Full Circle.

At around 18 when I left home for university I started to get an idea of all the things my Mom had done for me, the time and sacrifice. From about 14 to 16 I might have been a horrible daughter at times. I remember being pretty ungrateful, often miserable to live with and a hormonal disaster. When I think of some of the things I said I cringe....cringe.

Now that I am a mom myself I get it. I get how you can love someone so much that you can easily forgive behavior, words and actions that you would never forgive of anyone else. I get how you can sacrifice your body, time and restful nights for the most precious little people. I remember looking at Hudson when he was a few weeks old and feeling so filled up with love and then thinking this is how much my mom loves me. It was overwhelming. 

So even after my teenage rebellions and maternal torture my mom is my biggest supporter. She helps me bathe my children, weeds my garden, tells me I look nice after a sleepless night, trusts my choices as a mom and allows me to be me. I couldn't ask for much more. Thank you mom.

My Mom and I

It looks like it is going to be a warm and sunny Mother's Day weekend around here. If you are looking for something fresh and reflective of spring to make your mom for Mother's Day I think this Asparagus Orzo Salad would be perfect. 

Ingredients:
1 cup orzo
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil
A bunch of asparagus (about 16 spears), cut into 1 inch pieces
2 cup packed fresh spinach
Juice of 1 large lemon
1/3 cup light feta cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. In a medium sauce pan, bring 4 cups of water to boil. Stir in orzo. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain orzo and set aside.
2. In a small sauce pan, saute garlic in olive oil. Add in asparagus pieces. Saute for 3-4 minutes. Stir in spinach. Cook until asparagus is tender and the spinach shrinks down.
3. Put the orzo in a medium bowl and add in the vegetables. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the orzo and vegetables. Stir. Season with salt and pepper. Taste-add more lemon juice if you wish. 
4. Sprinkle feta cheese over the top of the salad. Serve warm. Adapted from here.

I can't wait to make this again. It was great served cold too. I would of liked to use whole wheat orzo but was unable to find any. The addition of chick peas would make it a great dinner salad, especially in the warmer months. I added a little drizzle of olive oil to the salad too. If you prefer more of an intense lemon flavour you can add the zest of the lemon. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, enjoy the beautiful sunshine and your families.