Thursday 20 March 2014

Eat: Sunshine & Happiness in a Bowl

I was recently asked what motivates me. I emotionally stumbled through a rather predictable answer that involved my husband and sons.  But I wasn't totally satisfied with my answer. And then I stewed about it for a day and a half. Because that's what I do. Now, don't get me wrong, my family DOES motivate me, but I'd like to think that I am not totally defined by them. I mean, I was someone before I was a wife and mother, right? And somewhere in there that person is still here, she's just, well evolved.
So then, what else motivates me? Money? Nope (enough to get by seems to have been working for us) A smaller jean size? Sometimes.
I came up with it last night. Happy people motivate me. Think about it, if you do something to make others happy, you are motivated to doing more things to make them happy. If you are doing something that makes you happy, well, you're motivated to keep doing it, or other things like it! And when you surround yourself with happy people....well, you get the picture.
This epiphany came to me last night, the night before the first day of spring. And the day before the International Day of Happiness 
So, today I was motivated to do things that make me happy! I spent sometime with my youngest son this morning (ok...it was at the hospital because he is a typical 6 year old boy who falls and hurts himself, not to worry he is fine, under orders to not run or jump for two days....ummm, he's a 6 year old boy.) On our way back to school, we stopped at Starbucks for cookies and coffee (cookies=happy). I then visited with a friend, did some exercise, enjoyed some fresh air (a slow run on this snowy first day of spring) had a late afternoon cold beer with my husband. My sons helped me prep dinner, and then I cooked for my family. I love to cook, especially for others. And when it works, and everyone likes it, well that is just great!
So tonight, we had what I have renamed Sunshine & Happiness in a Bowl (even though we ate off plates) in honour of the First day of Spring, and International Day of Happiness. The Food & Drink magazine called it Coconut Shrimp Risotto with Lime & Mango.  Either way, it is a "make it again Mom" dinner....enjoy, and I wish you happiness to you and yours!