Potato Stamps

Our friend baby June turned one year old this past weekend. I spaced on buying her giftwrap and was disappointed with the cheesy selection of Disney princess or Winnie the pooh wrapping paper at the store.




We decided to make our own wrap. We used some cream and yellow construction paper. We also used orange and yellow tempra paint. I used a potato on it's last leg to make a floral stamp. And then Nico took over and stamped away. I found it better to use a cheap pen and draw my design directly onto the spud, pushing in a bit as I drew. Then I went over the design with an exacto.

It was a fun project for both of us, and it hopefully made our gift more special for a special little girl. Happy Birthday June!






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Pizza Night

I had to try it! Egg on pizza is so hot right now.

I've been making my own pizzas lately. They are a great alternative to a pasta night. I buy whole wheat pizza dough balls from Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. I make a quick sauce from tomatoes, garlic, onion and fresh seasonings. Then I top it with whatever I've got in the fridge. I've done cheeseless even, and it's been a hit.

On the egg pizza, I cooked the pizza for 5 minutes at 425 degrees, then used a spoon to make a dent in the melted cheese for the egg to sit in. I cracked the egg into a bowl first and then slid it onto the pie, just to avoid shell or a broken egg. I cooked it for another 10 minutes tops and took it out right when the egg whites had cooked.

The yolk was so delicious! Nico loved it. There's something about an egg at dinner that feels so special.





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The Dirty Dozen

I just wanted to share this new list that came out today about the most toxic foods. This list helps me when deciding conventional versus organic. I'd like to buy all organic all the time, but that's not realistic. Sometimes, organic just isn't available. This list is published by a consumer watch dog group that i really love and apprciate, The Environmental Working Group. They have great lists on their site that rank safety for consumers, from shampoo to cell phones to sunblock. I suggest signing up, so that they can send you updates via email. I've never been let down by the information they send me. It's all really relevant.

They publish this shopper's guide every year. I find it so handy, I hope you will too.
They even have an app of this list that you can get for your phone.

I loved this video of Dr. Weil discussing why conventional food isn't so great. Happy, and safe eating!

My first masterpiece

On Wednesdays we take a great art class at our rec center. The teacher, Mrs.R., has the kids under her spell. I tell Nico not to touch the gluestick and he grabs for it, Mrs. R says no touching and Nico folds his hands in his lap! She comes up with really creative crafts for the kiddies. This week we made Spring Crowns. I personally love the hanging spider, cute touch. I'm really trying to channel some of Mrs. R's creativity and her bedside manner. Bedazzler and glitter fairies hear my prayer.




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Hiking for Toddlers

Nico does well when he has lots of physical activity, and I mean to the point of exhaustion. He has energy to burn, and lately a good hike is just what the doctor ordered. Aaron has been taking Nico for early morning hikes at Runyon Canyon. They check out dogs, celebrities, and the view.
Recently, Super Mom Stephanie Evans suggested an amazing park, so Nico and I headed there this last week. It's called Debs Park, an incredible outdoor space in Mt. Washington. It's a bird sanctuary and has easy hiking trails. It's super kid friendly. They even have free offroad strollers to lend at the front entrance. They have special areas set up for kids to explore the grounds. Rocks to climb and streams to play in. Nico seemed lost in his own exploration. He found a pump for drawing fresh water and spent tons of time and energy there. He loved a little playhouse that they had set up in their compost education area.
My only advice is to wear long pants because there is lots of poison oak along the deeper hike paths.
We're so happy to hear Nico scream "hike!" anytime he sees a mountain in the distance.
I hope this love of the outdoors sticks with him for good.
















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What I'm Reading

I'm really trying my best to keep a balance. On this latest trip to the library I checked out some books for myself not related to toddler sleep or baby discipline.
My latest favorite read is "Born Round" by Frank Bruni. The story of a man with weight and eating issues, who also happens to be a food critic. It's a smart look at food and it's addictive qualities. Bruni recalls his struggle to break his seduction with food in a really honest way. Plus he gives tremendous details about life as a critic, a job that always has had allure for me.
But the part of the book I want to share with you has nothing to do with Frank Bruni. It's about his mom, and when I read it, I had to put the book down for a moment to reflect.

"She'd chosen full-time motherhood over a formal profession, so she channeled all of the ambitions, vanities and competitive impulses that might have been satisfied by a career into the way she raised us and ran the house."

Is this the reason I have stepped so easily into June Cleaver's shoes? Is this why homemaking has become so important to me? Between my budgeted weekly menus and my cleaning schedule, my arts&crafts and garden work I have become something my 20 year old self would never have imagined.

In all honesty, there is something empowering about my new life. Part of our lifestyle feels almost rebellious in it's return to simpler ways. Urban yet pioneering. Old in a New way. And if being First Lady of this homestead; head mama of this 3 person commune, is my new job, so be it.

Actually... Can I get a raise?


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Super Snack: Kale Chips

I actually love this leafy green, mostly braised and served cold with sesame seeds, sesame oil and Tamari, a'la Whole Foods. It's a dish I am more than happy to eat, and I know the benefits of Kale are truly stupendous. It really is a SuperFood. But today I made these amazing Kale Chips and now I am hooked. I want to eat the whole tray, and I don't want to share with Nico or Aaron. What a great way to get the family eating Kale. I think these are a great Potato Chip alternative or just a great midday, after nap snack. I think next batch I will try sprinkling some Brewer's Yeast on it, make it really "SUPER" Try this and let me know how it goes. By the way, I found the recipe at Smitten Kitchen, and I am really smittten. Amazing photos, recipes for days , and a really easy writing style. She is my new cooking muse. (photos via Smittenkitchen.com)


WHY KALE IS A SUPER FOOD:

• Organosulfur Phytonutrients that Help Prevent Cancer
• Kale Protective against Ovarian Cancer
• Optimize Your Cells' Detoxification / Cleansing Ability
• Carotenoids that Lower Cataract Risk
• Kale Gets an A+ for its Pro-vitamin A
• Promotes Lung Health
• One cup of this cooked vegetable supplies 88.8% of the daily value for vitamin C
• Protection against Rheumatoid Arthritis
• A Very Good Source of Fiber
• Calcium-For A Lot Less Calories and Minus the Fat in Cow's Milk
• Vitamin E-rich Leafy Greens Slow Loss of Mental Function
• Crucifers provide significant cardiovascular benefits

Making Lemonade from Lemons

I have so many lemons this season I am not sure what to do. It's sad that they are hard to give away. Whole Foods sells them for almost a buck each! I even tried calling food banks and they said no. So much for good deeds. Someone, anyone need lemons? It made me start thinking that I wasn't thinking outside of the yellow box enough. It doesn't have to be lemon squares or lemon in my water. Here are some uses I am giving a try this month. Please send me any lemon recipes or your favorite citrus tip.

Keep rice from sticking To keep your rice from sticking together, add a spoonful of lemon juice to the boiling water when cooking. When the rice is done, let it cool for a few minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.

Refresh cutting boards To get rid of smells and help sanitize the cutting board, rub it all over with the cut side of half a lemon or wash it in undiluted juice straight from the bottle.

Keep guacamole green Sprinkle a liberal amount of fresh lemon juice over it and it will stay fresh and green. The flavor of the lemon juice is a natural complement to the avocados in the guacamole. Works for fruit salad too. Just squeeze some lemon juice onto the apple slices, and they'll stay snowy white.

Clean your microwave Just mix 3 tablespoons lemon juice into 1 1/2 cups water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High for 5-10 minutes, allowing the steam to condense on the inside walls and ceiling of the oven. Then just wipe away the softened food with a dishrag.

Deodorize your garbage disposal If your garbage disposal is beginning to make your sink smell yucky, here's an easy way to deodorize it: Save leftover lemon peels and toss them down the drain.

Whiten clothes Diluted or straight, lemon juice is a safe and effective fabric whitener when added to your wash water. Clothes come out smelling lemon-fresh.

Clean and whiten nails Pamper your fingernails without the help of a manicurist. Add the juice of 1/2 lemon to 1 cup warm water and soak your fingertips in the mixture for 5 minutes. After pushing back the cuticles, rub some lemon peel back and forth against the nail.

Cleanse your face Clean and exfoliate your face by washing it with lemon juice. You can also dab lemon juice on blackheads to draw them out.

Freshen your breath Make an impromptu mouthwash using lemon juice straight from a bottle. Rinse with the juice and then swallow it for longer-lasting fresh breath. The citric acid in the juice alters the pH level in your mouth, killing the bacteria that cause bad breath. Rinse well though, long-term exposure to the acid in the lemon can harm tooth enamel.

Soften dry, scaly elbows Your elbows will look and feel better: Mix baking soda and lemon juice to make an abrasive paste. Then rub the paste into your elbows for a soothing, smoothing, and exfoliating treatment. You can rub a half lemon directly onto your elbows before a shower too.

Relieve rough hands and sore feet Rinse them in a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water, then massage with olive oil.