Hey, have you all been to Revolution Health? Did you know they just launched a section on Child Food Allergies? And they have guest bloggers? And that I'm one of them? Well, it's true! So go on over there, learn about food allergies, and leave some comments about how my post changed your life, or whatever. Consider it a birthday present to me.
In other news, the first classroom birthday party was held at school the other day, and Katherine reminded Teacher that she needed one of her special snacks from the freezer. She was so proud of herself. Go, Katherine!
Later on at lunchtime when she was cutting up her turkey burger, she shared this tidbit, "Remember, old country people used to cut up their meat."
True, that.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Last of the Summer Zucchini
I love zucchini. Alas, it is almost gone. So here are a few fun ways to use it up, most of which freeze well.
From Mary Hunt's Everyday Cheapskate column, here are her recipes for zucchini brownies and zucchini curry soup. I've altered them to be dairy free, of course.
Mary Hunt's Zucchini Brownies (dairy and egg free!)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups grated zucchini (Finely grated)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Frosting:
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup dairy-free margarine
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup plain soy milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt. Stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until brownies spring back when touched.
To make the frosting, melt the margarine and stir in 6 tablespoons cocoa. Set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners’ sugar, soy milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares. Yield: 24 brownies.
Nowheymama note: The brownies look a little weird, consistency wise because they have no egg in them. But they turn out just fine.
Mary Hunt's Zucchini Curry Soup
1 tablespoon dairy-free margarine
1 medium onion, chopped, about 1/2 cup
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 small carrot, shredded
2 medium zucchini, sliced or chopped, about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds
2 apples, peeled, diced
4 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 teaspoons curry powder, or to taste
salt, to taste
In a large saucepan, melt the dairy-free margarine over low heat. Sauté the onion, garlic and carrot slowly until onion begins to yellow. Add zucchini, diced apples, chicken broth and curry powder. Boil for 2 minutes.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Purée the hot soup by transferring to the blender in small batches. Return to the saucepan and add salt and pepper to taste. Servings: 4 to 6.
Nowheymama note: I might add more apple next time to make the soup even more kid-friendly. But the kids did eat it. Also, I just blended the soup in the pot with my immersion blender.
Have you been to the Animal, Vegetable, Miracle site? I have, and I cannot wait to get this book. (Perhaps for a birthday present....) Anyway, some of the recipes from the book are online, including one for Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies. Just use dairy-free margarine instead of butter and dairy-free chocolate chips, and you are all set!
Finally, the neighbor who gave me my zucchini bread recipe recommended covering the bread with foil for part of the baking time so that the top doesn't dry out. Hope that helps, Mommy Daisy!
The soup, cookies, and bread all freeze well. I haven't tried freezing the brownies yet. If I did, I would probably freeze them unfrosted and frost them after they thawed.
From Mary Hunt's Everyday Cheapskate column, here are her recipes for zucchini brownies and zucchini curry soup. I've altered them to be dairy free, of course.
Mary Hunt's Zucchini Brownies (dairy and egg free!)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups grated zucchini (Finely grated)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Frosting:
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup dairy-free margarine
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup plain soy milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt. Stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until brownies spring back when touched.
To make the frosting, melt the margarine and stir in 6 tablespoons cocoa. Set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners’ sugar, soy milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares. Yield: 24 brownies.
Nowheymama note: The brownies look a little weird, consistency wise because they have no egg in them. But they turn out just fine.
Mary Hunt's Zucchini Curry Soup
1 tablespoon dairy-free margarine
1 medium onion, chopped, about 1/2 cup
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 small carrot, shredded
2 medium zucchini, sliced or chopped, about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds
2 apples, peeled, diced
4 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 teaspoons curry powder, or to taste
salt, to taste
In a large saucepan, melt the dairy-free margarine over low heat. Sauté the onion, garlic and carrot slowly until onion begins to yellow. Add zucchini, diced apples, chicken broth and curry powder. Boil for 2 minutes.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Purée the hot soup by transferring to the blender in small batches. Return to the saucepan and add salt and pepper to taste. Servings: 4 to 6.
Nowheymama note: I might add more apple next time to make the soup even more kid-friendly. But the kids did eat it. Also, I just blended the soup in the pot with my immersion blender.
Have you been to the Animal, Vegetable, Miracle site? I have, and I cannot wait to get this book. (Perhaps for a birthday present....) Anyway, some of the recipes from the book are online, including one for Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies. Just use dairy-free margarine instead of butter and dairy-free chocolate chips, and you are all set!
Finally, the neighbor who gave me my zucchini bread recipe recommended covering the bread with foil for part of the baking time so that the top doesn't dry out. Hope that helps, Mommy Daisy!
The soup, cookies, and bread all freeze well. I haven't tried freezing the brownies yet. If I did, I would probably freeze them unfrosted and frost them after they thawed.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Poetry Friday
"September has come, it is hers
Whose vitality leaps in the autumn,
Whose nature prefers
Trees without leaves and a fire in the fire-place;
So I give her this month and the next
Though the whole of my year should be hers
who has rendered already
So many of its days intolerable or perplexed
But so many more so happy;
Who has left a scent on my life and left my walls
Dancing over and over with her shadow,
Whose hair is twined in all my waterfalls
And all of London littered with remembered
kisses."
--Louis MacNeice, from Autumn Journal
Whose vitality leaps in the autumn,
Whose nature prefers
Trees without leaves and a fire in the fire-place;
So I give her this month and the next
Though the whole of my year should be hers
who has rendered already
So many of its days intolerable or perplexed
But so many more so happy;
Who has left a scent on my life and left my walls
Dancing over and over with her shadow,
Whose hair is twined in all my waterfalls
And all of London littered with remembered
kisses."
--Louis MacNeice, from Autumn Journal
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Colds and Cookies
We've been celebrating the change in the weather by coming down with the cold + fever that Katherine brought home from school on Thursday. Daddy ran out to the store for supplies this weekend and came home with *gasp!* sugar cereal (or "dessert cereal" as it's known around here) as a special treat. I felt myself coming down with the cold on Sunday, so I dug out a cereal cookie recipe given to me by a lady from our church. Yesterday I pacified the children with the cookies while I lazed around on the couch. Yes, I know they have no nutritional value, but they got us through the day. Don't judge me.
Confetti Cookies
1 package of dairy-free yellow cake mix
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup water
1 egg
3 cups Fruity Pebbles
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the first four ingredients with a spoon until blended. Stir in the cereal. Drop by the teaspoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.
I can envision lots of variations of this recipe with different combinations of cake mixes and cereals.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Potluck Recipes
Thank you all so much for filling my virtual recipe box! I can't wait to start cooking.
Mommy Daisy's Mom's Chili
Alisa's Whole Wheat Bread
Beck's Gypsy Soup (adapted from a Moosewood Cookbook recipe)
Swistle's Soup
My Buddy Mimi's Chicken Pot Pie (adapted from an Alton Brown recipe)
Nowheymama's Aunt Ruth's Stew
If anyone else would like to share a recipe, please let me know and I'll add it to the list.
Added:
CAQuincy's "Mock" Roast*
*To make it dairy-free, substitute two packets of Road's End Organics Shiitake Mushroom Gravy Mix, prepared, for the cream of mushroom soup. I think that should work just fine.
Cerebral Palsy Baby's Southwestern Egg Rolls (from AllRecipes)*
* I would either leave out the Monterey Jack cheese or substitute Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese for it. We have trouble finding any other 100% dairy-free cheeses around here, and also Tofutti Cream Cheese is the one kind of dairy-free cheese Scott will eat! Because it is creamier than Monterey Jack, I might cut back the amount from 3/4 cup to 1/2 cup.
Mommy Daisy's Mom's Chili
Alisa's Whole Wheat Bread
Beck's Gypsy Soup (adapted from a Moosewood Cookbook recipe)
Swistle's Soup
My Buddy Mimi's Chicken Pot Pie (adapted from an Alton Brown recipe)
Nowheymama's Aunt Ruth's Stew
If anyone else would like to share a recipe, please let me know and I'll add it to the list.
Added:
CAQuincy's "Mock" Roast*
*To make it dairy-free, substitute two packets of Road's End Organics Shiitake Mushroom Gravy Mix, prepared, for the cream of mushroom soup. I think that should work just fine.
Cerebral Palsy Baby's Southwestern Egg Rolls (from AllRecipes)*
* I would either leave out the Monterey Jack cheese or substitute Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese for it. We have trouble finding any other 100% dairy-free cheeses around here, and also Tofutti Cream Cheese is the one kind of dairy-free cheese Scott will eat! Because it is creamier than Monterey Jack, I might cut back the amount from 3/4 cup to 1/2 cup.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Internet Potluck
It feels like fall here today, and I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some new recipes to feed my family. So let's have an Internet Potluck! Post a recipe in the comments section, email me one, or put one up on your blog. I'll collect them all later.
Bonus points if it's a dairy-free recipe or one that can be made dairy free. (Hints: if you usually top your casserole with cheese, I can leave it off. If you use butter and milk, I can use dairy-free margarine and soy milk. If your recipe is Pasta Alfredo or Cream of Chicken Sour Cream Potato Casserole, we might have a problem.)
I'll go first. This recipe is from my Aunt Ruth, and I don't know its real name. I made it all the time when I was pregnant with Katherine. In the summer. In Kentucky. Scott is an understanding man.
Aunt Ruth's Stew
Simmer together for two hours:
1/2 head of cabbage, cut in wedges
1 large can plum tomatoes, squished slightly with your fingers
1 large can sauerkraut
2 tablespoons caraway seeds
3-4 peeled and cubed potatoes
4 pork chops*
1 package Polish sausage*
1 package kielbasa*
Serve in bowls. If you really want to carbo pack you can serve it over mashed potatoes, as Ruth does.
* I try to dial down the fat content by using lowfat sausages and boneless pork chops.
Bonus points if it's a dairy-free recipe or one that can be made dairy free. (Hints: if you usually top your casserole with cheese, I can leave it off. If you use butter and milk, I can use dairy-free margarine and soy milk. If your recipe is Pasta Alfredo or Cream of Chicken Sour Cream Potato Casserole, we might have a problem.)
I'll go first. This recipe is from my Aunt Ruth, and I don't know its real name. I made it all the time when I was pregnant with Katherine. In the summer. In Kentucky. Scott is an understanding man.
Aunt Ruth's Stew
Simmer together for two hours:
1/2 head of cabbage, cut in wedges
1 large can plum tomatoes, squished slightly with your fingers
1 large can sauerkraut
2 tablespoons caraway seeds
3-4 peeled and cubed potatoes
4 pork chops*
1 package Polish sausage*
1 package kielbasa*
Serve in bowls. If you really want to carbo pack you can serve it over mashed potatoes, as Ruth does.
* I try to dial down the fat content by using lowfat sausages and boneless pork chops.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Monday Mission and Some News
And so the Monday Missions begin again.
What I Did On My Summer Vacation, lazy list format:
Threw bridal showers
Went to a reunion
Was a Matron of Honor
Went on vacation
Threw a Star Wars birthday party
Plotted Katherine's safe entrance into public school
Gestated*
* I had my 20/21 week ultrasound today. Everything is fine, and... it's a GIRL! Now, on to planning room arrangements and looking at tiny pink clothes....
What I Did On My Summer Vacation, lazy list format:
Threw bridal showers
Went to a reunion
Was a Matron of Honor
Went on vacation
Threw a Star Wars birthday party
Plotted Katherine's safe entrance into public school
Gestated*
* I had my 20/21 week ultrasound today. Everything is fine, and... it's a GIRL! Now, on to planning room arrangements and looking at tiny pink clothes....
Friday, September 07, 2007
Schooled
Nowheymama is happy to present Katherine's first week of school, the semi-condensed version.
August 29: Met with Katherine's teacher, the Kindergarten secretary (our school district has a Kindergarten-only center), and the school district nurse (one nurse for five school buildings spread across town). Was less than pleased when the nurse said, "It's so nice to meet you," and I had to remind her that we've met. And spoken on the phone. Several times. Although Nurse had initially been the most helpful (as compared to Principal, who was absent from the meeting, and Superintendent's office), in this meeting she was obstructionist. She was concerned about the medications (Benadryl, TwinJect, and hydrocortisone) being in the classroom. Teacher wanted them in the classroom and was fine with it.
Nurse: "I just don't want to have to create a new policy for first grade, second grade and so on. I think whatever we do this year should be the policy from now on."
Nowheymama: "Yes, that's why the medication needs to be in the classroom as her doctor stated in his letter, the original copy of which you should have in Katherine's file."
(Don't mess with a protective mama and her raging pregnancy hormones, lady.)
Nurse "introduced" me to FAAN and remarked on how helpful their information is. "This document lists all of the stages of reaction you were just talking about, Mrs. Hatfield!" You don't say. I agreed that they are quite helpful, and hopefully did not express inner sarcasm.
Teacher was totally on my wavelength and was suggesting things before I could. I will go on all field trips. I will help with all classroom parties/activities. I will provide foods for K. to have during birthday parties, etc. Teacher will leave a note taped to her desk detailing K's allergy for any substitute teachers, and Secretary knows the treatment procedures, as does the teacher in the next classroom. Teacher encouraged me to call anytime and assured me she will do the same. I leave the meeting feeling hopeful.
August 30: Katherine and I attend Kindergarten orientation, which has been shortened to 45 minutes from its usual 90-minute length. I give Teacher K's box of meds, turn in the FAAN Food Allergy sheet to Nurse, and get clearance forms from Secretary. The chaos of the event worries me a bit, and I decide to speak with Teacher the next morning before school when I drop off K. Today is also K's sixth birthday. Apparently, we are "redshirting." Who knew? But I say this: her birthday is close to the cutoff date, and I wanted her to have another year to learn about her allergy before we sent her to school. Her understanding has increased so much. She sometimes even double-checks if something has dairy when I give it to her. This breaks my heart, but it also makes me so proud. This is what parents want: independent, free-thinking children who know how to care for themselves.
September 4: Scott and I drop off Katherine for her first day of school. After leaving her in the bus hall, I give the dairy-free snacks and my clearance forms to Secretary. I ask to read the labels on the crackers and pretzels Teacher keeps in her room. Secretary can't find them, so we go find Teacher, who tells me the brands. (They are fine.) Teacher asks what she can give Katherine for a reward instead of M&Ms. We agree on Skittles. I express concern about food on the bus that will take K. home. Secretary says she will call the transportation office. I tell Teacher that there are students from K's preschool in her class, and I worry that their parents might say something is safe for K. when it is not.
Teacher: "They think they understand."
Nowheymama: "Yes."
Teacher: "I will only listen to you."
Teacher reiterates that she will be calling me often, and I say call anytime.
I go home and spend Eli's naptime making a wreath (a wreath!) for the front door because I can't concentrate on anything else.
Katherine comes home on the school bus (We're letting her ride home because it's Kindergarten students only on a "van," otherwise known as a "short bus.") I reiterate the information about her allergy to her bus driver, who replies that he doesn't allow any food on his bus. Period.
Katherine loves school, she had a great time, and they had cookies for a special treat. "All the other kids had a different kind, but I had one of the special ones you sent, Mama. And guess what? I didn't feel itchy at all, all day!" Whew.
September 5, 6, 7: School continues to go well with Katherine eating only the snack I send for her each day. She loves school and wants Daddy to take her "as early as we can go" every morning. Eli is not adjusting so well. He can't wait to greet his sister as she gets off the bus, and was very angry with her the first day of school. As they almost never fight, we were surprised to see him haul off and hit her. I explained to a tearful Katherine that this was his way of saying he missed her and was sad that she left to go to school. He's gotten better each day.
So, the first week of school went well. I hope the rest of the year goes as smoothly.
August 29: Met with Katherine's teacher, the Kindergarten secretary (our school district has a Kindergarten-only center), and the school district nurse (one nurse for five school buildings spread across town). Was less than pleased when the nurse said, "It's so nice to meet you," and I had to remind her that we've met. And spoken on the phone. Several times. Although Nurse had initially been the most helpful (as compared to Principal, who was absent from the meeting, and Superintendent's office), in this meeting she was obstructionist. She was concerned about the medications (Benadryl, TwinJect, and hydrocortisone) being in the classroom. Teacher wanted them in the classroom and was fine with it.
Nurse: "I just don't want to have to create a new policy for first grade, second grade and so on. I think whatever we do this year should be the policy from now on."
Nowheymama: "Yes, that's why the medication needs to be in the classroom as her doctor stated in his letter, the original copy of which you should have in Katherine's file."
(Don't mess with a protective mama and her raging pregnancy hormones, lady.)
Nurse "introduced" me to FAAN and remarked on how helpful their information is. "This document lists all of the stages of reaction you were just talking about, Mrs. Hatfield!" You don't say. I agreed that they are quite helpful, and hopefully did not express inner sarcasm.
Teacher was totally on my wavelength and was suggesting things before I could. I will go on all field trips. I will help with all classroom parties/activities. I will provide foods for K. to have during birthday parties, etc. Teacher will leave a note taped to her desk detailing K's allergy for any substitute teachers, and Secretary knows the treatment procedures, as does the teacher in the next classroom. Teacher encouraged me to call anytime and assured me she will do the same. I leave the meeting feeling hopeful.
August 30: Katherine and I attend Kindergarten orientation, which has been shortened to 45 minutes from its usual 90-minute length. I give Teacher K's box of meds, turn in the FAAN Food Allergy sheet to Nurse, and get clearance forms from Secretary. The chaos of the event worries me a bit, and I decide to speak with Teacher the next morning before school when I drop off K. Today is also K's sixth birthday. Apparently, we are "redshirting." Who knew? But I say this: her birthday is close to the cutoff date, and I wanted her to have another year to learn about her allergy before we sent her to school. Her understanding has increased so much. She sometimes even double-checks if something has dairy when I give it to her. This breaks my heart, but it also makes me so proud. This is what parents want: independent, free-thinking children who know how to care for themselves.
September 4: Scott and I drop off Katherine for her first day of school. After leaving her in the bus hall, I give the dairy-free snacks and my clearance forms to Secretary. I ask to read the labels on the crackers and pretzels Teacher keeps in her room. Secretary can't find them, so we go find Teacher, who tells me the brands. (They are fine.) Teacher asks what she can give Katherine for a reward instead of M&Ms. We agree on Skittles. I express concern about food on the bus that will take K. home. Secretary says she will call the transportation office. I tell Teacher that there are students from K's preschool in her class, and I worry that their parents might say something is safe for K. when it is not.
Teacher: "They think they understand."
Nowheymama: "Yes."
Teacher: "I will only listen to you."
Teacher reiterates that she will be calling me often, and I say call anytime.
I go home and spend Eli's naptime making a wreath (a wreath!) for the front door because I can't concentrate on anything else.
Katherine comes home on the school bus (We're letting her ride home because it's Kindergarten students only on a "van," otherwise known as a "short bus.") I reiterate the information about her allergy to her bus driver, who replies that he doesn't allow any food on his bus. Period.
Katherine loves school, she had a great time, and they had cookies for a special treat. "All the other kids had a different kind, but I had one of the special ones you sent, Mama. And guess what? I didn't feel itchy at all, all day!" Whew.
September 5, 6, 7: School continues to go well with Katherine eating only the snack I send for her each day. She loves school and wants Daddy to take her "as early as we can go" every morning. Eli is not adjusting so well. He can't wait to greet his sister as she gets off the bus, and was very angry with her the first day of school. As they almost never fight, we were surprised to see him haul off and hit her. I explained to a tearful Katherine that this was his way of saying he missed her and was sad that she left to go to school. He's gotten better each day.
So, the first week of school went well. I hope the rest of the year goes as smoothly.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Middle Name Meme
In honor of Beck's birthday, I will finally do the meme she tagged me with. With which she tagged me.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3. When you are tagged, you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
My middle name is Jane. (Sarah Jane! Bet you never heard that name before.) I am the seventh-generation Jane on my mom's side of the family. Katherine is the eighth.
J - Just. Just went to Katherine's Kindergarten orientation yesterday. On Wednesday, I met with the nurse, the school secretary, and K's teacher to discuss her allergy and the importance of all of the medications being in the classroom. I am working on a longer post about this, but overall, everything went well.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3. When you are tagged, you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
My middle name is Jane. (Sarah Jane! Bet you never heard that name before.) I am the seventh-generation Jane on my mom's side of the family. Katherine is the eighth.
J - Just. Just went to Katherine's Kindergarten orientation yesterday. On Wednesday, I met with the nurse, the school secretary, and K's teacher to discuss her allergy and the importance of all of the medications being in the classroom. I am working on a longer post about this, but overall, everything went well.
A- Anxious. I am still anxious about her being at school, though. There are just so many variables and accidents that could happen. It is difficult to have faith that everything will be fine.
N- Nose. Eli keeps beeping my nose, complete with sound effects. "Bweep!"
E- Eating. I am eating my breakfast off of Katherine's new tea set, in the company of K and her Felicity doll. Very dainty. Now K. is playing her new Nintendo DS game. She is a woman of many interests.
So, let's see, for J-A-N-E I will tag Janelle, Alisa, A Garden of Nna Moy, and He Can't Eat That. (Cut me some slack, I didn't have enough blogs beginning with the right letters.)
N- Nose. Eli keeps beeping my nose, complete with sound effects. "Bweep!"
E- Eating. I am eating my breakfast off of Katherine's new tea set, in the company of K and her Felicity doll. Very dainty. Now K. is playing her new Nintendo DS game. She is a woman of many interests.
So, let's see, for J-A-N-E I will tag Janelle, Alisa, A Garden of Nna Moy, and He Can't Eat That. (Cut me some slack, I didn't have enough blogs beginning with the right letters.)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Happy Sixth Birthday
How is it that you are six?
What a perfect birthday. Your first school bus ride, a tour of your new school, and meeting your teachers and classmates. Then, dinner with your family and your grandparents: your favorite pizza (bacon, no cheese) and Daddy's pineapple upside-down cake, followed by water "tea" in your new tea set.
Happy Birthday, Baby.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Low-Cost, Dairy-Free Star Wars Birthday Party
Invitations: Printed on our computer using a picture of R2-D2.
Menu:
Chicken Light Sabers (Schwan's chicken fries)
Carrot Light Sabers (baby carrots)
Strawberry Grenades (hulled strawberries)
Pretzel Light Sabers (pretzel rods)
Popsicle Light Sabers (freezer pops)
Yoda Cake (Daddy found the cake decoration on Ebay. Mama baked the cake.)
Beverages:
Ice Water, and some Horrible Blue Drink from W@lMart that the birthday girl tried at preschool (in April!) and decided she wanted for her birthday. She remembered, too.
Activities:
Star Wars coloring pages
Playing outside
Pin the staff on Yoda--The staffs were cut out of a paper grocery bag. The kids were blindfolded and stuck the staffs on with Scotch tape.
Treat Bags:
Lunch bags decorated with Star Wars clip art, containing
88-cent light-up swords from W@lMart
Luke and Leia paper dolls
Glow in the dark bracelets
May the Force be with you.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Ginger Peach Muffins
"What I am is a person with a love of peaches, a fear of botulism, and a chest freezer in my garage." --Catherine Newman
Ginger Peach Muffins
3 cups flour (white, wheat, or a blend)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup canola oil
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups sugar
3 cups peaches, peeled, pitted, and chopped
2 tablespoons crystallized ginger, chopped
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease or line 24 muffin cups.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the oil, eggs, and sugar. Stir the oil mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Fold in the peaches and ginger. Spoon into the prepared muffin tins. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool the muffins in the pans for a few minutes before placing them on wire racks to cool completely. Makes 24 muffins.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Ashland, NH Area Travel Guide
Planning a trip to New Hampshire? Here are a few places we like to visit.
My mom grew up spending her summers on Lake Winnipesaukee, between Center Harbor and Meredith. When my sister and I were growing up, we always spent our vacation at the family "camp" on the lake. Sadly, the camp had to be sold about ten years ago. But, my aunt now has a great house on Little Squam Lake, so we are able to bring the kids to the same area where we spent our summers.
Squam Bridge in Ashland, NH
Little Squam Lake is also known as Golden Pond because it's where On Golden Pond was filmed.
Ashland is a great town with a very active Historical Society. We were able to attend their annual lobster dinner fundraiser. They were kind enough to have hot dogs and hamburgers available for children and/or those who can't eat shellfish.
I would also like to give a special mention to the Village Pizza & Grill in Ashland. We went there for lunch one day, and the service was amazingly helpful and friendly. Katherine and Eli split a cheese-free bacon pizza and an order of pasta with sauce. All the staff was very careful and understanding, and there was no cross-contamination of ingredients. Plus, the food was excellent. Katherine ate four pieces of pizza, a personal record.
Just a few miles down the road is the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, NH.
We had never been there before, and it is amazing. They have all kinds of native NH animals that have been injured and are living in natural habitats while they recover. The black bears, bald eagles, and bobcats were our favorites.
The Old Country Store
The Old Country Store in Moultonborough, NH, has always been the rainy-day place to take the kids. Penny candy! Weird old machinery in the museum! More candy! While the price has risen to two cents per piece of candy, it's still fun, and there are plenty of dairy-free candies available to choose from.
Weirs Beach
Usually we spend one evening at Weirs Beach playing games at the arcades on the boardwalk. Our favorites are Whack-a-Mole, Skeeball, and the ancient Dodge City Shooting Gallery. We also stopped at the Hart's Slush stand for some dairy-free frozen goodness.
Rein's Deli
Another family tradition is to stop at Rein's Deli (Warning: the site plays music) in Vernon, CT, on the drives to and from NH. They, too, are excellent about dairy-free orders. Katherine likes their turkey breast on a plain bagel with a side of plain Cape Cod potato chips. I just wish I could get her to try their fantastic dill pickles!
We had a wonderful time. It's a great place to vacation!
My mom grew up spending her summers on Lake Winnipesaukee, between Center Harbor and Meredith. When my sister and I were growing up, we always spent our vacation at the family "camp" on the lake. Sadly, the camp had to be sold about ten years ago. But, my aunt now has a great house on Little Squam Lake, so we are able to bring the kids to the same area where we spent our summers.
Squam Bridge in Ashland, NH
Little Squam Lake is also known as Golden Pond because it's where On Golden Pond was filmed.
Ashland is a great town with a very active Historical Society. We were able to attend their annual lobster dinner fundraiser. They were kind enough to have hot dogs and hamburgers available for children and/or those who can't eat shellfish.
I would also like to give a special mention to the Village Pizza & Grill in Ashland. We went there for lunch one day, and the service was amazingly helpful and friendly. Katherine and Eli split a cheese-free bacon pizza and an order of pasta with sauce. All the staff was very careful and understanding, and there was no cross-contamination of ingredients. Plus, the food was excellent. Katherine ate four pieces of pizza, a personal record.
Just a few miles down the road is the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, NH.
We had never been there before, and it is amazing. They have all kinds of native NH animals that have been injured and are living in natural habitats while they recover. The black bears, bald eagles, and bobcats were our favorites.
The Old Country Store
The Old Country Store in Moultonborough, NH, has always been the rainy-day place to take the kids. Penny candy! Weird old machinery in the museum! More candy! While the price has risen to two cents per piece of candy, it's still fun, and there are plenty of dairy-free candies available to choose from.
Weirs Beach
Usually we spend one evening at Weirs Beach playing games at the arcades on the boardwalk. Our favorites are Whack-a-Mole, Skeeball, and the ancient Dodge City Shooting Gallery. We also stopped at the Hart's Slush stand for some dairy-free frozen goodness.
Rein's Deli
Another family tradition is to stop at Rein's Deli (Warning: the site plays music) in Vernon, CT, on the drives to and from NH. They, too, are excellent about dairy-free orders. Katherine likes their turkey breast on a plain bagel with a side of plain Cape Cod potato chips. I just wish I could get her to try their fantastic dill pickles!
We had a wonderful time. It's a great place to vacation!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Emily and Jarred...
... are married! The wedding is over (as are the two family reunions, the three bridal showers, and the endless visits from out-of-town relatives, etc.), and we survived. A big thank you to Dotty the seamstress who let out the seams in the baby-belly area so effortlessly.
Now, the Hatfields are going on vacation in New Hampshire. I can't wait to sit on the beach by the lake and do NOTHING.
I've missed all of you, and I look forward to catching up when I return. Have a great week!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Non-Post and Baby Names
(Thanks for the idea, Bubandpie!)
It is raining here, Eli has some sort of stomach virus, and every single thing I look at in our house is a nagging reminder of something I should be doing. I doubt that the arrival of my Harry Potter book is going to help.
We've had all summer to read the twenty books for the summer reading program, and now there is just one week left. I don't think that reading eight books to your kindergartner in one sitting so that she can get some prizes is what the librarians had in mind.
The RSVP date for my sister's wedding has come and gone, and approximately half of the invitees haven't responded. What is that?
Sara is entering her office's bake-off with this recipe today. Hope she wins big!
Katherine is sitting at our dining table painting in a paint-with-water book of animals right now, and she just asked. "What's that critter?" You can take the girl out of Kentucky.... (It was a skunk, by the way.)
Let's talk about baby names some more. Swistle took my question and turned it into a post that received 59 comments! She can totally spin blogging gold out of straw.
As I mentioned, we always have an easy time with girl names. We already have a girl name for this baby, which probably guarantees that it's a boy. I am circling back around to a boy name I have loved since before Katherine was born. (We weren't able to find out if she was a girl or boy.) It is a family name, not commonly used, and one of a very small number of names that Scott and I agree upon. However. Here in our small town, it is also the name of the son of a prominent citizen. This boy is well-known and not... well-liked. Granted, there will be about a 10-year age difference between him and our possibly-male, hypothetically-named child, but, will people hear the name and have a negative association? Will they wonder why we chose the same name? What do you think?
It is raining here, Eli has some sort of stomach virus, and every single thing I look at in our house is a nagging reminder of something I should be doing. I doubt that the arrival of my Harry Potter book is going to help.
We've had all summer to read the twenty books for the summer reading program, and now there is just one week left. I don't think that reading eight books to your kindergartner in one sitting so that she can get some prizes is what the librarians had in mind.
The RSVP date for my sister's wedding has come and gone, and approximately half of the invitees haven't responded. What is that?
Sara is entering her office's bake-off with this recipe today. Hope she wins big!
Katherine is sitting at our dining table painting in a paint-with-water book of animals right now, and she just asked. "What's that critter?" You can take the girl out of Kentucky.... (It was a skunk, by the way.)
Let's talk about baby names some more. Swistle took my question and turned it into a post that received 59 comments! She can totally spin blogging gold out of straw.
As I mentioned, we always have an easy time with girl names. We already have a girl name for this baby, which probably guarantees that it's a boy. I am circling back around to a boy name I have loved since before Katherine was born. (We weren't able to find out if she was a girl or boy.) It is a family name, not commonly used, and one of a very small number of names that Scott and I agree upon. However. Here in our small town, it is also the name of the son of a prominent citizen. This boy is well-known and not... well-liked. Granted, there will be about a 10-year age difference between him and our possibly-male, hypothetically-named child, but, will people hear the name and have a negative association? Will they wonder why we chose the same name? What do you think?
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Eight Things
Theflyingmum tagged me for the 8 Things Meme forever ago. I lifted the rules from her, and she got them from Beck. And so it goes.
A. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.
B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
I will tag Alisa, for when she starts a personal blog, and whoever else might be reading this who hasn't already done this meme. Although I am probably the end of the chain.
A. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.
B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
- I am left handed.
- I have been asked to be a product reviewer for Go Dairy Free by the wonderful Alisa. Unfortunately, no one in my family cares for the first product I am reviewing. I promised myself that I would not put up a new post until I finished the review and published it. Ahem.
- I am very, very good at rationalizing and procrastinating.
- The air conditioner in our new-to-us minivan quit halfway across Ohio on our trip to Kentucky. We drove for four hours in 90-plus-degree weather with no A/C and the windows rolled down. Scott and I were miserable, but the kids thought it was fun. They rode along with their arms up over their heads like they were on a roller coaster. They are a happy people.
- Our souvenir from Kentucky is a new $800 compressor for our van's A/C.
- Yesterday, my OB told me I should be finished with morning sickness by now. I am not.
- Scott and I always have an easy time selecting girl names and a difficult time with boy names. Why is that?
- This is what I look like, about seven weeks pregnant, throwing my sister a bridal shower with my friends and neighbors Heather and Renee. Heather is in the blue shirt, and Renee is taking the photo.
I will tag Alisa, for when she starts a personal blog, and whoever else might be reading this who hasn't already done this meme. Although I am probably the end of the chain.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Anniversary
If you get married on a national holiday (like, say, The Fourth of July):
The Wild Rose
Sometimes hidden from me
in daily custom and in trust,
so that I live by you unaware
as by the beating of my heart.
Suddenly you flare in my sight,
a wild rose blooming at the edge
of thicket, grace and light
where yesterday was only shade,
and once again I am blessed, choosing
again what I chose before.
--Wendell Berry
Happy Fourth of July!
Edited to add: We are on our way to Scott's family reunion in Salt Lick, KY. See you all here Tuesday when we return.
- It is easy to remember your anniversary
- You will always have the day off from work
- There will always be fun events, like fireworks, to attend
- You will spend the day with family
- You will never have a romantic evening out on your actual anniversary
- You will often spend your anniversary on the road
- Your traditional anniversary dinner will feature hot dogs and marshmallows
- You will spend the day with family
The Wild Rose
Sometimes hidden from me
in daily custom and in trust,
so that I live by you unaware
as by the beating of my heart.
Suddenly you flare in my sight,
a wild rose blooming at the edge
of thicket, grace and light
where yesterday was only shade,
and once again I am blessed, choosing
again what I chose before.
--Wendell Berry
Happy Fourth of July!
Edited to add: We are on our way to Scott's family reunion in Salt Lick, KY. See you all here Tuesday when we return.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Peanuts: Cookies and Baby
Here I am! Barely beating the cookie challenge deadline! Whew! I made my favorite four-ingredient cookies, which I wrote about here. But I'll post the recipe again exactly as I made it today.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups dairy-free chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix peanut butter, sugar, and eggs in a bowl with a wooden spoon until blended. Add salt if needed. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until cookie bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
And here's a first photo of Baby Peanut. You know, just because.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Bridal Shower Report
Wanna talk about wedding stuff? Oh, good!
Thank you all so much for all of your bridal shower game suggestions! At the shower I hosted for my sister, we played this Martha Stewart game that Theflyingmum found for me. Each person wrote an abbreviation of their relationship to Emily, the bride, under their name on their nametags. (I opted for MOH - Matron of Honor, instead of SOB - Sister of Bride.) There were no prizes handed out for it; we just used it as a get-to-know-you game since there were so many people who didn't know each other.
The second game we played was given to me by my friend, Heather. Each table had a flower centerpiece with a poem placed next to it. The poem was passed from one woman to another after each line. ("Emily and Jarred, what a wonderful pair/Give this to the woman with the longest hair." Etc.) The last line of the poem was about whose anniversary is closest to the wedding date. That person got to take the centerpiece home for her prize.
In the invitations, we asked everyone to bring a favorite recipe and a spice or seasoning from the recipe for Emily to stock her recipe file and spice rack. We had planned to play a third game where we'd list the spices and people would have to guess what the corresponding recipe was. We ran out of time, though.
The favors were little packets of coffee, cocoa, and tea, since the wedding has a coffee theme. Everything was done in Emily's colors, pink and dark brown. The menu was quick breads, baked oatmeal, fruit trays, ham and egg cups, and tea cakes. We had coffee, iced tea with mint, orange juice, and water for the beverages.
The egg cups recipe is from Scholastic Parent & Child magazine, and the tea cakes recipe is from American Girl Tiny Treats.
That's right, I get all of my cutting-edge culinary ideas from children's resources. While I did bake the ham and egg cups, my friend Renee made all of the tea cakes. Because she is a saint, and also crazy. The cakes are made from Oreos (No dairy! So healthy!), and she used dairy-free frosting and decorations. (No, I didn't let Katherine eat the espresso beans, even though they, too, are dairy free.)
Ham-n-Egg Cups (from Scholastic Parent & Child magazine, April 2007 issue)
nonstick cooking spray
4-inch square slices of deli ham*
1/2-inch thick slices plum tomato
large eggs
[salt and pepper - added by me]
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the cups of a regular-sized muffin tin with cooking spray. For each serving, lay one slice of ham over a muffin cup, place a tomato slice in the center of the ham and gently press down to insert into cup. [Salt and pepper the tomato slice.] Pour contents of one egg on top of each serving. Place pan in oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the egg yolk is cooked to your liking. Remove from oven and allow to cool for one minute. Using a spoon or spatula, lift each egg cup from the muffin tin and serve. [I served them on a bed of chives, to look like flowers and their stems.]
*Be careful about what type of ham you buy, as some varieties have dairy filler. Also, if you have the ham sliced at the deli, make sure they wipe down the slicer so there aren't any traces of dairy left from the last item.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Surprise
So, what's up with you? Me? Nothing. Just summer stuff, wedding stuff...oh yeah, and a surprise pregnancy.
Yep. Due date January 26, 2008. That's one week before Eli's second birthday. Mostly I am excited, but I'm also very nervous. My sister and I are nine and a half years apart. Katherine and Eli are four and a half years apart. I don't know how this two-year spacing is going to work. This is what I get for saying, "I don't know how they do it!" about friends with closely-spaced children. Now I get to find out for myself. We've always wanted three children, but my timeline and God's were a bit different. Ah, well. It will all work out.
Although my mother had a dream that I was pregnant with twin boys, we found out yesterday that there is just one Baby Peanut on the way. Scott went out and bought a minivan this weekend, so now he feels ready. "We'll all fit in this house, and we'll all fit in this van." Katherine is hoping for a sister. I pointed out to her that I never had a brother, and she does, and she said, "Maybe Grandma and Grandad will have another baby so you can have a brother, Mama!"
We talked some more about how the baby could be a boy or a girl, and she said, "But either way, it'll be my baby!"
Eli keeps patting my (already pooching) tummy saying, "Bay-bay? Bay-BAY!"
Anyway, I'm sorry I haven't been writing as much or commenting as much, but it's been hard to keep this a secret. I'd want to write about Go Dairy Free or cookie recipes, but my brain was making my hands type "BABYBABYBABYPREGNANTPREGNANTPREGNANT!!!"
I think, like many other bloggers, I am finding that summer is a not-so-much-blogging time. But I'll try to write more frequently now that my secret is out.
Now if I can just cram myself into my bridesmaid dress on August fourth....
Monday, June 18, 2007
Rhubarb
I got a fabulous digital camera for my Mother's Day present, and I am just now, on Father's Day weekend, figuring it out. We had a wonderful day yesterday, lots of good food and fun with family. We made Rhubarb Dump Cake for Daddy, a very easy, very kids-in-the-kitchen-friendly recipe. If you want to learn more about rhubarb (and who doesn't?) , I recommend this site.
This recipe was given to me by Mrs. Taylor, our favorite farm stand owner. I scribbled it in pencil on the back of a church bulletin that was in the car. Two years later, that is still how it is filed in my recipes.
Rhubarb Dump Cake
2 cups rhubarb, chopped
1 package (4-serving size) raspberry gelatin
1 package yellow, dairy-free cake mix
1/2 cup dairy-free margarine, melted
1 cup water
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9 inch pan. Spread the rhubarb in the pan. Sprinkle the gelatin on top of the rhubarb and the cake mix on top of the gelatin. Pour the margarine over the cake mix and the water over the margarine. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Zucchini Bread
Yay, summer! Yay, Farmers' Market!
Zucchini Bread
1 cup canola oil
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 cups sugar
2 cups white flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 t. salt
2 t. baking soda
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
2 cups grated zucchini
*1-2 cups raisins, nuts, or dairy-free chocolate chips, optional
Blend together oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Add remaining dry ingredients. Stir in zucchini and optional ingredients. Spread into two loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees one hour or until done. I am told this bread freezes well, but it has never made it to the freezer in our house.
Zucchini Bread
1 cup canola oil
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 cups sugar
2 cups white flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 t. salt
2 t. baking soda
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
2 cups grated zucchini
*1-2 cups raisins, nuts, or dairy-free chocolate chips, optional
Blend together oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Add remaining dry ingredients. Stir in zucchini and optional ingredients. Spread into two loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees one hour or until done. I am told this bread freezes well, but it has never made it to the freezer in our house.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Monday Mission: Travel Guide
Theflyingmum asked me to participate in this week's Monday Mission. Happy to participate!
Significant other on a business trip? Come enjoy a relaxing, four-night, five-day stay in Leftbehindville. Your days will begin with young children (ages five and under) jumping on your bed and asking, "Where's Daddy?" They will happily repeat this service every morning of your stay. After a leisurely breakfast of corn flakes and soy milk, the day is yours to fill however you see fit. Some options include: dragging young children on errands, scouring the neighborhood for other children to entertain yours, and making a special trip to the duck pond to wade through duck and goose feces while the children whine that they want to play at the playground instead. (In case of emergency, head directly to Showtime Video.)
You can expect your spouse to place at least two calls a day from Florida to tell you all about his trip, his visit to Epcot, and last night's steak dinner. But he's not the only one with a swanky meal plan! You will have everything in the kitchen cupboards at your disposal, as well as takeout choices: pizza or Chinese.
Your evenings will be filled with the tears of children who miss their father and don't want to go to bed. Put them to bed anyway; your two best friends are on their way over with a chocolate pie. But after the pie, it's straight to bed for you! Only four more days to go!
Significant other on a business trip? Come enjoy a relaxing, four-night, five-day stay in Leftbehindville. Your days will begin with young children (ages five and under) jumping on your bed and asking, "Where's Daddy?" They will happily repeat this service every morning of your stay. After a leisurely breakfast of corn flakes and soy milk, the day is yours to fill however you see fit. Some options include: dragging young children on errands, scouring the neighborhood for other children to entertain yours, and making a special trip to the duck pond to wade through duck and goose feces while the children whine that they want to play at the playground instead. (In case of emergency, head directly to Showtime Video.)
You can expect your spouse to place at least two calls a day from Florida to tell you all about his trip, his visit to Epcot, and last night's steak dinner. But he's not the only one with a swanky meal plan! You will have everything in the kitchen cupboards at your disposal, as well as takeout choices: pizza or Chinese.
Your evenings will be filled with the tears of children who miss their father and don't want to go to bed. Put them to bed anyway; your two best friends are on their way over with a chocolate pie. But after the pie, it's straight to bed for you! Only four more days to go!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
O' Henry Bars
O' Henry Bars
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup dairy-free margarine
4 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup Karo syrup
3 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
2/3 cup chunky peanut butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the margarine and sugar together. Add the oatmeal, syrup, and vanilla and mix. Pat into a jelly roll pan or cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Cool completely. Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together. Spread this mixture on top of the oatmeal layer and let cool. Cut into bars.
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup dairy-free margarine
4 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup Karo syrup
3 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
2/3 cup chunky peanut butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the margarine and sugar together. Add the oatmeal, syrup, and vanilla and mix. Pat into a jelly roll pan or cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Cool completely. Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together. Spread this mixture on top of the oatmeal layer and let cool. Cut into bars.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The Flu and Cemeteries
I do not recommend celebrating Memorial Day weekend with a bout of stomach flu sweeping through your family. Try to avoid doing that, if at all possible. Also, the stomach flu and blogging do not mix. Tell your friends.
I do recommend learning more about graveyard gardening as a possible summertime activity for all of you gardeners. There was an article in our local paper yesterday called, "Reconsidering Cemeteries as Public Gardens." The article says that "a movement is afoot to go beyond one day a year [Memorial Day] of decoration. As cities become more crowded, urban graveyards across America are reevaluated. Their potential as public gardens...cannot be denied.... Those who long to cultivate floral beauty but lack their own space or funds may find these public places an ideal opportunity to gather, plant and socialize in the process." The article also pointed out that cemeteries are full of rare, old rose and bulb varieties.
The New Hampshire Old Graveyard Association has information on improving conditions at your local historic cemetery. Another site to check out is Saving Graves. I've always been fascinated by old cemeteries, and this seems like a neat way to take care of them and do some fun gardening at the same time.
P.S. I'm in for June 4th's Monday Mission.
I do recommend learning more about graveyard gardening as a possible summertime activity for all of you gardeners. There was an article in our local paper yesterday called, "Reconsidering Cemeteries as Public Gardens." The article says that "a movement is afoot to go beyond one day a year [Memorial Day] of decoration. As cities become more crowded, urban graveyards across America are reevaluated. Their potential as public gardens...cannot be denied.... Those who long to cultivate floral beauty but lack their own space or funds may find these public places an ideal opportunity to gather, plant and socialize in the process." The article also pointed out that cemeteries are full of rare, old rose and bulb varieties.
The New Hampshire Old Graveyard Association has information on improving conditions at your local historic cemetery. Another site to check out is Saving Graves. I've always been fascinated by old cemeteries, and this seems like a neat way to take care of them and do some fun gardening at the same time.
P.S. I'm in for June 4th's Monday Mission.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Bridal Shower Games?
I would like to jump on Swistle's bridal-themed bandwagon and ask, do you know any good bridal shower games? And by "good" I mean:
- They do not draw an uncomfortable amount of attention to the bride
- They are easy and low key
- They are good for a wide age range of people
- They do not involve toilet paper
Thursday, May 17, 2007
On Friendship
In honor of Food Allergy Week, I'd like to thank a few people.
Thank you to Katherine's classmates, who are careful with their milk and who like to bring in snacks that everyone in class can eat. As one of Katherine's friends told her mother, "I'm not having any treats for my birthday that Katherine can't have. That's not fair."
Thank you to the kids who attend children's church with Katherine, and who tell every new teacher, "Katherine can't have dairy. You can't give her those cheese crackers." (A special thank you to our minister's children. Their parents can't eat dairy, either, and those kids are some of the best label readers we know.)
Thank you to the parents who invite Katherine to parties and run out and buy soy ice cream and dairy-free cake mixes, even after I tell them that I'm happy to bring those items myself. One of my friends said to me, "I just don't think the mother should have to do extra work every time her daughter is invited to a party." (Of course I wouldn't mind, but I do so appreciate the thought.)
Thank you to our neighbors, who are so careful with Katherine, and to their children, who oh-so-patiently smile and nod at me as I ask them to wash their hands after eating dairy. "We know, Miss Sarah, because it makes Katherine sick."
Thanks to you all.
Friday, May 11, 2007
No-Stir Risotto
Surprise Mom with a fancy, and very easy, Mother's Day risotto.
Italian Sausage Risotto (adapted from a John Pisto recipe)
1-1.25 lbs. sweet Italian turkey sausage
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup sweet onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup carrot shreds
1 cup arborio rice
1 cup dry red wine
2 cups beef broth (sometimes I use dairy-free beef bouillon)
salt and pepper
Take the sausage out of the casings and brown it in a Dutch oven or large pot. Remove the sausage and set it aside. Saute the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots in olive oil in the pot until tender. Add the sausage, arborio rice, wine, and beef broth to the pot. Stir together and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and turn the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, until the rice is tender. No peeking! Salt and pepper to taste.
Italian Sausage Risotto (adapted from a John Pisto recipe)
1-1.25 lbs. sweet Italian turkey sausage
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup sweet onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup carrot shreds
1 cup arborio rice
1 cup dry red wine
2 cups beef broth (sometimes I use dairy-free beef bouillon)
salt and pepper
Take the sausage out of the casings and brown it in a Dutch oven or large pot. Remove the sausage and set it aside. Saute the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots in olive oil in the pot until tender. Add the sausage, arborio rice, wine, and beef broth to the pot. Stir together and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and turn the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, until the rice is tender. No peeking! Salt and pepper to taste.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Radio Station KFKD
I spent the better part of the week listening to Radio Station KFKD* because I was being considered for one of those "Power of Food" segments on the Food Network. I was passed up, which feels a bit like being one of the twelve Homecoming Court nominees and being escorted by a soccer player in front of the entire student body while, Mrs. Gilson, the health teacher and tennis coach, announces your name, who you are the daughter of, and what activities you're involved in. Then you sit onstage in a rickety folding chair while Mrs. G. belts out "Cow Patti" or some other obnoxious novelty song and you try to figure out how much to smile. Sure, it's uncomfortable, but you might end up being one of the half dozen Court members and get to wear a fugly sateen dress. Why you want this honor isn't exactly clear, you just do. Then you don't get chosen and, although you have a much better time at the dance then the Court members do, you still feel a little sad.
Yeah, it feels like that.
How about a drink?
Mint Sauce
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
14 mint sprigs, crushed
Bring the sugar and water to a boil and cook for several minutes until thickened. Remove from the heat. Add the lemon juice and mint and steep for five minutes. Strain out the mint leaves. Refrigerate and use a teaspoon or two in iced tea. Or in a mint julep. Or maybe a mojito? Let me know.
*"If you are not careful, station KFKD will play in your head twenty-four hours a day, nonstop, in stereo. Out of the right speaker in your inner ear will come the endless stream of self-aggrandizement, the recitation of one's specialness, of how much more open and gifted and brilliant and knowing and misunderstood and humble one is. Out of the left speaker will be the rap songs of self-loathing, the lists of all the things one doesn't do well, of all the mistakes one has made today and over an entire lifetime, the doubt, the assertion that everything one touches turns to shit, that one doesn't do relationships well, that one is in every way a fraud, incapable of selfless love, that one has no talent or insight, and on and on and on." --Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Yeah, it feels like that.
How about a drink?
Mint Sauce
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
14 mint sprigs, crushed
Bring the sugar and water to a boil and cook for several minutes until thickened. Remove from the heat. Add the lemon juice and mint and steep for five minutes. Strain out the mint leaves. Refrigerate and use a teaspoon or two in iced tea. Or in a mint julep. Or maybe a mojito? Let me know.
*"If you are not careful, station KFKD will play in your head twenty-four hours a day, nonstop, in stereo. Out of the right speaker in your inner ear will come the endless stream of self-aggrandizement, the recitation of one's specialness, of how much more open and gifted and brilliant and knowing and misunderstood and humble one is. Out of the left speaker will be the rap songs of self-loathing, the lists of all the things one doesn't do well, of all the mistakes one has made today and over an entire lifetime, the doubt, the assertion that everything one touches turns to shit, that one doesn't do relationships well, that one is in every way a fraud, incapable of selfless love, that one has no talent or insight, and on and on and on." --Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Friday, May 04, 2007
Colic Solved?
There is an interview with Bryan Vartabedian, M.D., in the newest issue of Wondertime magazine where he talks about colic and his new book, Colic Solved.
He believes that colic is a "wastebasket term that's used when we can't explain what's going on inside a baby."
He says, "Initially, I started out to write a book that tells parents about gastroesophageal reflux and milk protein allergies. But it became evident that parents of kids who have GERD or milk protein allergy are very often perceived as having colic.
The 'solved' part of it discusses the changes that have occurred over the past 50 years since colic was first described. What was once a mysterious condition can, in many cases, be explained."
Vartabedian goes on to say, "...in my practice, between acid reflux disease and milk protein allergy, probably 60 percent of the kids I evaluate for inexplicable irritability are ultimately found to have one of those two problems."
Vartabedian makes sure to point out that not all babies diagnosed with colic have an allergy or GERD: "There are adults who are cranky at the end of the day, or are bothered by lights and sounds. But we don't give babies the same latitude. We expect them all to be, you know, placid, cherubic little creatures what just do exactly what we want them to do. Expectations are very important in this regard."
As someone whose child was diagnosed with colic and was later found to have a milk protein allergy, I found this article to be a very interesting read. It is a long interview, but I'd recommend reading it when you have a few minutes. I'd love to hear what other parents whose babies were diagnosed with colic think about his findings.
He believes that colic is a "wastebasket term that's used when we can't explain what's going on inside a baby."
He says, "Initially, I started out to write a book that tells parents about gastroesophageal reflux and milk protein allergies. But it became evident that parents of kids who have GERD or milk protein allergy are very often perceived as having colic.
The 'solved' part of it discusses the changes that have occurred over the past 50 years since colic was first described. What was once a mysterious condition can, in many cases, be explained."
Vartabedian goes on to say, "...in my practice, between acid reflux disease and milk protein allergy, probably 60 percent of the kids I evaluate for inexplicable irritability are ultimately found to have one of those two problems."
Vartabedian makes sure to point out that not all babies diagnosed with colic have an allergy or GERD: "There are adults who are cranky at the end of the day, or are bothered by lights and sounds. But we don't give babies the same latitude. We expect them all to be, you know, placid, cherubic little creatures what just do exactly what we want them to do. Expectations are very important in this regard."
As someone whose child was diagnosed with colic and was later found to have a milk protein allergy, I found this article to be a very interesting read. It is a long interview, but I'd recommend reading it when you have a few minutes. I'd love to hear what other parents whose babies were diagnosed with colic think about his findings.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Conversations
Thank you to The Goldfish and Lady Bracknell for allowing me to participate in Blogging Against Disablism Day. Thank you to Katherine's School District and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for classifying her as disabled so that I could participate.
Conversation I:
[Whispered]"Is she still...you know?"
"I'm sorry?"
[Eye roll, head jerk directed at my daughter, whisper] "Is she still...allergic to dairy?"
[Normal tone] "Yep, Katherine is still allergic to dairy."
[Looking horrified at me for speaking so loudly with K. in the room] "Do they think she'll grow out of it?"
[Louder] "No one really knows."
[Head shake, whisper] "That must be so hard for you."
Conversation II:
"No, Katherine can't eat that baked good/cracker/ice cream/pizza. We brought some of these snacks for her instead."
[Sympathetic head tilt] "This must be so hard for you, Sarah. [Adult-speaking-to-child squat] Katherine, I'm so sorry you can't have these delicious foods. You are so good to eat what you brought."
I don't want Katherine to think that her food allergy is something that needs to be spoken about in whispers or is something for just Mama to worry about. Her allergy is a fact of life, and she needs to know how to manage it for those times when I cannot be there. Also, while I am proud of her five-year-old self and how well she handles being in situations where there is no safe food for her, I don't think she needs to be treated as if she's making some big sacrifice. She is learning not to eat foods that could kill her. That does not deserve pity; it deserves admiration, respect, and support. As for me, keeping my daughter safe and healthy is not a chore; it is a privilege. I'm so glad this smart, strong girl is ours to care for.
I don't quite know where the next year will take us, what we will do if Katherine's school refuses to let us keep her EpiPen and Benadryl in the classroom. I don't quite know how I feel about allergen-free lunchroom tables (Safety or segregation? Or both?). I want her to be safe, and I want her to experience everything at school. I hope those wishes aren't mutually exclusive.
Conversation I:
[Whispered]"Is she still...you know?"
"I'm sorry?"
[Eye roll, head jerk directed at my daughter, whisper] "Is she still...allergic to dairy?"
[Normal tone] "Yep, Katherine is still allergic to dairy."
[Looking horrified at me for speaking so loudly with K. in the room] "Do they think she'll grow out of it?"
[Louder] "No one really knows."
[Head shake, whisper] "That must be so hard for you."
Conversation II:
"No, Katherine can't eat that baked good/cracker/ice cream/pizza. We brought some of these snacks for her instead."
[Sympathetic head tilt] "This must be so hard for you, Sarah. [Adult-speaking-to-child squat] Katherine, I'm so sorry you can't have these delicious foods. You are so good to eat what you brought."
I don't want Katherine to think that her food allergy is something that needs to be spoken about in whispers or is something for just Mama to worry about. Her allergy is a fact of life, and she needs to know how to manage it for those times when I cannot be there. Also, while I am proud of her five-year-old self and how well she handles being in situations where there is no safe food for her, I don't think she needs to be treated as if she's making some big sacrifice. She is learning not to eat foods that could kill her. That does not deserve pity; it deserves admiration, respect, and support. As for me, keeping my daughter safe and healthy is not a chore; it is a privilege. I'm so glad this smart, strong girl is ours to care for.
I don't quite know where the next year will take us, what we will do if Katherine's school refuses to let us keep her EpiPen and Benadryl in the classroom. I don't quite know how I feel about allergen-free lunchroom tables (Safety or segregation? Or both?). I want her to be safe, and I want her to experience everything at school. I hope those wishes aren't mutually exclusive.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Food Allergy Parade
Parade magazine ran an article on food allergies this weekend. There wasn't much new information, but I did think it was well-written and informative for those who may not know much about food allergies, especially food allergies and children. What did you think about it?
Friday, April 27, 2007
Splendid, Indeed
Last night, Miss Katherine and I had a "just us" date. Eli got to be spoiled by Gramma and Grandad all evening, and Scott... Scott was at work helping freshmen register for their sophomore fall semester. So, almost everyone had a good time.
K. and I went to our community library to see author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom. Her book, A Splendid Friend, Indeed, is this year's Pennsylvania One Book Every Child selection. And she was here! In our little library! She read A Splendid Friend, Indeed, along with her book The Bus For Us. She drew a picture of a dragon and then gave it to the library, and she showed some of her current artwork, as well as drawings she made as a child. ("Because her mother saved her drawings!" my mom commented later. Nothing like reinforcing my family's pack-rat tendencies.)
She was so engaging and such a wonderful speaker, the kids felt comfortable at once and eagerly participated. But I think their parents were even more excited. After her talk was over, we purchased copies of A Splendid Friend, Indeed for Katherine, Eli, and our neighbor-friends who weren't able to come. Ms. Bloom asked Katherine to spell her name, which she did, and then she spelled Eli's as well. ("Why does my name have nine letters and Eli's only has three?")
So now we have another autographed book to add to our small collection (see below), to read and remember the night we met the lovely woman who made this story.
P.S. I would also recommend last year's One Book Every Child selection, Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse, and not just because Katherine's Grandad read it to her storytime group.
K. and I went to our community library to see author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom. Her book, A Splendid Friend, Indeed, is this year's Pennsylvania One Book Every Child selection. And she was here! In our little library! She read A Splendid Friend, Indeed, along with her book The Bus For Us. She drew a picture of a dragon and then gave it to the library, and she showed some of her current artwork, as well as drawings she made as a child. ("Because her mother saved her drawings!" my mom commented later. Nothing like reinforcing my family's pack-rat tendencies.)
She was so engaging and such a wonderful speaker, the kids felt comfortable at once and eagerly participated. But I think their parents were even more excited. After her talk was over, we purchased copies of A Splendid Friend, Indeed for Katherine, Eli, and our neighbor-friends who weren't able to come. Ms. Bloom asked Katherine to spell her name, which she did, and then she spelled Eli's as well. ("Why does my name have nine letters and Eli's only has three?")
So now we have another autographed book to add to our small collection (see below), to read and remember the night we met the lovely woman who made this story.
P.S. I would also recommend last year's One Book Every Child selection, Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse, and not just because Katherine's Grandad read it to her storytime group.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Safe
As Katherine, Eli, and I sat on an old mattress in the basement last night, watching tornado warnings on TV and calling Scott to make sure he was safe at work, I was thinking: "This is a pain. I hope we all stay safe. When will Scott be home? How am I going to get them back to sleep? Please keep us safe."
Safe. We all want to keep our children safe. Sadly, we cannot. There are things we can't control. So we pray. We kiss our kids at night. We do what we can.
Katherine's kindergarten registration packet arrived at our house a few weeks ago, bringing with it all my worries and fears about her safety in public school. She wants to go, we want her to go, but the bottom line is that I won't send her if a few things don't change.
What things? I'm so glad I imagined you asked!
According to the superintendent's administrative assistant, our school district has no formal policies regarding food allergic children. I found this out when I called the superintendent's office and asked. As far as I can tell, this means that every family of an allergic child gets to start from square one with the administration. Since there are no policies specific to allergic children, I have had to brush up on Section 504 of federal law and Chapter 15 of Pennsylvania law. (Thanks to my friend Andrea, who has a son with Asperger's syndrome and who knows a lot about this) To paraphrase, poorly, Katherine's allergy is considered a disability. If her doctor writes a letter or prescription stating her medical needs, by law the school district needs to find a way to accommodate that. I did not want to walk in the door of the kindergarten building with my legal guns blazing, but I did want to know what I was talking about.
The superintendent had the elementary school principal call me back. Our conversation centered on snacks, and she told me this: "Kindergartners arrive at school with snacks sent by their parents, but if the teacher deems the snack 'unhealthy,' the teacher may replace it with a 'healthy' food item of her choice. You know, like if a kid brings in junk food, the teacher will give her peanut butter and cheese crackers instead."
............I'm sorry, did you just say peanut butter (which is another issue) and cheese crackers?!?!?!? After I just spent 10 minutes explaining that my daughter can't be near dairy?
Please bear in mind that I will continue to do what I always do, namely provide Katherine's teacher with a stash of graham crackers, fruit snacks, etc. I'm not asking anyone else to do so, I just want to guarantee that those are the foods she will be given should I ever send an "unhealthy" snack.
Speaking of snacks I provide, I'm prepared to go zero tolerance on birthday parties and give Katherine's teacher a stash of dairy-free cupcakes and other treats to use in those situations. Just please tell me that those are what will be used.
I am also concerned about crafts and projects. Counting M&Ms during math time and using Goldfish crackers to make a picture of the ocean are not viable activities for my daughter. So let's agree that her teacher will let me know about these projects so I can provide an alternative.
I left messages for the school nurse and for the school nutritionist. The school nutritionist was very nice and very helpful, however, her work concerns the cafeterias, not the classrooms, and Katherine will not be in a cafeteria until next year. At that time, the nutritionist said she would be happy to make a cafeteria safety plan with us, she said that I am welcome to the nutritional information in her office at any time, and she even volunteered to sit in on this year's meeting to make sure we're all on the same page. I wanted to hug her.
Next came the school nurse. My number one concern is that they do not want to keep Katherine's medications in her classroom. We are talking about a lifesaving first aid device to be used in a medical emergency. I am not asking that her teacher dispense her daily dose of vitamins. (Although, while we're at it, the teachers can't give out band-aids, but they can dispense fluoride to students?) The point I have made to everyone who will listen is that we want her to experience public school, but it is not worth her life. There is one (1) school nurse for the entire school district. A district that contains five (5) separate school buildings. ALL MEDICATIONS are kept in the nurse's locked office. Nurse, to me: "I can be at the kindergarten building in five (5) minutes. Unless there's a train." (Train tracks run through our town.) Me, to Nurse: "She could be dead by then." The nurse told me about the Chapter 15 agreement, too, and told me that Katherine's doctor needed to be specific about the amount of time between a contact with an allergen and the need for medicine.
Katherine has an amazing understanding of her allergy. She is very, very careful. But mistakes happen. It is hard for a five-year-old to understand that some pretzels are safe and some are not, some crackers are safe and some are not. It is even harder for her fellow students to understand. Medication needs to be available in the classroom in case of an accident.
I have given the doctor's written directions ("Significant milk allergy. Patient needs immediate proximity of Benadryl/Epi-Pen because of anaphylaxis.") to the school nurse, and she and the principal are going to meet with me and with Katherine's teacher in August to compose the Chapter 15 Agreement. (We won't know who her teacher is until then.) I hope it goes well, otherwise I'll be spending August learning about homeschooling.
Also, several state senators and representatives are trying to pass laws enabling students to self-carry medication. I hope these laws are enacted soon.
Safe. We all want to keep our children safe. Sadly, we cannot. There are things we can't control. So we pray. We kiss our kids at night. We do what we can.
Katherine's kindergarten registration packet arrived at our house a few weeks ago, bringing with it all my worries and fears about her safety in public school. She wants to go, we want her to go, but the bottom line is that I won't send her if a few things don't change.
What things? I'm so glad I imagined you asked!
According to the superintendent's administrative assistant, our school district has no formal policies regarding food allergic children. I found this out when I called the superintendent's office and asked. As far as I can tell, this means that every family of an allergic child gets to start from square one with the administration. Since there are no policies specific to allergic children, I have had to brush up on Section 504 of federal law and Chapter 15 of Pennsylvania law. (Thanks to my friend Andrea, who has a son with Asperger's syndrome and who knows a lot about this) To paraphrase, poorly, Katherine's allergy is considered a disability. If her doctor writes a letter or prescription stating her medical needs, by law the school district needs to find a way to accommodate that. I did not want to walk in the door of the kindergarten building with my legal guns blazing, but I did want to know what I was talking about.
The superintendent had the elementary school principal call me back. Our conversation centered on snacks, and she told me this: "Kindergartners arrive at school with snacks sent by their parents, but if the teacher deems the snack 'unhealthy,' the teacher may replace it with a 'healthy' food item of her choice. You know, like if a kid brings in junk food, the teacher will give her peanut butter and cheese crackers instead."
............I'm sorry, did you just say peanut butter (which is another issue) and cheese crackers?!?!?!? After I just spent 10 minutes explaining that my daughter can't be near dairy?
Please bear in mind that I will continue to do what I always do, namely provide Katherine's teacher with a stash of graham crackers, fruit snacks, etc. I'm not asking anyone else to do so, I just want to guarantee that those are the foods she will be given should I ever send an "unhealthy" snack.
Speaking of snacks I provide, I'm prepared to go zero tolerance on birthday parties and give Katherine's teacher a stash of dairy-free cupcakes and other treats to use in those situations. Just please tell me that those are what will be used.
I am also concerned about crafts and projects. Counting M&Ms during math time and using Goldfish crackers to make a picture of the ocean are not viable activities for my daughter. So let's agree that her teacher will let me know about these projects so I can provide an alternative.
I left messages for the school nurse and for the school nutritionist. The school nutritionist was very nice and very helpful, however, her work concerns the cafeterias, not the classrooms, and Katherine will not be in a cafeteria until next year. At that time, the nutritionist said she would be happy to make a cafeteria safety plan with us, she said that I am welcome to the nutritional information in her office at any time, and she even volunteered to sit in on this year's meeting to make sure we're all on the same page. I wanted to hug her.
Next came the school nurse. My number one concern is that they do not want to keep Katherine's medications in her classroom. We are talking about a lifesaving first aid device to be used in a medical emergency. I am not asking that her teacher dispense her daily dose of vitamins. (Although, while we're at it, the teachers can't give out band-aids, but they can dispense fluoride to students?) The point I have made to everyone who will listen is that we want her to experience public school, but it is not worth her life. There is one (1) school nurse for the entire school district. A district that contains five (5) separate school buildings. ALL MEDICATIONS are kept in the nurse's locked office. Nurse, to me: "I can be at the kindergarten building in five (5) minutes. Unless there's a train." (Train tracks run through our town.) Me, to Nurse: "She could be dead by then." The nurse told me about the Chapter 15 agreement, too, and told me that Katherine's doctor needed to be specific about the amount of time between a contact with an allergen and the need for medicine.
Katherine has an amazing understanding of her allergy. She is very, very careful. But mistakes happen. It is hard for a five-year-old to understand that some pretzels are safe and some are not, some crackers are safe and some are not. It is even harder for her fellow students to understand. Medication needs to be available in the classroom in case of an accident.
I have given the doctor's written directions ("Significant milk allergy. Patient needs immediate proximity of Benadryl/Epi-Pen because of anaphylaxis.") to the school nurse, and she and the principal are going to meet with me and with Katherine's teacher in August to compose the Chapter 15 Agreement. (We won't know who her teacher is until then.) I hope it goes well, otherwise I'll be spending August learning about homeschooling.
Also, several state senators and representatives are trying to pass laws enabling students to self-carry medication. I hope these laws are enacted soon.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Seriously
In between madly cleaning for my in-laws' visit this weekend, I spent yesterday trying to compose a thoughtful post on senseless violence, kissing your kids goodnight, kindergarten registration with an allergic child, and how very hard I try to keep my children safe.
Then Katherine cut her foot on a nail in our living room and we spent the evening in the emergency room. Seriously. Please send my Mother of the Year Award to Sarah at Nowheymama.blogspot.com.
(Katherine is totally fine and doesn't want to talk about it or tell anyone about it, so don't tell her I told you, Ok?)
Clearly we need some chocolate.
Monkey Cookies
3/4 cups shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup mashed banana
1 3/4 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cups chocolate chips
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream shortening and sugar together. Mix in the egg and mashed bananas. In a separate bowl, mix together the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon with a whisk. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and blend. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop by the teaspoonful onto a greased baking sheet and bake for eight to ten minutes.
P.S. The cooking show I taped is on the air as we speak. It plays, like, three times a day. Why did I agree to wear the white chef's coat? Also, the sound is messed up, which gives people the chance to sit around thinking, "Wonder why I can't hear anything? Man, that chick looks like a blonde Ina Garten, doesn't she?"
Then Katherine cut her foot on a nail in our living room and we spent the evening in the emergency room. Seriously. Please send my Mother of the Year Award to Sarah at Nowheymama.blogspot.com.
(Katherine is totally fine and doesn't want to talk about it or tell anyone about it, so don't tell her I told you, Ok?)
Clearly we need some chocolate.
Monkey Cookies
3/4 cups shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup mashed banana
1 3/4 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cups chocolate chips
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream shortening and sugar together. Mix in the egg and mashed bananas. In a separate bowl, mix together the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon with a whisk. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and blend. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop by the teaspoonful onto a greased baking sheet and bake for eight to ten minutes.
P.S. The cooking show I taped is on the air as we speak. It plays, like, three times a day. Why did I agree to wear the white chef's coat? Also, the sound is messed up, which gives people the chance to sit around thinking, "Wonder why I can't hear anything? Man, that chick looks like a blonde Ina Garten, doesn't she?"
Monday, April 16, 2007
Beer Bread
Yeah, so didn't I mention beer bread? Remember how this recipe was like an urban legend a few years ago? "All you need is flour and beer, man..."
Beer Bread
3 cups self-rising flour
3 tablespoons sugar
12 ounces of beer
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Mix all the ingredients together. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for an hour.
You can also mix in herbs or sesame seeds or whatever you want.
It looks as if the make-your-own self-rising flour measurements are 1 cup flour + 1 teaspoon baking powder + 1/2 teaspoon salt = 1 cup self-rising flour. I'm going to try to make my own self-rising whole wheat flour and see how it turns out.
Since the Rolling Rock buyout, I've changed my Pennsylvania beer allegiance to Yuengling. When I made the bread this weekend, I used Yuengling Black & Tan, which gave it an enjoyably bitter beer flavor.
Beer Bread
3 cups self-rising flour
3 tablespoons sugar
12 ounces of beer
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Mix all the ingredients together. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for an hour.
You can also mix in herbs or sesame seeds or whatever you want.
It looks as if the make-your-own self-rising flour measurements are 1 cup flour + 1 teaspoon baking powder + 1/2 teaspoon salt = 1 cup self-rising flour. I'm going to try to make my own self-rising whole wheat flour and see how it turns out.
Since the Rolling Rock buyout, I've changed my Pennsylvania beer allegiance to Yuengling. When I made the bread this weekend, I used Yuengling Black & Tan, which gave it an enjoyably bitter beer flavor.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Hummus and Cable Access
Emmeline
Came slipping between
The two tall trees at the end of the green.
We all ran up to her. 'Emmeline!
Where have you been?
Where have you been?'"
Hey, everyone. What's been going on? I've missed you all while I've been busy elsewhere.
So today I appeared on a cooking show. And by "cooking show" I mean a half-hour program sponsored by a local grocery store that's shown on cable access three days a week for a month. Rachael Ray, eat your heart out.
Seriously, it's a fun show, and today's theme was--wait for it--food allergies! (An idea I shamelessly proposed to my friend Dave who stars in the show and who has recently been diagnosed with food allergies himself.) Dave and Chef Mark prepared three recipes on the show, two of which were ones I gave them: Nut Butter Cookies and Overnight Oatmeal Cookies. Mark also made a vegetarian pasta dish with brown rice pasta. And I ended up being onscreen the entire time and preparing my Easy Hummus recipe. (Ok, Dave ran the food processor because I couldn't get the lid off. Smooth. Food Network, are you watching?)
Of course the store does this to promote what it sells, but since I want them to keep carrying dairy-free foods so I don't have to drive all the way to Pittsburgh to get them, I was happy to be a support. And several people who watched the taping said that they learned a lot and/or knew someone with an allergy or intolerance who would like the recipes. That was really nice to hear.
Because I was nervous about all of this yesterday, I decided to distract myself by cutting Eli's hair for the first time. We now have an appointment with a barber at 3 pm today to fix his hair. My mom looked at him and said, "I have one thing to say: 'Semper Fi!'" Thanks for being a sacrificial lamb, E.
Easy Hummus
1 can chickpeas, rinsed
3 T water
3 T lemon juice
1 T sesame oil
1 t. chopped garlic
¾ t. cumin
¾ t. salt
Process the chickpeas and all other ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Keeps refrigerated up to a week. Serve with vegetables, tortilla chips, pita chips, etc.
Notes: You could also use tahini in this recipe instead of sesame oil, but sesame oil is cheaper and easier to find.
I often leave the garlic out or use garlic powder instead since Katherine doesn't like garlic.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Baked Oatmeal
Here's a great holiday breakfast. It serves a lot of people and can be prepared the night before and reheated in the morning. The original recipe came from a Harrisburg, PA bakery that is now out of business.
Baked Oatmeal
2 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1 scant cup sugar
3 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vanilla soy milk
1 can peaches, drained*
cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the eggs, oil, and sugar. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the peaches, and mix. Pour into a 9x9 or 8x11 inch baking pan. Top with peach slices, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for thirty minutes.
The oatmeal can be served warm or at room temperature. Extra soy milk can be served on the side.
* You can replace some of the soy milk with the reserved peach juice, if desired.
Happy Easter!
Baked Oatmeal
2 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1 scant cup sugar
3 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vanilla soy milk
1 can peaches, drained*
cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the eggs, oil, and sugar. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the peaches, and mix. Pour into a 9x9 or 8x11 inch baking pan. Top with peach slices, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for thirty minutes.
The oatmeal can be served warm or at room temperature. Extra soy milk can be served on the side.
* You can replace some of the soy milk with the reserved peach juice, if desired.
Happy Easter!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
My Apologies
I'm going to be messing around with the site and previous posts over the next few days, so I'm sorry in advance if it looks like there are new posts and, uh, there aren't.
Hey, look! A bunny!
Hey, look! A bunny!
What Do April Snowstorms Bring?
"'Snow in April is abominable," said Anne. 'Like a slap in the face when you expected a kiss.'"
--Anne of Ingleside, L.M. Montgomery
I made mashed turnips last night, using a recipe from The Little House Cookbook. I oversold it, as parents are wont to do with a new vegetable. "Look! It's just like what Laura and Almanzo ate when they were little!"
After twelve rounds of "But what does it taaaaste like?", K. tried a bite, all the while making a noise like a cat coughing up a hairball. She swallowed the turnip molecules with a gallon of water, smiled weakly, and said, "It tastes sweet."
Hope you enjoy it just as much, if not more.
Mashed Turnips, adapted from The Little House Cookbook
1 1/2 lbs. turnips
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons soy margarine
salt and pepper
Wash and peel the turnips. Cut them in half lengthwise and then crosswise into thin slices, cutting across the grain. Simmer the slices and the water in a covered saucepan for thirty minutes. Uncover and let the remaining water cook off for a few minutes. Add the margarine, salt, and pepper, and mash with a potato masher.
--Anne of Ingleside, L.M. Montgomery
I made mashed turnips last night, using a recipe from The Little House Cookbook. I oversold it, as parents are wont to do with a new vegetable. "Look! It's just like what Laura and Almanzo ate when they were little!"
After twelve rounds of "But what does it taaaaste like?", K. tried a bite, all the while making a noise like a cat coughing up a hairball. She swallowed the turnip molecules with a gallon of water, smiled weakly, and said, "It tastes sweet."
Hope you enjoy it just as much, if not more.
Mashed Turnips, adapted from The Little House Cookbook
1 1/2 lbs. turnips
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons soy margarine
salt and pepper
Wash and peel the turnips. Cut them in half lengthwise and then crosswise into thin slices, cutting across the grain. Simmer the slices and the water in a covered saucepan for thirty minutes. Uncover and let the remaining water cook off for a few minutes. Add the margarine, salt, and pepper, and mash with a potato masher.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Easy Rolls
Quick Rolls
(adapted from a Gooseberry Patch recipe)
2 cups self-rising flour
4 tablespoons regular mayonnaise
1 cup plain soy milk
1 teaspoon sugar
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a muffin tin with spray oil. Mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Spoon the batter into the greased muffin cups. Bake for 16-18 minutes.
Notes: I haven't tried this recipe with lower-fat mayo or with vegenaise. I would be interested to hear how/if the rolls turn out with either of those substituted for the regular mayonnaise.
Someone recently asked me if there was such a thing as whole wheat self-rising flour. Does anyone know? I guess you could make your own, but it would be neat if it came pre-packaged.
(adapted from a Gooseberry Patch recipe)
2 cups self-rising flour
4 tablespoons regular mayonnaise
1 cup plain soy milk
1 teaspoon sugar
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a muffin tin with spray oil. Mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Spoon the batter into the greased muffin cups. Bake for 16-18 minutes.
Notes: I haven't tried this recipe with lower-fat mayo or with vegenaise. I would be interested to hear how/if the rolls turn out with either of those substituted for the regular mayonnaise.
Someone recently asked me if there was such a thing as whole wheat self-rising flour. Does anyone know? I guess you could make your own, but it would be neat if it came pre-packaged.
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