It was a really good idea to take this business trip to Costa Rica because when I had a one day break from meetings, I fit a lifetime of adventure into 12 hours. I’ve found that all the good things people say about Costa Rica are true. The people are friendly and the biodiversity is incredible. I somehow escaped the rain, protected myself from sunburn and didn’t get a single bug bite.

Though this blog is normally about food, we will file this post under “conversation around the table.” I’ve enjoyed the beans, rice, plantains, coffee and fruits but the people and the landscape really stole the show.

Pura Vida is a common saying here. It translates as “pure life” but it means so much more. It was explained to me that it really communicates that all is well and going fine. I have witnessed that Pura Vida is more than a verbal response, it is a way of life. The Costa Ricans that I have met are friendly, easy going and proud without being boastful. Perhaps it is the lush vegetation, moderate climate and delectable tropical fruits that contribute to their positive spirits?

Because I didn’t have much time to tour, I booked an excursion through my hotel. We started the day at the Irazu volcano. Luck was with us and we caught a rare glimpse into the main crater, free from the often present cloudy mist that usually shrouds the view. (pictured above)

After a trip through one of many national rain forests, we took a boat ride down the Sarapiqui river. It is there that I became acquainted with the four-legged inhabitants. I tried to signal to this baby howler monkey that he was welcome to sit on my shoulder and sneak back to Chicago with me in my suitcase. He was having too much fun swinging by his tail to pay heed to my offer.

Along the banks of river, iguanas, other lizards and even this fine-sized crocodile were warming their blood in the afternoon sun.

I accepted a last minute offer to join my fellow tour goers on a canopy tour. The release form for the rain forest zip line experience said that you should not participate if you have cardiac problems. After the group of 7 (including a 6 year old and a 65 year old) climbed a 50 rung ladder and huddled on a small, metal platform 50 feet high in the tree, I was thinking that the warnings could have been a bit more expansive. Alas, we all bonded and made it through our panic and slight dehydration to swing and trounce through the trees for a few hours. Tiny poison dart frogs and fluorescent green snakes stayed out of our way while toucans cheered us along.

Some little, bat friends stood guard inside the roof of our outdoor lunch spot. I wasn’t sure if they were the type that eat mosquitos but I didn’t get a single bite while in the forest so perhaps their presence deterred the pests.

Back on the river, we cruised along, making our way towards the initial dock where our van awaited. Some more familiar animals bid us farewell.

Even the dogs in Costa Rica seem to understand pura vida  and have an extra spring in their step! This little fella bounced around wagging his tail at everyone who passed. I didn’t want to play favorites with my camera so I snapped his portrait too.

The sun went down and the ride back to the hotel was dark. The respite from the visual stimulation was welcome and I ruminated on all that I had seen and done in the previous hours. When I am back in Chicago and experiencing one of those days at the office that seems to drag, I think I’ll look back at this post. Life stays in balance and this one day of adventure in Costa Rica will provide the counterweight for dozens of slower days at home.

I have not been posting regularly and haven’t shared many recipes. Every time I start a post, I end up staring at the screen, typing a few sentences, deleting them and then snapping my laptop closed. The past month delivered some major life changes and things have not been easy. I was reluctant to be overly personal on Whipped but our current situation is all consuming so it has proved impossible for me to post without acknowledging our circumstances.

In January, I wrote about some major life changes I was putting in place. I followed through and I slowed down my work, started writing more and truly found balance between motherhood, blogging and professional endeavors. That lasted about a month. And, because it was short lived, I think I will always put that month on a pedestal as one of the happiest in my life.

Mid February, things started falling apart. We had some trouble with schools that left us wondering if we would have a place for Mini Whipped to go next year. Then, on a random Tuesday after lunch, my husband found out that his job was being eliminated. He works in banking and his situation is not unique but it completely blind-sided us. For the past year, he worked more than ever, was succeeding at his job and felt like he had just hit his professional stride. Wrong industry, wrong time.

We’ve learned that the shock of such change is worse than the actual change itself. Because I had severed many of my professional contracts in an effort to balance my life, we found ourselves suddenly disconnected to the daily lives we were accustomed to. I was not tied down to contracts, school decisions were up in the air and my husband had no job. A roller coaster of emotions followed bringing writhing fear and panic followed by a vacant calm that things were out of our control. During breakfast I would feel deeply sad about losing the newly acquired, wonderful life I had just worked so hard to put in place and by lunch I was elated and free as I searched online for international house swaps.

Often people say that things happen for a reason and that something better is waiting for us. I was feeling SO happy in January that it was hard to see that something better was possible. But, as the weeks have passed and my husband has spent more time with the kids and we have explored new life plans, things are starting to fall in place and have meaning. He is looking more alive and has a sparkle in his eye that I now realize had been dimming due to his busy work schedule.

(This is where the story turns from a little sad to very hopeful.)

Just recently, we made a big decision to move forward with an entrepreneurial idea we hatched about a year ago. There were so many signs that we were meant to take action but our status quo was too comfortable to take the leap. Perhaps, just maybe, things DID happen for a reason? As my husband put it, “I guess we weren’t listening to fate so life gave us a big sock in the nose.”

It is a little early to divulge what our idea is because some initial steps could still turn up roadblocks that halt our plans. But, I feel a little tickle in my tummy as I write (and it isn’t because I am craving a doughnut.) We have done a lot of soul searching and no matter what happens this year and beyond, we have confirmed a few things. We accept that change is inevitable. We are not afraid of a little sacrifice and hardship, especially if it is needed to make change. We will spend energy on the things we can influence and we will not waste energy on things beyond our control.

So, there you have it. Now that I have been honest with you, perhaps I can begin blogging properly again. I waffle about how much personal information is appropriate to share on blogs. It is certainly a lot of fun to learn that people are expecting a little one (like Luisa and Molly both recently did!) But, it feels a bit awkward to share difficult news. However, I am learning that one of the satisfying things about blogging is connecting with other people. And, long ago, I chose to put myself out there and connect with all of you who are interested enough to spend time visiting my site.

From the outpouring of support we have received from friends, colleagues, family and neighbors, we have learned that most families have found themselves in similar situations at one time or another. Though shock and unexpected change can feel isolating, it ironically unites us all. Something is waiting for us and we are determined to use our energy to make sure that it is the “something better” people are talking about.

Emeril Lagasse’s Refried Beans Recipe

1 cup dried pinto beans, soaked overnight in a large bowl with water to cover by 2-inches, and drained
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup bacon drippings or lard
1 cup chopped yellow onions
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced, seeded jalapeno
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch cayenne
1/2 teaspoon chopped oregano
1/2 cup grated queso blanco
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, garnish

In a medium, heavy pot, combine the beans, bay leaf, and enough water to cover by 1 to 2 inches. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the beans are very tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours, adding more water as necessary to keep covered. When the beans are soft, mash in the pot with a potato masher or the back of heavy wooden spoon. Remove from the heat.

In a large, heavy skillet, heat the bacon fat over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeno, chili powder, cumin, salt, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 45 seconds to 1 minute. Add the beans and any cooking liquid from the pot, and the oregano, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring with a heavy wooden spoon, until the mixture forms a thick paste, 5 to 10 minutes, adding water 1 tablespoon at a time to keep from getting dry.

Remove from the heat and transfer to a decorative bowl. Sprinkle with the cheese and cilantro, and serve.

The little kale plant had been placed in the edible garden in late fall alongside the large curly-leafed kale bundles and swiss chard bunches that had been growing since early spring. The youngster filled some space where the summer tomatoes had lived alongside the large basil plants that had recently found their destiny in a batch of pesto. Because the little kale could handle the cooler weather (and even quite liked it), his roots grabbed hold and he flourished during the early autumn months.

As Thanksgiving neared, the cold Chicago weather blew in and the older plants were preparing for their eventual move to the compost heap. They knew that they would survive a light frost or two before they bade farewell to the backyard garden. “Hey guys,” piped the little dragon kale one day, “let’s last through the winter this year!” The old plants barely paid attention to such a ridiculous urging.

The first snow came and touched all their leaves with a thin coat of white. After just one day, the sun melted away the cold cover and each of the plants stood tall again. “You see, I think we CAN survive through the winter! Let’s stay here all year,” squealed the little dragon kale who was more encouraged than discouraged by his survival of the first snow.

Again, the naive little plant was ignored. One of the kale elders scolded, “you have no idea what Chicago winter is like. There will be many feet of snow that will cover you for weeks so that you cannot see the sun. The ground will freeze. You cannot eat or drink. It is not our destiny. You will not survive the winter.”

“Harumph” thought the little kale. “I-think-I-can.”

One day, the woman approached the garden wearing her beat up, old, leather gloves. She took a last look at the plot and then pulled each of the failing plants and tossed them on the compost heap.

Though the little dragon kale was surprised, he was not entirely hopeless. “I -think-I-can, I-think-I-can,” he chanted day and night. Snow came just as the older kale plants had warned. It covered him for days at a time but then melted away. He used the melted snow to drink and reached his roots for the soil.

By the end of February, the gardener noticed the little kale plant on top of the compost pile and she saw that his leaves were still green and strong and full of life. She began to encourage the little guy and on the way to and from the garage, she would sometimes stop by and whisper to him, “I think you can too.”

The little dragon kale knew that if he could last just another month, she might take him back to the garden and put him in his old spot. He could flourish again under the warmer spring sun and she would pluck his leaves for her white bean and sausage soup.”

*to be continued*

Winter sometimes requires a little ingenuity to keep one from feeling cooped up. Though it is my daughter that inspires some of my crazy ideas, my spirit has also been benefiting from the fun. So far, this winter has been one of the mildest I can remember so I can’t complain. Perhaps it is because of the frequent sun and 40 degree spells that I still have the energy to make the major snow days a fun treat.

Last week, after a big snowfall, we played reindeer and pulled the girls about a half mile in their sleds to a local coffee shop where we wrapped our hands around warm drinks before heading home. It was a memorable winter adventure and a fantastic workout.

Today, we had another snow storm bringing about 7 inches in 8 hours. While retrieving Mini Whipped from school, Baby Whipped fell asleep in her car seat. Since the “transfer” to crib normally doesn’t work, I decided we needed to find a way to spend more time in the car. I announced that we were having a picnic for lunch.

Mini Whipped was curious and excited. We found a drive-thru, headed to lake Michigan and parked our car as close to the water as we could. Perhaps most exciting of all, Mini Whipped was allowed to sit in the front seat. We talked about how the marina water became frozen when the big lake was not, we watched the dozens of Canada geese sleeping on the ice and we wrote our names in the condensation that formed on the windows. It was fun. Really fun. Though today was our first winter car picnic, it will not be our last.

We just enjoyed our traditional Greek New Year’s cake, Vasilopita. I added a little flair this time with the 2012 “stencil” before dusting the yellow cake with confectioner’s sugar. This year, I wasn’t worried about receiving the piece of cake with the hidden, lucky coin baked inside. This year, I am making my own luck. My new year’s resolution is to change my wavelength. Let me explain…

For a number of reasons, 2011 was a noteworthy year for us. On Valentine’s Day, Baby Whipped was born. I was not able to take much of a maternity leave and as I adjusted to the new balancing act of two children, I also had the busiest year on record at my consulting business. Similarly, my husband had a busy year at work, which included more travel than in the past three years. Throw in a number of broken appliances, Mini Whipped starting preschool and a sprinkling of family problems and you have all the ingredients that cooked up our memorable year.

Though there were many good times in 2011, we have not had time to reflect on them or enjoy them for long. Our lives have been reduced to minutes. At times, a few red lights brought anxiety as the lost moments felt as if they brought noticeable consequences to necessary productivity.  Every inch of the day has been accounted for in order to try to keep our ship afloat. The less urgent needs have been continually pushed to the back burner causing an attic overflowing with “stuff,” phone calls unreturned, and a long list of chores that were put off for a “later” that never came.

My husband recently made a good analogy. Financially, we are fortunate that we do not live paycheck to paycheck. But, we spend every ounce of our energy in a similar fashion leaving no reserves. Our normal schedule has been so exhausting that we end each day too tired to even think. When unexpected challenges arose (like repeated appliance problems or our car breaking down while driving on the highway), I went into a tailspin. I didn’t have a thread of coping energy left.

This tight schedule and daily cycle has created a wavelength that must change. I imagine the monitor of a hospital that measures pulse but instead of only pulse, this screen displays daily energy expenditure, big thoughts, meditations, and regular movements. My pattern has become filled with jagged lines, a few high spikes and a number of quick, sharp downturns.  There are no more rolling hills and valleys, no uplifting waves of blue sky thinking and no slow climbing arches of meditation.

A few months back, I was fortunate to hear Ferran Adria speak. He is a famous chef with a brilliant mind who discussed, through his Spanish translator, his thoughts on creativity, generosity of spirit and pushing boundaries. As he philosophized about how one must make time and space for the ultimate creativity, I felt my mind soaring like an eagle over the edge of a clif. It was exhilirating. It was a feeling I hadn’t enjoyed in a long time. With a renewed taste of that freedom and mental space, I realized that something had to change. The next day, I made some big decisions. I began to make changes that would help me and my family find some energy reserves again. And, these changes will offer me time now and then to find my blue sky – a world where rationality has no place.

My plan for 2012 is to change my wavelength. I am aiming for a few broad, high reaching, rolling waves to accompany the fast and busy ups and downs of motherhood and daily work. Breaking inertia is always hard so I know that it will not be easy.

If I have not lost your attention with this long post, I thank you for reading. Writing a blog is a often like standing in a bright spotlight delivering a monologue to an unknown audience. To make it more of a conversation, perhaps you would like to share your hopes, dreams or simple resolutions for the coming year?

From looking at this unassuming facade, it is hard to know that miracles are happening just inside the door. My family visited the LakeView Pantry last week to drop off a donation and we are still in awe of all that is done in this small building to help those in need.

Writing a food blog is so enjoyable for me and I know I am fortunate to have the resources to do it. Sometimes, I feel a bit of hestitation about how much time is spent cooking, photographing, talking and sharing about our abundance of delicious foods when I know that so many people do not know where their next meal is coming from.

In the same way that I am drawn to the consumption of food and drink, I am drawn to food-related causes. Our family began donating to money to the Lakeview Pantry a few years ago. With two little kids, we have not been able to volunteer as I would have liked. This holiday, Mini Whipped is 3 1/2 and we decided that it was time to introduce her to charity and help her understand our good fortune.

The kind people at the Lakeview Pantry agreed to give us a tour when we dropped off our donation. My husband and I explained to Mini Whipped what a food pantry is and that we were going to give some of our money to them to help those that are less fortunate. We had Mini Whipped bring her purse with some of her money (piggy bank funds and birthday gifts) but we told her that she could decide if she wanted to give money to the pantry or not.

Inside the bustling pantry (it was a food pick up day), we all found more wonder than we ever could have imagined. We learned that the Lakeview food pantry gives away more than 1.8 million pounds of food a year! Volunteers were moving to and fro stacking food, cleaning and helping pantry customers.

What really touched me was how this organization is not just offering nourishment to those without food, they are offering a serving of dignity along with it. Bouquets of flowers laid on the counter along with the groceries. A room filled with non-food items was set up like a store – clothing and toys hanging neatly for easy browsing. Dog food is available so that people can keep their pets during their hard times. Baby care necessities were stacked up in the lower level.  There is even a special storage shelf designated for food items that don’t require any cooking equipment for those who have no access to simple kitchen tools like can openers.

At the end of our visit, we wrote a check and gave our donation. Though Mini Whipped was a typical 3-year old and somewhat antsy during part of our tour, something clearly sunk in. She opened her Hello Kitty wallet and produced a $20 bill that she handed over to our new friend June who works at the pantry.

It is nice when your parenting turns out the way you hoped! We have continued to talk about the Lakeview Pantry and Mini Whipped has explained to a few people what she learned. We were also invited to volunteer since children as young as 3 can help sort cans of food. In 2012, we will make it a point to continue to visit and lend a hand.

Our trip to the Lakeview Pantry was much more powerful than I anticipated. I am working on plans for the new year to forge partnerships with organizations that tackle food-related problems. And, I have decided that regularly exposing my children to things outside their circle of comfort is a priority.

If you are in the Chicago area and interested in helping the Lakeview Pantry, you can find information on their website here. If you would like to volunteer, contact Erin Stephens, Director of Volunteers (erin @ lakeviewpantry.org, 773.525.1777 x15). To donate money, you can make a secure transaction through our website or send a check payable to Lakeview Pantry. Additionally, they always accept non-perishable goods Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Baby Banana 1: Grandma Banana?

Grandma Banana: Yes, my darling.

Baby Banana 1: Are we going to grow up to be just like you?

Grandma Banana: No litte one. You are as big as you are ever going to get.

Baby Banana 2: But, will our skin get speckled like yours?

Grandma Banana: Well, normally it would my dears, but today is your special day. There will be no time for your skin to change.

Baby Banana 3: What is our special day Grams?

Grandma Banana: Today, you are all going to the preschool with the twenty other siblings that were born in your bunch. And, you are going to bring smiles to all the little children’s faces at snack time. You are very special wee ones. Many have not before seen your kind.

Baby Banana 3: Are you coming too?

Grandma Banana: No sweet ones. I will be staying here on the counter for a couple more days.

Baby Banana 1 (sniffling): But, but, Grandma, if you aren’t going to bring smile to the kids’ faces, what will become of you?

Grandma Banana: Oh piffle, don’t you cry now. I am headed for the grandest honor of all. (Grandma Banana tries to stand up a touch straighter, showing her pride.)

Baby Banana 2: What is the grandest of all?

Grandma Banana: I will stay on the counter just a few more days while my skin continues to age and my insides grow soft and sweet. Then, I will become banana bread! And that, my lovelies, will bring smiles to all – both young and old.

Baby Bananas 1, 2 & 3 (in a whisper):  whoooooaaaaa

Grandma Banana: Now run along, here come the people. Get back with your bunch and get ready for your ride to school. Make us proud! Don’t roughhouse on the way there, we don’t want any more bruising. And, when the time comes, let your peels down easy.

1. I have been impressed with First Slice Cafe since the first meal I ordered at their location on Ravenswood and Montrose. As a diner, you will be pleased with the quality of their ingredients, the health conscious yet interesting menu and their huge repertoire of homemade pies! If you don’t look past the menu, you won’t even know that you are supporting a much grander mission through the purchase of your food. First Slice serves the same delicious food to Chicago’s neediest, serving up hearty portions on the city’s streets.

First Slice also has a weekly meal program where families can buy weekly meals to take home. You can subscribe to receive three gourmet entrees a week plus a number of side dishes – all nourishing, balanced, and prepared from local organic ingredients. According to the First Slice website, one family subscription feeds 20 homeless people.

“What does it mean to give the first slice of the pie to those who are used to living on crusts? It means dignity—often for the first time. It means hope. It means the possibility of not only sustenance but joy. And you can help.”

I have been a subscriber of the First Slice meal program. Yes, I love to cook. But, with our busy lives, if I can have “help” three days a week from First Slice and support those in need? For me, that’s an awesome option.

(Photo of First Slice Pie Cafe Courtesy of Jen Kuang-Chang)

2. I Wish This Was: Civic Input On-Site
I have written about this project on Facebook but I just can’t stop thinking about it. With social media and online tools, people have a voice and can encourage change more than ever before. This project is a wonderful example of a physical, palpable initiative to help citizens communicate their wishes.

3. Lakeview Pantry
I have been a donor and supporter of the Lakeview pantry for a number of years. I feel so blessed to have the time and resources to not only put food on my table every day but to photograph it and write about it for fun. I always try to stay conscious of this good fortune and help those in my community without such luck. Lakeview Pantry is a wonderful Chicago organization. If you are interested in helping, find out more here.

Thank you to those who continue to visit despite my infrequent recipes and ideas. I have been cooking, eating and photographing with the intention of posting. But, as often happens during summer, I choose to spend all extra time outside playing in the yard, gardening, swimming or drinking cold beer on the porch rather than working on the computer.

Today, I come to you with a quick tip. Do you have a fruit fly problem? I seem to have brought an entire community of them into the house last week on some extra ripe bananas I bought for making baby food. Luckily, I remember a trick my dear friend Stephanie taught me. Remove the fruit that is causing the problem or put ripe fruit in the refrigerator. Leave a cup of apple cider vinegar on the counter for a day or two. Done deal. Fruit flies go for the last swim and your kitchen is fruit fly free.

Our sweet, little Baby Whipped took her first bites last week and proved that she is indeed one of our clan. From birth, she has been a good eater and has deliciously ample thighs to prove it. We all gathered last week with video cameras and anticipation as we mixed up her first bowl of baby cereal and introduced her to a spoon.

She was a natural. Immediately, the chubby fingers reached for the bites to assist in moving the spoon into her mouth as fast as possible. I am excitedly dusting off the blender, remembering baby food recipes and eagerly awaiting the many “food firsts” coming down the pike for our littlest.