Cookus Love

There is something about having a baby in your life that makes you nutritionally conscientious.  Ian's body seems so pure. I scrutinize everything that goes into his mouth. (Is it a real food?  Will it help him to grow? Is it organic? Does it have hormones, antibiotics, hydrogenated fats, corn syrup, food dyes, or genetically modified ingredients?) It has definitely inspired me to do a better job of asking those questions for myself and everyone else that I feed.

I love Cynthia Lair's book Feeding the Whole Family. I've relied upon it for years as a great resource for whole foods cooking. She is not pretentious like some healthy chefs are.  I love her suggestions for substitutions if you don't have a particular ingredient on hand.  Her recipes are yummy, good for you, and frugal.  A trifecta.

Did you know that she has a fabulous website?  There are tons of hilarious videos just waiting for you.  I've been sucked into the continuing storyline, and was somewhat heartbroken to learn that the folks in the videos with her are not her real family- but just actors.  They had me fooled!

She even has some really simple "how-to" videos.  Pay attention to the messy countertops in the background.  I love that!

For some reason, food is way more fun when Cynthia cooks it.  Or at least that is what my kids think.  They love seeing a preview of what is for dinner. They gather around the laptop in the kitchen and tune in as I'm prepping. No one blinks an eye when Cynthia adds leafy greens to a recipe (as opposed to the whining that I am on the receiving end of).  My daughter actually said, "Mom we should try those pancakes!" after watching a video showing sprouted buckwheat groats as one of the main ingredients. Um Ok.  Add buckwheat groats to nexts week's grocery list.  And so it has gone since I discovered the site a few weeks ago.

A fresh new year is waiting right around the corner, go get some healthy cooking inspiration. (subscribe to her email list and they'll send you updates whenever a new video recipe is posted.)

our favorites:

chicken stir fry

three sisters stew

hoppin' john

soba noodle salad

"soda"

brownies

Smooth Sailing

I really only "made" one or two gifts this year. I'm glad that I didn't try to do more, it ended up being a little bit crazy with everyone feeling so sick.

I was happy with the way these little bread bags turned out.

 

The instructions came from Home Sewn.  The pattern called for hemp which I had exactly zero yards of.  I used linen instead. These whipped up quick- maybe an hour for one bag start-to-finish.

The cool thing about these bags is that there is a little compartment of flax seeds sewn into the bottom so that you can heat the bag and keep your bread warm. I gave the bags of bread with some balsamic flavored olive oil for dipping.

What is Christmas without some cookies and fudge? These plates went to our friends. I thought they looked pretty. I bought the plates, ribbon, and ornaments at Target.

Lastly, I made cleaning kits for teachers. (and forgot to take pictures)

The last four days have passed quietly.  I've not left the house since Monday morning. The girls have been happily playing with the neighbors and enjoying an abundance of free time. Ian started crawling this week.  The Christmas tree is coming down on the 26th!!!

The dishes are done. The laundry is mostly caught up.  My house is fairly tidy. The last bottle of amoxicillin disappears tomorrow. There is approx 12-18 inches of snow in my back yard.  We've got sleds, and movies, and cocoa, and THE NEXT FOUR WHOLE DAYS to celebrate together. Ahhh, I'm gonna soak it up.

For Dinner

I'm all about quick and comfy food on these cold, snowy days.  Nothing like a little pasta to warm the heart.  Make it. (I added peas, because, well, it had to have something green in it.) Carb up friends.  It's gonna be a long cold winter.