The Power of a Good Sign

Dear Soil Merchant,

You seem like a really nice person. You sell many different types of soil and you seem genuine in your desire to meet the needs of your customers. I mean, people need dirt. They need to fill in holes, they need to even out their yards, they need to plant things. You have all of the types of dirt they need. I bet your dirt isn't even the kind that will grow several different extremely hardy weeds that one can never get rid of. I bet your dirt doesn't even have gross bugs (I'm not talking about nice, friendly earthworms but the more insidious pests that populate other, lesser quality dirt).

But alas, soil merchant, I can never purchase dirt from you.

Why, you might ask? I have done everything right, you explain, I have even gone so far as to post several large, crisply lettered signs advertising my many dirt options.

Well soil merchant, that is the problem. The first sign is a beauty, "Potting Soil". The sign so clean and clear I am sure anything planted in the soil would grow beautifully and win gardening contests. The second sign is wonderful, "Top Soil". Ooooo, I can only imagine the lush, emerald carpet that would grow from this fine dirt. It is the third sign that is the problem. I can only guess that it says "Gravel". But unfortunately, in a cruel twist of fate, one of the bolts that secures the sign to the fence has released its hold and the sign now hangs crookedly, dipping below the bushes at one corner. Oh soil merchant, if only it was the "G" that hung below the bushy screen. Then commuters would see "ravel" and think only of tangles and complications or perhaps of winding wool skeins. But such is not the case and it is the "L" end of the sign which remains out of sight.

Oh for the lack of an L.

Your sign clearly and crisply spells out G-R-A-V-E.

No one wants to eat tomatoes grown in dirt from the grave.

Apologies,

A good day

Do you ever have one of those days where everything goes wrong? And yet even after a whole bunch of annoyances, setbacks and general crap, you still find yourself feeling pretty good? That's my day today.

The Darling Daughter had an awful night last night. One of those teething terror nights where you should have just given the poor kid some real medicine instead of the homeopathic stuff. But in the moment you keep thinking, maybe it's not her teeth, maybe she's just cranky, I can't medicate my kid for cranky. (Hey all you homeopathic companies out there, you should market Vitamin D drops as anit-cranky drops. Even if they don't work that way, parents everywhere would feel better. This is one time I think truth in advertising in over rated. Go on, you'll make a million bucks)

Anyway the poor thing only dropped off the sleep at 1:30 am and it was a fitful sleep and she was SUPER HUNGRY ALL NIGHT! So she just sleep/ate the whole time and I dozed lightly, ready to spring into action in case she reached full scream again. Thankfully she did not and when she was ready to get up the next morning it was 9:00 am. Not too bad really. And I felt fine - well rested in fact. I opened the curtains and it was a beautiful day. One of those rare, sunny, sparkling west coast weekdays. 

Now the Hunky Hubby is home today and usually I would be chomping at the bit to get out and enjoy the day but I knew he had to do some maintenence on the cars. This would be another thing that would ordinarily irritate me. Not that I don't appreciate his ability to fix the cars but sometimes I wish we could just bring the damn things to a mechanic like normal people. But today I was cool with it - almost zen like. Me and the baby just chilled, had an early nap, tried on some clothes (yes you can try on clothes with a 7 month old. It's fun but they can't be trusted to tell you if your butt looks fat in those pants.) When we were finally dressed I popped her into her buggy and we headed to the garage to check on Daddy.

He was just finished and was coming to see if we wanted to go for lunch. Did we ever, so we jumped in the car and headed to Milestones. Lunch was great but poor baby girl got her hand squished in her buggy sunshade during a vigourous game of peek-a-boo with Daddy. I was calm, I was cool. I scooped her up and comforted her. I didn't even reproach the Hunky Hubby but instead told him that it was totally something I would have done. 

On the way home we stopped at Shoppers Drug Mart to pick up some of Darling Daughters favorite Prunes and Oats and I realized when the Hunky Hubby had loaded the buggy into our car, my wallet had fallen out. At least that is what we thought happened. Again, I was calm, I was cool. I knew that I had a bunch of gift cards in my wallet and that replacing all of my ID and all of the baby's ID 3 weeks before we fly to Quebec would suck (and might be impossible) but I was totally chill. Thankfully the Valets remember the family with the cute baby and had nabbed my wallet right away. We packed ourselves back into the car and headed to get my wallet. 

On the ride back home, the Darling Daughter fell asleep and as I watched her peaceful little face I wondered what it was that made today so good. It certainly hadn't been an easy day. I was sleep deprived, we had to deal with broken cars, squished hands and lost wallets. Yet through it all I felt a-okay. Was it the sunshine? Was it the Bob Marley we listened to at breakfast? Whatever it was I wish I could bottle a little of it up and keep it in my back pocket for the days that aren't so great. Where nothing really goes wrong but nothing really goes right either. On those days I could open that bottle and take a deep breath of the air from this day and remember the magic and think "ahh- a good day"

You made what?

So I recently came upon some information on the internet about making your own butter. Making it at home. Like in the olden days. I was intrigued and a little more excited than normal. I told my husband about it. I stressed the possibility of making organic butter - for a lot less. He also seemed a little more excited than normal. (I think visions of milkmaids were dancing in his head). 

As I continued my research I came upon some info about making your own yogurt. Although the butter instructions seemed simple enough, the yogurt instructions seemed more approachable. I mentioned it to my friend and she said her mother used to make yogurt when she was a kid. I was so stoked I barely heard her add "it tasted weird"

So I did it - I made my own yogurt and it was awesome. AWESOME. It was also super easy. It was also super tasty. Mild and tangy and tasty. Then to add to the deliciousness I strained it through cheesecloth and made it into yogurt cheese. Which is like cream cheese, only better and better for you. 

As I write this I am munching on a crunchy bagel slathered with yogurt cheese. 

I am so making butter next!

Life in the FIlm Industry

Hunky Hubby (HH): So the Location Manager asked me if I wanted a full day.

Me: Uh - on Sunday, I thought you'd be home soon.

HH: I do get to come home soon. But then I have to drive out to Abbotsford tonight around 10:00pm

Me: Why Abbotsford?

HH: That's where the Turkey farm is.

Me: Turkey Farm?

HH: Yeah, I have to record three minutes of turkeys being loaded onto a truck from different distances.

Me: What was the name of the movie again?

Week 4 Meal Plan

Week 4 Meal Plan

Monday: Blueberry Apple Muffin, Leftover Thai Chicken Wrap, Cranberry Turkey

Tuesday: Kashi,leftover Cranberry Turkey, Veggie Burger

Wednesday: Banana Bread, Salsa Topped Potato, South of the Border Chicken

Thursday: Kashi, leftover South of the Border Chicken, Chickpea Curry

Friday: Oatmeal, leftover Chickpea Curry, Pizza

Saturday: Orange Spice Muffin, Soup and ½ Sandwich, Flex

Sunday: Sunday Eggs, Asian Spring Rolls, Cocotte

Check out more Monday Menu Plans at I'm an Organizing Junkie

It's one hell of a workout.

I am lucky to be writing this. I am lucky to be writing anything. It is a good thing that a keyboard requires the barest minimum of energy expenditure to use. My arms are dead. I have begun the 30 day Shred.

The 30 Day Shred? you ask. What is that? Well, it is a 20 minute torture fest helmed by that she-devil, Jillian Michaels. Yes, that Jillian Michaels. The Jillian Michaels who bullies motivates the participants on the Biggest Loser. I must admit that I have not watched the show. Ever. So I was not prepared.

But is is only 20 minutes you say. How bad could 20 minutes be? Well let's discuss the aforementioned arms. It is true that they are not sore. They are not achy. The sad truth is I cannot feel them at all. AT ALL. They are useless flesh sticks dangling sadly off of my shoulders. My 7 month old does not understand why I can't pick her up and administer to her needs. I have to change diapers with my toes and mouth. She had to learn to feed herself. Oh and we have to spend our days in my bedroom because I cannot get out of bed. Why?

The abs. Oh the abs. I have had a baby. I had slightly prolonged Abdominal Diastisis. I was pretty sure that I didn't have abs anymore. Then along came Jillian Michaels and hey, wow, what do you know. I do have abs. And now that don't work. They are so sore they won't support my upper body. So it's good that I am staying in bed. I am pretty sure I would scare my daughter if I shuffled around the house flopped over at the waist with my arms dangling to the floor.

But surely you could leave the bed. I mean, you could at least hang out on the couch. Then the baby could use her exersaucer and play with her toys. Well sure I could, I could head DOWN THE STAIRS. But that would require moving my legs. Not shuffling but actually creating an angle with my knees. I would have to lift one leg and place it on a stair and then that leg would have to be able to support my body as the other leg descended. Oh and they would have to do this on their own, no help from my arms. Oh and did I mention that my daughter weighs more than 20 pounds? It's not like I can roll her down the stairs so presumably I will have to figure out how to strap her securely to my body. 'Cuz I can't use my arms, remember?

Although rolling may be an idea. I could fashion some kind of counter-weight elevator device to lower my daughter to the bottom of the stairs. I could then coach her on crawling (she hasn't quite got the fine points down yet). Once she is out of the way I could roll myself down the stairs and using that momentum I could make it to the kitchen. Once there I could use my freakishly dexterous feet and toes to prepare some food. Although once I am there I am pretty sure I could not get myself up off the floor. And the kitchen floor is cold... and hard... and dirty.

Okay so no go. Baby can hang here. She's got all the food she needs and I am pretty sure I left a granola bar somewhere around here. I'm good.

But I am pretty sure the 30 day Shred is supposed to be done 30 days in a row. Hmmm. HMMMMMM.

Not gonna happen.

Week 3 Meal Plan

Week 3 Meal Plan

Click on each day and you'll find the meal plan and recipes

Monday: Applesauce berry muffins , Grilled Veggie Sandwich, Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Tuesday: Kashi, Turkey Shepherd's Pie, Pierogi

Wednesday: Banana Bread, Turkey sausage Omelet, Crustless Chicken Pot Pie

Thursday: Kashi, Crustless Chicken Pot Pie, Veggie Quesadillas

Friday: Oatmeal, Veggie Quesadillas, Chicken Chow Mein

Saturday: Whole Wheat Orange Spice Muffins, Chicken Chow Mein, Flex

Sunday: Sunday Eggs, Thai Chicken Wrap, Spaghetti

If you would like to see more menu options go visit I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Week 2 and 4: Sunday's Menu and Recipes

Breakfast

Have any egg dish you like.

We have sunny-side up eggs with pan fried potatoes, orange juice, coffee, toast and fruit.

Snack

Lunch

Asian
spring rolls

3 tbsp lime juice

3 tbsp rice vinegar

1/2 tbsp sesame oil

1/2 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp minced fresh ginger

1/2 oz rice sticks

1/2 c peeled, shredded carrots

3 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves

1 1/2 tbsp shredded fresh basil

1/2 c shredded green-leaf lettuce

1/2 tsp chopped garlic

3 tbsp chopped green onions

1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 c seeded, chopped red bell peppers

8 cooked medium shrimp, shelled and de-veined

4 8 inch round rice-paper sheets

1. Place the lime juice, oil, soy sauce, sugar and ginger in a screw-top jar. Shake vigorously until blended. Set the Soy-Ginger Dipping sauce aside.

2. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil. Add the rice sticks, cook for 3 minutes. Drain, run under cold water, drain again.

3. Combine the rice sticks, carrots, cilantro, basil, lettuce, garlic, green onions, red pepper flakes and bell peppers in a large bowl.

4. Cut each shrimp in half lengthwise.

5. Place one rice paper sheet in a shallow bowl or pan. Cover with 1" hot water and let stand for 30 seconds or until soft. Place the sheet on a flat work surface.

6. Place 1/2 c rice stick filling in the centre of the sheet. Arrange 4 shrimp pieces on the filling.

7. Fold on both sides and then the bottom of the sheet over the filling. The roll it up from the bottom to close. Gently press the seam to seal. Place the roll on a plate and cover with a damp towel.

8. Repeat the process with the remaining rice sheets.

9. Place the soy-ginger dipping sauce in a small bowl and serve with the rolls.

Have with 1 c milk and an apple for dessert.

Snack

Dinner

Cocotte, potato, yams, squash, milk, fruit

1 whole chicken

2 potatoes, chopped

2 yams, peeled and chopped

1 small squash, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1/2 bottle wine

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Rinse chicken in cold water and pat dry. Place in dutch oven with potatoes, yams, squash, onion. Add wine.

3. Cover and bake until internal temp of breast reaches 165 degrees F.

Serve with 1 cup of milk and fruit for dessert.

Week 2 and 4: Saturday's Menu and Meal Plan

Breakfast

1 Whole Wheat Orange Spice Muffin with 1 c nonfat milk and ½ cup apple juice w/
hemp protein

Snack

Lunch

Soup
& ½ sandwich:

Heat a bowl of low fat soup serve with 1 slice multigrain bread layered with mustard, chicken and 2
slices tomato. Serve with mini carrots on the side and have an apple for dessert.

Snack

Dinner

This is a flex night - have leftovers, go out or make something ambitious. But whatever you do - enjoy.

Week 2 and 4: Friday's Menu and Recipes

Breakfast

One serving of your favorite Oatmeal or hot cereal (I prefer Sunny Boy) with 1/4 c craisins and 1 c nonfat milk

Snack

Lunch

Leftover Chickpea Curry with 1 c of milk and fruit

Snack

Dinner

Cook a frozen Pizza according to package instructions, serve with cauliflower and have fruit for dessert.

Week 2 and 4: Thursday's Menu and Recipes

Breakfast

Kashi with 1 sliced banana and 1 cup of milk milk

snack

Lunch

Leftover South of the Border Chicken stew,fruit

Snack

Dinner

Chickpea Curry, milk, fruit

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 c chopped onions

1 1/2 tsp chopped garlic

1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh ginger

1 1/2 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp ground turmeric

1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp salt

4 c canned chopped tomatoes

1 1/2 tsp sugar

3 c chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 c frozen spinach

1 1/2 c chopped cauliflower

1/2 tsp garam masala

1.5 c cooked brown rice

1. Heat the oil in a 4 - 5 quart pan over medium heat. Add the onions and saute 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, ginger, curry powder, turmeric, red-pepper flakes, and salt. Cook 2 minutes, stirring.

2. Stir in the tomatoes and sugar and cook on medium-low heat 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in the chickpeas, spinach, cauliflower and garam masala. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Divide the curry in half - save one half for week four, divide the rest and the rice between two bowls.

I have an addiction

It's true. I do. I am admitting it to the world but I am not looking for help. I am not ready to give up my addiction. I may never be. I'll be fine. It may empty my bank account. It may take all my time. But I don't care. I can't live without my addiction. I need it - erm - them.

I am addicted.

To babies.

(Don't tell my husband)

Okay so first I should say that the babies don't even have to be mine. Although Darling Daughter intensified the addiction, I admit I was on the road to baby-loving long ago.

I come from a big family. Okay I come from an enormous family. My grandmother had 14 kids. They went forth and multiplied and I have over 60 first cousins. They went forth and multiplied and I admit I have lost track of how many first cousins once removed I have. Two children in my family are rare. One child is even more rare. No children is, well, unheard of.

This means from a young age I was exposed to babies, lots and lots of babies. And I loved them. Cute babies, cuddly babies, chubby babies, skinny babies, happy babies, cranky babies, quiet babies, LOUD babies, poopy babies and just bathed babies. I liked them all.

Consequently I did a lot of baby sitting. A lot of babysitting. I really enjoyed it. I had fun. I wasn't grossed out by diaper changes or spit up. I didn't get bored. I didn't invite my friends over. I didn't get annoyed with crying babies. I became an expert at teething. I loved those babies and those babies loved me.

To be fair, I really like little kids as well. They slay me. Their insights are wonderful. Their utter brilliance dazzles me. Their energy sustains me. They definitely hold a large portion of my heart. But babies, babies...

I had the wonderful opportunity to learn some baby massage yesterday. My friend's Mom just took a course and to complete her certification she needs to teach three moms how to massage their babies. I was lucky enough to be included and so away I went. As soon as I walked into her place I knew I was in trouble. Three babies. My baby and two of my girlfriend's babies. I do believe my hands started to shake. I started to sweat. I was in trouble and I loved it.

The problem with my addiction is that it lives up to my expectations every time. My Darling Daughter is amazing on a daily basis. I can't get enough of her. My girlfriend's babies were just amazing as well. One of them is just a few weeks older than my daughter and she is a total spitfire. Cute, vocal and wiggly. She is seconds from crawling. She smiles at the drop of a hat. She eats whole cookies in a single bound. She is amazing. The other baby is three months younger than my daughter. He is so cute. He is a big boy. A BIG boy. He is only two pounds less than my daughter and she is over the 100 percentile for her age and height. He had the biggest blue eyes and the roundest little tummy and the chubbiest little legs. And his cry, his cry, oh his cry. It is so tiny, so teeny, like a newborn. Like a newborn kitten. Yet he is so big you would expect a yell but no, out comes this sweet little coo. I melted on the spot.

I had such a great time. When I left I was so happy. Writing this I can feel little tears of happiness at the back of my eyes. I love babies.

I am Pop Wahm Buzz and I love babies.

Don't ask me to stop.

Sometimes Vancouver Driver's are just A-holes

Okay, so I realize that almost everyone has said this about almost every city that has cars. And I am not saying that Vancouver drivers are specifically worse than any other city. They are just A-holes. Rude, in a hurry, generally oblivious, they make pedestrians and fellow drivers feel like they take their lives in their hands every time they leave their house.

Case in point. I take a walk with my Darling Daughter every day. We live on the corner of a fairly busy intersection but it is heavily surrounded by residential street. There is also a fairly major bike route one block over so we have the added bonus of some wonderfully maintained paths. This makes for a wonderful walking experience and one that I look forward to taking. What I do not look forward to is dealing with all of the A-hole drivers I encounter on the way to the wonderfully maintained path.

My top five personal favourites:

1. Non-signal guy who is going to secretly turn right at the intersection without letting anyone know - especially the mom with the baby carriage who is trying to decide if it is safe to cross.

2. The bone head turning right who isn't paying any attention at all and blows by the pedestrians about to step out because they have a cross signal.

3. The idiot-stick turning right who has seen the pedestrians, knows they are about to cross, has made EYE CONTACT with the pedestrians holding their babies in their arms and still takes the corner as fast as he can without regard for the walk signal.

4. The impatient chick who is turning left and drives right up to the cross walk - sitting in the middle of the oncoming traffic lane and glares impatiently at the pedestrians crossing with the signal. (I have seen this driver reap her Karmic reward with the crossing of very old lady and the change of a light a block away, bringing lots of oncoming commuter traffic)

5. The stupid-ass new driver, with their parent purchased quasi performance vehicle driving 1000 100 km an hour up a pedestrian laden, bicycle heavy side street talking on the phone.

ERGGGG.

Please feel free to share your bad-driver stories- I would love some commiseration.

Week 2 and 4: Wednesday's Menu and Recipes

Breakfast

Banana Bread with 1 tbsp peanut butter, 1 c nonfat milk and 1 small orange

Snack

Lunch

Chili
Topped Potato, 1 apple

See recipe here .

I substitute sour cream for the yogurt but you can have it either way. Have an apple for dessert.

Snack

Dinner

South of the Border Chicken Stew

16 oz chicken breast (approximately 2 large chicken breasts)

Salt

Freshly Ground pepper

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 c chopped onions

1 c seeded, chopped green peppers

1 c diced celery

1 tsp chopped garlic

2 tsp dried oregano

4 c nonfat, reduced-sodium chicken stock

1 1/2 c frozen corn, thawed

1 1/2 c canned, diced tomato, with liquid

1 1/2 c frozen spinach

1/4 tsp hot sauce

1/4 c sour cream

1/4 c chopped green onions

1. Cut the chicken into 1 inch chunks and season lightly with salt and pepper.

2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a 4 - 5 quart pot over medium-high heat. Lightly brown the chicken, stirring, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken to a bowl.

3. Reduce the heat to medium and add 1 tbsp oil, onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, 5 minutes. Stir in the oregano, broth, and 1.2 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer and cook 10 minutes.

4. Stir in the corn, tomatoes and chicken and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the spinach and hot sauce.

5. Divide the stew in half. Put half away to be frozen for dinner in week 4. Divide the other half between 2 bowls. Serve with sour cream and green onions.

Have some fruit for dessert.

Week 2 and 4: Tuesday's Menu and Recipes

Breakfast

Kashi with 1 sliced banana and 1 c of milk

Snack

Lunch

Leftover Cranberry Turkey, yams, carrots, bread, yogurt

Snack

Dinner

Veggie Burger,

buns, tomato, cucumber, fruit

2 veggie patties (we prefer Yves Best Burger)

2 Rolls

1 sliced tomato

1/2 sliced cucumber

1. Preheat a lightly oiled grill pan or frying pan on medium-high heat.

2. Grill patties 1 minute in each side.

3. Serve on buns with preferred condiments. Serve with tomato and cucumber on the side, adding a light sprinkle of balsamic and extra virgin olive oil if you like.

Have fruit for dessert.

Week 2 and 4: Monday's Menu and recipes

Breakfast

Blueberry Applesauce Muffin, 1 c nonfat milk, ½ cup apple juice w/ hemp
protein

Snack

Lunch

Thai chicken salad wrap, 1 c milk, apple

Snack

Dinner

Cranberry Turkey

4 Turkey Breasts

1 can whole berry cranberry sauce

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 yams

1 c carrots

2 tbsp butter

1/2 tsp honey

1. Boil chopped yams in water - steam carrots over yams.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix cranberry sauce with cinnamon, spoon mixture over uncooked turkey breasts. Pack 2 breasts away in freezer bag to cook in 2 weeks. Place the other 2 in a parchment lined pan and place in oven. Cook until internal temp reads 165 degrees F - approximately 20 minutes.

3. Once yams and carrots are tender, remove yams from water. Add 1 1/2 tbsp butter to yams and mash. Add 1/2 tbsp butter and 1/2 tsp honey to carrots and stir.

4. Serve Cranberry Turkey with yams and carrots. Have some bread on the side and some yogurt for dessert.

Week 1 and 3: Sunday's Menu and Recipes

Week 1 and 3: Sunday's Menu and Recipes

Breakfast

Have any egg dish you like.

We have sunny-side up eggs with pan fried potatoes, orange juice, coffee, toast and fruit.

Lunch

Thai Chicken Wraps

1/2 c sliced green onions

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 seeded and minced jalapeno

3 tbsp lime juice

3 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce

2 tbsp honey

1 tbsp peanut oil

1 tbsp rice-wine vinegar

7 c torn romaine lettuce

1 c shredded red cabbage

1 c peeled, grated carrots

1 c seeded, diced red pepper

1 c seeded, chopped cucumber

1 c snow peas

2 c cooked, diced chicken breast

4 tbsp crushed, unsalted, dry roasted peanuts

4 6" tortillas

1. Whisk the green onions, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, soy sauce, honey, peanut oil, vinegar and 2 tbsp water in a large bowl and set aside for 30 minutes.

2. Whisk the dressing to recombine and add the lettuce, cabbage, carrots, red peppers, cucumber, snow peas and chicken. Toss well to combine.

3. Split filling between the 4 tortillas, sprinkle with peanuts, roll and serve.

Theses are great as is but my husband love to dip them in peanut sauce so if you have that around, go nuts (pun intended!)

Dinner

Spaghetti

1/2 cup of spaghetti per person

1 jar of your favourite pasta sauce (mine is the three cheese and spinach from President's Choice)

1 cup frozen spinach

Parmesan cheese to taste.

1. In a medium saucepan on a medium heat, mix the spinach with the pasta sauce and allow to warm.

2. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package.

3. Once both are cooked - serve with a sprinkling of Parmesan. Have a fab glass of wine and some fruit for dessert.

Saturday's Menu

Breakfast

Whole Wheat Orange Spice Muffins

see excellent tutorial at pinchmysalt.com

Have with 1 c of milk and 1/2 c apple juice and hemp protein

Lunch

Leftover Chicken Chow Mein

Have with yogurt and fruit.

Dinner

Flex - have whatever you like - go out, have leftovers, order in.

We are having pork chops with sour cream mashed potatoes and maple baked beans. Yum!

Friday's Recipes

Breakfast

Oatmeal

Make your favourite hot cereal for breakfast (I prefer Sunny Boy), add 1/2 cup of craisins and have with 1 cup of milk.

Lunch

Leftover Veggie Quesadillas

Serve with sour cream, salsa and have an apple for dessert.

Dinner

Chicken Chow Mein

1/2 pkg (14 oz/400 g) fresh chow mein noodles

1/4 cup (50 mL) oyster sauce

2 tbsp (25 mL) soy sauce

1 tbsp (15 mL) sesame oil

4 oz (250 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

2 tbsp (25 mL) vegetable oil

1/2 onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp (10 mL) grated ginger root

2 cups (1 L) chopped broccoli

2 oz (125 g) snow peas, trimmed

1/2 sweet yellow pepper, cut in matchstick-size strips

1/2 cup (125 mL) chicken stock

1/2 cup (250 mL) bean sprouts 1/2 green onion, sliced

Preparation:

In large saucepan of boiling water, cook noodles until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water; drain well and set aside in colander.

Meanwhile, in bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, soy sauce and sesame oil. Thinly slice chicken crosswise; add to bowl, tossing to coat.

In large wok or skillet, heat 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the vegetable oil over high heat; stir-fry chicken mixture for 2 minutes. Transfer to plate.

Add remaining oil to pan; reduce heat to medium. Add onion, garlic and ginger; stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add broccoli, snow peas, yellow pepper and 2 tbsp (25 mL) water; cover and steam for 3 minutes. Add noodles and stock; stir-fry until hot. Return chicken and any accumulated juices to pan; add bean sprouts and toss to combine. Serve sprinkled with green onion.

Have with fruit juice and yogurt for dessert.

Cobbling for Dummies

Right before I had the Darling Daughter I took my sewing machine in to be serviced. It was acting totally crazy and I thought it was going to cost me a fortune to have it fixed. Luckily all it needed was a tune-up and it came back running like a top. But by the time I got it back I had just given birth and I was much too busy nursing, changing diapers, napping and staring in utter amazement at this enchanting little creature to sew anything.

Now that the enchanting creature is a little older and happily spends time in her exersaucer and sitting on her own, I can squeeze a little time into my day to do some sewing. I have found some great sewing blogs with free tutorials to help me get started on some fabulous one of kind clothes for my fabulous one of a kind daughter. I posted a photo of a great little dress a few days ago but since then I have completed a gorgeous kimono top from some Heather Ross fabric that I fell in lust love with at the fabric store and a tutorial found here.

Oh my gosh - isn't the fabric just delicious - the kimono is so much cuter on the baby - it is so perfect with the chocolate brown binding. I could just eat her up! The Hunky Hubby loved the little shirt so much that he asked me to make him a big boy version. So now I go on the hunt for the perfect pattern for that.

I have also been lately lamenting the complete and utter lack of baby bonnets that exist in my immediate shopping vicinity. That's right, I exist in a baby bonnet vacuum. As cute as the Darling Daughter looks in the parade of toques, berets, sun hats and baseball caps I have plopped on her head in search of the perfect lid, I have longed for the nostalgic simplicity of a basic baby bonnet.

I finally took the dilemma in hand last weekend and decided to look for a sewing pattern. Although there are many different baby bonnet patterns out there, none of them really lived up to the picture I had in my head. I mentioned this out loud to my husband and his eyes got that wild look associated with my quest to find the perfect black flat that exists in my head.(We've been together 9 years and I am still barefoot sneaker-shod.)

I quickly assured him that I had taken an intensive sewing course in high school and drafting a pattern to match my imagination was not beyond my capabilities. After a few wonky paper patterns I had a workable version that quickly translated into a gorgeous brimless bonnet. Some cute buttons and satin ribbon later it was on her head and better than I imagined.

Now I just need to figure out why the Hunky Hubby keeps leaving Home Cobbling brochures around the house.

Thursday's Recipes

Breakfast

Kashi have with a banana and 1 c of milk

Lunch

Leftover crustless chicken pot pie

Dinner

Veggie Quesadillas

1/2 c of broccoli florets

1/3 c skim milk

3 tbsp flour

1/4 c corn kernels

1/4 red bell pepper

2 tbsp coarsely chopped green chillies

pinch of salt

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tbsp cilantro

2 6" flour tortilla

1. In a large pot or boiling water, cook the broccoli 2minutes; drain.

2. Preheat oven to 425 F; spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.

3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk the milk and flour; cook, stirring frequently, 4-5 minutes. Stir in the corn, bell peppers, chillies, salt and cayenne; remove from the heat and stir in the broccoli and cilantro.

4. Spoon the vegetable mixture over the bottom half of the tortilla, leaving a 1/2" border; fold the top half over the veggies. Place the quesadilla on the baking sheet; bake until hot and bubbling; about 8 minutes. Serve at once.

Serves 2 (save one for lunch)

Serve with sour cream, salsa and have an apple for dessert.

It is snowing in Vancouver

Yes folks, you heard correctly, it is snowing in Vancouver. SNOWING ON APRIL 1st.

That is just not right.

Excuse me while I crawl back under the covers...maybe I'll come out in May.

Maybe.

Wednesday's Recipes

Breakfast

Banana Bread

1 1/2 c unbleached flour

2 t baking soda

2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1/4 c wheat germ, toasted

1/2 c butter/margarine, softened

3/4 c brown sugar

3/4 c white sugar

4 eggs

3 very ripe bananas

1/4 c sour cream (or soy milk)

3/4 c walnuts, roasted and chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Butter and flour a 9X5 loaf pan. Combine the flour, wheatgerm, baking powder, soda and salt in a small bowl and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Blend in the eggs one at a time until well incorporated. Mash together the bananas and sour cream. Add one third of the flour mix into the creamed sugar/butter mix. Next, stir in the banana mash and mix thoroughly. Add the remainder of the flour and mix until combined, taking care not to over mix. Gently fold in the walnuts.

3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top, and bake for one hour or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 mins, then run a knife along the edges and turn the loaf gently out. Cool on a wire rack.

Lunch

Turkey Sausage Omelet

2 eggs

2 oz Turkey sausage

1/2 cup broccoli

1. Heat a frying pan on a medium heat, add a teaspoon of olive oil.

2. Chop broccoli and saute for 45 seconds in pan. Remove

3. Chop turkey sausage and lightly brown in frying pan. Remove

4. Crack two eggs into frying pan, quickly mix them and allow them to cook, untouched, about a minute, add sausage and broccoli and cook for another minute.

5. Fold in half, remove and enjoy.

Have with 1/2 cup carrots, 1/2 cup yogurt and an apple. Don't forget to drink water!

Dinner

Crustless Chicken Pot Pie

• 1/2 c cream
• 1/4 c chicken broth
• 1 large chicken breast, cut into small chunks
• 1/2 c onion, chopped
• 2 medium sized yams, diced to 1 cm
• 1 c frozen peas
• 1 tbsp butter
• salt and pepper

Directions

In a medium pot, cook yams in salted water until soft. In a large saucepan melt butter on medium heat. Gently saute onions until translucent. Stir chicken into onions and cook. Add yams and frozen peas. Stir in chicken broth and cream and add salt and pepper to taste. Allow to gently simmer for 20 minutes. Serves 2.

Enjoy with a glass of wine and some fruit for dessert.

Oooo - this looks all weird - I'll have to check out what the heck is wrong with google doc. Sorry!