The 2 Hour Window....and More

Well this week has been busy as promised. Top it off with a surprise visit to the Pediatric dentist for the 1st time and you've got yourself a grand ol' time. I have been meaning to make Sophia an appointment for a while now and I had a few moments to make some phone calls this week, to my surprise when I called they told me they had a cancellation the very next morning. Off we went, typically Jeff is a part of all our firsts but this time he had and early morning commitment that he could not get out of. But Sophia did so well. I thought she would be a little out of the sorts with the whole experience but not at all. She never ceases to amaze me.
For most of you that know us well, my Jeffrey has an issue with work, he loves it. Truly loves to work, it is one of the things I admire about him and thank God for how well of a family provider he is, but sometimes when I just want him to play hookey its really tough. Over the last year I have been though some really high highs and equally low lows so he has come to humor my requests of a morning off here and there and has even taken time to head to Florida with me (yes, work comes too, but we are there together)
Today we met friends of ours up at Crystal Beach (I just love that Beach soooo much)
The kids played, we had some time, Sophia took and extra long nap and we capped the night off with a bike ride to DQ. It was a great day for sure to top it off the 2 hour window Jeff gave me to go to the beach turned into 4... (which means a longer work day tomorrow but so worth it.

So with the Beach day and an end to a crazy week, I did the unthinkable in my house..... I pulled out 'Not Dogs', boiled up some beets with butter and made a homemade Mac & Cheese ( I am working on 'coping' the Panera recipe and I am pretty close to it, when I have it I will be sure to share.
Enjoy the weekend

Get in the kitchen and love on your food

I just passed over and article that was all about the love you put in to your food. I think it was last season of Top Chef that Carla was on (she was recently featured in Clean Eating Mag), anyway she always said it didn't matter what happen because it was made with love. What it looked like or how it got there didn't matter.... I love that. One of the many reasons I love being home in the summer is just that, I have prep time and time to get involved in my food. In the end your meal and body will thank you for the extra time. In no way am I saying be a slave in your kitchen. Just use good stuff and you'll get good stuff back. Put love in and you'll get love out. Simple
Have you paid attention to what a ripe Avocado feels like, smells like...? How about melon (have you ever seen the little old lady in the store smelling it?) How about spices, take the time to feel, smell handle them, it means so much when you get in to it all. You are more likely to try things when your not scared and spending a little time getting to know your food helps.
I had some time tonight to get tomorrows dinner pretty much all prepped and as I sit down it feels so good. Besides NEEDING to be in my happy place for a bit, I had the chance to cut, dice, stew, mix and bake for tomorrow, which opens up so much more time as well. So I am turning in for the night already feeling good about the day ahead. How huge is that?
I Digress, speaking of happy places, where is yours and what do you do there, do you have one or ever thought about it? The pastor at church last week made a comment that if he was lost his wife would know to go to the beach to find him, Jeff leaned into me and said, "well that's easy, I would just check the kitchen" Yep, that's for sure. Some people stress eat, I stress cook. I spoke of it in a prior post. I just love that the kitchen asks nothing of me and expects nothing of me. I am really working on shelving issues that are not mine. I can do that in the kitchen. So for some that think my kitchen antics are a bit much, no its not that at all, its just life is a bit much.
Anywho....
Here was last nights dinner, which got rave reviews by the way.
Mexicali Chop
You can use your favorite store bought chip or make your own
My version:
Cut about 6-8 small corn tortilla's into strips, toss them in a large zip lock with a splash of oil, 1/2 tsp chili powder,1/4 sugar and salt. Shake them up and bake flat on a cookie sheet for about15min @350.
Mix your dressing:
1/2 c EVOO
2 minced cloves of garlic
2 cumin, ground coriander
1 tsp sugar
Salt,
lime juice
a good pinch of chopped cilantro
minced onion
Wisk it all up, I ran it through my mini food processor to blend it a bit better and let in chill in the fridge
The Salad
Romaine, tomatoes, avocado, celery, cukes, fresh or frozen corn, Pinto or black beans, Roasted red pep, red onion.
Layer it all in a really big bowl and serve.
(Sophia eats everything we do, I just deconstruct hers a bit more, instead of a salad she gets more of a spa style plate, with everything laid out to pick on. For me kids do better when they have a bit more choice so they can pick on the beans or corn or avocado's and get the pure flavor, for some the big mix of everything is a bit much)

Tonight
Zuke Fritters over Pasta
2 Shredded Zukes
1 egg beaten
flour (sorry but this one in by feel, but its about a good handful)
1 small onion diced finely
Garlic, S & P to taste.

Mix it up in a bowl, you what everything to bind but still be a bit sticky.
Take about 1/4 cup or again a good handful and press it to make a patty.
Fry them in a shallow pan of oil till each side is nice and golden.
I just used a small thin pasta (which almost looks like chopped up spaghetti, I forgot the name but it is actually listed as a soup pasta). I tossed in some Vegan Parmesan By Rice dream, it all came together nicely.

Happy cooking to all and to all a good night.

I am off to get a good nights sleep, we are headed to the dentist for the first time with Sophia tomorrow, wish me luck

Monday

No fun title here, its just Monday. The start of a new week, a new adventure, a new chance to breathe again....How do you feel about Monday? For me each week changes, some times I love Monday and am so ready to run into life I just can't stand it and others not so much. This week filled up so fast by mid Sunday I had something to do each day of the week. I love that because there is not a dull moment to be found and everything needs to run on track and in the same respect it gives me this feeling of not being able to breathe. This is when it helps to have a meal plan for the week.
One of the meals I had set out to make was
Roasted Pepper Pasta ( We had Jeff's mom over for dinner on Sunday so this got moved into that spot. It was a new recipe from the Food Network Mag. I made some tweeks to it and loved how it come out.
You'll need:
Pasta ( I used Edie's Organic Veggie Bowties (1 whole bag)
2 Bell Peppers Roasted ( 1 Red and 1 yellow)
6 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup Almonds ( Slivered)
1/3 Cup of oil (I used Sunflower you can use any really depending on your taste)
1 lemon
8 of fresh Mozzarella (cut or Bocconcini)
1 bunch of Basil (to taste)
S & P
Boil your Pasta, Roast your peppers & Garlic cloves, cool and cut peppers into thin strips, In a dry pan toast the almonds about 4-5 min, Squeeze garlic from the skin and mash with salt to form a paste. Mix Oil, Garlic, S & P and lemon zest in a bowl. Toss the pasta & Peppers, Add chopped Basil and Mozz, Toss with the dressing. Serve with a Good Ol' Ceaser and fresh crusty Bread.

I've been playing with making some of my standard recipes even healthier and vegan friendly. Not that we are going completely vegan but I want to be able to have more options and trim some extra fat out of our meals.
I love Brownies, a few years ago i came across a recipe from the Stolen Moments Blog that is called. Ditch the box and never go back . It has been my standard ever since. So I decided to play with that and trade the eggs in for Bananas.
(1/2 banana blended until smooth or mashed well= 1 egg.
Bananas work wonders as an egg replacer in baking, which is the reason many banana bread recipes don't require eggs. They hold the air bubbles well, make things nice and moist, and impart a nice flavor.)
I brought them to a friends house with out even trying them out (rare for me). The result was pretty yummy.

(The Original recipe from Stolen Moments)
Ditch The Box & Never Look Back Brownies

* 1 c. sugar (careful here, I used an Organic cane that did not melt as smooth as traditional white sugar would have and I felt they were slightly grainy, I was probably the only one to notice)
* 1/2 c. butter or margarine
* 2 c. chocolate chips
* 3 eggs (I used 1 & 1/2 Bananas)
* 1 1/2 c. flour
* 1 t. vanilla
* 1/4 t. baking soda (I typically go heavier on both Vanilla and BS)

I also used a smaller pan, I felt the Bananas did not make as thin of a batter as the eggs would have and I didn't want a thin Brownie

1. Heat sugar and butter in a medium pot over low heat until butter is completely melted, stirring often. Remove from heat, stir in 1 1/2 c. chocolate chips until melted, and let cool to room temperature.

2. In a small bowl, briefly whisk the eggs. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of chocolate mixture to the eggs and stir to combine, just to temper the eggs. Then pour all of eggs into the pot with the melted chocolate. Stir to combine.

3. Stir in flour, vanilla and baking soda until well blended. Pour into a greased 13×9 casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes.

4. When brownies are done and still hot, sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips on top. Cool completely in the refrigerator before serving, if you can wait that long.

So Enjoy and Have fun in your kitchen today, there is a breeze so the oven can get turned on.
What's for dinner- Mexicali chop the recipe will be posted on Tuesday.

I am off to enjoy a coffee and book maybe even get in an extra wink or 2 while Sophia takes her NapNap (We have to say NapNap, just like NightNight).

CSA Bounty

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I have always wanted to belong to a Co-Op. I am not sure why we waited so long but this year we did it and joined a small farm tended to by my Principals husband. It is such a good feeling to know the person who is loving on your food. This particular farm is all Organic and is cared for by hand, no big scale trackers or fancy stuff here. I love going to pick up our share. As you pull in, you are greeted by goats and chickens just running about and lush greens towering over head. Each week is such a surprise as you get what the harvest has reaped. So it has added a bit a zest to my meal planning.
One of my new loves has come from this adventure, Beets!!!!
If you have never tried a fresh beet or are use to them in the can (oh what fond memories we all have of the ring marks jiggling on the Thanksgiving table)
try this:
Boil the beets till they are tender. (same as potatoes start them all in cold water)
Drain, slice and cover in butter (I use Earth Balance or Smart Balance), salt and pepper. Its that simple. Yummy in your tummy... And it helps to add a bright pop to your plate, who doesn't love the richness and vibrant hue of deep purple?

You can also saute' the greens and sprinkle a bit of vinegar over them. I am still working on this one, the first time I did it, I wasn't a fan. But many people I have talked to love them this way. For me the greens are a texture thing.

So for this week, our share consisted of many heads of Boston and butter leave lettuce, A few different varieties of cukes, some massive sweet onions, fresh carrots, (I felt like Peter Cottontail when I saw the greenery still attached) Zukes, and a mystery green (I am thinking its a chard of some kind).

It will make for a yummy week I am sure.

To give you a taste of what's for dinner this week:
A Mexicali Chop, 3 Pepper Pasta, Homemade Veggie Burger night, Potstickers with Asian Slaw.
I am also planning on making my own nut butter this week. I came across a simple recipe to make your own peanut butter so I want to play with that and what goes better with PB then homemade strawberry Jam and Fresh homemade bread.

Till then Keep those bellies happy

Salsa, Gauc, and Pizza oh my

Some yummy recipes from Florida..
My Step mom is a great cook. I love going there as she always has a new recipe to try. She is the reason I use mint. Love mint in everything now. Its my secret, well not any more huh? Try it in everything, you'll agree
But this time, it was my turn. So here is some of what we made.
There is a small Mexican restaurant (Ay Jalisco) that my father loves about 10 minutes from his house. The apple does not fall far from the tree on this one, I could live on Chips and Salsa and nothing else. I have actually when Jeff and I were first together and he worked out of town, my grocery list was just that. That is actually when I started to make my own Tortilla's as well. Any who, they make a really yummy simple and fresh tasting salsa, so we set out on a mission to recreate it. We came pretty close.

*****CONFESSION*****
I hate measuring anything. That is probably the main reason why it took me so long to give up some of my recipes. I really don't know how much of what I used.So I am working on that for you. Cooking really is a matter of your own taste. So when cooking just keep tasting and see what it needs, heat, sweet, spice, smoke, salt or zip and go from there.

Salsa
1 Large can of whole Tomatoes
1/2 of a med sweet onion diced fine
1 Jalapeno seeds removed (they hold the heat so use you judgment here)
1 lemon
To Taste Cilantro,Sugar,Cumin,Salt & Pepper, Chipotle Tabasco

Mix them up and then run an immersion blender through it, ever so quick and lightly, you don't want it to be completely liquid.
Add 1/2 pint of grape or cherry tomatoes diced to thicken it up.
Let it sit for a few hours to help all the flavors marry. Eat with fresh chips or serve with your favorite dish

You can make this chunkier like a Pico De gallo by using all fresh tomatoes. I like to do this when they are at their best come mid August, when the farmers markets are just brimming with them.

Guacamole
2 ripe avocados
1/2 onion, minced (about 1/2 cup)
A few squirts of Chipotle Tabasco
Cilantro leaves, finely chopped
Garlic crushed
Fresh lime or lemon juice (This is huge as to protect from browning and give it a bright kick)
A dash of freshly grated black pepper & Salt
1/2 ripe tomato, seeds and pulp removed, chopped
Smash it all together, That's about it on this one. If you like it a bit smokey tasting add some cumin.


Spinach Artichoke Pizza (Dinner tonight)

Dough
2 pkg. rapid rise yeast
2/3 c. warm water
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
4 c. flour + More for rolling ( I used my favorite King Arthor, white/wheat)
1 tbsp. sugar
3 tbsp. olive oil or any other oil I used Sunflower. Its a fun way to change the taste of the dough to make it your own
2/3 c. warm water

In a small bowl, mix first 3 ingredients. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.

In a large bowl, combine salt, 2 cups flour, Mix together yeast and flour mixture make a stiff dough then add sugar oil, and the second 2/3 cup of warm water, add the rest of the flour to make a good size dough ball
Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
Place dough into an oiled bowl and turn once to coat with oil. Cover and let rise until doubled in size (about 45 minutes to 1 hour).
Sprinkle a pan with cornmeal or semolina flour. Press dough out with your fingertips

Sauce
1/2 cup Olive oil
Mint, Fresh Garlic minced, Salt & Pepper, Minced onion
(Make this right after the dough, so that while the dough is rising the oil is getting a chance to soak up all the flavors)

Toppings
Spinach (I used baby leaves, stacked them, rolled them and cut into strips)
1 can of quartered artichokes
1 pint of grape tomatoes halved
Olives if you choose
Romano and Mozzarella Cheese

Once the dough is ready, roll it out to fit you pan, (I used the big Pampered chef Stone bar pan, I think its 11x15). Brush most of the oil on the dough. Sprinkle the romano cheese. Layer Spinach, Artichokes, Tomatoes, Olives, drizzle with a bit more of the oil and cover with Mozzarella cheese. I had this in the oven for about 15 minutes on 425 in my convection oven. Every oven varies so keep an eye on yours.

Serve with a Crunchy Ceaser salad and its a perfect Pizza night

long time no post

The ocean takes me to a place of peace
I feel the ocean’s soul and I'm content, I have no worries, I'm at ease
What I would do to live in the ocean and bath in the sand
Swim at every sunrise and mesmerize every sunset
I want to run on the beach and dive in the waves….have no regrets
Swim like a dolphin and grow with the coral reef

I want to be a part of the ocean like the ocean is a part of me
I feel the oceans soul and it pulls me in
Into a place of happiness and peace, I am the ocean
The ocean is a beautiful place but it can take you in
Swim...swim fast with the waves and you'll be okay
I'm loved by many and I see love
I see you holding hands and staring at the moon
I see you walking hand in hand, I knew you would come
Sit by my shore and wait for the sun
I'll make the day beautiful and allow the sun to reflect off of me
Come to me and let go of your thoughts and fears
I am the ocean, swim with me and I'll catch your tears

Dee Kindrick
(Couldn't have said that better myself)

So we are back from about 10 days out of town and boy its amazing how gross your house can get when you are not there. The sun through the windows brings a lot of settled dust to clean up. Next time I go away I think I am setting up a cleaner for the day before we get back. It took me all of Thursday and most of Friday to straighten up get back in order. With that we had 2 days of lazying around the house (much needed). By Friday afternoon Sophia and I needed to move so we headed up to Red Ball (Target) and got some house goodies. That was our big adventure for the week (2 days at home). Later in the evening we attempted to make our way to NT for Canal fest but got taken back by the rain. So we crashed a friend and her husbands evening went to a great little Greek restaurant (which, small world was owned by a good friend and her husband and I had not seen them in forever). We thought we would be able to go back over to Canal Fest since the weather broke but time is not always on your side with a very routine 2 year old. As I write this its mid Saturday, and still a bit gloomy outside. We had a few different sets of plans today but the weather and the changes in plans just put me in a stay at home kind of mood, plus Jeff ended up working (always, when is he not) so I felt kind of bad about going out while his weekend was squashed. That's the catch up on the week.

On to the "big fish" I am struggling with so many things right now and its a bit hard to really be focused on just 1 of them. So for today I am going to use this as a journal entry (thank you for baring with me on this).
This school year my team mate and I noticed something, well lots but one thing really glared at me especially toward the last few days of school. We all need different things! Wow that was just brilliant huh? Let me explain, some people need to be praised for everything big and small others do not, some need to be showered in gifts others do not, some need to be noticed, (you get the pattern), some need people, some need space and the list goes on. I have always thought of myself as pretty self sufficient(kind of had to be). Over the course of the past few months some things in very different parts of my life have just really brought forth the differences of people to me. I think it is God's way of making us grow. Its forced me to do some soul searching and understand that while others may need me for things its ok that I am not given those same things back (hard pill to swallow)

II Timothy 1:7 For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

I am so working on this right now and trying to swim through some heavy fears. (Regarding the above and what I need, always thought I needed to be the victor and make it out of the storm strong and on my own.
While in Florida I had an afternoon with my dad, we didn't say much but we just kind of laid on the couch together, I felt I needed to hold him and just let him know it is all ok, so I just placed my hand on his knee and for a moment there were no worries. Over the course of 5 years my dad has battled cancer and this was the first time he actually used the words "I have cancer" with me. A few days after, I was able to share a wonderful long hug and some tears with my Step mom and again for a moment there were no worries.
Its amazing to me that we are designed that way to need people to lean on, hug and hold, cry with and for. Everyone handles life in different ways and everyone gives what they can and handles what they can.
Just a thought next time someone is not being who you need them to be, look at yourself and see if you are being who they need you to be.


Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Psalms 119:28 My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.

Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.

Heavy prayers for many tonight....

Update coming soon..

Well I am back from a nice 10 day trip to my parents home in Florida. Check back later for some new recipes and thoughts