Like everything over-cliched term, soccer mom leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Now that Max is playing soccer, I’m skirting dangerously close to the word.

My definition: A soccer mom is one who enthusiastically attends every one of her child’s soccer games and practices, arriving early with snacks and water for the team in her mini van. She may wear “mom pants” and push her child to play to kill win.

I’m sooooooooo not competitive. I hated sports growing up (and still don’t like many). So watching Max play soccer was like having my fingernails pulled off. At first.

Then the Hub got suckered into being the coach. After 2 weeks and 2 coaches not showing up, he was stepping in anyway (he played in high school). He really doesn’t mind and it’s damn cute to see these little 6 year olds listening to him.

And I find myself cheering on the kids (who have yet to win a game, but who’s counting? Last week, we borrowed a player from the other team, who scored the only goals we got) and encouraging them to “turn the ball around! take it, it’s yours!”

So, by default, being the wife of the coach…doesn’t that make me a soccer mom? Oh damn. But if it means I can wear cute shirts like the soccer chick shirt (above) that I bought, at least i don’t have to wear them with mom pants!

Today I turn 33. While it’s not a landmark year, I have been thinking about who I want to be this year (and beyond).

A Green Girl

Max and I rode our bikes to our local Fresh and Easy store. We carried my bike basket around and bought our groceries, then rode home. I realized anyone looking at us might think we’re the earthy, granola type to do this all the time. We’re not, though I have no objection of being so. I want to keep being more aware of ways I can be more eco and healthy. And yes, biking to the store to buy wine is eco.

Smiling Face

Might be hard for those that know me to imagine, but as a child I was extremely shy. And as a result, I sometimes feel awkward around strangers. Like if  I’m walking and pass someone, I’d rather fumble with my phone or look off in the distance at an invisible animal than look someone in the eyes and smile. I’m getting better. But I want to genuinely smile every time I see someone. Throw them off with my kindness. Yea.

World Traveler

For years, I’ve found better things to spend money on than traveling, despite that being one of the things that connects Mr. Payton and I. I’ve managed to break this mental barrier (as well as the financial one) and we ahem are going to Paris for a month in the vague near future (can’t tell you when or you will rob my house). It was scary to do, but now I’m wondering why I wasted so much time not traveling. So I want to do more. Much more.

I guess these are a bit like New Year’s Resolutions, except I have every intention to become all of these things.

So I swore to myself I’d never write a recipe, much less post it on my blog. But I just have to share this. Even if my mom is the only one to try it.

So I’m off carbs right now, trying to lose a few gained pounds before the holiday season puts it all back on. So I decided to try lettuce wraps at home. Max went crazy for them. He ate 6. That’s 6 leaves of butter lettuce, and 6 times more chicken than he usually eats. So I’d say they were a hit. Putting them together, too, was part of the appeal. They were messy and so fun.

And so I have named them:

Indian Lettuce Tacos

(That’s right, folks, you heard the name here first)

2 chicken breasts

half an onion

half a red pepper (modify to your tastes. heck, add mushrooms or other veggies too)

some water chestnuts (note: do not leave them unopened on the cabinet like I did)

red curry paste

coconut milk

Chop veggies and saute them. Add diced chicken (the smaller the better). Season how you like it (ain’t I a good recipe-ist?). I put salt, tumeric and chili powder on mine. Cook. Duh.

In a different pan, simmer coco milk and dab of curry paste (based on how hot it is and how hot you want it) over low heat. Stir til blended.

Pour coco milk mixture over meat and veggies.

On a plate pile on the butter lettuce leaves. Probably a good idea if you wash them. But I’m not judging if you don’t. Just don’t tell my mom.

Get a leaf and put the filling on top. Roll as best you can. You can’t, really. So they’ll fall apart. Eat them quickly and get them all over your chin. Lather rinse repeat.

I’m already planning mexican versions of this. Sky’s the limit.