We love to eat what is in season...not only because it is fabulously fresh and delicious, but also because it is the best thing for the environment! Since strawberries are in season right now, I thought I would share one of my family's favorite quickbread recipes. I altered a recipe I found at allrecipes.com! Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
2 cups fresh strawberries
1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups wheat flour
1/4 cup flax seed meal
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups canola oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans (optional, my son does not like nuts in his bread)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter and flour two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans.
Slice strawberries, and place in medium-sized bowl. Sprinkle lightly with sugar, and set aside while preparing bread mixture.
Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda in large bowl: mix well. Blend oil and eggs into strawberries. Add strawberry mixture to flour mixture, blending until dry ingredients are just moistened. Stir in pecans. Divide batter into pans.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until tester inserted comes out clean. Let cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn loaves out, and cool completely.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
It's a Wonderful World
At home, early in the morning on Monday, May 11, we welcomed our second healthy, beautiful son into our family (and our world).
While we are still adjusting to being a family of four, it is a wonderful time. Challenging. Embraceable. Warm. Loving. Remarkable.
We are content, beginning this transition with a "staycation". It is wonderful to have our own pace to our days...
In brief snippets, I notice the beautiful colors of spring...the "limey" green of the new leaves, the deep, bright colors of tulips and daffodils...
I love all the smells, too...freshly mown grass, the wet, earthy air...
And, the sounds...birds always singing...
Our first son was born in March. Our second son was born in May. Spring is a beautiful, bountiful, joyous time of year. Yes, I am a mother in love...
While we are still adjusting to being a family of four, it is a wonderful time. Challenging. Embraceable. Warm. Loving. Remarkable.
We are content, beginning this transition with a "staycation". It is wonderful to have our own pace to our days...
In brief snippets, I notice the beautiful colors of spring...the "limey" green of the new leaves, the deep, bright colors of tulips and daffodils...
I love all the smells, too...freshly mown grass, the wet, earthy air...
And, the sounds...birds always singing...
Our first son was born in March. Our second son was born in May. Spring is a beautiful, bountiful, joyous time of year. Yes, I am a mother in love...
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Buying vs. Saving
My husband and I started "fixing" our money mistakes shortly before we ever started dating. We learned some things from our parents (they did the best they could); but, most of what we know now was learned by trial and error. We have made a lot of mistakes!
I am fortunate that I learned how to get the best quality for the lowest price. Shop around. Ask questions. Do your homework. I am good at this.
I know which stores carry good quality at low prices. I remember the prices for things I buy regularly; and, when I can, I wait to stock up when things are on sale. I clip coupons and read ingredients (very important). I am good at this, too.
Here are some of the websites I keep in my "favorites":
http://www.restaurant.com/ (to get gift certificates for less than their face value)
http://www.couponmom.com/ (I find a lot of coupons I can print for things I use often)http://www.oldnavyweekly.com/ (to get coupons for clothes for my family) http://www.mambosprouts.com/ (for all kinds of deals on organic food and more)
I also often search for "coupon codes" and "coupons" for online or in-store purchases (sometimes related to the store, sometimes related to the product). Onr that has worked is, http://www.retailmenot.com/. There are a lot of resources out there to save money on the things we do buy!
Being "green", I also love garage sales and scoping out the best resale shops!
But, what I have often forgotten to ask myself is, "Do I really need this?" I have the money, yes. I am getting the best quality for the best price, yes. But, do I really need it?
Instant gratification. Sounds satisfying, doesn't it? Only, it isn't. Unfortunately, we both watched our parents spend everything they had. We had to learn the hard way (still learning, by the way) how to budget, save for the future and NOT spend everything we make.
I am fortunate that I learned how to get the best quality for the lowest price. Shop around. Ask questions. Do your homework. I am good at this.
I know which stores carry good quality at low prices. I remember the prices for things I buy regularly; and, when I can, I wait to stock up when things are on sale. I clip coupons and read ingredients (very important). I am good at this, too.
Here are some of the websites I keep in my "favorites":
http://www.restaurant.com/ (to get gift certificates for less than their face value)
http://www.couponmom.com/ (I find a lot of coupons I can print for things I use often)http://www.oldnavyweekly.com/ (to get coupons for clothes for my family) http://www.mambosprouts.com/ (for all kinds of deals on organic food and more)
I also often search for "coupon codes" and "coupons" for online or in-store purchases (sometimes related to the store, sometimes related to the product). Onr that has worked is, http://www.retailmenot.com/. There are a lot of resources out there to save money on the things we do buy!
Being "green", I also love garage sales and scoping out the best resale shops!
But, what I have often forgotten to ask myself is, "Do I really need this?" I have the money, yes. I am getting the best quality for the best price, yes. But, do I really need it?
Instant gratification. Sounds satisfying, doesn't it? Only, it isn't. Unfortunately, we both watched our parents spend everything they had. We had to learn the hard way (still learning, by the way) how to budget, save for the future and NOT spend everything we make.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Stay at Home Mom
I love staying at home with my son (and, I can't wait to experience full-time mothering with our baby on the way!) It hasn't been long...just a little over a month...and, I have noticed differences in myself and my son (good ones!).
After I had my son, I wanted so much to be with him as much as possible; but, I was torn between him and my job for three years. I was fortunate to be able to stay with him three and a half days a week and go to the office three and a half days. At first, I worked at home for a day and a half; and, after two years, I cut my hours by about the same.
It was satisfying to feel like I had it "all" for a short while; but, the yearning to be there for my son full-time became unbelievably strong. With another child on the way, I knew it was time.
Many of our friends and acquaintances were surprised at my decision. Often, people give me a look of disbelief when I tell them that I am much busier now than when I was working.
I feel so fortunate.
I've got to say, this is the hardest (mentally and physically) and most rewarding job you will never find in the "want ads". It is in my nature to strive to do the best I can, always. A few years ago, I pictured myself as a "working mom". I am so grateful to be a stay-at-home mom. I hope I will do well at this important job!
After I had my son, I wanted so much to be with him as much as possible; but, I was torn between him and my job for three years. I was fortunate to be able to stay with him three and a half days a week and go to the office three and a half days. At first, I worked at home for a day and a half; and, after two years, I cut my hours by about the same.
It was satisfying to feel like I had it "all" for a short while; but, the yearning to be there for my son full-time became unbelievably strong. With another child on the way, I knew it was time.
Many of our friends and acquaintances were surprised at my decision. Often, people give me a look of disbelief when I tell them that I am much busier now than when I was working.
I feel so fortunate.
I've got to say, this is the hardest (mentally and physically) and most rewarding job you will never find in the "want ads". It is in my nature to strive to do the best I can, always. A few years ago, I pictured myself as a "working mom". I am so grateful to be a stay-at-home mom. I hope I will do well at this important job!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Slow Parenting
This term, "slow parenting" is one that I am currently researching; and, I like what I have found so far! I will have to check out Carl Honore's books, “The Power of Slow: Finding Balance and Fulfillment Beyond the Cult of Speed,” and, more recently, “Under Pressure: Rescuing Our Children from the Culture of Hyper-Parenting." I found his books referenced in an article written by Lisa Belkin, for the NY Times (http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/what-is-slow-parenting/).
In the same article, Honore defines his concept that has been coined, "slow parenting":
"“Slow” in this context does not mean doing everything at a snail’s pace. It means doing everything at the right speed. That implies quality over quantity; real and meaningful human connections; being present and in the moment.
To me, Slow parenting is about bringing balance into the home. Children need to strive and struggle and stretch themselves, but that does not mean childhood should be a race. Slow parents give their children plenty of time and space to explore the world on their own terms. They keep the family schedule under control so that everyone has enough downtime to rest, reflect and just hang out together. They accept that bending over backwards to give children the best of everything may not always be the best policy. Slow parenting means allowing our children to work out who they are rather than what we want them to be.
Slow parents understand that childrearing should not be a cross between a competitive sport and product-development. It is not a project; it’s a journey. Slow parenting is about giving kids lots of love and attention with no conditions attached."
My husband and I decided a long time ago that we wanted our lives (and our children's lives) to be a collection of experiences, as opposed to material things. In changing our focus from "keeping up with the Joneses" to "setting our own pace", we have been better able to appreciate the little things and live more fully in each moment. This too makes us more conscious of our actions on the surrounding environment, be it a park, a home, other people, etc... Everything we do and say has an impact on everyone and everything around us. We just need to pay attention.
It seems like we may have already begun, "slow parenting." We will strive to do the best we can and enable our son (and soon our other child) to discover the world and themselves at their own pace. It is a beautiful thing.
In the same article, Honore defines his concept that has been coined, "slow parenting":
"“Slow” in this context does not mean doing everything at a snail’s pace. It means doing everything at the right speed. That implies quality over quantity; real and meaningful human connections; being present and in the moment.
To me, Slow parenting is about bringing balance into the home. Children need to strive and struggle and stretch themselves, but that does not mean childhood should be a race. Slow parents give their children plenty of time and space to explore the world on their own terms. They keep the family schedule under control so that everyone has enough downtime to rest, reflect and just hang out together. They accept that bending over backwards to give children the best of everything may not always be the best policy. Slow parenting means allowing our children to work out who they are rather than what we want them to be.
Slow parents understand that childrearing should not be a cross between a competitive sport and product-development. It is not a project; it’s a journey. Slow parenting is about giving kids lots of love and attention with no conditions attached."
My husband and I decided a long time ago that we wanted our lives (and our children's lives) to be a collection of experiences, as opposed to material things. In changing our focus from "keeping up with the Joneses" to "setting our own pace", we have been better able to appreciate the little things and live more fully in each moment. This too makes us more conscious of our actions on the surrounding environment, be it a park, a home, other people, etc... Everything we do and say has an impact on everyone and everything around us. We just need to pay attention.
It seems like we may have already begun, "slow parenting." We will strive to do the best we can and enable our son (and soon our other child) to discover the world and themselves at their own pace. It is a beautiful thing.
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