little thoughts on doula/ recipes!

Jonathan very sweetly offered to put the boys down to bed tonight so that I could pop out for some R&R. I went to Caribou Coffee, laptop and birthing books in tow, and set up camp for a couple hours.

Coffee, quiet, and birth. Tres manifique.

My dear friends, Michelle and Jonathan, are expecting their first baby in March, and they have graciously asked if I would be their doula!!!!!!!!(lots of exclamations)!!!!!!!! I cannot even begin to relay what an honor it was and is to be asked to fill this role. I feel immensely proud and ecstatic, over-the-moon. My very first birth as a doula (unofficial, but still :). Yeah. Doula workshop is on hold until the spring... when tax season rolls around... bleh.

I am equipping myself: writing up thoughts, reading like mad, and - of course - collaborating with Mama Shelly. It's neat: I feel, hmm, at home with all this. Like, I've found my niche.

Aside from the Holy Word, there is absolutely *nothing* more I would rather pore over than birthy literature. I love hearing from Michelle: how she's feeling, what she's thinking, what questions I can help answer. I love, love being there for her - she's one of my best friends, and this is an incredibly unique and special time for her. To be a small part of that makes me get all warm-fuzzy like.

Mmm! So excited for her! So excited for Jon! So excited for their babe! She's totally having a boy.... I feel that "boy" aura all over when we're near. Oh yeah. Scientific assessments here.

So, I'll write more about my side of this journey as time floats on.

In the meantime.....

Booyah, check out these recipes:

I was cleaning for Mija one early Saturday, and they were whipping up a treat for the Lord's Day - "chocoalte pudding". Get this: it's avocado, dates, and cocoa or carob powder. Ta-freakin-da! Isn't that nuts!?! Mija had me try a taste, and I went through the roof. It was scrump-didli-umptious. Try it - you shouldn't be disappointed, and if you are, then your taste-buds need a readjustment... I kid, I kid. But seriously - TRY IT.

Secondly, I found this lovely gem through trusty ol' Facebook: Poor Girl Eats Well. Her garlic-parmesan soba noodles were just what my family needed the other day. Again - scrumptious! Recently, she's been posting different types of taco recipes - all look phenomenal. I've even tried my hand at her recipe for strawberry-peach ice cream - made WITHOUT an ice cream maker. Bonus. It was heaven on a spoon, peeps.

Then there was this, which (for future reference) if anyone ever stumbles upon another recipe that has quinoa, kale, AND feta cheese in it, please do not hesitate to call me up and let me know. I am a gosh darn sucker for those heavenly foodstuffs. The dish itself was hearty, warm to the soul, flavorful. Absolute crowd-pleaser.

I enjoy pretending like I'm an award-winning chef sometimes - even going as far as talking to myself (er, like there's a live audience or something...) Anyway, that was a totally random confession! I've whipped up a couple yummy things myself in the past month, including fruit smoothies, herb butters, turkey meatballs, curried tater tots (Trader Joe's tater tots are unlike any other tot I've ever popped into my mouth - crunchy, textured, free of anything crappy - truly something in the realm of tater tots - I just add a dash of curry, and voila - awesomeness factor kicked up a bagillion points). I've reinvented fontina cheese and button mushroom quesadillas, and homemade pita pockets with marinara, spinach chicken sausage, and illegal amounts of organic mozzarella.

Oh yes, if you have to ask - my boys DO love me *blush*.

Hope some of these recipes tickle your fancy. Enjoy cooking and eating!