It's Been To Long . . .

Wow, I haven't posted since February!!  As many of you know we moved out of our house into our guest house the beginning of last November as we started on the remodel of our house.  Six months later we are all back under one roof living in a beautiful almost (80%) completely new home.  I still have workers in the house and lots of hammering and banging going on as they are working on the outside.  We haven't hung anything up on the walls and not every room inside is completely done but it is slowly looking like our home again.

I went into this remodel with my eyes pretty wide open.  So many people had warned me of delays and struggles and there were days and weeks I was just done.  The hardest part was not having a kitchen for 3 months nor any central place we could hang out as a family.  There were weeks when I felt like nothing was getting done and the dust and dirt were just to much.  But then you would catch glimpses into what the final product would look like and I knew our decision was the right one.  

I have tried not to complain . . . I feel blessed that we have been able to do this so what's 6-9 months of disruption for years of enjoying our home with our family?!   My kids at times say I'm to positive but I figure if I complained that would give them the idea that they could complain.  Once we started there was no going back so we just had to roll with it.  Our delays have been minimal, the epic rains never came which we are so thankful for (I know we need the rain but) and overall the process hasn't been so bad.  We aren't quite finished BUT everyday there is progress . . . yesterday the plastic throughout the floor upstairs got taken up  - a sign that they are pretty much done with the upstairs.  I have really come to appreciate the little things. 

What I have learned is we don't need so much stuff in our lives and home!  I am not bringing back all that we took out.  We don't need to have multiple items in our kitchen, we don't need to keep every trophy or clothes that we haven't worn.  I have learned to purge and as we move forward I am not keeping what we don't need.  

The best news is I am slowly getting back to cooking.  I love my new kitchen and I am excited to start cooking more and try out new healthy recipes again!  

So with that said . . . . I make mini  Zucchini Turkey Burgers.  My inspiration came from the cookbook Jerusalem but I tweaked the recipe with what I already had in my pantry.  I made enough to have leftovers for lunch the next day and you can eat them warm or cold.  I topped them with Yogurt/Chive dip from Trader Joe's. 

Zucchini Turkey Burgers with Yogurt Chive Dipping Sauce

1 lb ground turkey

2-3 zucchini, grated (about 2 cups)

1 egg

1-2 tbsp chopped mint

1-2 tbsp chopped cilantro

2 cloves minced garlic

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Mix all ingredients in large bowl and shape into small patties (about 12-14).  Spray non-stick spray in large frying pan and heat.  In small batches, over medium heat sear the patties on each side.  Cook for about 4 minutes or until golden brown.

Transfer seared patties to baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in oven for 5-7 or until cooked through.

Serve warm with yogurt/chive dip or tzatziki dip spooned on top.