This is it. It has officially happened. After years of dodging the inevitable. The time has come to face the facts, pay the piper...well you get it.
I am aging. I know, it's hard to believe, right? Who knew that sort of thing happens...to me.
Each time a baby enters this family, it's only a matter of time (3-5 years) when the I want another baby. An event happens involving the most recent child that triggers a maternal instinct within me. A sort of mommy-to-be time bomb. It informs me that my children are growing up and it's time to add another baby to the mix. It's like the babies, for me, magically suspend time. I never noticed getting older when I am surrounded by little ones. Maybe I should look into day care. LOL.
Did I mention Avery, my youngest daughter, is 3 years old? And that she wants to move from her toddler bed to one of these kids beds.
Me: Avery, you are still my baby, let's wait awhile.
Avery: Whatever mom, I am a big girl. I'm all grown'ed up.
Was that an explosion I just heard?
If there is a point to be made, and trust me there is, it's that I am realizing that I am getting older. I know this for a fact because my youngest daughter wants a big kid's bed, my oldest daughter is 19 and has way too many tattoos and piercings for my taste and my grey hairs are growing like the dandelions. I will have to dye my hair very soon, I am truly vain that way. The sesame seeds are not turning the whites to black. On the up side, the Midnight Falafels are really to die for.
As much as I am now looking forward to time moving ahead, I am not ready for my physical self to age. I believe, through eating raw foods and exercise and being joyful, that I can stall the aging process.
If I must grow older I want to be like Ms. Ernestine Shepherd. She is a 73-year old bodybuilder. She is truly an inspiration.
Oh, by-the-way, there will be NO new babies to add to the clan. I am truly enjoying the ones I have. Besides, each of them will always be my babies for the rest of their toddler, child, teen-aged and adult lives.
Midnight Falafel
Serves 4-6
2 cups sprouted chickpeas
1 cup soaked almonds
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup black sesame tahini
1/8 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespooons chopped red onions
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cumin seed
2 teaspoons sea salt
Combine chickpeas, almonds, garlic, black sesame tahini, olive oil, water and cilantro in a food processor until you achieve a thick paste. Add onions and lemon juice, seasonings and sea salt, process briefly.
Form the mixture into ping pong-sized balls. Dehydrate at 145 degrees for 1 hour, lower the temperature to 110 degrees and continue to dehydrate for 2 hours.
Roll falafel balls over and dehydrate an additional 2 hours. The balls should be slightly hard on the outside and soft on the inside.
