So the boredom has subsided, as I knew it would. Mostly because we’ve been traveling a ton to pop culture expos, which is tiring but also super fun and pretty much the best way to see the world. There’s a reason why lots of actors are trying to break into the convention scene: because it’s the best.
Sidebar: I get asked a lot if I’m “annoyed” by going to conventions, which makes me laugh. Would you get annoyed at getting a free trip to a fun city where you’re basically told how much you’re loved all day? Besides that, the shows I’m known for (the biggies being Stargate and Firefly) are all experiences I associate wonderful memories with, and I’m quite happy to relive them with you. So the smiles I have at these events are real. I am incredibly grateful to keep getting on planes to come out to entertain you with my inane stories, and I get a little bit choked up when I see you in your Kaylee/Keller cosplay and Jayne hats. I really do love you, you know.
Another reason why the notion of “boredom” is gone is because I’ve started to embrace the quiet and routine that happens during the weekdays I’m home. This kid I’ve got has a way of making me want to drop everything just to hang around him, and I’ve started to count my lucky stars at having the freedom and time to experience all of his “moments”. I know a lot of working parents don’t get that, and as all of us moms and dads know, sometimes watching your kid climb up a slide is sort of the best thing in life there is. When I’m really old but you wouldn’t really know it because of all the cosmetic help I plan on having, the thing I won’t remember is all the jobs I didn’t do. What I will be proud of, however, is that I was there for my child as much as I was able to have been. So I’m choosing not to feel anxious about taking breaks from work, and waiting for the “right thing” that lets me stay in my city and still see him every day, because man is he growing fast. Do I also feel like it’s important for children to see their parents go after their dreams? Hell yes…. and I’ll still be chasing my goals as best I can. But I’ll equally be relishing these spontaneous cuddles and imaginary stew-making sessions until he’s too cool to want to hang out with me anymore. It’s all about balance, is my long-winded point. Possibly the toughest concept to grasp.
Also in my search for balance is finding good-for-you food to cook during the week when I’m home, because when I do go away for these fun-filled weekends, lord knows I eat the damn world. So I try to lighten things up as best I can when I’m in my own kitchen. One of our absolute favourite things lately is this fake-out pasta with cream sauce we came across on my favourite food blog, Halfbaked Harvest. It ticks off all of those fat-craving boxes to satisfy you, AND you can have two bowls of it if you want. The recipe calls for good ol’ spaghetti squash in place of noodles, but zucchini noodles would be great too if you have a spiralizer. Also: this simple roasted cauliflower is pretty much the only way I want to have it now, it’s that good. I added a couple of things we like because I’m a control freak.
Spaghetti Squash Chicken “Pasta” with Sundried Tomatoes and Cauliflower
Ingredients:
1 large spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise
1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, chopped into bite sized chunks
1 can of full fat coconut milk
1 cup cashews
the juice of a lemon
1 garlic clove
a handful of grated parmesan cheese
a handful of fresh basil
1/3 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp herbs de provence (found in most grocery stores. Or use your own favourite chicken spice blend)
salt and pepper
extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
Start the vegetables. Preheat the oven to 425F. Arrange the halved squash skin down on a baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the cauliflower florets on the same baking sheet and drizzle with a tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, and the chili powder.
Arrange the chicken thighs on a baking sheet and drizzle with a tbsp of olive oil, salt, pepper, and the herbs de provence. Roast both the chicken and the vegetables for 25-30 minutes in the oven, until the squash and cauliflower are fork tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
Toast the cashews in a dry pan over medium-high heat until golden. Toss them in a little bit of salt while they’re still hot. Combine the coconut milk, toasted cashews, basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor and season with salt and pepper. Pulse until the sauce is smooth, and adjust the seasoning. How good is this?! Stir in the sundried tomatoes and warm the sauce in a pot over medium heat.
Once the veggies are cooked, shred the flesh of the squash using a fork, making sure to get all of the strands off the skin. Toss the squash noodles with the chicken and warmed sauce, and top with more parmesan cheese. So. Good.
Here’s to finding the balance!
XOJBR
Another great post. Love your writing.
I love everything you said about you, you son and what things are important to you. Now I like you even more… if that is possible.
So happy to get your latest post. A long stressful week and this is just what I needed. 🙂
Thank you for sharing the recipe and hope to see you in Seattle in the future.
I’ve never found spaghetti squash in the UK… Maybe I’m looking in the wrong shops. But, thank fook, I do have a spiraliser! Shiny!! <3
Jewel, you SO have your priorities in order. If I had to look back, one wish would certainly be to have spend more time with my little ones! And imagine that the best life is not balanced, but UNbalanced in a way that allows you more time with the family, more time to enjoy life, and more time for self fulfillment. Those are the things that time will teach you…but sometimes the lesson is too late. Sounds though, as if you are on the right track! Much happiness to you!
Another gorgeous photobomb! ? Here’s to balance, may you always find your carkeys when they’re in the lego bin, and always check the mirror for stray stickers / glitter before meeting with grownups! I’m off to buy a spaghetti squash…
Thanks Jewel, took the day off from our messy house & ran away to the snow with my 8yo, before the Spring melt. Best “Snow Day” ever! Sometimes you’ve just got to hang out & have fun, the laundry can wait! Thanks for being honest about being a mum – cheery or crabby. Love you heaps. #TeaPartyTime
enjoy your posts. I do enjoy spaghetti squash. The recipe sound good. Will have to try it. Nice to hear how much you enjoy your outings. Sorry we never got to see a picture of your little one with the Captain. Enjoy your outings and we will keep enjoying you and your family.
You go Girl… I for one think you have figured it all out before you get older… Take as much time as you can with your little one… they grow up and end up being “Too Kewl” for parents all to quickly… I was not quite as lucky, but still had my fun with mine in my time… The world is such a different place when we have kids to show us the wonder of our world. Happy for you girl… I hope to catch you at one of your conventions someday… <; -)
You ARE the best ! Wonderful commets AND an awesome receipe 😉
Love your posts Jewel. It does seem as if you’ve got the balance pretty much right! How lovely to be able to enjoy these times with your little boy! My ‘little ‘boy is 18 and left home last week to go to university . I find myself looking back oh so wistfully on all those insignificant but special times we had we he was growing up. They really are the memories that count!
Oh, and Spaghetti squash chicken looks amazing!
Jewel,
My kids are now 11 and 13, but I see this picture of you with your son and I remember with incredible fondness those days, those moments with my boys. I did have the luxury of being at home to experience said moments, and respect your appreciation for your moments. It is those experiences and the experiences you describe when traveling or attending conventions that you will have forever. It is not your fame or even your incredible beauty that makes you rich, but your experiences, your moments. Oh, and I can hardly wait to indulge in another of your recipes. I’ll be looking forward to your next post. Enjoy!
your cool as fuck!!!
I was a professional nanny for 25 years and the secret is the kids don’t care when you’re gone working ( if left with a loving caregiver) as long as you’re really PRESENT when you’re with them again. Sounds like you already know that though.
Hello, I figure we are not a lot of French-Canadians that (try to) follow you. Never been a groupie, but the movie you made about the “orgy planning” made me laugh and your tongue-in-cheek jokes are hilaious (and the ensemble of actors was just funny and great). I don’t care about the reviews I saw. Can’t wait to see your other works. I just hope my rusty english did not end up writing something wrong (it has happened before!)
As someone who works in professional theatre (mostly as a Stage and Production Manager) and has a 2.5 yr old and 4 month old, I relate so much to your posts. It’s so hard to say no to those projects that scratch the creative itch, or have the dream design team, or the director that you’ve wanted to be in the room with forever…but I have to remind myself that those will come around again. I still work, but I have to be very choosy (especially since regional theatre pays next to nothing)…and I’ve been so lucky to find places that will let me bring my infant to rehearsal, or have a staff member who will babysit the toddler while I call a show. The balancing act is SO HARD.
You’re killing it.