Do I have to eat this thing?!
I’m scared.
I stuffed this CSA fennel in the crisper with all my might and I am pretending like it’s not really there. I ate one of the green branches and it was scary. Hopefully incorporating it into a dish will make it come alive! Well, not literally ‘alive’ but you know…
Thank you all for your super insightful and honest comments on today’s Learning How To Dismiss Negative Thoughts post. I picked up a few more tips and tricks for my own positive-thinking holster!
The weather has just been so beautiful here this week. The humidity is low (finally!) and the sun is shining. It was about 21C, windy, and crisp. I actually had goose bumps at the start of my run today, but those didn’t last long!
The run:
- Distance: 6 miles
- Time: 52:02
- Avg Pace: 8:40
Mile splits:
- Mile 1: 9:02
- Mile 2: 8:54
- Mile 3: 8:42
- Mile 4: 8:51
- Mile 5: 8:17
- Mile 6: 8:06
It was a strong negative split. My last mile was run to ‘Magic’ by B.o.B. Very energizing way to finish when sprinting.
After my run I had a Green Monster and this is where it started going downhill…
I wanted to use up the rest of the Swiss chard to make room for last night’s CSA pick-up. The Chard Green Monster contained: 4 large chard leaves + stems, 1.25 cup almond milk, 1 large frozen banana, 1 tbsp chia seeds, ice.
It tasted fine, but after I drank it, my stomach felt SO nauseous and has felt that way all day long.
Chard, it looks like you won this battle! I do not want to see chard for a very long time. I was starting to be ok with it and now I am turned off by it all over again!
I managed to eat lunch even though I wasn’t really feeling well. I knew I needed a good lunch in me for post-run recovery. I had 1.5 cups chickpeas, Italian tomato sauce, hummus, tomato paste, Herbamare, and pepper.
It was delicious! I will definitely be doing this again.
I munched on these carrots sprinkled with Herbamare and ground black pepper:
(Eating the Carrot showgirl was a bit weird, not going to lie.)
Not sure what is on the agenda for dinner tonight, but probably leftover Healing Stew…looks like I could use a little healing tonight!
We used another gift card at Pier 1 Wednesday night.
I got this pillow on the left for $17:
We also picked up two more pillows, a basket, and some decorative flowers from another nearby store.
I wanted to get a clear square vase for the flowers, but I haven’t found one yet.
I brought an ivory throw out of the linen closet for the couch:
Basket under the coffee table! Makes everything look tidy.
It is ridiculous how many remotes we have!!!
I think I know how to use one of those remotes.
On a good day.
I also revamped this 2 year old picture frame tray, by adding some new pictures.
I feel like the family room is slowly coming together. Just need to add some prints on the walls, curtains, and score a couple tables and chair. Eric and I might go antique hunting this Sunday for some nice side/coffee tables or accent chairs.
This is still a major eyesore…
I think this area needs some kind of a tall corner unit…
Well I am off to work on some more market prep and then kick back and relax with Eric. Have a great night! =)
Angela, your family room is gorgeous! Pier 1 is definitely a dangerous store…I don’t allow myself to go there very often, since they hubby is usually not as excited about my purchases as I am! ;)
P.S. – Definitely know where you’re comin’ from with all the remotes – Sheesh!
Ooh — I love love love fennel. I like to saute it with grated ginger until soft & translucent; then add fruit-only apricot jam & a dash of tamari; fold in chopped baby bok choy, cooking just until greens are bright & slightly tender but still crisp. The apricot & fennel totally make each other. You are so lucky!
“Magic” by B.O.B is on my running playlist right now too!!! I also just added Dynamite by Taio Cruz, and it’s another good upbeat running song :)
can i live on that sofa? haha. i could call it ‘home’ <3
So fun watching the decorating progress, Angela!
There are 2 kinds of fennel (generally speaking) – florence fennel is grown primarily for the bulb. There’s also a second kind (no idea what the name is) grown primarily for the fronds. It barely produces any bulb…if any at all. Your fennel is the florence type, and the fronds can be eaten as well as the bulb. BUT, it looks like the weather has been hot by you (??) because the bulb didn’t “bulb out”. When it gets too hot, fennel bolts, and the fronds grow very quickly and flower out if you don’t get to it in time; the energy of the plant goes to the stems and fronds and not to the bulb. Your bulb should be thick, almost like a potato at the bottom (but not potato shaped), with the stems starting at the very top of the bulb, not at the bottom. Check out the fennel when you hit the store next time, and you’ll see what I mean. I adore fennel in a pureed soup (someone earlier mentioned it…it really is to die for), and I grow it every year in an effort to get it to “bulb out”, but it’s just too darn hot here. So sad…..and yet I still try every year. The butterflies love it, so I suppose I will be happy growing fennel for them until – someday – we have a cool spring/summer!
Your fennel might have to be primarily for the fronds, though you can brave the stems and “non-bulb”. It is definitely a taste unlike anything else out there…..oh, I want me some fennel right now!! I just composted all of my “non-bulbs” yesterday. Boo!
Sauteed fennel is one of my favorites! Raw fennel tastes like licorice, which I don’t like, and took some getting used to for me. Orangette has a lovely carrot fennel soup:
http://orangette.blogspot.com/2005/04/when-paris-came-to-seattle-or-on.html
You know, I think we all have that eye-sore corner in our homes! Stuff you can’t get rid of and desperately try to remedy.
Fennel in juice is fantastic… so I’m sure it would be in smoothies too?!?!
Also roasted fennel is soo good!!
Your living room is looking gorgeous!! :)
That’s a lovely bunch of fennel! :)
We have waaay to many remotes, too! Drives me nuts, lol.
Jenn
Hey Angela,
We grew fennel in our garden for the first time this year, and I was scared too, but here’s what to do. Shave it or slice it very thinly and make a salad with radicchio and endive if you have them, orange juice and white wine vinegar and olive oil and sea salt. Put orange or grapefuit slices on top. Slice red onion SUPER thin and add that too. Pumpkin seeds with make it sing. YUMMMY! Seriously. Let the fronds go, use the stalk and don’t be afraid.
Want to come over and decorate my place! I love it. You did such a great job. The colors go perfect.
Jamie Oliver does some really nice simple delicious things with fennel –
Can’t wait to see what you come up with :)
I’m obsessed with pillows. I wish I had more couches and beds just to have the excuse to buy more pillows. Have fun antique shopping! Everything here in LA is way overpriced – no such thing as a proper yard sale/flea market with decent prices here!
I hear the bulb is the most flavorful part of fennel so I would get rid of the arms.
BTW will you come decorate my house. I’m in need of help and I have no time. :-)
Fennel is delicious in a green juice – tastes like licorice, in a good way… I don’t typically like licorice but it makes the juice taste slightly reminiscent of candy, always a good thing :)
Sorry to hear that you weren’t feeling too well. Hopefully it has passed and you’ll feel better today.
Hi Angela! I have been following your blog for a couple of months now, and love when it pops in twice a day!
Just wanted to touch base with you re the chard – a few months ago I got into the habit of doing a green juice every morning, and could never find the chard to put in. Then saw some at a food fair and thought aha! now I can do the real thing, and I felt SO sick for the rest of the day just like you. DIdn’t think it could be the chard though and tried again the next day, and the same thing happened – so, chard is off my list too, and I use spinach and kale instead! I’ve only recently been brave enough even to try green juices again!! Isn’t that weird?!
That first picture of you is hilarious. I hope that works out for you. :-)
Love the pillow and your whole couch set-up. Also love the photo tray!
Hope your stomach feels better today!
That’s a fast run! I’m impressed :-)
Your living room looks fabulous.
I love your family room right now, especially the new pillows- they are the perfect accent color :) Sorry about the chard incident, I don’t think I could eat that without it hurting my tummy either- i have to be so careful!
i love your decorations!
Your photos look so vibrant in the tray frame. You got them printed at costco?