Real ingredients, Real Food, Real Good.

Baby Ollies Arrival

2013-07-31T15:40:00.003-07:00

So, Dakota and I have been fielding lots of questions about the big day coming up. I decided that maybe a little post.... (yes, on my food blog I never update, totally normal) might answer some questions! I always have the best intentions of posting the baby updates and journaling the experiences for people but I really don't ever follow through. My bad. So heres the pre-labor, almost parents, day is approaching soon update. It will prob be the only one you get.... so savor it :)

A typical question we have been getting asked is about how we are choosing to birth this said child, why we hired a doula and what the heck is a doula anyways.

So lets start at the beginning...

A doula is: labor coach: an assistant who provides support for a woman in labor by encouraging her.

So know your thinking its probably a "hip" thing, some kind of "fad" or a rich person thing. Nope. We are none of the above. Doula's can be anyone from your husband, too family members to someone you hire that has more training. It has been a tradition for a long time, we just chose to hire someone with specific training and experience on the type of birth we wanted! We are far, far, far, from rich... but decided this was a priority and saved every extra dollar and penny.... (no seriously, we find our selves adding change to the doula envelope) to pay for our doula. God provided and answered our prayers....we were able to pay cash for the whole thing.

So, we decided against a home birth this child because he was a huge surprise... I just graduated college and have no job, so financial that just was not an option. We are are going to have this child at Via Christi, St. Joe. Unfortunately, St. Teresa just shut down their maternity ward, or we would be going there :/ oh well, not God's plan for us!

As far as our "birth plan"... We have one typed up and ready to hand the wonderful nursing staff when we arrive at the hospital, but I won't go through that with you.... but the whole idea surrounding the birth plan is to be completely natural, no medical interventions unless necessary, have a quiet, uninterrupted labor, quiet atmosphere with only Dakota, our doula and necessary medical staff. That means dim lights, and play list on please....

So, the game plan goes as such.... (in a perfect world, I might add.... we have no idea how it will actually go, but ideally) I will go into labor at home, we will call our doula and she will meet us in our home. We will labor at home as long as possible, try to time the drive to the hospital between active and transitional labor, then birth the child at the hospital. We want to be at the hospital as little as possible. Hopefully, we have a healthy labor with no problems and will be able to stay home as long as possible.... Most first moms labor a LONG freaking time, so I would rather be in the comfort of my own home then some hospital room.... but thats just me.

Now, Im sure many people are rolling their eyes about our "perfect, ideal birth that will probably never happen" and your right. It probably won't, but we have been researching, planing and preparing as best we can to help everything go smoothly. At the end of this day, the Lord will bring this child into the world how ever he wants to and no amount of planing will change that.

So, what about the pain? Pain management and medication? Another typical question we have been getting.

I do believe this birth will be painful, even though I do know people that have had pain free births. If you can get your body to relax enough it is very possible. I just don't think with my first baby I will be able to be that laid back.....

We have different positioning, relaxation techniques, ext.... but at the end of the day I think the bible said that birth will hurt, it was a result of sin.... People have been birthing babies since the beginning of time without all the medical stuff.... the American culture has told us birth is a horrible, painful thing, that is not to be experienced but to be covered up by medical procedures and spinal blocks. I think that birth is something that should/can be experienced and a type of worship by giving your body to the Lord and trusting in the way he created your body. Thats why we are choosing to try and do it this way.

We are not against Dr's, that is why we still have one. They are needed and very necessary. We are just praying for an experience where they aren't! Yet, if we need them, they are there. We are very thankful to live in a country that we have that privilege.

So, that is what we have based our decisions on. There is no right or wrong way to birth a child, and as long as everyone involved is healthy at the end, that is all that matters.

So, thats that. I think I have answered the most common questions about the how and why of what we are doing! We are getting very excited and he will be here any day now!

Blueberry, Chia, Energy Smoothie! (Vegan)

2012-09-18T20:48:00.003-07:00

I really love me a good smoothie for lunch. It is easy to take on the go, and healthy. This smoothie I really like because of the energy/caffeine boost you can get from it. This is really important for college students. (Am I right???) Plus convenience is huge. You can make this the night before and put it in the fridge, easy to grab on your way to class.

Blueberry, Chia, Energy Smoothie

1 C Water

2 Green Tea Bags ( I used my fav flavored green tea that nicely compliments the blueberries)

2 C Blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1 T Silvered Almonds

1 T Chia Seeds

1 C Fresh Spinach

Ice Cubes

1. First, boil your water brew your green tea. Let cool.

2. In a blender add cooled tea, blueberries, almonds, chia seeds, and spinach. Blend until smooth.

3. Add ice to create the consistency you desire. I like mine like a think icy. :) yum!

This smoothie is high in antioxidants and omega-3. Your body will thank you for the raw nutrition.

Enjoy!

Easy and Logical ways to save $$$

2012-08-15T13:31:00.001-07:00

This blog post is going to be a little different then my usual foodie experiments. Let me explain...

Our life is changing a little. I have always worked a consistent 20+ job while in college. Well, with this new, AMAZING, internship that has to change you see since my internship does not pay. Since this opportunity can really help me find a job after college I cannot pass it up. So we have cut back, rearranged and become even more frugalistic people. So, I thought I would share for anyone else struggling to save $$ and add to your savings! :)

1. Stock up on Baking Soda

This is easy, green, chemical free, and cheap. The uses are endless and lead to more frugal, chemical free living. This is very important to me. Freeing my home from chemicals is a huge goal of mine.

So baking soda= DIY: Laundry soap, shampoo, dish-soap, cleaners, air-fresheners... you get the point.

Think about this for a quick minute with me..... subtract your household cleaners, soaps ext from your monthly budget.... it adds up...

2. Forget convenience food

Once again, not only is this food TERRIBLE for your body, it is expensive. Make things your self. Your body will thank you and so will your budget. Simple things like; bread, tortillas, sauces can really add up also.

Short on time? Pick a day a month a cook like crazy. Then freeze it. That is your cheap, (Chemical free) "convenience" food.

3. Open up the house

If it is nice, or nice enough, shut the air off!!! This will reduce your electric bill. Plus it just feels good to have some fresh air.

4. Turn the lights off

I can already hear my parents giggling on this one...

anyways. Seriously, once again, something little can reduce your monthly bills.

5. Do away with cable and "luxury" bills

Hint: Do you need it? No? Cancel it.

So many of us think we "need" cable or DVR's. In reality you can watch most shows online for free. Plus there is a pause button. (AKA free DVR)

6. Enjoy nights @ home

Instead of drinks out for $10 a glass, make your own drink @ home and enjoy a netflix movie.

7. Start your own small business

Do what you love and get paid for it. For me it is selling baked goods, and dog watching. FYI just set up my profile on Care.com so hit me up if you need your dog watched. :)

Nice little plug there...

8. Start your own organic vegetable garden and herb garden.

Buying organic is expensive but totally worth it. Luckily we have the space and grew our own veggie garden that saves money on your grocery budget.

If you are like me, you know there is nothing like fresh herbs. It changes your dish and your life. They can get pricey though. So, once again DIY!

9. Go vegetarian.

Grass fed and healthy meat is expensive. Other meats... are well, sad and depressing. The food industry is just not what it should be. Not only is the treatment of animals horrible, but they are not taken care of or fed right. Your eating sick animals ...... :( Which means; they really aren't good for you.

*** Gasp, goes every mid-west, beef eating individual***

Educate yourself on the food industry and you will find out what I am talking about.

So, stop buying meat. Once again, your grocery budget will be reduced.

10. Save your spare change.

This is really easy. Get a jar and fill it up with change! Easy enough. This can be used to add to your emergency cash fund, or for a fun date night. You'll be surprised on how much is in there after a couple of months.

Theses are just a few ways to save money! The frugal life is fun! It keeps you creative and aware.

Fresh Tortillas

2012-07-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

For the love of things unprocessed and fresh, last night I made tortillas. Super simple, with very few ingredients, and super yummy. We really (and I mean REALLY) love Mexican food. We will go weeks and all we eat is Mexican. I am waiting for the day I get tired of it.... hasn't happened yet. Anyways, Mexican cuisine can be really REALLY unhealthy. Most of the food includes lard. Lard, really?!

No, I will not ever have "lard" enter my home. Sorry. Aint happenen.

So we make healthy Mexican. Using good oils and grill over fry. Its really great. We can enjoy out favorite foods without feeling guilty.

The tortillas were no exception. All the reciepes I scanned had like 1/4C LARD for just a few tortillas. SICK. Nasty.

So, I found some people that were protesting lard like me and were reducing the "fat" and using EVO instead of lard. Me like.

So this is it... less fat, unprocessed, fresh tortillas.

Fresh Tortillas

4 C unbleached, organic flour.
1 t Salt
1 1/2 C water
6 T Olive Oil

Mix all ingredients together until you have a smooth dough. You may need to add more water or flour to get the right constancy. You want it smooth, not sticky. After you mix everything, let rest for about 10 mins or so.

Divide dough into 16 equal pieces. flatten each piece until is about 7-8in in diameter.

Spray a little EVO into you pan and cook the dough for about 1 min on each side, or until lightly brown on each side.

Serve hot.

and enjoy, b/c they are great :)

Perfect Iced Coffee! (and vegan, yay!)

2012-06-30T09:32:00.002-07:00

When it comes to iced coffee, we usually aren't fans. When I asked my husband if he wanted me to make him an experimental iced coffee, he not only denied my offer, but ended it when an eye roll and a "I hate iced coffee"....

Well okay then....

but i persevered anyways and by the end of the day my hubby was making his own iced coffee and was asking for seconds. Bam!

Vegan Iced Coffee
(for about an 8 oz glass)

Fresh Brewed Coffee (frozen into ice cubes)
Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
1 T Maple Syrup
1 t Vanilla Extract

Measure out maple syrup and vanilla extract into the bottom of your glass. Put 5 iced coffee cubes into the glass, fill glass with your choice of milk. Let sit for about 5 mins so that the ice cubes melt a little. Give everything a little stir, and enjoy!!

Easy, Simple and Yummy!

Yummy Yummies

2012-05-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

We are up and going! We have been selling a little of everything!

Place your orders today!!

Thai Pineapple Curry

2012-05-15T17:47:00.000-07:00

Never had Thai food, until tonight! We made a Thai Pineapple Curry/Fried Rice. It was super yummy!

Thai Pineapple Curry

1 T Coconut Oil
2 Shallots
2 Garlic Cloves
1/4 t Crushed Red Pepper (more if you like it spicy)
4 Dried Red Chili's
2 Eggs (beaten)
3 T Veggie Broth
3 T Soy Sauce
1 T Curry Powder
1 t Sugar
1/2 C Peanuts
2 C Cooked Rice (brown)
1 Cup Fresh Pineapple
1 Package of Asian Stir Fry Mixed Veggies (Red peppers, beans, carrots, broccoli, onion)
1/4 C Snap Peas
1/4 C Fresh Cilantro

1. Heat Oil in pan, add shallots, garlic, crushed red pepper, and dried red chili's. Cook for 1 min.
2. Add eggs in and cook for another min.
3. Add veggie broth, soy sauce, curry powder, sugar and peanuts. Cook for another min.
4. Add the cooked rice, pineapple, mixed veggies and peas.
5. Stir Fry until veggies are cooked.
6. Top with fresh cilantro.

So yummy and packed with veggies! Such a wonderful week night vegetarian meal!

Life is a changin....

2012-05-10T20:16:00.002-07:00

We are open for business blog family! (all two people that read my blog haha) In the last month, my life has changed like crazy! I received the most amazing internship imaginable and started my own small business. God is so great! Who knew things would change so fast! Anyways, see my price list and menu below! Until next time bloggers.....

Kay's Vegetarian Burritos

2012-05-07T13:38:00.001-07:00

Mk, guys. I like LOVE mexican. Love is not even the right word. It's more then love. Its an obsession. Like If I could eat mexican 7 days a week, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I really, honestly, would!
Any ways...

These have been my favorite meatless burritos so far...

Ingredients

Mexican Rice

2 T Coconut Oil
2 C White Rice
2 C Water
1T Caldo De Tomate
1/4 C Frozen Lima Beans
1/8 C Frozen Mixed Veggies

Burrito Filling

1 Can Black Beans, rinsed
Cheese of your liking
Fresh Spinach
Chopped Tomato
Fresh Cilantro
Avocado
Fresh Salsa

1 Package of fresh tortillas.

Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 350

1. Start with the rice. Heat oil in medium pan on low heat. Add rice and stir until lightly brown.
2. Add frozen veggies, caldo de tomate, and water.
3.Cook for 15 min with lid on. After the 15mins remove from heat and let sit for 10 mins. DO NOT REMOVE LID :)
4. Heat up your black beans, and tortillas.
5. Now that your rice is done, just assemble your burritos!
6. Rice, beans, fresh veggies, cilantro, and cheese. Roll the burrito and place in a baking pan.
7. Continue until your pan is full of yummy burritos!
8. Top burritos with cheese and cilantro. Put foil over the pan
9. Place pan in oven for 10 mins, or until cheese is melted and the burritos are slightly crispy on the outside.
10. Top with fresh avocado and serve with the rest of your rice you made and beans!

This is an easy week night meal we love! Enjoy!

Cajun Jambalaya

2012-03-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Cajun night last night! We turned on some lovely jazz/blues music, and started pouring the red wine. We had a blast cooking up some wonderful southern food! We had tried Jambalaya before and it has just come out....mediocre. This time, in my opinion, we got it just right! Finally!

So heres what we did...

Cajun Jambalaya

1 Cup Brown Rice
1/4 C chopped up onion
1 T Fresh Parsley
1 T Beef Bouillon
1/4 t Thyme
1 Garlic Clove
1/4 t Black Pepper
1/4 t Salt
2 Bay leaves
2 1/2 C Water
1 can Diced Tomatoes
1 can Tomato sauce
2 andouille sausage links (fully cooked)
1 t Cajun Seasoning
Favorite hot pepper sauce ( We used the local spice merchants EXTRA hot hot sauce.)
1 lb raw shrimp (deveined, and peeled)

1. In a medium bowl combine the first 9 ingredients. Mix well.
2. Heat large sauce pan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the rice mixture, water, diced tomatoes, sausage and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil.
3. Now you can add your cajon season and hot pepper sauce. Everyone likes their food at a different spice level so measurements will different for everyone. I wanted my jambalaya to be super spicy so I added about 1t cajun seasoning. I didn't measure the hot sauce. I just added and tasted until it was hot enough for us.
4. Cook Jambalaya until the rice is tender and stir occasionally. If it starts sticking you can always add more water until the rice is done.
5. Add raw shrimp and cook until opaque (5-7 mins)
6. Remove bay leaves.
7. Serve hot! :)

We served our Jambalaya with a cheesy potato casserole, rosemary artisan bread, and red wine.

Organic Doggie Treats

2012-03-03T12:56:00.003-08:00

Organic Doggie Treats

So, even the dog is going organic. Meet the love of my life, my beautiful baby puppy... Elliana Gatz..AKA "Ellie"....

Isn't she adorable.. she even smiles.. :)

Ok, back to the doggie treats. I wanted to make a treat for Ellie that isn't full of fillers, or just odd/weird things. So, I made these..

Organic Doggie Treats

Ingredients

2 Cups Organic Wheat Flour
1 Cup Almond Milk
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 Cup organic/natural peanut butter

Pre-heat oven to 350
1. Mix all of your ingredients into one large bowl. Once it is well mixed, spread it out onto a lightly flowered surface. Roll out until about 1/4 inch thick.

2. Then, I used a pizza cutter and cut the treats into two inch squares.

3. I lined them up on a lightly greased cookie sheet, and baked for about 15 mins. The bottoms were light brown when I pulled them out.

4. Let cool. Store in an air tight container. (I am not sure how long these will last... its the first time I have made them, so I'll keep you posted!

So, the real question is.... did the dog approve??

She definitely is enjoying them!!

Margherita Pizza

2012-02-26T07:47:00.001-08:00

This has become a staple around our house! We love it so much, and it is so simple!

Margherita Pizza

Pizza Dough (We just go pick up Knollas dough, they sell it to us for like $2 and it makes the process go much faster then making our own.)
3-4 ripe tomatos
1T EVO
2 garlic cloves, minceed
3 fresh basil leaves
Mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese
Feta cheese

Pre-heat oven to 400
Place pizza stone in oven to warm while getting everything else ready! This will help your pizza be crispy!

Sauce:
(This isn't a regular "pizza" sauce, this is more of a tomato marinade for that light "margherita" feel)

1. Take the juice of two fresh tomatoes and mix them with the two garlic cloves.
2. Add tablespoon of EVO (extra virgin olive oil)
3. Let set for 10 mins. (BAM, your done with that! Moving on....)

Everything else...
1. Chop up your basil leaves.
2. Slice up your tomato really thin.
3. Shred your fresh mozzarella, parm and feta cheese.
4. Pull hot pizza stone out of oven, and spread your pizza dough out onto your stone.
5. Lightly brush your tomato sauce onto the pizza dough
6. Sprinkle on some mozzarella cheese.
7. Top with sliced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, parm and feta cheese! (Hint: put some cheese on top of your fresh basil leaves of they might get a little crispy in the oven)
8. Bake for about 10 mins or until crust is golden brown!

Enjoy!

Asparagus, Sun-dried Tomato, and Garlic Pasta

2012-02-20T13:49:00.000-08:00

Per my mommas request....

Asparagus, Sun-dried Tomato, and Garlic Pasta

8 oz linguine
1/2C Butter or EVO
3 Cloves of Garlic (minced)
1/2tsp red pepper flakes
1 bunch asparagus-sliced
1/2C sun-dried tomatoes
Salt & Pepper to taste
Handful of fresh herbs (I used basil and parsley)
Freshly grated Parmesan.

1. In a large pot of salted water cook pasta until al dente.
2. When pasta is done, remove noodles w/ slotted spoon and reserve boiling water. Blanch asparagus in water for 30 seconds, asparagus will be bright green! :)(pretty!) Drain but reserve about 1/2c of "cooking water".
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper. Saute for 30 secs.
4. Add the pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and fresh herbs to the pan and toss.
5. Add additional "cooking water" if the dish seems dry. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Top with fresh parm!

Goes nicely with a good Pinot and artisan bread.

Variations:
1. The original recipe contains the juice of two lemons. This adds a wonderful "spring" feel to this dish! But its great w/o it as well!

2. Also, if you like a creamier sauce (we omit all creams/milk b/c im allergic) compared to the garlic butter sauce, add some heavy cream and Wah-La!

Chocolate Ganache Rolo Cupcakes

2012-02-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys!
I have finally started one of these things! Please bare with me, because I have no idea what I am doing!

So, a little about me/us before we get started. We are recently part-time vegetarians. Our goal for the time being is to stay strictly on our vegetarian diet during the week, and we are able to "cheat" on the weekends. My husband and I are true "foodies", we love trying new foods and experimenting with new recipes. So, I thought the best way to document our kitchen adventures would be to start a blog! Hope ya'll enjoy!

So, lets get started. I found this recipe for Chocolate Ganache Rolo Cupcakes. They were freaking ugh-amazing!

1 (18.25 ounce) package Devil’s Food Cake mix
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup lite sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs; lightly beaten
1/2 cup warm water
1 teaspoon of vanilla (the real stuff guys, come guys!)
24 frozen Rolos (Freeze them overnight, this is really important)

FROSTING

4 sticks unsalted butter; room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
⅓Cup- to taste caramel syrup
1 1/2 pounds powdered’ sugar

GANACHE

4 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla

24 Rolos for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Line (2) 12 cup muffin tins with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

3. In a large bowl, beat together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs, water and vanilla until well combined and smooth.

4. divide the batter amongst the prepared pans.

5. Push one rolo into each cupcake, making sure the cupcake batter covers the entire rolo.

6. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch.

7. Cool cupcakes thoroughly before frosting

FROSTING

1. Cream the butter in the bowl of an electric/stand mixer. Add the vanilla extract, salt and caramel syrup and combine until smooth. I added a lot more caramel then the original recipe called for. We love our caramel!

2. Begin adding in the sugar and mixing thoroughly. You can keep adding sugar and caramel until you reach the consistency you enjoy.

GANACHE

1. In a small saucepan on medium heat, warm the heavy cream until very hot, DO NOT BOIL!

2. Place chocolate pieces in a heat safe bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes. Whisk the cream and chocolate until smooth and thoroughly combined. Mix in the honey, corn syrup, and vanilla. Allow to cool for about 15 minutes. Do not let the glaze sit for too long or it will harden up before you spoon it over the frosting.

3. Spoon the glaze on the tops of the frosted cupcakes, allowing it to drip down the sides a little bit. Be careful not to add too much glaze or it will drip onto your liners.

4. Top each cupcake with a Rolo.

5. Store cupcakes in the refrigerator. Remove and let sit a room temp before serving

Original recipe from mybakingaddiction.com

Hope you guys enjoy these as much as we did!!! Have a great day!