Today we were home from church {Reed is a little congested with a sore throat; seems like tons of people in our ward are sick and I didn't want to take any chances since that stuff spreads like wildfire in a family, and very soon everyone is out of commission}, and also, to my dismay, out of milk. {Yesterday I prepared many needful things, but somehow the buying of milk fell off the map}
Not only are we out of milk, we are out of bread. {Another staple of ours} On Friday I made four loaves of whole wheat bread, gave one to my Sarah, and then with the kids made quick work of the other three loaves, finishing off the last few pieces this morning. {That's the problem with homemade bread....it's so good, it's usually gone fast!}
Aaaand because we are at the end of our menu and budget, I have had to be a little creative with meals today. Anyway, I was Old Mother Hubbard, looking in my cupboards, and found a blueberry muffin mix. {Betty Crocker, if you must know} I looked at the back and was disappointed when I read that it called for 3/4 C of milk. I puzzled for a bit about possible substitutions, and then remembered I had sour cream. Surely that could work, right? I substituted the 3/4 C of milk for 3/4 C of sour cream, and added a couple of tablespoons of water. The consistency of the batter was thicker than usual, but it made it SO easy to spoon the portions into the muffin tin, so I didn't mind. I baked them for 16 minutes (425 degrees).
And guess what?
They were delicious. I liked them better than the milk version. They were more dense and had better flavor {richer, slightly tangy, which set off the blueberry flavor beautifully}.
Maybe this is something everyone else already knew and I somehow missed the boat, but I thought I'd share, just in case!
Showing posts with label FOOD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FOOD. Show all posts
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, June 1, 2009
Make your cake and eat it, too!
For Savanna's birthday yesterday, I made one large cake and one Savvy-sized cake. I used my favorite recipe from my friend Heidi--and let me tell you. It's addictive. I wanted to see if I could do a little bit of nutritious substitution to lessen my guilt in devouring it piece by piece each day. (And sometimes two pieces in one sitting. It's GOOD.)
Mojo’s Birth Day Cake
["Mojo" being the darling unisex name of their in-utero baby, since they wanted to keep the sex a secret. This cake was to celebrate his birth. Darling, no?]
4 eggs
2 c. sour cream (Here I used 2 C of vanilla yogurt, because Phill needed the sour cream for the enchiladas. I'd use plain next time, but it worked beautifully. We like Mountain High all-natural.)
3/4 c. oil (This is where I was hoping a substitution would be successful. 1/2 C carrot puree worked perfectly.)
1 devil’s food cake mix
1 sm. pkg. instant pudding mix
1 cup chocolate chips (We like semi-sweet mini chips.)
1 1/3 c. water (Only needed 1 C with the substitutions.)
Mix together; pour into bundt pan; bake at 350 degrees for 45-65 min. or until done. (Ours took 60 minutes.)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Food, glorious food! (Name that musical....)
What to do when usual babysitters are busy, husband will be home in less than two days, and the grocery supply needs to be replenished TODAY?
Why, take the kids with you, of course.
sigh....
I admit I'm really spoiled by Phill. Our usual setup is that I go grocery shopping while he stays home, or we go together with the kids. Today, I had no such option. So I put some snacks in my purse, made my list as clear and succinct as possible, and called my sister for support. (That's right. I'm spoiled, and I call my sister to motivate and inspire me before I do something that's difficult.) She cheerfully told me I could do it, and that I wouldn't fall over and die when it was over. (I think the last time I've had to do the two-weeks-worth grocery shopping thing with the kids was.....two months ago? I'm rusty.)
First we stopped at Costco, which was relatively easy because I had two of the three strapped into the cart. Let me pause to say:
Dear Wal-mart,
Please make your shopping carts as big as Costco's, and your aisles as wide as Costco's, even if your food and supplies are not near as exciting as Costco's.
Thank you.
Tired Mom
Rae
When we got to Wal-mart, I tried to be speedy and efficient, which was not easy at all. Do you know my boys? Let me tell you something: They want to examine everything. Weigh everything. Sometimes taste-test things.....they are tactile explorers, which means that this refrain is heard as we make our way throughout the store:
"Put that down, please. No, we're not buying that. I said no. We have treats at home. You don't need shoes. Please follow me. Please stay close to me. Please stay close to me. PLEASE STAY CLOSE TO ME. No, not next to the cart, next to me....me. Me."
It's no wonder they stop listening--I get sick of hearing myself, too! I become this anxious, wild-eyed, frizzy-haired, sweaty version of myself. And I get weird looks from cantankerous old men who can't understand why I would bring my three young children with me to the store. Which makes my mental snarkiness really shine....."What? What's your problem? Stare at me some more!" Obviously, this is not a time when I'm at my best.
But today, I didn't want to feel sorry for myself, and so I said a prayer before I left and decided to note the things that went well. Here's what went well:
-Savvy had just woken up from a nap before we left. Cheery, quiet Savvy. Angel.
-The boys were just rambunctious--not screaming, not crying, and not making things fall off the shelves.
-I found a parking spot close to the front door.
-I found what I needed quickly, both at Wal-mart and Costco. Relatively no puzzled searching.
-I stayed within my food budget!
-The kids were quiet in the car on the way home, and gratefully accepted a McDonald's dinner. (Odd, you might say, that I buy fast food on the way home from just buying tons of-what?-FOOD. But in this case, it's a necessity. By the time I get home and get everything put away, it's 7:30. Hungry kids wailing in the kitchen while I try to simultaneously make dinner and put everything away? I don't think so. Oh--and although I could go earlier, it just didn't happen today. Between a grandma visit and a baby nap, I was impressed we got out the door at 4:30.)
-The confused stares and even annoyed glares were nonexistant today. Two moms were even sweetly sympathetic as our circus walked by.
-The kids are full-bellied and soundly in bed. And I am not dead.
I also have to say that for some reason today, I was overcome as I walked through the store, looking at all the food. Mostly the produce. I think it's an incredible blessing that my fridge has colorful produce and fresh cheese and protein-filled meat in it right now; a blessing to live in a country where food is available in such abundance and for a relatively reasonable price. It just struck me--for no apparent reason--that it is amazing to be able to walk into a store and have so many choices, and walk out with two weeks' worth of food.
Instead of feeling despondent and exhausted, I'm tiredly grateful.
Now if that isn't a miracle.....
Why, take the kids with you, of course.
sigh....
I admit I'm really spoiled by Phill. Our usual setup is that I go grocery shopping while he stays home, or we go together with the kids. Today, I had no such option. So I put some snacks in my purse, made my list as clear and succinct as possible, and called my sister for support. (That's right. I'm spoiled, and I call my sister to motivate and inspire me before I do something that's difficult.) She cheerfully told me I could do it, and that I wouldn't fall over and die when it was over. (I think the last time I've had to do the two-weeks-worth grocery shopping thing with the kids was.....two months ago? I'm rusty.)
First we stopped at Costco, which was relatively easy because I had two of the three strapped into the cart. Let me pause to say:
Dear Wal-mart,
Please make your shopping carts as big as Costco's, and your aisles as wide as Costco's, even if your food and supplies are not near as exciting as Costco's.
Thank you.
Tired Mom
Rae
When we got to Wal-mart, I tried to be speedy and efficient, which was not easy at all. Do you know my boys? Let me tell you something: They want to examine everything. Weigh everything. Sometimes taste-test things.....they are tactile explorers, which means that this refrain is heard as we make our way throughout the store:
"Put that down, please. No, we're not buying that. I said no. We have treats at home. You don't need shoes. Please follow me. Please stay close to me. Please stay close to me. PLEASE STAY CLOSE TO ME. No, not next to the cart, next to me....me. Me."
It's no wonder they stop listening--I get sick of hearing myself, too! I become this anxious, wild-eyed, frizzy-haired, sweaty version of myself. And I get weird looks from cantankerous old men who can't understand why I would bring my three young children with me to the store. Which makes my mental snarkiness really shine....."What? What's your problem? Stare at me some more!" Obviously, this is not a time when I'm at my best.
But today, I didn't want to feel sorry for myself, and so I said a prayer before I left and decided to note the things that went well. Here's what went well:
-Savvy had just woken up from a nap before we left. Cheery, quiet Savvy. Angel.
-The boys were just rambunctious--not screaming, not crying, and not making things fall off the shelves.
-I found a parking spot close to the front door.
-I found what I needed quickly, both at Wal-mart and Costco. Relatively no puzzled searching.
-I stayed within my food budget!
-The kids were quiet in the car on the way home, and gratefully accepted a McDonald's dinner. (Odd, you might say, that I buy fast food on the way home from just buying tons of-what?-FOOD. But in this case, it's a necessity. By the time I get home and get everything put away, it's 7:30. Hungry kids wailing in the kitchen while I try to simultaneously make dinner and put everything away? I don't think so. Oh--and although I could go earlier, it just didn't happen today. Between a grandma visit and a baby nap, I was impressed we got out the door at 4:30.)
-The confused stares and even annoyed glares were nonexistant today. Two moms were even sweetly sympathetic as our circus walked by.
-The kids are full-bellied and soundly in bed. And I am not dead.
I also have to say that for some reason today, I was overcome as I walked through the store, looking at all the food. Mostly the produce. I think it's an incredible blessing that my fridge has colorful produce and fresh cheese and protein-filled meat in it right now; a blessing to live in a country where food is available in such abundance and for a relatively reasonable price. It just struck me--for no apparent reason--that it is amazing to be able to walk into a store and have so many choices, and walk out with two weeks' worth of food.
Instead of feeling despondent and exhausted, I'm tiredly grateful.
Now if that isn't a miracle.....
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Delicious Deception: A foray into puree
Our ward's cooking group recently had an activity I was lucky to attend. We covered the basics of Deceptively Delicious, which involves sneaking vegetables (and fruits) into your meals so that picky kids will still get all the goodness of vitamins, antioxidants, and probably loads of fiber. (Evidence suggests.)
I like the concept just because I think it's clever, provident, and advisable to up the nutritional value of our foods, no matter what our kids' (or our) tastes are. My kids do like vegetables, actually--most of the time. But I like the concept of using purees, because it's more cost-effective for me. I can't store salad in my fridge for longer than five days without it going bad, so I often feel like we eat great produce for the first few days after I go grocery shopping, and then our menu goes down a notch because everything has gone bad or run out. With the purees, you freeze them. So they can last for quite a while and be quickly thawed to include in a meal.
I actually bought the Deceptively Delicious book when it first came out. I was feeling ambitious, totally excited, and ready to make our meals a bit better. I read the first section. I looked through the recipes. I became overwhelmed. I gave the cookbook to my little sister.
Well, the cooking group was useful in that it showed how easy it really is to do this kind of thing. My main concern was that I'd have to use the D.D. recipes for each of my meals. I had this vision of having to throw out every favorite meal we had, and using only hers for the rest of our lives. Not very fun, right? But I've learned that the whole concept is really quite flexible! Many of the purees are interchangeable, and many of the things I make could use a puree that hides easily.
So I thought I'd share what I've discovered!
The kids and I often eat ravioli for lunch. We buy frozen ravioli--the Western Family or Great Value brand in the freezer section. I usually put Great Value (Wal-mart's generic brand, in case you need reminding) traditional-flavor spaghetti sauce on the ravioli, and a sprinkling of parmesan or mozzarella. (It's yummy.)
I discovered: You can hide 1/2 C carrot puree in 1/2-whole bottle of the sauce. It actually takes away some of the acidity of the tomato, which I think is nice. I think it actually tastes better with the carrot.
Using this discovery, I made a sort of twist on chicken parmigiana. ('A twist' means I looked at the recipe in my Better Homes & Gardens cookbook and decided I was too lazy to follow it.)
In a half-size casserole dish (I guess full works, too), combine 1/2 to 1 bottle Great Value traditional spaghetti sauce, a can of diced tomatoes, and 1/2 C carrot puree.
Dip four tenderized chicken breasts in Italian-style bread crumbs. (I didn't dip them in egg white first; I figured they were already wet.) Lay the breasts in the dish, all cozy and squished next to each other. (It's really okay if they touch.) Spread about 1/2 C parmesan on top.
Bake in the oven at 350 for 55 minutes. Then turn the breasts over and cook for 10-15 more minutes. Test for done-ness--mine would have still been pink if I had taken them out only 5 minutes earlier, so just bake them to your desired consistency. Ours were incredibly tender.
It makes a sweet, tomatoey, cheesy chicken that is soooo good. We sprinkled a bit of mozzarella on top, and served a salad with it. We were actually perfectly sated!
Next.
I have used the D.D. recipe for scrambled eggs--it uses cauliflower puree--and it is DIVINE. No joke. The best scrambled eggs I've ever had! I've also done them with yellow squash puree. Still good--not as good.
One thing we did in the cooking group was brownies. My favorite, after some experimentation, was to do this:
2 boxes Family Style (note--not Family SIZE--Family Style) Duncan Hines brownies
1/2 C oil
however many eggs are called for from each box (I added one more than it asked. Just seemed to need it.)
1/2 C spinach puree
1/2 C carrot puree
no water
Mix all together, then bake. I would suggest baking longer than the time asked for. Just watch and check.
I have used the D.D. recipe for tuna salad--cauliflower puree--and it was good, though a little more liquidy than I like my tuna salad to be. The taste was right on, though, and the consistency didn't bug me at all once it was between bread. I've also made tuna salad with yellow squash puree because I ran out of the cauli. I like them equally.
Today: I made D.D.'s recipe for sweet potato pancakes, though I used yams instead of sweet potatoes. (Couldn't find any at the store.) They were really good. Really moist, fluffy, and light. Really good flavor.
I used the D.D. recipe for homemade macaroni and cheese (cauli puree), and I think next time, I will just use my own recipe and add in the puree. Her recipe calls for cream cheese, along with the cheddar and cauli. It threw me off with the flavor. It was yummy--just not ideal. I'm anxious to try it again with my normal recipe. (We did eat some at the cooking group that was made with cauli puree, cheddar, and without cream cheese. It was VERY good.)
As a dividend of these renewed efforts at nutritious cooking, my kids' moods seem to be more even. No noticeable sugar crashes, and actually, they seem more hungry and more anxious to eat what I put in front of them. Oddly enough. :) Reed did ask me, because he overheard me hinting on the phone, "What did you put in these brownies, Mom? What is the secret ingredient?" I decided to be completely honest and said, "Spinach and carrots." It had the desired effect--he laughed and said with total disbelief, "No...." So then I said, "Vitamins." Now he's anxious to share the secret with anyone. "My mom put vitamins in these. That's why they're so good." (Makes me feel like strutting like a peacock when he brags about my food!)
In general, I just feel better. I'm excited that the transition has been nearly seamless--I did have quite the puree session, but other than that, I don't feel like this has turned our schedules topsy-turvy. So--so far, a success!
I like the concept just because I think it's clever, provident, and advisable to up the nutritional value of our foods, no matter what our kids' (or our) tastes are. My kids do like vegetables, actually--most of the time. But I like the concept of using purees, because it's more cost-effective for me. I can't store salad in my fridge for longer than five days without it going bad, so I often feel like we eat great produce for the first few days after I go grocery shopping, and then our menu goes down a notch because everything has gone bad or run out. With the purees, you freeze them. So they can last for quite a while and be quickly thawed to include in a meal.
I actually bought the Deceptively Delicious book when it first came out. I was feeling ambitious, totally excited, and ready to make our meals a bit better. I read the first section. I looked through the recipes. I became overwhelmed. I gave the cookbook to my little sister.
Well, the cooking group was useful in that it showed how easy it really is to do this kind of thing. My main concern was that I'd have to use the D.D. recipes for each of my meals. I had this vision of having to throw out every favorite meal we had, and using only hers for the rest of our lives. Not very fun, right? But I've learned that the whole concept is really quite flexible! Many of the purees are interchangeable, and many of the things I make could use a puree that hides easily.
So I thought I'd share what I've discovered!
The kids and I often eat ravioli for lunch. We buy frozen ravioli--the Western Family or Great Value brand in the freezer section. I usually put Great Value (Wal-mart's generic brand, in case you need reminding) traditional-flavor spaghetti sauce on the ravioli, and a sprinkling of parmesan or mozzarella. (It's yummy.)
I discovered: You can hide 1/2 C carrot puree in 1/2-whole bottle of the sauce. It actually takes away some of the acidity of the tomato, which I think is nice. I think it actually tastes better with the carrot.
Using this discovery, I made a sort of twist on chicken parmigiana. ('A twist' means I looked at the recipe in my Better Homes & Gardens cookbook and decided I was too lazy to follow it.)
Lazy Rae's Health-Conscious Chicken Parmigiana
In a half-size casserole dish (I guess full works, too), combine 1/2 to 1 bottle Great Value traditional spaghetti sauce, a can of diced tomatoes, and 1/2 C carrot puree.
Dip four tenderized chicken breasts in Italian-style bread crumbs. (I didn't dip them in egg white first; I figured they were already wet.) Lay the breasts in the dish, all cozy and squished next to each other. (It's really okay if they touch.) Spread about 1/2 C parmesan on top.
Bake in the oven at 350 for 55 minutes. Then turn the breasts over and cook for 10-15 more minutes. Test for done-ness--mine would have still been pink if I had taken them out only 5 minutes earlier, so just bake them to your desired consistency. Ours were incredibly tender.
It makes a sweet, tomatoey, cheesy chicken that is soooo good. We sprinkled a bit of mozzarella on top, and served a salad with it. We were actually perfectly sated!
Next.
I have used the D.D. recipe for scrambled eggs--it uses cauliflower puree--and it is DIVINE. No joke. The best scrambled eggs I've ever had! I've also done them with yellow squash puree. Still good--not as good.
One thing we did in the cooking group was brownies. My favorite, after some experimentation, was to do this:
2 boxes Family Style (note--not Family SIZE--Family Style) Duncan Hines brownies
1/2 C oil
however many eggs are called for from each box (I added one more than it asked. Just seemed to need it.)
1/2 C spinach puree
1/2 C carrot puree
no water
Mix all together, then bake. I would suggest baking longer than the time asked for. Just watch and check.
I have used the D.D. recipe for tuna salad--cauliflower puree--and it was good, though a little more liquidy than I like my tuna salad to be. The taste was right on, though, and the consistency didn't bug me at all once it was between bread. I've also made tuna salad with yellow squash puree because I ran out of the cauli. I like them equally.
Today: I made D.D.'s recipe for sweet potato pancakes, though I used yams instead of sweet potatoes. (Couldn't find any at the store.) They were really good. Really moist, fluffy, and light. Really good flavor.
I used the D.D. recipe for homemade macaroni and cheese (cauli puree), and I think next time, I will just use my own recipe and add in the puree. Her recipe calls for cream cheese, along with the cheddar and cauli. It threw me off with the flavor. It was yummy--just not ideal. I'm anxious to try it again with my normal recipe. (We did eat some at the cooking group that was made with cauli puree, cheddar, and without cream cheese. It was VERY good.)
As a dividend of these renewed efforts at nutritious cooking, my kids' moods seem to be more even. No noticeable sugar crashes, and actually, they seem more hungry and more anxious to eat what I put in front of them. Oddly enough. :) Reed did ask me, because he overheard me hinting on the phone, "What did you put in these brownies, Mom? What is the secret ingredient?" I decided to be completely honest and said, "Spinach and carrots." It had the desired effect--he laughed and said with total disbelief, "No...." So then I said, "Vitamins." Now he's anxious to share the secret with anyone. "My mom put vitamins in these. That's why they're so good." (Makes me feel like strutting like a peacock when he brags about my food!)
In general, I just feel better. I'm excited that the transition has been nearly seamless--I did have quite the puree session, but other than that, I don't feel like this has turned our schedules topsy-turvy. So--so far, a success!
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Evolution of Rae
-or-
How I Learned To Cook Edible Food
an inspiring new poem from DeVault Publishing
Newly married, shining with glee
with two other roommates--living happily
I set out to make the easiest of meals
Kraft mac & cheese, a budget-friendly deal.
I got the water boiling, feeling oh-so domestic,
and thought to myself, "It will be majestic!"
I threw the noodles in and went to town.
I let them boil while I sat down.
Alas, when I went to add the butter, milk and cheese,
I looked in the pot with a feeling of unease.
The budget-friendly noodles, once hard in their dried state
were now a thick mush unworthy to grace a plate.
I added the other stuff: milk, cheese, butter
and said "Dinner's ready!" with a secret shudder.
My husband, so sweet, looked at the mess.
"Looks good!" he fibbed, trying not to distress.
The roommates and Phill took a bite, faces brave.
And, chewing slowly, became somewhat grave.
"It's alright..." Phill said, seeing my tears start to fall.
"Yeah, it's good!" Roommate said, as I began to ball.
Thankfully the box of mush-mac was swept
into the trash while I wept and wept.
"I have an idea!" said a roommate with a cackle,
"It's alright--we'll use it for spackle!"
Part II
A lack of confidence was the cause
of two or three years of faux pas.
I chose meals made to order, costly food fare
or just let Phill cook--now that's some talent there!
But some part of me still badly wanted
to be a domestic goddess, a brave cook undaunted.
And one day while watching my sister Abby,
I began to realize she was not too shabby.
I asked what the secret was, her key to good food
and she answered quite quickly, no need to brood:
"I think you just lack confidence, young cook.
I myself read most of my recipes from a book!"
I went home renewed, determined to try.
I pulled out the cookbook and didn't even cry.
I assembled the components with a measured hand,
praying that at least it wouldn't be spackle-bland.
When at last I pulled the dish out of the oven to sample,
loving praise from Phill and kids was more than ample.
From then on I decided to be confidently daring,
finding easy recipes worthy of sharing.
Part III
Although I still have some less creative days,
I like to think I'm far from my spackle-mac ways.
Whether it's cereal or Chicken Parmigiana for dinner,
my secret is to pretend I'm a Top Chef winner.
And now that I've wrestled those demons of dinner-dread,
I'm beginning to think I can assemble a good spread:
For the last three days, I have been full of delicious deceit....
my children don't know how many veggies I've made them eat!
Puree of cauliflower, carrots, and squash
(It's WORTH all the dishes I've had to wash),
my kids have consumed these, hidden in their food.
And they already seem to be a much happier brood.
Ravioli, scrambled eggs, tuna salad and brownies,
I've powered up our food with clandestine ease.
I am no longer bound by crippling insecurity;
perhaps my dinner menu has
finally reached full maturity!
an inspiring new poem from DeVault Publishing
Newly married, shining with glee
with two other roommates--living happily
I set out to make the easiest of meals
Kraft mac & cheese, a budget-friendly deal.
I got the water boiling, feeling oh-so domestic,
and thought to myself, "It will be majestic!"
I threw the noodles in and went to town.
I let them boil while I sat down.
Alas, when I went to add the butter, milk and cheese,
I looked in the pot with a feeling of unease.
The budget-friendly noodles, once hard in their dried state
were now a thick mush unworthy to grace a plate.
I added the other stuff: milk, cheese, butter
and said "Dinner's ready!" with a secret shudder.
My husband, so sweet, looked at the mess.
"Looks good!" he fibbed, trying not to distress.
The roommates and Phill took a bite, faces brave.
And, chewing slowly, became somewhat grave.
"It's alright..." Phill said, seeing my tears start to fall.
"Yeah, it's good!" Roommate said, as I began to ball.
Thankfully the box of mush-mac was swept
into the trash while I wept and wept.
"I have an idea!" said a roommate with a cackle,
"It's alright--we'll use it for spackle!"
Part II
A lack of confidence was the cause
of two or three years of faux pas.
I chose meals made to order, costly food fare
or just let Phill cook--now that's some talent there!
But some part of me still badly wanted
to be a domestic goddess, a brave cook undaunted.
And one day while watching my sister Abby,
I began to realize she was not too shabby.
I asked what the secret was, her key to good food
and she answered quite quickly, no need to brood:
"I think you just lack confidence, young cook.
I myself read most of my recipes from a book!"
I went home renewed, determined to try.
I pulled out the cookbook and didn't even cry.
I assembled the components with a measured hand,
praying that at least it wouldn't be spackle-bland.
When at last I pulled the dish out of the oven to sample,
loving praise from Phill and kids was more than ample.
From then on I decided to be confidently daring,
finding easy recipes worthy of sharing.
Part III
Although I still have some less creative days,
I like to think I'm far from my spackle-mac ways.
Whether it's cereal or Chicken Parmigiana for dinner,
my secret is to pretend I'm a Top Chef winner.
And now that I've wrestled those demons of dinner-dread,
I'm beginning to think I can assemble a good spread:
For the last three days, I have been full of delicious deceit....
my children don't know how many veggies I've made them eat!
Puree of cauliflower, carrots, and squash
(It's WORTH all the dishes I've had to wash),
my kids have consumed these, hidden in their food.
And they already seem to be a much happier brood.
Ravioli, scrambled eggs, tuna salad and brownies,
I've powered up our food with clandestine ease.
I am no longer bound by crippling insecurity;
perhaps my dinner menu has
finally reached full maturity!
Monday, April 27, 2009
sweet tooth
When the house is clean, and Reed is at school, and Savanna is napping, and I have had sufficient time to lay down for a minute, I like to bake. (This is not the only time I like to bake. If it was, I would bake once every two weeks.) Jaxon likes to pull up a chair to the counter and help out, and sometimes it becomes sweet one-on-one time between us. I love to see his big dark chocolate eyes light up when I offer him cookie dough or ask him to pour in the entire bag of chocolate chips. I like the conversations we have.
"Mom, that's flour and sugar in those white things."
"Yep. Flour and sugar."
"Why do we need eggs in cookies?"
"Because when we bake them, the eggs hold the cookie together."
When I dropped a cookie sheet on the floor-
"Mom, that sound was so loud it almost maked my ears bleed!"
"I maked chicken with dad last night. And then we put it in buh-reedo's." (Chicken enchiladas...he helped Phill shred the chicken.)
"Mom? Why do we pick up the chair instead of scrape it across the floor?"
"Because if you scrape it across the floor, it's loud."
"Yeah. That would make my ears bleed." [At this point I wonder what Reed has been telling him...or if it is just his own conclusion he's reached.]
Lastly, as he was licking cookie dough off his hand,
"Mmmm.....yummy, yummy, yummy."
Recipe to what we made today: My Kitchen Cafe's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. The dough is divine....I have yet to actually try the cookies, though I did save some dough to make some. The dough, I can promise, is yummy-yummy-yummy.
POST-EDIT: These cookies are SOOOOOOOO good!!!!
"Mom, that's flour and sugar in those white things."
"Yep. Flour and sugar."
"Why do we need eggs in cookies?"
"Because when we bake them, the eggs hold the cookie together."
When I dropped a cookie sheet on the floor-
"Mom, that sound was so loud it almost maked my ears bleed!"
"I maked chicken with dad last night. And then we put it in buh-reedo's." (Chicken enchiladas...he helped Phill shred the chicken.)
"Mom? Why do we pick up the chair instead of scrape it across the floor?"
"Because if you scrape it across the floor, it's loud."
"Yeah. That would make my ears bleed." [At this point I wonder what Reed has been telling him...or if it is just his own conclusion he's reached.]
Lastly, as he was licking cookie dough off his hand,
"Mmmm.....yummy, yummy, yummy."
Recipe to what we made today: My Kitchen Cafe's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. The dough is divine....I have yet to actually try the cookies, though I did save some dough to make some. The dough, I can promise, is yummy-yummy-yummy.
POST-EDIT: These cookies are SOOOOOOOO good!!!!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
my menu (didn't you want to know?)
My lung-crud is clearing out and codeine cough syrup is a revelation; times are good.
I'm feeling all up and at 'em, ambitious and on the mend. So today I set out to make my two-week menu as I do when I'm on my very best behavior.
It starts out with all kinds of glorious ideas:
Chicken with Tomatillo Salsa and Cheddar Bread
Lemon-Garlic Chicken and Alfredo Pasta
Chopped Ham & Bowtie Pasta Salad
Homemade Pizza
Shredded Beef Sandwiches
and then I get a little tired and it looks like this:
Spaghetti
Tostadas
Quesadillas
French-Bread Sandwiches
and then you can see when I give up, because it looks like this:
Hot Dogs
Cereal
something
fast food
I just make sure when friends call that I only talk about the almond-crusted tilapia with cranberry walnut salad smothered in mango reduction something or other.....I magically forget that we had cereal the other night for dinner. Or butter and bread and crackers and canned peaches. (That's the "something" on my list. "Something" means scrounge....)
I really don't like meal planning. I just want it right there in my lap with a pre-made list. Is that too much to ask?
(yes)
I'm feeling all up and at 'em, ambitious and on the mend. So today I set out to make my two-week menu as I do when I'm on my very best behavior.
It starts out with all kinds of glorious ideas:
Chicken with Tomatillo Salsa and Cheddar Bread
Lemon-Garlic Chicken and Alfredo Pasta
Chopped Ham & Bowtie Pasta Salad
Homemade Pizza
Shredded Beef Sandwiches
and then I get a little tired and it looks like this:
Spaghetti
Tostadas
Quesadillas
French-Bread Sandwiches
and then you can see when I give up, because it looks like this:
Hot Dogs
Cereal
something
fast food
I just make sure when friends call that I only talk about the almond-crusted tilapia with cranberry walnut salad smothered in mango reduction something or other.....I magically forget that we had cereal the other night for dinner. Or butter and bread and crackers and canned peaches. (That's the "something" on my list. "Something" means scrounge....)
I really don't like meal planning. I just want it right there in my lap with a pre-made list. Is that too much to ask?
(yes)
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Food Math
Six huge pieces of cheesecake over two days = five pounds
No, Camilla, I can't eat that much cheesecake with impunity. :)
Back to the treadmill after my long, languishing break.
No, Camilla, I can't eat that much cheesecake with impunity. :)
Back to the treadmill after my long, languishing break.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Goal reached!!.....Motivation lost
Remember when I had that goal of working out regularly (4 days a week at least for 25 minutes at least) for three months straight? Remember how I was super pumped-up and how a while back I mentioned that I'd lost a little bit of extra poundage through the whole process?
I forgot to mention that I MET MY GOAL! I EXERCISED REGULARLY FOR THREE MONTHS!!!!
*confetti-throwing*
*raucous shouts of triumph*
*dancing with glee*
Anyway. Enough celebrating. The point of the three months was to make a habit. I did make a habit of working out. The waking-up-early part wasn't as easy to keep, especially given the three weeks that Phill was at BNCOC and the kids were in the bed with me (mysteriously) at 6:00 each morning....and I wasn't about to ruin that with a loud treadmill!
The point is: Even though I met my goal and even dropped about ten pounds in the process (surprise!), I didn't keep the early-waking habit so well, and I took a break after my three months was up.
Don't get me wrong. I felt that a break was deserved and even advisable. But due to some events out of my control (being up in Provo for a couple of weeks off and on) and some events I could have controlled (just getting out the stupid jump-rope or going to Gold's while I was in Provo), I, how should I say, fell off the wagon? I exercised a paltry four times in two weeks. And ate shamelessly, the way I believe one should eat during the holidays....so I'm paying for it. And I've adopted a late-night schedule that isn't helpful at all.
So if I have any resolutions at all this year, it would be to strengthen my resolve in the first place, revive my motivation, and return to my focus on those big matters: getting out of bed at a decent time, reading my scriptures, and knocking that stupid workout out of the way before I can procrastinate it all day!! I refuse to go further than this in my goal-making resolution-enthused headiness that is an integral part of January. I know myself. I know my love of list-making, my tendency to be a sucker for a grand idea. I know that in the past, my downfall was always too many areas of improvement with very specific goals in each. Needless to say, I soared for two days, then plummeted, depressed that I hadn't measured up.
So instead, I'm making an effort to return to what was working before everything was temporarily upside-down. It worked before! It'll work again! And if I can keep those important things at the top of my priorities, everything else falls into place....sparing me the drama of a 12-point list with 4 subtitles per point, The Grand Idea, the Everything Now mistake. Line upon line....a little here, a little there.
So....speaking of resolve? Remember the cheesecake I made? My very first one? You'll be happy to know that it was insanely delicious. Or sad to hear that, if you can envision me polishing off three (okay, four, that last one was HUGE) slices today. And yesterday. Today while I savored the last third-and-fourth piece, I was thinking how great it was that I was doing myself a favor and finishing all the cheesecake, because then I would stop eating it. (Yes, that warped reasoning worked. It always works with a mouthful of cheesecake.) I also decided that I wasn't going to shame myself....because that cheesecake was good, and I made it to eat it! So.....hah! (This is not working. Confessing to all of you and pretending I'm unaffected by it....I'm still quietly flabbergasted at myself! Just play along.)
I haven't been eating only junk, though, rest assured. I made these delicious rolls, and I have learned that I love to make and eat soup. After the broccoli cheese soup, I couldn't help myself. Last night was My Kitchen Cafe's Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (fantastic), and tonight was a recipe from a pasta cookbook I got 50% off at Barnes & Noble. Oh, it was soooooo good!! Here's the recipe (almost verbatim):
White Bean Soup
from Pasta: 40 Wonderful Classic Pasta Recipes
Serves 4
Beans feature widely in Tuscan cuisine. This smooth, comforting soup, in which beans are simmered for 2 hours, is very simple to make. Garlic and parsley, stirred in just before serving, complement the flavor, and a drizzle of olive oil adds the final touch.
¾ C dried cannelini beans, soaked in cold water to cover overnight (I actually used canned already-soaked beans instead)
1 ½ quarts chicken or vegetable stock
4 oz dried coralline, conchigliette piccote, or other soup pasta (and I just used elbow macaroni; the picture looks like elbow noodles, but ribbed, and lightly curly….the name of which pasta I assume is one of those tongue-twisters listed)
6 Tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 Tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
salt and pepper
fresh crusty bread, to serve
-Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large, heavy-bottom pan. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Partially cover the pan, reduce the heat, and let simmer for 2 hours, or until tender. (OR just use canned cannelini beans and skip this step entirely.)
-Transfer about half the beans and a little of the stock to a food processor or blender and process to a smooth puree. Return the puree to the pan and stir well to mix. Return the soup to a boil.
-Add the pasta to the soup, return to a boil, and cook for 10 minutes, or until tender.
-Meanwhile, heat 4 Tbsp of the olive oil in a small pan. Add the garlic and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, or until golden. Stir the garlic into the soup and add the parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper and ladle into warmed soup bowls. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and serve immediately with crusty bread.
I forgot to mention that I MET MY GOAL! I EXERCISED REGULARLY FOR THREE MONTHS!!!!
*confetti-throwing*
*raucous shouts of triumph*
*dancing with glee*
Anyway. Enough celebrating. The point of the three months was to make a habit. I did make a habit of working out. The waking-up-early part wasn't as easy to keep, especially given the three weeks that Phill was at BNCOC and the kids were in the bed with me (mysteriously) at 6:00 each morning....and I wasn't about to ruin that with a loud treadmill!
The point is: Even though I met my goal and even dropped about ten pounds in the process (surprise!), I didn't keep the early-waking habit so well, and I took a break after my three months was up.
Don't get me wrong. I felt that a break was deserved and even advisable. But due to some events out of my control (being up in Provo for a couple of weeks off and on) and some events I could have controlled (just getting out the stupid jump-rope or going to Gold's while I was in Provo), I, how should I say, fell off the wagon? I exercised a paltry four times in two weeks. And ate shamelessly, the way I believe one should eat during the holidays....so I'm paying for it. And I've adopted a late-night schedule that isn't helpful at all.
So if I have any resolutions at all this year, it would be to strengthen my resolve in the first place, revive my motivation, and return to my focus on those big matters: getting out of bed at a decent time, reading my scriptures, and knocking that stupid workout out of the way before I can procrastinate it all day!! I refuse to go further than this in my goal-making resolution-enthused headiness that is an integral part of January. I know myself. I know my love of list-making, my tendency to be a sucker for a grand idea. I know that in the past, my downfall was always too many areas of improvement with very specific goals in each. Needless to say, I soared for two days, then plummeted, depressed that I hadn't measured up.
So instead, I'm making an effort to return to what was working before everything was temporarily upside-down. It worked before! It'll work again! And if I can keep those important things at the top of my priorities, everything else falls into place....sparing me the drama of a 12-point list with 4 subtitles per point, The Grand Idea, the Everything Now mistake. Line upon line....a little here, a little there.
So....speaking of resolve? Remember the cheesecake I made? My very first one? You'll be happy to know that it was insanely delicious. Or sad to hear that, if you can envision me polishing off three (okay, four, that last one was HUGE) slices today. And yesterday. Today while I savored the last third-and-fourth piece, I was thinking how great it was that I was doing myself a favor and finishing all the cheesecake, because then I would stop eating it. (Yes, that warped reasoning worked. It always works with a mouthful of cheesecake.) I also decided that I wasn't going to shame myself....because that cheesecake was good, and I made it to eat it! So.....hah! (This is not working. Confessing to all of you and pretending I'm unaffected by it....I'm still quietly flabbergasted at myself! Just play along.)
I haven't been eating only junk, though, rest assured. I made these delicious rolls, and I have learned that I love to make and eat soup. After the broccoli cheese soup, I couldn't help myself. Last night was My Kitchen Cafe's Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (fantastic), and tonight was a recipe from a pasta cookbook I got 50% off at Barnes & Noble. Oh, it was soooooo good!! Here's the recipe (almost verbatim):
White Bean Soup
from Pasta: 40 Wonderful Classic Pasta Recipes
Serves 4
Beans feature widely in Tuscan cuisine. This smooth, comforting soup, in which beans are simmered for 2 hours, is very simple to make. Garlic and parsley, stirred in just before serving, complement the flavor, and a drizzle of olive oil adds the final touch.
¾ C dried cannelini beans, soaked in cold water to cover overnight (I actually used canned already-soaked beans instead)
1 ½ quarts chicken or vegetable stock
4 oz dried coralline, conchigliette piccote, or other soup pasta (and I just used elbow macaroni; the picture looks like elbow noodles, but ribbed, and lightly curly….the name of which pasta I assume is one of those tongue-twisters listed)
6 Tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 Tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
salt and pepper
fresh crusty bread, to serve
-Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large, heavy-bottom pan. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Partially cover the pan, reduce the heat, and let simmer for 2 hours, or until tender. (OR just use canned cannelini beans and skip this step entirely.)
-Transfer about half the beans and a little of the stock to a food processor or blender and process to a smooth puree. Return the puree to the pan and stir well to mix. Return the soup to a boil.
-Add the pasta to the soup, return to a boil, and cook for 10 minutes, or until tender.
-Meanwhile, heat 4 Tbsp of the olive oil in a small pan. Add the garlic and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, or until golden. Stir the garlic into the soup and add the parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper and ladle into warmed soup bowls. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and serve immediately with crusty bread.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Soupy weather and cheesiness
The snow that surprised us all here in St.George is long since melted and it was a reasonable 44 degrees today, but I'm still cold! It's the kind of weather that makes me crave soup, so I tried my hand tonight at this broccoli cheese soup from My Kitchen Cafe. It was marvelous, and very easy!
Tonight I'm going to make cheesecake for my very first time (this one, actually). I accidentally bought blackberries instead of blueberries....so I'm not sure what will go over the top--maybe if I like the taste of the blackberries it will be a delicious blackberry cheesecake. Or maybe not. In any case, wish me luck!
Oh, and notice how I am decidedly not posting in a New Year's fashion today? Going against the grain just for the sake of doing so.....but I'm sure a resolve-heavy post will follow soon enough, because really I'm just like the rest of you! :)
Tonight I'm going to make cheesecake for my very first time (this one, actually). I accidentally bought blackberries instead of blueberries....so I'm not sure what will go over the top--maybe if I like the taste of the blackberries it will be a delicious blackberry cheesecake. Or maybe not. In any case, wish me luck!
Oh, and notice how I am decidedly not posting in a New Year's fashion today? Going against the grain just for the sake of doing so.....but I'm sure a resolve-heavy post will follow soon enough, because really I'm just like the rest of you! :)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
True Colors
Once in a blue moon, I get in a Martha Stewart mood. This usually means that I A) do something involving lots of attention to detail -OR- B) make something pretty, but ultimately useless. Today I made this really yummy Pumpkin Spice Bread,
and then was in the mood to do a little bit of cleaning. That rarely happens--that is, it rarely happens that I'm cleaning and wanting to clean at the same time. :) Usually I'm grumbling the whole time and cursing my mess-making & procrastinating tendencies. Today, though, for some reason, I decided to tackle the grout in between our floor tiles. The grout has been dark and dirty since we moved in, and since I have not paid any special attention to it other than the (very) occasional mopping, it was begging for a good thorough cleaning. I heard from Awesome Sarah that baking soda would work, but then I also heard (on HGTV, Phill's most hated of channels....) that baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide was good, too. So this morning, In an effort to justify my procrastinating my workout, I tackled the floor with a toothbrush and my peroxide-soda mixture. (See how that works? I tell myself it's okay if I don't work out today because oh-look-how-clean-the-house-is....after three months of regular working out--that's right, I did it!--I'm having to muster lots of motivation.) The results were too great to pass up for a Before & After picture. And besides, I love a good Before & After picture. 
Oh hi, Grout! At last your true colors are discovered.....
After my puny only-doing-this-because-I-should workout, and after taking Reed to school, the Martha Stewart craze returned and I decided to make peppermint bark (this may be the fifth time I've done it this month) to bring to Reed's class, to whom I read Polar Express today. And I actually took pictures this time! And I'm posting the recipe! Aren't you just fall-off-your-chair excited? Heh.
Peppermint Bark
(Rae's way.....of sorts)
I searched online for a recipe, then just used what I found to do my own thing. As is often the case. There could be a better way to do this, a yummier way, an easier way, a prettier way--but ANYWAY, this is my way. :) This makes two to three batches--as in two or three cookie sheets full.
~Melt a block of chocolate-flavored almond bark*. (I don't know how much one block weighs--two pounds?) It works to microwave or to melt it in a double-boiler. I just nuke it.
~While the chocolate melts, crush three candy canes to powder, or to chunk-size of your preference.
~Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
~Once the chocolate is melted, pour it onto the covered cookie sheet, spreading the chocolate to the size of the sheet. Sprinkle the top with crushed candy canes. Set in fridge, freezer, or outside to harden. (Outside is fastest.) Once it's hardened, just break it into nice big 3-inch triangles.
*I've tried this same method/recipe with one layer dark and one layer milk, one layer milk and one layer white, one layer milk with vanilla drizzles, one layer dark one layer milk and vanilla swirls, and as of today, a vanilla layer with the crushed peppermint and mini chocolate chips. I can't name a favorite. It's all good. One layer, two layers, dark-milk-white-vanilla--it's all good. Just play around. (I did dark with Hershey's special dark chocolate, milk with the almond bark, vanilla with vanilla-flavored almond bark, and white chocolate with white chocolate chips.)
And lastly. Owing to the fact that my grandmother took a dramatic turn for the worse, my mom and youngest sister arrived from Japan on American soil last Friday. All of us thinking a good-bye to my grandma was imminent or about to be missed, Phill practically sent me to Provo (by myself) to be with everyone. I went expecting to give support and comfort, expecting it to be a somewhat somber reunion of sorts, and mostly unsure of what I would find when I got there. But from a deep coma, my grandmother awoke, ensuring us a few more days of loving words and reverent remembering. As I write, she is still alive. She said things to me that fed my soul, said things that answered prayers only the Lord has heard. Being with my mother, sister, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousin was balm to my soul.
I went to Provo expecting to give, and received more than I can begin to tally.
That isn't all. On my way home Monday, I found myself in swirling, blinding snow the last hour of the trip. The moment I hit that wall of white, I began to shake from head to toe, and started to pray. I'm not at all confident when driving in the snow, and frequently ascend to a barely-managed hysteria when it even begins to snow as I'm on the road. This wasn't the worst I've ever been in, but it was awful.
Well, I wasn't left to assume the difficult last hour and thirty minutes by myself. I was absolutely not alone. I felt very tangibly protected. And a very heavy vehicle in front of me--what were you, Nevada license-plate number 35035T? A tow truck? A plow?--just happened to be going the perfect speed for me to follow, as if it were my guide. Well, it was, really. I could see where patches of ice were, because he went before me, sliding only a little here and there, which acted as a warning to me when I needed to be especially mindful of the ice. He carved out a path for me to follow. His lights were my reference point, the sentinel for my tear-filled eyes. Later on, a semi ambled along behind me, providing yet another way for me to measure the distance and eye the road, making me feel less lost in all the white. I'm certain that the truck in front of me realized that he was helping me, and I'm so grateful that he didn't mind. As I took my exit, trembling with relief, I saw him change lanes as if to say goodbye, my job is done.
There are so many more things I could say, more miraculous blessings I could write about--but so many of them are too sacred and too dear to me to write here. And somehow when I try to put words to it, to tell Phill or Abby, the words pale in comparison to the actual happenings.
I happened upon this scripture yesterday, and it made me laugh out loud because it is so appropriate to how I'm feeling as of late, and it is the appropriate ending to this post:
Alma 26:16
Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
and then was in the mood to do a little bit of cleaning. That rarely happens--that is, it rarely happens that I'm cleaning and wanting to clean at the same time. :) Usually I'm grumbling the whole time and cursing my mess-making & procrastinating tendencies. Today, though, for some reason, I decided to tackle the grout in between our floor tiles. The grout has been dark and dirty since we moved in, and since I have not paid any special attention to it other than the (very) occasional mopping, it was begging for a good thorough cleaning. I heard from Awesome Sarah that baking soda would work, but then I also heard (on HGTV, Phill's most hated of channels....) that baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide was good, too. So this morning, In an effort to justify my procrastinating my workout, I tackled the floor with a toothbrush and my peroxide-soda mixture. (See how that works? I tell myself it's okay if I don't work out today because oh-look-how-clean-the-house-is....after three months of regular working out--that's right, I did it!--I'm having to muster lots of motivation.) The results were too great to pass up for a Before & After picture. And besides, I love a good Before & After picture. 
Oh hi, Grout! At last your true colors are discovered.....
After my puny only-doing-this-because-I-should workout, and after taking Reed to school, the Martha Stewart craze returned and I decided to make peppermint bark (this may be the fifth time I've done it this month) to bring to Reed's class, to whom I read Polar Express today. And I actually took pictures this time! And I'm posting the recipe! Aren't you just fall-off-your-chair excited? Heh. 
Peppermint Bark (Rae's way.....of sorts)
I searched online for a recipe, then just used what I found to do my own thing. As is often the case. There could be a better way to do this, a yummier way, an easier way, a prettier way--but ANYWAY, this is my way. :) This makes two to three batches--as in two or three cookie sheets full.
~Melt a block of chocolate-flavored almond bark*. (I don't know how much one block weighs--two pounds?) It works to microwave or to melt it in a double-boiler. I just nuke it.
~While the chocolate melts, crush three candy canes to powder, or to chunk-size of your preference.
~Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
~Once the chocolate is melted, pour it onto the covered cookie sheet, spreading the chocolate to the size of the sheet. Sprinkle the top with crushed candy canes. Set in fridge, freezer, or outside to harden. (Outside is fastest.) Once it's hardened, just break it into nice big 3-inch triangles.
*I've tried this same method/recipe with one layer dark and one layer milk, one layer milk and one layer white, one layer milk with vanilla drizzles, one layer dark one layer milk and vanilla swirls, and as of today, a vanilla layer with the crushed peppermint and mini chocolate chips. I can't name a favorite. It's all good. One layer, two layers, dark-milk-white-vanilla--it's all good. Just play around. (I did dark with Hershey's special dark chocolate, milk with the almond bark, vanilla with vanilla-flavored almond bark, and white chocolate with white chocolate chips.)
And lastly. Owing to the fact that my grandmother took a dramatic turn for the worse, my mom and youngest sister arrived from Japan on American soil last Friday. All of us thinking a good-bye to my grandma was imminent or about to be missed, Phill practically sent me to Provo (by myself) to be with everyone. I went expecting to give support and comfort, expecting it to be a somewhat somber reunion of sorts, and mostly unsure of what I would find when I got there. But from a deep coma, my grandmother awoke, ensuring us a few more days of loving words and reverent remembering. As I write, she is still alive. She said things to me that fed my soul, said things that answered prayers only the Lord has heard. Being with my mother, sister, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousin was balm to my soul.
I went to Provo expecting to give, and received more than I can begin to tally. That isn't all. On my way home Monday, I found myself in swirling, blinding snow the last hour of the trip. The moment I hit that wall of white, I began to shake from head to toe, and started to pray. I'm not at all confident when driving in the snow, and frequently ascend to a barely-managed hysteria when it even begins to snow as I'm on the road. This wasn't the worst I've ever been in, but it was awful.
Well, I wasn't left to assume the difficult last hour and thirty minutes by myself. I was absolutely not alone. I felt very tangibly protected. And a very heavy vehicle in front of me--what were you, Nevada license-plate number 35035T? A tow truck? A plow?--just happened to be going the perfect speed for me to follow, as if it were my guide. Well, it was, really. I could see where patches of ice were, because he went before me, sliding only a little here and there, which acted as a warning to me when I needed to be especially mindful of the ice. He carved out a path for me to follow. His lights were my reference point, the sentinel for my tear-filled eyes. Later on, a semi ambled along behind me, providing yet another way for me to measure the distance and eye the road, making me feel less lost in all the white. I'm certain that the truck in front of me realized that he was helping me, and I'm so grateful that he didn't mind. As I took my exit, trembling with relief, I saw him change lanes as if to say goodbye, my job is done.
There are so many more things I could say, more miraculous blessings I could write about--but so many of them are too sacred and too dear to me to write here. And somehow when I try to put words to it, to tell Phill or Abby, the words pale in comparison to the actual happenings.
I happened upon this scripture yesterday, and it made me laugh out loud because it is so appropriate to how I'm feeling as of late, and it is the appropriate ending to this post:
Alma 26:16
Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thanks! (and Help!)
Thank you to all of you who commented on my photos! You gave me a good dose of self-esteem medicine. :) And I'm glad to see a positive response for posting photos of myself. I think all of you should post pictures of yourself. Kaysha, I may just hunt you down and SNEAK a photo of you. I really mean that. I may just accidentally show up at Costco at the same time....Wal-Mart.....Children's Place.....keep looking over your shoulder, woman!
Okay. I need some help.
I am addicted to white bread. I HATE wheat bread (for sandwiches) and even when it's homemade, I don't like it (for sandwiches). I LOVE wheat bread as toast or with hummus, but as for sandwiches? I just love that horrible white-flour-and-yeast combination. Sue me.
Anyway, I've discovered that although I possess a rather unhealthy addiction to white bread, I love wraps! Even the whole-wheat ones are good. I've tried using whole wheat tortillas for wrap-ish lunches, but they're just not very pliable or yummy.
Lo and behold....I was at Lin's last night and saw these beautiful wraps--very pliable, labeled as wraps, specifically made for healthier lunches, etc....FOR ALMOST FOUR DOLLARS FOR SIX!!!! Are you as disgusted as I am?! Six wraps, let's see....that would be gone in one lunchtime. One and a half for me, half for Savvy, one for Reed and one for Jax, two for Phill....yep. Gone in one lunchtime. So if I ate those ridiculously expensive wraps for each lunch for one week, that would cost us $28. Multiply that times four if I wanted to make it a habit, and you have nearly $120. Our entire month's budget is $400 (toiletries and cleaning supplies and diapers and wipes INCLUDED....it's HARD to stick to it, and we often don't). I'm not about to spend more than one-fourth of our budget on wraps. We spend maybe $7.50 a week on bread, $10.50 at the top (the Farm Bread brand at $1.50 a loaf). When I consider White bread that I love: $10.50 a week or Really Yummy Wraps that are Way Better For Me: $28.00 a week, I just don't think it's worth the extra cost. Maybe I'm being stingy? Am I?
So what I'm wondering is: Do any of you have a good recipe for wraps? Whole-wheat preferably, but tomato-basil and spinach welcome, as well as other kinds I haven't thought of. Christine? Heidi? Crystal? Abby? Mandy? Call on your recipe archives?
Meanwhile, still dreaming of the incredible wrap I had at Costco a couple of months ago.....turkey and Havarti cheese and some other delicious stuff. That thing was the size of a ferret--it most certainly wasn't healthy in its gargantuan proportions. But it was good enough that yes, I'm still craving it long after its digestion.
Okay. I need some help.
I am addicted to white bread. I HATE wheat bread (for sandwiches) and even when it's homemade, I don't like it (for sandwiches). I LOVE wheat bread as toast or with hummus, but as for sandwiches? I just love that horrible white-flour-and-yeast combination. Sue me.
Anyway, I've discovered that although I possess a rather unhealthy addiction to white bread, I love wraps! Even the whole-wheat ones are good. I've tried using whole wheat tortillas for wrap-ish lunches, but they're just not very pliable or yummy.
Lo and behold....I was at Lin's last night and saw these beautiful wraps--very pliable, labeled as wraps, specifically made for healthier lunches, etc....FOR ALMOST FOUR DOLLARS FOR SIX!!!! Are you as disgusted as I am?! Six wraps, let's see....that would be gone in one lunchtime. One and a half for me, half for Savvy, one for Reed and one for Jax, two for Phill....yep. Gone in one lunchtime. So if I ate those ridiculously expensive wraps for each lunch for one week, that would cost us $28. Multiply that times four if I wanted to make it a habit, and you have nearly $120. Our entire month's budget is $400 (toiletries and cleaning supplies and diapers and wipes INCLUDED....it's HARD to stick to it, and we often don't). I'm not about to spend more than one-fourth of our budget on wraps. We spend maybe $7.50 a week on bread, $10.50 at the top (the Farm Bread brand at $1.50 a loaf). When I consider White bread that I love: $10.50 a week or Really Yummy Wraps that are Way Better For Me: $28.00 a week, I just don't think it's worth the extra cost. Maybe I'm being stingy? Am I?
So what I'm wondering is: Do any of you have a good recipe for wraps? Whole-wheat preferably, but tomato-basil and spinach welcome, as well as other kinds I haven't thought of. Christine? Heidi? Crystal? Abby? Mandy? Call on your recipe archives?
Meanwhile, still dreaming of the incredible wrap I had at Costco a couple of months ago.....turkey and Havarti cheese and some other delicious stuff. That thing was the size of a ferret--it most certainly wasn't healthy in its gargantuan proportions. But it was good enough that yes, I'm still craving it long after its digestion.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Snack Ideas
I happen to be a lousy snacker. It seems like we have something yummy (but not necessarily healthy for us)--say, pudding or Jell-O or chips--for the first two days, and eat it all up really fast, and then we move on to our pale supply of crackers or bread and PB. Kind of lame. And we tend to become a tiny bit crazy when we don't snack well--all of us except for Phill, who is somehow superhumanly immune to the I-haven't-eaten-for-an-hour-and-I'm-crying disease. I'm great at thinking up snacks. Not so great at executing. But Abby asked me for HEALTHY and FAST snack ideas, because she's been a lousy snacker too, and it's making us both bleh. Making and emailing a list for her today was really helpful for me, and I thought that I ought to share it with all of Blogtopia, too! I find a list like this really helped when I had just had Jax, and my dear Camilla brought me yogurt and carrot sticks and yummy salad. It also helps to have your options written out, and it helps to have your snacks sliced, blended, or whatever, and then stored in a really easy-to-reach way. Most of my ideas are from the web and from a nutritionist I had a long time ago, so it's not really original thought. Just others' thoughts organized into something easy to reach for me. So here's my list I gave to her:
Cut-up seedless watermelon--get those small watermelons; they take up less room in the fridge and they're easier to cut.
Mountain High Lowfat Vanilla yogurt--by far the best yogurt I've had, this has become a staple for me. Pair it with sliced peaches and baked oatmeal in the morning and it's like a dessert! This yogurt is also all-natural and loaded with probiotics, which help to regulate the good/bad bacteria ratio.
Cheese crackers with PB--easy to stick in your purse for when you're out and about. Plus the kids like them!
A bottle for water--Not a snack, but NECESSARY!!! Not a plastic bottle, a hard-plastic one. I just bought a really cool Rubbermaid one at Kmart. It's long and skinny and keeps the water cold for a long time. I also think that when I buy a new water bottle I'm more excited to drink water like I need to. Silly but true. :)
Chopped-up carrots--get the full-sized ones instead of baby ones. They taste better and you can have more at hand because the baby ones go so fast. (At least that's how it is for us!)
Whole-wheat pita and PB or whole-wheat bread and PB--you will be better satisfied with a protein-carb combo, and the sugars in whole-wheat pita or bread will enter your body slower than in white bread, so that you won't have that sugar rush and then sick bleh afterwards.
Sliced strawberries--the trick is to slice them right when you bring them home, and then store them in the appropriate storage container. Eat them with vanilla yogurt for a REALLY great snack.
Saltines and cheese or Saltines and PB--same carb-protein combo concept. Also easy to store in a Ziploc or Tupperware in your purse.
Baked Ritz crackers--have you had these? SO good! They're like chips, I guess. But not quite. They're so yummy. Just put a Ziploc of them in your bag, or portion them in easy grab-bags for when you just need to grab something easy at home.
M&M's--just because I firmly believe in a snack now and then that is not nutritionally valuable but deliciously valuable. :) Just make sure you drink some water while you snack on these, because at least for me, that seems to lessen a sugar rush. Go buy those mini packs that come several to a bigger bag. The peanut ones are even better than just plain because then at LEAST you're getting a bit of protein with your sugar.
Fruit cups
--PAIR THESE WITH CHEESE FOR SOME ADDED PROTEIN AND CALCIUM--
Applesauce
Hummus--Pair it with whole-wheat pita, whole-wheat bagels, or carrots. Hummus is made of garbanzo beans and has tons of wonderful stuff in it for you. Tons. Protein, garlic (which has loads of health benefits by itself), olive oil (which is great heart-healthy stuff)....
Oatmeal w/raisins
Cold cereal--I keep forgetting that this is a great snack, if you just eat one bowl!
Apples and caramel dip--the caramel is just a treat. :) But the apples are great.
Those little soup bowls that come in one-portion sizes. They're delicious. I think they're Campbell's Selects? Try the veggie and the chicken noodle. They come with slitted lids and a peel-back tin lid, so you just peel off the lid, put the plastic slitted lid back on, and then nuke it for a minute or so. Very easy.
Trail mix--I like the Sam's Choice mountain kind or something like that. It has m&m's in it. :) It's yummy!!!
Black bean mango salsa and blue corn chips--someone told me that the blue corn chips are better for you. Don't remember why.
Smoothies--This doesn't have to be complicated! Just buy frozen fruit, and blend it with vanilla yogurt and milk. Lots of protein and calcium and antioxidants if you do berries. If you do banana, then you'll get much-needed potassium and magnesium, the lack of which can account for several frustrating issues of lagging health, ex. nausea, fatigue, irritability, dizziness, lack of concentration.....the list goes on.
ABBY'S SNACK LIST
Print and tape to your fridge, you silly girl!
Print and tape to your fridge, you silly girl!
Cut-up seedless watermelon--get those small watermelons; they take up less room in the fridge and they're easier to cut.
Mountain High Lowfat Vanilla yogurt--by far the best yogurt I've had, this has become a staple for me. Pair it with sliced peaches and baked oatmeal in the morning and it's like a dessert! This yogurt is also all-natural and loaded with probiotics, which help to regulate the good/bad bacteria ratio.
Cheese crackers with PB--easy to stick in your purse for when you're out and about. Plus the kids like them!
A bottle for water--Not a snack, but NECESSARY!!! Not a plastic bottle, a hard-plastic one. I just bought a really cool Rubbermaid one at Kmart. It's long and skinny and keeps the water cold for a long time. I also think that when I buy a new water bottle I'm more excited to drink water like I need to. Silly but true. :)
Chopped-up carrots--get the full-sized ones instead of baby ones. They taste better and you can have more at hand because the baby ones go so fast. (At least that's how it is for us!)
Whole-wheat pita and PB or whole-wheat bread and PB--you will be better satisfied with a protein-carb combo, and the sugars in whole-wheat pita or bread will enter your body slower than in white bread, so that you won't have that sugar rush and then sick bleh afterwards.
Sliced strawberries--the trick is to slice them right when you bring them home, and then store them in the appropriate storage container. Eat them with vanilla yogurt for a REALLY great snack.
Saltines and cheese or Saltines and PB--same carb-protein combo concept. Also easy to store in a Ziploc or Tupperware in your purse.
Baked Ritz crackers--have you had these? SO good! They're like chips, I guess. But not quite. They're so yummy. Just put a Ziploc of them in your bag, or portion them in easy grab-bags for when you just need to grab something easy at home.
M&M's--just because I firmly believe in a snack now and then that is not nutritionally valuable but deliciously valuable. :) Just make sure you drink some water while you snack on these, because at least for me, that seems to lessen a sugar rush. Go buy those mini packs that come several to a bigger bag. The peanut ones are even better than just plain because then at LEAST you're getting a bit of protein with your sugar.
Fruit cups
--PAIR THESE WITH CHEESE FOR SOME ADDED PROTEIN AND CALCIUM--
Applesauce
Hummus--Pair it with whole-wheat pita, whole-wheat bagels, or carrots. Hummus is made of garbanzo beans and has tons of wonderful stuff in it for you. Tons. Protein, garlic (which has loads of health benefits by itself), olive oil (which is great heart-healthy stuff)....
Oatmeal w/raisins
Cold cereal--I keep forgetting that this is a great snack, if you just eat one bowl!
Apples and caramel dip--the caramel is just a treat. :) But the apples are great.
Those little soup bowls that come in one-portion sizes. They're delicious. I think they're Campbell's Selects? Try the veggie and the chicken noodle. They come with slitted lids and a peel-back tin lid, so you just peel off the lid, put the plastic slitted lid back on, and then nuke it for a minute or so. Very easy.
Trail mix--I like the Sam's Choice mountain kind or something like that. It has m&m's in it. :) It's yummy!!!
Black bean mango salsa and blue corn chips--someone told me that the blue corn chips are better for you. Don't remember why.
Smoothies--This doesn't have to be complicated! Just buy frozen fruit, and blend it with vanilla yogurt and milk. Lots of protein and calcium and antioxidants if you do berries. If you do banana, then you'll get much-needed potassium and magnesium, the lack of which can account for several frustrating issues of lagging health, ex. nausea, fatigue, irritability, dizziness, lack of concentration.....the list goes on.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Grocery luck
Bread at Lin's was 2 loaves for $4.00 today! My favorite bread. Which is usually anywhere from $2.79 to $2.99 these days.
We have some people in our ward who own chickens and have a huge garden. They have so many chickens (around 10, maybe?) that they sell the extra that they can't use for really small prices. Like free, if you don't happen to have a dollar on you at the time. :) The dad in the family is an amazing ceramics artist, and his beautiful work is everywhere at their house, which is decorated in a way that I love! In their backyard is a nice, big, green lawn, and then his pottery studio, and then the chicken coop and garden. They have a huge variety of chickens, even the crazy almost-zebra-patterned ones! And their garden is just full and beautiful. I'd love to live like that, although I might be way too lazy to do the upkeep.
Anyway, I got some eggs from them today, and was really amazed to see that a couple of the eggs were pale green! I knew about the brown ones, and the speckled ones are pretty great, but pale green?! How cool is that?! She (the mom, that is) said that the eggs really do taste better than store-bought ones, so I'm eager to test them. They also brought by a huge zucchini and some summer squash, for which I've looked up about five recipes to try! Zucchini bread, of course, and zucchini brownies (which are a million times better than they sound), and a casserole involving squash (not always my favorite), cheese (always a favorite) and bread crumbs (so it must be good).
We have some people in our ward who own chickens and have a huge garden. They have so many chickens (around 10, maybe?) that they sell the extra that they can't use for really small prices. Like free, if you don't happen to have a dollar on you at the time. :) The dad in the family is an amazing ceramics artist, and his beautiful work is everywhere at their house, which is decorated in a way that I love! In their backyard is a nice, big, green lawn, and then his pottery studio, and then the chicken coop and garden. They have a huge variety of chickens, even the crazy almost-zebra-patterned ones! And their garden is just full and beautiful. I'd love to live like that, although I might be way too lazy to do the upkeep.
Anyway, I got some eggs from them today, and was really amazed to see that a couple of the eggs were pale green! I knew about the brown ones, and the speckled ones are pretty great, but pale green?! How cool is that?! She (the mom, that is) said that the eggs really do taste better than store-bought ones, so I'm eager to test them. They also brought by a huge zucchini and some summer squash, for which I've looked up about five recipes to try! Zucchini bread, of course, and zucchini brownies (which are a million times better than they sound), and a casserole involving squash (not always my favorite), cheese (always a favorite) and bread crumbs (so it must be good).
Carrot blow-darts
Because we are at the end of our groceries and I haven't yet been shopping today, the boys had carrots for breakfast. (My awesome neighbor gave us some canned fruit last night, but with my slow morning brain cells, I forgot about that until....now.) So there are carrots everywhere, and Savvy is perfectly happy with one in each fist. So--last night I accidentally broke the towel rod in the bathroom. And my darling Reed just came up to me and said, "Mom, I can't get the carrot out." With the towel rod held out to me. Yes, there was a carrot stuck in the towel rod. I tried to push it out with a pencil, but it was too far. Finally I gave up and blew on the end. And wouldn't you know, the carrot shot out and flew twelve feet before smacking the wall and rolling away. :)
I have a feeling they'll remember this when they're ten or so and into creative weaponry. Who knew carrots could be so deadly?
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Phill is 30: Let us eat cake!
Thank you to all of you who left comments in the hopes of helping me with a Black Forest cake recipe for Phill's birthday!! One of my Cedar friends called, and she happens to be an incredible baker--really incredible. So she helped me make his cake and some cupcakes for the kids. Now, when I say helped, what it really means is that I did maybe 2% of the work, while she did 98% of the work (without breaking a sweat), and then I feverishly took photos! And her husband happens to also be a photographer, and he had a lightbox, which we used to make our delectable treats look even better!! So thank you Mandy for an amazing cake that Phill (and everyone else) loved, and thank you Sam, for the use of your very effective lightbox and large kitchen window. (And lamp.)
The barbecue was so much fun! We had lots of friends over and had hot dogs, hamburgers, empinadas (but not anything near as good as Abby and Eric's!), chicken, and of course, the incredible cake and cupcakes. (If anyone wants to know how to make the cake, email me or Mandy! You'll be surprised by the amount of effort that went into it.) We talked and played Rock Band and just enjoyed each other's company. I would have posted on this Saturday night, but we played Trivial Pursuit with two of our friends well into the night, so we weren't too keen on staying up any later after they left. :) Such a fun day! Thank you to everyone who came and made Phill's birthday the best. He hasn't even been home for the last three, so this was as much fun for me as it was for him, I think, to finally get to celebrate the way we'd like to.
This photo is deceiving. There was MUCH less than this left over by the end of the night. Like....zero. Zero pieces left. We inhaled that thing.
Smiling about (and wearing) his gift from his friend Austin, one of the basketball coaches at SUU.
I know this photo is out of focus, as are a couple of the ones in the bunch. Who cares. I had to show it--Reed is using our very patient friend, John, as his puppet--acting out Ratatouille. We have some very patient friends. :)
Mandy serving the cake. (Or at least Mandy's hand serving the cake.)
Blowing out the candles. (Which we stuck in the cupcakes, so as not to ruin the landscape of the beautiful cake.)
He's saying: "SOOOO GOOOOOD" with a mouth full of cake.
On May 2nd of 2001, Phill walked into the gym of our church in Hinesville, Georgia, and the minute I saw him, I had to know him. And although I was wearing what I thought was a very ugly princess dress--because we were practicing for the church roadshow--apparently it was in keeping with his tastes enough that he "had to know me" too! So, after inquiring of everyone around me as to who this guy was, and getting no better answer than "Phill. That's Phill.", I walked up to him when our activity was over and said, rather frustrated, "Who are you?!" He replied with his signature grin and good humor, "I'm Phill! Nice to meet you too!" And, a little sheepish, I said, "Sorry. I meant--I know you're Phill. That's all anyone will tell me. I meant, what are you doing here? Why haven't I seen you before? What do you do?" And thus the little seeds of our family were sewn. By (first) fascination and curiosity, (then) frustration and rudeness, (then) humor and interest, and (finally) love.
Happy Birthday, Phill! I'm happy you were born. :)
The barbecue was so much fun! We had lots of friends over and had hot dogs, hamburgers, empinadas (but not anything near as good as Abby and Eric's!), chicken, and of course, the incredible cake and cupcakes. (If anyone wants to know how to make the cake, email me or Mandy! You'll be surprised by the amount of effort that went into it.) We talked and played Rock Band and just enjoyed each other's company. I would have posted on this Saturday night, but we played Trivial Pursuit with two of our friends well into the night, so we weren't too keen on staying up any later after they left. :) Such a fun day! Thank you to everyone who came and made Phill's birthday the best. He hasn't even been home for the last three, so this was as much fun for me as it was for him, I think, to finally get to celebrate the way we'd like to.This photo is deceiving. There was MUCH less than this left over by the end of the night. Like....zero. Zero pieces left. We inhaled that thing.
Smiling about (and wearing) his gift from his friend Austin, one of the basketball coaches at SUU.
I know this photo is out of focus, as are a couple of the ones in the bunch. Who cares. I had to show it--Reed is using our very patient friend, John, as his puppet--acting out Ratatouille. We have some very patient friends. :)
Mandy serving the cake. (Or at least Mandy's hand serving the cake.)
Blowing out the candles. (Which we stuck in the cupcakes, so as not to ruin the landscape of the beautiful cake.)
He's saying: "SOOOO GOOOOOD" with a mouth full of cake.
On May 2nd of 2001, Phill walked into the gym of our church in Hinesville, Georgia, and the minute I saw him, I had to know him. And although I was wearing what I thought was a very ugly princess dress--because we were practicing for the church roadshow--apparently it was in keeping with his tastes enough that he "had to know me" too! So, after inquiring of everyone around me as to who this guy was, and getting no better answer than "Phill. That's Phill.", I walked up to him when our activity was over and said, rather frustrated, "Who are you?!" He replied with his signature grin and good humor, "I'm Phill! Nice to meet you too!" And, a little sheepish, I said, "Sorry. I meant--I know you're Phill. That's all anyone will tell me. I meant, what are you doing here? Why haven't I seen you before? What do you do?" And thus the little seeds of our family were sewn. By (first) fascination and curiosity, (then) frustration and rudeness, (then) humor and interest, and (finally) love.Happy Birthday, Phill! I'm happy you were born. :)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Yo, baby!
Lately I've been enjoying letting Savvy try new foods, and we recently found something she loves. Yo Baby yogurt! They're these cute little yogurts with fruit and cereal in the bottom, so I just dump it into a bowl, mix it up, and serve it to her slightly warmed. She opens her mouth wide for the bites and then smacks her lips and smiles, and she's eating it a lot more enthusiastically than almost anything I've given her thus far (Gerber guava dessert was a huge hit).
On another note, a gloriously happy operatic note, the night we came back from Rexburg, Savanna slept twelve hours straight through!!! I put her down in her crib at 9:30 that night, thinking that I'd probably have to go pick her up in an hour or so, only to wake up at 9:30 the next morning, thinking, "Why do I feel so good? Why do my eyes feel like they actually want to open? What is this strange feeling?" And then it hit me--Savvy was asleep, in her crib, and had been for the night! I couldn't believe my good fortune--actually my huge blessing. And it has just continued--she now sleeps 6-12 hours straight at night, which is incredibly wonderful, considering I was having a hard time keeping her asleep for even two hours at a time. There have been a couple nights that she has woken up and cried after three hours, but since I know she can do at least six hours in a row, I simply smile in my bed and roll over, and eventually she's back asleep. :) Yay! This is what I needed to be able to let her cry it out. I knew that it wouldn't hurt her....but I just needed her to show me that she could do it, I suppose. I'm feeling like my life has changed monumentally since all three of my babies are sleeping through the night (more or less)! And *ache* we've moved past that stage....on to 1-year birthdays and toddlerhood and sleep, sleep, sleep, with dreams of my babies when they were so tiny and I was not sleeping. (I'll miss it in the most odd way.)
On another note, a gloriously happy operatic note, the night we came back from Rexburg, Savanna slept twelve hours straight through!!! I put her down in her crib at 9:30 that night, thinking that I'd probably have to go pick her up in an hour or so, only to wake up at 9:30 the next morning, thinking, "Why do I feel so good? Why do my eyes feel like they actually want to open? What is this strange feeling?" And then it hit me--Savvy was asleep, in her crib, and had been for the night! I couldn't believe my good fortune--actually my huge blessing. And it has just continued--she now sleeps 6-12 hours straight at night, which is incredibly wonderful, considering I was having a hard time keeping her asleep for even two hours at a time. There have been a couple nights that she has woken up and cried after three hours, but since I know she can do at least six hours in a row, I simply smile in my bed and roll over, and eventually she's back asleep. :) Yay! This is what I needed to be able to let her cry it out. I knew that it wouldn't hurt her....but I just needed her to show me that she could do it, I suppose. I'm feeling like my life has changed monumentally since all three of my babies are sleeping through the night (more or less)! And *ache* we've moved past that stage....on to 1-year birthdays and toddlerhood and sleep, sleep, sleep, with dreams of my babies when they were so tiny and I was not sleeping. (I'll miss it in the most odd way.)
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Jell-O Oranges
I'm not usually one to do craftsy kid-friendly projects, because they usually end in one weird-looking project, one frustrated mom, and crying kids....really. But if I find a project that looks (firstly) easy, (second) fun, and (third) at least a little worthwhile, I'll do it. One of my friends got me a subscription to Family Fun magazine (it's free!), and there were plenty of cute ideas in the February issue. I thought I'd post pictures of one such project, Jell-O oranges....or orange oranges...or um...well, just look at the picture! :) The boys loved them. REALLY loved them. And I did, too. They were very easy to make and really fun to eat. Here's the recipe. I didn't put fruit in the jello, because I think there isn't much that's more unpleasant than eating jello (so good, so sweet, so desserty) and biting into a surprise carrot shred or grape skin or tiny piece of pear (Hm, what's this nasty surprise in the midst of all this goodness?). I'm sorry, Utah. But to me, it's like mixing pasta with chocolate. Yes, they're both good. But together? Ew.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Delicious Dinner
Crystal (and anyone else who cares), here's what we had for dinner tonight! In our desire to make healthier meals that are also easy, fast, and not too expensive (tall order!), I found this recipe online. We made it tonight, and I LOVE it!! The kids were not so thrilled with it, but I don't care--I'll make it again and again. And just to note: I did a bigger (20-ounce?) can of refried black beans, and added an extra can of black beans. We topped the soup with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and avocado, and we ate it with tortilla chips. Very comforting (not to mention nutritious!)* and has the option of being a fully vegetarian meal if you sub the chicken broth for veggie broth. Oh--and one bowl was VERY filling, and we had enough left over for probably two more nights--and that was three adults and two kids eating. Mission accomplished! Something yummy, cheap, simple and nutritious. Oh, and it took maybe 15 minutes.
*I guess it would've been more healthful for us if we had cut out the chips part and maybe gone easy on the sour cream...but boy, was it yummy. No guilt. So much good stuff in that soup, what's the harm of adding a few more goodies? :)
Too Easy Black Bean Soup
recipe from www.recipezaar.com
4 servings
25 min 10 min prep
| 1 | teaspoon olive oil |
| 1 | pint fresh salsa |
| 16 | ounces refried black beans |
| 15 | ounces black beans, drained |
| 14 1/2 | ounces low sodium chicken broth |
| 1/2 | cup sour cream (optional) |
| 1/4 | cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped |
- Heat the oil in a saucepan or large pot over medium heat.
- Add the salsa and cook, stirring occasionally for 4 minutes.
- Add the refried beans, black beans, and broth and bring to a simmer.
- Cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls. Top with some remaining salsa and the sour cream and cilantro, if using.
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