Notes From the Cookie Jar

The Climb

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 28 May 2012 05:46:00 +0000

Every day I climb a long, steep hill. Step after excruciating step, it takes sheer will to get my body to make it’s way to the top. I trudge along the sidewalk-usually behind all the kids in my PE classes, forcing myself to continue, no matter how tired I am. That hill is the hardest part of my day. Going down is not a problem, but going up is sheer torture.

The first time I had to climb the hill months ago, I wasn’t sure I’d actually make it. My lungs felt like they would burst, my legs were jelly, and in the curve of the steepest part, I stopped and almost sat down.

I don’t think I can do this. Why did I take this job? This is crazy. I’m not twenty anymore, and able to hike up the cut at Whitecliff park in 100 pounds of scuba gear. What was I thinking?

After that first run along the waterfront, I went home and promptly fell asleep. My muscles, screaming for mercy, ached for almost the entire first month as day after day I climbed the hill. I’m not really sure how I managed to function, really-the exhaustion from being outside as much as three hours a day exercising had me sound asleep on the couch at 7 pm most nights.

At first, my goal was simply to make it through a run, bringing up the rear with a fast walk. Then, it was a run and getting up the hill without stopping, which eventually changed to getting through TWO runs. I can do that, right? I can make the hill twice a day. Each time when I reach the top, I stop, close my eyes, take a deep breath, and slow my pounding heart. Each time, a sense of accomplishment washes over me.

I conquered you today, hill. Take THAT.

Life has been a lot like that hill, these days. One foot in front of the other, at times wondering if we can actually do it, but each time, slowly making our way to the top. Each time I crest that hill, there’s a smile and sense of accomplishment. Each time, it gets a little easier.

With all my focus pouring into simply making it up the hill, I hadn’t noticed that over the months my legs have become stronger. The hill is a little easier. No longer do I feel like I’m going to have to crawl to the top, but instead I can walk it without a problem. Some days, I don’t stop and breathe because that was kind of easy.

Early last week we were hit with a bomb none of us expected- after seven years, our landlord is selling our house. We’ve talked about moving to the Fraser Valley for some time, but expected it to be on our timeline, not somebody else’s. This is a hill we’ve seen before over the 20 years we’ve been together, and at times, has caused a huge amount of stress and worry. Four times in 16 years, we’ve packed up and moved because of work, and this will be move number five. At this point we are sorting out where we’ll look at houses, and applying for jobs. It could mean a complete career change for me, which after 20 years is both exhilarating, but terrifying at the same time. Each time I start to panic, I think about the hill.

One foot in front of the other. Just keep going. Remember to breathe. Focus on the top. You can DO THIS.

On a sunny Thursday as I climbed that hill for the third time that day, I finally reached the top and stopped in the parking lot, closed my eyes, took a deep breath and smiled.

This new hill isn’t going to stop me. I know how to conquer them, now.

BRING IT.

Precarious

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:07:00 +0000

The phone call came on Monday afternoon, as I was puttering around the kitchen. As I picked up the phone I assumed our landlord was calling to talk about the shingles that had blown off in a previous storm, or to check up and see how things were.

I was wrong. Instead, he dropped a bomb that we didn't see coming; they want to sell the house.

As he talked, I paced the kitchen before handing the phone to John and then, panicked and wide eyed, running out to the kitchen and standing there, open mouthed. Move? We can't move now. Where would we go? What are we going to do? How could this happen?

We had been contemplating moves for a very long time, but John hasn't been successful at getting transferred yet. While we have eyed the Fraser Valley for about 2 years, we were looking forward to a year to get our finances in better shape and lining up jobs before we made the jump. Being forced to move could up our timeline and push us over there sooner, because it seems silly to move to another place here in town and then move again only months later.

Once the dust settled and we figured out our options, we drew up a plan. First, talk to the bank and see what we can afford. Then, figure out where we want to live. Last, start applying for jobs in that area. Through it all, start purging all the extra junk in the house. I looked at the bright side all day yesterday, thinking that this could finally be the push we need to make our move back to the city and turn out to be a really good thing. We talked more as a family over dinner, and with a little time for the dust to settle, agreed that things could really work out to our benefit.

I settled down on the couch with the laptop, dishes left on the counter as I reasoned I'd clean them up a little later. That is, until the phone rang.

A realtor on the other end wanted to show the house, at noon the next day. Our home, which we have lived in for the past seven years, had gone from a calm, secure, haven to precarious thing in less than 24 hours. At times I've felt like running down the street waving my arms and screaming, but the neighbors would likely have me locked up.

In a mad dash, the three of us began tidying up the house as reality sunk in-the house is clean, but not "show to potential buyers" clean. The bonus is that now my house is really tidy, but at the same time, everything feels very surreal.

Oh 2012, as if it wasn't enough to have John fight a serious illness and only just start getting better, and for my closest friend to have cancer and move away closer to treatment. Sure, John said that he had a dream about us packing (and the weird thing is that often John's dreams come true) but I didn't think it would be so SOON.

Yesterday as I was out in the sunshine with my students, out in the woods supervising while they played a fun forest game. Early summer breezes played with the new leaves, and blossoms, the birds sang, and occasionally a squirrel voiced it's displeasure of having teens near its home. Three eagles caught my eye-soaring above us, they dipped and twirled through the air with ease, and I closed my eyes and inhaled the sweet blossoms' scent in the fresh air. Saturday's Awesome list had calmed my fears and given me something to focus on, I thought. I need to do that more often.

Inspired by @schmutzie and @bifnaked, I'm going to be doing a daily Awesome and words of the day with my posts, here. It will be short and sweet, and I can't really guarantee that it will be something I CAN do every day considering how upended my entire life has been these days, but I'm going to try. I need a little time to figure things out and how I'm going to fit everything in.

One day at a time.

One post at a time.

2012? You're proving to be a challenge, but I still am going to kick your butt. You'd better watch it.

A List of Awesome Things

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:07:00 +0000

When my friend Anne's husband was diagnosed with cancer and life became too much to bear, Anne would go out into the yard and lop things. We'd meet for Friday coffee, and she'd tell me stories of how she spent the afternoon pruning plants in her yard, hacking branches off of large trees and hauling the wood around. I'd go to her house and hedges would look as though they'd been attacked by an angry (or really hungry?) beaver, trimmed in places they hadn't been trimmed in years. Working outside doesn't really let you think too much, she said, or wallow. She'd be so tired that by the end of the day she'd fall into bed.

Now she has cancer too, and I'm lopping, figuratively speaking. With no garden, I'm retreating to work, where I am lifting weights, speed walking, and more with teenagers. I walk in the sunshine until my feet are sore and legs ache so much that by the end of the day I fall into bed or sometimes, I doze off right on the couch. Everything else has been on the back burner-including this space. Some days, I'm so tempted to wallow, but as Anne always says, "sometimes you need to be there, in that sad place, for a while. But it gets awfully boring to STAY there. So get on with it."

Anne's words, said to me so many times as she coped with her husband's illness, come back to me all the time as I learn to cope with hers. Schmutzie's Grace in Small Things lists on Sundays and
@alexishinde 's occasional Awesome Things lists via Twitter have occasionally been the only things that have gotten me through the day. Cancer is unspeakably ugly, people. Watching someone you love like a sister suffer so much rips your heart out. On one hand you can't imagine life without them, on the other you wish their pain could just STOP already.

So I lop. Bake. Run. And now, I'm making lists too-because I know Anne, she doesn't want me to STAY there. This weekend, I made lists for two days. I may continue all week, I don't know. I even took pictures and created a set on flickr. I can't promise it will be a regular thing, because lately, nothing is regular here.

Saturday

Awesome things #1: Sunshine. Motorcycle. Ocean Air.

Awesome things #2: This note, stuck to a seat at the front of the bus on the way to downtown Vancouver.

Awesome things #3: Pretty, pretty colored t-shirts to stock up on for summer! West 49 and Gap had a sale. Aren't the blue ones vibrant?

Awesome things #4: spending the afternoon with Anne on Saturday and giving her a hug from @jamieoliver Jamie was SO fantastic-here I had committed to be a Food Revolution Day ambassador on Saturday, but once I heard how sick Anne was feeling, I bowed out and went to the city to visit her. Giving her a hug and sending Jamie Oliver's best (as he said) made her smile, and warmed my heart.

Awesome things #5: The motorbike almost fell over but didn't, Hubs was ok, and I wasn't on it. WHEW. Related: new tires are slippery. Oops! There's some scratches. John and I looked at it, shrugged, and considered it not nearly as important as other things. It's a bike, it can be fixed.

Awesome things #6: Ordering a grilled chicken burger at Troll's and eating EVERY last salty, crispy, ketchup covered french fry. John called it comfort food. Yes, I think he was right. I can't believe I ate the whole thing. It was SO delicious, and there were all sorts of little crispy bits at the bottom of the dish, which I shamlessly picked out, one by one. Then I licked my fingers.

Awesome things #7: Little kid on the ferry slapped his hands on hood of a gorgeous, new, orange shiny Porche-Mom's and my eyes met with a collective "Oh SHIT!" expression. She quickly grabbed him as we both looked around for the owner, stuffed him in the car, and we laughed.

Awesome things #8: (more weird than awesome) sitting next to hippies on the ferry discussing their commune. "The matriarch gave me a bead, and now I'm her son". Umm. Okay....

Awesome things #9: brownies and milk. 'Nuff said.

Awesome things #10: Coming home and turning on Twitter to find all sorts of wonderful messages from my followers. You guys are the BEST.

Sunday

Awesome things #1: Hitch hiker spotted: wearing red/green/white fluffy leg warmers. I almost asked him if he was an elf.

Awesome things #2: There was a robin, perched on my neighbor's roof just outside the window, singing. Reminded me of Anne's backyard when she lived here. Her backyard was amazing! A huge vegetable garden, fountain, berry bushes, trees, and many bird feeders. We would sit and have tea, chatting and watching the birds for hours. Anne knows them all. She amazes me with her bird knowledge!

Awesome things #3: Found a treat we thought was only in the USA when grocery shopping-brought 1 home for Kev and he danced. "I thought I'd really miss these if we didn't go on a big road trip!" Nice to know we can enjoy Izzes now and then here at home this summer-they are a great alternative to pop.

Awesome things #4: A sushi shopping bag. Anne brought this back from Hawaii, and it always makes me smile. I shopped with it today, and filled it with all sorts of produce.

Awesome things #5: Hubs "is this dishwasher clean?" pause. Me: "Honey, it's running. Of COURSE it's CLEAN." Bahahaha! I think he may have forgotten how it works.

Awesome things #6: The smell of cookies baking. John was so happy I was baking his favourite oatmeal chocolate chip ones he greeted me with hugs and kisses.

Awesome things #7: licking the spoon of caramel after filling yet more cookies. That recipe is coming soon, as I get some photos and add them to Chasing Tomatoes.

Awesome things #8: Love. Family. Friends.

What's YOUR awesome thing?

Chevrolet Canada Series: Bittersweet Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:18:00 +0000

Summer is coming. You can feel it in the warmer air, and hear it the chorus of frogs as they chirp when the sun goes down. May and June are a flurry of last minute wrapping up the school year until finally the end comes and the calm of summer arrives, bringing lazy days that stretch out one before the other.

Last year my summer wasn't calm-in fact, I spent more days in hotels and traveling than I did at home. Which, on one hand, was exciting, but on the other, exhausting. By the time I was settled at home it was time to dive right back into work, with no stretch of lazy days, which are what I crave the most. You know those days, right? The ones where your biggest worry is making sure to move the sprinklers on the lawn without getting soaked, and you get to choose between taking the kids to the park or the beach?

I've been home with Kevin every summer since he was born and it's becoming obvious that this year could be the last that we are home together, sharing those lazy days. Next year he'll be graduated from high school, likely have a job, and be far too busy to hang out with Mom. I've been really blessed to have a kid who actually likes to spend time with me and wants to come along on my treks to various places, but the thought of having to let him go is bittersweet.

I'll miss the days of catching bugs and putting them in jars, picking blackberries, turning over rocks at the beach to find crabs, and bike rides.

While I was busy, he grew up.

This summer, we plan to stay close to home. Day trips and short jaunts here and there are on our calendar, but it won't be anything like last summer and my marathon vacationing. We'll have time to plant a container garden and actually tend to it, hike trails that we've never seen, make day trips to places close by that we've never visited, and attend festivals we've always missed.

Having an only child is always bittersweet. There's the joys of seeing him fly, coupled with the little bit of sadness of being left behind.

I can't wait for this summer.

Kevin, 3 years old, at Tour the Farm in the Comox Valley, 1999

Disclosure: I'm going to Blogher Food in June, sponsored by Cheverolet Canada! Join me and @alexishinde by following the hashtag #cruze2Seattle on Twitter.

Ms. Crankypants

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:55:00 +0000

I have been cranky lately. I'm not sure why but it has taken a little while to chase away the crankypants. In the meantime, I've learned a few things:

1. A cranky morning is a perfect time for your tea bag to explode while you are pouring the only bit of hot water you have on it, when you have places to go and things to do. As a result, you are left tea-less, which makes you even more cranky.

2. You will then announce to a co-worker that you will PAY for a cup of that delicious secret stash coffee they are brewing-and they will share!

3. Naps are delicious, especially after dinner when the kitchen is cleaned up.

4. Although, naps will be thwarted by the man who MUST HAVE his cookie jar re-filled. Annoyed, you will bake them and leave them on the counter, where they end up siting all night because you left to go to bed and nobody bothered to put them away. You won't even care-YOU aren't eating them, right?

5. You will have an extreme salt craving, only to discover you are exactly TWO cents short to get a bag of chips from the vending machine. Part of you wants to say that it's for the best anyway, since chips aren't that good for you.

6. However, you'll also discover that there's the ingredients for a strawberry rhubarb pie in the fridge and you'll bake one just so you can eat it. AND you'll make sure the next day that you have enough for the vending machine. Pie and chips together in the SAME day? Cure all for the crankies.

7. Kids will notice when you are cranky and ask if they can help. They'll clap in glee when you arrive to class, they'll compliment you on your clothes, tell you jokes, and make you smile.

8. I know some pretty awesome kids.

9. After a long, hard day you'll pull some spaghetti sauce from the freezer and begin to heat it, only to realize part way through that you've put beef pasta sauce and clam pasta sauce in the same pot. Yes, THAT clam pasta sauce-the one that you wonder what you went wrong with because after your kid ate it you kinda think that he MAY have had food poisoning. Then you worry all night because you tasted it, and are concerned that you could end up hurling for the rest of the evening as well.

10. You toss the sauce and make macaroni and cheese, which elicits squeals of delight and hugs, then exclamations that you make the best mac and cheese in the universe. Of course though, you forget the leftovers at home and instead take some old, tired salad for lunch the next day. AND you forget to bring salad dressing.

But by then, it's Friday so that alone kind of makes up for it, and there's leftover pie. So all is well and by now, you aren't so cranky.

Hopefully next week will be better?

Chevrolet Canada Series: I'm going to Blogher Food!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:53:00 +0000

Years ago when I first became aware of BlogHer conferences, I always had my eye on Blogher Food. I've never been to a food blogging conference, but they always seemed like something I'd be interested in and a lot of fun. Since it seemed that Blogher Food was generally held in California every year, last year I made plans to attend. Easy, peasy! I live in BC, California isn't that far away, I could just drive down there, right? Not a problem! Until the location was announced, and the conference had been moved, to Georgia.

GEORGIA, people. So I admit, I kinda settled for Blogher11, which was in San Diego! I had heard that Blog her is a little like Disneyland- you just have to go at least once.

Traverse trip last summer was amazing. Chevrolet Canada was so great to loan us a gorgeous, hot off the assembly line Traverse and sponsored Tracey, Nicole, and Alexis and I on our quest to travel all the way to San Diego and back. Have you ever traveled with people who you don't know well in a car for 10 days? We did-and it was SO MUCH FUN. In fact, the road trip was more fun for me than the actual conference!

This year, Blogher Food is in Seattle, Washington and once again, Chevrolet Canada stepped in and is sponsoring Alexis and I as we make a short jaunt across the border on our way to learn more about food and food blogging. I can hardly wait! Pike Place Market! Trader Joes! Food trucks! Finally meeting fellow food bloggers!

Chevrolet really is awesome. I loved the Traverse that we had the chance to drive last year, and can't wait to see what vehicle we are going to take to Seattle. The cars are so great to drive that we will be seriously looking at them the next time we purchase a car.

Alexis and I have all sorts of plans for the trip, from places where we are going to eat to shopping, sights to see, and more. With two food lovers on the loose, we'll be taking you with us on our journey as we explore Seattle and all things food!

I can hardly wait!

Disclosure: Chevrolet Canada is fully sponsoring Alexis and I to go to BlogHer food this year. I'm very excited to be working with them once again!

Its Hunger Awareness Week, So I Visit the Sechelt Food Bank

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 07 May 2012 06:40:00 +0000

My journey with Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution didn't begin with the TV show or even Jamie Oliver himself, but rather, a boy without a lunch. I've seen hunger before-when we had a group home and foster kids, often kids came to us from homes where they didn't know where their next meal was coming from. At work, there were often children who were hungry. For some reason, it didn't hit home completely until that day when I drove home. I looked into our full fridge, and realized that if I really wanted to make change, I had to do something.

Doing something means making sure that there is healthy food, yes-but also that kids just get food to begin with.

Each month, Food Banks Canada feeds 900,000 people, 38% of whom are children. What better way to really learn about hunger and the food banks, than visit one myself?

The statistics are really no different on the Sunshine Coast. Working families, people with children, older women, young people, all different age groups need the food bank. Food banks all differ with how many times they distribute per month-in Sechelt, it's every week.

There was some concern when I took this photo that it would appear that there is a lot of food, when in fact it's quite the opposite. Between rising food prices and more people accessing services, donations are lower. The amount of food which I saw (and there really wasn't a whole lot), was only enough for one more, maybe two, distribution days.

Locally, when I've shopped at some of our grocery stores such as Extra Foods, we're asked if we want to donate $2 when we get to the cash register. This money really goes to the Food Bank, by giving them a credit at the store so that they can buy whatever it is they need. Money really is the best donation, because the Food Bank can then turn around and buy things in bulk and get a better deal. The food bank relies on these donations!

Protein is really important for people who are hungry. (see the Protein for People project) Sources of cheap protein like canned beans, peanut butter, or tuna are all welcome. If large containers are donated, they can be broken down into something that can be divided among a lot of people

I was really impressed by the amount of healthy, cheap food that was available-rice, beans, lentil and barley. It was explained to me that some people don't know what some of those foods are, so volunteers who cook visit, make a big pot of soup, then give out small samples. Then it gives people an idea what they can do with the lentils or barley.

Our food bank is a little unique-there is a cooler, so they do accept donations of fresh fruit and vegetables as long as you drop them off right at the food bank and not at the stores. I thought this was great, because in the summer you can buy cases of fruit for fairly cheap-and this is a great way to donate to the food bank. If you have a garden, there is the "Grow A Row" campaign where people can grow and then donate their extra veggies to the Food Bank.

What are some other things you can donate that I didn't expect?

-personal care products (toothpaste, shampoo, deoderant, feminine care products)
-cleaning products

What are some of the most needed items at the Food Bank?

-canned meats and beans
-peanut butter
-pasta sauces
-whole grain pastas and cereals
-100% fruit juice
-canned fruits and vegetables
-canned hearty soups and stews
-baby formula, diapers
-rice

The people who run the food banks are so passionate about what they do, that I was impressed by their dedication and care to take care of others. It's never a lot of food that they give, but just enough to help people get by. This week, drop an extra donation in the collection basket for the food bank, or take part in my $5 Lunch Challenge.

Nobody should go hungry in Canada. Especially a child.

The $5 Lunch Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:30:00 +0000

May is Hunger Awareness Month here at Notes From the Cookie Jar. Watch the video and find out all about the $5 lunch challenge!

Visit $5 Lunch Challenge Facebook page for recipes, news, upload your lunch photos, and tell us what you did to help Food Banks Canada!

Donate to a food bank in your community at togetherisamazing.com

Like, tweet, blog, re-tweet, here's your chance to use social media to do something good to help your community. You may re-post my video, or grab and use the logo on your blog or as an avatar. Let's help fill up those food banks!

Special thanks to @bumpandhustle for the fantastic logo design, which she donated!

First Ride of Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

There's really nothing like it.

Cool breezes whipping by your face.

Roar of the engine while we race along the highway.

Smell of salt and gorgeous ocean views.

Uninterrupted conversation.

Delicious hot coffees when we stop for a break.

Waving to little kids as they stare in wonder

Best of all, time with the guy I love.

Food Revolution Friday: Help Fill the Food Banks

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

From now until May 11, Shaw and Campbell's have teamed up with Food Banks Canada to help fill the food banks! Did you know that every month, food banks feed up to 900,000 people, with 38% of them being children?

For every time this video is viewed, Shaw will donate $1, and Campbell's will donate 1 lb of food to Food Banks Canada. Let's make it go crazy! Share, tweet, re-tweet, post it on Facebook, and more.

Let's FILL those Food Banks.

Watch the Balls

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:44:00 +0000

When I was in high school, one of my least favourite classes was P.E. With siblings who were both the basketball stars of their high schools, teachers often assumed I'd follow in their footsteps. Nobody would've ever guessed that I was completely the opposite.

What they got was a be-speckled, book loving, artsy, klutzy choir and drama nerd who couldn't do a lay up if her life depended on it and was deathly afraid of the high jump in track.

Yes, I was the child who feigned illness to get out of PE. I hated it.

The irony is never lost on me these days as I am on the field, day after day, and I've learned, more than anything, that having a sense of humour and ability to laugh at myself now that I'm 40 has made me LOVE PE. Recently, our game of choice has been lacrosse. Despite the fact that it's Canada's national game, I've never played it until a few days ago and even at that, I've mostly watched or tried my hand at merely catching and throwing the ball.

Have you ever played lacrosse? Do you have any idea how freaking hard it is to get a bouncy rubber ball into some sort of basket thing, and keep it there while you run, while other people are gleefully smacking at you, trying to get that ball? Also, when you go to whip the thing back to launch that ball into the air, it might roll out of the basket to the ground and there you are, hacking at AIR while people laugh at you?

I've been great comic relief to the kids, I think. Especially if the grass is really wet and I'm afraid of slipping and possibly putting my back out.

Then there's also things like today, when I wasn't paying attention and a ball ricochetted off the gym wall and slammed into my shoulder. That's one cardinal rule of working in PE-pay attention, because you never know what may be flying your way.

"OUCH!" I yelped, rubbing the spot while it throbbed, frowning. "Gotta watch those balls."

Nearby, there was a giggle.

"You said 'balls!' "

Some things never change. Especially the humour of 15 year old boys.

Shopper in Training

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:51:00 +0000

Do you ever feel like your weekends just fly by, and before you know it you are staring down Monday feeling like somehow the weekend was there, and then gone before you actually got to see it? That was my weekend.

Between Toyota telling us my car had another recall, and then there was the issue of an oil change and a chip in the windshield (how did that happen?), plus John's desire to dig his beloved motorcycle from storage, we had lots of reasons to take a ferry over to Vancouver. I don't mind Saturdays in the city-I like them, really, but sometimes it feels like the whole day is sucked up with stuff you have to do and you don't actually get a rest at all.

Not exactly the lounging on the couch until noon in your pjs drinking coffee and writing kind of Saturday that I usually enjoy. No, instead I was fighting the maze of downtown Vancouver streets trying to find, of all places, Costco.

Costco in downtown Vancouver is nestled right close to BC Place, along the one way Expo Boulevard. I'm not sure who thought of that location, as if sports fans would need to stop by and purchase a can of tuna as big as one's head, possibly? Roads twist this way and that, none with any clear destination.

Oops! Dead end. Dammit. Now there are some 20 somethings behind me, annoyed that I'm taking a millisecond longer to get moving once the light turns green. Kevin learns that when I'm a bit lost and annoyed, I swear like a trucker.

"Kevin, look at the map. what road is next?"

"Um, where are we?" I glance over at my son and realize that there is no point in asking him. A kid who is only used to technology and could pinpoint my location with Google GPS is woefully inadequate when it comes to reading a map.

It also doesn't help that he's holding it upside down.

Forget the map-let's go by instinct, now. Amazingly enough, that works and we find the Costco, tucked away under overpasses and concrete. We descend into the bowels of the parking garage, patiently waiting for people collecting carts to get out of our way, eventually finding a spot of our own, only to discover that we need to pay for parking. We buy a membership and Kevin laments that he can't have his own card before we wander the aisles of industrial sized containers of peanut butter and rice.

I still can't shake the feeling that I'm like Pa from Little House on the Prairie, loading up at the general store. Things like 4 liters of dishwasher soap and a 20 lb bag of sugar are loaded into the cart, then the car, and hauled all the way home. We finally arrive at 7 pm and carry our provisions from the car into the kitchen. I'm exhausted and ready for a light dinner, when I notice there's something on the floor.

Sugar.

"Oh, crap." Kevin's voice comes from the front entry way and it dawns on me what has just happened. Twenty pound bags of sugar usually have a corner at the top that is a bit open. If the bag is standing upright, it's not a problem. Sugar, in a thick line from the front door to the kitchen, snaked through the house like gunpowder because Kevin, in his eagerness to help, carried the bag sideways.

I think this Costco thing is going to take a little practise.

Food Revolution Friday: Save the Date! Food Revolution Day is May 19, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:54:00 +0000

Jamie Oliver has taken Food Revolution Global, by launching Food Revolution Day! All over the world, people are coming together to hold events in their community by spreading the word about real food! Drop by the Food Revolution Day website to sign up to be an ambassador and organize an event in your city, upload recipes, host a dinner party, and learn how to take a stand with schools or companies.

Be a part of the conversation by adding your own videos, ask questions, and more!

I'm teaming up with a bunch of people to host an event, and will post more when I have more details. In the meantime, get thinking about your own event! It doesn't have to be big, but just spreading awareness and getting the conversation going is a start.

Whether you host a picnic, a dinner party, a lunch-in (get people to bring bagged lunches and each donate $5 to the food bank), visit a farmer's market, or plant a garden, get something going!

We need to talk more about real food. The more of us who do, the better!

PS. If you watch the video, Kevin and I are in there briefly-close to the end.

Just Breathe

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

This past weekend I attended Breathe Now, a western Canada conference organized by 4 fabulous women, for women! What a wonderful weekend-I needed the time and space to just relax and breathe, which is exactly what I did. Conferences are always so much fun, because you get to meet such amazing people. I added many new names to follow on Twitter, as well as sites to visit and people to see.

Breathe Now was also my very first speaking experience where I wasn't on a panel, but talking for 20 minutes straight-which is a little nerve wracking. My session was on community, and I talked about how I went from a 'good girl' who never rocked the boat, to an opinionated community builder. It was quite a journey, and you can expect to see a post here along the same lines for those of you who didn't make it to Breathe Now.

I left on Friday and caught a ferry, took the bus to downtown Vancouver, and made my way to the Helijet terminal. The terminal is a hike from the bus stops along Georgia street, and it was a bit of a challenge to make my way to the terminal.

Hint: there is a walk way from the train station to the sea bus, and you can take that to get to the helijet. Although the signs DO say "Fare Paid Zone" as you descend the escalators to the sea bus, transit security told me it was okay and that tickets are not checked until you are actually at the sea bus. For the helijet, you go out a side door once you reach the bottom.

Helijet flew me from Vancouver Harbour to the Victoria Harbour. At the terminals there were complimentary snacks, coffee, newspapers, wifi, and a computer. I absolutely loved the flight and the views were fantastic! As someone who has spent many, many hours on ferries, it was amazing to have the opportunity to experience a flight instead. I don't think I could ever afford to do this on a regular basis, but as a treat or special occasion, flying to the Island is well worth it.

The views were phenomenal. Wow, we live in a beautiful area.

Once I arrived in Victoria I did a little exploring, ate an amazing prawn curry at the Bengal Lounge in the Empress with Shelly from Eves Tribe, and headed to bed. From my room, I could see the Parliament buildings and BC Museum all lit up.

For the first day of Breathe Now, I had the chance to enjoy speakers. We talked about fashion and how to build a wardrobe with Bonnie from Mayfair Mall. Did you know that you can book a time with her to get a fashion consultation for free? What a deal! Next was my favourite session-Talking about Mental Health with Airdrie Miller and Jess Howard.

Sometimes, you go to conferences and it's all about money and sponsors. The conversations get lost in talk about hits, sponsors, SEO, and business networking. Granted those things are part of blogging, but I loved that Breathe Now focused on US, the writers, and taking time to breathe and take care of ourselves.

Rona Maynard was fantastic. I loved listening to her!

After all that connecting I had the chance to have dinner at Vista 18 with my aunt and uncle, who I loved dearly and don't see nearly enough. For some reason I didn't get a photo, which I wish I did-but it was amazing to see them again. That evening, I hung out with the rest of the Breathe Now people at Temple, where we watched a fashion show and got to know each other.

The next day was my session, which I think went well, and then we listened to Biff Naked. I admit I haven't listened to her music before, but she was lovely. Tiny, soft spoken, warm, funny and kind, her talk at Breathe Now inspired me the most. I highly recommend that if you ever get the chance to hear her speak, you need to go. One thing that made me giggle was I commented on how much I loved her shoes-gorgeous pumps that I would SO wear. You would assume that a celeb would be wearing Jimmy Choos or some other ridiculously expensive item, but she smiled, then took one off and held it out to me. They are vegan, she explained-and from The Bay.

I loved that.

Lunches with friends, shared bars of chocolates during sessions, chatting with the Used Victoria ladies, meeting bloggers who I've chatted with for months, all came together to make the entire weekend a blast. This was so not the hectic "oh my goodness I have to be in a million places at once" type of conference, or one where women were trying to out clamour each other for brands, but a more relaxed, centered, inspirational conference. I cannot wait to return next year (yes, there will be a next year!), and breathe.

Just breathe.

Disclosure: As a speaker, I was treated to a return heli-jet flight and 2 nights at the Empress hotel courtesy of Heli-jet and Fairmont Hotels, both sponsors of the conference. They were both absolutely amazing and I can't thank them enough for a fantastic weekend.

Death of the Good Girl: How I Gained a Community and Taught my Son it's Okay to be Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

At Breathe Now, I talked about community. One of the biggest things that stand out to me when someone talks about community is that I know exactly how it feels to lose yours, which is what happened to me when I was 21. For years, I searched for community and my own self acceptance, often in the wrong places. Finally I learned that I needed to love myself first-and only then, would I find my community too.

I stared down the logging truck as it bumped towards me, logs bouncing this way and that.

If I just turn the wheel to the left, I'd be flattened. My hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter.

"Maybe this would stop you from hurting so much", my pain argued. "You are nothing. A rotten mother. A disappointment to your family. Nobody loves you, anyway. Why not?"

My brain interjected before my foot hit the gas pedal.

"Don't you dare do that to your husband and son," it gently chided. "They love you, and if you were gone, it would ruin them for life."

For once, my good girl tendencies probably saved my life that day.

I always was the good girl. Being the daughter of a family with generations of selfless, spiritual, giving people in it's wake came with unwritten expectations. You never argue, never express displeasure, turn the other cheek, even if it's the last thing you want to do. Arguing with my siblings was forbidden, and fighting with my parents swiftly disciplined. The message loud and clear;

To be here, and be part of this family, you have to be a good girl. We have expectations, and you are going to follow them.

I don't blame them, entirely. Both my parents must have been raised in much the same environments-my Dad's family goes back generations as Russian Mennonites working in India, and culturally, this kind of attitude makes a lot of sense. What I didn't know then-but do know now, I'm only second generation Canadian. Those ingrained cultural beliefs are long lasting, even if you aren't sure where they are coming from.

The point was driven home when I met and fell in love with someone who was as far from my parent's expectations of who I'd marry than anyone could get. He was old enough to be my father, had a daughter only 4 years younger than me, ran a therapeutic group home for young teens, rode a motorcycle, and smoked. Horrified, my family issued an ultimatum which they thought was tough love; marry that guy, and you're not part of the family.

The good girl wanted to please everyone. There was so much pressure to do what was expected, not just from my family, but friends and people had known for years. Hurtful words were thrown my way that rang in my ears many years later; Slut. Whore. Disappointment. Unloveable. Not able to make decisions. Unworthy.

It's ironic that 20 years later, I hear about gay teens coming out and being rejected by their families because of who they love and honestly, I can completely relate. The message that you aren't good enough, unacceptable, not worthy of love just because you fell in love with the wrong person is as damaging now for gay teens as it was for me then. It's like having the rug ripped out from under you, as everything you've ever known-every bit of security and support is suddenly, inexplicably, gone.

This does more damage than you know. For years, I didn't trust anyone, especially women. You don't trust yourself. You play it safe with people, never letting them very close because deep down, you're always afraid they will leave. It erodes your self confidence, so you never put yourself out there.

The good girl stuck around when Kevin enrolled in Kindergarten. School, it's safe to say, was a disaster. I've blogged extensively about our struggles with the public school system and how if people weren't trying to diagnose Kev as ADHD and push Ritalin, they were trying to classify him as a behaviour problem. Undiagnosed dyspraxia/Developmental Co-ordination disorder wreaks havoc with kids, and is largely unknown in BC. Dealing with principals and teachers brought back all the stress and anxiety of being the good girl-at first, I didn't dare rock the boat because it might come back on Kevin or offend the staff. I was horrified by his behaviour, and felt like it was obviously all my fault. If I was a good enough parent, this wouldn't be happening.

"You suck," my brain would say. "Obviously you aren't fit to be a parent. It's all you. YOUR fault."

Bit by bit, the light from Kevin's eyes faded until I had an angry, anxious, 8 year old who was contemplating how to take his life to end his pain.

The good girl had to go-by now, Kevin needed her to. I can't say it was easy-in fact, I would be physically sick before and after IEP meetings. I didn't eat or sleep well, and the first year after we moved to a different community, it was like I was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress. Fighting my way through the self doubt, the fear, and forcing myself to confront people for Kevin's sake was like jumping from a plane without a parachute every single time.

Finally, it was a broken friendship that pushed me over the edge for the last time. I twisted myself in knots for a person who claimed to be my friend, but in the end turned out to have some self doubt issues of their own. Once I started blogging, which was her thing, the issues began. I twisted myself in knots trying to keep her happy, but in the end, it all was in vain. Expressing my opinion of something she loved, and having my blog syndicated by a national site, proved to be the final straw.

As bloggers, we often wonder when we meet people in real life if they will like us once they know the real us, and I can safely say years later that I don't think she liked me when she really knew who I was. Which, at the time was heartbreaking. Today, I can say that her dumping me was the best thing to ever happen because it was at that point that the good girl in me died.

I'm done with being the good girl. Done with twisting myself in knots for people. If you like me, great. If you don't, there's the door and don't let it hit you in the ass on your way out. Don't read my blog, don't follow me on Twitter, don't talk to me in real life. I'm done with toxic relationships and negative people. Done with drama. Life is hard enough, I don't need to carry your crap too. I have enough crap of my own. I am going to be me, plain and simple-and the only people who I care about being proud of me are my husband and son.

There's something incredibly freeing about killing off the good girl-and slowly, I discovered there was a whole community of awesomeness out there, just waiting for me. The struggles didn't make me bitter, but instead were lessons who made me who I am now. After all these years, I've found my community and Kevin I learned together that it's okay to be who you are.

Life may still throw curve balls but now, we're ready for them.

All I had to do was find myself, first.

Lessons in Travel From Lexie

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:04:00 +0000

When I was young, I was a cautious girl. Traveling seemed something far too big and scary to do-except to places fairly close by and familiar, such as Calgary or Victoria. I never ventured too far from home, and never, ever by myself.

It's sad, really. I did have the opportunity to go to San Diego and Hawaii, and I never took it. I wish now that I had, if just for the experience. I've passed these words on to my 16 year old, who is a cautious boy who sticks close to home as well.

Spread your wings and fly, Kevin. You never know where it will take you. Don't be afraid to travel-in fact, do it while you are young and aren't encumbered by a family to support. See all those places you've always wanted to. The world is your oyster!

When I had the opportunity to go to Blissdom Canada 2010, it was the first time I had traveled so far by myself, EVER. Still being the cautious girl I didn't really go far from the hotel, and never by myself-always being worried that I could end up in a bad part of town or encounter something unexpected. Since then, I've been to Toronto twice more, and embarked on a road trip with friends to Blogher in San Diego. This weekend as I arrived in Victoria, I realized something-I've picked up some tips from my friend Lexi.

Alexis blogs over at Wave the Stick and travels a lot more than I ever have-so much so that she has it down to a science. In Toronto I followed her as we walked all over the downtown area, getting the lay of the land (and giving myself some great big blisters). I'm not sure I would have ventured that far without Lexi with me, but eventually I figured that I have to stop hiding at the hotel and go SEE these places I'm going to. Can you believe I've been to Toronto THREE times and never have gone up the CN Tower? It's on my list for the next trip.

Now, granted that Victoria is a place I'm familiar with-but as I wandered the neighbourhood, I realized that I was putting into practise what Lexi had shown me!

Firstly, packing light has huge advantages. Everything for my jaunt to Victoria fit neatly into a backpack, which made it much easier when I had to walk about 4 blocks through downtown Vancouver from my bus stop to the Helijet terminal. The Helijet only allows people to bring 2 bags on board anyway, and having a small one meant less to worry about. Clothes can be hung up at the hotel, and who really needs a pile of full sized toiletries, anyway? Yes, I will admit to giving Lexi a hard time about her little carry on bag for a ten day road trip (who can do that?! Not me!), but from now on I think I'll pack less too.

Secondly, a walk around the hotel neighbourhood is a great idea. Exploring where I was in Victoria let me see what was just around the corner, like Sam's Deli, where I enjoyed toast and a hot latte every morning. I found the Rebar restaurant-unfortunately I didn't get to eat there, but I know for next time. It was great fun taking photos in the Inner Harbour and exploring the little shops along the way. If I had more room in my suitcase I would have brought home some wine from the Artisan Wine store, and some tea from Murchies.

Lastly, good shoes are essential, and I've learned the hard way. Toes rubbed raw, heels that hurt, large blisters, I've had them ALL. Let's be honest-I have feet that need something with good arch support and usually only runners do the trick. What's a girl to do? You can't wear runners and look fashionable! This time I bought some cute black leather flats from Mark's Work Wearhouse. I can say this honestly (and completely unsponsored) that I have owned 4 pairs of shoes from Marks, and they are the most comfortable, cute shoes I've owned. I wore my new shoes all weekend, and my feet were happy!

As long as you have your passport and Visa, you are ready to go-which will come in handy when Lexi and I tackle our next trip together... (to be announced soon!)

PS..if you want to see more of my photos, check out my set over on Flickr.

I Go Camera Crazy!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:24:00 +0000

I'm a teeny bit behind and trying hard to catch up today, but if you like to follow along with photo a day challenges, I took one up for the month of April! It's going to be interesting when I leave for Breathe Now on Friday and will be doing this on the go, but could produce some really great photos. Apparently Fat Mum Slim does this every month, if you are interested! Click through to Flickr to see my explanation or a comment on the photos if you are wondering what on Earth they are.

Yes! I did say I'm going to Breathe Now! My first fancy shmancy speaking for 20 minutes all by myself gig, which makes me a little nervous. I'm very excited though, it's shaping up to be a fantastic weekend.

Are you part of a photo a day challenge? Let me know in the comments!

Pardon Me for Being Absent. I'm Living.

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 06:36:00 +0000

When I first began Notes from the Cookie Jar, blogging was intoxicating. I could spend an entire day doing nothing but write-about what, I'm not sure. Maybe I had kept in so much for so long, the dam burst and it all leapt out onto the keyboard.

Six years later, I'm writing less, especially lately. Not because the shine of blogging has waned-in fact, I love blogging more now than I did then. As I type this very second, I'm sitting in my kitchen watching robins peck at the lawn for worms, with chicken broth bubbling on the stove. I adore the community I have found, the friends I have made, and the wonderful companies I have made connections with.

I used to feel like I had to be connected all the time-must keep up with all the gossip and news, be posting all the time, because if I let things slide at all, I'd be doing it wrong. I wouldn't have traffic! People would stop reading!

Of course, that was before life decided to slap me upside the head and laugh. You see, the last nine months have been a little...rough. A best friend fighting cancer, a husband diagnosed with a serious illness, brutal medications and their side effects, a newly minted online school teenager, new jobs for me, and in the middle of all this you'd think I would've considered crawling into a hole and never coming out. (trust me, I have those days and I still do)

There have been many, many moments that I've wanted to share but haven't because they are unbloggable. While some may argue that stories need to be told, sometimes things are too personal, too fresh and painful, and not really my story to tell. I want loved ones to feel safe and not that everything they say to me will be held up for public consumption. One day, those stories may be told, but right now is not the time.

Sometimes, at night by the fire as I've watched John sleep, it would be easy to let myself write about how hard and depressing it can be watching people you love battle illness, but I'm often afraid that if I go down that path I won't be able to leave it. It's easy to go there, and wallow. Easy to take in the questions and concern over twitter, talking endlessly about how horrible things are. What's much harder is pulling myself up, dusting myself off, and getting on with it.

Yesterday I wandered into the the coffee shop that my bestie and I used to frequent. We would sip tea at a table in the corner amoung the tacky tourist knick nacks, watching the sun set over the ocean, discussing life, husbands, and dissecting whatever celebrity gossip was popular at the time. We haven't been there since her cancer diagnosis last August and looking for some sodas for Kevin's Easter basket, I dropped by.

The minute I walked in, I knew it was a mistake. Nothing has changed, really. Colorful tubs of gelato still line the dairy case, girls will still froth up milk to make you a latte. Fun food products line the shelves, and there are sodas at the back.

I glanced in the fridge, then turned and saw our table, sitting empty. Sea themed knicknacks, the magazine rack that we used to browse, the same gorgeous view of the ocean were all still there. This time, I wasn't waiting for her to come so that we could chat like we usually do-because she's moving away, closer to cancer treatment. Rooted to the floor, I stood and stared at the table for a few minutes before finally bolting from the store for the solitude of my car where I sobbed the entire way home.

Sometimes we all need to be in that sad, self pity place, she says. But you know, it's really boring to stay there.

It's tempting to take the words of people who are sick and hold them up as great words of wisdom-something with great meaning to hang onto. The truth is, just trying to survive circumstances that threaten to over take us makes all of us reach for something to hang onto. These words, however unintentionally inspirational she may think they are, have rung in my ears, every single time I've slipped into that sad, self pity place over the past nine months.

Okay, be sad. Then get off your butt and live, dammit. Because you CAN.

Can't get a post up? Fine. Take a nap. Get outside, every single day, and make myself sweat. Exercise until I am too tired to overthink things. Start a container garden. Dive into my kitchen, and if I get photos of everything I make, great. If I don't? Oh well. Write when I have something to say. Tweet. Visit friends. Go to kick ass conferences. Walks by the ocean. Drink wine. Eat really good chocolate. Stop to look at the sunsets off the back porch. Sneak kisses from Hubs now and then. Dance in the gym with students. Send silly Facebook messages back and forth with Kevin. Love.

Oh my god, most of all, love. If anything, the last nine months have taught me this:

Love really is ALL you need.

Garden In Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:24:00 +0000

Summers at our house usually mean that we are out and about, so there never is any point in growing a garden. I nurture herbs until the end of June and then we are almost always gone for weeks at a time, which means I come home to a bunch of dead plants.

This summer is different. With the events of the last few months, Kevin getting a summer job, and John recovering from an illness that has really kicked his butt the last few months, we have decided to stick closer to home. This means I've been making plans to have a container garden! So far I've just planted lettuce, peas, and basil, but there will be far more in the months to come.

I really am not a gardener. Sure, I've managed to grow some peas, herbs, and tomatoes, but I'm not someone to whom gardening comes naturally. Usually I'm too busy to remember to water plants and don't realize that they are dying until it's too late, but I'm hoping that by being home all summer I'll have the chance to focus on writing, keeping up the running that I'm currently doing at work, and get a little container garden going. What's happening out there right now?

For some reason, I have a killer rosemary plant. I've often heard that rosemary is hard to grow here on the rainy west coast, but this plant has survived incredibly well! It's a good thing too, because I love rosemary and often snip off bits here and there to use when I cook.

Last June I was given a beautiful mint plant at Eat! Vancouver-unfortunately we went on holidays and it quickly died because nobody was watering it faithfully, but it's coming back! I'm so excited!

I have some oregano on the go as well, which is always nice in the summer to add to spaghetti sauce. I'm hoping that I can get that plant to a really good size!

During spring break I planted my first veggies-some mixed veggie greens that we hopefully can harvest and use in salads in the summer. Planting things is always a bit of an act of faith-will they really grow? Or am I just dreaming? Today I took a peek and what do you know...sprouts! As the weeks go by, I'll be sharing photos here and there of what I have growing-and hopefully not what I've killed.

Are you planting a garden this year? What are your favourite veggies and herbs?

Door Guilt

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:54:00 +0000

When I first met my husband, he drove a Bonneville SSE that was in pristine condition. He washed that car with care, parked it in the farthest spot in the parking lots he could find, and practically made me take my shoes off when we drove anywhere.

This worked great for awhile, until one sunny day in May 1993 and we were rear ended by a car traveling at 80 km/hour on the Oak Street Bridge and the car was totalled.

John has never lost the level at which he loves to care for his cars, often sternly reminding me to clean the car when it's dirty, or how it needs to be washed, have the oil changed, and be kept in good shape. He's taught me to park in the farthest spots in the parking lots, and do my best to avoid door dings on the ferry. This works great most of the time, but after the car was attacked by a rogue shopping cart December 2011 and then by some silly driver while we waited in line at BC Ferries, we are starting to give up. It seems like no matter what we do, the car is constantly being riddled with dings in the doors.

He announces every new find to me, which induces a bit of panic while I try to remember what I did wrong-did I park near a truck? Close to where the carts are put away? Did someone allow a cart to get away from them again?

"Honey, there's a new ding in the car again," he gravely informed me yesterday. "Passenger's side, in the back."

I heaved a sigh of resignation because I know that while I haven't done anything wrong, I always feel guilty, as if any dent or scratch is completely my fault. The car must have a good sized one for him to mention it, so I went out to check out the damage.

The door is as smooth as a baby's bottom, with not a dent or ding in sight.

"Uh, honey? Where is it?"

"Just a minute, let me find it....." he bent down and scrutinized the door with laser like precision, finally pointing out a spot on the door.

"There's nothing there," I protested.

"Yes there is," he insisted.

Can you see it? Neither can I-because there IS NO ding, except possibly one that is so incredibly small that it's not even worth mentioning.

The stupid thing? After I snapped that photo I turned to go and happened to glance at my windshield, where I saw THIS:

Damn.

Did you say Easter Cream Egg Cupcakes?

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:57:00 +0000

Spring break was over this week, meaning back to work and routine, which can be kind of hard. What have I been up to? On Monday, I was on Yonah's Heart Online Radio in Toronto via phone! We talked about Food Revolution, macaroni and cheese (yes, I like mine with bacon-go figure), ways to get kids involved in the kitchen, and more!

Listen to internet radio with mpiatt on Blog Talk Radio

On Tuesday, I had a meeting with the Breathe Now staff via skype and we talked about the conference. Would you believe this is my very first speaking-by-myself engagement? 20 whole minutes of..me? Forget the fact that my career chooser told me I should've been a motivational speaker...I'm a little nervous! If you don't have your tickets yet, make sure to get them soon-it's shaping up to be an amazing conference! I'm very, very excited and honoured to be a part of it.

Over on Yummy Mummy, Ali, Sharon, Erica and I have been putting together the most amazing Sunday food newsletter to make your Easter spectacular. Be sure to sign up for it! While you are at it, check out Maija's mini Easter egg cookies! When I was with her at Kraft last year, she baked them in the test kitchen and I tell you, they were amazing. Of course, I couldn't help but come up with a few treats myself.

These cuties are the most delectable vanilla cupcakes I've ever made, and will keep you from buying a boxed cake mix ever. Top them with vanilla bean buttercream icing, and you'll have Easter completely wrapped up. To make them even MORE over the top, I like to tuck an unwrapped Easter Creme egg in the middle of the batter while it bakes. Whip up a batch for an egg dyeing party! Keep an eye out on Chasing Tomatoes this weekend, I'll let you know how to make those cute bunnies, bunny bums, nests, and chicks. All you need is Easter M&Ms, mini M&Ms, some yellow and orange jellies, yogurt covered pretzels, and marshmallows.

Just to wrap things up, I also had an interview with Better Together. We talked about Food Revolution, how I've inspired Kevin to eat how he does, and my work at Yummy Mummy Club!

This weekend is looking busy with books to read, recipes to test and lots of content to write. I wonder how my newly planted seeds are doing? I may have to give you a photographic update.

Hopefully they are doing better than the dead spider plant in the living room.

My Kid Eats Everything (Almost)

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:41:00 +0000

Today a question during Food Revolution's weekly twitter party made me think.

"What food," it asked, "do you or your kids NOT like, and why?"

I scooped up the laptop and wandered into Kevin's room to ask him. All I could see were his long, teenage boy feet sticking out of the closet as he played with computer parts to get whatever the contraption is in his closet working to his specifications.

When I asked, he sat up and thought, brow furrowed, for a few minutes.

"I can't think of one."

"Oh come on, there must be something you don't like. Tofu?" I couldn't resist angling for the food that I personally have great distaste for.

"No, that's not so bad in some things." I recalled the marinated tofu in some of the Asian dishes we enjoy when we visit North Vancouver, which he eats with gusto.

"Liver?" I know before he nods that yes, liver it is. I remember the day that I saw a recipe for breaded and fried liver, with the photo making it look so enticing I decided to try it. I was trying to cure myself of the liver and onions of my childhood, so abhorrent that I refused to eat it.

Maybe my tastes had changed? I purchased liver and prepared it just like the recipe said, hoping that my attempt would be dinner-worthy. I had visions of us all eating and loving this dish that as a child, I just couldn't stomach. Four year old Kevin wandered into the kitchen and looked at what was in the frying pan.

"What's that?"

"Oh, it's beef," I lied. If I tell him it's liver he won't eat it, so technically I'm not lying per se, because it is beef liver after all, right? Oh, don't judge me. I know that you all lie to your children when it comes to vegetables and getting them to eat. A little white lie never hurt anyone. We used to tell Kevin that broccoli was miniature trees, or that carrots would make him see in the dark.

Dinner was served. Kevin cautiously took a bite of the liver, chewed once, and stopped. His little face began to squelch.

"Honey, what's wrong?" I hadn't dared to taste mine yet. I was procrastinating-possibly about to chicken out, but it was a little late by then.

"It tastes kind of funny," Kevin isn't chewing now, but rather looking at me for a signal as to whether he HAS to chew, or is safe to spit it out.

"Don't be ridiculous, beef is delicious. It's amazing. You love it!" I saw off a big chunk, pop it in my mouth, and begin chewing. The familiar taste of liver filled my mouth. Oh, no. This isn't better, this is JUST how I remember liver. Oh, YUK. Kevin watches while I run for a napkin and spit it out, then literally wipe my tongue on the napkin as if the action will rid my body of the bits of liver left behind.

He promptly spat his onto his plate and watched me, wide-eyed.

"Mommy, I don't like that," he measured his words softly, then looked up at me for reassurance. He was hoping, I think, from my dramatic refusal to consume the liver that he too, might be exempt.

He was right.

"Sweetie, Mommy won't eat it-and my new rule is that if Mommy won't eat it, you don't have to either."

"What, you aren't eating that? I'll have it." John's fork skewered my piece of liver as he maneuvered it to his plate. "This is really good, I can't believe you don't like it." John, the man who lives on peanut butter sandwiches, chicken, and salad, whose list of acceptable foods is about as short as what I won't eat, devoured the liver with glee. Kevin and I were dumbfounded.

There were few, if any, dinner time battles in our house when Kevin was small-but that one, we agreed, was just a lost cause. Sometimes dinners from our childhood just need to stay there.

Especially when it's liver.

I've Gone...Green?

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 07:08:00 +0000

This weekend was Spring Break, and I should have done a lot of things. I planned to, originally. I was going to clean that old TV out of our computer room (would you believe there was one there 6 years ago when I wrote my first post? Different TV this time). I was going to clean the house, go through and purge things we don't need, cook, write, and generally keep very busy.

I did none of that. Well, maybe not NONE, but all the nasty, work related parts. There was cooking, there was sleeping in, there was some writing, but most of all there was fun with some relaxing thrown in, and a ton of family time.

At first, there was snow. Robins hopped on our back fence as thick flakes floated down, angrily chirping their displeasure. When we drove to Purdy's through what looked like a snowstorm, I began to wonder if we'd be stranded in Vancouver. Later in the week there was sunshine, so warm that I was working in the yard.

Spring has always been enticing to me. I want to grow things, but instead of looking all green, lush, and beautiful, I get plants to about the end of June and then abandon them while I go on holidays. When we return, all well rested and happy, the plants are dead.

This summer we aren't going on road trip-with John being on medical leave, I doubt that he will have holidays, so home is where it's at this year. Which is fine, really. It's nice to stay home and this year, maybe I can tend to a container garden. I wandered out to the containers today and dug around in them, transplanted some, moved around others, planted a few things, and generally got my hands dirty.

I can't believe I'm growing greens, peas, carrots, radishes, beans, and herbs. Not all of them are planted yet, because I've been following the directions about last frosts. What is that, anyway?! "Two weeks after last frost". "Six weeks before last frost." How am I supposed to tell when the last frost is? It's not like there's a message on the window: "By the way, this is THE LAST ONE, I PROMISE."

Because that would be SO MUCH easier.

Today I planted lettuce, peas, and basil. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't kill them. My basil usually is eaten by something every year though so if you all can help me out with trying to keep it from being something's lunch, I'd appreciate it.

I can't believe I'm actually growing things. Me, the girl who can only grow herbs because...you know, they're like weeds, right?

Any tips would be appreciated!

Food Revolution Friday: Outtakes and Veggie Dilemmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:09:00 +0000

I'm not the greatest at shooting video. This week Kevin and I were shooting some for the Food Revolution Team, and in our many takes we ended up laughing, vegetables went airborne, and Kevin ate the props when I wasn't looking. I can't show them all to you because they are now in the hands of the Food Revolution Team, but here's a quick out take from the process!

Speaking of vegetables, a few weeks ago when we at motorcycle school I went by the Langley Farm Market to stock up on veggies on our way home. We find a lot of price differences between the city and where we live, but the most noteable is in the produce. Produce is expensive where we live, people.

Last summer in an effort to buy more local, I went to the farmer's market to get my produce and to be honest, I left without buying anything. Why?

Green beans from the farmer's market: $4/lb (height of the harvest season)

From the grocery store, still grown locally: $2/lb (height of harvest season)

Just last week at the grocery store: $3/lb

From Langley Farm market last week; $.69/lb (in MARCH) I don't think they were local. Truthfully, I didn't check.

As I stood in line at the Langley Farm market and the cashier rang me in, I told her about the price differences (apples were $.88/lb, at home almost $2/lb) and her jaw literally dropped. A slight price difference seemed reasonable, but when things are between 2-3 times more expensive, it really makes one wonder. I do try very hard to purchase things that are at least grown in BC or Washington, and I don't mind paying a little more for something that is closer to home. However, while the veggies are still so much more at the farmer's market, I won't be able to afford them. My family eats so much produce that there are times when I have to cross things off my list because I'm going over budget.

Why the wild price fluctuations? One would think that a local grocery store should be able to sell things cheaper, but here on the Sunshine Coast shipping is often cited. With BC Ferries raising fares, I think we are seeing the difference in our food prices. To give you some perspective, when we moved here six years ago the ferry cost around $50 for us to ride from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale with our car. Recently I forgot my Experience card, which offers us discounts, and it cost $90. This week when we went on the ferry we learned that the prices will go up yet AGAIN on April 1st.

Obviously, markets in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver can move a lot more product, and don't have to pay high ferry rates, so their products are much cheaper. I never realized just HOW much cheaper until I got myself in a store to look. It's sad, really. I wonder about the people in my community who can't afford the ferry rides to the city and who likely have to budget greatly just to eat healthy food.

The quandry is two-fold, though because now that we have discovered the ridiculously cheap prices in the city, whenever we visit we load up the car with, you guessed it, fresh produce.

It seems as though the only solution is to have community gardens, so that people can grow their own-which I think I may just have to look into.

What are veggie prices like in your area? Do you buy local, or shop at a Farmer's Market? Grow your own? Let me know in the comments.

Chocolate 101: Lessons from Purdy's

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:45:00 +0000

When we were at Purdy's on Monday, I had no idea that our visit would entail a whole lesson in tempering chocolate with Gary, the head chocolatier. I was so excited, because I've often skipped this step and could never figure out why my home made chocolate treats ended up with bloom on them.

Bloom: that white, mouldy looking stuff that forms on the surface of chocolate, caused often by it not being tempered properly, or when chocolate is not properly stored.

So how can you temper your chocolate at home? Gary explains this far better than I can...

More chocolate lingo:

Ganache: chocolate mixed with whipping cream, often used for truffle fillings. I like to top cupcakes with it instead of icing. It's liquidy at first, but will set up as it cools. When you have tempered chocolate and want to mix the two, it's far easier to mix chocolate into warm cream than vice versa.

Gianduja: a 50/50 mixture of melted chocolate and nut pastes or butters, such as almond or hazelnut butters. This is a great filling in cakes or used for filled chocolates, such as hedgehogs.

So now, I have no excuse for bloom on my chocolate treats. It really only takes a few minutes, and Kevin tempered chocolate all by himself without a problem!