Hello summer at last! Anyone have fun summer plans? I’m hoping to get out for a few camping or backpacking trips, but most likely I’ll be sticking to some local day hikes.
So I know I’ve been kind of M.I.A. on the blog. Life has this way of springing unexpected events on people. If you were to enter my home right now, the hissing and rhythmic pumping of a portable oxygen concentrator is what you’d first hear. You’d smell clean laundry, the lingering scents of our home cooked dinner, and antiseptics. Step into the bedroom downstairs and you’ll see a clunky hospital bed looking much too comfortable in a bedroom that has hosted it before. These are all familiar sights, sounds, and scents that I wish weren’t so familiar.
Just shy of six months ago, we were doing this: Making my grandpa’s last months comfortable. Now we’re doing it all over again for my grandma. Cancer sucks. But life throws curveballs and all we can do is make the best of it. This past week or so I’ve learned so much more about my grandparents than I ever have before. The questions that I’d never thought to ask, or were too afraid to ask, are now bringing up stories long forgotten to be shared amongst our family.
In a way, situations like these are sobering. They make you realize that people don’t last forever, no matter how much you want them to, and that the best thing you can do is to make sure you make time to enjoy the moments you do have with them. Cheesy, I know, but still so true.
And so as I take care of my teaching responsibilities and make the most of my time left with my dear old grammy, my blog posts may become sparser and a bit sporadic. I will still try to send off at least one post a week, but at the moment, family first. Maybe I’ll get off two next week! I still have a fun camping post and another California National Park to share with you.
Right now, I have a recipe for you! ENJOY!
This wild rice beet salad is one of those meals I’ll have every few months or so. Wild rice is a heart healthy whole grain that is also ridiculously expensive. I have yet to find a store to sell it at a reasonable price, and so it is not something I’d use as a staple ingredient in my diet. It is, however, worth that occasional healthy treat.
Also, one major reason why it is so terrible for your wallet is because it is AMAZING for your body. I know. It sometimes seems as if the world is trying to make it impossible for people to eat healthier. But it’s true, wild rice is extremely beneficial for your heart because of its high amounts of fiber. It is also low-calorie, contains antioxidants, and contains many vitamins such as your essential B vitamins!
Extremely flavorful with many textures: a hint of basil, chewy wild rice, and soft boiled beets, this dish may be what sends you off to purchase more overpriced rice.
Note: It takes a while to cook.
- 1 cup wild rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 large beetroot (peeled, boiled, and diced)
- 2-3 fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 1-2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (add 1 Tbsp and taste it before adding the 2nd Tbsp)
- salt and pepper to taste
- Add broth and water to a pot and add the wild rice. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce it to a simmer and cover it. Simmer the rice for 45 minutes to an hour. Check on it and try a few grains. Once it is no longer hard and has your preferred texture, you may drain the liquid.
- In a large bowl, mix the rice with the diced beetroot, basil leaves, and balsamic vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve and enjoy.
I hope you do try this out, though. It truly is one of my favorite things to eat: hot or cold.
Word of advice, go hit up your grandparents, parents, or any other loved ones and just talk to them if you haven’t in a while. As I mentioned above, life is short and people don’t last forever.
Have a great night and stay happy and healthy, y’all!
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