Slow Cooker Cider, Garlic, Rosemary Pork Roast with Spinach & Onion Garlic Gravy

For the pork...

2 pound Pork Loin (not tender loin, but the chunk that would be cut into pork chops)

12oz bottle of apple cider

6-8 whole garlic cloves

2 large spears of Rosemary

Salt & Pepper to taste

Pour cider in, put garlic cloves and rosemary in, then place roast on top of garlic and rosemary. My slow cooker has a temp probe (thermometer) and allows me to cook an item until the temp is perfect, then it turns itself to "Warm". I set it to 160, and let it do it's thing. When the internal temp was 160, it switched to "warm" and made a heavenly tender roast!

For the Spinach...

6 cups of frozen copped spinach, thawed and cooked in hot water. (Either microwave it or boil it on the stove. You're only heating it up because I don't know many people who would like to eat frozen spinach with their supper.)

For the gravy...

1 md white onion cut into petals

1 md red onion cut into petals 

Olive oil

Salt

2 T butter

2 T gluten free flour mix (I used brown rice)

All the cooking liquid left in the slow cooker (I had 2 cups worth)

Drizzle a little olive oil in pan, put all onion petals into pan, add salt (both for taste, and to bring out the moisture in the onions so they will brown and caramalize). Cook them on medium/low. This is important because you need to make sure you don't burn the onions. This is the longest part of the "standing at the stove" cooking. After they are soft and translucent (kinda starting to look like they could be almost clear, but not quite) use a slotted spoon and fish out the garlic cloves from the pork cooking liquid. I used the same slotted spoon, and the wooden spoon I had been stirring the onions with to smush the garlic. Let the onions and garlic continue to slowly cook and become a pretty soft brown.  Increase the heat to medium or medium high then add the 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt in with the onions. Add the 2 tablespoons of brown rice flour and stir with a whisk to incorporate. It will turn into a paste that will coat each onion. Stir around a little for about a minute. Add the cooking liquid and stir. Once it starts to bubble, you can turn it way down and cover it if you need to.

To plate..

Bring out roast and slice into 1/2 inch slices.

Squeeze excess water from spinach

Place a spoonful of spinach in the center of the plate

Put your pork slice(s) on top of the spinach

Spoon your gravy on top of the pork slices

For the kids, I piled cut up pork on spinach for our son, then added ketchup.

For our daughter, it was just spinach and pork. With ketchup in the side.

Our son, however, ended up LOVING the gravy and the Mommy-Daddy plating, so he ended up eating a great deal from my plate. And he's 5.

My husband and I both added fresh cracked black pepper to our plates, as I've found that the kids eat more if I don't cook with pepper. Which is fine by us, because I love the flavor of fresh pepper on my food, and my husband loves hotter peppers. We have grinders of dried jalapeños, dried chipotle peppers, and your every day crushed red pepper flakes. He likes to pick and choose based on the dish and his mood. I'm a wimp, so I don't often partake in the spicy additives.

So here's the super supper from last night.  Hope you love it as much as we did. And, since it was done and cooked when Daddy came home, we sat right down, ate, then still had time to go for a bike ride after supper.

Wake me up when it's all over

For my unborn children, I gave up sanity and clarity along with wine and caffeine. Don't worry. After they were born and finished nursing, the caffeine and wine came back. But, I have ADHD, and was unable to take my medication during pregnancy, nursing, and trying to get pregnant. After our second (and, subsequently, last) child, I stayed at home to raise them. I was a stay at home Mom for about a year and a half. Then I went to work in a small law office part time, then went to work at a friends company. There was a Ritalin shortage nationwide, and getting my Rx's filled became almost impossible. I asked my GP, who had taken over my Rx after my diagnosis, if we could switch to something different so I could be more consistent. He felt I needed to see a psychiatrist because s/he would have more knowledge regarding what I needed.

Right about this time, we found the blood clot. The blood clot terrified me, so when I finally made the apt with the psychiatrist, I was understandably depressed, anxious, and due to new pressures at work, I was all-in-all a hot mess. My new psychiatrist put me on antidepressants because she thought I was depressed, and not ADHD. 

So here I was, almost 20 years after my initial diagnosis, being told I wasn't ADHD, I was depressed. Well, I thought, "Here we go again". I thought that, because all through out high school Drs put me on anti-depressants over and over again. Both of my parents were/are clinically depressed, so it was though that this was my "problem" too. My mother was stubborn, and with my IQ being higher than hers, and she being a Duke University graduate, she just knew I was capable of anything, and I just wasn't applying myself. She wouldn't even allow me to go through ADHD testing. It wasn't until after she passed away that I was tested and diagnosed.

For the next year I visited my new psychiatrist every 4 to 6 weeks for an update. In that time, I lost my job because my attention to detail, ability to focus or finish a project was nonexistent. I stayed on my blood thinners as treatment for the clot, and tried to manage the day-to-day. The laundry piled up at home. The dishes were only done when my husband came home. Projects were started and stopped. Rooms were half clean, half decorated, or partially rearranged. The garden and swing-set area never received mulch. Things that needed to get done were overwhelming and too much to deal with. Little things were fun for a little while, but then I was frustrated when the kids needed something and it pulled me away from what I was working on. 

Then I just got fed up. Enough is enough. I asked my psychiatrist about Ritalin again. She wouldn't put me on it or any other stimulant while I was on the blood thinners. So I asked my GP who said I would be on the thinners for at least two years.

No. No way. This is crazy. 

I hadn't made an appointment with a hematologist because I didn't want to insult my GP. I know...I know...I'm way too southern for my own good. I didn't want to appear to question him, or "go over his head". But finally I got over it and made the appointment with a hematologist. She looked at all the tests and results from the prior year, took two more tests, one was the ONLY test not performed at the hospital when I was sent to the ER with the original clot, the other was a test to see if there was an active clot anywhere in my system. Both came back negative and I was off the thinners within a week of seeing her.

Back to the psychiatrist I went. We had a longer then normal appointment so we could further discuss my ADHD symptoms, and she agreed. I'm ADHD For Sure! I was given a new medication, a derivative of Ritalin, and I took that bad boy the second I got in the car from filling my Rx. 

Within an hour I wanted to go back to her office to hug her. For the first time in several years I felt like I was back to being whole. I've described my ADHD as being in a room with only a strobe-light on. There is furniture and large balls on the floor and I have to make my way across the room. Yes, I can see, but it's not clear. In fact, it's a little scary. My meds are like turning on the overhead light. I can see everything. The room is still cluttered, but I can very easily navigate my way through quickly, efficiently, and safely.

In the past week, I have finished projects that have been half done for years. I've started more projects that are still undone. The house is (kinda) clean, the laundry is almost caught up. The dishes don't look like a mountain of torture, but are still in the sink right now. Some piles of "things" have been gone through and sorted. Things have been thrown away, organized, and discovered. I have another week on this dosage, and I'm going to tell her it's a great start. We're not quite there yet, but it's such a great start. 

For those without a brain abnormality, it's impossible to understand the feeling of "softness" that comes from getting the chemistry correct. I use the word "soft" because it's just like finally being able to relax and breathe. For years I rememberd what it was like to be able to do ten things all at once and be spectacular at them all! Then I would look around and couldn't do one thing. Couldn't do one hing AT ALL, let alone do it well. I lost my job, I lost friends, I lost myself. But then I took control and fought my way back. I'm back and I'm awake, and I sincerely hope that all the fog is over.

Week 2 Woes

I wrote this to a friend of mine, and realized it would make a good posting.  "Week 2" of any change in my life, be it diet, fitness, or school, is my downfall. I soar through the first week, jump in with both feet, gung-hu, and with guns a'blazing. But then suddenly week 2 rolls around, or even the end of week 1, and I realize that it's no longer comfortable. I start to realize that this feels like WORK. I didn't sign up for something requiring me to DO something. Skinny people in magazines are smiling, splashing in the waves at the beach, or lounging in an outdoor oasis their designer made for them, while sipping wine with their skinny friends. THAT'S what I want.  None of this weigh my food crap, and don't use oil or salt bologna. (Uummm... Bologna) I mean really, where am I going to hide my digital weight watchers scale in the strappy skin-tight sun dress while I entertain 75 of my closest friends during sunset on the deck of my fabulous yacht? 

So, due to the fun challenge group I'm in, I'm sticking with it through week 2. I didn't allow my self-sabotage to completely derail me. Yes, I pigged out and splurged (too much), and regained the 4 pounds i quickly lost in week 1, but I jumped right back on the proverbial horse, and find myself happily settled into the middle of week 2. And I'm losing again. Haven't lost the 4 I found again after my 2-days of ridiculous food choices, but I'm happy. I'm excited to see what lies ahead of me. 

There are only 6 weeks left in our game. I wonder if the group would like to jump right into another round immediately following this one so we don't get too off track over the holidays...

72 Butterflies

Genna brings me a tiny daisy off of a massive wild flower that is growing by the deck. Every day, she sings, "Mommy... I have a surprise for you." And every day I close my eyes and hold out my hand and wait for her to place the tiny flower in my hand and tell me to open my eyes. And every day, I tell her how pretty it is and how much I love it.

I posted that story on Facebook the other day, and a friend told me it was a sign from my Mama telling me I'm doing things right. I thought that was perfect, and I love our daily routine of my surprise even more now, knowing Mama is there with us each time.

I have long believed that she stops by to see me, and the family she never got to meet, via butterflies. The other night, while preparing supper, a black and blue monarch landed on the table on the patio and spread her wings. She then walked around with her wings out flat, and I pointed her out to Patrick and the kids. 

Yesterday, while outside doing science day, my daisy surprise was two daisies. When GG told me it was time to open my eyes, the two daisies were in my hand, and there was a beautiful black and blue monarch butterfly on the leaf right by my shoulder. When I turned my head to see her, she flew down to Genna's head, then flew off. 

Just then. Conner came running over asking if we wanted to see the beautiful butterfly he had found. I asked him if it was the black one and he excitedly said it was, but it had flown off and he couldn't find it. I told him that was his grand mommy. He asked how his grand mommy was turned into a butterfly, and I laughed and told him I'd tell him later. Now, you have to realize that Conner has to know everything about everything, but this time, he took that answer as enough, and ran off to find something else to discover.

Today would be Mama's 72 birthday. Cancer took her from us in 1996. She was 55.

Happy Birthday, Mama. Yeah, we're doing ok. Thanks for checking in. I love you.

Square One... It's like I never left you.

Those of you that follow along regularly know that I have been battling my weight for a long time. I started a "Game On" challenge with friends via Facebook, and found a wonderful circle of people who help motivate me, encourage me, and support me. That being said, they can't physically be with me 24/7 to both monitor and control what I eat and do. I exercised 180 minutes last week, I counted every calorie, and every carbohydrate. I was below calories and carbs for the first half of the week, and lost 4 pounds like THAT (snap of fingers of emphasis). Then I had enough calories left over after a long workout and not eating very high caloric foods during the day to eat gluten free pizza for supper. It was dreamy. Warm, crunchy, salty, tangy, cheesy. Oh, man, was it just awesome. 

But... The next day, I was in agony. Must have gotten cross contaminated, because I was dreaming of trying to find a restroom, then woke up before 6:00am with terrible tummy troubles.  I spend 90% of the next day (Saturday) in bed. But I got up to eat. I mean, I am ad addict. I needed that food fix, needed to see if eating would make me feel better. Nope. Not even a little bit. 

But, around 4:00pm, I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, so I joined the family and planned a "comfort meal" of mild chicken and rice and peas for supper. Made it, it was fabulous, ate it, and enjoyed some time with the family. The kids eagerly and sweetly exclaimed that this was the best meal ever, lifting my spirits higher and higher. 

Then I noticed the next morning that 2 of my lost 4 pounds had found its way back home. I hadn't lost them, but merely misplaced them. 

Sunday was my official "cheat day" and we had a full day of relaxing and fun planned. A day-trip to a winery with friends, and a baseball game that night. Cheese and crackers with the wine, then gluten free hotdogs and gluten free beer at the game. It really was a great day!

Monday morning, today, this morning, I got on the scale to see what was going on, and the other 2 lost pounds had rejoined their comrades on my thighs. It's a good thing too, because one side was horribly lopsided with those 2 extra pounds. I was way off balance, walking almost in circles, it was a little embarrassing. It's a blessing really that the other 2 came back.

The blessing is this. I know that I can not eat carbohydrates that do not come from leafy green vegetables. The ONLY carbohydrate that my body can process and not immediately store as fat is leafy greens.  

So here we are, back to a Monday morning start of a week. I'm thinking no cheats, other than perhaps a gigantic steak. But as far as cheats... I'm only cheating myself. I'm not sneaking something by the diet police, looking over my shoulder and laughing at the fact that I got away with it. "Ha Ha! You SUCKER!  I just ate a plate of brown rice, and you didn't catch me! Fools!"  Yeah... Um... They did catch me. Well, the scale caught me, and I'm feeling like the fool. 

Time to wake up Chica. You know what to do, and it's way past time to stop being so hard headed about all this. There is no magic bullet, no easy way out, no miracle "plan" that will fix all of this. You ate your way here, you can eat your way out. Just do it and shut up, already.

Game on, y'all.

Restaurant Review: Mimi's Cafe Gainesville

I've been to Mimi's Cafe in Gainesville twice, with two VERY different experiences. The first time I went to Mimi's was for a lunch meeting with a good friend. I arrived a little early and waited in the lobby/entry for a few minutes. I saw several people come in to pickup their to-go orders. There is a special alcove for to-go ordering and pickup, which was a nice touch. There is a small bar area which looked inviting, but I did not go through it carefully. I saw two dining rooms. One looked like a diner and the other looked like an inviting cabin. When my lunch date arrived, she was greeted very sweetly, the staff knew her by name, and she asked to sit on the cabin-side because its quieter.  Here are my thoughts on lunch.

Service - Fantastic. Not hovering, nor did I feel like I would have to waive anyone down. 

Staff - Very sweet and warm. While I waited in the front for my friend, I wasn't pestered or asked over and over if I was waiting for something. On that same note, I also did not feel ignored. 

Decor - The lobby and the cabin-like dining rooms are beautiful. Very warm and inviting. The dining room has a huge ceiling with wooden beams, private booths, and a very pleasant decor overall.

Restroom - Didn't visit the restroom on this visit.

Food Quality - Very fresh. We both ordered salads, and everything was beautiful.

Food Prep - Excellent. I asked for no croutons on my chicken Caesar, and there wasn't as much as a crumb on my plate. I felt very safe. The lettuce was dried properly, so it didn't water down the dressing.

Food Taste - Wonderful! Fresh, light, creamy, rich, and crisp. 

Overall, I was very impressed with Mimi's Cafe, and couldn't wait to go back. I sang its praise to my husband so often, that we decided to go for dinner a few nights ago.  And it was like stepping into an alternate universe in some aspects. Things could not have been more different with the food and decor.

Service - Again, this was first rate. Our server asked our names, then spoke to us, using our names as if he had known us for ever. He had great things to say about what we ordered. My husband mentioned his Celiac Disease, and asked for a dish to be prepared without the breading, which the kitchen did graciously. He had chicken cordon blueI, with steamed broccoli. I ordered a steak, scalloped potatoes, and a grilled shrimp skewer with a glass of Chardonnay. 

Staff - The staff was very nice, but in the background I could see them goofing off in a separate section of the dining room separated by a curtain. 

Decor - This time, we sat in the "other" dining room. And I now know why my friend requested the cabin-like dining room on my first visit. Ugh! The dining room to the right is like a bad diner or cafeteria. God-awful pleather booths, partial dividers between booths made of glass with strange brass accents, at least one was broken, and the glass dividers did nothing for sound control. I was very aware of the conversation of the ladies 3 booths down on the opposite side of us.

Restroom - Beautiful! One stall was out of order, but the overall cleanliness was excellent, and the brass sink was beautiful. I'm always happy to see a clean restroom in a restaurant!

Food Quality - Horrible. Simply horrible. I'm not convinced there was a fresh ingredient on either of our plates. My husbands broccoli had old, dried, brown stems and some florets were brown and soggy as well. His chicken was dry, and he wasn't impressed. My steak was ok. I asked for a sauce on the side that had have been jarred and microwaved, and was NOT gluten free, we discovered later that night. My grilled shrimp skewer was frozen shrimp that had been thawed and then warmed on the flat-top. My scalloped potatoes were from a box, they were pasty, gross, overly salty, mushy, and overall yucky. I feel they weren't GF either. (We were not told there was a GF menu until after we had ordered. Our fault for not asking.)

Food Prep - I'm fairly certain everything was microwaved and came either frozen or prepackaged. My steak was cooked wonderfully, but the sauce was salty, jarred, and barely warm. In fact, all of the food on my plate was moderately cold when it came to the table.

Food Taste - My steak was nicely seasoned. My potatoes were salty, from a package, and had been microwaved. The sauce was salty and tasted like the can it came from. My Chardonnay wasn't. I'm not sure what that substance was, but it was as far from a Chardonnay as I think I've had. It was sour and bitter.

Overall, this second experience was horrible. Our server was wonderful, but the food and decor were just awful, and you go out to eat for food and ambiance. Otherwise, you eat your own food at home.  I was embarrassed because I had been telling my husband how spectacular it had been the other time. This supper was the ending to our anniversary day spent kid-free, and we were both very disappointed. Due to our gluten reactions, we both felt pretty yucky after, and since one of my reactions is irritability and grumpiness, I huffed on up to bed and went to sleep instead of watching a movie as we had planned.

Based on this, we won't be going back to Mimi's Cafe in Gainesville. But, if I ever find myself there, ill be sure to order a salad only.