WANT!!

I borrow a lot, A LOT of cookbooks from the library.  Most. I check out don't make the I wanna buy list but this one does!!
"The Homemade Pantry 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying and Start Making" by Alana Chernila.  Ok first I have to admit I like to pretend I am more domestic then I am... At least in the kitchen. 
Make your own cheese ....??  What??? Yeah I so wanna try that!
Instant oatmeal SIMPLE! Bread, soups, and pastry its got it all.

Yep this one is a must buy for me...check it out from the library and see if you agree.

Vegan Times

Oh yeah David was diggin' these and then I broke it to him... they are soy dogs in them there corn dogs...He was totally cool with it and asked if they could eat them for lunch sometime!  Wow have we come a long way.  Don't get me wrong we miss subway (me cheese and him chicken) sandwiches and Youskyme our local fav but we are doing well and halfway so I am very confident we will make it! 

David has also been Pepsi free for 3 days. YEAH DAVID!

Lists

Looking at a new year is always so appealing to me.  With library books and some birthday books on hand I started my list of things I would like to take a crack at this year. 

Vegan

Sewing

Blog

Crafting with kids

Writing

Home projects

Art

I could go on and on.... I read a book over Christmas break that really helped me get it all organized.

"Getting Things Done" by David Allen

One of his tips is to get it all down on paper so it's not all floating around in your head.

I got this awesome journal for my birthday from a dear friend and I put it to use.  I added tabs with categories and I started writing things down as they came up.  I added a sticky note to the back for work items (then I can just take the sticky out and add it to my work list and put in a new sticky.

Wow has it made a difference.  I am noticing that as I have written things down when I see something that relates I know just where to put it.  I also have a few projects started.  The next thing he recommended was putting down the next action step.  For example I always have clean house.  No no no... now I have sweep front porch. (which I did today and got to check off)  So as I did this I started noticing themes of things I need to do and those I want to do.  Blogging more would be on the want side.  So I started a plan in that little notebook.  From those next action steps I needed to do some research so off to the library I went.  Here is what I came back with.  There are also a few Christmas books in there.

I must say armed with information and next action steps I actually feel empowered and not overwhelmed.

So let's just see how far Mr. David Allen can get me this year.

The vegan times...

We have a a few successes this week in the cooking department and a few all out flops.  I am not following the plan posted on 21 days as many are not things that I can get everyone to eat soooo as this is a journey I am tromping off trail to discover my own way.  Here is one meal that is always a hit.

This chopper stirrer thinga ma bob ROCKS!  It was a  Christmas gift from my Aunt and it is pampered chef. This is onions, garlic and morning star meatless sausage and it was yum!

3 cans of beans (whatever you got)

1 can corn

2 cans chopped tomatoes

1 can tomatoe sauce

1 loaf fresh bread

Even this I can't mess up.

I would like to not be using meat substitutes but hey whatever works to get us to our goal is ok with me.

Gone Vegan Day 1

So here it is... day one of a new year. So many things I will need to post from Christmas and sadly back to Thanksgiving but today being a new year I wanted to start with our newest quest.


21-Day Vegan Kickstart / a Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) site
 
That's right we are doing the 21-day Vegan Kickstart ummm slightly modified.  The rules are no animal protein for 21 days.  David is also kicking his Pepsi love affair.  It's all a bit overwhelming and exciting at the same time.  I have also signed up with a friend for Whole Food Kitchen ~ Online Workshop through beauty that moves.  The goal is healthy eating and regular exercise.
 
Our first dinner was buckwheat and blueberry pancakes.  I know pancakes for dinner but I thought it would be an easy sell.  Well...

The overall reaction was YECK!

The frozen blueberries on the other hand were a hit.

David was not a happy camper but... Bagel and vegan cream cheese later and he was OK.

Low Fat Granola

I am slightly obsessed with good low fat granola.  This recipe has been modified so many times to try to get the right mix of crunchy and sweet so the kids will eat it.  Here is the best dang low fat granola ever!

4 cups oats

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 to 4 tablespoons maple syrup

1 cup nuts your choice

preheat oven 275 cook for 45 min stir every 15

If you want to add dried fruit... mix it in when the granola is cool or you will end up with fruit rocks as my daughter called them

This is super tasty and kid approved pour it over some home made yogurt.

Yogurt in the crock pot!

It works I have made it twice now and will again this long wonderful weekend!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html

I have been eating it for breakfast with granola. 

It is thick but hard to see in this photo.

I added a tablespoon of vanilla and 1/3 cup sugar the first time and maple syrup the second time both were yumm!  Kid approved though it is not as thick as normal we put my homemade low fat granola on it!

Also added our strawberry jam/syrup one morning.

Cowboy Coffee

Got this from somewhere and I looked and can't locate it anymore.  I did not come up with this but it's brilliant!   Bag of coffee...

In a huge pot of water over night (stir it then leave it to sit)

Strain the gruel.

Store in the fridge for as long as it lasts :)  Makes a rockin' iced coffee and saves me one extra step in the morning! I LIKE!

Fruits of their labor

Christiane my dear friend brought us garden bounty!  It's been lovely!

Look at that beautiful beet color!

Why Not??

Pancakes with strawberry syrup for dinner!

Rabbit

Sophia's friend Gabe and his mommy came over and Gabe brought Phia a carrot.

This is her interpretation of a rabbit.  "What's up doc?"

Homemade Pita Bread!

Found an awesome recipe for pita bread at http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/03/pita-bread/

A few didn't rise but were yummy flat bread anyway.

Little ham and cheese?

Chicken?

= happy husband!

Favorite Breakfast

Oddly this is my kids favorite breakfast.  It is the biggest deal when I whip it up.  We had some rain here at the beginning of the summer and the kids were asking for this everyday.

A dab of maple syrup on the top heaven!

Bird Cookies

http://blog.imaginechildhood.com/imagine-childhood/2011/02/-barn-stories-bird-cookies.htmla

I found the recipe for bird cookies above.  The kids really enjoyed cracking open the eggs and it is a great way to practice without worrying about the shells falling in as you add them in anyway.

They lasted in the yard about two days and the kids loved seeing the birds gobble up the treat they made them.

We Love Berries!

We have been going for the past several years to Bi-Zi farms for their pumpkin patch and this year we discovered their summer farmers market.

Check out the raspberry juice on his "No".  He snarfed down like three huge handfuls before we could get the box in the trunk.

If you are in the Vancouver area it really is excellent!

Apple smiles anyone?

These were a hit will definitely do again!  Apples, raisins,craisins , and peanut butter.

YUMM!

Baking with Mimi

"Mimi I want to make cupcakes!"

Messy, fun, and delish!

Shuck Shuck Schuck

The kids with Daddy's supervision have been shucking a lot of corn... and eating it!

Barries part two!

Jam, strawberry shortcake and lots frozen for smoothies!

More Apple Love!