Breakfasting

My husband has been in Italy since last Friday.  (Sigh, jealous). He gets home tomorrow so we are all very excited!  I have been alone with the kids for longer than I ever thought my sanity could handle.  Today, to celebrate my ability to keep two little people alive and happy for that long without the help of my spouse, we are having a day of fun in the kitchen!
Vance, like his mommy, loves to cook.  Also, like his mommy, he can eat his weight in pancakes.  It is a special talent reserved for us elite bread lovers.  This morning we started by making these insanely wonderful pancake bites that I found on Pinterest.  One of the easiest and most gratifying breakfasts I have made in a while.  We typically start our day with a big bowl of hearty steel cut oats so this was a treat!  You can use any pancake batter recipe, so Vance and I whipped up a batch of my family's favorite whole wheat blueberry pancakes.
All you have to do is pour the batter into muffin tins instead of onto a griddle, and bake for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  Genius. Ours took 17 minutes and they were amazing.  They are perfect for a toddler and a hungry mommy.  We didn't even need to put extra sweetener on them because I added pure maple syrup to the batter.  You wish you were invited for breakfast?  Maybe next time.  I might need to restrain myself from making these everyday of my life.




Blueberry Pancake Bites

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or regular whole wheat flour)
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 Tbsp pure maple syrup (or your family's preferred sweetener)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/4 cup milk
3 Tbsp butter, melted
Frozen or fresh blueberries (to taste)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.  Add in the wet ingredients, including the butter.  Mix gently until batter is smooth, making sure all of the flour is absorbed.

Grease a 12 cup muffin tin.  Pour the batter into eat muffin cup.  This batter will not rise as much as a muffin or a cupcake so you can fill them almost to the top.  Sprinkle blueberries or topping if choice into the muffin cups.  We might try bananas and walnuts or strawberries next time!

Bake for anywhere from 12-20 minutes.  The baking will depend on your batter and the toppings inside.  You don't want them to be browned on top, but instead a little brown around the edges.  You can tell they are done when you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean.  Ours took 17 minutes to get to that point...but only about five minutes to disappear.

SOS

When you write a post that goes like this.....

Some days I feel so unfabulous. Yes I am in the business of making up words.  It all started when I didn't have time to brush my teeth. And both of my kids were super needy all day. And Vance was acting like I had stuffed him full of sugar and yellow #5.  And there was too much to get done for one person to have to do it all.  I am also currently in the business of feeling sorry for myself a little.

It is amazing,though, that I love my kids so much that I severely neglected myself all day.  I spent about 5 minutes getting dressed but the rest of the day left me with a baby in one arm (bonus: bicep workout, downside: need a chiropractor) and a toddler that was giving the Flash a run for his money (while wearing Flash underwear). Note to self: no more superhero underwear because Vance always takes on the persona he is wearing. I should try to get him some Zen underwear. Maybe that would help me.

On the upside a friend came over with her baby so I wasn't alone all day.  And our new little babies played together in the cutest possible ways. And Vance's potty training is going really well, despite his puddle he left on the couch and the other one on his chair at the dinner table.  Also, because there was no napping in my house today, both of the kids passed out by 8:30.

When you write a post like that, you know you need help.  And it turns out that you can't actually call the Ghostbusters or Superman to help you.  But if you are as lucky as I am, you can call your friends. Because I had a bad day with my kids yesterday, I was determined to make today better.  I ate a cookie that I baked with a friend, I took a jog (with a friend) and will be able to be in the company of some pretty cool adults and children tonight and tomorrow night.

Before I had Caroline, I was a pretty independent person and prided myself on hardly ever asking for help.  I may have just been a giant 3 year old for my entire life in this regard ("I do it!). Sorry, Mom.  But it all started when I was in labor with her and I had to call a friend last minute to watch Vance.  And then I had to ask for help when I was in labor (but not for drugs because I managed it without...where is my medal?). And then I was in shock for a few days and needed JW and my mom a whole bunch.  And I feel like I have been asking for help ever since.  And it still makes me feel guilty every time.  Like I am not worth the help that I am recieving, even though I am so incredibly grateful for it all.

I know that I should have more self esteem than that, but it is hard to ask for help in a society where we pride ourselves on "doing it all".  In our country these days, it seems like the busier you are, the better you are.  Should this really be the case?  Shouldn't we be rewarding people for slowing down, taking a look at their lives, and connecting with other human beings?  It is particularly tough as a mom.  I know,I know, we moms always talk about how tough it is...blah blah blah.  But seriously, if a woman is working full time with kids at home, she is still expected to attend every school/family event, stay home with them while they are sick, AND climb the corporate ladder to success while covered in snot, spit up, and three day old mashed bananas.  (By the way, working dads do not have this high of an expectation placed on them, but that doesn't mean I am not grateful for my husband and his job).

At the other end of the spectrum, if a mom stays home with her children,  people assume she is lounging around all day in her flowered pajamas watching Ellen reruns.  As a stay at home mom, I constantly feel that what I am doing is not good enough.  I feel like I should be doing something more than chasing children and cleaning up after their constant messes, all while teaching them the rules and morals of life and trying to stimulate their budding brain cells.  But, alas, what I am doing does not bring home the bacon (unless we are talking about grocery store bacon).  Therefore, it is not seen as a job but more if a life choice.

I guess all I can do is thank Caroline for the life lessons she has taught me so far (more to come), and my friends for their help in this crazy life.  Meanwhile, I can stop feeling sorry for myself and be happy that I had the courage to ask for the help that I needed.

The Sunshine State (of mind)

So this past week, my husband and I took on the difficult insane task of vacationing with a toddler and two month old baby.  JW had a conference down on Sarasota and I had never been to that area so we joined him.  We needed the warmth and needed a vacation even more.  Our lives have been turned upside down since the birth of Caroline in November and the subsequent rebelling of our three year old son Vance.

We chose early flights because it saved us money and also I figured that the kids would be fresh and in happier moods.  Have I mentioned that until recently I was terrified of flying?  So I was also trying  to conquer that fear while wrestling the kids.  I felt like we prepared pretty well (I was a Girl Scout after all).  I bought Vance a monstrous sticker book and a new pad of paper and crayons.  I stocked up on a few healthy snacks and some organic lollipops.  I made sure to bring my boobs along for Caroline.  I bought a tranquilizer gun...just kidding. We were set!

We got to the airport on Saturday morning at 6:30 and Vance immediately had a horrible meltdown.  First he wouldn't go through security.  When we finally convinced him that the evil TSA monsters were not going to harm him, Caroline decided to wail for some breakfast.  Vance seemed to be overstimulated and shut down...he would not cooperate with anything.  When we walked up to the gate where we would be catching our flight we had a screaming, crabby toddler, and a crying baby.  People were so happy to see us!

I managed to nurse Caroline and then made Vance extremely happy by letting him play on the moving sidewalks in the airport.  By the time we were ready to board the kids were fine.  JW and I managed to not throw parental temper tantrums as well when the flight was delayed a bit.  The plane ride was great and both kids were angelic.  I had one of those proud moments as a parent when your ego inflates a little and you think you know it all about raising kids.  Unfortunately that ended as soon as it began (as is always the case).

Our vacation was nice because the weather cooperated and I got to be outside a lot with the kids.  We also got to eat out which meant I didn't have to cook (but it also meant that I gained a few pounds). And having a maid clean your room everyday is a huge plus. I got to jog on the beach (by myself!) a few mornings and we walked a ton.  Vance loved collecting shells in the morning and playing on the white, sandy beaches.  Even Grandma made an appearance!

It was a "vacation" though.  Not a relaxing, feet in the sand, read a book on the beach VACATION.  We were all in one hotel room and kids get crabby no matter what latitude they are occupying or what the temperature is outside.  Vance managed to take a spill and scrape up his face so we got our badge for parents of the year.  Our lives were unfolding as they do everyday at home, just in a different location.  But I am not going to be ungrateful, it was really great to get away!  I wish I could keep the vacation state of mind running after we have been home for a while.

The return flight was rocky as far as the kids go but we still got compliments on their behavior.  Highlights included Vance pooping and not letting us change him so that the whole plane smelled and the old woman behind me being creepy and trying to watch Caroline nurse (do you mind?).  The great thing about flying to and from Florida is that you get to be surrounded by a bunch of nice grandparents who are either coming or going from their visits with grandchildren, whom they miss dearly.  Their affections were then transferred to my children which was cute.

And I do have to toot my own horn and say that I managed my fears of flying really well!  It was all in the breath.  Well, that and being so darn distracted that I didn't even think about it most of the time!  I hope our story of a (mostly) successful trip will inspire more parents to take their kids and get away!  We all need a vacation from the insanity of everyday life. It is a nice chance to be with your family and remember what is truly important.  One thing I am trying to keep from vacation (besides my tan) is the happy feeling I get when I truly look at my children.  Their pure, loving innocence is enough to remind me why I wake up everyday.

 

 

Rehydrate the natural way!

So if you are one of the unlucky parents this year who has had to deal with a stomach bug taking its toll on your household, this post is for you!  I read this great blog called 100 Days of Real Food by Lisa Leake.  This woman is great and has so many wonderful tips for anyone trying to be healthier in mind and body.  She began the blog in order to challenge herself and her family to eat real food, meaning no processed or artificial anything.  Her Whole wheat banana bread recipe is crazy good and I make it often for my family.  Recently, she posted a really interesting entry about Pedialyte and a great natural substitution.  The recipe can be found here and it is just water, salt, and sugar mixed in an amount that is known to rehydrate the body when ill.  I was looking for something like this for Vance when he was sick a few weeks ago but couldn't find anything.  I will hold onto this for future reference though.  I hope this finds you all happy and healthy, but if not remember you can always turn to natural remedies before heading to the drugstore!

A poem to start the day!

Sometimes we all need a little pick me up. This is my favorite poem by Mary Oliver.  It is called "Why I Wake Early".  She has such a wonderfully easy way of writing and it just warms your soul!  Enjoy this poem while eating the yummy energy cookies that Vance and I whipped up and gobbled up(recipe below).


Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who make the morning
and spread it over fields
and into the faces of tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and the crotchety-

best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light-
good morning, good morning, good morning.

Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.

Cashew Date Coconut Cookies

Handful of dates (about 5 or 6)
Handful of raisins
3/4 cup cashews (we used lightly salted)
Drizzle of honey
Small pinch of salt
2 Tbsp water
Shredded unsweetened coconut
Wheat germ

Add all ingredients except the coconut and wheat germ to the bowl of a small food processor.
Process until smooth or to the consistency you want (sometimes prefer mine chunky). They should be sticky enough and solid enough to roll into balls.  If they are too runny just add more cashews, raisins or dates to firm them up.  Roll into balls and roll through a mixture of the wheat germ and coconut.  It should make about 10 cookies. Freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate for 30 before serving.  Keep leftovers refrigerated.  These are great for an afternoon snack, especially for kids, or something to grab before heading out for a walk or run.  They stabilize blood sugar and are quite filling!  You can also make your own version by using a different nut or adding fun things like chocolate chips!

Bon appetite!

A good day and a good recipe.

Things aligned in my universe yesterday and Vance woke up in a happy mood (even if it was at 5:30 am). My two month old slept until 8 am.  My toddler played quietly during this time while I made some yummy steel cut oats followed by an even yummier spinach smoothie, got dressed, started laundry, cleaned up breakfast, and had a cup of tea.  I might as well have run a marathon and fed one million starving children.  It made me feel like I had a damn fabulous start to the day.

Let me rub it in some more....Vance was occupied at school that morning and I got to relax with a friend and our babies.  My toddler was compliant and even though he ended the day with a temperature/cold and a chiropractor appointment in which he actually laid on the table, I didn't have to raise my voice to him once.  Last night I felt peaceful and energized.  But having such a great day has me thinking (damn thoughts ruining my aaah moment).....

The past few weeks with my son have been really hard.  He is still trying to adjust to life with a little sister and he has been trying to get attention any way he can.  Sometimes I find myself nagging at him so much that the word "no" loses its authority.  I often have feelings of frustration towards him that turn into feelings of dislike for a fleeting moment.  I find that his behavior really impacts my mood for the whole day, which is even more apparent when I have a bad day followed by a good one.    I don't know if other parents feel the same way, but a child's behavior and their mother's mood are intertwined in a vicious cycle of passion.

I have noticed that my good days seem to be the ones where I nag Vance a little less and he listens to me a little more.  I want to find a formula that will create this everyday (and make me the most
wealthy businesswoman alive). Maybe it takes me, as the adult in the relationship, taking the high road and having a more positive tone of voice?  Or just trying to pick my battles wisely?  Like
everything else concerning child rearing, it will just have to take experimentation and patience.  By the time I figure it out, he will be out of this phase and onto a new one.  At least I will have something up my sleeve for when Caroline is in this phase of life.  For now I will bask in the glow of a day that actually went my way!

Spinach smoothie (aka dinosaur smoothie) recipe
*best outcome using Vitamix
1/2 cup green grapes
1 orange
1 apple
2-3 cups spinach
1/3 cup water
1 1/2 to 2 cups ice
Blend all ingredients on smoothie setting until smooth.  If you have a banana lover sub for grapes!
Drink up and enjoy a burst of energy!