Livin' It Up... About This Gemini

I'm not that into zodiac signs, unless we're talking about Geminis. We are the best! Only half joking. I'm sure you've heard about the stereotypical two-faced people that we are but let me tell you, there is a lot to love and appreciate about a Gemini, especially me.

I think I am a hell of a good time. I'm talkative, incredibly social, highly flirtatious, opinionated, inquisitive, often take a "to each their own" approach when debates arise, smart, enthusiastic about life, witty, laugh louder than everyone else in the room, adaptable, easy going, I can admit when I'm wrong and will do what is needed to make it better, and I have multiple interests.

Once I find a subject I am interested in I will pursue it to the point of excellence.

"Crash and burn" is not something this Gemini experiences often. While I don't mind taking the lead and setting the pace nothing is more frustrating than seeing others standing back watching me do all the work. I'm inclined to overwork my mind and body and am prone to mental exhaustion. I try to get sleep but more times than not I just can't. Restless. I stay up late and rise early (that's without an alarm too). My thinking is that I don't have many days in this lifetime and I want to make the most of them. I have 48 hours worth of stuff to do in 24 hours.

Head-strong about loved ones and things I am passionate about and ready to put up a hard fight if the topic is poked at. I have little control over my mouth when upset and can't let it go until I'm ready to shut up about it.

Speaking of loved ones, I am overly generous often offering up my items or services if I see someone in need.

I am loyal as hell. I love with all I have and give myself fully to that person. No matter what I have going on in my life I can put it aside and be there when needed. When I tell you I love you I mean it.

Don't have any room for drama in my life unless it's on the network Bravo or TLC. Love trashy reality TV.

I can also tell you some of the negatives with me being a Gemini. 

I'm indecisive and get overwhelmed when there are too many options, have moments of laziness and untidiness, don't enjoy being confined, get bored with repetition (but need some normalcy and routine), when in a foul mood I become cold to those around me, need clear communication in a relationship and get irritated without it, I can detach emotionally from someone at the flip of a switch, when I'm hurting I put on a fake smile which means I bottle up my emotions until I explode, and my sarcasm gets taken wrong a lot. Because of the dual personality I'm constantly going back and forth with my thoughts and actions. 

But I can't end it on a negative... so I'll leave you with this...

Doin' Some Cookin'... Chicken Cacciatore

It was a Monday. It's a classic comfort food kind of a day so a skillet of Chicken Cacciatore it is.

Chicken Cacciatore means "Hunter-Style Chicken" in Italian.

This is a simple but complex balance of flavors. I can't say no to a recipe with capers in it or tender, succulent chicken. The chicken is braised in a tomato-based sauce with mushrooms and red bell peppers.

Instead of serving this over pasta noodles I sauteed some zucchini noodles and made sure to spoon a generous amount of the sauce over them. So damn good!

Mangia! Buon Appetito!

Chicken Cacciatore

Adapted From: Whole30

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• sea salt, to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup mushrooms, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth or water
• dried basil, to taste

And Action:

In large skillet with high edges heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and place in the pan. Sear until golden brown, about 3 minutes each side. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

In same pan add remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and add red bell peppers, sprinkle with onion powder and saute 2-3 minutes. Add mushrooms and continue to cook stirring for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and stir, 1 minute. Add the capers and diced tomatoes.

Return the chicken to the pan and cover everything with chicken broth. Reduce heat to medium and simmer about 30 minutes.

Garnish with basil and serve over sauteed zucchini noodles. Enjoy!

Livin' It Up... "Counseling" Check-In with Little Man

I think it's important that I maintain open dialogue and clear communication with Little Man. I have fears over him coming from a "broken home" and want him to be able to effectively communicate. He's a sensitive and overly critical of himself. My hope is that he'll overcome challenges he faces presently and in the future.

About once a week I sit down with him in a casual environment and ask a handful of questions:

1. How are things at home? (He knows if anything is discussed in regards to his father's home that it is kept confidential between us. I want him to always know that he can trust me when I say he can tell me anything. I would never intervene unless he was in danger.)
2. How do you feel about school?
3. How do you feel your behavior at school is?
4. How are your work habits at school?
5. How are your friendships?

These are great conversation starters and help serve to teach him self-reflection.

Some of these questions have brought up serious conversations, about:

• Loss of friendships
• That a loss can be big or small such as losing a toy or the loss of life... Little Man experienced this first hand when his great grandma passed away.
• Which sacrifices yield the greatest results.
• Putting aside your own feelings in favor of someone else's.
• Some memories shape who we are.
• Emotions are okay but how to effectively handle anger and sadness
• Finding positives
• Spending time with loved ones
• Breaking rules and violating trust
• Learning to adapt when something doesn't go our way.
• Recognizing what we have control over and things we cannot change.
• Never giving up
• Self control starts with the mouth... This is a hard lesson to teach coming from someone with no filter. I'm still a work in progress too.

Positive outlets Little Man has been taught:

• Exercising
• Journal
• Being with others 
• Watching a favorite movie or show or listening to a favorite song
• Work on a puzzle or play a board game
• Take a nap
• Have a relaxing bubble bath
• Read a book
• Paint
• Get a hug
• Create or build something
• Look at photographs
• Get some fresh air and play at the park

I don't ever want to hear something second hand about my son's mental well-being and I hope he'll know he can always come to me for help with anything.

Livin' It Up... Gary Turk's "Look Up" Video

I recently watched a 5 minute video on YouTube by Gary Turk titled, Look Up. It was poetic. The message delivered is how technology makes it easier to connect, however, it results in us spending more time alone and really disconnected. That media is anything but social since you take the person out of it. You're not looking into their eyes and hearing their voice or feeling their touch through a hug or kiss.

I don't want to be a parent who entertains their child with an iPad or sitting them in front of the TV.

"Look up from your phone, shut down the display, take in your surroundings, make the most of today."

It's about being present.

To be completely honest, if someone doesn't have a social media account (Facebook is all I have) then I struggle to keep in contact. I know I need to spend more time investing in these relationships which would obviously require some extra effort.

Going forward, I'm going to make a more conscious effort to put my phone away while accompanied and creating more opportunities for my son to get outside and play. #apartmentliving

Not everyone agrees with the message and that is okay. I appreciate the reminder that it's important to take a step away from technology but not entirely.

Doin' Some Cookin'... Monkey Salad

Monkey Salad is a super simple fruit salad making for a great midday snack or for breakfast with a couple hard boiled eggs.

Perfect to make and share with your favorite little monkey for their lunchbox. Little Man's nickname has been "Monkey" since he was born.

Monkey Salad

From: Good Cheap Eats

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 banana, sliced
• 1/8 cup unsalted cashews
• 1 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes

And Action:

Layer ingredients and lightly mix. Enjoy!