortisol

I had the most enlightening and helpful doctor's appointment yesterday afternoon. I left my naturopath thinking, "I wish I knew this 5 years ago. I wish everyone knew this!" You may not know, but I've been dealing with health issues that flared up this summer and have been going to a naturopathic doctor since we got back in September. It feels so good to finally know what's behind all of these symptoms that I didn't think were related. I'm going to be a little more open in this blog than normal because I feel like it's beneficial for you. Over the past few years, pretty much since graduating, getting married, moving to Canada, and starting a new job, I've had various different health issues that were wearing on me. I have been having irregular heartbeats, suffering with depression that was set on from seasonal changes, feeling quite sick/nauseous a lot more than a normal person should (but I wasn't pregnant), feeling tired and weak, lack of clarity (can't think of words or put my thoughts into cohesive sentences so much so that I knew something was off in my brain), sleeplessness at night, extreme anxiety, cuts and bruises seemed to take longer to heal, and I just didn't feel like my normal, generally positive self.

My doctor determined that I have "21st Century Stress Syndrome." In other words, I have adrenal fatigue. You're probably familiar with the phrase, "fight or flight." Well, in our culture we can't fight or flee from most of our stressors so we're stuck and our body takes a beating because of it. When you experience stress, your brain sends signals to your adrenal glands, which are located on your back over your kidneys. Your adrenal glands then release cortisol. When enough cortisol reaches your brain, you experience the, "Okay, everything will be okay. I'm going to figure this out..." feeling. But if you've been under a lot of stress consistently or a major stressor (like unemployment or being in a job you hate, death of a loved one, major life changes, etc.), your adrenal glands can't make the cortisol fast enough and your body begins to feel the effects of it.

Cortisol does a lot for your body other than helping you feel calm. It regulates your blood sugar levels and sodium levels, helps maintain a healthy white blood cell count, makes you feel awake, helps your immune system, helps you remember things, acts as an anti-inflammatory (it reduces histamines so if it's low or missing, you may feel like you're having allergy attacks that you've never had before), and more stuff that I can't remember. (Ha.)

I feel better already, mentally that is, just knowing what's going on. I have started taking some supplements and have talked with her about lifestyle changes including diet and exercise which should help. It's good to know that I'm not going crazy and it wasn't all stuff that I just had to live with. I will get back to normal soon. :o)

If you want to read more about it, here's a good article from Project Aware. If you read it and feel like it's describing your life, talk to a professional. I had never heard of a naturopathic doctor while living in the States, but perhaps there are more out there now. Their goal is to get you back to good health naturally, not just treating the symptoms but taking care of the root issue. Seriously, I feel like my life was a piece of paper full of dots and she connected them all and now I have a picture of a flower.

what do you see?

when you see this blog, do you see chocolate?

wedding photos

So I officially completed my first wedding as a paid photographer. :o) I learned quite a bit and am still a little sore, but I had a great time and am so thankful for the opportunity. Here are a few of the things I learned:

1. Most importantly, I could not have done it alone. Beth, you are awesome and I'm so glad to work with you. hmm... something about FowlerFisherFotography has a ring to it. ;o) Perhaps it's the hunter-gatherer part of me that likes the name.
   
2. I will wear my Uggs next time.
   
3. Professional wedding photographers must have their own special work out routine which includes lots of squats and other such awkward poses.
4. In order to be a healthy photographer long-term, I will have to learn some hand stretching techniques. Seriously, I had "the Claw" by the end of the night. ;o)

I'm planning to post some of my favorites of the bridal portraits from a few weeks ago now that the Bride is officially married and the Groom has already seen the dress. You can check them out on my PhotogBlog: http://carolinaphotography.wordpress.com/

bridal portraits at the mental hospital

This past weekend I got to shoot my friend's bridal portraits. It was quite an adventure! (I would post some pictures, but I don't want the groom to happen upon them before the wedding, so I'll wait until after they're married.) We wanted to get some shots at River View Hospital in Port Coquitlam. It used to be a mental hospital but has not been in service for over 20 years. According to Brian, that was my first mistake, going to an abandoned mental hospital. But it has such beautiful landscaping and architecture. There are actually brick buildings with white columns; a rarity in these parts. Here's a collection of photos to give you a feel for it.

Well, the bride was all decked out in her dress, hair done, vail on, shoes shining. We start walking to a building and a security guard comes out of no where and in broken English explained that we weren't allowed to take pictures on this part of the property. When we asked where we could take pictures his response was, "Maybe down closer to the hospital." Sign number two that this might not work out.

So we drove a bit further into the property and parked near some cottages just above the hospital (where they are filming something... I have a feeling they're filming a scary movie or Smallville or something). We walked over to the cottage, found some nice shade, and snapped a few pictures. Then as we were walking back to the car, two more security guards pull up, one behind my car and one beside my car. Sign number three. One guard steps out of his car and is wearing rubber gloves. My camera is already in its bag and I'm putting it in the back seat of my car. But I think to myself, "He's either going to take my camera or make me delete the pictures... Oh boy." But the bride was very amicable, explaining that she had spoken with so-and-so in the offices about taking photos and was under the impression that it was okay. The guards were both kind, but firm, explaining that it was not allowed. "This is a private property. There's no harm in walking around, but you're not allowed to take photos." Our reason for being there was very obvious, which wasn't for the bride to take a stroll or break in her dress. So with a "Congratulations, but you're not allowed to take pictures..." we got in the car and drove off, camera and pictures in tact.

It was a fun day with beautiful weather, albeit a bit harsh for portraits but great for capturing the beautiful landscape of BC.

That's another thing that makes me happy, when I can see all of the beautiful mountains around here, capped in snow, against a bright blue sky. :o)

I would be kicked out of the Optimists' club.

I am not an optimist. I used to be. I am not any more. I believe the digression from Optimist to Pessimist started after the finale of the final episode of Gilmore Girls. Since then I have realized life doesn't wrap up nicely all the time. We may get the outcomes we want, but struggle quite a bit getting there. Not that I consider Luke and Lorelai's relationship (I wish I could say marriage, but we'll never know, thanks Warner Brothers) or anything about that show to be an accurate reflection of life. I just hated the ending.

All that to say, since I've realized I'm a Pessimist, I'm going to try to make a mental list every day of things that made me happy. For instance, I let the fact that I have to return my yoga ball for the 3rd time really get to me (I was ready to break something). Instead of continuing to list frustrations, I am going to list happy things.

1. I was able to run on the treadmill for over 25 minutes without stopping! (That's huge for me.)
   
2. I think Lola is finally learning her name! (She looks at me when I say it. But I think she would look at me if I made any sort of noise to distract her while she is resting.)
   
3. The weather is becoming chilly--which means we're closer to Christmas and Christmas cups at Starbucks!
4. I got my jeans repaired (after leaving them on the floor of my closet for over a year) and it feels like I'm wearing a new pair! Without the cost!
5. My sister will be here one week from today! (*Hoping for good weather.*)
6. I had sushi for lunch!

See, already I'm in a better mood. What made you happy today? Share it with me :o)