Too many veggies in your fridge that you just don't know what to do with before they go bad? That was me yesterday. So, I decided to make them dinner- all of them. What the heck, the greens were wilting fast and I knew I didn't have too many days left before they had better be used or they were gonna be trashed. This is what I did:
Boil 1 lb whole wheat spaghetti until tender. Drain, set aside.
2 T oil heated in large saucepan over med/high heat
Add:
3 peeled and smashed garlic cloves
1 spoonful previously minced garlic
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/4 white onion, chopped
Saute all until tender.
Add:
several sliced mushrooms
1/2 head green cabbage, thinly sliced
Saute a couple of minutes.
Then add:
3/4 bag baby spinach
Cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve over buttered noodles and cover with fresh grated parmesan cheese. Delicious!
This was totally an experiment but I've come across several similar recipes that use kale or broccoli rab instead of cabbage. I just used what I had. So, dig into your fridge and see what you come up with!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Keeping Herbs Alive- HELP!
So something's gotta give- my herbs are dying. I have Lemon Balm, Lime Thyme, and Peppermint gowing, or rather not growing, in pots on my balcony. They're in full sun from noon to 7pm I'd say, which may be too much, and my Lemon Balm (especially) is drying up. AHH! (I suppose I could put them where they get more shade...) Herbs are supposed to be easy to grow and manage....
I guess not when I forget to water them.
I would like to know....HOW am I supposed to remember? I think I'm so worried about over-watering that I let them go too long in this heat without water. Man, I SO do not have a green thumb.
I guess not when I forget to water them.
I would like to know....HOW am I supposed to remember? I think I'm so worried about over-watering that I let them go too long in this heat without water. Man, I SO do not have a green thumb.
Like-Minded Mamas?
The longer I'm a mama, and a SAH one, at that, I'm finding that few others share the same need as I do...to get out of the house! I am not one to be indoors all day, be super crafty, or look at the same white walls for hours. I suppose some peoples' kids keep them so busy that they don't have time or energy to get OUT, TOO, but I've found that my one (for now) little boy just goes with the flow pretty well.
Being a very energetic person, and not wanting to spend all day cleaning the house when it's a sty, I get it done fast so I can do something FUN! This is probably why as a kid my own mama complained that I did half-jobs instead of a thorough cleaning. Probably true, but life is about more than having a spotless house, and now that I keep my own house, I can make my own rules. Yes!
So, is there anyone out there who agrees that they're trapped in their house too often? Do you want to have a playdate? Or a grocery-shop-together date? Or come over for tea/coffee? I'm so open and I always like to make new friends! If you're reading this and you know someone who feels the same way, please pass along my name and number as I would love to meet them!
Being a very energetic person, and not wanting to spend all day cleaning the house when it's a sty, I get it done fast so I can do something FUN! This is probably why as a kid my own mama complained that I did half-jobs instead of a thorough cleaning. Probably true, but life is about more than having a spotless house, and now that I keep my own house, I can make my own rules. Yes!
So, is there anyone out there who agrees that they're trapped in their house too often? Do you want to have a playdate? Or a grocery-shop-together date? Or come over for tea/coffee? I'm so open and I always like to make new friends! If you're reading this and you know someone who feels the same way, please pass along my name and number as I would love to meet them!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Kid's Shoes Cheap
It is my opinion that to pay full price for kids shoes is outrageous (!) and a waste of money. Of course, some people have so much money that they would either start a bonfire with it or buy things for too much. To each their own, I guess. I have never been that rich and I love a great deal! And I have a husband who also loves a great deal-we're perfect for eachother. :) We buy all of Rowan's shoes second hand for pennies on the dollar what we would pay for them new.
Now, don't get me wrong, I like nice things. We find NEW and almost new shoes for Rowan all the time! I'm not gonna take my child to a wedding wearing extremely scuffed or otherwised damaged shoes, for example, and it is such a thrill to find those brand new black dress shoes for $4. Not even kidding.
Recently, just before heading out of town for a friend's wedding, we stopped by PayLess and Value Village to buy a pair of black dress shoes for Ro. The stores were next door to eachother and I figured I could price check and see who carried the shoes for the best deal. Of course, VV's inventory is always changing so I went in to PL first. I found the shoes for $22 *gulp*. He's gonna grow out of them within 6 months and probably only wear them a handful of times (3 weddings this summer and maybe we'd get dressed up for church just to get some use out of them)! So, I went next door...can I find them for cheaper??? YES! VV had some NEW with tags for $4! Halleluia! (I said I love a great deal)
And that is just one story. Currently Rowan has several really cute, barely worn, brand name shoes in his possession:
Tevas: $.99 (OK, these ones are pretty worn but he's gonna wear them outside in the dirt all summer anyway and Chris really couldn't pass up the deal)
Sprockets black dress shoes: $5
StrideRites: $4
The only new shoes Rowan gets (at least for now while he is growing so fast) are from Pappy and Grandma. :)
Now, don't get me wrong, I like nice things. We find NEW and almost new shoes for Rowan all the time! I'm not gonna take my child to a wedding wearing extremely scuffed or otherwised damaged shoes, for example, and it is such a thrill to find those brand new black dress shoes for $4. Not even kidding.
Recently, just before heading out of town for a friend's wedding, we stopped by PayLess and Value Village to buy a pair of black dress shoes for Ro. The stores were next door to eachother and I figured I could price check and see who carried the shoes for the best deal. Of course, VV's inventory is always changing so I went in to PL first. I found the shoes for $22 *gulp*. He's gonna grow out of them within 6 months and probably only wear them a handful of times (3 weddings this summer and maybe we'd get dressed up for church just to get some use out of them)! So, I went next door...can I find them for cheaper??? YES! VV had some NEW with tags for $4! Halleluia! (I said I love a great deal)
And that is just one story. Currently Rowan has several really cute, barely worn, brand name shoes in his possession:
Tevas: $.99 (OK, these ones are pretty worn but he's gonna wear them outside in the dirt all summer anyway and Chris really couldn't pass up the deal)
Sprockets black dress shoes: $5
StrideRites: $4
The only new shoes Rowan gets (at least for now while he is growing so fast) are from Pappy and Grandma. :)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Elephant in the Room
Ever been a room where the air is thick with tension that everyone can feel but no one is willing to broach? This drives me nuts! Why not bring up the uncomfortable topic, apologize, agree to disagree, or whatever, and MOVE ON. Perhaps etiquete says to ignore it altogether, dwell on a different subject, pretend nothing's wrong and it will go away on its own. I've been in several situations like this and the elephant does NOT lumber off on its own.
I really wish people would get over feeling awkward about talking about the forbidden subject in order to have honest and open relationships.
The close relationships that I maintain have all reached a point where something has come up that needs to be discussed. I think it's because when you truly get to know someone, you WILL find something you don't like. We're all human, nobody's perfect, and we all have things that irritate us about others and that others find irritating about us. When I have had an uncomfortable topic to broach with a friend and the friend is open-minded, and I am graceful, our friendship always grows stonger through the mending of fences.
And sometimes, it doesn't work out so well...the other person does not deal well with confrontation or the issue is so large and the gap so wide that we decide instead to go our separate ways. That's OK, too. You can't like everybody.
I really wish people would get over feeling awkward about talking about the forbidden subject in order to have honest and open relationships.
The close relationships that I maintain have all reached a point where something has come up that needs to be discussed. I think it's because when you truly get to know someone, you WILL find something you don't like. We're all human, nobody's perfect, and we all have things that irritate us about others and that others find irritating about us. When I have had an uncomfortable topic to broach with a friend and the friend is open-minded, and I am graceful, our friendship always grows stonger through the mending of fences.
And sometimes, it doesn't work out so well...the other person does not deal well with confrontation or the issue is so large and the gap so wide that we decide instead to go our separate ways. That's OK, too. You can't like everybody.
Who's More Strong-Willed?
I've been thinking lately about the strong-willed child. I think I have one. Uh-oh. Well, I can't really say I didn't have it coming- Karma's a *#%$^, right? I guess I gave my parents just enough that God decided I should know what I put them through.
But the question is, who wins these battles of the will that go on, seemingly without end, some days? Do we as parents fold under pressure and let the willful toddler, determined to dominate his world, do whatever his sinful little heart desires in an effort to prevent the storm? NO. Or do we keep on keeping on preventing the naughty little will from takng over completely, training the character and evennnntually conquering for the benefit of all? I hope so. Just depends if we (read: I) have enough patience and will-power.
My mantra? I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me... And so I continue in this war for my childs heart, soul, and disposition.
But the question is, who wins these battles of the will that go on, seemingly without end, some days? Do we as parents fold under pressure and let the willful toddler, determined to dominate his world, do whatever his sinful little heart desires in an effort to prevent the storm? NO. Or do we keep on keeping on preventing the naughty little will from takng over completely, training the character and evennnntually conquering for the benefit of all? I hope so. Just depends if we (read: I) have enough patience and will-power.
My mantra? I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me... And so I continue in this war for my childs heart, soul, and disposition.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Picky Kids? It's YOUR fault!
We just finished a dinner of salmon, rice, tomatoes, and grilled mushrooms- all of which my 19 month old ate in copious amounts.
So I started thinking about why some kids don't eat much of anything- a diet of mac n cheese, chicken nuggets, and pb&j with the token fruit seem to be the norm. And some people never grow out of these habits. Gross!
Universally, people like what they know (some say they know what they like-whatever). It makes sense that this applys to food as well. If children are exposed to a large range of food options at a young age, they will like to eat a large variety of food. Of course, I am not discounting food preferences or aversions. I think that people are individually sensitive to certain flavors or textures and I will always allow my kids to have a couple of things that they refuse to eat. When I was growing up, I hated onions and my parents allowed that I didn't have to eat them- ever, if I so chose. But they didn't let me refuse many foods. Now I like most things I didn't care for as a child, including onions to a point.
I am convinced that picky kids are made. I have observed that picky kids have parents who do one of two things: either the parents are picky themselves and refuse to eat many different kinds of food, or they allow their children so many preferences that the kids end up "liking" only a very short list of items.
Now, back to the preference thing. There are many things right now that Rowan has refused to eat, either all the time or depending on his mood. But I continue to offer them with hope that his tastes will change as he ages, which is often the case with small children. Our latest food is tomatoes. Every time Chris and I have tomatoes at a meal, Rowan get a bite on his plate as well. He always tries it, probably because it is brightly colored:), and then puts it back on his plate making a face. Tonight, he ate 1/2 a roma tomato! I guess the flavor/texture didn't bother him or he had watched us eat them for so long that he decided they MUST be good. Whichever it was, he is learning to appreciate food he previously didn't like (and therefore not be picky). Yea for victory over vegetables!
My method: offer a meal of whatever the family is eating for dinner-not a different menu just because it might be easier to feed Rowan yogurt, fruit, and hot dogs. In the long run, what a hassel! (plus, what does this teach him about life? "I get whatever I want, my parents exist to serve my selfish desires, I don't have to do what I'm told," and on and on). Then, if he makes a decent effort and seems to truly dislike the food, top him off with healthy food that he does like. Topping him off is important to me at bedtime so he doesn't wake up hungry in the middle of the night. And, note, this is what I'm doing now, while he's 19 months and still exploring his tastebuds. At 3 years old, capable of reason and understanding, used to eating with the family and probably posessing of a much stronger will and selfish tendencies, the option will be to eat what's served or go hungry. I do not think this is an unreasonable requirement, especially since I cook yummy food of a diverse variety. There's always something Rowan is sure to like. :)
Are your kids picky? Try not letting them dictate the menu. And no snacks between meals. They might go hungry a couple of meals. Let them! Hunger is an awful effective teacher. Also, eat a greater variety of food yourself and let them see you enjoying it. If daddy always turns his nose up at a salad, how do you expect the kids to like salad (since it's obviously gross)?
So I started thinking about why some kids don't eat much of anything- a diet of mac n cheese, chicken nuggets, and pb&j with the token fruit seem to be the norm. And some people never grow out of these habits. Gross!
Universally, people like what they know (some say they know what they like-whatever). It makes sense that this applys to food as well. If children are exposed to a large range of food options at a young age, they will like to eat a large variety of food. Of course, I am not discounting food preferences or aversions. I think that people are individually sensitive to certain flavors or textures and I will always allow my kids to have a couple of things that they refuse to eat. When I was growing up, I hated onions and my parents allowed that I didn't have to eat them- ever, if I so chose. But they didn't let me refuse many foods. Now I like most things I didn't care for as a child, including onions to a point.
I am convinced that picky kids are made. I have observed that picky kids have parents who do one of two things: either the parents are picky themselves and refuse to eat many different kinds of food, or they allow their children so many preferences that the kids end up "liking" only a very short list of items.
Now, back to the preference thing. There are many things right now that Rowan has refused to eat, either all the time or depending on his mood. But I continue to offer them with hope that his tastes will change as he ages, which is often the case with small children. Our latest food is tomatoes. Every time Chris and I have tomatoes at a meal, Rowan get a bite on his plate as well. He always tries it, probably because it is brightly colored:), and then puts it back on his plate making a face. Tonight, he ate 1/2 a roma tomato! I guess the flavor/texture didn't bother him or he had watched us eat them for so long that he decided they MUST be good. Whichever it was, he is learning to appreciate food he previously didn't like (and therefore not be picky). Yea for victory over vegetables!
My method: offer a meal of whatever the family is eating for dinner-not a different menu just because it might be easier to feed Rowan yogurt, fruit, and hot dogs. In the long run, what a hassel! (plus, what does this teach him about life? "I get whatever I want, my parents exist to serve my selfish desires, I don't have to do what I'm told," and on and on). Then, if he makes a decent effort and seems to truly dislike the food, top him off with healthy food that he does like. Topping him off is important to me at bedtime so he doesn't wake up hungry in the middle of the night. And, note, this is what I'm doing now, while he's 19 months and still exploring his tastebuds. At 3 years old, capable of reason and understanding, used to eating with the family and probably posessing of a much stronger will and selfish tendencies, the option will be to eat what's served or go hungry. I do not think this is an unreasonable requirement, especially since I cook yummy food of a diverse variety. There's always something Rowan is sure to like. :)
Are your kids picky? Try not letting them dictate the menu. And no snacks between meals. They might go hungry a couple of meals. Let them! Hunger is an awful effective teacher. Also, eat a greater variety of food yourself and let them see you enjoying it. If daddy always turns his nose up at a salad, how do you expect the kids to like salad (since it's obviously gross)?
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