Clarke Planetarium

We were down in Utah this past weekend for my uncle's funeral. It went well and it was really good to see and connect with family. Somehow I didn't take any pictures at the funeral, but we did take the kids to the planetarium and I took a few pictures there. It was astronomy day so everyone got in free and we got to see an IMAX show for $1! The kids enjoyed it and they had a few stations for Claire to make an airplane and such.



Jake lost his shoe while we were there and I bet I spent about half of the time looking for it. I almost wonder if someone found it and then sat there and watched as I frantically looked under every exhibit for it. But I don't care because I eventually got it back! I even got to live out my dream of being a weather woman.



I got to spend time with Kimberly one more time before she heads out to Nashville. Next time I see her, she'll probably be a big star! It was a really good weekend and we even got to see Marshall and Tiffany and their boys for a bit and have dinner.

Our conversation

Jakey where's your toe? (he points to his toes)
Where's your head? (he points to his head)
Where's Jakey's knees? ACHOO!

My girl

Four is a good age. It's fun seeing the person she is becoming. I got her this little Bible last Easter and the other day I noticed this. She told me she was studying her scriptures. It makes me smile that even though she can't read, she still feels it's important to study.

Pita Pizzas

Well I was a bit skeptical about using pitas, but it is SO easy and they taste great. I actually use whole wheat pitas and you really can't tell the difference. They are just about as easy to prepare as pulling a frozen pizza out of the box and the best part is I can use lots of fresh veggies. I put the spinach under the cheese which I think helped not to scare the kids away. So I think I'm going to freeze a bunch so we have them on hand for lunches. Then I don't ever have to buy another cardboard frozen pizza again!

Muffins

I found a good banana muffin recipe I thought I'd share. Claire really liked them. And since we're talking about muffins, I thought it only right to show my favorite muffin video. Teehee.



Whole Wheat Banana Muffins
Ingredients

1 C whole wheat flour
1/2 C whole oatmeal
3 tsp baking powder,
1/2 tsp baking soda,
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 C brown sugar
1 egg plus 1 egg white
1/3 C unsweetened applesauce
1 C mashed banana


Directions

Preheat oven to 400. Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix applesauce, egg, egg white, and mashed banana together before adding to dry mixture. Stir just until well blended. Spoon into 12 muffin cups.

Bake for 12- 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let cool before serving.
If you want them a little sweeter, you can add chocolate chips or spread some peanut butter on them.

Snack time Recipe

Well I mentioned that snack times have been hard as far as staying away from processed foods. But, I have found a few that the kids LOVE and this ones nothing new. It's hard finding things that aren't just filler junk. Today we had yogurt with granola and fresh strawberries. The strawberries were on sale. The yogurt is made with rBGH-free skim milk and organic agave and the granola was homemade. Claire asks for this and Jake downs it like there's no tomorrow. If I don't have fresh fruit to add I add a few frozen blueberries. It's great because I know their getting a serving of fruit and whole grains and I know the yogurt isn't full of corn syrup and artificial flavorings and colors. So on to the recipe for super easy granola...

Granola

3 1/2 cups oatmeal
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup honey
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Combine all ingredients and spread onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes.

I added coconut to mine. I would suggest maybe peanut or palm oil and it does seem like a lot of oil, but it makes quite a bit of granola.

The Omnivore's dilemma

On my quest to find not just "healthy" food, but sustainable REAL food, I found this book. And now I want everyone to read it. It was great in the fact that it was interesting and eye opening, but also quite large and extensive. The author Michael Pollan answers the question - what should I eat, by tracing 4 meals back to where they started. It's shocking. Let's just say there are a few things that have gone on the black list for me as far as food goes. He put a TON of time and research into this book. It definitely opened my eyes to what I eat and where my food comes from. I think it touches on a few things that everyone needs to hear and some things we really need to change in our society today. It almost makes me want to go to D.C. and protest--almost :) I highly recommend this book!

Honey Chocolate Cupcakes

Honey Chocolate Cupcakes

Makes 12 cupcakes
You will need:

50g (2oz) butter or margarine (I used my homemade)

180ml (6 fluid oz) honey

1 egg

80ml (3 fluid oz) skimmed milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

225g (8oz) plain flour (I used whole wheat)

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

Method:

1. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until light and gradually add the honey, beating until light and creamy.
2. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk.
3. In a seperate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt, and gradually add to the butter mixture, mixing until well blended.
4. Spoon the batter into 12 paper-lined or greased muffin cups, filling each three-quarters full.
5. Bake at 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4) for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven to a wire rack and cool. Spread the top of each cupcake with chocolate icing or melted chocolate, if desired.

This is a yummy little treat you can't feel too guilty about. I covered them with natural chocolate chips.

This recipe is an extract from the book 'Honey and its many health benefits' by Margaret Briggs. And is available for purchase from Bookmart Ltd, Blaby Road, Wigston, Leicester, LE18 1SE.

Seriously?

Snow?!?

Really??? It's been snowing on and off for the last week or so. Then I talk to my mom who says it's 94 degrees in virginia. Why is spring so misleading?



Okay I'm a nerd for taking a picture of my butter, but I was proud. My latest adventure into the world of natural food. Homemade butter. And it was so GOOD and EASY. If I can find a good price point it just may become an everyday thing. I think I am going to start posting more new recipes I have been trying that are healthier and more natural. Oh and btw I had to blog about the new show Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. Loved it! It's exactly what our country needs and it was shocking to see how much opposition there was to it. It's sad. But I hope he can make a difference, it's actually a reality show doing good work and he really seems like a nice guy too.



Guess what? The Easter bunny came to our house! Claire was pretty excited to find a new barbie and a carebear movie. Jake got a new train for his set. They had lots of fun dyeing eggs, although Jake was pretty sad he couldn't keep the eggs and carry them around with him. And if you're wondering if my natural foods adventure has led to cutting off Easter candy, sadly you will be dissappointed. I can't deprive them of a little candy. They still got peeps and jelly beans, but I think they know that it has to be some kind of holiday to get candy (which Jake proceeded to spit all over Claire's new bedding).


This one's just in here cuz I thought it was funny. Nothing like a little love from your big sister!