Change

Hello.

 It's been awhile.

The last several years have brought lots of change, particularly in how our family has grown.  We just added baby number four to our family.  Life is full and the only thing consistent is change.  Just when we think we have a rhythm or start to feel like we have things figured out something shifts or changes.  It seems the one thing I can count on in motherhood is change.

It seems this is a common theme for many and what everyone is seeking and working to find is balance. Sometimes I wonder if balance in motherhood really exists. Does anyone ever really find it? Is it just a theoretical concept we are all trying to grasp in the midst of an intense season?

I've been asking these questions of myself and my friends.  Everyone is on a different journey and yet there are so many similarities for mamas with little ones.  Motherhood is a beautiful and intense season.

This is why I am revamping a bit of what this blog is about.

When I started this blog I had two small children.  I really wanted to teach them about whole foods and start them off with a nourishing diet.  I was able to do this. My girls at all kinds of crazy things that I never ate until I was in my 30's.  I was so proud.  I thought I had it figured out.  I was feeling pretty confident about my ability to feed my girls well.  AND then school happened.  All of a sudden they learned about all kinds of new things.  AND then I had my third girl who is all things fiery and refuses most vegetables.  *gulp*  Confidence that I had it figure out plummeted.

This is when I had some enlightenment.  I cannot control it all.  Yep.  I apparently have a little control freak hidden inside of me.  It only reared it's head when it came to motherhood.  Interesting.

This is why I really put my energies into mamas.  I know how hard it is. The battles are real. But mamas let's take care of ourselves in the midst of this season. If we aren't healthy and well, no one in our family will be healthy and well.  We hold the key.

Let's take care of ourselves and set examples for our children.  It won't be easy but it will be worth it.

With all that said, some things on this blog will shift.

I mean hey it's been forever since I've posted recipes on here.  That was my original intention. Recipes for kids.

But then life kept happening and I realized my gifting isn't recipe creation and beautiful food presentations.

I still value this and need fresh ideas for my family but I don't have endless hours available to play in the kitchen for recipe development. Maybe someday but right now I need easy.  I need quick. I need recipe ideas that are already created by someone else.

 That's why I haven't posted on here for so long.  I haven't had bursts of creativity in the kitchen lately. I have friends that do that well and I have so much appreciation for them and love to taste test their goodness.  It's just not where I am right now.

My strength is to guide mamas into a nourished place.

My desire is to navigate the waters of life and find a place that is sustainable.  The waves will still be there but it's about learning to ride them and not drown.

Mamas this is my passion. This is my journey.

Stay tuned for posts to encourage you in your health journey..............

Rice Krispie Treats

I was never a fan of rice krispie treats as a kid.  Sure I would have one now and again but I never loved them, and that was simply because there wasn't any chocolate in them. True confession.  If the traditional rice krispie treats had been smothered in chocolate I am sure I would have loved them.  My husband on the other had loved rice krispie treats as a kid (and still as an adult).  I was going through a few of my cookbooks trying to come up with some fresh dinner ideas and I stumbled across a new snack idea instead.  Gotta love when that happens! I found the recipe in the "The Cleaner Plate Club" cookbook.

I remembered a similar recipe that my friend Heather shared in a cooking class once, so I adapted and adjusted a bit.  The following recipe is what I came up with and it was a total hit.  Everyone was begging for more and I felt like it was a good healthier twist on a very traditional treat.  Now you won't want to take these to your next family reunion announcing they are the best rice krispie treats ever (even though they are!).  They don't taste like the traditional version but that version has a lot of indgredients I don't really want to use.  So it's not a replica recipe but think of it more as a new twist and a fun snack.  My girls actually got really mad at my husband because he took these to work the next day to finish them off and my girls just could not believe that he would do such a thing.  When I told him that evening how mad they were he had no remorse.  He knew if they stayed home he wouldn't get anymore.  It's certainly a recipe we will be making again!

Rice Krispie Treats

• 5 cups puffed rice (sold at Health food stores and Meijer)

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter)

• 3/4-1 cup brown rice syrup (depends how sweet you want them)(also found at Health Stores and several local grocery stores).

• 1/4 cup chia seeds or chopped nuts/seeds (I like to add extra protein)

• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Heat peanut butter and brown rice syrup on low until it is smooth.  Poor over puffed rice and chia seeds and/or chopped nuts/seeds.  
I added chocolate chips on top and just sort of pressed them down into the mixture so they melted slightly.  
Spread in a 9x13 parchment paper lined dish.  Put in the freezer for 30 minutes and then cut and enjoy! 

Pumpkin Quinoa Breakfast

As the cooler weather sets in I enjoy warmer breakfasts and hang up my smoothie routine.  One of my favorites on a cold morning is warmed quinoa with pumpkin.  Warmed quinoa makes such a great breakfast cereal.  It's easy and it's certainly full of protein.

Pumpkin Quinoa Breakfast

1 cup Quinoa
1 cup water 
1 cup canned coconut milk
1/2 cup pumpkin puree 
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or to taste)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
dried cranberries (to taste)

Rinse quinoa.  Add quinoa, water, and coconut milk to pan.  Bring to a boil. Reduce eat to medium-low.  Add syrup, cinnamon, and ginger.  Allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove and add dried cranberrries. I will sometimes add a little bit of grass-fed butter!and/or some nuts and seeds.  It's similar to oatmeal, in that you can get so creative.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Energy Bites

The school my girls go to is nut free.  I get it.  They have a couple friends that have severe nut allergies.  I can't imagine the fear that must play out in those mama's minds. It has made me realize how much I cook with nuts and use them in snacks. All. The. Time.  Staying creative on school lunches is no easy task (and we are still only part-timers!).  Gesh.

I came up with this version of an energy bite this week and my daughter loved having it packed in her lunch.  I was pumped she liked the nut free version and that there was some added pumpkin goodness.

Pumpkin Energy Bites

1 1/2 cups oats
1/4  cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup chia seeds(and or flax meal)
3 dates
1 TBS raw honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp powdered ginger 
chocolate chips  (to taste)


In a food processor add all ingredients except chocolate chips. Process until well combined (or like a dough is formed).  Add chocolate chips and pulse a few times.
Form into small balls.  Put them on a parchment paper lined pan and freeze.
I take them from the freezer in the morning and add them to my daughter's lunch bag so by the time lunch rolls around they are thawed but still cool.  I store some in the refrigerator and some in freezer for school lunches.

Nutty Raspberry Smoothie

I have been drinking an abundance of green smoothies and juices this summer and admittedly am on a green smoothie sabbatical.  I love the ease of smoothies in the morning so while I feel like I need a break from my normal green smoothies I am certainly not ready to give up my easy breakfast routine. This was a new creation to add a little variety to my mornings.

Nutty Raspberry Smoothie

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup plain yogurt

1/2 banana

1/2 cup raspberries

1/4 cup cashews or walnuts (preferably soaked)

1 date

1-2 TBS shredded coconut

1 cup ice cubes

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

This is a great recipe to use up any left over oatmeal.  It also makes for an incredibly easy breakfast for a few days, which I need on those early school mornings.
Recipe adapted from "The 100 Best Vegan Baking Recipes."

Oatmeal Bars

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup coconut sugar
3/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup cooked oatmeal
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (or any dried fruit)
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped


In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.  In another bowl, combine applesauce and coconut sugar until well mixed.  Stir in coconut oil.  Add cooked oatmeal and mix until well combined. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.  Stir in dried fruit and walnuts.

Spread batter into a lightly greased or parchment paper lined 8x8 pan.  Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until the center is set (do the toothpick test).  Let bars cool and then remove and cut.

**My favorite way to do flour these days is grind regular oats and buckwheat into a flour.  I like this simple combo for baking and it feels easy to digest for all of us.  It's also nice because I can buy both of those grains in bulk from Country Life.

Tomato & Cucumber Salad

Tis the season of garden abundance (well the grand finale of summer favorites). I love this salad because it combines two of my favorite garden veggies. Our whole family loves this salad. I love that it is easy and makes a stellar side dish using seasonal produce.

Tomato & Cucumber Salad

1- pint Cherry Tomatoes
2- Cucumbers
Soft Goat Cheese (or Feta if you prefer) (to taste)
2 TBS Olive Oil
2 TBS Lemon Juice
Small handful of chives and mint (optional)
Sea Salt


Combine all of the above and enjoy some summer goodness!

These proportions are a quick estimate of what I've thrown together.  I adjust it often depending on how many people will be eating this salad.  It's pretty hard to mess up so experiment and enjoy!