Notes From the Cookie Jar

Poetry in Transit

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

As I traveled to Vancouver to see my friend Alexis, on the bus I noticed this poem. Poetry in Transit is brought to Vancouver bus and sky train riders through the Association of Book Publishers of BC. I was reminded of the Sunday walks we used to take as a family in the woods, and how we would always be on the look out for new and interesting mushrooms to look at.

My boot almost crushes domed towers dew-beaded,

sprung in the night through loamy ground,

knobbed umber caps on vellum stocks frilled gills underneath to breathe in the deep.

Mushrooms surprising sprouted bright

white buttons on blackened logs, or fleshy

ruffles from ruin where tub and tiles meet.

Precious fungus—shitake, chanterelle,

oyster, portabella and truffles—

sponge-tongued taste of earth.

Spores float like words,

take hold in the cold and wait

to bloom in the dark.

~Cynthia Woodman Kerkham

Food Revolution Friday: Childhood Obesity - Who is Responsible?

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:05:00 +0000

In the last few weeks, I've joined in Bookieboo 's twitter party where bloggers discuss the ad campaign by @strong_4_life that features obese children. Critics of the ads say that they shame young people who are overweight, and encourage @strong_4_life to instead empower young people by educating them and their parents about portion size, exercise, and what they are eating. The ads hit an emotional hot button for many who may have been obese when they were a child and have scars from the bullying or insults that were hurled in their direction.

I believe that our health issues these days are a multi-faceted issue, encompassing everything from our attitudes towards food such as using it as a reward, the idea that each sports practise should be accompanied by a snack, the draw of shock value food, the availability of fast food and treats, out of control portion sizes, genetically modified food, big business marketing food, school lunches that are mostly fast food, packaged food instead of home made, sedentary lifestyles, and our constant on the go lifestyle.

Before I go very far, let's be absolutely transparent here; I have never, ever, been overweight. I do not know what it's like. I truly can't relate. However, I know what it's like to be sedentary. I am not motivated when it comes to exercise and although I have recently forced myself to become more active, for the last 10 years I have been fairly sedentary. I spend far more time on social media and blogging than I do being active. Through my adult life, I've weighed between 118 and 125 lbs, and stand at 5 feet and 5 inches tall. I realize that I'm in the minority.

When discussing the obesity issue, it seems as though the finger pointing and blame game is rampant. Whether it's big business, the government, or parents, everyone wants to find a source for this problem and fix it. The problem is, I believe, that the issue is huge. HUGE. When I went to Kraft Canada, I could see that companies make these convenience foods because people buy them. Why should they change? One only has to look on Pinterest to find soda cakes that people are making. Go to a local restaurant and you'll easily find portion sizes that are 2-3 times what we really should be eating, and sometimes people still say it's not enough. Fast food restaurants are still trying to push the envelope by creating shock value food like bacon milkshakes or remember the Double Down? Physical Education classes have been reduced and underfunded in schools as well, and our kids are much less active. Remember back in the days when we used to spend our Saturdays roller skating, going to the waterslides or pool, mini golf, or biking? Kids just don't do those things anymore.

In my opinion, our society has lost our sense of moderation. Gone are the days where we'd have a can of Coke, or hot dog day at school once a month. We are never satisfied anymore. The treats are now mainstays, and with our crazy busy schedules were are far more stressed. The kids are signed up for more activities, we are working more, there is little time, and so we rely on convenience foods that truly are far from any kind of real food our parents may have eaten. Companies have capitalized on this and stepped in with marketing aimed right at our kids, and we head right out and buy them. Last weekend when I shopped in the city a family was behind me in Superstore, and their cart was full, I watched as they unloaded it, and in that massive cart of food, only TWO things were unprocessed-chicken and a bag of oranges. The rest was everything from frozen entrees to corn dogs, taquitos, Kraft Dinner, and canned soup. The sad thing? They were not the minority.

I know this is nothing new to my readers. You all are savvy in the food department. I really shouldn't be surprised anymore, but I do find it interesting to read up on food trends in the news. This article, and specifically the video on CNN piqued my interest by interviewing one of the children who actually participated in @strong_4_life 's campaign.

The issue is so complex, and I don't profess to know any of the answers. What I do know is that we each are responsible for ourselves and our own children. Don't want your kids eating hot lunch? Pack them a healthy one. Try cooking more from scratch. Get out and move with your kids. Visit a farmer's market, or try to buy more local produce. Teach them where their food comes from. Turn off the Tv. Raise your voice in your kid's classrooms and with their coaches if food is being used as a reward. Teach them, teach the people who work with them, teach yourself.

This has all been mulling around in my brain, but what drove the point home was illustrated by a simple t-shirt. You see, I work in Physical Education classes and often wear t-shirts, usually ones with logos that have been given to me by companies that I've worked with. Nobody has ever really commented on ones with logos from Chicken Farmer's of Canada, Paper Chef, Canyonlands Jeep Rental, and more.

Today I wore a shirt that was given to me from Kelloggs, with a Froot Loops Logo on the front. I hadn't planned to, but it was clean and happened to be the shirt I shoved into my bag from the hamper. In the rush of the day, I threw it on and made my way to the weight room.

Within five minutes, FIVE students noticed the shirt and commented on how much they love Froot Loops. At that point, I realized I had become a walking ad for a cereal that I would never serve to my own child because of it's food colouring and sugar content. What horrified me was that they were so attached to that logo, it elicited an immediate response.

I will never wear that shirt to work again.

Flash from the Past: Scuba Diving and Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:33:00 +0000

One of the first things that John and I did together once we were married was learn how to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef during our honeymoon in Cairns, Australia. We rented a little cabin on Fitzroy Island just off the beach and for about a week, all we did was eat, sleep, and learn to scuba dive.

It was amazing. From the geckos that inhabited our cabin along with us to the water lapping at the shore just steps from where we slept, from that moment we were absolutely smitten with diving. Well-to be fair, I was smitten with tropical diving but the second we arrived home, John wanted to venture into BC's waters.

Diving in BC is far more technical and dangerous than in tropical waters. The conditions are harsher while one contends with cold, ferry traffic, and strong currents. You also need to wear much more gear and at times, just getting to the site involved a good hike up or down a hill in full gear. We soon learned that if we wanted to really get into diving in BC, the only way to do it was by boat.

So John, being the guy who never does anything half way, soon bought a boat and, shortly after that, a dive shop. I remember him taking a course that I think was his BC Boater's Exam, and now since 2010, anyone who operates a powered watercraft is required to have one. We ran dive charters to the Gulf Islands and around Howe Sound, with me helping divers gear up and watch the boat while people were in the water, as well as provide the divers with fresh baked cookies when they surfaced.

Scuba diving burns a great deal of calories and as a result, makes you ravenously hungry. We used to carry these really delicious applesauce oatie cookies on board, loaded with hunks of dark chocolate, raisins, and nuts. The apple sauce in them kept them moist, and they transported well. As the cookies would be going into the oven, John would call all our dive buddies and say, "She's baking cookies!". By the time I removed the pan from the oven, there would be about 10 people in the kitchen, all diving into the cookies and trying not to burn themselves. I had to bake piles of those babies just so we'd have some for the next day.

One of my best memories of being out on our boat was one day we took a few friends and sailed out somewhere in the Gulf Islands (don't remember where) and at one point, went diving and caught a bunch of scallops. If you've never seen scallops while they are live and in the water, when you come upon them as a diver it's almost like disturbing a bunch of butterflies. They float and flutter all around you, which is actually really beautiful to watch.

Photo credit: Dan Hershman

We caught them, shucked them when we went up to the boat, and ate them with pasta for dinner. It poured rain but we were warm and dry on the boat with our dinner of pasta and the freshest scallops I've ever eaten. Cooking on the boat was hard, because sometimes we'd be tossed around by the waves or the fact that there is so little space on board. I wasn't as accomplished cook back then, so it was a real challenge, and getting anything fresh to cook right away was always a bonus!

Living on the West Coast, we are really very lucky to not only enjoy such beauty, but to be able to head out on a boat and enjoy the water through scuba diving. While I haven't dove in many years, it's something that John and I loved and I'm really glad I did. On a hot sunny day when the ocean is like glass, I miss the lap of the waves and the gentle rocking of our boat.

Maybe one day, we'll just have to do it again.

Happy Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

On this Valentine's Day, hug the ones you love.

After all, that's all that's really important.

(Photo by @scoutsunny)

Three to Sixteen

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:20:00 +0000

He sat across from me in Milestones as we chatted over burgers and yam fries, laughing about his day at motorcycle school. I had left him there that morning, thinking that this was about becoming a man and growing up-no guy wants his Mom around while he's with the guys, even if it's in a class where he's the youngest.

Still, the thought of him on a busy road on a motorbike freaks out the Mom in me. We're not there yet, I reassure myself. Not quite, but soon.

Sixteen years ago when I was pregnant with him, people who came to my baby shower wrote letters for him for his 16th birthday. They were full of predictions that Kevin would be riding his own motorcycle, and while back then it seemed so unreal, here we are. It's such a long way from Legos and playgrounds, sandboxes or chasing bugs. In some ways, it makes me a little sad. How did all these years go so fast? When did he go from playing with Hot Wheels to getting his learner's license?

Today I was in a Starbucks, sipping coffee and killing time before I had to pick Kevin up from his motorcycle class, when a small boy about 3 years old sat across from me. With brown curls and devastatingly blue eyes, he tried unsuccessfully to open his juice before holding it out to me with a plea to help him open it. Only thirteen years ago, that would've been my small blonde boy with his ever present stuffed black dog, wandering through Starbucks and nibbling on an oat bar.

Oh, those years go fast. It's a little hard to be letting him out in to the world, bit by bit but here we are, teaching him how to drive, talking colleges, and more. He's almost all grown up now and sometimes when I look at him, I catch my breath. Those days seem so fleeting now, but every now and then I'm reminded.

Some time later, I stood in the doorway to his room, calling Kevin to dinner. Surrounded by electronics and computer parts, he tinkered with an old amp that he's been fixing these days. As I watched, I couldn't help but smile.

From his bed, watching over it all, was his stuffed black dog.

Guinness Beans Recipe and More over at Yummy Mummy Club-Plus a Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:39:00 +0000

What's been happening over at Yummy Mummy Club?

-Should sugar be regulated like alcohol? Some scientists think so. I disagree. Hop on over and weigh in!

-Since I started my new job that has me outside running around playing Frisbee golf, running and being active, I've had to pack myself a better lunch. Find out my lunch tips for parents!

Exclusive recipes:

These Guinness Beans are a huge favourite in our house, with my teenager declaring them the best beans he's ever eaten. The bonus is that they are cooked in the slowcooker, which makes things SO easy.

We're also big sandwich fans-I made these chicken and bacon sandwiches with arugula mayo over Christmas holidays, and they were declared the very best ever. Lots of amazing flavour! You could make your own mayo, or just buy some for a short cut. Whatever you do, you have to make them!

If you are looking for a way to spice up your carrots for a side dish, you have to make these cumin and citrus roasted carrots. Topped with lemon and clementines, they are a favourite in our house with roasted meats and in a delicious salad that will be up on Chasing Tomatoes this week.

Check out the new Becel Heart Healthy Prize Pack. Make a pledge and you could win a prize pack worth $1800!

The winner for that gift certificate for Carderos or the Painted Boat has been chosen, I'm just waiting for an email back so I can confirm before I announce.

Happy Wednesday! Only a few more days and then Kevin and I are off to motorcycle school...and I'll be blogging the entire thing.

Shards of Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:24:00 +0000

I discovered the ocean on a sunny day in Whiterock when I was young. The surf crashed as I dipped my child's hands into the salty water and let it carry sand from my fingers, dripping and dropping like soft ice cream from the machine at Dairy Queen on a summer's day. Growing up in the Interior of BC, all I had known up until that point were freshwater lakes where we ice fished in the winter, or avoided the weeds while we swam in the summer. This was new-and I loved it.

Years later, I finally made my way back to the salty blue of the ocean I loved so much. On my honeymoon John and I slept in a tiny cabin on Fitzroy Island, so close to the water that we could hear the surf as it tossed the bits of dead coral on the beach. At 22, I learned how to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef and among the colorful fish and feather tube worms reaching for their next meal, I learned how small I was in the expanse of our world's oceans. I was hooked.

Ever since, I've lived by the ocean. In Campbell River we were never far from sea wall where one can stand and watch orcas swimming through the Strait of Georgia on their yearly migration, or summer cruise ships float silently by on their way to Alaska. Kevin grew up playing in tidal pools year round as we sought the sun and surf of Miracle Beach in the summer, and scoured the sand for unique shells in the winter. On scorching hot days we sought the cool breezes near the docks where tugboats moored, sipping cold drinks and dipping our toes into the water.

Kevin grew, and life became more complicated. Despite my love of the ocean and where we lived, I yearned to live in a place where I didn't have to fight so hard for Kevin to be understood. Shortly before we left, I took Kevin back to the beach one last time to say goodbye. As we wandered around a boat launch staring out into the blue and wondering if we'd ever be back, something caught my eye. At first I wasn't sure they were real but as I turned them over in my hand, I realized that they were. Tiny abalone shells, picked clean by scavengers with their mother of pearl interior glinting in the sun were at my feet, just waiting to be scooped up and carried home. Silently, I bent and one by one, put them in my pocket.

"These are a sign," I thought. "A sign that things will get better. Even though I found Kevin curled in the corner of his room sobbing, and I don't think life can be much worse than right now, it's a sign."

The shells were tucked away in a box, brought to our new home on the Sunshine Coast, and forgotten.

In our new home, we can see the ocean from our kitchen, but it's not quite the same. Finally safe from the drama that had wrought both Kevin and I so much stress, we found ourselves walking along yet another sea walk. As I stopped to sit for a moment to enjoy the view, Kevin dug through the pebbles that surrounded us, smoothed by the ocean waves' constant motion.

"Hey Mom, look!" In his hand were tiny bits of glass, smoothed at the edges. Blue, amber, green, and white- the area was rife with tiny pieces here and there. We dug for hours on that beach, picking up bits and exclaiming over each new treasure. On one particular day when I was feeling down, I took those bits of glass and set them in a jar in my bathroom. The sun glinted through the glass, illuminating the colors and each time I looked at it, I reminded myself that it was a sign.

Each little piece of glass was a shard of hope. Things will get better, I promised myself. They already are better.

We've changed so much since those days, and so many wonderful things have happened. I discovered blogging, and found myself. My son has grown into an amazing young man who I'm fiercely proud of. John and I are happier than ever. I found an amazing soul that I have become very close friends with, who when I visit, we trek down the road from her house by the ocean. We climb over rocks and logs, and of late, have heart to hearts about the future. Cancer. How much time there is, and how many more walks by the ocean we will have. Conversations that you never dream you will have with your best friend, but there it is. Cancer has the tendency to steer friendships into waters you never dreamed you'd ever find yourselves in.

Recently we walked, and at one point I stopped briefly to look out at the expanse of blue before us, the waves crashing while the sunlight turned the water into a million sparkles. For a brief second I closed my eyes and listened.

Water lapped gently at the shore. Seagulls screeched. I could hear her footsteps as she trudged through the smooth pebbles on the shore. As the salty wind whipped my hair, I made a wish for something I've never wished for before, but that has increasingly become more important to me as 2012 rolls by. I wished for moments just like this one - a simple walk by the ocean with the friend I love, and time. Oh, if only time were a tangible thing I could pick up off the beach.

As I turned to go, something green caught my eye. A large piece of sea glass - rare to find, really, was right at my feet. My fingers ran over the smooth surface as I tucked it into my pocket, and later into my wallet to carry with me through 2012, where ever I may be to remind me specifically, of that moment by the ocean.

Somehow, someone knew that this year I needed a really big shard of hope.

Food Revolution Friday: February is Apple Month with BC Tree Fruits!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:16:00 +0000

After a full week of being outside and running around, I had grand plans to write up Food Revolution and have it all ready to go on Thursday night. What I didn't count on was that Thursday and Friday are fitness days at work, where the kids go on a run, which means I had to run too.

One long, gorgeous run by the ocean and another long, fun block in the sun on a field and I came home, showered, ate dinner, and promptly fell asleep at about 6:30 pm on the couch. Writing? Not so much.

Today, three blocks of PE, one of which meant an even longer run by the ocean while the fog played along the edges of the water and loons played in the surf. Admittedly, I'm never really that motivated to exercise, but I am loving this so much that hopefully I'll be able to keep exercise a big part of my every day routine once the weather dips into summer.

Something that has drastically changed this week is how much I eat-I am always so hungry and have been looking for healthy snacks to get me through the day. Two stories caught my eye this week. Have you read that a scientist believes sugar should be regulated like alcohol? Truly, this seems ridiculous to me-here we have people wanting to legalize marijuana, and yet we'll regulate sugar? For real? It sounds far too much like Demolition Man to me. If you remember in the movie, all restaurants are Taco Bell and everything that is bad for you (sugar, salt, tobacco, sex, alcohol) have been outlawed.

Personally, I've never really bought the idea that sugar is evil. Maybe it's because I actually like sugar, and don't mind a little of it here and there. I'm no sugar fiend mind you, but I want it in my coffee, and I don't have an issue with the occasional cookie. People always talk about kids being hopped up on sugar but I can tell you without reservation after working in schools for 20 years that sugar does NOT make kids hyper. If it did, all those days after Halloween, and during Valentine's Day or Easter, kids at school would be nuts. The interesting thing is, they aren't. I firmly believe that it's hype and excitement, changes in routine, and lack of regular meals that derail the kids. No, I don't think kids need sugar nor should they be downing it at every opportunity, but we don't need to become the sugar police. There needs to be moderation.

In my experience, there is little these days in the way of moderation. Years ago, people wouldn't be drinking a Grande coffee often, much less a Venti. We had cans of pop, not bottles with over 500 ml. I don't think that a bit of sugar occasionally is a problem, but it seems as though portions sizes are such that now people think nothing of eating far more than they should, and therefore consuming much more sugar. (edited to add: I don't think a particular food is evil, per se. Instead I think we should be looking closer at portion sizes and educating people on how to read labels)

What do you think?

From sugar to apples, I have a great contest to tell you about. February is apple month, and BC Tree Fruits wants to give you the opportunity to win an iPad, an iPod, or and incredible Grand Prize!

Five nights for four people at Predator Ridge
includes:
-golf for 4
-orchard picnic
-car rental
-boat rental
-spa gift card
..and more!

BC Tree Fruits is encouraging you to play with your food by creating an Artful Apple-carve, paint, or more to transform your apple into art! Take a photo of your work, upload it to their site, and then get friends and family involved in voting for your apple!

Need some inspiration? Check out some of these cute apples! Besides, what better excuse than to get the kids to decorate their own and enter, right? If not you can at least have a really healthy snack.

I'd love to see your creations! If you enter, let me know via Twitter and I'll happily re-tweet them to my stream for people to look at and vote for!

Ten Things I Have Learned So far This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

A little while ago, I started a new job. Yes, that one! I realized that I had no clothes to actually wear while I was running around in gyms or outside, so the weekend we went to the motorcycle show, I picked up the first pair of yoga pants I've ever owned and a pair of sweatpants. I don't think I've actually worn sweatpants since I was about 19, so it was odd to be in them, although incredibly cozy. Can I just say that I love Nike clothes? It's a completely unsolicited/compensated plug here, but I bought some Nike things and not only do they fit well, but they wash up and are SO comfortable.

The first full week I was there, I promptly contracted the flu from Hell that knocked me onto the couch for a week straight. It was ugly. At one point, I even lost my voice for a full three days. I didn't cook a thing, in fact, the very idea of food was unappealing, and my poor guys were left to forage their own meals from what was left in the freezer.

This week, I've finally gotten back in the game and have found out a few things about myself.

1. I have no issue with warmth over fashion. When it's drizzling rain outside and I'm on a muddy field, I don't care that I have on old runners that are a bit crappy looking, some fuzzy pants from Mountain Equipment Co-op that are about 20 years old, and my hair is a mess. I'm warm, I'm dry, and that's all that counts. (Those pants from MEC are the BOMB. I bought them years ago to wear under dry suits while scuba diving, and they still are amazing now)

2. Walking up a long, steep hill at the end of class is almost enough to wear me out. The first time, almost killed me. I've been doing it twice a day now, and today I made it to the top without feeling like was GOING TO DIE. My legs are tired and I'm stiff, but I'm also really stubborn. I'm also really, really out of shape.

3. I can't throw frisbees well. Don't ask.

4. All this exercise makes me ravenously hungry by lunch time. As in, so hungry I could eat an elephant. Gone are the days where I'd graze on something tiny, I need fuel, man! I'll need to keep this in mind when I'm packing lunches-because now, I'm really making sure to pack a good one.

5. I'm ridiculously thrilled when it's sunny outside-as in dance a jig around the kitchen. No soggy field and wet feet, but that gorgeous, bright sun on my face for a full 2-3 hours! I can hardly wait until the weather gets really nice and warm.

6. It's embarrassing when you wipe out on a sidewalk scattered with rocks in front of an entire class of eighth graders. But you can't let it show, because they can tell and will NOT let you forget.

7. Canadian geese which look at you and honk incessantly, as if demanding that a field is their space and no they will NOT move unless you peg them with a Frisbee (which I never did) are really, really annoying. Related: Canadian geese produce a LOT of poop, which is really gross when you step in it.

8. I don't know the rules to a LOT of games. Which could be a problem. What side? Who? So. many. games. To. Learn.

9. My career guide last year that said I should become a motivational speaker was accurate. The irony is hilarious, considering I was the girl in high school who would feign illness to get OUT of playing, and now I'm the one trying to convince those very girls TO play. I never would've guessed.

10. Sunshine, running, and laughter is totally good for the soul. I LOVE it. Even when I'm home and just cleaned up after dinner, and so tired I can barely move. We haven't even done any runs yet, which will mean I'll be running two, sometimes three times in a class.

Oy.

The Teen is Going to Motorcycle School

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:24:00 +0000

Last weekend we ventured over into the city and trekked all the way out to the Abbotsford Trade Ex Center for a Motorcycle show. It always makes for a long day, heading that far into the valley, but John was determined since he missed it last year!

Our bike is currently in storage because it's far too cold out to ride, but it was fun to look at all the accessories and things that we could get. I'm not up for a pair of leather chaps, thanks. Or a skull motif ring. However, I did want one of these:

Scorpion makes a great selection of women's motorcycle gear, and I absolutely love my jacket and pants by them (completely unsponsored statement). Apparently I have a really weirdly shaped head and the helmet that we initially bought just doesn't fit me well. A seam from the fabric presses into my skull, and after about 45 minutes it literally feels like I have an ice pick being driven into my head - which really isn't the greatest when you are on a long ride! The visor on this one is really appealing, as is the more open air feel to it.

Na, we aren't buying him one of these. Don't worry.

We wandered the Trade Ex among the booths before finally stopping and committing the one thing that I think has cemented us in Kevin's mind as the coolest parents on the planet; we signed him up for motorcycle lessons.

People really are opinionated about giving your teen motorcycle lessons. Hey, I get it if you've never been on a motorcycle and the only thing you know about it is someone who died riding one. Perhaps it would seem akin to allowing your child to play with matches and explosives. However, for us it's a little difficult to tell the kid "No, you CAN'T ride one" when we do all the time. Besides, he plans to buy himself a bike eventually so we think it's far more responsible to make him take a course and learn how to ride it properly when he's 16 (and easier to influence his habits) than when he's 20 and just does it on his own.

This one's pretty, but I'm happy being a passenger. Honest.

By the end of the summer, we'll have another fully qualified motorcyclist in the family, and I'll be bringing you the details on what learning how to ride is like!

The Almost Famous Chef Competition and a Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:02:00 +0000

Update: Daniela Molettieri from the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec student won the competition for her Fillet of Veal Stuffed with Wild Mushrooms signature recipe. She will go to Napa Valley from March 9-12 and compete at the finals!

Earlier in the week I had the pleasure of interviewing Hans Berg, from the International Culinary School at the Arts Institute of Vancouver. Coming up next week is the 10th annual San Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Canada Regional Competition, and Hans earned a spot to compete in the Canadian regionals for the chance to go all the way to Napa Valley in March for the finals.

This competition is a fantastic opportunity for culinary students, who are paired up with a chef mentor and will have a chance to win prizes, job opportunities, and the chance to meet celebrity chefs. Hans expressed what an honor it is to even be in the regionals, and how excited he is to compete.

Born and raised in Norway, Hans' original career path was to be an engineer, but he found that his heart just wasn't in it. The applied math was fine, he expressed, but the theoretical "just wouldn't stick in my head.", which I can relate to wholeheartedly. Taking some time off from school and doing a little travel, Hans met a girl in Hawaii and followed her to Montreal, where he began working as a dishwasher in a little Italian restaurant. It was there that he became hooked.

"The chef there shaped the way I approach food. The ingredients speak for themselves." Hans worked his way out of the dish pit and went on to prepping food, but eventually was laid off. This is common in the restaurant industry, as tourist seasons slow to a crawl and establishments try to keep ahead by laying off extra staff. Back home in Norway, he found himself working at a high end contemporary seafood restaurant, with a modern take on traditional recipes.

Soon, Hans's girlfriend got a job in Vancouver and again he followed, this time enrolling at the International Culinary School at the Arts Institute. "I wanted to learn the why of doing things. I knew how to do them, but I didn't know why I was doing it." Hans spoke glowingly of the program-the fantastic instructors, which includes local chefs with restaurants in the city. Graduating this summer from the Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management program, Hans spoke of a possible move to Victoria, BC and has plans to get into butchery. "I think it's a dying art. Making sausages, curing, making pates..." Listening to him speak, it's hard not to get caught up in his enthusiasm.

So, what does a chef like to eat when he's cooking for himself? "If I were to cook for myself, I'd make a simple pasta dish." Hans is a huge fan of Italian and Mexican food, which he describes as simple, homey, and hearty. "And you gotta have a baking stone," he interjected when I confessed my love of pizza. "I picked one up and it was $25!" Okay Hans, I promise-I will buy one next chance I get.

Onto the looming competition-how did Hans get himself chosen for this great honor? In mid December, seven or eight chefs were thrust into competing in a "black box" situation where you are given 3 or 4 unknown ingredients and 30 minutes to do as much as you can, the best you can. "It really tests you. It's all about creativity because you keep it simple, but not so simple it doesn't impress." As soon as Hans won the competition, he began developing his dish for the Canadian regionals. "I thought about food from home, and what they would be eating about now, and went from there. Food should have substance, be comforting. Uncomplicated. A meal should be real. I like to keep food simple but still impressive." This chef is a guy after my own food-loving heart, as we talked about a mutual admiration for John Bishop's work and I expressed how "Fresh" is one of my favorite cookbooks. Co-incidentally, Hans had just been cooking some of John Bishop's recipes that very day!

The dish in production for the competition is cod and potatoes, but not just any cod and potatoes. As Hans described it I couldn't keep writing and instead just stopped and let my imagination take over. Simple, yet still sophisticated, the dish sounds amazing and I can't wait to see how it fares in the competition. When asked about the challenges to competing, Hans listed that being watched to see if he's using proper technique, working in a new kitchen, and not being able to deviate from the recipe pose some challenges. On the other hand, "it's and exciting opportunity to have the top people in the industry rate your dishes!" Oh, indeed. I'm not sure I'd be up for that!

Hans' signature dish for the competition

Drop by the Almost Famous website for more details about the competition, to see live streaming video and to find recipes from past year's winners! Once the winner is announced, there will be more recipes of the chef's signature dishes.

Does all that talk of food make your mouth water? Well, you are in luck-I've paired up with the Almost Famous competition to offer a gift certificate to one lucky reader for a dinner for two, and this time I have a fantastic local twist! The winner, chosen at random, will have their choice of a $125 gift certificate to The Painted Boat located right here on the Sunshine Coast, OR a $125 gift certificate to Cardero's in Vancouver. It's not often that I have the opportunity to provide a prize local to the Sunshine Coast!

To enter:

Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)

Tweet the following about this giveaway (1 entry):

RT to enter to Win $125 gift certificate for dinner #AFChef frm @scatteredmom

I'll draw a winner on Saturday, February 4th after 8am PST. Check out the Almost Famous Chef Competition site for more information about the competition, or take a look at their Facebook page. You can even follow on Twitter!

Good luck!

Video Fun: Featuring Gregory Miller

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:33:00 +0000

After days of enduring what felt like the never ending plague (also known as the most miserable cold/flu I've experienced in years), I finally felt well enough to surf the Internets a bit and found some videos by these hugely talented boys. Their beautiful video tribute to their Mom, who was killed in a Ford Explorer roll over crash, has gone viral and was on the front page of Yahoo this morning. Make sure to go watch it with some tissues handy. This video features Gregory cooking an omelet, and I swear this boy has better technique than I do! Way to go! Now if I could make an omelet without it falling apart....

Food Revolution Friday: For Paula Deen on Diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:38:00 +0000

Paula, I have to admit, I had never looked at your site or seen you on TV until I heard you have type 2 diabetes. I’m sorry about that, by the way – diabetes is rough. My husband was diagnosed awhile ago and while we didn’t have to make that many changes in our eating habits, judging from your site, you’ve likely had to give yours a complete overhaul. I mean really, you can’t possibly be eating deep fried cheese cake, butter, or that macaroni and cheese you whip up. I hear that you are cutting back on sweet tea, getting more active, and starting on medication.

I don’t begrudge you, honestly. I know it’s a tough world out there, and you’ve done a good job carving out a niche for yourself and made a lot of money doing it. Celebrity chefs these days all need a ‘thing’, and yours seems to be the queen of indulgence. Shock value food sadly has a place these days, so your deep fried lasagna or butter really isn’t any different than things featured on shows like “Man vs Food” or “Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.” Besides television, there’s no shortage of deep fried kool-aid balls at any county fair, and I haven’t forgotten KFC’s Double Down. There’s a market. You’ve helped fill it – because honestly, if there was no demand for your kind of food, you wouldn’t be selling it, right?

When the news of your illness first broke, I thought the critics were being unreasonable. Chefs are not role models, they are artists in a way – using food as materials to create new flavors and to discover methods, so why should they be restricted by what may be deemed healthy? I myself love to play with ingredients and come up with things that are delicious, but not necessarily good for you. I wanted to give you a pass, really I did, until I went to your site.

There, you talk about cutting back on sweet tea and now your sons have a TV show with conveniently lighter food, you hock medication, but that’s not what caught my eye, Paula. Nope, it was the ‘kid – friendly’ section of recipes. After all, providing parents with recipes to feed their children are, in some way, a responsibility. If the parents are looking to those of us who can cook to show them what is good for their kids, we need to take that seriously and try to give them food that is reasonably nutritious. Of the 85 recipes listed, half of them are desserts. Many are ridiculously high in fat and use processed ingredients, and as I flipped through them, I began to feel sad.

It’s really hard to take someone seriously when their kid friendly food features things like chocolate fudge made with processed cheese or crackers topped with cheese and wrapped in bacon. Seriously, Paula? Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents in the USA are obese, and these are the snacks you are offering?

The time for shock value food is over. You have a platform to create real change, if not for you, at the very least, for them. Diabetes type 2 is serious, and one can’t take care of it just by cutting back on the amount of chocolate cheese fudge they eat and pop some pills. Right now, you are looking pretty opportunistic and not credible in the least, in my eyes.

You can do better.

If not for yourself, at least for the parents who are making your recipes for their children.

(I purposely didn't link to the recipes, because I don't want to give them more traffic.)

Cooking for a Food Blog without Breaking the Bank

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:21:00 +0000

As I was reading over at Yummy Mummy Club Food, I found this post by Sharon talking about getting to see all the great recipes coming into the site. She suggested that someone cook along and try them because that would be so much fun!

"Yes, it would," I'm thinking on one hand, but then the other part of me is thinking, "OH MY LORD the pressure to make sure they are all amazing! GAH!"

That's just because I'm a perfectionist when it comes to food, I think. A comment really caught my attention-someone said that if they had the grocery budget, they'd really have fun with that. So, let me let you in on a few things here. Firstly, I don't have a huge grocery budget. Or rather, I don't think it's huge-I try to keep our weekly groceries, including all our household cleaners and toiletries, to around $200-$250 a week. Meal planning, buying some things in bulk and having a deep freeze help, too. I've become really good at taking bits of things left over from other recipes and incorporating them into new ones, so nothing gets wasted, too. Over the last few years I've learned this because at first, I was spending more money on groceries than I was making writing, which was ridiculous.

How does it work? What am I making this week? And how do I find the TIME?

Monday: Chicken/Bacon arugula sandwiches, home made coleslaw, roasted yam bites

The bacon was on sale-I'll portion it out for a recipe next week, the cabbage left over from the week before, and I'll use arugula in salads.

Tuesday: Tomato Chick pea sauce with feta and fried eggs, salad from the night before, home made pitas. (Fast-I'm going out that night!)

Sounds weird, I know-but really very good. I have leftover feta from a week or so ago that will fit nicely with this. Plus the canned beans, tomatoes, and eggs are super cheap. If you make your own pitas it's really cheap as well.

Wednesday: Turkey Shepherd's Pie and salad (a little longer time commitment)

I've been planning to blog this one forever, but it always gets thwarted somehow. It's a family favorite and I'm always happy to make it. Lots of veggies! It's pretty inexpensive, except the ground turkey can be a bit costly. The rest, however, is all veggies so it's inexpensive that way.

Thursday: Chicken in Vinegar (braised chicken dish) with bread and salad (This one needs to be slow braised, so I need to prep ahead and it won't be done until 6pm)

Cut up whole chickens were on sale, and I happened to have most of the other ingredients so this was a no-brainer. Plus it will give us leftovers for Friday! I bought a bottle of wine to use in this, and I may have a glass, but I'll also freeze some for another week.

Friday: For me and Kev: Vegetarian Curry with rice. For Hubs: Leftover Chicken (Lazy Friday, a.k.a no time commitment. I just need to pull from the freezer)

I had the vegetables leftover from last week, so I used them to make the curry on the weekend and tucked it into the freezer.

Weekend: Leftovers and freezer meals

Baked Goods: Cranberry squares, Sunflower Whole Wheat Baguettes, and toffee cookies
The cranberries were picked up on sale after Christmas, as well as the toffee bits. If you have a well stocked baking pantry it's never really that expensive to whip up a batch of cookies.

Time is a whole different issue. I admit, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Tonight I wasn't that well organized and dinner seemed to take forever. I know I can do better, and Tomorrow night I will. In fact, I have to because I need to be out at an event at 6pm. Often I get off work at 3pm, I'm home by 3:30, and I start cooking by 3:45 to get dinner on the table by 5:00 or 5:30. I often prep things ahead of time, or have things in the freezer that help me out, or will choose recipes that don't require a long time commitment. It's a balancing act!

PS. And yes, they are all going to be blogged at some point, don't worry.

Food is Love

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:16:00 +0000

A blast of warm air hit me in the face as I removed a pan of cookies from the oven, and took a deep breath of the butter and chocolate filled air. Baking cookies has been a weekend ritual almost as long as our 19 year marriage.

I love the smell of fresh cookies. John was soon beside me, hovering over the counter, his hand poised to pick the perfect one.

"You know, honey I should teach you how to bake these. Or at the very least, write the recipe down so that if anything ever happened so that I couldn't bake or something happened to me, you'd still have your cookies."

John shook his head.

"No. I just wouldn't have them again. "

"Oh, come on. Someone else could make those. Even Kevin could, they are so easy!"

He finally chose a cookie, cradling it gingerly in his hands, and met my gaze.

"No. I wouldn't eat them. Nobody makes cookies like you." He licked chocolate off a finger and smiled.

"Nobody."

John's Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies

Before John was diagnosed with Diabetes type 2, he enjoyed these on a regular basis. After the diagnosis I made it my mission to perfect them using brown sugar Splenda. Splenda changes their texture to a drier, more crumbly cookie, but he can still enjoy them! I included the instructions for both ways.

2 cups flour
3 cups quick oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/3 cups butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar Splenda and 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (or 2 cups of brown sugar)
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 350 F.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. In a bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter until fluffy. Add the Splenda and blend well. Scrape down the side of the bowl and add the applesauce and eggs. Blend somewhat, but only until it's combined. It will look rough and chunky but that's okay. When Splenda is in a recipe, it doesn't blend together like it would if there was actual sugar in the mixture. If you use regular brown sugar, it will all blend up beautifully like regular cookie batters do.

Add the oatmeal/flour mixture, stirring on low until the batter comes together. Turn out into a large bowl and stir in 1 3/4 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Spoon the cookies out in heaped tablespoons onto a cookie sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart, shaping with your fingers into roundish disks and pressing down slightly with the palm of your hand.

Bake in the middle of the oven for 10 minutes until lightly golden and set in the middle. Remove immediately to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container for a few days or freeze them up to a few weeks.

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen

I May Just Be Completely Insane

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:29:00 +0000

Photo credit: DaniMU

So, just to keep life really interesting, I applied for a job. Not another one on top of the one that I already do, but a change in the one I already do. A move, if you will, to a different school. The third one in 8 months. In a job that is completely different from anything I've ever done.

As a special ed teaching assistant, I've worked in kindergartens, singing "Old MacDonald" to 5 year olds and helping zip coats. I've taught teenagers how to cook, fourteen year olds the life cycle of stars, grade fours about dragons, and kids in self contained special needs rooms how to recycle cans. There has been everything from sign language to wheelchairs, and much more. This job will be completely different from anything I've ever done.

This job will be working in three PE classes, from grades 8 to 10. PE classes that do runs every day, that I would be required to go on, rain or shine. Or snow, even. With three classes it could mean that some days I'd have to do TWO runs. TWO. Long, long runs.

While I may be fairly thin, and I eat healthy, I will admit (albeit somewhat ashamed) that I am not a very active person. I never go to the gym, I don't attend any sort of exercise classes, and my idea of a workout probably means a walk around the block. At first when I heard about this job I thought that it would be complete and utter insanity to apply, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought that it might just be the thing for me. A change of pace that may just be really good for my mental health. Exercise is good for stress, which I've had in spades, and maybe being able to zone out and get active with groups of kids is exactly what I need. Being paid to exercise may be just the motivation I need.

Also, the bonus would be I'd be in great shape by summer. That is, if the first month doesn't completely kill me first. Today I crossed my fingers, and I applied. I won't find out if I have the job or not for a little while, but here's to taking risks and trying something new.

Either that, or I'm a little insane.

Two runs? Oy. Also, I'd need to buy some new workout clothes.

I'm crazy.

Peaceful. And a Promise.

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:20:00 +0000

It is said that people who make resolutions only last for about six weeks at best-even less if you really want to keep track, I suppose. Gyms are full at the beginning of January and then all those people trying to get rid of their post Christmas paunch eventually fall off the treadmill and slink back to eating a box of cookies at their desk. Bloggers make grand promises, then don't write again for awhile.

I'll bet you all think that's what I've been doing. (edited to add: Oh dear, I only JUST noticed that Christmas photos are in my header, almost as if I still have my treat and stockings up. Yikes!)

Tonight I wrote up a few recipes that I think you'll enjoy for Valentine's Day-besides the fact that they contain Oreos, which I have made no secret that I adore and only have 3 ingredients each, they are incredibly indulgent and hard to keep away from. Even my own iron clad will power that everyone on Twitter extols when they find out that I only eat a few cookies while I bake is stretched to it's breaking point with these treats. (recipe for Oreo Cookie Bark and Oreo Truffles)

See what I mean? Melty chocolate and Oreos? Come to Mama

I came over here, realizing that I hadn't written for awhile, and was struck that the last time I had posted anything it was January 3rd. How did that happen? Where did all that time go? It seems as though while I tried to grasp my new routine as we settled into 2012 that the last week or so just slid through my fingers. Really, I was peppering my boards on Pinterest, talking about contests for crazy amazing cookware at Yummy Mummy, getting people to send me photos of things that make them furiously happy over at Kickass 2012, and making things like Meyer Lemon Curd. So I suppose it hasn't been an entirely unproductive week.

There have been many stories that have made their way into my head and not to here, yet. How I found letters written to my teenager that were tucked away for his sixteenth birthday, all with predictions that at the time seemed silly when he was still a babe growing inside me but now are startling accurate. There's a jar on my window sill with tiny bits of beach glass inside, all gathered by hand from an area not far from my home. Like tiny promises they sit there in the sun, reminding me of a time when life seemed harder and reminding me of a friend and our walks on the beach now. Of Kevin, and how he thinks I should become a computer technician because he thinks I have the aptitude for it.

I don't know why they haven't made their way from my head to here, but maybe it's part of being a writer. I guess we all go through times where the words flow from brain to fingers so easily, and others where it takes a little more perculating. If you remember our saga from dealing with bullies who falsely accused Kevin of plotting to murder their foster mother last year, just this week we finally heard from the ombudsman regarding the complaint that we filed.

In small towns when there is much gossip and innuendo, where we both have jobs which place us in the public, it's hard to have much privacy. Certainly, it can't help to have a blog as well but in our case, my space is going to allow us to tell our story. I had initially taken down the posts which had the details to the story, but now that time has passed and we have more knowledge about the situation, I am going to re-post them. The truth is that as of right now, while powers that be agree that things went horribly wrong, that there simply isn't enough information to hold anyone accountable. At least, some people. We aren't finished. Another complaint is going to be filed-one that I put off, but have been encouraged to pursue. One against a group that can be extremely intimidating, and who have a lot of power.

It's pretty disappointing so far, but at least Kevin learned that we will fight tooth and nail for him when there's injustice. Not that he didn't know that already, but he knows now that we have his back no matter who it is.

2012, so far, has been peaceful. No worries, just cozy nights by the fire where we chat and laugh together as a family. This has been a wonderful way to start the year, really. If it's a precursor to how 2012 will go, I'll take it.

Back soon with stories and the outcome of our dealings with the ombudsman. Promise.

We did It. Really DID IT.

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:53:00 +0000

Remember when I wrote this? I totally meant it. In fact, I meant it so much that Ann from Living Through the Tears and I created a blog to chronicle our year. Don't expect sad stories over there, we are going to be completely living it up! Everything fun, inspirational, and amazing will be on Kick Ass 2012.

Fun, everyday, amazing things are going to populate that blog. Even if it's just extolling the virtues of forgetting to take down your Christmas ornaments. (How long do you think I can hold out before Hubs cleans them up?) It might even be about singing the praises of good chocolate and friends who send it. The fact that The Hobbit is coming out in 2012.

Ohhhh...my precious! Did you know that I'm a huge Lord of the Rings fan? That when The Return of the King was released, I dragged Hubs to the theater (and for me, that's huge-I NEVER go to the theater) even though I was horribly ill and completely drugged up on painkillers and antibiotics? Also, despite the fact that the horrible cartoon version of The Hobbit (1977) scared me so badly that I had nightmares for months about giant spiders trying to eat me and in that movie there was a massive spider who tries to eat Frodo? Of course, back when I saw the Hobbit I was 6 years old so of course I was terrified. Try massive Hobbit eating spiders when you're hyped up on painkillers. It's awesome.

I am that much of a fan.

And the really silly thing? I keep thinking of cheesy lines from Lord of the Rings these days.

(as I'm writing this Hubs is watching a show about a hunt for monster spiders and it's seriously giving me the willies. No, I don't want to know about a spider web that was as long as two football fields. Or watch people roast tarantulas. EW. That's a Food Revolution I can't get on board with. )

Which leads me to my last really awesome thing that happened today at work. On Friday, I decided to give the kids a break from all those vile vegetables that I keep making them eat and have them make these way delicious lasagna roll ups . Try them! They are SO good. As I was explaining the dish to them today and saying that they won't have to add too many veggies if they don't want to, one of the kids stopped me and said,

"But I like vegetables. Can't I make mine vegetarian?"

I almost fell over. Seriously? They went from "Salad is bunk. I'm not eating salad" to "Can we please have more vegetables?"

It's a freaking MIRACLE.

Happy 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:43:00 +0000

Somehow, over the course of Christmas holidays I hunkered down and took a break. It was unplanned really, but there I was for two solid weeks, all pajamas until noon and days without make-up, sleeping in until 10 am, cooking without taking photos or some days not cooking at all, immersing myself in books or movies, and working on a 1000 piece Christmas puzzle.

It was glorious. Simply, without a doubt, glorious.

Yesterday it was as though I finally awoke from a long slumber, looked around, and finally all my creativity, writing, and urge to cook came flooding back. In fact, I was so engrossed in what I was doing that I was up until 1 am! No matter, I had one last day to sleep in and enjoy before it's back to work and the usual routine of life.

What have I been up to?

Well, in case you missed some things while I was ridiculously snowed under with stuff and then gone:

I helped Annie make this video. It's long, but I like how it turned out.

Mid December, I helped Jamie Oliver.com throw another Twitter party, all about baking! It was a lot of fun. Then not to be outdone, I baked and decorated over 200 sugar cookies with the kids at school for our Christmas party.

Aren't they ridiculously brightly colored? The kids begged me to let them, and I caved. At home, I have some way cool natural food coloring that I need to try on my maple gingerbread that I never quite got around to icing. This week I plan to dig them out and decorate them. What, you never eat gingerbread after Christmas?

I was involved with Kraft Canada's #dessert1st fun over the holidays, where they sent me some products and I baked things up to take to friends and family. I'm STILL baking things! Oh sure, you all say that you are into the healthy stuff now that it's January but these are perfect for Valentine's Day or even Easter too!

People were SO happy to get these chocolate chunk shortbread. When I get back to work I'll bring some Oreo Truffles and sea salt caramels to share.

There was a lot of writing going on for Yummy Mummy Club. There's an article with 20 Pantry Essentials, another that talks about my frustrations with an adult picky eater, and how to get your teen to eat vegetables.

I'm doing recipes that are exclusive just to the site, so I'll be sending you over to try them out. Here's two for starters...

Sage and Apple Biscuits that are so yummy you'll make them again and again! I love how they have grated apple in them to make them super moist. Try them split and stuffed with ham and a really good mustard.

This Turkey and Black Bean Chili is a huge favorite in our house, and even my husband who won't eat anything "weirdly spiced" (aka curry) loves it. We served it with naan bread, froze it and later had it for lunches, the works. Plus it has butternut squash, which is a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies.

How was your holiday? Are you looking forward to lots of things in 2012?

My New Year's Resolution: I'm Kicking 2012's Butt

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:53:00 +0000

Photo by .anna.

One thousand paper cranes dangled from the ceiling, all in different colors and sizes, illuminated against the stained glass cross behind them. It's been ten years since I have set foot in a church and yet there I was on the winter solstice, sitting in a circle listening to the beat of First Nations drums.

Like a heartbeat, the sound thrummed away, as I tried not to cry.

2011 has been a year of huge, amazing opportunity. I have been so blessed to work with great companies, travel to Toronto, meet amazing people, and grow this place. I earned jobs that I love, and have been supported by so many people. On the flip side, 2011 has also been one of the hardest I've had to endure. Sick family members, loved ones, and on the winter solstice, news that I never, ever, expected to hear.

Someone in my life doesn't have a lot of time.

The solstice ceremony passed in a blur, and I found myself in bed the next morning not even wanting to get up to finish getting things ready for Christmas. At the store, I wheeled my cart to the cash register and stood there blankly, willing myself to keep plodding, keep moving forward.

A lady behind me waved her two items in my face and tried to start up conversation, while I blankly stared at her and then turned around.

I can't do this, I thought. I can't continue to go on as if life is normal, when it isn't. It just so isn't.

I caught her puzzled look as she moved onto the next person, but I didn't care. Maybe on another day I would have let her go ahead of me in line, but that day, it took everything in me just to push that shopping cart through the store and make it home again, where I sat and cried.

Everything seemed just so pointless. What had I been doing the last two years? Self promotion? Writing about things for companies who sent me a product and then I never hear from them again? Stressing myself out about silly things like creating a recipe for a contest, for what? Why was I doing this? Talk of Christmas presents, shopping, decorations, and more flitted by on Twitter and for the first time in my life, I truly didn't care. So what that our tree was tiny. Or that we didn't have a pile of presents under it. So what that we chose to stay home and spend time together instead of parties, and that this was the quietest Christmas ever.

This Christmas, what I needed was peace.

December 25th came and throughout the day, I participated in #hourlyphoto, focusing on the things I love-the little things that bring me joy, such as old decorations that hold memories, or watching Kevin and John put something together.(you can look at the whole set here)

That night, I lay in bed wide awake, and I finally realized that 2012 is coming whether I'm ready or not and I could sit here and fear it, or I could claim it and help this person that I love so dearly to squeeze every last drop of happiness out of it.

Life is far too sweet, and much too short to waste my time.

The other night, I began tweeting my intentions. 2012, I'm so going to own you. I'm not wasting time anymore. I'm going to live with intention because while I know things are coming, I'm not going to let that own me. I'm taking charge and living the best I can right this minute because tomorrow is a GIFT.

Suddenly. @annbac9 joined in. Then someone else. And another. Still more.

Right there, a hashtag was born and before I knew it, #kickass2012 became a movement. Not about being successful with money or blogging, but not allowing adversity to kick us down, and instead to grab life and squeeze out every bit of happiness.

2012, I can't change you.

But I WILL own you.

Wanna join?

(Ps.before anyone freaks out, I'm not talking about myself or an immediate family member. @annbac9 and I have big plans for the #kickass2012 hashtag, which just may turn into a full fledged blog to chronicle just how we are kicking 2012's butt-and YOU are invited to join in. Details to come!)

Merry Christmas! Hourly Photo Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 22:00:00 +0000

My friend Andrea over at Peek Inside the Fishbowl threw down her annual photo challenge, and this year I couldn't resist. Photos? Christmas? You got it. Good thing it was on Christmas Day this year too, because Christmas Eve my batteries died in my camera. Fully charged, ready to go, here's our photos so far! I'll be adding to it as the day (and evening) roll on by. You can follow me in real time on Twitter, too. Just look for #hourlyphoto!

10:00 am. When you have teenagers, everyone gets to sleep in! It's wonderful, and gives me time to get the big gift under the tree because the teen? Slept until 10:30 am. I started making breakfast.

11:00 am. Wait...breakfast? We opened gifts first while these amazing maple syrup glazed bacon pecan chickpeas roasted in the oven. Then we scarfed them down with croissants, oranges, glasses of milk, and later big cups of coffee.

12:00 pm. It's never, ever, Christmas in this house until John and Kevin are building something. This year we found a very old stereo system at the thrift store that Kevin wanted, and they spent hours fixing/taking it apart. It even has an 8 track player! I laughed that out of all the gifts, he's most excited about something under $10 from the thrift store.

1:00 pm. Gifts from an amazing friend (not pictured: a way cute elf cookie cutter and mini pie plates) This girl really gets me! Lots of treats to eat, cool food things to play with (lime oil!) and a beautiful handmade stocking.

2:00 pm. Wind, rain, sun...the weather isn't that great today, but the view across the Strait of Georgia from my kitchen is amazing. I thought those black specks above the houses and trees were something on my lens at first, until I realized they are birds.

Come back throughout the day as I add to this!

Christmas Cookies: A Cautionary Tale

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Chocolate chip candy cane shortbread, butterfinger truffles, and maple butter tarts are lovingly baked and tucked into the freezer for Christmas. With only three of us, it seems to make sense to bake ahead because there's no way that we need a pile of treats at Christmas, right? Bake, have some to eat, keep some in the fridge, we're good to go!

I reach my hand into the frosty interior of the fridge and pull out a tupperware that only a week before held three dozen of the most delectable chocolate ganache coated and candy cane sprinkled shortbread. Wait, it feels light. Really light. The lid comes off and there's one lone cookie-a stray really, which was missed when I was coating them with chocolate and carefully sprinkling with crushed candy cane.

A single plain shortbread cookie is at the bottom of the tin.

"You are them ALL? All three dozen?"

"You're going to make more, right? Those were so good." Kevin munches his pizza at the dining room table.

Either I need to bake more cookies, or just stop baking at all until December 22nd.

Do your kids eat all your Christmas cookies?

Check out Tasty Five over at Chasing Tomatoes for some fantastic cookie recipes, and details on the Food Revolution Twitter Party I'm guest hosting on Tuesday!

Change for A Dollar

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:59:00 +0000

This time of year when people are so concerned with the perfect gift, keep this in mind:

You CAN create change, with only a dollar.

Embarrassing Your Teen In Three Easy Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Kevin: "Mom, can you take a photo of me for my website?"

Me: "You really need a hair cut. Say 'cheese!' No really, smile, dammit. Not like that. Not like you are constipated. Think of girls. "

Kevin: "Uh, Mom? Why are you still taking pictures? And stop mentioning those girls I like."

Me: "Why not? You're smiling aren't you?"

Kevin: "I can NOT believe you just said THAT to get me to smile. You are SO WEIRD."

Me: "You're a guy. I knew THAT would make you laugh."

Recipe Tuesday: Maple California Walnut Mini Cheesecakes

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:58:00 +0000

When I think of walnuts, I can't help but pair it up with maple, and these mini cheesecakes are perfect for a special occasion dessert! I was asked by the California Walnut Commission to come up with a great holiday dessert using their delicious walnuts! How could I resist? Maple Walnut ice cream was my childhood favorite, and this takes me right back.

Crust:

3/4 cup graham wafer crumbs
1 tbsp maple sugar
1/2 cup California walnuts, chopped finely
1/4 cup butter, melted

Line each of the muffin cups in a large muffin tin with foil, smoothing it out as best you can. Set aside.

In a bowl, stir together the graham wafer crumbs, maple sugar, and walnuts. Drizzle the melted butter over top and stir. Divide the mixture among the six muffin cups, pressing it into the bottom of the cups. Set aside.

Filling:

two 8 oz packages of cream cheese
2/3 cup maple syrup
2 eggs
1 tsp maple extract

Pre-heat oven to 325 F.

Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the maple syrup and extract, beating on low until well combined.

Pour the batter into the muffin cups and bake for about 30 minutes.

Garnish:

5 tbsp maple syrup
1/3 cup maple sugar
1 cup California walnut halves

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip the walnuts in maple syrup, shaking off the excess, then roll in maple sugar before placing on the baking sheet. Bake in a 325 F oven for about 10 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Let cool.

To assemble:

Gently remove the foil from each cheesecake. Chop about half of the candied walnuts and roll each cheesecake in the nuts, coating the sides. Place the cheesecakes on a plate and top with whipped cream and candied walnuts as a garnish.

Makes 6 mini cheesecakes. Keep them refrigerated for a few days, or you could possibly freeze them, wrapped, and with out the garnishes.