tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64544408788325441572024-03-13T11:41:58.765-07:00Green Foodies GardenSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-44977259804392175922012-08-06T20:18:00.001-07:002012-08-06T20:18:11.410-07:00<br />
I had a thought today while I was driving to work. I have lost my imagination....I used to be able to come up with stories and poems with no effort. I still find it no effort to write essays for school but there is no imagination in doing that. Ever since a very good friend committed suicide I have been unable to put my feelings into my poetry and from then on I feel that life just continued to pile more and more responsibilities and depression on top of my imaginative core. I want to dig out my imagination though, for myself and for my kids sake.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-65000356553010453472012-07-05T08:05:00.003-07:002012-07-05T08:05:40.762-07:00I have been super busy lately with school, kids, work, etc. that I have no time for myself. I feel that needs to change though as I am starting to get physical side effects of constantly being busy like headaches and neck pain (that could also be from working on my computer doing school and reading textbooks...). <br />
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I have come to a few decisions and am putting them out there into the world so that I have to stand by them. It is one thing to tell my family (they don't believe I will do it) and another thing to tell perfect strangers. <br />
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I am going vegan to start, well I am calling myself and ethical vegan. I will eat meat and cheese from animals that were ethically raised and not industrially raised. I will eat game meat as it has had a free life and I will only eat eggs from free range chickens (they taste better anyways!). I am not giving up on meat and cheese, just taking a ethical stand against industrial farming. <br />
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Also I am going to start meditating and yoga, if I can find the time (come September I will have more time because all the kids go to school full day then..*tear* ). I was diagnosed with depression and social anxiety disorder in December after a particularly bad episode in which I feared I would hurt my children. I have been on medication ever since but I have a hard time with taking a pill to solve the problem especially since doctors cannot even explain how these things work or what the long term effects are. Plus I do feel that we are over diagnosing people these days but that is a whole other story. So I have been reading that meditation, mindfulness and yoga can help with managing mental illness. My hope is to get off the pills one day. <br />
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I will have a lot more recipes to post as I am doing the whole vegan thing. I have found and tried a few already but have not had the time to post them yet. <br />
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Other things of note, we are experiencing a heatwave here but I can't say I hate it. It is hard to breathe sometimes and I feel sorry for those that are working outside but I enjoy the heat. Also the garden is doing ok, the heat isn't great for it but we keep it watered and something has eaten all of my bok choy. <br />
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School is going really well, I am shocking myself because I never thought I would be able to do it but I am!<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-59395683806945383772012-03-21T06:49:00.002-07:002012-03-21T06:54:10.085-07:00Unseasonably WarmWe have been enjoying some unseasonably warm temperatures here in southern Ontario. I love it because it means a chance to get the gardens cleaned out, air out the house and sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. The kids have been having a great time outside as well. There is a new house going in next door so there is a huge pile of dirt that the kids have been having an amazing time playing on. I find I have been ignoring my school work more to be outside pruning, raking and planting. But can you blame me??Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-79622954776299286132012-02-27T09:46:00.002-08:002012-02-27T09:48:33.174-08:00Sorry for the lack of posting!I haven't posted in awhile. I want to post but it is something that gets put aside. Right now I am in the middle of full time university, as well as working two part time jobs. Plus the kids, the house, etc, etc, and everything I want to do gets put aside for everything I need to do.<br />So I am apologizing for the lack of posts. I hope soon I will have a bit more time!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-18820162107867758312012-01-07T07:15:00.000-08:002012-01-07T07:34:33.593-08:00Butternut Squash Mac and CheeseI have to admit I was skeptical of this one. I love having squashes on hand because they grow well in the garden and they keep forever but I hate making the same thing over and over again. I found this recipe on the Martha Stewart <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">website</span>. I am not a big fan of squash, so the thought of it in my mac and cheese was upsetting. But I LOVE this!!! There is no squash taste at all, the kids had no idea there was anything in it, I even tested this one out on my parents and siblings (all of whom are foodies as well). No one picked up on the squash! So here we go....<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />1 med butternut squash peeled, seeds removed and cut into chunks (the size of the chunks depends on you, the smaller you cut the faster it cooks but you need a good knife!)<br />1 1/2 cups of low sodium chicken stock (or vegetable stock if you want vegetarian)<br />1 1/2 cups of milk<br />pinch of nutmeg<br />pinch of cayenne<br />freshly ground black pepper<br />1 box of macaroni<br />(1 can of white kidney beans--I add this for extra fibre and protein but its optional)<br />1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded<br />1/2 cup of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Parmesan</span> cheese, shredded<br />(and 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tblsp</span> of breadcrumbs for the top but I never have baked this yet so I never add the topping)<br /><br />Directions:<br /><br />(If you are going to bake it, preheat the oven to 375 F)<br />Combine squash, milk and stock in a large sauce pan and heat on med-high until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer until the squash is tender and you can pierce it with a fork. Remove from heat and mash the contents. Stir in the nutmeg, cayenne and pepper. Set aside.<br /><br />Cook the macaroni to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">al</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">dente</span> or according the the instructions on the box.<br /><br />Drain the macaroni and transfer it to a large bowl, (open can of kidney beans, rinse and drain then place in bowl with macaroni), add shredded cheese to large bowl and mix in the butternut squash mash. Mix it all together.<br /><br />I find that the squash and macaroni are hot enough to melt the cheese and combine it nicely but if you want to bake it then you need to transfer it to a oven proof, greased dish and sprinkle it with the breadcrumbs and cover with foil. Put it in the oven and bake for 20 min, then remove foil and bake until the top is lightly browned and crisp about another 20-30 min.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-88209536492722979482011-10-14T10:19:00.000-07:002011-10-14T11:11:04.697-07:00Butternut Squash Barley RisottoI made this as a Thanksgiving side. It was delicious!! I did get the recipe from the Today's Parent Canada website. I did change a few things so that my vegetarian Grandmother could eat it so I write out my recipe and put the changes in brackets.<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />1 box (900 ml) of vegetable stock (or chicken stock)<br />1/2 cup white wine<br />1/2 cup water (or you can leave out the wine and just add another 1/2 cup of water instead)<br />1/4- 1/2 cup of water for baking sheet<br />4 cups of butternut squash mash (or cut into cubes)<br />1 tbsp butter<br />1 tbsp olive oil<br />(1 bay leaf)<br />1/2 tsp dried or fresh thyme<br />pepper to taste<br />1 cup grated <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Parmesan</span><br />1 cup pearl barley<br />1 cup finely chopped onion<br /><br />Directions:<br /><br />Preheat oven to 400F. Pour broth, wine and water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover until ready to use. You can steam your squash if you wish but we roasted ours. So cut the squash into half and place face down on a rimmed parchment lined baking sheet. Pour the 1/4 -1/2 cup of water onto the baking sheet and place in oven for about 25-35 min or until the flesh is tender (you test that by putting a fork through the skin, if it goes in easily it is done and if it doesn't slide in easily then it needs more time). Let the squash cool and peel the skin off. Cut into chunks or mash.<br />In another medium to large pot heat butter and oil and add onion. Cook until onion is tender then add half the broth mixture, barley and thyme. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for about 15 min, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid is absorbed. Ladle in another 1/2 cup of broth and stir frequently until most of the liquid is absorbed again. Continue repeating the adding the 1/2 cup of broth and stirring until the liquid is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">absorbed</span> until the barley is tender. Remove the bay leaf if you used it and add the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Parmesan</span> and the squash and stir it all in until the cheese is melted in.<br />Serve and enjoy!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-29899916641421200552011-10-10T05:32:00.000-07:002011-10-10T05:45:06.913-07:00Get Off Your Broom Challenge week 1So I haven't weighed myself lately. My starting weight is 219lbs, I would like to lose to at least 170lbs if not further. This week was a challenge, I have been working a lot, my husband lost his job and I have all kinds of midterms due for school. Stress! But the one thing I can say is I started walking/jogging. So even though my eating hasn't been the best I still have made a positive change.<br /><br />Also I am going to post about a butternut squash barley risotto I made on Sunday. It was yummy!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-1856165756082018772011-10-03T04:40:00.000-07:002011-10-03T04:47:33.076-07:00Day 3- Get off your broomI haven't really started yet. I work all weekend and it's hard to get into any sort of routine starting then. So today is sort of my official start. My goal is not only to change my eating habits and add more fitness but I would like to see my weight go down to 160-175lbs. I would be totally happy with that achievement.<br />The plan for today is to eat a good breakfast, lunch and dinner (not usually an issue) and then avoid eating anything after dinner (that's the big issue!!). I would like to get out and go for a walk today and not give excuses like it's cold or it's raining.<br /><br />So off I go to get ready for today, I wish all the ladies in this challenge every success!!!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-79351680579231127422011-09-30T12:55:00.001-07:002011-09-30T13:27:10.641-07:00Fitness challengeSo lately I got a notification about a new fitness challenge offered over at The Domestic Pagan blog (<a href="http://www.thedomesticpagan.com/">www.thedomesticpagan.com</a>). I thought it was really a fun idea and decided to join. It's called the "Get off your broom" fitness challenge.<br /><br />The blog owner, Julie, is taking her job as hostess of the challenge really seriously. She is going to be giving weekly mini challenges. Since this is the start her first challenge is take a "before" picture of yourself and take your measurements.<br /><br />So here is my photos, yuck.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lBtdCZ5-2zI/ToYjA6bVMeI/AAAAAAAAAFg/-LDWad6jfqc/s1600/Snapshot_20110930_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658248480428470754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lBtdCZ5-2zI/ToYjA6bVMeI/AAAAAAAAAFg/-LDWad6jfqc/s320/Snapshot_20110930_1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7k6gdAMtMus/ToYjAs--XkI/AAAAAAAAAFY/t_ioOLkn4gA/s1600/Snapshot_20110930.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658248476819873346" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7k6gdAMtMus/ToYjAs--XkI/AAAAAAAAAFY/t_ioOLkn4gA/s320/Snapshot_20110930.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br />Finally, my measurements.....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bust-41.5</div><br /><div>Waist- 40</div><br /><div>Hips- 49 </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My goals are to eat healthy. I don't want to follow a diet plan, I want to change my eating lifestyle. Also I would like to start running or at the very least working out more. I have done many diets in the past and found that if you follow them you will lose weight. My problem is a lot of time the limitations are not something I find sustainable. So I need to learn to eat moderately and healthy. The working out more would be part of an overall lifestyle overhaul. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So good luck to everyone involved, I hope we are all successful!<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-61577721126345125222011-08-08T13:26:00.000-07:002011-08-08T13:55:20.506-07:00Upside-down cakeI am all for easy. I hate recipes that take a long time and are complicated to execute. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> have the time or the patience. I will leave those recipes to the professionals.
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<br />So I was very happy to find this recipe in Food and Drink magazine. The original recipe is for plums and raspberries but I had lots of plums, apricots and blackberries from the garden to use. You will need a spring form pan for this recipe though.
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<br /><strong>Ingredients:</strong>
<br />1 1/4 sticks of room temperature unsalted butter
<br />1/3 cup of packed brown sugar
<br />6 medium apricots
<br />3 large plums
<br />1/2 pint of blackberries
<br /><em>(OR in the original recipe it calls for 6 medium plums and 1/2 pint of raspberries)</em>
<br />1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
<br />1 tsp of ground cinnamon
<br />3/4 tsp baking powder
<br />1/4 tsp baking soda
<br />1/4 tsp salt
<br />1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
<br />3/4 cup of granulated sugar
<br />1 tsp of vanilla extract
<br />3 large egg yolks
<br />1/2 cup of sour cream <em>(I used 2% yogurt instead)</em>
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<br /><strong>Directions:</strong>
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<br />Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease a round 8 1/2 inch by 2 1/2 inch spring form pan <em>(I believe mine was 9" by 3" and it worked too). </em>Line the greased pan with parchment paper. Melt two tablespoons of butter and pour into lined pan. Using a sieve, sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter. Cut the plums and apricots in half and remove the pit. Place the halves cut side down in the pan on top of the brown sugar. Squeeze in as many as possible to allow for shrinkage while baking. Fill in the gaps with the blackberries and set aside.
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<br />Sift flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt and baking powder together; set aside. With an electric mixer cream the remaining butter and the granulated sugar until well blended. Add in vanilla extract and mix. Add the egg yolks one at a time ensuring that you mix well after each addition. Add half of the flour mixture and mix until combined. Add in the sour cream <em>(or yogurt), </em>and mix. Then add the remaining flour mixture and blend.
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<br />Spoon the cake batter on top of the fruit in the pan and spread it evenly using a small spatula. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any juices and put it in the oven. Bake for 60-70 min, insert a toothpick into the cake to ensure the baking is done. If it comes out clean then remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Let cool for an hour. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen cake and invert on a serving plate.
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-65830318819516297052011-08-03T07:25:00.000-07:002011-08-03T09:16:22.021-07:00Easy Bread recipeI got this from the blog "Good Cheap Eats". Its a really quick and easy bread recipe that you can alter.<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />4 cups of flour (I used 2 of reg. flour and 2 of whole wheat)<br />3 tbsp sugar (I use organic cane sugar) + 1 tsp for the yeast<br />1 1/2 cups of water warmed (to 100F if you have a thermometer)<br />2 tbsp olive oil<br />1/2 tsp salt<br />1 pkg of yeast or 2 tsp from a jar (follow the directions to get the yeast active)<br /><br />** you can add herbs, dried fruit and nuts to this recipe easily<br /><br />Directions-<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">activate</span> the yeast following the directions on the label (this usually needs 10min to sit). Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. add olive oil and yeast (once its foaming). combine together until you have a nice <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dough ball</span>. cover the bowl with a moist towel and let sit in a warm spot for 30 min to proof. once proofed, knead the bread for about 5 min then<br />place in greased bread pan. Or just leave in a large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">boule</span> and cook as is. preheat oven to 350F and cook bread for about 30 min or until the crust is golden brown and the bottom is hardened.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-56505572633226313062011-07-05T07:16:00.000-07:002011-07-05T07:33:12.232-07:00Bean BruschettaMade this last night for a quick and easy dinner. I used my slow cooker but you could easily give it a quick bake in the oven as well. My kids loved it!<br /><br /><strong><em>Ingredients:</em></strong><br /><br />3 cans of beans (I used <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">romano</span>, kidney and black)<br />1 can of diced tomatoes<br />1 can of corn<br />2 onions diced<br />3 cloves of garlic diced<br />1 red pepper diced<br />a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">palmful</span> of fresh basil leaves chopped<br />1 tsp chili powder<br /><br />1 package of goat cheese (or any cheese you prefer)<br />salt and pepper to taste<br />1 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">italian</span> or french loaf of bread<br /><br /><strong><em>Directions:</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />Mix all the ingredients, except the cheese and bread, in the slow cooker or a oven proof dish. For the slow cooker, cook on low for 4-6 hours and in the oven cook at 350 F for 30 min. Cut your loaf in half lengthwise and lay on a baking sheet. Spread the bean mixture over the bread. Crumble the cheese over top and broil until bread and cheese are browning.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-31763872928736136722011-06-29T17:49:00.000-07:002011-06-29T18:13:28.460-07:00My trip to NewfoundlandNewfoundland is a place of harsh dramatic beauty. It is hard to believe that it is all real and that people actually live there. While in the summer it is beautiful and hospitable the trees that cling to the cliffs and the harsh lines of the rocky shores tell a different story. The hills and the houses that are built on them look quaint and charming but more then once I pondered how the people get out their door in the winter.<br /><br />Still I was awed by the immense hills that are a part of life in Newfoundland and I fell in love with the smell and the roar of the ocean. I was charmed by the hospitality of the people and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them speak and sing.<br /><br />I went through the Screeching in ceremony and am proud to call myself and honorary Newfoundlander. I had an amazing east coast experience in which we fished our own lobster fresh from the ocean then carried up the hill to the house and had it for dinner. I pushed myself through the grueling hike up Signal Hill but was rewarded with amazing vistas and on overall sense of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">accomplishment</span>. I have stood on the very eastern edge of North America and saw whales spouting.<br /><br />I will never forget my experience.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haBysBMha2s/TgvJbT7-Q2I/AAAAAAAAAFI/h2xO_ZeXfos/s1600/IMG_3762.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623810030747665250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haBysBMha2s/TgvJbT7-Q2I/AAAAAAAAAFI/h2xO_ZeXfos/s320/IMG_3762.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MZtnWY3O6I/TgvJaztYr-I/AAAAAAAAAFA/TneVXOeHg1E/s1600/IMG_3664.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623810022096547810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MZtnWY3O6I/TgvJaztYr-I/AAAAAAAAAFA/TneVXOeHg1E/s320/IMG_3664.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw9voxWM1Bw/TgvJZrBjS5I/AAAAAAAAAE4/afBQcEEVm0w/s1600/IMG_3651.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623810002585340818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw9voxWM1Bw/TgvJZrBjS5I/AAAAAAAAAE4/afBQcEEVm0w/s320/IMG_3651.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-41713287486160345432011-06-09T13:53:00.000-07:002011-06-09T15:17:59.761-07:00HotThe kids had their first soccer games this week. So CUTE!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLdh4_vh4u4/TfE3Io0iLPI/AAAAAAAAAEw/0w_mWzCKHAo/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616330831843962098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLdh4_vh4u4/TfE3Io0iLPI/AAAAAAAAAEw/0w_mWzCKHAo/s320/IMG_3527.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRU3MkxbrRI/TfE3IPWZFUI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZfaQE5au2jM/s1600/IMG_3534.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616330825006650690" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRU3MkxbrRI/TfE3IPWZFUI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZfaQE5au2jM/s320/IMG_3534.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>We have had tons of hummingbirds at our feeder. The kids love it because they can stand right under the feeder and the hummingbirds will still come to it.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hzspcW0PpFU/TfE3HqSkFRI/AAAAAAAAAEg/QZVYAH528JY/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 324px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616330815058482450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hzspcW0PpFU/TfE3HqSkFRI/AAAAAAAAAEg/QZVYAH528JY/s320/IMG_3502.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div>Not doing a lot of cooking lately. Tonight I am going to try the Tuna Melts that were posted on the blog Octoberfarm. It has been too hot to think of stoves and BBQ's. I just want to melt on my deck with a cold drink.</div><br /><br /><div>The garden seems to be doing well. My irises are in full bloom and look beautiful and the tomatoes and sugar peas are growing nicely in the garden. I keep looking for all the other seeds I planted to start sprouting but nothing is showing yet.</div><br /><br /><div>My neighbor brought my over a vase full of her peonies. They are so beautiful, they are white with a few fuscia petals in the middle. I sprayed my roses last night because I can see buds forming but I never get any roses because of aphids. So I figured this year I would get a jump on them and spray them before infestation.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-54660963318410315932011-05-28T16:33:00.000-07:002011-05-28T16:35:38.734-07:00My Kids<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Ju10I2ufxQ/TeGGXkT_FXI/AAAAAAAAAEM/th--KWQxw6k/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611914350122964338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Ju10I2ufxQ/TeGGXkT_FXI/AAAAAAAAAEM/th--KWQxw6k/s320/IMG_2457.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4ngVN0bLNY/TeGGXPvSH3I/AAAAAAAAAEE/gjzCrAx0VxQ/s1600/IMG_2321.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611914344600313714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4ngVN0bLNY/TeGGXPvSH3I/AAAAAAAAAEE/gjzCrAx0VxQ/s320/IMG_2321.JPG" /></a><br />LOVE THEM TO BITS!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-53682563192266347272011-05-25T05:23:00.000-07:002011-05-25T09:23:43.289-07:00Black Bean BrowniesI got the original recipe from the Reluctant Entertainer blog whom I think got it from Bush's beans. I, like usual, did my own thing and played with the recipe.<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />1 can of black beans<br />3/4 cup of whole wheat flour<br />1/3 cup of cocoa powder<br />1 tsp of baking powder<br />1/2 tsp of baking soda<br />1/2 cup of brown sugar (I used organic cane sugar)<br />1/4 cup of plain yogurt (I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">didn't</span> have any plain so I used sour cream)<br />1 tsp of vanilla<br />1 cup of unsweetened applesauce ( I used my grandma's applesauce and it is slightly sweetened)<br />1 cup of sour cherries (I used ones we had preserved from last year but it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">isn't</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">necessity</span>, <br />substitute chocolate chips or nuts or leave out entirely)<br />3/4 cup of bran -one of my additions- not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">necessary</span><br />2 tbsp of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">salba</span> - one of my additions- not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">necessary</span><br /><br />Directions:<br />Heat oven to 350F. Rinse the black beans and drain. Place the beans and applesauce in a food processor and process until a paste. In a large bowl add the flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda, mix well. Add the sugar and black bean/applesauce mash in and mix well. Add yogurt, vanilla and any other additions and mix well. Grease a 8 inch square pan and spread mixture in the pan. Cook for 25-30 min or until you can stick a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">toothpick</span> in the brownies and it comes out clean. Once cooled, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">refrigerate</span> the brownies.....I learned this the hard way and lost the last bit of my batch to mold.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-6929301005713843182011-05-19T10:31:00.001-07:002011-05-19T10:49:56.792-07:00Cooking for my kidsI like to cook but my cooking experiences were found in fine dining restaurants where butter and cream are used in everything. When I had kids my focus shifted to wholesome, well balanced meals with lots of vegetables. But this was difficult for me to achieve, I have three children, a boy of four and twin girls of three. My kids are only 16 months apart, I had three kids under the age of two when my daughters were born. On top of that I ran an in-home daycare, when the twins turned one, in which I accepted two more children into my home, one was only two and the other was three months. So at that time I had five kids under the age of three, it was a very busy time and finding the time to prepare and make dinner was almost impossible. So a lot of times we ended up eating <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">convenience</span> meals that all I needed to do was heat up. I felt terrible about this, I worked so hard to make sure my kids ate well all day, I switched all our cleaning materials to natural products, all of our personal care items became natural and we planted a vegetable garden, all to give our kids the best start and here I was giving them meals loaded in fat and sodium.<br /><br />To help myself feel better though and to make it so we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">weren't</span> wasting food, if I saw an item that was going off I would puree it up and freeze it in our ice cube trays. Spinach was a big one, I would buy the huge box of spinach and as it reached its best before date I would boil it all up, strain it then squish it into the ice cube trays. Cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini were all others that I pureed up on a regular basis. I also keep cans of beans around, flax seeds and ground flax. If I was cooking a can of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">spaghetti</span>-0's I would add two cubes of spinach and a few tablespoons of ground flax. Feeding the children macaroni and cheese, throw in a few cauliflower cubes, ground flax and white kidney beans. It really helped me to feel like I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wasn't</span> feeding the kids poorly.<br /><br />If you are a follower of my blog you will notice that the techniques I employed while the kids were younger still apply today. I am often "juicing up" recipes that I find to make them healthier for the kids. I cook a lot of vegetarian, the meat we buy if from a local farmer and is all pasture raised. I am experimenting with different grains and trying to make these meals quick as well as healthy. <br /><br />Today I tried black bean brownies, they are hardly sweetened except with a bit of cherries, applesauce and brown sugar. I added S<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">alba</span> and bran to the mix to bring up the fiber and to add Omega 3. They are cooking right now and smell really tasty. If it works out, I'll let you know!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-40930541565766761872011-05-19T10:18:00.000-07:002011-05-19T10:30:57.996-07:00Chili MeatloafGot this recipe from Canadian living. As per usual I juiced it up a little bit and took some short cuts. It is tasty!!!<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />1 onion diced<br />1 green pepper diced<br />2 garlic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">cloves</span> minced<br />1 egg<br />1/2 package of taco seasoning<br />1 lb of ground beef<br />1/2 cup of bread crumbs<br />1/2 cup of salsa<br />1 can of red kidney beans drained<br />1 cup of fresh spinach (or 1/2 cup of thawed, frozen spinach)<br />1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese<br /><br /><br />Directions:<br /><br />Put all the ingredients, except the cheese, in a large bowl and mix together well. Then place in a loaf pan (mine fit into two pans) or form into a loaf on a parchment lined baking sheet (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> use a cookie sheet or the grease will get all over your oven). Coat with the shredded cheese and bake at 350F for 50-60 min.<br /><br />I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">accidentally</span> poured too much salsa in (I hate measuring things) and mine is a bit runny......but SO tasty!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-20445448509879157352011-05-18T06:22:00.000-07:002011-05-18T06:31:42.188-07:00Rain, rain go away....We have had rain here for almost a week now. Fog and grey clouds, while I love the colour contrast with the bright green grass and new leaves, I ache to get out and finish the new garden I started digging. It has taken me longer to dig out then I thought because I have been trying to save the sod to put in some spots that the grass has a hard time growing and their are a whole heck of a lot of cedar roots from a hedge that used to be there.<br /><br />My husband also has tilled our vegetable garden but that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hasn't</span> been planted yet either because of all the rain. I cant really complain though because we have no issues with flooding like other parts of the country are experiencing.<br /><br />In my new garden I am going to be planting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">bergemot</span>, thyme, sage, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">chamomile</span>, yarrow, primrose, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">boneset</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">borage</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">feverfew</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">meadowsweet</span>. I already have some butterfly bushes and rose bushes in the area. I want to make a butterfly/sweet smelling/herbal healing garden. I eventually want to put a bench there and make it my quiet reading spot and I want to attract butterflies and bees to it as well. But I would like it to be functional also.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-89965814626564210492011-05-04T06:36:00.001-07:002011-05-04T06:45:45.297-07:00Spanish Barley SaladI love using barley, I find it so much more filling and healthy then rice. I also love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Spanish</span> flavors, especially this time of year when the weather is getting warmer. This meal is quick and easy!<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />2 cups of uncooked barley<br />1 can of black beans (drained)<br />1 can of corn <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">kernels</span> (drained)<br />1 red pepper diced<br />1 cup of diced cucumber<br />1 cup of cherry <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tomatoes</span> cut in half<br />1 small white onion diced<br />3 garlic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">cloves</span> minced<br />half a package of taco seasoning (I cheated because we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">didn't</span> have any cumin but instead you could do 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp of chili powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp of paprika)<br />2 tbsp olive oil (or any veg oil)<br />2 tbsp of lime juice<br />a few dashes of pepper<br />1/2 cup of chopped cilantro<br /><br />(for hot! add a diced jalapeno pepper)<br /><br />Directions:<br /><br />cook the barely as per the directions you have ( I make mine in my rice cooker but it takes like double the water then doing it in a pot). Mix all other ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well then add the barley (it can be warm still, it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">doesn't</span> affect the salad) and mix well again. Let sit of about 15 min to let the flavors really blend. Serve and enjoy!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-87358783474534108982011-05-03T05:48:00.000-07:002011-05-03T06:16:19.676-07:00Robins nesting on our deck<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EJY5zPEFVMA/Tb_7Ff8jyZI/AAAAAAAAAD8/txsjgmmlDiE/s1600/IMG_3453.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602472533365606802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EJY5zPEFVMA/Tb_7Ff8jyZI/AAAAAAAAAD8/txsjgmmlDiE/s320/IMG_3453.JPG" /></a> We have this lovely robins nest built on our deck. Its right outside our kitchen window. I had watched them build it and debated taking the plant holder down so that they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">couldn't</span> continue but the way I look at it the robins will only be here for about a month and its a great learning experience for the kids.<br />So I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">zip tied</span> the plant holder to the deck railing because just days before the first egg was laid we had a major wind storm that knocked the whole thing over. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wasn't</span> sure they would come back, but they did so I secured it this time to be safe.<br /><br />I think the kids are going to get a real kick out of watching this whole process and the best part is we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> have to disturb them at all we can watch from our kitchen.<br /><br /><div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-61117883695796373992011-04-26T10:20:00.001-07:002011-04-26T10:28:19.659-07:00The Royal WeddingI, like millions of others around the planet, will be tuning in to see Prince William marry his long time girlfriend Kate Middleton on Friday. It will be a busy day for me as it is also my twin daughters birthday and we as a family always try to do some special events on the kids birthdays with a party to follow on the weekend.<br /><br />As it gets closer and the media gets more hyped for the event I cant help but think about Kate. I know for myself how nervous I was on the day of my wedding. I was extremely happy but I had quite an upset tummy too from nerves. Kate has got to have nerves of steel for this event. I only had 150 people watching me get married.....not the millions expected to view this event. Also there will be comparisons abound, between Kate and Diana. She grew up in a middle class <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">home</span> so has not had the same practice in dealing with media and the public as William has. She has stood up well so far and I hope she can continue to maintain the poise she has shown so far. Even though this event is a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">worldwide</span> affair, I hope that Kate and William get to enjoy some of their wedding day in privacy. My thoughts will be with Kate on Friday and I hope she has a beautiful and magical day as every girls wedding should be.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-34101094962833878382011-04-15T06:03:00.001-07:002011-04-15T06:05:45.273-07:00My kidsMy children are my legacy. If I raise them with love, patience and compassion then they will learn love patience and compassion and be better people for it. I have these really profound moments sometimes that seem like common sense but sometimes things just really hit me, kind of like a gong being struck within me.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-42170147549556797792011-04-14T08:52:00.000-07:002011-04-14T09:08:08.252-07:00Finally we are ready...Whew, so after a lot of hard work, my gardens are ready to go! I have pruned all my fruit trees, roses, bushes, grapes and blackberries. I have raked all the debris and dead leaves from my lawn and garden and disposed of it all. The kids were a big help in loading the wheelbarrow and they attempted to help rake as well. I retied all my grapes and blackberries and am in the process of planning a new garden to move all my herbs too. We are planning on planting corn, sugar peas, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tomatoes</span>, spaghetti squash, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Casper</span> pumpkins, zucchini, beets and carrots this year in our vegetable garden. I am super excited to get it planted!! The kids and I did start sage and thyme in the house and my mother in law started the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tomatoes</span> in her house so as soon as we are frost free we are set to go! I am also hoping my brother will be around to give me a hand cleaning our gutters and I have a rain barrel that I need to finish for this year. I want to build stairs off our back deck now that the kids are older for easier access to our backyard. I also want to build a chicken tractor and get a few chickens this year for eggs. Big plans!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454440878832544157.post-24458492714875823112011-04-06T17:55:00.000-07:002011-04-06T18:07:08.665-07:00We think we knowI just had a brainstorm about humans. I think at times we like to think we know everything, that we have everything figured out. Then life, or Mother Nature throws us for a loop. I got this idea from watching a show on Mega Earthquakes that was on National Geographic channel. They were talking about cities being built in major quake zones and the steps being done to prevent major damage. They build sea walls and put shock absorbers in buildings but then life throws the curveball in the way of a 9.0 quake. I think the greatest they anticipated for was an 8.6. It made me think that life is full of these curveballs. One minute you are riding high thinking that you have your newborn all figured out and then they become toddlers or you finally get your dog housebroken and they start to run off because they are in heat. You are great at the job you are doing and then you are given a promotion and a whole new set of responsibilities. We humans are very adaptable and able to take these curveballs in stride for the most part. But sometimes they can be a huge struggle to overcome. My heart goes out to those that are struggling to overcome every day.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12095583107677140366noreply@blogger.com0