first lunch

This weekend, I used a 50% off Michael's coupon to get some of those silicone baking cups. Two words.
LOVE THEM.

They make the kids' lunches look so fun, but more importantly, keep the food separated (for the most part)...and really, what kid wants their foods touching?

So I took a picture because I'm not sure they'll get another one this good. But I'm definitely doing the #1 mom tip this year...making the lunches the night before. So much easier!



This lunch had:
blueberries
cantaloupe
strawberries
carrots
turkey and cheese on whole wheat
kale chips*
apple juice
granola bar for snack

*These, it turns out, are best right out of the oven. The kids LOVE them though, and it's so healthy for them. The recipe is simple: Trim the stem off the kale. Wash. Toss in olive oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Cook on baking sheet at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. They are crispy just like chips and delicious.

If you don't believe me, here's some proof:

who's birthday is it? we ate your cake.

This was the most delicious cake ever. Joaquin and I made it. Lemon cake with lemon icing, both made from scratch. It didn't last long around here, and unfortunately, I ate most of it. If you can't reach me, I'll be at the gym.

a new world

Our produce box this week looks delicious...along with some amazing new recipes to try.


Peek into this brown paper bag at those mushrooms. You mean they don't grow in a blue styrofoam box covered in plastic? So cool.


Dinners are definitely less hectic since we joined The Farm Table. Most of the ingredients for the recipes they provide are common and I already have them on hand...except for the vegetables that arrive in the box, some of which I've never bought in my life.

How about these turnips?


I don't think I've ever eaten one before. And yesterday, I ate mustard greens for the first time in my life. And who knew sweet potatoes could be roasted....not covered in brown sugar....and be just as sweet and delicious.

It's like discovering a whole new world.

raw, baby!

This is the boy who refuses all things green.


And he's eating that broccoli, not just holding it. I think he even got it in his nose.


He likes it raw. Just like his momma. But for some reason, since the other kids like it cooked, I don't think I've ever let him try it raw.

He'd been asking me for ice pops and I offered him some broccoli I'd been chopping. He turned up his nose and walked away, but immediately came back and took one off the cutting board. He smelled it. Investigated it. Then took a bite. Really I couldn't believe my eyes, so I grabbed the camera to show Juan Pablo as proof.

He ate a whole bowl of it. (And yes, that's a cherry Kool-Aid stain around his mouth.)

macerated?

If you already know what that means, then you don't need to read this post.

I, for one, thought it sounded quite gruesome.



But if you don't know what it means, then look it up, and DO IT TO YOUR STRAWBERRIES.

You won't be arrested, and you will definitely thank me later. Especially this early in the growing season.

I received my second produce box from The Farm Table, and I'm being educated on something as simple as eating strawberries. If you're local, you definitely don't want to miss out on this amazing organization. Check out their webpage here.

royal wedding scones

Inspired by friends, we ate scones this morning while watching highlights from the royal wedding. We used this recipe, but I substituted chocolate chips for the raisins, and added a bit of whipped cream and frozen blueberries on top.


I'm glad I didn't just let the event pass by....it turns out Isabela already knew a lot about it. I guess they've been talking about it in class.

I explained the royal family to Joaquin, using our own family as an example....Juan Pablo is the King....and the first born son, Joaquin, would be prince and heir to the throne.

Could we be in trouble?? Just kidding. Joaquin is very caring and FAIR, if anything.


And for the record, my royal name is Lady Dorothy Ameoba -Walker's Ferry...or Lady Sarah Sunshine-Bromley...which sounds a bit more British if you ask me.

Cheers!

Holy Week... filled with sadness, tears, triumph, love, excitement, wonder, joy.
Our Spring Break... filled with the same, but not necessarily the same order.

The highlight was probably our impromptu trip to Forest Hill Park. The big boys rode their bikes on the trails, on and off road!



Joaquin even wanted to ride across this bridge! I had to say no way. Am I the only voice of reason in this family?


Meanwhile, the rest of us enjoyed Mother Nature's spring show.


I think other people love this park, too.


Oh! And Isabela got a haircut...first she did it herself, then we took her to the shop. I actually liked what she had done on the soccer field with a pair of scissors, but somehow it morphed into something scary later on, so we had to get bangs. Bangs make her hair so much easier!


WORLD OF MIRTH. If you haven't been here, it's definitely the funnest toy store ever. Make sure you don't bring your purse if you don't want to buy anything, or else everyone will come out with a bag.


Then we headed across the street to The Byrd Theater which was playing Gnomio and Juliet. The whole family got to see the movie, eat a huge popcorn and a drink for only $17. Definitely a deal these days.

And that was just Day One.

A FUN BUY.

I came across this typewriter in a thrift store...the same kind my mom owned when I was little. The kids have been fascinated with it...and while I had great ideas of them practicing their spelling words and writing to their penpals on it, it turns out the C, E, P, J, and R don't work. Some of those letters are pretty important. (Som of thos ltts a tty imotant...see what I mean?)

So instead, Isabela just types up "prescriptions" as she calls them, super fast typing with whatever keys her little fingers hit first. And that's how I learned, too.


Day Two, we headed out with friends to Pocahontas State Park.

Our walk around the trail was slowed for some reason. He insisted on pushing. He's getting quite insistent lately.


Isabela got to be big sis' to a little sis' for a day. So sweet.


And the only sign of the beavers was this tree. Pretty cool, but a little too far away from the lake to do them any good, in my opinion.


I was wary of letting Diego get too far off by himself, but I was able to bring him back by yelling "bichos!" (it means bugs in Spanish). He's not that scared of them, actually, but likes to be near just in case.


Day Three, our Aunt Leah Ann came to visit and put on the best Easter egg hunt of all! I told her to make it hard for them, and she complied. They were stuck up the gutters, in the watering can, under bike seats.


I loved the rosaries she included in some of the eggs. And she even explained how to pray the rosary. FYI, they are not necklaces....only gang members wear them around their necks.


Yes, I need to cut those weeds.


And just so you don't think we always eat healthy...homemade donut holes: canned refrigerated biscuits, cut and rolled into balls, fried, then dipped in cinnamon/sugar or powdered sugar. There's something about sugar and bread that I just love.


I did a little sewing...I was trying to make a dress for Isabela that took me over a month, with stopping and starting and figuring it out. When it was done, she didn't like it and neither did I. So I whipped up this skirt in thirty minutes, and that's what she wore for Easter. The instructions are here. And anyone can make this.


CRAFTS: Mostly they involved dye and vinegar, but this bird nest wasn't too messy and turned out so realistic! Unfortunately, I can't remember where I saw it to link back.


CANDY: Way too much.....

...but so good.


EASTER on PARADE:

Definitely HOT. It was our first time going. While it was fun, I'm not sure it will become a tradition.


People, dogs, and even yard ornaments were dressed up.


These birds put on a good show.


And Joaquin caught a short line for an inflatable. But again, it was hot and snow cones were $3 each!


We ended our Easter break up all night with a screaming Diego...that can only mean one thing...an ear infection. And when I say up all night, I mean I finally went to Walmart at 4:45am to get some Children's Tylenol, only to come home to a silent house. I caught a few winks on the couch before the cat started meowing to go out. Then it was time to start the day.

I think I'm ready for a vacation.

the farm table

Locally farmed produce delivered right to your door.



Wouldn't you like to come home and find this waiting for you on your porch?

My first box contained:
4 sweet potatoes
a bunch of asparagus
2 yellow squash
2 zucchini
3 green peppers
1 head of cabbage
a bunch of kale

Before you say "Ewww. Kale." ...or, like me.... "Kale? What is kale?", the box comes with a newsletter that includes wonderful, EASY recipes to make with that week's produce.

With the kale we made 'kale chips' and the most delicious bruschetta ever. The kids devoured it and requested it a second night.

Doesn't it make your mouth water?


If you live in the Richmond area and would like to sign up, it's not too late!!! The season starts in May. Go to the The Farm Table and fill out the form to see if there is a neighborhood coordinator in your area. If there isn't, you can sign up to be one (like me!) and even get your box for free.

It's a great organization supporting local farmers, healthy eating, and new, exciting tastes for your family. I always have good intentions on shopping weekly at the farmer's markets, but sometimes it's just not in the schedule. I only went a handful of times last year. But this box is delivered right to you. One less thing to pick up at the grocery store.

And I know I NEVER in a hundred years would have bought kale. But it was amazing.

Who knew vegetables could be so exciting?

whatcha eatin'?

I was never especially interested in food.

After all, I was raised on canned fruit and a sad side of veggies staring at me from my plate. I even remember the taste of salty, mushy, squishy canned asparagus! Anyone else?

But I'm older now. I know more now. And I'm responsible for feeding a family.

I know they should eat real fruits and vegetables, not too much sweets, not so much fast food.

I knew chickens weren't raised on farms much anymore...I did a year of vegetarianism when I discovered that...but since my year of no meat made little impact on the treatment of those chickens, I went back to buying the same old stuff.

And to say I was slightly anti-organic, might have been a little truthful. I mean who can afford that stuff anyway?

But there've been signs. BLATENT SIGNS that are telling me... it's time for a change.

1. LENT
I gave up soda. I love soda. I don't care for wine, beer, or other drinks, just give me a soda and I'm happy. But I gave it up for lent. And while a lenten vow never meant much to be before, when I heard my daughter say, "I can't have ice cream because I gave it up for lent," that was all the inspiration I needed.
The first week was hard, but pretty easy after that. I did have one or two, but it didn't send me into a downward pity spiral, I just thanked God for the gift of His Son, and didn't drink another one.
And I had all intentions of drinking soda again as soon as lent was over, but now I'm not. It's not good for my body, and I'm choosing health.

2. A HEALTHY EATING SEMINAR
I heard a mother speak on some undiagnosable health issues she and her children had gone through...nightmarish doctors that wouldn't listen, and symptoms that wouldn't go away with all kinds of medicine. She decided it could be their diet and went gluten-free. Long story, short, the family is now healthy and thriving and hasn't seen a doctor in years.
So I went home and googled. What is gluten-free? I'd heard of it, but thought it was just some poor schmucks who couldn't eat bread.
And what can you eat if you're gluten-free? Fruit. Vegetables. Meat. Rice. Potatoes. Isn't that what we should be eating anyway?

3. FOOD, INC.
I know. Everyone's already seen this movie but me. I had resisted watching it because I figured it was that same sad chicken and cow treatment that got me before, and there wasn't anything I could do about it. BUT THAT'S WRONG.
If you haven't watched it yet, you can get it at the library or on netflix. It turns out there are things we can do about it. The industry caters to where we spend our money. Like it says at the end of the movie, you get a vote on where your food comes from three times a day.


So...what is my family going to do different?

1. Buy from farmer's markets. Local is better. Local is fresh. (Forest Hill Park's farmers market is near some great trails and pathways to walk.)

2. Buy organic when possible. I suggest starting with meat and dairy. That means free-range chickens and eggs, and grass-fed beef.
3. Join a CSA. Learn to cook what's in season. Branch out your taste buds. This is a learning experience for us. I'm no chef, and I'm sure I'll make mistakes, but it can't be worse than canned asparagus.
4. Visit local farms. Take the kids. It's fun.


5. Have a garden. Sure we don't grow as much as a farm. But believe me, that one cucumber that makes it WILL be eaten by us. And it gets us out of the house and into the dirt.


And here's what I've been bookmarking lately:

Richmond Food Collective
How to Go Gluten-Free (I realize we're not all gluten intolerant, but it can't hurt to try.)
Pantry 2 Plate (She shows what she got at the farmer's market, and new recipes she's tried with that stuff.)
The Market Umbrella (One of our favorite farmer's markets)
Avery's Branch Farms (A great family run farm)
The Farm Table (Local farmed fruits and vegetables delivered right to your door.)
**and I just ran across this one and had to add it. Life as Mom has links on ways to save money even when you eat healthy. I haven't read them yet, but they sound good.


Life is an adventure. Meals will now be an adventure. And it's exciting! Anyone else want to join us?

do NOT make these cookies

These are my mom's cookies. Ginger-spice sugar cookies. I'm sure many people have this recipe, but this is the one cookie I remember making with my mom. And I finally shared this tradition with Isabela yesterday.

But it almost wasn't to be.

This recipe calls for ground cloves, but all I had in the cupboard were two bottles of whole cloves. I thought maybe the kids could pound the cloves into little crumbs, so we put some whole ones into ziploc baggies and I gave them spoons to bang them with ( I think Isabela actually used a rock at some point.) But after a few minutes and a lot of noise, the pieces weren't small enough. I gave up and said we'd just have to wait until I could go to the store to get the ground cloves, then got distracted by something else and went about my day.

But Isabela kept pounding away.

After about ten minutes, she declares hopefully, "I think I did it! Are these small enough?" And they looked pretty tiny to me. I wasn't sure, but after all her hard work, I thought why not?

We carefully poured the little specks onto the teaspoon over a cup measure so we wouldn't waste any of our precious ground bits. We only had half the amount needed, but I read somewhere that whole cloves were stronger than ground cloves, so I figured it would be plenty. So we measured out all the ingredients. We poured. We mixed. We beat. Keep in mind, we don't own an electric mixer. I only think of buying one when I'm mixing something, and by the time I've finished mixing, I'm glad I haven't spent the money.

So Isabela was dissappointed when I told her you have to refrigerate the dough for one hour before you roll the cookies. And I said, "You know why this is good? It gives us time to clean up the kitchen before we make the cookies." And my girl that HATES to do dishes, sat at the sink beside me washing the mountain of dirty dishes we had sitting around.


Then we baked them. And we tasted the first one. And she loves them just as much as I do. Then I told her, "You know the bad thing about these cookies? They're so good, you never have enough left to give to anyone else."

We have four left.

recipe: apple turnovers

I'd been wanting to make something with apples lately...along with the rest of the world. This was my own little concoction, that turned out delicious. I'm sure someone's already made them before, but it was a first for me.

Ingredients:
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped
Butter
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Brown Sugar
1 Can of Refrigerated Biscuits
Confectioner's Sugar
Milk

Preheat the oven to what it says on the biscuits ( I can't remember right now.) Saute the apples with a Tbls or two of butter, plus a big dash or two of cinnamon and a little tiny dash of nutmeg....unless you like more, then do it how you want. Once the apples are soft (five minutes or so) add about half a cup or so of brown sugar...maybe that's a lot...just till it's sprinkled all over the apples and cook until it's melted all over.

Then take the biscuits and flatten each one as much as you can, put a spoonful of the apple mixture in the middle, fold in half, and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Poke some holes on the top with a knife, too. Put them in the oven and cook for about 15 or 20 minutes. Don't let them burn like I almost did.

When you take them out, mix up the icing to drizzle on...some confectioner's sugar with a spoonful of milk...and drizzle on top.

These were heavenly on Saturday morning...sorry Juan Pablo, we ate them all without you, but we can make more.