O Jantar Brasileiro

We do so love Brazilian food. The fruits, the meats, the savory breads...oh, açaí na tigela is calling my name. This weekend was time for a revival of a last-year-favorite recipe: Feijoada! Feijoada is a Brazilian black bean stew. This version is quite a bit more fancy than the normal Brazilian type, but it is oh so delicious. We complimented the stew with homemade buttermilk cornbread and a fresh frozen key lime pie.

Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean Stew - from allrecipes.com)

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/4-1/2 pound chorizo sausage, chopped (we used plain pork this time)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (1 pound) sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice (used Fire-Roasted)
• 1 small hot green chile pepper, diced (used 3 whole jalapenos)
• 2 cups water
• 2 (16 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 mango - peeled, seeded and diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, and cook the sausage 2 to 3 minutes. Place the onion in the pot, and cook until tender. Stir in garlic, sweet potatoes, bell pepper, tomatoes with juice, chile pepper, beans, mango and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer about 15 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender. The longer this cooks, the better. Mix in cilantro right before serving.

Note: You can also make this dish without the sausage. The first time we made it this way and it was amazing! The sweet potatoes and mango give it a sweet flavor that really sets off the spices.

Bom apetite!

Trimestre Tres! (+ travels)

We have entered into the final stages of pregnancy. Baby T is packing. People seem to be getting much more concerned about my "condition" lately - how I am feeling, how much I am sleeping, the weight of items I am lifting, and on and on. I feel great. I put in my "last" earnest run mid-week last week (yippee!). I had been hoping to run all through the second trimester and I accomplished it! At the end, it was getting little cumbersome and running was starting to cause slight round ligament pain (ligments that support the uterus), so I've decided to switch to long hilly walks and pool time for these last 3 months. I'm changing focus from aerobics to letting my body relax and get ready for birth. Yoga is always a must, although I'm now starting the transition to prenatal videos/classes.

This time is super-exciting, albeit pretty busy with decision-making (registering, buying baby things, childbirth classes, birth plan). Aar and I have been ingesting lots of birth stories and trying to prepare for a worst-case scenario/hope for a best-case. He really wants a doula with us, since he feels a bit nervous about being the sole coach. (Let me know if you have any recs.) Last, "nesting" is also taking place. I went out of town last week and felt very compelled to write down a detailed list of all foods we had in the house, all items Aaron needed to finish that weekend, and all the extra tips he could possibly need while I was gone. I've been eating up craft tutorials/making plans to start them. Sounds accurate, right?

And some pics for updating:

Anna and Garrett's Wedding - a beautiful bride in a perfect outdoors ceremony with brunch and small-town southern hospitality. We loved it!












Rob's Graduation for his Masters in History - Family gathering and amazing southern Cal weather. Can we move here for Aaron's post-doc?












Belly Pic, per many requests. (Week 27 and start of 3rd trimester) Behind the belly is idyllic Coronado Beach - ok, maybe here for Aaron's post-doc?

Planning a Birth

Aaron and I are hoping to deliver Baby T au naturale - meaning sans pain meds, sans hormones, sans medical interventions. I was a bit intimiated by the whole birthing process at the beginning of my pregnancy, but we have been reading lots of educational materials, watching birth videos (who knew Netflix had so many baby documentaries?), and talking to folks about their birth experiences. I am feeling good about labor and delivery, even though I realize I cannot control my body. As my body goes into autopilot, I will trust it and trust in my ability to deliver a healthy baby. The birth process is beautiful and natural, and I want to embrace it, pain and all. I want to develop the confidence and courage needed to successfully deliver. Most of our first-timer friends have had really long labors (over 20 hours) and laboring after 40 weeks, so I am expecting something like this (but, of course, hoping for a quicker one!).

We are now in the process of learning about birthing methods and pain management/relaxation - no final decisions yet. We will be developing a birth plan, hiring a doula (any suggestions?), and talking to our physician practice about policies on respecting the parents' wishes for the birth. We decided to learn as much as possible this month and start practicing positions, Kegels, coaching, etc. Aaron is also getting more comfortable with everything; at first he said he didn't think he could be anywhere but at my head, but now he is saying he might watch and take a larger role. I guess if you see enough natural birth videos, it wears you down ;). He'll be a great coach! I'll keep you posted on other labor decisions.

Here is a good post I recently read about natural birth, if interested.

(P.S. 26 weeks and Baby T is moving a lot. You can actually see my stomach move and bump as T moves, kinda crazy. I've been feeling great, just a little stressed lately. I also had my first Braxton-Hicks today!)

A Mother's Love

Mother's Love

Her love is like
an island in life's ocean,
vast and wide
A peaceful, quiet shelter
From the wind, the rain, the tide.
'Tis bound on the north by Hope,
By Patience on the West,
By tender Counsel on the South
And on the East by Rest.
Above it like a beacon light
Shine Faith, and Truth, and Prayer;
And thro' the changing scenes of life
I find a haven there.

Author Unknown

I have been richly blessed by the love and example of my mother, my mother-in-law, and the many women (mothers and one-day-mothers-to-be) who have impacted my life. Mother's Day provides a time to celebrate that. I am so grateful to all of you!

At the Towers' house, Mother's Day was once again wonderful. This is an area where Aaron really earns points. He has given me something for Mother's Day since we started dating, to honor my potential to be a mother and the nuturing qualities women have, mothers or not. This year, Aaron bought me a beautiful potted hydrangea and an attachment parenting book. We took a picnic out of our fav spot in Raleigh, and he worked on our garden all weekend long in his free time. Of course, his card was great too - he always wins me over with his sweet cards! How did I get such a perfect companion....

A Desire to Create

Lately, I've been a bit of a mood funk (generally just grumpy about life). I would love to blame it on hormone fluxuations, but I also think I have not been as satisfied with my daily "product" - what I contribute to the world. With school and work this semester, I have barely had time for volunteer, and I have to fight to find time to prepare for/read to Baby T. With a combination of willpower and upcoming deadlines, I decided to create some items this past weeked. And I mean items other than PPTs, reports, and emails. I made something with a needle and thread!

To create something made me feel rejuvenated and proud. That funk disappeared. It reminded me of this gem. The onesies are for a friend who is soon to have a sweet baby Julian. I also created a fun newsletter for my church's Young Women program (activities, Sunday school, and positive reinforcement for teenage girls). Now I am inspired to do more creating and crafting. I'll keep you posted.