Squooshi

We've been on a baby food making journey for years! With little Tux things got a whole lot more convenient and even more affordable with the $20 purchase of these Squooshi pouches. The pouches are refill-able and make baby food feeding on-the-go a whole lot less messy.

Squooshi aren't without their flaws though. Don't zip the ziplock all the way and you have what we call a big fat mess. And let's not miss the Made in China printed on the bottom. Wonh-wonh. So, forgive the manufacturer and make sure the top and bottom closures are secure and you are good. to. go.

The picture above is like many I've taken while we enjoy snacks after mommy's workout. This day in particular, Tucker said "nums" for roasted acorn squash, organic peas, wild rice/lentil mix and organic apples. Fruit, fiber, protein and vegetable? And I made it myself? Win-win-win-win-winning.

Hey! Hey! Looky here! $5 off coupon expires March 15. Worth it!

Been a long time

I've missed you! Yes. I clicked on the "New Post" button. I've been thinking about this moment (and maybe even dreaming about it) for months. I have a lot of catching up to do. Since I am terrible at keeping baby books for my kids, this will have to suffice. And although I may not write often, I'm going to make a point to check in from time to time.

So, this isn't a promise-I'm-going-to-write-more and tell-you-wonderful-organic-products post,  it's more of a warning-I-might-be-writing-and-post-dating-some-things and who-knows-when-I'll-get-around-to-it.

Why today was so notable:

Sophie's use of the word "Scrubbly." I don't know what it means, but when I tried to use it in the context of "get your scrubbly little toes in these here socks," she was really offended.

Had a delicious hot meal for lunch that someone else made for me (hands in the air!). That's right, a delicious pear and goat cheese sandwich and homemade soup with my MIL.

I tried to take a nap today. Sophie dodged a nap today. Hubs worked from home and then wanted to chat/paint the new office. Dogs jumped up in the bed. All of these things equals no nap - a sign of the times to come.

Today I learned that paraffin candles are toxic. And that I can hand-make wool dryer balls with essential oils (coach me, Margaret!) that are safe and effective and they're going to kick the box of dryer sheets straight to the curb!

The last time Tucker was given a bottle was on Sunday. Today (Wednesday - four days later) he chugged his almond and rice milk combo from a sippy cup three times. THREE times in one day. Small victories.

And speaking of victories, dinner was a champion. Sophie was coaxed into eating, and Tucker had two helpings of: organic chicken, organic spinach, organic quinoa, garlic and crushed tomatoes - and each had a giant helping of organic kiwi. Hubby and I had the same, plus sauteed shredded Brussels sprouts (yes, you can buy them shredded, who knew) with balsamic vinegar.

So, in the mean time, between these insightful posts (which, you're on the edge of your seat for the next one, right?) if you don't already, you can keep up to date with me on Instagram: amybb80 Thanks for hanging in, checking in, leaving comments, and drinking wine. Mmm.

Weekday Chicken Pot Pie

Family recipe hour... This was seriously SO easy and Bryan said it was better than one he frequently orders at a Diner when he travels. And it made the house smell delicious. And it's just yummy and warm and filling and perfect for fall... Make vegetarian with omitting the chicken and using Cream of Celery soup!

Adapted from this recipe.

Chicken Pot Pie


1 large chicken breast, poached and chopped1 small onion, diced2 cups fresh frozen mixed veggies (I used Fresh Frozen from Earth Fare)1 can cream of chicken (or make your own... far more healthy!)1 frozen pie shell1 refrigerated pie dough

Preheat to 400. Sautee onions, add chicken and veggies to warm through, add cream of chicken until warmed through. Pour mixture into pie shell and cover with pie dough. Seal edge and crimp. Bake for 30 minutes, or until browned on top to your liking. Note: if you have chicken cooked ahead of time (we do that often at the beginning of the week for quick dinners), it makes this a really easy prep!

Disclaimer - this has been kid tested, but she hasn't approved. Not yet anyway. We will keep trying!

Bombay Sloppy Joe's

Family recipe hour continues...

Bombay Sloppy Joe's!

This recipe was given to us by our dear friend, Renu. I've been reluctant to share because I didn't write it, I can't improve on it, and it is in no way originally from my kitchen. However, it's too good not to. Bonus: it's vegetarian friendly, too, if you so choose. My only omission from the recipe are the pistachios. Not a fan of pistachios.

Have a hard time finding Garam Masala? You can always make your own via Google, or try your local ethnic or spice store. I was lucky enough that before we left North Carolina, Renu gave me this awesome Indian spice container all stocked up with unique Indian spices!

Kid tested, grand mother approved. Sophie gave it TWO thumbs up this weekend. And my mom no longer thinks all Indian food is made with curry :)

Ingredients

For the Sauce• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 
• 1 tablespoon minced peeled ginger• 2 cloves garlic, minced• 1/2 serrano chile pepper, seeded and minced• 1 teaspoon garam masala• 1/2 teaspoon paprika• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce

For the Sloppy Joe's
• 3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Small handful (about 1/4 cup) raisins
• Small handful (about 1/4 cup) shelled pistachios 
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 large white onion, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 serrano chile pepper (don't chop it unless you like things spicy!)
• Kosher salt
• 1 pound ground turkey OR beef OR veggie crumbles
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 cup half-and-half
• Small handful fresh cilantro (soft stems included)
• 4 sesame buns

Directions

Make the sauce: Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic and chile pepper and cook until the ginger and garlic brown a little, about 1 minute. Add the garam masala and paprika and cook 30 seconds. Add the tomato sauce and 1 cup water, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, prepare the sloppy joes: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the raisins and pistachios and cook, stirring occasionally, until the raisins swell up and the pistachios toast slightly, about 1 minute. Remove from the skillet and set aside. 

Return the skillet to medium heat and add the remaining 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add the cumin seeds and let sizzle about 10 seconds, then add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the chile pepper and cook 2 more minutes, seasoning with salt. Add the turkey, breaking up the big lumps, and cook until opaque, about 5 minutes. 

Add the prepared sauce to the turkey-and-onion mixture in the skillet. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
Remove the whole chile pepper (unless you want to eat it, like my dad does!) and stir in the honey, half-and-half, raisins and pistachios. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the cilantro right before serving.
Toast the buns and fill with the sloppy joe mixture.

Granola

Alternatively, Grammalla (in Sophie-speak). Or, You Had Me At "I need that recipe"

Is this my foray back into the blogosphere? Thank you to anyone and everyone who asked for the granola recipe so that I would actually sit down and write in my children's blog/journal/baby book/family recipe holder... I never believed my friend Leigh who told me that I might not have as much time to write once baby number two came around. Or, it could be those eight thousand other things I'm trying to do at one time.

I digress, and here is your recipe, adapted from my first take at Granola bars here, which was adapted from this recipe, but oh-so-different-and-totally-way-better. Because when you've made 30 batches, you kind of nail it down.

Granola Bars

The base:
4 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt (optional, but amazing if you like salty/sweet)
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup coconut oil (I like to barely warm it in the microwave so that it mixes better)
1/2 cup honey (my SIL says to use the local/expensive stuff!)
2 tablespoons ground flax*

The additions, per your taste
1 cup chocolate chips
6 dried apricots, chopped
12 dried cherries, chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped raw almonds

I mix the dry ingredients separate from the wet and then combine them all together. Pour onto parchment lined baking sheet. It will look too dry, but I promise it is going to work. Pat it down, maybe 1/2in in height and then make a rectangle shape (less waste when you go to cut your bars out). I like to use a rubber spatula because the granola is less likely to stick to it as you form your rectangle.

Bake in a 325 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove and let completely cool before cutting. I make rectangular bars that are smaller than your typical granola bar, because I can guarantee you I'm going to eat more than one a day, and if they're smaller than normal I don't feel as guilty :)

*Flax seeds are an awesome source of Omega 3's - among other things. We don't eat a ton of fish as we live in Kentucky, and, well, I like my Florida seafood. SO, Omega 3's are something we try to supplement through fish oil and flax seeds. However, when heated, flax loses it's Omega 3's. Dammit, right?! They are still an excellent source for fiber and protein, and, why not?

Also, original recipe had Vanilla Extract in it. New recipe does not ever since I read that "Natural Vanilla Flavoring" includes something extracted from a chemical derived from the anal glands of beavers. Yeah. Gross.

This will change your life

I've got this friend that writes a really sassy foody blog. She's been taking a hiatus to birth her first baby - a baby who is perfect and beautiful and happens to have really cool parents. So while my blogroll has been bereft of her must-try recipes, I dug into the archives for one of my favorites, brussels sprouts.

These brussels sprouts will change your life.

I usually save this blog to share baby fun, baby photos, baby recipes, organic baby, healthy natural baby and mommy-isms. Disclaimer: this recipe is none of the above. If your kid eats it, then it becomes a win-win. Sophie ate three bites, but without the Cholula. The other disclaimer is that I shop at Costco, but you can cut down the recipe if you don't think your household can eat two pounds of baby cabbages.

Change Your Life Brussels Sprouts

*Adapted from Chang's Brussels Sprouts

2lb fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed

1lb bacon

2 Tablespoons Cholula

Juice of 2 large limes

salt

pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Brown chopped bacon in skillet, remove with slotted spoon, set aside. Throw a handful of bacon in the dog's dish (you're welcome Maddox and Cooper). In hot pan with bacon fat remaining, add brussels sprouts that have been trimmed of the stem and tough outer leaves removed. Small ones I left whole, large ones I cut in half lengthwise. (And don't get over zealous when trimming stems or ALL of the leaves will start to fall off and you're left with pea-sized sprouts.) Saute about 6 minutes.

Put entire pan into 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, give them a good stir trying to flip most of them over, and return to oven for another 10 minutes.

Remove from oven, and please cover the skillet handle so you don't inadvertently grab said 400 degree pan handle and singlehandedly ruin your weekend. Add bacon crumbles that you saved, Cholula hot sauce, lime juice, salt and pepper. Eat. And then come back here and tell me how these changed your life.

Change Your Life Brussels Sprouts

Love this stuff.

Teacher gifts!

We are in the last week of Sophie's first year of preschool. Hard to believe.

It is truly difficult to thank her room full of teachers (five of them!) for fostering her creativity, curiosity and sense of adventure. They have made our first year in Louisville memorable, for sure. Feeling a little crafty, I made some gifts for the end of the year!

I spray painted the lids of some old spaghetti sauce mason jars and cleaned the jars really well. Inside, I made Sophie's favorite "Grammala" bars (Chocolate chip granola bars adapted from this recipe). Outside, I downloaded a free printable for bookplates and personalized them with the help of a friend with all of her teachers' names. I printed the bookplates on 8 1/2 x 11 shipping labels and cut down to size, wrapped in plastic and tied with string to the large mason jars.

Grammala Bars
4 Cups rolled oats
1/4 Cup whole wheat flour
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1/2 Cup plus 2 T canola oil
1/2 Cup plus 2 T honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 Cups chocolate chips

Bake 325 degrees on parchment paper (spread into large rectangle about 1/2in thick) for 40 min. Let cool, but not completely, before cutting into squares (or rectangles... whatever floats your boat).

TGIFF

Thank Goodness It's Freaking Friday

This Friday the 13th has been peachy, thus far. (Yes, Mom, I'm about to start bragging again. May the force be with me for the rest of the day!)

Sophie is actually eating food - she's even asking for it.

Tucker is napping in his crib.

That's a win-win, folks.

We've had a mess of food battles lately. In fact, a serious toddler meltdown that ended with throw-up actually occurred on Tuesday. Yes, she pitched a fit over orange slices, cucumber and an almond butter and jelly sandwich. WTF? I can't help but take some of the blame looking back on the situation. 20/20, right? I gave her too many choices and offered to make Sophie her own meal - different from what I was going to eat. Tisk, tisk mommy.

At her two year appointment, the doctor said she wants to check her weight again in a few months since she hasn't gained anything since the fall. So now I'm obsessing over her food again since we kind of let things slide over the holidays.

We have some new winning recipes!

Spinach cake muffins (yes, cake, they are very dense). I didn't have sugar-free applesauce, so I made my own by steaming an apple and pureeing in the blender. Easy peasy.

Granola bars. My version included ground flax seed, dried organic black mission figs and chocolate chips.

Sophie's Favorite Chicken Nuggets
1 organic chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1 egg, whisked
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon garlic salt

Dip chicken bites into the egg, then dredge through the panko and garlic salt mixture. Pan fry in oil (or bake, if you must, but this kid needs the extra fat right now). Sophie LOVES them. Like, she knows when I'm making them by the smell and runs around screaming "Chicken Nuggets!" For the nugget connoisseur, these are even better than Chic Fil A (which, for the record, she has never had).

Hope you have a lovely weekend ahead!

Sophie: a love story

A couple of tired balloons danced across our front porch this morning as we filled out a collective neighborhood police report. And for the record: it's still breaking and entering even if the door was unlocked. But that's another story because you are here to read about my little stink's first birthday! During which, I died and went to cheese heaven. Get ready to live.

These are the most adorable invites I had designed by this store at Etsy. There of course was a theme, and it, of course, was giraffes. Ever since Sophie got her little mitts on a Sophie the Giraffe, it's sort of been our mascot. I found that party planning is easier when you have a theme anyhow.

My alarm went off at 6:30am to start the oven schedule (first time for everything - I don't bake and I don't make lists). To back up a step, I realized Friday night that the drawer below my oven is... another oven. So I didn't have to walk food to the neighbor's house to bake!

With the exception of our missing family that all live miles away, we had great representation of our closest friends which we've adopted as our Charlotte family - and Sophie's extended family. Words cannot express our gratitude for these people taking time to come share a toast and a cupcake to celebrate one of Sophie's monumental 'firsts.' Let me just say that the mood inside was way more cheery than the weather outside. Right before we did the whole Happy Birthday routine, giant fluffy snowflakes began to fall. It was such a beautiful and perfect moment I'll never forget (click - sound of mental picture taking). So I've painted the atmosphere, right? Let's get down to business of photos. Here Sophie is with Aunt Heidi taking in her first snowfall.

Bryan made a short and sweet little toast (that I didn't know he was thinking of doing) and we lit one candle and sang Happy Birthday to our sweet baby (this is where I thought I might lose it). She did not cry one tear, so I decided I probably shouldn't either. She took everything in stride, typical Sophie fashion, and then poked at her cupcake for a few minutes. I fed her a bite and the game was on. I think she sucked every sugar morsel from her little fingers and then she and I shared a second cupcake a little later.

Happy Birthday, So-so!

I think she likes cupcakes.

I wanted to get a picture of Sophie and some of her friends that came to celebrate.

This was one of the funniest.

Sophie and Whitney - mutual adoration!

Let's talk about food. My sweet friend Cassie helped me plan the menu for the big day - she is good at this, I am not. I whipped up everything from scratch except for the rolls and the gingerbread. Phew. We had Parmesan thyme crackers, baked ham with rolls, macaroni and cheese, caramelized onion dip, gingerbread cookies with frosting, a champagne bar and some amazing cupcakes. The cupcake batter was from a box, but with the help of dear Helen, I made the icing from scratch.

The spread.

Off the hook cupcakes and toppers.

Champagne bar.

About to start on cupcake #2.

I was worried that I would tear up and cry all day (happy/sad tears) over my baby growing up, but I held it together. One of the sweetest moments for me was when Bryan brought Sophie down from her nap all dressed up for her party. She was wearing the dress I had made for her which I hadn't even tried on her yet. He even had the barrette in her hair that I had set aside for the day. What a proud Papa, he seriously melted my heart (for the thousandth time).

Birthday giraffe dress and table runner: Made with love by Sophie's mama.

Birthday giraffe hat: from this Etsy store.

Birthday invites: designed by this Etsy store and printed at Costco.

Giraffe 1st birthday cupcake toppers: from this Etsy store.

Damask napkins, pink plates, champagne flutes etc: Party City.

Cupcake icing recipe, courtesy Helen Mundy: whip 1 box of cream cheese until creamy, add 3 cups confectioner sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar and combine. add 2 tubs cool whip and keep mixing. add 1/2 of your favorite candy bar crushed, grated or pulsed in food processor (I used a Symphony bar) and use the other 1/2 to top cupcakes. It was seriously ridiculous.

On feeding baby

All this talk about Thanksgiving and Christmas meals has got not only my stomach rumbling, but has also got me thinking about what my little Sophie will be indulging in on her first holidays. It's only now that I realized I haven't spelled out any of my favorite baby food recipes to share. My blender has never felt so loved (previous life only knew margarita mix and Tequila). I know I don't have to say it again, but all of the food I've ever made for Sophie has been organic. We use Absolute Organics delivery of fruit and vegetables to the house, and I buy organic chicken and ground beef from Costco. I even found organic turkey lunch meat at The Home Economist. I would say that in the past that I made 95% of the food she ate. Lately I'd have to change that to 75% thanks to Cheerios, Gerber puffs, and these yummy things that a friend told me about:

They are uber convenient, organic, and they make some really great flavor combinations. There are other brands that are also organic and come in these little Capri Sun-like pouches - Plum Tots is one of them. But back to cooking. The mere thought of making my own baby food made me nervous. How could I possibly make anything better than money could buy? Now, now, new mommy, what you can make at home is 100x better than store bought. Reasons to make your own baby food include but are not limited to:

• it's more fresh
• it has more nutrients
• it's less expensive
• you are in control!
• make your own combinations
• you ensure the quality of ingredients

If you are on the fence, just try it. If you feel it takes too long or the mess too big, or you just don't find it rewarding at all, then you tried. I happen to love cooking to begin with, so making Sophie's food was just as fulfilling to me as breast feeding her. There is a lot to know as far as what foods are gassy, what foods are constipating, and how to balance them all out in your baby's little belly. Sometimes it comes by trial and error. Or, you could just read a book or two for some hints! It is best to try one food at a time, waiting about three days before introducing another (you want to keep any eye out for reactions and it's easier to pin-point if they've only eaten one thing the last day or so). Once you've introduced foods on their own - get to mixing - the combinations are endless.

Without further ado, here goes some of our tried and true baby meals.

No cook purees:

Mango

Banana

Plums

Avocado

Kiwi

Peaches

All of the above easily peel, mash with a fork, thin with breastmilk, formula or water until the consistency was so that it slid off the back of the spoon. (If using breastmilk or formula, serve immediately, do not store). Sophie hated avocado - still does. I know it's a popular one for most babies though.

Now we get cookin':

Apples
Pears
Green beans
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Sweet potato
Carrot
Zucchini
Butternut squash
Spinach

All of the above were easily washed/peeled/chopped, then steamed/simmered/boiled until tender, and then pureed in the blender until smooth. Sometimes the consistency was too thick with just the fruit or vegetable which I then used the water from the bottom of the pan to thin (with the exception of carrots - too many nitrates build up in the water when steaming carrots). I would then pour the puree into my baby food cube tray and freeze. Once frozen solid, I would pop out the cubes and store in a labeled gallon Ziploc bag (inside the gallon bag I would use smaller quart bags to keep the flavors separate). Good in the fridge for about 48 hours, good in the freezer for about 6 weeks. I use these KidCo BPA free storage trays:



Chicken with Sweet Potato and Apple

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
4 oz boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped
1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
1/2 apple (any kind), peeled, cored and chopped
1 cup chicken stock

Heath the oil in a saucepan, add the onion and cook until soft. Add chicken and saute until opaque. Add the sweet potato and apple, and pour in the chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Pour into blender and puree until smooth.

Her First Ground Beef

1 red pepper
2 tomatoes, peel and seeded
1/2 zucchini
1/2 lb ground beef

Roast the red pepper (or use jarred pre-roasted) over gas top flame until charred, set in a bowl and cover tightly with saran wrap for 20 minutes. Remove from bowl and peel the skin and de-seed. Steam the 1/2 zucchini and chop. Puree roasted red peppers, peeled tomatoes and steamed zucchini. While browning the ground beef, break into tiny tiny bits. Mix the vegetable puree with the ground beef and serve alone or with tiny whole wheat pasta.


Cheesy Chicken and Carrot Risotto

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 medium tomato, peeled and seeded
1/2 cup brown rice
1 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

Heat olive oil in pan, add chicken, cooking until opaque. Add carrots and chicken stock then bring to a slow boil. Add rice and simmer until all liquid is absorbed. In a separate pan, warm tomatoes and cheese. Remove chopped chicken from the rice and carrot mixture and puree with the tomato and cheese mixture. Stir puree back into cooked brown rice and carrots.

Taking back my kitchen

A few weeks ago, a herd of fruit flies descended on my kitchen. Gross. I tried catching them with vinegar, leftover wine in a bottle with a paper funnel, a banana peel in a bowl wrapped tightly with saran wrap... nothing seemed to help. Finally, we left town for a solid three days. I cleaned the kitchen, fridge, microwave, dishwasher and sink from top to bottom, and I'm happy to say that I've reclaimed my kitchen from the grody fruit flies.

I've also resumed cooking for Bryan and I, and making Sophie some yummy yummy baby food. She loved my butternut squash soup that I modified from this recipe. I actually roasted the butternut squash for another meal a few days prior and I added about 1/4 cup of cream cheese to the finished product. Delicious.

I entered Sophie in the Baby Gap casting call. The babies were supposed to be wearing denim, here she is in her cuteness, and in one photo: her jeggings.

Save yourselves

I'm on the never-ending quest to frugally becoming more environmental and healthy with our everyday choices and with our food. The following are a few confessions and discoveries made lately that I feel the need to share with you. **Disclaimer: not looking to elevate myself to any sort of higher level by imparting some Earth-friendly wisdom (that you may or may not already know), and your opinion might be different than mine (really?). Simply blogging, people.

Confession: I don't always remember my reusable grocery bags when shopping. BUT I do have two 50-something lb dogs that make a lot of poop in the backyard. SO I repurpose the bags to pick up dog poop. The bags are recyclable if you take them back to most grocery stores, too (not if you have poop in them, mind you).

Discovery: Costco in Charlotte not only sells USDA certified organic chicken breasts and thighs, but also ground beef! Also: quinoa, frozen organic broccoli, frozen mixed veggies, Annie's snacks, flax cereal, ground flax seed... my mental list capacity ran out before your eyes. I'm a big fan of Costco to say the least.

Confession: I throw anything paper or plastic in the recycle bin without really knowing what numbers we in Charlotte are allowed to recycle. At least I'm trying, which is more than some people do.

Discovery: 4, 5, 1, and 2 - all the rest are bad for you. Repeat and remember. This is a good way to make sure you are purchasing plastic products that are free of harmful chemicals. BPA Free is something you should also be looking for. No children's product should ever have a number 7 (polycarbonate) or number 3 (PVC).

Confession: I use Pampers. I have zero desire to cloth diaper my babe and I once used a whole bag of the Seventh Generation diapers... they didn't work for us. My child has never had open sores of any sort from sitting in chlorine or whatever else is in Pampers. I try to offset this horrible, Earth-polluting decision with other, more environmental choices (like supporting local farmers through organic produce, not buying bottled water, repurposing used items like Ziplocs, glass jars, magazines etc.).

Discovery: Seventh Generation cleaning products smell like poo. I'm just not a fan. Environmentally friendly, not tested on animals options that smell delicious: Meyers (love their lavender or the basil dish soap), and Method from Target. Unscented options, too.

What are your discoveries or confessions? Sharing is nice.

Organics on wheels

Really really really really excited about Absolute Organics! Just signed up for our first weekly box of USDA certified organic produce delivered free right to our door. I'm hoping this keeps me from buying the same.thing at the farmers market every.single.weekend. Will help me to try new recipes, too! The only down side is that it isn't all necessarily local produce. But the company that delivers all local produce has (obviously) less of a variety...

Anyhow I'll give it a few weeks and see how we like it! If anyone in Charlotte decides to give it a try, please put my name in the referral and then pay it forward.

Yesterday I made a giant batch of Sophie's favorite chicken dinner from my baby food cook book. The apples and sweet potatoes in it really help with that weird pureed chicken texture. And it's really good - so if I ever need my food pureed for any reason I hope someone makes it for me :)

UPDATED TO ADD::

We DO get local produce with Absolute Organics!! I'm SO excited for our first Tuesday delivery.

LOCAL tomatoes, yellow onions, lettuce, blueberries, red potatoes, white mushrooms and corn, and not local but still usda organic: kiwi, fuji apples and banana!!

Sweet Carolina 4th of July

What do Southerners do? We feed people.

I pureed my way through the weekend for the youngest palette of the bunch, making a few new foods for her eating pleasure. Pureed Champagne Mangoes, Apples with cinnamon, Organic Carrots and Broccoli, and Watermelon. **Watermelon not pictured because pureeing watermelon leaves you with... pink water... not easy to spoon feed to an infant. So the watermelon wound up being used for mom and dad in some adult bevvies.

We have an Independence Day dinner tradition that started two years ago while we stayed in a cabin in Hot Springs, NC with Maddox and Coop: Tyler Florence's doubled dipped Buttermilk Fried Chicken and cherry tomatoes with buttermilk blue cheese dressing. Heaven. I also whipped up my specialty baked brie with apricots and pecans... need a double diet week from all that goodness. Yep, I gained back the 2lbs I lost, so I guess I won't be hitting my goal this week.

In other words, Sophie's first July 4th weekend was a success. The weather was practically perfect in every way - these are the Carolina weekends we live for. We took Sophie on long walks, played in her new water spray playmat, visited the swings at the park, and went to a neighborhood cookout. What about fireworks, you ask? The babe goes to sleep at 6:30, and our pooches flip out at the sound of fireworks... so, no, none for us this year. We vaguely heard the sonic booms from the comfort of our basement though. It was great to have Bryan home for a long weekend, and I will be sad to send him off to work tomorrow. But... big trip coming up this weekend, and we're getting excited to run away for a little while!

Sophie enjoying her backyard toy that finally arrived in the mail!

Sophie en Sophie on our front porch ready for festivities!

Red, white and blue!

Me and my little watermelon at the neighborhood cookout (she only lasted an hour, alas, but our good neighbor friends brought us a plate of amazing food a little later)! Might be the only time she wears this outfit on camera, the hat is already almost too small!

Gittin 'Er Done

Some days, I actually impress myself (despite the momiform - more on that another time).

At six minutes to twelve today, I had completed an impressive amount of tasks. Given three bottles, taken one nap (for myself, Sophie had taken two), served one meal of home-made baby food, went for a walk, spent $16.28 at the local farmers market (South Carolina squash, tomatoes, peaches and green beans, butternut squash, imported avocado and mango... yum), made myself breakfast and lunch, washed two and folded three loads of laundry, got our HBO back through Time Warner (at a discount, mind you), purchased a kit of Think Baby bottles (was given two at a baby shower and Sophie looooooooves them) and edited the German resume of a good friend (I know, you think my writing is nothing short of bad, just add it to the list of things I used to be good at).

Does this mean the second half of my day will be a bust? Hope not. Anxiously awaiting the arrival of our newest addition, the Baby Jogger Summit!

Lifestyle change... still getting used to it

I'm not talking about life with babe, I'm talking our diet (ah-hem, lifestyle change). Bryan and I have adopted an anti-inflammatory diet for two reasons: reason one because of a health issue that sent Bryan to the doctor, reason two because he's now lost over 20lbs and I want that, too, damn it! Check back later to see how I really feel after I give it a go for a solid month.

I only have one bone to pick. The single immoral part to this diet is that I'm deprived of every woman's need for eating chocolate on demand. Ever since I was preggo with Sophie I wrapped my swollen fingers around every morsel of delicate dessert I could find - any excuse was a good excuse to eat sweets. Never having a sweet tooth before, I became addicted to chocolate, sugar, desert-in-general when I was with child. I tried to prove to myself that it wasn't true chocolate love by boldly ordering the vanilla cake (it had a much fancier name than I can recall at this time) at Amelie's at the end of our"treat" night from the diet (Saturdays the diet goes to hell and we eat whatever we want). I had asked the server what her favorite item on the menu was and she bounced up and down, excited to give me this vanilla cake recommendation. I devoured half of it, and with each bite hoped I would actually enjoy the next. But sadly, I was up 1000 calories for the day and disappointed. The dark chocolate mousse cup is where it's at, and I won't stray again!