Pepper Jelly

 The only time I like it when my nose runs is when I'm eating something spicy.  I canned a batch of pepper jelly.  It is a sweet, heat combination.  My favorite way to eat it is on a flax seed cracker. 

The cool thing about this "hot" project is that it only cost about a dollar a jar to make.  I love a good deal!  Friends, eat well, live well, let your nose run a little and enjoy something hot today.

Oats on the Go

     Our mornings can be rushed and fast paced.  "Oats on the go" have been a great solution.  I put in a Mason Jar:

 cooked steel cut oats,

apples,

and milk

     This works out great for our breakfasts on the go.   I am loving the plastic lids that go on top of jars, to help with no spilling. 
     I hope this helps inspire you to not forget a healthy  breakfast.  Live well, eat well.

Roasted Veggies

      My daughter was so sweet with her pig, playing doctor.    When I talk about food with my kids I try to talk about balance and fueling our bodies.  I  keep thinking about how food is like medicine.  It can fuel our bodies, protect, heal.   
     Recently, I roasted cauliflower and broccoli with a dash of olive oil, on a high heat in the oven.  It was some of the best cauliflower I've had in a long time, crisp flavorful, not mush.  I added a dash of red pepper flakes for a kick.

I squeezed lemon over my veggies and noodles.  This dinner was so simple and easy to prepare.   Lately, for our family simple is good.  Embrace the simple things today.

Black Rice

     Black rice is my current favorite rice.  It is a little sweet a little nutty tasting and overall great for you.  The package I got at Costco says that it is "loaded with antioxidants, vitamins E and fiber. . .one serving has as many antioxidants as a single serving of cultivated blueberries."
     The first three times I served it to my kids, they were very unsure, skeptical, and verbally complained that I would serve such a strange thing.  They have accepted now that I'm going to keep cooking it, and now all eat it just fine.
     I cooked the rice with two cloves of garlic, minced.  When it cooled I added,
1 jalapeno
1 red pepper
1/2 c. corn
1/2 pound  ground sausage
Then I served the mixture in green peppers. 

    With the left overs, a few days later, I sauted garlic, onion and baby kale in the skillet then combined it with the rice mixture.  The flavors were yummy and the rice very filling. 
     I have had several people ask me where I get my kale.  I usually get it where other greens are sold, like spinach and collards.   Most recently, I noticed at Safeway, they have a baby kale in a plastic container.  It worked great for the above recipe. 
     Trying new things is intimidating for some.  I know for me I have learned to like kale because of the health benefits.

  Friends, live well, eat well.

End of Summer

Summer has faded and I am in full swing of planning meals, sports schedules and racing from event to event.  Motherhood is my marathon not a sprint.  I have found that the more I keep to a meal schedule the smoother our days go.  I must admit that I took a big break this summer from my  normal meal planning.  My husband noticed the hap hazard meals.  He said, " I think you took a vacation, when are you coming back?"  When I don't plan, I seem to have missing ingredient in the kitchen, get irritated and overall don't seem to get enough veggies into our meals.
     I really like to play  at the beach during the summer, which is a huge distraction from a routine.  I'm motivated, and  ready to go now.

    My three goals for this school year is to:
1.     Pack a variety of veggies and fruits into sack lunches
2.     Use less plastic bags
3.     Stick to the menu plan

     Celebrating my dads birthday with fresh produce from my brothers garden, sitting around a table with a bowl full of sweet cherry tomatoes is an ideal way to end the summer.

One of my personal goals for this blog is to include what I'm eating.  My hope is to encourage myself to be accountable and second to give you the reader ideas.
Today's menu:
Breakfast:  steel cut oats, raisins, coconut milk,
Snack:  half apple
Lunch:  black rice, stir fried kale, corn, zucchini with salsa
Snack:  carrots, almonds
Dinner:  whole wheat pasta, kale, green beans, sausage
Dessert: peach smoothie
Friends, eat well, live well.

Summer Basil

 I love to cook with fresh basil.  It makes my heart happy.  The above bruschetta is a simple yet elegant way to eat dinner.  The ingredients are simple.

Sourdough bread

4 Roma tomatoes

Feta

Grated Parmesan

Hand full of Fresh Basil

Sprinkle of salt and pepper

     For the past nine summers,  I make pesto and freeze it for the winter.  It is a tradition that is well worth the time and cash investment. The olive oil, almonds, lemon, Parmesan and fresh basil and garlic from the farmers market adds up to about 25 dollars.  Basil pesto for me, has awakening properties.  I feel better, think clearer, when smelling and tasting it.   I put it on

sandwiches,

pasta,

eggs, 

veggies,

and make lasagna and spinach enchiladas with it.

     I am thankful for basil!

Camping Rain and Shine



Priest Lake, Idaho



Using the "bear box" as a table.

I'm not sure why I feel like I need to take pictures when people are eating, but, I do. We camped at Priest Lake, Idaho and it rained almost the entire time. We stayed under blue tarps to avoid the lightening and rain.  What saved the trip for me is that we camped with eight other dear families and our kids had a wonderful time playing with their friends.
Our next camping was on Lake Roosevelt in Washington.  It was hot and this time our blue cover tent was for shade since the temperature was in the 90's.

 The water is my favorite place to be when it is hot.  I have a passion for swimming, more than any other form of exercise, swimming is at the top of my list.  We stayed by the water for eight hours. 

 It was great to sit and be with friends for the day.

  Camping and day trips take planning, team work, packing, unpacking, clean-up and much work for the parents, but my kids smiles filled with joy are worth all the work involved.  We ate watermelon at the end of the sun filled day.  I discovered that watermelon tastes so satisfying when you are hot.