Ever since I entered the world of parenthood my personal time seems to consist of unpredictable 10 minute increments of peace and quiet that often involve locking myself in the bathroom just to be alone. If you have had kids of your own, I’m guessing your can relate to this. My son is 4, and people keep telling me that all this will change when I put him on the big yellow school bus for the first time, and that I will long for the early years again. We’ll see…
With mommyhood, the area of my life that has taken the biggest hit is reading. That, and showers… I used to be this intelligent, well-read young woman. Now I try to read a book in the evening and I wake up an hour later, drooling, with the light on and the book, pages bent, on the ground. I gave up on reading books written above a 4th grade reading level a couple of years ago because of this problem. Instead I decided to embrace the world of children’s literature and I have been delighted with all of the great books out there written for “kids” and the things they have to say about life.
No exception is the classic Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss. This book is pretty ubiquitous, and I’ve seen it gifted many a time at high school graduations. The thing is, Dr. Seuss is really onto something in this book about the ups and downs of life and the characteristics of resilient and successful people. I confess, I often read it to my son when I need a little inspiration myself.
I love how the book starts out:
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
A few years back, in my stupid freshman college student brain, I realized this; the choices I make and the things that I choose to do can either be smart and make my life better, or they can be stupid and I’ll build a life for myself that I don’t want. Just realizing that I was the most important person in the determination of my happiness has, in my estimation, made me one of the happiest people I know.
This is not to say that life doesn’t have lots of “bangups,” “hang-ups,” “lurches,” “slumps,” “unmarked streets,” “waiting places,” “lonely places,” and “frightening creeks.” But as Dr. Seuss says:
On and on you will hike.
And I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
So if you need some un-slumping, or need to do some problem-facing, take ten minutes out of your day and be inspired by the wisdom of Dr. Seuss in Oh, The Places You’ll Go.
If you have the blues today, why not sweeten them up with a healthy meal? Think a blueberry compote and creamy polenta with a perfectly grilled pork chop!
Sweeten up the weeknight blues by eating fruit for dinner... Think a blueberry compote and creamy polenta with a perfectly grilled pork chop! *I have made this recipe with bone-in and with boneless pork chops. Bone-in is more flavorful, but boneless is pictured here as I find it more economical and easier for my little one to eat. If you make bone-in chops keep in mind that the cook time will be longer.
Grilled Pork Chops with Blueberry Compote
Ingredients
Chops
Blueberry Compote
Polenta
Instructions
Notes
Kelly @ Tasting Page says
I love this blueberry compote and it’s sounds so perfect on these grilled pork chops. Yum!
Rachel says
Thanks Kelly!
You’ve inspired me! I’ve never tried brining pork chops, but I’m going to try that the next chance I get. I love pork chops but find they are often dry. I’m sure the brine is the solution to that! Thanks so much for this recipe. The blueberry compote with polenta sounds wonderful. What a fantastic combination!
Lately brined pork chops is the only way I eat them! They’re not in the least bit dry and they’re full of flavor! It is important to make sure they don’t get overcooked though. Pork chops cook up so quickly! If you give brining a try, let me know how they turn out!
This is my idea of food heaven, I love pork but pair it up with a fruity compote that is not too sweet and there is nothing better as far as I am concerned 🙂
Thanks Brian – I quite agree!
That compote! Wow, looks amazing and I’m all about the fresh blueberries right now. I love the idea of serving this with polenta to soak up all the yumminess. Pinning for later! And also, I completely relate to the lack of reading. My stack of books to read is growing ever higher. I miss it so much! My oldest is 4, too, so we’ll see what happens in another year when kindergarten hits. I don’t want to wish away these early years but it will be nice eventually to have a few more moments to myself (that don’t come at the sake of sleep deprivation…) In the meantime, love the Dr. Seuss pick-me-up. 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
I hear you on the sleep deprivation thing… I wanted some personal time last night so I stupidly stayed up until 1 Am… but it’s just a season of life I suppose. Plus my little 4 year old is so cute and funny!
What a beautiful seasonal meal. I have never made polenta, but it always looks so good and creamy! I will have to give it a try.
I read all the time– fly through books. I am due to have my first baby in — 2 weeks! Yikes. Maybe my book reading will fall by the wayside, too! I hope not.
Don’t worry Michelle! The first couple of years I had a lot of free time while my little one napped, but somewhere between 3 and 4 that changed. That to say, it gives a girl some time to ease into kids being around. Plus, I hear the preschool years can be some of toughest on a Mama’s time. Only a season. In addition to writing a blog I work as a visiting nurse about 60 hour a month, so there goes my time to read, but your situation may be entirely different!
I do like fruit with pork – such a wonderful sweet/savory combination! That looks wonderful.
Thanks Anne!
Yum!! I love pork with apples and bet it’s even better with blueberries 🙂
Thanks Becky! I always like an excuse for having fruit for dinner!
This looks AMAZING! I love your blog, Rachel!
Lol! Thanks Grace! Take care!
I have never brined a pork chop, it is something I am definitely going to have to try. I am also loving the flavour combo using blueberries, very nice.
Brined and grilled pork chops has by far become my favorite way of preparing them! There more tender and not in the least bit dry!
Looks like an amazing dish!!! Great compote!!
Thanks Levan!
I love the sweet/savory combination, not to mention the gorgeous photos! Looks amazing!!
Thank Becky! I can’t get enough of sweet and savory dishes.
Can’t believe I never considered pairing pork chops and blueberry before… it sounds so perfect!
Thanks TOMYCook! I promise that it’s an awesome combination!