sentimental samuel cheers up

Remember how sad Samuel was about his preschool year ending?  Here are are few things that helped him cheer up...

We made a special book for each of his teachers.  

I thought this would be simple.  Chip board, mod podge, paper, pictures... easy right?  Three hours later I was so mad I started the messy project.   Oh well.  They got done, he was happy, the teachers were happy.

The idea of having a party for his class got Samuel really excited. Every day he would ask how many days until his party.  (Thanks for the pizza picnic idea, Lindsay!).

I will admit that I had a lot of fun making the invitations and decorations.  I seriously love this kind of stuff.  I do it realizing that the kids don't really care.  And still I love it.  Eva loves it, too.  She wanted to help make the invitations so bad.  She fell asleep on my craft room floor waiting for me to finish those (dang) books so she could help me with them.  Karl ended up carrying her to her bed.  She woke up hours later all excited to help only to find that I finished them.  It was the middle of the night by the time I got to them and I just couldn't get myself to wake her.  I felt so bad.  Tears.  She was so so sad.  

Pizza, popcorn, tiny cupcakes, fruits, veggies, citric punch, water... if you know me, you know I was holding back.  I have a hard time keeping things simple.  

Eva did get to help this time.  She helped with the cupcakes and made this sign that I love.  

There were bubbles (google taught me that empty can make cool bubbles) and fishing.

And sand.  I forgot why I didn't fill the sandbox last year.  When I was finding sand tracked through the house and in pockets in the laundry room, I remembered why.  Oh well, I just have to keep telling myself it is worth it because they love it so much.

This made me wish that we had some summer birthdays.  All of ours are in the cold, dreary months.   If we want a party outside, it has to be just because.  

He loved it.  Want to know a sad secret?  None of his friends from preschool could come.  And apparently none of their phones work to let me know that.  But I was prepared for this, since I knew this might happen because I didn't have any of their contact info and many of the moms work (so they can afford a phone that works).  I just called a few of my friends (because I'm lucky that my phone works) and in no time we had a yard and house full of kids eating popcorn and pizza.  Want to know a happy secret?  Samuel had a blast anyway.   So did Eva, and so did I.  There was enough pizza left that my family stopped by that evening and had dinner.  It was a party day.  Love party days.  Need to have more of them.

whole wheat bread recipe

There is so much to say about the benefits of whole grains. Before I get into it, I wanted to post  my bread recipe.  My friend, Kristi, came over for a bread lesson a couple of weeks ago and I have been meaning to get the recipe to her.

Whole Wheat Bread

4 c. warm water

2 T. Saf Yeast

1/3 c. honey (or agave nectar)

4 c. whole wheat flour

1/4 c. Vital Wheat Gluten (or 1/2 c. white flour)- can get it at a Bosch store or Macey's

1 T. salt

1 1/2 T. Dough Enhancer- can get it at a Bosch store or Macey's

1/3 c. canola oil (or soy lecithin)

additional wheat- usually 4 to 5 cups

This is my wheat grinder.  My mom bought it for me 5 years ago and it is still going strong.  I even melted the lid one time and called the manufacturer and they were so nice and sent me another one for free, plus a free cookbook.  It is the only one I have used so I can't really compare it to others on the market.  For bread, I use a medium grind at medium speed.  

Here is my line up of refrigerated stuff.  They all live on the same shelf.

Lecithin comes in liquid or granule form.  They liquid is more like a goop and is stickier than honey.  The granules are easier to work with.  This is supposed to help the bread hold together better and keep it moist longer.  To be honest, I don't know if it makes a huge difference.  Oil works fine, but I bought this stuff so I am going to use it.

Put three cups of the water into the mixing bowl.  Add the Vital Wheat Gluten (or white flour) and the four cups of flour.  Mix on high for 15-20 minutes with the wire whisk attachment.  

This develops the gluten in the bread.  I learned this from my friend, Victoria, who bakes a ton of bread.  By developing the gluten with 1/2 the flour in the beginning, this method has saved me time and saved my mixer.  I almost killed my KitchenAid when I used mix all the ingredients first and then try and develop the gluten.  I was kind of hoping it would die so I could get a Bosch.  But it won't die.  If I had a Bosch, I would be able to mix more and not have to cover my mixer with a towel.  If I don't cover it when I I mix this stuff, it ends up all over the place.  I learned the hard way.

 

While the gluten is developing... measure 1 cup of warm water in a liquid measuring cup.  Add the 1/3 cup honey.  

I impressed Kristi with my water displacement measuring skills.  Honey is a pain to get out of a measuring cup so I just add it to the water until it measure 1 1/3 cup.

Stir and let it sit.

Prepare four bread pans by spraying them with baking spray.  

I started out making bread with metal pans but was always looking for ways to make the crust not so crusty.  Then, I started using glass.  That was better.  Then I picked up this Le Creuset pan at TJ Maxx and that was even better.  Finally, my sister in law gave me a cast iron pan for Christmas.  I was so excited (and rude) that I asked for another (at the time, she was working at a store that sold them).  Those are my favorite.  These bake up a tender crust, not a bitter, tough, crust.  

Prepare an area to shape and cut the bread.

I wash off the counter and then pour and olive oil puddle about the size of my hand.  Using olive oil instead of extra flour makes it so the crust is less tough (can you tell I am not a whole wheat crust fan?. I also get out the scrapers.  The white one bends and I use it to pull the bread out of the bowl.  The metal one I use to cut the bread and scrape the gunk off the counter when I am done.  

By the time you have prepared the pans and the counter, the flour/water/gluten mixture will look and sound different.  It will look less like cake batter and more like a big ball of gum.  Amazing, right?  The gluten is what makes a chewy bread.  You can slice it and make a sandwich and it won't crumble.  

If your yeast was good and the temperature of the water was not too hot or cold, your yeast/honey/water mixture will have grown to look like a big foamy root beer float.  

When the gluten is developed (the dough will be good and gummy, you can't over mix this) add the the yeast mixture and mix. 

Make sure to cover the whole thing with a towel or plan on wiping down your cabinets. 

Switch to the dough hook and add the salt and Dough Enhancer.  Slowly add 4 to 5 more cups of flour.  Depending on the humidity of the air and how much water you started out with, it will take more or less additional flour.

When the dough pulls off the sides of the bowl, it is ready.

Dump the dough onto the counter.  Shape the bread to make a smooth, flat, ball.  Cut into four equal pieces.  Flatten each piece and roll into a loaf.  Place smooth side up into a pan.  Place each pan in a large plastic bag (I got these at the Bosch store).  

Set on the counter to rise.  I put it on the (not turned on) stove because the stone counter tops are cold.  

When the dough has risen to about 1/2 inch above the edge of the pan, it is ready to bake.  It will take about 40 minutes.  

Place the loaves in a COLD oven.  Close the oven and turn it to bake at 350 degrees.  Set the timer for 38 minutes.  

I learned this method at my local Bosch store and for a bread rising phobic like me it works perfectly.

When the timer goes off, you will have perfectly baked bread!

Remove from the pans and let it cool on a rack.  

When we were dating, I was talking about the awesome 70's band and asked him, "Do you like Bread?"  He answered, "Yes, it's my favorite grain product."  He loves bread so so so much.  He also likes Bread but he REALLY likes bread.  Maybe I wouldn't go through the trouble if he didn't love it so much.  At any given time during the day or night, I can hear the door to the toaster oven open and shut... Karl making himself a piece of toast.  

From start to finish the process takes about 2 hours.   But the hands on time is only about 30 minutes.   I make four loaves at a time and it doesn't last us a week.  I only eat about 3 slices every batch because I don't think my body loves bread.  

I have been experimenting with ground flax seed.  1/4 cup was too much and weighed the bread down.  2 T. worked fine.  

I know I probably didn't explain everything very well.   So, if you have questions, ask away.  If you want a lesson, you are welcome to join me for my next batch.  

sweet recipes

My parents have always said that it isn't good to eat too much sugar.  Leave it to me to wait until I am a mother of 2 1/2 to listen to them.  I seriously didn't think there was anything wrong with it.  No kidding.  


I also want to say that I have amazing friends.  Some of them I get together with and I feel like I  just left some amazing conference on how to live a better life.  Your comments are also inspiring me.  Especially since I know how hard change is.  It feels so good to know that ya'll are along for the ride in some form or another.  I am one of those people that don't like to do things alone, I'll do it, but it is so much more fun with other people.  


On to recipes...
(and Kristi, I promise I will post the whole wheat bread one soon)

This first recipe we have loved long before I learned about sugar.  I found it when I was looking for a recipe for pumpkin pancakes.  I made the pancakes, but this, by far, was the best part.  It says that it is from the 1882 Aleksander House Bed & Breakfast.

Honey-Pecan Butter

1/2 C. pecans

1/2 butter (I use Earth Balance since I am trying to cut back on dairy)

1/4 C. honey

Spread pecans on baking sheet and toast in 350 degree oven for 8 minutes (if you have a toaster oven, 1/2 C. fits perfectly).  Chop nuts in a food processor or blender.  Beat butter and hone until smooth (I just take the the nuts out and then put the butter and honey in the food processor.  No use in getting the mixer dirty, too, right?).  Stir in pecan.  Makes one cup.

I LOVE this on a slice of toasted whole wheat bread.  It is a total treat.  It is also great on whole grain pancakes and hot rolls. 

This second one is great to have ready for a snack.  My kids love them, I love them, even picky-eater cousin asks for them.  

This one is from A Messy Cook via Recipezaar.  I'll put it here in case you don't feel like clicking this link to get the recipe.  

35 min | 20 min prep

24 muffins

• 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons wheat germ (optional)
• 2/3 cup olive oil or canola oil
• 1 cup honey
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups mashed ripe banana
• 1/2 cup hot water

1. Stir together dry ingredients.
2. Beat oil and honey together; add eggs and beat well.
3. Add bananas and beat to combine.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with hot water; mix well after each addition.
5. Spoon batter into 24 greased muffin cups; bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes, or until muffins are golden brown and test done.
6. Remove from oven and cool on rack.

These are the muffins that are in the cute foods a few posts ago.  My friend gave me a butterfly and flower mini cake pan thing for my birthday and I love it.  It makes these muffins all that much more tasty.  But even without the cuteness I think these taste great.  The best thing to do is to not expect them to taste like the white wheat flour buttery banana bread that you are used to.  I keep them in covered cake stand and put them in lunches, dish them out for snacks, and since they are in sight, the kids ask for these.  If you are dying for chocolate, add some dark chocolate chips, they will still have a lot less sugar than many treats.  

***I wouldn't go as far as to consider these health foods.  But, they are healthiER.  Remember, the subject is still sugar.  Just like any treat, I don't try and push these things on my kids.  Treats should sell themselves, right?***

my food experiment and what i learned

I have always been interested in food.  I read menus and recipe books for fun.  Trying out a new restaurant or recipe is an exciting adventure to me.  Ordering just the right dish or creating a perfect meal is so satisfying for me.  

Friends and family will call, text or e-mail me just about food.  And I love it.  

I have also been interested in nutrition.  I was going to major in nutrition but my interest in chemistry was not as strong as my interest in having fun during college.  But here is something that I didn't like about formally studying nutrition... all the rules.  Some rules that I don't believe in.  Some rules that I break all the time.  On purpose.  Since I am not one to really rock the boat, I just avoided the boat altogether.

Then I became a mom.  Sometimes habit, time, lack of planning, whining, the addiction to instant gratification took precedence over nutrition.  

That is why I was feeding "fruit" snacks to my kids on a regular basis.  Somewhere along the lines I decided it was okay to feed them this tooth-sugar-glue all the time.  Some genius took gum drops/gummi bears, shaped them in my kids' favorite characters, put the name fruit on the label, and I bought them.  A lot.  I ate them a lot, too.  Even before I had kids. 

That is why I was starting to think that a lunchable was a meal.  Karl was even surprised when he saw the stack in our fridge.  They were crackers (made from refined flour), processed cheese, ham with nitrites (causes childhood leukemia and tumors) and a Nestle crunch bar.  Never mind that the coupon I had made it so the store actually paid me to take them.  I was feeding me kids negative nutrition.  I liked that my kids got all excited over them.  See?  Instant gratification.

Little Caesar was becoming my friend.  I had the locations memorized, I could grab one and viola!  Instant dinner.  Only 5 bucks.  Almost fed my whole family and, hey, it had all the four food groups, right?  

There are more, but you probably get my point. 

Now, I think I have hit the reset button on my thinking about food.  

This does not mean that I do not eat junk anymore.  This does not mean that you will not see my kids eating shaved ice all summer.  This does not mean that I will not post about the waffles and fries that I had on Saturday or the La Puene smothered burrito I had on Monday (Sunday night I couldn't sleep I wanted one so bad.  So I talked Karl into going there for lunch the next day).  This just means that I have been looking at food a totally different way.  And I like it.

It started because I had a few worries about my kids.  It is my job to worry about them.  So I was talking with a doctor and she suggested doing an "elimination diet" to see what happened.  Just for two weeks.  That meant:

-no refined foods (white flour, white rice...)

-no refined sugars (honey, agave nectar, xylitol, maple syrup, and stevia are ok)

-no dairy

-no artificial colors

My first thoughts?  I am a sugar addict, Karl has dairy farmer roots, I was raised on white rice, there is no way I can do that.

But my gut knew that I could do this.  I can handle a small challenge.  I knew this could only be good for the kids.  I have always felt unsettled with the fact that Samuel had to have his tonsils and adenoids out when he was just a baby because he couldn't breath.  I have always felt unsettled that he had eczema so bad that no doctor, allergist, dermatologist, cream or pill could make it go away but as soon as we cut back his milk, it went away.  But I mostly just went with the flow.  

I learned several things:

Sugar is in so many things (high fructose corn syrup in ketchup, sugar in mayonnaise...)

I had a lot of junk in my cupboards.  There was a huge hole when I took the stuff out.  I was ruthless.  I threw out so much.  So not like me.  But we didn't really need Halloween and Christmas candy anymore, anyway.  Those that I couldn't bear to part with (the chocolate covered pretzels and almonds and macadamia clusters, the Girl Scout Cookies, they all went in a box and went downstairs).

I learned that if I make fresh whole wheat bread, my family will eat a ton of it.  Over four loaves a week!  We made pitas, too.  They were a pain but I'll probably do it again once I forget what a pain they were.  Samuel loves to cook.  He knows how to use this can opener that no one else can and it makes him feel so cool.  

 

I learned that my kids will eat almost anything if I make it cute. 

I learned that they love hummus and will eat red peppers and cucumbers if I serve it with hummus.

(egg in whole wheat bread with strawberries, apples and oranges.  Hole is the shape of a heart.)

 

(Banana muffins made with honey and whole wheat, strawberry grape "flowers", blackberry and apple "smiles," scrambled eggs)

(apple orange grape nashi "fishy" with edamame "seaweed."  I was sleeping in on a Saturday, Eva came in my room, took one of the cookbooks I had by my bed, found this idea, and had me cut up the fruit.  She assembled and came up with the "seaweed" on her own)

 

(apple, orange, grape, blackberry "penguin."  Eva designed it, I cut the fruit, and she assembled.  We also made eggs in the Hello Kitty waffle iron and it totally worked.  Little Hello Kitty omelets!  Cousin Katie slept over.  You can see their tent in the background.  SHE even ate the stuff.  It is not secret that I get anxiety when I need to feed a picky eater.  I should probably have gotten written consent from her to post this picture with her hair uncombed :))

I learned that school lunch is so not okay (Jamie Oliver, please come here next!). 

 Today's menu was quiche (fine), sweet rolls (dessert, fine), peaches (in syrup I am sure, okay, another dessert),  all to be washed down with chocolate milk (which has the same amount of sugar as Coke!  6 teaspoons per cup!).  That is just a little sample.  3 parts sugar, one part protein.  Eva cannot stay focused and energized with that kind of food.  Can anyone?

I learned that it takes more time and planning to make sure the meals are healthy.  Now I lose 20 minutes of sleep to make Eva's lunch.  I get out the cookie cutters and all the fruits and veggies and make her meals full of whole grains, proteins, and lots of fruits and veggies.  20 minutes well spent.  I don't have any pictures because I usually make it in a state of grogginess.  Mornings may never be my thing.

I learned that kids need to be presented with something 12 times before we give up on it.  Dr. Oz said that kids that eat only beige foods and don't try new things, their taste buds never mature.  I admit, it is easier to just give my kids mac n cheese.  But there was a time when I dreaded potty training, too.  But now that I went through the pain of training, it is so much better.   I won't let my kids use a diaper like a baby, I won't let them eat like a baby.  Funny what we think is acceptable, right?  But now, we actually enjoy food together.  

So, the two weeks came and went.  Easter was in that two weeks.  We are able to celebrate just fine.  The kids had a great day.  We had a great time celebrating with family.  

The project was a success.  I learned so much.  I feel very passionate about this.  I am passionate about focusing on feeding them nutritious foods that will make their bodies.  An added benefit?  I feel healthier now, too.  Because it is not like I was going to make them eat their nuts and raisins while I sneak a bite of a Snickers.  Well, for the most part.  

I learned that it isn't about deprivation.  It is about giving them so many great options that they won't miss the junk.  It is about giving them enough nutritious food that when they do have junk, their bodies can recover.  I learned that I can't always eat healthy, especially when traveling, but I can do my best.  I had a friend say that they felt so junk food deprived when they were young that he and his siblings went crazy with it when they were on their own.  He said at one point, he would calculate his paycheck by how many candy bars he could buy.  Funny, right?  I don't want my kids to be THOSE kids, the ones that beg for sugar at their friends' houses as soon as I am out of sight.  I will have to work on this one.

I learned that people might think I am nuts.  My family made sure of that.  But I can't help but look at food related diseases like diabetes and cancer and feel like I need to do my part to take care of my own little family.  

Oh, and I do have the image in my mind of my kids years down the road in a therapy session, talking about the day that their mom wouldn't let them have a piece of chocolate cake with bright blue frosting at their cousin's birthday party.  They had to sit and eat their whole wheat, honey brownies and everyone else got sparkly blue cake.  Poor things.

I have more to say about this.  I may elaborate. 

Watch me have a kid that is the world's pickiest eater that will only drink chocolate milk and eat Wonder bread.  Watch me post about the ooiest gooiest dessert with cream on top.  I realize that life happens.  But for now, I am really passionate about this.   Oh, did I already say, that?  It is because I am.


Healthy eating ideas, experiences, opinions?  I am all ears.

(It is 2 am.  Three of us are awake.  Samuel just told Karl that I make the best food but that Karl makes the BEST toast.)

me?

I looked for a photo of me. Not much to choose from. I am the family picture taker person. Wanted something a little more attractive. But, instead, I found something super real.

When I look at this picture I feel a little guilty. I get mom points for sleeping outside with my son when he had croup (in the middle of the summer?!). The cool summer air calmed him and helped him sleep. I get those points taken away when I see that I have hogged all the covers. He looks so cold. Especially that strip of his back.

Today I learned that there is a town called Cerda in Italy that has an artichoke festival. A festival for one of my favorite foods ever. There is even an artichoke restaurant. I want to go there. I need to go there. Tomorrow.

I found these cute little Martha Stewart craft sets at Big Lots for $2. Perfect for the kids. So cute. So cheap. So I buy 15. What? Yeah, I decided every kid I know needs some. This is something I do. I find something on sale and want everyone I love to have some. Or that I need 2 or 7. Then, that great deal ends up costing a lot of money. The positive is that I get to share my bargains and I am prepared if, by chance, 15 kids show up and want to do crafts.

My toe nail polish needs to be changed. I hate it when the polish is all chippy and grown out. I hate it so bad that when Eva was born three weeks early and I had absolutely nothing ready because I wasn't expecting it, I remember rolling around in pain on the hospital bed AND being bugged that my toe nails weren't pretty on such a special day.

I want to do a bunch of cute Halloween decorations but I am such a procrastinator. Thing is, Halloween waits for no one. So the longer I wait, the less time we have to enjoy my efforts. Then I walk into the store and there is Christmas stuff all around. Then I think, "Oh great, more stuff for me to procrastinate."

I once was in the cell phone store, in line behind a couple that seemed to be taking forever. Their complaint was that the wife's phone wasn't working. When she pressed auto dial, it wouldn't call the person that she was trying to reach. After checking several things on her phone, the cell phone store guy looks in her phonebook to make sure she has programmed the numbers correctly. "Why do you have all these stars before and after the phone numbers?" Too bad for her that it doesn't work when you dial a bunch of stars before a phone number. "Because they are pretty," she answers.

I don't like winter. I don't like cold. In the last few weeks I have made 6 kinds of soup: Pasta Fagioli, Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder, Tortilla, Butternut Squash, Potato Broccoli and Tomato Bisque (twice). Soup is one good thing about winter. But I really really really prefer salad weather.

What is the point of exercising in the morning if it just makes me sleepy all day long? "They" say it is good for me. Whoever "they" are, will they come take care of my kids while I crash on my couch?

Went to a restaurant. It was okay. Got home and found that I had a coupon for the place for a free meal. I hate that. I hate paying full price for things. I hate that I paid for my mediocre meal. Hate that it wasn't good enough to go back and get my free meal. I did this last week AND the week before. Note to self: double check coupons before going into a potentially mediocre restaurant.

I think I remember every scary story that I have ever heard. For that reason, when I am alone and it is dark outside I get kind of nervous and glance in back to make sure no scary guys are back there (while making sure the scary guy under the car doesn't get me, too). Then I get my heart rate down by telling myself, "It is just a story, there is not going to be anyone in your car, you are fine." Cops came for (the night formerly know as) enrichment to tell us a little about their jobs and our safety and what not. Nice police man tells us about the lady that got in her car and drove then realized there was a homeless guy sleeping in her car. Just great. Fabulous. Now I have to do a homeless guy check when I get in the car and figure out a new, more accurate mantra to calm my nervous heart. We had donuts for refreshments.

When I left my house today, it was drizzling and I saw my cute red polka dot rain boots. Eva was wearing her cherry ones. Samuel was wearing his cool fire dept. ones. I asked my sister, "Am I skinny enough to wear these in public?" Some people can wear rain boots and look all J Crew, fashionable, "I am wearing these on purpose." Some people can wear rain boots and look like they forgot to change their shoes after they were gardening or they are trying to make an, "I will not conform" statement. I wanted to look like the first description. With the encouragement of my very fashion conscious sister, I wore them. First public comment I got went something like this, "Is it really raining that hard?"

It is almost 3 am. Karl is tiling the kitchen backsplash, I am watching Martha and blogging. Nothing unusual here. For us, at least.

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I just signed up for a bunch of classes for Nicole Hill's The Art Weekend. I love going to classes. I love getting inspired. I love learning how to do more stuff that I can start and send to the "to be finished" bucket. I have taken many classes in my day and Nicole's photo class has been BY FAR the most inspiring. Book binding, paper cutting, screen printing, photoshop, photoshop actions, how to start an etsy shop (I debated about this one but if I am going to take 5 classes, might as well take six, right?)... all things I know nothing about besides that I have wanted to learn for a long time. I am kind of embarrassed at how crafty nerdy I am. I found someone to join me for photoshop but I need someone else to join me for the other (more nerdy) classes. If someone joins me, I am more likely to not fall asleep. I have been known to doze off, no matter how fascinated I am by the topic. Huh? What do you mean everyone doesn't have a secret desire to bind a book?

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