This dish is as easy as it is beautiful! Whether bringing as an appetizer to an event, or pairing with protein, or a sandwich at lunch, it’s the perfect, healthy way to incorporate some colorful veggies while satisfying your tastebuds. Finish it off with a sprinkle of feta cheese, and a delicious drizzle of balsamic reduction!
Embracing Empowerment in the Kaleidescope of Motherhood
As women, we are beautifully strong creatures, even in the moments we don’t feel that we are. Becoming a mom highlights this with even more intensity. We are passionate about the well-being of our little ones, and we all have different reasoning as to why we make the decisions we do in both their best interest, and in practicing self-care in order to nurture them. It can be a tough balance to find! The strength and beauty in this resilience, this fervor we have as moms, is what drives us towards seeking what is best for our kiddos, and hopefully ourselves too.
As I heard recently, we as humans, have a tendency to thrive on “sameness.” Upon first interactions with others, and also conversations with long time friends, I’ve noticed these comments frequently arise: “Oh I know! I love that too!” or “I do the same thing!” We thrive on shared experiences, and frequently tend to gravitate towards people who have similar interests, hobbies and preferences. Perhaps we find comfort in knowing someone thinks like us, loves like us, does things in a similar manner as us, and holds the same values, “drives,” and experiences as we do. There is validation in it.
It is a wonderful thing to share in commonality! It engenders bonding, friendship, and support in places where there is similarity. I also believe there are instances we unconsciously view differences as an underlying threat to our own sense of self, and it instigates self-doubt. In turn, we may start to over-emphasize the need for “sameness.” I want to highlight that the relationship-blocker is the over-emphasis on “sameness,” not the bonding we find in common ground. What causes discord is the requiring of others to be like us in order to share in relationship, and it is often at this point, when on the receiving end, we start to feel judged. Feeling judged tends to feed a sense of inadequacy, whether as a mom, or a woman, in an already vulnerable stage of life. Chances are, we have all been in that place at one time or another! I have heard it from countless women, and even have experienced it myself. Here is an example in the words of Krista Giordano, high school teacher, and mother of three, as she reflects back on her early years as a new mom.
“…When I had my son, he was collicky; he never stopped crying. I stopped breastfeeding because I couldn’t cope. I had no energy and I was always sad. I questioned whether I was a fit mother. ‘Could I be a good mom if I couldn’t continue breastfeeding? What’s wrong with me that I can’t enjoy this?’ This plagued the first few months of my son’s life. I couldn’t wait until he was just a little bit bigger so people wouldn’t ask me anymore if I still breastfed, or give me dirty looks when I took out a bottle from my diaper bag. I felt the vulnerability of judgement from other women. I wish I could go back to my 26-year-old self and say, ‘you are a badass.’…I [also] was hospitalized for 6 weeks before [my twin] girls were born, 1 week after, and when they were in the NICU for 3 weeks. I was tired of being kept in doors, and I just wanted to see sunshine and friends. So then my worry became, ‘Am I a bad mom because I want to take my tiny twin babies out of the house? Am I exposing them to the dangers of the world too early?’ In truth, this vulnerability came from the judgement of other women.”
Krista’s experience is similar to those of many and provides a glimpse at the underbelly of this beautifully tough, strong, passionate side to us, in forming strong opinions about what is best. The imperfect, human side that sometimes allows the desire for shared common ground and “sameness” to become too much of a focus. I’ve heard it said once that, “we react out of our desires.” The desire for connection with others is good! But like anything, if not balanced, it can get in the way, and drift towards an unintentional rift that starts to divide us as women and moms. We are human, imperfect, and complicated beings, driven by intricate desires. We all share in the fact that we desire connectedness, validation, and to be loved for just who we are, differences and all. If we can respect and value one another in our uniqueness, then we can embrace each other, regardless of whether we stay at home, or we work. Whether we breast-feed or bottle-feed. Whether we co-sleep, or whether we don’t…
There are so many things we share in motherhood! Each of us love our little ones with such ferocity we would give our lives for them. We cherish their kisses, their cuddles, and our hearts break when we see them hurt. They bring us unspeakable joy, and we all have a common bond in each of these feelings. Let’s focus on the joy that unites us more than the differences that exist between us. Let’s tap into that beautifully resilient power we all hold as women to support one another in this tender yet tough stage of life. We are fighting the same battles inside where we question our sense of adequacy, our competence, and whether or not our decisions are the right ones. We need each other’s support, affirmation, encouragement, and we are so capable of providing that for one another, even in our differences. It is part of what makes us so beautiful.
Embracing this approach will open our hearts to learn and grow with each other. It allows us to reach into this crazy experience called motherhood as a united front, and realize there is more “sameness” in our core emotions, thoughts, struggles and experiences than there are differences in the choices we make in varying arenas. Let’s place the emphasis on “sameness” where it matters most, where it bonds us most deeply. What a powerful thing this can be! We can mix all the diversity with common ground in the desire for connection and create a kaleidoscope that casts a radiant, matchlessly colorful picture of what is collectively, the toughest job in the world. Being “mom.”
Now let’s continue kicking cooking intimidation out of the kitchen with this easy appetizer or side salad, in it’s “kaleidoscope” of radiant colors. This is a perfect appetizer dish to bring to a gathering, or indulge in as a side dish with soup or sandwich. It’s healthy and loaded with veggies, proteins and healthy fats…not to mention, it’s exceptionally simple and tasty!
Mini Heirloom Tomatoes with Feta & Balsamic Reduction Recipe
Ingredients:
-1 large container of mini, heirloom tomatoes
-Feta cheese, crumbled
-Olive oil
-Balsamic reduction
-Sea salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
Note: I purchased all of these ingredients at Trader Joes, but most grocery stores will have them. You can typically find bottled balsamic reduction in an aisle that has vinegars, glazes and sauces. A reduction is reduced down on the stove, turning into a sweet, thick glaze that can be used in many different ways.
- Wash the tomatoes, and set aside two that still have the stems attached.
- Decide if/how you want to layer them. You can be creative with this part! Create a rainbow ombre look according to color, or mix them up for a colorfully painted canvas appearance (this is optional, if you enjoy the creative aspect. It will taste just as good if you plate them without much order!)
- If you are going for the layered display, slice the tomatoes, and fan the slices out so they remain layered, and place them top to bottom on the dish, and perhaps leave a little room to layer place bread slices as well. Bread would be a nice touch as an appetizer, to layer those those tomatoes onto (see image at end of instructions). Slice the remaining two tomatoes and save the tops of two stemmed tomatoes for a rustic, texturized finish for each side of your appetizer dish. It provides an simple, aesthetic appeal with an touch of elegance (this is optional as well)
- Sprinkle the crumbled feta across the dish.
- Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the top, across the platter in a zig zag pattern, followed by a light drizzle of balsamic reduction, similar pattern. A little goes a long ways.
- Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt and a dash of ground pepper. Serve with freshly sliced bread, with bruschetta (brush a dab of olive oil on bread and toast the bread), enjoy “as is” for an appetizer, or pair with soup, half a sandwich or some protein for a easy, delicious, healthy meal.
