2 Year Old Makes Banana Bread

As it is evident from our Facebook page, we do a lot of cooking in this house.  And whenever possible we try to involve the children.  Sometimes, we cook specifically so that the children can make or have a chance at helping or cooking something they like. Most of these are filed under Kids in the kitchen. 

Today, after days of promising the children that we'd make banana bread, I decided to let the 2 year old get to it while the other one was at school.  I used a Better Homes recipe but did a lot of substituting.

For the most part, I have found that the children were drawn to real activities than specific toys.  Even though we have a "Montessori" type toys, the simple daily activities of cleaning, cooking, sweeping, folding clothes, etc are the most rewarding to them and the ones that give them purpose.  They enjoy stacking block and building puzzles but they would drop it in a moment if there was cooking involved.

Hope you're all enjoying the start of summer and find some time for more fun activities indoor and outdoor!

 Started off by letting her peel and break up the bananas (3).

 She used a potato masher but had trouble with it, so I got started and then let her finish up.

 I measured the flour and she dumped it into the bowl.  We substituted 1/2 cup walnut meal for flour.  She measured the baking soda and powder.

 She added the chocolate chips and got started mixing the wet and dry ingredients.  We lost about 1/4 cup of it in the process.  (see flour on right side of photo)

 After, why not treat ourselves to a little sanding sugar that never seems to get used.

 I realized it was a good pincer activity, but most of the sugar was in one spot- se la vie!

 And to finish up, there is the always required washing of the hands before and after.  They like to run to the bathroom for this. 

And finally while the bread is cooking and mom is on the computer, why not get some baking done in the play kitchen.  

The resulting loaf: a dense looking- amazing smelling, hopefully tasty banana bread.  It didn't rise quite as high and I'm assuming it's due to the walnut meal. 

Shared on: More the Merrier Mondays, Eco-Kids Tuesday, Tuesdays with a Twist,  wildcrafting wednesday, Wildlife Wednesday, simple lives thursdays, HomeAcre Hop,  small footprint family, Friday Nature Table, fresh eggs daily, Transformation Thursday, Thrifty Home,  Fresh Bites Friday, Wednesday Fresh Food,  Sunday Parenting Party, hip homeschool moms,  No Time for Flash Cards, Living Green Tuesday, Montessori Monday, Farm Girl Blog Fest,  Food Renegade, Eat Make Grow, Saturday Show and Tell, Kids in the Kitchen, Learning for Life, Mums Make Lists,

Lushous Lemons

Living in Southern California has it's perks.  I miss the seasons, but it's an easy trade for fresh food all year round.  Moving into this rental house and starting our own garden has been amazing.  We keep wanting to do more and to have more land to grow more.  Fruit, citrus, and avocado trees would be an amazing addition.  However, we've managed to find friends and neighbors we can barter with or who are just so generous that they give it away.  I've been fortunate with many who have lemon trees and seem to have a continuous supply.

So, recently with a big box full of lemons I went a bit crazy and made quite a few "lemony" things.  I apologize for my terrible and improper way of sharing recipes, but I hope the main idea comes through.

I started with preserved lemons.  I mostly went by memory of what my mom and friend did.  There are lots of recipes out there and it seems like I mostly did what they all say too.

Cut lemons into quarters but not all the way.  Pack in with coarse salt.  I buy mine from the Asian stores and this one was particularly larger.  I put some on the bottom and sprinkled some on the top as well.  Within hours I noticed the juices come out. 

I did "zest" some of them, and by zest I used a julianne cutter on some of them.

A week later it looked like this.  I did end up adding another two into the jar.

I also used the zest to make two other items.

Candied lemons which I just cooked down in sugar and a tablespoon of water.  Unfortunately, I cooked it too long and the sugar solidified after it cooled.  So, it was perfect to use in recipes.  I used it when I made bread pudding

Current and Candied Lemon bread pudding.
Left over baguette
handful of currents
candied lemon peel
honey or sugar (as you like)
milk
eggs (I used 3)

Mix the wet ingredients (you can warm the milk and temper the eggs if you'd like), then add the broken bits of bread and let soak 10 min.  I added the lemon and currents and let soak another 20 min mixing occasionally.

Bake 350 till tops turn golden and liquid is mostly absorbed.  (It will puff up so leave some space. I did mine in the toaster oven which is why the tops got a bit burned!)

.

The other thing I made with the zest was lemon salt.
I mixed the zest with a handful of salt and put in a shallow cookie sheet (toaster for me).  I put in on the lowest setting for about 20 min and then left it out for 1-2 days to dry out.  There is also a good recipe on Sunset 

The left is my salt and on the right is Hawaiian pink salt.

I used this salt as a garnish when I made lemon risotto in the pressure cooker.

Lemon Risotto with Lemon Salt and Truffle Oil
2 cups Arborio rice
5 generous cups of chicken stock or water
 salt (if your stock is homemade and has no salt)
Juice of a lemon or two (depending on the size)  About 1/4 cup
Zest of a lemon

Add all in pressure cooker and heat and stir without lid till bubbling.

Mix well and close.  Once the pressure cooker starts time it for 6 min.  Turn off and let it sit till all the steam is gone (about 15 min for my old one).  Wait a bit longer, and then mix it quickly a few times.  This really helps the starch come out and thicken like risotto should be.

Mix in 1 tsp olive oil or butter and lemon salt.  Taste and add salt (regular or lemon) as needed.

Serve with a drizzle of truffle oil on top and a garnish of salted lemon zest.  I also served it with the two salts on the side.

Shared on: More the Merrier Mondays, Eco-Kids Tuesday, Tuesdays with a Twist,  wildcrafting wednesday, Wildlife Wednesday, simple lives thursdays, HomeAcre Hop,  small footprint family, Friday Nature Table, fresh eggs daily, Transformation Thursday, Thrifty Home,  Fresh Bites Friday, Wednesday Fresh Food,  Sunday Parenting Party, hip homeschool moms,  No Time for Flash Cards, Living Green Tuesday, Montessori Monday, Farm Girl Blog Fest,  Food Renegade, Eat Make Grow, Saturday Show and Tell, Kids in the Kitchen, Learning for Life, Mums Make Lists,

Baby Shower

Over the weekend I helped co-host a friend's baby shower.  It was a lot of fun to come up with some finger foods and to try out some different recipes or ways of presenting them.  The location was fantastic that it helped the food look amazing!

Hope you enjoy! Recipes are in links and as always I modify and change. 

 Button sugar cookies as party favors in green, yellow, and blue. (Pinterest was a great help in all this)

 Greek Yogurt Deviled Eggs

 Smoked Trout Pate in cucumber cups

Lemon bars in jars without the crust.  I used a Lemon Lime Bar recipe and only used lemons.  I added whip cream and toasted coconut to top off.  

 Ricotta Crostini with: olive tapanade, radishes and salt, smoked salmon and lump roe, and fresh blueberries with honey. 

 Almond and Jam Pastries.  I used Challah with fig butter, and instead of the whole almonds I used almond meal.  I made these for Easter, but with Brioche, both were amazing!

 Fresh cut veggies of carrots, jicama, bell peppers, and heirloom caprese skewers with a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil.

 Guests were asked to bring fresh pink and white flowers to help decorate and as a gift for mom-to-be.

Pink and purple vanilla cupcakes topped with whip cream and fresh strawberries.

(personally, I didn't like how the recipe turned out, the cake was a bit too heavy for my liking)

Shared on: More the Merrier Mondays, Eco-Kids Tuesday, Tuesdays with a Twist,  wildcrafting wednesday, Wildlife Wednesday, simple lives thursdays, HomeAcre Hop,  small footprint family, Friday Nature Table, fresh eggs daily, Transformation Thursday, Thrifty Home,  Fresh Bites Friday, Wednesday Fresh Food,  Sunday Parenting Party, hip homeschool moms,  No Time for Flash Cards, Living Green Tuesday, Montessori Monday, Farm Girl Blog Fest,  Food Renegade, Eat Make Grow, Saturday Show and Tell, Kids in the Kitchen, Learning for Life, Mums Make Lists,

A Mother's Gift

There is no greater gift we can give our children than life. Giving birth is one thing but teaching them how to live and live a full life requires dedication and patience.

As I look back at my life and how I've come to where I am as a person and now as a mother I am thankful for all that my mother did for me, mostly be being who she is and guiding me as she has done and continues to do.

The greatest gift my mother gave me was BELIEF. Not in the eternal sense but belief in myself. To know ones own strengths and weaknesses, to know your capabilities , to believe when you doubt, to trust your instincts, and to trust that being who you are and true to yourself will be your best guide in life, is not an easy thing to teach a child. I see this as my mother's greatest capacity as she not only instilled these values in me, but as a teacher I see her guiding the children in her care year after year and passing on her wisdom to those children and parents. I suppose being in a Montessori classroom for over 30 years now she has benefited from having the same children for 3 years to work her magic. And often she has siblings and relatives that also pass by. At home we joke that she is our "Strega Nonna".

This really struck me while I was preparing for my home birth with my second child. After she was born and my mother flew here to be with me, my midwife pointed out that I'm so lucky to have a supporting mother who carries with her the wisdom of the past, the wisdom of how to truly care for another person, and who understands the fragility of new life. She knew to be there to care for me so that I could care for my child, she knew to think for me and anticipate my needs before I even knew what they were. She knew to tell me to slow down and enjoy the peace and love of this new life in my arms, she taught me to respect my time with my child giving them undivided attention when nursing so that a stronger bond could be developed.

She was there for me with both my children, guiding and passing on what she had learned from her mother, a mother of 7. In her hands lay the wisdom of two generations and I hope that it goes from me to my children. My mother has only known the true and innocent love of children. In her lifetime she has only had 1 job, being an educator. My sisters and I joke, but it really is a beautiful truth that my mother carries with her the innocence of a child since her life is spent with us, the children in her class, and now her grandchildren. Her dedication to the child rivals that of Dr. Montessori in my eyes. As much as I can credit Dr. Montessori on her work, to me, the wisdom of my mother is far greater as it carries both the Montessori philosophy and also a cultural philosophy that is unique to my family.

The gravitas of being a mother is not in how we parent, but in what we pass on to our children.  Who we are and how we are with our children are sentiments that are absorbed by the child, and that is what will be life-long.  To preoccupy ourselves with the mundane rituals will only be a distant memory to them, as it is to us from our childhood.

 The relationship a mother has with a daughter is one thing, but to raise a boy who will one day be a man is also worth acknowledging.  I am fully aware that my husband didn't raise himself.  So, for him to be an understanding, gentle, and kind human being is also the influence of his mother.

My mother recently said something that really struck with me: as a parent you spend the best times worrying about if you're doing it right and about the small things.  As a grandparent you get to enjoy the grandchildren for who they are and and embrace the things you missed out in your children, as a parent.  It's sad that you miss out on just enjoying your own children.

Well, this hit home.  I don't want to miss out and not enjoy my children at this stage.  Worrying about something I will ultimately have no control over is truly a waste of time and energy.  I am thankful and lucky to have an amazing mother in my life.  I know this, and I don't expect my children to feel the same about me, but I hope that if I treat my mother with respect and I honor who she is and what she has to teach me, then my children can bare witness to respecting me as their mother.




Like it or not, know them or not, only a mother brings us into this world, and simply taking a moment to respect and honor that another human being did this for us is worth a day.

Shared on: More the Merrier Mondays, Eco-Kids Tuesday, Tuesdays with a Twist,  wildcrafting wednesday, Wildlife Wednesday, simple lives thursdays, HomeAcre Hop,  Back to Basics, small footprint family, Friday Nature Table, fresh eggs daily, Transformation Thursday, Thrifty Home,  Fresh Bites Friday, Wednesday Fresh Food,  Sunday Parenting Party, hip homeschool moms,  No Time for Flash Cards, Living Green Tuesday, Montessori Monday, Farm Girl Blog Fest,  Food Renegade, Eat Make Grow, Saturday Show and Tell, Kids in the Kitchen, Learning for Life, Mums Make Lists, 

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

A few weeks ago, I made this chicken salad for my daughter's school potluck.  I wanted something healthy and flavorful.  It's simple- if you have the ingredients.

Hope you enjoy!

• Roast the chicken in zataar, salt, a little sumac, and olive oil.
• When cool, pull chicken apart or chop up.
• Mix half yogurt and half labne (you can add a spoon of mayo if you want).
• Add salt, dukkah, finely chopped shallots, and rough cut dried apricots (I also added some homemade mustard).
• Mix well and combine chicken and yogurt mixture.
• Season more if you like
• Pour thinly pomegranate molasses (about 1-2 tsp max).  Mix well and top with more dukkah and apricots

Serve with Pita, veggies, or chips.

Shared on: More the Merrier Mondays, Tuesdays with a Twist,  wildcrafting wednesday, simple lives thursdays, HomeAcre Hop,  Back to Basics, small footprint family, fresh eggs daily, Transformation Thursday, Thrifty Home,  Fresh Bites Friday, Wednesday Fresh Food,  Sunday Parenting Party, hip homeschool moms,  Living Green Tuesday, Montessori Monday,  Food Renegade, Eat Make Grow, Kids in the Kitchen, Learning for Life, Mums Make Lists,

The Adventures of Camping with Kids

This is a post that has been long time coming.  Each time we go, I think oh goodness, the stories I could tell.  All is forgotten days after our return and only the good memories last.  Well, that's just it.  You have to endure it all and only the good and fond memories will remain.  Those that seemed troublesome, well, those will also add humor and be remembered as an adventure. 

My husband and I have been camping with each other since we met about 12 years ago.  I've camped with my family and he with boy scouts.  Together, we learned how to camp with each other.  We mostly did car camping and just when we were ready to take a leap into back country/ backpack camping, we decided to start a family.  We traded one kind of adventure for another, and I do believe we took the greater and more rewarding route!

I suppose we had a routine and a level of comfort camping before having children, so it wasn't that difficult to think of taking them with us.  Our first trip with the oldest daughter was when she was about 7 months, and the second one had her first trip at 5 months.  They both LOVED it.  Living in southern California, we're privy to lots of beautiful places and most of the year to camp in, however, we also experience cold nights that are trying with young children in tents.  It is also an ordeal when you are still nursing at night.  Oh the stories I could tell you on this one, but let's not.  I do believe the most comical and arduous adventure to be the campout with family in Texas while I was 6 months pregnant.  You see, we still only use tents, sleeping bags and those pocket warmers.  Not until a few months ago did we invest in inflatable pads to go under our sleeping bags.

We have enjoyed camping all over the country and even in different parts of the world either in tents, cabins, or our only RV trip for our honeymoon.  This has been a source of excitement, adventure, and a lot less expensive when planing our travel budget.  Taking the kids on these kinds of adventures has added a level of stress, but the overall outcome is far greater.  Now as they are getting older, they remember some trips and want to go back an recreate them again and again.  Last year we camped out for a night in Maui and waking up right by the water was one of my daughters favorite memories of the trip.

Both girls love the tent.  To them it is a small home that is their size.  They love pretend playing in there as we set up and unpack.  Often, we hope to get out for a hike soon after setting up, but the kids would rather play in the tent.  Our most recent camping trip was a few hours north along the coast.  We stayed a night at a beach site and then went inland to stay in a yurt.  Both kids, enjoyed the yurt, but insisted that we pitch up the tent next to, so they could play and spend their time in there instead.

So, how do we do it? Lots and lots of planning and prepping.  Yes, it is fortunate that I'm at home to prep a few thing in advance, but as they are getting older, nothing gets done until the night before anyway, so really it's all the same.  There are a few basics which I think are key to how we get out, eat well, and have a good time outdoors.  We have enjoyed camping just the two of us, as a family, as an extended family, and as groups ranging from 15 to groups as large as 25.  It's all in the organization, the people you go with, and mostly the attitude you have throughout.

How to Plan Ahead:

• Plan out your meals (I'm trying not to be so elaborate anymore)
• Prep and freeze most meals in ziplocks or tupperwarre
• Have a set of dishes, cups, utensils and other items ready to go just for camping
• Have the children pick out their clothes and help pack their bags
• Pack games, activities, books, maps, binoculars, and anything else they might need (have them help)
• Buy what you need 3-4 days in advance to prep, cook, freeze, and pack up.  You will need more than you think.
• Pack snacks and dry good early and keep apart
• Frozen food doubles up as ice for your cooler, portion out your veggies per meal, or in portions just for the trip (ex: peas, corn, chicken, etc). 
• Double bag all meats- you'd be surprised how water gets into everything.

Things you need to have:
Cooking

• Basic kitchen items (cutting board, knife, utensils, bowl, can opener, etc)
• Sices, salt/pepper, olive oil, or spray (I've stopped using this)
• Foil, ziplock bags (various sizes), paper towels, napkins, dish towels, matches, and lighter
• Small bottle dish soap, brush, bucket or container to wash things in.
• Nut butter for (just in case), soup, mac and cheese, or rice boxes for last min meals, pancake mix, beans, etc.
• Pot and a fry pan (I love my cast iron). 
• 2 burner stove or backpacker burner. (we started out with a backpacker and then bought a 2 burner when I did my cross country trip with a friend, the time it saves is worth it, especially with kids)
• Gallon water jugs

Extras: marshmallows and things to make smores.  Griddle. Charcoal or grill.

        *Firewood should always be bought on site!
 
Sleeping and Clothes:

• Sleeping bags for each, or a few you can open and cover with blankets.
• Pillows for those who need them, or roll up your clothes into a pillowcase.
• Pads, or yoga mats to go under, or an inflatable mattress (to get fancy:)
• Enough clothes for 2-3 days (if you go longer, take small packs of laundry detergent and stop to wash)
• We tend to have our "camping clothes" so it's usually the same ones we pack. Layers, socks, hats, gloves, thermals, long pants, and short are all good options.
• Winter hat. I've found that no matter where we camped, a winter hat was essential when we camped.  
• Hiking shoes, and and easy slip on shoe for around the campsite
• Bikes, balls, games, things to do around the campsite
• Wet wipes, or wash cloths
• Bar or liquid soap for washing hands at site or in the bathroom
• Toiletries (I'm amazed how many people bring make up and hair dryers, wow!)
• Quarters for showers- if available.  If we go for the weekend, we just come home and shower on Sunday, a little extra dirty is all part of the fun.
• Extra bags for dirty and wet clothes!

Food Menu Ideas:

• Hobo packs (anything all cooked in foil packs in the coals, or on the stove)
• Chicken tacos/ fajitas
• Pancakes or french toast
• Bacon and eggs
• Salmon filet (prep and freeze ahead) cook or campfire on foil or on griddle on stove
• Muffins or breakfast toast cups (make ahead)
• Oatmeal (usually on the last day for us, so packing up is fast and less clean up) or cereal which I don't buy.
• Stuff to make sandwiches when hiking or at the site
• Arroz con pollo
• Chilli (make there or we make ahead in crock pot, freeze and then reheat at site)
• Kababs (kids love to help with this)
• Salads (wash, prep, cut and bag before, or bag salads)

 

Since joining our Family Adventure group, we have gone camping with some larger groups.  This has been nice since everyone is independent for their own things, but we come together for large hikes and a potluck meal.  The kids have had a blast running around with other children and wandering off.

We still love our small family trips, and those with just another one or two families.  These intimate gatherings bring us all closer in how we parent, manage our stress, live with minimal items, and think in critical times.  Being outside is not as primitive as it should be these days with all the gear and amenities.  However, the basic need it fulfills in each of us is a primitive need to connect to all that is in nature.  Children and adults need this time outside.  Often, we believe we need the comforts of our bed, but 1 or two nights without is not going to harm or hurt us.  Unbeknownst to us, we have had friends who were first time campers who pulled through and joined us at various times.  Some may never return, but I do believe they all remember those trips one way or another!

Even if you think you will never make it camping, I highly encourage all of you to join in this year's Great American Backyard Campout. It's a nationwide movement that is slowly growing and helping families get outside, even if it's in your own backyards.  There are many things we do for the sake of our children, I hope that getting outside for a hike and at least 1 campout while they are young will be one that you put on your calendar for this year.

I'm no pro and don't claim to be, but just like many families that get out often, it's on our list to go camping at least every other month.  In an ideal life, we'd go every month, but life just doesn't allow for this.  We have added this to our New Year's Resolutions for the second year, and so far, so good for both years.  Sometimes, it's a tent, and in the cooler months, it maybe a cabin, or even a lodge as was the case for Zion, but no matter what, the destination and the time outside is the goal. 


Here are a few picture collages from all our trips over the years starting from before kids to after.

Along the 1 all the way to Olympic National Park- when we were getting started. 


Joshua Tree to Death Valley- pre kids.


Road trip to Grand Canyon, Brice, and Yellowstone- pre kids.


 Around the country before the kids.
 

 Norway, Yosemite and some in between.

 Texas, Portland and some here and there.

 Return to Death Valley
 



 The last two years nearby and at Zion.

 And finally one of our more recent trips this January when there was still some snow left in the mountains.

For an amazing outdoor blog with kids check out this site: The Big Outdoors.

Shared on: More the Merrier Mondays, Eco-Kids Tuesday, Tuesdays with a Twist,  wildcrafting wednesday, Wildlife Wednesday, simple lives thursdays, HomeAcre Hop,  Back to Basics, small footprint family, Friday Nature Table, fresh eggs daily, Transformation Thursday, Thrifty Home,  Fresh Bites Friday, Wednesday Fresh Food,  Sunday Parenting Party, hip homeschool moms,  No Time for Flash Cards, Living Green Tuesday, Montessori Monday, Farm Girl Blog Fest,  Food Renegade, Eat Make Grow, Saturday Show and Tell, Kids in the Kitchen, Learning for Life, Mums Make Lists, 

10 Ways with Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard is kinda a give-away around here.  I've been growing it for 4 years now. 3 of those years it was all from the same 3 plants.  It grew and grew and stopped in the summers, then grew and grew more.  I cut it back, it came back.  Finally last fall, I wanted it out.  My friend from Small Footprint Family, suggested we take it out and put in a crop just for the winter season.  So, she had seeds and she put some in.  Now, there are about 12 plants, and we're feeding everyone with it.  Lots and lots of beautiful rainbow chard.

Sadly, I will probably pull these out, cut up the leaves, blanch, and freeze for the winter.  I did put in a new row of seeds along my tomatoes so hopefully they will grow.  If not, we will start again in the fall.

We've tried some of these, and some are on our "to make" list.  If you have any recipes you make, please, leave a comment and share with us. 

1. Sauteed  with onion and squeeze of lemon 
2. Sauteed with fried or poached egg (for breakfast)
3. Chard ravioli (use wanton wrappers for fast recipe), with ricotta and and pinch petter
4. Saute with shallot, pinch of sugar (palm or brown), and belachan (shrimp paste)
5. Cut into ribbons and added to dahl curry (yellow lentils with or without coconut milk)
6. Substitute or mix with cabbage for colcannon recipe.
7.  Cut into fine ribbons, stir fry on high heat with mix of turmeric, pinch salt, and handful of fresh grated coconut.  Mix till glossy and slightly wilted.
8. Substitute for Kale in Caldo Verde recipe with andouille sausage
9.  baby leaves in a salad with roasted beets and balsamic (with toasted walnuts or pecans)
10. substitute for lettuce wraps and roll tight like and egg roll.

Bonus: cut into strips and use in spring rolls along with other items.

Hope you get to try some or share your recipes or tips with us!

Thanks!

Shared on: More the Merrier Mondays, Tuesdays with a Twist,  wildcrafting wednesday, simple lives thursdays, HomeAcre Hop,  Back to Basics, small footprint family, fresh eggs daily, Transformation Thursday, Thrifty Home,  Fresh Bites Friday, Wednesday Fresh Food,  Sunday Parenting Party, hip homeschool moms,  Living Green Tuesday, Montessori Monday,  Food Renegade, Eat Make Grow, Kids in the Kitchen, Learning for Life, Mums Make Lists,