Through this door

The hardest experience I have ever had

2011-10-23T11:26:00.001-04:00

“If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself.” ~Albert Einstein

Six-year-olds. I understand very little of what comes out of their mouths. It takes a great concentrated effort to untangle the day’s happenings from the truth, half-truths, sensitivities, and general understanding of the sequences of life.

This is the hardest experience I have ever had.

I don’t worry about my four-year-old the same way – she is still protected. Her communication is still pretty straight forward (she doesn't understand the subtleties of communication and its manipulations yet). But her turn will come.

A day with a baby is far easier than a day with a six-year-old.

It.Just.Gets.Harder.

Last week my girl came home crying because one of her best friends decided to ignore her for most of the day. She didn’t understand why this was happening – but clearly it meant something to her.

The week before some kids were making fun of her jacket saying the shoulders looked funny on her.

Little girls are cute and small only to adults. To one another they are not cute. They are life-sized. ~Margaret Atwood

I don’t remember my six-year-old self very well. But I do know that I was well protected by my mother and father. I don’t know how they did it.

How do you teach a girl confidence? How do you teach her to be strong?

I.Have.No.Idea.

I'm learning in the dark here.

The other day she was invited to another little girl’s house after school. It would have involved a male parent picking her up, taking her to their house, and driving her back home at night. I couldn’t let her go. Even though I had known this parent (although not well), for 4 years. Night. Males. Cars. Are you kidding me? Chances are it would have been a perfectly lovely evening. But I couldn't let her go.

This filled me with anxiety for a whole week.

I hate having to talk to her about strangers, non-strangers, and all that icky stuff. It is so icky.

I wish so badly we lived in a world where children were cherished more than money, more than desire, more than adults.

So this is the hard stuff. Not changing diapers, feeding them, clothing them, bringing them to dance class, or swimming class. Those things are physically exhausting but they aren’t hard.

It is how to guide them so they can protect themselves in all sorts of situations; it is listening to them when their heart is breaking and guiding their feelings to a destination of understanding; it is trying to make choices for them that help keep them safer, without denying them the happiness’s of childhood.

This is parenting. This feels impossible.

There is that fabulous quote that when you decide to become a parent, you are deciding to forever “have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

As my children grow, the farther away they wander, the stronger the pull of my heart.

There are no safeguards in parenting - other than instincts. It kind of feels like the whole family is jumping off a cliff. You won't know until you get there, if you have landed safely.

Note: For those looking for some tools to talk to their kids about some icky stuff, here are some good resources when you are looking for the right language:

http://www.kidsintheknow.ca/app/en/

http://missingkids.ca/app/en/non_family_abduction-prevention-safety_tips

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/omc-ned/col-coul-eng.htm

L'amour du vendredi

2011-10-14T22:35:00.005-04:00

“Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow.” ~Margaret Fuller

It is Friday and I'm squished on my bed by two sleeping daughters.

It was my birthday week! I'm sharing a couple of photos of the girls and I getting ready to blow out my birthday candles.

A few things to share:

It turns out that Happy Birthday messages on Facebook really DO make me happy.
One of my favourites (well, they were ALL my favourites, but I'll just mention this one) was from my father-in-law in Mexico: Feliz dia para, mi nuera de ojitos azules que te la pases muy bonito son los deseos de mama angelica y papa jorge. te mandamos muchos besos y abrasos te queremos mucho. Que seas muy feliz hoy,manana y siempre .Por que te lo mereces. P.D. Aprobecho para mandarles un saludo y abraso para mi hijo y mis lindas nietas besos... Esta son las mananitas que cantaba el rey david a las muchachas bonitas como tu... He calls me his daughter of the blue eyes and he is sending me much love from him and my mother-in-law. He is also singing me las mananitas, the Mexican "happy birthday" song. Its a very sweet message.
Expecting nothing but respect really makes you appreciate even more the unexpected gifts in life. And it removes such a heavy burden off your shoulders, allowing you to give freely without any expectations of getting anything back.
I spent my birthday going swimming with my family. This really was an awesome way to celebrate. Simple pleasures are like eating the best high quality gelato you can find.
The busier I am, the happier I am.
Laughing is so much fun. I really love laughing. I laugh a lot. Mostly at my own stupid jokes.
So is smiling. I have never yet been in a bad situation where a smile couldn't help. Everyone should start random smiling. It is amazing the effect it has on people. Or is it affect? Both I think. "Everyone smiles in the same language."
I know the above two statements are obvious, but you would be surprised by how many people do not laugh or smile.
Doing what you can and leaving the rest actually helps you accomplish the things you need to do.
I rarely get angry (I mean not even once a year). I hope that never changes. "For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness.

This weekend we have dance lessons, fun family swim time, maybe some thrift shopping, a visit with my dad who works so hard I never get to see him (and I miss him), coffee with friends... and maybe... just maybe I'll find some time to do nothing at home... and by nothing I mean knitting, reading, cooking, organizing. That would be nice too.

Wishing you a happy weekend.

Traditions - all about the money

2011-10-11T12:44:00.000-04:00

"If you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can't buy”

We have just started giving the girls an allowance to teach them the value of money. A toonie every week, and in return they need to keep their room tidy.

We spent some time making their "piggy banks" so that when they get their allowance (or birthday money, etc.), they can put half of it "in the bank," and spend the other half on a treat. At the end of the year, we will literally "break the bank" and the girls can chose to spend the money they have collected on something they want. Lesson to be learned - how to be patient and save. That is a hard thing to do these days.

If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting. -Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

It took me a long time (a looooooonnng time) to understand how to manage money.

I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.

-e e cummings (1894 - 1962)

I'm still learning. But it has become apparent to me that the same way my husband and I have to teach our daughters how to have confidence, manners, good study habits, etc., we also need to teach them about money - and the earlier we teach them the value of money, the better for them in the future. At least I hope. Because, honestly, sometimes money can really suck. And not knowing how to manage it can suck even more. Unless you have lots of it. Then I imagine it would be quite fun. But that's like only 1% of the population. Or maybe its 5, I don't remember. But I digress. Anyhow, point of story - we must teach our daughters how to handle money. And step numero uno - how to save and spend at the same time.

So we took a couple of mason jars, glued the jars shut (so that some crazy mother looking for coffee change doesn't inadvertently... and desperately steal her little kids money... for her coffee... ya, I would never do that....) and decorated the crap out of them. They have one slit on top, big enough to pass a toonie but small enough to prevent any "borrowing".

Et voila! A mason jar piggy bank, to be smashed to bits on New Years.

And the first lesson in money management.

Aren't they cute?

"The art is not in making money, but in keeping it”

Ten things - October thanksgiving weekend

2011-10-10T22:21:00.005-04:00

Among the rolling hills I'll live my life in Him

Oh I will live my life in Him among the rolling hills

With my wife and child I'll do no man no ill

Oh I will do no man no ill among the rolling hills

~Van Morrison

1. Three wonderful months and the promise of more.

2. Pumpkins... or pumpkin pies as my littlest says.

3. Boys who love and need their mothers and aren't afraid of showing it.

4. Good omens - this is my husband's favourite soccer team from Mexico (and his university) ... playing in Canada. I think it is a sign of good things to come.

5. The colours outside my backyard window.

6. Simple pleasures - water fountains during Indian summer.

7. This picture is exactly how the day felt. My beautiful city.

8. Belly laughs between sisters.

9. My husband's awesome taste in music, which always fills our house. Check this video out.

10. Rolling down hills.

What are your ten things?

Today is not forever

2011-09-11T08:54:00.003-04:00

There is a moment of confusion that I pass through as I leave my office, and walk towards the bus stop to take me home; the transition between work and home, which always puts me in a momentary state of panic. The same happens when I leave my house to go to work. Lists run through my head as to what needs to be done, or how am I going to tackle the ensuing problems, and get from A to B.

I have been told that the 30s for a woman are some of the most fulfilling times of her life; marriage, children, careers – all in their infancy. In your thirty’s you know you are moving towards something very important, even though what this important thing is, isn’t always clear. You know you need to look after your partner, communicate, grow as a couple; with children, you need to guide them, protect them, make them into model citizens; with your career, you have to push forward for something better, for respect, to be fulfilled. And with all of these climbs, there are so many to do lists to get there.

I look at my girls. It is so exciting to see the world as a child all over again. They let me share this with them. But I know it’s not forever. Their perfect china-doll hands will not stay so small in mine forever. Watching them open birthday presents and seeing their excitement is not forever. This moment is not forever.

This time in life is fulfilling; perhaps because being needed is so blatantly obvious. But I am conscious it is not forever. I look forward to all eras of my life. I look to women who are a few steps ahead of me as role models, who are having the time of their life now. They inspire me. I find them so beautiful. Their enthusiasm is my beacon.

I tried to explain to my parent-in-laws the other day, what it feels like to live somewhere that has so many drastic temperatures. How do you survive so many changes, the changing of the seasons, and the spectrum of hot summers and cold winters? I explain that the seasons are gradual, and while you suffer a few days of loss when you know summer is ending, the cold smell in the air gradually prepares you for the beauty of the fall, and the expectation of the winter. Your body, ahead of your mind, welcomes the cold, and all that it means – white beauty, clean air, rosy cheeks, and the heat of your skin against the cold air. It’s an exciting time. And it’s not forever.

All this to say, as much as I have to do as a wife, a mother, an employee, it comes and goes -- I reach for fulfillment in the journey, because destination is a mirage.

The Tooth Fairy

2011-09-04T20:49:00.017-04:00

In old days there were angels who came and took men by the hand and led them away from the city of destruction. We see no white-winged angels now. But yet men are led away from threatening destruction: a hand is put into theirs, which leads them forth gently towards a calm and bright land, so that they look no more backward; and the hand may be a little child's.

- GEORGE ELIOT, Silas Marner

Guess who visited us for the first time last night???? Can ya guess? Can ya? Can ya? Can ya?

I am a first time proud mother of a one-tooth-less little girl. I don't know who was more excited - me, or my little girl. Okay, it was me. But she was pretty psyched too.

I've been ready for like 3 weeks now since the first wiggle. I had no idea it would take this long to fall out! But alas, at about 4 pm yesterday, in the midst of trying on back-to-school shoes, out it literally popped - half-way across the store. That tooth couldn't get out of there fast enough. Total projectile. And there I was, congratulating my daughter who was taken aback and surprised by this projectile tooth, on my hands and knees looking for it all over the shoe store floor. I wasn't letting that sucker get away. Not THE FIRST TOOTH.

It was special. I had even knit a special little "tooth" bag for the occasion. I know - I am a total geek - but look how freakin' cute this bag is! You know you want one. Even if you have all your adult teeth.

For those geeks who like to knit and want to do a quick craft - all you need to do is cast on 20 stitches. Knit the first row, pearl the second, continue to knit, pearl until the bag reaches a length of X inches. Fold over, and sow up the bottom and side. Weave a piece of yarn in and out of the top (about 1 cm from the rim), pull tight and decorate as you wish. Voila!

To commemorate the "first tooth", my big girl also got a certificate, a special letter from the tooth fairy, and a little "fairy" book that we can read together. You can download the certificate template here if you wish, or here if you want it in pdf. You can also download the letter here.

The squeals this morning (at 7AM mind you) were very satisfying. And the questions even more so. "How does the tooth fairy DOOOO it", asked my girl. "How does she KNOW MY NAME??" And then of course, there is the conversation about how my big girl would like to "trap" a fairy so that she could talk with her and play with her. But she would let her go after, of course.

I had a conversation with my friend yesterday about how wonderful this age is. How magic is possible, and the world is a huge fairytale garden. How comforting indeed to see life this way. Sometimes (many times) you need to share a bit of reality with your children, trying to keep them safe. But how nice is it when you can make them REALLY BELIEVE that magic is there. For those of us who were blessed enough to have parents that opened these little doors of magic for us, it never really goes away. No matter how upsetting, terrible and grotesque life can be. Once a door of magic has been opened as a child, the endless hope beyond that door is always there as an adult.

A world in which elves exist and magic works offers greater opportunities to digress and explore.

-Terry Brooks

Love notes

2011-09-02T19:57:00.002-04:00

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. -Albert Einstein

The girls are back to school. What a strange sensation to see them go, especially my older one. Grade 1. Wasn't that just me, like... yesterday? She now has SCHOOL books. And like... HOMEWORK. I still have nightmares that I have to go back to primary school (even though I have two degrees), because I didn't finish the end-of-year test. Seriously, what strange life is this?

But on the other hand, I am so FREAKING proud of her. She is growing up. She is so bright, thoughtful, and amazing.

She. Is. Amazing.

When I pick her up and she runs to me, so happy and excited to share everything about her day, I just feel lucky that I know her. And every day I like her more than the one before. She makes me into a huge big corny ball of cheesiness. When I see her, my voice raises itself two octaves, my eyes open up like a Disney character's, while yodeling, "HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIYYYYAAAA..... how ARRRRRREEEEE yooooooooouuuu sweeeeeeEEEETTTiiiieeeee," as I squeeze her like I've just won the lottery. Which I have.

And then there is the little one... not quite ready to let go, but shyly opening to her world without mommy. I can't say that I enjoy the death grip on my neck every morning while my little one cries, "but meeeeee WAAAAAANNNNNTTTT you". This is what she looks like before she says good-bye to me:

(Just joking. This picture just cracks me up. It looks like a promo add for the Blair With Project. But for four-year old's.)

On the other hand, my littlest is still half baby - only half little girl. I want to hold on to the half baby as long as possible. She is still light enough to cradle and scoop into the curve of my tummy. Sometimes, even Nana still gives her a bottle to make her happy (shhhhhhh..... it's our dirty little secret).

Everyday, as I pack the lunches and snacks, I think about how each morsel of food I put in there is like sending little love notes to my kids. Mommy is giving you pieces of apple so that you have energy to learn all that you can. Mommy is giving you veggies and dip because I know how much you like them. Here are some mini muffins that we made last night together. I know this sounds weird, but their lunch is a way for me to remind my girls that I'm thinking about them all the time, and that even though I'm not there -- I'M THERE.

Click on the free lunch box notes printable (picture above) to download.

Every day, I also include a little love note in the lunch. I prepare them ahead of time so that I always have some on hand. And if I don't put one in... believe me it does not go unnoticed. But I love doing this.

I thought I would share the most recent ones I made with you - print them out on card stock (plain paper is also okay, your kid probably couldn't care less what it was printed on). Dress them up if you want with a "Love, Mommy" ... or "daddy" - don't worry, this blog is equal opportunity - or some stickers. Love is in the details.

Happy first week of school!!

Long time no see - the heady days of summer are calling!

2011-07-05T22:26:00.000-04:00

Wow, I can't believe its been two months. I have been so busy preparing for a very special visit, among other things.

But now summer is here, and the heat rising from the streets has been promising. I feel like I am six years old again, and I have a whole summer filled with promises ahead of me... promises that are always kept in a child's view of reality. Sprinkler jumping, cooling off in lakes, late hot summer nights and the heady smell of the trees. Sometimes its nice to feel nothing has changed. Its been a long time since I have felt a 1980s summer.

I am also officially on vacation for more than 2 days! I haven't been on a vacation in a long time... And not with this wonderful group of people (aka the special visitors).

In a few days we will all be off to the cottage for an entire week. I want camp fires, kayaking, boating, long walks in the woods, rock and flower collections and most importantly to have a special time with my family. I'll keep you posted!

Power outage

2011-04-30T16:27:00.000-04:00

What to do when the power is out?

Take a bath by candlelight of course!

Ten Wonderful Things

2011-04-25T21:28:00.002-04:00

Teaching my girl to ride a bike and seeing the determination on her face.
The first cup of orange pekoe tea in the morning - especially is sipped on the back steps after a long winter when no one else is awake - except the crazy birds.
My husband playing tennis.
Laughter and jokes. Me encanta.
My baby girl stroking my hair.
The wide eyed disbelief and squeel on Easter Sunday morning when the girls saw their baskets.
The smell of cinnamon tea throughout the house.
The smell of charcoal bbq's in the neighbourhood, and outdoor fires.
Painting and doing bricolage just before bedtime.
Remembering how magical my childhood felt when I watch my girls.

So, like a forgotten fire, a childhood can always flare up again within us. ~Gaston Bachelard

To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature. Most persons do not see the sun. At least they have a very superficial seeing. The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and heart of the child. The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other; who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Children have neither past nor future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us do. ~Jean de la Bruyere

Broken Glass

2011-04-10T18:42:00.002-04:00

Doesn't this just scream Spring??

Broken Glass

Ingredients:
3-4 three ounce packages of jello (use a variety of colors & flavors)
2 packets of unflavored gelatin (Knox brand)
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
water

Instructions:

1. Dissolve each box of jello seperately with one cup of hot water. Pour into individual containers and chill for 3 hours or overnight.

2. After chilling, cut them into blocks, carefully mix up the colors and place the jello into a larger pan, like a 9x12 pyrex dish. Put back into the refrigerator and chill some more while you prepare the next step.

3. In a seperate bowl, dissolve 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water. Allow gelatin to "bloom," about 1-2 minutes. Add the gelatin to 1 1/2 cups of hot water and dissolve. Stir in condensed milk and cool.

4. Pour cooled milk mixture over jello, gently stir and chill overnight.

5. Cut & serve.

Spring Fever

2011-03-26T11:36:00.002-04:00

It's been slow going these past few weekends. Spring crap seems to be floating in the air, and we have been living in a household of germs. Well, for the kids anyway. I don't know what keeps going around, but I WISH IT WOULD GO AWAY. It's seriously putting a cramp in weekend fun. We have not been venturing out due to a cold here, or the stomach flu there.

On the other hand, its given me the opportunity to take cute pictures like this:

And to come up with "rainy (or rather sick) day activities" like this:

Shadow puppets! This is the re-enactment of Little Red Riding Hood... or it was supposed to be. The girls were more interested in just putting up as many puppets as they possibly could.

And there has been a little bit of baking (lemon cupcakes in anticipation of sunnier days, recipe here).

and a request for homemade pizza.

I had forgotten to buy pizza sauce, so I needed to make my own. Low and behold, it actually turned out amazing, thanks to this recipe, which I will copy for you below.

Exquisite Pizza Sauce from Allrecipes.com

Ingredients

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
6 fluid ounces warm water
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
salt to taste

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, Parmesan cheese, garlic, honey, anchovy paste, onion powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt; mix together, breaking up any clumps of cheese.

2. Sauce should sit for 30 minutes to blend flavors; spread over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.

So there you have it. We literally have spring "fever." I am dying to leave the house once these fever, flues, coughs, and snots are out of the little monsters that are running around the house.

Estas son las mañanitas!

2011-03-06T23:24:00.000-05:00

"This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature... I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I love. I rejoice in life for it's own sake. Life is no brief candle to me, it is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." ~ George Bernard Shaw, "Man and Superman"

This weekend

2011-02-27T21:15:00.000-05:00

Movie night with my awesome hot dogs (as featured here).
Dance class with some good conversation with other parents.
Swimming and a first unassisted jump into the water by my big girl!
A visit to Nana's and Nanny's.
Megamind and pancake snacks.
Housecleaning and laundry laundry laundry.
Apple pie porridge (recipe below)

A bit of knitting.
Playing on the luge and my youngest going down on her own for the first time and LOVING it.
Playing at the park.
Watching an old classic, Heidi with Shirley Temple, with some tea and cookies.
Cuddling in bed with stories.
Playing in mommy's jewellery box... dressing up in mommy's clothes... playing with mommy's makeup.
Getting ready for another week.

Apple Pie Porridge

2 cups Old fashioned rolled oats
1 apple, diced
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup milk plus more to top up each bowl, as desired
1/2 cup slided almonds
Table syrup

Cook oats according to directions. Half way through, add the diced apple, and the milk. Remove from stove when cooked.

Serve porridge into 4 bowls, add additional milk as desired. Drizzle with table syrup and top with slided almonds. I swear it tastes like apple pie.

Frugal Cleaning - A Shout Out to Vinegar

2011-02-06T15:54:00.010-05:00

Frugal has been pretty popular in my vocabulary lately. Mostly because I just learned how much money I actually have to pay my government . I'm actually a little pissed right now. Income taxes, property taxes, school taxes, sales taxes, insurance, license and car registrations.... how the hell do people survive in this country?? I make a good salary, yet every year it seems to get smaller and smaller. Part of me wants to move and live off the grid. I get so frustrated!!

All right, I am okay now. I have food, shelter, and sort-of-access to medical attention if I need it. But really, it makes me sad. Mainly because good, safe, healthy alternatives to say housing, transportation, and reasonably priced food that isn't full of chemicals, is not available. There are no good choices in this country. More often than not there is only the option of picking the lesser of the two evils (like Roger vs Bell for example). But if you can be a little bit creative and understanding, in order to come up with an other alternative that may be uncomfortable at first, you may find it will serve you much better in the long term.

For example, the other week my husband and I decided to try making some of our own cleaning products. We wanted to do this for three reasons:

1) See if we could save money;

2) Understand what ingredients were in our products; and

3) Create products that were natural and as chemical free as possible.

It has actually been an eye opening experience to do this. It requires patience (which my husband has), creativity (to experiment), and the understanding that the products you are going to make, are not going to be like the products you buy. It's amazing how much a little preservative or sudsing agent can change a cleaning product. But not necessarily for the better (for the environment or health anyway). We made a list of what products we wanted to try to make (as a start). It included the following:

Shampoo
Liquid body soap
Laundry Soap
Fabric Softener
Dishwasher soap
All Purpose Cleaner

Our first task was to locate the ingredients to make these things. It is actually not as hard as you think, if you know where to look. For most of the products above, these are the handful of ingredients that are used:

Borax, vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, castile soap, soap flakes.

Vinegar and baking soda can be found pretty much anywhere, and for really really really cheap. Let me give one big SHOUT OUT to vinegar. It really is a miracle product. Look at some of the things it can do:

Kill weeds
Clean floors
Floor cleaner
Freshen wilted vegetables
Condition hair
Relieve dry and itchy skin.
Fight dandruff
Soothe a sore throat
Deodorize the kitchen drain.
Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards
Cut grease and odour on dishes
Unclog a drain
Clean the dishwasher
Eliminate smoke odours from clothes
Disinfect a wound.

Vinegar is water and acetic acidic that has fermented. It is completely natural.

Borax, washing soda and castile soap are a bit harder to find. That is the problem when people rely less and less on homemade or natural products - the demand for them is less and less until they quietly disappear from the market. A lot of people are probably, Borax what?? When I went to Canadian Tire to ask for it, they told me that it was illegal to sell in Canada.... um, what? I am pretty sure they were talking out of their ass.

Borax is not lethal unless you are not careful and decide to ingest large amounts. So, please, do not eat it in large amounts (?!) It is a natural mineral compound, and although it too has environmental implications (i.e. mining), it is a greener choice all round. I have been able to find it in two places - natural food stores, like Rainbow Foods (although they charge about twice of what it should cost - but the customer service is pretty fantastic), or in Home Hardware (about $5 for 2kg). Washing soda is also hard to find - but you can find it in Home Hardware or natural food stores as well. It is not Baking Soda, but a more acidic version of it.

Castile soap is a vegetable oil based soap, made traditionally from olives rather than animal fat or synthetic substances. You can actually use it on its own. It is more environmental as the manufacturing of it has a reduced waste stream, and because it is vegetable based, it has faster biodegradability. Some of you may have used it for camping, as it is very versatile - you can wash you hair, body, clothes, food and dishes with it!

The only castile soap I have been able to find is in health food stores, and usually its this brand.

It costs about $10 a bottle, but a little goes a long way. http://www.drbronner.com/

Today I am going to share with you one of our recipes that I have been really really happy with - Natural Liquid Dishwasher Detergent. I am much happier with this than my regular store bought brand. I used to use Electrosol tablets. This homemade detergent is far far superior. And cheaper. And better for the environment.

Natural Liquid Dishwasher Detergent

Ingredients
Liquid castile soap
Essential oil (optional)
Vinegar
Lemon juice

1. Mix 1 cup liquid castile soap to 1 cup of warm water. Shake very well.
2. Add 1\2 cup of vinegar. Shake well.
3. Then add 3 tsp of lemon juice. This will help cut grease.
4. If you desire, add 3 drops essential oil to every cup of total finished liquid. I use tea tree. Shake well.
5. Make sure you "SHAKE WELL" before every use. Use about 1tbsp for light loads or 2tbsp for heavy. You can put half that amount in the pre cycle dispenser if you wish.
6. It is also a good idea to add vinegar to your dishwasher when using this mixture (add it to the rinse dispenser). The soap can leave a residue but the vinegar takes the residue off. Vinegar is also good for cleaning your dishwasher.

I have actually noticed an improvement in how clean my dishes are. This is the one my husband made. He rocks. Shout out to him too. He is Mr. Scientific.

Gorgeousness

2011-02-03T20:36:00.001-05:00

To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak. ~Hopi Indian Saying

Luging through life

2011-01-17T16:25:00.003-05:00

Wow, I have tried to write this post I don't know how many times, and I just haven't been inspired. In my defense, we have been pretty busy building a luge and such.

Check this out:

So far the new year has been promising. We are all healthy, productive, and are having some good laughs, which is all I can ask for. Every night right before my girls fall asleep I here them giggling insanely in their beds, being silly. I love that. Yesterday, before I put my littlest one to bed, she looked at me, tried to wink, and said "Cheeeeooowww" (meaning, Ciao!). I nearly died laughing, it was so cute. Look at this face and imagine her winking at you and saying "Ciao". Irresistible I tell you.

For New Years Eve, we started the afternoon by watching The Wizard of Oz.... all curled up in blankets on the couch, wrapped in each other's arms, we enjoyed the same movie that was made 70 years ago and that I grew up with. When the movie finished, I set the table using napkins and candles, marking the evening as a "special occasion". Under each plate I placed a little gift for each of us, representing a wish for the new year. After each taking a turn to see our "wish", we each lit a candle for the new year, starting with the oldest to the youngest, and then expressed what we were grateful for from the past year. After toasting with our "fancy" glasses (salut, cheers, sante!), to the new year coming, we finished the evening with some boardgames (Dora Bingo to be exact), and some homemade donuts that were actually supposed to be "Churros" but landed up tasting like my dad's oliebollens. I was not allowed to post a picture of them because Jorge didn't want me "misrepresenting" Mexico with Churros that were not even close to Churros (not even "similar"). After some goodnight stories, some cuddles in the "big" bed, the girls crashed, legs and arms thrown over each other's legs and arms, and Jorge and I brought in the New Year together.

And this is what I ate New Years day... we all know how much I love a tortilla with egg, bacon, mayo and a side of beans and chilies with a hot cup of coffee. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. I call it my Papa Jorge breakfast of champions. Have a mentioned how much I miss him and Mama Angelica? I have a good feeling they will be here with us sometime this year. Cross your fingers.

Since New Years, we've been trying to embrace the cold winter, and get out a bit more. I love love love the cold wind on my face (within reason of course). And properly dressed, you really can have fun. Here are a few pictures of us taking a walk around one of the nature reserves near our house. Despite the sheer ice on the entire path, we were giggling by the end of it every time someone fell.

And of course, what else does winter bring but sliding!! We decided to build our own luge in the back of the house. Its a work in progress - but pretty perfect for a 5 year old. We have a couple of hours of fun every weekend. And now that Jorge has his own snow pants, well, we don't have to hear about how nice the weather is in Mexico all the time :)

My winter goal this year is to introduce the girls to cross-country skiing - at least once. Maybe next year we will try downhill.

I've also completed a few of my own personal projects. My first cowl for example! This was my sisters belated Christmas gift which I tried out for a few weeks before I gave it to her :)

And I just finished my first ever hat, which was so easy. I got the pattern from Martha Stewart here: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/knit-hat?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/gifts-for-her#slide_26

I know I look like a geek, but look at my hat!! I MADE that!

By the way, Happy Martin Luther King.

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hallelujah

2010-12-19T10:07:00.001-05:00

Most Canadians are familiar with this song, and the hundreds of covers and interpretations. K.D. Lang's is my favourite, and so I'm sharing it here. Her beauty is intense. While the intensity feels of Christmas, the sadness of the song is a foreshadow of what to come.

The intense conflict of spiritual and family values with our basic human needs and desires, is what this clash in faiths, the decisions that come as a result, and the consequences that ensue - make for an agonizingly beautiful poetry of life. I love this space of inbetween.

In the cold Canadian winter months, our faiths are challenged, lie dormant as a slow burning fire, arousing our inner most basic building blocks of life.

We are all broken. Beautifully beautifully broken.

"Hallelujah"

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe there’s a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It’s not a cry you can hear at night
It’s not somebody who has seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Frosty

2010-12-09T20:02:00.003-05:00

I am fully cognizant of the fact that I am a bit of a geek.

But I made my girl smile.

OASIS 2010

2010-11-28T19:23:00.003-05:00

This week I catered a party for a good friend. I love feeding a gaggle of beautiful women. Life feels so rich when women get together with good food, good drinks, and LOTS of good talking. All of the following recipes are very easy to make, and don't require a lot of time. I wish I had a better camera, because my pictures don't do the deliciousness justice!

Here was Le Menu. -- I called it Indian Fusion.

Canapes

Parmesan-Stuffed Dates in Bacon

Baked mushrooms

Spiced coconut prawns

Caprese

Edamame with sea salt

Pate on Pear Slices

Appetizer

Figs with ricotta, prosciutto and caramelized balsamic

Main

Butter Chicken

Basmati rice

Indian Saag with Kale

Naan

Dessert

Raspberry tiramisu

Edamame with sea salt

Caprese

Spiced coconut prawns

Pate on Pear Slices

Parmesan-Stuffed Dates in Bacon

Baked mushrooms

Indian Saag with Kale

Figs with ricotta, prosciutto and caramelized balsamic

Butter Chicken, Kale, Basmati Rice

Raspberry Tiramisu

Recipes

Parmesan-Stuffed Dates in Bacon
18 (1- by 1/4-inch) sticks Parmigiano-Reggiano (from a 1/2-lb piece)
18 pitted dates (preferably Medjool)
6 bacon slices, cut crosswise into thirds
18 wooden picks

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F.

Stuff 1 piece of cheese into each date, then wrap 1 piece of bacon around each date, securing it with a pick. Arrange dates 1 inch apart in a shallow baking pan.

Bake 5 minutes, then turn dates over with tongs and bake until bacon is crisp, 5 to 6 minutes more. Drain on a paper bag or parchment. Serve immediately.

Guy's most famous stuffed mushrooms - Guy is my colleague
1 brick of cream cheese
1 lb of bacon (cooked and cut into small pieces)
20 or so mushrooms (bigger ones are better)

Mix both together (you can add garlic). Remove mushroom stems and fill in cavity with cream cheese and bacon. Place in over at 350 for approx 30 min (keep an eye on them). Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese while baking.

Spiced coconut prawns
1 stalk lemongrass, very finely chopped
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 large mild red chillies, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 tablespoons desiccated coconut
1kg green prawns, peeled, veins removed, tails intact
sea salt and cracked pepper
lemon wedges, to serve

Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the lemongrass, ginger, chilli, garlic and oil and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Add the coconut and cook for 1 minute or until toasted. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the prawns, salt and pepper to the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes or until cooked through. Return the coconut-spice mixture to the pan and toss with the prawns. Serve warm with the lime. Serves 6–8.

Caprese
1 crostini
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
300 grams fresh mozzarella
Fresh basil
Salt and pepper

Toss the tomatoes with the salt and pepper and let sit for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, slice the crostini. Add 2-3 tomatoes, a slice of mozzarella, and a basi leave. Drizzle with olive oil.

Edamame with sea salt
Boil as much edamame as you want to eat in salted water for about 3 minutes. Drain, toss with salt, and serve!

Pate on Pear Slices
2 pears, sliced
1 brick of Chicken Pate
Cornichons

Dab chicken pate on end of each pear slice and top with a slice of cornichons.

Figs with ricotta, prosciutto and caramelized balsamic
1 Head of radicchio
8 slices prosciutto
1 container of ricotta
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 brown sugar
8 fresh figs (or dried if you can't find fresh)

Broil the prosciutto until crispy.
Heat vinegar and sugar until boiling and thicker

Add one radicchio leaf, a dollop of ricotta, a piece of crispy prosciutto, and 1 sliced fresh fig to each plate, and drizzle with warm dressing.

Murgh Makhani, i.e. Indian Butter Chicken From Jane Maynard, This Week for Dinner

Tandoori Chicken:

3/4 C plain yogurt
2 T lemon juice
2 cloves minced garlic
1 inch ginger root, peeled and crushed
1 T cumin
1 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. cardamom
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tsp. salt
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (this is the amount you’ll need for the butter chicken sauce below – you can make this recipe with bone-in, skinless, dark & white meat chicken cut into pieces – my personal preference are boneless, skinless chicken breasts and they worked great)
1-2 T canola oil

The night before you want to make butter chicken, mix the above ingredients (except the chicken) in a bowl. Take the chicken breasts and stab them a bunch with a fork, then make some gashes with a sharp knife. Marinate the chicken in the yogurt mixture overnight and until you’re ready to cook the next day.

To cook the chicken, pat off some of the marinade, brush with oil and place in a pan (I used my 9X13 metal pan). Roast in a 450 oven for about 20 minutes, or until juices run clear. Let cool a bit then cut into chunks.

Butter Chicken Sauce:

1/3 sweet onion, chopped
1 inch of ginger root, peeled and julienned
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 green chili (membranes and seeds removed), chopped
6 T butter (divided – 2 T and 4 T)
6 medium tomatoes, cut into large pieces (or use about 1 28 oz of canned tomatoes)
2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cardamom
1/4 tsp. coriander
2 shakes cinnamon
3 oz tomato paste
1 cup chicken or veggie broth
1/2 C cream
4 cooked tandoori chicken breasts (above) cut into chunks

Saute onion, ginger, garlic and green chili in butter until onions are translucent.

Add tomatoes and let simmer for ~5 minutes. Add spices (garam masala, chili powder, cumin, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon) and simmer another 5-10 minutes or so. Add tomato paste and broth, stir. Blend everything in a blender until smooth then return to pan. Add tandoori chicken, cream and butter.

Basmati Rice
2 cups basmati rice
1 cup cold water
1 cup coconut milk
½ cup slivered almonds or unsweetened coconut, toasted
½ cup coarsely chopped fresh coriander

About an hour before serving, rinse rice in a sieve under cold running tap water. Turn into large saucepan with measured water and coconut milk. Let stand 30 minutes. Bring to a boil over high heat, stir and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 15 minutes. Turn off heat. Let stand 15 minutes without lifting cover or until ready to serve. Fluff with a fork. Sprinkle with almonds or coconut and coriander when serving. Serves 8.

Indian Saag with Kale
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons cumin seed
1 green chile pepper, seeded and diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons ground turmeric
2 pounds chopped Kale
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt

1.In a large skillet or wok, melt butter over medium-high heat, and cook and stir cumin seed, chile pepper, garlic, and turmeric until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
2.Stir in the chopped mustard greens and spinach a little at a time, adding the tougher parts first (the stems and thicker leaves). Continue to add greens, and cook and stir until all greens have been added and all are thoroughly wilted. Stir in the cumin, coriander, and salt. Cover; reduce heat and simmer until greens are tender, about 10 minutes, adding water as needed to keep the greens moist. Serves 6–8.

Raspberry Tiramisu
1 cup seedless raspberry jam
6 tablespoons orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
1 pound mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
28 soft ladyfingers
3 (1/2 dry pint) baskets fresh raspberries (about 3 3/4 cups total)
Confectioners' sugar, for serving
Stir the jam and 4 tablespoons of the orange liqueur in a small bowl to blend.

Combine the mascarpone and remaining 2 tablespoons of orange liqueur in a large bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream, sugar, and vanilla in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Using a large rubber spatula, stir 1/4 of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture to lighten. Fold the remaining whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.
Line the bottom of a13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish or other decorative serving dish with half of the ladyfingers. Spread half of the jam mixture over the ladyfingers. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the jam mixture, then cover with half of the fresh raspberries. Repeat layering with the remaining ladyfingers, jam mixture, mascarpone mixture and raspberries. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.

Dust with the confectioners' sugar and serve. 8 to 12 servings

Post-Halloween

2010-11-07T15:44:00.000-05:00

'Tis now the very witching time of night,

When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out

Contagion to this world.' -William Shakespeare

I really love traditions and rituals. Halloween being one of them. I remember Halloween when I was a kid - waiting to see if there was going to be snow (and having to wear the dreaded snowsuit). Getting a PILLOWCASE full of candy and dumping it on the hallway floor and trading with my brother and sister. Even as a young adult, I loved Halloween.

This costume won me a first prize.... those wonder woman shorts are really granny panties from Giant Tiger. Yes, I know, I'm very clever.

and Well, Halloween doesn't disappoint in my neighbourhood. I had over 150 kids.

Jorge and I :) He was a bit grumpy that day.

Nicky and I went to the farm and got to pick our own pumpkins.

A special Halloween craft I did with the girls. Aren't they spoooooky?

I know. I'm a geek.

On our way to a Halloween party... both my girls are punk-rock witches.

Making candy-apples, which were devoured shortly after.

Getting ready to fill their trick-or-treat bags with Nana.

Well. Now the Halloween decorations are put away. The leaves are all raked, in preparation for the snow. The girls are already talking about Christmas.

The human soul craves continuity and sameness, moving with the season. It is the warm cozy blanket that comforts a child, and secures their belief that the world is wonderful. It is what connects a child to their family and their community. It is something they hold and carry with them for the rest of their lives.

My thanksgiving post - a week later

2010-10-17T14:10:00.005-04:00

I can't believe I haven't posted since September 26. I kept trying to, but it never worked out. I will never make it to blogger of the year at this pace. Well, since September I've gotten a traffic ticket, turned 35 and now I keep finding grey hairs which I try to pluck out but always land up plucking all the good ones instead (F#&*K!!!), and celebrated thanksgiving, having much to be thankful for.

Lets start with the first. The traffic ticket. It was on a morning that I was doing everything RIGHT. Lunches were packed the night before, the girls clothes were laid out to just slip on, the house was tidy, and I left the house even BEFORE I was suppose to. The drop off of the girls went smooth, and I was on my way to work. And then I got stuck. In I-want-to-slit-my-wrists slow traffic. Like 2 hour slow traffic (on a normally 20 minute drive.) It was so painful, I actually started to cry 1-hour in. And then, it got worse. Then, my cup-o-coffee kicked in, and I really really really had to pee. And I could see it ahead. The gas station. And there was the bus-taxi-3-person-I'm so lucky to use this lane, lane. I had to get into it to turn into the gas station ANYWAY. And I WAS ABOUT TO PEE MY PANTS. SERIOUSLY. So, I moved into the lane, and was JUST about to turn into the gas station, and there was ... the cop. He didn't buy my pee story, even though it was true. And $144 dollars later, I still had to pee like a race horse. And I still went to the gas station. By this time I was full on crying. Until I got the key to the toilet, and there was no light in the bathroom and I had to pee in the "I-am-getting-hepatitis-for-sure" gas station bathroom. Then I was full on blubbering. When I got into my office with my crazy witch hair all over, my red and ticket trauma I-look-so-stoned eyes, of course, I poured my whole story out to my boss. So much for poise and sophistication. Well, who am I kidding anyway? Anyhow, that drive seriously traumatized me for the entire week.

But then the weekend came, and I tried not to take the traffic so personally. I had much to be grateful for. It was my birthday, and thanksgiving. Turning 35 actually was not that traumatic. It was kind of nice. I didn't like turning 31, or 32, or 33, or 34 for that matter. I don't really like those numbers. They are just kind of blah. Like November. It kind of like felt like being in limbo... not a girl, but not yet a woman... um, that's Britney Spears song. Anyhow, now that I have hit 35, I feel full blown woman. I can wear red lipstick now. So, I think 35 sounds way cooler than those other 30's numbers.

And then, Thanksgiving. Being stuck in the traffic for 2 hours gives you a lot of time to think. When you are trying not to yell at every car that tries to pass you, I highly recommend meditating on what makes you grateful. I call it road rage mediation.

I am grateful :

1. When my youngest strokes my face and says, "Ahhhh, ma belle cocotte"... she must hear this 100 times a day from every French woman she passes. For those who are not French, it means "Ohhhhh, my little hen". I really really really love French sayings. The other day in Costco we were buying a new shower curtain rod and the woman at the check-out asked if we would like to carry our "dou-douche" or put it in the basket. We had no idea what she meant. And still don't really - is that slang? I like to say it though. Dou-douche. That's what I'm going to call Jorge when I'm mad at him. A dou-douche.

2. My colleagues. I work with some great people, and I can truly say I admire them, I follow them, I am inspired by them. You cannot ask for any better when you work with a group of people that respect and listen to each other. That's a great team. Oh, and to be able to make fun of them once in a while is great too :)

3. Coffee. I love coffee rituals. I can accomplish anything if I have a cup of coffee. Like writing this post. Or saving the world.

4. Leading by example. Okay, I am definitely not always the BEST example (unless I have had coffee of course), but I do know that in those things that I AM a good example, my kids are watching. And not just my kids - my husband, my family, my friends and colleagues. And respectively, I look to those who are good examples, and I naturally gravitate to live by their example as well. Its really quite simple. Here are my kids, living by example. Oh, and as I type this my five year old just made my bed, asked for the "spray" to clean the glass table, picked up her toys, and put the dirty clothes in the laundry. She is cleaning with the same intensity as Jorge does on the weekends, telling everyone, "Es sábado, el dia para limipiar la casa!" (If I haven't had my coffee by the time he says this, he gets the eye roll.) So, while she is cleaning away, I'm just sitting here blogging away... I LOVE parenting.

Making dinner... the more she helps me, the more she wants to do it.

Getting ready to do our work out, a la flashdance.

"Example isn't another way to teach, it is the only way to teach." -Albert Einstein

“If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.” -Catherine Aird

5. Okay, I have already talked about coffee, but not how good it tastes with my favourite Papa Jorge inspired breakfast.... warm corn tortillas, refried beans, egg and Chili's! The chili and the coffee are DEVINE.

6. My husband is going back to school to do his Masters of Science!!! I am so excited... and a little jealous... of him.

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows." ~Sydney J. Harris

Doesn't he look like a graduate student?

7. My family - both mine and my husband's. They support us in so many different ways, extending their hands to lift us up. And because of this we can extend our own hands and lift them up at the same time.

8. Reading. Having a library card is probably one of the best things you can do for your child. Bringing home a stack of "new" books every week not only encourages your child to read, but forces the PARENT to read to them. We get all sorts of books - encyclopedia's, recipe books, maps, children's books. I find that when we don't go to the library, our own books get boring and we tend not to read them very much. Both Jorge and I are avid readers, so this helps, but its much more enjoyable when we can curl up in bed with the stack of library books spread all around us, and we share it together. My FAVOURITE part is when my youngest turns the pages. She takes her thumb, licks it purposefully, and THEN turns the pages deliberately, most likely just like her daycare teacher. It cracks me up every time and I ask her to turn the pages just so I can see her do it.

9. Health. Education. Shelter. Food. Respect. I have the basic needs in life and more. I have never been without them. I have never been without the safety net of my family. The more my husband exposes me to how the majority of the world lives, the more mindful of this I am. 1.7 billion people in this world live without some, or ALL of these basics. The worlds population is almost 7 billion. I think about this when I am stuck in traffic. And I think of children like this who are smiling despite their lacking. And I try to live by their example.

"Human development is about much more than the rise or fall of national incomes. It is about creating an environment in which people can develop their full potential and lead productive, creative lives in accord with their needs and interests. People are the real wealth of nations. Development is thus about expanding the choices people have to lead lives that they value. And it is thus about much more than economic growth, which is only a means—if a very important one—of enlarging people’s choices." -What is Human Development?, Human Development Reports, United Nations Development Program

10. The fall in all its glory. We have been enjoying it by playing in the leaves, playing Frisbee (totally kicking my husbands butt), and of course some fall baking because apples are aplenty!!

Fall Apple Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Cupcakes:

3 cups all purpose flour

1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/4 cups sugar

3/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons bourbon, apple brandy, or rum (optional)

1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce

2 medium Fuji or Gala apples (13 to 14 ounces total), peeled, halved, cored, cut into 1/3-inch cubes

1 1/2 cups toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds (about 6 ounces)

Splash of almond extract for extra kick

Frosting:

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

3 cups powdered sugar (measured, then sifted)

Coarsely chopped toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds (for garnish)

Preparation:

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Put baking cups in muffin tin. Whisk first 7 ingredients in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1 cup butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add both sugars and beat until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla, then bourbon, if desired (mixture may look curdled). Add flour mixture to egg mixture in 3 additions alternately with applesauce in 2 additions, beating until blended after each addition. Stir in apples and pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Divide batter in muffin tin; smooth tops.

Bake cupcakes until tester inserted into center of each comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to racks and cool in pans 15 minutes. Cool completely.

For frosting:

Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in vanilla extract and pinch of salt. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until frosting is smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.

Spread frosting on cupcakes, swirling and creating peaks, if desired. Sprinkle with seeds. Let cupcakes stand at room temperature 1 hour to allow frosting to set slightly. Makes 24 cupcakes.

Crazy lunchbox lady 2

2010-09-26T19:51:00.000-04:00

Because I know you are all just DYING to see what I put in my little girls lunch.....

And this is proof years from now when she accuses me of never making her lunches.

I LOVE this lunch box. I want one. I actually get excited making her lunch. And this embarrasses me a little.

My scrumptious birthday girl

2010-09-22T22:29:00.002-04:00

This is a few days late, but my baby turned 3 last week. How gorgeous is she?

"Children make you want to start life over." -Muhammad Ali

"The fundamental job of a toddler is to rule the universe." -Lawrence Kutner

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." -Stacia Tauscher

I'm in love with her hands. They are perfect for holding. My favourite thing is when she grabs my face between her two hands when she wants me to listen carefully.

There is nothing better than watching the face of a little kid watching their birthday cake approach them. To them, that is the best gift of all.

My baby lookin' gangsta style.

Yep, that's her mom.

We're such an attractive family.

Happy birthday sweat pea. My heart overflows with love for you.

"A toddler believes that if you love a person, you stay with that person 100 percent of the time." -Lawrence Balter

Easy dinners for a busy family

2010-09-11T19:01:00.003-04:00

It's Saturday evening and I'm exhausted. We went out today for a few hours and it did me in. When we got back home, I actually sent everyone to nap, so that I could nap. Of course, the girls didn't nap AT ALL, but kept yelling to me every two minutes, "ARE WE FINISHED OUR REST NOW?" To which I would reply, "NO, GO TO SLEEP" (apparently I did this right in Jorge's ear who was right beside me.... sorry). This went on for about two hours... it was really relaxing. By the time I gave in, the girls had completely switched outfits, had crawled into each other's beds, had bumped heads and cried, and of course laughed hysterically at I don't know what. And now I just drank a cup of coffee to wake me up for the evening so that I could at least feel semi-productive. But I'm allowed. My days are packed from 6am to 9am. I'm actually up at 5:30am, but not really coherent until 6am, so it doesn't really count.

So with the new routine of dropping the girls off at two different places, the crazy amount of work I do during the day at my work, and then our evening routines (which includes a one hour workout with my husband who kicks my ass every time), I thought I would share with you some of the easy dinner recipes that I have been making lately because I just can't manage to do anything overly complicated at this point.

Tortilla Pie

Ingredients

2 cans red kidney and black beans, rinsed and drained (I make my own, but for you lazy bums, just buys some cans)
2 cups sour cream
1 red or green pepper, diced
5 green onions, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small chipotle chili in adobo sauce, finely chopped
1/2 tsp each paprika, ground cumin and salt
2 cups chopped fresh coriander (or just a big bunch )
2 cups grated cheddar
vegetable oil
8 to 10 small flour tortillas or 6 big tortillas
2 cups salsa

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350F (180C). In a large bowl, stir beans with sour cream, red peppers, onions, garlic, chipotle, paprika, cumin and salt. Then stir in 1 cup (250 mL) each coriander and cheese until evenly mixed. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch (3-L) baking dish with oil. Completely cover bottom with a single layer of tortillas. Try not to overlap too much. If necessary, use scissors to cut to fit.
2. Spread one-third of sour cream mixture over tortillas. Spoon 2/3 cup (150 mL) salsa overtop. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup (125 mL) coriander. Repeat layering 2 more times. Finish with 1 cup (250 mL) cheese.
3. Bake, uncovered, in centre of preheated oven until casserole is bubbly and cheese is melted, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup (125 mL) coriander. Best eaten the same day it's made, but leftovers will keep well, covered and refrigerated, overnight. Reheat in microwave on medium.

Ancho Pork and Hominy Stew

Ingredients

2 tablespoons ancho chile powder (or other chile powder if you do not have)
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into bit sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
2 cups chopped onion
1 1/2 cups chopped green bell pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 - 28 oz can hominy, drained
1 - 4.5ozcan diced tomatoes, undrained

Preparation

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; set 1 1/2 teaspoons spice mixture aside. Add pork to remaining spice mixture in bowl, tossing well to coat
2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork mixture to pan; cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove pork from pan; set aside. Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil to pan. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Return pork to pan. Add reserved 1 1/2 teaspoons spice mixture, broth, hominy, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Partially cover, reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes.

Baked Pork Chops

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 thick cut boneless pork chops
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 (10 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 small chipotle chili in adobo sauce, finely chopped (or more if you like it hotter
1/4 cup water

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Place pork chops in the skillet, and brown about 5 minutes on each side. Remove from heat.
3. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, salt, pepper, and dry mustard.
4. Arrange pork chops in a medium baking dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice, season with brown sugar mixture, and cover with tomato sauce (mixed with chipotle). Pour water into the baking dish.
5. Cover, and bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

Haddock over pasta

Ingredients

4 thick pieces of haddock
alderwood smoked sea salt
fresh ground pepper
2 handfuls of fresh spinach
3 garlic cloves, minced
Pasta of choice
2 cups of frozen peas, corns, carrot edamme (whatever you like)
1-2 cup of jalapeno cheddar cheese (shredded)
handful of fresh basil
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced

Preparation

1. Boil pasta and set aside. Cook frozen veggies and set aside.
2. Sprinkle fish with sea salt and pepper. Fry in a little bit of olive oil on both sides until cooked. Remove from pan. In left over juices and oil, add fresh spinach, and saute.
3. Drain pasta. Add a knob of butter to pot and melt. Add pasta and stir. Add a little bit of olive oil. Add drained vegetables, mix, and stir in half of shredded cheese.
4. Serve pasta on bottom, top with sauteed spinach in the middle, put fish piece on top of spinach. Sprinkle with more cheese, and some sliced cherry tomatoes.