How to make Spinach Risotto with Firecracker Shrimp

Risotto, risotto send this dish right over...

Risotto, risotto come on over...
I love love love feeding my family risotto. Why???
It tastes great, is quick to make, not hard on the budget and good for you.
There are so many ways to make this... but tomorrow's recipe is this..

6 cups canned low-salt veggie broth
3 1/2 tablespoons organic (unsalted) butter
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large shallots, chopped
2 cups arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 teaspoons grated lemon peel

*put all of the ingredients into a rice maker and press start! Serve with a mixed greens salad.
PS -- always serve/eat the salad first. (helps with digestion)

Countdown... 10..9....8...7...6.............

“Get OFF of MY chair!!!”
“That’s MY chair, not yours!”
“NOOOOOOOOOOOO it’s NOT, Avaaaaaa!!!!

It’s a gorgeous (HOT!!) Sunday afternoon and my kids are stuck inside, attempting to burn off energy that normally takes running, jumping, climbing and swinging to get rid of. Their emotions are running “HOT” as well and they’re at each other’s wits.

So in the midst of this yelling about who’s chair is who’s, I yell – “STOP!!!! It’s mission time.” My girls have learned about “missions” (which started w/ my nanny putting them on “missions” to get stuff done and they loved it!) and enjoy accomplishing anything… especially a “mission”.

“Here’s the mission. I’m going to count down from 10 to 1. When I get to 1, your mission is to quickly tell your sister something you love about her. Here’s some examples – I love what you’re wearing today. You make me happy. Thank you for being such a great sister. You are fun to play with…….”

So I counted down from 10 to 1 and they quickly whispered compliments/encouragements to each other (and also went over to Kallen—my 1 year old) and hugged him. The earlier dispute was forgotten and off they were to play again… happy and encouraged by the positive thought from the other sibling.

Remember, kids don’t always respond to telling them to “Stop fighting w/ your sister!” or “Please get along”… “BE NICE!”

Life is truly a series of presentations and if you can remember to “present” something to your children that entices and intrigues them, then you’re most likely going to get the outcome you want. Grab some creativity instead of frustration and see where your presentations get you.

Vitamix...... I love you

I love my vitamix. LOVE my vitamix. Ok… let me slow down and start over.
Here’s the story.
We have a friend (married couple) that “oooooo” and “auhhhhh” over their Vitamix. They say it’s their “best appliance” in the kitchen… that “no one can live without a Vitamix”.
I don’t know about you, but emotion/passion AND a product to improve health and I’m starting to look in that direction. Not to buy (necessarily) but to educate myself.
So what’s the big deal w/ this blender? (by the way, tell a vitamix owner that it’s just a blender and see what they say……….. Go ahead.. try it :) )
I found myself looking forward to Costco’s Vitamix sale at the beginning of June and even tracking it on my calendar. I HAD to get one.
Then the day came and off to Costco we went. Even better than a sale, there was a demonstration w/ the Vitamix. Not only did I learn a ton (like the “goop” and seeds in cantaloupe is jam-packed w/ nutrients) but I almost bought two blenders (excuse me… “Vitamixers”) on the spot!
So here’s the deal. I DO use this more than any other appliance in my kitchen. I DO find myself fascinated w/ it’s abundant resume of capabilities (I just made soup in this thing a week ago and cookies last night). I do brag about my green smoothies and “Shrek juice” to everyone who will listen (hello, I’m eating 3 lbs of spinach every week! I should be bragging!). And my kids are asking for more smoothies all the time. Why? Because they taste GREAT and are full of nutrients (their smoothies always have flax seed, probiotics, TONS of spinach, cabbage, almonds, fruit, etc, etc.). And what do I do along the way? I educate, educate, educate my little holistic kiddos about their body and how to better take care of it… and why we should feed it good fuel. Not only does it taste great, but it make our bodies feel great too! Thank you Vitamix for helping us take our health to the next level! Muah! :)

What are some Spring activities that I can do with my children?

One of my new favorites is what I call “The Wellness Garden”. Combine fun activities with education. This opens up opportunities to teach your children valuable life-lessons and values while spending time with them.

We live in a society where quick meals, microwave dishes, and drive-thrus are easily everyday occurrences. In addition, most children probably think all food comes from a building! Planting a wellness garden offers your children the chance to see where real food comes from and the value of hard work and dedication. Their efforts and patience will pay off as they watch the food grow and eventually have something to enjoy from their efforts.

For your salad garden, have your children list all the things they would have on a salad such as carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes (our favorite salad item), spinach, and various herbs. Then shop for seeds together, having your kids pick out the packets. Pick a gorgeous day and get your hands dirty planting the seeds. Talk about the critters you find in the soil and how some are friends to your garden and should be left alone.

Use every aspect of gardening to educate and empower your children showing them the power of the sun, the strength of the soil and how with their help, the vegetables will grow and make a beautiful salad that they were a huge part of creating. What a neat, awesome opportunity to be with your children, building their knowledge base AND contributing to their health!!

I must recharge my batteries. AKA- a mommy and daddy weekend.

So here’s the deal. Your kids are only as healthy as you are.
Let me repeat – your kids are only as healthy as you are. And if you wait to take care of YOU (your physical, emotional, social well-being) until you’re broke down, you’ve waited too long.

So how many people have heard that “if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated”?
If you are tired, exhausted, overweight, eating the wrong foods, short w/ your kids, cranky towards your spouse, etc, etc… YOUR batteries need some recharging. But why wait? Why not treat your body, your whole body (body, mind and spirit) lovingly all the time? Why not forecast the storm and head the other way?
Would we (should we?) really see the “eye of the storm” and head right into it?

So here’s what I’m saying. You need to take time for you! You need to take time for yourself, your marriage, AND your family.

This weekend, my sister and her husband are graciously gifting us a “mommy, daddy weekend”. They have all three of my kids for the entire weekend! Do I feel guilty that I’m not with them? Hell no! (sorry about the cuss.. .”heck” just didn’t have the same effect). Do I miss them? --> with every fiber of my being.

But, I realize that batteries must be recharged before they are dead. Storms must be avoided. And my physical, mental and social wellbeing is of paramount importance to my children’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing. They are counting on my husband and I to act as a foundation for them to stand on. I will protect and take care of me, my husband AND my children. And part of that is taking periodic “recharge” sessions.

So here I am, thinking non-stop of my children…. Loving them with every piece of myself and anxiously looking forward to my husband getting home from work. I love this man and I can’t wait to be lazy, have long conversations, and recharge my batteries with him. I’m certain my children will be healthier because of it.

There is no other way to lead, than to lead by example.

While running this morning, I got to thinking about my children and the way they see me…. And how I influence them.



As a young girl, I can remember idolizing my parents and wanting to be like them. Not only did I want their time, attention, and praise… but they were a sort of “safety net” for me. Always catching me when I fell and ALWAYS telling me to get right back out there and do it again. I can clearly remember my dad telling me I can do whatever I put my mind to. And when I hesitated to make the jump off the side of the swimming pool, I remember him saying… “Do your best, angel girl… .the rest doesn’t matter.”

I know my children are looking to me for guidance. And guidance on all realms. Not only are they looking to me for time, attention, praise, and safety… but I’m in charge of guiding them and teaching them about health. (and not just b/c I’m a chiropractor… it’s because I’m their parent)

Our children’s health (their TRUE health) is a combination of physical, chemical, and emotional stressors. Now not all stressors are bad. For example, a car accident – bad physical stressor (please get your spine checked asap). Exercise – good physical stressor. We are a combination of the things we do to our body, the things we put in our body, and the things that rest on our minds. And when I say “we”, I mean ALL of us… young and old.

So if I’m concerned (aware) of how my children are looking at me, I better start by looking at myself. I better (to paraphrase Ghandi) “be the change I wish to see in my children”…. The change I wish to see in the world.

I believe in a healthier community and I’m certain that it starts with our children. Or does it really start with us?

If you want (and believe in) optimal health for YOUR children…. Optimal physical, chemical, and emotional health… then it must begin with YOU.