Month: March 2014

Even bigger foosh.

On By HanneIn Thursday Thrills1 Comment

Poor kiddo – Mind. Blown.

I don’t think he knew what to expect when I announced an extra-special adventure to the aquarium, but photo 5from the moment we got out of the car (two blocks away), he was humming with excitement. The old water front trolly tracks are still in place, despite the fact that the trolly no longer runs, nor is the track complete. But for Evan, it’s a chance to see some real train tracks up close. We walked along the tracks, stood on them, jumped off them, touched them, etc. I kept trying to encourage him to move along, but the tracks themselves were worthy of an adventure.

It was pretty cute to see his Thomas the train boots on the tracks, and he kept talking about choo-choos and tracks and more choo-choos and choo-choo boots, etc. Having a short section of tracks would be an amazing addition to parks. Kids like Evan would love to climb on them, or bring some toy trains to play with.

photo 1From there we crossed the street, and he attached himself to the fence to look out over the water, looking for fish. I kept telling him that we were going to go seefish, but he was very concerned about trying to find them in the (super nasty) water right off the pier. We watched a ferry come inand some seagulls fly above and eventually I convinced him that there was more to the adventure beside the trolly tracks and the water down below. It was sad to see the garbage floating just off the pier. It was a good chance to talk about how we throw trash in the garbage and not on the ground. #teachablemoment.

Finally convinced that there was more to see we headed to the aquarium. He was happy to stand in line photo 2with me until he caught sight of the massive wall tank that you first encounter after the ticket counter. He was ready to run overand I had to remind him a few times as he edged away, that he needed to wait for me. Once we were in, he ran to the tank and sat down with the rest of the kids. Aquarium staff was giving a presentation about the tank, though he wasn’t paying attention. When they were done, he slowly walked up and down along the tank, looking at all the fish and watching the diver feed them (“Foosh eat! Eat all!”) He was focused on a fish toward the bottom of the tank when the diver swam down to wave at him. He turned back with wide eyes and then returned focus to the diver, jumping up and down and waving until he turned suddenly shy and ran back to sit with me and wave from afar. Moving on, Evan ran to each and every tank with the same sense of excitement, yet with a determination. Looking at these fish was his job for the dayand he took it very seriously.

A couple tanks had simulated wavesand that seemed to bother him. We went to the touch tank where he seemed more interested in just putting his fingers in the water rather than actually touching the sea creatures. 

photo 3My favorite part is the Octopus tank.

My last visit to the aquarium I learned that they catch and release each Octopus that is on display, keeping them only a few months before returning them to the ocean and finding a new one. While being captured and brought to a small tank must be terrifying, it’s nice to know that they can return to a normal life. Today’s guest was on his first day in the display and was rather active as he explored his new (temporary home). Evan was unsure about this large creature and preferred to watch from afar. I did let him pick a postcard in the gift shopand he chose the octopus and requested to bring it to his crib for naptime later in the afternoon – so clearly it wasn’t that scary.

Surprisingly enough, the harbor seals, sea lions and sea otters were of little interest. While they’ve recently updated the harbor seal enclosure, the rest of them are seriously lacking.

By the end of the trip, it was clear that his poor brain was working over-time. Lunch was quiet and then we played for awhile, but when it came time fornap, he was rather emotional about cleaning up. It took a little gentle convincing (and being allowed to take his postcard to nap)but he was soon tucked in his crib, his eyes closed before I left the room.

It’s so fun to experience these places again from a child’s perspective. A place like the zoo or aquarium, while they never grow old, your perspective changes and that bright-eyed innocence fades (but never quite goes away – I did spend 6 hours in the Chicago Aquarium during my 2010 visit and was probably just as mentally exhausted afterward).

Thursday Thrills: Big foosh.

On By HanneIn Thursday Thrills1 Comment

I always give Evan a choice of what kind of adventure – maybe a little bit of a guided choice if I have a photo 1particular errand to run, though he’s generally happy to help me with those as well. But today he made the decision long before I even asked him about an adventure. Two words. Big. Foosh (which sometimes sounds like woosh).

His interest of choice lately seems to be fish, so a favorite  place to visit has been the pet store.  He’s very serious as he talks about their eyesand how they swim (in the water, he likes to point out). He talks about them eating all their foodand we’re working on their colors. After visiting all the tanks, he always finds a few to return to before we go to visit the mice, gerbils, hamsters and rats. Bonus points if they have playful ferrets to watch.

He reminds me of myself as he wanders through the store, wanting to look at everything (and then returning to the fish for one last look). We often run into other little kids likely on the same adventure, but he’s rarely distracted from his routine (but doesn’t hesitate to tell other kids to be quiet if they aren’t using a respectable inside voice – and no running!). It’s these trips where I usually pick up some food for my own fish or a toy for Nellieand he’s happy to help, proudly carrying what I need and handing it to the cashier.

photo 4 I love watching the birds, the parakeets specifically, the most. There is always one that reminds me of Buddy and his happy little chirps.  You never realize how quiet a home is until you’ve had a bird and then lost him. Even with a dog to greet you at the door, it doesn’t make up for the loving and excited bird that’s happy to have you home.

The Interbay Petco seems to be the best place to visit. Located next to a smaller Whole Foods, the store is relatively new.  Unlike the one on 15th, it’s bright, clean, and the friendly staff seems to recognize the fact that they are a fun activity rather than just a shop.

Sunday Feast

On By HanneIn Food, Health, Sunday Feast2 Comments

This isn’t the first time I’ve posted about this recipe, but since it’s the first time I’ve cooked in weeks, I thought I’d share it again.

With having been sick for so long, making anything with more work than poppingbread in the toaster or heating up kelp noodles with pesto in the microwave, the effort just wasn’t worth it. I’ve finally finished my prednisone (can my voice come back now? thx), I’ve been starting to feel better. Still tired, slow and my back/ribs are on fire, but it’s been forever since I’ve created anything in the kitchenand I was feeling inspired.

Roast chicken with lemon, onions and croutons is my go-to recipe for an easy, filling and relatively healthy photo 11meal. The ingredients are simple: a whole chicken, 2 lemons, 2 onions (sweet in this case, though I’ve used yellow and red), 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, salt/pepper, a nice loaf of bread (I used a rosemary sourdough) and plenty of olive oil.

I washed the chicken first and empty the guts (ew, who uses the neck and whatever other goodies they stuff inside?) and then pat the chicken dry. Sprinkle the inside with a bit of salt and pepper and then stuff it with lemon wedges. Brush the butter over the dry chicken and then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. I don’t eat more than a bite of the skin (*trying* to be healthy), but the salt and pepper creates a nice crust that I then brush off onto the meat and onions – gives it a nice bit of spice. Then spread the onions all around the chicken and put in the oven at 425F for 1hr 15 min.

photo 3Then, just before the chicken is done, I start with the bread. Chop it into large chunks and put in a frying pan with plenty of olive oil. Cook on med-high to toast the bread, adding more oil as needed. This recipe is absolutely, without a doubt, one of my favorites. It smells great long before it’s done, and it doesn’t disappoint. Squeezing the lemon juice from the cooked wedges over the croutons adds a nice little zing.

Does anyone have any chicken recipes to share? I don’t do a lot of red meat (pork, beef), and it seems like there are a billion different ways to cook chicken. What’s your favorite?

Thursday Thrills

On By HanneIn Health, Stress, Thursday Thrills2 Comments

Today’s thrill was hardly new, but it’s the only ‘thrill’ I’ve had for several days. In an attempt to beat whatever this is, I’ve reached out to just about any possible method – from the regular doctor, herbal remedies (side note, Oregano oil has helped the most), drinking more water than would be recommended and today – acupuncture.

I have a very love-hate relationship with the process. Most people know my fear of needles and would assume I’d never step foot willingly into an acupuncture clinic, but for someone that has a specific process (that must be followed) for a simple blood draw, I’m surprisingly good at getting needled. My palms get a little sweaty and my legs a little tense, but once the needles are situated, I’m good for a nice nap.

It’s hard to describe the feeling of the needles being inserted. Some you don’t feel at all – maybe a slight shift in cells. Others are more of a quick electric shock (I know, I touched the electric fence). Some are a little sharp as they go in, the sensation fading in a quick instant, and others burn until the needles is ‘backed off’ with a slight twist. On the rare occasion, I can’t relax with it in and the acupuncturist will remove it and try again or just leave it out.

I know a lot of people are skeptical about how effective acupuncture can be. I’m pretty convinced.

While I sound horrible (kinda like Badger from Breaking Bad), but my cough has steadily improved. I went all day without cough syrup today and with the exception of an occasional cough, I was doing pretty well. Once the needles were in, Amanda, my acupuncturist, left me for my nap. In the world of community acupuncture, you can take as long as you need. Sometimes I’m there for 45 minutes and other times my nap lasts two hours.  I was just settling in when it was like I suddenly had a feather tickling the back of my throat – uncontrollable coughing. She came back with a cough drop, said it was common for that to happen once things started moving. When the cough drop didn’t work, she brought me a glass of water. When that didn’t work, she pulled out one of the needles and the coughing stopped immediately. Amazing.

She also gave me a little cough medicine ‘to go’ in the from of two acupressure beads – teeny, tiny little fingerbeads taped to my pinky fingers. When I start to cough,  I massage the little beads and then the urge goes away.

I anticipate some good sleep tonight – I didn’t get the chance to nap during my appointment. The other half of this coughing business is the back/rib pain. I went to the chiropractor yesterdayand that helped, but today I woke with a massive knot right in the middle of my back. I stretched and twisted and…. I managed to find a massage clinic that could fit me inright after my acupuncture appointment. I still have a giant knot, though a little less painful, and I’ll see my regular massage person next week. So to end today’s thrill, I’ll curl up with a heat pack and maybe some tea, and hopefully cough/hurt a little less and sleep a little more.