whole wheat banana muffins with homemade coconut butter

Coconut Butter. 
I had never heard of such a thing until I stumbled upon this easy how-to.

And that, my friends, is why I sometimes really love the internet.
I always think about housewives back in "the day" and wonder what they did without new recipes at their finger tips every day.

I love trying new things, I love coconut, and who DOESN'T love anything with "butter" in the title, so I just had to whip this up.
All you need....
is....
drumroll......
COCONUT. 

That's it.

Unsweetened shredded coconut, which you can find in the bulk section of health food stores.
You can use any amount you like--for this I used 2 cups.

Dump it into your food processor
and go and go and go. 
Every few minutes you'll want to stop and scrape down the sides. 
After about 10 minutes you'll have silky smooth coconut butter!

Coconut butter sets up quickly and is solid at room temperature.
It can be flaked off easily, or microwaved for just a few seconds for the perfect drizzle.

And what better to drizzle it on, than muffins.

I don't make a lot of muffins.....
you see, when I think about muffins, they remind me of cupcakes, and I would much rather make cupcakes than muffins--wouldn't you? So I usually get distracted while thinking about cupcakes and forget I ever wanted to make muffins.
That was a long explanation, but it is all very true.

But these muffins are a great little snack, and one hundred times better for you
than a cupcake at snack time.
They are lightly sweetened with maple syrup, and nice and filling with whole wheat flour and oats.

Whole Wheat Banana and Oat Muffins
makes 12 muffins

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1/2c pure maple syrup
2 eggs
4 very ripe bananas
3/4c buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
2c whole wheat flour
1c whole oats (not instant)
1/4 c ground flax seed
1/4 almond meal (you can make your own after you make your almond milk)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

in separate bowl mix together flour, oats, flax, almond meal, baking soda, baking powder and salt, set aside.

mix coconut oil and maple syrup on high speed for a few minutes.
add eggs, one at a time until mixed in.
add vanilla, bananas, and buttermilk until well mixed.
slowly add in flour mixture, mix just until blended.
don't overmix.

spoon batter into muffin tins lined with wrappers or greased.
place on bottom rack in oven and bake at 350° for 22-25 minutes, until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
remove from pan and cool on cooling rack.

top with your homemade coconut butter

enjoy!

nerd love

newly engaged us. san francisco, april 2002

Look at us. 

Love in bloom. Twitterpation! 

The world (or at least the Golden Gate Bridge) at our finger tips. 

We were married three months later, and quickly settled into newly wedded bliss. 

Eating every meal together. Grocery shopping together. Signing up for classes at school......together, and skipping merrily across campus hand in hand, cartoon birds all-a-flutter.

We were set.....right? 

I mean, after you get married, you're good to go--Happily Ever After is what they call it, I think.

oh....wait...you have to WORK at marriage, right? 

yes you do.

We have been married for almost 10 years. 

(TEN YEARS. I cannot tell you enough how much this boggles my mind daily!! where does time go?) 

Ten years later, life is wonderful, and life is busy. 

 School/work/life/blahblahblahboring. 

But with the busyness, we just can't do everything together anymore (gasp!)  

If you have ever read any literature on happy marriages, they will all give the same piece of advice. 

DATE. 

Get out! Spend time together! 

One on one. 

Invite those cartoon birds to sit upon your shoulder and whistle a tune!

But not just date......date often.

ha! 

Let me tell you a story: 

Where we live right now is just.....just.....er, a, let's just say it's funny. 

Yes, funny is a good word, for now, and fits best since this is a non-swearing blog. 

So yeah, it's funny. 

If people aren't old, they are super old. And if by some slim chance they are not old or super old, they are mostly likely just weird, living in an old persons basement. 

Can you visualize where I live now? 

(be sure to visualize really nice lawns though, note the old people)

And since we have no family around for exactly one bazillion miles.........we don't go out. 

ever. (hangs head)

sad, but true. 

We joke that we get dates quarterly, when we visit family.  We joke, but that my friends is a fact. 

We are lucky that a few times a year grandmas LOVE to take the Littles for days at a time, 

so we can go on super dates, and spend extra time together. 

So we DO have that going for us, and we very much look forward to our quarterly visits with each other.

But we have a few tricks up our sleeve, yes, we do. 

It would be really easy (seriously, sooo easy) to throw our hands up in the air and give up. 

"See you in a few years!" I would say,

"Maybe I'll bump into you sometime!" he would mostly likely say back.

That would be our easiest option.

But, if you know anything about marriage, or if you read the first few lines of this very blog post, 

then you know,

marriage takes work. 

And so, we are working, together--very hard, at finding time here and time there for each other.

And we will take it any way we can get it.

We have weekend nights where we get the kids to bed early, with a movie on the laptop in their "fort", and they just think it's the BEST (poor things have no idea we are shooing them away!) We make sure to tell them that it's OUR date night, because we like them to know how important it is for us to spend time together. We tuck them in, and then share a treat on the couch while we watch some kind of nerdy documentary.

We play Scrabble. 

We actually kind of play alot of Scrabble, and that paired with the documentary thing pretty much confirms the fact that we are indeed, nerds. 

oh, nerd love.

We go to the gym. 

"BORING!" you yell at me. But wait, let me finish. 

We are not side by side on the Stairstepper in our matching sweatbands. 

We are not that nerdy, please believe me. 

Our gym has a rock wall that up until last month we had never used. Never. In five years. Why? It had never even crossed my mind! 

But then we realized......wait.....the kids are playing happily in their part of the gym.....why don't we play too? So we've been climbing. And we LOVE it. It's something active, which is kind of our thing, and it's time alone, together, helping each other up this big color-coded wall. 

(insert metaphor for life)

We play as a family.....lots. 

Within the first week Robby and I had met, we went snowboarding together. 

We played together from there on out.

We had FUN. 

We love getting out and having adventures with the kids--even though it's not exactly one on one time, 

it still reminds us of what brought us together in the first place. lots of playing. lots of fun. 

So there you have it. It's a short list, but for now, it's working for us. 

And we are working hard at it. 

Our last "real" date with the usual dinner/movie/lip-gloss-wearing, was in early December, but for now we are filling our weeks with smaller activities, 

and we honestly feel like we are better AND closer because of it. 

I'm curious, what makes your marriage work? 

Do you go on weekly dates? Do you get creative and lock your kids in their rooms too? I'd love to hear it--we are always looking for new ideas to try, especially if they are extra nerdy.

Happy Valentines Day!

if you are looking for an extra special treat to make your extra special someone, here are some valentiney ideas:

chocolate cupcakes with cherry mascarpone frosting 

chocolate layer cake with whipped vanilla cream, raspberries, and chocolate buttercream

chocolate cake with strawberry buttercream

angel food cake

chocolate and coconut milk cake

black raspberry and chocolate chunk ice cream

strawberry and vanilla bean ice cream

our personal family valentine favorite, a giant pizookie

almond joy

No we are not making candy today (although have you SEEN some of the almond joy recipes floating around the internet these days....mmmmm....).
 Anyway, today we're going to talk about almonds, and how I really, really like them.
Thus = "almond joy".

Almonds amaze me! 
I love that such a tiny little bite sized something is such a powerhouse of healthy nutrients, vitamins, minerals, they taste good, and help fill you up. To me they are the perfect snack.

Where to start?
They have protein! Vitamin E!(the highest food source of vitamin E) Magnesium! (more than spinach) Calcium! NO cholesterol--they can actually help lower your cholesterol, and almonds are good for your heart.

My favorite way to eat them (and the most practical), is just plain.
 A handful for a snack.
I usually keep a little bag in my purse for when I find myself starving in the car/at the school/post workout and can't wait until I get home to eat something.


-We like to mix them with dried fruit(any kind) and sometimes throw in chocolate chips for a easy trail mix--whether at home or when we head for the hills.
-I toast them and chop them up to add to oatmeal, granola, or yogurt.
-I add them to smoothies. 
-Added them to this cauliflower and chicken bake.
-I made almond butter (here), which was an instant favorite.

But today I wanted to try a whole new way of eating them......almond milk.

I have bought vanilla almond milk on occasion as a treat.
It is goooooood.
We like it mostly for our oatmeal or cereal.

But even though I was buying organic almond milk, there are still a few things on the label I'm not quite sure what they are, so figured, why not try making it?

I got the idea from Jen.
Her cute family is dairy free, and they drink it daily. If this is the case for you, for sure go follow her instructions (here), for a little bit different version.

I made my almond milk a little bit thicker and creamier, since we aren't using that much at a time.

Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk
What you need:
raw almonds (I always get my almonds at Costco or in the bulk bins at Sunflower Market or Whole Foods when they are on sale)
water
vanilla extract (optional)
honey or pure maple syrup (optional)
blender/food processor
cheesecloth

Your almond:water ratio is 1:2 for this recipe.
You can add more or less water to your liking.

For this batch I used 1 cup of almonds, 2 cups of water.

Place almonds in bowl/jar and cover with water. Soak overnight.
Drain and rinse almonds after soaked.
Place almonds in blender/food processor with water
(1cup almonds, 2 cups water)
blend until smooth.
Place cheesecloth over large bowl and pour almond milk through cheese cloth into bowl.
You'll want to pick up the cheesecloth full of almond pulp and sqeeeeeeeeeze all of the milk out.
oh yes, this is very hands on. 
When you've got all your liquid out, add a few drops of vanilla and a glob or two (professional term) of honey as a sweetener (this is optoinal. almond milk is good unsweetened too, you can add as much or as little as you like).
Pour into a container and refrigerate.
Make sure to give it a good shake before you use it.

You just made almond milk!

As for the leftover pulp,
don't get rid of it--it's full of all the same health benefits as almonds.
Spread it out on a cookie sheet and bake at 300° for about an hour--until it's nice and toasty.
Put it in your food processor and pulse until it's fine.

This can be added to your baked goods, pancakes, waffles, you name it. I'll be adding it to our smoothies.
I will post a recipe next time I use almond meal in baking.

What is YOUR favorite way to eat almonds?

When I first started this whole "how to eat food series" I had planned on only featuring produce. But I've decided it's fun to explore different ways to eat all kinds of food. I have LOVED all the comments on each post and have loved trying out many of your suggestions--thank you!

see:

pomegranate

greens

brussels sprouts

oats

small and simple things

mmmm....

cupcakes.
a tiny little bite of happiness.
ok, maybe a few bites, unless you are being really piggy.
but you can't eat a cupcake and not be momentarily really, very, happy....
...even if it's just for those few bites.

A couple weeks ago I got a snarky-ish comment (delete!) on my post about having a simple year.
something along the lines of "this is really nice way of thinking, but you obviously don't have any real problems in your life"

hahahahahahahahahahahaha.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

You are right, my life is 100% problem free. yipee!
way to go ME. chest bump.

Well, actually, it's not. (gasp!)
But, I try the hardest I can every single day to look for,
search for,
DIG for if I have to,
little things that are happy.

We have the same stresser-outers that every young family has.
school. bills. let's move. let's find a new job. let's move NOW. this broke. that is breaking.
why do we live so far from family?
wow this house is really old.
 that thing broke again. We need a new ______.
Oh and let's not forget this nasty little bug I've been battling for 3 1/2 years. that's fun.
oh--and more bills! HOO-RAH!

But who cares about that junk?
I sure don't.
The reason I blog here is to try my hardest to share happiness--
and have you share your happiness back.
all the fun things in life, all the rainbows and glitter and kittens and unicorns. (melissa that is for you;)
oh, and talk about food of course.

If I lived my life without looking for little things, those big things would get really, really heavy.

So yes, I have become really good in making small things, big. 

Saturday I ran. 
On a trail. Covered in mud and snow.
Running has been hard--I relapsed last fall and I am very,
very, sloooowwwwly building my endurance back up.
But I was out RUNNING! In the sunshine! I had mud flying up my back and into my hair and I LOVED it. I was so full of happiness I was about to burst.

I love cooking for my family . 
Oh yes, there are those nights at 5 o'clock I still have no idea what I'm making (nights like that it's usually grilled cheese, or eggs, or both). But I love the days--like this weekend--where I have everything planned out start to finish--appetizer to dessert, and I get hugs and kisses and thank-yous for dinner. 

I think being able to find happiness, 
comes from knowing what YOU like.
close your eyes, and think about it.....what makes YOU just-about-to-burst-happy?

Make a list.

I like mountains. looking at them. climbing them. running them. being on top of them.
I like canvas shoes. vans. keds. cons.
I like arm balances in yoga.

I like warm chocolate chip cookies. ala mode.

I like a really good burger.

I like old books.

I like bananas when they are a little bit green.

I like road trips. Driving or riding.

I like campfires.

I like stripes.

I like smart comedy.

I like the ice at Cafe Rio.

I like summer.
I like skirts in the summer.

I like The Weepies.

I like sleeping in.

I like board games.
I like home-grown lettuce.

I like running in the mud.

I like digging in the mud.

I like goat cheese.

I like the smell of tomato plants. yes, the plant part.

I'm constantly adding to my list, and always trying to figure out how to get more of those things in to my life. (more goat cheese, yes please!)

They are all small things.....I mean yes, I would REALLY like a trip to Switzerland, or a giant farmhouse on a few acres. 

But the smaller things are a bit more realistic.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Cherry Mascarpone Frosting
makes 16-20 cupcakes, and can easily be halved

cupcakes
1 cup boiling water
1/2c unsweetened baking cocoa
1 1/3 c brown sugar
1c + 3TBS cake flour
1t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 c butter, melted
1/2c buttermilk
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
2t pure vanilla extract

Preheat to 350°
Line cupcake pans with liners and set aside.

Combine the cocoa, sugar, flour, baking soda and salt in large bowl and whisk together.
 In a stand mixer, mix the melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, egg yolks, vanilla, and hot water until well combined.

Add dry mixture to wet, and mix until just combined--careful not to over mix.

Bake in lined cupcake pans for 18-20 minutes

Cool completely before frosting.

Cherry Mascarpone Frosting
disclaimer: for the most part, when I make frosting.....I don't measure. I just add a little of this and a little more of that until I like it. So if you like to do that, then here are approximate measurements for you:
This frosting has a light cherry flavor. I am not a fan of artificial cherry flavor, and it's winter so fresh cherries were out of the question. I found a yummy jar of cherry preserves w/out artificial flavors or colors, that I thought went really nicely with the mascarpone and chocolate. This frosting is soft and light--not as set up as a buttercream (too soft for piping), but not as light as whipped cream.


8oz mascarpone cheese
(about) 1/2 cup cherry preserves
(somewhere near) 1 1/2 cup powder sugar
(around, oh....) 1/4 cup whipping cream
shaved dark chocolate, for garnish

With a handheld mixer, beat mascarpone, cherry preserves, and powdered sugar until combined. Taste it! want more cherry? Add more. Too tart? add more sugar. This is how I make things.
When you have a flavor you like, beat in whipping cream until you have a nice, light consistency.

Right before I frosted them, I folded an extra spoonful of preserves in for color.
Sprinkle with chocolate!
Keep this refrigerated.....unless you will be eating them right away....like we might have.

I hope you can enjoy something small and simple today.
.....or at least just makes some cupcakes.

What is on your "I like" list?
(if you blog your likes, feel free to link back here so others can see!)

edited to add:

the cupcake liners are Wilton. I found them at Michaels.

let's talk breakfast.

mmm....breakfast.
the most important meal of the day, right?
In our house, it is usually the craziest, most "hurry-up-and-eat-faster-let's-go" meal of the day. 

Most school days my children are handed a bowl of oatmeal.
Splashed with milk, maple syrup, and some kind of fruit and/or nut.
Rolled oats cook quickly, and they are healthy and filling in my babes bellies as they are hurried off to start their day.

I, on the other hand, usually turn my nose up at their breakfast.
I'm not an oatmeal fan (unless it's raw--like here).
Something about a hot bowl of mush......I just don't get it.
I hear non stop about "steel cut oats", and how "everyone" just "loves" "them".

But these magically delicious oats also take something like 40 minutes to cook.....and on cold dark winter mornings, there is NO way I'm getting up 40 minutes early to start breakfast.....sorry kids.

And then I saw it.
Here. 
Make them ahead of time........DUH.
(did I just write out "duh"? I sure did)
I don't know why this simple thought hadn't crossed my mind.

So I made them ahead.
A whole weeks worth, and we have been LOVING them.
Just like they said we would.
These oats.......they have a bite to them.
They actually have an "oatty" flavor, which I love.
No more bowls of morning mush for me!

Make Ahead Steel Cut Oats
(this makes ALOT. I got about 12 cups of cooked oats. I didn't put them in individual servings in my fridge, because I don't have the space, and who has that many jars?
But portioning out into a few smaller jars would be a good on-the-go breakfast, lunch, or snack.
oh, and if you're only feeding one or two, this recipe can be easily halved)

2 TBS coconut oil (optional)
3 1/3 cups steel cut oats (a lot of regular grocery stores carry them, but the packages are small. It's much cheaper to go to a store that sells bulk items)
8 cups of water
pinch of salt.

Melt coconut oil in large saucepan. (you can skip this all together if you want, but I love coconut oil)
Add oats, and stir to coat.
Turn up heat and cook for a few minutes.
Add water and salt and bring to a boil.
Simmer for 5 minutes, and remove from heat.
Ladle oats and water (there is still quite a bit of water left over) into containers (I recommend glass jars over plastic containers since this is so hot).
Cover with lids and let sit on your counter overnight (or about 8 hours)
Refrigerate.

In the morning I add enough for four servings to a saucepan with a little bit of almond milk,
and heat it through.
It takes just a few minutes and breakfast is ready! 
(if you did single serving sizes you could just stick it in the microwave)

The best part about this is that you can have oats for breakfast every morning....yet have it be different because of what you put on it. 

-A splash of milk (cow/almond/soy)
-a handful of fresh or dried fruit
-nuts
-if you're looking for something sweeter try pure maple syrup or honey
anything goes!

Here is one of my current favorites
Steel cut oats topped with:
-vanilla almond milk (for sweetness)
-banana (for flavor and potassium)
-ground flax seed (for fiber and omega-3s)
-almonds (for crunch and healthy fats)
-unsweetened coconut flakes (just because I like it)
Add all that to a bowl of fiber and protein packed oats and you are set for your morning.

breakfast.....or dessert?

How do you like your oats?

dear february

a-a-ahem.

boy this is going to be tough.

You see February,

I don't like you. Nope. Not really. At all.
Because I just can't seem to figure out what you are good for. What is it that you do, February? Please, enlighten me. And don't say Valentines Day.....because that is one sorry excuse for a holiday, if you ask me. February, you make me realize, that I do in fact, miss summer. You make me long for days of sitting in the grass eating ice cream. 

You can't do that for me, can you February?

july 2011

I didn't think so. I am ready to break up with you, and we have only just begun.

Dear Valentines Day,

Yep, you heard me. (stop booing and throwing rotten vegetables at me!) I LOVE love. I just don't need a cheesy holiday full of cheap candy and the worst color combination ever, to celebrate it.

Dear February,

No, I'm not done. I mean REALLY. You are the shortest month--they only gave you 28 days.....NO ONE wants you to stick around.

Dear Leap Day,

I think you are the coolest part about this month. You were smart enough to tell them you were only going to show up every four years. I applaud you.

Dear The Super Bowl,

let's keep it real. I have no idea who is playing, but I do like treats, so you should be fun. 

Dear Snowboarding,
remember me?
We used to see each other on a weekly basis back in my younger years.
There is a rumor flying around that we may be meeting up again soon. ha!!
I am so excited, and I know I am going to break something.
In front of my children! fun.

Dear TV,
speaking of breaking up, and rumors flying around......
I think we are kicking you out.
We don't use you that often, and our handful of shows we love (parks and rec!), we can watch online.
Who doesn't have cable? How do you like it?

Dear trail races,
hurry up and get here!! The weather has been so nice, and I have decided I need to start training for something. The soonest I can find anything on the trail is in April.
Do you have races planned for this spring/summer yet? Which ones?

Dear Mountains,
I vow right now, to spend as many days of this tiny boring month as I can, exploring you.
via foot/showshoe/snowboard/sled.
deal?

Dear future kitten,
my family talks and talks and talks about you.
I'm still not sure if I am ready to take the plunge.
a cat?
But who knows what February will drive me to do.....

Dear Attitude,
You obviously need to be adjusted.
Grumpy! 

Dear Curry, 

you are the BEST on a cold winter night.
Or, any night.

Chicken and Coconut Curry

I saw this recipe on Cooking for Seven and knew I wanted to try it. I made a few additions, and skipped the broth since it is originally a soup recipe. 

Ingredients:

coconut oil

2 chicken breasts, cut into bite sized chunks

1 onion, diced

1 red pepper, sliced thin

1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

1 TBS grated fresh ginger*

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened coconut milk

1 TBS red curry paste

pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)

juice of 1 lime

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish

*did you know you can freeze fresh ginger! yes! keep it in the freezer if you can't use it all up fast enough, and you can just grate it frozen when you need it.

Directions:

1) Heat a few TBS of coconut oil in a medium sized soup pot over medium heat. Add the chicken to the oil, season lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté until cooked through and golden. Remove chicken and set aside. Sauté the onion, pepper, and jalapeno, adding more oil if necessary, until tender.

2) Return the chicken to the pot with the onions. Add the ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute. Add coconut milk and curry paste. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add cilantro, a pinch of salt, and simmer an additional few minutes. Stir in lime juice. 

Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice. 99% of the time do brown rice, but this time splurged with jasmine rice and boooooooooooy was this good.

Sincerely yours/Let's get this over with,

me.

ps. Please tell me your favorite things about February.....

....I obviously need help.

minor adjustments

aaaahhhh the weekend. 

Gone again too quickly.
This weekend was funny.
You see, Robby and I had a Super Date planned.
We were to hit up my bi-annual doctors appointment in San Francisco (par-tay!), and then spend the night/day exploring Big Basin State Park, while the kids were busy at Grandma's.
I had been dreaming of wandering though the Redwoods for months....and just TWO days before we were supposed to leave, the medical roller coaster that I have been riding derailed and we had to postpone my Dr's appointment for a few more months.
(sidenote: if you ever find yourself in line for a medical roller coaster, EXIT TO YOUR RIGHT IMMEDIATELY. 
While thrilling around every bend, they are no fun, and waaaaaaaaaaaay overpriced. )


So I'd had my sights set on a weekend adventure.....what should we do now?
There would definitely be no misty walks through giants, but we made a few adjustments to our plans and decided......
.....we should go snowshoeing. Yep, that's what we would do.

Backstory:
Ever since I have been a mother, I have LOATHED winter. 

Hated it.
Spat upon it.
I mean, what good is winter after Christmas?
CURSE YOU WINTER!
With little ones, it takes exactly 1000 times longer to bundle up and get anywhere.
You just can't get out. No escape!!
Last year though, I decided to change my attitude.
I forced myself to like winter.
Extra layers, extra baking, extra fires and snuggling.
Finding more indoor things to love so I could ignore winter knocking at my door....and it turned out to be ok.
(You can see all my faking it in last year's winter wednesday posts)

But this year, I didn't want to fake it anymore.
I didn't want to just get through winter....I wanted to actually enjoy it.
So I had to adjust more than my attitude.
I had to adjust my actions.
Pick myself up off the warm couch.
Pry myself away from the oven.
Get out those 1217 layers that we wear when it's frosty,
and head for the hills.

And it was the BEST.
Sunshine and sparkly snow.
Heading off the beaten path and making our own trail.
"new tracks!!" we would yell as we ran across our blank canvas, leaving our tiny marks.
Climbing up a hill so steep I actually had to pull my girl up with the dog's leash....and then
laughing hysterically as we all slid-and-slided our way down.

Bless you winter.

I think I may be falling for you.

all photos taken up Millcreek Canyon. 
trail: our own.


ps. please note that my child is simply "resting in the sun" as she put it, and not injured or deceased as it may look in a few photos up.


What do YOU do to enjoy winter?

speaking of.....

me and my tower of ruby snap

Wow!
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes this week!
I loved reading them all.....thank you!

I had a great day with my little family and we are all still full of our favorite pizza and cookies.

Speaking of full, we have been eating a lot of steel cut oats (I was never that in to them because they took so long to cook, and our mornings are crazy......and then I realized oh wait, I can cook them ahead of time and actually SAVE time in the morning......perfect!) Last time I toasted them in a little bit of coconut oil before cooking them, and then after they are cooked, topped them with almond milk, almonds, flax, unsweetened coconut, and bananas and WOW. New favorite for breakfast, pre-run, or post-yoga!
How to you eat your oats?

Speaking of almond milk, I am going to be making some soon, thanks to tips from Jen who is an expert. I will post about it and let you know how it goes!

Speaking of blog posts, blogging in the winter is hard! We have been eating some super yummy things, but when we are eating it.....it's dark! No photos to be taken. So let me paint you a picture of our dinner a few nights back....
whole wheat spaghetti tossed with:
-saute'd garlic (lots!), sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, capers, spinach
lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil and s&p
all topped with a yummy piece of salmon....mmmm
close your eyes, picture it beautiful, and make it!

and still speaking of blog posts, I LOVED all the feedback on Monday's brussels sprouts post!! Seriously go read the comments--there are enough ideas to have brussels sprouts every day for a month.

Speaking of comments, and back to my birthday post.....I had no idea so many of you girls were also crazy and got married at 19.....I love it! We should start a club.

Speaking of crazy.....how 'bout this weather? Seriously I know "The Weather" is the number one small talk topic, but I actually love talking about the weather. I check the weather several times a day, in several different locations, (nerd), and love seeing what's going on. Anyway, although it "snowed" a teeny tiny bit last week, we are still feeling like it's spring here! It's just crazy. Sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine. I can't wait to get out in it tomorrow.

Speaking of spring, I am getting so ancy for real spring.....aren't you? Last year was the first time I planted any cold weather veggies (radishes, carrots, lettuce), and this year I can't wait to do more. Just have to wait until March......what do you plant in the spring?

Speaking of lettuce, my lettuce took off last year! We had fresh salads (yes plural) every single day. I HATE having to buy lettuce in the stores now knowing how much we had. This year I'm going to try planting it like THIS. Space saving AND no weeding between rows....perfect.

Speaking of the fact that I just linked you to my Pinterest, are you on there? I love how organized it makes me feel, and I have been trying so many new recipes because if it.

Speaking of linking you more places, check out the new sponsors that will be coming in over the next few days (right side bar). I still have a few spots left....email me!

What are your plans for this weekend?
Have a happy one!

really super random notes for today:

-I get so many emails, and I LOVE them, but I don't always have time to respond (although I try!) I'm working on an FAQ page for common questions that come up, if you have something you'd like to be included, let me know!

-Did you know I'm on facebook? It's true.

-I MUST go to Yosemite. soon. watch THIS and you will want to go too.

two niner

disclaimer: I started this as a simple quick post. and then it just kept going. and going and going.
So I wrote it out for ME.....but you can read it too, if you have too much time on your hands, a snack to enjoy, and something to keep you hydrated.


Short version: today is my birthday.  I like being outside. 29 is going to be awesome.


me. a few weeks back when charly and I were headed up up up the mountain to escape the inversion.

and she has officially entered her 30th year.

she being me.

29 years old.

whoa.

how. 

what?!

I am actually, really, the more I think about it........EXCITED! 

This is going to be a good year....I know it.

28 was a turning point for me.

But first, let's go back.

waaaaaaay back.

19. 

I was married. 

NINETEEN! 

The hardest part about being so young (NINETEEN!!!) when you get married, is that you are most definitely, for sure, in no way, grown up yet. 

Oh, you THINK you are.....but you are not. 

I was not. 

So while trying to adjust to newly wedded bliss and modern housewifery, full time school and work......you are still trying to grow up. 

That's aLOT going on at once.

Oh, and remember how you are 19?

You start to maybe, kinda, sorta, get a grasp on your early 20s, and then BAM!! 

At 22 you have a beautiful, perfect, long-lashed baby boy. 

New motherhood is a challenge at any age, but 22! 

You are still working on YOU! 

Early and mid-twenties flash by in a frenzy of diapers and wipes and tickling of toes...

....because now a lovely little curly headed girl has joined the family.

You will one day wake up and realize that you never quite finished that whole "growing up" thing--you were too busy birthing babies and helping them take their own first steps.

What do you like? What makes you, you?

Being a mother is your absolute favorite thing in the entire world. 

In the UNIVERSE! 

It is the bestest of the best.

But it does not define you.

You start to try things out. 

Test the waters. 

What are the other mothers doing?

You try your hand at scrapbooking. HA! that didn't last long.

You dabble in this and that, motherly hobbies that fizzle out in days. 

You are lost. 

You care too much about what others think,
and don't think enough for yourself. 

And then one day, it clicks.
Without searching or asking or watching what the others are doing.

You decide to take your usual run to a trail.
You leap over.
Dodge under.
Your feet are quick.
You fall.
Get back up.
THIS is what you've been missing.
Outside. 
Simple as that.
Nothing you could have found in Super Mom Magazine,
and nothing Oprah told you to do.

Outside.

Something you grew up with,
but for some reason,
these last few years you forgot.
Forgot how wonderful it is to just be out.

And from there on out, you are good to go.
It's you! You're back!
You re-prioritize.
You get your family outside more.
Make sure you all get good and dirty.
Often.
You simply came back to what you liked growing up.
Nothing new, or trendy.....it was just YOU.

I am excited for what this new year will bring for me.
What will 29 have in store?
Hands in the dirt.
Climbs up mountains.
Camping under stars.
Blisters on our feet, scuffs on our knees.
Lakes. Rivers. Streams.
Bugs and Birds.
Eating food we planted and grew.
Teaching my Littles about all these things, and how important they are to me.

And most importantly, continuing to sift out those unimportant things in my life, and focus on all of the (MANY!) little things I love, and that make me, me.

***

WOW. Did we get just a little cheesy? Please refer to last week's post on actual cheese if you feel like you are in the mood, thanks to this post.

Where did all this come from? I think maybe my parents found me in the woods.

Last year of my 20s....let's go!

advertise with the little red house!

I love ads.

source, source, source

I would love to have YOUR ad here in The Little Red House!

If you have something you'd like to advertise,

The Little Red House

would love to help promote you!

Artists, bloggers, makers-of-awesome things, designers, photographers, shop owners, writers, entrepreneurs....whatever you may be, we'd love to have you!

Please email me sheenajibson at gmail for rates for the New Year (starting at $15), sponsorship info, blog stats, or any questions you may have, like, "where can I get myself one of those baby tanning lamps?"

a winter favorite

Brussels Sprouts. 

a favorite? 

really?

yes!

Teeny green adorable members of the cabbage family. They tend to be one of the more snubbed veggies out there in veggieland, but only because you've been eating them wrong.....these are a big time favorite around here--even with my kids! We eat them often in the winter months--they are very versatile and and contain a healthy dose of fiber, and more than your days worth of vitamin C and K in one serving (about 6 sprouts).

While I was doing a little research, I learned that boiling them was a popular way of preparing them. May I offer up a suggestion? please?

STOP BOILNG YOUR BRUSSELS. 

I would like to take out a public service announcement that says this. 

Boiling does nothing for their flavor, it decreases nutritional benefits, and it turns them into a bowl of mush......no wonder people don't like them. If you leave this post with anything, please remember,

 no boiling.

So how should you be preparing them? Let's talk about it.

First. You need to admire them.....they really are different. Layer upon layer of green--and have you seen them grow? They grow on a tall stalk.....appearing to be a bit alien-ish....I love it.

 Has anyone grown these? How did it go? 

It's something I would like to try out in the first cool months of spring.

Ok so you've admired them. 

Now wash them. 

Cut off what's left of the stem--this is bitter and you don't want to eat it. It also allows you to easily peel off any of the outer leaves that may be discolored.

A tasty way to eat them, is roasted!

You can roast them whole, or cut them in half. 

I like to half them so they are a bit easier to eat, and they roast faster. 

Roasted Brussels Sprouts:

 Toss halved sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast at 400° for about 30 minutes until outsides are crispy......the outside crispy leaves are the BEST. 

I usually add another sprinkle of salt when they come out of the oven and they are delicious! 

But from here you can add anything. 

A squeeze of lemon. 

A splash of balsamic vinegar. 

A sprinkle of parmesan cheese. 

Anything goes. 

Or add them to something......

Wile Rice Pilaf with Brussels Sprouts and Pecans

ok ok maybe the bold title made you think this was a "recipe" but it's just an idea of flavors together--use whatever amounts you like. 

you'll need:

-wild rice mix (cooked in chicken or veggie stock)

-saute' some leeks in a few TBS of butter, after they are soft add a handful of chopped pecans. cook until pecans are fragrant. 

-roasted brussels sprouts (see above)

mix rice, leek and pecan mixture, and brussels for a tasty and filling side dish.

*** 

The quickest way I have found to cook them is right on the stove top--and again the possibilities of what gets mixed in is endless. 

After you have washed them and removed the stems (above), slice them thinly. 

They will fall apart and begin to shred on their own. 

Now we are going to make my favorite.....

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Avocado, and Lime

1lb brussels sprouts

2 slices bacon (If you are a bacon LOVER, you may want to add a slice or two more....I think this is just enough.)

1 garlic clove, minced

juice of 1 lime

1 avocado, sliced

a pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)

olive oil

salt and pepper

While you are slicing your brussels, cook the bacon until crispy in a large skillet.

Remove from pan.

Add a little olive oil to the pan (depending on how much bacon drippings were left over), and add your shredded brussels, garlic, and crushed red pepper.

Cook for just a few minutes on medium heat, until brussels start to get tender.

Mix in lime juice and crumble bacon into the sprouts. s&p to taste.

Scoot your sprouts over to the side of the pan, and add avocado slices--just to quickly warm each side. You don't really want to stir them around into the sprouts or they will mash right in. 

When they are heated through, mix everything together and enjoy!

How do YOU eat brussels sprouts?

and there is more!

I added brussels sprouts to my salad here

Giada's mix of roasted winter veggies (here) looks delicious and easy

I am itching to try this brussels and pear combo (here)

how to eat pomegranate

how to eat kale

I've had quite few requests for beets.....I'm on it! 

weekend indulgence

well, almost weekend. 

my brain kicks in to weekend mode come Thursday afternoon....I can't help it!

Let's talk about cheese. And chocolate. 

chocolate and cheese!

Two of my very favorite things to eat. and talk about. and dream about. and eat.

Two things that also, tend to get a bad rap--especially this time of year, with all of the resolutions that have yet to be broken. They are sworn off, thrown out, and shoved to a hiding place where someone will eventually find them and binge themselves into a tummy ache full of regret (and old chocolate).

Seriously though, maybe it's just me, but anytime I have sworn I wouldn't eat something (say, sugar) I end up depriving myself of it, and eventually giving in and eating waaaaaaaay too much. right? right. 

So we don't deprive around here. We don't swear off food. We just eat healthy healthy healthy most of the time, live very active lives, and that way we are not afraid to indulge in our favorites from time to time.

Take this giant plate of cheese for example. 

Do we eat this every day. no.
(but do I wish we could.....yes!)

I put this together on Christmas Eve day. 

We love cheese, and wanted the kids to be able to try a few different kinds at once. 

I had no idea really how to pair what with what....so I was happy to find this post
over at Sprouted Kitchen. 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP

Parmigiano Reggiano-loved this with pears

crackers

Goat Cheese (Chevre)--rolled in fresh chives, thyme, and lemon zest

peach jam--perfect for spreading on a toasted baguette and topped with manchego

sliced pears

Manchego--a sheep's cheese, loved it with the peach jam or cranberry sauce

toasted baguette slices

more crackers, but you knew that

a quick homemade cranberry sauce: whole cranberries, pure maple syrup, orange zest, and a squeeze of orange juice simmered until cranberries soften and mixture starts to thicken.

grapes.

not pictured: pickles. my kids do not believe in any appetizer that does not somehow involve pickles.....so we set them off to the side....away from the delicious cheese.

let the cheese sit at room temperature for a bit before you dive in.

have fun with it! 

see what kind of creations and combinations your kids come up with (some of which may involve pickles) .....and try not to gag. 

Moving on to dessert......chocolate style of course.

Reason #972 I love the weekend: we usually end up snuggled on the couch eating some kind of treat. We've worked hard and eaten well all week.....we deserve it! 

I made these last weekend--I haven't had blondies forever! They were a favorite when I was little--in fact, this recipe came from my mom! I just browned the butter.

Brown Butter Blondies

6TBS browned butter*

1 1/2 c brown sugar

2 eggs 

1 1/8 c flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 c chocolate chips

*to brown butter:

Heat pan on medium heat.
Cut butter in to pieces and melt in pan.
Stir continuously. Butter will foam up.
After foam subsides, small brown flecks will start to appear in bottom of pan.
Continue stirring, until butter has reached a nice brown color, and nutty aroma.
Remove from heat.

Blend brown butter, sugar and eggs until well mixed.

Stir in dry ingredients.

Pour batter into greased 8x8 pan, sprinkle top with chocolate chips, and bake at  350° for 25-30 minutes, until just done around the edges and on top (don't over bake). These are awesomely gooey in the middle.
They are perfect hot out of the oven with ice cream.

Have a happy weekend! 
Get out and do something active.....and then come home and indulge in something delicious! 


What is your favorite way to indulge?

la-la-laundry day

It's everyone's favorite subject......LAUNDRY! 

Ok maybe not that exciting.....but here's a little something to make it more.....interesting. 

I have been seeing this "recipe" for homemade laundry detergent all over the www, and I finally decided to give it a try. 

You see, the girl has THE fairest, most sensitive skin in all the land. 

I finally found a laundry soap that I love and doesn't irritate her skin-as-white-as-snow.....but it's not cheap. 

Someone did the calculations on this homemade stuff (not I), and found it to come out to 1¢ per load! 

If you're adding essential oils, it may come out to a tad bit more.....but you still can't beat that. 

I have also talked to friends who have kiddos with sensitive skin, and they didn't have any problems with this, so one more reason to give it a try. The Fels Naptha soap does have a bit of a fragrance, so I decided to go with a small batch to test it out and see how her skin does, and we will go from there. 

I'm trying to find a good balance between delicate for her, but strong enough for stinky sweaty armpit smells (ahem, my own). 

For the big batch of detergent, check out abi's blog.

Ingredients:

3tsp Fels-Naptha soap (grated). You can find this in the detergent section of a grocery store. 

It acts as a stain remover.

4tsp Borax. Found in the detergent section of most stores. 

Borax disinfects and neutralizes odors (like those from your stinky armpits)

4tsp Washing Soda.  Found in the detergent section of grocery stores. 

This fights stains and grease.

few drops of essential oil of your choice (optional) I used lavender.

water.

empty container.

-Add grated soap and 3/4 cup water in a saucepan on low heat, and cook until soap is dissolved.

-Add borax and washing soda, and continue to cook and stir until dissolved, and mixture is thicker.

-Pour into an empty container (if you are making the big batch I would use empty detergent jugs if you have them). I used a jar since I just made a little bit.

Add 5 cups of cold water, and a few drops of essential oil.

Give it a good shake, let it sit overnight, and shake it again in the morning and you are good to go!

Use 1/2cup per load.

Have you made your own detergent? What's your recipe? 

I will report back on how the little girl does, and let you know if I make a different version for her.

Happy Laundering!