Don't judge- but for me, the holidays are all about food.
From January through October I exercise impressive self control when it comes to my at home, and even social eating. Don't get me wrong, I still love food during the rest of the year, but it's November and December I specifically reserve my splurging for. There are simply too many events, and seasonal specialties, I just can't turn down. And I may be shoveling every delicious homemade thing in sight onto my plate, or into my mouth, but that doesn't mean I'm not cultivating priceless memories at the same time. Because it wouldn't be the holidays without the seasonal flavors, and those flavors wouldn't tickle my tummy, and delight my inner child without all of the warm memories associated with them.
For example, ginger cookies remind me of the time I ate too many, gave myself a horrible tummy ache, and wound up with my head in my grandma's lap- her gently comforting caress of my hair, one Christmas Eve. The smell of molasses reminds me of the time my Uncle tried to smoke our holiday ham and we nearly wound up with the fire department at our Thanksgiving table. And coriander reminds me of that mysterious potato salad that would always wind up on my plate, whether I wanted it or not. Yes, food is one of the big reason's we get together- and it's the cornerstone of so many amazing memories and traditions. But for people like Jay, holiday cuisine can be a cruel mistress.
When we first met there was a slew of things Jay wouldn't eat- it not only dictated his food choices, but where we would go to eat for events such as dates. And, while there are many foods you may think of as triggers for heartburn, the ingredients and dishes which most greatly impact a frequent heartburn sufferer is as unique as the individual them-self. For example, Momma used to tell me to drink milk whenever heartburn would flair- but fatty foods such as milk and cheese actually increase Jay's discomfort, as they slow digestion and result in increased intestinal pressure.
When our first holiday season came around Jay began to make a fuss about sitting out family events- You can imagine the thoughts going through my head, I was certain it was all about me, and him not wanting to be around my family. As it turns out I was wrong. (Don't let him read that.) It soon came out that he didn't want to feel uncomfortable around all of the trigger foods he would inevitably want to eat. Frequent heartburn can truly sideline someone- and the holidays are no time to be feeling left out!
What's one of my biggest holiday indulgences? The holiday honey baked ham- you know the one- that sweet pork meat candy glazed with a golden sugar coating so aromatic you wish you could spritz your tree in it. (No, just me?)
Our family is big on the holiday ham tradition- we always make sure to order triple what we need to feed our guests and we still end up with minimal leftovers and a giant ham bone.Of course no matter how slick the family 'carver' thinks they are, there's still plenty of delicious ham flavor left on that bone, so I traditionally make a rustic split pea soup. It's kind of a holiday tradition.
Start by taking the bulk of the leftover meat off your ham bone with a paring knife. Reserve this meat, and any scraps/leftovers, diced, for the finishing touches at the end of your soup's creation.
Place a thick pad of butter in the bottom of an 8 quart pot and simmer
your onion, celery, and carrots until they begin to turn soft, opaque,
and slightly golden. Add some minced garlic and dried marjoram spice to
really highlight the ham flavor you're about to introduce.
Add your ham hock/bone and the diced/trimmed ham to the pot and stir over medium heat just until sufficiently combined.
Next add your split peas and water, bringing the mixture to a simmer before lowering the heat and putting on a lid.
Your soup won't look like much at this point, more of a vegetable stew, really, but shortly after adding the water savory aromas will begin to fill your kitchen thanks to the ham hock and marjoram.
You can't really over-cook your soup, aside from perhaps baking it to the bottom of your pot due to lack of stirring, so feel free to let it simmer until the ham is virtually melting off the bone.
Once your bone is clean, fish your hocks/bones from the soup carefully and smooth the mixture in a food processor a couple of cups at a time- I like to maintain a little texture, so I reserve 1-2 cups of the thicker soup as it is. Once processed, pour your blended coup back into the pot with the last of your reserved ham, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve this delicious rustic homemade split pea soup with a variety of toppings to garnish. Some of our family favorites include sour cream, bacon crumbles, bell peppers, cheddar cheese and fresh chives. Split pea soup, and all of the 'fixings' used to be a big trigger for Jay's frequent heartburn but Nexium® 24HR Capsules have changed the way his stomach greets seasonal cuisine.
Okay, now that his Holiday Heartburn Face is gone, he might be enjoying those holiday refreshments a little too much. Jay said this was his 'I'm drinking something I'm not supposed too, but I'm not going to pay for it later' face.
But in all serious-ness, I was trying to capture a nice holiday photo for our holiday cards, and the excitement of eggnog apparently got the better of both of them. Like father, like dog? I'm okay with it though, I'd much rather have a heartburn free partner in crime to eat my way through the holidays with than a scrunchy faced grinch! Do you have a traditional holiday dish you look forward to each year?
What Daughter Says: Don't sideline yourself this holiday season.
Rustic Split Pea Soup
***Click here for the printable Rustic Split Pea Soup recipe.
For the sake of disclosure this is a blog post written as an entry in the 2016 #BlogPawsOrBust content. All thoughts and photos contained below are authentic and property of Momma Told Me Blog 2016.
This is a post that has been 2 weeks 3 years in the making.
3 years ago I went to my very first blogging conference. I was terrified. I really knew what felt like nobody online or off- I simply hadn't broken into the inner circle of the blogging world. And I am going to tell you in all candidness now that I have pretty strong anxiety in face to face social situations. I guess that's why I have a blog, right?
Nobody online ever believes me, but ask any of my friends in 'the real world' and they'll tell you that I was the most quiet, mouse of a person, before they finally broke me out of my shell. It's part of the reason I do so many social activities I honestly would rather not be doing (bowling in a league, for example) because they build a sense of community that gives me the confidence to slowly conquer my fears and anxieties.
So, back to my first blog conference- I am sure I was a wreck and I am certain I missed more than half of the amazing events and opportunities because I was freaking out in my hotel room. My roommate, who had been ever so kind and understanding (as bloggers tend to be) had promised she would try and buddy up with my throughout the conference so I'd at least have one familiar face by my side as much as possible. But I couldn't very well ruin her conference experience stalking her all day, so there I was in our room staring at the back of our door nervously wrenching my laptop bag's shoulder strap, taking a deep breath.
The moment I walked outside I felt immediate panic. I gripped the key card tightly, it wasn't too late to turn back around. Surely I could jut go inside and casually work on a blog post until my roommate wandered back in and offered to save me? But my brain was stronger than the bunch of knots in my stomach and I continued onto the elevator, into the packed lobby and a sea of strangers' faces. It appeared to be a break time and people sat at clusters of tables enjoying a sponsor provided snack. At a conference there is no such thing as sitting solo- With a big gulp, I sat down.
I tried to pretend there were no other people at that table, but I felt as though 4 pairs of eyes were staring at me, analyzing my every move. I could not eat my bagel slow enough if just to pretend I had a strong enough focus to ignore them. My phone buzzed, and I scrambled to pick it up, hoping I hadn't drawn any attention. In a room so alive and buzzing with chatter and noise I felt as though I were the only one anyone saw, that I was the main attraction, a freak show. It might sound narcissistic, but that's what social anxiety does to a person. It's the feeling of being uncomfortable in your own skin.
After answering a brief text I looked desperately for more 'busy work' I could engage in on my phone. The break had to be ending soon. Please let it end soon. But what happened next was nothing short of a lifesaver for me. The tall woman with the red pixie cut hair to my right happened to catch a glance of my smartphone background before the screensaver kicked in wiping it blank. In a behavior some might find rude, she scooped up my phone and began pressing buttons in an attempt to make the image reappear. This should have thrown me into a full blown panic but the following words from her mouth immediately pulled me from whatever dark place the anxiety drags me into.
"Oh my gawd! Is that your cat! That has to be one of the cutest photos I have ever seen, and I have 3 babies of my own! Human children of course, but I bet this princess is just like your baby!"
Truffles. My cat. She'd found my connector. A topic so overwhelmingly passionate for me that even the strongest of social anxieties wouldn't forbid me from engaging. Immediately, I was a different me. The real me. The me my family and friends know. In a crowded lobby packed with thousands of strangers I looked up from my bagel and began talking to several women I didn't know just seconds before. Not an ounce of nerves.
Animals have provided an anchor, a safe place, for me and my nerves through countless events in my life. I am far from an expert, maybe it's the endorphines they release, maybe it's just the unconditional love they give- but I have always been able to open up to anyone, anywhere, about animals. I wish I could say it's because I have a heart of gold, but that's the main reason I served as a regular volunteer at our local animal shelter. So, it's easy to understand how the emergence of modern technology and mobile sharing has helped me connect beyond my anxiety with the most unlikely of people in the most unlikely of places.
As a blogger who integrates her pets so heavily into her everyday content, and social media, I am never without a plethora of talking points so long as I have my smartphone on me. And, believe it or not, multiple times a week I am stopped by a stranger in what would otherwise have been a stressful situation, and asked about Nora or Truffles. I don't keep my credit cards in my smartphone (card holder) case just for convenience- they're there so my phone is visible. So I am constantly pushed beyond my comfort zone to ultimately conquer my anxiety.
I have made real life friends over a simple compliment of my screensaver or wallpaper on my phone. It always begins simple enough- "Aww your dog/cat is so cute!" or "Your dog/cat looks just like my baby!" Which is followed by me whipping out as many photos as possible, regardless of the location or convenience of the encounter- and of course, me handing over a business card asking the individual to connect or get in touch some time. All this without an ounce of panic.
Why? Because my pets are my kids. And nothing comes more natural or effortless than sharing one's pride and love for the people they love most. But it's not just sharing- the energy and enthusiasm others exude when talking about their furbabies is just as infectious. I could talk or listen for hours. And that is a huge grounding point for me on my role to conquer anxiety. As silly as it sounds my pets not only bring me comfort in times of stress or sorrow, but also serve as a point of strength in freeing me from the mental chains that have held me back in 'the real world' for so long. Why am I telling you all of this?
I was going to share with everyone a 'Jenna explosion;' a video, a stop motion, a craft project, a recipe for dog treats. But the simple fact is that, after an awful week I will not drag into this post, I realized something. I am known for being a colorful, creative, over-the-top, entertaining and heartfelt blogger. Those who read my blog know I turn cat litter discussions into posh cat scratcher tutorials, and make grooming day fun by throwing a pretend pet salon on the lawn for the kids. That no matter what. I keep pushing. I do everything 110% with as much of myself as I can give, and I never give up.
They know this.
But what I've shared here. Most of them do not. And this post might not have been full of funny anecdotes about my adorable pets, or really anything I've spent the past 2 weeks putting together. But 2 years ago Patty Woodland of Broken Teepee shared every step of her Blog Paws Conference journey on social media and blog and my heart skipped with joy. That, that looked like a conference I NEEDED to be at. So much joy, and such a passion for pets and animals among like-minded individuals that just so happened to also blog. The following year she shared her journey again, and I longed to be there with my online friend, meeting other online friends, and making new real-life friends. But the location was simply too far and the only events I've managed to budget are ones I volunteer at. It's a great way to get to an event, but in honesty one doesn't quite get to have the full experience.
When Blog Paws 2016 was announced, just a state over, I dropped ALL plans to go to ANY other event this year and began saving and planning to go. As I'd told Patty the year before, this year I was going to make Blog Paws my top priority. Which I've done in so many ways.
My enthusiasm had me wanting to share so many of those ways with you- but it turns out what I have today, in my possession as far as visual aids is simply that which I have been sharing in my #BlogPawsOrBust series on Instagram. (Thank goodness for DropBox uploads.) I apologize if the photos don't line up with the text- sometimes life doesn't quite 'line up.' I wish I could share with you all of the creativity I tried to inject into my submission, but a quick search on Instagram for #BlogPawsOrBust will hopefully supplement that.
Why do I want to go to Blog Paws? Aside from Nora's rocking new threads, it's the perfect venue for me to grow as a blogger AND individual with my four-legged child by my side. The prospect of going not only excites em for what I might learn, but for that which I might be able to share; new connections, photography techniques, creative storytelling- I have just as many skills to offer within networking as I have to gain. And that makes me a solid investment! (Of course I think Truffles has just been campaigning for me so she can get 4 nights off from the dog!)
All of this is a round about way of saying that someone with admitted social anxiety might not be the first pick on your list for a contest in which the winner is sent to a bustling social event. However, my pets are my connector, and I know this is the conference for me. Sure, I've volunteered at events since, and every time I build my social skills and I fight those anxious demons- but there has never been an event like this I wanted to go to so much, which I feel I will have so much to offer, in addition to so much to gain. Blog Paws Conference was made for me. (Still don't believe me? Ask me how many times the past 2 weeks I've been stopped and asked about #BlogPaws after someone read the side of my car. And THEN tell me #BlogPaws16 isn't already helping me to grow!) Lastly, the fact I'd be networking in the beautiful Arizona outdoors among the trees, mountains, and horses at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort would honestly just be a cherry on top. If you don't take my word, maybe these guys will convince you?
This post has been sponsored in part by the Smiley 360 Blogger network on behalf of #Nexium24HR. All photos contained below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2016.
Momma Told Me: Who's going to save you from your holiday self?
Every year, somewhere around the first week of November we all begin to transform. It may be subtle at first, and some may have considerably more self control than others, but all of undergo the 'tempting' of holiday mentality. From the urge to over-indulge while shopping at the mall, to the desire to grab an extra slice of pie because 'it's a special event.' We find reasons to tip the scales ever so slightly here and there. A little indulgence is good for the soul, or at least that's what I say- but Momma always warned to be mindful of my 'holiday self.'
Your holiday self is the side of you that makes you even more willing to put an extra dollar in the tip jar, go out of your way to stop by a Toys For Tots collection bin, or invite a co-worker into your home for a warm meal. It is also the side of you that whispers 'It's only once a year' or 'We'll get back on track in Janaury, make a fresh start' as your eyes are continually widened and nostrils flared over the sights and smells of deliciously decadent holiday fare. As a blogger, and people pleaser, the holidays are a playground for me in the kitchen. In December I made 16 dozen cookies, a total of 7 unique recipes, 7 pounds of seasoned or candied bacon for pot lucks, 3 holiday hams, 1 turkey, 4 types of truffles, home-style chili, 5 different cheese balls, and so much more. I wish I could say all of that went out the door to family and friends, but the chef and her lead taster (Jay) did their fair share of consumption.
All of this over-consumption, and the exhaustion of running around indoors and out hit me pretty well, smack daub, 2 days before Christmas with the worst flu I have ever endured. To be honest, I am still enduring the aftermath. And, as miserable as having the flu during the holidays can be, there is something perhaps even more disruptive- heartburn. Nobody wants to be enjoying their favorite seasonal foods when heartburn hits. And, if you think we are out of the season of flare ups and indigestion, I'll remind you that we are barreling towards the big Game Day, and football season is very much in full swing. Hot wings, nachos, jalepenos, and cheese curls will be gracing out tables and living room in the upcoming weeks.
Luckily, Jay is protected by the comfort of #Nexium24HR for frequent heartburn. Him and his stomach of steel took on all I had to offer over the holidays, and all of the many 'home cooked' delights the residents at his work dropped off. I dare say he let his holiday self run free. And, truth be told, there was little stopping him. The convenience of taking such a tiny pill, once a day, for 24 hour
relief and protection from heartburn, without a prescription is an immense help. And, without the chalky residue and unsavory flavorings of
other heartburn treatments, Jay's palette was clear and ready to enjoy every last holiday flavor. You can grab a special coupon for $6 off Nexium 24HR here.
Of course, the 'holidays' aren't over yet- and, with me being sick and bed bound for most of the past week, I was getting fairly creative with leftovers and simple meals Jay could help prepare himself. To 'celebrate' New Year's we made a Brown Sugar Ham Steak with pineapple and dijon mustard. It not only smells heavenly while heating but, since the ham steak is already cooked from the store, this makes for an affordable and easy meal for 2 (or more, just double the ham steaks!) If you are a fan of glazed ham, you simply must try it out! While out meal heated we gathered around the family table and played a game of Apples To Apples while streaming our favorite tunes of 2015 on a Bluetooth speaker. It wasn't exactly the way we'd planned to celebrate, but you've got to make the best with what life throws you, right?
Of course that Brown Sugar Ham Steak has a few 'trigger' ingredients such as the acid in pineapple juice, and the spice of the mustard. There was a time when a mundane dish like this could send Jay to bed early in a grumpy mood with heartburn and a handful of chalky calcium pills. I can't say enough about how much more enjoyable Nexium 24HR has made 'the little things' like a delicious snack or game day meal once again. Best of all, you can buy Nexium 24HR over the counter at most major retailers such as CV, Walgreens, and Walmart. Learn more about Nexium 24HR, and where to buy it, here. Like Nexium 24HR on Facebook for more seasonal facts and fun advice.
I've, personally, got a lot of exciting things planned for Momma Told Me in 2016- and I'm hoping this flu won't set me back too far. At least I know my 'lead taster' is ready to go! This year I'll be bringing back a few favorite regular series to the blog, such as Bucket List Tuesday, What I'm Streaming, and What I'm Gaming as well as introducing regular 'themed' recipe posts and more pet content. We'll even be going 'way back' and redoing some of our very first crafts and recipes! I'm very excited to share this all with you over the next year! Now, tell me, what types of foods tempt you so much you can never turn them down? Is there a favorite recipe you simply always have to indulge in when it's around?
What Daughter Says: The holidays may feel like they're over but your holiday self will surely stick around through game day celebrations and containers of seasonal leftovers. Protect yourself with Nexium 24HR.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KYTrySomethingNew #CollectiveBias
Momma Told Me: Life can get in the way.
The holidays are in full swing (Tell me something I don't know Jenna, right?) Okay, did you know our family celebrates Christmas twice? Because half of the family lives on the East Coast, and the other half here in Southern California, we are always sure to have the tree trimmed and decorated for Thanksgiving. Since my grandparents can't take an entire month off to visit, we cram all of the Winter holidays into one in November, then do it again with local family in December. Sure, after a 'dry run' on turkey day, the real thing goes off without a hitch- but it's still a heck of a lot of planning. After all, half of our shopping and gifts have to be done before Black Friday!
I'm quite fortunate though, Jay doesn't mind hauling out boxes of decorations, assisting in the wrapping of piles of gifts, or the residual glitter from having to hang my favorite pink zebra sequined globe at the top of the tree. He's a trooper. In fact, this will be our 4th holiday season together, and we are constantly creating new traditions, while celebrating the old. However, it can be quite hard to find time for just the two of us in between his full time job, and holiday overtime, and my schedule with the blog, daycare, and holiday event planning. So, this year, I'm instituting a new tradition; December Date Night.
Few people know this, but our first official date was over lunch at a Chinese restaurant- He'll say our first date was over frozen yogurt at 11pm at night after bowling league, but I call that an impromptu hang out. So, for me, there has always been something special about returning to that ritual of sharing a good conversation, in great company, over some cashew chicken and fortune cookies. It may sound silly, and even a bit childish, but we always wrap the meal up by playing the humorous 'in bed' game with our fortunes. It's simple, add the words 'in bed' to your actual fortune cookie fortune, and see who has the more amusing twist! I don't think we haven't gotten a gem yet- and it's a great way to start a flirty dialogue with your other half over a few smiles!
This year, I'm taking time out of our busy holiday season to schedule date nights- Scheduling time with your significant other may not be the most optimal scenario, but sometimes it's a necessity. If we didn't make time to reconnect with one another an entire season would go by lacking that intimacy healthy relationships require. So, inspired by our first date, I decided to make date night more memorable with homemade slow cooker cashew chicken and Frisky Fortune Cookies.
Homemade fortune cookies may seem a bit overwhelming, but they're actually quite fun to make, and really easy to get the hang of. Best of all, they can be made with basic baking ingredients you already have on hand!
1. Simply prepare the recipe at the bottom of this post and place the batter into a piping bag with a small corner snipped.
2. Pipe tight spiral circles onto a well greased cookie sheet to about 2"- Only pipe 2-3 cookies at a time, as the cookies will set quickly upon removal from the oven and you will need time to fold them.
3. Next, tilt the tray left right, up, and down, to coax the batter to spread and thin in a round circular shape. Once your batter circles are near 2.5-3" place the cookie sheet in a pre-heated oven and bake for 4-5MIN, or until the outer edges are golden brown (the center will remain light.)
4. Immediately move from the oven and carefully remove the cookies with a spatula. The cookies will be hot so be mindful of temperature! Place one of our Frisky Fortune strips (FREE Printable here,) in the center of the cookie and fold loosely in half.
5.Grabbing the two creased edges pull down on the corners alongside the rim of a glass to create a crescent shape. Place folded cookies in a muffin tin to cool and set.
Of course there are a few other things you will want to have on hand and prepared for a December Date Night- you can grab our Cashew Chicken recipe below too, it slow cooks in 3-4 hours so there's little fuss there. You'll also want to have a few other things sorted out, like who will be watching the kids (if you have them,) what you'll be wearing (or not wearing), and how you'll continue the mood after dinner. Since this date night is in your home, you're free to really reconnect with your partner- I've given you some breadcrumbs with my Frisky Fortunes, it's up to you to determine where they'll lead. Perhaps a pampering massage or something a little more intimate?
For us, date night is all about reconnecting and nurturing the emotional and physical bond we share so I also did a little exploring at Walmart while shopping for my date night essentials. Armed with this $2 off one K-Y® product printable coupon I made a beeline to the personal hygiene and wellness aisle where I discovered K-Y® TOUCH® 2-In-1 Massage Creme and Pleasure Gel. It's a whole new way for couples to connect and explore through touch-based connections. The non-greasy gel magnifies skin's sensetivity in a very subtle, building effect that truly enhances the sensations of massage and other passionate activities.
Half the fun in a date night is the unwinding and reconnecting that goes on between two people so committed to one another. Sometimes our commitment can be taken for granted when we get comfortable and feel as though our significant other will 'always' be there- but it's especially important during busy and hectic times such as the holiday season to make time to engage one another without all of the distractions of busy lives. We've survived our 'pre-holiday' holiday, but still have one coming up; I think another date night is in order! For more tips on increasing intimacy, no matter the time of year, check out these Intimacy Tips with Dr. Laura Berman. How do you plan on making time for romance with your partner this holiday season?
What Daughter Says: There may be a lot of awesome things going on this holiday season, but it's important that you take time out to ensure your relationship is one of them!
